and by crauing pardon for their sinnes Howsoeuer things may seeme to succeed to their great contentment they doe but deceiue themselues for there is no blessing promised to such carelesse meÌ„ though they haue the names and receiue the seales of Christians And therefore let euery man that feareth God and desireth to see a good day to follow the morning let him begin the day with the seruice of God in prayer if hee haue a family let him conuent them and conioyne with them in prayer If he haue none or be absent from it let him serue the Lord in priuate The faithful herein findeth such liuely comfort and assurance of Gods prouidence as he feareth not whatsoeuer the day following can cast vpon him all things shall worke together for his consolation And whatsoeuer hee doth it shall prosper A Prayer for the Morning for priuate families Lord increase our faith prepare our hearts to prayer and open our lippes O Mercifull Lord God louing father in Iesus Christ wee thine vnworthy people fall heere downe before the footstoole of thy Maiestie and with vnfayned hearts giue thankes vnto thee for thy mercies in number more then can be numbred for they are more then our sinnes and our sins more then the sea sands which are without number Thou hast bene our watchman this night thou hast not onely kept vs from bodily daungers and harmes but hast giuen vs rest when our weake bodies were infeebled with wearinesse and labours and hast brought vs to the beginning of this day in safety whereas many haue perished this night in their beds and haue not risen to prayse thee How vnthankefull should wee shew our selues Lord if we should enter into our worldly affaires without remembring thy mercies and our owne sinnes in asking pardon for them Receiue therefore wee humbly pray thee good father at our vnworthy hands the sacrifice of our humble prayers and prayses which we offer vnto thee this morning in the name of thine owne dearest Sonne in whom thou hast acknowledged thy selfe so well pleased as thou deniest nothing to any faithfully asking for his sake Jn him and by him and for him we come Lord vnto thee humbly and heartily praying pardon for our sinnes wherby we haue transgressed thy lawes offended thy great Maiestie in whose displeasure is death Pardon vs mercifull Lord God pardon vs remoue our sinnes farre from vs and wiâ—e them out of the booke of thy remembrance Remember the merits of Christ our Redeemer leaue vs not in our owne miserable estates lest we should forget to be mindfull or to be ignorant how to prayse thy Name for thy goodnes past and enter into our worldly occasions without being reconciled vnto thee in Christ for thy wrath being inkindled towards vs neuer so little nothing can truely prosper that we take in hand we may labour and yet without thy blessing it shall not profite vs 〈◊〉 may eat and drinke but it shall not nourish vs we may follow our vocations with great diligence rysing earely and taking rest late yet shall it not feede vs. Oh gracious Lord let thy blessings accompany all our labours And grace vs euer with thy presence according to thy promise not to obserue our imperfections but to direct our heartes in prayer to prepare vs to obedience to season vs with thy holy spirit and to blesse and prosper all our actions That whatsoeuer wee thinke speake or doe this day may be acceptable in thy fight So shall all things goe well with vs and prosper vnder our hands we shall prayse thy name and extoll thy mercies and goodnesse which haue bene are and shall be towards vs for euer And as thou hast taken away the vale of the darkenesse of night which resembleth death And hast opened vnto vs the windowes of heauen to giue vs the light of the Sunne which resembleth life So abandon thou the workes of darkenesse and ignorance put away our faintnesse and dulnesse in prayer And let the light of thy sauing truth shine vnto vs and the Sunne of righteousnesse extend his beames of heauenly vnderstanding into our heartes That we all may walk this day in the way which is Christ the Lord imbrace the truth which is the Lambe of God that taketh away the sinnes of the world And euer inioy that life which is eternall in him which was and which is and which is to come So shall our rysing from our naturall rest this morning by thy power as out of our graues of mortalitie assure vs of our finall rysing out of the graue of our sins to immortality And as thou hast blessed vnto vs our temporal sleepe this night So vouchsafe to blesse vnto vs this day the vse of thy creatures that they may all serue to our comfortable vse in Christ Iesus according to our necessities And graunt that wee abuse them not to ryot or wantonnesse but may carefully and religiously watch and be sober that when our finall sleepe shall ouertake vs we may lay downe our mortall bodies not vnto the resurrection of death vnto death but of the resurrection of life vnto life eternall And during the time of our mortalitie remember vs O Lord in the abundance of thy mercies lest that wee who are but dust and ashes should so fasten the eyes of our desires vpon the base things of this life that we should forget the life to come Graunt rather Lord that we may vse the things of this life at thy hands so as we may not be seduced by them but rather led by the consideration whence and from whom we receiue them vnto the authour and giuer of them So shal they not onely not be vnto vs vaine or base but worthy to be had in reuerence for thy sake that giuest them freely and blessest them graciously vnto our vse comfort which great mercy of thine cannot but aduance the eies of our dul vnderstandings to the contemplation of thy spirituall and heauenly blessings As how we were freely from all beginnings elected to saluation by thee how we were created when wee were not by thee how we were redeemed when wee were captiues vnto Sathan by thee How wee were sauctified when we were most prophane by thee How we are iustified being guiltie of iudgement by thee How we haue taken hold of the hope future glorification of our corrupt vile bodies in the life to come by thee These thy super-abounding mercies O Lord who hath a heart to conceiue or a tongue sufficiently to expresse The Angels that attend thee in the heauens beholding thee face to face and minister thy will in heauen and earth are not yet able to declare the good things themselues inioy by the glory of thy presence Much lesse are we Lord who lodge in houses of clay able to comprehend thee and the height and depth of thine incomprehensible goodnes shewed to them in earth whom thou hast made heires with thy Sonne of the glory in heauen How much lesse able
in me diuine meditations and prayers that my heart being truly and zealously exercised therein in my wakings I may admit no idle thought to possesse the same nor giue Sathan or mine owne corrupt affections oportunity to snare me and to seduce me from the works of the spirit to the deeds of the flesh but that sleeping and waking I may euer rest vnder the shadow of thy powerfull protection out of the â—each of all my corporall and spirituall enemies who are euer restlesse in their practises and deuices Be thou therefore Lord on my â—â—dâ— preuent them of their purposes garde 〈…〉 ee with thy holy Angels this night keepe me whom and whatsoeuer belongeth vnto me let all things prosper vnder my hands O Lord let neither the darkenesse of the night the distemperature of the ayre the sterilitâ—e and barrennesse of nature hinder the prosperitie of the creatures ordained to my vse Neither let my sinnes make breach of thy fauours towards me let the health of my body be at thy good pleasure continued my limbes sences preserued my sleepe blessed and all my thoughtes words and deeds sanâ—tiâ—â—ed vnto me in Christ my Sauiour and Redeemer this night and euer Amen Lord increase my faith and watch ouer me this night A MOTIVE TO A Prayer for the members of Christ to be vsed after priuate praiers in families IT were a matter much to be wondred at that any member of a body should be so little carefull of it fellow members of the same bodie as that it should not extend it vttermost power to support and aide them all As if the one hand should suffer violence and the other should disdaine to assist it or that the foote or any other part should be annoyd and the eye should scorne to looke vnto it or the hand to helpe it How much more lamentable were it if the members of our spirituall bodie whereof Christ our common Redeemer is the head should not pray one for another What can a man doe lesse for an ordinary friend then to speake for him to him that may steede him being at no further charge or trouble then to vse the breath of his mouth for him And shall wee thinke it too tedious a labor to vse our petitions to God in the behalfe of such as are our fellow members and our dearest brethren in Christ being professors of his name with vs and of the same fellowship and communion together with vs hauing the selfe same seales of adoption that we haue God forbid The neglect of which spirituall duetie implyeth our want of loue vnto our head Christ wherein we also breake the law of Christian Religion which commands vs to loue our neighbours as our selues If we then thinke it our dueties to pray for our selues we ought to pray also for them which Christ intendeth in teaching vs how to pray not as in our owne names my Father But in the name of all the Church Our Father though vpon some particular occasions a priuat maÌ„ may vse it in the name of himselfe But in generall supplications to God it is a duetie inseparable in Christian Charitie to pray one for another yea and for all men Let vs therefore in all our priuate prayers either with our families or by ourselues adde this consequent prayer or to the like purpose that wee discharging that Christian duetie for others God may the more esteeme our prayers for our selues and stirre vp other faithfull members to do the like for vs which may be much comfortable to all for the prayer of the faithfull auaileth much if it bee feruent Iam. 5. 16. A Prayer for the members of Christ whersoeuer dispersed fit to bee vsed after our ordinarie prayers of Morning and Euening GRacious Lord God merciful and louing Father the keeper and protector of all that truly professe the name of Christ thy Sonne we the poore and weake members of that mysticall bodie whereof he is the head as feeling the wantes of our brethren as our own do here humblie present our petitions vnto thee for thy whole Church and the members thereof howsoeuer or whersoeuer distracted dispersed and estranged by nation tongue or place from vs. That it may please thee who knowest who are thine to haue a fatherly care ouer them and whom thou hast already called to the knowledge of thy trueth graunt them Lord mercifull louing and constant hearts to stand in the profession thereof without wauering or starting backe call and incorporate such as are contrarily minded and whom thou hast in thy fore-election appointed to saluation That they also may be made of the same holy Communion with vs. And such as yet sit in darkenesse in the shadow of ignorance by the seducements of the ministers of Antichrist or of any other aduersaris inlighten and bring home by thy word vnto the sheepefold of the great Shepheard of our soules Multiply thy sauing spirit vpon vs and vpon all that belong vnto the kingdome of thy Sonne Aâ—â— vouchsafe good Father to inlarge the harts increase the knowledge confirme the faith more and more of all those that haue any chiefe place in Church or Commonwealth Kings Priests and People About the rest Lord open the heart of our King giue him a complete measure of true wisedome not only in gouerning his subiects in due obedience to his owne lawes but in a religious course of obeying seruing of thee in holinesse and trueth Protect and deliuer him from all plots complotments and conspiracies of whatsoeuer aduersaries domesticall or forraine Suffer not Lord the peace of thy Church or Common-weale to suffer violence by ciuill tumults treasons or rebellions Preserue his health increase his strength weaken his enemies and confirme his crowne to his sonne and his sonnes sonnes to the end of time Blesse and prosper in vertue and trueth his Queene and all that truly loue him in and for thee loue thou them and comfort them for thou hast made him a true maintainer of thy truth an enemie of all thine enemies Blesse vnto him a godly religious and wise counsell learned zealous and painefull ministers faithfull religious and truely loyall subiects comfort helpe ayde assist and relieue all and euery true member of thy Sonne Those that are persecuted for thy truth comfort confirme that they may constantly endure vnto the end Them that are weak strengthen Them that are poore and distressed relieue Cure or comfort those that are sicke Many are the troubles of thine own children Lord and according to thy promise deliuer them out of all make them able to indure and laâ— no more vpon any of them theâ— they shall be able to beare Touch the hearts of all thy children that they may be watching in prayer considering the dayes wherein we liue are euill And as thou hast promised to be present with vs and with all thy children in their meetings before thee in prayer Stir vs all vp we beseech thee to a more holy desire
whosoeuer wilfully neglecteth the performance of it cannot bee guiltlesse of a suspition that he wisheth not well to the state of the weale publike in seeming indifferent whether it goe well or ill with the people whose prosperitie comfort and securitie consisteth in the right rule of magistrates gouernment And therefore is euery Christian bound by the rule of religious obedience to pray especially for the King wherein they cannot omit to pray for his Counsellors of estate who are in that they part ake of his secrets and are of his counsel a part of the head of that politicke bodie whereof themselues are members and he that refuseth to wish well vnto and to pray for the good of the head whereof himselfe is a member is not worthie to partake of the blessings which good members doe enioy neither peace nor plentie But as an vnprofitable droane to be expulst the Hyue that the rest according to their godly desires may liue and inioy in by with the head true peace religion and mutuall loue the end of all our prayers for vnlesse men in most eminent places be religious and vertuously qualified which is the gift of God it is impossible for King or Kingdome Church or Common-weale to stand sound or secure and among all that are in authoritie vnder the King none are of so eminet place as are Counsellers of Estate none haue a more heauie burden none need more wisdome and integritie then they for they sway matters of greatest ciuil importance And therefore none are more obserued none in deeper danger by the enemies of the King and Kingdome Who then will shew himselfe so base barbarous or irreligious as not to afford among other exercises some moment of time to seeke at the hands of God the good of these most honorable persons namely that their qualities may correspond their high callings godlines and honestie the first implying sinceritie in Religion the secoÌ„d ciuil cariage in their place and iustice towards men the first for the good of the Church the second for the Weale publike with these vertues hath God promised to indue them for his Churches sake Eccle. 10. 4. And therfore ought euer member of the Common wealth to pray for them that Wisdome and Prudence Faith and Iudgement Godlinesse and Honesty may be giuen them for it falleth often that for the wickednes of a people good Magistrates become euill and at the instance of the godly the euil are made good for their hearts their counsels consultations and determinations are in Gods disposing for the good or euill of a King and people examples whereof are many in the Scripture 2. Chron. 12. 3. 4. 5. and 2. Sam. 10. Therfore to auoid Gods Iudgements and indignation which may befall vs for contemning the counsell of the Apostle let vs pray not onely in publike assemblies but euery man in his priuat closset in sincere affection among and aboue other ordinary Magistrates vnder his Maiestie for the Counsellers of Estate that God will blesse them with wisdome counsell from aboue Rom. 11. 33. 34. So shall the King bee rightly aduised the Church of Christ rightly ordered and the Common-weale peaceably gouerned and all the people shall giue glory to God that giues it A Prayer to be vsed of euery good Subiect for the Kings Counsell of Estate ETernall and al-knowing God the fountaine of true wisedome and holy counsell who not only gouernest the hearts of kings but doest raise vp and prouide for them that obey thee graâ—â— wise and religious Counsellours by whom they consult determine all things for the maintenaÌ„ce of thy Gospel the godly gouernmeÌ„t of 〈◊〉 people coÌ„mitted to their charge Blesse them O Lord whom thou hast set in that high place grant that they may be truely religious religiously prudent and prudently graue Meâ— fearing thee in their hearts And 〈◊〉 but the rightly wise in thee whose 〈◊〉 thou hast touched and 〈◊〉 vp with the 〈◊〉 of thy hoholy Spirit to 〈◊〉 forth all holy af 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 professors an◠〈◊〉 of thy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉 both 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of true wisdome and the â—and of Christian obedience 〈◊〉 them with watchfull hearts to foresee prouidence to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 strength and courage to suppresse all dangers proposed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or practised against thine Anointed thy Church or any superiour power Minister or member of the same 〈◊〉 yeâ— leaue them not vnto their 〈◊〉 humane policies but reach them by thy word holy and heauenly wisedome to determine and dispose a true and religious course for the safetie of Prince and people whensoeuer any vnaccu 〈◊〉 occasion or danger shall bee any way offered For thou knowest the hidden deuices and couert practices of the enemies of thy truth who are wiser and more politike in their generations then the children of light by transforming themselues into the likenes of Angels being yet inwardly Satanical seeking vnder the colour of religious obedience to vndermine and supplant if it were possible the verie word of truth it selfe the principall defender of the same and the very elect in Christ professing it Make them therfore good Father whom thou hast conioined in counsel vnto thine Auâ—inted watchful and prudent in their places wisely to consult religiously to deliberate and rightly to determine all things to thy glory to the preseruatioÌ„ of thine Anoiuted the comfort of thy children good of the CoÌ„mon-weale knowing that the prosperity of all vnder thine vnsearchable prouidence dependeth vpon their integrity prudence and Christian policies Be thou therefore vnto them good Father a guide lay before theÌ„ and learne them the booke of thy lawes season their vnderstanding with the salt of thy grace adorne their hearts with righteousnes and true holines make the way of their consultations plaine remoue al difficulties needlesse impediments froÌ„ their godly resolutions tending to thy glory for nothing pleasing vnto thee can be dishonorable to the King distasteful to thy Church disprofitable to the kingdom or displeasing to thy people And whatsoeuer is contrary to thy will beare it in humane opinion neuer so faire a pretence of conueniencie vtility or safetie it worketh nothing lesse Therefore Lord be thou alwayes present and president in all their consultations Amen Lord increase our faith A short prayer for the Counsell Royall THou knowest O Lord that al humane creatures what office or title soeuer they beare in Church or CoÌ„mon-weale are of theÌ„selues but of natural vnderstaÌ„ding only able to coÌ„preheÌ„d carnal things carnally can comprehend things of no higher or lower momeÌ„t then may be fadomed by natural reason So that their collectioÌ„s of the causes of thine vnsearchable purposes in sending aduerse accidents amongst a people and their prouidence to preuent danger and to establish the security of the people coÌ„mitted to their gouernment caÌ„not but ofteÌ„ faile of that wished successe they ayme at And therefore in all humblenes we 〈◊〉 that good Father to assist direct them whom
would seeme holy And so instead of a blessing procure a curse vnto themselues for their hypocrisie Wee must consider that God is a iealous God holdeth none guiltlesse that taketh his name in vaine as they manifestly doe that come neere him with their lips when their hearts are farre from him It is a kind of spirituall adultery outwardly to seeme wholy to be gods and yet inwardly to be meere worldlings Before we open our mouthes therefore to God we must cast out of the Temple of God which is our heart all buyers and sellers as Christ did out of the Temple of Ierusalem for as long as our hearts doe harbour the desires of worldly profits and carnall pleasures aboue the sincere seruice of God our heart the Temple of the liuing God becommeth a den of theeues that steales away all our godly affections to settle them on Belial Let vs looke vnto the man Christ Iesus crucified by whose blood wee are redeemed by whose mediation wee are sure to haue our prayers heard of God and granted especially if for our further and more perfect preparation we can truely obserue the rule of Christ to forgiue our enemies knowing that if we forgiue not our brother that offendeth vs God will not forgiue vs that farre more grieuously offend him And therefore Christ counselleth vs that if we bring our sacrifice to the Altar namely if we intend to pray and there remember that a brother hath ought against vs we ought to leaue our offering before the Altar that is forbear for the time to pray yet to continue our holy intention to pray and to goe first and bee reconciled to our brother and then to come to offer our gift namely our prayers freely vnto God in Christ for before we be vnburthened of all rancor malice enuie hatred and all other prophane desires it is not only not auaileable but lamentable that so many will as doe presume to come before God with hearts so fearefully fraught with these vnholy affections and stagger no more to presse into Gods presence nay not so much as some that come vnto God with most prepared peacefull and most sanctified consciences Let such cast-out the bond woman with her sonne namely the old man the works and lusts of the flesh and giue entertainment vnto the free-woman and her sonne the new man which after God is created vnto righteousnes and true holines And so recommend our prayers vnto God the obiect of our prayers in Christ the Mediator of our prayers by the holy Ghost the Author of all holy prayers Attention in Prayer Being thus prepared let vs endeuour to yeeld due and true attention in our prayers that is to giue â—eed to what we pray to whom we pray for what we pray and with what zeale we pray which are the truest tokens and greatest arguments that our prayers are liuely powerfull effectuall and of faith which properties can neuer be in lip-labour for there cannot be a more apparent discouery of a rancke Hypocrite then to make outward showes of Deuotion with the gesture and lippes and yet the heart to be busied in the cogitation of idle â—arthly and prophane things And nothing more discouereth an idle heart outwardly then the wandering of the eye in the time of diuine prayer for it is probable and often found by experience that the eye withdraweth the heart and if the eye be inconstant the prayer hath not nor can haue the due attention of the heart yet it doth not follow that although the eye bee fixed on any certaine obiect or be shut that therefore the heart is rightly set on God for oftentimes the eye followes the heart the cogitation of the heart making the eye to forget it obiect as when the heart is wandring in the fields of corne viewing the herdes of cattle and flockes of sheepe when it is in the ware-house in the shoppe in the chest minding bands payments ouercome with pride plotting reuenge oppressed with feare besotted with pleasure iâ—tangled with cares or otherwise peruerted by any prophane and vngodly cogitations Prayers made witls such an extraâ—agant heart be they in words neuer so holy they are imputed vnto vs as sin for shall wee thinke that God will heare our prayers to our profit or comfort when the thoughts of our hearts in the meane time dishonor him Many pray in their owne familiar language and yet consider no more what they speake for want of attention then if they spake in an vnknowne tongue and yet such men will hold themselues very deuout and to haue power in themselues to pray when they list as if true prayer werâ— of that facilitie and ease to vtter as is an idle tale and as it seemes by beggers that tumble out the Lords prayer with one breath at a doore and yet minde nothing but their almes Such men are to be pitied and to be wished better to aduise themselues before they attempt this seruice of God most holy for Prayer is not an easie worke it is of a deeper straine then a tale that is but from the tongue to the teeth from the teeth to the lips and so into the ayre True prayer is cordiall and of that force and efficacie as it constraineth the heart to sighes groanes and teares with such inward â—eâ—uencie of holy zeale as tenters the heart with such internall gripes as may bee truly said the râ—ting of the hart And the more we feele our hearts thus inwardly sharply touched so much the more comfort it yeeldeth to the soule of the faithfull petitioner yea such and so great consolation as he that feeles it cannot expresse it with his tongue be he neuer so eloquent neither can any conceiue or apprehend the sweetnes of it that is not exercised and experienced in the same for nature apprehendeth it not No man can say that Iesus is Christ but by the holy Ghost and none can desire the Spirit of God but by the Spirit of God Flesh and bloud cannot as much as desire spirituall things spiritually for spirituall things are to be compared with spirituall things and spirituall gifts are obtained by spirituall meanes And therefore are words without the spirit as naked and bare incense without fire but being inkindled in the heart and sanctified by the holy spirit of God who is promised to assist our spirits they are as a liuely and acceptable sacrifice to God working so powerfully with him through Christs mediâ—tion as they neuer returne empty of what soeuer blessing we desire Prayer can neuer be effectuall 〈◊〉 there be sâ—me certaine spirituall obiect of the mind to moue the attention of the heart which obiect is God and we must consider that when we pray vnto him or yeeld him any other worship that we are not to conceiue him in the forme of any earthly or heauenly bodily or spirituall creature whatsoeuer for in that maner not to conceiue him is a degree of coÌ„ceiuing him a right according to Master Perkins
in the Euening in priuate Families IT is a matter too common with many to passe the day in a kind of lawlesse vanitie and the night in carelesse securitie as if the day and night were only made for man to serue himselfe with the pleasures and profits he can make of either forgetting the true end for which either themselues or the day and night were made that themselues were made to glorifie their Maker in reason and religion The day to serue them for holy exercises and lawfull labours And the night for their corporall rest But contrarily themselues they prophane through many sinnes The day they abuse by idlenesse wantonnesse and vanities And the night they pollute with many forbidden euils And yet passe from day to night and from euening to the day light neuer calling to minde that holy duetie required of them thanksgiuing to God for blessings receiued their humble prayers for pardon of their sins committed and their continuall supplications for their safetie and prosperous successe in their labours and affaires Doth the profession of a Christian require no more then to eate and drink to labour or loyter to passe the time in gaming pleasure idlenes ease and slâ—â—pe Are not these the workes that worldlings wallow in Some are too great and glorious to labour and yet haue no leasure to pray Some are so busied in worldly affaireâ— as they can admit no time to serue God but the Sabbath day and then to come to the Church to see and be seene is the deuotion of many Is this to loue God aboue all things as all haue vowed to serue him before all things and to depend vpon him in all things It rather argueth that the Loue of God is not in them the Feare of God is farre from them and the Grace of God is not with them Remember yee that thus forget God that as the day is past that gaue light to the eyes and darkenesse come that shadoweth the Sunne So the day of Life passeth away and the night of Death approcheth wherein if we liue not in the light of grace while it is to day we shall neuer see the light of glorie to our comfort in the night of our bodies death Therefore before we betake vs to our rest let vs commend our selues and all that we haue in faithfull prayer to God calling together conioyning with our families if we haue any and in a holy and reuerent humiliation of bodies and mindes fall downe before him that seeth vs and who hath promised to be in the midst of two or three gathered together in holy prayer A prayer to be said in priuate Families in the Euening before they goe to rest ALmightie and most louing Lord God Father of compassion infinit in power iust in thy Judgements wonderfull in thy prouidence euer readie and neuer failing in mercie them that feare thy name we acknowledge thy great goodnes towards vs this day past and our owne vnworthines to partake of thy mercies by reason of our manifold and great sinnes which as it seemeth thou neither seest nor obseruest in that thou hast as it were passed by them so patiently this day as in stead of punishing them hast made vs rich partakers of many most acceptable blessings Yet Lord we doe not by this thy forbearance to punish vs either iustiâ—â—e our wayes wherein we haue walked this day or thinke our selues freed from thy displeasure for our sinnes but doâ— vtterly condemne our selues and wholly attribute our preseruation from punishment our health out peace our plenty and the good successe of our affairs vnto thine own free mercie and whatsoeuer crosse losse hurt or detriment hath be fallen vs this day in bodies goods credit or reputation among men we lay it and impute it wholly and altogether vnto our sinnes which haue worthily deserued much more then we feele or are able to beare what we or any of vs haue done against thee this day thou knowest what thou hast done for vs wet cannot expresse with our lips nor conceiue in our harts for thy mercies are so infinite and thy prouidence so high and so farre past finding out as the more we search and seek to know the hid treasures of thy loue towards vs so much the more ignorant we are of knowing what thou are we therefore acknowledge our selues stâ—ners and thy selfe the Father of incomprehensible mercies which as Dauid thy seruant confesseth are more then he could expresse Great and manifest haue bin thy fauours towards vs we haue found them felt them and enioyed them this day and all our dayes in thy keeping feeding cloathing and comforting our mortall bodies In giuing vnto vs preseruing for vs many things for our vse the beasts of the field the plants of the earth haue beene seruiceable vnto vs through thy blessing Giue vs we beseech thee vnderstanding and feeling hearts to acknowledge thy mercies Teach vs to know and to take knowledge of our own wants which are many grant that they may be supplied by thee Let vs looke into our owne corruptions that they may bee reformed and weakened by thee for Nature reuenleth not vnto vs our spirituall wants nor can cleanse vs from our sinnes which are many and yet we account them few great and yet we see them not weightie and yet they seeme light vnto vs we are spiritually poore and spirituall blinde yet not poore in spirit as we ought we are rather barren of spirituall knowledge and blinde to our owne imperfections which puffeth vs vp with a vaine conceiâ— of our owne worthines Our faith is feeble fraile and imperfect yet we thinke it strong our prayers are cold and weake our minds and affections wauering and inconstant in that diuine duty yet would we seem religiously zealous Thou findest in vs Lord these imperfections and we dote of our owne merit which is a meer forbidden presumption Open Lord the eyes of our vnderstandings that we may finde out and feele our own errors and looke into the working of thy grace wherein thou acceptest vs as poore in spirit by the imputation of Christs humblenes our faith perfect through the perfection of his obedience and our prayers auaileable through his preuailing mediation So that thy spirituall consolations in Christ are farre more abounding towards vs then we are able to comprehend Open therefore Lord the dore of thy diuine knowledge that we may become wise in thee and enter into that holy of holiest in puritie of spirit in faith sound with prayers feruent thanks vnfained Stirre vp in vs a greater measure of obedi 〈…〉 then hitherto we haue shewd vnto thee that we receiuing grace for grace may adde faith to faith wisedome to knowledge and finde how sweet a thing it is to serue thee truly to walke before thee in vprightnes of heart And as we are now come to the end of this day and consequently haue finished the trauaile thereof and now couet our rest so we may
and euery part of my soule and bodie in all holinesse and sanctity that in all my life I may truely walke before thee in â—iâ—â—all feare and obedience and be of an vpright conuersation before the sonnes men Grant this for Christ thy Sonne Amen O Lord increase my faith A MOTIVE TO A Prayer before the receiuing of the holy Communion or the Lords Supper THis holy Sacrament is called the Lords Supper because Christ Iesus did institute the same at his last Supper with his Disciples It is called the holy Communion because many faithfull communicate together at this holy Table as common partakers together of the body and blood of Christ. It is left vnto vs to be receiued of vs as a seale of our adoption into the inheritance of that newe Ierusalem purchased by Christ. It is a mysterie and therefore not vnderstood according to the spirituall end by the outward and carnall eating and drinking of the bread and wine which are onely visible signes of an inuisible vertue which maketh the worthy and truely faithfull receiuers liuely members of Christes mysticall bodie And yet not euery one that partaketh of this holy Table is therefore a member of Christ for the outward communicating not only auayleth nothing to the vnworthy Receiuer but turneth to his greater condemnation as appeareth in Iudas And therefore a most fearefull thing it is to presume to come to this holy Table with an vnprepared heart though aswell the vnworthy as the worthy Receiuers vnderstand by the letter of the word that the Body of Christ crucified vpon the Crosse is signified by the Bread his blood shed signified by the powring out of the wine yet how the Receiuer doth eate the flesh and drinke the blood of Christ euery Receiuer vnderstandeth not And therefore a dangerous presumption it is lightly and rashly to presse to this holy Table as if the bread and wine were of ordinary vse the taste and verdure of either differing nothing to the carnall sence from ordinary bread and wine But such is the spirituall vse as it worketh either to the saluation or damnation of euery one that receiueth Euery man receiueth as he is prepared in his heart The godly affected and sanctified that haue truely tasted and do retaine the grace of Gods holy Spirit bringing forth fruits worthy amendment of life partake worthy of this holy mystery But they that remaine in their sinnes carnally minded such as delite in the workes of darkenesse worldly and fleshly vanities what shew soeuer they make of the outward reuerent receiuing of this blessed Sacrament they doe but eat and drinke their owne damnation because they make no distinction or difference betweene this holy Table and the ordinary table of carnall meates They onely feele and feede on the visible signes but the spirituall and inuisible grace they taste not of Therefore it behooueth all that purpose to communicate at this holy Table first to examine how they stand prepared or vnprepared if they find themselues fit to partake of this heauenly mysterie it will appeare in their regeneration and renewed life by truely belieuing in the name of Christ Jesus by vnfeinedly louing one another as Christ commanded by well weighing and duely considering their wayes and turning themselues in faith and obedience to the commandements of God by truely repenting their sinnes and applying their hearts to righteousnesse and true holinesse He that is not thus prepared but continueth in his sinnes in infidelitie and disobedience ought to forbeare this holy Sacrament and to imploy his heart to search all his imperfections to seeke the meanes of reformation by the ministerie of the word and prayer left he come to this holy Table thinking to please God with a bare shew of Religion hauing neither faith nor repentance offering the sacrifice of fooles And so in stead of remission of sinnes promised to the worthy Receiuer hee increase his owne condemnation by vnworthy receiuing A Prayer to bee said before the receiuing of the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ. O Gracious Lord God Father of our Sauiour Christ Iesus and in him ours I thy poore creature wretched and ful of sinne doe here humbly fall downe in thy presence to be partaker of that holy Sacrament of the Body and Blood of that Lambe that taketh away the sinnes of the world Iesus Christ who tooke vpon him the burden of thy heauy indignation inkindled against all the sonnes of sinning Adam and refused not the ignominious death of the crosse to take away the curse which lay vpon all mankind pressing vs all downe euen to the hels hath redeemed againe into thy fauour and reconciled to thy grace as many as truly beleeue in his death satisfaction Thy mercy Lord did it wonderfull in our eyes yea a worke beyond the apprehension of humane wisedome a mystery incomprehensible Open therefore the eyes of our spirituall vnderstandings that we may comprehend and take holde by a liuely faith of the free remission of our sinnes and consequently of our reall and perfect adoption into the right of inheritance of eternall glory with Christ in the heauens Reueale Lord God euer louing this most hidde and heauenly mysterie vnto euery one here gathered together to partake of this holy Table and giue vs vnderstanding hearts truly to know what a high and heauenly mystery we here are to communicate for we cannot but acknowledge that although the creatures whereof we desire corporally to partake be visible and our eating the bread and drinking the wine be vnto vs in taste and verdure as are other like bread wine yet there is an inuisible and spirituall operation in the worthy and vnworthy receiuing namely saluation or damnation as appeareth in that vnworthy and most wicked Judas But good Father as he was marked from among the rest of thy Disciples to reprobation let this thine holy ordinance be a sure seale vnto vs of our saluation howsoeuer vnable we are to comprehend the height depth of thy great mercie and wisedome which in this most holy Communion thou offerest for the saluation of all worthy receiuers But who Lord can account himselfe worthy who dare presume to approch vnto this holy and heauenly Banquet of the Lambe as of his owne merit to partake worthily How can sinfull man by eating the bread and drinking the wine assure himselfe of remission of his sinnes not being spiritually instructed in this heauenly mystery Sinne and sanctitie truth and error light and darknesse agree not and therefore man as he is in himselfe by nature corrupt ignorant and in the shadow of death cannot worthily partake of this mystical banquet of the body and bloud of thy Sonne our Sauiour without the inward working of thy grace in his heart whereby it may please thee to giue him a liuely feeling of his imperfections a desire and power to cast off the lothsome clogge of sin and to be truely sanctified to the participation of so effectuall a
meane to obtaine saluation But how farre we wretched sinners heere gathered together are short of feeling our own wants of power to cast off our sinnes and how far from true sanctification thou knowest And therfore louing Father in Iesus Christ clense thou vs and wee shall bee cleane sanctifie vs and we shall be holy and though our imperfections be great though our faith be weak we shall be made perfect and our obedience confirmed by the sincerity of the obedience of Christ our Sauiour whose righteousnes and merits are made ours by thy fatherly and free imputation requiring of vs mortall men only to beleeue I beleeue Lord help mine vnbeliefe that I may lift vp a pure heart vnto thee begge faithfully of thee and receiue plentifully from thee all spirituall graces that I comming vnto this holy table hauing fully cast off the habite of sinne may be clothed with the sacred Robe of Christs Innocencie and be found among the rest of thy Saints hauing on that heauenly wedding garment that I be not taken from this holy Table thrust out with shame and horror into the place of weeping and gnashing of teeth Remember not our offences Lord burie them in the graue of euerlasting forgetfulnesse forget not whereof we are made and be not vnmindefull what an armie of spirituall enemies doe continually assayle vs and how in our most deuotest and most religious actions and exercises they are most busie to seduce and circumuent vs. Assist vs therefore Lord and be thou on our side grace vs now with thy blessed presence that we may heere offer vp vnto thee our soules and bodies a holy liuely and acceptable sacrifice and become worthie Receiuers of this holy Mysterie that as we eate of this Bread and drinke of this Cup we may truly find an effectual mortification of our sinning part and a liuely viâ—ification and regeneration of our spirituall part and may be more and more changes in our liues that we may walk before thee and be vpright from hencefoorth all the dayes of our earthly pilgrimage and teach vs euer more and more to obey and loue him who so infinitly loued vs that he contented himselfe to giue his bodie to be crucified and his bloud to be shed for vs which great loue of his being heere represented vnto vs by these thy visible creatures of bread and wine giue vs truely and faithfully beleeuing hearts that we may worthily receiue them and rightly retaine the reuerend memorie of his death and be euer the better enabled to resist and abandon sinne and cleaue vnto righteousnes al the dayes of our liues that at his comming againe we may be raised and ascend with him as members sanctified and heires adopted into that inheritance which he purchased with his bloud in heauen Graciously grant this O Father for his sake that suffered that ignominious death and seale vp in our consciences by thy holy Spirit a full and liuely assurance that wee are truly ingrafted into him our head and in and by and with him shall liue eternally glorified in heauen Amen Lord increase our faith and prepare our hearts to a faithfull and reuerend receiuing of this holy Sacrament to our soules comfort A MOTIVE TO A Prayer to be said after the receiuing of the Lords Supper IT is a dangerous thing vpon the recouerie of health after sicknes to suffer a relapse and falling downe againe but much more dangerous to fall into new sinnes after repentance and reconciliation with God A man hauing polluted himselfe with pitch and being clensed is worthy to suffer shame if he wallow in it againe How much more shamefull is it for a man that hath vowed reformation of his corrupt life and to forsake his sins and hath thereupon receiued in token of forgiuenesse the seale of Gods promise the Sacrament of the bodie and bloud of Christ to binde him vpon paine of condemnation to new obedience if he wilfully fall backe againe Thou therefore whatsoeuer thou be that hast beene partaker of this holy and most sacred mysterie remember what thou hast done how thou hast eaten thy saluation or damnation for there is not a meane betweene this if therefore thou hauing beene a guest at this heauenly Feast feele in thy selfe a heart not so well formerly prepared as the holy Ghost commandeth retaining still the froth and filth of thy sinnes begin now to cast them off and put on instantly the wedding garment of true regeneration that thou mayest be found worthie to sit at this holy Table and to partake of the sauing food of thy soule by chewing the cudde of continuing repentance and newnesse of life heere that hereafter thou mayest enioy the fruits of thy new birth with Christ in heauen And for as much as no man hath power of himselfe to performe that obedience in the inner man which he may promise by outward words there is no surer or more preuailing meanes then prayer And therefore it behoueth thee to continue and end this heauenly exercise with hartie prayer to God in the same Christ that he would be pleased for that his Sons sake to accept thee into the inseperable societie of his Elect Saints And let not this desire be as a pusse of winde or as a flame suddenly quenched but let it be a daily exercise to meditate of this thy holy vnion with Christ that thy backe sliding to sinne heap not vp a more heauie weight of condemnation against thee in the time of thine account when it will be demanded how thou presumest to come to that holy Table without the habite of true faith and obedience it will not boote thee to say thou camest for feare of the law or for company with the congregation for who so commeth not for and apprehendeth not inward and spirituall comfort commeth vnworthily and he that falleth to his old sins againe hath eaten this Spirituall bread and drunke of that Spirituall rocke which is Christ to his owne damnation O Lord increase my faith A Prayer to be said after the receiuing of the holy Communion GReat good and most gracious Lord God the Author and finisher of our faith who of thy free fauour hast now vouchsafed me to be a guest at this thy heauenly banquet where I haue beene refreshed not so much with the visible creatures of bread and wine for the strengthening of my weake bodie which without thy corporall nutriment cannot long indure But with the heauenly Manna the food of the soules of thy Saints the blessed body and bloud of that immaculate Lambe who sealed our attonement with thee with his bloud vpon the ignominious and grieuous crosse and there cancelled the hand-writing which was against vs and of the bond-â—â—aues of Satan made vs the free men of the new Jerusalem and in our nature and for vs and in our behalfes triumphed ouer Satan Death and Hell and now Lord as it hath pleased thee to accept me into this holy communion and to make me partaker of that
corporall portion or that hee will giue thee patience that may inure hope that may euer hold fast the assurance of the glory to come To which purpose the prayer following or the like may much stead thee and comfort thee A Prayer to be sayd in pouerty and want of this lifes necessaries ALmightie Lord God most powerfull and most louing I humbly recommend my selfe into thy holy protection and to thy fatherly prouidence who madestine and createdst me of nothing and I came into this world poore and wretched bringing nothing with me but nakednes and original miserie more hardly bested of mine owne power then the beast that perisheth And in this manner all men came and daily come into the world from Adam to the last that shall be borne into the earth yet in thy great and vnsearchable wisedome thou disposest of men in diuers maners according vnto thine owne will Some Lord thou makest Princes of the world some abiects in the world and yet neither the greatest nor the meanest by their high or low estate can bee iudged by humane reason happy or vnhappy Teach me therefore true wisedome Lord that I may rightly conceiue and iudge of mine owne â—enury and pouerty not as a iudgement inflicted but as a fauourable and fatherly portion giuen me lest I should presume vpon and rest the more secure consequently become the more proud of a more rich and more glorious worldly estate for thou Lord best knowest whether pouerty or riches be most agreeable to my condition and therefore I humbly accept and embrace that portion which thou hast giuen me though it be to flesh and bloud harâ— and vnpleasant make it yet good father spiritually sweet vnto 〈◊〉 by thy grace because it is thy will that I should be poore in worldly make me so much the more rich in heauenly things So shall I boâ— my portion Lord great and glorious howsoeuer I seeme outwardly base and abiect It is manifest that thou causest the Sun to shine and the raine to fall vpon the good and the wicked So giuest thou and distributest riches and pouertie to the iust and vniust but to diuers ends and they likewise receiue and vse them diuersly the first both riches and pouertie to one only end namely to thy glory and their own true comfort being rich as if they were poore being poore as if they possessed all things and this by the working of thy holy Spirit on their sanctified hearts Sanctiste my heart therefore Lord and giue mee patience and a truely contented minde in my greatest wants and vnfained thankfulnesse for the least supplie or encrease of thy bountie towards me and let not my poore estate direct me as it doth the hypocrites who in prosperitie waxe proud and in pouertie grudge and murmure and so offend thy Maiestie who workest all for the best to them that are thine my weakenesse by Nature I confesse to bee such as I am prone to fall both in fulnes and in want And were I not vpholden by thy grace I should in the one run headlong into many noysome iustes and forbidden vauities and by the other into vniust dealing to supplie mâ— necessities And therefore good and gracious father I humbly pray thee for Christ thy Sonues sake either to inlarge my portion in a competent measure that I be not driuen through too much penurie to repine as of mine owne nature I am apt or els giue me that true patience through a liuely faith in thy prouidence and mercie that may worke in me that hope that may neuer make me ashamed The world thou knowest Lord loueth her owne on whom she fawâ—es But thy base ones are hatefull vnto worldlings disdained and abhorred which is a sharpe tryall and made thine owne dearest Dauid to stagger in his troubles and welnere made he shipwraâ—h of his faith and constancie but when hee considered thy purpose in afflicting him when he had consulted with thy word he then found and confessed that it was good for him that thou haddest afflicted him Lord lend an eare vnto my petition and remember thy promise in Christ thy beloued that thou wilt lay no more vpon thine then they shall be able to beare Lord thou knowest my weakenesse to beare this heauy burden of pouertie and disgrace among the sonnes of men therefore let it please thee to make it more light or giue me sufficient strength and then lay what thou wilt vpon me more onely Lord be mindfull of me who knowest what I neede before I aske And therefore giue me grace to auoyde that presumption which offereth to limite thee the holy one of Israel either in the time the manner or matter of my helpe I will rest me only vpon thy prouidence and mercy make hast to helpe O Lord my God my strength and my Redeemer Amen O Lord increase my faith A MOTIVE TO A Prayer to be said of such as are in prison AS libertie is a great blessing of God and much pleasing vnto all creatures reasonable and vnreasonable So is imprisonment and restraint most vnsauorie to man and beast Although some men rather make choice to liue in that kind of captiuitie then to tedeeme their freedom by discharging a sound sincere conscience by paying their debts being able or yeelding vnto some honest lawful condition for refusing whereof they indure wilfully vndergoing that which with more sincerity they might auoid which kind of voluntarie imprisonment implyeth a most vnchristian disposition For how can he that knoweth he doth ill and perseuereth therein thinke that the prayers which he maketh can be acceptable to God admit his resolutioÌ„ be grounded on will not to giue way to his aduersaries iust demaund it is erronious and dangerous yea though it arise in regard of a fatherly care and affection he hath to his children and posteritie If hee shew not himselfe willing to make satisfaction according to his abilitie If then the Creditor obdurate wil not accept his honest offer his helpe is then in God to whom he must repaire in faithfull prayer that he will be pleased either to moderate the extremitie of the Creditors demand or to inable him to satisfie the debt But as mens occasions of dealing and their mutuall commerce are many and diuers so are there diuers causes of mens restraint and imprisonment and all are or ought to be lawfull and iust The lawful restraint ought to be the more grieuous because it is alwayes for breach of the law the vniust festraint needs not much presse the conscience for that he is innocent of the accusation or crime suggested for it is farre better to be falsly then truely accused But for asmuch as there are diuers occasions of this affliction it behoueth euery man thus restrained to consider with himselfe that whether it be iustly or vniustly layd vpon him it is not yet by chance for God obserueth in vs what we our selues conceiue not of our selues and punisheth sinne after a
by well doing to walke before God and to be vpright Thus whosoeuer prepareth himselfe in a sanctified life in earth he cannot feare death which is an entrance into a glorious life in heauen where God before whom he sincerely walketh hath prouided him a Citie a Kingdome a Crowne He then that longeth to see good dayes while he liueth will be euer studious to please him by whom he is assured he shall receiue that endlesse inheritance when he dies Let euery man therefore while it is to day pray that God will vouchsafe him his grace not to prolong his godly preparation to die but to teach him wisdome in the inner parts that he may so rectifie his conuersation as he may be acceptable to God through Christ in his life vpon earth and wishedly surrender vp his spirit to him that gaue it when he requires the same And to this holy purpose serueth this prayer following Remember euer that thou must die and thou shalt neuer doe amisse nor die eternally A Prayer to be often vsed that we may so liue as we neuer need feare to die fit to be often vsed of all men especially in sicknesse GOod and gracious Father who formedst me of dust and breathedst life into a lumpe of earth wher of I am made and hast made mee partaker of thy Spirit and so a liuing soule of an eternall being beyond that which thou hast done for any other earthly creature who dying perish turne wholly to dust whereof they are wholly and only made As for mee thou hast taught mee to know thy more then wonderfull work-manship and thy more then apprehensible fauour and loue in that thou hast not only made me a liuing creature as are the beasts of the field the fowles of the aite and creeping things of the earth but little inferiour to thine heauenly Angels giuing me a soule diuine and immortal which liueth eternally And of thy further and more free grace hast vouchsafed me a seed of the light of diuine vnderstanding and thy word of glad tidings to teach me thy will to direct and encourage me in the way of saluation lest hauing receiued the testimonie of thy louâ— here in this life and the earnest of thy Spirit I should yet liue to die and not die to liue Thou Lord knowest whereof I am made thou canst not forget that I am but dust giue me grace to remember alwayes my mortalitie and that I am borne to die and that then commeth iudgement Lord we are all the children of ssinning Adam elected and reiected according to thy will vessels of honor or dishonor as thou pleasest to make vs we are the clay thou the Potter thou giuest life and againe thou sayest Returne yee children of men to dust Oh what is man that thou so regardest him or the son of Man that thou so fatherly visâ—test him Thou hast clothed him with glorie And he hath brought shame vpon himselfe thou off reâ—â—st life vnto him but he hath embraced death And he shall die thou hast so decreed yet hast conceiled from him the time when the place where and the maner how to the end that none should presume vpon his strength health wisedome or wealth to become secure and in their securitie to forget thee sinne against thee our Creator whâ— as with the breath of thy mouth thou madest vs liuing soules so by the breath of thy mouth canst thou confouÌ„d our bodies soules yea Lord our dearest soules deare in respect of thee who gauest them deare in respect of him that shed his dearest bloud for them but most deare vnto vs wretches if for our mindes vanities and our bodies pleasures we should lose our bodies make shipwracke of our soules Precious in thy sight is the death of thy Saints but most feareful to the wicked in the death of their bodies that sleeping in the graue send their soules before them to be mutually tormented when they shall meet in Judgement This fearefull separation Lord amazeth mee when I consider it in my naturall vnderstanding not looking into the course of thy loue wherein thou didst send thy dearest Soune to die for sinners penitent Oh teach me thy waies instruct me in thy Commandements Giue me a repenting heart and sanctified conuersation that before I goe hence and be no more seene I may assure my selfe that I am of the number of them to whome thou imputest no sinne Let thy word worke fruitfully in mee the sauour of life vnto life Teach me and guide me in the true course of holy obedience in righteousnesse and true holinesse that I may euer walke before thee and be vpright giue me a prepared heart constantly and faithfully to desire to be dissolued to be with Christ. Take away the frailty of my fainting flesh increase and confirme my faith in thee and my hope of the glory promised in Christ after this mortall life Let me alwayes wait the time of my deliuery and be willingly content to lay downe this my earthly tabernacle and to giue vp my soule into thy hands giue me a continuall watchfull heart that death come not vpon me vnawares a prepared heart that I may be still readie when or where or how thou hast determined my dissolution Let nothing be so deare vnto me as Christ my Sauiour Let me esteeme all things as dung in respect of the glorie to come Let nothing bewitch or intice me to the loue of this sinfull life nor dismay or terrifie me froÌ„ embracing death But that I may vse this life as if I vsed it not and feare death as if I feared it not That when my life shall be swallowed vp of death I may then enter into that new life and treade downe death and the power thereof vnder my feete by Christ that triumphed ouer Satan death and Hell vpon the Crosse for me grant it for me my Lord my God my life my light my strength and my Redeemer Amen Lord increase my faith and grant that I may liue in thy feare and die in thy fauour Amen A MOTIVE TO A Prayer to bee said of one in his sicknes or in any disease or defect of his sences or limbes fit to be read of or vnto the sick and diseased person SIcknes of the bodie is the gentlest and most fauourable crosse that God layeth vpoÌ„ his children and yet it is grieuous to flesh and bloud which delite altogether in Ease in Health in Strength of the body to which griefe sicknesse and weaknesse are contraries and therefore vnwelcome to carnall men who thinke nothing more to bee wished then power to sinne which power is diminished by sicknes and consequently in most salutarie and healthful for the soule And therefore doth the Wise-man counsell vs to humble our selues before we be sicke and while wee yet haue power to sinne to shew our conuersion whose counsell whoso truly and carefully followeth preuenteth the feare of death for he that before sicknes seaze vpon him duely
in Iesus Christ iâ— hope that thou wilt either restore me to happie health or in thy good time take me to thy more happ 〈…〉 kingdome and howsoeuer the will shall be make me patient in my greatest fits of paine and 〈◊〉 mitigate the extremitie of my disease that I be not driuen to bee sencelesse of my sinnes or forgetfull of thy promises through the violennce thereof nor lay more vpon me Lord then I shall be able to beare Another prayer to be said of a sicke man I Doâ— confesse vnto thee Oh father my sinnes for which I do acknowledge thou doest deseruedly afflict me I cannot beare nor vndergoe the stripes that I haue deserued at thy hands who knowing thy will haue not done according vnto the same but haue cast thy holy CommaÌ„dements and mine obedience vnto them behinde my backe what I should not haue done that I haue done and what I should haue done I haue not done O vnprofitable seruant that I haue bin yet cast me not away good father for I am the worke of thine owne hands as touching the framing of this my earthly tabernacle as for sinne it is of myselfe therein was I begotten and borne and thereby doe I daily offend thee and so much the more haue I sinned by how much I haue enioyed the health and strength of my bodie and the vse of my sences and I cannot but acknowledge Lord that it is good for-me thaâ— thou hast afflicted mee with this thy fatherly visitation giue me grace to accept it as a fauour of thine and the fruit of thy mercie for my renouation and reformatiâ—on and let not Satan suggest or perswade mee that it is in iudgement as the fruit of thine indignation to driue me to despaire of the sauing health The health of my bodie is a sweet blessing vnto me yet thou knowest Lord what a spurre it is to forbidden vanities And sicknes as it is in it selfe is most grieuous and lothsome yet being seasoned with thy inward grace a sweet remedie against the killing disease of sinne Oh show it downe Lord into my distressed soule the sweet showres of thy sanctifying Spirit that I may hee sanctified throughout so shall my sicke and weake bodie bee richly and sweetly comforted in this comfortlesse condition which were it not supported by thy fauour loue could not but faint al the powers both of my soule bodie faile within me Oh speak coÌ„fortable things Lord vnto thy diseased seruant extend a fatherly helping hand to make my bed in my sicknes Thou art the Physitian of our soules bodies I am sicke in both cure me Lord in both my sicke soule hath need of the bloud of the Lambe to refresh it and to clense it from spirituall leprosse and my body Lord lieth at the foot-stoole of thy mercy and as thou by thy word didst make me in the beginning so by thy word canst thou reuiue me that am neere both spiritually corporally dead If thou in thy wisedome thinke that this my infirmity be more profitable vnto me then health or death more coÌ„uenient for me theÌ„ life performe thine owne good pleasure towards me only make me inwardly and outwardly ready that I setting both the houses of my soule and bodie in order through Christ I may recommend both into thy most sacred and sauing disposition Grant this Oh Father for Iesus Christ thy beare Sonnes sake who liueth and raigneth with thee in the heauens with whome and in whom grant Lord that I may liue and after this life raigne for euermore Amen O Lord increase my faith euermore Meditations vpon the sicke mans recouerie of his health I Will prayse thee O Lord with all my heart and I will magnifie thy name for euer for many are thy mercies towards me for thou hast deliuered my soule from the lowest graue Therefore now as thâ—â— hast renued my outward health renue my inward obedience Rectifie my iudgement make true peace in my conscience blesse my sences purifie my affections order my memorie increase and con 〈…〉 e my loue of thee who hast shewâ—â— me more mercies and fauours then my tongue can expresse O my soule praise thou the Lord and all that is within thee praise his holy name my soule praise thou the Lord and forget not all his benefits which forgiueth all thy sinnes and healeth all thine infirmities which hath redeemed thy life from the graue crowned thee with mercie and louing kindnesse which filleth thy mouth with good things and renueth thine age as an Eagle Thou Lord are full of compassion and mercie slow to anger and of great goodnesse thou wilt not alway childe neither keepest thou thine anger for euer Thou hast not dealt with mee according to my sinnes nor rewarded mee according to mine iniquities As a father hath compassion on his sonne so hast thou compassion on them that feare thee I will praise thee O Lord among the people I will sing vnto thee in the congregation of the Saints for thy mercie is great aboue the Heauens and thy truth reacheth vnto the cloudes Thou knowâ—st whereof I am made Thou remembrest that I am but dust Let my soule therefore liue and it shall prayse thee Lord increase my faith and confirme it ouermore in Christ Iesus Amen A MOTIVE TO A Prayer to be said of such as visite a sicke friend or brother MAn that is borne of a â—â—man hath but a short time to liue and is full of miserie Therefore is euery man subiect to sicknes and death To bewaile therefore the sickenesse or death of our dearest friends beyond that which is â—it is much to be reproued because it argueth a kinde of discontent that God should visite vs in the visitation of our friends children or dearest parents We must therefore auoid two extreameâ— â—â—â—st that we sorrow not as doe the Heathen that haue no hope of a future better life Secondly wee must beware wee follow not the steps of Ieroboam who â—ought help at the hands of Baal-zebuâ— for his sonne And as did Ahaziah in his owne sicknesse we must rather enter into an holy consideration that God in whatsoeuer he layeth vpon our selues or vpon them we loue as our selues it is for his owne glory and therefore to be praised of vs both for ours the good of those our friends whom he afflicteth if we beleeue his promises that all things shall worke together for the good of them that loue him The best office then and the most Christian duety that a Father can performe for and in the behalfe of his sicke childe or one deare friend or brother for another is first to admonish him that sinnes cause sicknesse and to moue him to repent them that euery man is borne to die and therefore to perswade him to prepare himselfe for another condition not to flatter him as too many doe as that they seenâ— cause why he should feare death at this time they seeme rather to assure him
and wayes are full of hidden dangers which without thy protection could not but haue faln vpoÌ„ me so is not this place whereinto I am safely retired by thy prouidence free from perils and therefore as thou hast hitherunto kept me keepe me now in this place wherein if thou dwel not by thy power and louing fauor there cannot but abide Sathan sinne and vanities powerfull enemies and able to surprise the strongest naturall man Strengthen me Lord aboue nature and helpe the parts of most infirmitie that my soule body being strengthened I may be able to giue thâ—â— the more sound prayses and haue spirituall power to resist whatsoeuer shall spiritually seeke to seducâ— me and in thy prouidence preseruâ— me in body safe giue me whatsoeuer is needfull for me in this place and continue thy louing fauour towards me that all things at all times in all places may prosperously succeed vnto me depart not from me good Father but blesse me first that I may be euer blessed So shall all things goe well with me both going foorth and comming in and all things worke together for my continuall consolation wherefore giue me grace euer to loue thee in Christ mine euerlasting Redeemer Amen O Lord increase my faith A MOTIVE TO A Prayer to be said before a Sermon MAn by nature being a sincke of corruption and a gulfe of hidden hypocrisie his conscience naturally oppressed with a slauish feare lest his inward and secret euill thoughts should be reueiled and his hidden iniquities discouered as much as in him lyeth coueteth to shun the light of the word of God which comprehendeth both the killing Law and the sauing glad tidings of the Gospel by the one he is condemned and therefore hateth the sentence which pronounceth that whosoeuer sinneth shall die yet apprehendeth he not either the grieuousnesse of his sinnes nor the miserie of the Gospel which is the preaching of repentance and the forgiuenesse of sinnes but lying securely in his sinnes thinketh not of any account and therfore regardeth not much the word preached But wheÌ„ shame or authoritie presseth the carnall man to heare the word he thâ—â— heareth sinne reproued and the sinfull condemned which is so vâ—sauâ—ry vnto him as he wisheth himselfe out of the hearing Herod could not endure the preaching of Iohn Baptiâ—â— reprouing him for his brothers wife be it the Law or the Gospel that such men heare it is as harsh vnto them as the words of Michaiah to Ahab yet we must vnderstand that though maâ— deliuer the word it is not his but the word of God and therefore no man but such a one as is yet in the state of reprobation wil refuse to he are God who is mercifull and louing speake vnto him if it be but the threatning Law which teacheth what is sinne and what is the reward of sinne wherby being cast downe with sorrow that he hath committed things so contrary to the will of his Creator he may seeke atonement and reconciliation with his offended God by the Gospel the testimonie of his loue Are not my words saith God good vnto him that walkes vprightly Therefore none but the obstinately wicked will shun the word preached which aswell offereth remission of sinnes committed as it threatneth death to the impenitent The Scriptures in many places command vs to seeke the Lord which argueth that we by nature are strangers from God separated by sinne and to remaine so is the most miserable condition that can befall the sonnes of men And where is the Lord to be sought but in his word which is the life of the soule As the soule body are knit together and conserued by breath So are our soules connexed and conioyned vnto God by the word of truth preached by Gods minister apprehended by faith and practised in spirit and truth The naturall man couets and delights to refresh himselfe in his griefes and crosses by musicke by merry company and by reading prophane bookes or hearing pleasant conceited songs or comedies which doe not onely not comfort but rather increase their griefes Contrarily Dauid protested that hee sought and found the onely true comfort in the word of God So doe all that are truely qualified in the rules of right religion though worldlings account it a melancholike wearinesse to sit an houâ—e to heare God speake vnto them But let them thinke that this wearinesse shall be a witnesse against them that they belong not to the Lord. Euery man desires to see his image in a glasse for two ends the one to see his feature the other to correct his deformities And Saint Iames compares the word of God to a glasse wherein are two sorts of Images discouered namely of Nature and Grace The first sheweth what we our selues are the second what we ought to seeke to be namely to be like vnto our head Christ Iesus in all sanctitie and holinesse in suffering patiently and obeying God truely This is by no other meanes learned but by the word of God preiched But some that haue made the least progresse in the loue to godlinesse of life thinke it sufficient to read the word of God or the workes of good and godly men at home an exercise not to bee in it selfe condemned but in respect of it to neglect the word preached is the contempt of Gods ordinance who hath in greatest fauour instituted his ministers to teach by the powerfull preaching of the word which worketh a more deepe impression in the heart of the hearer then of the reader For if wee consider the authoritie of the word preached it is from God the ministery from the mouth of man who is the mouth of God he therefore that neglects or contemnes the word preached neglectes the meanes of his saluation which is faith in Christ Iesus For faith commeth by hearing and hearing by the word of God preached It is not yet sufficient to heare the word but as Marie laid vp the word in her heart so must euery profitable hearer retaine the word in their mindes permit it to rule in their affections and to bring foorth the fruits thereof in their actions reioycing when they doe the commandements of God and grieuing when they transgresse the same And because there be many things that hinder the growing of this sauing seede and many grounds receiue it but onely one namely good ground can bring forth the fruit It behooueth to pray that our hearts may be made fit to heare our affections fit to loue and our whole man apt to cherish this seede by continuall holy practise Lord increase my faith A Prayer to be said before the hearing of a Sermon THou Lord hast commanded vs or rather louingly inuited vs to seeke thy face and yet thou art in the highest heauens among thine Angels Seraphims and Cherubims and wee dust and ashes are in the earth full of infirmities not able to looke vnto much lesse into the heauens to behold thee there no the very Angels hide
their faces at the glory of thy great Maiestie And as for man clothed with mortality thou affirmest cannot see thy face and liue And yet thou sayest Seeke my face Lord what is it to seeke thy face but to seeke thy truth and to search thy word to couet to know thy will and to bee truely instructed and faithfully and sincerely inclined to keepe thy commaundements Thy word is a light vnto our pathes and a lanthorne vnto our feet It is the life of our soules the heauenly Manna without it there is no light no hope no spirituall comfort no assurance of saluation O how deare ought this word then be vnto vs Farre more sweet then the hony or the hony combe more precious then golde yea then the finest gold therein Lord see wee thy face therein beholde wee thy louing countenance there finde we the hidde pearle which to purchase the wisest will sell all worldly vanities yet is it to the foolish foolishnesse and a stumbling blocke vnto the carnally minded Jt is a mysterie Lord and a secret hidden from the wise of the world and reuealed onely vnto the humble to such as acknowledge themselues ignorant and hunger and thirst for the knowledge of the truth Such hast thou promised to teach and to instruct in the way of true wisedome by reuealing thy word which howsoeuer it seeme in the outward letter easie to be vnderstood it hath a spirituall and diuine sense which requireth a spirituall and diuine interpretation which commeth not neither can it be apprehended by nature And therefore in thy great mercy and loue thou hast ordained meanes whereby they whom thou hast appointed to saluation may bee made able to vnderstand the same namely the outward ministrie of men and the iuward elumination of thy holy spirit for without the second the first auayleth nothing neither in the minister that speaketh nor they to whom he speaketh vnlesse hee be sent of thee and the hearers eares opened and their hearts prepared by thee hee preacheth and they heare in vaine To the one a woe is pronounced as not preaching the Gospel sincerely to the other a curse for not receiuing the good word of truth as into good and fruitfull ground bringing foorth the liuely fruits of a life answerable to that word which is either the sauour of life vnto life or the sauor of death vnto death O Lord I am now come into thy presence to heare thee speake vnto vs here assembled by the mouth of thy seruant whom thou hast sent to preach thy word open therefore mine eares prepare my heart sanctifie mine Attention inlighten mine Vnderstanding strengthen my memorie rectifie my will that I may diligently heare attentiuely harken retentiuely remember and willingly imbrace and practice what shall bee truely and sincerely deliuered by thy minister And let not thy word Lord that shall fall from his mouth bee either choaked in mee with the thorny cares of the world nor be cast into so corrupt a heart as the vaine delights of my minde should deuoure it nor into so â—arraine a heart as should not bring foorth fruit at the least twentie fold to the glory and prayse of thy most blessed name to the beâ—â—ering and better direction of my conuersation before men to the assurance and sure sealing vp of my saluation in Jesus Christ to whom with thee O Father and the holy Ghost 〈◊〉 prayse for euer Amen Lord increase my faith A MOTIVE TO A Prayer to bee said after a Sermon heard AS the body of a man 〈◊〉 beast neither groweth to strength nor co 〈…〉 nueth in health without naturall foodâ— no more can the soule of man liue without Spirituall food the word of God And as man by art helpeth nature to concoct and digest his food to make it nutratiue to his body So the spiritual man hauing heard the sauing word of God vseth the means to make it profitable to the soule for as natural food takeÌ„ into the mouth and instantly spet out againe though it be a while detained and chawed and not taken into the bodie relieueth not the body So the Word heard with the care and not conueyed into and retained in the heart yeeldeth no comfort vnto the soule but rather worketh a kinde of contempt by custome and a kinde of lothing of the Word as a matter without the which his soule may liue for as that meate wherein the pallet hath no feeling of a pleasing taste delighteth not the appetiâ—â— no more can that Word which is not sauourie and delightfull to the soule be pleasing or profitable to the outward eare and consequently nothing comfortable to the vnfeeling soule But it is not in the power of man by nature profitably or with comfort to heare much lesse to make true vse of the word of God It is the gift of God to open the eare which is common to the good and bad hearers but a worke of the holy Ghost to open and prepare the heart to receiue the Word and to bring forth the fruit thereof without the which it is not only not an idle sound but a killing letter for it neuer falleth into the ears of any but it is either the sauour of life vnto life by the operation of faith and repentance or the sauour of death vnto death by the hardnes of the impenetrable and impenitent heart Therfore it much behoueth Christians not only to be carefull to heare but to be diligent and considerate how they heare to lay it vp in their hearts to make vse of it vpon all occasions in prosperity and aduersitie in sicknes and health and in what estate soeuer he is for it is as a treasure to purchase in euery calamitie comfort through patience and in all consolation inward or outward liuely and true thankfulnes Whatsoeuer or whosoeuer therefore thou be that hast at any time tasted of the good word of God forget not that although it be pronounced by man it is the word of the most Highest who will take an account of thee how and what thou hast heard and if thou fold it vp in the napking of forgetfulnes and put it not forth to the vse of thy soule it shall be taken from thee euen that thou hast and thou cast out of his presence whose word and counsaile thou hast so neglected Be not therefore forgetfull to ruminate and as it were often to â—hew the cud of that word thou hearest as at the mouth of God and because we are naturally al flow to heare what we should heare and our mindes very hard to retaine the good things proceeding out of the mouth of God we are to pray and humbly to petition the Lord of life to turne the word heard to the sauour of life vnto our eternally life it ought to be our continuall studie yea aboue al our worldly cares and occasions to meditate of the word we haue heard that it slippe not out of our mindes it is a Iewell which we shall hardly
by the latter but that Antichrist would haue reinuested himselfe where now Christ Iesus is vnto vs all in all Blessed bee thy name O Lord whose eye beheld and whose prouidence preuented them and whose arme as with a rod of yron brake the actors in pieces like a potters vessell To thee therefore most louing Lord God to thy Sonne Christ and to the holy Ghost be prayse for euer Amen Lord increase our faith and euermore preserue thy seruant our King A short thankesgiuing and prayer for the Kings preseruation DEare Father infinite in power towards vs giue vs hearts to remember with thankefulnes thy too much forgotten goodnes in so mercifully defending our King and vs thy people from many dangers And forget not Lord how the wicked still study the meanes to effect that which thou in mercy diddest then preuent CoÌ„sider how they secretly thirst for the blood of thine Anointed and of his most worthy branches likely to proue powerfull protectors of thy truth and consequently long for the confusion of thy people It suffiseth that thou seest it but it suffiseth not for vs to haue the words and not to vse the workes of assurance of thy protection And therfore we humbly pray thee gracious Lord God most louing father to pardon our sinnes which are the greatest aduersaries that can rise vp against vs. Thou sendest good and religious kings to a people from whom thou expectest the fruits of holy obedience But if they waxe cold in profession and slacke in practizing thy reueiled will thou takest their godly 〈◊〉 religious and louing kings from them and in stead sendest them Tyrants mercilesse and irreligious princes neither the wisedome nor power of man can preuaile where thou art a partie in the iudgement Wherefore louing Father as thâ—â— hast furnished the heart of Iames thy seruant our King with heauenly wisedome furnish our hearts with true obedience to follow thy will reueiled in thy word that so our obedience beginning towards thy Maiestie may appeare and worke more and more in our continuall thankefulnesse vnto thee 〈◊〉 him and our loue and true loyalty to him that thy word may still preuaile with vs remaine amongst vs and wee euermore abide constant in thee that howsoeuer enemies rage whatsoeuer euill counsaile they take we may be either still free in thee protected by thy hand or may with patience vndergoe thy fatherly tryall knowing that all things worke together for the best to them that loue thee and are chosen of thy purpose in him by whose merits both hee our king and we thine and his people haue receiued the promise that thou wilt neuer faile vs nor forsake vs. Lord increase our faith A most piâ—â—ie and patheticall Prayer for the King and ouerthrow of Antichristian religion and enemies of the truth BLesse LORD and graciously defend and preserue our King looke vâ—n him as thou didst vpon Dauid chosen after thine owne heart Leade him by thine owne right hand in all his wayes that hee may leade vs thy people vnto thy holy Sanctuarie Giue him a reioycing heart to see his subiects readie to resort vnto thy holy Temple receiuing thy blessed Sacraments and faithfully seruing thy sacred Maiestie by his religious example Let him euer be instant to call vpon stirre vp and incite the Ministers of thy word that they be instant in sounding the trumpet of thy word vnto thy people that sin may bee weakned obedience to thee increased that mercie and truth may meet together and righteousnes and peace may kisse each other Giue him euermore a preuailing power to bring to nought or weaken the power of Idolatry and superstition within his Kingdomes and to further construie the sincere seruice of thee let him neuer cease O Lord vntill hee haue banished or fully reformed the Fauorites of Antichrist namely such as haue the marke of that Beast in their foreheads or in their hands whose names are not written in the booke of Life Giue him Lord an eye to finde them out and a right resolution to abandon them without respect of persons together with all flatterers and Hypocrites And blesse vnto him godly wise religious and faithfull Counsellers and as thou hast giuen him a sword and Scepter let him truly and valorously vse them to the cutting off of all the daungerous branches of sinne and impietie and all the inormities of thy Church and Common weale and to the defence of the godly and innocent Let his person Lord be euer in thy protection keep him as the apple of thine eye preuent all secret practises and open violence preteÌ„ded against him Stand betweene him and the enemie and let the hailestones of thy seuere iudgements fall vpon the heads of them that hate him wouÌ„d the hayrie scalpe of all that rise vp against him And in all his occasioned incounters with Antichrist or any of his adherents giue him Ioshuahs prosperous victories Dauids zeale and Elishacs faith Discouer vnto him largely the counsell of thine owne will giue him a forward willing and constant heart to effect what thou commandest and grant that he dismay not more in the ouerthrow of Antichrist then Ioshuah did at the confusion of Ierico Be thou his buckler whet his sword bend thou his bow make ready his arrowes vpon the string and let them all and alwayes be directed by thy prouidence to the destruction of his thine irreconciliable enemies as was the Sliâ—â— of Dauid against Goliah so let the. Judgements be against the wicked in the day of battell Let his Subiects loue him let his enemies feare and flie him let all Nations admire his righteous iudgements Princely gouernment and religious constancie let them all bee moued to follow him as he deliteth Lord to follow thee in truth and equitie to the glorie of thy vniuersally admired name through Christ in whom let him euer bee blessed And so blesse vs Lord that we may blesse thee for him Amen Lord increase our faith A MOTIVE TO A Prayer to bee vsed of such as are of the Kings Maiesties priuie Counsell IF men of meanest professions bee moued by common reason to seek vnderstanding to manage their own priuate occasions how much more ought men of most eminent places especially Counsellors to Kings craue wisedome and fitnes of God for so high a calling How can they consult deuise deliberate direct and determine matters of weightiest consequence without extraordinarie gifts of prudence How can they marshall the care and carriage of him that hath the care and charge of the gouernment and defence of Kingdomes and people in peace and warre not onely in matters Ciuill but Ecclesiasticall Spirituall and Temporall Is it a small matter saith Dauid to be sonne in law to a King So may a man say Is it a small preferment to be thought a fit man to be of the secret counsell of a King Many thirst no doubt and desire this highest honor who haue not first truely examined their gifts of
ablenes to discharge the office according to iudgement it is not enough to be a deepe Politician a profound Naturalist but to be a religious Christian well seene in the booke of God especially and in the Lawes and ordinances of the Kingdome to be of an vpright heart of a godly conuersation qualified in the vertues diuino the first whereof is to respect Gods glory secondly the honor of the King the good of the Church and Weale publike to shine before men in godlines for that ministreth ioy consolation to the good and terror to the wicked It is impossible for him to giue good counsell to men that hath not taken counsell before of God Psal. 33. 10. And therefore hee that seeketh not wisdome where Salomon found it let hiâ— be as wise in humane affaires 〈◊〉 was Achitophel it will either come to nought or redound to his owne disgrace to the dishonor of the King and hurt of the Church or Common-weale Great happines then it is to that King and Kingdome where men of worthie not for their Religion Prudence and Integritie are inuested in that most honorable societie and therefore much behoueth it all honorable persons of that most worthy rancke to commence in humilitie and in the feare of God from whence cannot but proceed that true wisedome and sinceritie which are the truest arguments of the Kings and Subiects happinesse and safetie And for that these supernaturall gifts no man attaineth vnto by chance arte or carnall means they are to be sought for by prayer at the hands of him that freely giues them without remuneration Iam. 1. 5. He then that loueth righteousnes and is in this eminent place cannot but desire true Wisdome and that instantly in regard of the vertues that accompanie her As Sobernes Prudence Righteousnesse and Fortitude Wisd. 8. 7. ornaments of highest honor to such as are of the secrets of Princes But fearing lest I should seeme to lightâ— candle to giue light to the Sunne I craue pardon and patience onely I aduenture to insert this among other Motiues not to teach but by way of well-wishing vnto all of that most high and most honorable association whose wisdome and iudgement is a light in the Court and life of the Kingdome A Prayer not vnfit to be sometimes vsed of a Counsellour of Estate as he hath oportunitie O Gracious Lord God most wise prouident and louing Father I acknowledge my selfe farre vnworthy of the plâ—câ— and dignitie whereunto thou iâ— great mercie hast aduanced me a man of meanest vnderstanding What am I O Lord that thâ—â— shouldest respect me so That thoâ— shouldest associate mee with the grauest and most prudent to m 〈…〉 me partaker of the secret counsel of thine Anointed I know that witâ— thee is wisedom and counsell mercie and iudgement but I am ignorant only thou art the Author and fountaine of true wisedom giuest prudence knowledge abundaÌ„tly to them that truly faithfully aske it of thee to the end to do good to execute Justice to aduante thy word 〈◊〉 loue countenance and defend the true professors of the same not to seeme the more singular in Naturall and Humane policies But indeed to be the more able to preuent the euils which the enemies of thy sacred and sauing truth plot and practise against thy Church and thine Anointed And therefore Father Al-sufficient seeing it is thy good pleasure to put into the heart of thine Anointed to call me vnworthy to his Counsell make 〈◊〉 more worthy by infussing into mee wisedome to aduise iudgement to determine and strength to performe all the godly duties required in my high calling Make me especially studious in thy worâ— giue 〈◊〉 vnderstanding according vnto the same lest I through ignorance or rashnesse should propose deliberat or censure any thing to thy dishonor to the danger or damage of our Soueraigne Lord to the distaste or disturbance of thy Church or against the peace or profit of the â—â—â—eale publike of the Dominious vnder the charge of thine Anointed And aboue all things Lord giue mee a religious heart that in a godly and right constant resolution I may more and more seeke the propagation increase continuance and aduancement of the Gospell of Iesus Christ and more and more seeke to weaken and bring to nought all Idolatrie and superstition Take from me a parciall eye that in respect of persons I seeke not to free the faulty or to discountenance or condemne the innocent Giue me a loyal hart to my Soueraigne season my loue towards him with thy loue that as much as in mee lieth I may euer defend his person though to the losse of whatsoeuer is dearest unto me and that I may seeke to discouer those that hate him and endeuour to bring them to their deserued shame and punishment Lord increase my faith and mine vnderstaÌ„ding according to thy word Another short effectuall Prayer to be said of a priuie Counseller fit to bee said before consultation FRuctifie my heart O gracious Lord God with righteousnesse and sincere iudgement that I may wisely consult sincerely censure and iudge iustly all things that at any time shall be propounded to mine opinion for of my self Lord I doe acknowledge that I am a man of weake vnderstanding of a corrupt heart and ignorant of perfect equitie and therefore I humbly beg knowledge and wisedome of thee Keepe my feet aright in all my wayes free my hands and keepe them euer cleane from gifts that they cause me not to peruert iustice and wrest sound counsell Indue mee with a mercifull heart and let mine affections be euer such as may in all things administer true tokens of mine integrity And for as much as things may diuersly fall out to be debated and determined by vs of this high calling of so worthy and weighty consequence as may concerne the life and state of Church Common-weale and we being but men not able to fadome by our wisedomes the end of thy secret purposes nor to sound the depth of thine vnsearchable iudgements bee pleased to reueale vnto vs thy will for the good of thine Anointed vnder whom thou hast placed vs that we may accordingly consult and determine for nothing succedeth wiâ—â— without thee and against thee there is neither wisedome vnderstanding or counsell that can preuaile Thy Judgements are vnsearchable and thy wayes past finding out Furnish vs therfore O louing Father with all graces and vertues necessarie to the performance of out bound duties to thy selfe thine Anointed thy Church and the Common-weales vnder the gouernment of our Soueraigne Lord thy seruant through Christ our wisedome our Strength and ou◠〈◊〉 â—eeiner Lord increase our faith A MOTIVE TO A Prayer to be said of euery good subiect for the good successe of the Counsell Royall SAint Paul in the first to Timothie cap. 1. 2. exhorteth all men to make prayers and supplications for kings and men in authoritie and yeeldeth such a reason to moue thereunto as
keepe vs vnderthine obedience Lest our continuing tranquility prosperity should cause vs to forget thee Giue vs we beseech thee holy conuersations that we may euer walke before thee in all vprightnes that we may prosper in all our wayes by thy blessing grant that our children may grow vp in all goodnes vertues honesty religion to means whereby they may passe this their pilgrimage with much spirituall comfort in Iesus Christ. Increase according to thy good pleasure our stocke store multiply thy many blessed benefits vnto vs performe thy promises vnto vs and vnto our seed as thou didst to Abraham Isaac Iaacob and to their seed make vs our seed faithfull that we may be blessed with faithfull Abraham and as the house of Obed edom was blessed for the Arkes sake so Lord blesse vs with thine own presence that we the house wherin we remaine may be euer blessed and all that belongeth vnto vs Through Iesus Christ our only mediatour Amen Lord increase our faith A MOTIVE TO Parents to stirre them vp to instruct and pray for their children THere can bee no stronger band of loue and mutuall affection betweene humane creatures then is or ought to bee betweene parents and their children being of one flesh blood But this loue appeareth in some by counterfeit markes as by their continual care carke toile in the world to get wealth to inrich their posterity Some in a doting maner pamper vp decke their children like peacocks making them admired guls for their vanities Some through a blind affection not only permit but incourage their children to take their vaine delights and pleasures in dycing carding company keeping drinking and in all kind of vnseemely riotous and irreligious courses and some Ignorants of the world commende such foolish and doting parents But not onely Religion but meere humane reason condemnes this kinde of loue and holds it rather madnesse then modestie rather wickednes then wisdome for Seneca saith It is impossible for that man to be of a vertuous disposition that is wantonly brought vp in rioting and pleasures Wise parents and religious care more how to bring vp their children in honestie vertue and in the feare of God then how to make them to liue wealthily pleasantly and gloriously in the world They consider that it is better for their children to be esteemed of the good for their vertues then to please the phantasies of their fond parents and others by their beautie brauery comlines and the liniaments of their bodies which are most graceful in their silly parents singular opinions yet is it a common course of worldlings to care more for the bodies then for the soules more for the wealth then for the wisdome more for the health then for the happines and more for the present prosperitie then for the future saluation of their dearest children A preposterous kinde of loue and contrarie to the counsell of the holy Ghost who teacheth parents to learne their children the lawes of God as Deut. 6. 7. Thou shalt rehearse them continually vnto thy children shalt talk of them when thou tariest in thine house as thou walkest in the way and when thou liest downe and when thou risest vp In all places at all times and by all meanes parents ought to instruct their children It is reputed a great glorie and a speciall blessing to haue many children but it is not the number but the vertues of them and the comfort parents take of their godly qualities that giueth the blessing Gideon or Ierubaal had 70. children and one of them Abimelech slew threescore and nine of them What comfort or consolation can parents looke for of prophane and irreligious children but griefe and vexation of spirit It behoueth parents therefore not only to take care of the instruction of their children and educating them in the feare of God but to pray for a blessing vpon them also For parents may teach and children may heare but without a blessing from God it little profiteth Paul may plant Apollos may water but it is God that giueth the increase Eli could say vnto his sonnes that were wicked Doe no more so my sonnes do no more so but they reformed not but were slaine by Gods iudgements and at the newes Eli their father fell backward from his seat and brake his necke Adramelech and Sharazer impious sonnes kild Senacherib their wicked father If euer there were a time of necessitie for parents to instruct exhort rebuke reprooue and pray for their children This corrupt age of necessitie requires it for there is none so ignorant but may obserue the irreligious vaine and vnbridled courses of children of both sexes who without the especial grace of God we see daily to fall into so grosse inormities as draw downe vpon them their swift confusion to the perpetuall shame intolerable griefe and deserued ignominie of their carelesse parents A prayer fit for parents to make vnto God in the behalfe of their children O Gracious Lord God father of mercy and louing kindnes I giue thee hearty thanks for thy goodnesse in blessing me with the gift of children Blesse me also with wisedom and vnderstanding to instruct them in the knowledge of thee to educate them in thy fear to confirme them in thy faith and to winne them to thy loue This dutie thou requirest at the hands of parents towards their children and punishest the neglect thereof as in Eli. Powre downe Lord therfore into the hearts of my children thy holy Spirit that they may become fit members of that mysticall bodie wherof Christ thy Sonne is the head leade them by thine own right hand in the way of knowledge faith and obedience that their obedience beginning at them it may extend vnto vs their parents and assist vs that we may teach them instruct them rebuke them reproue them and wish all goodnes vnto them which yet is altogether fruitlesse without thy blessing and grace fruitlesse in respect of our selues their parents vnlesse thou blesse vs with a holy and powerfull zeale to performe our parently duties towards them religiously faithfully in teaching them fruitlesse in respect of them vnlesse thou inable them by thy holy Spirit to learne and imbrace such religious wholesome documents as thou mayest be pleased to furnish vs with for their instruction Season my heart I humbly beseech thee with a holy desire to seeke their saluation and season their harts with an humble and holy inclination to obey thy truth All humane creatures are prone to sin against thee youth especially who are most apt to fall into many forbidden vanities and therefore need they not only continuall instruction in and to goodnes and debortation from sinne but continuall watchfulnes and careful diligence to obserue and follow the good and to preuent and auoid the euill which neither we their parents are able sufficiently to teach nor they our children to performe by nature furnish vs therfore most
to auoid the danger when the blow is giuen The very terror of the miseries present will so astonish and perplexe our harts as we shal run as men amazed for succor and shal find none for reliefe and none will giue it and for safetie and none shall bee able to preserue vs from the destroying angels hand Our faith will faile vs our prayer will bee cold and not steed vs when we shall runne here and there as at our wits end for feare of the dangers before our eyes O let vs therefore delay no time to flie vnto God not with our old polluted ragges of sinne and iniquitie but with renewed hearts and heartie repentance Let vs meete the Lord as the Niniuites did so shall wee recouer our spirituall strength and if any of these calamities fall vpon vs wee shall bee hardie in Christ our Sauiour and with courage meete the enemie in the gap namely the sword vndergoe famine with constancie and in pestilence rest boldly on the prouidence of him that hath promised to keepe his faithfull ones in whatsoeuer danger And therefore let vs bee mooued to some consideration that as our fathers haue been visited with these calamities for their sinnes wee cannot dreame of greater immunitie considering our sins are as ripe and as rotten as were theirs and Gods power is not diminished but his heauie and punishing and destroying hand is readie to bee stretched out still A Prayer to God to be vsed in the time of peace to preuent warre in plentie to preuent famine and in the time of health to preuent the pestilence fit also to be vsed in the time of warre famine and the pestilence also GReat and terrible art thou O God and in thy furie takest vengeance against a rebellious stubborne stifenecked and a wicked people Bee patient with vs O Lord be patient with vs and although we be of vnholy coÌ„uersations spare vs and be merciful vnto vs. Shoote not the arrowes of thy displeasure against vs for the least of them is able to wound the hayrie scalpe of thy mightiest enemies and to crush them in peeces like a Potters vessell O stay stay thine anger against vs preuent warres draw not thy sword vpon vs take not the staffe of bread from vs send not the pestilence among vs for we are not able to stand in thy fight when thou art angrie Be appeased towards vs good Father in Christ our Mediatour free vs of the dangers which wee haue deserued and which as wee cannot but feare doe houer ouer our heads for our sins Our sinnes are many monstrous horrible and as it seemeth incorrigible Thou hast shaken thy sword ouer vs wee saw it and were for the time afraid thou hast punished vs with pestilence we haue felt it and were indangered Thou hast weakened the staffe of bread amongst vs wee haue tasted it And yet we continue in our wonted disobedience we goe on still in our wickednesse like vnto those rebellious Iewes that put to death the Lord of life who are giuen vp vnto a reprobate sence We also haue eies to see and yet see not our dangers eares to heare and yet we heare not with sense thy fearefull threats for sinne and thy seuere iudgements vpon them that transgresse thy commandements wittingly we haue hearts to perceiue and yet we seeme not to vnderstand those things that belong vnto our peace and punishment we are not sensible of thy displeasure but we lull our selues asleepe with the sweet deceiuing delights of our fleshly affections and harden our hearts as Adamants against thy word O gracious Father giue vs repentant hearts for our sins vnderstanding harts of thy will giue vs obedient hearts to practise true pietie and holinesse in faith vnfained that we may appease thy wrath inkindled against vs through Christ the Mediatour of all that returne to thee in a holy submission Turne vs therefore Lord and wee shall returne from our euill wayes and obtaine mercy in him that is our aduocate with thee Iesus Christ the righteous by whose intercession it may please thee to spare vs thy people spare vs let neither the sword that deuoureth without mercie come neere vs let not famine too much afflict vs that hath no measure in pinching and let not the pestilence steale vpon vs that secretly flieth and striketh without respect of person sere or age Lord giue vs repentance and accept thine owne gift our repentance and our atonement with thee that if it please thee these euils fall not vpon vs as wee haue deserued but being made one againe with thee thine eye may bee vpon vs euer in mercie to deliuer our soules in death and to preserue vs in faâ—ine Thou art God a strong hold in the day of trouble let vs not esteeme our selues strong in our own might nor leane vpon our own wisdome to defend our selues when any of these calamities shall bee inflicted vpon vs. Make vs righteous so shalt thou preserue vs thou art the strength and hope of Israel of al that are of a holy conuersation faithfull Bee vnto vs a strong rocke whereunto wee may alwaies resort in warre in famine in pestilence and in all the calamities that accompanie or follow them Make vs constant in all goodnesse giue vs helpe against trouble for vaine is the helpe of man Harken therefore vnto the prayer of thy seruants and deliuer vs in Christ. Amen Lord increase our faith A MOTIVE TO A short prayer to be vsed in the time of warre THe children of Israel continuing to commit wickednesse in the sight of the Lord the Lord raised the Philistims against theÌ„ who made war vpon them and made them their seruants for fortie yeeres Iudg. 13 1. he raised likewise the Ammonites against them who vexed them 18. yeeres Iudg. 10. 7. and gaue them into the hands of the Midianites for 7. yeeres Iudg. 6. 1. As men fal from God so he sendeth them enemies as it were to inforce their reformation and if these kinds of afflictions cannot win them hee giues them ouer to more sharper calamities as he did the children of Israel whom he deliuered into the hands of meere spoilers and sold them into the hands of their enemies round about them which way soeuer they went his hand was stil against them Iudg. 2. 14. 15. yet when they repented cried vnto him he raised vp meanes to release them and deliuered them Iudg. 3. 9. 10. whereby we may be mooued to seeke the Lord before the Lord send foorth his persecuring ministers as the children of Israel intreated Samuel to pray vnto God for them before their danger fell vpon them that God might bee pleased to preuent that which they feared and at Samuels intercession they were preserued and their enemies scattered and confounded 1. â—am 7 8. 9. This is the course that Christians ought to take first to clense themselues from sinne and then to repaire vnto God in humble supplication for defence and preseruation and by