in this manner liue towards God so in holines towards men so righteously Oh that I might passe thus thorow this sinfull world with that peace of conscience with that ioy of the spirit with that preparednes for death with that longing after our Lord Iesus his comming which is gotten hereby and which the very creatures doe groane for and all the godly true repentants heartily wish for Oh how grieuous is it now to mee to consider how far I am from this practice of piety especially when I doe weigh my owne weaknesses and also want of grace to attaine to the due full performance of this so conscionable a course Oh what shall I doe Oh what shall I do I am so loden with corruptions and the world so full of tentations compassing mee about with examples of wickednesse that I feare my fall He that seeketh goodnes oh how little is he regarded vertue wanteth praise vice is not abhorred innocency made a prey iustice set to sale sincerity reputed follie and iust dealing is held the high way to beggerie If yet for all these things I should disclaim the way of well doing I should therewith loose the hope of heauen if I should embrace vngodlinesse and vanitie I am sure to be damned in hell As Sir what shall I doe Ah my poore imprisoned soule oh that I were dissolued let mee loose O Lord out of this prison of my body O come Lord Iesu O come quickly and make an end of these dayes of sinne I desire bee dissolued and to bee with thee Iohn Alas good soule what moueth thee thus to bemone thy selfe thou art a happie Creature and hast no such cause to complaine in this so sorrowful a manner Comfort thy selfe my heart in that large portion of piety giuen vnto thee thy desire in time shall bee satisfied vpon thy lowlinesse assuredly the Lord doth look Feare not to finde mercy and fauour he will refresh those that trauell and bee heauie loden And therefore let vs proceed on as wee haue done hitherto if thou wouldest know more wherein I may enforme thee demand and I will make answere shew wherin and I will instruct thee and the Lord direct thee in the way that thou shalt chuse Gaius Sir seeing I haue thus found fauour in your eyes and that you iudge mee among the faithfull I desire to be informed more particularly The vse and end of this booke how from time to time euery day as a worke for euery weeke during life I may behaue my selfe religiously in the way to eternitie Iohn Is it thy desire beloued Gaius to haue mee set downe how thou The sum and parts handled herein shouldest exercise thy selfe first in the morning on the day time abroad in the euening returning home and in the night time awakening and so in the end of the weeke for a preparation to the Sabbath Gaius Euen so this indeed Sir is my desire for hauing particular rules so set before me I may the better vnderstand what to doe more orderly goe forward and according to the distinction of times looke ouer daily my precepts till I become cunning by a conscionable practice which the holy one vouchsafe mee of his great goodnesse and mercy Iohn Euen so be it my Directions for euery morning bowels Now therefore awaking in the morning forthwith before other things I. Consider how 1. Dutie graciously God hath renewed his mercy towards thee preseruing thee aliue in the night and giuing thee as it were in the morning a new life awaking thee perhaps by the voice of man by the crowing of a cooke by the sound of a bell or otherwise and opened againe thine eyes in darkenesse to behold the shining light for which mercy giue him hearty thanks and praises and withall desire him to giue thee sight to thy soule as thou hast light for thy body and that as hee expelleth darknesse from thee and affoordeth thee day light and Sun-shine to the eyes of the body so in like maner to bee pleased to remoue ignorance that spituall darknesse from thy minde by the light of his illuminating spirit that thy soule by the sun-shine of the holy Scriptures may see how to walke in this vaile of teares thorow this darkenesse in which the world lieth without sight of sinne or remorse of conscience vnto thy heauenly harbour Then secondly fall to 2. Dutie Meditations vpon our awaking meditation and first how God can awake vs from the sleepe of sinne and open our eyes to see the light of the truth either by extraordinarie means or by ordinarie and these weake or more forcible as it pleased him to awake Dauid by Nathan and Peter by the cocke although wee haue slept as many yeeres in sinne as houres in our bed Secondly that after a sleeping though long if there be life there followeth a wakening so is it with the elect though they fall asleepe againe in sin and lie therein a long time yet because they are not vtterly without the life of God they shall at length awake againe Thirdly that as awaking in the morning by the day light in the appointed time to arise and men vp in health there is not by and by a returning to sleepe in bed againe no more shall bodily death seaze vpon any there shall be no more returning to rest in the graue in the day of the last resurrection Fourthly that as a carefull husband aiming at his thrift is ashamed to lie sleeping in bed as if it were still night when the Sunne is vp yea shining vpon him and hee called to his businesse euen so should euery good Christian carefull of saluation be ashamed to lie sleepiing in any sinne when the cleare light of the Gospell shineth vpon him and is called vpon by faithfull Teachers to the performance of his duties Fifthly by thy rising vp Meditations in rising thinke vpon thy resurrection which is twofold first from the kingdome of darknesse and our naturall corruption to the true light and kingdome of grace and of the second resurrection from the darknesse of the graue to the heauēly light of the kingdome of glory Sixthly in arising vp Meditations vpon our naked nesse without clothes as naked 1. consider how naked we be by nature of all holines and righteousnesse when wee come into the world so to bewaile our wretchednesse 2. That wee shall arise naked at the last day as Adam was in his innocencie 3. That as in this bodily nakednes without clothes wee bee ashamed for the vncomelines therof to bee seene so of men vnlesse wee bee fooles or madde euen so should we be ashamed to be seen of God of his Angels and of any good men naked without the couering of grace and goodnesse because of the filthinesse of sinne And as none but fooles and madde men come naked before men so do none but mad men wicked fooles and men desperately leaud liue naked of goodnesse
my minde in heauenly meditations from vncleane vnquiet and foolish dreames and so refresh me by the quiet benefit of sweet sleepe that I may arise more chearfully comfortably in the morning to the labours of my particular calling While I doe sleepe watch I beseech thee ouer me cause thy holy Angels to pitch their tents about me that so I may rest and also arise in safety and therby be moued to laud and praise thee still renewing my thankes as thou doest renew thy mercies daily And now Lord going to my bed I commend my selfe my soule and body into the hands of thy fatherey protection for thou art awake when I sleepe and thou onely art able to preserue mee If it so please thee now this night to take my life from me and to remoue me out of this vale of miserie this doe O Lord of thy great mercy pardon me all my sins wilfull transgressions negligences and ignorances euils committed and duties omitted in any measure manner or any way displeasing to thy Maiesty and that for the death and passion the righteousnesse the merits and intercession of Iesus Christ thy Sonne and our blessed Sauiour I humbly beseech thee and for his sake take vp my soule to thy heauenly habitation there to rest vntill I come wholly body and soule vnto thee in that great day of the resurrection But if it yet please thee stil further to prolong my life then I hartily pray thee good God of thy tender mercy herein to heare mee that as dayes be added to the time of life so graces may bee encreased that as I grow in yeeres so may I also bee fruitfull in good workes encreasing in grace to thy praise my better preparednesse to death and to my eternall comfort at the last day the time of my perfect redemption through Iesus Christ our Lord to whom with thee and that blessed Spirit bee giuen all honour glory and praise of me and all thy people as is most due for all thy louing mercies past and present for the future hope of eternall blisse this night and for euermore Amen Gaius Now if it please thee my Father proceed to the next point and shew vnto me what meditatiōs I should haue in the night season if it happen that then I should awake Iohn Let it 1. put thee Meditations vpon our awaking in the night in mind of awaking from sinne as thou hast awaked frō sleep that thou perish not by death 2. Thinke also how God can make men which are dead in the graue to liue againe as easily as hee hath made thee to awake out of thy sleepe 3. By thy sudden awaking to consider how suddenly thou mayest bee raised vp and summoned to iudgement Secondly by the darknes Of darknesse of the night first thinke of the spirituall darknesse in which natural men sinfully and desperately doe sleepe to pray that God would open their eyes to see the wonders of his law then of the vtter darknesse into which all such impenitent sleepers shall bee cast to moue thee to mourne for them aliue that they may not bee damned when they bee dead further by this darknesse so comfortlesse behold also their comfortles estate for as they cannot which are in darknes see either themselues or others or their way or house or friends or enemies no more can men in spirituall darknesse know thēselues nor the Church of God nor discerne the godly from the vngodly nor the way of life from the way of death nor foresee perils or the pit prepared for them no more then men which remaine in darknesse can see to auoide the dangers which they may fall into vntill the light doe againe shine vpon them Thirdly if thou canst Of dreames cal thy dreames to remembrance by their vanitie iudge of thy leuity by their vncleannesse thy filthinesse by their idlenes thy foolishnesse by the furie in them thy madnes by their much vncertainty thy wauering and inconstancie the delight in their deceits thy easinesse to bee led by delusions the fearfulnesse in them thy timorous heart the seldome thoughts of goodnes thy much delight in wickednesse and little care of godlinesse Fourthly in the silent night vpon thy bed it is good to fall into an examination of thine owne heart it is the time freest from disturbance in respect of outward impediments thou mayest haue with thy soule free and peaceable conference By a true and serious search thou mayest finde out thy selfe and so bee better knowne to thy selfe and the more thou art acquainted with thy owne corruption the more wilt thou bewaile thy wants and seeke after the grace of sanctification Fifthly in thine inclination to sleepe againe note thereby how a man may awake from sin through Gods mercy and yet bee readie to sleepe againe in sinne by his owne infirmitie Sixthly before thou sleepe againe commend thy selfe in some short prayer to God according to the former meditations and so asleepe for refreshment taking so much as may suffice nature for more strength of labour but not to satisfie the flesh to grow thereby lazie and lustfull Gaius Oh what conceited Laodiceans are we wee out of an ordinarie profession in any measure aboue our brethren hold our selues full of deuotion wee iudge our selues goodly Christians rich in graces flowing in goodnesse lacking little to perfection but alas now I see by the neglect of these things that we are wretched and miserable and poore and blind and naked I confesse that the Lord hath cause to rebuke and chasten vs except wee speedily grow more zealous and amend Iohn Indeed Gaius men are too wickedly carelesse of a holy conuersation and how to keepe a good cōscience towards God man Men seeme to hate so very much popish superstition as they neglect altogether Christian deuotiō it is iudged enough to bee no Papist though otherwise a man bee little better then a very Atheist in all his courses Gaius Right so my father such as see it may lament it but not remedie it I pray for better vnto him that can reforme it But leauing this proceed on I beseech thee with mee as thou hast begun and come to the last particular how I may make my selfe readie for the sanctifying of the Sabbath Iohn I perceiue that thy heart thirsteth after grace the Lord more and more perfect the same so happily begun in thee First besides these things Directions for a preparation to the Sabbath before mentioned carefully haue in remēbrance euery day the Lords day to keepe it holy when it commeth therefore foresee thy businesse neglect no ordinarie labour order thy worldly affaires so as that day bee set apart for the speciall and publike worship of God that so thy deuotion bee not hindered nor the day prophaned hee hath vtterly lost the power of religion that is carelesse of the Sabbaths sanctification Secondly in the end of the weeke iudge by this holy course of thy growth in religion of
the death of sin the strength of grace of thy contempt of the world and of thy desire to bee with Christ for by a constant course in this daily exercise thou shalt see these things more and more to encrease vpon thee if indeed this worke for euery weeke without formall and customarie hypocrisie in a holy and conscionable respect of thy dutie bee religiously and constantly performed Thirdly consider how thou hast passed ouer so many dayes the allotted time for worldly labours and so hast brought the weeke to an end that so thou mayest meditate of thy shortening of thy daies and drawing nearer vnto iudgemēt Also how thou hast ended daies and weekes and so shouldest end thy sins and as times renew vpon thee and yeeres encrease so shouldest thou be daily renewed in minde and bee encreased in goodnesse that so the longer thou doest liue the better thou may bee more holy to God more vpright to men more spiritual lesse worldly more desirous of immortality lesse regarding vanitie so liuing as thereby leauing a blessed name to posterity so dying as thou mayest enioy a better life in eternity Fourthly with the rest of thy former daily deuotions and euery nights exercise and godly meditation going to bed adde to this night these two considerations That the week is as the end of the world and the seuenth day following as the eternall Sabbath when all the elect of God shall be assembled to worship him for euer and euer Gaius Reuerend Sir although thus be ended the duties and meditations for the sixe daies in the weeke yet is not this worke for euery weeke fully finished One thing remaineth of which though many haue spoken I beseech thee say something and set downe in a few words how I may behaue my selfe vpon this day of rest to sanctifie it and to keepe it holy vnto the Lord. Iohn Friend and faithfull Gaius thy desire is good and I cannot but condescēd to thy request to make vp this so little a worke for him that readeth it which yet will bee a most holy labour to him that practiseth it Concerning this thou art to know three things first 3. Things to bee knowne for the keeping of the Lords day holy what to doe before thou goest to the assembly then how to demeane thy selfe there and thirdly how to behaue thy selfe afterwards Gaius What am I to do I beseech thee in the morning Iohn Thou art not only now to performe thy euery day mornings deuotion but thou must make a speciall preparation for this day First awake early and What to doe vpon the Lords day in the morning arise be times as thy age and health wil suffer thee the sooner vp the more ready for holy exercises and longer time for them It is meet thou shouldest assoone rise for the Lords seruice to the soules safety as in the weeke day for thy selfe or earthly master to get maintenance for the body Secondly being thus risen and ready bee earnest and ardent in prayer and therin first for thy Pastor and Teacher that God would enlarge his gifts vpon him that hee would giue him vtterance and liberty of speech that hee might speake powerfully that the spirit might work both in him and by him effectually that so he himselfe might be a preacher in word and works a liuely paterne of his doctrine in a holy life and conuersation then for thy selfe and the rest of the hearers that they might haue prepared harts as good groūd for the Lords seede that they might bring forth plentifully for the Lords haruest for your ministers encouragement and your owne comfort After this reade some portion of Scripture with the text to be handled if hee goe on with a scripture calling to minde what hee hath spoken where hee left that so you may prepare your selues better to that which remaineth and so with some sweete Psalme of Psal 14. 92. 95. comfort praise God Thirdly and lastly after all these things speedily dispatch all businesse of absolute necessity auoide whatsoeuer is superfluous leaue as few as possibly may be at home make hast to the assembly and thinke whether thou art going looking to thy feet before thou enter into the house of the Lord and be more ready to heare then to offer the sacrifice of fooles Gaius Oh Lord God Of mens vnpreparednesse to Gods house how vnpreparedly come most into Gods house wee doe vsually rush into the holy assemblie without doing any of these duties from worldly businesse stuffed with cares of this life which choke the seed of Gods word some out of the Alchouse with red faces bidding defiance to all sober spirits other hardly gotten from their beds hauing not shaken off their idlenesse and perhaps their wantonnesse other spend all the time in dressing and attiring themselues that they may come to see and to bee seene into the congregation as the diuels ensigne-bearers of vanity pride Some come with couetousnes as Iudas some with hypocrisie as Ananiah some with enuie as the Pharisies some with Prophanenesse and mocking spirits like the Iewes some to cauill and catch aduantage as certaine did in Ieremies daies some come for companie as good fellowes not for conscience some onely of a fashion and of a custome taken vp vpon a kind of religion but neither knowing why nor wherefore nor euer learning any thing for their reformation Some come for feare of man but not of God most that come come as the people did to Ezechiel to heare but very few to doe because indeed they come not thus in a conscionable preparation But I haue been too long in this sorrowfull complaint shew me I pray thee what I am to do in the open congregation Iohn 1. Be thou respectiue How to carry our selues in the open congregation of Gods presence the presence of his holy Angels 2. Shew a reuerent behauior in thine eies countenance gesture of thy whole body whether it bee standing sitting or kneelings 3. Wholly addict thy selfe to attentiue hearing ioyning with the minister and the rest of the congregation in all the publike exercises is the preaching of the word in administration of the Sacramēts in distributing to the poor in their necessities in prayer and singing of Psalmes vnto God 4. Auoid all wandring thoughts idle gazing drowsie sleeping superstitious praying there alone also priuate reading and whatsoeuer may shew either neglect or contempt of the publike administration of holy thing 5. Continue constant with the congregation abide to the end and conclude with the rest depart with a heart lifted vp vnto God for such heauenly means of saluation and so goe forth with a reuerent and a holy behauiour in respect of God of his Angels of Gods Ministers and his people and in respect of departing so immediately from such holy and heauenly exercises and also in regard of the place but without superstition set apart to so holy an end Gaius Alas alas
A WEEKES WORKE AND A WORKE FOR EVERY weeke By R. B. The third Edition LONDON Printed by Felix Kyngston and are to be sold by Nathanael Newbery 1616. TO THE VERTVOVS AND RELIgious Ladies the Ladie Elizabeth Barkley of Bruton the Ladie Elizabeth Barkley of Yearlington and the Ladie Anne Horner that wisdome which is from aboue that true peace which is from within and the manifestation of both in the fruits of the spirit to their perfect ioy AS I consider with my selfe how Mary did make choice of the better part I cannot but blesse God for the worke of grace So Right Worshipfull on the contrary marking the mad choyce of others I follow the counsell of the Prophet Esaiah I stay wonder Eue had free-will the choyce of an apple and Paradise was before her God said eate not and liue but eate said the Serpent thou shalt not die The diuell was credited God not beleeued the apple was eaten Paradise lost a miserable choice But led she the way in this point of follie and hath shee had no followers What none of her posterity to walk in her steps Behold the sonnes of God chose the daughters of men and forsooke the generation of the righteous Lot left Abraham and made choyce to dwell in Sodome Esau loueth his bellie and for a present messe of pottage selleth away his birth-right The mixt people among the Israelites rather desire garlicke and onyons and to sit by the flesh-pots of Egypt then to eat that sweet Manna frō heauē Yea so mad are men in their choyce as the Iewes from the highest to the lowest cry out to haue a rebell a theefe a murtherer euen a Barrabas instead of that iust one and innocent Christ the righteous As I haue stayed in my thoughts vpon these so now should I wonder but that among our selues I finde many as foolish and as vnreasonable in their chusing They esteeme more of pleasure then of peace wiih God they will sell godlines for earthly gain they preferre profit before piety worldly goods they like of better then heauenly graces they chuse rather to rest vpon an idle conceit in themselues of saluation then vpon the witnesse of Gods word a truly informed conscience they wil plead rather custom then diuine precepts mens examples now for liberty in sinn e rather then the holy liues of the godly recorded in Scripture most in a word chuse rather to be reputed religious then so to be indeed But perhaps you Ladies will say what of all this to you Surely that you beholding nature corrupted and your selues through Gods mercy sanctified by grace may in your more happie choyce giue due praises heartily vnto God who affoordeth you from aboue so much power and strength that you may in some measure with holy Elizabeth walke in the Commandemēts of the Lord with religious Mary sit down at Christs feet heare his word with that blessed Virgin Christs mother ponder the words and lay them vp in your hearts with afflicted Hannah poure out in your necessities your soules by prayer vnto God and with that deuout Anna serue God in fasting and prayers day and night For this end and purpose to further euery well disposed Christian in the path that leadeth vnto life and glory I haue now this third time published this Weeks work worke for euery weeke I haue presumed to send it forth vnder your names not in any merit of the worke but in my true esteeme of your godlinesse and certaine perswasion of your good desires to please God which the Lord encrease in you more more with such inward comfort of spirit as you may perseuere in euery good worke of grace to goe boldly to the throne of grace in euery state and condition to the end of your daies euen so Amen Your Ladyships in all Christian duties RIC. BERNARD Batcombe Iuly 14. A DIALOGVE BETWEENE IOHN the beloued Apostle and his beloued Gaius Epist. 3. vers 1. Iohn GRace be with thee Noble Gaius mercy and peace from God the Father and from the Lord Iesus Christ the Sonne of the Father with truth and loue Gaius Reuerend Father let this thy prayer this day preuaile with God for Grace Peace Mercy Truth in Loue I much long after Iohn Well may wee wish for these things friend Gaius as the foundation of all good fauours with God and all good men Gaius Oh my Lord I thanke God these things with me are of greater price then any thing which may seeme most pretious with the world For Grace maketh me acceptable to God Peace comforteth mee within my selfe Mercy from God affordeth me remission of sins and Mercy from me shewed towards others maketh them both to pray and praise God for me The Truth of God warranteth my course and way and truth obserued of me iustifieth my words and workes Loue in God to me procureth peace bringeth forth mercy and confirmeth truth loue in our selues maintaineth peace vrgeth to mercy and bindeth one to another and all vnto the truth Therefore Sir doe I in soule desire earnestly after the same but I cannot attain vnto that measure which I would I hunger after the perfection of all true holinesse but alas I cannot bee satisfied I thirst after righteousnesse but ah miserable man that I am who shall deliuer mee from the body of this death which so much doth hinder mee in my heauenly progresse Iohn I reioyce greatly worthie Gaius that I find thee thus well prepared for further instructions blessed art thou for so hungring and thirsting after the best things for thou shalt be satisfied Gaius My Lord I am not ignorant blessed be God for this knowledge of my selfe that I am heere indeed in this present world but not of this world one as a pilgrime and stranger without any certaine mansion hither sent of the Lord for a time to bee employed in his seruice and so to stay till hee call mee hence which houre I waite for looking for death daily and the Lords comming to iudgement And therefore I desire to bee ready prepared and to learn whatsoeuer may be needfull both for continuance and encrease of grace in the way of life Especially seeing how the world groweth so on to worse and worse and this our present age declining so fast vnto wickednesse lest I bee intrapped and become guiltie of the common sinnes and so perish in the deserued plagues Iohn Indeed good Christian heart wel mayest thou so tearme these Euill daies our present times Is not pietie turned by many into policie sincerity by others into schisme true zeale is decayed conscience is now but a customarie fashion graced with conformitie faith is altogether a formal seruice without fasting without true feare of God and feruencie of spirit without gratious words tending to edification or good workes assuring vs of saluation godly gouerment is grosly abused by couetous persons and made a base course for filthie gaine true deuotion is not
eternall mansion consider of the earth as but the place of thy pilgrimage not any continuing habitation Thinke of thy remoue all prepare for a better home Prouide for thy selfe with God thereupon often set thy mind but vpon this world vaine and fading away no more thē needs must knowing that he which is least intangled in mundane affaires is most fit for God and can with the greatest ease bid farwell to this world Make all the day time the manifestation of thy graces thy calling the circuit of thy walking thy iust dealing with men the true triall of thy faith towards God thy painfull labour in thy vocation the ordinarie means of thy maintenance be neuer either idle or ill exercised In thy conuersing with How to behaue our selus in conuersing with others men doe as thou wouldest bee done vnto buy and sell in truth and equitie moderate by mercy what thou mayest haue by law in extremity Seek not gaine vnlawfully neither that which may vndoe thy brother Make no vniust prey vpō thy poore neighbours necessity neither seeke aduantage vpon meere mistakings in word or deed Hee that trusteth thee faile him not frustrate not a hopefull expectation of thy goodnesse Secrecies in friendship reueale not no though the partie become thy deadly enemie Bee not hastie to promise but thy word being past keepe it faithfully deale warily and yet liue innocently In companie with persons vnknowne haue a wise respect to thy words and behauiour and be religiously suspicious feare the worst till thou know more as thou shalt find men worthy thy loue so afford it them and therein proceed by degrees and abide constant Loue onely for vertues and forsake not friendship because of humaine frailties Intermeddle not in other mens matters be no busie body to speake or do without the compasse of thy vocation If thou bee intreated to interpose thy selfe betweene parties let thy words aduice tend to peace and iudge without partiality be alike iust therein to friend and foe To conclude so liue in the view of all as none may iustly condemn thee though some maliciously slander thee so also as all good men may behold thee in thy iourney towards heauen as Gods steward in thy course ready at euery houre to giue vp thine account to the Lord with a chearful hart Gaius A men amen I beseech thee good God of Israel For if euery man would thus behaue himselfe abroad The good which cōmeth by mens iust and faithfull dealing then would fraud and falsehood bee sent packing oppression would be suppressed cruelty would bee turned into Christian compassion and friendly courtesies biting vsurie into workes of mercie vniust gaine by periurie briberie robberie and symonie into iust dealing equitie and pietie Wee should heare no more of hard hartednesse extortion malicious reuenging the extremitie of iustice the mischiefs of iniustice for all misse-deeds would bee turned into almes-deeds and duties of loue by which peace is preserued and charity practised And so though wee were abroad wee should neither offend nor easily bee offended and when wee bee returned home wee might sit downe with ioy to meditate vpon Gods mercies to sing praise to him to conferre of the best things to be think our selues in the euening how to prepare our selues to our nights rest in which point also I desire to bee instructed For hauing learned my mornings meditations and the duties therof also how to carrie my selfe abroad on the day I would be glad my Father to know how to behaue my selfe returning home sitting in the house and going to my rest at seasonable houres Iohn Good Gaius I Directions for the euēing perceiue thou art loath to break off before thou hast perfected the worke it is my ioy to goe on with thee being sure that thou doest willingly turne euery good precept into a cōscionable practice When therefore thou doest returne home First giue thy selfe to Meditations in returning home meditation vpon these things 1. That as the end of the day cuts off thy worldly businesse abroad and causeth thee to returne home euen so the worlds end shall cut off all earthly businesses and bring vs to our euerlasting home 2. That as the setting of the Sunne and the darknesse of the night couering vs doth make vs that we cannot follow our callings abroad euen so by the declining of Gods grace the losse of the light of truth blindnesse and darke errour possessing vs wee cannot follow the workes of pietie nor doe the duties of good Christians 3. That as after thy long trauel and absence from home yet thou doest returne again euen so there is a time comming when thou must though heere staied very long returne to thy home thy euerlasting mansion 4. That as thy house being faire and Heauen pleasant they also which liue in it louely peaceable and ioyfull at thy comming doe much reioyce thy heart to enter in and to sit downe with them hauing sustained much trouble abroad euen so may it be great ioy to vs after this miserable life ended to enter into heauen into that pleasant Paradise and to sit downe among that louely peaceable and ioyfull company of elect men and Angels And on the contrary as mā hauing had pleasures honour and all contentment abroad returning home to a filthy house Hell the people in it most disorderly and nothing among them but wickednesse the punishments thereof woes miseries much lamentations as such a man I say would be exceedingly cast down to thinke that he must goe to such a home and it would be as bitter to him as death to enter into his house euen so will it bee to all such as here liue in this world full of honour pleasures and riches with all fleshly and carnall contentment whē they must needs goe to their home euen hell the harbour for all those that liue and die irrepentantly there to bee tormented with the diuels and his Angels for euer Secondly being entred Another duty being set downe into thy house and set downe then call to remembrance what God hath done for thee what mercies hee hath shewed what benefits bestowed what friends raised what comforts affoorded and so forth And againe on the other side what euils preuented what dangers auoided how peaceably continued and preserued and such like that so the Lord for them may bee most worthilie magnified Consider what thou hast done what duties performed to see the continuance of grace what duties omitted and sinnes committed to behold thy imperfections and decay in goodnesse except thou repent Thirdly after these A third dutie at night things take Gods booke into thy hand reade it for thy selfe others if thou hast a familie conclude with prayer and a Psalme of praises vnto the Lord. And withall meditate vpon the candle brought for thee to reade by that as thou canst not reade without light no more canst thou vnderstand without the illumination
of Gods Spirit 2. As the light of the candle being in our eye but a little light yet giueth a great light to the whole house euē so doth that heauenly enlightening of God though it seeme neuer so little to worldly wisedome yet doth it greatly enlighten vs. 3. As while the candle is light we can reade and it being out wee cannot see no more can wee see heauenly things if once the light of Gods spirit be taken from vs. So likewise meditate that the word is as fire which thou sittest by The fire thaweth off frostines and expels cold so the word melteth frozen hearts it comforteth vs going to rest so doth the word going out of the world it trieth mettals so the word doth men It diuideth things sending some vpward and leaueth some on the earth so the word diuideth people some sending vpward some leauing below c. Fourthly in going to thy 4. Dutie Meditations in going to rest rest thinke vpon the ende of this earthly toylesomenesse in the eternall rest in putting off thy clothes thinke how thou shalt at length be vnclothed and as thou art naked in a shirt so shalt thou bee naked in a sheet Thinke also as thou arisest naked in the morning and so returnest to thy bed naked in the euening euen so camest thou naked into the world and so naked shalt thou returne againe Fifthly in lying downe 5. Meditations in lying downe in thy bed consider thy bed as thy graue thy lying downe the laying of thy body in the place of the dead the couering the earthly molds vpon thee the closing of thine eyes the representation of death the sleepe possessing thee deaths ceasing vpon thee the impossibility to preuent sleepe euer the ineuitablenesse of death the ringing of the bell the sound of the last trumpet Thinke by thy companion in bed of the dead with thee in the graue that two may be together the one receiued the other refused Consider how as a flea in the bed may bite thee so the wormes in graue shall eate thee as sleepe taketh away all care of the world from thee so shall death in like manner set thee free from the same And as thou doest not feare to sleepe because thou art in hope to awake againe so be not afraid to die for that thou shalt arise afterwards to life eternall Lastly as thou knowest thou hast a soule awaking though thy body bee sleeping so know that albeit thy bodie lie a while asleepe in the graue yet thy soule euen then liueth and partaketh of ioy let this be for thy comfort Thus by these thy heauenly meditations thy last thoughts being so fixed vpon God and good things before thou doest fall asleepe they will cause thee to lift vp thine eies to the Lord to entreate him to take protection of thee for he neither slumbreth nor sleepeth which keepeth Israel These will preuent vaine dreames idle fantasies and prepare thy soule to better cogitations Yea thus graciously exercised albeit thou doest lie down to rise againe in the morning yet wilt thou so rest secure and lie downe without feare as one assured of life though for this light thou behold it no more with bodily eies vntil the day of iudgment It is euer therefore best to haue thy mind full of godly meditations in betaking thy selfe to rest and it shall not bee amisse so to lie downe as thinking no more to rise till the last day the preparation to death doth not any whit sooner hasten it but maketh it more comfortable when it doth come Gaius Blessed is that man that thus meditateth of his mortalitie happie is he surely that thus prepareth to his rest vndoubtedly hee shall finde the sweet fruites thereof in the end But I now desire to heare of some godly directions how to meditate in the night season if happily I doe awake but I thinke I heard thee speak of prayer before I should goe to my bed therefore as it hath pleased thee to set me downe a forme of prayer for the morning so I beseech thee affoord me the like helpe for the euening Iohn It is indeed Gaius as necessarie to praise God and to pray vnto him in the euening as in the morning and therefore hast thou well done to put me in mind hereof In the name therefore mediation of Christ Iesus thus or in some such like maner mayest thou make thy prayers vnto the Almighty Honour and praise bee giuen A Prayer for the euening to thee most holy Father my most gracious Lord and strong protector which hast of thy great goodnes this day both led me forth safely and now brought me home in peace This hath been thy mercy wholy of which I haue abundantly tasted blessed bee thy name therefore for euer and for euer I confesse to thy praise and glory O God that by thy light I haue walked by thy power I haue been preserued by thy grace preuented from sinnes which I might haue run into from perils which I might haue fallen into and by thy spirit haue I been directed in that which hath been comfortable vnto mee and wherin I haue cause to reioyce Albeit I doe acknowledge that in my best actions I haue shewed much humaine frailty and not a little offended thy diuine Maiesty in thought in words and in deeds which yet of thy great mercy thou hast passed by and not laid vnto my charge as thou mightest iustly haue done Now O Lord I beseech thee so be still gracious vnto me for Iesus Christ his sake and continue thy fauourable countenance and bee euer with me as heretofore and this day past so also the rest of my life this present night now come vpon me Vnclothe mee I pray thee of my old raymēt of vnrighteousnesse and make mee to throw away all my vncleane ragges of filthie corruptions that I may goe in the whitenesse of sincerity and holines vnto my eternall rest In the meane space giue mee the candle light of the truth to shine vnto me in this darke world and make thy word as a fire to heate and enflame my affections with the loue of thee O God and all goodnesse that I may see the way and go with a warm zeale of thy spirit vnto my graue And seeing I came naked into the world and so must lie downe naked bringing nothing neither carrying away any thing Oh blesse mee from couetousnesse and greedie cares of this fading world If I haue but to liue let mee bee therewith contented Put away from mee the feare of death seeing it is but as a sleepe and cannot depriue me of life Yea sythen I am mortall make mee willing to goe vnto my rest that I may cease to sinne and bee freed from the manifold tentations and troubles which accompanie vs heere that although my bodie lie in the graue asleepe my soule may ascend vnto my blessed Sauiour with whom I desire to bee Sanctifie vnto me my rest keepe
how contrary heereunto are the most and how defectiue are the best I may mourne heauily for the multitude and much lament my own wants but as I heare now my dutie so will I endeauour to performe by Gods grace more carefully hereafter the present desire of my heart and therefore proceed thou best beloued Apostle of the Lord to teach me what to do when the publike seruice to God is ended Iohn 1. Preuent al present occasions of worldly vnnecessarie communication 2. Betake thy selfe a Our duty after publike seruice of God while to some priuate place for priuate meditation and prayer vpon that which thou hast heard remembrest 3. Receiue that day so much nourishment only as may satisfie for necessitie auoiding superfluitie arising of variety which may cause drousines dulnesse of spirit and hinder thy meditation 4. Vse conference with other and occasion them to holy speeches if thou doest doubt thou mayest perhaps bee resolued if thou hast forgot the memories of other may help thee as also giue thee vnderstanding in that thou thy selfe knowest not 5. Being disposed to be merrie sing Psalms abandon foolish and leaud sports and vaine companie 6. Forget not this day to shew forth workes of mercy to visit the sicke to relieue the poore and to comfort the afflicted Lastly in the end of the day praise God for the comforts thereof remember what thou hast heard and that which especially concerned thy selfe make some vse of all but forget not that pray for a blessing resolue to put what thou learnest into daily practise and then before thy rest fall to thy daily deuotion and in all good things bee euer constant vnto the end Gaius O Lord grant me so great mercy how happie were I if thus I could doe I earnestly desire it Oh that I could attaine vnto it This were indeed a blessednesse here a heauen vpon earth a celestiall felicity in a terrestriall place in this wretched state of miserie This pearle if I could purchase I offer willingly to giue away all my carnal pleasures al my worldly profits all vaine honour and my selfe wholly for the loue of it For what am I if I had all the world without the effectuall sauing power and grace of the word if I had all pleasure and had no portion in the heauenly Paradise If I had all honour without certaine hope of heauen Woe would bee to mee endlesse woes would seaze vpon mee I will therefore now resolue to walke with God seek fellowship with the faithfull and abandon the waies of wickednesse whatsoeuer befalleth mee in this present world Iohn A most blessed resolution sweet soule go on and prosper looke for ioyfull fruits of thy blessed labour by well doing thou shalt haue assured hope of Gods fauour boldnesse in Christ to go vnto God who will be to thee a Father the Spirit a Comforter as Christ thy Redeemer and Iustifier Feare not death dread not hell heauen is thine inheritance The godly pray for thee Angels accompanie thee the Law will not curse thee the Gospel is for thy comfort and thy conscience will speake peace vnto thee Satan dare not claime thee God doth acknowledge thee for his owne and hath thee in his safe keeping to bring thee to heauen Gaius Blessed man of God thou beloued of the Lord thou hast comforted me and spoken comfortably vnto thy seruant the Lord recompence thy worke and a full reward bee giuen thee of the Lord God of Israel and now behold thy seruant and the seruant of the Lord bee it vnto mee according to all these thy words Yet good Sir before I end I must needs craue a little more helpe I was aduised to pray vpon the Sabbath day in the morning before I goe vnto the publike congregation and in the euening when the day is ended vouchsafe I beseech thee to help my weaknesse heerein also and to set me downe how to pray morning euening on the Sabbath Iohn Friend Gaius I am ready to further thy gracious desires in al good things much reioycing in thy vnfained loue to the Lord and to the holy exercises of religion I heartily wish thee heerein all happie successe such feruencie such growth such constancie as thy example may moue many to imitate thy vertues and to ioyne with thee in the way to eternitie Thus therefore mayest thou or to the like effect pray in the morning O Lord our God whose A Prayer for the Sabbath day in the morning will and commandement it is that wee should keepe holy this day as set apart for the publike worship and seruice of thy most holy name Now I do heartily beseech thee in thy tender compassion and mercy so to looke vpon me in Christ Iesus that my sinnes may not be a wall of separation betweene thee and me but that of thy gracious goodnesse through my blessed Sauiour I may obtaine ful remission of all my sinnes and by him the gift of thy most holy spirit which may happily prepare and make ready my heart that I may goe to the holy assembly of thy Saints as well prepared ground fit to receiue the good seed of thy most holy word Oh Lord open mine eyes to see thy truth mine eares encline to harken attentiuely bend my will to follow what I shall heare that I may not be a bare hearer but a doer of thy word Giue me wisdome to iudge of the truth humility to receiue it faith to beleeue it conscience to practise it make it vnto me the Sauiour of life vnto life a word of reconciliation that I may for euer by it be wonne vnto thee Withdraw my mind and affections wholly from euery thing that may hinder mee from the performance of my duty this day in thy diuine seruice Take from me blindnesse of mind dulnesse of wit disorderlines of affections deadnesse of spirit hardnesse of heart vnbeleefe pride selfe-conceit presumption of mercy and wicked prophanenes that so I may not contemne nor yet make light account of thy holy ordinances the word read and preached the administration of the Sacramēts prayer and thankes giuing with the whole congregation Being set to heare good Father blesse me from wandring thoughts vaine imaginations Satans suggestions drowsinesse of the flesh and whatsoeuer is an enemie to the sauing hearing of thy blessed word Sanctifie my vnderstanding rightly to conceiue my memory to retaine and keepe and my heart truly to affect what thy seruant shall speake vnto mee and to the rest of thy people this day O Lord open his mouth that hee may speake onely thy truth enforme his vnderstanding settle his iudgement enflame his affections with that truth which he shal deliuer vnto vs and guide so his tongue that he may speak wisely seasonably aptly and also with great power of thy spirit to the heart and consciences of euery of vs his hearers so as we may liuely feele the power of thine owne ordinance and may also truly say of him that