Elijahs fiery-Chariot OR GLOWING-COALS Taken from GODS ALTAR Being excellent Prayers and Meditations fitted for all Persons in all Conditions Composed by divers learned Fathers and Martyrs in the Church of God The like never before extant London Printed for Thomas Rooks and are to be sold at his Shop at the sign of the Lamb at the East-end of St. Pauls Church 1659. The Epistle Reader LEt no prejudicate opinion divert or fiery passion impedeâ— thy â—erusual of this little Manuâ—l because it adventures inâ—o a litigious world without 〈◊〉 Guardian for know ussuâ—edly it is no other than a Dove sent out of the Ark Gods Church to view the frame of the children of men and amidst the various actions of contentious spirits will certainly return with the Olive branch of Peace to each faithful Soul for indulgent mercy being alwayes ready with unwearied beams of Love and Light to guide the staggering steps of the rebellious and sinful yet returning man will never permit the great Abaddon to destroy the lives of precious Souls either by devouring their Religion in the flames of pretendâ—d but ignorant zeal or devouring their devotion in the overflowing deluge of a licentious tolleration for Heavens propâ—â—ious eye is ever watchful over his own peculiar Flock taking care that his inheritance may not be destroyed by that strange fire which is daily offered up from the usurped unlawful censors of pretended gifts by the many presumptious Corahs which like the Egyptian Flyes have of late overspread the whole Land that the grand Impostors of the world may no longer prevail upon the hearts of good people It hath pleased Almighty God to inspire stir up the hearts of some they of the faithfullest and most eminent Watchmen of our Israel in this ensuing Treatise to furnish us the unlearned and ignorant with Prayers Arguments and fervent ejaculations so to cast some glowing coals into the hearts and minds of the most excellent Christians whereby the fervor of their devotions may be increased The work is short but pithy as containing in it the Elixar of all religious service the epitomy of all piety and the whole of every man furnishing them with Prayers and Meditations for all times in all conditions and upon all occasions In short it is the platform both of prayer and meditation wherein is copied out Elijahs fiery-Chariot that with speed will carry fainting Souls to the place of comfort and rest Jacobs Bethel wherein the strongest man in Christ Jesus may strive and wrestle with his maker the Key of David which if turned by the hand of Faith will open the dore of Heaven to the greatest of sinners AN INTRODVCTION to Praier FOrasmuch as of our selues we are destitute of all good things and vtterly voide of all necessary helpes to saluation the Lord our God of his owne free mercie and goodnesse offereth himselfe to vs in Christ and in him he giueth vnto vs in the stead of our misery al felicity in the stead of our pouerty the vnspeakable riches of his grace he openeth vnto vs in him the treasures of heaueÌ„ that our faith might wholy behold him and our hope bee fully fixed vpon him Jn whom it hath pleased him that the fulnesse of his grace should dwell that from thence we might all draw as out of a most plentifull fountaine the waters of eternall life This secret and great misterie is reuealed to such onely whose eies the Lord hath opened to see light in his light Therefore since we are taught by faith that whatsoeuer we haue need of is wanting in vs the same is laid vp with God for vs in Christ it remaineth that we seeke it in him Rom 10 with praier craue it of him The Apostle therefore to shew that true faith cannot be separated from the inuocation of Gods holy name hath set this order that as faith commeth by the Gospell so by the same faith our hearts are stirred vp to call vpon the name of Gâ—d and therefore he saith that the spirit of adoption which sealeth in our hearts the witnesse of the Gospell raiseth vp our spirits that they dare with boldnesse shew forth their desires it stirreth vp in vs vnspeakeable gronings and causeth vs to cry with confidence Abba Father By the benefit of prayer therefore we attaine to those riches which God hath laide vp in store for vs for thereby we haue familiar accesse to God and boldly entring into the sanctuarie of heauen we put him in mind of his promises so that now by experience wee feele and finde that to be true indeede which by the word we did before but onely beleeue now we enioy those treasures by Prayer which by faith wee did before but onely behold in the Gospell of our Lord Jesus Now how necessary and profitable this exercise of prayer is appeareth in that the Lord himselfe witnesseth our whole saluation to consist in the calling vpon his name whereby he is wholly present with vs namely by his prouidence and fatherly care by the which he vvatcheth ouer vs by his power by the which hee sustaineth and succoureth our weakenesse being euery moment ready to perish and by his goodnesse and mercy by the which he receiueth vs into fauour being miserably loaden and pressed down with sinne And hereby groweth singular rest and quietnesse to our conscience For when wee haue disclosed to him our necessity herein we finde most ioyfull and perfect quietnesse that none of our euils are hidden from him whom we are perswaded to bee both most willing and also most able to helpe vs. Now that our praier may be made in such wise as it ought to be first wee must see that we be in heart and minde no otherwise prepared then becommeth those that enter into talke with God as we are taught Eccl. 28. Before thou pray prepare thy selfe and be not as one that tempteth God We must consider therfore when we pray in whose presence wee stand to whom wee speake and what we desire We stand in the presence of the Almighty creator of heauen and earth all things therein contained to whose eternall Maiesty innumerable thousands of Angels do assist serue and obey we speake vnto him who knoweth the secrets of our harts before whom nothing is more odious then hypocrisie dissimulation we aske those things which be most for his glory the comfort of our consciences VVee must therefore diligently endeuour our selues to remoue all such things as may offend his diuine maiestie And first that wee bee free from all worldly cares and fleshly cogitations whereby our minds are carried hither thither and being drawne out of heauen from the pure beholding of God are pressed downe to the earth And here let vs call to mind how vnreuerently we abuse the great goodnesse of God calling vs into familiar talke with him when we haue not that reuerent feare of his sacred Maiestie that we would haue of an earrhly creature or
our distrusting and doubtfull hearts our carnall our secure our idle hearts our impure malitious arrogaÌ„t enuious wrathfull impatient couetous hypocriticall and epicurall hearts in place therof giue vs new harts soft harts faithfull harts mercifull hearts louing obedient chast pure holy righteous true simple lowly patient hearts to feare thee to loue thee to trust in thee for euer Write thy law in our harts graft it in our minds we heartily beseech thee Giue vs the spirit of praier make vs diligent and happy in the works of our saluation take into thy custody and gouernance for euer our soules and bodies our liues and all that euer we haue Tempt vs neuer further then thou wilt make vs able to beare and whatsoeuer thou knowest we haue need of in soule and body dear God and gratious Father vouchsafe to giue vs the same in thy good time alwais as thy children guide vs so that our life may please thee and our death praise thee though Iesus Christ our Lord for whose sake we heartily pray thee to grant these things thus asked and al other things necessary for soule and body not only to vs but to all others also for whom thou wouldest that we should pray specially for thy children that bee in thraldome in exile in prison misery heauinesse pouerty sicknesse c. Be mercifull to the whole realme of England and grant vs all true repentance and turne from vs the euils that we so wickedly haue deserued pardon our enemies persecutors slanderors and if it be thy pleasure turn their hearts Be mercifull vnto our parents brethren sisters friends kinsfolkes and familiars neighbours and such as by any meanes thou hast coupled and linked to vs by loue or otherwise and vnto vs poore sinners here gathered together in thy holy name grant thy blessing and holy spirit to sanctifie vs and dwell in vs as thy deare children to keepe vs this day and for euer from all euill to thy eternall glory our euerlasting comfort and the profit of thy Church which mercifully maintaine cherish and comfort strengthning them that stand so that they neuer fall lifting vp them that be fallen and keep vs from falling from thy truth through the merits of thy dearely beloued son Iesus Christ our onely Sauiour which liueth and raigneth with thee and the holy Ghost to whom be all praise and honour both now and for euer Amen I. B. A praier for the true knowledge of the mystery of our redemption in Christ O Almighty God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ and by him also our Father the father of all mercy and God of al consolation haue mercy vpon vs and heare our praiers We most humbly beseech thee for thy deare son Iesus Christ his sake for his merits and cruell death which he suffered to deliuer vs from eternall death and the power of darknes send into our hearts the spirit of truth to worke in vs a true liuely stedfast faith that the clear light and brightnes of thy Gospell the glory of Christ may shine vnto vs and lighten our minds that wee may learn and vnderstand the wonderful and vnspeakable riches of the mystery of our redemption in Christ and by Christ O Father of glory giue vnto vs the spirit of wisedom bring vs vnto the true knowledge of this thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ the knowledge of thy selfe Open and lighten the eyes of our minds and vnderstanding that we may know what the hope is whereunto thou hast called vs and how the rich glory of thine inheritance is vpon thy Saintes and the exceeding greatnes of thy power towards vs that by true faith by vnderstanding and knowledge of thine eternall wisedome which is Iesus Christ we may be indeed as wee are called true Christians and vnfained professors of thy holy name to worship thee in spirit and truth and to set forth the glory of thy grace giuen vnto vs in Christ Iesus our Lord Amen O deare father write in our harts loue of thy law hate to al sin thankfulnes of heart and continuall heate of thy holy spirit for thy Son Iesus Christs sake To whom with thee and thy holy spâ—rit be all honor maiesty glory thanks rule empire and dominion for euermore Amen A forme of thanksgiuing for our redemption and praier for the strength and increase of faith O Lord increase our faith Luk 17. ETernall praise and thanks bee giuen vnto thee deare God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which hast blessed vs with ali spiritual blessings Ephe. 4. in heauenly things by Christ in that thou hast chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world was laid that we should bee without blame before thee through him by whom we haue redemption through his blood euen the forgiuenesse of our sinnes in whom after we heard the word of truth the Gospel of our saluation wherein we beleeued Rom. 8. we are sealed with the holy spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance which spirit hath and doth beare witnesse vnto our spirits that we are thy children and therefore crieth in our hearts Abba Father And thus most gracious father when thou hast once giuen the earnest penny of our saluation vnto our hearts thou doest not repent of thy gift and calling neither wilt thou at any time breake thy couenant of grace and mercy in Christ thy sonnes merits confirmed in vs by that seale loue token For what though we be weake in our beliefe Rom. 3. shall our vnbeliefe make thy promise of none effect No thou wilt alway be found true but all men are lyers And yet Lord thou dost most graciously behold and accept be it neuer so little a sparke of faith Wee say therefore and cry vnto thee Mar. 9 with one that wept and said I beleeue Lord help my vnbeliefe Yea that little be it neuer so litle is thy meer gâ—ft also The which as thou hast begun so most merciful Lord increase yâ— same more and more to the peace and comfort of our conscience and the glory of thy name through Iesus Christ Amen A thanksgiuing to God for his great benefits HOnour and praise be giuen to thee Lord God Almighty most deare Father of heauen for all thy mercies and louing kindnesse shewed vnto vs in that â—t hath pleased thy gracious goodnes freely and of thine owne accord to elect and choose vs to saluation afore the beginning of the world and euen like continuall thanks bee giuen vnto thee for creating vs after thine own image for redeeming vs with the precious bloud of thy deare sonne when we were vtterly lost for sanctifying vs with thy holy spirit in the reuelation and knowledge of thy sacred word for helping and succouring vs in all our need and necessity for sauing vs from all danger both of body and soule for comforting vs so fatherly in al our troubles afflictions for sparing vs so long and giuing
blindnes corruption of our hearts is such that we are not able to arise vp vnto thee by faithfull and hearty praier according to our great necessity without thy singular grace and assistance grant vnto vs gracious Lord thy holy and sanctifying spirit to worke in vs this good worke with grace to weigh and consider the need and greatnesse of that wee doe desire and with an assured faith and trust that thou wilt grant vs our requests because thou art good and gracious euen to yong Rauens calling vpon thee much more then to vs for whom thou hast made all things yea and hast not spared also thine owne deare sonne because thou hast commanded vs to call vpon thee because thy throne wherto we come is a throne of grace and mercy because thou hast giuen vs a mediator Christ to bring vs vnto thee being the way by whom we come being the doore by whom we enter being our head on whom we hang hope that our poor petitions shal not be in vain through him for his names take We beseech thee therefore of thy rich mercy wherin thou art plentifull to all them that cal vpon thee to forgiue vs our sinnes namely our vnthankfulnes vnbeleefe selfeloue neglect of thy word security hypocrisie contempt of thy long suffering omission of prayer doubting of thy power presence mercy and good wil towards vs vnsensiblenesse of thy grace impatience c. And to this thy benefit of correcting vs and this gracious gift of repentance faith the spirit of praier the contempt of this world and hearty desiring of euerlasting life Indue vs with thy holy spirit according to thy couenant of mercy aswell to assure vs of pardon and that thou doest accept vs in thy fauour as thy deare children in Christ and for his sake as to write thy law in our hearts and so to worke in vs that wee may now begin and go forward in beleeuing louing fearing obeying praysing hoping seruing thee as thou doest require most fatherly and most iustly of vs accepting vs as perfect in thy sight through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier of the afflicted for the profession of Gods Word O Gratious God which seekest all meanes possible how to bring thy children into the feeling sure sense of thy mercy and therefore when prosperity will not serue then sendest thou aduersity graciously correcting them here whom thou wilt haue elsewhere to liue with thee for euer we poore wretches giue humble praises and thanks to thee that thou hast vouchsed vs worthy of thy correction at this present heereby to worke that which wee in prosperity and liberty did neglect For the which neglecting and many other our grieuous sinnes whereof we now accuse our selues before thee most mercifull Lord thou mightest most iustly haue giuen vs ouer and destroied vs both in soul body But such is thy goodnes towards vs in christ that thou seemest to forget all our offences and as though we were far otherwise then we bee indeed thou wilt that we should suffer this crosse now laid vpon vs for thy truth and Gospels sake and so be thy witnesses with the Prophets Apostles Martyrs Confessors yea with thy dearely beloued son Iesus Christ to whom thou dost now here begin to fashion vs like that in thiâ— glory we may be like to him also O good God what are we on whom thou shouldest shew this great mercy Oh louing Lord forgiue vs our vnthankfulnesse and sinnes Oh faithfull Father giue vs thine holy spirit now to crie in our hearts Abba dear Father to assure vs of our eternall election in Christ to reueale more and more thy truth vnto vs to confirme strengthen and stablish vs in the same that we may liue die in it as vessels of thy mercy to thy glory and to the commodity of thy Church Indue vs with the spirit of thy wisedome that with good conscience we may alwaies so answer the enemies in thy cause as may turn to their conuersion or confusion our vnspeakable consolation in Christ Iesus for whose sake we beseech thee henceforth to keepe vs to giue vs patience and to wil no otherwise our deliuerance or mitigation of our misery then may stand alwaies with thy good pleasure and mercifull will towards vs. Grant this deare Father not only to vs in this place but also to all others elsewhere afflicted for thy names sake through the death and merits of Iesus Christ our Lord Amen I.B. A praier to God the Father the Son and the holy Ghost O Almighty and euerliuing God the eternall Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which of thy vnmeasurable goodnes hast opened thy self vnto vs and with a loud voice hast said of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lord Heare him O maker and preseruer of all things with thy coeternall son our Lord Iesus Christ which raigneth with thee and was manifested in Ierusalem with thy holy spirit which was poured vpon the Apostles O wise God mercifull Iudge and mighty Lord which hast said As truely as I liue I will not the death of a sinner but rather that he shold conuert amend which also hast said Cal vpon me in the day of trouble and I will deliuer thee haue mercy vpon vp for Iesus Christs sake whom thou wouldest of thy meruellous and incomprehensible counsaile should bee made for vs a slaine sacrifice He. 6.11 mediator reconciler and peace-maker to the end that thou mightest shew thine exceeding great wrath against sin and thine inestimable mercy towards mankind Sanctifie and illuminate our hearts and soules with thy holy spirit that wee may truely beleeue in thee call vpon thee bee thankfull vnto thee and obedient to thy holy will Defend gouerne cherish thy Church as thou hast promised saying Esa 55. This is my couenant that I haue made with them My spirit which is in thee and my word which I haue put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed for euer Preserue those kingdomes common weales which giue harboure to thy people and maintaine the ministery of thy holy word and Gospell that the kingdome of thy sonne Iesus Christ may increase and shine throughout all the world O Iesus Christ Sonne of the euerlasting God A praier to God the Son crucified for vs and raised also from the dead and now raigning at the right hand of thy father that thou maist giue gifts vnto men which hast said Come vnto me all ye that labour and are heauy loaden and I will refresh you Haue mercy vpon vs and pray for vs vnto thy eternal Father Joh. 14. sanctifie and gouerne vs with thy holy spirit helpe and succour vs in al our necessities as thou hast promised saying I will not leaue you comfortlesse O holy and blessed spirit together with the father and the son one true and euerliuing God full of maiesty and power which with thy heauenly
euil alwaies before thee should call thee and beleeue thee this God and Father of our Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ to be in very deed my Father that is thou wouldest I should be most assured that thou of thine owne good will which thou barest to mewards before I was yea before the world was hast in Christ chosen mee to be thy childe and through him art become my most louing Father from whom I should looke for all good things be most certainly perswaded that loâ—ke how much thou art more then a man so much thy loue and fatherly prouidence towards me passeth the loue and prouidence of any Father towards his child in louing mee caâ—ing how to helpe mee prouiding for mee nurturing mee and heâ—ping me in all my needs So certaine thou wouldest haue mee to bee of this that to doubt of it doth most displease thee and dishonour thee as though either thou were not true or not able to doe these things or else becamest not my father in respect of thine owne goodnesse in Christ only but also in respect of my worthinesse and deserts Causes to comfort our f i th that God is our father And that I should not wauer or doubt of this that thou art my deare Father and I thy childe for euer through Iesus Christ it is required in the first commandement which saith I am the Lord thy God thou shalt haue none other Gods but me Againe thy sonne doth here command mee to call thee by the name of Father Moreouer in the fâ—rst article of my beleefe I professe the same in saying I beleeue in God the Father almighty Besides this there are manie other things to confirme me herein as the creation and gouernement of the world generally and of euerie creature particularly for all is made and kept for man and so for me to serue me for my commoditie necessitie and admonition Again the creation of me in that thou hast made mee after thy image hauing a reasonable soule body shape c. where thou mightest haue made me a Toad a serpent a Swine deformed franticke c. Moreouer thy wonderfull conseruation nourishing and keeping of me hitherto in my infancy childhood youth c. All these I say should confirme my faith in thy fatherly loue But of all things the opening of thy selfe by thy word and promise of grace made after mans fall fâ—rst to Adam then to Abraham Isaac Iacob and so to other being published by the Prophets from time to time and last of all accomplished by thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ in whom thy promises are yea and Amen the opening of thy selfe thus I say in and by Christ is the most chiefe and sure certificate that thou art my Father for his sake and I thy deare childe although of my selfe I am most vnworthie For thou according to thy promises hast not spared thy deare Son Iesus Christ but giuen him to the death of the Crosse for my sinnes Thou wouldest he should be made flesh of our flesh and blood of our blood in the wombe of the Virgin Maâ—y by the operation of thy holy spirit that we by the working of the same spirit through the merits of his flesh and blood might be made flesh of his flesh and blood of his blood that is as he hath the substance of our flesh and blood euen so wee might haue and for euer enioy in him and through him the qualities vertues and gifts oâ— righteousnesse holinesse innocencie immortalitie and glorie wherewith he hath endued our nature in his owne person for vs all that as now in faith and hope we haue the same so in his comming Phil. 3 wee might fully enioy them in very deede for then shall our bodies now vile bee like to his glorious bodie Heerein appeareth thy loue not that we loued thee but that thou louedst vs 1. John â— and hast giuen thy Sonne for vs. Heerein doest thou commend vnto vs thy loue that when wee were yet sinners Christ thy deare Sonne died for vs Rom. 5. so that nothing should seperate vs from the loue in Christ Iesus Rom. 8. neither affliction anguish persecution famine neither life nor deaâ—h c. For when we were enemies Rom. 5. wee were reconciled vnto thee by the death of thy Son much more we being reconciled shall bee saued in his life And that I should not doubt heereof but certainely be perswaded all this to pertaine to mee where I might haue beene boâ—ne of Turks and infidels loe thou wouldest I should bee borne of Christian Parents What Baptisme is and what it requireth brought into thy Church by Baptisme which is a Sacrament of adoption and requireth faith as well of remission of my sinnes as of sanctification and holinesse to bee wrought of thee in me by thy grace and holy spirit Where I might haue beene borne in an ignorant time Region thou wouldest I should bee borne in this time and Region wherein is more knowledge reuealed then euer was heere or many place is Where I might haue beene of a corrupt iudgement and intangled with many errors loe thou of thy goodnesse as thou hast reformed my iudgement so dost thou keepe it and now for the same iudgements sake doest vouchsafe What is the effâ—ct or fruiâ— that commeth of this certain perswasion that God is our father somewhat by the Crosse to try mee By all which things I should conâ—â—rme my faith of this that thou alwaies hast been art and wilt bee for euer my deare father In respect whereof as I should be certaine of saluation of the inheritance of heauen for euer so should I be thankefull cast my whole care on thee trust to thee and call on thee with comfort and certaine hope for all things that I want For in that thou hast giuen to me this benefit to bee thy child vndeserued and vndesired on my behalfe simply and onely in respect of thine owne goodnesse and grace in Christ least at anie time I should doubt of it how should I but hope certainely that nothing profitable to me can be denied in that thy power is infinite For as thy good will is declared in adopting me so nothing can be finally wanting in mee which may make for my weale for then should not thy power be almighty and therefore my beleefe requireth that I should beleeue in thee the father almightie In consideration wherof I should in all things behaue my selfe as a child reioice in thee praise thee trust in thee feare thee serue thee loue thee call vpon thee c. But alas how heauy hearted am I How vnthankefull am I How ful of vnbeleefe and doubting of this thy rich mercy How little do I loue thee feare thee call vpon thee c. Oh be mercifull vnto mee forgiue me good father for thine owne sake and grant mee the spirit of thy children to reueale thy selfe vnto me and Iesus Christ thy deare Sonne our Lord by
me to be thy childe so I pray thee giue me these things which bee the properties of thy children giuen from thee in thy good time Hallowed be thy name THy name is that whereby thou art knowne for names serue to discerne and know one thing from another Now though thou art knowne by creatures yet is this our corrupt estate Rom. 1 they serue but to make vs excuselesse Therefore most properly liuely and comfortably thou art knowne by thy holy word and specially by thy promise of grace Psalme 84.138 How Gods name is hallowed and freely pardoning and receiuing vs into thy fauour for Christ Iesus sake For the which goodnesse in Christ thou art praised and magâ—ified according to thy name that is so much as men know thee in Christ they magnifie thee and praise thee which here thou callest hallowing or sanctifying For that thou art the more holy not in respect of thy selfe but in respect of men who the more they know thee the more they caÌ„not but sanctifie thee that is they cannot but as in themselues by true faith loue feare spirituall seruice honour thee so also in their outward behauiour and words they cannot but liue in such sort The chiefe desire of Gods children as other seeing them may in and by their holinesse and godly conuersation bee occasioned as to know thee so to sanctifie thy name accordingly and therefore thou settest forth here vnto me what is the chiefe and principall wish and desire of thy children and people namely that â—hou in Christ mightest bee truely knowen and honoured both of themselues and of other inwardly and outwardly as by the contrary a man may easily perceiue The greatest griefe of Goâ—s people that the greatest sorrowe and griefe thy people haue is ignorance of thee false seruice or religion and wicked conuersation Against the which they pray and labour diligently after their vocation as they for the obtaining of the other both to other and to themselues doe take no small paine in prayer studie and godly exercise By reason heereof I see that I am farre from this desire and lamentation which is in thy children I see mine ignorance of the true knowledge of thee and thy name for else it had not needed thee so by thy word to haue reuealed thy selfe I see also mine owne ignorance of the excellencie of the same Our ignorance for else wouldest thou not haue told mee that the saÌ„ctifying of thy name is the chiefest thing thou requirest of euery man Againe I see my great want of holinesse Our great neede for else thou needest not to teach me to seeke and pray for that I want not Moreouer I see my great peruersity which would not seeke at thy hands for sanctification although I see my need thereof For the which thou wouldest not haue commaunded mee to pray if I seeing my want would haue prayed vnto thee for the same Last of all Gods loue I see thy wonderfull goodnesse which wilt vndoubtedly giue vnto me sanctification and holinesse for thou wouldest not that I should aske for that thing that thou wilt not giue mee So that I haue great cause to lament and reioyce To lament because I am so farre from this desire and lamentation which thy children haue also because of mine ignorance pouerty peruersity vnthankfulnes c. But most of all because thy holy name word and religion is so blasphemed both in doctrine in liuing of many especially in this Realme To reioice I haue great cause for thy exceeding goodnes and mercie which wouldest so disclose thy selfe by thy workes word and Gospell which wouldest open these things thus vnto me and also giue vnto mee and others sanctification in thy sight by faith and in the sight of men by purenesse of life and godly conuersation But alas I doe hartely neither the one nor the other that is lament or reioice as thou father which searchest my heart dost right well know Oh be mercifull vnto me and forgiue me yea giue me for thine owne pity thy holy spirit to reueale and open to my minde effectually my miserable estate and condition my ignorance peruersity my carelesnesse for thy true honour and dishonour in such sort that I may hartily lament these euills and haue them pardoned and taken from mee through Iesus Christ our Lord. Againe good father giue mee the same thy holy spirit to reueale to me thy name word and Gospell that I may liuely know thee vnfainedly loue thee heartily obey thee and aboue all things desire and labour by all meanes lawfull that all godlines in doctrine and conuersation may bee exercised both in mee and all others for whom thou wouldest I should pray Here think vpon the state of religion the life of the professors of the Gospel that thou maist lament some pray for some and giue thankes for some Let thy kingdome come Gods kingdom in respect of his power THy kingdome is in two sorts to be considered vniuersally and particularly Vniuersally according to thy power wherwith thou gouernest all things euery where in earth Heauen hell diuels Angels men beasts fowles fishes and all other creatures Of this kingdome spake Dauid when he said This kingdome ruleth ouer all Psal 10 4. Particularly thy kingdome is to bee considered according to thy grace wherewith thou rainest only in thy Church and elect people Gods kingdom in respect of his grace ruling and gouerning all and euery member of thy Church to thy glory and their eternall comfort Not that out of this Church I exclude thy power for as therewith thou defendest thy people so thou punishest thy enemies but because thy grace is specially considered being as it were the very keeper that keepeth and guideth thy people Godâ— kingdome in respect of his glory The time will be when this kingdome of grace and power now being as distinct shall be vnited and made one kingdome of glory which will bee when Christ shall giue vp his kingdome into thyne hands that is in the resurrection when death the last enemie shal be subdued and thou shalt be all in all In the meane season How Gods kingdome is here conside ed and enlarged this kingdome of grace is miraculously and mightily propagated enlarged and gouerned by the true ministery of thy word and Sacraments through the working of thy holy spirit And this is the meane and way whereby as thou didst first plant so doest thou enlarge amplifie and preserue the same This kingdome of grace begun continued and enlarged by the true preaching of thy Gospell and ministration of thy Sacraments is the thing which Christ teacheth here thy children to pray for that it might come that is to say that thâ— Gospel might so mightily purely and plenteously bee preached maugre the head of all thine enemies that the number of thine elect might bee brought in and so the kingdome of thy glory might appeare So that as I
away Thy sunne O most wise worker is as it were a firebrand to this world Thy kingdome whereby light commeth both to the soule and body is a firebrand to the spirituall world After day when the night cometh thou hast giuen for the remedy of darknes a candle After sinne for the remedy of ignorance thou hast giuen thy doctrine which thy deare sonne hath brought vnto vs. O thou that art the author and master of al truth and the true light make vs to see that the dimnes of our minds may be driuen cleane away Lift thou vp the light of thy countenance vpon vs and send vs ioy and gladnesse into our hearts Psal 4. Thy word is a lanterne to my feet and a light vnto my pathes Psal 119. Occasions to meditate Thinke that the knowledge which God giueth vnto vs by the caÌ„dle light whereby we see those thingâ— in this night of our bodies which are expedient for vs should make vs to wish much more for this doctrine of God and spirituall light of our soules and when we get it the more to esteeme it and diligently to embrace it Again that as all would be horrour without candle light so there is nothing but meere confusion where Gods word taketh no place When you make your selfe vnready pray THis our life and weake knit body by occasion of sin by little little shall be dissolued and so shall be restoâ—ed to the earth from whence it was taken then will be an end of this vanity which by our folly wee haue wrought to our selues O most meek father so do thou vnite me for thou art he that hath knit these our weake members together that I may perceiue my selfe to bee loosed dissolued and so may remember both of whom I was made and also whither I must goe lest I bee had vnprouided vnto thy tribunall seat Put off the old man with his lusts and concupiscences Col. 3. Eph. 4. Be content with Ioseph to put off thy prison apparell that thou maiest put on new Gen. 41. Occasions to meditate Thinke that as wee doe willingly put off our garments because wee shall receiue them againe when the Night is past so we should willingly forsake our bodies when God by death shall call vs because we shall receiue them againe in the resurrection of the lust When you enter into your bed pray THe day now ended men giue themselues to rest in the night and so this life finished wee shall rest in death nothing is more like this life then euery day nothing more like to our graue then our bed O Lord our keeper and defender grant that I now laying mee downe to rest being vnable to keepe my selfe may be preserued from the crafts assaults of the wicked enemy and grant further that when I haue run the race of this life thou wouldest of thy mercy call me vnto thee that I may liue watch with thee for euermore And now gracious God giue me to take my rest in thee and bring to passe that thy goodnes may be giuen in sleep before my eies that sleeping I be not absent from thee but may haue my dreames to draw me vnto thee and so both soule and body may be kept pure and holy for euer I will lay me downe in peace and take my rest c. Psal 4. Occasions to meditate Thinke that as the troublesome day is now past and night come and so rest quietnes and pleasant sleepe which maketh most excellent princes and poore wretches alike euen so after the tumults troubles temptations tempests of this life they that beleeue in Christ haue prepared in them an heauen and rest most pleasant ioiful As you are not afraid to enter into your bed to dispose your selfe to sleepe so be not afraide to die but rather cheerfully prepare your selfe thereunto Thinke that now you are neerer your end by one daies iourney then you were in the morning When you feele sleepe to be comming pray O Lord Iesus Christ my watchman and keeper take mee into thy protection Grant that my bodie sleeping my mind may watch in thee and be made merry by some sight of that celestial and heauenly life wherein thou art the King and Prince together with the Father the holy Ghost where the Angels and holy Soules be most happie citizens Oh purifie my soule keepe cleane my body that in both I may please thee sleeping and waking for euer Amen A generall confession of sinnes with other praiers for the morning and euening to be vsed in families and publike assemblies O Most mercifull and louing father whose loue is infinit whose mercy endureth for euer we sinfull creatures trusting in thine vnspeakable goodnes and loue toward vs do appeare this morning before thy diuine maiestie most humblie confessing our manifold sinnes and innumerable transgâ—essions of thy commaundements and fatherly will Against thee only against thee O Lord haue wee sinned wee acknowledge our offences we accuse our selues vnto thee O mercifull Lord and will not hide our vnrighteousnesse We find in our selues no thing but ignorance of thy wil disobedience unstrust doubtfulnes in thy goodnes and incredulity hatred and conâ—empt of al spiritual things selfe loue confidence in our selues feruent lusting after carnall things of this world and this tree of our corrupt nature bringeth forth continually in vs none other fruits but rotten and vnsauory workes of the flesh in thoughts words and doings vnto condemnation Wherfore we humbly beseech thy fatherly goodnes euen for thy son Iesus Christs sake whome thou hast set forth for a purchaser of mercy to vs through faith in his bloud make our hearts cleane take away our stony heart and giue vnto vs a true and liuely faith working in vs vnfained repentance and amendmen of our sinnefull life Haue mercy vpon vs and forgiue vs our sinnes for thy sonnes sake certifie our consciences of the remission of the same by thy holy spirit by whose operation so mortifie in vs our old man the whole body of sin that wee continually dying vnto sinne may walke in a newnesse of life to the glory of thy holy name through Iesus Christ our Sauiour Amen Another confession of sinnes O Eternall God most merciful father we confesse and acknowledge here before thy diuine maiesty that we are miserable sinners conceiued and borne in sinne and iniquitie so that in vs there is no goodnesse for the flesh euermore rebelleth against the Spirit whereby wee continually transgresse thy holy precepts and commandements and to purchase our selues through thy iust iudgement death and damnation Notwithstanding O heauenly Father for asmuch as now we are displeased with our selues for the sins we haue coÌ„mitted against thee Gal. 5. Rom 2. Jer. 34. Esa 20. doe vnfainedly repent vs of the same we most humbly beseech thee for Iesus Christs sake to shew thy mercy vpon vs to forgiue vs all our sinnes and to increase thy holy spirit in vs that
remembrance our manifold sinnes and wickednesse He. 9.10 whereby we continually prouoke thy wrath and indignation against vs neither our negligeÌ„ee nor our vnkindnes which haue neither worthily esteemed nor in our liues sufficiently expressed the sweet comfort of thy holy Gospel reuealed vnto vs but rather to accept the obedience and death of thy Son Iesus Christ our Lord who by offering vp his body in sacrifice once for all Psa 107 hath made a sufficient recompence for all our sinnes Haue mercy therefore vpon vs O Lord and forgiue vs our offnces Psa 9.10 Teach vs by thy holy spirit that we may rightly weigh them and earnestly repent vs for the same and so much the rather O Lord our God because that the reprobate and such as thou hast forsaken Psal 8. Pâ—al 5. cannot praise thee nor call vpon thy name but the repenting hart the sorrowful mind the conscience oppressed hungring thirsting for thy grace shal euermore set forth thy praise and glory And albeit we be but worms and dust yet thou art our Creator we be the worke of thy hands yea thou art our father we thy childreÌ„ thou art our shepheard Psal 22. 1. Cot. 6. and we thy flocke thou art our redeemer and wee thy people whom thou hast dearely bought thou art our God and wee are thine inheritance Jer. 10. Psal 6. Correct vs not therefore in thine anger O Lord our God neither according to our deserts doe thou punish vs but mercifully chastice vs with a fatherly affection that al the world may know that at what time soeuer a sinner doth repent him of his sinne from the bottome of his heart thou wilt put away all his wickednesse out of thy remembrance as thou hast promised by thy holy Prophet Finally forasmuch as it hath pleased thee to make the night for man to rest in as thou hast ordained him the day to trauaile grant O dear father that we may so take our bodily rest that our soules may continually watch for the time that our Lord Iesus Christ shall appeare for our full deliuerance out of this mortall life and in the mean season that we be not ouercome by any fantasies dreames or other temptations but may fully set our minds vpon thee loue thee feare thee and rest in thee in such sort that our very steep also may be to the glory of thy holy name Furthermore that our sleepe bee not excessiue or ouermuch after the insaciable desire of the flesh but only sufficient to content our weake nature that we may the better be disposed to liue in all godly conuersation to the glory of thy holy name and profit of our brethren through Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name we make our humble petitioÌ„s vnto thee as he hath taught vs. Our father which art c. Almighty and euerlasting God vouchsafe we beseech thee to grant vs perfect continuance in thy liuely faith augmenting increasing the same in vs daily vntill we grow to the full measure of our perfection in Christ whereof we make our confession saying I beleeue in God the father c. The Lord blesse vs and saue vs the Lord make his face to shine vpon vs. Lord be mercifull vnto vs the Lord turne his fauourable countenance towards vs and grant vs this peace The grace of the Lord Iesus Christ the loue of God and the communion of the holy Ghost be with vs and remaine with vs for euer So be it 2. Cor. 9.13 Another Euening praier MOst mercifull God and tender Father which besides thine inestimable mercies declared giuen vnto vs in the making of the world for our sakes in the redeeming of vs by the death of thy dear Son Iesus Christ in the calling of vs to the knowledge of thy blessed word in keeping of vs hitherto in thy holy Church and in thy most gracious gouerning of vs and all things hitherto for our singular wealth and commodity hast also most fatherly cared for vs and kept vs this day from all dangers both of soule and body giuing vs health food apparell all other things necessary for the comfort and succour of this poore miserable life which many other do want for these and all other thy good gifts and gracious benefits which thou of thine owne goodnes onely and fatherly prouidence hast hitherto powred vpon vs and doest presently powre vpon vs and many other we most humbly thanke thee and praise thy holy name beseeching thee that as al things are now hidden by meanes of the darkenesse which thou hast sent ouer the earth so thou wouldest vouchsafe to hide and bury all our sinnes which this day or at any time heretofore wee haue committed against thy holy commandements and as now wee purpose to lay our bodies to rest so grant the guard of thy good Angels to keepe the same this night and for euermore and whensoeuer our last sleepe of death shal come grant that it may be in thy good fauour so that our bodies may rest both temporally and eternally to thy glory and our ioy through Iesus Christ our Lord. So be it Another Euening Praier O Eternall God and most mercifull father who this day and all the time of our life hast graciously defended nourished preserued our soules and bodies made such fatherly prouision for vs poore sinners that of thy louing kindnesse wee haue rich portions not only in the creatures of heauen and earth but also in that plentifull redemption which thy most deare Sonne Iesus Christ hath purchased for vs grant vnto vs O mercifull father the assistance of thy grace and holy spirit that as our bodies shall now take their naturall rest euen so our soules and minds at the beholding of thy goodnesse towards vs may quiet themselues in thee conceiue such inward pleasure heauenly sweetnes in thy loue that whatsoeuer we shall from henceforth either thinke speake or do it may be all to the honor of thy holy name through Iesus Christ thy deare sonne our Lord and onely Sauiour Amen Thy mighty hand and our streched arme O Lord be still our defence thy mercy and louing kindnesse in Iesus Christ thy deare sonne be our saluation thy truth and holy word our instruction thy grace and holy spirit our comfort and consolation vnto the end and in the end A praier for the remission of sinnes O Almighty and euerlasting Lord God the deare Father of our Sauiour Iesus Christ which hast made heauen and earth the sea and all that therein is which art the only ruler and gouernor conseruer and keeper of all things together with thy dearely beloued Sonne Christ Iesus our Lord and with the holy Ghost our comforter O holy righteous wise O strong terrible mighty and fearefull Lord God gouernor of the whole world Iudge of al meÌ„ O exorable patient and most gratious Father whose eies are vpon the waies of all men and are so cleane that they
vs so large a time of repentance These benefits O most mercifull father like as we do acknowledge that we haue receiued of thy only goodnes euen so we beseech thee for thy deare son Iesus Christ his sake to grant vs alwayes thy holy spirit whereby we may continually grow in thaÌ„kfulnes towards thee he led in all truth and comâ—orted in all aduersity Strengthen our faith O Lord kindle it more more in feruentnes and loue towards thee our neighbours for thy sake Suffer vs not most deare father to receiue thy word any more in vaine but grant vs alwaies the assistance of thy grace and holy spirit that in heart word and deed we may sanctifie and doe worship to thy holy name that wee may helpe to amplifie and increase thy kingdome and that whatsoeuer thou sendest Thy kingdome come Thy will be done Giue vs this day c. we may hartily well be content with thy good wil and pleasure Suffer vs not to lack the thing O Father without the which we cannot serue thee but blesse thou so al the workes of our hands that we may haue sufficient and not to bee chargeable but rather helpfull vnto others Be mercifull O Lord vnto our offences Forgiue vâ— c. and seeing our debt is great which thou hast forgiuen vs in Iesus Christ make vs to loue thee our neighbours so much the more Bee thou O Father our captain defender in all temptations Lead vs not into temptation hold thou vs by thy mercifull hand that we thereby may be deliuered from al inconueniences and end our liues in the sanctifying and honouring of thy name But deliuer vs from euâ—ll through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen A aier for true mortification O God my creator preseruer and euerlasting defender where first in my creation I was made like vnto thine owne likenesse the diuell alas hath since by Adams fal made me vgly monstrous and euill fauored like to himselfe For what are now Lord mine earthly members but as thine Apostle writeth adultery whoredome vncleannesse vnnaturall lusts euill concupiscence Colos 3. couetousnes which is the worshipping of Idols and such other for the which thy wrath is wont to come vpon the children of vnbeliefe Neuerthelesse Lord of thy great mercy and goodnesse against this so great a mischiefe a much greater remedy thy fatherly prouidence hath ordained for thou hast sent Iesus Christ thy dear and only naturall sonne into this world the vale of miseries to loose the works of the diuell and to take away my sinnes 1. Joh. 3. Therefore Sathan hath now nothing to brag of for through Christ all that beleeue in thee 1. Joh 5. so become thy children doe ouercome the world the flesh the diuel And this is the victory which ouer commeth them al euen our faith that faith I meane which is perswaded that whosoeuer beleeueth in Christ Ioh. 3. Ioh. 5. shall not perish but haue euerlasting life That faith which beleeueth the testimony to be true which thou God the Father dost testify of thy son so making thee no liar and this is the testimony that thou hast giuen vs eternall life that faith which beleeueth that thou Father who raisedst vp Christ froÌ„ death shalt also quicken our mortall bodies Rom. 8 through thy holy spirit dwelling in vs. That faith which beleeueth it to bee true which thy Sonne Christ affirmed with a double oath saying Verily Joh. 1. verily I say vnto you he that beleeueth in me the works that I doe the same shall he doe and greater works then these shall he doe Ioh. 15. because I goe to my Father And finally that faith which beleeueth that now Christ hath been lift vpon the crosse he shal draw al things vnto him this faith I say is the victory which ouercommeth our enemies the diuell Joh. 12. the world and our flesh Thou therfore dear father which hast promised to giue whatsoeuer I shall aske in thy dear Sonne Iesus name 1. Joh. 3â— for thy great mercy and infallible truths sake do now in me the thing that he came for loose in me the works of the diuel take away my sinnes I beseech thee make stedfast my faith and confidence in thy promised mercies and merciful promises so that I assuredly beleeuing in thee may haue as thou hast promised euerlasting life making thee deare God no lyer may beleeue feele and know in my heart and conscience that the same euerlasting life is thy meere and free gift vnto me yea already of thy great goodnes vndoubtedly giuen me being now translated from death to life Colos 3. In thankfulnesse whereof Lord cause me now daily to mortifie my earthly meÌ„bers yea dear father sith thy spirit which raised vp Christ from death dwelleth within me doe thou who raisedst Christ froÌ„ death quicken my mortal body through thy spirit so dwelling within me I beseech thee yea Lord Iesu according to thy promise because thou art now gone to thy Father make me worke the wonderful great work that thou spakest off Ioh. 6.4 I meane make me being of my selfe but a lumpe of sinne and a monster most vgly as the vices whereof the members of my earthly body are aboue declared to be compact doe proue make me I say yet through thy grace to hate abhorre flee and subdue all adultery whoredom vncleannes vnnaturall lusts euill concupiscence vnordinate desires wantonnes tendernesse delicatenes idlenesse drunkennesse gluttony slothfulnes distrust despaire ignorance weaknes wilfulnes idolatry superstition hypocrisie heresie error sects variaÌ„ce strife wrath enuy slanders lying swearing cursing vainglory pride couetousnes theft deceit flattery and whatsoeuer else O Lord fighteth or rebelleth against thy holy spirit and then O Father I will boast and make vant against mine enemy the diuell that I haue done greater works then thy deare Sonne Iesus did at what time hee spake these words amongst the Iewes because albeit he vanquished Sathan yet in as much as he himselfe was vtterly without sinne the victory seemed the more easie But I to vanquish Sathan being my self altogether sinful yea contrary to my most sinful nature to subdue sinne the Diuel and mine owne flesh it seemeth a more victory a greater worke then the other For the which neuerthelesse I will with all submission acknowledge vnto thy diuine maiesty that the whole victory Lord indeede is thine and thy holy spirit the beginner and finisher both of the wil and the worke Now therefore Lord Iesu strengthen me with thy grace and might that thou maiest by me a most sinful wretch draw all these our earthly members and horrible vices before rehearsed vnder my feet that I may not only fight against them but also subdue them so that they may all turne to the best for me as meete matter whereon I may exercise my faith powre forth my hearty praier and giue thee most hearty thanks for victory whereby
into the fire but as the good wheat that is gathered into the barne then shall they be caught vp to meet thee in the clouds then shall their corrupt body put on incorruption then shall they be endued with immortality and glory then shall they be with thee and go whither thou goest then shal they heare Come ye blessed of my Father possesse the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning c. Then shall they be set on seats of maiesty iudging the whole world then shall they raigne with thee for euer then shall god be al in al with them to them then shal they enter and inherit heauenly Ierusalem and the glorious restfull land of Canaan where is alwaies day and neuer night where is no maner of weeping tears infirmity hunger cold sicknes enuy malice nor sinne but alwaies ioy without sorrow mirth without mesure pleasure without paine heauenly harmony most pleasant melody saying and singing Holy holy holy Lord God of hosts c. Finally the eie hath not seene the eare hath not heard neither hath it entred into the heart of man what they shall inherit and most surely enioy although here they be tormēted prisoned solicited of Sathan tempted of the flesh and intangled with the world where through they are inforced to cry Thy kingdome come Come Lord Iesu c. How amiable are thy Tabernacles Like as the Hart desireth the water brookes c. Now let thy seruant depart in peace I desire to be dissolued and to be with Christ We mourn in our selues waiting for the deliuerance of our bodies c. O gracious Lord when shall I find such mercy with thee that I may repent beleeue hope and look for these things with the full fruition of those heauenly ioyes which thou hast prepared for all them that feare thee and so rest with thee for euermore A meditation of the life euerlasting the place where it is and the incomparable ioyes thereof THat there is an euerlasting life none will deny but such as will deny God For if he be true and iust which he must needs bee or else he is not God then can there not be but an eternall life That he hath both spoken and promised it in Mat. 25. 1. Cor 15. Heb. 4.11.13 1. Pet. 1. it plainely appeareth and elsewhere in very many places so that to deny an euerlasting life is to deny God to deny Christ and al that euer he did also to deny all piety and religion to condemne of foolishnesse all good men Martyrs Confessors Euangelists Prophets Patriarches Finally the denial of eternall life is nothing else but a denial of the immortality of the soule and so a plaine making of man nothing better then beasts If it be so 1. Co. 15. let vs then eat and drinke for to morrow we shall die Lord preserue vs from this Saduceall and Epicureal impiety and grant vs for thy mercies sake deare God that we may be assuredly perswaded that there is indeed an eternall life and blisse with thee for them that put their trust in thee amongst whom account me for thy mercies sake Againe this eternall life Where this eternall life is and the place appointed for them that be thy seruants all men do grant to bee with thee Albeit they do not thinke that because thou art euery where therefore eternal life is euery where For they by thy worde doe know that in as much as no man can see thee and liue which eternall life and thy blessed presence is most pleasant and had in fruition Ioh. 14. after in another world whereunto by corporal death they do depart and are translated to a place aboue them wher thou dwellest in a light whereunto no man can approch 4. Tim. 6. Abraham bosom they read was aboue as the place of the wicked was below and beneath Helias was caught vp into heauen Joh. 17. and the deare Sonne our Sauiour praied that where he is those also might be which thou hadst giuen him and might see his glory Now he deare father we learne by the spirit was ascended taken vp in his very body into heauen whither Stephen looked vp saw thy Christ standing on thy right hand to whom he praied Act 17. O Lord Iesus receiue my spirit Grant I beseech thee gratious God Father that I may haue a clean heart more and more to see thee and so in spirit to see and looke often vpon this place whither bring me at the length in body also I humbly pray thee Now what a thing this euerlasting life is no man is able to conceiue much lesse able to vtter For The peace of God which is eternall life passeth all vnderstanding 1. Cor. 6. The eie hath not seen the ear hath not heard neither can mans hart conceiue those things which thou deare God hast prepared for them that loue thee Whatsoeuer therefore can be spoken or imagined of thy kingdome of the clearnes ioy and felicity of the same is nothing in comparison as we may see by the Prophets which because they could not otherwise vnder corporal things haue shadowed the same So that the confidence of eternall life what a thing it is can in no wise be told Howbeit somewhat we may bee brought to some sight of it by earthly things to thinke on this sort What knowledge may be had in this life of the life eurelasting If GOD haue giuen here so many things in a strange place how many are the great good things that be at home If in prison are so many mercies how many are they in the pallace If the wicked haue so many benefits what is the store prepared for thy seruāts O Lord if thy children find such cōfort in the day of teares and mourning what shall they find in the day of the mariage If with beasts men being haue the vse of innumerable blessings O how many are the blessings which they shall enioy with thy Angels and with thy selfe O deare God when they shall see thee haue the fruition of thee in whom is fulnes without lothing of al good faire things so that nothing can be more desired that for euermore This thy children do not see as they now beleeue it I say that euen in their bodies they shall see it for euer as Iob said They beleeue that they shal see thee and their own eies behold thee Job 15. when these our corporall eies our bodies being raised shal doe their duties such a knowledge of thee they beleeue to haue as shal not be only intellectuall and by faith as now it is but euen a full sight and fruition yea a coniunction and fellowship with thee Now they see but as in a glasse 1. Co. 13. Heb. 11. euen in a darke speaking but then they shal see thee face to face For faith though it be the substance of things hoped for a certaine darke sight of thee yet it may
may alwaies not only striue against sin but also ouercome the same daily more and more as thy children do aboue all things desiring the sanctification of thy name the comming of thy kingdome the doing of thy will here on earth as it is in heauen c. through Iesus Christ our redeemer mediator and aduocate Amen I. B. A praier against our spirituall enemies the diuell the world and the flesh O Lord God the diuell goeth about like a roaring Lion seeking whom hee may deuoure the flesh lusteth against the spirit the world perswadeth vnto vanities that we may forget thee our Lord God so for euer be damned Thus are we miserable on euery side beset and besieged of cruell vnrestfull enemies and like euery moment to perish if we be not defended with thy godly power against their tyranny Wee therefore poore and wretched sinners despairing of our owne strength which indeed is none most hartily pray thee to endue vs with strength from aboue that we may bee able through thy help with strong faith to resist Satan with feruent praier to mortifie the lusts of the flesh with continuall meditation of thy holy lawes to auoid the foolish vanities and transitory pleasures of this wicked world that through thy grace wee being set at liberty from the power of these our mortall enemies may serue thee here in true holinesse and righteousnesse after be partakers of the euerlasting ioies prepared for thy children which as they are great and vnspeakable so are there few that doe enioy them For strait is the way and narrow is the gate that leadeth therunto and few therbe that find it Notwithstanding O GOD thou hast a little flocke te whom it is thy pleasure to giue that ioyfull kingdome whose names are written in the book of life Make vs therefore of that number for Iesus Christs sake and place vs amongst those thy sheep which shall stand on thy right hand to receiue that blessed inheritance and dwell with thee for euermore A praier for present helpe in temptation DEare father to whom it is more easie to doe all things then for mee to thinke any one good thing Loe doe thou but speake a word and thy deadly sicke seruant my soule shall be made whole Helpe O Lord for thy great mercy sake for thy truths sake and for thy deare son Iesus Christs sake and let thy strength suffice against my weakenesse and thy ho y spirit against my sinfull flesh and old man Thou art faithfull O Father who hast promised that I shall not be tempted further then thou wilt make me able to beaâ—e Giue now therefore thy grace and strength vnto thy seruant that I may with a strong faith in thy vnfallible truth and promised mercy vanquish and subdue whatsoeuer rebelleth against thy most blessed will preserue and keepe holy my soule and body and let them not be defiled and made a dungeon of diuels and wicked spirits through delectation in sinne Behold deare Father the postes thereof are sprinkled with the precious bloud of thy deare son and of thy great mercy they are made the temple and tabernacle of thy holy spirit Shall now alas the diuell the world or the flesh plucke from thee that thing which presently crieth to thee with assured trust in thy promised helpe Nay further but grant that I may by thy mighty power turne all their crafts deceits and raging assaults vnto the increase of thy fatherly assistance in this my present teÌ„ptation and may with assured hope and trust in thy ready helpe and comfort ouercome my said enemies hereafter in like assaults praise thy holy name for the victory through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen My sonne if thou wilt come into the seruice of the Lord stand fast in righteousnesse and feare and prepare thy soule to tentation Eccles 2. Remedies against sinfull motions and tentations First remember that sinne is so hainous a thing that God by his iustice might worthily damne thee for the same is therfore to be abhorred as a sweet poison a flattering death and destruction of the soule which would cut thee off from God thy Sauior and make thee a bondslaue to Satan thy deadly enemy Auoid therefore euen at the fiâ—st the occasions thereof and be time squash out the braines of the children of Babilon against the hard stones whiles yet they be yong and weake lest when they be growne elder and stronger they dash thee to pieces And for a remedy against the same flie vnto God who commandeth thee to call vpon him in thy trouble and promiseth to deiluer thee and wil not suffer thee to be further tempted then he will make a way out whereby thou shalt escape and doubt not but hee that causeth thee to hate the sin which thy nature is to loue will deliuer thee also from the dangers thereof and make thee to triumph ouer Satan to his confusion to Gods glory and thy great comfort which are causes that our tender louing Father sendeth tentations vnto vs and hee that is not tempted what is he Now after thou hast obtained the victory remember two things first to giue most hearty thankes to God for his grace and assistance whereby thou hast ouercome and be not vnthankfull in any wise and then that he who continually goeth about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may deuour will not be long or farre away from thee but will attempt againe the same or as euill waies to ouercome thee Watch therefore and pray A praier for the auoiding of Gods heauy wrath and vengeance for our sins OH Lord God strong and mighty great and fearful which dwellest in the heauens workest great wonders we thy miserable children here vpon earth do most humbly beseech thee to be mercifull vnto vs to pardon our offences and to forgiue vs all our sinnes O Lord enter not into iudgement with thy seruants for if thou doe there shall no flesh bee saued in thy sight We confesse and acknowledge O Lord that it is our sinnes which haue mooued thee to wrath and to shew such fearefull tokens of thy displeasure towards vs in these our daies first with fire from heauen betokening the hot burning indignation and wrathfull displeasure for sinne which aboundeth at this day then with such horrible and monstrous shapes against natur as were neuer seen here in our daies nor in any time before vs which do betoken to vs none other thing but thy plagues to come vpon vs for our degenerate and monstrous life conuersation And now desides all this by great mortality plagues and pestilence thou hast terribly threatned vs fatherly warned vs and mercifully called vs to repentance The axe is set to the root of the tree and if we bee not as rotten members without all sense and feeling wee may perceiue our fearefull destruction and desolation to bee at hand vnlesse wee speedily repent and turne vnto thee because wee haue been so long taught out of
inspiration quicknest the mindes of them that afore were dead in sinne makest ioifull the hearts of the faithfull penitent bringest into the way of truth all such as haâ—e erred and gone astray comfortest the soules of such as hunger and thirst after righteousnesse and plenteouslie enrichest those with diuers gifts which aske them in Iesus Christs name purifie our hearts wee beseech thee and inflame them with the fire of thy loue replenish them with thy heauenly benefits and spirituall blessings that they may bee made meere temples for thee leade vs into all truth which aet the onely fountaine of truth and mortifie in vs whatsoeuer proceedeth not of thee Or else pray thus O holy spirit powred into the Apostles which hast promised vnto vs by the sonne of God our Redeemer to kindle in vs a true knowledge and inuocation of God as it is written I will powre vpon you the spirit of grace and compassion make to arise in our harts a true feare of God and faith and knowledge of thy mercy which the eternal father of our Lord Iesus Christ hath promised vnto vs for his sons sake Be our comforter in all our counsels and dangers Illuminate our vnderstanding and fill our hearts with new affections and spirituall motions and renew vs both in soule and body that we may die to sinne and liue to righteousnes and so in true obedience may praise the father of our Lord Iesus Christ and his sonne our redeemer and theâ— also our comforter euerlastingly A thanksgiuing to God the Father the Son and the holy Ghost VVE reÌ„der thanks vnto thee O Almighty and eternall God with the deare sonne our Lord Iesus Christ and with thy holy spirit for that of thin exceeding great goodnes thou hast made thy selfe knowne vnto vs by most assured and euidenâ— testimonies and for that thou hast gaâ—hered and chosen vnto thy selfe a perpetuall Church and wouldest that thy Sonne our Lord Iesus Christ should suffer death to restore vs from death to life for that thou hast giuen to vs thy Gospel and the holy Ghost for that thou forgiuest vs our sinnes deliuerest vs from the power of the diuel and from eternall death and giuest vnto vs euerlasting life finally for that thou hast visited vs with many great benefits giuing vs life food doctrine peace in such places as we haue liued in and hast diminished the pains which we haue iustly deserued We giue thankes vnto thee O Lord Iesus Christ A thanksgiuing to the Son sonne of the liuing God crucified for vs and risen againe because thou hast coupled vnto thee our humane nature and of thy inestimable loue diddest giue thy selfe to death for vs turning vpon thee the great wrath of GOD the Father conceiued against vs to reconcile vs vnto him and â—o purchase vs eternall redemption because thou hast brought vs to this grace wherin we stand and reioice in hope of the glory of GOD because thou doest preserue cherish and defend send thy Church against the Diuell and all thine enemies because thou giuest and renewest often the light of thy Gospell and maintainest the ministery of thy word because thou doest forgiue vs our sinnes and giuest vnto vs euerlasting life because thou art our mediator and makest continuall intercession for vs finally because thou doest succour preserue vs in all our necessities dangers and afflictions A thanksgiuing to God the holy Ghost We giue thanks also vnto thee O holy spirit the giuer of life which wast powred vpon the Apostles be cause thou kindlest thy light in our hearts because thou rulest instructest admonishest and helpest vs because thou gouernest and guidest the labours and works of our vocation and sanctifiest vs to eternall life A praier to God for his helpe and protection against the obstinate enemies of the truth MOst righteous Iudge God of all mercy and comfort which by thy secret iudgement and wisedome doest suffer the wicked to triumph a increase for a time for triall of the faith of thy welbeloued litle flocke and the mortifying of their lusts now at length to the vtter confusioÌ„ ot thy enemies and ioifull deliuerance of thy people look downe we beseech thee on thy dispersed sheepe out of thy holy habitation in heauen and strengthen our weaknesse against their furious rages abate their pride asswage their malice confound their deuises wherwith they lift vp themselues against Christ Iesus thy sonne our Lord and Sauiour to deface his glory and to set vp Antichrist We be not able our selues to thinke a good thought much lesse to stand against their assaults except thy vndeserued grace and mighty arme defend and deliuer vs. Performe thy promises made to Iacob stop the mouthes of the wicked Edomits Cal them to repentaÌ„ce whom thou hast appointed to saluationâ— bring home them that run astrayâ— lighten the blind and teach the ignorant forgiue all those that wilfully and obstinatly rebel against thy holy will Let thy fearefull threatnings pearce our stony hearts and make vs tremble at thy iudgements make the examples of theÌ„ whom thou hast ouerthrowne in their owne deuises as Cain Cham Nimrod Esau Pharoh Saul Aâ—chitophel Iudas and such other to be a warning for vs that we set not vp our selues against thy holy will Grantfree passage to thy holy word that it may worke effectually in vs the worke of life and blessed hope of our saluation to the eternall praise of thy maiesty through our mediator Christ Iesus to whom with thee and the holy Ghost three persons and one God be praise and thanksgiuing in all congregations world without end So be it A praier for the afflicted and persecuted vnder the tyranny of Antichrist O Mercifull Father who neuer doest forsake such as put their trust in thee stretch forth thy mighty arme to the defence of our brethren by the rage of enemies persecuted and grieuously tormented in sundry places for the true profession of the holy Gospell who in their extream necessities cry for coÌ„fort vnto thee Let not thy long suffering O Lord be an occasioÌ„ either to increase the tyranny of thy enemies or to discourage thy children but with speed O Lord consider their great miseries and afflictions Preuent the cruell deuise of Haman stay the rage of Holofernes breake off the counsell of Achitophel Let not the wicked say Where is now their God Let thy afflicted flocke feele present aid and releefe from thee O Lord looke downe vpon them with thy pitifull eie from thy holy habitation send terror and trembling among their enemies make an ende of their outragious tyranny beate backe their boldnesse in suppressing the truth in destroying thy true seruants in defacing thy glory and in setting vp Antichrist Let them not thus proudly aduance themselues against thee and thy Christ but let them vnderstand and feele that against thâ— they fight Preserue and defend the vine which thy right hand hath planted and let all Nations see the glory of thine annointed Amen
thy holy spirit that they may boldly and cheerefully a bid such trial as thy godly wisdome shall appoint 1. Pet. 1. Acts 2. Mat. 10. Luk 21. so that at length aswel by their death as by their life the kingdome of thy Son Iesus Christ may increase and shine throughout all the world In whose name we make our humble petitions vnto thee as he hath taught vs saiing Our father which art c. A Praier to be said before receiuing of the communion O Father of mercy and God of all consolation seeing al creatures do acknowledge and confesse thee to be their gouernor and Lord it becommeth vs the workmanship to thine owne hands at al times to reuerence a magnifie thy godly maiesty First for that thou hast created vs to thine owne imagr similitude Gen. 1. Eph. 2. Gala. 1. Gen. 3. Acts. 4. Heb. 9. Apoc. 5. John 3. Heb. 8. Heb 4. 1. Pet. 1. Esâ— 45.53 Ma. 3.17 Ier. 31. but chiefly because thou hast deliuered vs from that euerlasting death damnation into which Satan drew mankinde by the meanes of sinne from the bondage whereof neither man nor Angeli was able to make vs free but thou O Lord rich in mercy and infinite in goodnesse hast prouided our redemption to stand in thine onely and welbeloued Son whom of very loue thou diddest giue to bee made man like vnto vs in all things Heb. 8. Rom. 5. Heb. 2. John 6. Gen. 3. Rom. 5. Ephe. 3. sinne excepted that in his body hee might receiue the punishment of our transgression by his death to make satisfaction to thy iustice and by his resurrection to destroy him that was the authour of death so to bring againe life to the world from which the whole of spring of Adam was most iustly exiled Eph. 2. John 6.17 Gen. 6. Rom. 3. â—sa 64. Psal 5.12 Rom. 7. Mat. 16. 2 Cor. 2. Luk. 11. Mat. 11. O Lord we acknowledge that no creature was able to comprehend the length and breadth the deepnes and height of that thy most excellent loue which mooued thee to shew mercy when none was deserued to promise and giue â—ife where death had gotten victory to receiue vs into thy grace when wee could doe nothing but rebell against thy Maiestie The blind dulnesse of our corrupt nature wil not suffer vs sufficiently to weigh these thy most ample benefits Yet neuerthelesse at the commandement of Iesus Christ our Lord Ma. 16. Luk. 11. 1. Co. 11. Joh. 8. Gala. 5. Rom. 8. 1 Pe. 1. Ephe. 5. Heb. 4. Rom. 3. Ma. 25. Phil. 3. Ephe. 1. Ephe 2. Apo. 13. wee present our selues to this thy table which he hath left to be vsed in remembrance of his death vntill his comming againe to declare and witnesse before the world that by him alone we haue receiued liberty and life that by him alone thou doest acknowledge vs to be thy children and heires that by him alone we haue entrance to the throne of thy grace that by him alone wee are possessed in our spirituall kingdome to eate and drinke at his Table and with whom wee hauour conuersation presently in Heauen and by whom our bodies shall be raised vp again from the dust and shall be placed with him in that endlesse ioy which thou O Father of mercy hast prepared for thine elect before the foundation of the world was laid And these most inestimable benefts wee acknowledge and confesse to haue receiued of thy free mercy and grace by thine only beloued son Iesus Christ For the which therefore we thy congregation moued by thy holy spirit doe render to thee all thanks praise and glory for euer and euer A thanksgiuing after the receiuing of the holy Communion MOst mercifull Father we render vnto thee all praise thanks honour glory for that it hath pleased thee of thy great mercies to graÌ„t vnto vs miserable sinners so excelleÌ„t a gift treasure as to receiue vs into the fellowship and company of thy deare son Iesus Christ our Lord whom thou hast deliuered to death for vs hast giuen him vnto vs as a necessary food and nourishment vnto euerlasting life And now we beseech thee also O heauenly father to grant vs this request that thou neuer suffer vs to become so vnkind as to forget so worthy benefits but father imprint fasten them sure in our harts Luk. 15. Gala. 5. 1. Tim. 4. â—â—h 5. 2. P t. 5. Mat. 5. 1. Pe. 1 that we may gâ—oâ—â— and increase daily more and more in true faith which continually is exercised in all maner of good workeâ— and so much the rather O Lord confirme vs in these perilous dates and rages of Satan that we may constantly stand and continue in the confession of the same to the aduancement of thy glory which art God ouer all things blessed for euer A lamentation of a sinner afflicted in conscience for his offences IN the middest of the desperate assaults of my soule the intollerable heauinesse of my mind both heertofore Lord cried as shrill in thine eare as though I had shricked and with lamentations cried out saying Helpe helpe me my GOD my creatour my most prouident keeper and euerlasting defencer for behold I perish On this occasion Lord when heauinesse of minde did heeretofore assault me I remembred that thou haddest many times set before mine eies the wonderfull greatnes of thy most tender loue towards me by the great multitude of thy benefits powred vpon me which benefits euery of thy workes as they came before mine eies gaue me iust occasion to be mindfull of Would not thought I if I had in any maner any grace at al would not such loue bring now into my heart a wonderfull delectation ioy comfort in God for the same And againe could such delight in Gods sweet mercy tender loue towards mee if I were not as euill as a cast away that were none of Gods children be without loathing of my sin and lust and desire to doe Gods holie will And these things thought I fle vpon mee vnthankfull wretch are either not at all in me or else indeed so coldly and slenderly that they being truely waighed and compared to righteousnesse are mâ—re vile then a filthy cloth starched in corrupt blood O thought I I am afraid I haue deceiued my selfe for thy seruants at all times I trow feele otherwise then I now doe the fruits of thy spirit as loue ioy peace and such like But my loue alas toward thee what is it my ioy is not once almost felt of me for my very soule within mee as Dauid in his heauinesse said refuseth comfort and fareth as though it did vtterly dispare and what peace can I feele then or certainty of thy fauour and loue Iustly I may powre out this dolorous lamentation of Sion The Lord hath forsaken me Isa 49 and my Lord hath forgotten me Euen in the middest I say of these my former desperate assaults and in
in vs that which is acceptable in thy sight Sanctifie vs throughout and keep our whole spirit soule and body faulâ—ies vnâ—o the comming of thy deare sonne our Lord Iesus Christ â—hou art faithful O father who hast promised this who also shalt bring it to passe to thee therefore be giuen euerlasting praise honour and glory Amen A thanksgiuing after meales LEt al nations magnifie the Lord let all people reioice in praising and extolling his great mercies For his fatherly kindnesse is plentifuly shewed foorth vpon vs and the truth of his promise endureth for euer We render thanks vnto thee O Lord God for thy manifold benefits which we continually receiue at thy bountifull hand not only for that it hath pleased thee to feed vs in this present life giuing vnto vs al things necessary for the same but specially because thou hast of thy free mercy fashioned vs anew vnto an assured hope of a farr better life the which thou hast declared vnto vs by thy holy Gospell Therefore we humbly beseech thee Oh heauenly father that thou wilt not suffer our affections to be so entangled rooted in these earthly corruptible things but that we may alwaies haue our minds directed to thee on hic continually watching for the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ what time he shal appear for our full redemption To whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all honor and glory for euer and euer So be it Another thanksgiuing after meales GLory praise and honor be vnto thee most mercifull and omnipotent father who hast fed and daily dost feed of thy most bountiful goodnes all liuing creatures we beseech thee that as thou hast nourished these our mortall bodies with corporall food so thou wouldest replenish our soules with the perfect knowledge of thy liuely word of thy beloued sonne Iesus Christ to whom with thee the holy Ghost be praise glory and honour for euer So be it Another MOst bountifull and gracious God which feedest all flesh and hast promised that asking of thee we shal not lacke if we first seeke thy kingdom and the righteousnes therof we feeling presently the benefit of this thy gracious promise in feeding our bodies with this corporall food do render vnto thee most harty thaÌ„ks for the same beseeching thee likewis to feed our soules with that heauenly food which perisheth not but abideth vnto euerlasting life so that we being nourished by the goodnes both in body and soule may be apt ready to do al good works which thou hast prepared for vs to walke in through Iesus Christ our Lord. Vnto him that loued vs and washed vs from our sinnes in his bloud and made vs kings and Priestes vnto God his Father be all glory power and dominion for euermore Amen Another THe God of glory who hath created redeemed and presently feed vs be blessed for euermore Amen The God of all power who hath called from death the great Pastor of the sheepe our Lord Iesus comfort and defend the flocke which hee hath redeemed by the bloud of the eternall Testament increase the number of true Preachers represse the rage of obstinate tyrants lighten the harts of the ignorant relieue the paines of such as be afflicted but specially of those that suffer for the testimony of thy truth and finally confound Satan by the power of our Lord Iesus Christ So be it Prayers commonly called Lidleys praiers with certaine godly additions Before thou prayest forgiue if thou hast any thing against any man come not to GOD with a double heart but lift vp pure hands without wrath or doubting 1. Tim. 2. ALmighty and most mercifull Father I thy poor creature and worke of thy hands acknowledge and confesse vnto thee my manifolde sinnes and offences which I from my youth vp vnto this day haue committed against thee in thought word and deed beseeching thee for Iesus Christ thy dear soâ—s sake to haue mercy vpon me and to pardon the same according to thy graet mercy which hast promised that at what time souer a sinner doth repent him of his sinne from the bottome of his heart thou wilt put his wickednes out of thy remembrance O Lord I confesse that I was borne in sinne and conceiued in wickednes and am by nature a child of wrath For in my flesh dwelleth no good thing and of my selfe I am not able to think a good thought much lesse to doe that thou in thy law requirest of me saying Cursed is he that continueth not in al things that are written in the law to doe them Againe thy law is spirituall but I am carnall fold vnder sinne Therefore O Lord I come vnto thee for grace which hast said Aske only shall haue seeke ye shal find knock it shal be opened vnto you to preuent and draw my will vnto all goodnes for none can come vnto thee except he be drawn except w be borne from aboue we cannot see the kingdome of God Therefore O Lord renue in mee a right spirit that I may receiue strength and ablenesse to doe thy righteoâ—â— wilâ— Grant that I may euer desire and will that which is most pleasing acceptable to thy will Thy will be my will and my will be alwaies to follow thy will Let there be euer in me one will one desire with thee and let me neuer desire to will or not to will but as thou wilt Grant me that aboue all things I may rest in thee and fully quiet and pacifie my hart in thee for thou Lord art the true peace of the hart the perfect rest of the soule Thou knowest Lord what is most profitable and expedient for mee wherefore do with mee in al things as it shall seem best vnto thee For it may not be but well that thou dost which dost most iustly and blessedly dispose all things after thy most godly wisedome Therefore whither it be by prosperity or aduersity losse or gaine sicknes or health life or death thy will be done Cast out of my heart all vnprofitable cares of worldly things and suffer me not to be led with the vnstable desires of earthly vanities but giue me grace that all worldly and carnall affections may be mortified and dy in me Grant vnto me the strength of thy holy spirit to subdue this body of sinne with the whole lusts thereof that it may be obedient both in will mind and members to do thy holy will Assist me with thy grace O Lord that I may be strengthned in the inward man and be armed with thy holy armour which is the breast-plate of righteousnesse the shield of faith the hope of saluation for an helmet and the sword of thy spirit which is thy holy word that I may stand perfect in all that is thy will and be found worthy through Christ to receiue the crowne of life which thou hast promised to all them that loue thee Giue me grace that I may esteem all things in
law yea that I may keep it with my whole heart Direct me in the path of thy commandements for therein is my delight Turn away mine eies that I regard not vanity and quicken me in thy way Stablish thy promise to thy seruant whereby he may be taught to feare thee Direct my steps in thy word and let not iniquity haue dominion oueâ— me Let not the foot of pride come against me and let not the hand of the wicked moue me Gather not my soule with the sinners nor my life with the blody men Let my foot stand in vprightnesse that I may praise thee O Lord in the congregation Let not the word of truth depart out of my mouth for I trust in thy iudgements Set a watch O Lord before my mouth and keepe the dore of my lips Let not my heart bee inclined to euill to worke wicked workes with them that worke iniquity Teach mee good iudgement and knowledge for I doe beleeue thy commandements Stay my steps in thy paths that my feet do not slide Stablish mee in thy promise that I may liue and let mee not be disappointed of my hope Stay thou me O Lord and I shall be safe and I will delight continually in thy statutes O God create in me a pure heart and renue a right spirit within me Psal 52. Cast mee not away from thy presence and take not thy holy spirite from me Restore to me the ioy of thy saluation and stablish mee with thy free spirit Let me heare thy louing kindnesse in the morning Psal 143. shew mee the way that I should walke in for in thee is my trust Teach mee to doe the thing that pleaseth thee for thou art my God let thy good spirit leade mee into the land of righteousnes A praier for deliuerance from sinne and to be restored to Gods grace and fauor againe OH Almighty and euerlasting Lord GOD which hast made heauen and earth and all things therein contained O incomprehensible vnity Oh alwaies to be worshipped most blessed Trinity I humbly beseech thee and pray thee by the assumption and crucified humanity of our Lord Iesus Christ that thou wouldest incline and bow down the great height of thy deity to the bottomles pit of my vtility Driue from me all kind of vice wickednes and sin Create in me a clean heart and renue in me a right spirit for thy holy names sake Oh Lord Iesu I beseech thy goodnes for the exceeding great loue which drew thee out of thy Fathers bosome into the wombe of the holy virgin and for the assumption of mans statute wherin it pleased thee to saue me and deliuer me from eternall death that thou wouldest draw me out of my selfe into thee my Lord God and grant that this my loue may recouer again to me thy grace to increase and make perfect in me that which is wanting to raise vp in me that which is fallen to restore to me that which I haue lost quicken in mee that which is dead should liue so that I may become conformable to thee in al my life and conuersation thou dwelling in me and I in thee my heart being coupled with thy grace and setled in thy faith for euer Oh my God loose and set at liberty my spirit from all inferior things gouerne my soule and worke that both in soule body I may be wholy and liue to thy glory world without end Amen I. B. A praier necessary to be said at all times O Bountifull Lord Iesu O sweet Sauiour O Christ the Son of God haue pitty vpon me mercifully heare me and despise not my praiers Thou hast created me of nothing thou hast redeemed me from the bondage of sinne death and hell neither with golde nor siluer but with thy most precious body once offered vpon the Crosse and thine own blood shed once for all for a ransome Therefore cast me not away whom thou by thy great wisedome hast made Despise mee not whom thou hast redeemed with such a pretious treasure nor let my wickednesse destroy that which thy goodnesse hath builded Now while I liue O Iesu haue mercy on me for if I die out of thy fauour it will be too late afteâ—ward to call for thy mercy While I haue time to repent looke vpon mee with thy mercifull eyes as thou diddest vouchsafe to looke vpon Peter thy Apostle that I may bewayle my sinfull life and obtaine thy fauor to liue and die therein I acknowledge that if thou shouldest deale with mee according to thy iustice I haue deserued euerlasting death Therefore I appeale to thy high throne of mercy trusting to obtaine thy fauour not for my merites but for thy deserts O Iesu who hast giuen thy selfe an acceptable sacrifice to thy Father to appease his wrath and to bring all sinners truly repenting and amending their euill life vnto his fauour againe Accept me O Lord among the number of them whome thou hast in Christ elected and chosen to saluation forgiue mee my sinnes giue mee grace to leade a godly and innocent life graunt mee thy heauenly wisedome inspire my heart with faith hope and charitie giue mee grace to be humble in prosperity patient in aduersity obedient to my rulers in all my doings faithfull dealing truly with all men to liue chastly in wedlocke to abhorte adultery fornication and al vncleannes to do good after my power vnto all men to hurt no man that thy name may be glorified in me during this present life that I afterward may attaine euerlasting life through thy mercy and the merits of thy death and passion Amen A Praier for grace and remission of our sinnes O Lord God mercifull Father I poore wretched sinner come vnto thee in the name of thy dearely beloued Son Iesus Christ my sauiour beseeching thee for his sake to be mercifull vnto me to cast al my sinnes out of thy sight euen through the merits of his bloudy death Powre vpon me O Lord thy holy spirit of grace and wisedome to gouern lead my body and soule in thy holy word commandements shew thy mercy vpon me so lighten the naturall blindnes and darknes of my hart through thy grace that I may daily be renued by thy holy spirit Open my hard hart grosse eares to heare and read thy word and heauenly voice and to beleeue and follow it in my conuersation and euer to holde fast that blessed hope of euerlasting life Mortifie and kill al vice in me that my life may expresse my faith in thee Mercifully heare the humble supplications of thy seruant and grant me thy peace all my daies Graciously pardon my infirmities and defend me in all dangers both outwardly in my body goods and name and inwardly in my soule against all euil temptatioÌ„s and subtile baites of Sathan that roaring lion seeking whom hee may deuoure Grant O Lord that I and euery member of thy Church in his vocation and calling may truely and godlily
serue thee Graft in my heart the loue of thy name increase in mee true religion replenish mee with all goodnesse and of thy great mercy keepe me in the same vnto the end Giue vnto me the spirit of praier true humility perfect patience and continuall ioy in the holy Ghost I commend vnto thy protection O Father my house and all thou hast giuen me my whole family my wife and children and aide mee that I may well and holily gouerne â—orish and bring them vp in thy feare and seruiâ—e And forasmuch as in this world I must alwayes be at war not with one sort of enemies but with an infinit number not only with flesh and blood but with the diuell which is the prince of darknesse grant me thy grace that being armed with thy defence I may stand in this battel with an inuincible coÌ„stancy againsâ— all corruption which I am incompassed with on all sides vntill such time as I hauing ended the combat which during this life I must sustaine in the end I may attaine to thy heauenly rest which is prepared for me through Christ Iesus our Lord and Sauiour Amen A praier taken out of the first Psalme ALmightie and most gracious God take away from vs all euill counsell and then our sinneâ—â— suffer vs not to run into an vngodly and wickedlife and finally keep out minds farre from the contempt of godlinesse and scorning of vertue in the stead of these euils grant that we may continually be occupied in thy law and sacred scriptures that we be not carried about like the wicked like dust and fruitlesse chaffe with euery blast of affection and doctrine but rather that we as trees planted by the water brookes indued with the life of the spirit faith may also bring forth the fruits of good works and that what soeuer we take in hand may prosper and tend to the praise and glory of thy name furtherance of our saluation and at the last when the wicked shall fal away in thy iudgement we may stand stedfast and be made perfect through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Out of the same Psalme ALmighty God we are sufficieÌ„tly taught that grieuous calamities miserable plagues do therefore daily vex trouble the church because we haue not ceased to follow the counsell of the vngodly which being once known we ought to haue eschewed The way also of the wicked we haue not shunned yea wee haue not ceased to walke their race by continuall transgression of thy commandements we haue also oâ— long time contemned all godly correction and discipline and whatsoeuer hath been taught vs out of thy work hath been too little regarded yea wtout all shame neglected scorned Wherefore it is no maruell if wâ— in the stead of that happinesse and quiet peace which we alas haue to long abused be now compelled to suffer all heauy grieuous and most bitter plagues But now O God in humblenes of hart we flee vnto thee confessing our grieuous offences and wee most humbly and heartily beseech thee that those euills which we so foolishly and wretchedly haue committed thou wilt mercifully forgiue vs and frame our minds wholy to the obedience of thy Law in such wise that our hearts might be occupied both day and night in nothing else but in the meditation of thy holy Scriptures For so shall wee giuing credite to thy wordes bring forth seasonable and pleasant fruit and shal not be spoiled of the graces of the holy Ghost yea our doings shal neuer be withour happy successe Now we are tossed hither thither not vnlike to leaues and chaffe with the wind of aduersity and affliction yet grant O most merciful Fathee that our life perish not with the wicked but that the cause of the iust may be defended by thy singular prouidence and protection so that in iudgemeÌ„t and in the company of the iust we may be able to stand and not bee confounded through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Out of the same Psalme ALmighty GOD forasmuch as wee haue now learned that a great part of our felicity so long as we liue here consisteth in this that wee refraine from vngodly counsell and wicked manners and also auoid the company of those that despise deride all good things and that in the stead of these euills we giue our selues to the heauenly study of thy holy law to bee occupied and exercised therein both day and night wherby we do perceiue that we haue very much erred and straied from this way of our saluation yea wee haue in these things most wickedly offended therfore we beseech thee euen for thy mercies sake that thou wilt pardon our offences and that henceforth by continuall study and exercise of thy word thou wilt vouch safe to make vs fruitful plants that we may not only bring forth wholesome fruits in thy Church whiles we liue here but also may be able in the other world to stand in iudgement before thee who best knowest the way of the iust through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier taken out of the second Psalme VVE perceiue most mercifull and almighty God that not only Antichrist but also the power and strength of the whole world conspireth against thee and against thy Christ which thinke the gospel and the building vp again of the church to be an intollerable bondage hard yoke Wherefore they labour by all possible meanes to breake asunder the societies and congregations of the faithfull and cast away al discipline But forasmuch as thou sittest in heauen art not ignorant what the diuell or wicked flesh goeth about laugh thou to scorne their vain counsells bring their purposes to nought Let them feele thine anger to be kindled against them make them astonied at the storcenesse of thine indignations so that they may not be able to destroy the Church ouer whoÌ„ thou hast appointed Iesus Christ our only Sauior to be a gouernour that in it hee may raigne by his word and spirite with inuincible might and power Wherefore grant vnto vs although vnworthy and shrinking children such faith constancy that we may finde him also confesse him to be our only king and that we may nothing doubt but that wee may be his nation people and heritage being most assured of this that he is of such strength and power that with his sword more strong then yron he is able to destroy whom he will and breake them in peeces like earthen pots Therefore O God turne the kings and princes of the world vnto thee that they may bee wise and vnderstand whereby they may vnfainedly acknowledge imbrace and kisse his sonne lest when his wrath shall once be kindled they perish and be destroyed for euer And when it shal be thy good pleasure make them blessed for euermore which commit themselues to thy gouernance and and protection by Christ Iesus our Lord Amen Out of the same Psalme MOst mighty and merciful Lord God though
the diuel rage the powers of the world daily rise vp the flesh with all her bond slaues coÌ„spire against the kingdom of thine onely begotten son Iesus Christ our Lord yet make vs to vnderstand and with constant faith bee perswaded that thou deridest and contemnest all such whom thou canst in thine anger fierce displeasure when thou wilt suddenly destroy bring to nought In this faith seeing wee are sometimes so weak that being ouercome with sundry kindes of terrors and dread we are not so obedient to thy commandements as we ought to be wee therefore beseech thee for thy great goodnes sake to be mercifull vnto vs and grant that we may coÌ„stantly beleeue thy sonne our King and our redeemer to haue the highest power and dominion with thee in all things For seeing thou hast begotten him thou hast also deliuered to him all natioÌ„s to be ruled by his power as his owne inheritance grant therefore vnto vs that yet at length wee may be wise and vnderstand in such sort as we may serue thee with al due feare and worship that in the last day wee be not dashed in peeces as earthen vessels with the rodde of thine indignation through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier which M. Iohn Bradford said alittle before his death in Smithfield MErcifull God and Father to whom our Sauiour Christ approched in his feare need by reson of death sound comfort gracious God and most bounteous Christ on whom StepheÌ„ called in his extreame need and receiued strength most benigne holy spirit which in the midst of all crosses and death didst comfort the Apostle S. Paul with more consolations in Christ than hee felt sorrows and terrors in the world haue mercy vpon mee a most miserable vile and wretched sinner which now draw neer the gates of death deserued both in soule and body eternally by reason of my manifold horrible old and new transgressions which to thine eyes O Lord GOD are open and knowne Oh be mercifull vnto mee and forgiue mee for the bitter death and bloudshedding of thine onely Sonne Iesus Christ And though thy iustice do require in respect of my sinnes that now thou shouldest not heare mee contemning thy daily callings yet let thy mercy which is aboue all thy works and wherwith the earth is filled let thy mercy I say preuaile towards me through the merits and mediation of Christ our Sauiour for whose sake it pleaseth thee to bring me forth now as one of his witnesses and a record bearer of thy verity and truth taught by him to giue my life therefore of which dignity I doe acknowledge deare God that there was neuer any so vnworthy and vnmeete no not the thiefe that hanged with him on the crosse I humbly therefore pray thee that thou wouldest accordingly aid helpe and assisâ— mee with thy strength and heaueÌ„ly grace that with Christ thy Sonne I may finde comfort with Stephen I may see thy presence and gracious power with Paul and all other which for thy name sake haue suffered affliction and death I may find so present with me thy gracious consolation that I may by my death glorifie thy holy name set forth and ratifie thy verity comfort the harts of the heauy confirme thy Churcâ— in thy truth conuert some that are to be conuerted and so depart out of this miserable world where I doe nothing but daily heape sinne vpon sinne and enter into the fruition of thy blessed mercy whereof now giue and increase in me a liuely tast sense and feeling where through the terrour of death the tormenâ—s of fire the paines of sin the darts of Satan and the dolours of hell may neuer ouercome me but may be driuen away through the working of the most gracious spirit which now pleÌ„teously endue me withal that throgh the same spâ—rit I may offer as now I desire am ready to doe in Christ and by him my selfe wholy soule and body to a liuely sacrifice holy and acceptable in thy sight deare father whose I am and always haue been euen before the world was made to whom I commend my selfe faith name family and friends countrie all the whole Church yea euen my very enemies according to thy good pleasure beseeching thee entirely to giue once more to this Realme of England the blessing of thy word againe with godly peace to the teaching and setting forth of the same O deare father now guide mee to come vnto thee so purge and purifie me by this fire in Christs death passion through the spirite that I may bee a burnt offering of sweet smel in thy sight which liuest and raignest with the sonne and the holie Ghost now and euermore world without end The Letany O God the father of heauen haue mercy vppon vs miserable sinners O God the father of heauen c. O God the sonne redeemer of the world haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners O God the sonne redeemer c. O God the holy ghost proceeding from the father and the sonne haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners O God the holy Ghost c. O holy blessed and glorious Trinity three persons one God haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners O holy blessed and glorious c. Remember not Lord our offences nor the offences of our forefathers neither take thou vengeance of our sins spate vs good Lord spate thy people whome thou hast redeemed with thy most precious bloud and be not angry with vs for euer Spate vs good Lord. From all euill and mischiefe from sinne from â—he crafts and assaults of the diuell from thy wrath and from euerlasting damnation Good Lord deliuer vs. From blindnes of heart from pride vaineglory and hypocrisie from enuy hatred and malice and al vncharitablenesse Good Lord deliuer vs. From fornication and al other deadly sinne and from all the deceits of the world the flesh and the diuell Good Lord deliuer vs. From lightning and tempest from plague pestileÌ„ce famine from battell murder from sodaine death Good Lord deliuer vs. From all sediâ—iâ—n and priuy conspiracy from all false doctrine and heresie from hardnes of heart contempt of thy word commandemeÌ„t Good Lord deliuer vs. By the mystery of thy holy incarnation by thy holy natiuity and circumcision by thy Baptisme fasting and temptation Good Lord deliuer vs. By thine agony and bloudy sweat by thy crosse and passion by thy glorious resurrection and assension and by the comming of the holy Ghost Good Lord deliuer vs. In all time of our tribulation in all time of our wealth in the houre of death and in the day of iudgement Good Lord deliuer vs. We sinners do beseech thee to heare vs O Lord God and that it may please thee to rule and gouerne thy holy church vniuersally in the right way We beseech thee to heare vâ— c. That it may please thee to keep and strengthen in the true worshipping of thee in righteousnesse holines of
Bishops and Ministers of the Church ALmighty and euerliuing God which onely workest great maruels send downe vpon our Bishops and Pastors and all congregations coÌ„mitted to their charge the healthfull spirit of thy grace and that they may truely please thee powre vpon them the continuall dew of thy blessing Grant this O Lord for the honour of our aduocate and mediator Iesus Christ For raine O GOD heauenly father which by thy sonne Iesus Christ hast promised to all them that seeke thy kingdome and the righteousnesse thereof all things necessary to their bodily sustenance send vs we beseech thee in this our necessity such moderate raine showres that we may receiue the fruits of the earth to our comfort and to thine honour through Iesus Christ our Lord. For faire weather O Lord God which for the sin of man diddest once drowne all the world except eight persons and afterward of thy great mercy diddest promise neuer to destroy it so againe wee humbly beseech thee that although wee for our iniquities haue worthily deserued this plague of rain and waters yet thou wilt send vs such weather whereby wee may receiue the fruits of the earth in due season and learne both by thy punishment to amend our liues and for thy clemency to giue thee praise and glory through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen In the time of dearth and famine O Mercifull God and heauenly father whose gift it is that the raine doth fall the earth is fruitful men and beasts increase and fishes do multiply behold we beseech thee the afflictions of thy people grant that the scarsity and dearth which we doe now most iustly suffer for our iniquities may through thy goodnes be mercifully turned into cheapnes and plenty for the loue of Iesus Christ our Lord to whom with thee and the holy Ghost be praise for euer Amen In the time of warre ALmighty God King of all kâ—ngs and gouernour of all things whose power no creature is able to resist to whom it belongeth iustly to punish sinners and to be mercifull to them that truly repent saue and deliuer vs wee humbly beseech thee from the haÌ„ds of our enemies abate their pride asswage their malice confound their deuices that we being armed with thy defence may bee preserued from all perils to glorifie thee which arte the onely giuer of all victory through the merites of thy onely Son Iesus Christ our Lord So be it In the time of any common plague or sickenesse O Almighty God which in thy wrath in the time of King Dauid didst slay with the plague of pestilence threescore and ten thousand and yet remembring thy mercy didst saue the rest haue pitty vpon vs miserable sinners that now are visited with great sickenesse and mortality that like as thou didst then commaÌ„d thine Angel to cease from punishing so it may now please thee to withdraw from vs this plague and grieuous sickenesse through Iesus Christ our Lord. A praier for the strength and comfort of the holy Ghost ALmighty most mercifull God which giuest to thy elect people thine holy spirit as a sure pledge of thy heauenly kingdome wee most humbly beseech thee so to replenish our harts with the grace of thy holy spirit that he may bear witnes to our spirits that we be thy childreÌ„ heirs of thy kingdome that by thy gracious working of this thy good spirit we may kil al carnal lusts vnlawful pleasures concupiscences euil affections contrary to thy most blessed wil through our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ So be it For sure hope and sure tast of euerlasting life O Almighty God which hast prepard euerlasting life for al those that be thy faithfull seruants grant vnto vs sure hope of this life euerlasting that whiles we be here in this miserable world wee my haue some taste and feeling of it in our hearts through the merits of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ So be it For true knowledge of God and his word and a life agreeable to the same GRant vnto vs O mercifull God wee most heartily beseech thee knowledge and true vnderstanding of thy most blessed will and word that all ignorance being expelled we may know what thy will pleasure is in all things and how to do our duety and truly to walk in our vocation and that also we may expresse in our liuing those things that we doe know that wee bee not only knowers of thy will and word good Lord but also may be hearty faithful workers of the same throgh our Lord and Sauior Iesus Christ So be it A praier for the strength and increase of faith O Almighty and euerliuing God which not onely giuest euery good and perfect gift but also increasest those gifts that thou hast giuen we most humbly beseech thee to increase in vs the gift of faith that we may truly beleeue in thee and in thy promises made vnto vs in Christ Iesu our Lord that neither by our negligence nor infirmity of the flesh nor by grieuousnes of temptations neither by the subtle crafts and assaults of the diuell wee be driuen from this faith in the bloud of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ So be it For a godly life ALmighty God giue vs grace that we may cast away the workes of darknes and put on vs the armor of light now in the time of this mortall life in which thy Son Iesus Christ came to visite vs in great humilitie that in the last day when hee shall come againe in his glorious maiesty to iudge the quicke and the dead we may rise to the life immortall throgh him who liueth and raigneth with thee and the holy Ghost now and for euer So be it A praier for true perseuerance and the assured hope of eternal life BLessed God which hast caused al holy Scriptures to be written for our learning grant that we may in such wise heare theÌ„ reade them marke them inwardly print them in our hearts that by patience and coÌ„fort of thy holy word we may imbrace and euer holde fast the blessed hope of euerlasting life which thou hast giuen vs in our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ So be it A praier for the obtaining of our petitions ALmighty God which hast giuen vs grace at this time with one accord to make our coÌ„mon supplications vnto thee and doest promise that when two or three be gathered together in thy name thou wilt grant their requests fulfil now O Lord the desires and petitions of thy seruants as may be must expedient for them granting vs in this world knowledge of thy truth and in the world to come life euerlasting Amen The end of the Lateny A GODLY INSTRVCTIon containing the summe of all the Diuinity necessary for a Christian conscience Made by M. Iohn Bradford A Man that is regenerate born of God the which thing that euery one of vs bee our Baptisme the Sacrament of regeneration doth require vnder paine of damnation