Priest for ever Do I believe this and scruple fighting the good fight Do I believe this and am I afraid of the worlds frowns Do I believe this and am I ashamed of the severities thou callest me to Why should I mistrust thee when I see thee use the same mortifications thou biddest me chuse If a Soldier see his King use the same Pains Habit and hard fare which the meanest man in the Army uses what courage doth it infuse into him to endure hardship and other difficulties that may attend the various enterprizes he is engaged in O my Lord That very contempt of the World that Meekness and Humility that severity of Life that aversion from sensual Pleasures that enmity to Sin that hatred of Vanity that indignation against brutish Delights that Sincerity that Simplicity thou requirest of me thou didst observe and practice and perform thy self so that thou layst the same burthen on my Shoulders that lay on thine and if I die with thee I shall live with thee too if I suffer with thee I shall reign with thee Oh then I will not tarry I will make haste and conform to thine example I shall not fare worse then my King and Master did and as I have born the Image of the Earthy so I shall bear the Image of the Heavenly too I will walk as my Jesus walked O my Lord Make me Holy as thou art Holy Perfect as my Father which is in Heaven is Perfect O my Lord there is no other way to Glory but by thee Thou being exceeding rich becamest poor to enrich my Soul Thou camest not to do thine own Will but the Will of him that sent thee Put thine Arms under me and I will not do mine own Will I will follow thee through Fire and Water I will follow thee through Bryars and Thorns through good Report and evil Report O chace away all slavish fear from my Soul Let me not be afraid of difficulties What can be difficult where thou art both the guide and the encourager Thou canst not deceive me Thou canst not delude me It must be so as thou hast said All things are possible to him that believes I 'll chuse some hardship here so I may rest in thy bosom hereafter I 'll be content to pass through a dirty way for some time that I may lye down in the green pastures of thy Mercy for ever The sight of thy Cross in the Holy Sacrament shall be my motive I 'll draw Arguments from that Remembrance of thy death to die to the world I will travel with thee I will sail through the boisterous Sea of this Life with thee And O my Jesus let me arrive safe at last in the Everlasting Harbour Amen Amen A Thanksgiving after Receiving of the Lords Supper to be said either at Church or at home ANd now what Reward shall I render unto Thee O Holy Blessed and incomprehensible Trinity for all the benefits I have receiv'd at thy hands this day Awake up my Glory Awake my outward and inward Man I will Sing and give praise Whence is it that so poor a wretch as I am is crowned with all this Mercy and loving Kindness O my Soul thou hast been water'd this day with the streams that flow from the Paradise of God! I that was worthy of Gods hatred how have I this day been advanced What great things hath God done for me What Honour hath he laid upon me What Majesty What Glory hath he conferr'd upon me I feel the Fire of God within me My Heart grows hot within me I will Sing and give Praise Who would not praise thee that hath seen thy goings in the Sanctuary as I have seen them this day Holy Father thou hast this day embraced me Holy Jesus thou hast this day poured out Blessings upon me Holy Spirit thou hast this day manifested thy self unto me Holy Holy Holy Lord God of Hosts Thou hast humbled thy self this day to a dead Dog O how often have I returned to the vomit How often have I gone a whoring from thee Yet behold the Lord instead of the Bread of affliction hath given me the Bread which came down from Heaven instead of the cup of Trembling hath given me the cup of Salvation I will remember thy Name O Lord I will speak of thy wondrous works O my Lord I see thy hand is not shortned neither is thy strength abated Thou that hadst mercy on the vilest sinners formerly extendest thy goodness to such miserable creatures still I have drawn Water this day from the Well of Salvation even from thy wounds O crucified Redeemer Thou hast look'd upon this Prodigal this day thou hast run and fall'n on my Neck and kissed my polluted Soul Oh Honour Oh Dignity Oh Compassion Oh Charity Oh Love Oh Mercy Oh Goodness which the Redeemed of the Lord must speak of Even they whom he hath Redeemed from the hand of the Enemy and gathered them out of the Lands from the East and from the West from the North and from the South they wandred in the wilderness in a solitary way they found no City to dwell in Hungry and Thirsty their Soul fainted in them then they cryed unto the Lord in their trouble and he deliver'd them out of their distresses and he led them forth by the right way that they might go to a City of Habitation O that Men would praise the Lord for his Goodness and for his wonderful Works to the Children of Men Open to me the Gates of Righteousness I will go into them and I will praise the Lord. This is the Gate of the Lord into which the Righteous shall enter I will praise Thee for thou hast heard me and art become my Salvation The Stone which the Builders refused is become the head Stone of the Corner This is the Lords doing and it is marvellous in our eyes If I forget Thee O my Jesus let my Tongue cleave to the roof of my Mouth Thou hast regarded my Tears thou hast taken notice of my Supplication Thou hast given me my Hearts desire thou hast not withheld from me the requests of my Lips Thou hast given me leave to come to thine Altar this day and to lift up mine hands towards thy Holy Oracle Thou hast fed my Soul this day with Royal Dainties with Peace and Pardon with a right to thy Promises and offers of Eternal Life with assistances of thy Holy Spirit and the Riches of Grace and Mercy This is the Food which the Holy Bread and Wine have represented to me this Day and with this Food thou hast blessed my Soul In this Food will I glory of this will I make my boast This is Food for Immortal Spirits This preserves Souls through the power of God unto Salvation This is bread which fades not away this is Wine which may be had without Money and without Price O my God! thou requirest no Price but a wounded Heart No Gold no Silver no Jewel but
an obedient Soul I bring it I offer it I beg thou wouldst be pleased to accept of it Thou deservest it thou may'st challenge it it 's thine thou gavest it me thy Spirit made it willing Thy Grace did melt it Thy Fire burnt away the Dross Thy Goodness purified it and thou wilt cleanse it more and more All the Good I have is thine from Thee it flows from Thee it springs Thou conveyest it to my Soul Thou openest mine Ears Thou awakenest me every good thought I have is thine every good inclination every good resolution every good intention is thine Thou influencest every good action I perform My praise shall be of Thee in the great Congregation I will declare thy Faithfulness and Salvation O how good is God to Israel even to them that are of a clean Heart O make me clean that I may feel thy Goodness Thou art my Phisitian I am thy Patient thou art my Father I am thy Son thou art my Master I am thy Servant thou art my Teacher I am thy Disciple Thy Spirit is Good O lead me in the way Everlasting God forbid that I should glory in any thing save in the Cross of Christ and him Crucified O that the World were Crucified to me and I unto the World I will rejoice in thy love my Dearest Lord I have seen thy Power Wisdom and Goodness I see what pains thou takest with my Soul to make it happy to drive away the night of ignorance from it and to make me know there is no true bliss no true comfort but in Thee Thou teachest me to overcome my Spiritual Enemies Blessed be the Lord my strength which teaches my hands to War and my Fingers to fight my Goodness and my Fortress my high Tower and my Deliverer my Shield and in whom I trust Thou preventest me with thy Grace Thou givest me the earnest of Eternal Glory by thy Spirit I am sealed unto the day of Redemption Thou art my past my present and my future good Let the People praise thee O God Let all the People praise thee O that all Men might know and love Thee O that all Mankind might feel thy Power and Glory O thou who art the chiefest among Ten thousand the Upright love Thee and among these I the unworthiest of thy Servants presume to love thy Name Thou hast made me to walk upon mine high places and in the bitterness of my Soul hast refresh'd my Spirit Thou hast pardoned I hope all my Sins and blotted out mine Iniquities as a thick Cloud I expect thou shouldst forgive me much and therefore sure I must love Thee much Thou hast born my Grief and carried my Sorrows thy Torments have given me ease thy Reproaches have procured my Glory and thy Misery is the cause of all my happiness Therefore I will put on the Lord Jesus Christ Thou shalt be my Garment my Crown my Diadem I will sing unto thee as long as I live I will sing praise unto my God while I have my being My Meditation of Thee shall be sweet I will be glad in the Lord O my Lord I rejoice to hear that every knee bows unto Thee I would have all the World fall down before Thee and worship Thee I rejoice in all the good things that thou possessest not that I expect thou shouldst make me Partaker of all but because they are in Thee and they are thine and thou dost dispense them to thy Creatures according to thy pleasure I rejoice O Lord in all the glorious Gifts thou hast conferred on the Head of the Church The Man Christ Jesus I rejoice in all the Mercies thou hast bestowed on the blessed Angels in that Purity and Innocence in that Brightness and Splendor in that Bliss and Felicity they are crown'd withal in their care of thy People in their Ministerial Offices to those that shall be Heirs of Salvation I rejoice in all the Graces Thou hast dispensed to thy Holy Apostles in their Miraculous healing of the Sick in their Powerful Preaching whereby the World was converted in their Knowledge and Illumination in their Zeal and Fervour in their Patience and Humility in their Watchfulness and heavenly mindedness for in all these I see thy mighty Arm and thy strong Hand and the light of thy Countenance and all that they have done and said is written for my Learning I rejoice in all the Blessings thy Saints enjoy in thy calling them to thy marvellous Light in thy adorning their Souls with so many Resplendent Vertues in thy honouring of them with the lofty Titles of Children and Brethren and Friends and Kings and Priests in thy visiting of them with thy Salvation in thy assisting of them with thy Power thy Spirit and thy Influences in their Dangers and Necessities in thy Helping their Infirmities in thy Purifying of their Souls in thy enlivening their Spirits that they may not be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ Jesus in thy keeping of them from all Evil in thy rescuing of them from Temptations in thy giving them a happy Death and Promise of a Glorious Resurrection I rejoice in all thy Mercies to Poor Sinners in thy calling of them to Repentance in thy entreating admonishing and beseeching of them to be reconciled to God in thy forbearing of them in thy Patience and Long-suffering toward them in thy waiting for their Repentance in thy adjuring of them by Bowels of Mercy by the Blood of Jesus by the Wounds of a Crucified Redeemer by the sweetest Calls and by the greatest motives to Seriousness and Holiness in thy receiving the Penitent in thy forgetting all their Unkindnesses and forgiving the Affronts they have offered unto Thee in thy remembring their Sins no more and drowning them in the depth of the Sea even in the Blood of the Lamb which was slain from the Foundation of the World I rejoice in all thy loving kindnesses to thy Church in thy giving her thy Word thy Ordinances thy Sacraments in thy making her thy Bride thy Spouse and thy Favourite in thy Ordaining the Lord Jesus to be her Head her Husband and her Protector and Nursing-Father O Jesu I rejoyce in thy Incarnation in the great Mystery of Godliness God manifested in the Flesh justified in the Spirit seen of Angels Preach'd in the World Believ'd on by the Gentiles receiv'd up into Glory I have reason to rejoyce in thy hypostatick Union in thy being the Prince of Men and Angels and in that all the treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge are in thee I rejoyce in thy sending the Comforter into the world in thy Promises in thy Offers in thy Providences in the Provision thou hast made for our Souls and Bodies O give me a thankful Heart for my right shape for my Health and Strength and temporal advantages O what a mercy is it that thou hast caused me to be born in the Light in the true Religion in a Religion free from notorious Errours and Superstitions How am I beholding to
safe within the Gates of a Blessed Eternity which Love that it may become your Portion and Inheritance is and shall be the hearty Wish and Prayer of Your Faithful Friend And Minister in Christ Jesus A. H. THE TRUE NATURE OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION IN A Dialogue betwixt a Christian and his own Conscience Conscience ROuze Rouze thy self and awake thou slumbering Sinner and think What that Religion means thou dost profess and tell me ingenuously what it is to be a Christian Christian. It is not only to profess the Doctrine of Jesus Christ but also to Live as He lived to have the same Mind and Spirit in me that was in Him to act upon the great Principle of an unseen everlasting Glory and to neglect all things rather then the salvation of my Immortal Soul John 15. 10. Phil. 2. 5. Mat. 16. 26. Heb. 12. 1 2. Consc. Hast thou a Soul that 's in a possibility of being either eternally Happy or eternally Miserable Christ. I have for my Soul certainly is not of the same nature with my Body but is a Spiritual substance Rational and Intelligent as Angels are and therefore Incorruptible and signally differs from Beasts being capable of obeying and disobeying God Mat. 10. 28. Psal. 32. 9. Rev. 22. 8 9. Isa. 1. 19 20. Consc. What if thy Soul be capable of obeying and disobeying God doth that make it either Happy or Miserable Christ. Yes certainly For to the Obedient God hath faithfully promised Eternal Life and Glory when they leave this World and to the Disobedient He hath peremptorily threatned everlasting Anguish and Torment Rom. 2. 6 7 8. Heb. 5. 9. 2 Thes. 1. 6 7 8 9 10. Consc. What must thou then do to be saved Christ. I must necessarily obey the Precepts and Commands of my Lord and Master and Saviour Christ Jesus which he hath delivered and enjoyn'd either with his own Mouth or by His Apostles John 14 15 21. John 15. 14. 1 Thess. 4. 1. Consc. What Precepts are those thou art bound to obey in order to be saved Christ 1. I must necessarily curb mine Anger and Passion and be very Meek to all Men in my Speeches Answers and Actions gentle and not much concern'd under any Affront or Injury done to my Person or when any thing is said or done which displeases me and be ready to forgive and forget all Injuries I must not Revile when I am Reviled nor give ill Language to them that reproach me nor revenge my self when it lies in my power nor call Men Fools and Rogues upon trivial occasions I must so far love mine Enemies as to do good to them that hate me if they either desire or want it bless them that curse me and pray for them that use me ill Mat. 5. 22 44. Tit. 3. 2. Rom. 12. 17 19. 1 Pet. 2. 21 23. 2. I must be very humble and have low and mean Thoughts of my Self and of my Worth Knowledg Fortune Dignity Riches Means and Condition in the World I must when I address my self to God in Prayer or Praises be very vile and base in my own sight and be ashamed to lift up my Eyes and Hands to God I must esteem other Men in whom I see any goodness better then my self I must not commend my self nor take it ill if other People do not nor be fond of Worldly Respect and Honour but must be Civil Courteous and Obliging even to the Meanest and Poorest and regard the Honour that comes of God more then the Honour which comes of Men Mat. 11. 29. Mark 10. 15. John 5. 44. Gal. 5. 26. 2 Sam. 6. 22. 3. I must be kind and tender hearted and compassionate and love to do good to my Neighbour either by good Advice and Counsel or Reproof if he go on in any known Sin or by my means and Money and Goods if he be in want or by my Labour and Industry if I can do no more according as my ability and his necessity require and if I know none must seek out Objects upon whom and to whom I may do good Gal. 6. 6 9 10. 2 Tim. 1. 17. 4. I must shun all foreseen and known occasions of Evil. If by looking on a Man or Woman any dishonest Lust or desire rise in me I must crush it and look upon that Person no more I must not go into company where I am sensible I shall be tempted and drawn into Sin whether it be Drunkenness or Swearing or Passion or frothy or filthy Talk or the like I must not touch any thing that would raise any inordinate Appetite in me and must forbear Gaudy Cloathing and other External Ornamâ—â—â—â— if they prove temptations to Priâ—â— or Loftiness and vanity of Spirit Mat 5. 28 29 30. 1 Tim. 2. 9. 1 Pet. 3. 3 4. 5. I must labour to be very patient under any temporal Afflictions whether Sickness or Losses or other Crosses and Disappointments and neither murmur nor repine because God my Heavenly Father sends it and hath promised That if I love Him to turn all these Troubles unto my unspeakable good and designs an infinite recompense in Heaven for my Patience Jam. 5. 7. Rom. 8. 28. Heb. 12. 7 8 9. 6. I must study great simplicity in my Thoughts Words Actions Garb Cloaths Furniture Houses Meat Drink and the like and avoid all things that may put a stop to my progress in a Spiritual Life and particularly all such Recreations as may dull and damp good things in me or bring upon me an aversion from that goodness and simplicity which was in Christ and his Apostles and the Primitive Christians 2 Cor. â— 12. Matth. 10. 16. Phil. 2. 5. 15. 1 〈◊〉 5. 22. 7. I must in all places where-ever I am watch over my Thoughts and Speeches and Expressions and Actions because God hears and sees me and is every where present and take heed that neither any Temporal profit nor pleasure nor the favour of Men make me say or do or comply with any thing that is sinful and I suspect to be so Psal. 139. 1 2 3. Matth. 12. 36. Col. 4. 6. 1 Thess. 4. 4 5 6. Acts 5. 29. 8. I must not use equivocations or mental reservations when I speak or take an Oath or promise any thing or make a bargain nor teâ—â—â—â—ye wittingly or wilfully though I might gain all the Riches of the World or could save my life by it but speak the Truth whenever I think fit to speak or give an answer let the inconvenience be what it will or the danger never so great Ephes. 4. 28 1 Pet. 3. 15. 9. I must take special notice of the various dealings of God with my Soul and Body and praise and admire him for those providences whether Spiritual or Temporal as many as come within my cognisance I must praise him when I rise when I lye down when I sit up when I walk when I eat or drink or get any lawful gain or Men are kind and favourable to me
Es. 5. 11 12. Psal. 105. 5 Matth. 6. 26 27 28. 1 Cor. 10 31. 1 Thess. 5. 18. 10. I must do the same kindnesses favours and services to other Men which I would have other Men who are in such circumstances do to me and therefore must be charitable just honest faithful sincere in all my dealings with them and put a good construction on their doubtful actions because I would have them be so and do so to me Matth. 7. 12. 1 Cor. 13. 4 5 6 7. Rom. 13. 7 8 9. 11. According to the condition calling or relation I am in I must discharge my Duty belonging to that calling condition or relation with very great conscientiousness as a servant I must be faithful and respectful to my Master or Mistriss As a Son or Daughter very tender of my Parents welfare credit and command As a Subject obedient and loyal to the King and those who are in Authority under him in all lawful things as a member of a publick Church careful to preserve its peace and unity As a Husband or Wife loving kind and amiable to my yoke-fellow and in the lawful calling God hath placed me in diligent and industrious 1 Pet. 2. 13 14 18. Eph. 6. 1 4 5. Col. 3. 18 19 20 21 22. Col. 4. 1. Rom. 12. 11. 12. I must delight to think of God and delight to speak of spiritual things and delight to do the Will of God and delight in all these and in other good Works more then in the gaudes pomp glory and vanity of this present World I must use the World as if I used it not and be very indifferent whether I have much of this Worlds Goods or no and my chief aim and design must be to get a share in God's everlasting Kingdom Matth. 6. 33. 1 Cor. 7. 29 30 31. Psal. 112. 1. Psal. 139. 17. Psal. 119. 72. Consc. Why art thou obliged to do all this in order to Salvation Christ. Partly because God my Supreme Governour expresly commands these things to be done partly because Eternal Happiness is promised to none but such as in good earnest apply themselves to the performance of them partly because infinite glory is a thing of that consequence that it deserves these pains and this excellent temper partly because the LOVE of God to me is so great that I can do no less in common gratitude Matth. 5. â—0 Matth. 19. 17. Luc 13. 24. 2 Cor. 5. â—â— Consc. What is that mighty Love of God that challenges such gratitude Christ. When with the rest of Mankind I was lost and undone in my first Parents depriv'd of all hopes of Mercy and Pardon and Salvation The Eternal Son of God to restore me to God's favour and to make me capable of Pardon and Eternal Salvation took my Nature upon him became Man suffered and died for me and having by his death purchased this Pardon and Salvation for me offers me these Mercies upon condition of obeying the aforesaid Precepts Joh. 3. 16. Rom. 5. 17. 21. 2 Cor. 5. 19. Consc. But what if thou hast not obeyed these Precepts of the Gospel is there any remedy or hopes to recover the favour of God Christ. I must necessarily repent of my disobedience with all speed and make it my business for the future to live up to those Rules in despight of all commands and allurements from Men to the contrary and upon 〈◊〉 repentance sincere resolâ—◠〈◊〉 and earnest endeavours to obey them I may certainly hope for Pardon and Salvation because he hath promised it Matth. 11. 28 29. Es. 55. 7. Joel 2. 12 13 14. Consc. But is it possible dost thou think for any Man to obey and live up to these Precepts Christ. If it were not possible for me to obey them I cannot imagine why God should peremtorily require it of me and therefore I may certainly so far obey them as not to act wittingly or wilfully or deliberately against them and so perform them as to make them the setled Rule of my Thoughts Desires Words and Actions if I will but use the means God hath prescribed in order to this Holy Obedience Matth. 25. 26 27 1 Cor. 10. 13. 1 Joh. 5 ' 3. Consc. What are those means whereby this Holy Obedience may be attained Christ. They are Eight 1. Consideration and Thinking 2. Earnest Prayer for the assistance of Gods Grace and Spirit 3. Diligent hearing and reading the word of God 4. Asking advice and consulting with faithful Ministers of the Gospel 5. Self-Examination 6. A right apprehension of the Nature of God and of Spiritual things 7. Humbling the Soul with Fasting 8. A conscientious use of the two Sacraments the Son of God hath instituted and ordained Consc. How is Consideration and Thinking to be managed Christ. I must seriously and frequently retire and think with my self that surely Gods promises and threatnings will be fulfilled that upon the moment of my death there depends Eternity and what a sad and forlorn condition I should be in should Eternal anguish seize on my Soul when it leaves this World and though God be patient yet he will not be mock'd that there is no Soul in Hell at this time but would be glad to obey God if they might be freed and tryed once more here on Earth that a work of that concern is not to be neglected for trifles that my Death is very uncertain and a Death-bed is no place or time to bring my self to a habit of Obedience Deut. 32. 29. Ps. 90. 12. Ps. 50. 22. Consc. What is the nature of Prayer and earnest begging for Grace and assistance of Gods Spirit Christ. I must take care that my Heart and Mind do pray as well as my Lips I must be sensible of what I pray for and fix my Thoughts upon God in Prayer and earnestly long for his Grace and Mercy and be importunate with him pray often and with fervour like a person that am concern'd at the danger I am in I must watch against wandring Thoughts or expell them when they come in and my Soul must esteem and prize the Grace of God and assistance of Gods Spirit above all the advantages of the World and be restless till I get it and take notice how God hears and answers my Prayers Joh. 4. 24. Ps. 66. 18. Ps. 63. 1. Ps. 16. 8. Consc. What dost thou mean by diligent hearing and reading of the word of God Christ. When I read or hear it I must read and hear it with attention and resolution to know Gods Will that I may do it Before I read and hear it I must beg of God to enlighten me and to imprint those good Lessons I shall hear or read upon my Soul and to make them effectual to me I must apply the general commands I read and hear to mine own Soul and believe that what God commands all Men as Christians and Believers he commands me in particular I must watch against worldly Thoughts in reading and
but have lived in perpetual horror There could have been no hope of Mercy no probability of Bliss their Souls would have been in Eternal confusion always doubting always afraid always upon the Rack O my Jesus Thou through death hast deliver'd them who through fear of Death were all their life-time subject unto bondage Thou hast knock'd off their shackles loosed their Bands freed their Souls set their Spirits at libery I feel the power of thy death My Heart takes courage O let me rise with thee to Eternal life O let me not lie in the mire but set my Feet upon a Rock and establish my goings I have gone astray like a lost Sheep O seek thy servant that I may not forget thy Commandements Thou art the Bread which came down from Heaven and with the Bread in thy Sacred Supper thou offerest me all the benefits of thy death and passion such a Feast hast thou prepared for me such a Table hast thou spread for me my Soul is invited to Sup with the Lamb that was slain What an honour is this What a condescention is it In this Sacrament thou erectest a Banner for me bidst me sit under thy Vine and strenghthen my self with the Fruit that drops from it Were all the Fishes of the Sea and all the Fowls of the Air and all the Beasts of the Field drest for my entertainment it would not be so much as this plain but Heavenly Diet is Tell not me of Belshazzer's Banquet nor of Ahashuerus's Feast nor of the rich mans curious Dishes they are all scraps and Offals to this Entertainment Here my Blessed Redeemer courts my Soul Here he makes love to a miserable Sinner Here he presents me with the Riches of his Merits No African Gold no Eastern Pearls no Indian Stones are to be compared with these Here the Lord of Glory offers to marry me to unite me to him to make an everlasting Covenant with me to be flesh of his flesh and bones of his bones promises to endow me with all his Goods puts a Ring on my Finger and bids me lie in his bosom This is Honour this is Glory this is Preferment which no Royal Courts can give no Solomon can afford no Emperour Grant no Monarch Conferr no King bestow This is the mighty Wedding-Feast at which the blessed Angels wait how should not they be there when their Master is President and Director of the Banquet This puts me in mind of all the admirable things thou hast done for me in this Bread are contracted all the Dainties and Delicacies imaginable O wonderful Love that wast not content to be known to me but art willing to give thy self for Food to me What pains dost thou take to melt my stubborn Heart Thou art willing to live in me Thou art willing to be one with me that I may not warp from thee Thou art willing to be my Meat and Drink not only my King to protect me not only my Father to tender me not only my Master to take care of me not only my Saviour to snatch me out of the burning Lake not only my Mediator to secure me against Heavens vengeance but my Diet too Thou seest my Soul wants Meat proper for her nature Alas the World cannot be that Meat That 's a Heterogeneous thing as well may Angels feed on Hay or Grass as my Soul on things that profit not That which my Soul must feed on must be something Spiritual Thou O Jesu art that Great Spiritual Object my Soul must fix on nothing else will content it and when my Thoughts contemplate thee when my Soul Meditates of thy Charity when my Affections love thee when my Desires long for thee When my Will submits to thy easie yoak When all my Faculties delight in thee when thou appearest lovely and charming and amiable to my mind Then then my Soul hath its proper food then it 's like to live then it 's in a way to thrive then it prospers then it grows then it gets a cheerful look then the Angels visit it the World perfectly soures it Sensual pleasures ruine it carnal satisfactions make it meager Thou O Lord thou alone canst make it flourish like the Palm-tree and satisfy it with the Rivers of thy Pleasures O my Lord how sweet is it to suck Honey out of this Rock Thy Bread strengthens to a miracle and thy Blood makes Souls Drunk It is as the Dew of Hermon and as the Dew that descends on the Mountains of Zion for there the Lord commanded the Blessing even Life for evermore O my God I care not for Abana and Pharpar now nor for the Rivers of Damascus I will stand under thy Cross and open my Mouth O do thou fill it while others go to rejoyce in their Corn and Wine and Oyl I will go to the Supper of the Lamb. Here Lord here is my Heart ready to receive that Heavenly Food thou offerest me Awake thou Eternal Spirit awake blow upon my Garden that the Spices may flow out O let this Maenna satisfy my taste that I may forget the Fleshpots of Egypt Behold Lord here I make a vow that if thou wilt give me this Bread to eat which endures to everlasting life Thou shalt be my God I will serve no other Gods but thee Thou shalt command my Heart my Desires and my Affections and without thee no passion shall lift up its Hand or Foot in all the land of Goshen I will set thee over all that I have and all shall be at thy dispose Christ. I feel my Heart warmed with this consideration I will now turn aside and see this great sight who it is that hangs upon the Cross and bleeds for my Sins Oh! it is the Son of God he that was in the form of God and thought it no robbery to be equal with God but made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a Servant and became obedient to the death of the Cross that I might be made the Righteousness of God through him Consc. But is there nothing else to be done by way of preparation for this Blessed Sacrament Christ O Yes For I must First Retire sometimes and celebrate and admire the love of God to me in Christ Jesus in some such reflections as these Be astonish'd ye Heavens stand amazed ye Quires of Angels at the condescension of my God I have betray'd him to the Philistines yet he loves the miserable Wretch and so loves him that he gives his Son to redeem him O God what dost thou see in me Nothing but misery nothing but rags nothing but poverty and yet thou lovest me I am but Dust and Ashes and will God vouchsafe a Gracious look to so mean an object O Sovereign Being Didst thou ever behold a viler creature then I am and wilt thou goe out of the common road of Love and spread thy Garments over me and offer me thy friendship O Love which Cherubim admire and Seraphim adore It
Heart is Sacrifice which he that was broke upon the account of thy sins will not despise Nay he will comfort the humble Soul and the contrite Spirit he will pour Wine and Oyl into its wounds supple it with Balm heal it with his Death and make it whole by his Agonies See here O my Soul the Bread which is broke is it not the Communion of the Body of Christ see how many broken pieces are here which all make but one Loaf So thou and thy fellow-Believers make one mystical Body whereof the Crucified Jesus is Head and Governour who influences the Body by his Spirit and from his fulness dispences Grace for Grace Rejoyce O my Soul For now the waves and billows of Gods wrath are laid The storm of vengeance is husht The thunder is gone The clouds cleer up thy broken Saviour hath turn'd the sound of the Trumpet of War into a still small Voice O break with him no more O preserve that friendship which was so dearly bought A friendship purchased by Blood sure must never dye Thou art his Friend O do not become his Enemy again for fear he be never friends with thee again On the pouring out of the Holy Wine THus O my Soul thus flow'd the precious Blood of the tormented Jesus In such streams it issued from his wounded Body Thus was the costly Juyce let out Thus the rich Veins emptied themselves of their Treasure and all that thou mightst mayst be clean And O Jerusalem wilt not thou be clean When shall it once be When God makes use of his own Blood to purify thee O my Soul Wilt thou wallow still in thy Dung and Nastiness This would be inexcusable Arise wash thy self in this Jordan and thy Flesh shall come again like unto the Flesh of a little Child O my Soul had not this Blood been shed there had been no remission of Sins From the shedding of this Blood date thy happiness when God saw this Blood the tide turned and thy offended Father looked on thee with a merciful Face How sweet is this Blood it nourishes into Eternal Life How high the value of it it redeemed a whole World How wholsom it expels all Sicknesses What pity was it that the least drop of it should fall upon the ground It was fit to be receiv'd by the hands of Angels But the Earth on which sinful Men walk'd was defiled and cursed and therefore it must fall upon it to take away the Curse Man's Sin had made it subject to O precious Blood Drop drop upon my Soul Let me feel thy Virtue Drive out the Curse Water this barren Ground that hath brought forth Briars and Thorns and let it bring forth pleasant Fruit again 6. When I receive the Holy Bread my Mind must vent it self in some such breathings as these Either O My Lord I do remember with Joy and Grief that thy Body was Crucified for me the meanest of thy Servants I remember it with joy because thy Love is wonderful O how vehement how violent was it to love an Enemy and by that Love to charm me into Obedience I remember it with grief because my Sins were thy Murtherers O my Lord I will stand out against thy offers of Grace no longer Here take my Heart I solemnly resolve to dedicate my Self and all I have to thy Service Or O God! this Sacred Bread puts me in mind how the Lamb of God was offered for me Do I believe this and shall not my Soul make thee her highest and her chiefest good O my God I take thee here not only for my Saviour but for my King and Master too Come Holy Spirit rule my Heart for I will hence forward serve no other Gods but the Great Jehovah alone who loved me and gave himself for me Or O my Jesus My Life My Joy My Comfort Thou diedst that I might live I remember it and adore thy Majesty in misery O make me thine and as this Bread doth mingle with my Substance so let thy Spirit mingle with my Soul that the same Mind may be in me which was also in Christ Jesus Or Look upon this Bread O my Soul it represents the bleeding Body of thy dearest Lord. Bleed O my Heart Give thy self up to him that groaned for thee It 's done O God neither Death nor Life shall separate me from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus my Lord. 7. When I receive the Holy Wine my thoughts must still be at work and address themselves to God in Christ Jesus some such way as this Either O Jesu I thankfully remember that thy Blood was spilt for me What am I and what is my Fathers House that thou hast brought me thus far Thou hast loved me better than I have done my self O my Lord give me thy sweet thy tender thy free thy humble Spirit that I may be one with thee and may admire none in heaven but thee and desire nothing on Earth besides thee Or O blessed Balsom of my wounded Heart Welcome thou Sovereign Salve How seasonable is this Medicine I die if thy Blood relieve me not O wash me and I shall be whiter than Snow I have deserved to drink the Cup of Trembling and Astonishment and thou holdest out to me the Cup of Salvation O my Soul remember who it is that is so kind to thee O esteem adore magnifie and love him for ever Or O thou blessed Shepherd of my Soul How ought I to blush when I think of thy Blood which my Sins did spill Thou hast turned my Darkness into Light and my Treason into an Antidote Thou curest me by Contradictions and the Blood my Sins have drawn from thy flesh is become the only refuge I have in the day of Wrath. O look upon thine own Blood and hide me in thy Wounds I know not how to prize thy favour O do thou teach me to do great things for thee to deny my self to take up my Cross and to follow thee Or O my Lord By thy Tears and by thy Blood thou adjurest me this day to imitate thee in thy Graces in thy Meekness in thy Patience in thy Humility in thy Charity in thy Contempt of the World and in thy Heavenlymindedness My heart is fixed O God! my heart is fixed I will Sing and give Praise Thou shalt be my Pattern Here under thy Cross I promise Obedience and Conformity to thy Graces O do thou help me O assist me uphold me with thy free Spirit so shall I teach Transgressors thy Way and Sinners shall be converted unto thee Or Great Bishop of my Soul who hast left the ninety and nine in the Wilderness and art come to seek this straying Sheep Behold Lord the Prodigal is coming home again Thou comest towards me Bleeding Groaning Dying thou comest to receive him that hath forsaken thee to draw him that hath fled from thee to kiss him that did scourge thee to Crown him that did Prick thee to Embrace him that did
the Tree of Life and visited me with his Salvation Here the Words of David may justly be applied My Soul shall joy in thy strength O Lord and in thy Salvation how greatly may I rejoice Thou hast given me my hearts desire and hast not withholden the request of my Lips thou hast prevented me with the Blessings of Goodness thou settest a Crown of Pure Gold on my head I asked life of thee and thou gavest it me even length of days for ever and ever My glory is great in thy Salvation Honour and Majesty hast thou laid upon me for thou hast made me Blessed for ever Thou hast made me exceeding glad with thy countenance Therefore will I trust in the Lord and through the Mercy of the most High I shall not miscarry Thine hand shall find out all my spiritual Enemies thy right hand shall find out all those that hate thee Be thou exalted Lord in thine own strength so will we sing and praise thy Power 4. I must go home rejoicing and praising God Praise is comely for the Upright the poor Cripple did so when he was Healed and have not I far greater reason to do so Behold I am healed at this time from mine Infirmity and shall not his Praise be continually in my mouth I must say in my heart My Soul doth magnifie the Lord and my Spirit rejoices in God my Salvation I will extol thee O God my King and I will Praise thy Name for ever and ever Every day will I Bless thee and Praise thy Name for ever and ever O all ye that fear the Lord come and I will tell you what he hath done for my Soul His Love hath overcome my Corruption his fervent Charity my Coldness his Goodness my Sins and Follies Except the Lord had been on my side now might I say if the Lord had not been on my side when Temptations and Corruptions rose up against me then they had swallow'd me up quick when their Wrath was kindled against me then the Waters had overwhelm'd me the Stream had gone over my Soul Blessed be the Lord who hath not given me over as a Prey unto their Teeth My Soul is escaped as a Bird out of the Snare of the Fowlers the Snare is broken and I am escaped My help is in the Name of the Lord who made Heaven and Earth 5. Being made whole I must for the future take heed and sin wilfully no more Having wash'd my Feet I must not defile them again I must stand upon my watch and shun those occasions which formerly led me into Sin I must be cautious and afraid of an ill Word as much as of an evil Action and my very Thoughts must be purged from that filth that used to cleave to them I must strangle an evil suggestion in its birth and when I find any motion rising in my mind that looks like Envy or Pride or desire of Vain Glory or greediness after the World I must check it upon its first appearance I must bid an Eternal farewel to Unbelief and mistrust of Gods Providence and shun those sinful compliances with Men which heretofore I was used to be guilty of I must not only watch against grosser Sins and such as Jews and Heathens can avoid but against the secret disorders and errors of my Heart which none sees but God who is over all Blessed for evermore 6. I must frequently compare my Actions and Behaviour with the Vow and Promise and solemn Resolution I have made in the Holy Sacrament whether my Deportment be agreeable to those Engagements Whether I stand in awe of those Vows and Promises and whether they influence my Thoughts and Words and Practices Whether my hatred of Sin increases and my love to Holiness grows steady and unmoveable Whether I check my self upon feeling an inclination or propensity to a sinful act with such Thoughts as these Is this the effect of my late Vow Is this to stand to the Covenant I lately made with God Is it possible I can be so perfidious as to break with God Hath the Cross of Christ so little power with me Shall it not restrain me from such a sin as this Foolish Creature shall a little profit or pleasure tempt me to please the Divel and wrong my immortal Soul I am tied by a solemn promise made in a most solemn place by a promise made to God by a promise Sealed with the Blood of Jesus not to do it and shall I presume to do it or hope for pardon after this presumption I must take notice Whether the Thoughts of Christs death make my passions weak Whether they lessen the heat of them Whether they repress their fierceness Whether they work in me that contempt of the World which was so signal in my dear Lord and Master I must ever and anon look how my Graces thrive Whether no weeds grow among them that are like to choak the wholsome Herbs 7. I must now study Self-denial even in things lawful and that seem to have no harm in them Self-denial in Eating and Drinking in my Cloaths in my Recreations in my Time in my Discourses in my Wit in my Reading in my Profit in my Ease and in my Sleep I must now take heed I do not Eat and Drink to satiety but labour still to rise from my Meals with an Appetite I must now and then humble my Soul with a Religious Fast and many times forbear eating of that Dish I have most mind to to bring my sensual Desires into order I must not imitate every vain fashion I see other people use but must be very modest and decent in my garb and having means and opportunities to buy me better reserve that Money I would have laid out upon a richer Suit for Pious uses I must not think every recreation lawful because it 's commonly used by Men who are none of the worst I must not encourage the vanity of Men and Women that are in love with Stage-Plays by my example as being things I abjured in my Baptisme but my recreation must be such as may fit me for Spiritual Devotions I must not spend my time as some luxurious and idle People do in needless and complemental Visits in playing at Cards and Dice but in Words and Actions and Discourses as may be useful and profitable either to the Souls or Bodies of my Family and my Neighbours I must not censure or judge my Neighbour rashly in my Speeches and Discourses and not be easily drawn to give a Verdict or Judgment of People except it be in their Praise and Commendation if they do deserve it I must not give my self too great liberty in jesting but forbear blurting out a witty Saying if it be smutty or abusive of my neighbours Credit and Reputation I must not give my self to reading of Romances and such Books as serve to render the Mind vain and the Affections loose and regardless of Spiritual things I must express my gratitude to God
but mock thee How can I believe my sin odious while I embrace and cherish it How can I believe it kill'd thee while I make much of it How can I believe it drew Sweats of Blood from thee while I water it and keep it warm Oh! I am weary of this vain Belief Rid me of it Deliver me from it Let all my neighbours see that I believe these things indeed Let the World see by my Conversation that these things work upon me Oh! Let me not only believe these great things but live them over Come forth my dearest Lord and meet me No Man can come to thee but he whom thou drawest to thee Oh let me touch but the hem of thy Garment and I shall recover Let me so Believe in thee that it may appear thou livest in me that I may at last obtain the end of my Faith even the Salvation of my Soul Great Author and Finisher of my Faith hear me for thy Mercies sake Amen A Prayer for a lively Hope O Thou in whom my Fathers hoped They hoped in thee and thou didst deliver them Thou art all Goodness all Sweetness all Clemency Who would not hope in thee Thy Mercies bid me hope Thy Promises bid me hope and all thy Revelations bid me hope O thou Hope of Israel Here I am Here I lie prostrate before thy Face Here my Soul intends to breath out her desires O my Lord When will that happy day come that Glorious day which shall have no Night no Clouds no Darkness Thou hast spoke of it thy Prophets have seen Visions of it Thy Apostles have Declared it One was wrapt up above the Clouds to take a view of it The Son that came out of thy bosom hath assured me of it It is the bright day when I shall enter inter into thy Joy be made a Co-heir with Christ be cloathed in White shine as the Stars look upon thee and not be ashamed Thou hast promised it and shall not I hope for it Oh my Lord that seest me that art present with me and knowest my Heart my Sighs my Desires thou knowest I hope for it Oh let this Hope be lively let it be a Hope which may purify me even as God is pure Nay my very flesh shall rest in Hope and thou wilt not suffer my Body to see everlasting corruption Thou wilt raise me from the Dust at last All my Bones shall say Lord Who is like unto thee I know that my Redeemer lives and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the Earth and though after my Skin Worms destroy this Body yet in my Flesh shall I see God whom I shall see for my self and mine Eyes shall behold and not another and having this Hope O assist me O perswade me O prompt me to cleanse my self from all filthiness both of Flesh and Spirit and to perfect Holiness in the fear of God Deck my Soul with Humility with Patience with Constancy that no Rods no Stripes no Prison no Torment no Shipwrack no perils of Waters no perils of Robbers no perils among my own Countrey-men no perils among Heathens no perils in the City no perils in the Wilderness no perils in the Sea no perils among false Brethren no weariness no painfulness no Watchings no Hunger no Thirst no Cold no Nakedness no Weakness no Infirmity no Honour or Dishonour no good Report or evil Report may discourage me from trusting in thee Though the Lord should kill me yet let me hope in him If in this Life only I have Hope in Christ I am of all Men most miserable The Lord is my Light and my Salvation whom shall I fear The Lord is the strength of my Life of whom shall I be afraid Though an Host should encamp against me my heart shall not fear though War should rise against me in this will I be confident for in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his Pavilion in the secret of his Tabernacle he shall hide me he shall set me up upon a Rock Thou art he that took me out of the Womb thou didst make me Hope when I was upon my Mothers Breasts O let it not be in the power of Men or Divels to shake this Hope Let it be my Anchor sure and stedfast which no Waves no Billows no Storms no Tempests can move Whatever evils befall me let me think they come from a Fathers Hand Let no prosperity no Sun-shine no Calmness no smiling Fortune subvert this Hope in my Soul Let me look upon all these outward Comforts as Vanity Vanity of Vanities which can give no Ease no Comfort no satisfaction to a Soul of a Spiritual Appetite Let me thirst after nothing so much as after thy Love as after Spiritual Blessings as after the hidden Manna as after the white Stone which no man knows save he who receives it I will not hope in any creature I will arise and depart for here is not my rest Why art thou cast down O my Soul and why art thou disquieted within me Hope thou in God for I shall yet praise him who is the health of my Countenance and my God My Soul wait thou only upon God for my expectation is from him He ony is my Rock and my Salvation he is my Defence I shall not be moved In God is my Salvation and my Glory the Rock of my Strength and my Refuge is in God Trust in him at all times ye People pour out your Hearts before him Thou hast been a shelter for me and a strong Tower from the Enemy From the end of the Earth will I cry unto thee when my Heart is overwhelm'd O my God my Goodness extends not to thee The Lord is the portion of my Inheritance and of my Cup thou maintainest my Lot Who was ever confounded that trusted in thee Who was ever forsaken that hoped in thee Who was ever despised that in good earnest called upon thee All Hail my dearest Lord my Hope I love thee I embrace thee I renounce all those lesser Goods which are in the World that I may make thee my highest and my chiefest Good It 's true Lord I am a sinner and have been a very ungrateful wretch The least of thy Mercies is more then I have deserved My very Righteousnesses have been as filthy Rags but I will not trust in my Bow neither is it my Sword that shall save me but thy Mercy O Lord thy Mercy and the palmes of thy Hands on which thou hast engraven my Name shall be my refuge I have no merits no deserts to trust to I can claim nothing as my Right all I am and all I have is thy Charity What Goodness there is in me is entirely owing to thy Grace and Compassion With this thou crownest me with this thou enrichest me with this thou anointest my Head that I may work in thy Vineyard and receive the Penny at night I confide not in my Works I depend not upon my Industry I
rest not in my own Labours but in thy Blood in thy Sweat in thy good pleasure O Glorious Son of God! Cursed is the Man that trusts in Man and makes Flesh his Arm. I will hope in thy Mercy my Heart shall rejoyce in thy Salvation Evening and Morning and at Noon will I Pray and thou wilt hear my voice Thou hast said Ask and ye shall have Seek and ye shall find Knock and it shall be open'd to you Who would not Hope after this Who would not rely upon thee after such a Promise O let me find Grace in the sight of my Lord I desire nothing else this is the height of my wishes this is it which engrosses the faculties of my Soul Thy Grace is the Jewel I want the Pearl I stand in need of the Crown my Soul longs for Thou art my witness O Lord That my Heart thinks so Thou hast Treasures of Mercy Thy Stores are large and inexhaustible Thou bidst me come and buy without Money and without price and my Soul shall live Thou dost promise me more then Kings can promise and no wonder for thou art greater and richer then all the Kings of the Earth Thou givest Rest to the weary Soul and Strength to the Faint Therefore mine Eyes shall be toward thee O let thine Eyes be open and thine Ears attent unto the Prayer of thy Servant Do thou chuse and sanctify this House that thy Name may be there forever and let thine Eyes and thy Heart be here perpetually Thy liberality and bounty is immense and infinite I cannot but hope in thee Oh my unbelieving Heart Couldst thou but trust him more what great things wouldst thou see His Mercy is upon thee according as thou hopest in him The more thou hopest the greater is his Mercy O my Lord What stupendous Gifts dost thou present me with What amazing Offers dost thou make to my Soul Thou art not only willing to impart thy Graces to me but in thy Supper givest me thy Self and here thou offerest to carry me in thy Arms to be my nursing Father and to be Food to my hungry Soul May it be unto me according to thy Word Come Lord Lodge thou in my Soul make it thy dwelling place anoint it with the Oil of Mercy I will go and take the Cup of Salvation and call upon the Name of the Lord. Thy loving kindness shall be before mine Eyes and I will walk in thy Truth I will not sit with vain Persons neither will I go in with the Dissemblers I will wash mine Hands in innocency so will I compass thine Altar O Lord That I may publish with the voice of Thanksgiving and tell of all thy wondrous works my Heart shall be inditing a good Matter and I will speak of things touching the King of Saints Into thy Hands I commit my Spirit thou hast redeemed it O Lord God of Truth O make thy Face to shine upon thy Servant and O let me Hope unto the end for the Grace that is to be brought unto me at the Revelation of Jesus Christ A men A Prayer for Love and Charity O Thou who hast so loved the World as to give thine only Son to the end that all that Believe in him should not perish but have everlasting Life What shall I do to love thee What shall I do to be united to thee What shall I do to get a place in thy Bosom If I love thee not I am undone If thou dost not look exceeding lovely in mine Eyes I am lost If my Affections do not fix upon thee I perish I cannot be happy without loving thee My Soul is destitute of her proper Good if thou be not the object of my delight I am perfectly miserable if thou be not the Center of my Spirit Love is the greatest Gist that 's given to poor creatures Love enriches their Souls Love makes their Faces shine Love must brighten their Souls and make them appear lovely in the Eyes of God! O my Lord Thou hast given me faculties to love thee Understanding to contemplate thy Beauty and Mercy and Perfection memory to retain the lively apprehensions of thy Glory and a Will to prompt my whole Man into sutable Actions The more I love thee the Holier I am The more I love thee the more I am with thee for where I love there is my Soul where my Affections are there is my Spirit where my Treasure is there will my Heart be also Who would look upon a Dunghil that can view a Glorious Palace Who would hear the screeches of Owls and Night-Ravens that can hear melodious Musick And why should I be taken with the pomp and glory of the World which in comparison of thee is a meer Dunghil or with the caresses and praises of mortal Men which are perfect howlings compared with the harmony thy Love doth make Shall I love Honour and not love thee who art the Fountain of it Shall I love Pleasure and not love thee in whose Presence there is fulness of Joy Who can be likened unto thee O Lord And if nothing can be likened unto thee I must love nothing like thee And if I justly love that which is good I must necessarily love thee more then all things in this world for thou art infinitely better then all things in this world There is nothing so good nothing so precious nothing so rich nothing so amiable as thou art O my Jesus How great was thy condescension Thou knewest I could love nothing so well as what was like me and in compliance with my temper for thou knewest my frame thou becamest like me indeed The Immortal became Mortal The Eternal became an Infant If therefore I love Man who is naturally like me how much more am I bound to love thee who wroughst a miracle to become Man that thou mightst be like me Love desires the presence of its delightful object and can any thing be more present then thou art Thou art in me and with me and without me thou art present in all places at all times in all companies thou art willing to dwell in me and to make thine abode in me Thou art content never to depart from me Thou art strangely bountiful who would not love thee Who ever gave greater or larger Gifts either more in number or more in quantity or longer for duration then thy liberal Hand from thee every good and perfect Gift comes down whatever Gifts I receive from thy Creatures thou sendest them The Creatures are but the Channels or the Pipes through which they are conveyed and shall not I love the Fountain more then the Channel the Spring more then the Pipe through which the water runs and the great Giver more then the Messengers that carry it Thou workest in all thou inclinest the Hearts of the Bountiful Thou openest their Hands thou turnest their Hearts into Charity Thou seasonest their Minds with Thoughts of me and thou bendest their Wills to do me good And
thee that thou hast kept me from so many opportunities of sinning against thee from abundance of temptations from innumerable occasions of evil How many have been snatcht away by sudden death and I am alive yet How many have been denyed the grace of Repentance which thou still offerest to me That I have a heart to pray and praise thy Name What a mighty token of thy Love is this Let Heaven and Earth praise the Lord Let all the Angels in Heaven praise him Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord praise thou the Lord O my Soul I remember O Lord how when I have gone through the water thou hast been with me when I have passed through the Fire thou hast commanded the Flames not to kindle upon me I remember when for a small moment thou hast hid thy Face from me How with everlasting kindnesses thou hast visited me again O how often hast thou deliver'd me from the nethermost Hell When I have been ready to sink in the mire thou hast pulled me out of the horrible pit cut of the miry Clay and set my feet upon a Rock and establish'd my goings When the snares of death have incompassed me and the pains of Hell laid hold on me thou hast deliver'd my Soul from Death mine Eyes from Tears and my Feet from falling I will walk before the Lord in the Land of the Living what reward shall I render unto thee for all thy benefits How loth hast thou been to behold my ruine How hast thou call'd after me Have mercy on thy self With what convictions hast thou follow'd me What checks of Conscience hast thou given me O my Lord Thou shalt have all the Glory Thou art worthy to receive Blessing and Honour and Majesty and Dominion How precious are thy Mercies How rich thy Loving kindnesses To do so much for dust and ashes for a Worm for a Grashopper for a Creature that hath abused thee and rebell'd against thee O what goodness is this My understanding is not big enough to comprehend it I 'll acknowledge thee for my God I 'll own thee for my Redeemer Thou shalt be my King my Master my Sovereign Lord I will consecrate all my Labours all my Services all I have and all I am to thy Glory O what a favour is forgiveness of Sin which I trust I have received this day Think O my Soul what a bondage thou art deliver'd from Think what slavery thou art freed from Now thou art at liberty now thou mayst serve God chearfully now thou mayst freely go on from Virtue to Virtue This is a day of Thanksgiving this is a day of glad tidings this is a day which ought to be remembred O my Jesus Thou hast this day visited the Earth and watered it Thou hast made it rich with thy showers thy Grace hath dropp'd upon me this day like the Rain on the mowen Grass O order my steps according to thy Word for the future Let me see thee in every Mercy Teach me to admire thee in every Blessing Let nothing seduce my Heart from thee When any afflictions come upon me let me receive them with Thanks and Submission When I stumble do thou support me when I fall do thou raise me when I go astray do thou seek me when I err do thou direct me When I slacken in thy service do thou strengthen me Keep the door of my Senses that no impure thing may enter there Let my Heart be thy Temple Teach me to enquire daily what progress I make in thy way Let thy Word be a lanthorn to my Feet and a Light unto my paths Let no evil company discourage me Let thy Providence direct me to persons that love thy Law and in these excellent ones let all my Delight and Comfort be O my Lord my Life is hid in thee But when thy Glory shall appear I shall be like thee Speak Lord for thy Servant hears Let none of thy Commandements be hence-forward grievous to me Open thy hand and feed my Soul When I am tempted lay no more upon me then I am able to bear Give me courage to strive to enter in at the strait Gate Let me ever look at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are Temporal but the things which are not seen are Eternal Thy Kingdom Lord is not in Meat and Drink but in Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost Give me a taste of it Let Eternity be always in my mind Into thy hands I do commend my Spirit my Body and all the concerns of my Life Let thy Grace come down upon me plentifully Let me not do thy Will negligently Let me live in the thoughts of another life and let those Thoughts encourage me to follow after that I may apprehend that for which I am also apprehended of Christ Jesus O hear me O Answer me O pity me O relieve me O come in O succour me thou that art the God of my Salvation and my Tongue shall talk of thy Righteousness all the day long Let all those that seek thee rejoyce and be glad in thee and let such as love thy Salvation say continually Let God be magnified I am poor and needy make haste unto me O God! thou art my Help and my Deliverer O Lord make no tarrying Amen Amen ERRATA PAge 51. l. 24. read liberty p. 169. l. 19 r. Repentance What literal Faults or Mistoppings may occur the Reader is desired to mend with his Pen. Books Printed for and Sold by Samuel Lowndes over against Exeter Exchange in the Strand CLelia An excellent new Romance Parthanissa That most Fam'd Romance Dr. Greys Compleat Horseman and expert Farrier Two Sermons Preach'd at the Cathedral Church in Norwich By B. Rively Mr. Glanvil's Saducismus Triumphatus with the Additions of Dr. More and Dr. Horneck Mr. Glanvil's Lux Orientalis Or the Opinion of the Eastern Sages concerning the Pre-existence of Souls Bishop Rust of Truth and Annotations on both Dr. Horneck's Great Law of Consideration Papismus Regiae potestatis Eversor Paul Festeau's French Grammar Maugers Letters in French and English The Mirror of Fortune The French Rogue Cambridge Jests or Witty Alarms for melancholy Spirits Kerhuel Idea Eloquentiae The Situation of Paradise
Crucifie thee to revive him that did kill thee and to Love him that did Hate thee O stupendous Mercy Henceforward no Vain Glory no Worldly Pomp no outward Riches no Smiles of great Men no outward Comfort shall have so much of my heart as thy sweet self O encrease my Faith my Hope my Love my Charity make my Soul a Temple of the Holy Ghost O come come thou Bridegroom of my Soul come and dwell in me for ever Consc. And is this all that is to be observed upon this occasion Christ. No. For after I have been made Partaker of these Mysteries and Tokens of God's Love I must 1. Bless God for the opportunity I have had of going with the Multitude to the House of God with the Voice of Joy and Praise with the Multitude which keeps Holy-day I must Magnifie his Goodness who so loved the World as to give his only Begotten Son to the end that all those that believe in him should not Perish but have everlasting Life I must summon my thoughts to enter into some such Meditation as this Whence is it that the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords in whose eyes the very Angels are not pure should come to visit such a Wretch as I O my Lord to whom doest thou stoop What is that Creature that thou bowest thus low to A Den of Thieves a Habitation of Vipers a Vessel of Dishonour O how often have I polluted my self even after thou hast washed me Is it possible that God will dwell in such a polluted House Is it possible that God will come and Feast and Sup with such an unprofitable Servant O my Soul It is not only possible but thy Lord hath done it to day Thine eyes have seen the mighty Works of thy Redeemer Thou hast seen him converse to day with a Wretch that hath undone what God hath done hath rendred him evil for good and hatred for his good-will Thou hast seen thy Lord this day vouchsafing to sit with one who is full of Bruises and putrifying Sores and those not bound up nor mollified with Ointment Alass my Lord I have abused the mighty Creator to please a Murtherer affronted the great Preserver of Men to please a Fiend and undervalued him that call'd me to Salvation to please a usurping Tyrant I can give no reason why I have offended thee except it be thy Goodness and Patience and could fair Weather make me angry What didst thou see in me Lord that should attract thee and make thee leave the highest Heavens to descend into an Abyss of Misery O my Jesus water my Soul with the Tears thou hast shed anoint me with the Myrrhe of thy Grief and Sorrow tye me by thy Bonds let thy Scourges soften my Heart let thy Derisions strengthen me let thy Cross raise me Reign over me do with me what seems good to thy Power Wisdom and Goodness O let me never depart from thee let not the Creature draw me more than the Creator Vanity more than Eternity Misery more than Felicity Filthiness more than Beauty Slavery more than Greatness Bitterness more than Sweetness My Beloved is mine and I am his he feeds among the Lillies O that thou wert as my Brother that suck'd the Breasts of my Mother I would kiss thee yea I should not be despised O Lord all my desire is before thee take away from me whatever doth displease thee Give me an humble heart that I may be content to be counted as Dung for thy sake give me an obedient heart that I may be entirely guided by thee give me a strong heart that I may cheerfully bear whatever thy hand lays upon me give me a tender heart that I may be kindly affectionate to my Neighbour give me a free heart that nothing may hinder me from running to thee give me a heart of Flesh that I may love thee perfectly Praise ye the Lord I will praise the Lord with my whole heart in the Assembly of the Upright and in the Congregation The Works of the Lord are great sought out of all them that have pleasure therein His work is honourable and glorious and his Righteousness endureth for ever He hath made his wonderful Works to be remembred The Lord is gracious and full of Compassion he hath given Meat to them that fear him he will ever be mindful of his Covenant he hath shewed his People the Power of his Works that he may give them the Heritage of the Heathen The Works of his hands are Verity and Judgment All his Commandments are sure they stand fast for ever and ever and are done in Truth and Uprightness He sent Redemption unto his People He hath commanded his Covenant for ever Holy and Reverend is his Name He raises the Poor out of the Dust and lifts the Needy out of the Dunghill that he may set him with Princes even with the Princes of his People Praise ye the Lord. 2. I must pray for the Congregation and my fellow Christians that do eat of the same Bread and drink of the same Cup with me that they may all be satisfied as with Marrow and Fatness and their Souls may live I must beg that none of them may receive the Grace of God in vain That they may keep and stand to the conditions of the Covenant they have made or renew'd with God That they may indeed fight for the future against the World the Flesh and the Devil and be more than Conquerors through him that loved them the Lord Jesus Christ. My love to Christ must constrain me to wish and beg that every Man may love him else he doth not appear truly lovely to me I must entreat the Father of Mercies to dispense his Spirit abundantly at this time That the love of Christ prevailing may pull down in my fellow-Receivers all the strong Holds of Iniquity and all Imaginations which exalt themselves against the Obedience of Christ Jesus That Christ may Reign victoriously in every one of them live in them act in them govern them by his Spirit That they may indeed bring forth the Fruits of the Spirit Love Joy Peace Goodness Faith Gentleness Meekness Temperance c. I must be importunate with God to make them all Partakers of the Benefits of Christ's Death and Passion even of that Pardon and Peace and Salvation he hath purchased and cause them to walk worthy of it like persons that are sensible of the greatness of the Favour and the depth and breadth and length and height of the Love of God and consequently may be fill'd with all the fullness of God 3. I must be thankful for the Honor I have received at such a time I must look upon 't as more than ordinary Preferment that God hath vouchsafed me a place at his Table admitted me into the number of his Children made me Partaker of the promises of the Gospel open'd his Bosom to me received me into favour assisted me with his Spirit given me a right to