A POORE MANS REST Founded vpon Motiues Meditations Prayers and Expressing to the inward MAN true Consolation In all Kindes and Times of Affliction By IO. NORDEN Now the eight time augmented and much reformed by the AVTHOR PSAL. 10.14 The Poore committeth himselfe vnto thee for thou art the helper of the Fatherlesse London Printed for Iohn Budge and are to be sold at the signed of the Greene-Dragon in Pauls Church-yard 1620. 1. Ianuarie called of the Latins Ianuarius Graecians Gamelion Hebrewes Tebeth and is their 10. moneth hath 31 daies 1 A Calends  2 b  The first day of this Moneth Christ was circumcised Luk. 1. 21. The tops of the mountaines appeared vnto Noah Gen 8. 5. The Israelites put away their wiues Ezra 10. 16. 3 c Nones of Jan. 4 3 4 d  5 e  6 f Day before the N. 7 g Nones of Ianuar 8 A  9 b  The 5. of this moneth word was brought vnto Ezechiel the Prophet that the Citie Ierusalem was smitten Ezechiel 33. 21. 10 c Idus of Ianuarie 8 7 6 5 4 3 11 d  12 e  13 f  14 g Day before the Id. The sixth of this moneth Christ was worshipped of the wise men Mat. 2. 1. c. baptized Mat. 3. 15. turned water into wine Ioh. 2. 1. c. as testifieth Epiphanius 15 A Idus of Ianuarie 16 b  17 c  18 d  19 e  20 f  The 10. of this Month Nabuchadnezzar King of Babel moued thereunto by the rebellion of Zedechiah besieged Ierusalem most fiercely as may appeare 2 Kings 15. c Jer. 52. 4. Also Ezechiel was willed to vtter his parable Ezech. 2. c. 21 g  22 A Calends of Februarie 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 23 b  24 c  25 d  26 e  27 f  28 g  29 A  Paul called and conuerted the 25. of this moneth Acts 9. 3. 30 b  31 c Day before the Calends of Feb. Festiual daies in this moneth be Circumcision the first day Epiphanie the sixth day 2. February called of the Latins Februarius Graecians ElaphebolioÌ„ Hebrews Shebat and is their 11. moneth hath 28. daies vnlesse it be yere Bissextil and then 29. 1 d Calends The first of this moneth Moses repeated the Law vnto the children of Israel Deut. 1. 3. 2 e Nones of February 4 3 3 f  4 g Day before the N. 5 A Nones of Febru The second of this month our Sauiour was presented to the Lord and Mary purified Luk 〈◊〉 22. 6 b  7 c  8 d Idus of February 8 7 6 5 4 3 9 e  The ninth of this moneth Noah 40. dayes after he had seene the tops of the mountaines sent out of the Arke a Rauen afterward a Doue which returned Ge. 8. 6. c. 10 f  11 g  12 A Day before the Id 13 b Idus of February 14 c  15 d  The 15. of this month the Iewes spend merrily together for that the Spring of the yeare doth enter then as they thinke 16 e  17 f  18 g  19 A  20 b  The 16. of this moneth Noah the second time sent out a Doue which returned with an Oliue branch in her bill Gen. 8. 10. 21 c Calends of March. 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 22 d  23 e  24 f  25 g  The 24. of this month Zachariah was commanded to prophecy Zach. 1. 7. Matthias was elected into the number of the Apostles Acts 1. 26. 26 A  27 b  28 c  29 d Day before the Calends of March. Festiuall daies in this moneth be the 2. called the Purification of S. Mary The 24. which is Saint Matthias day 3. March called of the Latins Martius Graecians Moâ—uichyon Hebrewes Adar and is their 12. moneth hath 31. daies 1 d Calends The Temple of Ierusalem was finished the third day of this month Esra 6. 15. In the 1 of Esdr. 7. 5. it is said to be the 23. of this moneth 2 e  3 f Nones of March 6 5 4 3 4 g  5 A  6 b Day before the N. The tenth of this month Christ was aduertised that Lazarus was sicke Ioh. 11. 3. 7 c Nones of March 8 d  9 e  A feast was celebrated among the Iewes for the ouerthrow of Nicanor the 13. of this moneth 2 Mac. 15. 37 Also vpon the same day all the Iewes vnder Ashuerosh were commanded to be put to death Esth 3. 13. vpon the same day the Iewes had a priuiledge giuen them to stay all their enemies Est. 8. 12. This day also the Iewes solemnized for their ioyfull deliuerance Est. 8. 17. 10 f Idus of March 8 7 6 5 4 3 11 g  12 A  13 b  14 c Day before the Id. 15 d Idus of March 16 e  17 f  18 g  19 A  20 b  21 c  22 d Calends of April 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 23 e  The 14. day of this month was called of the Iews Mardocheus day 2 Macc. 15. 37. also Purim as may appeare Esth. 9. vers 21. 26. 24 f  25 g  26 A  27 b 28 c  The 15. also is another day of Purim Est 9. 21. 29 d  30 e  The 16. of this Moneth Lazarus was raised from the dead John 11. 43. 31 f Day before the Calends of April    This Moneth hath one festiuall day called the Annunciation of Saint Marie celebrated the 25. of this moneth 4 Aprill called of the Latins Aprilis Graecians Thargelion Hebrewes Aâ—ib or Nisan and is their first moneth hath 30 daies 1 〈◊〉 Calenas The first of this Moneth Noah vncouered the Arke saw earth Gen. 8. 13. Moses reared the Tabernacle Exo. 40. 2. 17. the Temple began to be sanctified 2 Chr. 29. 17. 2 A Nones of April 4 3 3 b  4 c Day bâ—fore the 〈◊〉 5 d Nones of April 6 e  7 f  The 10. of this month the childreÌ„ of Israel passed thorow the riuer IordaÌ„ on dry foote Iosis 4. 19. the Paschal Lamb was chosen Exo. 12. 3. 8 g Idus of April 8 7 6 5 4 3 9 A  10 b  11 c  12 d Day before the Id. The 13. of this moneth the edict of King Ahashuerosh came out for the murthering of the Iewes Esth. 3. 12. 13 e Idus of April 14 f  15 g  16 A  The 14. of this month the Passeouer was kept Exo. 12. 6. Leuit. 23. 5. Jos. 5. 10. 17 b  18 c  19 d  The 15 of this moneth the Israelites departed out of Egypt Numb 33. 3. 20 e  21 f Calends of May. 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3
22 g  The 16. of this moneth Hezekiah made an end of sanctifying and purging the Temple 2 Chron. 29 17. 23 A  24 b  25 c  26 d  The 18. of this month the childreÌ„ of Israel walked on dry land through the midst of the red sea Exod. 14. 19. 27 e  28 f  29 g  30 A Day before the Calends of May. The 24 Daniel saw his vision Dan. 10. 4.    The 25. of this moneth the feast of S. Marke is obserued 5. May called of the Latins Maius Graecians Scâ—irophorion Hebrewes Liar which is their 2. moneth hath 31 daies 1 b Calends The first of this moneth Moses was commanded to number the children of Israel Numb 1. 1. c. 2 c  3 d Nones of May. 6 5 4 3 4 e  5 f  The 5. of this Moneth Christ is thought to haue ascended vp into heauen Mar. 16. 9. Luk. 24. 51. Act. 19 They which could not keep the Passeouer at the day appointed by the Lord were willed to celebrate the same the 14. of this Month Nu. 39 v. 10. 11. So did the Israelites at the commandement of King Hezekiah 2 Ch. 30. 15. 6 g Day before the N. 7 A Nones of May. 8 b  9 c  10 d Idus of May. 8 7 6 5 4 3 11 e  12 f  13 g  14 A Day before the Id. 15 b Idus of May. 16 c  17 d  The 16 day Manna rained from heauen Exod. 16. 14. 18 e  19 f  The 17. day Noah entred the Arke and the floud began Gen. 7 11. 13. 20 g  21 A  2â— b Calâ—nds of Iuâ—e 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 The 22. fire from Heauen coÌ„sumed such as murmured against the Lord Nu. 11 1 23 c  24 d  25 e  The 23 the Israelites with great ioy triumphingly entred into the Castle of Ierusalem 1 Mac. 13 51. 26 f  27 g  28 A  â—9 b  The 27. Noah the water being dried vp came forth of the Arke Gen. 8. 14. 30 c  31 d Day befoâ—e the Calends of Iane The first of this Moneth is vsually celebrated for the feast of Philip and Iacob 6 Iune called of the Latins Iunius Graecians Ekatombaion Hebrewes Siuan which is their third moneth hath 30 daies 1 e Calends The first comming of the children of Israel vnto menÌ„i Sinai was the first of this moneth where they abode 11. moneths and 20. dayes in which time all those things were done recorded in Exod cap. 19. 1. c. 2 f Nones of Iune 4 3 3 g  4 A Day before the N. 5 b Nones of Iune 6 c  7 d  8 e Idus of Iune 8 7 6 5 4 3 9 f  The sixt of this moneth Alexander that mighty Monarch of the world was borne of whom Dan. c. 11. 3. doth prophesie Also on this day that famous temple of Diana in Ephesus numbred among the seauen wonders of the world was set on fire by Herostratus The Iewes likewise kept then feast of Pentecost on this day 10 g  11 A  12 b Day before the Id. 13 c Idus of Iune 14 d  15 e  16 f  17 g  18 A  19 b  20 c Caâ—â—nds of Iuly 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 21 d  22 e  The 23 of this moneth the first edict came out for the safety of Gods people the Iewes against Haman and the rest of their enemies Esth. 8. 9. 23 f  24 g  25 A  26 b  27 c  28 d  The 29. of this month the Arke of Noah through the increase of waters was lifted vp from the earth Gen. 7. 12. 29 e  30 f Day before the Calends â—f Iuly Festiuall dayes in this moneth are the 2â— which is the feast of S. Iohn Baptist. 29. which is S. Peters 7. Iuly called of the Latins Iulius Graecians Metageitnion Hebrews Thamus being their 4. moneth 1 g Calends  2 A  The 5. of this moneth Ezechiel saw his visions Ezech. 1. 1. 3 b Nones of July 6 5 4 3 4 c  5 d   6 e Day before the N. The 6. of this moneth the Capitall of Rome counted one of the 7. wonders of the world was burned and the mirror of Christian Princes King Edward the sixt dyed the sixt of this moneth Anno 1553. 7 f Nones of Iuly 8 g  9 A  10 b Idus of Iuly 8 7 6 5 4 3 11 c  12 d  13 e  14 f Day before the Id.  15 g Idus of Iuly  16 A  The 9. of this Moneth Ierusalem after it had a long while beene besieged by Nebuchadnezzar was taken Ier. 39. 2. 17 b  18 c  19 d  20 e  21 f   22 g   23 A Calends of August 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 The 12. of this moneth Iulius Caesar the first Roman Emperor was borne Of him is this moneth called Iuly 24 b  25 c  26 d  27 e   28 f  The 18. of this their yere month the 29 g  Egyptians begin 30 A  Plin. lib. 8. cap. 47. 31 b Day before the Calends of Aug. The 25. of this moneth is the feast of S. Iames the Apostle and vpon this day K. Iames was crowned King of England 1603. 8. August called of the Latins Augustus Graecians Boedromion Hebrewes Ab which is their 5. moneth 1 c Calends  2 d Nones of August 4 3 The first of this moneth Aaron 40. yeeres after the children of Israel were come out of Egypt died on mount Hor Num. 33. 38. Also on this day Ezra with his company came out of Babel vnto Ierusalem Ezra 7. 9. 3 e  4 f Day before the N. 5 g Nones of August 6 A  7 b  8 c Idus of August 8 7 6 5 4 3 9 d  10 e   11 f   12 g Day before the Id. The 7. of this moneth Nabuchadnezzar burnt the house of the Lord and al Ierusalem 2 Kings 25. 8. 9. 13 A Idus of August 14 b  15 c  16 d   17 e   18 f  The 10. of this moneth some thinke Ierusalem to haue beene burnt by the Babylonians Ierem. 52. 12. Iosephus lib. 5. cap. 26. said it was burned afterward by the Romanes the same day Therefore doe the Iewes on this day obserue a most straight fast and goe bare-footed and sitting on the ground reade twice ouer the Lamentations of Ieremie 19 g  20 A  21 b Calends of Septemb. 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 22 c  23 d  24 e  25 f  26 g
wisdome and humblenesse and obedience and mortification and zeale and faith and hope and all graces that may change me from sinne to sanctity from darkenesse to light and from coldnesse to a more perfect zeale to serue thée in all things Teach me O Lord teach mée to execute my vocation truely and perfectly and giue such issue and blessed successe to all my endeauours labours purposes and procéedings as I may discharge my duety in obedience to thy diuine Maiestie to my brethren in loue and equity and to my selfe and mine in godly care and true piety And let thy holy Spirit so guide and gouerne mée this day and for euer that I may more and more fructifie increase in all godlinesse vntil thou shalt cut off this corruptible life After which good Father in the merits of thy Son let me inhabite euermore inherite that heauenly City new Ierusalem where thou sittest and raignest one God with whom shall liue all thine elect in ioyes vnspeakable for euer Amen O Lord increase our Faith A Morning Prayer where the FAMILY assembles O Almighty God full of loue and pitty the chiefest comfort that any sinfull soule can haue when wée miserable sinners here met together doe consider of thy great mercy and goodnesse which we haue euer since our births and before found and daily doe finde at the hands of thy diuine Maiesty together with our great vnthankfulnesse euery way to thée againe for the same we must néedes confesse and euen from the bottom of our hearts doe acknowledge that most vnspeakeable is thy mercy in sparing vs to liue vntill this morning before which time thou mightest iustly haue consumed vs. But O deare God of thy frée mercies before the foundation of the World was laid thou hast chosen and elected vs for thy Children and hast to our endlesse comfort certified and made knowne the same vnto our spirits by thy spirit by whom and not of our selues wee now cry vnto thée Abba father and for our Redemption hast sent thine owne Sonne to shed his most precious bloud vpon the Crosse no other meanes being whereby wée could be saued Thou hast by thy holy Spirit wrought Faith in our hearts to beléeue by him and in him to be iustified before thée and in some measure begunne the death of sinne in vs and wrought our sanctification and of thy frée fauour we enioy the benefit of thy Word the freedome of conscience great peace and plenty in outward things with many and infinite other benefits waking and sléeping at home and abroad in our selues and our friends for all which instead of thankefulnesse wee become the more disobedient not doing that wée ought to doe but with pleasure and profit with vanity and selfe-loue wée are carried away spending our daies in iniquity carelesnesse and vnféeling of our sinne and there is no goodnesse in vs yet is there mercy with thée O Lord and pardon vpon repentance Wherefore we here this Morning met together before thy Maiesty humbly confesse our wants and most entirely beséech thée for Jesus Christs sake to haue mercy vpon vs Haue mercy vpon vs most mercifull Father and forgiue vs all that is past strengthen vs hereafter that daily both in bodies and soules we may glorifie thée more then we haue done yéelding thankes for daily benefits and striuing in holinesse and righteousnes to please thée all the dayes of our life But because we cannot but offend and fall diuers wayes and euery day good Lord for thy mercy sake pierce our hearts with a féeling of the same and neuer suffer vs to goe on with dull and dead soules not séeing nor sighing for our offences As a speciall meanes to kéepe vs in obedience before thée O deare Father worke in vs a continuall remembrance and an effectuall consideration that wée shall not alwayes liue here in this wretched world that doth much please vs now but that a day wil come when the trumpe shall sound the Dead shall arise and all wée shall appeare before the Tribunall seat of Judgement there to receiue according to our déedes without respect of Persons oh good Lord giue vs a remembrance and a féeling of that vnspeakeable comfort and eternall waight of glory which in that day shall be giuen vnto vs if in this day wée serue and please thée and contrariwise euen terrifle our cousciences and let vs as it were see before our faces the dreadfull Judgements and the fearefull Torments that both in Body and Soule they shall be sure to haue for euermore which in this life doe not serue and please thée but follow their owne fancies and wicked delights giue vs an hatred of sinne and a true loue of righteousnesse blesse thy Word euermore with fruit vnto our soules when we heare it giue vs a desire to heare it often and to practise it faithfully and obediently and keepe our hearts euer free from disūmulation and counterfeit holinesse prepare our hearts diligently to watch for the comming of thy Sonne make vs ready fit and willing to meete him in the clouds if thou wilt that we liue to his comming if it please thee in the meane time to call vs let vs with ioy yeeld our bodies to the earth and receiue our soules vnto thy selfe vntill the day when both our bodies and soules shall be remitted and bee totally glorified with thee in Heauen And let this day be a day of our true reformation and repentance that we becomming new creatures may serue thee in holinesse all the dayes of our liues yeelding thee most humble and hearty thankes for thy goodnesse to vs this night let thy mercifull eye looke vpon vs this day and so keep vs bodies and soules that being occupied in our seuerall callings we may be safe by thee from all our Enemies and liue to thee in feare that we may die in thy fauour and liue hereafter with thee in glory which grant and all things in the meane time necessary for soules and bodies for Christ his sake in whose name we ask them saying as he hath taught vs Our Father vvhich art in heauen hallovved be thy Name Thy Kingdome come Thy Will be done in earth as it is in Heauen Giue vs this day our daily Bread And forgiue vs our trespasses as vve forgiue them that trespasse against vs and lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill For thine is the Kingdome the povver and the glory for euer and euer Amen Let thy mighty hand and out-stretched arme O Lord be still our defence thy mercy louing kindnesse in Iesus Christ our saluation thy true and holy vvord our instruction thy grace and holy Spirit our comfort and consolation vnto the end and in the end Amen The Lord blesse vs and saue vs and make his face to shine vpon vs and be mercifull vnto vs the Lord turne his fauourable countenance tovvards vs this day and euermore Amen A priuate Prayer for the EVENING The Motiue I Will lay
thy promises that in following thy foot-steps there is an inheritance of eternity prepared for vs therefore whilest we are in this iourney be thou a staffe to vs whereby we may be sustained in all our wayes And by the comfort of thy holy Spirit repaire our strengths to the end wée may more willingly come vnto thée and as thou art made a way vnto vs seclude all errour become our â—â—uth take away all distrust and confirme our Faith in thée And as thou art made life vnto vs reuiue vs that were dead in sinne by a liuely knowledge of thée For it is eternall life to know thée Father Son and holy Ghost to be one true God Wherefore I humbly beséech thée O most mercifull Father to increase Faith in mee who am thy vnworthy seruant lest at any time I wauer in thy Celestiall doctrine increase obedience in me lest I swerue from thy precepts increase constancy that walking in thy wayes I neuer be allured by the inticements of Satan nor seduced by his terrours but that I may perseuere in thée who art the true way to life eternall increase my Faith that being partaker of thy Promises I may neuer waâ—e slow or dull in the study and practise of godâ—inesse and that I may alwayes striue and endeuour for more and more perfection Increase thy Grace in me that being mortified vnto my selfe I may liue and haue my conuersation with thée in Heauen and be encouraged by thy holy Spirit fearing nothing but thee then whom there is nothing more to be loued or feared glorified or more to be reioyced in who art the true glory of all Saints in whom there is nothing but full and perfect Felicitie A Prayer for the assistance of the holy Ghost No man can say that Iesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost 1 Cor. 12. 3. 4. If ye that be euill can giue good gifts vnto your children how much more shall your heauenly father giue the holy Ghost to them that desire him Luke 11. 13. O Gracious Lord God who didst send vpon thy Apostles and others thy holy Spirit filling their hearts with grace and wisedome I humbly beséech thee by thy vnspeakable mercy that thou wilt vouchsafe to fill my soule with thy grace and water my heart with the vnspeakable swéetnesse of thy Loue in the loue of Jesus Christ thy most dearely beloued Send down Lord thy holy Spirit to guide me being ignorant banish by his light the blacknes of sinne through Christ Jesus by him refresh my sad and sorrowfull soule there is neither wisedome nor strength without thée aide me therefore by that holy Spirit and I shall be able to shunne the deceits of Sathan and to withstand his power Thou art not ignorant that I can doe nothing of my selfe extend thy fauourable hand ouer me therefore and grant that I may forsake and vtterly relinquish my selfe and flie vnto thée Mortifie in me whatsoeuer is displeasant vnto thy Maiestie that in all things thou maiest conforme mée vnto thy will by thy holy Spirit that my life may be euer hereafter perfect in thy sight O Lord my God looke vpon me thy miserable Creature whose soule sigheth after thée day and night when shall I come and appeare before thy presence when shall I enter into that admirable place of thy Tabernacle the house of my God O comfort me with thy presence that I may taste here in this my mortall pilgrimage the swéetnesse of thy glory which shall continue for euer O my God I long to be deliuered from all temptations O eternall fountaine of light bring me backe againe to that eternall goodnesse by whom I am created that I may know thine omnipotencie euen as I am knowne of thée and may so loue thée as I am loued by thée that I may sée and inioy thée in the society of all the Elect who liuest and raignest together with the Father and the Sonne a Trinity in Unitie for euer and euer Amen A Prayer for Sunday-Morning Thus saith the Lord take heede to your soules and beare no burdens on the Sabbath day nor bring it into the gates of Ierusalem Neither carry forth burdens out of your houses on the Sabbath day ney doe ye any worke but sanctifie the Sabbath as I commanded your Fathers Ier. 17. 21. 22. He that gathered stickes on the Sabbath day was stoned to death Numb 15. 32 35. 36. O Eternal God and heaùenly Father I extol thine infinite goodnesse and mercy together with thine eternall wisdome and truth who hast protected me this night made me to rest quietly and securely by thy most holy and diuine prouidence I humbly beséech thée of thine infinite goodnesse to protect and gouerne mée this day by thy mighty hand from all dangers both of Body and Soule Giue thy holy Angels charge ouer mee to direct me in all my wayes driue away the deadly enemy remoue all offences of this World mortifie and kill in me all carnall lusts and euill affections that they may haue no dominion ouer mée giue me a sorrowfull heart to bewaile my wicked life and comfort my soule by a liuely assurance that thou hast fréely forgiuen my sinnes Sanctifie me O Father this day I humbly beséech thée with thine especiall grace that I may haue decent carriage in my behauiour true deuotion in prayer and reuerent attention to heare thy heauenly and holy Word and that thou wilt please to giue mee vnderstanding ioyned with true deuotion to obserue learne and imbrace such things as are necessary to me for the confirming of my faith in Christ Jesus raise me O Lord by the power of thy resurrection from sin and giue me spirituall rest in the Communion et Saints that afterward I may kéep the euerlasting Sabbath with thée in the Kingdome of Heauen behold O Lord I knock at the dore of thy mercy with all my power and strength beséeching thée to continue vnto me the right vse of all my senses and limmes and send thy holy Spirit to beare witnesse to my spirit that I am thy childe and shall be heire of thy glorious kingdome through the mirits of Christ Jesus our Lord for whose sake I humbly pray thee to grant all those things that I haue prayed for and haue neede of Amen O Lord increase my Faith A Prayer before the hearing of Gods Word O Eternall most high and mighty God vouchsafe I humbly beséech thée to inlighten my dark dul vnderstanding that thy word may enter into my soule and be so receiued of me as that Ignorance the mother of disobedience being put away heauenly knowledge may enter in and haue perfect rest and abiding in me Giue power O Lord to the séede of Truth that being sowne in my heart it may take deepe root and bringforth to the comfort of my soule sixty an hundred yea a thousand-fold and let thy Spirit so guide the lips of this thy Minister and Preacher as that he deliuer nothing but the Word
his deare Dauid but hee will bring vs home againe to take comfort of our friends and to comfort our families he may suffer vs to be imprisoned long as hée did Ioseph but at the length hée will enfranchise vs and turne it to our aduantage And what if the wicked raile and reuile vs as Shemei did Dauid It may be and surely the Lord will doe vs good for their euill if wée can temper and mortifle our choller and with patience brooke their slanders we may be sicke and diseased yea twelue or thirty yeares with the woman and the man in the Gospell but he can cure vs or comfort vs that it shall be easily borne We may loose our goods as Iob did and become méerely vndone as we thinke and yet he will restore it if we be patient and faithfull God hath a time to correct and a time to comfort a time of triall and a time of reward he neuer faileth them that faint not nor forsaketh them that forsake him not hée may make vs mourne now but he will make vs merry againe though hée make vs wéepe now he will take a time to wipe away our teares and put them in a bottle reseruing the remembrance of them till the end when wée shall haue our portion with him in ioyes endlesse and vnspeakeable And therefore wée that goe foorth with little séede and sow it in sorrow let vs wait without wauering for a plentifull increase will come and a ioyfull haruest We sée our beginning and féele it hard and dangerous but if we dwell in the land and grudge not our end shall be ioyfull and glorious We haue but one day to labour and then comes our hire hée that calleth vs is sure hée that promiseth is faithfull what he speaketh is Yea and Amen as certaine as if it were presently done Our naturall Fathers indéede may forget vs and our familiar friends may forsake vs and our enemies may threaten vs but hée will take vs vp stand by vs and guard vs he will foster vs and defend vs. As a Father fauoureth his Sonne and as a Mother tendereth her infant so doth our heauenly Father and farre more dearely regard his children yea when hée séemeth to frowne it is not in disfauour when hée correcteth vs he hateth vs not when we thinke he leaueth vs to the raging waues of this worlds troubles and when wée séeme to sinke hée hath vs in his hand to hold vs vp wée are alwayes in his sight and he beholdeth all our wayes and recordeth all our workes our going forth and our comming in are in and by him and he hath charged his Angels to watch ouer vs and to guard vs from euils that lye in secret to deuoure vs when wée rise vp and when wée lye downe sléeping or waking he careth for vs hée is the Watch-man of Israel that slumbreth not he is the Lion of the Tribe of Iuda at whose voice the Wicked tremble and by whose strength the Righteous stand In our youth and in our age in our wealth and in our want in our life and in our death hée is alwayes ours and neither the height aboue nor depth beneath nor distance of place can separate vs from him nor hinder his presence with his Children neither pouerty nor sicknes nor ignominy nor misery can estrange him from such as trust in him Such a Father is he vnto the fatherlesse such a Friend to the Friendlesse such a staffe to the Weake and such a Benefactor to the néedy as no man truely trusting in him shall perish hée heareth his Children as in his bosome and loueth them whom the World hateth hée fauoureth them on whom the World frowneth he embraceth them that the World retecteth he cleareth them that the World accuseth and saueth them that the World condemneth his glorious are in the World most base his dearest are in the World disdayned Not the most Rich but the most Righteous not the most Glorious but the most godly not the most Lofty but the most Lowly in the world are dearest to him hée preferred the poore Begger in hâ—s rags and with his scabs before the glorious Glutton with his riches and perfumed Robes Who then will repâ—ne at a poore estate Who will be sad at ignominy Who will grudge at misery â—…h wée haue riches vnséene glory concealed and infinite ioyes comforts vnspeakeable within through the Comforter which no man but the Soule of the godly man can comprehend Thus is the faithfull Soule fedde thus is the Godly man relieued and thus is the Childe of GOD preserued And therefore let vs that are poore and miserable and despised in the World be silent in the World that hateth vs and cry vnto God who heareth vs because wee are his and in his beloued hée loueth vs hée can and will helpe vs when most neede is and in greatest perils shew his powerfull presence hée came to Daniel when the Lions would haue deuoured him to the thrée Children when they should haue béene consumed with fire to Susanna when shée should haue béene vniustly condemned to the Widdow of Sarepta in her néede and when all her oyle and meale was spent he then renewed her store he heard the groanes of Israel in Egypt hée considered the desire of Anna in her silence he saw Agar solitâ—ry and grieued in the Wildernesse hee was with Dauid banished with Eliah an hungred with Sampson when he thirsted And none no not one was euer disappointed of his hope that continued constant vnto the end though we silly Soules cannot comprehend his prouidence nor limit his power both which are alwayes working wonderfull things and are neuer idle euer perfect and neuer defectiue in any thing his will shall come to passe he is onely wise and all flesh fooles he is onely strong and all men weake Princes are at his disposition Kings are at his command the raging Sea he calmeth the dryest land he watereth the hardest heart he bendeth and the most Tyrannous he talmeth as a Lambe by his Word May not this suffice to bring our raging affections vnder and worke such contentation in our miseries as that we should thinke vs beholding to this powerfull Protector and lay downe our necks to his will and heartily and willingly waite his good time of renuing our estates but if it be his will to kéepe vs alwayes low and neuer to raise vs alwayes poore and neuer to releeue vs alwayes distressed and neuer to comfort vs with the comfort of this life can we thinke that we through our small and short sufferings could deserue the high fauour of so preuailing a God especially the ioyes that he hath laid vp in heauen for euer for such as with Patience and Faith and Loue and Obedience and Well-doing endure vnto the end And therefore for our present resolution comfort let vs consider that we are not as the World deemeth vs nor the Worldlings as the World esteemeth them For we are in their eyes
request if it be according to his will reuealed in his word and for all that he giueth requireth onely true thankfulnesse for requitall not that thankfulnesse which some carnally minded rich men would séeme to afford him a cap vailed with both the hands with words onely I thanke God This may be counterfeit and lip-thankefulnesse which God respecteth as the offring of hypocrites The organs of the tongue lips are necessary instruments to declare the meaning of the heart if they moue by the power of a féeling spirit but if the mouth speake in these diuine offices what the heart inforceth not it shall not onely not profit but witnes against the heart conscience that déepe dissimulation before men hypocrisie before God that shall worke their own iust condemnation But wée must fall downe vpon the knées not onely of the outward body but of a liuely féeling heart acknowledge that all we haue receiued to be his blessing and especial gift which if we can rightly performe it will follow that of the same faith wil procéede with words of thankfulnesse workes of obedience which God accepteth aboue all sacrifices whatsoeuer But who so still asketh and receiueth blessings and onely saith They are the gifts of God and disposeth of them contrary to the rule which God hath prescribed in his Word that thankfulnes will returne into his bosome as sin and he be imputed a plaine vsurper of his blessings For as when a man by faire and flattering meanes obtaineth any thing of his friends and hauing obtained it reiecteth the kindnesse of the giuer and becommeth ingratefull and vnkinde what is it but méere extorting of the thing obtained Although the all-séeing eye of God fore-séeth the heart and knoweth how and to what end wée aske whether for our owne gaine or his glory and hée often bestoweth great benefits vpon men neuer desiring them in open spéech The very groanes of the heart ascend vnto God and God is moued euen with the méere desires and that oftentimes when they procéede not of faith yea hée granteth the very things that the wicked long for but not for their comfort onely to fulfill their carnall appetites to make them so much the more beholden to him for their worldly and corporall prosperity and makes their condemnation so much the more iust by how much they are inexcusable for not seruing God in true obedience which is the summe of most acceptable thankefulnesse for all blessings It is the nature of al men to couet earthly things which wée sée God giueth to the euill as well and in greater measure then to the godly yet are the godly farre more thankfull for their smallest then the wicked for their greatest portions which last doe hunger and thirst continually to adde more and more corporall meanes vnto what they haue and no abundance can make a stay to their coueting neither can there be satisfaction to the couetous And howsoeuer it increase all their thankfulnesse is swallowed vp in their Chests or cast vpon their fields giuen to their wits to their Art or drowned in their vanities the backe and belly haue their condigne gratifications of the most and they are most beholding to some who rest as much indebted vnto these two in answering their necessities as vnto God in a sort to whom they owe many and will neuer pay any thankes And yet the prophanest of these will say that all the things they inioy are the gifts of God But as for the cordiall and true thankefulnesse it is a language vnknowne vnto them The blessings of God to many may be compared to swéet showres and our hearts to dry ground receiuing them to refresh it when it is weary but returning no drops backe againe no more doe vnthankefull men returne condigne thankes for Gods greatest benefits but as the Sun by his force and exhalations draweth vp the moistures of the ingratefull earth by force so when men can kéepe their vsurped and extorted earthly blessings no longer then they bestow them and yet oftentimes not at all consulting with the true owner God the lender but bestow them to some such ends as are displeasing vnto him as was their former abusing them They dispose of them by their wils as it were against their wils their Testaments are as testimonies of their vnwillingnesse to leaue what they so dearely loued which proueth their grosse ingratitude euen in their last conflict with death who commonly is not so cruell an Enemy but he telleth a man by one token or another that he must prepare himselfe to endure his encounter sometimes many dayes many moneths and often many yéeres before hee shew his vttermost force in all which time the most forgetfull and most vnthankefull man might call himselfe to minde and consult and consider wherefore and by whom the things he enioyeth were bestowed vpon him if by his owne deserts or by his owne méere industry let him then kisse his owne hand as the author of his happinesse but if it came of the frée gift and méere beneuolence of God let him rather cut off his hands then rest vnthankefull to God who can turne as we sée wealth into wretchednesse mirth into mourning health into sicknesse strength into weakenesse and all whatsoeuer a man in this world delighteth in into bitternesse and wormwood all which may be assured to turne to their good whosoeuer rest patient and thankfull Who then will not affoord so small a recompence for so great blessings And all thankefulnesse is comprehended vnder this one word Obedience Sacrifices were acceptable duties done in their time vnto God but obedience is more acceptable then all other kindes of sacrifices This obedience consisieth not in the outward ceremonies of performing onely the outward duties required at our hands as to liue in this World without doing hurt to others in paying that wée owe in doing good to such as doe vs seruice and to loue them that loue vs but in doing good to them that doe vs hurt in giuing them that take from vs in forgiuing them that offend vs in louing them that hate vs in feeding them that wee sée hunger-starued in cloathing them that we see want their corporall couering in comforting the sad and â—rowfull in visiting such both with counsell and aide that haue not their wished liberty of Body or Minde and in performing such other offices of Christian commiseration and piety as are commanded vs in the Word of God to be done towards our Brethren and Neighbours These are outward workes which being performed by a féeling heart touched with the Spirit of God are swéet sacrifices to God and are accepted of God as that true thankfulnesse which God requireth in recompence of our abundance which God so fréely and louingly bestoweth vpon vs aboue others in this life and for his spirituall gifts and blessings as the blessing of the inward peace of conscience the blessing of the knowledgâ— of his Word and Testimonies the benefit of
mouthes but thou who relieued mée when I wanted things necessary but thou who hath deliuered mée in the time of danger but thou who shall haue the praise and glory but thou the God of my saluation and mine euerlasting refuge But what recompence deare Father shall I make vnto thée what reward shall I giue thée what sacrifice shall I offer thée I am a worme no man I haue no good thing to present vnto thée but onely I say and confesse and acknowledge euen from my heart and soule with my tongue and lips that thou onely art God onely good onely able and willing to helpe the poore to relieue the distressed to comfort the abiect and to deliuer them that are ready to be swallowed vp of mercilesse waters I am poore yet thou prouidest for mée I want and thou giuest mée things expedient I haue Enemies but thou defendest mée from their tyranny I am féeble and weake and fearefull to fall but thou doest yet strengthen mée and vphold mée thou leauest mée not in misery thou forgettest mée not in my calamity thou doest not euer hide thée from mée nor turne thy face when I séeke thée but thou rather hearest me before I call and preparest mée salue before I vnfold my sore and giuest before I aske more then I can desire Yea Father when I thinke my selfe ouer-whelmed with the troubles that like raging waues doe follow one another thou takest mée vp and settest me on a sure Rocke and when I begin to slide and my faith séemeth to faile me thou euen then with thy helping hand dost hold me vp so that neither the waters of this worlds troubles can altogether swallow mee vp neither I altogether so fall as if there were none to helpe me vp Therefore O Father full of loue full of power full of compassion and patient to thée onely I yéeld praise for my present reliefe and comfort I thanke thée for thy louing and fatherly helpe who art absolute in thy prouidence and therein raisest meanes to support thy Children when they are in danger And as thou of thy frée fauour in Christ thy beloued hast at this time and for euer deliuered mee yea when I was past hope so continue my louing God and helper and Sauiour vnto the end and as thou séest my Soule in aduersity continually so be thou my continuall helper that I may still sing vnto thee the song of praise for thou art worthy to be praised oh thou art worthy to be praised to thée be praise for euer Amen O Lord increase my Faith PSAL. 18. 2. The Lord is my rock and my fortresse and he that deliuereth me my God and my strength In him will I trust my shield and the horne also of my saluation and my refuge A Thankesgiuing to God for that Enemies haue not preuailed according to their desires with prayer to preuent them OH Lord of Hosts Lord of heauen and earth who defendedst Dauid from the malice of Saul Hezekiah from the power of Senacherib and all thy Children from their Enemies so farre as was euer expedient for thy glory and their soules comfort I thanke thée and blessed be thy holy Name for euer for that thou hast not suffered mine Enemies to triumph ouer mée buc hast most graciously deliuered mée from their malicious deuices hatefull inuentions Thine eye hath séene their laying in wait for mée and their wicked practices and in thy prouidence they are fallen and I stand they are snared and I am deliuered they are punished and I am preserued But it was not mine owne policy mine owne power wisedome or sword that hath kept them backe it was thine owne will thy worke and thine is the glory neither haue I escaped their wicked practices because I was iust nor because I was innocent neither of which deserueth so much but it was thine owne frée mercy in Jesus Christ by which they are snared and I am deliuered and I doe acknowledge it and doe confesse before all men yea I doe publish thy praise for thy goodnesse who art my strength and my saluation be thou euermore so and I shall neuer be moued be thou my rock whereupon I may euer more rest saie And grant that as I haue séene thy saluation tasted of thy sauing health felt the power of thy right hand and béene partaker of so many of thy benefits and blessings make mée able to glorifie thy Name that as thou hast now disappointed mine Enemies of their hope and weakned their power as thou hast scattered them brought their deuices and imaginations to nought so Lord stand alwaies by me and as they haue made a mocke of me trusting in thée so let shame befal them for their cruelties let their mouthes which spake lyes be stopped their armes still weakened and their hearts waâ—e faint whensoeuer they shall attempt their malicious deuices against me againe when they shall compasse me about with the multitude of their wicked imaginations then let the multitude of thy mercies ouer-match them They haue sought my hurt without a cause and therefore fell without my force thou tookest my cause into thine owne hand and hast brought me out of the snare that they had laid and taken them for thou iudgest right let them therefore know that it is thou hath hast done it and although they say in their hearts The Lord will not see nor consider let them finde that thou séest and considerest their practises and let them vnderstand that thou regardest the cause of the oppressed let them neuer haue power to rise againe against me let them neuer preuaile let mee euermore reioyce in thée O Lord my God my strength and my Redéemer O Lord increase my Faith A Thankesgiuing to be vsed after the returne of a Iourney or comming to some Inne or place of rest O God of all goodnesse mercy and loue I giue thée most humble hearty thankes for thy diuine prouidence in leading and conducting me in this my Journey and for preseruing mée from dangers in the same wherein I doe acknowledge thy goodnes towards me who as thou diddest euen by thy hand conduct Lot out of Sodome so hast thou taken mée as it were in thine armes and deliuered mée from perill And as thou diddest send Raphael thine Angell to conduct Tobias And as thou diddest leade the Seruant of Abraham and diddest guide Iacob in their iournies euen by thy holy ministring Spirits so doe I acknowledge that thou hast béene this day with me in my iourney thou hast brought mee in peace and safety vnto this place wherein I may take my bodily rest and refection hauing graciously protected mée from many secret dangers not onely of Enemies Robbers and Théeues but also from danger and hurts of my limbes which are commonly incident and d ee befall euen thine owne Children blessed be therefore thy holy Name for euer I giue glory vnto thy sacred and most glorious Name for that thou hast not onely preserued me but