through Christ Iesus our blessed Lord and alone Sauiour In whose holy Name wee continue to call on thee and recommend our selues vnto thee in that perfect prayer which himselfe did teach vs saying Our Father which art in heauen c. A Grace or blessing before Meate GOod Lord forgiue vs all our sinnes that make vs vnworthy of any of thy blessings and remooue from vs all thy Iudgements which are vpon vs or due vnto vs for the same blesse and sanctifie vs euer for thy seruice and thy good creatures at this present for our vse giue them strength to nourish vs and giue vs grace for them and all thy mercies to bee thankefull to thee and to receiue them as tokens of thy loue towards vs through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A Thankesgiuing or Grace after meate O Lord wee giue thee humble thankes for all thy blessings bestowed vpon vs both for our soules and bodies in regard of this life present that to come and in particular for refreshing vs at this present with thy good creatures We beseech thee continue thy fauour vnto vs and keepe vs euer in thy feare Blesse thy whole Church this Land the King Queene and all the Royall Family our friends and all that are deare vnto vs. Grant thy Gospell a free and a fruitfull passage comfort all thine aflicted seruants and guide vs in the right way to euerlasting life through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer for a Family in the Euening O Lord God gracious and mercifull by whose watchfull prouidence wee thy poore and vnworthy seruants haue been this day preserued and with thy rich and vndeserued fauours many wayes comforted and blessed wee returne to render vnto thine holy Maiestie all humble and hearty thanks for these and all thy benefits and blessings out of the euer-flowing fountaine of thy loue towards vs in Iesus Christ aboundantly powred downe vpon vs. O Lord we doe confesse wee be not worthy of the least fauour nay hauing beene sinners from the wombe we deserue wrath and daily goe on to prouoke the eyes of thy Maiestie to displeasure by our manifold sinnes and sinfull corruption still vnto this day remaining in vs and oft-times euery day breaking out vpon vs to thy dishonour We acknowledge O good Lord our ignorance and much want of desire endeauour after the sauing knowledge of thy blessed will reuealed to vs in thy holy word and wee haue iust cause to bewaile the prophanenesse and stubborne pride and disobedience of our hearts which make vs daily to rebell against thy most righteous lawes both by leauing vndone the duties which thou enioynest and aduenturing vpon those euill courses which thou forbiddest yea O Lord our vile hypocrisie in our best seruices our wretched vnthankfulnesse for thy coÌ„tinuall blessings our murmuring impatience vnder thy fatherly chastisements and tryals our contempt and abuse of thy sacred Gospell our blaspheming of thy glorious and fearefull name and prophaning of thy blessed Sabbaths our selfe-love and high-mindednes our worldlinesse and wicked couetousnesse our wantonnesse voluptuousnesse and other vncleane and sinfull lusts our wrathfulnesse and maliciousnesse our vnmercifulnesse and impenitencie and hard-heartednes and earthly mindednes and a whole world of wickednesse notwithstanding all the meanes of grace vouchsafed still abounding in vs How doe they testifie against vs to our face and in thy sight that wee are most wretched and miserable sinners deseruing in thy iustice shouldst thou enter into iudgement with vs tenne thousand deaths and euen damnation in hell for euer Howbeit since we perceiue euen hereby that it is of thine owne free goodnesse and gracious mercy that we are not consumed because thy compassions faile not but are towards thine renewed euery morning and doe continue with them to the euening We are emboldned to looke vp to thee and in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ in whom alone thou art well pleased to beseech thee for his sake to forgiue vs all our sinnes to wash vs cleane in his bloud and to assure our conscience by the witnesse of thine holy Spirit of the full discharge and pardon of them all Mercifull Father wee most humbly pray thee for his sake to put them all euery one of them great and small out of thy sight and withall by thy blessed Spirit purge them more and more out of our hearts O Lord giue vs grace euery day more and more our selues to see them and the vilenesse of them and how base and filthy they make vs in thy sight and giue vs hearts to bee vnfainedly sorrie that wee haue by them offended thee our so gracious God and grieued thine holy Spirit whereby wee are sealed to the day of redemption Worke in vs an hatred and detestation of all sinnes whatsoeuer giue vs grace for the time to come to striue and labour against them those especially whervnto we are by age education complexion company or any other occasion most enclined as against the deadliest enemies of our soules Yea O Lord God graunt that for this purpose wee may carefully shunne all occasion of euill such as are idlenesse ill company prophanenesse wantonnesse and the like and may more conscionably entertaine and vse all good meanes of grace such as are the hearing reading and meditating in thy holy Word the often calling vpon thy holy name the keeping of thy holy Sabaths the receiuing of thy blessed Sacraments the ioyning our selues in familiarity and fellowship with thy faithfull children and the like that by thy blessing hereupon wee may encrease and grow together with our yeares and age in faith patience and humility in meekenesse temperance and sobriety in loue vnto thee and to thy truth and to other for thy sake in a contempt of this wretched world which will shortly leaue vs and a longing after the ioyes to bereuealed in thy Kingdome and all good fruites of thy sanctifying Spirit which may faâ—ther our reckoning and seale vp our saluation vnto the day of Christ Meane while wee continue our prayers most mercifull God for thy whole Church and all the rest of thy chosen children who are our fellow heires of future glory whersoeuer they be scattered especially all those who being in misery whether in their soules or bodies doe want thy more speciall comfort O Lord instruct them that yet are ignorant conuert those that are prophane raise vp the fallen strengthen them that stand and keepe vs that we neuer fall but that our end may bee better then our beginning and our workes better and more at the last then at the first Be gracious and good vnto all Christian Churches that professe thy Truth restore peace if it be thy blessed will in thy good time to them which are troubled and continue peace and the light of thy Gospell for euer vnto this wherein wee liue Blesse herein wee beseech thee our Gracious King and giue him an heart to feare thee and seeke thy glory to knowe thee and serue thee with a
in thy Statutes to keepe thy iudgements and to doe them Thus make me by thy good graces meet to receiue the benefit of thy gracious promises And by that good grace of thine doe thou more and more so enlighten mee and so sanctifie me as that I may know thee the God of my Fathers and serue thee with a perfect heart and a willing minde and that both in the duties of my generall and particular calling Graunt that for the time to come I may reade thy Word and marke it that I may heare thy word and keepe it that I may call vpon thy Name and bee watchfull in it that I may receiue thy Sacrament and prepare for it that I may keepe thy whole Sabbath and delight in it that when thou callest to Fasting I may come to it willingly and when thou requirest the Sacrifice of Thanksgiuing I may offer it freely Graunt that abstaining as a Pilgrime and Stranger from fleshly lusts I may daily bring forth the fruites of the Spirit striuing mainely to enter in at the narrow gate and being in the number of those violent ones that take the Kingdome of heauen by force For which purpose doe thou O Lord so preuaile with me as that the power of Religion may be seene in all the passages of my particular calling graunt that I may carrie my selfe faithfully in it and vse onely such lawfull and moderate Recreations as may bee helpfull vnto it and thy creatures so temperately as that I may not bee hindred at any time froÌ„ performing seruice to thee Thus let mee obserue the lesson that Grace teacheth carrying my selfe conscionably towards thy Maiesty and iustly and charitably towards my neighbour and in my conuersation so soberly and with Christian modesty that I may expect the comfort that Grace promiseth looking with all assurance for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Sauiour Iesus Christ In whom being assured while I endeauour to offer the Sacrifice of a contrite heart that thou wilt not despise mee I make bold euen as my own sins put me in mind which help to make vp that heape of sins which prouoke thee to punish thy whole Church to entreate thy fauour in the behalfe of thy Church and children Doe good in thy good pleasure vnto Zion and build thou the walls of Jerusalem Bee mercifull to thy Church in other parts Make them carefull to bee holy as thou their God art holy Where thou hast giuen prosperity continue their comforts where thou hast sent aduersity sanctifie their crosses make them gracious by their sufferings and in thine owne good time glorious by deliuerance But in speciall manner I beseech thee be gracious vnto thy Church within these his Maiesties Dominions and in particular to this our Land Aboue all things continue the light the purity and the power of thy Gospell amongst vs and giue vs grace to bring forth better fruit of it then we haue done that it may not be taken away from vs and giuen to another people Herein amongst and aboue the rest let all thy blessings be powred downe vpon the head of our gracious King Enrich him with all Princely gifts and sauing graces Preserue his life from destruction and crowne him with louing kindnesse and tender mercy Blesse together with him his royall Consort and let the Queene be all glorious within Blesse the Nobles with grace together with their greatnesse that they may be powerfull instruments of thy glory and thy Peoples good Blesse the Magistrates of this Land and make them zealous All thy Ministers likewise and make them faithfull that so by the power both of the word and sword wee may leade a quiet and a peaceable life in all godlinesse and honesty Be graciously good to all those to whom I am any way tyed either by the bond of nature or grace or loue or duty Sanctifie them by thy good Spirit Prosper them by thy good prouidence and graunt that they may first seeke thy Kingdome that so other things may bee cast vpon them Be mercifull especially vnto all that be afflicted in such sort as that in the end euery one of thine may say It is good for me that I haue beene afflicted yea so and so long afflicted Lastly O Lord I desire as duty bindeth me with all thankfulnes to acknowledge thy manifold great fauours Blessed especially be God and the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ for spirituall blessings in heauenly things and for giuing vnto such vnworthy wretches as I am Iesus Christ and together with him all things also euen all those outward blessings for which likewise O gracious and mercifull Father I desire to blesse thy Name to wit for the blessing of health the benefit of peace and liberty the comfort of friends that fatherly portion and fit allowance of outward things which it hath pleased thee out of thy wisedome and goodnesse to allot vnto me and for that contentednesse which together with it thou hast bestowed vpon mee O Lord I am lesse then the least of all thy mercies yea in stead of being thus blessed I deserue to bee euery way accursed But bee graciously pleased Father of Mercies to continue vnto mee these thy good blessings out of the same fauour of thine whereby thou didst at first sâ—nd them yea and to adde vnto them likewise what thou seest needfull for me that so enioying from thy good hand all prosperity and good content my heart may be lift vp in thy wayes so as to performe vnto thee all cheerefull and acceptable seruice Graunt this O most mercifull Father for Iesus Christes sake our alone Mediatour and Aduocate vnto whom with thee O Father thy blessed Spirit I humbly render and ascribe and desire to be giuen and ascribed all honour praise and glory power might dominion and Maiestie by mee and thy whole Church now and henceforth for euermore Amen PSAL. 119.130 The entrance into thy words sheweth light and giueth vnderstanding vnto the simple FINIS
Lord thy God require of thee c. Mica 6.8 He hath shewed thee O man what is good c. Eccles. 12.13.14 Let vs heare the conclusion of the whole matter c. All which as they prescribe what God expecteth yeelding reason to moue vs to be thereof carefull so do they also administer both motiues and matter of prayer to make vs earnest with God for his strength and grace to enable vs for a meete performance B. THe sinners suite or Dauids repentant Prayer after his fall for himselfe and the Church not vnfit to be vsed in our daily deuotion in regard of our continuall failing in the precedent duties PSAL. 51. 1. Haue mercy vpon me O God according to thy louing kindnesse according to the multitude of thy compassions blot out my transgressions 2. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity and cleanse mee from my sinne 3. For I acknowledge my transgressions and my sinne is euer before me 4. Against thee thee only haue I sinned and done euill in thy sight that thou mayest be iustified when thou speakest and be cleare when thou iudgest 5. Behold I was shapen in iniquity and in sinne did my mother conceiue me 6. Behold thou louest truth in the inward affections and hast made mee to know wisedome in the secret of my heart 7. Purge me with a That is with the bloud of Christ sprinkled on my leaprous soule by the holy spirit Dauid for the strēgthning of his faith alluding to that ceremonie in cleansing the Leaper Leuit 14.67 As see 1. Pet. 1.2 1. Cor. 6.11 Hysope and I shall be cleane wash me and I shall be whiter then snow 8. Make me to heare ioy and gladnesse that the bones which thou hast broken may reioyce 9. Hide thy face from my sinnes and blot out all mine iniquities 10. Create in mee a cleane heart O God and renew a right spirit within me 11 Cast mee not away from thy presence and take not thy holy spirit from me 12. Restore to me the ioy of thy saluation and stablish mee with thy free spirit 13. Then will I teach transgressours thy wayes and sinners shall be conuerted vnto thee 14. Deliuer me from b That is the guilt of bloud being the particular sinne that mostwounded Dauids conscience as we vnder this terme may pray against that particular sin which woundeth vs most is to vs as bloud was to Dauid bloud O God thou God of my saluation and my tongue shall sing aloude of thy righteousnes 15. O Lord open thou my lips and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise 16. For thou desirest no sacrifice else would I giue it thee but thou delightest not in burnt offrings 17. The sacrifice of God is a contrite spirit a contrite and broken heart O God thou wilt not despise 18 Be fauorable for thy good pleasure vnto Sion build thou the walls of Hierusalem 19. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousnesse with c These Dauid mētioneth according to the condition of those times answering whereto are now the holy ministery of the word the Sacramēts with prayer praises thanksgiuing As see Hos 14. 2. Heb. 13.15 burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings then shall they offer young bullocks vpon thine Altar And now to direct and encourage vs to this continuall duty of holy prayer one most vsefull forme to furnish vs both for words and matter whereunto may be as I conceiue this blessed Psalme to that end proposed take notice farther of these prescripts promises and presidents Math. 7.7 8. Aske and it shall be giuen you c. Psal 50.15 Call vpon mee in the day of trouble c. Rom. 8.26.27 Likewise the spirit also helpeth our infirmities c. Jsai 65.24 Yea before they call I will answere c. Dan. 9.20.21 And while I was speaking and praying c. Ver. 23. At the beginning of thy supplication the Commandement came forth c. All assuring vs of Gods readines to heare when euer by his grace he stirreth our hearts to pray whereby wee may euen prophesie of the successe of our desires according to that acknowledgement Psal 10.17 O Lord thou hast heard the desire of the humble thou preparest their hearts and then causest thine eare to heare C. DAuids blessed man pointing out yet more particularly the right path to life in renouncing euill wayes and cleauing vnto Gods word PSAL. 1.1.2 1. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsell of the vngodly nor standeth in the way of sinners nor sitteth in the seate of the scornfull 2. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law doth he meditate day night Agreeing hereunto see likewise Iob 22.21.22.23 Acquaint now thy selfe with God and be at peace c. Ephesi 5.8 11. Yee were darknesse but now are light in the Lord walke as children of the light And haue no fellowship c. As also Psal 119.1.2.3 26.4.5.6 All warning vs if euer we would be happy aboue all to flye as wee are still in Scripture warned the contagion of ill company Pro. 1.10.4.14.23.20 that fixing our delight vpon Gods law 2. Cor. 6.14 we may entertaine familiarity and fellowship with the Lord our both Sunne and shield Psal 84.11 Psal 16 11 in whose presence is fulnesse of ioy and pleasures at his right hand for euermore D. THe Doctrine and vse of the holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper together with an adioyned direction for a meete preparation thereunto deliuered by St. Paul 1. COR. 11. 23. For I haue receiued of the Lord that which I also deliuered vnto you that the Lord Iesus in the same night that he was betrayed tooke bread 24. And when hee had giuen thankes hee brake it and said Take eate this is my body which is broken for you this doe in remembrance of me 25. After the same manner also he tooke the Cup when he had supped saying This Cup is the new Testament in my bloud this do yee as often as yee drink it in remembrance of me 26. For as often as ye eate this Bread and drinke this Cup ye doe shew the Lords death till he come 27. Wherefore whosoeuer shall eate this Bread and drinke this Cup of the Lord vnworthily shall be guilty of the Body and Bloud of the Lord. 28. But let a man examine himselfe and so let him eate of this Bread drink of this Cup. 29. For hee that eateth and drinketh vnworthily eateth and drinketh damnation or iudgement to himselfe not discerning the Lords body THe direction for preparation in the twelue questions following 1. Quest How may a Christian fit himselfe for the Lords Table A. He must consider 1. why 2. how he shold come thereunto 2. Q. Why is he to come An. In obedience to Christs commandement who hath bidden vs so to doe in remembrance of him 3. Q. What profit may hee expect hereby to make him come willingly A. He is called
shall be my people and I will be their God c. And the effect which is the stipulation by God intended EZech 16.62 63. And I will establish my couenant with them c. All to assure vs that we may not doubt through vnbeliefe of Gods thoughts of peace his firme Rom. 4.20 Ier. 29.11 as free purpose of good towards vs hereby emboldening vs to importune and euen implead the Lord vpon his promise as Dauid sometime doth 2. Sa. 7.25.27 Ezek. 36.37 God expecteth his people should that so he may performe the same vnto them I. ACcording to the tenour of this couenant of grace and the other fore-named vse of the right knowledge of the Law is the lesson of sauing grace deliuered by St. Paul to aduise seruants and all of all sorts to doe their duties that they may adorne the Gospell and expect the glory of Christ their Sauiour TITVS 2. 11. For the grace of GOD that bringeth saluation hath appeared to all men 12. Teaching vs that denying vngodlinesse and worldly lusts we should liue soberly righteously and godly in this present world 13. Looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the mighty God and our Sauiour Iesus Christ 14. Who gaue himselfe for vs that hee might redeeme vs from all iniquity and purge vnto himselfe a peculiar people zealous of good workes Answerable whereunto wee may take notice of those Euangelicall exhortations giuen by St Paul vpon the same ground and to the same purpose Rom. 12.1 2. I beseech you brethren by the mercifulnes of God c. And 2. Cor 7.1 Hauing therfore these promises dearely beloued c. And also that notable place by lighting vpon which St. Augustine confesseth himselfe to be fully conuerted to the faith Lib 8 confes cap. 12. Rom. 13 11.12 13. The night is past c. Therefore let vs walke as in the day not in gluttony and drunkennesse c. but putting on the Lord Jesus c. All which agreeing with the rule of the new creature Gal. 6.16 promise peace and mercie to as many as walke thereafter and proue themselues thereby to be the true Israel of God cleane-hearted Psal 73.1 Ioh. 1.47 and like Nathaniel free from guile K. FVrther for triall of our Christian state and standing in grace that wee may know whether wee walke after the flesh or as those that are in Christ Iesus after the spirit Rom. 8.1 obserue heedefully the workes of the flesh and fruites of the spirit expressed as contrary one to the other by S. Paul GAL. 5. 19 Now the workes of the flesh a That is of that whole maÌ„ not regenerate or of the fleshly part of the man regenerate Rom. 7.18 are manifest which are these adulterie fornication vncleanenesse wantonnesse 20 Idolatrie witchcraft hatred debate emulations wrath strife seditions heresies 21 Enuying murthers drunkennesse reuellings and such like of the which I tell you before as I haue also told you in times past that they which doe such things shall not inherit the Kingdome of God 22 But the fruit of the Spirit b That is of men made spiritual or of the spirituall part in the man regenerate by Gods spirit is loue ioy peace long suffering gentlenesse faith 23 Meekenesse temperance c That is no law to hurt them the curse which is the streÌ„gth of the law being taken away by Christ Gal. 3.13 against such there is no law 24 And they that are Christs haue crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts A like opposition whereto wee may take notice of in other pregnant places for the same purpose As Col. 3.5 6 7. Mortifie therefore your earthly membâ—rs c. 1. Iohn 2.15 16 17 Loue not the world neither the things of the world c. As also Iam. 3.15 In the difference put betweene earthly and heauenly wisedome by the properties and fruites All to learne vs true wisedome to labour to finde our selues taught of God Isai 54 13 1 Pet. 2.11 2 Cor. 5.14 Rom. 8.14 not caried by the world or our owne lusts but constrained by Christs loue and led by his free spirit in the way to life L. MOreouer as sure markes of our saluation and earnests in hand of our future and full happinesse let vs striue to climbe vp that Ladder of blessednesse consisting of those eight rounds commonly called the eight beatitudes deliuered by our Sauiour MATH 5. 3 Blessed are the poore in spirit for theirs is the Kingdome of heauen 4 Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted 5 Blessed are the meeke for they shall inherit the earth 6 Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousnesse for they shall bee filled 7 Blessed are the mercifull for they shall obtaine mercy 8 Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God 9 Blessed are the peace-makers for they shall be called the children of God 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousnes sake for theirs is the Kingdome of heauen Euidences of like nature on our part to make sure that our Election the foundation whereof on Gods part standeth firme and immoueable 2 Tim. 2 19. are those eight linkes of St. Peters Golden chaine to adorne themselues wherewith Christians are inuited 2. Pet. 1.5 6 7 8. Ioyne moreouer vertue with your faith and with vertue knowledge c. As also those peculiar qualities of euery rightfull dweller in Gods Tabernacle and holy hill by way of question moued to God and resolution adioyned deliuered by Dauid Psal 15.1 c. Lord who shall dwell in thy Tabernacle c. The Selah or conclusion of assurance in the Prophet and Apostle being the same both to proue it attaineable and to establish the true beleeuers heart therein against all vncomfortable doubting of falling away from Grace for who so doth or if ye doe these things Psal 15.5 2. Pet. 1.10 ye shall neuer fall M. FInally to make vs yet the more carefull that we be not shut out of Gods Tabernacle let vs remember the straitnesse of the gate and way and how for want of earnest striuing many shall want desired entrance from that prying question made to Christ and that profitable resolution thereupon by him deliuered LVKE 13. 23 Then said one vnto him Lord are there fewe that shall be saued And hee said vnto them 24 Striue to enter in at the straite gâ—te for many I say vnto you will seeke to enter in and shall not be able A further explication and confirmation whereof see as in the Treatise published oâ— that * The strait Gate and narrow way to life Text so in the verses following 25 26 27. When the good man of the house is risen vp c. As likewise Math 7 21 22 23. Not euery one that saith vnto mee Lord Lord c. And in that also Math 5.20 Except your righteousnesse exceede the righteousnesse of the Scribes c. All
and spirituall obseruation of the Sabbath wherevnto as one maine branch of piety in those times put for the whole the Iewes were inuited by promise of rich reward from God ISAI 58. 13 If thou turne away thy foot froÌ„ the Sabbath that is as the words following shew from prophaning it whereto by corrupt nature all are carried from doing thy will on my holy day and shalt call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honorable and shalt honour him not doing thine owne wayes nor seeking thine owne pleasure nor speaking thine owne words 14 Then shalt thou delight thy selfe in the Lord and I will cause thee to ride vpon the high places of the earth and feede thee with the heritage of Iacob thy Father for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Some haue sought to antiquate and quite abolish now vnder the Gospell the authority of the fourth Commaundement as the Papists in their Catechismes expunge the second And Athiests and Blasphemers would as gladly haue the first and third â—azed out But both the deuotion and doctrine of our Church still directing vs to our ten Comandements * The same which God spake in Exod. 20. As see â—n our Church Catechisme and booke of Common Prayer viz in the Communion ministration of Baptisme and in particular to this * In the Homily of the time and place of Prayer sober minded Christians ought and will haue a due respect therâ—unto and as we celebrate in steede of the passeouer the Eucharist as the new Sâ—crament of the Gospell called for distinction from the former by St. Paul the a 1 Cor. 11.20 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lords Supper So likewise to obserue in place of the Sabbath this first day of the weeke as our Christian Sabbath and sanctified day of rest for holy worship called for like distinction by Saint Iohn b Reu. 1.10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lords day In which as that blessed Apostle then in banishment was rauished in the spirit and saw heauenly visions and reuelations So should we also labour who haue receiued the spirit to be in what we may that day wholy spirituall and heauenly minded so withdrawing our mindes and hearts as farre as wee are able except in cases of more vrgent necessities from all distracting whatsoeuer businesses or delights as that wee deuote our selues and be wholy taken vp in publique more priuate seruices of Gods holy worship Psa 92.1 2 heauâ—nly contemplations and workes of Christian charity as in an holy festiuall of reioycing before the Lord. Of which particulars so much hauing been written In the Homily fore-alledged of the time place of prayer and in the Practise of Pietie c. Exod. 20.8 Nehe. 13.22 I spare to adde more but onely exhort that without either superstition or prophanenesse wee so remember before hand to prepare for it euer when it commeth as God would haue vs to keepe it holy that God may remember vs in mercy and we receiue the blessing And thus also briefely for the obseruation of the Lords day the more solemne Christian Sabbath or day of holy rest T. NExt for direction touching Charitie that common and perpetuall Debt of Christians Rom. 13 8 1 Pet. 1 22. Rom. 12.10 owed generally to all but with tender and brotherly affection to true Beleeuers professing and giuing proofe of their precious Faith and walking in Truth which St. Paul termeth the More excellent way 1 Cor. 12.31 Col. 31 4 Rom. 13.10 Ephes 4.4 Ioh. 13.34 Vers 35. the Bond of perfectnesse and fulfilling of the Law tying vs thereto by so many bondes which our Sauiour himself stileth his New Commandement maketh knowne as the chiefe cognizance of his Disciples take notice of the fifteene properties hereof set downe 1 COR. 13. 4 CHARITIE or Loue suffereth long and is kinde or bountifull Charity enuieth not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 charitie vaunteth not it selte or is not thwarting 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or doing frowardly it is not puffed vp 5 It doth not behaue it selfe vnseemely it seeketh not her owne things it is not easily prouoked it thinketh none euill 6 It reioyceth not in iniquity but reioyceth in the truth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 7 It beareth or couereth all things it beleeueth all things it hopeth all things it endureth all things By which properties the meaning well apprehended shall we try our hearts and liues as we may doe also in the mutuall good offices of the bodily members 1 Cor. 12.26 it may bee feared we shall finde in vs much want of Charity which since it argueth by Saint Johns rule weakenesse 1 Ioh 4.20 at least in our loue to God wee had the more neede to pray that God who is Charity it selfe Ver. 16. would by his spirit of loue bestow vpon vs and more and more heate and enflame in vs this quickning and working Grace V. FVrther yet the exercise and excellency of this grace of Charitie being most obseruable in Christians carriage about their speciall Callings rules in Scripture are not wanting shall men consult with these Counsellers to guide Christians in such personall duties according to that generall charge Psal 119.24 as the maine and speciall foundation laid by grace of good order in humane societie 1 COR. 7.20 24. Let euery man in the same vocation wherein hee is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 therein abide with God that is doing duties to men therein out of Conscience towards God More speciall directions of which kind applyed to those Domesticall subordinations wherein Families are established Ephes 5.21 that Each may submit to other in the feare of God according to his will we shall find 1 Of Husbands and Wiues the summe whereof comprised Coloss 3.18.19 And more vnfolded Ephes 5. and 1 Peter 3. consisting of feruent and faithfull loue in the Husband and due subiection and reuerence in the Wife is vsefully read by order of our Church in Marriage Solemnities to make both parties and their Neighbours also more mindefull of their duties 2 Of Parents and Children the summe whereof grounded on the fifth Commandement being in Children Honour and thankefull Obedience to their Parents In Parents wise and due care for nurture and education of their Children and euery way towards them Loue and tender kindnesse is by the same Apostle also both in Coloss 3.20 21 briefely touched and Ephes 6.1 2 3 4. more fully opened and by the Legall Promise annexed to the Praecept powerfully perswaded 3 Of Masters and Seruants the summe of the Masters duty which is to doe that which is iust and equal to their Seruants Knowing that they also haue a Master in heauen that regardeth euery mans carriage and respecteth no mans person being deliuered Ephes 6.9 and Coloss 4.1 But more expressely and at large the duty of Seruants as needing in those times most to bee remembred set downe as in
perfect heart and a willing minde that thou mayest blesse him and his Throne for euer Blesse also our gracious Queene and giue her an vnderstanding heart to knowe the Truth and with Mary to chuse the better part that she may bee an helper also and furtherer of thy glory Blesse the rest of the Royall Familie the Counsell Ministery and Magistracy in this whole Land and all that haue place of command charge or gouerment ouer others in the Church or Common-wealth Particularly O Lord blesse we beseech thee all our Kindred and Friends and specially vs of this Family that we may liue in thy feare and bee blessed with all things necessary both for our soules and for our comfort in this present life And now as thou hast added this day vnto the dayes past of our life Lord adde our repentance wee beseech thee vnto the day and let vs rest in peace this night vnder the shaddow of thy winges that being refreshed by thy good blessing of sleepe which our beds cannot giue vs but thou O Lord who giuest thy beloued rest we may be inabled the better to serue thee in our callings the day following to thy glory for others good and our owne comfort through Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name we conclude our prayers as himselfe hath taught vs saying Our Father c. A priuate Prayer framed for the most part out of the precedent Scriptures and especially the 51. Psalme O Lord God mercifull and gracious that forgiuest iniquity and yet wilt by no meanes cleare the guilty I thine vnworthy and sinfull Seruant am bold to come before thee in confidence of thy mercy but with all humble and free acknowledgement that I am greeuously guilty and that by reason of the sinne both of my nature and life For I was shapen in iniquitie and in sinne did my Mother conceiue mee And this sinne wherein I was conceiued enough of it selfe to condemne me hath bene too to fruitfull in bringing foorth both sinnes of Omission and Commission in the whole course of my life whereby it hath come to passe that I haue neither denyed vngodlinesse and worldly lustes nor liued soberly righteously and godly in this present world I haue not knowne thee my God so much as I might nor serued thee so well as I ought but haue greatly failed euen in the most principall duties not Reading thy Word so diligently not hearing it so heedfully not receiuing the Sacrament so preparedly not keeping the Sabbath so conscionably not calling vpon thy Name so often and earnestly as I should haue done much lesse haue I regarded that extraordinary seruice of Fasting and humiliation though so many weightie occasions both publique and priuate haue called vpon mee for it And when I haue at any time performed these duties it hath not beene with so perfect an heart and so willing a minde as thou requirest but there hath bene much both heauinesse and hypocrisie in my best Deuotions I haue too to much distasted and shunned the narrow way not walking in my Calling so faithfully not vsing Recreation so moderately nor thy Creatures so soberly and inoffensiuely nor carrying my selfe towards my Neighbour for the good both of his soule and body and state so religiously Charitably and iustly as it had beene meet I should But besides this want of delighting in thy Law and holy duties I haue committed many grieuous sinnes against thy Maiestie following very fearefully especially in the time of You h and ignorance both the Company and the Counsels and the Courses of Wicked men and so instead of bringing forth the holy and pleasing fruites of the Spirit haue wrought and brought foorth the fiâ—thy and noysome workes of the Flesh Yea O Lord against thee against thee haue I sinned and besides Common euils an guilty as holy Dauid of bloud of some notorious and speciall prouocations Nor haue I beene thus sinnefull O Lord for want of instruction and meanes to be better for thou hast taught me wisdome and made known thy Word vnto me wherby I might haue bin cleansed and amended but it is because I haue wanted care haue not taken heede to my wayes according vnto thy Word nor laid vp that word of thine in my heart whereby I might haue beene kept from sinning against thee So that I can by no meanes iustifie my selfe nay O Lord I am so farre from that that say what thou wilt against mee in thy Word lay what thou wilt vpon me with thy Hand I doe freely confesse Thou shalt be iustified when thou speakest and cleare when thou iudgest Neuerthelesse O gracious Father since thou hast proclaimed thy selfe to be a God that pardonest iniquitie and transgression and sinne Let me finde grace I beseech thee in thy sight and pardon my iniquitie and my sinne I haue nothing to plead for my selfe but Haue mercy on me O God according to thy louing kindnesse according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions I cannot deny O Lord but I am a great Sinner but I know that the bloud of Iesus Christ cleanseth vs from all sinne Purge me therefore with that Hyssop and I shall be cleane wash me and I shall be whiter then the Snow So make me to heare the voyce of ioy and gladnesse that my heart afflicted with sinne may reioyce in thee It s true O Lord thou art a GOD that doest by no meanes cleare the guilty yet haue mercy on mee while by this meanes the guilt of sinne is remoued from me Nor doe thou onely Hide thy face from my sinne O Lord and blot out all my iniquitie but together with the guilt of sinne take away the filthinesse likewise Wash mee throughly from mine iniquitie and cleanse me from my sinne yea Create in me a cleane heart O God and renew a right spirit within me Vouchsafe vnto mee the benefit of the new Couenant of grace working that grace in me that thou requirest of me Take away more and more the stony heart out of my flesh and giue me an heart of flesh that so I may remember my former euill wayes and my doings that were not good and loath my selfe in my owne sight for my iniquities and my abominations Together with this Repentance yea that I may haue this Repentance worke in mee that Faith whereby the House of Israel enquires after thee and whereby I a wretched Sinner finding my selfe heauy laden may so come vnto thee as to haue ease from thee And because none shall haue mercy but hee that forsaketh his sinne as well as confesses it Giue me so much grace as to forsake my wicked wayes yea and all my vnrighteous thoughts that so thou mayest haue mercy on me and abundantly pardon mee And because forsaking of sinne is not enough neither without returning vnto thee my Lord and my God make mee I beseech thee to goe in the pathes of thy Commandements and so put thy Spirit within me as to cause mee to walke