my soule to faint O Out of the myry clay his hand raisd me and set me where I doe enioy a pleasant land he only set me there H He euen he that Daniels God who shut the Lyons iawes Rescues my soul frō dredful rod and from mens cruell pawes N Now will I sing vnto my rest my rock and fortresse sound Who holds me vp y t am opprest I els should fall to ground N No poore estate no fretting foe no crosses shall dismay My soule that sits al safe frō wo in God my sacred stay O Out of his storehouse he doth sēd what may releeue my thrall He brings my sorrows to an end and giues me ioy withall R Reliefe alone comes frō aboue our God is nigh at hand He poures his blessings down in loue he fructifies our land D Draw neere therefore afflicted wights he cals you for your ease Be wise auoid al humane slights he will your griefes appease E Encline thine eare ô father deere in loue releeue our need In Dauid Iob and Ioseph were thy mercies seene in deed N No end therof y e same remains thy mercies power and loue Are ready prest to ease my paines my help is from aboue A motion to a thankesgiuing in the morning IT is a necessary thing while we liue here that wee should bee continually exercised in a due contemplation of Gods mercies towardes vs and there is no time but necessarilie administreth vnto vs great and daylie occasions to celebrate the name of the Lord. If we looke into the day wherinto wee enter rising out of our beddes a thousand thinges open themselues vnto the viewe of our eyes whose glorie and beautie put vs in mind of our farre surpassing glorie to come as also of our frailtie and ignominie present For what are we of our selues in regard of the flowers of the fielde whose beautie and hew may make vs blush and indeede to tremble in respect of our casuall and short continuance here had wee not a certaine assurance of a more glorious estate to come for as we see the most sweete fragrant floure quicklie to fade as to grow in the morning gay and in the euening cut downe and withered and all other thinges to come speedilie to their end euen such is our estate if we consider the vncertaintie of our dayes which would soone haue an ende did not the mercies of the Lord and his comfortable hand conduct vs and holde vs vp For let vs consider how the want of our daylie sleepe doth annoy vs who can forbeare sleep one weeke nay for lesse while What thing is more tedious and irksome vnto the bodie than the want of dayly rest and what comforteth it more than the daylie vse and enioying thereof and what are we being possessed with heauines and drousines of the bodie and when we are cast into a dead sleepe are we not as dead men whose memorie hearing seeing and all other sences are cleane gone wherein we are seperated as it were from God and the world wee can neither think on God or good things we cannot doe any thing whereby to defend our selues from the least danger Let vs therefore this morning recount the light great fauour of our good God towards vs wherein euen this night he hath preserued vs from many casualties whereof there are many kinds by theeues and robbers by fire by suddaine sicknes Yea death seemeth to haue a hand fixed on vs which might easilie haue dispatched vs this night had not God preuented vs whose continuall help is so ready that euery morning doth witnesse his loue Let vs therfore reuerentlie fall downe and giue him condigne thankes for all his louing kindnes towards vs yea early now this morning let vs shew foorth the louing kindnes of the Lord. Psal. 92. 2. The Thanksgiuing in the morning O Lord I will praise thy name earlie now this morning will I glorifie thee who by thy louing protection hast so garded me that no euill hath taken hold of me this night Oh most high mightie and fauourable God the day is thine and the night is thine thou hast framed the day for vs to trauaile in and the night thou hast appointed for vs to rest in I giue thee most humble vnfained thankes good father for thine vnspeakeable mercies who hast not only giuen me my comfortable rest this night past but also hast kept me as it were vnder the shaddow of thy wings euen as the apple of thine owne eie And had I not bene defended by thee innumerable daungers had ouertaken mee If then hadst not raised mee vp this morning I should not haue bene able to rise but haue perished in my bed O great is thy mercy towards me far surpassing my deserts for it is thy hand good Father that hath this night preserued me from perishing Therfore lift I vp mine eyes euen to the heauens from whence I haue obtained this safetie Yea betimes in the morning I wil call vpon thee that thy mercies may euermore preserue mee and ouershaddow me that no euill either of soule or bodie hurt mee and graunt that thy most sacred protection may alwayes preuent al the secrete and open euils which hang ouer my head Giue me thy spirit of wisedome and reuelation this morning that I may know thee and serue thee Lighten the eies of mine vnderstanding that I may knowe thy will and according vnto the same frame all mine actions this day and graunt also that I may finde how excellent thou art in thy power how sweete thou art in thy mercies and in performing thy promises wherin thou continuallie workest to the comfort defence and releefe of all such as come vnto thee O Lord increase our faith A motion to an Euening Prayer THe day being now past the light of y e sun being ouershaddowed with darkenes let vs consider that euen so there will come the daye wherein the light of our bodilie eies shall be shut vp not for a night as in the bed through a slumber but vntil the appearance of Christ in his glorie comming to iudgement And forasmuch as al things for the most part at this time betake them to their rest man is limitted this time to cease from his labours It is our duties especially to betake vs into the gracious protection of our good God submitting vs our bodies and soules to his tuitiō that if it be his pleasure to touch vs this night with the finger of death we may be so readilie prepared that we bee not taken at vnawares but that wee may haue the light of the lamp of a faithfull expectation of that blessed houre burning continuallie in our hearts which may awaken vs out of the deadly slumber of securitie whereby otherwise we shall be so darkened that we shall perish not onlie in our beds for a time but in our soules and bodies for euer And surely in this danger
A PROGRESSE of Pietie OR The harbour of Heauenly harts ease to recreate the afflicted Soules of all such as are shut vp in anye inward or outward affliction By Iohn Norden Rom. 12. Continue in Prayer LONDON Printed by I. Windet for I. Oxenbridge and are to be soulde in Paules Church-yarde at the signe of the Parrot 1596. TO THE MOST famous christian Queene Elizabeth by Gods especiall fauor Queene of England France and Ireland defender of Gods eternall truth YOVR MAiesties moste gracious acceptance of a poore former trauaile of mine The Mirror for the multitude my most dearely beloued Soueraigne Emboldeneth me once againe in al loyal obedience humbly to beseech the same to afforde the like gracious acceptance of this Progresse vnto heauenly harts ease which although it might haue carried a more base title in regarde of myne vnworthinesse yet considering the course of the treatise and the estate of the time whose happines and harts ease is of some censured after the quantitie and qualitie of euerie particular mans worldly felicitie I thought it not vnfit vnder your Maiesties most royall protection to giue it that title for that it leadeth vnto the true peace of the inner man who howsoeuer the body in bodily thinges fare in this life ought onelye to bee comforted and eased with the due contemplation of Gods most diuine loue ready helpe prouident regard of our inward and outward miseries wherewith we can not but bee touched in some measure while wee liue here And because we haue here no continuing cittie but seeke one to come it behoueth vs to goe out of the campe of these worldly cares and take our progresse in the way of piety vnto that heauenly harbour where wee shall rest through the assurance of Gods loue towards vs in this life inwardly endued with such ease of the hart and peace of conscience that whatsoeuer affliction or crosse thwart our endeuours yet shall we rest as the Saintes of God in a heauenly harts ease vntill we come to that heauenly Cittie newe Ierusalem where wee shall haue full fruition of all happie and heauenly hearts ease for euer Now forasmuch most deare Queene as that your gracious lenitie affordeth acceptance vnto the least showe of loyall loue therby enciting manie to shewe themselues willing to present their trauailes vnto your sacred view I the worst and vnworthiest in all humilitie presume to reach out the hand of my heartie zeale and vnfained loue to bee laide euen vnder the feete of your most sacred will and disposition And woulde thinke mee your most happiest poore subiect might it please your Maiestie fauourablye to accept this my poore Progresse Your Maiesties most happie subiect in seeing your gracious dayes whose ende God grant I neuer see Iohn Norden The Authors Praier which hee vsed in the performing of this worke OH merciful wise god what am I that I shoulde take thy word into my mouth That I should vndertake to celebrate the praises of thy name being a man of polluted lips of a defiled hart of a corrupt conuersation before thee I do acknowledge against my selfe good Father that I deserue not to bee heard when I crie so ignorant am I of my self vnable rightly to pray for my self but rather to be reiected and especially presuming to set downe rules directions to teach others to pray But in all humilitie my good God I enter into thy presence crauing pardon for my sinnes and thy directions in my proceedings who saydst vnto Dauid Open thy mouth and I will fill it oh fill me with thy diuine knowledge and I shall be filled and shew thy glorie to posterities Thou that saidst vnto Paul My grace is sufficient for thee assist mee with that grace and enable me to performe those thinges through the strength thereof which in loue of thee I haue conceiued and in thy feare haue purposed to publish to the glory and comfort of thy childrē Amen O Lord increase my faith A preparation to Prayer Ephes. 6. 10 MY brethren be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might 11 Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the assaultes of the deuill 12 For wee wrestle not against flesh and bloud but against principalities against powers against worldly gouernours the princes of the darknes of this world 13 For this cause take vnto you the whole armour of God that ye may bee able to resist in the euill day And hauing finished al things stand fast 14 Stand I say and your Ioynes girded about with veritie hauing on the brest-plate of righteousnes 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace 16 And aboue all take vnto you the shield of faith wherewith you may be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked 17 And take the helmet of saluation and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God 18 And praye alwaies with all manner supplication in the spirit and watch thereunto with all perseuerance Being thus furnished in the Lord wee may proceed on in our progresse with this precogitation following A Psalme wherein is set foorth the loue of God towardes vs wherein he accepteth vs to come vnto him for whatsoeuer we neede fit at all times to be sung O What a ioyfull thing it is to sing vnto his praise Who louingly imbraceth his and guides them in his waies He calleth such as are opprest and helpes them by his might The poore oppressed gain thē rest the wronged haue their right O come therefore and let vs fall and humble vs on knee In heartie zeale and then he shall of bond-men make vs free His mercies great and manifold forthwith he will extend His fauours far surpasse the gold whose glorie shall haue end Let vs therefore sing out in zeale that people all may know That he to his doth still reueale his secretes here below His heauenly hearts ease they shall find who do performe his wil. But worldly men continue blind vainely conceited still O teach vs Lord teach vs in loue what we should do and say Giue vs direction from aboue how we should rightly pray That we to thee may honour giue and to our children show How thou thy seruants dost relieue that want thine aide below A motion to Praier that God by his holy Spirite will teach vs how to praie LEt vs consider how willing and readye our good God is to harken vnto the desires of all such as hunger and thirst for the riches of his grace without which such is our pouertie That we know not what to aske as we ought But the spirite helpeth our infirmities and maketh request for vs with sighes which can not be expressed And although that flesh and bloud bee so corrupt that it alwaies groueleth on the puddle of worldly cares and the better part namely the inner man in the meane time is forgotten and standeth indangered to
fall into manie euils yet hauing the earnest of this spirit we may boldely come vnto our GOD who hath promised to sende the same if we aske it at his handes â—e will giue it in such aboundance and full measure that by the vertue thereof we shall be able to pray according to the wil of God This is the coÌ„forter which Christ promised to sende vnto vs euen the holy Ghost which should teach vs all things And without it wee know nothing And alas what were it for vs to fall downe before God in most reuerent outwarde maner pouring foorth a huge heap of words from the lippes not hauing this inward director Surely it were but to spend time to no purpose It is the Spirit that crieth in our hartes Abba father The spirit of a man knoweth only the things that are of man but the Spirite of God knoweth and desireth the things that are of God And the naturall man perceiueth not the things of the spirit of God for they are folishnesse vnto him But he that hath the spirit of God he discerneth all things Let vs therefore pray in the holy Ghost let vs pray alwaies with all maner prayer and supplications in the Spirite And let vs pray continually for the ayde of this sacred guide the holy Spirit of God which will both mooue vs vnto and direct vs in all things that are requisite to the due performance of this godly exercise The prayer for the ayd of Gods Spirite FOrasmuch deare Father as euery man liuing is of him selfe before thee as a beaste neither knowing thee nor the thinges concerning their owne duties vnto thee I as one of the most peruerse filthy and corrupt doe here humble my selfe before thee begging at thy hands that which thou hast promised to giue vnto as many as ask it of thee thine holy spirit that sacred comforter which reuealeth thee and thy will to the simple and ignorant which also stirreth vp the minds and inward affections of thy children to call vpon thee it prepareth the hartes and openeth the mouthes of thy children to celebrate thy name Bestow it therfore good father bestow it vpon me thy poore creature and vpon all thy children And graunt that although all of vs are of corrupt affections and of polluted lippes yet we may bee besprinkled with that heauenly Isope that wee therby may haue our harts cleansed from the corrupt affections of the world and the eyes of our vnderstandings opened that we may see the good things that we should aske that our feet which are fettered with the cares of vaine things may be set at libertie that we may walk the right way vnto the kingdome of heauen that the hands of our soules may apprehend and take hold of the riches and righteousnes of thy son Christ Jesus And that by the aide of the saine spirite we may cast of all impediments lets and incumbraÌ„ces that detaine vs from comming vnto thee Sanctifie mee within and without wash me and I shall be whiter then snowe Let thy truth and thy spirit meet together in my soule that my praier may enter into thy presence And that thine eares may incline vnto my humble petitions so shall I declare thy louing kindnesse in the morning and thy truth in the night Thou knowest whereof we be made thou forgettest not that we are but dust vnprofitable people not fitte apt or able of our selues to pray vnto thee or praise thy name Wherefore good Father enlighten vs and teach our hartes rightlie to coÌ„ceiue our tongues freelie to speake what may be to thy glory and our comfort allure vs to seeke thee and graunt that our harts may reioyce in thee and that we may liue and die in thee Amen Let vs now seeke the Lord let vs seeke his strength yea let vs seeke his face continually Psal. 105 4. O Lord increase our faith A motion to prayer for Queene Elizabeth FOrasmuch as experience it selfe teacheth that as an euill Prince draweth the greatest parte of his subiects vnto the same profession and course of life which the Prince professeth and taketh and so the Prince and people as it were bound vnto sinne passe together in the way of death so the good and godly prince both by good example of life and by sacred lawes enciteth and winneth his people to the heauenly course which tendeth to the obtaining of freedome of soule and body to life eternall And as the former is sent in iudgement vnto a people for their punishment and his long continuance to be lamented so is the other giuen as a blessing and a most speciall token of the loue of God for whose long and prosperous raine euery subiect is in dutie bound louingly zealously and faithfully to pray vnto God If so what haue we to say what haue we to do and what haue we to think of our gracious Queene chosen of the Lord him selfe and miraculously preserued and louingly giuen vs for our most speciall good by whome wee haue the freedom and libertie of the Gospel which is the path to our heauenly hearts ease which before her days we knowe was stopt by with the briers and thornes of persecution and death and nowe laide open againe as a most euident token that the lord by her sacred gouernment will lead the people through the wildernes of all the diuisions hurliburlies tumults in this world and to that end hath raisd vp manie zealous graue and religious Counsellors and godly ministers who do direct the whole progresse and marching on of her obedient people in the path of a godly profession of the word of God wherby at length they shal com to that pleasant land of knowledge wher they shall euen in this life enioy the heauenlie harts ease the peace of a good conscience without reproofe Therefore it is most expedient that we should call to minde our duties which we ow vnto her Maiestie not only in regard of y â— commandement which Paule setteth down to Timothy That supplications praiers intercessions giuing of thaÌ„ks shuld be made for kings and such as are in authority but also in regard of the dayly experieÌ„ce of her most sacred gouernment which is such so gratious as the like benefite hath not beene extended to any nation before vs. And therefore that we may auoid negligence in that behalfe let vs according to the former counsell of Paule pray for her Maiesties prosperous continuance amongst vs. Let vs make intercession for her perseuerance and going on in her sacred dutie to God as she hath begunne and that hee will preuent the euils which her aduersaries maliciously pretend against her And finally let vs giue thankes for her so long comfortable being our nursing mother that shee may so continue if it please God to the shutting vp and finishing of all time vpon the earth that she with vs and we
of it And thereof giueth hee the thirsty to drinke and therewith washeth he away the teares from the eyes of his afflicted children and poureth aboundance of comfortes vpon all such as long for his ready help and let them knowe this that the poore shall not alwayes bee forgotten The hope of the afflicted shall not perish for euer the Lord is a refuge for the poore a refuge in the time of trouble hee forgetteth not the coÌ„plaint of the poore But for the oppression of the needie and for the sighes of the poore I will vp saith the Lord and wil set at libertie whome the wicked hath imprisoned The Lorde is our rocke and our fortresse it is he that deliuereth vs he is our streÌ„gth let vs trust in him our shielde the horne also of our saluation and our refuge he is not as the world who loueth onely the glorious the rich and such as are famous in the world and who abhorreth the needie the base the poore and miserable But the Lorde loueth and regardeth he fauoureth and releeueth the poore hee hideth not his face from him that is in miserie but when he calleth vpon him hee heareth him and releeueth him And howsoeuer miserably we beâ— crossed let vs bee comforted for the porest that trusteth in him shall eat and be satisfied They that seek him shall want no manner of thing that is good although for a time we be tryed and cast down and most miserablie tossed in this cruel world and though wee seeme to walke through the valley of the shaddow of death let vs not feare for God is with vs his rod and his staffe will comfort vs he will prepare a table for vs in the sight of such as seeme to say of vs. God hath forgotten them hee shall annoint our heades with the oile of inward comfort he will fill our cup and our ioy shall be full And although it fall out with the godly in this worlde that when they are afflicted the wicked nay sometimes such as carrie great colour of Christianitie are ready to persecute them whome the Lorde visiteth and sticke not to ad more sorrow vnto their griefe whom the Lord toucheth with any crosse It is no new thing for experience it selfe teacheth it and it is become a prouerbe that one mischiefe followeth another and all troubles come together and to verifie it euery euill is made to fall vpon the afflicted man and the worlde addeth miserie to misery whaâ— then shall Gods childreÌ„ dismay at this God forbid nay which is more we see that if it please God to pull vs downe from prosperity to aduersitie from ability and wealâ—â— to disability and pouertie as many times the most godly are by the hand of God in loue How do our auncient friendes and familiar acquaintance slide froÌ„ vs as though they knew vs not They scorne to see vs and they passe by vs nodding the head saying reprochfully he trusted in God but see his miserie and if there be any cause they will haue a blow at him that is already striken and they thinke it seruice to God to vexe them that are vexed and to afflicte the afflicted And surely if without offence I may make the comparison the men of this world may be likened to a company of dogges who will ioyne all together vpon a poore curre that is already ouermatched And so do the cruell men hand in hand ioyne together to oppresse the oppressed And therfore al such as feare God arme you against troubles for the whole world is set against you Are yee poore it will seeke your further miserie are ye slaundered it will speake more euill of you haue yee enemies it will also hate you are ye any way afflicted it will seeke to pull you vtterly down But stand valiantlie fight a good fight against all these crosses not with the hand of reuenge but with patient abiding so shall yee find rest at the last Cast all your care vpon God for hee careth for you his eyes are alwayes ouer the righteous and his eares continually open vnto their prayers Grudge ye not therefore at the prosperity of the worldly men who liue here in all pleasure and wantonnesse nourishing their heartes as in the day of slaughter although they seeke to kill you and to oppresse you bee patient vnto the comming of the Lorde settle your hartes for his comming draweth neere and take the Prophets for an example of suffering aduersitie and of long patience who accounted them blessed which endured consider the patience of Iob and his miserie and marke what end the Lord made for assuredly the Lord is very pittifull and merciful whâ— although sorrow mourning teares endure for a night hee sendeth ioy againe in the morning although father mother and friends forsake vs the Lorde taketh vs vp although we may not looke for outwarde comfort while we liue here Yet let vs suffer affliction let vs sorrowe and weepe let our laughter be turned into mourning and our ioy into heauinesse let vs cast downe our selues before the Lord and he will lift vs vp He hath saide I will not faile thee nor forsake thee Howsoeuer we fall wee shall not perish for the Lord putteth to his hande and therefore may the poore afflicted build his comforte vpon this promise and say The Lorde is my helper neither will I feare what man can doe vnto mee Hearken yet yee poore children of God what Dauid saith to comfort you I haue bene young and now am old yet saw I neuer the righteous forsaken nor their children to beg their breade Hath not God chosen the poore of this world that they should be rich in faith and heires of the kingdome which he promised to them that loue him Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit their soules to him in well doing as vnto a faithfull Creator And reioyce yee in as much as ye are partakers of Christs suffering that when his glorie shal appear ye may be glad and reioice In the meane time let vs repaire vnto him in prayer A verie necessarie prayer in tyme of trouble crosses and afflictions O Lord God my most louing Father creator who of thy franke and free fauour hast called mee into this world and placed me in the same when I waÌ„dred as a poor pilgrim a miserable and distressed wretchâ— for whome thou heretofore hast vouchsafed to prouide thinges necessarie and expedient and hast also giuen mee prosperous and gracious successe in my proceedinges But of late my sinnes haue made a seperation betweene thy fauour and my necessitie in so much as I now feele thy heauy hand of iudgment wherein I am bereaued of some of thy woonted comfortes in somuch as it seemeth that thou settest thy self as it were against me but alas what am I earth and ashes that thou shouldest contend with me let it
shal we sleep vnlesse we betake vs into the hands of God when we go to bed It is a matter of great moment little regarded of worldly men But the children of God farre otherwise betake themselues to their corporall rest for they make their sleepe an image of their death and their bed they enter into as into their graue and in the morning when the sun and light appeareth they take a new occasion when they rise to contemplate of the celestiall and eternall light glorifying the name of God for his most gratious protection And therefore arise now all yee seruants of the Lord cry out in the night poure out your hearts like water before the face of our liuing God The Prayer for the Euening I Thanke thee good God and most mercifull father whose prouidence reacheth vnto the least of thy creatures and thy fauour and loue alwaies wait vpon thy children to preserue them thou hast executed thy sacred comforts towards me this day thou hast giuen me all things necessary and hast suffered none euill to annoy me And by thy mightie working I haue passed this day and am now come to the ende thereof entring into the dark and lothsom night wherin many dangers lurk and lie secretlie hidden to vexe thy children if thou preuent them not in thy wisedome and loue Haue regard therefore good Father vnto mee who am fraile and soone fall into many things offensiue vnto thy Maiestie and the right is often polluted with my sinnes insomuch as I cannot but accuse my selfe before thee that my sleepe cannot be iustified to be pure but euen therein by dreames fantasies of the flesh and many vaine temptations I am often mooued to consent vnto that which thou lothest and can in no wise then performe what thou louest Sith therfore my good father that I through my sinnes deserue no fauour but punishment I appeale vnto thy mercy in Christ beseeching thee for his sake to annoint the eies of my heart with the oyle of thy grace that though the naturall man slumber and in slumbering fall away by weaknes yet my soule may be refreshed this night with diligent watchfulnes least that the aduersarie sowing therein the tares of temptation I giue consent to sin and so endanger both body soule by my negligence Good Father pardon my sinnes for thy names sake be merciful vnto me receiue me this night into thy custodie and safe protection let thy grace comfort me and let thy continuall fauour defend me from all perils And in thy loue vouchsafe me such comfortable rest as thou shalt see expedient for the refreshment and preseruation of the helth of my bodie which els cannot but waxe feeble and be made subiect to such infirmities as I shall not be able to execute my dutie vnto thee In thy name therfore good Father I yeeld my selfe vnto my rest wherein let thy holy spirit keepe the doore of my hart and thy holy Angels attend about my bed for my safetie for Christ Jesus thy deare sonnes merits Amen O Lord increase our faith Before we goe to bed The Lorde will graunt his louing kindnesse in the day and in the night will we sing of him euen a prayer vnto the God of life Psal. 42. 8 OH Father ful of might and loue our castle and our stay Who rulest with thy power aboue The darksome night and day The day is thine and night also thou rulest with thy hand Both which were made for man we know and so was sea and land The sea and land and all the things therein which thou hast plast Thou gauest vs madst vs kings to vse them till the last Which blessings Lord this day we haue most richlie had froÌ„ thee Blesse â—â—ke this night good Lord we craue keep vs froÌ„ danger free Preserue vs when our drousie sleep our bodies shall possesse And let not Sathan creepe into nor our poore soules oppresse But let thy grace preuent his ire let nothing vs annoy Let faith preuaile let him retire and we good rest enioy Tremble and sinne not examine your owne hearts vpon your bed and be still Psal. 4. 4. O Lord increase our faith Hauing thus farre proceeded in our progresse wee must be forced to take vp our standing-house and for a time abide in the earthly mansions of our bodies before we can attaine vnto the end of our iourney and be fully possessed of that absolute heauenly hearts ease In which standing house we must consider how wee ought to carry our selues towards our Queene the head and gouernour of this houshold IT is a common matter and necessary for Princes and great estates vpon their repaire vnto any house wherin they purpose to make any small abode to take order that the same be cleansed swept garnished perfumed and set in decent and pleasing order as well for healths sake as for somelines pleasure and delight But much more it behoueth vs that haue taken by our lodgings and abiding places in these our mortall bodies to take order with our affections wils and dispositions that our conuersations be in such decent comely sweete and comfortable order disposed that our soules be not annoyd with the filth and stincke of our corruptions while we abide in the same but rather that our soules may be delighted with the sweete odours and sacred perfumes of sanctitie and spirituall graces Wee must therefore like vnto good Surueyers and ouerseers of our owne buildings carefully endeuour that all the noysome places within our building be clensed and the contagious sincks and vnseemely filth and rubble which disgrace or annoy the same be cast out and swept And aboue all we must looke into the heart for there lieth infinite filthines and vnles it be carefully seene vnto it wil hardly be throughly clensed for the hart is the place that is most deceitfull and wicked yea aboue all the other parts of the bodie and therfore it is demaunded who can know it In so much as the Prophet argueth that the heart is so subtil and deceitfull that vnles we most narrowly search it there will lye hidden filthinesse corruption when we thinke it is well swept and garnished It is a dangerous thing for vs to flatter our selues in our hearts saying our hearts are cleane and we shal haue peace and yet the filthines of sin rest in vs and y e roote that bringeth foorth gall and wormewood groweth in our willes behauiour But we must circumcise our hearts we must cut off all peruerse corrupt affections and purge vs of all iniquitie wherein we must craue the assistance of y e spirit of God which will purifie our hearts And hee that will not thus endeuour to cleanse this most filthie part of his house but resteth stiffe-necked and as it were of an vncircumcised hart and eare not forsaking his old wicked conuersation neither will heare wheÌ„ God speaketh vnto him he doeth as it were