vs a farre of namely vnfainedly purposing to amende our liues hee will come with his spirit and meete vs and will imbrace vs with the armes of his loue and will put on vs the robes of his owne righteousnes Loe his mercie is from genâ—â—â—tion to generation to them that feare him And therefore let vs feare no more for we are freely iustified by grace through the redemption that is in Christ Iesus whome God hath set foorth to be a reconciliation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousnes by the for giuenes of our sins that are passed O let vs not therefore despise the riches of his bountifulnesse and patience and long suffering knowing that the bountifulnesse of God leadeth vs to repentance Let vs fall downe before him therefore and he will heare vs vp let vs crie out and he will heaâ—e vs let vs fly vnto him he wil come meet vs imbrace vs. If you sins were as red as skarlet he wil make them as white as snow Therfore wil euery man that is godly make his praier vnto him in a time wheÌ„ he may be fouÌ„d The Lord redeemeth the soules of his seruants and none that trusteth in him shall perish I should haue fainted but that I belieued to see the goodnes of the Lord in the land of the liuing Psa. 〈…〉 The prayer for the forgiue-of sinnes O God of my saluation I haue acknowledged my sins vnto thee I haue not hidden mine iniquities For thus my good God I thought I wil confesse my wickednes against my selfe vnto thee O Lord forgiue the punishment of my sinnes vnto thee O Lord I cry O my strength be not far from me lest that if thou answere me not I be like them that goe downe vnto the pit Remember not the sinnes of my youth nor my rebellions but according to thy kindnesse remember thou me euen for thy goodnesse sake remember thou mee gracious and righteous thou art and thou teachest sinners in the way O turne thy face towards mee let thy louing fauour and mercie euermore be extended for I am miserable sinfull and poore And I come vnto thee the fountaine of all helpe forgiue my sinnes wash me and I shall bee cleane let me taste of thy old louing kindnesse who haste euer bene readie to forgiue euer readie to helpe ready to receiue the complaint of the poore ready to receiue the miserable to imbrace them that returne from their euill ways as appereth by Dauid by Peter by Marie Magdalene and many other who repenting their sinnes haue found fauour Our fathers called vpon thee and thou didst heare them they trusted in thee and wer deliuered they depended vppon thee and were not confounded Wherefor haue mercie vpon mee O God haue mercy vpon me according to thy great mercies and according to the multitude of thy compassions do away mine iniquities O cleanse mee from my secrete sinnes and couer my known sinnes with the righteousnesse of thy Sonne remooue mine iniquities farre away from mee and be not angry with thy seruant for euer O enter not into iudgement with me for if no flesh before thee be iustified what shall become of me who haue â—o highly sinned Lord my God full of mercy I appeale vnto thee I flie vnto thee I rest vpon thee leaue thy displesure against mee and howsoeuer weake and vnable I be to stande in thy presence oh let thy spirit of strength hold me vp and say vnto me feare not for my grace is sufficient for thee I take hold of thy loue and I rest vpon thy fauour in Christ reiect mee not though there bee no good in mee powre downe that absolute good thing euen thy grace and let it direct me to amendement of my corrupt life Thou hast said that thou art wel pleased in Christ thy Sonne in him be thou also pleased with me and receiue mee againe into thy loue through his merites by whome euery sinner receiueth free accesse vnto thee And although I for my part most louing God be a vessell full of faultes and filthynes although I be no more worthy to bee called thy Sonne although I bee a seruant most vnprofitable yea a withered and starued branch who haue lost the quicknes and vigor of thy blessed spirit and am good of mine owne proper nature for nothing but for the fire Yet good Father haue mercy vpoÌ„ me haue patience with me cast me not from thee but rather endue me againe with a new spirite and a liuely feeling of thy pleasure and will and ablenesse to do thereafter that I may fill vp the residue of my daies in sinceritie in holines in righteousnesse and in the due seruice of thee in faith vnfained and in all singlenes of heart and soule that from henceforth insteede of straying from thee I may dwell and bee shrouded vnder the shadow of thy winges that in steede of sinne which heretofore hath miscaried me I may imbrace pietie godlynesse and true zeale and in steed of ignorance whereby I haue gone so long astray I may take hold of the knowledge of thy sauâ—ng truth And let it be as a lanterne vnto my feet a light vnto my pathes that so I may rest safe in thee through a liuely faith which neuer deceiueth And graunt that I may carefully performe what thou likest howsoeuer disliking it be vnto me and may watchfully auoid what thou lothest howsoeuer liking it be vnto me For I acknowledge good father that flesh and bloud sauor nothing of the things belonging vnto saluation but I waite in the spirite for thy louing kindnesse and mercie promised in Christ thy Sonne in whome I am bolde with deepe sighes of the heart to crie Lorde forgiue mine offences remit mine iniquities couer my sinnes and lay not my former euils vnto my charge Good Father giue the knewledge of saluation vnto me and to all thy people by the remission â—f our sinnes through the bowels of thy tender mercies that we may perceiue in our mindes both comfort peace and gladnes of thy holy spirite which may begin a newe lyfe in vs pleasing thee And for the beter perfourming of our duties vnto thee from hencefoorth quench all the corrupt motions of our minds striuing with thy diuine pleasure and restore againe in vs the image of thy deuine light whiche was lost that being thus inwardly renued in our minds we may reforme vs outwardly in our conuersations and may sing aloud vnto thee and may serue thee with gladnes and come alwayes vnto thee with ioy Amen O Lord increase our faith Sing vnto the Lord a new song O Sing vnto the Lord a new song Psal. 96. 1. Sing vnto the Lord and praise his name declare his saluation from day to day vers 2. To the prayse of God for the forgiuenesse of our sinnes WHat shal we do to thee O God for all that thou hast done Whose loue froÌ„ vs remoues y e rod which our offences
lamented and an establishment of concord amongst our selues to be sought and hartily prayed for The word warranteth our obedience vnto Magistrats therfore woe be vnto him that wil teach vs contrarie doctrine Let vs indeuor to performe our duties and giue vnto God that which is Gods vnto Caesar that which belongeth vnto Caesar. And for the controuersie of the inequalitie of Church gouernours it is to bee considered that there are seuerall functions in the Church and euerie function hath his seuerall person and place let vs therfore pray that euery person may measure his calling by the word and limit his superiority or inferiority as they are therein directed then shall not the people of God want their due food in regard of humane contentions Oh that euery one woulde enter into his owne conscience and as much as in him lieth cast away all carnall consideration and what the word of God warranteth let him holde and giue no grounde to the cauillers and shun the contrary And for vs that are the common people that must expect to be fed by the ministery let vs pray for their vnitie and that God will giue them humble spirits vigilant and watchfull eyes knowledge loue zeale and constancie that the false prophets may be abandoned and the true ministers of God bee esteemed and imbraced as the Ministers of God Let vs obey them that haue the ouersight of vs and submit our selues for they watch ouer oursoules as they that must giue accounts that they may do it with ioy and not with griefe for that is vnprofitable for vs knowing that false prophets are the enemies to the crosse of Christ whose end is damnation whose God is their bellie whose glory is their shame which mind earthly things If any man therfore purge himself from these he shal be a vessel of honor and sanctified and meet for the Lord. And therfore let euery man pray vnto God that they may all speake one thing that there may be no dissentions amongst vs but we may bee knit together in one mind and in one iudgment so shal the glorie of God appeare and our Church prosper The Prayer against false Prophets errors and Schismes and for increase of Christianitie FOrasmuch good Father as the â—atter times of the â—orlde are come vpon vs and we are by thy diuine prouidence alotted vnto these dangerous and euil daies wherein as we haue bene foretold many false prophets and peruerse teachers dreamers of dreames and lying Apostles are risen vp and Sathan that wicked serpent hath turned himselfe into an Angell of light and his Ministers into the forme of thy Sonne Christ and his Apostles wherby hee endeuoureth to continue his kingdome and to hinder the passage of thy diuine word to exalt errour to stop the truth to confirme vanitie and to blemish thy word And forasmuch also good father as that man of sin the son of perdition heretofore foretolde to come is alreadie come and hath established his seate of pride and sendeth abroade his lying Ministers to seduce such as haue not sufficient taste of thy worde and whome thy grace directeth not to beware of his wicked practises Graunt oh mercifull God that we may through the assistance of thy diuine spirite be wise in thee and be so guided by thee that the deceiuing deuises of these lying spirits withdraw not our minds hearts and soules from the true imbracing of thy sacred worde Grant O Lord that wee wander not from the path of thy heauenly kingdome but may constantly and firmely perseuere in thine infallible trueth vnto the ende and may banish all errors and shew of falshoode and abide in the vnitie of thy true Church and Christian religion for euer let no deceitfull thing miscarrie vs let not the craft and subtiltie of Sathan nor the hypocriticall habite of holinesse wherewith many of the children of perdition are clad to deceiue the simple and true of heart preuaile with vs. Defend vs good father from erroneous sectes and let vs not in any sorte ioyne with the schismes diuisions of the world for good Father as they are many so are they in many sorts dangerous for they all carie shewe of truth some mixed with the truth and all of them defended for a truth in so mâ—ch as the trueth it selfe is little yea least of all maintayned but suppressed persecuted and vpbrayded eueÌ„ with the titles of error heresie falshood noueltie cause of tumults of rebellioÌ„s and contempt of Magistrates and such like persecutions which how contrarie it is thou knowest It is hard therefore vnlesse thou vouchsafe the light of thy holy spirit to discerne betweene these and as hard to stande without beeing seduced through their subtilties send downe therefore thy grace and direct vs in thy truth and gather vs together in one sound profession enable vs to conceiue aright the things that belong vnto saluation and keepe vs from such as come into the Church in sheeps clothing but are inwardly rauening wolues which spare not thy flocke but cruelly deuoure thy beloued sheep with the poyson of erronious doctrine and roote out the tares cockle and darnell of error already sowne from the good seed of thy word And forasmuch good father as the case standeth so that who so will professe thy name and seeke to sanctifie the same in a sincere and right course of life not bending his affections or yeelding liking to the wicked course of this world in whose proceedinges standeth but the shadow without the substanciall fruite of sinceritie cannot wade through this vale full of confused corruptions but he shall fall into the hands of such as carrie the titles of Christians will yet seeke Antichristianlie to impose themselues against him with y â— bitternesse of their vpbraydings to quaile if it were possible and to discomfite nay to seduce euen the faithfull from the sincere seruice of thee And this deere Father is dangerous vnto the weak and feeble ones wherefore giue vs aide and strength that we slide not by their slipperie practises from a constant perseuerance in the inuiolable truth but rather may with all willingnes not only lay down our goods all naturall respects but euen life it selfe rather than to shew our selues as broken bowes to start aside with euerie blast of vaine doctrine and thereby be carried away into vanitie and errour And according vnto thy promise vouchsafe that whensoeuer any of thy children for the testimonie of their faith in thee and for their ardent zeale in thy word shall be apprehended reprooued or exacted before Princes or rulers howsoeuer vnlearned or vnable they shall be in respect of deepe literature or worldly wisedom thine holie spirite may enlighten their vnderstandings giue knowledge vnto their heartes and vtterance vnto their lips that they may be able to speake defend thy truth to the vtter confutation of such false teachers as shall withstande the same giue them alâ—o knowledge and boldnesse
A PROGRESSE of Pietie OR The harbour of Heauenly harts ease to recreate the afflicted Soules of all such as are shut vp in anye inward or outward affliction By Iohn Norden Rom. 12. Continue in Prayer LONDON Printed by I. Windet for I. Oxenbridge and are to be soulde in Paules Church-yarde at the signe of the Parrot 1596. TO THE MOST famous christian Queene Elizabeth by Gods especiall fauor Queene of England France and Ireland defender of Gods eternall truth YOVR MAiesties moste gracious acceptance of a poore former trauaile of mine The Mirror for the multitude my most dearely beloued Soueraigne Emboldeneth me once againe in al loyal obedience humbly to beseech the same to afforde the like gracious acceptance of this Progresse vnto heauenly harts ease which although it might haue carried a more base title in regarde of myne vnworthinesse yet considering the course of the treatise and the estate of the time whose happines and harts ease is of some censured after the quantitie and qualitie of euerie particular mans worldly felicitie I thought it not vnfit vnder your Maiesties most royall protection to giue it that title for that it leadeth vnto the true peace of the inner man who howsoeuer the body in bodily thinges fare in this life ought onelye to bee comforted and eased with the due contemplation of Gods most diuine loue ready helpe prouident regard of our inward and outward miseries wherewith we can not but bee touched in some measure while wee liue here And because we haue here no continuing cittie but seeke one to come it behoueth vs to goe out of the campe of these worldly cares and take our progresse in the way of piety vnto that heauenly harbour where wee shall rest through the assurance of Gods loue towards vs in this life inwardly endued with such ease of the hart and peace of conscience that whatsoeuer affliction or crosse thwart our endeuours yet shall we rest as the Saintes of God in a heauenly harts ease vntill we come to that heauenly Cittie newe Ierusalem where wee shall haue full fruition of all happie and heauenly hearts ease for euer Now forasmuch most deare Queene as that your gracious lenitie affordeth acceptance vnto the least showe of loyall loue therby enciting manie to shewe themselues willing to present their trauailes vnto your sacred view I the worst and vnworthiest in all humilitie presume to reach out the hand of my heartie zeale and vnfained loue to bee laide euen vnder the feete of your most sacred will and disposition And woulde thinke mee your most happiest poore subiect might it please your Maiestie fauourablye to accept this my poore Progresse Your Maiesties most happie subiect in seeing your gracious dayes whose ende God grant I neuer see Iohn Norden The Authors Praier which hee vsed in the performing of this worke OH merciful wise god what am I that I shoulde take thy word into my mouth That I should vndertake to celebrate the praises of thy name being a man of polluted lips of a defiled hart of a corrupt conuersation before thee I do acknowledge against my selfe good Father that I deserue not to bee heard when I crie so ignorant am I of my self vnable rightly to pray for my self but rather to be reiected and especially presuming to set downe rules directions to teach others to pray But in all humilitie my good God I enter into thy presence crauing pardon for my sinnes and thy directions in my proceedings who saydst vnto Dauid Open thy mouth and I will fill it oh fill me with thy diuine knowledge and I shall be filled and shew thy glorie to posterities Thou that saidst vnto Paul My grace is sufficient for thee assist mee with that grace and enable me to performe those thinges through the strength thereof which in loue of thee I haue conceiued and in thy feare haue purposed to publish to the glory and comfort of thy childrē Amen O Lord increase my faith A preparation to Prayer Ephes. 6. 10 MY brethren be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might 11 Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the assaultes of the deuill 12 For wee wrestle not against flesh and bloud but against principalities against powers against worldly gouernours the princes of the darknes of this world 13 For this cause take vnto you the whole armour of God that ye may bee able to resist in the euill day And hauing finished al things stand fast 14 Stand I say and your Ioynes girded about with veritie hauing on the brest-plate of righteousnes 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace 16 And aboue all take vnto you the shield of faith wherewith you may be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked 17 And take the helmet of saluation and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God 18 And praye alwaies with all manner supplication in the spirit and watch thereunto with all perseuerance Being thus furnished in the Lord wee may proceed on in our progresse with this precogitation following A Psalme wherein is set foorth the loue of God towardes vs wherein he accepteth vs to come vnto him for whatsoeuer we neede fit at all times to be sung O What a ioyfull thing it is to sing vnto his praise Who louingly imbraceth his and guides them in his waies He calleth such as are opprest and helpes them by his might The poore oppressed gain thē rest the wronged haue their right O come therefore and let vs fall and humble vs on knee In heartie zeale and then he shall of bond-men make vs free His mercies great and manifold forthwith he will extend His fauours far surpasse the gold whose glorie shall haue end Let vs therefore sing out in zeale that people all may know That he to his doth still reueale his secretes here below His heauenly hearts ease they shall find who do performe his wil. But worldly men continue blind vainely conceited still O teach vs Lord teach vs in loue what we should do and say Giue vs direction from aboue how we should rightly pray That we to thee may honour giue and to our children show How thou thy seruants dost relieue that want thine aide below A motion to Praier that God by his holy Spirite will teach vs how to praie LEt vs consider how willing and readye our good God is to harken vnto the desires of all such as hunger and thirst for the riches of his grace without which such is our pouertie That we know not what to aske as we ought But the spirite helpeth our infirmities and maketh request for vs with sighes which can not be expressed And although that flesh and bloud bee so corrupt that it alwaies groueleth on the puddle of worldly cares and the better part namely the inner man in the meane time is forgotten and standeth indangered to
of the spirite Saue thy selfe go not to Ierusalem to fall into trouble so shall we alwayes couet pleasing thinges but poysonâ—d things as riches preferment honor ease idlenesse negligence in our callinge excesse in buildinges superfluous diet most diuelish attire and what euill accompanieth not this It is thought an easy fault nay no fault to be enuious to bee a glutton to be drunken to be a blasphemer to receiue rewardes against iustice to be partiall in iudgement if it leane but a little awry and especially if it be not seene of men But this liberty of the flesh will be one day restrayned and Gods mercies deteined from such libertines who although they cannot nor will forsake or deny themselues as yet it may please God to rowse them out of this forgetfullnesse strike their hearts with such a feeling of his displeasure that they may cast off their affections of the flesh and measure all their thoughtes woordes and workes by the spirite and therefore it is good to pray vnto the Lorde for his assistance therein knowing this that he that cannot forsake himself and deny himselfe howsoeuer hee flattereth his owne security and integrity wherein he foolishly persuadeth hymselfe that hee followeth Christ he is far from Christ and surely he will say vnto him in the last day I know thee not It is not the buying of a farme the prouing of oxen nor the marriage of a wife that can excuse vs continuing in the flesh and fleshly desires It is not inough to obserue the letter of the law For then wee may still continue manslayers in wrath towards our brethren wee may commit adultery by lusting we may sinne in our communication exceeding yea and nay And therefore must we abstaine from all apparance of euill and in all purity both of soule mind and body through the power and strength of the spirite of God endeuor continually to forsake and deny our selues being made free from sinne let vs become the seruants of righteousnes and let vs giue all our members instruments of righteousnes in holynes and purenes When we were in the flesh sin had power in our members bringing foorth fruites vnto death But now being deliuered from sin we must serue the Lord in newnesse of spirite and not in our old conuersation Ther dwelleth no good thing in our flesh for we may feele continuall rebellions therein which repugne the lawe of the spirite which law giueth strickt commandement against the affections of the flesh and would haue all the corrupt motions therof to be vtterly denied And therfore let vs fight manfully against all euils in what degree so euer they rise against the spirite Wee must carefully watch the doors of our hearts with the weapons of the spirite least that sinne creepe into our inwarde partes which obtayning the consent of our minds yea but a little it will take such aduantage by pleading possession that it will be harde to remoue it And therefore let vs preuent the entry of sinne by mortifying the deedes of the flesh so shall it neuer beare fruite in vs to death And surely if the spirite that raised vp Christ dwell in vs our mortall bodies shall be quickened by the same spirite And so quickned that it shall bring foorth the fruites of true mortification in vs. And then shall we be knowne to be the sonnes of God euen by that badge of denying our selues Let vs pray therefore vnto the Lord that he wil sanctifie vs within that he will make our whole lumpe holy the roote and the branches holy If our heartes be pure all our actions will likewise be pure We must hunger and thirst for righteousnes if wee will bee blessed with the righteous Wee must runne the race of the godly if we will receiue the reward wyth the godly we must subdue our euils and conquer our corrupt motions as doo the godly if we will bee crowned with the godly We must haue our hearts hands all the partes of our bodies knit together in one consent to the true forsakinge and denyinge of our selues The inward shew and outward affections must concurre in the same so shall we be both outwardly approoued and inwardly assured that wee haue the spirit of trueth and so consequently that we are the Lordes who will alwayes attend our safety if wee thus carrie our selues before him Reade the 15. Psalme learne it and haue it in thine heart and obserue it in thy proceedings and it shall teach thee what it is that is required of thee to become a fit man to enter into the kingdome of God The Prayer for mortification O Righteous God mercyfull Father who art so pure and cleane that there is no euill dwelleth with thee no corruption resteth in thy sight But he that walketh vprightly he that worketh righteousnesse and speaketh the truth from his hart he is accepted with thee such a one thou louest such a one thou receiuest and such a one shall rest in thy holy hill But on the contrarie hee that walketh after his owne hearts desires hee that yeldeth vnto the corrupt motions of flesh and bloud and cloaketh iniquitie vnder the shew of godlinesse such a one doest thou hate such a one doth thy soule abhorre and such a one shall not come neere thee hee may pray and shall not be heard he may cry and call but thou wilt not helpe him Wherefore my good God sith there is required in all men the sinceritie and true inwarde zeale of the soule and an absolute killing of the motions of the flesh and mortifying af all fleshly affections Looke fauourably vppon me in whome doe dwell an innumerable troope of foolish fantasies a heape of sinfull affections I find and feele that though many times to will be present with me yet to perfoâ—rme is not in my power sinne preuaileth and deathe through sinne swalloweth mee vp so that I rest in darkenesse of sin and that by giuing scope vnto mine owne peruerse will And so long good Father as I dwell in this house of flesh and bloud detayned downe-warde wyth the pleasing and entising things therof I cannot maister my corrupt desires I cannot bridle mine affections but in steede of true mortification I breake out into such outrage by consent of all my members that my affections extend from conceiuing euill to performing of euill from desiring to sinne to commit sinne euen with greedinesse And yet such is my miserable estate being thus in my selfe that flesh and bloud flattereth it selfe and concludeth that whatsoeuer I purpose in an euill desire so that it breake not foorth into open grosse wickednesse that I am holy enough that I am as sincere as is requisite and that I stand too fearefull of thy iudgements when thou knowest that all and euery the least conceite of sin breaking into action in what couert measure or meane degree soeuer it by and by endaungereth my soule and
and bee in the end crowned with the glorious merites of thy Sonne in heauen Amen O Lord increase our faith For the kingdom of God THe God of blis Who faithfull is His sacred word doth send To teach vs all On him to call And to his lawes attend His kingdome pure Which shall indure For euer doth begin In those that know How here below To mortifie their sinne And they that will Imbrace with skill The way that traines to blis Shall quickly see That they shall bee Reformde from things amiâ— O God aboue Looke thou in loue On all that long to see Thy sauing health Thy heauenly wealth And glorious kingdome free Thy kingdome show To vs below That wander here awâ—y Direct our feete Thy statutes sweete To vs thy folke discrie Oh be not slacke But what we lacke With speede let vs obtaine For thou doest feede Such as haue neede Thou dost no poore disdaine A short Prayer for the obtaining of the kingdome of God OH Father mercifull euerlasting be mercifull vnto vs and giue vnto vs a feeling of thy blessed will open vnto vs the waye of true knowledge prepare our steppes to walke a right that in all the course of our liues we may be guided aright and sauour more of heauenly then of earthly thinges And let our whole delight be to meditate righteousnesse Let vs imbrace equitie and execute iustice let vs abounde in loue mercie sanctitie and true holines furnish vs largely with al spiritual graces wherby we may continually seeke thine euerlasting kingdome and practise the righteousnesse thereof for euermore illuminate our vnderstandinges by thy spirit and let thy word be our whole comfort and the vse thereof our continuall delight And abandon from our thoughts all superfluous cares of worldly thinges that we may shew our selues by a continuall holye meditation of thee and things aboue may vse the thinges of this life as if we vsed them not knowing this and assuring our selues by thy promises that if we seeke and couet to haue our conuersation on things spirituall all carnall thinges expedient shall be giuen vs by thee to whom be praise for euer Amen O Lord increase our faith A short Prayer for Mortification OH Lord mightie and mercifull who didst create man in the beginning simple sincere pure and without sinne in which is innocencie he then represented thine owne image who art pure and without spot of sinne yet such was man that he fel from thee by disobedience whereby hee corrupted his waies and became farre vnlike vnto thee defiled with all vanities wherein alas we all of vs wallow the most with greedinesse and all in ouermuch neglect of our duties wherefore most deare fâ—ther in Jesus Christ create in vs new thoughts new affections and new wils shape in vs true obedience that we all may mortifie and kill all sinne and vaine inclinations which in vs rise vp against thee Let sinne no longer heare rule in vs But let thy grace more and more abounde that all that wee doe thinke or speake may be sauouring of our godly desires of heauen and heauenly things And let all earthly and carnall delightes become of no price in our heartes that so we may bee approued not onely before men to bee as wee ought but to thee to be as thou requirest in Christ Jesus our Lord. O Lord increase our faith A most necessarie Motion to a Prayer tending to the comforte and preseruation of the Church of Christ worthy to bee dulye considered in these dayes THere is none so ignorant I trust but well knoweth and is fully satisfied that our good God by the operation of the Spirite through the preaching of his woorde hath gathered together a greate multitude of people out of all partes of the worlde whome hee hath endued with the knowledge of himselfe and whom he hath chosen sincerely to serue him to call on his holy name and to celebrate his praises in this worlde which companie of people though farre and neere scattered hee hath so vnited and knit together in one faith in one baptisme and in one sincere course of doctrine taught and left vnto vs by Christ our sauiour That he our sauiour disdaineth not to call them his Church in whome hee will bee serued and in whose hearts and soules hee vouchsafeth to dwell euen by his holy spirite hee disdaineth not to accept this Church as his spouse and wife affording himselfe to be her husband he is the head and this faithfull companie the meÌ„bers This church of God is holy it is sanctified in Christ Iesus and euery member thereof is a saint by calling Whosoeuer is of this fellowshippe and companie is trulie ioyned vnto that head Christ Jesus is so seperated from the wicked that he liueth in Christ and Christ in him And forasmuch as we al know that Christ our sauiour when he came in the flesh and beeing present in the world though he were Lord of all became as a seruant humbling himselfe and was of no reputation among men but was scorned derided whipped spit at and in most base manner abused and at last hee was crucified yet was hee pure innocent stedfast patient faithfull and did loue his enemies and prayed for them All this he did and suffered to the end that his Church and euerie member thereof should learne of this their head and be guided by this their husband how and in what course to carrie themselues in this present world And for that man of himselfe is ignorant and weake â—he hath left his owne example for his children to follow and his spirit to guide this his Church that it steppe not aside to an vnknowne husband But that in all obedience they shoulde performe what hee commandeth and carefully auoid what he forbiddeth Christ beeing now ascended and sitting in the heauens at the right hand of his father hath left this his Church as his image heere in earth to be scorned scoffed whipped afflicted persecuted eueÌ„ massacred murthered and spoyled by the enemies of his crosse And euerie member of this Church must lay downe his account before hand and reckon what it will cost him and he shall finde that it will amount vnto no lesse than persecution trouble enemies and euen death it self if he wil truely follow his maister Christ. And this portion is the very badge whereby his Church and the true members therof are known It is the touch stone and triall of our professions And to the ende that wee may the more exactly follow him hee commandeth vs to forsake our seâ—ues and to take vp his crosse and patientlie abide and beare whatsoeuer triall shall be laid on vs by his enemies who if they spared not him being the head they will not forbeare the members If they called him euen our maister Belzabub what reproch will they not giue vs if they crucified the Lord of glory much more will
children and so enchant them with their counterfet holines that many through their hypocrisie should be deceiued Many such haue in our dayes risen vs and haue caried great shew of being of the flocke of Christ but by their actions haue shewed them selues verie deuourers of the sheep of Christ and haue sought to suck the bloud of his saints of which kind of deceiuers there are manie kindes and they most subtile and wilie in their generation therefore it behooueth the children of God to be carefull watchfull and obedient vnto the wil and word of God which is the line wherby we must direct our course to sayle aright vnto the harbour of the heauenlie truth Wee must touch the compasse of our heartes with the loadstone of truth wherby we shal be able to eleuate all our affections vnto the heauenly day star Christ Jesus that no counterfet stone of mans deceitful opinions shal draw vs from the course vnto our heauenly harbour the kingdome of God wher we shall enioy our true and heauenly hearts ease euen in this life Let vs therefore pray that we be not miscarried by the deceits of the wicked pilot sathan whose directions are meerely indirect and whole sailes are deecitfull being glorious to the eye and the barke wherein he carrieth his vnhappie passengers seemeth to be a most secure cradle gliding on without tempest or waue vntill it come to the end of their race where alas they fall into the gulfe of perpetuall perdition such a maister is he and such mariners are his false Prophets that they delight flesh and bloud and all their course seemeth sweete but short and soure merchandize shall they haue that passe in the pinnise of his poisoned errours Let vs therefore be watchful and flie his painted poyson for wee may be soone miscarried if we enter but one step into this course Let vs cal to mind that Paul hath forewarned vs of a very perillous gulf wherin without great watchfullnes and praier we may easilie fall and that is into peruerse opinions drawn thereinto by such as should enter in euen amongst our selues yea of our selues eueÌ„ of the fellow teachers in our congregations that should speake peruerse things yea and draw disciples after them The strength of whose inchantments we haue seene euen in our owne Church of England whose peruerse doctrines might be recited but more fitlie omitted the spirite speaketh euidently that in the latter tunes some shall depart from the faith and shall giue heede vnto spirits of error and doctrines of deuels which speak lies through hipocrisie and haue their consciences burned with an hot iron Let vs harken vnto the worde of the Lord unbrace it Therfore let vs couet in all obedience and meekenes to be taught the trueth pray for vnderstanding and fulfilling of the same that we may bee able to discern these false prophets dreamers of dreames of whome Moses also forewarned the children of Israel willing them not to hearken vnto the idle fantasies of men who prophecie vnto vs lies and teach vs vanitie that speake the visions of their owne hearts and that teach those things that they themselues haue inuented of their owne brains and which they haue not learned out of the word of the Lord and yet say The Lord hath said it being puffed vp and yet know nothing but doting about questions and strife of wordes whereof commeth enuie strife raylings euill surmisings c. And yet feare not nor blush to make the Lord of heauen the authour of their lies and vanities who beeing enemies of God very traytors against his crowne kingdom and dignitie sticke not to collour their deuilish practises peeuish opinions and grosse errours with the worde of God when indeede the worde of God bewrayeth them confuteth them and confoundeth them Are not these false apostles deceitfull workers saith Paule transforming them selues into the Ministers of Christ and into his Apostles Such a strong deceiuer arose of late euen yesterday that hideous Hacket stirred vp by Sathan who was traÌ„sformed into no lesse in arrogation of title then into Christ himself hauing on a kinde of habite of holinesse his heart fraught with a â—egion of Deuilles who poured out mightie blasphemies against God high treasons against her innocent Maiestie and most detestable practises against his countrie And yet a Christ nay a cursed caitife in whom was performed the saying of Christ our Sauiour that there should arise false Christes that should showe such strength of errour that if it were possible the very elect should be seduced by them And surely it is dangerous for the weaker sort to touch them in discourses in disputations or any coÌ„ference vnles it please god to arme them strongly with the sword of the spirit that by the sword of truth they may bee enabled to confound them in their argumentes for the very true Christians may often fall through frailtie in some conceit of thinges euill to be good and good things to be euill and speciallie when it shall carrie collour of Godlynesse to conceiue it so And manie times it falleth out that euill things carry collour to preach vnto vs good as in the adherents of this wicked man the two Gentlemen that were deceiued by him and drawne to enter into an vnlawfull action that that action carried collour of loue in that they preached repentance vnto their countrie it carried collour of Religion in that they preached as Messengers sent from God But see howe all these gay showes were mingled with mischeifes tending to stirre vp vprores and tumults among the people and to raise an euill opinion and disloyaltie in the subiectes towards her Maiesty moreouer it tended to enuie and wicked zeale to bring Magistrats into contempt All which preach vnto vs that it is time for al estats to looke about them to be watchfull and to be ready to stand in the day of trial for these are persecutions raised against the highest euen by such as are with vs in some outward shewes but not of vs as the issue of their workes declare but in my poore opinion this their preaching publisheth vnto vs gods displeasure for ouermuch security If they being false Prophets preach vnto vs repentance it is time for the true Ministers of God to crie out for repentance for God many waies preacheth vnto vs repentance and amendment of life And because the deuill to an euill purpose preacheth that which may admonish vs let vs vse the meanes to learne howe to amende what is to be amended so shall we tread him and his purposes vnder our feete and God himselfe will send preachers to publish his pleasure and to declare his truth with warraÌ„t of his word whose exhortations shall not be by deceit nor by vncleannes nor by guile but as they were allowed of God and to whom the Gospell being committed they shall speake not as they that please men but God
wonne Thy Son hath brought vs peace againe made vs one with thee Although our sins deserued pain his crosse hath made vs free O how shall we requiâ—e thy loue what recompence is due To thee or him helpe from aboue our sinfull liues renew The best reward that we can giue it helps not thee at all Yet thou in bountie doest receiue vs wretched wights in thrall Great is thy glory loue and might thy mercies haue no end Al thanks praise to thee in right each heart should still extend But we poore sinners may cry out against our selues and say Our purest deeds like filthy clout our grosse conceits bewray No stay is in our crooked will a rash consent we giue To teach delight that seekes to kil our soules wherein we liue But now thy sauing health extend thy mercies sweete prepare And salue our sores let vs amend and breake thou Sathans snare A short praier for the forgiuenes of sinnes OH Father euerlasting mercifull and full of pittie I doe acknowledge my selfe sinfull whereby I haue deserued punishment in thy heauie displeasure But I haue an aduocate euen Jesus Christ the righteous and he hath redeemed me froÌ„ all feare of death if I truely repent mine euils and forme my life according to thy will wherefore most deare Father in him sanctifie mee againe wash me clean through his bloud â—ouer mee with the precious and most glorious robe of his integritie and obedience and in him forgiue my sinnes and for his sake remember them no more but rather supply the wants of all spirituall graces and gifts in me of â—aith of knowledge of loue of patience of repentance of obediâ—nce and true reformation of my â—ife that being renued againe and regenerate in him I may mortiâ—â—e all my corrupt and filthie affections and liue in all holinesse â—ighteousnesse and true zeale all â—he daies of my life that when his frayle bodye shall returne to â—ust my soule may ascend where Christ my Sauiour sitteth at thy â—ight hand at the time appointed my soule and body may receiue â—he fulnesse of the ioyes prepared â—or thine elect in thy relestiall Paâ—adise Amen Oh Lord increase my faith A motion to a praier tending to the obtayning of true mortification of our sinfull affections without the which we cannot please God HAuing acknowledged our sins corrupt affections before our God and in Christ his son hauing obtained attonment with him and yet resting in our selues sinfull and miserable of our selues vnable to obtaine the fauour of God and being obtained not able to stand without his continuall aide we must seeke by all meanes to frame all our actions in his feare knowing this that it is not inough for vs to haue found the meane how to bee reconciled vnto God but we must vse the meanes also being reconciled to retaine and keepe him out fauourable God still which is by mortifying of those euils in vs which breake foorth vnto his dishonour We must leaue sinne Yet this is not inough Wee also must cleaue vnto righteousnesse and exercise our callings to Gods glory we must not onely eschue euil but we must doo good we may not onely seeke peace and attonement with God but we must ensue and follow it It is not inough for vs not to walke in the counsail of the scorner and wicked persons or not to stand in the way of sinners but we must delight in the law of the Lord and that not for a time and then to retourne to our vomite and vanity againe according to the course of the worlde who thinketh not inough to cease from euill for a time and to serue the Lord at seasons ordinary but wee must exercise our selues in his word and that continually day night And we must gird vp the loynes of our mindes and be sober and trust perfectly on that grace that is brought vnto vs in the reuelation of Jesus Christ as obedient children not fashioning our selues vnto the former facts of ignorance but as he which hath called vs is holy so let vs be holy in all maner of conuersation pleasing God Not making our boast of our owne harts desire as the couetous who blesseth himself in his owne wealth and prosperitie and contemneth the Lord grounding the foundation of our hope vpon vain things wherâ—by oftentimes we are stirred vp to execute things offensiue vnto God which yet may carry coulor of warrant by the law of man wherin the inward affections of the hart appeere not only not mortified but rather reuiued to sinne If we duely looke into our desires we shall find out few or none that truely tende to that mortification which is required but rather to the aduancing of the pride of our flesh against the humility of the spirite Let none thinke it irkesome or tedious to leaue this that the first step to the perfection of a godly man is to deny himselfe which deniall is keeping vnder of all the corrupt motions which rise in our selues and couet to breake foorth in action contrary to that which our God hath commanded and if that bee hard to performe that which is further required is more hard and they are the words of Christ himselfe which I dare not deny If any man saith he will follow mee let him forsake himselfe and yet that not inough Let him take vp his crosse and follow me And in another place If any man will come after me let him deny himselfe and take vp his crosse dayly and follow me We are commaunded to forsake our selues and to deny our selues wherein we may see the great necessity of this mortification and how seuerely it is enioyned vs. If we forsake our selues whether shall wee flye to leaue our selues we must vnderstand that we as long as we are in the body are at home in the flesh where many corruptions lurke and therefore if we will forsake our selues we must suppresse the euils in our selues and by the spirite ascend vp from our carnall habitation and dwell with the Lord in continuall contemplation of his will in a dayly desire to bee with him thus also must we deny our selues for when the motions of the flesh do as it were intreate the minde and soule to consent vnto that which is vnlawful wee must presently checke our selues and in an inward godly aunsweare repell the proud desires of the flesh Which sauour not the things that appertaine vnto life but vnto death and therefore necessary to be denied Thus if we carry our affections within the compasse of the Lordes good pleasure we shall then easely attaine vnto the other part namely to take vp the crosse that is accept willingly the miseries troubles afflictions and persecutions which may happen vnto vs but so long as wee are carried away with the alluringes of the world and the flesh we shall say as Peter said vnto his maister sauoâ—ing of the flesh and not
deserueth suddaine iudgement And therefore let it please thee that as thy deere sonne through thy surpassing loue hath reconciled all such vnto thy fauor againe that are truely penitent so let thy holy spirite continually worke to the taming of vnbridled flesh and let me by the same spirite neuer leaue more and more to seeke and endeuour to subdue my grosse affections vntill I come to a true and absolute mortification of all tâ—e euils that rise vp in mee so shall I denie and forsake my selfe and follow thee so shall I leaue my selfe and come vnto thee I shal hate my selfe and loue thee I shal conquere my self and serue thee Good Father thou seest that I am most weake and without the continuall woorking of thy grace I can not in any measure suppresse my desires but rather they the more strongly rise in me I cannot denie my selfe but rather I deny the working of grace in me I do not onely not mortifie my sinnes but sinne rather reuiueth and becommeth strong in me insomuch as it bringeth forth fruit not vnto life but vnto death Therefore I beseech thee sanctifie me that I defile not my selfe with the filthinesse of the flesh or fleshly thinges howsoeuer they seeme to please me Let me not be deceiued with the pleasing iudgement of wordly men who affirme sinne to bee no sinne darkenesse to bee light and light to bee darkenesse Atheisme to be religion and sanctitie to be sinne couetousnesse to be good husbandry and charity to be folly hatred and reuenge to be manhoode and loue to bee cowardice swearing to be courage and meekenesse to be madnesse pride to be decencie and comelinesse to bee beastly Oh good Father many are the enormities that rise vp in vs defended not only as things tollerable but as things laudable oh mortifie therfore mortifie these euils let vs no longer be besotted with y e filthy fashions of the corrupt world extinguish the flames of carnall desires represse the raging lusts of the flesh and graunt that we may shun and with due watchfulnesse auoyde all thinges that haue but the apparance of cuil that being thus inwardly subdued I may make outward profession that whatsoeuer I doo it may be simply grounded vpon the truth of a good coÌ„science in singlenesse of the spirite in newnesse of life And let me still retaine this in memorie that I can not follow mine owne will and thy woord I may not impart my affections to the deedes of the flesh and the woorkes of the spirite I can not walke in darknesse and light the way of death and the way of life I cannot serue thee and sinne Direct me therefore good Father direct mee in my whole life and seperate mee from the worlde and worldly things and let me dwell with thee in all godly meditations and contemplations and let mee vse the things in this world as if I vsed them not let mee liue in this life as if I were dead to sinne and beeing thus truelie mortified in the body and quickned in the spirite let mee looke in continuall watchfulnesse for the dissolution of this my mortall bodie that my soule may ascende and in the ende both in soule and bodye I may for euermore enioy the eternall ioyes of heauen Amen O Lord increase our faith This tendeth to a true deniall of ourselues in mortifying our affections whereby we ouer greedily imbrace the pleasures of this world COrrupt and filthy are we all the proudest man is dust No comfort here we liue in thral and linger here in lust The sweetest of delights that we can chuse to please our will what brings it vs who doth not se that pleasures turne to ill Art thou a maÌ„ whose state is great if pompe exalt thy mind What then Thy soul with sin impleat bewraies thy plesures blind A dolefull bell doth wait to ring when thou secure shalt die what song of glory canst thou sing when corpes in graue shall lie What shal auaile thy lofty lookes whereat the poore doe quake And what thy Machauilian bokes whose cursed slights for sâ—ke Thy brauest buildings high in state thy golden gods but dust Thy Thrasoes thy Gnatoes mate no more shall serue thy lust Thy formal friends that fawne on thee please the time for gaine wil sigh in shew but shrink froÌ„ the wheÌ„ most thou groanst in pain The rich aray which here doth make thy stinking carcasse gay Thy foe when thou art gone will take laugh thou in clay No state so strong no man so sure no office or degree Can graunt vs warrant to endure beyond our time we see Why then doth flesh triumph braue it selfe in pleasing daies Yet sinks in sins at last the graue our grosse farewell displaies Oh then in hast and happie time bid all this trash farewell Ye high and low of dung slime to day leaue of to swell Subdue ye pride denie your will now mortifie your lust No share els in Gods holy hill ye haue to hell ye must A motion to Prayer tending to the obtaining of the kingdome of God IT hath pleased Almightie Gâ—D in greate measure of mercye to call vs home vnto him to confesse our sins which although they be great many yet through the abundance of his loue he hath taken them away through the merits of his sonne And onely craueth this that we wil forsake our selues and follow him wherein we are mooued to seeke the Lord our God and to frame our selues to that course that may bring vs wholy vnto him being the fountaine of all goodnes which we can receiue either in soule or body And forasmuch as hee saw the corruptions of our heartes to bee such as they brought forth oftentimes peruerse and contrarie desires tending most especially to worldly and fleshly things He in fauour directed vs especially what to craue at his hands namely To seeke the kingdome of God the riches and righteousnesse thereof And then shall all things necessary both to body and soule bee administred vnto vs. In so much as it appeareth that the foundation of al our petitions tending to bodily reliefe must bee builded not vpon our owne rash conceites as to aske what our naturall disposition will lead vs vnto But to seek the word of God the knowledge of Christ and the things of the body beeing of small moment shall be cast vpoÌ„ vs by the louing prouidence of our good God Although in deede the kingdome of God bee not meate and drincke it coÌ„sisteth not in the outward man as in promotion in riches in beauty in honour in health in friends nor in whatsoeuer pleasures of flesh and bloud no not in ceremonies and traditions inuented by man not in the outward word neyther in whatsoeuer is seene with the external eye But it consisting in spirituall feeling taste and vse in the sincere and pure knowledge exercise and comfort of the Gospell of Jesus Christ perfourming the will of God here in earth
for vs to rise earlie and to go to our rest late and in griefe to eate our breade vnlesse the Lorde giue a blessing vnto our labours and studies Wherefore let vs repayre vnto our good God with humble harts in faithful supplications that hee will giue vs ablenesse to performe our callings skilfully and religionslie that in quiet of conscience wee may eate the fruites of our labours and so prosper in al that we take in hand that our brethren be neither deceyued by vs nor our selues forced to vse any vnlawfull thing for our owne reliefe which may offend the Lord. The Prayer that euerie man may liue vprightly in his calling O God of all comfort and giuer of all consolation forgiue my sinnes cleanse mee and wash mee from all iniquitie which disable mee to performe my calling in such sinceritie as becommeth mee And through the bloud of thy Sonne purifie my heart and my imperfections increase my knowledge and sanctifie mine affections with thy grace that my sinnes being forgiuen I may rest in thy fauor and in thy fauour finde continuall comfort and be dayly blessed with new gifts that I may be founde perfect in my calling seasoned so with a liuely faith in thee that thy holy spirite may continually dwell and beare rule in me and lead mee to the due performance of those things which thou requirest to be done in my calling that all vnnaturall affections being truelye mortified I may onely rest in thee and relie on thee and be ruled by thee in all things Good Father graunt that I may take the direct right course in my vocation to eternall life In which course consisteth the inward peace of the soule which is onely delighted in thine inuiolable truth reueiled by thy Sonne and left vnto vs in his word and last will In which his last will and Testament are comprehended all necessarie rules and the sacred discipline whereby thy children are to guide them selues in their seuerall callings which directions are comprehended in three principall vertues by thee bestowed vpon them that seeke them at thy hands in the name of thy sonne faith hope and loue which three are so vnited and knit in one that they dwell altogether in thine elect children so precisely direct them through thy grace that they goe not awry in their callings I therefore good Father being of mine owne wisdom ignorant and of mine owne power vnable to comprehend the height the length and depth of my calling instantly beseech thee in mercy to beholde mee an vnperfect creature without these vertues and so adorne me with them that I may be made perfect in all good workes of the spirit that my bodilie labors be not in vayne in thee Graunt also that I may ioyne with all my trauailles labors affections desires and endeuours faith with faith knowledge with knowledge temperance with temperance patience with patience godlines with godlines brotherly kindnes and with brotherly kindnes loue that I bee not vnfruitfull in my calling But may acknowledge thy sonne Christ Jesus and in him to haue peace of conscience that I may bee patient in troubles long suffering in wronge◠meeke in trials faithfull in expecting helpe in distresse reioycing in heart quieted in minde in hope to inioy at thy handes and in thy good time whatsouer maketh to the true comforte of my soule and the reliefe of my bodie That in all truth and inward feeling of thine aide my calling may be made perfecte and sealed with the seale of thine owne spirituall approbation So shall I thine vnworthy creature and all such as thou hast committed to my charge bee directed in the true knowledge of thee and sustayned with thinges necessary while wee liue here Oh blessed Lord and louing father except thou thus direct me I cannot stande but shall fall into many miseries For no estate no degree no calling office function or trade of life can prosper or bee rightly performed without thy continuall ayde direction and prouidence Therefore Lord guide mee by thy spirite encrease my faith giue mee wisedome and ablenes in all thinges to execute calling as I ought and to the execution thereof blesse all my members make them apt and ready instrumentes to perform their duties that in no poynt I fayle in a Christian proceeding therein And bridle in mee the nature of flesh bloud which vnles thou season my affections by thy spirit will so much the more glorie by howe much thou hast exalted me to worldly preferment enable mee to liue in this world in higher reputation than other men whereunto flesh and bloud is ready to attribute chiefest harts ease And by that subtil shift Sathan manie times mooueth vs to relie vpon vain things And therfore good Father vouchsafe so to ground all mine affections vppon thy feare that I bee not miscarried in my calling from the true obedience vnto thee without which neither honour profit friendes wealth wisedome or any other blessing of thine can steede releeue or comfort me Be present therefore good and gracious Father with mee and grant that all thinges that I take in hand may begin in knowledge proceed in feare of thee and end in loue that my whole course of life may be blessed with good effect in all my endeuours That neither mine enemies reioyce at my miseries the godly bee offended at my rashnesse nor my estate hindered by my foolishnes Good Lord grant this for thy sonnes sake Amen For Gods direction in our callings O God of Gods O father great thou guide of all degrees The high and low look vp to thee attendant on their knees We haue our being and our food our wisedome and our skill Our high estate all honour eke and callings at thy will Al kings receiue their scepters pure and diademes from thee Thou makest thē apt to rule a land else they vnable be Thou giuest sage and sacred men and Senators most graue To guide thy people in the hestes that fit them best to haue Thou chosest eke the godliest ones and meetest men to be The preachers of thy satred will who learne to teach from thee Thy grace doth guide their lips aright els speak they all awry Thou art the fountaine ful of loue whereof they drinke or die The porest thou dost frame to skil the lowest learnes to liue Ech hand taks hold of art frō thee thou doest all blessings giue Els all their curious cunning failes our labours loose their grace In vaine we trauaile and our toyle turnes vs to poorest place Sith then good father ech degree depend on thee for aide The high and low wealthy wise els rest they all vnstaide Blesse all thy people in their charge our callings all direct Teach Prince people in the way that graceth thine elect A motion to a prayer wherein the soule must arme himselfe to suffer crosses and therefore it is necessarye to call to mind what is to be done when affliction commeth EUery one that
shal we sleep vnlesse we betake vs into the hands of God when we go to bed It is a matter of great moment little regarded of worldly men But the children of God farre otherwise betake themselues to their corporall rest for they make their sleepe an image of their death and their bed they enter into as into their graue and in the morning when the sun and light appeareth they take a new occasion when they rise to contemplate of the celestiall and eternall light glorifying the name of God for his most gratious protection And therefore arise now all yee seruants of the Lord cry out in the night poure out your hearts like water before the face of our liuing God The Prayer for the Euening I Thanke thee good God and most mercifull father whose prouidence reacheth vnto the least of thy creatures and thy fauour and loue alwaies wait vpon thy children to preserue them thou hast executed thy sacred comforts towards me this day thou hast giuen me all things necessary and hast suffered none euill to annoy me And by thy mightie working I haue passed this day and am now come to the ende thereof entring into the dark and lothsom night wherin many dangers lurk and lie secretlie hidden to vexe thy children if thou preuent them not in thy wisedome and loue Haue regard therefore good Father vnto mee who am fraile and soone fall into many things offensiue vnto thy Maiestie and the right is often polluted with my sinnes insomuch as I cannot but accuse my selfe before thee that my sleepe cannot be iustified to be pure but euen therein by dreames fantasies of the flesh and many vaine temptations I am often mooued to consent vnto that which thou lothest and can in no wise then performe what thou louest Sith therfore my good father that I through my sinnes deserue no fauour but punishment I appeale vnto thy mercy in Christ beseeching thee for his sake to annoint the eies of my heart with the oyle of thy grace that though the naturall man slumber and in slumbering fall away by weaknes yet my soule may be refreshed this night with diligent watchfulnes least that the aduersarie sowing therein the tares of temptation I giue consent to sin and so endanger both body soule by my negligence Good Father pardon my sinnes for thy names sake be merciful vnto me receiue me this night into thy custodie and safe protection let thy grace comfort me and let thy continuall fauour defend me from all perils And in thy loue vouchsafe me such comfortable rest as thou shalt see expedient for the refreshment and preseruation of the helth of my bodie which els cannot but waxe feeble and be made subiect to such infirmities as I shall not be able to execute my dutie vnto thee In thy name therfore good Father I yeeld my selfe vnto my rest wherein let thy holy spirit keepe the doore of my hart and thy holy Angels attend about my bed for my safetie for Christ Jesus thy deare sonnes merits Amen O Lord increase our faith Before we goe to bed The Lorde will graunt his louing kindnesse in the day and in the night will we sing of him euen a prayer vnto the God of life Psal. 42. 8 OH Father ful of might and loue our castle and our stay Who rulest with thy power aboue The darksome night and day The day is thine and night also thou rulest with thy hand Both which were made for man we know and so was sea and land The sea and land and all the things therein which thou hast plast Thou gauest vs madst vs kings to vse them till the last Which blessings Lord this day we haue most richlie had froÌ„ thee Blesse â—â—ke this night good Lord we craue keep vs froÌ„ danger free Preserue vs when our drousie sleep our bodies shall possesse And let not Sathan creepe into nor our poore soules oppresse But let thy grace preuent his ire let nothing vs annoy Let faith preuaile let him retire and we good rest enioy Tremble and sinne not examine your owne hearts vpon your bed and be still Psal. 4. 4. O Lord increase our faith Hauing thus farre proceeded in our progresse wee must be forced to take vp our standing-house and for a time abide in the earthly mansions of our bodies before we can attaine vnto the end of our iourney and be fully possessed of that absolute heauenly hearts ease In which standing house we must consider how wee ought to carry our selues towards our Queene the head and gouernour of this houshold IT is a common matter and necessary for Princes and great estates vpon their repaire vnto any house wherin they purpose to make any small abode to take order that the same be cleansed swept garnished perfumed and set in decent and pleasing order as well for healths sake as for somelines pleasure and delight But much more it behoueth vs that haue taken by our lodgings and abiding places in these our mortall bodies to take order with our affections wils and dispositions that our conuersations be in such decent comely sweete and comfortable order disposed that our soules be not annoyd with the filth and stincke of our corruptions while we abide in the same but rather that our soules may be delighted with the sweete odours and sacred perfumes of sanctitie and spirituall graces Wee must therefore like vnto good Surueyers and ouerseers of our owne buildings carefully endeuour that all the noysome places within our building be clensed and the contagious sincks and vnseemely filth and rubble which disgrace or annoy the same be cast out and swept And aboue all we must looke into the heart for there lieth infinite filthines and vnles it be carefully seene vnto it wil hardly be throughly clensed for the hart is the place that is most deceitfull and wicked yea aboue all the other parts of the bodie and therfore it is demaunded who can know it In so much as the Prophet argueth that the heart is so subtil and deceitfull that vnles we most narrowly search it there will lye hidden filthinesse corruption when we thinke it is well swept and garnished It is a dangerous thing for vs to flatter our selues in our hearts saying our hearts are cleane and we shal haue peace and yet the filthines of sin rest in vs and y e roote that bringeth foorth gall and wormewood groweth in our willes behauiour But we must circumcise our hearts we must cut off all peruerse corrupt affections and purge vs of all iniquitie wherein we must craue the assistance of y e spirit of God which will purifie our hearts And hee that will not thus endeuour to cleanse this most filthie part of his house but resteth stiffe-necked and as it were of an vncircumcised hart and eare not forsaking his old wicked conuersation neither will heare wheÌ„ God speaketh vnto him he doeth as it were