onely Sauiour so loue thee that all mine affections may bee set on thee alone and so embrace true godlinesse that our whole life may be a cleere mirrour of all vertue and goodnesse so shall wee through thy mercie bee found worthy guests of this thy Table and receiue these holy mysteries to the saluation of our soules Yea so shall we be well assured of the remission and forgiuâ—nesse of all our sinnes By the breaking of thy blessed bodie and the shedding of thy precious blood our consciences shall bee quiet our hearts shall be filled with all true and spirituall ioy we shall triumph ouer Sathan sinne death hell and desperation wee shall be partakers of all the fruites and merites of thy blessed passion bee made one body with thee fellow-heires in euerlasting glorie O Lord God let it so come to passe for the honour of thy name Amen A Thankesgiuing after the receiuing of the Communion VVEe thanke thee O Heauenly Father for the blessed passion and glorious death of thy dearely beloued Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ by whose holy wounds we faithfully beleeue and are assuredly perswaded that thy wrath is not onelie pacified towardes vs buâ— that thou also are now become our most mercifull Father and hast freelie forgiuen vs all our sinnes Restore vnto vs thy heauenlie grace and make vs sonnes and heires of thine eternal glorie And because wee should not doubt of thy Fatherlie goodnesse rewards vs 〈◊〉 in the deâ—th of thy 〈◊〉 the same Son Christ 〈◊〉 Lord hath lâ—â—t vnto vs not onely his holy Word but also a blessed memorial of his death and passion set forth 〈◊〉 the holy bâ—â—ad and wine which weat this present haue receiued both for a remembrance of the breaking of his blessed body and the sâ—edding of his moâ—â— prâ—â—inâ—â— blood 〈◊〉 also for the quietnâ—sse of our â—â—onscience and â—â—â— the 〈◊〉 of the remissiâ—â— of our â—â—â—nes through faithâ—â—â—â—â— We 〈◊〉 thee O Heaâ—â—enly Father that we be neuer vnmindefull of this thy exceeding great kindnessâ— not vnthankefull for thy maâ—ifolde blessings vnspeakable mercies declared vnto vs in the glorious death of thy welbeloued Sonne but so worke thou in vs through thy holy Spirit that wee may be made worthy members of that bodie whereof thy Sonne and our Sauiour Christ Iesus is the head And that we may so faithfullie beleeue in thee and so â—eruently loue one another alway liuing in thy feare and in the obedience of thy holy law and blessed will that wee being fruitfull in all godly and Christian workes may traine our liues according to thy good pleasure in this transitorie World and after this fraile and short life obtaine the true and immortal life where thou with thy dearely beloued Sâ—nne our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ and the Holy Ghost that most sweete Comforter liuest and raignest one true God in all honour glorie World without end Amen A Prayer to be saide at the receiâ—ing of the mysterie of Christs Bâ—die in the Communion O Heauenly and blessed Father â—â—render vnto thoe most hearty thankes for all thy benefits which thou hast shewed vnto mee a most wretched sinner but especially for that most sweete smelling sacrifice which thy onely begotten Son offered vnto thee on the Altar of the Crosse by giuing his most pure and vndefiled bodie vnto the death for the redemption of Mankinde in remembrance whereof according to thy wellbeloued Sonnes ordinance I now receiue this holie bread most entirely beseeching thee that I may both be partaker of the merites of thy deare Sonnes Body-breaking and also leade a life worthy so great a benefit to the glorie oâ— thy name Amen A Prayer to be saide at the receiuing of the mysterie of Christs bloud in the holy Communion O Blessed and mercifull Father thy loue towards mee sinful Creature is so exceeding great and vnspeakable that I cannot but giue vnto thee most humble thankes namely for the shedding of the most precious bloud of thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ by the vertue whereof thy wrath stored vp against me wretched sinner is pacified my ransome is paide the Law is fulfilled mine enemies are ouercome put to flight In remembrance of this so noble a victorie and of so great a benefit I am come vnto this Table O merciful Father to drinke of this Cup desiring thee that as my outward man is comforted by the drinking of this wine so likewise my inward man may bee comforted and made strong by true faith in the precious blood of thy most deare Sonne O Lord and my Heauenlie Father giue me thy holy Spirit which may so rule gouerne my heart that I neuer bee vnthankefull nor forgetful of this thine exceeding great kindnes but so traine my life according to thy blessed will that whatsoeuer I doe speake or thinke may bee vnto the glory of thy most blessed name and the health of my soule through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Morning salutation to GOD for wisedome for grace and forgiuenesse of sinnes MY Soule O Lord hath desired thee in the night season and I haue also waited for thee in spirit and minde all the morning beseeching thee that thy presence which I sore haue longed for may expell from me all my sinne Lord water the secrets of my heart with thy manifolde graces and mightily enâ—â—â—â—e the same with thy loue And now my most sweete Lord Iesus Christ I rise and come early to thee in the morning and pray thee from the bottome of my heart that thou wilt hearken vnto my prayers and godlie requests which I doe most humbly in heart offer vnto thee for thou art the wisdome the eternall brightnesse and verie figure of the substance of the Father who hast created all things of nothing And because thou wouldest bring againe Man to the pleasure of Paradise thou camest downe from Heauen into this vale of miserie and by thy holie conuersation thou hast shewed and trod him the path thereunto and for ransome of all Man-kinde thou wouldest bee offered to thy Father as a most immaculate Lambe Open by thy Holy Spirit my stony and hard heart that with the eies of a perfect beliefe â— may alwaies behold thee who art King of Kings and Lord of Lords Giue mâ— wisâ—dome truly to consider of thy â—eath and passion that thereby I may profit in thee onely who art as a Booke of charitie for me Grant mee that I be vtterlie destitute of all vanities that now I be not he whom heretofore I haue beene but doe thou alwaies abide in me that so linked vnto thee I neuer sâ—verue or decline from thee Send downe good Lord thy wisedome from the seate of thy Maiestie that shee may labour and be with mee that I may know what is acceptable in thy sight that my heart and senses may bee enlightened whereby I may vnderstand how to bee a true follower of thy Precepts O my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ who art most sweete vnto mee
to enlighten my mind more and more to the knowledge of thee and my selfe to inflame my heart with true charitie to preserue my senses in thy holie feare that by my will I may neither heare see nor touch any thing that is vncleane or offensiue vnto thee And if in taking of my naturall rest either thorow the suggestion of the enemy or the rebellion of mine own flesh I haue had any disordered motions or vnâ—haste representations in my slcepe now I am perfectly awake and by thy mercy returned vnto the vse of my reason I do vtterly disclaime the same denying all consent of my will and affections thereunto And now my gracious Lord God for this day being present I may by thy heauenly assistance resolue with my selfe so to liue in this World that I may both auoide all sinne and the occasion thereof and to leaue my accustomed vices and those especially to which I am most prone to fall vnto and that I may referâ—e al my actions and endeauâ—urs to the praise and honour of thy holy name so to bestâ—w my time that this day may not bee lost or passe ouer my head without some good worke tending to the true worshipping of thy holie name which laudable determinations and purpose of the amendment of my leude and loose life may accordingly take effect and giue thy blessing gracious Lord to them all O merciful God I beseech thee according to thy great mercy that thou wâ—lt bâ—ot out all mine offences for I am a wretched and a miserable sinner therefore I do heartily desire in all humility to adore and worship thee and to render vnto thee immortal praise and thanksgiuing for all thy blessings and especially for that vnspeakable goodnesse wherein thou diddest send downe thy onely begotten Sonne into this vale of miserie for the worke of our redemption whereby wee are cherished and nourished wherewith wee are cleansed and sanctified and our soules made partakers of all heauenly grace and spirituall blessings for which I yeelde vnto thee all possible thanks that a poore sinfull creature being but a handfull of dust can yeelde vnto thy diuine Maiestie being of no value without thy mercy Also thou hast vouchsafed first to wash mee with the lauer of Baptisme to the remission of that originall corruption contracted in my first Parents and afterwards thou hast brought me to the exerâ—ises acts of a right faith not ceasing daily to increase the same in mee by the light of thy grace and doctrine of thy holy Word O Lord I humbly thanke thee also that from my Cradle thou hast nourished clothed and cherished me supplying all things necessary for the reliefe and maintenance of this my feeble body for which euermore I wil magnifie thy holy name that in great mercy thâ—u hast hither to spared me albeit from my youth I haue wantonly ryoted in manifold excesses patiently expecting till by thy grace I might bee awaked from the sleepe of sinne and reâ—laimed from my vanities and wicked courses haddest thou dealt with mee according to my desarts my soule long ere this had been oppressed with innumerable sinnes and had beene plunged in perdition yea the yawning gulfe of hel had swallowed me quicke Lord in respect of all thy mercies graces and blessings which thou hast poured vpon mee I desire that my heart may be more and more enlarged to render vnto thee a more ample tribute of praise and thankesgiuing And now for those things whereof I stand in need and faine would obtaine at thy hands fiâ—st onely Lord God neuer leaue me vnto my selfe but let the bit of thy chaste feare be euer in my iawes to curbe and to keepe mee within the compasse of thy Law that I may dread nothing in the world as in the least sort to offend and displease thee for which cause let thy holy loue so temper all trials and temptations which happen vnto mee that I may profit and not lose by them thou my Creator knowest how fraile I am of my selfe and how my strength is nothing Moreouer blessed Lord â— beseeche thee that thou wouldest keepe farte from me thy seruant all pride and haughtinesse of minde all selfe-loue and vaine glory all obstinacie and disobedience all craft and hurtfull dissimulation cast downe and tread vnder my feete the spirit â—â— gluttony and letcherie the spirit of sloth and heauinesse the spirit of malice and enuie the spirit of hatred and disdaine that I may neuer despise or contemne any of thy Creatures nor preferre my selfe before others but euer little in my owne sight to think the best of my bretheren and to deeme and iudge the worst of my selfe Iâ—â—est me Holy Father with the wedding garment of thy beloued son â—he supernaturall vertue of â—ll things that I may loue â—hee my Lord God with all my heart with all my soule â—nd with all my strength â—hat neither life nor death â—rosperitie nor aduersitie â—or any thing else may feâ—arate mee from thy loue Grant that all inordinate afâ—ection to the transitorie â—hings of this World may â—ailie decay and die in mee â—hat thou alone maiest bee â—astefull pleasant and sauouâ—ie vnto my soule O my most gracious God â—iue vnto thy seruant an â—umble contrite and obediâ—nt heart an vnderstanding â—lwaies occupied in honest â—ertuous cogitations a will tractable and euer prone tâ— the better affections stayed calme moderate a watch full custody of my sensesâ— that by those windowes nâ— sin may enter into my soulâ— a perfect gouernment of mâ— tongue that no corrupt oâ— vnseemely language maâ— proceede from my lips thâ— I may neuer slander backâ— bite or speake ill of mâ— Neighbour that I may nâ— busie my selfe in the faulâ— and imperfections of other but rather attend to the â— mending of my owne leuâ— life and finallie so long aâ— am detained in this prisoâ— of my bodie and exild froâ— my heauenly Countrie lâ— this be my portion and tâ—â— comfort of my banishmenâ— that free from all seculâ— â—ares and carking solicitude of this present life whollie deuoted to thy seruice I may attend onelie to thee â— may reioice onelie in thee â— may cleaue vnto thee I may rest my soule in thee â—nd sitting in silence I may giue way and entertainment â—o the heauenlie doctrine to â—he good motions and inâ—pirations of thy holy Spirit In these sweete exercises â—et mee passe the solitarie â—oures of my tedious pilgrimage with patience expeâ—â—ing the shutting vp of my â—aies and an happie end of â—his my miserable life And â—rant ô thou louer of manâ—ind my Lord and my God â—hat when this my earthlie â—abernacle shall bee dissolâ—ed being found free from all pollution of sinne as afteâ— Baptisme I may bee râ—ckoned in the number of thosâ— blessed soules who througâ— the merites and passion oâ— thy deare Sonne are heldâ— worthy to raigne with theeâ— and to enioy the glorioâ—â— presence of the blessed Trinitie Father Soâ—ne and Holie Chost to whom of alâ— Creatures iâ—
of friendship and amitie betwixt vs. Namely that thou wilt be my mercifull Father and that againe I may be thy obedient childe Lord thou soest I doe not aske of thee riches honours or long life but onelie this euen this thing alone which with all possible importunity I vrgâ— and neuer wil cease to craue that from this present houre to my liues end I may neuer more offend thy diuine Maiestie nor defile my conscience with anie mortall ofsence O Lord grant â— poore sinner this his humble suite for Christ Iesus his sake my alone Sauiour and Redeemer Come holie Spirit the sweetest comforter of Mankinde I beseech thee take the possession of my soule purge and cleanse mee of all sin sanctifie me throughout wash what is corrupted water what is dried heale what is wounded bow what is â—â—iffened warme what is cooled call home what is straied make mee â—rulie humble and resigned â—hat thou maiest bee pleased â—o stay and abide with thy seruant O most blessed light and glorious lampe illuminate my minde with the heauenâ—ie beames of thy wisdome O Paradise of pleasures â— Fountaine of purest deâ—ights my God giue me thy â—elfe In flame my soule with â—hy celestiall loue teach me â—ouerne me direct and proâ—ect mee through the whole â—ourse of my life Establish my mind against â—ll elusions and inordinate feare grant me a right faith an assured hope a siâ—cerâ— and perfect charity and that I may preferre thy blessed will pleasure before aâ—â— things in Heauen and Earth And now sweete Iesus vpon the knees of my heart I humbly craue pardon oâ— these and all other my trespasses knowne and vnknowne yea so inspire my heart with thy spirit that seriouslie I may resolue of amendement of life for the time to come That I may carefullie reforme my selfe of those vsual errors into which this day past and so often as heretofore I haue beene accustomed to fal that I may renewall my good purposes and intentions and accordinglie put them in practise that so finallie after this my short life spent in thy seruice I may at length close vp my daies in peace and happilie end in thee who art blessed for euer Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost liuest and raignest euer one God World without ende Amen A Prayer for Night O My most Soueraigne Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ Lampe of light truth I miserable wretch most humbly beseech thee to with-draw and keepe my minde from wandring thoughts distractions this night Lord heare the groâ—nings of those who vnder then of sinne and infirmitiâ—â— crie vnto thee Lord loose â—he bonds and shackles of iniquitie wherewith I haue bound my selfe and out of the darke prison of wickednesse whereinto I haue run and captiuated my selfe deliuer my sinfull soule O Lord As thou art my skilful Phisician and best knowest my diseases take me to thy cure O Soune of God my Creatour Redeemer and Sanctifier let thy vnspeakable loue remaine in my soule for euer that I may enioy thee and ioy in thy countenance Thou that leddest the Israelites thy seruants throgh the red Sea and deliueredst them from the bondage of Pharâ—ah and his cruell Ministers discharge mee of the grieuous weight of my sins where-with my soule is so heauilie laden Thou that desendedst Daniel in the Lions denne desend me this night and euermore Thou that pardonedst Dauids vnspeakable sinnes be mercifull vnto me thou Sonne of God and Sauiour of the World in whom 〈◊〉 lie is my saluation by whom I may become an Angell in Heauen and without whose mercie am a diuell in hell Good God looke graciouslie vpon mee wash me O Lord whose iniquities are as red as bloud and I shall appear before thy almighty Throne as white as snow Lord deliuer mee now this night and in the houre of my death from all the malicious temptations of the old Serpent my enemie adopt mee here thy sonne below that I may become thy seruant aboue and liue with thee and raigne with thee in those ioies which are euer during who with the Father and the Holie Ghost euer liuest raignest World without end Ameâ— O Lord looke downe from Heauen vpon mee miserable wrâ—tch that lie here prostrate at thy feete crauing mercie of thy Omnipotent Maiestie for those sinnes which I haue committed this day against thee I humblie beseech thee O Christ which aâ—â— my onelie Sauiour and Redeeâ—â—er to extend thy accustomed goodnesse to me this night that I may bee defended from the danger of the enemie and all euill which may befall mee this night good Lord take mee into thy protection of safegard that I may take safe and quiet rest this night to the end I may be the better enabled the next day to serue thee in all godlinesse holinesse of liuing whereby I may haue thy blessings powred downe plentifullie vpon me to the reliefe of me and mine and that after this painefull life ended I may dwell with thee in life euerlasting Amen A Praier to GOD for grace and to dâ—spâ—se the vanitie of the World O Gracious and Omnipotent Father haue merâ—ie on mee and forgiue me the great offences which I haue done in the sight oâ— thee Grant me grace for the loue of thee to despise sinneâ— and all worldlie vanitieâ— helpe mee to ouercome all temptations to sinne and the malice oâ— my ghostliâ— enemies and to spend my time in vertue and labouâ— acceptable to thee Repressâ— the motions of my sinfuâ—â— flesh that mine hâ—art may bee enamoured of vertue to liue to thine honour and to the comfort of my soule O Father strengthen mee in soule and bodie to execute the workes of godlinesse to the glorie of thy blessed name and profit of my Christian bretheren whereby I may come to thy euerlasting ioy and feliâ—itie Grant me a firme purpose most mercifull Lord to amend my life and to make recompence for those yeers which I haue misspent to thy displeasure in euill thoughts delectations consentings wordes workes and euill customes whereby I haue deserued damnatioÌ„ Lord make mine heart obedient to thy will comfort mee and giâ—e mee grace to haue my most ioy and pleasure in thee giue me heauenly meditations gostlie sweetenesse and zeale of thy glorie Rauish my soule with a burning desire to the heauenlie ioy where I shall euerlastinglie dwell with thee â—rant me sweet Sauiour contempt of all damnable pleasure of sinne and misery grant mee a true remembrance of my saluation with a feare of damnation and 〈◊〉 remembrance of thy goodnesse thy gifts great â—iâ—dnesse shewed to me from my creation vntill this present houre O Lord reduce into my minde my sinnes and disobedience whereby I haue offended thee Lord grant me a right spirit and perfect contrition to obtaine thy grace and from filthy sinne to purge mee O God make mee constant and stable iâ— faith hope and charity with continuance in vertue direct my will that it may not offend thee but
hard Therefore let vs kill sinne in the beginning then shall we not sinne in concupiscence much lesse in practising of sinne and delighting in sin The other cause is the malice and watchfulnesse of the Diuell by which he holdeth 2 Tim. 2. 26. fast his seruants captiues for he which committeth sinne is the seruant of sinne and is held in captiuitie with the snares of the Diuell as the Apostle teacheth euen at his will The diuel is that strong Luc. 11. 21 armed man which with great care diligence standeth vpon his guard wherevpon Saint Augustine faith Hee is not so strong by his owne strength as by our owne negligence although his power be very great yet hee taketh not so much by force as by his subtill suggestions for which cause hee did not aske leaue of our Sauiour Christ that hee might cast him downe from the pinnacle of the Temple but Mat. 4. sought rather to perswade Christ to cast himselfe down headlong The Serpent in like manner sought not by force to cramme Eue but allured her to take it her selfe Gen. 3. that shee might as it were with her owne knife cut her owne throate The Diuell will not breake open the doore vpon vs but hee must find it open empty swept and garnished and then hee Mat. 12. will enter and that hee may thus make our selues the instruments of our owne miserie and woe hee ceaseth not to tempt vs neither day nor night Saint Gregory saith he may win vs at the least-wise by his tediousnesse When hee hath thus brought vs to his lure then his care is to hold vs still in his bondage and for feare that we should make conscience of sinne and so turne to the Lord by repentance he putteth a faire vizard ouer the vglie face of sinne and so disguizeth her that the proud person which exceedeth in apparell saith that his or her pride is clenlinesse and decencie the whore-monger and fornicator taketh his filthy life to be but the course of youth the drunkard and riotous person perswadeth himselfe that his excesse is but good fellowship the couetous person beleeueth that his couetousnesse is good husbandry the idle person which spendeth his whole time in Dice Cards and such like pastimes neglecting his vocation in the true seruing of God flattereth himselfe that his time thus wickedly spent is honest recreation whereas if the Diuell had not blinded them so as they might see sinne in her colours she would seeme such a deformed monster as they would loath her for euer Her eyes are ful of adultery her eares are very large and great open to heare al deuices and vaine delights her tongue swollen with lying and deceit her throate is an open sepulcher and a swallowing gulfe her lips are inuenomed with the poyson of Aspes her hands are large to receiue bribes her belly hath a timpany of surfetting and gluttony her backe is laden with idlenesse and yet her seete are swift to shed bloud With her heart shee thinketh vpon nothing but how to betray the innocent and oppresse the widdow and the fatherlesse yea from the very top of the head vnto the sole of the foot shee is full of botches and sores and hath no whole part What man will be coupled with this monster which is the monster of all monsters who hath no other dowry and portion of her father the Diuell but hell fire Let him then that hath been enchanted with her adulterous eies diuorce himselfe betimes from her company without delay for it is very perillous to stay long her handmaide securitie will peraduenture flatter vs and say it is too soone to depart with this sweete vnsauoury companion and so to craue further company This is the weakenesse of fraile flesh which fancy feeds the vaine thoughts who say all shall be well but it is the Diuels voice and if wee continue therein and withstand not our vnbridled thoughts which the fraile flesh doth yeeld vnto but still hearken to the Diuels voice hee will serue vs as hee serued Adam and Eue and will lay open our nakednes and shame to the confusion of body and soule if wee suddenly doe not repent and amend vs of our vngodly courses Delaied repentance is the cause of the absence of the Holie Ghost from vs for as the spirit of the Lord dwelling in our hearts maketh the way of vertue easie and sweete in so much that the Prophet Dauid saith I haue as great Psal 119. delight in the way of thy Commandements as in all manner of riches and I haue ruâ—ne the way of thy Commandements when thou hast set my heart at libertie Euen so contrariwise the absence of the Holie Ghost maketh the same way hard and vnpleasant And as the light of the Sun cheareth vp mens spirits to goe to their labours euen so the Sunne of righteousnesse shining in our hearts with the bright beames of his grace maketh vs to haue a delight in the way of his Commandements The first outward meanes of Saint Pauls conuersion was the great light which hee sawe from Heauen then hee was cast downe to the ground and humbled he heareth a voice and acknowledgeth it to be Gods voice and then ariseth vp and saith What shall I doe It is the celestiall illumination that worketh our Acts 9. 6. 26. 12. conuersion vnto God and frameth our hearts to his obedience And therefore the Lord saith by the mouth of the Prophet Osea thus to sinfull men Wâ—e vnto them when I shall depart away from them Ose 6. 12. and by the Prophet Ieremie Vnderstand and know what a grieuous thing it is that the Lord thy God hath forsaken thee The Apple is not so eaten of wormes nor the garment so eaten with mothes as the powers of the soule are corrupted with sinne and wickednesse the vnderstanding is darkened the iudgement dulled and the will depraued whereof it commeth that now to liue a holy and godly life is a very hard and painefull matter Who seeth not then in what peril and error they are who putting off their repentance and conuersion from day to day do thinke that the same which is now hard vnto them they shall finde afterwards more easie when all the causes of difficultie and hardnes are encreased when they haue encreased the causes of their labour and difficultie by adding sinnes vnto sinnes and when an euill custome hath taken more deep roote shall not the Diuell then more fortifie his Castle which is thy soule shall not GOD which is thy light depart further off from thee shall not the powers of thy soule then hauing receiued many wounds bee made more weake and insufficient to goodnesse Beside this thou must greatly hazard the losse of heauenly treasures by a long delay GOD hath thought vpon vs and loued vs from euerlasting and hath prepared for vs an eternall reward with what face then canst thou holde from God a little momentanie seruice
which is the key that doth open where no Man shuts and shuts where no man 〈◊〉 that enters where no man hath passage and returnes where no man can hinder The prayer of the faithfull is the life of that soule which is sore wrapped and perplexed with the noysome puddle of a sestered and sinfull conscience where by the heart is so oppresâ—â— with griefe that neither wine nor strong drinke by the rules of Salomon can comfort O then what shalâ— wee doe but crie to thee 〈◊〉 GOD with heart and hand listed vp to 〈◊〉 saying 〈◊〉 that thou wouldest hide 〈◊〉 in thy Grace and keepe 〈◊〉 secret vntill thy wrath 〈◊〉 past Therefore if any 〈◊〉 afflicted let him pray and 〈◊〉 vs not presume in the height of our prosperitie lest wee suddenly see a change but let vs put our whole confidence in the Lord our God and pray vnto him and to none other Neither let vs presume vpon our selues or any earthly meanes besides for there was neuer contemplation exercise or any kind of study in the World so acceptable to the Maiestie of GOD so gracious in his sight so lincked and true a friend to him as heauenly meditation It awaketh in the night season it rests not in the day it forsaketh vs not by Land or by Sea in health in sicknesse in prosperity or aduersitie in weale or woe it is such a sure and tried friend in all extreamities such an inseparable companion in mans greatest distresse as no tongue is able to expresse the contentation it yeelds vnto the oppressed Therefore let vs loue it and lodge it in the bosome of our weake consciences and imbrace it in sincerity of heart for it is our last and best friend alwaies solliciting our Father in Heauen whose name is so worthy to be called vpon so mighty for deliuerance so pâ—â—ssant for protection so gainfull for successe so compendicus to abridge vnnecessary labours as the name of LEHOVAH our most mercifull louing Father There was neuer Sanctuary so free for transgressors in the strongest priuiledge neuer such safetie neuer holes in the Rocke so open for the Fowles of the field the arme of my Mother neuer so open to her child as the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Gods mercifull compassion to all true and faithfull beleeuers Therefore with speede let vs all 〈◊〉 faithfully vnto this good GOD in all our wants and extremities there shroaâ—â— our selues vnder his protection There was neuer Creature liuing vnder the Sunne that 〈◊〉 not affliction in his daies neither 〈◊〉 there euer any to whom affliction was not grieuous and irkesomeâ— yet neuer was there affliction so great but it hath beene vnder the correction of a louing Lord whose hand hath beene aable to master it Euery affliction as it comes in seuerall kinds for our seueral sinnes and transgressions so our meditations must be seuerall and framed and fitted thereunto and powred forth both with wisedome and zeale that they seem not harsh and vndigested to those sacred eares that can both sift and trie the one and the other The delicacy and tendernesse both of our meditations and prayers must be so deuoutly and wisely composed and the fauour of his countenance so carefully sought for as may appeare by the example of him that knew in his soule that a faint and dissembling Petition would returne emptie into the bosome of him that sent it vp Cursed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that doth the Ier. 48. 10 worke of the Lord negligently saith the Prophet 〈◊〉 But saith Dauid A broken and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lord will not despise Dauid neuer sent vp his petitions but with the deepest affection and zeale of heart with the most sincere integritie and meditated zeale that might be for euery night washed hee his bedde and watered his Couch with teares which argued his singular contrition and feruentnesse in his Petitions And therefore after his godly example let vs with a sincere true desire of contrite hearts pray to that good GOD that he will so inspire his heauenly grace into our sinfull hearts that when wee make our Petitions we may haue the force of two tongues in our 〈◊〉 whereby we may the better speede and auoide the malediction which otherwise we may receiue in stead of 〈◊〉 blessing Wee may learne precepts and draw many excellent examples from the liues of the Heathen Philosophers and Writers as also we may learne a zeale in our Petitions euen of those woodden Priests 1 Kings 18 of whom it is written That they called vpon the name of Baal from morning to noon and when they had no answere they cried aloude nay cutte themselues with kniues till the bloud flowed so they praied not onely in teares but in bloud And then shall not wee being the Children of light be as seruent and zealous in our Petitions to GOD The agony zeale of the Sunne of righteousnesse was such that in the dayes of his flesh hee offered vp Prayers and supplications with strong cries and teares to him that was able to helpe him O Lord inspite thy heauenly grace so 〈◊〉 our hearts that wee may learne to addresse ourselues that in all temptations necessities and afflictions wee may in the true zeale of our heart pray so deâ—outely vnto thy omnipotent Maiestie that our Petitions may haue a gracious acceptance in thy sight And as Gods word further declares vnto vs not only that he kneeled at the naming of whose name all knees must bow both in Heauen and Earth and vnder the Earth but that he fell vpon the ground the foot-stoole of his owne Maiestie and lay vpon that face that neuer Angell beheld without reuerence and when hee had praied once hee praied againe more earnestly as his word records He once praied departed a secoÌ„d time yet a third praied and departed euermore vsing the same petitions his prayer ascending by degrees like incense persume And not only his lips went but his agony contention within was so great that an Angel was sent from Heauen to comfort him and out of the trouble of his soule the sweate like drops of bloud trickled downe to the ground Let vs not therefore at any time offer vp any vnworthy sacrifice but let vs remember in our Prayers this glorious example of this our worthy and blessed Sauiour for our imitation that they may be blessed in their speede and wee in their successe and not to vtter them carelesly as if our spirits and tongues were strangers ignorant of eithers purpose the lippes babâ—ing without the heart but no compuâ—ction within honouring God with our mouthes but our spirits of true deuotion being farre from him our hearts not bleeding with the drops of true sinceritie which would bee heard and pittied Our Altar without fire our Petitions without heate and all that wee doe without zeale If we meane that our Petitions should be heard and accepted at the hands of GOD wee must frame our supplications with an ardent true affectionated zeale
directed to God alone for it is neither to be done to Angels nor Saints as Mediators or friends one or other greater or lesser in Heauen or Earth but onely to be offered to the Maiesty of God whose eares bee open to all them that seeke to him in Faith for without true Faith all our Petitions are naught and turne to our vtter confusion Wee must not onely pray with zeale and desire but with fitnesse of congruitie and application for his blessings in our necessities The Prophet Hosea maketh it plaine and saith The Lord at all times will take away all inâ—quitie and receiue vs graciously so we render vp to him 〈◊〉 caluâ—s of our lips Nay what is it that hee will not doe for them that put their whole rest vpon his omnipotent Maiestie in all tribulations and anguish of mind If we make our humble supplications vnto him he will stay his furious hand and fill his hand full of mercie he will with-draw his rod of correction and send his rod of comfort hee will sheathe vp his deuouring sword in the hand of his destroying Angell who on euery side strikes downe to the graue emptying houses and streets to fill vp Church yards And vpon our true repentance he will surceasse to send his deueâ—ring Angell and send his Angell of mercy and grace which is a preseruatiue and the most soueraign restoratiue vnder heauen to make sound againe our diseased conscience which hath been long â—uergrowne with â—inne which 〈◊〉 both hâ—rt and wound 〈◊〉 now wee acknowledge with a sorrow from our hearts that our sinnes haue procured it at the hand of GOD. In consideration of the great mercies that GOD doth daily hourely heape vpon vs wee must addresse our Petitions to the LORD in another key and forme of supplication meekely kneeling before the LORD our Maker lowly prostrate at the foote-stoole of GODS mercy that his iudgements may be diuerted and turned away from vs. Thus did that great patterne of wisdome Salomon whose foote-steps are worthy our imitation beseeching the LORD of Lords that when wee shall make our prayers according to our necessities either in body or in mind that he would vouchsafe then to heare vs and reach forth his mercifull hand vnto our complaints But these our Petitions cannot ascend vnlesse faith deuotion beare them vp nor can they speede vnlesse they issue from a heart that vowes vnfeined repentance and that calles to mind our sinnes transgressions that haue procured those iudgements that we may truly repent and so wash them from vs whereby God may heare vs and shew his mercifull compassion But this repentance is more bitter then can bee imagined for euery sorrow is not repentance for theâ— should worldlings repent Some thinke euery confession to bee repentance then had Pharaoh and Saul repented some thinke that euery weeping is 〈◊〉 repentance then had Esau repented some take euery little humiliation to bee repentance then had 〈◊〉 repented some thinke that euery good word and promise is repentance if that were so then should sicke men repent some thinke to â—rie GOD mercy is repentance then should euery â—oole repent But true repentance in â—â—de and such as is here â—ent iâ— more then hanging â—owne of the head like a â—ull-rush or towring out a â—â—are to soâ— out a sighe to â—eare 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 cloth or with a verball sound of the lips without the priuity and consent oâ— the heart within to criâ— Lord haue mercy on me anâ— so rest But it must bee the scourging and launcing of the verie soule with true contrition a downe-right shower 〈◊〉 teares from a broken penâ—tent bleeding heart filleâ— with exceeding bitternessâ— of sorrow and anguish foâ— some committed Let no man thinke it toâ— early to goe or too early 〈◊〉 beginne to goe to this gooâ— Schoole not of sharpnessâ— but of sweetnesse not 〈◊〉 paine but of pleasure Lâ—â— vs goe to it in our youthâ— and let Salomon be our Tâ—tor whereby wee shall 〈◊〉 â—aught to remember our Creator in the dayes of our â—outh Let it bee often rememâ—red that no man thinke it â—o late lest hee omit and â—ose that which hee might â—therwise haue gained What time soeuer the sinâ—er shall truely repent him â—â—om the very bottome of 〈◊〉 heart of his loude and â—isspent life the Lord will â—orgiue and forget and his â—â—nnes shall vanish from his â—â—ght and presence euen as 〈◊〉 dâ—aw before the Sunne I say againe he that rightâ—â— repents himselfe of his â—ickednesse and vaine life 〈◊〉 is not the misery of this â—retched life nor terror of â—onscience nor malice of â—oes let them be Men or diuels 〈◊〉 be a whole legion to one that shall neuer hinder the ascensioâ— and blessing of his godlâ— prayer and it shalâ— neuer hiâ—der the forgiuenesse of 〈◊〉 sinne Neuer was the shadoâ— more faithfull to the bodiâ— then a blessed forgiuenesâ— to faithfull repentance aâ—â— the good successe whiâ—â— hath beene to a faithfull aâ—â— zealous prayer conceiuâ—â— in the breast and lodged 〈◊〉 the heart and powerfulâ— vttered by the voice of 〈◊〉 tongue and spirit But this great expectâ—â— successe which we looke 〈◊〉 to receiue by our Petitioâ—â— at the hands of GOD muâ—â— be formed in a more zealoâ—â— fashion then our commâ—â— â—se is which vse may bee â—ompared to an hypocâ—ites â—ustome wanting these neâ—essary adiuncts these vndeâ—ayed vndelaied assistants â—hat blesse the companie wherein they come and 〈◊〉 the suite wherein they 〈◊〉 Solliciters and Plaintifs â—ho beate not the aire with â—ounds that arise from the â—ollow and emptinesse of â—hem like Brooks that roare â—nd make a noise but shew â—â—eir empty bottomes that â—ontaine nothing but grauel â—nd filthinesse within like 〈◊〉 our desolaâ—e and onely faâ—â—ionable prayers both at â—ome and abroade in chamâ—â—r and Church these are â—ypocrites who poure â—orth 〈◊〉 forme of words rather in 〈◊〉 fashion of custome then for any great zeale neither honouring God nor yet furthering the Petitions wee make for our expected desires These things duely considered we must needs think in our minds we remaine in a very wretched and desperate case our affections are so weake that the least occasion or blast of vanitie withdrawes vs from all godly desires whereby wee run both soule and bodie into vtter destruction Very little is the care which remaineth in vs to giue this good GOD our onely Sauiour that sends to all things his due so our turnes be serued and that wee haue receiued at the Lords hands our desire there is all our frailâ— flesh looketh for till extremities come and then wee make a new shew of repentance with a sorrow for our negligence in the true seruing and honouring of his Omnipotent Maiesty which wee rather doe of a custome then of zeale as the Parrot of 〈◊〉 wee recite the Creede flattering God with our tongues but dissembling with him in our harts which is onely for want of Faith by whose absence our minds are fraught with toies
and fansies which beare away the due reuerence wee owe vnto God For when we haue praied to GOD that hee will giue eare vnto our requests and receiue our petitions they are sonegligently done that we had need pray againe to desire him that hee will out of his bountifull loue and great mercy cast his eye of pitty and not of anger vpon the great offence which was committed in the idlenesse of our prayers and supplications made by vs vnto his diuine Maiestie and that he will forgiue vs our sins committed in our prayers because wee thinke then leasâ— of him at the time we make our prayer vnto him neuer remembring the Maiestie of his person to whom weâ— speake nor the Excellencie of the worke wee take in hand neuer rowsing vp the spirit of a sorrowfull repentant heart for our former offences committed but if we â—hance then to stirre vp ouâ— deuotion to prayer we leaue them halt and lame bodie without soule or soule without deuotion sound of lips without the heart one part of our selues without the other or the whole without a whole clamour without intention But Dauid practised true repentance which may not bee repented of and such were the panges and prickings of Iobs heart vnto GOD My groanings saith he come forth before I eate and my roarings are powred forth Not onely groaning nor crying but also roarings with a continual inundation as one waue dasheth forth another Now when the soule is thus prepared to speake the eares of the Lord are euer open to heare the true penitent sinners cry These are wonderfull passions The hungry Lyon in the desert opprest with extremitie of suffering want neuer roared so much for his prey nor the Hart braying after the water brookes as the goodnesse of the Lord in the soule of the faithfull He is the mighty LORD of Heauen and Earth whose name be blessed and hallowed for euer in Earth as it is in Heauen and blessed are all those that are in loue with his goodnes and traâ—â— nearest vnto his steps And to giue vs a further example in his owne cause when his soule was hedged in and enuironed round about with vexation euen vnto death when anguish sorrow incompassed him round about as also then in his greatest agony when he cried with a great voice not for particular persons as before hee wept but vndergoing the burthen and punishment of all the sinnes and sinners in the World My God my God why hast thou forsaken me and crying againe with a great voice gaue vp the ghost Therefore the blessed Apostles mentioning the daies of his humanitie and the exercise of his godly and sacred life and fruite of his lips and the passions of his spirit thought it not enough to giue notice to the World that he prayed to his Father that hee praied with teares which trickled downe his blessed cheekes and watered the ground nor of a cry alone weakely sent out but of a vehement and strong cry which if Heauen were brasse were able to pierce through it and find way into the Sanctuary into the eares of the Almighty Such a prayer as it ascends lightly vp borne vpon the wings of Faith so it eueâ— comes laden heauily downe with a blessing on the head of him that first gaue it flight This Lanthorne of our direction and composition of humilitie and goodnesse this glorious and neuer enough admired LORD of life who prest opprest with the weight burthen thereof groaned vnder the affliction of our sinnes in a most perfect forme of exact obedience with his bleeding teares for vs shewed vs the right forme of faithfull supplications for our selues Let vs then bee importunate and feruent in our praiers that our Petitions may wrestle with GOD and ouercome him For if our praiers bee powred forth in the â—eruentnesse of zeale without wauering then let vs make no doubt but hee wil graciously receiue them into his armes of mercie Way hâ—e thus grieueâ— for vs and shall not wee grieue for ourselues groaned hee vnder the weight of our sin being himselfe without sinne onely in compassion and pitty towards vs why then doe not we continuallie groane and grieue It is so farre from vs that in no way wee giue his heauenlie Maiestie his due except in committing finne and drinking it downe the throate with greedinesse and a desiring thirsting appetite euen as Beheâ—â—th drinketh down Iâ—rdan without sense sorrow or griefe for the same The true consideration hereof will enforce and procure in vs a more perfect desire to follow the true prescription that our Sauiour hath prescribed for vs in his holy Gospell which commandeth vs by expresse words to bee importunate and feruent in our prayers that our Petitions may ascend vp to GOD our Lord and onely Sauiour and there to be receiued into his bosome to preâ—rent a further and greater danger before the dreadfull Maiestie of the omnipotent LORD of Heauen and Earth who with the breath of his nostrels is able to destroy our bodies and soules change the World and the beauty thereof into a Chaos and â—eape of confusion turne the Sunne into darkenesse and the Moone into blood and alter the property and being of all the Creatures in the World at the twinckling of an eye Considering what we are that speake that offer vp the calues of our lippes and the fruites of our repentance poore naked impotent vnworthy wretches wee should be importunate and with a feruentnesse of zeale poure out our supplications vnto GOD that he wil mercifully heare vs and gently receiue our supplications and according to his wonâ—ed goodnesse satisfie our faithfull requests poured forth vnto him in the name of CHRIST IESVS our Lord and onely helper in all distresse But our wretchednesse and mortality our nakednesse in good workes towards him is such that if there were any spark of true faith in vs it would make vs ashamed as it did our first Parents when they bidde themselues from the presence of their GOD. The view of our sinnes is exceedingly sinful the number the weight the danger thereof hang about our neckes like milstones that we are notable nor worthy to cast vp our eyes to heaueÌ„ for our sinnes are so exceedingly miserable that the Prophet of GOD being astonished to see either man or the Sonne of man so kindly visited biddeth vs be feruent in our Petitions to GOD. And we must expect an happy successe of our supplications vnlesse we wil cal in question or doubt of the promises of God which are more stable then the pillars of the Earth or the basis of the surest foundation except we will cast our graine into the earth and expect no haruest plant Vines and not drinke the Wine thereof If wee meane to receiue that at GODS hand we doe expect to haue then wee must prepare our selues in another forme to poure out our vnworthy plaints and petitions and thinke that GOD either heareth not or regardeth not at all the
measure beyond the streÌ„gâ—â— of man in so much that we doubt whether wee liue 〈◊〉 no receiuing the sentence 〈◊〉 dâ—ath within our selues sâ— that in our opinion we comâ—prehend no deliuery no euasion but lie open to the direct accomplishment there of Yet in this exigent anâ— extremitie we come to Goâ— by these meanes of Prayer being almost beyond hope without expectation and bâ— his gracious and mercifulâ— pleasure wee are deliuered Therefore let vs here in râ—â—â—ue comfort his Maiestic â—ut of his great clemâ—nrie â—ath and doth deliuer vs daiie not onely from the death of our bodies when wormes â—nd rottennesse haue made â—heir last and long prey vpâ—on them but from the â—eath of our minds when the spirit is buried vnder â—orrowes and no Greature â—ound in Heauen or Earth to giue it comfort Be our minds be our afflictions neuer so many and great though in our weake â—magination we can imagin â—o deliuery no release when all earthly comforts forsake â—s yet let not vs forsake thiâ—â—efuge let vs not despaire in his mercifull helpe â—o more then Iâ—â—â— did who being in the bottome of the Sea and within a prison in that bottome in such an affliction so great so strange as greater nor stranger could not be to humane reason or more without hope yet said Ioâ—â—â— 2. 2. I cried in â—inâ— affliction vnto the Lord and hee heardme◠〈◊〉 of the beâ—ty of hâ—â—â— crâ—ed I and thou heâ—r dâ—st my voice Therefore in our aduersitie and wants how great greeuous soeuer they oppresse our weakenesse yet let vs neither distrust or despaire of his mercifull helpe but let vs pray still in hope in all the anguish of minde â—â—d let our prayers bee with such a confidence and zeale of loue to GOD as the feruencie thereof may ascend vp to his Throne and there rest in his pittifull eye and armes of mercy In our prosperity be it neuer so flourishing let vs pray nay pray continuallie In our health and prosperitie let vs pray to continue it In our sicknesse and aduersity let vs pray to release vs. For if wee consider our estates rightly wee shall perceiue many reasons to the exercise of Prayer daily to feek his sauour and the long continuance thereof without whose mighty protection and care ouer vs we are ready to fall into a thousand dangers of vndoing both the body and soule and to perish continuallie And therefore let vs well consider and take heed both in time and season with words sutahle in our Petitions to our purpâ—se and intention in giuing thankes for his great benefits daily poured vpon vs with intrestie in our Petitions for necessities to bee implored by vs in the time of sicknesse in the time of our health in the time of our aduersity in the time of our prosperity Let vs come before him suting our words in the habite of our occasions with such a fitnesse and decencie that they fall not harshly from the purpose ascend into the eares of the Almighty LORD the true patterne of all wâ—sdome and goodnesse who hath giuen vs the first and best forme there of himselfe who hath both taught vs to pray and taught vs how to pray and who will both heare our petitions and grant our requests contained therein as farre as seemes expedient to his vn searchable wisedome that knowes our wants before hee heares our complaints our necessities better then we our selues And because meditation is so excellent a thing so readie so swift so powerfull so vnseparated from vs that it cleaues vnto vs when all other meanes faile and forsake vs therefore we should the more earnestly imbrace it more zealously imploy it more dearely esteeme it It finds vs out comfort in our greatest extremities and miseries our wayes being hedged vp as with thornes that we cannot stirre to deliuer our selues therehence When we are ouer flowen with the deluge of sinne as with a floud iudgements inuiron vs on euery side this is the Dâ—ue that brings vnto our Soules the Oliue branch of comfort But alasse we kill the life thereof through the coldnesse of our deuotioâ— and carelesnesse of our deliuerie and vnfit preparation thereunto and find not the sweetnesse and successe that else wee might expect and obtaine at the hands of GOD thereby Let these things be oftentimes our meditation and study that so despising the vaine things of this transitorie life and passing our steps in the path-way to feâ—icity we may at the last obtaine the reward which our Sauiour CHRIST hath promised Come ye blessed of my Father Euen so let vs resolue with our selues that for as much as wee haue begunne our Pilgrimage in the Spirit neuer to end it in the Flesh and that if all the World would fall away from GOD and his Word yet wee and ours will serue the LORD So shall we be sure in the ende of this our Pâ—lgrimage which we haue passed with feare to enter into that spirituall Canaan which CHRIST our IEHOVA hath promised vs which LORD for thy mercy sake grant vs. Amen Come ye blessed c. Go ye cursed c. THE SOVLES Alarum-bell The Second Part. Containing diuers godly PRAYERS most fit to comfort the wounded consciences of all such penitent sinners who hope for saluation through the merits of Christ Iesus By H. Thompson At London printed by Io. Beale 1618 TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE and my very good Lord WILLIAM Lord Eurye Baron of Maâ—lton Heâ—ry Thompson wisheth all honour grace and spiritualâ— gifts by Iesus Christ our Lord. BEing willing Right Honourable and my verie good Lord in the sight of all the World to leaue some publike testimonie of my humble dâ—â—ty and vâ—fâ—ined good will towards your Honour I thought I could no better way performe it then by dedicating these poore labours of mine to bee shrowded and harboured vnder your Honours fauourable protection beseeching your Honour to accept this my humble and bounden dutie And as I dedicate it to your Honour so I humbly craue that it may bee defended for GOD hath set you in authoritie to maintaine his Word and loue his Religion which hee hath prescribed in his holy Gospell Hee hath honoured you that you should honour him and hath set you up that you should maintaine him and wholly trust in him and liâ—e to him as a sâ—ay that can neuer faile neither in this World nor tâ— the World to come All other things shall faile for all flesh is grasse and the glory of man is as the flower of the field but GOD is euerlasting his Word is euerlasting and they that are begotten to him by the iâ—â—â—rtall seede of his Word shall liue for euer and this life beginneth and groweth and increaseth in the true knowledge of GOD to the increasing of our faith and â—â—â—king in vs as the seale of our adoption that true sanctification that maketh vs to liue vnto GOD by righteousnesse purely to worship hiâ—â—ccording to his Word anâ— with brotherly
loue deuoiâ—â— of all â—ypocâ—isie from a purâ— heart to â—oue our Neighbourâ— This Honourable Lord iâ— true Religion whereunto â—â— GOD in great mercy hatâ— called you so gâ—â— cheerefullâ— forward Beware of thiâ— vaine World and of thaâ—â—â—ine trust that wiched mâ—â— are wâ—â—t to put in it leanâ—â—â—t vpon it but stoppe youâ— eares against the eâ—eâ—anting and fawning whisperingâ— of the hollowâ—esse thereof and the dissolute Professors for there can bee â—â— greater trespasse against the Lâ—â—â— theâ—to â—â—â—â— vpon Assyria to rest in the strength of Egypt to goe downe into Ethâ—opia Cursed is that Man that putteth his trust in Man and maketh flesh his â—â—â—e hee shall be like the Heath that groweth in the Wildernesse But con 〈◊〉 He that trusteth in the Lord mercy shall â—mbrace him on euerie side he shall neuer be confounded hee shall bee â—s Mount 〈◊〉 and shall neuer be remoâ—ed for the Lord is his secret place is with him therefore who can â—â— against him What is a â—â—ns â—owe what are his legges what is the swiftnesse of Horses 〈◊〉 the strength of an Hoaâ—â— or the fauour of all thâ— Princes of the World iâ— comparison of God iâ— whom is onely the assurance of that euerlastinâ— inheritance It is the Goâ— of Iacob that must be ouâ— defence our strong Tower and Rock the Chariâ— and Horsemen of Israeâ— the testimony of his prâ—sence and fauour thâ—â— onely can make vs glad Wherefore againe and â—gaine I most humbly beseech your Honour bewaâ—â— of vaine trust and consâ—denâ— in Men and in things thâ—â— are lesse worth then Mâ—â— â—nd as GOD hath in mercy â—estowed vpon your Honour â—reat wisedome so pray that â—ou may haue a discerning â—pirit that the deceiuable â—lory of this World make you â—ot forget your greatest duty â—hat so you may shine in his â—â—erlasting Kingdome True Religion Honouâ—able Lord is effected by â—at diuine and eternall wisâ—â—ome whereby the contemâ—atiue vertue of man is lifâ—d vp to the happy knowâ—â—dge of the Maiesty of God all other the greatest verâ—â—e and wherein resteth the â—â—iefest contentment in this 〈◊〉 For if there be a Pareâ—e in this life it is seated in one of these two either in Religious Meditations or iâ— holy studies and godly specâ—lation because whatsoeuâ—â— is not in one of these two 〈◊〉 full of griefe vexation biâ—ternesse fearefulnesse caâ—â— and sorrow But as Christiâ—â— moâ—esty Right Honourablâ—â— hath moued me to giue to eâ—â—rie thing his due in not ceâ—sing from setting forth aâ— thing in the praise of thâ— which of right deserueth 〈◊〉 be commended so Christiâ—â— Iustice and equity would 〈◊〉 suffer mee to let that paâ—â— without some commendaâ—â—on whereunto I am not abâ— sufficiently to giue any Bâ— considering that slightly commend a thing were the next way to dispraise it exâ—ept withall it were shrâ—wâ—ded under the Patronage of â—ome worthy Person and â—hinking it vnmeete to let â—hat go like an Orphan withâ—ut a father at home I haue â—resumed to commit it vnto our Honours protection not bare Lawrell which of it â—lfe for the greennesse when â—ther be withered may seem 〈◊〉 bee accepted but the same â—ecked and adorned with â—ost heauenly Meditations 〈◊〉 that as I thinke if your â—onour were presented with materiall Lawrell wherein â—esides naturall greennesse â—ere but this neceâ—â—â—ry vse that it could defend you iâ— your Garden from the heatâ— of the Sunne you would accept if not of the gift yet oâ— the good will of the giuer So relying my selfe still vppon your Honours wonteâ— accustomed fauour and clemency I doubt not but yoâ— will affoord mee a fauourable and friendly acceptatioâ— hereof For herein is not thâ—â— greennes which consisting 〈◊〉 naturall qualities must theâ— wither when all things haâ—â— their ending according tâ—â— their nature but the flourishing greene promises of thâ— coâ—enant of God which 〈◊〉 God himselfe last alwaieâ— immutable and vnchangeable Here are not the beautifull leaues of a materiall tree which delight onely the outward sight but a most familiar view and patterne of God himselfe in Christ euen to the delight of the soule and inward comfort of the spirit which take pleasure onely in Heauenly things To conclude here you are not shrowded from the heate of the Sunne but shall finde most coole shade from the parching heate of sinne from which as in duety I am bound I will pray that God in this life shield and defend you and in the life to come grant you euâ—rlasting rest Thus presuming on your Honors wonted fauours and curtesies shewed vnto mee and crauing pardon for this my bold enterprise I humbly take my leaue Your Honors to be commanded in all duty and seruice HENRY THOMPSON An Admonition to the zealous Reader concerning the most godly exercise of PRAYER MAny are the godly and zealous Treatises which are already extant tending to the encouragement of those that hunger and thirst for the true seruice of the liuing God yet gentle Reader I craue thy Christian patience friendly to accept this small trauell of mine and these my simple Admonitions For among all our godly and deuoute Meditations good Christian Reader there can bee none better more acceptable to GOD more commodious and necessary to Man or more fit for vs to the attaining of a good and happy life then at all times to occupic our selues in the continuall remembrance and meditation of the life and death of our Lord Iesus Christ the which thing is plainly shewed and declared not onely by the example and doctrine of diuers holy and learned Men but also by experience it selfe And if thou wouldest flie from sinne and shunne vice then consider with thy selfe what great things the onely Sonne of God both did and suffered to the end thou mightest deliuered from sinne If thou desire to beautifie thy soule with loue humilitie gentlenes patience obedience châ—rity and other vertues then cast thine eye on the perfect and liuely patterne of all vertue which is thy LORD CHRIST himselfe If thou bee desirous to contemne the world and all worldlie vanities and nothing to care for the same then weigh with thy selfe earnestly what kind of life CHRIST our Lord led when hee was liuing here How full of troubles how full of labour and sorrow and how bitter a death hee sustained for Mans saluation Finallâ— if thou wouldest stâ—re vp and inflamâ— thy mind with the loue of GOD and giue him thankes what can in such a case bee more effectuall then still to call vpon GOD and to remember Christ his life and pâ—ssion and how many â—nd great benefits we haue receiued thereby ' Wherâ—upon the Apostle saide for good cause Remember you him who suffered at the hands of sinners that Man should not quaile not bee dismaied in heart and Saint Peter saith That CHRIST suffered that Man should bee also comforted with the remembrance thereof But to the intent that thâ—â— â—ood Christian Reader maiest vse these Meditations to thy great profit thou must obserue this order that
Anâ— thou must purpose with thy selfe to doe â—othing that day which may displease God but meditate in thy minde some godly meditations desiring his assistance for the furtherance of the true seruing his omnipâ—tent Maiâ—sty â— A Prayer before wee settle our selues to our Deâ—â—tions O Most gracious Lord giue me leaue to present my selfe before thy diuine Maiestie and to poure out my vnworthy prayers in the sight of thy most mighty and glorious presence Behold mee O Lord not in my merits but in the multitude of thy mercies I now comâ— to make manifest my necessities and to vtter my griefeâ— vnto thee I come as a poorâ— and needy wretch vnto â— God of infinit glory I comâ— as a worme of the Earth vnto my Soueraigne Makeâ— and Creatour I come as â— guiltie hainous offendeâ—â— I am not worthy to lift vâ— mine eyes to Heauen muâ—â— lesse to open my mouth in thy glorious presence oâ— presume to talke with â— Lord and King of so great â— Maiesty being my selfe buâ— slime and ashes but ô Fatheâ— of mercies and God of all comfort thou promisest that who asketh shall receiue â— who knocketh shall bee leâ— in who seeketh shall findeâ— Thou inuitest the greatest â—inners and refusest not to â—eelde thy assistance to any â—hat will vse it grant mee â—herefore grace now to pray â—nto thee as my duety and â—hy desert requireth grant â—e a pureintention a ferâ—ent deuotion and an attenâ—â—ue mind that it be not carâ—ed away with impertinent â—oughts nor any other diâ—raction but with humble â—eart firme hope and perâ—ct charity I may effectualâ—e pray vnto thee and aske â—f thee that which thou seeâ—t most for thy glory and â—y good graâ—t Lord I beâ—ech thee that thou wilt â—elpe mee to pray worthily â—at thou maiest mercifuâ—ly â—rant my Petitions keepe â—y thoughts from wandring râ—straine my imaginations and preserue my sences from being distractedâ— defend O Lord my weakâ— heart from ghostly assaultsâ— and so fixe my minde vpon thee that I be not carrieâ— away from consideration oâ— thy presence grant mee distinctly to pronounce my words attentiuely to apply my thoughts and to bee wholly rauished and possessed with zeale and true deuotion O Lord grant me to aske forgiuenesse with â— deepe contrition and fulâ— purpose of amendement â— grant me to craue thy benefits with hearty thankfulneâ—â— for those which I haue receiued Grant mee to pray for my selfe with a perfect resignation vnto thy will and â—or all others with true chaâ—itie and sincere affection Affoord O Lord such comâ—ort to my soule as thou â—eest fit â—or mee and by the â—ssistance of thy spirit inspire â—hy good motions into mee â—hat I may feele them forciâ—ly accept them thankefulie and fulfill them effectuâ—llie Finally I humbly beâ—eech thee of thy mercy and goodnesse that I may praise â—hee with a true repentant â—eart to appease the fury of â—hy anger against me whereâ—y I may come to enioy â—ith thy Maiesty eternall â—lorie without end Amen A Morning Prayer O Most gracious LORD and Omnipotent Father thou which madeâ—â— Heauen and Earth the Sea and all that is therein together with thy dearely beloued Son IESVS CHRIST and with thy holy Spirit thou hast brought vs to the beginning of this day thorow thy goodnesse now we beseech thee that this day wee fall into no sinne buâ— that we may accomplish thy holy will by directing ouâ— words framing our thoghts and disposing our doing accordingly Helpe vs anâ— further vs O Lord in all ouâ— Prayers that whatsoeuer wâ— doe may alwaies take beginning from thee and being so begun wee may proceede in true seruing of thee who art the Fountaine 〈◊〉 light and most peerelessâ— spring of Wisdome LORD vouchsafe that the beames of thy wonderfull glorie may beate against my darke and smal vnderstanding and driue from me two kinde of mists to wit sinne and ignorance wherein I was borne Thou O Lord that makest the tongues of little Infants to be eloquent teach me to rule my tongue and let thy grace and blessing bee pouâ—ed on my lippes Giue mee sharpnesse of vnderstanding thy heauenly word and ability to retaine it a facility to serue a good kind of interpretation a good place to vtter my words and that they may tend to thy glory and guide my entrance to the matters I speake of direct my proceeding in the same and make perfect my conclusion Come Holy Ghost fill my heart with thy faith and kindle in mee the fire of thy loue doe thus good Lord who diddest bring the Gentiles to the vnity of thy saith by all kindes of diuers and strange languages send out Lord thy holy Spirit and all things shall be created and thou shalt make fresh the face of the Earth and thou that hast taught the Hearts of thy faithfull by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost giue mee the same spirit right vnderstanding and alway to reioice in thee make mee forsake Sathan and cleaue to thee ô Christ who art the way truth and life shew me thy wayes ô Lord and teach me thy pathes direct my steps according to thy word that no vnrighteousnesse reigne ouer mee Maâ—e my going perfect in thy wayes that my steps be not moued Lord whi hart the Father of grace anâ— mercie desend me from my enemies and receiue mee at the houre of my death Good Lord grant I may depart in a good houre out of this World and that I may arise from the death of sinne and walke in newnesse of life that when I shall rise againe at the latter day when our life shall be seene manisestly of all men I also may bee openly but fauourably seene of thy glory who liueâ—â— and reiguest one GOD World without end Amen Another Prayer for the Morning O Lord God and my heauenly Father I do here present my selfe with my morning sacrifice vnto thy Omnipotent Maiestie crauing thy mercifull aide for the strengthening of my weake faith at this present that thereby I may be made the more apt and able to serue thy heauenly Maiesty in all holinesse and true sincerity of heart And now that the time allotted for my feeble senses is expired and that the spring of the morning approacheth I offer vp my bounden duety of praise and thankesgiuing to thy euer blessed and glorious Maiestie vpon whom all the houres and moments of life depend for adding yet more space vnto my daies for granting me a larger time of repentance for the obtaining of thy grace and exercise of vertue and amendement of my sinfull life O eternal and euerliuing God who art the guardian to all true beleeuers make me euermore to magnifie and extoll thy mercies and in true token of this my thankefulnesse hauing nothing more neere vnto me then my selfe I here offer and present my selfe body and soule vnto thy heaâ—enly will and pleasure beseeching thee to dispose of me as of thine owne to direct the remainder of my life to thy Honour and seruice
Heauen anâ— Earth bee rendered praise and thankesgiuing Worlâ— without eâ—d Amen Another Morning Prayer O Blessed Lord thoâ— hast established thy Throne in Heauen and thoâ— gouernest all things by thirâ— imperiall power I will mâ—gâ—ifie thee O God and praise thy name World without â—nd I will giue thee thankes â—lwaies and make thy name glorious for euermore Lord â—onfirme in mee that which â—hou hast wrought and fiâ—ish the worke thou hast beguâ—â—e in me to the glorie of thy name and the sauing of â—â—y soule at the dreadful day of thy vâ—sitation for thy mereâ—es sake O Father of goodnesse and mercy let the depth of thy bounty dry vp the depth of my sinnes and giue mee grace to efâ—ect thy will and then command mee what thou pleaâ—est Lord giue me patience â—onstancy and perseuerance â—n my calling and duety of â—ife according to thy will â—nd direction and then let my course of life be in what thou wilt appoint Good Father bee thou my guide and â—ule of lâ—â—e and then all my actions shall be squaredâ— and fitted by the aime of thy word to my great comfort Lord let not the world with her smile beguile mee nor with â—er â—rownes afright me Arme me with sanctity strength and wisdome that Sathan deceiue mee not let not my owne conscience betray mee to his malice let me euery day encrease my strength in thee to the welfare of my soule And good Lord giue me grace patiently and thankfully to take all thou shalt lay vpon me good Father deliuer me this day from sinne and all other mischiefe that may befall me through my frailâ—ty and keepe me as the apple of thy eye Lord hide me vnder the â—hadow of thy wings from the vngodly and them that goe about to trouble mee Mine enemies compaste mee â—ound about Lord bee thou my guard and defence let not mine enemies haue the â—oper hand of me O Lord â—leanse mee from my secret offâ—aces and let my morning teares and the sorrowâ—ull sighing of my heart â—ome before thy presence â—nd alwaies be acceptable in â—hy sight And I beseech thee good Father to cast vpon me â—he eye of thy great clemencie that through the efâ—ects of thy spirit I may obâ—aine life euerlasting Amen A short Prayer for the Morning O Lord God in the multitude of thy mercies I doe heere present my selfe vnto thee beseeching thee to heare me and to addresse my heart truly and zealouslie to call vpon thee O Heauenly Father who like a diligent watchman doest alwaies attend thy faithfull people whether they awake or sleepe and mightily defendest them not onely from Sathan that olde enemy of Mankinde but also from all other aduersaries so that by thy godly power they bee preserued harmelesse I most heartily thanke thee that it hath pleased thy Fatherlie goodnesse to take care of â—â—ee thine vnprofitable serâ—uant this night past that thou hast both safely kept me from all my enemies and â—lso giuen me sweete sleepe to the great comfort of my â—ody I most intirely beseech â—hee O most mercifull Father to shew the like kindnesse towards me this day in â—reseruing my body and â—oule that as my enemies may haue no power ouer me so I likewise may neiâ—her thinke breathe speake â—r doe any thing that may â—e displeasant to thy Fatherâ—â—e goodnesse dangerous to â—y selfe or hurtfull to my â—eighbour but that all mine â—nterprises may bee agreeaâ—le to thy most blessed will â—hich is alwaies good and godly doing that which may aduance thy glory answere to my vocation anâ— profit my neighbour whoâ—â— I ought to loue as my selfe â— that whensoeuer thou callest me from this vale of miserie I may bee found thâ— Childe not of darknesse buâ— of light and so for eueâ—raigne with thee in glory which art the true and euerlasting light to whom with thy dearely beloued Sonne IESVS CHRIST our onely Sauiour and the Holie Ghost that most sweet comforter bee all honour and glorie Amen A Meditation to be vsed before thou goâ—st to bed AT night before thou goest to bedde examine wel thy conscience It is good that euery man doe not onely weekelie but euery day and houre examine himselfe â—â— driue from his soule all negligence and sloath and enrich his minde with godlinesse Whereupon the Poet writeth very well Let not thy sluggish sleepe close vp thy waking eye Vntill with iudgement deepe thy daily deeds thou trie It is meet then to examine our consciences of the grieuous offences which wee haue committed against GOD and to call to remembrance how wee haue offended his omnipotent Maiestie from the time we did rise vnto this present by thought consent deedâ— slaâ—kenesse or omitting that which â—endeth to the true seruice and â—onour of our Lord and Sauiour IESVS CHRIST by offending of our Neighbour bâ— passing our time idlie in praying after a â—â—olde sort with small deuotion and in neglecting of our duty by such slothfulnesse that we thereby fall into â—rronious sins which turnâ— very iâ—iâ—rious to our soules Therefore let vs with true sorrow and grâ—ese and with a remorse of conscience duly consider the great offence wee comit against so mercifull a GOD then preparing our selues to prayer let vs giue God his dâ—â— in seruing him in holinesse and righteousnesse with most humble thankes for his great â—â—rciâ—s and benefits which hee so liberally bestowed vpon vs â—â—nie waies as in making vs reasonable Creatures after his oâ—ne siâ—ilitude and likenesse â—nd by his infinite loue in shedâ—ing his most precious bloud â—â—lâ—â—ring vâ— therâ—by from the â—â—ttâ—â—â—lesse pit of hell Mâ—râ—â—â—â—r hee hâ—th prâ—mised and is alwâ—iâ—s ready to giue â—â— euerlasting life if wee iâ— faith trâ—ly seeke it â—t his â—ercifull â—â—nds â—â—d walkâ— in his Laâ—es and follow his Commâ—ndeâ—ents Let vs coâ—sidâ—r â—is greâ—t loue thâ—t â—â— bath 〈◊〉 vâ— in the Holy Ghost when wee were ignorant aâ—d in laying his shining loue vpon vs with the light of faith which hâ—th preserued vs from a grâ—â—tâ—â— danger For example through priâ—â— his Maiesty droâ—e out of Heaâ—en thâ—se which were soâ—â—tâ—â—es gloriouâ— shining Angels being disobedient to his Law and chased Adam out of Paradise for hiâ— disobedience in not obeying his heauenly will Further his Iustice hath cast many a oâ—e into the deepe â—â—ngeon of bell there to be tormented with perpetuall paine punishment for their sloathfull negligence in seruing of him How much then are wee bound vnto the Lord in giuing vs so many exaâ—ples whereby we might serue him aright as true Christians ought to doâ— but his mercie is infinite full of patience and long suffering If wee will at any time seeke and call to him for grace â—ow gently doth hee lay his râ—ddâ— of correction vpon vs whereby we may acknowledge our offences in turning to him in the sinceritie of our hearts minding neuer more to offend him whereas otherwise it might please â—im to destroy vs suddenly O what a gâ—â—tle and loâ—ing Father is this that hath
grant me perfect patience in all trâ—bulations and aduersitie Preserue me from pride â—re enuâ—e couetousnesse and from all offences contrarie to thy law suffer no false delight of this deceiueable life by fleshlie temptation and fraude of the â—â—end to blind mee at the houre of my death I beseech thee O Lord grant me such a light of thy ghostlie wisdome that I may doe those things which are most acceptable to thee grant mee grace to doe hurt to nobodie but to helpe those with good counsell which haue offended thee and make me to proceede in vertue vntill such time as I shall see thy Omnipotent Maiestie and let me not turne to those sinnes which I haue sorrowed for and accused my selfe of The horrible sentence of endlesse death the terrible iudgement of damnation thy wrath ire and indignation mercifull Lord let them neuer fall vppon me thy mercie and thy merites euer bee betweene them and me Lord grant mee grace inwardlie to feare and dread thee and to eschew those things whereby I might offend thee giue mee a contrite heart for that I haue offended thee good Father remoue my sinfull dispositions which dull mine heart and like lead doe suppresse me Let me not forget the riches of thy goodnesse of thy patience of thy long sufferance and benignitie let the threatning of paine and torment which shall fall vpon sinners the losse of thy loue and of thy heauenlie inheritance euer make me feare to offend thee Suffer mee not deare Father to liue and die in sinne but soone call me to repentance when I haue displeased thee and grant mee grace trulie to loue thee and when I offend thee smite mee not with thy wrathfull indignation I beseech thee but let it be thy gentle rodde of correction Let the remembrance of thy kindnesse and patience conquer the malicious wretched desire in mee draw me Lord to thee by thy holy spirit and doe with mee according to thy mercie and not after my vnthankefulnesse withdraw tâ—y sword of vengeance O Lord for thy great mercie sake and grant me to be the childe of saluation whereby I may haue glorification cleere fight and fruition of the Deitie and bee euer present to see the glorious Trinitie O sweete Sauiour Lord Iesus Christ grant me grace for to remember perfectlie the danger of death and the great account which I must then giue to thee Lord dispose so of mee then that my soule may bee acceptable in thy sight turne net thy louing face then from me but be a merciful King meeke Iudge at that dreadful houre of my visitation that I may not haue the â—igour of thy righteousnesse which is Goeâ—e câ—rsed into euerlasting fire prepared for the Diuell and his Angels but to heare that comfortable saluation which thou doest giue to thy chosen Come yee blessed of my Father and enioy the Kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the World Let this hope of thy mercies comfort my sick weake soule that I neuer fall into desperation of thy endlesse mercie For the merites of thy Sonne Christ Iesus I beseech thee grant mee these petitions which I haue asked of thee haue mercie on me awretched sinner And I beseech thee bring me to thine euerlasting glorie there to rest in blisse World without end A Prayer to GOD to defend vs from euill company and our tongues from vttering â—ll words O Lord Iesus grant mee grace to â—lie euill companie and when I come among them for thy glorious passion I beseech thee to preserue me that no occasion of sinne ouercome me and send me comfort from thy omnipotent Maiestie to withstand al illusions of the flesh whereby thy blessed name may be dishonoured Keepe my mouth good Lord from slanders ill speaking lying false witnessebeating cursing swearing vncharitable châ—ding dissolute laughing and words of vanitie Make me blessed Lord with dread to remember that thou presentlie hearest me and that the least of my words shall iudge me Suffer not my heart to be light of credite in hearing that which is detraction obloquy rancour and ire Represse all inordinate affections of carnalitie and where I haue by euil fellowship offended thy Maiestie I beseech thee for the helpe of thy mercies in so offending thee let thy power protect me thy wisdome direct me thy fatherlie pittie correct me and send me a gracious life and a blessed ending and with thy goodnes preserue me from euerlasting damnation and terrour of mine enemie Jn my temptations I beseech thee Lord to helpe me and to keepe my soule from consent to sinne For the tender loue thou bearest to mankinde repell the power of my aduersaries which intend the damnation of mee Possesse my soule O Sauiour with all humble subâ—ection to thy law and make mee pure in spirit meeke in speaking patient in suffering to hunger after righteousnesse and to bee mercifull to all them that be in miserie Make mee peaceable in conueâ—sation cleane in heart vnto godlie meditation and ioyfull to suffer persecution for thee Let all my powers and desires bee ruled according to thy will let all my petitions be ordered by thy wisdome to the euerlasting profit of my soule Lord keepe my soule and my bodie whereby I may be patient in suffering iniuries rebukes let me leade that life which thou knowest to be most to thine honor and my eternall felicity Fill mine heart with contrition and mine eies with teares that I neuer be forsaken of thee Awake my dull soule from the sleepe of sin and send mee helpe Lord from Heauen to ouercome the olde serpent with all his crafts Deliuer me from the enemie of daâ—kenesse and his great crueltie let thy obedience recompence for mine obstinacie thy abstinence for my superfluitie thy meekenesse and thy patience for my pride irefull heart enmitie Thy charitie for my malice thy deuotion for my dulnesse thy louing heart for mine vnkindnesse thy holy death for my wretched life Lord grant mee grace in the time of prayer to fixe my minde on thee and at that time to remember the perils of bodie and soule which I haue escaped and the benefits that I haue receiued thorow thy great mercie And I thanke thee most Heauenlie Father for all the Creatures which thou hast made to helpe man and that thou hast made man after thine owne Image in glorie to honour thee The motions of my running mind the desire of mine vnstable heart in time of praier stop and stay Lord I beseech thee and represse the power of my ghostlie enemie which then doth with-draw my minde from thee and thy true seruice to many vaine imaginations Lord I beseech thee to take me into thy power and with thy goodnesse glad me Lord let my minde be so occupied in goodnesse that my prayers may bee acceptable to thee Heare now sweet Sauiour the voice of a sinner who would faine loue thee and with the heart as greatlie please thee as euer hee hath offended thee I
I fraile man and most wretched sinner haue offended thee Therefore I most humbly pray and beseech thy gentlenesse who for my health and saluation descendedst from Heauen and diddest hold vp Dauid that hee should not fall into sinne Haue mercy vpon me O Christ who didst forgiue Peter that did forsake thee Thou art my Creatour my Helper and Maker my Redeemer my Gouernour my Father my Lord my God my King thou art my helpe my trust my strength my defence my redemption my life my health and my resurrection thou art my stedfastnesse my refuge and succour my light and my helpe I most humbly and heartily desire pray thee helpe â—nd defend mee Make mee â—â—rong comfort me make me stedfast make me soberâ—y mery giue me the light of thy spirit and visite mee reuiue me again who am dead for I am thy making and thy worke O Lord despise me not I am thy seruant thy bondman although euill vnworthy and a sinner But whatsoeuer I am whether I bee good or bad I am euer thine Therefore to whom shall I flie except I flie vnto thee If thou cast mee off who shall or wil receiue me If thou despise me and turne thy face from me who shall looke vpon mee and recognise and acknowledge me Although I be vnworthy to come to thee although I be vile and vncleane thou canst make me cleane If I be dead thou canst râ—uiuemee for thy mercy is much morethen mine iniquitie thou canst forgiue me more then I can offend Therefore O Lord doe not consider nor haue respect to the number of my sinnes but according to the greatnesse of thy mercie looke on me a most wretched sinner Lord say vnto my soule I am thy health who saidest I will not the death of any sinner but rather that he liue and be conuerted Turne me O Lord to thee and bee not angry with me I pray thee most meeke Father for thy great mercie bring mee vnto that blisse that neuer â—hall câ—â—sse so bee it Aâ—en A Prayer for the râ—missâ—â— of sinnes O Lord God if we wretched sinners had not â—y thy tender mercies and â—ouing promises in Holie Scripture the comfort of our weake consciences and sorrowfull hearts we see no other remedy so great and â—infinite are our sinnes but that wee must needes despaire But for as much as whatsoeuer things are written are written for our learning that through patience and the comfort of Scriptures wee may haue hope though our sinnes be neuer so many neuer so abhominable yet they doe not so much make vs sad as thy louing kindnesse and â—ender mercieâ— make vs glad Our sinnes we consesse are innumerable but thy mercies are also infinit thoâ— art that most gentle Lord which wilt not the death of a sinner but rather that hee turne and liue Thou for repentance sake wilt not see the sinâ—es of men thou confessest that thou camest into this World to saue sinners to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance and to seeke that which was lost Thou callest vnto thee all those that are diseased and loaden with the heauy burthen of sinne and promiseâ—t that thou wilt case them yea by thy Prophet thou saiest If wee will wash and make cleanâ— our selâ—â—s put away our euill thoughts out of thy sight cease from doing euiâ—â— and violence learne to doe right apply our selues to equitie deliuer the oppressed helpe the fatherlesse to his right and heare the widowes coâ—plaint though our sinnes were as â—ed as scarlet â—et shall they be made whiâ—â—â— then snow and though they were like purple yet they shall be made like white 〈◊〉 Yea thou saiest moreouer that for thine owne sake euen for thy mercy names sake thou wilt be good vnto vs fauour vsâ— and so cast away all our sinnes behind thy backe thaâ— thou wilt neâ—er remember them more O Lord thou art the God which cannot lie thou art the soules truth thou art faithfull in thy words and holy in all thy workes For according to these thy louing promises hast thou euer dealt with the chiâ—dren of men whensoeuer they repented and turned vnto thee when they forsooke their sinful liuing and called vpon thy holy name thou forgauest all their sâ—ns and healedst all their infirmities thou also sauedst their life from destruction and crownedst them with mercie and louing kindnesse For thou O Lord God aâ—â—full of compassion and mercie long suffering and of great goodnesse thou wiâ—â— not alway be chiding neither wilt thou keepe thine anger for euer neither wilt thou deale with vs after our sinnes nor yet reward vs according to our wickednesse For looke how high the Heauen is in comparison of the Earth so great is thy mercie towards them that feare thee Looke how wide the East is from the West so farâ—e dost thou set our sinnes from vs yea like as a Father pittieth his owne children euen so art thou mercifull vnto them that feare thee For thou knowest whereof we be made thou remembrest that wee are but dust that a man in his time is but grasâ—e and flourisheth as a flower of the fiâ—ld and as soone as the wind goeth ouer it is gone and the place thereof knoweth it no more but thy mercifull goodnesse O Lord endureth for euer and euer vpon them that feare thee Of these thy louing kindnesses and tender mercies who hath not tasted if hee sought it with all his heart Thou diddest forgiue Dauid both his whoredome and manslaughter when hee repented and confessed his sinne How oft diddest thou call back the plagues of thy vengeance when the Children of Israel lamented their sins and turned vnto thee How mercifull diddest thou shew thy selfe to the Nâ—nâ—â—ites when they repented humbled themselues in thy sight How louingly spakest thou to that sinfull Woman in the Gospel and forgauest her all her sinnes because shee repented and beleeued Peter thy Disciple although most cowardly denying thee after that he had bitterly wept and lamented his sinnes thou diddest behold with thy mercifull eye and fauourably receiue him againe into the number of thy holy Apostles One of them that died with thee being a thiefe after he had called vnto thee for grace thou didst place in Paradise and make him partaker of thine eternall felicity Many other notable examples of thy great mercies find wee in Holy Scripture which will not suffer vs to despaire of thy clemencie and goodnesse be our sinnes and wickednesse neuer so maâ—y but they rather encourage â—s boldly to come vnto the Throne of thy Grace that we may receiue mercie and finde grace to helpe in â—ime of neede O most gentle Sauiour thou art that most louing Shepheard who didst diligentâ—y seeke the wandering sheepe louingly laide it vppon thy shoulderâ— and tenderly brought it home againe seeke vs who haue so long run astray lay vs vpon thy mercifull shoulders and bring vs home againe vnto the companie of thy faithfull Thou art that mercifull Samaâ—â—tane who beholding the
mee the deedes of â—e flesh which are these â—dultery fornication vncleaâ—â—sse wantonnesse idolatry â—itchcraft hatred variance wrath strife sedition sects eâ—uying murther drunkennesse gluttony and such like anâ— plant in mee the fruites of thâ— Spirit as loue ioy peace long suffering gentlenesse faithfuâ—nesse meekenesse and tempâ—rance As concerning the coâ—uersation in times past giueâ— grace to put off the old mâ—â— which is corrupt through tâ—â— deceiuable lusts and to be â—â—nued in the spirit of my mindâ— and to put on the new maâ— which after the image of Goâ— is shapen in righteousnesse anâ— true holinesse Suffer me not to lie buâ—â— speake truth vnto my Neigâ—bour For as much as wee â—â— members one of another Suâ—â—â—â— me not to be angry that I 〈◊〉 let not the Sunne goe down vpon my wrath neither let 〈◊〉 giue place vnto the back-biter Grant that he which afore hath â—â—ollen may from henceforth â—teale no more but rather laâ—or with his hands some good â—hings that hee may haue to giue vnto him that needes Let â—o filthy communication proâ—eed out of my mouth but that which is good to edifie withâ—ll when neede is that it may â—â—ue fauour with the Hearers Let all bitternesse fiercenes â—nd wrath roaring and cursed â—peaking bee put away from â—â—e all maliciousnesse Make â—â—ee curteous to all men and â—ercifull forgiuing euen as God for thy sake forgaue me As for fornication and all vnleannesse or couetousnesse let â—â— not bâ—e once named among â—s as it becommeth Saints â—either filthy things neither foolish talking neither iesting which are not comely but rather giuing of thankes Put vppon me tender mercy kindnes humblenesse of minde meekenesse long-suffering forbearing my Neighbour but abouâ— all these thingâ— put vpon mâ— loue which is the bond of perfection grant that the peacâ— of God may euermore rule â—â— my heart and that I may bâ— thankefull for all thy benefitsâ— Finally whatsoeuer thing are true whatsoeuer things aâ—â— honest whatsoeuer things aâ—iust whatsoeuer things 〈◊〉 pure whatsoeuer things pâ—â—tain to loue whatsoeuer thingâ— are of honest report if there bâ— any vertuous thing if there â—â— any laudable thing grant thâ—â— I may haue them in my minde and practise them in my conuersation and liuing that whatsoeuer I breathe think speake â—or doe all things may bee done â—nto the honour glory and praise of thy name who liuest and raignest with God the Father and God the Holy Ghost true liuing and euerlasting GOD World without end Aâ—en A Prayer for Faith VVEe are taught by thy holy Apostle O most louing Sauiour that whatsoeuer is not of Faith is sinne and that it is impossible to please thee without faith and therefore they that come vnto thee must beleeue that thou art God yea and sâ—ch a God as is both able and also will aboundantly reward all them that with true faith seeke thee For thy eyes O Lord looke vpon Faith and thou doest appeare and shew thy selfe vnto them that haue faith in thee yea through faith thou being the King of glory art married to the soules of thy faithfull makest them partakers of thy diuine nature through the wonderfull working of thy blessed Spirit Through Faith so many as beleeue are iustified made the soâ—nes and heires of God and haue euerlasting life By Faith we obtaine of God all good things euen whatsoeuer wee doe aske in thy name Seeing that Faith is so precious a Iewell in thy sight that without it nothing is acceptable vnto thy diuine Maiestie and I of mâ—ne owne nature cannot haue this most singular gift except thou giuest it vnto mee from aboue and doest breathe it into my heart by thy holy Spirit for of my selfe I am blind ignorant foolish and by no meanes can perceiue the things which pertaine to the Spirit of God I most humbly beseech thee to take away from me all infidelitie and vnfaithfulnesse which I receiued of old Adam and to plant in me true faith vndoubted beliefe that I may bee throughly perswaded that thou art the Sonne of the liuing God very God and very Maâ— our alone sweete smelling sacrifice our alone Mediatour Aduocate and Interceâ—â—or ouâ— alone wisdome righteousnâ—â—â—â— â—anctification and redemptiâ—â—â— by whom alone and for whose sake onely thy Heauenly Father is well pleased with mee whereby my sinnes are remitted grace and euerlasting life is giuen me O Lord God suffer mee not to leane to mine owne wisedome nor to beleeue as blinde flesh fansieth nor to â—eeke saluation where superstitioÌ„ dreameth but let my faith onely be grounded on thy Word And giue me grace truly to beleeue in thee with all my heart to put my trust in thee to looke for all good things of thee to call vpon thy blessed name in aduersitie and with a ioyful voice and more merry heart to praise and magnifie it in prosperitie Suffer me not to doubt neither of God my Heauenly Father â—or of God his Sonne nor of God the Holy Ghost but earnestly to beleeue that they being distiâ—ct persons are notwithstanding one very God beside whom there is no God neither in Heauen nor in earth Grant also that I may assuredly beleeue whatsoeuer is contained in the Holy Scriptures and by no meanes suffer my selfe to bee plucked from the veritie thereof but manfully and stedfastly abide in the same euen vnto the death rage World â—oare Diuell And this Faith O sweete Iesuâ— encrease thou in me more and more that at the last through thy goodnesse I may be made perfect strong in thy holy Religion and shew my selfe both before theâ— and the World truly faithfull by bringing forth plenty of all good workes vnto the gloriâ— and honour of thy name which with God the Father and God the Holy Ghost liuest and raignest true God World with out end Amen A Prayer vnto GOD that weâ— may liue in his feare and that he will turne his plagues from vs. O Heauenly Father most merciful Lord deale not thou with vs after our sinnes neither reward vs after our iniquities Indeed thou in thy holie Law doest thereaten to punish with plagues noysome diseases such as neglect and set at nought thy will word and liue licentiously according to their owne lusts and appetites to send vpon them great plagues with many other innumerable and vnknowne infirmities as iust punishments for their iniquities Yet O Father of mercy and Lord of all comfort I beseech thee inspire into my heart such a regiment of feare to offend thy diuine Maiesty that thereby I may turne vnfeinedly vnto thee and serue thee truly learning to liue according to thy law louing one another as Christs true children in deede and not spoiling or deuouring one another For hee that loueth not his brother though he liue yet he abideth in death and hee that hateth his Brother is a Man-slayer and killeth him in his heart but loue shall couer â— multitude of sinnes and so also God shall bee glorified and shall
most blissefull wisedome the Word of the Father the beginning and ending of all Creatures cast thine eyes of mercie vpon me I pray thee for I am but flesh ashes and I fully perswade my selfe that it lieth not so much in me either to will any thing or to runne but all power commeth from thee whose mercie assisteth vs all Lord consider I pray thee my weake and fraile flesh and what of my selfe I am not able to performe by reason of my sinfull flesh I beseech thee to helpe and assist mee and graciously to continue such good will as thou hast shewed mee O my merciful Lord forsake mee not ô my Refuge depart not from mee ô my deliuerer make hast to succour me in thy mercies and mortifie me to the World Saue me from all deceipts of mine enemies that neither life nor death nor no hap or chance seuer mee from thee but that my loue continue both now euer and bee nothing diminished by death it selfe Lord giue me that wisdome that attendeth on thee and put mee not away from amongst thy children for I am thy seruant and sonne of thy handmaide send downe thy wisedome from thy heauenly seate that shee may be with mee and labour with mee for I am thy seruant Therefore O Lord replenish mee with the gifts of wisedome and vnderstanding for thou art my succour and onely helper in all distresse I beseech thee for thy mercies sake to pardon those sâ—nnes which I a most vile wretched sinner haue committed keepe me from all euill acts and from all dangers direct my path to a good end whilest I am tossed in the waues of this life and grant I may come to the possession of eternall glorie I haue loued wisdome more then health or any beauty Lord come and teach me the way how to attaine to thy wisedome Heare my prayer O God and let my criâ— come vnto thee O LORD who by thy wisdome which is eternall as thou thy selfe who hast created Man who before was not and when he was lost through thy loue diddest most mercifully redeeme him againe grant I beseech thee through the inspiration of thy wisedome that I may loue thee with all my soule and let me know the way wherin I may walke for I haue life vp my heart vnto thee Deliuer me from mine enemies O Lord â—â—flie to thee for succour teach 〈◊〉 to doe thy will for thou art my God Wisedome passeth wickednesse and spreadeth from coast to coast who doth strongly sweetely place all things in order Let the brightnesse of thy eternall wisedome ilâ—uminate mine heart that it be not dimmed with the darknesse oâ— this World but that I may come to that Countrey where is perpetuall light Lord let thy Holy Spirit bring mee to that right light that leadeth to tread the path of righteousnesse Lord bring my sonle out of all miserie and in thy mercie destroy all mine enemies and them that trouble my soule for I am thy seruant and will surely reioice in thy name and patiently looke for thee O Lord thou art my helpe and refuge my heart doth reioice in thee and I doeput my trust in thy holie name Giue eare to me O merciful God and infuse the brightnes of thy wisdome into my mind that I may receiue thee and haue fruition of thee and see the light of thy wisedome that I may know thee truly and â—aithfully loue thee Thou O Lord hast sent redemption to thy people thou hast commanded thy Testament not to bee violated but kept for euer thy name is holy and terrible and ought still to be feared and serued in all reuerence for the feare of the Lord is the beginning of wisedome vnderstanding is good to all such as doe exercise it in his feare All wisdome commeth from thee O Lord who art the brightnes of euerlasting light the glasse of eternall Maiestie who art cleere without any spot O Orient brightnesse of the eternall Light and Sunne of Iustice come and lighten me that sit in darkenesse and in the shadow of death Cast me not away from thy face and take not from mee thy holy Spirit restore mee to the gladnesse of thy saluation strengthen mee with thy Spirit and lighten mine cles that I neuer sleepe in death lest mine enemie at anie time say I haue preuailed against him They that persecute me will reioice if I bee moued but I trust in thy mercie my heart shall reioice in thy saluation I will sing vnto thee O Lord who hast giuen mee good things and I will sing to the name of the Highest who teacheth sobrietie rightâ—ousnesse and vertue then the which nothing is more commodious in the life of Man O glorious King who art alwaies praised among thy chosen and yet no man can speake so worthily of thee as thy Maiestie requireth Thou Lord who art among vs and whose holy name is called vpon by vs forsake vs not but at the extreame day of iudgement vouchsafe to place me among thy chosen seruants mercifully looke vpon my frailtie and fauourably giue mee a taste of thy celestiall wisdome that when I haue tasted of the maruellous sweetnesse thereof I may despise all worldly vanitie and continuallie with a burning desire cleaue vnto thee who art the cheefest goodnesse that may be who liuest and raignest one GOD World without end Amen A Prayer for the King O Almighty GOD King of Kings Lord of Lords which by thy diuine ordinance hast appointed temporall Rulers to gouerne thy People according to equitie and Iustice and to liue among them as a louing Father among naturall Children to the aduancement of the good and punishment of the euill We most humbly beseech thee fauourably to behold IAMES thy seruant our most gracious King and Gouernour and so breathe into his heart through thy holy Spirit that wisedome that is euer about the Throne of thy Maiestie whereby hee may be prouoked moued and stirred to loue feare and serue thee to seeke thy glory to banish idolatrie superstition and hypocrifie out of this Realme and vnfeinedly to aduance thy holie and pure Religion among vs his Subiects to the example of other forraine Nations O Lord defend him from his enemies send him a long and prosâ—erous life among vs and giue him grace not only in his owne person godlilie and iustlie to rule but also to appoint such Magistrates vnder him as may bee like affected both towards thy holy Word and toward the Common-wealth that we his Subiects liuing vndâ—â— his Dominion in all godâ—â—nesse peace and wealth may passe the time of this our short Pilgrimage in thy feaâ—e and seruice to the glory of thy blessed name which alone is worthy of all honour for euer and euer Amen A deâ—oute Prayer to our LORD O Good gracious Lord most mercifull and blessed Father O sweete Sauiour â—esus Christ I wretched sinner that am vile earth and ashes doe yeeld thee most humble heartie thankes for that it hath
pleased thee of thy maruellous humility patience and loue towards man kinde to descend from the high Throne of Heauen to be incarnate by the Holie Ghost and borne of the Virgin Marie and here to suffer trouble paine for our sakes I doe beseech thee for thy bitter death and passion deliuer me from all euill and from the euerlasting paines of hell and vouchsafe through thy great mercie and goodnesse to leade me whither thou diddest leade the Thiefe crucified with thee And I beseech thee thorow thy clemencie to vouchsafe vnto mee O Lord God King of Heauen and Earth the ioyes prepared for thy chosen and so direct sanctifie and gouerne my heart my thoughts my words and deeds in thy sacred Law by keeping thy Commandements that here euer through thy helpe O Sauiour of the World I may bee safe and free and by thy bitter death passion may be broght to the glory of the resurrection so remaine in euerlasting life Amen A Prayer in temptation O Mercâ—full Lord and Sauiour iesus Christ the onely refuge of a desolate and afflicted soule O God thou that hast made mee and redeemed mee in whom â—ll things are possible vnto me and without whom I am able to doe nothing thou seest who I am that here prostrate my prayers and poure out my heart vnto thee what I would haue and what is fittest for mee thou knowest My soule is buried 〈…〉 and blood and would be â—â—â—ne dissolued and come vnto thee I am vrged against my will and violently drawne to think that which from my-heart I detest and to haue in minde the poyson and bane of my soule O Lord thou knowest mee for thy hands haue framed me and with flesh and skinne thou hast cloathed mee and loe this flesh which thou hast giuen me draweth mee to my ruine and fighteth against the spirit if thou helpest not I am ouercome if thou forsakest mee I must needes faint why doest thou set mee contrary vnto thee and makest mee greeuous and a burthen vnto my selfe Diddest thou create mee to cast me away Diddest thou redeeme mee to damne me for euer It had beene good for mee neuer to haue beene borne if I were borne to perish O my most mercifull Father where is thy olde and wonted mercies where is thy gracious sweetenesse and loue towards me become how long shall mine enemie reioice ouer mee and humble my life vpon earth and place me in darkenesse like the dead of the World What am I Lord that thou settest mee to fight alone against so mightie subtile and cruell enemies that neuer cease to bid mee a pâ—rpetuall battaile O Lord why doest thou shew thy might against a leafe that is tossed with euery wind and persecutest a drie stubble wilt thou therefore cast away the worke of thy hands wilt thou banish mee from thy face and take thy holy Spirit clean from me Alasse O my good Lord whither shall I goe from thy face or whither shall flie from thy Spirit or shall I flie from the incensed but to the appeased whither from thee as iust but vnto thee as mercifull Doe with mee Lord that which is good in thine eies for thou wilt doe all things in righteous iudgement oneâ—y Lord I desire to remember I am but flesh blood sraile of my selfe and impotent to resist shew thy selfe a Sauiour vnto me and either take away mine enemies or grant mee grace that without wound or fault by thee and with thee I may ouercome them sweet Lord Amen FINIS A Table to find out the principall Prayers contained in this Booke THe way how to commend our selues to GOD in the 〈◊〉 aâ— our vprising Page 285. A Prayer before wee settle our selues to our Deuotions p 287. A Morning Prayer p. 291. Another Prayer for the Morning p. 296. Another Morning Prayer p. 308. A short Prayer for the Morning p. 312. A Meditation to be vsed before thou goest to bed p. 314. A Prayer for the Euening p 322. A Prayer for the Night p. 333 A Prayer to GOD for grace and to despise the vanity of the World p. 338. A Prayer to GOD to defend vs from euill company and to keepe ouâ— tongues from vttering ill words p. 346. A Prayer to GOD for bâ— great goodnesse vnto Man p. 354. A Prayer to GOD to deliuer vs from our ghostly enemies p. 357. A Prayer to GOD daily to bee said p 358. A Prayer to be vsed at all times p. 360 A Prayer to be daily saide vnto our Lord Iesus Christ p. 362. A prayer for the remission of sinnes p. 367. A general prâ—yer for all kind of sin p. 380. A 〈◊〉 Faith p. 3â—â— A prayer vnto GOD that we may liue in his 〈◊〉 and that hee will turne his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 394. A 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 with their duty 400. A 〈◊〉 for children their duty p. 404. A prayer against whoâ—â—dome p. 410. A prayer for a Woman with child p. 414. A Thanksgiuing vnto God 〈…〉 deliuerance p. 41â— A prayer for a siâ—ke Man p. 421. A prayer to bee saide before the receiuinâ— of the holy Communion p. â—24 A thankesgiuing after the receiuing of â— holy Communion p. â—38 A prayer to 〈◊〉 saidâ— at the receiuing of the mystery of Christs Body in the Communion p 441. A prayer to bee saide at the receiuing of the mystery of Christs blood in the holy Communion p. 442. A morning salutation to GOD for wisedome for grace and forgiuenesse of sinnes p. â—44 A prayer for the King p. 454. A 〈◊〉 prayer to our Lord. p. 〈◊〉 A prayer in 〈◊〉 p. â—59 FINIS