so thy sharpe corrections laid vpon all other thy dearest seruants registred in thy booke Lord teach vs yet more rightly to cōceaue the vilenesse of sin by this one thing chiefely that the least sinne of thine elect could neuer haue bin ransommed but by the vnspeakeable torments of thine owne beloued Sonne the Lord of glory taking our nature to become a sacrifice to appease thy wrath and to satisfie thy Iustice how thou didst poure out vpon him the full viols of thy wrath to cause him to sweate drops of blood to cry out my God my God why hast thou forsaken me Giue vs thy children some true sense heereof and withal this grace to keepe a cōtinuall remembrance of the innumerable euils which euery sinne brings euen vpon vs thine owne children in our soules or bodies goods name or friends vnlesse wee preuent them by speedy and vnfained repētance especially how thereby we are left wholly destitute of thy protection prouidence and depriued of all comfort and power in prayer so long as we remaine therein and also of many extraordinary experiments of thy bounty which otherwise wee should find Make vs able in some sort to comprehend the greatnesse of sin by the infinitnesse of thy glorious Maiestie against whom each sinne is committed how our sinnes are increased heereby also that they are committed against our high calling to be Christians and heires of thy Kingdome with such abundant mercies both ordinarie and extraordinarie and so many and strong meanes to restraine vs besides sundry vowes and couenants renewed and that after mercy obtained and pardon formerly sealed vpon our promise of amendment Open our blind eies to haue some sight also of the multitude of our sinnes how they are more in number then the starres of heauen seeing they are euery breach of thy diuine will reuealed vnto vs in thy law and Gospell and that not only in thought word or deede but euen in omitting of any part thereof or doing it without all our hart and all our strength besides the sinne of our first parents whereby we are all the children of wrath and vnder thy curse and also besides the corruption of our sinfull natures receiued from thence whereupon wee are so wholy inclined vnto euill that all the thoughts of our harts are onely euill continually so as we cannot of our selues so much as thinke much lesse will any thing but that which is sinfull and hence also the hardnesse of our harts that we are so little moued either at the hearing of so many iudgements or the inioying of so many mercies to make any right vse of them Vouchsafe vs such a liuely and continuall sense heereof together with a feeling of our daily slips wants frailties infirmities imperfections noisome lustes issuing from this filthy puddle of originall corruption in vs that we may bee wearie of this body of sinne groning vnder the bondage of this our corruption sighing to bee deliuered from it Shewe vs also our most grieuous sinnes not onely of our youth and ignorāce but those much more which we haue committed since thou hast called vs by thy grace vnto so high a dignitie conuinced our consciences chiefely our open and scandalous sinnes whereby wee haue most dishonored thee causing thy Gospell to bee euill spoken of grieued thy children or any way hindred the saluation of others that by all these we may see vvhat debters we are how vnable to pay the least part but to lie in hell for euermore that we may crie continually with Dauid Lord forgiue vs our sinnes and blot out all our offences wash vs thorowly purge and clense vs thus running euery moment to the fountaine of thy Sons blood which is open to all the house of Israel for all sinnes vncleannesse And yet withal that we may not be vtterly ouerwhelmed by the vgly view of the multitud or lothsomenesse of our sinnes as though they could not bee pardoned nor we purged from thē comfort vs in this that thy Sonnes blood is of infinite merit and all sufficient to wash vs from all our sinnes though they were the most haynous sinnes that euer were cōmitted yea although we had all the sinnes of the world vpon vs so long as in a true feeling of them we cā desire to be washed therein But because wee are all very ready to deceiue our selues imagining that we are washen when we remaine still in our filthines seeing thou neither callest nor admitst of any to this fountaine but them that come in true repentance for all their sinnes fully purposing amendment and in a liuely faith in thy sweete promises desiring to grow therein Oh grant vs grace truely to see our particular sinnes and the vilenesse of them and make vs able in the sight of them and the sense of our estate and danger by them to mourne bitterly for them looking at thy Sonne whom wee haue pierced thereby and so to hate and abhorre them that being once purged in this Lauer we may bee euer afraid of defiling our selues againe or of sinning against that pretious blood Helpe vs to trie both our repentance and faith by the holy rule which thou hast giuen vs in thy law and Gospell that we may know them to be such as will abide the triall and not hypocriticall and which also haue bin first wrought in vs by the powerfull preaching of thy Gospell and doe continually increase and grow which are the infallible euidences y t they are sound and sincere Giue vs harts to be daily examining and iudging our selues that we may escape thy iudgement We intreate thee also againe for our sinfull Realmes to pardon all the fearefull prouocations thereof and to be pacified at the instant prayers of thy faithfull seruants crying vnto thee in all places by the blood of thy Sonne which speakes better things then the blood of Abel Let that cry still preuaile against the cry of the sinnes that thy mercie may bee magnified in all the world As we forgiue them that trespasse against vs. And whereas thou oh holy and gratious Father hast taught vs euer to pray to be forgiuen as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs telling vs plainely that if wee forgiue others for thy cause thou wilt also forgiue vs and contrarily that if we will not forgiue others we shall neuer bee forgiuen Change good Lord the wickednesse of our sinfull hearts which are most strongly bent to malice and reuenge that howsoeuer wee hate the sins and company of the wicked and whatsoeuer else is in them whereby they dishonour thee or shew themselues to bee thine enemies and although we also reioyce in the execution of thy righteous iudgements whereby thou gettest thy selfe glory vpon the proud enemies of thy Church and do also pray daily for
the world and vtterly without God howsoeuer you look to your worldly businesse you will looke to this businesse of the Lord and set your selues times of praier which the gaining of the world cannot make you to forget And in a word so many of you as can talke with men of any earthly matter and make any request for this present life for whatsoeuer you need and yet could neuer vtter so much as one speech no not in secret to your Father in heauē nor make any one supplication for any heauenly thing with feeling how can you thinke that euer you were touched with Zeale of Gods glorie or his kingdome or how can you imagine that you can be the children of the heauenlie Father or haue any interest in the Lord and his kingdome or be any thing but meere worldlings sauoring onely the world and it alone your portion hauing a world of miseries and torment remaining for you for euer Learne therefore to praie aboue all you will finde this a treasure ten thousand times better then all the wealth pleasures of the world For what you would haue this will vndoubtedlie procure you as far as shall be good and whereas all the honors pleasures riches and friends in the world can neuer giue you any true contentmēt nor adde one minute vnto your life this only will fill your hearts in heauenly contentation with abundant ioy and gladnesse and make you liue and raigne with Christ for euer in the heauens Now so many as acknowledge that thus indeede you ought both to watch and pray and yet but only giue these the reading without care to learne the practise of them or happily hauing some good motions or purposes to put them forthwith in practise or it may be haue begun well yet through your pleasures or worldly businesse or at least a carnall sloth and securitie leaue them off and returne to your old courses bee warned from the Lord for this will certainly be one further witnesse and conuiction against you then euer formerly you receiued and much better it had bin for you that you had neuer seene this way of life thus plainly and easily set before you and how you may either helpe to preserue the whole or at least escape your selues from the euils to come then after you haue knowne it and subscribed in your hearts to the truth and necessitie of it and happilie put your hands to the plow to looke backe againe Remember Lots wife if you be out of Sodome hie for your liues vntill you be safe in Zoar and being safe your selues learne to be as importunate with the Angell of the Couenant when you but thinke of the sins of the Land as faithfull Abraham was comforting and incouraging your selues in this that you are not alone but many with you and the Lord hath yet his ten righteous left in all quarters some that mourne and crie for all the abominations If in this attempt I haue failed of that I desire I humblie craue pardon and also that my good will may be accepted in this endeuour intended chiefely to helpe the simple Vouchsafe me your better direction and I shall willinglie follow it My desire is to labour herein also to bring this together with the watch to more perfection if I shall find it accepted and that it may bring the least good to Gods Church in which I desire not to liue one day longer then I may bee some way profitable I haue so oft made reference to the watch as to a maine ground of prayer and for that this is as a second part and an vnseparable companion thereof as the Apostle makes them Ephes. 6. and also that I neede not trouble you with oft repetition of the same things Cōcerning the present necessitie hereof that I may neither seeme ouer bold not yet to fearful of some grieuous iudgment without cause I desire of all sorts that you would examine it betweene the Lord and your owne consciences to whom I appeale and which I know will witnesse with me when I shall stand before the great tribunall your consciences I say not asleep in this deepe security but either throughly awaked by the law or as they were vpon the instant of the discouerie of the gunpowder plot or at any time before any of our great deliuerances fullie accomplished in the midst of our extreame dangers Remember but whether your hearts weare not then as my heart is now that if God had done with vs as he then threatned he had not been most righteous and wee iustlie deserued it Did not all hearts tremble in the acknowledgement of the truth of his Maiesties sacred speech in the Parliament house at that time And who would not haue confessed in any of these dangers that it had not been full time for each to haue betaken himselfe to this armour to haue run to God by instant supplication and stood vp in the breach and for euery one to haue learned to watch and pray And must not our case since be far more desperate wee hauing receiued thus our third most terrible admonition together with so many mercies still heaped vpon vs Let vs but thinke what wee haue done since that time to secure vs from the finall execution of his vengeance haue we not most fearefully increased the transgression going still many degrees backwards running from the Lord and suncken deeper in our rebellion insteed of turning to him according to our oft promises and his infinite mercy Besides our impudencie in sinning and our eating vp one another in euery corner and degree racking al things to the vttermost farthing and all commonly to maintaine pride and all excesse countenancing the lewdest in euery place disgracing and treading vpon the vpright that he that abstaines from euil maketh himself a prey Let but the shamelesnes of that one sin of quaffing condēned by the heathē in Assuerus Court in their greatest pomp and excesse that euer we reade of and registred in Gods book for that cause be witnes although we cānot imagin that euer it was practised in halfe so odious a maner as it is ordinarilie with vs euerie where in scorning the Lord to his face and sacrificing to Satan Our cloakes of Ciuility wil proue but Adams figleaues Inquire of your own hearts whether this be not the generall verdict of all whom God hath touched or who retaine any of their ancient feeling yea whether the very blind may not grope it that there was neuer such a declining to all loosenes opē prophanenes euen Atheisme heard or read of in any age where the Gospell was professed nor that sinne was practised with so high a hand And then answere plainly whether the Lord may not iustly get himselfe glory of vs in the declaration of his iustice and the power of his wrath against our sins seeing the riches of his mercies in sparing and deliuering vs haue made vs so far to exceede as to deny
are carefull to keepe our rankes and the watch of the Lord. That wee may continually pray in feeling Leade vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill 12 Carrying alwaies a reuerent and thankfull acknowledgement of his absolute kingdome power and soueraigntie ouer all creatures that hee ouerrules both the rage of men and diuels and all other things in heauen and earth disposing all to his owne glorie and the saluation of his obedient subiects and children that we may be euer able to sound forth with thankfulnes For thine is the kingdome power and glory for euer and euer 13 Lastly wee must bee such true beleeuers as being assured that hee will graunt all that we beg as shall bee most for his own glory and the greatest good of his elect do rest our selues wholly vpon his fatherly loue being able in thankfulnesse euer to say Amen Lord let it be so as we doe assure our hearts it shal bee THE POWER OF true Prayer 1 WHen we are such sound Christians and vse to pray in this manner wee shall haue a certaine assurance that we are Gods children and in his fauour and such as shall be saued vndoubtedly for this is the Lords seale and the earnest of our inheritance 2 We shall haue a comfortable and sanctified vse of all things wee enioy 1. Tim. 4. 5. 3 We shall bee sure to obtaine whatsoeuer he hath taught vs to pray for so far as shal be for his owne glory and our good for the very forme of prayer containes a most gratious promise that so asking we shall obtaine otherwise our Sauiour would neuer haue taught vs to pray so assuring vs that if wee aske in faith we shall haue and that according to our faith it shall bee done vnto vs. 4 The seruent prayers of a few of vs being such as are described shall doe more for turning away any iudgement from the Church discouering and ouerthrowing the deepest plots of Gods enemies or for procuring any blessing to our Land then many of our valiantest souldiers and wisest polititians or then many thousands of our enemies hundred thousands of the wicked ioyning with them to prouoke the Lord by their sins can doe to bring a iudgement vpon vs. For wee know how many times that one Moses staied the Lords hand that he could not destroy his people and also that Eliah was the Chariots and horsemen of Israel yet were they men subiect to like passions that we are for our God is still the same of infinite compassion and therefore looke what Gods seruants haue been formerly able to doe by their praiers the same shall wee doe still so farre as shall be necessarie if we striue to walke in their steps So that we haue no cause to feare sith one of them alone could so farre preuaile with the Lord but that many of vs ioyning as an a mie to compasse the Lord about with our prayers and teares may much more ouercome his heauenly Maiestie if our hearts and hands be steadie with Moses especially he hauing shewed such tokens of his compassion and loue towards his chosen flocke amongst vs as neuer in any age more and now calling vs also to stand vp in the breach hauing assured vs that the innocent shall deliuer the Iland Therefore all of vs that feare the Lord must cheerfully each incourage one another to this dutie confirming the weaâ—â—e hands and wearie knees being certainly assured of this at least that though the Lords decree should bee gone forth against vs for all our exceeding prouocations and that hee would not spare the whole at our prayers whereof notwithstanding we may haue gratious hope to the contrarie if we can but find our harts feruently set to this dutie of prayer yet we shall saue our owne soules and the Lord will bee vnto vs as a sanctuarie whereas otherwise if such a iudgement come vpon vs as hath been so oft almost fully executed which the Lord in mercie still saue vs from we are all accessary to it who haue not sought in time to turne it away and accursed with Meroz because we came not to helpe the Lord against the mightie and so shall find nothing but feare and an euill conscience to chase vs whereas on the contrarie wee shall be strong and couragious as Lions whatsoeuer come to passe knowing that euen in the midst of the fire there he will bee with vs that the flame shall not so much as kindle on vs more then he wil dispose to his own exceeding glorie and our endlesse comfort and also in the flouds that they do not ouerwhelme vs. A MOST HEAVENlie and sure rule according to the whole Lords Prayer in order whereby wee may grow to strong assurance and much power in Prayer LIue alwaies as an obedieÌ„t child in the eye of thy heauenly Father humbled in the reuerence of his most holy and glorious Maiestie and in the sense of thine owne vilenesse and vnworthines to be called his childe longing vntill he take thee vnto himselfe into the heauens studying what way thou mayest honor him most in the meane time and that first by yeelding all obedience to the lawes of his kingdome and gayning moe thereunto attending continually what his diuine will and pleasure is concerning thee chiefely in thy particular calling and the charge committed vnto thee and then thou shalt surely find him God all-sufficient vnto thee more tender ouer thee then euer was father or mother performing vnto thee all his promises according to all thy petitions for this and for the better life and sealing vnto thee a plentifull assurance of the free pardon of all thy sinnes in the blood of his Sonne Iesus Christ and that he will saue thee from the tempter and all euill that they shall not hurt thee That thou shall be able with all ioy and thankfulnes to acknowledge vpon happie experience his absolute kingdome and power and so to giue him continually with all his holy Angels all glory praise and dominion resting thy selfe most fully satisfied in his onely loue and fauour for euer and euer THE SVMME OF all in other words most plainly for the vnderstanding of the simplest OBserue diligently the Watch of the Lord growing daily in the practise of euery CommaÌ„dement and faith in all his promises and keepe in thy heart a Catalogue or short summe of thine owne chiefe sins wants and infirmities together with the maine sins and wants of the Land and tokens of the Lords wrath due therunto gathered by wise obseruation according to the rule of the Watch and withall set before thee the infinitnesse of the Lords loue and compassion towards his with his speciall fauours towards thy selfe and then pray feruently in faith to thy heauenly Father looking stedfastlie at Iesus Christ thy Sauiour crying onely in zeale for his glorie and kingdome and thou shalt bee able to pierce the heauens
able to cal him Father Rom. 8. 15. Comming in faith only in Christ in a true sense of our owne vnworthines In all humilitie being but dust and ashes yet with our hearts lift vp to heauen Wee must be brethreÌ„ tenderly affected towards all the childreÌ„ of our heauenly Father Zealous of our Fathers glorie aboue all things in the woâ—ld Seeking first the kingdome of heauen and the righteousnes therof Making coÌ„science of euery tittle of the will word of the Lord. Labouring to depend wholly vpoÌ„ the Lords prouideÌ„ce and protection Trauelling vnder the burden of our sinnes Voide of malice vsing to pray for our enemies Fearing alwaies and watching lest wee should fall into temptation so suspecting all our waies Acknowledging euer his soueraigntie and how he disposeth al for his own glorie and the good of his elect Able in true faith with thaÌ„kfulnes to say Amen To giue vs assurance of Gods fauour Rom. 10. 12. Rom. 8. 15. 16. 26. 2 Cor. 1. 22. To haue all things sanctified vnto vs. To obtaine whatsoeuer we so pray for For the turning away any iudgement from our Land or procuring any blessing Ezech. 22. 30. Iob 22. 30. Deut. 20. 1. 3. 4. Heb. 12. 12. Ezek. 14. 14. Iudg. 5. 23. Prou. 28. 1. Esay 43. 1. 2. 3. * Let the desire of the two first petitions be euer in thy hart beg al other things for them only as being the end of all then shalt thou bee each way most blessed and aske what thou wilt so thou shall receiue it Esay 65. 24. 1. We must come trembling because of Gods glorious Maiesty And our ovvne vilenesse by nature 2. Yet in coÌ„fident boldnes as to our Father in Christ. 3. Onely in the name of Christ our Mediator 4. With thankfulnes for our happiestate in him Watch. ed. 2. p. 1. l. 1. 2. 5. Begging an increase of our assurance By more conformitie to Christ in knowledge Watch. pag. 88 lin 6. And al child-like affections Delighting in the presence of our Father 6. And an increase of our loue to al Gods children Chiefely as they more excell in vertue By praying for them as for our selues and delighting in their companies Begging most instantly our heauenly vnion to bee shevved in al duties Confirmed by all bonds of agreement And common interest And all contrarie deuices of our enemies confounded Which by our diâ—isioâ— seeke our ruine That we may neuer thinke our state good Vntill vve loue the brethren 1. Iohn 3. 14. 7. To grow in reuerence to our heauenly Father 8. And in heauenly affections And conuersations To declare our selues his children Watch. pag. 90. lin 9. And heaueÌ„ ours and all creatures at a league vvith vs for our good For this honour that God hath vouchsafed to vs to be his children 1. To seeke his honor in and aboue al things VVatch. p. 78. lin 17. 2. To haue our eies open to behold his glory shining in all his workes as his Creatures VVord Iudgement Mercie Watch. pag. 31. lin 17. 3. To be able to set foorth his praises belonging to him therein and haue a holy vse of them 4. Chiefely his glory manifested in our daies for vs and against our enemies First for vs in abâ—ndant mercies And then correcting vs faâ—herly for abusing his mercies to his dishonor So to bring vs to amendment After threatning vs by cruell enemies to take avvay all Bringing them to the execution Yet euer deliuering and auenging vs vvhen vve haue cried vnto him So as it had been enough to haue conuerted the most barbarous nation 5. To pray for grace euer to remember and acknowledge this And to see moreouer his anger kindled againe by increase of our sins with these bloodie enemies and their malice Without hope of leauing off vntill they haue their vvils And also witnessed by many fearefull signes Arming windes and vvaters against vs Threatning to sweepe vs avvay For our ouerflovv of iniquitie that we may be awaked and seeke to appease his wrath in in time That remembring our former vvarnings from heaueÌ„ and vvhat follovved the fierie tent spred ouer our heads VVee may not be senselesse in these tokens of his wrath seazing vpon vs as fearefully as any of the piagues of Egypt Chiefely to be saued froÌ„ that heauiest iudgement VVhereby both Egypt and Israel vvere prepared for â—estruction That we should be worse for all the meanes sent to call vs to repentance vntill the iudgement come that we may sâ—e our estate and turne And not harden our selues against the Lord. That vvee may neuer fall into the bloody enemies hands But still into the Lords Because hee pitieth vs vvhen hee smiteth vs. 6. To pray instantly that the crie of his seruants may preuaile As hitherto according to his promise Sith he cals vs novv to stand in the breach as Moses to stay his haÌ„d to declare the riches of his mercie sauing vs still at the prayers of a fevv And seeing he is still the same to vs as to Moses and Abraham And vve so deare to him that he can deny vs nothing Which may make for his glorie and our good To intreate him to magnify his mercie in pardoning and turning our hearts to meete him But to make his enemies to feele his hand who haue bin the causes of our sinne by their wiles To get himselfe glory vpon them as vpon Pharaoh As he hath begunne promised to accomplish to his euerlasting praise 7. That we may be afraid of obscuring his glory Seeking our owne glory or taking his honour to our selues 8. That we may not dishonour him by our sins But account it our greatest honour to honour him and contrarily 9. To honour him by our holy ensample To stop the mouthes of the wicked 10. To haue the zeale of Lot against the abominations of our age 11. VVith a bold acknowledgement of the Lord and euery part of his truth As being our glory That vvee may be acknowledged of him before all the vvorld to our ovvne euerlasting honor Seeing Gods glorie is in the inlarging his kingdome and doing his vvill 1. To pray for a free course to the Gospell which is the scepter of his kingdome and that it may be powerfull euery where 2. For Kings and Queens to be nursing fathers and mothers to the Church Chiefely to preserue is against the rage of all cruell enemies and to account this their chiefest dignitie 3. Especially to pray for our soueraigne raised vp for vs in place of our tender mother That hee may haue an abundant portion of Gods Spirit According to his high dignitie and charge And the deliuerances of the Church by him he may set himselfe to aduance Christs kingdome and Gospell Watch. pag. 43. lin 2. Procure the good of Gods seruants repressing the vvicked That vve may liue in al peace and godlinesse without feare affected towards him as the good people were towards Dauid Sound forth his praises And pray for him and his to
THE SECOND PART of the true watch CONTAINING THE perfect rule and summe of Prayer So plainelie set downe that the weakest Christian taking but the least paines may in a very short space learne to pray of himselfe with much assurance and comfort both to get strength to obserue the Lords watch and to helpe to turne away or at least finde comfort in the euils that are to come Luk. 21. 36. Watch and pray continually that you may be accounted worthie to escape al these things that shall come to passe and that yee may stand before the Sonne of Man Esay 62. 6. 7. Yee that are the Lords remembrancers giue him no rest AT LONDON Printed F. K. for Samuel Macham and are to be sold at his shop in Pauls Church yard at the signe of the Bul-head 1607. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE MY singular good Ladie L. ELIZABETH Countesse of Huntingdon OVR Sauiour hath not without good cause Right Honorable so oft called on vs to watch and pray ioyning these two together and warning his Disciples in their greatest dangers to watch and pray that they might not fall into temptation and also charging vs al to watch and pray continually that wee may bee accounted worthy to escape all the euils that shal come to passe and to stand before the Sonne of man because wee can neither watch vnlesse we pray to obtaine strength from the Lord by it nor pray with any comfort or power vnlesse we watch nor euer get assurance to escape the euils that shall come on the world much lesse the temptations of Satan and damnation of hell and appeare with boldnes before our Sauiour vnlesse we both watch and pray In regard whereof first my dutie to the Maiestie of God who prepared the watch against so needfull a time and after so graciously caused my poore desire therein to be accepted in his church hath encouraged me to endeuour to adioine vnto the watch this short directioÌ„ for praier as a secoÌ„d part vnseparable coÌ„panioÌ„ for the further good of his seruaÌ„ts of whoÌ„ sundry haue desired it at my hands And secoÌ„dly your Ladiships most fauourable acceptance of it being dedicated vnto my Honorable Lord perswading mee of your Honors vnfained desire both to obserue the same and walke in al the waies of the Lord haue imboldened mee to presume to offer this vnto your Honorable Ladiship both to testifie my dutifull thankfull affection to your Honor also and withall my feruent desire that you may both walke hand in hand all your daies in the selfesame narrow way of eternall life as being of the same heart and holy accord inabled thereunto by the spirit of the Lord obtained by continuall and instant prayer That so ye may shine as glorious lights together in the earth and after in the heauens aboue the brightnes of the Sunne for euermore This shall bee in the meane time your key into the palace of the Almightie and to the presence chamber of his glorious Maiestie whereby you may be admitted at al times to most familiar conference receiue immediate answers from his Highnes obtaine the riches and pleasures of his house with the most pretious iewels of his treasurie to adorne you farre more gloriouslie then al the pearle pretious stones of all the Princes of the earth all which shall vtterly vanish as the dimmest star when the brightnesse of your glory shall appeare You shall as Israel preuaile with your God haue his Angels and all the hoasts of heauen at your desire all being at a perpetuall league with you vanquish the diuels and put them to slight ouerthrow the plots of the wickedest and bee accepted for the Church subdue in your selfe each corruption bring euery thought into an holy obedience finde the Comforter at hand in all your trials the sweete voice of the Spirit making you with coÌ„fidence to call him Abba oh Father and giuing you most strong assurance of a kingdome and the life of the Angels in the very terrours of death And in a word you shall thus most happilie redeeme the daies of our vanitie and treasure vp in heauen abundantly against the time of the perfect accomplishment of your eternall triumph and felicitie Wherunto according to my perpetuall bounden dutie I shall alwaies striue during my life both by my incessant prayer and all other holy meanes which the Lord shall in mercie vouchsafe vnto mee his poore and vnworthie seruant And in this studie towards your eternall glory and happines I rest my selfe nothing doubting of your like honorable acceptation of this my poore endeuour howsoeuer penned in a most plaine and familiar stile not to delight the curious with an houres reading which I leaue to others but to helpe the honest heart that is desirous to learne of our Sauiour how to pray and conâ—inue therin in this life without fainting to reioyce and sing with the Angels for euer after when all others shall weepe and mourne and neuer find any comfort or release Your Honors in the Lord euer to be commanded IOHN BRINSLEY THE PREFACE TO THE CHRISTIan Reader containing a large and plaine direction to all the simpler sort how to vse this aright and an earnest exhortation to all sorts to giue themselues instantly to watching and prayer IT hath bin wished Christian and louing Reader that as I haue gone briefly thorow the Commandements and Articles of the faith to set downe the true watch so I would take some paines in like manner to go thorow the Lords Prayer to set downe the rule and summe of prayer for the further perfecting and our better performing the same watch Whereupon notwithstanding my great inabilitie in respect of many of my brethren yet considering the Lords former mercie who shewes his power in weakenes and that by this motion of diuers he seemes to require my poore labour in this also I haue attempted likewise to make triall herein the better to inable the simpler sort and to stir vp all sorts to this holy dutie of prayer that wee may obtaine strength from the Lord to keepe his watch more faithfully with innumerable other benefits procured by the same And the rather waying well into what dangerous times we are fallen wherein the greatest part as it is much to be feared in such a declining to Atheisme and generally to extreame coldnes or luke-warmenes do seldome or neuer pray priuately vnlesse perhaps they vse the Lords Prayer without vnderstanding And of those who vse to pray some although they pray much yet they do it verie superstitiously to the prouoking of the Lord and hurt of their owne soules insteed of receiuing any true comfort therein as all our popish sort doe Others haue a desire to pray but want abilitie or leasure as all our young and weak Christians A third sort droope in their troubles temptations and feares are at their wits end as Iacobs sons not knowing what way
praiers and thankesgiuing accordingly for each of our particular and principall sins are as Satan that stood at Iehosuahs right hand that our praiers cannot go vp vnto the Lord. And of all others that euery one whose conscience doe accuse them of crueltie towards their brethren would take away that crying sin of oppression crying louder for vengeance then al the sins of the earth besides which brought the floud of waters when the earth was filled with crueltie and brought in the fierce Babylonian to oppresse and spoile the great men in Iudea and to make those goodlie houses desolate which had formerly been built by the oppressions and spoiling of the poore which makes the poore to sigh being wearie of their liues whose sighes the Lord must needes heare and auenge when man regardeth them not which will so shut vp the bowels of the Lords mercie and compassion that hee will shew vs no more mercie but reiect all our praiers because we would haue no mercie of the poore no though Noah Iob and Daniel were amongst vs that they should but saue their owne soules and so must needs bring a fearefull desolation vpon our sinfull nation vnlesse it be speedilie redressed besides the blasphemies of the Idolatrous enemies of the Church of God and their braggs of their workes of mercie and pitie thereby mouing the people to a discontentednes to dislike of the religion of the Lord as being the breeder and nourisher of all such cruel and vnmercifull dealing though euen in this same bloodie sin they be as deepe as any other Secondly that all would learne of our Sauiour to pray as he hath commanded I haue this consident hope that the weakest Christian amongst vs hauing a good heart although he haue neuer been able to vtter his requests to God for himselfe or Gods Church would in few weekes but following this poore direction learne to pray in feeling with much comfort those who want good hearts would by this practise obtaine them Thirdly that wee would all ioyne to pray according to the two first petitions for the Church of God our Prince and Realmes with true vnitie therein and against all the enemies of them for then vndoubtedly we should neither neede to feare the practises of the Popes Seminaries nor diuels nor yet all the enemies of the world but only stand still with Moses and see what the Lord would still do for vs. Happie shall they be whom the Lord singles out vnto this worke to be if it were but as one of Gedeons three hundred for the perpetuall preseruation of the Church of God and their countrey But for the rest although they scape the Beare yet a Lion shall teare them in peeces for being deliuered with Gods sâ—ruants from the temporal iudgement the eternall wrath of God doth certainly remaine for them Wherefore giue me leaue to speake a little further vnto your soules in this important businesse if I may awake but some of you You that spend your liues in pleasures will you not be perswaded to spend some houres in this heaueÌ„ly work to talke with God for the sauing your owne soules and the people of the Lord Oh that you knew the vnspeakable sweetenesse that heerein you should find whereas in your vaine pleasures what can you looke for but intolerable bitternes in the end will not all these increase the wrath against vs whereas the changing them into prayers with fasting and teares would be as the sacrifice of Noah wherein the Lord would certainly smell a sauor of rest and as the repentance of Niniuie that hee that had compassion on the poore ignorant heathen would much more cause his face to shine still more bright vpon vs whom he hath vouchsafed so long the profession of his name Know it for certaine as the Lord hath giuen any of you mo of his outward blessings with them more time meanes to serue him so hee lookes for so much more time at your hands to be spent in instant prayer then of any other of the earth and so must your account be Do not the popish sort that liue in your bosoms obserue besides your extreame irreligiousnes how you neuer vse to pray priuately or with any deuotion and are they not hereby hardened to like far better of their owne blind superstition wherein they spend so much time in praier How will you answere your God for the blood of so many soules as hereby perish If you could bee perswaded which you will one day feele either in this life or when it is vtterlie too late that these all other your sins wherein now is your felicitie will bee as so many swords to peirce your poore soules and so many diuels to torment you eternally and your repentance death altogether vncertaine you durst not let one minute passe but would fall into bitter mourning for all your sinnes and for your time so ill spent and bee warned by our Sauiour to begin to watch and pray that you might escape all these miseries that will certainly come vpon you You also that haue filled your houses with the spoiles of the poore the earth with their cries the crie of your sinnes is gone vp into the heauens that the Lord threatneth to be auenged forthwith Let the counsell of Daniel to Nabuchadnezar be acceptable vnto you if you will escape the decree that is comming forth against you Breake off your sins by righteousnes and your iniquities by mercie towards the poore Repent and make restitution while you may Cease to do euil learne to doe well seeke iudgement releeue the oppressed iudge the fatherlesse and defend the widow as the Lord bids you by his Prophet Then you may pray and your praiers shall be heard though your sins were as crimson that is most bloodie sins yet they shall be made white as snow If yee consent and obey yee shall eate the good things of the Land but if yee refuse and be rebellious ye shall be deuoured with the sword for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Your oppressioÌ„s which haue pressed downe the poore vnto the ground will one day crush you into the bottome of hell and will be a loade heauier then the whole earth vpon you that you would giue all the world if you had it to be disburdened of them and at your death the iudgement threatned vnto Iehoiakim shall surely light vpon you that none shall lament or mourne for you to say ah Lord ah his glorie but all shall reioyce that the earth is eased of you and your remembrance shall remaine most vile and loathsome to all posteritie as the memorie of other oppressors doth before And for you that would neuer spare so much as one houre from your worldly businesses to priuate praier when God opens your eyes to discerne the true profit hereof aboue the other that hitherto you haue been meerely of
thē whose mercies are crueltie to cause them to blaspheme but let vs still fall into thy hāds who pitiest vs whē thou smitest vs and in wrath remembrest mercie Though our sinnes be haynous to anger thee yet let the cry of thy seruants still preuaile Hast thou not saide it that the innocent shall deliuer the Iland and dost thou not cal vs to stand vp in y e breach because thou wouldest not destroy vs Hast thou not beene wont to pardon whole natiōs at the prayers of a few of thy seruants Therefore we thy remembrācers knowing that thou art still the same as to thy seruāts in former time and wee as deare vnto thee and that thou cāst denie vs nothing which we beg in thy Sonnes name according to thy will for our good doe humblie intreate thee to glorifie thy mercie in pardoning our sin and turning vs speedilie vnto thee but make thine enemies to feele thy hand those chiefely who haue as Balaam caused vs to prouoke thee so grieuously that we haue been so oft in so fearefull danger by our backslidings and rebelliōs Get thy selfe glory vpō thē as vpon Pharaoh that whē thou hast deliuered vs and ouerthrowne thē as fundrie times thou hast begun wee may sing praises and euer keep a remembrāce of thy mercie Let vs bee afraid of obscuring any part of thy glorie and much more of seeking our own honour or taking any part of thine honour to our selues being proud of thy gifts But aboue all keep vs from dishonoring thee by our sinfull liues amongst the wicked to cause them to blaspheme Let this bee our honor to honour thee and contrarily our greatest dishonor Strēgthen vs to walk so vprightly that others seeing our good workes may glorifie thee and wee may weare the reproch of the wicked as a crowne So kindle the zeale of thy glorie in our harts that we may bee grieued continually for all the dishonors done vnto thee And that insteede of being ashamed of thee or any part of thy truth we may euer professe it with all holie wisedome and boldnesse as our chiefest glory that our Sauiour may acknowledge vs before thee in the presēce of men Angels to be the heires of thy kingdom whē he will denie all other as those whom hee neuer knew to their endlesse confusion Thy kingdome come And whereas thou oh Father art chiefly glorified in the increase of thine owne people which obey thy word amongst whom onelie thou raignest and especiallie when thou causest thy religion people to prosper against all the power of hell Grant thy Gospell whereby thou conquerest rulest to be sincerelie preached euery where and make it so powerful that it may destroy the kingdome of Satā Antichrist gather all thine vnto thee that so thou mayest hasten thy glorious kingdome And to this end raise vp Kings and Queenes to nourish vs with the word of life preserue vs from the rage of all our cruel enemies especially that bloody Antichrist and for those that are such already make thē ten times more accounting this their greatest dignitie to haue the bringing vp of y e heires of thy kingdome committed vnto them And as it hath pleased thee to settle this kingdome in so great peace amongst vs deliuering vs frō that blood thirstie whore of Babylon to cōtinue the same beyond all former expectation vnder our dread Soueraigne so indue him with such an abūdant portiō of thy Spirit according to that high dignitie laide vpon him and with such tender affections towards thy children that in token of true thankfulnes for all his dominions chiefelie the wōderfull deliuerances of his Maiestie his and of all vs thy people principally by him hee may set himselfe with Iehosaphat and Ezechiah other worthie Kings of Iuda to inlarge thy king dome promote thy pure religion destroying al vngodlines and to procure each way the good of vs thy poor childrē cōmitted to him that al we being still more loyallie affected as toward our most happie nursing father vnder thee as al the good people were towards Dauid may euer sound foorth thy praises for him and pray earnestlie for his preseruation of our Queene with all their royal progenie that his kingdome may bee established vntill Christ shall come to resigne vp this earthly scepter and raigne with thee eternally Giue all our Rulers y e same heart y t they may be as the hāds of thine annointed in euery place for this purpose And as thou hast ordained chiefely to finish thy kingdome by the preaching of thy Gospell which thou did dest first spread by thy holy Apostles subduing the world therby so wee pray thee to send foorth such powerful preachers into euerie congregation which may not cease to admonish euerie one with teares framing thēselues by all holy meanes to win all afraid of the least offence which might hinder the saluation of anie one Awaken at length all sorts of vncōscionable ministers drūkē with y e blood of their people that remēbring the crie of Abels blood they may be thinke themselues in time what to answere when Christ shall come and either giue thē repentance care for their peoples saluation or free them frō thē and cōmit thē to such by whō they may bee brought into obediēce to the lawes of thy kingdome that thou alone maiest raigne as Lord amongst them Antichrist being cast out vtterly with al things whereby hee hath kept any of thy people vnder his slauerie or seekes to pull them into Babylon Deface oh Lord all the prints of his Idolatrie and cut off all hopes of euer building vp Babel againe And seeing the chiefe glorie and safetie of thy kingdom is in the vnity of thy subiects take away good Lord all causes of contentions Confound all the plots of cursed Balaam who knowing that no kingdome diuided can stād seeks to rend thy Church in peeces the easier to preuaile against it when thou art also departed from it as euer Satan hath beene wont Graunt y t we may buy this peace with the losse of all except thy fauor that al sorts seeing our holie agreemēt may ioyne themselues vnto vs and come into the bosome of thy Church And moreouer sith thou wilt haue euery one to helpe to build vp thy kingdome and to saue others by bringing them therunto graunt vs more care not onely for our charges committed to vs but for euerie one tied vnto vs by any special bond that wee may take euery first occasion for gaining them vnto thee by all holy meanes Let vs not rest before they be safe And that wee may preuaile the more giue vs oh Lord a sweet feeling what a blessed thing it is to be of thy kingdome partakers of thy glorie euen to be Kings Priests vnto thee and what happines there is in liuing such a holy conuersation how wretched the state of all other people is being bōdslaues of Saran and
our selues but to all the world that wee are thine own children indeed giue vs hearts to loue all thy children being our brethren and sisters aboue all other for thy sake alone and euery one so much the more as they more liuely carry thy image in all holines excelling in vertue and so are more deare vnto thy heauenly Maiestie that we may euery day in all our prayers remember them as our selues begging alike for them all saying Our Father And that wee may delight in their companies onely as those with whom we shall coÌ„uerse together for euer in the heauens Knit all our hearts in this firme bond of brotherly loue that we may tenderly exhort releeue helpe comfort support the weakenesses one of another seeking by all meanes the edifying of others afraid of giuing the least offence to grieue and much more to hinder the saluation or turne any one out of the way of life Let this happie brotherhood and holy agreemeÌ„t in all the substance of thy truth which is able vndoubtedlie to saue our soules together with our ioynt profession to walke hand in hand in all the narrow way of life haue more power firmely to vnite vs then all the trash pompe or pleasure of the world with all the cunning of Satan or Antichrist can haue to diuide vs. Are wee not all that so walke thine owne children hauing thy Son our Sauiour thy Spirit our coÌ„forter and earnest for our ioint inheritance and glorie notwithstanding all our infirmitie and imperfections with some lesse diuersities in iudgement which must accompanie vs vntill we bee perfect in the heauens Confound therefore all the deuices of thine enemies that worke this euill among thine owne children to so great dishonor to thy heauenly Maiestie whereby our enemies insult ouer vs who haue conspired thus to worke our shame and to prouoke thee against vs to leaue vs into their haÌ„ds to our vtter ruin if it were possible Deare Father let vs neuer thinke our state to be good vntill vve carrie these hartie affections to al thy children studying to knit this bond of loue being able truly thus to pray Our father For hereby we know that wee are translated from death vnto life because we loue the brethren and vntill this time we abide still in death Which art in heaueÌ„ And whereas thou our Father art highly exalted in the heauen of heauens and there also hast prouided thrones for vs thy childreÌ„ after wee haue suffered a little humble vs euermore in the sense of thy greatnesse together with our owne basenes and vnworthinesse beeing but poore wormes crawling vpon the earth loaden with innumerable sinnes And yet withall lift vp our hearts alwaies vnto the heauens there to be conuersant with thee our heaueÌ„ly Father minding heauenly things especially in all our prayers longing there to behold thee face to face and that in the meane time while wee abide heere below we may be of such heauenly conuersatioÌ„s so vsing y e world as if wee vsed it not that the world may see that wee are not of it but pilgrims and strangers here and thy heauenly childreÌ„ and that our selues also may hereby grow vp to a strong assurance that heauen is ours all the ioyes thereof reserued for vs by our Lord Sauiour and all the creatures in heauen and earth at a league with vs to do vs good so far as shall stand with thine honor and our saluation euer readie to helpe in time of need Hallowed be thy name And seeing thou oh tender Father hast vouchsafed vs this honour aboue the greatest part of the word to bee thine owne children and heires of thy glorious kingdom wheras thou mightest iustlie haue left vs in our sinnes with all the wicked to euerlasting shame and perditioÌ„ Giue vs grace good Father to testifie our loue and thankfulnesse all the dayes of our life in studying in and aboue al things which way to honor thee Open our blinde eyes to this end to behold the glory of thy wisedome power goodnes and righteousnes shining in al thy workes euen in the basest creature in heaueÌ„ or earth and much more in thy heauenly word chiefely in all thy terrible iudgements executed vpon the enemies of thy Church therin reueiled with mercies towards thy children and which thou still shewest euery day especiallie towards our selues Make vs abâ—e to take euery occasion to consider of aright and set foorth the praises belonging to thee therein and haue a holie vse of them both in word deed y t by vs thy great name may be knowne magnified in al the world Aboue all set euer before our faces good Lord that wonderfull glory wherein thou hast been magnified in these our daies and before our daies in the euident declaration both of thy displeasure against vs of this sinfull nation and withall of thy mercy and tender care for vs and wrath against our enemies how for dishonoring thee by abusing thy Gospell which thou hast giuen vs with such peace and prosperitie as neuer nation knowne before thou hast not only corrected our grieuous transgressions and securitie as a tender Father with thy milder rods of dearth pestilence sundrie the like to bring vs to amendmeÌ„t and cause vs with more cheerefulnes to embrace thy Gospell and bring foorth the fruits of it but also raised vp against vs sundrie times most cruell enemies threatning not only the taking away thy Gospell but our vtter destruction also brought the enemies to the verie execution thereof because we would not serue thee with good hearts according to all thy mercies bestowed vpon vs and yet euer when we haue cried vnto thee thou hast heard vs as thou diddest thy people Israel and as thou diddest heare Iehosaphat against the Moabits and Ezechiah and Esay against the proud Assyrian and plucking them back in the instant hast taken vengeance for vs that we haue oft thought that they durst neuer haue risen against vs any more so as if the most barbarous nations of the earth had receiued but the least of our deliuerances with our meanes they vndoubtedly had repented long ago in sack-cloath and ashes as we for the present haue promised vnto thee Oh gratious Father inable vs alwaies to remember and acknowledge this and to see moreouer that thine anger is not yet turned away but more fearefully kindled against vs for that as our sins and prouocations are multiplied so these our bloody enemies insteede of decreasing or ioyning themselues vnto vs do still increase daily and their malice is become much more deadly against vs thy poore children without hope of leauing off vntill they haue wrought either ours or at least their own vtter ruine which in time they must needs effect Good Father cause this principal token of
thereunto that they may be saued giue vs harts to haue a speciall regard not only of all those committed to our charge to bring them in obedience to the lawes of thy Kingdome but euen all who are tyed vnto vs by any speciall bond that we may take euery first occasion which thou offerest for procuring or furthering their saluation and so gayning them vnto thee by all good admonitions exhortations and examples Let vs be as the Angels vnto Lot neuer resting before we haue gotten them safe into Zoar. And that we may be able to perswade others more effectually Lord giue euery one of vs a sweete feeling what a blessed thing it is to bee the subiects of this thy Kingdome to haue all the priuiledges thereof and to be partakers of thy glory euen Kings and Priests vnto thee and what reward and happines there is in liuing such a holy conuersation and how wretched vnhappie the state of all other people is seeme they neuer so happy in this world being but bondslaues of Sathan reserued for the chaines of eternall darknesse Oh heauenly King grant vs to liue in all things as the subiects of thy Kingdome that so we may passe from this Kingdome of grace into that thy Kingdome of glory Make vs to feare the causes of backsliding that we may neuer so much as looke backe with Lots wife towards this euill world but euer hie fast towards thine heauenly Kingdome hauing our eie at our Lord and Sauiour who fitteth at thy right hand keeping there possession for vs. Destroy in vs euery corruption whereby Satan keepes vs any way in his slauerie or at any time gets the dominion ouer vs. Hasten that glorious day when the difference shall appeare betwene vs thy subiects and those who serue thee not when we shall wholly raigne in glory with thee free from al our enemies and from euer offending thee any more And because in the meane time we thy subiects liue by faith and not by sight in this world where all things vsually seeme to go out of order the wicked florishing in their vngodlinesse when wee oft weepe and mourne Oh Lord increase our faith in all thy gracious promises that through the comfort and power of godlinesse wrought in vs thereby we may grow vp to such a ful assurance that we are the true heires of thy kingdome that we may easily ouercome al the hindrances of the world and hauing the patiēce of Saints we may be faithfull to the death vntill thou set the crowne vpon our heads Fill our harts with such peace of conscience and ioy in thee with all the fruits of righteousnesse incoraged by thy sweete promises that all others may see to what Kingdome we belong and we our selues may feele daily the beginning of it in our selues so entring into thy heauenly ioy Thy wil be done in earth as it is in heauē And that our childlike affections towards thy heauenly Maiestie our zeale for thy glory and thankfulnes for thy Kingdome may bee more manifest to all the world quicken vs to doe thy heauenly will commandements chiefely those with which thou hast fully acquainted vs how thou wilt haue vs to walke and keepe thy watch and that with as much readinesse as thy Angels in heauen and wherein we are too short accept good Father our will for the deede Let it be our delight to stand euer in thy presence to inquire thy diuine pleasure both by reading and hearing thy heauenly word and asking of others and euer so soone as thou hast by any meanes made knowne vnto vs what thy good wil is giue vs forthwith Dauids Eccho that without consulting with flesh and blood we may say forthwith I am heere Lord to doe thy will yea thy law is within my hart that so all our seruice may be freevvill offrings vnto thee And whereas it is thy decree that thorowe many troubles wee must enter into thy heauenly Kingdome good Father frame our corrupt wils vnto thy heauenly will giue vs grace both to look for them euer to humble our selues vnder thy hand as thy obedient children seeking alwaies to pacifie thee searching immediately and amending whatsoeuer is amiste without once whispering against thy diuine Maiestie being assured that thou still louest vs euen when thou correctest vs most sharply and art working our good wilt in thy due time giue a happy end to all our troubles and cause thy louing countenance to shine on vs againe And if it shall be thy good pleasure to call vs to suffer for thy name keepe vs that we may not suffer as euill doers or busie bodies for medling in things without our calling so to bring crosses on our selus but as thine owne childrē for righteousnesse and then make vs to take vp our crosses with al ioyfulnesse and thankfulnesse that thou accountest vs worthy that honor looking stedfastly at the great reward holden forth vnto vs in y e hand of our Lord sauior who hauing troden that way before vs is there highly exalted to raigne for euer But keepe vs that we neuer goe against thy reuealed will whereby thou hast conuinced our consciences vnder pretence either to honour thee or doe any seruice vnto thy Church or for neuer so great a good seeing thou canst and wilt maintaine thine owne honour saue thy Church effecting whatsoeuer is best without our sinne That we may euer truly pray Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen Giue vs this day our daily bread And then oh deare Father when thou hast giuen vs such harts thus to seeke thy will that the world may see the tender care that thou hast for vs and how thou dost fulfill vnto vs all thy promises and that we likewise may wholy attend the seeking of thy glory in the inlargement of thy Kingdome and doing thy will vouchsafe vs gratiouslie all things meete for the comfort of this present life Shew vs thy fatherly loue prouiding sufficiently for all our necessities in thy due time Direct vs to vse all the holy means which thou hast appointed to serue thy diuine prouidence both painfulnesse thrift and godly wisdome chiefely in our particular calling auoyding as warily whatsoeuer may any way indanger vs make our liues vncomfortable or hurt our estate Grant vs grace also euermore in all humility to commit our selues vnto thy Fatherly protection not fearing what man can do vnto vs remembring that our times are in thy hāds to continue so long as it pleaseth thee that likwise vnlesse thou who hast giuen vs our liues do preserue them wee cannot continue one moment Make vs to know that of our selues wee haue no power to get one morsell of bread vnlesse thou both shew vs the meanes and