of thanksgiuing p. 547. A prayer after recouerie p. 551. The Close out of Scripture p. 559. The dying man's deuotion p. 560. The first admonition to the sicke being an admonition to patience p. â—63 The second admonition against despaire p. 594. A Psalme for the sicke lying at the point of death p. 594. A Prayer for the sicke To the Vnitie p. 600. To the Trinitie p. 604. To the Lord Iesus p. 608. THE PREPARATION TO RELIGIOVS exercises in generall PAR. I. Of Deuotion PRemeditation is the preparation to priuate prayer priuate to publicke priuate and publicke to the hearing the word priuate and publicke prayer together with the hearing of the word to the worthie participation of the holy Sacrament For the Sacrament receiues strength and vigour from the word preached the word preached from publicke prayer publicke prayer from priuate Deuotion and that from premeditation and consideration of the nature of deuotion and necessitie of preparation it selfe to all holy duties in the immediate worship of God Deuotion is the harts warmth or rather lifes bloud of religion It is a sacred bond knitting the soule vnto God It is a spirituall muskle mouing onely vpward and lifting vp the hearts eyes and hands continually vnto heauen And because it consisteth rather in the feruour of the affections then light of the thoughts of blaze or lustre in the words it is better felt then vnderstood and yet better vnderstood then can be expressed Especially priuate deuotion which is the Saint to whom I deuote this Treatise For priuate deuotion to shunne ostentaâ—ion and hypocrisie in heauenly things alwayes shuts her selfe vp in her closet desiring no eye to see her but her Fathers in secret Wounded she is like the spouse in the Canticles with the darts of diuine loue and continually bleedeth but inwardly in teares of compassion compunction and excessiue ioy There appeares no externall orifez in the flesh to be seene Shee resembles the strange plant in Plinie which buds inwardly and shooteth forth no bud blossome or leafe outwardly For if priuate deuotion cometh once to be knowne it ceaseth to be priuate The greatest commendation of it is like to that of the Garamantite a precious stone that hath no beautie nor lustre in the outside or in the surface but within the bodie of it appeares golden drops of diuine infusion What Cyprian speaketh of the wâ—rke of regeneration may be truly applyed to this vertue It is felt before it can be spoken of and it must be kindled in the heart by the Spirit before it can be felt It is the true Vest all fire that should be still kept burning in the heart but if it go out like that of the Vestals it must bee kindled from heauen To thee therefore ô most holy Spirit I addresse my prayer to kindle and keepe this fire in my soule by thy heauenly blasts Heate my heart with the feruour of true Deuotion and touch my tongue with a coale from thine altar that the words of my mouth and meditations of my heart may inflame all that reade these deuotions with a loue of deuotion it selfe and true Zeale Lev's censure may seeme too tart He that is not more religious in Lent then at other times hath no religion as all But I haue good warrant to suspect the sinceritie of their Deuotion altogether who are not more deuout in priuate then in publike For fire the closer it is kept the hotter it burneth and the exhalations which are violently detained in cranies vnder ground and can haue no vent are of force to moue the earth it selfe It cannot be otherwise but that the penitent or compassionate eye which droppeth in publike should runne and gush out with riuers of waters in priuate The afflicted soule which sometimes stealeth a groane and fetcheth a sigh in the Church offers vp often prayers with strong cries at home He that is affected and eleuated with spirituall ioy in publike is transported when he is alone and hath priuate communications with God S. Paul spake words of truth and sobernesse to the Corinthians Whether we he besides our selues it is to God or whether we be sober it is to you And Saint Ierome confirmeth it with an oath that after many dayes nay weekes spent by him in fasting and prayer in the end hee was rauished in spirit and seemed to haue priuate conuersation and familiaritie with quires of Angels My intent is not to detract any thing from publike deuotion but my desire is to adde to priuate Publike is more solemne but priuate ought to be more frequent Publike makes more noise but priuate for the most part hath a deeper channell Our Sauiour diuideth blessednesse equally betweene them both Blessed saith he is he that heareth the word and keepeth it it is publike deuotion that heareth the word preached but priuate that keepes it Publike gathereth Manna in greater aboundance but priuate is the golden Omer that preserueth it The Hart doth not so pant and bray for the riuers of waters as the soule of euery religious man longeth for the waters of life running plentifully out of the golden spoutes of the Temple the Ministers of the word but priuate deuotion it is that breedes this longing after the publike Ministerie Let vs take a patterne of Deuotion from our blessed Sauiour to whom all deuotions are due What commandeth hee by expresse precept When thou prayest enter into thy closet and what commendeth hee most by his owne practise It is true he calleth his house the house of prayer and as we reade that he was daily preaching so I doubt not but hee was daily praying in the Temple yet ye shall find him oftener on the Mount or in the Garden or in some priuate solitarie place praying alone then in the Temple yea and continuing longer in prayer spending sometimes whole nights in it This practise of our Sauiour hath bene a president to all those whose names in the Church of God are and haue bene as a sweete ointment for daily offering the sweetest incense of prayer to God Religious men neuer are wanting in publike assemblies but they exceed in priuate Deuotion Publike exercises of religion be their feasts but priuate their ordinarie Where find you Daniel but in his chamber at his Deuotion looking towards Ierusalem Where find you Dauid but in his couch watering it with his teares and communing with his owne heart in the night Where find you Cornelius but in his house in praying Where find you Saint Iohn on the Lords day but in the I le alone by himselfe in the spirit The powring out our speciall complaints to God our vowes to refraine such companie and such occasions of sinne the ripping vp of our whole life with a particular confession of our sins aggrauated by all circumstances and all those parts of repentance or the soules
endure the iust reproofe of them by his Ministry and loue him for it and amend by it Open my heart that I may attend to those things that belong to my peace Endue me with wisdome and spirituall vnderstanding that I may descerne those things that differ and try all things and hold that which is good and apply it to my selfe for the subduing of my fleshly members and affections and building me vp in the most holy faith of thine Elect. Quicken me with thy spirit that I may cheerefully and willingly and constantly listen to the voice of the heauenly charmer that hee may kill the venome of sinne in my soule Let the words of thy Preacher drop as raine and distill as deaw vpon me and into mee to make my barren heart fruitfull in holy affections desires my minde in heauenly thoughts and conceptions my tongue in wholsome words and graceful speeches my hands in all manner of good workes that I proue not an idle hearer but a doer of the Word constant practicer of al holy duties to the honour of thy holy and blessed Name and the saluation of my soule in the day of the Lord Iesus To whom with thee and the holy Ghost c. The Preparation to the receiuing of the holy Sacrament IT being reuealed to aged Simeon that hee should see his Sauiour in the flesh before hee rendered vp his owne Spirit when hee came into the Temple of the Lord and there found the Lord of the Temple hee was so ouer-ioyed there with that hee tooke the babe into his armes embraced it and began his Swan-like song or Nunc dimittis saying Lord now lettest thou thy seruant depart in peace for I haue seene the Prince of Peace Mine eyes haue seene thy saluation and I desire to see no more Into thy hands ô sweete babe whom I hold in mine arms I commend my fainting Spirit Embrace my soule with thine armes of mercy as I embrace thy body with these arms of flesh This singular prerogatiue of Simeon or rather a farre greater the Lord vouchsafeth thee ô deuout soule when he biddeth thee to his holy Table euen to take into thy hands thy Sauiour To see with thine eyes handle with thy hands yea and taste with thy mouth the Word of life For by with the sacred elements though not in or vnder them thou partakest of the flesh and bloud of the Son of God spiritually for his words are spirit and life yet truly and in very deede for hee is the liuing bread that came downe from heauen his flesh is meate indeede and his blood is drinke indeede As at sumptuous feasts where curious seruices are thou seest the proportion and shape of the Deere or Fowle set out in gold and colours on the outside or lidde of those baked meates which are truly contained vnder it and to bee eaten So vnder the holy formes of bread and wine thou feedest on thy Sauiour That which is represented in the signe to the eye of the body is presented in the thing signified to the eye of the soule and hand of thy faith what is shadowed in the Sacrament is truly also exhibited by it Qui credit edit If thou belieuest that thou eatest thou eatest that thou belieuest let no hereticall Harpyes pluck from thee thy heauenly dish or meate as Celaeno did Aeneas's Beware of two sorts of Hereticks especially which seeke to beguile thee in the Sacrament or rather of it viz the Sacramentaries Papists the one denyeth the signe the other the thing signified The one offereth thee a shadow without the body the other the body without the shadow and consequently neither of them giueth thee the true Sacrament which in nature and substance cosisteth of both The Sacramentary would robb thee of the Iewell the Papist of the Casket Lay thou thine hands on both hold both fast as thou seest the verity and substance of the one so beleeue that verity and substance of the other As thou takest the one receiue the other As thou handlest the one apprehend the other As thou feedest with thy mouth on the one feede in thy heart on the other And as truly as the one nourisheth thy body to a temporall so the other shall preserue thy soule to eternall life For it is the tree of Life which growes in the middest of the Paradice of God his Church on earth The way to the mysticall tree in Paradice was guarded by an Angel wauing a flaming sword The way to this in like manner is fenced There stands an Angell at the Table Gods Minister brandishing the sword of the Spirit and forbidding vnder paine of death any to eate of this fruit that haue their teeth set on edge with the apples of Sodome and grapes of Gomorrah Other fruits and meate are prepared for vs but we must be prepared for this before we eate it The bread of the earth cannot feed when thou eatest it till it bee changed into thy body because thou art more excellent then it but this bread which came downe from heauen is more excellent then thou art and therefore thou must be changed into it before it nourish thee All other meate is receiued as it is in it selfe and no otherwise but this is diuers as it is receiued Other meate affecteth and altereth the taste but heere the taste altereth the meate For if it be worthily receiued it is the body and blood of Christ if vnworthily it is but bare bread and wine If it meete with a spirituall taste and appetite stomack purged and prepared it proueth the food of life nay of immortality if otherwise it turneth into deadly poyson for hee that eateth and drinketh vnworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himselfe not discerning the Lords body A learned Physitian that tendreth the health and life of thy body will neuer minister strong physick that will amend or end thee before hee prepareth thy body accordingly This Sacrament is not onely foode but also physick to cure thy soule yea such strong physick as will worke effectually one way or other to thy health and saluation or to thy death and damnation Bee carefull therefore before thou takest it to prepare thy selfe for it and for thy helpe peruse the Admonition Hymne and Prayer following The admonition before the Communion THE ANALYSIS The due preparation to the Sacrament is by 1 Examinatiō whether thou hast 1 A feruent desire to partake of this holy table 2 Competent knowledge in this high mysterie 3 Faith in Christs incarnation death and affiance in the merits of both 4 A conscience cleansed by true repentance 5 An heart free from malice and all vncharitablenesse 2 Prayer THE TEXTS Let a man examine himselfe and so let him cate of that bread and drinke of that cup. 1. Cor. 11. 28. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousnesse sake for they shall be satisfied Math. 5 6. Ho euery one that thirsteth come
Lord honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine owne wayes nor finding thine owne pleasure nor speaking thine owne words Isa. 58. 13. Then shalt thou delight thy selfe in the Lord and I will cause thee to ride vpon the high places of the earth and feede thee with the heritage of Iacob thy father for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it ver 14. When the first day of the weeke began Marie Magdalen and the other Marie came to the sepulcher Math. 28. 1. Marke 16. 1. Iohn 20. 1. And behold there was a great earth-quake for the Angell of the Lord descended from heauen and rolled backe the stone from the doore and sate vpon it Math. 28. 2. And the Angell answered and said to the woman Feare yee not for I know that ye seeke Iesus that was crucified Math. 28. 6. He is not here for he is risen ver 7. And when the day of Pentecost was come they were all with one accord in one place Acts 2. 1. And suddenly there came a sound from heauen as of a rushing mightie wind and it filled all the house where they were sitting ver 2. And they were all filled with the holy Ghost and began to speake with other tongues as the Spirit gaue them vtterance ver 4. Euery first day of the weeke let euerie one lay aside as God hath prospered him c. 1. Corinth 16. 2. And the first day of the weeke the disciples being met together to breake bread Paul preached vnto them Acts 20. 7. And I was in the spirit on the Lords day and heard behind me a great voice as it had bene of a trumpet Reu. 1. 10. THE MORNING HYMNE for the Sabbath or the Lords day Wherein the deuout soule expresseth her performance at least in desire of all holy duties requisite on the Sabbath which are 1 Priuate as a 1. Premeditation b 2. Early rising or watchfulnesse c 3. The soules examination of her selfe d 4. Prayer at home consisting of 1. Confession of sinne e Originall f Actuall g 2. Profession of faith 3. Supplication for h 1. The Church i 2. The King k 3. The Minister l 4. Our selues 2 Publike as m 1. Going to the Church n 2. Ioyning in publike prayers and thankesgiuing with the congregation o 3. Hearing the word p 4. Contributing to the poore a I haue thought vpon thy Name in the night season and haue kept thy Law Psal. 119. 55. b Early in the morning do I cry vnto thee for in thy word is my trust ver 147. c I called mine owne wayes to remembrance and turned my foote to thy testimonies ver 59. d I will make my supplication in thy presence with my whole heart be mercifull vnto me according to thy word ver 58. e Behold I was borne in iniquitie and in sin hath my mother conceiued me Psal. 51. 3. f Who can tell how oft hee offendeth O cleanse thou mee from my secret faults Psal. 19. 12. g I said I will confesse my sin and so thou forgauest the wickednesse of my sinne Psal. 32. 6. h O be fauourable and gracious vnto Sion build thou the walls of Ierusalem Psal. 51. 19. Thou shalt arise ô Lord and haue mercie vpon Sion for it is time that thou haue mercie vppon her yea the time is come Psal. 102. 13. For why thy seruants thinke vpon her stones and it grieueth them to see her in the dust ver 14. i Giue the King thy iudgements ô Lord and thy righteousnesse to the Kings sonne Psal. 72. 1. Then shall hee iudge the people according vnto right and defend the poore ver 2. Hee shall keepe the simple by the right and punish the wrong doer ver 4. k Let thy Priests be cloathed with righteousnesse and let thy Saints sing with ioyfulnesse Psal. 132. 9. l O send out thy light and thy truth that they may leade mee and bring mee to thy holy hill and to thy dwelling Psal. 43. 3. m I was glad when they said vnto me Let vs go into the house of the Lord. Open me the gates of righteousnesse that I may go in and giue thanks to the Lord. Psal. 118. 19. n O magnifie the Lord our God and let vs fall downe before his footestoole for he is holy Psal. 99. 5. o The Lord gaue the word great was the companie of the Preachers Psal. 68. 11. I will hearken what the Lord God will say concerning me for hee shall speake peace vnto his people and to his Saints that they turne not againe Psal. 85. 8. For his saluation is nigh them that feare him that glorie may dwell in our land ver 9. p O my soule thou hast said vnto the Lord Thou art my God my goods are nothing vnto thee Psal. 16. 2. All my delight is vpon the Saints and such as excell in vertue ver 3. An offering of a free heart will I giue thee and praise thy name because it is so comfortable Psal. 58. 7. A Prayer for the Sabbath Morning BLessed Creator and Author and finisher of the saluation of man-kind who in memorie of thy glorious rest from both thy noble workes hast blessed and sanctified a day of holy rest vnto thy selfe sanctifie me for it that laying aside my accustomed businesse and sequestring my thoughts from all worldly cares I may keepe it and my selfe holy to thee by dedicating it and deuoting my selfe wholly to thy peculiar worship and immediate seruice And to the end that this my religious seruice may bee more acceptable to thee quicken me with thy Spirit that I may performe it with all alacritie and chearefulnesse and may make thy Sabbath my delight Touch my heart and tongue with a coale from thine Altar that from the sweet incense of my meditations hymnes prayers and thanksgiuing thou mayest smell a sauour of rest O holy Lord God of Sabbath sanctifie thy rest vnto me let thy Spirit rest in me that I may find rest to my soule from all tentations troubles and feares and may rest from my owne workes which are painefull and sinfull trauels and may employ this day all the powers and faculties of my soule and bodie in doing and considering thy workes in adoring thy Maiestie and admiring thy wisdome and acknowledgeing thy power and embracing thy loue and magnifying thy goodnesse and reioycing in thy mercies trembling at thy iudgements In visiting thy holy Temple and praising thee with thy Saints and offering vp the calues of my lips In diligently reading thy Scriptures attentiuely hearing thy word reuerently celebrating thy mysteries charitably relieuing thy members and zealously practising all holy duties both publike and priuate O let me this whole day walke with thee as Enoch did and talke with thee as Moses did and seeke thy face as Dauid did And grant that beholding thine image in thine holy word as in a cleare and cristall mirrour I may bee changed into the same image euen from glorie to glorie Let this Sabbath put
by the prayer ensuing The Hymne for Ascension-day Wherein all parts of Christ his glorious returne in tryumph into heauen are prophetically expressed as 1 His lifting a vp himself from the earth 2 The cloudes receiuing b and carrying him 3 The Angels c meeting him 4 The heauens d opening to him 5 God the Father's enthronizing him into his euerlasting kingdome GOD is gone vp with a merrie noyse and the Lord in the sound of the Trumpe Psal. 47. 5. Be thou exalted Lord in thine own strength So will we sing prayse thy power Psal 21. 13. Set vp thy selfe ô God aboue the heauens and thy glory aboue al the earth Ps. 108. 5 b O sing vnto God sing praises vnto his Name magnifie him that rideth vpon the heauens or cloudes by his name IAH and reioice before him Psal. 68. 4. In thy Majestie ride prosperously because of truth meeknes and righteousnes and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things Psal. 45. 4. The Chariots of God are twentie thousand euen thousands of Angells the Lord is among them as in Sinai in the holy place Psal. 68. 17. d Lift vp your heads ô yee gates and be yee lift vp yee euerlasting dores and the King of glorie shall come in Psalm 24. 7. Who is the King of glory It is the Lord strong and mightie euen the Lord mighty in battel ver 8. Lift vp your heads ô yee gates and be ye lift vp ye euerlasting dores and the King of glorie shall come in ver 9. Who is the King of glorie Euen the Lord of Hosts he is the King of glorie ver 10. e I haue set my King vpon my holy hill of Sion Psal. 2. 6. Aske of mee and I will giue thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the vttermost parts of the earth for thy possession ver 8. The Lord shall send the rod of thy power out of Sion bee thou Ruler in the middest among thine enemies Thou shalt bruise them with a rodde of Iron and dash them in pieces like a Potters vessell The exhortation for Ascension DAIE Wee ought to set our affections on things aboue 1 Because there is the source of our Soule which is of a heauenly and diuine nature 2 Because there is our Head 3 Because there is the nobler better part of our bodie 4 Because there is our abiding Citie 5 Because there is our mansion house 6 Because there is our hope inheritance 7 Because there are no true ioyes nor durable riches but there GOD created man in his own Image Gen. 1. 27. God formed him of the dust of the earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life Gen. Then shall the dust returne to the earth as it was Eccles. 12. 7. The spirit-returneth to God that gaue it Ibid. We had fathers of our flesh which corrected vs shall we not be much more in subiection to the Father of spirits and liue Heb. 12. 9. Exceeding great and precious promises are giuen to vs that by these wee might bee partakers of the diuine nature hauing escaped the corruption that is in the world 2 Pet. 1. 4. He was caried vp into heauen and sate at the right hand of God Mat. 16. 19. Whom the heauens must containe Acts 3. 21. I saw the â—eauen opened and the Sonne of man standing at the right hand of the Father Acts 7. 56. I goe out of the world to the Father Ioh. 13. 1. Go to my Father Ioh. 15. 10. Our conuersation is in heauen from whence also we look for the Sauiour the Lord Iesus Phil. 3. 20. If ye be risen with Christ seek the things that are aboue where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God Col. 3. 1. Set your affections on things that are aboue and not on things on the earth ver 3. Yee are come to the generall assembly and Church of the first-borne which are written in heauen and to the spirits of iust men-made perfect Hebrewes 12. 23. Now yee are no more strangers and forreiners but fellow Citizens with the Saints and of the houshould of God Ephesians 2. 19. For here we haue no continuing Citie but wee seeke one to come Heb. 13. 23. For this we groane earnestly desiring to bee clothed with our house 1. Cor. 5. 2. Arise and depart for this is no rest for you Mic. 2. 10. They confessed that they were strangers and sought a Citie whose builder and maker is God Heb. 11. 13. I beseech you as strangers and pilgrimes abstaine from fleshly lusts 1. Pet. 2. 11. I am a stranger and soiournet as all my fathers were Ps. 39. 14. In my Fathers house there are many mansions I goe to prepare a place for you Io. 14. 2. If our hope were in this life onely we were of all men most miserable 1. Cor. To an inheritance incorruptible and vndefiled and that sadeth not away reserued in heauen for you 1. Pet. 1. 4. Lay vp your treasure in heauen c. Mat. 6. 19. Look not on things which are seene but on things which are not seene for the things c. 2. Cor. 4. 18. Vanitie of vanities c Eccles. 1. 2. Whom haue I in heauen but thee c. Psal. 73. 24. The Prayer for Ascension Day GLorious and gratious Redeemer Lord Iesus Christ who humbledst thy selfe didst become obedient to death euen the death of the Crosse and therefore thy Father highly exalted thee aboue the graue in the resurrection aboue the earth in thy Ascention aboue the heauens in thy session at his right hand and then he gaue thee a name aboue al names that at the name of Iaesus euery knee shall bow both of things in heauen and in earth and of things vnder the earth I humbly bow the knees not onely of my body but of my heart and soule vnto thee I neuer heare of thee or remember neuer thinke or speake of thee but with greatest reuerence and loue that heart can conceiue or tongue expresse I admire the mystery of thine incarnation I tremble at the horror of thy passion I adore the power of thy resurrection and I triumph in the glory of thine Ascension My God and my Lord make me wholly thine as thou art mine Thy birth was my life thy life my merit thy death my ransome thy resurrection my deliuery out of the prison of death when thy father layed thee vp for my debt thy Ascension my assurance and takingp ossessioÌ„ of an incorruptible and vndefiled inheritance reserued in the heauens O Sauiour if thou haddest not been born I had neuer been borne anew if thou hadst not dyed for my sins I had dyed in my sins If thou hadst not risen from the dead my soule might haue bin with thee in Paradice but my body should not haue rested in hope neither should I haue euer seene God in my flesh if thou hadst not ascended I might haue bin freed from hell but I should neuer haue
conscience and the cleare light of the Gospel to guide my feete into the way of peace This light conuinceth the errours of my vnderstanding the deprauation of my will the disorder of my affections the impurity of my thoghts the vanity of my desires the deceitfulnesse of my heart the wickednes of all my wayes This light sheweth mee what I was in my birth slime and filthinesse what in my life vanity and folly and what in my death stench rottennesse This light discouereth vnto me that I haue nothing which I haue not receiued that without Christ I can doe nothing that in me that is in my body dwelleth no good that I am not able of my selfe as of my self think a good thought that I cannot desire to thinke nor haue wil to desire nor grace to will any good My comforts are rare my crosses frequent my pleasures momentary my paines permanent my gifts small my wants and infirmities great my helpes weake my assaults strong my good deeds few and they tainted with imperfections my sinnes infinite Let these considerations O Lord humble me in my selfe that Christ may raise me wound mee in my selfe that Christ may heale me burden mee in my selfe that Christ may ease me kill mee in my owne conceits that Christ may quicken me make mee most vile in mine own eyes that I may bee most deare and precious in his O Lord which as vpon this day createdst the clouds to raine vpon the earth showre downe thy graces abundantly into my heart to mollifie it that the seede of the Word may take deepe root downeward in humility and spring vpward in hope and spread abroad by charity and fructifie in all kindes of good workes Lord who this day separatedst the waters from the waters separate I beseech thee and distinguish betweene the waters of teares which I shed for my sinnes and those others which I shed for worldly crosses and calamities Cast away the one and put the the other into thy bottle Lord who this day madest the heauens or ayre without which I cannot liue naturally no not for a moment infuse into my heart the Spirit of grace without which spiritually I cannot breathe in my prayers nor sigh nor so much as moue any facultie or part of soule or body vnto thee As oft as I take in or let out the aire which I breathe let mee receiue in grace from thee and breathe out praise vnto thee Amen The close out of Scripture The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ and the loue of God and the fellowship of the holy Ghost be with me 2. Cor. 13. vlt. The Euening's Deuotion for Munday THE HYMNE Heare me O Lord in the multitude of thy mercies euen in the truth of thy saluation Psal. 69. 14. Let not the water floods drowne mee nor the deepe swallow me vp and let not the pit shut her mouth vpon mee verse 16. Thou diddest diuide the sea through thy power and brakest the heads of the Dragons in the waters Psal. 74. 14. Thou smoest the heads of Leuiathan in pieces and gauest him to be meate for the people in the wildernesse verse 15. Thou broughtest out fountaines and waters out of the hard Rocks thou driedst vp mighty waters verse 16. Thou art the God that doth wonders and hast declared thy power among the people Psal. 77. 14. The waters saw thee O God the waters saw thee and were afraid the depths also were troubled verse 16. The clouds powred out water the aire thundered and thine arrowes went abroad verse 17. The voice of thy thunder was heard round about the lightnings shone vpon the ground the earth was moued verse 18. Thou bringest forth clouds from the ends of the world and sendest forth Lightnings with the raine bringing the windes out of his treasures Psal. 135. The springs of water were seene and the foundations of the round world were discouered at thy chiding O Lord at the blasting of the breath of thy displeasure Psal. 18. 15. Thy way is in the Sea and thy pathes in the great waters and thy footsteps are not knowne Psal. 77. 19. THE ADMONITION for Munday's Euening being an exhortation to meeknes THE ANALYSIS The speciall Arguments to perswade meeknes set downe in Scripture are drawne from 1. The causes Impulsiue 1 Diuine precepts 2 humane frailty Exemplary God the Father Sonne H. Ghost The Saints The creatures in which nature hath patern'd this vertue 2 The effects 1 Peace With God With men 2 Wealth 3 Wisedome and spiritual vnderstanding 4 Sanctifying graces the fruits of the Spirit 5 Blessednesse THE TEXTS PVt them in minde c. Tit. 3. 1. That they be no brawlers but gentle shewing all meekenesse to all men verse 2. If any man bee ouertaken in a fault ye which are spirituall restore such a one in the spirit of meeknesse Gal. 6. 1. I beseech you that yee walke worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called with lowlinesse and meeknesse with long suffering forbearing one another in loue Ephes. 4. 2. Put on therefore as the Elect of God holy and beloued the bowels of mercy kindnesse humblenesse of minde meeknesse long-suffering Col. 3. 12. Forbearing one another forgiuing one another if any man haue a quarrell against any euen as Christ forgaue you so also doe ye verse 13. But thou O man of God flye these things and follow after righteousnesse godlinesse faith patience meekenesse 1. Tim. 6. 11. Dearely beloued auenge not your selues but rather giue place vnto wrath For it is written Vengeance is mine I will repay saith the Lord Rom. 12. 19. Wherefore my beloued Brethren let euery man bee swift to heare slow to speake and slow to wrath Iam. 1. 19. For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousnesse of God verse 20. Look diligently least any man faile of the grace of God least any root of bitternesse spring vp and trouble you and thereby many be defiled Heb 12. 15. Consider thy selfe least thou also be tempted Gal. 6. 1. Let him among you that is without sinne cast the first stone Ioh. 8. 7. Hee shall haue iudgement without mercy that hath shewed no mercy and mercy reioyceth against iudgement Iam. 3. 13. And they heard the voice of the Lord in the coole of the day walking in the garden c. Gen. 3. 8. And after the earthquake there was a fire but God was not in the fire and after the fire a still small voice verse 12. in which voice God was And it was so when Eliah heard it c. verse 13. Neuerthelesse for thy great mercies sake thou diddest not vtterly consume them nor forsake them for thou art a gracious and mercifull God Nehem. 9. 31. God said to Ionah Doest thou well to be angry for thy Gourd Ion. 4. 9. Thou hast pitie on the Gourd for which thou hast not laboured which came in a night and perished in a night verse 10. And should not I spare Nineueh that great
it may be night wherein all the beasts of the Forrest doe moue ver 20. The Sunne ariseth and they get them away together and lay them downe in their dens ver 22. Man goeth forth vnto his worke and to his labour vntill the Euening ver 23. O Lord our Gouernour how excellent is thy Name in all the world Psal. 8. 9. The Admonition for Wednesday Euening being an Exhortation to purity in heart answerable to the sixth Beatitude THE ANALYSIS Purity especially in heart is to bee prayed for and sought after in regard of God his 1. Speciall command for it 2. Particular taking notice of it 3. High esteeme and approbation thereof 4. Gracious promises to it of 1 Life 2 Fauor of Kings 3 Sight of himselfe 4 His fauour and bounty 5 Profit by the Word 6 Abode in Heauen THE TEXTS NOw therefore serue the Lord and serue him in sinceritie of heart and in truth Ios. 24. 14. Prepare your hearts vnto the Lord and serue him onely 1. Sam. 7. 3. They that are of a forward heart are an abomination to the Lord but such as are vpright in the way are his delight Prou. 11. 20. My sonne giue mee thy heart and let thine eyes obserue my wayes Pro. 23. 26. Cleanse your hands yee sinners and purge your hearts yee double-minded Iam. 4. 8. Serue God with a perfect heart and with a willing minde for the Lord searcheth all hearts and vnderstandeth all imaginations of the thoughts 1. Chron. 28. 9. O Ierusalem wash thine heart Ier 4. 4. God seeth not as man seeth for man looketh on the outward appearance but God iudgeth the heart 1. Sam. 16. 7. Thou knowest the hearts of all men Acts 1. He will lighten things hid in darknesse and make the counsels of thy heart manifest 1. Cor. 4. 5. Thou louest truth in the inward parts Psal. 51. 6. Wee speake not as pleasing men but as pleasing God who tryeth the hearts 2. Thes. 2. 4. Let it bee the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible the ornament of a meeke and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price 1. Per. 3. 4. Keepe the heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life Prou. 4. 23. Hee that loueth purenesse in heart the King shall be his friend Prou. 22. 11. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God Math. 5. 8. Truely God is good vnto Israel euen to him that is of a cleane heart Psal. 73. 1. That which fell on good ground are they which with an honest and good heart heare the Word and keepe it and bring forth fruits with patience Luke 18. 15. Who shall ascend into the Hill of the Lord or who shall stand in his Holy place Psal. 24. 3. He that hath cleane hands and a pure heart verse 4. Hee that walketh vprightly and speaketh vprightly c. Isai. 33. 15. He shall dwell on high c. The Prayer for Wednesday-Euening Composed of 1 Petitions sutable to the sufferings of Christ on this day 2 Motiues to perswade purity in heart and sincerity agreeable to the precedent exhortation MOst holy blessed and glorious God who dwellest in light which none may approach I miserable and sinfull creature by nature a child of the night and of darknesse nay very darknesse it selfe am ashamed and confounded to lift vp mine eyes to heauen or looke towards the place where thine honour dwelleth For I haue sinned against heauen and against thee and deserue to be cast out for euer from the sight of thy face and presence of thy glorious Maiestie into vtter darknesse which the diuel the Prince of darknesse and his Angels that are reserued in chaines of darknesse till the great and terrible Day of thy wrath For that heauenly light which thou hast kindled in my heart though I seeke to smother it neuer so much clearely conuinceth my conscience that I preferre the pleasures of sinne which are the workes of darknesse before the glorious inheritance of thy Saints in light hauing my very vnderstanding the onely light which is in me much darkened through the ignorance that is in me by reason of the hardnesse of my heart And notwithstanding thou hast called mee early and late and stretched thy hands all the day long vnto mee yet I haue walked still in the vanitie of my minde and wearied my selfe in the wayes of wickednesse and haue not hearkened to thy voice whereby I might walke in thy lawes which thou hast appointed for me Or if for a short time I haue reioyced in the light of the Gospel yet soone after I haue quenched thy Spirt and haue giuen my selfe to wantonnesse to worke filthinesse with greedinesse Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant O Lord for in thy sight shall no man liuing be iustified Though thou shouldest drowne all my former sinnes in the bottomelesse sea of thy mercy yet the sins of this day alone giue sufficient euidence against mee to condemne mee My vnsanctified desires and impure thoughts and vaine imaginations and idle words and vnfruitfull workes make mee vnexcusable before thee I cannot answer for my abuse of the creatures mis-spending my time which is most precious ouerstipping many occasions of doing good How negligent haue I beene in the duties of my calling How cold and dull in my exercises of Religion How defectiue in the confession of my sinnes How carelesse in applying the soueraigne remedies of the Word My very prayers which I make vnto thee for the supplying of all my wants and healing of all my infirmities are accompanied with so many wants and infirmities that I haue neede to aske pardon for these my imperfect prayers Lord giue mee a sense of my stupidity and senselesnesse and a feruent desire of more feruency and zeale and true remorse and sorrow for want of remorse and sorrow for these my sinnes And because that I know not how to pray as I ought let thy Spirit make intercession for me with sighs and grones which cannot be expressed and let the bloud of thy Sonne speake better things for mee then the bloud of Abel O let not the glorious light of Heauen goe downe vpon thy displeasure against me but for thy decre Sonne Iesus Christ his sake who is the prâ—pitiation for my sinnes be reconciled vnto mee while it is called to day that I may finde rest vnto my soule this night together with the comfortable refreshing of my body by sleepe So shall I neuer cease with a ioyfull heart and a cheerefull voice to praise thee for thine vnspeakable loue in electing me to eternall life in Heauen before thou hadst laid the foundations of the earth Thy goodnesse in creating mee after thine owne Image thy mercy in redeeming mee with the bloud of thine onely begotton Sonne thy grace in calling mee to the knowledge of thy truth and thy fatherly care in safely protecting me mercifully
Lord in the depth of thy Wisdome finde meanes to helpe my ignorance in the depth of thy goodnesse to ouercome my wickednesse in the depth of thy mercy to relieue my misery Inlighten mine vnderstanding that I may know mine ignorance rectifie my will that I may detest my wickednesse and mollifie my heart that I may bewaile my misery and by faith incorporate me into thy Sonne Iesus Christ that I may be partaker of his knowledge righteousnesse and happinesse As he made my ignorance his ignorance and my sinne his sinne and my misery his misery by taking vpon him my guilt and satisfying for my punishment so make thou I beseech thee his Wisdome my instruction his Righteousnes my sanctification and his Glory my happinesse Consider mee I beseech thee not as I am in my selfe defiled but as I am in him washed not as I am in my selfe naked but as I am in him clothed not as I am in my selfe wounded but as I am in him healed not as in my selfe a childe of wrath but as in him reconciled and at peace with thee And hauing my peace made with thee by his chastisement grant that I may haue peace as farre as it is possible with all men especially with all the children of peace Let mee euer remember and consider that thou my Father art the God of peace and thy Sonne my Sauiour the Prince of peace and his Law the Gospell of peace and his Seruants the Children of peace whose duty is the study of peace and the marke they principally aime at as the end of their faith the peace of God which passeth all vnderstanding O let mee striue and contend against strife and contention as a thing most hatefull to thee hurtfull to my neighbour and most of all preiudiciall to my selfe by endangering my person and state disturbing the quietnesse of my minde hindring me in the prosecution of my businesse and which is worst of all making me indisposed and altogether vnfit for the performance of diuine duties Teach me of what spirit I am or should be euen of that which descended vpon thy Sonne in the likenesse of a Doue without Gall By this spirit mortifie in me the lusts and affections of the flesh as enuy wrath reuenge and the like By the still voice in which thou spakest to Elias let mee learne that thou art not in the fire of my rage nor in the storme of my passion but in the saft gale of grace Lord who on this day replenishedst the Sea and Riuers with fish and Aire with Fowles in shapes admirably various and in number almost infinite stir me vp by the consideration thereof to admire thy power wisdome in thus storing and as it were peopling this vaste and fearefull seeming solitude and much more to magnifie thy goodnesse in thus richly and daintily furnishing the tables of men Blessed Lord who this day madest the waters fruitfull let thy Spirit moue vpon the waters of my teares that they may abound in the fruits of repentance and bee blessed in the encrease of spirituall consolatious Lord who this day commandest the Fowles to flye through the aire lift vp my soule from the earth with the wings of faith and hope that she may flye vp towards Heauen Make mee light and cheerefull after my heauy sorrowes and grieuous afflictions that though I haue beene as blacke and sad in my heart and countenance as if I had layen among the pots yet I may be by the grace of thy Spirit which descended in the likenesse of a Doue like that Doue whose wings are siluer and her feathers like gold So be it Amen The close out of Scripture God grant that my loue may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all iudgement Phil. 1 9. That I may discerne things that differ one from another that I may be pure and without offence vntill the day of Christ ver 10. Filled with the fruits of righteousnesse which are by Iesus Chirst vnto the glory and praise of God ver 11. The Deuotion for Thursday Euening THE HYMNE Wherein the deuout soule expresseth her desire of prayer for peace Publike Priuate THE TEXTS BEhold how good and pleasant a thing it is brethren to dwel together in vnity Ps. 133. 1. It is like the precious Ointment vpon the head that ranne downe vpon the Beard euen Aarons Beard and went downe to the skirts of his clothing v. 2. As the dew of Hermon and as the dew that descended vpon the Mountaine of Sion for there the Lord promiseth his blessings and life for euermore ver 3. Woe is me that I am constrained to dwell with Meseck and to haue my habitation in the tents of Kedar Psal. 120. 4. My soule hath long dwelt among them that be enemies vnto peace ver 5. I labour for peace but when I speake to them therof they make themselues ready to battaile v. 6. Pray for the peace of Ierusalem they shall prosper that loue thee Psal. 122 6. Peace be within thy walls and prosperity within thy Palaces ver 7. For my brethren and companions sake I will now say Peace be within thee ver 8. Because of the house of the Lord my God I will seeke thy good ver 9. The Admonition for Thursday Euening being an Exhortation to Patience the eightth BEATITVDE THE ANALYSIS All true Christians must valiantly and cheerfully endure troubles for the Gospell in respect of 1 God his Will. Power Ordinance 2 Christ his Loue. Example Sympathy with vs. 3 The Saints Practice Encouragement 4 The enemies Conuersion or Conuiction 5 Our selues who therby receiue 1 Tryall 2 Ioy. 3 Assurance of God's loue 4 Quiet fruit of Righteousnes 5 Holinesse and perfection 6 Life 7 Protection 8 Honor before God 9 Inestimable rewards 1 In this life 2 In the life to come THE TEXTS IN the world ye shall haue afflictions Iob 6. 33. I was dumbe and opened not my mouth because thou Lord hadst done it Psal. 39. 9. Let them that suffer according to the Will of God commit their soules to him in well doing as their faithfull Creator 1 Pet. 4. vlt. Who hath euer resisted his Will Rom. 9. 19. He is able to subdue all things to himselfe Phil. 3. 21. We must through many afflictions enter into the Kingdome of God Act. 14. 22. All that liue godly in Christ Iesus shall suffer persecutions 2 Tim. 3. 12. Thou therefore endure hardnesse as a good Souldier of Iesus Christ 1 Tim. 2. 3. You shal be hated of all men for my Names sake Luke 21. 17. The loue of Christ constraineth vs because wee thus iudge that if One dyed for all then all were dead 2 Cor. 5. 14. Who shall separate vs from the loue of Christ Shall tribulation or anguish or distresse or persecution or famine or sword Rom. 8. 35. Nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus
being led away with the errour of the wicked fall from your owne stedfastnesse 2. Pet. 3. 17. He spake a parable that we ought alwayes to pray and not to faint Luke 18. 1. Shall not God auenge his Elect which crie vnto him day and night though he beare long with them ver 7. He after he had patiently endured obtained the promise Heb. 6. 15. O Lord God of my saluation I haue cried day and night before thee Psal. 88. 1. I haue called daily vpon thee I haue stretched foorth my hands vnto thee ver 9. He kneeled vpon his knees and prayed three times a day Dan. 6. 10. And they which went before rebuked the blind man that he should hold his peace but he cried so much the more Sonne of Dauid haue mercie on me Luk. 18. 39. And behold a woman of Caanan cried vnto him saying Haue mercie on me c. Mat. 15. 22. But he answered her not a word and his disciples besought him saying Send her away for she crieth after vs ver 23. He answered I am not sent c. ver 24. Then came she and worshipped saying Lord helpe me ver 25. But he answered It is not meete c. ver 26. And she said Truth Lord yet the doggs eate the crummes c. ver 27. Then Iesus said Woman be it to thee as thou wilt ver 28. Ye are they which haue continued with me in my tentations Luk. 22. 28. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplications with Marie the Mother of Iesus Act. 1. 14. We will giue our selues continually to prayer c. Act. 6. 4. There were added to them about three thousand soules c. Act. 2 41. And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and breaking of bread and prayer ver 42. By the space of three yeares I ceased not to warne euerie one night day with tears Act. 20. 31 Since the day we heard we ceased not to pray for you Col. 1. 9. For this cause we thanke God without ceasing 1. Thess. 2. 13. A deuoute man which gaue much almes to the people and prayed to God alwaies Act. 10 2. And the foure beasts had each of them sixe wings vpon them and they were full of eyes within and they ceased not day and night saying Holy holy holy Lord God almightie which was and is and is to come Reu. 4. 8. I declare vnto you the Gospel which ye haue receiued and wherein ye stand or continue 1. Cor. 15. 1. Then said Iesus to those Iewes that beleeued on him If ye continue in my word then are ye indeede my disciples Ioh. 8. 31. Who so looketh into the perfect law of libertie and continueth therein he being not a forgetfull hearer but a doer shall be blessed in his deede Iames 1. 25. They went out from vs but they were not of vs for if they had beene of vs they would no doubt haue continued with vs 1. Ioh. 2. 19. Whosoeuer abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God Ioh. 2. 9. So runne that ye may obtaine 1. Cor. 9. 26. Let vs not be weatie in well doing for in due season we shall reape if we faint not Gal. 6. 9. Hold that thou hast that no man take thy crowne Reu. 3. 11. For we are made partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast to the end Heb. 3. 14. He that endureth to the end shall be saued Mat. 10. 22. Continue therein for in doing this thou shalt saue thy selfe and them that heare thee 1. Tim 3. 8. Worke out your saluation with feare and trembling Phil. 4. 12. Shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end Heb. 6. 11. To him that ouercometh I will giue to eate of the tree of life which is in the middest of the garden of God Reuel 2. 7. Let vs labour therefore to enter into that rest lest any man fall after that same example Heb. 4. 11. Let vs feare lest a promise being left vs of entering into his rest any of you should seeme to come short of it Heb. 4. 1. Ye haue continued with me c. Luk. 22. 28. And I appoint vnto you a Kingdome as my Father hath appointed vnto me ver 29. Be faithfull vnto death and I will giue thee the crowne of life Reuel 2. 10. I haue fought a good fight I haue finished my course c. 1. Tim. 4. 7. Hencefoorth there is laide vp for me a crowne of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous Iudge shall giue me at that day and not to me onely but to them also that loue his appearing ver 8. Take heede lest there be in any of you an euill heart of vnbeleefe in departing away from the liuing God Heb. 3. 12. If after they haue escaped the pollution of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Sauiouâ— Iesus Christ they are againe intangled therein and ouercome the latter end is worse then the beginning 2 Pet. 2. 20. For it had beene better for them neuer to haue knowne the way of righteousnesse then after they haue knowne it to turne from the holy commandement deliuered vnto them ver 21. But it is happened vnto them according to the true Prouerbe The dogge is turned to his vomit againe and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire ver 22. When the vncleane spirit is gone out of a man c. Mat. 12. 44. He taketh to himselfe seuen other spirits and they dwell there and the last state of that man is worse then the first ver 45. Let him that standeth take heede lest he fall 1. Cor. 10. 12. Are ye so foolish hauing begun in the Spirit are ye now made perfect with the flesh Gal. 3. 3. Haue ye suffered so many things in vaine it it be yet in vaine ver 4. Cast not away therefore your confidence which hath great recompence of reward Heb. 10. 35. If any withdraw himselfe my soule shall haue no pleasure in him ver 38. We are not of them which draw backe vnto perdition ver 38. In the latter dayes some shall depart from the faith 1. Tim. 4. 1. Hauing their conscience seared with a hot iron ver 2. Holding faith and a good conscience which some hauing put away concerning faith haue made shipwrack 1. Tim. 1. 19. Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander whom I haue deliuered to Sathan ver 20. Hauing forsaken the right way they are gone astray following the wayes of Balaam the son of Bozor c. 2. Pet. 2. 15. But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousnes and committeth iniquitie c. All the righteousnesse that he hath done shall not be mentioned in his trespasse that he trespasseth and in his sinne that he hath sinned in them shall he die Eze. 18. 24. It
forget her but wilt giue her a man-childe I will giue him to the Lord all the dayes of his life 1 Sam. ◠11. Loe children and the fruit of the wombe are an heritage and gift that commeth of the Lord Psal. 127. 4. Like as arrowes in the hand of a gyant euen so are young children v. 5. Happie is the man that hath his quiuer full of them they shall not be ashamed when they speake with their enemies in the gate v. 6. Thou fillest their belly with thy hid treasure Psal. 17. 14. Elizabeth said Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the daies wherein he looked on me to take away my reproach among men Luke 1. 25. Vnto the woman he said I will greatly multiply thy sorrowe and thy conception In sorrow shalt thou bring forth children Gen. 3. 16. Adam was not deceiued but the woman being deceiued was in the transgression 1 Tim. 2. 14. A woman when she is in traueile hath sorrow because her howre is come but as soone as shee is deliuered of a childe shee remembreth no more her anguish for ioy that a man is borne into the world Ioh. 16. 21. Be fruitfull and multiply and replenish the earth Gen. 1. 28. Be ye fruitfull and multiply and bring forth abundantly on the earth Gen. 9. 7. Notwithstanding she shall be saued in childe bearing if they continue in faith and charity holines sobriety 1 Tim ◠15. A Psalme for women in their trauaile IN thee ô Lord doe I put my trust let me neuer be put to confusion Psal. 71. 1. Deliuer mee in thy righteousnes and cause me to escape incline thine eare vnto me and saue me v. 2. Lord strengthen mee vpon the bed of languishing make all my bed in my sicknesse Psal. 41. 3. Lord be mercifull vnto me heale my soule for I haue sinned against thee v. 4. Make haste ô God to deliuer me make haste ô Lord to helpe me Psal. 70. 1. For thou art my hope ô Lord God thou art my trust from my youth Psal. 71. 5. By thee haue I bin holden vp euer since I was borne thou art hee that tooke mee out of my mothers wombe my praise shall be continually of thee v. 6. I am feeble and sore broken I haue roared by reason of the disquietnesse of my heart Psal. 38. 8. Lord all my desire is before thee and my groaning is not hid from thee v. 9. My soule is bowed downe to the dust my belly cleaueth to the earth Psal. 44. 21. Make haste to helpe mee ô Lord my saluation Psal. 38. 22. Lord heare me in this day of my trouble thy name ô God of Iacob defend me Psal. 20. 1. Send mee helpe from the Sanctuary and strengthen me out of Sion v. 2. Blesse me Lord and blesse the fruit of my wombe A Prayer for a woman in time of her trauaile O Most righteous and mercifull God who hast iustly inflicted the sorrowes vpon me which I now endure for the transgressions of Eue the Mother of the liuing and yet in iudgement remembring mercie hast sanctified them to the propagation of thy Church and doest graciously and wonderfully strengthen and help thy seruants in them both to ouercome the paines and escape the danger Haue pitty vpon the feeble estate of thy poore Hand maid vnable without thy speciall assistance to goe through this great worke of patience and labour My first parent did eate the sowre grapes and my teeth are set on edge and I now taste the bitternesse of that forbidden fruit and from my heart loathe and detest it I confesse gracious Lord that both my selfe my childe yet vnborne haue deserued to perish in our sin originall or actuall and I humbly submit it and my selfe to thy gracious will and pleasure yet my hope is in that blessed seede of the woman that brake the Serpent's head that thou hast a blessing in store for me and that I beare in my wombe of which I am as much in trauaile in my soule to bring it forth to thee and make it thine as I am in labour in my body to bring it forth to me and make it mine Blesse me deare Father in both workes that of nature and this of grace Lord punish not the childe for the parents sake but preserue the parent for the child's sake that both may liue and praise thy Name Sanctifie vnto mee these paines and throwes that they may serue not onely as a corasiue for sinnes past but also as a preseruatiue against sinne to come Blesse me in the vse of all ordinarie meanes for my sake bearing and bringing forth my childe Comfort my fainting heart and strengthen my weake body and asswage my bitter pangs and sorrowes and sweeten them with an assured hope of a happie and speedy exchange of them into comfort and ioy that a childe is borne into the world Lord who wert present with me at my conception be present with me in the safe deliuery of that I haue conceiued Let thy hand which formed and fashioned my babe in my wombe keepe all the parts and members of it in due shape substance proportion that the notes of the parent's sin bee not seene in the markes maimes and defects of the childe It is my labour but it is thy work ô Lord to make it a liuing instrument of thy glory Perfect I beseech thee the worke thou hast begunne and wrought in mee thine vnworthy worke-house Make it like all the works of the creation to which thine own mouth gaue testimony that they were perfect good Deale not with me according to my wickednes but according to thy gracious goodnesse Carrie such a hand ouer me in al time of my labour grieuous paines and after my deliuery also that I may euer praise and magnifie thee for the effects of thy grace in my patience of thy power in my strength of thy prouidence in my timely deliuery and thy great mercy in my safety and the preseruation of my fruit for which I humbly beg a blessing from thee and both dedicate it and my selfe to thee Receiue both in and for thy holy childe Iesus's sake to whom with thee and the blessed Spirit be all honour praise and thanksgiuing now and for euer Amen The Child-bearing womans Deuotion after her Deliuerie The Admonition to confidence in God THE ANALYSIS For confidence in God in greatest and imminent dangers we haue in Scripture 1 Precepts 2 Presidents in ABRAHAM SARAH DAVID MOSES ELIAH HESTER IOB SHADRACH MESECH and ABEDNEGO IONAH PETER 3 Reasons drawn frō God his Names of Faithfull Creatour Preseruer of men Mighty deliuerer Sauiour Attributes Omnipotencie Goodnesse Promises Works or performances THE TEXTS OFFER the Sacrifice of righteousnesse and put your trust in the Lord Psal. 4. 5. Put thou thy trust in the Lord and be doing good Psal. 37. 3. Commit thy way vnto the Lord and put thy trust in him v. 5. Charge the rich that they
my vnmindfulnesse of thee and vngratefulnesse to thee all my life I deserue that thou shouldest vtterly abandon and forsake me now at my death But thy thoughts are not like our thoughts nor thy affections like mine Though a woman could forget the fruit of her wombe yet thou wilt not nor canst not forget those that trust in thee Thy gifts and graces are without repentance and whom thou louest thou louest to the end Thou wilt not breake a bruised reede nor quench the smoking â—lax Though thou hast seuerely corrected me in this thy fearefull visitation yet thou hast not and I know wilt not giue me ouer to eternal death Deare Father shew thy strength in my greatest weakenes confirme thy mercy to me in my greatest misery apply thy comfort to me in this my last extremity Asswage the paines of my body with ghostly comforts and diminish the feare of death by the assured hope of a better life Call to my minde whilest yet I breathe all the errors of my vnderstanding that I may timely reuoke them all the sins of my will that I may heartily bewaile them all the testimonies of thy loue that I may gratefully acknowledge them all the promises of thy Gospell that I may comfortably embrace them all my holy vowes and purposes that I may finally confirme them and gracious Lord accept the will for the deede O let me that am now returning to dust and ashes speake but this once to my Lord maker With all my heart soule and strength I beseech thee by all that my Sauiour Iesus Christ hath done and suffered for mee I intreate thee speake peace to my soule at her departing and say vnto her I am thy saluatioÌ„ Make my election sure by my true repentance perfect charity assured confidence constant patience comfortable perseuerance vnto the end and in the end To the TRINITY GLorious Creator gracious Redeemer euerlasting comforter Lord God Almighty send me ayde helpe from heauen in this my last and most dreadfull conflict with all the powers of hell darknes Arme me with thy compleat armour and endue mee with power from aboue to vanquish Sathan and his infernall bands and to quench all the fierie darts of the wicked in the bloud of my Redeemer I am thine ô God the Father by the right of creation I am thine ô God the Sonne by the right of thy purchase I am thine ô God the Holy Ghost by the right of thine inhabitation and possession Saue me Father by thy power saue me Sonne by thy merits saue me holy Spirit by thy grace O holy blessed and glorious Trinitie whose power no creature is able to resist Rebuke confound thine enemy that goeth about to deface thine Image in me to spoile thy creature to destroy him for whom thou ô Sonne offeredst thy self on the Crosse by the eternall Spirit to the Father O Father be now to me a father in my greatest need O Iesus be to me a Iesus in my greatest danger O Comforter bee to me a Comforter in my greatest afflictions Holy Righteous Iudge eternall Sathan taketh aduantage of thy fatherly chastising me he grows strong against mee by this my great weaknesse Now hee rageth most furiously because his time is short He assaulteth mee euery way by subtill suggestions by fearfull visions and apparitions Hee terrifieth my flesh with the vgly shape of death he affrighteth my conscience with the horror of the last iudgement and scorcheth my soule euen with flashes of hell fire O Father of spirits deliuer not the soule of thy Turtle Doue that mourneth to thee day and night as a prey vnto him Though neuer so deformed yet I am thy worke O God my Father though neuer so vile yet I am thy purchase ô God my Redeemer though neuer so polluted yet I am thy Temple O God my sanctifier Faithful Creator preserue the worke of thine hand faithfull Redeemer preserue the purchase of thy bloud faithfull Sanctifier preserue the Temple of thine honour I abhorre my selfe in dust and ashes and I conceiue more grief then I am able to expresse for abusing thy workes ô Father thy Word and Sacraments ô Sonne thy gifts graces ô Spirit Father forgiue me all sinnes of infirmity against thy power Sonne forgiue me all sinnes of ignorance against thy wisedome Holy Ghost forgiue mee all sinnes of malice against thy grace Most mighty Father giue mee thy protection Most mercifull Son giue me thy peace Most gracious holy Spirit giue me thy comfort that I may safely peaceably and cheerfully leaue this vale of teares Father possesse me of the kingdome which thou O Sonne hast purchased and thou O Spirit hast sealed vnto mee Into thy hands O Father who breathedst into mee the Spirit of life Into thy hands O Sonne who breathedst out thy Spirit for mee Into thy hand ô Holy Spirit who renewedst a right spirit within mee and hast comforted my spirit to the last gaspe I now commend my spirit Amen To the Lord IESVS at the howre of death VVElcom blessed houre the period of my pilgrimage the terme of my bondage the end of my cares the close of my sighs the bound of my trauels the gole of my race and the hauen of my hopes I haue fought a long fight in much weaknes I haue finished my course though in great faintnesse and the crowne of my ioy is that through the strength of thy grace I haue kept the true faith and now I dye in it I willingly resigne my flesh I despise the world and I defie the diuell who hath no part nor share in mee And now what is my hope My hope Lord Iesu is euen in thee For I know that thou my Redeemer liuest and thou wilt immediatly receiue my soule and raise vp my body also at the last day and I shall see thee in my flesh with these eyes and none other My heart fainteth my strength faileth my tongue faltereth Lord let thy Spirit of comfort helpe mine infirmities and make supplication for mee with sighes and groanes that cannot be expressed I submit my selfe wholly to thy will I commit my soule to thee as my faithfull REDEEMER who hast bought mee with thy most precious bloud I professe to all the world I know no name vnder heauen by which I may be saued but thine my IESV my Sauiour I renounce all confidence in merits saue thine I thankfully acknowledge all thy blessings I vnfeinedly bewaile all my sinnes I stedfastly belieue all thy promises I heartily forgiue all mine enemies I willingly leaue all my friends I vtterly loath all earthly comforts I entirely long for thy comming Come Lord Iesu come quickly Lord Iesu receiue my Spirit The Hand-Maide's Posie written in the end of her Manuell Birth is a bragge Glory a blaze Honour's earths pompe Riches a gaze Fame is but winde Beauty a flower Pleasure a dance the world a bower In heauen with thee Lord let me be On earth my heauen 's alone in
the blood of the euerlasting Couenant 21. Make you perfect in all good workes to doe his will working in you that which is pleasant in his sight through Iesus Christ to whom be praise for euer and euer Amen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 FINIS Pretiosissimum de locis sanctâ—â— monile perâ—â—idiâ—â—â— Fascinant laudando S. Cyprian lib. de exhortatione Martyrij Cant. 4. 16. Of deuotion Math. 6. 6. Greg. in Cant. Lachrimae sanguie animae August Plin. lib. 21. c. 16. Flos nascâ—tur non euidens sed in occulto intùs germinatus Plin. 37. c. 7. Garamantitis summa commendatio est quod velut in translucido stillantes intus fulgent aurâ—ae guâ—â—ae semper in câ—â—te non in corpore Cypr. epist. l 2 Sentitur priusquam discitur Val. Max. Lâ—u 2. Cor. 5. 13. Epist. tom 1. Marâ—an inuit Ieron Tâ—stor deum poâ—t heudomid◠〈◊〉 c. vâ—suâ— sum mihi versari inter agmina angelor Math. 6. 6. Math. 14. 27. Math. 26. 36. Maâ—ke 1. 35. Luke 6. 12. Luke 9. 8. 28 Luke 11. 1. Luke 22. 45. Iohn 17. Dan. 6. 10. Psal. 6. 6. Psal. 77. 6. Acts 10. 30. Reuel 1. 10. 2. Cor. 7. 11. Commodius ista inter transiguntur Ex. Luke 22. 44. Math 26. 36. Math. 17. 2. Exod. 34. 29. Purgation Exod. 3. 5. Acts 7. 53. Psal. 26. 6. Math. 12. 44. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Esay 5. 6. 2. Sequestration 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Math 5. 8. Bern. de nat dom Tergat speculum mundet spiritum suum qui scitit videre deum 3. Preconsideration Eccles. 5. 1. Woâ—erus de polymathiâ sacris religiosae debetur Suspenso gradu Psal. 26. 6. Heb. 12. 29. Nesciâ—bam me tibi eam familiarem esse Eras. Apoth Tremenda mysteria Psal. 45. 1. 2. Psal. 39 3. Eccles. 6. 5. 2. Senec. Epist. Pers. introrsum obmurmurat ôsi ebullet patruij preclarii sumis ôsi c. Sancte magis quam scite Macies illis pro sanitate est iudâ—cij loco infirmitas cedit Quiâ—â— instit orator Exod. 30. 25. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. 23. 14. Prayer must bee SHORT Conformable to the patterne consisting of three parts Humble coÌ„fession Wherein must be coÌ„sidered God his terrible Name Glorious Maiesty His al-seeing eye Infinite purity and holinesse Strict iustice Fierce wâ—ath against sinne and sinners Man his viâ—enesse Wretchednessâ— Sinfulnesse Wants and Vâ—abilitie Consident inuocatâ—on wherein to be considered God his Loue. Mercy and long-suffering Gratious promises Omnipotent goodnesse Christ his perfect obedience Full satisfaction Perpetuall intercession Harty thanksgiuing Whereinto be numbred God his benifits spirituall Election Creation RedemptioÌ„ Vocation Iustification Sanctification Hope of glorificaetion Temporall as Health Strength Wealth Libertie Good name Friends Safetie Bern. serm 2. de Penth. vt eadem vâ—a intraret antidotus qâ—a vâ— nenum intra uerat Heb. 10. 5. Psal 40. 6. Acts 2. 41. Plut de tranquill auima Lactan. instit diuin lib. 1. c. 1. Potentius inanimos influit visuâ instructa luce orationis ornata Sen Epist. 1. ad LucsliuÌ„ Pungst non penetrat Heb. 4. 12. Peircing to the deuiding c. â— We are commanded by the Father The Sonne The holy Ghost to beare heedfully the Word of the Preacher Not as the Word of Man but as the Word of God Which will proue the meanes of our saluation Or damnation 2. Wee must pray for the Preacher For our selues that we may Attend. Vnderstand Discerne Belieue Remember Practice Ber. Serm. de purificatione Hodie dominus Templi ingressus est Templum Domini Caluin instit par 2. sacram 1 Cor. 11. 29. He that worthily receiueth must 1. Examine 2. Desire 3. Know 4. Belieue 5. Repent 6. Loue. Vse also this forme Or this Or this Or this Quint instit Orat. Tumor licet grandis contrarius est sanitati Ierom. ad Rusticum Luxuriantes flagellis vineas falcibus reprimebant vt eloquentâ—â— torcularia non verboriâ— pampinis sed sensuâ—â— quasi vuarum expressionibus redumdarent Origen in Cant. Aug. Epist. ad Ianuarium Bern. Serm. de Pent. 1 Grounds in the Law Precepts Promises 2 Grounds in the Gospell Christs resurrection on this day The spirits comming downe on this day The Apostles iniunction Practise In heauen no sinne No tempter No thraldome No labour No sorrow No paine No night No death No curse No feare Indesiezable estate of inheritance Royall honours and dignities Inualuable wealth and riches Inspeakable loyes and plâ—asures In the light and fruitioÌ„ of God Here thou mayest insert the principale Doctrine which thou hast heard from thy Pastors mouth * * Non est ad Deum toâ—o corde redite nisiscisso corde * * Dolet de dolore gaudet By regeneration we obtaine 1 Entrance into the kingdome of God 2 Knowledg 3 Liberty from our corruption From our reigning sin 5 The preheminencie of the first borne 6 Spirit of supplication 〈…〉 The Prophet speaketh in his own person 2 In the person of Christ. 3 In the person of God the Father 4 Of the Church God desireth the circumcisioÌ„ of the heart Commandeth it Loueth Obserueth Praiseth Rewardeth Brandeth the contrary Precepts in the old In the new Examples Abraham Iacob Dauid Israelites Pharisee Promises Threats curses to the contrary The Prophet speaketh in the person of Christ. In heauen is 1 The source of our soules created according to God's Image 2 Our heads 3 The nobler parts of the Church 4 Our country 5 Our mansion house 6 Hope and inheritance VictoriaÌ„ vicisti Precepts of God 2 Practice of Saints Reasons a a Holinesse b b Life c c Liberty d d Grace e e Prayer f f Wisedome g g Glory h h Truth Benefits of obeying the Spirit Danger of resisting Qui Deum per escas colit propè est vt Deum ventrem habeat Ver sacrum facere Obiect Hom. 49. in Mat. Answ. 1 Videl exercitat in Ignat Pro modulo nostro Hom. 1. in gen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Precepts for Fasting 2 Examples of it It expelleth Diuels Benefits It tameth the flesh It auerteth Iudgements It obtaineth temporall blessings and spirituall 1 The antecedents wherein 1 Christs Agony 2 Herod's Pilâ—ts and the Rulers of the Iewes conspiracy against him 3 Iudas betraying him 4 The Disciples forsaking him 5 The Iewes false accusing him 6 His mecks silence 7 The Souldiers and people blaspheming deriding him 2 The Passion it self wherein 1 The enduring Gods wrath 2 The racking of his ioints 3 The piercing his flesh 4 His thirst His drinke 5 His last cry 6 His giuâ—ng vp the ghost 3 The consequents 1 Water gushing out of his strength 2 Casting Lots 3 His buriall Diuine precepts Holy examples Christ Abraham Gedcon Dauid Salomon Ezekiah Iob. Daniel Iohn Baptist The Centurian Peter The Publicane Paul Promises to the humble of the fauour with God Wisedome Sanctifying grace Preferment Blessedness God commandeth meekenesse
Our condition requires it Examples of mecknes God the Father The Sonne The Spirit The Saints Moses Dauid Ieremiah The woman of Canaan Saint Paul Resemblances in the creatures Meekenesse bringeth peace Wealth Honour Wisedome The fruits of the spirit Blessednesse 1 Gods Commandement 2 The Saints practise Hezekiah Manasses Ezra Peter 3 A preparation to the Gospell 4 Acceptable to God 5 The effect of true conuersion 6 A cause of many diuine vertues 7 Bringeth ioy and comfort 8 The want of it fearefull Precepts for seeking the meanes of saluation Examples Dauid Mary The bearers of Iohn Baptist. Promises of life All things needfull Gods fauour Delight Peace Life Blessed content The kingdome of heauen Saluation by Mercy It is the most eminent attribute to God Precepts of mercy The last iudgement proceeds vpon works of mercy Mercy the fruit of the Spirit The Saints practise Iobs Tabithas Cornelius The good Samaritans Philippians Onesiphorus Philemons Workes of mercy a certaine note of pure Religion In assurance of saluation and meanes of obtaining mercy at Gods hand 1. Precepts for it 2. God takes notice of it 3. God highly esteemes it 4. Promises of 1. Life 2. Fauour of Kings 3. Sight of God 4. Gods fauours 5. Profiting by the Word 6. Abode in heauen Precepts God the Father God of peace The Sonne Prince of peace The holy Ghost the Spirit of peace Examples The Saints children of peace The fâ—uits of peace are Prosperity Honour Benediction Wisdome Righteousnesse The speciall presence of God Vnity Beatificall vision God his Will Power Ordinance Christ his loue Example Sympathy The Saints continuall practise Ioseph Iob. Daniel Ieremiah The Apostls and Saints of the Primitiue Church Paul The Thesa louians The Hebrewes Thyatyra Encouragements Couuersion of enemies Conuiction Triall Ioy. Assurance of Gods loue Fruit of righteousnesse Holinesse Perfection The promises Life Honour in in heauen Rewards in this life For holinesse 1. Precepts 2. Paterens so fit in God the Father The Sonne The Spirit The church Reasons drawne from the Creation Our Vocation Redemption Sanctification Glorification Fruites of holinesse Ioy. Peace Prosperitie Dignitie Faith commanded As necessarie to all religious duties as Prayer Hearing the word The Sacrament It is Pretious Holy Proper to the Elect. Grounded on God the Father his Word Oath The Sonne his promise Pray The Spirits earnest Seale Faith worketh miracles Ouercommeth the 〈◊〉 The world Maketh sonnes of God Purifieth the heart Keepeth from confusion Iustifieth Saueth Crowneth with euerlasting blessings Precepts for perseuerance Examples Abraham Dauid Daniel The blind man The Cananitsh woman Peters conuerts Paul Cornelius The beasts full of eyes The Corinthians CoÌ„tinuance is a note of Truth Hath certaine promises of reward Saluation Comfortable assurance A crowne of life Apostasie and backsliding vehemently disswaded Seuerely censured Fearefully thrâ—aâ—ned with losse of reward Of Gods fauour With a reprobate sence Infamy Death Eternally punished Death is common to all men The time and houre is by God prefixed God is an omnipotent and faithfull Creator Christ himselfe died and by death entred into his glorie And destroyed death And changed it in Name Nature Of a losse it is made a gaine Of a curse a blessing and a dâ—scharge from Labour Sorrow Paine Sinne. Free from euill company Bondage Temptation Feare the Saints desire Death Are comforted in death by Faith By Loue. By Hope By a good conscience The bodie resteth in hope of a glorious resurrection The soule immediatly enioyeth blisse Body and sonle shall be crowned at the last day Fruitfulnes is a spirituall blessing The paines are deserued by the sin of Eue. Sweetened with hop of a childe And promises of blessings Temporall Spirituall Confidence in God comanded Practised by Abraham Saraah Moses Dauid Eliah Hester Iob. The three children Ionah Reasons drawne from God His Attributes Faithfulnesse Prouidence Omnipotencie Goodnesse Gracious promises Performances to men in distresse as Lot The children of Israel Eliah Citizens of Samaria The 3 children as they are called Daniel Ionah Peter The sicke soule expresseth her malady Remembrance and experience of Gods goodnesse Hope in God Meeke patience Prayeth for ease Helpe Recouery Quickening grace Pardon for sinne Wisedome Sicknesse is God's visitation who is the Father of our Spirits and cannot be resisted Must be obeyed From whoÌ„ we receiue good It is a scourge for our sins It is sent for our good To weane vs from the world To tame the flesh and strengthening the Spirit To make vs loath sin To bring vs to acknowledgement of our sins in speciall To proue sincerity of our faith and loue To keepe vs from euerlasting torments To make vs seeke more earnestly to God Who will be found of vs. And shew his glory in our recouery For thankfulnesse Examples of Christ. The Angels The Saints in heauen The Saints on earth Melchizedeck Iacob The people of Israel in Moses time Moses Deborah Barak Anna. Dauid Salomon Ezra Isaiah Ezekias Daniel Ionah Marie Zacharias The Shepheards The man taken with a Palsie The people The woman that had a Spirit of infirmity One of the Lepers The blinde man The 〈…〉 Paul Peter Iude. Iohn Precepts In thy extremest fit meditate vpon 1 The heinousnes of thy sin deseruing a sharper scourge 2 The vnsufferable torments of hel which by these teÌ„porall chastisements â—re preuenâ—ed 3 The vnconceiuable paines and sorrowes which Christ endured for thee 4 The afflictions of Gods Saints equalizing farre surpassing thine Iob. Dauid Ieremiah The Apostles and first Disciples Paul 5 The faithfulnesse goodnesse of God who will not tempt vs aboue our strength 6 The short continuance of these paines and sorrowes 7 The incoÌ„parable reward of our patience See the Admoniâ—ion for good-Fryday Pray instantly and feruently Desire others to pray ◠〈◊〉 open thy sins and griefe in particular Weepe abundantly Restore Reconcile Forgiue freely from the heart Giue as thou art able liberally Seeke to thy Pastor and desire comfort froÌ„ him and the Church absolution Medit at vpon by faith apply to thy selfe Gods infinite mercy The vertue of the Sacraments The vniuersality of promises to penitent sinners The example of Gods mercy in pardoning heinous and grieueus sinners Peter Mary Magdalen The prodigall The theefe on the Crosse. The Iewes that crucified or consented to the crucifying of IESVS Layeth opeÌ„ his afflictions in body and soule Confesseth Prayeth for audience Sence of Gods fauour Pardon for his sin 4 Acknowledgeth Gods mercies 5 Professeth trust Desire of death Ioy in the holy Ghost Peace of conscience Assured hope of Eternall blisse 6 Commendeth his soule to God