by an vtter destruction chastening in the meane time the countries round about vs as hauing some hope of their turning and amendment Let vs therefore with all speed humble our selues vnder Gods mighty hand and make a godly vse of his iudgments that euery litle chastismēt of his may driue vs to a lothing forsaking of our former euil waies that we may stand in awe and not sinne for our God is a iealous God and a consuming fire so shall he smel a sauour of rest and receiue an attonement for the land so shall the light of his countenance be lifted vp vpon vs and so shal it go well with vs and with our children after vs in their generations The word preached Gods Ministers Another very direct meanes to this end is the preaching of Gods word the voice of his Prophets ministers rising vp early premonishing vs of our dāger shewing vs the way wherin we should walk Therfore the Lord when he sent the Prophet Ieremie to the people of Israel and Iuda he bade him proclaime a fast and tell them what he had threatned against them Ier. 36. Because saith the Lord it may be when they heare the euill that I purpose to bring vpon them they will returne from their wickednesse and so by that meanes I may forgiue them their sinnes and receiue them to fauour This is the manna that came downe from heauen this is the immortall seed by which so many are borne to God How great cause haue wee to blesse the Lord that it hath pleased him so to dispose of vs that wee should be borne and bred in such a time and among such a people as professe the faith of Iesus Christ and are daily taught and instructed both to beleeue and liue accordingly Our Fathers longed to see these dayes and could not see them we feare no burning nor imprisonment for professing the doctrine of Christ wee neede not crosse the seas to seeke instruction wee may in a blessed freedome of minde and body approch to Gods altars and sit at the feete of the Lords Prophets and heare those heauenly comforts and directions from their mouthes Neuer was London so well supplied with godly reuerend Ministers since the first stone of her walles was layd then in this very day The Lord Iesus continue and encrease the number But what account make we of these meanes we can content our selues to sit an houre in the Church to heare Gods word taught not for conscience but for fashion as our deedes make plaine For where almost is he or she that hath left any one deere sin this seauen yeares though twice seauen yeares they haue heard it condemned nay which is strange vpon the monday we commit those very sinnes which vpō the Sabbath day before were to our faces most particularly reprooued which were enough to discourage vtterly those men of God in the worke of their ministerie they taking such paines watching for vs whē we sleep studying and spending their spirits to bring vs to repentance and we like wretches making small account of it and profiting little in godlinesse by it but that the Lord hath sayd his word shal neuer goe forth in vaine but either it shall lift vs vp higher to his courts in heauen or sinke vs downe deeper into the pit of hell And the labours of his Ministers shall be as highly rewarded for leauing the gracelesse ones without excuse as for conuerting a weake soule from going astray A Seruaunt when hee is commaunded to do any thing by his Master will feare to looke his Master in the face or to come in his way if hee neglect it and doe it not How dare wee then hauing sate in the Church and there heard out of the Pulpit the seate of Gods Oracles sin forbidden repentance enioyned our negligence taxed not once but continually from time to time with precept vpon precept line vpon line I say how dare we presse so boldly without any awe or reuerence into the presence of God the great Master of all Masters in the world Sabbath after Sabbath and yet guilty to our selues in the meane time of so great disobedience vnlesse wee come thither in an insolent fashion to stout and out-face the Lord or to laugh in our sleeues at his weaknesse that will be borne in hand with a cunning semblance and as well pleased as if the deede were performed O my brethren tremble to dally in this sort with the Almighty if hee speake let his seruants heare if hee command deferre not to doe it receiue it not as the word of man but as it is indeede the word of God Pray aforehand that you may feele the vertue and power of it in your heart renuing and changing your willes and affections let the feete of them be beautifull that bring this tidings of peace and good things vnto you They are the Embassadours of the euerliuing God and disposers of his secrets they are our Fathers in Christ by whom wee are new begotten to eternall life The Lord hath giuen them power out of his word to pronounce his sentence so that what they binde on earth is bound in heauen and what they loose on earth is loosed in heauen Let vs haue them in singular loue reuerence for their works sake The contempt of their persons is a notable policie of the diuell to make their teaching be contemned also Let vs shew our thankfulnesse to God for them in obeying those things which they command vs in his name They haue called vpon vs long enough for amendment let them now haue cause to commend vs that wee haue amended Let our hearing be at length a ioy to them lest their sorrow be hereafter a witnesse against vs One Ionah conuerted Niniueh what a shame is it to vs that so many Ionahs should doe no good in London Another meanes to set vs forward in the way of repentance Good bookes conference is the reading of good bookes mutuall conference and exhortation one of another These doe both after one sort bob vs continually on the elbowe and euen importune vs to well doing and would worke some good effect if we were not negligent carelesse in the vsing of them But so it is how much time doe we spend idlely in doing nothing or vnthriftily in doing naught neuer taking a good booke in our hands all the weeke long though we haue choice of manie and our trades will beare it or if wee begin it growes irksom straight before wee haue turned one leafe ouer or if we haue the patience to goe thorow to the end slightly enough wee cast it in a corner to be moulded and moath-eaten and are as much the better as he that hath lookt in a glasse is after his backe is turned because we doe not stirre vp and whet our remembrance by a second more aduised reading esteeming our olde bookes as olde friends which must euer now and then be visited
auoiding of euill so shal they first feare to doe that which you hate and at length fall in loue with that which you practise It shall get you more authority and respect with them heere and increase the blessednes of your own soules another day that you haue been the meanes through the blessing of God to saue your poore prentises soules also And heere I shall desire my worshipful masters of this City to whose sight this little hādfull of papers may come not to take offence at any thing I haue spoken out of zeale and heartie meaning nor to impute it to arrogancie in me that I haue intermedled in their offices From which proud sin I thank my God I am free but if it be iust that I haue saied and agreeable to Gods word that they will not disdaine to do it it shall not only be no disparagement but praise and honor to them comfort to other of Gods children and ioy to the Angels in heauen that by their religious care their seruāts are made Gods seruants with them and there is such a towardly and hopefull succession to stand vp after them that as the Thessalonians were examples of godlines to those of Macedonia so Londoners at length may be like exāples of piety religiousnes to all the neighbor townes of Great Britaine also CHAP. 7. THe next good meanes to waken vs out of the sleepe of sinne and to quicken vs to a new cōuersation is the sweete consolation and ioy which God giueth vs in our soules and consciences of his seruice after we haue once made our peace with him by sound and seasonable repentance This is the peace that passeth all vnderstanding this is the earnest of our inheritance this is a present taste or say of the ioyes of the life to come I knowe my words seeme to the carnall and vnregenerate a fained thing as the womens report of Christs resurrection did at first to the Disciples but if thou wouldst doe as they did neuer leaue till in thine owne person thou hast tried out the truth of this matter thou shouldest feele within thee such a paradise of sweetnesse as thou thy selfe were not able to vtter Thou shouldest see with what cōfortable cheere Christ would offer himself vnto thee with what delicates he would refresh thy soule what secret affections hee would inspire into thee and with how pleasant a cup of loue he would make thee merrie if thou wouldst follow his pathes forsaking the by-wayes of sinne and worldly vanities The least drop of this diuine sweetnesse would vtterly distast vnto thee all the pleasures of sinne that euen the remembrance of them would be irksome and vnsauorie For mine owne part I haue had experience of this which I say For to my shame I speake it I haue beene as leaud and as wicked a fellow as euer thou hast beene whosoeuer thou art and one that hath made as small conscience of sinning against God as euer thou hast done either in swearing or lying or prophaning the Lords Sabbath or in deriding the deere Saints and seruants of God Nay what vice would I haue left vnpractised if I might haue come to the knowledge of it what pleasure or vanitie or abomination can be named whereof I would not haue had not a dram or sip but a drunken carouse if the Lord by good meanes had not restrained me from such effusion of beastlinesse It irketh me to thinke in what a fearefull state I liued at that time for had not God beene very mercifull vnto me the earth might haue opened and swallowed me vp quick for rebelling against his great Maiestie being Lord of heauen and earth but such was his goodnesse to spare me and such was his patience to waite for my repentance for euer magnified be his holy name therefore For this cause when once it pleased his Maiestie in some measure to giue mee a sight and feeling of my sinnes through the preaching of his word which I had a long time heard in vaine before as also by meanes of some of my Brethren in Christ Iesus stirring mee vp continually with such like admonitions as I doe now stirre vp thee I consulted not with flesh bloud but presently set my selfe to resist my former euill inclinations resoluing and endeuouring euery day to change the tenor of my life and to serue God in better manner then euer I had done before giuing small regard what the companions of my leaudnesse and other of the prophane multitude did say of me nor what deriding termes they bestowed vpon men for I saw no other way but either I must be a hell-hound or be called a Puritan And therefore I chose rather to suffer reproch with the children of God and to abide the name of hypocrite and dissembler c. then to be a varlet with euery varlet or accounted an honest fellow amongst the prophane And so continuing in this course and framing my selfe to liue more more in the feare of God shaking off my olde sinnes I felt in my selfe in short time such a sweete and comfortable change and such internall heauenly ioy of Gods seruice that I would not haue exchanged it againe for all the choicest delights of the world heaped at once vpon my heart And surely my Brother if thou wouldest once enter into this resolution as I haue done turning from dead works to serue the liuing God thou shouldest see what a banquet of celestiall delicates hee would set before thee and how plentifully hee would powre forth the wine of his consolations vnto thee that thou mightest say as Iudith did in another case I will drinke now freely O my Lord Iudith 12.18 because my heart is merrie this day more then euer it was in all my life before Only for this shalt thou feele sorrow that thou hadst not sooner embraced the meanes of thy conuersion that the sooner thou mightst haue beene partaker of this diuine ioy and these soules rauishing comforts The last meanes I will speake of is the consideration of the ioyes of heauen whereof the ioy of Gods children here is but a little drop or spark that heauen the consummation perfection or euerlasting well-head of all pleasures that can be seene named or conceiued seene named or conceiued said I nay no eye hath seene no eare hath heard no thought hath euer comprehended the ioy the pleasure the felicity the glory which GOD hath layed vp in the life eternall for them that serue him with an vpright heart in this world The Scriptures doe sometimes resemble heauen to a Paradise or pleasant field sometimes they describe it by a goodly Citie sometimes by a Kings Court but what are these but worldly descriptions of that which passeth all the world Go out into the most delightfull parts of the Country view the faire hilles the flowrie vallies the crystall fountaines the cleere riuers sweet woods goodly plaines variety of fruites melody of birds c. and all this is nothing
surely if the wil of the Lord were we could wish with the Prophet that we had the wings of a Doue that wee might flie to the vttermost parts of the earth that we might be out of the reach rage of the wicked men but such is the zeale of the glory of God wherwith his children are inflamed such is the nature of faith wherewith their hearts are touched together with the large promises wherewith they are allured that in despight of diuels or men they haue alwaies made conscience of this duty Hence it is that in the scriptures wee haue so many examples of this kinde It was Peters commission that when he was conuerted hee must strengthen his brethren The woman of Samaria when Christ came to her conscience she hideth it not vnder a bushell but runneth into the city with open proclamation saying to her neighbours Come see a man that told mee all that euer I did Yea wee finde that this hath alwaies beene so precisely obserued that the children of God haue neuer neglected it in the time of greatest affliction that euer they did vndergoe onely two shall suffice in stead of many whereof the first is in the Lamentations where the Church speaketh after this manner Haue you no regard all you that passe by this way Lament 1 12. to behold and see where there is any sorrow like vnto my sorrow which is done vnto me wherewith the Lord hath afflicted mee in the day of his fierce wrath Wherein wee see the perpetuity of the loue of the children of God towards their Brethren that euen when they were at deaths doore they called vpon their neighbours to make vse of the iudgements of GOD. Answerable to this is that famous example of the Theefe on the Crosse who notwithstanding the dolour and paine wherein he languished yet perceiuing the desperate and fearefull estate of his fellow that hee was in sharply reproueth him and vseth diuers arguments and reasons to moue him to lay hold of the Sauiour of the world as he had done before he died These examples no doubt together with the reasons aboue specified mooued this new conuert being also unportuned by diuers of his acquaintance to publish this litle Treatise as a fruit of his thankfulnesse like Dauid that would not offer a sacrifice of that which cost him nothing and yet hath as it seemeth to me some blush or resemblance with that zeale wherewith the holy Prophet Dauid was inflamed when hauing receiued special benefits from the Lord he hath these words Psalm 66. Oh come hither all you that feare God and I will tell you what the Lord hath done for my soule making open proclamation as it were vpon the Theater of the world or as he speaketh when hauing felt that sweetnesse of the which this author had a tast he laboureth presētly to impart it to others saying taste and see how gracious the Lord is Psalm 34. blessed is the man that trusteth in him euer vsing a borrowed speech familiar to our senses taken from the fashion of Merchants who hauing brought some rare and costly commodity from beyond the seas are wont to permit a taste and giue a sight to the end the buyer may be the more induced to accept of the same And truely this is the practise of this new conuerted Prentise who hauing lien a long time sleeping in security esteeming highly of the things of this vaine world till it pleased the Lord in mercy to looke vpon him the scales falling from his eies Cant. 2.8 so that hee perceiued the Lord comming vnto him skipping ouer hilles and leaping ouer mountaines meaning his sinnes as may appeare by that we read in Rom 8. as one awaked out of a dreame he maruailed and reioiced greatly at his wonderful deliuerance and being desirous to make many partakers of his happinesse he taketh his penne and writeth this little Treatise and Labor of loue consisting in foure speciall heads as appeareth in the first leafe of this booke concerning the manner of it you are not to expect much painted eloquence filed phrases figures allusions which haue little vse more then to tickle the eares but euen with all humility and meeknes out of his own experience wisheth comfort by the comfort wherwith he was comforted of God Heere I remember part of a story in Samuel where it is thus written 1 Sam. 17.8 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake vnto thē and was very angry with Dauid and said why commest thou down hither with whō hast thou left the sheep I know thy pride the malice of thine heart c. Euen so I feare mee there be many Eliabs senior to the yong seruant of God Dauid that will not onely impute this worke to pride of heart but wil aske With whom hast thou left thy sheep that is how hee hath discharged his duty to his master iudging it a matter vnlawfull for him to meddle withall because hee shall offer iniury to his master in the practise hereof For answere whereunto we are to obserue a difference according to the nature and quality of the place and calling Some seruice perhaps will warrant that which others do vtterly deny them for art thou an artificer and of an occupation thou hast not this liberty without extraordinary allowance of thy master On the contrary is hee a trades man and vsing trafficke then the most and chiefest of his businesse is in receiuing and deliuering of commodities in the which much vacant time is idly spent and happy are you and blest of God that haue such a seruāt you may be sure to be wel faithfully dealt withal in the charge commited vnto him when others are wickedly abused But if this suffice not know you that hee had extraordinary allowance of his kind and fauourable master Moreouer I am of that priuity and acquaintance with him that I may protest in the sight of God and before men that this vertuous Prentise and sanctified yong man hath vsed of his owne vertuous disposition to rise two or three houres in the morning before he was imploied in his masters affaires which as it was a thing commendable proceeding from a good inclination so surely now is it much more praise worthy being found in the way of righteousnesse because the teachers therof are highly to be commended so that we are not alwaies to reproue and contemne seruants in this kinde lest in so doing we giue a hard censure of Dauid himselfe of whom we spake euen now But happily you will reply and say that Dauid came in zeale of Gods glory to take the shame from Israel which was much dishonored by the vncircumcised Philistine a fearefull great and huge monster In nature I answere that Goliah neuer blasphemed the Lord of hosts more then wee nor euer had more fingers and toes of deformity I meane Papists and Atheists which are in indeed the weapons naturall liues of our spirituall
vphold their idolatrous kingdome the more let it fall downe euen as Dagon before the presence of thine Ark. Powre downe the vials of the fulnesse of thy wrath vpon the kingdome of the Beast and let their riches wealth credit and authority drie vp euery day more and more as the riuer Euphrates Let it pity thee O Father to see thine owne spouse sit as a deformed and forlorne woman heere below weeping and mourning with haire about her necke hauing lost all her beauty and comlinesse cheere her vp deere Father glad her with the ioy of thy countenance and so decke her and trimme her vp that thou maiest delight in her as a Bridegrome in his Bride Specially we in treat thee to haue mercy vpon th◠Church in this land intend good vnto vs and not euill giue vs not ouer into the hands of the cruell Spaniard as our sinnes haue deserued Scatter we pray thee O Lord the deuices breake the plots of all such as haue plotted the ouerthrow and vtter subuersion of this Church and common wealth Blesse this Church more more with the continuance of true Religion amongst vs. For thy great names sake and infinite mercies sake deale gratiously and fauourably with vs and our posterity Turne from vs that vengeance which is due to vs for our sinnes For thou seest how iniquity preuaileth and the wicked goe away with the goale Atheisme ouerspreadeth euery where and Poperie seemeth to get a head againe Now therefore deere Father wee most humbly beseech thee to take order speedily for the remedying and repressing of these manifold disorders and grieuous enormities that are amongst vs. Be intreated of thy poore children to be good to this English nation Heare the cries of thine elect heare the mourning of them that mourne in Sion Let the cries of thy children crie downe all the cries of the sinnes of the land and be reconciled vnto vs in the multitude of thy compassions that so thou maiest still continue a most mercifull protector of this thine English vineyard Wee pray thee good Father shew special mercy to our most Noble and gratious K. Iames thine anointed seruant blesse him and keep him in all his waies Blesse his gouernment vnto vs. Let thine Angels encamp about him and let thy holy hand be alwaies ouer him keep him from treasons and deliuer him frō the treacheries of his enemies giue him to see what belongeth vnto his peace and giue him a heart earnestly bent to set vpon the practise of the same giue him al graces necessary for his peace and necessary for his saluation continue his gouernement peaceable and prosperous amongst vs and as thou hast made him the breath of our nostrils and a gratious instrument for the sauing of many thousand soules so let his owne soule be saued in the day of thy Sonne Christ Blesse his Maiesties most honorable priuy Counsellors and giue such good successe vnto all their Counsels and policies in matters of state that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godlinesse and honesty Blesse all the Nobility worke in them a care to glorifie thy name in their places make them faithfull to thee and faithful to the Land Direct with thy good spirit all such as beare the sword of Iustice that they may draw it out to punish the wicked and to defend the godly that they may with al good care and conscience discharge the duties of their places Increase the number of faithfull zealous Ministers in this Church Send thy Gospell to those places where it is not blesse it where it is Remember them in thy mercy O Lord that are vnder any crosse or affliction whatsoeuer bee comfortable vnto them heale vp their wounds binde vp their sores put all their teares into thy bottle and make their bed in all their sorrowes and put such a good end to al their troubles that they may redound to thy glory and the furtherance of their owne saluation In the meane time giue them patience and constancy to beare whatsoeuer it shal please thy merciful hand to lay vpon them Last of all in a word wee pray thee blesse Magistracie Ministery Cōmonalty Blesse all thy people do good to all that are true and vpright in their hearts And so deere father we do commit cōmend our selues our soules bodies into thy hands for this day and the rest of our life praying thee to take care and charge of vs keep vs from all euill watch ouer vs for our good let thine Angels encamp about vs let thy holy hand be ouer vs and keep vs in all our waies that we may liue to thy praise and glory here in earth keeping faith and a good conscience in all our actiōs that after this life we may be crowned of thee for euer in thy kingdome Grant these things good father to vs here present and to all thine absent praying thee in speciall fauour to remember our friends and kinsfolkes in the flesh all our good neighbours and wel-willers and all those for whō we are bound to pray by nature by deserts or any duty whatsoeuer for Iesus Christs sake our onely Mediator to whom with thee and the holy Ghost be giuen all praise and glory both now and for euermore Amen An Euening prayer to be vsed in priuate families O Eternall GOD and most louing deare Father we thy vnworthy children do heere fall downe at the foot of thy great maiesty acknowledging from our hearts that we are altogether vnworthy to come neere thee or to look towards thee because thou art a God of infinit glory and we are most vile and abominable sinners such as were conceiued and borne in sinne and corruption such as haue inherited our fathers corruptions and also haue actually transgressed all thy holy statutes and lawes both in thought words deeds before we knew thee since secretly and openly with our selues and with others our particular sinnes are moe than can be numbred for who knoweth how often hee offendeth But this we must needes confesse against our selues that our hearts are full of pride couetousnesse and the loue of this world full of wrath anger and impatiencie full of lying dissembling and deceiuing full of vanity hardnesse and prophanenesse full of infidelity distrust and selfe-loue full of lust vncleanenesse and all abhominable desires yea our hearts are the very sinkes of sin dunghils of all filthines And besides all this we do omit the good things we should doe for there are in vs great wants of faith of loue of zeale of patience of contentment of euery good grace so as thou hast iust cause to proceed to sentence of iudgement against vs as most damnable transgressors of all thy holy commandements yea such as are sunke in our rebellions and haue many times often committed high treason against thy maiesty therefore thou maiest iustly cast vs all downe into hell fire there to be tormented with Satan and
his Angels for euer And wee haue nothing to except against thy maiesty for so doing sith therin thou shouldest deale with vs but according to equity and our iust deserts Wherefore deere father we doe appeale from thy iustice to thy mercy most humbly intreating thee to haue mercy vpon vs and freely to forgiue vs all our sinnes past whatsoeuer both new and old secret and open knowen and vnknowen and that for Iesus Christs sake our onely Mediator And wee pray thee touch our hearts with true griefe and vnfained repentance for them that they may be a matter of continuall sorrow and heart-smart vnto vs so as nothing may greiue vs more then this that we haue offended thee being our speciall friend and father Giue vs therefore deere Father euery day more and more sight and feeling of our sinnes with true humiliation vnder the same Giue vs also that true and liuely faith wherby we may lay sure hold onthy Son Christ and all his merits aplying the same to our owne soules so as we may stand fully perswaded that whatsoeuer hee hath done vpon the crosse he hath done for vs particularly as well as for others Giue vs faith good Father cōstantly to beleeue al the sweet promises of the gospel touching remission of sinne and eternall life made in thy Sonne Christ O Lord increase our faith that we may altogether rest vpon thy promises which are all yea and Amen Yea that we may settle our selues and all that we haue wholly vpon them both our soules bodies goods name wiues children our whole estate knowing that all things depend vpon thy promises power and prouidence that thy word doth support beare vp the whole order of nature More ouer we intreat thee O Lord to strengthen vs from aboue to walke in euery good way and to bring forth the fruits of true faith in all our particular actions studying to please thee in all things and to be fruitfull in good workes that we may shew forth vnto all men by our good conuersation whose children wee are and that we may adorne and beautifie our most holy profession by walking in a Christian course and in all the sound fruits and practise of godlines and true religion To this end wee pray thee sanctifie our hearts by thy spirit yet more and more sanctifie our soules and bodies and all our corrupt naturall faculties as reason vnderstanding will and affections so as they may be fitted for thy worship and seruice taking a delight and pleasure therein Stirre vs vp to vse praier watchfulnesse reading and meditation in thy law and all other good meanes whereby we may profit in grace and goodnesse from day to day Blesse vs in the vse of the meanes that we may daily die to sin and liue to righteousnesse draw vs yet neerer vnto thee help vs against our monifold wants Amend our great imperfections renue vs inwardly more and more repaire the ruines of our hearts aide vs against the remnants of sin Enlarge our hearts to runne the way of thy Commandements direct all our steps in thy word let none iniquity haue dominion ouer vs. Assist vs against our special infirmities and master sinnes that wee may get the victory ouer them all to thy glory and the great peace and comfort of our owne consciences Strengthen vs good father by thy grace and holy spirit against the cōmon corruptions of the world as pride whoredome couetousnesse contempt of thy Gospell swearing lying dissembling and deceiuing O deere Father let vs not be ouer come of these filthy vices nor any other sinfull pleasures and fond delights wherwith thousands are caried headlong to destruction Arme our soules against all the temptations of this world the flesh and the Diuell that we may ouercome them all through thy help and keep on the right way to life that we may liue in thy feare and die in thy fauour that our last daies may be our best daies and that we may end in great peace of conscience Furthermore deere Father we intreat thee not onely for ourselues but for all our good brethren thy deere children scattered ouer the face of the whole earth most humbly beseeching thee to blesse them all to cheere them vp and glad them with the ioy of thy countenance both now and alwaies Guide them all in thy feare and keep them from euill that they may praise thy name In these dangerous daies and declining times we pray thee O Lord raise vp nursing fathers and nursing mothers vnto thy Church Raise vp also faithful Pastors that thy cause may be caried forward truth may preuaile Religion may prosper thy name onely may be set vp in the earth thy Sonnes kingdome aduanced and thy will accomplished Set thy selfe against all aduersary power especially that of Rome Antichrist Idolatry and Atheisme curse and crosse all their counsels frustrate their deuises scatter their forces ouerthrow their armies When they are most wise let them be most foolish when they are most strong let them be most weake Let thē know that there is no wisdom nor coūsel power nor policy against thee the Lord of Hosts Let thē know that Israel hath a God that thou which art called Iehouah art the onely ruler ouer all the world Arise therefore O most mightie God and maintaine thine owne cause against all thine enemies smite thorow all their loines and bow downe their backes yea let them all be confounded and turned backward that beare ill will vnto Sion Let the patient abiding of the righteous be ioy and let the wicked be disappointed of their hope But of all fauour we intreate thee O Lord to shew special mercy to thy Church in this Land wherein we liue Continue thy Gospell amongst vs yet with greater successe purge thy house daily more more take away all things that offend Let this Nation still bee a place where thy name may bee called vpon and an harbour for thy Saints Shew mercy to our posterity deare Father and haue care of them that thy Gospell may bee left vnto them as a most holy inheritance Defend vs against forrē inuasiō keep out Idolatry and Popery from amongst vs. Turne frō vs those plagues which our sins cry for For the sins of this Land are exceeding great horrible and outragious giue thee iust cause to make vs spectacles of thy vengeance to all Natiōs that by how much the more thou hast lifted vs vp in great mercy and long peace by so much the more thou shouldest presse vs downe in great wrath long war Therfore deere Father we most humbly intreat thee for thy great names sake and for thy infinit mercies sake that thou wouldest bee reconciled to this land and discharge it of all the horrible sins thereof Drowne them O Lord in thy infinit mercy through Christ as it were in a bottomelesse gulfe that they may neuer rise vp in iudgement against vs. For although our sinnes bee exceeding many and feareful yet thy mercy is far greater For thou art infinite in mercy but we cannot be infinite in sinning Giue vs not ouer into the hands of the Idolaters lest they should blaspheme thy name and say Where is their God in whom they trusted But rather deere father take vs into thine owne hands and correct vs according to thy wisedome for with thee is mercy deep compassion Moreouer wee most heartily beseech thy good Maiesty to blesse our most gratious King Iames and to shew much mercy to him in all things Guide him in thy feare and keep him in all his waies working in his soule vnfeined sorrow for sinne true faith in the promises a great care to please thee in all things and to discharge the duty of his high place in all zeale of thy glory and faithfulnesse towards thy Maiesty that as thou hast crowned him heere in earth so hee spending his daies heere below in thy feare may after this life be crowned of thee for euer in the Heauens We beseech thee also to blesse his Maiesties most honorable priuie Counsellors Counsell them from aboue let them take aduice of thee in all things that they may both consult and resolue of such courses as may be most for thy glory the good of the Church the peace of this our Commonwealth Blesse the Nobility and all the Magistrates in the Land giuing them all grace to execute iudgement and iustice and to maintaine truth and equity Blesse all the faithfull Ministers of the Gospell increase the number of them inincrease thy gifts in them and so blesse all their labours in their seuerall places and congregations that they all may bee instruments of thy hand to inlarge thy Sonnes kingdome and to winne many vnto thee Comfort the comfortlesse with all needfull comforts Forget none of thine that are in trouble but as their afflictions are so let the ioyes and comforts of thy spirit bee vnto them and so sanctifie vnto all thine their afflictions and troubles that they may tend to thy glory and their owne good Giue vs thankefull hearts for all thy mercies both spirituall and corporall for thou art very mercifull vnto vs in the things of this life and infinitely more mercifull in the things of a better life Let vs deeply ponder and waigh all thy particular fauoures towards vs that by the due consideration thereof our hearts may bee gained yet neerer vnto thee and that therefore wee may both loue and obey thee because thou art so kind and louing vnto vs that euen thy loue towards vs may draw our loue towards thee and that because mercy is with thee thou maiest bee feared Grant these things good Father and all other needfull graces for our soules or bodies or any of thine thorow out the whole world for Iesus Christs sake in whose name we further call vpon thee as he hath taught vs in his Gospel saying Our Father which art in Heauen c. FINIS
Goliah so that the cause then of both being not much vnlike the answere that followeth shall not vnfitly be applied though not in the same measure of grace wisedome and modesty yet in the same nature of zeale truth and sincerity answer with him in the 29. verse Graue Fathers masters and superiors what haue I done is there not cause But if this Apology seeme vnsufficient obserue with me breefly the benefit that commeth hereby and the fault considered will easily be wiped away In the first place then it bringeth a comfort to the Church of God when they shall see the prophesies fulfilled and those promises performed which long since was declared to fall out in the latter age of the world Esay 11.9 that the earth shall bee filled with the knowledge of the Lord Ioel. 8. as the sea is couered with with waters Againe Your daughters shall prophesie your old meÌ„ shal dreame dreames your yong men shal see visioÌ„s Psalm 8. And also vpon the seruants will I powre out my spirit Againe Out of the mouth of Babes hast thou ordained strength because of their enemies Notwithstanding these prophesies I grant chiefly fulfilled at the comming of Christ yet in respect of the perpetuity of it it is to remaine vntill the number of the elect be accomplished yea and wee that are now liuing haue seene the extraordinary power and operation of it if wee consider since the time of Luther how the Angell flying from the middest of heauen Reuel 14.6 hauing an euerlasting Gospell in his mouth to preach to the nations that dwell vpon the earth saying with a loud voice Feare GOD giue glory to him an vnspeakeable and peculiar fauour of GOD as our Sauiour Christ sayeth Blessed are the eies that see those things which you see and the eares that heare those things which you heare being the onely meanes to bring vs into the fauour of God and men that it may bee sayed of vs Cant. 6.9 as it was of his owne spouse Who is this that loeketh forth as the morning faire as the Moone pure as the Sunne terrible as an armie with banners Yea then we shall bee pretious to the Lord who so toucheth vs toucheth the apple of his eie and hee will say to our enemies Cant. 3.5 I charge you O you daughters of Ierusalem by the Roe by the Hindes of the field that you stirre not vp nor waken my beloued vntill shee please Yea then shall wee be set as a seale vpon his heart and as a signet vpon his arme for loue is stronger then death Ielosie is cruell as the graue the coales thereof are fiery coles and a vehement flame much water cannot quenâ—r loue neither can the flouds drowne it If a man would giue al the substaÌ„ce of his house for loue the world would greatly contemne it Cant. 8.1 Secondly it much aduanceth declareth and setteth forth the power of the Gospell when men are made of Lions Lambs their natures being changed that they come willingly in the day of assembly the loue of God constraining them and the blessing of God vpon them causing their sonnes to bee as the plants growing vp in their youthes their daughters as the corner stones grauen aft r the manner of Apelles c. So that other nations being our Iudges are forced to say of vs Psal 144.7 Happy are the people that are in such a case yea blessed are the people whose God is the Lord Iehoua Thirdly it is exceeding comfortable and no lesse honorable to the graue fathers and faithfull learned preachers of our age when they shall see the blessing of God vpon their labours their children which they haue begotten into the faith by the word of truth Psalm 127 like arrowes in the hand of the strong man and are not ashamed to speake before their enemies in the gate So that they haue no neede of the approbation of men or letters of recommendations their Epistles being written not with inke paper but in the hearts of their children and shineth in the world to the praise and glory of God Lastly a notable motiue prouocation to incite and stir vp the minds of those that are too slacke and negligent in this kinde and may also be vsed as a whetstone to sharpen and set an edge vpon finer wits that so all the members of Christ both learned and vnlearned may meet and ioine foot to foot and shoulder to shoulder opposing themselues against their great common aduersary and being directed by one spirit may vtter their voices both by praier by preaching that we may cause the kingdome of Antichrist to fall downe like the walles of Iericho that so if it be the Lords will we that are now liuing may see that with the eies of our bodies which Saint Iohn saw so long since with the eies of his spirit and so with holy reioycing and gladnesse of heart we may say with blessed Saint Iohn It is fallen it is fallen great Babylon and is become a cage of vncleane birds Now if any shall aske of me who are you and what is your name whose iudgement the reader should so much reuerence In this behalfe I answere If I were one of learning and estimation perhaps I might cary thee away not vsing any great reason or demonstration On the contrary if of no note and quality thou wouldest hardly be brought to embrace it though I bring strong and forceable arguments and reasons I refer thee therefore to the booke it selfe which is able to commend it selfe to the conscience of any indifferent reader whose eares being sanctified trieth words as the mouth tasteth meat Onely this I will say with the Aapostle Iames Iob. 34.3 Haue not the faith in respect of persons and then I dare assure my selfe the Lord shall haue glory and his chiÌ„ldren comfort The which vpon the knees of my soule I craue of his goodnes and that he will increase in the hearts of his Saints sauing faith and with faith vertue and with vertue knowledge and with knowledge temperance and with temperance patience and with patience godlinesse and with godlinesse brotherlie kindnesse and with brotherlie kindnesse loue that you may make your calling and election sure so that you may neuer fall By him that praieth daily for the peace of Sion and longeth to see Ierusalem in her pefect beautie T. R. The contents of the Chapters following in this Booke CHAP. 1. Of Gods graces and benefits in free mercy bestowed vpon man that thereby hee may be moued to serue his diuine maiesty fol. 1. 2. 3. CHAP. 2. Of the infinit and vnspeakable benefit of Christs death mâ—ns great ingratitude notwithstanding which all things whatsoeuer in their kinde condemne fol. 4.5.6 CHAP. 3. Of the most miserable estate of the Reprobate both in this world and in the world to come as also of the most blessed happy condition heere and hence of those