Gates of Hell by Stripes and Wounds our Lord weÌ„t before vs. The feare of Death springeth of the weaknesse of faith and our great loue of the world begets in vs great desire of life and our little sight of Glorie maketh ouer great feare of Death RemeÌ„ber that there are two Deaths and feare the greater There are two deaths Rev. 20.14 the first Death is the separation of the soule from the bodie but the second Death is the euerlasting separation of God froÌ„ the soule If thou be partaker of the resurrection from sinne the second Death shal haue no power ouer thee therfore thou needest not to be afraid of the first Death if thou be deliuered from the second 2. Thou needest not to feare the first Death Death is vniuersall for it is a fatall necessitie laide vpon all Flesh Kinges Prophets People c. all must depart A profitable exchaunge by death 3. There is great gain by the exchaÌ„ge for wee get a Palace for a Prison rest for labour libertie for bondage God for men the companie of Angels for the companie of sinners and finallie the Heauens for the Earth 4. Thou mayest take comfort in thy death Present joy by death without delay Luke 23.43 NOTA. Sinne is taken away Simil. The-paines of death are short because thy soule shall not bee holdeÌ„ in suspense nor stand at the gates of HeaueÌ„ nor goe to Purgatory for new tormentes for in the day of thy death thou shalt be with the Lord in Paradise 5. The sting of Death is taken froÌ„ it which is Sinne then Death can doe thee no more harme than a Serpent which wanteth a Sting 6. The pangues of Death which thou sustainest are but momentaneall but thy joyes shall be eternall as Paul saith to the Romanes Chap. 8. Vers 18. Inward comfortes The soule shall shortlie returne 7. God mixeth his inward comforts with thine outward crosses 8. Thy bodie shall sleepe a little thy soule shal returne shortlie the Comforter shall assist thee Christ is praying for thee in Heauen the Sainctes on Earth are crying to the Redeemer the Angels are readie to conuoy thy soule to eternall blisse 9. Heere is thy comfort Christ thy Sauiour suffered the pangues of Death in the highest degree Christ suffered death Matth. 10.24 Shall the seruant be aboue his Master And as he died so he rose againe and ouercame Death in his owne denne Then if the Head bee risen will hee not raise after him all the members of the bodie Yes surelie Lastly The right desire to liue or die Psalm 6.5 Isa 38.7 if thou find a desire in thee to liue longer let the cause of thy desire be that thou mayest liue better as Ezechias and Dauid saide Shall the dead prayse thee And What signe shall I haue to goe to the House of the Lord And if thou desire to die Christ aduantage in life and death see that it be not for thine earthlie burdens but for sinne which thou weariest to beare and for the desire of the fruition of the glorie of God A PRAYER AT THE HOVRE OF DEATH EVerlasting God and my most mercifull Father in Iesus Christ I thy poore Prisoner bound by the Chains of Sicknesse to this Bed vpon whome the bondes of Death are seasing and taking holde I fall downe before the throne of thy Mercy beseech thee to giue me thine holie Spirite that seeing I am going the way of all flesh I may rightlie resolue 1. King 2.2 with solide judgement and perfect memorie anent my departure that as thou hast prepared a place for mee Iob 14.2 so thou wilt prepare mee for it that I being purged by the blood of Iesus sanctified by thy Spirit may enter into the present possession of that inheritance promised to mee And because manie times I learned by thy Worde that I must die by daylie experience in the death of others thou gauest mee warning as also I haue carried in mine owne bodie the markes of death by diuerse diseases yet Lord nowe at last I learne by mine own proofe that which I would not learne by others Nowe therefore O Lord when I looke backe to my former life and consider the sinnes of my childhood and mine age what things I did ignorantlie and what I did against mine owne conscience my forgetfulnesse of thy mercies and mine ingratitude to thee for thy goodnesse mine open sinnes and my secret sinnes my presumptions mine injuries to others mine intemperancie my slouthfulnesse and neglect of thy worship all these sinnes so oft committed by mee beeing put in a masse and manie moe with them I beseech thee most mercifull Father that thou wouldest vouchfase to bind them vp together in the bundle of thy mercie and burne them in the fire of thy loue burie them in the graue of eternall obliuion and make mee nowe quite of them that they burthen mee no more and I beseech thee that now in this my last battell thou wilt so strengthen my faith against infidelitie and distrust that as by thy power I haue ouercome the maine hoste of sin so by thy grace these remnants of a defeated Armie those stragling Souldiours who are shaking their weapons vpon mee they may bee scattered by thine hand that the work of my saluation may now in mercie bee crowned and finished that now I may cry with my Sauiour at his death Consummatum est It is finished Ioh. 19.30 He finished vpon the Crosse the worke of saluation for me now O Lord finish it in me vpon this bedde I acknowledge ô Father that I am infinitlie obliedged vnto thy Majestie for thine innumerable benefits which I haue receiued at thine handes in the time of my life for thou euer didst loue me with a Fatherlie affection thou caredst for mee thou prouidedst in due season to my necessitie thou fedst me thou defendedst mee thou nurturedst me c. Simil. Exod. 19.4 And as the Eagle carrieth the little ones so hast thou carried mee in the armes of thy mercie But in speciall thou broughtest mee from ignorance to the knowledge of the trueth madest mee to be borne in the bosome of the Church gauest me that eternall life Iohn 17.3 which is to knowe thee to bee the true God and whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ the Sauiour of the Worlde Yea when I fell into manifold dangers in this Wildernesse the perils of waters of fire of pouertie of sicknesse of decietfull and wicked men c. thou deliueredst mee from them all by thy mightie and out-stretched arme and hast giuen me this time to resolue with thee to repent and thanke thee for thy benefits For all which thy mercies and excellent benefites both spirituall and temporall I render vnto thee moste heartie thankes praise and glorie to continue for euermore As for anie good thing which is now wrought in mee it is not of mee O Lord but thy grace working in mee who makest thy power to bee knowne in my weaknesse And if thou wouldest look narrowly to my best actions thou wouldest finde in them a thousand imperfections Therefore I couch vnder the Garment of my Lordes righteousnesse oh spreade the Mantle of thy Mercie ouer mee And as for the Worlde I disclaime and renounce it as a false and deceitfull friend which promiseth faire things to those that seeke it but for golden offers it crowneth them with thornes I bid good-night to all my Friends Acquaintances and good Christians and I exhort all you who would haue peace in your latter ende and die the death of the Righteous Numb 23.10 Mat. 7.13 that ye would treade the footesteps of Iesus Christ goe thorowe the straite way keeping faith and loue with the Sainctes to the ende 2. Tim. 4.8 that seeing I haue gone before you and run my race and shortlie shall receiue the Crowne of Righteousnes yee would rejoyce in my victorie and not bee forâ—e for my remoouing And I pray God to bee with you all and to conuoy you safely vnto his Kingdome that wee may all meete joyfullie in his glorie And seeing I feele all the members of my bodie decaying and giuing ouer their office my grinders sailing my sight and hearing decaying Eccl. 12.3 my strong men trembling let the hidden man of mine heart be sanctified by thy grace that I may haue a cleare sight of my Lord and Sauiour and so depart in peace with olde SIMEON thy Seruant Now my Soule returne to thy rest for the Lord hath beene beneficiall to thee Psa 116.7 I commit my spirite into thine handes O LORD take it and by the conuoy of thy moste holie Angels carrie it vnto thy Kingdome And for my bodie I commit it to the dust from whence it came to sleepe there till the Day dawne and my LORD returne and rayse it vppe againe that thou with it may receiue that eternal glory which is prepared for vs thorow Christ Amen FINIS THE PRINTER TO THE READER BEcause it is vnpossible that Bookes of any quantitie in the first Impression should escape all Faults and especially in the absence of the Author therefore it shall please the Christian Reader to auoyde partialitie judge charitablie and correct diligentlie such errours as on our behalfe vnwillinglie haue escaped our correction all which God willing at another time wee shall amende most attentiuelie
rouse from sleepe so deepe and long God wak'ned hath the Eccho of this Song W. D. ON THE SEVEN DAYES THe glorious God the First Day made the Light Next stretcht the Firmament in bredth hight The Third dryde Earth and it with Plants He stor'd The Fourth the Heauens with Lamps of light decor'd Fift th' Aire with Fowls with Fishes filde each Flood The Sixt made Beasts and Man and all were good On the Seuenth Day the Lord from worke did rest Therefore that Day Hee sanctifi'd and blest I. A. AN ANTIPHONE or EPODE For VV. D. his Heptachordon TO THE AVTHOR THis seuen string'd Lute as shewes the sacred Storie GOD made to shew the brightnesse of his Glorie On which by diuerse Handes sixe thousand Springs Beene playde and all to prayse that King of Kings Now last the Sonne of that sweet Swan-like Singer Who Christ in Armes embracing would not linger Longer on Earth harmoniouslie doth rayse On it Notes fit the furious fits t' appease Of Soules Saule-like and of their franticke follie Them charme to sound his prayse who 's only holie Therefore my Brother deare well mayst thou thinke Employde thy Paines thy Paper Penne and Inke Whereby poore Soules are sav'd Gods Name 's extoll'd And thine 'mongst neuer-dying names enroll'd M. I. ADAMSON THE CONTENTS OF THIS BOOKE AN humble Confession of sinnes Pag. 1 A Meditation on the first days work Pag. 19 A Prayer on the first Day Pag. 22 A Meditation on the second Day Pag. 27 A Prayer on the second Day Pag. 30 A Meditation on the third Day Pag. 36 A Prayer on the third Day Pag. 38 A Medit. on the fourth Day Pag. 50 A Prayer on the fourth Day Pag. 62 A Med. on the fifth Day Pag. 68 A Pr. on the fâ—fth Day Pag. 74 A Meditat. on the sixth Day Pag. 79 A Prayer on the sixth Day Pag. 85 A Meditation on the seuenth Day Pag. 91 A Prayer on the seuenth Day Pag. 102 Morning Prayer Pag. 108 Euening Prayer Pag. 114 A Meditation on the Church Pag. 120 A prayer for the Church Pag. 125 A meditation on the holie Communion Pag. 133 A prayer before the Communion Pag. 139 A thankesgiuing after the Communion Pag. 141 A Medit. of the trouble of Conscience Pag. 143 A prayer for a troubled Conscience Pag. 149 A meditation of Kinges Pag. 155 A Prayer for the King c. Pag. 158 A Meditation of Sicknesse Pag. 161 A prayer for a sicke person Pag 163 A prayer for a Woman in trauell Pag. 169 A meditation of Persecution Pag. 173 A prayer for one persecuted Pag. 177 A meditation of Famine Pag. 182 A prayer in time of Famine Pag. 184 A meditation of Pestilence Pag. 187 A prayer in time of pestilence Pag. 189 A Meditation of the Sword Pag. 191 A prayer in time of the Sword Pag. 194 A Meditation of Death Pag. 197 A Prayer at the houre of Death Pag. 200 FINIS AN HVMBLE CONFESSION OF SINNES OEternall God and moste mercifull Father I confesse and acknowledge before thine heauenly Majestie that I am a moste miserable sinner first Sinne by nature because I was conceiued in sinne and borne in iniquitie next by reason I haue added to the sinnes of my nature the sinnes of a damnable life For there iâ— no Precept of thy Law which I haue not broken neither is there any judgemeÌ„t which I haue not deserued Insensible But yet this increaseth my woe that wheÌ„ I am thus wounded I feele not my wound but doe lie sleeping as Ionas did when the tempest of thy judgements doeth assault mee But alace this is moste grieuous of all Ionah 1.5 that when thy Majestie by the sweete voyce of thy worde Against knowledge hast called mee to repentance I closed mine cares to thy warninges If those who transgressed the law of Moses Deu. 19.15 vnder two or three witnesses died without mercy much more I who haue troden vnder my feete the blood of the New Testament Heb. 10.29 and haue accounted light of the offers of thy grace and by the testimonie of mine owne conscience am worthie of condemnation And seeing I am arraigned before thy Tribunall I flee to thy selfe as to a Citie of refuge Deut. 19.3 where I will pleade my cause by an humble Confession Therefore I sall downe vpon the knees of mine heart before the portes of thy mercie begging of thee the spirit of vnsained repentance that acknowledging my sinne I may finde grace in thine eyes But because the beginning of repentance is to see my sinne open mine eyes O Lord that I may see my nakednesse bewaile the dayes of my sinne I will giue vp dittie against my selfe I will giue out doome against my soule I will condemne my selfe that thou mayst absolue me I wil haue my sinnes before mine eyes that thou mayst cast them behinde thy backe I wil remember them that thou mayst forget them I wil repent them thou wilt forgiue them I acknowledge my sins Psal 51.3 mine iniquitie is euer before mee O Lord thou louest the trueth in the inward affections Ibid. 6. I am content that shame be to mee if honour come thereby to thee that thou mayest be just when thou speakest Ibid. 4. and pure when thou judgest First I confesse that I was created to thy Image but sinne hath so disgraced and defaced it in me that there appeareth no print thereof in my nature I was white as the snowe Ier. 13.23 but am become blacke as the More my righteousnesse is as a menstruous garment Esa 64.6 Restore thine Image in me and repare thy ruinous building Thine honour shall bee greatter in reforming than in forming me as in my resurrection thy glorie shall kythe more than in my creation The liberalitie of thy goodnesse appeared when as thou stamped such graces in my nature but thy mercies which indure for euer may bee seene when thou renewest those gifts which I haue prodigallie wasted and spent vpon sinne Transforme mee O Lord to thy similitude that as thou art holy wise mercifull patient bountifull c. so I may represent thee in some measure in them all As for mine infancie Mans state in infancie I knowe not what I was a poore Suckling vpon my Mothers Breastes I could no wayes helpe my selfe but by weeping I was casten vpon thee from the wombe by thy prouidence I was kept and thine Angels guarded mee But this I know that an Infant of one day is not cleane before thee haue mercy vpon mee therefore O my God and by the holy infancie of my Sauiour I beseech thee abolish whatsoeuer guiltinesse I haue contracted in my Childhood euen from my birth Childhood Then I grew a Childe which I doe well remember the poysonable roote of sinne which lay hid in mine infancie sprang foorth in my childhood And then for as little as I was I began to disdaine yea to snite
my fellowes I had no delight to pray nor heare thy word albeit my Parents and Masters many times did commaund mee I spent that time euen the first fruites of my youth in ydlenesse My sinfull life and wicked nature delighted not to bee instructed in learning and vertue which my neglect of time is nowe punished in mine age for the which I craue thy mercy O remember not good Lord the sinnes of my youth neither howe ignorant I haue beene of thy trueth Psal 25.7 But by the holy childhood of thy Sonne purge the sinnes of my childhood and of thy great mercy O Lord pittie mine ignorance But when I passed the yeeres of my childhood Adolescencie I entered into mine Adolescencie in a middle age betwixt a Boy and a Man Alace for pittie when I call to minde that time of my life my soule is astonished fearing that thou wilt make mee to inherite the sinnes of my youth Thou gauest mee strength of bodie and quicknesse of minde but how vyldlie abused I all thy benefites I with the prodigall sonne haue spent all my precious youth in sinne Oh when I thinke vpon the monethes of vanitie when I gaue my strength to sinne and did consecrate the first fruits of my life to Sathan my soule fainteth O Lord I am ashamed when I thinke vpon my lende and beastly behauiour more beseeming a Beast than a Man O Lord thou hast not suffered all my follies to be made patent to the world neither didst thou slay me in my sinne Let not my secrete sinnes stand in the light of thy countenance for thine honour is to couer sinnes therefore let them passe like a shaddow If Ioseph did pardon those sinnes of his Brethren wilt thou Gen. 45.1 O Lord call to minde the follies by the which I haue offended thee Alace I was not onely foolish and insolent but I was mad I contemned all admonitions of thy seruauntes I thought my Parentes and Elders were but foolish and I euanished in my mad rage I was nigh vnto the gates of Hell I posted and ranne as swiftly as the Dromadarie Ier. 2.24 or the wilde Asse But thou tookest mee in my moneth and when I was ladened with sinne then thou mercifully chastisedst mee while I was burning in the flame of my lustes thou tamedst mee by a grieuous disease and sicknesse which thou layedst vpon mee by which my bodie was brought vnder Blessed bee thou O Lord who hadst that care of mee that thou chastisedst me and nurturedst mee that I should not perish with the wicked worlde Thou didst meete thy seruant Paul when hee went to Damascus Act. 9.3 and smotest him to the ground with blindnesse that he might rise againe a new man to honour thee Thou diddest preuent Dauid by the hand of Abigall 1. Sam. 25.23 who stopped him from sheeding of blood O most mercifull Lord thou didst meete mee by thy rodde and didst cast mee downe and raysedst mee vp againe Before I was afflicted I went astray but now I haue learned to followe thy Commaundementes Psal 119.67 Now I thy poore Supplicant vpon the knees of a sorrowfull soule craue pardon and grace for all the transgressions of my youth But O my God as I grew in yeeres so I grew in sinne Age. and I forgot thy former mercies I went to Iericho and mine enemies wounded mee vpon the way Luk 10.33 and left me for dead my fellowes passed by mee but gaue mee no comfort But thou O pittifull Samaritane hadst mercy vpon mee thou filledst my woundes with the wine of thy blood thou powredst in the oyle of thy spirit to soften them thou tookest mee vpon thy shoulders and broughtest mee to the Inne of thy Church where I might remaine vntill I was perfectly cured Prayse bee vnto my God who left mee not in my sinne but had compassion vpon mee But Lord haue pittie for my soule is inwardly tormented when I thinke on my former dayes and how I haue sinned against thee My Senses are defiled my Seeing my Hearing my Tasting The sight my Smelling and my Touching Alace I made not a couenant with mine Eyes but they were full of filthinesse therefore now doe I water my Couch with the teares of my complaint Forgiue O Lord Psal 6.6 my wandering lookes and nowe set minâ— Eyes vpon thee that the Eyes of minâ— Heart beeing purified with a purâ— Heart I may see God Math. 5.8 I opened the doores of mine Eares vnto the strange voyces of thine enemies I welcomed Sinne The hearing whensoeuer it came to my Soule But alace I repent and wish at God that I had not done so Yet nowe O Lord open the doores of my Soule that thou mayest sound the voyce of joye and gladnesse that the. Psal 51.8 Bones which thou hast broken may rejoyce Woe is mee that euer I tasted the delicates of sinne and that as Eua The â—â—sting Gâ—â— 3.6 by her taste and sight brought that guiltinesse vpon her selfe and vs so I by mine abusing of these good benefites haue procured that with the prodigall Childe thou shouldest bring me to pouertie O God keepe mee that I neuer taste the foode of the king of Babel but let mee eate the pottage of Daniel thy seruant Daniel 1.8 The Smelling Oh that the stinking smell of sinne were away from mine head Let mee smell the sauour of thine Oyntmentes thy Myrrhe Psal 45.8 and thy Cassia when thou commest from thine Yuorie Palaces The Touching Oh that euer I stretched foorth mine hand to sinne Now Lord extend d mine hand to thy seruice to bee bountifull to the Poore and to sow my seed vpon mâ—nie waters that I may reape eternall joye My minde is replenished with ignorance mine heart is indured my will is rebellious to thy will my mouth an open sepulchre and my feete are swift to run to euill O Lord haue pittie on mee and remember that Christ my Lord was wounded in all the members of his bodie and in all the members of his bodie that by his woundes I might bee cured Preuenting grace Preuent mee by thy grace â—â—eke thy lost Sheepe and light the â—andle of thy word Matth. 15.24 that thou mayest â—â—de thy lost Pennie And when thou â—ast found mee Lord giue mee thine â—â—companying grace Accompanying grace that it doe not â—â—rsake mee Put the Ring on my sinâ—er euen the Ring of thy loue and faâ—our And last I beseech thee bestow â—pon mee thy following grace â—ollowing grace which â—ay crowne the whole mercies that I â—aue receiued all my life Sinne alace sticketh faster to mee â—an doeth my flesh yea the marrow â—ithin my bones O Lord make diuiâ—on betwixt vs Sinne separateth vs from God and separate it from â—ee which hath made so long separaâ—â—on betweene thee and mee It is a â—urthen which lyeth vpon mee and is â—oo heauie for mee to beare therefore 〈◊〉 my God
ease mee thereof that with â—acritie and readinesse of heart I may â—erue thee all the dayes of my life as I â—aue serued sinne before Alace was â—ot I the cause that thy Sonne died â—ine Angels are offended and thy Church grieued O Lord let mee be â—omforted before my departure that I may bee the occasion of all their joyeâ— by my repentance as I was the cause of their sorrowe by my fall and foule defection But alace when that I haue repented mee of my former wickednesse I am readie to runne backe vnto that filthie puddle of sinne from the which I was newlie washen yea I haue fallen more often than seauen times euerie day but thou O Lord with thy mercifull hand didst lift me vp againe Therefore deare Father haue mercie vpon mee I beseech thee and continue thy loue and fauour towards mee and let mee not fall as doe the wicked who fall and rise no more Sende vnto mee O my God faithfull Admonishers and let the Righteous rebuke mee yea let mee not want the checkes of mine owne Conscience that I durst forsweare my promise to my God Breach of promise to God I promised to amend my life but I haue not performed mine oath and haue come vnder a double guiltinesse I purposed to cease from sinne euen when I vowed thinking to stand by mine owne strength But nowe good Lord I beseech thee that thou wouldest giue mee thy constant Spirit that I may stand by thy power Psa 51.10 and fall no more If thou wouldest narrowlie marke mine iniquities O Lord Iob 5.3 I could not aunswere thee to one of a thousand yea mine owne mouth condemne mee Iob 9.20 and mine owne cloathes would defile mee Wash mee therefore O my God Purge mee with Hyssope Psal 51.7 and I shal be cleane with Myrrhe and pure Water and I shall bee whiter than Snow O passe by my great sins for mercy pleaseth thee Mich. 7.8 Remember not O Lord mine ingratitude and vnthankfulnesse toward thy Majestie Ingratitude for all thy manifolde and rich benefits which thou hast so bountifullie bestowed vpon mee from time to time Ne yet good Lord remember mine hypocrisie and superficiall seruice Hypocrisie which manie times I haue done vnto thee both priuatelie and in thine House I craue pardon for these two sinnes which are most haynous and I most humblie beseech thee euer hence forwarde to giue mee a thankfull minde and heart vnto thee for all thine innumerable benefites and blessinges and sinceritie in thy worship that with a single eye and a true heart I may glorifie thee O my Creatour all the dayes of my pilgrimage heere in this life and heereafter with thy Sainctes for euer Oh and alace I am sorie and doe most heartilie repent mee for those manifolde injuries which I haue done vnto my Neighboures Injuries to our neighbour euen for lacke of loue towardes them But O Lord I am no wayes able to reckon mine hainous sinnes and grieuous offences which I haue committed both against God and man no more than I am able to count the haires of mine head or the sandes of the Sea or the Starres of Heauen But binde thou all my transgressions in the bundle of thy mercie and burne them in the fire of thy loue Oh burie them all in the bowels of thy CHRIST and in the graue of perpetuall obliuion For why O Lord thy Name is Mercie 1. Gods Name is Mercie and thy nature mercifull yea thy mercie is aboue all thy workes and in dureth for euer 2. His nature mercifull Thy promise is O God that thou wilt not cast off those that come vnto thee Thou hast sworne that thou delightest not in the death of a sinner 3. His promise and oath but that hee bee conuerted and liue Thou commandest all that are wearie 4. His CommandemeÌ„t Matt. 11.28 Luke 18.1 and laden with sinne to come vnto thee and thou wilt ease them Thou commendest the vnjust Iudge who at last yeelded to the importunitie of the Widow Therefore O Lord according to the riches of thy mercies looke vpon mine infirmities Bestow vpon â—e O Father the Comforter Ioh. 14.26 euen the Spirit of trueth who may leade mee in all veritie through this Wildernesse and thy constant Spirit who may establish mine heart by his grace and who may sanctifie me and purifie the sountaine of my soule that all good actions may aboundantlie spring from thence And finallie O Lord I resigne my bodie and soule into thine hand beseeching thee most intirelie that thou wilt keepe thine owne Lodging that I may bee directed by thine holie Spirit in the course of this transitorie life that I hauing the assurance of the forgiuenesse of all my former sinnes and likewise a care feare and reuenge of my corruption I may learne to number my dayes Psa 90.12 redeeme the time and spende and ende my life to thine honour praise and glorie through IESVS CHRIST my Lord and onelie Sauior AmeÌ„ So bee it MEDITATIONS AND PRAYERS vpon the Lordes seuen dayes worke MOSES albeit hee was borne after the Flood yet he prophecieth of thinges done from the beginning of the Worlde and hath written fiue Bookes of the same GENESIS GENES which signifieth Generation because it containeth the beginning both of the Worlde and of the Church EXOD. EXODVS an Out-passage or deliuerie of the Church from Aegypt LEVITICVS LEVIT setteth downe both the Orders and Offices of the Leuits for the right ministration of Gods seruice NVMBERS a Reckoning of men NVMB. wherein God performeth his promise to Abraham Gen. 22.17 that his seed should be like the starrs of heaueÌ„ DEVTERONOMIE DEVT. or a Second Law or Declaration of the will of God before the death of Moses He beginneth at the Creation by which he confuteth the Opinion of the Eternity of the World To such as inquire what God was doing before the Creation What God was doing before the World I answere with S. Augustine Hee was preparing Hell for such curious braines And to such as aske where he was I say that God needed no place who is comprehended in no place Places are made for bodies which are conprehensible the Creatour beeing incomprehensible hath no neede therof Neque tempus habet quando neque locum ubi Augustine neque modum quomodo neque causam cur fit that is Hee hath neither a place wherein hee is nor a time when nor a manner how nor a cause why he is But he was in himselfe and had a perfect delectation in his owne Trinitie A MEDITATION VPON THE LORDS first dayes vvorke THE first Creature which GOD made out of the Chaos and Masse was the Light Light admirable which is admirable in two respects First 1. Out of darknesse because it proceeded out of Darknesse as hee doth produce one Contrare out of another 2. Without
blessing vnto all the rest of the weeke Seeke the kingdome of God and the righteousnesse thereof Mat. 6.33 and all other thinges shall bee casten vnto you vvhere by the contrarie there are Curses denounced aga nst the profanators of the Sabbath Ier. 17.27 that God shall curse the workes of their handes and the Land shall enjoye manie Sabbathes of yeeres euen as it did in the Captiuitie of Babylon Now Three kinds of Sabbaths 1. Of Creation 2. Of Redemption Reuel 1.10 there are three kindes of Sabbathes the first of the Creation as a memoriall that GOD ceased from his worke vpon the seuenth day this lasted till Christes death and resurrection The second Sabbath beganne vpon the day of his resurrectiō which is called THE LORDES DAY in rememberance of a newe Creation of the worlde 3. Of Perfection Isa 66.23 and this will ende with the worlde And the thirde Sabbath shall be eternall when as the sixe dayes of this miserable life shall bee finished vvee shall rest from all our earthlie businesses and trauels that our continuall exercise may bee to glorifie him in minde heart and with all our strength in his Kingdome Then let vs occupie this Sabbath whollie in his prayse vvhich shall bee a sure pledge of that in the Heauens A Prayer vpon the seuenth Day MOst mightie Lord and mercifull Father distill I beseech thee and powre downe into mine earthlie heart thy diuine Dewes vvhich may moysten it together with such heauēly meditations as may stirre vp mine heart vnto thy prayse and glory that as vpon these sixe dayes I haue beene musing and meditating vpon all thy most glorious workes so I may repose my selfe vpon the day of Rest and finde quietnesse to my soule in thee for all the rest of the creatures albeit they be glorious yet they be subject vnto a curse not because of themselues but for man who hath defiled them I haue trusted to the pleasures which I saw in the creatures and I see that it is true that Salomon saide All is but vanitie and vexation of the spirit Eccles 1.2 as Ritches increase so Care groweth But O Lord let me come to thine Arke as the Doue did which found no rest till shee came backe to Noah Genes 8.9 Pull in thine owne doue O my Lord vnto thee for the floods of sinne haue ouerflowed the face of the Earth that I finde no rest heere I am wearie and loadned Lord giue me rest to my soule in thee This day is joyfull to me because that my Lord rose this day from death I beseech thee my God Nota. raise vp my soule from the graue of sinne that I may be partaker of the first Resurrection and make my thoughts spirituall this thy Sabbath day banish from my minde all earthlie cares this day forgiue me in that I haue so many times abused these thine holie dayes Oftentimes when I was praying to thee or thou preaching vnto me Sathan did cast into my mind carnall cogitations which interrupted that communication betwixt my soule thy majestie O Lord forgiue me and fill my soule with thy reuerence and feare in all the dayes of my life to come that all such ydle purposes may be dispatched by thine holie Spirit shut the doore of my soule when thou art speaking vnto me or when I pray to thee that none get entrie to vnquiet me and stay my joy for alace mine heart was casten open vnto many of thine enemies I will close the doore of mine eare to the voyce of all others that thou mayest speake to me Alace my God I finde a great decay of that spirituall joy in me that I haue not that sparke of delight and that inward spirituall joy which I should haue or had sometimes I loath the exercise which I loued mine hands are wearie and fallen downe I haue lost my first loue it was sweeter to me thā the honey Reuel 2.4 now it is loathsome vnto me as the Manna was vnto the Isralites therefore I beseech thee Numb 11.6 kindle vp an holie fire of thy loue in my soule as was in the Disciples going to Emmaus and that the zeale of thine House may eate me vp Luk 24.32 Psal 69.9 and 52.8 and 27.4 Let me flourish as a greene Oliue in the house of my God O would to God I could abide in thine house all the dayes of my life that I might praye with good Anna 1. Sam. 1.13.16 out of the bitternesse of my soule making my supplications to thee O Lord I craue thee pardon for the earthly and ydle speaches which I spake vpon the Sabbath I will holde mine hand vpon my mouth speake no more Iob 39.37 Luk 24.15 The Disciples which went to Emmaus were speaking of Christ he came vnto them alace when I spake of the world he went from me and my heart was colde Lord forgiue me for it was a great sin which I did yea I made no matter to deale in mine earthly businesse on thy Sabbath All mine excuses are nowe accusations against me they burne me when I am trying mine heart But Lord I found neuer any blessing in those mine actions which I enterprysed vpon thy Day I haue sinned I will doe it no more let the world be crucified to me and me to it vpon thy Sabbath I haue resolued in mine heart that I shall spende my dayes while I liue to thine honour Helpe my resolution by thine holie Spirit that neither the corruption of my nature my weaknesse and forgetfulnes Nota. neither the euil example of these wicked and profane people among whom I liue suffer me to break my promise which I doe make vnto thee but that thou mayst be my speach my thought and my delight vpon the Sabbath dayes Let me be feruent in prayer and supplications to thee vpon the day of thy rest Let me heare what thou speakest to me by the mouth of thy seruant Let me gather thy Manna when it is rained downe from the clowdes of Heauen Ex. 16.15 as the people gathered Manna in the Desart that I may heare it as thy word I may gather it and lay it in the store-house of mine heart against the yeere of famine Gen. 41.48 and giue me thy grace that vpon thy holy day I may proclaime thy prayses with the rest of the Saincts This day let me breake my bread to the hungrie seeing thou satisfiest me with thy spirituall graces let me cloathe them that are naked visit those that are sicke and that I may so rest from earthly vanities this day that I may moste diligently worke the workes of God that I may gather out the flowrs of thy most holy Scriptures that I may studie to practise which I heare in a godlie life and conuersation so I may redeem the time which I haue spent in vain Eph. 5.16 that I now getting mercie for the abusing of thy
thou makest a good change A PRAYER FOR A SICKE PERSON O Most mercifull Father I ackowledge and confesse that I am a most vild creture crying to thee that thou woldest heare me let my prayer come vnto thee in thine holy Temple Ionah 2.3 and 7 The waues of thy judgemens haue gone ouer me and haue ouerwhelmed me the venome of thine arrowes haue drunken vp my spirit Iob 6.4 and thine hand is heauie vpon me I thoght the day light should haue comforted me but behold my pangues increassed and my paine ran vpon me Then I began to thinke My bed will giue me some rest but thou affrightedst me with visions Iob 7.13 and didst keepe mine eyes waking My strength faileth with paine Psal 6.2 my bones are consumed haue mercie vpon me O Lord mine eye Psal 31.9 my soule and my bellie are consumed with griefe When thou chastisest man for his iniquitie Psal 39.5.11 thou makest his beautie to fade as a Moth. Surelie man in his best estate is altogether vanitie O Lord vvhy art thou so farre from mine health Psa 22.1.2 the wordes of my roaring I cry by day and thou hearest not and in the night I haue none audience My life is drawing neare the graue and my yeeres to the buriall There is nothing found in my flesh Ps 38.3.4 because of thine anger neither rest in my bones because of my sinne Mine iniquities are gone ouer mine head and as a weightie burthen they are too heauie My reines are all full of burning and there is no strength found in my flesh Ibid. 7. mine heart panteth my strength faileth mee and the light of mine eyes Ibid. 10. euē they are not mine owne I beseech thee pittie me come in to this bed to comfort me thy poore prisoner For Lord I am a prisoner of hope I trust in thee though I said in mine haste Thou hast casten me out of thy presence Psa 31.22 yet thou wilt heare the voyce of my prayer when I call vpon thee Take away mine iniquities which are the cause of my sicknesse Purge me from these filthie humours which are the matter of my sicknesse that these sinnes of corrupt humours being remooued my paine may bee mitigated My sinne inwardly presseth me downe and my diseases thereby are augmented Hide thy face from my sinnes and put away mine iniquities Create a new heart in mee Psa 51.10 and renew a right spirit within me Let my paine asswadge a little that I may gather my strength yet before I goe hence Psa 39.13 and be no more Nowe I call to minde my sinnes by the which I haue prouoked thee to wrath I looke to thee whom I haue rejected I haue multiplied mine iniquities against thee and thou most justlie hast doubled the stripes vpon me Cure my sinnes by thy corrections I refuse not to be corrected but doe it to me in thy mercie and let me feele the merciful hand of thy Spirit bearing me vp and comforting me let me heare his voyce speaking peace to my soule Giue comfort to mine inward man as I haue sicknesse which beareth downe mine outward man Thou wentest downe with Daniel to the denne Dan. 6.22 and 3.25 and with the thrie Children to the fire refuse not to visit this thy poore prisoner in this bed of sicknesse and if I finde thee with me I am content euer to abide heere Forgiue me O Lord the abuse of my former health surelie thou hast justly punished the abuse thereof in wantonnesse in ryot excesse in the pleasures of my flesh Now my flesh is punished for my foolish delights are turned vnto gall and bitternesse Wash cleanse me in thy Sonne Iesus Christ his holy bloode that I may be as white as snow and my foolishnesse may not be in thy rememberance Psal 51.7 O fy vpon the world which I loued and thought it my felicitie nowe it is a burthen to me when I desired to be rich I fell into many temptations and with Zacheus greedilie drew to me that vvhich I doe now most willinglie reject and cast from me Lord Luke 19.8 thou art mine only Physician neither haue I gone with Ahaziah 2. King 1.2 2. Chro. 16.12 to seeke after Beelzebib the God of Ekron neither with Asa put I my confidence in Physicians but in the liuing God O Lord cure me helpe me O my God who made me thou art mine health my strength and my Sauiour If mine health may serue any wayes to further for thy glorie I pray thee for to restore me Let me goe to the House of the LORD and prayse thee Psal 6.5 for the dead will not praise thee and those who goe downe to the pitte will not magnifie thy Name Let me not goe out of this bed to dishonour thee but that I may receiue a new life from thee to leade a new life before thee And if thou hast appointed that by this sicknesse thou vvilt drawe me home to thee then I beseech thee prepare my soule and make it readie and giue me before I come to thee a cleare sight of thee and an earnest desire to be with thee 2. Cor. 12.2 3.4.5 c. Phil. 1.2 3. for when Sainct Paule saw the Heauens it is no maruell that he desired to be dissolued to be with thee In the meane time I commit my bodie and my soule to thy pleasure and good will dispone them as thou thinkest meetest for thy glorie that whether I liue or die Christ may bee mine aduantage Phil. 1.4 Onlie I craue holie FATHER that I may so depende vpon thee in this my disease that I neuer depart from thee to any other I craue also holie patience by the which I may patientlie abide to be corrected by this visitation Matth. 11 29. to beare thy yoke willinglie drinke this cuppe chearfullie and heartilie assuring my selfe that all these troubles in ende shall worke together for the best to me that is Simil. that by them I may bee tryed as Golde in the fire and my drosse being purged I may serue thee more perfectly all the dayes of my life through Christ my Sauiour Amen A PRAYER FOR A WOMAN IN TRAVELL WITH CHILD O Lord God and most mercifull Father I thy poore creature whome thou hast bound vp with the bandes of this Sicknesse doe present my selfe vpon the knees both of my bodie and soule euen I thy poore supplicant whome thou puttest vpon my knees in this my trauell that I may learne to knowe that there is no helpe at all for mee but that which I must beg from thee in this my tribulation And because this paine of mine hath come to all Women by the transgression of Eua the first Woman Gen. 3.16 let me remember that sinne is the mother of these pangues forasmuch as all haue sinned and must be partakers of their sorrowes
Iesus I may sing the triumph and render my spirit into thine hands through Christ Iesus to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all praise for euermore Amen A MEDITATION OF THE SWORD THE Sword is Gods third Arrow which hee sendeth out either vpon a whole Land Causes of the Sword to punish their wickednesse Deu. 28.49 or to his own chosen Children for their sinnes as to Dauid the Sword of Saul and Absolam 2. Sam. 12.9 The Lord threatned by the Prophets and executed manie times in the Scriptures this judgement vpon his people for he brought Nations vpon them from farre flying as swift as an Eagle to the prey Terem 5.15 a people whose tongue they vnderstood not and of a fearce countenance which will not regard the persons of the olde nor haue compassâ—on of the young who shall besiedge them in all their Cities c. The Sword the greatest Plague 2. Sam. 24.14 This is the greatest temporall scourge that God euer sent to a Land to giue them ouer vnto cruell Tyrants for which cause Dauid made choyse of the other because he thought it better to fall into the handes of God than into the handes of men First we must consider that the author of all Warres God the author of Warres and first worker is the eternall God who being prouoked by the sinnes of the people and especiallie by Idolatrie and innocent blood as also Sacriledge raiseth vp Warres either intestine among themselues or forraine powers The Scriptures are furnished with insinit examples for the confirmation hereof Then we may learne not to looke vnto the rodde but to him who smiteth vs and to turne vnto him by vnfained repentance that he may stay and bridle the cruelcie of Tyrants Next ye shall know the causes of Warre Warres are lawfull if they bee warranded for we must not accompt that all Warres are vnlawfull for as Augustine saieth Melius justum â—ellian quam Pax iniqua that is A just Warre is better than an vnjust Peace Therefore Princes should consider that they raise no Warres vpon small groundes neither by ambition or couetousnesse encroath vpon the possessions of their neighbour Princes neither yet should they suffer their people to bee oppressed or brought vnder thraldome either of their bodies possessions or their conscience but rather ought to defende them by the Sword As the commodities of Peace are manie for in it Religion flourisheth The commodities of Peace 1. King 4.25 Isa 2.4 and Learning is aduanced euerie man dwelleth vnder his owne Figge-tree and the Sworde is turned into a Mattocke and the Speare into a Sythe the voyce of the Bridegroome is heard in the Citie and not the blooddie cryes of the Opressour which our Sauiour Christ when hee came to the world brought with him although it was attributed vnto Augustus Caesar so are the incommodities of Warre also manie The incommodities of Warres for in it all Religion euanisheth good Lawes are abolished good manners corrupted good Sciences forgotten Townes and Villages sacked Fieldes and Lands which were manured by great trauell and cost wasted by the incursion of strangers great Treasures are spent men muthered or made captiues women made whoores slaues c. so that Warres are the beginning and mother of all euils A PRAYER IN TIME OF THE SWORD O Lord we confesse that by reason wee haue abused so long and so gracious a peace and thy patience which should haue led vs to repentance wee are worthie of all these stripes which are laid vpon vs by these Barbarous Tyrants which thou hast raised vp against vs but wee haue our refuge to the Throne of thy mercie beseeching thee deare Father to remember that we are the price of thy Sonnes blood and for his sake spare vs chastise vs in mercie and in measure with the rodde of thy children and suffer not thy Turtle Doue to bee a prey to the wild Beasts Psa 74.19 Our hearts are oppressed and wounded with sorrow when we see thy glorie defaced thy Name blasphemed by these blooddie Beasts thy Temples burnt with fire and thy people daylie put to the Sworde O Lord the examples of others that called vpon thee in their troubles giueth vnto vs hope that thou wilt not suffer vs to bee confounded Our enemies haue raised vp battell against vs without all deseruings or cause vpon our side or injurie offered vnto them therefore O Lord maintaine our innocency as thou didst alwayes defend a righteous cause O Lord looke to their crueltie and mercilesse tyrannie who spare neither the gray haires nor tender sucklings neither women with child the rather O Lord they seeke our destruction because we haue renounced the Romane Antichrist whose kingdome they defend in daylie shedding the blood of thy Saincts O Lord looke to their craft and policies whereby daylie they vndermine vs. In vs O Lord there is no strength no wisdome no number nor judgment to withstand their force their craft multitude and diligence and therefore O Lord looke thou mercifullie vpon vs and deliuer vs from their crueltie for thy Christs sake Thou hast assisted thy Church euen from the begining and for the deliuerie of the same thou hast plagued her cruell persecuters from time to time O Lord thou remainest one for euer thy nature is vnchangeable thou canst not but hate crueltie pride oppression and murther and speciallie these blooddie Tyrants who are sent against vs by that Romish Idole and hired to roote out all those who truelie professe thy holy Name Put out thine arme O God for our relief let al the world know 1. Sam. 17.46 that the God of Israel yet liueth Heare vs O Lord helpe deliuer vs for thy Christs sake Amen A MEDITATION OF DEATH Death a dead enemie DEath is our last and least enemie for if Sinne and Sathan who are liuing enemies bee ouercome by the power of Christ in vs what need we to feare Death which is a dead enemie and altogether without power strength Indeed Death is terrible to the Worldling and no maruell for it separateth him from all his comforts and entereth him to all his paines but it possesseth the godlie in all their joyes and maketh an end of all their troubles it is to them Non obitus sed abitus non exitus sed transitus Ambros iis funera sunt faenora that is Not death but a departing not an out-going In the hour of death remeÌ„ber what thou wast what thou art what thou shalt bee but a thorow-going and to these their burials are gaines In the houre of Death remeÌ„ber with remorse thy former life thy future life with joye and delight and thy present estate with patience If the troubles of thy conscience or paine of thy sicknes vrge thee to impatience Quid scis quid sueâ—is quisque futurus cris then thinke this is the high way to HeaueÌ„ for euen by the
and Israel amongst the Heathen People Hee fedde the House of Iaakob in Aegypt by Ioseph Elimelech and Naomi in Moab the Prophets in the Caue by Obadiah Eliah by the Rauen and the Widow by Eliah Though the Lyons sayeth Dauid doe lacke are hungrie yet those that feare the Lord shall want nothing that is good yea in the dayes of Famine they shall haue enough and shall laugh at Dearth and Famine But in the time of Famine let vs remember howe often times wee haue exceeded measure in prodigalitie and howe wee haue hardened our heartes to the poore and needie and let vs repent and mourne for the same Next looke that thou despare not but humble thy selfe vnder the hand of the Lord and put thy whole trust in his promise who is faythfull but beware that thou seeke none vnlawfull meanes for thy reliefe And lastlie let vs pray feruentlie and often attending Gods pleasure with patience and then no doubt Hee will prouide meanes for our comfort vnlooked for A PRAYER IN THE TIME OF FAMINE IVST and righteous art thou O Lord God who hast so manie wayes to humble mee for nowe thou hast taken from mee thy good benefits which thou gauest mee I confeâ—â—â— O Lord that when my wayes were ouâ—-flowing with Oyle and Butter Iob 29.6 â—en I brake not my Bread vnâ—â—â—â—â—uâ—â—rie Psal 30.6 I say de in my prospeâ—â—â— I wilâ— neuer bee mooued but tho â—â—â—â—nedst thy countenance and I perâ—â—â—d Thou gauest mee O Lord Iob 1â— 21 and thoâ— hast taken from mee blessed bee thiâ—â— holie Name I repent mee oâ— my former abuse the contempt of thy benefâ—â—es and thy people But I returne to thee O my Father Luke 15.19 with teares I confesse that I am not woorthie that thou shouldest bestowe anie moe vpon mee Yet Lord I beseech thee to haue mercie vpon mee and let mee bee as one of thine hyred Seruantes For I will put my confidence in thee and I will seeke thee earlie because I knowe thou hast a thousande means for my reliefe comfort which I see not my selfe O Lord thou hast wounded me oh Iob 5.18 heale mee againe Thou filledst the Widowes Barrels with Oyle 1. King 17 16. and the Riuers of thine Oyle are not yet dried vp but continue still for they are euerlasting Powre downe therefore I beseech thee o thou plentifull God some droppe of thy goodnesse vpon mine emptie soule for the time of my necessitie is the time of thine oportunitie Make mee an example of thy liberalitie that all the worlde may see that thou leauest not those which put their trust in thee Shew some tokeÌ„ of thy fauour vnto mee and I shall praise thee For since thou gauest thy Christ for mee NOTA. wilt thou not much rather giue mee other thinges which are good for mee And last seeing thou hast prepared that hidden Manna for mee and the Tree of Life Revel 2.17 22.1.2 the Waters of Life yea and the whole Treasures and Crownes in thine euerlasting Kingdome then I doubt not O Lord but that in this short time of mine abiding heere thou wilt bee carefull for my prouision But howsoeuer it bee I am content of thy wise dispensation and teach mee my God I beseech thee to bee contented to abound and to want Phil. 4.11 that neither in wealth I presume and misknowe thee nor that in pouertie I may faint and tempt the Lord my God but that in euerie estate I may glorifie thee and speake good of thy Name Euen for Christ Iesus sake AMEN A MEDITATION OF PESTILENCE THe Pestilence is one of Gods three Arrowes Causes of Pestilence Psal 91.6 which flieth in the mid-day and in the night killeth manie The causes of it are the contempt of the Lord an extraordinarie persecutioÌ„ of the Church Lev. 26.25 or else the pride of Princes who confide ouer much in the multitude of their Subjectes 2. Sam. 24.10 as Dauid did There are manie sorts of the Plague after which it obtaineth diuers names as Bubo Blew-blawart the Flexes The Pest is most daungerous in 4 respects the Charbuckle c. The Pest is most dangerous in foure respectes first because it is contagious and infecteth the aire secondlie it is speedie and flieth like an Arrow thirdlie it is vehement and extreame painfull and fourthlie it is cruell separating those who are bound by nature as Parentes from Children Husbandes from their Wiues c. Vnder the time of the Plague vvee should fall downe before God Wee should stoupe when we see the Sword in the hand of the Angel Let vs confesse our particular sinnes with Dauid saying I and my fathers house haue sinned 2. Sam. 24.17 Psa 51.17 Wee must offer vp to GOD the Sacrifice of a contrite heart and present vnto him the perfect Oblation of Christ That the Plague may cease there is none Arte or diligence of man or yet Physicke to bee vsed but the next remedie is onelie true repentance in CHRISTES Blood A PRAYER IN THE TIME OF PESTILENCE O Lord I confesse that I am worthie that thou shouldest powre foorth all the Violes of thy wrath against me Rev. 6.14 and all the plagues which are written in thy Law for the stinke of my sinnes pierced the Heauens forced thee to send down this filthie and infectiue Botch to bee auenged vpon mine abhominations whereby I haue polluted the Earth O Lord bee mercifull to me and take away mine iniquities I retiere to the shadowe of the Almightie for a refuge and couer Psalm 9.9 and I hide me in the secret of thy Tabernacle Thou shootest thine arrowes in the mid-day yea they slay innumerable thousands in darknesse at thousand falleth at thy side Psal 91.7 and ten thousands at thy right hand and yet thou hast spared me praised bee thy Name for euer If the men of Benjamin failed not in their shooting at an haire-bredth Iudges 20.16 can the eye of the Lord or his hand wauer all things are done by thy prouidence Marke mee with the letter of mourning and with the blood of the Lambe Ezech. 9.4 Rev. 20.15 write me in the booke of Life that in the day of thy great slaughter the Angel of thy wrath may passe by me I ly wrapped in the mantle of my Sauiour before thy Mercie Seate beseeching thee to deliuer me from this plague if it please thee And if thou hast appointed that I should die therein sanctifie my death that it may bee acceptable to thee sanctifie my faith with the assurance of thy loue that albeit I be seperated from men yet thou wilt not be seperated from me sanctifie my patience that I may drink in this Cuppe chearfullie sanctifie in ende my memorie that I may remember thy inercies in the midst of thy plagues Lord let the joy of thy presence swallow vp all my pangues that hauing receiued the finall victorie in the blood of