the world thou art fruitlesse and barren thou art perverse wicked and vitious First thou art faultie by neglecting that service so seriouslie recommended The sinne of omission of a necessary duetie and commanded by GOD thy Creator saying f Psal â—0 15 call vpon mee by Iesus Christ thy Prince and Saviour saying aske g Math. 7. 7 seeke knock and by the LORDS messiâ—gers exhorting to pray alwayes pray h Ephes 6. 18 alwayes with all kinde of prayer and supplication in spirit If Moses highlie offended by omitting or continuing the circumcision of his childe for i Exod. 4. 24 the LORD therefore mett him and would haue killed him Is not thy offence as hainous if thou omitt the exercise of prayer so oft required whereby is procured the circumcision of k Rom. 2. 29 thine heart If Titus Vespasian lamented when hee did not his duetie as to Amici diem perdidi gaine a mans friendshippe every daye maye not thou lament in bitternesse when thou neglectest thy duetie to GOD as not to seeke his favour and loving kindnesse who is the l Psal 65. 5 hope of all the ends of the earth and that for manie dayes and for many yeeres beware I beseech thee of rebellion m 1 Sam. 15.23 which is as the sinne of Witchcraft and of stubborâ—nesse which is wickednesse and Idolatrie Secondly by not praying thou art verie culpable seeing most A refusall given to GOD. vnthankfullie thou refuâ—est the most reasonable request of GOD who giveth to all n Iam. 1. 5 men liberallie The LORD thus intreateth theâ— My o Prover 23.26 sonne giue mee thine heart Wilt thou deny to GOD his owne due and his right hee hath made p Psal 100. â— vs and not wee our selues Hee who created thy heart requireth thy heart wilt thou put back thy Princes just petition Wilt thou so shamefully gâ—ue vnto the LORD a flat refusall who q Genes 14.22 is the most high Possessour of Heaven and Earth Churlish Nabal r 1 Sam. 25. 14 did foolishly who mis-regarded and refused David seeking some benefite to himselfe Doest not thou more foolishly and is not this thy fault more filthie when thou refusest the King of Kings to whom belongeth the World Å¿ Psal 50. 12 and all that therein is who is seeking to bring a benefite to thy selfe not that hee needeth it but to soften and sanctisie to possesse and preserue thy heart for everlasting felicitie and yet thou continuest a stubborne and impudent recusant Wee reade that the Romanes Valer. Maxim lib. 7. cap. 5 sometime did commit a great oversight which afterward they repented when for their errour they were punished they refused to bestow a gift to Porcius Cato Stephan a notable wise and verie worthie man who had well deserved of Vatinius inquit assiduo conâ—itio depuderâ—â—didicit them and gaue that same gift to one Vatinius a shamelesse and foolish fellow who could not governe them Seneca thus described him Vatinius by continuall â—eproach hath learned to cast off all shame But alace many who call themselues Christians doe at all times commit a farre greater oversight They stubbornely refuse to giue their heart to their Creator who t Rom. 1. 25 is blessed for ever and will giue the same to Satan an impudent u Revel 12 10 accuser a lyar x Iohn 8. 24 and murtherer from the beginning Thirdly by not praying thou departest from GOD to whom The sinne of reiecting God thou shouldest a Iam. 4. 8 draw neere thou separatest thy selfe from GOD vnto whom thou shouldst b Deut. 10.20 cleaue and adhere for hee is thy praise who hath done for thee great things Thou forsakest GOD whom thou shouldest embrace c Iâ—rem 2 19 thine owne wickednesse therefore shall correct thee and thy turnings backe shall reproue thee Know therefore and behold that it is an â—vill thing and a bitter that thou hast forsaken thy GOD Thou rejectest him thou thus surely sayest vnto him depart d Iob. 21. 14.15 from mee I desire not the knowledge of thy wayes who is the Almighty that I should serue or what profite should I haue if I shall pray to him Is it not an abhominable fault to cast off thy Creator who offereth life to quicken thy dead soule to cast off thy Saviour who offâ—reth grace to thee who aâ—t gracelesse to cast off thy Comfortâ—r who offereth grace and sanctification to cast off thy Physitian who offereth health and preservation shortly to cast off thy heavenly Father who offereth thee an immortall heritage and a faire portion to forsake thy kind husband the guide e Prover 2. 17 of thy youth If thou callest not vpon GOD thou castest off GOD the Iewes sinned against GOD when they did cast Samuel f 1 Sam. 8. 7 amay Is not thy offence more hainous to cast The sinne of the contempt of GOD. GOD himselfe away Fourthly by not praying thou plainley declarest that thou contemnest Contemptus est transâ—â—essâ—o legis ex hoc quod voluntas renuit subiici regulae and despisâ—st God which is a sinne and transgression of the Law for this because thy will as the Schoolman telleth refuseth to bee subject to his rule Thom. Sec. 2 quâ—sâ— 136. art 9. The holy Apostle Peter justlie calleth them g 2 Pet. 2. 10 presumptuous standing in their owne conceit who despise earthly government and speak evill of them that are in dignitie The holy Apostle Saint Paul blameth the Corinthians for h 1 Cor. 11. 22 despising the Church of GOD The wiâ—e King Salomon forbiddeth thee to i Prover 23. 22 despise thy mother when shee is old Our Saviour sayeth see that k Math. 18. 10 yee despise not one of those litle ones hee will not haue children nor babes contemned Now what a terrible trespasse is it to contemne the l Nehem. 1. 5 LORD of Heaveâ— the great and terrible GOD the m Revel 18. 8 strong Lord which may condemne thee to prease to n Psal 2. 3 breake his bands or cast his cords from thee to despise his holy and heavenly commandements of governement to vilipend the Almightie who hath o Isaiah 66. 1 the Heaven to bee his throne and the Earth to bee his foot-stâ—ole This was esteemed a fault in Scipio Nasica otherwayes a worthie personage because hee misregarded Valer. Maxim lib. 7. cap. 5 and mocked a poore Countrey-man whose hands were made hard by labour whom hee asked in derision saying Whether he was accustomed to walk on his handes or not this contempt or disdainfull speach of his brought him great sorrow and anger and afterward some dishonour But if thou a poore wretch and a p Iob. 2â— 6 weake worme shall continue to contemne the Almightie and q Tit. vers 16 deny by thy workes and disdaine by thy deeds the most high and excellent
borne a bairne quietly and exposed him Should not a Christian then privily confesse his faultes and enormities to be delivered from the anguish of an evill conscience and to obtaine peace and traâ—quillitie to himselfe Thinke not in thine owne minde that this sentence was onely said to David this sinne thou didst c 2 Sam. 12. 12 secretly saith GOD but I will correct thee before the sinne most openly but also to every one of vs without confession so sayeth that father and it is also contained in the canon law Is it not then mâ—st fit commodious and necessary for thee that thou thy selfe make a plaine and open confession of thine owne fearefull sinnes and terrible transgressions that thou may altogether eshew that d Math. 37 wrath to come that also e Luke 21. 36 thou mayest be counted worthie to escape the vengeance of the Almightie even the curse of GOD and the damnation of the vngodly yea that f Heb. 4.16 thou may receiue mercie and find grace to helpe thee in tyme of neede that thou mayest obtaine â—anctification which is a maine end of thy vocation For g 1 Thess 4.7 GOD hath not called thee vnto vncleannesse but vnto holynesse that thou may obtaine wholesome instruction and the knowledge of GOD when rightly to know is h Iohn 17. 3 life eternall that thou mayest get constant consolation i 2 Cor. 1. 4 to comfort thee in all thy tribulation that thou may serue GOD in sinceririe For thou can doe no serâ—ice acceptable to an vnknowne k Eccles 27. 33 God that thou mayest get furniture from him who l Psal 104. 27 giveth foode to every living creature in due season and filleth them with his free benefits Shortly that thou mayest receiue remedie for trespassion absolution from thy sinne reconciliation with GOD and conjunction with him peace heere rest honour and happinesse in the life to come To the end that thou may receiue this incomprehensible good vnspeakeable blessings goe on to make this confession of our sin and haynous iniquities But in the third place advert The right maner of confession attentiuely and take diligent heed that thou acknowledge and confesse thy faultes in the right maner and forme otherwise assuredly thy confession will never neither comfort thee not profite thee for thou may know by the reading the sacred Scripture that many wicked wretched men who lived lewdly and died profainly haue made a fashion of confession as m Exod. 6. 27 Pharoah n Numb 22 34 Balaam o Ioshua 7. 20 Achan p 1 Sam. 26. 21 Saul wicked q 1 King 21 27 Achab yea the the traitour r Math. 27. 4 Iudas Their confessions brought to them no consolation but paine and confusion Therefore if thou desires thy confession acceptable to GOD and steadable to thy selfe labour with most diligent endevoure that the same may bee well conceived in the right manner vttered having all the good properties belonging therevnto Thy comfortable confession must See Bi. Thom conteene sixteene conditions composed in these verses by the schoole men Sit simplex humilis confessio pura fidelis Atque frequens nuda discreta lubens verecunda Properties of confession Integra secreta lachrymabilis accelerata Fortis accusans se punire parata For a briefe explanation 1. let thy confession bee without hypocrisie â— plaine If ever thou lay aside guile r Pet. 2. 1 and dissimulation remoue the same chiefly in this action and studie most carefully to bee an r Israell indeede to be the true sonne of Iakob who was a plaine Å¿ Genes 25 man or simple and so is all his posteritie sinceere and ingenuous in all their proceedings and particularly in this point Secondly thy confession must 2 Humble confession bee without pride or arrogancy for the proude t Luke 18. 12 Pharisees confession shall never bring joy nor justification as the earth wherein Ieremias u Ierem. 13. 7 Similitude 〈◊〉 girdle was hid and wherewith it was covered made the girdâ— corrupt and profitable for nothing So will pride make thy person as it were putrified before GOD to be as the Ammonites were to DAVID to stinke x 2 Sam. 10 6 in GODS sight and all thy actions to bee but abhominations Let thy confession therefore be in great humilitie and submission as y Genes 18. 27 Abrahams like the Publicans like St. z Timoth. 2. 15 Pauls like all the godliesâ— this humilitie will be to thee in all thy proceedings like as Benjamins was to his brethren without him they would not haue beene accepted by Ioseph nor their gifts receaved but having him in their company they were welcomed they were brought a Genes 43. 16 to Iosephs house they were feasted and gotte giftes before their departure So without humilitie thou will bee despised of GOD and punished but loving humilitie GOD will greately regarde thee Hee will accept of thy offerings and giue gifts vnto thee most plentifully Thirdly thy confession must be without filthinesse or pollution 3 Holie confession thou shouldst with David wash thine b b Psal 26. 6 hands yea thine heart first in innocenâ—ie and compasse GODS Altar and then acknowledge thine iniquitie If thou haue Cains wickednesse the LORD will haue no c Genes 43.16 respect to thy sacrifice and as Abraham left his servants and beastes behind him when hee was to goe to the mountaine to d Genes 22.4 Similitude worshippe So when thou art of this purpose for to goe to doe this service leaue thy sinnes and wickednesse behind thee which otherwise will altogether hinder thee and take great care to bring holynesse with which will make thee most to resemble thy GOD and bee most acceptable to his Heavenly Majestie as David said to Abner that hee was content to make a covenant with him but vpon this condition see e 2 Sam. 3. 13 my face no more except thou bring Michall with thee when thou commeth to mee So as it were GOD saith vnto thee I am content to haue a covenant with thee but come not in my sight except thou bring piety with thee Fourthlie Let thy confession 4 Faithfull confession be without infidelitie Take heede least f Heb. 3. 12 at any tyme there bee in thee an evill heart and vnthankfull to departe from the living GOD. If it was evill for Lot to departe from Abraham to goe to Sodom then vexation g 2 Peter 2.7 of heart and captivitie h Genes 14. 12 came vpon him Was it not worse for Gehazi when hee departed from Elisha then an incurable disease and filthie i 2 King 5. 27 leprosie did cleaue vnto him and his posteritie but worst of all it is to departe from the living LORD then anguish affliction captivitie calamitie death and eternall miserie will come vnto thee without faith confession
bee a strong confession if thou desires to haue strong i Hebr. 6.18 consolation to vphold thee in the day of tentation then also vse a strong confession of thy sinnes and transgressions never goe about to extenuate thine offences but rather labour to aggrevate and to aggrege the same 1 In regarde of the person against whom thou hast offended who hath beene so patient h 2. Pet. 3.9 in sparing a guiltie malefactor and would not thee to perish but to come to repentance and is so bountifull and mercifull towards thee whose mercies i Lament 3.21 faile not but are renued every morning Who k Exod. 34. 6 is strong gratious slow to anger abundant in goodnesse and trueth who l Psal 68. 19 ladeth thee dayly with his benefits who so loved thee that hee m Rom. 8. 32 spared not his owne Sonne but gaue him to death for thee and for thy redemption and for thine eternall glorification 2 Of IESUS CHRIST who made himselfe of no reputation but humbled n Philip. 2. 8 himselfe to the death of the crosse for his affection towards thee who o Revel 1. 5 shed his pretious blood to wash thee and to make thee a King and Priest to GOD. 3 In consideration of the season the p Rom. 13. 12 night is past the day is at hand that thou hast sinned when salvation was neere thee in the revelation of his glorious Gospell when his light hath shined clearely before thine eyes when his trumpet hath frequently fearefully and comfortably sounded in thine eares that thou hast not only trespassed in q Act. 17. 30 the time of ignorance which GOD regarded not but after so many instructions admonitions reprehensions counsells and consolations comminations and commandements in the contrarie 4 In consideration of the occasion or matter wherefore thou hast so transgressed for so small aâ—d base thing for some r Genes 25.33 pottage with Esau to sell thy birth-right or for a cuppe Å¿ Iudg. 4. 14 of milke with Sisera to lose thy lyfe or for some beastes with Saul t Sam. 15. 28 to bee deprived of a Kingdome not earthly or temporary but Heavenly and eternall for a triffle for vanitie and perishing pleasure a short and filthie delectation to losse GODS favour to bee plagued with his anger to destroy thine owne soule to bee miserable for ever confesse thy sinne vehemently that GOD may the more pittie thee 15 In thy confession transferre 15 An accusing confession not thy faults vpon others to lay the blame vpon them or cleareing and excusing thy selfe for now they be many like that foolish man of whom Seneca speaketh Seneca de tranquillitate animi who having a fore foote and so crooking he imputed the cause of his limping to the sharpenesse of the way and not to the thorne pricking his foote within or like one that is sea-sicke ascribing the cause of his diseasâ— to the swelling of the sea and not as the trueth is to the corrupt Simile humors of his owne stomack or like that blind woman Harpasta Seneca epistola â—0 who would not bee perswaded of her owne blindnesse but found fault with the house wherein shee remained as being voide of light and over dark So I say with too many it is who in their spirituall crookednesse their inward sicknesse and in their owne spirituall blindnesse would lay the fault vpon other outward occasions but not vpon themselues But in thy confession charge thine owne selfe for thy transgressions blame thine owne selfe and thine inward corruption accuse thy selfe principally and only with DAVID It u 2 Chron. 21. 17. is I even I that haue sinned but these sheepe what haue they done By such confession thou will obtaine the free absolution of GOD and stop the devils mouth from thine accusation 16 Lastly let thy confession 16 A punishing confession be without flattering of thy selfe and let it bee with some holy indignation and with a desire to take some punishment x 2 Cor 7. 11 of thy selfe for thy foolishnesse For thy beastlinesse with IOB abhorre y Iob. 42. 6 thy selfe in dust and ashes with the Prophete IEREMIE smite thine owne z Ierem. 31. 19 thigh and say what haue I done with the Publican knock thine a Luke 18. 14 owne brest with St. Paul beate thine owne body and bring it into subjection Thus thou hast more than reason to take heede most diligently and carefully that thou confesse thy sinnes arightly and in due maner or else know for a surety that thy confession will be altogether improfitable and never comfort thee without the forsaid conditions in some measure bee keept therein and first of all labour to get a sure notice and exact knowledge of thy secreet sinnes and privie corruptions of thy predominant profitable as thou dreames and pleasant vice Take travell with all industrie to try them with the b Proverb 20 27 light of the LORD with the Lanterne c Psal 119. 115 of his Word by searching d Zephan 2. 1 thy selfe narrowly by e 1 Cor. 11. 28 examining by f 2 Cor. 13. 15 prooving thy selfe most accurately and continually and thereafter goe to a sinceere humble and most serious confession and prying into thy selfe profoundly bee perswaded that thou cannot confesse thy sinnes sufficiently Thus farre for preparation come now to thy right confession as it shall please GOD to helpe thee and strengthen mee to further thee PSAIME 102. 6. I am like a Pelican of the Wildernesse A CONFESSION OF OVR SINNE AND INIQVITIE The second Chapter ALmightie GOD and most mercifull Father Now I thy poore servant am heere a Act. 10. 33 present before thee and it is of trueth thou seest b 1 Sam. 16. 7 not as man seeth for man looketh only to the outward appearance but thou ô GOD beholdest mine heart and searchest c Ierem. 17. 10 my reines thou vnderstandest d Psal 135 2 my thoughtes a farre off I take thy selfe to record O Lord GOD e Numb 27.16 of the spirits of all flesh that I desire greatly to confesse my sinnes in sinceritie humilitie and tymouslie as it becommeth mee to doe And I acknowledge before thee who knowest the hearts f Act. 1. 24. of all men that my transgressions are many they g Psal 49. 12 are moe 1. Many sins in number than the haires of my head my trespasses are multiplied before thee as the h Isaiah 40.12 waters As the waters in the deludge were encreased exceedingly to i Genes 7. 18 drowne the old and wicked world so are my sinnes to destroy mee everlastingly Certainly it was easier to Ioab to k 1 Sam. 24. 9 number the thousands of Israell than it is for mee to number the millions of mine iniquities It was as easie for Abraham to number the l Genes 13. 16 dust of the earth the
m Genes 22.13 sand which was vpon the sea shore and the starres of Heaven as it is to mee to number my innumerable offences and manifold enormities whereby I haue offended thy godly Majestie I 2 Great sins am compelled also O gratious GOD to confesse vnto thee that mine iniquities n Psal 25. 11 are great my wickednesse o Iocl 3. 13 is grievous it is also growne to a terrible hight it is mounted vp to the cloudes Nebuchadnezar but dreamed that p Daniel 4. 8 the hight of that tree which hee saw in aâ— vision reached vp to the Heaven but I am perswaded that my sinne is ascended higher It is come vp to q Revel 18. 5 Heaven and cryeth r Genes 18.20 vpon GOD for wrath and indignation against mee I doe acknowledge O Heavenly and mercifull Father that my 3 Heavie sins sinnes are wondrous weightie and infinitly heavie The Å¿ Psal 70.27 stones are weighty and the sand is heavie but light in respect of my iniquities for t Psal 23. 4 they are growne over my head and as a weightie burden they are too heavie for mee the iron thereof is importable Manasseh In the prayer of Manasses was bound downe with many iron bands that hee could not lift vp his head vnto Heaven I am bund downe with many heavie bands of sinne that I can not lift vp my heart to thee as I most earnestly desire to doe The people of Israell protested that u 2 Chron. 10.4 Salomons yoke was heavie and his servitude sore vpon them and prayed that it might be made lighter but LORD I find the yoke of sinne much more bitter and the slaverie thereof more intolerable I long to bee eased thereof The Israelites sighed x Exod. 2. 23 and cryed to GOD when they were kept vnder with the heavie burdens of the Aegyptians I haue greater cause O LORD to bee vexed and wearied with the burden of sinne which y Heb. 12. 1 hangeth so fast and presseth so sore downe which without helpe from thy Majestie would thrust my soule to the lowest hell I confesse O GOD that as my 4 Filthie sinne sinnes they are not few but many they are not small sinnes but great sinnes they are not light but verie heavie sinnes so they are most vile filthie and abhominable polluting and defiling mee both outwardly and inwardly in soule spirit and body It is trueth pitch z Eecles 13. 4 defileth him that toucheth it and mirie clay contaminateth him that walloweth in the same The excrements of men which thou most holy GOD commanded to be digged in a Deut. 23. 13 the graue and to bee covered with earth the dung of beastes doe not so defile the body as the excrements of filthie sinne hath polluted my soule and inward man The corruption of dead Carions and carkases b Levit 11. 39 made the handlers thereof vncleane but LORD my continuall doing of dead c Heb. 12. 1 workes hath made mee much more polluted and detestable in thy presence The Ammonites for their wrong to DAVID did d 2 Sam. 10. 6 stinke in his sight but LORD I am more lothsome in thy pure eyes I doe acknowledge before thee 5 Odious sins O e Genes 18.25 righteous judge of the whole world that my hainous sinnes makes mee odious vnto thy Majestie for I know well that thou hatest f Psal 5. 5 all them that worke iniquitie and even at this time my conscience cryeth to mee that I haue committed many enormities justly O LORD may thou hate mee and set g Psal 50. 21 all my sinnes in order before mee and therefore take vengance vpon mee most deservedly O my GOD I confesse also that Scandalous sin my sinnes are exemplary and scandalous I haue alace caused the h 2 Sam. 12. 14 enemies of the LORD blaspheme They i Rom. 3. 19 who obeyed not the word haue not beene wonne by my holy lyfe and conversation I haue not stopped but rather opened the mouths of the vngodly I haue strengthned them in their wickednesse and impietie as also I haue scandalized but not bettered the weake ones I k Levit. 19. 14 haue put a stumbling block before my blind brethren I haue caused them by mine evill example to goe astray and to fall into the pit I haue beene an offence to some litle ones that dwelt with mee Thou thy selfe O my SAVIOUR hath said it l Math. 18.7 must needs bee that some offences must come Many alace haue come by mee for the which without thy mercie I would be wrapped vp in woe and endlesse miserie I can not deny O most righteous 7 Pernitious sinnes judge but I must acknowledge of necessitie that my filthie faults and terrible transgressions are most hurtfull and pernicious to my selfe for weakning and wounding mee for binding and blindfolding me for sundering me from thee and swallowing mee vp in woe and calamitie I say with thy servant O m Psal 6. 2 LORD I am weake and feeble my sinnes haue made my strength to fall neither am I able to rise againe my n Psal 38. 4. 5.6.7.8 wounds are putrified and corrupt because of my foolishnesse I am bowed and crooked very sore my reines are full of burning and there is nothing sound in my flesh I am weakned and sore bowed I roare for the very griefe of myne heart I find O LORD that myne owne o Proverb 5.22 iniquities doe take me and Sathan by them hath caught me and I am holden with the cordes of sinne and by them the Devill is drawing mee vnto everlasting damnation And as the blind Aramits were p 2 King 6.19 led to Samaria so am I carried to hell and without spirituall eyes am brought to perdition without thy helpe and salvation for q Isaiah 59.2 they doe hide thy face from mee that thou will not heare they doe separate betweene thy Majestie and mee they will make mee alace to perish eternally to bee deprived of all comfort and glory and without true repentance to bee tormented continually in that lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which r Revel 21. 8 Originall sin is the second death And yet O LORD when I descend more deeply by thy assistance of thy grace into mine heart and narrowly examine my conscience I doe confesse in sinceritie that I am guiltie of originall sin I want that righteousnesse wherewith man was indued in his creation I haue a bent desire a bad inclination to doe evill wickednesse and abhomination Behold Å¿ Psal 51.5 I was borne in iniquitie and in sinne did my mother conceaue mee I t Rom. 7.23 see another law in my members rebelling against the law in my mynde and leading mee captiue vnto the law of sinne which is into my members O LORD this is the evill seede which bringeth foorth evill encrease This is the bitter
and not ruling in my heart powerfully and so many sorrowfull sinners a penitent Publicane may d Math. 21.31 goe to the kingdome of GOD before mee And trueth it is O LORD that I so stubbornely persevere in Malitiousnesse my wicked wilfulnesse that I will not put e Coloss 3.8 away nor f 1. Pet. 2. 1 lay aside my sinfull wrath my anger my envy hatred and maliciousnesse but I delight still to beare in my breast that fire which burneth mee to foster in my bosome that serpent which will sting mee and to keepe fast in my stomacke that poyson which will destroy mee without any regarde of thy wholsome admonitions or of myne owne safetie O righteous Iudge I confesse Intemperance that I doe delight too much for to satisfie the filthie lust of my vitiate nature for by the corruption thereof I haue walked g Rom. 13. 13 in gluttonie and drunkennesse in chalmbring and in wantonnesse and hath not cast away the workes of darknesse Moreover albeit LORD I Pride know assuredly that h Pet. 5. 8 thou resisteth the proud and givest grace to the humble and lowlie yet I doe remaine in my pride and arrogancie I i 2 Cor 8. 1 am puft vp k Isaiah 3. 18 haughtie when in the meane time l Barueh 2. 18 my soule should bee vexed within mee for the greatnesse of my sinne and iniquitie Covetousnesse and I weake in grace should goe crooked who am so wrapped in woe and miserie For I remember with feare and anxietie that I continue also in covetousnesse m Coloss 3. 5 which is Idolatrie which is the n 2 Tim. 6.10 roote of all evill and miserie this o Mark 4. 16 deceitfulnesse of riches hath entred in me subtillie it remaineth in my heart firmelie and chokes the word of GOD within mee It may at sometimes make mee mercilesse without pittie as was the rich p Luke 16. 19 Glutton at other times deceitfull without honestie as was q Genes 24.29 Laban and often hurtfull to my selfe without wisdome as was r 1 King 2. 48 Shimei But now LORD I am compelled to confesse that most abhominable Hypocrisie sinne of my dangerous and deadly hypocrisie O mercifull GOD I haue come Å¿ Isaiah 29. 13 neere thee with my lips and haue honoured thee with my mouth but I haue removed my heart farre from thee I am vtterlie astonied for that I haue spoken t 1 Tim. 4. 2 lyes with dissimulation and haue done deedes deceitfullie I u Psal 125. 4 haue turned aside by my crooked wayes I am plunged in this pudle I am almost drowned in this deluge of hypocâ—isie which is the bane of all grace pietie I by nature am like a beautifull apple rotten within who without helpe of thy Majestie will incontinent putrifie I am like a whyted tombe which x Math. 23. 27 appeareth beautifull outward but within is full of dead mens bones I am like that y Mark 11.13 figge tree which had leaues but no fruit And truely O LORD I acknowledge ingenuously Thou z Râ—â—â—l 3.2 haste not found my workes perfect before a Icrem 17.10 thee who searchest the heart and tryest the reines to giue to every one according to his wayes and according to the fruites of his workes O gracious GOD when I think and consider the infirmities imperfections Sinnes more than the sins of others and sinnes of thy owne servants and of others also where with thy Majestie was displeased and wherefore they were corrected punished their small faults their little and light sinnes if so their may bee any called doe aggrege the hainousnesse the great nesse and widenesse of my most filthie and scandalous sinnes and of my notorious and terrible transgressions Thy owne faithfull Moses b Deut. 1. 37 was chastened for his short misbeleeving at the waters of Meribah and Miriam an holy Prophetesse for c Numb 12. 18 speaking against her younger brother in the matter of his mariage and king Saul and his posteritie were deprived of his kingdome for d z Sam. 15.23 sparing olde Agag and some of the best bestiall yea an honest man of thy owne who did faithfully couragiously and duetifully discharge his calling and being seduced by an other old Prophet because of his eating of e 1 King 13.22 bread and drinking of water in a place forbidden hee did not come to the Sepulchre of his fathers but in the way was slaine by a Lyon Also thy servant Hezekiah who did vprightly in thy sight was proved for showing f 2 King 20.17 his treasure to the Babylonian Ambassadour And how fearefully was Ananias and Saphira punished for g Act. 5.3 keeping away a part of the possession which appertained to themselues and was once in their owne power The fault of Vzzah wherefore hee was slaine was the h 2 Sam. 6.6 putting his hand to the Arke and the holding it when the oxen did shake it The fault of the people of Bethshemesh O holy LORD GOD wherefore so many thousands perished was their i 1 Sam. 6. 19 looking vnto the Arke of the LORD The fault of Lots wife whom CHRIST commandeth vs to k Luke 17 33 remember was her looking backe to Sodome wherefore shee became a Pillar of salt and was made a fearefull spectacle of thy terrible indignation The fault of the Iewes was their l Numb 11. 5 rememberance of the fish and flesh pots of Egypt wherefore they m Cor. 10 5 were overthrowne in the Wildernesse Alace O LORD if my sinnes and offences were woyed n Dan. 5. 27 in the ballance they are more heavie and grievous more displeasant to thy Majestie and pernicious to my selfe I for a long season haue had within mee an evill o Heb. 3. 2 and vnfaithfull heart to depart away from thee the living GOD my infidelitie is of longer continuance and durance I haue not beene contented with my estate nor approved thy wise dealing towards me but hath p Exod. 16. 7 murmured and vttered my impatiencie I haue not mortified q Coloss 3. 5 my lusts and affections but I haue spared my strong sinnes which haue r Rom. 6. 11 had dominion over mee I haue fostered my pleasant and profitable sinnes albeit most dangerous and hurtfull vnto mee I haue drunken in iniquitie Å¿ Iob. 34. 7 like water aboundantly and I haue delighted my selfe to glutte t Psal 141. 4 in the delicates of the vngodly I haue beene puft u Habb 1. 14 vp with vaine glorie and ostentation I haue beene given to fraud and oppression I haue beene a bussie x 1 Tim. 5. 13 bodie and hath passed the limites of my vocation I haue beene given to curiositie and haue beene y Rom. 11. 20 high minded I haue looked frequently vpon sinne and the world with the which I
was wedded I haue remembred the z Titus 3. 3 deceitfull pleasures thereof wherewith I was intangled I am bent to the vile a Rom. 13. 14 lustes of my flesh wherein I am defiled miserablie and almost drowned eternally O LORD I find sensitlie that Capitall crimes I am not able to expresse sufficiently the hainousnesse the grievousnesse of my filthie enormitie for frequently I b Timoth. 5. 4 haue turned the grace of GOD into wantonnesse I haue despised c Rom. 2. 4 the riches of the bountifulnesse of thy patience without d Ephes 4. 15 feeling I haue given my selfe to commit vncleannesse to commit wickednesse even with a vehement desire and with greedinesse Alace O mightie GOD if it was said of thy servant IOB that hee added rebellion e Iob. 34. 37 to his sinne may not I say rather of my selfe that I haue added high treason to my manifold transgressions In so great a light of the GOSPEL I f Ezech 16.49 haue exceeded the people of sinfull Samaria in vngodlinesse Alace O LORD without mercy and amendement I haue iustified the sinne of Sodom and Gomorah in pride and aboundance of idlenesse If the prophet DAVID protested O LORD that g Psal 73. 22 hee was a beast before thee how can I declare my beastlynesse vnto thee For h Psal 119.176 I haue gone astray like a lost sheepe I am now in great danger and jeopardie I who should haue beene vpright am like i Deut. 32. 15 a horse waxing fatte haue spurned with my heele and forsaken thee who made mee I haue not regarded but I haue offended the GOD of my salvation I haue beene like an k Hosea 10.12 heifer vsed to delight in threshing but haue no desire of the painfull worke of plowghing I am like a vile l 2 Pet. 2. 22 dogge returning to his vomite againe I am like the filthie Sow once washen and yet turneth backe to the pudle and filthie myre like m 2 Tim. 4. 17 a cruell Lyon devouring and like a false foxe n Luke 13 31 deceiving like a bold o Psal 22. 12 bull of Bashan pushing and wronging or like a subtill Serpent and like an p Levit. 11. 41 vncleane creature creeping on my bellie and licking the dust of the earth altogether abhominable and vnmeete to bee offered vp vpon GODS Altar And I confesse that by nature I am like q Ierem. 13. 23 a Leopard that cannot change his spots I doe acknowledge O LORD Worse than senslesse creatures that r Isaiah 5. 4 I haue beene an evill vine in thy vineyarde thou lookest that I should bring foorth sweet grapes but I haue brought foorth soure I as I am the sonne of Adam haue not the fatnesse of the oliue but am as a wilde oliue I am Å¿ Rom. 11. 7 as a brier or thorne of the garden worthie to bee cast in the fire I am alace like a barren and vnprofitable husbandrie for t Iob. 31. 40 thistles doe grow in me in stead of wheate and cockle in stead of barley I like earth doe drinke in the raine that commeth vpon mee but I am hurtfull and noysome and neere u Heb. 6. 8 to cursing whose end without repentance is to bee burned O pitifull GOD I haue reason to cry to thy Majestie that x â— Tim. 1. 15 I am the least of thy Saints that I am y Luke 17. 10 the chiefe of all sinners I am an vnprofitable servant I haue not done that which was my duetie to doe and LORD most justlie may thou cast z Malach. 2.3 the dongue of our confession backe vpon our faces and reject me with all my service but now O LORD by thy helpe I will assay to lament before thee most bitterly my woefull state and great miserie A PREPARATION TO LAMENTATION The third Chapter THou to whom the Alsufficient GOD the a Iam 1.17 giver of every perfect gift and donation hath vouchsafed vpon thee this Heavenly wisdome that thou art of this resolute purpose as to b 1 Sam. 7.2 lament after the LORD to c 1 Sam. 1.15 powre foorth thy soule with Hannah before thy GOD to deplore thy miserable estate and wretched condition Know thou must certainly and bee perswaded in thy minde assuredly Three thinges needefull for true lamentation that first thou must haue three things necessarie namelie a sure sense and feeling of thy vnspeakable miserie againe a great feare and terrour therewith lastly an vnfained sorrow and heavie displeasure for the same No lamentation will bring to thee Feeling life solide joy and consolation without a sure sense and painefull feeling of thy sore disease and doolefull calamitie Before thou attaine to this feeling thou must of absolute necessitie and without any controversie haue two things First spirituall quickning Secondly tymous awaking vnlesse thou bee quickened inwardly vnlesse thou be awakened throughly thou shall neither haue knowledge nor feeling of thy wretchednesse and misery And yet before this d Galat. 6. 15 new birth and regeneration there must bee Death of sin in thee vndoubtedly a e Coloss 3. 5 true mortification and f Heb. 2. 15 deliverance from the death of sinne and impietie which by many degrees is worse than naturall death the separation of the soule from the body This naturall death bringeth to Death of sin worse than naturall death the bodie seven evils Namelie senselesnesse weaknesse heauinesse vglinesse coldnesse rottennesse stinke or an evill savour Now albeit this bee most evident and manyfold by the proofe of dayly experience so that it needeth no probation yet wee will insist a little therein for our memorie and consideration 1 Saul being slaine had no feeling Senslesnesse when the Philistims abused his body and g 1 Sam. 31. 10 hanged vp the same on the wall of Bethshan 2 A dead body wanting vitall Heavinesse spirits is heavier than it was when the soule remained therein this heavinesse of body apparantly made these Iewes when they were burying h 2 King 13.21 a corps when they saw the Souldiers of Moab they cast his corps in the sepulchre of Elisha 3 Seeing there is weakenesse Weaknesse in man while hee liveth for all flesh is as grasse how weake is hee wanting life That Giant Goliah being dead had i 1 Sam. 17.46 no strength to keepe his carkase from the foules of the aire 4 If olde age bringeth coldenesse Coldnesse to the feeble body for David himselfe being striken in yeares albeit k 1 King 1. 1 they covered him with cloths yet no heat came vnto him death much more maketh the body cold as a key or as clay 5 The body by death groweth Vglinesse vglie and vnprofitable to behold when beautifull l Genes 12. 11 Sara her selfe was deprived of life then her loving husband Abraham had no
Act 16 25 with Silas were beaten wiih rods and thrust into an inner prison they prayed But O my GOD this spirituall dungeon wherein I am holden fast is farre more dangerous and deplorable How should I poore wretch weepe and sorrow for my mishappe and miserie Am y Iob 7 12 I a sea fish that thou keepest mee in ward When z Psal 4 1 shall I bee delyvered and set at libertie from my deepe distresse Now by my imprisoning O 12 Lamentthy weaknesse LORD I am become verie weake and by my wounds infirme I a Psal 38. 8 am weakned and sore broken I roare for the griefe of mine heart I goe mourning b Psal 66 2 all the day long LORD I am weake my bones are vexed I c Rom 14 1 am weake in faith I d 1 Cor 14. 20 am a child in vnderstanding I e Heb 5 13 am a babe inexpert in the word of righteousnesse I f Psal 22 6 am but a sillie worme and not a man a shame of men and contempt of the people I g Iob 13 52 am like a leafe driven to and fro and like the dry stubble I h Zach 3â— 2 am a burnt sticke a brande taken out of the fire I i Psal 119 141 am small and despised I k Psal 119 83 am like a bottle in the smoke There is no strength nor 13 Lament thy sicknesse beautie in mee poore miserable wretch Let l Psal 119. 169 my complaint come before thee for my great sicknesse and manifold diseases for my inward deafnesse I am alace like many of the obdured Iewes who m Act 7 57 stopped their eares and would not hearken to the Sermon of Steven Or like the deafe n Psal 58 4 adder which stoppeth his eare and will not heare to the charming of the inchauter I o Zach 7 11 haue often refused to hearken I haue pulled away the shoulder and stopped the eare least I should heare the law of GOD and the word O LORD of hoastes which thou hast sent in thy spirit by the Ministerie of thy Prophets I am like the Heathens Idoll I p Psal 115 6 haue eares but heare not Woe is me O LORD for my spirituall blindnesse I am like one of the vnrighteous Aegyptians I am q Wisdome 17 2 blind and bound in the bands of darknesse I r Isa 59 10 grope for the wall and I stumble at the noone day If Samson was sorrowfull for his sight and desired to be avenged on the Philistims Å¿ Iudg 16 28 because they did plucke out his two eyes and for that hee was a laughing stocke to them Haue not I a greater cause of sorrow and hatred against my sinnes which hath plucked out the eyes of my soule and made mee a gazing stock to all creatures Alace O LORD how can I pittifully eneugh make my moane vnto thee for the frowardnesse foolishnesse doublenesse and hardnesse of my filthie heart for it y Psal 101 4 is froward it z Eceles 1 33 is double and divyded it a Hos 10 2 is foolish impenitent b Rom 2 4 and earthly it c Ezech 11 19 is obdured hard and stome O my GOD I haue great reason to lament the spirituall leprosie of mine inward man I may most justly haue my cloths c Levit. 13 45 rent my head bare my lips covered and cry that I am vncleane If the bodilie leprosie of Oziah King of Iudah caused him d 2 Chro 26.21 to bee cut off from the house of the LORD and to lose an earthly Kingdome may not my spirituall leprosie separate mee from the societie of CHRIST from the communion of the Saincts and depriue mee of an Heavenly Kingdome But now O mercifull Father I want wordes to deplore my 1â— Lament for thy wickednes wickednesse and my e 1 Peter 2. 1 maliciousnesse the very roote and welspring of all my woe and miserie I delight to foster that serpent in my bosome which doeth sting me to carie that fire in my brest which doeth burne mee to keepe still on my stomach that poyson that will infect mee and destroy mee Alace miserable is my madnesse Should it not bee my principall care and my continuall indevoure Should not I take all possible paines to shake off that serpent as f Act. 28. 5 Paul did the viper to cast away these coales to vomite out that noysome poyson that I may liue and not perish eternally Yet LORD this is worse that I cannot condignelie complame 15 Lament thy stubbornnesse of my contumacie and stubbornnesse O my GOD I spake in sinceritie many g Isa 66. 4 times thou hast called but I would not answere thou hast spoken but I would not heare Many times Lord hast thou early h Ier. 11. 7 rysing protested saying obey my voyce but I am disobedient and refractorie Thou hast come to mee when I haue departed from thee Thou hast followed mee when I haue fled away from thee Thou hast stoode and i Revel 3. 20 knocked at the doore of my heart but I would not open vnto thee I haue not O LORD beene throughly moved with the loue of mine owne salvation I haue not beene arightly terrified with the feare of my condemnation I k Isaiah 66. 3 haue not trembled at thy Word or threatnings I haue not beene joyfull of thy sweet promises and consolations Alace O LORD and woe is mee l Isaiah 43. 4 I am obstinate and my necke is an yron sinew and my brow brasse I am senselesse of my sinne and past feeling Yea O LORD I am dead in my transgressions and putrifying in my abominations I haue m Revel 3.1 a name that I liue while I am dead I n 2 Tim. 5. 6 liue naturally but am dead spiritually O my mercifull Father I lament Lament thy curses bitterly that by nature I am subject to thine heavie curse and hath deserved thy terrible malediction in respect I n Ier. 11. 3 haue not obeyed the words of thy mercifull covenant in respect I o Mal. 1. 14 haue sacrificed to the LORD of hostes who art a great King whose name is terrible a corrupt thing a torne and vnworthie offering Albeit I had a male in my flock in respect I p Ier. 48. 10 haue done thy worke negligently in respect I q Isaiah 5. 20 haue beene wise in myne owne eyes and prudent in myne owne sight in respect I haue fled r Hos 7. 13 away and departed from thee my gratious GOD in respect I haue Å¿ Habb 2. 9 coveted an evill covetousnesse to mine house that I may set my nest on high and in respect I t Galat. 3. 10 haue not continued in all things that are written in the booke of the LORD to doe them Alace O LORD what shall I say to thy Majestie How can 17
that thou may ever bee graced with vprightnesse of heart and sinceritie to the end thy prayer may haue force with GOD and tend to thy solicitie Content not thy selfe to bee like the hypocriticall Iewes of whom GOD complaineth because they e Hosea 7. 14 cryed not vnto him With their hearts When they houled vpon their beds and because f Isaiah 29.13 they came neere to him With their month and honour him With their lips but had removed their heart farre from him And truely this is a most grievous complaint also of that same Evangelicall Prophet There g Isaiah 64. 7 is none that calleth vpon thy Name What did that holy and wise Prophet lament did not that people appeare h Isaiah 1. 12 before GOD and did tread in his courts and brought oblations and kept Sabbaths and solemne assemblies Did i Amos. 5. 22 they not then pray to GOD when they offered burnt offerings meate offerings and peace offerings The Prophet yet spake truely they did not call vpon GOD because they did it not rightly but lypocritically and the prayer of the hypocrite shall turne to sinne and bee esteemed transgression A Father maketh a notable comparison in affirming that the hypocrite Augustin and counterfaite Christian is like that golden k Revel 17. 4 cuppe which was in the hand of that whoorish woman full of abomination and filthinesse of her fornication His prayer then can not bee acceptable Yea though l Iob. 20. 6. 7 his excellencie mounted vp to the Heavens and his head reach to the clouds yet hee shall perish for ever lyke his doung and they which haue seene him shall say where is hee But worship thou thy GOD as hee requireth m Iohn 4. 23 in Spirit and Trueth with an vpright and honest heart in true simplicitie which is the whole grace of our oratrie which covereth Tota Rheto ricae nostrae gratia est mera simplicitas and â—â—â—eth all other infirmitie which is the highest perfection of Christianitie for GOD n Pâ—al 51. 4 who loveth trueth in the inward affection hee will ever doe o Psal 125. 4 good to them that are true in heart Hee will heare their prayers and in his owne good tyme grant them their requests and fuâ—fill their desires Moreover in the eight place yea in the first studie principally Humiliue to haue true humilitie because as excellently saith the Wise-man The p Ecâ—lâ—s 35.17 prayer of him that humbleth hiraselfe goeth through the clouds and ceaseth not till it come â—â—ere and will not departe till the most â—â—igh haue respect therevnto to judge righteously and to execute judgement and doubtâ—â—sle q Isaiah 66. 2 the LORD will looke to him that is poore and of a contrite spirit and trembleth at his Words Caeâ—eâ— a vitia in peccatis superbia vero in Augustin recte factis timendâ— est Other vyces in sinnes but pryde is to bee seared in weldoing And questionlâ—sse all r Prov. 16. 5 that are proud in heart are an abhâ—mination to the LORD The ambitious pâ—titioner shall not bee rewarded but punished learne Å¿ Mat 11. 29 then of thy Saviour to bee mâ—â—ke and â—oâ—lie in heart and thou shall find rest vnto thy soule Thou shall bee conteâ—ted and thy petition graâ—ted t Prov 29. 23 For the humble in sâ—irit shall receive glorie and enjoy merâ—ie O felix humilitas quae DEI trahit â—lementiam Augustin ejus ligat omnipotentiam O happie humilitie which draweth GODS mercie and bindeth his omnipotencie Nynthly Take good heed to Oppurtunitie the time u 2 Cor. 6. 2 accepted and to the day of salvation wherein GOD will heare thee and succour thee Bee not thou like profaine Esau x Heb. 12. 12 who afterward out of tâ—me seeking the blessing with teares was rejected Follow not the joolish y Math. 25 12 Virgins who vntymously when the gate was shut did cry and were repulled but bee carefull z Isaiah 55. 6 to seeke the LORD while hee may bee found and to call vpon him while hee is neere As some Emperiours namely VESPASIAN had a time even when he was going to the baths wherein hee did principally show his liberalitie and bountifulnesse So the great and most a Genes 4. 22 High GOD possessour of Heaven and earth hath his owne season when hee will bestow his rich mercie and vnspeakeable goodnesse when hee will b Hos 10. 12 come and raine righteousnesse vpon his people which occasion if thou â—loathfully neglect the LORD will not admit thy request nor grant thy petition Tenthly As the holy Apostle Constancie exhorteth thee to c Thess 5. 17 pray continually bee d Galat. 6. 9 not wearie of well-doing for in due season thou shall reape if thou faint not Consider diligently that parable of thy Saviour of the importunate widow and vnrighteous Iudge who e Luk. 18. 5 did her justice against her adversarie because shee did make him wearie Let thy prayer be liâ—e St Stevens looking hee f Act 7. 55 looked to Heaven steadâ—astly and therefore comfortablâ— for hee saw the glorie of GOD and IESVS standing at his right hand readie to receaue him so pray thou constantly and ever with vehement affection But vse g Math. 6 7 not vaine repetitions as the Heathen or â—dolaters who thinke to be heard for their much babling like Baals h 1 King 18.26 priests who called from morning till noone saving no other thing but O Baal heare vs all that labour was lost there was none to answere them or helpe them But I say pray continually with 〈◊〉 and so thou mayest doe comfortaâ—â—â—e for Christ will haue a â—are of thee because if hee gaue accâ—â—â— to thee being farre dâ—â—tant from him much more will hee hold thee when thou are more neere to him and if thou i Psal 37. 4 delyte thy selfe in the LORD surely hee will giue thee thy hearts desire in due and convenient time for to comfort thee Lastly in the first place most carefully and continually labour Spirit to bee possessed wholly with the sanâ—tifying Spirit who is GOD and the gift of GOD which l Rom. 8. 26 Deus donum Dei. will helpe thy infirmities when thou knowest not to pray as thou oughtest the spirit it selfe will make request August for thee with sighes which cannot bee expressed which will worke hope and confidence in thee so that thou m Heb. 10 22 shall draw neare to GOD with a true heart in the assurance of Faith so that thou shall giue thy selfe to true fasting and almes-deeds This hope and confidence will not make thee n Rom. 5. 5 ashamed but encouraged and if thou desirest thy prayer to flee vp to Heaven thou must haue as that Father couâ—selleth two August wings namely this right private fasting a frequent custome of a good o
not the soule of thy turtle doue vnto beastes Surely thou must fight against Lyons cruell men like Nero against foxes craftie men like Herod against bulles strong men as that Egyptian whom Benaiah slew a man of great stature and strength and against l â— Sam. 23.21 dogs shamelesse and impudent men like Doeg yea against subtile serpents false flattering and betraying men as Ahitophell This is an hard matter but also honourable for as faith an holy Father Milites suos CHRISTVS August reges appellat CHRIST calleth his souldiers Kings and will giue to them an everlasting Kingdome But if thou say I find worldlings to bee my friends and not my foes I hope to get good and favour by them I answere The In Carrinensi Hispaniae agro â—ons est aurei coloris omnes ostendens pisces nihil extra illam aquaÌ„ à caeteris differentes Plinius natur hist lib. 2. cap. 103 wicked of the world are like the fish of that river which is in the countrey Carrinensus in Spaine they appeare to be like gold in the water but taking them in thy hand thou will perceaue them neither in nature or colour to be any wayes discrepant from other fifties So the vngodly will seeme not to fight against thee but to favour thee not hurtfull but profitable to thee yet looke to them narrowly and bring them to the touch of trueth and veritie thou shall confesse all is not gold that glistereth thou shall trie at length that they are false friends ever hurting thee and fighting against thee Yet if thou affirme I haue sensible proofâ— of the contrarie that I smell and taste sweenesse in them I answere that this world is like a Paâ—ther that carrieth with him a sweete sent but an vgly face â—linâ—natur hist lib. â— cap. 17 the one entycing beastes to sollow him the other affrighting them from him therefore craftilie hee hides his head till assuredly the prey bee in his power to destroy the same So this world will show foorth a faire colour and giue a pleasant tast and smell at the beginning and allureth many to follow to embrace the same but it hideth the end thereof which is deceaving and destroying for the whole m Iohn 5. 1â— world lyeth in wickednesse and therefore fighteth against vs to bring vs to death and wretchednesse vnlesse wee bee helped by IESUS CHRIST who sayeth to his diâ—ciples Be n Iohn 16. 22 of good comfort I haue overcome the world Secondly How hard is it to fight against thine owne filthy and faultie flesh thy corruptions sinnes and terrible transgressions these are the o Exod. 17. 8 Amalekits hindring thee in the way to Heavenly Canaan These p 1 Sam. 11. 1 are the Ammonits besciging thee who will agree with thee vpon no other condition but to thrust out thy right eye to bring shame and paine vpon thee These are the Cananits q Iosh 23. 13 a snare and destruction vnto thee a whippe to thy side and a thorne in thine eyes These are like the governours of r 1 Sam 23. 12 Keilah traitours to David readie to betray thee and to delyverthee to the devill thine enemiâ— These thy sinnes are as the Å¿ Rev. 9.7.8.10 locusts like horses prepared for the battell they promise honour and victorie but will giue shame and miserie for they haue on their heads as it were crownes like vnto gold they promise friendshippe and favour their faces beeing like vnto men they promise profite and pleasure for they haue haire as the haire of women but yet bee not deceived looke and consider their teeth and their tailes their teeth are as the teeth of lyons to devoure thee their tailes are like a Scorpions to sting thee and to annoy thee Thou must striue against them at all times but chiefly at prayer for then they will striue to separate t Isaiah 59. 2 you betweene you and your GOD to blind-solde thee to cast thee into the pit of eternall perdition Thirdly as when u Zech. 2. 1 Iehoshua stood before the Angell of the LORD Satan stood at his right hand to resist him so when the devoute Christian shall x Psal 42. 2 come and appeare in the presence of GOD the devill wiâ—l drawe neere to molest and fight against him But it was more easie for young David y 1 Sam. 17. 3â— to overcâ—me Goliah albeit others as Saul said hee was not able who was but young to goe against a strong man of warre than it is to a Christian by himselfe to foyle Satan and put him to flight who never ceaseth sed Gregori lib. 18 moral viventem accendit ad vitia morientem trabit ad tormenta while one liveth hee stirreth him to vice when hee dieth hee draweth him to torment Fourthly which without doubt is yet more difficiâ—e in prayer thou must wrestle with GOD himselfe as did z Gen. 32. 24 Israel so must all true Israelites thou must a Hos 12. 4 haue power over the Angell by weeping and praying Now consider I beseech thee if there be betweene such parties any appearance of equalitie What is maâ— fraile flesh a b Isaiah 41. 14 weake wâ—rme a c Nehem 13 17 sillie grassehopper a fading flowre a decaying dreame d Psal 90. 5 grasse from â—ithering dry stubble light e Psal 1. 4 chaffe which the wind driveth away Againe â—he other partie is GOD Almighâ—ie who f Amos 5. 9. 6 buildeth his spheres in the Heavens and hath laid the foundations of his globe of elements in the earth whose g Psal 29.47.8 voice is mightiâ— and glorious that divideth the slammes of fire and maketh the wildernesse to tremble the h Iob 29. 11 pillars of Heaven quake at his reproofe i Iob. 9. 7 the Sea by his power is made calme and hee smiteth the pride thereof yea hee commandeth the Sunne and it riseth hee closeth vp the starres as vnder a signet Behold all k Isa 40. 15 nations before him are as a drop of a bucket and are counted as the dust of ballance they are as nothing and they esteemed of him lâ—sse than nothing even vanitie â—et thou who art so filthy aâ—d weaâ—e by nature must striue and wrestle with the Almightie by l Heb. 5. 7 prayer and supplication by strong crying and teares and so only thâ—u must fight while thou get the viâ—torie and prevâ—ile with thâ— Crâ—ator and m Rom. 8. 37 in all these things thou will bee more than a conquâ—rour through him who loveth thee so plentifully freely and continuallie But seventhly thou shall finde it most painfull and laborious to gaine such a notable and comfortable victorie for nothwithstanding of all thy travailes and turmoyle GOD n 1 Cor. 15.57 himselfe must giue the victorie through Iesus Christ thou must o Iohn 5.4 bee borne of GOD if thou purchase victorie to overcome the world and
them that fight against thee yet if thou continue to call vpon GOD fervently thou mayest well perswade thy selfe of the certaintie of this victorie for nec vulneratus nec prostratus nec conculcatus fraudaberis Lactant firmian â— victoria neither albeit thou bee wounded casten downe and trampled vnder-foote thou shall bee frustrated of the victorie for albeit thou bee slaine stoned p Heb. 11. 37 or hewen asunder dead and buried yet thou shall rise againe with CHRIST and triumph gloriously and remaine with him in perpetuall felicitie but of this more Godwilling when wee shal treate of the effect of prayer Lastly Albeit thou shall find sensiblie that thou art a strong Israelite that thou hast q Gen. 32. 28 had power with GOD and hast prevailed with men yet bee not secure and sloathfull farre lesse proude r Rom. 1â— 20 and high minded but labour carefully albeit with difficultie to builde an house for thy GOD who hath ever helped thee whose presence is most necessarie for thee When Moses was delivered from the bondage of Egypt and Pharaoh with his enemies drowned then hee remembred with thankfulnesse I Å¿ Exod 15. 2 will build a Tabernacle to GOD. When GOD did remember David mercifully and freede him from all his adversitie hee thus protested that hee t Psal 132. 4 would not suffer his eyes to sleepe nor his eye-lids to slumber vntill he had found out a place to the GOD of Iaakob an habitation to the mightie GOD of Israel So when thy GOD shall thinke vpon thee who art poore and needie and shall succour thee with his strength joyfully then labour thou carefully to prepare a place for thy GOD that he may delight to dwell with thee that u Revel 2. 6 his soule may never loath thee take paines that thou may bee x 2 Cor. 6. 16 the temple of the living GOD who hath given the victorie If these martiall men two great commanders and conquerours Plutarch Stephanus Alexander and Augustus did build or repare that citie called Nicopolis were carefull when they gained an earthly victorie to haue a remembrance and monument of that glorie Thou hast greater cause to build an house for thy God and adorne the same continually to proclame his praises publictly and with his Prophet to sing thankfully Blessed y Psal 144. 1. 2 be the LORD my strength which teacheth my hand to fight and my fingers to battell hee is my goodnesse and my fortresse my towre and my deliverer my sheild and my buckler in him will I trust but know this for a suretie that it shall bee a matter of great importaâ—ce and difficultie If Tatnai and Shetherboznai with Ezra 5. 3 their companions did labour to hinder the materiall temple from being built will not Sathan and sinne with the wicked world labour and indevoure to their vttermost to stay and impede the building reparing of that inward temple Secondly prayer is wonderfull Prayers difficle in respect of the parts thereof difficile in regard of the practising of all the parts thereof for it is a hard matter to make true confâ—ssion of thy sinnes and transgrâ—ssions Of confession with a contrite a Psal 51. 17 and broken heart with a faithfull and believing heart that thou may say sincerelâ— yet b Daniel 9. 9 compassion and forgivenesse is with the LORD and with an vpright and honest heart of purpose to c Ezech. 10. 3 make a covenant with the LORD for to d Ephes 4. 1 walke worthy of that vocation wherevnto thou art called Againe it is very difficile to Of Lamentation lament for thy sinne and iniquitie for to e Luke 22. 62 weepe bitterly with repenting Peter and to powre out thy f Psal 56. 8 teares in the Lords bottle into his owne register As it was a very hard matter to g Psal 105.41 open the Rocke and to cause h Ezech 17. 6 water come out of it so it is to soften the i Ezech. 11. 19 stonie heart and to bring out thereof the teares of godly sorrow and contrition which lead to repentance or conversion Moreover it is an hard matter to make a petition to the Almightie Of petition for if k Genes 44. 18 Iudah the Patriarch a man of wisdome courage and aâ—tion estâ—emâ—d it both difficile and dangâ—rous to make a petition to â—oseph for his innocent brother Benjâ—min thou may thinke it hard for thee to make request to the Almightie for thy selfe who art so guiâ—tie that thou mayest come to Heaven and felicitie seeing thou hast deserved hell and endlesse miserie Lastly because thou may m 1 King 2.44 know Of request for others the wickednesse wherevnto thy heart is privie and thy owne conscience condemneth thee for thy trespasse and iniquitie thou may well bee ashamed and thinke it hard to make request for others seeing thy selfe is most vnworthy and vngodly Thirdly The difficultie of this exercise evidently appeareth in regard the supplicant must of necessitie bee adorned with many other graces which must concurre to make thy prayer effectuall these Thou must haue patience were mentioned in the fist chapter praeceeding namely knowledge faith pietie charitie sobrietie fervencie sinceritie humility oportunitie constancie Good GOD how hard matter is it with so many gifts to bee endued as also to joyne n 2 Pet. 1. 5 other vertues with these rehearsed Giue moreover all diligence for to adde to the â—est of these properties true patience for thou hast great neede thereof that o Heb. 10. 38 after thou hast done the will of GOD thou may receaue the promise Behold p Iam 5. 7. 8 the husbandman waiteth for the pretious fruite of the earth and hath long patience for it vntill he receaue the former and latter raine so bee thou patient in prayer and settle thine heart for the comming of the LORD draweth neere who will heare thy request and grant vnto thee thy petition Furthermore thou must take diligent heede that thou at this action Thou must haue godlie anger flatter q Deut. 29. 19 not thy selfe in thine owne heart but thou must be very angry at thine owne selfe for thy manifold and filthie sinnes thou must haue this holy r 2 Cor. 7. 11 indignation if thou haue not this godly anger assure thy selfe thou shall not get the LORDS favour Lastly Remember thee that it Thou must vse good attention is a difficile worke to giue good attention in this action to keeps thine Å¿ Prover 4. 23 heart with all diligence that it bee not as t 2 Sam. 14.14 water spilt on the ground which can not bee gathered vp againe And as the lame man creeple from his mothers wombe gaue u Act. 3 5 heede and diligent attention to the Apostles Peter and Iohn when hee gotte health so doe thou in time of prayer that thou mayest
obtaine health and salvation Fourthly and finally Wonderfull Thou shall find â—undry im pediments great is the difficultie of prayer in regard of these stayes and impediments that will meete with thee partly in respect of Sathan thine adversarie Surely as hee x Thess 2. 18 hindered the Apostle Paul from going to the Thessalonians much more will hee striue to his vttermost power to hinder thee from going to thy GOD and from making of prayers and supplications and as Amalek y Ezech. 17. 8 faught with Israell when they were in their journey to earthly Canaan so much rather will the devill fight against thee with all his force and firie z Eph. 6 16 dartes when thou art in thy journey and making humble prayer and petition Againe partly in respect of thy selfe for with the Disciples thou shall find thy eyes a Math. 26.43 heavy thy selfe subject to sleepinesse and with Moses thy hands b Ezech. 17. 12 heavy thou will let them fall downe and thy knees c Heb. 1â— 12 weake that thou can not endure of thy selfe vnlesse thou bee strengthned Thus farre of the wonderfull great difficultie of prayer now it is meete to giue some consolations that thou be not too much discouraged and dismayed CONSOLATIONS FOR WEAKE CHRISTIANS The twelfth Chapter FOR as much as the weake Christian a a 1 Cor 14.20 child in vnderstanding vpon the deepe meditation of the difficulty of praying may bee heavily perplexed and greatly discouraged and with feare sorrow and bitternesse of minde thus reason if so it be that true prayer bee so hard a worke to doe it is impossible for mee to performe the same Surely I say as a faithfull Messinger b Iob. 33. 23 a wise interpreter is very rare one of a thousand who can declare to a man his righteousnesse so a feeling petitioner is also very rare who with a wounded conscience complaineth in this poynt of his owne weaknesse and of the Rara avis in terris nigroque simillima â—igno difficultie of this exercise But of a great number if one be found who is exceeding sorrowfull that he can not pray powerfully as hee desireth to doe and therefore lamenteth bitterly and is troubled c 1 Sam. 1. 15 in spirit inwaâ—dâ—y when hee considereâ—h that dâ—fficultie and these many impediments which trouble him I most humbly and earnestly intreate GOD who d 2 Cor. 1. 4 comforteâ—h his owne in all tribâ—lation to maâ—e me aâ—â—â— to comfort these that are in this afflâ—ction and â—o giue them some conteâ—tment in this tribuâ—ation Now first if thou complaine that thy heart is tyed and so fixed into this vaine world so that as A comfort to a Christian coÌ„plainiâ—g that he cannotleaue the world Moses e Heb. 11. 27 forsooke Egype so thou can not forsake this present world I say it is of trueth and veritie thou can not doe it boldly yet if thou labour to leaue it spiritually it is verie well for thee and if as Hadad the Edomite in Egypt enjoyed honour pleasure and plentie taking f 1 King 11. 22 nothing yet would not remaine there but in any wayes would goe to his owne country so if thou abiding in this earth where is g Ecles 1. 14 vanitie and vexation sinne and transgression and wearie of this world which h 1 Iohn 5. 19 lyeth in wickednesse shall in some measure haue thy conversation i Philip. 3. 20 in Heaven seek those k Col. 3. 1 things which are aboue beg for the helpe of GODS Spirit that the LORDS power l 1 Cor. 12. 9 may bee made perfect in thee that he who did separate m Gal. 1. 15 thee from thy mothers wombe and who did separat the n Genes 1 4 light from darknesse may also giue thee grace to o 2 Cor. 6. 17 come out from among the wicked and separate thee to himselfe that thou mayest sit p Eph. 2. 6 together with the Saints in such Heavenly places prepared for thee before the foundation of this world was laide Secondly If thou bee sorrowfull that it is too hard for thee yea altogether impossible â—or to goe vp to Heaven yet I may bee Comfort to one who cannot ascend to Heaven bold to persâ—ade thee that thy Saviour ascended q Ephes 4. 10 farre aboue all Heavens to fill all things He will r Psal 37. 24 put his hand vnder thee Hee will Å¿ Iohn 12. 32 draw thee to himselfe If there bee force and veâ—tue in that Similit Plinius August pretious stone the Magnet to draw heauie yron to it assuredly there is much more stâ—ength in CHRIST IESUS to draw t Cant. 1. 3 thee vnto him to knitte u Psal 86. 11 and vnite thine heart vnto him that thou mayest feare his holy Name And Similit Aâ—isâ—ot Zanâ—hius if there bee power in the naturall Sunne by the hotte vigour thereof to dâ—aw vp from the sea and earth vapours and exhalations to the mid region of the aire experience and Naturalists teach the same Certainly there is much more power without comparison in the SONNE x Mal. 4. 2 of Righteousnesse CHRIST IESVS to draw vp thy heart and affection vnto the third Y Heaven He in his owne tyme will giue grace and furnish strength to thee that thou shall say with DAVID z Psal 25. 1 Vnto thee O LORD lift â— vp my soule and â— lift a Psal â—21 1 vp my eyes aboue the mountains vnto thee O LORD from whence mine helpe commeth I b 1 Tim. 2. 8 lift vp to thee pure hands without wrath And c Act. 4. 24 I lift my voyce to GOD to pray to thy Majestie to praise thy holy Name as it becommeth mee Thridly If thou thinke it both dreadfull and dangerous for thee Comfort for a Christian to draw neerâ— to GOD. who art filthie who art guiltie who art as chaffe before the fire and dust d Gen 18. 25 and ashes before the wind for to approach and appeare before GOD who e Iob. 15. 15 found no stedfastnesse in his Saincts and in whose sight the Heavens are not cleane not f Iob. 25. 4 the Moone nor Starres I answere thee albeit that bee of veritie yet thou may come before his Maiestie with courage and thou may be well hearted to goe boldly g Heb. 4. 16 vnto the throne of grace for these reasons 1. because hee h Math. 11. 28 calleth vpon thee favourably who art weariâ— and laden as the Patriarchs were i Genes 45. 3 astonied at Iosephs presence because of their sinne against him and of their evill conscience yet when he said to them come k neere vnto me they came neere 2. As Ahasuerus l Esther 5. 2 held out his golden scepter to Esther fearing danger she found faâ—our so the breaking m Ierem. 10.7 of the nations holdeth
haue singlnesse x Act. 2. 46 of heart as that poore peâ—itent thiefe at the beginning I thinke had but a meane measure of knowlegde faith charitie and repentance yet having sinceritie all these graces iâ—cresâ—d hee was accepted and with CHRIST shortly after was râ—ceaned in y Luk. 23. 43 Paradise So it will be with all GODS sincere servants although they haue but small beginnings yet the mcrease of their graces will bee plentifull and copious they shall surely grow z 2 Pet. 3. 18 in grace and in the knowledge of our LORD and Saviour IESVS Lastly If thou be much troubled because of these manifold impediments Comforts agaiâ—st man◠〈◊〉 which doe hinder thee from this holy exercise thou hast sinne thou hast Sathan thou hast the world thou hast thy corruption and many crosses and great tribulation I reply shortly if CHRIST â—ee a Revâ— â— 31 on thy side who can bee against thee 1 In regard of thy transgfessions troubling thee thou hast an b 1 Iohn 2. 1 Advocate with the Father IESVS CHRIST the just 2. I regard of thy enemies thou hast a Chiâ—tane even CHRIST the Captaine c Iosh 5. 14 of the LORDS host 3. In regard of thy selfe of thy owne weaknesse and of thy owne vncleannesle thou hast also a good guider and governour to helpe thee and direct thee continually in all distresses and difficulties CHRIST IESUS is of all the Christ is the best Advocate for seven reasons best Advocate in seven respects of his Wisdome Power Holinesse Fidelitie Diligence Loue happie successe First Hee is a most wise Advocate Of his wisdome for d Colos 2. 3 in him are hid all the treasurs of Wisdome and knowledge seeing in him e Col. 2. 9 dwelleth all the fulnesse of the God-head bodily Wee read that of Anaximenâ—s that hee prudently procured the peace and safetie of the people Pausaâ—ias lib 1. 6 Lampsaceni for when Alexander the Great was highly offended against them and had threatned their vtter ruine and destruction and because they were favourers and protectors of the Persians against him the people being perplexed by feare and dargâ—â— did send this Anaximenes to the Conquerour to make request for them the King knowing the cause of his comming did sweare soâ—â—mnly by his great Oath that whatsoever hee required hee would doe the contrarie Then wisely replyed the Philosopher My petition is that thou O King wouldest kill the men of my Citie sell the women and children burne the Churches destroy the Citie and overthrow the same vtterly Alexander Veniam dedit Lampsacenis invitus having nothing then to say vnwillingly pardoned that people But our Advocate is f 1 Tim 1. 17 only wise Hee may declare g Amos 4. 13 vnto man what is his thought all creaturs are but fooles in câ—mparison with Him who of h 1 Cor. 1. 50 GOD is made vnto vs wisdome to teach vs true knowledge and discretion Secondly CHRIST is an Advocate of greatest strength and Of his power power for to i Math. 28. 18 him all power is given both in Heaven and earth Thus in him thou mayest haue great cause of gladnesse and rejoycing As a certaine old Souldier Macrobius lib. 2. Satut cap. â— being accused and so in danger was well hearâ—ened when hee got Augustus Caesar a mightie Monarch to be his Advocate for so without doubt hee was absolved and altogether delivered So thou albeit thou haue the Devill the k Revel 1â— 10 accuser of the Brethren to chalenge thee and accuse thee Yet having the most mightie Monarch IESVS whose l Dan. 7. 14 Dominion is an everlasting Dominion whose Kingdome is eternall and â—ever shall bee destroyed who m Math. 9. 6 hath authoritie in earth to forgiue sinnes who may easily rebuke and conâ—ound Sathan having him I say to bee thy Advocate and intercessour who n Rom. 2.33.34 shall lay any thing to thy charge it is GOD who iustifieth who shall condemne it is Christ who by his owne mighty power is risen againe who also at thâ— right hand of GOD maketh request for thee Thirdly CHRIST is most holy In respect of his holinesse aâ—d righteous one Advocate appeareth o Iohn 3. 5 that hee may take away our sinnes in him is no sinne neither p 1 Pet. 2. 22 was their guile found in his mouth It is written of St. Iames q Gal. 1. 19 the LORDS brother that hee was holy for his knees by oft sitting on them to pray did lose all sense of feeling also that he was righteous because for the excellencie Clemen Alex andâ—rinus Eusâ—bius lib 2 cap. 1 Epipha of his righteousnesse hee was called Iust that hee was so beloued of GOD that in a burning drouth when men and beasts with the vâ—hemenciâ— of heat were troubled when trees cornes and grasse were withered that by his prayer and supplication hee brought abundance of raine from Heaven yet hee as Helias â— was a man subject to the like passions as wee are he wanted not his infirmities hee was guiltie of originall and actuall sinne But IESUS CHRIST hee is an Advocate holy Å¿ Heb. 7 25 harmelesse vndefiled separate from sinners and made higher than the Heavens Hee t Isaiah 53. 9 who did no wickednesse neither was deceate in his mouth He that beloved u Math. 3. 17 Son in whom GOD is well pleased by his mediation effectuall intercession will bring vnto thee his dew x Isaiah 26. 19 of grace as the dew of herbes whereby thy withered heart shall bee watered thy dry heart and barren shall bee refreshed and bettered and thou shall be GODS y 1 Cor. 3.9 husbandry to bring foorth fruite plentifuâ—ly whereof thou mayest bee comforted continually Fourthly Hee is such an Advocate In respect of his fidelitie which z Psal 146. 6 keepeth his fidelitie for ever Hee who a Iohn 14. 6 is trueth it selfe is most vnlike that false Ovid. lib. 3. Stephan and vnfaithfull Vlysses who did faine himselfe to be a friend and an Advocate to worthie Palamedes but hee filthily deceived and destroyed him but hee who is Amen b Revel 3. 14 the true and faithfull witnesse is also a true and faithfull Advocate on him thou may rely with sure hope and confidence Fiftly CHRIST is a most diligent Advocate for if Sathan day In respect of his diligence and c Revel 1â— 10 night accuse thee before GOD Hee d Hebr. 10. 12 who sitteth at the right hand of his Father for ever will continually day and night desend thee and make request for thee Sixtly CHRIST is a most loving In regarde of his loue Advocate who e Isaiah 53. â— hath borne thy sinnes who hath caried thy sorrowes who was wounded for thy transgressions As the Patriarch Iudah in tender loue and affection offered himselfe to