A GODLIE MANS GVIDE to Happinesse A Manuell of necessary Motiues holy Meditations and godly Prayers to stirre vp the hearts of men vnapt to pray To the great Comfort of all that with due and holy attention will practise this most godly and Christian dutie Written for his owne and published for the Comfort of them that long for trvâ— happinesse By I. N. LONDON Printed by A M. for Iohn Marriott and are to bee sold at his Shop in Saint Dâ—nstons Churchyard in Fleetsheet 1624. TO THE HONORAble Sir IAMES FVLLERTON Knight one of his Highnesse Councell of Reuenues c. I Know Sir that I shall be censured very rash in attempting more vnaduised in publishing and most improuident in making your selfe the Patron of so weak a Pamphlet for the first I may excuse me in that I haue bin long vnwillingly idle and loath to lose the benefit of the inforced intermission of mine accustomed former imployments I could conceiue no fitter or better passe-time then in this interim to seek some inward consolation in my outward discomforts for the Second I acknowledge that imparting these weake Meditations vnto some seeming wel affected to the best things I was incouraged to lay them down to the pleasure of the Printer who not without examination allowance hath brought the same to publike view And as touching the Third and last in making choyce of your name among so many of that Honourable Societie whom I most humbly and sincerely honour and reuerence I cannot but acknowledge the reason to be no other then that I haue bene longest knowen vnto your selfe And you best know how I haue past many yeares in Seruice and attendance commanded by that Honorable Table These no fained excuses may in honourable fauour free me from the censure of rashnesse in attempting it of presumption in publishing it and of neglect or respect of persons in patronizing it So shall I think mine idle time not altogether lost though gaining little outward profit whether happy or vnhappy in gaining the one or loosing by the other I am so much the more doubtful to iudg by how much I obserue that men are heere censured happy vnhappy not in respect of inward or outward qualities bee they good or bad but according to their present prosperitie or aduersity glory or basenesse riches or pouertie which as a sea often ebbes and flowes As variable winds blow and waues tossed are lifted vp and come low wherein some sayling with a full gale of glory thinke themselues in highest felicity who yet forgetting or neglecting to steere aright the huge bulke of their conceiued happinesse rush many times vpon the rocke of Disgrace more grieuous then their former fortunes were glorious He that seeketh and thinketh to finde true felicitie in the inconstant things of this life is as happy a man as hee that dreameth that hee hath sound great store of golde and seemeth to reioyce beyond measure in his good fortune and when hee awakes hee findes it a dreame So may men dreame of happinesse here but it is onely reserued for such as make least account of this worlds glory who haue their conuersations in Heauen while they liue in the earth where yet no man can iudge of a truely happy man At yours and to the rest of their Honourable Commaunds euer ready IOHN NORDEN To as many as long for true happinesse IT is not to be doubted but that euery man that liueth desireth to liue a happie life but euery man taketh not the right course to be truly happy For as there is in euery man a double life the one in this world the other in another the one perishing the other permanent so are men carnally or diuinely qualified and accordingly bend their indeuors to visible or inuisible things are commonly most affected to things visibly seene and sencibly felt tasted or heard But as for inuisible things few attaine to know them much lesse to seeke them least of all to enioy them No although their bodies bee ouerwhelmed with millions of maladies their minds with cares griefs infinite passions which nothing can cure or releeue but some speciall inward spirituall working yet seldome or neuer looke they vp aboue these earthly things but in whatsoeuer outward or inward hard estate they are they seeke helpe here below if they finde it they ascribe it to the visible meanes and acknowledge them happie in finding it in sicknesse to finde a Phisition to heale them in pouertie to haue a friend to enrich them is imputed happinesse how much more happinesse were it then for a man neuer to be sicke to be rich to be glorious in the eyes of all men to be reputed the wisest man in the world and to enioy what his heart could thinke here Would not all men admire this mans happinesse And would not all men desire and couet to bee in his like estate And admit hee attaine vnto it is this the happinesse he aymes at No hee must haue peace and long life to enioy it else the very consideration of death and to forgoe this faigned happinesse would be vnto him as if a sword hung ouer his head by the haire of a horse taile euerie minute readie to fall on his head Alas what shall a man then so much struggle and striue for the happinesse of this life that consisteth onely of such things as the getting of them requires labour somtimes lies the hauing of of them enuie the keeping of them feare and the losse of them sorrow Which yet is not all there must bee finally a redde rationem an account a fearefull reckoning which if men would dulie consider in the time of their greatest supposed happinesse it would make their hearts to tremble and their knees to knock one against another like Balteshars for feare of the infelicitie to come If then the greatest happinesse that man can attaine vnto in this life be thus accompanied where is that true happinesse that absolute felicitie finally promised Such a happinesse there is but what it is no man can declare it for the eye hath not seene it the eare hath not heard neither can it enter to mans heart what God hath prepared for those that loue him But by examination of the chiefe things wherein man in this life can repute himselfe most happie and comparing them with what things wee shall futurely enioy it will appeare that mans happinesse doth not onely consist in the enioying of good things but in the freedome from euill things The happiest man in this life hath causes of mourning griefe and vexation of spirit his life requireth labour labour brings wearinesse wearinesse couets rest and rest presupposeth the bodies infirmitie and consequently decay and death And death precedeth eternall saluation the happinesse of the soule and bodie or damnation of both This is the portion of all men mortall how happie soeuer hee seeme to liue heere where they haue hunger thirst heate and cold want of things
neuer wearieth the soules of such as delight in the liuing God whose beautie Dauid saw as neuer satisfied with the contemplation of the glorious Maiestie oâ— Iehouah whose beautie the more the Spirituall minde beholdeth in his word his workes his fauour power and prouidence the more is hee mooued with desire to see more and more And thinkes no happinesse comparable to the happinesse of a heauenly life Much were the Disciples mooued at the sight of Christs transfiguration in so much as they desired to haue built there Tabernacles to haue enioyed that blessed sight Still to desirous was Dauid still to behold the beautie of the Lord and to visite his holy Temple Where God is truely heard and duly called vpon by a holy congregation nay by one particular faithfull Christian there appeareth the glorie of God There is the Arke of the Lord the presence of the mightie God of Iaakob whose glorie filleth the Temple which onely the Spirituall man seeth with a supernaturall eye Though the carnall man bodily present apprehendeth it not Paul at his conuersion saw Gods glorie but they that were with him heard onely a voyce but saw it not Such beautie shineth in the hearts of the deere Children of God by the operation and illumination of the Holy Ghost by whom Stephen saw the glorie of God in the heauens and Christ sitting at his right-hand which none 〈◊〉 can see but such onely aâ—are inlightened who take such surpassing sweet delight in the beholding the face of God not onely in the Word wherein hee is in part seene but especially through faith that their soules are euen rauished and as it were transchanged by the splender therof as it were into the Image of the glorie of the onely begotten Sonne of the Father â—od commanding the light to shine out of darkenesse shineth in our hearts to giue light of the knowledge of the Glorie of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Let vs therefore indeuour to exercise our selues in puritie and sanctitie clensing our consciences from all counterfeit sincerity and labour to become in deed such as wee would seeme to bee And not to neglect the visiting of the materiall Temple to heare the Word of GOD and to pray vnto him if wee hope to be happie for there is none happie but they whom GOD loueth and who loue GOD if wee loue God wee will delight in him to heare him often for our instruction and confirmation of our faith and to seeke him by our prayers for he is ready to bee found of all them that are true of heart who shall heere behold his beautie and hereafter enioy his glorie A Prayer vnto God that he will prepare our hearts to the visiting of his holy Temple to heare his Word to pray vnto him and to prayse him GRant O most gracious Lord God according to the riches of thy grace that I may bee strengthened by thy Spirit in the inner man that Christ may dwell in my heart by faith and so my whole spirit soule and bodie may bee kept blamelesse to the comming of the Lord Iesus for thou Lord knowest what I am by nature a man vnworthy to take thine holy Name into my mouth or to come into thy presence being inclynable to no good dutie but apt to euery vanity I come therefore vnto thee heauenly Father in the Name of Iesus Christ thy Sonne in whom thou hast promised to receiue them that sincerely seeke thee heare the voyce of my petitions O Lord when I crie vnto thee and when I lift vp my hands towards the mercies seat of thy holy Temple reiect me not vnto thee O Lord I lift vp my soule crauing pardon for my sinnes and that thou wilt admit me into the holy societie of thy Saints and that I may delight to dwell in thy holy Temple vnder the shadow of thy protecting wings for euer Let my heart bee euer vpright in thy Statutes and faithfull euer before thee for thou hast pleasure in righteousnesse and hee is blessed in whose heart are thy wayes knit my heart vnto thee that I may feare thy Name giue me a holy desire to seeke thee and to walke euer vprightly as in thy presence Indue me with thy Spirituall knowledge leade me by thy right hand to thine holy Temple shew mee thy glorie and thy beauty that I may be comforted through thy presence Open mine eares that I may heare thee and thy Word by thy holy Ministrie and prepare my heart to receiue knowledge and vnderstanding and open my mouth and fill it with thy prayses and let my prayers in thy Sons Name bee acceptable vnto thee Shew me thy way and giue mee vnderstanding that I may learn thy Commandements and walke in them My hearts desire Lord is to dwell with thee to haue the full free fruition of thine house and the place where thine honour dwelleth that I may serue thee with a pure affection and giue thee prayse in the congregation of thy Saints Turne thy face vnto me O Lord that I may see the beautie of thy countenance and bee changed into the same Image by thy Spirit and in the same Spirit bee admitted to visite thine holy Temple with faith and assurance of thy presence wherein I know is libertie and life protection and plentie of all good things Make my heart stable vnblameable before thee in holinesse that I may serue thee with a sincere and pure conscience and vndefiled that I may not come into thine house only to bee seene and to seeme seruiceable or dutifull vnto thee but may inwardly hunger thirst for thy Word the food of my soule the bread of life and imprint the same so effectually in my soule that it may prooue fruitfull in â—ee and that I may shâ—w it in my 〈◊〉 holy conuersation to thy Glorie that being filled with the comforts proceeding from the beautie of thy countenance I may euer posâ—sesse my soule in that peace which passeth all vnderstanding euer-more reuerencing thy glorious Maiâ—stie that euer-more filleâ—h both the heauens and the earth fill my heart O Lord with thy Spirit that I may draw neere vnto thee and to thy Holy place my strong Rocke to thee will I alwayes resort Make mee to heare ioy and gladnesse and that I may more abound in hope and be strengthened to euery good work through the power of the holy Ghost by Iesus Christ my Lord and onely Sauiour Lord increase my faith The Conclusion A Prayer for true happinesse which shall bee consummate onely in heauen O Lord what am I the son of dust and ashes that I should presume to come into thy presence to seeke and desire felicity and happinesse here in this wildernesse of so many vanities miseries and troubles as are among the children of men As for me Lord thou knowest wherof I am made thou remembrest that I am but dust what happinesse therfore Lord can I look to obtaine here where sinne dwelleth in my mortall body
and by sinne I offend and displease thee and in thy displeasure is death O preuent me Lord therfore from sinfull feeding my foolish mind with false felicitie as to repose my happinesse in the things of this life in health riches honour beautie carnall friends worldly wisdome pleasures delights ease which are not worthy in respect of true happinesse in deed to bee the least esteemed Giue me therefore here O Lord euen in this life an entrance into true happinesse send foorth thy Spirit and breath life into my dead soule transforme me into thine own image from glory to glory by thy Spirit withdraw me from delight in the vanities of this life for as long as I delight in the pleasing things of this world I am farre from happinesse and it lies not in my power to restrain my heart from that which naturally I affect I cannot subdue the corruption of mine owne nature but that which is impossible to mee is possible with thee declare therefore thy great power in mercy vpon me I am by nature wretched miserable and poore and naked a most vnhappy man yet such is my blindnesse that I see it not I feele not mine owne vnhappinesse Lord remooue that darknesse from me and graunt that seeing I may see mine owne errour and in hearing I may vnderstand and take the right way to felicitie work faith in my heart that I may taste how gracious thou art in working in me a new heart a new mind and new affections holy and heauenly the beginning here of happinesse to come Make mee to feele the peace of a good conscience let my faith be seen through obedience vnto thee let me feele in my soule through faith the merits of thy Son working the assurance of the remission of my sinnes and assured hope of the enioying of my finall felicity and endlesse happinesse in heauen None are truly happy or blessed but such as thou dost chuse cause to come vnto thee for none can come vnto thee but whom thou callest and they onely are iustified whom thou iustifiest them wilt thou glorifie and whom thou glorifiest are and none else truly happy Carry me therefore gracious Lord carry me by the wings of thy mercy and by the strength of thy fauour in Christ my Sauiour into that heauenly Canaan the inheritance of them that are in Christ Iesus elected to saluation Let me euen here in this base outward forme of an vnhappy man behold thee through faith in thy word let mee behold thy face in righteousnesse for in the liuely beholding of thee is the fulnes of ioy and highest happinesse in this life O that the time would therefore speedily come wherein I being dissolued may see thee my Sauiour face to face when this my mortall body shall be quickened and made like vnto thy glorious body for I know thou wilt keepe vnto the end that which I haue committed vnto thee both my soule and body to bee glorified and made happie though I yet see not what I shall be and therfore when thou wilt I will willingly lay down my life and commit my soule vnto thee my God through Iesus Christ as vnto my most faithfull Creator and louing Redeemer to whom with the holy Ghost bee all glory for euer Amen The consummation and full perfection of our happinesse shall be When wee shall bee made partakers of the diuine Nature 2. Pet. â— v. 4. When Christ shall tranâ—forme our base bodies that they may bee like the glorious body of Christ Phil. 3. v. 21. When she shall perfectly enioy those things which eye hath not seen nor the eare heard nor euer entred into the heart of man to coâ—ceiue which God hath prepared for them that loue him 1. Cor. 2 11.9 Who then or what shall seperate vs from the loue of Christ in and by whom wee haue firme hope to attaine vnto this so great happinesse neither tribulation nor anguish nor persecution nor famine nor nakednesse nor perill nor the sword Romanes 8. verse 35. Which God for his Christes sake graunt to whome with the Holy Ghost be ascribed all glory for euer Amen The principall things contained in this Booke A Meditation or Consultation what are the best things that men in this life should principally ayme at to attaine vnto highest happinesse c. Fol. 1. A motiue to Prayer against the temptations of Sathan c. 18 A Prayer for Gods holy assistance against Sathan 23. A Meditation to stirre vs vp when wee are vnapt to pray 29. A Prayer to God for the helpe of his holy Spirit and other blessings spirituall and corporall c. 35. A motiue to begin the day with Prayer 54. A Prayer fit to bee vsed euery morning 57. A motiue to Prayer before a man 〈…〉 65. A Prayer for a man before hee goes to hiâ—â—â—ghtly rest 70. A most comfortable incouragement to all poore and distressed men to vndergoe whatsoeuer trouble with patience c. and may serue as a motiue to some prayers that follow viz. 77. A generall Prayer in whatsoeuer troubles and affections with a confâ—ssion that sinne is the cause of them 103 A Prayer for a man hindred by 〈…〉 kind of 〈…〉 lawfull takings c. 114 A consideration or consultation touching the estates and conditions of seuerall men c. necessary for all men that hope of any blessing vpon their labors Trauels Professions Artes Trades or Jmployments 124 A Prayer that God will blesse and prosper our labours and endeauors in whatsoeuer calling 139 A Prayer for a man whose Calling requireth Journeyes by land or sea 149 A motiue to a Prayer for patience in godly Parents that are affâ—icted in minde for the disobedience and vngodly liues of their children c. 150 A Prayer for the reformation of vngodly and disobedient children and for patience in Parents c. 166 A Christian incouragement to all that feare God act to bee 〈◊〉 at the threats 〈◊〉 and policies of whatsoeuer enemies c. To which is added a Prayer for Gods holy protection and defence of his in whatsoeuer danger 173 A Prayer to God that hee will defend vs from our strongest enemies with Thankesgiuing to God for our former deliuerances 189 A necessary motiue to stirre vs vp to a holy desire to resort to the Temple of God to pray vnto him with the Congregation and to heare his VVord c. 198 A Prayer to God that hee will prepare our hearts to the visiting of his holy Temple to heare his Word to pray vnto him and to praise him 219 A Prayer for true happinesse which shall be consummate only in heauen 226 FINIS
infernall spirit that falsely pretendeth dominion in the earth and in the ayre and how he enuieth and opposeth as much as in him is euery good dutie and seruice which thy dearest children owe and endeauour to performe vnto thee and aboue all other duties tending to thine owne glory and mans saluation he seeketh to hinder none with more bitter violence with greater enuy more wicked and subtill wiles then this of diuine prayer and endeauoreth to draw thine owne dearest children into manifold sinnes But Lord as thou hast commaunded vs to call vpon thine holy Name to pray vnto thee for faith repentance obedience and other graces and blessings So according to thine holy ordinance I fall downe prostrate vpon the knees of mine vnfayned heart praying thee to prepare mee to this holy dutie thou sayest Open thy mouth and I will fill it O Lord open thou my mouth and fill it with heauenly words furnish and fill my heart with a strong powerful and liuely faith constant and firme obedience that without wauering and straying thoughts I may at this time make my prayers supplications vnto thee through thy Spirit And thou O inuincible Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah stand vp for me against my most mortall and most malicious enemy satan who among his own is strong and powerfull but where thou my Captaine Christ Iesus appearest he is weake he cannot enter the house where thou dwellest O fortifie therfore O Lord and barre vp the doore of my soule that hee enter not nor preuaile against it with the fire of his tentations Lord thou knowest hee is enemie to thee how much more vnto mee Hee tempted thee but preuayled not but his tentations flesh and blood cannot withstand Therefore arme thou me against him with heauenly weapons and hee shall neither stoppe nor hinder mine intended prayers as he desireth and laboureth to doe Let my spirit O Lord bee strongly assisted by thy Spirit and my prayers shall be faithfull my heart shall entertaine no wandering wauering vnholy or prophane thoughts euill cogitations or wicked motions though I bee an vnholy lumpe of my selfe by nature prompt and more ready to thinke or doe euill then good yet by thy Grace Satan shall slie sinne shall die and thy Spirit shall be liuely in mee and my prayers powerfull and effectuall to thee in my mediator Christ Iesus O let thy heauenly helpe Lord in Iesus Christ descend into all the powers and parts of my soule and body that in speaking vnto thee I may feele the worke and operation of thy Grace so sufficient in my heart that I may obtaine a victorious conquest ouer satan sinne and mine owne corruptions and bee assured through Christ Iesus my Sauiour to bee either freed from his preuayling tentations or to bee able to resist them that all my prayers at all times may bee such as thou maist Fatherly accept them in thy beloued Sonnes mediation for mee howsoeuer weake and imperfect they bee in respect of my selfe who am full of imperfections which I humbly pray thee to grant for his sake who hath conquered him that couets my finall destruction Amen Lord euermore strengthen and increase my faith in Iesus Christ. A meditation or motiue when wee are dull to pray a most necessary preparatiue to prayer AS it is my griefe O Lord to consider the hardnesse of my heart my faintnesse and dulnesse to pray So can I not but comfort my selfe in the consideration of thy great mercie towards mee in often remouing my dulnesse and in steed thereof to giue mee thy holy Spirit and by him power effectually to call vpon thy holy Name which effectuall fauour of thine I haue oftentimes found and felt when I haue had an inward motion tending to a desire to pray and yet no power or ablenesse to open my mouth or aptnesse to mooue my tongue which hath caused mee many times to thinke that thou my God hast beene angry with me and in that thou hast with-holden thy Grace so long that thou hadst forsaken me So that I haue beeâ—e infoâ—ced oftentimes to keepe silence when I would haue prayed and to close my lippes when I would haue spoken Thus good Father haue I beene many times as I am presently troubled and inwardly greeued euen in my soule at the hardnesse of my heart and dulnesse of my spirit And yet at length I haue felt as it were the fire of feruent zeale so inflaming my heart as I haue suddenly spoken with my tongue I haue prayed vnto thee and thou hast heard me This holy and heauenly worke of diuine Prayer I finde to bee farre from mine or the best mans owne power it is the onely worke of thine owne spirit which I haue many times formerly discerned for when I haue beene most dull and most vnapt to pray thou euen then euen in my silent musing and meditation hast enabled mee to breake forth into words through faith which haue pierced the very heauen of heauens euen vnto the Throne of thy great Maiesty where Christ my mediator stands at thy right hand presenting in my behalfe my weake Petitions euen in his owne name and obtayneth mine humble desires according to thine owne will which worketh betâ—er things for mee then I can wish or will I am not therefore discouraged good Father thogh I seeme dull in spirit and as it were cleane destitute of faith for I know thy guifts are without repentance and though I feele not this heauenly worke of thy holy Spirit at all times a like in mee yet doe I assure me hee is in mee and will worke againe the same heauenly effects for where thy blessed Spirit hath once taken habitation and once sanctified the soule that soule is so effectually possessed by that â—pirit and that Spirit so possesseth that soule that he may be assured neuer to bee absolutely dispossest of the same howsoeuer hee may for a time seeme absent It is but to mooue mee to seeke him finding the want of him to long for him Though therefore deare Father my heart bee hard by nature and my spirit dâ—ll to euery holy and heauenly dutie so that I cannot outwardly vtter what I inwardly concâ—iue and desire with such earnestnesse and feruencie of spirit as I would but weakly and coldly yet doe I assure my selfe that thou considerest mine inward desires and hearest my most secret sighes as plainely as if I cryed vocally and aloud vnto thee I cannot therefore but confideÌ„tly assure my selfe that according to thy promise thou wilt heare and consider that I hunger and thirst for thy Grace that my dulnesse being remooued I may conceiue in my heart and frame with my lippes mine humble Petitions which thou hast promised to heare especially such as thine owne Spirit composeth in mee Deny not therefore good Father thy holy Spirit to me that faithfully craue him onely to be enabled effectually to pray vnto thee for thou hearest not the best man nor the best maâ—s best prayers for his
or his prayers sake but for thy best beloued Soâ—nes sake and such onely prayers as proceed from thine owne Spirit Fulfill therefore good Father all my godly desires through Christ Iesus Amen Let vs pray that wee may pray A Prayer to God for the helpe of his holy Spirit and other blessings Spirituall and Corporall comprehending the most needfull blessings fit at all times for all men to bee desired GRacious Lord God and most louing in Iesus Christ thou hast of thine owne free fauour willed all men in all their troubles dangers and wants of Spirituall and corporall things to come vnto thee to aske in the Name of thy Sonne and they shall receiue whatsoeuer they faithfully pray for to seeke helpe of thee and they shall finde it in due and conuenient time to knocke and they shall be admitted into thy holy presence But good Father as thou hast thus commanded me worke in me power truely to performe what thou commandest to pray I am of my selfe dull to seeke I am by nature blinde to knock I am weake and therefore thou seemest to command things to mee impossible to be effectually performed say therefore vnto mee and performe it namely that thy Spirit may bee a sufficient helpe vnto me Thou well knowest mine insufficiencie Lord for I cannot of my selfe thinke a good thought how then can I of my selfe pray and obtaine seeke and finde what I want or knock and bee heard This sacred vertue none by nature hath it is of thine owne free Grace and they onely to whom thou vouchsafest thine owne Spirit to helpe their weakenesse such in deed can faithfully aske such can dilligently seeke and constantly knock they onely obtaine what they aske they finde what they seeke and they are heard and admitted into thy presence when they knock Oh! admit me Lord into the number of them to whom thou hast vouchsafed this blessed priuiledge for they belong onely to the truely faithfull to such as thou hast chosen of thine owne purpose whom thou hast made fit to aske apt to seeke and constant to knock Apt I am to aske many things because I want manie and I know thou art able and willing to grant euery good thing But I am ignorant so to aske as I may obtaine for I know not what to aske as I ought and therefore though I often aske I receiue not because I aske amisse tending my prayers rather to the obtayning of carnall then Spirituall and heauenly riches and finde them not because thou seest the granting of them rather hurtfull then profitable vnto me Send therefore deare Father send downe thine holy Spirit who onely knoweth how and for what to pray though I bee ignorant of hee knoweth thy will though I bee weake he is powerfull and though I be corrupt He is holy as thou art holy â—ee onely knoweth my wants and how they may bee supplied Therfore none but he Lord can make my Petitions effectuall none but he can speake for me with me and in me Good Father denie him not vnto me leaue mee not destitute of his helpe When he commeth he shall teach mee all things fit for mee to learne hee will prompt and tell mee what is fit for me to aske he will prepare my heart hee will rectifie mine affections he will abandon my darkenesse deadnesse and dulnesse he will vntie my faultring tongue and open my closed lippes hee will inlarge my knowledge and increase my faith If I pray without the helpe of this thy blessed Spirit I doe but vtter a bare voyce O Lord which cannot come into thy presence nor returne any comfort to mine owne soule but speaking in and by him I shall assuredly bee heard for when I pray sinceerely and effectually in deed it proceedeth not from mee but from thine owne Spirit that speaketh in mee and beareth the greatest burden of my prayers though the words passe thorow my lippes they are not mine but his Holy Father euer louing louing in Iesus Christ inkindle mine inward godly desires through the heauenly heate of that Sacred fire touch my tongue with that celestiall cole from thine Alter then shall my heart be prepared then shall my lippes be opened then shall I speake with my tongue according to the meaning of thine owne Spirit then shall mine vnderstanding be inlarged then shall I appâ—ehend thy mercie and fully enioy thy fauour in Christ my Redeemer then shall I finde and feele in my heart an assured testimony that my prayers are come vp into thy presence then shall my guilty conscience burdened with sinne be eased and all my wants spirituall and corporall outward and inward bee fully and timely supplied and all my feare bee remooued and all things howsoeuer seeming contrary shall worke together yea together to my perpetuall peace and comfort in thee Then shall I receiue in this corrupt and weake vessell of dust the Image of my Redeemer bring forth the fruits of his Kingdome and euen here feele and be assured to bee sealed vp in the number of thine Elect Saints and enioy the glorie of that future Kingdome in full which heere I partake and know but in part according to that measure of knowledge which it hath pleased thee through thy holy Spirit to reueale vnto mee in this mortality where yet I finde the merits of my Redeemer preuayling to the washing away of my sinnes I heare his voyce and heere desire to follow him and to obey thee in him submitting my selfe to vndergoe whatsoeuer crosse for his sake as hee endured the death of the Crosse for mine euermore looking for longing to be dissolued freed from this worlds vanities and to bee partaker of the glory which by his death hee hath purchased for all that in faith and holy desire Looke for his second comming for which all that are guided by that thy Sacred Spirit inwardly and dayly cry Come Lord Iesus come quickly and end these dayes of sinne In the meane time thou knowest louing Father that I am inforced to bee combred about manie things of faâ—re inferiour condition following the things of my worldly calling which much hinder mee in the performance of better things and which often hinder the liuely working of thy holy Spirit in me I am much and often oppressed with the strength of mine owne inherent corruption often assayled by that my deadly enemie Satan who seeketh by all meanes to stop the course of thy Spirit in mee But thy Grace is sufficient to preuent him for me Thou knowest also deare Father that I am much and often afflicted heere and stand subiect to many and seuerall tryals as to Sicknesse of the body danger of the decay and losse of my Limbes and the vertue and vse of my Senses vnto Pouertie Enimies and Persecution for the constant profession of thy sincere Religion vnder the burden and feare of these ineuitable miseries I should faint but that I know thee and whome thou hast sent Iesus Christ and haue the assistance
of thy blessed Spirit testifying vnto my spirit that thou art the whole and sole disposer of all these and that all things worke together for the comfort of all that loue thee knowing and being assured of thy presence and prouidence I will not feare whatsoeuer befall mee for all troubles crosses and miseries I finde to bee but holesome medecines tempered and gently prepared by thine owne hand for the cure and preseruation of my sicke and sinnefull soule from eternall death I humbly therfore deare Father pray thee so to moderate my troubles and afflictions as by the helpe and aide of thy holy Spirit I may with patience and an heauenly kinde of alacrity vndergoe them And according to thy good pleasure continue the health of my body the vse of my senses limbs peace with thee my God and with all men as becommeth mee still guided by thy Spirit that I abuse none of thy blessings through 〈◊〉 corruptions And while I liue here in this earthly pilgrimage as a stranger vouchsafe me with thy heauenly Spirit to giue mee a competent portion to sustaine me and those whom thou hast coÌ„mitted vnto my charge both in spirituall and corporall sustinance Let not too heauie tentations ouer-presse me let too much want and too heauy crosses ouer-afflict me but lay vpon mee what thou wilt and neuer take from me thy holy spirit so shal I be able to beare what soeuer thou thinkest fit to be laid vpon me for by the strength of thy preuayling spirit I shall vndergo what thou in loue as indeed it is shalt lay vpon me By promise thou carest for me and hast willed mee to cast my care vpon thee which I haue done euer since it pleased thee to reueale thy selfe vnto mee in thy beloued Son and thou hast not deceiued me for I haue euer found thee true in performing whatsoeuer thou hast promised euen in sending that Comforter who hath euer assisted mee in reuealing thy Son in whoÌ„ thy continual fauour I haue euer found most certaine secret sweet so enabling me to speake vnto thee as when I haue offended thee by my sinnes I haue felt the pardon of them in my conscience by the blood of that Lambe testified vnto mee by thy blessing and sanctifying Spirit When I haue been sicke thou hast healed me I haue been in mortall danger and thou hast preserued me I haue had enemies and thou hast defended mee and often haue I been in distresse and want and thou hast without my desire or desert plentifully releeued mee yea Lord thou hast giuen when and what I haue not asked thou camest and soughtest mee first Lord I sought not thee thou aboue all shewedst thy selfe most louing vnto me in sending me thy heauenly spirit without whose ayd I could neither aske nor receiue I could neither seeke nor find comfort neither could I knock or deserue to enter into thy fauour By his presence I haue felt the fulnes of ioy and gladnesse And therefore as thou hast graciously begun Lord so continue thy grace in mee and thy loue towards me alwayes in all places among al men in all my labours iournies and lawfull and godly endeauors for thou hast commaunded mee while I liue â—eere not to rest idle but to bee doing that which is good Thou hast giuen mee a calling wherin without thy blessing I may labour and yet lacke I may ayme by good intent and yet erre without the gracious direction of thy Spirit I am ignorant of and dull to performe that which may bee either well pleasing vnto thee or truly profitable to my self But by the blessing of thy holy spirit I shall please thee in Christ who pleaseth thee for mee and then whatsoeuer I thinke speak or doe shall prosper and yeeld mee supply in all my wants both spirituall and corporal and that from day to day which by thine owne promise shall be sufficient for the day O holy and heauenly Father hold me euer in thine â—bedience shelter me vnder â—he shaddow of thy protecting wings stop the whole course of sinne in mee and continue thine holy spirit euermore in me that he being my guide in all mine actions I may finish the course of this my pilgrimage in all sinceritie sanctitie and safetie and in the end obtain the glory which thy Sonne my Sauiour hath purchased for mee by the shedding of his blood vpon the Crosse and that euermore while I liue I may hunger and thirst for righteousnesse vntill I become a perfect man in Christ Iesus that leauing this mortall life I may ioyfully enter into that euerlasting rest Amen Amen in Christ my hope my strength and my assured and faithfull Redeemer Lord euermore increase and confirme my faith and continue that holy spirit in mee A motiue to begin the day with Prayer IT is a dutie not so much required by God for his owne sake of vs as necessary and profitable for our selues to begin the morning with Thanksgiuing and Prayer The first God requireth of vs as due vnto him for preseruing vs and giuing vs rest and sleepe and safetie the night past The second namely Prayer most necessary for our selues for without the helpe fauour power protection and prouidence of God wee can expect no comfort or safetie or good successe the day following wherein doe lye hidden many dangers of our bodies many bayts allurements and tentations of Sathan the world and our owne corruption for our soules much weaknesse and ignorance in our selues to performe the works of our owne callings besides ill successe in our labours without his blessing And shall we think that God will giue a blessing to our labours safetie to our persons or defence from these spirituall enemies vnlesse we recommend our selues to him in the name of his sonne No no we may not flatter our selues that because we are lustie and strong our senses good our wit and vnderstanding quick we may goe from bed to businesse and walke in our owne wayes vntill the euening either forgetting or neglecting God who with-holding his help and hand infinite are the dangers wee are subiect vnto both spirituall and corporall Therefore looke vp powre out thy pâ—ayers as a sweet morning sacrifice to God in the name of Christ and then goe on thy lawfull occasions and prosper And for want of thine own abilitie to discouer thine owne necessities and to craue Gods blessings and to declare thy thankefulnesse vse the helpe of the labours of such as haue framed prayer for this holy purpose Or this howsoeuer weake prayer following wherein thou mayst finde comfort and so with inward ioy thou maist from day to day the more cheerefully follow thy vocation A Prayer fit to be vsed euery morning O My God my God and my most louing Father in thy best beloued Christ Iesus I yeeld thee vnfained thankes for thy wonderfull mercies and vndeserued fauors vouchsafed vnto mee all my life and especially for electing creating and redeeming mee and for all
in some vaine obiect or other in my silent and solitary trauailes and iourneys laying before the eyes of my corrupt minde infinite bayts to allure mee to sin against thee that so I may offend thee that by offending thee thou in thy displeasure mayest inflict some crosse or hinderance vnto my trauels and so to preuent the good successe of mine endeauors But grant good Father in Iesus Christ that neither sin Sathan nor mine owne corrupt desires hinder thy blessings vpon my trauels but that I may constantly continue in thine obedience and thy loue towards mee not onely in these my trauailes but vnto my liues end Amen Lord increase my faith and prosper my Iourney A motiue to a Prayer for patience in godly Parents that are afflicted in minde for the disobedience and vngodly liues of their children whom if good counsell cannot reforme prayer is to bee made to God for them if that will not preuaile to leaue them to God and the Lawes IT is not the least crosse that can befall godly and religious parents to see and obserue their owne flesh blood their owne dearest children to bee disobedient rebellious and by their lewd liues to become scandalous in themselues and a shame and slander vnto their parents and friends A griefe it is of all griefes especially vnto such parents as haue had not onely a fatherly but a religious care of their holy education And their griefe cannot but bee so much the more by how much the world condemnes the parents censuring them euill by obseruing the vngodly liues of their children A great temptation to a carefull father that hath done his vttermost godly endeauor to educate his children in the feare of God wherin the wise indifferent and impartiall obseruer cannot but spare his condemnation finding this corrupt world so fraught with multitudes of wicked youth whose examples abroad doe worke more euill in children then the wisest and most godly father can worke good in them at home by their best counsell It is no maruel then that a good man may haue euill children who though hee propagate their bodies cannot infuse grace and goodnes into their hearts he can not frame their inclinations to vertue further theâ— God by his diuine Spirit doth second his good endeauors The Husbandman may soyle his land with the best Marle he may be carefull in plowing circumspect in sowing painefull in harrowing as much as in him lieth preuent the vermin that might deuoure the seed sowen Yet it is not his labour diligence or best skil that can forme the blade nor infuse the graine in the eare A good and godly father may infuse his best couÌ„sell into the eares of a refractory sonne and harrowe him with sharp threats to preuent venemous vices that deuoure best counsell But hee cannot imprint grace in his heart nor work the practise of godlinesse in him he cannot driue away Sathan and his wicked instruments from deuouring the good seed sowne in his sonne Euill examples and wicked counsell preuaile more with corrupt flesh then most diuine perswasions or disswasions It is a vaine thing to sowe good corne vpon a stony rocke it will take no root so to giue best counsell to a stubburne and an obdurate heart can not fructifie yet must not parents therfore giue ouer but againe and againe early and late endeauor to encourage his children in veâ—tue and goodnesse and to reclaime them from sin according to the counsell of the Preacher in Ecclesiastes Jn the morning sow thy seed and in the euening let not thine hand rest for thou knowest not whether shall prosper this or that or whether both shall bee a like good So should parents bee alike instant at all times to instruct their children with holy counsell for they know not whether God haue appointed this or that time or this or that aduice to conuert them from euill to good for as one drop often falling descends at last to moisten the root of the tree So time and timely counsell may mollifie the hardest heart and reforme the peruersest mind for as the wind bloweth when and where it listeth and no man knoweth from whence it commeth so may the Spirit of God come into the heart when man thinketh least of it therfore ought parents to pray earnestly and often for godly liues of their Children in whom then if God haue any share it will in time preuaile The reason why the world is so ful of loose lasciuious vnbrideled youth is much in the euill examples of Parents the want of the feare neglect of the seruice of God for the example of a father may something alter the nature of a son in good or euill For there is a kinde of ineuitable imitation in the son of the fathers qualities If they be good nature rebelleth against them in the son because it is corrupt if they be euill nature it selfe teacheth the son without further documeÌ„t how to resemble the father in euill And nothing can help the one or bridle the other but grace which cannot be obtayned but by prayer Another maine cause of Childrens lewdnesse is too much lenitie in Parents and too much libertie in Children wherein idle doting and foolish mothers are commonly most guilty who because they haue giuen their Children suck of their breasts when thâ—y were young they giue them leaue when they become able to sinne to suck their puâ—ses to feede them fat in vices in haunting Tauernes idle and vngodly companies drinking gaming and which is not the least pampering them in pride the beginning of their fall wherein many silly fathers are as guilty in winking at the mothers folly or not hauing the wit or spirit to redresse it vntill their children become so farre plunged in impieties as when they would they cannot not reclaime them and so in fine are inforced to see them to their vnspeakeable griefe come either to publike shame and obloquie or to vntimely and fearefull ends which may befall the vngodly Children of most godly Parents What then Shall the Parents beare the shame of their Children that kick against all good counsell and will obstinately run to their owne ruine No. But if Parents be totally remisse in wholesome counsell erre in their example in the eye of their Children no maruell if they taste of the shame and griefe of and for their Children But least good men men fearing God hauing vngodly Children to whom they haue done their best duties in their youth to teach them the way of godlinesse and they depart from it should be too much deiected and cast downe through griefe conceiued for the wickednesse of their Children let them consider that as they cannot make one haire black that is white no more can they make him good that is euill neither can they keepe them in awe that are wilfully rebellious nor preuent them of confusion that voluntarily seeke it Foolishly vnaduised then are they that will taxe a good Father