vnto his ende Here good Reader is both the manner the method the forme the fashion how to meditate and what to meditate as time and necessity shall require with a requisite regard and serious consideration that our holy meditations may bee the more gracious in the eyes of God and successefull in our desires and occasions that God may blesse both them and vs with an happy Earnest in this World of the eternity in the World to come whether by his blessed will so prospering this intended meanes that it may be able to bring vs to the blessed Hauen of rest and endlesse ioy The Lord of life and death in whose hands is the breath of euery liuing thing so direct vs that wee may learne to number our dayes that wee may run out the short race of our sinfull Pilgrimage in godlinesse of holy meditation with much patience looking to Christ Iesus the Authour and finisher of our faith that when we shall haue finished these dayes of sinne wee may bee translated to a better life in the Kingdome of Glory which GOD hath purchased to vs in the blood-shedding of his beloueâ— Sonne To whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost be rendered all glory maiesty power and dominion now euer Amen Thine in the Lord Henry Thompson What the Soule loseth by mortall sinne THe grace of the Holy Ghost The friendship and familiaritie with God All mortall vertues infused and of Gods Spirit The inheritance of the Kingdome of Heauen The portion of Gods children and patronage of his Fatherly prouidence which he hath ouer the iust The peace and quietnesse of a good and cleere conscience What misery the Soule gaineth by mortall sinne COndemnation to eternall paine to bee quite cancelled out of the Booke of life To become of the childe of God the thrall of the Diuell To bee changed from the Temple of the Holy Ghost into a denne of theeues a nest of vipers a â—inke of corruption How a Soule is prepared to Iustification by degrees Faith setteth before our eies God is a iust Iudge Angry with the bad Mercifull to the repentant Of this Faith by the gift of God Spirit arises a feare by coÌ„sideratioÌ„ of Gods Iustice and Our owne sinnes This feare is comforted by hope grounded in Gods mercie and The goodnes of Christ Of this hope ariseth loue and charitie vnto Christ For louing vs without desert Rredeeming vs with so much loue Of this loue followes sorrowe for offending Christ of whom we haue been so mercifully Created Redeemed Sanctified and called to his Faith Of this sorrow ariseth a firme purpose to auoide all sinne which GOD aboue all â—things detesteth The Diuel aboue all things desireth And aboue all things hurteth the soule THE SOVLES Alarum-Bell CHAP. I. That GOD his beginning was without beginning and is and shall bee euer without end THere was euermore a Thing being and that Thing that was euer before all other things must needs be without be ginning and must be the first Maker and the first Cause of all things which hath no maker nor no cause out of whom as out of the verie fountaine and will of all causes euery thing taketh his being So that Thing which was first being must needes bee the Exo. 3. 14. cause and foundation of all things and of all beings and that First cause or Maker is among all people called Ioh. 8. 58. God Then sith God is the first cause of euery thing Iob. 1. 2. 3. 4. and the first principall cause of the being of euery thing it requireth that there bee in him such a being that it must bee the most perfect most substant all being and the most sure being that is or can bee which shall neuer haue end For if it shall haue an end it is not the most perfect most substantiall and most sure being for it must bee such a being which excludeth euery imperfection that soonest tendeth to Not being There is no time past in which hee was not no time present in which he is not nor no time to come in which he shall not bee So that of necessity it followeth that his being was euer without beginning and is and shall bee euer without end therefore conueniently God is called Omnipotent as being of most power and might Then sith God is the cause of all things and Gen. 1. 1. euery thing taketh his effect by God and commeth of God as of his first cause Pro. 8. 22. and euery thing that taketh any effect hath neede of the cause for without the cause the effect could neuer haue Iohn 1. 1. 2. 3. 4. been Therefore it must follow that euery thing hath neede of God and that God hath neede of nothing And likewise that thing that Act 〈◊〉 14. 24. hath no life nor neuer had life may not by his owne Ephes 1 11. power make a thing to haue life But wee see in this world man beast to haue life which life proceeded and came first from that Creator which is very life in whom first must needs bee life Then sith God is first Creator and causer of euery thing which hath life it followeth that in him there was euer a life And as I haue said before because the being of God is the first being and cause of Gen. 1. 7. the being of euery thing the most perfect most substantiall and most sure being and because that thing which hath being and life also is more worthy then that thing which hath but being onely as the trees herbes which haue a quicknesse of life whereby they grow and increase haue a more noble and worthy being then a dead stocke or a dead stone which grow not and as the brute beast which hath a life sensitiue and power to moue it selfe and memory hath a more noble and worthy being then the Tree or herbe which hath but quickning and growing without power to moue or memory and also as the being of man which hath both life sensitiue power to moue memory and vnderstanding hath a more worthy being then the brute beast which hath but life sensitiue power to moue and memory without vnderstanding so it must needs follow that vnderstanding is the cause of the most worthy being And sith that God hath the most noble and worthy being that can bee it must needs follow that in God there must bee knowledge and vnderstanding and that the same being of God must bee with the same knowledge and vnderstanding And then if the being of God as I haue proued before be without beeginning and ending eternall infinite without measure and his being is and hath been euer most perfect and as hee himselfe may bee himselfe so may he himselfe vnderstand himselfe so that his being cannot bee seuered from his knowledge and vnderstanding nor his knowledge and vnderstanding seuered from his being it must follow that hee vnderstandeth all knoweth euery thing that was
hard Therefore let vs kill sinne in the beginning then shall we not sinne in concupiscence much lesse in practising of sinne and delighting in sin The other cause is the malice and watchfulnesse of the Diuell by which he holdeth 2 Tim. 2. 26. fast his seruants captiues for he which committeth sinne is the seruant of sinne and is held in captiuitie with the snares of the Diuell as the Apostle teacheth euen at his will The diuel is that strong Luc. 11. 21 armed man which with great care diligence standeth vpon his guard wherevpon Saint Augustine faith Hee is not so strong by his owne strength as by our owne negligence although his power be very great yet hee taketh not so much by force as by his subtill suggestions for which cause hee did not aske leaue of our Sauiour Christ that hee might cast him downe from the pinnacle of the Temple but Mat. 4. sought rather to perswade Christ to cast himselfe down headlong The Serpent in like manner sought not by force to cramme Eue but allured her to take it her selfe Gen. 3. that shee might as it were with her owne knife cut her owne throate The Diuell will not breake open the doore vpon vs but hee must find it open empty swept and garnished and then hee Mat. 12. will enter and that hee may thus make our selues the instruments of our owne miserie and woe hee ceaseth not to tempt vs neither day nor night Saint Gregory saith he may win vs at the least-wise by his tediousnesse When hee hath thus brought vs to his lure then his care is to hold vs still in his bondage and for feare that we should make conscience of sinne and so turne to the Lord by repentance he putteth a faire vizard ouer the vglie face of sinne and so disguizeth her that the proud person which exceedeth in apparell saith that his or her pride is clenlinesse and decencie the whore-monger and fornicator taketh his filthy life to be but the course of youth the drunkard and riotous person perswadeth himselfe that his excesse is but good fellowship the couetous person beleeueth that his couetousnesse is good husbandry the idle person which spendeth his whole time in Dice Cards and such like pastimes neglecting his vocation in the true seruing of God flattereth himselfe that his time thus wickedly spent is honest recreation whereas if the Diuell had not blinded them so as they might see sinne in her colours she would seeme such a deformed monster as they would loath her for euer Her eyes are ful of adultery her eares are very large and great open to heare al deuices and vaine delights her tongue swollen with lying and deceit her throate is an open sepulcher and a swallowing gulfe her lips are inuenomed with the poyson of Aspes her hands are large to receiue bribes her belly hath a timpany of surfetting and gluttony her backe is laden with idlenesse and yet her seete are swift to shed bloud With her heart shee thinketh vpon nothing but how to betray the innocent and oppresse the widdow and the fatherlesse yea from the very top of the head vnto the sole of the foot shee is full of botches and sores and hath no whole part What man will be coupled with this monster which is the monster of all monsters who hath no other dowry and portion of her father the Diuell but hell fire Let him then that hath been enchanted with her adulterous eies diuorce himselfe betimes from her company without delay for it is very perillous to stay long her handmaide securitie will peraduenture flatter vs and say it is too soone to depart with this sweete vnsauoury companion and so to craue further company This is the weakenesse of fraile flesh which fancy feeds the vaine thoughts who say all shall be well but it is the Diuels voice and if wee continue therein and withstand not our vnbridled thoughts which the fraile flesh doth yeeld vnto but still hearken to the Diuels voice hee will serue vs as hee serued Adam and Eue and will lay open our nakednes and shame to the confusion of body and soule if wee suddenly doe not repent and amend vs of our vngodly courses Delaied repentance is the cause of the absence of the Holie Ghost from vs for as the spirit of the Lord dwelling in our hearts maketh the way of vertue easie and sweete in so much that the Prophet Dauid saith I haue as great Psal 119. delight in the way of thy Commandements as in all manner of riches and I haue ruâ—ne the way of thy Commandements when thou hast set my heart at libertie Euen so contrariwise the absence of the Holie Ghost maketh the same way hard and vnpleasant And as the light of the Sun cheareth vp mens spirits to goe to their labours euen so the Sunne of righteousnesse shining in our hearts with the bright beames of his grace maketh vs to haue a delight in the way of his Commandements The first outward meanes of Saint Pauls conuersion was the great light which hee sawe from Heauen then hee was cast downe to the ground and humbled he heareth a voice and acknowledgeth it to be Gods voice and then ariseth vp and saith What shall I doe It is the celestiall illumination that worketh our Acts 9. 6. 26. 12. conuersion vnto God and frameth our hearts to his obedience And therefore the Lord saith by the mouth of the Prophet Osea thus to sinfull men Wâ—e vnto them when I shall depart away from them Ose 6. 12. and by the Prophet Ieremie Vnderstand and know what a grieuous thing it is that the Lord thy God hath forsaken thee The Apple is not so eaten of wormes nor the garment so eaten with mothes as the powers of the soule are corrupted with sinne and wickednesse the vnderstanding is darkened the iudgement dulled and the will depraued whereof it commeth that now to liue a holy and godly life is a very hard and painefull matter Who seeth not then in what peril and error they are who putting off their repentance and conuersion from day to day do thinke that the same which is now hard vnto them they shall finde afterwards more easie when all the causes of difficultie and hardnes are encreased when they haue encreased the causes of their labour and difficultie by adding sinnes vnto sinnes and when an euill custome hath taken more deep roote shall not the Diuell then more fortifie his Castle which is thy soule shall not GOD which is thy light depart further off from thee shall not the powers of thy soule then hauing receiued many wounds bee made more weake and insufficient to goodnesse Beside this thou must greatly hazard the losse of heauenly treasures by a long delay GOD hath thought vpon vs and loued vs from euerlasting and hath prepared for vs an eternall reward with what face then canst thou holde from God a little momentanie seruice
Anâ— thou must purpose with thy selfe to doe â—othing that day which may displease God but meditate in thy minde some godly meditations desiring his assistance for the furtherance of the true seruing his omnipâ—tent Maiâ—sty â— A Prayer before wee settle our selues to our Deâ—â—tions O Most gracious Lord giue me leaue to present my selfe before thy diuine Maiestie and to poure out my vnworthy prayers in the sight of thy most mighty and glorious presence Behold mee O Lord not in my merits but in the multitude of thy mercies I now comâ— to make manifest my necessities and to vtter my griefeâ— vnto thee I come as a poorâ— and needy wretch vnto â— God of infinit glory I comâ— as a worme of the Earth vnto my Soueraigne Makeâ— and Creatour I come as â— guiltie hainous offendeâ—â— I am not worthy to lift vâ— mine eyes to Heauen muâ—â— lesse to open my mouth in thy glorious presence oâ— presume to talke with â— Lord and King of so great â— Maiesty being my selfe buâ— slime and ashes but ô Fatheâ— of mercies and God of all comfort thou promisest that who asketh shall receiue â— who knocketh shall bee leâ— in who seeketh shall findeâ— Thou inuitest the greatest â—inners and refusest not to â—eelde thy assistance to any â—hat will vse it grant mee â—herefore grace now to pray â—nto thee as my duety and â—hy desert requireth grant â—e a pureintention a ferâ—ent deuotion and an attenâ—â—ue mind that it be not carâ—ed away with impertinent â—oughts nor any other diâ—raction but with humble â—eart firme hope and perâ—ct charity I may effectualâ—e pray vnto thee and aske â—f thee that which thou seeâ—t most for thy glory and â—y good graâ—t Lord I beâ—ech thee that thou wilt â—elpe mee to pray worthily â—at thou maiest mercifuâ—ly â—rant my Petitions keepe â—y thoughts from wandring râ—straine my imaginations and preserue my sences from being distractedâ— defend O Lord my weakâ— heart from ghostly assaultsâ— and so fixe my minde vpon thee that I be not carrieâ— away from consideration oâ— thy presence grant mee distinctly to pronounce my words attentiuely to apply my thoughts and to bee wholly rauished and possessed with zeale and true deuotion O Lord grant me to aske forgiuenesse with â— deepe contrition and fulâ— purpose of amendement â— grant me to craue thy benefits with hearty thankfulneâ—â— for those which I haue receiued Grant mee to pray for my selfe with a perfect resignation vnto thy will and â—or all others with true chaâ—itie and sincere affection Affoord O Lord such comâ—ort to my soule as thou â—eest fit â—or mee and by the â—ssistance of thy spirit inspire â—hy good motions into mee â—hat I may feele them forciâ—ly accept them thankefulie and fulfill them effectuâ—llie Finally I humbly beâ—eech thee of thy mercy and goodnesse that I may praise â—hee with a true repentant â—eart to appease the fury of â—hy anger against me whereâ—y I may come to enioy â—ith thy Maiesty eternall â—lorie without end Amen A Morning Prayer O Most gracious LORD and Omnipotent Father thou which madeâ—â— Heauen and Earth the Sea and all that is therein together with thy dearely beloued Son IESVS CHRIST and with thy holy Spirit thou hast brought vs to the beginning of this day thorow thy goodnesse now we beseech thee that this day wee fall into no sinne buâ— that we may accomplish thy holy will by directing ouâ— words framing our thoghts and disposing our doing accordingly Helpe vs anâ— further vs O Lord in all ouâ— Prayers that whatsoeuer wâ— doe may alwaies take beginning from thee and being so begun wee may proceede in true seruing of thee who art the Fountaine 〈◊〉 light and most peerelessâ— spring of Wisdome LORD vouchsafe that the beames of thy wonderfull glorie may beate against my darke and smal vnderstanding and driue from me two kinde of mists to wit sinne and ignorance wherein I was borne Thou O Lord that makest the tongues of little Infants to be eloquent teach me to rule my tongue and let thy grace and blessing bee pouâ—ed on my lippes Giue mee sharpnesse of vnderstanding thy heauenly word and ability to retaine it a facility to serue a good kind of interpretation a good place to vtter my words and that they may tend to thy glory and guide my entrance to the matters I speake of direct my proceeding in the same and make perfect my conclusion Come Holy Ghost fill my heart with thy faith and kindle in mee the fire of thy loue doe thus good Lord who diddest bring the Gentiles to the vnity of thy saith by all kindes of diuers and strange languages send out Lord thy holy Spirit and all things shall be created and thou shalt make fresh the face of the Earth and thou that hast taught the Hearts of thy faithfull by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost giue mee the same spirit right vnderstanding and alway to reioice in thee make mee forsake Sathan and cleaue to thee ô Christ who art the way truth and life shew me thy wayes ô Lord and teach me thy pathes direct my steps according to thy word that no vnrighteousnesse reigne ouer mee Maâ—e my going perfect in thy wayes that my steps be not moued Lord whi hart the Father of grace anâ— mercie desend me from my enemies and receiue mee at the houre of my death Good Lord grant I may depart in a good houre out of this World and that I may arise from the death of sinne and walke in newnesse of life that when I shall rise againe at the latter day when our life shall be seene manisestly of all men I also may bee openly but fauourably seene of thy glory who liueâ—â— and reiguest one GOD World without end Amen Another Prayer for the Morning O Lord God and my heauenly Father I do here present my selfe with my morning sacrifice vnto thy Omnipotent Maiestie crauing thy mercifull aide for the strengthening of my weake faith at this present that thereby I may be made the more apt and able to serue thy heauenly Maiesty in all holinesse and true sincerity of heart And now that the time allotted for my feeble senses is expired and that the spring of the morning approacheth I offer vp my bounden duety of praise and thankesgiuing to thy euer blessed and glorious Maiestie vpon whom all the houres and moments of life depend for adding yet more space vnto my daies for granting me a larger time of repentance for the obtaining of thy grace and exercise of vertue and amendement of my sinfull life O eternal and euerliuing God who art the guardian to all true beleeuers make me euermore to magnifie and extoll thy mercies and in true token of this my thankefulnesse hauing nothing more neere vnto me then my selfe I here offer and present my selfe body and soule vnto thy heaâ—enly will and pleasure beseeching thee to dispose of me as of thine owne to direct the remainder of my life to thy Honour and seruice
and fansies which beare away the due reuerence wee owe vnto God For when we haue praied to GOD that hee will giue eare vnto our requests and receiue our petitions they are sonegligently done that we had need pray againe to desire him that hee will out of his bountifull loue and great mercy cast his eye of pitty and not of anger vpon the great offence which was committed in the idlenesse of our prayers and supplications made by vs vnto his diuine Maiestie and that he will forgiue vs our sins committed in our prayers because wee thinke then leasâ— of him at the time we make our prayer vnto him neuer remembring the Maiestie of his person to whom weâ— speake nor the Excellencie of the worke wee take in hand neuer rowsing vp the spirit of a sorrowfull repentant heart for our former offences committed but if we â—hance then to stirre vp ouâ— deuotion to prayer we leaue them halt and lame bodie without soule or soule without deuotion sound of lips without the heart one part of our selues without the other or the whole without a whole clamour without intention But Dauid practised true repentance which may not bee repented of and such were the panges and prickings of Iobs heart vnto GOD My groanings saith he come forth before I eate and my roarings are powred forth Not onely groaning nor crying but also roarings with a continual inundation as one waue dasheth forth another Now when the soule is thus prepared to speake the eares of the Lord are euer open to heare the true penitent sinners cry These are wonderfull passions The hungry Lyon in the desert opprest with extremitie of suffering want neuer roared so much for his prey nor the Hart braying after the water brookes as the goodnesse of the Lord in the soule of the faithfull He is the mighty LORD of Heauen and Earth whose name be blessed and hallowed for euer in Earth as it is in Heauen and blessed are all those that are in loue with his goodnes and traâ—â— nearest vnto his steps And to giue vs a further example in his owne cause when his soule was hedged in and enuironed round about with vexation euen vnto death when anguish sorrow incompassed him round about as also then in his greatest agony when he cried with a great voice not for particular persons as before hee wept but vndergoing the burthen and punishment of all the sinnes and sinners in the World My God my God why hast thou forsaken me and crying againe with a great voice gaue vp the ghost Therefore the blessed Apostles mentioning the daies of his humanitie and the exercise of his godly and sacred life and fruite of his lips and the passions of his spirit thought it not enough to giue notice to the World that he prayed to his Father that hee praied with teares which trickled downe his blessed cheekes and watered the ground nor of a cry alone weakely sent out but of a vehement and strong cry which if Heauen were brasse were able to pierce through it and find way into the Sanctuary into the eares of the Almighty Such a prayer as it ascends lightly vp borne vpon the wings of Faith so it eueâ— comes laden heauily downe with a blessing on the head of him that first gaue it flight This Lanthorne of our direction and composition of humilitie and goodnesse this glorious and neuer enough admired LORD of life who prest opprest with the weight burthen thereof groaned vnder the affliction of our sinnes in a most perfect forme of exact obedience with his bleeding teares for vs shewed vs the right forme of faithfull supplications for our selues Let vs then bee importunate and feruent in our praiers that our Petitions may wrestle with GOD and ouercome him For if our praiers bee powred forth in the â—eruentnesse of zeale without wauering then let vs make no doubt but hee wil graciously receiue them into his armes of mercie Way hâ—e thus grieueâ— for vs and shall not wee grieue for ourselues groaned hee vnder the weight of our sin being himselfe without sinne onely in compassion and pitty towards vs why then doe not we continuallie groane and grieue It is so farre from vs that in no way wee giue his heauenlie Maiestie his due except in committing finne and drinking it downe the throate with greedinesse and a desiring thirsting appetite euen as Beheâ—â—th drinketh down Iâ—rdan without sense sorrow or griefe for the same The true consideration hereof will enforce and procure in vs a more perfect desire to follow the true prescription that our Sauiour hath prescribed for vs in his holy Gospell which commandeth vs by expresse words to bee importunate and feruent in our prayers that our Petitions may ascend vp to GOD our Lord and onely Sauiour and there to be receiued into his bosome to preâ—rent a further and greater danger before the dreadfull Maiestie of the omnipotent LORD of Heauen and Earth who with the breath of his nostrels is able to destroy our bodies and soules change the World and the beauty thereof into a Chaos and â—eape of confusion turne the Sunne into darkenesse and the Moone into blood and alter the property and being of all the Creatures in the World at the twinckling of an eye Considering what we are that speake that offer vp the calues of our lippes and the fruites of our repentance poore naked impotent vnworthy wretches wee should be importunate and with a feruentnesse of zeale poure out our supplications vnto GOD that he wil mercifully heare vs and gently receiue our supplications and according to his wonâ—ed goodnesse satisfie our faithfull requests poured forth vnto him in the name of CHRIST IESVS our Lord and onely helper in all distresse But our wretchednesse and mortality our nakednesse in good workes towards him is such that if there were any spark of true faith in vs it would make vs ashamed as it did our first Parents when they bidde themselues from the presence of their GOD. The view of our sinnes is exceedingly sinful the number the weight the danger thereof hang about our neckes like milstones that we are notable nor worthy to cast vp our eyes to heaueÌ„ for our sinnes are so exceedingly miserable that the Prophet of GOD being astonished to see either man or the Sonne of man so kindly visited biddeth vs be feruent in our Petitions to GOD. And we must expect an happy successe of our supplications vnlesse we wil cal in question or doubt of the promises of God which are more stable then the pillars of the Earth or the basis of the surest foundation except we will cast our graine into the earth and expect no haruest plant Vines and not drinke the Wine thereof If wee meane to receiue that at GODS hand we doe expect to haue then wee must prepare our selues in another forme to poure out our vnworthy plaints and petitions and thinke that GOD either heareth not or regardeth not at all the
measure beyond the streÌ„gâ—â— of man in so much that we doubt whether wee liue 〈◊〉 no receiuing the sentence 〈◊〉 dâ—ath within our selues sâ— that in our opinion we comâ—prehend no deliuery no euasion but lie open to the direct accomplishment there of Yet in this exigent anâ— extremitie we come to Goâ— by these meanes of Prayer being almost beyond hope without expectation and bâ— his gracious and mercifulâ— pleasure wee are deliuered Therefore let vs here in râ—â—â—ue comfort his Maiestic â—ut of his great clemâ—nrie â—ath and doth deliuer vs daiie not onely from the death of our bodies when wormes â—nd rottennesse haue made â—heir last and long prey vpâ—on them but from the â—eath of our minds when the spirit is buried vnder â—orrowes and no Greature â—ound in Heauen or Earth to giue it comfort Be our minds be our afflictions neuer so many and great though in our weake â—magination we can imagin â—o deliuery no release when all earthly comforts forsake â—s yet let not vs forsake thiâ—â—efuge let vs not despaire in his mercifull helpe â—o more then Iâ—â—â— did who being in the bottome of the Sea and within a prison in that bottome in such an affliction so great so strange as greater nor stranger could not be to humane reason or more without hope yet said Ioâ—â—â— 2. 2. I cried in â—inâ— affliction vnto the Lord and hee heardme◠〈◊〉 of the beâ—ty of hâ—â—â— crâ—ed I and thou heâ—r dâ—st my voice Therefore in our aduersitie and wants how great greeuous soeuer they oppresse our weakenesse yet let vs neither distrust or despaire of his mercifull helpe but let vs pray still in hope in all the anguish of minde â—â—d let our prayers bee with such a confidence and zeale of loue to GOD as the feruencie thereof may ascend vp to his Throne and there rest in his pittifull eye and armes of mercy In our prosperity be it neuer so flourishing let vs pray nay pray continuallie In our health and prosperitie let vs pray to continue it In our sicknesse and aduersity let vs pray to release vs. For if wee consider our estates rightly wee shall perceiue many reasons to the exercise of Prayer daily to feek his sauour and the long continuance thereof without whose mighty protection and care ouer vs we are ready to fall into a thousand dangers of vndoing both the body and soule and to perish continuallie And therefore let vs well consider and take heed both in time and season with words sutahle in our Petitions to our purpâ—se and intention in giuing thankes for his great benefits daily poured vpon vs with intrestie in our Petitions for necessities to bee implored by vs in the time of sicknesse in the time of our health in the time of our aduersity in the time of our prosperity Let vs come before him suting our words in the habite of our occasions with such a fitnesse and decencie that they fall not harshly from the purpose ascend into the eares of the Almighty LORD the true patterne of all wâ—sdome and goodnesse who hath giuen vs the first and best forme there of himselfe who hath both taught vs to pray and taught vs how to pray and who will both heare our petitions and grant our requests contained therein as farre as seemes expedient to his vn searchable wisedome that knowes our wants before hee heares our complaints our necessities better then we our selues And because meditation is so excellent a thing so readie so swift so powerfull so vnseparated from vs that it cleaues vnto vs when all other meanes faile and forsake vs therefore we should the more earnestly imbrace it more zealously imploy it more dearely esteeme it It finds vs out comfort in our greatest extremities and miseries our wayes being hedged vp as with thornes that we cannot stirre to deliuer our selues therehence When we are ouer flowen with the deluge of sinne as with a floud iudgements inuiron vs on euery side this is the Dâ—ue that brings vnto our Soules the Oliue branch of comfort But alasse we kill the life thereof through the coldnesse of our deuotioâ— and carelesnesse of our deliuerie and vnfit preparation thereunto and find not the sweetnesse and successe that else wee might expect and obtaine at the hands of GOD thereby Let these things be oftentimes our meditation and study that so despising the vaine things of this transitorie life and passing our steps in the path-way to feâ—icity we may at the last obtaine the reward which our Sauiour CHRIST hath promised Come ye blessed of my Father Euen so let vs resolue with our selues that for as much as wee haue begunne our Pilgrimage in the Spirit neuer to end it in the Flesh and that if all the World would fall away from GOD and his Word yet wee and ours will serue the LORD So shall we be sure in the ende of this our Pâ—lgrimage which we haue passed with feare to enter into that spirituall Canaan which CHRIST our IEHOVA hath promised vs which LORD for thy mercy sake grant vs. Amen Come ye blessed c. Go ye cursed c. THE SOVLES Alarum-bell The Second Part. Containing diuers godly PRAYERS most fit to comfort the wounded consciences of all such penitent sinners who hope for saluation through the merits of Christ Iesus By H. Thompson At London printed by Io. Beale 1618 TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE and my very good Lord WILLIAM Lord Eurye Baron of Maâ—lton Heâ—ry Thompson wisheth all honour grace and spiritualâ— gifts by Iesus Christ our Lord. BEing willing Right Honourable and my verie good Lord in the sight of all the World to leaue some publike testimonie of my humble dâ—â—ty and vâ—fâ—ined good will towards your Honour I thought I could no better way performe it then by dedicating these poore labours of mine to bee shrowded and harboured vnder your Honours fauourable protection beseeching your Honour to accept this my humble and bounden dutie And as I dedicate it to your Honour so I humbly craue that it may bee defended for GOD hath set you in authoritie to maintaine his Word and loue his Religion which hee hath prescribed in his holy Gospell Hee hath honoured you that you should honour him and hath set you up that you should maintaine him and wholly trust in him and liâ—e to him as a sâ—ay that can neuer faile neither in this World nor tâ— the World to come All other things shall faile for all flesh is grasse and the glory of man is as the flower of the field but GOD is euerlasting his Word is euerlasting and they that are begotten to him by the iâ—â—â—rtall seede of his Word shall liue for euer and this life beginneth and groweth and increaseth in the true knowledge of GOD to the increasing of our faith and â—â—â—king in vs as the seale of our adoption that true sanctification that maketh vs to liue vnto GOD by righteousnesse purely to worship hiâ—â—ccording to his Word anâ— with brotherly
grace good Lord that as they professe thy Sonne Christ in name so they may truly represent his maners in their life and conuersation which willingly was obedient to his Mother Mary and her Husband Ioseph giuing example vnto all children of the like subiection and obedience towards their Parents Engraft in them such a loue towards their Fathers and Mothers that they may both reuerence them with outward honour and also to their power helpe them succour them prouide for them comfort and cherish them in their neede euen as their Paâ—ents comforted and nourished them in their Infancie and tender age But aboue all things giue them grace truly to honour thee which art the Heauenlie Father yea our Father and Redeemer which hast made vs and daily cherishest vs euen as a Father or Mother doth cherish their most deare and naturall Children So shall it come to passe that they faithfully honouring thee shall also in order heartily honour and vnfeinedlie obey their carnall Parents in thy feare vnto the glory of thy most holy blessed name which is most worthy to bee honoured World without end Amen Children their dâ—ty is to acknowledge their Parents next vnto God their Heauenly Father to be the Authors of their life and being and also to acknowledge and rightly to cousider of their charges cares troubles and paines in bringing them vp and to loue theâ—â— for all that they haue done for them and in token of loue and thankfulnesse to maintaine relieue and comfort them when need is as Ioseph Gen. 47. 11 to be as faithfull seruaâ—ts vnto them Mal. 3. 17. To worke and take paines for them as Râ—th did though shee was but a daughter in Law Ruth cha 2. Their dutie is to feare and reuerence their Parents in their hearts according to Gods Commandement Lâ—â—it 19. 3. and also to reuerence them in their outward behauiour by standing bare-headed before them putting off their hats with an humble and lowlie countenance when their Parents speake vnto them or they vnto their Parents and bowing their bodies when they passe by or come towards vs â—s Salomon did to his Mother I Kings 2. 19 or receiuing any thing of their Parents as Ioseph did Gen. 48. 12 and by giuing them the vpper hand as Salomon did to his Mother though â—he was a King 1 Kings 2. 19. Their duty is to obey their Parents according to the Word of God Col. 3. 10. Especially in marriage as Isaâ—c did Gen. â—4 and Iacob Gen. 28 and not â—o greeue them by marrying â—gainst their will as Esan did Gen. 26. 34 who was a râ—proâ—ate hated of God Rom. 9. 13 A Prayer against Whoredome O Lord God and Omnipotent Father the searcheâ— and trier of the thoughts anâ— reines of all Creatures O hoâ— greatly doest thou abhomâ— whoredome fornication and all vncleannesse O Lord thâ— drowing of the world with water the destruction of Sodomâ— Gomorrah with fire brimstone from Heauen and otheâ— like plagues mentioned in holy Scriptures doe euidently declare and shew Thy Commandement is that we should commit none Adultery And in the Common-wealâ— of the Israelites thou commandedst that there should be neither whoremonger nor whore if any such were found that they should be stoned to death Although the lips of an harlot are to the foolish a dropping hony-combe and her necke softer then oile yet at the last shee is as bitter as wormewood and as sharpe as a sword her feete goe downe vnto death and her steps haste them to hell and hee that accompanieth himselfe with an whore shall goe downe vnto hell but hee that goeth away from her shall be saued yea he that maintaineth an whore shal come vnto beggery in this World and after this life shall haue his part in the Lake that burneth with fire and brimstone O Lord thou hast called vs not vnto vncleannesse but vnto holinesse and purenesse of life thou hast made vs one body and one spirit with thee how vnseemely then is it to take the mâ—mbers of Christ to make them the members of an Harlot Wee therefore most humbly beseech thee to make in vs cleane harts and to renue right spirits within vs and to turne away all voluptuousnesse froâ— vs. Take from vs the lusts of the bodie let not the desites of vncleaunes take hold vpon vs giue vs not ouer into an vnâ—â—amefast and obstinate mind let not fornication adulterie or any kind of vncleannesse be once named among vs let not filthy communication proceed out of our mouthes but that which is good to edifie withall when neede is that it may haue fauour with the hearers And as for as much as neither whoremongers wedlock-breakers abusers of themselueswith mankinde shall inherite the Kingdome oâ— God Grant Lord wee heartilie pray thee that such as be vnmarried may keepe themselues pure and vndefiled aâ—ter the example of that godly young man Iosâ—â—h and bring with them into honorable wedlock both their bodies and their minds chaste and honest Grant also that the married men may beware and keepe themselues from all whoredome and vse the company of no woman besides their wiues Againe grant that all married woemen may practise the manners of that vertuous woman Susaâ—â—a and neither for flattering nor menacing wordes at any time consent to vncleannesse but so keepe the body vndesiled that it may be honourable that God may blesse them and their godly trauels and make them ioyfull Mothers of many Children Finally grant O most mercifull Father that wee may so auoid all vncleannesse that we being pure both in body and soule may attaine to see thy glorious face in thy Heauenlie Kingdome throgh Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer for a Woman with Childe THou O Lord art wonderfull in all thy workes and whatsoeuer thy good pleasure is that doest thou easily bring to passe neither is there any thing impossible with thee that thou wilt performe and albeit this thine Almighty power sheweth it selfe aboundantly in all thy workes yet in the conceiuing forming and bringing forth of man it shineth most euidently At the beginning O Heauenly Father when thou madest Man and Woman thou coÌ„mandedst them to encrease multiply and replenish the Earth If through the subtile inticements of Sathan they had not transgressed thy Commandements by eating the foÌ„rbidden fruite the Woman whom thou hast appoâ—nted the Organe Instrument and vessell to couceiue nourish and bring forth Man through thy wonderfull wormanship had without any labour paine or trauel brought forth her fruite but that which thy goodnes made easie sinne and disobedience hath made hard painefull dangerous and if thy helpe were not impossible to be brought to passe so that now all Woemen bring forth their Children in great sorrow paines and troubles Notwithstanding thou shewest thy selfe vnto thy Creatures a Father of mercy and God of all consolation for that which through their owne imperfection and feeblenesse they are not able of themselues to bring to
passe thou through thy vnspeakable power makest easie in them and bringest to a fortunate end Wee therefore being fullie perswaded of thy bent and readie goodnesse of thy present helpe of thy sweete comfort in all miseries and necessities knowing also by the testimonie of thy Word how great intollerable the paines of Women are that trauell of childe if through thy tender mercies they be not mittigated and eased most hâ—mbly pray thee for Iesus Christ his sake thy Sonne our Lord that thy louing kindnesse may make that easie and tollerable which sinne hath made hard and painefull Ease O LORD the paines which thou most righteouslie hast put vpon all Woemen for the sinne and disobedience of our Grand-mother Eue in whom all wee haue sinned and giue vnto all such as haue conceiued and bee with childe strength to bring forth that Childe which thou wonderâ—ully hast wrought in them be present with them in their trouble helpe them and deliuer them Let thy power bee shewed no lesse in the safe bringing forth then in the wonderfull fashioning of the Childe that that which thou hast begunne in them may come vnto good successe Make them glad and ioyfull Mothers that they through thy goodnesse being safely deliuered and restored to their olde strengths may liue and praise thy blessed name foâ—euer Amen A Thankesgiuing vnto GOD for their deliuerance O LORD GOD among other thy great benefits yea and those innumerable which thou daily bestowest vpon vs thy needy and poore Creatures this is not the least O most mercifull Father that thou of thy tender goodnesse doest vouchsafe for the conseruation of mankind to preserue the Woemen that are with childe and to giue them safe deliuerance of their burthen by this meanes making them glad and ioyfull Mothers For these thy benefits and good will towards vs wee so heartily thanke thee as heart can thinke beseeching thee to worke such thankeâ—ulnesse in the hearts of all Mothers that they being not vnmindfull of this high benefit of their safe deliuerance wrought onely by the Sauiour of all mankinde may shew themselues thankeful vnto thee for this thy goodnesse and neuer forget that thy present helpe and most sweete comfort which thou mercifullie shewest vpon them in their great trauailes labours and paines when they fled vnto thy holie name for succour as vnto a strong bull-warke and holie deâ—ence Continue thy fauour towards them O Lord by making them ioyfull Mothers of many children and indue them with long life that they may see their Childrens Children And the Children that thou gauest vnto them make thou as in age so likewise in wisdome and in the aboundance of thy holy Spirit to encrease that they may haue fauour both with thee and with all good men vnto the glory of thy most blessed name one GOD World without end Amen A Prayer for a sicke Man O Almighty GOD and all full of mercie which art the onelie Father of helpe and true Physician of our bodies soules in thy hands are life and death thou bringest to the graue and pullest backe againe Wee came into this World vpon a condition to forsake it whensoeuer thou wouldest call vs and now the Summoners are come thy fetters hold mee and none can loose me but he which bound me I am sicke in bodie with paine and in soule for feare of condemnation LORD thou hast stricken me but in iudgement shew mercie I deserued to die so soone as I came to life but thou hast preserued me till now and shall this mercie be in vaine as though we were preserued for nothing Who can praise thee in the Graue I haue done thee no seruice since I was borne but my goodnesse is to come and shall I die before I beginne to liue But good Lord thou knowest what is best of all and if thou conuert me I shal be conuerted in an houre and as thou acceptedst the will of Dauid as well as the act of Solomon so thou wilt accept my desire to serue thee as well as if I did liue to glorifie thee The spirit is willing but the flesh is fraile and as I did liue sinfully whensoeuer thy Spirit was from me so I shall die vnwillingly vnlesse thy Spirit prepare me Therefore deare Father giue mee that minde which a sicke man should haue and encrease my patience in my paine and call vnto â—y remembrance all that which I haue heard or read or felt or meditated so strengthen me in this houre of my trauaile that I which neuer taught any good while I liued may now teach others to die to beare their sickenesse patiently Applie vnto mee all the mercies of thy beloued Sonne as if he had died for me alone be not from me when the enemy comes but when the Tempter is bustest let thy Spirit bee busiest too and if it please thee to loose me out of this prison and when I shall leaue my earth to earth let thy Angell carry vp my soule as they did Lazarâ—â— and place me in one of those mansions which thy Sonne is gone to prepare for me This is my Mediator which hath reconciled mee and thee when thou diddest abhorre me for my sinneâ— and thou diddest send him from Hâ—auen to vs to shew that thou art bound to heare him for vs. Therefore in him I come vnto thee in him I call vpon thee O my Redeemer my Preseruer and my Sauiour to thee bee all praise with thy Father and the Holy Spirit for euer and euer Amen A Prayer to be saide before the receiuing of the holy Communion THy loue towardes vs O most gentle Father is so great and vnmcasurable that it can by no meanes be expressed by mouth nor sufficiently conceiued in heart and this thy loue is without any deserts on our behalse freely and willinglie O Heauenly Father thou hast sent downe thy only Son Christ Iesus from the glorious seate of thy diuiâ—â—e Maiestie to take our flesh vpon him and to become perâ—ect man of the substance of a pure and vndefiled Virgiu Mary through the operation of the Holie Ghâ—st O thou that art this our Mediatour thou taughtest the will of thy Heauenly Father confirming the same with wonderfull mercies vnto the great comfort of many which then liued and vnto the perfect establishment of our faith which liue at this present aâ—ter thou haddest trauelled in this World certain yeeres the time afore appointed from euerlasting of thy Heauenly Father drawing nigh that thou mightest giue thy selfe an oblation and sweete smelling sacrifice to God the Father for the sins of the whole World euen so many as repent beleeue and amend willing that so noble and worthy a benefit of our redemption should not bee forgotten nor fall out of remembrance who art the sole Authour of our saluation and the onely comfort of weake consciences when thou hadst eaten the Paschall Lambe with thy Disciples according to the appointment of the Law thou tookest bread into thy hand gauest thankes
onely Sauiour so loue thee that all mine affections may bee set on thee alone and so embrace true godlinesse that our whole life may be a cleere mirrour of all vertue and goodnesse so shall wee through thy mercie bee found worthy guests of this thy Table and receiue these holy mysteries to the saluation of our soules Yea so shall we be well assured of the remission and forgiuâ—nesse of all our sinnes By the breaking of thy blessed bodie and the shedding of thy precious blood our consciences shall bee quiet our hearts shall be filled with all true and spirituall ioy we shall triumph ouer Sathan sinne death hell and desperation wee shall be partakers of all the fruites and merites of thy blessed passion bee made one body with thee fellow-heires in euerlasting glorie O Lord God let it so come to passe for the honour of thy name Amen A Thankesgiuing after the receiuing of the Communion VVEe thanke thee O Heauenly Father for the blessed passion and glorious death of thy dearely beloued Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ by whose holy wounds we faithfully beleeue and are assuredly perswaded that thy wrath is not onelie pacified towardes vs buâ— that thou also are now become our most mercifull Father and hast freelie forgiuen vs all our sinnes Restore vnto vs thy heauenlie grace and make vs sonnes and heires of thine eternal glorie And because wee should not doubt of thy Fatherlie goodnesse rewards vs 〈◊〉 in the deâ—th of thy 〈◊〉 the same Son Christ 〈◊〉 Lord hath lâ—â—t vnto vs not onely his holy Word but also a blessed memorial of his death and passion set forth 〈◊〉 the holy bâ—â—ad and wine which weat this present haue receiued both for a remembrance of the breaking of his blessed body and the sâ—edding of his moâ—â— prâ—â—inâ—â— blood 〈◊〉 also for the quietnâ—sse of our â—â—onscience and â—â—â— the 〈◊〉 of the remissiâ—â— of our â—â—â—nes through faithâ—â—â—â—â— We 〈◊〉 thee O Heaâ—â—enly Father that we be neuer vnmindefull of this thy exceeding great kindnessâ— not vnthankefull for thy maâ—ifolde blessings vnspeakable mercies declared vnto vs in the glorious death of thy welbeloued Sonne but so worke thou in vs through thy holy Spirit that wee may be made worthy members of that bodie whereof thy Sonne and our Sauiour Christ Iesus is the head And that we may so faithfullie beleeue in thee and so â—eruently loue one another alway liuing in thy feare and in the obedience of thy holy law and blessed will that wee being fruitfull in all godly and Christian workes may traine our liues according to thy good pleasure in this transitorie World and after this fraile and short life obtaine the true and immortal life where thou with thy dearely beloued Sâ—nne our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ and the Holy Ghost that most sweete Comforter liuest and raignest one true God in all honour glorie World without end Amen A Prayer to be saide at the receiâ—ing of the mysterie of Christs Bâ—die in the Communion O Heauenly and blessed Father â—â—render vnto thoe most hearty thankes for all thy benefits which thou hast shewed vnto mee a most wretched sinner but especially for that most sweete smelling sacrifice which thy onely begotten Son offered vnto thee on the Altar of the Crosse by giuing his most pure and vndefiled bodie vnto the death for the redemption of Mankinde in remembrance whereof according to thy wellbeloued Sonnes ordinance I now receiue this holie bread most entirely beseeching thee that I may both be partaker of the merites of thy deare Sonnes Body-breaking and also leade a life worthy so great a benefit to the glorie oâ— thy name Amen A Prayer to be saide at the receiuing of the mysterie of Christs bloud in the holy Communion O Blessed and mercifull Father thy loue towards mee sinful Creature is so exceeding great and vnspeakable that I cannot but giue vnto thee most humble thankes namely for the shedding of the most precious bloud of thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ by the vertue whereof thy wrath stored vp against me wretched sinner is pacified my ransome is paide the Law is fulfilled mine enemies are ouercome put to flight In remembrance of this so noble a victorie and of so great a benefit I am come vnto this Table O merciful Father to drinke of this Cup desiring thee that as my outward man is comforted by the drinking of this wine so likewise my inward man may bee comforted and made strong by true faith in the precious blood of thy most deare Sonne O Lord and my Heauenlie Father giue me thy holy Spirit which may so rule gouerne my heart that I neuer bee vnthankefull nor forgetful of this thine exceeding great kindnes but so traine my life according to thy blessed will that whatsoeuer I doe speake or thinke may bee vnto the glory of thy most blessed name and the health of my soule through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Morning salutation to GOD for wisedome for grace and forgiuenesse of sinnes MY Soule O Lord hath desired thee in the night season and I haue also waited for thee in spirit and minde all the morning beseeching thee that thy presence which I sore haue longed for may expell from me all my sinne Lord water the secrets of my heart with thy manifolde graces and mightily enâ—â—â—â—e the same with thy loue And now my most sweete Lord Iesus Christ I rise and come early to thee in the morning and pray thee from the bottome of my heart that thou wilt hearken vnto my prayers and godlie requests which I doe most humbly in heart offer vnto thee for thou art the wisdome the eternall brightnesse and verie figure of the substance of the Father who hast created all things of nothing And because thou wouldest bring againe Man to the pleasure of Paradise thou camest downe from Heauen into this vale of miserie and by thy holie conuersation thou hast shewed and trod him the path thereunto and for ransome of all Man-kinde thou wouldest bee offered to thy Father as a most immaculate Lambe Open by thy Holy Spirit my stony and hard heart that with the eies of a perfect beliefe â— may alwaies behold thee who art King of Kings and Lord of Lords Giue mâ— wisâ—dome truly to consider of thy â—eath and passion that thereby I may profit in thee onely who art as a Booke of charitie for me Grant mee that I be vtterlie destitute of all vanities that now I be not he whom heretofore I haue beene but doe thou alwaies abide in me that so linked vnto thee I neuer sâ—verue or decline from thee Send downe good Lord thy wisedome from the seate of thy Maiestie that shee may labour and be with mee that I may know what is acceptable in thy sight that my heart and senses may bee enlightened whereby I may vnderstand how to bee a true follower of thy Precepts O my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ who art most sweete vnto mee