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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
book_n	prayer_n	read_v	word_n	2,960	5	4.5557	4	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A65377	A weeks work: shewing the whole duty of a Chritian Laying down in seven particular heads for the practise of the seven days of the week, what prayer is, how to use it profitably, wherein is shewed the true nature, power, and effects of vocal and mental prayer; with advice and instructions (for such as be ignorant in prayer and spiritual duty) how to attain to a true spiritual, effectual, and proficient way of praying. Very useful and requisite to be read in societies and families. To which is added seven copper-plates, suitable to each days exercise.	G. V.	1668 (1668)	Wing W1250AB; ESTC R220908	22,326	107

IMPRIMATUR Ex Aedibus Lambethanis Aug. 20. 1667. Tho. Tomkins R Rmo. in Christo Patri ac Domino Gilberto divina Providentia Archi-Epipcopo Cantuariensi a sacris domestices A Weeks Work Shewing the WHOLE DUTY OF A CHRISTIAN Laying down in seven particular heads for the practise of the seven Days of the Week what Prayer is how to use it profitably wherein is shewed the true Nature Power and Effects of Vocal and Mental Prayer with advice and Instructions for such as be ignorant in prayer and spiritual duty how to attain to a true spiritual effectual and proficient way of praying Very useful and requisite to be read in Societies and Families To which is added seven Copper-plates suitable to each days Exercise LONDON Printed by E. O. for William Crooke without Temple-bar near Essex-house 1668. TO THE READER AFter I had finished these Exercises which I designed at first for a private use only but upon serious reflections of the great importance some considerations on this so needful a subject might be I have here adventured to present to the publick these private Meditations hoping that thou mayst find as much comfort in the reading as I have done in the writing hereof I seek not any honour or profit hereby nor do I desire you to * Job 6. 22. Give a reward for me of your substance for these my Labors but only and earnestly desire these Instructions may come home to thy heart and all that I shall expect is from the Wise-man's mouth * Prov. 11. 18. To him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward I desire thou wouldst bring with thee a heart void of prejudice towards those Holy Duties that are to be performed that with a sincere and humble Elevation of the mind you may say with the Holy Prophet * Psal 109. 5. I give my self unto prayer It might possibly be expected here should have been Forms ef Prayers for proper occasions but I thought it not so needful to concern my self in a Task that hath been so often and so well performed by able and Religious men for all occasions both publick and private so that I do not find there needed any more assistance by that want of prayers but which was to much wanting to quicken the coldness and dullness of prayer I have here indeavoured to set down some motives to draw you to the more fervent use of it That so it may be more effectual and proficient to the saving of your souls and that your prayers may not be an offence to God as Judah's once was * Isa 1. 15. When ye spread forth your hands I will hide mine Eyes from you Yea when you make many prayers I will not hear But rather that we may so pray that we may hear the Holy Spirit sounding in our hearts from the mouth of the same Prophet saying * Isa 38. 5. Thus saith the Lord c. I have heard thy prayers and I have seen thy tears c. Octob. 26. 1667. G. V. SUNDAYS Exercise Cain Murthers Abel Gen 4. And Cain brought of the fruit of the ground v. 3 And Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock etc And the Lord had respect unto Abel etc. vers 4. but unto Cain c. he had not respect etc. vers 5. And Cain rose up against Abel his brother slew him vers 8. CHAP. I. Of Prayer Sect. 1 MAny that are given to Prayer gain little profit thereby because they do not know nor consider what Prayer is for had they known it they would be more Prayer not well known attentive in it and use it as they ought And so we should have more Saints then there are and Heaven more Souls Sect. 2 You must therefore understand that Prayer generally taken is an Elevation or Application What prayer is to God so that if a man pronounce many good words with his Mouth and seem to Pray not having this Elevation it is no Prayer by reason the Mind is not elevated or applied to God As for example suppose a Child required by his Parents to read very Godly prayers in some devout and pious Book either to pass away the time or know whether he can read or no he cannot in so doing be said to Pray though he reads the most devout Prayer that can be Why so because he intended not to Pray and the principal thing which is the application to God is wanting Therefore our Saviour speaking to the Pharisees ye Hypocrites did not Isaiah prophesie well of you saying This people doth praise me with their Lips but their Heart is far from me This he said in the behalf of God by which you may observe our Saviour doth term him an Hypocrite and Dissembler who maketh shew of that which is not moving his Lips as in Prayer but not applying his Heart to God Sect. 3 But alass how many Pharisees Of Hypocrites and Hypocrites may be found this day even among the best of Christians that make shew of praying and serving God their Hearts being far from him We have the Lord's prayer appointed The Lord's prayer by our Saviour to be said as the most excellent of all Prayer we have our common-Common-prayer or The Common prayer Liturgy composed by most pious and prudent Christians establish'd by the Law of the Land duely used in our Churches we have many Godly books with Godly books devout Prayers all for the use and benefit of Christians and though vocally said yet they are of great power in the sight of Good use of them all God being well and attentively used according to a sincere and devout Application Yet I am sorry there be many so worldly and negligent that pray no way Neglect of prayer though in Christian duty obliged to pray nay there be some that scarce call to mind whether there be a God or no which the Turks do not forget So that at their going to Bed or rising up before meat or after they give no Thanks but Not give thanks couch and feed as the brute Beasts do or as if they were not obliged being reasonable Creatures to praise and give God thanks for their Beeing Life Health Food Conservation night and day from sudden Death and other Dangers which as others they are subject to and if by chance they go to Church to hear Divine Service they being thereunto bound by Law they mind more to gaze here and there on this or that Body's Attire or new Fashionable Christians Fashion or give their minds to wander on idle things more than what they ought to do in that place And when they do begin their Devotion they know not what or how they say it they are Unattentive so much Destracted their minds it may be in the Market Tavern or some worse place and if Prayers be but short yet they seem so long to them that they are wearied and think they will never end And

matter by which he intends to benefit himself would not court him the best he could or at least give him that respect as well in Conversation as Salutation which to him is due according to his quality much more to a King when a Petition is presented to him For it is known in all Kingdoms with what low submission and respect and with how many bowings he is first saluted before the Petition be delivered and then how observant the Petitioner is of the King's gesture whilst he reads it how carefully doth he fix his eyes to see when he will look at him and how attentively and patiently doth he expect his answer Be you now Judge dear Christians whether wrong be not done to the King of Kings and Lord of all things when by those that go to speak and petition to him He is not so much regarded as a temporal King or worldly Man of mean degree for they scarce begin to pray when most irreverently they turn as we may say their back-●●●es to his Divine Majesty who is there attending to give audience to their request their mind busily speaking with the World and he left as a Cypher quite forgotten Oh foul abuse Oh great irreverence Oh unspeakable ingratitude A Prayer MY God how canst thou indure it My dearest Lord how dost thou bear with such rude and ungrateful people Verily thou art the God of patience and goodness the meanest Man of any fashion would not take the like affront at any others hands though somewhat beyond his degree O true Lover of our Souls what can they expect by such Prayers or rather by such Mockeries for though thou art most merciful and gracious and very willing to receive our Petitions and grant what we desire if we come to thee with that humble reverence and true confidence which is fitting and all ought to have in thee or with that respect and attention which they afford even to thy Creatures when thy great goodness and mercy is not regarded but they dis-esteem it and turn their hearts and minds from thee and when the Day of reckoning comes Doubtless thou wilt turn thy blessed face from them and they may hear to their cost Depart from me ye cursed into Hell for ever which is an Exclusion from the Joys of Heaven and the sight of God's Glory Eternally I beseech thee therefore my most gracious Lord that thou wilt prevent this my so great Evil and grant us most frail Sinners thy holy grace in this Life to forsake this great irreverence and continual abuse of thy Divine Majesty in time of our Prayer which through negligence and inconsideration we commonly fall into that thy sweet face may not be turned from us at the hour of Death nor we be forsaken by thee for all Eternity Amen MUNDAYS Exercise Noah entreth the Ark Gen. VII And the Lord said unto Noah came thou and all thy house into the Ark. etc. v. 1. Of every cleane beast take by sevens etc. v. 2. Of beasts that are not cleane and of fowles and of every thing that cre●peth etc. v. 8 there went in two and two etc. v. 9 CHAP. II. Of profitable Praying Sect. 1 FIrst dear Soul know that in your Conversation with God neither Rhetorical Heavenly conversation Eloquence subtilty of Wit nor great Learning is requisite but a plain humble and simple Declaration of what you intend for his Divine Majesty understands our intentions therefore it will be fitting whensoever we go to Prayer to have a certain intention and to propose to thy self some end for which you intend then to Pray that your Prayer may not be in vain As for example I will go to Prayer Example to give God thanks for his benefits bestowed on me as for my Creation Redemption and such like and in token of gratitude I will say such Prayers or spend so long time at my Devotions and confess with unfeigned unthankfulness for the love which our Saviour did bear towards me coming from Heaven to Earth to suffer what he did in his Life and Death to satisfie his Heavenly Father for the sins of such a vile wretch as I am and then purpose through his Grace to serve and love him ever after with more fidelity and sincerity than formerly and crave his holy assistance and grace to that end also at other times to obtain true sorrow repentance and forgiveness of your Sins likewise amendment of your Life or the over-coming of some vice or passion to which you are most inclined or to gain some virtue as patience humility love of your Neighbour chastity c. Moreover you may imploy your Prayers for the conversion of Sinners or any other thing that is commended to your Prayers or you intend to obtain of his Divine Majesty for surely it is much simplicity and ignorance in any to go to Prayer and speak with this so great a King and gracious a Lord and not know what about nor considering to what end Sect. 2 Therefore going to Prayer which it is as I said to speak to that great King and Lord of Heaven and Earth remember always Order of going to prayer to do and direct it for one of the former ends or the like which done in the place of Prayer suppose in your Mind that God is there present gloriously as truly he is accompanied and attended with many Quires of Angels that are always praising him with unspeakable reverence and love That he is there to give you Audience and know The presence of God your intent and request after this great submission and humility address your Petition to his Divine Majesty by devout Prayers inwardly remembring that you are speaking to him always indeavouring to have your mind well applied whensoever you go to Prayer and be carefull to reflect on what you do and how you Pray and if you find your mind wandring and not applied as it ought with humility try God's mercy for that irreverence This manner of proceeding in Prayer no doubt but doth please the Almighty God and he will not deny what you desire or grant you a better thing for this is the true way to pray with profit and it will bring you with facility to Mental prayer For indeed Vocal prayer so used is both Vocal and Mental and certainly God doth concur particularly God's concurrence with those that give themselves to Prayer granting them not onely many inward comforts and consolations but also such an exemplary Life that they are observed and beloved by most people for the inward Grace cannot but manifest it self in the outward works so that you may see them often visiting the Churches delighting to hear Sermons and Divine Service frequenting the Sacraments with much Devotion spending long time in Prayer with so great inward feeling that often outwardly the Outward sence of inward grace Tears abundantly flow from the inward sweetness They read good Books to keep in the little fire of Devotion

the amendment of your Life and better serving of God ever after and in this you ought to be exact because you passed your word to God FRIDAYS Exercise Jonah is delivered from the fish Jonah 〈◊〉 Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fishes belly v 2 etc And the LORD spake unto the fish and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry Land vers 10 CHAP. VI. Instructions for those that cannot Discourse and therefore in Prayer have no content Sect. 1 SOme there are that cannot frame Similitudes Dull capacities nor Reasons to help themselves in Prayer These when they go to Prayer may frame some thought of making reverence to God in contrition for offending him of thanks for his benefits and love to them and praising him for his goodness and mercy and it will be acceptable to God thus to pass the time of Prayer without tediousness also it will be requisite to have some devout Books to read as helps to Piety and Devotion reading as often as they see themselves carried away with any Temptations shutting the Book after some time Reading and thinking upon what they have Read that so they may be inwardly imploy'd untill God seeing their diligent care may visit them with his Holy grace Sect. 2 It may also much prevail in Read the Life of our Saviour Prayer when they know not what to do to run over the Life of our Saviour in a general manner from his Infancy to his Death to keep their mind imployed in good thoughts and it is like that in some part they may have a feeling of their Sins or of his Love or the like good Affection it may do well to say Mentally some devout Prayer with great attention considering the meaning of every Petition as you think of them yet you must not commonly give way to your imaginations to run upon many things but for the most part meditate upon some Mistery in Divinity by reason the Soul is apt to gain a Custom thereby and if it be an evil one it will hardly be well settled or recollected which will be a great Obstacle to Contemplation in Prayer for he is scarce worthy of thanks when he goes to Prayer can pass the time with any vain or pleasing Discourse and differs little in the effect from he that goes to Prayer with a repugnancy and loathing of it Sect. 3 Our Souls must indeavour to Conscience kept pure keep purity of Conscience sincerity of Affections and we must often hear the Word and receive the holy Sacrament frequently and practise Acts of Virtue as Humility Contrition Charity Patience c. And in times of Barrenness these will inflame the Soul with godly desires and at the end of Prayer leave her with content SATURDAYS Exercise Daniel in the Lions Den. Daniel VI. Then the King commanded and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of Lions etc v. 16. Then the King arose very early etc. v. 19. And when he came to the den he crye'd etc v. 20. Then said Daniel etc. v 21 My God hath sent his angel and hath shut the Lions mouthes etc v. 22 CHAP. VII Of the proficient way in Prayer Sect. 1 HEre the Soul is to be The soul must understand what virtue is made understand what Virtue is and how to bring it and preserve it untill it come to perfection you must observe that some do 〈◊〉 … ake notice what it is to go forward in due Order in the way of Virtue and perfection but before they well know themselves or what Mortification is or how they ought to go in the Exercises of proficient Prayer their Passions being unmortified their Senses not heeded or well governed and consequently if they use Prayer many years they gain small profit and little virtue by it Sect. 2 Therefore you must not ascend Purged from the affections of the things of this world to proficient Prayer untill you are well and sufficiently purged from all the affections to the things of this World and so mortified in your Senses and Passions till you come to the knowledge of your own Insufficiency Vileness and Ignorance Sect. 3 But the Soul having got over The souls step forward the Hedge from the foul miry way wherein she was to a dainty Plain from the Winters night to a Summers day and that the tempestuous operations of the Passions are gone the understanding in his Native light doth begin to appear more seriously to work according to reason and the Sun of Justice casting his Rays upon him by which he is enlightned that he plainly sees the great misery the Soul was in and that only by the Exercise of Virtue she can be preserved from returning thither again then by degrees this Soul encreasing in purity and gaineth a facility in Prayer Sect. 4 By this the Light is greater The souls having the plain understanding and the Soul more plainly understands those things of God which may induce her to love him in a high degree and maketh her heart tender and inflames it with a great desire to imitate the Life of our Saviour and to reprint them deeply in the Soul for this is the true pattern of all perfection it is not in the understanding of any to conceive nor in the Eloquence of any Tongue to express the comfort the Soul that is come thus far hath in Prayer yet it is not sufficient to have renounced all things in the World and use Retirements outward and inward and great Austerity to the Body but you must examine and mortifie your Affections even in Spiritual things and withdraw your selves from their Sensual delights The End A Table CHAP. I. OF prayer pag. 2. CHAP. II. Of profitable Praying p. 22. CHAP. III. Of the dignity and profit of Mental prayer p. 30. CHAP. IV. What Mental prayer is and the parts thereof p. 41. CHAP. V. Profitable advices concerning the use of Prayer p. 66. CHAP. VI. Instructions for those that cannot Discourse and therefore in Prayer have no content p. 82. CHAP. VII Of the proficient way in Prayer p. 87. FINIS Books newly Printed for William Crooke nigh Essex-house in the Strand AN Elegy on the late fire and ruins of London by E. Settle Oxon. Praxis Curiae Admiralitatis Angliae Auctore Fran. Clerke A Book of great use to all persons conversant in Civil and Ecclesiastical Courts c. De Principiis Ratiorinatione Geometrarum ubi ostenditur incertitudiuem falsitutemque non minorem in esse scriptis eorum quam scriptis Physicorum Ethirorum contra Fastum professorum Geometriae Auctore Tho. Hobbes