Man is a worme and the sonne of man is a worme Surely euery man liuing is altogether vanity Psal. 39. 11. All nations before him are as nothing and they are counted to him lesse then nothing and vanity Isa. 40. 17. He knoweth our frame hee remembreth that wee are but dust Psal. 103. 14. Man that is borne of a woman hath but few dayes and is full of misery Iob 14. 1. Is not mans life a warfare vpon earth Are not his dayes also as the dayes of an hireling Iob 7. 1. O wretched man that I am who shall deliuer mee from the body of this death Rom. 7. 24. Euery imagination of the thoughts of mans heart are only euill continually Gen. 6. 5. There is no man that sinneth not 1 Kings 8. 46. Who can bring a cleane thing out of an vncleane Iob 14. 4. They are altogether become filthy there is none that doth good no not one Psalme 143. Behold I was shapen in iniquity and in sinne did my mother conceiue mee Psal. 51. 5. Who knoweth how oft hee offendeth Cleanse thou me from my secret finnes Psal. 19. 12. If thou Lord shalt marke what is done amisse who may stand Psal. 130. 3. Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for in thy sight shall no man liuing bee iustified Ps. 143. 2. We are al as an vncleane thing and all our righâ—eousnesse is as filthy raggs Isa. 64. 6. Who can say I haue made my heart cleane I am pure from my sinne Pro. 20. 9. For the Scripture hath concluded all vnder sinne Gal. 3. 22. In many things wee offend all Iames 3. 2. If we say that we haue no sinne we deceiue our selues and there is no truth in vs. 1. Iohn 1. 8. Without me ye can do nothing Ioh. 15. 5. Not that we are sufficient of our selues to thinke any thing as of our selues but our sufficiency is of God 2. Cor. 3. 5. The Lord is nigh vnto all them that call vpon him yea all such as call vpon him faithfully Psal. 145. 18. All things whatsoeuer ye shall aske in prayer beleeuing ye shall receiue Math. 21. 22. Let him aske in faith nothing waâ—ering Iames 1. 6. Thou hast bene pretious in my sight and I haue loued thee Isa. 43. 4. God so loued the world that he gaue his onely begotten Son that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life Ioh. 3. 16. As the Father hath loued mee so I haue loued you Ioh. 15. 9. After that the kindnesse and loue of God our Sauiour towards man appeared c. Tit. 3. 4. To him that loued vs and washed vs from our sins in his owne bloud Ren. 1. 5. The Lord the Lord God mercifull and gratious long-suffering abundant in goodnesse truth Exod. 34. 6. The Lord your God is gracious and mercifull and will not turne away his face from you if you returne to him 2. Chro. 30. 9 For thy great mercies sake thou diddest not vtterly consume them nor forsake them for thou art a gracious and mercifull God Nehe. 9. 31. The Lord is mercifull and gracious slow to anger and plentifull in mercy Psal. 103. 8. ver 11. 13. 17. Who is a God like vnto thee that pardâ—neth iniquitie and passeth by the transgressions of the remnant of his heritage hee retaineth not his anger for euer because he delighteth in mercâ—e Micah 7. 18. He will turne againe he will haue compassion vpon vs hee wil subdue our iniquities and thou wilt cast all their sinnes into the depths of the sea ver 19. Despisest thou the riches of his goodnesse and forbearance and long-suffering not knowing that the goodnesse of God leadeth to repentance Rom. 2. 4. God is not slacke as some men count slacknesse but is long-suffering to vs ward not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 2. Pet. 3. 9. The seed of the woman shall bruise thy head Gen. 3. 15. He forgiueth all thine iniquities and healeth all thy â—iseases Psal. 103. 3. He will not alway chide nor keepeth hee his anger for euer ver 9. His anger endureth but for a moment in his fauour is life weeping may endure for a night but ioy cometh in the morning Psal. 30. 5. They that sow in teares shall reape in ioy Psal. 126. 5. Though your sinnes be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow though they be red like crimson they shall be as wooll Isa. 1. 18. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with euerlasting kindnesse will I haue mercy on thee saith the Lord thy redeemer Isa. 54. 8. If the wicked will turne from all his sinnes which he hath committed and keep all my statutes and do all that which is lawfull and right he shall surely liue he shall not dâ—o Eze. 18. 21. Haue I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die saith the Lord God not that he should returne from his wayes and liue ver 23. As I liue saith the Lord God I haue no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turne from his way and liue Eze. 33 11. I will betroth thee vnto me foreuer yea I will betroth thee vnto me in righteousnesse in iudgement and in louing kindnesse and in mercie Hos. 2. 19. A bruised reede shall hee not breake and smoking flaxe shall he not quench Math. 12. 20. Come vnto me all ye that labour and are heauie laden and I will giue you rest Math 11. 28. There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Iesus Rom. 8. 1. To him that is able to do exceeding abundantly aboue all that we aske or thinke be glorie c. Ephes. 3. 20. I am God all-sufficient walke before me and bee thou perfect Genes 17. 1. Abraham being fully perswaded that what God had promised he was able to performe Romanes 4. 21. God is able to make all grace abound towards you that you alwayes hauing sufficiencie in all things may abound to euery good worke 2. Cor. 9. 8. The same Lord ouer all is rich vnto all that call vpon him Rom. 10. 12. Thus it becometh vs to fulfill all righteousnesse Math. 3. 15. Which of you conuiâ—ceth mee of sinne Ioh. 18. 46. As by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous Rom. 5. 19. He hath made him to be sinne for vs who knew no sinne that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him 2. Cor. 5. 21. He was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sinne Heb. 4. 15. Such an high Priest became vs who is holy harmelesse vndefiled separate from sinners Heb. 7. 26. He did no sinne neither was guile found in his mouth 1. Pet. 2. 22. With the Lord is mercy and plenteous redemption Psal. 130. 7. The chastisement of our peace was vpon him Isa. 53. 5.
Lord honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine owne wayes nor finding thine owne pleasure nor speaking thine owne words Isa. 58. 13. Then shalt thou delight thy selfe in the Lord and I will cause thee to ride vpon the high places of the earth and feede thee with the heritage of Iacob thy father for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it ver 14. When the first day of the weeke began Marie Magdalen and the other Marie came to the sepulcher Math. 28. 1. Marke 16. 1. Iohn 20. 1. And behold there was a great earth-quake for the Angell of the Lord descended from heauen and rolled backe the stone from the doore and sate vpon it Math. 28. 2. And the Angell answered and said to the woman Feare yee not for I know that ye seeke Iesus that was crucified Math. 28. 6. He is not here for he is risen ver 7. And when the day of Pentecost was come they were all with one accord in one place Acts 2. 1. And suddenly there came a sound from heauen as of a rushing mightie wind and it filled all the house where they were sitting ver 2. And they were all filled with the holy Ghost and began to speake with other tongues as the Spirit gaue them vtterance ver 4. Euery first day of the weeke let euerie one lay aside as God hath prospered him c. 1. Corinth 16. 2. And the first day of the weeke the disciples being met together to breake bread Paul preached vnto them Acts 20. 7. And I was in the spirit on the Lords day and heard behind me a great voice as it had bene of a trumpet Reu. 1. 10. THE MORNING HYMNE for the Sabbath or the Lords day Wherein the deuout soule expresseth her performance at least in desire of all holy duties requisite on the Sabbath which are 1 Priuate as a 1. Premeditation b 2. Early rising or watchfulnesse c 3. The soules examination of her selfe d 4. Prayer at home consisting of 1. Confession of sinne e Originall f Actuall g 2. Profession of faith 3. Supplication for h 1. The Church i 2. The King k 3. The Minister l 4. Our selues 2 Publike as m 1. Going to the Church n 2. Ioyning in publike prayers and thankesgiuing with the congregation o 3. Hearing the word p 4. Contributing to the poore a I haue thought vpon thy Name in the night season and haue kept thy Law Psal. 119. 55. b Early in the morning do I cry vnto thee for in thy word is my trust ver 147. c I called mine owne wayes to remembrance and turned my foote to thy testimonies ver 59. d I will make my supplication in thy presence with my whole heart be mercifull vnto me according to thy word ver 58. e Behold I was borne in iniquitie and in sin hath my mother conceiued me Psal. 51. 3. f Who can tell how oft hee offendeth O cleanse thou mee from my secret faults Psal. 19. 12. g I said I will confesse my sin and so thou forgauest the wickednesse of my sinne Psal. 32. 6. h O be fauourable and gracious vnto Sion build thou the walls of Ierusalem Psal. 51. 19. Thou shalt arise ô Lord and haue mercie vpon Sion for it is time that thou haue mercie vppon her yea the time is come Psal. 102. 13. For why thy seruants thinke vpon her stones and it grieueth them to see her in the dust ver 14. i Giue the King thy iudgements ô Lord and thy righteousnesse to the Kings sonne Psal. 72. 1. Then shall hee iudge the people according vnto right and defend the poore ver 2. Hee shall keepe the simple by the right and punish the wrong doer ver 4. k Let thy Priests be cloathed with righteousnesse and let thy Saints sing with ioyfulnesse Psal. 132. 9. l O send out thy light and thy truth that they may leade mee and bring mee to thy holy hill and to thy dwelling Psal. 43. 3. m I was glad when they said vnto me Let vs go into the house of the Lord. Open me the gates of righteousnesse that I may go in and giue thanks to the Lord. Psal. 118. 19. n O magnifie the Lord our God and let vs fall downe before his footestoole for he is holy Psal. 99. 5. o The Lord gaue the word great was the companie of the Preachers Psal. 68. 11. I will hearken what the Lord God will say concerning me for hee shall speake peace vnto his people and to his Saints that they turne not againe Psal. 85. 8. For his saluation is nigh them that feare him that glorie may dwell in our land ver 9. p O my soule thou hast said vnto the Lord Thou art my God my goods are nothing vnto thee Psal. 16. 2. All my delight is vpon the Saints and such as excell in vertue ver 3. An offering of a free heart will I giue thee and praise thy name because it is so comfortable Psal. 58. 7. A Prayer for the Sabbath Morning BLessed Creator and Author and finisher of the saluation of man-kind who in memorie of thy glorious rest from both thy noble workes hast blessed and sanctified a day of holy rest vnto thy selfe sanctifie me for it that laying aside my accustomed businesse and sequestring my thoughts from all worldly cares I may keepe it and my selfe holy to thee by dedicating it and deuoting my selfe wholly to thy peculiar worship and immediate seruice And to the end that this my religious seruice may bee more acceptable to thee quicken me with thy Spirit that I may performe it with all alacritie and chearefulnesse and may make thy Sabbath my delight Touch my heart and tongue with a coale from thine Altar that from the sweet incense of my meditations hymnes prayers and thanksgiuing thou mayest smell a sauour of rest O holy Lord God of Sabbath sanctifie thy rest vnto me let thy Spirit rest in me that I may find rest to my soule from all tentations troubles and feares and may rest from my owne workes which are painefull and sinfull trauels and may employ this day all the powers and faculties of my soule and bodie in doing and considering thy workes in adoring thy Maiestie and admiring thy wisdome and acknowledgeing thy power and embracing thy loue and magnifying thy goodnesse and reioycing in thy mercies trembling at thy iudgements In visiting thy holy Temple and praising thee with thy Saints and offering vp the calues of my lips In diligently reading thy Scriptures attentiuely hearing thy word reuerently celebrating thy mysteries charitably relieuing thy members and zealously practising all holy duties both publike and priuate O let me this whole day walke with thee as Enoch did and talke with thee as Moses did and seeke thy face as Dauid did And grant that beholding thine image in thine holy word as in a cleare and cristall mirrour I may bee changed into the same image euen from glorie to glorie Let this Sabbath put
to God with confidence 7 The guidance of the spirit 8 An incorruptible inheritance THE TEXTS EXcept a man bee borne againe hee cannot enter into the Kingdome of God Ioh. 3. 3. Except a man be borne of water and the spirit c. verse 5. Ye were darknesse but now yee are light in the Lord. Ephes. 5. 9. The creature shall bee deliuered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the Sonnes of God Rom. 5. 21. Whosoeuer is borne of God sinneth not for his seede remaineth in him neither can hee sinne because he is borne of God 1 Ioh. 3. 9. Sinne shall not haue dominion ouer you for yee are not vndâ—â— the Law but vnder grace 〈…〉 6. 14. As many as receiued 〈…〉 them he gaue power to 〈…〉 Sonnes of God euen to them that belieue on his name Ioh. 1. 12. Which are borne not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God verse 13. That he might redeeme them that are vnder the Law and that we might receiue the adoption of sonnes Gal. 4. 5. And to the congregation of the first-borne Heb. 12. 23. Of his owne will begat hee vs with the Word of truth that we should bee the first fruits of his creatures Iam. 1. 18. Wee haue receiued the spirit of Adoption whereby wee cry Abba Father Rom 8. 11. As many as are led by the spirit of God they are the sonnes of God Rom. 8. 14. Blessed bee God the Father of 〈◊〉 Lord Iesus Christ which 〈◊〉 to his abundant mercy 〈◊〉 vs againe vnto a 〈◊〉 â—pe 1 Pet. 1. 3. To an inheritance incorruptible and vndefiled and that fadeth not away reserued in heauen for you verse 4. The same spirit testifieth to our spirits that we are the children of God Rom 8. 6. If we be children then heires euen the heires of God and coheirs annexed with Christs verse 17. A Hymne for the Natiuity of our Lord consisting of fowre parts 1. God the Fathers 2. Christs 3. The Prophets 4. The Churches Glory be to God on High in earth peace good will to men THe Lord euen the most mighty God hath spoken and called the world from the rising vp of the Sunne to the going downe thereof Ps. 50. 1. Out of Sion hath God appeared in perfect beauty verse 2. Saluation is nigh them that feare him that glory may dwell on the earth Psal. 85. 9. Mercy and truth are met together righteousnesse and peace haue kissed each other verse 10. Truth shall flourish on the earth and righteousnesse hath looked downe from heauen ver 11. Thou art fairer then the children of men full of grace are thy lipps because God hath blessed thee for euer Psal. 45. 3. Thou hast loued righteousnesse and hated iniquity wherfore God euen thy God hath annointed thee with the oyle of gladnesse aboue thy fellowes verse 8. O Lord my God great are thy wonderous workes which thou hast done like as be also thy thoughts which are to vs ward yet there is no man that ordereth them vnto thee Psal. 40. 6. If I would declare or speake of them they should be more in number then I am able to expresse verse 7. Sacrifice and meate offerings thou wouldest not haue but mine eares hast thou opened verse 8. Burnt offerings and sacrifice for sin hast thou not required then said I Loe I come verse 9. In the volume of thy booke it is written of me that I should fulfill thy will O my God I am content to doe it yea thy law is in my heart verse 10. I haue declared thy righteousnesse in the great congregation Loe I will not refraine my lipps ô Lord and that thou knowest verse 11. I haue not hid thy righteousnesse within my heart my talking hath beene of thy truth and of thy saluation verse 12. I wil preach the lawe whereof the Lord hath said vnto me Thou art my Sonne this day haue I bogotten thee Psal. 2. 7. He shall call me Thou art my Father my God and my strong saluation Psal. 89. 27. And I will make him my first borne higher then the Kings of the earth verse 28. Shew vs thy mercy ô Lord and grant vs thy saluation Psal. 85. 7. Lord saue vs now Lord sende vs now prosperity Through thy tender mercy whereby this day spring from on high hath visited vs. To giue light to them that sit in darknesse and in the shadow of death and to guide our feete into the way of peace Cant. Zach. The Prayer GRatious Lord Iesus Christ the Sonne of God and Sauiour of man the ioy of Angels and dread of diuels the Iewes Messiah the Gentiles starre the hope of the liuing and resurrection of the dead the way to all that come vnto thee the truth to all them that know thee and the life to all them that belieue in thee Make good all thy glorious gratious titles to me Lord protect me Iesu saue me Christ my anointed King rule me my anointed Priest sanctifie me my anointed Prophet reueale vnto mee the secrets of thy Kingdome O Christ whose name is an oyntment powred out annoint me with the oyle of gladnesse this day aboue others This is the day which the Lord hath made I wil reioyce and be glad in it nay I dare take the note higher This is the day in which the Lord was made I will exult and triumph in it Thou which madest all dayes wert this day made of a woman and made vnder the Law From all eternity it was neuer heard that eternity entred into the Kalender of time supreame Maiesty descended into the wombe immensity was comprehended infinity bounded vbiquity inclosed and the Deity incarnated Yet this day it was seene for this day the Word became flesh God became man and to effect this wonderfull mystery a Virgin became a Mother One deepe calleth vpon another one miracle begetteth another The Sunne bringeth forth all other dayes but this day brought thee forth the Sonne of righteousnesse If wee set our voices and instruments and heart-strings to the highest straine of ioy at the birth of great Kings and Princes What ought I to doe this day on which thou the king of heauen wast born vpon the earth At the mariage of great Personages men giue full scope to all manner of expressions of carnall ioy euen oftentimes to the very surfeit of the senses with pleasure How then should I bee rauished with spirituall ioy at this time when heauen and earth the diuine nature and humane were married The contract was in heauen before all times but the marriage was this day consummated in the vndefiled bedde of the Virgin Lord who this day cammest downe to me draw me vp to thee and giue me accesse with more confidence and bouldnesse for now thou art become my brother and ally by bloud The rayes of thy diuine Maiesty will not dazle the eyes of
of the Altar Psal. 118. 27. There is sprung vp a light for the righteous and ioyfull gladnesse for such as be true of heart Psal. 97. 11. Reioyce in the Lord O yee Righteous and giue thankes for a remembrance of his holinesse verse 12. I will consider the heauens euen the worke of thy fingers the Moone the Starres which thou hast ordained Psal. 8. 3. The Heauens declare the glory of God and the Firmament sheweth his handy work Psal. 19. 1. In them hath hee set a Tabernacle for the Sunne which commeth forth as a Bridegroome out of his chamber and reioyceth as a Gyant to runne his course verse 5. It goeth forth from the vttermost part of heauen and runneth about to the end of it againe and nothing is hid from the heate thereof verse 6. The Lord is my light and my saluation whom then shall I feare The Lord is the strength of my life of whom then shall I be afraid Psal. 27. 1. Though I should walke through the valley of the shadow of death I will feare no euill for thou art with me thy Rod and thy Staffe they comfort me Psal. 23. 4. Surely kindnesse and mercy shall follow mee all the dayes of my life and I shall remaine a long season in the house of the Lord verse 6. The admonition for Wednesday morning being an exhortation to mercy wherevnto our Sauiour ascribeth the fifth Beatitude THE ANALYSIS Mercy is a vertue highly to be esteemed and carefully to be practised because it is 1 Our onley plea and hope 2 The soueraigne attribute of God 3 His strickt charge to vs. 4 That vpon which hee proceedeth in the last Iudgement 5 A choice fruit of the Spirit 6 The Saints constant practise 7 The Touch-stone of true Religion 8 The assurance of our saluation 9 The meanes to obtaine manifold blessings in this life and in the life to come THE TEXTS ENter not into iudgement with thy seruants O Lord for in thy sight shall no man liuing be iustified Psal. 143. 2. The Lord grant vnto him that he may finde mercy of the Lord in that day 2 Tim. 1. 18. That he might make knowne the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy Rom. 9. 23. For God hath concluded all vnder vnbeliefe that hee might haue mercy vpon all Rom. 10. 31. And the Lord passed by before him and proclaimed The Lord the Lord God mercifull and gracious long suffering and abundant in goodnesse and in truth Exod. 34. 6. Keeping mercy for thousands forgiuing iniquity transgression and sinne ver 7. God is rich in mercy Ephesians 2. 4. Thy mercy O Lord is in the Heauens and thy faithfulnesse reacheth to the Clouds Psalme 36. 5. For thou Lord art good and ready to forgiue and plenteous in mercy to all them that call vpon thee Psal. 86. 5. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion slow to anger and of great mercy Psal. 145. 8. The Lord is good vnto all and his tender mercies are ouer all his workes ver 9. Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ the Father of mercy and God of all comfort 2 Cor. 1. 3. He hath shewed thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to doe iustly and loue mercy c. Micah 6. 8. Thus speaketh the Lord Execute true iudgement and shew mercy and compassion euery man to his brother Zach. 7 9. Be ye mercifull as your father also is mercifull Luke 6. 36. Giue Almes of those things which are within and behold all things shall bee cleane to you Luke 11. 41. Sell that yee haue and giue Almes Luk. 12. 13. Be yee kinde one to another tender-hearted forgiuing one another euen as God for Christs sake hath forgiuen you Ephes. 4. 32. I will haue mercy and not sacrifice Hos. 6. 6 Mat. 9. 13. Put on therefore as the Elect of God bowels of mercy c. Col. 3. 12. To doe good and communicate forget not for with such sacrifices God is well pleased Hebr. 3. 16. Finally be ye all of one minde hauing compassion one of another loue as brethren be pittifull be courteous 1 Pet. 3. 8. Remember those that are in bonds as though yee were bound with them Heb. 13. 3. Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundations of the world Mat. 25. 34. For I was hungry and ye gaue me meat ver 35. I was thirsty and ye gaue mee drinke c. In that ye did it to the least of my brethren ye did it vnto me ver 40. But the fruits of the Spirit are ioy peace long-suffering gentlenesse goodnesse c. Gal. 5. 22. The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodnesse and righteousnesse and truth Eph. 5. 9. If I haue with-held the poore from their desire if I haue caused the eye of the widdow to faile if I haue eaten my morsell alone and the fatherlesse hath not eaten thereof Iob. 31. 17. If I haue seene any perish for want of cloathing or any poore without couering ver 19. If his bones haue not blessed me and if hee were not warmed with the fleece of my sheepe ver 20. Now there was in Ioppa a certaine woman a Disciple called Tabitha which by interpretation is called Dorcas this woman was full of good workes and almes-deeds which she did Act 9. 36. There was a certaine man in Cesaria called Cornelius of the band called the Italian band Act. 10. 1. A deuout man and one that feared God with all his house which gaue much almes to the people ver 2. There came a certaine Samaritane also that way and when he saw him hee had compassion on him Luke 10. 33. And went to him and bound vp his wounds powring in Oyle and Wine c. ver 34. He said Hee was his Neighbour that shewed mercy on him then said Iesus to him Goe thou and doe likewise ver 37. Now I haue all I abound I am full hauing receiued from Epaphroditus the things that were sent from you an ointment of a sweet smelling sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God Phil. 4. 18. The Lord giue mercy to Onesiphorus his house for hee oft refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chaines 2 Tim. 1. 16. We haue great ioy and consolation in thy loue because the bowels of the Saints are refreshed by thee brother Phil. 7. Pure Religion and vndefiled before God euen the Father is this to to visit the fatherlesse and widdowes in their aduersities and to keepe himselfe vnspotted of the world Iam. 1. 27. There shall be iudgement mercilesse to him that sheweth no mercy and mercy reioyceth against iustice Iam. 2. 13. Blessed are the mercifull for they shall obtaine mercy Mat 5. 7. The liberall soule shall be made fat and hee that watereth shall bee watred also himselfe Prou. 11. 25. Giue and it shall be giuen
against enuenomed wounds Then would we as soone as we feele the sting of sinne in our consciences bruise the Serpent by true contrition destroy the sinne and apply the oyle of teares issuing from it to cure the wound before it festered But among other iust causes of teares this is not the least that wee misspend our teares and spill that heauenly dew and profane the Font-water of our second baptisme as Saint Cyprian calleth it Wee haue teares at our owne will in worldly losses but none at God's command for the losse of his grace Wee take on for the death of our friends departing frō vs but cannot wring out a teare for the spirituall death of our soules departing from God Yet all our fretting and vexing all our weeping and howling cannot fetch our friend backe againe or repaire our worldly losses whereas on the contrary as Saint Chrysostome piously noteth the afflicting of our soules and serious bewailing of our sinnes by God's grace shall reuiue our soules and recouer all our spirituall losses and that with aduantage What pittie nay what folly is it to powre costly eye-water out of a Venice-glasse into a vile pot or basen to wash our feete withall Do we not the like when we turne godly sorrow into worldly and abuse pretious teares to the bewailing of vile base losses haue we suchstore of them or such want of better employmēt for them See we not wrath is gone out against vs and the fire long agoe kindled and not yet quenched by our teares Lord thou hast shewed thy people terrible things thou hast giuen vs a drinke of deadly wine and hast caused vs to suck out the dreggs of it because we Moab like are setled vpon our Lees. As Pharaoh saw the hugh of his bloodie minde in the waters of Aegypt turned all redd as blood so we may see the crimson colour of our sins in the vialls of thy wrath powred of late vpon vs. We trade not spiritually for the pearle of the Gospell and therefore our Merchant's returnes faile Wee would not weepe for our sins and therefore the heauens did weepe for vs a long season in continuall showers We haue bin hard hearted and barren in good works and therefore thou madest heretofore the heauen aboue vs as brasse and the earth vnder vs as Yron By drunkennesse and gluttony by euill perswasions and worse examples one soule hath infected another and therefore thou hast sent a Plague whereby one body infecteth another Such a Plag◠as our ancients neuer heard of and our posterity will scarce belieue The chiefe of our Cities haue beene ploughed vp and sowed so thick with dead corps's that one could scarce lye by another Against this and all other iudgements which thy law threatneth and our sins prouoke wee haue no weapons to contend with thy iustice but prayers and teares We haue no meanes to clense the infected aire but our sighs and groanes O Lord remoue our sins as a clowde and iniquities as a mist and then this dreadfull bloodie clowde which lately powred downe but now onely droppeth will vanish of it selfe Consummate the worke of mercy thou hast begun and quite remoue this iudgement through thy tender compassion in the bowells of Christ Iesus wee beseech thee But remoue this iudgement in mercie not in iudgement Take not thy hand off of vs to fetch a greater stroake at vs. Deliuer vs not from one Plague as thou diddest Pharoh to send a worse in steede thereof Put vs not out of thine hands into which we are fallen to giue vs ouer into the hands of our enemies Saue vs not from the Sword to kill vs with Famine neither preserue vs from a corporall to starue vs with a spirituall Take not away one plaister to apply a smarter in the place but perfectly heale our wounds Bee absolutely reconciled vnto vs in him vpon whom thou hast already layed the chastisement of our peace O remember not our our old sinnes but haue mercy vpon vs and that soone for wee are come to great misery Helpe vs ô God of our saluation for the glory of thy name ô deliuer vs and bee mercifull to our sins for thy names sake O thinke vpon thy congregation and Mount Sion wherein thou hast dwelt Looke vpon the hands of many thousands that haue beene lifted vp to thee in Publike and many more in Priuate to iustifie thee in thy Iudgements and blesse thee for thy mercies and intreate thee for this Land and thy disconsolate Spouse yet weeping in teares of bloud in diuerse places To strengthen and support the weaker of these hands and fill their mouthes with continuall Deuotions I haue furnished and replenished this Manuel which I name THE HAND-MAID To PRIVATE DEVOTION to waite on her in her Chamber or Oratorie The purtraying of her Mistresse I leaue to the pensill of some Diuine Apelles whose taske will be the harder because she neuer commeth abroade All that my intention aimeth at and my endeauours promise is but to lay open a priuate way and set vp certaine Stages for thy holy race and pricke thee on forward in it Farre better helpes in this kinde the pious charitie and zeale of religious and learned persons hath afforded thee of whom yet I may truely say as Tully spake of the Emperours that dealt with Mithridates before Pompey Laudandum quod secerunt ignoscendum quod reliquerunt They are to be commended for that they haue done and pardoned for that they left What they haue left I labour to supply and if I cannot supply it yet I thought fit to implie and intimate that the Authors themselues or the Publishers of their workes might adde what they finde wanting First my thinkes I see in their bookes of Deuotion and prayers Salomon's temple without the gate called Bewtifull I meane exquisite meditations and orizons without an entrance thereunto by preparation With that part therefore I begin and it taketh vp the more roome in my booke because it hath beene so scanted for place or rather quite excluded in theirs In it if thou finde some tertnesse I intreate thee Courteous Reader to remember with me the precept of the Lord Iesu Haue salt and haue peace If I haue salt haue thou peace the rather because Hymnes Prayers and other religious exercises are spirituall sacrifices and euery sacrifice by the Law was to be seasoned with salt Et quoniam mel in Dei sacrificijs non offertur nimia dulcedo arte mutata est quâdam piperis austeritate condita apud Deum nil tantum suaue placet nisi quod habet in se aliquid mordacis veritatis It is S. Ierom's obseruation vpon the legall sacrifices that God neuer appointed hony to be offered vnto him And the morall truth vailed vnder that shadow was that in our spirituall oblations nothing pleaseth God that is onely sweete and hath not some smacke 〈◊〉 it of biting truth Next I haue much maruelled what the reason might be that they vndertaking
vnto you good measure pressed downe and running ouer Luke 6. 38. Whosoeuer shall giue to drink vnto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a Disciple verily he shall not lose his reward THE PRAYER FOR Wednesday morning composed of 1. Petitions sutable to the worke of the day 2. Motiues to workes of mercy agreeable to the precedent exhortation O Lord what is man that thou art so mindfull of him or the sonne of man that thou so regardest him Thou madest so much of him that thou madest all creatures for him the Fowles of the Aire Fish in the Sea and Beasts of the Field to furnish his Table and clothe his nakednesse and serue his vse The earth thou createdst to sustaine him the water to wash and coole him the aire to breath him the fire to warme him the Flowers to refresh him the Herbes to cure him the Fruits and Graines to nourish him the Mines to inrich him the precious Stones to adorne him yea the glorious Lamps of Heauen The Sunne and Moone to light him the one in the Day the other in the Night and both to measure his time to direct his husbandry to recreate him in his trauells to ripen his fruits and increase his store Nay which farre surpasseth the glorious beames of the Sunne and his comfortable light thou gauest him a sure light of prophecy before the day dawne and the day-starre arose in the Firmament of the Church and afterwards causedst the Sunne of righteousnesse to arise vpon him to shine in his heart in this life by grace and in Heauen by glory for euermore Shall I not reioyce in this light Shall I not open all the Casements of my soule to let it in Shall I not account their feet beautifull and the ground happy on which they tread who bring me tidings of this wonderfull Light Shall I not loue thee aboue all things who hast preferred mee aboue all things Shall I not serue thee with all the faculties of my body and soule who makest all thy Creatures serue me What pretext can I haue for my ingratitude and disobedience to thee so gracious a Lord and Master I cannot pleade ignorance of thy Deity for the Heauens declare thy glory and the Firmament sheweth thy handy-worke I cannot pretend ignorance of thy Law for thou hast put thy Word into my mouth and written thy Law in my heart I cannot alledge that I neuer heard of or saw the Light of thy Gospell for the light came into the world and shined in the darkenesse and the darkenesse comprehended it not Neuer had any Nation a more bright Sun-shine of the Gospell then ours But we loue darkenesse more then light because our deeds are euill And because we loue darkenesse more then light thou mightest most iustly haue already cast vs into outward darkenesse But there is mercy with thee that thou mayest be feared there is Balme in Gilead to cure cur deadly wounds there is Vnctim in Christ there is saluation in Iesus there is redemption in his bloud there is satisfaction in his death there is merit in his perfect obedience there is hope in his resurrection and ascension and euerlasting comfort in his sitting at the right hand of his Father to make intercession for vs. O Eternall Aduocate pleade my muse Thou who out of thy pierced side openedst to all the inhabitants of the earth a Fountaine for sinne and vncleannesse wash mee from my wickednesse and clense me from my sinne grant me thy peace which thou promisest thy chosen that my heart bee not troubled Make an atonement for mee and bring me into fauour with thy Father and my Father thy God and my God And because all my hope is in thy mercy Lord let me imitate that vertue in thee which I implore Let mee patterne that grace in my life which saueth my life Let mee from my heart forgiue my brethren their trespasses compassionate their infirmities relieue their necessities ease their crosses and beare their burthens Let the hungry haue neuer a iust action against me at thy Barre for not giuing them meate nor the thirsty for not giuing them drinke nor the naked for not clothing them nor the sicke and imprisoned for not visiting them nor the fatherlesse and widowes for not protecting defending them Let me who need abundant mercy shew abundant mercy Let me mete such measure to my brethren as I expect from thee As a good childe let mee follow the example of my heauenly Father who as on this day caused the Sunne to rise vpon the Iust and the vniust So let the light of my knowledge and heat of my loue be extended to all but especially to those of the houshold of faith And as the Sun shineth vpon my body so make thy countenance shine vpon my soule As the Sunne draweth vp exhalations from the earth so raise thou my thoughts and desires from earthy comforts to heauenly obiects As the Sunne melteth Snow and Ice so melt thou my heart frozen in the dregs of sinne As the Snnne dispelleth all mists of darkenesse and cleereth the Aire from all Fogs and noysome Vapours so let thy Spirit disped all errors of my vnderstanding and cleere my will from all fogs and fumes of noysome lusts Giue mee grace to keepe a regular constant and vnwearied course vpon earth as the Sunne doth in Heauen and to grow in grace and increase in heauenly wisdome as the Sunne ascendeth higher and shineth still brighter till it bee high Noone Lastly the Sunne reioyceth as a Gyant to runne his course So grant that I may cheerefully runne and finish my race and after I haue finished it receiue the reward of the Righteous who shall shine as the Sun in the Kingdome of the Father for euermore Amen The close out of Scripture Grant Lord that I may bee filled with the knowledge of thy Will in all wisdome and spirituall vnderstanding Col. 1. 9. That I may walke worthy of thee please thee in all things being fruitfull in all good workes and increasing in the knowledge of thee ver 10. Strengthened with all might through thy glorious power vnto all patience and long suffering with ioyfulnesse ver 11. The Deuotion for Wednesdayes Euening THE HYMNE O Giue thankes vnto the Lord for he is gracious and his mercy endureth for euer Psal. 136. 1. Which onely doth wonders for his mercy indureth for euer ver 4. Which by his excellent wisedome made the Heauens for his mercy endureth for euer ver 5. Which made great lights for his mercy endureth for euer ver 7. The Sunne to rule the day for his mercy endureth for euer ver 8. The Moone and the Stars to gouerne the night for his mercy endureth for euer ver 9. He telleth the number of the Starres and calleth them by their names Psal. 147. 4. He appointed the Moone for certaine seasons and the Sun knoweth his going downe Psal. 104. 19. Thou makest darknesse that