that I may bee wise to preuent the mischiefe which they intend to bring vpō me make mee alwaies watchfull and carefull to stand for my defence and safetie against them especially let me seeke and endeuour by all meanes to fortifie my soule against those sinnes whereby Satan doth most assaile me and to get strength against those weaknesses whereby hee may soonest haue aduantage of me and bring me into danger yea O Lord doe thou watch ouer mee doe thou strengthen me Heale all my infirmities repaire the ruines of my soule make vp the manifold breaches therof Compasse me about with thy grace and fauour that so none of those spirituall enemies may euer haue power ouer me but that I may be defended from them in the time of this my warfare heere on earth and hereafter triumph gloriously ouer them in the heauens for euermore Greater care is to be had of things to come then of things present O How carefull are most for their bodies how carelesse for their soules For the things of this world what paines what labour doe they willingly vndergo for those of the world to come how remisse how exceeding negligent are they Lord grant that I may be alwaies most carefull of that which is most necessarie that I may preferre heauen before earth those things which are spirituall before those that are corporal things which are permanent and euerlasting before the lying and deceitfull vanities of this world endlesse and vnspeakable glorie and happines before vaine and supposed felicitie Gods all-seeing presence THe eyes of the Lord are open vpon all the waies of men hee seeth and obserueth them euen those things which they doe in greatest secrecy are most cleere and manifest vnto him they are naked discouered in his sight and he taketh notice of all of them O therefore how great is the boldnes and audaciousnes of such as dare presume willinglie and wittinglie to commit so grieuous and so odious sinnes whiles they are in so glorious a presence who is so prophane and so gracelesse that should not be ashamed of this yea that should not bee euen astonished in himselfe to consider that all his sinnes whereof some one of them if it should bee made knowne vnto the world would make him blush and hang downe his head for shame lie open and vncouered before the face of almightie God euen the cleere eyes of that infinite and glorious Maiesty who is so pure that he cannot abide any vncleannes yea that hee cannot once endure the sight of any thing which is spotted and stained with the filth of sin O Lord let me alwaies see thee present with me viewing marking and obseruing the whole course and carriage of my life not only how I compose my selfe outwardly before men but how euen the thoughts of my heart are framed within me that thus I may not onely bee restrained frō the commission of outward actuall wickednesses which euen the shame of the world causeth many that are altogether voide and destitute of thy sanctifying grace to refraine themselues from but also may feare to giue entertainmēt to any motion vnto the least sinne and striue after holinesse and puritie that so I may bee approued of thee and finde grace and fauour in thy sight A motiue to patience vnder the crosse ALthough it be grieuous vnto vs yet it is good for vs to bee vnder the crosse It is no small benefit which we receiue by afflictions if we looke vnto the end and issue of them for thereby wee are humbled more then we were made more earnest and feruent in prayer readier to seek vnto the Lord to cleaue faster vnto him and to depend solely and wholly vpon him making him our hope our stay and onely refuge yea thereby our faith hope patience and all other graces of Gods spirit are exercised and increased and that inward man of ours daily more and more renued whiles wee are outwardly oppressed and afflicted In briefe thereby we are weaned from the world and the vaine and transitorie things thereof and made not onely mindfull but also desirous of the day of death and of the time of our dissolution whenas being freed from all those miseries wherewith we are and shall be compassed on euery side as long as wee liue in this wretched world and carrie this bodie of sin about with vs wee shall enter into that resting place where wee shal want nothing which may make for our blessednesse and felicitie Let nothing then be distastful vnto me which thou seest to bee good for me O Lord but let me euer be content if it so pleaseth thee to drinke downe willingly the bitterest cup of the most grieuous affliction which thou shalt offer vnto me seeing that in the end thereof I shall find much sweetnes None euer free from the temptations of Satan THere is none that is not often assailed by the tēpter euen the most holie and righteous men that liue vpon the earth when one temptation is resisted and passed ouer they are to expect another and to prepare themselues for it vnlooked for blowes are most dangerous O Lord I see how busie that enemie of mine is how many waies he laboureth to vndermine me and that especially when I am least aware of him O let me be alwaies readie to meete him in the gate before hee enter too farre vpon me let me not be secure and carelesse but very watchfull and vigilant euer prepared to encounter with him and to resist him especially in the beginning of his assaults wherein if I withstand him with faith courage and resolution I doubt not but with thy grace I shall in the end easilie get the victorie of him and see him flie before me Satans temptations sometimes more grieuous and dangerous then at other times SOme haue more grieuous temptations presently after their first calling and conuersion vnto God some long after some throughout their whole life haue that euill one vncessantly casting many fiery darts at them thereby if it were possible to wound them euen vnto death almost euery moment or at least to make their liues wearisome irkesome vnto them These are not to faint or to despaire whiles they are thus tempted but to be the more carefull to bee alwaies well appointed and readie furnished with the whole compleate armour of God whereby they may bee able to defend themselues frō the rage and malice of that furious enemie and deadly aduersarie of theirs who thirsteth after the blood of their soules and desireth nothing more then their vtter ruine and confusion Since hee is so fierce and eager vpon them they are to bee thus armed continually and withall to pray vnto the Lord and that oft and more earnestlie that he would shield and safegard them and giue vnto thē a ioyfull issue out of all their temptations and then no doubt at length they shall see the saluation of the Lord in the ouerthrow of that malitious enemie by whom heretofore they haue
fulnesse of thy presence and drinke abundantly out of the riuers of thy pleasures for euermore The old man neuer dies in this life EVery Christian as long as hee liueth in this world hath the old man liuing in him hee is in part but not wholly crucified and slaine hee hath receiued his deadlie wound and lieth a dying euery day but will not bee quite dead till the soule be separated by death from this earthly this sinfull and this corruptible bodie O Lord subdue and mortifie daily more and more I humbly pray thee the corruption of my nature let mee feele the power and strength thereof weakened and decaying in me put thy spirit into my hart wâ—ich may striue continually against it and suppresse the force of it so that although in some sort it liue in me yet it may not raigne at any time nor haue dominion ouer me And when it pleaseth thee make an end of these wretched and miserable daies and deliuer me from this bodie of sinne and of death which I carrie continually about with me that so being wholly freed from the bondage vnto which I am now subiect and restored vnto perfect libertie I may serue thee with all cheerefulnes and alacritie as thy holie Angels and Saints in glorie now doe and shall for euermore A free minde how to be obtained THere cannot bee a free minde where the heart doth not continually rest vpon God and stay it selfe vpon him only Hee that doth this shall quickly finde all sinfull and immoderate feare and the excessiue and inordinate loue of all earthly things much diminished and abated in him yea flying quite away and vanishing in such sort as if hee had neuer bin annoied or encumbred with them He that doth it not it cannot bee but that he should liue and spend his daies in coÌ„tinuall disquietnes yea in great miserie and vexation of minde and spirit by reason of many distracting thoughts superfluous cares and vaine desires which will euen pierce his soule with many sorrowes and oppresse his minde with much griefe anguish and perplexitie Ah Lord thou knowest the secret thoughts and desires of my heart thou seest what it is that my soule longeth after how faine I would serue thee with that cheerefulnesse of minde and that freedome of spirit which is the sacrifice wherein thou art so much delighted Haue regard vnto me I humbly intreate thee consider my request which I powre out vnto thee from a heart vnfained Giue me daily a greater measure of thy grace whereby I may breake thorow those snares which are laid for me and wherewith I am readie continually to bee intangled and grant that I may resigne my selfe wholly vnto thee and rest yea set and fixe my heart euen roule my selfe vpon thee that so I may passe the rest of my pilgrimage heeâ—e on earth peaceablie cheerefullie and comfortably as one that is set at libertie from all sinfull and inordinate affections from the vaine desires and the needlesse and troublesome cares of this euill and wicked world Amen An effectuall motiue to true humilitie and lowlines of minde OH how meanly ought euery one to esteeme of himselfe How little ought he to be in his owne eyes seeing that in himselfe he is nothing notable of himselfe no not so much as once to thinke that which is good If he were as wise as Salomon so famous for his wisedom and vnderstanding yet if the Lord did not continually guide his heart and direct his stâ—ppes there would be much follie aâ—d vanitie sound with him If he were aâ— râ—ghteous as Dauid â— man after Gods owne heart yet if the Lord did not alwaies preserue him and strengthen him through the assistance of his gracious spirit he would fall most dangerously yea if he were as pure and as holy as the Angels themselues those heauenly spirits yet if the Lord should not sustaine him with his especiall grace and continue him in that estate but withdrawe his hande from him he would quickly fall as it were a starre from heauen and all his glorie being lost and his light dimmed yea quite extinguished become like vnto Sathan the prince of darkenes nothing but sinfulnes and impuritie There is no wisedom no righteousnes no holines no stedfastnes but onely in God and of God who is the fountaine of all grace and goodnes and from whom the streames thereof are to be deriued into the hearts of men or else there wil be nothing but barrennes and emptines in them God is all in all the best without him are as nothing hauing no power no ability to do any thing which is good What is it then that men should glorie of in themselues Or how should they not alwaies haue a verie meane conceite and esteeme of themselues yea euen annihilate themselues and giue the glorie of all vnto God vnto whom alone it is due O blessed God giue me that meekenes of spirit and that true humblenes of minde which as it is a thing rare and pretious in it selfe so of thee verie much set by Teach me considering mine own weaknes of which I haue daily experience and my insufficiencie of my selfe and of my owne strength to doe to will or to thinke any thing which is good to be lowly vile and abiect in mine owne eyes yea to esteeme my selfe as nothing without thee and alwaies acknowledging mine owne feeblenes and manifold fraileties and infirmities to depend wholly and onely vpon thee yea to cleaue fast vnto thee and to ascribe the praise and glorie of whatsoeuer good is wrought in me or by me vnto thee alone who art the God of my streâ—gth the author and giueâ— both of grace and glorie and the beginner and finisher of euery good thing which is wrought in any of thy children Another THE more that any one doth emptie himselfe of his owne worth and goodnes the more will the Lord fill and replenish him with the abundant riches of his diuine and heauenly grace The lower that he doth abase and cast downe himselfe the higher wil the Lord aduance him and lift him vp euen farre aboue that which he did either desire or expect Thus his gaine wil be exceeding great in that wherein to others he may seeme to suffer some losse much to preiudice himself O Lord grant I beseech thee that I may euery day be more humbled with the sight of mine owne vnworthines of my spirituall pouertie and beggarlines that so it may please thee to inrich me with the greater measure of thy grace let me yet be more vile in mine own eyes that so I may at length be exalted of thee aboue that which I deserue and be crowned with honour and glory in thy kingdome for euermore Vainglorie what a vanitie and follie it is VAinglorie as it is a common disease in the world so the greatest vanitie that can be yea meere follie and madnesse itself It argues euidently that he that is carried away with it
may alwaies make pretious account of the least measure which it shall please thee in mercie to vouchsafe vnto me referre it wholly to thy honour and glory And sith whatsoeuer I am I am in thee whatsoeuer grace I haue I haue it from the whose gift onely it is let me be content with that portion which thou in thy wisdome and goodnesse allottest vnto me and knowing that for the present it is sufficient for me neither enuie those that haue receiued more lest I repine against thee nor despise those that haue lesse lest it displease thee and cause thee in iustice to withdraw that grace from me which in mercie thou hadst freelie giuen vnto me and to bestow it vpon those who would make better vse of it Death alwaies to be desired of the godlie IF anie shall take away from me my torne and ragged-worne coate and in stead thereof put vpon me a new and a better shall I thinke that I haue anie iniury done vnto me haue I anie cause to complaine as if I were wronged If the Lord vncloath me by depriuing me of this temporall this sinfull and corruptible life and in stead of it cloath me with that which is eternall incorruptible and most glorious doth he hurt me doth he any wrong or iniurie vnto me shall I complaine yea rather Lord let me desire alwaies to remoue out of this bodie and to dwell with thee for euer Let me desire earnestlie to put off this corruption to be dissolued to be with Christ my Sauiour in the heauens for this is that onelie happinesse and felicitie which I expect and hope for Lord euen when it pleaseth thee let me see thy saluation which thou hast promised The imprisonment of the godlie in this life THe godlie whiles they remaine in this world liue as it were in perpetuall imprisonment They are laden with manie chaines and fetters which lie heauie vpon them and cause them to sigh in themselues and to long earnestly for the time of their deliuerance freedom O blessed Lord thou knowest what a burden vnto my soule this corruptible and sinnefull bodie of mine is which I carry coÌ„tinually about with me and how this earthlie mansion keepeth downe and oppresseth my minde and maketh me heauie and vntoward for the performance of that good which thou commandest and wherein my heart desireth to approue it selfe vnto thee I am so fast in prison so much encumbred with manifold annoiances which are as it were so manie heauie irons pressing downe my minde and hindring me from walking before thee with that freedome of spirit and that cheerefulnes and alacrity wherein thou delightest that my soule mourneth secretlie within me and longeth to be freed from this miserie and bondage wherein I am now detained O Lord when wilt thou set me at libertie Continually doe I expect and waite for the redemption of this earthlie and sinfull bodie The vanitie of all earthlie things OH the vanitie of the things of this world riches pleasures honour whatsoeuer else to him that hath a carnall and fleshly eye may seeme most pretious and glorious how fruitles how fading and transitorie are they was there euer anie that found any true peace any sound ioy or contentment in anie or in all of them What a vaine thing then is it for any one to be carried with such an vnsatiable desire after them yea to place if not his onely yet his chiefe happines and felicitie in them as many doe O Lord draw my heart daily more and more from the things of this world whereunto the most are so fast glewed weane my soule both from the loue and desire of them and let my delight be in thee let me reioyce in thee continuallie yea let my soule alwaies long after thee and in comparison of thee esteeme of all these earthly things but as drosse meere vanitie A true discerning of the worlds vanitie maketh men willing to leaue it and desirous of a better estate out of it MAnie there be that complaine of the vanitie and deceitfulnesse of this world and yet are loth to leaue it to depart out of it Such either had neuer a true sight of the vanitie of all things here below and of the wretchednesse and miserie whereunto men euen the best are subiect in this life or else they neuer indeed fullie tasted of the blessednesse and felicitie of the life to come euen those endlesse ioyes and vnspeakable glorie which are prepared and reserued for the Saints in the kingdome of God or if they haue in some sort tasted of this heauenly gift yet without any certaintie or assurance that it belonged vnto them and that their right and portion should be in it and therefore could not be so soundly affected with it as thereby to be brought into a true dislike and contempt of this present euill world which notwithstanding at least they wouâ—d seeme to be out of loue with The man that seeth indeed how vaine how deceitfull and how miserable this world is and hath withall receiued the first fruits of the spirit of God and tasted of the sweetnes blessednes of the world to come and also knoweth that the assurance of the promise thereof is made and sealed vnto him and that by the truth it selfe euen by him whose word shall stand when heauen and earth shall passe away that man as he shall finde cause enough to complaine of this euill world wherein he liueth so it cannot be but that he should desire vnfainedly to be gone out of it to make change for a better euen that which his soule longeth after and in the hope and expectation whereof he resteth continually sighing in himselfe and waiting earnestly for the fruition and full possession thereof when as being vnclothed of the burden of this flesh loosed out of the prison of this earth he shal be clothed with glorie and immortality and liue for euer in that celestiall mansion not made with hands but eternall in the heauens O Lord when shall I be fullie deliuered from the bondage of corruption vnto which I am now daily subject when shall I lay downe this bodie of sinne and death which I now carrie continually about with me when shall I remoue out of this earthlie tabernacle when shall I leaue the wildernesse of this wearisome world and departing from hence be translated into that glorious kingdome of thine which thou hast promised vnto me My soule longeth to dwell in thy courts to see thy saluation to enioy thy blessed presence and to liue and rest with thee continuallie For here alas I find no resting place yea I see vanitie wretchednesse and miserie on euerie side in euerie place One sorrow succeedeth another The snares of many afflictions and temptations haue taken holde of me many deepe waters haue passed ouer me and euen almost ouerwhelmed me I am assailed continually with many and those verie dangerous and perillous enemies who fight against my
especially in the last houre when all worldly comforts shall flie from vs and vtterly forsake vs As Rahabs threed was better vnto her then all her goods and substance wheÌ„ the sword came so wil this be better vnto vs theÌ„ all the world when death comes assailes vs which we know not when or how soone it will O mercifull God I beseech thee make me wise to consider of these things that so I may finde comfort both now and hereafter when I shall most want it most desire it and when as without it I cannot but bee exceeding wretched and miserable Grant me thy grace to serue thee in righteousnesse and holinesse all my daies yea to walk before thee in truth and sinceritie with a perfect heart and to doe alwaies that which is good in thy sight and pleasing vnto thy Maiestie that so hauing my coÌ„uersation in this world in simplicitie and godly purenes I may haue the testimonie of my conscience to be my reioycing and as it were a continuall feast vnto me al my life long in all troubles miseries and afflictions whatsoeuer yea and that when this short and transitorie life shall draw to an end and al worldly comforts become vaine and no waies auaileable vnto me I may haue the sweete comfort and solace hereof following and accompanying me vnto death and resting and remaining with me in death that so when at length I shall send foorth my last breath calling to minde and recounting my sinceritie in thy seruice and resting vpoÌ„ thy gracious promise for the couering of my manifold defects and infirmities with thy sonnes righteousnes I may then euen lift vp my head with confidence and boldnes and taking my farewell of this wearisome world depart hence with ioy and reioycing knowing assuredly that I shal not die but liue being clothed with glorie and immortalitie for euermore This is my life my hope They â—hat liue not thus they die whiles they liue and wheÌ„ they once die they die for euer Oh therefore that all would so liue that thus they might haue peace and comfort whiles they liue and in the end die the death of the righteous and be made partakers of their glorie which many wish for few seeke after but fewest of all attaine vnto Sinne exceeding dangerous though pleasant for a time SInne is sweet and pleasant for the present at least it seemeth so to the wicked who neuer tasted of any sweeter delicates But certaine howsoeuer they relish it for the present yet doubtlesse they shall finde to their griefe and sorrow that in the end it will bee as bitter as gall or wormewood yea as death it selfe O Lord let me neuer delight in those deceiuable pleasures of sinne which last but for a season the end whereof is bitternes and destructioÌ„ let mee neuer willingly take down no nor so much as once taste of those poysoned morsels which the wicked vngodly swallow with so much greedinesse as though they could neuer bee satisfied or glutted with them but let me bee alwaies carefull to auoide all sinne as I would doe the rankest poyson which being though neuer so little but once tasted of present death must needes followe except there be a speciall recouerie by that sole and soueraigne medicine of Christs righteousnes which is neither giuen nor can be applied to any of those who wilfully and desperatly drinke downe any of that deadly poyson though they be oft forewarned of the danger of it The vsuall euent of Satans practises against the Church of God IT hath alwaies been and it is diligeÌ„tly to be obserued that by what plots and practises soeuer Satan hath attempted the vndermining of the Church of God and the finall subuersion and ouerthrow of the same they haue turned in the end if not to the ruine yet to the weakning of his owne kingdom so that he receiued the greatest foile where hee thought he should haue most preuailed Especially wee of this nation haue seene this more apparaÌ„tly in later yeers and as it was the Lords doing and wonderfull in our eyes so ought wee neuer to forget it but to bee alwaies mindfull of it yea to make report of it vnto those that are a farre off and to rehearse it hereafter to those that are yet vnborne that so the goodnes of the Lord the care which he hath ouer his Church may bee knowne and acknowledged and due thankes praise and glorie be returned vnto him by many for the same in all ensuing ages O Lord remember thy wonted mercies and continue still good and gracious vnto thy Church chosen O be thou fauourable vnto thy Sion and build vp the walles of Ierusalem make vp the breaches and repaire the ruines and the desolate and decaied places thereof disappoint Satan in al his mischieuous counsell and diuellish policies deuices wherby he seeketh the ouerthrow of it Cast out all the cursed Iebusites which disturbe the peace and are enemies vnto the prosperitie of it keepe it as thy little flock which hath alwaies been tender and deare vnto thee loue it and delight in it as in thine owne spouse which thou hast chosen vnto thy selfe out of all the nations of the earth blesse and sanctifie it with thy grace defend it alwaies with thy mightie power Compasse it with a wall of fire round about and fight thou from heaueÌ„ against theÌ„ that fight against it Thus O Lord bee thou gracious to thine owne inheritance thy chosen Sion Let peace bee within the walles and plenteousnesse within the palaces thereof that so thy Gospell may florish thy name be glorified thy seruants comforted thy Saints repaired the number of thy children on earth accomplished these sinfull daies finished and finally the glorious kingdom of thy Son fully established for euer in the heauens Amen Christians ought to keepe continuall watch in regard of Satans assaults SEest thou not how carefull those that are besieged assaulted of their enemies are to haue their Centinels and to make their defence sure and to fortifie those places especially where the enemie giueth the fiercest onset or where there is more danger that a breach should be made for his entrance Behold thou art coÌ„tinually enuironed with many spirituall enemies the powers of darknesse which haue beset thee round about on euery side They haue laid a strong siege against thee and assault thee euery houre euery moment seeking by all meanes to make a breach into thy soule and to bring both thy soule and bodie to perpetuall ruine and desolation and wilt thou then be secure wilt thou bee carelesse nay wilt thou foolishly set open the gates consenting vnto sin in the temptations thereof that so Satan may enter in and make a spoile of thee O Lord though many bee so foolish and vnwise yet suffer not me to bee like vnto them but since so many and so dangerous enemies those spirituall wickednesses doe bend their forces and intrench themselues about me continually grant
it were continually with manifolde vexations and distractions The only way to liue peaceably and ioyfully is to leade a holie and a religious life in al sinceritie and vprightnes This bringeth with it that sweete peace and that inward solace and ioy which the world cannot giue O blessed Lord the daies of this my pilgrimage are few and euill make them comfortable vnto me I humbly pray thee by leading me forward in the waies of righteousnesse and true holinesse grant that I may alwaies endeuour my selfe to haue faith and a good conscience before thee and before all men and to walke continually in simplicitie and godlie purenes without al guile hypocrisie that so my heart may reioyce in thee vnfainedly yea euen be filled with that ioy which is vnspeakable and glorious How they are to liue that are redeemed by Christ IT is a shame for the Lords free man to make himselfe a seruant a drudge and a slaue to the world to sinne and Satan Hee that Christ hath redeemed must liue like one set at libertie being alwaies very carefull and warie that hee be not intangled nor ouercome with any lust with any corrupt and vnlawfull affection lest thereby he bring himselfe into that bondage and seruitude then which there can be nothing more wretched and miserable O Lord since it hath pleased thee of thy infinite goodnes and mercie to redeeme me with so great a price euen with the pretious blood of thy deare Sonne that immaculate Lambe graunt that being freed from that estate of corruption vnto which before I was in bondage and hauing escaped froÌ„ the filthinesse of the world wherewith I was formerlie stained and polluted I may be carefull to renounce all those vngodly courses euen that vaine conuersation wherein I walked and delighted before I knew thee and that sauing grace of thine which thou in the riches of thy mercies hast reueiled and manifested vnto me and that I may daily more and more labour and striue after spirituall libertie and freedome liuing as thy seruant as thy redeemed one and shewing foorth the vertues of thee my God and Sauiour who hast called me out of darknesse into that maruellous light of thine Gods loue and fauour to be sought for aboue all things and his wrath feared IF wee bee out of fauour with men of no esteeme no reckoning amongst them If despised and disgraced of the world and made as such as are vile and of no reputation If wee bee but in daunger to lose our goods our riches our lands and liuing or to haue our outward estate by any meanes impaired and decayed or in any sort diminished If any of our dearest friends and nearest kinsfolke die and depart from vs for a while or if we our selues be in any perill of death loe then we are very sad and heauie we are exceeding pensiue and grieued out of measure as though no greater euill could befall vs. But if we be cleane out of the loue and fauour of God then which there can be no greater miserie if we be not regarded of him but are vile in his sight such as by reason of our sinnes hee doth lothe and abhorre more then wee doe the vgliest and the loathsomest creature in the world and doth many waies testifie the signes of his hatred and the deepe displeasure which hee hath taken against vs If wee be in continuall danger to hazard the most desireable goods which are better then all things which this whole world can affoord euen those pretious things of God wherin onely true happinesse and felicitie consists If wee be in neuer so great and apparent danger and ieopardie to lose the vnspeakable riches of that glorious and immortall inheritance reserued for the Saints in that heauenly kingdome that celestiall Canaan the Paradise of God where there are such ioyes such pleasure such blessednes as the heart of man is not able to conceiue or to comprehend If our neerest and inmost friend which resteth continually in our bosome and in the secretest lodgings of our hearts vnto whom wee professe the greatest loue and friendship that may be in briefe to whom wee are ioyned and vnited with so neere and strait bands that it is death for vs at any time to bee seuered and separated for the least while for one moment euen our owne soule if that bee dead in vs whiles it seemeth to liue dead in trespasses and sinnes whiles it liueth according to the flesh delighting in those things which are vnlawfull dead in regard of the life of grace whiles it liueth the life of nature yea continuallie in extreame danger to die eternally euen that second death which of all euils is the most fearfull most wofull aboue that any man doth thinke or can imagine though he haue â—resented vnto his minde the most dreadfull things and fullest of horror that can possibly enter into the heart of man yet behold such is the sottishnes of mans nature though wee knowe these things yet wee are not inwardly touched nor moued with them as we ought to be though we reade of them our selues though wee heare of theÌ„ oft by others yea though the Lord from day to day and from time to time causeth them to sound in our eares by the ministerie and preaching of his word in the mouthes of his faithfull seruants whom he sendeth and by the inward and secret voice of his spirit which suggesteth these things vnto vs yet our hearts are not affected with the consideration of them wee haue almost no sense or feeling of these euils and miseries wee make no account of them we are little seldome or neuer troubled with the meditation and remembrance of them The feare and danger of them doth not strike our soules with griefe and sorrow nor make vs so pensiue and heauy as the feare and dread of farre lesser euils doe Wee grieue more at the losse of the fauour and countenance of men yea of carnall and worldly men then of that glorious and immortall God whose louing fauour is better then life and the want of it worse then death we grieue more at the losse of the things of this world which are vaine earthly and transitory and such as can neuer make the owner of them trulie blessed and happie though he had them in greater abundance then his heart albeit neuer so vnsatiable could desire theÌ„ of the things of the world to come which are most excellent heauenly and enduring for euer in the hope and expectation whereof there is ioy and comfort vnspeakable and glorious euen whiles they are not seen but beleeued and in the full fruition and possession whereof there is entire and absolute felicitie and blessednesse We are grieued more at the death and departure of our friend then at the death and destruction of our owne soule more troubled with the feare of the losse of this temporall life which is alwaies fading and whereof wee can haue no certaintie or assurance one houre no not
blessed Lord either send me a calme after those stormes which haue gone ouer me or else which I rather desire cause me speedily to arriue at that hauen which I hope and long for and where I shall enioy perfect and perpetuall rest and peace without anie trouble or disquietnesse yea without the scare of any of those perils and dangers vnto which I am now continually subiect The Ancre of the soule in afflictions A Shippe that is on the sea in stormie tempestuous weather if it hath not an ancre which being cast forth may hold and stay it is carried vp and downe and tossed to and fro with much violence and so at length either driuen vpon the sands or dashed against the rocks In like maner it is with all those that in the troublesome sea of this dangerous world where there are so many stormes tempests continually arising want the ancre of their soules euen true faith in Christ and an assured hope of the promises made by him they are tossed to and fro continually hauing no rest no comfort no confidence they are carried away violently with the raging waters and in the end either fall vpon some quicke sands which swallow them vp and cause them to sink into the bottome of that great deepe or else rush against some stony and craggy rocke which beateth them to pieces bringeth them to ruine O my God thou seest the great perils and dangers I am subiect vnto and shall be as long as I liue in this world which is a sea of miseries and manifold calamities The windes blow the deepe wateres lift vp their swelling waues and the stormie tempests threaten me with shipwracke to the ruine and destruction both of my soule bodie O therefore let me neuer want that assured hope which being as the ancre of my soule both sure and stedfast may enter into that which is within the vaile and clasp fast hold of those gracious promises which thou hast made vnto me in thy Christ my blessed Sauiour so shall I not onely be safe and confident in the middest of those dangers which are round about me but also in the end hauing escaped out of them all arriue at that pleasant hauen of true felicitie and endlesse blisse and happinesse vnto which the desire and praier of my heart is that thou wouldest shortly bring me that so I may rest with thee and sing praises vnto thee in thy kingdome vncessantly euen for euer Great danger in yeelding to the least motion of any sinne IN euery sinne that any one yeelds vnto he laies himselfe open vnto the Diuell giues him power of him how carefull therefore should men be to auoide all sinnes and not willingly to admit the least sith thereby they giue Sathan so great aduantage against them O Lord giue me grace alwaies to resist Sathan in the entrance of his suggestions and temptations euen in the first motions vnto euill wherewith he shall at any time assaile me that so he may neuer be able to preuaile against me or to get the dominion ouer me Grace to be increased daily by all meanes GRace if it be not continually nourished and increased by all good meanes which God hath appointed it will quickly waste and decay exceedingly How many haue we seene that of strong haue become weak feeble that hauing for a time flourished with many excellent graces and been as greene Oliues or fruitfull plants in the house of God haue afterwards appeared as seare trees and as withered branches as though they had almost no iuice or sap left in thē which might cause them to budde forth and to become fruitfull O mercifull God as it pleaseth thee to giue me thy grace in any measure so grant that I maybe carefull alwaies to vse all meanes whereby it may be preserued and daily strengthned and increased in me that thus the longer I liue in this world the more fruitfull I may be abounding in euery good worke my last daies maybe my best daies the inward man of my soule maybe renued the more that this outward man shall perish and decay and hauing in my life time caused thy grace to shine forth vnto others I may after this life shine as a starre in the brightnesse of glory in thy kingdome for euermore Amen Sathans guilefull temptations WHo knoweth the power the craft malice of Sathan the wilie serpent that roaring Lyon he walketh about the earth continually and compasseth it to and fro on euery side looking for his prey yea he seeketh by all meanes to insinuate himselfe into vs by many suggestions and diuers kinds of temptations and thereby to sting vs vnto death he waites his time watches the occasion fittest for his purpose and whereby he may easiliest preuaile and as hee is warie in choosing his time and taking his occasion and opportunitie so is he as cunning in making choice of the means obseruing the inclinations the natures and seuerall dispositions of men both in regard of mind of bodie Thus he deceiued the perfectest that euer were on earth euen our first parents in Paradise and that in the time of their innocencie and integritie before sin had made man so subiect vnto Sathan as now all are thus also since the fall he hath deceiued and beguiled the wisest that euer was among men as he did Salomon the strongest as he did Sampson the holiest as he did Dauid c. There is no place so holy no excercise so good which can quaile his courage or restraine the boldnesse of his attempts yea euen the best things will he seeke to make serue for his purpose out of the best duties and actions which we doe or can performe he will take his aduantage against vs and cause vs to sinne against God when we desire endeuour most to approue our selues vnto him O Lord sith that euil one is alwaies tēpting let me alwaies in al things be vigilant and watchfull let my eies be open my heart waking continually lest that enuious malitious spirit sow his tares whiles I sleepe in carelesnesse and securitie yea sith that enemie of thy grace and of the saluation of thy children is so mightie so subtile and malitious grant that I may not be secure at anie time but alwaies keep a sure guarde ouer my heart and all the affections of the same and because I am weake of my selfe be thou faithfull according vnto thy promise to assist me in all those temptations wherewith Sathan shall at any time assaile me so shall I praise the for euer who art my strength my saluation euen the God through whom I am able to doe all things by whom all mine enemies are subdued vnto me Christians are to estrange themselues from this world and to aspire vnto heauen WE are all of vs heere pilgrimes and strangers heauen is our country God our father Christ our elder brother all the Saints and Angels our neerest kinsfolke and
heart with the sprinkling of the blood of that immaculate lambe Christ Iesus the righteous purge me daily more and more from all my corruptions euen those which are most secret and open to the view of none but of thy all-seeing maiestie whose eye pierceth thorough all things and seeth and discerneth perfectlie those things which are hid from the sight of men and which we our selues are ignorant of Cleanse me both in soule in bodie and in spirit from the filthinesse of all sinne and iniquitie and from the staine of all inbred corruption and so sanctifie me throughout with thy grace that I may be a fit temple and mansion for thy holy spirit to rest in yea that thou maist delight to remaine to abide and to dwell with me for euer which is the onely happinesse and felicitie which my soule desireth and longeth for and which I know assuredly thou who hast promised it wilt not denie vnto me Grieuing of the spirit of God THou art vnwilling to giue iust occasion wherby thy kind friend might be grieued and so for thy vnkind dealing with him be moued to leaue thee and depart from thee in displeasure hauing no delight no desire to return any more vnto thee no scarcely though he be much sought vnto and intreated with great importunitie Why then dost thou daily and hourely deale so vnkindly with thy best friend why dost thou grieue the spirit of God which is the onely comforter and without whom thou canst neuer haue anie true peace or contentment in any estate or condition of life Why dost thou continually offer him so iust cause to turn away from thee yea to remoue farre off and to denie any more to visite thee with that gratious and comfortable presence of his though thou shouldest hereafter neuer so oft and so earnestly seeke and sue vnto him O my God forgiue me my sins whereby I haue heretofore grieued that holy spirit of thine by whom thou hast sealed me and assured me of those gracious promises which thou hast made vnto me in thy Christ Forgiue me those manifold sinnes and trangressions whereby I haue from time to time most grieuously displeased and prouoked thy maiestie who hast continually shewed thy selfe euery way so good and so kinde vnto me Hide thy face from them and let them neuer come into thy remembrance to be a meanes to cause thee as iustlie thou maist to depart and to take thy spirit from me lest I die and perish But notwithstanding my vndeseruednesse for thy promise sake doe thou stil in mercie vouchsafe freely to continue thy wonted and accustomed loue and kindnesse vnto me Giue me not onely the presence but also the grace and comfort of thy spirit yea let it alwaies rest and remaine with me that so my spirit may liue and praise thee O Lord this I know that nothing but my sinnes can hinder this goodnes and blessing of thine from me forget therefore I pray thee my sins past couer my sinnes present and keepe me from falling into sinne hereafter and then I am assured that thy blessed and gratious spirit shall dwell with me and comfort me both now and euer according vnto thy promise Spirituall desertions THe Sunne may be eclipsed for a while by the interposition of the thicke duskie bodie of the Moone but that being remoued it will quickly cause the bright beams therof to shine forth again vnto the world The Lord may hide his face from me for a time by reason of my sinnes which onely can make a separation and diuision betweene him and me and cause him to withdraw the light of his gracious countenance from me but sure I am that he will neuer vtterly forsake me for his foundation is surely laide his loue and grace is vnchangeable He hath been once nay often gracious vnto me and will continue so for euer O my God keepe me from sinning against thee so shall the light of thy countenance shine alwaies vpon me so shall I feele the comfort of thy presence remaining with me in life in death after death euen for euer The truth and faithfulnesse of God in performing his promises THe Lord is mercifull in promising and true in performing whatsoeuer he hath promised vnto his children We haue no other title to the least of Gods blessings but euen this his mercie and truth to claime them by and hauing that wee need no other O Lord although my sinnes are many and grieuous and might iustlie cause thee to withdraw all thy mercies and fauours from me and to denie any more to be gracious vnto me yet Lord thy truth and faithfulnesse indure for euer O thinke vpon thy couenant and according to thy mercie do thou alwaies remember me and looke vpon me Euen for thy promise sake haue mercie vpon me and notwithstanding my sinnes call for iudgement yet doe thou continue still to be good and gracious vnto me in the supplie of thy manifold blessings and mercies The comfort of a good conscience especially in death A Good conscience is a continuall feast as in and thoroughout the whole life time so especiallie in the houre and in the verie agonie and pang of death With what sweet pleasant food of diuine consolation doth it then feed the soule refresh the mind when all other comforts faile and become as running streames dried vp in the heate of summer nothing then will afford the like comfort vnto this Wouldst thou see this as it were in a glasse clearely represented vnto thy view Suppose that euen now thou sawest one lying at the point of death vpon the bed of his sorrowes readie to take his last farewell of the world to lay downe his bodie in the dust where he should haue corruption to be his father and the crawling worme his mother and his sister and the graue his house and dwelling place for a long season whiles his soule being separated from his bodie should depart into a farre countrie Suppose now at this instant thou sawest one in this estate as thus most certaine it shall be with thee with me with all of vs what thinkest thou would be the greatest comfort vnto him what is it that would most refresh him and cheere him vp Fine fare or sweete iuncats Alas he takes no pleasure in them he cannot tast them though they be neuer so daintie or if he could yet should hee take no delight nor finde any sweetnesse in them for it is his soule that now hungers and thirsts and seeks for comfort whiles his bodie is almost senselesse He desireth he looketh for spirituall foode wherewith his fainting soule and languishing spirits may be fed and refreshed and not for corporall yea that is loathsome vnto him Sweet musicke and delightsome melodie Alas the daughters of singing are now abased he is almost past hearing and though he could heare it neuer so well yet it would not be any refreshing vnto him he could not solace himselfe in it yea rather
it would seeme harsh in his eares and vnpleasant vnto his mind it is another kind of musick and melodie which hee longs to heare and hearken after that therein he may finde sound ioy and true comfort in that his extremitie His pleasures profits or great reuenues in this world neither can these comfort him in that houre they will not afford him any true ioy pleasure or delight no though he might euen swimme and bathe himselfe in the abundance of them yea rather they would be a trouble vnto him they would disquiet distract his mind both because he now seeth that he is presently to leaue theÌ„ for euer to giue a finall farewell vnto them neuer to haue any vse or benefit of theÌ„ afterwards as also and that especiallie because he knoweth that he is forthwith to goe to answer and to giue an account both for the getting vsing imploying of theÌ„ and to receiue accordinglie His credit fame and reputation amongst men alas although he were as famous and renowned as Salomon was when he was so admired that nations came farre and neere to see to heare him this then would little auaile him it would yeeld him no pleasure no delight yea rather it will grieue him to thinke how that haply hath bin an occasion heretofore to make him proud vaine-glorious and how that hereafter it will perish with the remembrance of him and vanish as the smoake so that all his glory shall lie buried in the dust and his name be as if it had neuer been Friends kins-folke and acquaintance Neither can they affoord him any true peace and sound comfort Indeed in the time of his health they might be a ioy and refreshing vnto him euen the verie sight and presence of them peraduenture would affect him with an inward and secret delight and contentment but now they can bring little or no comfort vnto him no more then Iobs friends did vnto him in the depth of his miserie euen sit by him and say nothing yea rather they will be a meanes to renue his sorrow and to increase his griefe because he is so shortly to take his last farewell of them for so long a season as also for that hee sees them who are most deare vnto him nothing but mourning weeping sorrowing and lamenting for him on euery side which cannot but disquiet and trouble him very much especially hauing his minde so much busied with the serious consideration of that long iourney which his soule immediatly after the dissolution and separation thereof from his body is now presently to take into that vnknowne land It is therefore neither the finest fare or daintiest iuncats the sweetest musicke and most delightsome melodie neither pleasures profits great reuenues honor preferment friends kinsfolks acquaintance nor any worldly thing else whatsoeuer though neuer so pretious neuer so glorious in the eyes of men that can yeeld him any true peace or sound comfort when this houre is once come wherein he must breathe out his soule which hath a long time beene vnited vnto his body in such a firme league and with so straite a bond of speciall loue and amitie that it is death now to depart or to be separated from it and lay downe his body in the dust and make his graue in the darke where he shall neither see any nor be seene of any What therfore thinkest thou is it wherein he shall finde comfort when he shall stand in most need of it hauing besides all the former occasions of griefe and sorrowe sinne and Sathan assaulting yea laying harder siege against him then euer before seeking by all meanes to daunt him and to rob depriue him of al true peace and comfort yea if it be possible to bring him vnto deepe despaire What then would be most sweete and pleasant vnto him What would most refresh him and cheere vp his languishing spirit In briefe if thou shouldest aske him what was his comfort in this extremity wherein he found most ioy and delight would he not answere thee that his reioycing was the testimonie of his owne conscience euen in this that he had endeauoured himselfe with Paul to haue alway a cleare conscieÌ„ce toward God and men in this that he had laboured with Henoch to walke with God al his life long in this that it was his chiefe care coÌ„tinually to liue vprightly and sincerely before God and blamelesly and innocently before men Would he not tell thee that this was the thing wherin he reioyced wherewith he was comforted Surely without doubt he would And no maruaile For this this the testimony I meane of a good conscience would then be as a delightsome feast a most heauenly banquet vnto him It would be sweete musicke and a pleasant melodie within him Neuer did he tast of such iuncats as these would be to his hungry soule and to his fainting spirits It would be as it were Manna from heauen and water of life out of the Sanctuarie of God to refresh and to reuiue him when hee were almost dead Neuer did he heare any musicke that so much delighted him Oh how would it cheere vp his soule and refresh his minde causing him to breake foorth into that speech of the holie Prophet Why art thou so cast downe O my soule why art thou so disquieted so troubled within me O put thy trust in God euen thy God reioyce yea againe reioyce in him for loe as he hath promised hee will send foorth his light and his truth which shal leade thee bring thee safely vnto his holy mountaine and vnto his dwelling place Lo he wil plenteously reward thee receiuing thee presently into his heauenly palace and set thee vpon a Throne and crowne thee with glorie and immortalitie Or to say with that ancient and religious Father Goe foorth ô my soule what fearest thou why art thou danted or any waies dismaied Goe foorth what needest thou to feare Commit thy selfe vnto him who as he is a faithfull Creator so is hee also a liberall rewarder of all them that delight in well doing Behold thou hast fought a good fight thou hast finished thy course thou hast endeuoured to keepe faith and a good conscience and to serue God in truth vprightnes and sinceritie all thy daies So therefore those heauenly ministers the Angels of God who haue heretofore attended vpon thee are now ready waiting for thee eueâ— to embrace thee wiâ—â— their armes and to câ—râ—ie thee with ioy and triumph into that heauenly citie that celestiall paradise that new Hierusalem where thou shalt enioy the blessed presence of that glorious God aâ—d the comfortable societie and compaâ—â—â— oâ— al the Saints and Angels who desire and expect thy comming and with whom thou shalt liue and conuerâ—e in heauenly manner being â—â—tisfied with fulnes of ioy blâ—sse and happinesse for euermore This is the comfort which a good conscience will giue as thoroughout the whole life in the daies of triall and afflictioÌ„ so
it more grieuous vnto me lest I fainted vnder it The liues of the Saints of old and men now a daies how different they are O What differēce is there betweene our liues and the liues of the Saints and holie men of God recorded in scriptures and other writings wherin their examples are commended vnto vs as paterns and presidents to follow in so many rare and excellent vertues as they haue gone before vs and left the memorie of them behinde them as a light to shine vnto vs who walke in the darknes of this world in the middest of such a peruerse and crooked generation among whom we should shine as they haue done Sure when I lay our examples vnto theirs and compare our liues with theirs me thinkes that many euen of those who are esteemed as the best Christians deserue little more then the name of halfe Christians or at least but of weake ones and nouices in this holy profession so farre doe they come short of that which wee see to haue been in them and ought to be in our selues Oh where is the holy and religious conuersation of Enoch whose whole life was a continuall walking in the presence of the glorious God and a daily conuersing familiar acquainting himselfe with him in the carefull and conscionable discharge of all those duties which he required of him Where is the faith of Abraham by which as he well deserued to be accounted the father of vs all that are true beleeuers so also he obteined this as a singular prerogatiue and euidence of the extraordinarie grace and fauour of God towards him to be called and reputed in an especiall maner the friend of God Where is the meeknesse of Moses where is the patience and constancie of Iob in the middest of so many and that so fiery trialls for which the Lord did so plētifully reward him when there seemed almost to be no hope for him and caused his example to be famous among all them that should heare of him Where is the holy zeale of Dauid whose eyes did not drop but euen gush forth as it were riuers of teares and his heart euen consume within him whiles he sawe the wicked trāsgresse the Lawes of God whom he loued so dearely and euen with iust Lot vexed his righteous soule from day to day whiles he beheld the vnlawfull deeds and wicked abominations whereby the Lord was prouoked euerie day Where is his vprightnes and sinceritie in the worship and seruice of God for which the Lord graced him with this title that he was a man after Gods own heart Where is the delight that he tooke in the commandements of God wherin he found such sweetnes that all things els were nothing so pleasing vnto him nor so much desired of him Where is that holy deuotion which proceeded from his pure minde his sanctified heart and his heauenly affections in such sort that night and day continually vpon al occasions he breathed foorth those sweete hymnes and most pleasant songs and ditties of laud and praise vnto the Lord for all his benefits as to himselfe in particular so to the whole Church and all the Saints in generall prouoking them likewise and all creatures to do the same with the same affection Where is the integritie and vprightnes of Iosiah and Ezekiah who walked before the Lord in truth and with a perfect heart doing that alwaies which was good in his sight without all guile dissimulation Where is that conscionable practise of a godly and of a Christian life that was in Paul whose desire and endeuour was to haue alwaies a cleere conscience towards God and towards men and to haue his conuersation in the world in simplicitie and godly purenes Or where is the heauenly mindednes of the same Apostle who whiles hee liued in the world yet carried himselfe as one that was of another world hauing his conuersation in heauen from thence expecting and looking for continually the glorious appearance of our blessed Sauiour for the accomplishment of his redemption Or where is there that earnest desire of the conuersion and saluation of others which so manifestly shewed foorth it selfe in him in that it was not only the prayer of his heart but that which he aimed at in all his actions and sought for by all meanes and which that hee might attaine vnto hee thought no labour no trauell painfull or grieuous no nor yet esteemed his life it selfe deare vnto him euen that he might win many vnto Christ bringing thē vnto the knowledge and obedience of the truth that so their soules might bee saued in the day of iudgement Or where is the pietie and deuotion of that religious Gentill who although he wanted the meanes which wee now haue in more plentifull manner yet hath this commendation giuen vnto him that he was a man fearing God himselfe and carefull to haue his whole household and all those that belonged vnto him acquainted with true religion and godlinesse and withal that he caused his prayers and his almes to ascend continually into the presence of God so that the Lord tooke pleasure and delight in him and reuealed himselfe more cleerely and euidently vnto him by the ministerie of his messenger which hee sent vnto him for that purpose Or where is the forwardnes of those noble Beroeans in receiuing the word with all readines and enquiring and searching into the Scriptures from day to day that they might know embrace the truth preached and being well grounded and setled in it continue stedfast and vnmoueable in the profession of it notwithstanding the opposition of all false Teachers and seducing aduersaries Or where is there one like the first Martyr S. Stephen a man full of faith and of the holie Ghost and of that vnfained loue and charitie as to continue praying for his deadly enemies vnto the last breath Or where bee there any that haue that entire and louing affection vnto all the brethrē euen to all the Saints which that beloued Disciple of Christ and fatherly Apostle S. Iohn breathes foorth as it were thoroughout all his Epistles and whereof no doubt he had receiued so great a measure that he desired nothing more then that as hee did so others also might abound in the same grace and thereby vpon good ground be well assured that they were borne of God and translated from death to life In briefe where are they that with the Prophets Apostles Martyrs and other holie men and faithfull seruants of God in former times addresse themselues with all readines willingnes and cheerfulnes to serue the Lord both day and night in watchings in fasting and praier in diuine and heauenly meditations and in the daily exercise of al the duties of a holie and religious course being content if the will of God bee so to passe thorough that fierie triall with patience and perseuerance to bee reuiled disgraced hated persecuted made a gazing stocke to the world yea euen as the filth of the world
one minute then of that which is eternall and shall neuer haue an end but continue for euer in such glorie the enioying whereof one moment is better then all the glorie pleasures and delights of this life whereof any man is or can bee made partaker in this world yea though hee liue long and see many daies and wants nothing of those things heere below which seeme most pretious and glorious in the eyes of men What should I say more We are more troubled with the feare and dread of our naturall death the death of our bodies which if our liues were such as they ought to be would be more desired then feared of vs being the entrāce into that promised rest and happinesse then of the death of our spirits yea of our soules and bodies euen that fearfull most dreadful death which is the second death when as the soule presently after the dissolution and separation of it from the bodie in the end of this life and both soule and bodie euen the whole man immediatly after the day of iudgement hauing receiued their finall doome shall bee deliuered vp vnto eternall death and condemnation in hell where they shall be punished with euerlasting perdition from the presence of the Lord and from the glorie of his power Surely many such there be in al places who haue so small sense and feeling of the greatest euils both present and imminent that are more grieued and troubled for the approching of some lesser euill then of the greatest miserie that can possibly befall a man the very remembrance and consideration whereof were enough to breed a horror and astonishment in the minde of the hardiest the most obstinate and impenitent sinner if he should haue a right apprehension of it Oh the follie of such men who seeth not how Satan hath blinded and besotted them that they should bee as those who haue no vnderstanding no discerning of things that differ so exceedingly O blessed Lord open their eyes that they may haue a sight of their greatest miseries touch their hearts that they may haue a feeling of that which should bee their greatest griefe and wherewith they should be most affected And keepe thy seruants from falling at any time into that vaine and foolish opinion and imagination of theirs Let vs alwaies feare thy displeasure more then the angrie countenance of any mortall man whatsoeuer let vs be more afraid to be despised and reiected of thee or to bee such as thou takest no pleasure no delight in then to be disgraced and contemned of the whole world esteemed the filth and ofscouring of all things men vnworthie to liue vpon the earth let vs chuse rather to incurre the daunger of the losse of our goods lands substance and to bee content to haue our outward estate in this world much impaired yea altogether wasted and brought euen to nothing rather then once willingly to hazard our euerlasting estate in the world to come by bringing our selues into daunger of the losse of those vnsearchable riches and treasures of life glorie and endlesse felicitie euen those farre more excellent and glorious things which thou hast promised and prepared for all thy Saints in that heauenlie kingdome Let vs not feare the death of these mortall bodies of ours which are but dust and shall returne to the earth of which they are framed let not the remēbrance thereof trouble vs or bee any waies grieuous and bitter vnto vs nay rather let vs reioyce in it and long for it and that with an earnest desire seeing it shall be a passage vnto vs from this life vnto a better but let vs feare auoid those things which might cause the death of our soules yea let vs so feare hell death and destruction that we may be full assured we shall escape them and when this life of ours is ended be translated into that place where thou dwellest in fulnes of glorie and maiestie and liue and raigne with thee in the heauens for euermore Amen The Lords seruice the greatest freedome TO be in the Lords seruice is the greatest freedome yea the greatest priuiledge and most excellēt prerogatiue that men can attaine vnto in this world It is a verie honourable and glorious calling no earthly dignitie office or prehemencie whatsoeuer to be compared vnto it The Angells of heauen those celestiall creatures account it as it is indeed their crowne and their greatest glorie that wherein they finde cause of continuall ioy and reioycing Why then should any man a worme of the earth esteeme so meanly of it as many do yea thinke it to be a burden which he is loth to take vpon him a bondage which it is grieuous to him to vndergoe yea a disgrace and reproch which he is vnwilling to sustaine Oh that vaine man should be so degenerate and base minded as to haue so meane a◠conceite of that which he ought so highly to prize that he should suppose the seruice of the great king and monarch of the whole world the most high God wherein the most excellent creatures do glorie to be base and contemptible that he should thinke it a dishonour and disparagment vnto him to professe himselfe to be a dutiful and obedient seruant vnto the Lord of heauen the mightie possessour of all things to whom all knees are to bowe and whom all creatures must adore when as he accounteth it an honour and a grace vnto him to be reputed an inferior seruant vnto his minister and vicegerent vpon earth and no small priuiledge to be in any office vnder him yea that he should be such a miscreant as to despise that which if he were not strangely blinded and extremely besotted he would think himself happie that he might haue it once vouchsafed and granted vnto him O blessed Lord how great is thy goodnesse and thy mercie towards me in that it hath pleased thee to take me into thy seruice how much am I bound vnto thee for this fauour which thou hast shewed vnto me who by reason of my sinnes whereby I haue from time to time dishonoured thee am altogether vnworthie to be called thy seruant or once to be reckoned amongst the least and meanest of those vnto whom thou hast vouchsafed this so great a priuiledge so glorious a dignitie and prerogatiue Oh that I were able to performe that seruice which is due vnto thee and which thou requirest of me Thou art my Lord and my God vnto whom I owe all dutie all homage and loyaltie thou onely art worthie to be serued worshipped and glorified of all creatures both in heauen and in earth I acknowledge that all that I can possible doe is lesse then that which my dutie and thy loue and goodnesse bindeth me vnto and which thou mayest well expect of me It is the desire of my heart to be found euery way obedient and faithfull vnto thee yea to serue thee with al my strēgth with all my might and that vnto the end of my
dayes O Let it please thee who art able to doe all things to make a gracious supplie of that which thou seest to be wanting in me and wherein through weakenesse and infirmitie I am subiect to faile most to helpe and to assist me through the powerfull working of thy blessed spirit without which I am able to doe nothing The extreame follie of men in hazarding the eternall estate of their soules for the enioying of the vaine pleasures of this world O How vaine how momentarie and deceitfull are all earthly pleasures and delights euen then when any enioyeth all that his heart can wish or desire or whereunto his minde standeth most affected They are all as smoake or as a shadowe they vanish suddenlie and come to nothing and when they are gone they are as if they had neuer been euen the remembrance of them doth perish and passe away And whiles that a man hath the vse of them yet doth he not finde any true delight or contentment in them yea it may well be doubted whether he tasteth of more sowre or sweet more honey or gall more pleasure and delight or griefe and vexation whiles he drinketh theÌ„ downe with a greedie appetite and in an vnsatiable maner For thus the Lord vsâ—ally puts much bitternesse into their sweetest cup and mingleth trouble anguish and vexation with their chiefest delights which they most inordinatly desire and seeke after And yet loe such is the follie sottishnes of many vnto whom the Lord otherwise hath giuen vnderstanding whereby to iudge and discerne of things that differ that like vnreasonable men nay like brutish creatures that are destitute of all wisedome and knowledge for the gaining of these fruitlesse and fading vanities they sticke not to lose their owne soules then which nothing should be more deare or pretious vnto them O Lord let me not be taken in the snare of the wicked at any time let me not haue a longing and inordinate desire after those things which please them and with the loue whereof they are drawne away from that wherein their happinesse consisteth if they had eyes to see it but grant that seeing and considering daily more more the vanitie the vncertainty deceitfulnes of these earthly pleasures and worldly delights wherein most are drowned I may haue a true contempt and holy disdaine of them in comparison of those things which concerne thy kingdome and that beeing weaned from the immoderate loue and sinful desire of them I may delite my selfe in thee continually yea solace my selfe in thee alone that so I may be filled with true inward and spirituall ioy reioycing alwaies in thee who onely art the fountaine of all heauenly comfort and contentment and of all diuine consolation Deniall of a mans selfe how necessary MAn is alwaies to rest in the will of God and to yeeld himselfe in all things to be ruled and directed thereby Thereunto must he frame his will his desires yea all the affections of his heart and actions of his life he must in euery thing be swaied wholly and only by that or else he shall neuer performe acceptable obedience vnto God that wherein he is most delighted and best pleased O Lord giue me grace alwaies to denie my selfe and mine owne will and to resigne my selfe vnto thy holy and heauenly will in all things Let me will those things onely which thou willest and affect desire and enterprise nothing but that which thou hast either commanded or warranted the lawfulnes of it that so I may doe it of faith and without sinne Behold Lord I am thy seruant desirous to approue my selfe vnto thy maiestie and to please and obey thee in all things Teach me daily both to know and to doe thy will better then I haue done heretofore euen with all readines willingnes and cheerefulnes as those celestiall creatures doe which alwaies attend vpon thy presence as ministring spirits ready with all diligence and alacritie to execute whatsoeuer thou commandest Frame my heart more and more vnto the obedieÌ„ce of thy lawes and let me with all reuerence and humble submission both of soule and bodie subiect my selfe vnto thee following thee whithersoeuer thou shalt leade me and being content to be ruled directed and gouerned according vnto thy will and good pleasure in all things yea O Lord deale with me as thou pleasest and as thou knowest may be most for thy honor and glorie and for my greatest good in this life and the furtherance of my happines and saluation in the life to come through Christ my only Lord and blessed Sauiour Amen The Lord is the light and the guide of his EXcept the Lord doe inlighten the minds of meÌ„ they are as those that walk in darknes yea euen the best are ready continually to erre and to go astray if he be not their guide if he be not present to direct them and to leade them forward as it were with his hand in the right way Daily experience and obseruation maketh this so cleere and euident that none can either denie it or doubt of it O Lord I know that the way of man is not in himselfe neither is it in man to walke and to direct his steps but if thou leaue him he starteth aside wandreth like a straying sheepe O therefore be thou mercifull vnto me let thy grace and thy truth alwaies shine foorth cleerely vnto me Be thou my guide in all things going before me and directing me aright so that I may neuer bee plucked away with the error of those that fall froÌ„ thee and from thy trueth Giue mee knowledge giue mee vnderstanding teach me to doe thy will and to walke in all the pathes of thy precepts with a right foote and with all sinceritie of heart and affection yea let thy good spirit bee alwaies present to assist me and to leade me in the way wherein I should goe that so I may continue stedfastly and constantly in the knowledge and obedience of thy trueth and doe those things which may be pleasing and acceptable in thy sight and bring comfort vnto my soule and conscience both in life and in death The Lord neuer forsaketh his in the day of affliction or temptation IF the Lord at any time doth expose his children vnto any kinde of miserie or affliction if he suffer them to fall into diuers and grieuous temptatioÌ„s he meaneth them no hurt therein neither is hee therefore to be thought an enemie or to haue lessened his care and louing affection towards them but rather he doth all this for their good yea for their great benefite though they for the present cannot easily discerne it not beeing so well acquainted with the Lords dealings and proceedings with whom it is an ordinarie and no vnusuall thing to proue and exercise his euen his most beloued ones sundrie wayes and in diuers maners His loue is as great towards theÌ„ when he seemeth to be their enemie as when he carrieth himselfe most friendly