holinesse Mark 12.31.33 Let your conuersation be without couetousnesse be content with those thinges that ye haue Heb. 13 5. Godlinesse is great gaine if a man be content with that he hath Religion is the true riches 1. Tim. 6.6 A foolish mans foote is soone in his neighbours house but a man of experience is ashamed to looke in Eccles. 21.22 Follow not thy lusts but turne thee from thine owne appetites for if thou giuest thy soule her desires it shall make thine enimies that enuie thee to laugh thee to scorne Eccle. 18.30 Let not sinne therefore reigne in your mortall body that ye should obey it in the lustes thereof The mind first ministreth euill motions wherby mans will is enticed thence burst foorth the lustes by them the body is prouoked and the body by his actions doth sollicite the minde therfore we are commanded at the least to rule our bodies Rom. 6.12 Sit not at al with another mans wife neither ly with her vpon the bed nor banquet with her least thine heart incline vnto her and so through thy desire fall into destruccion Eccl. 9 11. Giue me thy vineyard that I may make me a garden of hearbes thereof c. Achabs inordinate lust after Naboths inheritance sharpely punished 1. Kin. 21.2.4.6 c. If mine heart hath been deceiued by a woman to lust after her or if I haue laid waite at the doore of my neighbour let my wife grinde vnto another man and let other men bowe downe vpon her To abuse her Iob. 31.9.10 The leprosie therefore of Naaman shall cleaue vnto thee to thy séed for euer To be an example to all such as by whose couetousnes Gods word might be slaundered because Gehazi was the seruant of Elisha the Prophet named in Scripture The man of God 2. King 5.27 Lord haue mercie vpon vs and by the operation of thy holy Spirit incline our heartes to keepe these Lawes Amen The necessarie appurtenances belonging to this Conduit The Cesterne to this Conduit A Cesterne to this Conduit of Comfort must haue The water thence flowing vnsoyled to saue Of this vnprouided no Christian should bee The nature and vertue thereof if they see And therefore neglect not so precious a thing Which beside other benefites Gods blessing doth bring A Cesterne is required heere To keepe this Conduit-water cleere For precious Pearles and Oyntment sweet Must places haue for them most meete Haue care to keepe thy Conscience cleane This is the Cesterne which I meane It must be swept it must be scowrd Before this water in be powrd Pure wine which hath a fragrant in all Into a Pot not sauouring well The Wine will change the vertue gon This hurt doth follow therevpon Euen so a Conscience soyld with sinne Corrupt and cankred all within With diuelish thoughts vngodly lusts Vile auarice in wealth which trustes Neglecting God the well of wealth And vnto his the horne of health A Conscience staind and blemisht thus If we perceiue to lodge in vs The grace of God ecclipsed is So that we must needs doe amisse For leâ— vs learne and beare away Our conscience doth our deedes bewray And layeth load with heaue and shoue At vs before the Lord aboue And as in Courtes where Iudges sit The custome is not to acquit Vh'offender of his foule offence Except there come in euidence And make his cauâ—e vpright and good Dischargd is he trueth vnderstood Euen so it fares with euerie one whose sinnes to such excesse is growne That in themselues their conscience sits And Serpent like against them spits Ten thousand thousand sore complaintes And with sharpe torments them attaines Thus doth their conscience them arraine And to confesse doth them constraine All such misdeedes as they haue done So that into Gods curse they runne Which threatens death and hell to such As of this world haue made so much That truth contemnd lies vnder foote The plants thereof rent vp by roote Gods word and will is set at nought An euill conscience this hath wrought A conscience voyd of Gods good grace Not hell it selfe so ill a place This is the worme which euer gnawes The corsiue salue which sharply drawes This is the fire which fiercely burnes And all our ioyes to torments turnes In such a place no rest can dwell And why it is a verie Hell O well are they that liue vpright Pleasing the Lord with all their mi Keeping his law hearing his word To cut downe sinne the spirituall sword For why all such shall feele within A conscience cleare from spots of sinne And puâ—ifide it may persume The fragrant flowers and sweete perfume Of godlie praier vnto the Lord To sacrifice with heartie accord This is the Cesterne marke it well Of dregs or leeze which must not smell For if it doe this Conduit spout No drop of comfort yeeldeth out A conscience pure therefore possesse And things amisse with speed redresse Least this sweete Conduit being shut From hope of comfort thou be put In summe if thou Gods child wilt be And wouldst that prayer should comfort thee Prepare thy heart thy minde apply Thy conscience seeke to sanctifie Amend thy life imbrace that 's good And fire thy fayth on Christes blood Then shall thy prayers sweetly smell Before the Lord and like him well And thou shalt haue thy hearts desire And vnto hope of health aspire Which grant O God vnto vs all To whom by fayth for grace we call That we may pray and praying please Thy Godhead and thy wrath appease O people we thrice happy then Graunt this O God Amen Amen The Pipe to this Conduit A Pipe to this Conduit by leuell is layd where through pleasant liquor of life is conuaid This Pipe and the Cesterne are ioyned in one Both must be imbraced or both let alone Which that with reâ—oycing each christian may doe Th' almightie by prayer must be sued nto THe Pipe is peace more worth then Gold A Iewell for no riches sold. It is not peace twiâ—t King and King Although this be a precious thing For where in peace Kings weare the Crowne There all dissention is cast downe There people liue in hearty loue There is no cause to fend and proue Their high estates such dutie haue As their degrees and callings craue Th' inferiour knowes and vnderstands What their superiours state demaunds The baser to the better bowes And seruice due likewise allowes There is no grudge there is no strife Where people passe in peace their life The seedes which we in soyle doe sow Spring vp and spread increase and grow Vnto our charge we haue an eye Our labours doe our lackes supply We worship God His name we feare And to our Prince true heartes we beare Among our selues in loue we liue These are the fruits which peace doth giue But yet the peace which doth surmount All precious thinges that we can count It is not peace twixt man and man Which no long time continue can It is
great prosperity All the blessings of God belonging to this life hee had them in abundāce yet all turned into neede and beggerie Miserable was his estate yea most vile and filthy in the face of the world yet God cast vpon him a carefull eye Bee mindfull of these things for profite insueth therevpon and in thy pouerty arso learne to be patient and méeke End not thy dayes in despaire as the wicked doe seeke not by vnpatience violence to preuent Gods appoynment tarrie the time which thy Creatour hath ordeyned it is thine mine and all our duties to yeeld our willes to Gods will waite his leasure therefore whose name be praysed for euermore Amen Loue euery man owe no man grudge God sits aboue as soueraigne Iudge He seeth all thinges aboue below And euery where an eye doth throw WRath is the way to vengeance a foule and diuelish vice disallowed of God and horrible among men It is a Fire which consumeth a Canker which eateth a Mouth which fretteth the marke whereat it shooteth is Mischiefe Let not thy heart lie open therevnto least the Diuell thereby getting entraunce possesse thée and carry thée headlong into confusion Lay apart all occasions of grudge hate no man loue al men knowing this That Loue is the fulfilling of Gods law Iudge ill of none thinke well of all for God reserueth iudgement and vengeance vnto himselfe Against thine enemies vse not violence but rather in charity as thou art commaunded vse forbearance Make the best of that which is amisse for therein thou shalt shew thy selfe méeke howbeit winke not at wickednesse Looke vp vnto Heauen and thinke vpon him that sits aboue séeing and marking the thoughts déeds of all men All thinges are manifest vnto him yea whatsoeuer we doe in corners he séeth as plainly as at noone day Mocke not thy selfe therfore with thine owne imaginations neither be thou seduced in the vanitie of thine owne fantasies· Be not forgetfull of him who vttered this voyce Heauen is my seate and the Earth my footstole Euerlasting prayse be ascribed vnto his name glorie maiestie and power belongeth vnto him for euermore Amen In that we haue the world at will And take delight to follow ill Neglecting God in holy word Against our soules we whet a sword WHat doth it profit a man to be Lord ouer the whole World and yet to be the seruant and slaue of sinne It is euen as if we should mingle poyson with swéet dainties in tasting them to swellowe downe our owne death Let not thy minde therefore be drowned in the vaine delights of this world but vse them as they are made euen with modestie Lay not inwait for them to enioy them with excesse least they turne thée to destruction vtter vndoing In the Rich man view a patterne of wantonesse who forgetting mercie felt the heate of Gods heauie iudgement Amidest the scorching flames he lay crying without comfort because he abused the benefits of Gods creation Making them instrumentes to serue his beastly appetites neglecting in the meane time all deedes of Christian charitie Let not vs be so rauished with worldly pleasures that we forgetting GOD should disherite our selues of th'heauenly inheritance As the rich man did who in the midst of his banquetting viandes and pleasant melodie despised the poore Most mortall enemies to our selues are we in so doing and stopping our eares at the word of God wee weaue our owne woe Because the word of life through our default is made vnto vs the sword of death which doth strike downe to hell Eternall God and most mercifull Father illuminate our vnderstandinges inspire vs with heauenly knowledge lighten our wittes and giue vs grace to be spiritually minded that we may vse thy giftes blessinges and benefites to the glory of thy name Amen A day there is when all shall rise Out of their Graues in wonderous wise The elect of God long for that day Come come O Christ come soone we say WRetched were wee if there were not an other World besides this wicked World transitorie and corruptible In a miserable case were we if the children of God whom we hope our selues to be wayted in vaine for another world Lamentable were our lot yea accursed our condition if our happinesse were not the life to come Looke we in wast for the comming of our Christ No no he will come at the sound of the last Trumpe from Heauen In maiestie will he come to iudge the whole world and to giue generall sentence against the wicked and vnrighteous All shall rise out of their graues and shall see him with their bodily eyes the iust to their ioy the vngodly to their paine Many legions of Angels shall attent vpon him and shall shew the brightenesse of his glory maiestie and celestiall power Lord Iesus thy chosen children long to see that day yea they labour and are in trauel vntill that day of comfort come Abridge shorten these troublesome times wherein thy children are set at naught and hasten the day of their resurrection Make speed sweet Iesus come quicklie that the kingdome of Satan may be ouerthrowne and the powers infernall suppresed Be mindefull of thy faithfull flocke which wander vp and downe in this wildernesse like Lambes among venomous wolues Ende the daies of this our mortalitie and let vs heare that sweete voyce Come yee blessed possesse the Kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the world Amen Amen The Seauen Petitions of the Lords Prayer with a briefe exposition thereof drawne out of holy Scripture Our Father which art in Heauen DOubtlesse thou art our Father Although Abraham bee ignorant of vs or would refuse vs to bee his children and Israell know vs not yet thou O Lord art our Father and our Redéemer thy name is for euer Esay 63.16 There is one Lord one Faith one Baptisme one God Father of all which is aboue all in power through all by his prouidence in vs all by his grace Ephes. 4.5.6 The Lord is in his holie palace the Lords throne is in the heauen his eies will consider the poore and his eie-lids will trie the children of men Psal. 11.4 The heaurn is my throne and the earth is my footstoole such is the greatnesse of Gods Maiestie Esaie 66.1 But our conuersation is in Heauen in minde and affection from whence also we looke for the Sauiour euen the Lord Iesus Christ. Philip. 3.22 1. Halowed be thy name OVr help is in the name of the Lord which hath made Heauen and Earth Psal. 124.8 The Lords name be praised from the rising of the Sunn to the going downe of the same Psal. 113.3 Kinges of the earth and all people Princes and all Iudges of the World Young men and Maydes also Old men and Children let them prayse the name of the Lord for his name only is to be exalted and his prayse aboue the earth the heauens Psal. 148.11.12.13 2. Thy Kingdome come THe kingdome
to come to passe then looke vp and lift vp your heades for your redemption draweth neere The effect of that redemption shall appeare which Iesus Christ hath purchased Luk. 21.27.28 8. I beleeue in the holy Ghost GOe therefore and teach all nations baptising them in the name of the Father and the Sonne the holy Ghost Matth. 28.19 But the Comforter which is the holy Ghost whom the Father wil send in my name he shall teach you all things and bring all thinges to your remembrance which I haue told you Iohn 14.26 This holy Ghost is called somtime The spirit of truth proceeding from the Father because hee worketh the truth in vs. Iohn 14.17 15.26 some time the Spirit of the Father speaking in his Ministers Matth. 10.20 sometime the Spirit of the Sonne Rom. 8.9 sometime the good Spirit Psal. 143.10 sometime an holy Oyntment 1. Iohn 2.20 sometime a Comforter Iohn 14.16 15.26 16.7 sometime the earnest of our Inheritaunce The holy Ghost is the gage or pledge of our second redemption which shall be at the possession of our inheritance in heaued Ephes. 1.14 somtime the earnest of the Spirit in our heartes 2. Cor. 1.22 No man can say that Iesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost 1. Cor. 12.3 9. The holy Catholik Church the Communion of Saints CHrist loued his Church and gaue himselfe for it that he might sanctifie it and cleanse it by the washing of water through the word Baptisme is a token of the Churches consecration that he might make it vnto himselfe a glorious Church not hauing spot or wrinckle because it is couered and clad with his righteousnesse and holinesse that it should be holie and without blame Ephes. 5.27 I am the Rose of the field and the Lillie of the vallies like a Lillie among the thornes so is my Loue among the doughters c. Christ preferreth his Church aboue all other thinges Cant. 2.1.2 For other foundation can no man lay then that which is layd which is Iesus Christ. 1. Cor. 3.11 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God that the spirit of God dwelleth in you 1. Cor. 3.16 In this Church are many members but one body in Christ Rom. 12.4.5 1 Cor. 6.15 Let vs follow the truth in loue and in al things grow vp into him which is the head that is Christ. Christ being head oâ— his Church nourisheth his members and ioyneth them togeather by ioynts c. Ephe. 4.15 Christ is the head of the body of the Church Col. 1.18 Now reioyce I in my sufferings for you or your commoditie and fulfil the rest of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for Christ suffereth dayly in his members as partaker of their infirmities and therefore a reuenger of their iniuries for his body sake which is the Church Coloss. 1.24 the edification of the Church is heere ment There are many members but one body 1. Cor. 12 20. Now ye are the body of Christ and members for your part For all Churches dispersed throughout the world are diuers members of one bodie 1. Cor. 12.27 God is not the author of confusion but of peace as we see in all the Churches of the Saints 1. Cor. 14.33 10 The forgiuenes of sinnes WHose sinnes so euer ye remit they are remitted and whose sinnes soeuer ye retaine they are retained Iohn 20.23 He that shall beleeue and be baptised shall be saued but he that will not beléeue shal be damned Luk. 16.16 It behoued Christ to suffer and to rise againe from the dead the third day and that repentance and remission of sinnes should be preached in his name among all nations Luk. 24.46.47 And GOD saw their workes that they turned from their euil wayes the fruites of their repentance proceeding of fayth planted by the Prophets preaching to the people of Niniueth and God repented of the euill that he had said that hee would doe vnto them and hee did it not Ionah 3.10 Stand in the wayes and behold and aske for the old way wherein the Patriarches and prophets walked directed by the word of God signifying that there is no true way but that which God prescribeth which is the good way and walke therein and ye shall finde rest for your soules Ierem. 6.16 11. The resuâ—rection of the body FOr since by Man came death by Man came also the resurrectioÌ„ of the dead 1. Cor. 15.21 Behold I shew you a secret thing We shall not all sleepe but we shall all be changed in a moment in the twinckling of an eye at the last trumpet for the trumpet shall blow and the dead shall be raysed vp incorruptible we shall be changed When the Lord commeth to iudgement some of the Saints shall be aliue whoÌ„ he will change euen as if they were dead so that this change shall be to them in stead of death 1. Cor. 15.51.52 The Lord himselfe shall descend from heauen with a shoute and with the voice of Th'archangel and with the trumpet of God the dead in Christ shal rise first Then shall we which liue remaine euen we which are aliue or shall be then found liuing be brought vp with them also in the cloudes to meete the Lord in the ayre and so shall wée be euer with the Lord. In this sodaine taking vp there shall be a kinde of change of the qualities of our body which shall be as a kind of death 1. Thes. 16.17 And he shall send his Angels with a great sound of a trumpet and they shal gather togeather his elect from the foure windes and from the one end of the heauen vnto the other c. Matth 24.31 And though after my skin Wormes destroy my body yet shall I sée God in my flesh whom I my selfe shall sée and mine eies shall behold and none other for me though my reines are consumed within mee Iobs full hope that both soule and body should enioy the presence of God in the last resurrection Iob. 19.26.27 I know that he shall rise againe in the resurrection at the last day The words of Martha to Iesus concerning dead Lazarus The errour of the Sadduces men marueilous quidditiue concerning the resurrection is here confuted Iohn 11.14 12. And the life euerlasting Amen I Am the resurrection and the life Christ restoreth vs from death to giue vs euerlasting life hée that beléeueth in me though he were dead yet shal he liue And whosoeuer liueth and beleeueth in me shall neuer die Iohn 11.25.26 I am the liuing bread which giue life to the world which came downe from heaven if any man eate of this bread hée shall liue for euer and the bread that I giue you is my flesh which I will giue for the life of the world Iohn 9.51 Thou hast the wordes of eternall life Then without Christ there is but death for his word onely leadeth vs to life Joh. 6.68 This is the will of him that sent me that euery one which séeth
increase the same making thy glory the marke wherat to direct all my doings and thy word the rule to kéepe me within the compasse of thy will O Christ heare me O heare me sweet Sauiour which art the Well of life whereof whosoeuer tasteth hee shall neuer see Death Heare me O gracious Redéemer and let me féele inwardly the fruits of my faithfull prayer Amen A Prayer for Loue and Vnitie with all men To liue in loue all men among Giue grace O Christ to old and young LOrd Iesus thou Patterne of true and vnfeined loue yea of loue leading to life euerlasting without whom there can bee no loue or concord amōg men I beseech thee to heare the prayer of me thy poore seruant and that which I aske in spirit vouchsafe to giue me of thy free mercy And because loue is the fulfilling of the Law and the seale of saluation to the consciences of all Christians Furthermore for so much as thou hast commaunded vs to doe good to all men which cannot be vnlesse loue be the lampe to giue vs light I beséech thée to fill my heart with that loue yea to poure that loue abundantly into the hearts of all both old and yong that we may first and principally loue Almightie God the Father thée O Christ the Sonne and the holy Ghost with such a loue as is loath to turne the fauor of God into displeasure his gentlenesse into rigour his mercy into iudgement and his forbearance into vengeance Secondly to loue my Soueraigne Prince whom I am bound in conscience to obey to loue my superiors to loue mine equals to loue mine inferiors to loue mine enemies Finally to loue all and hate none that by this meanes I may dwel in God the Fountaine of loue who of méere loue for the saluation of the soule of man sent thee O my Sauiour into the world to suffer death vp on the crosse euen in the face of his enimies and persecutors Grant this O Christ to whom with the Father and the holie Ghost be all praise and glory for euermore Amen A Prayer for the hearing and true vnderstanding of the word of God To heare thy word and liue therein Vs to renew O Lord begin LIghten my heart O Lord GOD with the lampe of thy holy and blessed word which is the weapon of euery true Christian souldier and the sword of the spirit to cut off all the temptations of the Diuell the world and the flesh if it be vsed according to thy wil O Lord which art the giuer and author of the same And for so much O Lord as thy worde is the rule whereby wée are bound to direct all our doings and the square whereat to frame the whole course of our life I beséech thée to circumcise my heart that all carnall cogitations and thoughtes expelled and driuen out I may betake my selfe wholy vnto the reading hearing studying folowing of thy word which is the food of our soules the comfortable bread which killeth hunger and the pleasant drinke which quencheth thirst not the hunger thirst of the body against the which it hath pleased thée to prouide most healthfull remedies but the hunger and thirst of the soule which are no way else asswaged but by the vertue and heauenly working of thy word This word O Lord vouchsafe to make florish and fruitifie in vs that thereby wee may bée wonne to the worshipping of thée in true feare vnfained faith and perfect holinesse of life through Iesus Christ our Sauiour Amen A Praier to God for forgiuenesse of manifold and grieuous sinnes My heart vncleane Lord circumcise And make my soule thy sacrifice IN sinne O Lord was my conception in sinne my education in sinne the whole course of my life Nothing is cleane and vnspotted in mée nothing is sound nothing perfect nothing holy nothing sanctified I am full of sinne and iniquitie my thoughts desires are attainted with sinne my labours and handy works are defiled with wickednes my words and communications are tempered with the leauen of iniquity my hart is corrupt putrified there is nothing sound in me but all mine entrails are infected and poysoned with sin the high way to euerlasting shame death and condemnation O miserable wretch that I am to whom shall I run for succour To whom shall I make my sorrowes knowne Before whom shall I powre my plaintes Art not thou the Samaritane which with the oyle of mercie souplest my festered woundes Art not thou the good Sephearde which bringest home the straying Shéepe to the shéepefold Art not thou the good Captaine which fightest in defence of thy Souldiers O yes Lord thou art euen he and doubtlesse had not the oyle of thy mercy healed my filthy Botches had not thy hand fetcht me home to the flocke had not thy loue and grace ouer shadowed me in danger I had rotted in my filthinesse I had perished in my wandering and I had béen vtterly ouerthrowne in combate O Lord my God circumcise my heart and clense it from all euill thoughts deuises imaginations consentes to sinne Sanctifie my soule renew my spirit and garnish mée with the garment of regeneration that I may become a swéete smelling sacrifice before thée a sacrifice of acceptable incense a sacrifice of holines righteousnes so shall I prayse thée in the assemblie of the iust extoll thy glorious name among thy people Amen A Prayer for to be setled in the Truth Thy Truth send downe Lord from aboue And giue me grace the same to loue ACcording to thy louing kindnesse O Christ heare the praiers of thy seruant that request which Hope inboldeneth mee to make vouchsafe in mercy to grant And because the Deuill is the father of all falshood and lying and thou the fountaine of all truth and righteousnes as thou saiest of thy selfe I am the Way the Truth and the Life therefore I beseech thee O gracious God Sauiour to plant in me the Trueth without the which all entrance into heauenly ioy is stopt vp to banish out of my heart which by nature is a nest of wickednesse all maner of sinne resisting the Truth And for so much as Truth is a pearle of price and a Iewell of great value to the godly the ornament of the faythful and the treasure of the true Christian therefore I beséech thée O Christ giue me grace to thirst after truth to hunger after the taste of that heauenly foode that my desiring soule may be succoured my longing heart refreshed euen with the fulnes of the same And wheras by nature we are bōdslaues of sinne and by that meanes vtter enemies of truth we beseech thee notwithstanding to make vs partakers of mercy and not of iudgement remembring that thy death and bloodshed paid the price of redemption for all mankinde Thou God of truth heare my prayer and let the suite of me thy poore Seruant come before thy presence and that which I haue asked with
infinite goodnes thou soueraigne Law-giuer to arme our harts with the ful furniture of obedience that we may first and principally feare thée which art our Creatour and in thée thy Sonne our Redéemer and in both the holy Ghost our Comforter This if we do as it is not vnlike we shal if thy grace gouerne vs our wils wits shal be brought into such subiection that whatsoeuer duties earthly Magistrates bind vs vnto by Law commandement so the same be not to thy dishonour there shall want no readinesse in vs to fulfill and accomplish Vouchsafe therefore O heauenly Father to keepe vs in thy feare to limit vs within the bounds of true obedience both to thée O our GOD and also to our superiours and betters that whatsoeuer is required of vs in the way of godly submisson and reuerence we murmur not thereat but doe our endeauours therin with all zeale and earnestnesse Amen A Prayer for true and hearty repentance Repentance for our foule misdeeds Graunt vs O God whose grace exceeds WE wretched outlaws O Lord God cast our selus along before thy mercie seate beséeching thée to inspire our minds with perfect wisedome and to arme vs with the true and liuely knowledge of thy Law that both in body also in soule we may walke the way of thy Commandementes and Testimonies So gouerne vs by thy Grace O God and so conduct vs by thy louing kindnesse that being throughly informed and reformed to thy Law we may be stricken inwardly with a godly feare and Christian trembling of transgressing thy preceptes which thou hast appoynted vnto vs in this darke palpable time of securitie and wickednes when all people and nations for the most part stumble at the blockes of their owne sinnes to be a lanterne to lighten our féete and the day starre to direct all our doings And though wée can not of our selues such is the infirmitie of our nature and weaknes of our flesh but fall into the snares of sinne yet wée humbly beséech thée for thy beloued Sonnes sake Iesus Christ our Sauiour to touch our guiltie consciences with the finger of thy grace that through a sorrowfull féeling of them we may by fayth take sure and fast hold of the staffe of thy promises who made a vow to haue mercy on the ssnner repenting him of his lewd life and forsaking his iniquity Grant this O God for the comfort of thy chosen and for thy Sonnes sake Iesus Christ our Mediatour and Aduocate Amen A prayer to the Lord to turn his wrathfull displeasure away from vs. Thy wrath O Lord remember not Though such desert my sinnes allot IVdge me not O Lord in the heate of thine indignation O consume me not in the furie of thy rage I confesse that mine offences cry out for vengeance euen as a dry sandy soyle gapeth for raine Howbeit O most mercifull Father remember thy mercy and let not sentence passe in iudgement to my condemnation my sinnes haue laid out my lot euen thy vengeance O Lord I cannot say the contrary but thou hast Mercy in store which pleadeth against Iustice so that thy Wrath I hope shall not ouerthrow me though my wickednesses like waues ouerwhelme my soule O Lord heare my prayer and for the honour of thy name turne from me the punishments which thou hast denounced against mee in iudgement I am a worme and no man yea the off-scowring of men a wretch and forsaken an outcast and an alien frō the Common wealth of Israel my sinnes haue made a separation of thy fauour from me but the death of thy Sonne hath put out the handwriting and broken downe the partition wall betwixt thée and mee And therefore I come with boldnesse and confidence to thee hoping to taste the swéetnes of thy Mercy though I haue deserued the sharpnes of thy Iustice. As thou wilt O Lord so be it Amen A Prayer for a cleare and quiet Conscience A Conscience cleare from all vnrest Graunt vs O God whose name be blest LEt the light of thy coūtenance shine vpon vs most mercifull Father let the comfort of thy spirit drop into our hearts let thy fauour louing kindnesse be vnto vs a pauilion in the warfare of this life Bee thou vnto vs a gracious God and a Father inclined to compassion that whereas the horror of our sinnes and their haynousnesse together with the manifoldnesse of our offences kindleth in vs a kind of feare vnto death disquieting our consciences and raising vp within vs accusers to giue in euidence against vs for the violating breaking of thy commaundements it would please thee like a Father tenderly to deale with vs as with thy children and not like a seuere Iudge to handle vs as guilty persons giuing vs ouer and leauing vs to the spoyle of our mortall enemies Our conscience indeed layeth dayly to our charge that we haue playd the back-sliders that we haue not kept vs within the compasse of thy holy precepts that wee haue withstood thy heauenly will and like stubborne rebels denied thée the honour due vnto thy Name neuerthelesse O Lord God cast vs not off into confusion neither leaue vs to continuall torment and vexation of conscience for our sinnes but looke vpon vs with the eyes of mercy that the terrour of conscience which we feele for sinne may bee turned into rest and quietnesse least if it happen otherwise wee be driuen with Iudas into desperation From the which we beseech thee to deliuer vs for the honour of thy name O GOD Almighty Amen A Prayer to be Zealous in the hearing of the word of God To heare thy Word and loue the same Vouchsafe O Lord our hearts to frame LOuing Father gracious God forsomuch as thy word is the rule of life and the high way to happines we beséech thee to kindle in vs an earnest desire to heare the same and that not only with the outward eares of the body but with the inward eares of the heart which is the hearing in deed whereby profit and comfort is gathered Thy Word is the Sword to cut downe sinne thy Word is the weapon which thy Ministers vse to conquer the kingdome of Satan It is the felicitie of the faithfull in this life it is the stumbling blocke of offence to the wicked yea to the vncircumcised Philistine it is the sauour of death vnto death but to the circumcised Israelite it is the sauour of life vnto life Vouchsafe therefore O bountifull God to kindle in mee the fire of zeale vnto thy word that I may so estéeme and count thereof as of the chiefest treasure of a Christian in this vale of misery hauing mine eares alwayes open to heare it and my hart ready to receiue it my tongue plyant to speake of it and my mind earnest to meditate in it so shall I reape such profit thereby as thou hast prepared for them that come reuerently therunto This and all things néedfull for this life graunt O
me vile créeping worme of the earth who in comparison of thée am much woorse than stinking doung and filthy offscowring of the earth Thou dayly assistest me thou cōtinually regardest me thou euermore defendest me from dangers both bodily and ghostly for had not thy hand ouershadowed me I had sunke long since in mine owne shame and confusion And because Lord manifold are the calamities belonging to this life hurtful to the outward man noisome to the inner man I beséech thée stretch out the shield of safty in full breadth ouer me that I may walke without feare not troubled with wicked thoughtes not tempted with euill words not prouoked to deedes of darknes but keeping my feete in the path of light looking alway to the lampe of thy word which shineth vnto sinners sitting in the shadow of death and leadeth the righteous and true repentant to life euerlasting Amen A Prayer against slaunderous and euill tongues From euill Tongues which poyson spit Vouchsafe O Lord thy flocke t'acquit MOst truely spake thy seruant Saint Iames O my swéete Sauiour that the Tongue being but a little member was notwithstanding a world of wickednesse Which to be so thou knowest in thy secret counsell and thou thy selfe haddest proofe thereof whiles thou keptst thy standing in the faire of this life It pleased thée therefore to instruct and teach thine Apostles before hand what they should be subiect vnto in time to come namely to backbitings slanders acursed spéeches tauntes controlments yea to reuilings buffettings imprisonments For if they spared not the Lord and Master much lesse will it sinke into their hearts to fauour the Seruāts whom they hate vnto the death for their masters sake From euill Tongues therefore O Lord wee beseech thee to saue vs not from suffering the bitternesse which procéedeth from them for we are content to tast that which thou hast tasted before vs but from offending in our tongue which oftentimes woundeth the very soule O Lord giue vs grace to set a watch before our Tongue that we trip not in our talke hurt not onely them against whom wee are maliciously minded but also our selues whom we cānot but greatly annoy whiles we séeke either in thought word or deed to wreake our wrath vpon others considering that thou hast reserued all vengeance to thine owne selfe O Lord be gracious vnto vs and as thou art the Shepheard of our soules feeding vs in the sweete pastures of thy grace so we beséech thee to kéepe vs from all manner of spirituall diseases vs wee say which are thy people and the sheepe of thy pasture Amen A Prayer for Peace in time of Warre or other vexations In time of Warre to pray for Peace A zeale in vs O Lord increase BOuntiful Sauiour thou Sonne of the eternall God thou God of peace-vnitie and concord thou that in stead of Peace plaguest men with Warre tumultes and vprors We beseech thee to prolong peace quietnesse amongst vs not onely peace betwéene people and people but peace of Conscience that precious peace which who so wanteth he is no member of the Common-wealth of Christianitie Not onely for this peace of minde but for the other also of body we beséech thée O Lord frame our heartes aright to pray vnto thee knowing that by Prayer that thing is obtained at thine hands which is not else where to bee sought And because thou art the Author of peace without whom the whole world is set on Warre we humbly beseech thée to prosper that peace which thou hast planted in all Christian kingdomes which because thou hast for our sinnes sake taken from vs for a time sending vs in place thereof Warres and Tumults Wée giue thee thankes notwithstanding acknowledging the same to bee a punishment layd vpon vs for our sinnes and specially for abusing that Peace the benefite whereof whiles we might haue vsed to our true comfort we turned the same as we feele by due proofe at this present into bitternesse Neuerthelesse to thee we come and before thy face we fall not onely praying for the withdrawing of Warre and the restoring of our former Peace but also beséeching thée to kindle increase in vs a zeale to pray not only for Peace but for all other thy good Giftes needfull and belonging to this life to the honour and glory of thy name Amen A Prayer for deliuerance from Foes spirituall and temporall From feare and force of all our Foes Preserue vs Lord and them depose EVerlasting God whose right hand is the shield of safegard to the faythfull we beséech thée of thine vnspeakable goodnesse to looke vpon vs who are incompast round about with enemies not onely of the body but also of the soule Of the body as with swearers backbiters slaunderers fighters brawlers quarellers murtherers c Al which we that are Christians account our Foes insomuch as they are the enemies of Christ thy beloued Sonne and sworne aduersaries of thy holy Gospell Of the Soule as with Satan sinne the flesh the world the Diuell Hel death and damnation and that which we through our weakenesse cannot fulfill doe thou by thy strength supply and bring to passe that we may not onely be defended from theire force but that they and euery of them féeling the weight and greatnes of thy power may lie vanquished vnder foote cease their further assaultes for Iesus Christes sake our onely Sauiour and Redeemer Amen A prayer of a penitent soule ouerburdened with sinne A silly soule to sinne in thrall For mercy Lord to thee doe call WOunderfull wise excéeding righteous art thou in thy iudgments O God a punisher of the vngodly and a iust rewarder of the faithfull O looke vpon mée silly soule ouerwhelmed with wickednes looke vpon mée O Lord. and deliuer me For I am in thrall yea in thrall am I vnto sinne the wages whereof is death O succour me succour me Oh assist me assist me Oh saue me saue me Bitterly I complaine and am sorry for my misdeedes heauily I lament for mine iniquities vnfeignedly I repent me of my life wickedly ledde Appease thine anger O God asswage thy wrath Oh let mee be reconciled vnto thee Cast me not away whom thou hast created let not Satan triumph ouer me whom thy Son hath redeemed Be gracious O be gracious most mercifull Father and let the moystning riuer of thy Mercy quench the boyling fornace of thy Iustice that I being comforted in this life with assured taste of thy clemency may glorifie thy name with consent of heart and voice and that by mine example others may do the like Graunt this O God in Christ thy Sonne mine onely Sauiour Amen A Prayer to be freed from all Vices From Vices all defend vs Sweet Iesus and amend vs. IEsus Christ thou immaculat Lambe which wast slaine for the sinnes of the whole world that by thy death we might all be deliuered from death yea from eternall death due vnto vs by deserte of sinne And
because this world is like a Wildernesse replenished with wild beasts or rather Monsters vices I meane diuelish and damnable as pride adulterie flatterie idolatrie blasphemie disobedience stubbernesse extortion vsuries hipocrisie dissimulation enuie rancour malice murther letcherie surfetting wantonnesse and an infinite number of the like hellish rable whereto we are dayly endangered insomuch that oftentimes we are ready to be deuowred Stretch out O swéete Iesus the arming sword of thy Spirit cut them off by the wast that they may haue no power to assault vs and after this conquest wrought in vs frame vs anew by the word of regeneration that our liues being amended we may like Sheaues of pure Corne be bound vp brought into thy Barne Heare our Prayers O Christ and let our cries come vnto thée for thy name sake Amen A Prayer against vaine delights and worldly pleasures From vaine delights Lord turne mine eyes And saue my soule in losse which lyes LOrd God Creator of all things illuminate my heart with the Lampe of true vnderstanding and knowledge that although mine outward eyes slumber and sléep in the shadow of death yet the eyes of my soule may he kept waking in the way of life Direct me O Lord in thy feare guid me by thy grace turne mine eies from all vaine delights of this world preserue me from al the sweet entismēts of the flattering flesh fortifie strengthen me against all the craftie temptations of Satan And wheras my soule lieth vpō losse is not like but to be lost if if be left vnto it selfe I beseech thee O Father of mercy God of all consolation to take vpon thée the safety of the same that neither Satan my subtile aduersary nor the flesh the alluring harlot nor the world that foule ill fauor'd monster may preuayle against it but by thy power may vtterly be vanquished put to shame confusion Grant this O God for thy sonnes sake Iesus Christ my Sauiour Amen A prayer of a penitent sinner lamenting his former life so ill spent My life misse-led I doe lament And of my sinnes I mee repent LOoke on mée O heauenly Father and gracious God with thy fauourable countenance and in the fulnes of thine euerlasting compassion comfort mée which am swallowed vp with heauinesse And though my Sinnes surmount in thy sight the Sandes of the Seas yet I beséech thee haue an eye to thy Son Iesus Christ whom thou didst send into the world to take vpon his shoulders the whole burden of our sinnes and by his death to make satisfaction vnto thee for the same And albeit O Lord by my deserts I am the child of wrath of death and condemnatiō yet notwithstanding I beseech thée O God giue eare vnto the voyce of my Mediatour Christ Iesus who maketh continuall intercessiō vnto thee not only for mee but also for al such as constantly beleeue in him make him the sure ground work of their saluation Looke not Lord vpon my deformities but vpon his innocencie not vpon mine iniquitie but vpon his righteousnes not vpon the multitude of my misdeedes but vpon the manifoldnesse of thy mercies Remember the bleeding stripes and woundes of thy Sonne my Sauiour in whom alone by the increasing of a liuely iustifying fayth I am a new creature regenerate and made cleane not with Water but by Grace thy Mercie O Father being the fountayne of this Heauenlie benefit O heare the praier of thy poore seruant and for thy Sonnes sake Iesus Christ grant my petition Amen A Prayer of a sorrowfull sinner laying his heart open praying for a firme fayth My heart O Lord wide ope I lay And vnto thee for Faith I pray I Beséech thée O Father of endles mercy to looke vpon me thy poore creature poore indeed and desolate naked and bare of spirituall riches I lay my heart wide open before thee which hath no good thing dwelling in it Lord I beseech thee plough it vp with the Plough of thy Spirit and sow therein the seeds of a true Christian faith such a fayth as may haue attending and wayting vpon it Hope and Charitie as handmaides Also O Lord GOD I humbly beseech thee that as thou hast made me thy Steward and put mee in trust with a Talent of thy blessing namely Riches worldly Wealth transitory Treasures so I may be furnisht with the instrument which is able to informe me how to imploy the same aright euen faith not an idle faith barren and vnfruitfull but a busie fayth flowing full of good workes that thereby I may be as a Citie builded vpon an Hill amiable and beautifull and like a Lanterne of light vnto all men who seeing my good works may glorifie thee O Father to whom all glory belongeth both in Heauen and in Earth Amen A Prayer desiring mercy and forgiuenesse Of thee O Lord Mercy I craue For Iesus sake his life which gaue AS thou art a gracious God O thou Iudg of Israel as thou art faythfull in thy promise and iust in thy word so I beseech thee deale fauourably with me poore sinner who bend the knees of my heart before thee crauing that with teares which if I obtaine not alas what shal become of me but death damnation In thee is my hope in thee my trust in thée my confidence let me not be ashamed let me not be forsaken nor confounded but for thy sonne Iesus Christ his sake who suffered a reprochfull death in the face of his sworne and deadly enemies haue mercy vpon me haue mercy vpon me vpon mee miserable soule on whom vnlesse thou haue mercy Satan with his whole power is ready to ouerrun me In time therefore O Lord helpe me in time assist me in time succour me or else I am a cast-away and the child of reprobation Let thy mercy stand betweene my sinnes and thy iudgement for Iesus sake my sweete Sauiour succour mee miserable sinner who neuer cease crying O Father which art in Heauen O our Father which art in Heauen haue mercy O haue mercy Lord in time Amen A Prayer to be prepared against the houre of death Lord at my death the iewell chiefe Which I desire is true beliefe MOst mightie God and mercifull Father as thou hast created and made me of the mould of the earth and inspired into the grosse lumpe of my body a liuing and quickning soule so O Lord I beseech thee to indue me with such knowledge and vnderstanding yea with such an earnest zeale burning desire of thy heauenly dwelling and immortall mantion that I may loath this life which is but a span long and thirst after death which is the entrance to endlesse ioy and happinesse Also O Lord I most humbly beseech thee when it shall please thee to visit me with sicknesse or otherwise to call me out of this life that I may féele working in my heart an vnfained Fayth and a true Christian Beliefe whereby euen in the nipping agonies and pinching
in heart and mind with the sweetenesse of thy word wherein the comfortable promises of life saluation are conteined that wee may exercise our selues therein day and night that wee may reuerently vse it as the healthfull foode of our soules that we may bring vp our children seruants in the knowledge of the same being fully perswaded that there is nothing in the world comparable thereunto for it exceedeth al treasure whē al things are consumed thy word shall continue in glory brightnesse perfection O Lord heare our praiers and for the honour of thy name heare the suites of thy poore seruants euen for thy beloued Sonne his sake Iesus Christ our Sauiour vnto whom with thee and the holy Ghost one Deitie in Trinitie be all laude honour prayse dominion power glory and maiestie both now and world without end Amen The Contemplation of a Christian. The misery of euery man Through Satans guile by sinne began But Christ vouchsaft mans thrall t' asswage His power supprest old Satans rage WHen Sinne had blemished the happy estate of our first Parents their whole race felt the smart of their punnishment and are at this day subiect vnto miserie Iniquitie made a gappe for many calamities sundry kinds of sicknesses manifold maladies infinite tribulations which we had neuer tasted if our first Parents had not offended Lamentable is our case by theire meanes for the Lord of life hath punished their sins in their posteritie by degrees of generaons throughout many ages Little hope of health is in our selues nay there is in vs no hope of saluation at all for by the subtiltie of Satan sinne got dominion ouer vs by sin death Iustly therefore are we subiect to so many miseries in that we feele the heauy hand of God laying load vpon vs it is for our offences and our disordered life According as our deserts haue beene so GOD hath dealt with vs nay he hath handled vs far better then we deserued who by nature are the children of wrath and confusion Most mercifully hath he looked vpon vs and of his plentifull compassion hee sent his boloued Sonne Christ Iesus into the world that he by his bloodshed might worke our releasement Like reprobates and condemned persons wee had been plunged into the déep pit of hell had not the death of Christ made full satisfaction for vs wrought our Redemption A Lion of the tribe of Iuda a brāch springing from the stocke of Iesse pittying vs poore desolate soules by the vertue of his power suppressed Satans rage Maruelous mightily did he vanquish the Diuel our mortall enemy who intended our destruction and vtter ouerthrow had not he in time brought our deliuerance to passe Be ioyfull therefore all nations and lift vp your heads extoll this Lambe of God whose innocencie tooke away our iniquitie and whose heauinesse was our hapinesse Euerlasting prayse and thankes be ascribed vnto his name by whose death we are receiued to life yea to eternall life O prayse his glorious name for euer Amen Death ouer vs possest such power That meanes he sought vs to deuower But Iesus Christ did set vs free To whom all prayse and thankes giue wee WEe are iustly subiect vnto death for death is the reward of sinne and iniquitie Iniquitie hath changed our order of creatiō which was perfect and Angeilcal Life vnto vs through sinne is turned vnto death and the mercy of God into iudgement Lord haue mercy vpon vs for in vs there is no hope of health for Death hath power ouer vs. Increase of new calamities doe light vpon vs dayly and we see our selues forsaken Among our enemies we walke continually euen in the face of the Flesh the World and the Diuell Miserable were wee if Iesus Christ with the shield of safetie should not ouershadow vs. Little should wee differ from the children of wrath nay our case were as comfortlesse as theirs A most mercifull Sauiour art thou O Christ A most mercifull Redeemer and Aduocate Make vs thankfull vnto thee for thy goodnesse for thou didst set vs free from all misfortune Blessed be thy name and great be thy glory through out all the world for this thy kindnesse Early late thou art to be praysed yea in the assemblies cōgregations of the faythfull righteous thou in thy greatnes O God shalt be gloryfied Amen The World is vaine and all therein Yea man is vile because of sinne Yet Iesus Christ redeemed all To Death and Hell that were in thrall WOe be to this world for it is as vaine as smoke yea it is more vaine then vanitie it selfe In riches there is shame and in pleasure there is punishment because of sinne and iniquitie Like a dreame is the life of man his dayes are but a spanne long and his time tarryeth not Like a Fansie or a May-game which hath but an houres delight recreatiō In the world there is nothing more common then wickednesse in the world there is no goodnesse Al are bent vnto mischiefe and villanie the sonnes of men haue set their heartes vpon euill Mightie men and poore slaues all haue troden the path of sinne and vanitie is in all their wayes Like Sheepe without a Shepheard they are gone astray and had beene lost if Christ had not holpen All were in the mouth of Hell gates and had sunke in their owne shame and destruction Miserably had they perished if that good shepheard of our soules had not taken vpon him our deliuerance Bring Frankinsence vnto his Altas O ye people prayse him who is prayse worthy for his power and magnificence Enter into his Temple and Sanctuary sing songs all with one consent to the honour of his name for all the benefits and goodnesse which hee hath plentifully bestowed vpon vs at all times let al the faithfull answer and say Amen Gods prouidence is wonderfull He shewes himselfe most merciful In all our wayes defending vs And by his grace amending vs. WIthout th' assistance of Gods spirit miserable were the condition of all mankind yea most miserable In sinne we are conceiued in sin we are brought vp and the whole course of our life is full of iniquitie Like a menstruous cloth so is our conuersotion in the sight of God and his holy Angels Like a filthy and loathsome Sinke so is our behauiour before the face of the faithfull Iudgment is more méete for vs then mercy yet it hath pleafed God to deale with vs in mercy And that doth daily experience testifie for we sée manifest proofes of his prouidence Meate and cloathing and whatsoeuer is necessary toward the maintenance of man he hath giuen vs. Like a Father he tendereth vs and esteemeth vs as Children begotten a new by free Grace As a Henue hoouering ouer her Chickens so doth he defend vs in all our wayes day by day Mercie is on his right hand Mercie goeth before him and vpon Mercy is the seate of his Maiestie built Be glad therefore
the Sonne and beleeueth in him should haue euerlasting life and I will raise him vp at the last day Iohn 6.40 Verily verily I say vnto you hée that heareth my word and beléeueth in him that sent me hath euerlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but hath passed from death vnto life Iohn 5.24.25.26 The houre shall come in the which al that are in the graues shall heare his voyce and they shall come foorth that haue done good vnto the resurrection of life but they that haue done euill vnto the resurrection of condemnation Iohn 5.8.29 Search the Scriptures for in them yee thinke to haue eternal life Ioh. 5.39 If thou knewest the gift of God Christ ment himselfe who was sent of his Father to conuert the woman of Samaria and who is he that saith vnto thee Giue mee drinke thou wouldest haue asked of him and he would haue giuen thee Water of life which is the loue of God in his Sonne powred into our heartes by the holy Ghost vnto euerlasting life Iohn 4.10 Whosoeuer drinketh of the water that I shall giue him euen spirituall grace shal neuer be more a thirst shall neuer be dried vp destitute or forsaken but the water that I shall giue him shall be in him a well of water springing vp into euerlasting life Ioh. 4.14 Come ye blessed of my Father for our saluation commeth of the blessing and fauour of God inherite ye the kingdome prepared for you from the foundations of the world Note the certantie of our predestination to saluation Matth. 25.34 And these shall goe into euerlasting paine which followeth mens fantasies neglecting the will of God and his commandements and the righteous into life eternall Math. 25.46 And many of them that sléepe in the dust of the earth shall awake all shal rise at the generall resurrection some to euerlasting life some to shame and perpetuall contempt Dan. 12.2 And they shal come foorth that haue done good vnto the resurrection of life but they that haue done euill vnto the resurrection of condemnation Iohn 5.29 For the Lambe Iesus Christ our Mediatour and Redeemer Which is in the midest of the throne being very God shall gouerne them lead them vnto the liuely Fountaines of waters Hee shall giue them euerlasting life Apo. 7.17 O Lord giue vs grace to beleeue this and to liue thereafter Amen The ten Commaundements of Almighty God called The two Tables of the Law The first Table 1. J am the Lord thy God thou shalt haue none other Gods but mee HEare O Israel The LORD our God is the onely Lord Thou shalt therefore loue the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soule and with all thy minde or thought and with all thy strength Marke 12.29.30 Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God him onely shalt thou serue Math. 4.10 Luk 4.14 I am the Lord thy God thou shalt haue none other Gods before my face God bindeth vs to serue him lonely without superstition or idolatry Deu. 5.6.7 I am the Lord your God ye shall keepe my Sabbathes and reuerence my Sanctuarie I am the Lord. Leuit. 26.1.2 Come let vs worship and fall downe before the Lord our maker We must wholly giue our selues to the seruice of GOD. Psa. 95.6 All the Gods of the people are Idols but the Lord made the Heauens Idols therefore or whatsoeuer made not the Heauens are not God Psal. 96.6 2. Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen Jmage nor the liknesse of any thing that is in heauen aboue nor in the earth beneath nor in the water vnder the earth thou shalt not bow downe to them nor worship them For J the Lord thy God am a ielous God and visite the sinne of the fathers vpon the children vnto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shew mercy vnto thousands in them that loue me keepe my commaundements NO man hath séene God at any time the onely begotten Sonne of God which is in the bosome of the Father hee is most deare and straitly ioyned to his Father not onely in loue but also in nature and vnion hee hath deliuered him God was made visible as it were in Christ. Iohn 1.18 God is a Spirit and they that worshipe him must worship him in spirit and truth God being of a spirituall nature requireth aspirituall seruice and agreeable to his nature Ioh. 4.24 For somuch then as we are the generation of God we ought not to thinke that the Godhead is like vnto Gold or Siluer or Stone grauen by art and the inuention of man Act. 17.29 The worshipping of Idoles which ought not to be named in the beginning and the cause and the end of all euill Sapi. 14 26 The inuenting of Idols was the beginning of whoredome and the finding of them is the corruption of life Sapien. 14.12 Better therefore is the iust man that hath none Idols for he shall be farre from reproofe Baruc. 6.72 Confounded be all they that serue grauen Images that glory in Idols worship him all ye Gods Let all that is of estimation in the world fall downe before the Lord. Psal. 97.7 Thou shalt make thée no gods of Mettal Exo. 34.17 Babes keepe your selues from Idols From euery forme and fashion of thing which is set vp for any deuotion to worship God 1. Iohn 5.29 3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the Lord will not hold him guilt lesse that taketh his name in vaine YEe haue heard how it was said to them of old time Thou shalt not forsweare thy selfe but shalt performe thine othes to the Lord. But I say vnto you Sweare not at all neither by heauen all superfluous oathes are debaâ—red for it is the Throne of God nor yet by the Earth for it is his Footstoole neither by Hierusalem for it is the Citie of the great King Neither shalt thou sweare by thine head because thou canst not make one Haire white or blacke But let your communication be Yea yea Nay nay let simplicitie and truth be in your wordes and then ye shall not be so light ready to sweare For whatsoeuer is more then these commeth of euill when one speaketh otherwise then he thinketh in heart it commeth of an euill conscience and of the Diuell Matth. 5.33.34.35.36.37 This is the curse that goeth foorth ouer all the whole earth c. And euery one that sweareth he that transgresseth the first Table and serueth not God aright but abuseth Gods name shall be cut off as wel on this side as on that I will bring it foorth saith the Lord of Hoasts and it shal enter c. into the house of him that falsely sweareth by my name and it shal remaine in the middest of his house and shall consume it with the timber thereof stones thereof Zach. 4.3.4 Accustome not thy selfe to swearing for in it there are many falles neither take vp for a custome
that peace which bringeth blisse Their precious peace perpetuall is The authour of This peace is God Who for our sinnes with vs was od For as we know through Adams fall To God his wrath We were in thrall So that hereby this gaine we got Euen death for life ah hellish lot Our owne misdeedes deserueth death And God who giueth life and breath Suppressing peace became our foe And from the heauens aloft did throw His thunderbolts of fearefull threates And in his heate his sword he wheats Even warriour like to strike vs downe For man doth melt when God doth frowne Thus with the Lord we were at ods Ours was the smart the vengeance Gods Which whiles it did endure and last All hope of peace was gone and past Till he from heauen beholding vs With wrethednesse inclosed thus Prouided in this heauy case T' amend our state by his good grace This he vouchaft to bring to passe A wonderous work of his it was From mercie seate he sent his Sonne At whose corruption peace begunn God did ordaine that Christ should die Vpon a Crosse reard vp on hie By losse of life to purchase peace True Christian comfort to increase Among the Iewes betrayd he fell One of the twelue presumd to sell. For thirtie pence his Maisters life The losse whereof abolisht strife The Iewes did lay on him their hands His limbs and ioynts they bound with hands They scoft and mockt him too too bad Their wish and will on him they laid Vpon the Crosse he made his end His soule to God he did commend This sacrifice God highly pleasd And this his rigorous rage apeasd Heere reconcilement first began And peace was made twixt God and man The price of this most perfect peace Which Christian comfort doth increase Declares thereof the dignitie This peace remaynes immortally This peace confirmd twixt God and vs And true attonement sealed thus That through this Pipe of peace may spout And pleasantly in streames run out Such comfort as in thee doe dweâ—l Which are the fountaine and the well The Conduit and the liuely spring Of euery good and healthfull thing Thus Lord if thou vouchafe to worke Ingratitude which loues to lurke Whithin our heartes them to possesse Shall banisht be by thankfullnesse and we shall praise Iehouah then Grant this O God Amen Amen The Locke to this Conduit A Locke to this Conduit of right doth belong Prouided of purpose substantiall and strong Of this Locke t is needfull Christs sheepe to haue skill That opening this Conduit their hearts they might fill With true ioy and gladnesse with peace and with rest And all kind of comfort that we can request FIrst loue the Lord. who formed thee And like himselfe created thee Loue Iesus Christ who thee redeemd So precious he thy soule esteemd Loue him whose loue with losse of life Twixt God and vs cut of the strife Loue him aboue all earthly treasure And lone with loue most kindly measure Loue thou his Saints and holy ones As of his Church the liuely stones Whose head is he his members they Who hates his Saints doe him betray· Loue thou Gods word his Gospell heare Therein of life are riuers cleare It is the pearle whereby was wrought A wonder worthy dayly thought loue vnto all thy neighbours beare And let thy loue shine euery where To all and some to friend and foe To them that seeke thine ouerthrow Loue all hate none to christ commaunds Herein the Law consistes and standes Loue Strangers well no gaudge them beare Remembring once we strangers were Though Denizons now by Gods good grace His loue restord vs to this place Loue vertuous life and goodnesse seeke And like to Christ learne to be meeke Loue lowlinesse and spit at pride Gods spirit in such will not abide Loue to forgiue and to forbeare This is a signe of Christian feare Thy brothers fault though worthy blame Dissemble thou and hide his shame Thus armd with loue thou mayst be hold Sinne Satan Death our enimies old Shall not haue power to doe thee harme God is thy helpe he is thine arme This is the Locke which thou and I And euery one before we die Ought set vpon our hearts and mindes Where treasure lie of sundry kindes Which Locke if we doe seeke to haue It is not Death nor yet the graue Thou shalt abridge our heauenly blisse In Christ our Conduit kept it is Of all therefore this is the summe If to this Conduit we will comme And thence fetch comfort at our need This is if we to pray proceed And aske of God the things we want Beseeching him the same to graunt For Iesus sake his onely Sonne By loue this worke must be begonne Which if we haue then sure we may Before the Lord approch and pray For otherwise all that we doe Is sinne and death belonges thereto This locke of loue O graunt vs then Sweet Sauiour Christ. Amen Amen The Key to this Conduit A Key to this Conduit of Comfort pertaines Whose vse and due seruice whosoeuer disdaines Aloofe from this Conduit them selues let them keepe Christ is not their Shepheard nor they of his Sheepe This Key therefore learne we to vse and possesse Our Shepheard Christ Iesus then may we confesse FIrst â—now thy selfe but flesh and blood Nay nay but art thou halfe so good Know rather this thou art but dust From Earth thou camst to Earth thou must Know thine estate by Adams fall Exild from life to death in thrall To sinne a slaue to Hell a pray Know this and cast all pride away Knowst thou thy selfe a blast of winde And hearst about a lofty winde Knowst thou thy state to be but nought Thy life a threed but slightly wrought And settest vp the Peacocks plume As though nothing should thee consume This knowledge but fond and vaine A better knowledge doth remaine A knowledge which from God proceedes This knowledge guides our thoughtes and deedes This knowledge shewes as in a Glasse That sinne in vs had brought to passe Eternall death and endlesse paine In Hell where damned soules remaine· This knowledge learnes vs likewise this That albeit we did amisse And kindled Gods consuming ire Yet Christ his blood hath quencht that fire So that this knowledge marked well May be supposed to excell All earthly things which passe away As Flowers in hâ—ate of Summers day This knowledge leades vs to the Lord And makes our willes with his t' accord Know God aright know Christ his sonne Know thou the thing he will haue done Know him that made the heauen and earth Aâ—d fed thee since thy day of birth Know him that giâ—es thee in thy need Conuenient Victuals thee to feed Know him in Christ his Sonne first â—orne The sauiour of our soules forlorne Know God the Father onely wise Know him in heart with faythfull eyes Know him whom heauen and earth obey Whose word ordain'd both night and day The world and all that is therein Are lessons where