that the way to heaven is not like an easie stair-case on which a man may go up with his hands in his hose but I see by this that he that will come thither must make use of his hands as well as of his feet Lord give me the grace therefore that I may by the hand of faith lay hold on the merits of my crucified Saviour and stretch forth my hands to the doing of good works as well as have the feet of my soul my affections carrying me forward in the way that leads unto thee and to thy heavenly kingdom CCXXI Upon the sight of one whom another did uphold as he went LOrd do thou which upholdest all things by thy mighty word uphold me with thy free spirit with the right hand of thy righteousness in all my going that my foot-steps slip not and I fall into some dangerous temptation and from thence into condemnation CCXXII Vpon the sight of an empty house swept and garnished LOrd this house shews me what I have been in thy sight when I have heretofore received the holy Communion of the blessed body and bloud of my Saviour Jesus Christ I have I must confesse been like this house emptied of all good works swept with an overly repentance and garnished with an outward shew of a seeming sanctity which was not in me in deed and in truth Lord keep me from being ever so again lest Sathan take unto him seven devils worse then himself and enter into me and so make my last estate far worse then was my first CCXXIII. Upon the sight of fire seising upon an house which could not be quenched LOrd keep me from that fire of Hell which shall never be quenched CCXXIV. Upon the sight of two coales lying together whereof the one kindled the other LOrd here I see the benefit of unity and concord for where that is one I see may do much good unto another either by enkindling the graces of Gods Spirit in him or by preserving them already enkindled Oh give me therefore the grace that I may keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace CCXXV. Vpon the sight of one that came to visit his friend that was in great perplexity LOrd I am grievously perplexed oh visit me with thy salvation CCXXVI Vpon the sight of one that by violence took something from another LOrd thy word doth tell me that the Kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and that the violent take it by force Oh that I might have thy grace to use this holy violence that in the end I might obtain thy heavenly Kingdome CCXXVII Vpon the sight of one writing very swiftly LOrd make me a Scribe prompt in the law of thee my God and let my tongue be as the pen of a ready writer to express the comforts that I find therein CCXXVIII Vpon the sight of vapours rising out of the earth LOrd these vapours shew what my life is for what indeed is my life but a vapour that appeareth for a little time and afterward vanisheth away Oh that I might therefore have the grace so to redeem this short time of my life and to improve it to such holy and sanctified uses that when this short life of mine shall have its end I may live with thee in life everlasting CCXXIX Vpon the sight of one binding of sheaves in a corn-field LOrd the work that this man is now about shewes me what will be my case in the great and generall harvest of the world at the worlds end for then I shall be found either to be of the number of the tares which must be bound in sheaves to be burnt or be good wheat which must also be bound in sheaves to be carried into thine everlasting barn in Heaven Oh give me therefore the grace that whilest I am in this field of the world I may spring up and bring forth fruit unto thee in holinesse like the good seed which thou thy self sowedst that so I may have some comfortable assurance that after this life I shall enjoy life everlasting in heaven and not be like the tares of the Devils sowing which must be burnt in hell-fire for ever CCXXXI Upon the sight of an Ewe that brought two Lambs LOrd thou hast been pleased in thy Word to compare thy people to a flock of sheep every one of which bringeth forth twins that I may then have the more comfortable assurance that I am one of thy sheep and of this thy flock Lord give me the grace to bring forth those blessed twins of holinesse and righteousnesse which thy word requireth in all those that are thine CCXXXII Upon the coming on of the twilight LOrd this is the time that the Adulterer waiteth for and the Adultresse maketh use of for the accomplishing of their uncleannesse thinking now that no eye shall see them Lord keep me from having any fellowship with these unfruitfull works but give me grace rather to reprove them CCXXXIII Upon the sight of two Turtle-doves kept tame in a house LOrd thou wert pleased of thy gracious goodnesse and mercy under the law to accept of two turtle Doves or two young Pigeons from the poor that were not of ability to bring a Sheep for a sin-offering Oh be thou as gracious a God to my poor soul and accept at my hands what I am able to doe though much lesse than that others do do or I should do CCXXXIII Upon the sight of a brand taken out of the fire LOrd this brand shewes me the estate wherein I was and wherein I might have been had not thy mercy prevented it I was in the very midst of the fire of affliction and therein I was likely to have continued till I had been utterly consumed hadst not thou in thy mercy prevented it Oh be thou still my gracious God as to deliver me from the danger wherein I am at present so to keep me from the like danger in the time to come lest I be consumed in thy wrath CCXXXIV Vpon the hearing of a little boy that crope in at a window and opened the doores to let in greater theeves LOrd this little theefs entrance and making way for greater theeves shews into what danger my soul may come by wanton looks for if I let but these once into my heart through the windowes of mine eies they will quickly let in many another foul sin that will wholly rob me of thy grace Oh turn away therefore mine eies from such vanities and give me the grace to make a covenant with mine eies that they may not admit any such lustfull objects CCXXXVI Upon the sight of one going up a slippery hill where though he had many slips and some falls yet recovered the top of the hill at last LOrd Heaven is thy holy hill and the way thither is very slippery and none can ascend thither without many
field LOrd let not the fire of thy wrath and fierce indignation devoure me as this fire doth the stubble that is cast into it but in wrath remember mercy CCLXV. Upon the sight of Rookes in a corn-field newly sown LOrd these fowls are not more desirous to eat up and devour this newly sown corn then is the Devil that master-fowl of the aire to catch away that precious seed of thy word sown in my heart by the ministers and preachers thereof Lord give the grace therefore that I may not be like the ground by the high-way side on which whatsoever seed was sown the fowles presently devoured it because it was not covered with earth but that I may rather be like the good ground wherein the seed sown was so hid and covered that it brought forth fruit in abundance CCLXVI. Vpon the hearing of a strong castle or fort taken by force LOrd my heart the Devil hath for a long time fortified hoping to keep it for himself for ever But Lord thou art stronger then he oh do thou therefore overcome him for me and take me out of his possession that I may live to glorifie thee for this thy wonderfull deliverance of me and for all thy other mercies which thou hast shewed towards me in Jesus Christ CCLXVII Vpon the sight of one that trode in the steps of another that went before him LOrd Jesus thou hast suffered for me and in thy sufferings hast left me an example that I should follow thy steps Oh that I might have thy grace so to do it that following thee here in this world I may in the next attain to that happinesse in Heaven which thou hast promised to all those that follow thee in sincerity and truth CCLXVIII Vpon the sight of one that was sent to reconcile two that were at variance LOrd thou and I have been long at variance by reason of my many and manifold sins committed against thee yet thou art willing I see to have me reconciled unto thee again and for that end hast sent the ministers of thy word as thy Ambassadours to pray me in Christs stead to be reconciled unto thee Lord let not their paines taken herein be fruitlesse and to none effect but give me the grace to accept of the conditions offered and to blesse thy name for the mercy vouchsafed me therein CCLXIX Vpon the sight of chaffe driven away with the wind when one was winnowing LOrd let thine and thy Churches enemies be as chaffe before the wind and let thine Angel scatter them CCLXX. Vpon the sight of one dipping a sop in wine and eating it LOrd grant that after the taking of thy holy Sacrament I may not be like Judas into whom after the taking of the sop Sathan entred lest being filled with iniquity I be brought to destruction both of body and soul as he was CCLXXI. Upon the hearing of some that had suffered shipwrack LOrd keep me from making shipwrack of faith and a good conscience CCLXXII Upon the hearing of a shepherd that watcht his flock by night LOrd be thou my shepherd and do thou which never slumbrest nor sleepest watch over me with the eye of thy fatherly providence that neither the Devil which goeth up and down like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour nor any of his wicked instruments may be able to hurt me CCLXXIII Vpon the sight of a mastive lying before a door LOrd here I see in this mastive lying before this door what I must expect if I shall boldly enter into any known sin for as this mastive lying before the door of this house is ready to fly upon those that shall enter therein so will my conscience fly upon me if I shall enter into the waies of sinne Oh help me therefore with thy grace and keep me by thy power from all such courses that I may neither offend thee my God nor draw upon my self any such sad inconvenience CCLXXIV Upon the sight of a crab-stock grafted with good fruit which yet sent forth many shoots of his own kind LOrd here I see what I am and what I must expect to be as long as I live in this world I may have thy word engrafted in me and may seem thereby to grow in grace and goodnesse but yet still do what I can there will some shoots of my naturall corruption be sprouting forth savouring of the old stock Adams sinfull loines from whence we all came Oh do thou therefore so assist me with thy grace that though such sins may be in me yet they may not reign in me but do thou like a good husband cut and prune them off so as that they may not hinder the growth of thy word in me nor make me unfruitfull in the acknowledging of our Lord Jesus Christ CCLXXV Upon the sight of one that sheltred himself under a tree in the time of a storm LOrd the times wherein we live are stormy times and we know not whether to run for shelter in these sad times but onely unto thee who hast promised to be a place of refuge and a covert from the storm to all those that be thine Oh be thou then such a shelter for us and we will glorifie thy name for this thy mercifull deliverance of us CCLXXVI Upon the sight of divers mens sheep put into one and the same sheep-fold LOrd Jesus thou hast other sheep which are not yet of this thy fold wherein we are Oh do thou then which art the good sheph erd in thy good time bring these also into this thy fold that so there may be one sheep-fold and one shepherd CCLXXVII Vpon the washing of mine own hands LOrd give me the grace that I may be as carefull to wash my hands in innocency before I do approch unto thine Altar there to receive the body and bloud of my Saviour Jesus Christ CCLXXVIII Upon the sight of a cart laden with corn LOrd I have by my many and manifold sins often pressed thee as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves Oh be mercifull unto me for what is past and give me thy grace that I may never do so again hereafter CCLXXIX Vpon the sight of one taking larks in a field HEre I see nets spread here I see larks flittering up and down with their wings though tied by their legs here I see a turning glasse against the Sun with the radiant and shining brightnesse whereof those silly birds are so taken that without fear they hasten to the place here I also see the bird-catcher himself sitting a good way off watching to cast his net over them when he thinks they are within the reach of them And Lord what is this but a lively representation of the Devils that grand fowlers dealing with me For where can I go in this wide field of the world where he hath
seek those things which are above and to settle my affections on them and not on the things which are in the earth lest heaving and heaping up these earthly things in hope to make further way for my greedy desires I be in the end pierced through with many sorrows and become a prey to Sathan CLXXXI Upon the sight of a Marriage LOrd do thou marry me unto thee for ever and that in righteousnesse and in judgement and in mercy and in compassion CLXXXII Upon the sight of a virgin trimmed up and going to be married LOrd grant that as this virgin going to be married hath adorned her self and made her self ready for her husband so I being clothed with the robes of Christs righteousnesse may be alwayes in a readiness for him and to be presented unto him as a chast virgin when the marriage day of the lamb shall come CLXXXIII Upon the sight of the stars in a clear starry night LOrd give me the grace to doe what I can in my place and calling to turn many unto righteousness that so I may one day shine as the stars for ever and ever CLXXXIV Upon the sight of a Raven LOrd thou wert pleased to feed thy servant Eliah by the ministery of those unclean birds the Ravens Oh give me therefore the grace nor to refuse the food of my soul although brought unto me by one that is as unclean in my sight as the Ravens were in the sight of Elias CLXXXV Upon the hearing of young Ravens crying in the nest LOrd thy word doth tell me that thou feedest the young Ravens when they cry Oh let me therefore never despair of thy providence towards me for the feeding of me and the supplying of my wants who am in thy sight much better than they CLXXXVI Vpon the sight of an Anchor SEafaring men use the Anchor to stop and stay their ships that they may not be carried away and tossed up and down with the violence of the waves Lord my soul is tossed up and down in the sea of this world amongst the severall changes and chances thereof as much as any ship can be on the sea and I have no help nor hope in my self or any other creature to avoid the ship-wrecking thereof therefore Lord doe thou give me the grace to fasten the Anchor of my hope on the firm ground of thy gracious promises made unto me in Jesus Christ and then shall I be safe CLXXXVII Vpon the sight of a Rainbow LOrd this Rainbow is an Emblem of thy mercy which like the Rainbow is not to be seen when once the night of death is come and as that so this terminates on the earth the ends of it reaching no further Oh give me the grace therefore to make use of thy mercy in this time of mercy that my soul may never be drowned more in the deluge of sin here nor in the deluge of thy wrath for my sins hereafter CLXXXVIII Vpon the sight of one winnowing of corn LOrd I see in this how Sathan would serve me if thou shouldst leave me to his will for thy word doth tell me that he would winnow me as wheat But sweet Jesus do thou for me what thou didst promise to do for Peter do thou pray for me that my faith may not fail and then all Satans winnowing of me shall not be able to hurt me CLXXXIX Upon the sight of a piece of Scarlet LOrd my sins like Scarlet have been twice died died in the wool by my originall corruptions and died in the cloth by my many actuall transgressions but yet here is my comfort that thou canst yea and wilt for so thou hast promised make these my sins that be as Scarlet to become as white as snow upon my true repentance which I beseech thee for thy mercy sake to grant unto me CXC Vpon the sight of a foundation laid LOrd give me the grace that I may lay a good and sure foundation for my self against the time to come that in the end I may obtain eternall life CXCI. Vpon the sight of one that pleaded hard against his Adversary PLead thou my cause O Lord with them that strive with me CXCII Upon the sight of a bunch of dried Hysop hanging up in an house LOrd purge me with Hysop and I shall be clean and give me the grace that both my soul and body may with a bunch of Hysop that is my faith dipped in the bloud of the true paschall lamb my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ be sprinkled therewith that the destroying Angel of Gods wrath may passe over me CXCIII Vpon the sight of wormes in a dead carcase LOrd these wormes shew me what must become of my dead body the wormes will destroy it but when they have done this they will die themselves but there is another worm which I more fear the worm of conscience which will never die Lord of thine infinite mercy keep me from that CXCIV Vpon the sight of a curious piece of workmanship LOrd I am thy workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works but I have not answered that end for which I was created Lord pardon my failings and enable me to do it better in the time to come CXCV. Vpon the sight of a linsie-woolsie garment LOrd I see by thy forbidding of this unto thy people under the old law that thou wouldst not have them mingle diverse Religions together Oh therefore give me the grace that I may never offend in this kind but that I may chuse the true and refuse all false Religions CXCVI. Vpon the sight of one that had a withered hand LOrd this man I see cannot stretch forth this hand of his to do any thing therewith no more can I stretch forth either of mine to do any thing that is good Oh therefore do thou sweet Jesus which tookest compassion on the man which had the withered hand in the Gospel and didst heal that do thou by the same power and grace also heal mine that I may be able to do that good which thou expectest at my hands CXCVII Upon the hearing of the word withdraw at a Committee LOrd give me the grace that I may withdraw my self from every brother that walketh inordinately and which doth think that gain is godlinesse CXCVIII. Upon the hearing of an hard and dangerous service of a souldier LOrd give me the grace that I may fuffer affliction as a good souldier of Jesus Christ CXCIX Upon the sight of a mother wiping the teares from her childs face LOrd in thy good time bring me to thy heavenly Kingdome where thou hast promised to wipe all teares from my eyes CC. Upon the sight of a wide and spacious gate LOrd thy word tells me that it is the wide gate and broad way that leadeth to destruction Oh keep me therefore by thy grace that I may neither enter
me the grace therefore to magnifie thy mercy for the favour which thou hast shewed me in preserving my life thus long and teach me so to numbet my daies that be to come that I may apply my heart unto wisdome and may spend the residue of them in thy fear that dying never so suddenly I may die in thy favour through Jesus Christ CCLII Vpon the hearing of the sentence of death pronounced against a malefactour LOrd here I see in what a fearfull agonie this poor soul is upon the Judges pronouncing of the sentence of Death against him And if this sentence of Death pronounced by an earthly Judge be so terrible how much more terrible must needs be that sentence which the Judge of the quick and the dead shall pronounce against sinners at the last day Oh give me therefore the grace that I may so judge my self here that I may not be thus judged of thee with the Judgement of condemnation hereafter CCLIII Vpon the sight of one bending his bow to shoot LOrd how often have thine and mine enemies bent their tongues like bows to shoot out bitter words like arrowes against me But Lord as thou hast ever been so still be thou my shield and then I shall be safe CCLIV Vpon the sight of a shepherd breaking the teeth of his sheep-dog LOrd do thou thus break the teeth of thine and mine enemies that they may by their barking at me and my good name and not biting or hurting me hasten me in the way to that blessed field and fold of thine in heaven hereafter and fetch me in when I am strayed and stragled from thee here CCLV. Vpon the sight of one teaching a child to read LOrd I am a very child in understanding and can no more spell or read any thing in thy book the holy Scriptures for my souls present comfort here or everlasting good hereafter then this child can do unlesse I have one to teach me Oh do thou then by the ministers of thy word which thou hast appointed to be teachers of thy people and by the co-operating and assisting grace of thy blessed Spirit which thou hast promised shall teach us all things teach me every day better and better to spell read and understand what may be for my souls good CCLVI. Vpon the sight of swine eating acornes under an Oake HEre I see these swine greedily grouzing up the Acornes which they finde under this tree but I see not one of them lifting up so much as half an eye towards the tree that sned them down unto them And just so Lord have I too often done for how many blessings have I received from thy bounteous goodness for which I have been so far from giving thee deserved thanks that I have scarce ever looked up with an acknowledging eye to that bountifull hand of thine from whence they all have come Lord pardon this my great unthankfulnesse past and make me every day more and more thankfull as thy child should be CCLVII Vpon the sight of a boy which had a bird tied by one leg in a string LOrd herein I see how the Devil deals with me This poor bird having his wings at liberty may flutter up and down and sometimes seem to take his wings and to flie away but being fast tied by but one of his legs he is still in the boys possession and do what he can he cannot flie from him and just so it is with me if the Devil have gotten hold of me though it be by the voluntary entertainment of but any one lust or sin he cares for no more for he knowes that I am thereby in his possession and that he may when he pleaseth if I shall at any time offer to flie from him call me back to his obedience again Good God therefore give me the grace that I may mortifie and subdue all my vile lusts and sinfull affections every day more and more and that I may not willingly continue in any one of them to thy dishonour and the wronging my of own soul CCLVIII. Upon the sight of one tasting of sweet-meats LOrd give me thy grace to taste and see how gracious thou art and that thy word may be as sweet to my taste as this that he hath now tasted feems to be unto his CCLIX Vpon the hearing of one blamed for tarrying longer then was expected LOrd I have been long in misery and I have sent my prayers as messengers unto thee for release therefrom but yet I see little or no appearance of any such release Oh my God make no longer tarrying if it be thy blessed will but rid me out of this misery under which I have so long groaned or if thy will be that I shall continue in it then Lord give me the grace to submit to thy blessed will therein and with patience to attend thy deliverance therefrom when thy will and pleasure shall be to have it and in the mean time not to murmure and repine against thee though to flesh and blood thy tarrying seem longer then ordinary CCLX Upon the hearing of some that were taken captives by the Turks LOrd these poor souls are like to undergo much misery in the place to which they are carried captives and must remain in the same except they be redeemed from thence by some ransom paid for them And this just is my case for Lord I have been taken captive by the Devil to do his will and am like still so to continue except thou O sweet Jesus the Saviour and Redeemer of mankind shalt by the ransome which thou hast paid for me redeem me from thence which I do believe thou hast done for me and wilt in thy good time give me the comfortable assurance thereof which Lord hasten to do for thy mercies sake I do beseech thee CCLXI Upon the sight of a post riding by LOrd this post I see rideth apace but my daies if I had the grace to take notice of it do post away with a far greater speed Lord give me the grace to take notice of it as I should do and to make the best use of it whilst time serveth CCLXII Upon the sight of a swallow LOrd this bird I see observes the time of his returning to us Oh that I might have the grace to observe in like manner the time of my returning unto thee by true and sound repentance CCLXIII Upon the sight of one that stumbled at a stone in his way LOrd how many stumbling-blocks doth the Devil continually cast in my way towards Heaven from all which good Lord deliver me But above all other keep me I beseech thee so by thy grace that neither Jesus Christ my crucified Saviour may be unto me a stumbling-block as he was unto the Jewes nor thy word as it hath been unto other disobedient persons CCLXIV Upon the sight of stubble burnt in a
mercy and then shall I be safe XX Upon the sight of a lock hardly to be unlocked LOrd how unwilling and unable am I of my self to open my mouth to speak to thy praise to open mine ears to heare thy word with profit and comfort and to open my heart to attend thereunto for my souls good O doe thou therefore which hast the key of David and openest and no man shutteth and shuttest and no man openeth open all these unto me by the power and might of thy gracious help XXI Upon the sight of a hen with her chickens under her wings LOrd how often wouldst thou have gathered me as this Hen doth her chickens under her wings but I would not yet now seeing my former errour and present danger I doe runne unto thee beseeching thee to shelter me under the shadow of thy wings and to save me now and alwayes for thy mercies sake XXII Upon the sight of a young lusty strong man taking a fall LOrd this brings to my mind the falls and sins of David Peter and others of thy children mentioned in Scripture and it doth shew me what the best of us all are if thou dost leave us to our selves Lord-therefore evermore support me with thy grace and keep me in thy feare XXIII Upon the hearing of one that had adopted another mans Son for his own LOrd I doe believe that thus thou hast dealt with me and that thou hast adopted me in Jesus Christ to be thy Son who am by nature the child of wrath Lord let thy holy Spirit who is the Spirit of adoption every day more and more witnesse the same unto my spirit XXIV Upon the hearing of one knocking at a door LOrd thou hast knocked often at the door of my heart and hast called and cried often unto me to open unto thee but I have hitherunto turned the deafe eare and not opened unto thee Lord forgive me this my great unkindnesse past and seeing I have neither will nor power of my self to doe it doe thou which hast the key of David that openeth and no man shutteth open the door of my heart and come in and sup with me and I with thee and abide with me for ever XXV Upon the sight of a Candle lighted with a Tinder-box LOrd I see by this how prone and apt my corrupt nature is to commit sin upon every occasion offered unlesse thou by thy grace dost prevent it there being no speedier conjunction betwixt the sparkes of fire strucken amongst tinder then there is betwixt my corrupt nature and sin when once an occasion is offered Lord therefore keepe me by thy grace from all such offered occasions or from entertaining of them when they are thus offered XXVI Upon the sight of a game at Tables VVHen a man playeth a game at Tables I see the chance is not in his power but to play it well it is so the chances and changes of this world which doe betide me were not in my power to prevent them but having betided me I must manage and bear them as well as I can and that I may doe it as I should doe Lord doe thou by thy grace enable me XXVII Upon the sight of a Scullions taking off of a pot ful of good meat from the fire LOrd here I see mine owne and many other mens infirmitie how easie a matter it is for any base fellow to take any of us even the best and most accomplished with grace and goodnesse and by his soothing talk and insinuating flatteries to transport and carry us as it were by the cares whether he pleaseth if thou by thy grace prevent it not Lord therefore strengthen me by thy grace against all such miscarriages XXVIII Upon the hearing of the Relation of a Merchant-Adventurers dangerous Voyage THis mans case and mine are very like for with vain hopes as with a prosperous gale of winde I have often been allured to hoise up the Sailes of my desires and to enter into the perillous Sea of this world with worldly minded men but before that ever I could arrive unto the wicked Haven to which in my setting forth I aymed with how many desperate dangers have I encountred One while I have been tossed with tempestuous stormes of troubles crosses and vexations sometimes lifted up with hopes as if I should touch the Heavens sometimes dejected and cast down with fear is if I should be swallowed in the gulph and as it were in the hell of despair now in danger to dash against the rocks of viiolence and oppression and soon after to split upon the unperceived Quick-sands of treacherie and falshood sometimes I have been carried in an uncouth vastnesse in hazard to lose my self in the by-pathes â—f errour sometimes I have passed through the straits having been beset with many perils here Scylla there Charybdis being ready to fall into the one whilst with my most provident care I have endeavoured to escape the other And if I have chanced to escape these as who ever escaped them all with how many wicked fiends have I been beset as with so many Pirats ready to rob me of all those rich wares of Gods spiritual graces and to enchain me in their gallies of endlesse bondage Nay though I have missed of these too and have had a faire calm of prosperity and a comfortable sun-shine of worldly favours throughout my whole passage yet my danger hath not been any way abated but much more increased For being thus becalmed I have many times had neither power nor will to goe forward to the blessed Haven of Heaven but contrary-wise being bewitched with the Syrens songes of carnall alluring pleasures I have been so strongly taken with them that I thought Heaven to be no where but there till I was in the end like to be devoured by them by whom I was first allured That therefore I may the better passe over this troublesome Sea and avoid all these dangers and in the end come to my desired haven the kingdome of Heaven Lord let thy true Church be my ship thy holy word my Card and Compasse thy blessed Spirit my Pilot thy good Angels my Convoy and doe thou thy selfe alwayes watch over me by the eye of thy speciall providence XXIX Upon the sight of a fish taken with a Hooke and Line LOrd here is an Emblem of my simplicity and the Devils subtilty he like the cunning fiisher hides the hooke of his temptations under the bait of some pleasing vanitie and I like the silly fish whilest I am looking on his pleasing bait and coveting that am caught with his Soul-destroying hooke from which good Lord deliver me XXX Upon the sight of a stubborn and refractory Oxe going under the Yoke LOrd herein I see mine owne folly for whereas thy yoke of affliction which thou hast put upon my neck might be carried by me if not with ease yet without any great
more in the Summer of my life health and prosperity think of the Winter of death sicknesse and adversity and make provision for them XLV Upon the sight of a shooting match at Buts Here I see some shooting above the Mark others under it some on the right hand others on the left at last cometh one and hit's the mark it self and just so dealeth Death with us sometimes it shooteth above us and takes away our Superiours and Elders sometimes beneath us and takes away our Inferiours and younger sometimes on the right-hand and taketh away our dear friends and sometimes on the left-hand and taketh away our deadly foes and happy were we if we could take these as warning arrowes shot from a loving hand to warn us to look to our selves but such is our improvidence that we will not lay these fair warnings to heart but go on still in our carnall security till at last and it may be when we look least for it it shoots also to us our selves and wo be unto us if it find us unprovided Lord give us therefore the grace so to think of Death every day as if it were to be our dying day XLVI Upon the sight of a man felling or cuiting down a Tree LOrd here I see the Axe laid to the root of this tree to cut it down This tree is a refemblance of me his root of my heart and conscience and the Axe of thy word which hath strook me and pierced me often and that to the very heart by the Ministery thereof But because there hath followed upon it no amendment of life Lord what can I now expect if thou shouldest deal with me in justice but that thou shouldst now also lay to me the axe of thy judgements and cut me down therewith and cast me into hell fire To prevent which Lord make me more and more sensible of the strokes of thy former Axe and give me grace to amend my life thereby XLVII Upon the sight of a new born babe seeking after and sucking the Nurses breast LOrd give me the grace that I may as a new borne babe desire the sincere milk of thy word that I may grow thereby XLVIII Upon the sight of Balme put into a wound LOrd I am a poor wounded Soul wounded in spirit with the sight of my sins and the sense of thy wrath due unto me for them Oh doe thou therefore pour into my Soul the precious Balme of thy soul-saving word that this poor wounded soul of mine may by the comforts thereof be also comforted and cured XLIX Upon the sight of two parties betrothed LOrd betroth thou me unto thy self for ever and that in righteousness and in judgment and in loving kindness and in mercies L. Upon the sight of one that had a bone out of joynt LOrd this is my case as long as I am out of that place and calling wherein thou hast placed me I may be still of the body but am neither for use nor ease and neither that to my self nor to my fellow-members and so I must continue till thou shalt be pleased to set me right again which I beseech thee for thy son Christ Jesus sake to do for me LI. Upon the sight of a Bone-setters binding up and splintering of a broken bone THis man hath done a great work in bringing every part and piece of this broken bone into his right place but I see except he do also bind them up and splinter them they will not so continue nor grow together again Lord I have taken many a grievous fall and by means of it I am heart-broken O sweet Jesus do thou whose office it is to bind up the broken-hearted bind up this broken heart of mine that it may continue firm and grow in grace goodness LII Upon the sight 〈◊〉 something blotted out in a Book LOrd my sins are all written in the book of thy remembrance and in the book of my conscience and at the last day when the books shall be opened they will manifestly appear to God Angels and men as so many evidences against me except thou in thy mercy shalt blot them out for thine own sake with the blood of thy Son and my Saviour Jesus Christ which that thou wilt do for me it is my hearty desire and prayer LIII Upon the hearing of certain Captives redeemed LOrd do thou redeem me with the precious bloud of thy Son and my Saviour Jesus Christ from the Captivity thraldom and slavery of Satan wherein I have been so long held to do his will LIV. Upon the sight of one breathing out his last breath LOrd here I see that my life is but a breath which as ths 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…vest me at first so thou maist take from me again when thou pleasest Oh give me grace therefore that I may make such good use of this transitory and uncertain life of mine that I may be prepared for death whensoever or wheresoever it shall in like manner happen unto me LV Vpon the sight of a bruised Reed LOrd I am of my self as weak as this bruised reed having been so much and so often bruised both with outward afflictions and inward temptations yet seeing thou hast promised not to break such a bruised reed in confidence therefore of this thy mercy and gracious promise made unto me in thy word I do now come unto thee beseeching thee so to support my weaknesse by thy power and so to heal me thus miserably bruised by thy grace that though I be weak in my self yet I may be strong in thee and in the power of thy might LVI Upon the sight of a shield LOrd give me the grace to put on the shield of faith that I may be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked LVII Upon the sight of one that was buffeted LOrd I am often and grievously buffeted by Satan and his messengers Oh that I were freed from these their buffetings or that I might have some comfortable assurance that thy grace shall be sufficient for me either to keep me from being overcome by them or if I am at any time overcome to pardon my weakness and failing therein and to restore me to thy mercy and favour in Jesus Christ LVIII Vpon the sight of a surety arrested and made to pay the debt of the principall THus do I believe that my Saviour and surety Jesus Christ was by death arrested for my debt of sin and that he hath satisfied it to the full concealing the hand-writing that was against me Lord therefore enter not into Judgement with me for any of my sins past but accept of thy Sons active and passive obedience as a full satisfaction for them all LIX Vpon the sight of Snow LOrd thou hast promised that though my sins were as crimson double-dyed dyed in the wool of my originall corruption and dyed
done amiss and wherein I have offended thee I could not answer thee one thing of a thousand neither should I be able to stand in thy sight Lord therefore enter not into judgement with me neither repay me according to my deserts but deal with me according to thy wonted mercies CXXXI Vpon the sight of a great house wherein were many rooms LOrd this puts me in mind of heaven which is an house wherein are many mansions Oh sweet Jesus do thou prepare me a place there and howsoever I am in this world I shall be sure to be happy then CXXXII Vpon the hearing of one caught with a lie LOrd thy Word doth tell me that every one by nature is a liar and I do find that I am as apt and prone to that as to any other sin O therefore remove from me I beseech thee vanity and lies and take from me the way of lying CXXXIII Vpon the hearing of a woman that did long for something LOrd make me to long also for thy salvation and do thou in thy good time satisfie my longing soul CXXXIV Vpon the sight of a weak stomach lothing meat OH that I could O Lord so lothe my self for my sins committed against thee as this weak stomach doth meat CXXXV Vpon the sight of a woman laying leaven THis leaven shewth the nature both of sin and grace for a little of either will leaven the whole lump Lord give me the grace therefore to take heed of the leaven of sin that I may not be sowred therewith and give me such a measure of the leaven of grace that I may not be puffed up and grow proud therewith CXXXVI Upon the sight of two blind men one leading the other I Find in the Gospel that if the blind do lead the blind both will fall into the ditch Lord my body without my soul is blind and so is my soul too without thy grace Oh therefore give me thy grace to enlighten the eyes of my soul lest it lead my body where it should not and so at last both body and soul fall into the irrecoverable ditch of hell fire CXXXVII Upon the sight of two kissing SWeet Jesus my Lord and Saviour kiss thou me with the kisses of thy mouth and bestow on me such comfortable testimonies of thy love here that I may be sure to be beloved of thee for ever hereafter CXXXVIII Upon the hearing of one upbraided with his former faults LOrd remember not against me my former iniquities but blot them all out of the book of thy remembrance CXXXIX Vpon the sight of the keeper of the lions in the Tower of London carying the keyes of the grates in his hand LOrd Jesus do thou which hast the keys of hell and of death never suffer the Devil that roaring Lion of hell to come forth to hurt me CXL Vpon the sight of one searing with an hot Iron LOrd keep me by thy grace that my conscience may never be seared as it were with an hot iron CXLI Upon the sight of a joyner glewing boards together LOrd give us the grace that we may joyn our selves unto thee in a perpetuall covenant never to be forgotten and that we may be joyned one to another in love never to be dissolved CXLII Upon the sight of one giving earnest upon a bargain LOrd grant me the earnest of thy Spirit that I may thereby have an assurance of my right and title to thy heavenly Kingdome purchased for me by the bloud of thy Son CXLIII Upon the sight of incense burned OH that my prayer might be set forth before thee as incense CXLIV Vpon the sight of a precious Jewel LOrd when thou makest up thy Jewels let me be one of them CXLV Upon the sight of a Turtle-Dove flying from a Kite OH give not the soul of thy Turtle-Dove unto the beast and forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever CXLVI Vpon the sight of one that endeavoured to maintain his right ARise O God maintain thine own cause remember thy dayly reproch by the foolish man CXLVII Upon the sight of an hireling at work LOrd thy word tells me that my daies are as the daies of an hireling Oh give me grace therefore to accomplish the work which thou hast set me about as the hireling doth his day and when that is ended I may with him look for that reward of my work which thou in thy mercy hast promised me CXLVIII Upon the sight of one running to hide himself from his persecutors LOrd there be many which seek after my soul to destroy it but Lord be thou my hiding-place to which I may alwaies resort CXLIX Upon the sight of a souldier putting on his helmet LOrd give me the grace to put on for an helmet the hope of salvation CL Upon the sight of one girding on his coat O Lord that I might have thy grace thus to grid up the loines of my mind with the girdle of sincerity and truth CLI Upon the sight of one washing at a fountain LOrd open unto me that fountain which shall be for sin and for uncleannesse even the bloud of my crucified Saviour Jesus Christ and let thy blessed spirit so wash me therein that I may be clensed from my sins and appear righteous again in thy sight CLII. Upon the sight of a filthy cloth taken off from a running sore LOrd give me the grace to hate even the garment spotted with the flesh CLIII Upon the sight of a natural fool LOrd this man is a fool by nature Oh that I might have thy grace to become such a one by grace as he is by nature that so I might be truly and spiritually wise CLIV. Upon the sight of one made clean that had fallen into the mire LOrd make me as carefull to clense my self from all filthinesse both of the flesh and Spirit as this man is desirous to be made clean from this his outward pollution CLV Upon the sight of two fighting LOrd give me the grace to fight the good fight of faith against all thine and mine enemies CLVI Upon the sight of one anointed with eye-salve that had sore eyes LOrd the eyes of my understanding are every way as unable to behold things spirituall as the sore eyes of this man are to behold things corporall Oh do thou therefore sweet Jesus anoint them with thy heavenly eye-salve that I may be better enabled to see them as I should doe CLVII Vpon the sight of a tree that was deeply rooted LOrd grant that I may be rooted and grounded in love in faith and all other saving graces as thy child should be CLVIII Vpon the sight of a Well LOrd grant that thy grace may be in me a well of water springing up to eternall life CLIX. Upon the sight of one planting trees LOrd give me
a slip and fall in his passage yet he that hath slipt oftenest and most grievously fallen may in thy mercy recover thither at last Lord vouchsafe this thy mercy then unto me and though I cannot but slip and fall in my passage towards Heaven which is thy holy hill yet by the grace of true repentance rising again I may at last through thy mercy and thy Sons merits recover thither CCXXXVII Upon the hearing of an horse neighing after a mare LOrd keep me from neighing after my neighbours wife like a fed horse in the morning CCXXXVIII Upon the turning of the wind from North-east to North-west HEre I see a sensible turning of the wind from one point of the North unto another and yet is the wind still in the North as far from the South as before And such is the course of many a man in his repentance he turns from one sin to another as from covetousnesse to prodigality from Atheism or Judaism to Popery or the like remaining still as much under the power of sin and as far from God as before From which course Lord evermore keep me by thy grace and make my repentance more perfect than so for thy greater glory and my souls greater comfort CCXXXIX Vpon the sight of one whose face being toward the West turned himself toward the North THis is also a lively resemblance of a false and feigned penitent who turns from his sins just as if a man whose face is towards the West should turn to the North for of turning he may look both wayes both to the West whereon his face was set and to the East whereon his back was turned so many turn from their sins not directly but side-wayes so that with one eye they may look to God and with the other to some sin from which false and feigned kind of repentance good Lord do thou also deliver me CCXL Upon the hearing of a Trumpet in the night to call Souldiers to horse LOrd this trumpet puts me in mind of the trumpet that shall sound at the last day to call me with all mankind to judgement Oh give me therefore the grace that whether I eat or drink sleep or wake or whatsoever else I am doing I may alwaies think that I hear this trumpet sounding in mine eare and calling me to judgement and that therefore I may still be in a readinesse to make my appearance with comfort when that time shall come CCXLI. Upon the sight of one pouring oile into a lamp and trimming of it LOrd grant me the grace to be of the number of those wise Virgins which had oile in their lamps and were ready and prepared for the coming of the Bridegroom that so I may enter into the Bride-chamber of Heaven with him when he cometh and not be like those foolish Virgins which never thinking of providing oile for their lamps till the Bridegroom was coming were for want of it shut out of Heaven CCXLII. Upon the sight of one that sued his neighbour upon an action of Trespass LOrd if he did remember how often he hath trespassed against thee he would not thus sue his neighbour for trespassing against him for the wrong that his neighbour hath done to him is but as an hundred pence to those ten thousand talents which he oweth thee Lord therefore open his eies and mine that we both taking notice of our trespasses against thee may learn to shew that mercy to others which we our selves hope for from thee CCXLIII Upon the sight of a great deal of treasure which one had laid up LOrd give me the grace that I may not treasure up unto my self wrath against the day of wrath CCXLIV Vpon the hearing of a woman that fell in travail before she looked for it LOrd grant that when I shall say peace and safety sudden destruction may not come upon me as travail upon a woman with child CCXLV Upon the sight of one that trampled another under his feet LOrd trample me not in thy fury as my sins have deserved but deale with me in mercy for thy Son Christ Jesus sake CCXLVI Upon the sight of a strong Tower LOrd thy name is a strong Tower and thou hast promised that whatsoever righteous person shall run into it he shall be safe Oh that I might have thy grace to be one of those righteous persons that running with them thither I might be safe also from the rage and fury of thine and mine enemies CCXLVII. Upon the hearing of one that brought glad tidings LOrd what joy is there here upon the hearing of the glad tidings which this messenger hath brought though it be but for a temporall blessing Oh how much more thankfull and joyfull should I be for that blessing of blessings the birth of my Saviour Christ the joyfullest tidings that ever any heard And that I may be so indeed Lord give me the grace to remember it and to ponder it aright CCXLVIII Upon the hearing of a fearfull clap of thunder LOrd this is thy great and terrible voice which I now hear and if this be so full of terrour oh then how fearfull will thy presence be when thou comest in thy glory shewing thy self from heaven with thy mighty Angels in flaming fire Lord give me therefore the grace that what I now hear may by thy blessing work in me such an awe of thy Maj. that I may by it admire thy mercy feare thy power and prepare for thy coming as thy child should do CCXLIX Vpon the sight of one asking his Fathers blessing LOrd thy word tells me and experience sheweth how powerfull and prevalent the Fathers blessing hath been and if the blessing of an earthly Father hath been so how much more powerful prevalent will thy blessing be O heavenly Father which givest a blessing to all other blessings Oh blesse me even me then O Father I beseech thee and then shall I be blessed CCL Vpon the sight of two cocks set together to fight to know which was of the hardest kind LOrd here I see the policy of my subtile Adversary the Devil who sets me and my neighbours at discord of purpose that he may have our souls when in this world and Cock-pit of contention we have made him pastime and sport Lord keep me therefore by thy grace that to pleasure the Devil I may not be so in hatred or contention with any that thereby I may endanger mine own or any other mans soul CCLI Upon the sight of one that died suddenly LOrd here I see in this man what what might have betided me if thou hadst not been the more mercifull unto me for my breath was in my nostrils as well as his and thou mightest as well have taken away my breath as his and have caused me as suddenly to have returned to the earth from whence I came as he hath done Oh give
good CCXCII Upon the sight of a stone cast into a pool of water AT the first casting in of this stone I see but a few and those little circles too which did arise upon the face of the water into which it was cast but staying a while and that no long time neither behold the circles were multiplied and grew bigger and bigger till they came home to the very bankes of the pool And so Lord will it be with me in the willing admission of any one known sin For though at first it be but one and may seem but a small sin unto me yet being willingly admitted and entertained will soon cause more and greater sins in me till I become beyond measure sinfull unless the grace of God prevent it Lord therefore evermore by thy grace keep me that I may not wittingly or willingly admit of any sin CCXCIII Upon the sight of one lighting a great fire with a match of brimstone put to a little cole on the hearth LOrd I see in this mine own case for when I have by thy grace and the dayly exercise of the work of mortification almost subdued my sins yet if I be not still careful to avoid the occasions of sin they will by meanes of them soon break out again and come to as great an height of impiety as before Lord therefore give me thy grace that I may with all care and diligence avoid all such occasions as may lead me into any sin CCXCIV. Upon the sight of one drawing water out of a well LOrd give me the grace to draw waters out of the wells of salvation CCXCV. Upon my sitting down at a well-furnished table LOrd give me the grace soberly and thankfully to make use of these thy good blessings that this table may not become a snare unto me here nor I for my intemperance and other sins whereby I have so often offended thee in my eating and drinking heretofore I am likely still to do so again except I have thy fear before mine eies be shut out and not suffered to sit down with Abraham Isaac and Jacob at thy table in the kingdom of heaven hereafter CCXCVI. Upon the fight of dogs eating of the crumbes that fell from their Masters table LOrd I confess that 't is not fit that the childrens bread should be given to whelps yet seeing the dogs may eat of the crumbes that fall from their masters table and I in mine own eies am such a Dog and in thine eies far worse if thou shouldst look upon me as I am in my self Lord suffer me though every way thus unworthy yet to gather up some crumbes of comfort from under thy holy table whensoever I shall approch thereunto CCXCVII. Upon my lying down in my bed after a wearisome journey LOrd I have long wearied my self in the waies of wickednesse and now would fain be at rest from them Oh do thou then which callest all such wearied souls unto thee and hast promised rest unto them grant that I being thus wearie of my sins here may rest with thee hereafter in those eternall beds which thou hast prepared for thine in Heaven CCXCVIII Upon the hearing of one that directed a man in his way SHew me likewise thy waies O Lord and teach me thy paths that I may not erre from the waies of thy commandements CCXCIX Upon the hearing of one that was delivered out of prison OH bring my soul also out of this prison of my body when thy will and pleasure is that I with the rest of thy Saints may glorifie thee and be glorified by thee eternally in heaven CCC Upon the hearing of a blind man bemoning his case LOrd if it be so heavy a case to want our bodily eies and to be but bodily blind what is it to want the eies of our soul and to be spiritually blind Lord then whatsoever becometh of the eies of my body let me never I beseech thee be deprived of the eies of my soul nor let the God of this world so blinde my mind that the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ may not shine unto me The end Published by this Author The Saints Hony-comb full of Divine Truths touching both Christian belief and a Christians life In two Centuries The Communicants Guide directing the younger sort which have never yet Received and the Elder and ignorant sort which have hitherto Received unworthily how they may Receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to their souls comfort Both sold by R. Royston at the Angel in Ivy-lane A Catalogue of some Books printed for Richard Royston at the Angel in Ivy-lane London Books written by Mr. Tho. Pierce Rector of Brington THe Sinner impleaded in his own Court wherein are represented the great discouragements from sinning which the Sinner receiveth from Sin it self 2. Correct Copy of some notes concerning Gods Decrees especially of Reprobation The 3 Edition with some Additionals in 4. new 3. The Divine Philanthropie defended in answer to Mr. Barlce in 4. new 4. The Self-revenger to which is added an Appendage touching the judgement of the late L. Primate of Armagh in 4. new 5. A Vindication of Grotius from Mr. Baxter of Mr. Baxter from Mr. Barlce of Episcopal Divines from Both together To which is added an Appendage Touching the judgement of the right Honourable and right Reverend Father in God James Lord Primate of Armagh and Metropolitan of Ireland irrefiagably attested by the Certificates of Dr. Walton Mr. Thorndike and Mr. Gunning sent in a Letter to Doctor Bernard By Tho. Pierce in 4. new 6. The Divine Purity defended in answer to Dr. Reynolds in 4. new Ro. 1. 11. Eph. 5. 14. 1 Cor. 15. 34. Eph. 4. 22 24. Eph. 5. 14. Iob 12. 6. Isa. 61. 10. Ro. 13. 14. Gal. 3. 27. Eph. 4 24. Mat. 10 30 Act. 27. 34 Luk. 21. 18 Luk. 12. 7. Psa. 51. 2. 1 Joh. 1. 7 Rev. 1. 5. 1 Cor. 6. 11. ecel. 5. 1. Rev. 12. 2. Joh. 13. 5. Gal. 5 24. Cant. 5. 3. Deut. 21. 12. 2 Cor. 11. 21 * {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} propriè est sordes quae in summis manuum ac digitorum unguibus colligitur Scapul Jam. 1. 21. Jam. 1. 24 25. Psal. 119. 9. Psal. 19 12. 51. 2 2 Cor. 5. 2. 4. Rom. 13. 14. Gal. 3. 27. Pambo mentioned in Socrat. hist. Eccles. li 4 c. 18. hath the like pious thought upon the like occasion Gal. 4. 4. Rom. 8. 15. Rom. 12. 9. Job 42. 6. Psal. 119. 101. 418. Ezck. 11. 19. 36. 26. Mat. 3. 9. Mal. 4. 2. Acts 26. 18. Col. 1. 13. 1 Pet. 2. 9. Rom. 14. 12. Matth. 25. 19. Luk. 12. 46. Mark 13 35. Ps. 90. 12. Gen. 7. 16. Psal. 4. 8. Rev. 3. 7. Ps. 51. 15. 40. 6. Acts. 16. 14. Matth. 23. 37. Psal. 57. 1. 6. 4. 2 Sam. 11. Mat 26. 70. 1 Cor. 10. 12. Rom. 1.