should still in our hearts Faith in the promises of grace and life Ioh. 3.16 Mat. 14.30 Strength to withstand our owne corruptions Eph. 6.10 the Diuell and the worlds assaults Patience and dependance on God in the time of triall Luk. 22 57 58 60. Heb. 10.35 36. Conloss 1.11 when tedious and sharpe sicknesse pouerty reproch disobedience of children or seruants domestick vntowardnes vnkindnesse of false-hearted friends pressures of mighty enemies sudden vnexpected dangers imprisonment losse of goods or any other vexation afflicts vs The Spirit of Meeknes and Humility Philip. 2.8 Mat. 11.29 proud and towring minds that are euer climbing Iphes 4.2 euer aspiring after earthly things Wisdome and knowledge in the mysteries of our Redemption Ephes 3.19 Colosi 1.9 Constancie Apoc. 2.10 in forsaking striving against sin Moderation in gouerning the rage of our Passions Ephes 4.26 31. Sobrietie Ephes 5.15 in taming our lusts and affections Watchfulnesse ouer our whole man 1. Pet. 5.8 Care to pray often Coloss 4.2 Thes 5.17 Zeale in Prayer Heb. 5.7 Compassion of others misery Heb. 4.15 Mat. 9.36 Obseruing our continuall slips Psalm 119.59 Meditation in the Law of God Psalm 119.15 Attentiuenesse to the Word preached Mal. 13.23 Serious consideration of the shortnesse of our life 2. Pet. 3.10 11. Iob. 14.1 2 3 4 5. Reu. 21. 22. Esay 30.33 the vanity of all earthly things the glory of Heauen and the terrors of Hell-fire Often and deepe thinking of Christs sufferings and loue towards vs Diligence in marking how God deales Psalm 119.21 and alwayes hath done with his children with the wicked with our selues 1. Sam. 17.34 Psal 105. 106. his boundlesse pitty and mercy to some his seuerity and rigor vpon others his howerly fauours vpon vs and ours Psalm 119.101.102 in keeping vs from haynous and notorious sinnes Bettering vs by our sinnes 2. Cor. 7.11 Helping vs against sinnes 2. Cor. 12.9 Defending vs by his Angles Psal 34.7 Blessing our labours and Families Psalm 147.13 14. Teaching vs to beare the crosse patiently Ioh. 16.33 Helping vs when all meanes faile vs Exod. 14.12 13 27. Thankfulnesse to God for euery blessing Psalm 146.1 2. For verily Iam. 1.26 as S. Iames sayes Hee that seemeth to bee religious and refraineth not his tongue but deceiues his owne heart his religion is but vaine so hee that seems religious and prayeth with his tongue not hauing in his heart a true feeling of his wants hee deceiues himselfe and his prayer is but vaine For the sense of want to prayer is like the spirit to the body Iam. 2.26 The body without the spirit is dead feeles not the chains wherein it 's bound the wounds are made in it the dishonour done to it so is prayer wihout sence of want It shewes not that the soule is aliue groning vnder the Diuels yoke the deepe wounds of sinne but like one that hath drunk much Oppium deadly asleep if not stark dead nay more it 's idle like the Heathēs babbling to no end Mat. 6.7 with many fond hypocriticall Ohs and O Father when it cannot tell what to aske the Father It s vnprofitable neither edifying him that makes it nor those that heare it It 's vnacceptable being the Sacrifice of folly and blasphemous rashly taking the most holy Names of God in vaine Therefore if wee finde not in the act of Praying a quick sense of our wants yet at least let vs haue and be deeply moued with the feeling of the want of feeling what spirituall helps our soules doe need And then in the next place let euery Sinner as hee feeles himselfe either by nature or custome most in clin'd to or tempted with any one sinne zealously strongly pray against it The Atheist against his blind and vnbeleeuing heart that hee may acknowledge Gods power infinitenesse Dan. 4.31 mercie wisdome loue iustice goodnesse prouidence and presence euery where seeing and searching all actions all hearts yea the most secret thoughts of the soule and so learne both to loue and feare him The Idolaters and superstitious Acts 19.18 19. against their sottish and sencelesse worshipping of God in any image or visible forme or in praying to any saue him alone in seeking to or counselling with Sorcerers Witches 2. Chr. 33.12 13. Wise men as they terme them or any such Hellish and forbidden Art that henceforth they may serue him in spirit and truth The blasphemous swearer against his hearts corruptednesse and Hell-fir'd tongue Iam. 5.12 that he may no more either by fearefull soule-tearing othes or by mincing and small slight ones as they are accounted but falsly prophane the sacred Name of God who will not let that sinne scape vnplagued Exod. 20.7 but alwayes striue both with his tongue and heart to blesse God confessing his sinne and crying for pardon and grace to amend The carelesse prophane man Exod. 31.16 17. against his wickednes in contemning Gods Worship Word Sacraments Sabbath Church Prayers publike and priuate that he may learne to esteeme of the knowledge of Christ Philip. 3.7.8 more then all the profits and pleasures of the world Heb. 13.17 and loue and reuerence those that teach it The dissembling Hypocrite that makes a shew of Religion and hath none against his hollow peruerse and deceitfull heart that hee may become a true practiser of holinesse in his life Jam. 1.22 holinesse in his life The Voluptuous and vaine men Col. 3.5 6 7 against their lusts lasciuiousnesse vncleanenesse adulreries vanitie of speech attire company and disports that they may redeeme the time they haue lost whilest they walked in the wayes of their own hearts and so long as they liue study to offer vp their soules and bodies vvith Mary Magdalen penitent sacrifices to God The Gluttonous and Drunkards Ephes 5.18 against their Epicurisme sensualitie insatiable bibbing and offensiue abusing themselues their time the Creatures that they may learne in all sobrietie and temperance to watch vnto prayer and fasting lest the vnclean spirit preuaile against them The Ambitious and high-minded against their Pride and Surquedry that they may learne of Christ to become lowly and meeke in heart Mat. 11.29 and so finde rest for their soules The Couetous Ephes 5.5 against their hard-heartednesse and want of Charitie Faith ans all other graces that sith they are such Psal 10.3 as GOD abhorres them they may bee filled with the bowels of compassion Col. 3.12 to pitie those that want Luke 19.8 and restore againe their ill-gotten goods that GOD in Christ may pitie them and restore them to his fauour The vnmercifull and cruell minded Luke 6.36 against their incredulous dogged churlishnesse that GOD would turne their hearts to become mercifull Jam. 2.13 lest in the end they want mercy The slanderous and
THE COVNTESSE OF MOVNTGOMERIES EVSEBEIA Expressing briefly THE SOVLES PRAYING ROBES By Ro NEVVTON Printed at London by George Purstow for A. G. 1620. TO THAT NOBLE ROOT OF HONOVR AND VERTVE THE LADY MARY COVNTESSE OF PEMBROOKE AND HER ILLVSTRIOVS BRANCHES WILLIAM EARLE OF PEMBROOKE LORD Chamberlaine to his Maiestie PHILIP EARLE OF MOVNTGOMERY WITH THEIR HONOVRABLE LADIES MARY COVNTESSE OF PEMBROOKE SVSAN COVNTESSE OF MOVNTGOMERY AND HER VERTVOVS Honourable Sisters ELIZABETH COVNTESSE OF DARBIE AND BRIDGET LADY NORRIS Right Honourable LEt it not I pray you seem strange that thus I vnite you in this Dedication God him selfe hath gone before mee vniting you in blood affinity and vertues and I hope it 's no offence to follow his example The subiect of this worke is Piety whereto as the world doth witnesse you All to bee adicted deuoting your selues most religiously to God in your owne persons being patternes to others of it so still to keepe burning that fire of Goodnesse kindled in your hearts flaming in your liues by the power of Gods Spirit shed abroad in your soules accept of such helpes as heere you shall finde drawn out of the Scriptures Gods Armorie which if you please to vse you shall finde how potent they are in prosperitie to keepe you in aduersirie to comfort you and in the day of the Lord to crowne you through the mercy of God with Happinesse and Eternity which Blessings with All else wishing to Euery One of you desiring the multiplying of All Graces in you Honour Health Children Life to his Glory Stedfastnesse in the Faith comfort and ioy in the Holy Ghost Patience Wisedome Hope and Perseuerance in All god lines to the end and the quiet Peace of Conscience at your end I humbly rest Euer deuoted to Your Honours in all duties Ro NEVVTON From my House at Gretford in Lincolnshire May. 20. 1620. THE COVNTESSE of Mountgomeries Eusebeia expressing briefly the Soules praying ROBES HOw pleasing and sweet in the sight of our glorious and mercifull God the seruice of Prayer and praise is how comfortable and profitable likewise to man in all estates and times whether of Affliction or Ioy the Scriptures which are the words Records of life the experience of such as God by his Spirit hath sealed vnto life doe most exactly and easily declare In the 50. Psalme God cals Prayer a Sacrifice and sayes Psal 50.23 that whoso offers it vnto him honours him And in the 14. verse layes a command vpon his seruants both to praise him and in the day of trouble to pray vnto him adding a most heauenly sweet promise to heare them Now Sacrifices in the Law were that peculiar worship of God which himselfe to serue him with And they were of two sorts Either Propitiatory to appease God for sinnes committed or duties omitted or Eucharisticall to praise God for blessings receiued In the first was acknowledged mans guiltinesse to God In the other Gods mercy loue to man By both mans obligation to God Such a Sacrifice Prayer is A Propitiatory sacrifice of a heart broken and pownded with sorrow for sinne which through the eternall sacrifice of Christ Heb. 9.28 who offered vp himselfe once a full and absolute Propitiatorie Sacrifice on the Crosse for the sinnes of all that truely repent is made acceptable in the sight of God Psal 51.17 Wherein in the lippes and tongue are the soules Interpreters to let men and Angels know the vnexpressible and vnsearchable grones and sights of Gods Spirit within vs. Psal 71.23 24. For it is not enough to haue the heart smitten thorow and wounded with griefe vnlesse the tongue likewise tell it out to God Psal 32.3 And as it is a Sacrifice Propitiatorie so is it also an Eucharisticall Sacrifice of a heart drawne out like Salomons Curtaines by the mercy of God and lifted vp and filled with the ioy of Heauen the presence of the Spirit of God in the soule making it daunce Psal 28.7 as Dauid speaks for ioy and forcing the tongue to breake out in songs and melodious reioycings for the pardon of sinnes past Psal 57.7 8 9 10 11. for the presence and feeling of celestiall grace for the assurance of Gods mercy for deliuerance from instant dangers and feares for graces and good motions internall as Faith Hope Loue hatred of sinne care to keep a good Conscience watchfulnes specially ouer the eyes tongue and heart for blessings externall as Health Liberty Plenty Peace Riches Honour Children Friends Seruants fearing God a good name long life For his workes of mercy generall and particular on his children our selues our Families for his Iustice iudgements and plagues vpon the wicked The Priests that offer this Sacrifice are not the sonnes of Aaron alone as once it was in the old Law but All the children of God euery-where redeemed by the bloud of Christ and sancrified through the power of his reuiuing grace for hee hath made vs not onely sonnes of God Iohn 1.12 Reu. 1.6 but giuen vs the honour to be Kings and Priests to God to sacrifice and offer through him odours and incense sweetly smelling and delightfull in the nosthrils of his Father yet as Aaron might not offer Exo. 40.13 14. Leu. 10.1 2 but in his sacrificing weedes and nothing but that which God commanded no more must wee either in the Congregation publiquely with the Saints of God where God enioynes vs to render this sacrifice Psal 100.3 Psa 96.8 9. Math. 6.6 Psal 111.1 or in our owne houses or closets priuately where Christ himselfe hath commanded vs to make it doe it so but that he that is in heauen may accept it and wee that are on earth may haue comfort of it That this may be done some things are required and necessary before wee offer some in the very time and instant of our offering some when wee haue offered this sacrifice to God Before it 2. Chro. 11.18 goe three duties like Dauids 3. Worthies breaking thorow the ranges of the Philistines The first is repentance of all our sinnes Psal 66.16 18. for If I regard wickednesse in my heart saith Dauid God will not heare me Because indeed God heares not sinners Ioh. 9.31 that is such as repent not but refuseth their sacrifice as hee did the Iewes Esay 1.11 12 13 14 15 16. because their hands were full of bloud and the incense of Sheba that is the best and most exquisite words that can be Ier. 6.20 because their hearts were stuffed with euil yea the very offerings of the Priests themselues Micah 6.6 7 8. Amos 5.21 22. plainely affirming that he that offered such sacrifice is as he that slayes a man vgly and abominable in his sight Esay 66.2 Therefore the holy men were wont in ancient time to practise Repentance ere they came to pray renting their clothes in signe of sorrow and detestation of sinne as did Ezra Ezra 9.3 5. and Daniel in the
the good to imitate the rebellious to scoffe perhaps to reuile yea and it may be 1. Cor. 14.25 for so Saint Paul sayes to be wonne by And this reuerence as it must not bee hypocriticall for then God abhors it nor superstitious for hee will disdaime it So must it come from a contrite heart that trembles at his words Esay 66.2 yet not with a slauish feare but humbled at the presence of him that resists the proud and a setled gesture and comely carriage of the whole body that may expresse the inward meeknesse and stayednesse of the mind Else shall wee doe but as the Pharise did Luk. 18 1◠presumptuously come to the Temple of the mighty God Leuit. 10 1◠and with Nadab and Abihu offer vp strange fire loathsome and fruitlesse prayers to God who in stead of hearing will stop his eares since we are vnfitted to speake to him and in stead of blessings will raine downe crosses if not curses vpon vs since we are so impudently bold to abuse him The want of due regard to these things oftentimes makes the house of God the house of Rimmon or as Christ said A Den of Theeues where vnrepentants and relapsers ill tongued diuelish-minded Shemeis railing and black-mouth'd Rabshaka's proud and insulting Hamans vnchaste adulterous Iesabels false and damned slie Achitophels hypocriticall Ahabs murtherous Ioabs lasciuious whorish Iehu's hell-bred Nicolaitans superstitious Micah's all the sinfull rabble of men with eyes full of adultery with hands full of cruelty with hearts full of all impiety impinitencie hypocrisie malignitie ebrietie and tongues tipt with the poyson of Asps open their mouthes and bend perhaps their knees which many of them think themselues too good to doe and powre forth like Bels Priests abomination in stead of a sweet smelling Sacrifice heaping thereby vpon their owne pates wrath as Saint Paul sayes against the day of wrath in that when they come to see and speake to God a God hating wickednesse a God dwelling in light a God whose voyce shakes the very heauens and whose eye-lids reade the secrets of their soules they haue not with Moses put off their shoos nor with Aaron put on their sacrificing weeds but either naked like Adam Gen. 3. they appeare before God or if they bee clad it is but with the ragges of vnrighteousnesse not with the rich attire of Preparation And therefore as he without a Wedding garment receiued his sentence frō the Kings mouth at the Table in presence of the ghests to be taken away bound thrown into Hel so they for offering the sacrifice of Fooles fooles as they are that is wicked and lewd men receiue the iust reward of their sinne which is that when they pray they are neuer heard except it bee to their further condemnation and hauing pray'd they are neuer beuered but rather worse in their conuersation The vndutifull and vnreuerent behauiour of many young elder and eldest of all in the sacred house of God in the time of publique prayer and thanksgiuing to God some most vnreue rētly capp'd whilst others doe they should but do not pray and sing to God some not vouchsafing so much as to bend one knee to God a token that their hearts are vnfit to bow some whispering and talking to others some snorting and sleeping before the Angels of God some reading and not ioyning with the Minister and people in seruing God some not content to bee slack themselues but to hinder others from comming to God some speaking euill like wicked Iulian and wretched Lucian of the worship of God some carping at the Minister some at the Seruice some at the Seates some at the Ceremonies in the Church of God some neuer publikely nor priuately inuoking God too plainly giues euidence against the loosenesse of the time and shewes vs the cause why our Sacrifice is not accepted of God because like Cain wee are hollow toward God First therefore for Repentance let vs learne of Dauid to wash our hands in innocencie and so proceed to the Altar of God Psal 26.6 remembring with Saint Augustine De 10. chord c. 5. Aug. lib. de Eccl. dog cap. 48. that Repentance frees vs from the wrath of God and abolisheth all our sinnes Now if the flesh which is alwaies vnwilling thinke it too burdenous so oft to repent as we pray to God know that as the same father sayes De 10. chordis It 's better a little to be punished heere then to bee plagued euerlastingly in Hell Know also that Repentance is the yoke of Christ Mat. 11.29 which himselfe sayes is easie and he it is that by the assistance of his grace helps thee to beare it Know it is the chiefest marke of Gods children Rom. 8.23 to bee groning and repining and repenting of their sinne not repining against God but their owne corrupt heart that is alwayes betraying thē into the power of sin Know lastly that whoso repents not cannot pray because the spirit of prayer 2. Cor. 7 10 11. and the grace of Repentance sorrow for sin detestation of sinne care to auoid sinne comfort against sinne are inseperable one from another so as none can repent but they can cry but they can pray but they can trust but they can hope but they can hang vpon the promises of God euen with Iob Iob. 19.26 in despight of Hell relying on God and with Peter powring out true teares of sighes and sobbes vnto God Mat. 27.75 And till we finde in some good measure some of these graces begotten in vs bee not too secure our case is not so good as we take it for And therefore when wee meane to sacrifice to God take heed wee first make our agreement with him And for Reconciliation with our Brethren Since God hath resolu'd not to be reconciled to vs till we first be recouciled with them and for that cause taught vs to pray him to forgiue vs as wee doe them Mat. 6.15 let there bee no rancour in our mindes when wee pray for as Isidore saies Lib. de summo bono c. 27 In vaine doe they seeke to bee at one with God that needs will be at ods with their neighbour Therefore if thy brother haue offended thee goe ere thou prayest and bee reconciled if hee be farre off and thou canst not come at him then must thou goe saies Saint Austin De. 10. chord c. 5. with the feet of thy heart where thou maist finde him prostrating thy affections humbly to God crauing earnestly pardon at his hands But if thou canst speake with him thou must pray pardon of him whom thou hast wronged Saint Gregory tels thee how and so Saint Chrysostome on Math. 5. If thou hast offended by thought in thinking ill of him bee reconciled in thought by thinking well of him if by words thou hast hurt him by words thou must slake him if by deeds thou hast wronged him by deeds
thou must make amends for thou canst not otherwise then by deeds be atoned at him whom by deeds thou hast wronged In vaine is thy Sacrifice of Prayer of Almes when thou offerest that which is wrongfully got And what can it profit thee that others pray for thee and thou all the while prayest against thy selfe The most high regards not the sacrifice of Cain I will conclude this poynt with that saying of S. Chrysostome vpon those words Mat. 6. Forgiue vs our trespasses Wouldst thou haue God to bee no otherwise good to thee but only not to hurt thee and yet turne away his face and cheerefull countenance from thee alwaies setting thy sinnes in his sight alwaies thinking of thine iniquities and not once vouchsafing to looke vpon thee Surely O man thou wouldest not for a world Such therefore as thou wouldst haue God bee to thee when thou prayest for pardon of thy sinnes such must thou be to thine offending brother Lastly for Preparation Since the Church of God is the house of glory Psal 84.1 11. and God in his Church doth shew his glory since the Angels of God 1. Cor. 11.10 which are full of glory attend on thy sacrifice and marke all thy deeds since the powers of Hell bend and their powers then most to hinder thee Mat. 4.1 when thou shouldst pray most publikely priuately by thy selfe with others abroad at home in all places as Saint Paul commands As the Israelites in the Wildernesse at the giuing of the Law were prepared to heare God speake to them Exod. 19.12 and Moses when hee saw the vnburnt burning bush Exod. 3.5 put off his shooes Bee thou when thou commest to speake vnto God prepared so that neither thine Eye may mislead thy Heart nor thy Heart may faile thy Tongue nor thy Tongue either babble with the Pharises long Math. 6.7 and to little purpose or lispe like the Ephramites Iudg. 12.6 speake thy minde imperfectly and vnaptly to God But that the whole man body and soule with a sanctified heauenly reuerence of God in regard of his blessings for which thou must praise him Psal 117. and of his mercies for which thou must pray to him as also of his iudgements for which thou must feare him and of his wisdome for which thou must honour him may bee offered vp together with thy prayses a holy acceptable Sacrifice to God And this is our reasonable seruice of God Now as before our Sacrifice-offering these are the robes more rich and glorious then those of Aaron Exod. 39. wherein our Soules should bee arrayed if when wee come to the Altar of God we would haue our Prayers goe vp like the incense So in the time whilst wee are in offering I find in the Scriptures and the practice of the Saints some other ornáments that must bee vsed as needfull euery one in the time of Prayer as the former be before The first is that euery request wee make to God must proceed from a liuely sence Psal 51. feeling and vnderstanding of the want of that which wee aske for example In the first Petition when wee pray that Gods name may be sanctified that is that in his Word workes mercies iudgements and all the creatures wee may glorifie him except wee see and feele how proud and blinde how hard-hearted and ingratefull wee are to God by nature and also by custome in sinne for his mercies for his creatures for his Word for his Spirit c. wee can neuer pray seriously for humility for the true knowledge of God for zeale for loue for care to please God all which and more are included in this Petition In the second Petition when wee pray and say Thy Kingdome come who can-rightly with feruencie of Spirit request God to renew his soule his heart his will and affections to sanctifie him so that the spirit that raised vp Iesus from the graue may raise him from the graue of sin and reigne and rule in euery part of him making him liue in holinesse and righteousnesse all his life if first hee feele not the bondage and heauy yoke of his sinne and the slauery wherein naturally he is chain'd to Satan being dayly led captiue to all kinde of vice Gold and heartlesse is that request that flowes not from a true touch of want So in the third Thy will bee done except wee feele and that very liuely our owne pronenesse and aptnesse to rebell against Gods lawes our hypocrisie our pride ambition contempt of God his Word and Sacraments our exaction oppression cruelty impatience and murmuring against God because wee cannot haue our owne wills who can rightly desire to learne that of Christ to deny our selues take vp our crosse daily submitting our selues in all things to God indeuouring both to know his will and do it In the fourth likewise who can Pro. 30.8 with Agur pray for contentednes in all estates aswell pouerty as prosperity that first feeles not a want therof through couetousnesse that 's naturally ingrafted in him and diffidence that God will not prouide for him This liuely sense of want was in Anna 1. Sam. 1.10 when in the anguish of her heart shee praied for a child to God in Dauid Psal 51. when he roar'd for the very torture and vexation of heart because he felt not Gods presence and comfort Psal 130.1 as hee was wont In Daniel also Dan. 9. when with that feruencie of zeale he prayed for Ierusalem the Temple the Iewes and himselfe after their long Captiuity in Babylon And this must needs bee in euery one of vs if like Elias wee would haue our prayers to preualie 2. And as there must be a sense of want Psal 55.17 Psal 119.10 so must our requests proceed also from a liuely and feruent desire such a one as was in Moses when hee spake not a word and yet the Lord asked him Exod. 14.15 why hee cryed vnto him when in his heart hee onely called on him The same was in Dauid Psal 143. Psal 42.1.2 As the Hart panteth after the riuers of water so longs my Soule after thee O God My Soule is at hirsts for God euen for the liuing God O when shall I enter into the presence of God Esay 37.16 So in Ezekias that noble King whē with bended knees and teares he stretched out his hands and spread Sennacheribs raylings before God 3. Further that our Sacrifice may not be like Esau's Gen. 27.34 who felt roard and praid when the Birth-right was gone and that with bitternesse for a blessing nor like Ahabs 1. Ki. 21.27 which was feruent but yet hypocriticall euery request wee make to God must proceed of a liuely faith by which wee must haue an assurance to be heard For they that pray must haue an affiance that God in Christ will grant their petitions For this cause Christ tells vs Mark 11.24 that whatsoeuer wee
lying tongues Ephes 4.25 against their delight in fals-hood vntruthes reproching and tales that with Dauid they may haue a vvatch before them Psa 39.1 2. and that GOD would keepe the doore of their lips teaching them to speake the truth and detest all leasings The murtherer against his vnbrideled rage and passion Reu. 22.15 and thirsting after bloud that hee may learne to bee angry with his sinne Math. 5.6 and thirst after righteousnesse and the Kingdome of God The Thiefe Ephes 4.28 against Idlenesse Couetousnesse and distrust in God that hee may learne to labour with his hands prouiding for things honest lawfully in the sight of God and men and relye vpon the prouidence of God Psa 37.3 vsing those iust meanes which God hath appointed The ignorant against the sluggishnesse of their nature Ephe. 4.17 118. the darknesse and blindnesse of their minde that God would enlighten them with his Spirit of grace and teach them how to serue him as they ought They that liue in sinne â— Cor. 13.5 and know it yet repent not against their infidelitie impenitencie and thraldome to their lusts that being deliuered from the power of the Diuell they may amend their liues and sinne no more They that haue receiued great measure of grace â— Pet. 2.21 â—2 and decay in it or abuse it against their negligence coldnesse forgetfulnesse backsliding and falling away that vvith Peter being rais'd through the Mercie of God they may runne on ioyfully the race that is set before them not fainting any more nor yeelding to temptation but valiantly resisting the Diuell alwayes They that by the aboundance of blessings grow proud Apoc. 3.17 18 19. puffed vp with the winde of their owne strength in regard of the greatnesse of their Temporall state or of their knowledge and spirituall abilities in preaching or praying or any other gift as this sinne of Pride is euer the sorest and most frequent assaulter of all men indued with any eminent parts against their innated pronenesse to vanitie and vaine-glory selfe-loue boasting and conceiting too highly of their own worth that they may see from whom they haue receiued these blessings and bee thankefull Finally all sorts of sinners whom God cals to repentance let them after feeling the misery they are in and the want of that grace whereby they that grace whereby they must be helped earnestly and feruently cry for redresse Acts 2.37 with a resolution to sinne no more Acts 38.11 23. with a full purpose euer after to walk in holinesse and newnesse of life Heb. 12.28 for that is to pray with faith with an earnest endeuour to forsake sinne for else they doe but mock God referring themselues and their suite to his pleasure for they must limit him no time to answere them and asking such things as are lawfull to aske and to a lawfull end for otherwise they aske amisse and their suite shall not bee granted That they may not aske amisse Jam. 1.5 let them aske in faith beholding and beleeuing the promises of God of life and saluation in Christ Iesus And let them try their faith by their purpose of neuer sinning against God againe so far as their knowledge and power wil serue them for that 's an in fallible note of true faith because purpose of liuing continuing in sin is cleane contrarie to the nature of faith Thus when the sence of our want hath kindled in vs a flaming desire to craue reliefe and desire hath awakened our sleepie and fainting faith to behold and trust in Gods promised mercies Faith then must haue recourse to God Dan. 9.18 and sue for help and comfort at his hands I say at his hands not at any creatures For creatures be they Saints Ioh. â— 37 38. bee they Angels are not that Fountain of liuing waters wherewith our thirsty spirits must be queÌ„ched But he alone who is the Father of lights Iam. 1.17 froÌ„ whom comes down euery good and perfect gift who though hee bee high and excellent dwelling in the light and holy place so that no mortall eye can see him yet hath hee licensed vs that be but dust Gen. 3.19 to behold him with the Eye of Faith which how weake so euer it be so long as it is true and liuing louing God and desiring still to be at peace vvith him endeauouring in thoughts words workes to please Him euer fighting against inward sinnes and feares outward allurements and both inward outward assaults is not reiected neither yet receiued for it owne sake but for the merit and worthinesse of Christ Iohn 16.23 1. Cor. 13.12 For as yet it 's imperfect beleeuing but in part Therefore in Christs mediation let it come not in the blessed Virgin Maries nor any Saints Heb. 2.3 for their bloud purged vs not from sinne neither haue we through them Rom. 5.2 accesse to the Throne of God but onely by Iesus Christ Ephes 2.18 And this is that vnspeakable Comfort which fraile man through the riches of Gods loue 1. Tim. 1.15 hath left him as a sure refuge against all doubts Of himselfe hee is the vtter enemie of God Psal 51.5 borne in sinne full of sinne to be damned for sinne Gen. 2.17 vnlesse he finde a sufficient Suretie to make Gods Iustice satisfaction Heb. 12.29 For God is a consuming fire against sinne not enduring the least darknesse of it to approch him How then should hee dare since the Holy glorious Seraphims are said with their wings to hide their face vvhen they praise God to looke vpon the face of his offended Maker Behold heere the bounty and loue of God Hee hath so loued Man Iohn 3.16 that hee hath giuen him his owne Sonne to redeeme him His Sonne hath so redeemed him that now God is pleased for his Sonnes sake to suffer nay Esay 55.1 to command man to come to him not asking any other satisfaction of him Acts 2.37 but onely to repent and beleeue in him That he may repent hee giues him the Ministerie of the Word of Life Rom. 8.30 and the power of his Spirit to shew him his sinnes vvith the vglinesse and danger of them Psal 119.104 that he may hate them And least the grieuousnesse and multitudes of them should cause him despaire of pardon for them Ephes 1.11 hee begets in him Faith to beleeue those promises of remission and life 12 which in his Sonne Christ Iesus he hath made him 13. Hee strengthens him to lay hold vpon those promises and apply them particularly to himselfe thus Whosoeuer beleeues in Christ John 3.16 shall not perish but shall haue life euerlasting But I beleeue in Christ therefore I shall not perish but haue life euerlasting Againe Whosoeuer hungers and thirsts after righteousnesse Mat. 5.6 is blessed and shall bee satisfied I Hunger and thirst after righteousnesse Therefore I
shall be satisfied and I am blessed Againe He that beleeues in Christ Iohn 6.47 though he were dead yet shall he liue I beleeue in Christ though I was dead in sinne Therefore though I was dead yet shall I liue Againe Hee that beleeues that Iesus 1. Ioh. 4.15 Christ is the Sonne of God hath euerlasting life I beleeue that he is so Therefore I haue euerlasting life When all this is done God then forceth him though fearfull and backward and doubting at first by the power of his Spirit to come in the Name of his Son Christ with boldnesse comfort and Hope before him receiues him to grace accepts his confession puts away his sinne and enables him to grow and goe on in goodnesse and all this for the loue hee beares vs in his Sonne O the infinit vnspeakeablenesse of that loue O the monstrous ingratitude of that man that will seeke to others and not to God or if to God by others and not by Christ To end this point of our dutie in praying let vs hauing powred out our hearts vnto God in such a manner as hath beene shewed beware we faint not in continuing to call and cry to him still though for a while hee seeme to repell vs Psal 36.8 for sure hee will heare vs though he hold vs off Hee graciously at last will turne againe as Christ did to the two blind men Mat. 20.32 Mar. 10.49 Luke 18.39 40. and heale our wounded diseased soules infusing them with the life of grace speaking peace to our spirits as he did to Dauid and make vs know hee is become our saluation And since the number of his mercies vpon vs are like the number of the Starres Psal 71.15 of the Sands vnpossible to be counted for their multitude or valued for their worth let our Praises flye vp perpetually to Heauen like those fragrant and sweet-smelling Odours of Arabia the sent whereof will so delight him that he vvil make our soules his Sanctuary our hearts his holy habitation and resting place our names precious our liues good and our end happy when hauing loosed the bonds of mortalitie vnder which wee are euer groaning here hee shall set vs with the Angels to praise him euerlastingly in the brightnesse of his presence Reu. 21.24 where nothing else is done but singing Reu. 4.8 and blessing of his name for euer After wee haue thus made our Sacrifice of Prayer wee must not so rest as if all were done But that it may be profitable to vs First Psal 146.5 6 7 8 9. Psal 145. 18 19 20. wee must haue a particular constant Faith to beleeue that God can and will accomplish our requests Psal 138.7 8. That hee can because of his Ominipotencie That he will Psal 88.13 because of his Promise Otherwise if wee wauer if wee doubt if we faint it shewes our Distrustfulnes if not of his Power at least of his Mercy Iam. 1.5 6 7. and then we shall receiue nothing at his hands Next looke vvhat Grace wee pray for Psal 119.101 or what corruptions we pray against Iam. 1.22.23 wee must striue earnestly to attaine the one and carefully watch yo auoid the other vsing all good and lawfull meanes ordained and allowed by God to that end Hee that prayes for knowledge in the Mysteries of our Redemption must giue himselfe to Reading Study 1. Tim. 4.16 Meditation and if hee be vnlearned to hearing of the Preachers and conference with such as are able to teach him Heb. 13.17 yet not neglecting his vocation and charge 1. Tim. 5.8 He that prayes against the sinnes of his heart and life Psal 39.1 must flye all occasions may make him sinne else hee shall meerely by praying mocke God and most fondly delude himselfe Amos 4.4 5. When Dauid so desired to be saued from his enemies hee ranne not presumptuously into their hands but warily kept himselfe out of view And when Paul charged the Ephesians to be feruent in Ephes 6.18 Prayer that they may abound in all grace he gaue them no libertie to company with such as might withdraw them from pietie to sinne but straightly charged them and Saint Iude doth Iude 23. Ephes 4. 5. whereby they might bee drawne to offend Heere therefore it is needfull if we would haue and good by our Prayers carefully to keepe these few rules First Psal 19.12 13. to mark the sinnes against which wee haue prayed and the Diuels subtill practice either still to continue them or hauing forsaken them to fall to them againe Secondly Psal 3.6 7 8. our frailety in resisting and our readinesse in yeelding to temptations offered Thirdly Psal 4.4 the customable disposition of our hearts in our passions and affections of Ioy Sorrow Anger Feare Hope Loue and how they sway vs. Fourthly Psal 11.59 the effect of those Passions in our liues publiquely in company priuately in company priuately at home with our Wiues Children Seruants Neighbours and more priuately with our selues when wee are retyred To preuent and foyle the Diuell 1. Pet. 5.8 9. wee must vse Sobriety Watchfulnesse often feruent prayers in our heart which though they bee but short such as this O my God let me not bee ouercome of this temptation Lord be thou my help for I trust in thee Forsake mee not O God leaue me not to my selfe Giue mee vnderstanding and power to doe thy will Knit my heart vnto thee that I may feare thy Name and such like yet they are so powerfull that they put the Diuell to retrait and foyle at least for a time To take heed our hearts Psal 39.1 Pro. 23.26 Psal 119.55 which beyond measure are deceitfull deceiue vs not wee must alwayes haue a guard vpon them saying to our selues O heart thou shouldest bee the Temple of my Redeemers most holy Spirit why thē doest thou harbor these wicked thoughts then further say Cleanse thy house deare Sauiour that thou mayest euer dwell with mee To keepe vs from notorious and scandalous sinnes Psal 139.21 22. Psal 119.63 Psal 119.101 wee must boldly breake from and leaue off all company and occasions to defile vs If that cannot be either in regard of command wee are subiect to or other circumstances that cannot bee auoided Psal 119.158 let not our hearts nor tongues giue consent but our eyes bee like Dauids gushing out when wee are at libertie riuers of Teares and bewaile both their Psal 119.136 and our owne frailetie To preserue vs from open and secret Atheisme Distrust Despayre Presumption Blasphemy Superstition Idolatry and neglect of seruing God and all sinnes directly against the first Table remember in our Hearts in our lips in our liues to bee holy as our Heauenly Father is Mat. 5.48 knowing hee hates the sinnes of vnfaithfulnesse abhorres the wickednes of tongue and lips Pro. 6.16 17 18. and vpon wicked and prophane liuers will raine downe the portion they shall haue to drink Psal 11.6 storms and tempest and anguish of Soule Reu. 20.15 and fire brimstone in Hell-fire To preserue vs from vnrighteousnesse in our conuersation and the breach of charity to our neighbours in our liues remember alwayes to follow Christs rule Mat. 7.12 Doe as thou wouldst bee done to and what thou wouldest not be done to doe not And Saint Pauls So runne 1. Cor. 9.24 that thou maist obtaine a Crowne of righteousnesse And Saint Iohns Hee that loues not his brother 1. Ioh. 4.20 loues not God And forget not Saint Iames Iam. 2.18 Shew me thy faith by thy workes for by them 2. Pet. 1.8 9 10. saies Saint Peter thou must make thy vocation and election sure Else thy prayers and thy faith and thy selfe are but dead and vtterly vnacceptable in the sight of God Lastly wee must keepe our soules in a dayly continuance of all these spirituall exercises taming the rebelliousnes of our flesh by Fasting as Saint Paul did 1. Cor. 9.27 when wee finde our selues pressed with dulnesse Dan. 9.3 and sloth or vnwillingnesse 20. or vanity so will our spirits grow nimble and quicke to call on God 21. our hearts soft and tender to mourne our Prayers so feruent that God will heare them and our Praises so accepted that he will reward them That God which by the bloud of his Son hath redeemed vs enable vs by his Spirit through the sufferings of his Sonne to practise effectually all these things Amen To him be glory and praise for euermore ⸪ FINIS