away Thy sunne O most wise worker is as it were a firebrand to this world Thy kingdome whereby light commeth both to the soule and body is a firebrand to the spirituall world After day when the night cometh thou hast giuen for the remedy of darknes a candle After sinne for the remedy of ignorance thou hast giuen thy doctrine which thy deare sonne hath brought vnto vs. O thou that art the author and master of al truth and the true light make vs to see that the dimnes of our minds may be driuen cleane away Lift thou vp the light of thy countenance vpon vs and send vs ioy and gladnesse into our hearts Psal 4. Thy word is a lanterne to my feet and a light vnto my pathes Psal 119. Occasions to meditate Thinke that the knowledge which God giueth vnto vs by the caÌ„dle light whereby we see those thingâ— in this night of our bodies which are expedient for vs should make vs to wish much more for this doctrine of God and spirituall light of our soules and when we get it the more to esteeme it and diligently to embrace it Again that as all would be horrour without candle light so there is nothing but meere confusion where Gods word taketh no place When you make your selfe vnready pray THis our life and weake knit body by occasion of sin by little little shall be dissolued and so shall be restoâ—ed to the earth from whence it was taken then will be an end of this vanity which by our folly wee haue wrought to our selues O most meek father so do thou vnite me for thou art he that hath knit these our weake members together that I may perceiue my selfe to bee loosed dissolued and so may remember both of whom I was made and also whither I must goe lest I bee had vnprouided vnto thy tribunall seat Put off the old man with his lusts and concupiscences Col. 3. Eph. 4. Be content with Ioseph to put off thy prison apparell that thou maiest put on new Gen. 41. Occasions to meditate Thinke that as wee doe willingly put off our garments because wee shall receiue them againe when the Night is past so we should willingly forsake our bodies when God by death shall call vs because we shall receiue them againe in the resurrection of the lust When you enter into your bed pray THe day now ended men giue themselues to rest in the night and so this life finished wee shall rest in death nothing is more like this life then euery day nothing more like to our graue then our bed O Lord our keeper and defender grant that I now laying mee downe to rest being vnable to keepe my selfe may be preserued from the crafts assaults of the wicked enemy and grant further that when I haue run the race of this life thou wouldest of thy mercy call me vnto thee that I may liue watch with thee for euermore And now gracious God giue me to take my rest in thee and bring to passe that thy goodnes may be giuen in sleep before my eies that sleeping I be not absent from thee but may haue my dreames to draw me vnto thee and so both soule and body may be kept pure and holy for euer I will lay me downe in peace and take my rest c. Psal 4. Occasions to meditate Thinke that as the troublesome day is now past and night come and so rest quietnes and pleasant sleepe which maketh most excellent princes and poore wretches alike euen so after the tumults troubles temptations tempests of this life they that beleeue in Christ haue prepared in them an heauen and rest most pleasant ioiful As you are not afraid to enter into your bed to dispose your selfe to sleepe so be not afraide to die but rather cheerfully prepare your selfe thereunto Thinke that now you are neerer your end by one daies iourney then you were in the morning When you feele sleepe to be comming pray O Lord Iesus Christ my watchman and keeper take mee into thy protection Grant that my bodie sleeping my mind may watch in thee and be made merry by some sight of that celestial and heauenly life wherein thou art the King and Prince together with the Father the holy Ghost where the Angels and holy Soules be most happie citizens Oh purifie my soule keepe cleane my body that in both I may please thee sleeping and waking for euer Amen A generall confession of sinnes with other praiers for the morning and euening to be vsed in families and publike assemblies O Most mercifull and louing father whose loue is infinit whose mercy endureth for euer we sinfull creatures trusting in thine vnspeakable goodnes and loue toward vs do appeare this morning before thy diuine maiestie most humblie confessing our manifold sinnes and innumerable transgâ—essions of thy commaundements and fatherly will Against thee only against thee O Lord haue wee sinned wee acknowledge our offences we accuse our selues vnto thee O mercifull Lord and will not hide our vnrighteousnesse We find in our selues no thing but ignorance of thy wil disobedience unstrust doubtfulnes in thy goodnes and incredulity hatred and conâ—empt of al spiritual things selfe loue confidence in our selues feruent lusting after carnall things of this world and this tree of our corrupt nature bringeth forth continually in vs none other fruits but rotten and vnsauory workes of the flesh in thoughts words and doings vnto condemnation Wherfore we humbly beseech thy fatherly goodnes euen for thy son Iesus Christs sake whome thou hast set forth for a purchaser of mercy to vs through faith in his bloud make our hearts cleane take away our stony heart and giue vnto vs a true and liuely faith working in vs vnfained repentance and amendmen of our sinnefull life Haue mercy vpon vs and forgiue vs our sinnes for thy sonnes sake certifie our consciences of the remission of the same by thy holy spirit by whose operation so mortifie in vs our old man the whole body of sin that wee continually dying vnto sinne may walke in a newnesse of life to the glory of thy holy name through Iesus Christ our Sauiour Amen Another confession of sinnes O Eternall God most merciful father we confesse and acknowledge here before thy diuine maiesty that we are miserable sinners conceiued and borne in sinne and iniquitie so that in vs there is no goodnesse for the flesh euermore rebelleth against the Spirit whereby wee continually transgresse thy holy precepts and commandements and to purchase our selues through thy iust iudgement death and damnation Notwithstanding O heauenly Father for asmuch as now we are displeased with our selues for the sins we haue coÌ„mitted against thee Gal. 5. Rom 2. Jer. 34. Esa 20. doe vnfainedly repent vs of the same we most humbly beseech thee for Iesus Christs sake to shew thy mercy vpon vs to forgiue vs all our sinnes and to increase thy holy spirit in vs that
a worldly Prince but suffering our hearts to be carried away with wandring thoughts worldly imaginations are otherwise occupied and forsake him in the midst of our praiers As God is a Spirit so will â—e be worshipped in spirit and truth that is in the inward affections of the heart and with a true faithfull and vnsained kind of worship And therfore as at all other times hee requireth the heart so specially in the time of praier when we shew our selues in his presence and enter into communication with him and therupon when he promiseth to heare all those that call vpon him he maketh a restraint saith that call vpon him in truth Seeing therefore that the chiefe dutie of praier consisteth in the heart we must with our whole hart poure out our praiers vnto God the searcher of all harts with a sincere vnfained and ardent affection opening of our hart before God call vpon him or else we shall not finde him Let vs know therefore that none prepare themselues right to praier but such as haue a reuereÌ„t feare of Gods Maiestie which they caÌ„not haue that come not to it vnburthened of earthly cares and affections And this is that is ment in the Scriptures by the lifting vp of hands that wee should remember our selues to bee farre off from God vnlesse we lift vp our hearts and minds also on high And therefore it is said in the Psalme To thee haue I lifted vp my soule The Scripture vseth also this manner of speech To lift vp praier that they that desire to be heard of God should not haue their mindes carried away with earthly cogitations and vanitie And though it be hard to bee so bent to praier but that we shall finde that mâ—nie by-thoughts will creepe vpon vs to hinder our praier yet the more hard it is the more earnestly we must wrestle to ouercome all lets and hinderances and labour with inward groanings vnto the Lord that hee will linke our hearts fast vnto him and not suffer vs to be ledde away from him by the vaine suggestions of Satan Psal 8â— who at all times compassing vs about is neuer more busie then when we addresse our selues to prayer secretly and subtlely creeping into our brest and calling vs backe from God so that oftentimes when we with all reuerence should speake to God we find our harts talking with the vanities of the world or with the foolish imaginations of our owne hearts Finally we must be in christian charity loue and concord with all men seeking vnfained hearty and brotherly reconciliation if we haue offended any man before we enter into praier or else God will not heare our praiers yea they are otherwise execrable and full of damnable hypocrisie in Gods sight And this that is spoken of praier may be said also of hearing of Gods word or any other seruice of God VVe must therefore lay aside all malice enuie wrath grudge contention wrangling dissimulation all guilefull craftie and subtle dealing and with a single heart doe to others as we would they should doe to vs. 1. Pet. 8 Peter willeth that such as haue once tasâ—ed how good and bounteous the Lord is and are become new creatures by the heauenly regeneration through the doctrine of the gospell should like holy and innocent babes lay aside all such works of the flesh which doe depriue a man of the kingdom of God Galat. 5 and Saint Paul commandeth vs that laying a side all those cursed workes of darkenesse we should in the stead thereof put on euen as the elect of God holy and beloued tender mercy kindnesse humblenesse of minde meekenesse long suffering forbearing one another forgiuing one another if one haue a quarrell to another as Christ forgaue vs. And aboue al these thingâ— saith he put on loue which is the bond of perfection let the peace of God rule in your hearts When ye shal stand pray saith Saint Marke Mark 11 forgiue if yee haue any thing against any man thaâ— your Father also which is in heauen may forgiue you your trespasses for if yee will not forgiue your father which is in heauen vvill not pardon your trespasses Moreouer we must haue such a feeling of our owne misery and wretchednes as may worke in vs an earnest sorrow and vexation of minde for the same Example whereof we may see in the deare seruants of God when they say that cut of the deepe deepenesse and out of the middest of the iaws of deaths they vtter vnto the Lord a sorrowfull voice Hee that desireth mercie must haue a feeling of his owne misery And therefore saith Dauid Heale my soule O Lord for J haue sinned against thee There is nothing in my flesh saith he because of thy displeasure neiâ—her is there any rest in my bones because of my sinne This anguish sorrow stirreth vp in Gods children a feruent desire to obtaine comfort helpe and succour at Gods hand and therefore such as feele themselues oppressed with great calamitieâ— hauing by the helpe of man no hope of deliuerance doe cry vnto God with afflicted hearts as Dauid did in his distresse My soule thirsteth for God euen for the liuâ—ng God and as the Hart being wounded braieth for the riuers of waters so panteth my soule after thee O God This is that godly sorrow which S. Paul saith worketh in Gods children repentance to saluatio The Lord is nigh to them saith Dauid that are of a contrite heart and vvil saue al such as are afflicted in spirit To him vvil I looke euen vnto him saith the lord that is afflicted and broken hearted and trembleth at my words Therefore Dauid calleth the time of trouble the fit and conuenient time for the faithfull to flie vnto God by prayer And albeit they be not at all times in like distresse or continually groning vnder the burden of present euils yet they must needs be euer in dread of new dangers and carefully afraid of furâ—her troubles to follow As trouble and feare therefore are the verie spurres to stirr them vp to hearty and feruent Praier so by occasion thereof they haue more free accesse vnto God as though hee did thereby call them vnto him This godly sorrow for sinne and feruent desire and longing for Gods louing mercie and fauour commeth not of our selues but of the speciall goodnes of God for wee are of our selues dull and without all list to pray yea so grâ—at is our imperfection that wee know not how to pray as we ought and therefore the spirit helpeâ—h our infirmitieâ— and instructeth vs what is right and guideth our affections He maketh intercession for the Saints saith Saint Paul according to the vvil of God that vvith sighes gronings vvhich cannot be expressed that is hee stirreth vp out harts giueth vs a desire boldnes to pray and causeth vs to mourn when wee are by any meanes hindred from it and feele not our selues moued therunto with
this world as they be transitory soone vanishing away and my self also with them drawing towards mine end For nothing vnder the sunne may long abide but all is vanity and affliction of spirit Oh Lord God which art sweetnesse vnspeakable turne into bitternes vnto me al transitory and earthly delights which may draw mee from the loue of eternall things and for all worldly comforts giue me the sweet comfort of thy holy spirit for thou Lord art my ioy my hope my crowne and my glory Blessed are they that for the loue of thee set not by the pleasurs of this world but crucifie the flesh and the lusts thereof so that in a clean and pure conscience they may offer their praiers vnto thee and be accepted to haue company with thee together with the Angels heauenly spirits O euerlasting light send down the beams of thy brightnes and lighten the inward parts of my heart Open my heart that I may behold thy lawes and teach mee to walke in thy commandements Behold my weaknes O Lord consider my frailenes best knowne vnto thee Faine would I cleaue fast to heauenly things but worldly affections and temptations plucke mee backe they daily rebell and suffer not my soule to liue in rest Which although they draw me not away to consent yet neuerthelesse their assaults be very grieuous vnto me O what a life may this be called where no trouble nor misery lacketh where euery place is full of snares of mortall enemies For one trouble or temptation ouerpassed another commeth by and by the first conflict yet during a new battell suddenly ariseth Tedious it is to me to liue in such battels but I perceiue such conflicts are not vnprofitable for mee whilest I know my selfe and mine infirmities the better and am therby compelled to seek helpe at thy hand It is good for me O Lord that thou hast thus exercised and humbled me that I may learn to dread thy secret and terrible iudgements which scourgest euery child that thou receiuest which bringest down to the gates of hell bringest backe againe I yeeld thee thanks therfore that thou hast not spared my sinnes but hast punished me with scourges of loue and hast sent afflictions anguish within and without Of grace and fauor it is O Lord that thou suffered thy seruants to be troubled and afflicted in this world because they should not be condemned with the world Thou wouldest that they should here be broken with affliction that they may afâ—er rise in a new light be clarified and made glorious in thy kingdome O holy father thou hast ordained it so to be and it is done as thou hast appointed Wherefore O Lord giue me thy grace to rest in thee aboue al things and to quiet my heart in thee aboue all creatures aboue all glory and honour aboue all dignity and power aboue all health and beauty aboue all riches and treasure aboue all ioy and pleasure aboue all fame and praise aboue all mirth and consolation that mans heart may take and feele besides thee For thou Lord art most good most wise most righâ—eous most holy most iust most blessed most high most mighty most comfortable most beautifull most louing most glorious in whome all treasures of goodnes most perfectly rest And therefore whatsoeuer I haue besides thee it is nothing vnto mee for my hart may not rest nor fully be pacified but only in thee Oh Lord Iesus who shall giue mee wings of perfect loue that I may flee vp from these worldly miseries and rest with thee O Christ the king of euerlasting glory my soule crieth vnto thee with continual gronings and saith How long tarrieth my Lord God to come to me Oh when shall the end come of all these miseries When shall I cleane be deliuered from the bondage of sinne When shal I Lord haue my mind onely fâ—xed on thee and we merry in thee with perfect ioy and gladnesse When shall that blessed houre come that thou shalt visite mee and make mee glad with thy blessed presence when thou shalt be to me all in all When shall I come vp to thee and feele and enioy those sweet consolations which with thy blessed saints are alwaies present When shal I haue peace without trouble peace without peace with in and on euery side stedfast sure O Lord Iesu when shall I stand and behold thee and haue full sight and contemplation of thy glory When shall I be with thee in thy kingdom that thou hast ordained for thine elect before the beginning O blessed mansion of that heauenly City O most cleare day of eternity whom the night may neuer darken This is the day alwaies cleare and merry alwaies sure and neuer changing This day shineth clearely to thy saints in heauen O gratious God with euerlasting brightnesse but to vs here on earth so great is the darknes of sin in vs it shineth obscurely as it were a far of we set but a glimmering thereof Would to God this day might shortly appeare and shine vnto vs that these worldly vanities were at an end Thy heauenly citizens know and feele how ioyfull this day is but we the children of Eue strangers and exiles here on earth doe lament and bewaile the biâ—ter tediousnesse of this present life short and euill full of sorrow and anguish Where man is oftentimes defiled with sin disquieted with troubles oppressed with cares busied with vanities blinded with errors oueâ—charged with labours vexed with temptations ouercome with vâ—ine delights and pleasures of the world and miserably wrapped in many kinds of calamities Wherfore O Lord arise and help me comfort mine exile asswage my sorrow destroy the power of mine enemies the kingdome of sinne Satan the world and my wicked flesh which alway make battell against me and bring these conflicting daies to an end â—o shall I sing praises vnto thee O God of my saluation and magnifie thy holy name world without end Amen A confession of sins and a praier for the remission thereof O Lord God rich in mercy and of great goodnesse who of thy tender loue towards vs euen when we were thine enemies diddest send into the world thine owne deare Sonne Iesus Christ to be a slaine sacrifice for our sinnes so that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue life euerlasting haue mercy on mee according to thy great mercies and according to the multitude of thy compassions put away mine iniquities For mine iniquities are gone ouer my head Psal 38. and as a waighty burthen they presse me downe Against heauen and against thee haue I sinned O Lord I am not worthy to be called thy child I am a shamed to lift vp mine eies vnto thee Luke 15. for my sinnes are ascended vp into thy sight There is nothing sound in my flesh because of thy displeasure Psal 38. neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sinne Behold I am sould vnder sin