are hainous or to the offēce of others because thou wilt neither be dishonored by vs nor let vs be condemned with the world but wilt surely correct vs to let all the wicked see with what a perfect hatred thou hatest all sinne when thou doest punish it so seuerely in thine owne children and what plagues remaine for them eternally Yea oh gratious Father make vs to feare alway lest thou shouldest leaue vs neuer so little and to suspect al our waies in as much as Satan carries a more deadly hatred against vs who are escaped from his tyrannie then against any other people of the world and therfore seekes euery houre to prouoke thee against vs to leaue vs in his hand and also because he knowes that our sinnes will more cause thy glorious name to bee blasphemed and harden moe to vtter perdition than the sins of any other wherupon very few of thy worthiest seruants through his continuall dogging them haue escaped to the end of their liues without some grieuous foiles and wounds the scarres wherof they haue carried with them to their graues to the blemishing their profession wounding their consciences with the griefe and shame of the godly and insulting of the wicked And therefore as thou hast taught vs this as the remedie against euery assault of the enemie to watch and pray that we enter not into temptation so make vs alwaies able to obserue this thy watch which thou hast set before vs and to learne to bee better acquainted with our owne selues and our estates knowing our particular infirmities and wherein we are weak that we may put on daily the compleate armour chiefelie the shield of faith and brestplate of righteousnes to saue vs from his fierie darts and withall to haue thy holy Word euer in readinesse against euery temptation which is the sword of thy Spirit able vtterly to vanquish him and put him to flight that being strēgthened by thy holy Spirit obtained by cōtinuing in instant prayer wee may bee able to stand fast in the euill day and so finish our course vntill we haue gotten the finall conquest without any grieuous wounds or foile to thine euerlasting glorie our own greater triumph and honor in the heauens We do not pray that wee should not bee tempted at all for thou hast taught vs to account it exceeding ioy when we fall into diuers temptations knowing the good that comes thereby but that we may indure temptation fighting valiantly and ouercomming that when we are tried we may haue the crowne of glorie set vpon our heads For thine is the kingdom power and glorie for euer and euer Amen We haue been bold oh gratious Father to beg all these things from they heauenly Maiestie because all kingdome power and glorie belong onely to thee acknowledging that whatsoeuer good things wee enioy wee haue receiued them all from thy rich and fatherly bountie and being certainely assured that as thou hast bidden vs to pray thus so thou wilt graunt vs all these things which wee haue begged in thy Sonnes name and whatsoeuer else is good for vs euen aboue all that wee are able to aske so farre as shall be for thine owne glorie seeing thou art absolute Lord and King in heauen and in earth and doest by thy mightie power and wisedome dispose and guide all things ouerruling the verie counsels and rage of all wicked men and diuels as shall make most for thine owne glorie and the greatest good of vs thine owne obedient subiects and children and hast assured vs that asking thus in faith wee shall receiue That wee may set foorth by good experience the glorie of thy dominion and power with the happinesse of thy Kingdome to all succeeding ages to which wee doe hereby binde our selues all the dayes of our life and to liue as the loyall subiects of this thy Kingdome to thine euerlasting glorie and so returne all possible thankes praise and dominion to thy heauenlie Maiestie saying euer Amen Bee it so oh LORD holie and true as wee doe fullie beleeue that it shall bee Euen so Amen Amen Come Lord Iesus Come quicklie FINIS Mark 13. 33. and 14. 38. Luk. 21. 36. Mat. 7. 7. 8 and 21. 22. Psal. 135. 18. Iames 4. 8. Esay 65. 24 Gen. 32. 28. and 1. 2. Hebr. 1. 14. Iames 47. Ephes. 6. 18. Iob 22. 27. 28. 29. Rom. 8. 15. 16. Luke 18. 1. Esay 65. 13. 14. Harken you that pray not at all You that pray man vnknowne tongue You that desire to pray You that faint in your troubles Iob 22. 21. 26. 28. 29. Rom. 13. 2. You that are afraid to vse the Lords praier You that are fallen asleepe * I desire to awake you by oft beating vpon this point Ier. 7. 9. 10. Ezec. 18. 11. Prou. 28. 9. Prou. 1. 24. 25. 26. You that still continue with our Sauiour Deut. 20. 1. 2. 3 2. Chr. 25 2. Three things wished at the hands of all fearing God Each to know and amend our speciall faults Esay 5. 8. 9. Psal. 12. 5. Exod. 22. 22. 23. Deut. 9. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Ezek. 14. 14. To learne of our Sauiour to pray My hope of the simplest Learne but the chiefe heads of the margents and trie making them your morning meditation To pray according to the two first petitions chiefelie The fruit hereof A further pressing the exhortation to prayer To them that liue in pleasures Dan. 4. 24. Esay 1. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. Ierem. 22. 18. 19. To the worldling To all that cānot pray of themselues nor regard to learne To all that acknowledge the truth and necessitie hereof Ephes. 6. 13. 14. 18. To them that are not perswaded of such present necessitie of praier but thinke me ouer fearefull Esay 6. 3. 5. Ezek. 22. 30 Iudg. 5. 23. Without this cōstāt practise we can neither be assured that we are Gods children nor that wee haue right to any creature Rom. 8. 15. 16. Gal. 4. 6. But haue all things work to our damnation 1. Tim. 4. 5. Prou. 16. 4. We cannot looke to obtaine any thing as a blessing nor turne away any euill Mat. 7. 7. Iam. 4. 2. 3. Nor be any thing but meere worldlings feeling no want nor able to speake of any thing else Rom. 8. 5. Otherwise we cannot be saued Luke 18. 1. Matth. 6. 9. Psal. 14. 4. Ier. 10. 25. The Lord cals vs al to step into the breach with Moses Ezec. 22. 30 * At the intended inuasion The death of Q. Elizabeth The gunpowder plot Reade with reuerence the Prophet Ieremie with the rest who liued hard before the captiuitie euen in Iosiahs daies and compare times with times and it will make vs crie instātly to God day and night Ios. 24. 19. Prou. 28. 9. Wee must be children of childlike affections towards our heauēly Father and
credit riches pleasures thereof which they euer hold forth vnto vs if wee will follow their counsel and otherwise threaten not only the losse of all these but also of all comforts with hatred disgrace and many other euils which wee must suffer froÌ„ malicious meÌ„ if we wil make such a strict conscience of all our waies to the verie least duty that thou hast coÌ„manded And whereas wee are ordinarilie secure in ouerweening of our own strength Shew vs oh Lord the vilenesse of our corrupt natures which are euer readie to conspire with Satan to our vtter perdition to swallow euery baite which he layeth for vs without anie feare of danger so that wee haue no streÌ„gth more then thou reachest forth thine hand to helpe vs. Reueale vnto vs also the danger wee stand in froÌ„ thy glorious Maiesty lest y u shouldest leaue vs vp vnto the power of the tempter and our owne corruption to awake vs from our security for our neglect of thy watch carelesse vsing the meanes of grace or at least for teÌ„pting thee in not auoiding each occasion of temptatioÌ„ And seing the tempter in all his temptations hideth the danger vglines of sin shewing only the faire side of it that is the goâ—d that wee shall get thereby and chuseth the subtillest and fittest instrumeÌ„ts to serue his purpose as the counsel or example of men of chiefest reputatioÌ„ somtimes chaÌ„ging himselfe into an Angel of light neuer comming like himself wherby hee deceiues all the world and oft preuailes with vs thine owne children at least to presume to sinne because thou art so mercifull Good Father set before vs a coÌ„tinual view hereof and of the sundry euils which by euery sin wee haâ—e vpoÌ„ our heads especially the wouÌ„d of conscience which wil certainely come on vs vnlesse it be preuented which none can beare Make vs to know that howsoeuer reprobats may wallow in their filth and scape vnpunished here being reserued for hell and fatted for destruction yet thou wilt not suffer any of vs thy childreÌ„ who haue begunne to make a profession of thee according to thy word to commit the very least sin but wilt make vs feele the smart of it vnlesse wee preueÌ„t thee speedily by repentance because thou wilt not bee dishonored by vs nor haue vs condemned with the world that the wicked may see thy hatred against sin and what plagues remaine for theÌ„selues for euermore Yea oh holie Father let vs feare alwaies lest thou shouldest leaue vs neuer so little suspect all our waies in as much as Satan more maliceth vs theÌ„ any other of the world and therefore seeks hourely to prouoke thee to leaue vs in his hand and for that our sins will cause moto blaspheme hardening theÌ„ to perdition than the sins of any other wherupon verie few of thy worthiest seruants haue escaped to the end without some grieuous wounds the scarres wherof they haue carried to their graues to the blemishing their professioÌ„ the griefe of theÌ„selues and all the godlie And therfore as thou hast giuen vs this only remedie to watch and pray that wee enter not into temptation so make vs able to keepe this thy watch and by it to bee better acquainted with our selues our particular infirmities that wee may alwaies weare the compleat armour chieflie the shield of faith thy Word euer in readinesse against each temptation which wâ—l put SataÌ„ to flight that being streÌ„gthned by thy Spirit we may stand fast in the euill day get the coÌ„quest without anie grieuous wounds to thy greater glorie our owne greater honor in the heauens Wee do not pray against temptations altogether knowing the profit that wee reape thereby but that wee may indure fighting valiantly and conquering vntill thou set the crowne vpon our heads For thine is the c. We haue been bold to beg all these things of thee oh holy Father because all kingdome power glorie are onelie thine acknowledging that we haue receiued all from thy heauenly bounty and being assured th thou wilt graÌ„t vs all these things for thy Sonnes sake and whatsoeuer else is good for vs so far as shall bee for thine owne glorie seeing thou art absolute Lord King in heaueÌ„ and in earth and doest dispose guide and ouerrule all things as shal make most for thine owne glorie and the greatest good of vs thine obedient subiects and children That we may set foorth the glorie of thy dominioÌ„ and happinesse of thy Kingdom liuing as thy loyal subiects to which wee hereby binde our selues for euer and so returne all possible thaÌ„ks and praise to thy heauenly Maiestie saying euer AmeÌ„ Be it so oh Lord holy true as wee fully beleeue it shall bee Euen so Amen Come Lord Iesus come quicklie OVr Father which art in heauen Oh Lord most holy and most glorious whose brightnes the Angels are not able to behold so terrible to all the vngodly as they shall wish the mountaines to couer them that they may neuer appeare in thy presence and yet a most gratious and tender Father to all thy children that desire to obey all thy CoÌ„mandements we that are but dust and ashes and by nature through the fal of our first parents children of wrath in state of damnatioÌ„ bond-slaues of Satan and most rebellious of all thy creatures dare not presume of our selues once to lift vp our eies to heauen yet neuertheles seeing it hath pleased thee of thy free mercie to adopt vs to be thy childreÌ„ by grace through thy Son Iesus Christ and hast chosen vs hereunto bought vs with his precious blood called vs by thy Gospel sealed vs with thy Spirit and giuen him to bee our perpetuall mediator at thy right hand bidden vs to come to thee as to our teÌ„der father and call thee father through him oh deare Father wee present our selues before thy diuine Maiestie onely in his name magnifying thy mercie that thou hast vouchsafed vs this blessed estate to be thy children and to haue thy fauor being the greatest happines that euer can befal mortal creatures Giue vs hearts most gratious Father to seek daily to increase this assurance by growing in repentance for all our sins and faith in thy sweet promises frame vs euery day more more to the image of thy Sonne in all knowledge of thy heaueÌ„ly Maiesty being affectioned to reuerence loue and obey thee as our most deare Father wholly chaÌ„ged in all the parts qualities both of our soules and bodies that we may be no longer strangers froÌ„ thee as all the wicked are who bidde thee to depart from them but may take our chiefest delight to be euer in thy presence to heare thee to speak to vs in thy heaueÌ„ly word to vtter all our wants and our whole heart to thee in our praiers crying Oh Father Our And that it may be more euident not only to
THE SECOND PART of the true watch CONTAINING THE perfect rule and summe of Prayer So plainelie set downe that the weakest Christian taking but the least paines may in a very short space learne to pray of himselfe with much assurance and comfort both to get strength to obserue the Lords watch and to helpe to turne away or at least finde comfort in the euils that are to come Luk. 21. 36. Watch and pray continually that you may be accounted worthie to escape al these things that shall come to passe and that yee may stand before the Sonne of Man Esay 62. 6. 7. Yee that are the Lords remembrancers giue him no rest AT LONDON Printed F. K. for Samuel Macham and are to be sold at his shop in Pauls Church yard at the signe of the Bul-head 1607. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE MY singular good Ladie L. ELIZABETH Countesse of Huntingdon OVR Sauiour hath not without good cause Right Honorable so oft called on vs to watch and pray ioyning these two together and warning his Disciples in their greatest dangers to watch and pray that they might not fall into temptation and also charging vs al to watch and pray continually that wee may bee accounted worthy to escape all the euils that shal come to passe and to stand before the Sonne of man because wee can neither watch vnlesse we pray to obtaine strength from the Lord by it nor pray with any comfort or power vnlesse we watch nor euer get assurance to escape the euils that shall come on the world much lesse the temptations of Satan and damnation of hell and appeare with boldnes before our Sauiour vnlesse we both watch and pray In regard whereof first my dutie to the Maiestie of God who prepared the watch against so needfull a time and after so graciously caused my poore desire therein to be accepted in his church hath encouraged me to endeuour to adioine vnto the watch this short directioÌ„ for praier as a secoÌ„d part vnseparable coÌ„panioÌ„ for the further good of his seruaÌ„ts of whoÌ„ sundry haue desired it at my hands And secoÌ„dly your Ladiships most fauourable acceptance of it being dedicated vnto my Honorable Lord perswading mee of your Honors vnfained desire both to obserue the same and walke in al the waies of the Lord haue imboldened mee to presume to offer this vnto your Honorable Ladiship both to testifie my dutifull thankfull affection to your Honor also and withall my feruent desire that you may both walke hand in hand all your daies in the selfesame narrow way of eternall life as being of the same heart and holy accord inabled thereunto by the spirit of the Lord obtained by continuall and instant prayer That so ye may shine as glorious lights together in the earth and after in the heauens aboue the brightnes of the Sunne for euermore This shall bee in the meane time your key into the palace of the Almightie and to the presence chamber of his glorious Maiestie whereby you may be admitted at al times to most familiar conference receiue immediate answers from his Highnes obtaine the riches and pleasures of his house with the most pretious iewels of his treasurie to adorne you farre more gloriouslie then al the pearle pretious stones of all the Princes of the earth all which shall vtterly vanish as the dimmest star when the brightnesse of your glory shall appeare You shall as Israel preuaile with your God haue his Angels and all the hoasts of heauen at your desire all being at a perpetuall league with you vanquish the diuels and put them to slight ouerthrow the plots of the wickedest and bee accepted for the Church subdue in your selfe each corruption bring euery thought into an holy obedience finde the Comforter at hand in all your trials the sweete voice of the Spirit making you with coÌ„fidence to call him Abba oh Father and giuing you most strong assurance of a kingdome and the life of the Angels in the very terrours of death And in a word you shall thus most happilie redeeme the daies of our vanitie and treasure vp in heauen abundantly against the time of the perfect accomplishment of your eternall triumph and felicitie Wherunto according to my perpetuall bounden dutie I shall alwaies striue during my life both by my incessant prayer and all other holy meanes which the Lord shall in mercie vouchsafe vnto mee his poore and vnworthie seruant And in this studie towards your eternall glory and happines I rest my selfe nothing doubting of your like honorable acceptation of this my poore endeuour howsoeuer penned in a most plaine and familiar stile not to delight the curious with an houres reading which I leaue to others but to helpe the honest heart that is desirous to learne of our Sauiour how to pray and conâ—inue therin in this life without fainting to reioyce and sing with the Angels for euer after when all others shall weepe and mourne and neuer find any comfort or release Your Honors in the Lord euer to be commanded IOHN BRINSLEY THE PREFACE TO THE CHRISTIan Reader containing a large and plaine direction to all the simpler sort how to vse this aright and an earnest exhortation to all sorts to giue themselues instantly to watching and prayer IT hath bin wished Christian and louing Reader that as I haue gone briefly thorow the Commandements and Articles of the faith to set downe the true watch so I would take some paines in like manner to go thorow the Lords Prayer to set downe the rule and summe of prayer for the further perfecting and our better performing the same watch Whereupon notwithstanding my great inabilitie in respect of many of my brethren yet considering the Lords former mercie who shewes his power in weakenes and that by this motion of diuers he seemes to require my poore labour in this also I haue attempted likewise to make triall herein the better to inable the simpler sort and to stir vp all sorts to this holy dutie of prayer that wee may obtaine strength from the Lord to keepe his watch more faithfully with innumerable other benefits procured by the same And the rather waying well into what dangerous times we are fallen wherein the greatest part as it is much to be feared in such a declining to Atheisme and generally to extreame coldnes or luke-warmenes do seldome or neuer pray priuately vnlesse perhaps they vse the Lords Prayer without vnderstanding And of those who vse to pray some although they pray much yet they do it verie superstitiously to the prouoking of the Lord and hurt of their owne soules insteed of receiuing any true comfort therein as all our popish sort doe Others haue a desire to pray but want abilitie or leasure as all our young and weak Christians A third sort droope in their troubles temptations and feares are at their wits end as Iacobs sons not knowing what way
you may vse the helpe of the rules for direction and comfort in our examination pag. 13. All which with the graces we haue obtained in the Law and promises wee are assured of in the Gospell must needes cause the simplest to send forth most sweete prayers and thankesgiuings vnto the Lord. And so much for you that are desirous to pray Now to you that droope and faint vnder your seuerall troubles and temptations not knowing what to doe the Lord hath here shewed you plainly what you should doe Learne of Eliphas in Iob Acquaint your selues with your God search your sins by the true triall Make peace with him then you may lift vp your face to God make your prayer vnto him and he will heare you And his light shall shine vpon your waies When others are cast downe you shall be lift vp and God will saue the humble person Therfore continue in prayer wrastling with him let him not go before he haue blessed you hee will certainly doe it Proue and see Onely waite vpon the Lord in the way of righteousnes vntill hee send you comfort vsing all holy and warrantable meanes to helpe herein to serue his diuine and fatherly prouidence but bee afraid of so much as euer thinking of any indirect course as to do but the least euil to obtaine neuer so great a good and much more of rebelling against the Lord or his anointed and that authoritie which he hath set ouer you lest aboue all other your miseries you bring vpon you the terrors of an accusing conscience and procure vnto your selues most certaine wâ—e and endlesse damnation And thus much also for you that faint in your trials If you desire further aduice looke the watch pag. 127. You that are afraid to pray vsing the Lords praier as a praier because you cannot comprehend the meaning of it in so few words and for that the multitude abuse it accept my earnest endeuour to knit our hearts in one both by assisting you that you may haue the summe of the chiefe heads euer in fresh memorie as before your faces and that those who abuse it without vnderstanding may learne a more holy vse thereof If yet you say that you cannot so comprehend the full meaning of it and all things contained in it the like you may say as I take it of euery seuerall petition thereof and so we should vse none of them in our prayers at all For you beloued that sometimes were feruent in prayer but now are cold and heauie or altogether fallen asleepe I say not vnto you awake Behold froÌ„ whence you are fallen and the danger wherein your selues and the Church of God stand continually seeing our experience teacheth vs that there is but a haire bredth betweene vs and death especially if euer the Lord should leaue his anointed our Iosiah the breath of our nostrils for one minute into the enemies hand But only â— put you in mind of the speech of our Sauiour to his drowsie Disciples Sleepe hencefâ—â—th take your rest I beseech the Lord that I may neuer see that day But what meane all our prodigious signes and aboue all the worst that almost all are fallen asleepe in the midst of such inueterate and deadly malice with all sorts of grieuous sins increased to the vttermost to prouoke the Lord after so many bloodie practises and terrible forewarnings giuen so oft and gratiously to preuent the fierce wrath of the Lord with such sudden and insolent ouer flewings some of them in the middest and highest part of the Land where the people were altogether secure as not hauing the least thought of any danger by water which together with the former principally of the raging seas all must needs acknowledge to bee the finger of God If our sinnes had been so increased in the daies of popish blindnes they had been nothing in respect but now in such a glorious light wherin all of vs haue been conuiâ—ced so many waies and subscribed in our hearts to the truth of God and also doe generally still iustifie the good waies of God and yet for most part set our selues to trample all vnder our feete hating or scorning all that so walke how gratious dutifull and blamelesse soeuer they bee this must needs make our sins vnmeasurablie sinfull and aboue the sins of all other people And you that imagine you pray and are accepted of the Lord and yet liue in your vnmerciful oppression or any other such haynous sin may it not well be demaunded of you as the Lord doth of the people before the Captiuitie Will you sweare lie dissemble oppresse build your houses with blood commit adulterie drinke the blood of soules and all other euil and yet crie the temple of the Lord we are the seruants of the Lord and call vpon his name Will the Lord take a wicked man by the hand Can the hypocrite call on God in the day of his aduersitie No no you deceiue your own soules vntill you haue made peace with God by vnfained repentance and by Zacheus restitution peace with men Nay although you coÌ„mit not halfe these sins but liue in any one of them or any other like hath not the Lord saide you shall surely die for it What good then can your prayers doe when the Lord turnes away his eare as froÌ„ that which is abominable and will laugh at your destruction because you would not first harken vnto him to turne from your euill waies while he stretched forth his hands vnto you Therefore vnto you my deere brethren of all sorts and degrees who haue continued with our Sauiour hitherto in watching prayers and teares and yet at length begin with Moses to faint with long holding vp your hands or are in danger thereof I vnfainedly desire of the Lord that I may bee as Aaron or Hur to helpe to confirme your weake hands and wearie knees Let not your hearts faint The Lord our God is with vs while we are with him Let vs continue wrastling and weeping and become so much more instant and importunate as the sins dangers increase vrging him euer with his owne glorie the pride of his enemies and their blasphemies if euer they should preuaile together with his gratious promises loue and former mercies both to all his owne people in all ages and especially towards our selues declared hitherto in all our peace prosperitie miraculous deliuerances with continuance of the Gospell beyond all expectation Oh that all in the Land fearing the Lord and the tokens of his displeasure had hearts to performe but these three duties to his heauenlie Maiestie First that euerie one of vs would but learne to know our owne speciall faults and wants by carefull meditation in the law together with the sins and wants of the Church and Land and so to consider each night how we preuaile in reforming our selues and then frame our
the world and vtterly without God howsoeuer you look to your worldly businesse you will looke to this businesse of the Lord and set your selues times of praier which the gaining of the world cannot make you to forget And in a word so many of you as can talke with men of any earthly matter and make any request for this present life for whatsoeuer you need and yet could neuer vtter so much as one speech no not in secret to your Father in heauē nor make any one supplication for any heauenly thing with feeling how can you thinke that euer you were touched with Zeale of Gods glorie or his kingdome or how can you imagine that you can be the children of the heauenlie Father or haue any interest in the Lord and his kingdome or be any thing but meere worldlings sauoring onely the world and it alone your portion hauing a world of miseries and torment remaining for you for euer Learne therefore to praie aboue all you will finde this a treasure ten thousand times better then all the wealth pleasures of the world For what you would haue this will vndoubtedlie procure you as far as shall be good and whereas all the honors pleasures riches and friends in the world can neuer giue you any true contentmēt nor adde one minute vnto your life this only will fill your hearts in heauenly contentation with abundant ioy and gladnesse and make you liue and raigne with Christ for euer in the heauens Now so many as acknowledge that thus indeede you ought both to watch and pray and yet but only giue these the reading without care to learne the practise of them or happily hauing some good motions or purposes to put them forthwith in practise or it may be haue begun well yet through your pleasures or worldly businesse or at least a carnall sloth and securitie leaue them off and returne to your old courses bee warned from the Lord for this will certainly be one further witnesse and conuiction against you then euer formerly you receiued and much better it had bin for you that you had neuer seene this way of life thus plainly and easily set before you and how you may either helpe to preserue the whole or at least escape your selues from the euils to come then after you haue knowne it and subscribed in your hearts to the truth and necessitie of it and happilie put your hands to the plow to looke backe againe Remember Lots wife if you be out of Sodome hie for your liues vntill you be safe in Zoar and being safe your selues learne to be as importunate with the Angell of the Couenant when you but thinke of the sins of the Land as faithfull Abraham was comforting and incouraging your selues in this that you are not alone but many with you and the Lord hath yet his ten righteous left in all quarters some that mourne and crie for all the abominations If in this attempt I haue failed of that I desire I humblie craue pardon and also that my good will may be accepted in this endeuour intended chiefely to helpe the simple Vouchsafe me your better direction and I shall willinglie follow it My desire is to labour herein also to bring this together with the watch to more perfection if I shall find it accepted and that it may bring the least good to Gods Church in which I desire not to liue one day longer then I may bee some way profitable I haue so oft made reference to the watch as to a maine ground of prayer and for that this is as a second part and an vnseparable companion thereof as the Apostle makes them Ephes. 6. and also that I neede not trouble you with oft repetition of the same things Cōcerning the present necessitie hereof that I may neither seeme ouer bold not yet to fearful of some grieuous iudgment without cause I desire of all sorts that you would examine it betweene the Lord and your owne consciences to whom I appeale and which I know will witnesse with me when I shall stand before the great tribunall your consciences I say not asleep in this deepe security but either throughly awaked by the law or as they were vpon the instant of the discouerie of the gunpowder plot or at any time before any of our great deliuerances fullie accomplished in the midst of our extreame dangers Remember but whether your hearts weare not then as my heart is now that if God had done with vs as he then threatned he had not been most righteous and wee iustlie deserued it Did not all hearts tremble in the acknowledgement of the truth of his Maiesties sacred speech in the Parliament house at that time And who would not haue confessed in any of these dangers that it had not been full time for each to haue betaken himselfe to this armour to haue run to God by instant supplication and stood vp in the breach and for euery one to haue learned to watch and pray And must not our case since be far more desperate wee hauing receiued thus our third most terrible admonition together with so many mercies still heaped vpon vs Let vs but thinke what wee haue done since that time to secure vs from the finall execution of his vengeance haue we not most fearefully increased the transgression going still many degrees backwards running from the Lord and suncken deeper in our rebellion insteed of turning to him according to our oft promises and his infinite mercy Besides our impudencie in sinning and our eating vp one another in euery corner and degree racking al things to the vttermost farthing and all commonly to maintaine pride and all excesse countenancing the lewdest in euery place disgracing and treading vpon the vpright that he that abstaines from euil maketh himself a prey Let but the shamelesnes of that one sin of quaffing condēned by the heathē in Assuerus Court in their greatest pomp and excesse that euer we reade of and registred in Gods book for that cause be witnes although we cānot imagin that euer it was practised in halfe so odious a maner as it is ordinarilie with vs euerie where in scorning the Lord to his face and sacrificing to Satan Our cloakes of Ciuility wil proue but Adams figleaues Inquire of your own hearts whether this be not the generall verdict of all whom God hath touched or who retaine any of their ancient feeling yea whether the very blind may not grope it that there was neuer such a declining to all loosenes opē prophanenes euen Atheisme heard or read of in any age where the Gospell was professed nor that sinne was practised with so high a hand And then answere plainly whether the Lord may not iustly get himselfe glory of vs in the declaration of his iustice and the power of his wrath against our sins seeing the riches of his mercies in sparing and deliuering vs haue made vs so far to exceede as to deny
reserued for hell Graunt vs to liue in all things as thy obedient subiects that wee may passe frō this kingdom of grace into thy glorious kingdome Make vs to feare the occasiōs of backsliding that wee neuer so much as once look back vnto the world but hie fast towards heauē where our Sauiour keeps possession for vs. Destroy in vs all our corruption wherby Satan preuailes against vs. Hastē that day when the differēce shall appeare between vs and thē that feare thee not whē we shal raigne with thee for euer And because wee now liue by faith and not by sight the wicked oft flourishing whē thy children are afflicted Oh Lord increase our faith in all thy sweete promises y t through the comfort of it power of godlinesse we may grow vp to a full assurance that wee are the true heires of thy kingdome and ouercome all hinderances that being faithful to the death we may haue the crown of life Fill our hearts with such peace ioy with all the fruits of righteousnes that all may see to what kingdome wee belong and wee feeling y e beginning of it here may enter into thy heauenly ioy Thy wil be c. And that our childlike affectiōs with our zeale thākfulnesse may more appeare to all y e world quicken vs to do thy heauēly will chiefelie wherein thou hast shewed vs how thou wilt haue vs walk that wee may do it cheerefullie as the Angels Accept our will for the deede Let it be our chiefe desire to stād in thy presence to enquire by all holy meanes what thy diuine pleasure is and euer so soone as thou hast made it knowne vnto vs giue vs Dauids Eccho to say I am heere Lord to doe thy will thy law is within my heart And whereas it is thy decree that thorow many troubles wee must enter into thy kingdome good Father subdue our corrupt wils to thy holy will that hūbling our selues vnder thy hand we may trie reforme our waies immediately without once whispering against thee knowing y t in loue thou so workest our good in all our trials and wilt giue vs a happy issue in thy due time And if it shall bee thy good pleasure to cal vs to suffer for thy name keepe vs that we may suffer as thine owne children for righteousnes and then to take vp our crosses with thankfulnes reioicing that thou countest vs worthy that honour looking stedfastly at our Lord Sauiour who hauing first troden y t way before vs sits for euer in glorie at thy right hand But keepe vs that we neuer do any thing against thy reuealed will to procure therby neuer so great a good seeing thou canst and wilt effect whatsoeuer is best without our sin That wee may euer truly pray Thy will bee done in earth as it is in heauen Giue vs this day c. And thou oh deare Father when wee are such that y e world may see thy tēder care ouer vs and how thou fulfillest thy promises vnto vs that wee may the better attend the seeking of thy glorie and good pleasure vouchsafe vs the cōforts of this present life Shew vs thy loue in prouiding for vs in due time Direct vs to vse all painfulnes and holy wisdom chiefely in our particular calling with all the meanes to serue thy prouidence auoiding whatsoeuer may hinder our comfort or hurt our estate Graunt vs to hide our selus vnder thy watchful protection knowing that our times are in thy hand to continue as pleaseth thee and to consider that of our selues we cannot prolong our liues one minute nor haue any power to get one morsell of bread vnlesse thou both shew vs the meanes assist vs to vse thē giue a blessing to them Hūble vs here in that wee are not worthie the least crumme of bread which we are taught to beg daily and that wee are but vsurpers of it and of whatsoeuer else we haue vnlesse we be in Christ because wee hauing lost all can haue no right to anie thing vntill it bee restored vnto vs in him who is Lord of all Increase our assurance that thou hast giuen him vnto vs y t we may haue a true title to whatsoeuer wee enioy Blesse thy good creaturs to nourish comfort vs. Giue vs contented hearts though wee haue but bread acknowledging thy fatherlie prouidēce as wel in want as plentie and that thou wilt make euen bread sufficient when other means faile And if we shal come to haue no more but for the present day nor any meanes of succour then strengthen vs to cast our selues vpon thee without fainting and to shew that we liue not by bread onelie but by thy power tender care and blessing Certifie our consciences that though wicked men may bee hunger-starued yet thou wilt neuer let any of vs that serue thee being heires of thy kingdome to wāt any thing that is good for vs but wilt work extraordinarilie causing our enemies to feede vs or the fouls to bring vs meate rather then we shall want Keep vs therfore from carking cares aforehand for prouision for vs or ours much more from murmuring whereby thou art dishonored prouoked Make vs able to sanctifie thee vsing only the means for thy protection prouidēce cōmending our selues wholly vnto thee being certainlie assured that thou canst not faile vs. And whē thou dost bestow thy gifts vpon vs make vs to behold thy good nesse in them vsing thē holily neuer abusing them to satisfie our lustes or to puffe vs vp or set our confidence loue vpon thē but that wee may imploy them to maintaine thy worship seruice and performe all holie duties especially for the reliefe of thy children for whom we are to praie daily and to whom thou hast giuen an interest in the vse of them that so we may shew our thākfulnesse to thy heauenly Maiestie loue to thy childrē and chiefelie the most excellent and therein the true practise of the Communion of Saints wayting for the ioyfull sentence Come ye blessed of my Father receiue the kingdome prepared for you c. Forgiue vs our trespasses And whereas our sins onely doe hinder turne from vs all these blessings which we haue begged and bring innumerable euils vpon vs insteede of thē so make vs most vnhappie wherupō thou hast taught vs to crie euerie day forgiue vs our sinnes Pardon good Lord and remoue all our sinnes out of thy sight And to y e end that we may neuer giue thee rest vntill we haue gotten this assurance teach vs that herein is all true happines and without it we are most miserable without all hope of comfort Shew vs also the haynousnesse of sinne declared in the fearefull punishment of thy most glorious Angels the excellentest of all thy works whom for one sinne thou diddest throw downe vnto hel to be reserued in chaines of darkenesse to the iudgemēt of the great day And after wards in
after inable vs to vse the same and giue a blessing to them Humble vs in the sense of our vilenesse that wee are so farre off from deseruing eternal life that we are not worthy of the least crumme of bread which thou hast taught vs to beg daily and grant vs grace to knowe that when we haue it wee are but theeues and vsurpers of it and of whatsoeuer else we possesse to make a dreadful account for it vnlesse thou giue it vs in Iesus Christ because we hauing lost al through Adams transgression can haue no right vnto it againe vntill it be restored vnto vs in our Lord and Sauiour Vouchsafe therefore to increase our assurance that thou hast giuen vs thy Sonne who is Lord of all that in him we may be certaine that we haue a true title to whatsoeuer we inioy Giue withall both power and strength to thy good creatures to norish and comfort vs. Bread Bestow vpon vs contented harts with the estate wherein thou settest vs though we haue but bread grace to see and acknowledge thy wise and tender prouidence aswell in want as pleÌ„â—y being vndoubtedly assured that thou canst wilt make bread alone to satisfie vs abundantly when other meanes faile This day And if thou shalt euer bring vs into that strait that we shall haue no more but for the preseÌ„t day nor any means of succor in the world theÌ„ strengthen vs to giue thee glory by casting our selus wholy vpon thee without impatience or fainting that we may be able euen then to shewe our confidence in thee how we liue not by bread onely but by euery word proceeding out of thy mouth Certifie our consciences aforehand that howsoeuer wicked men be they neuer so rich may starue with hunger before they die yet thou wilt neuer let vs thine owne obedient children and heires of thy Kingdome to want any thing that shall be good for vs but that thou wilt rather worke extraordinarily when ordinarie meanes faile causing our enemies to feede vs if our bretheren forget vs the very foules to bring vs bread and the heauens to poure vs downe a blessing And therefore good Father let vs alwaies bee reuereÌ„tly afraid of dishonoring or grieuing thee by carcking cares aforehand for prouision for vs or ours and much more of murmuring or impatience in any such trials whereunto our sinfull natures are extreamly inclined Make vs able to sanctifie thy great name in vsing onely the meanes for thy protection and prouidence referring the worke whole successe vnto thy heauenly Maiestie alone being certaine that thou wilt doe that that shall be best and that thou canst not faile vs nor forsake vs. And when thou doest bestowe thy gifts vpon vs giue vs a holy vse of them that both they may further our saluation and that wee may see thy goodnes in them and neuer abuse them to satisfie our sinfull desires or puffe vp our proud harts or make theÌ„ our gods putting our confidence or felicitie in them but that wee may imploy them to the maintenance of thy religion with all the holy ends which thou hast ordained them for and especially for the reliefe comfort of our poore brethren for whoÌ„ thou hast taught vs to pray daily as for our selues and to whom thou hast giuen an interest in the vse of our goods Giue vs bowels of compassion towards the poore and needy that we may take off euery heauie burden relieue the oppressed deale our breade to the hungry soules that their backes and bellies may blesse vs and that thou mayest remember vs in the day of our aduersitie and we lay vp a sure foundation against the time to come that therin also we may shewe forth our homage to thy diuine Maiestie that we hold all of thy goodnesse and declare the loue we beare to thy children for thy sake and chiefely to them that most excell in thy graces and so the true practise of the CoÌ„munion of Saints waiting for that ioyfull sentence Come yee blessed of my Father receiue the Kingdome prepared for you for when I was hungry you gaue me meate Forgiue vs our trespasses And wheras our sinnes onely do hinder our assurance that we are thy children and cause vs that we can neither behold thy glory nor feele the power and happinesse of thy Kingdome neither yet haue that full securitie for thy fatherly prouidence and protection from all euill which otherwise we should find and do moreouer bring all contrary euils vpon vs and therefore thou hast taught vs to cry euery day forgiue vs our trespasses Pardon good Lord and remoue all our sinnes that keepe away these good things from vs. And that we may cry more earnestly for forgiuenesse neuer giuing thee rest vntill wee haue attained it teach vs that heerein alone stands all true peace and blessednes when we haue this full assurance sealed in our harts that our sinnes are pardoned and that all they whose sinnes are not remitted are most accursed and vnhappy And to this end shewe vs good Father first the hainousnesse of sinne by making vs to consider aright thy wrath declared against it from heauen in the fearefull punishment of thy most excellent creatures the Angels whom for that one sinne euen because they were not coÌ„tent with their estate thou hast cast down into hel to be reserued in chaines of darknes vnto the iudgemeÌ„t of the great day then to be damned to endlesse torments afterwards in our first parents cast froÌ„ their happy estate for eating y e forbidden fruit for whose sin alone all the curses of this life that to come fel not only vpoÌ„ theÌ„selues but also all their posterity euen all of vs being wrapped vnder the same condemnatioÌ„ vntill we be deliuered by Iesus Christ. Open our eies to see this thy wrath against sinne yet more fully not only vpon the wicked in the generall destruction of the old world and in turning the filthy Cities of Sodome Gomorrah into ashes to remaine as eternal monuments to all posteritie in preparing the lake burning with fire and brimstone for an euerlasting punishment to all vnbeleeuers and impenitent persons but euen against the sinnes of thine owne dearest childreÌ„ as in y â— heauy punishmeÌ„t vpon thine own faithful seruant Moses for so smal a sin in our account as not honoring thee before the people in beleeuing and auouching thy power and truth that thou didst cut him off for entring into Canaan which of al earthly things he must needes most desire being the land of promise the type of heauen and also after that he had led the people fortie yeares towards it And besides the punishment of Dauid and his house for that one sinne that thy hand did so pursue him and his all his life long