our hearts this night and euermore and stablish vs in euery worde and good worke in whose name we call vpon thee as hee hath taught vs saying Our Father c. A Prayer for Friday Morning NOt trusting in our owne worthinesse for there is none but in thy great mercies doe we present our selues before thee this morning O Lord in great weakenesse to shew our thankefulnesse for thy vnspeakeable goodnesse so plentifully bestowed vpon vs most vndeseruedly for what are wee but wormes and what is man that thou art mindefull of him or the sonne of man that thou visitest him wonderfully hast thon made him in his mothers wombe hee is the image and glory of thee O God thou mightest haue equalled him him with the vgliest and basest creatures it hath pleased thee to spread forth the shadow of the wings of thy protection ouer vs this night wee meditate in the dead of sleepe to haue our soules taken away in thy anger for the offences committed the day before and all the daies of our life and suddenly to haue beene arrainged at thy tribunall seate yet thou wilt not the death of a sinner but rather that he conuert and turne vnto thee and now thou hast spared vs vnto this day grant O gracious Father that wee may euer meditate of the true life of thee our God of the day of the resurrection of these our bodies when corruption shall put on incorruption and of our rising to that solemne and dreadfull iudgement O Lord as thou hast banished this nights dardnesse away wherein wee had a sweete repose and sound rest that compassed vs so grant we humbly beseech thee that inward light in minde by the rising vnto vs of that Sunne of righteousnes thy Son the Lord Iesus Christ that wee may mourne for the ignorance and blindenesse that yet resteth in vs and others also the night is past and the day is at hand vouchsafe wee may cast away the workes of darknesse and put on the armour of light that wee may walke honestly as in the day not in gluttory or drunkennesse nor in chambering and wantonnesse not in strife and enuying but that wee may put on the Lord Iesus Christ praising his mercy and patience that yet wee liue to praise him and are continued in life to make our election more sure such is the constancy of thy loue towardes vs O Lord God Father euerlasting for whom thou louest to the ende day vnto day vttereth the same and night vnto night teacheth knowledge thou hast O Lord sealed vs to theday of redemption and hast giuen vs earnest of the spirit of promise in our hearts by the which spirit also wee beholde as in a mirror thy glory O Lord with open face and are changed vnto the same image from glory to glory O when shall we fully enioy the same in that life to come when shall wee cease from all sinne haue perfect knowledge of thee perfect righteousnes and holinesse neuer to bee changed fulnesse of ioy immediate fruition and coniunction with thee our God when thou shalt bee all in all and triumph ouer all thine and our enemies in that inheritance immortall and vndefiled and that fadeth not reserued in heauen for vs O Lord giue vs the grace that we may keepe our selues in a holy temper and peace of mind by a constant course in all occurrents and so prepare our selues vnto that crowne of glory loking stedfastly vnto Iesus the author and finisher of our faith to breede constant affiance thereof for this cause O Lord let the glorious light of thy great Maiesty neuer departe from the inwarde eyes of our soules that we may bee seriously affected with the sense of our wants benefits purchased by thy Son our Sauiour and perpetually assisted by thy spirit to consider the great and manifolde blessings which wee haue receiued from thee to prouoke vs to thankefulnesse without which all our prayers are vneffectuall grant good Lord we may seriously bewaile our neglect of prayer and condemne our selues for our lip-labour and customarie deuotions our wearisomensse in well-doing and our contentment with small little feelings and finally we may rest vpon the continual mediation of our blessed aduocate Iesus Christ who continually maketh intercession for vs and is now both praying for vs and ready to present our prayers to the throne of grace and to couer all the infirmities and faylings of them with the mantle of his euerlasting mercies innocency and holinesse to him therefore with the Father and the holy Ghost wee render all glory praise dominion thanksgiuing now and euermore Amen A Prayer for Friday Euening O Lord God deare Father in Iesus Christ thy beloued Son our onely Sauiour wee thee from our very hearts for the least of all thy blessings which are infinitely greater then wee can deserue as well as for the greatest and do as readily praise thee for thy mercies receiued as wee were earnest to sue for the obtaining of them and now we offer vnyo thee sacrifice of praise for the preseruation of vs in our callings which are thy ordinances imposed on euery Christian Lord forgiue vs for strayning our conscience in the least euill this day giue vs thy mercifull assistance that wee may cleaue to reioyce in the good testimony thereof that in simplicity and godly purenesse with singlenesse and contentment by thy grace wee haue had our conuersation in the worlde conuincing the hollownesse and hypocrisie of the same which is the moath of well-doing keehe vs good Lord from vncertaintie and dulnesse in good things preserue vs from corruption in iudgement and Apostacy in life Inable vs to holde to the ende and so obtaine the crowne for this cause O Lord giue vs an inclination and resolution of the heart to all goodnesse that wee may iustifie and beautifie therby our professiō giuing diligence to make our calling and election sure that in doing these things wee may neuer fall and so bee deliuered from many inwarde pangs and outward troubles deare Father grant wee may may euer haue righteousnesse in most precious account prosecuting it with all zeale and courage and rest with delight and contentation in it and practise the same not onely as our knowledge informeth but euen desire beyond our knowledge perfection therein Lord make vs renounce Nature and holde on thy Sonne Iesus Christ by a liuely faith and bring foorth the fruits of true righteousnesse in him giue vs good God a holy and settled purpose to serue thee a plaine and sound dealing in our callings daily repentance and coueuenanting with thee for recouery of our decaies make our hearts daily to be informed out of thy word that wee may worke continually as in thy presence with a full and strong perswasion of thy loue and plentifull experience of the same and preferre it aboue all things whatsoeuer more and more be
all kinde of seruile actions and outward imployments with all froward affections and lusts that we may study to enter into that rest with thy people and cease from our owne works as thou O Lord didst vnto thine blessed God strike in our hearts in time of praier a reuerent esteemation of thy glorious Maiestie a feeling of our defects and giue constant faith in thy sweete promises faithfull remembrance of thy receiued blessings louing and charitable affections towardes our neighbours and grant vnto vs mercifull Father while wee heare a wide and open heart to receiue and holy ludgement to discerne lowlinesse in minde feeling in the inward man and stability in the memory and euermore in thy seruice bestow on vs an humble soule an hungring and thirsting heart that the blood of the Lord Iesus Christ which thorough the eternall spirit offered himselfe without spot to thee our God may purge our consciences frō dead works to serue thee the Lord vouchsafe on vs an vnfained loue to thy word that wee may lay it vp and hide it in our soules and euer sanctifie our thoughts that our whole meditations may be thereon and practise the same in life and conuersation that all men seeing our good workes may glorifie thee our heauenly Father to thee therefore with the Sonne and the holy Ghost we render all glory praise and dominion both now for euermore Amen A Prayer for Sunday Euening GLory praise and honour bee vnto thee most mercifull and heauenly Father who hast appointed this speciall day and ministry of thy word for our instruction O Lord grant wee may feele our knowledge increased our faith strengthened our soules mindes and consciences aboundantly thereby refreshed good God thou hast promised that if any lacke wisedome thou wilt giue it him yea all other things in and with thy Christ we beseech thee therfore make thy holy worde a power of life vnto life vnto vs yea a power of saluation vnto vs that beleeue in parte yea Lord wee beleeue we pray thee helpe our vnbeliefe for wee are fraught with blindesse and error our affections frowarde peruerse and disordered and reprobate to any good worke by nature make vs good Lord new creatures that as new borne babes we may desire the sincere milk of thy word that we may grow thereby annoynt our eyes with the eye-salue of thy holy spirit Lord ioine to thy word that penetratiue vertue to pierce and finde out our so pregnant corruptions for it is liuely and mighty in operation and sharper then any two-edged sword and entereth through euen vnto the diuiding asunder of the soule and the spirite and of the ioynts and marow is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart which we beseech thee by thy word to discouer rip vp and ransacke to the bottome giue vs a lowly heart to make a lowly vse of reprehensions out of thy worde and apply them earnestly to our selues that the righteous may smite vs which is a benefit and reproue vs which is as pretious oyle that shall not breake our heads that by them wee may be reclaimed from our froward backwarde wills and because good Lord our remembrance of good things is very short and faileable and doth reserue very few good things against the houre of temptation day of death make vs good Lord carefull euer to heare meditate pray and conferre giuing alwaies thankes with a plyable obediēce to thy lawes that in spirituall discretion and heauenly wisdome we may consummate our perigrination here and worke out our saluation with feare trembling by thy grace establish our hearts in thy truth that wee be not carried about with euery light winde of doctrine but that wee may lay holde on the good labouring daily to be led on to perfection and most gracious Father make vs not onely to see and feele our owne defects but giue vs a heart to lament them Lord freely and finally pardon them for Iesus Christ thy deare Sonne sake moisten and water our hard dry hearts with the dew of thy heauēly blessings shoure them downe vpon vs for lightning of our minds setling of our iudgements cōforting of our soules and reformation of our mis-behauiours grant we may yeeld a full assent to the truth of thy word not measuring it after the crooked rule of our mis-leading affections that wee be not of those which make a show of religion but deny the power thereof and wee beseech thee for thy tender mercies sake this night to subdue the flesh which lusteth against the spirit confound Satan aduersary to our saluation and keep vs against the example of the worlde which is set in euill that we may neuer be wearie to beginne where wee left off in well-doing neither yet breake off where thou requirest continuance of obedience but goe from faith to faith like the way of the righteous which as the light shineth more and more vnto perfect day so shall wee glorifie thy name and our owne soules be strengtheded the weake ones by our example bee confirmed and edified the vnruly admonished the feeble-minded comforted and be patient toward all men and shall dissolue from hence in thy fauour whilst now we liue in thy feare hauing in our mouthes a new song of thanksgiuing occasioned by thy new blessings day by day heauenly graces be-bestowed vpon vs in Iesus Christ our Lord and onely Sauiour to whom with thee and the holy spirit be praise and glory for euermore Amen A MEDITATION of the Mercy and Iustice of God Against declining either to the left or right hand in presumption or despaire that wee may leade an euen course in Christianity LONDON Printed by Nicholas Okes for Daniel Speed and are to be sold at his Shop vnder S. Mildreds Church in the Poultry 1618. To the Right Worshipfull Sir William Alexander Knight Secretarie and one of his Maiesties most honerable priuy Councell in Scotland MEn to make themselues as it were eternall they write their names on their houses Absolon reared a piller is not this said one Niniuie which I builded for my glory Ninus to immortalise his father Belus made for him an Idoll in whose dominions while Terrah Abrahams father did dwell he became with the rest an Idolater these would haue their fame time ending together but they haue shot short of the seauen wonders of the world nothing but naked names remaine all these are mutilate inuentions to the Iew departed his brother or nearest kinsman must raise seed to continue his name in Israell but children beeing the Lords gift could not bee had when as they would books with time that eates all doth often smoother may successiuely by concatenation of ages in the Presse as a new Phoenix reuiue but all these to perpetuity are set apart as faulty For as they all monuments children and bookes are of this below so shall with the same although neuer so olde bee dissolued
shall also be punished Saue mee O Lord and take the glory thereof to thy selfe for for not giuing it thee Herod was consumed of wormes thus thou doest lay the wickeds way vpon their owne heads Lord. The cause of all terrours and troubles in thy minde are thy sins I see and thou knowest it for they doe infect thy minde and conscience with their guilt from which guiltinesse proceedeth a fearfull expectation of these punishments thou hast spoken of to the which thou perceiuest thou art iustly liable neither canst thou be freed from this guiltinesse and fearefull pangs vntill thou thy sinnes beeing done away be reconciled to me for then and not before shalt thou haue peace of conscience boldnesse and confidence when thou art assured that I loue thee and thou mee and so canst rest on my promises and prouidence for there is no feare in loue but perfect loue casteth out feare for feare hath painefulnesse and hee that feareth is not perfect in loue the wicked flye when none pursueth but the righteous are bolde as a Lion and thouh thou shouldest walke through the valley of the shadow of death thou wouldest feare no euill because I am with thee and with my rod and staffe comfort thee So being iustified and assured once of my loue thou maist be fully perswaded that nothing is able to seperate thee from my loue which is in Christ Iesus where innocency is there is security for where iustification and assurance of remission of sinnes is there is peace with mee with the creatures and ioy in the holy Ghost Vse the meanes for obtaining of faith as hearing receipt of the Sacraments prayer meditation conference if thou bee not wanting to thy selfe I will not be wanting vnto thee and next approue thy faith by repentance for I haue bound my selfe by promise that all that turne from their sinnes shall in my Son be reconciled vnto mee for I craue no more but that thou beleeue onely and bring foorth fruits of a new life for this is thy part in the couenant with mee for sinnes repented of are forgiuen in my estimate as though they had neuer been committed because thou by these meanes art receiued vnto the protection of my prouidence thou maist be vndoubtedly assured that all things whatsoeuer yea in thy iudgement the worst also shall make together for thy good Be strong and of a good courage it is I that am with thee who can be against thee Soule Is not thy worde euen like a fire O Lord doth not my heart burne within me while thou talkest with me openest to me the Scriptures and manifesteth the word which is like a hammer that breaketh the stone thou onely canst quicken the dead in sinne and call those things which be not as though they were but alas how slow am I to beleeue and how hard is my heart Lord. The occasion of thy euill may bee outward but the cause is inward else neuer should Satan flesh or the world preuaile my Sonne was assaulted but Satan found nothing in him neither was there guile in his lips Satan doth offer thou doest yeelde to tentations if thou canst bee aduersary to thy corruption Satan shall be but as a Chyrurgion which launceth thy impostumation to preserue life howsoeuer hee purposeth to haue wounded to thy heart Ioseph by grace restrained his corruption concerning Putifars wife Dauids eyes opened the vaile to his corrupted heart so sin in him with Bethsheba grew to age in what measure thou withstandeth thy corruption in that measure thou art regenerate and assured to preuaile against strongest tentations thou maist easily espy thy corruption best by thy afflictions or by affections for such is a man as hee is in tentation the heart of man carrieth commonly all the other senses for by it they are moderated and ruled and therefore thou shouldest diligently keepe it againe it marres or makes all thy actions for if it bee pure thy affections are pure yea though some defects bee mixed therewith whatsoeuer commeth from a sound and sincere heart in my eyes is accepted and in my Christ accounded righteousnes vnto thee if for sins sake thou leaue sin though the lees thereof remaine in thee though thou doe not all the good thou louest but in loue desireth to doe it though thou leaue not all the sinnes thou hatest but in hatred of them I accept the good thou doest the euill thou desirest to leaue shall not bee imputed thus striue to haue thy heart right within thee with a purpose to approue thy selfe to mee labouring to kill sinne though the whole body of sinne be not slaine in thee There is a wickednes in thy heart cannot easily be espied the subtilty thereof is vnsearchable which should bring thee out of loue with thy selfe watch diligently ouer it it is like a mill euer grinding thou must circumcise it and make it to bleed to emptie it for there is so much superfluous matter in it Soule Wash mee thoroughly from my iniquity cleanse mee from my sinne O Lord beholde I was shapen in iniquity and in sinne did my mother conceiue mee create in mee a cleane heart O God and renew a right spirit within me I feele alas in my corrupt heart such a world of sinnes and in euery one of them a fault against thee my God a guilt binding my conscience to the punishment of of eternall death and a staine or blot imprinted in mee as the fruite thereof which is my inclination euill disposition prouenesse and aptnesse of heart to offend which causeth me delight and liue in sin which lying in sinne and woe is mee therefore is a greater cause of damnation then the sinne it selfe Lord. Thou must beware of thy thoughts which are the feet and wings the soule walkes flies by yea the waggon and boate it is caried and failed in for an euil thought if it long tarry in the mind it will hardly be restrained before it come to the outwarde act and such monsters of the minde should make thee affraid suspect thy falling in the action of sinne by the affection of it thou must therefore search thy heart which is a bottomlesse pit of corruption and it is a speciall grace to gage it to the deepe for hee that maketh conscience of his thoughts will make conscience of his deeds for if thy heart be found in my my statutes thou shalt not bee ashamed Keepe thee from thoughts iniected as was Iudas his cast in his heart by Sathan and of thoughts arising out of it beware of staying in them by taking pleasure in these immaginations and delight in the sent of them for consent of will with mee is a full action Iudas thought but to doe euill and it is said that thou doest doe quickly after commeth deuise to bring to passe the act that followeth whence ariseth a benummed conscience after diuerse actions
thy owne counsell leaue off from sinne order thy hands aright a stubborne heart shall fare euill at the last and hee that loueth danger shall perish therein Now this disordered discerning of sinne commeth of ignorance of my lawe and selfe-loue whereby thou art ashamed to manifest sinne and rip it vp to the quick seeke to a faithfull sound friend or Pastor to whom thou maiest offer thy heart to bee searched deeply by the lawe bee continually with a godly man whom thou knowest to keepe the commandements of the Lord whose minde is according to thy minde and will sorrowe with thee if thou shalt miscarry and let the counsell of thy owne heart stand for there is no man more faithfull vnto thee then it for a mans minde is wont sometimes to tell him more then seuen watchmen which set aboue in an high Tower and aboue all thus pray to the most high that he would direct thy way in truth Soule What shall I doe if my griefe arise of any certaine or knowne sinne Lord. Then vnderstand if thou hast done that sinne already or else not yet committed it but whereunto thou art tempted for olde sinnes are represented oft to sinners as not truely repented of that they may the more mislike them that their particular sinnes may bring them to their grosse greater and generall sins that there may bee a sense of both least their griefe shold passe away without any fruit and reason thus with thy selfe if I bee so angry for this or that sin whereof thou art troubled thy bowels swell thy heart turneth within thee and thou full of heauinesse how vexed may thou be the wickeds bones are full of the sinnes of his youth and it shall lie downe with him in the dust though wickednesse bee sweete in his mouth though hee hide it vnder his tongue though hee spare it and forsake it not but keepe it still within his mouth yet his meate in his bowels is turned it is the gall of aspes within him I would therefore haue thee know poore soule that I would haue no man to perish but all men to come to repentance Soule How shall I then eschew sinne and how shall I be acquited frō that sin which hath passed me Lord. I haue oft admonished thee of thy corruption to make account to suppresse it labour to espy thy secret sinnes with truth and not in shew so hard a matter it is to search thy heart to the bottome for there is not a more wicked heade then the head of the Serpent and giue any plague but the plague of the heart and therefore in respect of sinnes past sinnes present priuie pride hidden wants secret corruptions euer accuse thy selfe of some lurking hyprosie for the godly tremble at the least motion of sinne and say I will runne the way of the cōmandements when thou shalt enlarge my heart bind not two sinnes together for in one sinne thou shalt not be vnpunished and because thy sinne is forgiuen be not without feare or heape sinne vpon sinne say not the mercy of God is great hee will forgiue my manifolde sinnes for mercy and wrath commeth from him and his indignation commeth downe vpon sinners the two fountaines and grounds of sinnes are the inward motions of the heart and the outward occasions of the senses especially the eyes for whensoeuer a man heareth the word of the kingdome and vnderstandeth it not the euill one commeth and catcheth away that which was sowen in his heare neither must thou drawe neare to mee with thy mouth and thy heart farre off from me and the things which proceed out of thy mouth come from thy heart and they defile the man keepe thy heart therefore to lay vppe good and pretious things therein as in a store-house keepe it I say diligently for thereout commeth life againe vertue vice dwell very neare together learne to bee holily scrupelous fearefull and suspicious for preuenting of sin to come the heart of the wise shall know the time and iudgement thirdly keep thy selfe from foolish venturing vpon the occasions which are the borders of sinne when thou mayest beholde many of my children better fenced with grace then thou art to haue beene snared for the foolish will beleeue euery thing but the prudent will consider his steps let thy heart bee therefore in feare of God continually set no wicked thing before thy eyes hate the worke of them that fall away let it not cleaue vnto thee Soule Alas good and mercifull father I doe euer finde in mee so many allurements intisements to sinne which often I would eschew but cannot which offer themselues to mee at euery minute neither can I retire me selfe from them albeit I doe sometime protest against them and abhorre them eyther before or soon after the sinne is committed with a very perfect hatred and loathsomnes Lord. Thou must seriously obserue first of the company to discerne good from euill for good company hate the vnfruitfull workes of darkenesse and in their eies an euill person is contemned but honoureth them that feare the Lord with sound iudgement labour to holinesse and sincerity of life in all things haue a sight of thy corruptions mourne for them doe good to the houshold of faith which continue in one spirite and in one minde fighting together thorough the faith of the gospell longeth for the appearance of Iesus Christ but these are euill that denie the Lord that bought them bring vpon themselues swift damnation by whom the wayof truth is euill spoken of and are of a prophane life and hate to bee reprooued but rather grow worse and worse which persecute the Saints of God and make choyce of the pleasures of sinne for a season who are affraide of death and set vp their heauen and rest in this life which put farre away the euill day and approach to the sight of iniquity to these thou must fay with Dauid away from mee yee wicked for I will keepe the commandements of my God my eyes shall bee vpon the faithfull of the land that they may dwell with me and therfore thou must beloued soule bee rather wearie of them because they run the broad way following first examples secondly multitudes thirdly time fourthly custome fiftly opinion Soule I hate vaine inuentions but thy law doe I loue thou art my refuge my shield and I trust in thy worde teach me good Lord these things particularly that I may ingraft them in my heart Lord. Follow the godly but so farre as they followe mee their guide in the word and Iesus Christ the author and finisher of their faith which through faith and patience haue inherited the promises for it is a signe thou art in the wrong way if thou doe nothing but that the greatest part of the world doe for how
euill soeuer the way be and whersoeuer it lyeth euery mans way is right in his owne eyes and will defend or excuse whatsoeuer they doe But I the searcher of the hearts do say your wayes are not my waies nor your thoughts my thoughts because they are wrong waies let euery man turne from his owne wayes their thoughts are the Diuelles souldiers which war against the soule they followe their Captaine and thou followest them thou may easily know whither thou goest the heart of man is to mee as clay to the Potter clay I say to mee but waxe to the diuell for it will haue much tempering and great adoe to bring it to mee but very plyable to any worke that Satan shall put it to for albeit thou shalt see neuer any euill example nor bee tempted by multitude neither outwardly assaulted at all yet thine owne heart will teach thee wickednesse aboundantly what auaileth it thee to forsake companies and retaine thine olde heart still For it is I that can restraine the issue of thy corruptions conforme therefore thy wil to mine hee that toucheth pitch will be defiled by it hee is blessed that doth not walke in the counsell of the wicked nor stand in the way of sinners nor sitte in the seat of the scornefull for the wicked are strangers from the wombe they goe astray assoone as they bee borne they are put out of the booke of life blessed is hee whom I choose and cause come to mee but saluation is farre from the wicked because they seeke not my Statutes hate them therefore that giue themselues to doe willfull vanities for they shall be consumed like the fat of lambs euen with the smoake shall they consume away Thou must not then imitate them but hate them with a perfect hatred that hate mee and bee companion to all such as feare mee There is no path wherein there is not a snake either to sting or impoyson thou canst see thy selfe sooner infected they spy how thou art infected it is my mercy to be good with the communion of Saints so it is my iust iudgement to poure vengeance on the company of the vngodly haue no fellowship with them in their sinne neither draw in their yoak with them take forth the pretious from the toile let them returne to thee but returne not thou vnto them rouse vp thy heart and reioyce in the fellowshippe which is aboue for because of vncleanesse inordinate affection and euil concupiscence my wrath commeth on the children of disobedience Soule Now doe I beginne to feele the heauy burthen of sinne more and more with the which I am truely grieued but I haue not duely alas repented me of them I resolue to suppresse them with all my indeauour but I feare my secret corruptions will breake forth so aboundant is that roote of bitternesse in mee remember not against mee my former iniquities but make haste and let thy tender mercies preuent mee for I am in great miserie helpe me O God of my saluation for the glory of thy name and deliuer mee and bee mercifull to my sinnes for thy names sake I will acknowledge my sinne vnto thee neither will I hide mine iniquity for I thought I would confesse against my selfe my wickednesse vnto the Lord and thou forgaue the punishment of my sinne O that I might take heed vnto my selfe keepe my soule diligently and thy seruant from euill that the peace of thee O Lord that passeth all vnderstanding may preserue my heart and minde in Christ Iesus and now O Lord who can vndestand his faults keepe mee thy seruant also from presumtuous sinnes let them not raigne ouer mee so shall I be vpright made cleane from much wickednesse Lord. First of all beware beloued soule of Sathans flieghts and condemning thee by presumption say not the mercy of God is great hee will forgiue my manifolde sinne for mercie and wrath come from mee and my indignation commeth downe vpon sinners an obstinate heart shal bee laden with sorrowes and the wicked man shall heape sinne vpon sin make thou no tarrying to turne vnto the Lord and put not off from day to day for suddenly shall the wrath of thē Lord breake forth in thy security thou shalt bee destroyed and thou shalt perish in the time of vengeance binde not two sinnes together for in one thou shalt not bee vnpunished neither iustifie thy selfe before the Lord for he knoweth thy heart thou must not learne of Satans temptations to bee bolde vpon sinne neither vse pretenses for it as to say I am not an Angell that my nature is corrupt c. The preacher is but a man as an other c. and on the other part beware of desperation in mocking the ouer-fearefull and superstitious for Sathan will make of a Fly an Elephant but saile with an euen course and labour for measure to bee sought in the word of God which will teach not to decline neither to the right nor left hand but to keep the narrow way for wisedome will be iustifled of her children Soule Remember O Lord thy tender mercies and thy louing kindenesse for they haue been for euer remember not the sinnes of my youth nor my rebellions but according to thy kindnesse remember thou mee for thy goodnesse sake O Lord gracious and righteous art thou therefore thou wilt teach sinners in the way O God thou hast taught mee euen from my youth vntill now therefore will I declare thy wonderous workes make mee flie from the lusts of youth sollow after righteousnes faith loue peace with them that call on thee with pure hearts neither write thou bitter things against mee make me possesse the iniquities of my youth Lord. There are sins in youth middle and old age negligence in making conscience of sinnes done long agoe maketh falling in great terror of minde when violent remembrance of them surchargeth the mind therefore betimes learne to accuse them that Sathan henceforth haue no place to doe it for if thou iudge thy selfe thou shalt not bee iudged humble thy selfe therefore vnder the mighty hand of God that he may exalt thee in due time cast downe thy selfe before the Lord and hee will lift the vp I will surely gather him that humbleth and I will gather him that is cast out and him that I haue afflicted Soule Willingly desire I Lord to make that fruit of my falles but alas when I looke backe to my mispent time which is vnrecouerable and which I cannot redeeme then great feare and torment assaults mee and pinches so hard that I am at my wits end Lord. Comfort thy selfe poor soule for in my best children there is first youthfull loosenesse and vnstayednesse of affections the way to lewdnesse so Dauid O God thou knowest my foolishnesse and my faults are not hid from thee seest thou not
fulnesse of ioy immediate fruition of and coniunction with mee perfect loue triumph ouer all enemies where I shall be all in all crowning thee and all the elect with eternall happinesse blisse for enermore Soule And the Lord shall deliuer mee from euery euill worke and will preserue me vnto his heauenly kingdome to whom be glory for euer and euer Amen A HEAVENLY AND comfortable Mould of Prayers Full of feeling tending to the calming of the conscience for sinne and all other incidents in this wretched life for the benefit of all estates and degrees of people whether by Land or Sea IAM 3. If any man be afflicted let him pray LONDON Printed by Nicholas Okes for Daniell Speed and are to bee sold at his Shop vnder S. Mildreds Church in the Poultry 1618 A Prayer for Munday at Morning The houshold being assembled the Master thereof or he that shall be made the mouth to God-ward shall with all holy behauiour say Come let vs worship fall downe kneele before the Lord our Maker The houshold beeing assembled shall pray as followeth O LORD our God true iust and merciful who can vnderstand his faults wee come confessing and mourning in the sense of them pouring out our whol desire before thee with plentie of teares and bitter lamentations and our sighing is not hid from thee for wee were borne in iniquity and in sinne haue our mothers conceiued vs how corrupt are our faults our thoughts vaine our words idle actions prophane O what good haue wee omitted and what euill haue we committed how foolish and ignorant are wee yea beasts before thee and while we know thy wil we prepared not our selues neither did according vnto vnto it O Lord how many sinnes and punishments haue wee beene heretofore subiect too how grieuous and heauie are they we presently groane vnder Oh keepe vs deare Fathe from presumtpuous sins let them not raigne ouer vs we and our fathers behaued our selues proudely and hardned our necks but thou O God of mercies gracious and full of compassion of long suffering and of great mercy yet forsookest thē not our Kings Princes and people haue sinned against thee yet compassion and forgiuenesse is in thee O Lord our God albeit wee haue rebelled against thee and now our God what shall we say after this for wee haue forsaken thy commandements therefore abhorre wee our selues and acknowledge vs worthy to bee cut off for euer wee yeeld our selues to thy chastisement for our iniquities are gon ouer our heads and as a weighty burthen they are too heauy for vs wee are pricked in our hearts therefore and what shall we doe O Lord our God most deare Father our onely refuge is to fly vnto thee in Christ hungring and thirsting after the least drop of mercy which wee doe preferre before all earthly comforts in the world intreating thee boldly and constantly in faith to grant it wating diligently and patiently vntill thou answer vs and raise some measure of sense and feeling thereof in our hearts and senses wee call thy mercies of olde to memory how often grace hath been shewed vs from thee our God whē thou didst lighten our eyes and giue vs a reuiuing from our sinnes wherefore most holy father we begge most earnestly thou wouldst giue vs now also strength in Christ to forsake sinne in time to come for in heart we thoroughly purpose neuer to commit the like sins againe bnt thorough thy grace to be changed by the renewing of our mindes to be fearefull of all occasions of sinne and wisely hereafter to decline from sinne and to bend all our strength specially against our beloued sinnes O wee heauily complaine of our weakenesse dulnesse deadnesse and inability to any Christian vertue yet will we by thy power be strengthened to loue out of a pure heart of a good conscience and of faith vnfained and constantly endeauoure to bee found in thy Sonne Iesus Christ and to feele the power of his death and resurrection in sub duing of all our sinnes and wickednesse that the life Christ our Sauiour may appeare in our mortall bodies and that not we but Christ may liue wholly in vs that wee may liue by faith in thy Son who hath loued vs and giuen himselfe for vs for his sake grant O deare Father that wee may practisc these Christian vertues to the which wee finde our selues most aduerse and contrarie that by thy grace wee may obtaine such victory and conquest ouer our most grieuous temptations and perturbations and violence of sinne as that wee neuer fall into them againe and that albeit we finde in our selues pronenesse and aptnesse to fall into some of these transgressiōs yet work in vs a godly resolution holy strife against them groaning and panting vnder the loathsome burthen of vitious corruptions for this cause O heauenly Father inspire in vs humble and submissiue mindes to the power of thy worde that wee may out of it haue our hereditary pollution discouered and our corruptions more and more purged thereby euer sighing for the day of our dissolution and looking for the day of our Lord Iesus Christ to our immortality to whom with the Father and holy Ghost wee render glory praise and dominion now and euermore On Munday Euening Prayer O Lord God deare Father in Iesus Christ repentance is thy proper peculiar gift which thou giuest to all them that aske it of thee in faith for as by nature wee haue it not and therefore doe renounce our selues seeing euery good gift is from aboue from thee the father of lights so the time of repentance is in this life and here while we may it must bee obtained with all speedy diligence for alas the longer we delay and deferre the harder it is to bee got and more doubtfull it doth proue to be had the fittest time O Lord is immediately after the sinne is committed and while it is called to day least wee be hardened thorough the deceitfulnesse of sinne our time here is as a thought it is cut off and quickly doe wee flie away wherefore deare father we confesse the greatnesse of our sinnes committed by vs this day how infinite in number how dangerous and deadly to our soules how offensiue to them that are without and to them also that are in Iesus Christ wee acknowledge them thou art faithfull and iust to forgiue vs them and to cleanse vs from all vnrighteousnesse wee submit our selues O Lord our God willingly to thy rebukes chastisements which iustly thou mayest lay vpon vs for the taming and subduing of our sinnes wee sorrow and weep for them our laughter is turned into mourning and our ioy into heauines we cast downe our selues before thee O God that thou mayest lift vs vp and open our eares by our corrections that our vncircumsied hearts may be humbled and
to repentance The wicked still say because hee delayes his comming either by continuation of present punishment or prorogation of their life where is the promise of his comming for since the Fathers died all things continue alike from the beginning of the creation and doth God know it say they Is there knowledge in the most high can hee iudge through the darke clouds the cloudes hide him that hee cannot see and he walketh in the circle of heauen and so doe they think in their heart God hath forgotten hee hideth away his face and will neuer see the vision that is seene is for many dayes to come and doth prophecy of the times that are farre off but woe vnto them that drawe iniquity with cords of vanity and sin as with cart-ropes which say let them make speed let them hasten his worke that wee may see and let the counsell of the holy one drawe neare and come that wee may knowe it And when the seruant doth say in his heart my master doth deferre his comming and shall begin to smite the seruants and maidens and to eate and drinke and be drunken the master of that seruant will come in a day when hee thinketh not and at an houre that hee is not aware of and will cut him off giue him his portion with vnbeleeuers Therfore beloued sinne not because grace hath abounded for the grace of God which bringeth saluation vnto all men hath appeared teaching vs that we should deny vngodlinesse and wordly lusts and that wee should liue soberly righteously and godly in this present world despise not therefore the riches of his bountifulnesse and patience and long sufferance knowing that the bountifulnes of God leadeth thee to repentance least thou after thy hardnesse and heart that cannot repent heape vppe to thy selfe wrath against the day of wrath and truely his long suffering is saluation and repentance the way to bring vs thereto that we may finde mercy with the Lord at that day thus the heart of the penitent is like waxe it is molten in the middest of their bowels but the wickeds is as strong as a stone and as hard as the nether mil-stone thus they sowe pillowes vnder their arme-holes and make vailes vpon the head of euery one that standeth vp to winne soules lying in sinne and presumptuously reposing vpon vaine perswasion of the mercy of God which they euer abuse truely his mercie is that green-bed wherin his true members doe lie howsoeuer the wicked make his mercy cloakes of shame for as the Apostle saith they haue theis liberty for a cloake of malitiousnesse saying as the Iewes did this is the temple of the Lorde rrusting in lying wordes that cannot profit but bee thou not deceiued God is not mocked let no man deceiue thee with vain wordes for for these things the wrath of God comes vpon the children of misbeliefe who rest in their owne peace and security when as hee that walketh vprightly walketh onely boldly and in the feare of the Lord is an assured strength wherefore well doth the wise-man aduise vs say not Gods mercy is great hee will bee pacified for the multitude of my sins for mercy and wrath come from him and his indignation resteth vpon sinners make no tarrying to turne to the Lord and put not off from day to day for suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord come forth and in thy security thou shalt be destroyed and perish in the day of vengeance and againe say not I haue sinned and what harme hath happened vnto mee for the Lord is long-suffering he will in nowise let thee go and concerning propitiation be not without feare to adde sinne to sinne Is not the mercy of God great and nothing can be greater larger as is said the Archangels and Angels in heauen Prophets Apopostles Martyrs and Confessors on earth and all things that liue or yet are created commend the same in one Psalme euery verse euen twenty sixe times endeth with this for his mercy endureth for euer O but beware hereof this is Satans olde subtilty whereby hee maketh man bolde on sinne as hee did Euah you shall not die at all said hee hee couereth and hideth the Lords iustice from mens eyes and remoueth the euill day a far off thus hee lieth in waite secretly euen as a Lyon in his den he lieth in wait to spoyle the poore when he draweth him into his net therefore heape of poore do fall by his might but hee greatly enlargeth the Lords bountifulnes and patience for as it is true the Lord is mercifull so is this true that hee visiteth the iniquity of the fathers to the third and fourth generation therefore thou must consider that which Dauid did sing I wil sing mercy and iudgement saith hee vnto thee O Lord will I sing And herein is God and his ministers distinguished from Satan and his for God euer conioyneth mercy and iustice together but Satan harpes continually on one of them onely as hee saith peace peace when there is no peace thus these monsters draw out their breast and giue sucke to their young ones thus the wicked is made to boast of his owne hearts desire hee blesseth himselfe and contemneth the Lord the deceiuing teachers wordes are softer then butter yet is there warre in the heart of him they are spoken to their wordes I say are more gentle then oyle yet are they swords but if thou wilt bee cured beloued there must be put into thy sores both wine and oyle that thou maiest suffer the wholesome and sound doctrine and not resemble those whose itching eares turne away from hearing the truth on whom while they dream on peace and safety then sudden destruction commeth as sorrow vpon a woman with childe and they shall not escape any wise Whenas a childe hath a bird tyed by the foot tosseth it to and fro vntill hee kill it so these false teachers men seducing themselues while they abuse the Lords tender mercies as if they were bound to all their youthfull sinnes and antient follies want only insolently bragging of thē and grieuing the holy spirit of Israel they turne his mercies I say thus disdained by them vnto the bitternesse of his wrath fooles and children they may bee called concerning vnderstanding albeit they bee of a ripe age And like as an olde man beeing to passe ouer a narrow and small bridge putteth on his spectacles in which the bridge appeareth a great deale bigger then of it selfe it is where hee falleth to the hazard of his life in the ditch so they that wander from this mortality to immortality by the mercies of God not rightly esteeming the same but walkes in the broade way that leadeth to destruction they may I say cry out great is his mercy which yet is not so great that it will fauour them