27 A  28 b  29 c  30 d Day before the Calends of Sep. 31 e  The 24. of this moneth is vsually called S. Bartholmewes day 9. September called of the Latins September Graecians Maimacterion Hebrewes Elul which is their 6. moneth 1 f Calends  2 g Nones of Septemb. 4 3 The first of this Moneth Haggai the Prophet began to prophesie Hag. 1. 1. 3 A  4 b Day before the N. 5 c Nones of Septemb.  6 d   7 e  The sixt of this moneth Ezechiel saw another vision Ezec. 8. 1. 8 f Idus of Septemb. 8 7 6 5 4 3 9 g  10 A   11 b   12 c Day before the Id.  13 d Idus of Septemb. The 7 of this moneth our late most noble Queene Elizabeth was borne at Greenwich Anno. 1533. 14 e  15 f  16 g  17 A   18 b   19 c   20 d  The 8. of this Month Anno 73. Ierusalem was vtterly with fire and sword destroyed by Titus the Emperour Ioseph lib. 7. cap. 16. 21 e Calends of October 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 22 f  23 g  24 A  25 b   26 c   27 d   28 e  The 25. of this month Nehemiah finished the wals of Ierusalem Nehem. 6. 15. 29 f  30 g Day before the Calends of October Festiual daies in this moneth be the 21. S. Matthew 29. S. Michael 10 October called of the Latins October Graecians Pianepsion Hebrewes Thisri and is their 7. moneth hath 31. dayes 1 A Calends The 1. of this moneth the Iewes celebrated the feast of Trumpets Leuit. 23. 24. the latter Iewes call this day the beginning of the new yeere 2 b  3 c Nones of October 6 5 4 3 4 d  5 e  6 f Day before the No. Ierusalem after it had bin possessed of Christian Princes 88. yeeres through mortall dissension came into the hands of the Saâ—azens Anno 1187. 7 g Nones of October 8 A  9 b  10 c Idus of October 8 7 6 5 4 3 11 d  12 e  The 3. of this month some thinke the Iewes fasted for the death of Gedaliah whereby occasion was offered to bring them againe into the miserable seruitude of the Egyptians 2 King 25. 25 â—erem 4â— 1. 2. c. 13 f  14 g Day before the Id. 15 A Idus of October 16 b  17 c  18 d  19 e  20 f  The 10. of this month the feast of reconciliation was kept Leuit. 23. 27. So did the yeere of Iubile euery fifty yeere begin as on the same day Leuit. 25. 9. 21 g  22 A Calends of Nouemb. 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 23 b  24 c  25 d  26 c  The 15 of this moneth the Iewes obserued the feast of Tabernacles 7. dayes together in memory of the Lords protecting them in the desert Leuit. 23. 34. 27 f  28 g  29 A  30 b  31 c Day before the Calends of Nouemb. Festiuall dayes in this moneth are 18. day S Luke 28. Simon and Iude. 11. Nouember called of the Latins Nouember Graecians Anthesterion Hebrewes Marbesuam which is their 8. moneth 1 d Calends The third of this moneth Constantius the Emperour Sonne to Constantinus the great departed out of this world An. 364 Hist. tripart in the end of the fift booke 2 e Nones of Nouemb. 4 3 3 f  4 g Day before the N. 5 A Nones of Nouemb. 6 b  7 c  The tenth of this moneth An. â—483 D. Martin Luther was borne in Islebia 8 d Idus of Nouember 8 7 6 5 4 3 9 e  10 f  The 15. of this moneth was made a new holiday by Ieroboam without the commandement of God whereupon hee committed most wicked Idolatry in Dan and Bethel but he remained not long vnpunished nor his people vnplagued for the same as may appeare 1 Kin 12. vers 32. 33. 1 King 13. 1. 2. c. 11 g  12 A Day before the Id. 13 b Idus of Nouemb. 14 c  15 d  16 e  17 f  18 g  19 A  20 b  21 c Calends of Decemb. 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 22 d  Queene Elizabeth began happily to raigne for the aduancement of the Gospell of our Sauiour Christ the 17. of this moneth 1558. 23 e  24 f  25 g  26 A  27 b  The 18. of this moneth Titus the Emperour most cruelly executed to death a great number of the Iewes Ioseph lib. 7. cap. 10. 28 c  29 d  30 e Day before the Calends of Decemb.   Festiuall dayes in this moneth are the first day The feast of All Saints The 30. and last day Saint Andrew the Apostle 12. December called of the Latins December Graecians Posetdoâ— Hebrews Sisleu and is their 9. moneth hath 31 dayes 1 f Calends The 15. of this moneth Antiochus placed an abominable Idoll vpon the altar of the Lord 1 Macc. 1. 57. 2 g Nones of December 4 3 3 A  4 b Day before the No. 5 c Nones of Decemb. The 20. of this month Esâ—dra exhorted the Israelites to put away their strange wiues 1 Esd. 9. 5. 6. 6 d  7 e  8 f Idus of Decemb 8 7 6 5 4 3 9 g  The foundation of the second Temple was laid the 24. of this moneth Hagg. 2 vers 11. 19. 10 A  11 b  12 c Day before the Id. 13 d Idus of Decemb. The 25. of this month our Sauiour Christ was borne of the Virgin the yere after the worlds creation 4018. On which day also Antiochus Epiphanes entred into Ierusalem with a mighty army spoiled the same Ios. li. 21. c. 16. On this day he prophaned the altar of the Lord 1 Macc. 1. 62. which day also the Iewes kept holy because thereon the Temple was purged from idolatry 1 Mac. 4. 50. 14 e  15 f  16 g  17 A  18 b  19 c  20 d  21 e  22 f Calends of Ianuary 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 23 g  24 A  25 b  26 b  27 〈◊〉  28 e  The 28. of this month Herod caused the poore Innocents to be murthered thinking thereby to haue slaine Christ Mat 2. 16. c. 29 f  30 g  31 A Day before the Calends of Ianuar.    Festiual daies in this month are the 21. Thomas Apost 25. The Natiuity of Christ. 26. S Steuen 27. Iohn the Euang 28. Innocents called commonly Childeâ—… day A rule to know how many dayes be contained in euery moneth
thy promises that in following thy foot-steps there is an inheritance of eternity prepared for vs therefore whilest we are in this iourney be thou a staffe to vs whereby we may be sustained in all our wayes And by the comfort of thy holy Spirit repaire our strengths to the end wée may more willingly come vnto thée and as thou art made a way vnto vs seclude all errour become our â—â—uth take away all distrust and confirme our Faith in thée And as thou art made life vnto vs reuiue vs that were dead in sinne by a liuely knowledge of thée For it is eternall life to know thée Father Son and holy Ghost to be one true God Wherefore I humbly beséech thée O most mercifull Father to increase Faith in mee who am thy vnworthy seruant lest at any time I wauer in thy Celestiall doctrine increase obedience in me lest I swerue from thy precepts increase constancy that walking in thy wayes I neuer be allured by the inticements of Satan nor seduced by his terrours but that I may perseuere in thée who art the true way to life eternall increase my Faith that being partaker of thy Promises I may neuer waâ—e slow or dull in the study and practise of godâ—inesse and that I may alwayes striue and endeuour for more and more perfection Increase thy Grace in me that being mortified vnto my selfe I may liue and haue my conuersation with thée in Heauen and be encouraged by thy holy Spirit fearing nothing but thee then whom there is nothing more to be loued or feared glorified or more to be reioyced in who art the true glory of all Saints in whom there is nothing but full and perfect Felicitie A Prayer for the assistance of the holy Ghost No man can say that Iesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost 1 Cor. 12. 3. 4. If ye that be euill can giue good gifts vnto your children how much more shall your heauenly father giue the holy Ghost to them that desire him Luke 11. 13. O Gracious Lord God who didst send vpon thy Apostles and others thy holy Spirit filling their hearts with grace and wisedome I humbly beséech thee by thy vnspeakable mercy that thou wilt vouchsafe to fill my soule with thy grace and water my heart with the vnspeakable swéetnesse of thy Loue in the loue of Jesus Christ thy most dearely beloued Send down Lord thy holy Spirit to guide me being ignorant banish by his light the blacknes of sinne through Christ Jesus by him refresh my sad and sorrowfull soule there is neither wisedome nor strength without thée aide me therefore by that holy Spirit and I shall be able to shunne the deceits of Sathan and to withstand his power Thou art not ignorant that I can doe nothing of my selfe extend thy fauourable hand ouer me therefore and grant that I may forsake and vtterly relinquish my selfe and flie vnto thée Mortifie in me whatsoeuer is displeasant vnto thy Maiestie that in all things thou maiest conforme mée vnto thy will by thy holy Spirit that my life may be euer hereafter perfect in thy sight O Lord my God looke vpon me thy miserable Creature whose soule sigheth after thée day and night when shall I come and appeare before thy presence when shall I enter into that admirable place of thy Tabernacle the house of my God O comfort me with thy presence that I may taste here in this my mortall pilgrimage the swéetnesse of thy glory which shall continue for euer O my God I long to be deliuered from all temptations O eternall fountaine of light bring me backe againe to that eternall goodnesse by whom I am created that I may know thine omnipotencie euen as I am knowne of thée and may so loue thée as I am loued by thée that I may sée and inioy thée in the society of all the Elect who liuest and raignest together with the Father and the Sonne a Trinity in Unitie for euer and euer Amen A Prayer for Sunday-Morning Thus saith the Lord take heede to your soules and beare no burdens on the Sabbath day nor bring it into the gates of Ierusalem Neither carry forth burdens out of your houses on the Sabbath day ney doe ye any worke but sanctifie the Sabbath as I commanded your Fathers Ier. 17. 21. 22. He that gathered stickes on the Sabbath day was stoned to death Numb 15. 32 35. 36. O Eternal God and heaùenly Father I extol thine infinite goodnesse and mercy together with thine eternall wisdome and truth who hast protected me this night made me to rest quietly and securely by thy most holy and diuine prouidence I humbly beséech thée of thine infinite goodnesse to protect and gouerne mée this day by thy mighty hand from all dangers both of Body and Soule Giue thy holy Angels charge ouer mee to direct me in all my wayes driue away the deadly enemy remoue all offences of this World mortifie and kill in me all carnall lusts and euill affections that they may haue no dominion ouer mée giue me a sorrowfull heart to bewaile my wicked life and comfort my soule by a liuely assurance that thou hast fréely forgiuen my sinnes Sanctifie me O Father this day I humbly beséech thée with thine especiall grace that I may haue decent carriage in my behauiour true deuotion in prayer and reuerent attention to heare thy heauenly and holy Word and that thou wilt please to giue mee vnderstanding ioyned with true deuotion to obserue learne and imbrace such things as are necessary to me for the confirming of my faith in Christ Jesus raise me O Lord by the power of thy resurrection from sin and giue me spirituall rest in the Communion et Saints that afterward I may kéep the euerlasting Sabbath with thée in the Kingdome of Heauen behold O Lord I knock at the dore of thy mercy with all my power and strength beséeching thée to continue vnto me the right vse of all my senses and limmes and send thy holy Spirit to beare witnesse to my spirit that I am thy childe and shall be heire of thy glorious kingdome through the mirits of Christ Jesus our Lord for whose sake I humbly pray thee to grant all those things that I haue prayed for and haue neede of Amen O Lord increase my Faith A Prayer before the hearing of Gods Word O Eternall most high and mighty God vouchsafe I humbly beséech thée to inlighten my dark dul vnderstanding that thy word may enter into my soule and be so receiued of me as that Ignorance the mother of disobedience being put away heauenly knowledge may enter in and haue perfect rest and abiding in me Giue power O Lord to the séede of Truth that being sowne in my heart it may take deepe root and bringforth to the comfort of my soule sixty an hundred yea a thousand-fold and let thy Spirit so guide the lips of this thy Minister and Preacher as that he deliuer nothing but the Word
oflife with such sincerity and bolduesse as neither feare nor affection may hinder the same that we thy flocke may fructifie and increase our knowledge in Faith thereby and more and more desire to féede at that the Table of thy Word and be filled open my heart as thou didst Lidyacs that I may attend with diligence to the preaching of thy Word Send forth store of Labourers O good Lord into thy Haruest which by their carefull paines and faithfull endeuours may gather the dispersed sheaues of thy Church into thy celestiall Barne and banish from this wholesome worke all such as are not sent from thée and come not truly to edifie but rather to reape their owne gaine making as it were maâ—… chandise of thy holy Word teaching in stead of truth the tradition of men Lord vouchsafe grace into the lips of those that are now prepared to declare thy will grace into our hearts that are present to heare it that they by teaching truely and we by following effectually may through Christ obtaine of thée remission of our sinnes past light instead of darkenesse peace for trouble and heauenly happinesse in stead of worldly felicitie that tasting the swéetnesse of celestiall comfort we may despise terrestriall and after this life ended enioy the perfect ioyes of eternall felicity through Jesus Christ our Sauiour and Redéemer O Lord increase our Faith A Prayer after the Preaching of the holy Word Blessed are they that heare the word of God and keepe it Luke 11. 28. The hearers of the Lavv are not righteous but the doers of the Lavv shall be iustified Rom. 2. 13. Be ye doers of the word not hearers onely deceiuing your selues Rom. 1. 22. O Heauenly Father and most mercifull God séeing that wee haue now receiued the benefit of the hearing of thy heauenly and holy word by the mouth of thy Minister the fruits whereof doetend to the perfection of a godly life and a godly life is the way to eternall life in Christ our Lord vouchsafe O good Father we humbly beséech thée to imprint in our hearts the gladsome and most comfortable tidings which wée haue heard and receiued this day of thée by the mouth of thy Minister and grant that in faith vnfained â—t may lay vp the same in our vnderstanding and remembrance lest that forgetting the same and neglecting the exercise of a godly life wée be taken away as trées that beare no truit and so be cast into the fire therefore we most humbly pray and beséech thée that thou wouldest send vs thy holy Spirit the Comforter which may retaine the good tidings of the Gospell in our hearts wherby we may appeare as trées bearing good fruits and so be preserued vntill the comming of our Lord Jesus who will then receiue vs and giue vs the inheritance which he hath purchased for as many as beléeue in his most holy Word Amen O Lord increase our Faith A Prayer for the Sabbath day at night O euerlasting and mercifull God I giue thée thankes from the bottome of my heart that of thy mercy thou hast nourished and preserued me by thy diuine power and gouerned me by thy Word holy Spirit this day and all this wéeke yea and at all other times of my life protected me by thy power and prouidence and I most humbly beséech thée for the merits of Christ Jesus to couer and bury all my misdéedes which heretofore I haue committed in thought word and déede against thy diuine Maiestie in the death of thy Sonne Forgiue O Lord the euill that I haue committed supply the good which I haue omitted restore what I haue lost heale my sores cleanse my filthinesse lighten my darkenesse and alter the whole state of my minde that nothing may be wanting to good purposes in me nor any thing lurke in mee which may offend thée Water O Lord the séede of thy holy Word which I haue receiued this day with the dew of thy grace that with sound iudgement and godly deuotion I may practise such things as are pleasing to thy diuine Maiestie and that my heart being alwayes obedient to thy Commandements I may passe my time in peace through thy protection O Lord stretch out thy hand ouer me and of thy accustomed goodnes defend me this night Kéepe me from searefull and wicked dreames vnprofitable cares idle cogitations and outward violence Compasse me about on euery side with thy grace that when I shall either take care for things of this life or carefully séeke for those things which appertaine vnto the Kingdome of heauen I may heare the voyce of thy holy Spirit sounding in my heart from the mouth of the Apostie The Lord shall relieue thee in all thy necessities and yeelde thee a Crowne of eternall glory with Christ his beloued in the heauens Grant O Lord this and all other graces méete for me euen for Jesus Christs sake my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen O Lord increase my Faith A Prayer to be said before a man begins his Labour or enter into the execution of any profession OMnipotent God and most mercifull Father since thou hast commanded that all humane creatures shall labour and eate their bread in the sweat of their browes while they abide in this life and yet séeing no man can prosper without thy blessing or receiue any good successe in his affaires we humbly beséech thée that thou wouldest blesse our labours in such sort as therby we may haue iust occasion to confesse thy goodnesse assistance and fatherly care which thou takest of vs. Let thy holy Spirit O Lord be our guide to the end we may faithfully exercise the workes of our estate and vocation without any fraud or deceit giue vs grace rather to regard the following of thine ordinance then to satisfie the appetite of our owne sinfull flesh which couets to enrich it selfe by any meanes whatsoeuer Neuerthelesse if it be thy pleasure to blesse and prosper our endeuours grant vs also chéerefull dispositions to helpe and relieue such as are in distresse according to thy talents best owed vpon vs. And let vs kéepe within the bounds of humility not puffing our selues vp aboue the poore and needy by that which we enioy by thy bounty and goodnes But if thy good pleasure be so to deale with vs as to abase and impouerish vs farre beyond that which our weake nature can beare yet vouchsafe to enrich vs with cleauing faithfully to thy promises whereby we shall no way fall into distrust but rather be more certainely assured that thou wilt neuer forsake vs in the extremity of our wants and calamities inable vs to performe truely the duties of our callings giue vs the vse of all our limmes and senses with an holy endeuour to performe our callings and patience to attend thy leasure to replenish vs both with temperall and spirituall comforts receiuing thereby daily new occasion to giue thée praise and thankes and to expect all things from thée Heare vs
for there cannot be a more apparant discouery of a rancke Hypocrite then to make outward shewes of Deuotion with the gesture and lips and yet the heart to be busied in the cogitation of idle earthly and prophane things And nothing more discouereth an idle heart outwardly then the wandering of the eye in the time of diuine prayer for it is probable and often found by experience that the eye withdraweth the heart and if the eye be inconstant the prayer hath not nor can haue the due Attention of the heart yet it doth not follow that although the eye be fixed on any certaine obiect or be shut that therefore the heart is rightly set on God for oftentimes the eye followes the heart the cogitation of the heart making the eye to forget it obiect as when the heart is wandring in the fields of Corne viewing the heards of Cattell and flocks of Sheepe when it is in the Ware-house in the Shop in the Chest minding bands and payments ouer-come with pride plotting reuenge oppressed with feare besotted with pleasure intangled with cares or otherwise peruerted by any prophane and vngodly cogitations Prayers made with such an extrauagant heart be they in words neuer so holy they are imputed vnto vs as sin for shall we thinke that God will heare our prayers to our profit or comfort when the thoughts of our harts in the meane time dishonor him Many pray in their owne familiar language and yet consider no more what they speake for want of Attention then if they spake in an vnknown tongue yet such men will hold themselues very deuout to haue power in themselues to pray when they list as if true prayer were of that facility and ease to vtter as in an idle tale and as it seemes by Beggars that tumble out the Lords Prayer with one breath at a dore yet minde nothing but their Almes Such men are to be pittied and to be wished better to aduise themselues before they attempt this seruice of God most holy for Prayer is not an easie worke it is of a deeper straine then a tale that is but from the tongue to the teeth from the teeth to the lips so into the ayre True Prayer is cordial of that force efficacy as it constraineth the heart to sighes groanes teares with such inward feruency of holy zeale as tenters the heart with such internall gripes as may betruly said the renting of the heart And the more we feele our hearts thus inwardly sharply touched so much the more comfort it yeeldeth to the soule of the faithfull Petitioner yea such and so great consolation as he that feeles it cannot expresse it with his tongue be he neuer so eloquent neither can any conceiue or apprehend the sweetnesse of it that is not exercised and experienced in the same for nature apprehendeth it not No man can say that Iesus is Christ but by the holy Ghost and none can desire the Spirit of God but by the Spirit of God Flesh bloud cannot as much as desire spirituall things spiritually for spirituall things are to be compared with spirituall things and spirituall gifts are obtained by spirituall meanes And therefore are words without the Spirit as naked and bare Incense without fire but being inkindled in the heart and sanctified by the holy Spirit of God who is promised to assist our spirits they are as a liuely and acceptable sacrifice to God working so powerfully with him through Christs mediation as they neuer returne empty of whatsoeuer blessing we desire Prayer can neuer be effectuall vnlesse there be some certayne spirituall obiect of the minde to moue the attention of the heart which obiect is God and we must consider that when we pray vnto him or yeeld him any other worship that we are not to conceiue him in the forme of any earthly or heauenly bodily or spiritual creature whatsoeuer for in that manner not to conceiue him is a degree of conceiuing him aright according to Master Perkins God must be conceiued of vs in our prayers as subsisting in the whole three persons the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost The Vnity in Trinity Trinity in Vnity is to be worshipped retayning in minde the distinction and order of all the three persons without seuering or sundring them for as they are conioyned in nature so are they to be conioyned in worship And therefore he that prayeth vnto God the Father for the forgiuenesse of his sinnes must aske it of him for the merits of the Sonne and by the assurance of the holy Ghost and he that prayeth for the remission of sinnes to God the Sonne must pray that he would procure the Father to grant him pardon and to assure it by his Spirit He also that praieth for the same to God the holy Ghost must pray that he would assure vnto him the remission of his sinnes from the Father for and by the merits of his Sonne Thus must we apprehend the Trinity in our prayers so shall we auoide that Idolatrous conceiuing of him imbraced of some who cannot pray vnlesse they haue the figure of a humane Creature to represent vnto their bodily eyes the shape of God the Father in likenesse of an old Man and a Crucifix figuring Christ suffring on the Crosse and the holy Ghost by a Doue whose worship cannot be reputed spirituall but carnall and their prayers not heauenly but prophane Prayer is a spirituall action proper onely to the children of God who are Saints by calling sanctified in Christ And they and none other truly cal vpon the name of the Lord IESVS prophane persons pray not though they seeme to pray But most happy is that man that commeth vnto God Father Sonne holy Ghost truly prepared and duly attentiue he may boldly aske and confidently assure himselfe to receiue grace for grace and all blessings spirituall without limitation and all benefits corporall needfull If our prayers be made in vs by him who hath promised and hath power to giue what we aske shall wee think he will faile to performe The hope of Hypocrites indeede shall perish their prayers vanish as the smoke because they wait vpon lying vanities and desire carnall pleasures and worldly profits But the Lord will surely fulfil the desires of them that feare him because their prayers tâ—â—d to the setting forth of Gods gloly to the good of the Church to the remission of their owne sinnes and other mens to the obtayning of Gods graces to the increase of the vnderstanding of heauenly things that they may walke before God and be vpright that they may do the works bring forth the fruits of the Spirit These are the prayrs that are the POORE MAMS REST. These are the prayers that wound the Serpent and that please God bringing peace to the conscience afflicted But which is to be lamented all men are dull by nature And the very Elect sometimes weakly disposed to pray And therefore is
euery godly man to vse all holy meanes to inkindle their hearts to the right performance of this heauenly duty And nothing more preuaileth thâ—… in then Meditation whereunto we are also very vnapt by nature know not how nor vpon what grouÌ„d to lay the foundation thereof yet if we can truly frame our hearts to a holy Meditation we shall finde that it is the very key that openeth our dull hearts lookt vp vnder griefe vnder feare vnder trouble vnder persecution misery and sendeth forth by little little the fire of true zeale which at length becommeth a great flame of preuailing prayers which thing they easily finde that are conuersant in this sacred exercise of Meditation and Prayer who yet many times finde themselues most dull most vnapt to pray hauing yet an inward desire thereunto which desire they cannot containe but labouring a while in silence speaking inwardly to God in sighes and groanes at length they speake effectually with their tongues Seeing therefore that all men neede motiues to stir them vp to payer let eueryman addresse himself to the word of God or peruse some godly worke of religious men And although vocally he cannot read by reason of his naturall dulnes yet if his heart can be but conuersant duly attend the sence as the eye obserues the letter his mind by little and little shall mount it selfe from earth to heauen fixed on the Trinity whence shall arise such spirituall fruits of faith feruency of Spirit as shall fill the soule with more sweet consolation by inkindled prayer then the tongue can vtter And to this end gentle Reader according to the small measure of mine vnderstanding I haue prefixed before euery prayer a Motiue or Meditation touching the substance and matter of the Prayer following THANKS-GIVING after PRAYER THe third and last duty in this holy exercise is Thanksgiuing which cannot but follow sanctified praiers and that with such ioy in the holy Ghost as it cannot but breake forth into most vnspeakable inward thankefulnesse to God who hath been so graciously pleased not onely to forgiue our sinnes but to help our infirmities by his holy Spirit by whom we haue had accesse vnto the Throne of grace and found such fauour with God in Christ as we haue obtayned by the holy Ghost both the will and the power to pray Also we ought in all things to giue thanks to God for euery blessing and benefit we receiue at his hands according to the counsell and precept of the Apostle who commands vs to giue thanks alwaies for all things vnto God euen the Father in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ Ephes. 5. 20. Thus much touching the admonition A PRIVATE PRAYER for the Morning The MOTIVE I Laid me downâ— and slept and rose againe for the Lord sustained me Psal. 3. 5. This Confession did holy Dauid make to the glory of God in the morning and hath left it to vs to moue vs likewise to glorifie God by whom we liue and labor and by whose loue and prouidence we lay vs downe to rest after our wearinesse and daily trauell and doe enioy the comfortable benefit of sweet sleepe which he hath afforded to refresh all Creatures And man the most excellent of all other Creatures receiuing this sweet blessing and rising from his bed without thanksgiuing to him that can giue it or depriue him of it cannot assure himselfe whether his sleepe shall turne to his good or euill for the greatest good thing that we receiue at the hands of God turneth to our hurt if we be vnthankfull But vnto the godly to such as feare him and giue him praise he turneth euen euill things to good Therefore as Dauid saith I will giue thanks vnto the Lord his praise shall be in my mouth continually Morning and Night and at all times and for all things Psal 34. 1. Wherby it commeth to passe that no danger can annoy vs for why The Angell of the Lord pitcheth round about vs to preserue vs sleeping and waking if we feare him and call vpon his Name Pâ—al 34. 7. The poore man therefore cryeth vnto the Lord Lord here my voyce in the morning for in the morning will I direct my prayer vnto thee and will waite till thou heare me and helpe me Psal. 5. 3. O Lord increase my Faith A Prayer for the Morning to be said in priuate OH Father full of power mercy and loue how dare I looke vp vnto heauen where thou sittest in Maiesty and glory How can I thinke or hope to receiue any good thing here in the earth where thou art in thy power and knowledge for thou Lord séest my wayes and my vanities and my corruptions and my sinnes yea my thoughts idle and euil are before thée yea my pollutions and imperfections are such and so great as I am afraid of thy iudgements if thou shouldest note all that I haue done amisse yet like a louing Father thou hast mercifully preserued mée this night and vouch safed me swéet rest and sléepe and hast raised me by thy hand for it is thou onely that preseruest me and defendest me whether I wake or sléepe walke or worke eate or drinke yea thou blessest all these things vnto me or else they would easily destroy mée For I a weake Creature am subiect to the infinite dangers that lurke in the pathes of this euil and corrupt life In the night and darkenesse I sléepe and haue no watch and therefore easily may I be ouer-taken with the dangers of the wicked that hate the light and practise euill in the darke but that thou the watch-man of Israel thou sléepest not but hast a fatherly care and vigilant eye and louing regard to thy weakest ones when they slumber beset with dangers thou appointest thine Angeâ—s and they pitch about them and they are late O good Father I thank thée for thy infinite blessings beare with my weaknesse and wash me from my sins and forgiue mine offences and direct me in the â—ight way of obedience of thankfulnesse of repentance and reformation of my life which is still subiect to vanity still ready to slide into one sinne or other I am neuer frée Oh Father from temptations neuer at true peace but beset with continuall enemies within me my own corruptions fight against faith and obedience wresting my will and mine affections from sincerity to sin from a desire of good things to euill from obedience to rebellion from trust in thée to despaire or to depend on the vain things of this deceiuing world which being full of subtil baits euery where beset with snares to catch my souâ—e and to seduce me with dangerous vanitâ—es I flye onely to the sanctuary of thy loue to the castle of thy prouidence and to the harbour of thy sauing promises Kéepe me therefore kéepe me deare Father as the apple of thine Eye shrowde me vnder the shadow of thy sauing wings this day and teach mée truth giue me knowledge
so to walke before thée in this present life as becommeth thy Saints O continue thy word of truth amongst vs euer to our comfort Let the séede thereof now sowne in our hearts take such déepe roote that neither the burning heate of persecntion cause it to wither nor the thorny cares of this world riches or voluptuous liuing choake it but as séede sowne in good ground it may bring forth fruit according to thy pleasure O Father giue vs grace that when we heare or â—â—nde by thy word any sinne that is in vs we may striue and study without delay willingly to reforme it Kéepe vs good God that wée neuer swarue for the feare of man from our owne true knowledge becomming seruers of time and deuiers of thée Kéepe vs from all hardnesse of heart contempt of thy word and from all dissembling of sinceritie Increase true loue amongst vs more and more Blesse thy whole Church O God with graces necessary this parcell of it our natiue Land and Country deare Father blesse it still with continuance of thy truth Iessen in it daily the number of blinde and ignorant Papists prophane Atheists and increase the number of thy true children Preserue vnto vs long aliue good Lord if it please thée our gracious King and Gouernour multiply thy Spirit vpon him and all his that still more and more he and they may séeke and set forth thy glory in maintaining Christian religion in all purity suppressing all vice superstition and Idolatry with all seuerity Giue vnto him an honourable Counsell giue them graces necessary for such a calling Blesse all other Nobles Magistrates and the whole body of this Realme with true hearts to thée and to this Countrey Increase in this our Israel the number of true Watchmen whose hearts may séeke thée and thy people and not their owne glory and commodity Bring to thy fold by them such wandring remnants as are thine And O Lord be gracious to our kindred and friends in the flesh lighten their hearts with the Sunne of vnderstanding that they and wée acknowledgeing one truth may glorifie thée in the true and constant profession of the same all the dayes of our life Comfort O Christ thy afflicted members wheresoeuer or howsoeuer troubled and grant vs peace in our dayes if it be thy pleasure Finally because the night is now vpon vs and we ready to take our rest let the bed O Lord strike into our hearts a consideration that the graue is almost ready for vs. Which of vs can tell whether these eies of ours once closed vp shall euer open any more againe or no Lord therefore receiue vs into thy hands we all here now commend our selues bodies soules vnto thy holy protection and prouidence kéepe vs this night and euermore ready for thée when thou shalt call vs. Heare vs O Lord O God and Father mercifull in these our petitions for thy Sonne Jesus Christ his sake our Sauiour in whose name we altogether begge these mercies saying as Christ our Sauiour hath taught vs Our Father which art in heauen hallowed be thy Name Thy Kingdome come Thy Will be done in earth as it is in Heauen Giue vs this day our daily Bread And forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs and lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill For thine is the Kingdome the power and the glory for euer and euer Amen Let thy mighty hand and out-stretched arme O Lord be still our defence thy mercy louing kindnesse in Iesus Christ our saluation thy true and holy word our instruction thy grace and holy Spirit our comfort and consolation vnto the end and in the end Amen The Lord blesse vs and saue vs and make his face to shine vpon vs and be mercifull vnto vs the Lord turne his fauourable countenance towards vs this night and euermore Amen A Prayer to be vsed in priuate Families Morning and Euening Leuit. 26. 6. If yee truely serue God yee shall sleepe and none shall make you afraid Lord prepare our hearts open our lips sanctifie our prayers and increase our Faith O Most mighty Lord God and our most mercifull and louing Father in Jesus Christ we thy poore creatures and vnworthy children humbly present our selues in his name before thy glorious maiesty acknowledging that we be most vnworthy to appeare in thy presence by reason not onely of our originall but also of our continuall actuall sinnes and déepe disobedienee being originally borne the children of wrath and the least of our actuall transgressions is sufficient to cast vs into hell and vtter perdition if thou shouldest deale with vs according to the measure of our manifold iniquities We therefore doe humbly beséech thée O mercifull Father in the merits of Jesus Christ fréely to pardon and forgiue our manifold offences both in that wée haue committed and done those things thou hast forbidden and left vndone the things thou hast commanded Lord forgiue vs and remember our sinnes no more let them neuer good and gracious Father rise vp in Judgement to our condemnation Giue vs a full assurance of thy mercies and frée forgiuenesse in Jesus Christ and let thy holy Spirit from henceforth euermore so sanctifie our hearts minds and bodies that wée neuer hereafter giue consent to the corrupt motions of our fleshly affections and vnclean desires and let the liuely light of thy continuall presence so illuminate our dark vnderstandings that we may still search for thy will in thy word reuealed and giue vs will and power to practise and performe all godly seruice duties and obedience to thée giue vs féeling hearts that we may finde out our own weakenesse and confesse vnto thée our infirmities and that we may boldly in the Name of thy Sonne Christ Jesus fall downe before thée calling faithfully and sincerely vpon thy holy name for pardon for our former euils for grace to reforme so the rest of our wicked liues that thou maist be pleased to accept vs anew into thy fauour and fatherly protection Grant that we may continually féele in our hearts and consciences more and more the virtue and power of the death resurrection of our Lord and Sauior Jesus Christ that we may continually striue against and mortifie our grosse sins and foule corruptions and grow more strong against all euill motions and temptations in thought word and déede and be more and more renewed in the spirit of our mind and féele a continuall increase of ioy and comfort in the reading hearing and meditating of thy holy and heauenly word and a feruency of true zeale to séekethy glory by encreasing more and more in knowledge and in the hatred of sinne in our selues rebuking it in others especially in those of whom we haue charge and in a happy and faithfull going forward in all godly obedience vnto thy will all the dayes of our liues Direct and strengthen vs that we may with all faithfulnesse labour to
O Father of mercy for thy deare Sonne Christ Jesus sake our Lord and Sauiour Amen O Lord increase our Faith and blesse our labours A Thankes-giuing or Prayer to be vsed after a mans labour is finished O My gracious Lord God I yéeld vnto thée harty thankes because thou hast preserued me from imminent and infinite dangers which might otherwise haue happened to oppresse and vtterly ouerthrowne me if thou Lord hadst not carefully regarded and kept me from many inconueniences Therefore now O most louing Father I humbly intreate and beseech thée for Jesus Christs sake to pardon all the faults wherein I haue offended thée in the time of my labour or otherwise correct me not in thine anger nor punish me in thy heauy displeasure worke in me so by the power of thy holy Spirit that hence forth I may walke in greater integrity and carefully performe those duties which are required in my vocation and calling to the end that though I labour with my body yet in spirit I may be led by thy spirit to loue serue and glorifie thy name in all my doings words and thoughts Direct and guide me by thy holy Word in all truth and honest conuersation among men neuer swaruing from thy commandements that in the end I may attaine euerlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord and onely Sauiour Amen Lord euermore increase and confirme my Faith in thee A generall Confession of sins and of the vanities of carnall delights If we acknowledge our sinnes God is faithfull and iust to forgiue vs our sins and to cleanse vs from all vnrighteousnesse If we say we haue not sinned we make him a lyer and his word is not in vs 1 Iohn 1. 9. 10. O God Almighty and al-knowing Father the fountaine of all comfort and consolation I confesse against my selfe as euermore I haue done that I haue grieuously offended thée by my manifold transgressions and haue thereby drawne downe a most heauy waight of thine importable iudgements vpon me vnder the burthen whereof I cannot but faint and fall vnlesse thou set to thy helping hand of mercy in Jesus Christ to support mée for good Father I am weake and cannot beare thy displeasure I am ignorant and know not which way to turne mée vnlesse thou point out the way vnto me by thy holy Spirit directing mée within as thy Word teacheth me without For it is not euery one that heareth that vnderstandeth not euery one that vnderstandeth that can practise and performe what thou commandest for who so is not guided by a better line then that of flesh and bloud mistaketh the right path and treadeth the way of vanitie whose end is death yet for the time it is most swéete and pleasing to the outward man the man vnsanctified and vnregenerate because hee loueth to be sed with the dainties of this life as with honor preferment riches health friends and worldly delights estéeming these the earnest-penny here of Heauen to come and that wants and pouerty and sicknesse and enemies and imprisonments and crosses are euen here the entrance into Hell it selfe So foolish are they O Lord and ignorant whom thou guidest not in thy way And this hath béene my foolishnesse and my misconceit of the seuerall estates of men in this life euen vnto this day But hauing now found by due triall and experience the foolishnesse of such as put their delight in these transttory fickle and vncertaine vanities doe disclaime all confidence in them and doe heartily and most vnfainedly abhorre and detest the deceiuing baits of temporall and carnall delights and doe wholly betake me vnto the swéet sauing sanctuarie of thy wisedome and prouidence wherein howsoeuer the worldly minded doe contrarily iudge is truest safety happinesse and securitie for therein beare Father is the true feéling and founded hope of future eternall felicitie thy wisedome O Father is the wisedome of the Spirit the Spirit the sanctifier of the Soule the minde and affections which being sanctified begetteth true feare of thée and that feare is the beginning of that sacred wisedome which guideth and gouerneth the whole man in the blessed way the way to life euen vnto Christ himselfe who is the Way the Truth and the Life O Lord increase our Faith A Prayer for humiliation and sorrow after sinne committed O Lord my God and most louing Father in Jesus Christ I confesse and acknowledge that mine offences are increased and my sinnes are growne vp vnto the heauens that I am ashamed to lift vp mine eyes to thée admiring at thy influite mercy in forbearing to punish me knowing that I am worthy to be swallowed vp or swept away with some extraordinary and sudden iudgement And now O Lord especially hauing so grosely sinned against thée and done so great euill in thy sight how haue I vile wretch that I am wounded mine owne conscience how hâ—ue I laid my selfe open to the malice and enuy of the Diuell what a disgrace and slander haue I brought vpon my Profession what an offence and scandall haue I giuen vnto others what a toy will this be to the wicked that they haue now by meÌ„ gotten something to speake euill of But aboue al O Lord how haue I dishonoured thée whose fauours haue béene so many and so innumerable towards me I know not how to expresse my detestable sinnes and the hainous and hideous natures of them when I thinke vpon thy patience vpon the meanes of grace which thou hast afforded mee vpon the light of knowledge which thou hast giuen mee vpon the good motions which thou hast from time to time stirred vp in mee vpon the profession which I make vpon the sundry vowes and promises of better obedience with which I haue linked my selfe vnto thy Maiestie vpon the diuers admonitions which by thy prouidence I know haue béene vsed to mée by thy Seruants purposely to preuent and stop this euill in mée mée thinketh I may call it rebellion which is as the sinne of witchcraft or presumption in the highest degrée O Lord I sée my sinnes and know them to bée exceeding great neuerthelesse I cannot so lament them so grieue for them so detest and abhorre them as I should Striue O gracious God strike I beséech thée my flinty heart make it euen to melt within mée at the sight of mine owne transgression Settle in it that godly sorrow which causeth Repentance vnto saluation Humble my soule vnder thy mighty hand and suffer me not to fréeze in the dregges of mine owne corruptions make my head full of water and mine eyes a fountaine of teares which may runne downe like a Riuer day and night O let me take no rest nor suffer the apple of mine eye to cease cause me to powre out my heart like water before thy face that I may by all meanes testifie the vnfained griefe of my Soule that I haue so displeased thée And grant O Lord that I may not sorrow so much because of hell condemnation which J haue
booke of this so high and so heauenly a mysterie not the worldly wise not the great learned nor the most glorious in the world onely the poore in spirit the humble and méeke such as truely hunger and thirst for their saluation in and by Christ. They onely aske séeke and knocke they receiue knowledge and finde mercy and they are accepted into this heauenly society seeing yet but in part knowing yet but in part féeling yet but in part receiuing but in part glorying but in part where they yet praise thée but in part But thou hast promised that we partaking of thée in this life after this life we shall fully enioy thée in and by Christ in the heauens to our euerlasting comfort to our inestimable glory and endlesse praising thée in him whom here we sée by the eyes of our soules in faith on whom we depend in faith and of whom we here partake in faith which faith O Lord increase more and more for euer in vs all Amen A thankesgiuing after the receiuing of the holy Communion IEsus Christ our true Soueraigne and eternal sacrifice thou art seated at the right hand of God vpon the Throne of Maiestie in heauen hauing the administration of all goodnesse to come and of the true Tabernacle which is not made by hands Thou entredst once by thy precious bloud into the holy places and hast obtained for vs eternall Redemption by sacrificing thy selfe vnto thy Father to cleanse our consciences from al dead workes to the end we might serue the liuing God We giue thée thankes with all our hearts because by willing obedience to thy Father thou didst suffer a most ignominious death on the Crosse for vs poore miserable and wretched sinners and hast instituted this blessed Sacrament for an eternall memory of thy faithfulnesse and fauour on out behalfe leauing it like wise as an earnest penny seale or testimony for the remission of our sinnes Thou hast called and brought vs to the Communion of this wonderfull féeding to the end that wee might refresh our hungry soules languishing and thirsting after life euerlasting O Lord my God great is thy loue thy mercy vnexprsseable thy grace vncomprehensible Thou despisest no persons comming to this Banquet except they exclude themselues or intrude thither vnworthily If any one doe hunger or thirst here he is fully satisfied such as are in necessitie may here finde the riches and treasures of Life the desolate here méete with comfort the stâ—ke here finde physicke and health for their soules such as are ouer-laden with their sins are here disburdoned in their consciences and they which are assailed by Death doe here méete with life that cannot be molested Helpe vs then O good God that this blessed Sacrament which we haue receiued may auaile vs to our saluation and that hereafter we may retaine the fulnesse of our hope without any wauering because thou art faithfull in all thy promises and let vs care one for another giue vs grace to loue all but couet onely the societie of such as either may stirrevs vp more and more to godlinesse or that we may win them to more knowledge of and obedience to thée and that wee may in a holy and heauenly vnion often assemble our selues at this holy and sacred banquet comforting one another in thée hopefully looking for thy blessed appearance in the clouds for our full and finall redemption Amen Lord increase our faith and renew a right spirit within vs. A Motiue to the Prayer following against Temptation FOrasmuch as no man is free from Temptation it is a necessary exercise for the Children of God to pray daily to be strengthened against the same for if the Diuell spared not to tempt Christ Mat 4. 1. 3. Marke 1. 12. 13. he cannot but tempt vs. And as hee began with Christ knowing him to haue long fasted and deemed him so desirous to eate as hee would haue done any thing to haue had bread as Esau longed for his brothers pottage And as hee himselfe in the beginning fell by ambition and vainglory he thought it had beene the humour of Christ likewise to deâ—…e terrene glory according therefore to these two occasions he tempted Christ to accept of both or either of them But hee had no aduantage against Christ but fifteth and findeth man of another inclination wholy and altogether corrupt and so prone naturally to sinne as there resteth in all men some peculiar humour and a kinde of priuate and commanding sinne which so farre commonly ouer-ruleth the affections as whensoeuer it offereth it selfe it easily draweth consent euen of the whole man as Nabals couerousnes whom the rich doe imitate who although they might be free from all other sinnes as they cannot be it were sufficient to condemne them some are wholly ouercome and make drunkennesse their whole delight some bribery and extorsion some whoredome some wantonnesse And these and such like sins are as it were the Bailiffes and Stewards of the houses of mens hearts which who so embraceth and holdeth them so deare as he will not endeauour to be freed of them is not the childe of God And therefore this prayer following may be vsed of all men to that end although hee would be ashamed to confesse it before men God already knowing it his confession to him shall more and more make a way for repentance and obtaine strength to resist the Diuell in his temptation who obseruing our inclinations bendeth his temptations accordingly and hauing wonne but the outerward of our hearts at the first a bare consent he then will visite oftner vntill he haue made custome so strong as it becommeth an habite or as it were another nature So that a man may as well endure the plucking out of his eyes as the shaking off of that accustomed sinne And therefore it behooueth all men to be watchfull against Satan and to resist him by prayer A Prayer against Temptations especially fit for a man that findeth in himselfe a continuall strong inclination to any particular sinne O Gracious God and most louing Father who in the beginning didst create man to thine owne image and likenesse in all sinceritie and didst place him in the holy estate of his innocency in the swéet garden of all heauenly and earthly delights and in thy superabundant mercies didst ordaine all thy creatures in Heauen and Earth to doe him seruice O what was man that thou hadst such respect vnto him And yet how suddenly Lord God did hée fall from that estate of originall grace how grossely did hée disobey and rebell against thy will reuealed vnto him By whose fall all corruption entred where before was nothing but sanctity by whose corruption the earth became corrupt and all things in the earth began to disobey him for whom they were created as he disobeyed thée by whom he was created And by his transgression all that haue procéeded of him by a lineall originall pollution haue all defiled their wayes and all
God and make him their enemy for he hath said Vengeance is mine Rom. 12. 19. And therefore we must take heede wee take not the office of God vpon vs in taking reuenge of our Enemies either by our owne sword or by any sinister meanes but to appeale vnto the Christian Magistrate who beareth the Sword to right the wrongs done vnto his children Wee must leaue the reuenge to whom it belongeth and seeke to be and to continue at peace with God without which no Creature can be at true peace with vs. And being reconciled to him in Christ we shall not need to feare our enemies for he will make our Enemies to feare vs as he made Esau to feare Iacob Genes 35. 5. 6. If we walke in his commandements and obserue his Lawes among many other blessings We shall chase our Enemies they shall fall before vs Leuit. 26. 7. 8. Deut. 11. 23. 25. 28. 1. 7. And hee will deliuer our Enemies into our hands if it be expedient or our cause being heard before the Magistrate hee will giue censure with vs and make vs to reioyce ouer them that would triumph ouer vs. And therefore in these crosses of Enemies we must flye vnto God by prayer as Dauid in many of his Psalmes sheweth himselfe to haue done and especially in the 35. Psalm If therefore thy cause be iust and thou be vniustly pursued feare not for God will not faile thee nor forsake thee A Prayer against the power and practices of Enemies who slander and pursue a man either without a cause or in a matter which he cannot reconcile INcline thine eare Lord vnto my prayer and harken mercifully vnto my complaints for thou séest how man intendeth mischiefe against mée many lay snares for mée to catch me that they may take mée and so deuoure mée but thou art my trust I will not feare what man can doe vnto mée yet good Father iudge and reuenge my cause let them not triumph ouer me that hate me without a cause say I without a cause yea Lord without cause coÌ„mitted against them vnlesse thou calling to minde my sins committed against thée doest stirre them vp to be instruments of thy wrath against me So am I indéede in excusable for I doe confesse that I haue transgressed thy Lawes I haue done euil in thy â—ight but to these men Lord what haue I done my conscience is cleare of all desire to offend them and therefore Lord let their malice come to an end if not Lord giue me Faith in thée and patience to indure them for thée whom indeede I haue offended They trauell in mischiefe thou art mercifull they conceiue wickednesse and bring forth lyes but thou art righteous the God of truth my defence is in thée and therefore though they digge pits for mee they shall fall in themselues and be taken in the same that they themselues haue laid Their mischiefe shall returne vpon their owne head and their cruelties vpon their owne pates although in their pride and malice they boast themselues as if they had already destroyed me Up Lord therefore and defend mee let them not preuaile against mee rather let them relent or perish They thinke in their hearts as it séemeth by their insolence they shall neuer be remooued and thou séest it thou beholdest their wrong done vnto thée take my cause therefore into thine owne hand for thou iudgest right and helpest such as suffer violence Oh breake the arme of the wicked and malicious who bend their bow and make ready their arrowes vpon the string that they may secretly shoote at them which are vpright in heart they shoote out their sharpe and malicious accusations bitter words and slenders against mée yet Lord of thy mercy it is that though they hit mee yet they wound mée not deadly their hatred and malice tendeth but to the hurt of my body not being able to touch my soule and therefore if they should preuaile their conquest were small but my ransome is their owne ruine curbe them good Father and bridle their wicked deuices set mée at liberty whom these wicked men would hold for euer snared I rest vpon thy prouidence to be defended I séeke not reuenge against them vengeance is thine thou wilt reward but were I inclinable to reuenge they are more mighty then I more carnally politicke then I more befriended of the world then I and yet as Elisha said vnto his Seruant there are more with mée then with them for thou pitchest an Hoast of Angels about such as are thine Therefore I will neuer feare what these men can doe vnto mee either by fraud or force openly or secretly for thou who iudgest rightly wilt turne all their malicious deuices to worke for my good and their owne confusion as thou didst end the malice of hatefull Haman against harmelesse Mordecai Wherein thy prouidence brought it to passe that he was snared that laid the grin and fell into the pit he made for another Therefore good Father I will rest me vpon thy prouidence and relye vpon thy mercies in Christ in whom all things shal worke together for my good as did the selling of Ioseph by his Brethren his Mistresses false accusation his wrongfull imprisonment all which together wrought to his high aduancement Euen so Lord let all things worke to my conformation and consolation in Christ heare mée oh heare me lest they reioyce ouer me for when my féet slip they reioyce and extoll themselues against me O Lord increase my Faith and weaken mine Enemies A Prayer of the Flocke for their diligent painfull and faithfull Pastor O Most bountifull and great God how gracious hast thou béen vnto vs in lending vs a good and godly Past or according to thine owne heart who is able and willing to instruct vs with knowledge and vnderstanding and to deliuer vnto vs faithfully thy holy Word one who is sufficient to resolue vs in our doubts and to comfort vs in our calamities to recall our wandrings to instruct our ignorances and to goe before vs as a guide in the way that leadeth to saluation O Lord thou hast not so dealt with all people neither is there any desert at all in vs for which thou shouldest bestow on vs such a fauour If thou hadst still left vs in our naturall darknesse and hadst suffered vs to be perpetually plunged into that region of the shadow of death in which we sate of our selues it had béene but iustice in thée euen vtterly to haue forsaken â—s O Lord make vs thankfull and quicken vs vp that we may euen fill our mouthes with the praises of thy name who hast caused the light of thy Gospell thus to shine amongst vs to our excéeding great comfort O make vs carefull and diligent to walk while we haue light that wée may be the children of light and to beware how we receiue thy word in vaine or neglect so great saluation let vs euer remember that to whom much is giuen of
that couet to catch me in the snare and to 〈◊〉 ap me in the net of deserued reproofe Beare me vpon the wings of thy blessed protection and let mée not come within the reach of their malicious inuentions Let not such as lay wait for mée haue iust cause to desire or opportunity to worke any euill against mée rather let me so trend the pathes of that loue and performe that duety to all men that thou hast willed in thy word that my conscience bearing me witnes of mine innocency I may fréely say The Lord is my helper no euill shall happen vnto me I confesse that I cannot so carry my selfe in this life but offence wâ—ll be taken against mée and I shall deserue as I doe the iust reproofes of men yea against my will and consequently the carnally affected cannot but breake out into bitternesse against me for the same and the more by reason they sée me afflicted as it were by thy hand which they take as a strong argument that I am a sinner most notorious and that thou hast vtterly cast mée off foreuer I cannot indeede louing Father but confesse my sinnes and that I am worthy of sharper corrections theâ— I haue yet tasted or am able to beare yet consider that I haue not maliciously done what thou dislikest but in weaknesse and of naturall imbecility onely and much against my will rather as suffering Sathans oppressions then willingly or wilfully committing sin And therfore trust I in thy mercies O forgiue me I depend on thy power O saue me and deliuer me lest my miseries ouer-whelming me such as pretend euill against me take occasion to pursue me and so dâ—uoure me Consider my troubles O Lord behold my dangers and be vnto me a perpetuall rest and refuge Why standest thou aloose O Lord and séemest not to regard my tâ—oubles why turnest thou away thy face and considerest not my wants thy hidest thou thy selfe when my troubles so much abound Arise and let not the wicked take occasion through mine afflictions to say there is no helpe for me in thée or that thou regardest not the causes of thy distressed children Deliuer me rather and reléeue me that the righteous perceiuing thy readinesse to saue me may the more feare thée and trust in thee and not â—aint when they are likewise afflicted Thou willest the poore to commit himselfe vnto thée and promisest to relieue such as haue no helper Thou preparest the dull hearts to call vpon thée thou againe hearest their cries and comfortest them How long then O Lord how long wilt thou forget me how long shall I cry and not be heard how long shall I seeke counsell of thee and yet be ignorant what course to take I am wearied with my daily sighes and groanes which my heart fraught with griefe and heauines doth powre forth before thée continually O be vnto mee that liuely light that may lighten my sad and pensiue Soule Send that Comforter vnto me whom thou hast promised to send that hee may teach mee what to doe in this my miserie Thou hast threatned to increase the sorrowes of such as seeke vnto other gods why then should they continue still miserable and heauy and grieued that seeke thee onely and onely beleeue in thee how shall they be still ignorant that aske counsell and wisedome of thee who hast created all in the beginning and doest preserue all and maintaine all for euer being God onely powerfull prouident and louing To thée I only come on thee I onely call thee I onely seeke with thee is mercy and with thee is right Redemption and thou deliuerest all that trust in thee as a most sure Sauiour and mighty Protector And thy Word expresseth the liuely force of thy loue and power wherein thou keepest them that are thine as the apple of thine est and couerest them with the wings of thy sauour from the mercilesse and cruell men O be therefore my Rocke whereon I may safely rest be thou my strong Castle wherein I may be freed from the dangers prepared against mee for thou hast promised that all such as hope in thee shall be as Mount Sion that shall neuer be moued Breake thou my fetters Lord wherewith I am tyed and remoue my sorrowes wherewith I am brought euen to the doore of death that I walking in the liberty of a free spirit may grieue no more at my crosses but glorifie thee with a song of ioyfull deliuerance Let not sinne preuaile against mee any more which as a Lyon teareth in peeces the assurance of my soule Beare me vpon thy sauing wings through the miseries of this life and let not the Mire and Clay wherein I sticke fast detaine mee euer let not the Water-flouds which roare fearefully and fiercely swell against me vtterly swallow mevp But rather diuide and put backe the mercilesse Waues that so dangerously rage on all sides against me that I may passe on and finish this my mortal course as one that liueth and hath his being of thy meere loue and not as one that languisheth in thy displeasure O Lord increase my Faith The Motiue to the third Prayer VVHerein the poore Man disclaymeth his owne worthinesse and appealeth to the mercies of God yet grieued vnder the burthen of his miseries he instantly prayeth vnto God that he will not correct him ouer-sharpely lest he faint For by reason of his grieuous crosses not withstanding his continuall prayers he feareth as it were lest hee pray in vaine and be driuen to thinke that either God heareth him not or regardeth not his Petitions and therefore beseeching God to come now at the length either with deliuery or to giue him such inward spirituall strength as hee may constantly indure vnto the end For hee hauing tryed the helpe of mortall men findeth it to tend onely to words and not to relieuing workes assuring himselfe that God is not as Man that promiseth and performeth not but is absolute to worke by meanes against meanes and without meanes euen what hee will for his setting before the eye of his hope Gods former fauours and fatherly assistance shewed vnto our faithfull Fathers of old by whose example hee seemeth to challenge at the hands of God the like louing kindnesse and that God will not suffer him vtterly to perish putting his trust in him although the World gaze on him and deride him as if he were a Monster and no man expostulating as it were with God that forasmuch as hee was cast vpon him as soone as hee was borne he onely depending on his mercies he cannot leaue him in the deepe but rather for his owne glories sake lift him out of his calamities lest the Righteous faint also to see him still visited notwithstanding his continuall Prayers and that the wicked should thereby gather that there is not a God that regardeth the causes of poore Men. The third Prayer wherein he flyeth and wholly relyeth vpon God and trusteth not in the helpe nor
is blessed for euer Heathen men are thankfull vnto their false gods for the supposed good turnes they doe receiue of them and in recompence they do not onely giue verball thanks but will offer vnto them euen their dearest Children in Sacrifice to shew their thankfulnesse And yet such as receiue euery day new blessings of the true God yea although their plenty and health neuer so much increase and continue they will not offer vnto him the least part of their superfiuous store in giuing it to the Poore in whom euen Christ himselfe maketh Petition for a cup of cold water as it were and yet can hardly obtaine it at their hands that will not sticke to affirme they are most thankefull to God But know that God will not be serued as Men are Masters can no further iudge of their Seruants and their seruice then they sée the idlenesse and loytering of their Seruants they may in presence obserue but the hidden and concealed falshoods they cannot discerne and if it be discouered it is but by doubtfull meanes as by coniecture or report but our great and all-knowing Master hath neuer his eye from our work nay he séeth and knoweth our wils the secret idlenesse or vanity of the heart howsoeuer the hands or lips may seeme to labour in the praise of God before men he can finde out our counterfait holinesse and dissembling thankes It is no boote to tell men We be thankfull to God though men cannot reproue vs nor distinguish betwéene our dissimulation and true thankfulnesse Who would or could haue condemned Ananias and Saphira that voluntarily gaue the most part of their goods to the vse of Gods people yet the holy Ghost finding their hypocrisie gaue them the reward of death for that which they concealed from men Man could not haue found out the bribery of Gehezi nor the hypocrisie of Iudas It is a dangerous thing to dally with holy things much more to dissemble with him that is most holy Ingratitude is a contemptible vice yet not so odious as is hypocriticall vnthankefulnesse for by the one man findeth apparantly who are thought vnworthy of a second good turne but by the other man is drawne to doe a fauour vnto the vndeseruing that by dissembling insinuation and counterfait thankes for a former obtaines a second kindenesse when in truth hée is méerely vnthankefull for both but God is not thus ouer-taken he cannot deceine by dissembling gifts nor be deluded by counterfeit thankes And yet God oftentimes giueth new gifts as health wealth honor office fauour of friends a good wife and dutifull children and many such like earthly blessings to the most vnthankefull by which the mindes of carnall men are so much the more besotted in obseruing that all things succéede so well they thinke God is well pleased with them flattering themselues that they stand much in Gods fauour because their occasions succéede better then other mens perswading themselues that to kéepe a formall morall course of life among men and to make a superficiall shew of thankfulnesse vnto God and at their death to allot some matter of forced beneuolence to the World as the building of an Almes-house Hospitall Colledge or such like is so high a recompence to God for the loane of his benefits as he resteth rather in such a benefactors debt for this good déede then such a vaine-glorious giuer indebted to God for his long vsing and abusing of his blessings By which I condemne not such workes tending to charitable vses as are done in due time and by men first séeking to be themselues in the true fauour of God before they so séeke the glory and commendation of the world for I presume to say that the bestowing of mens goods while they are their owne by their owne hands in secret to the needy members of Christ is more acceptable to God then the former though commendable intendments after their deaths while we liue wée know what is for the time in our disposition but after death wée cannot take knowledge what course will be taken with that we intend to best actions neither doth the giuing after death testifie a mans assurance of Gods prouidence as doth the liberall giuing in time of life for who so kéepes his treasure till hée dye hee leaueth it perforce and against his will which no man can deny and though he grieue to forgoe he cannot feare to want them but hee that giueth in his life time giueth in assurance that hée that gaue it him and made the promise of rewarding the Giuers to the poore dependeth so surely thereupon as hée shall neuer want what may be sufficient which indéede is a worthy testimony of truest thankefulnesse to God for the things he enioyeth in this life Preparatiues to thankfulnesse SAluation belongeth vnto the Lord and his blessing is vpon all that are his Psal. 3. 8. The Lord hath heard my petition the Lord doth receiue my Prayer Psal. 6. 10. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart I will be glad and reioyce in thee Oh thou most High Psal. 9. 1. Lord thou hast heard the desire of the poore thou preparest their heart thou bendest thine eare vnto them Psal. 10. 17. In my trouble did I call vpon the Lord and cryed vnto my God hee heard my voyce out of his Temple my cry came before him and he helped me Psal. 18. 6. I sought the Lord and he heard me yea hee deliuered me out of all my feare Psal. 24. 7. Taste ye and see how gracious the Lord is blessed is the man that trusteth in him Psal. 34. 8. Let the Lordline and blessed be my strength and the God of my saluation be exalted Psal. 18. 46. Thou art my Lord my well doing extendeth not to thee but to the Saints that are in the earth Psalme 26. 2. 3. THough men by their best gifts cannot enrich God yet they must bestow Gods gifts to the vse of his children and that is the best recompence they can make vnto him for all his earthly blessings and to be obedient vnto him according to his will reuealed in his Word is the Sacrifice wherewith hee is pleased for all his benefits spirituall and corporall which who so neglecteth is meerely vnthankfull what shewes so euer he maketh of outward Thankesgiuing Therefore euery faithfull receiuer of any his blessings will fall downe before his Maiesty in this or the like manner of hearty thankfulnes to manifest with his words the inward willingnesse of the heart A generall thankesgiuing vnto God for all his benefits spirituall and corporall ETernall God and euerliuing and most louing Father I the poorest and most vnworthy of all thy creatures doe bowe and prostrate the knées of a truely thankefull heart vnto thy maiesty yéelding vnto thée all humble vnfained and possible thankes for all thy fatherly fauours both diuine and corporaâ—l aboue all Oh Father I thanke thée for that thou diddest elect and chuse me to saluation before all
the Lord will not regard it O Lord thou séest and beholdest thou findest out and considerest all mens wayes mischiefe and wrong equity and iustice are before thée and thou takest the causes of men into thy hands and thou giuest iust iudgement because thou onely knowest the truth of euery mans cause The poore commit themselues to this God that knoweth them to this God that séeth them and to this God that pittieth them and prouideth for them The Lord looketh downe from heauen vpon all men such is the force of his knowledge that hée knoweth in man more then the heart of man it selfe for he fashioneth the heart and vnderstandeth all my thoughts long before they be conceiued within me And therefore my soule prepare thée to patience addresse thée to praise God and continue in prayer be not idle to meditate good things that the Lords goodnes may be thy goodnesse that his loue may be thy life and his prouidence thy protection for as hée knoweth thy going and marketh well thy wandring when thy féele follow value things and fatherly correcteth thée for them so doth hée behold thy teares and heareth thy groanes which thou makest for sinne committed against him and healeth thée and comforteth thée Yet all things are so hidden in the treasure-house of his prouidence that the naturall man séeth not the meanes how to be cured when hée is sicke how to be raised againe being brought low how to be defended hauing many mighty enemies But the Spirit of God discerneth and as he is God knowing all things done so he is a God fore-séeing al things to be done hereafter And hée séeing mée in my mothers wombe before I was any thing or dained for me then what I receiue now therefore my hope must not faile but take hold of his ancient loue wherein hée first created me to liue in him and by him and therfore Oh that I might be able truely to serue him that hée might louingly relieue me still that I might faithfully obey him that hee might fatherly helpe me still He is the good shepheard Oh that I were a good shéepe of his pasture hee féedeth and guideth and holdeth vp and comforteth and maintaineth all that are his hée looseth none that are his he confoundeth none that are his neither doth he forsake any of his vnto the end Within his fold is his fauour and in his fauour is life and in that life is liberty and in that liberty is reliefe and in that reliefe true peace and in that peace the assurance of saluation and in that assurance the ioy and comfort of the Spirit whereby euery outward vnsauory thing is made inwardly swéet euery crosse hath his comfort and euery tryall and temptation and sorrow and griefe is turned to the vnspeakable good of the shéepe of his pasture Therefore O my soule sigh no more sorrow no more be no more pensiue at outward pouerty fret no more at the worlds miseries dismay no more for thy many sinnes but striue to stand in the fauour of this God and he will set thée frée and banish thy feare and fill thy Cup and féede thée with the hid treasures of his neuer-failing loue O Lord increase my Faith God knoweth the hearts of all men Acts 1. 24. 15. 8. The foundation of God remaineth sure and hath this seale The Lord knoweth who are his and let euery one that calleth on the Name of the Lord depart from iniquity 2 Tim. 2. vers 19. Thou hast counted my wandrings and put my teares into thy bottle Psal. 56. 8. A Godly Meditation of the Word of God whereby men distressed may be strongly resolued to cast off all feare and to cast all their care on God that careth for them according to his promise in his Word OH what am I that I should conceiue of any happinesse or glory or ioy or comfort to be giuen mee either in this earth below or in the heauens aboue for I am a man of corrupt conuersation my heart is fraught within mée with corruption my soule is defiled and my whole man polluted Is it not therefore my iust portion to haue here misery and calamity and crosses and enemies and euils innumerable to follow me for my sinne and to vexe me for mine iniquities so hath the Lord threatned in his word Most true it is that right it were that I should receiue these vnsauoury things of this life and to be depriued of the Land of them that liue for euer if I should receiue according to my deseruings for death is due for sinne O wretched man that I am who shall deliuer me from this danger of death that shall neuer haue end Surely when I looke into this book of mine owne wayes and workes and wantonnes and wicked life I sée nothing but danger and feare and sorrow and death it selfe written therein how then my poore soule vnhappy soule wretched soule how canst thou escape oh tremble and feare for i◠thou finde not fauour thou are fallen for euer and for euer forlorne Where then wilt thou séeke for succour to whom wilt thou flye for grace to the weake and wicked and wofull World or wanton worldlings No my Soule flye from these feeble friends and looke into and consider and beléeue and imbrace the Word of God taste that Bread of life drinke of that Fountaine that floweth from the liuely Spirit of truth thou shalt liue It is a pure Word and will purifie thée it is a liuely Word and will reuiue thée the Word of truth and will teach thée the Word of comfort and will recomfort thée O my soule what thing is so precious as this Word that bringeth the glad tidings of thy saluation thou deseruing damnation of Life thou deseruing death of Comfort thou deseruing confusion and of mercy endlesse thou deseruing miseries infinite It is a Word full of consolation to such as are sorry for their sinnes and séeke after righteousnesse a Word of terror to the obstinate it is a killing sword vnto the wicked and sauing shield vnto Gods children the sauour of Life vnto life to them that are his and the sauour of Death vnto death to the wicked It is more to be desired then the purest gold or swéetest hony Come vnto me saith this Word and I will refresh you Seeke saith this Word and you shall finde rest for your soules O my Soule here then to thy rest here is thy safety and here is thy saciety and here is thy life and liberty and here shalt thou dwell as vpon the Mountaine of Peace vpon the Rocke of Reliefe and Hill of continuall Helpe This is the Staffe to stay thée by this is the Weapon to defend thee with this is the Way to walke in and this is the Foode to relieue thée withall Oh reioyce therefore in the Lord O my soule because of his Word by which he assureth thée of health if thou be sicke of comfort when thou art sad of defence
which the world cannot giue that both our hearts and workes may answere thy Commandements and that our dayes through thy protection may be alwayes quiet from trouble Speake thou peace vnto all people especially to thy Saints Let thy saluation be nigh them that feare thée that glory may dwell within our Land Let mercy and Truth méete together yea let Justice and Peace imbrace each other Let Truth arise out of the Earth and Righteousnesse looke downe from Heauen Let the Mountaines and the Hils bring Peace to the people and Shéepe of thy Pasture Blesse Lord all Countries Cities Townes and places where thy Word doth abide and is purely preached and increase the number of them in the vniuersall World O Lord send them much peace that delight in thy Law let them be without stones to stumble at and blesse them with prosperity within their places O eternall God which hast called vs in peace grant wée may haue peace with all men and let vs highly account of holinesse without which none can sée the Lord nor haue peace in the Lord. Represse the Diuell the breaker of godly Concord and Christian Peace which 〈◊〉 aging throughout al Nations soweth euery where the séede of strife and discord as the Séeds-man of falshood and lâ—es O God of Peace which makest an end of Warre throughout the World protect vs from War and slaughter scatter the Kingdomes that delight in Warre breake and hinder all euill Counsels and the purpose of such as minde after nothing else but the shedding of innocent bloud Let them come to shame and perish through their owne imaginations that practise euill against thy Church Giue all men a desire of peace contented mindes in their vocation and a care to aduance the welfare of that place where they inhabite Where Strife Contention and Discord is amongst men reconcile their hearts and mindes that these flames fires may speedily be put out for thou canst conclude a Truce for vs and all Men and make the Wolfe to dwell with the Lambe and the Leopard to lye downe with the Kid. Make our Tabernacles safe and quiet that about them there may be arich tranquillity which may abound like the Streame running ouer his Bankes and our righteousnesse as the Waues of the Sea which is neuer dry In thee shall wee haue our wished peace and the worke of righteousnesse shall be peace and her fruit rest and quietnesse for euer and thy people shall dwell in the Innes of peace and in sure dwellings and in safe places of comfort Heare vs O Lord of peace and grant that thy peace which passeth all vnderstanding may kéepe our hearts and mindes in the loue of our Lord Jesus Christ who liueth and raigneth with thée in the vnity of the holy Spirit now and for euermore Amen O Lord increase our Faith in Peace A Prayer to be vsed of a Widdow Doth not the teares runne downe the Widdowes checkes and her cry is against them that causeth them for from her cheekes doe they goe into heauen and the Lord which heareth them doth accept them Ecclus. 25. 15. Shee that is a Widdow indeede and left alone trusteth in God and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day But shee that liueth in play is dead while shee liueth 1 Tim. 5. 5 6. O Eternall and most mercifull God which according to thine holy will hast made mée a poore distressed Widdow by taking away my beare and louing husband out of this transitory world vnto thée do I cry in this my misery haue mercy on mée I humbly beséech thée and forgiue all mine offences which I haue committed against thy diuine â—aiesty be fauourable vnto mée O Lord and take pitty on mée for I am alone and comfortlesse Behold mine affliction and misery relieue my wants as thou didst relieue that Widdow of Sarepta whom thou diddest most miraculously preserue by the Prophet Elias take the like compassion on mée assist mée behold my necessity and deliuer mée out of all troubles Grant likewise that I may finde fauour in the sight of all Gouernours and Magistrates that I be not iniured contrary to equity In like manner let mée finde amongst men Christian consideration and commiseration of my present â—state and succour with godly counsell protect mée from false tongues which are like rasors cutting deceitfully and as the sharpe arrowes of a mighty man Kéepe mée O Lord from slander and from the tongues of wicked men which with poysoned words haue bent themselues to cast downe the poore and néedy and to destroy such as are of vpright conuersation I humbly betéech thée O Lord to giue mée grace to liue in this mine estate of widowhood chastly and godly shewing my selfe an example of godlinesse to others putting alwayes my hope and affiance in thy mercy let me with all patience and fortitude indure all crosses laid vpon me and continue faithfully in making of supplicatious night and day vnto thée Looke how the eyes of a seruant are vpon her Mistresse so are mine eyes bent vpon thée my Lord vntill thou haue mercy on me Haue mercy therefore O Lord on mée for I am full of infirmity heare me O Father euen for Christs sake thy Sonne and my Sauiour to whom be giuen all praise and honour now and euermore Amen A Prayer for one that prepares himselfe for marriage House and riches are the inheritance of the fathers but a prudent wife commeth of the Lord Pro. 19. 14. Well is hee that dwelleth with a wife of vnderstanding Ecclus. 25. 8. Blessed is he that hath a vertuous wife for the number of his yeares shall be double an honest woman recouereth her husband and she shall fill the yeares of his life with peace A vertuous woman is a good portion which shall be giuen as a gift vnto such as feare and serue the Lord Ecclus. 26. 1. 2. 3. O Heauenly God euerlasting and most powerful Father I do prostrate my selfe before the throne of thy Maiesty humbly thanking thée in that thou hast formed mée in the wombe of my mother and suffered mée to be borne such as I am maintained me likewise from mine infancy to this instant and preserued me from infinite perils for it is through thy goodnesse and fatherly blessing that I haue attained to the yéeres I am now in and in that time thou hast taught mee by thy holy word to know Jesus Christ thy beloued Sonne the onely ioy and comfort that a Christian can haue because in the true knowledge of him consisteth eternall life and therefore I cannot sufficiently yéelde thée praise for the infinite and innumerable benefits thou hast bestowed on me Neuerthelesse because thou hast commanded vs to call vpon thée in all our necessities and most louingly hast promised to heare vs let it now please thée graciously to helpe me For I haue found and proued that in regard of mine owne natures corruption I cannot continue chaste and blamelesse except I vse the meanes which thou