promises to meditate on some good point to sing part of a Psalme all in the freest and sittest season Secondly in his family morning and evening to pray to read in Gods word and somewhat in a good book to conferre of good things to sing part of a Psalme to pray before and to give thanks after meales to season them with good discourse to catechise his children once a day Thirdly to lay hold on every occasion for each part of Gods publique worship In every one To set himselfe to seeke the Lord. Preparedly with premeditation Understandingly knowing what he goes about Deliberately not slubberingly nor in hast or wishing the work over Humbly he being so evill and God so holy Feelingly that his heart lahour in the action and be affected Zealously with earnestnesse and stretched out affections till the work be ended Seasonably when he may be least distracted and doe himselfe and others the most good Willingly not as puld by the ears or forced shaking off backwardnesse Chearfully striving against coldnesse dulnesse deadheartednesse and drowsinesse Instantly without delay or deferring till another time Constantly at set times if it may be catching at conveniency Conscionably because the Lord requires it Not customarily for fashions sake or any by respect In sincerity not to be seen of men but approving his heart to God Resolutely though nick-named scorned and opposed Singularly though never so few doe so Secretly in every private and family duty avoiding all loudnesse and open shewes as farre as possible may be In faith especially resting on the Lords promised acceptation and blessing in Christ Jesus In hope awaiting the experimentall performance thereof With sound application to his especiall occasions With upright and earnest resolutions to obey Powerfully practifing accordingly All in the strength of the Lord as to and in the sight of the Lord as well as he can though he cannot as he ought with true though weak defire to feare his name These following Exceptions may lawfully hinder or alter the precise times of performing the foresaid duties and sometimes some one or more of the duties themselves As BEing visited with sicknesse or being withdrawne by the workes of his calling or other urgent occasions as will not admit of delay journying by water or land being in places and company where he cannot with christian conveniency neither need the times be so strictly stood upon if the duties be at some other times performed Yet not to neglect or delay when and where he may serve the Lord as he will answer to the Lord who searcheth the hearts alwayes labouring to redeeme the time and not to trouble himself although he later some duties and performe others in their places his conscience bearing him witnesse that he still desires to seâ—ve the Lord the better thereby The fourth Vow and third of this maine part concerning Examination To examine his repentance and faith by the Law and Gospell frequently seriously and impartially as in Gods presence who sees his carriage towards him in this weighty worke That is ACcording to Master Brinslies exposition of the Law and Gospell in his book called The first part of the true Watch and rule of life being in his judgement the best help for this use that ever he met withall to try his thoughs words and wayes past present and to come c. For the times Ordinarily before every Sabbath more especially before receiving the Sacrament and before a publique Family or private Fast but most of all in any fore sicknesse or any other great calamity or being summoned by death that she may not live in any knowne sinne or the omission of any required duty without repent ance to chuse such times of the day and to seek out such places at home or abroad in field or Garrison when and where he may be most private and least hindered and be surest to prevent and escape all company and other distractions And further For more conveniency and Iesse rediousnes to take so much every day that the whole may be gone through every week or moneth or somewhat every day till all be gone through at best leasure and then to begin again or otherwise according to Christian discretion with all carefulnesse without superstition or negligence But when where and in what Order soever To set his heart and affections aright as in the presence of the al-knowing God with whom I have to doe when he begins to begin with solemne prayer to labour that his heart goe along with each part of the foresaid rule purposing to practise every particular with feeling affection and setled devotion to meditate and pray according to his written quotations joyned to that rule of Examination to mourne for every sinne committed begging pardon in Christ and the imputation and application of his most perfect obedience and al-sufficient satisfactino craving freedome from punishment pleading and urging the Lord with his Saviours infinite merits and perpetuall mediation desiring preservation from all sinne especially from those he is most prone unto and in danger of yea from such as he thinkes least of or conceives himselfe freest from to aske those graces he most wants to give thanks for every grace in any measure attained unto and for deliverance out of those sins he hath lived in and for preservation from many and grievous sinnes into which he was often ready to fall yea daily from those sinnes to which he is most prone or to which he is most tempted or which are most incident to his particular calling and common conversation yea from those he least thought of and so lest feared and for faith comfort and assurance in respect of every Article of his beleef in the forenamed true Watch to be thankfull for the least beginnings to bewaile and beg supply of his wants so labouring for faith and a good conscience to apply himselfe to discharge each part of his duty without putting off from day to day or from one time to another resisting dead-heartednesse and wearinesse being a duty concerning him so neerly The fifth Vow and fourth of this maine part concerning holy Fasting To celebrate the severall kinds of religious Fasts seasonably and solemnly as every extraordinary occasion requires That is In publique WIth Gods people according to the occasion time and manner appointed by authority upon such generall to adde his owne and his Families especiall occasions wisely to watch for catch hold of and attend upon every extraordinary occasion which God presents whereby he as cals upon him to this work In his Family and alone Having fallen into any grievous sinne or being in any great calamity or desiring any especiall inward grace or outward blessing or deliverance out of any great distresse or fearing or feeling any outward judgement to seek the preventing removing or sanctifying the same yea in whatsoever inward or outward misery he or his may be in this especiall manner as an especiall meanes that the Lord hath most graciously left
uncomely behaviour through too much harshnesse or familiarity not to intrude uncivilly into others society nor to interrupt them in their talk or to intermeddle with their businesse but to goe by step back or turne away with all civility and curtesie in discoursing with others not to passe his opinion upon any person or occasion unasked lightly or hastily if pressed to speake if it be a matter unconvenient or that does not concerne him or that is not pleasing to him or from whence no good may arise to answer with silence or to ask some other harmlesse question or propound some more fitting matter or to turne away quietly and inoffensively Further to avoid Vaine light loud and unseemly laughter which is a sure and open signe of forgetfulnesse unstaiednesse misgovernment and folly to take good heed continually in his talking with others and when others talke with him or when he is alone it think no body sees him that he break off and amend nodding with shaking of his head winking with the eyes biting of the lip wrying the mouth gaping putting out the tongue gnashing his teeth staring in the face hanging the head downe laying it on the shoulder thrugging his shoulder acting with his hands motions of the feet or any other unseemly posture with any part of the body out of scorn carelesnesse or custome or out of conceit they become him well or in vaine astectation or in foolish imitation In these to be especially carefull Because therein he hath been formerly so forgetfull that some have noted him for unbeseeming demeanor to endeavor in every thing by Gods good guidance to be so circumspect that he in nothing give distaste but may converse commendably and acceptably withall remembring what contempt shame and trouble for miscarriage hath procured and will procure him and not forgetting that what he mislikes and speaks against as a blemish uncomely and misseeming in others in their manner of speaking countenance carringe and gesture as ill becomes him and causeth others to blame him and the lesse to regard him The sixt maine part concerning his private course The two and twentieth Vow and first of this maine part To converse with God in holy matters That is IN his Study garden tent hut or abroad in the field to bethink deliberately distinctly affectionately and not to give over till he have beaten the matter through and made it his owne by powerfull application and unfained resolution to practise what holy duties God remires of him what warrant there is out of Gods Word for them and when where and how most seasonably conscionably and profitably to perform them and what good by the Lords most mercifull and promised blessing by former experence and by examples of Gods Children he may a flure himselfe in the use of them Also How he may carry himselfe most conscionably faithfully worthily and comfortably in his particular place and calling and how most religiously and ordorly in his Family and how most Christianly and commendably in his common course Further How best to walk with his God in saving-knowledge true faith sincere obedience sound repentance lively hope yea in all good conscience with contentation in every condition And how Best to be assured of Gods love mercy grace peace joy strength relâ—efe protection and blessing in all he takes in hand and that concernes him how best to demeane himselfe in prosperity and adversity how to make right use of every present condition to draw the nearer to and to find the more communion with God thereby in all his proceedings though never so small more often and earnestly consult with God to crave his direction and blessing by his Word and prayer To furnish himselfe With such meditations places of Scripture and solid reasons as may best fence him against those sinnes most incident to his nature calling common conversation family-carriage and private course and for most Christian and comely carriage to the contrary To remember He is in Gods al-seeing sight though never so alone therefore to take heede that his thoughts and carriage be such as become his most holy glorious and al-knowing presence and if he must or when he doth think upon his outward lawfull worldly occasions in regard of his imployments distresses or Christian comforts not to dwell too long upon them but to mix holy cogitations with them and by them to be moved to sigh to call to God for his direction and blessing in them when he departs from them To be often In prayer and other heavenly exercises when he is in private to this end often seperating himselfe from impediments especially from company and to love in this manner to be private and solitary therefore to chuse and frequent such times and places constantly and unvreariedly The three and twentieth Vow and second of this maine part To keep himselfe in awe by holy Meditations Thus SOlemnly to call to mind seriously to ponder upon and powerfully to apply the fearful fall and utter rejection of the Angels the sinne and punishment of Adam and all his posterity the vilenesse of our natures the ilnesse of our conversations the bainousnesse and danger of sinne un-repented of his owne especially sinnes from his youth up his many abominable backslidings his continuall offendings the grievous failings of his best duties the sinfulnesse of his Family and company the abominations of the times the cursed sinnes of our calling Also Gods most fearfull and remarkable judgements abroad in the world his particular plagues upon particular persons yea some that he hath knowne Gods heavy visitations generall and particular upon his owne Church and deare Children those afflictions that have been yet are or are like to fall upon himselfe and his Family upon them most neere and deare unto him the vanity and vexation of all things under the Sunne the mutability and mortality of all men the day of his owne death terriblenesse of the great day of account endlesse and easâ—esse paines of hell the full and ever during happinesse in Heaven the attributes of the Lord God as his most absolute infinite and unchangeable holinesse excellency power justice mercy wisdome truth omniscience omnipresence c. and every his owne extreame wickednesse basenesse wretchednesse helplesnesse c. to keep his heart in awe that he sinne not to watch to walke humbly with and uprightly before his God to labour to lay to heart whatsoever may by Gods working move him with some sense and sorrow to weigh his owne and other misdeeds and miscries and cause him the more carefully and affectionately to feare seeke serve depend upon and give due glory unto the Lord his God who is blessed for evermore The foure and twentieth Vow and third of this maine part To call to mind the Lords especiall mercles That is MOst respectively to remember and with all holy affection of heart to be moved at that most wonderfull work of redemption by Christ when we were and had else for ever been
outward estate and then in obedience unto and in the feare of the Lord to use all lawfull meanes for recovering his health looking chiefly and onely to the Lords blessing thereupon without which all is in vaine humbly submitting unto patiently bearing of resting heartily contented with by no meanes or not in the least to murmure against the Lords good pleasure towards him with a sober spirit meek mind understanding well governed heart setled countenance Christian and seemly carriage to demeane himselfe under the hand of his God justifying the Lord though himselfe be utterly consumed trusting in him though he should be killed thanking of him and laying to heart that so infinitely farre lesse then his deserts he is punished that he is so fatherly chastised that mercy in the midst of wrath is remembred that any ease is vouchsafed that so many meanes of comfort is granted that a good issue goe all how it will is assured and a sanctified use promised and that as a Child from a most wise and tender-hearted Father though the affliction be long and sore he is afflicted to beseech the Lord for a right carriage in his affliction for a sanctified use of his affliction for a happy deliverance how he pleaseth from the affliction and so without any mere adoe or trouble with a quiet well contented mind to await the issue which belongeth to the Lord onely and to those that visit him to speake Christianly At the poynt of death And the neerer he draweth thereunto to draw the neerer to his God in Christ by humiliation faith prayer patience hope and longing all through the strenhth of the Lord which against that time he must often before and as long as he live beseech the Lord to give him as also to discourse holily to call upon the Lord continually yea if it be possible to dye praying or with some pertinent place of Scripture or some other godly speech in his mouth for his owne more refreshing or setling and the exemplary edification of those most neere and deare to him or others that are about him to sigh to Heaven to shew signes his heart is there when power to pray or speake is taken from him O Lord my God Make me mindfull of my mortality and teach me so to number my dayes that I may apply my heart to true wisdome cause me cleerly to discerne and rightly to be sensible of the vanity and vexation of all things under the Sunne Oh let them no more mislead me make me willing to part from them cause me to dye to sinne and live to thee daily cause me to live by faith and keepe a good conscience continually prepare me in my inward and outward man yea every way for thee settle me against all discouragements concerning the remembrance or comming of death yea cure the feare thereof in me make me willing to leave this and desirous of a better life dispose me be I never so averse there-from Oh dispose me to wish to be dissolved and to be with thee unfainedly from a sudden unprovided death good Lord deliver me make me alwayes ready for thee that I may bid thee welcome and resigne my selfe into thy hands gladly when it commeth to the push Lord when it commeth to the push help me to doe as thou hast granted me to know write purpose and pray for and every way else that thy will and my condition as a good Christian requireth of me yea then uphold governe work in with and for me when I am weakest and Sathan busiest that I may not be tempted beyond what I shall be enabled to beare that I may find thee my help in need my deliverer thereout and that thou receivest me to thy Kingdome of Glory Amen These among many other reasons moves him to take this course 1 Because the Lord expresly requires it 2 Because it is most sure and comfortable 3 Because to prepare for death doth not hasten but qualifie it 4 Lest deferring time present he be deprived of time to come for who knoweth what sudden and sore changes a day may bring forth 5 It being most certaine he must dye and yet as uncertaine when where or how 6 That no outward priviledges can prevent or comfort at the time of death but this course can comfort though not prevent 7 That others as likely to live as himselfe are dead 8 That the longer we put off our preparation for death the more unfit we are and shall be to dye 9 That having in sincerity though weakly dispatched this great businesse nothing can be grievous unto us 10 That when the Lord cals for us we have no more to doe but in peace with cheerfulnesse to give our selves into his hands 11 That he might give his mind the fuller satisfaction 12 And be the more free 〈◊〉 walk in all the narrow way of life to happinesse 13 That we are most unfâ—â— hereto when sicknesse ceaseth on us and death threaten us having then too much to doe with our paines and other distractions 14 That this work being done the greatest work is done that can concerne us and that as far as we faile herein we faile of solid comforts 15 That it is the best wisdome by timely preparation for our most comfort to entertaine that which all the world cannot keep from us and which be neglected will certainly ruine us 16 By this course we shall much honour God and benefit others that see know or heare of us Now for the exceeding many and most excellent benefits following this conscionable carefull and constant course besides what is mentioned before for more brevity he referres you to those places of Scripture concerning death and everlasting life to be found in his collection of Promises page 33. and 67. where also is more plentifully explained what he understands beleeves and looks for in both these respects Oh that my soule could sensibly say Come Lord Jesus come quickly ever so come Lord Jesus I beseech thee For conclusion of all To seeke depend upon and await for the Lords onely help and blessing in every respect Briefly thus IN the sense of his extreame ignorance indisposition and disability to thinke speake of doe the least good and of him most grievous ingratitude sinfulnesse unbeliefe in receiving any good and insatiable pronenesse to all evill to think of himselfe meanly to deny himselfe utterly sincerely though he can at the best but very weakly to crave of the Lord all understanding disposition and ability to discharge each part of his duty and unfainedly though he cannot as he ought confidently to look for all mercy grace and good from the hand of Heaven because the Lord God who hath promised is most mercifull therefore willing most mighty therefore able most faithfull therefore must performe it be I never so weak and unworthy and whatsoever doth or may oppose it all onely because he is so pleased alone for his owne great glory through the al-sufficient merits and continuall meditation of the Lord Jesus Christ my alone Saviour and Intercessor through whom I beleeve and await undoubtedly and seasonably to find it Another Exhortation Forget not O my soule upon what occasions and in what manner thou hast vowed unto thy God but remember to performe them watchfully faithfully constantly or else thou makest way for all the wrath of God to breake in upon thee and consider Oh consider it is a most fearfull thing to fall into his hands being angry Lord enlighten my understanding strengthen my memory rectifie my affections to know retaine and chuse grant me feelingly to apply and powerfully to practise whatsoever by thy Word thou hast revealed to me that may best please thee and that I have thus vowed unto thee for Jesus Christ his sake I beseech thee Amen Helpe forgive accept and blesse I pray thee Amen Yea though I be as I am most weake wretched and unworthy for thy mercy and thy truthes sake I beg of thee Amen My good God to thy great Name be all the glory FINIS
the more cleerly to see and to make us the more sensible of our sinfulnesse and insufficiency and so the more dearly to esteeme Christs merits and in him Gods grace and mercy A solemne Prayer concerning the right use of the following Vowes O My heavenly Father my onely sufficiency without whom I cannot thinke one good thought but am most prone to all evill I most humbly and unfainedly beseech and urge thee in mercy as thou hast promised by the effectuall working of thy holy spirit notwithstanding my most hainous sinfulnesse exceeding great insufficiency and al other though never so many and great impediments henceforth to direct stirre up and strengthen me watchfully seasonably conscionably feelingly and constantly to remember respect apply and performe all every one and each circumstance of these my holy vowes by thine owne especiall grace most solemnly made often and earnestly renewed before and unto thy Majesty to bind my selfe the more strictly against sinne to serve thee O be herein my strength and sufficiency that my conscience hitherto fouly polluted and terribly accusing may be throughly purged and sweetly excuse me yea in the very particulars wherein I have most offended and am most prone to transgresse that though when I have done my best I come farre short of my duty yet that my hart mâ—y testifie for unto me I do the best I can thogh I cannot do as I ought to please thee My Lord my God give me thy grace according to the light of a well informed conscience as hereby I have most strictly tyed my selfe to walke humbly with and uprightly before thee no more daring as I have done to offend thee To this end enable me to watch and pray to wrastle weep and cry unto thee and never to give over or let thee goe before thou hast herein blessed me in granting this so exceeding needfull a request that I be not overcome of evill but may overcome evill with good and so wholly apply my selfe to doe thy will Certainly thou wilt grant it in time and measure as thou seest fit Lord when where or howsoever of ignorance weaknesse forgetfulnesse or any other way I have done doe or shall doe amisse contrary to any of these rules and resolutions Oh be thou entreated to cause me speedily and soundly to discerne confesse bewaile crave pardon for and strength against the same Oh restore and receive me make me more wise warned watchfull and better governed afterwards thereby yea renew mercy and grace unto me to this end I pray thee and doe not suffer any of my failings or fals so farre to discourage me as to drive me from thee but make them to move me the more humbly and earnestly to draw neerer unto thee and the more zealously to renew my holy purposes yet the better to serve thee Oh doe not doe not at all deny refuse reject or turn from me O Father of mercies my most mercifull Father I most humbly and unfainedly beseech and urge thee vouchsafe freely and fully in the most precious blood of thy Christ my Redeemer to forget and forgive all my sinnes though never so many and heinous against all and every one of these my holy vowes and every circumstance of each for I have innumerable times and wayes most groussy and wilfully yea without ceasing offended in every one O require not these things of me for I cannot answer thee one of ten thousand thousands but require them of him my alone Saviour and alsufficient surety who hath fully satisfied thee on my behalfe for every one of these as well as for all or any of my other faults Oh grant me in the sence of thy infinite undeserved never failing love according to thy expresse promises to fly unto and trust in his merits notwithstanding all my grievous violations of all and every one of these most solemne vowes and cause me to feele the same most precious balme of Gillead to ease heale and comfort my most sinfull and sorrowfull soule for his infinite sufferings sake turn thy deserved wrath from me and deale gratiously with me give me assurance of pardon from and peace with thee O Lord my God worke worke worke and help speedily effectually and constantly I beg of thee that at all times and in all things I may with all my heart offer my selfe unto thee that through thy infinite patience I may escape thy justly merited vengeance and by thy undeserved mercy enjoy thy loving favour which is better then life All through the alsufficient satisfaction and perpetuall intercession of thy most deare and onely Sonne my alone sweet Saviour and sole sufficient Mediator Christ Jesus Amen and Amen The following Vowes briefly expressed the more easily to be remembred for present Meditation and Prayer 1 TO have respect to all Gods Commandements and to turne from every evill way 2 To make strict conscience of sanctifying the Sabbath every where continually 3 To imbrace every part of Gods worship every day as may be possibly and conveniently without superstition or wilfull neglect 4 To examine our repentance and faith by the Law and Gospell frequently seriously and impartially as in Gods presence who sees our carriage towards him in this weighty worke 5 To celebrate the severall kinds of religious fasts seasonably and solemnly as every extraordinary occasion may require 6 To receive the Lords Supper or the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of our blessed Saviour reverendly and fruitfully when and wheresoever we possibly may 7 To oppose and punish wicked men and wickednesse by all means we can 8 To cherish and assist good men and goodnesse in like manner 9 To give good example in our particular calling by avoyding the common sins thereof and keeping a good conscience therein and by walking worthily continually 10 In all causes of Counsell and courses of Justice to be well advised and impartiall 11 In the Leaguer to carry our selves as in the sight of God in all Christian wisdome sincerely and with all circumspection before men worthily 12 To abstaine from all abuses of the marriage bed 13 To labour the conversion and edification of wife children servants or any other under our roofe by all good meanes possible 14 To demeane our selves wisely in all our wayes among them 15 To eschew evill company continually 16 To avoid all excesse every where all drunkennesse especially 17 To watch against all filthinesse in all places 18 To take heed of breaking out into passion upon any occasion 19 To set our selves against al misgovernment of the tongue without ceasing 20 To stirre up our selves to edifie others in all places upon all occasions and by all means we can 21 To demean our selves warily in all things 22 To converse with God in holy matters 23 To keep our selves in awe by holy meditations 24 To call to mind the Lords especiall mercies 25 To labour for a sanctified use of our outward condition whatsoever the same is or may be 26 To put all