greater then our heart and knoweth all things 1 John 3.20 A man of understanding is of an excellent spirit Pro. 17.27 He that hath no rule over his owne spirit is like a City that is broken downe and without walls Pro. 25.28 Therefore take heed to your spirit Mal. 2.15 16. The heart of the wicked is little worth Pro. 10.20 Heare thou my Sonne and be wise and guide thine heart in the way Pro. 23.15 2 Concerning Government of the Tongue A word spoken in due season â—â—w good is it Pro. 15.23 A word fitly spoken is like Apples of gold in pictures of silver Pro. 25.11 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sinne Pro. 10.19 He that hath knowledge spareth his words Pro. 17.27 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words there is more hope of a foole then of him Pro. 29.20 A fools voyce is knowne by multitude of words Eccl. 5.3 In many words there are also divers vanities Eccl. 5.7 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more then the cry of him that ruleth among fools Ecc. 9.17 The words of a wise mans mouth are gracious Eccl. 10.12 A foole also is full of words Eccl. 10.14 Every idle word that men shall speake they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement for by thy words thou shall be justified and by thy words thou shall be condemned Mat. 12.36 37. Teach me and I will hold my tongue Job 6.24 Keep thy tongue from evill Pl. 34.13 His tongue talketh of judgment Psal 37.30 I said I will take heed to my wayes that I sinne not with my tongue Psal 39.1 There is not a word in my tongue but loe O Lord thou knowest it altogether Psal 1 39 4. The froward tongue shall be cut out Pro. 10 31. The tongue of the wise is health Pro. 12 18. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright Pro. 15.2 A wholsome tongue is as the Tree of life Pro. 15 4. The answer of the tongue is from the Lord Pro. 16 1. He that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischefe Pro. 17 20. Perversnesse therein is a breach â—â— the spirit Pro. 15 4. Death and life are in the power of the tongue Pro. 18 21. Who so keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soule from troubles Pro. 21 23. And the Lord said who hath made mans mouth have not I the Lord now therefore goe and I will be with thy mouth and teach thee what thou shalt say Exod. 4.11 12. I am purposed my mouth shall not transgresse Psal 17.3 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdome Psal 37 30. I will keep my mouth with a bridle Psal 39 1. Set a Watch O Lord before my mouth keep the doore of my lips Psal 141 3. Put away from thee a froward mouth and perverse lips put farre from thee Pro. 4 24. A naughty person a wicked man walketh with a froward mouth Pro. 6 12. The mouth of the foolish is neere destruction Pro. 10 14. The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdome Psal 10 31. The mouth of the wicked speaketh froward things Pro. 10 32. The mouth of the upright shall deliver them Pro. 12 6. A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth Pro 12 14. 13.2 The mouth of fooles poureth out foolishnesse Pro. 15 2. A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth Pro. 15 23. The mouth of the wicked poureth out evill things Pro. 15 28. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth Pro. 16 23. A fools mouth calleth for strokes a fools mouth is his destruction Pro. 18 6 7. It not rash with thy mouth and â—â—â— not thine heart be hasty to utâ—â—â— any thing let thy words be few Eccl. 5 2. But those things which proceed â—ut of the mouth come forth from â—he heart and they defile the man Mat. 15.18 Out of the abundaÌ„ce of the heart â—he mouth speaketh Mat. 12 34. To provoke him to speak many things seeking to catch something â—ut of his mouth that they might â—â—cuse him Luke 11 53 54. If any man among you seem to be religious and bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his owne heart this mans Religion is vain James 1 26. The tongue is a little member â—nd boasteth great things the tongue is a fire a world of iniquity the tongue can no man tame it is an unruly evill full of deadly poyson James 3 5 6 8. He that will love life and see good dayes let him refraine his tongue from evill 1 Peter 3 10. I will give a mouth and wisdome Luke 21 15. In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdome is found Pro. 10 13. He that refraineth his lips is wise Pro. 10 19. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable Pro. 10 31. The wicked is nared by the transgression of his lips Prov. 12 13. He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction Pro. 13 3. The lips of the wise shall preserve them Pro. 14 3. The talk of the lips tendeth only to penury Pro. 14 23. Even a foole when he holdeth his peace is counted wise and be that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding Pro 17 28. A fools lips are the snare of his soule Pro. 18 6 7. Every man shall kisse his lips that giveth a right answer Pro. â—4 26. I create the fruit of the lips Isa 17 19. Teach us what we shall say unto him for we cannot order our speech because of darknesse Job 17 19. Excellent speech becommeth not â— foole Pro. 17 7. Let your speech be alway with grace seasoned with salt that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man Col. 4 6. Sound speech that cannot be condemned that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed Tit. 2 8. If any man offend not in word the same is a perfect man and able also to bridle the whole body Jam. 3 2. A prating foole shall fall Pro. 10 8 10. Should a man full of talke be justified Job 1.2 The lips of a foole will swallow up himselfe the beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishnesse and the end of his talk is mischievous madnesse Eccl. 10.12 13. Speak not in the eares of a fool for he will despise the wisdome of thy words Pro. 23 9. A time to keep silence and a time to speak Eccl. 3 7. The vile person will speak villany and his heart will worke iniquity to practice hypocrisie and to utter errour against the Lord Isa 32 5. Even so we speak not as pleasing men but God which trieth our hearts 1 Thes 2 4. Let every man be swift to hear low to speak James 1 19. So speak ye as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty Jam. 2 12. Speak not evill one of another James 4 11. If any man speak let him speak as the Oracles of God 1 Peter 4 11. Let not an evill
in mind and seasonably shew forth the life and power of each part of what thou hast inabled me to thinke upon according to the warrant of thy most holie word that I may be every way the more fit to serve thee and in every thing find the more comfort from thee through thy Christ my Redeemer Amen Before Meales Our heavenly Father be intreated to vouchsafe a gracious blessing upon these thy good creatures which we are about to receive from thy bountifull hands grant us to receive them as we ought in the strength of them vouchsafe us the continuance of good health if it be thy will above all make us the more fit to doe thee all acceptable service to thy glory and our eternal happinesse in Christ Jesus Amen After Meales O our God for ever blessed be thy name for refreshing â—â— againe so graciously at this time with thy good creatures and alwaies providing so bountifully for us whereas we are unworthy of one drop of cold water and merit the worst of evils whereas many of thy deare children suffer great want of those things which we injoy in abundance Lord make us truly thankfull forgive our sins cause us to serve thee better continue towards us thy favours never suffer us to want any thing thou seest good for us provide reliefe for all in any distresse accept and blesse us alwaies and in all things through Christ Jesus Amen A serious Prayer at any time O my heavenly Father be intreated freely and fully to forget and forgive all my offences though never so many and hainous which make me most unworthy the least of thy merties and whereby I provoke all thy heaviest displeasure against me sanctifie my soule speedily throughly and constantly that I may serve thee all the rest of my time sincerely watchfully zealously save me from thy wrath which I fear and merit and can by no meanes else escape continue towards me all needfull favours which I can by no meanes else injoy turne all my present and future inward and outward sufferings to my soules eternall good and doe what thou pleasest with me afford true grace peace and comfort to my poore soule and I desire no more of thee make me willing to leave this and fit for a better life when I leave this receive me to a better life and it is enough for me Amen through thy Christ my Redeemer the Lord Jesus my intercessor I beseech thee A Thanksgiving at any time O my reconciled God most gracious Father and alone alsufficient most wise mercifull faithfull and immutable helper in Jesus Christ whom thou hast freely given unto me to be an al-sufficient Saviour and continuall intercessor for me in whom thou art in covenant with me and all thy promises are my portion through whom thou hast afforded and assured all grace and good unto me here and all happinesse with thee in Heaven for evermore Behold as I am every way exceedingly bound beyond all I can remember or acknowledge my soules desire is alwayes set to render in all and above all things all possible praises to thy Majesty acknowledging ingenuously that all my inward outward present former and future welfare is only from thee and that else no heart could conceive or tongue expresse my misery accept my unfained though exceeding weak desires now and at all times to give thy great name for all all the glory Amen When he must goe abroad and about businesse in hast wanting time convenient to seek the Lord solemnly O my heavenly Fatherin the name of thy Sonne my Saviour I goe abroad and about my businesse in thou leavest me I shall doe sinfully and foolishly and shame and harme will befall me therefore for his sake I beseech thee governe me witâ— thy holy spirit let thine owne blessing be with me so shall I demeane my self discreetly and honestly and all shall goe well with me in all I undertake and that concernes me according to the especiall occasions guide and prosper me more especially as I look for all help onely from thee my soule shall therefore give thee alone all the glory Amen Short Ejaculations set down as they came in my mind LORD give me a peaceable sealed suffering spirit A cercumspect silent sober tongue A faire friendly free carriage A grave gracious gentle conversation Lord make me and every one of mine capable and partakers of each part of thy covenant of mercy grace peace and happinesse and it is enough Lord deliver and keep me from unconscionable contentious and unreasonable men let none that wish or seek my shame or harme have their will of me Lord cause me to walke more wisely and uprightly that I may walke more boldly and securely maintaine my cause for thine honours sake I beseech thee Lord put spirit life and power into my devotions alwaies forgive accept and blesse my weake performances Lord help me to worship thee seasonably and conscionably and worke with thy grace mercifully and faithfully that I may walk with thee watchfully and constantly Lord assure me of thy favour and help me out of debt before I dye I beg of thee Lord help me to hold fast my integrity and to trust thy alsufficiency in my greatest extremity let it not be in vaine for me to seek serve and await upon thee Lord whatsoever befals me let me never be forced to put forth my hand to iniquity as thou art most true make good this truth unto me Psal 125.3 Lord poure out the spirit of grace and supplication upon me that I may delight to poure out my heart in prayer before thee daily Lord cause me to love the Lord Jesus dearly to learne oâ— him who is meek lowely and to apply his al-sufficient satisfaction rightly Lord in the sight and sense oâ— my sinnes humble me deeply for those most displeasing 〈◊〉 thee chiefly oh discover theâ—â— unto me clearly make me tâ— hate and forsake them unfairedly Lord as thou hast expresâ— promised me Zach. 12 1â— cause me to looke upon tâ— Christ my Saviour whom â—â— smnes have pierced that I mâ—â— mourne for them as one moâ—neth for his onely sonne aâ—â— be in bitternesse for him as 〈◊〉 the losse of my first borne 〈◊〉 let his wounds heale me 〈◊〉 blood cleanse me his spiâ—â— comfort and his merits saâ—â— me Lord give me a good conscience a contented mind a discreet demeanour a competent estate and thy fatherly blessing it is enough Lord give me an understanding beleeving penetent watchfull upright wel-ordered heart and all shall be well Lord settle me in a Christian course of serving thee and let me find the sweetnesse thereof continually oh let my wayes please thee and make my enemies at peace with me Lord whatsoever betide me let nothing disgrace my Christian profession of thee or give those that hate me advantage against me Lord help me in wel-doing to commend all to thee and to trust thee most in my most helplesse misery Lord I crave and
performe Rom. 4.18.20 21. And never to cast away 〈◊〉 confidence which hath great recompence of reward He. 10 3â— But as I have great needâ—â— imbrace patience that after have done the will of my God by his grace I may receiâ—â— the promise Heb. 10.36 Being most confident that the hatred envy unpeaceablenesse malice scorne cruelty of Iosephs Brethren against him Gen. 37.4.8.11.19 their purpose to kill him their casting him into the pit their selling him to the Ismalites the Ismalites selling him againe to the Aegyptians Potiphar verse 22.24.28.36 the stander of his Mistresse his hard imprisonment thereupon Gen. 39.19 20. the Butlers Bakers Pharaohs dreames the extreame dearth and all things whatsoever seemed to make never somuch against him wrought in the end most remarkably for him Gen. 41.9 45.5 7 8. 50.24 so my God without doubt will most fatherly powerfully faithfully seasonably carefully constantly work in with and for me being the same God for ever for good to his that all my present and future inward perplexities and outward troubles all that Satan or any of his instruments doe or may doe against me all the malice and scorne of evill men all the oppositions and injuries of any though never so great and many all my instant seares cares and most hopelesse and helplesse miseries yea my folly sinne and misgovernment my felt or lookt for shame and losse my crosses and poverty yea even that intolerable hurthen Lord thou knowest my meaning and necessity that even overwhelmeth me and whatsoever doth or may seem to make most against me that all shall turne remarkably for good unto me Rom. 8.28 Lord thou hast spoken it and will also bring it to passe thou hast purposed it and wilt also doe it and nothing shall let it Isa 46.10 11. Therefore to conclude as Joseph did and to say to my selfe in every crosle and calamity yea though never so grievous and desperate even in my present misery as he did to his Brethren be not grieved nor angry that this or that betides thee it is God that sends it to thee and remaines thy most wise and tender-hearted Father continually howsoever he please to afflict thee and whatsoever by the devil or man may be intended or wrought against thee thy God intendeth and will work all for thy good undoubtedly Gen 45.5.7 50.20 Well then my soule is not all this enough for thee I thus beset with paine and grief did pray to God for grace plaint And he forthwith did heare my out of his holy place Ps 18 6. On me some signe of favour shew that all my foes may see And be ashamd because Lord thou doest help and comfort me Psal 86.17 And now my soul sith thou art safe returne unto thy rest For largely loe the Lord to thee his bounty hath exprest Ps 16.7 See more at large in my collection of Promises these following particulars which will by Gods blessing afford more matter of consolation and setling in any kind of misery as in my booke of the Promises concerning afflictions in generall page 102 to 112 Concerning trouble of mind pag. 116. Concerning a desolate estate pag. 118 Concerning any kind of outward want pag. 135 Concerning Gods blessing pag. 164. Concerning the manner of Gods hearing our prayers pag. 208. A briefe commending all to the LORD Oh Lord helpe mine heart to pray heare my prayers thy Name shall have the praises O Thou that art the onely and alwayes true God whom alone I desire to serve and trust â—ternall al-knowing every where present almighty most wise mercifull faithfull and immutable in Jesus Christ by vertue of thine owne most free and faithfull Covenant my reconciled God most gracious Father and alone al-sufficient helper it is thy will I should call upon thee in every need and hast promised thou wilt deliver me that I may glorifie thee I have never sought thee in vaine thou hast alwayes heard me and that most remarkably in greatest extremity thou hast often done more for me then I desired or expected from thee behold as well as I can though alas at the best exceeding weakly in the sense of my especiall necessities fully known to thee with all circumstances I set my soule to seeke all help at thy hands onely deâ—â—ying all other meanes of reliefe wholly this in obedience to thy will in the assistance of thy Spirit in the name and mediation of thy deare and onely Sonne my alone al-sufficient Saviour and continuall intercessor Christ Jesus founding my prayers on thy promises which I lay before thee with which I urge thee flying to thy mercies building on thy power submitting to thy will wisdome and providence acknowledging all my inward and outward welfare past present and to come to come onely from thee or else woe woe woe unto me and nothing could or can availe me a waiting for thy salvation continually promising all possible praises to thee onely for whatsoever grace or good thou hast pleased to vouchsafe or shalt please to vouchsafe unto me and now thou that art such a God as I acknowledge thee and thou hast revealed thy selfe to be intreated in mercy as thou hast promised by thy unresistable working in due season upon all occasions especially in greatest extremities more particularly in my particular present or future prossing inward and outward necessities to guide to prevent to governe to restore to receive to streng then to comfort to support to establish to relieve to protect to deliver every way to help and prosper me notwithstanding all my horrible ingratitude most hainous sinfulnesse exceeding unworthinesse extreame weaknesse and all other though never so many great impediments you according to all thy great name manifested and magnified to thine for good whereby so freely plainly plentifully infallibly thou hast revealed and assured audience and help to thine to hear and help me even beyond all that I now or at any other time can think or aske that it may appeare thou Lord hast done all for me all this all else as may be most to the glory of thy name the service of thy Zion the gracing of my Christian profession the stopping the mouth of prophanenesse malice scorn and injury the preventing my distasting others or others especially such as most wish and would be glad of my shame and harme having advantage against me the good of those most neare and deare unto me my outward credite and comfort in thy fear with thy favour my soules present peace and everlasting happinesse in Heaven with thee as seemeth best unto thee wherewithall in all good conscience and Christian considence make me contented heartily and it is enough for me and all the glory shall he thine onely to whom alone the same is due wholly and continually Amen Observe HEr Adversary provoked her sore for to make her fret therefore shee wept and did not eat shee was in bitternesse of soule and prayed unto the Lord and wept sore and shee vowed a
of God otherwise he would suffer us to give credite to them as to other Authors 28 That they have been preserved from time to time so that they have not perished whereas other books of great price and estemation have been utterly lost 29 Whereas persecuting Tyrants have sought to suppresse the doctrine thereof they have still more and more flourished and been spread abroad 30 It is an undoubted argument that they are his most facred Truths because God by such weak instruments and silly meanes doth spread abroad the doctrine thereof spite of all oppositions for none but a greater power could subdue a lesser 31 That it is true whatsoever doctrine it revealeth though it make never so much against our pleasures profits and lusts yet till a man be brought to it it never worketh soundly 32 There is an especiall glory in the Truth in the Promises and the conditions of them 33 They teach us to know God in Christ 34 And the Trinity in Unity 35 And the doctrine of regeneration all which are foolishnesse to the flesh yet the power of God to salvation to all that believe 36 The constant deaths of so many wise sober and meeke Martyrs who ever in their sufferings for this truth which no torments could extort from them have had a plain distinction from the death of frantick and witlesse persons declareth the same 37 That the Spirit of God inclineth our hearts to beleeve this and to receive the same as his infallible truth 38 The universall and continuall consent of this Booke from time to time by so many holy humble learned men of divers Nations in all Ages giveth testimony to the same I beleeve Lord help my unbeliefe These for this Some few plaine profitable and pleasing Instructions for all times HEare and be silent be silent and observe observe and remember remember and doe All that you see judge not all that you heare beleeve not All that you know tell not all that ye can doe not Goods lost nothing lost courage lost much lost credit lost more lost Soule lost all lost To serve God hinders not to give almes impoverish not Ill gotten goods enrich not allyar prospereth not No more of this now A seasonable and serious Advertisement concerning the too common and crying sinnes of our calling This Advertisement was written when he was a Captain in the Nether-lands and may not be uselesse here WHich of us does not think and dares not say God loves me Christ is my Saviour and Heaven my hope whereas if we would examine our hearts and wayes seriously and impartially many among us should see our selves shamefully deceived and not to 〈◊〉 about doth not our preserring our pleasing and profitable â—â—s before the will of God our love to Carise and walking in the way of life give us the lye to our faces Wherefore it concernes us highly to labour effectually for some good measure of those infallible marks which may undoubtedly assure us we are in covenant with God doe love the Lord Jesus dearly and shall be saved everlastingly unto which end I commend Master By fields Marrow of the Oracles of God as an especiall help by Gods blessing and because my soule desires we may not deceive our selves and lose our labour in this maisie matter that so much concerne our true peace here and happinesse for evermore I take the boldnesse in zeale to my God in good will towards you my Fellow-Officers of our own nation especially freely and plainly to beseech warne and charge you as I doe mine owne soule to lay to heart somewhat I have to declare unto you that instead of those favours God hath pleased to promise to his we bring not upon our owne heads the contrary curses let us then lay this as an infallible foundation that it is altogether in vain for us to look for any good from the Lord so long as we dare to live in any one knowne sinne with allowance and without repentance which is accompanied with a desire resolution and endeavour to break off the same and to doe no more so for all unregerate men who live in their sinnes without repentance are strangers from the Covenant of Promise having no part in the Testiment they have no hope but are without God in the world Eph. 2.12 Mat. 7.6 15.26 But it may be said this is faire and farre off we know we are all sinners and trust the Lord will have mercy on us c. Well excuse me I meane no harme the next will come neerer home even into our secret bosomes againe I say what I say to any I say to mine own soule The Lord saith Ier. 7.9 10 19. Will you steale murder commit adultery and sweare falsly and come and stand before me and say we are delivered although ye doe all these abominations you provoke the Lord to anger to the confusion of your owne faces I pray then what shall we gaine but all misery and mischiefe judge ye now let us make application for what the Lord sayes concerning some his meaning is concerning any other sinne as if it were there mentioned Well then dare you drinke drunk whore sweare quarrell shed blood and as prophane Beasts make a mock of God and goodnesse scorne and abuse good men and because the Lord yet suffers thee and seems to be silent thinkest thou that God is like unto thee and a patron of iniquity Oh horrible impiety he will reprove thee and set all thy sinnes in order before thee Psal 50.18 19 20 21. then wo wo wo unto thee Ier. 13.15 27. Will you dare you by your selves or others for your selves or others flatter insinuate slander bribe lye be bribed sweare cozen oppresse forsweare mince geld dally and play with an Oath make others lye sweare and forsweare themselves for your base profit They bend their tongues like their bowes for lies but they have no courage for the truth upon the earth for they proceed from evill to worse and they have not known me saith the Lord Jer. 9.3 Let every one take heed of his neighbour and trust you not in any brother for every brother will use deceit and every friend will dealt deceitfully and every one will deceive his friend and will not speak the truth for they have taught their tongues to speak lyes and take great pains to doe wickedly Jer. 9.5 and is it not just thus among us tell me will God suffer this he will not shall I not visit for these things saith the Lord and shall not my soule be avenged on such a Nation as this Psal 50.21 Ier. 5.9 Will you dare you grind the faces of the poore Isa 3.15 Souldiers flay the skins from their backs suck the marrow out of their bones blood out of their veins and pull the hearts out of their bodies by cutting off and with-holding their due by forcing them to take their off-reckonings at unreasonable rates or by giving them none at all or by halves by
hope beyond hope to beleeve beyond sense to comfort my selfe in thee and in the word of thy truth unto me to be quiet and silent to lay my mouth in the dust because thou Lord doest it and as becomes one of thine to await thy leasure and good pleasure who assuredly at the oppointed time and in due season wilt come and not carry all that it may appeare thy hand hath done it oh vouchsafe thy help herein leave my profession of thee prayeâ— to thee confidence in thee 〈◊〉 reproached least my heart aâ—â— the hearts of thine be discouraged by thy not helping me dâ— this that it may appeare 〈◊〉 right way is the best way thâ—â— it is not in vaine to seeke seâ—â— and trust in thee that the moâ—â— of iniquity may be stoppâ—â— others of thine encouraged aâ— my poore soule more and 〈◊〉 confirmed O my most gracious Lord reconciled God 〈◊〉 most mercifull Father and 〈◊〉 helper at all assaies in whoâ—â— have all without whom I hâ—â—â— nothing accept the meditation of my heart and words of 〈◊〉 mouth look favourably upâ—â— me stretch out thy hand to 〈◊〉 leeve me according to all 〈◊〉 great name notwithstanding all hinderances onely through the al-sufficient merits 〈◊〉 continuall mediation of thy Christ my alone most blessed Redeemer and most gracious Intercessor the Lord Jesus Amen Amen Being thus instructed resolved and strengthened by my God ought I not to comfort â—nd settle my heart in him may I not fully perswade my selfe that by one meanes or other it will please him to afford his help unto me and so with Hannah to be quiet in heart â—nd chearfull in countenance â—nd to await his most gracious powerfull promised reliefe according to his owne blessed will in Christ Jesus Amen See further yet more largely concerning this matter in his prayer made in his great extremity which prayer is among â—he rest in his daily devotions The right way to go to work extracted out of S. B. his Sermon on Prov. 16.3 1. The parts FIrst an Advice Secondly a Promise of â—â—â—nesse 2. The meaning Commit the choyce ordering and successe of all thy intenâ—â—ons words actions to Jehovâ—â— Doct. 1. Every one ought â—â— commit their wayes unto 〈◊〉 Lord. Proofs of this Doctrinâ— Psal 37.5 55.22 1 Pet. 5. â—â— Three things in this committiâ—â— First a sense and acknowledgement of self-insufficient for the worke Secondly a faithfull dependency on God for the appointing and effecting of it Thirdly an actuall recommending of it unto God by prayer 3. The explanation of the severals First we must feele our selves unable to under goe the burden and acknowledg our weaknesse 〈◊〉 respect first of our judgement secondly of our wisdom thirdly of our power First in our judgement to choose Pro. 21.2.25 Eccl. 11.9 10. Gen 11.4 Secondly for wisdome in managing a thing resolved on 1 Chron. 15.13 Isa 36.6 Job 5.13 14. Pro. 5.5 Jer. 10.23 Thirdly for power to accomplish any work though never so well conceived though means are never so well ordered Lam. 3.37 Joh. 15.5 Deut. 8.17 Psal 44.3 2 Cor 3.5 1 Cor. 3.7 Psal 127.1 2 Chron. 20.12 Of the second act of Faith in dependency on God and his efficiency 1. On his will and allowance 2. On his help and blessing For the first see Judges 1.11 20 18.23.28 1 Sam. 23.12 30.8 Numb 27.21 We have no Oracle but Gods Word therefore we must goe 〈◊〉 that onely for warrant Isa â— 20 Therefore examine 〈◊〉 what warrant we have hereâ—â— in every thing Reas 1. Gods will is the ruâ—â— and patterne of holinesse and justice Rom. 7.12 12.2 Pâ— 119.9 Isa 8.20 2. We owe him that respeâ—â— and obedience as our Lord Gâ—vernour Commander Mal. â— 6 Isa 55.4 Amos 6.11 For the second the act of dâ—pendency viz. a resting on God for the ordering of our courses as for provision of meanes and for disposing and blessing of them Mat. 6.25 10.19 Obiect If I must roule my work on God then need I not stirre Answ The best meanes must be used or we commit not our wayes to God aright as the word thy works thy thoughts doe prove Further then the second act of our dependency 1. In respect of our selves 2. Of other meanes For both our eyes must be towards him that he may guide us with his eye Psal 32.8 Ezra 5.5 If our businesse be in speech as Moses Exod. 4.11 12. If in action as Gideon Judg. 6.16 2 Sam. 15.31 Gen. 24.13 14. Reas 1. Gods wisdome is most exact and infinite that where he will not worke he knoweth to hinder prevent or frustrate all meanes and where he will to make all secondary causes to concurre in an admirable harmony which we out selves cannot doe Rom. 8.28 Gen. 45 5 7 8. 50.20 Reas 2. Gods providence is in every thing that falleth out Prov. 20.24 16.2 Joâ— 14.16 The third act of dependency is a resting and waiting oâ— God for the successe of our businesse and endeavours Psal 37.5 Acts 14.23 Isa 49.4 2 Sam. 10.12 Neh. 1.11 Est 4.16 Gen. 22.8 Reas 1. Because of Gods absolute power that he is omnipotent and solipotent Eccl. 9.11 Dan. 3.17 2 Chron. 14.11 Reas 2. Because of his decree all our times are in his hands yea all the actions and motions of those times Psal 31.15 Pro. 19.21 Isa 26.12 Signes of confidence in God 1. It casteth out feare Isa 12.2 Rom. 4.18 19 20. 2. And care Dan. 3.16 3. And causeth cheerfulnesse 1 Sam. 30.6 Psal 37.4 5. The last thing in committing our wayes unto the Lord is an actuall recommending of the same to him by prayer Isa 37.14 Reas 1. It is Gods will as in the Text c. 2. His wisdome invites us hereto 3. Also his power Pro. 18.10 4. His love 1 Pet. 5.7 Psal 113.13 57.2 Phil. 4 6. 5. His faithfulnesse he hath promised to give good successe as in the Text. The first Use Exhortation hereunto 1. For our owne affaires 2. For the distressed Churches 3. For others The second Use Reproofe 1. Of such as relie on their owne sufficiency 2. Of such as doe without warrant Jer. 42.20 3. Of such as dare not depend on God for meanes or sufficiency as Moses Exod. 4.10.13 4. Of such as distrust if such meanes take not or not at such time Psal 78.41.3 5. Of them that rely on theiâ— owne procurement of meanes Isa 31 1 2. 6. Of such as use ill meanes 7. Of such as trust not God with the successe Ex. 4.1.1 San 27.1 Lord I desire cause me rightly to acknowledge seeke and trust thee and as thou hast assured heare direct and help me Amen Before solemne setling himselfe to pray in private O Lord God whose work it onely is which thou knowest and I acknowledge to be exceedingly wanting in me be intreated in mercy as thou art wont and hast promised be I never so unworthy unthankfull and indisposed to poure out upon me the spirit of
grace and supplication that I may at this present poure out my heart in prayer before thee so that thou mayest be pleased to heare and help from Heaven seasonably and effectually thy great name shall have all the glory Or Thus O Lord prepare my miserable unprepared heart to pray heare me graciously though I be most unworthy as thou hast promised whatsoever opposeth thy great name shall have all the glory Or Thus O Lord help my heart to pray heare my prayers thy name shall have the praises If he comes into Gods House before the beginning of publike worship O Most holy Lord God prepare every one of our unprepared hearts in most holy manner to seek thy face in every one of thy most holy Ordinances work effectually with thy most holy spirit upon every one of our hearts that the meanes of grace may prove effectuall to every one of our most sinfull soules to the building of them up in all grace to our present comfort and eternall happinesse in Christ Jesus Amen When Amen is pronounced at the end of the publike prayers Amen Lord Amen of thy infinite mercy according to thy immutable truth by thy unresistable working notwithstanding our unworthinesse insufficiency and all other impediments thy great name shall have all the glory to which alone the same is due wholy When he gives Almes Good Lord accept the will for the deed forgive and reforme what is amisse vouchsafe a plentifull blessing in due season according to thy wonted goodnesse and faithfull promises in Christ Jesus When the blessing is pronounced O Lord our God most mighty mercifull and true vouchsafe graciously seasonably and effectually to leave thy promised blessing of mercy grace and peace behind thee Amen When he awakes in the morning O Lord my God it is of thine owne and onely wonted undeserved infinite never failing mercies that I have not in this night past been smothered in my sleep and sinnes that I may behold the light of this day in peace awaken my heart with all holy affections towards thee cause me to cast off all works of darknesse and to walk in the light before thee renew remission unto me for my sins of the night renewed against thee throughout this day governe me by thy Word and spirit in all I goe about and let thy blessing be upon me in all that any way concernes me my soule through Jesus Christ shall more and more magnifie thee Amen When he layes him downe at night to take his rest O Lord my God by thy especiall providence assistance I lay me downe in peace at this present and blesse thy name unfainedly that all things throughout this day hath gone so well with me whereas else I had been every way most unhappy Oh multiply pardon to me for my fauls multiplyed against thee even this day past I beseech thee and watch over me the rest of this night to preserve me from sinning against thee though never so secretly and to keep off whatsoever would any way harme me for all grace and good my soule shall more and more through Jesus Christ glorifie thee Amen Before his going to heare Gods Word preached O Lord my God whose word I goe to heare grant me thy grace to heare it as thy word with all due reverence earnest attention and holy affection oh help me against all dead heartednesse distractednes and wearinesse make my heart as the good ground rightly to receive this heavenly seed water the same with the dew of thy grace that it may bring forth fruit abundantly in my knowledge resolution and practice in faith and godlinesse with all patience and constancy thus work in and for me mercifully powerfully faithfully notwithstanding my unprepared insensible unprofitable hearing therof whereof alas I am most hainously continually guilty for which I beg pardon and amendment yea in spite of all that the flesh the world the devill labour to the contrary Amen Amen my Father in Christ herein help me I most humbly and earnestly beg pray and beseech thee Amen at this time and upon the like occasions continually When be comes from hearing Gods Word Now my good and gracious God having by thy especiall providence goodnesse and grace injoyed the gracious meanes happy opportunity and thy help to heare thy most holy word for which exceeding great favours make me truâ—â— thankfull and of which crave the continuance unto my lives end bring the same to my remembrance affect me with each part thereof throughly cause me to mix it with faith rightly and to put each part thereof in practice Christianly as the necessities of my poore soule require especially heare and blesse in mercy as thou hast promised though I have sinned and whatsoever opposeth Amen Before his reading Gods Word in private O my heavenly Father be intreated mercifully powerfully faithfully now and at all other times be I never so unworthy indisposed and whatsoever opposeth to strengthen and blesse me in the reading understanding remembring applying and practising of thy most holy word as may be most to thy great glory and my eternall good through Christ Jesus Amen After his reading Gods Word in private O my God I most heartily thank thee for this most inestimable Jewell of thy most holy Word for this great freedome and thy especiall help to be exercised therein and for all the good that by thy blessing my poore soul hath received thereby Oh forgive my unthankfulnesse therefore and abusing thereof reforme these foule offences in me and notwithstanding the same and whatsoever else would hinder continue these great mercies unto me and make each part of thy most holy word my guide and comfort in life and death through Jesus Christ Amen I beg of thee Before his meditating in private Good Lord it is my most humble earnest suit unto thy most sacred Majesty that thou wilt not lay to my charge my long wilfull neglect of miserable aversnesse from and extream indisposition to this so much required and exceeding needfull dutie of divine Meditation but notwithstanding these and though I neither know how nor have any abilitie to discharge the same as I ought I pray and beseech thee to learne me the right way thereto and to dispose me in some good measure to the performance thereof help me to begin goe on and end in respect of the present matter thereof with sound judgement moved affection powerfull application and unfained purpose to put all to conscionable practice to the encrease of all grace and godlinesse through thy alone deare Sonne my alone sweet Saviour Christ Jesus Amen After his meditating in private My deare God my soule magnifieth thee for this opportunitie and assistance thou hast vouchsafed me most weak and unworthie in the performance of this holy dutie oh pardon pittie and reforme my ignorance insensiblenesse and manifold distempers herein oh helpe me more and more better hereunto and doe me this exceeding great favour that I may constantly beare