and clappe your hands all people for God is gratious and fauourable Euermore shall his praise bée in my mouth I will talke of his goodnesse euen among mine enemies yea without ceasing I will extoll and prayse his name Amen The holy Ghost doth sanctifie Such as in faith doth fructifie The wicked stil wax worse wors And run into Gods heauy curse WOrship and honour bee giuen vnto God the holy Ghost by whom we are sancctified vnto life euerlasting Infinite is thy working in holinesse he doth renew the flintie heart maketh it relent at Gods iudgementes Least Satan should triumph ouer vs therefore hath he vouchsafed to clense and purifie our spirit Let vs therefore ascribe vnto him all honour for through sanctification wee are made heires of saluatiō Iniquitie defiled our soules but through fayth increasing in vs we felt an inward reformation And hauing our eyes opened we saw our filthinesse and by the gift of grace became new creatures Many were the enormities which reigned in vs but the holy Ghost purged vs of all and set vs free Long wandred we in by-wayes of wickednesse but are now restored againe vnto righteousnesse As for the vngodly they haue no part of this sanctifying Spirite but dayly waxe worse and worse Much like vnto such as GOD hath cursed in his wrath and denounced sentence of death against thē Be glad O yee iust for you are they whom God loueth in whom he magnifieth his owne name Excellent wonderfull in working is God the holie Ghost who with the Father and the Sonne be praysed and magnified for euer Amen It is not wealth to haue at will That can vs keepe and saue from ill Gods grace it is which worketh that Let vs reioyce therefore thereat WHat is the Wealth of this world but Winde and what Riches but the shadow of Smoke In Wealth to trust is to trust to a broken réede and in Riches to boast is to boast in a thing of naught Lay wealth to the grace of God and what is it Euen filthy Dunge and a worse thing Lay Riches to Gods Grace and what are they Euen painted shewes of transitory vanities In Wealth therefore glory not for there is in it no power to preserue from the euill day And of Riches brag not for in them is no hope of health in the dangerous time of trouble Make the grace of God the perfect ioy of thy heart and trust thereunto as vnto a Brazen wall Looke for safetie from thence in the perilous season for the grace of God is a strong refuge Arme thy soule therewith as with Iron-plate Armour so shall the assaultes of thy aduersaries doe thee no harme Make thy moue vnto the Almightie in the time of tribulation he shall furnish thee with his grace Be thankfull vnto him when thou hast receiued it and shew not thy selfe in any case vnkind Euery day prayse him for his goodnesse and extol his greatnesse among the multitude for he is good and gratious to his chosen O magnifie and prayse him all people Amen To loue to liue in peace and ease The Lord of life doth much displease Let such as lacke and comfort craue Thy helping hand in hazard haue WHen God hath blessed thée with abundaunce of Benefites so vse them as God may be well pleased In peace pamper not thy selfe for that is the way to minister cause of courage and loftinesse to the flesh Looke vnto the Lord who hath giuen thee these good giftes and become not slouthfull with ease Life commeth from the Lord and whatsoeuer belongeth therevnto it proceedeth from his goodnes In prosperitie be mindfull of aduersitie and let not the plentie of thy peace make thee proud A Father of the fatherles shew thy selfe in necessity shut not vp the sluces of mercy against the poore Make not thy Mony thy God and hoord it not vp for thine owne profit onely not regarding others need Let not the poore lie comfortlesse let not them starue and perish whom it is in thee to helpe Apply thy selfe to works of mercy and stretch out thy hand to them that are needy and succourlesse Mooue not God who gaue thee these giftes to wrath least in his anger he turne all to thy shame Beware therefore and let Wisedome rule thee in thy wayes so shalt thou not offend or doe amisse Extoll thy Creator and say that he is gracious mercifull a louing God and a most bountifull Father vnto his Children Amen Looke ere thou leape and vse thine eyes Else shalt thou shew thy selfe vnwise The simple sort with councell ayde Thus ought thy talent out be layde WIsedome is the blessing of God and it is much more excellent then Gold Siluer or precious Stones In time of necessitie it is a present remedie and a sufficient refuge in perill and ieobadie Little auayleth worldly policie where this Wisedome wanteth O happie is he whom God hath armed therewith Leaue riches forsake honor set pleasure at naught to come to the enioying of this preacious treasure Immortalitie followeth this wisdome and such as haue it are sure to grow in estimation and fame Aske it of him who is the Well of Wisedome from whom it commeth euen the Lord God Almighty Make not thy boast thereof neither apply it to thy priuate profite but extend the same to the succour of the simple Learne this lesson That it is but lent vnto thee of the Lord thou art the Steward therof but for a time Abuse it not lest it turne to thine owne cōfusion for as it is the gift of God so will be he honored therein Make it not an instrumēt of follie least God ouerthrow thée in the vanitie of thine owne mind Be a counseller to the vnlearned and teach the ideot vnderstanding so shalt thou glorifie GOD in thy wisedome Enterprise nothing vnaduisedly in all thy beginnings procéedings and endings remember God Amen If thou be poore hold thee content It is a crosse which God hath sent Remember Iob a man most iust From stately seat cast downe to dust WIth thine estate not to be contented it is to repine and murmure at the appoyntment and ordinance of God In pouertie be not desperate but fixe all thy hope vpon the rocke of Gods prouidence for he is faithfull Lament thy sin and bée sorry for the same consider also with thy selfe that pouertie is Gods chastisement Let not pouerty therfore so pull thee downe that thou shouldest thereupon mistrust the Lord God to be mercifull It is a crosse layd vpon thee in this life to keepe thee in subiection and to make thee know thine owne estate A happy child art thou that canst reforme thy selfe and amend that which is amisse in thee by his fatherly correction Marke the example of Iob a man so iust so faithfull so righteous that the Diuell of Hell could not preuaile against him Look vpon him how he was tormented how hee was brought low being sometimes placed in exceeding
great prosperity All the blessings of God belonging to this life hee had them in abundāce yet all turned into neede and beggerie Miserable was his estate yea most vile and filthy in the face of the world yet God cast vpon him a carefull eye Bee mindfull of these things for profite insueth therevpon and in thy pouerty arso learne to be patient and méeke End not thy dayes in despaire as the wicked doe seeke not by vnpatience violence to preuent Gods appoynment tarrie the time which thy Creatour hath ordeyned it is thine mine and all our duties to yeeld our willes to Gods will waite his leasure therefore whose name be praysed for euermore Amen Loue euery man owe no man grudge God sits aboue as soueraigne Iudge He seeth all thinges aboue below And euery where an eye doth throw WRath is the way to vengeance a foule and diuelish vice disallowed of God and horrible among men It is a Fire which consumeth a Canker which eateth a Mouth which fretteth the marke whereat it shooteth is Mischiefe Let not thy heart lie open therevnto least the Diuell thereby getting entraunce possesse thée and carry thée headlong into confusion Lay apart all occasions of grudge hate no man loue al men knowing this That Loue is the fulfilling of Gods law Iudge ill of none thinke well of all for God reserueth iudgement and vengeance vnto himselfe Against thine enemies vse not violence but rather in charity as thou art commaunded vse forbearance Make the best of that which is amisse for therein thou shalt shew thy selfe méeke howbeit winke not at wickednesse Looke vp vnto Heauen and thinke vpon him that sits aboue séeing and marking the thoughts déeds of all men All thinges are manifest vnto him yea whatsoeuer we doe in corners he séeth as plainly as at noone day Mocke not thy selfe therfore with thine owne imaginations neither be thou seduced in the vanitie of thine owne fantasies· Be not forgetfull of him who vttered this voyce Heauen is my seate and the Earth my footstole Euerlasting prayse be ascribed vnto his name glorie maiestie and power belongeth vnto him for euermore Amen In that we haue the world at will And take delight to follow ill Neglecting God in holy word Against our soules we whet a sword WHat doth it profit a man to be Lord ouer the whole World and yet to be the seruant and slaue of sinne It is euen as if we should mingle poyson with swéet dainties in tasting them to swellowe downe our owne death Let not thy minde therefore be drowned in the vaine delights of this world but vse them as they are made euen with modestie Lay not inwait for them to enioy them with excesse least they turne thée to destruction vtter vndoing In the Rich man view a patterne of wantonesse who forgetting mercie felt the heate of Gods heauie iudgement Amidest the scorching flames he lay crying without comfort because he abused the benefits of Gods creation Making them instrumentes to serue his beastly appetites neglecting in the meane time all deedes of Christian charitie Let not vs be so rauished with worldly pleasures that we forgetting GOD should disherite our selues of th'heauenly inheritance As the rich man did who in the midst of his banquetting viandes and pleasant melodie despised the poore Most mortall enemies to our selues are we in so doing and stopping our eares at the word of God wee weaue our owne woe Because the word of life through our default is made vnto vs the sword of death which doth strike downe to hell Eternall God and most mercifull Father illuminate our vnderstandinges inspire vs with heauenly knowledge lighten our wittes and giue vs grace to be spiritually minded that we may vse thy giftes blessinges and benefites to the glory of thy name Amen A day there is when all shall rise Out of their Graues in wonderous wise The elect of God long for that day Come come O Christ come soone we say WRetched were wee if there were not an other World besides this wicked World transitorie and corruptible In a miserable case were we if the children of God whom we hope our selues to be wayted in vaine for another world Lamentable were our lot yea accursed our condition if our happinesse were not the life to come Looke we in wast for the comming of our Christ No no he will come at the sound of the last Trumpe from Heauen In maiestie will he come to iudge the whole world and to giue generall sentence against the wicked and vnrighteous All shall rise out of their graues and shall see him with their bodily eyes the iust to their ioy the vngodly to their paine Many legions of Angels shall attent vpon him and shall shew the brightenesse of his glory maiestie and celestiall power Lord Iesus thy chosen children long to see that day yea they labour and are in trauel vntill that day of comfort come Abridge shorten these troublesome times wherein thy children are set at naught and hasten the day of their resurrection Make speed sweet Iesus come quicklie that the kingdome of Satan may be ouerthrowne and the powers infernall suppresed Be mindefull of thy faithfull flocke which wander vp and downe in this wildernesse like Lambes among venomous wolues Ende the daies of this our mortalitie and let vs heare that sweete voyce Come yee blessed possesse the Kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the world Amen Amen The Seauen Petitions of the Lords Prayer with a briefe exposition thereof drawne out of holy Scripture Our Father which art in Heauen DOubtlesse thou art our Father Although Abraham bee ignorant of vs or would refuse vs to bee his children and Israell know vs not yet thou O Lord art our Father and our Redéemer thy name is for euer Esay 63.16 There is one Lord one Faith one Baptisme one God Father of all which is aboue all in power through all by his prouidence in vs all by his grace Ephes. 4.5.6 The Lord is in his holie palace the Lords throne is in the heauen his eies will consider the poore and his eie-lids will trie the children of men Psal. 11.4 The heaurn is my throne and the earth is my footstoole such is the greatnesse of Gods Maiestie Esaie 66.1 But our conuersation is in Heauen in minde and affection from whence also we looke for the Sauiour euen the Lord Iesus Christ. Philip. 3.22 1. Halowed be thy name OVr help is in the name of the Lord which hath made Heauen and Earth Psal. 124.8 The Lords name be praised from the rising of the Sunn to the going downe of the same Psal. 113.3 Kinges of the earth and all people Princes and all Iudges of the World Young men and Maydes also Old men and Children let them prayse the name of the Lord for his name only is to be exalted and his prayse aboue the earth the heauens Psal. 148.11.12.13 2. Thy Kingdome come THe kingdome
the naming of the holy one for thou shalt not be vnpunished for such things For as a seruant which is oft punished cannot be without some scarre so he that sweareth and nameth God continually shall not be faultlesse c. Read the Chapter it is notable Eccles. 23.9.10.11 4 Remember that thou keepe holy the Sabbath day Sixe dayes shalt thou labour and doe all that thou hast to doe but the seuenth day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God In it thou shalt do no manner of worke thou and thy sonne and thy daughter the man-seruant thy mayd-seruant thy cattell and the stranger that is within thy gates For in sixe dayes the Lord made Heauen and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the seuenth day wherefore the Lord blessed the seuenth day and hallowed it IT is lawfull to doe wel or doe a good deed on the Sbbath day Matth. 12 12. The Sabbath was made for Man and not Man for the Sabbath wherefore the Sonne of man is Lord euen of the Sabbath Mar. 2.27.28 If thou turne away thy foote from the Sabbath If thou refraine thy selfe from thy wicked works from doing thy will on my Holy day and call the Sabbath a delight to consecrat it as glorious to the Lord and shalt honour him not doing thine owne wayes nor séeking thine own wil nor speaking a vaine word then shalt thou delight in the Lord and I will cause thee to mount vpon the high places of the earth I will aduance thee make thee honourable and féed thée with the heritage of Iacob thy Father and blesse thee with plentie of all things to thy full contentation for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Esai 58.13.14 Keepe the Sabbath day to sanctifie it as the Lord thy God hath commaunded Since God permitteth sixe dayes to our labours we ought willingly to dedicate the seauenth to serue him wholly The keeping of the Sabbath consisteth not in our selues but it commeth from aboue euen from God the authour of the Sabbath Deut. 5.12 The second Table 5. Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy dayes may be long in the lād which the Lord thy God giueth thee HOnour thy Father and Mother And He that cursoth Father or Mother let him die without any hope of pardon Mat. 15 4. Mark 7.10 Honour thy Father and Mother which is the first Commaundement with promise that it may be well with thée that thou mayst liue long on earth The Promise is conditionall for if we neglect the dutie to vs enioyned we make the Promise voyde and of none effect Ephes. 6.23 The Lord will haue the Father honoured of the Children for hee hath so commaunded and hath confirmed the authority of the Mother ouer the Children Who so honoureth his Father his sinnes shal be forgiuen him and he shall abstaine from them and shall haue his dayly desires God will be so gracious vnto him and so guide him that he shall not doe amisse And he that honoureth his Mother is like one that gathereth treasure Eccle. 3.2.34 6. Thou shalt doe no murder YEe haue heard that it was said to them of old time Thou shalt not kill for whosoeuer killeth shall be culpaple of Iudgment or subiect to punishmēt but I say vnto you Whosoeuer is angry with his brother vnaduisedly shall be culpable of Iudgement for God knowing his secreat malice will punish him And whosoeuer saith vnto his brother Raca Idle braine a biword spoken in contempt and despight shall be worthy to by punished by the Coūcell by Iudges thereto appoynted And whosoeuer shall say Foole shall be worthy to be punished with hell fire Matth. 5 21.22 Loue your enemies blesse them that curse you doe good to them that hate you and pray for them which hurt you and persecute you and vnto him that smiteth thee on the one cheeke offer also the other Rather endure more iniurie then reuenge your selues Luk. 7.27.28.29 7. Thou shalt not commit Adulterie YEe haue heard that it was sayd to them of old time Thou shalt not commit Adulterie But I say vnto you that whosoeuer looketh on a Woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart Chastitie is required both in bodie and minde Math. 5.27.28 Flee Fornication Euery sinne that a man doth is without the body but he that committeth Fornication sinneth against his owne body He more polluteth defileth his owne body then he that committeth any other sinne 1. Cor. 6.18 Know ye not that your bodyes are the members of Christ shall I then take the members of Christ and make them the members of an Harlot God forbid 1. Cor. 6.15 Mariage is honourable and a remedie ordeined of God against incontinencie among all and the bed vndefiled but Whoremongers and Adulterers God will iudge Heb. 13.4 8. Thou shalt not Steale THou knowest the Commaundements Thou shalt not steale Mat. 10.19 Why rather suffer yée not wrong Nay ye your selues doe wrong and that to your bretheren hatred grudges wrongfull dealings and desires of reuenge c. are forbidden Know ye not that the vnrighteous shal not inherite the kingdome of God Be not deceiued neither adulrerers nor théeues c. shall inherite the kingdome of God and such were some of you c. 1. Cor. 6 7 8.9.10 Let him that stoale steale no more but let him rather labour and worke with his handes the thing which is good that he may haue to giue vnto him that néedeth Ephes. 4 28. 9. Thou shalt not beare false witnesse against thy neighbour THese sixe things doth the Lord hate yea his soule abhorreth seauen 1. The hauty Eyes 2. a lying Tongue 3. Handes that shed innocent blood 4 an Heart that imagineth wicked enterprises 5. féete that be swift in running to mischiefe that is affections which carry a man away in such sort that hee can not tell what he doth 6. a False witnesse 7. him that rayseth vp Contentions among brethren or neighbours Prou. 6.16.17 Wherefore cast off lying and speake euery man truth vnto his neighbour for we are members one of another Ephes. 4.25 A wicked witnesse mocketh at iudgement and the mouth of the wicked swalloweth vp iniquitie Taketh a pleasure and delighteth therein as gluttons and drunkards in dilicate meates and drinkes Pro. 19.28 A false witnesse shall not be vnpunished and he that speaketh lyes shall perish Prou. 19.9 10. Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house thou shalt not couet thy neighbours wife nor his seruant nor his mayd nor his oxe nor his asse nor any thing that is his WHatsoeuer ye would that men should doe to you euen so doe to them for this is the lawe and the Prophets The whole Law and the Scriptures set foorth and commend charitie vnto vs. Matth. 6.12 Luke 6.31 Tob 4.15 To loue a mans neighbour as himselfe is more than all burnt offeringes and sacrifices Than all the ceremonies of the Lawe wherein Hipocrites put great
THE CONDVIT of Comfort Containing sundrie comfortable Prayers to the strengthening of the faith of a weak Christian. By Abr. Fleming The fifth Jmpression Printed at London by A. M. and are to be sold by Fr. Groue at his shop without Newgate 1624. To the Christian Reader TO auoyd all doubt of deceit Christian Reader which might bee thought to lie lurking vnder this glorious title The Conduit of Comfort we will make an Anatomie of this Encheridion or Manuel opening the very body laying out the bowels thereof before the eyes of thy iudgement Note therefore euery member for thy full satisfaction as followeth The Anatomie of this Manuell The Conduit of Comfort The Contemplation of a Christian. The Lords Prayer expounded by Sentence and Example The Common Creed expounded by Sentence and Example The Ten Commandements expounded by Sentence and Example The Appurtenances to this Conduit The Cesterne is Conscience The Pipe is Peace The Locke is Loue. The Key is Knowledge THE CONDVIT OF COMFORT A Morning Prayer for a Family MOst gratious God and omnipotent Father which dost from the Throne of thy grace behold all the wickednesse of mortall Men pardon wee beseech thee our most lamentable and grieuous sinnes and wash them away by the precious blood of thy most blessed Sonne Christ Iesus who dyed to saue vs sinful men of which sort we are the most miserable and wicked We giue thee most hearty thankes O Lord that thou hast brought vs safe to the beginning of this day and raysed vs from the sinne of Sloth and Ignorance and grant O Lord that wee may so spend this day that it may be most to thy glory the comfort of our owne Soules giue vs grace most heauenly Father that wee may follow our vocations wherevnto thou hast called vs and that we may doe alwayes those things which may bee righteous in thy sight Graunt these our humble petitions most heauenly Father all things necessary for vs for thy deere Sonnes sake Christ Iesus to whom with thee and the blessed Trinity be all Honour and Glory both now and for euer more Amen An Euening Prayer for a Familie OH Euerlasting Lord God and mercifull Father wee thy poore and wretched Creatures from the bottome of our hearts giue thee most humble and hearty thankes that of thy mercy thou hast vouchsafed to nourish vs with thy goodnesse by thy power preserued vs from all dangers and perils that might haue befalne vs this day yea and at all times of our life heeretofore We most humbly beseech thee in the merits of thy Sonn Christ Iesus our blessed Lord and Sauiour not to respect our vnworthynesse but in his graue to bury our misdeeds which we either wittingly or ignorantly haue done Especially those sins which this day we haue commited against thy diuine Maiesty either in thought word or deed O Lord bee mercifull vnto vs and forgiue vs the euill that we haue committed and supply the good which wee haue omitted Lord restore what we haue lost lighten our darknesse and alter the whole course of our mindes that nothing may bee wanting in vs to the setting forth of thy prayse Wée beseech thee O Lord according to thy goodnesse to defend vs this night from all perills and dangers keepe vs from feareful dreames and vaine cogitations preserue our bodies from eternall death and our soules from euerlasting damnation Grant these things O Lord and all other thy graces requisite for vs euen for thy Son Christ Iesus sake In whose name we conclude this our vnworthy prayer in that forme of prayer which hée in his Gospell hath taught vs saying Our Father c. A Prayer for the obtaining of Grace In this wicked world O Christ whiles I liue To gouerne and guide me thy spirit of grace giue WOrship Praise Honour Glory Maiestie be giuen vnto thee O God my Creator to thée O Christ my Redéemer and to thee O holy Ghost my Sanctifier for all the blessings of thy grace most plentifully powred vpon mee for my election my Creation my Redemption my sanctification and for all other thy good giftes and benefites beséeching thée O swéet Sauiour that as by thy bitter death and passion the power of sinne was suppressed the concupiscence of the flesh subdued the wickednes of the world asswaged and the maliciousnesse of Satan quenched so it would please thee to ouer-shadow mee with the Shield of thy fauour that I a painefull pilgrim and weary wanderer in the world may passe my pilgrimage in peace of conscience comforting me with the hope of thy promises which wilt canst refresh the fainting soule and restore it when it is attainted with any dāgerous disease O Christ my Phisician so prepare the thoughts of my heart vnto thee that I may be swallowed vp in the contemplation of Heauen and heauenly ioyes not regarding the vanities of this world which are but baits and snares to intangle vs and to make vs lothsome in thy sight Giue me grace O thou Son of Dauid to liue in the world as ready to leaue the world Let the world continue as thou diddest make it euen a seruant for the maintenance of men and not a soueraign to rule and haue them at commandement And because thy Kingdome O Christ is not of this world giue me I beséech thee such a renewed heart such a sanctified soule such a godly desire and such an earnest endeauour to do thy wil that I contemning this wicked world with all the transitory pleasures of the same may raigne with thee in thy kingdome purchased for the faithful euen by thy precious Blood Death Passion Graunt this O Christ my Mediator at the appointed time of thy good will and pleasure Amen A Prayer for thankefulnesse to God for his gifts For Wisedome and Wealth with other gifts more Lord giue me the grace To thanke thee therefore IEsus Christ thou which art the Wisedome of thy Father I thy poore creature sometimes a slaue to sinne and a firebrand of Hell but now a child of election and grace as I hope and constantly beleeue giue thee hearty thanks for thy goodnesse diuers and sundry wayes testified vnto mée And because it hath pleased thee to be so bountifull as to endue mée with Wisedome whereas thou mightest haue made mée a senselesse and vnreasonable creature beside that blessed me with worldly wealth I beséech thee be so gracious vnto me as to shew me the way how to vse this Wisedome to thy glory and the comfort of other not boasting therein because it is thy free gift nor abusing it because it is thy blessing Also O swéete Sauiour and Sonne of the eternall God because wealth without thée is but wretchednesse riches pouerty and all earthly pleasures but méere miseries I beséech thée to shine into my heart with the bright beames of thy Spirit that I may like a faithfull Steward not only dispose and lay out the talent which thou hast lent me but also
boldnesse vouchsafe to graunt of thy speciall goodnesse Amen A Prayer to leade our life according to the will of God To doe thy will teach me O Lord And let my life thereto accord MOst mighty most iust most mercifull most louing most tender deare Father forsomuch as there is no way to heauen but by doing thy wil we say with humblenes of heart as Iesus â—hrist thy Sonne and my swéete Sauiour hath taught Fiat voluntas tua sicut in Coelo in Terra Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heauen And because it is thy will that we should walk in holines and righteousnes before thée all the dayes of our life we beséech thée to be the Schoolemaster of our Soules and Spirites that thy Wisedome instructing and teaching vs to make a difference betwéene good and bad we may follow the one and forsake the other considering that the doers of thy wil and not the knowers of the same shal be partakers of the promises of life and saluation For thy Sonne Iesus Christes sake my onely Sauiour and Redeemer grant this request O most gracious God both vnto mee and to all thy people Amen A Prayer to fast and abstaine from sinne To fast from Sinne is Christians ioy My heart thereto O Lord employ LOrd God maker of heauen earth Iudge of the quicke and the dead thou that by wisedome séest all things and by thy prouidence orderest all creatures wee beséech thée to cast thine eyes of care and compassion vpon vs miserable sinners who from the day of our birth haue liued in wantonnes and all kind of wickednes therby kindling thy wrath and Iustice against vs to our confusion O let vs yet at length haue our eyes opened and sée the brightnesse of thy glorie which the blindnesse of our minds will not suffer vs to behold Let vs not pamper our selues in securitie lyuing out of rule and abandoning all godlinesse which is a kinde of surfetting in iniquity and ouercharging our hearts with heapes of abominations but let vs become new Schollers in the Schoole of Christianitie walking warily redeeming the time louing light and detesting darknesse O Lord vouchsafe to be mindfull of vs thy creatures and of thine owne glory which art our Creator Teach vs to fast aright not superstitiously in abstaining from this or that kind of meate vsing a vaine order in dyet and differences of meates but as thine holy ones haue in times past fasted the true Fast which thou in thy Word requirest so grant I beséech thee that I and all people may fast after the same fashion to fast from sin wickednes that the flesh may bee brought into subiection and the spirit quickened Graunt this O Lord for thy Sons sake Iesus Christ my Redéemer and Sauiour Amen A Praier for grace to forsake euill and to follow that which is good From Heauen O God send vs thy grace Ill to forsake and good t' imbrace ALmightie God I beseech thee to giue mee true vnderstanding knowledge not onely to confesse thée a most mercifull Father but also an vpright Iudge fauouring thy children which liue within the compasse of thy Commandements and punishing offendours which run headlong into all mischiefe not once looking backe to the written Tables of the law And because it standeth not with the frailtie of man to fulfill the summe of the law vpon the breach whereof condemnation doth insue we beseech thée to inrich our harts with the treasure of thy Grace that we waxing wealthy therewith may be able to withstand all the assaults of Satan our subtile aduersarie Moreouer good GOD forsomuch as this Grace of thine is the badge of thy fatherly affection and guydeth the thoughts the words the déedes of euery Christian wée besech thée to shield vs with the same that wée may follow and stand stedfastly in that which is acceptable in thy sight renouncing the Deuill and his workes of darknesse and betaking our selues body and soule to the healthfull guiding of thy grace Amen A Prayer for the assistance of the Holy Ghost Th' assistance of the Holy Ghost Sweete Iesus spread in euery Coast. MOst comfortable Sauiour most victorious Captaine most triumphant Redéemer most mercifull Mediatour Iesus Christ thou beloued Sonne of the eternall God spread abroad the brightnesse of thy Maiestie to the consolation of all people And forsomuch as without thée the whole world is nothing else but a solitarie Wildernesse destitute of faith hope charitie loue gentlenes compassion forbearance and all other workes of Christianitie we beséech thée to be a gracious God as thou art an omnipotent God that where thy power is séene thy mercie may likewise be perceiued Let not thy creatures continue in ignorance of thée their Sauiour but so assist them with the present aide of thy comforting Spirit and the holy Ghost that they may sée in what by-wayes of destruction dangers they trauerse Let thy holy Ghost be their lodesman let the holy Ghost be their teacher let the holy Ghost be their right hand and their left let the holy Ghost be to them all in all that they being thus inspired filled with the power of thy sanctifying Spirit may feele in themselues a spiritual inclination working all desires of the flesh being cut off cast away and may also be receiued into thy shéepfold be reckoned among the number of the faithfull Graunt this O Christ thou tender Sauiour of our soules Amen A Prayer against Wrath and Malice From hatefull heart and fraught with ire Saue vs O Lord wee thee desire BOuntifull God which hast giuen vs commandement to loue all men and to hate none to be angry but not to sinne to be displeased a little but not to let the Sunne set vpon our wrath wée beséech thée to purge our heartes cleane from all hatred from all enuie from all malice from al vncharitablenesse from all vntowardnesse from all bitternesse from all quarrelling from all misreporting from all backbyting from all reuengement seeking sinally from al the motions of a wicked spirit Let loue banish hate let friendlines displace vnkindnes let charitie remooue ouerthwartnes let forbearance dispossesse maliciousnes al which are most shamefull sinnes and so hatefull in thy sight O God that he is no Christian but an Antichristian no child of blisse but of Baall no heire of Heauen but of Hell no vessell of election but of reprobation no partaker of ioy but of woe no souldier of the Church but of the Synagogue in whom they beare rule And therefore most gracious God root out of our hearts all such wéedes of wickednesse that we may become new griftes of righteousnesse through Iesus Christ our Sauiour Amen A Praier for obedience to the keeping of Gods Commandements To liue within the rule of Law keepe vs O Lord in feare awe EVerlasting God whose name is so glorious that it passeth the capacitie of man to giue it due aduancement we beséech thée of thine
most mercifull Father for thy Sonnes sake our onely Mediatour and Aduocate Amen A Prayer for a patient Minde in trouble In trouble Lord to thee we call A patient Spirit to giue vs all IN all afflictions and tribulations O GOD Father of all mercy and consolation wée beséech thee to looke vpon vs. in the bowels of compassiō to mittigate and asswage our miseries And as it hath pleased thée of thy fatherly pitty to call vs to thée the running Riuer of all refection and comfort so we beséech thée euen then specially to heare our cryes lamentations when we lie groning vnder the heauie burthen of affliction and trouble Thou hast commanded vs to make our meane vnto thée saying Call vpon me in the time of thy trouble and I will heare thee O bountifull and gracious God doe therefore with thy seruāts according to thy word and as thou art faithfull in thy promises so I humbly beséech thée that I among the rest of thy people may féele and tast the swéetnes of thy fauour and grace which is the most soueraigne succour that can be in al necessities and distresses To thee therefore which art the rich treasure of all goodnes the healthfull welspring of all perfect peace we approch submitting our selues before thy face and crauing at thy handes the spirit of patience wherwith as with an vnpeaceable target being defended we may constantly abide and weare out any kind of crosse and tribulation wayting the good time of thy pleasure for our deliuerance Amen A Prayer in time of Prosperitie or Aduersitie If Poore or Rich O Lord we bee Teach vs to know all comes from thee ALmightie GOD Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which madest Heauen and earth the sea all the wonders of the Déepe wée confesse that thou art the author of al things and that vpon thee the whole estate of man doth depend humbly beséeching thée of thy goodnes to guide vs so farre with thy grace that if we sée our selues blessed with the Wealth of this world which winneth worship and credit among people or oppressed with pouerty which bréedeth contempt and abasement we may notwithstanding neither by the one wax proud or insolent neither yet by the other become mistrustfull or desperate but referring all to thee which distributest thy giftes to thine owne liking vpon the tryall of thy seruants wée may learne this that as thou art able to make the rich poore the poore rich so in thée it is to giue euery man an inward knowledge and assurance of thy will whatsoeuer estate it hath pleased thée to place him or them in the which inward knowledge I beséech thee powre into my spirit that as well in pouerty as in riches I may glorifie thy name vsing my riches as thy blessing in signe of thy careful prouidence and not repining but well contenting my selfe with pouerty as thy chastisement to kéepe me vnder awe and obedience thy will and not my will O Lord be done and fulfilled Amen A praier for patience in time of losse of Goods or Landes The losse of Life of Goods and Lands O gracious God is in thy hands MOst mighty God and merciful father from whō all good things do procéed as tokens of thy kindnesse and all punishments for sinne as signes of thy displeasure which giuest life takest away the same againe at thine appoynted time which inrichest thy seruants with goods of sundry sorts and changest their condition in a moment which blessest thy creatures with Lands and Possessions and turnest all in an instant into extreame need and nakednesse as thou didst deale with Iob. that perfect paterne of patience We beséech thee to inspire vs with an vnderstanding heart that we may so liue as willing to die that we may enioy our goods as not grudging to forgoe them and that wée may hold vs to our Lands as not loth to loose them considering that as they came from thée so in thée it is to dispose them as thou wilt either to blessing or to cursing O gracious God let vs not grow in forgetfulnesse of the life to come by too much louing this present transitorie Life which is but a shadow a smoke and a dreame Let vs not bee drowned in the desires and delights of worldly goods least wee neglect the riches of Paradise which nothing can purchase but Faith in the blood and death of Christ let vs not wed our willes and witts to Landes and Possessions which are but momentany maintenances least in ouerliking them wee loose the sweet inheritance of the holy land Ierusalem not built with hands but glorious and triumphant wherto bring vs O God for his sake that bought vs Iesus Christ the righteous Amen A thankes-giuing for Meat Drinke and Clothing For Meate and Drinke and Cloth to weare Wee praise thy name O God with feare LORD Iesus the Redéemer of all mankind which vouchsafedst to shed thine owne heart Blood vpon the Crosse for the saluation of our soules which else through sinne had miserably perished we praise thée we magnifie thée we worship thée we glorifie thee wee giue thankes to thée for thy great kindnes for thy tender loue for they zealous affection and for thine excéeding goodnesse in caring for vs in louing vs in tendering vs in susteining vs in relieuing vs and in supplying all our wantes and necessities Thou numbrest all the haires of our head and without thy wil they waxe not one lesse Thou giuest vs food nourishment to comfort and strengthen our bodyes Thou giuest vs Garments of sundry wearing both for the safegard of health also for comelines Thou giuest vs Houses to harbour in whatsoeuer wee stande in need of thou of thine abundant grace pourest the same most plentifully into our bosomes Thou féedest the young Sparrowes thou cloathest the Lillies of the field thou garnishest the trées of the Forrest with gréene leaues thou inrichest the secretes of the earth and the sea with precious treasure is it like that thou wilt not haue an eye to man a creature fashiōed after thy owne image and likenesse for whom all these thinges were made and created No no thy loue is euerlasting and thy mercie excéedeth all measure They shall lacke nothing that pitch the pauilion of their pilgrimage vpon thy Prouidence which that wee may euer do and so be blessed with aboundance wee beséech thee giue vs thy Grace so shall we laude and magnifie thee with heart and voyce for euermore Amen A Prayer for ayde and helpe in all extreamities and need Helpe vs O Lord in all our needes And guide our thoughts our wordes and deedes ALl glory honor praise dominion thankes be giuen vnto thée O King euerlasting which hast made me a reasonable creature furnished mee with discretion and iudgement indued me with knowledge and vnderstanding and bestowed vpon me benefits of most singular excellencie Like glory and thankes be giuen vnto thée for thy prouidence and care for
because this world is like a Wildernesse replenished with wild beasts or rather Monsters vices I meane diuelish and damnable as pride adulterie flatterie idolatrie blasphemie disobedience stubbernesse extortion vsuries hipocrisie dissimulation enuie rancour malice murther letcherie surfetting wantonnesse and an infinite number of the like hellish rable whereto we are dayly endangered insomuch that oftentimes we are ready to be deuowred Stretch out O swéete Iesus the arming sword of thy Spirit cut them off by the wast that they may haue no power to assault vs and after this conquest wrought in vs frame vs anew by the word of regeneration that our liues being amended we may like Sheaues of pure Corne be bound vp brought into thy Barne Heare our Prayers O Christ and let our cries come vnto thée for thy name sake Amen A Prayer against vaine delights and worldly pleasures From vaine delights Lord turne mine eyes And saue my soule in losse which lyes LOrd God Creator of all things illuminate my heart with the Lampe of true vnderstanding and knowledge that although mine outward eyes slumber and sléep in the shadow of death yet the eyes of my soule may he kept waking in the way of life Direct me O Lord in thy feare guid me by thy grace turne mine eies from all vaine delights of this world preserue me from al the sweet entismēts of the flattering flesh fortifie strengthen me against all the craftie temptations of Satan And wheras my soule lieth vpō losse is not like but to be lost if if be left vnto it selfe I beseech thee O Father of mercy God of all consolation to take vpon thée the safety of the same that neither Satan my subtile aduersary nor the flesh the alluring harlot nor the world that foule ill fauor'd monster may preuayle against it but by thy power may vtterly be vanquished put to shame confusion Grant this O God for thy sonnes sake Iesus Christ my Sauiour Amen A prayer of a penitent sinner lamenting his former life so ill spent My life misse-led I doe lament And of my sinnes I mee repent LOoke on mée O heauenly Father and gracious God with thy fauourable countenance and in the fulnes of thine euerlasting compassion comfort mée which am swallowed vp with heauinesse And though my Sinnes surmount in thy sight the Sandes of the Seas yet I beséech thee haue an eye to thy Son Iesus Christ whom thou didst send into the world to take vpon his shoulders the whole burden of our sinnes and by his death to make satisfaction vnto thee for the same And albeit O Lord by my deserts I am the child of wrath of death and condemnatiō yet notwithstanding I beseech thée O God giue eare vnto the voyce of my Mediatour Christ Iesus who maketh continuall intercessiō vnto thee not only for mee but also for al such as constantly beleeue in him make him the sure ground work of their saluation Looke not Lord vpon my deformities but vpon his innocencie not vpon mine iniquitie but vpon his righteousnes not vpon the multitude of my misdeedes but vpon the manifoldnesse of thy mercies Remember the bleeding stripes and woundes of thy Sonne my Sauiour in whom alone by the increasing of a liuely iustifying fayth I am a new creature regenerate and made cleane not with Water but by Grace thy Mercie O Father being the fountayne of this Heauenlie benefit O heare the praier of thy poore seruant and for thy Sonnes sake Iesus Christ grant my petition Amen A Prayer of a sorrowfull sinner laying his heart open praying for a firme fayth My heart O Lord wide ope I lay And vnto thee for Faith I pray I Beséech thée O Father of endles mercy to looke vpon me thy poore creature poore indeed and desolate naked and bare of spirituall riches I lay my heart wide open before thee which hath no good thing dwelling in it Lord I beseech thee plough it vp with the Plough of thy Spirit and sow therein the seeds of a true Christian faith such a fayth as may haue attending and wayting vpon it Hope and Charitie as handmaides Also O Lord GOD I humbly beseech thee that as thou hast made me thy Steward and put mee in trust with a Talent of thy blessing namely Riches worldly Wealth transitory Treasures so I may be furnisht with the instrument which is able to informe me how to imploy the same aright euen faith not an idle faith barren and vnfruitfull but a busie fayth flowing full of good workes that thereby I may be as a Citie builded vpon an Hill amiable and beautifull and like a Lanterne of light vnto all men who seeing my good works may glorifie thee O Father to whom all glory belongeth both in Heauen and in Earth Amen A Prayer desiring mercy and forgiuenesse Of thee O Lord Mercy I craue For Iesus sake his life which gaue AS thou art a gracious God O thou Iudg of Israel as thou art faythfull in thy promise and iust in thy word so I beseech thee deale fauourably with me poore sinner who bend the knees of my heart before thee crauing that with teares which if I obtaine not alas what shal become of me but death damnation In thee is my hope in thee my trust in thée my confidence let me not be ashamed let me not be forsaken nor confounded but for thy sonne Iesus Christ his sake who suffered a reprochfull death in the face of his sworne and deadly enemies haue mercy vpon me haue mercy vpon me vpon mee miserable soule on whom vnlesse thou haue mercy Satan with his whole power is ready to ouerrun me In time therefore O Lord helpe me in time assist me in time succour me or else I am a cast-away and the child of reprobation Let thy mercy stand betweene my sinnes and thy iudgement for Iesus sake my sweete Sauiour succour mee miserable sinner who neuer cease crying O Father which art in Heauen O our Father which art in Heauen haue mercy O haue mercy Lord in time Amen A Prayer to be prepared against the houre of death Lord at my death the iewell chiefe Which I desire is true beliefe MOst mightie God and mercifull Father as thou hast created and made me of the mould of the earth and inspired into the grosse lumpe of my body a liuing and quickning soule so O Lord I beseech thee to indue me with such knowledge and vnderstanding yea with such an earnest zeale burning desire of thy heauenly dwelling and immortall mantion that I may loath this life which is but a span long and thirst after death which is the entrance to endlesse ioy and happinesse Also O Lord I most humbly beseech thee when it shall please thee to visit me with sicknesse or otherwise to call me out of this life that I may féele working in my heart an vnfained Fayth and a true Christian Beliefe whereby euen in the nipping agonies and pinching
in heart and mind with the sweetenesse of thy word wherein the comfortable promises of life saluation are conteined that wee may exercise our selues therein day and night that wee may reuerently vse it as the healthfull foode of our soules that we may bring vp our children seruants in the knowledge of the same being fully perswaded that there is nothing in the world comparable thereunto for it exceedeth al treasure whē al things are consumed thy word shall continue in glory brightnesse perfection O Lord heare our praiers and for the honour of thy name heare the suites of thy poore seruants euen for thy beloued Sonne his sake Iesus Christ our Sauiour vnto whom with thee and the holy Ghost one Deitie in Trinitie be all laude honour prayse dominion power glory and maiestie both now and world without end Amen The Contemplation of a Christian. The misery of euery man Through Satans guile by sinne began But Christ vouchsaft mans thrall t' asswage His power supprest old Satans rage WHen Sinne had blemished the happy estate of our first Parents their whole race felt the smart of their punnishment and are at this day subiect vnto miserie Iniquitie made a gappe for many calamities sundry kinds of sicknesses manifold maladies infinite tribulations which we had neuer tasted if our first Parents had not offended Lamentable is our case by theire meanes for the Lord of life hath punished their sins in their posteritie by degrees of generaons throughout many ages Little hope of health is in our selues nay there is in vs no hope of saluation at all for by the subtiltie of Satan sinne got dominion ouer vs by sin death Iustly therefore are we subiect to so many miseries in that we feele the heauy hand of God laying load vpon vs it is for our offences and our disordered life According as our deserts haue beene so GOD hath dealt with vs nay he hath handled vs far better then we deserued who by nature are the children of wrath and confusion Most mercifully hath he looked vpon vs and of his plentifull compassion hee sent his boloued Sonne Christ Iesus into the world that he by his bloodshed might worke our releasement Like reprobates and condemned persons wee had been plunged into the déep pit of hell had not the death of Christ made full satisfaction for vs wrought our Redemption A Lion of the tribe of Iuda a brāch springing from the stocke of Iesse pittying vs poore desolate soules by the vertue of his power suppressed Satans rage Maruelous mightily did he vanquish the Diuel our mortall enemy who intended our destruction and vtter ouerthrow had not he in time brought our deliuerance to passe Be ioyfull therefore all nations and lift vp your heads extoll this Lambe of God whose innocencie tooke away our iniquitie and whose heauinesse was our hapinesse Euerlasting prayse and thankes be ascribed vnto his name by whose death we are receiued to life yea to eternall life O prayse his glorious name for euer Amen Death ouer vs possest such power That meanes he sought vs to deuower But Iesus Christ did set vs free To whom all prayse and thankes giue wee WEe are iustly subiect vnto death for death is the reward of sinne and iniquitie Iniquitie hath changed our order of creatiō which was perfect and Angeilcal Life vnto vs through sinne is turned vnto death and the mercy of God into iudgement Lord haue mercy vpon vs for in vs there is no hope of health for Death hath power ouer vs. Increase of new calamities doe light vpon vs dayly and we see our selues forsaken Among our enemies we walke continually euen in the face of the Flesh the World and the Diuell Miserable were wee if Iesus Christ with the shield of safetie should not ouershadow vs. Little should wee differ from the children of wrath nay our case were as comfortlesse as theirs A most mercifull Sauiour art thou O Christ A most mercifull Redeemer and Aduocate Make vs thankfull vnto thee for thy goodnesse for thou didst set vs free from all misfortune Blessed be thy name and great be thy glory through out all the world for this thy kindnesse Early late thou art to be praysed yea in the assemblies cōgregations of the faythfull righteous thou in thy greatnes O God shalt be gloryfied Amen The World is vaine and all therein Yea man is vile because of sinne Yet Iesus Christ redeemed all To Death and Hell that were in thrall WOe be to this world for it is as vaine as smoke yea it is more vaine then vanitie it selfe In riches there is shame and in pleasure there is punishment because of sinne and iniquitie Like a dreame is the life of man his dayes are but a spanne long and his time tarryeth not Like a Fansie or a May-game which hath but an houres delight recreatiō In the world there is nothing more common then wickednesse in the world there is no goodnesse Al are bent vnto mischiefe and villanie the sonnes of men haue set their heartes vpon euill Mightie men and poore slaues all haue troden the path of sinne and vanitie is in all their wayes Like Sheepe without a Shepheard they are gone astray and had beene lost if Christ had not holpen All were in the mouth of Hell gates and had sunke in their owne shame and destruction Miserably had they perished if that good shepheard of our soules had not taken vpon him our deliuerance Bring Frankinsence vnto his Altas O ye people prayse him who is prayse worthy for his power and magnificence Enter into his Temple and Sanctuary sing songs all with one consent to the honour of his name for all the benefits and goodnesse which hee hath plentifully bestowed vpon vs at all times let al the faithfull answer and say Amen Gods prouidence is wonderfull He shewes himselfe most merciful In all our wayes defending vs And by his grace amending vs. WIthout th' assistance of Gods spirit miserable were the condition of all mankind yea most miserable In sinne we are conceiued in sin we are brought vp and the whole course of our life is full of iniquitie Like a menstruous cloth so is our conuersotion in the sight of God and his holy Angels Like a filthy and loathsome Sinke so is our behauiour before the face of the faithfull Iudgment is more méete for vs then mercy yet it hath pleafed God to deale with vs in mercy And that doth daily experience testifie for we sée manifest proofes of his prouidence Meate and cloathing and whatsoeuer is necessary toward the maintenance of man he hath giuen vs. Like a Father he tendereth vs and esteemeth vs as Children begotten a new by free Grace As a Henue hoouering ouer her Chickens so doth he defend vs in all our wayes day by day Mercie is on his right hand Mercie goeth before him and vpon Mercy is the seate of his Maiestie built Be glad therefore
of God is not meat nor drink but righteousnes peace and ioy in the holy Ghost Rom. 14.17 But rather séeke ye after the kingdome of God all these things which are but accessaries and common as wel to the wicked as the godlie shal be ministred vnto you Luke 12.31 Feare not little flocke for it is your Fathers pleasure to giue you the kingdome which is the chefest thing that can be giuen Luke 12.32 In my Fathers house are manie dwelling places I goe to prepare a place for you So that there is not onely a place for Christ but for all that are his John 14.2 3. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen IN the roll of the booke it is written of me I desired to doe thy good will O my God yea thy law is within my hart Psal 40.7.8 That seruant that knew his Maisters will prepa red not himselfe neither did according to his will shal be beaten with many stripes Luk. 12 47. For this is the will of God euen your sanctification and that ye should abstaine from fornication And dedicate your selues wholy to God that euery one of you should know how to possesse his vessell in holinesse and honour His body that is prophaned by such filthinesse 1. Thes 4.3 4. And fashion not your selues like vnto this world but be ye chāged by the renewing of your mind that ye may prooue what is the good will of GOD and acceptable and perfect Whatsoeuer is not agreeable to Gods will is euill displeasant vnperfect Rom. 12.2 Wherefore be ye not vnwise but vnderstand what the will of the Lord is Ephes. 5.17 4. Giue vs this day our daily bread BEhold the eye of the Lord is vpon them that feare him he worketh that in mercy which man by no meanes can compasse and vpon them that trust in his mercie to deliuer their soule from death and to preserue them in famine Psal. 33 18.19 The eyes of all waight vpon thee and thou giuest them their meate in due season thou openest thine hand and fillest all things liuing with thy good pleasure Gods prouidence stretcheth both to man and beast Psal. 145.15 Man shall not liue by bread only but by euery word that proceedeth out of the mouth of GOD. The order that God hath ordeined to maintaine his creatures by is here ment Deut. 8.3 Matth 4.4 The cheefe thing of life is water bread clothing lodging to couer thy shame Eccles. 29.23 Two things haue I required of thee denie mee them not before I die Remoue far from me vanitie lies giue me not pouerty nor riches feede me with foode conuenient for mee least I bee full deny thee and say Who is the Lord For Riches make men forget their Maker Or least I be poore and steale take the name of my God in vaine Prou. 30.7.8.9 When we haue foode and raiment let vs therwith be content 1. Tim. 6.8 5. And forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs. FOrgiue thy neighbour the hurt that hée hath don to thee for man ought not to seeke vengeance so shall thy sinnes be forgiuē thée also when thou prayest Should a man beare hatred against a man and desire forgiuenesse of the Lord He will shewe no mercy to a man which is like himselfe and will hée aske forgiuenesse of his owne sinnes Eccles. 28.2.3.4 Iudge not and ye shall not be iudged condemne not and ye shall not be condemned forgiue and ye shall be forgiuen Giue and it shall be giuen vnto you a good measure pressed downe shaked togeather and running ouer shal men giue into your bosome For with what measure you meate with the same shall men meate vnto you againe Luke 6.37.38 Loue your enemies doe well to them which hate you Luke 6.27 There shall be iudgement mercilesse to him that sheweth no mercy and mercie reioyceth against iudgement and feareth it not Iam. 2.13 6. And lead vs not into temptation BE sober and watch for your aduersarie the Diuell as a roring Lion walketh about séeking whom he may deuour 1. Pet. 5.8 In whom the God of this world euen Satan hath blinded the mindes that is of infidels that the light of the glorious Gospell of Christ which is the image of God in respect of his office should not shine vnto them 2. Cor. 4.4 Whensoeuer a man heareth the word of the kingdome and vnderstandeth it not the euill one commeth euen the Diuell and taketh away that which was sowen in his hart Mat. 13 19. The Prince that ruleth in the aire euen the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience Ephes. 2.2 Loue not the world as it is aduersarie to God neither the thinges that are in the world If any man loue the world the loue of the Father is not in him c. 1. Iohn 3.15.16.17 We know that we are of God the whole world lieth in wickednesse al men as of them selues lie as it were busied in euill 1. Iohn 15.19 Know ye not that the amitie of the world is the enmitie of god Whosoeuer therefore will be a friend of the world maketh himselfe the enimie of God Iam. 4.4 For all that is borne of God ouercōmeth the world and this is the victorie that ouercommeth the world euen our fayth Who is it that ouercommeth the worlde but hee which beleeueth that Iesus is the sonne of GOD 1. Iohn 5.4.5 That the righteousnesse of the law that which the law requireth might be fulfilled in vs which walke not after the flesh but after the spirit For they that are after the flesh sauour the thinges of the flesh their will vnderstanding reason wit all is fleshlie The wisdome of the flesh is death it is enmitie against God They that are in the flesh can not please God Rom. 8·4 7. But deliuer vs from euill Amen HElpe vs O GOD of our saluation seeing we haue none other Sauiour for the glory of thy name and deliuer vs. Psal. 69.8 In the day of my trouble I will call vpon thée for thou hearest me Psal. 86.7 There shall none euill come vnto thée He shall giue his Angels charge ouer thée to keepe thee in all thy wayes they shall beare thee in their hands that thou hurt not thy foote against a stone Because he hath loued me Gods protection promised therefore will I deliuer him I will exalt him because he hath known my name He shall call vpon me and I will heare him I will be with him in trouble I will deliuer him and glorifie him c. Psal. 91.9.10.11.12 c. O Lord giue vs grace to learne this and liue thereafter Amen The beliefe of a Christian commonly called the Apostles Creede diuided into twelue Articles and expounded 1. I beleeue in God the Father Almighty maker of heauen and earth HEare O Israel the LORD our God is Lord onely Deut. 6.4 Blessed be GOD euen the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ
the Sonne and beleeueth in him should haue euerlasting life and I will raise him vp at the last day Iohn 6.40 Verily verily I say vnto you hée that heareth my word and beléeueth in him that sent me hath euerlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but hath passed from death vnto life Iohn 5.24.25.26 The houre shall come in the which al that are in the graues shall heare his voyce and they shall come foorth that haue done good vnto the resurrection of life but they that haue done euill vnto the resurrection of condemnation Iohn 5.8.29 Search the Scriptures for in them yee thinke to haue eternal life Ioh. 5.39 If thou knewest the gift of God Christ ment himselfe who was sent of his Father to conuert the woman of Samaria and who is he that saith vnto thee Giue mee drinke thou wouldest haue asked of him and he would haue giuen thee Water of life which is the loue of God in his Sonne powred into our heartes by the holy Ghost vnto euerlasting life Iohn 4.10 Whosoeuer drinketh of the water that I shall giue him euen spirituall grace shal neuer be more a thirst shall neuer be dried vp destitute or forsaken but the water that I shall giue him shall be in him a well of water springing vp into euerlasting life Ioh. 4.14 Come ye blessed of my Father for our saluation commeth of the blessing and fauour of God inherite ye the kingdome prepared for you from the foundations of the world Note the certantie of our predestination to saluation Matth. 25.34 And these shall goe into euerlasting paine which followeth mens fantasies neglecting the will of God and his commandements and the righteous into life eternall Math. 25.46 And many of them that sléepe in the dust of the earth shall awake all shal rise at the generall resurrection some to euerlasting life some to shame and perpetuall contempt Dan. 12.2 And they shal come foorth that haue done good vnto the resurrection of life but they that haue done euill vnto the resurrection of condemnation Iohn 5.29 For the Lambe Iesus Christ our Mediatour and Redeemer Which is in the midest of the throne being very God shall gouerne them lead them vnto the liuely Fountaines of waters Hee shall giue them euerlasting life Apo. 7.17 O Lord giue vs grace to beleeue this and to liue thereafter Amen The ten Commaundements of Almighty God called The two Tables of the Law The first Table 1. J am the Lord thy God thou shalt haue none other Gods but mee HEare O Israel The LORD our God is the onely Lord Thou shalt therefore loue the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soule and with all thy minde or thought and with all thy strength Marke 12.29.30 Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God him onely shalt thou serue Math. 4.10 Luk 4.14 I am the Lord thy God thou shalt haue none other Gods before my face God bindeth vs to serue him lonely without superstition or idolatry Deu. 5.6.7 I am the Lord your God ye shall keepe my Sabbathes and reuerence my Sanctuarie I am the Lord. Leuit. 26.1.2 Come let vs worship and fall downe before the Lord our maker We must wholly giue our selues to the seruice of GOD. Psa. 95.6 All the Gods of the people are Idols but the Lord made the Heauens Idols therefore or whatsoeuer made not the Heauens are not God Psal. 96.6 2. Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen Jmage nor the liknesse of any thing that is in heauen aboue nor in the earth beneath nor in the water vnder the earth thou shalt not bow downe to them nor worship them For J the Lord thy God am a ielous God and visite the sinne of the fathers vpon the children vnto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shew mercy vnto thousands in them that loue me keepe my commaundements NO man hath séene God at any time the onely begotten Sonne of God which is in the bosome of the Father hee is most deare and straitly ioyned to his Father not onely in loue but also in nature and vnion hee hath deliuered him God was made visible as it were in Christ. Iohn 1.18 God is a Spirit and they that worshipe him must worship him in spirit and truth God being of a spirituall nature requireth aspirituall seruice and agreeable to his nature Ioh. 4.24 For somuch then as we are the generation of God we ought not to thinke that the Godhead is like vnto Gold or Siluer or Stone grauen by art and the inuention of man Act. 17.29 The worshipping of Idoles which ought not to be named in the beginning and the cause and the end of all euill Sapi. 14 26 The inuenting of Idols was the beginning of whoredome and the finding of them is the corruption of life Sapien. 14.12 Better therefore is the iust man that hath none Idols for he shall be farre from reproofe Baruc. 6.72 Confounded be all they that serue grauen Images that glory in Idols worship him all ye Gods Let all that is of estimation in the world fall downe before the Lord. Psal. 97.7 Thou shalt make thée no gods of Mettal Exo. 34.17 Babes keepe your selues from Idols From euery forme and fashion of thing which is set vp for any deuotion to worship God 1. Iohn 5.29 3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the Lord will not hold him guilt lesse that taketh his name in vaine YEe haue heard how it was said to them of old time Thou shalt not forsweare thy selfe but shalt performe thine othes to the Lord. But I say vnto you Sweare not at all neither by heauen all superfluous oathes are debaâ—red for it is the Throne of God nor yet by the Earth for it is his Footstoole neither by Hierusalem for it is the Citie of the great King Neither shalt thou sweare by thine head because thou canst not make one Haire white or blacke But let your communication be Yea yea Nay nay let simplicitie and truth be in your wordes and then ye shall not be so light ready to sweare For whatsoeuer is more then these commeth of euill when one speaketh otherwise then he thinketh in heart it commeth of an euill conscience and of the Diuell Matth. 5.33.34.35.36.37 This is the curse that goeth foorth ouer all the whole earth c. And euery one that sweareth he that transgresseth the first Table and serueth not God aright but abuseth Gods name shall be cut off as wel on this side as on that I will bring it foorth saith the Lord of Hoasts and it shal enter c. into the house of him that falsely sweareth by my name and it shal remaine in the middest of his house and shall consume it with the timber thereof stones thereof Zach. 4.3.4 Accustome not thy selfe to swearing for in it there are many falles neither take vp for a custome
that peace which bringeth blisse Their precious peace perpetuall is The authour of This peace is God Who for our sinnes with vs was od For as we know through Adams fall To God his wrath We were in thrall So that hereby this gaine we got Euen death for life ah hellish lot Our owne misdeedes deserueth death And God who giueth life and breath Suppressing peace became our foe And from the heauens aloft did throw His thunderbolts of fearefull threates And in his heate his sword he wheats Even warriour like to strike vs downe For man doth melt when God doth frowne Thus with the Lord we were at ods Ours was the smart the vengeance Gods Which whiles it did endure and last All hope of peace was gone and past Till he from heauen beholding vs With wrethednesse inclosed thus Prouided in this heauy case T' amend our state by his good grace This he vouchaft to bring to passe A wonderous work of his it was From mercie seate he sent his Sonne At whose corruption peace begunn God did ordaine that Christ should die Vpon a Crosse reard vp on hie By losse of life to purchase peace True Christian comfort to increase Among the Iewes betrayd he fell One of the twelue presumd to sell. For thirtie pence his Maisters life The losse whereof abolisht strife The Iewes did lay on him their hands His limbs and ioynts they bound with hands They scoft and mockt him too too bad Their wish and will on him they laid Vpon the Crosse he made his end His soule to God he did commend This sacrifice God highly pleasd And this his rigorous rage apeasd Heere reconcilement first began And peace was made twixt God and man The price of this most perfect peace Which Christian comfort doth increase Declares thereof the dignitie This peace remaynes immortally This peace confirmd twixt God and vs And true attonement sealed thus That through this Pipe of peace may spout And pleasantly in streames run out Such comfort as in thee doe dweâ—l Which are the fountaine and the well The Conduit and the liuely spring Of euery good and healthfull thing Thus Lord if thou vouchafe to worke Ingratitude which loues to lurke Whithin our heartes them to possesse Shall banisht be by thankfullnesse and we shall praise Iehouah then Grant this O God Amen Amen The Locke to this Conduit A Locke to this Conduit of right doth belong Prouided of purpose substantiall and strong Of this Locke t is needfull Christs sheepe to haue skill That opening this Conduit their hearts they might fill With true ioy and gladnesse with peace and with rest And all kind of comfort that we can request FIrst loue the Lord. who formed thee And like himselfe created thee Loue Iesus Christ who thee redeemd So precious he thy soule esteemd Loue him whose loue with losse of life Twixt God and vs cut of the strife Loue him aboue all earthly treasure And lone with loue most kindly measure Loue thou his Saints and holy ones As of his Church the liuely stones Whose head is he his members they Who hates his Saints doe him betray· Loue thou Gods word his Gospell heare Therein of life are riuers cleare It is the pearle whereby was wrought A wonder worthy dayly thought loue vnto all thy neighbours beare And let thy loue shine euery where To all and some to friend and foe To them that seeke thine ouerthrow Loue all hate none to christ commaunds Herein the Law consistes and standes Loue Strangers well no gaudge them beare Remembring once we strangers were Though Denizons now by Gods good grace His loue restord vs to this place Loue vertuous life and goodnesse seeke And like to Christ learne to be meeke Loue lowlinesse and spit at pride Gods spirit in such will not abide Loue to forgiue and to forbeare This is a signe of Christian feare Thy brothers fault though worthy blame Dissemble thou and hide his shame Thus armd with loue thou mayst be hold Sinne Satan Death our enimies old Shall not haue power to doe thee harme God is thy helpe he is thine arme This is the Locke which thou and I And euery one before we die Ought set vpon our hearts and mindes Where treasure lie of sundry kindes Which Locke if we doe seeke to haue It is not Death nor yet the graue Thou shalt abridge our heauenly blisse In Christ our Conduit kept it is Of all therefore this is the summe If to this Conduit we will comme And thence fetch comfort at our need This is if we to pray proceed And aske of God the things we want Beseeching him the same to graunt For Iesus sake his onely Sonne By loue this worke must be begonne Which if we haue then sure we may Before the Lord approch and pray For otherwise all that we doe Is sinne and death belonges thereto This locke of loue O graunt vs then Sweet Sauiour Christ. Amen Amen The Key to this Conduit A Key to this Conduit of Comfort pertaines Whose vse and due seruice whosoeuer disdaines Aloofe from this Conduit them selues let them keepe Christ is not their Shepheard nor they of his Sheepe This Key therefore learne we to vse and possesse Our Shepheard Christ Iesus then may we confesse FIrst â—now thy selfe but flesh and blood Nay nay but art thou halfe so good Know rather this thou art but dust From Earth thou camst to Earth thou must Know thine estate by Adams fall Exild from life to death in thrall To sinne a slaue to Hell a pray Know this and cast all pride away Knowst thou thy selfe a blast of winde And hearst about a lofty winde Knowst thou thy state to be but nought Thy life a threed but slightly wrought And settest vp the Peacocks plume As though nothing should thee consume This knowledge but fond and vaine A better knowledge doth remaine A knowledge which from God proceedes This knowledge guides our thoughtes and deedes This knowledge shewes as in a Glasse That sinne in vs had brought to passe Eternall death and endlesse paine In Hell where damned soules remaine· This knowledge learnes vs likewise this That albeit we did amisse And kindled Gods consuming ire Yet Christ his blood hath quencht that fire So that this knowledge marked well May be supposed to excell All earthly things which passe away As Flowers in hâ—ate of Summers day This knowledge leades vs to the Lord And makes our willes with his t' accord Know God aright know Christ his sonne Know thou the thing he will haue done Know him that made the heauen and earth Aâ—d fed thee since thy day of birth Know him that giâ—es thee in thy need Conuenient Victuals thee to feed Know him in Christ his Sonne first â—orne The sauiour of our soules forlorne Know God the Father onely wise Know him in heart with faythfull eyes Know him whom heauen and earth obey Whose word ordain'd both night and day The world and all that is therein Are lessons where
we may beginn To learne to know him as he is The God of peace and endlesse blisse None other knowledge is required By this great numbers haue aspired Vnto the top of ioyfull state Such knowledge neuer comes too late Know that to stand in feare and awe Are meanes and wayes to keepe the Law This knowledge is the very Kay Without the which we can not pray No comfort can this Conduit giue Looke for no liquor whiles we liue Vnlesse this Key of Knowledgâ— come That is in briefe to shew the summe Except we know the Lord of Host And Christ his Sonn and th' holy Ghost Our selues our wants and dayly neede And pray in hope that we shall speed Our prayers turne to little good Let this be learnd and vnderstood True knowledge Lord Giue vs therfore Which is the Key to ope the doore Of perfect Prayer gushing out With comforts sweet like to a Spout Beginning at the Conduit head For at the Fountaine it is feed This Knowledge graunt vs Iesus then Say people all Amen Amen The Summe or Conclusion POssesse a good Conscience in running thy race Seeke peace and attonement with Gods diuine grace Let Loue be the Iewell and ioy of thy heart And Knowledge instruct thee to learne what thou art Then enter Gods Temple and there humbly pray In hope what thou crauest to carry away Amen FJNIS Graces to be sayde before and after Meate Before Meate O Lord God heauenly Father Creator and feeder of all liuing creatures we humbly and heartily thanke thee for these thy creatures as pledges of thy fauor for the nourishing of our bodies beseeching thee to sanctifie them vnto vs and vs vnto thy selfe that we receiuing them as from thee our soules may also be nourished and fedde with spirituall Manna from Heauen Amen After Meate WEe thanke thee O Lord God Almighty for satisfying and feeding vs with thy blessing at this all other times sanctifie and blesse vs we beseech thee with thy holy spirit grant that wee being refreshed with these thy cretures may follow our lawfull vocation in thy feare and true obedience that when soeuer we die we may die in thy fauour Amen Before Meate BLesse these thy giftes most gracious God From whom all goodnes springs Make cleane our hearts And feede our soules With good and needfull thinges A thankfull heart renew in vs According to thy will Aboue our strength Lord proue vs not But saue vs from all ill Amen After Meate WEe thanke thee most gracious God for this thy feeding our thirsty Bodies so vouchsafe to feede our silly soules with the bread of eternall life that after this life ended we may ascend where Christ is gone before vs. Amen FJNIS The chiefe Poyntes or summarie Contentes of this Booke FIrst a Prayer for Morning and Euening A Prayer A Prayer for the obteining of Grace For thaÌ„kfulnes to God for his graces gifts For loue vnitie with all men For the hearing true Vnderstanding of the word of God To God for forgiuenes of manifold grieuous sinnes To bee setled in the truth To lead our life according to the will of God To fast and abstaine from sinne For grace to forsake euill to follow that which is good For the assistance of the holy Ghost Against wrath malice For obedience to the keeping of Gods commandements For true hearty repentance To the Lord to turne his wrathful displeasure away from vs. For a cleare and quiet conscience To be zealous in the hearing of the worde of God For a patient mind in trouble In time of prosperitie or aduersâ—tie For patience in time of los of goods or lands A thankes giuing for meate dainke clothing For ayde helpe in all extremities neede Against slaunderous euill tongues For peace in time of Warre or other vexation For deliuerance from foes spirituall temporall Of a penitent soule ouer turned with sin To be fâ—eed from al vices Against vaine delights worldly pleasures Of a penitent sinner lamenting his former life so ill spent Of a sorrowfull sinner laying his heart open praying for a firme faith Desiring mercy forgiuenesse To bee prepared against the houre of death To lead our liues according to the Law and will of God To keepe our tongue from speaking ill To fast pray aright Against wilfull sins snares of Satan For feare of the Lord and loue of his word The Contemplation of a sinner The seauen Petitions of the Lords prayer with a briefe exposition thereof drawne out of holy Scripture The Beliefe of a Christian commonly called The Apostles Creede deuided into twelue Articles and expounded The ten Commandements of Almighty God called The two Tables of the Law expounded by sentences and examples The necessary appurtenances belonging to this Conduit and first of the Cesterne to this Conduit is Conscience The Pipe to this Conduit of comfort is Peace The Locke to this Conduit of Comfort is Loue. The Key to this Conduit of Comfort is Knowledge Godly Graces to be sayd before and after meate FINIS