infernall spirit that falsely pretendeth dominion in the earth and in the ayre and how he enuieth and opposeth as much as in him is euery good dutie and seruice which thy dearest children owe and endeauour to performe vnto thee and aboue all other duties tending to thine owne glory and mans saluation he seeketh to hinder none with more bitter violence with greater enuy more wicked and subtill wiles then this of diuine prayer and endeauoreth to draw thine owne dearest children into manifold sinnes But Lord as thou hast commaunded vs to call vpon thine holy Name to pray vnto thee for faith repentance obedience and other graces and blessings So according to thine holy ordinance I fall downe prostrate vpon the knees of mine vnfayned heart praying thee to prepare mee to this holy dutie thou sayest Open thy mouth and I will fill it O Lord open thou my mouth and fill it with heauenly words furnish and fill my heart with a strong powerful and liuely faith constant and firme obedience that without wauering and straying thoughts I may at this time make my prayers supplications vnto thee through thy Spirit And thou O inuincible Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah stand vp for me against my most mortall and most malicious enemy satan who among his own is strong and powerfull but where thou my Captaine Christ Iesus appearest he is weake he cannot enter the house where thou dwellest O fortifie therfore O Lord and barre vp the doore of my soule that hee enter not nor preuaile against it with the fire of his tentations Lord thou knowest hee is enemie to thee how much more vnto mee Hee tempted thee but preuayled not but his tentations flesh and blood cannot withstand Therefore arme thou me against him with heauenly weapons and hee shall neither stoppe nor hinder mine intended prayers as he desireth and laboureth to doe Let my spirit O Lord bee strongly assisted by thy Spirit and my prayers shall be faithfull my heart shall entertaine no wandering wauering vnholy or prophane thoughts euill cogitations or wicked motions though I bee an vnholy lumpe of my selfe by nature prompt and more ready to thinke or doe euill then good yet by thy Grace Satan shall slie sinne shall die and thy Spirit shall be liuely in mee and my prayers powerfull and effectuall to thee in my mediator Christ Iesus O let thy heauenly helpe Lord in Iesus Christ descend into all the powers and parts of my soule and body that in speaking vnto thee I may feele the worke and operation of thy Grace so sufficient in my heart that I may obtaine a victorious conquest ouer satan sinne and mine owne corruptions and bee assured through Christ Iesus my Sauiour to bee either freed from his preuayling tentations or to bee able to resist them that all my prayers at all times may bee such as thou maist Fatherly accept them in thy beloued Sonnes mediation for mee howsoeuer weake and imperfect they bee in respect of my selfe who am full of imperfections which I humbly pray thee to grant for his sake who hath conquered him that couets my finall destruction Amen Lord euermore strengthen and increase my faith in Iesus Christ. A meditation or motiue when wee are dull to pray a most necessary preparatiue to prayer AS it is my griefe O Lord to consider the hardnesse of my heart my faintnesse and dulnesse to pray So can I not but comfort my selfe in the consideration of thy great mercie towards mee in often remouing my dulnesse and in steed thereof to giue mee thy holy Spirit and by him power effectually to call vpon thy holy Name which effectuall fauour of thine I haue oftentimes found and felt when I haue had an inward motion tending to a desire to pray and yet no power or ablenesse to open my mouth or aptnesse to mooue my tongue which hath caused mee many times to thinke that thou my God hast beene angry with me and in that thou hast with-holden thy Grace so long that thou hadst forsaken me So that I haue beeâ—e infoâ—ced oftentimes to keepe silence when I would haue prayed and to close my lippes when I would haue spoken Thus good Father haue I beene many times as I am presently troubled and inwardly greeued euen in my soule at the hardnesse of my heart and dulnesse of my spirit And yet at length I haue felt as it were the fire of feruent zeale so inflaming my heart as I haue suddenly spoken with my tongue I haue prayed vnto thee and thou hast heard me This holy and heauenly worke of diuine Prayer I finde to bee farre from mine or the best mans owne power it is the onely worke of thine owne spirit which I haue many times formerly discerned for when I haue beene most dull and most vnapt to pray thou euen then euen in my silent musing and meditation hast enabled mee to breake forth into words through faith which haue pierced the very heauen of heauens euen vnto the Throne of thy great Maiesty where Christ my mediator stands at thy right hand presenting in my behalfe my weake Petitions euen in his owne name and obtayneth mine humble desires according to thine owne will which worketh betâ—er things for mee then I can wish or will I am not therefore discouraged good Father thogh I seeme dull in spirit and as it were cleane destitute of faith for I know thy guifts are without repentance and though I feele not this heauenly worke of thy holy Spirit at all times a like in mee yet doe I assure me hee is in mee and will worke againe the same heauenly effects for where thy blessed Spirit hath once taken habitation and once sanctified the soule that soule is so effectually possessed by that â—pirit and that Spirit so possesseth that soule that he may be assured neuer to bee absolutely dispossest of the same howsoeuer hee may for a time seeme absent It is but to mooue mee to seeke him finding the want of him to long for him Though therefore deare Father my heart bee hard by nature and my spirit dâ—ll to euery holy and heauenly dutie so that I cannot outwardly vtter what I inwardly concâ—iue and desire with such earnestnesse and feruencie of spirit as I would but weakly and coldly yet doe I assure my selfe that thou considerest mine inward desires and hearest my most secret sighes as plainely as if I cryed vocally and aloud vnto thee I cannot therefore but confideÌ„tly assure my selfe that according to thy promise thou wilt heare and consider that I hunger and thirst for thy Grace that my dulnesse being remooued I may conceiue in my heart and frame with my lippes mine humble Petitions which thou hast promised to heare especially such as thine owne Spirit composeth in mee Deny not therefore good Father thy holy Spirit to me that faithfully craue him onely to be enabled effectually to pray vnto thee for thou hearest not the best man nor the best maâ—s best prayers for his
I haue attained vnto thou mightest weaken my senses and the faculties of my body and minde all which I cannot but confesse I haue abused and without the vse of them thou knowest I cannot performe the workes of my calling I humbly therfore pray thee good Father rather to increase and continue in me that measure of knowledge and that perfection of my body and minde which thou hast already bestowed vpon mee then either to depriue mee of them or to weaken them in mee I acknowledge Gracious Lord that there is no vocation or calling high or low no labour exercise or endeuour that can bee vsefull or profitable to himselfe or others no mans life pleasing or commendable without thine especiall direction and blessing and that in the Name of that blessed of all blessings in whom as all blessednesse doth consist So through his most blessed mediation and merrits blessings vpon blessings are powred vpon the godly labours of all them that in whatsoeuer calling â—n his Name truely seeke to be blessed In him therefore Father of blessings let thy blessing be vpon mee in all my labours enterprises and endeuours for without thy blessing ayde direction and protection I may labour trauaile bee carefull solicitous diligent and most industrious yet all in vaine my paines may bee great my rising vp to my labours earely yet without thy blessing little profit mee I may get much but I shall put it as it were in a broken bagge my going foorth without thy blessing cannot be but dangerous my trauailes subiect to many perils in euitable inconueniences Mine owne carnall corruptions accompany mee whithersoeuer I goe ride or remaine the vanities of the world euery where distract my wauering and inconstant minde And Satan with his millions of infernall ministers prouoking mee to sinne pursue mee euer plotting and practising occasions to draw mee from thee suggesting Idlenesse and Ease to bee sweete and Labour and Trauaile in lawfull and honest callings painefull deceite in my vocation gainefull iust dealing foolish nicenesse negligent performance a sufficient discharge of my dutie Thus being beset good Father within and without with sundry tentations I cannot without thy Grace auoyde the committing of many sinnes not only in abusing my calling but in mine ordinary conuersation and course of life and sinne committed draweth on thy displeasure and thy displeasure punishments such as in thy seueritie may iustly disable mee to performe my dutie in my calling hauing no power in or of my selfe to performe the least part of my duetie either in my vocation or conuersation Leaue me not therfore deare Father vnto mine owne weakenesse nor to the will and wiles of my Spirituall or corporall enemies that hate me and couet to hinder or slander euery good worke in mee reioycing when any euill befals in my life or calling Preuent them O Lord and for thy best beloueds sake teach mee wisdome and giue me vnderstanding according to thy Word that in all my wayes I may bee watchfull in my labours painfull in my carriage and calling faithfull and iust that my principall chief care may euer bee to please thee And furnish mee so with true iudgement in all and euerie part of my duetie as there may bee nothing wanting in mee which may further thy Glorie which grant for thy blessed Sonnes sake IESVS CHRIST to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost bee praise for euermore Amen Lord increase my faith Hee whose calling requireth Iourneys by land or sea may prepare himselfe by adding this Prayer following or to vse it by it selfe MOst louing and most mercifull Father in â—esus Christ I acknowledg my selfe the weakest and most ignorant of al humane creatures hauing receiued in thy prouidence a calling requiring continuall trauailes iourneys and much labour of body and mind hauing such and so great a troupe of aduersaries and dangers accompanying me in the execution thereof as euermore seeke to stop the way of my good successe therein as well in my iourneying forth in performing my lawfull labors abroad as also in my returning home I most humbly therefore pray thee to haue a fatherly care of mee and to take charge of me in all my proceedings in all places among all men and at all times that all my iourneis from and to mine owne home may be prosperous and all my labors indeauors may succeed to thine owne glory to the faithfull discharge of my dutie in all mine imployments to the competent supply of whatsoeuer I need And forasmuch as these my iourneys trauailes and labours are and may bee much hindered through sicknes infirmities of my body defects of my limbes bodily members and senses the perfection of which being originally thine own gifâ—s continue my body in health my limbs in streÌ„gth and all my senses perfect vntill the time when thou shalt thinke fit to dissolue my whole bodily frame when I shall no more trauaile no more labour nor feele any defect of body or mind And grant if it bee thy good pleasure that neither sicknesse death or any other corporall infirmitie seize vpon mee in my trauels and iourneys submitting my will yet vnto thy will knowing that thou knowest what is most necessary for mee and that who so is thine is thine and in thy fauour and protection as well abroad as in his owne house yea whensoeuer wheresoeuer and in what manner soeuer thou art pleased to touch him with thy correcting hand or to call him out of this mortall life And forasmuch good Father as there are many other impediments to hinder my necessary iourneys trauels and labours as distemperature of the ayre immoderate weather difficulties of wayes inundations of water danger of theeues euilly disposed persons defects in the creatures which thou vouchsafest for my vse in trauell and many other dangers and hinderances infinite in number all concealed from mee vntill they fall yet all knowne and foreseene of thee and all disposed and permitted by thee I most humbly therefore pray thee to watch and spread the wings of thy power and prouidence ouer mee and stretch foorth thy helping hand ouer me that no euill if it please thee befall me But if thy will bee so grant me wisedome and patience not to impute it to fained Fortune but as indeed it is to mine own sinfull deseruings and that I may be euer thankfull vnto thee whatsoeuer befal me Let the Angel of thy presence accompany mee let thy heauenly spirit euer possesse me let my heart euermore possesse thee let my thoughts be euermore free from sinne and all the parts and powers of my body my mind affections and will from euery euill action and vngodly desire Giue me a holy feare to walke worke trauaile and vse mine occasions as in thy presence knowing that thou beholdest me mine inward inclination and outward actions Thou knowest also good Father that besides mine owne wandring and wauering heart Sathan ceaseth not to watch opportunitie to snare mee
prosper in outward shew by callings or rather trades vnlawfull whereunto there can bee no lawfull calling neither is the vse lawfull as common professed Gamesters combined Cheaters and the like But leauing such to their owne wicked practises wherby they often deceiue the innocent and simple but most of all themselues I wish that other men that haue lawfull callings would consider the necessitie of Prayer to God for a blessing vpon their labours and endeauors not onely Mechanicks and such as liue by their handy-labours but from the highest to the lowest in Church or Common-wealth It is by God that Kings gouerne therefore in imitation of Dauid and Salomon they pray for and obtain wisdome rightly to gouerne their people and where good godly wise and religious Kings reigne there the people in imitation of them pray for their peace and safety and that God would furnish them with wise and religious Counsellors and that no Achitophell lurke wayting for mischiefe Counsellors of State haue an high and weighty calling so haue Iudges of the Land and other chiefe and eminent Magistrates deriued mediatly from God for as the King is called of none but immediatly by God to take chaâ—ge of his people So he imparts the power of the sword vnto his sub-ordinate Magistrats for the execution of Iustice functions of greater weight and moment then is vulgarly esteemed And therefore though I neither presume not neede to mooue them when or how to pray I only may remember them that as they haue highest functions they and we in their behalfes for them may pray for the due execution of them because their office and place is to correct the euill and to protect the good and that they mistake not as by sinister information they may and so erre vnwittingly Men in authoritie and in eminent places are chosen for their Vertues Wisdome Integritie and Iustice yet are they subiect to censure not onely of their Superiours and equals but often of most inferiours wherein happie are the innocent for GOD preserueth them who sitteth in the Throne that iudgeth right to whom whosoeuer prayeth as Dauid did shall finde that he will be a buckler vnto him his glorie and the lifter vp of his head the greatest honour that man in this life can receiue It may seeme needlesse to put such in minde of this holy dutie of prayer who haue the charge and ouersight of the Lords flocke for their calling is so diuine as they may not bee but diuinely indued with heauenly gifts abounding alwayes in the worke of the Lord whose labours are not in vaine blessed be God whom we ought to reuerence as the Ministers of God labouring our saluation and to pray for them Yet may it not bee superfluous to intimate to such as enter rashly into this holy function that it is fit for them to examine their owne inward hearts whether they came with a sincere Spirituall deuotion to edifie Gods Church or to make onely a carnall liuing vnder the name of a workeman in Gods haruest If he came in regard of the first Let him pray that God will blesse his labours if onely of the second Let him pray that God will enable him to discharge it and withall that GOD remit the euill thoughts of his heart for he entred not aright Such as liue by their labours bee they neuer so ingenious neuer so labourious neuer so cunning in their profession art or trade they must know and acknowledge that what they know or howsoeuer they may performe it it is but in part and weake in comparison of the perfection And that the knowledge and skill they haue is not theirs but giuen them by God as hee gaue to Tubalkaine the art of working in yron and to Iubal skill in musicke Yet some and they not of best perfection will attribute their knowledge to their owne naturall wit and inuention making an idol as it were of their owne braine neuer giuing the prayse to the true Giuer and that and the want of prayer is the cause that many Artists and others faile often-times of good successe of what they vndertake to performe Nothing can truely prosper without Gods blessing which cannot bee obtayned but by faithfull prayer Neither will God heare their prayers that deale vniustly in their callings taking neuer so great paynes rising early taking rest late sparing euen their food to increase their store it is all in vaine Howsoeuer some may doe waxe rich by dealing vniustly in weights measures false and counterfeit wares by swearing forswearing and lying the gaines they get are but froth and silth scraped out of the deuils dunghill that will quickly returne from whence it came and hee that so gets without repentance shall haue his portion with his like the Rich man not with Lazarus Happy therefore is he that labouâ—s in his calling diligently deales truely craues Gods blessing faithfully hee and onely he and his like haue rest and peace and plenty in their little truely gotten Such are they that eate the labours of their hands and art blessed Hee therefore that will bee happie and prosper in his calling let him often and faithfully call vpon the Name of the Lord to which purpose he may vse the prayer following or any other to the like purpose A Prayer that God will blesse and prosper our labours and indeuours in whatsoeuer calling O Heauenly Father great in Maiesty wise of Counsell absolute in Power and vnsearchable in Prouidence who of nothing hast made all things and in thy greatest Wisdome hast created man whom thou guidest gouernest and disposest according to thine owne Will and to whom thou hast appointed labour and trauaile whereby to get their reliefe yet not all in one manner of calling Gracious Father as I haue receiued life and being of thee and in thy prouidence a calling therein whereby to maintaine my being So giue a blessing vnto mee that I may haue true iudgement and an vpright heart to performe my dutie therein according to thy Will that my calling may prosper vnder my hands as thou blessedst Iaakob vnder Laban and Ioseph in Potiphers house So blesse me and my vocation that whatsoeuer I doe it may prosper I confesse louing Father that neither the most absolute art greatest naturall knowledge corporall or mentall diligence can auaile any thing without thy blessing By my naturall vnderstanding I can neither apprehend in my minde nor performe with my hands or wit the things that properly belong vnto my calling But it is thy onely Wisdome and of thine owne Fatherly fauour that I haue beene made in some measure capeable of that reason and iudgement to which I haue attained it is not in me as of mine owne power to performe the least part of that which necessarily belongeth vnto my vocation It is thine owne worke in me If thou shouldest deale with mee according to my deseruings thou mightest iustly depriue mee of that meane measure of knowledge that by thy fauour and aide
neuer wearieth the soules of such as delight in the liuing God whose beautie Dauid saw as neuer satisfied with the contemplation of the glorious Maiestie oâ— Iehouah whose beautie the more the Spirituall minde beholdeth in his word his workes his fauour power and prouidence the more is hee mooued with desire to see more and more And thinkes no happinesse comparable to the happinesse of a heauenly life Much were the Disciples mooued at the sight of Christs transfiguration in so much as they desired to haue built there Tabernacles to haue enioyed that blessed sight Still to desirous was Dauid still to behold the beautie of the Lord and to visite his holy Temple Where God is truely heard and duly called vpon by a holy congregation nay by one particular faithfull Christian there appeareth the glorie of God There is the Arke of the Lord the presence of the mightie God of Iaakob whose glorie filleth the Temple which onely the Spirituall man seeth with a supernaturall eye Though the carnall man bodily present apprehendeth it not Paul at his conuersion saw Gods glorie but they that were with him heard onely a voyce but saw it not Such beautie shineth in the hearts of the deere Children of God by the operation and illumination of the Holy Ghost by whom Stephen saw the glorie of God in the heauens and Christ sitting at his right-hand which none 〈◊〉 can see but such onely aâ—are inlightened who take such surpassing sweet delight in the beholding the face of God not onely in the Word wherein hee is in part seene but especially through faith that their soules are euen rauished and as it were transchanged by the splender therof as it were into the Image of the glorie of the onely begotten Sonne of the Father â—od commanding the light to shine out of darkenesse shineth in our hearts to giue light of the knowledge of the Glorie of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Let vs therefore indeuour to exercise our selues in puritie and sanctitie clensing our consciences from all counterfeit sincerity and labour to become in deed such as wee would seeme to bee And not to neglect the visiting of the materiall Temple to heare the Word of GOD and to pray vnto him if wee hope to be happie for there is none happie but they whom GOD loueth and who loue GOD if wee loue God wee will delight in him to heare him often for our instruction and confirmation of our faith and to seeke him by our prayers for he is ready to bee found of all them that are true of heart who shall heere behold his beautie and hereafter enioy his glorie A Prayer vnto God that he will prepare our hearts to the visiting of his holy Temple to heare his Word to pray vnto him and to prayse him GRant O most gracious Lord God according to the riches of thy grace that I may bee strengthened by thy Spirit in the inner man that Christ may dwell in my heart by faith and so my whole spirit soule and bodie may bee kept blamelesse to the comming of the Lord Iesus for thou Lord knowest what I am by nature a man vnworthy to take thine holy Name into my mouth or to come into thy presence being inclynable to no good dutie but apt to euery vanity I come therefore vnto thee heauenly Father in the Name of Iesus Christ thy Sonne in whom thou hast promised to receiue them that sincerely seeke thee heare the voyce of my petitions O Lord when I crie vnto thee and when I lift vp my hands towards the mercies seat of thy holy Temple reiect me not vnto thee O Lord I lift vp my soule crauing pardon for my sinnes and that thou wilt admit me into the holy societie of thy Saints and that I may delight to dwell in thy holy Temple vnder the shadow of thy protecting wings for euer Let my heart bee euer vpright in thy Statutes and faithfull euer before thee for thou hast pleasure in righteousnesse and hee is blessed in whose heart are thy wayes knit my heart vnto thee that I may feare thy Name giue me a holy desire to seeke thee and to walke euer vprightly as in thy presence Indue me with thy Spirituall knowledge leade me by thy right hand to thine holy Temple shew mee thy glorie and thy beauty that I may be comforted through thy presence Open mine eares that I may heare thee and thy Word by thy holy Ministrie and prepare my heart to receiue knowledge and vnderstanding and open my mouth and fill it with thy prayses and let my prayers in thy Sons Name bee acceptable vnto thee Shew me thy way and giue mee vnderstanding that I may learn thy Commandements and walke in them My hearts desire Lord is to dwell with thee to haue the full free fruition of thine house and the place where thine honour dwelleth that I may serue thee with a pure affection and giue thee prayse in the congregation of thy Saints Turne thy face vnto me O Lord that I may see the beautie of thy countenance and bee changed into the same Image by thy Spirit and in the same Spirit bee admitted to visite thine holy Temple with faith and assurance of thy presence wherein I know is libertie and life protection and plentie of all good things Make my heart stable vnblameable before thee in holinesse that I may serue thee with a sincere and pure conscience and vndefiled that I may not come into thine house only to bee seene and to seeme seruiceable or dutifull vnto thee but may inwardly hunger thirst for thy Word the food of my soule the bread of life and imprint the same so effectually in my soule that it may prooue fruitfull in â—ee and that I may shâ—w it in my 〈◊〉 holy conuersation to thy Glorie that being filled with the comforts proceeding from the beautie of thy countenance I may euer posâ—sesse my soule in that peace which passeth all vnderstanding euer-more reuerencing thy glorious Maiâ—stie that euer-more filleâ—h both the heauens and the earth fill my heart O Lord with thy Spirit that I may draw neere vnto thee and to thy Holy place my strong Rocke to thee will I alwayes resort Make mee to heare ioy and gladnesse and that I may more abound in hope and be strengthened to euery good work through the power of the holy Ghost by Iesus Christ my Lord and onely Sauiour Lord increase my faith The Conclusion A Prayer for true happinesse which shall bee consummate onely in heauen O Lord what am I the son of dust and ashes that I should presume to come into thy presence to seeke and desire felicity and happinesse here in this wildernesse of so many vanities miseries and troubles as are among the children of men As for me Lord thou knowest wherof I am made thou remembrest that I am but dust what happinesse therfore Lord can I look to obtaine here where sinne dwelleth in my mortall body