us which is an especiall token of his favour to us being the meanes to save our soules 3 And that if the enemy should prevaile we should not onely lose these blessings but they should be scofft at prophaned and trodden under foot by them and their abominations set up to the exceeding greeat dishonour of our blessed God and the Losse of innumerable soules 2 Couragiously and that 1 Because it is the Cause of God Almighty who is able to defend and deliver us in the middest of the greatest perils and if none apparent were nigh unto us 2 Who governeth all things in all places that no bullet can fly or any other instrument of warre move but according to his especiall disposing nor doe any hurt to me but by his expresse commission and according to his good pleasure 3 That he who is most faithfull in remembring and keeping his word hath abundantly promised he will preserve and deliver me as he sees best for me 4 That he hath preserved and delivered others even prophane persons who have shewed little care to obey seek or trust him and that in extreamest dangers 5 That he hath often and most remarkably done the like to others of his and to me the most helplesse and unworthy formerly 6 That many through feare seeking to avoyd danger have the sooner hurt and slaine and others who have been warrantably and worthily valiant have by Gods protection escaped 7 That divers have been slain in a Tent hut or house or in other places where they thought themselves secure have been hurt or slaine when others in the trench or battell have been safe 8 That if the Lord please I shall be safe be the perils never so many and great for he can preserve from the greatest as well as the least from many as well as any 9 If he please I end my dayes in fight against his foes I dye a Martyr and the very instrument of my death is a meanes to send me Heaven 10 If we be fearfull and insufficient in our selves to doe our duty valiantly let us seek courage and ability from the Lord he will in some good measure undoubtedly grant it because he hath expresly promised it 3 Faithfully because the Lord hateth eye service and all unfaithfulnesse and loveth a faithfull carriage in our callings 4 Diligently and vigilantly because 1 By sloathfulnesse negligence and backwardnesse much time is lost much evill may ensue to the businesse and much shame disfavour scorne and harme may come upon our selves 2 Because time is redeemed the Cause advanced and we shall be commended and be the better trusted with imployment 5 Circumspectly that is to pursue all lawfull imployments of our calling seasonably for time place and manner with good advice worthily weighing all circumstances throughly 6 Conscionably propounding Gods glory chiefly the goodnes of the Cause seriously and our sincere obedience to his Majesty and to testifie we are Christians indeed that lay his Cause to heart deeply 7 In faith resting fully perswaded that our good God of his great mercy for the worthinesse of the Lord Jesus will graclously accept our endeavours though never so full of unworthinesse and will assuredly blesse us 8 Wiâ—h humble instant and earnest prayer especially 1 That the Lord will supply with fitting gifts for his service 2 That our endeavours may be blessed for the maintainance of the Cause 3 That he will please by all meanes in all places continually to maintaine the same and oppose the contrary Thirdly divers motives to stirre up by all meanes to help to our uttermost to maintaine the Cause of God 1 Such as have respect to the Lord most blessed for evermore as he is our God in foure respects among many more 1 That he is our Creator and hath made us for his own glory and that we cannot any way better answer the end of our creation then by offering our service yea to the death if he thinks sit for his names sake 2 That he is our Father therfore it were an unnaturall cowardly and shamefull part to stand still and look on when other of our Christian brethren are abused smitten and slaine 3 That he is our Lord then were it a base uncivill hatefull part in us to be quiet when others of our deare and loving fellow-servants are wronged and persecuted 4 That he is our chiefe good from whom we have received and doe expect all good therefore we are bound to testifie our thankfulnesse in this respect especially 2 Such as have respect to the Lord Jesus Christ our Redeemer as 1 As he is our Redeemer and dyed for us we should not suffer his Crosse to be defaced his blood to be trodden under foot as is done by Idolaters against whom we must in this case contend to the uttermost 2 Because he is persecuted and fought against in his Church should we not take his part who hath done and suffered so much for us that were his enemies and with holy wrath and indignation and deep desire of godly revenge for the wrongs done to him fight and doe all we can 3 Because he saith he that seeketh to save his life and that not for him loseth it and he that loseth his life for his sake shall find it 4 And because he protesteth if we be ashamed of him here he will be ashamed of us before his heavenly Father and what greater shame for us then not to take his part against the subtle cruell mighty wicked enemies of his and our fellow-members 3 Such as have respect to God the holy Ghost our Sanctifier and Comforter 1 He sanctifying us how should we not help them whom he hath sanctified together with us also 2 And labour to maintaine the meanes of our sanctification even his Ordinances which these his enemies would bereave us of 3 As he is our comforter would we be comforted by him and should we not be a meanes as well as we and all we may to comfort others comfortlesse and afflicted 4 Because he worketh in us all that are his one faith one hope one way alike desires and affections and sealeth unto us the assurance of that onely and eternall happinesse and that to this end chiefly the more to oblidge us to love and help one another which can no way be better manifested then in this manner 4 Such motives hereunto as may be drawne from the consideration of the disposition and demeanour of those his and our enemies as 1 They blaspheme the name of our God by their abominable idolatries 2 They rob him of his honour and give that to their idolatries 3. They mock our prayers too and serving of God 4 They deride our trust in his name 5 They reproach and revile our holy profession 6 They have defiled do and will defile the places of Gods worship where they have the upper hand 7 They banish imprison torment and kill the sevants of God and will serve us so if they prevaile 2 They ravish
Vow and said O Lord of hosts if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine hand-maid and remember and not forget me but wilt give unto me c. then I will give unto thee c. shee spake in her heart onely her lips moved but her voyce was not heard I am of a sorrowfull spirit and have poured out my soule before the Lord out of the abundance of my complaint and griefe have I spoken The Lord God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him so the woman went her way and did eat and her countenance was no more sad and the Lord remembred her and she said The Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him for the Lord is a God of knowledge and by him actions are weighed 1 Sam. 1.6 7 10 11 13 15 16 17 18 19 27. 2.3 If the Lord were pleased to kill us he would not have received a burnt Offering and a meat Offering at our hands neither would he have shewed us all these things nor would as at this time have told us such things as these Judges 13.23 Lord grant me the spirit of understanding and application of every one of these and according to my most urgent occasions thou that art the same for ever unto thine let me find the comfort and profit of these for thy mercy and thy truth unto me my soule my God in Christ shall alwayes and in all things magnifie thee Amen Who knoweth the work of the Lord who worketh all Eccl. 11.5 My God I wait the issue from thee I beseech thee make it good for me I unfainedly promise unto thee To observe diligently To remember constantly To regard carefully To acknowledge thankfully Thy gracious dealing towards me In this and every extremity Which so much overchargeth me That I can see no remedy Lord I depend upon thee Do thy good pleasure with me Oh heare forgive accept and help me Amen Amen my God in Christ I pray thee Some more though briefe yet sound Meditations for his further assurance of support and succour in his present exceeding great or any future though never so hopelesse and helplesse misery O Lord my God thou art throughly acquainted with my condition which threatneth extreame misery thou knowest what is best for me and dispofest all things according to thine owne will for my good in the end assuredly whatsoever doth or may oppose me behold I looke round about me and can see no hope of help left me but I looke up to thee in the highest Heavens from whom alone all my help commeth who knoweth thy worke that worketh all thou hast innumerable waies to help when al else faileth thou hast oftentimes heretofore seasonably unexpectedly amply wonderfully wrought for my reliefe and deliverance when I was most helplesse and whatsoever opposed and that of thine owne meere goodnesse notwithstanding my unmeasurable great sinfulnesse I know and beleeve thy hand is not shortned that thou art the same for ever unto me for good as thou art gracious work for my reliefe and deliverance notwithstanding my exceeding great unworthines all other impossibilities the earth is thine and the fulnesse thereof all things obey thy voyce speak but one word and it is done command and it shall stand fast all the world cannot hinder it thou hast provided thou doest canst hast promised must and wilt provide in the Mount in greatest extremity apparently it shall be Lord let it be seen Why then should I faint feare or doubt thou art my help in greatest need I give over all unto thee I call upon thee I depend alone on thee I await alwaies for thee thou hast never failed me never Oh never faile forsake or forget me I remember thy wonted goodnesse I fly to thy undeserved mercies I trust in thy almighty power I found my prayers on thy most faithfull promises I submit to thy most wise disposing now I beseech and urge thee most humbly and instantly in mercy as thou art wont and hast promised be pleased most powerfully as seemeth good unto thee to consider my condition to remember my estate to pitty my distresse to behold my trouble to regard my sighes to heare my prayers to relieve my wants to prevent feared calamities and to deliver me out of this great misery Oh if it be thy will let me find by experience thy fatherly love care and providence so manifested and magnified towards me that I may be freed from this in mans judgement irrecoverable misery with which and with all its circumstances thou art acquainted fully Oh let no man lose by me or have just cause to complaine of me Oh work for me that I may live of mine owne commendably without being chargeable to any that I provide for mine honestly and so remove and prevent much trouble in my selfe and sorrow shame and misery to mine that I may put all my things in good order before I depart hence that in this respect I may be the more willing to leave this world and the more desirous of a better life that in all these I may acknowledge thy goodnesse and praise thy name who hast dealt so graciously and wonderfully with me by thy grace if it please thee to doe it I will never forget it but will alwayes confesse that thy hand onely hath wrought it and shall ever endeavour to testifie true thankfulnesse for it yet O Lord my God in all these not as I will but as thou wilt who knowest what is most needfull for me yea rather deny in mercy then give me in displeasure what I conceive I so much want and doe so earnestly crave if it be thy will this burthen shall grow so heavy and lye so long upon me that I be brought unto the uttermost extremity doe buâ— encrease inward strength within me that I may come the nearer home unto thee and 〈◊〉 is enough for me I crave 〈◊〉 more of thee all shall goe well with me whatsoever betideâ— me doe not oh doe not suffeâ— me to use any unlawfull or unbeseeming means to help mâ—selfe thereby let no by-respect prevaile with me herein but direct and inable me conscionable and worthily to do my duty and so to leave the successe unâ—â— thee who wilt cause the samâ— to fall out well for me never oh never suffer me to be impatient discontented over doubtfull over carefull or discouraged or to murmure against to dispute with to complaint of or to limit thee but enable oh enable me to possesse mâ— soule in patience to rest heartly well contented with all thou sendest as that which thou in wisdome love and faithfulnesse seest best for me and wilt remarkably turne to good unto me help me to acknowledge thee aright in all my wayes oh direct my pathes cause me with an holy carelesnesse to cast my care upon thee oh take care for me make me to roule my burthen on thee oh nourish thou me raise up my heart to
and shall prosper spite of your ill meaning towards me One that sees and uncharitably censures or sharply reprehends his faults not knowing or regarding his repentance compassionates not or will not take notice of his sorrowes Be alwayes silent where reason is not regarded and truth is but distastefull Suppresse pride peevishnesse passion discontent and discord as most unbeseeming a wise and worthy mans mind This for that now of somewhat else His conscience honour and his friend Spare and nought else can him offend But if your malice and distaste Cannot forbeare pack hence in hast And when ye are sent for come againe This thanks still looke for for your pains Backbitten must I needs turne pale for it False honours please and lying slanders fright Whom but the unworthy and vain-glorious wight Wrath is cruell and anger is outragious but who can stand before envy Pro. 27.4 Men oft times speak evill of us because they cannot speak well not because we deserve it but they are accustomed to it and therefore cannot leave it especially when they will not be perswaded they doe evill in it There are some Dogs of that nature that they barke rather upon custome then curstnesse and some so currish they bite before they bark he hath met with both sorts but thanks to the Lord neither their barking nor biting have been able to fright or hurt him Desire no imployment upon vain-glory refuse none for feare Lord guide and strengthen me to shew my selfe carefull and resolute in action By vertue in valiantly doing his duty and by modesty in sparingly speaking thereof a man may best escape envy and obtaine glory Provoke not a suffering nature too much least it turne to your owne shame and harme at length though loath he dares both speak and doe He that is honest is bold he that does well would not be wronged and may be provoked beyond his power no coward is he that will not base coward is he that dares not fight let the feare of God not of man restraine thee where conscience warrants shew it by doing worthily It ought to be enough for us if we have by Gods assistance behaved our selves so that no man can tax us justly if we deserve praise it is onely malice keeps it from us and a lying tongue that would disgrace us I dare trust any mans judgement of me but not every mans affection towards me Some whose consciences must commend us malice forces in their speeches to condemne us though we know and find it we may have comfort in it It is meer folly great weaknesse and extreame vanity to trouble our minds with those things that thereby can neither be prevented nor helped One said beleeve me not to boast or justifie himself vainly but to vindicate his worth and innocency which hath by malice and untruth suffered undeservedly who that knowes me can tax me with carelesnesse or any kind of unworthy carriage justly and if they would speak plainly as they are perswaded of me must they not confesse the contrary If you heare or conceive amisse of me if there be conscience reason charity or common honesty in you first convince then censure else spare me or else I wil protest you bely me and of meere malice detract from me perhaps because your owne wayes have not been so worthy and therefore must not escape your envy this is basenesse in you and doth not blemish but settle me for wise and worthy men will judge rightly Tell me of my faults but doe not blaze them think of your owne and mine will seeme the lesse unto you Would I were as wise honest and worthy as some thinke themselves and would be esteemed whose carriage but little shew they deserve it Of all beasts I hate an injurious scoffer I cannot abide a contentious companion nor to have to doe with one of a distastfull disposition or that is of a proud and disdainfull demeanour Injurious speeches from a man in authority are most harmfull and unseemly oftentimes wrong and grieve extreamly by these the innocent and worthy must suffer and know no redresse complain they may not contend they dare not grieving helps not O poore revenge conquest or passion art thou in authority avoid it it loses love lessons respect towards thee procures ill will unto and hard words of thee and is a treat disgrace and blemish to thee Envy no mans honour wish every one as much as he desires or deserves but in advancing his owne let him not impaire another mans Doe well speak truth boast not so win honour and weare it else look for shame instead of credite If he might have his desire he would choose those if he knew them that have the worst opinion of him and best of themselves to be either actors with him or spectators of him in the most perilous imployments where God sayes goe for then he is sure live or dye in the strength of his God to force their acknowledgement of his wel-doing and to stop their injurious mouths against him Why cannot some men give such their due praise whose personall service they especially desire in greatest occasion and danger this their necessity forces that their envy smothers In my conscience the greatest boasters are the poorest doers yet I have observed he that hath mouthed it most hath been thought to doe best I am sure some that lookt big and swore by no small ones were the first that flinched There is no notable service hath fallen out in their time but there are some that will assure you they have beene at it though truth is they were farre enough from it it is a mad world when some get more credite by lying and eracking then others by truth and well-doing He held it neither wit honesty nor valour out of conceited honour to endanger himselfe or others without or beyond command or warrant He is to be esteemed more base then basenesse it selfe that in his place dares not out-dare danger death I will hereafter esteem nothing of any worth that hath not many to detract from it LEt us doe worthily but not lye boast nor detract from others for our honour If thy heart tels thee thou hast discharged thy duty and that no man can truly or dares to thy face say the contrary what needest thou care though others in secret out of malice slander thee Some that desire to have their own miscarriage held no faultâ— will wrest another mans well-doing Among us Souldiers the way to get respect from such as neglect you is to carry your selfe gravely quietly and carelesly towards them taking heed thou givest them no just cause of distaste or advantage against or any way to scorne or abuse you He that can hold his peace hath great advantage a foole cannot keep filence a talker is contemned by others and a trouble to himselfe To discover a mans affections or businesse makes a man contemptible and no way mends the matter To speak in due season
meanes to hire others or friends that are willing to plead their cause for them Prov. 31.8 9. 19 They must doe right to the poore be they never so helplesse and be their adversaries never so powerfull Ps 82.4 5 3. Pro. 31.8 9. Job 29.12 13 14 15 16. 20 They must doe right to the Widow fatherlesse and stranger be they never so much in respect of their meane condition contemned and by the proud and mighty never so much troubled and injured Job 29.12 13. Jere. 22.3 Isaiah 1.17 Psalme 82.2 Deut. 1.10 21 Yea in like manner to the afflicted oppressed and helplesse Prov. 31.9 22.21 Jer. 22.3 21.12 Isa 1.11 Iob 29.12 Psal 82.3 4 5. 22 Yea although by defect in nature they be dumb and cannot or out of feare or bashfulnesse are unfit to speak for themselves and although their adversaries multiplying words against them cleane dash them and by their pride insult over them and by their greatnesse so crash them that they dare not speak or although their distresse be never so desperate and themseves never so friendlesse Pro. 31.8 23 They must doe justice to any person and to every person that desire it and whose cause require it Deut. 1.16 24 They must doe justice at all seasons Exod. 18.22 25 And in all places 1 Sam. 15.16 26 They must doe justice without wear inesse constantly and continually 1 Sam. 7.15 27 They must judge small matters and slight causes without contemning them Exod. 18.22 26. Deut. 1.17 28 And great matters without thinking it too much labour for them Exod. 18.22 Deut. 1.17 29. They must doe justice with diligence Rom. 12.8 Ier. 21.12 30 And that with mercy and compassion to the persons offending although passing sentence justly against the offences Zech. 9.7 The parties contending must be contented with the Judges just equall and wel-grounded sentence and decision and not murmure against or needlesly to vex themselves about the same it cannot help them but may procure yet more troubles unto them Exod. 22.9 Deut. 17.10 11 c. To doe justice and judgement is more acceptable to the Lord then sacrifice Prov. 21.3 Though the Judges in the World doe it not the judge of the World will doe right both for him that suffers and against him that suffers wrong and against him that favours and judges for the wrong doer and who in judgement deale unjustly Gen. 18.15 Yea though the wicked watcheth the righteous and seeketh to slay him the Lord will not leave him in his hand nor condemne him when he is judged Psal 37.33 Thus farre of this matter Eight and thirty undemable Proofs that the Scriptures are the infallible truth of God against the suggestions of Satan the disputations of vaine men and the fantasies of our owne braine to the contrary for our comfort and setling in this case not unfit to be well observed and powerfully applied 1 THere being a God and this God being absolutely good requiring to be worshipped could not be so cruell as not to leave us a rule to worship him by which the Scriptures must of necessity be for then this there could be none more perfect containing in them every sufficient direction for piety righteousnesse and divine worship 2 They teach us a doctrine beyond the doctrine of all humane Writers that is to love cur enemies 3 That the doctrine of the Scriptures powerfully pressed oftentimes terrifieth the consciences of the wicked though otherwise without controle in the world 4 That this doctrine hath made of Wolves Lambs of godlesse godly men 5 That none whoever made his recourse to the Word of God aright but found God as good as his Word 6 That many wicked men who have despised opposed persecuted the same have been most remarkably and dreadfully plagued in this life 7 That seeing the doctrine of affliction is found effectuall in Gods children it must needs be the truth 8 That the right study thereof teacheth true wisdome and consolation so that a man may find therein direction and comfort in any condition that can befall him which no other Author not grounded thereon can doe 9 That by the same Gods children have silenced hereticks and convinces the consciences of wicked men that they have acknowledged the truth thereof 10 That the right study hereof bringeth such inward peace delight contentment and security that all the world besides cannot procure 11 That wicked men have oftentimes a kind of secret desire to be holy and happy according to the same confessing in their hearts those men to be in a blessed estate that walk according to that rule 12 That this Word quieteth the mind in greatest troubles when nothing else can doe it 13 That it hath an absolute consent in all poynts in it selfe without contradiction though written by diverse persons in divers ages 14 That it setteth downe the infirmities of men without all respect of persons feare or flattery as well as it commendeth them for their vertues 15 And telleth every one that readeth them to their faces their manifold failings of what degree soever they be 16 The matter contained therein is altogether heavenly and nothing nor any part therof favoureth earthly it yeeldeth to no one affection nor other but opposeth it selfe to all 17 The forme and dignity of the strle and Majesty therein is such as it cannot be fully and wholly conceived or uttered by any man and it is alwaies more powerfull in the matter then in words 18 The Apocripha going about to expresse the excellency of it in the Greek is a very cold and barbarous thing in comparison of it 19 Of all things it moveth the affection of the readers and pierceth into the secrets of the hearts and layeth open the most hidden things which we knew not 20 It is of most ancient and admirable antiquity before all other Histories and many good things in Philosophers and Poets are fetched from this 21 The dreadfull miracle by which it was confirmed 22 The certaine event of the prophesies with one consent set downe by divers Writers are accomplished and so are none of the Devils Oracles 23 Experience teacheth the truth of divers particulars therin as particular judgements threatned for executed upon particular sinnes and particular promises performed to particular vertues c. 24 That the want of knowledge hereof or obedience hereto make men as ignorant and filthy as bruit Beasts in respect of heavenly things 25 See we not this excellency thereof beyond the power of Angels men and devils how wise and subtill soever in their owne kinds that it speaketh of things to come many hundred yeers before as certainly as if they were present 26 See we not that Almighty God maintaines their authority by effecting what he hath forespoken spite of whatsoever the devill and all the wicked men of the world labour to the contrary 27 That Sathan useth all meanes he can to make us doubt of the truth of them this argueth they are the truth
matter seem it never so much precisenesse especially of such duties to which thou art most indisposed or in which thou hast been most carelesse or the which stesh and blood thinketh least necessary for the Lord will have sincere and seasonable obedience in every particular 4 Think it not enough to doe one good thing and then to follow some other evill as to make conscience of sanctifying the Sabath and yet to take leave to take Gods Name in vaine or to apply thy selfe diligently to Gods publike worship yet not to stick to lye sweare deceive forsweare extort in thy particular calling or to be strict in thy outward conversation and yet dare to harbour discontent envy hatred malice discord revenge or to seeme friendly abroad or yet be currish at home or to be temperate in some places and companies and yet to tipple drink healths and be drunk in some other or to be modest in behaviour and yet abound in filthy conceits or to seem religious and yet want government of the tongue or to be just in outward dealings and yet be uncharitable and the like as also on the contrary for every sinne as well as any sinne must be conscionably avoided or none is sincerely eschewed 5 Neither rest contented in straining at a Gnat if thou darest to swallow a Camell or though thou escapest grosse and open sinnes if thou allowest thy selfe in some lesser and secret evils these are most deceitfull dangerous devillish and without repentance damnable conceits and are sure signes of an huge hypocrite and must unsound soule But O my soule who is sufficient for these things well endeavour uprightly watchfully constantly in every particular that the Lord hath revealed to thee and it is in Gods estimation perfect obedience onely give not thy selfe the least freedome in the least matter against conscience to transgresse then beleeve and thou mayest be assured the Lord Jesus Christ his alsufficient satisfaction both in his absolute obedience and infinite sufferings is imputed unto thee and thou in him hast fully obeyed and suffered all that the Lord can in his exactest justice require of thee we may keep all though we cannot fulfill any one of Gods Commandements we may often break and yet not forsake his holy Covenant Thus farre of this His Verses on the Bible P leasure and profit piety and peace H ealth for the soule all happinesse encrease I n each estate within this golden Mine L yes couched close yet of pe to all mens eyne L ets then delves search and curiously pry I nto the same and mark what we can spy P repare good instruments the ground is hard P romise is made we shall find rich reward S oare first in faith with prayer above the Sunne K eep constant courses carelesnesse still shunne I oyne with your reading reverence be attent P ractice with knowledge from on high are sent P ray more and more such graces to attaine O n Sacred Writ to meditate take paine N eglect not application of the same N o doubt so striving we shall win the Game His Verses on his Hour-Glasse AS this Glasse runs so runs thy Glasse of life Each houre one houre neerer thy lives end Ere sand be out Death with his fatall knife Cats short thy dayes perhaps repent amend Delay no time see how away he hyes Once past past calling backe with loudest cryes Behold this Glasse and then take heedfull view What 's thy estate more brittle then the same Soon broke as sand in wind in hast oh rue Thy sinnes forepast with sorrow and with shame Henceforth aye runne of godlinesse the race While thy Glasse runs and daies fleet hence apace Let thy oft turning of this running Glasse Cause in thy mind to run that thou still turne To great Jehovah let no houre passe While God vouchsafe thou in this world sojourne Without some worke of grace oh spend no time In plotting following any sinfull crime So though this Glasse and life at once run out Time past mispent bewaild to come redeemd Of dying well thou needst not stand in doubt Ill having hated done what best beseemd Were every houre the latest of thy breath The happiest houre shall be the houre of death Morning Thoughts BEthink performe each morning thou survivest Thy duty to thy God while here thou livest Arake with him in humble chearfull wise Open thine heart as early as thine eyes Who holy thoughts his Majesty salute Of a true godly life what is the fruit Of rising from thy sinnes to wayes of grace The resurrection set before thy face Eke unto judgement thy most sure arising By light of day be with thy self devising Of that most glorious armour of pure light And of thy naturall darknesse take in sight And works of darknesse labour off to cast Bidding thy God good morrow thus make hast Upon his holy Name to invocate Confessing and bewailing thine estate By nature actuall offendings too Labour for feeling though with much adoe Weigh to thy sinnes all judgement are most due Thy just desert whereof take paines to rue With deprecation then will fervency To thy good God in Christ for pardon cry Resolving by his grace which beg henceforth In heart word deed to esteem of highest worth His holy feare and service every way Beleeve for these in faith will reeling pray In and from danger preservation Strength to resist Satans temptation Comfort in griefe help in adversity Reliefe in any kind of misery For deaths preparing dying to the world That it's and flesh his lusts may be controld Heaven hungred after in each thing content To please the Lord in all that heart be bent To walke uprightly in thy lawfull calling In others matters not thy selfe inthralling For companies and privaties right use Against thoughts words deeds behaviours abuse Concerning all in each alwaies to watch That thou nor others harme thereby to catch Briefly to thy most blessed God commend Whatsoever any way thou dost intend That better and not worse they still mayest grow By all thou hearest seest or else doest know Labouring to keep sweet peace with thy sweet God Which being even no maner what is odde In every thing submitting to his will Then from thy heart thy mouth with praises fill For all his blessings great and manifold Past present and to come both new and old In speciall for protection in the night Judgements prevented now with morning light Sweet motions grant every gift firme fading For this or better life thy selfe perswading Thy Gods rich mercy is the ground of all Thou didst before doest now or ever shall Enjoy and entire thanks to manifest Let soule and body all thou hast be prest To doe his will in all his Word requireth That thou mayest be such as his heart desireth To live and dye in happy state of grace And so in mercy aye behold his face Thus as thine owne thinke on the Churches peace To attend thy prayers with practice doe not cease And thou wilt
4 To sing out of the Psalms 5 To imbrace all occasions for Gods publike worship In each of these to seek the Lord conscionably 1 Labouring for preparation revetence sincerity feeling chearfulnesse and faith 2 Striving against carelesnesse coldnesse drousinesse hypocrisie and customary service 3 When any urgent businesse of my calling causeth the deferring any of these duties to take a more convenient time yea to redeem the time for the performance thereof Thirdly concerning the duties of my particular calling 1 In generall to walk faithfully diligently and wisely 2 In particular towards Supenours in all things lawfull obediently towards those I command gravely towards equals friendly 3 When I am commanded to pursue my businesse earnestly and chearfully till the same be effected 4 In commanding others to doe all distinctly throughly plainly and impartially to seâ— the same effected accordingly to check and punish neglect sharply 5 If joyned with other in command to seek and follow the best counsell and commendablest course 6 Not to despise the good advice of any though never so meane but by all good meanes to grow more fit for service 7 For better furnishing himselfe with ability to listen to others discourses to observe what others doe commendably in this or that occasion to consider the use of things with silent application Fourthly what company to avoid viz. of swearers drunkards quarrellers gamsters whore-masters filthy talkers scoffers at goodnesse c. to imbrace the society of honest men though meane Fiftly what places to avoid as of uncleannesse excesse playing c. though inticed or provoked thereto and to frequent such places where good is to be gotten Sixtly what especiall sinnes to strive against 1 In heart unadvised anger remembring injuries desire of revenge hatred envy impure lusts 2 In words brawling railing reviling scoffing indiscreet superfluous obscene boasting unnecessary selfconceited censuring ungracious familiar blasphemous speeches 3 In behaviour lightnesse lumpishnesse pride familiarnesse 4 In looks wandrings wantonnesse lustfulnesse 5 In action hard dealing impurity secret or open intemperance all sinne folly and disorder Seventhly to entertaine these contrary vertues 1 In heart watchfulnesse sobriety putting up wrongâ— forgetting injuries passing by offences without taking notice of them if God be not dishonoured or my selfe disabled else to use all good meanes to stand for the truth and cleare my innocency and quietnesse 2 In words that they be wise few seasonable to the purpost charitable true meek gracious 3 In behaviour gravity modesty humility curtesie seemlinesse to make a covenant with mine eyes not to behold vanity with delight 4 In action to shew tenderlie artednesse to live chastly temperately thriftily and to deale justly Eightly in case of justice and judgement 1 Not to condemne the innocent or justifie the offender 2 Nor to accept persons for any respect 3 To examine the cause throughly 4 To heare both parties deliberately 5 To hate bribes unfainedly 6 To helpe the afflicted against the rich and mighty 7 To execute justice rightly 8 To pronounce sentence according to warrant gravely boldly briefly impartially substantially how many who whatsoever opposeth Ninthly for convenient maintainance according to place and calling 1 To live within compasse 2 To weare plaine serviceable and decent apparrell 3 To avoyd running into debt and to pay debts by all good meanes possible 4 Not to live at anothers Table 5. Not to lay out on thinâ— superfluous 6 To allow what is fitting for my Family 7. In weldoing to depend â—â— God 's providence Tenthly in more espeâ—â— imployments in my plate To propound in each Goâ— glory to have respect to hiâ— Cause to be affected to hiâ— Church to order all affaires â—â— judgement where my calling requires though never 〈…〉 gerous to be willing forward couragious bould industrioâ—â— fearelesse to the death â—â—â—mending my self into the 〈◊〉 of God wholly for helpe 〈◊〉 and good successe To avoyd and strive agaâ—â—â—â— rash adventures without a warrantable calling foolish cuâ—osity ostentation unwillingnesse sloathfulnesse backwardnesse frivolous excuses cowardlinesse fear flying distrust of Gods help for sufficiency and protection for safety and blessing for a good issue Eleventhly and lastly concerning lawfull recreation 1 To take such time for them that things of more consequence â—â— the same time be not hindered by them 2 To use such exercises as are manly comely and fittest for my calling place and age 3 With nien most free from offence and of a good report 4 All with moderation not spending too much time labour or cost therein 5 Especially to spend some spare time in reading in some good morrall Author as Plutarks Lives Caesars Coâ—â—entaries c. and to ride abroad to view the Trench Works c. both for better enabling him to doe service To endeavour all in a conscinable manner seeking in all Gods glory chiefly by the help of his holy Spirit onely spite of all oppositions trusting through his grace in sincerity to testifie obedience and in all unwilling failings not to doubt of his most mercifull forgivenesse gracious acceptation and favourable blessing in the face of Christ Jesus in whose name my Father I beg a disposition and ability to discharge each part of my duty seasonably wisely uprightly and constantly according to what I have purposed and expressed before thee that thou in mercy â—ccording to thy truth in him â—â—ayest please at all times in 〈◊〉 things to be with me for â—â—â—d Amen How to stirre up and embrace right Christian resolutions for the Cause of God and against his enemies FIrst be fully assured it is the Cause of God else it is sinful and shall not be blessed but undoubtedly it is the Cause of God because his pure worship accooding to his Word is stood for because we have been and are grievously persecuted by tyrannous Idolaters for the same and that neverthelesse the Lord for his great names sake according to his truth in great mercy hath many and miraculously delivered and preserved us and still doth as at this day Secondly therfore as all good Christians are strictly bound so I my self must endeavour to doe my best to maintaine this his Cause and that because 1 The Lord requires it 2 And curseth bitterly such as helpe him not against the mighty 3 And hath plagued such for their neglect 4 Because I have the warrantable examples of Gods children who willingly ventured their lives for this Cause 5 The commendations in Scripture of such is also a spur hereunto 6 And the blessings of the Lord upon them both which we may look for 7 We are Fellow-helpers with the Lord in his Worke against his enemies an acceptable work Thirdly the manner how to performe this commanded warrantable commendable blessed and acceptable work 1 Zealously and that 1 Because the glory of the great name of the eternall God of which he is so jealous is the thing we fight for the Cause being his 2 The preservation of his holy Word and pure worship among