hath hee put his hand in at the hole of the doore and powred in pure mirrhe Hath hee vouchsafed benefits abundantly vpon thee Hath hee z Hos 11. â— healed thee and thou knowest not Hath hee drawne thee with the cords of men even with the bands of loue and thou awakest not yet let the remembrance of his blessings which he hath multiplied vpon thee seing a Cant. 3. 22 his compassions faile not but are renued every morning let those be forcible meanes of thy waking Fourthly The operation of his holy Spirit is most avaiâ—eable The holy Spirit and effectuall to this purpose The b 2 King 4. 3 servant alone with the staffe is vnprofitable hee returned and confessed that the childe was not wakened the master behoved to come for the raising of the Shunamits sonne that lively Spirit which c 1 Cor. 15.45 quickeneth vs that lightsome Spirit which illuminateth vs and d Iohn 14. 26 teacheth vs by his forcible power principallie doth waken vs neither the word of GOD nor his rod nor his benefits will bring vs out of that deepe lethargie vnlesse the LORD helpe vs by the powerfull presence of his Spirit which is the Spirit of grace and of compassion which is that seede remaining within vs whereby our corrupt qualities are so renued that wee die to sinne and liue to GOD Spiritus sanctus habitator noster ipse facit augit perficit Augustin justitiam nostram That holy Spirit our indweller worketh perfitteth and augmenteth our righteousnesse must awaken vs for these vses and if by the bountifull favour of thy gratious GOD thou hast obtained this great gift I may speake vnto you in these words that CHRIST spake vnto Peter Blessed e Math. 16. 17 art thou for flesh and blood hath not done this vnto thee but thy heavenly father by his Spirit which shall be a f Rom. 8. 2 Spirit of life of trueth and g Iohn 14 17 consolation vnto thee Fourthly Touching the good which wee get by wakening it The profite proceeding froÌ„ this duetie Escape danger is manifold First wee will perceiue and vse meanes to eshew the danger into the which wee remaine as h Genes 32. 7 Iacob was in perrill when Esau his cruell brother came against him with i Exod. 14. 10 foure hundreth men As the Israelites were sore afraide when k 1 Sam. 11. 2 Pharao and his chariots marched after them The people of Iabesh-gilead were in great hazarde when Nahash the Ammonit beseiged them who would accept of no condition of peace but to thrust out all their right eyes and the Apostle Paul while l 1 Cor 15. 35 hee was fighting with the beasts of Ephesus had great travell all their laborious and religious men were not sleeping but awaking they saw their danger and were carefull to eshew it by wrestling by crying by praying and by fasting And seing our estate spirituall is all hazardous and we remaine in as great jeopardie for so wee haue many enemies before vs profane like Esau meeting vs and as many behind vs like cruell Pharaoh pursuing vs their be many adversaries like Nahash beseiging vs and many beastlie men fighting against vs thou thy selfe by nature if thou hast grace to consider art riding on a headie horse like with a fall to bruise thee thou art dwelling in a rotten house readie to smother thee thou art sailing in a laiking ship like to drowne thee thy life is a warfare wherein thou hast many craftie foes desirous to destroy thee that battell continueth that fight endureth vnto thy lifes end Nunquam bella piis nunquam Cvpr. demortalitate discordia desunt Et cum quo certet mens pia semper habet And what art thou sleeping most careleslie Art thou yet opprest with that deepe lethargie and overgone with that heavie slumber of fearefull securitie It may be cryed to thee with compassion with admiration Nate Deo potes hoc sub casu Propertii Epigramma ducere somnos Thou who art m Iohn 3. 9 borne of God art thou sleeping in so great an adventure O marvelous wonder When Daniel was cast into the denne of Lyons and in danger then King Darius remained fasting and n Dan. 6. 18 the sleepe went from his eyes Was hee sollicitous for an other man and will not thou bee carefull of thy selfe for thy owne sake I tell to thee with teares that thy estate is in perrill thy soule is in manifest danger Cruell o Psal 28. 13 dogs haue compassed thee mightie beastes haue environed thee The assemblie of the wicked haue enclosed thee thou art in the denne of ramping and roaring Lyons seeking to devoure thee Let sinfull sleepe goe from thee awake out of thy lasie slumber to the end thou mayest perceaue and prevent extreame danger Secondly If wee bee awake wee will bee the more readie Strengthen to p Revel 3. 2 strengthen the things that are readie to decay for during our sinfull sleepe our spirituall life languisheth our gifts many of them are gone from vs our grace is sore decayed and diminished yea come to that ebbe that we are at the point of death Let vs awake in due time to q Math. 29. 4 provide more oyle to our lamps to get more grace to our soules Let vs take wine r Isa 55. 2 and milke and bread without money that wee may be satisfied and strengthened Then wee will bee soone moved with all diligence to follow Vse our talent our vocation to employ righty our talent and to behaue our selues according to our calling remembring that wee Å¿ 1 Pet. 2. 9 are a chosen generation a royall priesthood an holy Nation That wee are t Revel 1. 6 made Kings and Priests vnto GOD That it is no wayes beseeming to vs to giue our selues to securitie and idlenesse to liue u Iames. 5. 5 in pleasure on the earth and wantonnesse when as in the meane season wee haue to performe a great businesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is not fitting to a counseller who hath a great charge to sleepe all the night over Thus Nehemiah whose name signifieth the consolation of GOD who was sent to restore the Iewes to their owne countrey and rebuild Hierusalem hee x Nehemi 2.12 arose in the night to view the walles of that citie hee lay not still in his bed Also it is written of that famous Scanderbeg that while he was delivering himselfe and his subjects of Epirus from the slaverie and tyrannie of the fierce Turks and while with valour and See Rolles in the Turkes storie wisedome he was to fight against the strong enemie to possesse an earthly kingdome then he never sleeped aboue two houres in the night but with endlesse labour and carefull vigilancie repelled his enemies and prosecuted his affaires Wee haue great reasons to awake to rouse vp our selues from securitie seing by
that thou may ever bee graced with vprightnesse of heart and sinceritie to the end thy prayer may haue force with GOD and tend to thy solicitie Content not thy selfe to bee like the hypocriticall Iewes of whom GOD complaineth because they e Hosea 7. 14 cryed not vnto him With their hearts When they houled vpon their beds and because f Isaiah 29.13 they came neere to him With their month and honour him With their lips but had removed their heart farre from him And truely this is a most grievous complaint also of that same Evangelicall Prophet There g Isaiah 64. 7 is none that calleth vpon thy Name What did that holy and wise Prophet lament did not that people appeare h Isaiah 1. 12 before GOD and did tread in his courts and brought oblations and kept Sabbaths and solemne assemblies Did i Amos. 5. 22 they not then pray to GOD when they offered burnt offerings meate offerings and peace offerings The Prophet yet spake truely they did not call vpon GOD because they did it not rightly but lypocritically and the prayer of the hypocrite shall turne to sinne and bee esteemed transgression A Father maketh a notable comparison in affirming that the hypocrite Augustin and counterfaite Christian is like that golden k Revel 17. 4 cuppe which was in the hand of that whoorish woman full of abomination and filthinesse of her fornication His prayer then can not bee acceptable Yea though l Iob. 20. 6. 7 his excellencie mounted vp to the Heavens and his head reach to the clouds yet hee shall perish for ever lyke his doung and they which haue seene him shall say where is hee But worship thou thy GOD as hee requireth m Iohn 4. 23 in Spirit and Trueth with an vpright and honest heart in true simplicitie which is the whole grace of our oratrie which covereth Tota Rheto ricae nostrae gratia est mera simplicitas and â—â—â—eth all other infirmitie which is the highest perfection of Christianitie for GOD n Pâ—al 51. 4 who loveth trueth in the inward affection hee will ever doe o Psal 125. 4 good to them that are true in heart Hee will heare their prayers and in his owne good tyme grant them their requests and fuâ—fill their desires Moreover in the eight place yea in the first studie principally Humiliue to haue true humilitie because as excellently saith the Wise-man The p Ecâ—lâ—s 35.17 prayer of him that humbleth hiraselfe goeth through the clouds and ceaseth not till it come â—â—ere and will not departe till the most â—â—igh haue respect therevnto to judge righteously and to execute judgement and doubtâ—â—sle q Isaiah 66. 2 the LORD will looke to him that is poore and of a contrite spirit and trembleth at his Words Caeâ—eâ— a vitia in peccatis superbia vero in Augustin recte factis timendâ— est Other vyces in sinnes but pryde is to bee seared in weldoing And questionlâ—sse all r Prov. 16. 5 that are proud in heart are an abhâ—mination to the LORD The ambitious pâ—titioner shall not bee rewarded but punished learne Å¿ Mat 11. 29 then of thy Saviour to bee mâ—â—ke and â—oâ—lie in heart and thou shall find rest vnto thy soule Thou shall bee conteâ—ted and thy petition graâ—ted t Prov 29. 23 For the humble in sâ—irit shall receive glorie and enjoy merâ—ie O felix humilitas quae DEI trahit â—lementiam Augustin ejus ligat omnipotentiam O happie humilitie which draweth GODS mercie and bindeth his omnipotencie Nynthly Take good heed to Oppurtunitie the time u 2 Cor. 6. 2 accepted and to the day of salvation wherein GOD will heare thee and succour thee Bee not thou like profaine Esau x Heb. 12. 12 who afterward out of tâ—me seeking the blessing with teares was rejected Follow not the joolish y Math. 25 12 Virgins who vntymously when the gate was shut did cry and were repulled but bee carefull z Isaiah 55. 6 to seeke the LORD while hee may bee found and to call vpon him while hee is neere As some Emperiours namely VESPASIAN had a time even when he was going to the baths wherein hee did principally show his liberalitie and bountifulnesse So the great and most a Genes 4. 22 High GOD possessour of Heaven and earth hath his owne season when hee will bestow his rich mercie and vnspeakeable goodnesse when hee will b Hos 10. 12 come and raine righteousnesse vpon his people which occasion if thou â—loathfully neglect the LORD will not admit thy request nor grant thy petition Tenthly As the holy Apostle Constancie exhorteth thee to c Thess 5. 17 pray continually bee d Galat. 6. 9 not wearie of well-doing for in due season thou shall reape if thou faint not Consider diligently that parable of thy Saviour of the importunate widow and vnrighteous Iudge who e Luk. 18. 5 did her justice against her adversarie because shee did make him wearie Let thy prayer be liâ—e St Stevens looking hee f Act 7. 55 looked to Heaven steadâ—astly and therefore comfortablâ— for hee saw the glorie of GOD and IESVS standing at his right hand readie to receaue him so pray thou constantly and ever with vehement affection But vse g Math. 6 7 not vaine repetitions as the Heathen or â—dolaters who thinke to be heard for their much babling like Baals h 1 King 18.26 priests who called from morning till noone saving no other thing but O Baal heare vs all that labour was lost there was none to answere them or helpe them But I say pray continually with 〈◊〉 and so thou mayest doe comfortaâ—â—â—e for Christ will haue a â—are of thee because if hee gaue accâ—â—â— to thee being farre dâ—â—tant from him much more will hee hold thee when thou are more neere to him and if thou i Psal 37. 4 delyte thy selfe in the LORD surely hee will giue thee thy hearts desire in due and convenient time for to comfort thee Lastly in the first place most carefully and continually labour Spirit to bee possessed wholly with the sanâ—tifying Spirit who is GOD and the gift of GOD which l Rom. 8. 26 Deus donum Dei. will helpe thy infirmities when thou knowest not to pray as thou oughtest the spirit it selfe will make request August for thee with sighes which cannot bee expressed which will worke hope and confidence in thee so that thou m Heb. 10 22 shall draw neare to GOD with a true heart in the assurance of Faith so that thou shall giue thy selfe to true fasting and almes-deeds This hope and confidence will not make thee n Rom. 5. 5 ashamed but encouraged and if thou desirest thy prayer to flee vp to Heaven thou must haue as that Father couâ—selleth two August wings namely this right private fasting a frequent custome of a good o
hands vpon one who was dease and stammered in his speach but CHRIST did more hee did put his finger in his eares and did spit and touched his tongue and looking vp to Heaven hee sighed and said vnto him EPHâ—HATHâ— that is bee opened Some Ieves came to CHRIST for bodily nourishment because they z Iohn 6. 26 ate of the loaâ—es and were filled but â—ESUS bestâ—wed on them more even spirituall refreshment for their soules and offred them meate thâ—â— endureth for ever vnto everlasting life And thus it is most sure and certaine that GOD will vouchsafe more good vpon his Saâ—â—cts than they will require or aske of his blessed Majestie for as much as bountifulnesse and laâ—ge liberality is naturall and essentiall to his high honour and great glory Hee a Zeph. 3. 17 will quiet himselfe and rest in his loue He delighteth to doe good abundantly in all plentie and statelie royaltie We reade that when Perillus one of Alexanders friends asked him dowrie to his daughters the King commanded him to take fiftie talents Perillus answering that ten talents would be sufficient the King replyed Tibi quidem satis est tantum accipere mihi vâ—â—o non satis Seneca alâ—i plerique est tantum dare it is indeede sufficient to thee to recâ—aue so much but so much is not sufficient to mee to giue that King had a respect to his honâ—ur and not to the mans deservings Thy great and immortaâ—l King who â—aveth vnto thee Open b Psalm 81.11 thy mouth wide and I shall fâ—ll itâ— in giving he regardeth more his owne glorie and greatâ—â—sse than thy merits and worthinâ—ssâ— For c Isaiah 48 9 his names sake hee deferreth his wrath and for his praise will he refraine from it The LORD led d Isaiah 62.14 his people with his owne glorious arme divyding the waters before them to make himselfe an everlasting and glorious name Hee e Ezech. 20.44 will haue a respect vnto vs for his owne Names sake Hee will bee beneficiall vnto vs and not after our wicked wayes nor according to our corrupt workes GOD will giue to his owne a new heart and a new spirit he will put within them hee will gather them out of all countries and bring them to their land But thus f Ezech. 36.22 saith the LORD GOD. I doe not this for your sakes O house of Israelâ— but for my holie Names sake And surely in thy conscience thou may be fully perswaded and firmelie assured that thy most gratious GOD will g Dan. 9. 18 encline his eares to heare thy prayers that he will yeelde to thy desires and satiâ—â—ie thy requestes for three causes first because h Iohn 2. 1 thou hast an Advocate with thy Father CHRIST IESVS the just his i Math. 3. 17 beloved Sonne in whom hee is well pleased who k Hebr. 9. 24 appeareth now in the sight of GOD to make request and intercession for thee seing l Heb. 7. 25 he ever liveth hee is able perfectly to saue thee and to bring thee honour and felicirie Albeit Constâ—ntine the most worthie Emperor by his great moyen Theodoret. lib 1 cap. 24 Euseb â—â—b 4 and letters of recommendation made intercession for the Saints who were grâ—evouslie afflicted and by barbarous crueltie persecuted in the Kingdome of Persia when he did pleade the cause of innocent Christians who in great number were tortured vnto death and intreated their King Sapores to deale mercifullie to embrace them kindly it is yet vncertaine if the intercession of Constantine prevailed any thing or if any mitigation of that horrible persâ—cution was granted seing we reade that in Constantius his sonnes dayes vnder that same Barbarian it endured yet this is most sure and certaine that CHRISTS intercession will ever prevaile and bee effectuall seing m Isaiah 42. 1 in him GODS soule delighteth and whatsoever hee willeth GOD worketh whatsoeveâ— hee n Psal 2. 8 asketh GOD giveth and he will never gâ—t a refusall If his Father who loved o Iohn 17. 24 him before the fundation of the world vnto p Math. 28. â—8 whom is given all power in Heaven and in Earth who q Ephes 4. 8 ascended vp in high who led captivitie captiue and gaue gifts vnto men The second cause of thy sure certification that GOD will grant thy supplication is this For r Rom. 8. 26 that the spirit also helpeth thine infirmities for thou knowest not what to pray as thou oughtest but the spirit it selfe maketh request for thee with sighes which can not be expressed according to the will of GOD and hee that searcheth the heart and tryeth the reines knoweth 27. the meaning of the spirit and because thou art f Galat. 4. 6 the sonne of adoption GOD hath sent foorth the spirit of the Sonne in thine heart which cryeth Abba father who is as a learned man testifieth Hilarius Advocatus nobiscum perpetuâ— manens an Advocate for ever abyding with vs and as the t Iohn 3. 8 wind bloweth where it listeth so the SPIRIT effecteth whatsoever he requireth A third cause of thy vndoubted assurance that the Almightie will yeelde vnto thy petition is this albeit himselfe be the most worthie and mightie partie offended yet hee first seeketh thee yea by his u 2 Cor. 5. 20 ambassadours beseecheth thee to be reconciled with his Majestie As x Psal 103. 13 a father hath compassion on his children so the LORD hath compassion on them that feare him As the most gratious GOD is of vnspeakeable loue of great pittie and ardent affection so hee is omnipotent whose y Dan. 7. 14 Kingdome shall never bee destroyed who hath an everlasting dominion That mightie monarch Alexander gaue commandement to his Thesaurer for to bestow vpon Anaxarchas a Philosopher whatsoever hee should require who asked a verie great sowme which the Thesaurer hearing and beeing troubled declared the same to Alexander who thus answered Plutarch in apophtheg Recte facit sciens se habere amieum qui tantum dare possit velit Hee doeth well knowing hee hath a friend who both will and may giue so much As GOD is our friend so hee calleth vs his friends not only as Abraham z Isaiah 4â— â— GODS friends but also as his a Iohn â— 39 children which doe his workes The LORD as hee is good so is he great and aboue all GODS whatsoever pleaseth b Psal 135. 5 the LORD hee may doe in the Heaven in the earth in the sea and in all the depths the Omnipotent may giue what hee pleaseth no creature whatsoever may doe soe for the devill hee lyed and spake vntrueth when hee said all c Luk. 4.6 power and glorie of the earth was delivered to him and that hee may giue it to whom-so-ever hee will No man nor potentate in this Plinius lib. 7 cap. 2 Cicâ—ro Tuscul quaest lib 5.
of exhortation for to all men is knowne your moderation Your Philip. 4. 5 light so shineth before them that they may see your good workes Math. 5. 6 and glorifie you Father which art in HEAVEN For which causes I haue presumed to present next to his Majestie this small treatise vnto your Wisedomes praying that your succeeding posteritie and all others of this Kingdome may bee earnest followers of your godly vertues and diligent imitators of your pious proceadings for GOD his glory the welfare of this Kingdome the good of your Citie your owne praise and eternall salvation in the LORD IESVS to whose grace and blessing I commend you for ever From Dysart the last of Maij. 1630. Remaining your W. most assured and affection at all power in CHRIST WILLIAM NARNE TO THE READER SOme Writers both Christian and Heathen doe make mention of Gyges his admirable ring August Erasmus in adagii Cicero valer Maximus affirming that by vertue thereof or of the stone therein he received 3 great commodities namely 1. Victorie over his enemies for when he pleased he became saith they invisible 2. He attained to an honourable marriage 3. He gained an earthly Kingdome and so became happie and fortunate This in my judgement may bee but a fable or a tradition without a sure ground or certaintie But thou mayest perswade thy selfe that this is a most certaine trueth a vndoubted veritie without all contraversie that true and earnest prayer is a most powerfull and pretious Pearle by helpe and vertue whereof thou shall surely saue thy a Act. 2. 40 selfe from this naughty crooked and vntoward generation thou shall subdue sinne and thy owne fleshlie corruption thou shall be able b Ephes 6. 16 to quench all the firie darts of Sathan and in c Rom. 8. 37 all thinges thou shall bee more than a Conquerour through him who hath loved thee from the beginning 2. Thou shall get CHRIST IEUS the prince of Glory to bee the husband of thy soule eternally thou shall be joyned in most happy marriage with him vnseparable and most comfortable thou shall become a d Ephes 5. 30 member of his most glorious body 3. Thou shall gaine a Heavenly Kingdome which cannot bee shaken thou shall be e Revel 1. 6 made a King vnto GOD and reigne with Christ in Heaven in all glorie and happinesse for ever and ever I pray thee then to receiue courteously and to possesse continually this Pearle of inestimable worth and commoditie that thou may receiue grace heere and glory in the life to come In through the merits of the LORD IESUS to whom with the Father and holy Spirit bee all honour power praise and Dominion forever ever Amen AD. LECTOREM QVI cupis horrendos Erebi vitare caminos Deliciis Domini perpetuòque frui Hunc lege perlectum decies imiture libellum Vespere nocte die corde precando Deum Quo duce per Christum vita potiere futura Hujus innumeris tu potiere bonis RICHARDUS WRIGHT The Table of this Booke Chap. 1 A Preparation to our confession Pag. 1 Chap. 2. A confession of our sinne and iniquitie Pag. 47 Chap. 3 A preparation to lamentation Pag. 80 Chap. 4 A lamentation for our woe and misery Pag. 138 Chap. 5 A preparation before petition Pag. 164 Chap. 6 A petition for grace and mercy Pap. 185 Chap. 7 A description of true prayer Pag. 206 Chap. 8. A great sinne not to pray Pag. 216 Chap. 9. A grievous punishment not to pray Pag. 228 Chap. 10 Of the good of prayer Pag. 251 Chap. 11 Of the difficultie of prayer Pag. 305 Chap. 12. Consolations for weake Christians Pag. 352 Chap. 13. Of the causes of prayer Pag. 377 Chap. 14. Of the necessitie of prayer Pag. 390 Chap. 15 Of the profite of true prayer Pag. 401 Chap. 16 Of the dignitie of prayer Pag. 407 Chap. 17 Of the force of prayer Pag. 414 Chap. 18 Of the circumstances of prayer pag 434 Chap. 19. Of the signes of prayer Pag. 450 FINIS THE PEARLE OF PRAYER MOST PRETIOVS AND POWERFVLL The first Chapter SEing by the a Psal 124. 8. helpe of the LORD GOD which made Heaven and Earth and by the gratious assistance of his holie Spirit wee are now of purpose to handle that most worthie and excellent matter the doctrine of b Iam. 5. 16. fervent and powerfull prayer It is not only expedient and comlie but also most profitable and necessare that everie one of vs in all humiltie and sinceritie in c Iohn 4. 24 trueth and spirit vnfeinedly first confesse our sinnes and iniquitie next deplore and lament our woefull estate and great miserie and thirdlie that we earnestly beg for grace and mercie Augustin Prius requirit Deus confessionem quam orationem But before wee come to this confession wee will declare three things whereof we must be certainly assured and throughly perswaded first that sinne and iniquitie cannot bee for ever covered next of the great good and profite of confession lastlie that there is a right maner thereof and this will bee for our preparation before confession There d Luke 8. 17 is nothing so secreet saith our SAVIOUR but it shall bee evident neither any thing hid that shall not be known and come to sight Sinne then cannot bee concealed In regard of GOD. but at some tyme must bee disclosed and that in regard of GOD of thy conscience of Sathan and of the nature thereof and of other creatures GOD himselfe against whom it is principally e Psal 51.4 committed and who therewith is highly offended and heavily f Sam. 11. 27 displeased IESUS CHRIST the Prince of Glorie who thereby is g Heb. 6.5 againe mocked and crucified the holy Ghost that sanctifying Spirit is therewith h Ephes 4. â—0 grieved i Thess 5. 19 quenched and k Act. 7.5 resisted even hee who l Iob. 12.22 discovereth the deepe places from the darknesse and bringeth foorth the shaddow of death to sight Hee will who seeth and knoweth all things revealeth wickednesse and m Hos 2.10 discovereth lewdenesse and no man can delyver out n Nehem. 3.5 of his hand show to Nations all filthinesse Againe the conscience cryeth and originall sinne that therein is written Of the conscience at length that o Revel 20.12 booke will be opened all faults vnrepented will bee manifested and the true testimony thereof which everie one hath had in his owne custodie can not bee denyed * Conscientia est codex in qua Chrysost in Psal 50. quotidiana peccata conscribuntur The conscience saith a father is a booke wherein our dayly sinnes are written together An other Ancient compareth the conscience to a contentious woman chyding oftentimes and clattering casting vp secreet sinnes having no discretion nor power to conceale things not to bee revealed Like Samsons wife who could not keepe secreet
m Genes 22.13 sand which was vpon the sea shore and the starres of Heaven as it is to mee to number my innumerable offences and manifold enormities whereby I haue offended thy godly Majestie I 2 Great sins am compelled also O gratious GOD to confesse vnto thee that mine iniquities n Psal 25. 11 are great my wickednesse o Iocl 3. 13 is grievous it is also growne to a terrible hight it is mounted vp to the cloudes Nebuchadnezar but dreamed that p Daniel 4. 8 the hight of that tree which hee saw in aâ— vision reached vp to the Heaven but I am perswaded that my sinne is ascended higher It is come vp to q Revel 18. 5 Heaven and cryeth r Genes 18.20 vpon GOD for wrath and indignation against mee I doe acknowledge O Heavenly and mercifull Father that my 3 Heavie sins sinnes are wondrous weightie and infinitly heavie The Å¿ Psal 70.27 stones are weighty and the sand is heavie but light in respect of my iniquities for t Psal 23. 4 they are growne over my head and as a weightie burden they are too heavie for mee the iron thereof is importable Manasseh In the prayer of Manasses was bound downe with many iron bands that hee could not lift vp his head vnto Heaven I am bund downe with many heavie bands of sinne that I can not lift vp my heart to thee as I most earnestly desire to doe The people of Israell protested that u 2 Chron. 10.4 Salomons yoke was heavie and his servitude sore vpon them and prayed that it might be made lighter but LORD I find the yoke of sinne much more bitter and the slaverie thereof more intolerable I long to bee eased thereof The Israelites sighed x Exod. 2. 23 and cryed to GOD when they were kept vnder with the heavie burdens of the Aegyptians I haue greater cause O LORD to bee vexed and wearied with the burden of sinne which y Heb. 12. 1 hangeth so fast and presseth so sore downe which without helpe from thy Majestie would thrust my soule to the lowest hell I confesse O GOD that as my 4 Filthie sinne sinnes they are not few but many they are not small sinnes but great sinnes they are not light but verie heavie sinnes so they are most vile filthie and abhominable polluting and defiling mee both outwardly and inwardly in soule spirit and body It is trueth pitch z Eecles 13. 4 defileth him that toucheth it and mirie clay contaminateth him that walloweth in the same The excrements of men which thou most holy GOD commanded to be digged in a Deut. 23. 13 the graue and to bee covered with earth the dung of beastes doe not so defile the body as the excrements of filthie sinne hath polluted my soule and inward man The corruption of dead Carions and carkases b Levit 11. 39 made the handlers thereof vncleane but LORD my continuall doing of dead c Heb. 12. 1 workes hath made mee much more polluted and detestable in thy presence The Ammonites for their wrong to DAVID did d 2 Sam. 10. 6 stinke in his sight but LORD I am more lothsome in thy pure eyes I doe acknowledge before thee 5 Odious sins O e Genes 18.25 righteous judge of the whole world that my hainous sinnes makes mee odious vnto thy Majestie for I know well that thou hatest f Psal 5. 5 all them that worke iniquitie and even at this time my conscience cryeth to mee that I haue committed many enormities justly O LORD may thou hate mee and set g Psal 50. 21 all my sinnes in order before mee and therefore take vengance vpon mee most deservedly O my GOD I confesse also that Scandalous sin my sinnes are exemplary and scandalous I haue alace caused the h 2 Sam. 12. 14 enemies of the LORD blaspheme They i Rom. 3. 19 who obeyed not the word haue not beene wonne by my holy lyfe and conversation I haue not stopped but rather opened the mouths of the vngodly I haue strengthned them in their wickednesse and impietie as also I haue scandalized but not bettered the weake ones I k Levit. 19. 14 haue put a stumbling block before my blind brethren I haue caused them by mine evill example to goe astray and to fall into the pit I haue beene an offence to some litle ones that dwelt with mee Thou thy selfe O my SAVIOUR hath said it l Math. 18.7 must needs bee that some offences must come Many alace haue come by mee for the which without thy mercie I would be wrapped vp in woe and endlesse miserie I can not deny O most righteous 7 Pernitious sinnes judge but I must acknowledge of necessitie that my filthie faults and terrible transgressions are most hurtfull and pernicious to my selfe for weakning and wounding mee for binding and blindfolding me for sundering me from thee and swallowing mee vp in woe and calamitie I say with thy servant O m Psal 6. 2 LORD I am weake and feeble my sinnes haue made my strength to fall neither am I able to rise againe my n Psal 38. 4. 5.6.7.8 wounds are putrified and corrupt because of my foolishnesse I am bowed and crooked very sore my reines are full of burning and there is nothing sound in my flesh I am weakned and sore bowed I roare for the very griefe of myne heart I find O LORD that myne owne o Proverb 5.22 iniquities doe take me and Sathan by them hath caught me and I am holden with the cordes of sinne and by them the Devill is drawing mee vnto everlasting damnation And as the blind Aramits were p 2 King 6.19 led to Samaria so am I carried to hell and without spirituall eyes am brought to perdition without thy helpe and salvation for q Isaiah 59.2 they doe hide thy face from mee that thou will not heare they doe separate betweene thy Majestie and mee they will make mee alace to perish eternally to bee deprived of all comfort and glory and without true repentance to bee tormented continually in that lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which r Revel 21. 8 Originall sin is the second death And yet O LORD when I descend more deeply by thy assistance of thy grace into mine heart and narrowly examine my conscience I doe confesse in sinceritie that I am guiltie of originall sin I want that righteousnesse wherewith man was indued in his creation I haue a bent desire a bad inclination to doe evill wickednesse and abhomination Behold Å¿ Psal 51.5 I was borne in iniquitie and in sinne did my mother conceaue mee I t Rom. 7.23 see another law in my members rebelling against the law in my mynde and leading mee captiue vnto the law of sinne which is into my members O LORD this is the evill seede which bringeth foorth evill encrease This is the bitter
earth were formed from everlasting to everlasting hee hath beene thy GOD. Againe this divine care is not like the care of mortall men that hath paine and Attenuant vigiles corpus miserabile cuâ—ae Cura quoque interdum nullo medicabilis aâ—â—e trouble with it which weakeneth the bodie and vexeth the soule and can by no worldly meanes be well helped but it is an easie care with alsufficiencie of pleasure for hee that beareth h Heb. 1. 3 vp all things by his mightie Word may with all facilitie care for his owne and that particularlie therefore thou may thinke vpon this care most comfortablie Habebit curam tui qui fecit te quique habuit curam tui priusquam esses GOD who made thee will haue a care of thee who had a care of the before ever thou was hee will so regard thee that thou shall be a i Isaiah 62. 3 crowne of glorie in the hand of the LORD and a royall diademe in the hand of thy GOD. Secondly GODS care towards It is a great care thee will bee a great care if a mortall man will care for his inheritance to keepe the same this did k 1 King 21.3 Naboth who refused to sâ—ll his heritage to king Ahab much more wâ—ll the LORD care for the godâ—ie soules who pray to him he doth esteeme of them greatlie as the sanctified soule will cry vnto GOD thou l Psal 142. 5 art my portion so the LORD will answere aâ—d assure that soule that she is his m 1 Cor. 3.9 building his temple his husbandrie and pâ—rpetuall possâ—ssion Thirdly â—he LORDS care will bee mâ—st joyfull to thee and effâ—ctuall It is effectuall a fatherly care a princely care Seing hee is â—ur Heavenly Father yea the n Heb. 12. 9 Father of our spirits much more rich thaâ— Abraham who could not make all his children his heires for hee sent o Genes 25. 6 them away from him and Isaac himself also while hee was living but our most wealthie and heavenlie Father will make all his children also p Rom. 8. 17 his heires annexed with Iesus Christ Our heavenly Father is much more powerfull than David was who had no sufficient power to make all his sonnes Kinges but our liberall Father giveth vs q Pet. 1.14 an inheritance immortall and vndefiled that fadeth not to all his children whom he careth for sufficientlie Haereditas non minuitur copia possessorum nec fit angustior numerositate Augustin cohaeredum sed tanta est multis quanta paucis tanta singulis quanta omnibus This inheritance is not diminished by abundance of possessours neither becommeth strait by number of coheires for it is as much to manie as few and as much to everie one as to all for he that is r Rom. 10. 12 Lord over all is rich vnto all that call vpon him and will giue everie one of his Saints a Å¿ Heb. 12. 28 Kingdome which can not bee shaken which endureth for â—ver and ever Now during the time of our pilgrimage whiles t 2 Cor. 5.6 wee are at home in our body and absent from the Lord and hath not attained to the present possession of that Kingdome 1. â—e will haue a care of our sustentation 2. a care of our preservation 3. a care of our instruction 4. a care of our consolation 5. a care of our marriage band 6. a care of our blessednesse and happinesse Behold u Math. 6 â—6 the fowles of the heaven for they sowe not neither reape nor carrie into the Barnes yet our heavenly Father feedeth them are we not saith our Saviour much better than they Did x Genes 28.2 Isaac care through his fatherly affection for Iacobs safetie will not GOD in greater affeâ—tion regarde the safetie of our â—â—ules who doe consecrate our â—â—lâ—es to his service Also if that royall Prophet was verie carefull to giâ—e good instruction and y Prover 4. 2 good doctrine to his wise sonne Salomon tender and deare in the sight of his parents will not our most wise and provident Father bee more carefull to z Isaiah 44. 3 poure his spirit and his blessing vpon his owne to a Ier. 31. 33 put his Law in their inward parts and to write it in their hearts and to giue b 2 Peter 1. 3 vnto them all thinges that pertaine vnto life and godlinesse through the knowledge of him that hath called them to glorie and vertue Moreover hee is c 2 Cor. 1. 3 the GOD of mercies and the Father of all consolation he will haue a speciall care to comfort all his children in all their tribulation If Edna was carefull to comfort her daughter Sarah who d Tob. 7. 17 wiped away her teares and spake comfortablie vnto her much more our LORD who though e Psal 27. 10 father and mother should forsake vs yet wil hee gather vs vp will also comfort vs and providentlie prepare a better marriage for vs than f Genes 24. 3 Abraham did for Isaac namelie the King of glories owne sonne to be our husband who g Eph. 5. 25 will sanctifie vs nourish vs and cherish vs who will make vs honorable and happie for ever and ever 4. If thou shall invocat GOD Gods caâ—e is teâ—â—deâ— câ—m passionat arightlie hee will haue a tender and compassionate care for thee who h Iohn 3. 16 hath so loved thee that he hath given his first borne for thee who i Rom. 8. â—2 hath not spared his owne sonne but gaue him to the death for thee that k Iohn 4 9 thou mayest live eâ—ernally through him hee will take care of thee as of the member of his owne body thus l Zech. 2. 8 will the LORD of hosts say that hee that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his owne eye And if Zaleucus a ruler and law giver of Locris did so pittie his Valer maxim sonne found guiltie of the crime lib. 6. cap 5 of adulterie who therefore conforme to a constitution made by his Father should haue lost both his eyes and so bee deprived of all sight this Zaleucus did not spare himself but pulling out one of his owne eyes and another of his sonnes left the vse of seeing to them both and so behovâ—d himself a mercifull and pitifull Father and a iust or vpright Law-giver Also if Codrus a â—ing of Athens of great nobilitie and greater affection and pittie who for his subjects safetie did suffer yea seek death most willingly for when hee received a response of an oracle that his enemies the people of Peloponesus should bee victorious and rulers if they did not Virgilius in Fâ—logis kill the King of their adversaries Codrus deceived them for in the Aut Alconis habes laudes aut iurgia Codri habite of a beggar by chyding and vpbraiding hee provoked them to slay him and vnknowne to any hee died for his
Ioseph thy y Psal 105. 18 feete bee helde in the stocks and thou laide in yrons yet in the appointed time thou shal be loosed delivered and exalted As Manasses was brought from â—etters from chaines from Babell to Ierusalem and z 2 Chr. 33.13 to his Kingdome or as Mathias a mightie and happie King of Hungarie was freed from prison and with great Vide SpinaeuÌ„ lib. 7. in metuÌ„ pompe and solemnitie caried to Buda the Metropolitan citie and there with contentment and acclamations of the people was joyfully crowned So the LORDS anoynted shall surclie come out of great a tribulation albeit hee bee in prison and the b Psal 18. 4 snares of death compasse him and the griefes of the graue caught him yea though hee were in the verie agonie and pang of death when natures debt must needs bee payed and this outward man dissolved our earthly c 2 Cor. 5. 1 house of this Tabernacle destroyed and soule and bodie separated yet let him remember with comfort that his light d 2 Cor. 4. 17 affliction which is but a moment causeth vnto him farre more excellent and eternall weight of glorie and that death it selfe is but GODS messinger Similit to call thee out of this wearisome world to the perpetuall possession of an Heavenly Kingdome as it would haue bene a great delight to David to follow the mâ—ssiâ—ger sent e 1 Sam. 16. â—â— to him by Samuel that of a sheepheard hee might bee the LORDS Annoynted King over Israel So death may be very welcome to thee who is the LORDS messinger to bring thee a f â— Peter 2.11 Pilgrime and g Psal 39. 12 Sojurne heere to his h Heb. 2. 11 rest to bring thee a miserable and contemptible creature to glorie and endlesse felicitie Lastly By heartie praying thou shall bee furnished with constancie and perseverance and so shall be comfortably and asâ—â—â—edâ—y perswaded that thou art not only a King into the LORDS house but also c Heb. 3. 6 the very house of CHRIST if thou hold fast the confidence and the rejoycing of the hope vnto the end This stabilitie in weâ—â—doing and continuance in goodnesse is most necessarie for thy Christian calling and â—oyall dignitie as the Patriarch laakob in his journey from Mesopotamia to Canaan his natiue countrey and to his earthly father Isaac was hindered with many impediments namely Laban behind him detaining him and determining to f Genes 31. 25 doe him evill Esau before him afraying and sore troubling g Genes 32. 7 him himselfe going more slowly and halting h Genes 32. 31 vpon his thigh yet hee continued constant in his intended course hee would not decline nor goe backward but did ever proceede and goe forward with true pietie and lawfull policie as is at length expressed in the same historie hee was much given to fervent prayer and earnest supplication and so wrestled i Genes 32.31 and prevailed vntill hee receaved a blessing by k Hos 12. 4 weeping and praying vnto him whom hee found in Bethell So thou in this thy warrefare and pilgrimage looking to Christ going to the land of Canaan the â—â—tie l Heb. 12. 22 of the living GOD the celestiall Hierusalem to m Heb. 12. 9 the Father of the living spirits that thou mayest liue thou will bee deteined with many stayes and crossed with many calamities for some tymes thou n Lament 1 19 shall call vpon thy lovers who will deceaâ—e theâ— somâ—tymes thou shall meete with false o 2 Cor. 11. 26 brethren who will annoy thee and bring thee in greater perrill the world like Laban will hinder thee the devill worse than Esau will tempt thee and p â—phes 6. 1â— Wresâ—le with thee craâ—â—â—â— flatterers like Achitophell Sam. 15. 12 desirous to betray thee will trouble thee thou will sometimes find thine owne hands weake and q Hebr. 12. 12 thy knees wearie thy r Math. 4. 6 selfe halting and fainting yet goe not backward but fordward hold on thy course with constancie runne thy Å¿ Heb. 12. 1 race with patience cry to GOD crane helpe of the Almightie implore GODS mercie and with sighs and teares that rare gift of perseverance which is most necessare for thy salvation and glory for as CHRIST cerâ—ifieth thee if t Math. 24.13 thou endure vnto the end thou shall bee saved for that effect aske GOD courage and constancie which is most necessarie Sicut oculis corporalibus necessaria Similit est lux vt suo fruantur fine ita omnibus praedestinatis ac vocatis ad regnum Coelorum necessaria est perseverantia aut sicut absque luce frustra aperitur oculus codem modo inaniter currit qui vsque ad vitae finem non perseverat As light is necessarie to the bodily eyes that they may enjoy their owne end so perseverance to all those who are predstinate and called to the Kingdome of Heaven or as without light there is no sight the eye is opened in vaine so in that same manner he runneth in vaine who doeth not persevere vnto the end of the race to his liues end By fervent prayer also thou shall bee indued with such discretion and dexteritie that carying thy selfe duetifully in respect of all in whatsoever estate sexe condition or degree they bee Thou will u 1 Thess 4.12 Principis est virtus maxima nosce suos behaue thy selfe honestly toward them that are without Thou will labour to know the conditions and to acquaint thy self well with thy owne friends for that is the chiefe duetie of a commander Thou will studie then if x Rom. 1â— 18 it be possible to haue peace with all men but knowing well that thou hast mortall and irreconciliable enemies thou will travaile with all the force of thy soule to scatter subdue and overcome them who goe about to tyranize over thee to bring thee to perpetuall slauerâ— aâ—d endâ—â—sse miserie A wise King saith Salomon scattereth y Prov. 20. 18 the wicked and causeth the wheele to turne over them A wise Christian will vse all meanes to punish his sinnes his most cruell and deadly foâ—s to smite them with a mightie destruction as z Iudg. 15.8 Samson the Philistims and so to doe with his corruptions as the Prophet speaketh of the Babilonians a Psal 137. 9 to put them to the sword to mortifie them with anger and indignation And yet perswade thy selfe that thou hast great neede of watchfulnesse and consideration of prayer and earnest supplication for this victorie over thy ghostly enemy â—â—onne and gotten with much travell tuâ—mâ—ilâ— trouble with vexation and much wrestling in regarde of the multitude might and maliciouâ—â—â—ssâ— of thy enemies considering thy owne sinnes also oâ—her soes who in number will be â—erie many as Bees or as the haires of our head they will bee also cruell in maâ—â—ce they having no
f Genes 44.33 be a servant for his brother Benjamin while with Ioseph hee was interceeding for him so CHRIST g Philip. 2. 7 made himselfe of no reputation and tooke on him the forme a servant and in his vnspeakable loue for thy sake became obedient vnto the death of the crosse that hee might bee thy most affectioned Advocate If Pylades so pleaded for his deare Ciceâ—o de amicitia friend Orestes that for the favour hee caried towards him before King Thoas hee was willingly content to lose his life and die for him much more will CHRIST who calleth h Iohn 15. 15 thee his friend pleade more lovingly for thee in respect hee hath i Iohn 10. 15 laide downe his life for thee Lastly CHRIST is a most happie Advocate for the cause In respect of the good successe was never lost which hee maintaineth that person never perished whom hee defendeth That woman k Iohn 8. 12 taken in the act of adulterie was accused but not condemned CHRIST being her Advocate who as hee most sufficiently and perfectly performeth his owne part so hee giveth strength and grace to his Client to behaue himselfe duetifully Albeit Cicero Plutarch in vita Ciceron in the defence of Milo by his wiledome and eloquence so moved and perswaded the Iudges that they were of purpose to absolue him but hee could not cause his Client to behaue himselfe humbly and therefore because of his proude carâ—age and for his arrogancie hee was condemned and banished Yet CHRIST being thy Advocate by his Spirit will so moue and perswade thee that thou shall continually and most willingly doe that which the l Mich. 6. 8 LORD requireth of thee even to doe justly to loue mercy to humble thy selfe greatly that thou may walke with thy GOD worthily he will bestow grace m Heb. 12. 28 vpon thee whereby thou mayest serue GOD that thou may please him with reverence and feare for ever and ever Secondly If thou be terrified in respect of thine adversaries fighting Christ is thy Chiâ—taine to presâ—rue thee against thee thou mayest be of good comfort because thou hast a strong Captaine and most valiant and expert Chiftaine even that Lyon n Revel 5. 5 which is the of tribe of â—udah to support and helpe thee Philip did say that an armie of Harts having a Lyon their governour Stobaeus sermone 52. is better than an armie of Lyons having a Hart their commander albeit thou of thy selfe bee weake and timorous â—et thy Captaine and defender is most couragious and valorous As Ioshua disconfited mightie Kings his enemies and made his people come o Iosh 10. 24 neere and set their feete vpon their necks so CHRIST shall p Rom. 16. 20 trode Sathan and all enemies vnder thy feete shortly and giue vnto thee a most notable and glorious victorie Thirdly If thou be dismayed because of thâ—â—e owne weaknesse Christ is thy good guide of thy slâ—â—pinesse of thy owne vncleannesse and of thine owne povertie and indigence yet rejoyce q 1 Thess 5. 16 continually hope r Psal 27. 14 in the Lord be strong and hee shall comfort thine heart for CHRIST shall bee thy governour and Master Å¿ Isaiah â—5 4 hee will show thee the path of lyfe and leade t Psal 16. 11 thee in the right way wherein thou shouldst walke and furnish thee with all necessarie good things CHRIST IESUS a most blessed guide is not like Iehonam the sonne of Carcah who guided the people from Iudea into Egypt where they u Ierem. 44.27 were consumed by the sword and by the famine vntill they were vtterly destroyed Neither is hee like Arimenes an Arabian Prince who circumveined Plutarch in vita Crassi Crassus and brought him to desert wildernesse and sinking sands where many of his armie were destroyed and his owne sonne killed Nor yet like a more guilfull guide Andromachus who led him to watrie ground and marrishes Ibidem where hee was compelled to render himselfe to the will of his enemie and then was slaine pittifully But IESUS hee is a most true and loving guide who will leade thee x Psal 23. 2 by still waters and make thee rest in greene pastures Hee will strengthen thee in weaknesse preserue thee in dangers comfort thee in miseries furnish thee in necessities hee surely will bring thee with Iacob from y Genes 31. 1 Sechem a place of perplexitiâ— to Bethel a place of peace and safetie hee will bring thee speedily from z Exod. 15. 27 Marah a station of bitternesse vnto Elim where are twelue fountaines of water hee certainly will bring thee from Egypt a place of slaverie to Canaan a countrie of plentie and libertie hee will turne thy shame to honour thy paine to pleasure thy sorrow to gladnesse thy miserie to happinesse he will make a Rom. 8. 28 all things worke together for thy best If b Isaiah 44.7 for a little while hee hath forsaken thee with great compassion will hee gather if for a little season for a moment hee hath hid his face from thee Yet with everlasting mercie will hee haue commiseration on thee If c Iohn 16. 33 in this world thou hast affliction content thy selfe with thy portion and perswade thy selfe that in CHRIST in due tyme thou shall haue peace and endlesse consolation But now let vs come to speake of the causes of prayer of the necessitie thereof of the profite of prayer of the dignitie thereof of some circumstances of the signes of prayer and of the force and efficacie thereof and that briefly and plainly as GOD of his good grace shall assist vs by his Holie SPIRIT OF THE CAVSES OF PRAYER The thirtenth Chapter SVrely thou hast many causes of fervent prayer 1. If thou looke to GOD Seven causes of fervent prayer thy Father If thou looke to â—â—sus CHRIST thy Saviour if thou looke to the holy Spirit thy saâ—ctifier 2 If thou looke to the Devill a lyar a and a Iohn â— 44 murtherer 3. If thou consider other Christians for whom thou shouldest pray and whose good example it becommeth thee to follow 4. If thou consider the wicked whom thou shouldest eshew 5. If thou take heede to thy owne selfe to thy necessitie and misery 6. If thou bebold the worldlie vanitie pollution danger and impietie 7. If thou shall remember the necessitie vtilitie dignitie and efficacie of prayer in the Chapters following all are causes of sufficient force to moue this holie duetie chiefly considering thy Christian calling First The Great and glorious GOD thy loving Father hee GODS command who is thy Father Master and King commandeth thee to b Psal 50. 15 call vpon Him in the day of thy trouble Now seeing Ioseph c Genes 38.14 obeyed his earthly father thou hast great reason to obey thy Heavenly Father who is also a most righteous and gratious d
Malach. 1.6 Master If Absoloms e 2 Sam. 13.29 servants obeyed him an evill Master in an vnlawfull and wicked action farre rather art thou oblished to obtemperate thy good Master in a lawfull dead Absolom commanded that his brother Amnon should bee slaiâ—e GOD commandeth this service that thy soule may bee saved and therefore absolutely ought to bee obeyed Seeing moreover he is King Almightie who e Math. 10.28 is able to destroy both soule and bodie in hell eternally and to giue thee a great reward for thy obedience and loyaltie when King David but desired to drinke of the water of the well of Bethlem three f 1 Sam. 25.15 of his subjects brake through the hoast of the Philistims and brought vnto him that water longed for thus they ventred their liues for Davids sake and for his plâ—asure And shouldest not thou much more willingly hazard thy life to giue vnto GOD obedience to doe his Majestie acceptable service Who Gods promise maketh also vnto thee most sweet and comfortable promises to deliver g Psal 50 1â— thee to h Psal 91. 1â— glorifie thee to satisfie thee with long life and to show thee his salvation He perfitly performed his promise given of a Kingdome not only to i 2 Sam. 5. â— David whom hee loved but also to k 1 King 11. 3â— Ieroboam an idolator whom hee hated l Iosh 23. 14 all his promises shall in due tyme vndoubtedly come to passe nothing shall faile thereof So hee promiseth if thou pray m Ierem 29.12 to him to heare thee if thou seeke him to be found of thee Againe when thou considerest CHRIST IESUS thy Saviour thou shall confesse that thou hast good CHRISTS example cause of prayer Consider thy redemer remaining in this earth hee n Math. 14.23 went vp into a mountaine alone to pray for a long-space of time In o Heb. 5. 7 the dayes of his flesh hee offered vp prayers and supplications with strâ—ng crying and teares Quòd si ille orabat qui sine pecato crat quantò magis peccatores oportet orare If hee prayed who was without sinne how much more behoueth it sinners for to pray His precept also and promises Christ his precept and promise is cause of prayer may cause thee to call vpon GOD Aske p Math 7. 7 saith Hee and it shall bee given you seeke and you shall find knock and it shall bee opened vnto you Moreover Seing hee q Heb. 9. 24 is entred into Heaven himselfe to appeare CHRISTS intercession now in the sight of GOD for thee to make continuall request and intercession for thee Hast not thou great reason to make request for thy owne selfe When the r Levit. 16. 17 high Priest went into the holy place to make atonement then the whole multitude of the people stood without in Å¿ Luke 1. 10 prayer while the incense was in burning Seing therefore thou hast t Hebr. 4. 14 a great high Priest which hath entred into Heaven even IESVS the Sonne of GOD who now is at the u Ephes 1. 20 right hand of the FATHER to make request and intercession for thee to procure thy peace and reconciliation hast thou not who are without in this earth great reason to continue thy selfe in earnest prayer and supplication to the end thou mayest obtaine eternall salvation Furthermore If thou desirest The desire of the grouth of the graces of Spirit a cause of prayer an increase of the graces of the holy Spirit that they may the more abundantly bee bestowed vpon thee thou hast cause to pray for the same more earnestly for thy Heavenly Father x Luke 11. 13 will giue the holy Ghost a greater measure of his gifts to thee that desireth him for the same Spirit is both the cause and effect of our prayer Scultet cap. 3 de precatione and petitions Secondly If thou take heede Cause of prayer Sathans power to the Devill thy mortall enemie thou will pray to GOD most fervently hee thy deadly adversarie y 1 Pet. 5. 8 like a roaring Lyon walketh about seeking to devore thee Hee is stronger than z 1 Sam. 17.4 Goliah desirous to destroy with firie a Ephes 6. 16 darts 2. He is much more craftie than b 2 Sam. 16.23 Achitophell by his wicked counsell and machinations plotting to supprise thee 3. Hee is more false than c Ierem. 41. 6 Ishmael promising to pleasure thee but will punish thee for ever 4. Hee is more cruell than Herod who slew d Math. 2. 16 the male children that were in Bethlehem but he would kill body and soule eternally 5. Sathan is more malitious than e Esther 3. 6 Haman who purposed to put to death Mordecay and all the people of his country So desireth the Devill to destroy thee and all thy of-spring and posteritie 6. Sathan is much more treacherous than Saul who albeit hee f 1 Sam. 18.29 verse 21 became alwayes Davids enemie yet in appearance of loue and familiaritie he gaue his daughter to him in marriage for to be a suare to him So Sathan although hee would giue the whole world to thee and although hee spake to thee the trueth and veritie yet it is ever his minde to hurt thee to ensnare thee and altogether to overthrow thee 7. He is restlesse and g Iob. 1.7 never ceasseth but with shamelesse impudencie with continuall celeritie and agilitie hee accuseth thee hee persueth thee for thy perdition and endlesse torment and destruction Seing then such is the strength craft crueltie deceate malitiousnesse The estate of the Church is a cause of prayer treacherie and vigilancie of thy spirituall enemie thou hast great cause to pray most earnestly and vncessantly Thirdly if thou consider other Christians of the familie i Galat. 6. 10 of faith thou knowing some yea too manie molested and vexed on everie side with k Zach. 1. 14 the foure hornes of persecution thou then shouldest bee sorie l Nehem. 1. 4 for Iosephs affliction and with Nehemiah fast and pray for the reproach and miserie of Hierusalem Certainly seeing thou art a member of Christs body the Church militant it is thy duetie to m Psal 1â—2 6 pray for the peace of Hierusalem when thou shalt see the graces of GOD multiplyed vpon thy brethren and them walking n Ephes â— 1 worthy of their Christian calling and living an holy life and godly conversation thou shouldest aske of GOD that thou thy selfe may become an earnest imitator of tâ—eâ—r good courses and true religion that GOD alwayes may bee more and more glorified his kingdome enlarged Satan and his power confounded and thy selfe surely perserved yea that the whole p Ephes 5. 23 spirit soule and body of all Saints may bee kept blamelesse vntill the comming of our Lord IESVS CHRIST Fourthly when thou shall behold
vpon GOD aâ—rightly the good Spirit will comeâ— possesse him assuredly and more inable him for his holy calling and function Seventhly Most principallie In this may bee knowne the vertue and â—fficacie of prayer since it in some maner prevaileth with the Almightie himselfe as it overcommeth our adversarie against his will So it is powerfull with GOD with his will thus Israel l Gen. 32 28 by prayer had power with GOD and obtained his speciall blessing Thus also the Omnipotent the Creator sayeth to his servant Let m Exod. 32. 10 mee alone as if by his prayer hee might haue constrained him and haue gotten victorie over the Almightie Nobile vincendi genus est mala vincere posse Prosper in Epigram Nobilius multo vincere posse DEVM It is an honourable kinde of victorie to vanquish evill but much honourable to bee of power as to prevaile with GOD. Moreover The power of The power of prayer is good for others prayer extendeth it selfe for the good of others albeit farre distant Nehemiah n Nehem. 1. 6 in Shushan in the palace of Artazerxes when hee prayed day and night for the children of Israell and inhabitants of Ierusalem thâ—n the wall of the Citie is builded the people of GOD are comforted the poore are relieved their knowledge by reading of the Law is increased and an act or ordinance to serue GOD is established The prayer of the faithfull is powerfull for the safetie of such who are in their societie and companie As when St. Paul prayed in that great and long danger the LORD o Act. 27. 24 saved all that were in the Shippe with him there was no losse of any mans life amongst them The prayer of a master is power full to bring a benefite to the servant so by the supplication of the p Math. â— 13 Centurion his servant is healed of his grievous paine of the palsie By the prayer of the q Math 15.28 mother the daughter is delivered from a deuill by whom shee was vexed The prayer of r Mark 9. 24 the father is profitable and powerfull for his sonne possessed by a dumbe spirit By the force and â—fficacie of the prayer of a pious Preaâ—her people are preserued by the power of Stevens Å¿ Act. 7 60 prayer many were saved yea Paul is converted as August Si Stephanus non orassâ—t Ecclesia Paulum non haberet is thought by the learned Finally Seing the power of true prayer is â—orcible for the profite of others how will it redound to thine owne vtilitie and commoditie First for the gifts of the mind by it thou shall receaue faith and obedience with t Genes 12. 8 Abraham wisdome u 1 King 3.12 and vnderstanding with Salomon loue and patience x Iob. 1. 20 with Iob victorie y Psal 18. 43 glory with David repentance z 2 Chron. 3.15 and newnesse of lyfe with Manasseth Secondly Prayer is powerfull for the gifts of the body Samson a Iude. 16. 28 obtained strength David b Psal 18. 33 agilitie and nimblenesse Hezekiah c Isaiah â—8 5 health and deliverie from his sicknesse Thirdly For the gifts of fortoun as they are called thou by the vertue of prayer shall receaue foode â—aâ—ment and riches necessarie with d Genes 32.10 Iaakob A happy marriage and hopefull succession with d Genes 25.21 Isaak Also a good name honour and preferment with e Esther 8. 2 Mordecai a holy lyfe and a happie death with Moses f Deut. 34. 6 whom the LORD himselfe buried in an vnknowne sepulchre Yet in this particulare point take heede to The testimony of fathers concerning the force of prayer the testimonie of wise and godly fathers what they say of the sure effects of powerfull prayer Precatio est oranti subsidium DEO sacrificium daemonibus flagellum Prayer is an helpe to the August supplicant a sacrifice to GOD a scourge to the devils Per orationem ira DEI suspenditur venia procuratur paena refugitur praemiorum largitas impetratur Cassiodor By prayer the wrath of GOD is continued pardon is procured and a large reward is obtained Oratio serenat cor abstrahit à terrenis mundat â— vitiis sublevat Idem ad coelestia cor capacius dignius ad accipienda bona spiritualia Prayer appeaseth the heart it pulleth backe from earthly things it cleanseth from vice and lifteth vp to Heavenly things and maketh the heart more capable and worthie to receiue spirituall blessing Thus vndoubtedly many are the good effects and great is the strength of earnest and heartie prayer But if the sinceare servant of CHRIST shall say or thinke with An obâ—ection answered himselfe that hee hath prayed frequently and incalled vpon the Name of the LORD â—ervently and yet in his sense by all appearance The Lord either granteth or denyeth or delayeth the petitions of his servants that his prayers haue beene fruitlesse and effectlesse and that in his owne judgement GOD hath misregarded him and all his supplication that hee dâ—th hide his face and close his eyes and stop his eares and will haue no respect to him nor to his petitions This is answered that when the Almightiâ— doth not performe the request of his servant nor grant his petition immediatly that then God either delayeth the same or denyeth the same this followeth of necessitie after serious invocation there is either a yeelding or a denying or a delaying of the petition Now trueth it is that the LORD will sometymes delay the request of his owne chosen so hee did to David complaining How g Psal 13. 1 long will thou forget mee O LORD for ever How long will thou hide thy face from mee And thus GOD deferreth their petitions for fiue causes First for their instruction to teach them to pray diligently and a rightly to double and reiterate their requests the more vâ—hemently As the mothers in the Yles called Baleares did teach their children Similit by this meane to be verie persite cunning in casting of stones out of slings they placed foode every morning vpon some high Lycophron place before their hungrie children which the young ones might not touch nor tast vntill they had casten the same downe with a stone this the mother did not of Florus lib. 3 cap. 8 purpose to defraude their owne bairnes of sustenance but to make them diligent and skilfull in that exercise So the Almightie at some tymes delayeth the desires of his children not that hee is of intention Stephanus to frustrate them of things necessarie but to teach them to pray more fervently frequently and in a maner most accuratly Secondly To make one to know GODS gifts that hee may loue the same so when Hanna questionlesse had oftentymes intreated the LORD who h Genes 30.22 openeth the wombe to cure her barrennesse and to giue her a
Heb. 13. 16 doing and distributing for with such sacrifices GOD is pleased thou with him will bee reconciled thy request granted This Spirit will cause thee to continue p Col. 1. 21 grounded and stablished in faith and not to bee moved away from the hope of the Gospell to bee so rootted and builded in CHRIST that thy heart shall not be distracted with vaine cogitations or worldly cares in time of this holy service neither shall thou waver q Iam. 1. 6 and bee like a wave of the sea tossed with the winds and carried away If in time and in the practise Plutarch in vita coriola of the blind superstition of the old Romans a cryer proclamed Hoc age doe this onelie much more in the sincere service of our GOD wee should bee most intentiue and only diligent to performe this duetie Now seeing the true supplicant must bee graced with all these qualities thou may soone perceiue the difficultie of this exercise it is wonderous hard to be adorned with so many properties and more of the difficultie of this action thou shall find in the 12. Chapter following Thus after confession and lamentation Remember to note well thâ—t all these good gifts and qualities are both purchased increased by prayer goe on to an earnest and sinceere pâ—tition with consideration of thine owne indignitie and of the necessities of those good things to bee desired and asked and let this petition be to thee an information of the principall graces which ought fervently to bee required A PETITION FOR GRACE MERCIE c. The sixt Chapter O Almightie GOD and most mercifull Father trueth it is that in regard of my wickednesse and wretchednesse the a Psal 116. 3 snares of death haue compassed mee and the griefes of Pray for the Lords remembrance the graue haue caught mee I now finde trouble sorrow and miserie But O LORD I humblie pray thy Majestie to b Psal 40. 16 thinke vpon me who am poore and needie and to remember c Psal 106. 4 mee with the favour of thy people and to visite mee with thy salvation by this thy mercifull rememberance O my gratious Redeemer albeit I remaine in a deludge of dangers yet with Noah d Genes 8. 1 I shall bee delivered albeâ—t I bee in doolefull distresse yet with Rachell e Genes 29. 22 I shall bâ—e comforted albeit I be in paine in shame and calaâ—nitie yet with the f Luk. 23. 43 peniteâ—t thiefe I shall get pleasure honour and felicitie Wryte mâ— namâ—â— beseâ—ch thee in that Booke g Mal. 3. 16 of rememberance which is before thee h Isa 49. 16 Graue me vpon the palme of thy owne hands set i Cant. 8. 6 mee O LORD as a seale vpon thy heart and as a signet vpon thy owne arme that â—o thou mayest ever thinke vpon mee and that I may remember vpon thee continually and k Cant. 1. â— remember thy loue more than wine and that I may rejoyce l Psal 97. 12 and gaue thee that for thine holy rememberance O gracious GOD looke m Isaiah 63.15 downe 2 For Gods gracious looke from the Heaven and behold from the n Genes 16.13 dwelling place of thy Sanctuarie mee thy owne poore servant looâ—e LORD vpon mee as thou looked n vpon Hagar Abrahams maide sâ—â—e then received instruction and consolation so I shaâ—l bee welâ— instructed and comforted turne o Psal 25. 16 thy face vnto mee to regard mee who am desoâ—ate and needie looke vpon mee as thou did to thy servant Peter p Luk. 22. 6 that I may remember thy Word and weepe bâ—tterly for my transgrâ—ssions and granâ— O my Saviour that as q Psal 123. â— the eyes of the servants looke vnto the hand of their masters and as the eyes of a maide vnto the hand of her mistresse so my eyes may waite vpon thee O LORD my GOD vntill thou be beneficiall vnto me O mâ—rcifull Father r Psal 77. 7 absent not thy selfe for ever not only 3 For GODS good coÌ„ming remember mee and looke vpon mee but come quicklie Å¿ Revel 22. 20 to bee my deliverer and to be my comfortable helper t Psal 90. 13 returne O LORD how long and bee paciâ—ied toward thy servant If the Gibeonits being in danger of their enemies thus besought Ioshua saying u Iosh 10. 6 withdraw not thine hand from thy servants come vp to vs quickly and saue vs and helpe vs I haue greater neede to cry to thee O IESUS withdraw not thine hand from mee x Psal 18. 9 Bow the Heavens come O LORD my GOD bring to mee who 4 Pray for mercie am miserable mâ—rcie vnder y Mal 4. 2 thy wings Haue compassion vpon me a wretched treâ—passer for with thee O LORD there is abundant mercie z Psal 130 7 and great redemption I rejoyce O good GOD that thy mercies a Psal 36. 5 doe reach vnto the Heavens and thy faithfulnesse vnto the clouds that the shining sunne in the firmament shall sooner want light and the great Ocean shall sooner want water than thou O infinite in goodnesse shall want mercie for a poore penitent sinner Giue some portion thereof to mee who am most indigent Haue b Psal 6 2 mercie vpon mee who am weake and who desireth to repent without this meâ—cie all other gifts O LORD as an abortiue birth is to the mother As c Psal 58. â— the vntimely fruite of a woman which hath not seene the sunne which will bring paine and perill to the parent but no pleasure no profite at all O LORD thou art the fountaine 5 Pray for grace d Ier. 2. 13 of living water thou hast the fulnesse e Ioh. 1. 16 of grace and trueth O most loving Father giue grace to me who of my selfe am voide of all good and gracelesse whereby I may so serue thee that I may please thee with reverence and feare Albeit sinne f Heb. 12. 28 aboundeth in mee yet grace g Rom. 5. 20 much more aboundeth in thy Majestie Graâ—t O Heavenly Father that I may trust h 1 Peter 1. 13 perfectly on that grace that is brought to mee by the revelation of IESVS CHRIST And I intreat 6 Pray for Gods favour thy Majestie to lift i Psal 4 7 vp the light of thy countenance to shine continually vpon mee bestow thy favour k Psal 30. 5 in which is life vpon mee who hath so often deserved thine anger giue to mee O LORD thy loving kindnesse which is better than ten thousand worlds which as it is most profitable and pleasant so it is most sure and permanent Thou O LORD endurest and art l Psal 102.27 the same thy yeeres faile not thy favour altereth not thou O LORD aâ—t never changed and thy children therefore are not m Mal. 3. 6 consâ—â—ed O my blessed Saviour who