hands vpon one who was dease and stammered in his speach but CHRIST did more hee did put his finger in his eares and did spit and touched his tongue and looking vp to Heaven hee sighed and said vnto him EPHâ—HATHâ— that is bee opened Some Ieves came to CHRIST for bodily nourishment because they z Iohn 6. 26 ate of the loaâ—es and were filled but â—ESUS bestâ—wed on them more even spirituall refreshment for their soules and offred them meate thâ—â— endureth for ever vnto everlasting life And thus it is most sure and certaine that GOD will vouchsafe more good vpon his Saâ—â—cts than they will require or aske of his blessed Majestie for as much as bountifulnesse and laâ—ge liberality is naturall and essentiall to his high honour and great glory Hee a Zeph. 3. 17 will quiet himselfe and rest in his loue He delighteth to doe good abundantly in all plentie and statelie royaltie We reade that when Perillus one of Alexanders friends asked him dowrie to his daughters the King commanded him to take fiftie talents Perillus answering that ten talents would be sufficient the King replyed Tibi quidem satis est tantum accipere mihi vâ—â—o non satis Seneca alâ—i plerique est tantum dare it is indeede sufficient to thee to recâ—aue so much but so much is not sufficient to mee to giue that King had a respect to his honâ—ur and not to the mans deservings Thy great and immortaâ—l King who â—aveth vnto thee Open b Psalm 81.11 thy mouth wide and I shall fâ—ll itâ— in giving he regardeth more his owne glorie and greatâ—â—sse than thy merits and worthinâ—ssâ— For c Isaiah 48 9 his names sake hee deferreth his wrath and for his praise will he refraine from it The LORD led d Isaiah 62.14 his people with his owne glorious arme divyding the waters before them to make himselfe an everlasting and glorious name Hee e Ezech. 20.44 will haue a respect vnto vs for his owne Names sake Hee will bee beneficiall vnto vs and not after our wicked wayes nor according to our corrupt workes GOD will giue to his owne a new heart and a new spirit he will put within them hee will gather them out of all countries and bring them to their land But thus f Ezech. 36.22 saith the LORD GOD. I doe not this for your sakes O house of Israelâ— but for my holie Names sake And surely in thy conscience thou may be fully perswaded and firmelie assured that thy most gratious GOD will g Dan. 9. 18 encline his eares to heare thy prayers that he will yeelde to thy desires and satiâ—â—ie thy requestes for three causes first because h Iohn 2. 1 thou hast an Advocate with thy Father CHRIST IESVS the just his i Math. 3. 17 beloved Sonne in whom hee is well pleased who k Hebr. 9. 24 appeareth now in the sight of GOD to make request and intercession for thee seing l Heb. 7. 25 he ever liveth hee is able perfectly to saue thee and to bring thee honour and felicirie Albeit Constâ—ntine the most worthie Emperor by his great moyen Theodoret. lib 1 cap. 24 Euseb â—â—b 4 and letters of recommendation made intercession for the Saints who were grâ—evouslie afflicted and by barbarous crueltie persecuted in the Kingdome of Persia when he did pleade the cause of innocent Christians who in great number were tortured vnto death and intreated their King Sapores to deale mercifullie to embrace them kindly it is yet vncertaine if the intercession of Constantine prevailed any thing or if any mitigation of that horrible persâ—cution was granted seing we reade that in Constantius his sonnes dayes vnder that same Barbarian it endured yet this is most sure and certaine that CHRISTS intercession will ever prevaile and bee effectuall seing m Isaiah 42. 1 in him GODS soule delighteth and whatsoever hee willeth GOD worketh whatsoeveâ— hee n Psal 2. 8 asketh GOD giveth and he will never gâ—t a refusall If his Father who loved o Iohn 17. 24 him before the fundation of the world vnto p Math. 28. â—8 whom is given all power in Heaven and in Earth who q Ephes 4. 8 ascended vp in high who led captivitie captiue and gaue gifts vnto men The second cause of thy sure certification that GOD will grant thy supplication is this For r Rom. 8. 26 that the spirit also helpeth thine infirmities for thou knowest not what to pray as thou oughtest but the spirit it selfe maketh request for thee with sighes which can not be expressed according to the will of GOD and hee that searcheth the heart and tryeth the reines knoweth 27. the meaning of the spirit and because thou art f Galat. 4. 6 the sonne of adoption GOD hath sent foorth the spirit of the Sonne in thine heart which cryeth Abba father who is as a learned man testifieth Hilarius Advocatus nobiscum perpetuâ— manens an Advocate for ever abyding with vs and as the t Iohn 3. 8 wind bloweth where it listeth so the SPIRIT effecteth whatsoever he requireth A third cause of thy vndoubted assurance that the Almightie will yeelde vnto thy petition is this albeit himselfe be the most worthie and mightie partie offended yet hee first seeketh thee yea by his u 2 Cor. 5. 20 ambassadours beseecheth thee to be reconciled with his Majestie As x Psal 103. 13 a father hath compassion on his children so the LORD hath compassion on them that feare him As the most gratious GOD is of vnspeakeable loue of great pittie and ardent affection so hee is omnipotent whose y Dan. 7. 14 Kingdome shall never bee destroyed who hath an everlasting dominion That mightie monarch Alexander gaue commandement to his Thesaurer for to bestow vpon Anaxarchas a Philosopher whatsoever hee should require who asked a verie great sowme which the Thesaurer hearing and beeing troubled declared the same to Alexander who thus answered Plutarch in apophtheg Recte facit sciens se habere amieum qui tantum dare possit velit Hee doeth well knowing hee hath a friend who both will and may giue so much As GOD is our friend so hee calleth vs his friends not only as Abraham z Isaiah 4â— â— GODS friends but also as his a Iohn â— 39 children which doe his workes The LORD as hee is good so is he great and aboue all GODS whatsoever pleaseth b Psal 135. 5 the LORD hee may doe in the Heaven in the earth in the sea and in all the depths the Omnipotent may giue what hee pleaseth no creature whatsoever may doe soe for the devill hee lyed and spake vntrueth when hee said all c Luk. 4.6 power and glorie of the earth was delivered to him and that hee may giue it to whom-so-ever hee will No man nor potentate in this Plinius lib. 7 cap. 2 Cicâ—ro Tuscul quaest lib 5.
constant who hath received g Rom. 8. 15 the Spirit of adoption whereby hee cryeth Abba Father if any other ascend it will bee with the lose of his soule though it were possible to him to doe so The third work to be performed in this exercise which mâ—st not seeme a small thing but of moment and importance is when the k Num. 19 9 LORD shall takâ— thâ—e nearer to himselfe considering thy basâ—nesse guiltinesse and wrâ—tchednesse againe GODS holynesse and righteousnesse to think that thou art l Psal 73. 22 a beast before the Almightie a m 2 Sam. 9 8 dead dogge vnworthie to bee respected of the King of Glory that thou n Psal 22. 6 art but a wormâ— and the contempt of the people that thou art but o Gen. 18 27. dust and ashes that thou of thy selfe art more vnprofitable than the sea-weede where Proâ—ecta vilios alga viâ—ga with many at sometimes doe good the ground yea by nature without the p Luke 14 34 spirit of prayer thou will bee as vnsavorie q Math. 5. 13 salt which is neither meete for land nor yet for the dung-hill but men cast it out to bee troden vnder foote as Ecbolius a Sophister in Constantinople a timorous temporizer who altered his religion as tymes altered that followed who following the profession of sundrie Emperours in his tyme was inconstant in his profession yet at length he was so troubled in his conscience that lying downe at the Church doore hee cryed to the people to tâ—ample him vnder foote for hee was but vnfavory salt Surely before GOD thou art as r Isaiah 40. 17 a droppe of a bucket as vanitie as nothing as lesse than nothing Againe think seriously vpon thine owne guiltinesse and thou shall acknowledge it an hard matter to compeere in the LORDS presence as our first parents knowing their nakednesse did preasse to Å¿ Genes 3 â— hide themselues if they could from the face of the LORD The Patriarchs after Ioseph had vttered himselfe to them and remembring their crueltie and vnnaturalnesse towards him they could not endure to draw neere to him or looke him in the face but shame feare and astonishment did suddainly oppresse them they t Genes 45. 3 went backe and were astonied at his presence Seing thou hast delt more vnkindly with thy blessed GOD. and u Act. 2 23 hath crucâ—fied to thy selfe the King of Glory may not thou justly bee dismayed for thy guiltinesse and iniquitie and confesse ingenuâ—usly â—aying O x Daniel 9.7 LORD righteousnesse belongeth to thee but to vs open sâ—ame and everlasting ignomiâ—ie If there was dangâ—r and difficultie to any to come into the presence of an earthly King for whosoever y Esther 4. 11 man or woman did come to the King Ahasuerus into the inner court vncalled there was a law that hee should die except him to whom the king hâ—ld out his golden rodde 〈◊〉 scepter that hee might liuâ— If thou appeare before the king of Kings and Lord of glorie vnlesse it plâ—aâ—e his godly Majestie to hold foorth vnto thee the golden scepter of his compassion thâ—n art but a lâ—st catiue theâ— will bee justly punished with endlesse woâ— and miâ—â—rie And as thou remembrest thy foâ—lorne estate and wretchednesse that thou art z Revel 3. 17 miserable weake blind and naked the a Eph. 2. 3 châ—lâ—e of wrath by nature from CHRIST a stranger to GOD a reâ—ell and dâ—sloyall traitor a slaue to sinnâ— a vassall to Sathan subject to the Miseria est comes individuae malitiae â—urse of GOD and heavie malâ—diction and so by reason of thy wickednesse thou still remâ—inest in miserie and wretchednesse Also consider carefully the LORDâ— greatnesse first and Majestie from whose face both b Revel 20 11 the Heaven and the earth will â—â—ee away Hee is most high over all the earth The c Psal 83. 18 whole world is full of his glorie Whose d Isaiah 6. 3 Naâ—e is great from the râ—sing of the Sunne vnto the going downe of the saâ—e among the Gentils The Sâ—raphims themâ—elues in â—â—gard of the â—urpassing greatnesse and brightnesse of his most excellent glorie with their e Mal. 1. 11 wings they cover both face and feete Hee f Isaiah 6. 2 looketh on the earth and it trâ—mblâ—th hee toucheth the mountains and they smoke the sea roareth and all that is therein Hee g Psal 96. 11 createth the winde and declareth h Amos. 4. 13 to man what is his thought hee maketh the morning darknesse his anger is the mâ—ssinger of death his wrath as a hote consuming fire his indignation is like a terrible tempeit wee by nature are like dry sticks or withâ—ed branches wee are as weake stubble as light chaffe which the wind driveth away Againe If thou thinke vpon the LORDS holynesse thou will thinke it difficill to compeere in his presence His i Isa 67. 15 Name is the holy One his Name is high and excellent the k Revel 4 8 Angels say holy holy LORD GOD Almightâ—e which was which is and which is to come Behold said Bildad power l Iob. 25. 5 and feare is with him and the starres are vncleane in his sight how much more man which is but a worme If a Captaine of Damasâ—us esteemed the bodie of that craftie See Purchas pilgrimage lib 3 cap. 6 seducer Mahomet that hee both made great request and offered a great â—umme of money to the idolatrous Priest for the obtaining of a sight of the same and when the Priest had proudly answered how can those eyes wherewith thou hast committed so many evils in the world see him by whom GOD hath created both Heaven and earth The Captaine replyed trueth Sir but grant mee this â—avour that I may see his bodie and I will presently pluck out mine eyes That man in his blind superstition thought it a great matter to compeare before the rotten carion of that vile deceaver is it not by infinite degries and without any compariâ—on much more difficill to appeare before the glorious Majestie of the Almightie and everliâ—ing GOD who m Isaiah 44.6 is the first and the last a small sight of whose glorious presence is so terrible as to make Moses n Hebr. 12. 21 who was the Lords friend to quake and feare And lastly remembering GODS righteousnesse who o Ier. 31. 19 is great in counsell and mightie in worke whose eyes are open vpon all the wayes of the sonnes of men to giue to everie one according to his wayes and according to the fruit of his workes who p Exod. 34. 7 will not make the wicked innocent the q Gen. 18. 25 true judge of all the world will doe rightly for if r Rom. 11. 21 GOD spared not the naturall branches take heeds also least hee not spare thee behold therefore both GODS bountifulnesse and severitie Now if
pleasure to looke on her he m Genes 23.3 arose from the sight of the corps he made request and gaue money for a place to burie his dead wife from his sight 6 Putrefaction and rottennesse followeth death The bodie will Rettennesse returne to the dust and bee putrified albeit the n Genes 13. 16 Physitian embalmed Ioseph and put him in a chest yet they could not preserue his fraile flesh from putrifying o Exod. 13. 15. for Moses tooke but his bones with him from Egypt 7 A dead body becommeth loathsome and hath an evill smell A evill savour therefore Marke said of Lazarus whom CHRIST p Iohn 11. 39 did raise from the graue LORD hee stinketh already hee hath beene deade foure dayes Yet notwithstanding this naturall death bringeth not wretchednesse but rather happinesse to the bodies of the godly For their bodies being deade shall q Isaiah 57. 2 haue peace and shall rest in their beds for a time They r 2 Cor. 15. 42 43. 44 will be sowne in corruption but raised in incorruption They will bee sowne in dishonour but raised in glory They will bee sowne in weakenesse but raised in power They will be sowne naturall bodies but raised spirituall bodies Now the death of sinne will bring such senselesnesse that albeit the Å¿ Prover 23.35 wicked be striken yet they are not sicke albeit they be beaten yet they know not they haue no feeling nor paine of their misery their heart is dead within them and they are like a stone 2 This death it will bring such heavinesse so that the sinner cannot lift vp his soule to GOD it will be disquieted a Psal 42. 11 and cast downe within him 3 It will bring such weaknesse that one cannot rise inwardly vnlesse hee bee lifted one cannot stand vnlesse hee bee strengthned one cannot goe forward except hee bee borne in GODS bosome one cannot doe good except hee bee helped b Iam. 4. 6 neither resist the Devill or the smallest tentation except c Ephes 6. 13 14.15.16.17 18 he put on the whole armour of GOD. 4 Coldnesse commeth by the death of sinne and no wonder for as a father saith Frigus DEI est cum deserit peccatorem nec vocat Augustin nec aperit sensum nec infundit gratiam GOD leaveth that sinner hee calles not on him neither openeth hee his senses neither infuseth grace Hee remaineth like to the Salamander who as they say walking vpon the fire doth extinguish the same And d Hab. 1. 6 albeit hee cloth himselfe yet shall hee not bee warme 5 By this death of sinne one becommeth abominable and vglie in the eyes of the Almightie The LORD cannot endure to looke vpon such a one If hunger or bodily famine will make the e Lament 4.7 Nazarites who were purer than snow and whyter than milke and rudier than the red pretious stones to haue a visage blacker than a coale and to bee withered like a stocke will not this death bring greater blacknesse and deformitie it will surelie remoue all comelinesse and beautie If DAVID said in regarde of his afflictions hee was become a f Psal 71. 7 monster vnto many surely much more a sinner in respect of his transgressions appeareth a monster in the eyes of the Almightie Hee is g Titus 1. 16 abominable and to every good worke a reprobate 6 By this death a sinner becommeth like h Isaiah 14. 16 a carkase troden vnder foote such a one i Iob 13. 24 consumeth like a rotten thing and as a garment that is moth-eaten hee is corrupt and putrified 7 Yea k Ioel. 2. 20 his stinke shall come vp and his corruption shall ascend and his l Isaiah 34. 3 stinke shall come out of his body and the mountains shall bee melted with his blood But which is worst of all this death of sinne without regeneration bringeth the m Revel 21 8 second death which is eternall death anguish and tribulation Mors prima animam nolentem pellit de corpore Augustinus Mors autem secunda animam nolentem tenet in corpore The first death thrusteth the vnwilling soule out of the body the second death detaineth the vnwilling soule within the body Mors nulla major est quam vbi non moritur mors Idem surelie there is no greater death than when death dieth not This bringeth everlasting misery and perpetuall wretchednesse the aboundaunce of all affliction the want of all consolation Ingressus humanae conditionis miserabilis progressus humanae conversationis culpabilis Hugo de vilitate humanae conditionis egressus humanae dissolution is damnabilis The ingresse of mans condition is miserable the progresse of mans conversation is culpable and the egresse of mans dissolutionis damnable Now contrariwise if thou shall bee quickened with spirituall life thou shalt surely attaine to happinesse and felicitie then thou hast o Revel 20. 6 part in the first resurrection the second death shall haue no power over thee thou are blessed and holy thou shall bee nourished in this life and glorified in the life to come Resurgat in prima resurrectione qui non vult in secunda damnari Let him rise in the first resurrection who in the second would not be condemned 2 Thus thou living the life of grace shall bee nimble light and spirituall discerning al things p 1 Corin. 5. 14 seeking q Coloss 3. 1 those things which are aboue While thou art in nature thou art like an egge heavie and dead Similitudo Zanchii but in and by grace hatched thou art like a birde moving seeking and flying 3 Then the loue of GOD shed r 2 Cor. 5. 14 abroad into thy soule constraining thee to doe thy duetie shall strengthen thee for thy calling Å¿ 2 Cor. 12. 9 His grace shall bee sufficient for thee thou shall bee more strong than Goliah than Milo who with a Sam. 17. 5 stroke of his fist did kill a Cow than Polydamas who trusting to their owne strength died all miserably Franciscus Patricius lib. 2 de institutione reipubl but thou shall liue most happily overcomming the Devill thine adversarie Yea in t Rom. 8. 37 al things through CHRIST thou shall be more than a conquerour u Philip. 4. 13 through him thou shall bee able to doe all things necessarie 4 When thou enjoyeth that spirituall life thou shall be warme with the heate of the holy Spirit and of the x Malach 4. 2 sunne of Righteousnesse which shall arise vnto thee wherewith thou shall bee so inflamed that the extremitie of cold shall never prevaile against thee These fourtie Martyres who that father writteth in the dayes Basilius Magnus in 40 Martyros of cruell Licinius were cast into a pond of water all the night suffering the cold Northerne wind and their bodies being frozen and almost senslesse their soules remaining hotte with the
corruption is ever defiling The world deceaving continually The Devill destroying bussily The glorious Bridgrome t Math. 25. 6 is comming The righteous Iudge approaching The great GOD is already executing his determined decree and art thou yet slouthfull yet securing yet sleeping What u Ionas 2. 6 meanest thou O sleeper Thou sleepest in such estate as Ionas The heavie tempest of GODS wrath is raised the tempest of his indignation is encreased the sea of miserie highly swelled the weake ship of thy rotten bodie is fearefully cracked it is like to be broken thy neighbours haue laboured and death is present before thee hell it selfe hath gaped for thee yet alace thou sleepest when thou shouldst awake thou loyterest when thou should worke thou tarriest when thou shouldst runne thou goest backward when thou shouldst goe fordward â—hou rejoycest in wickednesse when thou shouldst lament in heavinesse thou art yeelding when thou shouldst be fighting thou art a prisoner when thou shouldst bee a conquerour that thou x Revel 21. 7 mayest bee GODS sonne to inherite all things What meanest thou O sleeper Knowest thou not that in the meane tyme thou art contracting debt which y Math. 6. 12 vnforgiven will molest thee thou z Psal 51. 2. art gathering filthinesse vnwashen will pollute thee thou art breeding a a Psal 36. 3 sicknesse which vnhealed will weaken thee thou art making b Prover 5. 22 cords which vnloosed will bind thee thou art c Rom. 2. â— heaping coales which vnremoved will burne thee against the day of judgement and the declaration of the judgement of GOD. What meanest thou O sleeper to hinder d Ier. 5. 25. the good things of GOD from thee to procure his anger and displeasure against thee to hasten his heavie curse and malediction vpon thee to depriue thee of his blessed societie to bring everlasting e Math. 25.12 paine and griefe vpon thee When the LORD called f Sam. 3. 4 and spake to Samuel he awaked and answered When g Act. 12 7 an Angell of light came into the prison where Peter was hee awakened hee arose hee followed and obeyed The LORDS voice hath come ofter vnto thee his marveilous light hath shined longer vnto thee Awake Awake It was holden a wonder and a very rare thing because that Plutarchus in vita Alexan. Iustinius Conquerour did sleepe deeply contrare to his custome as oppressed therewith a little before hee was to fight that last and great battell against Darius his Captaines marveiled at him Parmenio reproved him But this is an evill custome of many that they are secure and sleepie in time of greatest danger and difficultie while they haue to encounter with a subtle and puissant adversarie and to wrestle h Eph. 6.12 not against flesh and blood But i Eph. 2.2 against that prince that ruleth in the aire and that spirit which ruleth in the children of disobedience which is a great wonder especially seing GOD hee calleth vpon them to bee awaking Secondly GOD hath his rod GODS rod. who will not heare his Word let him feare k Math. 6.9 his rodde If an earthly father should according to SALOMON smite l Prover 23.14 the child with his rod to delyver his soule from hell will not rather our Heavenly Father more wise and more loving correct his child with his rod for his deliverance and instruction Hath thy LORD GOD this delight with thee Art thou not awakened Hast thou not turned m Isaiah 4 to him that smiteth thee Hast thou not sought the LORD of hostes who visiteth thee thy case is most dangerous thou hast to bee afraide greattumlie least n Psal 2. 9. he crush thee with his scepter of yron least hee breake thee in peeces like a potters vessell Thou o Lament 3. 1 shall bee much more miserable than that man who saw affliction in the rod of GODS indignation Many are in regarde of their estate like vnto Dionisius Heracteol in regarde of his godly estate who was so corpulent that albeit needles were thrust into his belly being asleepe yet hee was senslesse and not touched with paine Many p Prov. 25. 36 they are stricken and not sicke they are beaten and know not they are chastised and amend not Ah! If q Amos. 4. 6 the LORD giue thee cleannesse of teeth and scarsnesse of bread returne vnto him If GOD shall punish thee with thirst and with drougth that thou shall wander farre to drinke watter Awake and turne in tyme to GOD If hee shall smite thee with blasting and mildew returne vnto him If hee shall send thee pestilence and sword and a great overthrow prepare to meete thy GOD O Israel See that thou be wearied of thine owne wayes awake and by vnfained repentance turne vnto thy GOD least hee forsake thee altogether and punish thee with vtter destruction and ruine Now when the LORDS hand shall bee heauie vpon thee and his rod painefull vnto thee when thy crosse shall bee sanctified for thy conversion bee not r Heb. 12 3. 5. 6 wearie neither faint in thy minde forget not the consolation neither despise the LORDS chastenings For whom the LORD loveth hee correcteth and hee scourgeth every sonne which hee receaueth even for thy profite that thou mayst be partaker of his holynesse and bring vnto thee the quiet fruite of righteousnesse When thou art corrected hope thou that thy sinne is remitted Nullus fructus correctionis sine Augustin spe remissionis There is no fruit of correction without hope of remission Remember if the Lords Word had awaked and amended thee his rodde had not lighted vpon thee But Quem non corrigunt Augustin verba corrigunt experimenta whom words will not amend then let tryall amend them and let him who with the Word is bettered and converted confesse with the Prophet It Å¿ Psal â—â— 6 is good for mee that I was afflicted Thirdly Let the benefits which GOD bestoweth vpon thee bee GODS gifts meanes for to awake thee As when Elijah sleept naturally vnder the juniper tree Behold t 1 King 19. 5 an Angell touched him and brought benefits vnto him so oftentimes while thou doest sleepe spiritually GOD hee commeth and giveth gifts vnto thee Thou sleepest when thou forgettest the LORD So saith the Ancient Quaecunque anima oblita fuerit Dominum Augustin suum dormit What ever soule forgetteth the LORD sleepeth Thou cannot deny but when thou hast forgotten the LORD hee hath beene then mindefull of thee hee then hath beene beneficiall vnto thee Israell u Hos 8. 14 hath forgotten his Maker His x Ier 2. 32 people hath forgotten him dayes without number who is only the good portion and ornament and attyre of his people But hath thy Well-beloved come vnto thee who art sleepie and drousie Hath he for a long tyme knocked at the doore of thy heart Open y Cant. 5. 2 open
Saviour saving me my high o Heb. 10. 21 Preist reconciling me my p Math. 13. 10 Prophet and Master instructing mee my q Iohn 11. 52 Pastor nourishing me that he may bee my wisedome r 1 Cor. 1. 30 righteousnesse sanctification and redemption mine Å¿ Philip 1. 21 advantage in lyfe and death that hee may bee All in all vnto mee Blesse mee with thine holy Spirit to bee t Iohn 14. 26 comforter rememberer my u Rom. 1. 4 sanctifier and directer Grant O LORD that I may labour most earnestly to â—ntertaine that good Spirit most carefully conscâ—entioâ—â—ly and continually Blesse me O LORD with earthlie Pray for temporary benefites benefites also according as thy wisdome shall think necessarie for mee I aske them for thy glory for the good of thy Church for my owne necessitie Let mee not want these giftes without the which I cannot well serve but bee so beneficiall to mee that I may bee rather helpfull and comfortable than chargeable to others But grant O Lord that I maye first y Math. 6. 33 seek the kingdome of Heaven and the righteousnesse thereof and then other thinges needefull shall bee ministred vnto mee O LORD teach mee to z Psal 90. 12 number Pray for the best things my dayes that I may apply my heart to wisedome teach mee to a Ephes 5. 15 redeeme the time which I haue foolishly and miserablie lost giue mee grace to be have my selfe as a b 1 Pet. 2. 11 pilgrime a stranger as a sojourner in this earth abstaining from those filthy lusts that fight against the Soule c Titus 2. 12 denying vngodlinesse Grant that I maye liue soberly quietly and godly d Rom. 12. 1 offering vp soule and body an holie living and acceptable sacrifice to thy Majestie LORD let me not fashion my selfe like vnto this world which will surely and suddainlie perish but grant that I may bee changed by renueing of my mind that I may proue and doe thy holy good-will which is perfite and acceptable that I may walke e Ephes 4. 1 worthy of that heavenly vocation wherevnto I am called O Lord giue mee the gift of perseverance that I maye persevere vnto the end that I may be f Math. 24. 13 saved LORD grant that I may be faithfull g Revel 2. 10 vnto the death that I may get the Crowne of lyfe Let h Psal 19. 14 the words of my mouth and the meditation of mine heart bee acceptabe to thee O LORD my strength and my Redeâ—mer Let my life and death bee pretious in thy fight and receaue me in thy rest that I may inherite eternall glorie and endlesse felicitie with thee in thine Heavenly Kingdome to remaine and reigne with thee for ever and ever So bee it even so bee it A DESCRIPTION OF TRVE PRAYER The seventh Chapter THus after the confession of our sinnes after bitter lamentation for the â—ame and earnest petition let vs come to a plaine description of prayer which may bee in this manner Prayer is a principall part A description of true prayer of GODS service wherein a true Christian leaving the earth in his heart and affections ascending into Heaven in his mind approaching vnto the throne of grace presenting him selfe before the glorious GOD hee conferreth and speaketh familiarly with his CREATOR hee offereth a spirituall sacrifice vnto his Majestie he wrestleth with the Omnipotent he giveth a comfortable victorie hee becommeth the a 1 Cor. 3. 16 Temple of GOD the holy Spirit dwelling in him and obtaineth every b Iam. 1. 17 good gift that is necessarie for him In the forsaid description I say Three reasons wherfore prayer is the principall part of Gods service that Prayer is a principall part of GODS service for three reasons first because vnder the name of invocation all the LORDS worship is comprehended as is written in the booke of Genesis Then c Genes 4. 26 began men to call vpon the name of the LORD that is at that tyme the Church began to The 1. reason bee manifest and to exercise the the LORDS publicke worshippe Againe it is said that in Canaan Abraham d Genes 12. 8 called vpon the name of the LORD that is hee served GOD openly and wholly altogether as the LORD appointed by faith obedience prayer and thankfulnesse Contrariely the heathen rebels reprobats atheists vpon whom GOD e Psal 79.6 will powre out his wrath are thus marked that they f Psal 79.7 haue not called vpon the name of the LORD that is they prayed not vnto GOD. Againe the Prophet complaineth that there g Isaiah 64. 7 is none that calleth vpon the name of the LORD as if hee should say there is none that worshippeth thee rightly so it is most manifest that whosoever doe pray truely hee then serveth his Majestie also who neglecteâ—h this duetie is a rebell to the GOD of glory Secondly by reason that prayer The second reason wherefore prayer is the principall part of Gods service is most honorable to GOD seing the supplicant doth ascribe most justly all his holy and true attribute to his Majestie acknowledging the same in all sinceritie let mee remember six of them briefly namely GODS omnipresence omniscience and his omnipotencie also his rememberance his goodnesse and his fidelitie The petitioner honoureth GOD as present every-where with his The true petitioner honoureth GOD as omnipresent owne in h Psal 91. 15 trouble chiefly and more to bee magnified than all mortall and miserable men for Abraham was not ever present with his beloved wife Sarah when shee was i Genes 12.14 taken to Pharaohs house and when Abimelech k Genes 20. 2 sent and tooke her Neither was Iaakob ever present with his owne sonne Ioseph when he was cast l Genes 37.20 in a pit and and after sold to the Ishmaelites Neither was David ever present with Abner but being out of his sight Ioab m 2 Sam. 3. 2 killed him Neither was St. Paul a teacher ever present with the Galatians for after his departure they o Galat. 1.6 were soone removed away vnto an other Gospell they were seduced and bewitched o Galat. 3. 1 that they did not obey the trueth But this is the glory of our GOD vpon whom wee depend and vnto whom wee pray that he is our husband who will marrie p Hosea 2. 19 vs for ever hee will never be absent from vs but at all occasions in every place present with vs so that wee shall not be defiled by the foule aâ—d q Zach. 13. 2 vncleane spirit and be vnspotted r Iam. 1. 27 in this filthy world That GOD is our Å¿ Math. 23. 9 Father to keepe vs continually that wee perish not in the t Iob 33. 24 pit of sin and damnation that hee is our everlasting King to delyver u Luke 1.
earth were formed from everlasting to everlasting hee hath beene thy GOD. Againe this divine care is not like the care of mortall men that hath paine and Attenuant vigiles corpus miserabile cuâ—ae Cura quoque interdum nullo medicabilis aâ—â—e trouble with it which weakeneth the bodie and vexeth the soule and can by no worldly meanes be well helped but it is an easie care with alsufficiencie of pleasure for hee that beareth h Heb. 1. 3 vp all things by his mightie Word may with all facilitie care for his owne and that particularlie therefore thou may thinke vpon this care most comfortablie Habebit curam tui qui fecit te quique habuit curam tui priusquam esses GOD who made thee will haue a care of thee who had a care of the before ever thou was hee will so regard thee that thou shall be a i Isaiah 62. 3 crowne of glorie in the hand of the LORD and a royall diademe in the hand of thy GOD. Secondly GODS care towards It is a great care thee will bee a great care if a mortall man will care for his inheritance to keepe the same this did k 1 King 21.3 Naboth who refused to sâ—ll his heritage to king Ahab much more wâ—ll the LORD care for the godâ—ie soules who pray to him he doth esteeme of them greatlie as the sanctified soule will cry vnto GOD thou l Psal 142. 5 art my portion so the LORD will answere aâ—d assure that soule that she is his m 1 Cor. 3.9 building his temple his husbandrie and pâ—rpetuall possâ—ssion Thirdly â—he LORDS care will bee mâ—st joyfull to thee and effâ—ctuall It is effectuall a fatherly care a princely care Seing hee is â—ur Heavenly Father yea the n Heb. 12. 9 Father of our spirits much more rich thaâ— Abraham who could not make all his children his heires for hee sent o Genes 25. 6 them away from him and Isaac himself also while hee was living but our most wealthie and heavenlie Father will make all his children also p Rom. 8. 17 his heires annexed with Iesus Christ Our heavenly Father is much more powerfull than David was who had no sufficient power to make all his sonnes Kinges but our liberall Father giveth vs q Pet. 1.14 an inheritance immortall and vndefiled that fadeth not to all his children whom he careth for sufficientlie Haereditas non minuitur copia possessorum nec fit angustior numerositate Augustin cohaeredum sed tanta est multis quanta paucis tanta singulis quanta omnibus This inheritance is not diminished by abundance of possessours neither becommeth strait by number of coheires for it is as much to manie as few and as much to everie one as to all for he that is r Rom. 10. 12 Lord over all is rich vnto all that call vpon him and will giue everie one of his Saints a Å¿ Heb. 12. 28 Kingdome which can not bee shaken which endureth for â—ver and ever Now during the time of our pilgrimage whiles t 2 Cor. 5.6 wee are at home in our body and absent from the Lord and hath not attained to the present possession of that Kingdome 1. â—e will haue a care of our sustentation 2. a care of our preservation 3. a care of our instruction 4. a care of our consolation 5. a care of our marriage band 6. a care of our blessednesse and happinesse Behold u Math. 6 â—6 the fowles of the heaven for they sowe not neither reape nor carrie into the Barnes yet our heavenly Father feedeth them are we not saith our Saviour much better than they Did x Genes 28.2 Isaac care through his fatherly affection for Iacobs safetie will not GOD in greater affeâ—tion regarde the safetie of our â—â—ules who doe consecrate our â—â—lâ—es to his service Also if that royall Prophet was verie carefull to giâ—e good instruction and y Prover 4. 2 good doctrine to his wise sonne Salomon tender and deare in the sight of his parents will not our most wise and provident Father bee more carefull to z Isaiah 44. 3 poure his spirit and his blessing vpon his owne to a Ier. 31. 33 put his Law in their inward parts and to write it in their hearts and to giue b 2 Peter 1. 3 vnto them all thinges that pertaine vnto life and godlinesse through the knowledge of him that hath called them to glorie and vertue Moreover hee is c 2 Cor. 1. 3 the GOD of mercies and the Father of all consolation he will haue a speciall care to comfort all his children in all their tribulation If Edna was carefull to comfort her daughter Sarah who d Tob. 7. 17 wiped away her teares and spake comfortablie vnto her much more our LORD who though e Psal 27. 10 father and mother should forsake vs yet wil hee gather vs vp will also comfort vs and providentlie prepare a better marriage for vs than f Genes 24. 3 Abraham did for Isaac namelie the King of glories owne sonne to be our husband who g Eph. 5. 25 will sanctifie vs nourish vs and cherish vs who will make vs honorable and happie for ever and ever 4. If thou shall invocat GOD Gods caâ—e is teâ—â—deâ— câ—m passionat arightlie hee will haue a tender and compassionate care for thee who h Iohn 3. 16 hath so loved thee that he hath given his first borne for thee who i Rom. 8. â—2 hath not spared his owne sonne but gaue him to the death for thee that k Iohn 4 9 thou mayest live eâ—ernally through him hee will take care of thee as of the member of his owne body thus l Zech. 2. 8 will the LORD of hosts say that hee that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his owne eye And if Zaleucus a ruler and law giver of Locris did so pittie his Valer maxim sonne found guiltie of the crime lib. 6. cap 5 of adulterie who therefore conforme to a constitution made by his Father should haue lost both his eyes and so bee deprived of all sight this Zaleucus did not spare himself but pulling out one of his owne eyes and another of his sonnes left the vse of seeing to them both and so behovâ—d himself a mercifull and pitifull Father and a iust or vpright Law-giver Also if Codrus a â—ing of Athens of great nobilitie and greater affection and pittie who for his subjects safetie did suffer yea seek death most willingly for when hee received a response of an oracle that his enemies the people of Peloponesus should bee victorious and rulers if they did not Virgilius in Fâ—logis kill the King of their adversaries Codrus deceived them for in the Aut Alconis habes laudes aut iurgia Codri habite of a beggar by chyding and vpbraiding hee provoked them to slay him and vnknowne to any hee died for his
f Genes 44.33 be a servant for his brother Benjamin while with Ioseph hee was interceeding for him so CHRIST g Philip. 2. 7 made himselfe of no reputation and tooke on him the forme a servant and in his vnspeakable loue for thy sake became obedient vnto the death of the crosse that hee might bee thy most affectioned Advocate If Pylades so pleaded for his deare Ciceâ—o de amicitia friend Orestes that for the favour hee caried towards him before King Thoas hee was willingly content to lose his life and die for him much more will CHRIST who calleth h Iohn 15. 15 thee his friend pleade more lovingly for thee in respect hee hath i Iohn 10. 15 laide downe his life for thee Lastly CHRIST is a most happie Advocate for the cause In respect of the good successe was never lost which hee maintaineth that person never perished whom hee defendeth That woman k Iohn 8. 12 taken in the act of adulterie was accused but not condemned CHRIST being her Advocate who as hee most sufficiently and perfectly performeth his owne part so hee giveth strength and grace to his Client to behaue himselfe duetifully Albeit Cicero Plutarch in vita Ciceron in the defence of Milo by his wiledome and eloquence so moved and perswaded the Iudges that they were of purpose to absolue him but hee could not cause his Client to behaue himselfe humbly and therefore because of his proude carâ—age and for his arrogancie hee was condemned and banished Yet CHRIST being thy Advocate by his Spirit will so moue and perswade thee that thou shall continually and most willingly doe that which the l Mich. 6. 8 LORD requireth of thee even to doe justly to loue mercy to humble thy selfe greatly that thou may walke with thy GOD worthily he will bestow grace m Heb. 12. 28 vpon thee whereby thou mayest serue GOD that thou may please him with reverence and feare for ever and ever Secondly If thou be terrified in respect of thine adversaries fighting Christ is thy Chiâ—taine to presâ—rue thee against thee thou mayest be of good comfort because thou hast a strong Captaine and most valiant and expert Chiftaine even that Lyon n Revel 5. 5 which is the of tribe of â—udah to support and helpe thee Philip did say that an armie of Harts having a Lyon their governour Stobaeus sermone 52. is better than an armie of Lyons having a Hart their commander albeit thou of thy selfe bee weake and timorous â—et thy Captaine and defender is most couragious and valorous As Ioshua disconfited mightie Kings his enemies and made his people come o Iosh 10. 24 neere and set their feete vpon their necks so CHRIST shall p Rom. 16. 20 trode Sathan and all enemies vnder thy feete shortly and giue vnto thee a most notable and glorious victorie Thirdly If thou be dismayed because of thâ—â—e owne weaknesse Christ is thy good guide of thy slâ—â—pinesse of thy owne vncleannesse and of thine owne povertie and indigence yet rejoyce q 1 Thess 5. 16 continually hope r Psal 27. 14 in the Lord be strong and hee shall comfort thine heart for CHRIST shall bee thy governour and Master Å¿ Isaiah â—5 4 hee will show thee the path of lyfe and leade t Psal 16. 11 thee in the right way wherein thou shouldst walke and furnish thee with all necessarie good things CHRIST IESUS a most blessed guide is not like Iehonam the sonne of Carcah who guided the people from Iudea into Egypt where they u Ierem. 44.27 were consumed by the sword and by the famine vntill they were vtterly destroyed Neither is hee like Arimenes an Arabian Prince who circumveined Plutarch in vita Crassi Crassus and brought him to desert wildernesse and sinking sands where many of his armie were destroyed and his owne sonne killed Nor yet like a more guilfull guide Andromachus who led him to watrie ground and marrishes Ibidem where hee was compelled to render himselfe to the will of his enemie and then was slaine pittifully But IESUS hee is a most true and loving guide who will leade thee x Psal 23. 2 by still waters and make thee rest in greene pastures Hee will strengthen thee in weaknesse preserue thee in dangers comfort thee in miseries furnish thee in necessities hee surely will bring thee with Iacob from y Genes 31. 1 Sechem a place of perplexitiâ— to Bethel a place of peace and safetie hee will bring thee speedily from z Exod. 15. 27 Marah a station of bitternesse vnto Elim where are twelue fountaines of water hee certainly will bring thee from Egypt a place of slaverie to Canaan a countrie of plentie and libertie hee will turne thy shame to honour thy paine to pleasure thy sorrow to gladnesse thy miserie to happinesse he will make a Rom. 8. 28 all things worke together for thy best If b Isaiah 44.7 for a little while hee hath forsaken thee with great compassion will hee gather if for a little season for a moment hee hath hid his face from thee Yet with everlasting mercie will hee haue commiseration on thee If c Iohn 16. 33 in this world thou hast affliction content thy selfe with thy portion and perswade thy selfe that in CHRIST in due tyme thou shall haue peace and endlesse consolation But now let vs come to speake of the causes of prayer of the necessitie thereof of the profite of prayer of the dignitie thereof of some circumstances of the signes of prayer and of the force and efficacie thereof and that briefly and plainly as GOD of his good grace shall assist vs by his Holie SPIRIT OF THE CAVSES OF PRAYER The thirtenth Chapter SVrely thou hast many causes of fervent prayer 1. If thou looke to GOD Seven causes of fervent prayer thy Father If thou looke to â—â—sus CHRIST thy Saviour if thou looke to the holy Spirit thy saâ—ctifier 2 If thou looke to the Devill a lyar a and a Iohn â— 44 murtherer 3. If thou consider other Christians for whom thou shouldest pray and whose good example it becommeth thee to follow 4. If thou consider the wicked whom thou shouldest eshew 5. If thou take heede to thy owne selfe to thy necessitie and misery 6. If thou bebold the worldlie vanitie pollution danger and impietie 7. If thou shall remember the necessitie vtilitie dignitie and efficacie of prayer in the Chapters following all are causes of sufficient force to moue this holie duetie chiefly considering thy Christian calling First The Great and glorious GOD thy loving Father hee GODS command who is thy Father Master and King commandeth thee to b Psal 50. 15 call vpon Him in the day of thy trouble Now seeing Ioseph c Genes 38.14 obeyed his earthly father thou hast great reason to obey thy Heavenly Father who is also a most righteous and gratious d
Malach. 1.6 Master If Absoloms e 2 Sam. 13.29 servants obeyed him an evill Master in an vnlawfull and wicked action farre rather art thou oblished to obtemperate thy good Master in a lawfull dead Absolom commanded that his brother Amnon should bee slaiâ—e GOD commandeth this service that thy soule may bee saved and therefore absolutely ought to bee obeyed Seeing moreover he is King Almightie who e Math. 10.28 is able to destroy both soule and bodie in hell eternally and to giue thee a great reward for thy obedience and loyaltie when King David but desired to drinke of the water of the well of Bethlem three f 1 Sam. 25.15 of his subjects brake through the hoast of the Philistims and brought vnto him that water longed for thus they ventred their liues for Davids sake and for his plâ—asure And shouldest not thou much more willingly hazard thy life to giue vnto GOD obedience to doe his Majestie acceptable service Who Gods promise maketh also vnto thee most sweet and comfortable promises to deliver g Psal 50 1â— thee to h Psal 91. 1â— glorifie thee to satisfie thee with long life and to show thee his salvation He perfitly performed his promise given of a Kingdome not only to i 2 Sam. 5. â— David whom hee loved but also to k 1 King 11. 3â— Ieroboam an idolator whom hee hated l Iosh 23. 14 all his promises shall in due tyme vndoubtedly come to passe nothing shall faile thereof So hee promiseth if thou pray m Ierem 29.12 to him to heare thee if thou seeke him to be found of thee Againe when thou considerest CHRIST IESUS thy Saviour thou shall confesse that thou hast good CHRISTS example cause of prayer Consider thy redemer remaining in this earth hee n Math. 14.23 went vp into a mountaine alone to pray for a long-space of time In o Heb. 5. 7 the dayes of his flesh hee offered vp prayers and supplications with strâ—ng crying and teares Quòd si ille orabat qui sine pecato crat quantò magis peccatores oportet orare If hee prayed who was without sinne how much more behoueth it sinners for to pray His precept also and promises Christ his precept and promise is cause of prayer may cause thee to call vpon GOD Aske p Math 7. 7 saith Hee and it shall bee given you seeke and you shall find knock and it shall bee opened vnto you Moreover Seing hee q Heb. 9. 24 is entred into Heaven himselfe to appeare CHRISTS intercession now in the sight of GOD for thee to make continuall request and intercession for thee Hast not thou great reason to make request for thy owne selfe When the r Levit. 16. 17 high Priest went into the holy place to make atonement then the whole multitude of the people stood without in Å¿ Luke 1. 10 prayer while the incense was in burning Seing therefore thou hast t Hebr. 4. 14 a great high Priest which hath entred into Heaven even IESVS the Sonne of GOD who now is at the u Ephes 1. 20 right hand of the FATHER to make request and intercession for thee to procure thy peace and reconciliation hast thou not who are without in this earth great reason to continue thy selfe in earnest prayer and supplication to the end thou mayest obtaine eternall salvation Furthermore If thou desirest The desire of the grouth of the graces of Spirit a cause of prayer an increase of the graces of the holy Spirit that they may the more abundantly bee bestowed vpon thee thou hast cause to pray for the same more earnestly for thy Heavenly Father x Luke 11. 13 will giue the holy Ghost a greater measure of his gifts to thee that desireth him for the same Spirit is both the cause and effect of our prayer Scultet cap. 3 de precatione and petitions Secondly If thou take heede Cause of prayer Sathans power to the Devill thy mortall enemie thou will pray to GOD most fervently hee thy deadly adversarie y 1 Pet. 5. 8 like a roaring Lyon walketh about seeking to devore thee Hee is stronger than z 1 Sam. 17.4 Goliah desirous to destroy with firie a Ephes 6. 16 darts 2. He is much more craftie than b 2 Sam. 16.23 Achitophell by his wicked counsell and machinations plotting to supprise thee 3. Hee is more false than c Ierem. 41. 6 Ishmael promising to pleasure thee but will punish thee for ever 4. Hee is more cruell than Herod who slew d Math. 2. 16 the male children that were in Bethlehem but he would kill body and soule eternally 5. Sathan is more malitious than e Esther 3. 6 Haman who purposed to put to death Mordecay and all the people of his country So desireth the Devill to destroy thee and all thy of-spring and posteritie 6. Sathan is much more treacherous than Saul who albeit hee f 1 Sam. 18.29 verse 21 became alwayes Davids enemie yet in appearance of loue and familiaritie he gaue his daughter to him in marriage for to be a suare to him So Sathan although hee would giue the whole world to thee and although hee spake to thee the trueth and veritie yet it is ever his minde to hurt thee to ensnare thee and altogether to overthrow thee 7. He is restlesse and g Iob. 1.7 never ceasseth but with shamelesse impudencie with continuall celeritie and agilitie hee accuseth thee hee persueth thee for thy perdition and endlesse torment and destruction Seing then such is the strength craft crueltie deceate malitiousnesse The estate of the Church is a cause of prayer treacherie and vigilancie of thy spirituall enemie thou hast great cause to pray most earnestly and vncessantly Thirdly if thou consider other Christians of the familie i Galat. 6. 10 of faith thou knowing some yea too manie molested and vexed on everie side with k Zach. 1. 14 the foure hornes of persecution thou then shouldest bee sorie l Nehem. 1. 4 for Iosephs affliction and with Nehemiah fast and pray for the reproach and miserie of Hierusalem Certainly seeing thou art a member of Christs body the Church militant it is thy duetie to m Psal 1â—2 6 pray for the peace of Hierusalem when thou shalt see the graces of GOD multiplyed vpon thy brethren and them walking n Ephes â— 1 worthy of their Christian calling and living an holy life and godly conversation thou shouldest aske of GOD that thou thy selfe may become an earnest imitator of tâ—eâ—r good courses and true religion that GOD alwayes may bee more and more glorified his kingdome enlarged Satan and his power confounded and thy selfe surely perserved yea that the whole p Ephes 5. 23 spirit soule and body of all Saints may bee kept blamelesse vntill the comming of our Lord IESVS CHRIST Fourthly when thou shall behold
none can be f Iohn 14. 16 comforted confirmed nor glorified if I say this sanctifying Spirit be necessarie so also is prayer seing our g Luke 11. 13 Heavenly Father will giue the holy Ghost to them that desire him But if thou shall say that prayer is not so needfull because many evill doers haue gotten good gifts and haue not prayed arightly for the same as Cain h Genes 4 8 a vagabound and runnagate received strength Esau i Hebr. 12. 16 a profane person his fathers k Genes 25 2â— favour Naball a foolish man received l â— Sam. 25. 36 riches traiterous Achitophell m 2 Sam. 16.23 worldly wisdome wicked n Esther 3. 1 Haman worldlie honour cruell Iezabell o 2 King 9. 30 was faire and beautifull wretched p Luke 9. â— ludas had learning yea the gift of preaching and proud q Exod. 1. â— Pharaâ—h received an earthly Kingdome that these curst catiues did not pray nor call vpon the name of the LORD I answere albeit GOD r Math. 5. 45 maketh his sunne to arise both on the evill and the good and sendeth raine on the just and vnjust yet these be commoun and earthly benefits temporary gifts these will be but as Å¿ Rom. 12.20 coales of fire vpon their heads and aggravate their just condemnation but the godly who call vpon the LORD conscientiously they receiue true grace spirituall Heavenly and eternall blessings vnto their everlasting salvation OF THE PROFITE OF TRVE PRAYER The fifteenth Chapter ALbeit the Atheist whose candle shall bee put out who shall bee as stubble before the winde as chaâ—fe which the storme carieth away or as a Isaiah 1. 31 tow before the fire will thus foolishly say Who b Iob. 21. 15 is the Almightie that I should serue him and what profite shall I haue if I pray vnto him Yet let the faithfull Christian certainly bee perswaded that as godlinesse c 1 Tim. 6. 6 is great gaine so is prayer which procureth godlinesse Prayer is profitable for keeping of good it must be great gaine Vtilitas as the naturall Philosopher sayeth wisely est praesentium bonorum conservatio aut absentium Arist Rhetor. ad Aâ—exan comparatio aut malorum instantium propulsio aut futurorum incommodorum inhibitio hoc dividitur in corpus animam res â—ternas that is to say This is vtilitie the keeping of good things which are present the acquiring of good things which are absent or the holding off and propulsion of evill things which are neere and instant or the staying and inhibition of hurts and detriments to come and this is divided to the body soule and eternall things Prayer then is profitable for preserving true light and saving knowledge in thy minde least the divell blindfold thee and pluck out the eyes of thy soule that thou mayest haue d 2 Tim. 2. 7 vnderstanding in all things necessary and expedient for keeping holynesse in thine affection and in thy conversation for preserving of health strength riches good name children and posteritie for keeping of all publict and private good Secondly Invocation or calling vpon GOD is most commodious Prayer is profitable for purchasing good for purchasing of good things that are lost or absent If therefore thou e Revel 2. 4 hast lost thy first loue and hast lost that sweete familiaritie and acqâ—aintance which sometimes most comfortably thou hast had with thy GOD if thou hast lost his pretious pâ—â—sence his gratious favour his sanctifying Spirit peace of conscience health of body worldly honour earthly wealth deare friends loving children or what ever is beloved of thee True prayer is most profitable to recover all that GOD may lift vp f Psal 4. 6 the light of his countenance vpon thee that hee may vouchsafe his loue and favour vpon thee that againe thou mayest renue thy acquaintaince g Iob. 22. 25 and make friendship with thy GOD that thou mayest loue h Deut. 6.5 him with all thine heart soule strength and minde that thou mayest find the LORD alwayes i 2 Chron 15.2 with thee and thou with him that GOD may create k Psal 51. 10 a clcane heart and renue a right spirit within thee that all good things lost may bee restored vnto thee that the LORD l Iâ—b 42. 12 may blesse thy last dayes more than the first that thou maâ—est receiue whatsoever good thou requirest for this life or the life to come Thirdly Prayer is profitable for removing of punishment already Prayer is profitable foâ—â—emâ—ving of present 〈◊〉 â—â—s inâ—â—iâ—ted whither they be commoun judgâ—ments as sword â—â— famâ—â—e pestilence or particulare judgments m 1 King â— 37 and corrections for sicknesse â—anishment want and distresse Consider the example of David Hezâ—kiâ—h Manasse Samson and others Fourthly Prayer is profitable for averting plagues that are threatned Pâ—â—yer is profitable for averting of punishments threatned and denunced A plaine proofe heereof in the Ninivits when they did n Ioâ— 3.8 cry vnto GOD mightily the LORD enclined his eare mercifully and delivered them from that destruction which was denounced Againe an other man speaketh pertinently to this purpose that Vtilitas in continuá rei boâ—ae possessione consistit vtilitie consisteth in a continuall possession of a good thing Then prayer is most profitable for by the helpe thereof the blessed GOD shall bee thy o Psâ—l 16.5 portion thy lot thine inheritance aâ—d perpetuall possession thy everlasting habitation p Psal 90. 1 from generation to generation all things whether q 1 Câ—r 3. 22 thâ—y bee things present or things to come shall bee thâ—ne and thou Christs and Christ Gods thou shall surely haue a continuall pâ—ssession of GOD himselfe and r Rom. 8. 28 all things shall worke together for thy best True prayer assuredly is profitable for people of all age â—exe estate and condition at all times for ever mâ—st profitable for young Å¿ Genes 25 63 Isaak â—or old t Luke 2. 29 Simâ—on for n 1 Sam. 1. 10 Hanna a woman as for Eâ—canah her husband for rich King x 1 King 8â— 23 Aequâ— pauperibus prodest lâ—cupletibâ—s aequè Aequè neglectuâ—â— pueris senibusque nocebat Salomon as for poore Lazarus in time of health and in tyme of sicknes during lifetime and at thy dyâ—â—g day For if thou pray duâ—â—â—fully if thou heare GODS word â—â—â—gently then y Isaiah 48. 17 the LORD will teach thee to profit â—â—a 〈◊〉 â—â—â—e by the way thou shoâ—â—â—â—◠〈◊〉 If the Apoâ—â—'e 〈◊〉 Iohn Marke to bee broâ—ght to him because hee waâ— proâ—â—â—â— z 2 Tim. 4. 11 vnto him to minister thâ—â— shoâ—'dest desire that thou may bee â—â—â—tinuallie pâ—â—â—e to 〈◊〉 which is most 〈◊〉 to minister vnto 〈◊〉 necessitiâ—s to mâ—â—â—rat all thine affaires to maâ—e thee happy hâ—ere and for eveâ— Amen OF THE DIGNITIE OF PRAYER The sixteenth