pleasure to looke on her he m Genes 23.3 arose from the sight of the corps he made request and gaue money for a place to burie his dead wife from his sight 6 Putrefaction and rottennesse followeth death The bodie will Rettennesse returne to the dust and bee putrified albeit the n Genes 13. 16 Physitian embalmed Ioseph and put him in a chest yet they could not preserue his fraile flesh from putrifying o Exod. 13. 15. for Moses tooke but his bones with him from Egypt 7 A dead body becommeth loathsome and hath an evill smell A evill savour therefore Marke said of Lazarus whom CHRIST p Iohn 11. 39 did raise from the graue LORD hee stinketh already hee hath beene deade foure dayes Yet notwithstanding this naturall death bringeth not wretchednesse but rather happinesse to the bodies of the godly For their bodies being deade shall q Isaiah 57. 2 haue peace and shall rest in their beds for a time They r 2 Cor. 15. 42 43. 44 will be sowne in corruption but raised in incorruption They will bee sowne in dishonour but raised in glory They will bee sowne in weakenesse but raised in power They will be sowne naturall bodies but raised spirituall bodies Now the death of sinne will bring such senselesnesse that albeit the Å¿ Prover 23.35 wicked be striken yet they are not sicke albeit they be beaten yet they know not they haue no feeling nor paine of their misery their heart is dead within them and they are like a stone 2 This death it will bring such heavinesse so that the sinner cannot lift vp his soule to GOD it will be disquieted a Psal 42. 11 and cast downe within him 3 It will bring such weaknesse that one cannot rise inwardly vnlesse hee bee lifted one cannot stand vnlesse hee bee strengthned one cannot goe forward except hee bee borne in GODS bosome one cannot doe good except hee bee helped b Iam. 4. 6 neither resist the Devill or the smallest tentation except c Ephes 6. 13 14.15.16.17 18 he put on the whole armour of GOD. 4 Coldnesse commeth by the death of sinne and no wonder for as a father saith Frigus DEI est cum deserit peccatorem nec vocat Augustin nec aperit sensum nec infundit gratiam GOD leaveth that sinner hee calles not on him neither openeth hee his senses neither infuseth grace Hee remaineth like to the Salamander who as they say walking vpon the fire doth extinguish the same And d Hab. 1. 6 albeit hee cloth himselfe yet shall hee not bee warme 5 By this death of sinne one becommeth abominable and vglie in the eyes of the Almightie The LORD cannot endure to looke vpon such a one If hunger or bodily famine will make the e Lament 4.7 Nazarites who were purer than snow and whyter than milke and rudier than the red pretious stones to haue a visage blacker than a coale and to bee withered like a stocke will not this death bring greater blacknesse and deformitie it will surelie remoue all comelinesse and beautie If DAVID said in regarde of his afflictions hee was become a f Psal 71. 7 monster vnto many surely much more a sinner in respect of his transgressions appeareth a monster in the eyes of the Almightie Hee is g Titus 1. 16 abominable and to every good worke a reprobate 6 By this death a sinner becommeth like h Isaiah 14. 16 a carkase troden vnder foote such a one i Iob 13. 24 consumeth like a rotten thing and as a garment that is moth-eaten hee is corrupt and putrified 7 Yea k Ioel. 2. 20 his stinke shall come vp and his corruption shall ascend and his l Isaiah 34. 3 stinke shall come out of his body and the mountains shall bee melted with his blood But which is worst of all this death of sinne without regeneration bringeth the m Revel 21 8 second death which is eternall death anguish and tribulation Mors prima animam nolentem pellit de corpore Augustinus Mors autem secunda animam nolentem tenet in corpore The first death thrusteth the vnwilling soule out of the body the second death detaineth the vnwilling soule within the body Mors nulla major est quam vbi non moritur mors Idem surelie there is no greater death than when death dieth not This bringeth everlasting misery and perpetuall wretchednesse the aboundaunce of all affliction the want of all consolation Ingressus humanae conditionis miserabilis progressus humanae conversationis culpabilis Hugo de vilitate humanae conditionis egressus humanae dissolution is damnabilis The ingresse of mans condition is miserable the progresse of mans conversation is culpable and the egresse of mans dissolutionis damnable Now contrariwise if thou shall bee quickened with spirituall life thou shalt surely attaine to happinesse and felicitie then thou hast o Revel 20. 6 part in the first resurrection the second death shall haue no power over thee thou are blessed and holy thou shall bee nourished in this life and glorified in the life to come Resurgat in prima resurrectione qui non vult in secunda damnari Let him rise in the first resurrection who in the second would not be condemned 2 Thus thou living the life of grace shall bee nimble light and spirituall discerning al things p 1 Corin. 5. 14 seeking q Coloss 3. 1 those things which are aboue While thou art in nature thou art like an egge heavie and dead Similitudo Zanchii but in and by grace hatched thou art like a birde moving seeking and flying 3 Then the loue of GOD shed r 2 Cor. 5. 14 abroad into thy soule constraining thee to doe thy duetie shall strengthen thee for thy calling Å¿ 2 Cor. 12. 9 His grace shall bee sufficient for thee thou shall bee more strong than Goliah than Milo who with a Sam. 17. 5 stroke of his fist did kill a Cow than Polydamas who trusting to their owne strength died all miserably Franciscus Patricius lib. 2 de institutione reipubl but thou shall liue most happily overcomming the Devill thine adversarie Yea in t Rom. 8. 37 al things through CHRIST thou shall be more than a conquerour u Philip. 4. 13 through him thou shall bee able to doe all things necessarie 4 When thou enjoyeth that spirituall life thou shall be warme with the heate of the holy Spirit and of the x Malach 4. 2 sunne of Righteousnesse which shall arise vnto thee wherewith thou shall bee so inflamed that the extremitie of cold shall never prevaile against thee These fourtie Martyres who that father writteth in the dayes Basilius Magnus in 40 Martyros of cruell Licinius were cast into a pond of water all the night suffering the cold Northerne wind and their bodies being frozen and almost senslesse their soules remaining hotte with the
was wedded I haue remembred the z Titus 3. 3 deceitfull pleasures thereof wherewith I was intangled I am bent to the vile a Rom. 13. 14 lustes of my flesh wherein I am defiled miserablie and almost drowned eternally O LORD I find sensitlie that Capitall crimes I am not able to expresse sufficiently the hainousnesse the grievousnesse of my filthie enormitie for frequently I b Timoth. 5. 4 haue turned the grace of GOD into wantonnesse I haue despised c Rom. 2. 4 the riches of the bountifulnesse of thy patience without d Ephes 4. 15 feeling I haue given my selfe to commit vncleannesse to commit wickednesse even with a vehement desire and with greedinesse Alace O mightie GOD if it was said of thy servant IOB that hee added rebellion e Iob. 34. 37 to his sinne may not I say rather of my selfe that I haue added high treason to my manifold transgressions In so great a light of the GOSPEL I f Ezech 16.49 haue exceeded the people of sinfull Samaria in vngodlinesse Alace O LORD without mercy and amendement I haue iustified the sinne of Sodom and Gomorah in pride and aboundance of idlenesse If the prophet DAVID protested O LORD that g Psal 73. 22 hee was a beast before thee how can I declare my beastlynesse vnto thee For h Psal 119.176 I haue gone astray like a lost sheepe I am now in great danger and jeopardie I who should haue beene vpright am like i Deut. 32. 15 a horse waxing fatte haue spurned with my heele and forsaken thee who made mee I haue not regarded but I haue offended the GOD of my salvation I haue beene like an k Hosea 10.12 heifer vsed to delight in threshing but haue no desire of the painfull worke of plowghing I am like a vile l 2 Pet. 2. 22 dogge returning to his vomite againe I am like the filthie Sow once washen and yet turneth backe to the pudle and filthie myre like m 2 Tim. 4. 17 a cruell Lyon devouring and like a false foxe n Luke 13 31 deceiving like a bold o Psal 22. 12 bull of Bashan pushing and wronging or like a subtill Serpent and like an p Levit. 11. 41 vncleane creature creeping on my bellie and licking the dust of the earth altogether abhominable and vnmeete to bee offered vp vpon GODS Altar And I confesse that by nature I am like q Ierem. 13. 23 a Leopard that cannot change his spots I doe acknowledge O LORD Worse than senslesse creatures that r Isaiah 5. 4 I haue beene an evill vine in thy vineyarde thou lookest that I should bring foorth sweet grapes but I haue brought foorth soure I as I am the sonne of Adam haue not the fatnesse of the oliue but am as a wilde oliue I am Å¿ Rom. 11. 7 as a brier or thorne of the garden worthie to bee cast in the fire I am alace like a barren and vnprofitable husbandrie for t Iob. 31. 40 thistles doe grow in me in stead of wheate and cockle in stead of barley I like earth doe drinke in the raine that commeth vpon mee but I am hurtfull and noysome and neere u Heb. 6. 8 to cursing whose end without repentance is to bee burned O pitifull GOD I haue reason to cry to thy Majestie that x â— Tim. 1. 15 I am the least of thy Saints that I am y Luke 17. 10 the chiefe of all sinners I am an vnprofitable servant I haue not done that which was my duetie to doe and LORD most justlie may thou cast z Malach. 2.3 the dongue of our confession backe vpon our faces and reject me with all my service but now O LORD by thy helpe I will assay to lament before thee most bitterly my woefull state and great miserie A PREPARATION TO LAMENTATION The third Chapter THou to whom the Alsufficient GOD the a Iam 1.17 giver of every perfect gift and donation hath vouchsafed vpon thee this Heavenly wisdome that thou art of this resolute purpose as to b 1 Sam. 7.2 lament after the LORD to c 1 Sam. 1.15 powre foorth thy soule with Hannah before thy GOD to deplore thy miserable estate and wretched condition Know thou must certainly and bee perswaded in thy minde assuredly Three thinges needefull for true lamentation that first thou must haue three things necessarie namelie a sure sense and feeling of thy vnspeakable miserie againe a great feare and terrour therewith lastly an vnfained sorrow and heavie displeasure for the same No lamentation will bring to thee Feeling life solide joy and consolation without a sure sense and painefull feeling of thy sore disease and doolefull calamitie Before thou attaine to this feeling thou must of absolute necessitie and without any controversie haue two things First spirituall quickning Secondly tymous awaking vnlesse thou bee quickened inwardly vnlesse thou be awakened throughly thou shall neither haue knowledge nor feeling of thy wretchednesse and misery And yet before this d Galat. 6. 15 new birth and regeneration there must bee Death of sin in thee vndoubtedly a e Coloss 3. 5 true mortification and f Heb. 2. 15 deliverance from the death of sinne and impietie which by many degrees is worse than naturall death the separation of the soule from the body This naturall death bringeth to Death of sin worse than naturall death the bodie seven evils Namelie senselesnesse weaknesse heauinesse vglinesse coldnesse rottennesse stinke or an evill savour Now albeit this bee most evident and manyfold by the proofe of dayly experience so that it needeth no probation yet wee will insist a little therein for our memorie and consideration 1 Saul being slaine had no feeling Senslesnesse when the Philistims abused his body and g 1 Sam. 31. 10 hanged vp the same on the wall of Bethshan 2 A dead body wanting vitall Heavinesse spirits is heavier than it was when the soule remained therein this heavinesse of body apparantly made these Iewes when they were burying h 2 King 13.21 a corps when they saw the Souldiers of Moab they cast his corps in the sepulchre of Elisha 3 Seeing there is weakenesse Weaknesse in man while hee liveth for all flesh is as grasse how weake is hee wanting life That Giant Goliah being dead had i 1 Sam. 17.46 no strength to keepe his carkase from the foules of the aire 4 If olde age bringeth coldenesse Coldnesse to the feeble body for David himselfe being striken in yeares albeit k 1 King 1. 1 they covered him with cloths yet no heat came vnto him death much more maketh the body cold as a key or as clay 5 The body by death groweth Vglinesse vglie and vnprofitable to behold when beautifull l Genes 12. 11 Sara her selfe was deprived of life then her loving husband Abraham had no
Ioseph thy y Psal 105. 18 feete bee helde in the stocks and thou laide in yrons yet in the appointed time thou shal be loosed delivered and exalted As Manasses was brought from â—etters from chaines from Babell to Ierusalem and z 2 Chr. 33.13 to his Kingdome or as Mathias a mightie and happie King of Hungarie was freed from prison and with great Vide SpinaeuÌ„ lib. 7. in metuÌ„ pompe and solemnitie caried to Buda the Metropolitan citie and there with contentment and acclamations of the people was joyfully crowned So the LORDS anoynted shall surclie come out of great a tribulation albeit hee bee in prison and the b Psal 18. 4 snares of death compasse him and the griefes of the graue caught him yea though hee were in the verie agonie and pang of death when natures debt must needs bee payed and this outward man dissolved our earthly c 2 Cor. 5. 1 house of this Tabernacle destroyed and soule and bodie separated yet let him remember with comfort that his light d 2 Cor. 4. 17 affliction which is but a moment causeth vnto him farre more excellent and eternall weight of glorie and that death it selfe is but GODS messinger Similit to call thee out of this wearisome world to the perpetuall possession of an Heavenly Kingdome as it would haue bene a great delight to David to follow the mâ—ssiâ—ger sent e 1 Sam. 16. â—â— to him by Samuel that of a sheepheard hee might bee the LORDS Annoynted King over Israel So death may be very welcome to thee who is the LORDS messinger to bring thee a f â— Peter 2.11 Pilgrime and g Psal 39. 12 Sojurne heere to his h Heb. 2. 11 rest to bring thee a miserable and contemptible creature to glorie and endlesse felicitie Lastly By heartie praying thou shall bee furnished with constancie and perseverance and so shall be comfortably and asâ—â—â—edâ—y perswaded that thou art not only a King into the LORDS house but also c Heb. 3. 6 the very house of CHRIST if thou hold fast the confidence and the rejoycing of the hope vnto the end This stabilitie in weâ—â—doing and continuance in goodnesse is most necessarie for thy Christian calling and â—oyall dignitie as the Patriarch laakob in his journey from Mesopotamia to Canaan his natiue countrey and to his earthly father Isaac was hindered with many impediments namely Laban behind him detaining him and determining to f Genes 31. 25 doe him evill Esau before him afraying and sore troubling g Genes 32. 7 him himselfe going more slowly and halting h Genes 32. 31 vpon his thigh yet hee continued constant in his intended course hee would not decline nor goe backward but did ever proceede and goe forward with true pietie and lawfull policie as is at length expressed in the same historie hee was much given to fervent prayer and earnest supplication and so wrestled i Genes 32.31 and prevailed vntill hee receaved a blessing by k Hos 12. 4 weeping and praying vnto him whom hee found in Bethell So thou in this thy warrefare and pilgrimage looking to Christ going to the land of Canaan the â—â—tie l Heb. 12. 22 of the living GOD the celestiall Hierusalem to m Heb. 12. 9 the Father of the living spirits that thou mayest liue thou will bee deteined with many stayes and crossed with many calamities for some tymes thou n Lament 1 19 shall call vpon thy lovers who will deceaâ—e theâ— somâ—tymes thou shall meete with false o 2 Cor. 11. 26 brethren who will annoy thee and bring thee in greater perrill the world like Laban will hinder thee the devill worse than Esau will tempt thee and p â—phes 6. 1â— Wresâ—le with thee craâ—â—â—â— flatterers like Achitophell Sam. 15. 12 desirous to betray thee will trouble thee thou will sometimes find thine owne hands weake and q Hebr. 12. 12 thy knees wearie thy r Math. 4. 6 selfe halting and fainting yet goe not backward but fordward hold on thy course with constancie runne thy Å¿ Heb. 12. 1 race with patience cry to GOD crane helpe of the Almightie implore GODS mercie and with sighs and teares that rare gift of perseverance which is most necessare for thy salvation and glory for as CHRIST cerâ—ifieth thee if t Math. 24.13 thou endure vnto the end thou shall bee saved for that effect aske GOD courage and constancie which is most necessarie Sicut oculis corporalibus necessaria Similit est lux vt suo fruantur fine ita omnibus praedestinatis ac vocatis ad regnum Coelorum necessaria est perseverantia aut sicut absque luce frustra aperitur oculus codem modo inaniter currit qui vsque ad vitae finem non perseverat As light is necessarie to the bodily eyes that they may enjoy their owne end so perseverance to all those who are predstinate and called to the Kingdome of Heaven or as without light there is no sight the eye is opened in vaine so in that same manner he runneth in vaine who doeth not persevere vnto the end of the race to his liues end By fervent prayer also thou shall bee indued with such discretion and dexteritie that carying thy selfe duetifully in respect of all in whatsoever estate sexe condition or degree they bee Thou will u 1 Thess 4.12 Principis est virtus maxima nosce suos behaue thy selfe honestly toward them that are without Thou will labour to know the conditions and to acquaint thy self well with thy owne friends for that is the chiefe duetie of a commander Thou will studie then if x Rom. 1â— 18 it be possible to haue peace with all men but knowing well that thou hast mortall and irreconciliable enemies thou will travaile with all the force of thy soule to scatter subdue and overcome them who goe about to tyranize over thee to bring thee to perpetuall slauerâ— aâ—d endâ—â—sse miserie A wise King saith Salomon scattereth y Prov. 20. 18 the wicked and causeth the wheele to turne over them A wise Christian will vse all meanes to punish his sinnes his most cruell and deadly foâ—s to smite them with a mightie destruction as z Iudg. 15.8 Samson the Philistims and so to doe with his corruptions as the Prophet speaketh of the Babilonians a Psal 137. 9 to put them to the sword to mortifie them with anger and indignation And yet perswade thy selfe that thou hast great neede of watchfulnesse and consideration of prayer and earnest supplication for this victorie over thy ghostly enemy â—â—onne and gotten with much travell tuâ—mâ—ilâ— trouble with vexation and much wrestling in regarde of the multitude might and maliciouâ—â—â—ssâ— of thy enemies considering thy owne sinnes also oâ—her soes who in number will be â—erie many as Bees or as the haires of our head they will bee also cruell in maâ—â—ce they having no
trespasses During Samsons sleepe one p Iudg. 16. 19 did shaue off his seven lockes of his head and tooke away his consecrate haire then his strength was gone from him yea the LORD for a season departed from him therefore the Philistims his enemies they tooke him they put out his eyes and bound him with fetters and hee did grind in the prison house so while a Christian is sleeping Sathan will bee most readie to spoile him of his strength and other gifts wherewith hee was endued Sixtly By such sleepe man becommeth most vnlike to GOD Vnlikenesse to GOD. whom hee should most of all resemble for the keeper of Israell will q Psal 122. 4 neither sleepe nor slumber GOD r Iob. 28. 24 beholdeth the ends of the world and seeth all that is vnder Heaven ruling and governing all things by his mightie providence his eyes are looking his eares patent his hand sustaining continually and Å¿ Psal 104. 27 giving foode in due season to every creature wherefore his servants should studie to show themselues to be obedient children of their good Creator to bee lyke to him in holynesse in righteousnesse and in watchfulnes That every one may say t Psal 25. 1 vnto the LORD I lift vp my heart and I u Psal 123. 1 lift vp my eyes O LORD to thee that dwelleth in the Heavens and I x 1 Tim. 2. 8 pray every where lifting vp pure hands I will altogether with all vigilance and diligence consecrate my selfe soule and bodie vnto the LORD his service and y Rom. 6.13 giue all my members to GOD as weapons of righteousnesse 7 Death and destruction will Destruction ensue therevpon if that younge man Eutychus z Act. 20. 9 fallen into a deepe sleepe and overcome therewith fell downe and with that fall he died whom the Apostle Paule raised vp and restored to life againe Sisera a Iudg. 4 21 a valiant man being fast a sleepe was killed by a woman as b Iudg. 8. 11 the hoste of the Midianits which were carelesse was easily destroyed in the night Chedarlaomer with the rest of the Kinges and their victorious armie being c Genes 14.15 secure sleepie and drunken as Iosephus writeth were surprized and smitten Wee Antiquitatiud lib. 1. cap. 1. Franc. Patric de inst reip Herod read that Spargastes sonne to Thomyris queene of the Scythians and all his armie being buried in sleepe and wine was destroyed by Cyrus Thus if so many hath beene overthrowen in sleepe naturall many moe haue perished while they haue beene sleeping in sinne and securitie Yea wee read that a weake Plinius and contemptible enemie will overcome and kill a strong adversarie being a sleepe for albeit the Crocodile an hudge and a savage Serpent bee of great strength yet a very weake beast of a little more quantitie than a ratte while the Crocodile sleepeth creepeth in at the mouth of the strong fish it goeth downe to the bellie and lacerateth the same the Crocodile dieth and it escapeth No maruell then that Sathan who is strong and subtill get advantage to overcome and overthrow weake men especially when in securitie accompanied with infirmitie These and moe being the discommodities of that fearefull sleep namely 1. idlenesse 2. indigence 3. infamie 4. pollution 5. losse 6. vnliknesse to GOD and 7. destruction It is much to bee wondred and much more to bee pitied that Alace so many should so carelesly continue in their let hargie Heere in the third place wee Who do sleepe A difference betweene the godly and the wicked will breefly declare who they are that sleepe 1. The godlie sleepe 2. The wicked also but with this maine difference albeit while the d Cant. 5. 2. bridegroome tarieth both the wise Virgins and the foolish Virgins slumber and sleepe yet the wise haue oyle in their lampes even faith in their soules but the foolish are emptie and haue not the oyle of grace in their hearts Againe the faithfull sleepe most vnwillingly they are sorrowfull for their slumbring hee sleepeth but his heart waketh and it is oftentymes that hee f Numb 15.27 sinneth through ignorance so they sleepe But the wicked hee doeth g Numb 15.30 presumptuously hee sleepeth willingly as h Prover 15.21 foolishnesse is a joy to him so sleepe is a pleasure and delectation This may be esteemed a wonder in Gippius that Romane Lucilius apud Beraldum who would desire yea faine himselfe to sleepe and swore that his owne wife might play the harlote more easilie and commit adulterie But it is verie vsuall to many calling themselues Christians who desire to sleepe that their soules may the more readily commit great whoredome i Hos 1. 2 departing from the LORD a most pittifull and marvellous matter Few men will sleepe naturally to prostitute their wiues but many will sleepe spiritually to prostitute their soules Fourthly Let vs consider by what meanes and how wee are awakened 1. by GODS Word 2. by his rodde 3. by his benefites 4. by the operation of his holy Spirit First The Word is a cleare light that shineth k Prov. 4. 12 in a darke place vntill the day dawne and the day starre arise in our hearts it is a Lanterne to our feete and a light to our paths that l Psal 2. 9. the way of righteousnesse may shine as the light which shineth more and more vntill the perfite day The Word of the LORD is his m Numb 10.2 voice Which is mightie and glorious like the silver trumpets which were vsed for the assembling of the congregation Now shall the light so long tyme shine in thine eyes and shall this voice and trumpet so long tyme sound in thine eares telling thee with many cryes and advertisements that thou sleepest in a most perillous place as n Prov. 23.34 one that sleepeth in the top of the mast in the midst of the sea 2. In a most dangerous case having moe cruell enemies in this wildernesse compassing thee round about for thy confusion than DAVID had in the wildernesse Maon where hee sleeped not but made o 1 Sam. 23. 36 haste to get from the presence of Saul pursuing him 3. In a most short and troublous time when other Saincts some of them are sore working for p â— Cor. 9. 24 their penny some of them are fast q Heb. 12. 4 running for their prize some are praying and weeping in calamitie some are fighting for victorie some are suffering and resisting r Act. 21. 13 vnto blood striving against sinne readie to die and giue their lyues for the name of the LORD IESVS for to obtaine an incorruptible Crowne of glorie What now art thou I pray thee doing Is this a fitte tyme to sleepe in yea the Heavens are swiftly moving the sea vncessantly flowing and ebbing the earth is now decaying All creatures Å¿ Rom. 8. 22 together are groning Our
corruption is ever defiling The world deceaving continually The Devill destroying bussily The glorious Bridgrome t Math. 25. 6 is comming The righteous Iudge approaching The great GOD is already executing his determined decree and art thou yet slouthfull yet securing yet sleeping What u Ionas 2. 6 meanest thou O sleeper Thou sleepest in such estate as Ionas The heavie tempest of GODS wrath is raised the tempest of his indignation is encreased the sea of miserie highly swelled the weake ship of thy rotten bodie is fearefully cracked it is like to be broken thy neighbours haue laboured and death is present before thee hell it selfe hath gaped for thee yet alace thou sleepest when thou shouldst awake thou loyterest when thou should worke thou tarriest when thou shouldst runne thou goest backward when thou shouldst goe fordward â—hou rejoycest in wickednesse when thou shouldst lament in heavinesse thou art yeelding when thou shouldst be fighting thou art a prisoner when thou shouldst bee a conquerour that thou x Revel 21. 7 mayest bee GODS sonne to inherite all things What meanest thou O sleeper Knowest thou not that in the meane tyme thou art contracting debt which y Math. 6. 12 vnforgiven will molest thee thou z Psal 51. 2. art gathering filthinesse vnwashen will pollute thee thou art breeding a a Psal 36. 3 sicknesse which vnhealed will weaken thee thou art making b Prover 5. 22 cords which vnloosed will bind thee thou art c Rom. 2. â— heaping coales which vnremoved will burne thee against the day of judgement and the declaration of the judgement of GOD. What meanest thou O sleeper to hinder d Ier. 5. 25. the good things of GOD from thee to procure his anger and displeasure against thee to hasten his heavie curse and malediction vpon thee to depriue thee of his blessed societie to bring everlasting e Math. 25.12 paine and griefe vpon thee When the LORD called f Sam. 3. 4 and spake to Samuel he awaked and answered When g Act. 12 7 an Angell of light came into the prison where Peter was hee awakened hee arose hee followed and obeyed The LORDS voice hath come ofter vnto thee his marveilous light hath shined longer vnto thee Awake Awake It was holden a wonder and a very rare thing because that Plutarchus in vita Alexan. Iustinius Conquerour did sleepe deeply contrare to his custome as oppressed therewith a little before hee was to fight that last and great battell against Darius his Captaines marveiled at him Parmenio reproved him But this is an evill custome of many that they are secure and sleepie in time of greatest danger and difficultie while they haue to encounter with a subtle and puissant adversarie and to wrestle h Eph. 6.12 not against flesh and blood But i Eph. 2.2 against that prince that ruleth in the aire and that spirit which ruleth in the children of disobedience which is a great wonder especially seing GOD hee calleth vpon them to bee awaking Secondly GOD hath his rod GODS rod. who will not heare his Word let him feare k Math. 6.9 his rodde If an earthly father should according to SALOMON smite l Prover 23.14 the child with his rod to delyver his soule from hell will not rather our Heavenly Father more wise and more loving correct his child with his rod for his deliverance and instruction Hath thy LORD GOD this delight with thee Art thou not awakened Hast thou not turned m Isaiah 4 to him that smiteth thee Hast thou not sought the LORD of hostes who visiteth thee thy case is most dangerous thou hast to bee afraide greattumlie least n Psal 2. 9. he crush thee with his scepter of yron least hee breake thee in peeces like a potters vessell Thou o Lament 3. 1 shall bee much more miserable than that man who saw affliction in the rod of GODS indignation Many are in regarde of their estate like vnto Dionisius Heracteol in regarde of his godly estate who was so corpulent that albeit needles were thrust into his belly being asleepe yet hee was senslesse and not touched with paine Many p Prov. 25. 36 they are stricken and not sicke they are beaten and know not they are chastised and amend not Ah! If q Amos. 4. 6 the LORD giue thee cleannesse of teeth and scarsnesse of bread returne vnto him If GOD shall punish thee with thirst and with drougth that thou shall wander farre to drinke watter Awake and turne in tyme to GOD If hee shall smite thee with blasting and mildew returne vnto him If hee shall send thee pestilence and sword and a great overthrow prepare to meete thy GOD O Israel See that thou be wearied of thine owne wayes awake and by vnfained repentance turne vnto thy GOD least hee forsake thee altogether and punish thee with vtter destruction and ruine Now when the LORDS hand shall bee heauie vpon thee and his rod painefull vnto thee when thy crosse shall bee sanctified for thy conversion bee not r Heb. 12 3. 5. 6 wearie neither faint in thy minde forget not the consolation neither despise the LORDS chastenings For whom the LORD loveth hee correcteth and hee scourgeth every sonne which hee receaueth even for thy profite that thou mayst be partaker of his holynesse and bring vnto thee the quiet fruite of righteousnesse When thou art corrected hope thou that thy sinne is remitted Nullus fructus correctionis sine Augustin spe remissionis There is no fruit of correction without hope of remission Remember if the Lords Word had awaked and amended thee his rodde had not lighted vpon thee But Quem non corrigunt Augustin verba corrigunt experimenta whom words will not amend then let tryall amend them and let him who with the Word is bettered and converted confesse with the Prophet It Å¿ Psal â—â— 6 is good for mee that I was afflicted Thirdly Let the benefits which GOD bestoweth vpon thee bee GODS gifts meanes for to awake thee As when Elijah sleept naturally vnder the juniper tree Behold t 1 King 19. 5 an Angell touched him and brought benefits vnto him so oftentimes while thou doest sleepe spiritually GOD hee commeth and giveth gifts vnto thee Thou sleepest when thou forgettest the LORD So saith the Ancient Quaecunque anima oblita fuerit Dominum Augustin suum dormit What ever soule forgetteth the LORD sleepeth Thou cannot deny but when thou hast forgotten the LORD hee hath beene then mindefull of thee hee then hath beene beneficiall vnto thee Israell u Hos 8. 14 hath forgotten his Maker His x Ier 2. 32 people hath forgotten him dayes without number who is only the good portion and ornament and attyre of his people But hath thy Well-beloved come vnto thee who art sleepie and drousie Hath he for a long tyme knocked at the doore of thy heart Open y Cant. 5. 2 open
hath hee put his hand in at the hole of the doore and powred in pure mirrhe Hath hee vouchsafed benefits abundantly vpon thee Hath hee z Hos 11. â— healed thee and thou knowest not Hath hee drawne thee with the cords of men even with the bands of loue and thou awakest not yet let the remembrance of his blessings which he hath multiplied vpon thee seing a Cant. 3. 22 his compassions faile not but are renued every morning let those be forcible meanes of thy waking Fourthly The operation of his holy Spirit is most avaiâ—eable The holy Spirit and effectuall to this purpose The b 2 King 4. 3 servant alone with the staffe is vnprofitable hee returned and confessed that the childe was not wakened the master behoved to come for the raising of the Shunamits sonne that lively Spirit which c 1 Cor. 15.45 quickeneth vs that lightsome Spirit which illuminateth vs and d Iohn 14. 26 teacheth vs by his forcible power principallie doth waken vs neither the word of GOD nor his rod nor his benefits will bring vs out of that deepe lethargie vnlesse the LORD helpe vs by the powerfull presence of his Spirit which is the Spirit of grace and of compassion which is that seede remaining within vs whereby our corrupt qualities are so renued that wee die to sinne and liue to GOD Spiritus sanctus habitator noster ipse facit augit perficit Augustin justitiam nostram That holy Spirit our indweller worketh perfitteth and augmenteth our righteousnesse must awaken vs for these vses and if by the bountifull favour of thy gratious GOD thou hast obtained this great gift I may speake vnto you in these words that CHRIST spake vnto Peter Blessed e Math. 16. 17 art thou for flesh and blood hath not done this vnto thee but thy heavenly father by his Spirit which shall be a f Rom. 8. 2 Spirit of life of trueth and g Iohn 14 17 consolation vnto thee Fourthly Touching the good which wee get by wakening it The profite proceeding froÌ„ this duetie Escape danger is manifold First wee will perceiue and vse meanes to eshew the danger into the which wee remaine as h Genes 32. 7 Iacob was in perrill when Esau his cruell brother came against him with i Exod. 14. 10 foure hundreth men As the Israelites were sore afraide when k 1 Sam. 11. 2 Pharao and his chariots marched after them The people of Iabesh-gilead were in great hazarde when Nahash the Ammonit beseiged them who would accept of no condition of peace but to thrust out all their right eyes and the Apostle Paul while l 1 Cor 15. 35 hee was fighting with the beasts of Ephesus had great travell all their laborious and religious men were not sleeping but awaking they saw their danger and were carefull to eshew it by wrestling by crying by praying and by fasting And seing our estate spirituall is all hazardous and we remaine in as great jeopardie for so wee haue many enemies before vs profane like Esau meeting vs and as many behind vs like cruell Pharaoh pursuing vs their be many adversaries like Nahash beseiging vs and many beastlie men fighting against vs thou thy selfe by nature if thou hast grace to consider art riding on a headie horse like with a fall to bruise thee thou art dwelling in a rotten house readie to smother thee thou art sailing in a laiking ship like to drowne thee thy life is a warfare wherein thou hast many craftie foes desirous to destroy thee that battell continueth that fight endureth vnto thy lifes end Nunquam bella piis nunquam Cvpr. demortalitate discordia desunt Et cum quo certet mens pia semper habet And what art thou sleeping most careleslie Art thou yet opprest with that deepe lethargie and overgone with that heavie slumber of fearefull securitie It may be cryed to thee with compassion with admiration Nate Deo potes hoc sub casu Propertii Epigramma ducere somnos Thou who art m Iohn 3. 9 borne of God art thou sleeping in so great an adventure O marvelous wonder When Daniel was cast into the denne of Lyons and in danger then King Darius remained fasting and n Dan. 6. 18 the sleepe went from his eyes Was hee sollicitous for an other man and will not thou bee carefull of thy selfe for thy owne sake I tell to thee with teares that thy estate is in perrill thy soule is in manifest danger Cruell o Psal 28. 13 dogs haue compassed thee mightie beastes haue environed thee The assemblie of the wicked haue enclosed thee thou art in the denne of ramping and roaring Lyons seeking to devoure thee Let sinfull sleepe goe from thee awake out of thy lasie slumber to the end thou mayest perceaue and prevent extreame danger Secondly If wee bee awake wee will bee the more readie Strengthen to p Revel 3. 2 strengthen the things that are readie to decay for during our sinfull sleepe our spirituall life languisheth our gifts many of them are gone from vs our grace is sore decayed and diminished yea come to that ebbe that we are at the point of death Let vs awake in due time to q Math. 29. 4 provide more oyle to our lamps to get more grace to our soules Let vs take wine r Isa 55. 2 and milke and bread without money that wee may be satisfied and strengthened Then wee will bee soone moved with all diligence to follow Vse our talent our vocation to employ righty our talent and to behaue our selues according to our calling remembring that wee Å¿ 1 Pet. 2. 9 are a chosen generation a royall priesthood an holy Nation That wee are t Revel 1. 6 made Kings and Priests vnto GOD That it is no wayes beseeming to vs to giue our selues to securitie and idlenesse to liue u Iames. 5. 5 in pleasure on the earth and wantonnesse when as in the meane season wee haue to performe a great businesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is not fitting to a counseller who hath a great charge to sleepe all the night over Thus Nehemiah whose name signifieth the consolation of GOD who was sent to restore the Iewes to their owne countrey and rebuild Hierusalem hee x Nehemi 2.12 arose in the night to view the walles of that citie hee lay not still in his bed Also it is written of that famous Scanderbeg that while he was delivering himselfe and his subjects of Epirus from the slaverie and tyrannie of the fierce Turks and while with valour and See Rolles in the Turkes storie wisedome he was to fight against the strong enemie to possesse an earthly kingdome then he never sleeped aboue two houres in the night but with endlesse labour and carefull vigilancie repelled his enemies and prosecuted his affaires Wee haue great reasons to awake to rouse vp our selues from securitie seing by
Psal 26. 6 hands in innocencie and then compasse the LORDS Altar hee must put a Exod. 3. 5 off his shoes and cast b Heb. 12 1 away his sinnes and put c Rom. 13. 14 on the LORD IESVS and bee arrayed with his righteousnesse Thou must haue written on thine head HOLYNESSE d Exod. 39. 30 TO THE LORD and sanctifie e 1 Pet. 3. 15 GOD in thine heart and bee renued according to his glorious image and then send vp thy prayers into the Highest for it is most true that GOD f Iohn 9.31 heareth not sinners who continue in their sinne with delectation Fourthly to the end thy supplication may bee acceptable to Charitie the Almighty thou of necessicie also must haue towards thy neighbour true loue and charitie in the which if thou g Iohn 4. 12 dwell thou dwellest in GOD and GOD in thee So thou mayest know that thou h Iohn 3. 14 art translated from death to lyfe because thou lovest the brethren If thy soule i 1 Pet. 1. 22 bee purifyed in obeying the trueth through the Spirit thou will loue brotherly without faining then thou mayest pray comfortably without any Isiodor Etym. lib. 6. Nullum in vul nere proficitmedicamen tum si adhuc in eo ferrum sit sic nihil proficit oratio illius cuius adhuc odium in pectore vel do lus maneat in mente doubting As no salue nor medicament will profite or bring health to a wound if the yron remaine therein so thy petition will bee vnprofitable if hatred abyde in thy brest or deceite in thy minde If thou haue not the fire of GODS Spirit within thee and ardent affection to warme thee then doubtlesse thou shall haue the fire of malice anger and hatred which will consume thee If thou with Nahab k Levit. 10. 2 and Abihu offer strange fire before the LORD a fire may comeâ— out from the LORD to devoure thee and albeit thou wouldest l 1 Cor. 13. 3 giue thy body to bee burned and woâ—l lest feede the poore with all thy goods and hath not loue it profiteth nothing thy selfe thy prayer shall not bee regardâ—d nor acceptable to GOD neither profitable to thy owne selfe because as an ancient affirmeth Nihil est pretiosius DEO virtute dilectionis nihil desider abilius diabolo extinctione charitatis Their is nothing more precious vnto GOD than the vertue of loue their is nothing more desired to the devill than the extinguishing of charity Leaue l therefore thy offering before m Math. 5. 24 the Altar saith our Saviour goe thy way first be reconciled vnto thy brother and then come and offer thy gift and send vp to GOD thine humble supplication Fiftly thou who desirest to Sobrietie pray arightly thou must be endued with temperancie and sobrietie and so as CHRIST commandeth thee more conveniently thou will watch m Math. 26.41 and pray that thou enter not into tentation thou will bee n 1 Pet. 5. 8 sober vigilant and fit for prayer This vertue of temperance is the leader and moderatrix Temperantia est actionum auriga moderatrix of our actions Intemperancie will greatlie sunder thee from this holy duetie it is the greatest degree of filthy shame and miserie And therefore Xerxes after deliberation did Spinaeus in vo lupt lib. 5 inflict the highest punishment vpon the Babylonians when againe he subdued them after their rebellion hee did prohibite the vertuous exercises of arts and sciences and enjoynd them to giue themselues to idlenesse play banquetting and surfetting and to all luxurie and voluptuousnesse Take o Luk. 21. 34 heede therefore to thy selfe lest at any tyme thy heart bee oppressed with sursetting and drunkennesse and the cares of this lyfe least that day come on thee at vnwares Watch therefore and pray continually Ioyne p 2 Pet. 1. 5 therefore with vertue knowledge and with knowledge temperancie which as the Philosopher affirmeth is Arist Ethic. lib. 6 cap. 5 Fervencie the preserver of all other good qualities and then surely q Iam. 5. 16 thou shall not be idle nor vnfruitefull in the knowledge of the LORD IESVS CHRIST Sixtly If thou wish thy petition profitable thou must pray with an vehement and earnest affection for r Genes 32. 28 the prayer of a righteous man availeth much if it bee fervent Remember well I beseech that all pious professors who hath s had power with GOD were ever most ardent in their requests Consider diligentlie and follow faithfully in the vttermost of all thy power the fervencie and ardor of good Kings David saith As Å¿ Psal 42. 1 the Hart brayeth for the rivers of water so panâ—et my soule after thee O GOD and Hezekiah incline t Isaiah 37. 17 thine â—are O LORD and heare open thine eyes O LORD and see And godle Prophets Daniel crying O u Dan 9. 19 â— LORD heare O LORD forgiue O LORD consider and Habbakâ—k praying O LORD x Habb 3. 2 reviue thy works in the midst of thy people in wrath remember mercie But principally consider y Heb. 3. 1 the Apostle and high Priest of our profession CHRIST IESUS which in z Heb. 5.7 the dayes of his flesh did offer vp prayers and supplications with strong crying and teares Our blessed MASTER in a Luk. 22. 44 his most bitter and heavie agonie Hee prayed most earnestly with great fervencie and his sweate was like drops of blood trickling downe to the ground Many indeede doe mervell at that most illustrious George Castriot Abrahamus Scultetus in lib. de precat cap. 19. Scanderbeg the peerelesse Prince of Epirus in whom they write was so great ardor into fighting that the blood would burst furth out of his lippes but surely one hath greater cause to wonder at the fervencie of our SAVIOUR who was so vehement in praying that a bloodie sweate came not from his lippes only but also from his whole bodie in great abundance Follow then the ardent zeale and fervencie of thy Master and take good heede I beseech thee that thou doe b Ier. 48. 10 not the worke of GOD negligently least thou bee subject to GODS curse and miserie that thou c Revel 3. 16 be not cold nor luckewarme least CHRIST spue thee out of his mouth most shamefully Quomodo Cyprianus in sermone de oratione Domini te audiri à DEO postulas cum ipse te non audias How can thou require thy selfe to be heard of GOD when thou hearest not thy selfe by sloathfulnesse coldnesse or distractions But thou call vpon GOD with a vehement desire and earnest affection So did Samson for earthly water saving LORD d Iudg. 15. 18 shall I die for thirst more fervently shouldst thou pray for the water of the Well of life for thine aeternall consolation Seventhly Aboue all labour Sinceritie with continuall care and industrie
art 7 Pray for peace and reconâ—iliatiâ—n the Prince n Isaiah 9. 6 of peace and reconciliation which hath o Eph. 214.17 broken the partition wall aâ—d â—â—th preached peace vnto mee that thou might reconcile mee vnto thy GOD giue vnto mee p Iob. 34. 29 peace and quietnesse and who then can make trouble and vexation bee thou my advocate q â— Iohn 2. 1 with the Father and the reconâ—iliation for my soule be thou my attonemâ—nt and propitiation If the inhabitants of Tyrus and Sidon did earnestly labour to haue peace r Act. 12. 20 with Herod an evill and earthly King O LORD what paines should I take to haue concord and vnitie with thee a good and Heavenly King O LORD make mee diligent Å¿ 2 Pet. 3. 14 that I may be founde of thee in peace without spot and blamelesse let the t Col. 3. 15 peace of GOD rule in my heart let O LORD thy peace u Philip. 4.7 which passeth all vnderstanding preserue mine heart and minde in CHRIST IESVS for ever and ever And for this purpose most â— Pray for remissiâ—â— of sin mercifull GOD forgiue me x Math. 6. 12 all my debts grant vnto mee a free discharge of all my sinnes and a comfortable acquittance of all mine iniquities written subscribed and sealed with the Blood of mâ— faviour Put y Col. 2. 14 out that hand writting and obligation that is against me and cortrarie to mee take it out of the way and fasten it vpon the crosse Let it never bee of power to shame mee in this world or to condemne mee in the world to come As z Psal 103.12 farre as the East is from the West so farre remoue thou my sinnes from mee Let a Rom. 6. 12 not finne rule in my mortall bodie that I obey the lusts thereof But O LORD subdue b Math. 7. 19 mine iniquities and cast all my faultes into the bottome of the sea I humbly beseech thee to c Col 3. 5 mortifie and slay my sinne in mee least it slay my soule eternally Burie all my offences in the graue of CHRIST Let them never rise against mee for my conviction and eternall confusion Now almightie GOD Seing by 9 Pray for life spirituall nature I am d Eph. 2. 1 dead in sinne and trespasses I pray thee to quicken mee Let e 2 Cor. 4. 16 my inward man be renued dayly Grant that I may be borne f Iohn 3. 3 againe and bee partaker of regeneration and so enter into thy Kingdome Thou who art the g Iohn 11. 2 resurrection and the lyfe who raised from death Lazarus who was stincking and rotting in the graue and gaue him naturall lyfe breath spirituall lyfe into my dead soule that thou who art the GOD h Math. 22.32 of the living thou mayest bee my GOD and guide for ever O thou who art the i Mal. 4. 2 Sunne Pray for spirituall light of Righteousnesse and the true light of the world who hast abundance of eye k Revel 3. 18 salue arise and shine vpon mee anoynt the blind eyes of my minde illuminate my dark vnderstanding Thou who opened the l Genes 21.19 eyes of Hagar and made her see a Well of water wherewith her dying sonne was refreshed open thou the eyes of my inward man that I may see that Well of the m Iohn 3. 10 water of lyfe that my dying soule may be comforted and thou O powerfull SAVIOUR who did giue sight to that man who n Iohn 9.7 was borne blind giue spirituall sight to my blind soule that I may see thee and follow thee continually O my GOD thou who opened the o Math. 7. 33 eares of that deafe man grant Pray for in ward hearing that myne inward eares may be prepared q Psal 40. 6 and opened to heare thy holy and blessed Word that my bodie r Heb. 10. 5 may bee ordeined and made fitte for thy continuall service and worship For O my graâ—ious GOD while Pray for health I haue beene walking in the wildernesse of this world I haue fallen Å¿ Luke 11. 30 amongst cruell and covetous theeues who haue robbed mâ—e of my raiment and riches they haue wounded me grievously I am now lying waltring in my blood and half dead Many miseregarde me and passe by me without any pittie I can not pittie myne owne selfe but O sweet Samaritan come neere to me and haue compassion on mee Bind vp Ibidem my bleeding wounds powre in wine oile carry me in thy owne armes and heale mee Haue a continuall care of me that I may haue a care to honour thee and glorifie thy Majestie O my blessed Redâ—emer in whom Pray for wisdome are t Coloss 2. 3 hidde all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge giue vnto mee true wiâ—edome and Heavenly knowledge and vnderstanding so that I x Prover 5. 23 may not die for fault of instruction and that I goe not astray through my great folly that I may bee wise y Proverb 16 20. 21. in myne owne businesse and prudent in heart that my vnderstanding may bee a welspring z Pro. 16. 23 of lyfe vnto mee that I may trust in thy mercie and be blessed aeternally O LORD thou who art able to breake a Psal 107. 16 the gates of brasse and to brast the barres of yron asunder Pray for libertie I pray thy Majestie to set mee at libertie who am a captiâ—e and miserable prisoner loose mee from the bands of the devill for spiritually I am bound and bowed b Luke 13. 11 together and can not lift vp my soule in any wise without thy helpe Bring mee out of the snare c 2 Tim. 2. 26 of Sathan that I may come to amendement Take d 2 Sam. 8. 1 the bridle of bondage out of the hand of mine enemie Bee thou LORD my goodnesse e Psal 144. 2 and my fortresse my tower my sheild and delyverer Restore mee to the glorious freedome of thy children Giue mee strength to stand f Galat. 5.1 fast into that libertie wherewith thou hast made me free that I never bee intangled againe with the yoke of bondage And because in the devils dungeon and in the stinking puddle Pray for purgation of sinne I am filthily polluted and miserably defiled O holy God wash g Psal 51. 2 mee througly from mine iniquitie and cleanse mee from my sinnes and pollutions If thou wash mee h Iohn 13. 8 not I shall haue no part nor portion with thee and I know perfectly that no i Revel 21. 27 vncleane thing shall enter in Heavenly Ierusalem nor within thy holy Sanctuarie therefore O gratious GOD I humbly and heartily intreate thy Majestie to wash k Ierem. 4 4â— mine heart from wickednesse and my whole man from vngodâ—ines even in the
Malach. 1.6 Master If Absoloms e 2 Sam. 13.29 servants obeyed him an evill Master in an vnlawfull and wicked action farre rather art thou oblished to obtemperate thy good Master in a lawfull dead Absolom commanded that his brother Amnon should bee slaiâ—e GOD commandeth this service that thy soule may bee saved and therefore absolutely ought to bee obeyed Seeing moreover he is King Almightie who e Math. 10.28 is able to destroy both soule and bodie in hell eternally and to giue thee a great reward for thy obedience and loyaltie when King David but desired to drinke of the water of the well of Bethlem three f 1 Sam. 25.15 of his subjects brake through the hoast of the Philistims and brought vnto him that water longed for thus they ventred their liues for Davids sake and for his plâ—asure And shouldest not thou much more willingly hazard thy life to giue vnto GOD obedience to doe his Majestie acceptable service Who Gods promise maketh also vnto thee most sweet and comfortable promises to deliver g Psal 50 1â— thee to h Psal 91. 1â— glorifie thee to satisfie thee with long life and to show thee his salvation He perfitly performed his promise given of a Kingdome not only to i 2 Sam. 5. â— David whom hee loved but also to k 1 King 11. 3â— Ieroboam an idolator whom hee hated l Iosh 23. 14 all his promises shall in due tyme vndoubtedly come to passe nothing shall faile thereof So hee promiseth if thou pray m Ierem 29.12 to him to heare thee if thou seeke him to be found of thee Againe when thou considerest CHRIST IESUS thy Saviour thou shall confesse that thou hast good CHRISTS example cause of prayer Consider thy redemer remaining in this earth hee n Math. 14.23 went vp into a mountaine alone to pray for a long-space of time In o Heb. 5. 7 the dayes of his flesh hee offered vp prayers and supplications with strâ—ng crying and teares Quòd si ille orabat qui sine pecato crat quantò magis peccatores oportet orare If hee prayed who was without sinne how much more behoueth it sinners for to pray His precept also and promises Christ his precept and promise is cause of prayer may cause thee to call vpon GOD Aske p Math 7. 7 saith Hee and it shall bee given you seeke and you shall find knock and it shall bee opened vnto you Moreover Seing hee q Heb. 9. 24 is entred into Heaven himselfe to appeare CHRISTS intercession now in the sight of GOD for thee to make continuall request and intercession for thee Hast not thou great reason to make request for thy owne selfe When the r Levit. 16. 17 high Priest went into the holy place to make atonement then the whole multitude of the people stood without in Å¿ Luke 1. 10 prayer while the incense was in burning Seing therefore thou hast t Hebr. 4. 14 a great high Priest which hath entred into Heaven even IESVS the Sonne of GOD who now is at the u Ephes 1. 20 right hand of the FATHER to make request and intercession for thee to procure thy peace and reconciliation hast thou not who are without in this earth great reason to continue thy selfe in earnest prayer and supplication to the end thou mayest obtaine eternall salvation Furthermore If thou desirest The desire of the grouth of the graces of Spirit a cause of prayer an increase of the graces of the holy Spirit that they may the more abundantly bee bestowed vpon thee thou hast cause to pray for the same more earnestly for thy Heavenly Father x Luke 11. 13 will giue the holy Ghost a greater measure of his gifts to thee that desireth him for the same Spirit is both the cause and effect of our prayer Scultet cap. 3 de precatione and petitions Secondly If thou take heede Cause of prayer Sathans power to the Devill thy mortall enemie thou will pray to GOD most fervently hee thy deadly adversarie y 1 Pet. 5. 8 like a roaring Lyon walketh about seeking to devore thee Hee is stronger than z 1 Sam. 17.4 Goliah desirous to destroy with firie a Ephes 6. 16 darts 2. He is much more craftie than b 2 Sam. 16.23 Achitophell by his wicked counsell and machinations plotting to supprise thee 3. Hee is more false than c Ierem. 41. 6 Ishmael promising to pleasure thee but will punish thee for ever 4. Hee is more cruell than Herod who slew d Math. 2. 16 the male children that were in Bethlehem but he would kill body and soule eternally 5. Sathan is more malitious than e Esther 3. 6 Haman who purposed to put to death Mordecay and all the people of his country So desireth the Devill to destroy thee and all thy of-spring and posteritie 6. Sathan is much more treacherous than Saul who albeit hee f 1 Sam. 18.29 verse 21 became alwayes Davids enemie yet in appearance of loue and familiaritie he gaue his daughter to him in marriage for to be a suare to him So Sathan although hee would giue the whole world to thee and although hee spake to thee the trueth and veritie yet it is ever his minde to hurt thee to ensnare thee and altogether to overthrow thee 7. He is restlesse and g Iob. 1.7 never ceasseth but with shamelesse impudencie with continuall celeritie and agilitie hee accuseth thee hee persueth thee for thy perdition and endlesse torment and destruction Seing then such is the strength craft crueltie deceate malitiousnesse The estate of the Church is a cause of prayer treacherie and vigilancie of thy spirituall enemie thou hast great cause to pray most earnestly and vncessantly Thirdly if thou consider other Christians of the familie i Galat. 6. 10 of faith thou knowing some yea too manie molested and vexed on everie side with k Zach. 1. 14 the foure hornes of persecution thou then shouldest bee sorie l Nehem. 1. 4 for Iosephs affliction and with Nehemiah fast and pray for the reproach and miserie of Hierusalem Certainly seeing thou art a member of Christs body the Church militant it is thy duetie to m Psal 1â—2 6 pray for the peace of Hierusalem when thou shalt see the graces of GOD multiplyed vpon thy brethren and them walking n Ephes â— 1 worthy of their Christian calling and living an holy life and godly conversation thou shouldest aske of GOD that thou thy selfe may become an earnest imitator of tâ—eâ—r good courses and true religion that GOD alwayes may bee more and more glorified his kingdome enlarged Satan and his power confounded and thy selfe surely perserved yea that the whole p Ephes 5. 23 spirit soule and body of all Saints may bee kept blamelesse vntill the comming of our Lord IESVS CHRIST Fourthly when thou shall behold