THE ANATOMIE of a distressed Soule Wherein The faults of the elect are discerned from the sinnes of the wicked spirituall defections cured confused consciences resolued all meanes of presumption and desperation remoued the sicknesse dulnesse and deadnesse of the spirit releeued crosses and temptations inward and afflictions outward remedied for the benefite of all that groane vnder the burthen of sinne and feeling of Gods anger thirsting for the sense of reconciliation in the blood of the Lambe ROM 8. 38. 39. I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come Nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to seperate vs from the loue c. LONDON Printed by Nicholas Okes for Daniel Speed and are to be sold at his Shop vnder S. Mildreds Church in the Poultry 1619. TO THE RIGHT Honourable Sir Robert Nanton Knight one of his Maiesties principall Secretaries and of his Royall Priuie Councell grace and peace in Iesus Christ. GOd leaues his own children oft to themselues to driue them from the weake holde of their owne strength to relie on himselfe yet doth he heale their backeslidings and loues them freely notwithstanding their reuolting and treacherous dealing against him There is Satan also sifting them and fleshly lusts warring against their soules They may fall in their faith by doubtting of Gods fauour and assurance of their saluation erre in som maine points of religion yea dwell in that ignorance for a season and maintain the same They may fall also in their life in some grosse sins yea sleepe in them vntill they be roused vp and then fall into them againe and so commit rebellion against God and yet remaine in the state of grace For they are not senslesse nor doe continue in their fals hauing their conscience seared with a hot iron without resistance feare or griefe nor becomes in the ende a very beast as doth the hypocrite who falls as the Dromedary that cannot rise againe but their corruption and temptation ouer-ruling them doth mislead them cōming to themselues condemnes thēselues for it and cleares the Lord iustifies him in his iudgements and magnifies the riches of his mercy who neuer forsakes his children but will with the tentation also make a way to escape that they may be able to beare it Of the which both inward and outward temptations and afflictions for keeping of the conscience tender and sensible of the least sinne wilfull fechting againe the light therof of the checkes feares distractions anguishes horrible terrours and swoundings with remedies to the same according to the measure of the Lords grace bestowed vpon mee I haue written here I say which I most humbly dedicate to bee sheltered vnder the protection of your Worshippes fauour And I beseech the God of our Lord Iesus Christ the Father of glory to establish your heart in his holy feare rectifie your iudgement sanctifie your conscience and giue vnto you the spirit of wisedome and reuelation in the knowledge of him the eyes of your vnderstanding beeing inlightened that you may knowe what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saincts and what is the exceeding greatnesse of his power to vs ward who belieue according to the working of his mighty power To whose euerlasting blessing I leaue you and rests Yours Worships in all Christian duties Barthol Robertson To the Christian Reader SInce it hath pleased God of his mercy to giue so good a passage vnto my former trauailes I haue made bolde in confidence of thy fauour to let this also see the light I haue been moued thereunto by sundry of my friends and truely I detest and abhorre idlenesse with all my heart yet a brother who was in great confusion of conscience to whom I resorted daily looking if God would put his minde at greater libertie from the thraldome pangs of conscience his case I say spurred mee to vndertake this taske In the method I haue not beene curious for the answere is paralelled to the interrogation so proportionably as I could to the which I haue added prayers for euery day of the weeke to season thy reading which strike most vpon the the cord of thy conscience and because the two extreamities presumption and despaire doe most of all misleade men I haue seasonably subioyned a short meditation of the infinit mercy and iustice of God that to the perfecting of thy saluation thou maiest sayle with an euen and plaine course swaying neither to the left nor right hand and I beseech God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ to sanctifie these to thy vse and thee to his glory Amen Thine B. R. The Anatomy of a distressed conscience Containing the discouery of spirituall assaults with the particular remedies thereof in Dialogue-wise betwixt the Lord and the Soule Lord. WHy art thou angry thy countenance cast downe if thou doest wel shalt thou not be accepted and if thou doest euill sin lyeth at the doore and the Iudge standeth before the dore Soule I haue been like a Horse or like a Mule alas which vnderstandeth not and am made like vnto beasts that perish I haue wallowed in my owne vomit in the vanity of my mind haue I euer walked hauing my cogitations darkned being a stranger from the life of God through the ignorance that is in me because of the hardnesse of my heart yet somtime I doe professe I did knowe God but by my workes I deny him and am abnominable and disobedient and vnto euery good worke a reprobate I haue walked after my owne imaginations and after the stubbornesse of my wicked heart I haue despised the riches of thy bountifulnsse and patience and long suffering not knowing that thy bountifulnesse leadeth mee to repentance but after my hardnesse of heart that cannot repent haue heaped vppe vnto my selfe wrath against the day of wrath and of the declaration of the iust iudgement of God thus haue I liued in pleasure on the earth and in wantonnes and haue nourished my heart as in a day of slaughter and what shall now become of mee Lord. Thou hast cause poore soule to bemoane thy selfe for the eyes of the wicked shall faile and their refuge shall perish and their hope shall be sorrowe of minde his owne counsell shall cast him downe his reioycing is but short and the ioy of an hypocrite is but a moment for the wickeds light shall be taken away they are snared in the worke of their owne hands thus I will try the righteous but the wicked and him that loueth iniquity doth my soule hate for I the righteous Lord loue righteousnesse and my countenance beholdeth the iust man many sorrowes shall come to the wicked but thou wretched soule call vnto mee and
tabernacles we may receiue the end of our faith euen the saluation of our soules now the very God of peace sanctifie vs throughout and wee beseech God that our whole spirit soule and body may be kept blamelesse both this day and vnto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holy Spirite three persons in one Godhead we ascribe all honour maiesty dominion power for euer and euer Amen A Prayer for Wednesday Euening LOrd God heauenly Father wee are come here to worshippe and fall downe and kneele before thee our Maker doe heere acknowledge with quaking and trembling soules our wickednesse to be very great and all the imaginatiōs of the thoughts of our hearts are not only euill continually but also wee doe commit sinne in transgressing thy holy law yea the least sinne breaketh the whole law and maketh vs guilty of the wages therof which is eternall death endlesse condemnation O how filthy and loath some is sinne in the greatest pleasure and most ioyful actions thereof by birth wee are altogether tainted defiled and polluted with corruption and vncleanesse who can bring a cleane thing out of filthinesse we are prone and desperately set to commit sinne with greedinesse wee reioyce in doing euill alas we delight and repose our chiefe contentment therein although all the day long thou O deare Lord stretchest forth thy hand vnto vs disobedient and gaine-saying people who hate to bee reformed and pluckt out of sin yea our best actions are but beautifull sinnes wee are all vncleane things and all our righteousnesse is as filthie clouts and wee all doe fade as a leafe and our iniquities like the winde haue carried vs away and we know good Lord that hee that committeth sinne is of the Diuell for the Diuell sinned from the beginning but for this purpose appeared thy Son O God that hee might loose the workes of the Diuell who was to that effect decreed from all eternity promised immediately after our fall in Adam but when the fulnesse of time was come thou O most mercifull father sent forth thy Sonne made of a woman and made vnder the lawe that he might redeeme vs that were vnder the lawe that wee might receiue the adoption of thy sonnes who for vs hath obtained a glorious and meritorious conquest his humaine nature being accompanied with the efficacy of that his diuine ouer the curse dominion and rigour of the lawe chaining vppe Satan and destroying for euer the power of hell sin death and condemnation O Lord our God what can wee render vnto thee for so great graces and benefites wee will take the cuppe of thanksgiuing and call vpon thy name O Lord for thy mercies sake grant vs a full assurance of our acceptation into thy fauour through Iesus Christ a constant desire of the promised happinesse that wee may hunger and thirst after righteousnesse a cheerfull expectation and wayting for all these ioyes spirituall blessings thou hast blessed vs with in heauenly places that wee may willingly resigne our selues vnto thy holy obedience embracing those meanes which thou hast offered for our saluation that wee may trust in the and doe good commit our way vnto thee and cast our selues vpon thee when all meanes shall faile and rest in thee yea euen hope in death reuerently depend vpon the truth of thy promises although wee cannot see them as yet accomplished albeit they seem against all sence and reason that this following night wee may not onely meditate of the true life of God day of resurrection and our arising to iudgement to render account for the workes done in our flesh whether they bee good or bad but also may rest in the sweete bosome of thy portection desiring at all times to bee loosed and to bee with Christ euer thinking the time of our departure to be at hand and therefore to fight a good fight to finish our course and keepe the faith that henceforth there may be laid vppe for vs the crowne of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteuos iudge shall giue vs at that day and not vnto vs onely but to all them also that loue his appearing which shall bee cloathed in white array and whose names are written in the booke of life purchased by the blood of our Lord Iesus Christ who treadeth for vs the vine presse alone to whom with thee and the holy Spirit our comforter be all praise power honor and glory Amen A Prayer for Thursday Morning O Eternall God and euerlasting Father we from the bottome of our hearts do thanke thee for thy blessings spirituall and temperall common particular that thou hast predestinated vs before the world begā elected vs to be in thy Christ adopted sons called vs by thy spirit to this light of thy Gospell and giuen vs assurance in faith of thy vnchangeable fauour renewing in some measure this corrupt nature and framing thy image in true righteousnes and holinesse in our inwarde man not making vs not onely capable of grace in the soule of wisedome and spirituall knowledge but also making some conformity in vs to thy will in life and conuersation these blessings wee haue receiued of thee freely beside thy continuall prouidence and ouer-sight ouer vs this night by-past and all the daies of our life Lord enlighten our mindes that wee may know all things in thee and nothing any otherwise then as it commeth from thee and as it hath relation to thee for thou art all things in all all things do exist in thee therefore euery thing may be knowne in thee thou most merciful father known yea seene and felt in euery thing euen in the least and basest creature grant therefore that we doe neuer rest in any thing till wee come to thee and now beholde wee approach to renew that soundnes wherewith wee laide downe that no roote of bitternesse breake out at the first of this day and to prouide for holy and setled courses in our callings all the day after and so begin a-new to liue the daily life of grace that thy kindnesse and mercy may follow vs all the dayes of our life and now haue we laid our selues downe in peace which was thy gift doe awake with the comfort there of thy mercies are renewed euery morning if we should count them they are more then the sand when wee awake we are still with thee good Lord assist vs that wee may daily weaken the olde man in vs with the vitious lusts and sinneful concupiscences thereof giue vs comfortable experience of this our corruption that wee may be the more and more humbled in our selues euer hungring and thirsting for that righteousnesse which is in Christ Iesus our Lord and Sauiour weane vs from the loue of this world and distrustfull cares for temporall things cōfirm our faith stedfastly in the prouidence of
we shall see light and now heauenly Father wee renew this night the memory of the by-past dayes blessings bestowed vpon vs most vnprofitable seruants begging yea more and more recounting that wee haue receiued beseeching thee to giue vs grace that wee doe not doate or rest vpon temporary things but rather forget them in regard of the the things of the life to come Lord grant vs true wisedome to thinke not so much what thou canst giue vs but what is fit for vs to receiue neither so much on what wee want as what wee haue aboue many of thy most dear children neither yet what we haue but how we haue vsed it and yet not so much what wee haue as what we may haue if we doe beleeue be thankefull and obedient vnto thee how deare therfore are thy thoughts vnto vs O Lord how great is the summe of them if we should count them they are more then the sand when wee awake wee are still with the for when we called then thou heardest vs and hast increased strength in our soules thou art our God heare O lord the noyse of our prayers O Lord God the strength of our saluation thou art our hope and our portion in the land of the liuing let vs heare therefore thy louing kindnesse in the morning for in thee is our trust shew vs the way that wee should walke in for we lift vp our soules vnto thee deliuer vs O Lord from all danger of body and soule this night and euermore for we hide vs with thee and blessed is hee that hath thee the God of Iacob for his helpe whose hope is in the Lord his God who is neare vnto all that call vpon yea vnto all that call vpon him in truth thou wilt fulfil the desire of them that feare thee thou wilt also heare their cry and thou wilt saue them thou preseruest all them that loue thee all flesh shall blesse thy holy name for euer and euer what a prerogatiue is this thou grantest vnto vs O heauenly Father to attaine vnto by thanksgiuing in that thou O God art the receiuer and we the giuers vnto thee and how much better it is to giue then to receiue and how small a tributerequirest thou for al thy benefits teach vs remember what wee haue receiued heard to hold it fast and repent least thou come on vs as a theefe in the night and it may bee this same night for we doe not know what houre thou wilt come but Lord faithfull art thou which hast called vs to the fellowship of Iesus Christ our Lord who will also do it for thy gifts are without repentance yea and wee haue thy Christ interceding for vs at this time that our faith faile not and thy holy Spirit whereby we doe call Abba deare Father doth abide with vs and shall continue vnto the worlds end deare father whome thou once louest thou louest to the ende and wee are married vnno thee in holinesse and righteousnesse because it is thy pleasure and will we are vnited vnto thy Son our head and giuen to him of thee and therefore wee are sure none shall take vs out of his hands grant vs therefore euerlasting Father according to the riches of thy glory that wee may be strengthened by thy spirit in the inward man that thy Sonne Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith and we being rooted and grounded in loue may be able to cōprehend with all thy Saints what is the bredth and length and depth height and to know the loue of thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ which passeth knowledge that wee may be filled with all fulnesse of thee our God vnto thee therefore that is able to doe exceeding aboundantly aboue all that aske or thinke according to thy power which worketh in vs be praise in the Church of Iesus Christ thoroughout all generations for euer Amen A Prayer for Sunday Morning O Lord our God wee this day returne vnto thee who haue fallen by our owne iniquity now againe doe wee take hold of thee will not leaue thee wee feele in this our recouery the vndoubted grace of thee our God in the experience of these sensible combates within vs of the flesh and the spirite which are constant testimonies sure sealings of our begun regeneration now are wee mercifull Father ashamed of our faults and do here this day promise to bee more fearefull of our selues and not so venturous vpon the occasions which are the borders of sin which haue also lessened thy grace oftentimes in vs but O Lord our God hide thy face from our sinnes and put away all our iniquiries cast vs not away from thy presence take not thy holy spirit from vs restore vs to the ioy of thy saluation and stablish vs with thy free spirit whō wee haue alas so often grieued especially on the solemne day of thy Sabbath wee haue polluted and prophaned the same making vp thereby our transgression of the whole lawe wee haue hypocritically professed without any benefite heard thy word so that iustly thou maiest deny vs the good occasion of this daies rest for the which we haue deserued to bee henceforth secluded from so seasonable opportunity and visitation thou hast offered vnto vs that by hearing wee should heare and not vnderstand and by seeing wee should see and not perceiue yea our hearts doe waxe fatte and our eares dull of hearing least we should vnderstand with our hearts and return that thou maist heale vs giue vs therefore thy grace to rightly esteeme of this so great a mercy and strengthen vs this day to sanctifie and appropriate it to the right end to a speciall manner of hearing thee according to thy lawe that wee shake off all impediments whatsoeuer which may with holde from the publique and priuate duties of vnfained godlinesse in keeping our hands from doing euill and choosing the thing that pleaseth thee taking holde of thy couenant that thou mayst make vs ioyfull in the house of prayer and accept of our sacrifices of prayer thankfulnesse vpon that thy holy altar euen Iesus Christ our Sauiour that we may turne away our feete from doing our will on thy holy day call thy Sabbath a delight to consecrate it as glorious to thee O Lord honoring thee not doing our owne wills nor speaking a vaine word and albeit we shall be assaulted O heauenly father with many lets and incumberances to perform this obedience yet giue vs thy holy spirit that we may preferre it to whatsouer motions sinne Sathan the flesh or the world shal suggest to the contrary euer directing our minde to the contemplation of that euerlasting Sabbath when from moneth to moneth and Sabbath to Sabbath al flesh shall come to worship before thee giue vs therefore O heauenly Father thy grace to sequester our selues from
what young men did in Sampsons daies in their feasting and how hee reuealeth to the woman which he had concealed from father and mother and Boas commendation of Ruth that shee had not followed young men whether they were poore or rich for childe-hood and youth are vanity and secondly there is in them weakenesse the way to strong vanities and so Dauid as for me saith hee my feet were almost gone my steps had well-neere slipt Thus Abraham made his his wife say shee was his sister so the godly haue spent the time past of their life in the lusts of the Gentiles walking in lasciousnesse lusts reuellings c. And thirdly euen my Saints haue walked in wantonnes in the door to open wickednesse as gluttony drunkennesse and abhominable idolatries which though they breake not forth at all times yet make them lesse carefull to glorifie me for I keepe them that they shal not sinne against mee and doe not suffer them to end their designements other mens harmes may teach the blessed wisedome labour not onely to leaue sinne which one may do for profit feare praise or wearisomenesse but also to repent of it for conscience sake Soule The grieuousnesse of my sinnes filleth mee with feare of iudgement and this feare I hope will cause the power of sinne abate in me thou Lord can giue me victory ouer sin and make it as loathsome vnto mee as euer it hath been pleasant to reioyce in the Lord to vse the meanes of my saluation diligently and to seale vp the pardon of my sinnes in my heart O God when shall it bee If thou wouldest haue destroyed mee for my by-past sinnes thou wouldest neuer haue giuen mee vnfained hatred of thē I consider thy mercy that striueth with mee to bring mee to repentance and thy iustice that will confound such as resist thy mercie hath giuen mee the meanes which thou hast denied to others thou afflictest mee lightly but confoundest others thou gauest mercie when thou mightest iustly haue punished wherin thou doest as it were hire mee from sins and shall I prouoke thee and adde rebellion to sinne O my God I know there is a secret curse vpon euery sinner which will consume him if he doe not repent it hath gone out of thy mouth thy word cānot change because thou art vnchangeable Lord. I haue tolde thee that youth the flower of thy age is of great consideration all this haue I done saith the yong man in the gospel the prodigall maketh his foure stations he hath his portion his fathers ouer-fight euill cōpany but youth worse thē all for youth hath a bundle of folly bound close in his heart which best men haue had neither could flee for as a young man sets his way hee will not departe from it when hee is olde vnlesse by my spirit hee is restrained him that God will haue his roabe must bee a branch of the Almond that is the tree that first blossomes the first fruites was Abels sacrifice so much acceptable to me Soule O God I am like the possessed that was found after sitting in a good mind that sweet wind hath come to me that happened to Elisha I haue felt that gentle calme after the stormie tempest of my heart now may I heare the golden trumpets sounding that ioyfull retrait blessed are the meeke in spirit Lord teach me thy commandements I will run them I shall haue encrease of strength vntill I come to the mount of God while I was in my element of sinne I felt not the weight of it as nothing is heauie in his owne element but now I by thy grace will lay aside euery waight and the sin which doth so easily beset mee runne with patience to the race that is set before mee I finde my selfe within the fadome of thy mercie and compasse of things recouerable the first worke of thy spirit at his comming is to conuince the worlde of sinne that is to make men knowe that without thy sonne Christ there is nothing but sinne and then to rebuke the worlde of righteousnes to make man see that Christ died not for his owne for the prince of this worlde found nothing in him but for our sinnes that so we may see him in the lawe with the wages thereof and the summe in the gospell discharged but good Lord how shall I be assured that I am not vnder the curse but vnder grace for yet I finde such hardnesse in my heart vnquietnesse and troubles in my spirit my sins rebounded vpon mee with terrible fights and fearfull visions which euer amazeth my vnsettled and wauering mind Lord. The examination of thy sinnes is that which first thou must begin with and partly those thou hast committed before thy calling and partly those that were done after thy calling for these sinnes of knowledge of all bite sorest for sinne is most sinfull when thou art intelligenced with my grace in the truth sin after knowledge workes either hardnesse of heart or a troubled spirit and therefore vnderstand that commonly men before knowledge take the trouble of minde very heauily and standing as if neuer any one had it before but they and after knowledge Satan is readie to accuse them of sinne against the holy Ghost as if euery sin of knowledge was a sinne of presumption but learne thou that when tentation ariseth to trie whether thou hast done that sinne or such like already for these tentations are either corrections for some sinnes past or punishment for sinne present or as warning of sinnes to come as thou may bee tempted to adultery and not doe it yet it commeth to thee againe because thou repentest not for this same or the like in thy youth cōmitted again when man will not bee admonished by publique or priuate meane there falleth tentation to sinne differing from that wherein thou doest and presently my iustice punishing one sinne with another as the not repenting couetous to fall into adultery theft or blood and last there may tentation come vpon that neither hee before nor presently doth like of to aduertise he may fall therein hereafter and to signifie that mans standing is not of himselfe none standeth but by my grace Fo as the girdle cleaueth vnto the loynes of man so haue I tyed my children to mee Soule Beside these inward trouarising in my heart which afflicteth mee most the fruite of my corruption I am pinched with sundry diuerse outward afflictions which agrauates and augments my sorrowe Lord thou knowest them well I cannot finde the cause of them for I liue as honest and quiet as any and iniurious to my knowledge to no man in my calling Lord. Vnder any crosse endeauour to haue a cleane conscience to comfort thee with that there is no spirituall cause of these afflictions in thee but that thy sufferings are either for the triall of thy faith beeing assured that thou hast a good conscience in all things blessed
crowne of glory which is promised them that growe in grace in the knowledge of our Lord Sauior Iesur Christ to him be glory both now and for euermore Amen A Prayer for Tuseday at Euening O Most louing and mercifull Father if the beauty and flower of all our best actions which is prayer bee so sinfully stained with our naturall corruption alas how odious and abhominable are the rest of our sinnefull workes thou findest no stedfastnesse euen in thy seruants and layest folly upon thy Angels how much more on them that dwell in houses of clay whose foundation is in the dust thou hast no need that any should testifie of vs for thou knowest what is in man thou lightenest things that are hid in darknesse makest the counsell of their hearts manifest our hearts are deceitfull and wicked aboue all things who can know it and if our hearts condemne vs thou art greater then our hearts and knowest all things O what boldnesse might wee haue towards thee if our hearts condemned vs not O what treachery is in this our flesh O the continuall readinesse that is in Satan that goeth about like a roaring Lyon seeking to deuoure vs and thou O Lord lookest down from heauen and beholdest all the children of men frō the habitation of thy dwelling place thou beholdest vs all that dwell in the earth thou fashionest the hearts of euery one and vnderstandest our works O Lord aboue all things giue vs an earnest striuing against our corruptions a tendernesse of conscience in all our actions a lowlinesse and humility in all our carriage making conscience of the least sinnes keeping our selues from the occasions and all appearances thereof and because O Lord thou hast not appointed vs to wrath but to obtaine saluation by the means of our Lord Iesus Christ which died for vs that whether wee wake or sleep we shold liue together with him grant we beseech thee that we may entertain stirre vp thy gifts which is in vs and the good motions thereof let not thy spirit lye a sleep in vs keep vs from terrors in conscience from loathing coldnesse and deadnesse in Christian duties and exercises discontentment and blindnesse of minde aptnesse to fall into those sinnes again which wee either abhorre or by thy spirit haue heretofore conquered that we may rouse vp thy spirit and labour more and more to be quickned in the inward man euer making warre against some chiefe lust of the heart to get the maistery ouer it that by experimentall conquest of our owne wee may learne in time to conquer all the rest and because our heart lyeth open to all temptations grant wee beseech thee O deare Father that casting downe the imaginations and euery high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of thee our God and bringing in captiuity euery thought to the obedience of Christ that we may follow after righteousnesse godlinesse faith loue patience and meckenesse that fighting the good fight of faith wee may lay holde on eternall life and now O Lord thou art in this darknesse of night our saluation and light wee will beholde thy face in righteousnesse and when wee awake wee shall bee satisfied with thy image wherefore our heart is glad and our tongue reioyceth and our flesh also doth rest in hope and now the Lord deliuer vs from euery euill worke this night and euer preserue vs vnto his heauenly kingdome through Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour to whom bee praise for euer and euer Amen A Prayer for Wednesday at Morning VVEE confesse O Lord God most mercifull Father that in vs that is in this our flesh there is no godnes in such bondage are we vnto sinne that while wee are about any good as very seldome alas wee are euill is present with vs and wee are led captiue thereto yet Lorde by thy grace wee striue against that slauery in very great weakenesse and wee thank our God througe Iesus Christ our Lord that wee in our minde in some small measure doe serue thy lawe but in our flesh the law of sinne for it is thou O God which workest in vs both the will and the deede euen of thy owne good pleasure wee haue had our conuersation in times past so miserable was our case in the lusts of our owne flesh in fulfilling of the flesh and of the minde and wee are by nature the children of wrath walking after the course of this world and after the Prince that raigneth in the ayre euen the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience but thou O God who art rich in mercie through thy great loue whereby thou louedst vs euen when wee were deade by sinnes hah quickned vs together in Christ thy deare Son our Lord grant good God vnto vs a rectified iudgement proceeding frō an enlightned and sanctified vnderstanding wrought by a liuely faith thorough thy worde that wee may meet together vnto a perfect man and to the measure of the age of the fulnesse of Christ vouchsafe gracious Father according to the riches of thy glory that we may be strenthened by thy spirit and comforted in all the faculties of our soules that wee may know and proue the loue of thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ that wee may be filled with all the fulnesse of thee our God giue vnto vs a sanctified conscience keeping it sensible of the least euill desiring to liue honestly with a continull cheerfulnesse of well doing and holy ordering and disposing of our affections that we may set them on things that are aboue and not on things which are vnder the earth for crucifying of the flesh and natiue corruption therof and in building more more forward the new man that wee may wake a most gracious conquest ouer our most vnruly thoughts in fitting and conforming our outwarde actions to thy most holy acceptable and perfect will and serue thee the Lord our God with ioyfulnesse with a good heart for all thy blessings bestowed vpon vs both spirituall and temporall that as wee haue receiued Iesus Christ our Lord so wee may walke rooted and built in him and stab lisht in the faith abounding therein with thanksgiuing to preuent security and giue thy grace alwaies O deare Father that wee may ioyne with this our faith vertue with vertue knowledge and with knowledge temperance and with temperance patience and with patience godlinesse and with godlinesse brotherly kindenesse and with brotherly kindenesse loue that we be not idle nor vnfruitfull in the knowledge of our Lord Iesus Christ that as this same very day wee beginne heere with thee directing our prayers as incense before thee so by these means an entry may be ministered vnto vs aboundantly vnto the euerlasting kingdome of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ that when we shall lay downe these our
our hearts this night and euermore and stablish vs in euery worde and good worke in whose name we call vpon thee as hee hath taught vs saying Our Father c. A Prayer for Friday Morning NOt trusting in our owne worthinesse for there is none but in thy great mercies doe we present our selues before thee this morning O Lord in great weakenesse to shew our thankefulnesse for thy vnspeakeable goodnesse so plentifully bestowed vpon vs most vndeseruedly for what are wee but wormes and what is man that thou art mindefull of him or the sonne of man that thou visitest him wonderfully hast thon made him in his mothers wombe hee is the image and glory of thee O God thou mightest haue equalled him him with the vgliest and basest creatures it hath pleased thee to spread forth the shadow of the wings of thy protection ouer vs this night wee meditate in the dead of sleepe to haue our soules taken away in thy anger for the offences committed the day before and all the daies of our life and suddenly to haue beene arrainged at thy tribunall seate yet thou wilt not the death of a sinner but rather that he conuert and turne vnto thee and now thou hast spared vs vnto this day grant O gracious Father that wee may euer meditate of the true life of thee our God of the day of the resurrection of these our bodies when corruption shall put on incorruption and of our rising to that solemne and dreadfull iudgement O Lord as thou hast banished this nights dardnesse away wherein wee had a sweete repose and sound rest that compassed vs so grant we humbly beseech thee that inward light in minde by the rising vnto vs of that Sunne of righteousnes thy Son the Lord Iesus Christ that wee may mourne for the ignorance and blindenesse that yet resteth in vs and others also the night is past and the day is at hand vouchsafe wee may cast away the workes of darknesse and put on the armour of light that wee may walke honestly as in the day not in gluttory or drunkennesse nor in chambering and wantonnesse not in strife and enuying but that wee may put on the Lord Iesus Christ praising his mercy and patience that yet wee liue to praise him and are continued in life to make our election more sure such is the constancy of thy loue towardes vs O Lord God Father euerlasting for whom thou louest to the ende day vnto day vttereth the same and night vnto night teacheth knowledge thou hast O Lord sealed vs to theday of redemption and hast giuen vs earnest of the spirit of promise in our hearts by the which spirit also wee beholde as in a mirror thy glory O Lord with open face and are changed vnto the same image from glory to glory O when shall we fully enioy the same in that life to come when shall wee cease from all sinne haue perfect knowledge of thee perfect righteousnes and holinesse neuer to bee changed fulnesse of ioy immediate fruition and coniunction with thee our God when thou shalt bee all in all and triumph ouer all thine and our enemies in that inheritance immortall and vndefiled and that fadeth not reserued in heauen for vs O Lord giue vs the grace that we may keepe our selues in a holy temper and peace of mind by a constant course in all occurrents and so prepare our selues vnto that crowne of glory loking stedfastly vnto Iesus the author and finisher of our faith to breede constant affiance thereof for this cause O Lord let the glorious light of thy great Maiesty neuer departe from the inwarde eyes of our soules that we may bee seriously affected with the sense of our wants benefits purchased by thy Son our Sauiour and perpetually assisted by thy spirit to consider the great and manifolde blessings which wee haue receiued from thee to prouoke vs to thankefulnesse without which all our prayers are vneffectuall grant good Lord we may seriously bewaile our neglect of prayer and condemne our selues for our lip-labour and customarie deuotions our wearisomensse in well-doing and our contentment with small little feelings and finally we may rest vpon the continual mediation of our blessed aduocate Iesus Christ who continually maketh intercession for vs and is now both praying for vs and ready to present our prayers to the throne of grace and to couer all the infirmities and faylings of them with the mantle of his euerlasting mercies innocency and holinesse to him therefore with the Father and the holy Ghost wee render all glory praise dominion thanksgiuing now and euermore Amen A Prayer for Friday Euening O Lord God deare Father in Iesus Christ thy beloued Son our onely Sauiour wee thee from our very hearts for the least of all thy blessings which are infinitely greater then wee can deserue as well as for the greatest and do as readily praise thee for thy mercies receiued as wee were earnest to sue for the obtaining of them and now we offer vnyo thee sacrifice of praise for the preseruation of vs in our callings which are thy ordinances imposed on euery Christian Lord forgiue vs for strayning our conscience in the least euill this day giue vs thy mercifull assistance that wee may cleaue to reioyce in the good testimony thereof that in simplicity and godly purenesse with singlenesse and contentment by thy grace wee haue had our conuersation in the worlde conuincing the hollownesse and hypocrisie of the same which is the moath of well-doing keehe vs good Lord from vncertaintie and dulnesse in good things preserue vs from corruption in iudgement and Apostacy in life Inable vs to holde to the ende and so obtaine the crowne for this cause O Lord giue vs an inclination and resolution of the heart to all goodnesse that wee may iustifie and beautifie therby our professiō giuing diligence to make our calling and election sure that in doing these things wee may neuer fall and so bee deliuered from many inwarde pangs and outward troubles deare Father grant wee may may euer haue righteousnesse in most precious account prosecuting it with all zeale and courage and rest with delight and contentation in it and practise the same not onely as our knowledge informeth but euen desire beyond our knowledge perfection therein Lord make vs renounce Nature and holde on thy Sonne Iesus Christ by a liuely faith and bring foorth the fruits of true righteousnesse in him giue vs good God a holy and settled purpose to serue thee a plaine and sound dealing in our callings daily repentance and coueuenanting with thee for recouery of our decaies make our hearts daily to be informed out of thy word that wee may worke continually as in thy presence with a full and strong perswasion of thy loue and plentifull experience of the same and preferre it aboue all things whatsoeuer more and more be
assured of our acceptation into thy fauour that no trouble or dismay ouerwhelme vs with the weight thereof but if it shall bee thy good pleasure wee be assaulted on euery side yet wee bee not in distresse if in pouerty yet not ouercome with pouerty if persecuted yet not forsaken if cast downe yet perish not that euery where wee may beare about in our bodie the dying of our Lord Iesus Christ that the life of Christ may also bee made manifest in vs vouchsafe vnto vs O Lord the shield of true faith whereby wee may beat back all the fiery darts of the Diuell as carnall confidence presumption security infidelity distrust and incredulity giue vs a constant desire of the promised happinesse purging and preparing our selues to it perfect thy worke in mortifying our sinnes preserue thy graces in vs with increase of new obedience sustaine our hearts against the deferring of thy promises in contrary tentations make vs haue refuge vnto thee to hold fast the hope which is set before vs which wee haue as an anchor of our soules both sure and stedfast confirme therefore our faith against infidelity and discontentment our hope against despaire our truth against errour with the which of thine owne will thou didst begette vs that wee should bee as the first fruits of thy creatures confound Satans kingdom the worldes deceitfulnesse and our hearts doubtfulnesse inlighten our vnderstanding with this sauing knowledge of thee O God confirme stablish our iudgements therein quiet our conscinces sub due our wils and affections to thee and grant vs thy mercifull concurrence that wee may finish our course with ioy now Lord wee make our prayers to thee this night in an acceptable time euen in the multitude of thy mercies O God heare vs in the truth of thy saluation wee will therefore lie vs downe and also sleep in peace for thou Lord only maketh vs dwell in safety to God the Father our Creator to God the Sonne our Redeemer to the holy Ghost our sanctifier comforter we ascribe all honor power and glory now and euermore Amen A Prayer for Saturday Morning PRaised be thou O Ood which hast not put back our prayers nor thy mercies form vs our life alas is subiect to many fearefull breaches and distractions with many false shadowes appearances of good for not onely doe we not shine as lights before others but also in respect of our euill example we are stumbling-blocks to them we doe little alas or rather nothing to edification but to offence Lord wee heartily mourne for all our sinnes whereunto wee haue yeelded our selues this night and all our life time before and do this morning renew our repentance and vowes vnto thee more effectually then before intending our callings more carefully and conscionably then we haue done labouring both to auoide the outwarde acte of sinne to haue our hearts purged from the euill thoughts thereof that wee giue no way to our corruptions but bee masters of them and so bee free from the rage amd slauery of the same which is the greatest happinesse in this worlde for if wee say wee haue fellowship with thee and walk in darknesse we lie and do not truely wherefore O Lord grant that wee may possesse contrite and broken hearts for all our sins with remembrance of thee in our greatest security awake and rowse vs vp from the dead sleep of sin make vs desire euermore carefully to serue thee looking for and hasting vnto the comming of that great day of thee our God by which the heaaens beeing on fire shall bee disolued and the elements shall melt with heate O sweete Father make vs diligent now that wee may bee found then in thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour in peace without spot and blamelesse hauing by thee increase of his grace in vs experience of his raigning in our mortall bodies by whom wee shall haue strength and assurance to perseuere and continue to the end for this purpose deare father daily quicken our estate in Christ thy Son by constant and serious repentance that from thee our holy purpose being renewed we likewise also receiue strength to practice accordingly make vs ouercome the world by thy power which hindereth our groth in grace pressing vs downe euen with our own weight Enlarge our hearts consciences wills and affections that all the members of our bodies may be enliued restrain and bridle our corruptions that wee may daily weaken them heartily loath them and groane vnder them keepe vs from despaire and ourwarde reproach let not the time multitude and example of sinne draw vs away which doe commit sin most greedily and hide it most dangerously let our hearts still cleaue vnto thee and to thy word that by it daily sent out of our selues wee may obtaine new strength in thy Sonne Iesus Christ to goe forward in well-doing that discerning our inability thereto wee may interest our selues in his pretious merits that growing in grace we may be perfected in glory for the increase of glory shall answer to the increase of grace Lord thou knowest wee shall haue this day as wee haue had heretofore more tentations and oppositions of the world humble vs and make vs patient that wee may by thy spirit preuailing in vs be euen ioyfull in all our crosses aduersities and troubles whatsoeuer charitable in iudging others zealouse ouer our selues holy and vpright in our duties and callings that wee may more and more feare thee O great and glorious God more and more humbled in thy greatest mercie more and more thankefull for the least of thy blessings whereunto we haue obtained a right only in Christ Iesus who accepted of vs aboue the worth of our obedience grant vs wee may be cast downe by serious meditation of thy maiesty power and goodnes as also of our owne vnworthinesse O how many are thy deliuerances from euill preseruations and goodnesse acceptances of vnperfect seruice renewing and increasing of spirituall and temporall blessings preuentions of wickednesse which we acknowledge to be thy great mercies in vs confessing therewith our manifolde wants desiring humbly faithfully continually and constantly suppliment of them receiuing in the meane time euery present blessing as steps and pledges in our right to heauen power and mercy belongeth to thee O Lord holy and fearefull is thy name how gracious and mercifull art thou slowe to anger and of great kindnesse thou art good to all and thy mercies are ouer all thy workes teach vs to do thy will this day for thou art our God let thy good spirit leade vs vnto the land of righteousnesse to thee therefore with the Frther and the holy Spirit be glorie praise honour world without end Amen A Prayer for Saturday Euening LOrd there is risen vnto vs and wee haue apprehended light in darkenesse wee haue waited the accomplishment of thy promises in thy light
I will answere and shew thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way that thou shalt goe and I will guide thee with my eye Soule Can the blacke Moore change his skin or the Leopard his spots then may I also doe good that is accustomed to doe euill I did say alas it was not yet time that the Lords house should be builded in mee but did put farre away the euill day and approached to the seate of iniquity as the smoake vanisheth so driuest thou sinners away as waxe melteth before the fire so shall the wicked perish at the presence of God how shold I then lift vp my horne on high or speake with a stifnecke for thou art iudge and in thy hand is a cuppe and the wine is red it is full of fury mixed and thou pourest out of the same surely all the wicked of the earth shall wring out and drinke the dregges thereof thus the way of the wicked is as the darknesse they knowe not wherein they shall fall their owne iniquities shall take the wicked themselues and they shall be holden with the cords of their owne sinne woe be vnto the vngodly therefore which haue forsaken the lawe of the most high for though they increase yet shall they perish if they be borne they shall be borne to cursing and if they die the curse shall be their portion so shall they goe from the curse to destruction for the soule that sinneth it shal die the death Lord. I will not giue the soule of my turtle doue vnto the beast what is thy sin written with a pen of iron and with the poynt of a Diamond and so grauen vpon the table of thy heart wilt thou not giue thy minde to turne vnto mee thy God is the spirit of fornication in the middle of thee and wilt thou not knowe mee thy Lord wilt thou not poore soule be made cleane when shall it once be I will answer thee with good words and comfortable wordes arise my loue my faire one and come thy way for beholde the winter is past the raine is ouer and gone the flowers appear on the earth the time of the singing of birds is com and the noyse of the turtle is heard in our land arise my loue my faire one and come away withdrawe not thy heart from mee let me be thy hope in the day of aduersity I create the fruite of thy lips to be peace as well to him that is farre off as to him that is neere As I liue I desire not the death of the wicked but that the wicked turne from his way and liue turne thee turne from thy euill waies why wilt thou die silly soule I am patient towards thee and would that all men should bee saued and none perish but would all men should come to repentance and to the knowledge of the truth yea and more aboundantly to shew the stablenesse of my counsell I haue thus bound my selfe by an oath that by two immutable things wherein it is impossible that I should lie thou mightest haue a strong consolation who hast fled for refuge to lay holde vpon the hope set before ihee Soule I am empty void and waste the heart melteth and the knees smite together and sorrowe is in my loynes and my face gathers blacknesse for that which is crooked can none make straight and that which is wanting cannot bee numbred woe vnto me miserable soule for I haue rewarded euill vnto my selfe It is the vengeance of the Lord thou wilt take vengeance vpon mee as I haue done thou wilt doe vnto mee thou art a consuming fire a iealous God can my heart endure or can my hands be strong in the day that thou shalt haue ro doe with mee thy tempest goeth forth in thy wrath and a violent whirle-wind shall fall down vpon the head of rhe wicked thy anger shall not reaurne vntill thou hast exeted and untill thou hast performed the thought of thy heart in the latter dayes I will vnderstand it plainely I am but as foame vpon the water I haue plowed wickednesse and reaped iniquitie and eaten the fruits of lies I haue trusted in mine owne waies in seruing sinne and liuing according to the flesh and must die for I cannot please thee Lord. Blessed is he whose wickednesse is forgiuen and whose sinne is couered Blessed is the man vnto whom I impute no iniquity and in whose spirit there is no guile If any man say he hath no sinne he deceiueth himselfe and there is no truth in him If thou acknowledge thy sinnes I am iust and faithfull to forgiue thee thy sinnes and cleanse thee from all vnrighteousnesse If thou say thou hast no sinne thou makest mee a lyer thou maiest see Adams fall and feele it in thee Noahs drunkennesse Lots incest Abrahams double deniall of his wife Rebecca her lie and deceit Iacobs lie Simeon and Leuie's murder Rachels theft the whole Patriarches bloody deuise against their brother Moses slaughter Moses Aarons murmuring Dauids murther and adultery Salomons idolatry and finally Mathew a publican all the Apostles ambitious Magdalen a notorious sinner Zacheus an oppressor extortioner the Theefe on the Crosse a notorious malefactor Peter a denier Thomas a doubter Paul a persecuter of Christ. But to this purpose appeared the Sonne of God that he might loose the workes of the diuell for surely there is none iust in the earth that doth good and sinneth not for who can say I haue made my heart cleare I am cleane from my sinne all like sheep haue gone astray euery one hath turned to his owne way yet I haue laide vpon my Sonne the iniquity of you all For the trangression of my people was hee plagued though hee had done no wickednesse neither was any deceit in his mouth hee was counted with the trespassers and he bare the sinne of many and prayed for the trangressors there is none good but I when thou hast done all is commanded thee yet art thou an vnprofitable seruant thou hast but done that which was thy duty to doe now then there is no difference betwixt thee and others for all haue sinned and are depriued of the glorie of God and are iustified freely by grace thorough the redemption that is in Christ Iesus my Son whom I haue set forth to be a reconciliation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousnesse by the forgiuenesse of thy sins that are passed through the patience of God hast thou laid vp these things in thy poore soule Soule The heauen alas doth declare my wickednesse the earth doth rise vppe against mee great is thy goodnesse which thou hast laide vp for them that feare
feare before affliction commeth and then it ceaseth but the wicked fear not vntill it come and then they feare too much for piety trembleth in prosperity and triumpheth in aduersity I am alwaies God and am to bee feared of thee for thou art a creature and also sinfull an iron rod can easily break an earthen pot if the commandement onely keepe thee in obedience thou hast not receiued my spirit for my feare causeth obedience and the lawe was not giuen to the iust but to the vniust and therefore learne to say with thy heart I am a man that feare God thou canst not reioyce in mee alwaies faith is often faint loue and little ioy is dead feeling is fallen asleepe yet if thou continue in my feare thou wilt bee zealous of thy selfe least thou displease me mourn vntill these graces shine in thee againe the godly feare sinne more then exernall crosses they that feare least when my iudgements are threatned doe feare most when they are executed a good conscience breedeth true boldnesse sinne breedeth a spirit of feare in the wicked of euills to come the godly say my flesh trēbleth for feare of thee I am affraide of thy iudgements for where feare is not there is security security breedeth hardnesse of heart hardnesse of heart bringeth Gods wrath Soule Wee must haue feare to prepare vs to grace loue to continue vs in that grace this feare not that seruile and excessiue bringeth vs vnto thee helpeth our praiers causeth vs waite continue on our duties I must not bee without feare neither trust in my selfe for when my assistance is weakest sinne and Sathan is strongest neither yet must I haue a cowardly feare fainting of heart to yeelde to tētations but haue a moderate and not a scrupulous feare alawies being strong in thee the Lord my strength the ioy of the Saints may bee temporally interrupted but not finally eternaly absent they haue a iust and royall right in thy Sonne Christ and must maintaine it against all the staines and falls that they feare of the aduersary thus Satan would weare to a dulnesse the edge of our prayers and draw to tedidiousnesse the fruite of our faith and therefore they trust in the Lord with all their heart and leane not vnto their owne wisedome in all their waies acknowledge him and hee doth direct their waies they are not wise in their owne eies but feare thee and departe from euill so health shall bee vnto their nauell and marow vnto their bones they reioyce in his holy name the hearts of them that feele thee O Lord reioyceth they seek the Lord and his strength they seeke his face continually for surely their heart shall reioyce in him because they haue trusted in his holy name they I say doe serue the Lord in feare and reloyce in trembling oh thy louing kindnesse O Lord is better then life truely life is sowen for the righteous and ioy for the vpright in heart but alas good Lord I doe euer feele within mee such procliuity and bentnesse to sinne it is as thou saidst of my corruption whose remnants will follow mee to the graue I am ouer-mastered ouerruled at all times by my actuall impieties against thee and my neighbours offensiue and scandalous to all without any Christian consideration or holy remorse Lord. The cause thereof besides those I haue spoken are first because thou findest not after thy sinne a present controulement of sinne thou thinkest thou hast not offended I oft suffer the spirit of slumber to ouertake trangressors that I may by my spirit more perfectly waken my Saints then doe the wicked take courage and transgresse and doe wickedly but I wil search them with light and visite them that are frosen in their dregges and say in their hearts they Lord wil neither doe good nor euill so because the wicked are not taken in their sin they stretch out their hand to more wickednesse their houses are safe from feare neither is my rodde vpon them they say vnto me depart from vs for wee desire not the knowledge of thy wayes but they shall bee as stubble before the winde and as chaffe which the storme carrieth suddenly away I shall lay vp his iniquity for his children doth the way of the wicked prosper yet are they prepared for the day of slaughter and the worlde counteth the proude blessed and they that tempt me are deliuered but I haue a booke of remembrance of them that feare me and the armes of the wicked shall be broken but the Lorde vpholdeth the iust man The second cause is because thou resteth in my vniuersal promises which although they be true and comfortable yet they can minister no true consolation to thee except thou make a particuler application of them to thy selfe by the word thou seest thy sinnes pardonable yet it is another thing to haue sinnes remissible and another to assure thy selfe that they are already remitted for then thou wouldest search thy selfe more narrowly and purge thy selfe from inwarde sinne as from outward and bee wholly transformed vnto a new holy righteous life therefore the loue of righteousnesse departeth from thee and thou retirest to thy olde sins againe which will breed much sorrowe of heart to remember thy former sinnes to see the greatnesse of them to apply my iudgements to them and to prouoke thy selfe to sorrow for them The third cause is thy slacknes in not espying thy mother speciall and predominant sinne in thee by marking the most checks of thy conscience and the reproaches of thy enemies whereof thou maiest easily bee shortly conquerour if thou labour for the contrarie vertue for a man of vnderstanding knoweth when hee slippeth yea all the dayes of the afflicted are euill but hee that is of a merry heart hath a continuall feast yea and a scorner loueth not one that reproueth him neither will he goe vnto the wise then learne to acknowledge thy speciall secret and seuerall sinnes for the greatest hypocrite will generally complaine of sinne but beeing dealt with in particular points and application of them to their conscience they are not able to distinguish one sinne from another for thus indistinct knowledge cannot auayle in any terrestriall matter much lesse in the businesse of the soule Soule And I poore wretch in any perplexity of minde cannot seperate the blinde and confused cause thereof from the distinct known neither can eschew confusion of minde by bringing my soule to some certaine obiect and matter of my troubled heart good God whence commeth this and how shall it bee amended in mee Lord. The righteous heart knoweth the bitternesse of his soule and the stranger shall not meddle with thy ioy for a sound heart is the life of the flesh and by the sorrow of the heart the minde is heauie giue not ouer they minde to heauinesse and vexe not thy selfe in
thy owne counsell leaue off from sinne order thy hands aright a stubborne heart shall fare euill at the last and hee that loueth danger shall perish therein Now this disordered discerning of sinne commeth of ignorance of my lawe and selfe-loue whereby thou art ashamed to manifest sinne and rip it vp to the quick seeke to a faithfull sound friend or Pastor to whom thou maiest offer thy heart to bee searched deeply by the lawe bee continually with a godly man whom thou knowest to keepe the commandements of the Lord whose minde is according to thy minde and will sorrowe with thee if thou shalt miscarry and let the counsell of thy owne heart stand for there is no man more faithfull vnto thee then it for a mans minde is wont sometimes to tell him more then seuen watchmen which set aboue in an high Tower and aboue all thus pray to the most high that he would direct thy way in truth Soule What shall I doe if my griefe arise of any certaine or knowne sinne Lord. Then vnderstand if thou hast done that sinne already or else not yet committed it but whereunto thou art tempted for olde sinnes are represented oft to sinners as not truely repented of that they may the more mislike them that their particular sinnes may bring them to their grosse greater and generall sins that there may bee a sense of both least their griefe shold passe away without any fruit and reason thus with thy selfe if I bee so angry for this or that sin whereof thou art troubled thy bowels swell thy heart turneth within thee and thou full of heauinesse how vexed may thou be the wickeds bones are full of the sinnes of his youth and it shall lie downe with him in the dust though wickednesse bee sweete in his mouth though hee hide it vnder his tongue though hee spare it and forsake it not but keepe it still within his mouth yet his meate in his bowels is turned it is the gall of aspes within him I would therefore haue thee know poore soule that I would haue no man to perish but all men to come to repentance Soule How shall I then eschew sinne and how shall I be acquited frō that sin which hath passed me Lord. I haue oft admonished thee of thy corruption to make account to suppresse it labour to espy thy secret sinnes with truth and not in shew so hard a matter it is to search thy heart to the bottome for there is not a more wicked heade then the head of the Serpent and giue any plague but the plague of the heart and therefore in respect of sinnes past sinnes present priuie pride hidden wants secret corruptions euer accuse thy selfe of some lurking hyprosie for the godly tremble at the least motion of sinne and say I will runne the way of the cōmandements when thou shalt enlarge my heart bind not two sinnes together for in one sinne thou shalt not be vnpunished and because thy sinne is forgiuen be not without feare or heape sinne vpon sinne say not the mercy of God is great hee will forgiue my manifolde sinnes for mercy and wrath commeth from him and his indignation commeth downe vpon sinners the two fountaines and grounds of sinnes are the inward motions of the heart and the outward occasions of the senses especially the eyes for whensoeuer a man heareth the word of the kingdome and vnderstandeth it not the euill one commeth and catcheth away that which was sowen in his heare neither must thou drawe neare to mee with thy mouth and thy heart farre off from me and the things which proceed out of thy mouth come from thy heart and they defile the man keepe thy heart therefore to lay vppe good and pretious things therein as in a store-house keepe it I say diligently for thereout commeth life againe vertue vice dwell very neare together learne to bee holily scrupelous fearefull and suspicious for preuenting of sin to come the heart of the wise shall know the time and iudgement thirdly keep thy selfe from foolish venturing vpon the occasions which are the borders of sinne when thou mayest beholde many of my children better fenced with grace then thou art to haue beene snared for the foolish will beleeue euery thing but the prudent will consider his steps let thy heart bee therefore in feare of God continually set no wicked thing before thy eyes hate the worke of them that fall away let it not cleaue vnto thee Soule Alas good and mercifull father I doe euer finde in mee so many allurements intisements to sinne which often I would eschew but cannot which offer themselues to mee at euery minute neither can I retire me selfe from them albeit I doe sometime protest against them and abhorre them eyther before or soon after the sinne is committed with a very perfect hatred and loathsomnes Lord. Thou must seriously obserue first of the company to discerne good from euill for good company hate the vnfruitfull workes of darkenesse and in their eies an euill person is contemned but honoureth them that feare the Lord with sound iudgement labour to holinesse and sincerity of life in all things haue a sight of thy corruptions mourne for them doe good to the houshold of faith which continue in one spirite and in one minde fighting together thorough the faith of the gospell longeth for the appearance of Iesus Christ but these are euill that denie the Lord that bought them bring vpon themselues swift damnation by whom the wayof truth is euill spoken of and are of a prophane life and hate to bee reprooued but rather grow worse and worse which persecute the Saints of God and make choyce of the pleasures of sinne for a season who are affraide of death and set vp their heauen and rest in this life which put farre away the euill day and approach to the sight of iniquity to these thou must fay with Dauid away from mee yee wicked for I will keepe the commandements of my God my eyes shall bee vpon the faithfull of the land that they may dwell with me and therfore thou must beloued soule bee rather wearie of them because they run the broad way following first examples secondly multitudes thirdly time fourthly custome fiftly opinion Soule I hate vaine inuentions but thy law doe I loue thou art my refuge my shield and I trust in thy worde teach me good Lord these things particularly that I may ingraft them in my heart Lord. Follow the godly but so farre as they followe mee their guide in the word and Iesus Christ the author and finisher of their faith which through faith and patience haue inherited the promises for it is a signe thou art in the wrong way if thou doe nothing but that the greatest part of the world doe for how
all kinde of seruile actions and outward imployments with all froward affections and lusts that we may study to enter into that rest with thy people and cease from our owne works as thou O Lord didst vnto thine blessed God strike in our hearts in time of praier a reuerent esteemation of thy glorious Maiestie a feeling of our defects and giue constant faith in thy sweete promises faithfull remembrance of thy receiued blessings louing and charitable affections towardes our neighbours and grant vnto vs mercifull Father while wee heare a wide and open heart to receiue and holy ludgement to discerne lowlinesse in minde feeling in the inward man and stability in the memory and euermore in thy seruice bestow on vs an humble soule an hungring and thirsting heart that the blood of the Lord Iesus Christ which thorough the eternall spirit offered himselfe without spot to thee our God may purge our consciences frō dead works to serue thee the Lord vouchsafe on vs an vnfained loue to thy word that wee may lay it vp and hide it in our soules and euer sanctifie our thoughts that our whole meditations may be thereon and practise the same in life and conuersation that all men seeing our good workes may glorifie thee our heauenly Father to thee therefore with the Sonne and the holy Ghost we render all glory praise and dominion both now for euermore Amen A Prayer for Sunday Euening GLory praise and honour bee vnto thee most mercifull and heauenly Father who hast appointed this speciall day and ministry of thy word for our instruction O Lord grant wee may feele our knowledge increased our faith strengthened our soules mindes and consciences aboundantly thereby refreshed good God thou hast promised that if any lacke wisedome thou wilt giue it him yea all other things in and with thy Christ we beseech thee therfore make thy holy worde a power of life vnto life vnto vs yea a power of saluation vnto vs that beleeue in parte yea Lord wee beleeue we pray thee helpe our vnbeliefe for wee are fraught with blindesse and error our affections frowarde peruerse and disordered and reprobate to any good worke by nature make vs good Lord new creatures that as new borne babes we may desire the sincere milk of thy word that we may grow thereby annoynt our eyes with the eye-salue of thy holy spirit Lord ioine to thy word that penetratiue vertue to pierce and finde out our so pregnant corruptions for it is liuely and mighty in operation and sharper then any two-edged sword and entereth through euen vnto the diuiding asunder of the soule and the spirite and of the ioynts and marow is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart which we beseech thee by thy word to discouer rip vp and ransacke to the bottome giue vs a lowly heart to make a lowly vse of reprehensions out of thy worde and apply them earnestly to our selues that the righteous may smite vs which is a benefit and reproue vs which is as pretious oyle that shall not breake our heads that by them wee may be reclaimed from our froward backwarde wills and because good Lord our remembrance of good things is very short and faileable and doth reserue very few good things against the houre of temptation day of death make vs good Lord carefull euer to heare meditate pray and conferre giuing alwaies thankes with a plyable obediēce to thy lawes that in spirituall discretion and heauenly wisdome we may consummate our perigrination here and worke out our saluation with feare trembling by thy grace establish our hearts in thy truth that wee be not carried about with euery light winde of doctrine but that wee may lay holde on the good labouring daily to be led on to perfection and most gracious Father make vs not onely to see and feele our owne defects but giue vs a heart to lament them Lord freely and finally pardon them for Iesus Christ thy deare Sonne sake moisten and water our hard dry hearts with the dew of thy heauēly blessings shoure them downe vpon vs for lightning of our minds setling of our iudgements cōforting of our soules and reformation of our mis-behauiours grant we may yeeld a full assent to the truth of thy word not measuring it after the crooked rule of our mis-leading affections that wee be not of those which make a show of religion but deny the power thereof and wee beseech thee for thy tender mercies sake this night to subdue the flesh which lusteth against the spirit confound Satan aduersary to our saluation and keep vs against the example of the worlde which is set in euill that we may neuer be wearie to beginne where wee left off in well-doing neither yet breake off where thou requirest continuance of obedience but goe from faith to faith like the way of the righteous which as the light shineth more and more vnto perfect day so shall wee glorifie thy name and our owne soules be strengtheded the weake ones by our example bee confirmed and edified the vnruly admonished the feeble-minded comforted and be patient toward all men and shall dissolue from hence in thy fauour whilst now we liue in thy feare hauing in our mouthes a new song of thanksgiuing occasioned by thy new blessings day by day heauenly graces be-bestowed vpon vs in Iesus Christ our Lord and onely Sauiour to whom with thee and the holy spirit be praise and glory for euermore Amen A MEDITATION of the Mercy and Iustice of God Against declining either to the left or right hand in presumption or despaire that wee may leade an euen course in Christianity LONDON Printed by Nicholas Okes for Daniel Speed and are to be sold at his Shop vnder S. Mildreds Church in the Poultry 1618. To the Right Worshipfull Sir William Alexander Knight Secretarie and one of his Maiesties most honerable priuy Councell in Scotland MEn to make themselues as it were eternall they write their names on their houses Absolon reared a piller is not this said one Niniuie which I builded for my glory Ninus to immortalise his father Belus made for him an Idoll in whose dominions while Terrah Abrahams father did dwell he became with the rest an Idolater these would haue their fame time ending together but they haue shot short of the seauen wonders of the world nothing but naked names remaine all these are mutilate inuentions to the Iew departed his brother or nearest kinsman must raise seed to continue his name in Israell but children beeing the Lords gift could not bee had when as they would books with time that eates all doth often smoother may successiuely by concatenation of ages in the Presse as a new Phoenix reuiue but all these to perpetuity are set apart as faulty For as they all monuments children and bookes are of this below so shall with the same although neuer so olde bee dissolued