expect all mercy grace peace comfort strength health safety succour help deliverance and salvation onely from thee oh grant each seasonably and effectually unto me Lord work all thy works iâ— me that I may serve thee as â— ought and work all my work for me that I may prosper a thou hast promised Lord make me as thou would dest have me and require whâ—â— thou wilt of me give me which thou seest best for me and dâ—â— what thou wilt with me Lord be my strength refuge and ready help at hand mâ— sufficiency safety and good successe and when where and how thou pleasest imploy me Lord cleare my innocency stop the mouth of injury faithfully worthily and in-offensively make me to discharge each part of my duty Lord make me wise warned watchfull and well governed by my former folly rashnesse weaknesse and misgovernment Lord let me no more be conformable to the sinfull and unseemly fashions of the world but reforme my whole man according to thy will Lord forgive and keep me from those sinnes whereby I have most dishonoured thee disgraced my Christian profession injured others clog'd my conscience terrified my souse or any way procured my selfe shame or harme Lord make me to make and let me find each part of thy Word my guide and comfort Lord direct governe restore comfort support establish inable protect provide for and blesse me as every one of my especiall occasions doe or may require of thee Lord at one time or other by one meanes or other ere we do part hence work for the effectuall conversion and everlasting salvation of every one of mine and I desire no more for them of thee Lord prepare me to meet the ere thy wrath come upon me in the day of calamity hide me under thine hand till thy indignation be over past Lord in wisdome love and faithfulnesse visit me and deale as thou pleasest with me Lord when all is past hope thou canst most easily help my case is fully knowne and wholy commended to thee thou hast helped remarkably thy hand is not shortned thy mercy never faileth thy truth endureth for ever towards me Lord let not my hope deceive nor thy help faile me oh cause me to make and let me find thy providence my portion continually so shall I be supplied seasonably and never want any thing thou seest good for me Lord prepare me to suffer to dye let every thing draw me neerer to thee let death bring me to life eternall with thee doe then what thou wilt with me call then when where and how thou pleasest for me Lord from sin shame harme in thy feare in a good repute and peace preserve me Lord how shall I behave my selfe in my present distressed estate and how wilt thou therein deale with me oh that thou wouldest dispose and dispatch all my businesse for me Lord all help faileth me none cares for me every thing seemâ— to crosse me yet help thou and all shall goe well with me Lord cause me to goe the right way to work and to submit to thy disposing wholy Lord let it appeare the right way is the best way never of never faile forsake or forget me let them that now for wel-doing scorn me see thou fovourest and releevest me Lord cause me secretly and sensibly to sorrow for my owne sinnes and to mourne for the abominations of the times and this uncessantly Lord affect me with the affections of Joseph rightly dispose me to pray for the peace of Zion seriously in all reforme and pardon me Lord give me feeling feeling feeling of all the good things I know and utter before thee thou knowest and I acknowledge the same to be extreamly wanting in me Lord let no thought of my heart nor word of my mouth be in vain for me but thou that art my strength and my Redeemer accept all my Meditations and expressions continually Lord carry me with wisdome patience comfort and good successe through all my great occasions Lord change my disposition reform my conversation speedily and powerfully wherein I am most averse from good and prone to evill especially Lord that thou wouldest instruct and inable me sincerely and circumspectly to order my lawfull affaires substantially whatsoever others may thinke speake or worke against me and that thine owne seasonablâ— and effectuall working to afforâ—â—n happy issue might according to thy mercy and truth appeare towards me Lord put me not off with outward mercies but vouchsafe me a portion of thy best blessings From sloath lust and carelesnesse from tatling tipling and trifling away time from putting off my private devotions from discontent and discord Good Lord deliver me Grounds of comfort against the nick-name of Puritane and Round-head It is nothing in respect of what hath been objected against Christ and the godly for there hath been objected against them grieuous things (a) Acts 25.7 gluttony (b) Mat. 11.18.19 madnesse (c) Joh. 10.20 blasphemy (d) Mat. 26.65 Mark 9.3 Acts 6.11 13 14. murder (e) Acts 28.4 deceiving (f) Joh. 7.12 2 Cor. 6.8 rebellion (g) Acts 17.6 7. rayling (h) Acts 23.4 babling idolatry (i) Acts 17.18 bringers of strange things (k) Acts 17.20 scisme (l) Acts 28.22 wickednesse of life (m) 1 Pet. 2.12 the abjects abused them (n) Psa 35.15 drankards sang of them (o) Psal 69.12 the basest derided them (p) Job 30.1 they were a reproach of men (q) Psal 22.12 a by-word (r) Psal 44.14 a proverbe (s) Psal 69.11 a wonder (t) Psal 17.7 Isa 8.18 gazing-stocks (u) 1 Cor. 4.9 fools (w) 1 Cor. 4.10 insufficient despised (x) Idem defamed made as filth and off-scowring (y) 1 Cor. 4.13 great men rayle at them (z) Psa 31.13 godly men censure them (a) Jobs friends 1 Cor. 4.4.10 and by slander excommunicate them (b) Isa 66.5 are most fouly scandalized (c) Ps 69.7 44.15 condemned by a whole Counsell (d) Mat. 27.1 Joh. 11.47 48. Acts 6.12 4.6.15 5.27 23.1 yea to suffer as evill doers (e) 2 Tim. 2.9 Psal 37.32 33. Psal 41.8 Isa 53.4 well if God condemnes us not what matters the censures and reproachfull nick-names of others (f) 1 Pet. 3.16 If good bad men both should judge amisse Keep conscience cleare tâ—ou needst not care I wisse Alas this is not to resist unto blood h Heb. 12.4 my Saviour sayes Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and shall say all manner of evill falsly for my sake reioyce and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven for so persecuted they the Prophets that were before you i Mat. 5.11 12. yea my most blessed Redeemer so have they abused thee and all thy dearest Servants oh then why should I that am not worthy the name of a Servant or Disciple think to be above my Lord and Master and better
kindnesse against his will He is a friend who when his advice is neglected will threaten to discover our faults to our shame if there be no other remedy yet it is a shame and grief to them to doe so Though thou canst not doe aâ— thou ought and wouldest yet leave not a good work altogether undone Make tryall though there be small hope of prevailing In furthering a lawfull businesse by lawfull meanes be bold and unwearied and let God work One misseth through untimely bashfulnesse that which another obtaineth by honest boldnesse This I find all meanes to be wanting defective or in vaine if the Lord work not This I know when God sayes let it be all shall serve the turne for all things obey his voyce If God be ours we have all without him we have nothing Assurance of Gods love and promise of Gods help ought to be enough for us For want of application a man wants the sound comfort of that whereby he is able to comfort others My Grace is sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12.9 To Forgive all thy sinnes To Impute Christs al-sufficient satisfaction To Make thee beleeve To Instruct thy ignorance To Subdue thy corruptions To Sanctifie thee to my sevice To Direct thee erring To Establish thee doubting To Strengthen thy weaknesse To Raise thee being fallen To Support thee standing To Make thee watchfull To Comfort thee afflicted To Quiet thee troubled To Deliver thee distressed To Settle thee distempered To Enable thee to pray To Fulfill thy requests To Work good wanting To Increase good begun To Keep thee from all evill To Turne all to thy good To Supply all thy necessities To Give thee godly sorrow To Make thee upright To Build thee on my promises To Stirre thee up to thankfulnesse To Cause thee persevere in goodnesse To Accept thy unworthy person and services To Bring to a blessed end To Crowne thee with eternall happinesse To All in Christ Jesus Thou the Lord sayest it therefore it shall be Thy Grace alone shall be enough for me My God give grace this grace may be attained None then so rich though all the world he gained Thou canst thou wilt thou must vouchsafe it Lord Because thy selfe hast said it in thy Word Isa 34.16 How with an holy opportunity to bind the Lord to preserve us from sinne be we in our selves never so strongly tempted and sorely inclined thereunto viz. 1 BY urging the Lord with his promises hereof Rom. 6.14 2 Cor. 12.9 2 With his oath Heb. 6 17 18 Isa 14.24 c. 3 With his power Mat. 28 18. Mark 14.36 4 With his Covenant Ezek. 36 27 29. 5 With his Sabbaths which he hath given us to be signes that he will sanctifie us Exo. 31 13. Ezek. 20 12 20. 6 With our baptisme wherby we are assured of the vertue of Christs death to kil sin in us 7 With the Sacrament of the Lords Supper wherein the same thing is sealed unto us 8 And that he hath pleased to strengthen us in some measure heretofore 9 By urging him with his superabundant grace Joh 1 16 Rom 5 20. Thus in all humility and earnestnesse to beseech and urge our God to have respect unto his own glory in every one of these taking head of the occasions of sin by his blessed help we shall be kept from grosse offences and get power over our secret strongest corruptions through Christ Jesus Amen Somewhat concerning government of the Tongue DEath and life are in the power of the tongue Pro. 18 21. If any man offend not in word the same is a perfect man Ia. 3.2 Lord no man offends so often and shamefully with the tongue as I doe I said I will take heed to my wayes that I sinne not with my tongue I will keep my mouth a bridle Psal 39.1 yea I have and am purposed my mouth shall not transgresse Psa 17.3 But the tongue can no man tame Jam. 3 8. it is an vnruly evil ful of deadly poyson idem Therefore set thou a watch before my mouth and order thou the door of my lips O my God Psal 141.3 Such resolutions as most concerne himselfe in this respect viz. To avoyd All Prophane needlesse uncertaine uncomely offensive words To use Onely Christian seasonablenesse certaine seemly acceptable speeches Rather speak nothing then to say the least thing to no good or to an evill purpose Not to suster his tongue to runne before his wit But to forethink whether it be lawfull or fitting that he is about to speak then to refraine or speak accordingly To avoid All rash superfluous vaine abscene unreverend scornfull talk To use Onely considerate few substantiall holy reverend respective discourse Not to meddle in others matters To deale in his owne circumspectly To praise others discreetly And himselfe inforced modestly not to tell newes suddenly To relate the same required warily To avoyd All jibing boasting double flattering fearfull false words To use Only serious humble plain faithfull free true speeches Not speak evill of any absent or dead If there be or was any good in them to take notice thereof else to say nothing of them Not to answer any matter before he heare and understand it throughly Then to answer briefly and pithily Not to interrupt any in their speaking by speaking with them or taking the words out of their mouth But to give full time and then to answer wisely To avoyd All revealing his owne matters Unfolding his affections Discovering his passions Complaining of his wants Declaring his opinion Opening others secrets Where these need not and more then needs must To be Secret silent reserved watchfull to the contrary Not to break out into passionate contentious spitefull provoking revengefull speeches no not against such as injure him and when they doe so But to deliver temperate peaceable gentle suffering pacifying words To appease wrath and strife To prevent anger and discord To avoid hast and to use deliberation To avoyd loudnesse and to use so ftnesse in his speeches To avoid lightnesse and to use gravity To avoyd harshnesse and to use friendlinesse in his talk In all things he utters to be circumspect and sober Lord who is sufficient for these things none so weak as I am yet nothing is impossible to thee O Lord my God mercifully notwithstanding my sinnes powerfully notwithstanding my weaknesse faithfully notwithstanding all oppositions let thy grace be sufficient for me to teach and enable me aright when where and how to speak and to hold my peace at home and abroad with whomsoever I have to doe and in whatsoever I take in hand as may be most and onely for thy glory the gracing of thy Religion and my profession thereof the good example and benefit of others the safety and credite of my place and person the comfort and peace of my soule and conscience here and the everlasting happinesse of soule and body in Heaven for evermore all by the speedy effectuall daily and continuall assistance of
Vow and said O Lord of hosts if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine hand-maid and remember and not forget me but wilt give unto me c. then I will give unto thee c. shee spake in her heart onely her lips moved but her voyce was not heard I am of a sorrowfull spirit and have poured out my soule before the Lord out of the abundance of my complaint and griefe have I spoken The Lord God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him so the woman went her way and did eat and her countenance was no more sad and the Lord remembred her and she said The Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him for the Lord is a God of knowledge and by him actions are weighed 1 Sam. 1.6 7 10 11 13 15 16 17 18 19 27. 2.3 If the Lord were pleased to kill us he would not have received a burnt Offering and a meat Offering at our hands neither would he have shewed us all these things nor would as at this time have told us such things as these Judges 13.23 Lord grant me the spirit of understanding and application of every one of these and according to my most urgent occasions thou that art the same for ever unto thine let me find the comfort and profit of these for thy mercy and thy truth unto me my soule my God in Christ shall alwayes and in all things magnifie thee Amen Who knoweth the work of the Lord who worketh all Eccl. 11.5 My God I wait the issue from thee I beseech thee make it good for me I unfainedly promise unto thee To observe diligently To remember constantly To regard carefully To acknowledge thankfully Thy gracious dealing towards me In this and every extremity Which so much overchargeth me That I can see no remedy Lord I depend upon thee Do thy good pleasure with me Oh heare forgive accept and help me Amen Amen my God in Christ I pray thee Some more though briefe yet sound Meditations for his further assurance of support and succour in his present exceeding great or any future though never so hopelesse and helplesse misery O Lord my God thou art throughly acquainted with my condition which threatneth extreame misery thou knowest what is best for me and dispofest all things according to thine owne will for my good in the end assuredly whatsoever doth or may oppose me behold I looke round about me and can see no hope of help left me but I looke up to thee in the highest Heavens from whom alone all my help commeth who knoweth thy worke that worketh all thou hast innumerable waies to help when al else faileth thou hast oftentimes heretofore seasonably unexpectedly amply wonderfully wrought for my reliefe and deliverance when I was most helplesse and whatsoever opposed and that of thine owne meere goodnesse notwithstanding my unmeasurable great sinfulnesse I know and beleeve thy hand is not shortned that thou art the same for ever unto me for good as thou art gracious work for my reliefe and deliverance notwithstanding my exceeding great unworthines all other impossibilities the earth is thine and the fulnesse thereof all things obey thy voyce speak but one word and it is done command and it shall stand fast all the world cannot hinder it thou hast provided thou doest canst hast promised must and wilt provide in the Mount in greatest extremity apparently it shall be Lord let it be seen Why then should I faint feare or doubt thou art my help in greatest need I give over all unto thee I call upon thee I depend alone on thee I await alwaies for thee thou hast never failed me never Oh never faile forsake or forget me I remember thy wonted goodnesse I fly to thy undeserved mercies I trust in thy almighty power I found my prayers on thy most faithfull promises I submit to thy most wise disposing now I beseech and urge thee most humbly and instantly in mercy as thou art wont and hast promised be pleased most powerfully as seemeth good unto thee to consider my condition to remember my estate to pitty my distresse to behold my trouble to regard my sighes to heare my prayers to relieve my wants to prevent feared calamities and to deliver me out of this great misery Oh if it be thy will let me find by experience thy fatherly love care and providence so manifested and magnified towards me that I may be freed from this in mans judgement irrecoverable misery with which and with all its circumstances thou art acquainted fully Oh let no man lose by me or have just cause to complaine of me Oh work for me that I may live of mine owne commendably without being chargeable to any that I provide for mine honestly and so remove and prevent much trouble in my selfe and sorrow shame and misery to mine that I may put all my things in good order before I depart hence that in this respect I may be the more willing to leave this world and the more desirous of a better life that in all these I may acknowledge thy goodnesse and praise thy name who hast dealt so graciously and wonderfully with me by thy grace if it please thee to doe it I will never forget it but will alwayes confesse that thy hand onely hath wrought it and shall ever endeavour to testifie true thankfulnesse for it yet O Lord my God in all these not as I will but as thou wilt who knowest what is most needfull for me yea rather deny in mercy then give me in displeasure what I conceive I so much want and doe so earnestly crave if it be thy will this burthen shall grow so heavy and lye so long upon me that I be brought unto the uttermost extremity doe buâ— encrease inward strength within me that I may come the nearer home unto thee and 〈◊〉 is enough for me I crave 〈◊〉 more of thee all shall goe well with me whatsoever betideâ— me doe not oh doe not suffeâ— me to use any unlawfull or unbeseeming means to help mâ—selfe thereby let no by-respect prevaile with me herein but direct and inable me conscionable and worthily to do my duty and so to leave the successe unâ—â— thee who wilt cause the samâ— to fall out well for me never oh never suffer me to be impatient discontented over doubtfull over carefull or discouraged or to murmure against to dispute with to complaint of or to limit thee but enable oh enable me to possesse mâ— soule in patience to rest heartly well contented with all thou sendest as that which thou in wisdome love and faithfulnesse seest best for me and wilt remarkably turne to good unto me help me to acknowledge thee aright in all my wayes oh direct my pathes cause me with an holy carelesnesse to cast my care upon thee oh take care for me make me to roule my burthen on thee oh nourish thou me raise up my heart to
grace and supplication that I may at this present poure out my heart in prayer before thee so that thou mayest be pleased to heare and help from Heaven seasonably and effectually thy great name shall have all the glory Or Thus O Lord prepare my miserable unprepared heart to pray heare me graciously though I be most unworthy as thou hast promised whatsoever opposeth thy great name shall have all the glory Or Thus O Lord help my heart to pray heare my prayers thy name shall have the praises If he comes into Gods House before the beginning of publike worship O Most holy Lord God prepare every one of our unprepared hearts in most holy manner to seek thy face in every one of thy most holy Ordinances work effectually with thy most holy spirit upon every one of our hearts that the meanes of grace may prove effectuall to every one of our most sinfull soules to the building of them up in all grace to our present comfort and eternall happinesse in Christ Jesus Amen When Amen is pronounced at the end of the publike prayers Amen Lord Amen of thy infinite mercy according to thy immutable truth by thy unresistable working notwithstanding our unworthinesse insufficiency and all other impediments thy great name shall have all the glory to which alone the same is due wholy When he gives Almes Good Lord accept the will for the deed forgive and reforme what is amisse vouchsafe a plentifull blessing in due season according to thy wonted goodnesse and faithfull promises in Christ Jesus When the blessing is pronounced O Lord our God most mighty mercifull and true vouchsafe graciously seasonably and effectually to leave thy promised blessing of mercy grace and peace behind thee Amen When he awakes in the morning O Lord my God it is of thine owne and onely wonted undeserved infinite never failing mercies that I have not in this night past been smothered in my sleep and sinnes that I may behold the light of this day in peace awaken my heart with all holy affections towards thee cause me to cast off all works of darknesse and to walk in the light before thee renew remission unto me for my sins of the night renewed against thee throughout this day governe me by thy Word and spirit in all I goe about and let thy blessing be upon me in all that any way concernes me my soule through Jesus Christ shall more and more magnifie thee Amen When he layes him downe at night to take his rest O Lord my God by thy especiall providence assistance I lay me downe in peace at this present and blesse thy name unfainedly that all things throughout this day hath gone so well with me whereas else I had been every way most unhappy Oh multiply pardon to me for my fauls multiplyed against thee even this day past I beseech thee and watch over me the rest of this night to preserve me from sinning against thee though never so secretly and to keep off whatsoever would any way harme me for all grace and good my soule shall more and more through Jesus Christ glorifie thee Amen Before his going to heare Gods Word preached O Lord my God whose word I goe to heare grant me thy grace to heare it as thy word with all due reverence earnest attention and holy affection oh help me against all dead heartednesse distractednes and wearinesse make my heart as the good ground rightly to receive this heavenly seed water the same with the dew of thy grace that it may bring forth fruit abundantly in my knowledge resolution and practice in faith and godlinesse with all patience and constancy thus work in and for me mercifully powerfully faithfully notwithstanding my unprepared insensible unprofitable hearing therof whereof alas I am most hainously continually guilty for which I beg pardon and amendment yea in spite of all that the flesh the world the devill labour to the contrary Amen Amen my Father in Christ herein help me I most humbly and earnestly beg pray and beseech thee Amen at this time and upon the like occasions continually When be comes from hearing Gods Word Now my good and gracious God having by thy especiall providence goodnesse and grace injoyed the gracious meanes happy opportunity and thy help to heare thy most holy word for which exceeding great favours make me truâ—â— thankfull and of which crave the continuance unto my lives end bring the same to my remembrance affect me with each part thereof throughly cause me to mix it with faith rightly and to put each part thereof in practice Christianly as the necessities of my poore soule require especially heare and blesse in mercy as thou hast promised though I have sinned and whatsoever opposeth Amen Before his reading Gods Word in private O my heavenly Father be intreated mercifully powerfully faithfully now and at all other times be I never so unworthy indisposed and whatsoever opposeth to strengthen and blesse me in the reading understanding remembring applying and practising of thy most holy word as may be most to thy great glory and my eternall good through Christ Jesus Amen After his reading Gods Word in private O my God I most heartily thank thee for this most inestimable Jewell of thy most holy Word for this great freedome and thy especiall help to be exercised therein and for all the good that by thy blessing my poore soul hath received thereby Oh forgive my unthankfulnesse therefore and abusing thereof reforme these foule offences in me and notwithstanding the same and whatsoever else would hinder continue these great mercies unto me and make each part of thy most holy word my guide and comfort in life and death through Jesus Christ Amen I beg of thee Before his meditating in private Good Lord it is my most humble earnest suit unto thy most sacred Majesty that thou wilt not lay to my charge my long wilfull neglect of miserable aversnesse from and extream indisposition to this so much required and exceeding needfull dutie of divine Meditation but notwithstanding these and though I neither know how nor have any abilitie to discharge the same as I ought I pray and beseech thee to learne me the right way thereto and to dispose me in some good measure to the performance thereof help me to begin goe on and end in respect of the present matter thereof with sound judgement moved affection powerfull application and unfained purpose to put all to conscionable practice to the encrease of all grace and godlinesse through thy alone deare Sonne my alone sweet Saviour Christ Jesus Amen After his meditating in private My deare God my soule magnifieth thee for this opportunitie and assistance thou hast vouchsafed me most weak and unworthie in the performance of this holy dutie oh pardon pittie and reforme my ignorance insensiblenesse and manifold distempers herein oh helpe me more and more better hereunto and doe me this exceeding great favour that I may constantly beare
that this way have suffered in their persons and reputation better fall into yea perish by an honourable enemy then to be called to account and censured by your owne party your businesse being well done and over be then at rest and let another take his turne if I might advise others as I doe my selfe let this be our constant course Lord my God govern and watch for and over me Feare and backwardnesse secures not from the perils that cause them but often layes more open to them howsoever they disable exceedingly and procure shame and harme inevitably Selfe Meditations and seasonable Exhortations being ready to goe upon dangerous services viz. with our soules let us now seek and trust God promise and performe sincere obedience to him if he please to grant help and deliverance be of good courage in the strength of the Lord let us doe worthily follow my example let the Lord doe what seemeth good unto him we fight for the Cause of God for our lives safety honour and victory Lord sight thou for us encourage strengithen preserve and prosper us of thy mercy as thou hast promised Psal 46.1 2. through Christ Jesus be we never so unworthy and whatsoever opposeth us Amen Observe this Lord let such as shame scorne or wilfully neglect to seek help of thee or that trust to their own wisdome worth or sufficiency or to any other meanes of help besides thee never have help from thee but as for me who am most sinfull weak and unworthy who deny my selfe and all other meanes of help without thee utterly who by thy grace doe seek for depend upon and await for thy help only afford thy wonted needfull most gracious mighty seasonable and faithfully promised help unto me (a) Prov. 2 6 Isa 40 13 14. Acknowledge and direction (b) Psal 59 10. Prov. 3 9. prevention and government (c) Isa 28 5. Isa 40.29 31 courage and sufficiency (d) 2 Cor. 3 5. 1 Sam. 8 6 14. strength and safety (e) Ps 18.2 Jos 1 8. deliverance and prosperity (f) 1 Chron. 29.10 11 12. Ps 121.2 come from thee O Lord onely (g) Jer. 21.33 Ephes 1.5 Therefore my God in Christ (h) Psa 120.1 1. Psal 136. all I beseech thee in mercy (i) Psal 71 20. Psal 119.49 as thou hast done and promised (k) Isa 41 14. Ezek. 36 22. be I never so weak and unworthy (l) Psal 9 9. Psa 46 1 2 3. in due season and greatest extremity (m) Psal 32 8 Prov. 3 6 to instruct and direct (n) Psal 79.8 Exod. 4 15. to prevent and governe (o) Isa 51 12. Is 41.10 to encourage and strengthen (p) Neb. 6.9 1 Tim. 1.12 every way to enable (q) Psal 68.12 Psal 68.35 to doe well and worthily (r) Job 15 20 2 Sam. 22.2 preserve and deliver (s) Deut. 31.8 Deut. 28.8.11 be with and prosper me (t) Psal 71.16 Ephes 6.20 I will goe forward â—n thy strength onely (u) Numb 24.18 Psal 108 13 through thee I shall doe valiantly (x) Psal 18.2 Psal 140 7 In the day of battle thou hast covered me (y) Pro. 3 6 Psal 37.5 I referre all alwayes to thee (z) 2 Sam. 15 26 Mat. 6.10 as thou pleasest deale thou with me (a) 2 Chron. 14.11 2 Chr. 20.12 help thou and all shall goe well (b) Psal 33.16 17 Ps 128 1 2. else nothing can avail me (c) Exod. 22 27 Ps 69.30 31. oh hear me graciously (d) Psal 34.1 Psal 103.1 2 my soul for all help blesseth thee (e) Mic. 7.7 Psal 72 12. and looks for all good onely from thee (f) Psal 62.1 Hos 13.9 for any help thou shalt vouchsafe me (g) Isa 63 7 Ps 56.12 my soule shall alwayes praise thee (h) Ps 41.18 Psal 31.9 Amen Amen I beg of thee Love is an honest faithfull thiefe stealing from us and yet letting us keep the graces God hath given us a most strange yet most certaine manner of curing the diseased when the Physician drinks the potion and the Patient is thereby cured so deales our Saviour by us The Jewes say there are 72 Members in a mans body and understand the curse Deutre 27. ult to be 72 plagues denounced thereunto Let all endeavours be done out of conscience or the best are bootlesse Things done in greatest shew of sanctity and not to Gods glory chiefly deceives us miserably and is but painted iniquity Better a good work laden with weaknesse if done in sincerity then glorious shewes from a false heart let thy heart be right with God approve it to him and care not what others speak or think of thee This I find and expect when his offend him the Lord will visit their transgressions with the rods of men and this I know and beleeve his everlasting mercies he will never take from me Better want the good we have had and would have to humble us then to abound and forget our Maker Oh most miserable and accursed prosperity where wickednesse gets wealth Oh rich and happy poverty that hath a good conscience though with never so little Afflictions of body or mind must turne to our good if they move us to seek God Feare not God for feare of a punishment onely yea feare him least he should punish thee for not fearing him Love not meerly in hope of good yet love him in hope he will doe thee good Sorrow for sinne not for feare of wrath simply yet sorrow for sinne least wrath over-whelme thee Practice as thou prayest or they prevaile not We pray rightly when we practice conscionably Sathan seeks to hinder one good work by moving to another lesse seasonable at the same time therefore divide the times aright and preferre the best first He that would meditate well must give his mind but to one good point at one time and beat that out throughly with prayer and application Better to have troubles in the flesh with a quiet conscience then the pleasures of sinne with horrour of heart Better to live in misery then sinne The worst of suffering is to be chosen before the best of sisning Soule lost all lost soule well all well Some while they think to free themselves from sorrowes by living in sinne thereby bring the same evils upon themselves and so are doubly wretched That which thou thinkst shall be thy comfort shall prove thy crosse yea thy curse except thou lookest chiefly to God in seeking it and he please to sanctifie it In reading labour for knowledge but chiefly for affection Miraculous help is not ordinary yet may and must we build upon the power of God for help be our distresse never so great and meanes of reliefe never so small By encrease of inward and outward troubles finding encrease of comfort and help why should I not willingly suffer Though we often strive against an evill without prevailing let us not
give over but strive the more for such striving is our victory Whose charity hath not been recompenced wherefore the ready way to be rich is to give liberally Yea this is a true though a strange saying the way to be richer is having much to give more The tenth to the Lord brings a tenfold blessing Wicked men neither know beleeve nor consider they fare the better for good mens sakes yet it is most true Are they not children fools and mad men who detest scorn slander and abuse their dearest friends Yet such are those though never so wise in their owne conceits who use good men so It is an infallible signe we shall obtaine if we persevere to aske the thing we want according to the will of God Impatiency in trouble neither easeth the mind nor relieveth the need why then should we give way to it All our carking cares cannot compasse our ends nor change the case therefore away with them Watch against all sinfull distempers in any case for the Lord is not pleased with nor bound to please our fond affections but doeth what he pleaseth Hope beyond hope beleeve beyond feeling in well-doing trust God most in greatest extremity and thou shalt help beyond present expectation The more zealous for God the more opposed in the world The better man the more hated of ill men but most dearly loved of God It is a signe of goodnesse to be nick-named of vaine persons It is a sinfull and false conclusion to say because most men and the greatest doe so it is well done common experience sayes otherwise Gods precepts not examples must be our rules Better goe to Heaven with a few poore creatures here contemned then burne in hell with multitudes of rich and glorious worldlings for there company brings no comfort but increaseth misery If riches made happy woe to the poore but the poore in spirit are the richest and shall be blessed Faithfulnesse in our calling is excellent yet a diligent man may be unfaithfull to God He that judgeth himself most censureth another least He that hath experience and feeling of his owne weaknesse will beare with anothers infirmities and feare his former falls A prophane person cryes out when a good man faileth but never thinks of his owne abominations An unregenerate Civilian thinks his owne case good and speaks largely of others failings but forgetteth that his owne case is more miserable Better often to fall and rise againe by repentance then live in secret sinne without remorse of conscience He that never doubted never truly beleeved so he that never sorrowed for sinne never repented of sinne Neither signes nor wonders judgements nor mercies prosperity nor adversity that can cause man rightly to seek his God except grace work upon the heart witnesse the hard-hearted Jewes in our Saviours time No mervaile though men remaine wicked who make not right use of what they heare see or feele This is a true token of repentance if we break off the sinne we lived in Oh the Sugar-bit under the tongue the darling sinne spit it out away with it or it will poyson all Better suffer open shame undeservedly then live in secret sinne impenitently Of all beautifull creatures a sanctified Soule pleaseth God best After deep affliction of spirit comes much sweet inward comfort to a conscionable Christian For want of humble thankfulnesse and carefull watching we fall into deepe dejections againe A sharp answer to an honest heart propounding a just matter throwes downe the mind exceedingly Take heed of bitternesse when a matter is moved to us considering the like would not please us It is not the doing but well doing of a good worke pleaseth God It is a good signe of sincerity to humble our selves in secret for the failings in our holiest performances and for such faults as others cannot discerne in us I take and find it a truth that to dispence with our selves for omitting of good duties openeth a door for the committing of foule offences He that speaks by experience is not deceived if he addes no more to it Bewaile in private thy failings in Gods publike services hold not habituall distractions for small matters for that savours of falshartednesse As we would our courses should not be mis-conceived let us take heed we give no just occasion of distaste When we think we stand surest we are like to fall soonest therefore be humble and watch then most Sinne cannot be good yet it is good for us we sinne sometimes to make us the more humble and watchfull thereby Take heed of spirituall pride it often procures spirituall disertion The more knowledge the more practice or else the more vexation of spirit or sharper stripes It is not amisse sometimes to a good end to doe a thing that may seem unseasonable if the same be lawfull All things unfitting are not unlawfull but whatsoever is unlawfull cannot be truly fitting Doest thou feele thou canst not pray pray that thou mayest pray for prayer quickneth prayer That prayer is not rejected that is without feeling if we have prayed in obedience and bewaile our insensiblenesse It is a signe we have feeling if we feele we want it No good work is accepted for its owne worth nor rejected for its wants if we be in Christ Set we our hearts to seek God in the duty we doe or our service is abominable Ceremonies are sometimes necessary yet make not the worke good or bad simply for the Lord looketh to the heart chiefly yet oftentimes seemly gestures shew inward holinesse they may be used as helps to devotion but we must not put holinesse in them When we ought and doe not reprove and punish sinne in others it is just with God to let us fall into the same sinnes and to punish us for them We have to do with a most holy al-knowing just and jealous God therefore take we heed of dallying delaying or excuses he sees whether our hearts stand right or no. He that hath authority and leaves vice unpunisht provokes the Lord to punish him He that useth not his bell meanes to convert his charge shall answer before God for such his neglect and their miscarriage Readily forgive him that injures thee but forbeare not him that offends God Authority may and must compell to outward obedience in the use of the meanes although to convert the heart is the onely work of God It is true the Lord saveth none against their wils yet none can be saved by their own free will It is not in him that willeth nor in him that runneth but in God that sheweth mercy yet he sheweth mercy to none but those that by his mercy will and runne Good in the worst men we ought to follow but evill in the best we are bound to eschew He that reveales my secrets though he intends my injury does me a curtesie in making me more circumspect and secret If one out of malice make knowne my misdemeanour and I thereby amend he does me a
Lord God will say for he will speake peace unto his people and to his Saints that they returne not againe to folly Psal 85 8. 10 Encrease Call unto me and I will answer thee and show thee great things and mighty that thou knowest not Jer. 33 3. I am the Lord thy God which doeth teach thee to profit and lead thee in the way that this shouldest goe Isa 48 17. 11 Establishment But the Lord is faithfull which will establish you and keep you from evill 2 Thes 3 3. 12 Perseverance I will not turne away from them to doe them good but I will put my feare in their hearts that they shall not depart from me I will give them one heart and one way that they may feare me for ever Jer. 32 39 40. I am perswaded of this same thing that he that hath begun this good work will performe it untill the day of Jesus Christ Phil. 1 6. 13 Having prayed to be kept from erring out of the right way in judgement or life The Lord sayes Thine eares shall heare a word behind thee saying This is the way walke ye in it when thou turnest to the right hand and when thou turnest to the left Isa 30 21. They that erred in spirit shall come to understanding Isa 29 24. And an high way shall he there and it shall be called the way of holinesse the wayfaring men though fools shall not erre therein Isa 35 8. For one prevailing motive among many to a conscinable walking with God consider godlinesse is profitable to all things having the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come 1 Tim. 4 8. and the contrary course a cause of all misery and mischife here and eternally This concerning our furtherance for walking with God AVoid overmuch sleep and rise timely redeem thy 〈◊〉 and walk wisely worship 〈◊〉 God in private in thy Family and in publike seasonably conscionably and that daily Avoid impurity and passion discontent uncharitablenesse and excesse converse chastly soberly peaceably charitably and temperately Shut up every evening with private prayer Examples in Scripture of Souldies that were godly among the rest two in the old and two in the new Testament IN whom among many other graces and vertues observe these and remember whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning Rom. 15 4. David an example of prayer unto and trust in God in greatest dangers and praising of him for safety strength and deliverance Ps 3 18.1 2 3 4 5 6 16 17 18 19 30 31 32 34 35 39 46 48 49. Of acknowledging of comforting himselfe in Gods word especially of incouraging himselfe in the Lord his God in extreamest distresses Psa 27.1 2 3.8 c. 7.1 2 3 4 9 10 11 1. Sam. 30.6 Of wisdome valour and personall performance 1 Sam. 16.18 2 Sam. 22 15 17. Joshuah an example of humblenesse under Gods hand Josh 7 6. seare of Gods wrath ver 7.8 9. seeking God in generall distresse ver 6 7. Diligence in seeking out offences and the offender ver 16 17 18. gentlenesse to the offondor verse 19. zeale for Gods glory verse 19. strictnesse in punishing vice and the transgressour verse 25. equal dealing with others Josh 18 10. contentation with it owne portion cha 49.49 50 Recording Gods especiall mercies and deliverances cha 49 20. stirring up others to remember and declare them cha 4.21 22 23 24. obedience to Gods will in his martiall imployments chap. 6 10 8.2 3 11. calling upon others to have respect thereto chap. 8.8 wisedome in directing diligence in executing stratagems cha 8.3 c. keeping promise faithfully even with deceitfull dealers chap 9 19 20. shewing great judgement in imploying them chap. 9 23 27. wonderfull power in prayer cha 20 12 13 14 exceeding courage cha 10 25 being victorious in battels chap. 10 11 12. carefulness to read and declare Gods will to his charge cha 8.34 35. and stirring them up thereunto chap. 24.14 24. resolution that himselfe and his house would serve the Lord onely cha 24.15 The Centurian of Capernaum an example of deare love to tender care of great compassion towards his distressed servant Luke 7.2 Mat. 8.6 and diligence in using all good meants for recovery Luke 7.3 of humility Mat. 8.8 loli mindednesse Luke 7.3 sence of selfe-unworthinesse Luke 7.6 7. of seeking to Christ in need Mat. 8.5 praying for his in distresse Mat 8.5 6. desiring others to pray for him and his Luke 7.4 of great faith Mat. 8.8 Luke 7.7 of worthy carriage with authority in his place Mat 8.9 Luke 7.8 of love and bounty to Gods house and people Luke 7.5 of gaining love respect and commendation where he lived and lay in garison Luke 7.4 of being speedily heard and wonderfully helped by Christ Mat. 8.13 Luk. 7.10 and whose faith Christ exceedingly praised Mat. 8.10 Luke 7.10 Cornelius the Captaine of the Italian Band an example of devotion piety in his Family private prayer and charity Acts 10.1 2. of having those about him especially that waited on him that feared God vers 7. giving himselfe to private fasting ver 30. a just man and of good report ver 22. an earnest desirer of Gods Minister and Ministery of calling together and stirring up of his kinsmen and neerest friends to Gods service ver 24. reverence and willingnesse to he are Gods word and in his presence ver 33 love of the company of Gods Ministor and loathnesse to let him depart ver 48. of having his prayers heard and almes accepted ver 4.31 of being shewed the way to everlasting life and happinesse in Christ Jesus ver 36 to 44. of obtaining the holy Ghost accompanying the word ver 44. and having all favour and helpe all grace and good sealed to him by the Sacrament ver 48. The Souldiers likewise demanded of John saying and what shall we doe and he said unto them doe violence to we man neither accuse any falsly and be content with your wages Like 3.14 Lord teach my hands thus to war and gird me with strength unto the battell that I may fight the good fight of faith and lay hold of eternall life Psa 18.34.39 1 Tim. 6.12 Thus far of these examples Some collections out of Sacred writ concerning executing Justice in Judgement worthy to be observed and follower In this case 1 Magistrates are appointed of the Lord Rom. 13.1 Deu. 16.18 2 Chro. 19.5 Numb 11.16.24 25. 27.15 16. Deut. 1.13 John 19.11 2 Chiefe Majestrates may and must make inferior ones Exod. 18.25 3 He must see all places provided with good Mogistrates 2 Chro. 19.5 4 They must charge them to exceute justice 2 Chro. 19.6 5 To this end they must urge them with all the most powerfull reasons they can as 1 That they judge not for man but for the Lord unto whom they must give an account 2 That the Lord himselfe is present when where whom and what cause soever they
you have said who seeth us who knoweth of it Isa 29.15 Therefore the Lord saith Behold I will bring a plague upon you which you shall not be able to escape and that which will be worst of all though you cry unto me I will not heare you Jer. 11.11 because when I called you refused Prov. 1.24 to 31. verse read and remember for your soules safeties sake I beseech you yea heare and give eare be not proud for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Jer. 13.15 oh may not the Lord justly say to us as he said Jer. 6.15 were they ashamed when they had committed abomination nay they were not ashamed no neither could they have any shame and as is Chap. 8.6 I hearkned heard but none spake aright no man repented him of his wickednesse saying what have I done for many of us thinke and dare say it is shame for such as doe otherwise and instead of repenting most impudently say we have not sinned but these are rebellious people lying children and children that would not heare the Law of the Lord Isa 30.9 remember this and be ashamed bring it againe to mind O you transgressors Isa 46.8 the like places exceeding many oh then plead not plead not against the Lord be not high minded but feare Rom. 9.20 be not deceived God cannot will not be mocked Gal. 6.7 these things were written to admonish us 1 Cor. 10.6 and if we turne not the fierce wrath of the Lord shall not returne untill he hath done untill he hath performed the intents of his heart hereafter you shall understand it and if you take not heed smart for it for the Lord of hosts hath determined it and sworne to it it shall come to passe who shall disanull it his hand is stretched out who shall turne it awayâ— it is he hath consulted it shall stand he hath spoken it and will bring it to passe he hath purposed it and will also doe it the word and this is the word that goeth out of his mouth shall not returne voyd and shall accomplish that which he will Isa 14.24 27. 46.11 55.11 Dare we contend with God oh farre be it from us or else woe unto us for he is stronger then we 1 Cor. 10. â—â— and we shall find it a most fearfull thing to fall into his hands when he is angry For our God is a consuming fire Hebr. 12.29 How then what remedy oh provoke the Lord God most mighty just and jealous no more no longer to wrath but I most humbly for Gods sake and most earnestly for your owne sake beseech thee whosoever thou art let this my councell be acceptable unto thee break off thy sinnes by righteousnesse and thy iniquities by shewing mercy unto and dealing justly with the poore especially under thy command Dan. 4.24 and pitty thine own poore soule by confessing and forsaking all secret and open wayes of deceit and violence Pro. 28.13 make peace with the Lord be at one with him Isa 27.5 it will be far the wisest surest course for then the Lord hath promised thee all shall be wel with thee Is 3.10 God hath shewed thee O man what is good and what the Lord requireth of thee surely to doe justly to love mercy to humble thy selfe to walk with God Micah 6.8 now therefore without any longer delay Psal 95.7 amend your wayes and your works and hear the voyce of the Lord youâ— God Jer. 26.13 that the Lord may repent him of the plague that he hath pronounced against you Cease to doe evill learne to doe well come now saith the Lord and let us reason together though your sinnes were as Crimson they shall be made white as Snow though they were red like Scarlet they shall be as wools if you consent and obey you shall eat the good things of the Land you shall prosper here and for ever Isa 1.16 17 18 19. 1 Tim. 4.8 But if when a man heareth the words of the curse he blesseth himselfe in his heart saying I shall have peace although I walk according to the stubbornnesse of mine owne heart thus adding drunkennesse to thirst the Lord will not be mercifull unto him but when the wrath of the Lord and his jealousie shall smoak against that man and every curse that is written in this book shall light upon him and the Lord shall put out his name from under Heaven and every sicknesse and every plague which is not written in the book of this law will the Lord heap upon thee untill thou beest destroyed Deut. 29.19 20 21. 28.6 Behold I have set before thee life and good death and evill choose Deut. 30.15 heare and feare and doe no more so Oh consider the snortnesse of life and the certainty of death the suddennesse of judgement the plainnes of hell the terrour of that great day of account the meere nothingnesse of all worldly excuses and conceited priviledges 1 Sam. 12.21 and despise not the riches of Gods bountifulnesse patience and long-suffering consider that the goodnesse of God ought to lead thee to repentance doe not after the hardnesse of thy heart and impenitent disposition treasure up unto thy selfe wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God who will render to every man according to his deeds Rom. 2.4 5 6. yea the Lord will seperate thee unto evill Deut. 29.21 for although sentence against an evill work be not executed speedily and that therfore the heart of the children of men is fully set in them to doe evill yea though a sinner doe evill an hundred times and God prolong his dayes yet shall it not he well with him Eccle. 8.11 12 13. for sinne lyeth at his doore Gen. 4.7 he hath neither can or ever shall have true peace continuing so Isa 57.21 his owne wickednesse Num. 32.23 and Gods hand will find him out Jer. 2.19 and know for all these things God will bring thee to judgement Eccl. 11.9 But some will say I have taken too much upon me and medled with that which doeth not concerne me I might have been more generall covert and sparing you see I brought my warrant with me which makes me thus bold with you and as to you I speak to my selfe also therefore you may not teare this out what if you should tear them out hence you dare not teare the ground of these things out of Gods booke you cannot teare the truth and remembrance of them out of your own consciences Rom. 2.15 neither shall you teare Gods remembrance of them out of his book of accounts at that great and terrible day of judgement when he will set them all in order before you Psal 50.21 when even the chiefe Captains shall say to the Mountains fall on us and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the Throne and from the wrath of the Lambe for the great day of his wrath is come who shal be able to stand
not repent this little paine â—o much will be thy comfort and thy gaine â—e all be done as thou Lord seest fit Amen Amen Lord Jesus so be it Woe for the abuses of these sinful times Our Callings common crying chiefest crimes IS it not a wicked world when honesty Is called and counted childish foolery When lying perjury and falshood foule Are followed gract maintaint without controule When to extort opresse by force or fraud Instead of right and mercy most applaud When place and power abused are shamefully To wrong the poore and suppresse equity When avarice pride lust excesse to cherish We cause our owne and others soules to perish No attestations false to prov 't I need Those most accursed do it leave off take heed When great ones customes though in things amisse Before Gods expresse Law preferred is When because most doe so it must so be Or who doth otherwise strange man is he When vertue is for shew not deed esteemed When all is well if honest he be deemed Though guilty conscience tels us to our face Seem what we will we are in evill case When to our shame if but our turnes we serve We crouch to such who small respect deserve When he the wise wise man a counted is That closest carrieth all 〈◊〉 knaveries When he that freely plaâ—â— deales and truly Is worthlesse witlesse held 〈◊〉 most unruly Is hated scorned frowned of and hardly used Belyed defamed watcht scoâ—â— at and misused When the malicious partall man doth threat Yet his best cause before faâ—â—e justice seat Dares not present who darknesse works hates light A conscience foule dares not appeale to right But underhand scandall 〈◊〉 raise ne're ceaseth Th' are heard stood for by such as such things pleaseth When a wrongd-just cause which craves to be righted Shall scarce be heard at best put off and slighted When falshood many truth few friends shall find A true discovery how we are inclin'd Enough vaine foolish men run on your race Horrour shame mischiefe misery disgrace Your portion is and truth that now is blamed Shall once prevaile and never be ashamed Comfort help Heaven in no wise looke you for Continuing thus your wayes he doth abhorre The right Religion understand me well The galled guilty will fret raile and swell He that 's a griev'd and findeth fault with this I more then think himselfe most faulty is Silence with godly sorrow and t' amend To just suspition sinne shame harme puts end THe proud peevish jest mâ— and vexing humour of a Preacher is most offensive and unseemly An humble quiet grave and friendly carriage does much good and is most comely Hate thy sinne as well as know it forsake it as well as beg pardon for it if thou my self practice it it little availes thee to reprove it Doe well trust God and be merry whosoever mislikes it There is no fence against the ungrounded suspitions oâ— the slanderous spitefull injurious uncharitable speechs oâ— others which thou knowest not of in this case approve thy heart to God give no cause of offence and care not for harme shee they shall not Parents must not be tyrants nor children masters To be temperate in eating and drinking To make a covenant with our eyes To be more watchfull sober and wise in speaking To rise every morning timely To premeditate before holy â—uties To strive against deadnesse wearinesse customarinesse in performing them To labor for an holy harmlesse carriage furthers inward quier and prevents outward scandall Avoid all by-respects all evill thoughts all misgovernment of the tongue all unscemly behaviour and all sinfull actions Endeavour Gods glory in all things to entertaine godâ— thoughts to strive to govern the tongue to embrace a coâ—â—ly behaviour to walk always as in Gods presence to apprâ—â— our hearts to him helps forwâ—â— in holinesse Pray pray pray that God would shew thee the right way 1 Because he requires it Jer. 6.16 2 Because he hath promised to shew it Psal 32.8 Jer. 33.3 3 And to cause us walk in 〈◊〉 Ezek. 26.37 Hos 14.19 4. And that we shall perseven therein Psal 66.9 5 And because the Lord hath promised his blessing to all that walk in it Ps 1. 50.23 119. Gal. 6.16 Or thus of the same Pray to be enabled to walke with God and therefore to avoid evill company a maine hinderance thereof Prov. 4.14 1â— to imbrace good society a great furtherance therto Pro. 2. â—0 to be shewed the right way Ps 119.5 part Jer. 10.23 to be kept from all deceitfull wayes Psal 119.5 part and that the Lord will knit our hearts to feare his Name Psal 86.11 For the attaining to and furtherance of a pious acceptable profitable conversation keep my heart above all things therfore avoid and strive against prophane uncharitable lofty thoughts ungrounded discontented conceits spirituall worldly pride hipocrisie deceitfulnesse in heart dispensation to neglect good or to commit evil inward danger envy fretting at others prosperity murmuring against disputing with God to strive against the occasions of sinne offered and the sinne it selfe be it never so secret To entertaine and to labour after reverend awfull holy thoughts in respect of God presence loving charitable thoughts in respect of others humble and lowly thoughts is respect of our selves soundnesse of judgement to discerne thing aright inward content meâ—â—nesse sincerity sobriety stâ—â—ednesse peaceablenesse to dea good and fly evill according â—â— the light of a well informeâ— conscience Pray to leave sinne whereof we are guilty to be preserved from those whereof we are not so apparently faulty to mount for what we cannot mend For the first sort confesse them flye the occasions of them falling sometimes through frailty not to lye still therein but to repent and amend speedly and to watch there-against more carefully vow the more earnestly against them For the second feare our selves think we our selves never so free watch against the accasions least we fall before we feare For the third lay them before the Lord beg reformation endeavour to practice all we can If we would pray to be heard ground all on the word of God pray in the name of Christ beleeve acceptation in him await such an answer as he sees fit rest on the Lords al-sufficient assistance attend with good endeavours let words be few at least with great judgement and affection let thy heart be lift up be advised what thou prayâ—â— for strive against habituall at stractions passions lusts be fervent in spirit with instanty without failing or discouragement with perseverance truth Lord thou requirest it but I am wholly insufficient to it but thou hast promised to give it therefore I crave it relying thereon for times of prayer when he can to be more large and solemne wanting convenicy hereto to be full of short Ejaculations and when neither of these can be conveniently performed to pray in hean for all are commanded commended acceptable and powerfull all in the name