willinglie suffer such as would In Iude his Epistle over and besides I obserue First that the wicked are but as menstruous cloths in our Feastes of Loue. 2. Lastly that the man Iesus our Saviour is God and he onely able to keepe vs from falling away as also to present vs faultlesse before the Father Nowe followeth a litle to be said of the Bookâ— of Revelation Blessed Iohn beloved of Iesus being banished into the I le Patmos and that by all probabilitie by Domitianus who succeeded Nero There on the Lords day Iohn was deeply ravished in the Spirite during which time blessed Iesus commendeth vnto him the state of his Church vntill the last First he enioyneth Iohn to write vnto the 7. Churches of Asia the lesse Secondly to set down in writing such visions and their adiuncts as might continue for the Faithfuls vse for ever And indeede this Booke so pictureth out the False Churches whether Idolatrous Christian or Mahumetane as I cannot maruell though Satan hath almost driven this Booke out of vse The olde Church Zion had her golden prophecies for future events and this was left to the Newe Testaments Church as a Loue-letter of Iesus whereby she should discerne Times Persons Thinges But marke this that the Iewe is never brought in within this book as an Adversary Their number is sealed Cap. 7. The same number of Them stands on Mount Zion with the Lamb Chap. 14. And the Gentiles are glad to repaire vnto them for being healed Chap. 21. and 22. This brieâ—â—ie for the present That which nowe followeth hath his groundes from the former Canonicall writings Alâ— falling out within the compasse of time contained in the book of Revelation or Apocalyps for the time of that Booke reacheth to the second comming of Iâ—sus 15. Staffe The Apostles haue for help a Evangelists And so the Churches by them planted be Th'Apostles dead there riseth b hellish mysts Which with the Light at no hand could agree Sun darks Starres fall The Moone doth change her hue Heaven rolles away as They before did shewe a Evangelists in English is Publishers of glad Tydings In the large sence any bringer of glad newes may be so called but in this speciall and peculiar sense these are properly Evangelistes that wer called by the Apostles to assist them in the planting of Churches Such were Marke Luke Timothie Titus b Inventions of men fetched out of their botâ—omlesse brayne first broched into their brayne by Satan of the lowest Hells these arose in the Churches and so darkned the Sun of Righteousnes Hereupon the Angels of the churches fel out of the heauenly places who before were as Starres in Christ his right hand The Churches who before tooke their word which was their Lantern light from the mouth of Iesus even as the Moone taketh her light from the Sunne they quicklie changed their hue whervpon the Heauenly Face of the Churches passed away even as the materiall heavens at last shall scroleâ—like vanish Paul charged his Churches to be watchfull of their waies and blessed Iohn he specially admonisheth the Churches of Asia-Minor But al of them neglecting their spiritual watch what are become of them what is become of the golden Romane People what is become of Coâ—â—nth of Galatin Philippi Colossus Thessalonia what are become of Iohns 7. Churches They vanished like a scrowle their visibilitie or face vnable to bee founde The 7. Churches of Asia togither with their fellowes had Mahumet quickly seated in their chair The 7. Churches Rev. 1. were seven golden Candlesticks and their Ministers 7. Starres in Iesus his right hand if these be Apostate as all knowe they be what warrant had Rome never to fall awaye These 7. were in Christs right hand and yet Apostate such a priviledged place in so open speach Rome never had or if she had bene an 8. starre in his hand vet lo the Sun lost his Light the Sonne hath turned his hand vpside dowâ—e Paul writing vnto Rome he saith To the Saintes at Rome not To the Church of Rome to other people he saith To the Church or Churches by which forme of speach it is to be thought that there was not at the writing of that Epistle any established Church at Rome Obiect Hee saith Chap. vlt. Salute the Church in their house Vers. 5. Ans. By the Church or Congregation faithfull of that house he cannot meane a Church established for then all the residue of the Saints saluted shuld seeme to be so many Churches as there were divers housholds or else that they stood apart from the Church but thereby he must necessarily meane the Faithfull Assemblie of that house Every Established Church is a companie of Faithfull convened but every company of Faithfull congregated is not an established Church They two are not Convertibles Neither is it any thing like that there should then in Rome be an established Church First considering that Great Citie Revel 17. 18. was heade for Idolatrie Secondly had bloody Nero King called by Paul the Lyons mouth 2. Tim. 4. 17. therein I doubt not alluding to the Lyons Monarch of Babel Dan. 7. 4. the mouth of the 4. mettelled Image wherof elsewhere I haue spoken Howe hatd it was long after for any to professe Christ in Rome much more to haue an established Church their owne Records declare Nay seeing All forsooke Paul what time he was first examined before the Emperour Nero 2. Timoth. 4. 16. I would demaund of such where was Peter then did he then apostate from Paul or was hee Non-resident Indeed the Romanists say he was then gone into some other Cuntrie notwithstanding his Apostolicall Sea was at Rome As such an answer is but absurde so neither if Peter had bene there and had an established Church could it well be deemed that both the common persons of that Church as also every their Ministers should forsake Paul Besides Peter should haue shewen himselfe no true Pastor by such Non-residencie as also haue beene guiltie of that Peoples fall Howe trulie then they haue taught that Peter first established the Faith of Christ in Rome as also should for 25. yeares be Romes Bishop let the wise hearted coniecture by the former Circumstances Much more let them consider what feeble footing they haue for Standing alwaies in visible obedience to the true Faith 16. Staffe a First order gone and Dores not being kept By b Baptisme heapes of prophane do rush With them at length a c Ministry in crept That with the Horne Gods ordinance did push So Anti-christ is stept vp to the Throne Who by his d Lawes would governe every one a The churches by little and little growing secure and idle in their spirituall watch they giue vp all their power vnto the Elders the Elders afterwards they leaue all to the Pastor The seâ—erall Churchâ—pastors in one Cittie they finally giue vp their keyes to so me one and hee was called Metrapolitane The Metrapolitanes finally gaue vp their power to some one
ever-burning fire of Hell c IESVS the Iudge mounting his pure white Throne encompassed with Thousands of glorious Angels before him shall come all the Kindreds of the Earth and every Soule ioyned vnto his Bodie must abide by his Iudgment First he will separate his Sheepe from stinking Goates the cloake of Hypocrisie nowe comes off and having culled his Elect from the Reprobate he shall bid the Chosen of his Father Enter into the kingdom prepared for them wherevpon they shall mount vppon his glorious Tâ—rone and sit downe with IESVS their Heade Râ—vel 3. 21. Christ having seated in vnspeakable glory his Mysticall Body hee then turneth to the Goates on his left hand bidding them Depart accursed into everlaesting fyre prepared for the Devill and his Angels Matth. 25. 41. This voice as it passeth from Christ the Head so shall it be subscribed vnto by the voice of his Mysticall members and therfore Paul plainly affirmeth that The Saintes shall Iudge the World and the Angels 1. Cor. 6. 2. 3. Let the Devill and his Angels ey all his Coapaâ—tners praunce it heere while they may let them here abuse the Faithfull Saintes by calling by robbing them smiting them murdering them yet withall let them knowe that after they haue had Their Day IESVS his members shal haue Their Day what time the Devill and his Goatish Corporation shall from their mouthes receiue Iudgment irrevocable Iudgment by being adiudged to Hell-fyre for ever All this considered howe had wee neede to be sober and watchfull in Prayer that so when others shall crye like fooles Cover vs oh Hilles and Mountaines we may then boldly lift vp our heades in the Testimonie of a good Conscience knowing that that day shall be the day of our Redemption the day of our full deliverance from all evill After this glorious day all Creatures vnder degree of reason Rom. 8. 21. 22. do after a sort grone because then they shall bee freed from their present corruption which seazed vpon them through our sinne How much more should we groane and hunger after this Great day of the Lord what time all teaâ—es shall be wiped from our eyes Nay if we haue the first fruites of the Spirite Rom. 8. 23. wee will and do sigh after this Day Oh my God thou knowes even Thou knowes that my Soule leapeth for Ioy at the recordating that Day Oh sweete Iesus thou knowes that I am in some comfortable measure sweet Lord increase that mesure willing yea desirous to be conformed and made like vnto thee by sufferings and that because of the glory laide vp for thy members which in that day shall be revealed Oh sweet Comforter thou Holy Spirite Spirit of Illumination and Sanctification thou testifies vnto my Spiriâ—e Rom. 8. 16. that in Christ Iesus and by vertue of his once sufficient suffering I am reconciled vnto the Father and thou sweete Spirit opens my mouth with boldnes to Call yea cry vpon God as vpon a mercifull Father Galat. 4. 6. and that with full assurance of obtaining every thing is necessary for Soule and Body Mercifull Father so beholde me continually in thy Sonne my Saviour Christ Iesus as through him continually I may receiue an ever-flowing Fountaine of Light and Holines vntill I bee made perfect in my all sufficient Head Christ Iesus And herevnto sweete Father make me continually to bee watchfull because I am vncertaine at what houre thou wilt come vnto Iudgement vniversall or particular And herevnto Oh my God stirre vp all thy Elect Iewe and Gentile namely to be sober and watching in Prayer that so come thou at the first second or third houre we all may be found well employed in our severall sanctified Callings Amen for the glory of thy owne great Name So be it Come quickly sweete Iesus Amen d Because wee haue no promise of obtaining any good thing at IEHOVAHS hand without calling vpon his Name by true liuely and effectuall Prayer therefore I haue afterwards set apart a directorie vnto Prayer by whose Introduction and Forme all Novices in faith may be the easier allured to so holy an exercise an exercise neglected of this brutish Idolatrous age wherein either People vse it not at all or else by the suggestion of a false Spirite they in the roome thereof doe substitute a false kinde of Invocation consisting in Vaine Repetitions and ignorant Babling thinking like Idolatrers that their corporeall speaches shall merite Leaving that small Tractate to his peculiar place I here through the assistance of my good God do put an end to the Synopsis of holy Hystory What is in anâ— competent sort beseeming the worthines of the Subiect for that giue thou praise vnto him that giveth knowledge from aboue liberallie without dashing the Receiver in the teeth What any way is vnbeseming the Argument that shal be mine own and yet by Gods grace no sooner of me seene then disclaimed as an alyane and bastardly fruite And so beseeching my good God to pardon all my wants and to giue to the Reader holy Iudgment I here end PSAL. 119. 130. The Entrance into thy wordes oh Lord sheweth Light giving vnderstanding to the simple FINIS The vvhole of that vvhich hath bene taught may be resolved thus All the Doctrine of the Bible divideth it self into the doctrine of Generation Degeneration Regeneration The doctrine of Generation doth divide it self into the Creation Of Creaturs besides Man Of Man himselfe The doctrine of Degeneration or mis-creation divideth it selfe into 1. The fal of a most excellent Creature before Man 2. The fall of Man togither with inferiour Creatures The doctrine of Regeneration or Recreation divideth it selfe into 1. The Restauration of Man 2. The Restauration of inferior Creatures The worke of Creation craving the Father to Doe it The work of Mis-creation craving the Sonne to Recover it The worke of Recreation craving the Spirit to Confirme it Thus that One God distinguished into Father Sonne holy Ghost In One work is after a threfold sort occupied but man doth not mark this To the Tri-vne God be all Glory A PREFACE TO Prayer by way of Dialogue Qu. HAue you penned the subsequent Forme of praier to the end that any other shuld think they had well prayed in having read or said the same over Ans. No Saying over wordes is no more Praying than reading over wordes is Preaching As the Guift of Preaching is an immediate vtterance of the Lord his will conceived in the heart by the spirite of Iesus so is the Guift of Prayer an immediat vtterance Vocall or Mentall of things presently conceived in the heart by the Spirit of Iesus For this cause doth Paul tell the Galatians 4. 6. that whome God adopteth in Christ to them heâ— giueth the sprit of Christ even to this end that he may stirre vp the Heart of the adopted to crye Abba Father that is To call vehemently vpon God as vpon a mercifull Father not a Tyrant or Iudge And because none can truly pray
thy Kingdome that consisteth in Righteousnes and Holines oh let it Come and as a stronger man let thy Spirite cast out the Tyrannie of Sinne that howsoever it dwell yet it may never raigne in our mortall members Sweete Father thou hast begunne a good work in vs and shall Satan overturne it shall Sinne supplant it Alas alas except thou vpholde vs wee shall deceiue our owne soules Satan the World and our Flesh are at league therefore as thou hast hitherto caused vs to put our trust in thee so continue thou our Governour and cause vs to stoup vnto the sugered motions of thine own spirit And for the better building vp of our inwarde man and the repairing of thine owne Image in vs mercifully giue vnto vs faithfull Ministers of thy word that so we may receiue the blessing of Illumination and Sanctification that accompanieth thine owne ordinance And for making roome to thine owne Ordināce vouchsafe to remoue from all thy People such as haue run out without thy bidding Remoue hyrelings dumb dogs and all such cursed plants as thy right hand never planted that so an open way being made for thine owne Servants the Scepter of Iesus may be lifted vp in the midst of thy People that they seeing the Banner of thy Sonne displaied they may bring their sons daughters from farre and so giue vp their names to liue Subjects in the kingdome of thy son Christ. And inasmuch as thou hast commanded Kings Queenes Magistrates to bee Nource-fathers and Nource-mothers vnto thy Church Lord we humblie intreate thee not onely to giue such vnto vs and others thy poore people but also do thou put the remembrance of that dutie in their heades that they may not dare like lewde Nources to mingle with thy Wine and Milke their owne liquor and leaven but that they may compt it their Glory as Elders to cast their Crownes downe before thy Throne spirituall wherevpon thou sittes in the middest of thy Church Let them knowe that thou hast appointed thē to lick vp the dust before the feete of thy Church yea to remoue the smallest lets to godlines so farre let them knowe they ought to bee from casting their owne inventions as stumbling blocks before the feete of thy people These of them that will bee brought to honour thee do thou honour them but if with horne side they wil dedicate themselues to push thy Sonnes Spowsesse then mercifull Father do cut their hornes shorter and breake off their power that so they may learne how the kingdome that serues not thee shall perish And because mercifull Father this spirituall kingdome of thine in vs will here never be perfected we therefore intreat thee to hasten the comming of thy Son our blessed Saviour vnto that finall doome that so having gathered his kingdome of Iewe and Gentile into one hee may deliver vp the same into thine hand and so thou maist be al in all In the meane time oh Lord let thy spirit so guide and leade vs in thy truth as by vs The third Petition Thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven THy vvill may be done in Earth as it is in Heuen by the blessed Angels Oh Lord They could keepe their place but Satan and wee would needes forsake our place They therefore haue continued happie doers of thy will where Satan and Man-kind haue sought their own will Satan therefore for ever alotted vnto the burning pit whither likewise whol Man-kind had packed had not thy Sonne stept in and made attonement for me and al such as apprehēd him by a liuely Faith which is the Guift even the flower that buddeth out of our adoption Considering all the benefits we haue received from thee oh Lord why should not wee in the Earth do thy will aswell as doe the blessed Angels in Heaven They were created once so were we yea wee haue bene created twise so were not they by so much the more are wee bounde to do thy will even thy will by forsaking our own will yet this will of ours wee are most prest to preferre before thy will Oh false heart crooked heart wilt thou never be duly subject vnto that pure and only holy will of thy Creator of thy Redemer As the Angels do in the heauenlie places continuallie beholde thy face ô Father so hast thou called vs in the Earth to liue before thee as in Heaven and therefore hast thou called vs out of the worlde out of the kingdome of darknes and that to be Citizens with thy Saintes in the Earth who howsoever they are in the worlde yet are not of the worlde howsoever they walke their pilgrimage in the Earth yet their conversation is in Heaven their conversation is heavenly As thou addes vnto thy Sonnes Church such souls as are appointed to be saued so ô mercifull Father it is not sufficient for vs to be in thy Church except thou lead vs doing thy will in the Church It is not sufficient that wee be Cittizens of thy spiritual Ierusalem except we liue according to the Citties Lawes and ordinances Thou having Lord given vs to knowe this giue vs power likewise to do it even to do thy Wil as diligently faithfully earnestly as doe the heavenly spirites whome thou hast appointed to minister vnto the heires of Saluation whome thou hast appointed for to watch over the Church over every the faithfull Giue vnto thy Ministers grace to do thy Wil in preaching thy blessed Wil in season and out of season not measuring what man wold heare but what thou hast commanded them to speake Giue vnto thy people such Pastors as may powerfully Exhort such Teachers as may trulie deliver the Doctrine of faith such Elders as may diligentlie Governe such Deacons as may faithfully Distribute the contribution of the Saintes such Widowes as may with Mercifull Affections attend the sicke and impotent that so the Ministers of thy Church performing dutifully thy will the Communion of thy People as it is called the Kingdome of heauen so it may be beautifull as Heaven Vnto Princes Magistrates People giue grace of subjection to thy wil that all of them seeking thy glory not their owne wil it so may come to passe that thy will may be preferred by Al in every their several callings that Parents and Children Maisters Servants so studying the doing of thy will there may be an heavenly concent and harmony of obedience towardes thee in the Earth as is vnto thee by all the blessed spirits in Heaven And inasmuch as oh mercifull Father after we haue prayed for the glorifying of thy gret Name in the establishing of thy Kingdome and doing thy Will in asmuch as after that we are enjoyned to praye for the things which necessarily and immediatlie concerne our selues wee humblie intreat thee to The fourth Petition Giue vnto vs this day our Daily Bread GIue vnto vs our daily Bread Breade oh Lord is more than we deserue why should wee then be discontented with
and caused the Ark of Gods Covenant to be fetched from Shiloh into the Host. But the Philistims caught away the Arke which afterwards they sent back againe and slewe the flaunting Priests Hophni and Phineas Newes heereof comming to Eli sitting without on a stoole he in a pieuish qualme fell downe and broke his Neck being 98. yeares old Phineas wife big with child hearing all this shee sodainlie brought foorth calling the Childe Ichabod that is No Glorie and so dyed Thus the Lord was as good as his word sent before to Eli by the man of God Chap. 2. They that honour IEHOVAH them will IEHOVAH honour but if they will kick against God and dishonour him by their vnrepentant Prophanations IEHOVAH will assuredly dishonour them by takeing their Glory from them in the sight of all men As they haue lived not glorifying God so they shall dye without glory to themselues Let Rulers chieflie learne this Lesson 26. Staffe But when they cryde to God he a Iudges sent Who did avenge them on their Enemie b At last with Iudges they growe discontent And for King Heathenlike they rudely cry God giues to them then Saul of Benjamin Whome after God rejected for his sinne a As he stirred vp by times 6. sorte of Oppressours so he mercifullie raised vp twelue of their owne people to exercise power over them besides Shamgar that slue the 600. Philistims with his Goade b Eli dead Samuel Iudged Israel passing righteouslie He waxing old his sonnes Ioel and Abiah governed whose inequall waies observed the People loathed Iudgship and desired to haue a King after the fashion of the Gentiles about them The Lord hearing their murmuring doth appoint Samuel to annoynt Saul of Beniamins Tribe a tall fellowe to the Kingship Saul seeking his Fathers Asses he found a Kingdome for comming to enquire of Samuel concerning his Asses as fooles runne to Witches Samuel annointeth him after the which the Spirit not of Sanctification but of Government and Maiestie came vpon him This Saul afterwards neglecting his charge concerning the slaughter of Amaleks Cattle and Agag the King the Lord therefore taketh from him the former Spirit and put in him a frantick Spirite commanding Samuel to annoynt David the youngest sonne of Ishai of Bethlehem-Iudah the Towne of Boaz and Ruth vpon whome came the former Maiesticall Spirite After this Saul ceaseth not to persecute David which persecution was cause of penning most of the Book of Psalmes but David though hee had him at vantage would not hurte him In the end consulting with a Witch at Enâ—or for before hating Samuel and Samuel nowe was dead hee tunneth to the Devill to speake with Samuel Saul the next daye after was slaine togither with his Sonnes in his warres with the Philistims running himselfe desperatlie on his swordes pointe Thus the wretched King run from sin to sinne till sinne slewe him From a lesser sinne he runnes to a greater from the greater vnto the greatest till hee meete with his match that is with a sinne that overmatcht him and brought him vnder foot Let Kings beware of sparing any cursed Agag or any fat Idole Religion for the bellie is Agags God lest the Lord leaue them to 〈◊〉 sinnes race the best end whereof is but shame confusion of face Seing we are all called to be Kings vnto God Lee vs spare neither fat sinnes nor leane sinnes sinnes lesse or more gainefull and pleasurable but let vs kill them all for as the bleating of the Cattle bewraied Sauls halting so will the crying of one sinne vnmortified bewray our hollowe hearts and prouoke the holy one to Iudgement The time of Sauls Raigne and of Samuel his Iudgship togither making 40. yeares 27. Staffe a Then Samuel did David King annoint Who was of Iudah b gracious good true c Then Salomon his Sonne he doth appoint Him to succeede as book of Kings doth shew This Salomon for d Tabernacles Rite Did build a Glorious Temple Gods delite a Se for this into the Annotation next before b As Dauid succeeded Saul so he raigned in all goodnes excepting the slaughter of Vriah the defiling of his wife Bathsheba marrying at length with Bathsheba by whom the adulterous Childe dead he had Salomon the figure of Iesus the peaceable Spouse of his church even as his Father David was the speciall type of IESVS the slaughterer of his Churches â—oes And here beginneth the Books of KINGS c David in his old age caused Zadok the Priest Nathan the Prophet he that reproved David for his Adulterie with his valiant men to carry his Son Salomon downe on his Mule to Gihon and there the Priest annoynting him with oyle taken out of the Tabernacle to proclaime him King who did so crying God saue King SALOMON After that David having exhorted his sonne to fear the Lord As also informing him of IEHOVAHS will concerning the Temple he dyed having raigned seauen yeares in Hebron where hee was the second time annoynted and 33. yeares in Ierusalem where he was the third time vncted d In stead of the Tabernacle formed in the wildernes Salomon by the Lord his appointment buildeth a Temple divided into the 1. Court 2. Holie and 3. Most Holy as was the Tabernacle The Stone was hewen and first made euen and afterwards were conioyned togither for the rearing vp of walles so that it is saide There was not heard the noise of an hammer in setting of it vp 1. King 6. 7. This signified that the Temple spirituall of our Iesus greater than Salomon namely the Church of the Newe Testament should consist of spirituall stones namely Men and weomen who first shuld be hewed and made smooth as Iohn Baptist smoothed the waye to Christ by the preaching of Prophets and having once the visible spirituall knobs hewen off then they should conioyne and knit togither into one communion This was cause that Iohn Baptist would not baptise any but such as first Confessed Sinne giving hope of Amendment And this was it that holy Peter respected when he said And yee as liuely stones be made a spirituall house 1. PETER 2. 5. Secondly that hammers or forcing meanes are not for ioyning People togither in holy Communion and Vnion spirituall for no Iron sworde can beget Faith but that Princes swords and hard meanes are appointed for the smoothing of them and cutting off their knobs and wicked manners that so they may bee fitted sooner for Christ. This Armie is to appeare willingly in holy beautie at the time appointed Faith is free or voluntarie not forced by humaine power Thirdly that Ratling noyse of Accusations Reprehensions is not fitte teaching within Christ his spirituall Temple the Church Iohn is to charge 〈◊〉 for Generation of Vâ—pers that are without as 〈◊〉 these that are once entred into the Lords house and â—nrolled by Baptisme in his Booke to them appertaine sweeter wordes than Salomon spake in the hearing of his servants and why All â—â—thin are hoped to be Christes and
Here we must beginne a double accompt because of this double Regiment which after that Schisme or Rent was never vnited or made One. IVDAH 1 Rehoboam raigneth over Iudah and Ben-iamin 17. yeares 2 Abiam called also Abiâ—ah Râ—hoboam his son he succeeded raigned 3. years wicked he was as was his Father but for Dauidâ— sake GOD gaue vnto him a Light that is a Son to Raigne after him He begun his Raigne in the 18. yeare of Ieroboam King of Israel 3 Asa his Son succeded better than Father or Grand-father He begun his raigne in the 20. of Ieroboam Hee tooke the Sodomits out of the Land destroyed Idoles deposed his Idolatrous grand-mother Mâ—acha in a word many worthy things did hee and the rather at the worde of the Lord comming vnto him by Azariah the Sonne of Obed. Having warres with Zâ—rah of Eâ—hiopia hee cryed vnto God thus It is nothing with thee to helpe with many or few therefore helpe vs oh Lorde our God for we rest on thee and in thy name are we come against this multitude Oh Lord thou art our GOD Let not Man prevaile against thee So IEHOVAH smot the Ethiopians and amazed that People so that good Asa and his Armie prevailed and took a great bootie This King smot an excellent Covenant with the Lord with whome ioyned not only his people of Iudah and Beniamin but also divers strangers out of Ephraim Manasseh and Simeon Israelites At which time was offered vp vnto IEHOVAH much of the Ethiopians spoyle Hauing raigned 41. yeares he dyed of the gowt 4 Iosaphat his son succeedeth beginning in his Fathers last years A good man for Church reformation In his time Eliiah or Eâ—â—as prophecieth in Iâ—rael and after him prophecied there Eliseuâ— or Elâ—sha his seruant vpon whome Eliiah rapt vp in a fiery chariot the Spirite is doubled he working twise so many miracles as did Eliiah Iosaphat being in affinitie with Aâ—ab of Israel he accompanieth Ahab to battell against Ramotâ— Notwithstanding the Prophet Michaiah had before tolde him and Ahab the issue but comming into the Field hee was glad to flie with shame Goodmen must looke for no good by ioyning with Idolaters And yâ—t the Princes of oâ—r time aâ—e not affraid to run ryde sayle by Seas in the defence of blinde Idolaters Some haue paide for it let others harmes make them beware He raigned 25. yeares and died 5 Ioram his Sonne called also IEHORAM Raigned togither with his Father from his Fathers 17 yeares and so continued 4. yeares after his Father He is said to raigne 8. years which time necessarily is counted from his Fathers 22. what time he begunne his more free Raigne that 22. being the 5. of Ioram of Israel Because this Foole married wâ—th Ahabs daughter therefore father Iehosophat is once called king of Israel Hee became a notable Idolatrer Vnto him commeth a Letter from Eliiah were it writ before his being wrapt vp or miraculously after I know not wherein was red his destinie namely That his Gutts through horrible paine shuld fal out of his belly And so 2. yeares after they did and so he died 6 Achaziah his yongest sonne finished the Fathers last yeare and was slaine 7 Athaliah his Mother succeeded she was Ahabs Daughter and Grandmother to Ioash she killeth all the Kings seed she can catch But Iehoiadaâ— his wife stealeth away Ioash Achaziah or Oâ—hoziah his yongest sonne and keepeth him and his nurse 6. yeares in a Chamber In the 7. yeare Iehoiadah the Priest hauing published abroade the life of the Childe hee bringeth him before the Captaines and People and in the Temple annoynteth Ioash 8. Ioasâ— called also Iehoash annoined King at that instant Athaliah the trayterous Queene commeth in cryâ—ng Treason Treason but her selfe was the Trayteresse and so shee found it for shee was haled out and slaine having vsurped 6 yeares During Iehoiadah his life Ioash walked vprightâ—ie but the good Priest dead the Nobles of Iudah com vp with flattering reverence first causeth a neglect of GOD his House and then pulleth in their Groues Idoles and false worship God stirreth vp Prophets to reprooue that but they stop the eare Then the Spirite of IEHOVAH comming vpon Zechariah the Son of Iehoiadah he thus protested before the People Thus saith God Why Transgresse you the Commaundements of IEHOVAH Surely ye shal not prosper because ye haue forsaken the Lord he hath also forsaken you 2. Câ—ron 24. The frantick Idolaters hearing this doe stone him in the Court of IEHOVAHS house even betweene the Temple and the Alter Mat. 23. 35 By the time that yeare was out IEHOVAH stirred vp the Aramites against Iudah who came a small number but conquered spoyled slaughtered as they would leaving Ioash behinde them in great misery The Araâ—â—tâ—s departed the Lord stirreth vp Shimrah an Amâ—onite and Ieâ—ozabad a Moabite who slewe the King on his bed Hee began his Raigne at 7. yeares and Raigned 40. yeares And here I would gladly knowe of Sâ—basâ—ian Caestalio and his ignorant followers what leadeth them to affirme That Salomon his bloode ended in Achaziah or Ochaziah the sonne of Iehosaphaâ— what should make them write that Ioash was of Iudah the sonne of Iosâ—ph the sonne of Ionah the sonne of Eliaâ—im the sonne of Melcha the sonne of Meâ—na the sonne of Mathaâ—a the sonne of Nathan King Salomon his brother To passe by a Sea of errour which this ignorance bringeth into the Genealogie of IESVS let the Reader search the Scripturs 2. King 11. 2. 3 and 2. Chron. 22. 10. 11. 12. and the next Chapter wholie and he shall see clearly as at Noone-day that Ioash was Achaziah his sonne as we haue written Nay read 1. Chron. 3. 10. 11. and there it is thus written And Salomons sonne was Reâ—oboam whose sonne was Abiah his Son was Asa his sonne Iehosâ—phat his sonne Ioram his sonne Achaziah his sonne Ioash c. what can bee more plaine If Castalio and his Opinators knew not how to reconcile Matthew and Luke their Geneaâ—ogies whereof in his place they should rather haue acknowledged their ignorance then seeme more skilful by broaching abhominable errour But men that would not seeme ignorant of any point doe commonlie stumble in that height of pride even in clearest pointes 9 Amaziah Ioash his Sonne succeeded being aged 25. yeaâ—e Hee raigned 29. yeares accompted from his Fathers 38. year that being the second yeare of Ioash King of Israel and he then his fathers Vice Roy. He slew these that slewe his Father but hauing an eye vnto Moses his Lawe hee would not kil the children for their Fathers fact He warred with Ioash or Iehoash King of Israel but came to the worse In Ierusalem they working treason hee fled to Iachish They send after him there slay him But hee was buried with his Fathers at Ierusalem in the Citie of David As Ieroboam of Israel Iehoash his Son begun his raign in this mans 15 yeares So this man endeth his Life and
that haue not this Spirite as also because no Requests Vocall or Mentall is true Prayer that is not conceived and suggested by the spirit of God therefore Paul Rom. 8. 26. plainly putting himselfe in the number â—aith Wee knovve not hovve to Pray as vve ought but the Spirite it selfe maketh request for vs that is The Spirit of Iesvvs putteth into the mouth of our spirite vvhat to praye To prescribe therefore and enjoyne Setvvordes is to strip the Spirit of his office and the way to quench our Spirit Obiect Every one hath not knovvledge to pray therfore set formes do help such Ans. True and so doe the written set Scriptures help such but yet it followeth not that that is praier it selfe The helpe to Praier Preaching is not our Prayer and preaching it selfe the first is a Cause the second the Effect no Cause and his Effect are the same every halfe-pennie Sophister knowes that Secondly where you say Euery one hath not knowledge to pray thereto I answer every one that is adopted as afore hath the spirit of Iesus every one that hath that spirit hath a speaking not a dumbe spirite a spirite of knowledge and holy Light Obiect But every one who is to be hoped to haue Gods spirite cannot vtter words orderly as were to be wished Ans. That is besides the Question the Question is this Can every one of God his children meaning of aged Persons pray rightly I haue saide they can Nowe for praying so orderly as were to be wished I graunt that young ones in Christ Iesus cannot pray so fully and methodically as these that haue spent som years in Christ his Schoole Children cannot speake as do Elder persons yet Children aswell as Elder persons can cry vnto the Parents vpon the feling of some Want even so can the youngest Babe in Christ. That the blessed Apostle teacheth Rom. 8. 15. when he saith that the Adopted do cry as also Verse 26. 27. when hee affirmeth that the Spirit teacheth vs to pray vvith grones vnvtterable the meaning of which grones is well knowne to God for hee is not ignorant of the meaning of his own spirit And most grosse headed are such as think that any words please God but what hee himselfe first breathes into our hearts by his spirit for he only accepteth the fruites of his owne spirit the fruits of his Sonnes spirit which first fruites are the sanctifier of our whole lumpe Otherwise to think is flat Idolatrie and derogaâ—orie to the spirite of our onely Sacrificer IESVS Quest. Do you then simply condemne all such as vse the wordes of our Saviour as they are set downe Ans. No S. Peter 1. 4. 11. saith If any man speake let him speake as the vvords of God Better wordes than our Saviour than the Apostles than the Prophetes haue vsed we cannot vse nay wee must learne to speake as they before vs haue spoken as in other speach so specially in Prayer which is An holy speach vvith God Whosoever shal vse all or any of our Saviors words according to knowledge and that by the instinct of God his spirit which Spirit teacheth the soule what is most fit necessary for the time to him I say Go in peace But if any for customes sake and of a foolish superstitious affection to the words shall vse them or any other forme of speach in the Scriptures of such I say They are no better than Idolaters Magiâ—al inchautaters neither knowe they what prayer meaneth Two sorts of People offende against our Saviour his forme of Prayer the one sort are such as through a Romish custome do value all their other prayers deade and vnprofitable if so they do not annex it the other sort are such as think it vtterly vnlawfull because the same is repeated for to vse them wordes for Prayer If our Saviour Marke 14. 39. did at his second time of praying vse the same vvords he had before vsed then why should the same in any Faithfull their vse be offensiue to vs But as our Savior there vsing the same words did it because his case was one and the same vnchanged so let vs learne then to vse the same words when our case is the same otherwise we shal make holy Words but prophane Idoles Concluding therefore that Prayer is a povvring out of our soules-feeling according to the present motion of God his spirite as also that Neither olde vvords nor newe vvordes are acceptable to God otherwise then they are sent vp to God the Father in the name of Iesus and that by the immediate vvorke of the spirite I now come vnto our Saviour his Exemplar of Prayer Math. 6. consisting 1. of a Preface in these wordes O our Father vvhich art in Heuen 2. of a SupplicatioÌ„ in these words Hallovved be thy name thy Kingdom come thy vvil be done in Earth as it is in Heauen Giue vs this day our daily bread and forgiue vs our debts as vvee also forgiue our detters And lead vs not into tentation but deliuer vs from euill 3. It consisteth of a Reason why Prayer is offered vp onely to God in these words For thine is the kingdome and the povver the glory for euer 4. Of Faiths Signet or Seale in this word Amen or So it is The first part of the Preface O our Father OH dul heart vntowarde Soule why art thou so lumpish and so heavie trust in God thy deliverer cast out yea breath stronglie out what God his spirit hath conceived in thee ô my heart Sweete Father when thou by thy powerful word had created all Creatures for Man his vse then thou created Man and Woman to vse them Man thou didst make of the earth woman thou took from Mans side by drawing from thence a Rib whereof thou builded Her that she vnto him might be an Helper And so having put thy Image in them thou placed them in Eden yea in the garden of Eden the beautie of the whol earth vnto them thou gaue two Commaundements the first That they should dresse the garden the second That they should not eate of the tree entitled The Tree of Knowledge of good and euill and so they should liue whereof thou gaue them an other Tree sacramentally called The tree of Life but if they disobeyed then in the Daye of such disobedience They should die But thy commandemeÌ„ts were soone broken for Satan adversary to thy glory Mans wel-fare did even in the same daye possesse the Dragon the subtillest beast of the fielde and speaking with the Beasts mouth Woman neglected her Calling and with an idle eare stood harkening vnto the Serpentes voice by whose subteltie she was soone drawne to break the other commandement and then by Her was man also caryed into Transgression Sinne so seazing on their Bodies substance the body became Corruptible and Corruption effected the period of death Sinne seazing not on the Substance but on the Faculties or powers of the Soule thereby it came to passe that
their souls were Powerfull in the waies of perpetuall death but vnable to all Good Sweete Father as their Creation was the Creation of the Matter whereof all Mankinde is come so this fearfull Fall was not onely to them Two but to Me and all Mankinde considering wee were then enclosed in ` their loynes A fountain of gall can send forth no sweet waters nor could wee bee borne Holy that were conceived in Sin As is the Roote even such are the branches nay our Actuall sinnes do testifie that that Original sin was convayed vnto vs in our Nature by reason wherof I and All Mankinde haue beene justly vnder thy Curse Oh that wee should fall from thee our Creator from thee our Father that of base earth did make vs glorious creatures stamping in our souls thy Image whereof justly wee were deprived carrying vpon vs in steade thereof the Blacke vnholy Image of Satan But thou Our sweete Father didst thou vtterly leaue Mankind to be damned with Satan Oh no. Thou soughtest vp our fore-parents Adam Heuah and Catechized them freely promising vnto them that of womans Seed one should come by whome the seed of man and woman shuld overcome Satan When the fulnesse of time was expired thou accordingly didst send thy Sonne made of a vvoman who in our Nature triumphed over Sinne Death Hell Sathan and so finaly sitteth at the right hand of Majestie making continuall intercession for all such of Man-kinde as do come vnto thee oh Father by him in and by whome Salvation onely is come vnto Iewe and Gentile Thus when of a Father we had justly made thee our Foe it pleased thee sweete Father to appoint a Mediator betwixt thee and vs that so by him thou and wee might bee reconciled and made one Oh Mercie of mercies oh thou fountaine of mercie howe are wee bounde vnto thee our Father our Father by Creation our Father by Redemption in Mercie twise a Father but wee in Obedience not once worthy the name of Children But so it hath pleased thee to call out a companie of Mankinde and amongst them Me most vnwoorthie to whome it hath pleased thee to Seale thy Loue vnto their hearts by thy Spirit thy sanctifying Spirit This testimony of thy Spirit vnto our Spirits causeth vs to open our mouthes boldly vnto thee as children to a father not doubting but thou wilt giue to vs whatsoever is good and necessarie for body and soule Earthly Fathers though wicked will commonly giue good thinges vnto their Children howe much more thou The second part of the Preface Which art in Heaven VVHo art in Heaven and therefore art Heavenly in thy Guifts and excellent in all thy workes Who also as thou art in Heaven as a King in his royall Throne so hast thou all power in Heauen and Earth to serue at a beck Many Earthly Fathers thogh they be vvilling yet are they vnable to help their Children but thou art as Able as vvilling and therfore Can and vvill cause all things even sinne and al to turne vnto the best of such as are called according to thy purpose to be to thee Sons and Daughters adopted I beleeue Lord Lord help my vnbeliefe increase my faith teach me truly howe to pray yea let all thy Sonnes and Daughters see thy Fatherly face thy Heauenly face that thou neither Can nor vvil forsake such as do trust in thy power and are contented to lay themselues down vnder the sheilter of thy wings The first Petition of the supplication Hallowed be thy Name MErciful father thy Name is mightie and excellent amongst the very Heathen but who doe Sanctifie thy Name The Heavens and firmament yea all the visible creatures do make knowne thy name of Power thy name of vvisedome thy name Eternal thy names Provident Bountiful c. Every Barbarian oh Father by the little Light of Nature left in the soul vndestroied is brought to acknowledge that there is a God who is the Cause of al Causes and giveth Being vnto al cretures but do they herewithall Hallow thy name so graven in the fore-heades of all Creatures visible Alas no All this sight sanctifieth neither eye heart nor hand thy Lawe is onely a perfit teacher giving holy light to the spirituall blind and thy vvord is that Trueth wherewith man is first made holy that so hee may Hallowe thy Name thy Namâ— plainely written vpon the former creatures but more plainly characterized within thy holy Church and that in the vvorde Sacraments Therein oh Lord thou hast evidently to Eare and Eye propounded Iesus crucified Iesus the onely Redeemer the only Mediator in and by whose blood thou rests satisfied for al these that come vnto thee in his Name Oh mercifull Father howe largely haue we Vn-hallowed thy Name both in the common Cretures in the vvord and in the Sacraments we haue looked vpon the Heavens the Earth Sunne Moone Starres Trees Grasse Flowers Beasts Birdes Fishes but haue we therein spirituallie discerned thy Power vvisedome providence kindnes Nay we haue cloathed and fedde our bodies with divers of thy woonderfull workes but haue we there withall hallowed thy Name in the same yea we haue medled with thy Word and Sacraments but with what blinde eyes and dull hearts Oh Lord shame confusion belongs vnto vs not only for not Hallowing thy Name but also for Vn-hallowing and prophaning of thy Creatures Word Sacraments and so consequently vnsanctified thy Name in the same Oh Lord by our rude behavior we haue laboured to obscure thy Name to bury it in darknes by not discerning and orderly hallowing it Yea that which more is wee haue oft remembred thy Name but then wee haue taken it in vaine then wee haue vnjustlie sworn by the same c. as thogh we had conspired with Sathan either to bury thy Name in oblivion or else by speaking of it to pollute it and make it contemptible Sweet Father in Christ Iesus we by the motion of thine own Spirit do therefore beg of thee the Grace whereby we may be fitted hereafter to hallowe thy Name to sanctifie thy Name in beholding the common Creatures in hearing thy worde in receiving thy Sacramentes To which end Lord The second Petition Let thy Kingdome come LEt thy kingdome come even the Spirituall government of thy Son and our Saviour Iesus oh let it Come and bee seated in the heartes of thy People Hitherto Sathan hath had too great power over our body insomuch as our tonges handes feete eares eyes haue done service vnto Satan by being subject to Sinne. Our soules oh Lord in the faculties and powers therof haue bene largely serviceable to Sin Wee haue Minded earthly things our Memories haue bene receptacles of vanitie our Affections haue bene eger after thinges cursed by the Law insomuch as in our whole man Satan prince of darknes hath had a Kingdome and occupied an hellish vnholy Kingdome Sweet Father loose the bands of Satan destroy his power by thy spirit and so let
bread Nay as this years affliction testifieth to our face we haue heretofore so prophaned our bodily nuriture as fullie we haue merited an whole deprivation of Breade much more of other Creatures Our intemperat devouring thy creatures in foode and cloathing our shutting heart and hand in not administring to the needie our hungring more for Bodilie than Spirituall givings all of them put togither howe haue they deserved that thou shouldest deny every of thy creatures to our bodyes but thou that sought vs vp what time we fled from thee thou that gaue thine owne Sonne to be made sin for vs what time we had solde our selues to sinne how much more with Christ shalt thou giue vnto vs al things necessary the body and the rather seeing through and by him thou hast made vs heires togither with him As he therefore hath offered vp a sufficient Sacrifice for vs and thou thereby rests satisfied with vs so we therfore are bold in the testimonie of thy Spirit to desire that vnto vs thou wold giue Our Bread In thy hand it is to blesse and to curse with thy fatherly hand therefore reach forth to vs that which through him is Ours and that is Ours which any way may tend vnto our vnfaigned good And because we through the corruption of nature are not euery day a like fit rightly to vse thy Creatures wee humbly intreat thee to giue vnto vs that portion of Breade and other things necessary as bred which thou thinks necessary for That Daie Foode rayment health libertie worldly credit c. As thou perceiues vs fit or vnfit to vse them even so administer the same vnto vs. Giue vs not pouertie nor riches feede vs with externall things convenient for vs left wee being full do denie thee or lest we being poor shuld reach forth our hand vnto iniquitie Having much or litle do thou sweet Father so sanctifie our hearts as ever it may bee seene that thy hand reacheth forth and blesseth these temporaries vnto vs. The fift Petition And forgiue vs our Debts for vvee also forgiue our Debters OH Lord we haue vnhallowed thy Name we haue resisted the Kingdome of thy Sonne we haue not done Thy holie vvill wee haue taken Bread and other temporaries without begging them at thy hands by reason whereof wee are deeply run into thy Debt yea so deeply are wee become indebted as wee are never able to satisfie for al our Trespasses much more vnable to paye the vttermost farthing How then shall we haue our Debt-score wyped out Sweet Father thou hast promised that at what time soever a sinner doeth repent him from the bottome of his heart thou wilt wype all his trespasses out of thy remembrance Giue vnto vs therefore humbled souls repentant harts bleeding harts that so every our iniquities may be crossed out of thy book and blotted foorth of thy remembrance This Remission and blotting out oh Lord it cannot fall out by any vertue in our selues but by vertue of that humiliation of Iesus who by thee was broken for our sins and by whose stripes we Onely are healed yet oh Father in as much as for whome thy Son was so broken vnto them thou likewise giues contrite and broken spirits by vertue of which contrition as by a seale they ever rest assured of thy free favour in Christ Iesus towards them we therefore humblie beg a continuance of Contrition and all other the comfortable fruits of thy Sons spirite by vertue whereof wee may in all hurlie-burlies of the world be possessed with Peace even with that peace whose bottome no Creature can sounde yet the peace wherwith thou possesses thy childrens soules With more boldnes we cry Forgiue vs our debts for we oh Father do also forgiue our debters If wee had not forgiven to others their trespasses whereby they became indebted to vs then oh Lord howe durst wee open our mouthes and beg forgiuenes of sinnes whereby we haue bene indebted to thee No oh Lord the mercilesse shall finde Iudgment without mercie Because wee carrie mercifull hearts towardes our brethren do we therefore merite mercie at thy hands No when we haue done the best wee can even yet we are vnprofitable servants Is this mercie in vs a Signe that thou hast beene and still will be mercifull vnto vs oh yes such powring foorth of our Soules-loue vnto others it is because thou first hast shed forth thy Viall of mercie in our soules Trulie mercifull we shuld never be had not thou given the Cause thereof by being first mercifull to vs. Finding therefore in our souls that holy Effect of thy spirit Lord wee are bolde to open our lippes and to exspect faithfullie the continuall Remission of sins past present to come whether committed against thee or our Neighbour in thought word and worke As because of our vncessant sinning wee therefore do incessantlie craue the remission of our sinnes so we adde The sixt Petition And leade vs not into temptation but loose vs from Euill AND leade vs not sweet Father into temptation but do thou still loose vs from Evill Many are the Temptations and trials wherewithall necessarily for manifesting thy wisedome and power as also Mans foolishnes and weaknes thou art to exercise vpon vs in this life but deer Father howsoever wee haue deserved not onely to be Led into Tentation but also to be Left to our owne selues in the time of such tentation yet for the Glory of thy Sons name by the which we are called vpon do thou mercifully Loose vs from the power of the tentation Howsoever wee are â—â—mpted yet giue vs an happie â—ssue out of our temptations let vs not with the Reprobate fall finallie into evill Satan the world our fleshe oh Lord they are ever labouring to hurry vs to hel as strong wâ—le â—â—â—rs they continually lay battery vnto our spiritual walls Satan and the Worlde without vs our owne deceiueable Flesh within vs Enemies without Enemies within therefore neuer able to holde out except thou by thy spirit do leade vs do deliver vs do loose vs and set our hearts at libertie that so we may run the way of thy Commandements This our Praier wee offer vp onely to thee The first part of the Reason For thine is the Kingdome FOr thine is the kiâ—â— dome whether 〈◊〉 regard the Kingdome of the Worlde or the kingdome of the true Church In and over the world thou raignes as a King brydling Devils and men commanding all creatures to â—â—osâ—â—hy hoste to whome the very â—â—mb creatures are forced to be subject so that nothing which hath Being in Heaven or Earth but vnto thee the Kingly Creator and Preserver it standeth a subject even to thy regiment and order decreed vpon before all worlds in the high Parliament house of Heaven But in thy Church thy Throne of Government is exalted vpon it thou sittes gloriouslie encompassed with the shining Lampes of thy Spirit whereby thy subjects are directed This our prayer wee offer