assured of our acceptation into thy fauour that no trouble or dismay ouerwhelme vs with the weight thereof but if it shall bee thy good pleasure wee be assaulted on euery side yet wee bee not in distresse if in pouerty yet not ouercome with pouerty if persecuted yet not forsaken if cast downe yet perish not that euery where wee may beare about in our bodie the dying of our Lord Iesus Christ that the life of Christ may also bee made manifest in vs vouchsafe vnto vs O Lord the shield of true faith whereby wee may beat back all the fiery darts of the Diuell as carnall confidence presumption security infidelity distrust and incredulity giue vs a constant desire of the promised happinesse purging and preparing our selues to it perfect thy worke in mortifying our sinnes preserue thy graces in vs with increase of new obedience sustaine our hearts against the deferring of thy promises in contrary tentations make vs haue refuge vnto thee to hold fast the hope which is set before vs which wee haue as an anchor of our soules both sure and stedfast confirme therefore our faith against infidelity and discontentment our hope against despaire our truth against errour with the which of thine owne will thou didst begette vs that wee should bee as the first fruits of thy creatures confound Satans kingdom the worldes deceitfulnesse and our hearts doubtfulnesse inlighten our vnderstanding with this sauing knowledge of thee O God confirme stablish our iudgements therein quiet our conscinces sub due our wils and affections to thee and grant vs thy mercifull concurrence that wee may finish our course with ioy now Lord wee make our prayers to thee this night in an acceptable time euen in the multitude of thy mercies O God heare vs in the truth of thy saluation wee will therefore lie vs downe and also sleep in peace for thou Lord only maketh vs dwell in safety to God the Father our Creator to God the Sonne our Redeemer to the holy Ghost our sanctifier comforter we ascribe all honor power and glory now and euermore Amen A Prayer for Saturday Morning PRaised be thou O Ood which hast not put back our prayers nor thy mercies form vs our life alas is subiect to many fearefull breaches and distractions with many false shadowes appearances of good for not onely doe we not shine as lights before others but also in respect of our euill example we are stumbling-blocks to them we doe little alas or rather nothing to edification but to offence Lord wee heartily mourne for all our sinnes whereunto wee haue yeelded our selues this night and all our life time before and do this morning renew our repentance and vowes vnto thee more effectually then before intending our callings more carefully and conscionably then we haue done labouring both to auoide the outwarde acte of sinne to haue our hearts purged from the euill thoughts thereof that wee giue no way to our corruptions but bee masters of them and so bee free from the rage amd slauery of the same which is the greatest happinesse in this worlde for if wee say wee haue fellowship with thee and walk in darknesse we lie and do not truely wherefore O Lord grant that wee may possesse contrite and broken hearts for all our sins with remembrance of thee in our greatest security awake and rowse vs vp from the dead sleep of sin make vs desire euermore carefully to serue thee looking for and hasting vnto the comming of that great day of thee our God by which the heaaens beeing on fire shall bee disolued and the elements shall melt with heate O sweete Father make vs diligent now that wee may bee found then in thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour in peace without spot and blamelesse hauing by thee increase of his grace in vs experience of his raigning in our mortall bodies by whom wee shall haue strength and assurance to perseuere and continue to the end for this purpose deare father daily quicken our estate in Christ thy Son by constant and serious repentance that from thee our holy purpose being renewed we likewise also receiue strength to practice accordingly make vs ouercome the world by thy power which hindereth our groth in grace pressing vs downe euen with our own weight Enlarge our hearts consciences wills and affections that all the members of our bodies may be enliued restrain and bridle our corruptions that wee may daily weaken them heartily loath them and groane vnder them keepe vs from despaire and ourwarde reproach let not the time multitude and example of sinne draw vs away which doe commit sin most greedily and hide it most dangerously let our hearts still cleaue vnto thee and to thy word that by it daily sent out of our selues wee may obtaine new strength in thy Sonne Iesus Christ to goe forward in well-doing that discerning our inability thereto wee may interest our selues in his pretious merits that growing in grace we may be perfected in glory for the increase of glory shall answer to the increase of grace Lord thou knowest wee shall haue this day as wee haue had heretofore more tentations and oppositions of the world humble vs and make vs patient that wee may by thy spirit preuailing in vs be euen ioyfull in all our crosses aduersities and troubles whatsoeuer charitable in iudging others zealouse ouer our selues holy and vpright in our duties and callings that wee may more and more feare thee O great and glorious God more and more humbled in thy greatest mercie more and more thankefull for the least of thy blessings whereunto we haue obtained a right only in Christ Iesus who accepted of vs aboue the worth of our obedience grant vs wee may be cast downe by serious meditation of thy maiesty power and goodnes as also of our owne vnworthinesse O how many are thy deliuerances from euill preseruations and goodnesse acceptances of vnperfect seruice renewing and increasing of spirituall and temporall blessings preuentions of wickednesse which we acknowledge to be thy great mercies in vs confessing therewith our manifolde wants desiring humbly faithfully continually and constantly suppliment of them receiuing in the meane time euery present blessing as steps and pledges in our right to heauen power and mercy belongeth to thee O Lord holy and fearefull is thy name how gracious and mercifull art thou slowe to anger and of great kindnesse thou art good to all and thy mercies are ouer all thy workes teach vs to do thy will this day for thou art our God let thy good spirit leade vs vnto the land of righteousnesse to thee therefore with the Frther and the holy Spirit be glorie praise honour world without end Amen A Prayer for Saturday Euening LOrd there is risen vnto vs and wee haue apprehended light in darkenesse wee haue waited the accomplishment of thy promises in thy light
thee and done to them that trust in thee but sinners are affraid a feare doth come vpon hypocrites who can dwell with the deuouring fire Who shall dwell with euerlasting burningss wee conceiue chaffe and bring forth stubble our breath as fire shall deuoure vs and we shall be as the burnings of lime as thornes cut vp shall they bee burnt in the fire for wickednesse shall not deliuer the possessor thereof thou armest thy creatures to be reuenged of thy enemies and the world shall fight with thee against the vniust which haue kindled a fire in thy wrath which shall burne for euer thou art wise in heart O Lord mighty in strength who hath beene fierce against thee and prospered who shall stand in thy sight when thou art angry alas my silthinesse shall bee discouered and my shame shal bee seene Lord. I will goe and returne to my place till thou acknowledge thy offences and seek my face in thy affliction if thou wilt seeke mee earely feare not thou shalt not be ashamed neither shalt thou be confounded for thy maker is thy husband the Lord of hoasts is his name and thy Redeemer the holy one of Israel the God of the whole earth am I called for I haue called thee being as a woman forsaken and grieued in spirit and a wife of youth when thou wast refused saith thy God for a small moment haue I forsaken thee but with great mercies will I gather thee In a little wrath I hid my face frō thee for a moment but with euerlasting kindnesse will I haue mercy on thee saith the Lord thy Redeemer For this is as the waters of Noah vnto mee for as I haue sworn that the waters of Noah shall no more goe ouer the earth so haue I sworne that I would not bee wroth with thee nor rebuke thee for the mountaines shall depart and the hills be remooued but my kindnesse shall not depart from thee neither shall the couenant of my peace be remoued saith the Lord that hath mercy vpon thee this is the heritage of my seruants and their righteousnesse is of me saith the Lord nowe then encline thine eares and come vnto mee heare thy soule shall liue and I will make an euerlasting couenant with thee euen the sure mercies of Dauid behold I haue giuen him for a witnesse to the people and for a leader and commander to them therefore goe thou out with ioy and be lead forth with peace the mountaines and hills shall breake forth before thee in singing and all the trees of the fielde shall clap their hands it shall bee to mee for a name and for an euerlasting signe that shall not be cut off Soule I confesse thy saluation shall bee for euer and thy righteounesse shall not bee abolished though I saide in my haste I am cast out of thy sight yet thou heardest the noyse of my prayer whē I cryed vnto thee and am fully assured that thou which hast promised art also able to doe it Lord. Thou doest well beloued soule to acknowledge thy sin to deale with them as thou hast done and as a iudge doth with malefactors to apprehend raigne and condemne them for he that hideth his sinnes shall not prosper but hee that confesseth and forsaketh them shall haue mercy for as thou hast declamed against thy sinnes so haue the Saints before thee for they acknowledged their sinne vnto mee neither did hide their iniquity for they thought they would confesse against thēselues their sinnes vnto mee and I forgaue the punishment of their sinnes and so also my seruant said vnto mee surely thou art iust in all that is come vpon vs for thou hast dealt truely but wee haue dealt wickedly So did another protest against himselfe and his people wee sinned and haue committed iniquity haue done wickedly yea haue rebelled haue departed from thy precepts and from thy iudgements Vncouer thou thy sinne and I will couer it declare thou it and I will heare thee in the worlde confession is confusion but with mee it is farre otherwise for if thou acknowledge thy sinnes I am faithfull and iust to forgiue thee all thy finnes and to cleanse thee from all vnrighteousnesse and truly deare soule it is of my grace begun in thee that thou breakest out in confession of them willingly opening them and stripping them naked before my Maiesty for he that is penitent before mee and my Angels with whom there is greater ioy in heauen for one that repenteth then for ninty and nine that need not repentance I will not sticke to confesse before the face of men It is not of nature for Adam whilst I pushed his conscience couered himselfe with figge leaues I send a noyse and voyce hee betooke him to the thicke wood and last I vrged him with questions yet hee shifted off his sinne to Euah and this confession that the sight of misery and feare of punishment haue taken out of thee is a heauenly preparatiue to a greater measure of my grace to be wrought in thee Soule If one man sinne against another the Iudge shall iudge it but if a man sinne against thee O Lord who will pleade for him yea he must be swallowed vp with heauinesse If wee say wee haue a couenant with death or with hell are at agreement though a scourge run ouer and passe through it shall not come at vs for wee haue made falshoode our refuge and vnder vanity are wee hid O but how innumerable haue beene punished for their trespasses euen here in this worlde Adam cast out of paradise the world destroyed by water Sodome and Gomorrah by fire Pharaoh by the Sea Amaleck rooted out 3 thousand killed for the worship of the golden Calfe Nadab and Abihu burnt with fire Myriam stricken with leaprosie for incredulity three hundred thousand beside young ones and seruants that came out of Egypt except Ioshuah and Caleb fell in the wildernesse Corath Dathan swallowed quick into the earth Moses and Aaron excluded the Land for murmuring the Princes of the people hanged Achan stoned the tribe of Beniamim ouerthrowen for the Leuites wife Eli for not correcting his children Saul for sacrificing and after him all his house punished What shall I say of those that died of the pestilence in Dauids dayes the disobedient Prophet rent by the Lion the forty children by the bores for mocking Elizeus of Geetze or Hosiah the King willing to burne incense with many more as Ananias and Saphyra Elimas the sorcerer Iudas and Theudas and some of them for very meane sinnes to the iudgement of men yea and the Galileans whose sacrifice Pilate mixed with their blood and the builders of the Tower of Shiloh which fell vpon them which were not the greatest sinners and vnlesse I repent I
fulnesse of ioy immediate fruition of and coniunction with mee perfect loue triumph ouer all enemies where I shall be all in all crowning thee and all the elect with eternall happinesse blisse for enermore Soule And the Lord shall deliuer mee from euery euill worke and will preserue me vnto his heauenly kingdome to whom be glory for euer and euer Amen A HEAVENLY AND comfortable Mould of Prayers Full of feeling tending to the calming of the conscience for sinne and all other incidents in this wretched life for the benefit of all estates and degrees of people whether by Land or Sea IAM 3. If any man be afflicted let him pray LONDON Printed by Nicholas Okes for Daniell Speed and are to bee sold at his Shop vnder S. Mildreds Church in the Poultry 1618 A Prayer for Munday at Morning The houshold being assembled the Master thereof or he that shall be made the mouth to God-ward shall with all holy behauiour say Come let vs worship fall downe kneele before the Lord our Maker The houshold beeing assembled shall pray as followeth O LORD our God true iust and merciful who can vnderstand his faults wee come confessing and mourning in the sense of them pouring out our whol desire before thee with plentie of teares and bitter lamentations and our sighing is not hid from thee for wee were borne in iniquity and in sinne haue our mothers conceiued vs how corrupt are our faults our thoughts vaine our words idle actions prophane O what good haue wee omitted and what euill haue we committed how foolish and ignorant are wee yea beasts before thee and while we know thy wil we prepared not our selues neither did according vnto vnto it O Lord how many sinnes and punishments haue wee beene heretofore subiect too how grieuous and heauie are they we presently groane vnder Oh keepe vs deare Fathe from presumtpuous sins let them not raigne ouer vs we and our fathers behaued our selues proudely and hardned our necks but thou O God of mercies gracious and full of compassion of long suffering and of great mercy yet forsookest thē not our Kings Princes and people haue sinned against thee yet compassion and forgiuenesse is in thee O Lord our God albeit wee haue rebelled against thee and now our God what shall we say after this for wee haue forsaken thy commandements therefore abhorre wee our selues and acknowledge vs worthy to bee cut off for euer wee yeeld our selues to thy chastisement for our iniquities are gon ouer our heads and as a weighty burthen they are too heauy for vs wee are pricked in our hearts therefore and what shall we doe O Lord our God most deare Father our onely refuge is to fly vnto thee in Christ hungring and thirsting after the least drop of mercy which wee doe preferre before all earthly comforts in the world intreating thee boldly and constantly in faith to grant it wating diligently and patiently vntill thou answer vs and raise some measure of sense and feeling thereof in our hearts and senses wee call thy mercies of olde to memory how often grace hath been shewed vs from thee our God whē thou didst lighten our eyes and giue vs a reuiuing from our sinnes wherefore most holy father we begge most earnestly thou wouldst giue vs now also strength in Christ to forsake sinne in time to come for in heart we thoroughly purpose neuer to commit the like sins againe bnt thorough thy grace to be changed by the renewing of our mindes to be fearefull of all occasions of sinne and wisely hereafter to decline from sinne and to bend all our strength specially against our beloued sinnes O wee heauily complaine of our weakenesse dulnesse deadnesse and inability to any Christian vertue yet will we by thy power be strengthened to loue out of a pure heart of a good conscience and of faith vnfained and constantly endeauoure to bee found in thy Sonne Iesus Christ and to feele the power of his death and resurrection in sub duing of all our sinnes and wickednesse that the life Christ our Sauiour may appeare in our mortall bodies and that not we but Christ may liue wholly in vs that wee may liue by faith in thy Son who hath loued vs and giuen himselfe for vs for his sake grant O deare Father that wee may practisc these Christian vertues to the which wee finde our selues most aduerse and contrarie that by thy grace wee may obtaine such victory and conquest ouer our most grieuous temptations and perturbations and violence of sinne as that wee neuer fall into them againe and that albeit we finde in our selues pronenesse and aptnesse to fall into some of these transgressiōs yet work in vs a godly resolution holy strife against them groaning and panting vnder the loathsome burthen of vitious corruptions for this cause O heauenly Father inspire in vs humble and submissiue mindes to the power of thy worde that wee may out of it haue our hereditary pollution discouered and our corruptions more and more purged thereby euer sighing for the day of our dissolution and looking for the day of our Lord Iesus Christ to our immortality to whom with the Father and holy Ghost wee render glory praise and dominion now and euermore On Munday Euening Prayer O Lord God deare Father in Iesus Christ repentance is thy proper peculiar gift which thou giuest to all them that aske it of thee in faith for as by nature wee haue it not and therefore doe renounce our selues seeing euery good gift is from aboue from thee the father of lights so the time of repentance is in this life and here while we may it must bee obtained with all speedy diligence for alas the longer we delay and deferre the harder it is to bee got and more doubtfull it doth proue to be had the fittest time O Lord is immediately after the sinne is committed and while it is called to day least wee be hardened thorough the deceitfulnesse of sinne our time here is as a thought it is cut off and quickly doe wee flie away wherefore deare father we confesse the greatnesse of our sinnes committed by vs this day how infinite in number how dangerous and deadly to our soules how offensiue to them that are without and to them also that are in Iesus Christ wee acknowledge them thou art faithfull and iust to forgiue vs them and to cleanse vs from all vnrighteousnesse wee submit our selues O Lord our God willingly to thy rebukes chastisements which iustly thou mayest lay vpon vs for the taming and subduing of our sinnes wee sorrow and weep for them our laughter is turned into mourning and our ioy into heauines we cast downe our selues before thee O God that thou mayest lift vs vp and open our eares by our corrections that our vncircumsied hearts may be humbled and
our hearts this night and euermore and stablish vs in euery worde and good worke in whose name we call vpon thee as hee hath taught vs saying Our Father c. A Prayer for Friday Morning NOt trusting in our owne worthinesse for there is none but in thy great mercies doe we present our selues before thee this morning O Lord in great weakenesse to shew our thankefulnesse for thy vnspeakeable goodnesse so plentifully bestowed vpon vs most vndeseruedly for what are wee but wormes and what is man that thou art mindefull of him or the sonne of man that thou visitest him wonderfully hast thon made him in his mothers wombe hee is the image and glory of thee O God thou mightest haue equalled him him with the vgliest and basest creatures it hath pleased thee to spread forth the shadow of the wings of thy protection ouer vs this night wee meditate in the dead of sleepe to haue our soules taken away in thy anger for the offences committed the day before and all the daies of our life and suddenly to haue beene arrainged at thy tribunall seate yet thou wilt not the death of a sinner but rather that he conuert and turne vnto thee and now thou hast spared vs vnto this day grant O gracious Father that wee may euer meditate of the true life of thee our God of the day of the resurrection of these our bodies when corruption shall put on incorruption and of our rising to that solemne and dreadfull iudgement O Lord as thou hast banished this nights dardnesse away wherein wee had a sweete repose and sound rest that compassed vs so grant we humbly beseech thee that inward light in minde by the rising vnto vs of that Sunne of righteousnes thy Son the Lord Iesus Christ that wee may mourne for the ignorance and blindenesse that yet resteth in vs and others also the night is past and the day is at hand vouchsafe wee may cast away the workes of darknesse and put on the armour of light that wee may walke honestly as in the day not in gluttory or drunkennesse nor in chambering and wantonnesse not in strife and enuying but that wee may put on the Lord Iesus Christ praising his mercy and patience that yet wee liue to praise him and are continued in life to make our election more sure such is the constancy of thy loue towardes vs O Lord God Father euerlasting for whom thou louest to the ende day vnto day vttereth the same and night vnto night teacheth knowledge thou hast O Lord sealed vs to theday of redemption and hast giuen vs earnest of the spirit of promise in our hearts by the which spirit also wee beholde as in a mirror thy glory O Lord with open face and are changed vnto the same image from glory to glory O when shall we fully enioy the same in that life to come when shall wee cease from all sinne haue perfect knowledge of thee perfect righteousnes and holinesse neuer to bee changed fulnesse of ioy immediate fruition and coniunction with thee our God when thou shalt bee all in all and triumph ouer all thine and our enemies in that inheritance immortall and vndefiled and that fadeth not reserued in heauen for vs O Lord giue vs the grace that we may keepe our selues in a holy temper and peace of mind by a constant course in all occurrents and so prepare our selues vnto that crowne of glory loking stedfastly vnto Iesus the author and finisher of our faith to breede constant affiance thereof for this cause O Lord let the glorious light of thy great Maiesty neuer departe from the inwarde eyes of our soules that we may bee seriously affected with the sense of our wants benefits purchased by thy Son our Sauiour and perpetually assisted by thy spirit to consider the great and manifolde blessings which wee haue receiued from thee to prouoke vs to thankefulnesse without which all our prayers are vneffectuall grant good Lord we may seriously bewaile our neglect of prayer and condemne our selues for our lip-labour and customarie deuotions our wearisomensse in well-doing and our contentment with small little feelings and finally we may rest vpon the continual mediation of our blessed aduocate Iesus Christ who continually maketh intercession for vs and is now both praying for vs and ready to present our prayers to the throne of grace and to couer all the infirmities and faylings of them with the mantle of his euerlasting mercies innocency and holinesse to him therefore with the Father and the holy Ghost wee render all glory praise dominion thanksgiuing now and euermore Amen A Prayer for Friday Euening O Lord God deare Father in Iesus Christ thy beloued Son our onely Sauiour wee thee from our very hearts for the least of all thy blessings which are infinitely greater then wee can deserue as well as for the greatest and do as readily praise thee for thy mercies receiued as wee were earnest to sue for the obtaining of them and now we offer vnyo thee sacrifice of praise for the preseruation of vs in our callings which are thy ordinances imposed on euery Christian Lord forgiue vs for strayning our conscience in the least euill this day giue vs thy mercifull assistance that wee may cleaue to reioyce in the good testimony thereof that in simplicity and godly purenesse with singlenesse and contentment by thy grace wee haue had our conuersation in the worlde conuincing the hollownesse and hypocrisie of the same which is the moath of well-doing keehe vs good Lord from vncertaintie and dulnesse in good things preserue vs from corruption in iudgement and Apostacy in life Inable vs to holde to the ende and so obtaine the crowne for this cause O Lord giue vs an inclination and resolution of the heart to all goodnesse that wee may iustifie and beautifie therby our professiō giuing diligence to make our calling and election sure that in doing these things wee may neuer fall and so bee deliuered from many inwarde pangs and outward troubles deare Father grant wee may may euer haue righteousnesse in most precious account prosecuting it with all zeale and courage and rest with delight and contentation in it and practise the same not onely as our knowledge informeth but euen desire beyond our knowledge perfection therein Lord make vs renounce Nature and holde on thy Sonne Iesus Christ by a liuely faith and bring foorth the fruits of true righteousnesse in him giue vs good God a holy and settled purpose to serue thee a plaine and sound dealing in our callings daily repentance and coueuenanting with thee for recouery of our decaies make our hearts daily to be informed out of thy word that wee may worke continually as in thy presence with a full and strong perswasion of thy loue and plentifull experience of the same and preferre it aboue all things whatsoeuer more and more be
the godly man only and his name doth euer indure who hath it and himselfe also written in heauen and registered in the booke of life for all consuming oblusion hath no place your vertues and graces make you liue longer then any of these post-running records but your goodnes for euer with the Antient of daies to whō I heartily pray that after your period shall bee faithfully finished here you may be partaker of glory thus I rest euer your Worships In all Christian duty to be commanded Barthol Robinson A. Meditation of the infinite Mercy and Iustice of God against declining either to the left or right hand in presumption or despaire that we may lead an euen course in Christianity II is certaine Caine his offence in his speech in extenuating the Lords mercy was greater then that trespasse done by his hand in shedding his brothers innocent blood for he might haue obtained pardon for the same if hee had beene capable of it for although mans heart be deceitfull aboue all things and that all the immaginations of his thoughts be euill continually and desperately wicked so that none can knowe it so deepe it is yet infinitly more deepe yea insearchable are the riches of the mercies of Christ for what proportion is there betwixt a sparke of fire and the great vast gulfe of the Ocean to quench it hee will turne againe saith the Prophet hee will haue compassion vpon thee hee will subdue thy iniquity cast all thy fins into the depth of the Sea for he retaineth not his anger for euer because he belighteth in mercy yea there is no Sea so large but the Lord hath set a bound that it may not passe ouer but as the heauen is high aboue the earth so great is his mercy towards them that feare him as farre us the East is from the West so farre hath hee remoouer our transgressions from vs this then so ample a depth of his mercy easily doth swallow vp the shallow profundity of sin how deep soeuer it be for with the Lord is mercy and with him is great redemption beholde hee doth not abhorre the confessing theefe the weeping sinner the hūble Cananite the lately taken adultresse the wrongfull customer the contrite Publican neither yet his disciple that denyed him nor that bloody persecutor of the disciples yea not thē that crucified him but prayed for them how great then is thy goodnes O Lord which thou hast laide vppe for them that feare thee and done to them that trust in thee euen before the sonnes of men for the earth is full of the goodnes of the Lord taste then see how gracious the Lord is his louing kindnesse is better then life his mercy is aboue all his works as oyle swimmeth aboue water wherefore the Lord takes this stile in commendation specially to himselfe that hee will bee called the Father of mercy and God of consolation for it doth lye as it were in his bosome and is vnto him as his daughter euen the bowels of compassion hee accounteth his riches not to consist in kingdomes heauens or Angels all which although he possesse yet he can create better if it were his pleasure but hee is rich in mercy for there is nothing better nothing greater for his mercy is not onely aboue all his workes but also it reioyceth against iudgement and gloriously triumpheth ouer it The mercy seate which was a type of Christ in whom God is well pleased was without the Arke but the testimony of the Tables of the lawe were within the same mercie compassing and shutting vp iustice within it Indeede the Cherubins with a fiery sword debarred Adam from accesse to the garden again but in this mercy-seate the Cherubins stretch out their wings on high and couers the mercy-seate with their wings so Christ stretcheth out his hands all the day long vnto vs gathering vs as the henne doth her chickens yea and the lawe it selfe which is a proclamation of Gods iustice in the second cōmandement doth visite iniquity vnto the third and fourth generation but extendeth mercy vnto the thousand of them that loue him herein therefore doth mercy glory and as is were boast it selfe for where mercy is mentioned there is no speech made of iustice but when iudgement is denounced there is euery place left for mercy which is promised to the penitent so the Lord is gracious and full of compassino what can hee deny vs that hath giuen his owne Sonne for vs and hee that hath giuen his life for vs cannot refuse to giue vs his mercy so maiest thou say vnto thee O my strength will I sing for God is my defence and the God of my mercies for thou Lord hast not failed them that seeke thee for as thy Maiesty is so is thy mercy yea and to the sinfull hee doth say thou hast rauished my heart my sister my spouse thou hast rauished my heart turne away thine eyes from me for thou hast ouercome mee yes truely that true and liuing Sampson for the loue hee did beare to thee was crucified of the Iewes as that other Sampson was put to death by the Philistims And what can more liuely portrait out his mercy then when hee saith I am pressed vnder as a cart is pressed that is ful of sheaues yea Lord great is thy pitty in delaying and prolongging thy wrath thy mercie and moderation in inflicting it great is thy goodnesse in remouing thy anger and iudgements procured thereby Dauid after he had slept as long as women vsually goe with child or there about when hee had trauailed with iniquity and had conceiued mischiefe and brought forth falshood for when lust was conceiued it brought forth sinne and sin when it was finished broght forth death yet the Lord such is euer his clemency desired him to make choice of punishment although Dauid had prouoked him to wrath against the lawe of armes wherein the weapons shold be in the election of him that is offended and not in his that prouokes O that wee were wise and vnderstoode this that we would consider our later end and so albeit we grieue his spirit often and diuerse times yet so manifold are his tender mercies that as about the time of forty yeares God suffered the Israelites manners in the wildernesse so hath hee euen to this day sparred vs what could he haue done any more to his vineyard that he hath not done to it let vs now at the last search and try our waies and turne againe to the Lord let vs lift vp our hearts with our hands vnto our God in the heouens whom wee haue pressed with our sinnes as with a talent of leade for hee is not slacke concerning his promise as some men count slacknesse but is patient toward vs and would haue no man to perish but would all men to come
to repentance The wicked still say because hee delayes his comming either by continuation of present punishment or prorogation of their life where is the promise of his comming for since the Fathers died all things continue alike from the beginning of the creation and doth God know it say they Is there knowledge in the most high can hee iudge through the darke clouds the cloudes hide him that hee cannot see and he walketh in the circle of heauen and so doe they think in their heart God hath forgotten hee hideth away his face and will neuer see the vision that is seene is for many dayes to come and doth prophecy of the times that are farre off but woe vnto them that drawe iniquity with cords of vanity and sin as with cart-ropes which say let them make speed let them hasten his worke that wee may see and let the counsell of the holy one drawe neare and come that wee may knowe it And when the seruant doth say in his heart my master doth deferre his comming and shall begin to smite the seruants and maidens and to eate and drinke and be drunken the master of that seruant will come in a day when hee thinketh not and at an houre that hee is not aware of and will cut him off giue him his portion with vnbeleeuers Therfore beloued sinne not because grace hath abounded for the grace of God which bringeth saluation vnto all men hath appeared teaching vs that we should deny vngodlinesse and wordly lusts and that wee should liue soberly righteously and godly in this present world despise not therefore the riches of his bountifulnesse and patience and long sufferance knowing that the bountifulnes of God leadeth thee to repentance least thou after thy hardnesse and heart that cannot repent heape vppe to thy selfe wrath against the day of wrath and truely his long suffering is saluation and repentance the way to bring vs thereto that we may finde mercy with the Lord at that day thus the heart of the penitent is like waxe it is molten in the middest of their bowels but the wickeds is as strong as a stone and as hard as the nether mil-stone thus they sowe pillowes vnder their arme-holes and make vailes vpon the head of euery one that standeth vp to winne soules lying in sinne and presumptuously reposing vpon vaine perswasion of the mercy of God which they euer abuse truely his mercie is that green-bed wherin his true members doe lie howsoeuer the wicked make his mercy cloakes of shame for as the Apostle saith they haue theis liberty for a cloake of malitiousnesse saying as the Iewes did this is the temple of the Lorde rrusting in lying wordes that cannot profit but bee thou not deceiued God is not mocked let no man deceiue thee with vain wordes for for these things the wrath of God comes vpon the children of misbeliefe who rest in their owne peace and security when as hee that walketh vprightly walketh onely boldly and in the feare of the Lord is an assured strength wherefore well doth the wise-man aduise vs say not Gods mercy is great hee will bee pacified for the multitude of my sins for mercy and wrath come from him and his indignation resteth vpon sinners make no tarrying to turne to the Lord and put not off from day to day for suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord come forth and in thy security thou shalt be destroyed and perish in the day of vengeance and againe say not I haue sinned and what harme hath happened vnto mee for the Lord is long-suffering he will in nowise let thee go and concerning propitiation be not without feare to adde sinne to sinne Is not the mercy of God great and nothing can be greater larger as is said the Archangels and Angels in heauen Prophets Apopostles Martyrs and Confessors on earth and all things that liue or yet are created commend the same in one Psalme euery verse euen twenty sixe times endeth with this for his mercy endureth for euer O but beware hereof this is Satans olde subtilty whereby hee maketh man bolde on sinne as hee did Euah you shall not die at all said hee hee couereth and hideth the Lords iustice from mens eyes and remoueth the euill day a far off thus hee lieth in waite secretly euen as a Lyon in his den he lieth in wait to spoyle the poore when he draweth him into his net therefore heape of poore do fall by his might but hee greatly enlargeth the Lords bountifulnes and patience for as it is true the Lord is mercifull so is this true that hee visiteth the iniquity of the fathers to the third and fourth generation therefore thou must consider that which Dauid did sing I wil sing mercy and iudgement saith hee vnto thee O Lord will I sing And herein is God and his ministers distinguished from Satan and his for God euer conioyneth mercy and iustice together but Satan harpes continually on one of them onely as hee saith peace peace when there is no peace thus these monsters draw out their breast and giue sucke to their young ones thus the wicked is made to boast of his owne hearts desire hee blesseth himselfe and contemneth the Lord the deceiuing teachers wordes are softer then butter yet is there warre in the heart of him they are spoken to their wordes I say are more gentle then oyle yet are they swords but if thou wilt bee cured beloued there must be put into thy sores both wine and oyle that thou maiest suffer the wholesome and sound doctrine and not resemble those whose itching eares turne away from hearing the truth on whom while they dream on peace and safety then sudden destruction commeth as sorrow vpon a woman with childe and they shall not escape any wise Whenas a childe hath a bird tyed by the foot tosseth it to and fro vntill hee kill it so these false teachers men seducing themselues while they abuse the Lords tender mercies as if they were bound to all their youthfull sinnes and antient follies want only insolently bragging of thē and grieuing the holy spirit of Israel they turne his mercies I say thus disdained by them vnto the bitternesse of his wrath fooles and children they may bee called concerning vnderstanding albeit they bee of a ripe age And like as an olde man beeing to passe ouer a narrow and small bridge putteth on his spectacles in which the bridge appeareth a great deale bigger then of it selfe it is where hee falleth to the hazard of his life in the ditch so they that wander from this mortality to immortality by the mercies of God not rightly esteeming the same but walkes in the broade way that leadeth to destruction they may I say cry out great is his mercy which yet is not so great that it will fauour them
wee willingly be are the punishments of our iniquitie O when wee cōtemplate the incōprehensible infinite and glorious Maiesty of thee our God whom wee haue so heauily offendee in doing so many so great and haynous wickednes in sinning against thee against thee only haue wee sinned and done euill in thy sight O the vilenes and abiectnesse of man that durst thus commit such wickednesse against thee O God how feareful by reason of our manifold iniquities is our condition vnder Satan for of whomsoeuer a man is ouercome euen to the same hee is in bondage besides the dangers wee haue incurred by our sinnes euen all the plagues and curses temporall eternall that are written in thy booke wherefore O most heauenly Father wee most heartily entreate thee to remember the riches of thy mercie in prouiding so excellent a remedy against sin as the pretious blood of thy onely and dearely beloued Sonne as of a lamb vndefiled and without spot when nothing else in the world was auaileable thereto whose sacrifice is daily and hourely effectuall vnto vs timously preuenting sin carefully furthering and diligently sanctifying our cōuersation from impiety his blood cleanseth vs from all sinne hee is the head of his Church and sauour of his body leading vs by the guidance of his spirit to perfection O how excellent is the estate of them that are in thy Sonne how many benefits and priuiledges haue they hee died for our sinnes and rose againe for our righteousnesse hee ascended on high and ledde captiuity captiue and if we now sinne as wee cannot else doe and wo is vs therfore we haue an aduocate with thee O Father euen Iesus Christ the righteous O how vnthankefully offend wee against the blood of this thine annoynted in not walking worthy of the same but treading vnder foot thy Sonne and counting the blood of the coueuenant so much as in vs lyeth as an vnholy thing wherewith wee were sanctified do spight and grieue the spirit of grace dulling yea oftentimes quenching thy spirit in vs thus liuing in sinne we dishonor thee but maruailous yea wondrous is thy patience it is thy mercyes that we are not consumed because thy cōpassions faile not and therfore when we consider deer father how small the number of those is which shall bee saued and that many shall striue to enter in but shall not be able and doe meditate vpon thy iudgements from time to time still continually inflicted vpon the world for sinne and that if the righteous scarcely shal be saued where shall the vngodly and sinners appeare whither shal wee slye from thee O wee haue recourse vnto thy mercie O forgiue vs therefore all our sinnes and offences for his sake who was crucified and did hang on the tree for vs O giue vs thy grace that wee may grow more and more therein that wee thinke often of our end and of the fearfull day of iudgement that sinne may haue little rest in vs but that wee may rest in thee this night and euermore through Iesus Christ thy Sonne our Lod to whom with thee and the holy Ghost wee giue all glory praise and thankesgiuing now and euermore Amen A Prayer for Tuseday at Morning O Lord God eternall and euerlasting Father with heuay griefe loathsome detestation of our sinnes wee confesse them all vnto thee O searcher of the heart and raines there is not any creature which is nor manifest you thy sight but all things are naked and open to thy eyes we acknowled them although our knowledge herein bee too short and doe yeeld our vnsearchable hearts vnto thee O God blaming that corrupt fountaine of our hearts against our selues vnto thee who art ready and able to forgiue O Lord vnto vs appertaineth open shame but righteousnes belongeth vnto thee wee are not worthy of the least of all thy mercies wee detest our waies and couer our faces yea groane vnder the body of sinne and desire to bee rid of it and more carefully hereafter to please thee wee haue felt thy punishments and displeasure often before for sinne and therefore now wee cannot cease crying out against our corruptions and rebellions O Lord wee cannot mourn enough at our priuy motions and prouocations to sinne wee beare the traytor in our bosome which giueth way vnto the temptation which wee cannot of our selues subdue and captiuate and O Lord we haue no certainty of our life if to day yea euen this houre thou wilt call vs neither yet the assurance of the renewing and returne of thy mercie which oft we haue refused disdained and contemned Oh that wee soone yea now heartily repent and earnestly conuert the surer would be our acceptance and the more cōfortable our after conuersation but O thou Sonne of Dauid haue mercy vpon us O thou pittifull Samaritain take vs vp not halfe but altogether dead in sinnes trespasses make vs liue the life of grace that wee may haue our conuersation in heauen from whence wee looke for thee the Sauiour that wee may walke worthy of the Lord and please him in all things beeing fruitfull in all good works and increasing in the knowledge of our God in dying to sinne and liuing to righteousnesse that wee may finde fauour grace peace and contentment both with God and man casting away euery thing that presseth downe and renouncing our especiall sinnes which hang so fast vpon vs for this cause O Lord make vs surrender our hearts vnto thee and let our eyes delight in thy waies for if there be a willing minde it is accepted according to that wee haue and not according to that wee haue not keepe our soules therefore that they be not couered with the spirite of slumber and sleeping in sin but that wee may stand vp from the dead and thou wilt giue vs light take from stupidity and senselesnesse spirituall blindnesse and hardnes of heart that wee may walke circumspectly redeeming the time which we haue lost and alwaies be watchfull ouer our selues that we may auoide presumption by meditation of thy iustice and despaire by quicknesse and liuelinesse out of thy word for apprehending thy comfortable promises make vs hide them in our hearts that wee may not sinne against thee keepe vs that we may doe all things as in thy presence and neuer yeeld to the inward rebellions and deceitfulnesse of the heart but wrastle by thy grace against the backewardnesse thereof that wee may daily offer it vppe as a sacrifice of obedience vnto thy Maiesty regarding and accounting all things but losse and iudging them to bee dung that wee may win thy loue and fauour and so liue in the time of our perigrination here that we may continually feare our selues haue a holy iealousie of all our best actions that when the chiefe shepheard shall appeare wee may receiue an incorruptible