them to become cursed speakers especially against Gods ministers Because these are 2. Tim. 3 those perillous daies wherein it was long sithence prophesied that many should bee dispisers of them which are good Peter was three times commaunded Bar. to feed his flocke which is expounded three waies with sound doctrine with honest life with good Ioh. 21. Flocke fed Hospitality This word Behold doth commonly import some great admiration vnto vs as it is vsed concerning Christ at his Natiuitie Behold saith Luk. 2. 10. the Angell to the Shepeheardes I bring you glad tidinges that vnto you is borne this day a Sauiour which is Christ the Lord. At his passion Behold at his yeelding vp of the ghost Mat. 27. 51. the vaile of the temple was rent it twaine the earth shaked Stones cloven the graues opened c. At his second comming Behold saith our Sauiour Apoc. 22. 12. Christ I come shortly and my reward is with mee to giue to euery man as his worke shall bee Christ Iesus came into the world Christs comming not as a iust Iudge but as a Phisitian Not as a destroyer but as a Sauiour Not to call the Iust but sinners to repentance Christ Iesus descended and came as it was promised Of the seede of Christs Lineage Abraham Bethelem brought him forth Of the tribe of Iuda Nazareth Theoph. brought him vp Of the stocke of Dauid Capernaum was his dwelling place Christ Iesus was transfigured vppon Mount Thabor was crucified Mat. 17. 1. Heb. 13. 12. Luk. 24. 50. Acts 1. 3. Christ transfigured at Ierusalem was taken into Heauen at Bethaniah Hee liued vpon the earth before his passion Thirtie Three yeares After his resurrection Forty daies Christ Iesus consisteth of three Christs of 3. parts parts God-head Soule and Bodye who as touching his humanitie had no father as concerning his diuinitie had no mother It was necessary that CHRIST Christs death necessary 〈◊〉 Mat. 26. 56. Gen. 3. 15. 1. Ioh 4. 9. 1. Tim. 2. 6. Heb. 6. 11. should die That the Scriptures might be fulfilled That he might bruise the Serpents Head That we might haue life through him Christ is said to die generally for all the world specially for those that belieue valiantly for that he ouercame death Christ had small comfort of his Apostles when he was taken prisoner for Iudas betrayed him Peter forsware him all the rest forsooke him And a great multitude followed him to his death all to see the end of him The benefit we reape by the death Colos 1. 20. 1. Iohn 2. 2. Galat. 3. 13. Mat. 11. 30. of Christ is great Hee reconciled vs to his father Hee redeemed vs from the curse of the Law He shewed vs an easier way to heauen Christ by his death became for man Curse considering the quality of his death Sinne considering Deut. 21. 23. Esa 53. 9. Phi. 2. the integrity of his life Seruile considering the qualilie of his estate It was requisite that Christ should Christs resurrection requisite rise againe after death because hee foreshewed it to his Apostles because his flesh might not see corruption because we might be iustified through him It was necessary that Christ shold ascend after hee was risen that hee might bee fully glorified that hee Ioh. 7. 39. Iohn 16. 7. Ioh. 17. 3. might send downe the Comforter that hee might become our Mediator Christ said that the Comforter at his comming should reproue the Ioh 16. 8 9. 10. world of sinne because they belieue not in him Of righteousnesse because hee is gone to his father Of Iudgement because the Prince of this world is iudged A wonderfull example Esa 53. 7. Christ hath shewed vs a worthy example of Patience because being oppressed and afflicted hee did not open his mouth but was like a sheep dumbe before the shearer Of Humility because hee tooke vpon him Phil. 2. 7. the shape of a seruant beeing equall with his father Of Loue because he laid downe his life for vs than this what loue can be greater Christ is very fitly called a Priest Christ a Priest because by his onely Sacrifice hee appeased his fathers wrath A King because he raigneth over all A Prophet Ioh. 5. 22. Acts. 7. 37. because hee declared his fathers will There be three things that beare record of Christ in heauen the father ◠Iohn 5. 7. who sent his sonne the word which became flesh the holy ghost which proceeds from both There be three things that beare Rom. 8. 16. Ioh. 3. 5. Ephes 1. 7. witnes of Christ vpon earth Spirit this assureth vs of our adoption Water assureth vs of our Regeneration Blood assureth vs of our redemption Christ being the Truth maifesteth to vs his Nature so that in him wee Christ manifesteth his nature must begin the Way manifesteth to vs his Will so that in him we must continue the Life manifesteth to vs his office so that in him we must Beza end Hee that will come after Christ must deny himselfe wherein is laide before vs Bondage in denying him selfe Take vp his crosse wherein is laid before vs Basenesse in taking vp the crosse Follow him wherein is laid before vs Hardnesse in following Christ Christ amazed and appeased his enemies three manner of waies by Christ appeased his enemies his sound doctrine by his straunge Miracles by his mild answeres Christ descended into Hell as may appeare by these places for so Psal 16. 10. Ioh. 20. 17. Ephes 4. 9. we confesse in the creede of Nicene Athanasius and the Apostles Many produce these direction to approue that the power and not the soule of Christ descended His speech to the Theife vpon the crosse this day shall thou bee with me in Paradise His yeelding vp the Ghost when Luke 23. 4. he said it is finished His Agonie in the Garden in sweating drops of Blood and water God spake most by parables to Gods speech by parables the multitude because by seeing they should see not perceiue because by hearing they should heare and not vnderstand because it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets The great Miracles and wonders Christ wrought in the world were done partly to this end to she◠Mat. 15. 31. the great power glory and goodnes of his father To proue himselfe Acts. 2. 22. the Sonne of God and that hee was sent of him To confirme the authority Ioh. 11. 42. and excellency of his doctrine to winne the vnbeleeuers of it Ioh. 2. 23. Miracles are often called in the Beza Heb. 2. 4. Miracles called signes Scriptures Signes Signes because they appeare one thing and represent another Wonders Wonders because they import some strange and vnexcusable thing Vertues Vertues because they giue a glimps of Gods power Three singuler benefites shewen to man by the father he sent his The fathers 3. benefit Sonne
receiued the gift hee minister the â—â—er 4. 10 same to others Hee that would attaine to an efectuall knowledge of God must remember his precepts his promises and his threatnings The eternall power of God may be knowne by the reuelation of his Word by the creation of the world and by the consideration of all his Workes The infaillible prouidence of God may appeare vnto vs by the Dan. 6. 6. Ionas 1. 15 preseruation of Daniell in the Lions Denne of Ionas in the Whales belly and of the three Children in the fiery Ouen The prouidence of God is wonderfull Gods prouideâ—â—â— wonderfull M. P. for he worketh by means For meate is a meane to serue â—is prouidence for the preseruation of health and life here hee that contemneth to eate because his prouidence is infallible doth contemne his prouidence without meanes For if it were so that meate could not be had then should wee not tie his prouidence to this meane for without meate God can helpe and giue health and life here Against meanes for his power and wisedome is infinite and therefore wee should depend vpon his prouidence euen when all is cleane against vs. The exceeding mercy of God is made manifest vnto vs in the Gods 〈◊〉 manifest Scriptures by the miraculous examples of compassion by the manifold words of consolation and by the death of his onelie Sonne for our propitiation Hee that mistrusts the mercy of God denyeth him to bee Loue Gods mercy must not beâ— mistrusted wherein consisteth all the hope of poore sinners because of his great loue he sent his onely Sonne to suffer death for the remission of our sinnes Truth because hee promised for the loue of his Sonne pardon to all poore sinners so oft as they require it in faith with a contrite heart Power because hee is as true of his promises as hee is able to performe them and as hee is of power so will hee doe whatsoeuer pleaseth him The super-aboundant loue of God appeareth vnto vs in this that Gods super-aboundant Loue. he sent his owne Sonne for our redemption for our iustification and for our sanctification The ioyes of Heauen prepared for those that loue God are such Ioyes of Heauen 1. Cor. 2. 9. as the eye hath not seene the eare hath not heard and the heart cannot conceiue Euery man ought to know the difference in beleeuing A God is to be belieud he is the only true almighty Difference in beleeuing M. P. God this faith is Historical for so Diuells beleeue as well as the wicked of God All is true that he saith in the scriptures of him so do the euill Christians as wel as the good vnlesse they bee Heretickes In God is to loue him and to trust in his goodnesse and in beleeuing to ioyne our selues to him by loue and obedience this Faith is Euangelicall onely propper to the elect who liue by Faith It is not sufficient for vs to say we know God loue God and feare 1. Iohn 2. God vnlesse wee keepe his commandements God sheweth vpon earth mercy Iere. 9. 24. c. wherein consisteth our saluation Iudgment wherewith he punisheth the wicked Iustice whereby he preserueth the godlie God often times crosseth and Iohn 9. 3. Luke 13. 3. punisheth man vpon earth for his owne glorie as appeareth by the Blinde-man for example to others as appeareth by the Galilean for triall of his faith as appeareth by Iob that patient man God in times past spake and preached to his people by dreames by visions and by reuelations God hath apointed three places Three places apointed for all persons the ioyes of Heauen for the godlie the paines of Hell for the wicked the vse of the Earth â—or all persons for both God is worthilie said to bee Rich in mercy in that hee respecteth the â—od rich in â—ercy humble freelie Mightie in Iustice in that hee iudgeth the wicked iustlie Bountifull in grace in that hee saueth Barnard sinners pittifully God requireth no more at our hands but these three things Feare Deut. 10. 12. Obedience and Loue. God ought to bee beloued of vs with all our hearts with all our souls Deut. 10. 12. Rom. 8. 28. and with all our strength all things worke for the best to them that loue God God is loued effectually three God loued three waies manner of waies entirelie in hauing a good will to him reioycing greatlie hee is such a one as hee is orderlie in referring our selues and all that we haue to him in such manner and measure as he willeth Loue is the end of the Commandement â— Tim. 1. 5. Loue cannot be without a good conscience A good conscience cannot be without Faith Faith cannot bee without the word of God Wee ought continually to bee thankefull to God because of him Rom. 11. 3. through him and for him are all things True thankefullnesse consisteth True thankfulnesse M. R. in three thinges commemoration because in recounting Gods exceeding benefits hee hath done for vs wee shall finde the better occasion if we will consider to bee the more thankefull for them as Dauid did which made him in feruencie of spirit burst forth into these speeches What shall I render vnto the Lord for all Psal 116. 12. 13. 14. his benefits bestowed vpon me Abiection because if we measure Gods benefits with our deserts wee shall finde our selues not worthie of the least but in respect of our imperfections wee are no better then abiects which we should not onely acknowledg and say with the same Prophet Lord what is man that 〈◊〉 114. 3. thou art so mindefull of him But also in regard thereof say with him I will not die but liue to this end to declare works goodnes of god â—sal 118. 17. he hath done for mee Narration because it is not enough for vs to receiue Gods benefits and be mindfull thereof but also wee are bound to make others to profit thereby and praise God as the same Psalmograph Psal 6â— 16. did come saith he and hearken all yee that feare God and I will tell you what hee hath done to my Soule Wee ought continually to haue the feare of God before our eyes Pro. 9. 10. Pro 19. 23. Luke 1. 15. because it is the beginning of wisedome because it causeth vs to depart from euill because his mercy is on such from generation to generation It was the treasure of Hezekiah Esay 33. 6. There be three kindes of feares Feares three â—â—ndes childelie feare this appertayneth to the godlie who feares God onelie for his goodnesse without any finister Acts 9. 31. respects Seruile feare this is proper to the wicked who feare 2. Kings 7. 3â— God onelie for his punishment Naturall feare this is common to Mat. 14. 26 both for faith often times faileth the very elect The feare of God as Saint Barnard saith is
vnity amongst brethren The sacrament of the Lords supper Sacraments M. Dent. is vnworthyly receiued when wee receiue it onely by the visible signe without regard of the invisible grace when wee receiue it more of custome then good consideration or more for feare then good affection when wee receiue it disorderly being drunked or with a corrupted conscience continuing in malice or enmitie The sacrament of the Lords supper must bee receiued reuerently therefore let euery one try and examine his knowledge Eaten effectuall therefore let euery one try and examine his faith Disgested thankfully and therefore let euery one try Article Religio 26. and examine his repentance Good Ministers are most fit to minister the holy Sacraments yet Good Ministers most fit wee may receiue them by the euill because they doe it in Christ his name and not in their owne because their wickednesse cannot take away the effect of the ordinance because of Christs institution promise so it bee rightly receiued by faith These three things are to bee noted whereof hitherto hath arisen some question concerning the sacrament Note three things of the Lords supper By whom we receiue it we ought to receiue it at the hands of the good minister if it be possible yet wee must not reiect the ministrie thereof by the wicked so it bee done formally With whom we receiue it wee may communicate with euery one so the 1. Cor. 5. 11. bee not such as are not notoriously knowne to be Drunkers Adulterers and such like for that is prohibited How ought we receiue it we may rereiue 1. Cor. 11. 27 at all times so our faith confirmity bee fit for the same otherwise it will turne to our condemnation saith Paule It is a pitifull nay rather a pestiferous thing to see such placed in Apittifull thing the ministry as bee Ignorant in learnning for where there is no vision the Prov. 29. 18. people perish Negligent in their calling for they are accursed that doe Iere. 48 10. the worke of God negligently Impudent in their liuing for their lewdnesse maketh the word of god worse liked of 1. Sam. 2. 17. Idle Ministers vnpreaching Pastors and such like are nothing else Idle Ministers Esa 56. 9. 10. Ezek. 13. 4. but Blind watchmen Dumme dogges Subtill Foxes who destroy Gods vine for their owne advantage Godly Preachers will bee very Godly Preachers carefull of the sinceritye of their doctrine that it bee agreable to the word of God Of the integrity of their liues that they bee confirmable to the same word Of all their whole actions that they bee profitable to the example of others These sayings may moue Preachers and such like to bee very carefull Sayinges to moue Preachers Because they must one day yeeld an accompt of their Stewardshippe Watchfull Because his blood Ezek. 33. 6. 1 shall be required at their hands that dies in their iniquity through their Wisd 6. 5. negligence Fearefull Because an hard Iudgement shall try him that beareth rule Godly Preachers and Pastors are greatly to bee accepted for their office sake Because they represent Luke 9. 41. Mark 10. 41. 1. Thes 5. 13. the person of God Loued for their workes sake Because they dispose his secrets and misteries Obayed for Commandement sake Because they are appointed Ouerseers and watchers for our soules as those Heb. 13. 17. that must yeeld accompt for them S. Peter willeth preachers pastors 1. Pete 1. 18. and such like to feede their flocke caring for it Not by constraint but willingly Not for filthy lucre but of a willing mind Not as though they were Lords ouer Gods heritage but as examples to them S. Paule shewed a most worthy example to preachers and such like by An example to preachers Acts 20. 31. his dutifulnesse in preaching For hee ceased not by the space of three yeares to preach and warne euerie one both night and day with teares by his painefulnesse in labouring For he wrought with his owne hāds to minister to his necessities not 1. Cor. 4. 12. onely because he would be chargeable Act. 20. 23. to none but also to helpe to relieue others by his contentment in liuing for although his liuing was little yet hee well accepted of all estates without coueting any mans siluer Gold or apparell Preachers must teach the word of God whether they regard it or no because it may bee a Testimony against Deut. 18. 19 the vnbeleeuers or neglectors of the same at the latter day Iere. 7. 27. because the Lord will vse the means of his seruants to make the wicked more faulty to proue his because it is their duty to be instant in season 2. Tim. 4. 2. and out of season The spirit of Prophesiyng and Io. 11. 51. 1. sam 10. 10. 1. Ioh. 4. 1. preaching is sometimes giuen to the wicked aswell as to the Godly as by Caiphas Saule Iudas the Apostle Therefore we must try the spirits whether they be of God The word of God ought not to Gods word not to be exempted to any be exempted from any estate neither ought to be contemned in any person in respect of his condition calling or vnworthynesse profesing the same profitably considering God hath called Plowmen from the fields to be Prophets Shepheardes 1. King 19. 19 Psal 78. 7 Mat. 4. 18. from the folds to be zealous professors Fishermen from the nets to be followers of him We must not condemne or contemne Ministers not to bee contemned the Ministers of God if by infirmity they fall into horrible offences for Sathan hath beguiled the most Godly professors as Lot Genes 19 30 that ancient Patriarke became incestious Dauid that excellent prophet 2. Sam. 11. 25. committed Homicide Peter that good Apostle proued periured Ioh. 18. 27. It is very dangerous to despise pensecute or conspire the death of A dāgorous thing the Ministers of God as may appeare by these three Examples 1 Iesubel did threaten the death 2. Kin. 19. 35. 36. of Eliah yet hee liued and was taken vp into heauen when shee died and was eaten of Dogges 2 Saule intended the death of Dauid yet he escaped became King 1. sam 31. 4. but Saule procured his owne death 2. sam 1. 9. 15 most desperately 3 Herod put to death Iohn Baptist Acts. 12. 13. but as his deedes were detestable before God so his end was ignominious to the world for he was eaten to death with wormes Preachers Pastors and such like Preachers subiect to contempt M. Gray of all others are most of all subiect to contempt and enmity Because Sathan by pollicy procureth many to a disdaine of their persons as a meane to induce them to a disliking of their Doctrine Because the spirits of error are now spread abroad 2. Tim. 3. 2. which will deceiue the hearts of many and cause
submit themselues vnto him There are many walke in this world saith Paul whose God is Phil. 3 19. their belly whose glory is their shame whose end is damnation The wretchednes of this worlde made Salomon say the day of death is better then the day one is borne Eccle. 7. 3. made Iob say My soule is cut off Iob. 10. 1. though I liue made Paul say I desire to bee loosed from this life Phil. 1. 23. What should wee so account of this world seeing the fashion of it goes away The wisdome of it is meere foolishnesse The amity of 1. Cor. 7. it is enmity with God Vse this world as though ye vsed it not saith Paule These three thinges may withdraw Note three things a man from desiring long life in this world The wretchednesse of his life because it is but a continuall temptation and full of misery The grieuonsuesse of his sinnes because they will more increase by continuance The greatnesse of his Accompt because it will be the more fearefull at the yeelding vp The Godly desire to bee out of Godly their desire this world because it is variable and nothing but vanity because of the innumerable euills they are subiect vnto because they long to bee clothed with the heauenly habit Life is very sweete and so sweete that it hath prouoked the Godly to Life sweet M. Dodd prolonge the safety of it by shifts Dauid doubting of euill dealing fained himselfe mad to saue his life Paule perceiuing their cruelty that would kill him had rather in the night bee let downe in a Basket then abide Peter fearing death did forsweare his Master The faithfull and Godly in this world doe daily Fight by reason of their aduersarie Faint by reason of their Infidelity Fall by reason of Psal 37. 24. their infimity yet the shall not bee cast away These three thinges are worthy to bee considered hee that liueth three things to be considened best doth daily sinne Hee is happy that hath grace to repent Hee is blessed to whom God imputeth no sinne Although euery man is a sinner yet euery sinne is not of like consideration for some sinne of Ignorance 1. Tim. 13. 2. Sam. 11. 2 Dan. 3. 1. as Paul did some of Infirmity as Dauid did some of Malice as Nabuchadnezzar did Euery sinner must beware of Sinners to beware of 3. things Mat. 24. 50 Rom. 6. 1. these three things of Procrastination In delaying the time of repentance Of Presumption In presuming still vpon hope Of Prouocation In sinning obstinately against the holy Ghost Sinne is nothing else but a sweete poyson a flattering death and a destruction Sinne two sorts of the soule whereof there bee two sorts Originall and Actuall ADAM did further his fall and increase his sinne in the Garden 3. Adams fall waies by Ambition because hee Gen. 3. 6. thought to be as GOD knowing good from euill By Hypocrisie because Gen. 3. 10. he hid the cause of his nakednesse which was the breach of gods Gen. 3. 12. Commaundements By Impenitency because hee was so farre from acknowledging his transgression that hee burdened God with his fault in that he had giuen him a wife It appeareth by this that sinne is Execrable because it repented God Sinne execrable Gen. 6. 6 Zepan 1. 3. that he had made man on the earth Detestable because hee destroyed dumme creatures for our cause Intollerable because he would not spare his onely Sonne for our sinnes It is an exceeding comfort to a sinner to consider That God is as An exceeding comfort M. Rog. well a Father as a Lord. That Christ is as well a Sauiour as a Iudge That the Scriptures includ as well a Gospell as a Law Sinners should not despaire of Gods mercy if they did but perceiue Sinners not to despaire his goodnesse which appeareth vnto them by his readynesse in calling before they cry saith the Lord I will answere and whilest Esa 65. 24. they are yet thinking what to speak I will heare By his worthynesse in Wis 11 20. sparing hee maketh as though hee saw not the sinnes of men because they should amend By his vnwillingnesse in stricking hee taketh Ezek. 18. 23. no pleasure in the destruction but in the conuersion of Sinners What greater comfort can sinners haue sith Christ himselfe saith Sinners comfort Aske and ye shall haue Seeke and yee shall find Knocke and it shall be opened vnto you I stand at the doore and knocke c. Hee that will obtaine mercy by Apoc. 3. 20. true repentance must acknowledge his sinnes sorrowfully with the Prodigall Sonne Must shew a hearty contrition for the same and loath them Must doe good workes worthy Acts 26. 20. amendment afterward Hee that is fully perswaded of the forgiuenesse of his sinnes it behooueth him to remember these three Remembrance of 3. things things The mercy of God that he be thankefull vnto him for his gratious goodnesse shewen vnto him by remitting his offences and receiuing him into his fauour The Subtilty of Sathan that hee watch and pray continually for the Deuill 1. Pet. 5. 8. goeth about like a roaring Lyoâ— seeking whom he may deuoure The frailty of himselfe that seeing his owne infirmity hee may the rather depend vpon God and craue his mercy to increase his faith and strengthen his weakenesse or else he shall not bee able to withstand the opposite euils he is subiect to God sheweth himselfe to all his people Mercifull to the Elect In M. Pe. pardoning their sinnes Good to the Reprobate Albeit they cannot feele the sweete comfort of the same Iust to both of them In giuing Iudgement The Lord will not reiect the suit of a sinner neither accept of it vnlesse in asking he hath a speciall regard of these three thinges Of the time For the Lord will not bee found at all times but requireth opportunity Heereof saith the Prophet Esay Seeke the Lord while hâ— Esa 55. 6. may bee found and call vpon hiâ— while he is neare The Fiue foolish Virgins comming to late were excluded Mat. 25. 12. Of the manner For the Lord will not onely haue such as call vpon him depart from iniquitye but will also haue their prayers proceede from the very hart Then shalt thou call saith the same Prophet to the Hypocrites Esay 58. 9. and the Lord shall answere thou shalt cry and hee shall say heere I am Of the end For God requireth not onely opportunity of vs in asking as appeareth by the woman of Canaan but also respecteth the Mat. 15. 28. end of our requests in asking according to his will otherwise wee may aske and receiue not because wee aske amisse to consume it on our Iam. 4. 3. lusts Hee that will reclaime a sinner Obseruation of 3. things D. King must obserue three thinges in handling of him which the
drawn yet neerer vnto thee euen more to loue thee feare thee and obey thee that as thou art inlarged towards vs in mercy so we may bee inlarged towards thee in thanksgiuing and as thou dost abound towards vs in goodnesse so we may abound towards thee in obedience loue And sith deer father thou art neuer wearie of doing vs good notwithstanding all our vnworthinesse naughtines therfore let the consideratâ—on of thy great mercy and fatherly kindnesse towards vs euen as it were force our hearts compell vs to come into thy most glorious presence with newe songs of thanksgiuing in our mouths We pray thee O most merci-God to forgiue vs all our vnthankfulnes vnkindnes prophane great abusing of all thy mercies and specially our abuse contempt of thy Gospell together with all other sins of our life which we confesse are innumerable moe then can be reckoned both in omission of good things commission of euill We most humbly intreat thee to set them all ouer to that reckoning which thy sonne Christ hath made vp for them vpon his crosse and neuer to lay any of them to our charge but frely forget all forgiue al. Naile downe all our sins iniquities to the crosse of Christ burie them in his death bath them in his blood hide them in his wounds let them neuer rise vp in iudgment against vs set vs free of the miseries that are vpon vs for sinne keepe backe the iudgments to come both of soule body goods good name Be reconsiled vnto vs in thy deer Son concerning al matters past not once remembring or repeating vnto vs our old abhominable iniquities but accept vs righteous in him imputing his righteousnes to vs our sins to him Let his righteousnes satisfie thy iustice for our vnrighteousnes his obedience for our disobedience his perfection for our imperfection Moreouer wee humbly beseech thy good Maiestie to giue vs the true sight feeling of our manifold sinnes that wee may not bee blinded in them through delight or hardned in them through custome as the reprobates are but that we may be euen weary of them and much grieued for them labouring striuing by all possible meanes to get out of them Good Father touch our hearts with true repentance for all sins let vs not take any delight or pleasure in any sin but howsoeuer we fall through frailtie as we fal often yet let vs neuer fal finally let vs neuer lie downe in sinne or continue in sin but let vs get vp vpon our feet againe turne vnto thee with all our harts seeke thee whilest thou mayest bee found whilest thou dost offer grace mercy vnto vs. O Lord increase in vs that true and liuely faith whereby wee may lay sure hold on thy son Christ rest vpon his mercies altogether Giue vs faith assuredly to beleeue al the great precious promises made in the Gospell and strenghthen vs from aboue to walke abouÌ„d in all the true sound fruites of faith Let vs grow daily in the sanctification of the spirit and the mortification of the flesh Let vs liue holily iustly and soberly in this present euil world shewing forth the vertues of thee in all our particular actions that we may adorne our most holy profession and shine as lights in the midst of a crooked froward generation amongst whom wee liue being gainfull to all by our liues and couersations offensiue to none To this end wee pray thee fill vs with thy spirit and all spirituall graces as loue wisedome patience contentment meekenes humilitie temperance chastitie kindnes and affabilitie and stirre vs vp to vse prayer watchfulnesse reading meditating in thy Law all other good meanes whereby wee may grow abound in all heauenly vertue blesse vs in the vse of the meane from day to day make vs such as thou wouldest haue vs to be and such as wee desire to be working in vs both will deed purpose and power For thou O Lord art all in all thou wilt haue mercy vpon whom thou wilt haue mercie whom thou wilt thou hardnest Haue mercie vpon vs therefore deere father neuer leaue vs to our selues nor to our owne willes lusts desires but assist vs with thy good spirit that we may continue to the end in a righteous course that so at length we may be receiued into glory and be partakers of that immortall Crowne which thou hast laid vppe for all that loue thee truely call vpon thee Further we intreat thee O heauenly Father to giue vs all thinges necessarie for this life as food raiment health peace libertie such freedome from those manifold miseries which wee lye open vnto euery day as thou seest meet Blesse our stocke store corne and cattell trades occupations all the works of our hands for thy blesssing only maketh rich it bringeth no sorrows with it Grant these thinges good father vnto vs heere present and to all thine absent praying the in speciall fauour to remember our friends kinsfolks in the flesh all our neighbors wellwiller all those for whom we are bound to pray for Iesus Christs sake our onely mediator aduocate Amen An Euening Prayer to be vsed in priuate Families O Eternall God and our most louing and deare Father wee thy vnworthy children doe here fall down at the foote of thy great Maiesty acknowledging euen from our hearts that wee are altogether vnworthy to come neere thee or to looke towards thee because thou art a God of infinit glory and we are most vile and abhominable sinners such as were conceiued and borne in sinne and corruption such as haue inherited our fathers corruption also haue actually transgressed all thy holy statutes and lawes both in thoughts words and deeds before we knew thee and since secretly openly with our selues with others our particular sinnes are moe then can be numbred for who knoweth how oftentimes hee offendeth But this wee must needs confesse against our owne selues that our hearts are full of pride couetousnes the loue of this world yea the very sinckes of sin and dunghils of all filthinesse so that thou hast hast iust cause to proceed to sentence of Iudgement against vs as most damnable transgressors of thy holy Commandements yea such as are suncke in our rebellios and haue many times and often committed high treason against thy sacred Maiesty and therefore thou mayest iustly cast vs downe into Hell fire there to bee tormented with Sathan and his Angels for euer and we haue nothing to except against thy Maiesty for so doing sith therein thou shouldest deale with vs but euen according to equity and our iust deserts Wherefore deere Father wee doe appeale from thy Iustice to thy Mercie most humbly intreating thee to haue mercy vpon vs and freely to forgiue vs all our sins past whatsoeuer both new and old secret and open knowne and vnknowne and that for Iesus Christ his sake our only Mediator and Redeemer Giue vs therfore deere father euery day more more sight and feeling of our sins with true humiliation vnder the same Giue vs also that true liuely faith wherby we may lay hold vpon thy deere son Christ all his merits applying the same to our owne soules so as wee may stand fully perswaded that whatsoeuer hee hath done vpon the Crosse he hath done for vs particularly as well as for others Giue vnto vs faith good father constantly to beleeue all the sweete promises of the Gospell touching remission of sins eternall life made in thy son Christ O Lord increase our faith that wee may altogether rest vppon thy promises which are all yea Amen Yea that we may settle our selues all that wee haue wholly vpon them both our soules bodies goods name wiues children our whole estate knowing that al things depend vpon thy promises power prouidence And that thy word doth support beare vppe the whole order of Nature Moreouer we intreat thee O Lord to strengthen vs from aboue to walke in euer good way and to bring foorth the fruits of true faith in all our particular actions studying to please thee in al things and to be fruitfull in all good works that wee may shew foorth vnto all men by our good conuersation whose children we are and that we may adorne beautifie our most holy profession by walking in a Christian course and in all the sound fruits practise of Godlinesse and true religon 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 wil affections so as they may bee fitted for thy worship and seruice taking a delight and pleasure therein stirre vs vp to vse prayer watchfulnes reading and meditation in thy Law and all other good meanes wherby we may profit in grace and goodnes from day to day Blesse vs in the vse of the meanes that wee may die to sin and liue to righteousnâ—â—â— Direct all our steps in thy word â—â— none iniquity haue dominion ouer vâ— Assist vs against our special infirmitieâ— and master sins that wee may get thâ— victory ouer them all to thy glory and the great peace comfort of our owâ— consciences Strengthen vs good Father by thy grace holy spirit againâ—â— the common corruptions of the worlâ— as pride whoredom couetousnes coÌ„tempt of thy gospell swearing yinâ— dissembling and deceiuing Oh dearâ— father let vs not be ouercome of those filthy vices or any other sinfull pleasures and fond delights wherewith thousands are carried headlong into destruction Grant these things and all other needfull graces for our soules or bodies for Iesus Christs sake In whose name we further cal vpon the as he hath taught vs saying Our Father which art c. FINIS