Mr. EDWARD DERING HIS Godly priuate Prayers for Christian Families Whereunto is annexed his briefe and necessary Catechisme for Housholders Marke 11.24 Whatsoeuer you desire when you pray beleeue thâ—t ye shall haue it and it shall be giuen vnto you â—om 10.13 Whosoeuâ—r shall call vpon the Name of the Lord shall be saued LONDON Printed by Isaac Iaggard 1624. A PREFACE describing the Glorious estate of the Saints on earth and the true Nature and Right vse of Prayer To the excellent that are on earth all things pertaining to life and glory through the spirit of Grace and Supplication Beloued in the Lord Iesus AS the loue of God hath heerein exceedingly abounded vnto vs that we are called the Sons of God so there is not a more pregnant Embleme of our Adoption to be his Children then that wee cry Abba Father nor a more liuely pledge of our loue vnto God then that we doe cast our selues into the armes of his mercy by faithfull prayer Oh how much better is it to bee a doore-keeper in the House of God then to sit on the Throne with Princes How exceeding were the riches of Gods mercie towards vs that spared not his onely Sonne vnto death to restore vs from death to life That the Lord of Glory became a Seruant vnto all that hee might redeeme vs from the bondage of sinne into tbe glorious liberty of the Sonnes of God That life it selfe became death that hee might deliuer vs from death vnto life That he that knew no sinne but was perfect holinesse it selfe yet became sinne for our sakes that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him Surely if Dauid thought it an high aduancement to bee the sonne in law to an earthly wicked King How much more glorious is our aduancement that we are become the adopted sons of the Almighty and Holyest God who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords And if the Queene of Saba counted the seruants of Salomon happie because they enioyed his presence and were partakers of the worldly and fading Comforts as abounded in his Court Oh how much more happie is the condition of the Saints of God that do not only enioy the gracious presence of God with open face in whose fauour is Eternall life but are thereby translated into the same image froÌ„ glory to glory as by the Spirit of GOD that so they may bee made meete partakers of that glorious inheritance with the Saints in light euen that light which is immortall and vndefiled which fadeth not If to be rich in faith good workes be the true and dureable treasure which fayleth not If the ioy of the Spirit be that which none can take away from vs If all earthly honor be as dung in comparison of that inward glory wherewith the Kinges daughter is adorned If theyr safety be impregnable which haue a wall of fire to beguirt them therein walking most secure that haue the Lord of Hosts to protect guide them then happy surely and thrice happy is the condition of Gods Children who haue God to bee their Portion and may enioy durable riches pure and euerlasting Comfort honor that neuer fadeth and security without securitie For as our security in God makes vs watchful ouer our owne waies and iealous of our owne inability so heereby are we daily cast vpon the riches of Christ and from him encrease and grow in grace And as we grow in grace so do we attaine to and prosper more and more in peace of conscience and thereby abound with ioy in the holy Ghost And the more we are filled with ioy and peace in beleeuing the more do we glorify our God in cheerfull obedience and so as members are more intirely interessed in the glorie of our head approaching heereby neerer to the life of Glory the more wee triumph ouer all our oppositions and are more throughly abased and excluded of all glorying in our selues that so dooing all things to the glory of our God we may be aduanced by him in abasing our selâ—es and weaned from all carnall fading glorie that we may bee fitted for the glory of the life to come And what can now hinder vs heerefrom whereto all things shall further No trouble can do it seeing it prepares thereto No not sinne shall hinder because it is not imputed but rather auailes to the imputation of righteousnesse that so the sting of sinne may be remoued It is not life can doe it because we are dead vnto sinne neither shall death auaile hereunto seeing we are aliue vnto GOD. Much lesse may Angels hinder because they are ministring spirits for our good to keepe vs in all our waies Nor Principalities can preuaile because the Kingdomes are the Lords and so ouerseers to the Saints It is not powers shall hinder seeing all power is giuen to our Head and so in him we are able to doe all things Neither things present should ought auaile hereto because we liue by Faith not by sight and so can lay vp a good Foundation by them agâ—inst the life to come Neither shall things to come hinder vs which are alreadie ours by Faith whereby wee apprehend them though yet we enioy them not and so in patience wait for them and so by continuance in wel-doing make ready for theÌ„ And how shal height hinder vs who haue the Highest to bee our hope whom lowlinesse aduanceth and highnesse abaseth Can depth preuent vs vvhen our Head is aboue water nay aboue the highest Heauens whether he will draw vs vp all after him out of the deepest snares No no it is not hell can hinder vs seeing it is destroyed nor Satan shall preuaile for seeing we haue the shield of Faith to resist him hee will flye from vs Behold the wonderfull and glorious priuiledges of the sons of God! And by this wee know that we haue this glorious vnion and fellowship with God euen by his Spirit that hee hath giuen vs. And hereby we know effectually that the Spirit dwelleth in vs euen by this blessed libertie and boldnes in pressing to the throne of Grace crying Abba Father with all Son-like importunity and challenging his promise in Christ Iesus Thus by the Spirit wee know our Adoption and by the Spirit of Prayer we pleade the same And can we be denied when the Spirite helpes our Infirmities and knovves our Wants Shall wee not preuaile aboue whatsoeuer wee can aske or thinke seeing our Sauiour is our Aduocate to make intercession for vs who knowes what is best for vs who heares before we aske and askes that we may be heard Behold here the ground and necessitie of Prayer If the Spirit be in vs we shall pray in the Spirit and if we pray in the libertie of the Spirit wee are set at liberty thereby euen the libertie of the Sonnes of GOD. Onely be we wise to try the Spirit by the Spirit that so vvee may not offer the sacrifice of Fooles 1. It is
might dayly grow vp in Christ to perfect holines therfore though corruption remaine in mee yet seeing it doth not raigne in mee here is my comfort that I am not vnder the Law but vnder Grace though I am sometimes as no better then lost in my selfe yet this is that I may still deny mine owne righteousnesse that I may be found of thee in Christ for the concerning of present corruption for the auesting of my person in him to bee enabled thereby to perfect holinesse Onely gracious God grant mee heere I pray thee still to iustifie thy wisedome in condemning mine owne folly and to aduance thy free and constant grace in the acknowledging of mine owne corruptions True it is holie Father that as thou madest man righteous at the first but he sought many inuentions to his owne ouerthrow so didst thou so restore me againe by thy power of Christ vnto a more durable state of holinesse that neither shall I euer fall away from thee finally neither though thou hast left corruption in mee yet seeing thy end heerein was to make mee still deny my selfe that I might stand fast in Christ in whom thou hast ingrafted mee therfore neither might I haue falne at al into such feareful distraction if I had kept me close vnto my hold neither though I haue fallen by letting goe my hold yet shall not my falling make thy truth without effect nay rather shall proue a meanes to make good the same And therefore I doe heere vnfainedly acknowledge before thee blessed Lord mine owne folly in letting goe my hold thou hast not beene wanting with all meanes to preserue me vpright but I haue beene wanting to the meanes and so I haue beene wanting vnto thee and to my selfe thou hast willed mee to liue by faith euen when I haue feeling of thy loue and my inward pride hath peruerted thy gracious feeling to make mee liue by sence and behold the Sunne when it shineth and so by peruerting the comfort of thy Spirit as an occasion to the flesh I haue iustly greiued thy Spirit and so thou with drewest thy face from mee and I haue beene troubled Troubled in my soule for the losse of thy fauour troubled of the world by seeking false remedies there from troubled in my Spiâ—it by the confusion of those remedies as breeding some times hardnesse of heart and so bringing forth troubles by exposing to outward euils and hindering in the vse of spirituall remedies sometimes herevpon breeding further trouble and inward horror and anguish of spirit many times laying the axe to the very roote challenging the maine And yet in all this farre lesse then I haue deserued that so I might haue hope in thy free grace for my recouerie And in all this aduancing thy righteousnesse in abasing my folly that so I might still renounce mine owne righteousnesse and labour to bee found in Christ for my recouery and perfection Onely keepe me here holy Father from presumptuous sinne that it may not haue dominion ouer me to turne thy grace into wantonnesse and then lead mee into thy priuy Chamber stay me with thy flaggons that I may not onely not sleepe in death but also awake and sing out of the dust and out of the deepe to admire thine infinite wisdome and to see thee who art inuisible that I may bee raised vp againe O giue me therefore most mighty Lord to condemme mine owne folly for being wise in mine owne eies in turning thy fauour as an occasion to the flesh grant mee to thanke my selfe that of the flesh I haue reaped such confusion and giue thee thankes the more thou hast sustained mee in the graue Grant me out of experience of mine owne foolishnesse to giue thee the glory of thy free goodnesse and out of the experience of thy power in my weaknesse to comfort my selfe that thou wilt returne againe And that thou maist vndoubtedly returne with speed O strengthen my weake faith I humbly pray thee with thy precious promises that thy foundation stands sure whatsoeuer my building may be thou knowest who are thine O let it comfort my fainting spirit that all things shall worke together for the best to those whome thou hast chosen that so I may wisely compare one thing with another things past with things present by those things to come that so I may liue by faith in the iudging of my present estate by looking behind and before and not be cast off my hold either by present temptations or future feares O establish me with thy precious promise that thou wilt keepe me to the end that so I may liue by faith in casting my selfe vppon thy mighty power and committing my selfe in weldoing into thine holy hands Teach mee to deny mine owne wisedome that I may trust perfectly in thy mercy and grant me in things to rely vppon the wisedome of thy word which is able to make mee wise and perfect to saluation Let thy word keepe me in all my waies that I may not decline to the right hand or to the left and let my supplications be alwaies manifest at the throne of grace that so I may be carefull for nothing O let me not in any case greiue thine holy Spirit any more but grant mee to entertaine and cherrish the motions therof by turning them into feruent prayers and conscioaÌ„ble practices seasonable to the occasion weane mee from the loue of the world that I may haue fellowship in thy loue and purge my heart from secret wickednesse that it bee not stolne away from thee keepe mee alwaies close vnto thee that I may not fall into open wickednesse and giue mee grace alwaies to remember my end that I may be still prepared against the comming of my Maister Sauiour Iesus Christ And so still accept me gracious Father as I am in him and not in my selfe as I would be in thee and not what I am in corruption as I shall be with thee not what I am in this present world enabling me still to desire aboue what I can do and to beleeue aboue what I can thinke or desire and so lead mee forward by thy power through the vally of teares that though I somtimes slippe yet I may vp againe though I stray a while yet I may thereby mend my pace follow close after the marke not looking on my selfe mine owne worth or inability but still looking vnto Iesus the Authour and finisher of my faith that so I may in him bee more then Conqueorr and so fighting still the good fight of faith I may finish my course with ioy and lay hold of eternall life in due season And so fil me O God of grace with all ioy in beleeuing that so I may liue by faith that I may bee readier to die in faith and to giue vp my soule by faith into thy holy hands apprehending by faith the Resurrection from the dead that so I may bee translated from death to life
to study to liue according to thy blessed will during our whole life Wee doe not onely pray for our selues but also for all thy whole Church especially such as bee persecuted for thy word grant vnto them that whether it be by death or life they may glorifie thy Name to their liues end Be mercifull to this Church of England Scotland Ireland we beseech thee good Lord preserue euery part and menber of the same especially thy seruant Iames our King grant him all such giftes as bee needfull for so high a calling to the aduancement of thy glorie and benefit of this Common wealth to the establishing of a perfect gouerment of thy Church according to the prescript rule of thy blessed word to the rooting out of all superstition and reliques of Antichrist to the gouerning of his subiects in all peace and tranquilitie Defend him O Lord from all conspiracies treasons rebellions and so worke in the hearts of all his subiects that knowing his authoritie doth come from thy heauenly Maiesty they may with obedient hearts humbly obey them in thee and for thee Preserue the whole Councell and the Magistrates of the Realme that being lightened through thy holy Spirit they may defend the truth suppresse wickednesse and maintaine equitie Behold all the Pastours and Preachers of thy word blesse their labours increase the number of them place ouer euery Church a painefull watchman remoue all idle lubbers and confound the power of Antichrist and turne the hearts of the people that they may be obedient to thy truth Blesse the two famous Vniuersities Cambridge and Oxford all the students of the same with all Schooles of Learening Behold all those that bee afflicted with any kind of crosse that they may profit by thy correction in newnesse of life Lastly for our selues here gathered wee humbly O Lord craue at thy handes that it would please thee to make vs thankefull vnto thy Maiestie for all thy louing kindnesse shewed vnto vs euen from our infancie especially that thou hast this present night deliuered vs from all dangers both of body and soule whereinto many haue fallen as wee in the like manner should haue done if we had not beene staied with thy mercifull hand that thou hast aâ—so granted vnto vs so sweete comfortable rest and hast now presently brought vs to the beginning of this day For these things good Lord wee yeeld thee most hearty thankes beseeching thee to make vs more more daily thankfull vnto thy Maiestie for them and pardon our vnthankfulnesse And as thou hast safely preserued vs vnto this present houre from all the dangers of this life so we beseech thee continue thy fauour towardes vs this day and the whole course of our life Defend vs O Lord that we now entring into the affaires of this day bee not drawne away with the vaine allurements of this world to sinne and wickednesse that wee walke not in the shadow of death that wee be not intangled in the snares of sinne that wee stumble not at the blockes of iniquitie that we finally fall not into the pit of death and destruction but beeing shadowed vnder thy wings we may cheerefully constantlie goe on forward to the end of our course Grant vnto vs O Lord our God that this good time which thou grantest vnto vs in this life be not idlely or vainly of vs consumed but that euery one of vs may be diligently exercised in his calling this day and all our life long being assured that thou wilt once call vs to yeeld an account of our Stewardship Indue vs we beseech thee with those gifts and graces which bee needfull for vs in our calling that with a pure heart sincere conscience wee may vse them to the benefit of our bretheren and discharge of our owne conscience before thy Maiestie We beseech thee O Lord that in all our consultations words and workes this day and the whole course of our life we may alwayes haue thee presnet before our eyes knowing that thou seest euen the very deepe thoughts of our hearts which alwaies may bee as a bridle to pull vs backe that wee neither do nor yet consent to any sinne or wickednesse but that alwaies wee may bee so exercised in the affaires of this life that wee looke still to the end of our course when it shall please thee to bring vs through the pilgrimage of this life to our euerlasting rest with thy deere Sonne Iesus Christ our Sauiour In whose Name for these mercies and whatsoeuer thou knowest to bee needfull for vs for thy whole Church wee pray vnto thee as hee himselfe hath taught vs in his holy word saying Our Father c. The Lord blesse vs saue vs the Lord make his face shine vppon vs and bee mercifull vnto vs the Lord turne his fauorable countenance towards vs grant vs his peace The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ the loue of God the Father and the most comfortable fâ—llowshippe of the holy Ghost bee with vs preserue vs this day and euermore Amen Euening Prayer for priuate Houses and Families O Gracious God and louing Father according to thy Commandement we do heere present our selues againe before thy Maiestie humbly prostrating our sinfull selues before the Throne of thy mercy acknowledging and confessing from the bottome of our hearts that wee are miserable sinners daylie breaking thy Commaundements both in thoght word and deede wherein we iustly deserue euerlasting damnation and to bee vtterly throwne from thy presence Yet O Lord wee see thy goodnesse againe towardes vs who not sâ—ffering vs thus to perish in our sinnes hast set thine owne deere Sonne Iesus Christ to take vppon him whatsoeuer is due â—o reconcile and make vs at one with thee againe In him theâ—efore good Lord and through him doe wee come vnto thee beseeching thee for his sake that wee feeling the greeuousnesse of our sins and groaning vnder the burthen of them may feele the release and ease of them in that we be through thy holie Spirit assured and stedfastly beleeue that Christ Iesus our Lord hath borne the burden of them euen for vs. Graunt O Lord that wee being assured heereof in our Consciences may thorough thy most holy and blessed Spirit be renewed in the inner man to hate detest and vtterly abhorre all sinne and that wee may studie to liue according to thy blessed will during our whole life And now O Lord God we pray not onely for our selues but likewise for all thy whole Church especiallie for such as be persecuted for the testimony of a good conscience Grant vnto them O Lord that whether it be by death or life they may glorifie thy Name to their liues end Blesse these Churches good Father wherein wee liue and therein our gracious Soueraigne and thy seruant Iames King of Great-Britaine France and Ireland Keepe him O Lord from all Conspiracies Treasons and Rebellions Preserue the Noble and hopefull Prince Charles the
seeing that I erre as a child before such a Father which canst not but off thy Fatherly pitty and compassion but rather as thou hast bought mee vnto thee to bee an heire of thy kingdome by the bloud of thy naturall Sonne my Sauiour Iesus Christ so am I sure that thou wilt lighten mee in the end with full fruition of the bright light of thy countenance that I may see thee and know that as this thy Sonne knoweth thee yea see thee and know thee my Father face to face to know thâ—e as I am knowne Thus rest I onely in thy hands O my God crauing of thee to encrease my knowledge in thy holy word whereby I may know thy good will pleasure And knowing the same giue mee O Lord thy holy Spirit to conduct and lead mee in the same all the daies of my life that in sinceritie of faith and purenes of liuing and conuersation thy glorious Maiesty bee magnified in mee for euer Giue mee grace therefore most mercifull Father that for so high a treasure left among vs as is this thy most holy word I may be thankfull reuerently embrace accept and esteeme of the same as the most precious iewell in earth bee thereâ—n confirmed more strongly that all things therein contayned to be most certaine and vndoubtedly true not by any mortall man but by thy most holy Spirit in man penned and written to the comfort and behoofe of man that I may most humbly lowly and with most high reuerence submit my selfe thereunto as becometh thy Maiestie and thy word proceeding out of thy most blessed mouth that I may reuerently with humblenesse and obedience read heare and occupie my selfe in the same to the comfort of my soule and encrease of thy glory Lighten mine vnderstanding most deere Father with thy holy Spirit that I may learne cleerely to conceiue and vnderstand the things therein contained which no mortall man can conceiue saue those who haue learned of thee whom thou by thy holy Spirit dost lighten and instruct Guide mee deerâ— Father with thy holy Spirit that hauing the true vnderstanding of the mysteries therein contained I may be fully established and confirmed in the true knowledge of thee my deere Father of thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ my Lord and Sauiour throughly in conscience perswaded that I haue my full and perfect saluation life euerlasting in him and through his attonement made through his death and passion that I doe not vainly abuse the knowledge of thy sacred word to satisfie vaine curiositie or bragge of knowledge but onely to the releeuing of my hungry and wounded conscience to the loosing of my fettered soule and the appeasing of my sorrowfull heart that I may to the end of my life walke in sincerity before thee my heauenly Father in the comforts of thy deere Sonne our Sauiour vpholden still by the mercifull power of the holy Ghost to thine euerlasting praise and glory world without end Amen A Thanks-giuing after the hearing or reading of the word of God O Eternall God and most mercifull Father I yeeld vnto thee most heartie thankes for all thy benefits bestowed vppon mee especially that it hath pleased thy heauenly goodnesse to shine into my heart through the light of thine holy Spirit in the Mysteries of thy holy word and that thou hast framed my heart and mind to take such vnspeakeable ioy and comfort in thy most blessed holy word and the embracing of my saluation therein offered vnto mee For these thine vnspeakable mercies I beseech thee O Lord make mee thankfull that I may acknowledge the great benefit thereof and esteeme of so inestimable a treasure aboue all earthly possessions or treasures And O Lord my God for so much as I wander in this present life among many and infinite dangers whereby I am euery moment in perill of sliding backe and falling from this feruent zeale of thy euerlasting truth which thou hast kindled in my brest if otherwise thou doe not stay mee by thy mercifull hand and for so much as I learne out of thy most blessed and holy word that it is not sufficient to haue begunne well vnlesse I continue to the end not sufficient to hold my hand to the plough and looke backe I craue at thy hands in the name of thy beloued Sonne my Lord and Sauiour Christ that this thy worke which thou hast begun in mee thou wilt in mercy encrease in me more and more and continue it euen to the end of my life that I doe not waxe cold secure dull or faint but continually encreasing in true zeale I may still more and more be delighted with reading hearing and meditating of thy holy word I may thereby also daily encrease in true knowledge of thy blessed will from faith to faith that I may euen from the bottome of my heart so sincerely professe thy true Religion that all hypocrisie vaine-glory and fained holinesse vtterly through thy holy Spirit rooted out of my heart I may onely hold my selfe contented that I may haue the eyes of thy Maiesty beholding my inward heart minde whereby I onely studying to be allowed before thy Maiesty may vtterly reiect all the vaine praise of men which might puffe mee vp or the scoffing iests taunts or reproches of the vngodly which might else driue me downe To this end O Lord my God that I may encrease and daily more and more be confirmed in thy mercies begun in mee I beseech thee stirre vp true sincere Preachers and Messengers who daily may stirre vp my minde and heart otherwise by nature dull to the ioyfull embracing of the glad tidings of peace Leaue mee not destitute O Lord my God of the meanes which thou hast appointed for the encrease of a liuely faith true zeale which meane is onely the Ministery of thy blessed and holy word but make mee alwaies carefull for the seeking of it and so prouide O Lord my God that I may alwaies haue it comfortably receiue it and sweetly digest it Keepe mee by thy holy Spirit O Lord that I neuer be seduced by erronious doctrine but that onely I may giue eare vnto thy voice that cleauing onely vnto thee I may in this present life which thou hast giuen mee so occupy my selfe and vse this good time which thou hast appointed that I may still looke for the comming of thy deere Sonne to receiue mee into the euerlasting rest prepared for all the elect and chosen whereby I shall for euer remaine together with my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ to whom with thee the holy Ghost be all honor and glory world without end Amen A Prayer before the receiuing of the Sacrament O Lord Iesus Christ which art the sweete comfort of all that call vpon thee and the sure succour of all such as sue vnto thee behold mee a most sinfull creature and foule offender which bowing the knees of my heart with all humilitie before thee confesse vnfainedly that I am
day of affliction wherein I called vpon the name of the Lord and hee heard mee and I found that his rod comforted me Neuerthelesse O good Lord consider and helpe two dayes of health take away the fruite of many dayes of sicknesse wee are as men Sea-sicke that comming on the shore presently returne to ioy and mirth and forget both dangers on the Sea and dangers on the Land So came it to passe from age to age in thy people of Israel being tied fast in miserie and iron they called vpon thee and receiued mercie being deliuered they soone turned backe like a bow and became drunken with prosperitie Then thy face was against them thy anger was kindled and they cast into affliction againe but in their miseries they renewed their prayers and thou diddest renew thy grace but new prosperitie brought new rebellion and new rebellion new punishments and new punishments new conuersation The house of mirth was to them and is to all a baite to wantonnesse but in the house of sorrow a prouocation of humilitie and prayer Prosperitie is as a Cup of wine mingled with poyson as a bed of securitie and a way to destruction Therefore O Lord with the fulnesse of earthly things giue mee also the fulnesse of spiâ—ituall thinges that I forget thee not in vanity of life or in the false delights of sinfull flesh O keepe my heart that it bee not made drunken with prosperity but grant mee in sobernesse to vse thy blessings to thy glory and to the releefe of my Brethren and when I reioyce not to reioyce in these base things for that reioycing is euill but to reioyce in thee turning my mirth from wanton Daunces from vaine Songs from other carnall delights to exercises of Religion to helpes of knowledge singing of Psalmes with melodie to thee in my heart Finally O Lord seeing that in this earthly prosperity there is so great abuse and so present danger for want of grace to abuse them O Lord teach mee the true vse of them that I may not set my heart thereon but in thee giuing thee thanks for them and labouring with all diligence through thy grace in Iesus Christ that they bee not through my wickednesse turned into curses As Salomon teacheth wisedome to take heede of an Harlot so teach mee to take heed of vaine pleasures in worldly matters that I be not bewitched with prosperity and forget thee bathing my selfe in pleasures and neuer setting thee before mine eyes O mercifull Father for thy deerely beloued Sonne Iesus Christ worke this in mee that I may bee rich in good workes that I may haue as not hauing that I may vse the world as not abusing it but vsing it to thy glory and praise through Iesus Christ our Lord and onely Sauiour to whom with thee and the holy Ghost three persons and one God bee all praise honor and glory both now and for euer Amen A Prayer against Whoredome and vncleannesse O God which by thy holy word hast commanded that for the auoyding of the filthy sinne of fornication eueâ—y man should haue his lawfull wife and euery woman enioy her lawfull husband threatning death and damnation to all such as seek to liue contrary to thy commandement herein I humbly beseech thee for Christs sake that thou wilt mortifie and kill in me all carnall concupiscence filthy motions and fleshly desires by the operation of thy holy Spirit in me that I neuer defile either my body or soule in this loathsome and stinking sinne of whoredome adultery fornication Incest or other vncleannesse of body whatsoeuer but liuing purely vnpolluted therewith all the dayes of my life I may practise to please thee in all my proceedings I know O Lord that flesh and blood the filthy vncleane workes of flesh and blood cannot enter into thy habitation nor yet possesse any portion in thine euerlasting kingdome of glory therefore whensoeuer the diuell his wicked members the world or the flesh shall tempt and prouoke mee to preparation hereto giue me power and strength to withstand their assaults and put into my minde to consider that thine eyes doe behold me and thine holy Angels looke vpon me also that the horrible company of diuels compasse me about ready to register my filthy fact in a booke of memoâ—ials against the great day of the Lord. And so by thy gracious assistance and thâ—se good considerations I may beâ— partly terrified and partly ashamed for euer to commit the same knowing that thou who sparedst not the former world but destroyedst Sodom and Gomorrha with fire brimstone from heauen the whole world with water the Citty of the Sichemites with the edge of the sword and the children of Israel at sundry times slaying infinite Millions of them for this horrible vice wilt not spare me a most wicked and abhominable sinner if I commit the like offence Wherefore blessed Father suffer mee not thy deere Child in Iesus Christ bought with thy most precious blood to bee once spotted stained or blemished either in body or mind with this filthy stinking sinne of whoredome fornication that I appearing cleane in thy sight may after this life ended liue with thee thy Sonne Iesus Christ and the holy Ghost one true and euer liuing God world without end Amen A Prayer against Couetousnes and ambition ALmighty God and most mercifull Father who hast commanded euery man to labour and trauaile in his vocation and calling thereby to releeue his necessities and to maintaine his estate and hast promised thereto thy blessing Blesse I beseech thee all my actions and laboures which I shall at any time take in hand in thy name and thereby I receiuing sufficent sustentation maintenance for mine estate and calling may be free from the insatiable desires of couetousnes ambition auarice and all desire of vnlawfull gaine knowing that those that desire to bee rich fall into diuers temâ—ptations and snares of the diuel From which coÌ„tagious infection I beseech thee so much more warily to keepe mee by how much more I finde the same forbidden in thy holy word The holy Apostle calleth it idolatry worshipping of Idols and the roote of all euill excluding them out of the kingdome of heauen that be infected therewith And thy deere Son Iesus Christ telleth vs that it shall be easier for the Camell to goe through the eye of a needle then for a rich man that is a couetous rich man whose affiance is in his riches to enter into the kingdome of heauen Wherefore good Father keepe me farre from this filthy vice of couetousnesse and ambition grant that I hauing food for my body and cloathes for my backe with all other necessaries incident to this life may bee well contented therewith not coueting or desiring any more and all the daies of my life in true simplicity of heart may giue thee praise for the same Finally grant that I seeking the kingdome of heauen and the righteousnesse thereof as thou hast
be greiued with whatsoeuer is displeasant in thy sight And to the intent we may haue true vnderstanding and be able to descerne betweene things what is good or euill wee beseech thee let thy word dwell in vs plentifully that it may guide our vnderstandings so that wee may abound in all knowledge and doe according to that which is righteous And in this estate of true Christianitie being instructed in mind and readie in body in all holy obedience we beseech thee make vs to grow and encrease from grace to grace from faith to faith vntill we come vnto the fulnesse of age to bee perfect members of the body of Christ waiting for the blessed hope of thine elect and sighing in spirit vntill the time that thy Children be reuealed In the meane season let vs sigh with all those that haue receiued the first fruits of thy spirit that these daies of sinne may cease that Sathan bee troden downe vnder feet that Antichrist may be reuealed yet to many thousands that bee in ignorance that the number of thine elect may be full the bodie of thy Saints made perfect all teares wiped from their eies euen then when thy Sonne shall appeare the second time to iudge the quicke and the dead which time O Lord send quickly according to thy good will and teach vs to pray with all thy Saints Come Lord Iesus come quickly Grant this O most mercifull Father for thy Sonnes sake in whose name wee pray vnto thee And although wee bee but earth and ashes yet wee are bold to say vnto thee the God of all glorie euen as hee hath taught vs. Our Father which art in heauen c. A Prayer for all estates O Lord God Father of light with whome is no change neyther yet shadow of change but hast established thine appointed counsels which shall not be changed for euer thou O God hast made among vs this diuersitie of estates and degrees according as euery Common-wealth needfully requiteth keepe vs all wee beseech thee that wee may walke obediently in our calling and follow the steps that thou hast set before vs euen from the highest to the lowest let vs accomplish that dutie vnto which thou hast appointed vs and with a faithfull remembrance of thy promise made of old to our Father Abraham that thou art his exceeding great reward wee may likewise depend on thy prouidence and seeke not any shamefull waies to get our liuing wandring from the righteousnes of our vocation into the manifold errors of sinne and iniquitie Looke vppon vs O Lord inrich vs with thy grace make vs obedient to our superiours meeke towards our enemies faithfull to our friends true and iust towards all men that wee may dwell stedfastly rooted in the hope of thine â—lect vntill thou shalt make an end of all our labour looke vppon our most excellent King and Prince with his Highnes honorable Counsell as thou hast called them to the highest roomes so giue vnto them the greatâ—st measure of grace that they faithfully dispense the Talents commited vnto them Lead them with good King Dauid into the Sanctuarie that they may see thy louing kindnes which is better then life and say with the Prophet All flesh is grasse and the glorie of man is as the flower of the field so consecreate themselues to do thy will offer vp their bodies to be holy liuing and reasonable sacrifices vnto thee that they may bee nurse-fathers vnto thy Church looke also wee beseech thee vppon the Ministers whom thou hast appointed to the preaching of thy Gospell make them O God faithfull dispencers of thy mysteries without respect of persons to do the worke vnto which thou hast appointed them that they may conuert sinners and haue their glorie perfect in the day of Christ knit vs together in peace and loue that they may bee full of compassion one towards another to reioyce with them that reioyce and mourne with them that mourne especially to instruct one another in the way of righteousnesse that by our mutuall helpe wee may the better withstand our enemie and dwell safe in hope of thine elect till our daies shall bee full and we shall walke in the waies of all the world which time we beseech thee bring vs happily vnto euen for thy Sonnes sake we beseech thee to whom with thee and the holy Ghost three persons and one God be all honor and glorie now for euer euermore Amen A Prayer to bee confirmed in the knowledge of God O Most mightie and eternall God thou that by the creatioÌ„ of the world the Sunne the Moone and Starres the Earth the Sea and all that therein is hath sufficiently declared thy selfe to be the euerlasting Almightie God for that these things doe farre passe the reach of mans wisedome And not herein onely hast thou declared thy selfe to bee a God but in that also that thou dost continually guide and gouerne all things of thee created It is thou therfore that thunderest from heauen that with lightnings and tempestes and of waters windes shewest thy terrible vengeance vpon sinfull flesh It is thou O God which lettest vs feele sensibly in our selues thy mighty power and working not only in that that thou hast made our bodies and soules but especially that thou makest vs euen of force to confesse thy eternall Spirit in vs who so mightily fighteth against the assaults of the enemie that of force we are driuen to acknowledge that it is thy working in vs and not we our selues Seeing therefore O most mercifull Father that wee haue both in thy creatures and also in our selues so manifest testimonie that thou onely art the eternall and euer-liuing God which raigneth in all thy creatures guiding them by thy heauenly prouidence grant we beseech thee that our hearts may be hereof fully assured to acknowledge thee not onely to bee God eternall who hath created all things but also that we may in heart be fully perswaded that thou O Lord God dost gouerne all things according to thy most blessed will so that nothing can bee done in the world without thine appointment and that thou hast such a singuler care ouer thine elected people so that not so much as an hayre of their head shall fall without thy prouidence that thou so guidest all their doings that all things shall turne to their commoditie and thy glory Grant O Lord God that hereof we may be fully assured in our hearts and soules that we may in all our doings set thee before our eyes acknowledging thee to bee our onely Lord and Father and by the working of thy holy Spirit in vs may bee confirmed in Faith and comforted in soule and lightened in vnderstanding that alwaies here vppon earth wee may glorifie thy holy name and after the dissolution of this body wee may attaine to euerlasting ioy through our Lord Sauiour Iesu Christ who liueth and raigneth world without end Amen A Prayer for the obtaining of sauing Faith O
vnnecessary luggage and fretting cares nor setting vp my rest in any present Inne of outward happinesse or inward means therto but still casting away euery thing that presseth down and the sinne that hangeth so fast vpon me I may run with ioy the race that is set before looking vnto Christ Iesus the Authour and finisher of my Faith and so by him seeing within the rule into the glory that is set before mee I may despise the shame and waite with patience the great recompence of Reward That so neither riches may daunt my Faith by presuming too farre nor depth may quayle it by stooping too low That Principalities may not shake it by force of tentation nor Powers ouercome it by their violent impressions that neither things present may abase it by groueling thereon nor things to come may deiect it by doubtings or false feares That neither life may corrupt it by doting thereon nor death may confound it by vnpreparednesse thereto That nothing may separate me from the loue of God in Iesus Christ in whom by Faith I am more then Conqueror ouer all things Thus grant mee gracious God to walke by Faith and not by sight And that I may receiue the end of my Faith euen the saluation of my soule Oh keepe me by thy mighty power through faith vnto saluation and guide me by the word of Faith in all my wayes that I may not leane to mine owne wisdom bur to thy sure Word as to a Light shining in a dark place that so I may daily grow in knowledge and in the grace of Iesus Christ from Faith to Faith filled with all ioy and peace in beleeuing abounding in all fruits of righteousnesse and perfect holines that so I may be perfect and intyre wanting nothing waiting for the appearance of Iesus Christ that so my Conuersation being in heauen an entrance may bee thereby made vnto me into the euerlasting kingdom of thy deare Sonne euen to take possession by faith in this life therof and to see a farre off by faith into the fulnesse of that glory that so I may fight the good fight of Faith and lay hold of eternall life in full assurance of what I haue alreadie the earnest of by Faith and so in that hâ—pe daily purging my selfe of all wickednesse of the Spirit and of the Flesh that I mâ—y grow vp to perfect holinesse in thâ— fauor of GOD waiting daily by Faith the adoption of the sonnes of God and laboring to attaine the resurrection of the dead that so I may bee kept blamelesse in Soule Body and Spirit vnto the comming of my Sauiour Iesus Christ Grant these things gracious Father euen for his sake in whome thou art well pleased Iesus Christ the righteous To whome with thine owne blessed Spirite one glorious Vnitiue Trinity be glory and prayse Dominion now and for euer Amen A Prayer to feele in heart Spirituall comfort and the liuely sence of our Adoption by Faith O Lord God most mercifull Father now I fully perceiue know that the heart of man is not in his owne hand for thou hast taught mee by diminishing thy Spirit of comfort in my heart that it resteth wholie in thy power to make ioyfull the heart of man and to diminish the same ioy according to thy good pleasure and will For if O God it had beene in mine owne power and will to haue receiued comfort in thy holie word or to haue beleeued thy promises from my hart I would long since haue enioyed comfort and beene confirmed in faith but I cannot most mercifull Father it is thy meere worke I looke therefore O gracious God for thy blessed comfort strength of faith which I beseech thee O Lord send into my heart to fill the same with spirituall ioy that by the working of thy holy Spirit in mee the comfortable promises of thy mercifull protection may be throughly sealed in mine heart and sinke downe deep into my soule that I may be fully assured that thou art my strong rocke and house of defence that thou dost keepe mee as the apple of thine eye as thou hast promised in thy blessed word that thou wilt not lay more vppon mee then thou wilt giue mee strength to abide and that thou wilt assuredly at thine appointed time renew my heart the whole powers of my mind that I may fully glorifie thy holy name But in the meane time O Lord alas my heart is cleane voyde of spirituall ioy yea euen as hard as a stone so that the louing promises of thy holy word although I know them to bee true yet they cannot sinke into my hard stony heart vntill such time as thou by encreasing of thy holy Spirit to me shalt mollifie and make tender my hard heart that it may bee meete to receiue the sweet comfort of thy Spirit Thy holy Spirit O Lord in mee which is the assurance of my saluation doth continually send forth vnspeakable sighs and longings for thy full ioyfull presence I beseech thee therefore deere Father for thy Sonne Christ Iesus sake harken vnto my prayers and grant my requests make tender my hard and stony heart by thy holy Spirit that I may from the bottome of my heart acknowledge thee to bee my most mercifull God and Father and all things in thy holy word contained to be most certaine and true reuerently embrace the same and into my soule take comfort and ioy in the same that I may deere Father euen vnto my liues end walke before thy face in sinceritie of heart being assured of my saluation through that one alone sufficient sacrifice for my sinnes made by thy deere Sonne Christ Iesu to whom with thee and the holy Ghost bee all honor and glory world without end Amen A Prayer against doubting to strengthen a weake Faith and to perseuere therin GLorious and mightie Lord who by â—hy Soueraigne All-sufficient power as thou madest al things of nothing so thou callest those things which are not as if they were and dost command light to shine out of darkenesse that so wee might bee translated out of darknesse into this maruelous light Holy Father it is thine vnspeakable mercy that I thy most vnworthy seruant being once the child of hell yea darknesse it selfe am now through thy free grace illightning mine heart by Faith enabled to behold thy face in Iesus Christ and so through this light am become light in the Lord being enabled by faith to discerne the great Mystery of Christ and so by faith to lay hold thereon as to bee freely thereby discharged from the guilt of my sinne and to be inuested with the perfect righteousnesse of my Sauiour that so I might bee found acceptable vnto thee Holy Father how vnspeakable herein haue beene thy mercies to me a vilde sinner that passing by the wise and noble of the world it hath pleased thee of thy free grace to visite mee a very reprobate branch with thy sauing health and to
we shall at length attaine the hauen Haue mercy vpon me thy poore seruant and vouchsafe mee this grace of hope to establish my wauering spirit that neither things present may discourage me from the hope of a good issue nor things to come may confound mee in the pursuit thereof as being so farre aboue my capacitie so exceeding my desart For I confesse O Lord vnfeignedly before thee by reason of this body of sinne which I carrie about mee I am a stranger from thee as all my Fathers were and in regard of my inward blindnesse cannot see afarre off to the price of the high calling that is set before mee and therefore am subiect to many distractions slauish feares both to diuert or stay mee in my iourney and to disappoint me of the marke which I should hasten too so that I manytimes misse of my way and manytimes am ready to giue ouer in the midst of my race O grant me the refore holy Father to liue by hope in what thou hast promised that I neither may be confounded in any present distresse nor yet may rest in any present comfort whatsoeuer that I may not bee deceiued with the counterfeite thereof nor yet may settle my selfe in any true measure of the same O grant me a liuely hope that I may not feare in death and giue me to apprehend that blessed hope of the appearance of Iesus Christ that I may attaine to the resurrection of the dead And that I may improue my vnfeigned hope in thee alone O strengthen my weake Faith to see more clearly within the vaile that so I may be strong in hope to enioy what yet I see not make me more acquainted with the secrets of thy speciall prouidence that by mine owne experience of thy wonderfull dealing in bringing contraries out of contraries euen light out of darknesse I may hope for the accomplishment of thy promises though neuer so impossible to humaine capacitie Aboue all make more expert the riches of the glorie of that great mystrie euen Christ in mee the hope of glory that so I may not bee weary nor faint in my mind let the ayme of my hope be to see thee who art inuisible and in thee those vnspeakable mercies which as yet I doe not see And grant me blessed Lord an vndaunted and inuincible hope euen to hope aboue hope that no oppositions may confound me Let my hope be patient that I may waite for that I yet enioy not and purifie my hope daily in the expectation of what I shall be that so I may be purged and fitted to the enioying therof season my hope with ioy that I may not quaile in any present troubles and quicken my weake fainting hope with the strong cries and groanes of thy blessed Spirit that I may fasten on the inestimable glory which is laid vpp for mee let the hope of the life to come stablish mee in thy blessed feare and so make mee liuely and diligent in all present occasions enableing me to hold fast the profession of my hope without wauering and to sanctifie my God in giuing a reason of my hope with meeknesse and feare to those which may demaund it And that I may not be disappointed of my hope comfort me O Lord with the sweet and glorious fruits thereof that seeing it is the hope of saluation and eternall life which is surely laid vp for me in the highest heauens grant mee in all occasions to lay hold vpon eternall life that I may not bee ashamed of my hope O let me haue hope euen in death because I haue hope in the resurrection from the dead And let the hope of what I enioy not humble mee daily in the sense of my imperfections which are the cause thereof that so I may daily feare and depart from euill And seeing I am a prisoner of hope O grant mee daily to groane vnder this body of sinne which I carry about me that so I may long for my glorious deliuerance from this body of death and in the hope of this deliuerance cause mee in all my troubles to commit my selfe in well doing into the hands of thee my faithfull Creator that so I may bee keept by thy mighty power through Faith Grant mee these things O God of my hope euen for thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ his sake the hope of mine endlesse glory to whome with thee O righteous Father with God the blessed Spirit the Comforter be ascribed all glory power dominion and thankesgiuing for euer and euer Amen A Prayer for the obtaining and encrease of Loue. HOly Father who out of the boundlesse riches of thy free Grace didst so loue me that thou gauest thine onely Sonne to death for me that being redeemed from the bondage of sinne and snares of destruction I might bee translated from death to life and therefore didst loue me first that I might serue thee in loue and offer vp my self a Free-will Offering gracious and acceptable before thee in all holy obedience and hast hereby assured me that I am beloued of thee if all my workes bee done in loue louing thee for thy selfe and all other things for thy sake Looke graciously vpon me thine vnworthy seruant and shedde thy loue into my heart by thy blessed Spirit that I may loue thee aboue all things and all things in for thee And that I may so loue thee that I may be more vnited vnto thee and fully at the length enioy thee O grant me first to know thee in Iesus Christ the Sonne of thy Loue that so I may know what loue in him thou hast shewed me that when I was dead in sinne thou diddest raise me vppe in him from dead workes that I might serue thee the liuing God in the newnesse of Spirit that so discerning in this liuely Mirrour of thy Loue vnto me mine owne vnworthinesse of thy loue and inability to loue thee againe I may wholly deny my selfe that I may be found of thee in Christ and by his power be enabled to loue thee againe Grant me therefore gracious God to trust perfectly in Iesus Christ that I may feele my selfe to be beloued of thee in him and inflame my hart with the loue of Christ that so in him I may loue thee againe And seeing nothing in me was able to hinder this thy loue in him to me Oh grant me that nothing within me or without me may hinder or separate my Loue from thee And seeing of thine owne free grace thou diddst loue me in him oh grant me for his sake onely to loue thee seeing hee thought nothing no not his precious blood too deere to expres his loue vnto me oh let mee thinke all things base in comparison of my loue vnto him Seing he loued me in deeds not only in words both doing for me what I could not do and suffring for me what I could neuer haue endured oh grant me to loue thee againe not in words but in deeds both dooing
vanities of this world all licentious and inordinate life all flattering and dissimulation being vtterly banishâ—d the fâ—are of thy glorious Maiesty may so reigne in the harts of all within his Highnesse Pallace and Court that their liues and conuersation may bee agreeable to thy blessed will in sinceritie and true holinesse and integritie of life that from them as from the head may shine purity of life and conuersation as an example and patterne of true godlinesse to the whole Realme Preserue him wee beseech thee good Lord from all conspiracies and Treasons that if it bee thy good will he may haue a long quiet raigne ouer vs to the benefite of thy Church and aduancement of thy glory Indue the whole Counsell good Lord with true and perfect wisedom that in all their consultations Counsels hauing thee present before their eies they may consult of those things which principally cheefly may bee for the aduancement of thy glory and the commodity of thy Church and next for the quiet peace and gracious gouernment of this his Realme So lighten all inferior Magistrates of this Realme good Lord with brightnesse of thy holy Spirit that vnderstanding thy will they may zealously defend maintaine and further the course of the Gospell with the sword of iustice cut off the wicked and cherish the godly Defend and gouerne by thy holy Spirit the Pastours of thy Church and labourâ—rs in thy vineyard that â—hey may zealously earnestly and diligently feed thy flocke committed vnto them with the food of life thy bl ssed word wherewith their soules may bee nourished to life euerlasting Increase the number of them deare Father place ouer euery flocke a godly learned and painfull Pastor who may painfully carefully trauell euery one in his charge to bring thy people which now alasse in many parts doe wander and goe astray like lost sheepe to the true knowledge of their Lord and God and of thy deare Son Iesus Christ their Sauiour And for thy mercy wee beseech thee to take pitty vppon thy poore and simple flocke roote out all rauening woolues which haue craftily crept into thy sheepfold and doe make hauocke of the soules of thy simple Flocke Câ—st out all hirelings time-seruers dumbe Dogges which to fill their bellies onely haue thrust themselues among thy sheepe and doe pittifully suffer the Flocke of Christ thy Sonne to be deuoured and scattered of the Woolfe Stirre vp good Lord and place in their roomes faithfull Sheepeheards which diligently painefully carefully and earnestly may labour in thy Vine-yard seeke to winne the soules of thy people out of the tyranny and power of Sathan to the freedome of thy deare Sonne Christ Iesus our Lord. And that thy Church may better be furnished with godly learned Pastors wee beseech thee good Lord to prosper and increase in all Godly knowledge all schooles of leaâ—ning especially the two Vniuersities Cambridge and Oxford Grant deare Father vnto all the students of the same that the chiefe end of all their studies may bee to the furtherance of thy Church and maintenance of the common-wealth Blesse their studies deare Father that al vaine studies set aside they may so fructifie in all profitable and godly Sciences that hereafter they may become profitable members of thy Church godly Vpholders of the Common-wealth Grant good Lord to all the whole Commons of this Realme that their hearts being touched with a sincere feare and reuerence of thy Heauenly Maiesty acknowledging thy mercy in placing ouer them a godly Religious Prince they may euery one in their callings walke in all true and humble obedience vnto him in thee and for thee without resistance tumults Insurrections conspiracies or rebellions knowâ— grâ—at to resist the higher Powers is to rebel against thy Maiesty Finally wee beseech thy goodnesse so to giude gouerne the hearts of all the whole Realme of euery degree that euery one in his calling being by thy holy wisedome supported may so occupy his Talent that thy glory in all things may be aduanced thy church inlarged this whole Realme into sincere godlines vertuously reduced Moreouer wee beseech thee O Lord our God in Mercy to behold all those which suffer persecution for thy glorious words sake whether it bee imprisonment death or banishment or whatsoeuer else strengthen them good Lord that they hauing thee alwaies before their eyes and the glory laide vp for them in the life to come may continue constant in defending thy truth without feare of man or vaine allurements of the world that whether it come by life or death they may glorifie thy holy Name in continuing in the truth to the end Preserue in like manner wee beseech thee all others thy Children whome it hath pleased thee with any kind of Crosse to chasten for their amendment whether by pestilence famine warre pouerty Imprisonment sicknesse or banishment trouble of conscience vexation of spirit vnquietnesse of minde want of spirituall comfort or whatsoeuer kinde of affliction of body or minde thou dost try them with that by thy holy spirit being fully assured that thou by this thy correction mindest to call them backe to a feeling of their sinne due consideration of their life conuersation they may patiently abide thy Fatherly tryall looking for aide helpe and comfort from thee when it seemeth most conuenient to thy holy wisedome and being by thy mercifull hand once deliuered may acknowledge thy singular power and worke giuing all laud and praise to thy glorious name and afterwards all the daies of their life study and liue before it hee in sincerity and perfect holinesse euen to their liues end This O Lord we beseech thee in Mercy to grant for thy beloued Sonnes sake Iesus Christ our Lord and onely Sauiour Amen Morning prayer for priuate Houses and Families O Gracious God and louing Father according to thy commandement wee doe here present our selues before the throne of thy mercy acknowledging and confessing from the bottome of our hearts that we be miserable sinners daily breaking thy commandements both in thought word and deed wherein wee iustly deserue euerlasting damnation and to bee vtterly throwne from thy presence yet O Lord wee see thy goodnesse againe toward vs who not suffering vs thus to perish in our sins hast sent thine owne deare Sonne Iesus Christ to take vppon him whatsoeuer is due to reconcile and make vs at one with thee againe In him therfore good Lord and through him doe wee come vnto thee beseeching thee for his sake that wee feeling the grieuousnesse of our sinnes and groaning vnder the burthen of them may feele the release ease of them in that we bee thorough thy holy Spirit assured and stedfastly beleeue that Christ hath borne the burthen of them euen for vs. Grant likewise O most mercifull Lord heauenly Father that wee being assured hereof in our consciences may through thy holy Spirit be renued in the inner man to hate detest and abhorre sinne and
and enioy for euer thy glorious presence Grant these things O Gracious Lord according to thy goodnesse in Iesus Christ my Sauiour and blessed Redeemer Amen A Prayer for obtaining Triall and cherishing of the holy Spirit of God GLorious and euerlasting Lord God Father of all Spirits and soules of the righteous who hast reuealed thy selfe in thy sacred word to be a Spirit holy and incomprehensible eternall infinite immortall all-sufficient and therefore wilt be worshipped in Spirit and truth And hast in the riches of thy mercy promised to send thy holy Spirit the Comforter into our hearts to lead vs into all truth and to comfort vs in all our tribulations and so to seale vs vp to the day of Redemption Looke downe graciously vppon mee thy poore and forlorne seruant whose poâ—tion is in this valley of miserie to wander in darknesse and walke many times in the valley of the shadow of death altogether ignorant of my way and so subiect to continuall error and wholy destitute of all direction therein and so necessarily exposed to continuall danger For mine owne heart within me is no better then a guide to betray me to error and the glory of the world is nought else then a baite to deceiue me either by clogging mee in the way that I may faint in my iourney or diuerting mee from my right home that I may set vp my rest in mine Inne or build my foundation vpon the sands And mine old aduersarie still compasseth and watcheth all opportunities from both either to sinke mee with dispaire that I may perish in the way or to swell me with presumption that I may not enter into the straight gate And euen so did it fare with me Blessed Lord all the daies of my vanity before I knew thee in Christ As mine owne heart misled mee into all error through my wilfull ignorance so it betrayed mee hereby to all occasions of sinne without which I swallowed more greedily then my appointed food and blessed my soule therein as my cheefest happines and so was faster bound in the chaynes of Sathan as being led captiue at his will to euery lust and reioycing therin as my greatest liberty And so also hath it in part befalne mee since my liberty in Christ by whome though I receiued the free Spirit to lead mee in the way of thy statutes and so haue somtimes obeyed the motions thereof to the euidencing of my glorious libertie yet such hath beene the power of my corruption preuailing ouer mee that I haue many times greeued thy good Spirit by my manifold back-slidings and to my sense and apprehension seemed vtterly to haue quenched the same so strong haue I found my corruption to lead mee captiue into many desperate euils so little life and comfort haue I found in prayer hearing thy word especially in my endeauour to repentance either to resist temptations or release my selfe out of the snares thereof And yet thou hast promised that thy Spirit shall abide with mee for euer and still methought in my greatest wandrings on the right hand and on the left methought I heard the voyce of thy Spirit behind me saying This is the way walke in it Me thouhgt I haue heard the voyce of my beloued many times knocking at the doore of my heart when I haue beene asleepe in the bed of my securitie saying Open vnto mee my Loue my Doue my vndefiled yea I haue felt him puting in his finger at the hole of the doore to open it for mee that so I might arise and let him in And haue I not many times arose to entertaine him and loe he was gone Did I not follow after him to seeke him and yet found him not Haue I not many times smarted soundly for my folly because I would not open betimes Haue not the watch-men that should haue cherished mee wounded me iustly for my carelesnesse Haue they not pluckt away my vaile to discouer my nakednesse the more that so my face being couered with shame I might seeke thy face more humbly And yet O my God I am still to seeke of thee though thou still callest on mee to seeke thy face and my heart in some poore measure answereth Thy face Lord will I seeke Yet what fellowship can there be betweene light and darknesse what hope haue I to find thee seeing I want my guide vnto thee yet thou art not wanting vnto mee to tender this holy guide and my guide is not farre from me though I know it not yea thou art euer with me to keepe mee from vtter fainting and thine holy Spirit is within mee helping me to crie vnto thee O harken therefore I humbly pray thee vnto the groanes of thine owne Spirit and haue mercy vppon thine owne seruant for greeuing the same Restore to mee the ioy of thy saluation that I may discerne the seale of thy Spirit and establish mee with thy free Spirit that I may euer bee with thee O make mee wise to trie the Spirits whether they bee of God or no that neither I may be deluded by a Spirit of error and withall may be able to discerne the worke and euidence of thine holy Spirit from the motions and testimonie of mine owne ignorant and dâ—ceitfull heart Grant me therefore Gracious Father to plead mine interest in thy Spirit by such true meanes and endeauors as may vndoubtedly auouch it to proceed from thee and may apparantly conuince that it dwelleth in me Giue mee to discerne the means wherby thy Spirit is conuayed vnto mee that after I haue heard thy word and beleeued therein then I haue beene sealed with the Spirit of promise grant mee to discerne the maner how it tooke possession of mine heart that to make way for it fit habittation it cast downe euery Imagination that enabled it selfe against thy wisedome that it onely might rule and gouerne mee Spiritually and that withall thereby my house was swept and cleansed from the Dominion of sinne that Iesus Christ thereby might wholy gouerne mee And grant mee to auouch the truth of thy Spirit dwelling in me not somuch by my entertainment and apprehension thereof because it bloweth where it lifteth and though I may heare the sound thereof yet I know not whence it comes nor whether it goes but rather by the nature and qualitie of thy Spirit which will leaue it true stampe in my receiued Spirit in euery qualitie thereof for the assuring my possession thereof by resemblance therto though yet surely and absolutely according to the Nature of the Spirit neither working it at all times alike nor at any time in full measure but still working according to the capacitie of the vessell and the maine end the glorie of God that still it power may bee seene in my weaknesse that the glorie may be of God and not of Man And therefore as I may not challenge a right in thy Spirit vnlesse I find some liuely resemblance and effects of it holy nature in mee as to be