roofe speak but one word and I shall be helped Mat. 8.8.13 Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me cleane I will be thou cleane say thou unto me and I shall be cleansed Mat. 8.2 3. Lord Jesus speak unto me that it is thou that will comfort and helpe me that I be not feared oâ— troubled over much Mat. 14.27 Well then by thy especiall grace O my God in Christ in the sorrow of my spirit I will poure out my soule before thee O Lord and ouâ— of the abundance of my complaint and griefe with Hannah will I speak 1 Sam. 1.15 19. And untill God shall grant an issue out of my pressing and even hâ—â—plesse fâ—are griefe and distresse I will with David continue seeking ease and reliefe from Heaven 2 Sam. 12.16.23 And say with him when he was in greatest misery If I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord I shall be belped but if he thus say I have no delight in thee behold here I am let him doe to me as seemeth good unto him 2 Sam. 15.25 26. And according to his example even when he had distrusted God 1 Sam. 29.1 fled and fell to the enemy verse 2. when he made shew promise and proster of his service against Gods people ch 29.2 8. when in his absence his Towne was surprized spoyled pillaged and burned and the Wives of his Souldiers captived and all that he had was lost and carried away by the enemy when he and his people wept that they could weep no more when they murmured against him laid all the blame upon him and spake of stoning of him by all which judge how he was distressed I will encourage my selfe in the Lord my God and in all things seek direction and help from him doubtlesse the Lord as he did him will answer me graciously and deliver me effectually 1 Sam. 30.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 19. And though as Jacob served twenty yeers ere he could provide for his owne houshold Gen. 31.38 30.30 It hath pleased the Lord that I have served many yeers already and if God spare my life and please not to work wonderfully for me am like to serve many yeers more to serve others turnes to the great prejudice of me mine I hope by the good providence of my good God if he sees it good for me to live the day at Jacob did to acknowledge my God hath dealt graciously with me because he hath vouchsafed a competency and enough unto me Gen. 33.11 And although which mercy I am most unworthy to live to receive of acknowledge I dare not for conscience sake to help my selfe by indirect meanes in my misery whereby great losse and prejudice hath befallen me yet I will trust in this that the Prophet in the Lords name said to Amaziah who was troubled with the losse of the â—00 Talents that the Lord is able and if he sees it good for me will give more then this unto me 2 Chron. â—â— 8 9. And not to murmure grumble be impatient and discontented with my condition considering Jobs example of suffering and the end of the Lord towards him for the Lord is very pittifall and of tender mercy James 5.11 For Job was perfect and upright one that feared God and eschewed evill by the Lords owne testimony Job 1.1.5.8 chap. 2.3 yet though he looked for good evill came unto him and when he waited for light there came darknesse Job 30.26 for the thing that he feare greatly came upon him and that which he was afraid of befell him he was not in safety neither had he rest neither waâ— he quiet yet trouble came Joâ— 3.25 26. witnesse what followes The Sabeans fell upon hâ—â— Oxen and took them away 〈◊〉 1.14 15. fire fell from Heaveâ— and burnt his Sheep and Seâ—vants verse 16. The Caldeaâ—â— fell upon the Camels and caâ—â—ied them away verse 17. 〈◊〉 Sonnes and Daughters weâ—â— eating and drinking in theâ—â— elder Brothers house and bâ—hold there came a great winâ— and smote the foure corners of the house and it fell upon the young men and they are all dead verse 18 19. Satan gat leave from God to smite his body all over with fore and loathsome boyles that he was forst to sit in the ashes and scrape himselfe with a potsheard chap. 2.6 7 8. his wife that should have been his comfort was his heavy crosse urging him to curse God in this condition ch 2. â—9 and was as a stranger to him and would hardly know him or come at him chap. 19.17 his neerest kinred failed him his familiar friends forgot him his servants contemned him his most inward friends abhorred him children despised him ch 19.13 14 15 16 18 19. his most godly friends that should have been his best counsellours comforters in this his wofull comfortlesse estate grieved censured and pleaded against and reproached him Iob â— 1â—â— ch 16.20 19.21 God made his heart soft the Almighty troubled him Iob 23.16 and every way seemed to let himselfe against him chap. 19.8 to 13. yea the arrowes of the Almighty stuck within him perplexity and horrour seized on him ch â— â— c. yet at length the Lord turned away his captivity and gave him twice as much as he had before and blessed the latter end of Iob more then the beginning Iob 42.10 12. and is the same Lord God and helper for ever to them that feare before call upon and trust in him My sweet Saviour grant me as thou advisest and commandest me to possesse my soule in patience Luke 21.19 and to cast my care upon thee who takest care for me 1 Pet. 5.7 and because strict reservednesse keeps concealed my estate and affections and prevents giving advantage against me the Lord assisting me I will follow Micahs counsell Mac. 7.5 not to trust in a friend nor to put confidence in a guide but to keep the doore of my mouth from her that lyeth in my bosome And with Abrahams servant to hold my peace to wit whether the Lord will make my businesse prosperous or not Gen. 24.21 And in these times of generall calamities as the Lord wils Baruch upon the like occasions not to seek great things for my selfe nor to be overmuch troubled with these triviall personall perplexities and afflictions but to be humbly and heartily content if the Lord please as he hath done hitherto most remarkably to give me my life for a prey whethersoever I goe Ier. 45.4 5. To rest assured with Mordecay that God will send help one way or other if not as I conceived or imagine by some other means undoubtedly Est 4.14 To say as my most blessed Saviour did in his most bitterest passion O my Father if it be possible let this Cup passe from me neverthelesse not as I will but a thou wilt Mat. 26.39 And with Abraham to hopâ— beyond hope and to beleevâ— beyond sense being fully perswaded that what my God hatâ— promised he is also able to
Vow and said O Lord of hosts if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine hand-maid and remember and not forget me but wilt give unto me c. then I will give unto thee c. shee spake in her heart onely her lips moved but her voyce was not heard I am of a sorrowfull spirit and have poured out my soule before the Lord out of the abundance of my complaint and griefe have I spoken The Lord God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him so the woman went her way and did eat and her countenance was no more sad and the Lord remembred her and she said The Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him for the Lord is a God of knowledge and by him actions are weighed 1 Sam. 1.6 7 10 11 13 15 16 17 18 19 27. 2.3 If the Lord were pleased to kill us he would not have received a burnt Offering and a meat Offering at our hands neither would he have shewed us all these things nor would as at this time have told us such things as these Judges 13.23 Lord grant me the spirit of understanding and application of every one of these and according to my most urgent occasions thou that art the same for ever unto thine let me find the comfort and profit of these for thy mercy and thy truth unto me my soule my God in Christ shall alwayes and in all things magnifie thee Amen Who knoweth the work of the Lord who worketh all Eccl. 11.5 My God I wait the issue from thee I beseech thee make it good for me I unfainedly promise unto thee To observe diligently To remember constantly To regard carefully To acknowledge thankfully Thy gracious dealing towards me In this and every extremity Which so much overchargeth me That I can see no remedy Lord I depend upon thee Do thy good pleasure with me Oh heare forgive accept and help me Amen Amen my God in Christ I pray thee Some more though briefe yet sound Meditations for his further assurance of support and succour in his present exceeding great or any future though never so hopelesse and helplesse misery O Lord my God thou art throughly acquainted with my condition which threatneth extreame misery thou knowest what is best for me and dispofest all things according to thine owne will for my good in the end assuredly whatsoever doth or may oppose me behold I looke round about me and can see no hope of help left me but I looke up to thee in the highest Heavens from whom alone all my help commeth who knoweth thy worke that worketh all thou hast innumerable waies to help when al else faileth thou hast oftentimes heretofore seasonably unexpectedly amply wonderfully wrought for my reliefe and deliverance when I was most helplesse and whatsoever opposed and that of thine owne meere goodnesse notwithstanding my unmeasurable great sinfulnesse I know and beleeve thy hand is not shortned that thou art the same for ever unto me for good as thou art gracious work for my reliefe and deliverance notwithstanding my exceeding great unworthines all other impossibilities the earth is thine and the fulnesse thereof all things obey thy voyce speak but one word and it is done command and it shall stand fast all the world cannot hinder it thou hast provided thou doest canst hast promised must and wilt provide in the Mount in greatest extremity apparently it shall be Lord let it be seen Why then should I faint feare or doubt thou art my help in greatest need I give over all unto thee I call upon thee I depend alone on thee I await alwaies for thee thou hast never failed me never Oh never faile forsake or forget me I remember thy wonted goodnesse I fly to thy undeserved mercies I trust in thy almighty power I found my prayers on thy most faithfull promises I submit to thy most wise disposing now I beseech and urge thee most humbly and instantly in mercy as thou art wont and hast promised be pleased most powerfully as seemeth good unto thee to consider my condition to remember my estate to pitty my distresse to behold my trouble to regard my sighes to heare my prayers to relieve my wants to prevent feared calamities and to deliver me out of this great misery Oh if it be thy will let me find by experience thy fatherly love care and providence so manifested and magnified towards me that I may be freed from this in mans judgement irrecoverable misery with which and with all its circumstances thou art acquainted fully Oh let no man lose by me or have just cause to complaine of me Oh work for me that I may live of mine owne commendably without being chargeable to any that I provide for mine honestly and so remove and prevent much trouble in my selfe and sorrow shame and misery to mine that I may put all my things in good order before I depart hence that in this respect I may be the more willing to leave this world and the more desirous of a better life that in all these I may acknowledge thy goodnesse and praise thy name who hast dealt so graciously and wonderfully with me by thy grace if it please thee to doe it I will never forget it but will alwayes confesse that thy hand onely hath wrought it and shall ever endeavour to testifie true thankfulnesse for it yet O Lord my God in all these not as I will but as thou wilt who knowest what is most needfull for me yea rather deny in mercy then give me in displeasure what I conceive I so much want and doe so earnestly crave if it be thy will this burthen shall grow so heavy and lye so long upon me that I be brought unto the uttermost extremity doe buâ— encrease inward strength within me that I may come the nearer home unto thee and 〈◊〉 is enough for me I crave 〈◊〉 more of thee all shall goe well with me whatsoever betideâ— me doe not oh doe not suffeâ— me to use any unlawfull or unbeseeming means to help mâ—selfe thereby let no by-respect prevaile with me herein but direct and inable me conscionable and worthily to do my duty and so to leave the successe unâ—â— thee who wilt cause the samâ— to fall out well for me never oh never suffer me to be impatient discontented over doubtfull over carefull or discouraged or to murmure against to dispute with to complaint of or to limit thee but enable oh enable me to possesse mâ— soule in patience to rest heartly well contented with all thou sendest as that which thou in wisdome love and faithfulnesse seest best for me and wilt remarkably turne to good unto me help me to acknowledge thee aright in all my wayes oh direct my pathes cause me with an holy carelesnesse to cast my care upon thee oh take care for me make me to roule my burthen on thee oh nourish thou me raise up my heart to
grace and supplication that I may at this present poure out my heart in prayer before thee so that thou mayest be pleased to heare and help from Heaven seasonably and effectually thy great name shall have all the glory Or Thus O Lord prepare my miserable unprepared heart to pray heare me graciously though I be most unworthy as thou hast promised whatsoever opposeth thy great name shall have all the glory Or Thus O Lord help my heart to pray heare my prayers thy name shall have the praises If he comes into Gods House before the beginning of publike worship O Most holy Lord God prepare every one of our unprepared hearts in most holy manner to seek thy face in every one of thy most holy Ordinances work effectually with thy most holy spirit upon every one of our hearts that the meanes of grace may prove effectuall to every one of our most sinfull soules to the building of them up in all grace to our present comfort and eternall happinesse in Christ Jesus Amen When Amen is pronounced at the end of the publike prayers Amen Lord Amen of thy infinite mercy according to thy immutable truth by thy unresistable working notwithstanding our unworthinesse insufficiency and all other impediments thy great name shall have all the glory to which alone the same is due wholy When he gives Almes Good Lord accept the will for the deed forgive and reforme what is amisse vouchsafe a plentifull blessing in due season according to thy wonted goodnesse and faithfull promises in Christ Jesus When the blessing is pronounced O Lord our God most mighty mercifull and true vouchsafe graciously seasonably and effectually to leave thy promised blessing of mercy grace and peace behind thee Amen When he awakes in the morning O Lord my God it is of thine owne and onely wonted undeserved infinite never failing mercies that I have not in this night past been smothered in my sleep and sinnes that I may behold the light of this day in peace awaken my heart with all holy affections towards thee cause me to cast off all works of darknesse and to walk in the light before thee renew remission unto me for my sins of the night renewed against thee throughout this day governe me by thy Word and spirit in all I goe about and let thy blessing be upon me in all that any way concernes me my soule through Jesus Christ shall more and more magnifie thee Amen When he layes him downe at night to take his rest O Lord my God by thy especiall providence assistance I lay me downe in peace at this present and blesse thy name unfainedly that all things throughout this day hath gone so well with me whereas else I had been every way most unhappy Oh multiply pardon to me for my fauls multiplyed against thee even this day past I beseech thee and watch over me the rest of this night to preserve me from sinning against thee though never so secretly and to keep off whatsoever would any way harme me for all grace and good my soule shall more and more through Jesus Christ glorifie thee Amen Before his going to heare Gods Word preached O Lord my God whose word I goe to heare grant me thy grace to heare it as thy word with all due reverence earnest attention and holy affection oh help me against all dead heartednesse distractednes and wearinesse make my heart as the good ground rightly to receive this heavenly seed water the same with the dew of thy grace that it may bring forth fruit abundantly in my knowledge resolution and practice in faith and godlinesse with all patience and constancy thus work in and for me mercifully powerfully faithfully notwithstanding my unprepared insensible unprofitable hearing therof whereof alas I am most hainously continually guilty for which I beg pardon and amendment yea in spite of all that the flesh the world the devill labour to the contrary Amen Amen my Father in Christ herein help me I most humbly and earnestly beg pray and beseech thee Amen at this time and upon the like occasions continually When be comes from hearing Gods Word Now my good and gracious God having by thy especiall providence goodnesse and grace injoyed the gracious meanes happy opportunity and thy help to heare thy most holy word for which exceeding great favours make me truâ—â— thankfull and of which crave the continuance unto my lives end bring the same to my remembrance affect me with each part thereof throughly cause me to mix it with faith rightly and to put each part thereof in practice Christianly as the necessities of my poore soule require especially heare and blesse in mercy as thou hast promised though I have sinned and whatsoever opposeth Amen Before his reading Gods Word in private O my heavenly Father be intreated mercifully powerfully faithfully now and at all other times be I never so unworthy indisposed and whatsoever opposeth to strengthen and blesse me in the reading understanding remembring applying and practising of thy most holy word as may be most to thy great glory and my eternall good through Christ Jesus Amen After his reading Gods Word in private O my God I most heartily thank thee for this most inestimable Jewell of thy most holy Word for this great freedome and thy especiall help to be exercised therein and for all the good that by thy blessing my poore soul hath received thereby Oh forgive my unthankfulnesse therefore and abusing thereof reforme these foule offences in me and notwithstanding the same and whatsoever else would hinder continue these great mercies unto me and make each part of thy most holy word my guide and comfort in life and death through Jesus Christ Amen I beg of thee Before his meditating in private Good Lord it is my most humble earnest suit unto thy most sacred Majesty that thou wilt not lay to my charge my long wilfull neglect of miserable aversnesse from and extream indisposition to this so much required and exceeding needfull dutie of divine Meditation but notwithstanding these and though I neither know how nor have any abilitie to discharge the same as I ought I pray and beseech thee to learne me the right way thereto and to dispose me in some good measure to the performance thereof help me to begin goe on and end in respect of the present matter thereof with sound judgement moved affection powerfull application and unfained purpose to put all to conscionable practice to the encrease of all grace and godlinesse through thy alone deare Sonne my alone sweet Saviour Christ Jesus Amen After his meditating in private My deare God my soule magnifieth thee for this opportunitie and assistance thou hast vouchsafed me most weak and unworthie in the performance of this holy dutie oh pardon pittie and reforme my ignorance insensiblenesse and manifold distempers herein oh helpe me more and more better hereunto and doe me this exceeding great favour that I may constantly beare
in mind and seasonably shew forth the life and power of each part of what thou hast inabled me to thinke upon according to the warrant of thy most holie word that I may be every way the more fit to serve thee and in every thing find the more comfort from thee through thy Christ my Redeemer Amen Before Meales Our heavenly Father be intreated to vouchsafe a gracious blessing upon these thy good creatures which we are about to receive from thy bountifull hands grant us to receive them as we ought in the strength of them vouchsafe us the continuance of good health if it be thy will above all make us the more fit to doe thee all acceptable service to thy glory and our eternal happinesse in Christ Jesus Amen After Meales O our God for ever blessed be thy name for refreshing â—â— againe so graciously at this time with thy good creatures and alwaies providing so bountifully for us whereas we are unworthy of one drop of cold water and merit the worst of evils whereas many of thy deare children suffer great want of those things which we injoy in abundance Lord make us truly thankfull forgive our sins cause us to serve thee better continue towards us thy favours never suffer us to want any thing thou seest good for us provide reliefe for all in any distresse accept and blesse us alwaies and in all things through Christ Jesus Amen A serious Prayer at any time O my heavenly Father be intreated freely and fully to forget and forgive all my offences though never so many and hainous which make me most unworthy the least of thy merties and whereby I provoke all thy heaviest displeasure against me sanctifie my soule speedily throughly and constantly that I may serve thee all the rest of my time sincerely watchfully zealously save me from thy wrath which I fear and merit and can by no meanes else escape continue towards me all needfull favours which I can by no meanes else injoy turne all my present and future inward and outward sufferings to my soules eternall good and doe what thou pleasest with me afford true grace peace and comfort to my poore soule and I desire no more of thee make me willing to leave this and fit for a better life when I leave this receive me to a better life and it is enough for me Amen through thy Christ my Redeemer the Lord Jesus my intercessor I beseech thee A Thanksgiving at any time O my reconciled God most gracious Father and alone alsufficient most wise mercifull faithfull and immutable helper in Jesus Christ whom thou hast freely given unto me to be an al-sufficient Saviour and continuall intercessor for me in whom thou art in covenant with me and all thy promises are my portion through whom thou hast afforded and assured all grace and good unto me here and all happinesse with thee in Heaven for evermore Behold as I am every way exceedingly bound beyond all I can remember or acknowledge my soules desire is alwayes set to render in all and above all things all possible praises to thy Majesty acknowledging ingenuously that all my inward outward present former and future welfare is only from thee and that else no heart could conceive or tongue expresse my misery accept my unfained though exceeding weak desires now and at all times to give thy great name for all all the glory Amen When he must goe abroad and about businesse in hast wanting time convenient to seek the Lord solemnly O my heavenly Fatherin the name of thy Sonne my Saviour I goe abroad and about my businesse in thou leavest me I shall doe sinfully and foolishly and shame and harme will befall me therefore for his sake I beseech thee governe me witâ— thy holy spirit let thine owne blessing be with me so shall I demeane my self discreetly and honestly and all shall goe well with me in all I undertake and that concernes me according to the especiall occasions guide and prosper me more especially as I look for all help onely from thee my soule shall therefore give thee alone all the glory Amen Short Ejaculations set down as they came in my mind LORD give me a peaceable sealed suffering spirit A cercumspect silent sober tongue A faire friendly free carriage A grave gracious gentle conversation Lord make me and every one of mine capable and partakers of each part of thy covenant of mercy grace peace and happinesse and it is enough Lord deliver and keep me from unconscionable contentious and unreasonable men let none that wish or seek my shame or harme have their will of me Lord cause me to walke more wisely and uprightly that I may walke more boldly and securely maintaine my cause for thine honours sake I beseech thee Lord put spirit life and power into my devotions alwaies forgive accept and blesse my weake performances Lord help me to worship thee seasonably and conscionably and worke with thy grace mercifully and faithfully that I may walk with thee watchfully and constantly Lord assure me of thy favour and help me out of debt before I dye I beg of thee Lord help me to hold fast my integrity and to trust thy alsufficiency in my greatest extremity let it not be in vaine for me to seek serve and await upon thee Lord whatsoever befals me let me never be forced to put forth my hand to iniquity as thou art most true make good this truth unto me Psal 125.3 Lord poure out the spirit of grace and supplication upon me that I may delight to poure out my heart in prayer before thee daily Lord cause me to love the Lord Jesus dearly to learne oâ— him who is meek lowely and to apply his al-sufficient satisfaction rightly Lord in the sight and sense oâ— my sinnes humble me deeply for those most displeasing 〈◊〉 thee chiefly oh discover theâ—â— unto me clearly make me tâ— hate and forsake them unfairedly Lord as thou hast expresâ— promised me Zach. 12 1â— cause me to looke upon tâ— Christ my Saviour whom â—â— smnes have pierced that I mâ—â— mourne for them as one moâ—neth for his onely sonne aâ—â— be in bitternesse for him as 〈◊〉 the losse of my first borne 〈◊〉 let his wounds heale me 〈◊〉 blood cleanse me his spiâ—â— comfort and his merits saâ—â— me Lord give me a good conscience a contented mind a discreet demeanour a competent estate and thy fatherly blessing it is enough Lord give me an understanding beleeving penetent watchfull upright wel-ordered heart and all shall be well Lord settle me in a Christian course of serving thee and let me find the sweetnesse thereof continually oh let my wayes please thee and make my enemies at peace with me Lord whatsoever betide me let nothing disgrace my Christian profession of thee or give those that hate me advantage against me Lord help me in wel-doing to commend all to thee and to trust thee most in my most helplesse misery Lord I crave and
kindnesse against his will He is a friend who when his advice is neglected will threaten to discover our faults to our shame if there be no other remedy yet it is a shame and grief to them to doe so Though thou canst not doe aâ— thou ought and wouldest yet leave not a good work altogether undone Make tryall though there be small hope of prevailing In furthering a lawfull businesse by lawfull meanes be bold and unwearied and let God work One misseth through untimely bashfulnesse that which another obtaineth by honest boldnesse This I find all meanes to be wanting defective or in vaine if the Lord work not This I know when God sayes let it be all shall serve the turne for all things obey his voyce If God be ours we have all without him we have nothing Assurance of Gods love and promise of Gods help ought to be enough for us For want of application a man wants the sound comfort of that whereby he is able to comfort others My Grace is sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12.9 To Forgive all thy sinnes To Impute Christs al-sufficient satisfaction To Make thee beleeve To Instruct thy ignorance To Subdue thy corruptions To Sanctifie thee to my sevice To Direct thee erring To Establish thee doubting To Strengthen thy weaknesse To Raise thee being fallen To Support thee standing To Make thee watchfull To Comfort thee afflicted To Quiet thee troubled To Deliver thee distressed To Settle thee distempered To Enable thee to pray To Fulfill thy requests To Work good wanting To Increase good begun To Keep thee from all evill To Turne all to thy good To Supply all thy necessities To Give thee godly sorrow To Make thee upright To Build thee on my promises To Stirre thee up to thankfulnesse To Cause thee persevere in goodnesse To Accept thy unworthy person and services To Bring to a blessed end To Crowne thee with eternall happinesse To All in Christ Jesus Thou the Lord sayest it therefore it shall be Thy Grace alone shall be enough for me My God give grace this grace may be attained None then so rich though all the world he gained Thou canst thou wilt thou must vouchsafe it Lord Because thy selfe hast said it in thy Word Isa 34.16 How with an holy opportunity to bind the Lord to preserve us from sinne be we in our selves never so strongly tempted and sorely inclined thereunto viz. 1 BY urging the Lord with his promises hereof Rom. 6.14 2 Cor. 12.9 2 With his oath Heb. 6 17 18 Isa 14.24 c. 3 With his power Mat. 28 18. Mark 14.36 4 With his Covenant Ezek. 36 27 29. 5 With his Sabbaths which he hath given us to be signes that he will sanctifie us Exo. 31 13. Ezek. 20 12 20. 6 With our baptisme wherby we are assured of the vertue of Christs death to kil sin in us 7 With the Sacrament of the Lords Supper wherein the same thing is sealed unto us 8 And that he hath pleased to strengthen us in some measure heretofore 9 By urging him with his superabundant grace Joh 1 16 Rom 5 20. Thus in all humility and earnestnesse to beseech and urge our God to have respect unto his own glory in every one of these taking head of the occasions of sin by his blessed help we shall be kept from grosse offences and get power over our secret strongest corruptions through Christ Jesus Amen Somewhat concerning government of the Tongue DEath and life are in the power of the tongue Pro. 18 21. If any man offend not in word the same is a perfect man Ia. 3.2 Lord no man offends so often and shamefully with the tongue as I doe I said I will take heed to my wayes that I sinne not with my tongue I will keep my mouth a bridle Psal 39.1 yea I have and am purposed my mouth shall not transgresse Psa 17.3 But the tongue can no man tame Jam. 3 8. it is an vnruly evil ful of deadly poyson idem Therefore set thou a watch before my mouth and order thou the door of my lips O my God Psal 141.3 Such resolutions as most concerne himselfe in this respect viz. To avoyd All Prophane needlesse uncertaine uncomely offensive words To use Onely Christian seasonablenesse certaine seemly acceptable speeches Rather speak nothing then to say the least thing to no good or to an evill purpose Not to suster his tongue to runne before his wit But to forethink whether it be lawfull or fitting that he is about to speak then to refraine or speak accordingly To avoid All rash superfluous vaine abscene unreverend scornfull talk To use Onely considerate few substantiall holy reverend respective discourse Not to meddle in others matters To deale in his owne circumspectly To praise others discreetly And himselfe inforced modestly not to tell newes suddenly To relate the same required warily To avoyd All jibing boasting double flattering fearfull false words To use Only serious humble plain faithfull free true speeches Not speak evill of any absent or dead If there be or was any good in them to take notice thereof else to say nothing of them Not to answer any matter before he heare and understand it throughly Then to answer briefly and pithily Not to interrupt any in their speaking by speaking with them or taking the words out of their mouth But to give full time and then to answer wisely To avoyd All revealing his owne matters Unfolding his affections Discovering his passions Complaining of his wants Declaring his opinion Opening others secrets Where these need not and more then needs must To be Secret silent reserved watchfull to the contrary Not to break out into passionate contentious spitefull provoking revengefull speeches no not against such as injure him and when they doe so But to deliver temperate peaceable gentle suffering pacifying words To appease wrath and strife To prevent anger and discord To avoid hast and to use deliberation To avoyd loudnesse and to use so ftnesse in his speeches To avoid lightnesse and to use gravity To avoyd harshnesse and to use friendlinesse in his talk In all things he utters to be circumspect and sober Lord who is sufficient for these things none so weak as I am yet nothing is impossible to thee O Lord my God mercifully notwithstanding my sinnes powerfully notwithstanding my weaknesse faithfully notwithstanding all oppositions let thy grace be sufficient for me to teach and enable me aright when where and how to speak and to hold my peace at home and abroad with whomsoever I have to doe and in whatsoever I take in hand as may be most and onely for thy glory the gracing of thy Religion and my profession thereof the good example and benefit of others the safety and credite of my place and person the comfort and peace of my soule and conscience here and the everlasting happinesse of soule and body in Heaven for evermore all by the speedy effectuall daily and continuall assistance of
thy most holy Spirit through the alone al-sufficient merits and mediation of thy most deare and onely Sonne my alone most sweet Saviour and perpetuall intercessor Christ Jesus even so be it Amen Amen Thus farre here for governing the Tongue now to God onely wise my onely helper be all the glory Concerning walking with God with some Meditations for Prayer according to the plain and powerfull word of God to be the better enabled thereunto 1 GOD commands it He hath shewed thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to doe justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God Micah 6.8 Thus saith the Lord stand yee in the wayes and see aske for the old paths where is the good way and walk therein Jer. 6.16 2. Examples of Obedience And Enoch walked with God Noah was a just man and Noah walked with God Ge. 5.24 6.9 3 Neglect hereof must be acknowledged Neither have we obeyed the voyce of the Lord our God to walk in his lawes c. Dan. 9.10 4 And our ignorance indisposition and insufficiency hereunto O Lord I know that the way of man is not in himselfe it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps Jer. 10.23 Not that we are sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God 2 Cor. 3.5 Without me ye can doe nothing John 15.5 5 We must crave pardon for all these And now Lord what wait I for my hope is in thee deliver me from all my transgressions and forgive all my sinnes Psal 39.7 8. 25 18. 6 We must ask a way of God in generall Thus saith the Lord stand ye in the wayes and see and ask for the old paths where is the good way Jer. 6 16. 7 Yea this by solemne humiliation Then I proclaimed a Fast that we might afflict our selves before our God to seek of him a right way for us Ezra 8.21 We must beseech him to grant us these particulars 1 Knowledge of the good way Shew me thy paths O Lord teach me thy Statutes make me understand the way of thy precepts Psal 25.4 119 27. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk for I lift up my soule to thee Psal 143 8. 2 An heart disposed to walke therein Incline my heart unto thy testimonies Psa 119.36 He will teach us his wayes and we will walk in his paths Isa 2 3. 3 Ability thereto Make me to goe in the path of thy Commandements Psal 119 35. 4 Restauration out of former errors relapsed into Renew a right spirit within me restore unto me the joy of thy sal-vation Psal 11 10 12. 5 To be sincere herein I am God al-sufficient walk before me and be thou perfect Gen. 17 1. Let integrity and uprightnesse preserve me Psal 25 21. Let my heart be sound in thy statutes Psal 19 80. 6 To be watchfull hereto Hold thou me up and I shall be safe and I will have respect unto thy Statutes continually Psal 119 117. Keep thy heart with all diligence ponder the path of thy feet and let all thy wayes be established turne not to the right hand nor to the left Prov. 4 23 26 27. 7 That we may encrease in all these Being fruitfull in every good work and encreasing in the knowledge of God Col. 1 â—0 8 And be established Uphold me with thy free spirit Psal 51 12. Uphold me according to thy Word that I may live and let me not be ashamed of my hope Psal 119 116. 9 And to persevere Teach me O Lord the way of thy Statutes and I will keep it unto the end Psal 119 33. I have inclined my heart to performe thy Statutes alway unto the end Psal 119 112. 10 We must pray to be freed and preferved from every evill way in opinion and practice The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the Congregation of the dead Prov. 21 16. The wicked have laid a snare for me yet I erred not from thy precepts Psal 119 110. Remove from me the way of lying I have refrained my feet from every evill way Ps 119.29.101 Incline not my heart to any evill thing to practice wicked works Psal 14 4. We must lay to heart rely upon urge God to reforme await his leasure till he please to make good his word unto us in every particular we have thus sought him for in generall Thy Word have I hid in my heart Psal 119.11 I will meditate in thy precepts and have respect unto thy wayes I will not forget thy Word v. 15 16. In God will I prayes his Word in the Lord will I prayse his Word Psal 56.10 Remember thy word unto thy servant on which thou hast caused me to hope this is my comfort in my affliction for thy Word hath quickned me Psal 119 49 50. Let I pray thee thy mercifull kindnesse be for my comfort according to thy Word unto thy servant Psal 119 76. Therefore I will look unto the Lord I will wait for the God of my salvation my God will heare me Micah 7 7. O my Father neverthelesse not as I will but as thou wilt Mat. 26 39. In the particulars following 1 In that we have acknowldged our neglects and defects The Lord saith he that confesseth and forsaketh his sinnes shall have mercy Prov. 28 13. If we acknowledge our sinnes he is faithfull and just to forgive us our sinnes and to cleanst as from all unrigteousnesse 1 John 1 9. 2 In that we have craved pardon The Lord saith I will save you from all your uncleannesses c. yet will I for this be enquired of to doe it Ezek. 36 29 37. 3 In that we have asked a my of God He sayes Ask and it shall be given you Mat. 7.7 We besought our God for this and he was intreated of us Ezr. 8 23 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way that thou shalt go and I will guide thee with mine eye Psal 32 8. 4 To the desire of knowledge the Lord saith If thou callest after knowledge and cryest for understanding thou shalt find the knowledge of God Prov. 2 3 5. 5 To the desire of a good disposition Thus a new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you Ezek. 36 2â— 6 And of ability to walk with God He promiseth thus I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walke in my Statutes and yee shall keep my judgements and doe them Ezel 36 2â— For it is he that worketh in you both to will and to doe of his good pleasure Phil. 2 13. 7 If we desire restauration He restoreth my soule and leadeth me into the paths of righteousnesse Psal 23 3. 8 If we desire herein sanctity Yee shall keep my Statutes and doe them I am the Lord which sanctifieth you Levit 20 8 24. 9 Watchfulnesse I will hearken what the
greater then our heart and knoweth all things 1 John 3.20 A man of understanding is of an excellent spirit Pro. 17.27 He that hath no rule over his owne spirit is like a City that is broken downe and without walls Pro. 25.28 Therefore take heed to your spirit Mal. 2.15 16. The heart of the wicked is little worth Pro. 10.20 Heare thou my Sonne and be wise and guide thine heart in the way Pro. 23.15 2 Concerning Government of the Tongue A word spoken in due season â—â—w good is it Pro. 15.23 A word fitly spoken is like Apples of gold in pictures of silver Pro. 25.11 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sinne Pro. 10.19 He that hath knowledge spareth his words Pro. 17.27 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words there is more hope of a foole then of him Pro. 29.20 A fools voyce is knowne by multitude of words Eccl. 5.3 In many words there are also divers vanities Eccl. 5.7 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more then the cry of him that ruleth among fools Ecc. 9.17 The words of a wise mans mouth are gracious Eccl. 10.12 A foole also is full of words Eccl. 10.14 Every idle word that men shall speake they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement for by thy words thou shall be justified and by thy words thou shall be condemned Mat. 12.36 37. Teach me and I will hold my tongue Job 6.24 Keep thy tongue from evill Pl. 34.13 His tongue talketh of judgment Psal 37.30 I said I will take heed to my wayes that I sinne not with my tongue Psal 39.1 There is not a word in my tongue but loe O Lord thou knowest it altogether Psal 1 39 4. The froward tongue shall be cut out Pro. 10 31. The tongue of the wise is health Pro. 12 18. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright Pro. 15.2 A wholsome tongue is as the Tree of life Pro. 15 4. The answer of the tongue is from the Lord Pro. 16 1. He that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischefe Pro. 17 20. Perversnesse therein is a breach â—â— the spirit Pro. 15 4. Death and life are in the power of the tongue Pro. 18 21. Who so keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soule from troubles Pro. 21 23. And the Lord said who hath made mans mouth have not I the Lord now therefore goe and I will be with thy mouth and teach thee what thou shalt say Exod. 4.11 12. I am purposed my mouth shall not transgresse Psal 17.3 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdome Psal 37 30. I will keep my mouth with a bridle Psal 39 1. Set a Watch O Lord before my mouth keep the doore of my lips Psal 141 3. Put away from thee a froward mouth and perverse lips put farre from thee Pro. 4 24. A naughty person a wicked man walketh with a froward mouth Pro. 6 12. The mouth of the foolish is neere destruction Pro. 10 14. The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdome Psal 10 31. The mouth of the wicked speaketh froward things Pro. 10 32. The mouth of the upright shall deliver them Pro. 12 6. A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth Pro 12 14. 13.2 The mouth of fooles poureth out foolishnesse Pro. 15 2. A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth Pro. 15 23. The mouth of the wicked poureth out evill things Pro. 15 28. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth Pro. 16 23. A fools mouth calleth for strokes a fools mouth is his destruction Pro. 18 6 7. It not rash with thy mouth and â—â—â— not thine heart be hasty to utâ—â—â— any thing let thy words be few Eccl. 5 2. But those things which proceed â—ut of the mouth come forth from â—he heart and they defile the man Mat. 15.18 Out of the abundaÌ„ce of the heart â—he mouth speaketh Mat. 12 34. To provoke him to speak many things seeking to catch something â—ut of his mouth that they might â—â—cuse him Luke 11 53 54. If any man among you seem to be religious and bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his owne heart this mans Religion is vain James 1 26. The tongue is a little member â—nd boasteth great things the tongue is a fire a world of iniquity the tongue can no man tame it is an unruly evill full of deadly poyson James 3 5 6 8. He that will love life and see good dayes let him refraine his tongue from evill 1 Peter 3 10. I will give a mouth and wisdome Luke 21 15. In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdome is found Pro. 10 13. He that refraineth his lips is wise Pro. 10 19. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable Pro. 10 31. The wicked is nared by the transgression of his lips Prov. 12 13. He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction Pro. 13 3. The lips of the wise shall preserve them Pro. 14 3. The talk of the lips tendeth only to penury Pro. 14 23. Even a foole when he holdeth his peace is counted wise and be that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding Pro 17 28. A fools lips are the snare of his soule Pro. 18 6 7. Every man shall kisse his lips that giveth a right answer Pro. â—4 26. I create the fruit of the lips Isa 17 19. Teach us what we shall say unto him for we cannot order our speech because of darknesse Job 17 19. Excellent speech becommeth not â— foole Pro. 17 7. Let your speech be alway with grace seasoned with salt that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man Col. 4 6. Sound speech that cannot be condemned that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed Tit. 2 8. If any man offend not in word the same is a perfect man and able also to bridle the whole body Jam. 3 2. A prating foole shall fall Pro. 10 8 10. Should a man full of talke be justified Job 1.2 The lips of a foole will swallow up himselfe the beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishnesse and the end of his talk is mischievous madnesse Eccl. 10.12 13. Speak not in the eares of a fool for he will despise the wisdome of thy words Pro. 23 9. A time to keep silence and a time to speak Eccl. 3 7. The vile person will speak villany and his heart will worke iniquity to practice hypocrisie and to utter errour against the Lord Isa 32 5. Even so we speak not as pleasing men but God which trieth our hearts 1 Thes 2 4. Let every man be swift to hear low to speak James 1 19. So speak ye as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty Jam. 2 12. Speak not evill one of another James 4 11. If any man speak let him speak as the Oracles of God 1 Peter 4 11. Let not an evill