vnworthinesse to inuite me to this blessed banquet which thou hast ordained for the strengthning of my weaâ—e faith and for the preseruation of the memorie of Christs death O Lord I beséech thée giue me grace to put on the wedding garment and séeing thou hast commanded that I should examine my selfe grant that I may not presume to thrust my self into thy holy presence without a due examination of mine owne estate both how I haue liued and also how I am prepared for so weightie a seruice I desire to do it O Lord help my desire I promise to liue more holy than I haue done giue me power I pray thée to performe my promise O Lord I confesse I am by nature a childe of wrath as well as others giue me a true and liuely faith wherwith as with a spirituall hand I may be spiritually ioined vnto thée that in this outward pledge wherby it hath pleased thée to stoope to my sences by visible signes of bread and wine setting forth thereby inuisible graces so grant good Lord I may wholly rest in thy death and passion which is the matter of both thy Sacraments cleanse mee O Lord that thou maiest enter into me and maiest vouchsafe to take vp thy habitation within me I know O Lord that I am most vnworthy of this excellent mercy but it is thou that for thine own names sake hast shewed vnto me this great saluation not sparing thine only begotten son whom when the fulnesse of time was come thou diddest send into the World made of a woman that in him thou mightest receiue a full satisfaction for my sinnes committed both in body and soule remoue far from me O Lord all swelling disdainefull and vncharitable affections for this is a feast of loue therefore to it a malicious and reuengeful heart cannot be a welcome guest and when I present my self before thée at thy table O Lord I beséech thée restrain wy wandring and idle thoughts and let them bée seriously fixed on that which is the Sacrament namely the death of my sauiour quicken me vp to deuote and consecrate my self for euer vnto his seruice who hath vouchsafed himselfe to be a sacrifice for me and grant that when I sée bread and wine on the table with my bodily eie I may with the eie of my soule behold Christ on the Crosse and when I looke vpon the wine powred out of the vessell I may consider how Christs blood was powred out for my sinnes and as I receiue this bread and wine into my stomack for bodily sustenance so cause me I beséech thée to féede on the body and blood of our Lord and Sauiour Christ that it may be nourishment for my soule Amen A Praier after the Receiuing of the Lords Supper O most louing and mercifull father I cannot giue thée thankes worthy enough according to the desire of my minde for the inestimable treasure of this heauenly foode which thou hast now made me partataker of in this heauenly mysterie to wit the true bread of heauen that euerlasting meat that abideth for eueâ—â— thy blessed sonne pur Sauiour Christ Iesus in whom I haue obtained by the gift of this holy Communion an earnest of an immortall inheritance to come O Lord let not this pretious blood of his be shed in vaine for me but nourish my soule by his flesh and more and more clense it by his blood quicken me O Lord I beséech thée in this life that in the body of his Church I may be partaker of all spirituall blessings through him and as thou hast seperated me O Lord from the wicked in this holy banquet so kéep me I pray thée from their corruptions that I be not as a dog that returneth to his vomit and as a filthy swine that is washed to her wallowing in the mire but good Lord grant that I may seusibly féele the death of Christ to be swéete vnto my soule as I doe now these creatures of bread and wine to afforde a pleasant taste and refreshing to my body O heauenly Father let me not depart hence forgetful of thy kindnesse but grant that I may euen now at this present time euen resolue with mine owne soule to walke in a better course of holy obedience to thy Magesty than heretofore hauing respect vnto all thy Commandements and as I haue béene this day put in minde of the benefit of Christs death so let mée euery day thinke often of his death that thereby I may liue vnto righteousnesse and learne to die vnto sinne and grant that euer heereafter I may so walke before thée that all men may sée that I am become a new creature thus endeuouriug to walke in this life according to thy will expressed in thy holy worde I may heereafter enioy the ioies of thy kingdome in thy presence there to abide for euer euer Amen A Pâ—aier before a man begins the workes of his calling O Almightie and euerliuing God séeing all iust and lawfull vocations and callings grounded vpon thy worde are warranted for vs to liue in and also hast commanded that no man should be idle giue me grace I humbly pray thée that I may walke faithfully before thée as in thy holy presence so that no deceit cunning or guile take any hold of me but that I may labour truly and diligently as doing thine owne work Good Lord I beséech thée so prosper and blesse my godly endeuours that in Iesus Christ they may be a seale of thy fauour towards me to maintaine me and mine and that I may be also helpfull and beneficial vnto others knowing it to be a better thing to giue than to receiue and when it shall please thée O Lord by thy blessing vpon my labours that my basket and my store is increased grant that I may not ascribe to mine owne industry pains but to giue thée the praise of it to whom it wholly belongeth And good father grant that I may not set my heart vpon these outward things but rather as riches encrease so I may be more and more affraid of my selfe least the cares of this World and the deceitfulnesse of riches choake in me the séedes of grace so steale my minde away from better things let me not I beséech thée so eagerly follow the duties of my calling that I should abridge and skant my selfe of conuenient seasons for heauenly and spirituall exercises but alwaies make me behold thy all séeing presence in whose sight all things are naked that so I may approue my selfe vnto thée by a streight vpright cariage and in so doing I shall imitate thy son Christ Iesus who in the daies of his flesh humbled himselfe to liue as a man vpon this earth by following a painfull trade and when the time was come that he was to publish himselfe to the World he was neuer idle but went about doing good yea with that alacritie and chéerefulnesse that it was his meat to do the will of his
to hide that from thee which thou before whom all things are naked doest know better then my selfe yea such is thy mercie that when I do lay my sinnes open thou doest couer them good Father I beseech thee giue mee that minde which a seeke man should haue and increase my patience with my pain call to my mind all which I haue heard or read or felt or meditated to strengthen mee in this my visitation that though I neuer taught any good while I liued yet I may now instruct others how to die and to beare patiently whatsoeuer thy holie hand shall lay vpon them Apply vnto me al thy mercies and merites of Christ Iesus as if he had died for me in particular bee not farre from mee I beseech thee when the enemie comes to tempt me but when hee is most busie then let thy good spirit be busiest also to defend me and let my last houre be my best houre and my last thoughtes and words the best that euer I did thinke or speake Lord I know that I can not escape death then why should I feare it and if I must dye why not now if it so please thee for my chiefest happines is behind and I can not haue it vnles I go vnto it I confesse O Lord my paines are great but séeing I trauell to heauen make mee patient I beseech thee to beare my paines and when it shall please thee to call me out of this vaile of miserie command thy holy Angels I humbly pray thee to carrie my soule into the bosome of blessed A. braham there to rest with thee in eternall glorie for euer and euer Amen A Prayer of thanks-giuing vnto God for Deliuerance out of any Sicknesse ALl honour and praise be giuen vnto thee most gracious God and mercisull Father for all thy mercies and fauours bestowed vpon mee euen from my cradle to this present houre for my Election Creation Redemption Iustification Sanctification Preseruation and that blessed hope of Glorification in the world to come O Lord thou hast loaded mee with thine abundant fauors as if I had euer done thy will although I neuer knew thée as I ought loued thee as I should obayed thee as thou commandedst nor beene thankefull to thee as thou hast deserued excéeding experience haue I had of thy goodnes many times but neuer more then in my late sicknesse wherewith thou didst visit mee Lord grant that I be not in the number of those who are forward to aske in time of trouble and affliction but slacke and carelesse to acknowledge their thankfulnes when mercy is bestowed like those Lepers that when they were cleansed returned not to giue God thanks for his mercy O Lord thou hast chastened me and corrected me but herein appeares thy mercy that thou hast not giuen mee ouer to death I confesse thou mightst iustly haue cut mee off depriued mee of the rest of my yeares but it was thy good pleasure to deliuer my soul from the pit of corruption Imprint in my mind I beséech thée the vowes promises which I made in my sicknesse of better obedience and seruice to thy maiestie then heretofore and grant that I may make conscience to performe them and let me know that howsoeuer thou hast now giuen me some little respite and prolonged my daies yet I must not deâ—eiue my selfe in putting farre from my remembrance the day of my death but that I may make a holy vse of this thy fatherly correcting me and to expresse my thankefulnes in my life and conuersation in walking godly before thee and in preparing my selfe for my end that I may finish my course with ioy and bee ready to meete my Sauiour in the clouds and to rest with him and his holy Angels for euer and in his euerlasting kingdom of glorie Ameâ— A Prayer for a Sick man MOst gracious God and in Christ Iesus our mercifull Father wée poore wretches gathered here before thee doe truely and most freely confesse that wee are most vile and miserable vtterly vnworthy to speake vnto thee or to receiue the least fauour from thee by reason of our many and grieuous sinnes our blindnes of minde ignorances negligences peruersenes of heart and vnseruiceablenesse in our liues but with all we doe remember thy great loue and mercifull promises made vnto them that with â—enitent and humble spirits do sue vnto thée wherfore wee are enboldned to approch vnto thy throne of grace in the name of thy Son Christ Iesus beseeching thée for his sake to forgiue vs all our sinnes originall and actuall wash vs we pray thée in his bloud and cloth vs with his righteousnes giue vs grace to turne vnto thée with our hearts from all our sinnes and inable vs by thy grace to serue thee in righteousnes holines all the dayes of our liues Take care we beséech thée of this thy Seruant whom thou hast afflicted before our eyes O Lord receiue him to thy grace and assure him of thy glory grant vnto him faith in thy promises patience vnder thine hand and hope of thy mercy restore him if it be thy blessed will to his perfect health againe and blesse all good meanes vnto it if not prepare him for death and for thy kingdome comfort him with an assured hope of a ioyfull resurrection and whensoeuer his soule shall depart from his body grant that it may be presented without all sinne to thée through Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer for a Woman with child BLessed God and gracious Father I thy poore Handmaide doe héere humbly present my selfe before thy throne of Grace beseeching thee to forgiue me all my manifold sins committed against thee burie them in the death of my Sauiour thy Son Christ Iesus O Lord I beseech thee for his sake to accept of me and this poore worme inclosed in my wombe vouchsafe to giue vs thy Sonne and to sanctifie vs with thy Holy Spirit grant me strength and patience I humbly intreat thee to indure and ouercome those paines which for my sinnes are worthily imposed on me Asswage them O Lord I pray thee and vouchsafe mee a safe deliuerance with safetie to this child within me if it may please thy Maiestie so will I dedicate my selfe and that which thou shalt giue me to the glorie of thine holy Name O Lord heare O Lord help be thou my God and my guide my saluation and my succour not for my merites but for the honour of thy mercie and the all sufficient merites of Iesus Christ to whome with thee and thy Holy Spirit three persons but one euer-liuing and euerlouing God bee all honour and glorie for euer and for euer Amen A Prayer for a Midwife by her selfe alone O Lord my God I beseech thee forgiue me my manifold sins and wickednes accept of me I beseech thée in thy Sonne Iesus Christ honour mee with all the graces of thy spirit grant me wisedoms modesty temperance and a religious heart
you haue receiued your selfe for the more you struggle vnder his hand the worse it will be for you 34 In all your actions remember that God takes notice not onely what you do but whatsoeuer is done directly or indirectly all is done and gouerned by him 35 In health prepare for death for no man can assure himselfe to liue one houre 36 Omit no opportunitie to heare the word bse all the meanes of your saluation though you feele your selfe most vnwilling there vnto for you knowe not when God will giue a blessing 37 The more godly thou art and the more graces and blessings are vpon thée the more néed thou hast to pray because Satan is then busiest against thée and because thou art easily puffed vp with a conceited holines 38 In prayer desire God to giue thée grace to remember the bedroll of thy sinnes to humble thée and the Catalogue of his mercies truly to make thee thankefull 39 Consent not to the least sin for that is the way to fall in to many sins and if you make no conscience of one sinne you will not make conscience of many and great sinnes 40 When thou prayest for any grace God granteth not thy desire but often giues thée the contrarie yet consider God euer heares his children for their good though not according to there desires 41 Register vp thy sins especially those that haue most dishonoured God and wounded thine owne conscience set them often in thy sight chiefely them when thou hast occasion to renew thy repentance that thy heart may be thereby humbled 42 Labour to sée feele thy spirituall pouerty the want of grace in thy selfe especially those inward corruptions of vnbeliefe pride selfe-loue c. 43 Endeuour to shewe thy self a member of Christ and a seruant of God not only in the generall calling of a Christian but also in thy particular calling in which thou art placed 44 Eramine the Scriptures diligently to sée what is sin and what is not sin in euery action and so carrie in thy heart a constant purpose not to sinne in any thing for faith and the purpose of sinning can not stand together 45 Striue to obey God in al his commandements and let thine endeuour bee sutable to thy purpose to doe nothing at any time against thy conscience rightly enformed by the word of God 46 When thou fallest into any sinne a great or little against thy purpose and resolution restnot in it but spéedily recouer thy selfe by repentance humble thy selfe confesse thine offence and by prayer intreat the Lord to pardon the same 47 Make conscience of idle vaine vnhonest and vngodly thoughts for these are the séedes and beginnings of actuall sinne in word and déede the want of this care is oftentimes fearefully punished 48 Whatsoeuer good thing thou goest about doe it not in a conceite of thine own worthines but in humilitie ascribing the power and praise thereof to God lest hee curse thy best doings 49 Use outward things as meate drinke apparell in that manner and measure that they may further godlines and may be as it were signes in which thou maist exprsse the hidden grace of thy heart 50 Labour not to goe beyond any vnlesse it be in good things make conscience of thy word and let it bee as a bond deale iustly with all men and in all companies either do good or take good Signes of Saluation in whomsoeuer they appeare LOue to the children of God 1. Iohn 3. 14. Delight in y â— word of God Psal 119. 111. Often and feruent prayer Psal 45. 18. To bee zealous of Gods glorie Rom. 12. 11. Deniall of any â—uffiâ—â—â—â—cy in our selues 2. Cor. 3. 5. Patient bearing the crosse with profit and comfort Maâ— 16. 24. Faithfulnes in our â—â—â— liâ—gs which God hath placed vs in 1. Cor. 7. 20. Honest iust and conâ—â—â—onable dealing in â—â—â— our actions amongst mâ—n 1. Cor. 10. 33. Assured faith in the promises of God Acts 16. 31. Sinceritie of heart Pro. 11. 20. The Spirit of Adoption Rom. 8. 25. Sound regeneration and â—anctification Rom. 8. 14. Inward peace Rom. 5. â— Groundednesse in the truth Col. 1. 23. Continuance to the end Mar. 24. 13. If these graces be in vs and abound they wil make vs neither idle nor vnfruitfull in the knowledge of our Lord Iesus Christ that is they will make vs sound and sincere professors of the Gospell 2. Per. â— 8. 7. Obseruations needfull to the reuerent reading and hearing of the Word of GOD. 1 PReparation for the manner of reading it Eccles 4. 17. 2 Wisedome to vnderstand it Iam. 1. 5. 1. Kin. 3. 9. 2. Chro. 1. 10. 3 Diligence to continue in it 2. Ti. 3. 14. Act. 14. 22. 4 Meditation and conference for the better kéeping of the matter Deu. 6. 6. Ioshua 1. 8. Psa 1. 2. 5 Faith to beléeue tt Heb. 4. 2. Iud. 20. 6 Obedience to practise it 1. Sa. 15. 22. 23. Ier. 7. 23. Math. 7. 21. 7 Prayer for a bleâ—â—ing vpon it Mat. 21. 22. Marke 11. 24. Iam. 1. 5. FINIS THE CONTENTS of this Booke AN Introduction to Prayer page 1 2 Certaine Rules concerning Prayer pa. 49 3 Briefe notes shewing the necessitie of prayer page 53 4 A godly and necessarie Prayer to be said at all times pa. 59 5 A Morning prayer for priuate Families pa. 68 6 Euening Prayer for priuate families pa. 73 7 Another morning pray pag. 81 8 Another Euening prayer for priuate families pa. 87 9 Another morning prayer page 93 10 Another Euening Prayer pag. 98 11 Morning prayer for a priuate person pa. 104 12 Euening Prayer for a priuate person pa. 110 13 A Prayer for a priuate person necessary at all times pa. 118 14 Morning Prayer for the Sabbath day before the hearing of the Word pa. 127 15 Euening Prayer for the Sabbaoth day pa. 136 16 A Prayer before the Receiuing of the Lords Supper pa. 144 17 A Prayer after the Receiuing of the Lords Supper pa. 149 18 A Prayer before a man begins the workes of his calling pa. 135 19 A Prayer containing humble confession of sinne and desire of pardon page 159 20 A godly Prayer in time of sicknes or at the point of death pa. 167 21 A Prayer of Thanksgiuing vnto God for Deliuerance out of any sicknes pa. 173 22 A Prayer for a sicke man pag. 176 23 A Prayer for a woman with Childe pa. 180 24 A Prayer for a Midwife by her selfe alone page 182 25 A Thanksgiuing priuate for the safe deliuerance of a woman to be said by the Midwife or some woman present at her Deliuerie page 184 26 A Prayer in time of Pestilence or any other contagious sicknes page 186 27 A Prayer for the Kings Maiestie the whole state page 192 28 A Prayer containing the summe of the Lords Prayer pa. 199 29 A Prayer vpon the Articles of the Creed page 204 30 A Prayer vpon the ten commandements page 206 31 A Prayer containing the doctrine of the Sacraments page 210 32 Prayer before meate page 213 33 Thanksgiuing after meate page 214 34 Another before meat page 215 35 Another after meate page 216 36 Another before meat page 217 37 Another after meate page 218 38 Another before meat page 219 39 Another after meate page 220 40 Another before meat page 221 41 Another after meate pag. 222 42 Godly Directions for the right Receiuing of the Lords Supper page 22â— 43 Rules to know true Faith by the fruites thereof pag. 226 44 Christian exercises necessary to be practised in the course of our liues page 231 45 Signes of saluation in whomsoeuer they appeare page 247 46 7. Obseruations needfull to the Reuerent reading and hearing of the word of God page 249 FINIS Faults escaped IN the Epistle Dedicatorie reade period of your timee And pag. 31. l. 17. read I wil fast to pray and pray to fast Pro. 28. â— 4. Reu. 20 Psal 〈◊〉 â—al 26. â— â—al 14. â—â— 21. â— 15 Psal 105 Psal 150. 1. Thes 5.
peace another praies only for peace and God giues him neither grace nor peace not peace because hée wants grace to vse it not grace because peace is all the grace hée cares for not peace because hée will punish him for not begging or estéeming grace and not grace because he séekes not for it One praies for Gods blessing vpon his meat drinke physicke and labor and God heares him not another prospers in these things without praier What is the reason Is it in vaine to pray No pray for a blessing and leaue the euent to God It is sometimes a blessing to want such a blessing By this dealing God shewes hée is tied to no man by desert hée shewes he will do with his owne what he list himselfe hée will exercise thy faith fortitude perhaps he meanes to hasten thée to better fauors and for the other that respects not praier and yet prospers God doth it to allure him to him or else it may bée to fatten him vp for the slaughter in which case that prosperitie is very aduersitie and that séeming blessing a true curse One praieth conceiuing an other reading the one frames words to his mind which is more easie the other frames his minde to words which is not so easie yet both the one and the other praieth obtaineth if they pray with good vnderstanding and godly affections A man may pray without booke and misse he may pray by a booke and get for he that praies by heart without heart does nothing but talke whereas he that praies by book with his heart doth both reade and pray with deuotion He reades a praier but praieth not who reades without vnderstanding or affection â— and â—â— likewise speakes but praies not that vtters wordes and yet weies not nor heartely wishes not the things he speakes of Two desire grace one of them obtaines the other gets it not Is God partiall or respects he persons No but one desires grace and vseth the meanes and ordinances of grace as the word and Sacraments and obtaineth another would haue grace but cares not for these meanes and is reiected Some condemne the saying of one prayer often at one time and so it may if the hart repeat not as wel as the tongue But if there be an ingemination of affection as well as of the supplication it is not to be reproued We can double our sinnes why can wee not why should wee not double our suites for the pardon of them One prayes weeping another cannot shedds a teare yet both may bee heard for the sobbes and sighes of the soule are as sensible to Gods eare as teares are to the eye and the soule can shed teares though the eyes be dry As also the eye can water when the soule is not wet The best teares are the throbs of a broken and bléeding heart Some imagine that they can make Powerfull prayers thinking with their words and arguments to preuaile with God Almightie wheras in truth if any man bee heard it is not for the swéetnesse of words the variety of matter the multiplicity of reasons but through the intercession of Christ who doth make God propitious to vs and to accept our poore and humble prayers If my prayers be heard I will ascribe it to Gods dignation and not to nay dignitie to Gods benigâ—â—ty and not to my prayers excellencie to his eare and not to my tongue Praying and wishing is not all one He that wishes doth not alwaies expresse or define a person from or of whom hee wisheth some good vnto himselfe but he that prayeth prayeth to some body But whether men wish or pray for any grace it is no signe of sauing grace except the meanes of grace be loued neither shall that grace be granted whiles these meanes are neglected Those meanes can do nothing without God and God to wit ordinarily will doe nothing without them Some are wide mouth ed but close-fisted they wil promise much but performe little part with nothing but God is open handed and open hearted his promises are performances and his wordes workes He is Verity and cannot lye hee is Vertue and cannot faile his power is able to make good his promise Amongst men promises are often as weightlesse as the winde some would performe and cannot some could but wil not but God both can and will his will is not larger then his power but what God doth will that God doth work and whatsoeuer he is able to will he is able to worke It is pittie then but that hee should want that may haue for asking Hautinesse is abhominable in a Suiter but humilitie pleaseth yet all that talke of humilitie are not truely humble Some are humble-proud proud of humblenesse but indéed he that is proud of humilitie doth want humilitie and swels with insolencie I would haue all men pray humbly yet let no man thinke he deserues to bee heard for his humilitie the opinion of such a merits wil stop the passage of mercie Others forsooth will néeds be so humble as that they will not goe only and alwaies to God directly but with the craued aide of Saints departed Truely I desire to bee humble but I would not bee humbler then my God requireth such humilitie is eyther pride of hart or ignorance of head I confesse I am not worthy of my selfe to present my selfe and my suites vnto so high a Maiestie but his precept and promise doth embolden me and what I want in my selfe it is supplyed in my Sauiour his merites doth coâ—er all my denierites Some imagin they néed not pray for that which they know they haue yet our Sauiour bids vs pray dayly for our Bread Thou hast bread now thou maist be depriued of it by and by or what if God deny it his word of blessing If he do thy bread may be thy bane it may rot it may hurt and not help I will pray for bread as though I wanted bread Though I were very rich yet would I pray as poore Though I knew I had God yet wold I stil seeke him as if I had not found him Though I were holy and knew my selfe to be in the state of grace yet would I pray that God would accept and sanctifie me as though I were vn holy and felt my selfe most miserable There are some that because they haue beene grieuous and long sinners doe thinke it is too late soâ— them and that they are not worthy nâ—w to pray fâ—â— mercy Surely they think not wrong if they respect their owne desert yet would I haue them pray for â—arden because Gods mercie is greater then their misery and â—e will remit if they will repent I will nâ—t â—e â—eterâ—d from crauing mercy though my merits are worthy nothing but endlesse misery I will pray for grace thogh I haue beene too too gracelesse because God is gracious and bids me pray because Christ is pitâ—full and bids me Come and because the Scripture saith Hee that confesseth his sinne sand
forsaketh them shall find mercie Some pray for remission but care not for repentance they desire a blessing but yet absteuie not from that which pâ—â—ureth cursing These pray in vaine because their practise is vaine For God heareth Saints not Sinners and granted his pardon to the penitent onely and not to such as perseuere impenitent He therfore that would obtaine pardon let him abstaine from ssnne which might deteine his pardon He that would not that sinne should damne him must not indure sinne to dominere with in him Though this be true that no man is pardoned because he is penitent yet this is true that No man is pardoned but he that is penitent If thou wilt not mortifie sin sinne shall mortifie thée if thou wilt not dye to it thou shalt dye for it If thou wilt not that it should dye in thee thou shalt dye in it Some seeme to couet nothing more then a ioyfull resurrection after death yet shall they not attaine to a ioyfull resurrection of their bodies after death because they labour not the resurrection of the soul before death There are two resurrections the first of the ssoule from the sléepe of sinne in this life the second of the body from the sleepe of death in the life to come Woe be vnto him that riseth not tâ—ise for if he rise but once he shal rise but from death to death from sleepe to sorrow his body shall rise from the earth and fall into hell But hee that riseth from the death of sinne in this world shall bee raised vp to the life of happinesse in the world to come I will therefore pray for a ioyfull resurrection of my body to glorie and will not forget whiles I liue the resurrection of my soule to grace as knowing that if I will not study to be gracious I shall not attain to be glorious I haue heard some desire to dye and some desire to liue neither durst I condemne the desires of either I will desire to lâ—ue till I haue learn'd to dye I will desire to die when I haue learn'd to liue For a bad death cannot follow a good life and hee hath learn'd to dye that hath learned well to liue If I can gain Christ in my life Christ will not loose mee at my death If the loue of Christ liue in mee whiles I liue I cannot but liue in the loue of Christ when I dye There are many that often pray they were in heaued which yet I dare not say they shall go to heauen For he y â— praies for heaueÌ„ and goes in the way to hel shall not ascend whether he wisheth but descend whether he walketh hee shall gee whether his féet doth lead him not whether his fooilsh fancie slatters him There are some pray for death yet cannot dye others dye and would not And God by crossing both doth punish both For to the one nothing seemes swéeter then death and to the other nothing seemes swéeter then life to the one it séemeth death to liue to the other the very thought of death is a verie death accounting it the only heauen to liue alwaies vpon the earth Some pray they may dye and may dye to their cost if they pray without care and liue without conscience If the heauinesse of crosses and not the hope of a crowne if the losse of libertie and not the lothing of lust if the sustaining of sorrowes and not the wearisomenesse of sin if the feeling of paines and not the fellowship of Christ doth make a man desire to dye his desire is naught and his death not good For those onely desire well and dye well that are mooued more with sinne then sickenesse with heauenly comforts then earthly crosses with Christ then with all calamities Before thou pray to dye first pray for the death of sinne which is the sting of death and when thou dost desire to die let it be rather to be disâ—nedeâ—ed of thy sinnes then of thy sorrowes and to liue with Christ rather then to be deliuered of thy crosses I sée much hardnesse of hart amongst men and but a little mercy I suppose such persons implâ—re not pray not much for Gods mercy For it cannot bée that any man should bée without mercie to his neighbour who doth truly pray for Gods mercy to himselfe There are in the world which pray God to pardon them yet will they not forgiue their neighbours These are not men but monsters which would receiue mercie of God but wil shew no mercie to men for God which would haue God forgiue them but will not forgiue others Such cannot say the Lords Praier but they pray to the Lord against themselues make their truest friend their greatest for For wrath without pardon belongs to them that wil not pardon I will forgiue and I will pray to be forgiuen I would not that any man should néede my pardon but if he doe desire it God grant I may not denie it The rich and the poore pray together and both do obtain the rich being poore in spirit and the poore being rich in faith Thus would I bée poore that I way be rich thus would I be rich least I should bée poore The rich the poore both pray and neither are heard the rich because he is poore in humilitie the poore because he is rich in pride the rich because he hath no pity the poore because he hath no patience the rich because hée contemnes the poore the poore because he enuies the rich I will labor therefore to be rich in humilitie and poore in hautinesse I wold be pitifull and patient courteous and contented There are many that cry Lord help whom the Lord wil not help Hée that would haue help of God let him not deny his helpe to Man hée that would haue God help him let him not forget to help himselfe For God helpes the helpefull such as are ready to helpe themselues and others to T is pitty but that thou shouldest lie and die in the ditch that saiest Lord help but will vse no meanes if thou maiest to helpe thy selfe I will therefore pray for helpe and yet vse the meanes of helpe and pray that God would help me in those meanes of helpe and blesse them to mée There are many which desire Christ might bée their Sauiour which yet shall not be saued because they would bée saued but will not serue their Sauiour they like his saluation but they loue not his seruice he may suffer or do what he will for them but they will neither suffer nor doe ought for him His merits they pray for but his lawes they care not for Now hée will not bée their Sauiour because they will not be his seruants for hée will saue none but such as will serue him I will therefore suffer him to be my Lord as I doe desire him to be my Sauiour Two graces I desire of him grace to serue him grace to be saued by him Some
grace in the world without the grace of God Some pray for an almes which yet will giue no almes they would receiue good but they will doe no good they would not be denyed in their own desires but they will not sticke to crosse the desires and good déeds of others but doubtlesse hée that will giue no almes to man is vnworthy to receiue an almes of God he that can without pitty sée the wants of christians deserues that his owne wants should be vnpittied of Christ â—ee that crosseth the good desires and good déedes of others deserues a crosse to his owne and a curse to himselfe I will therefore doe good that I may find good I will heare the cry of others that I may be heard my selfe I will not denie my good will to man least God should deny his good will to me I will not crosse men in their lawfull desires least that God should deny me mine Euery man wil pray for his friendes but few for their enemies yet he that will not heartily pray for his enemies as our Lord did and Saint Sâ—euen hee shall not be partaker of the prayer of our Sauiour nor the praise of his Saintes For Christ prayed onely for those that should haue his Spirit and those onely haue the spirit of Christ which doe resemble Christ And indéed it is iust that he that will not pray for his enemies should be debarr'd of Christ who out of his loue did pray for his foes doth make theÌ„ his friends The Psalmist saith Iâ— I incline vnto wickednes with my heart the Lord will not heare me For in déed Gods eare inclineth to vs as our hart inclineth to him and if we decline from him and with our hearts incline to wickednes we mooue him to decline from vs and to incline to wrath If we regard not him in our harts why should hée lend vs his eares If we wil listen vn to that which hee would haue vs loath why should not he loath that to which we would haue him listen I will therefore expell my sinnes least God should repell my suites I wil wash mine hands in innocencie O Lord and so will I goe to thine altar Not to pray or to contemne prayer is a certain signe of a wicked man I will therefore prouoke my selfe to pray that I may be assured that the Spirit of God is in me and that the miscrie of the wicked belongs not to me assuring my selfe that they that wil not pray to God make themselues a prey vnto the Diuell It is a rule of wisedome To serue the season and wisely to bee followed of them that delight in prayer For there is a time in which God is neere and ready to bee found Let vs therefore séeke him whiles he may bee found and call vpoÌ„ him whiles he is near or otherwise we may call and not be heard wee may séeke him and yet not find him There is also a time in which a man may be better disposed to pray then at an other let vs therefore beware we loose it not lest if we will not pray when we may we shall not be able when we would I haue heard some complaine of their dulnes and bewaile their in disposition to pray Let them but lengthen their complaint and lamentation strike their rockie hearts with a serious remembring of their owne miseries and Gods mercies to them and by the grace of God prayers shall gush out of their harts as waters did out of the Rock Neither despair though thou feelst thy selfe as dead for it is a true tokeÌ„n of the life of the spirit to séel and lament the deadnesse of spirit Some imagine if God heare them not as soone as they desire that he will not heare them at all and that they are of no reckoning with him in which they are iniurious to theÌ„selues and to God to themselues because this fansie doth quench their feruencie and hinder their perseuerance and to God who doth not alwaies hate when hée makes as though he heares not For by séeming to neglect vs and by denying our suites at the first heâ— wold rouze vp our spirits he would try our patience and exercise our saith hee would shewe vs that not our merits but his owne mercy moues him to heare vs and finally he would instruct vs to make more account of his benefits when they come For commonly things lightly obtained are lightly estéemed Many men pray for things that are hurtfull to them I will therefore beg temporal blessings as they may be blessings to mee and whatsoeuer I pray for I will submit my selfe to his wisedome and desire him to heare me not to my prayer but to my profit not as I thinke but in what hee knowes to bee fitting for me There are certaine men deuoted to their wicked lusts that stick not sometimes to say that they care not so they may haue halfe an houre before their death to repent them of their sinnes and to pray to God for mercie These men by their presuming of mercy are in great danger to féele the seueritie of iustice They speake as if they had repentance in a string as if they could pray when they listed and as if they could haue God to heare them when they would themselues But I will repent and pray for mercy in my youth least I should be reiected in mine age I wil cry now that I may bée heard now I will not refuse to séeke him now least I should not find him anon I will sue vnto him for his grace whiles I am like to liue that I may not be refused when I am like to die I will die whiles I liue that I may liue when I am dead and I wil pray whiles I may least I cannot when I would I will liue whiles I liue that I may not die when I die I will sue for grace now whiles it is offered least for contemning grace now I should bée denied grace hereafter Because God hath set downe all things in an vnchangeable and eternall decrée and hath determined from eternitie what gifts hee will giue vnto the sonnes of men therefore some imagine that it is to little or no purpose for a man to pray This is a profane and foolish fansie profane because it drawes a side the heart from dutie For the rule of our obedience is not the secret decrées of God but his reuealed pleasure Now his will which he hath disclosed to vs is that wée ought to pray vnto him and that continually I say again it is a foolish fansie for as God hath ordained the end so hée hath appointed meanes vnto it as hée hath ordained to giue men these and these gifts so hée hath ordained commanded that men should aske them And if hée giue temporall things to any man that is not deuout pious and vnderstanding know that such things which should haue béene for his good doe make for his destruction
thou séeest euen the very secrets of our hearts and that nothing can be done be it neuer so secret without thy knowledge these mercies and blessings we pray thée to grant vnto vs for Iesus Christs sake our Lord Amen Another Euening Praier ETernall God and in Iesus Christ our most merciful father thou which art the father of mercies the God of al consolations we thy vnworthy seruants doe héere according to our bounden duties humble our selues before thy maiestie and rendring in that poore measure we are able all praise and thankes for all thy mercies blessings bestowed vpon vs from time to time euer since we were borne vntill this present for our election creation redemption vocation iustification sanctification preseruation and the hope of our glorification herafter as also for al those blessings that concern this life present furnishing vs continually with all good things necessarie that wée stand in néede of More especially O Lord we thank thée y â— thou hast preserued defended vs this day from al perils and dangers both of body and soule wherinto many haue fallen and wée might also had we not béen guided by thy merciful prouidence O Lord we confesse to the shame of our owne selues that wee are not worthy of the least of all these thy mercies but as we were conceiued and borne in sinne so haue wée liued in iniquity and in the transgression of thy lawes not regarding to be gouerned by the holy word and therefore haue iustly deserued that thou shouldest poure vpon vs all shame misery in this life and eternall condemnation in the World to come but O Lord we know that thou art a God full of mercy stow to anger great compassion and wilt not the death of a sinner but rather that we should liue In confidence of this thy mercie we confesse before thy maiestie our manifold sinnes in treating thée to pardon them all for the merits of Christ Iesus séeing thou hast giuen vs so large a time of repentance grant that we may now at length returne vnto thée in sinceritie of heart contrition of spirit And for this night present we beséech thée sanctific our rest vnto vs this night that we may enioy the same as thy blessing that thereby our wearied bodies being refreshed with moderate and quiet sléepe wée may be the better enabled to walke before thée in our callings the day following to thy glorie and our owne comforts throgh Iesus Christ Remember with vs thy Church and children in all places gather together thine elect forgiue the crying sinnes of this land make an end of these daies of sinne and hasten the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ Preserue thine annointed and our dread soueraign King the Quéen and their roiall Progenie defend and kéep them from plots and trecheries both abroad and at home Let thy spirit of wisdome of Councell and of vpright iudgement rest vpon all the Lords of his maiesties honourable Priuie Councell the Nobilitie and magistracie for the best good of this whole Land Blesse y â— painfull preachers of thy holy word giue good successe we pray thée to their studies and labours for the winning of so many soules as thou hast ordained to eternal life comfort all thy afflicted that suffer vnder thy hand and howsoeuer it shall please thée to deale with them yet support them with patience thankfullnesse to vndergoe whatsoeuer it shall please thée to lay vpon them and when thou shalt sée it fit send them deliuerance that either by life or by death Christ may be to them aduantage Lastly we beséech thée good Lord to blesse all our kinsfolkes in the flesh and all others whom thou would est we should pray for heare vs for them and them for vs Christ Iesus for vs all In whose name we shut vp these our imperfect praiers in that perfect forme which he himselfe hath left vs saying Our father c. Morning Praier for a priuate person MOst Glorious God and mercifull father I thy most vnworthy creature doe héere confesse before thy Diuine Maiestie to thy glory though it be to the shame and confusion of mine owne face that I am not worthy to appeare before thée much more vnworthy to offer vp my praiers vnto thée with confidence that thou shouldest heare them and grant my requests by reason of my manifold sinnes and transgressions that I haue heaped vp against thy maiesty ere since I was borne vntill this present day And now O Lord being come before thée I must néedes confesse the vilenesse of my estate I was conceiued bred born in sinne and in sinne haue I continued all my daies I haue drunke Iniquitie like water yea I haue drawne it after me and tied it vnto me as with great ropes yea I haue eueÌ„ made a mock of sinne and it hath béene a pastime vnto me to doe wickedly Notwithstanding O Lord thou hast called vpon me but still I haue refused thou hast againe and againe stretched out thy hand but I haue not regarded thou hast sought to reclaime me but I haue hated to be reformed thou hast often called vpon mee by thy blessed word yet notwithstanding I haue despised thy patience and abused thy goodnesse so that I haue giuen thée iust cause to heap vpon me all thy seareful plagues and punishments which in the extremity of thy law do belong vnto the wicked It is thy vnspeakeable mercy that thou didst not make my bed my graue neuer to haue risen againe but O Lord I know there is abundance of mercies with thée that thou mayest be feared and excéeding experience haue I had of thy goodnesse long suffering and patience towards me therfore I grow in hope still that thou purposest me good not euill to saue me not to destroy me beséeching thée to accept the death of Christ as a full satisfaction for all my smâ—â—es to wash them away in his blood and to binds them in one bundle cast them behinde thy backe neuer to be remembred I humbly thank thy maiesty for thy manifold mercies extended towards me this night past al y â— daies of my life for my quiet rest sléep my foode and raiment my health peace and libertie and the hope of a better life in the merits of thy deare sonne Christ Iesus for all these thy mercies O Lord I haue nothing to render vnto thée but thine owne If I could giue thée my bodie and soule they might be saued by it but thou wert neuer the richer for it yea euen since I rose I haue tasted many of thy blessings and thou hast begun to serue me before I haue begun to serue thée I can shew no reason why thou shouldest bestow all these blessings vpon me more than others but that thou art mercifull and if thou shouldest draw all back againe from me as iustly thou maiest I haue nothing to say but that thou art iust and séeing O Lord I am now to enter
into the affaires of this day I beséech thée blesse me in the duties of my calling this day and euer for idlenesse and godlynesse can not stand together and it is thy pleasure that in the sweat of my face I should eat my bread O Lord preserue me from all fraudulent and deâ—eitfull courses draw my affections more and more from the loue of the World fix my heart vpon those things which are aboue if things succéed according to my mind by thy blessing vpon my labours make me thankefull vnto thée if any crosse come make me patient and carefull to profit by euerie chastisement that it shall please thée to lay vpon me knowing that howsoeuer they are greiuous for the present yet in the end they will bring the quiet fruit of righteousnesse to al them that are thereby exercised which God grant for his Christs sake to whom with the holy spirit bee all praise now and euer Amen Euening Praier for a priuate Person O Eternall God Father of our Lord Iesus Christ and in him my most mercifull father I humbly confesse before thy glorious presence that I am altogether a lump of sinne a masse of corruption and therfore haue for feited thy fauour and incurred thy high displeasure both in thought word and deede My sins O Lord are more in number than the haires of my head yea farre more than I can possibly féele or know and if I should goe about to reckon vp my particular offences I know not where to begin or where to make an end It is thou O Lord who knowest my sins to whom the secrets of my heart are manifest and nothing can be hid from thy sight besides my consciense doth accuse me of many greiuous euils and I daily feele by ful experience how fraile I am how prone to euel and backward to all goodnesse my minde my heart and affections and all the faculties both of soule and body are ful of vanitie profanenesse dulnesse deadnesse drowâ—inesse in matters of thy worship and seruice But O déere father I haue learned from thy mouth that thou art a God full of mercie slow to wrath and of great compassion and kindnesse towards all such as are heauy laden groan vnder the burthen of their sinnes O Lord extend thy great mercy towards mée poore sinner and giue me a general pardon for al mine offences whatsoeuer seale it to my conscience in the blood of thy déere son Christ Iesus assuring me more and more of thy loue an fauour towards me and that thou art a reconciled father vnto me in the same christ O Lord I beséech thée principally giue me victorie ouer those sins thou knowest my nature most prone to commit Mortific in me whatsoeuer is carnall and sanctiffe me by thy good spirit and knit my heart vnthée for euer Lord grant that I may take delight in the reading and hearing of thy holy word that I may loue and reuerence all the faithfull Ministers of the gospell giue O Lord a melting heart that I may tremble at thy worde let not my sinnes holde backe thy mercies from me nor mine vnworthines stop the passage of thy grace I most humbly thank thee for all thy blessings bestowed vpon me necessarie for this life as food raiment health peace liberty c. which many of thy déere children doe want being notwithstanding bought with the pretious blood of Christ Iesus as well as I. Biâ—t aboue all deere Father I praise thy name for the blessings of a better life especially for thy holy worde and sacraments and all the good I enioy therby for the continuance of thy gospell the worde of truth the means of our saluation for the death of thy son and all that happinesse I receiue thereby O Lord open my blinde eies euery day more and more to sée and consider of thy great and meruelous loue towards me in all these things that by the dew consideration therof my heart may be drawne néerer vnto thee to loue thée much because thou hast giuen much and as thou dost abound towards me in goodnesse so grant that I may abound towards thée in obedience and thankfulnesse and in these my weak and imperfect praiers O Lord I am not mindeful of my selfe alone but of the whole estate of thy Church wheresoeuer blesse all christian Kings and Princes calling vpon thy name especially our dread Soueraigne the Kings Maiestie the Quéene and their roial Progonie Blesse all the nobilitie the magistrates and ministers of the Land that all their Councels and labours may begin at thy feare and may be referred thy glory Succour and comfort all those that are comfortlesse sanctifie all their afflictions and troubles vnto them that they may tend to thy glory and their owne good Finally O Lord according to my bounden dutie I commend vnto thy Maiestie all my friends and acquaintance beséeching thée for them as for my selfe to blesse vs all in our particular places and grant that we may do those things which may bée to thy glorie and our comforts through Iesus Christ our Lord. In whose name I end as he hath taught me saying Our father which art in heauen hallowed bee thy name Thy kingdome come Thy-will be done in earth as it is in heauen c. A Prayer for a priuate person necessarie at all times ALmightie God and in Iesus Christ my most mercifull and louing Father I doe here in thy presence acknowledge that I am of my selfe a most wretched and miserable sinner both in respect of the corruptions of my heart as also the transgression of my life more particularly I doe acknowledge the infidelitie of my heart wherby I haue not yet learned to depend vpon thy prouidence for the things of this life nor vpon thy mercie for the saluation of my soule I confesse O Lord the Atheisme and profanenesse both of my mind and heart whereby all my thoughts and affections are estranged from thée and so glewed to the things of this life that I can take more ioy and delight in doing mine owne will and in seruing mine owne lusts then euer I would â—â— in seruing and obeying thée I acknowledge likewise the pride of mine own heart whereby I doe eralt my selfe in the vanity of my own conceit aboue thy maiestie and aboue my Brethren whom thou hast made farre more excellent then my selfe as also the security of the flesh whereby I put away the day of wrath farre from mee promising to me selfe fréedome from all thy curses and plagues notwithstanding I walke in sinne and in the stubbornnes of mine owne heart my hypocrisie wherby I am content my selfe onely with an outward name and profession of religion and holinesse before men not regarding the truth and power of godlinesse besides O Lord my life abounds in all Actuall transgressions against euery one of thy commandements I haue liued in the abuse of thy mercies and haue not béene drawne néerer vnto thee In neglect of thy
Iudgements and fatherly chastisements both vpon others and vpon my selfe and haue not profited therby to true repentance and reformation of life yea O Lord I haue liued in the proâ—anation of thy holy ordinances thy Word Sacraments and this exercise of Prayer neither preparing my selfe hereunto â—right nor being conuersent therin with that care diligence and conscience as I ought and therfore thou maist iustly depriue me of that fruit of edification I might haue reaped by the reuerent and religious vsing of these diuine Ordinances Many other sins O Lord I haue committed the least whereof if thou shouldest lay vnto my charge I were neuer able to appeare in thy sight or to answere thée one of a thousand I beseech thee deale fauourably with me as thou art wâ—nt to doe with thy children that call vpon thy name and séeke thee in the truth of their hearts In the midst of Iudgement I pray thée remember mercie open my blinde eyes that I may come to a particular knowledge of my sinnes touch my hard and stony heart that I may sigh and grone vnder the burthen of them beeing heartily displeased with my selfe because I haue dishonored thy name stirre vp my heart also that I may hunger and thirst after Christ and his righteausnes and after euery drop of his most precious bloud in him alone to bee well pleased with me and for his sake to pardon and forgiue me all my sinnes wash them all away in his bloud and my heart from the filthinesse and impuritie of them all say vnto my soule I am thy saluation and let me féele thy good spirit perswading my conscience by the inward testimonie of the same that my sinnes are pardoned that I stand discharged of them all before thy Iudgement seate and séeing it is the lot of thy children to be tryed sundry waies O Lord prepare mee to the dayes of tryall Arme mee with spirituall patience to endure thy hand that I may méekely and contentedly submit my will to thy good will and pleasure howsoeuer it shall please thée to deale with me onely teach mee to profit vnder thy rod of correction and grant that I may learne thereby to deny my selfe to forsake this world the pleasures profits and preferments of the same to make vile and base account of them in respect of the heauenly things destring to be dissolued and to be with Christ that sinne and the corruption thereof might bee abolished and I may â—aue neere coniunction â—ith thy Maiestie in thine â—wne Kingdome notwithstanding so long as â—hoâ— pleasest to hold mee in this earthly Tabernacle increase dayly more and more the graces of thy Holy Spirit in mee as namely Faith Repentance Feare Loue Humilitie and a good Conscience and all other graces whereby thine Image may be renued in me that the longer I liue in this world the neerer I may drawe to thy Kingdome indeauouring to serue and please thée in righteousnes and new obedience all the dayes of my life Be mercifull I beséech thée to all thine afflicted whether with sicknesse vpon their beds or distressed in conscience for sinnes relieue them I beséech thée accorcording to their seueral necessities strengthen them in their weakenes sanctifie all thy corrections vnto them and grant them a speedie issue in thine owne good time as shall seeme best to thy godly wisedome Be mercifull to all my friends in the flesh and acquaintance in the Spirit and all other for whom I am bound by any duty to pray for granting vnto vs all a supply of all graces néedefull for our present state and callings and eternall saluation of our â—oules these mercies I beg â—t thy hands for Iesus Christs sake in that prayer which he hath taught vs saying Our Father which art in heauen c. Morning Prayer for the Sabbath day before hearing of the Word O Most gracious God and mercifull Father wee thy vnworthy seruants do here prostrate our selues our bodies and selues to offer vp to thy maiestie this morning sacrifice of praise and thanksgiuing for all thy mercies and blessings bestowed vpon vs we blesse thy name for the quiet rest and comfortable sléepe this night passed from all perils and dangers of the same wee confesse O Lord if thou shouldest deale with vs according to our deserts thou mightest haue made our beds our graues and our sléepe our death euen for the sins of this night past O Lord we haue done more against thée this wéeke past then wee haue done for thée all the dayes of our life yet notwithstanding O Lord manifold are thy mercies towards vs still and thy goodnes is infinite in euery particular which befalleth vs we haue exceeding experience of thyloue It is thy great mercy that wee which haue so many wayes prouoked thée should be suffered to liue to behold the light comfort of the day but herein thy mercie is much more manifest that hauing béene heretofore profaners of thy Sabbaths barren and hypocriticall professors of thy holy word yea fruitlesse and vnprofitable hearers of the same that-we should yet enioy the blessed opportunitie of another Sabbath O Lord wee confesse thou mightst iustly haue fatted vp our hearts and giuen vs ouer to a Reprobate sâ—nce and commanded the doores of thy Sanctuarie to be shutte vp against vs and not to suffer vs to tread within thy Courts O Lord grant that we may rate estéeme thy mercy towards vs in this kinde according to the true valew thereof and that wee may not carelessely forget this or any other of thy fauours and as thou hast of thy mercie brought vs to the beginning of this holy Sabbath so we humbly pray thée enable vs to sanctifie the same as thou requirest and our dutie bindes vs Lord make vs to remember that this is not any Commandement or Ordinance of man but that it is thine owne ordinance and one of those lawes which thou wrotest with thine owne hand namely that this day should after a more speciall manner be consecrated to thy seruice Lord giue vs grace that in this thy Sabbath wee may beware of doing our owne works or of séeking our own wils or of speaking vaine and idle words that wee may seriously binde our selues to the performing of such duties as doe belong to this day O Lord we know that herein wee shall méete with many corruptions in this holy seruice our own corrupt nature and affections will thinke it a taske that can not bee endured besides in the world wee shall haue many examples of the wicked to draw and entise vs froÌ„ our diligence and constancie in our godly course but wée beseech thée from the bottome of our hearts to strengthen vs that these things preuaile not against vs and grant that wee may more estéeme the performance of our duties to thy maiesty then either the contenting of our owne corrupt natures or wicked persons and séeing O Lord we are now to heare thy holy word we beséech thée poure downe thy blessings
father that sent him O Lord grant that I may follow his steps endeuouring to please thée in the whole course of my life through the same Iesus Christ our Lord and only Sauiour Amen A Praier containing humble confession of Sinne and desire of pardon O Eternall God and mercifull father infifinite in iustice and truth taking vengance vpon all disobedient children and yet abundant in goodnesse and mercy towards al such as vnfainedly feare thy name and return vnto thée in sincerity of heart and contrition of spirit prostrating their soules before thée I most vile and wretched sinner doe humbly beséech thée of thy infinite mercy to haue compassion vpon my sinnes which are so grieuous and so vile and loathsome as thy pure eies can not abide to looke vpon them I confesse O Lord that all my life hath béen in sinne our fathers and mothers were sinnefull euen from the sâ—ock of our great grandfather Adam whose blindnesse should haue béen our light and whose sight was turned to our blindnesse and darkenesse by the deceitfull entisements of that enemy of our saluation that subtill serpent Satan by whose baites our forefather being clothed with innocency and integretie and vnspeakable hapinesse was moued by the desire of the knowledge of that which thou wouldest he should haue béene ignorant of by breaking of which thy commandement he with the woman which thou gauest to bee a help comfort vnto him were according to thy determinate will cast out of Paradice a place of ioy to a place of miserie and labour I beseech thee most gratious God smite my hard and stonie heart and make it euen to melt with in me at the sight of my manifold transgressions settle in it I pray thée that godly sorrow which causeth repentance vnto saluation not to be repented of humble my soule vnder thy mighty hand and suffer it not to fréeze in the dregs of mine owne corruptions and make my head full of water mine eies a fountaine of teares which may run down like a riuer day night and grant O Lord that I may sorrow not so much because of hell and damnation which is due vnto me for my sinnes but that my chiefest sorrow may be this that I haue offended so good and gratious a God as thou art in abusing thy mercies and requiting thy excéeding loue with so greiuous sins O Lord I am bold to come vnto thée at this time not in my owne name for who am I that I should dare to presse into thy presence but in the name and mediation of thy déere and welbeloued son Christ Iesus Let his death passion be a full satisfaction for all my sinnes wash me throughly in his blood from mine iniquities and clense me from my sinnes let not thy hand of iustice destroy me but giue me the comfort of thy help and stablish me with thy truth Most gratious father thou which art the father of mercies and the God of consolations of thée I aske mercy and forgiuenesse of all my sinnes thou wouldest that none should perish but that all should be saued and come to the knowledge of thy truth thou hast commanded me most gratious God in thy holy word to call and knock vnto thée whereupon thou hast gratiousty promised so to finde as to enter into me and to entertaine me I beséech thée make good my promise vnto me at this time and regard my teares my sighes and my groanes which doe knock at the gate of thy mercies I endeuour most gracious God and striue to do thy will Lord make good thy promise I beséech thée in thy word and accept my desire and howsoeuer vilde wretch that I am euer since I Couenanted with thée to doe thée seruice I haue either vngratiously forgotten or vngratefully remembred all thy benefits and haue not so estéemed thée for them as I would haue done a mortall friend for a few common Curtesies yet neuer the lesse haue mercy vpon me I can not excuse my faults and If I should yet my consciense would condemne mée for I had thy expresse word to stay me and mine owne conscience to bridle me yea I would haue allowed those things which I did if any other had done them but my selfe now when my memorie is the handwriting of my debt and my thoughts are willing wâ—â—nesses against me and mine owne knowledge condemneth me what remaineth but that I must néeds fall into thy hands O Lord I beséech thée according to thy wonted mercy and old louing kindnesse haue pity vpon me miserable sinner and grant me a frée remission of all my sinnes and a perfect reconciliation with thée in Christ Iesus this O Lord I earnestly craue at thy hands euen for the same Iesus Christ sake our Lord and sauiour Amen A godly Prayer in time of sicknesse or at the point of Death ALmightie God and in Iesus Christ my most mercifull Father I thy poore wretched seruant which doe here lye vnder thy hand féeling thy punishment of the corruption and transgression that is in me and in all flesh euen this same sicknesse which at this time thou hast sent vnto mee I doe here humble my selfe vnder thy hands and acknowledge against my selfe my heinous sins and corruptions so that I confesse that I haue not only deserued sicknes of body yea the separation of my soule from my body but also the separation both of bodie and soule from thée and thy kingdome for euer but good Father I humbly beseech thee looke vpon me in the righteousnesse of Christ Iesus in whome thou hast loued mee before the foundations of the world were laid though sinne haue brought sicknes and sicknes bee an vndoubted messenger of death at the time thou hast appointed yet grant good Lord that I may be vndoubtedly perswaded in this that death is swallowed vp in victorie and that this death can no more hold me vnder then it hath done Iesus Christ into whom I am translated therefore I beseech thée giue me a swéet féeling of my incorporation into Christ Iesus in whose death though I dye yet I shall liue by y â— vertue of his resurrection eternally O Lord in this my sicknesse giue me I beséech thée a déep touch and a sensible vnderstanding of my sinnes past that I haue not vsed this temporall life which thou didst lend mee more to thy glorie that I did not so watch for death as that I was no better prepared for it that I was no more diligent in my calling to seeke the aduancement of thy glory Now O Lord I pray thee take from me all guile of Spirit all disposition to flatter or to sooth vp my selfe or to lessen either the number or the qualitie of my sinnes cause mee euen to breake vp my hart and to search and trie my waies that so out of the abundance of my feeling I may poure out a most plentifull and sincere confession before thee knowing it to be in vaine to endeuour
Blesse mee in this calling to which thou hast appointed mee prosper me I pray thee in the thoughts of my heart the words of my mouth the workes of mine hands Be mercifull I most humbly beseech thée to all those women and children with whom I am to deale Bee mercifull to this thy Seruant that is now in trauel O good Lord comfort her strengthen her and grant her a seasonable and safe deliuerance blesse her burthen O Lord and giue iâ— strength life to be borne so will I render praise and thanksgiuing vnto thee Heare O Lord and grant mee my hearts desire for Christ Iesus his sake mine onely Lord and Sauiour Amen A Thanksgiuing priuate for the safe deliuerance of a woman to bee said by the Midwife or some woman present at her Deliuerie VVEE giue thee thankes most mercifull God for all thy mercies and fauours to vs for Electing Creating Redeeming Sanctifying and Preseruing vs for our health peace and libertie for the worde and Gospell and for preseruing both it and vs from that barbarous Powder-Treason of wicked Papists and finally for the safe deliuerance of this thine Handmaide and the birth of this Infant wee beseech thee giue vs thankefull heartes vnto thee and grant that by true thankefulnesse wee may consecrate our soules our selues and seruices vnto thee all the dayes of our life endeauouring to leade a godly quiet and vertuous life before thée in this world that wee may liue for euer with thée in the world to come through Iesus Christ our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen The Lord bee mercifull vnto vs send health and strength vnto this thine Handmaide Lord blesse this Childe vouchsafe it life that it may by Baptisme bee admitted into thine house and haue interest in thy Couenant the Lord keepe vs all and honour vs with his grace in this life and with immortall glorie in the life to come Amen A Prayer in time of Pestilence or any other Contagious Sicknesse MOst gracious and euerliuing god whose Iudgements are vnsearchable and workes past finding out much lesse to bee comprehended within our weake shallow braines we can not wonder that we are afflicted with so many sorts of diseases and extraordinarie visitations for wee confesse that our sinnes haue prouoked thee not only to take vengeance vpon our bodies and those things that belong vnto vs for this life but also euen that thou shouldest seperats both our bodies and soules from thee for euer to the eâ—ternall destruction of both and howsoeuer this iudgement of the plague be grieuous vpon vs yet it is the smallest part of our desert and if thou shouldest make it cleaue fast to our loines and euen sweep vs off from the face of the earth as dung is swept away till all be gone wee haue nothing to except against thee but that thou art iust for wee haue multiplyed our sinnes before thée and haue pressed thee with the burden of them as a Cart is pressed with sheaues so that neither wee nor our Fathers haue kept thy Commandements and besides O Lord we must confesse thou hast iustly plagued vs because wee haue abused and set at naught thy manifold mercies which thou hast shewed vnto vs for our conuersion as the continuall admonitions giuen vnto vs by thy ministers rising early and late yet wee haue hardened our heartes as in the day of slaughter and haue despised thy Prophets and put farre from vs the euill day thereby adding drunkennes to thirst yet notwithstanding wee will returne vnto thée that hast smitten vs for thou art the father of mercies and the God of forgiuenesses O remember vs not according to our sins but according to thy mercies O Lord thinke vpon vs for thy goodnesse sake cleare vs wee beseech thee and make vs frée from the contagion and Leprosie of sinne and then we shall bée fréed from the noysome infection of the Pestilence so that it shall not hurt vs teach vs O Lord to feare sinne as we feare the sicknesse it selfe for it is the cause of this wasting sicknesse which is the fruit of sinne but this good Father belongeth onely vnto thee for thou canst doe both the one and the other therefore comfort vs wee pray thee according to the dayes that thou hast afflicted vs turns vs vnto thée O Lord and we shall be turned conuert thou vs and we shall be conuerted If wee humble our selues and meete thee with true faith vnfained repentance with hartie sorrow and teares thy wrath shal cease and then thou wilt call in againe thy messengers commanding thine Angell to put vp the sword of vengeance into the â—heath and shew mercie vpon vs and if it bee thy good pleasure to stretch out thy hand stil and chastise vs yet more for our Iniquities giue vs wee pray thée grace and strength patiently to endure thy fatherly hand to the vtmost tryall and teach vs that whensoeuer wee are iudged by thée we shall not be iudged with the world and much better is it for vs to bee temporally corrected in this life then eternally to ber tormented in the life to come therefore O Lord we choose rather to fall into thy hands then in to the hands of men because thy grace is great and mercie is with thee that thou maist bee feared laying fast hold of faith in Christ Iesus who is theeuerlasting propitiation and perfect sacrifice for all our sins in whom alone thou art well pleased to whom with thée thy good spirit bee all honour glory now and for euermore Amen A Prayer for the Kings Maiestie the whole State OEternall God gracious Father who in thy eternall counsell and inestimable wisedome hast ordained Kings Princes to be as Fathers Nurses to thy church and as thou hast giuen them high soueraignty and speciall authority so thou hast communicated vnto them thine own names and titles both to put them in continuall remembrance that they are for thée for thy glory and also vs thy subiects of that same continuall loue obedience which we owe vnto thy Maiestie that vnder them we may be godly and peaceably gouerned seeing y â— by thée Kings raigne and thy soueraigne authority reacheth ouer all wee beséech thée good Lord shew thy mercy vpon al christian Kings Princes calling on thy name especially wee pray thée multiply thy graces vpon thy seruant our dread soueraigne Iames by thy prouidence King of great Britaine France Ireland defender of the faith As thou hast doubled his croune lifted his head aboue others so wee pray thée double redouble thy graces and blessings vpon him both spirituall temporall make vs euermore truely thankfull we beséech thée for all thy preseruations of him from thine his enemies especially graunt that wee may neuer forget that inestimable deliuerance of his Maiestie the whole state from that more then barbarous and hellish plot of the gunpowder treason kéepe him as the Apple of thine
holy Ghost and that there is a Catholick church a Communion of Saints the forgiuenes of sins and the resurrection of the body and life euerlasting that so I may be truely perswaded of thy fatherly prouidence ouer me what Christ hath done that is for my deliuerance the holy ghost to be my comfort assistance being a member of the church and making me effectually partaker of all the priuileges thereof to my endlesse ioy happines which O father giue vnto me I beséech thée for Christs sake Amen A Prayer vpon the ten Commandements O Eternal Lord God I thy humble seruant that do owe all dutifuâ—l obedience to thée and am made partaker of manifold benefits both for body soule which then by the bloud of Christ thy only son hast deliuered from that euerlasting bondage which by corruption of nature I was held in from euerlasting death which I was subiect vnto by daily breaking of thy coÌ„mandements I beséech thée giue me grace now and euer hereafter to haue none other Gods but thée neither to make to my selfe any grauen Image nor the likenes of any thing in heauen aboue or in the earth beneath nor in y â— waters vnder the earth to bow down to them to worship them Nor that I take the name of thée my Lord God in vaine Remembring to kéep holy the Sabath day and to labour six daies doing all that I haue to do but in the seuenth day which is the Sabath of thée O Lord my God giue me grace to do no maner of work And that I may honour my father and mother Neuer to commit any murther neither Adulterie Nor to steale Nor to beare false witnesse against my neighbor Nor to couet my neighbours house nor his wife nor his seruant nor his maide nor his Oxe nor his Asse not any thing that is his that so I may do alwaies my duty to thee O God al the daies of my life beléeuing fearing worshipping giuing thankes louing thée with all my heart with all my mind with all my soul with al my streÌ„gth and louing my neighbour friend or foe euen as my selfe to doe to all men euen as I would they should doe to me to loue honour succour my father mother to honour and obey the King Quéene Prince their ministers to submit my selfe to all my gouernors spirituall temporall to order my selfe to all my betters lowly reuerently to hurt no body by word nor déede to be true and â—ust in all my dealings to beare no malice in my heart to behaue my selfe in the whole course of my life as thou maist be glorified my duty discharged my conscience comforted my brethren woone or confirmed and thye mouths of all the wicked stopped which O father vouchsafe to grant me for thy great goodnes sake thy beloued sonnes â—ake Iesus Christ our Lord to whom with thée and the holy spirit bee all praise and honour giuen by me all thy Saints this time for euermore Amen A Prayer containing the doctrine of the sacraments O Most merciful father thou hast giuen met not onely thy holy word to teach me faith obedience but also two Sacraments outward signes and seales of inward graces Christ all his benefites Giue mee wiledome O Lord to acknowledge the benefite and thankfully vse the same beséeching thée that as by baptisme I am receiued into the church by water outwardly am washed so let it scale the assurance of the purging of my soule from sin by Christs bloud and appeare outwardly by thy holy spirit killing in mee corruption and stirring me vp to holines of life reioysing in my new-birth and growing more more therin dayly that so I may prepare my self in knowledge in true repentance hartie loue and a sound faith to come bee partaker of the Lords supper which is the other sacrament to nourish me vp in the same where by the signes of bread broken and wine poured out taken and giuen Christ my sauiour with his benefits is offered that gaue his body shed his blood for me Now O Lord as by my hand I take the bread wine and with eating and digestion receiue also the strength to nourish my body so I pray thee giue me faith to apply Christ with his merites that I may féele the vertue therof to nourish my soule that I may not come vnprepared least I eate drinke 〈◊〉 owne damnation in â—andling such holy mysteries neither let mee conteiâ—â—e or neglect to be partaker when by the Church thou doest call me but obediently thankefully communicat with my breathren to strengthen my faith encrease mutuall loue shewing obedience Gods mercy in Christs death till hee come to iudge vs all at that great day that for Christs sake our Lord and onely Sauiour Amen Prayer before meate MOst gracious God and mercifull father from whom all good gifts procéed we poore wretches beséech thée to sanctifie to our vses these thy good creatures which we shal receiue now of thy mercy giue vs grace wee pray thee to vse them soberly purely according to thy will grant y â— by these blessings which thou so largely bestowest vpon vs wee may see thy loue towards vs seeking likewise for that spirituall bread of thy word which is the foode of our soules that by the same we may be nourished to eternal life throgh Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Thanksgiuing after meat VVE confesse O Lord it is of thy only goodnes mercy that wee liue moue and haue our beeing in this life and all things whereby our life is preserued comes from thy maiestie good Lord wee beséech thée make vs thankefull for these al other thy mercies both spirituall temporall and as thou hast now fed our bodies with corporall foode so good Lord we pray thée nourish our souls with that heauenly Manna the food of eternall life through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another before meate ALinightie God which hast created meates drinkes for mans sustenance sanctifie them to the vse of thy children without difference that they may vse them for their health hast giuen strength to nourish our bodies to thy pleasure make vs sober and thankfull partakers of theÌ„ graunt that the end of our eating drinking may tend to enable vs to serue thée in our seuerall places through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Another after meate VVE humbly pray thée most gracious God and mercifull to sanctifie these thy good creatures which now of thy mercy we haue receiued at thy hands that they may turne to the nourishment of our bodies where unto thou hast appointed them and teach vs to remember that it is thou which to vs and to all thy creatures giuest food in due season and therfore that we abuse not thy mercies but in some good measure endeuour to walke worthie of them in the course of our liues through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Another before meate VVE magnifie thygreat name most gracious God for all thy mercies bestowed vpon vs from our cradles to this present especially that thou hast giuen vs Christ Iesus with him al the blessings belonging to this life and to that which is a far better wee thank thée for all temporall blessings these which wee are now about to receiue grant that our weak bodies being by them refreshed we may much more séek for the foode of our soules which abideth vnto eternall life that so we labouring to do thy will commanded in thy word here in this life wee may hereafter enioy y â— ioies of thy kingdome in thy presence there to abide for euer and euer Amen Another after meate IT is thou O Lord who hast elected created redéemed iustified sanctified preserued and now at this present fed vs thy name be blessed praised both now and for euer God saue his church vniuersal the Kings Maiestie the Quéen their royall progeny forgiue vs all our sins comfort the afflicted remoue thy iudgements farre from vs send thy Gospell a frée passage and grant vs al the Israel of God grace mercy faith truth peace in thy Sonne Christ Iesus our Lord. Amen Another before meate ETernall God which hast commanded vs in thy holy word that whether we eate or drinke or whatsoeuer we do al should be done to the praise of thy name and whereas any of thy creatures which we receiue can not be auaileable to the nourishment of our bodies except they bee sanctified by thy word prayer wee beséech thée blesse these thy good gifts which now wee are about to receiue of thy bounteous liberalitie that wee being by them strengthened may be better enabled to procéed in the discharge of our seueral Callings to thy glorie and our owne comfort through Iesus Christ Amen Another after meate HUmble and hartie thanks be rendred vnto thée most gracious God for all thy mercies for the coÌ„fortable refreshing which thou hast now vouchsafed vnto vs we beséech thée forgiue vs our sinnes which makes vs vnworthy of the least of thy mercies pardon wee beséech thée our great vn thankfulnes and let thy mercy to our bodies stir vp thankfulnes in our soules God preserue his Church the Kings Maiesty the Quéen their progeny these Realms increase our faith prosoer thy word Gospell among vs confound Satan and all the euemies of thy truth and grant vs mercie and peace in Christ Iesus our Lord. Amen Grace before meate MOst gracious father wee beséech thée forgiue vs all our sinnes blesse these creatures vnto our vse that they may be to our health strength comfort through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Grace after meate VVE giue thée thankes most merciful father for féeding vs at this time and for al thy fauors of this life and of the life to come we beséech thée continue thy louing kindnesse still vnto vs. Lord saue thy Church our King and his Realines and giue thy Gospel an happy passage amongst vs to thy glory and our comfort through Iesus Christ out Lord and Sauiour Amen Godly Directions for the right Receiuing of the Lords Supper 1 THere is required preparation as the commandement of the Apostle plainely shewes which pertaines to al communicants without exception Let euery man examine himself 1 Cor. 11. 28. 2 Knowledge of y â— grounds of religion especially of the vse of both Sacraments 1. Cor. 11. 26. 3 Faith for al sacraments are seales of righteousnesse of Faith Rom 4. 11. 4 Repentance which stands in a heartie sorrow for sinnes committed in hatred and detestation of the same a resolued purpose of amendment and obedience for the time to come 5 Charitie towards men for this Sacramentis a Communion wherby all the receiuers iointly vnited together in loue do participate of one and the same Christ 6 When wee see two signes to be receiued bread and wine wee must call to minde that Christ is our perfect Sauior both bread water of life Heb. 7. 25. 7 When we beheld the bread and wine set apart by the Minister and consecrated by repeating the promise and prayers made for that end wee must call to minde that Christ was ordained by God to bee our Mediatour and Sauiour Ioh. 6. 27. Acts 2. 23 36. 8 When we sée the bread broken and the wine powred out we are to meditate of Christ seriously who was crucified for vs broken by his sufferings wherby life and righteousnesse was performed vnto vs Zach. 12. 10. 9 The giuing of Elements into the receiuers hands signifies vnto vs that God doth truely and really giue Christ with his merites to euery beléeuing receiuer which should put vs in mind of the vnspeakable loue of God towards vs. Rules to know true faith by the fruits thereof Tâ—iue and sauing faith is a supernaturall gift of God and a speciall perswasion wrought by the holy Ghost in the hearts of those that are effectually called concerning there reconciliation and saluation by Christ this saith in whomsoeuer it is it hath these effects 1 To beléeue that the Scriptures contained in the old new Tèstament are the very word of God and so much as is néedfull to be beléeued vnto saluation is contained therein Iohn 5. 39. 2 There will bee an vnfained desire to be taught and instructed in the word of God and to haue the vnderstanding thereof and most to affect those meanes which are most effectual to that end and purpose 3 There will be a continuall sorrow and griefe for thy ignorance and defectiue vnderstanding of the word of God and no marnell for what can be more greiuous to the children of God then not to know or vnderstand or not to remember the euidence of his owne euerlasting estate the will of his Master 4 He will examine himselfe whether his reading or hearing the word read or preached his meditating conference and studie in it do norish his loue and delight and beléefe in it Ps 119. 92. 97. 5 Where true faith is there will be a credite authority giuen to the word of God aboue al traditions whatsoeuer and a reiection of whatsoeuer he knoweth to bee opposite to the same word of God Ps 119. 92. 113. 6 There will be a lightnesse cheerefulnesse in the conscience when any thing is done agréeable to the word of God and a trouble and heauinesse in the same when any thing is done contrary to the same word Psal 119. 92. 7 There will be a hoping in the promises of God an awfull feare of his threatnings a desiring of the blessings and an endeuour to avoid the curses contained in the word and an equall beléeuing the one as well as the other 8 There will be a continuall thankes giuing vnto God for his inestimable blessings in reuealing his word vnto him and vouch safing liberty and meanes to come to knowledge and vnderstanding of the same whereby wée may see what a
greeuous iudgement is on them from whom this word is hiâ— 9 Lastly the least measure of true fâ—â—tâ— that a man can haue is â—hen of an humble spirit by reason of the smalenesse of his faith he doth not yet féele the forgiuenesse of his sinnes and yet is perswaded that they are pardonable and therefore desireth y â— they should be pardoâ—ned with his whole hart praieth to God to pardon them Esay 42. 3. Luke 17. 5. Christian directions necessarie to be practised in the course of our liues FIrst aboue all things sée that thou feare God and kéepe his commandements for this is the whole dutie of man Eccles 12. 13. 2 Exercise your minde in meditating often on the works of God as his creating gouerning the world his prospering and punishing the wicked his blessing correcting his children as séemeth best to his godly wisedome Ier. 12. 2. Math. 25. 31. 32. 3 Submit and humble your selfe for your sinnes that the lord may raise you vp for he that iudgeth himselfe aright shall neuer be iudged of the Lord 1. Cor. 11. 31. 4 Loue all things for Gods sake and God cheifly for his owne and remember you make him your friend whosoeuer be your enemy this you shall doe if as an obedient childe you liue alway in the eie of your heauenly father 5 Neuer make mention of God or any word or work of his but with feare and reuerence nor of any man but with loue vsing his name as you wold haue him to vse yours Deut. 28. 58. Math. 7. 12. 6 Let no more holinesse appeare outwardly then you haue inwardly in your heart which God seeth and in which he desireth truth neither please your selfe with your vnprofitablenes or vnwillingnes to perform that which is good Ro. 12. 11. 7 Speake often to the praise of God neuer or little of your self because many words can not want iniquitie therefore speake as few as you can rather none then vnprofitably Pro. 17. 27. Iam. 1. 19. 8 â—re-patient vnder the correcting hand of God because 1. He doth it 2. â—ee doth it for your good 3. â—ee will moderate it and supply strength and in his due time will deliuer you out of it Psal 39. 9. 9 Stick fast to God as well in aduersitie as in prosperitie the one being as necessarie as the other If you haue necessaries bee humbled for them and vse them well lest hee that gaue them take them away Iam. 1. 2. 10 Take héed of performing holy duties for fashion sake or without féeling and profit for this is hypocrisie and profanenes Heb. 3. 12. Esay 1. 11. 11 Whatsoeuer you take in hand first take counsell by Gods word whether it be lawfull or not be it for profit or pleasure 2. Sa. 2. 1. 1. Sam. 30. 8. 12 When you awake froÌ„ sléep awake with God and before all things giue him your first fruits and calues of your lips 1. Confession of sin 2. Request of things necessary for bodie and soule 3. Thankfulnes for mercies receiued especially your last preseruation and rest 13 Eschew as much as in you lies all occasions of sin wisely endeauor your selfe in subduing the least that at length the greater may take no place 14 Set your selfe carefully as in gods presence that setting him at your right hand you may not fall 1. Cor. 10. 32. 15 Use prayer as a doore to open morning a locke to shut euening first preparing your heart to seek the Lord and thinke in the morning that day may bee your last day when you goe to bed you know not whether you shall rise vnlesse it be to iudgement 16 Waite vpon the Lord and hee will direct your way become his seruant in obaying his will for this is your truest libertie Psal 37. 34. 17 Thinke euermore your present estate and condition to bee the best estate for you whatsoeuer it bee because it is of the good prouidence of God 18 Account of euery day as of the day of death and therefore liue now euen as though you were now dying and doe those good duties euery day which you would doe if it were your last day 19 When night comes before you lie down in bed call to â—â—â—d how you haue spent the day passed think that day lost wherein you haue not done some good 20 Alwaies remember that the greatest work you haue to finish in this world is to die well and to make a happy departure out of this world for they which dye well dye not to die but to liue eternally 29 Estéeme not of your selfe better then you are for the more vile you are in your owne eyes the more glorious you are in y â— eyes of God for he reiecteth the proud giueth grace to the humble 1. Pct. 5. 5. 22 Redéeme the time past of your life with Repentance and looke to the time present with diligence and to the time to come with prouidence Ephes 5. 16. 23 Exercise your selfe in reading something of gods word daily doe not only serue God your self but sée that al that are vnder your charge do the same Dev. 6. 6 24 When you craue any blessings at the hands of God aske them in the name of Christ for no man commeth vnto the Father but by him Ioh. 14. 6. 25 In all your affaires before you attempt any thing first aske counsell of God whether it be lawfull to be done and then you may doe it with a good conscience 1. Sam. 30. 8. 26 Let your carriage in the world bee such as may shew your dislik of y â— world for if any man loue y â— world the loue of the father is not in him because the loue of the world is enmitie with God 1. Ioh. 2. 25 27 Arme your selfe continually against temptations knowing them to bee your portion in this life learne from Christ and his Apostles to beare them patiently 1. Thes 4. 4. 5. 28 Be more afraid of secret sins theÌ„ of open shame and be alwaies perswaded you are in the presence of God and let all your actions be framed accordingly Ier. 23. 24. Acts 17. 28. 29 In all your afflictions and miseries bee still perswaded that your punishment is farre lesse then your â—â—â—ne 30 If Gods mercies abounds to wards you merwell not if he mixe them with some crosses for God sends blessings with crosses lest you should despaire and crosses with blessings lest you should presume 31 Such ontward blessings which you can not haue desire God you may not be vexed for them for if you gréedily couet such things it is longer before you shall enjoy them and more subiect to abuse them when you haue them 32 When you would do any good or receiue any good offer vp your endeuours in a sacrifice to God in Christ beséeching God to giue his holy Spirit to sanctifie his owne sacrifice 33 When God visites you with affliction kisse the toddâ— and offer vp all to him from whom