HEPTAMERON THE SEVEN DAYES That is MEDITATIONS AND PRAYERS Vpon the vvorke of the LORDS CREATION Together with other certaine Prayers and Meditations most comfortable for all Estates c. By M. A. Symson Minister at Dalkeith SAINCT-ANDREWS Printed by Edward Raban Printer to the Vniversitie 1621. TO THE RIGHT NOBLE AND VERTVOVS LADIE DAME MARGARET HAY Countesse of Dumfermeling Eternall Felicitie MADAME SInce it hath pleased our OMNIPOTENT CREATOR and gracious Redeemer to heape vpon your Ladiship manie and sundrie honourable Priuiledges of Nature and Grace and by them amongst manie others your good Friendes and Seruantes to ingage mee of a long time to honour serue your Ladiship with such Graces and Dueties by manie Testimonies of your comfortable kindnesse and care of mee as I haue hitherto with a constant intention to bee thankfull declared my willingnesse to expresse that I should not come with the common sort of this declining Age guiltie of the foule imputation of Ingratitude as the weaknesse of my wit and skill might afford I did communicate with your Ladiship for your priuate vse these MEDITATIONS vpon that fundamentall ground of Faith which is THE LORDS CREATION OF THE WORLD to bee vsed of your Ladiship with daylie Prayer Meditation that yee might neuer want matter wherein yee might rejoyce in the goodnesse wisedome and power of that Creator with a perswasion that his wise Prouidence reacheth vnto the conseruatioÌ„ of the same in Mercie and Iustice vnto the consummation of the Worlde wherein your Ladiship hath your comfortable entresse euen according to the Lordes euerlasting Decree of your Election Calling Iustification Sanctification and hope to bee glorified with all the rest of his Saincts and elect Angels in the euerlasting sellowship of his Kingdome besides the manie Obligations wherewith I stand indebted to my Lord your Noble Husband for his Lordships fatherlie care and patrocinie of mee in all mine affaiâ—es that your honour should not bee smoothered in the Christian affection which yee carrie to the Common-wealth of the Lordes Church not onelie in permitting but likewise in vrging that this Benefite might bee made of a publicke priuiledge to the vse of all them that by a common affection with you striue to worke out their saluation in feare and trembling and so make their election sure I haue according to my duetie dedicated this little Treatise to passe foorth vnder your Ladiships protection that the thankes of the paines which I haue taken in contriuing the same for your Ladiships priuate vse may redound vnto your selfe Madame from as manie as shall finde the benefite thereof for their information and stirring vp vnto anie duetie of Religion And as it can neither stand with my Profession your Ladiships sinceritie nor yet the superlatiue dignitie of such a glorious subject to pollute the same with the intising wordes of humane wisedome knowing your Ladiship to be as farre from all delight in assentation and flattering as yee are from the affectation of salfe and vndeserued praise I haue contented my selfe in the simplicitie of the Lordes trueth to commende vnto your Ladiship and all the rest of Gods Sainctes the constant and carefull practise of the Fayth and knowledge which may bee reaped by the reading and meditation of this Doctrine with Prayer and thankesgiuing to the Lord for the happie successe of the same not that I would wish your Ladiship by this distinction of the matter to seuerall dayes to bee so superstitiouslie tied vnto the same as if the whole particulars of the Creation should not bee at all times before your Eyes as a faire Garden whereof yee should beholde the beautie and smell the fragrant Odours together But heerewithall if it may please the Lordes gracious Majestie yee may resent the goodnesse power and wisedome of God in the Creation of euerie creature vpon its owne day when it was made So wishing the successe of these exercises to bee according to mine affection and intention for the Christian profit and progresse in the faith of the trueth which is according to godlinesse I beseech God to blesse your Ladiship with my Lord your Husband and your hopefull Sonne Lorde CHARLS with all Prosperitie in this Life and euerlasting happinesse in the Life to come I rest Your Lad. seruitour A. SYMSON TO THE CHRISTIAN READER GEntle and Christian Reader sith yee receiued so tenderly my first Booke Of the seuen words which our Lord spak vpoÌ„ the Crosse I haue taken courage to present this Booke Of the Creation also to your consideration which suppose it preceed the other in time so long as the Creation of the Worlde doeth Mans Redemption purchased by the death of Christ yet they succeede in effect and woorth for it had beene farre better that neither the World for vs nor wee for our selues had beene made than that wee should not haue beene redeemed by him This if yee peruse diligentlie and meditate consideratiuelie I doubt not but that yee shall see the Lord more clearelie in his owne workes this beeing as it were a mirrour and looking Glasse wherein wee may perfectlie beholde Himselfe his Omnipotencie Wisedome Loue Goodnesse c. By this also yee may draw nearer and nearer vnto the Lord your God and become more frequent and acquainted with him by daylie meditating vpon his woorthie Workes praysing him giuing him thankes for the same and praying vnto him to continue his graces towardes you still vnto the ende I did reade Sainct Ambrose his HEXAMERON and the woorthie D. BARTAS and I trust yee shall perceiue the direction of one Spirit guiding vs all vnto one and the selfe same Ende I perswade my selfe that there are manie well minded Christians who will likewell of this Booke and againe others will perhaps dislike of it euen such as esteeme of nothing but that which is forged in their owne Shop yea they know no better means to grace themselues than by disgracing others as Sainct Hierome sayeth in his Epistle vnto Sainct Augustine But I craue at thine handes most courteous Reader that since in anie mans worke there will â—ee some Drosse amongst Golde thou wouldest choose the best if iâ— were but in the Dongue-hill and passe by the other with a chaâ—itable construction in the meane time accepting this in good part and if it please God to continue his graces with mee thou mayest expect more 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A. Symson ON THE BOOKE GOD binding with hid Tendons this great ALL Did make a LVTE which had all parts it giuen This LVTES round Bellie was the azur'd Heauen The Rose those Lights which Hee did there install The Basses were the Earth and Ocean The Treble shrill the Aire the other Strings The vnlike bodies were of mixed things And then His Hand to breake sweete Notes began Those loftie Concords did so farre rebound That Floods Rocks Meadows Forrests did them heare Birds Fishes Feasts danc'd to their siluer sound Onlie to them Man had a deafned Eare. Now him to
say it O Lord thou hast appointed thy creatures to labour for me then seeing I am eased by them make me to goe forwarde more busilie in thy seruice that they may beare me in all my journeyes to glorifie thee and not carrie me to sinne Numb 22.21 with Baalam the sonne of Beor who caused Israel to sinne And as thou hast appointed the Beasts for my commoditie so through my sinne thou hast inarmed thy creatures aganst me for now the Earth bringeth foorth as many enemies as friends vnto me For the wylde Beastes doe multiplie as our sinne groweth which destroyeth both Man and Beast and the Cornes and Fruits before our eyes are consumed by thy great Hoste The residue of the Palme-worme the Canker-worme hath eaten Ioel 1.4 and the residue of the Canker-worme the Grashopper hath eaten O Lord waken vs in mercy out of the bed of sinne that beeing reconciled to thee thou mayest rebuke thy great Hoste and drowne them in the Sea Further O Lord when I consider how thou madest mee little lesse than an Angell Psal 8.5 and crownedst mee with honour and glorie and yet I am become like a Beast in my sensualities and pleasures Yea oftentimes like a Swine I returne to the puddle of sinne from which I was cleansed Wash me O Lord throughly from an euill conscience Many are like Bulles Lyons and Beares in this Wildernesse where I dwell O blessed God thou hast rescued mee from the clawes of the Beare and the paw of the Lyon 1. Sam. 17.34 Psal 23.2.4 as Dauid did his Fathers Sheepe O Lord thou art my shepheard when I feele my selfe neare lost thy Staffe will deliuer me Therefore will I sacrifice to thee my bodie and my life for thou art the God of my saluation mine hope mine helpe my Sauiour and my God O Lord Matth. 12 34. this is a generation of Vipers and vnnaturall people they haue recompenced me euill for good Alace as I haue done to thee so haue they done to me Nota. I requite thy kindnes with vnkindnesse thy benignities with mine iniquities But pittie O pittie me I will doe so no more Let my wayes please thee O Lord let my soule be thankfull vnto thee that thou mayest tame those Wilde Beasts and make them friendly vnto me Now seeing thou hast made my bodie and soule this sixth day grant that all the dayes of my life I may glorifie thee in them both that while they are together in this world euery one may prouoke other to serue thee Let Soule and Bodie prouoke one another to Gods seruice my soule may be commanded by thee and so may direct my bodie aright and my bodie may be obedient to the directions of thine holy Spirit that so I may vse all thy creatures to the glorie of thine holie Name that when it shall please thee to diuide them then I may render my bodie to the dust whereof it was made and my soule to thee of whom it was created waiting when they shall meete be vnited together againe at the last day to praise and glorifie thee for euermore Amen A MEDITATION VPON THE SEAVENTH DAY Vpon the vvhich the Lord rested from all the Workes which Hee had made Genes 2.2 WEe haue taken a view of the first sixe dayes wherin we haue seen the wonderful works of GOD in the creation of the whole World and all things therein And now wee come to the seuenth Day which is the sweete day of our Lordes rest wherein hee ceased from any new creation but by his providence sustained those thinges which hee had made By this his example he instituted one Day onelie to bee celebrated as a Sabbath to the ende of the world This Day ought to be had in an honourable regard as Augustine obserueth in his 154. Serm. de temp Tom. 10. in these words Venerabilis est hic dies qui Dominicus dicitur c. that is to say This day which is called the Lordes day is venerable on the which the Light was first seene Genes 1.3 Exod. 14.22 Ibid. 16.15 Mat. 3.13 Iohn 2.1 Luke 9.17 Ioh. 20.1 and 20.26 2. The people of Israel passed thorow the redde Sea 3. Manna rained in the Desart 4. The Lord was baptized in Iordane 5. Christ turned Water into Wine in Canah of Galilee 6. Christ fed fiue thousand people with fiue Loaues 7. Our Lord arose from death 8. Entered thorow the close Doores where the Disciples were gathered for feare of the Iewes Act. 2.1 9. The holy Ghost descended vpon the Apostles c. and on which Day we look for the cōming of our Lord Iesus Christ to judgement when as the Church shall bee reformed to a Light seuenfolde greater than the Sunne and Moone c. This is a Day not an Houre not of Ydlenesse but of Rest Nota. not vnto our selues but to the Lord not for a time but for euer God craueth a whole Day which consisteth of all the partes Morning Noonetyde and Euening The whole Sabbath is to be sanctified So it is a verie grosse abuse to parte or diuide the Lordes Day at our owne pleasure Wee giue the beginning of this Day to sleepe and many Craftesmen without conscience to worke the mid-time of the day perhaps to the seruice of the Church and the afternoone to Drinke or Pastime euen as though God had not right and title to the whole Day who commandeth it by his Preceptes and commendeth it by his owne example as wee haue showne afore But seeing ignorant people and I am the more sorie euen those who would haue some appearant showe of knowledge doe object saying How shall they spende the Sabbath they haue kept Church-time what shall they doe afternoone it were better for them to play than to drinke so that they thinke Playes to bee lawfull at afternoone and that vpon the Sabbath First I answere that to vse anie sorte of playing gaming or pastime vpon the Lords day An answere vnto those who aske how they should bestow the Sabbath is altogether vnlawfull for vpon this day especiallie wee haue to doe with God in a serious and earnest matter which businesse will chase away all follies and wantonnesse and bring vs into a due consideration how wee may attaine vnto a reconciliation with our God for our manifold sinnes wherewith wee haue so often and hainouslie prouoked him vnto wrath against vs. How the Sabbath should bee spent But I wil more peremptorily answere to their demaund What they should doe First for the morning of the day rise earely and pray confessing the sinnes of the weeke bygone prepare thy heart to receiue the word of God as thou wouldest prepare the ground in breaking it vp Simil. before thou wouldest cast seede into it In the midday heare the word and sing praise to the blessed Trinitie Blessed is the man who delighteth in the law of the Lord. Psaelm 1.2 And
former Sabbathes may here beginne my spirituall Rest in thy Sanctuarie that after I may accomplish it in thine holie Temple throgh Iesus Christ our Lord and only Sauiour AMEN CERTAINE PRAYERS AND MEDITATIONS MOST COMfortable for all estates Morning Prayer ALmightie God and moste mercifull Father I beseech thee that thou wouldest chase away with the brightnesse of thy presence my sinnes as a clowde that I may come before thee Psa 18.12 and with a cleane heart beholde thee and offer vp my Prayer as a Morning Sacrifice and as Incense of sweet Odour vnto thee Reuel 8.4 I thanke thy Majestie for the quiet rest of this night that thou hast so safely conuoyed me through the perils of darknesse and saued me from the prince of darknesse and brought me to the light of this day giuen mee a new day of repentance wherein I may seeke thee O Lord it was of thy mercie that I was not consumed Thou the watchman of Israel neither sleepest nor slumberest Psa 121.4 Albeit my bodie was lying as dead and all my senses were asleepe so that I was a readie prey to my spiritual foes Yet O Lord thou wast carefull of me when I was careles of my selfe and thou pitchedst about my bodie the muisible companie of thine holie Angels Psal 34.7 who haue graciously carried me and kept me from all euill Thou smotest the first borne of Egypt in one night by the destroyer Exo. 12.26 2. King 19 35 and the host of Senacherib by thine Angel But O Lord thou hast kept me and mine house safe by their hand thou foundest the blood of the Lambe vpon the doore of my soule and I haue escaped praise bee giuen vnto thee O Lord Ex. 12.13 who hast deliuered me and glorie to the Lambe by whom I haue escaped But especiallie I praise thee that my spirituall enemies haue not preuailed ouer me to snare me in sinne Sathan most busie in the night to cause men sinne Iob 24.16 for the Prince of darknesse worketh his works of darknesse in darknesse by the which hee leadeth the worlde vnto euerlasting darknesse in the night they steale they murder and commit adulteries but the Lord hath deliuered mee from the temptations of the Deuill Blessed bee thy Name for I knowe the night is to the Lord as the light Psal 139.12 hee beholdeth mee and seeth mee therefore I glorifie thee this morning that thou diddest keepe mee and gauest mee not ouer to bee illuded by my spirituall foes Thou wast a light vnto mee in darknesse But alace that my naturall heart cannot acknowledge thy goodnesse I haue rested in my bodie and my minde hath beene at great peace This is a double rest which thou hast giuen to thy beloued But alace thou hast so tenderlie dealt with my flesh that I am displeased that I should spende the whole night which is the halfe of my dayes Nota. so ydlie in my judgement that I should doe nothing but feede my flesh with sleepe I am displeased and thinke within my selfe Shall I lie so long and so manie nightes and shall not prayse my God for thy seruant DAVID not onelie prayed vnto thee in the morning Psa 55.17 and 6.6 and 63.6 and 77.6 119.62 148. at noone-tide and at Euen but also preuented the night watches to meditate on thy worde and watered his Bedde with teares thanking and thinking on thee communing with his owne heart And likewise O Lord I would rather bee content that mine eyes were holden waking with thee to remember thee than I should sleepe to forget thee I beseech thee O my God to forgiue mee thy poore creature who euer doe forget my duetie to thee both day and night and when I am sleeping sanctifie mee so by thy grace that my soule may bee waking with thee Lord wash mee from all the vncleannesse of body and soule which I haue contracted this night and as thou hast made separation betwixt the night and day so diuide mee from all sinne Lift vp the light of thy countenance vpon mee this day and inlighten my minde with vnderstanding that I may see the secret of thy Lawe Visit me with thy sweere mercie this morning Iob 7.18 that I may rejoyce in thee all my dayes I will rise in the morning and compasse thine holie Altar Psal 43.4 and 26.6 Thou art my Father and I am thy Childe I craue thy blessing for Christes sake to all the actions of this day that thou wilt accompanie them with thy speciall presence and direction and so I am sure that whatsoeuer I shall take in hand will prosper Further my mercifull Father I beseech thee to slay the corruptiōs of this wicked nature this day Bring in captiuitie euerie cogitation of my heart which rebelleth against thy will Put a watch to the doore of my lippes that no vnsauourie speach come out of my mouth Psa 141.3 but that which may tende to edification And dispose so all the actions of this day that no corruption which is in me may burst foorth either in word or deed whereby I may offende thee or my neighbour Mortifie the lustes of my flesh my pride turne it vnto humilitie my couetousnesse vnto liberalitie mine insolencie into grauitie Chaunge from euil to good my prodigalitie vnto abstinence my lies vnto trueth mine vncleannesse to chastitie my profanitie to reuerence c yea make that alteration and change in me this day that whatsoeuer delight of sinne is in me it may be consumed and thy graces as fruitfull hearbs may be planted in place of these weeds Forsake me not O Lord this day lest I forsake thee giue me not ouer vnto my selfe and to mine owne counsell and will lest I perish And because these are dayes of defection and apostasie wherein if it were possible the Elect would perish Matth. 24.22 I besech thee that I fall not backe from thy grace but let me make some progresse in godlinesse to approach neare vnto thy kingdome that as the powers of nature doe decay in me and I hasten to the graue so the strength of thine holy Spirite may fortifie mine inward man that I may grow from grace to grace vntill I passe the dangers of this pilgrimage and thou bring me to thy glorie through Christ our Lord. AMEN Euening Prayer O Lord let my prayer come before thee as pure Incense and as the Euening Sacrifice I present it vpon the golden Altar my blessed Sauiour that he Reuel 8.3 through the perfume and sweete smell of his sacrifice may make my petitions acceptable vnto thee I thanke thee O gracious and deare Father that thou hast so fauourably conuoyed me and preserued me from the perils of this day both of my soule and bodie And also I praise thee for thy fatherly care whereby thou hast aboundantly fedde by thy word my soule by thine earthly creatures my bodie I thanke thee that thou
in that Citie but those who are written in the Lambes Booke of Life O that Water of Life Rev. 22.1.2 cleare as Crystall proceeding out of the Throne of God! There is the Tree of Life which beareth twelue manner of Fruites and rendereth Fruite euerie Moneth O! that is the true Land of CANAAN Exod. 3.17 which floweth with Milke and Honey which is promised to the Elect Children O how blessed are those who stand before thee O Lord 1. king 8.8 and heare thee and see the beautie of thine House O howe amiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord God of Hostes It is better to bee a Doore-keeper in thine House than to bee a Monarch of the whole Worlde Psal 84.1 As the Hart brayeth after the Riuers of Waters Psal 42.1 so doeth my soule pant after thee my liuing Lord. O my GOD when shall I appeare before thee in Sion Nowe my soule returne vnto thy rest for the Lord will pittie thee and will deliuer thee from this Prison and from these wylde Beastes which vexe thee on euerie side and from sinne which daylie troubleth thee and will bring thee to the sight and fruition of the Eternall Ioye which is in the Heauens O glorious GOD I haue not yet seen the HeaueÌ„s where thâ— Saints are but in the myrrour of the Gospell But I see daylie these viâ—â—ble creatures and the Firmament NOTA. If there be such beauty in the outward part of the heauens what is within which are euen the workes of thine owne hand Then if there bee such beautie in the outwarde partes of thy Palace O LORD what will wee looke for in thy Gabinet O my GOD as often as I beholde these outward Heauens then let mine heart inward affections be mounted vp by an holie desire and meditation that the eye of my soule may pierce thorow these thy visible workes euen to the companie of my Brethren the First-borne and to that innumerable number of Angels and Sainctes Oh bee thou my Guide O my LORD and bring mee through the perils of this Wildernesse vnto thine heauenlie Palace euen for the merites and blood of IESVS CHRIST thy well-beloued Sonne our Sauiour AMEN A MEDITATION Vpon the LORDES thirde Dayes Werke IN the Creation of the third Day there bee two principall thinges to bee obserued First The manner of the Creation by separation of the Waters whereby were created two Elementes the Water and the Earth Next The Blessing of GOD. Since there is no difficultie in the wordes I will obserue foure thinges First That so long as those two Elementes were in the confused Chaos so long they were both vnprofitable and each one hindered other but assoone as they were separated Confusion is vnprofitable they were both fruitfull Euen so is it yet where Anarchie hath place either in Church or Policie there shall bee no Blessing in neither of them But happie is that Church and Common-wealth where all thinges are ruled by order and no place is left to confusion Gods blessing inricheth Next the Earth was created barren God spake the worde and it fructified If this was the estate thereof before Sinne howe much lesse nowe beeing subject to a curse will it bring foorth anie good thing without GODS Blessing God prouided for his creatures before they were Thirdlie yee see that God blessed it with Cornes Trees and Fruites for the sustenance of Man and Grasse for Beastes before he made anie of them He prouideth the Milke in the Breast of the Woman as a liuelie fountaine before the Childe be borne Then if he was so prouident before Man was made will he neglect vs Much more when they are when wee are made to his owne Image Let vs seeke him truelie and doubt not Fourthlie there is a treasure which God hath hidden in the Earth for Man Golde and Siluer to inrich him Coales Wood and other firing for his heate Stones for his Building c. and on the face of the Earth Gods hidden treasures should prouoke vs to thankefulnesse Cornes Hearbes Trees Wines Oyles and varietie of crearures both for his pleasure and profit When wee behold daylie these good benefits let vs be drawne by each one of them to thankfulnesse of our Creator Let vs seeke the right vse of them that wee spende them not vpon sinne Finallie by these earthlie blessings call to minde the spirituall Riches Seeke spiritual riches and Foode of our soules that wee may not labour for the foode that perisheth but for that Foode which doth endure for euer Iohn 6.27 A PRAYER Vpon the LORDES thirde Dayes Worke. ETernall God and most louing Father as thou increasedst this thy hudge workmanship of the Worlde and hast created the Earth vpon this third Day so I beseech thee to increase thy Spirit within me and create in my barren colde and earthly heart fruitfull considerations to thy Majesties Glorie O Lord as thou preparedst in the seconde Daye the Heauens to bee the Citie of our remaining so hast thou ordained and established the Earth to bee the place of our Pilgrimage and wandering as the people of Israel were in the Wildernesse fourtie yeares before they came to the land of Promise Similitude Yet O Lord the Earth is thine and the fulnesse thereof There is no constant abiding to me in this Earth I lodge heere in tents I wander now heere now there helpe me poore Pilgrime in this desart place that I may finde thee a Pillar of Cloude in the day to couer me Exod. 13.21.22 and a Pillar of fire in the night and darknesse of this world to illuminate me to see the way to Canaaâ— Thou openedst a fountaine to Hagar the Bond-woman and her childe Gen. 21.19 when they were steruing for thirst I am not the childe of the Bond-woman but of the free-woman Open the fountaine of the House of Dauid and giue me of the water of life and satisfie my soule with the fatnesse of thine house Ezech. 13.1 Iohn 7.38 Psa 39.12 I am a Stranger heere on Earth as my Fathers were before me Let me not walke then as a stranger among the Philistims and Babilonians If I were a citizen and a man of their owne Ioh. 15.19 they would loue me But because I am not of them neither follow them nor their manners therefore they hate me My Mothers sonnes and familiar friends count me a stranger they stand farre from me Psal 69.8 in the day of trouble Draw thou nigh vnto me when they goe farre from me Iob 19.14 Wilt thou leaue a poore Suckling to die him alone in this wildernesse Though my Father and Mother forsake me yet thou wilt gather mee vp I am a Widow for my Lord and Husband is with thee Psa 27.10 I am his Turtle Doue lamenting mine alone till I see him Bring me thorow the straits of this Pilgrimage Psal 42.7 I steppe out of one deepe to
blessing vnto all the rest of the weeke Seeke the kingdome of God and the righteousnesse thereof Mat. 6.33 and all other thinges shall bee casten vnto you vvhere by the contrarie there are Curses denounced aga nst the profanators of the Sabbath Ier. 17.27 that God shall curse the workes of their handes and the Land shall enjoye manie Sabbathes of yeeres euen as it did in the Captiuitie of Babylon Now Three kinds of Sabbaths 1. Of Creation 2. Of Redemption Reuel 1.10 there are three kindes of Sabbathes the first of the Creation as a memoriall that GOD ceased from his worke vpon the seuenth day this lasted till Christes death and resurrection The second Sabbath beganne vpon the day of his resurrectiō which is called THE LORDES DAY in rememberance of a newe Creation of the worlde 3. Of Perfection Isa 66.23 and this will ende with the worlde And the thirde Sabbath shall be eternall when as the sixe dayes of this miserable life shall bee finished vvee shall rest from all our earthlie businesses and trauels that our continuall exercise may bee to glorifie him in minde heart and with all our strength in his Kingdome Then let vs occupie this Sabbath whollie in his prayse vvhich shall bee a sure pledge of that in the Heauens A Prayer vpon the seuenth Day MOst mightie Lord and mercifull Father distill I beseech thee and powre downe into mine earthlie heart thy diuine Dewes vvhich may moysten it together with such heauēly meditations as may stirre vp mine heart vnto thy prayse and glory that as vpon these sixe dayes I haue beene musing and meditating vpon all thy most glorious workes so I may repose my selfe vpon the day of Rest and finde quietnesse to my soule in thee for all the rest of the creatures albeit they be glorious yet they be subject vnto a curse not because of themselues but for man who hath defiled them I haue trusted to the pleasures which I saw in the creatures and I see that it is true that Salomon saide All is but vanitie and vexation of the spirit Eccles 1.2 as Ritches increase so Care groweth But O Lord let me come to thine Arke as the Doue did which found no rest till shee came backe to Noah Genes 8.9 Pull in thine owne doue O my Lord vnto thee for the floods of sinne haue ouerflowed the face of the Earth that I finde no rest heere I am wearie and loadned Lord giue me rest to my soule in thee This day is joyfull to me because that my Lord rose this day from death I beseech thee my God Nota. raise vp my soule from the graue of sinne that I may be partaker of the first Resurrection and make my thoughts spirituall this thy Sabbath day banish from my minde all earthlie cares this day forgiue me in that I haue so many times abused these thine holie dayes Oftentimes when I was praying to thee or thou preaching vnto me Sathan did cast into my mind carnall cogitations which interrupted that communication betwixt my soule thy majestie O Lord forgiue me and fill my soule with thy reuerence and feare in all the dayes of my life to come that all such ydle purposes may be dispatched by thine holie Spirit shut the doore of my soule when thou art speaking vnto me or when I pray to thee that none get entrie to vnquiet me and stay my joy for alace mine heart was casten open vnto many of thine enemies I will close the doore of mine eare to the voyce of all others that thou mayest speake to me Alace my God I finde a great decay of that spirituall joy in me that I haue not that sparke of delight and that inward spirituall joy which I should haue or had sometimes I loath the exercise which I loued mine hands are wearie and fallen downe I haue lost my first loue it was sweeter to me thā the honey Reuel 2.4 now it is loathsome vnto me as the Manna was vnto the Isralites therefore I beseech thee Numb 11.6 kindle vp an holie fire of thy loue in my soule as was in the Disciples going to Emmaus and that the zeale of thine House may eate me vp Luk 24.32 Psal 69.9 and 52.8 and 27.4 Let me flourish as a greene Oliue in the house of my God O would to God I could abide in thine house all the dayes of my life that I might praye with good Anna 1. Sam. 1.13.16 out of the bitternesse of my soule making my supplications to thee O Lord I craue thee pardon for the earthly and ydle speaches which I spake vpon the Sabbath I will holde mine hand vpon my mouth speake no more Iob 39.37 Luk 24.15 The Disciples which went to Emmaus were speaking of Christ he came vnto them alace when I spake of the world he went from me and my heart was colde Lord forgiue me for it was a great sin which I did yea I made no matter to deale in mine earthly businesse on thy Sabbath All mine excuses are nowe accusations against me they burne me when I am trying mine heart But Lord I found neuer any blessing in those mine actions which I enterprysed vpon thy Day I haue sinned I will doe it no more let the world be crucified to me and me to it vpon thy Sabbath I haue resolued in mine heart that I shall spende my dayes while I liue to thine honour Helpe my resolution by thine holie Spirit that neither the corruption of my nature my weaknesse and forgetfulnes Nota. neither the euil example of these wicked and profane people among whom I liue suffer me to break my promise which I doe make vnto thee but that thou mayst be my speach my thought and my delight vpon the Sabbath dayes Let me be feruent in prayer and supplications to thee vpon the day of thy rest Let me heare what thou speakest to me by the mouth of thy seruant Let me gather thy Manna when it is rained downe from the clowdes of Heauen Ex. 16.15 as the people gathered Manna in the Desart that I may heare it as thy word I may gather it and lay it in the store-house of mine heart against the yeere of famine Gen. 41.48 and giue me thy grace that vpon thy holy day I may proclaime thy prayses with the rest of the Saincts This day let me breake my bread to the hungrie seeing thou satisfiest me with thy spirituall graces let me cloathe them that are naked visit those that are sicke and that I may so rest from earthly vanities this day that I may moste diligently worke the workes of God that I may gather out the flowrs of thy most holy Scriptures that I may studie to practise which I heare in a godlie life and conuersation so I may redeem the time which I haue spent in vain Eph. 5.16 that I now getting mercie for the abusing of thy
thy Spirit may make the whole counsell of God knowne to the people that they keepe nothing backe nor adde nothing lest thou O God adde vnto them the curse of thy Law Rev. 22.18 scrape their names out of the booke of Life And because thy Church is vnder continuall dangers O Lord keepe her and all her members from the cruell rage of all her enemies Lord let the malice of her aduersaries turne to themselues and bring confusion vpon all such as hate Sion Lord giue peace to her Walles and her Palaces and blesse those that blesse her Psal 122.7 and curse those that curse her keepe her like the Apple of thine Eye Psal 17.8 which thou louest Thou wilt bee with her in the middest of the fire and the water that she bee not destroyed nor ouer-whelmed By thine hand O Lord she hath bene preserued They lay shares for the poore Church but cut thou them asunder yea Psal 7.16 and 57.6 trappe them in the net which they haue laide They haue digged a pitte let them fall into the midst of it So shall come to all the enemies of our God and his Church Let them be as a turning Wheele and 83.13 and a rolling Ball. Let them be as smoake which vanisheth before the winde and. 68 2. and as Waxe which melteth in the Sunne Let them be like a lumpe of Lead vvhich sinketh to the bottome of the Sea O Lord if it were any particular reuenge of mine owne I vvould pardon their vvronges But alace it is done to my Mother thy Spouse how shall I beare it Burie them in eternall forgetfulnesse vvho haue done such despitefulnesse to her as that cruel Antichrist and his adherents haue done And to the effect that thine enemies may bee discomfited arise O Lord sharpen the Arrowes of thy Worde by vvhich thou mayest pierce the hearts of the Kinges enemies Psal 45.5 Draw the Sword of thy Word Heb. 4.12 which is two-edged that it may cut to the diuision of the marrow from the bones Let not thy holy Word be as a dead letter any longer in the mouths of thy Ministers but make it a quickning spirit to bring downe great Holdes let the breath of thy mouth confound thy foes that thy Ministrie may be powerfull and the world may see that thou hast not left thy Church without both counsell and comfort 1. Pet. 1.22 that men are not only hearers but also doers of thy word And againe I pray for thy Ministrie that they may be faithfull Stewards of thy Mysteries 1. Cor. 3.12 vigilant Watchmen diligent Shepheardes wise Builders not of stubble 1. Pet. 2.4 but of Golde vpon the foundation which is Christ and that their only care be to see the glorie of thy Name and for the good of the Church which is our Mother Blesse and increase the fruit of her Wombe let her grow in number like the Starres of Heauen let her bee fruitfull in her age let her sonnes be like Oliue Plants bringing foorth fruit let her daughters be like carued corner Stones Psal 144.12 in whose hearts thou wilt carue thine Image in the similitude of a Palace And blesse her with the blessing of Heauen and of the earth and of the deepe Gen. 49.25 and let all the eternall blessings which my soule can wish bee vpon thy Spouse my Mother the vniuersall Church vpon all her children friendes and seruants yea whosoeuer loueth the peace of thy Church let them prosper I pray namelie to thee O Lord for thy Church in France Bohemia Pray for the Church in France and Bohemia which thou began with the bloode of innumerable Martyres which thou hast made to grow amongst the middest of thine enemies Maintaine O Lord the vvorke vvhich thou hast begunne amongst them giue them wisedome that they be not circumueaned with the policies of their aduersaries and that in this dangerous time they may cleaue only to thee who will be both their wisedome and protection O Lord looke vpon this Church which thy right hand hath planted in this Yle of Britane thou translated this Vine out of Aegypt and diddest plant a Vine-yarde to thy selfe thou didst hedge it about with thy prouidence thou confoundedst all her enemies thou buildedst a watch-tower in the middest thereof Isa 5.1.2 c. Psal 80.8 and sent watchmen accordingly to giue warning to them But O Lord thou crauedst lookedst for wine-grapes they yeelded thee wilde-grapes So that now we deserue that thou shouldest pull downe the hedge and suffer the wilde Boare to enter into thy Planting Remember O Lord thine ancient mercies and forget our iniquities digge vs O Lord and take paines vpon vs that we may be fruitfull And finallie O Lord blesse all the visible Congregations of people who call vpon thy Name and all the particular persons whose names are written in the Booke of Life fill vp the number of thine Elect cal them effectually by thy word that we may bee all one Folde vnder one chiefe Shepheard Shorten O Lord the dayes of sinne Ioh. 10.17 and hasten thy comming Lord Iesus that thy Spouse beeing prepared a pure Virgine she may be taken vp to the newe Hierusalem to Heauen Rev. 21.10 where after the infinit Battels temptations of this world she may reigne eternallie and bee crowned in thy Kingdome with Christ her blessed Lord and Sauiour AMEN A MEDITATION VPON THE HOLY COMMVNION THERE are two great Seales which God hath affixed to the Charter of his word to wit Two Seales affixed to the Word the Sacrament of Baptisme and of the Lordes holy Supper Albeit the Church of the Iewes was loadned with manie Sacraments as the Passeouer Circumcision Manna Christians haue fewer Sacraments in numbeâ— than the Iewes but mâ—re in sigâ—ification and amplification the Rocke the Clowde the Sea c. Yet God hath giuen the Christian Church Numero pauciora factu faciliora significatione ampliora that is Fewer in number easier to be done and of more large signification The Sacrament of Baptisme is a Sacrament of Initiation when wee are entered into the Familie of God and the Sacrament of the Supper is a Sacrament of Confirmation whereby the Children of God who are spirituallie borne in Baptisme in the Bath of Regeneration by the remission of their sinnes in Christes bloode which is signified by the washing of water the same are fedde at his Table in the Sacrament of the Supper are fedde by Christes bodie and blood Poâ—h the Sac aments ha e one substance vnto euerlasting Life Both these Sacramentes offer one Christ who is the substance and matter of them both albeit diuerslie First the diuersitie is in the time The Sacraments differ in â—â—e things for Baptisme must goe before the Supper neither can anie communicate who are not first baptized Next Baptisme to one the Supper to manie for otherwise it
O Lord I confesse I haue sinned with the rest of my Sexe and I am now punished with them as thou gauest out sentence against them all But Lord I pray thee for Iesus sake who was the Seede of the Woman that thou wouldest loose the bandes of my sinne Gen. 3.15 Pittie me pittie me now O deare Father for thy Christs sake Woe is me that my pleasure in sinne should haue brought mee to such displeasure But these are the wages of sinne Forgiue me O Lord my sinnes and let the bonds thereof be broken that thou mayest loose me out of the bondes of this disease wherewith I am bound When thou spakest of the greatest paine thou comparedst it to the pangues of a woman who trauelleth with child Isa 13.8 then since my pangues are most vehement most sudden haue come to mee before I was aware O Lord let thy power bee so much the more towards me to deliuer me let my greatest miserie bee the object of thy greatest compassion Therefore nowe O Lord helpe mee for the helpe of man or woman is all in vaine pittie the workmanship which it hath pleased thee to frame in my wombe alace bring it and draw it out of my bellie Thou hast framed my Childe in a secret place thou hast brought it to the point of perfection and there is no strength in me to bring it foorth but O my God euen when I am weakest bee thou strongest yea then let thy power and mercie shewe it selfe to come in a due and acceptable time Glorifie thy selfe O Father in my weaknesse and these persons which are now present with mee let them all bee witnesses of thy mercifull deliuerie and preseruation of mee and my Childe for I will heere lie downe at thy feete and crie out vnto thee Psal 69.3 euen till I be hoarce neither will I cease my groaninges and fearfull shouts vntill it shall please thee to relieue mee O God thou Father of Heauen let not this bee my Benoni Gen. 35.18 that is the child of my trouble but let it bee my Benjamin the childe of my dayes and I will consecrate mine Infant vnto thee and thy seruice in whatsoeuer calling thou pleasest to employ it giue mee it and I will giue it to thee 1. Sam. 1.27 for alace I desire from thee no children to receiue life but such as shall bee partakers of Life eternall Now Lord helpe mee and renewe my strength that when thou hast deliuered me I may rejoyce in the worke of thy mercie and feast not to my fleshlie desires but to the honour of thee my God whose mercie endureth for euer Psa 136.1 Oh Lord my strength is dried vp like a potsheard Psa 22.15 and yet I seeke no meanes for my reliefe but onlie out of thine hand I commit my selfe whollie to thy Majesties good will and pleasure and I will not onelie sacrifice vnto thee the Calues of my lippes Hos 14.2 but also of a most thankfull heart whensoeuer it shall please thee to release mee yea and whatsoeuer I shall receiue of thee that shal I render backe againe vnto thee Euen nowe thou gauest mee some relent and casment of my pangues but now my sorrowes are increased againe Oh for Iesus Christes sake who by his holie Birth hath taken away the sinne of our birth haue mercie vpon mee and purge my birth Giue mee I beseech thee a comfortable deliuerie of my childe that wee both may prayse thee all our life and spend our dayes in thy true feare and seruice through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen A MEDITATION OF PERSECVTION AMongst many Rods whereby GOD correcteth his ChildreÌ„ there bee chiefelie three to wit the Sword the Famine and the Pestilence which were all giuen to Dauids choyse 2. Sam. 24.14 of the which three hee chose the Pest vvilling rather to come vnder the Lords hands than mans not but that the Sword Famine were also in the hand of God but mediatelie for the Pest is immediatelie the hand of God It seemeth harde that Susanna should choose the handes of man rather than Gods and Dauid rather the hand of God than of men It is to bee vnderstoode that Dauid was meaning of his mercie Reâ—onciliation betwixt Dauids and Susannaes choyse and Susanna of his justice for the mercie of God is greater than the mercie of men but the feare of Gods justice is more terrible than all feares else whatsoeuer As for persecution it is the note and marke of the Church others may bee persued Persecution a marke of the Church but not persecuted Treason is against Princes and Parricide against Parents but persecution is against Christ and looke how high Treason is aboue slaughter so is persecution aboue Treason because the person of God who is persecuted is the greatest Majestie Next Christ persecuted with vs. it is to bee marked that Christians are persecuted with Christ Saul Saul why persecutest thou me We haue our Head Partaker and Companion with vs in our troubles may wee not then be glad of such a partie and yoke-fellow Thirdly it is common to all Christians who would liue godly in Christ Persecution common to all Christians Ioh. 15.20 Heb. 4.14.15 to suffer persecution then since it is the way of the head who through afflictions entered into Heauen and of all his members let vs not refuse persecution for in so doing wee refuse to bee Christians Then since the way of persecution is the Kinges way by the which hee went into his Kingdome and againe sith it is the way by which all the Sainctes and the Brethren and the First-borne are entered into glory then I say let vs bee bolde to enter in thorowe that way for who would refuse to goe through a Wildernesse vnto a Kingdome and by persecution to enter into Heauen Sinne raiseth vp enemies to vs. Iudg. 2.11 and 3.7.8 and 4.1.2 Fourthlie God rayseth vp enemies against vs because we haue beene enemies vnto him as hee did to the people of Israel euer when they went vnto Idolatrie and 6.1.2 and 13.1 1. King 11.14.23.26 and when as they prouoked him by thinges which were no gods so hee punished them by a People which were not a People and so likewise did the Lord to Salomon when as hee committed Idolatrie God hath our enemies in his hand Simil. Fiftlie albeit our enemies bee as sharpe as Rasours yet they are all in the handes of God who may well cut away our excrementes from vs thorow our foes but they can doe no more For although God giue them leaue and libertie to cut off our flesh yet it is but an excrement of our soule Onlie wicked men are persecuters Gen. 42.21 Exo. 14.27 1. Sam. 31.4 Psal 115.15 It is naturall for wicked men to persecute Rev. 12.1.2.3.4 c. Sixtlie none are chosen of God to persecute the Righteous but euil men whom God either will conuert with
Gates of Hell by Stripes and Wounds our Lord weÌ„t before vs. The feare of Death springeth of the weaknesse of faith and our great loue of the world begets in vs great desire of life and our little sight of Glorie maketh ouer great feare of Death RemeÌ„ber that there are two Deaths and feare the greater There are two deaths Rev. 20.14 the first Death is the separation of the soule from the bodie but the second Death is the euerlasting separation of God froÌ„ the soule If thou be partaker of the resurrection from sinne the second Death shal haue no power ouer thee therfore thou needest not to be afraid of the first Death if thou be deliuered from the second 2. Thou needest not to feare the first Death Death is vniuersall for it is a fatall necessitie laide vpon all Flesh Kinges Prophets People c. all must depart A profitable exchaunge by death 3. There is great gain by the exchaÌ„ge for wee get a Palace for a Prison rest for labour libertie for bondage God for men the companie of Angels for the companie of sinners and finallie the Heauens for the Earth 4. Thou mayest take comfort in thy death Present joy by death without delay Luke 23.43 NOTA. Sinne is taken away Simil. The-paines of death are short because thy soule shall not bee holdeÌ„ in suspense nor stand at the gates of HeaueÌ„ nor goe to Purgatory for new tormentes for in the day of thy death thou shalt be with the Lord in Paradise 5. The sting of Death is taken froÌ„ it which is Sinne then Death can doe thee no more harme than a Serpent which wanteth a Sting 6. The pangues of Death which thou sustainest are but momentaneall but thy joyes shall be eternall as Paul saith to the Romanes Chap. 8. Vers 18. Inward comfortes The soule shall shortlie returne 7. God mixeth his inward comforts with thine outward crosses 8. Thy bodie shall sleepe a little thy soule shal returne shortlie the Comforter shall assist thee Christ is praying for thee in Heauen the Sainctes on Earth are crying to the Redeemer the Angels are readie to conuoy thy soule to eternall blisse 9. Heere is thy comfort Christ thy Sauiour suffered the pangues of Death in the highest degree Christ suffered death Matth. 10.24 Shall the seruant be aboue his Master And as he died so he rose againe and ouercame Death in his owne denne Then if the Head bee risen will hee not raise after him all the members of the bodie Yes surelie Lastly The right desire to liue or die Psalm 6.5 Isa 38.7 if thou find a desire in thee to liue longer let the cause of thy desire be that thou mayest liue better as Ezechias and Dauid saide Shall the dead prayse thee And What signe shall I haue to goe to the House of the Lord And if thou desire to die Christ aduantage in life and death see that it be not for thine earthlie burdens but for sinne which thou weariest to beare and for the desire of the fruition of the glorie of God A PRAYER AT THE HOVRE OF DEATH EVerlasting God and my most mercifull Father in Iesus Christ I thy poore Prisoner bound by the Chains of Sicknesse to this Bed vpon whome the bondes of Death are seasing and taking holde I fall downe before the throne of thy Mercy beseech thee to giue me thine holie Spirite that seeing I am going the way of all flesh I may rightlie resolue 1. King 2.2 with solide judgement and perfect memorie anent my departure that as thou hast prepared a place for mee Iob 14.2 so thou wilt prepare mee for it that I being purged by the blood of Iesus sanctified by thy Spirit may enter into the present possession of that inheritance promised to mee And because manie times I learned by thy Worde that I must die by daylie experience in the death of others thou gauest mee warning as also I haue carried in mine owne bodie the markes of death by diuerse diseases yet Lord nowe at last I learne by mine own proofe that which I would not learne by others Nowe therefore O Lord when I looke backe to my former life and consider the sinnes of my childhood and mine age what things I did ignorantlie and what I did against mine owne conscience my forgetfulnesse of thy mercies and mine ingratitude to thee for thy goodnesse mine open sinnes and my secret sinnes my presumptions mine injuries to others mine intemperancie my slouthfulnesse and neglect of thy worship all these sinnes so oft committed by mee beeing put in a masse and manie moe with them I beseech thee most mercifull Father that thou wouldest vouchfase to bind them vp together in the bundle of thy mercie and burne them in the fire of thy loue burie them in the graue of eternall obliuion and make mee nowe quite of them that they burthen mee no more and I beseech thee that now in this my last battell thou wilt so strengthen my faith against infidelitie and distrust that as by thy power I haue ouercome the maine hoste of sin so by thy grace these remnants of a defeated Armie those stragling Souldiours who are shaking their weapons vpon mee they may bee scattered by thine hand that the work of my saluation may now in mercie bee crowned and finished that now I may cry with my Sauiour at his death Consummatum est It is finished Ioh. 19.30 He finished vpon the Crosse the worke of saluation for me now O Lord finish it in me vpon this bedde I acknowledge ô Father that I am infinitlie obliedged vnto thy Majestie for thine innumerable benefits which I haue receiued at thine handes in the time of my life for thou euer didst loue me with a Fatherlie affection thou caredst for mee thou prouidedst in due season to my necessitie thou fedst me thou defendedst mee thou nurturedst me c. Simil. Exod. 19.4 And as the Eagle carrieth the little ones so hast thou carried mee in the armes of thy mercie But in speciall thou broughtest mee from ignorance to the knowledge of the trueth madest mee to be borne in the bosome of the Church gauest me that eternall life Iohn 17.3 which is to knowe thee to bee the true God and whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ the Sauiour of the Worlde Yea when I fell into manifold dangers in this Wildernesse the perils of waters of fire of pouertie of sicknesse of decietfull and wicked men c. thou deliueredst mee from them all by thy mightie and out-stretched arme and hast giuen me this time to resolue with thee to repent and thanke thee for thy benefits For all which thy mercies and excellent benefites both spirituall and temporall I render vnto thee moste heartie thankes praise and glorie to continue for euermore As for anie good thing which is now wrought in mee it is not of mee O Lord but thy grace working in mee who makest thy power to bee knowne in my weaknesse And if thou wouldest look narrowly to my best actions thou wouldest finde in them a thousand imperfections Therefore I couch vnder the Garment of my Lordes righteousnesse oh spreade the Mantle of thy Mercie ouer mee And as for the Worlde I disclaime and renounce it as a false and deceitfull friend which promiseth faire things to those that seeke it but for golden offers it crowneth them with thornes I bid good-night to all my Friends Acquaintances and good Christians and I exhort all you who would haue peace in your latter ende and die the death of the Righteous Numb 23.10 Mat. 7.13 that ye would treade the footesteps of Iesus Christ goe thorowe the straite way keeping faith and loue with the Sainctes to the ende 2. Tim. 4.8 that seeing I haue gone before you and run my race and shortlie shall receiue the Crowne of Righteousnes yee would rejoyce in my victorie and not bee forâ—e for my remoouing And I pray God to bee with you all and to conuoy you safely vnto his Kingdome that wee may all meete joyfullie in his glorie And seeing I feele all the members of my bodie decaying and giuing ouer their office my grinders sailing my sight and hearing decaying Eccl. 12.3 my strong men trembling let the hidden man of mine heart be sanctified by thy grace that I may haue a cleare sight of my Lord and Sauiour and so depart in peace with olde SIMEON thy Seruant Now my Soule returne to thy rest for the Lord hath beene beneficiall to thee Psa 116.7 I commit my spirite into thine handes O LORD take it and by the conuoy of thy moste holie Angels carrie it vnto thy Kingdome And for my bodie I commit it to the dust from whence it came to sleepe there till the Day dawne and my LORD returne and rayse it vppe againe that thou with it may receiue that eternal glory which is prepared for vs thorow Christ Amen FINIS THE PRINTER TO THE READER BEcause it is vnpossible that Bookes of any quantitie in the first Impression should escape all Faults and especially in the absence of the Author therefore it shall please the Christian Reader to auoyde partialitie judge charitablie and correct diligentlie such errours as on our behalfe vnwillinglie haue escaped our correction all which God willing at another time wee shall amende most attentiuelie