knowne from Popish superstition religion is held but an opinion or a point of state which is therefore often pretended but seldome truly intended For many indeed loathe the word of life they loue riches they reckon not of Christs righteousnesse if they can enioy a present honour and prosperity they will hazard heauen and the eternall Paradise Such profane Esaus will sell their future hopes for a present mease of pottage if euer such Atheists haue recourse to God at any time for mercy it is then only when they perforce come vnder the hand of his iustice For where is that man which in onely hatred of the worlds vanities in true detestation of his owne foule corruptions vpon good assurance of life eternall will in his health and highest prosperity begin heartily to sing the song of Simeon and to say Lord now lettest thou thy seruant depart in peace for mine eyes haue seene thy saluation embracing Christ by faith as hee tooke him in his armes Gaius Alas my Lord this is our carnall state indeed in a fleshly security for the most part For many haue a religion without the vertue of the spirit and power of the word they frame a God all of mercy without terrour in execution of iustice they imagine a Christ without a fan in his hand to diuide the chaffe from the wheate to burne it and without an iron rod to breake the wicked in pieces But what should I thus complaine of others Oh that I could pray and mourne for them and amend my owne waies which verily I desire and therefore doe I humbly craue of thee farther directions how I may daily exercise my selfe in true holinesse and righteousnesse that so I may auoid what is euill and in the end find death aduantage vnto me and the last iudgement the day of my perfect redemption Iohn Welbeloued Gaius this thy heauenly desire holy purpose most gratious affection disposed so happily to goodnesse doe cause me greatly to reioyce It is a rare thing now a dayes to find so humble a spirit in so learned a person such piety in so great prosperity such hunger and feeling of wants still in so great abūdance of grace I know not whether I more admire thee then loue thee both are so high in degree in my thoughts and meditations vpon thee Gaius Reuerend Sir I thanke you for your vndeserued loue but I cannot cease to maruell how my meane gifts and graces should bee esteemed of so great worth with you when I know that of my selfe I am nothing and haue nothing but of God that more strength of corruption is in mee then power of grace much more yet to bee desired then I haue attained vnto wherein many thousands excell me Iohn Good heart vpon this thy humility the Lord in mercy looke and will exalt thee as he hath promised them that are humble and meeke Gaius If God be pleased to shew me mercy in any measure I will acknowledge it his good grace without my merit But may it please thee thou holy man of God to cease to admire my poore deeds and no desarts and with the eye of pitie to look vpon my great defects and by thy gracious words instruct mee yet further how to demeane my selfe that my wants may bee supplied my present state of grace preserued and by little and little through prayer and practice good things may by Gods mercy bee encreased vnto the end Iohn It pleaseth me well good Gaius though not to cease to admire thee yet willingly to aduise thee wherin I can to the vtmost Therefore for the present take this my counsell and aduice thou shalt doe well to obserue these rules following for the generall course of life First and aboue all set Generall rules for the whole course of life God euer before thy face thinke him alwaies with thee present by thee and earnestly looking vpon thee iudging rightly and as thou deseruest iustly to reward thee Secondly behold his glorious Angels attending thee perfect patternes of pietie and all purity in well doing they doe guard thee through wickednes they flie from thee Thirdly haue an awful regard to all Gods Commandements omit no dutie commit no iniquitie feare to offend in the least sinne and be zealous of euery least good worke esteeme not lightly of any of Gods Commandements iudge euery part of his will set downe in his word worthie of all holy reuerence and that with obedience in feare Fourthly in the matters of God and holy motions abandon thine own will shut out carnall reason seeke not thine owne glory fauour or praise of other in thy seruice to God but onely respect his good pleasure and a conscionable discharge of thy owne dutie Fifthly haue alwaies a loue vnto the Word a reuerend estimation of his Ministers and a religious care to sanctifie the Sabbath three things most vsually of a very prophane carelesnesse neglected despised Sixthly in what estate soeuer thou doest stand take wisely an occasion from thence to become more holy towards God to man more iust and in thine owne heart more truly humble and gracious If it be in abundance enioy thy wealth with thy brethrens welfare supply their wants by giuing freely or lending in true loue Thinke not thy selfe an absolute Lord of thine own but Gods Steward who giueth can take away looke so vpon the poore as on thy selfe who may bee in their stead Make not riches thy hearts habitation nor the power of reuenge vpon thine enemie nor the prop to beare vp iniquity nor as fuell to maintaine the fire of lusts nor any euill whatsoeuer but with thy riches honour God doe therewith publike good in maintaining religion iustice truth charitie and euery good way If thou beest in honour bee not puffed vp contemne no inferiour he may bee thy equall presume not to equalize thy selfe to thy better acknowledge thy equall euery where as thy fellow and to such rather giue then take honor from Pride is hatefull but true humility not a base spirit is a badge of true honour For know this that meanely borne are in place of honour euermore high minded and of a more presuming disposition with contempt of others then the truly descended of ancient noble progenitors In aduersitie of what kind soeuer take it from God alwaies thankfully bee quiet and contented looke to the Lords promises and vse all good lawfull means for deliuerance wait with patience giue God glory iudge it thy desert know thy offences and cease to sinne Euer being perswaded that thy present estate is best for thee and most for Gods glory and withall beleeue that in the end thou shalt haue a comfortable issue of all thy troubles Seuenthly liue to the world as a stranger and as an enemie to thine owne corruptions When thou seest other grow rich enuie not their prosperity but if they bee godly reioyce and praise God if wicked admire Gods mercy and pray for them Think that what thou
thy selfe hast is more then thou well deseruest or rightly canst vse without Gods speciall grace the lesse thou hast the lesse account thou art to make Striue to bee well pleased with Gods will and his disposing of all things for this ende pray much and feruently fast often but beware of hypocrisie reade the holy Scriptures diligently and that with all reuerence attention and faith make them thy counsellours in all thy enterprises thy comforts in aduersitie thy guide in prosperity and the rule of thy whole life Eighthly be much addicted vnto heauenly meditations lifting vp thy heart vnto the Lord sending forth spirituall eiaculations vpon euery occasion though prayers bee but short yet may they pierce the heauens by sighes that cannot be expressed If thou doe thinke of God let it be with high reuerence to his Maiestie speake of him with feare as his glorious excellencie requireth So know him as thou mayest in acknowledging him neuer dare to disobey his Commandements Behold him in his goodnes to loue him in his iustice to feare him in his word to know him and to beleeue in him Behold him also in his workes his wisedome and How to behold the Lord in his creatures power in the workes of creation his mercy and iustice in the worke of redemption his euer being in our continuall preseruation Acknowledge his prouidence in prouiding for his creatures his strength in the mightinesse of mountaines and powers vnresistable his holinesse by his Angels puritie and his Saints piety his inuisibility by the aire and strong winds his miraculous hand by the Ocean sea his glorious Maiestie by the brightnesse of the Sunne his bountie by extending his goodnesse to euery creature his dominion and soueraignty by his rule ouer the world his patience by not speedily confounding some presumptuous sinners yet his iustice in due inflicted punishments vpon others His beautie by the heauens brightnesse the Sun in his glory the shining starres the glistering gold and the liuely colours set vpon his faire creatures full of admiration to the beholders His truth by the performance of his word his stability by the certain and vnchangeable course of things and his infinitenesse by the earths roundnesse the heauens circumference and the immeasurable spatiousnes betwixt both Praise this God in all his proceedings disgrace none of his workes magnifie his goodnesse for the least of his gifts bee silent when hee crosseth thee feare when he is vsing vpon his children the rod of his correction but tremble at his wrath in his worke of destruction and euer submit to the powerfull hand of his prouidence Ninthly in the next place with thy thoughts of God sauour also the things that are of God that is his word and ordinances ministery and magistracie also all diuine truthes though aboue all reason likewise all holy motions pressing downe the corruptions of thy heart yea sharpe rebukes for reformatiō shew patience in bearing of wrōgs and manifest loue to the godly though neuer so poore and let their account of thee bee more esteemed of thē the countenance of the mightiest that bee enemies to goodnesse Let mourning and sorrow for sin please thee better then wicked mirth Preferre Gods honor and diuine worship before thine owne life and al thy wealth Hold it thy greatest preferment and glory to be a true Christian and a companion to all that feare God professing the truth with them in the way of life Iudge it no disgrace to bee noted for zeale in religion for following the holy Saints in true deuotion But desire and striue to bee like the best follow Dauid in feruencie Iosias in tendernes of spirit and a melting heart Barnabas in charitie Nathaniel in sinceritie without guile Moses in the spirit of meeknes and Ioshua in his resolution to feare God and that alone with all thine household and bee as Cornelius in his holy estimation of the ministerie and alacrity of spirit to ioyne with the people of God Step forward euer with these and the like in the way of vertue that vnto the death as holy Martyrs haue done constantly looke to the reward of glory in the end Tenthly as thou art religious so bee also righteous serue God and doe thy dutie vnto men obey lawful commands of such as haue authority ouer thee Looke on God in the Commander and for a reward at his hands Be of a peaceable spirit offer Of our carriage towards men wrong to none wrongs receiued seeke not to reuenge desire onely that which is thine owne require that peaceably which other withhold wrongfully vse law but as a moderator and not as an auenger hate no man though he haue deserued it by loue win him and by thy weldoing hold him fast to thee make account of thy neighbour as of thy selfe let his honour bee thy ioy his sorrow thy griefe and his life to thee pretious his chastitie preserue as thine owne honesty thinke thy good name touched in the cracke of his credit for the Gospels sake wish him euer well do as thou wouldest be done vnto If in his absence thou speakest of him let it be good and in his presence onely for his good Couet not to bee preferred before him that is pride not to haue his life that is bloody cruelty nor to satisfie thy lust that is filthie dishonestie nor to get his goods that is the euerie nor to take away his good name that is worse then death Though he dislike of thee yet loue thou him faile not thou of any dutie albeit other doe not obserue thee according as is meet There is in thee the more grace and the greater praise thou doest deserue when thou canst subdue thy passions passe by contempt neglect thy selfe and teach other men their duties onely by thine owne weldoing This will procure loue make all thy paths peaceable and get thee praise and due honour with men if not yet God seeth hee will iudge and plead thy cause for thee in their consciences reuenge thy wrongs vpon obstinate enemies and recompence fully thy goodnesse vpon thy selfe Let this comfort thee against their vnthankfulnesse and remember the end obserue the commandement of loue liue euer in daily expectation of death the reward of life the crowne of glory and by the helpe of Gods spirit thou shalt neuer doe amisse Gaius O blessed Lord God! how do I hunger to haue part in this blessednes my soule is as the thirstie land I preceiue heereby my great wants and bewaile my imperfections I see now the narrow way and the straight gate to life and feare Ah how much is professed how little practiced I should vtterly despaire of my safety but that I rest vpon Gods mercy and relie onely vpon Christ his merits Now the Lord vouchsafe mee his spirit and the helpe of his grace that I may be a true obseruer of all these things thus to doe his will thus to performe my bounden dutie Oh Sir that I could
to thy selfe as thou art foule or faire without flatterie or deceit so doth Gods word shew either thy faire graces or foule vices without partialitie 2. As thou delightest to see thy comely parts and so more to grace them and as thou doest see thy spots and lookest after them that thou mayest wash them off euen so behold thy graces in Gods word to delight therein and seeke to beautifie them the more as also thy deformities spots of sinne to wash them away 3. As thou approuest of a glasse and delightest to looke into it because it is a true glasse though it shew thy spots so should wee allow of delight in Gods word albeit it discouer vnto vs our iniquities and sinnes After these meditations 3. Dutie betake thy selfe to In the morning is prayer prayer and cast downe thy selfe before the Lord craue pardon for euery sinne nights pollution naturall corruption dayes transgression desire the spirits illumination the direction of the word the graces of the spirit the protection of Angels the helpe of his holy hand to beare thee vp in all thy waies whatsoeuer thou puttest thy hand vnto in the day following according to thy vocation and course of thy lawfull calling Hauing thus called vpon 4. Dutie is to read the Scriptures God take some time to looke into Gods word to reade some portion of Scriptures As thou canst looke into a glasse euery morning so haue a care to looke into the law of God to see the state of thy soule behold what thou art by nature what by grace what here now and what thou mayest bee in the life to come Also consider of thy place and standing thy course of life calling what thy dutie is therein either to God or to man what charge thou hast vpon thee whether of a child a parent a married person a ruler of a family a master or of a seruant a publke or priuate person a pastor or one of the flocke a labourer or trades man and so forth and according to the seuerall respects consider of thy dutie By this glasse looke into the order of thy family thy conuersation with men and thy dealings in the world by it set modestly thy countenance frame reuerently thy gesture guide thy vnruly tongue set thy hands on worke and order thy footsteps so reforme whatsoeuer is amisse If thou doest looke into it for thy attire consider by this glasse of truth not only how thy raiment doth Consideration of apparell become thee but also how lawfull to be worne how conuenient for thee in respect of thy place degree age sexe and habilitie thereby to preuent iust occasion of giuing offence and if yet thou wilt needs excell in brauerie and goe with the best for outward garments see that thou also be as readie to imitate the most holy in heauenly graces else thou art but the diuels ensigne-bearer lifting vp the standard of pride to thy owne confusion After all these things 5. Dutie weigh seriously with thy selfe before thou goest Godly considerations in going abroad forth 1. What businesse thou hast abroad 2. What warrant thou hast for thy intendments therin from God his word 3. How lawfull thy proceeding and act it selfe is in it selfe 4. How lawfull vnto thee what calling thou hast thereunto 5. What means to effect it what hope of a blessing what honour may bee thereby to God what good to others what profit to thy selfe Do nothing rashly nor any thing at any time against religion charity publike peace equitie or common honestie lest thou sinne against God against men and against thy owne soule To conclude consider that thy preparation to thy businesse in thy Christian calling is a preparation to goe forth vnto the battell with thy spirituall enemies and therfore forget not to keep euer within the Citie the new Ierusalem The Christian Garison the true Church of God vnder thy Generall Iesus Christ guided by his Vice-gerent his holy spirit following his Ensigne the preaching of his word hauing vpon thee the whole Armour of God the girdle of veritie the brest-plate of righteousnesse the helmet of saluation the shield of faith on thy feet the preparation of the Gospell of peace in thy hand or rather in thy heart the sword of the spirit the word of God and vse all these with feruent praier attend the Ensigne-bearers the true Preachers of Gods word displaying their colours openly and liuely teaching the truth Keepe with the court of Guard the fellowship of the faithfull vnder the Castle of Gods gracious protectiō being to watch stand firme in thy holy profession and abide in thy particular calling Let the Captaine religion command thee the Lieutenant soundnesse of iudgement in the truth settle thee the Sergeant prudence order thee let thy Corporall apprehension set thy attention Sentinell when thou shalt heare the Gentlemen of the Round comming godly discourses and holy motions keepe the watch-word the witnes of Gods Spirit diligently if thou shalt perceiue any secret conspirators inward corruptions outward tentations make an alarme let flie from thy heart spirituall eiaculations vnto Iesus Christ for aide against them If the common souldiers corrupt reason and loose affections begin to be disorderly and to mutinie through vaine pleasures against Captaine religion complaine presently to the Generall the Lord Iesus that by his Spirit he may suppresse them and by the power of conscience keepe them in obedience lest the terrible shot of thundering iudgements bring an vtter destruction In all assaults fight valiantly resist thy enemies with courage and bee perswaded in the end of victorie howsoeuer for thy bodily life care not neuer yeeld to thine enemies but fight it out as a souldier of Iesus Christ to the death rather then to bee taken and led captiue for that is worse then a thousand bodily deathes Lastly going forth thus 6. Dutie In being abroad well resolued set God before thee hide his commandements within thee cleaue to the rule of his word purpose wholly to do well and endeauour it take heede of ill intendments Auoid ill companie beware of ill counsell fauour not thy owne corruptions seeke not thine owne will aime principally at Gods glory and thus goe forth in the name of the Lord bee confident that thou doest goe vnder Gods protection and expect a safe returne For blessed is such a one in his going forth and blessed shall he be in his returning in againe But if before thou goest Meditations in going to meate out or afterward whē thou wilt thou shall receiue any bodily nourishment consider these things 1. That as thy body stands in need of food so doth thy soule also 2. That as hunger maketh meate pleasant and forceth thee to looke for food and to receiue it thankfully euen so a soule hungering after grace maketh the word pleasant causeth vs to seeke it and hauing it to thanke God heartily for it 3. As nothing
Blessed be thy name most A Prayer for the morning gracious Father the Lord of life for that thou hast of thy goodnesse and mercy thus preserued mee this present night past and hast awakened mee raised mee vp giuen vnto mee comfortable meditations and a most sweet taste of thy heauenly graces Oh my Father my Father how is my spirit delighted with these celestiall ioyes afford me stil I humbly beseech thee the like measure of thy mercy daily that I may euer feele these comforts and neuer cease to praise thy goodnesse Indeed O Lord I freely confesse vnto thee that I haue lien in the bed of my corruptions and slept in the darke ignorance of my mind and therein tooke such delight as if thou haddest not sent out the sweet beames of the light of truth and called me vp by thy faithfull teachers I had yet remained in the night of misdeeds and perished in my sinnes Sythen therfore O Lord thou hast thus brought mee from darknesse to the light and opened mine eyes to see that which before I could not discerne cause mee now I beseech thee to shake off al fleshly drousines that in so broad a sun-shine of the Gospell I may not as carelesse of spirituall thrist sloathfully lie downe againe in the sinfull corruptions of mine owne heart but so partake of the first resurrection in the state of grace as I may enioy the blessing of the second in the kingdome of glory I doe acknowledge to thee how without thee I am O Lord very miserable poore and naked so as I am ashamed to come before thee but in mercy doe thou pitie mee and clothe me with that faire rayment of Christ his righteousnesse that I may be bold to draw neare to the throne of grace this best robe by the spirit put vpon me and giue me the hand of faith to apply the same vnto me that I may thereby be preserued from the heate of thy wrath for sinne and escape eternall destruction Giue mee grace good Lord to beautifie my holy profession with ornaments of grace good words and good workes let mee neuer want the linnen of inward sincerity nor the outward garment of Christian honestie that I may be welcome to the companie of thy Saints the onely comely creatures whom thou O Lord hast washed and made cleane Wash me O Lord with them for I confesse my selfe polluted with manifold sins and that they stick so hard cleaue so fast vnto mee that I cannot be deliuered nor clensed except thou my God by thy mercifull hand the worke of thy Spirit dost rinse mee in the precious blood of Christ Surely if it were not for the hope which I haue of thy gracious fauour I should verily despaire of my saluation For when by the glasse of thy word I see my selfe so vncleane my corruptions also to be so many and withall feele them so strong in mee I cannot but mourne with teares and lament with heauinesse of heart my present estate deseruing death and iustly causing me to feare rather damnation then to haue any hope at all of saluation But there is mercy with thee O thou blessed God of mercy to which I now appeale humbly crauing at thy hands the ful pardon of al my sinnes behold deare Father the merits of my Redeemer the price which hee hath paid to satisfie thy iustice that so of thy goodnesse thou mayest be well pleased with mee that my prayers may bee granted and my requests which I now put vp vnto thee may graciously be heard of thee It is thy will O Lord that euery one should haue a calling to walke in and that wee should performe such duties diligently as do belong thereunto now Lord for thy mercie sake as thou hast giuen mee a calling and desire to performe the charge laid vpon me therby so I do earnestly beseech thee to help guide aide and strengthen me therin put vpon mee that whole furniture of thine for my spirituall warfare that I may be armed at all assayes to resist also to preuaile against all my ghostly enemies O Lord thou knowest well how manifold the tentations bee which doe follow all those that desire to liue in and by their callings religiously and honestly Thou doest also know how I desire like a true Israelite to walke before thee in godly simplicity and towards the world without fraud or guile peaceably but Satan is so powerfull and often in his tentations the world so full of deceitfull allurements and my heart so weake and vnable to resist that vnlesse thou by thy spirit doe aide me by thy power defend mee by thy word instruct mee and by thy grace preuent mee I shall vndoubtedly goe astray from my intended purpose of wel doing O my God helpe me helpe me therefore O my God In al my iust proceedings protect me make my good purposes prosperous if it bee thy will I heartily pray thee Bend my mind euer to thy good pleasure and will that I encline not vnto wickednesse by ill companie ill counsell ill examples of others though for a time they flourish by il means Make mee O Lord to delight more in thy fauour and loue then in the gaine of all earthly goods Possesse so my heart with vprightnesse and true intendment of iust dealing and peaceable walking towards all in all my courses that I may boldly come to thee and make thee my God the Iudge of all my actions Goe out Lord before me and let my eyes be this day as at all times euer vpon thee that so before I speake I may consult with thee before I do any thing I may bee aduised by thee that so in going out and in continuing abroad thy care may be ouer mee thy prouident hand may helpe me thy mercy also may couer me that so I may by thee returne home in good peace and safety through Iesus Christ our Lord and onely Sauiour in whose name I further call vpon thee for my self for the whole Church and euery member of the same in that holy forme of prayer which hee taught his blessed Apostle saying Our Father which art in heauen c. Gaius For this thou blessed seruant of God I most humbly thanke thee now if it please thee proceed on to the second point how I may carrie my selfe abroad on the day time Iohn Hold thy selfe Gaius to this mornings worke constantly then go forth in Gods name feare not neither be faint-hearted for the Lord is with thee Walk as a Saint among Directions for the day time men striuing daily to perfection let them as apparantly see thee to be come out of Satans house of bondage spiritually as they can behold thee out of thine owne house bodily Liue in the light of Gods word with respect vnto all and euery one of Gods Commandements as thou doest walke with thy body and sight of the eyes in the shine of the Sunne Behold and looke vp often to the heauens as thy
my minde in heauenly meditations from vncleane vnquiet and foolish dreames and so refresh me by the quiet benefit of sweet sleepe that I may arise more chearfully comfortably in the morning to the labours of my particular calling While I doe sleepe watch I beseech thee ouer me cause thy holy Angels to pitch their tents about me that so I may rest and also arise in safety and therby be moued to laud and praise thee still renewing my thankes as thou doest renew thy mercies daily And now Lord going to my bed I commend my selfe my soule and body into the hands of thy fatherey protection for thou art awake when I sleepe and thou onely art able to preserue mee If it so please thee now this night to take my life from me and to remoue me out of this vale of miserie this doe O Lord of thy great mercy pardon me all my sins wilfull transgressions negligences and ignorances euils committed and duties omitted in any measure manner or any way displeasing to thy Maiesty and that for the death and passion the righteousnesse the merits and intercession of Iesus Christ thy Sonne and our blessed Sauiour I humbly beseech thee and for his sake take vp my soule to thy heauenly habitation there to rest vntill I come wholly body and soule vnto thee in that great day of the resurrection But if it yet please thee stil further to prolong my life then I hartily pray thee good God of thy tender mercy herein to heare mee that as dayes be added to the time of life so graces may bee encreased that as I grow in yeeres so may I also bee fruitfull in good workes encreasing in grace to thy praise my better preparednesse to death and to my eternall comfort at the last day the time of my perfect redemption through Iesus Christ our Lord to whom with thee and that blessed Spirit bee giuen all honour glory and praise of me and all thy people as is most due for all thy louing mercies past and present for the future hope of eternall blisse this night and for euermore Amen Gaius Now if it please thee my Father proceed to the next point and shew vnto me what meditatiōs I should haue in the night season if it happen that then I should awake Iohn Let it 1. put thee Meditations vpon our awaking in the night in mind of awaking from sinne as thou hast awaked frō sleep that thou perish not by death 2. Thinke also how God can make men which are dead in the graue to liue againe as easily as hee hath made thee to awake out of thy sleepe 3. By thy sudden awaking to consider how suddenly thou mayest bee raised vp and summoned to iudgement Secondly by the darknes Of darknesse of the night first thinke of the spirituall darknesse in which natural men sinfully and desperately doe sleepe to pray that God would open their eyes to see the wonders of his law then of the vtter darknesse into which all such impenitent sleepers shall bee cast to moue thee to mourne for them aliue that they may not bee damned when they bee dead further by this darknesse so comfortlesse behold also their comfortles estate for as they cannot which are in darknes see either themselues or others or their way or house or friends or enemies no more can men in spirituall darknesse know thēselues nor the Church of God nor discerne the godly from the vngodly nor the way of life from the way of death nor foresee perils or the pit prepared for them no more then men which remaine in darknesse can see to auoide the dangers which they may fall into vntill the light doe againe shine vpon them Thirdly if thou canst Of dreames cal thy dreames to remembrance by their vanitie iudge of thy leuity by their vncleannesse thy filthinesse by their idlenes thy foolishnesse by the furie in them thy madnes by their much vncertainty thy wauering and inconstancie the delight in their deceits thy easinesse to bee led by delusions the fearfulnesse in them thy timorous heart the seldome thoughts of goodnes thy much delight in wickednesse and little care of godlinesse Fourthly in the silent night vpon thy bed it is good to fall into an examination of thine owne heart it is the time freest from disturbance in respect of outward impediments thou mayest haue with thy soule free and peaceable conference By a true and serious search thou mayest finde out thy selfe and so bee better knowne to thy selfe and the more thou art acquainted with thy owne corruption the more wilt thou bewaile thy wants and seeke after the grace of sanctification Fifthly in thine inclination to sleepe againe note thereby how a man may awake from sin through Gods mercy and yet bee readie to sleepe againe in sinne by his owne infirmitie Sixthly before thou sleepe againe commend thy selfe in some short prayer to God according to the former meditations and so asleepe for refreshment taking so much as may suffice nature for more strength of labour but not to satisfie the flesh to grow thereby lazie and lustfull Gaius Oh what conceited Laodiceans are we wee out of an ordinarie profession in any measure aboue our brethren hold our selues full of deuotion wee iudge our selues goodly Christians rich in graces flowing in goodnesse lacking little to perfection but alas now I see by the neglect of these things that we are wretched and miserable and poore and blind and naked I confesse that the Lord hath cause to rebuke and chasten vs except wee speedily grow more zealous and amend Iohn Indeed Gaius men are too wickedly carelesse of a holy conuersation and how to keepe a good cōscience towards God man Men seeme to hate so very much popish superstition as they neglect altogether Christian deuotiō it is iudged enough to bee no Papist though otherwise a man bee little better then a very Atheist in all his courses Gaius Right so my father such as see it may lament it but not remedie it I pray for better vnto him that can reforme it But leauing this proceed on I beseech thee with mee as thou hast begun and come to the last particular how I may make my selfe readie for the sanctifying of the Sabbath Iohn I perceiue that thy heart thirsteth after grace the Lord more and more perfect the same so happily begun in thee First besides these things Directions for a preparation to the Sabbath before mentioned carefully haue in remēbrance euery day the Lords day to keepe it holy when it commeth therefore foresee thy businesse neglect no ordinarie labour order thy worldly affaires so as that day bee set apart for the speciall and publike worship of God that so thy deuotion bee not hindered nor the day prophaned hee hath vtterly lost the power of religion that is carelesse of the Sabbaths sanctification Secondly in the end of the weeke iudge by this holy course of thy growth in religion of
how contrary heereunto are the most and how defectiue are the best I may mourne heauily for the multitude and much lament my own wants but as I heare now my dutie so will I endeauour to performe by Gods grace more carefully hereafter the present desire of my heart and therefore proceed thou best beloued Apostle of the Lord to teach me what to do when the publike seruice to God is ended Iohn 1. Preuent al present occasions of worldly vnnecessarie communication 2. Betake thy selfe a Our duty after publike seruice of God while to some priuate place for priuate meditation and prayer vpon that which thou hast heard remembrest 3. Receiue that day so much nourishment only as may satisfie for necessitie auoiding superfluitie arising of variety which may cause drousines dulnesse of spirit and hinder thy meditation 4. Vse conference with other and occasion them to holy speeches if thou doest doubt thou mayest perhaps bee resolued if thou hast forgot the memories of other may help thee as also giue thee vnderstanding in that thou thy selfe knowest not 5. Being disposed to be merrie sing Psalms abandon foolish and leaud sports and vaine companie 6. Forget not this day to shew forth workes of mercy to visit the sicke to relieue the poore and to comfort the afflicted Lastly in the end of the day praise God for the comforts thereof remember what thou hast heard and that which especially concerned thy selfe make some vse of all but forget not that pray for a blessing resolue to put what thou learnest into daily practise and then before thy rest fall to thy daily deuotion and in all good things bee euer constant vnto the end Gaius O Lord grant me so great mercy how happie were I if thus I could doe I earnestly desire it Oh that I could attaine vnto it This were indeed a blessednesse here a heauen vpon earth a celestiall felicity in a terrestriall place in this wretched state of miserie This pearle if I could purchase I offer willingly to giue away all my carnal pleasures al my worldly profits all vaine honour and my selfe wholly for the loue of it For what am I if I had all the world without the effectuall sauing power and grace of the word if I had all pleasure and had no portion in the heauenly Paradise If I had all honour without certaine hope of heauen Woe would bee to mee endlesse woes would seaze vpon mee I will therefore now resolue to walke with God seek fellowship with the faithfull and abandon the waies of wickednesse whatsoeuer befalleth mee in this present world Iohn A most blessed resolution sweet soule go on and prosper looke for ioyfull fruits of thy blessed labour by well doing thou shalt haue assured hope of Gods fauour boldnesse in Christ to go vnto God who will be to thee a Father the Spirit a Comforter as Christ thy Redeemer and Iustifier Feare not death dread not hell heauen is thine inheritance The godly pray for thee Angels accompanie thee the Law will not curse thee the Gospel is for thy comfort and thy conscience will speake peace vnto thee Satan dare not claime thee God doth acknowledge thee for his owne and hath thee in his safe keeping to bring thee to heauen Gaius Blessed man of God thou beloued of the Lord thou hast comforted me and spoken comfortably vnto thy seruant the Lord recompence thy worke and a full reward bee giuen thee of the Lord God of Israel and now behold thy seruant and the seruant of the Lord bee it vnto mee according to all these thy words Yet good Sir before I end I must needs craue a little more helpe I was aduised to pray vpon the Sabbath day in the morning before I goe vnto the publike congregation and in the euening when the day is ended vouchsafe I beseech thee to help my weaknesse heerein also and to set me downe how to pray morning euening on the Sabbath Iohn Friend Gaius I am ready to further thy gracious desires in al good things much reioycing in thy vnfained loue to the Lord and to the holy exercises of religion I heartily wish thee heerein all happie successe such feruencie such growth such constancie as thy example may moue many to imitate thy vertues and to ioyne with thee in the way to eternitie Thus therefore mayest thou or to the like effect pray in the morning O Lord our God whose A Prayer for the Sabbath day in the morning will and commandement it is that wee should keepe holy this day as set apart for the publike worship and seruice of thy most holy name Now I do heartily beseech thee in thy tender compassion and mercy so to looke vpon me in Christ Iesus that my sinnes may not be a wall of separation betweene thee and me but that of thy gracious goodnesse through my blessed Sauiour I may obtaine ful remission of all my sinnes and by him the gift of thy most holy spirit which may happily prepare and make ready my heart that I may goe to the holy assembly of thy Saints as well prepared ground fit to receiue the good seed of thy most holy word Oh Lord open mine eyes to see thy truth mine eares encline to harken attentiuely bend my will to follow what I shall heare that I may not be a bare hearer but a doer of thy word Giue me wisdome to iudge of the truth humility to receiue it faith to beleeue it conscience to practise it make it vnto me the Sauiour of life vnto life a word of reconciliation that I may for euer by it be wonne vnto thee Withdraw my mind and affections wholly from euery thing that may hinder mee from the performance of my duty this day in thy diuine seruice Take from me blindnesse of mind dulnesse of wit disorderlines of affections deadnesse of spirit hardnesse of heart vnbeleefe pride selfe-conceit presumption of mercy and wicked prophanenes that so I may not contemne nor yet make light account of thy holy ordinances the word read and preached the administration of the Sacramēts prayer and thankes giuing with the whole congregation Being set to heare good Father blesse me from wandring thoughts vaine imaginations Satans suggestions drowsinesse of the flesh and whatsoeuer is an enemie to the sauing hearing of thy blessed word Sanctifie my vnderstanding rightly to conceiue my memory to retaine and keepe and my heart truly to affect what thy seruant shall speake vnto mee and to the rest of thy people this day O Lord open his mouth that hee may speake onely thy truth enforme his vnderstanding settle his iudgement enflame his affections with that truth which he shal deliuer vnto vs and guide so his tongue that he may speak wisely seasonably aptly and also with great power of thy spirit to the heart and consciences of euery of vs his hearers so as we may liuely feele the power of thine owne ordinance and may also truly say of him that