deserueth suddaine iudgement And therefore let it please thee that as thy deere sonne through thy surpassing loue hath reconciled all such vnto thy fauor againe that are truely penitent so let thy holy spirite continually worke to the taming of vnbridled flesh and let me by the same spirite neuer leaue more and more to seeke and endeuour to subdue my grosse affections vntill I come to a true and absolute mortification of all tâ—e euils that rise vp in mee so shall I denie and forsake my selfe and follow thee so shall I leaue my selfe and come vnto thee I shal hate my selfe and loue thee I shal conquere my self and serue thee Good Father thou seest that I am most weake and without the continuall woorking of thy grace I can not in any measure suppresse my desires but rather they the more strongly rise in me I cannot denie my selfe but rather I deny the working of grace in me I do not onely not mortifie my sinnes but sinne rather reuiueth and becommeth strong in me insomuch as it bringeth forth fruit not vnto life but vnto death Therefore I beseech thee sanctifie me that I defile not my selfe with the filthinesse of the flesh or fleshly thinges howsoeuer they seeme to please me Let me not be deceiued with the pleasing iudgement of wordly men who affirme sinne to bee no sinne darkenesse to bee light and light to bee darkenesse Atheisme to be religion and sanctitie to be sinne couetousnesse to be good husbandry and charity to be folly hatred and reuenge to be manhoode and loue to bee cowardice swearing to be courage and meekenesse to be madnesse pride to be decencie and comelinesse to bee beastly Oh good Father many are the enormities that rise vp in vs defended not only as things tollerable but as things laudable oh mortifie therfore mortifie these euils let vs no longer be besotted with y e filthy fashions of the corrupt world extinguish the flames of carnall desires represse the raging lusts of the flesh and graunt that we may shun and with due watchfulnesse auoyde all thinges that haue but the apparance of cuil that being thus inwardly subdued I may make outward profession that whatsoeuer I doo it may be simply grounded vpon the truth of a good coÌ„science in singlenesse of the spirite in newnesse of life And let me still retaine this in memorie that I can not follow mine owne will and thy woord I may not impart my affections to the deedes of the flesh and the woorkes of the spirite I can not walke in darknesse and light the way of death and the way of life I cannot serue thee and sinne Direct me therefore good Father direct mee in my whole life and seperate mee from the worlde and worldly things and let me dwell with thee in all godly meditations and contemplations and let mee vse the things in this world as if I vsed them not let mee liue in this life as if I were dead to sinne and beeing thus truelie mortified in the body and quickned in the spirite let mee looke in continuall watchfulnesse for the dissolution of this my mortall bodie that my soule may ascende and in the ende both in soule and bodye I may for euermore enioy the eternall ioyes of heauen Amen O Lord increase our faith This tendeth to a true deniall of ourselues in mortifying our affections whereby we ouer greedily imbrace the pleasures of this world COrrupt and filthy are we all the proudest man is dust No comfort here we liue in thral and linger here in lust The sweetest of delights that we can chuse to please our will what brings it vs who doth not se that pleasures turne to ill Art thou a maÌ„ whose state is great if pompe exalt thy mind What then Thy soul with sin impleat bewraies thy plesures blind A dolefull bell doth wait to ring when thou secure shalt die what song of glory canst thou sing when corpes in graue shall lie What shal auaile thy lofty lookes whereat the poore doe quake And what thy Machauilian bokes whose cursed slights for sâ—ke Thy brauest buildings high in state thy golden gods but dust Thy Thrasoes thy Gnatoes mate no more shall serue thy lust Thy formal friends that fawne on thee please the time for gaine wil sigh in shew but shrink froÌ„ the wheÌ„ most thou groanst in pain The rich aray which here doth make thy stinking carcasse gay Thy foe when thou art gone will take laugh thou in clay No state so strong no man so sure no office or degree Can graunt vs warrant to endure beyond our time we see Why then doth flesh triumph braue it selfe in pleasing daies Yet sinks in sins at last the graue our grosse farewell displaies Oh then in hast and happie time bid all this trash farewell Ye high and low of dung slime to day leaue of to swell Subdue ye pride denie your will now mortifie your lust No share els in Gods holy hill ye haue to hell ye must A motion to Prayer tending to the obtaining of the kingdome of God IT hath pleased Almightie Gâ—D in greate measure of mercye to call vs home vnto him to confesse our sins which although they be great many yet through the abundance of his loue he hath taken them away through the merits of his sonne And onely craueth this that we wil forsake our selues and follow him wherein we are mooued to seeke the Lord our God and to frame our selues to that course that may bring vs wholy vnto him being the fountaine of all goodnes which we can receiue either in soule or body And forasmuch as hee saw the corruptions of our heartes to bee such as they brought forth oftentimes peruerse and contrarie desires tending most especially to worldly and fleshly things He in fauour directed vs especially what to craue at his hands namely To seeke the kingdome of God the riches and righteousnesse thereof And then shall all things necessary both to body and soule bee administred vnto vs. In so much as it appeareth that the foundation of al our petitions tending to bodily reliefe must bee builded not vpon our owne rash conceites as to aske what our naturall disposition will lead vs vnto But to seek the word of God the knowledge of Christ and the things of the body beeing of small moment shall be cast vpoÌ„ vs by the louing prouidence of our good God Although in deede the kingdome of God bee not meate and drincke it coÌ„sisteth not in the outward man as in promotion in riches in beauty in honour in health in friends nor in whatsoeuer pleasures of flesh and bloud no not in ceremonies and traditions inuented by man not in the outward word neyther in whatsoeuer is seene with the external eye But it consisting in spirituall feeling taste and vse in the sincere and pure knowledge exercise and comfort of the Gospell of Jesus Christ perfourming the will of God here in earth
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
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
trauel and go to the play house bowling Allyes Beare gardens Ale houses Tauernes and gaming where they lose their time cōsume their thrift and offende the lawes of God and her Maiesty And the Sabboth day which shoulde bee sanctified with prayer and hearing of the worde is prophaned with these accustomed euils which if they were cast out as vnprofitable in this our earthly abiding place wee should the more sweetely passe on the way to our heauenly harts ease For out of these euils of idlenesse and loytering spring many noysome thinges that blemish our body here as filthines of the flesh drunkennes gluttony swearing and blasphemy forgetfulnes of God and contempt of Magistrates wherewith our abode here being grossely defiled such will be our vnsauery dwelling that our spiritual guest the holy Ghost wil refuse to abide with vs. I herefore O yee men of God whom the spirit of God directeth flie these things and followe after righteousnes godlines faith patience and meekenesse fight the good fight of faith lay holde of eternal life wherunto ye are called haue professed a good profession before many witnesses Keepe on the course ye haue begun without spot vnrebukeable vntil the appearing of our Lorde Iesus Christ who only hath immortalitie and dwelleth in the light that none can attaine vnto whome neuer man saw neither can see Vnto whome be honour and power euerlasting Amen A short praier against errours scismes WE humbly pray thee most merciful father in mercy to looke down vpō the dangerous estate of thy Church which is much pestered infected w t the suds of errour insomuch as it seemeth to be swallowed vp of the perilous inundations of sectes and scismes coined by the subtilties of that wicked one Sathan whose practise is euer from y e fall of Adam to stop the pure proceedinge of the Gospell by the peruerse workes of darkenesse Sanctifie therefore thy children with thine especiall grace and manifest thy truth vnto them that by the light therof they may know how to shape the way to the true seruice of thee And let them be able to discerne betweene truth and errour y t they may be alwaies free from heresies and not be intangled with false doctrine nor defiled w e the lothsome pitch of mans inuentions but being indued with the purity of heauenly knowledge wee may all ioyne together in one truth wherein we may liue and dye and so in Christ thy Sons merites liue with thee in heauen eternally Amen Oh Lord increase my faith A short Prayer in crosses troubles and afflictions OH Father full of mercie and loue in Jesus Christ haue compassion vpon me whome thou hast touched with thy hand of correction Thou hast found me out in my sinnes and beaten me thy hand lyeth heauie vpon me I am not able to sustaine the burden of my miseries I can not but faint in my distresses and run too and fro for help but loe oh Lord my crosses increase and thy anger I can not beare wherefore good Father in Christ haue compassion vpon me recomfort me againe be pleased with me and take thy heauie displeasure from mee and though my sinnes haue deserued more then I can beare the merites of thy Sonne are greater then my sinns And therefore for his sake come againe in loue and by thy mercie and power repayre my decayes relieue my wants and cure my diseases speake the word and it shall be done all things obey thy voyce wherefore blesse thy creatures all to my vse that I may haue them all in this life blessed vnto me and I blessed by thee in Christ Amen O Lord increase our faith A short Prayer that all men may liue vprightly in their calling LOrd God Almightie mercifull pure be pleased in fauour to consider the weaknes of man and so sanctifie vs with thy grace that we may all confesse our sinnes and cry to thee for pardon all acknowledge our weakenes and cry to thee for strength all see our ignorance and come to thee for knowledge how to behaue vs in this mortall life in our seuerall callings that thereby both thou mayst be glorified our bretheren comforted and our selues relieued that when we shall be called by thee to render accompt of our stewardships we may be able to stand before thee acquitted from all that eyther sinne the deuill or our corrupt flesh may charge vs with not through our owne deseruings which in our best endeuours are euill euermore but in the merites of thy Sonne Christ Amen O Lord increase our faith The conclusion wherein is exhorted vnto watchfulnes for the appearance of our Lord Iesus Christ in whome and by whome we shall enter after this progresse ended into our euerlasting hearts ease HAuing attained thorough the diuine assistance of my good God vnto the ende of this my poore trauaile I can not but conclude with an earnest intreatie of all such as couet this eternall hearts ease that they wil in this standinghouse of the body call continually to minde the absolute end of this Progresse of pietic which principally tendeth vnto the finishing of the iourney and pilgrimage of this life in all godlines faith zeale and ardent loue of that heauenly mansion which so farre excelleth this earthly tabernacle as the purest gold exceedeth the filthiest and most lothsome dirt dung of the earth and the hearts ease thereof is much farre sweeter then the hearts ease of this world as the sweetest honey passeth in sweetnes the most bitter gall and happy is that man that soonest atteineth to the enioying thereof but in part that is eyther in this life through the quietnesse of conscience in our Christ or being departed hence hath the fruition thereof in spirit expecting the comming of that great Judge when soule and body shall enioy the same at full Oh let vs all therefore in all godly watchfulnesse in this our pilgrimage which shortly shall haue ende haue due regard vnto our walking that we walke not awry Let vs dayly examine our selues consider with iudgement that we shall all appeare before that high Judge frō whome no step of our progresse shall be hidden and whome soeuer he shall finde halting or walking awry he will bereaue of that most sweete hearts ease in heauen and will giue most sowre and vnsauery hearts sore in hell If I should discourse of the comforts which shal be shewed vnto such as walke this progresse and end the same as they ought as they are cōmaunded alas I am as vnable nay there is no toong of man or angell can neerer declare y e deapth of the sweetnes therof then I am able to number y e starres in the firmamēt the excellencie thereof is such so vnspeakeable as no hart is able to comprehend or conceiue the same but let this satisfie all curious conceits that that our heauenly mansion our euerlasting tabernacle that our spirituall inheritance is such and so full fraught with such variety
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
wonne Thy Son hath brought vs peace againe made vs one with thee Although our sins deserued pain his crosse hath made vs free O how shall we requiâ—e thy loue what recompence is due To thee or him helpe from aboue our sinfull liues renew The best reward that we can giue it helps not thee at all Yet thou in bountie doest receiue vs wretched wights in thrall Great is thy glory loue and might thy mercies haue no end Al thanks praise to thee in right each heart should still extend But we poore sinners may cry out against our selues and say Our purest deeds like filthy clout our grosse conceits bewray No stay is in our crooked will a rash consent we giue To teach delight that seekes to kil our soules wherein we liue But now thy sauing health extend thy mercies sweete prepare And salue our sores let vs amend and breake thou Sathans snare A short praier for the forgiuenes of sinnes OH Father euerlasting mercifull and full of pittie I doe acknowledge my selfe sinfull whereby I haue deserued punishment in thy heauie displeasure But I haue an aduocate euen Jesus Christ the righteous and he hath redeemed me froÌ„ all feare of death if I truely repent mine euils and forme my life according to thy will wherefore most deare Father in him sanctifie mee againe wash me clean through his bloud â—ouer mee with the precious and most glorious robe of his integritie and obedience and in him forgiue my sinnes and for his sake remember them no more but rather supply the wants of all spirituall graces and gifts in me of â—aith of knowledge of loue of patience of repentance of obediâ—nce and true reformation of my â—ife that being renued againe and regenerate in him I may mortiâ—â—e all my corrupt and filthie affections and liue in all holinesse â—ighteousnesse and true zeale all â—he daies of my life that when his frayle bodye shall returne to â—ust my soule may ascend where Christ my Sauiour sitteth at thy â—ight hand at the time appointed my soule and body may receiue â—he fulnesse of the ioyes prepared â—or thine elect in thy relestiall Paâ—adise Amen Oh Lord increase my faith A motion to a praier tending to the obtayning of true mortification of our sinfull affections without the which we cannot please God HAuing acknowledged our sins corrupt affections before our God and in Christ his son hauing obtained attonment with him and yet resting in our selues sinfull and miserable of our selues vnable to obtaine the fauour of God and being obtained not able to stand without his continuall aide we must seeke by all meanes to frame all our actions in his feare knowing this that it is not inough for vs to haue found the meane how to bee reconciled vnto God but we must vse the meanes also being reconciled to retaine and keepe him out fauourable God still which is by mortifying of those euils in vs which breake foorth vnto his dishonour We must leaue sinne Yet this is not inough Wee also must cleaue vnto righteousnesse and exercise our callings to Gods glory we must not onely eschue euil but we must doo good we may not onely seeke peace and attonement with God but we must ensue and follow it It is not inough for vs not to walke in the counsail of the scorner and wicked persons or not to stand in the way of sinners but we must delight in the law of the Lord and that not for a time and then to retourne to our vomite and vanity againe according to the course of the worlde who thinketh not inough to cease from euill for a time and to serue the Lord at seasons ordinary but wee must exercise our selues in his word and that continually day night And we must gird vp the loynes of our mindes and be sober and trust perfectly on that grace that is brought vnto vs in the reuelation of Jesus Christ as obedient children not fashioning our selues vnto the former facts of ignorance but as he which hath called vs is holy so let vs be holy in all maner of conuersation pleasing God Not making our boast of our owne harts desire as the couetous who blesseth himself in his owne wealth and prosperitie and contemneth the Lord grounding the foundation of our hope vpon vain things wherâ—by oftentimes we are stirred vp to execute things offensiue vnto God which yet may carry coulor of warrant by the law of man wherin the inward affections of the hart appeere not only not mortified but rather reuiued to sinne If we duely looke into our desires we shall find out few or none that truely tende to that mortification which is required but rather to the aduancing of the pride of our flesh against the humility of the spirite Let none thinke it irkesome or tedious to leaue this that the first step to the perfection of a godly man is to deny himselfe which deniall is keeping vnder of all the corrupt motions which rise in our selues and couet to breake foorth in action contrary to that which our God hath commanded and if that bee hard to performe that which is further required is more hard and they are the words of Christ himselfe which I dare not deny If any man saith he will follow mee let him forsake himselfe and yet that not inough Let him take vp his crosse and follow me And in another place If any man will come after me let him deny himselfe and take vp his crosse dayly and follow me We are commaunded to forsake our selues and to deny our selues wherein we may see the great necessity of this mortification and how seuerely it is enioyned vs. If we forsake our selues whether shall wee flye to leaue our selues we must vnderstand that we as long as we are in the body are at home in the flesh where many corruptions lurke and therefore if we will forsake our selues we must suppresse the euils in our selues and by the spirite ascend vp from our carnall habitation and dwell with the Lord in continuall contemplation of his will in a dayly desire to bee with him thus also must we deny our selues for when the motions of the flesh do as it were intreate the minde and soule to consent vnto that which is vnlawful wee must presently checke our selues and in an inward godly aunsweare repell the proud desires of the flesh Which sauour not the things that appertaine vnto life but vnto death and therefore necessary to be denied Thus if we carry our affections within the compasse of the Lordes good pleasure we shall then easely attaine vnto the other part namely to take vp the crosse that is accept willingly the miseries troubles afflictions and persecutions which may happen vnto vs but so long as wee are carried away with the alluringes of the world and the flesh we shall say as Peter said vnto his maister sauoâ—ing of the flesh and not
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
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
for vs to rise earlie and to go to our rest late and in griefe to eate our breade vnlesse the Lorde giue a blessing vnto our labours and studies Wherefore let vs repayre vnto our good God with humble harts in faithful supplications that hee will giue vs ablenesse to performe our callings skilfully and religionslie that in quiet of conscience wee may eate the fruites of our labours and so prosper in al that we take in hand that our brethren be neither deceyued by vs nor our selues forced to vse any vnlawfull thing for our owne reliefe which may offend the Lord. The Prayer that euerie man may liue vprightly in his calling O God of all comfort and giuer of all consolation forgiue my sinnes cleanse mee and wash mee from all iniquitie which disable mee to performe my calling in such sinceritie as becommeth mee And through the bloud of thy Sonne purifie my heart and my imperfections increase my knowledge and sanctifie mine affections with thy grace that my sinnes being forgiuen I may rest in thy fauor and in thy fauour finde continuall comfort and be dayly blessed with new gifts that I may be founde perfect in my calling seasoned so with a liuely faith in thee that thy holy spirite may continually dwell and beare rule in me and lead mee to the due performance of those things which thou requirest to be done in my calling that all vnnaturall affections being truelye mortified I may onely rest in thee and relie on thee and be ruled by thee in all things Good Father graunt that I may take the direct right course in my vocation to eternall life In which course consisteth the inward peace of the soule which is onely delighted in thine inuiolable truth reueiled by thy Sonne and left vnto vs in his word and last will In which his last will and Testament are comprehended all necessarie rules and the sacred discipline whereby thy children are to guide them selues in their seuerall callings which directions are comprehended in three principall vertues by thee bestowed vpon them that seeke them at thy hands in the name of thy sonne faith hope and loue which three are so vnited and knit in one that they dwell altogether in thine elect children so precisely direct them through thy grace that they goe not awry in their callings I therefore good Father being of mine owne wisdom ignorant and of mine owne power vnable to comprehend the height the length and depth of my calling instantly beseech thee in mercy to beholde mee an vnperfect creature without these vertues and so adorne me with them that I may be made perfect in all good workes of the spirit that my bodilie labors be not in vayne in thee Graunt also that I may ioyne with all my trauailles labors affections desires and endeuours faith with faith knowledge with knowledge temperance with temperance patience with patience godlines with godlines brotherly kindnes and with brotherly kindnes loue that I bee not vnfruitfull in my calling But may acknowledge thy sonne Christ Jesus and in him to haue peace of conscience that I may bee patient in troubles long suffering in wronge◠meeke in trials faithfull in expecting helpe in distresse reioycing in heart quieted in minde in hope to inioy at thy handes and in thy good time whatsouer maketh to the true comforte of my soule and the reliefe of my bodie That in all truth and inward feeling of thine aide my calling may be made perfecte and sealed with the seale of thine owne spirituall approbation So shall I thine vnworthy creature and all such as thou hast committed to my charge bee directed in the true knowledge of thee and sustayned with thinges necessary while wee liue here Oh blessed Lord and louing father except thou thus direct me I cannot stande but shall fall into many miseries For no estate no degree no calling office function or trade of life can prosper or bee rightly performed without thy continuall ayde direction and prouidence Therefore Lord guide mee by thy spirite encrease my faith giue mee wisedome and ablenes in all thinges to execute calling as I ought and to the execution thereof blesse all my members make them apt and ready instrumentes to perform their duties that in no poynt I fayle in a Christian proceeding therein And bridle in mee the nature of flesh bloud which vnles thou season my affections by thy spirit will so much the more glorie by howe much thou hast exalted me to worldly preferment enable mee to liue in this world in higher reputation than other men whereunto flesh and bloud is ready to attribute chiefest harts ease And by that subtil shift Sathan manie times mooueth vs to relie vpon vain things And therfore good Father vouchsafe so to ground all mine affections vppon thy feare that I bee not miscarried in my calling from the true obedience vnto thee without which neither honour profit friendes wealth wisedome or any other blessing of thine can steede releeue or comfort me Be present therefore good and gracious Father with mee and grant that all thinges that I take in hand may begin in knowledge proceed in feare of thee and end in loue that my whole course of life may be blessed with good effect in all my endeuours That neither mine enemies reioyce at my miseries the godly bee offended at my rashnesse nor my estate hindered by my foolishnes Good Lord grant this for thy sonnes sake Amen For Gods direction in our callings O God of Gods O father great thou guide of all degrees The high and low look vp to thee attendant on their knees We haue our being and our food our wisedome and our skill Our high estate all honour eke and callings at thy will Al kings receiue their scepters pure and diademes from thee Thou makest thē apt to rule a land else they vnable be Thou giuest sage and sacred men and Senators most graue To guide thy people in the hestes that fit them best to haue Thou chosest eke the godliest ones and meetest men to be The preachers of thy satred will who learne to teach from thee Thy grace doth guide their lips aright els speak they all awry Thou art the fountaine ful of loue whereof they drinke or die The porest thou dost frame to skil the lowest learnes to liue Ech hand taks hold of art frō thee thou doest all blessings giue Els all their curious cunning failes our labours loose their grace In vaine we trauaile and our toyle turnes vs to poorest place Sith then good father ech degree depend on thee for aide The high and low wealthy wise els rest they all vnstaide Blesse all thy people in their charge our callings all direct Teach Prince people in the way that graceth thine elect A motion to a prayer wherein the soule must arme himselfe to suffer crosses and therefore it is necessarye to call to mind what is to be done when affliction commeth EUery one that
attire which exceedeth not onely in cos◠and colour but in weight and fashion oh pull it downe it is no◠fit for such as are taking the wa◠to the kingdome of heauen it agreeth not with the guest which lodgeth in vs the spirite of God it is no fitte ornament to decke the howse of our silly soules for it stinketh and polluteth all corners of the house oh remoue it and sende euery Countrey his fashion againe bee not beholden to any nation for such trumpery neyther to the garmentmaker whose study therein though it please the vaine-glorious for a time it will bring repentance too late to the worke and the workeman It is from the Court come into the Countrey a dangerous euill and hath infected the poore plowman that an years wages sufficeth not one suite of attire If I should tel all the carter woulde steppe in with his courtly gards and will defie him that is not of the fashion men and women the rich and the poore the olde and the yong are too far gone in this sicknesse the Lorde giue a timely medicine least wee perish therein We might were we mindfull of our dangers call to minde what diuersities of diseases and strange maladies haue beene amongst vs of late as though the Lord would say as ye change your affections vpon vaine things as yee are neuer satisfied w t variety of fashions falling dayly from me so will I make you know by the varietie of my punishments y t I haue yet in store more strange calamities then yet ye haue felt And shal we not yet cast off these enormities Surely it is so dislike that wedding garment wherwith we must enter into our heauēly harts ease and it is so strange vnto the Lord that he wil not know vs to be his oh that it were reformed for euery man and woman wade in excesse in this sinne without reproofe let it be reformed lest God reprooue vs. Should wee let passe some little recompting of another grosse euill whose reproofe is deseruedly set downe by the sacred censure of God and therefore I will shewe what the Lorde himselfe speaketh against it y t I may be irreproueable The desire of money is y e root of all euill Oh what a short and sharpe sentence is this If it be the roote of all euill then hath it no doubt many braunches of euill therefore is it very vnfit to rest in this house of our soules for they that haue thus lusted extraordinarily for this worldly mucke haue erred from the faith and pearced themselues through with many sorrows See what a most dangerous euill this couetousnes is it disquieteth both the body and minde here The whole house is out of order where this filthynes lieth and therefore aboue all other euils it is to bee reformed for that it distempereth vs here and stoppeth the wayes that should leade vs to our heauenly hartes ease Woe be vnto ye riche saith Christ for yee haue your consolatiō here It is a sinne so displeasing vnto the Lord that hee pronounced destruction vnto y e people of Israel for that from y e least vnto the greatest of them euery one was giuen vnto couetousnes Let vs therefore haue a care to reforme this enormitie and let vs cast it out of our hearts for it breedeth many euils yet this euill aboue all other seemeth vnpunishable nay rather commendable because it seemeth good husbandry But all that are in the right way vnto that heauenly harts ease will cast it out of this their standing house as durt dung and vnprofitable rubble This euil of couetousnes draweth vnto it another dāgerous euil flattery which is an euill that draweth light conceited mē into vain-glory But all flattery is as y e kisse of an enemy as was Iudas and therefore are all flatterers to bee reiected to be cast out of this cōmon society of the mēbers of this body and to be cut off as vnprofitable and perillous yet these prosper in the worlde fare far better then such as speake the truth from their hearts Cast them off Certain idle persons whose infections do annoy a great parte of this bodie are to bee cured or cut off for they are daungerous members for whose reformation haue beene made many notable prouisions by sundry sage graue actes and howses of correction for vagarants erected in euery shire But it falleth out that the number of such daungerous weeds rather increase then diminish to the great detriment of our quiet abiding in this standing howse of our common weale wherein I suppose the negligence of inferiour officers is a great occasion of their increase I haue trauelledm any shires and it appeareth that there is little or no executiō of these good lawes greatly to be lamented not only in regard of the common quiet which by them is like to be disturbed but also in regard of the persons themselues who endaunger their own estates by their vngodly loosenes and lewdnes of life The common wealth also loosing their labour trauel which might in some measure steed their brethren if with a sound and godly disposition they would frame their lims to labour yet eat they that which is gottē by the sweat of other men The number of these persons is great the persons themselues for the most part able of body hardy stout harted and fit to be imploid in strong affaires a number of them yet counterfeyting impotency and deforming themselues with rotten ragges passe through the country halting in the day time and oftentimes annoy the good members of this publike weale in the night These passe and repasse by such as haue authority to examine to commit to punish and to reforme their disorder and yet fewe or none set hand to redresse it If the Citie of London be viewed the streetes within it the suburbes fieldes neere it will yeeld of young old men and women able of body to serue maisters and to labour for their liuing a great number of vagabondes And which is most lamentable the young and tender girles lads of all ages lie vnder stalles in the streets by great companies vnder hedges in the fieldes no man taketh them vp to bring them to some faculty to get their liuings as is commanded but suffer them to wallow stil in idlenes vntill they be past to be reclaimed falling into breach of the lawes and so are eaten vp with vntimely death who if they had beene carefully prouided for they might haue proued good members of the weale publike It is no new thing and would God it might bee nowe at the eldest estate that these euilles might be cut off or in some measure reformed The roote being cut in sunder the branches would wither for there are diuers occasions giuen and tollerated whereby they thus grow into these idle and vagrant courses It seemeth lawful for it is tollerated that euery man at his pleasure may leaue his
50. Rom. 3 24 25 Rom. 2. 4. Gods readinesse to receiue vs Psal 326 Psal 34 22 We must seeke to keepe the fauour of God It is not enough to forsake sin but wee must cleaue vnto righteousnesse Psal. 1. 1. c. Psal 1. 8 1 Pet. 1. 13. 14. 15. Thinges may offend God which cary coulor to be lawfull The first 〈…〉 become a godly man Mat. 16. 24 Mar. 8. 34. Luk. 9. 23. We must forsake our selues We must deny the desires of the flesh How dangerous it is to 〈…〉 Many grosse faults are thought no faults Prayer necessary to mortification No excuse will serue The obseruation of the letter of the law excuseth not 1. Thess. 7. 5. 22. Rom. 6. 18. 19 Rom. 7. 5. 6. No good dwelleth in our flesh We must be watchfull against sinne Rom. 1. 11â— How wee may bee knowne to be the sons of God Rom. 11 16. The inward affections and outward actions must concurre Luke 6. 20. Math. 5. 4. Esa. 61. 2. 3. Psal 37 11. Psal. 24. 4. Math. 5. 10. 2. Cor. 9 5â— How the whole strength is knit together thogh the members bee scattered Ephe. 5. 22. 2. Cor. 11. 2 Reu 21. 2. 9 Ephe â— â—3 Col 5. 24. 1. Cor. 1 2. Euery member of the Church is ioyned vnto Christ. Mat. 28. 18. Col. 2. 10. The spirâ—t of God dwelleâ—â— in his Church The true Church is the image of Christ. The church must suffer persecutioÌ„ The lot of Godâ— children Heb. 11 36 37. 38. 2. Cor. 1â—â— 24. 33. Act. 4. 3. Act. 6. 12. Act. 7. 58. Act. 8. 13. Psal. 11. 3. Psal. 2. 2. The practises of the enemies of the Church of God A Church militant a Church malignant The badge of the Antichrist an Church The â—roubles in France England hath great cause to pray The persecution in Queene Maries time a meane to 〈…〉 Psal. 44. 2 Psal. 29. 2 Psal. 2. 1 The enemies hope commeth to nought If God will that we suffer let vs glorifie him therein Nothing must seperate vs froÌ„ Christ. Mat. 7. 15. 2. Pet 2. 1. 2. Sathan and his ministers chaÌ„ge them selues into angels of lighâ— There are many kindâ— of deceiuers Sathans barke a deceitfull and a secure â—radle Act. 20. 29. 30. 1. Tim. â— â— Deut. 1◠〈◊〉 ver 6 Ier. 2◠〈◊〉 1. Tim. 6. 4. The impudencie of false prophets 2. Cor. 12. 13. 14. 15. Hacket a counterfeit Christ. It is dangerous to dispute with false prophets Christians through frailty may fall into errours Whereunto a counterfeit show of godlinesse may tend It is time for Gods Ministers to preach repentance amendmeÌ„t of lifâ— Ignorance the mother of errours Col. 2 2. Phil. 3. 16 The end of Hacket that counterfeit Christ 2. Cor. 1â— 15. 2. Tim. 2. 1â— 2. Tim 2. 25 16. 2. Tim. 6. 25 Luk. 17. 9. 10. The Deuill endeuoureth to blemish euerie sincere exercise 2. The. 2. 15. The Deuill practiseth to blemish to preachers of the word What the true professors must looke for A consideration of the controuersies in our owne Church Heb. 13. 17 Phil. 3. 18. 19. 2. Tim 2. 21 Our good liking of our high estates dangerous A sincere conscience must accompanie a high office or calling Too good opinion of our skill in manuall occupations dangerous Euery mâ—â— must consider why he was plâ—ced in his calling Iob. 1. 3. 2 Sam. 16. 23 â— Sam. 17. 23. Our callings them selues can not releeue vs. No calling without the feare of God prospeâ—eth euer Psal. 127. â— 2. c. vers 20 The poore mans entertainment in this progresse The godly the wicked are troubled but in diuers sortes The worldly estate of the wicked The estate of the godly in this life Psal. 6. 2. 33 Gen. 39. 20. Ier. 20. 2. Dan. 6. 6. The Lord worketh â—or his children Psal. 50. 15. Psal. 107. 1â— Gen. 41. 4â— Prayer draweth â—â—onbles to a good end Psal. 62. â— Psal. 71. 〈◊〉 Exod. 17. 6. Psal. â—14 8. Exo. â—6 13. Psal. 78. 6. Iud. 15. 19 Gods prouidence in feeding his children Psal. 6. 12 Gen. 32. 10. Psal. 6◠〈◊〉 Psal. 55. 〈◊〉 Psal. 46. â— Affliction a necessary meane to draw vs to God Affliction 〈◊〉 of Gods loue 〈◊〉 prosperitie the 〈◊〉 A 〈◊〉 saying to secure men Psal. 9. 18. Gods fatherly care of his children Psal. 22. 3 psal 18 2. The world loueth things famous and glorious The Lorde despiseth not the poore The worlde addeth sorrow to him that God visiteth psal 69. 16. 〈◊〉 dearest frends flie from vs in our troubles Psal. 38. 11. The whole world is set against the Godly 1 Pet. 5. 7. 2 Pet. 3. 12. Eph. 5. 5. â— They that suffer are blâ—ssed 〈…〉 9. 10. 〈◊〉 â—3 5. Psal. 37. 24. Vers 6. Psal. 37. Iam. 2. 5 1. Pet. 4. â— verse 13. All seasons giue vs occasion to praise God We men of our owne nature far worse than the floures of the field A resemblance of the estate of mans life The benefite of dayly sleepe The want of dayly rest grieuous to the body and the vse thereof the contrary Sleepe maketh vs being aliue to resemble men dead We should in the morning recount Gods blessings in the night past What our dutie is towards God in the morning A godly consideration in the entrance of the euening The night is ordained for the rest of man A consideration of our estate in the night with a godly resolution when we shut vp our eies to rest How the children of God 〈◊〉 them to 〈◊〉 rest in the night How Princes and great men vse to deck their houses where they purpose to abide What order wee must take in our bodily houses We must clense the hart aboue all other places Iere. 17. 9. The heart is a subtile corner Deut. 29. 19 Acts. 8. 23. Deut. 30. 6. Acts. 7. 51. We must cast away the dregs of old Adam imbrace Christ. Wherewithall we must adorn the houses of our soules in this life The fruites of the spirit must bewtifie our earthly tabernacles We liue not to our selues nor for our selues Euery body hath many members We are to thanke God for our head Queene Elizabeth 1 King 10 8. 9. The Queen of Saba to Salomon Pro. 24 â— No nation hath tasted like blessings as England England spiritually 〈◊〉 How subiects must fashion themselues in obedience 1. Pet. 2. â— Exo. 22. 28. Rom. 13. 1. 2 The disobedient shalbe punished Q. Elizabeth aideth her distressed people Withered members of the body of the commoÌ„ wealth We must all wel agree in our callings Gouernors must endeuour to preserue the common wealth Necessity of obedience laide vpon subiects Euery good member is praysed and receiueth reward Obedience the prop of our quiet God seeth our walkings Pride a most vglie sinne before God The pride of England Pride polluteth all the corners of our house The cartâ—â— and plowman exceedeth in pride 1. Tim. 6 10 Couetousnesse the Ierem. 〈◊〉 Couetousnes vnpunishable Flatterers 2. Tim. 6. 11. to 16.
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