fall into manie euils yet hauing the earnest of this spirit we may boldely come vnto our GOD who hath promised to sende the same if we aske it at his handes â—e will giue it in such aboundance and full measure that by the vertue thereof we shall be able to pray according to the wil of God This is the coÌ„forter which Christ promised to sende vnto vs euen the holy Ghost which should teach vs all things And without it wee know nothing And alas what were it for vs to fall downe before God in most reuerent outwarde maner pouring foorth a huge heap of words from the lippes not hauing this inward director Surely it were but to spend time to no purpose It is the Spirit that crieth in our hartes Abba father The spirit of a man knoweth only the things that are of man but the Spirite of God knoweth and desireth the things that are of God And the naturall man perceiueth not the things of the spirit of God for they are folishnesse vnto him But he that hath the spirit of God he discerneth all things Let vs therefore pray in the holy Ghost let vs pray alwaies with all maner prayer and supplications in the Spirite And let vs pray continually for the ayde of this sacred guide the holy Spirit of God which will both mooue vs vnto and direct vs in all things that are requisite to the due performance of this godly exercise The prayer for the ayd of Gods Spirite FOrasmuch deare Father as euery man liuing is of him selfe before thee as a beaste neither knowing thee nor the thinges concerning their owne duties vnto thee I as one of the most peruerse filthy and corrupt doe here humble my selfe before thee begging at thy hands that which thou hast promised to giue vnto as many as ask it of thee thine holy spirit that sacred comforter which reuealeth thee and thy will to the simple and ignorant which also stirreth vp the minds and inward affections of thy children to call vpon thee it prepareth the hartes and openeth the mouthes of thy children to celebrate thy name Bestow it therfore good father bestow it vpon me thy poore creature and vpon all thy children And graunt that although all of vs are of corrupt affections and of polluted lippes yet we may bee besprinkled with that heauenly Isope that wee therby may haue our harts cleansed from the corrupt affections of the world and the eyes of our vnderstandings opened that we may see the good things that we should aske that our feet which are fettered with the cares of vaine things may be set at libertie that we may walk the right way vnto the kingdome of heauen that the hands of our soules may apprehend and take hold of the riches and righteousnes of thy son Christ Jesus And that by the aide of the saine spirite we may cast of all impediments lets and incumbraÌ„ces that detaine vs from comming vnto thee Sanctifie mee within and without wash me and I shall be whiter then snowe Let thy truth and thy spirit meet together in my soule that my praier may enter into thy presence And that thine eares may incline vnto my humble petitions so shall I declare thy louing kindnesse in the morning and thy truth in the night Thou knowest whereof we be made thou forgettest not that we are but dust vnprofitable people not fitte apt or able of our selues to pray vnto thee or praise thy name Wherefore good Father enlighten vs and teach our hartes rightlie to coÌ„ceiue our tongues freelie to speake what may be to thy glory and our comfort allure vs to seeke thee and graunt that our harts may reioyce in thee and that we may liue and die in thee Amen Let vs now seeke the Lord let vs seeke his strength yea let vs seeke his face continually Psal. 105 4. O Lord increase our faith A motion to prayer for Queene Elizabeth FOrasmuch as experience it selfe teacheth that as an euill Prince draweth the greatest parte of his subiects vnto the same profession and course of life which the Prince professeth and taketh and so the Prince and people as it were bound vnto sinne passe together in the way of death so the good and godly prince both by good example of life and by sacred lawes enciteth and winneth his people to the heauenly course which tendeth to the obtaining of freedome of soule and body to life eternall And as the former is sent in iudgement vnto a people for their punishment and his long continuance to be lamented so is the other giuen as a blessing and a most speciall token of the loue of God for whose long and prosperous raine euery subiect is in dutie bound louingly zealously and faithfully to pray vnto God If so what haue we to say what haue we to do and what haue we to think of our gracious Queene chosen of the Lord him selfe and miraculously preserued and louingly giuen vs for our most speciall good by whome wee haue the freedom and libertie of the Gospel which is the path to our heauenly hearts ease which before her days we knowe was stopt by with the briers and thornes of persecution and death and nowe laide open againe as a most euident token that the lord by her sacred gouernment will lead the people through the wildernes of all the diuisions hurliburlies tumults in this world and to that end hath raisd vp manie zealous graue and religious Counsellors and godly ministers who do direct the whole progresse and marching on of her obedient people in the path of a godly profession of the word of God wherby at length they shal com to that pleasant land of knowledge wher they shall euen in this life enioy the heauenlie harts ease the peace of a good conscience without reproofe Therefore it is most expedient that we should call to minde our duties which we ow vnto her Maiestie not only in regard of y â— commandement which Paule setteth down to Timothy That supplications praiers intercessions giuing of thaÌ„ks shuld be made for kings and such as are in authority but also in regard of the dayly experieÌ„ce of her most sacred gouernment which is such so gratious as the like benefite hath not beene extended to any nation before vs. And therefore that we may auoid negligence in that behalfe let vs according to the former counsell of Paule pray for her Maiesties prosperous continuance amongst vs. Let vs make intercession for her perseuerance and going on in her sacred dutie to God as she hath begunne and that hee will preuent the euils which her aduersaries maliciously pretend against her And finally let vs giue thankes for her so long comfortable being our nursing mother that shee may so continue if it please God to the shutting vp and finishing of all time vpon the earth that she with vs and we
of the spirite Saue thy selfe go not to Ierusalem to fall into trouble so shall we alwayes couet pleasing thinges but poysonâ—d things as riches preferment honor ease idlenesse negligence in our callinge excesse in buildinges superfluous diet most diuelish attire and what euill accompanieth not this It is thought an easy fault nay no fault to be enuious to bee a glutton to be drunken to be a blasphemer to receiue rewardes against iustice to be partiall in iudgement if it leane but a little awry and especially if it be not seene of men But this liberty of the flesh will be one day restrayned and Gods mercies deteined from such libertines who although they cannot nor will forsake or deny themselues as yet it may please God to rowse them out of this forgetfullnesse strike their hearts with such a feeling of his displeasure that they may cast off their affections of the flesh and measure all their thoughtes woordes and workes by the spirite and therefore it is good to pray vnto the Lorde for his assistance therein knowing this that he that cannot forsake himself and deny himselfe howsoeuer hee flattereth his owne security and integrity wherein he foolishly persuadeth hymselfe that hee followeth Christ he is far from Christ and surely he will say vnto him in the last day I know thee not It is not the buying of a farme the prouing of oxen nor the marriage of a wife that can excuse vs continuing in the flesh and fleshly desires It is not inough to obserue the letter of the law For then wee may still continue manslayers in wrath towards our brethren wee may commit adultery by lusting we may sinne in our communication exceeding yea and nay And therefore must we abstaine from all apparance of euill and in all purity both of soule mind and body through the power and strength of the spirite of God endeuor continually to forsake and deny our selues being made free from sinne let vs become the seruants of righteousnes and let vs giue all our members instruments of righteousnes in holynes and purenes When we were in the flesh sin had power in our members bringing foorth fruites vnto death But now being deliuered from sin we must serue the Lord in newnesse of spirite and not in our old conuersation Ther dwelleth no good thing in our flesh for we may feele continuall rebellions therein which repugne the lawe of the spirite which law giueth strickt commandement against the affections of the flesh and would haue all the corrupt motions therof to be vtterly denied And therfore let vs fight manfully against all euils in what degree so euer they rise against the spirite Wee must carefully watch the doors of our hearts with the weapons of the spirite least that sinne creepe into our inwarde partes which obtayning the consent of our minds yea but a little it will take such aduantage by pleading possession that it will be harde to remoue it And therefore let vs preuent the entry of sinne by mortifying the deedes of the flesh so shall it neuer beare fruite in vs to death And surely if the spirite that raised vp Christ dwell in vs our mortall bodies shall be quickened by the same spirite And so quickned that it shall bring foorth the fruites of true mortification in vs. And then shall we be knowne to be the sonnes of God euen by that badge of denying our selues Let vs pray therefore vnto the Lord that he wil sanctifie vs within that he will make our whole lumpe holy the roote and the branches holy If our heartes be pure all our actions will likewise be pure We must hunger and thirst for righteousnes if wee will bee blessed with the righteous Wee must runne the race of the godly if we will receiue the reward wyth the godly we must subdue our euils and conquer our corrupt motions as doo the godly if we will bee crowned with the godly We must haue our hearts hands all the partes of our bodies knit together in one consent to the true forsakinge and denyinge of our selues The inward shew and outward affections must concurre in the same so shall we be both outwardly approoued and inwardly assured that wee haue the spirit of trueth and so consequently that we are the Lordes who will alwayes attend our safety if wee thus carrie our selues before him Reade the 15. Psalme learne it and haue it in thine heart and obserue it in thy proceedings and it shall teach thee what it is that is required of thee to become a fit man to enter into the kingdome of God The Prayer for mortification O Righteous God mercyfull Father who art so pure and cleane that there is no euill dwelleth with thee no corruption resteth in thy sight But he that walketh vprightly he that worketh righteousnesse and speaketh the truth from his hart he is accepted with thee such a one thou louest such a one thou receiuest and such a one shall rest in thy holy hill But on the contrarie hee that walketh after his owne hearts desires hee that yeldeth vnto the corrupt motions of flesh and bloud and cloaketh iniquitie vnder the shew of godlinesse such a one doest thou hate such a one doth thy soule abhorre and such a one shall not come neere thee hee may pray and shall not be heard he may cry and call but thou wilt not helpe him Wherefore my good God sith there is required in all men the sinceritie and true inwarde zeale of the soule and an absolute killing of the motions of the flesh and mortifying af all fleshly affections Looke fauourably vppon me in whome doe dwell an innumerable troope of foolish fantasies a heape of sinfull affections I find and feele that though many times to will be present with me yet to perfoâ—rme is not in my power sinne preuaileth and deathe through sinne swalloweth mee vp so that I rest in darkenesse of sin and that by giuing scope vnto mine owne peruerse will And so long good Father as I dwell in this house of flesh and bloud detayned downe-warde wyth the pleasing and entising things therof I cannot maister my corrupt desires I cannot bridle mine affections but in steede of true mortification I breake out into such outrage by consent of all my members that my affections extend from conceiuing euill to performing of euill from desiring to sinne to commit sinne euen with greedinesse And yet such is my miserable estate being thus in my selfe that flesh and bloud flattereth it selfe and concludeth that whatsoeuer I purpose in an euill desire so that it breake not foorth into open grosse wickednesse that I am holy enough that I am as sincere as is requisite and that I stand too fearefull of thy iudgements when thou knowest that all and euery the least conceite of sin breaking into action in what couert measure or meane degree soeuer it by and by endaungereth my soule and
and bee in the end crowned with the glorious merites of thy Sonne in heauen Amen O Lord increase our faith For the kingdom of God THe God of blis Who faithfull is His sacred word doth send To teach vs all On him to call And to his lawes attend His kingdome pure Which shall indure For euer doth begin In those that know How here below To mortifie their sinne And they that will Imbrace with skill The way that traines to blis Shall quickly see That they shall bee Reformde from things amiâ— O God aboue Looke thou in loue On all that long to see Thy sauing health Thy heauenly wealth And glorious kingdome free Thy kingdome show To vs below That wander here awâ—y Direct our feete Thy statutes sweete To vs thy folke discrie Oh be not slacke But what we lacke With speede let vs obtaine For thou doest feede Such as haue neede Thou dost no poore disdaine A short Prayer for the obtaining of the kingdome of God OH Father mercifull euerlasting be mercifull vnto vs and giue vnto vs a feeling of thy blessed will open vnto vs the waye of true knowledge prepare our steppes to walke a right that in all the course of our liues we may be guided aright and sauour more of heauenly then of earthly thinges And let our whole delight be to meditate righteousnesse Let vs imbrace equitie and execute iustice let vs abounde in loue mercie sanctitie and true holines furnish vs largely with al spiritual graces wherby we may continually seeke thine euerlasting kingdome and practise the righteousnesse thereof for euermore illuminate our vnderstandinges by thy spirit and let thy word be our whole comfort and the vse thereof our continuall delight And abandon from our thoughts all superfluous cares of worldly thinges that we may shew our selues by a continuall holye meditation of thee and things aboue may vse the thinges of this life as if we vsed them not knowing this and assuring our selues by thy promises that if we seeke and couet to haue our conuersation on things spirituall all carnall thinges expedient shall be giuen vs by thee to whom be praise for euer Amen O Lord increase our faith A short Prayer for Mortification OH Lord mightie and mercifull who didst create man in the beginning simple sincere pure and without sinne in which is innocencie he then represented thine owne image who art pure and without spot of sinne yet such was man that he fel from thee by disobedience whereby hee corrupted his waies and became farre vnlike vnto thee defiled with all vanities wherein alas we all of vs wallow the most with greedinesse and all in ouermuch neglect of our duties wherefore most deare fâ—ther in Jesus Christ create in vs new thoughts new affections and new wils shape in vs true obedience that we all may mortifie and kill all sinne and vaine inclinations which in vs rise vp against thee Let sinne no longer heare rule in vs But let thy grace more and more abounde that all that wee doe thinke or speake may be sauouring of our godly desires of heauen and heauenly things And let all earthly and carnall delightes become of no price in our heartes that so we may bee approued not onely before men to bee as wee ought but to thee to be as thou requirest in Christ Jesus our Lord. O Lord increase our faith A most necessarie Motion to a Prayer tending to the comforte and preseruation of the Church of Christ worthy to bee dulye considered in these dayes THere is none so ignorant I trust but well knoweth and is fully satisfied that our good God by the operation of the Spirite through the preaching of his woorde hath gathered together a greate multitude of people out of all partes of the worlde whome hee hath endued with the knowledge of himselfe and whom he hath chosen sincerely to serue him to call on his holy name and to celebrate his praises in this worlde which companie of people though farre and neere scattered hee hath so vnited and knit together in one faith in one baptisme and in one sincere course of doctrine taught and left vnto vs by Christ our sauiour That he our sauiour disdaineth not to call them his Church in whome hee will bee serued and in whose hearts and soules hee vouchsafeth to dwell euen by his holy spirite hee disdaineth not to accept this Church as his spouse and wife affording himselfe to be her husband he is the head and this faithfull companie the meÌ„bers This church of God is holy it is sanctified in Christ Iesus and euery member thereof is a saint by calling Whosoeuer is of this fellowshippe and companie is trulie ioyned vnto that head Christ Jesus is so seperated from the wicked that he liueth in Christ and Christ in him And forasmuch as we al know that Christ our sauiour when he came in the flesh and beeing present in the world though he were Lord of all became as a seruant humbling himselfe and was of no reputation among men but was scorned derided whipped spit at and in most base manner abused and at last hee was crucified yet was hee pure innocent stedfast patient faithfull and did loue his enemies and prayed for them All this he did and suffered to the end that his Church and euerie member thereof should learne of this their head and be guided by this their husband how and in what course to carrie themselues in this present world And for that man of himselfe is ignorant and weake â—he hath left his owne example for his children to follow and his spirit to guide this his Church that it steppe not aside to an vnknowne husband But that in all obedience they shoulde performe what hee commandeth and carefully auoid what he forbiddeth Christ beeing now ascended and sitting in the heauens at the right hand of his father hath left this his Church as his image heere in earth to be scorned scoffed whipped afflicted persecuted eueÌ„ massacred murthered and spoyled by the enemies of his crosse And euerie member of this Church must lay downe his account before hand and reckon what it will cost him and he shall finde that it will amount vnto no lesse than persecution trouble enemies and euen death it self if he wil truely follow his maister Christ. And this portion is the very badge whereby his Church and the true members therof are known It is the touch stone and triall of our professions And to the ende that wee may the more exactly follow him hee commandeth vs to forsake our seâ—ues and to take vp his crosse and patientlie abide and beare whatsoeuer triall shall be laid on vs by his enemies who if they spared not him being the head they will not forbeare the members If they called him euen our maister Belzabub what reproch will they not giue vs if they crucified the Lord of glory much more will
And heerein it is required that we be poore in spirit to hunger thirst for righteousnes to be meke to be mercifull to be pure in hart and gladly Suffer persecution for righteousnes sake We must be louing liberall pittifull patient in troubles and in all thinges wee must frame and conforme our wordes workes and thoughts to doe the will of our heauenly father To him we must fall downe to be strengthened in faith without which we cannot reteine this kingdome the liuely and effectuall word which that it may bee purely preached without fraud deliueâ—â— without vaine glory receiued and practised without faltring or fear we must pray vnto our God who hath promised and will perfourme to send vs his ayde to keepe vs vpright in this glorious path to eternall life And wee must pray vnto him that hee will make our vnderstandinges capable of the trueth of his will and what hee requireth at our handes in seekinge of this hys kingdome That he wil frame our liues in all simplicity of faith submitting our selues wholy vnto his word casting downe our own imaginations and euerie proude conceit of our selues that through meekenesse in true knowledge and obedience we may be made meete partakers of the euerlasting kingdome of God Hauing obtained this spirituall feeling of the will of God in his word and being sealed vp through faith in a longing desire for al spirituall perfection let vs proceede to the execution of our callinges which may aunsweare the commaundement of God heerein Let vs continually seeke new and dayly meanes by hearing the woorde preached by stirring vp one of an other and by giuing sacred examples of vertue and godlynesse that our callings may bee made sure to be founded and established in this kingdome Then may wee freely approach vnto our God and he will receiue vs we may cal on him and he wil heare vs we may beg of him and he wil giue vs al things necessary for body and soule Hee is our almighty king and he will defende vs he is our mercifull God and he will relieue vs and hee is our mercifull father and he will feede vs cloath vs and teach vs. And at last he wil crowne vs with the glorie of his sonne hee will make vs as the saintes in heauen and we shall receiue the inheritance of euerlasting blisse And therefore let vs seeke and praie vnto him that wee may obtaine this principall and chiefe foundation of all true comfortes in this life the kingdome of his Sonne Christ Jesus The prayer for the kingdome of God O Most gracious God and louing father it hath pleased thee to commaund vs first before all things to seeke thy kingdome and the riches righteousnes thereof with promise that then al things necessary for body and soule shal be giuen vs wherfore good father sith that our vnablenes is such that we cannot attaine vnto this high matter of our selues vouchsafe to prepare our heartes that at this time and alwaies wee may aboue all things hunger and thirst for this righteousnesse the absolute meane of our true comfort without which all our comfort is but care our wisdome but foolishnes our glory but shame our riches but pouertie our godlines impietie and all our praiers sin Wherefore good father I humbly praye thee in the behalfe of all thy children that thou wilt poure into our hearts a godly consideration of our imperfections not being endued with this absolute integrity that we may see our pouerty nakednes not being enriched cloathed with this riches weedes of sanctitie that wee may feele how ready we are to pine for want of this foode of our soules thy sacred woord the glorious Gospell of Christ wherein consisteth this heauenly kingdome which kingdome O Lord teach vs to find Endue vs with thy holy spirit poure into our harts that sacred gift which thou hast left for our comfort to leade vs to this kingdome that may direct vs in all truth that may manifest in vs the knowledge and exercise of thy word wherein resteth that spirituall happinesse which heere by faith we see as a shadow farre off which one day shall be manifest to our absolute ioy and saluation In the meane time good Father sanctifie our hearts with heauenly contemplations and sanctified meditations that our ioye which now is but in part may be dayly enlarged through the diuine fruites of loue to thy law faith in thy promises and of hope that our ioy shall be full at the appearinge of thy sonne So shall the kingdome of thy sonne appeare in vs and wee which wander in the darknesse of this polluted worlde shall appeare manifestly to bee the heires of thy kingdome through faith testified by the fruites of a sanctified life And to the end good father that thy kingdome may dayly more and more appeare and increase graunt free and comfortable passage to thy word and Gospell of Christ that it may be plainely purely and plentifully preached And vouchsafe to increase the number of the laborers in this worke who may faithfully and diligently worke therein That through the same thy people which now sit in darknes may be enlightened that such as are farre off may come neere and they that are without at thy good pleasure may be brought into this kingdome â—hat wee may all put on that sanctifâ—ed garment of a new life and sincere conuersation which may approoue vs to bee thy children and Citizens of thy kingdome and that as becâ—mmeth thy sonnes we may be reformed in our liues Giue vs thine holy Spirite that wee may beleeue thy worde and therby so direct our liues that we in all vertuousnes godlines of conuersation may finish our course vpon earth And afterward liue with thy Sonne in eternall blisse And seeing thy kingdome is not meat and drink neither consisteth in ceremonies and traditions deuised by man neither commeth it with obseruations neither is it in word but in righteousnesse and peace and ioy in the holy Ghost and in power Graunt that wee all may bee truely regenerate and borne new by the holy spirite and may no longer spend the dayes of our liues in the lusts of the flesh in the vanities of the mind and in pride of life But may eleuate and raise vpwarde all our affections euen vnto thy holy hill from whence commeth the life wherein we liue the helpe whereby wee stand and the power wherby we are defended And be thou present good Father in al readines to support vs being weak to releeue vs being poore and to traine vs vp in all heauenly knowledge being altogether ignorant And let euerie of thy children that thirst after that righteousnes bee filled with all good thinges within and without that wee may goe forwarde in dayly exercise of pietie and godlines in knowledge in faith in loue in hope and in true zeale that we may liue within the compasse of thy fatherly protection die in thy loue
children and so enchant them with their counterfet holines that many through their hypocrisie should be deceiued Many such haue in our dayes risen vs and haue caried great shew of being of the flocke of Christ but by their actions haue shewed them selues verie deuourers of the sheep of Christ and haue sought to suck the bloud of his saints of which kind of deceiuers there are manie kindes and they most subtile and wilie in their generation therefore it behooueth the children of God to be carefull watchfull and obedient vnto the wil and word of God which is the line wherby we must direct our course to sayle aright vnto the harbour of the heauenlie truth Wee must touch the compasse of our heartes with the loadstone of truth wherby we shal be able to eleuate all our affections vnto the heauenly day star Christ Jesus that no counterfet stone of mans deceitful opinions shal draw vs from the course vnto our heauenly harbour the kingdome of God wher we shall enioy our true and heauenly hearts ease euen in this life Let vs therefore pray that we be not miscarried by the deceits of the wicked pilot sathan whose directions are meerely indirect and whole sailes are deecitfull being glorious to the eye and the barke wherein he carrieth his vnhappie passengers seemeth to be a most secure cradle gliding on without tempest or waue vntill it come to the end of their race where alas they fall into the gulfe of perpetuall perdition such a maister is he and such mariners are his false Prophets that they delight flesh and bloud and all their course seemeth sweete but short and soure merchandize shall they haue that passe in the pinnise of his poisoned errours Let vs therefore be watchful and flie his painted poyson for wee may be soone miscarried if we enter but one step into this course Let vs cal to mind that Paul hath forewarned vs of a very perillous gulf wherin without great watchfullnes and praier we may easilie fall and that is into peruerse opinions drawn thereinto by such as should enter in euen amongst our selues yea of our selues eueÌ„ of the fellow teachers in our congregations that should speake peruerse things yea and draw disciples after them The strength of whose inchantments we haue seene euen in our owne Church of England whose peruerse doctrines might be recited but more fitlie omitted the spirite speaketh euidently that in the latter tunes some shall depart from the faith and shall giue heede vnto spirits of error and doctrines of deuels which speak lies through hipocrisie and haue their consciences burned with an hot iron Let vs harken vnto the worde of the Lord unbrace it Therfore let vs couet in all obedience and meekenes to be taught the trueth pray for vnderstanding and fulfilling of the same that we may bee able to discern these false prophets dreamers of dreames of whome Moses also forewarned the children of Israel willing them not to hearken vnto the idle fantasies of men who prophecie vnto vs lies and teach vs vanitie that speake the visions of their owne hearts and that teach those things that they themselues haue inuented of their owne brains and which they haue not learned out of the word of the Lord and yet say The Lord hath said it being puffed vp and yet know nothing but doting about questions and strife of wordes whereof commeth enuie strife raylings euill surmisings c. And yet feare not nor blush to make the Lord of heauen the authour of their lies and vanities who beeing enemies of God very traytors against his crowne kingdom and dignitie sticke not to collour their deuilish practises peeuish opinions and grosse errours with the worde of God when indeede the worde of God bewrayeth them confuteth them and confoundeth them Are not these false apostles deceitfull workers saith Paule transforming them selues into the Ministers of Christ and into his Apostles Such a strong deceiuer arose of late euen yesterday that hideous Hacket stirred vp by Sathan who was traÌ„sformed into no lesse in arrogation of title then into Christ himself hauing on a kinde of habite of holinesse his heart fraught with a â—egion of Deuilles who poured out mightie blasphemies against God high treasons against her innocent Maiestie and most detestable practises against his countrie And yet a Christ nay a cursed caitife in whom was performed the saying of Christ our Sauiour that there should arise false Christes that should showe such strength of errour that if it were possible the very elect should be seduced by them And surely it is dangerous for the weaker sort to touch them in discourses in disputations or any coÌ„ference vnles it please god to arme them strongly with the sword of the spirit that by the sword of truth they may bee enabled to confound them in their argumentes for the very true Christians may often fall through frailtie in some conceit of thinges euill to be good and good things to be euill and speciallie when it shall carrie collour of Godlynesse to conceiue it so And manie times it falleth out that euill things carry collour to preach vnto vs good as in the adherents of this wicked man the two Gentlemen that were deceiued by him and drawne to enter into an vnlawfull action that that action carried collour of loue in that they preached repentance vnto their countrie it carried collour of Religion in that they preached as Messengers sent from God But see howe all these gay showes were mingled with mischeifes tending to stirre vp vprores and tumults among the people and to raise an euill opinion and disloyaltie in the subiectes towards her Maiesty moreouer it tended to enuie and wicked zeale to bring Magistrats into contempt All which preach vnto vs that it is time for al estats to looke about them to be watchfull and to be ready to stand in the day of trial for these are persecutions raised against the highest euen by such as are with vs in some outward shewes but not of vs as the issue of their workes declare but in my poore opinion this their preaching publisheth vnto vs gods displeasure for ouermuch security If they being false Prophets preach vnto vs repentance it is time for the true Ministers of God to crie out for repentance for God many waies preacheth vnto vs repentance and amendment of life And because the deuill to an euill purpose preacheth that which may admonish vs let vs vse the meanes to learne howe to amende what is to be amended so shall we tread him and his purposes vnder our feete and God himselfe will send preachers to publish his pleasure and to declare his truth with warraÌ„t of his word whose exhortations shall not be by deceit nor by vncleannes nor by guile but as they were allowed of God and to whom the Gospell being committed they shall speake not as they that please men but God
lamented and an establishment of concord amongst our selues to be sought and hartily prayed for The word warranteth our obedience vnto Magistrats therfore woe be vnto him that wil teach vs contrarie doctrine Let vs indeuor to performe our duties and giue vnto God that which is Gods vnto Caesar that which belongeth vnto Caesar. And for the controuersie of the inequalitie of Church gouernours it is to bee considered that there are seuerall functions in the Church and euerie function hath his seuerall person and place let vs therfore pray that euery person may measure his calling by the word and limit his superiority or inferiority as they are therein directed then shall not the people of God want their due food in regard of humane contentions Oh that euery one woulde enter into his owne conscience and as much as in him lieth cast away all carnall consideration and what the word of God warranteth let him holde and giue no grounde to the cauillers and shun the contrary And for vs that are the common people that must expect to be fed by the ministery let vs pray for their vnitie and that God will giue them humble spirits vigilant and watchfull eyes knowledge loue zeale and constancie that the false prophets may be abandoned and the true ministers of God bee esteemed and imbraced as the Ministers of God Let vs obey them that haue the ouersight of vs and submit our selues for they watch ouer oursoules as they that must giue accounts that they may do it with ioy and not with griefe for that is vnprofitable for vs knowing that false prophets are the enemies to the crosse of Christ whose end is damnation whose God is their bellie whose glory is their shame which mind earthly things If any man therfore purge himself from these he shal be a vessel of honor and sanctified and meet for the Lord. And therfore let euery man pray vnto God that they may all speake one thing that there may be no dissentions amongst vs but we may bee knit together in one mind and in one iudgment so shal the glorie of God appeare and our Church prosper The Prayer against false Prophets errors and Schismes and for increase of Christianitie FOrasmuch good Father as the â—atter times of the â—orlde are come vpon vs and we are by thy diuine prouidence alotted vnto these dangerous and euil daies wherein as we haue bene foretold many false prophets and peruerse teachers dreamers of dreames and lying Apostles are risen vp and Sathan that wicked serpent hath turned himselfe into an Angell of light and his Ministers into the forme of thy Sonne Christ and his Apostles wherby hee endeuoureth to continue his kingdome and to hinder the passage of thy diuine word to exalt errour to stop the truth to confirme vanitie and to blemish thy word And forasmuch also good father as that man of sin the son of perdition heretofore foretolde to come is alreadie come and hath established his seate of pride and sendeth abroade his lying Ministers to seduce such as haue not sufficient taste of thy worde and whome thy grace directeth not to beware of his wicked practises Graunt oh mercifull God that we may through the assistance of thy diuine spirite be wise in thee and be so guided by thee that the deceiuing deuises of these lying spirits withdraw not our minds hearts and soules from the true imbracing of thy sacred worde Grant O Lord that wee wander not from the path of thy heauenly kingdome but may constantly and firmely perseuere in thine infallible trueth vnto the ende and may banish all errors and shew of falshoode and abide in the vnitie of thy true Church and Christian religion for euer let no deceitfull thing miscarrie vs let not the craft and subtiltie of Sathan nor the hypocriticall habite of holinesse wherewith many of the children of perdition are clad to deceiue the simple and true of heart preuaile with vs. Defend vs good father from erroneous sectes and let vs not in any sorte ioyne with the schismes diuisions of the world for good Father as they are many so are they in many sorts dangerous for they all carie shewe of truth some mixed with the truth and all of them defended for a truth in so mâ—ch as the trueth it selfe is little yea least of all maintayned but suppressed persecuted and vpbrayded eueÌ„ with the titles of error heresie falshood noueltie cause of tumults of rebellioÌ„s and contempt of Magistrates and such like persecutions which how contrarie it is thou knowest It is hard therefore vnlesse thou vouchsafe the light of thy holy spirit to discerne betweene these and as hard to stande without beeing seduced through their subtilties send downe therefore thy grace and direct vs in thy truth and gather vs together in one sound profession enable vs to conceiue aright the things that belong vnto saluation and keepe vs from such as come into the Church in sheeps clothing but are inwardly rauening wolues which spare not thy flocke but cruelly deuoure thy beloued sheep with the poyson of erronious doctrine and roote out the tares cockle and darnell of error already sowne from the good seed of thy word And forasmuch good father as the case standeth so that who so will professe thy name and seeke to sanctifie the same in a sincere and right course of life not bending his affections or yeelding liking to the wicked course of this world in whose proceedinges standeth but the shadow without the substanciall fruite of sinceritie cannot wade through this vale full of confused corruptions but he shall fall into the hands of such as carrie the titles of Christians will yet seeke Antichristianlie to impose themselues against him with y â— bitternesse of their vpbraydings to quaile if it were possible and to discomfite nay to seduce euen the faithfull from the sincere seruice of thee And this deere Father is dangerous vnto the weak and feeble ones wherefore giue vs aide and strength that we slide not by their slipperie practises from a constant perseuerance in the inuiolable truth but rather may with all willingnes not only lay down our goods all naturall respects but euen life it selfe rather than to shew our selues as broken bowes to start aside with euerie blast of vaine doctrine and thereby be carried away into vanitie and errour And according vnto thy promise vouchsafe that whensoeuer any of thy children for the testimonie of their faith in thee and for their ardent zeale in thy word shall be apprehended reprooued or exacted before Princes or rulers howsoeuer vnlearned or vnable they shall be in respect of deepe literature or worldly wisedom thine holie spirite may enlighten their vnderstandings giue knowledge vnto their heartes and vtterance vnto their lips that they may be able to speake defend thy truth to the vtter confutation of such false teachers as shall withstande the same giue them alâ—o knowledge and boldnesse
shal we sleep vnlesse we betake vs into the hands of God when we go to bed It is a matter of great moment little regarded of worldly men But the children of God farre otherwise betake themselues to their corporall rest for they make their sleepe an image of their death and their bed they enter into as into their graue and in the morning when the sun and light appeareth they take a new occasion when they rise to contemplate of the celestiall and eternall light glorifying the name of God for his most gratious protection And therefore arise now all yee seruants of the Lord cry out in the night poure out your hearts like water before the face of our liuing God The Prayer for the Euening I Thanke thee good God and most mercifull father whose prouidence reacheth vnto the least of thy creatures and thy fauour and loue alwaies wait vpon thy children to preserue them thou hast executed thy sacred comforts towards me this day thou hast giuen me all things necessary and hast suffered none euill to annoy me And by thy mightie working I haue passed this day and am now come to the ende thereof entring into the dark and lothsom night wherin many dangers lurk and lie secretlie hidden to vexe thy children if thou preuent them not in thy wisedome and loue Haue regard therefore good Father vnto mee who am fraile and soone fall into many things offensiue vnto thy Maiestie and the right is often polluted with my sinnes insomuch as I cannot but accuse my selfe before thee that my sleepe cannot be iustified to be pure but euen therein by dreames fantasies of the flesh and many vaine temptations I am often mooued to consent vnto that which thou lothest and can in no wise then performe what thou louest Sith therfore my good father that I through my sinnes deserue no fauour but punishment I appeale vnto thy mercy in Christ beseeching thee for his sake to annoint the eies of my heart with the oyle of thy grace that though the naturall man slumber and in slumbering fall away by weaknes yet my soule may be refreshed this night with diligent watchfulnes least that the aduersarie sowing therein the tares of temptation I giue consent to sin and so endanger both body soule by my negligence Good Father pardon my sinnes for thy names sake be merciful vnto me receiue me this night into thy custodie and safe protection let thy grace comfort me and let thy continuall fauour defend me from all perils And in thy loue vouchsafe me such comfortable rest as thou shalt see expedient for the refreshment and preseruation of the helth of my bodie which els cannot but waxe feeble and be made subiect to such infirmities as I shall not be able to execute my dutie vnto thee In thy name therfore good Father I yeeld my selfe vnto my rest wherein let thy holy spirit keepe the doore of my hart and thy holy Angels attend about my bed for my safetie for Christ Jesus thy deare sonnes merits Amen O Lord increase our faith Before we goe to bed The Lorde will graunt his louing kindnesse in the day and in the night will we sing of him euen a prayer vnto the God of life Psal. 42. 8 OH Father ful of might and loue our castle and our stay Who rulest with thy power aboue The darksome night and day The day is thine and night also thou rulest with thy hand Both which were made for man we know and so was sea and land The sea and land and all the things therein which thou hast plast Thou gauest vs madst vs kings to vse them till the last Which blessings Lord this day we haue most richlie had froÌ„ thee Blesse â—â—ke this night good Lord we craue keep vs froÌ„ danger free Preserue vs when our drousie sleep our bodies shall possesse And let not Sathan creepe into nor our poore soules oppresse But let thy grace preuent his ire let nothing vs annoy Let faith preuaile let him retire and we good rest enioy Tremble and sinne not examine your owne hearts vpon your bed and be still Psal. 4. 4. O Lord increase our faith Hauing thus farre proceeded in our progresse wee must be forced to take vp our standing-house and for a time abide in the earthly mansions of our bodies before we can attaine vnto the end of our iourney and be fully possessed of that absolute heauenly hearts ease In which standing house we must consider how wee ought to carry our selues towards our Queene the head and gouernour of this houshold IT is a common matter and necessary for Princes and great estates vpon their repaire vnto any house wherin they purpose to make any small abode to take order that the same be cleansed swept garnished perfumed and set in decent and pleasing order as well for healths sake as for somelines pleasure and delight But much more it behoueth vs that haue taken by our lodgings and abiding places in these our mortall bodies to take order with our affections wils and dispositions that our conuersations be in such decent comely sweete and comfortable order disposed that our soules be not annoyd with the filth and stincke of our corruptions while we abide in the same but rather that our soules may be delighted with the sweete odours and sacred perfumes of sanctitie and spirituall graces Wee must therefore like vnto good Surueyers and ouerseers of our owne buildings carefully endeuour that all the noysome places within our building be clensed and the contagious sincks and vnseemely filth and rubble which disgrace or annoy the same be cast out and swept And aboue all we must looke into the heart for there lieth infinite filthines and vnles it be carefully seene vnto it wil hardly be throughly clensed for the hart is the place that is most deceitfull and wicked yea aboue all the other parts of the bodie and therfore it is demaunded who can know it In so much as the Prophet argueth that the heart is so subtil and deceitfull that vnles we most narrowly search it there will lye hidden filthinesse corruption when we thinke it is well swept and garnished It is a dangerous thing for vs to flatter our selues in our hearts saying our hearts are cleane and we shal haue peace and yet the filthines of sin rest in vs and y e roote that bringeth foorth gall and wormewood groweth in our willes behauiour But we must circumcise our hearts we must cut off all peruerse corrupt affections and purge vs of all iniquitie wherein we must craue the assistance of y e spirit of God which will purifie our hearts And hee that will not thus endeuour to cleanse this most filthie part of his house but resteth stiffe-necked and as it were of an vncircumcised hart and eare not forsaking his old wicked conuersation neither will heare wheÌ„ God speaketh vnto him he doeth as it were
resist the holy Ghost And his filthines will so infect his poore soule euen with the leprosie of iniquitie that he shall neuer bee suffered to enter into the sweete habitation of eternall hartes ease All the filthy desires and lustes of the fleshe lye hidden in the hart adultery witchcraft hatred debate emulation wrath contention sedition heresies enuie murthers drunkennes gluttony and such other filthy annoyances which vnless they bee swept out and cast off they will infect the whole house of our bodies with such vnsauery and noysom pollutions y t our mouthes will be defiled with cursing lying and bitternesse our eyes with lust our handes with touching vncleane thinges our feete shall not bee able to walke the way of righteousnesse but take the waye of sinne and all the whole howse of our earthly tabernacle shall bee so inuironed with filthinesse that all our progresse will bee turned to our disprofite and our hearts ease to heart sore Wherefore let vs cast away al the dregs of y e old Adam which is vnrighteousnes wherein wee sometime walked and let vs deeke vs with the workes of the new man which is renued in knowledge after the image of Christ who is the way in whome we must walke the truth which we must imbrace and the life wherein we must liue for euermore which way as it is pure cleane sweete and without turning so must we be pure cleane and without sin not turning back vnto iniquitie And as that truth is vnchangeable plaine and without deceit so must we be simple constant faithfull and as that life is without all blemish euerlasting and neuer ending so must we be quickned liuing without all blemish and spot of sin in righteousnes holines for euer Therefore let vs consider what are the principall and chiefe ornaments to bewtifie this our mansion house being thus swept and clensed from the former filthines that when we shall remoue from this our earthly tabernacle we may take that way depart hence in that truth and so for euer liue in that life Christ Jesus who will bring vs vnto his heauenly habitation the absolute end of our progresse and the full accomplishment of our heauenlie hearts ease Let vs then consider that as the filthines which we haue cast out was most vgly filthy and noysome vnto vs because they were the works of the flesh which bring foorth death So we must adorne vs with sanctitie and holines the works of the spirit which will be a most comely bewtifying of these our houses of claie and leade vs vnto life We must now therefore sweeten and perfume our hearts with loue with ioy with inward peace with long suffering gentlenes goodnes faith meekenes temperance and all godly conuersation casting away all desire of vaine glory not prouoking one another nor enuying one another that being dead to sin and liuing to God we may declare the same in this our standing house by an innocent and sanctified life Hauing thus clensed our houses from filthines and corruptions of the flesh and decked the same with the ornaments of the spirite It is necessarie that wee should proceede to the execution of our callings according to the rule of the diuyne word knowing this that wee liue not vnto our selues but vnto god not for our selues but for our brethren for whose sakes wee are bound to trauell in our callings to execute our offices and functions as becommeth vs that our calling in Christ may bee made sure euen in this life There are in euery body many members and euery member hath his seuerall place office and function Euery kingdome is a body wherein there is a gouernour and people as subiects to be gouerned wherein also are many Magistrates as the principal members of that bodie and also there are inferiour members preserued and defended by the more glorious Euery familie is a body where is a father and where commonly are children where are maisters there are seruants All these hauing seuerall offices and places in this standing house of our Common weale must euery one proceede to the performance of his calling in such sort as there bee not any disorder or anie complaining in our streetes Wee are humblie to thanke our God that hee hath established our heade in such comely sort and endued her with all vertues aunswerable vnto her high function yea we may sing vnto our Queen Elizabeth the Queene of Sabaes songe which she made of the happie gouernment of Salomon Happie are thy men may wee say happy are these thy seruantes which stande here before thee and heare thy wisedome Blessed bee the Lord thy God which loued thee to set thee in the Throne of Englande because the Lorde loued Englande for euer and made thee Queen to do equitie righteousnes It is verified in her That the king by iudgment maintaineth the country How haue we the poore members of this body whereof she is the head beene maintayned preserued conducted and blessed in her gouernement No nation hath tasted the like benefites by peace by plentie by health and especially which is most sweete by the continuall vse of the worde of God whereby hath beene discried most filthie drosse and dregges and the rubble of errors which in former time stuffed vp the house of our land so that we could not walke in the truth without perill And now in great measure swept and cleansed and garnished adorned and beautified with spirituall ornaments of iudgement of equitie of mercie and truth in so much as we may sing that mercie and truth are met togither and righteousnesse and peace haue kissed each other The God of peace preserue her that she may be if it please him our head while we stay in this mansion of the flesh O that there were such a resemblance of performance of duetie in euery of the members as is apparant in the head that the subiects could answere in like sorte for their obedience as her Maiestie for gouernment then should we haue a most comfortable abiding in this our standing house of the flesh then should all the noysome corruptions of enuie malice reuenge gall and bitternesse of the hart be turned into loue meekenesse mercie peace then should we haue no leading into captiuitie no imprisonments no murthers no strife no debate no cause of complaining amongst vs. But we must looke into our dueties and fashion our selues not according to the former deedes of disobedience but as becommeth the seruants of God knowing that we are commanded to obey such as are appointed to rule ouer vs we must submit our selues vnto all manner ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it be vnto her Maiestie as vnto our superiour or vnto gouernours as vnto them that are sent from her for the punishment of euill doers but for the praise of them that do well We are commanded reuerently to vse the Judges and not to
aduersarie that shee thy seruant and we thy people her subiects may still shew our selues thankefull vnto thee for thy protection and couet more and more to serue thee in all truth and holy zeale as becoÌ„meth vs in al things graunt these things good Father in the merites of Jesus Christ our sauiour in whom as thou art well pleased bee pleased to blesse preserue and direct our Queene to comfort defend support vs and either to bring our enemies to a perfect peace in imbracing thy truth with vs or to confound their deuises and power for euer Amen Oh Lord increase our faith A short Confession of our Sinnes MOst gracioâ—s God and louing Father in Jesus Christ pure and holye I Confesse vnto thee mine vnrighteousnes which maketh mee vnworthie to come before thee not onely in regard of mine originall corruption which I traduced from disobedient Adam But in regard of my continuall sinnes and actuall euils which I daylye commit against thee whereby I can not but become offensiue vnto thee and euer loâ—â—â—â—me in thy sacred eyes But a â—s such is mine estate being considered as it is in and of my selfe that I can bring forth no better fruites then the tree of Adams disobedience whose rootes as they are sinne so beare they sinne in me and consequently procure death and destruction But deare Father as by Adam sinne entred and tooke hold of him selfe and all his posteritie So by thy Sonne we are all Justified by our adoption into his righteousnesse of thy free loue If wee take hold of thy promises in him and become obedient as hee is obedient vnto thee And therefore deare Father howsoeuer our corruptions as they are in vs of our selues haue be wrapped vs in bondage to sinne and death let thy Sonnes merites bee vnto vs a sufficient ransome for our euerlasting libertie not onely to come freely vnto the throne of thy grace but in the ende to obtaine the ioyes eternal with him in heauen Amen O Lord increase our faith A motion to a Prayer for the forgiuenes of our sinnes HAuing thus cast our selues downe before our God in true humilitie wherein wee haue acknowledged that we are so polluted with sins and so tyed with the chaines of death that there is no euasion or meane in our selues or by our selues to escape the snares of Sathan that lurketh lik a roaring Lyon seeking whoÌ„ he may deuoure We must now endeuor to findout the meane how to be made at one with and be reconciled vnto our God againe Wherin thus much we are first to consider that as by Adam all men haue sinned and haue deserued death by sinne euen so by Christ we are clensed from sinne and stand againe in the fauour of God the father by faith in him Whom also we haue to be an Advocat to God our heauenly father and he it is that obtaineth pardon for all our sinnes It is the passion and most innocent death of Iesus Christ the immaculate Lambe which is a sufficient reconciliation for our offences And therfore he saith If any man sinne he hath an Advocate with the father euen Iesus Christ the righteous That is if any man acknowledge his offences truely before God and that he is sinfull impure and corrupt and doeth faithfullie submit himselfe vnto the fauour of God in Christ without standing to iustifie himself righteous Such a one hath the benifite of Christes death and such a one shal be partaker of the deserts of Christ wherin he shall obtaine pardon for all his sinnes But he that will not thus throw himselfe downe before the Lorde and crie out against his owne vnworthynes and say that he is a sinner and vnable of himselfe to obtaine remission of sins there is no place of mercy for such a one For Christ came to call not y e righteous such as were in their owne conceit holy pure iust and without sinne but sinners such as did so confesse acknowledge theÌ„ selues to repentance Such sinners as are sorie for their sinnes repent them of their euils such Christ himselfe calleth saying Come vnto me Al ye that labour and are heauy laden and I wil ease you Our God is patient and wold haue no man perish but woulde that al men shuld come to repentance And therefore hee sent his sonne Christ Jesus to giue himselfe a ransome for all that repent and truely beleeue in him We were in bondage and captiuitie and he most franckly tooke vpon him to ransome vs with a great price euen his bloud which bloud he shed for many for the remission of sinnes not for all but for such as truly repent amend their liues for they that runne on still in their sinnes howsoeuer they flatter themselues they are left vnto themselues and the merits of Christ worke not for them his death to them is none aduantage And we therefore must take heed left that we deceiue our selues with this that he is the Lambe of God that taketh away the sins of the world And that thereby euery man in the world is so included euery mans sins by him so taken away without repentance that we haue scope to sinne because hee taketh it away But wee must take hold of his merits by faith which faith will worke in vs a detestation of sinne and adeâ—â—re to reforme euill in our selues and to be reconciled vnto God in amendment of lyfe For it appeareth that the whole world was polluted and defiled with sinne and that the whol world naeded a meane to be cured of that great miserie and to that end came Christ men to saue all that repent and beleeue the Gospel to such is the glad tidyinges of saluation sent as well vnto the Gentile as to the Jewe to the bond as to the free to all people and nations of the world Wherein appered the vnspeakeable loue of God not that we loued him first but that he loued vs and sent his sonne to be a reconciliation for our sinnes It was he that bare our sins in his body on the tree that being dead to sinne should liue in righteousnesse by whose stripes wee are healed Being then healed of this deadlie euil euen of death it selfe let vs speedily repent vnto our good God in hartie repentance casting aside and gâ—uing ouer all the deceitfull workes of darkenesse and let vs pray that he will vouchsafe vs forgiuenes of our sins wherein of long time we haue liued Let vs be earnestlie sorrie that wee haue spent the time past of our liues after the lusts of the Gentiles licentiously and wickedly in wantonnes in lusts drunkenesse gluttony couetousnes in abhominable I do latrie To day if we will heare his voice let vs not harden our hearts But hauing laid open our weaknesse and infirmities with an ardent desire to reforme our liues let vs boldly approch vnto our mercifull God who seeing
vs a farre of namely vnfainedly purposing to amende our liues hee will come with his spirit and meete vs and will imbrace vs with the armes of his loue and will put on vs the robes of his owne righteousnes Loe his mercie is from genâ—â—â—tion to generation to them that feare him And therefore let vs feare no more for we are freely iustified by grace through the redemption that is in Christ Iesus whome God hath set foorth to be a reconciliation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousnes by the for giuenes of our sins that are passed O let vs not therefore despise the riches of his bountifulnesse and patience and long suffering knowing that the bountifulnesse of God leadeth vs to repentance Let vs fall downe before him therefore and he will heare vs vp let vs crie out and he will heaâ—e vs let vs fly vnto him he wil come meet vs imbrace vs. If you sins were as red as skarlet he wil make them as white as snow Therfore wil euery man that is godly make his praier vnto him in a time wheÌ„ he may be fouÌ„d The Lord redeemeth the soules of his seruants and none that trusteth in him shall perish I should haue fainted but that I belieued to see the goodnes of the Lord in the land of the liuing Psa. 〈…〉 The prayer for the forgiue-of sinnes O God of my saluation I haue acknowledged my sins vnto thee I haue not hidden mine iniquities For thus my good God I thought I wil confesse my wickednes against my selfe vnto thee O Lord forgiue the punishment of my sinnes vnto thee O Lord I cry O my strength be not far from me lest that if thou answere me not I be like them that goe downe vnto the pit Remember not the sinnes of my youth nor my rebellions but according to thy kindnesse remember thou me euen for thy goodnesse sake remember thou mee gracious and righteous thou art and thou teachest sinners in the way O turne thy face towards mee let thy louing fauour and mercie euermore be extended for I am miserable sinfull and poore And I come vnto thee the fountaine of all helpe forgiue my sinnes wash me and I shall bee cleane let me taste of thy old louing kindnesse who haste euer bene readie to forgiue euer readie to helpe ready to receiue the complaint of the poore ready to receiue the miserable to imbrace them that returne from their euill ways as appereth by Dauid by Peter by Marie Magdalene and many other who repenting their sinnes haue found fauour Our fathers called vpon thee and thou didst heare them they trusted in thee and wer deliuered they depended vppon thee and were not confounded Wherefor haue mercie vpon mee O God haue mercy vpon me according to thy great mercies and according to the multitude of thy compassions do away mine iniquities O cleanse mee from my secrete sinnes and couer my known sinnes with the righteousnesse of thy Sonne remooue mine iniquities farre away from mee and be not angry with thy seruant for euer O enter not into iudgement with me for if no flesh before thee be iustified what shall become of me who haue â—o highly sinned Lord my God full of mercy I appeale vnto thee I flie vnto thee I rest vpon thee leaue thy displesure against mee and howsoeuer weake and vnable I be to stande in thy presence oh let thy spirit of strength hold me vp and say vnto me feare not for my grace is sufficient for thee I take hold of thy loue and I rest vpon thy fauour in Christ reiect mee not though there bee no good in mee powre downe that absolute good thing euen thy grace and let it direct me to amendement of my corrupt life Thou hast said that thou art wel pleased in Christ thy Sonne in him be thou also pleased with me and receiue mee againe into thy loue through his merites by whome euery sinner receiueth free accesse vnto thee And although I for my part most louing God be a vessell full of faultes and filthynes although I be no more worthy to bee called thy Sonne although I bee a seruant most vnprofitable yea a withered and starued branch who haue lost the quicknes and vigor of thy blessed spirit and am good of mine owne proper nature for nothing but for the fire Yet good Father haue mercy vpoÌ„ me haue patience with me cast me not from thee but rather endue me againe with a new spirite and a liuely feeling of thy pleasure and will and ablenesse to do thereafter that I may fill vp the residue of my daies in sinceritie in holines in righteousnesse and in the due seruice of thee in faith vnfained and in all singlenes of heart and soule that from henceforth insteede of straying from thee I may dwell and bee shrouded vnder the shadow of thy winges that in steede of sinne which heretofore hath miscaried me I may imbrace pietie godlynesse and true zeale and in steed of ignorance whereby I haue gone so long astray I may take hold of the knowledge of thy sauâ—ng truth And let it be as a lanterne vnto my feet a light vnto my pathes that so I may rest safe in thee through a liuely faith which neuer deceiueth And graunt that I may carefully performe what thou likest howsoeuer disliking it be vnto me and may watchfully auoid what thou lothest howsoeuer liking it be vnto me For I acknowledge good father that flesh and bloud sauor nothing of the things belonging vnto saluation but I waite in the spirite for thy louing kindnesse and mercie promised in Christ thy Sonne in whome I am bolde with deepe sighes of the heart to crie Lorde forgiue mine offences remit mine iniquities couer my sinnes and lay not my former euils vnto my charge Good Father giue the knewledge of saluation vnto me and to all thy people by the remission â—f our sinnes through the bowels of thy tender mercies that we may perceiue in our mindes both comfort peace and gladnes of thy holy spirite which may begin a newe lyfe in vs pleasing thee And for the beter perfourming of our duties vnto thee from hencefoorth quench all the corrupt motions of our minds striuing with thy diuine pleasure and restore againe in vs the image of thy deuine light whiche was lost that being thus inwardly renued in our minds we may reforme vs outwardly in our conuersations and may sing aloud vnto thee and may serue thee with gladnes and come alwayes vnto thee with ioy Amen O Lord increase our faith Sing vnto the Lord a new song O Sing vnto the Lord a new song Psal. 96. 1. Sing vnto the Lord and praise his name declare his saluation from day to day vers 2. To the prayse of God for the forgiuenesse of our sinnes WHat shal we do to thee O God for all that thou hast done Whose loue froÌ„ vs remoues y e rod which our offences