THE COVNTESSE OF MOVNTGOMERIES EVSEBEIA Expressing briefly THE SOVLES PRAYING ROBES By Ro NEVVTON Printed at London by George Purstow for A. G. 1620. TO THAT NOBLE ROOT OF HONOVR AND VERTVE THE LADY MARY COVNTESSE OF PEMBROOKE AND HER ILLVSTRIOVS BRANCHES WILLIAM EARLE OF PEMBROOKE LORD Chamberlaine to his Maiestie PHILIP EARLE OF MOVNTGOMERY WITH THEIR HONOVRABLE LADIES MARY COVNTESSE OF PEMBROOKE SVSAN COVNTESSE OF MOVNTGOMERY AND HER VERTVOVS Honourable Sisters ELIZABETH COVNTESSE OF DARBIE AND BRIDGET LADY NORRIS Right Honourable LEt it not I pray you seem strange that thus I vnite you in this Dedication God him selfe hath gone before mee vniting you in blood affinity and vertues and I hope it 's no offence to follow his example The subiect of this worke is Piety whereto as the world doth witnesse you All to bee adicted deuoting your selues most religiously to God in your owne persons being patternes to others of it so still to keepe burning that fire of Goodnesse kindled in your hearts flaming in your liues by the power of Gods Spirit shed abroad in your soules accept of such helpes as heere you shall finde drawn out of the Scriptures Gods Armorie which if you please to vse you shall finde how potent they are in prosperitie to keepe you in aduersirie to comfort you and in the day of the Lord to crowne you through the mercy of God with Happinesse and Eternity which Blessings with All else wishing to Euery One of you desiring the multiplying of All Graces in you Honour Health Children Life to his Glory Stedfastnesse in the Faith comfort and ioy in the Holy Ghost Patience Wisedome Hope and Perseuerance in All god lines to the end and the quiet Peace of Conscience at your end I humbly rest Euer deuoted to Your Honours in all duties Ro NEVVTON From my House at Gretford in Lincolnshire May. 20. 1620. THE COVNTESSE of Mountgomeries Eusebeia expressing briefly the Soules praying ROBES HOw pleasing and sweet in the sight of our glorious and mercifull God the seruice of Prayer and praise is how comfortable and profitable likewise to man in all estates and times whether of Affliction or Ioy the Scriptures which are the words Records of life the experience of such as God by his Spirit hath sealed vnto life doe most exactly and easily declare In the 50. Psalme God cals Prayer a Sacrifice and sayes Psal 50.23 that whoso offers it vnto him honours him And in the 14. verse layes a command vpon his seruants both to praise him and in the day of trouble to pray vnto him adding a most heauenly sweet promise to heare them Now Sacrifices in the Law were that peculiar worship of God which himselfe to serue him with And they were of two sorts Either Propitiatory to appease God for sinnes committed or duties omitted or Eucharisticall to praise God for blessings receiued In the first was acknowledged mans guiltinesse to God In the other Gods mercy loue to man By both mans obligation to God Such a Sacrifice Prayer is A Propitiatory sacrifice of a heart broken and pownded with sorrow for sinne which through the eternall sacrifice of Christ Heb. 9.28 who offered vp himselfe once a full and absolute Propitiatorie Sacrifice on the Crosse for the sinnes of all that truely repent is made acceptable in the sight of God Psal 51.17 Wherein in the lippes and tongue are the soules Interpreters to let men and Angels know the vnexpressible and vnsearchable grones and sights of Gods Spirit within vs. Psal 71.23 24. For it is not enough to haue the heart smitten thorow and wounded with griefe vnlesse the tongue likewise tell it out to God Psal 32.3 And as it is a Sacrifice Propitiatorie so is it also an Eucharisticall Sacrifice of a heart drawne out like Salomons Curtaines by the mercy of God and lifted vp and filled with the ioy of Heauen the presence of the Spirit of God in the soule making it daunce Psal 28.7 as Dauid speaks for ioy and forcing the tongue to breake out in songs and melodious reioycings for the pardon of sinnes past Psal 57.7 8 9 10 11. for the presence and feeling of celestiall grace for the assurance of Gods mercy for deliuerance from instant dangers and feares for graces and good motions internall as Faith Hope Loue hatred of sinne care to keep a good Conscience watchfulnes specially ouer the eyes tongue and heart for blessings externall as Health Liberty Plenty Peace Riches Honour Children Friends Seruants fearing God a good name long life For his workes of mercy generall and particular on his children our selues our Families for his Iustice iudgements and plagues vpon the wicked The Priests that offer this Sacrifice are not the sonnes of Aaron alone as once it was in the old Law but All the children of God euery-where redeemed by the bloud of Christ and sancrified through the power of his reuiuing grace for hee hath made vs not onely sonnes of God Iohn 1.12 Reu. 1.6 but giuen vs the honour to be Kings and Priests to God to sacrifice and offer through him odours and incense sweetly smelling and delightfull in the nosthrils of his Father yet as Aaron might not offer Exo. 40.13 14. Leu. 10.1 2 but in his sacrificing weedes and nothing but that which God commanded no more must wee either in the Congregation publiquely with the Saints of God where God enioynes vs to render this sacrifice Psal 100.3 Psa 96.8 9. Math. 6.6 Psal 111.1 or in our owne houses or closets priuately where Christ himselfe hath commanded vs to make it doe it so but that he that is in heauen may accept it and wee that are on earth may haue comfort of it That this may be done some things are required and necessary before wee offer some in the very time and instant of our offering some when wee haue offered this sacrifice to God Before it 2. Chro. 11.18 goe three duties like Dauids 3. Worthies breaking thorow the ranges of the Philistines The first is repentance of all our sinnes Psal 66.16 18. for If I regard wickednesse in my heart saith Dauid God will not heare me Because indeed God heares not sinners Ioh. 9.31 that is such as repent not but refuseth their sacrifice as hee did the Iewes Esay 1.11 12 13 14 15 16. because their hands were full of bloud and the incense of Sheba that is the best and most exquisite words that can be Ier. 6.20 because their hearts were stuffed with euil yea the very offerings of the Priests themselues Micah 6.6 7 8. Amos 5.21 22. plainely affirming that he that offered such sacrifice is as he that slayes a man vgly and abominable in his sight Esay 66.2 Therefore the holy men were wont in ancient time to practise Repentance ere they came to pray renting their clothes in signe of sorrow and detestation of sinne as did Ezra Ezra 9.3 5. and Daniel in the
should still in our hearts Faith in the promises of grace and life Ioh. 3.16 Mat. 14.30 Strength to withstand our owne corruptions Eph. 6.10 the Diuell and the worlds assaults Patience and dependance on God in the time of triall Luk. 22 57 58 60. Heb. 10.35 36. Conloss 1.11 when tedious and sharpe sicknesse pouerty reproch disobedience of children or seruants domestick vntowardnes vnkindnesse of false-hearted friends pressures of mighty enemies sudden vnexpected dangers imprisonment losse of goods or any other vexation afflicts vs The Spirit of Meeknes and Humility Philip. 2.8 Mat. 11.29 proud and towring minds that are euer climbing Iphes 4.2 euer aspiring after earthly things Wisdome and knowledge in the mysteries of our Redemption Ephes 3.19 Colosi 1.9 Constancie Apoc. 2.10 in forsaking striving against sin Moderation in gouerning the rage of our Passions Ephes 4.26 31. Sobrietie Ephes 5.15 in taming our lusts and affections Watchfulnesse ouer our whole man 1. Pet. 5.8 Care to pray often Coloss 4.2 Thes 5.17 Zeale in Prayer Heb. 5.7 Compassion of others misery Heb. 4.15 Mat. 9.36 Obseruing our continuall slips Psalm 119.59 Meditation in the Law of God Psalm 119.15 Attentiuenesse to the Word preached Mal. 13.23 Serious consideration of the shortnesse of our life 2. Pet. 3.10 11. Iob. 14.1 2 3 4 5. Reu. 21. 22. Esay 30.33 the vanity of all earthly things the glory of Heauen and the terrors of Hell-fire Often and deepe thinking of Christs sufferings and loue towards vs Diligence in marking how God deales Psalm 119.21 and alwayes hath done with his children with the wicked with our selues 1. Sam. 17.34 Psal 105. 106. his boundlesse pitty and mercy to some his seuerity and rigor vpon others his howerly fauours vpon vs and ours Psalm 119.101.102 in keeping vs from haynous and notorious sinnes Bettering vs by our sinnes 2. Cor. 7.11 Helping vs against sinnes 2. Cor. 12.9 Defending vs by his Angles Psal 34.7 Blessing our labours and Families Psalm 147.13 14. Teaching vs to beare the crosse patiently Ioh. 16.33 Helping vs when all meanes faile vs Exod. 14.12 13 27. Thankfulnesse to God for euery blessing Psalm 146.1 2. For verily Iam. 1.26 as S. Iames sayes Hee that seemeth to bee religious and refraineth not his tongue but deceiues his owne heart his religion is but vaine so hee that seems religious and prayeth with his tongue not hauing in his heart a true feeling of his wants hee deceiues himselfe and his prayer is but vaine For the sense of want to prayer is like the spirit to the body Iam. 2.26 The body without the spirit is dead feeles not the chains wherein it 's bound the wounds are made in it the dishonour done to it so is prayer wihout sence of want It shewes not that the soule is aliue groning vnder the Diuels yoke the deepe wounds of sinne but like one that hath drunk much Oppium deadly asleep if not stark dead nay more it 's idle like the Heathēs babbling to no end Mat. 6.7 with many fond hypocriticall Ohs and O Father when it cannot tell what to aske the Father It s vnprofitable neither edifying him that makes it nor those that heare it It 's vnacceptable being the Sacrifice of folly and blasphemous rashly taking the most holy Names of God in vaine Therefore if wee finde not in the act of Praying a quick sense of our wants yet at least let vs haue and be deeply moued with the feeling of the want of feeling what spirituall helps our soules doe need And then in the next place let euery Sinner as hee feeles himselfe either by nature or custome most in clin'd to or tempted with any one sinne zealously strongly pray against it The Atheist against his blind and vnbeleeuing heart that hee may acknowledge Gods power infinitenesse Dan. 4.31 mercie wisdome loue iustice goodnesse prouidence and presence euery where seeing and searching all actions all hearts yea the most secret thoughts of the soule and so learne both to loue and feare him The Idolaters and superstitious Acts 19.18 19. against their sottish and sencelesse worshipping of God in any image or visible forme or in praying to any saue him alone in seeking to or counselling with Sorcerers Witches 2. Chr. 33.12 13. Wise men as they terme them or any such Hellish and forbidden Art that henceforth they may serue him in spirit and truth The blasphemous swearer against his hearts corruptednesse and Hell-fir'd tongue Iam. 5.12 that he may no more either by fearefull soule-tearing othes or by mincing and small slight ones as they are accounted but falsly prophane the sacred Name of God who will not let that sinne scape vnplagued Exod. 20.7 but alwayes striue both with his tongue and heart to blesse God confessing his sinne and crying for pardon and grace to amend The carelesse prophane man Exod. 31.16 17. against his wickednes in contemning Gods Worship Word Sacraments Sabbath Church Prayers publike and priuate that he may learne to esteeme of the knowledge of Christ Philip. 3.7.8 more then all the profits and pleasures of the world Heb. 13.17 and loue and reuerence those that teach it The dissembling Hypocrite that makes a shew of Religion and hath none against his hollow peruerse and deceitfull heart that hee may become a true practiser of holinesse in his life Jam. 1.22 holinesse in his life The Voluptuous and vaine men Col. 3.5 6 7 against their lusts lasciuiousnesse vncleanenesse adulreries vanitie of speech attire company and disports that they may redeeme the time they haue lost whilest they walked in the wayes of their own hearts and so long as they liue study to offer vp their soules and bodies vvith Mary Magdalen penitent sacrifices to God The Gluttonous and Drunkards Ephes 5.18 against their Epicurisme sensualitie insatiable bibbing and offensiue abusing themselues their time the Creatures that they may learne in all sobrietie and temperance to watch vnto prayer and fasting lest the vnclean spirit preuaile against them The Ambitious and high-minded against their Pride and Surquedry that they may learne of Christ to become lowly and meeke in heart Mat. 11.29 and so finde rest for their soules The Couetous Ephes 5.5 against their hard-heartednesse and want of Charitie Faith ans all other graces that sith they are such Psal 10.3 as GOD abhorres them they may bee filled with the bowels of compassion Col. 3.12 to pitie those that want Luke 19.8 and restore againe their ill-gotten goods that GOD in Christ may pitie them and restore them to his fauour The vnmercifull and cruell minded Luke 6.36 against their incredulous dogged churlishnesse that GOD would turne their hearts to become mercifull Jam. 2.13 lest in the end they want mercy The slanderous and
time of Israels captiuitie Dan. 9.3 In imitation of whom it behoue vs to rend our hearts Ioel 2.1 that when wee come to him who was rent for vs Esay 53.5 we may haue assurance to heare that voice Vade remissa sunt Goe thy way thy sins are forgiuen thee And this is our assurance 1. Ioh. 3.22 that whatsoeuer wee aske of him wee shal receiue if wee repent and keepe his commandements The second duty is Reconciliation with men A thing as necessary before our daily sacrifice of Prayer as before the holy sacrifice of the Supper For which cause our Sauiour bids vs agree with our aduersarie quickly Luke 12.28 whilst we are in the way either in the way of life to death-ward as Chrysostome expounds it or in the way of deuotion to God-ward as Saint Bernard or in the way of sinne to hell-ward as Saint Ierome And Mathew 5. hee also commands vs That when we bring our Sacrifice to the Altar that is offer vp our orisons to God and remember that our Brothers haue ought against vs leaue off our offering and first go and be reconciled and when wee are at vnity then make our prayers And if our hearts be so bigge that wee can neither finde in our selues a disposition to forgiue nor seeke forgiuenesse at others hands hee spares not to tell vs that God his Father will sauce vs Mat. 6.15 as we serue others If we forgiue others hee will also forgiue vs but if we will not nay if wee doe not neither will he forgiue vs. A fearefull sentence that the God of all mildnesse should bee wroth with vs as long as we are at oddes with others Therfore that our prayers may pierce the clouds wee must follow Saint Iames his counsell as in hearing the word of God so in sacrificing praise to God Iam 1.21 and that is All filthines and superfluity of maliciousnesse set apart with meekenesse and pure hands lift vp our hearts not fraught with gall as was Cains to Abel Gen. 4. nor filled with guile as Achitophels to Dauid Esay 6.7 but fired like Esayes and fixed like Dauids in the Rocke of Vnity and Amity with God man Psal 108.1 Else if there bee enuying and strife in our hearts though wee pray yet reioyce not Jam. 3.14 for wee are but lyers against the truth witnessing against our selues that we do but play the Hypocrites with God And this wisedome is not from aboue but is earthly sensuall and diuellish for where enuying and strife is there is sedition and all manner of wickednesse But the wisedome that is from God is first pure then peaceable gentle easie to bee intreated full of mercy and good fruits without iudging and without Hypocrisie And the fruit of righteousnesse is sowne in peace of them that make Peace seeking to keep fast the vnity of Loue in the bond of Peace when they are to enter into the house of Peace to pray to him that is the God of Peace that whilst they liue heere they may dwell in Peace and when they dye may rest and reigne in the Kingdome of Peace The third duty is a serious and sacred preparation to Prayer Eccl. 18.24 that wee may bee able to speake to God For God is a King of Glory Psalm 24.8 and his Throne is set Dan. 12. euen a Throne of vnaccessible glory Ezech. 1. from whence hee viewes all the thoughts of Men Amos. 4.12 Ier. 23.24 Eccles 5. and heares the prayers of all the world For which cause the wisest Salomon aduiseth that wee guide well both our Heart and Tongue when wee come to sacrifice praise to this God that we neither bee rash with our Mouth nor hasty with our Heart to vtter any thing before God for God is in Heauen and wee on Earth And therefore when wee enter into his House take heed to our feet our affections hee meanes the feet of our Soule and bee readier to heare that is to haue thy heart wel prepared rather then to offer the sacrifice of Fooles Now that wee may bee rightly prepared First our minds must bee emptyed and swept of all thoughts impediments that may hinder this holy Sacrifice As Christ cleered the Temple of the choppers and changers Iohn 2.15 so must we our Soules of all thoughts and affections whether it bee of profit or pleasure And if that cannot bee yet at least wee must turne them aside for a time for worldly thoughts are those floods of Satan which striue to quench in vs the fire of the Spirit that vaile that cloud that blinds and hides vs from seeing God Therefore as Moses put off his Shooes when hee drew neere the Bush Exod. 3.5 so must wee all vnholy lets that with Dauid wee may listen what God will say within vs. Secondly there must be an earnest Meditation Ps 145.5 Gen. 24.63 Ps 101.1 Mat. 4.1 Mat. 6.3 Mat. 14.23 Acts 10. both of the mercies for which wee must praise God and of the blessings for which wee must pray to God Isaacks walking Dauids singing Christs often reposednesse in the Wildernes in the Mountaines Peters retirednesse and Ezechiahs teares shew this to bee the way to auoid the offering of the sacrifice of Fooles and also that fond Pharisaicall babbling which Christ finds fault with Math. 6.7 wherewith our prayers are too much defiled Thirdly there must be a lifting vp of the Heart Soule to God Psal 25.1 that as Elias fiery Chariot carried him to Heauē whilst Elisha was on Earth So the zeale of God wrapping vs in a sacred fury may mount our Spirits on the wings of desire to the very Throne of God whilst heere they are enclosed in their house of Clay The Temple of God was set on the top of the Hill Sion so that they that went thither ascended by degrees to teach vs that when wee goe to pray wee must learne to goe vp out of our selues not caring to view the beauty of Ierusalem but to looke on the glittering golden East gate and the Cherubims with the Mercy-feate the Throne of God of the Lamb that may bring vs as it were into a sacred extasie rauishing our hearts with the brightnesse of God for this is it will make vs to dance with Dauid before the Arke of God 1. Chro. 15.29 and to cry out with him Psal 108.1 Our heart is fixed O God our heart is fixed we will sing and giue praise crying to the Creatures the Heauens the Earth the Sun Psal 148. the Starres the Angels and all things to praise God with vs as hee did Psal 57.7 Fourthly there must be a holy and humble Reuerence Psal 5.7 of the Maiesty and name of God in regard of God of Angels and men Of God Amos 4.12 1. Cor. 11.10 for hee sees our Hearts of Angels for they behold our carriage our order our demeanour of Men for they are apt to take example
the good to imitate the rebellious to scoffe perhaps to reuile yea and it may be 1. Cor. 14.25 for so Saint Paul sayes to be wonne by And this reuerence as it must not bee hypocriticall for then God abhors it nor superstitious for hee will disdaime it So must it come from a contrite heart that trembles at his words Esay 66.2 yet not with a slauish feare but humbled at the presence of him that resists the proud and a setled gesture and comely carriage of the whole body that may expresse the inward meeknesse and stayednesse of the mind Else shall wee doe but as the Pharise did Luk. 18 1◠presumptuously come to the Temple of the mighty God Leuit. 10 1◠and with Nadab and Abihu offer vp strange fire loathsome and fruitlesse prayers to God who in stead of hearing will stop his eares since we are vnfitted to speake to him and in stead of blessings will raine downe crosses if not curses vpon vs since we are so impudently bold to abuse him The want of due regard to these things oftentimes makes the house of God the house of Rimmon or as Christ said A Den of Theeues where vnrepentants and relapsers ill tongued diuelish-minded Shemeis railing and black-mouth'd Rabshaka's proud and insulting Hamans vnchaste adulterous Iesabels false and damned slie Achitophels hypocriticall Ahabs murtherous Ioabs lasciuious whorish Iehu's hell-bred Nicolaitans superstitious Micah's all the sinfull rabble of men with eyes full of adultery with hands full of cruelty with hearts full of all impiety impinitencie hypocrisie malignitie ebrietie and tongues tipt with the poyson of Asps open their mouthes and bend perhaps their knees which many of them think themselues too good to doe and powre forth like Bels Priests abomination in stead of a sweet smelling Sacrifice heaping thereby vpon their owne pates wrath as Saint Paul sayes against the day of wrath in that when they come to see and speake to God a God hating wickednesse a God dwelling in light a God whose voyce shakes the very heauens and whose eye-lids reade the secrets of their soules they haue not with Moses put off their shoos nor with Aaron put on their sacrificing weeds but either naked like Adam Gen. 3. they appeare before God or if they bee clad it is but with the ragges of vnrighteousnesse not with the rich attire of Preparation And therefore as he without a Wedding garment receiued his sentence frō the Kings mouth at the Table in presence of the ghests to be taken away bound thrown into Hel so they for offering the sacrifice of Fooles fooles as they are that is wicked and lewd men receiue the iust reward of their sinne which is that when they pray they are neuer heard except it bee to their further condemnation and hauing pray'd they are neuer beuered but rather worse in their conuersation The vndutifull and vnreuerent behauiour of many young elder and eldest of all in the sacred house of God in the time of publique prayer and thanksgiuing to God some most vnreue rētly capp'd whilst others doe they should but do not pray and sing to God some not vouchsafing so much as to bend one knee to God a token that their hearts are vnfit to bow some whispering and talking to others some snorting and sleeping before the Angels of God some reading and not ioyning with the Minister and people in seruing God some not content to bee slack themselues but to hinder others from comming to God some speaking euill like wicked Iulian and wretched Lucian of the worship of God some carping at the Minister some at the Seruice some at the Seates some at the Ceremonies in the Church of God some neuer publikely nor priuately inuoking God too plainly giues euidence against the loosenesse of the time and shewes vs the cause why our Sacrifice is not accepted of God because like Cain wee are hollow toward God First therefore for Repentance let vs learne of Dauid to wash our hands in innocencie and so proceed to the Altar of God Psal 26.6 remembring with Saint Augustine De 10. chord c. 5. Aug. lib. de Eccl. dog cap. 48. that Repentance frees vs from the wrath of God and abolisheth all our sinnes Now if the flesh which is alwaies vnwilling thinke it too burdenous so oft to repent as we pray to God know that as the same father sayes De 10. chordis It 's better a little to be punished heere then to bee plagued euerlastingly in Hell Know also that Repentance is the yoke of Christ Mat. 11.29 which himselfe sayes is easie and he it is that by the assistance of his grace helps thee to beare it Know it is the chiefest marke of Gods children Rom. 8.23 to bee groning and repining and repenting of their sinne not repining against God but their owne corrupt heart that is alwayes betraying thē into the power of sin Know lastly that whoso repents not cannot pray because the spirit of prayer 2. Cor. 7 10 11. and the grace of Repentance sorrow for sin detestation of sinne care to auoid sinne comfort against sinne are inseperable one from another so as none can repent but they can cry but they can pray but they can trust but they can hope but they can hang vpon the promises of God euen with Iob Iob. 19.26 in despight of Hell relying on God and with Peter powring out true teares of sighes and sobbes vnto God Mat. 27.75 And till we finde in some good measure some of these graces begotten in vs bee not too secure our case is not so good as we take it for And therefore when wee meane to sacrifice to God take heed wee first make our agreement with him And for Reconciliation with our Brethren Since God hath resolu'd not to be reconciled to vs till we first be recouciled with them and for that cause taught vs to pray him to forgiue vs as wee doe them Mat. 6.15 let there bee no rancour in our mindes when wee pray for as Isidore saies Lib. de summo bono c. 27 In vaine doe they seeke to bee at one with God that needs will be at ods with their neighbour Therefore if thy brother haue offended thee goe ere thou prayest and bee reconciled if hee be farre off and thou canst not come at him then must thou goe saies Saint Austin De. 10. chord c. 5. with the feet of thy heart where thou maist finde him prostrating thy affections humbly to God crauing earnestly pardon at his hands But if thou canst speake with him thou must pray pardon of him whom thou hast wronged Saint Gregory tels thee how and so Saint Chrysostome on Math. 5. If thou hast offended by thought in thinking ill of him bee reconciled in thought by thinking well of him if by words thou hast hurt him by words thou must slake him if by deeds thou hast wronged him by deeds
thou must make amends for thou canst not otherwise then by deeds be atoned at him whom by deeds thou hast wronged In vaine is thy Sacrifice of Prayer of Almes when thou offerest that which is wrongfully got And what can it profit thee that others pray for thee and thou all the while prayest against thy selfe The most high regards not the sacrifice of Cain I will conclude this poynt with that saying of S. Chrysostome vpon those words Mat. 6. Forgiue vs our trespasses Wouldst thou haue God to bee no otherwise good to thee but only not to hurt thee and yet turne away his face and cheerefull countenance from thee alwaies setting thy sinnes in his sight alwaies thinking of thine iniquities and not once vouchsafing to looke vpon thee Surely O man thou wouldest not for a world Such therefore as thou wouldst haue God bee to thee when thou prayest for pardon of thy sinnes such must thou be to thine offending brother Lastly for Preparation Since the Church of God is the house of glory Psal 84.1 11. and God in his Church doth shew his glory since the Angels of God 1. Cor. 11.10 which are full of glory attend on thy sacrifice and marke all thy deeds since the powers of Hell bend and their powers then most to hinder thee Mat. 4.1 when thou shouldst pray most publikely priuately by thy selfe with others abroad at home in all places as Saint Paul commands As the Israelites in the Wildernesse at the giuing of the Law were prepared to heare God speake to them Exod. 19.12 and Moses when hee saw the vnburnt burning bush Exod. 3.5 put off his shooes Bee thou when thou commest to speake vnto God prepared so that neither thine Eye may mislead thy Heart nor thy Heart may faile thy Tongue nor thy Tongue either babble with the Pharises long Math. 6.7 and to little purpose or lispe like the Ephramites Iudg. 12.6 speake thy minde imperfectly and vnaptly to God But that the whole man body and soule with a sanctified heauenly reuerence of God in regard of his blessings for which thou must praise him Psal 117. and of his mercies for which thou must pray to him as also of his iudgements for which thou must feare him and of his wisdome for which thou must honour him may bee offered vp together with thy prayses a holy acceptable Sacrifice to God And this is our reasonable seruice of God Now as before our Sacrifice-offering these are the robes more rich and glorious then those of Aaron Exod. 39. wherein our Soules should bee arrayed if when wee come to the Altar of God we would haue our Prayers goe vp like the incense So in the time whilst wee are in offering I find in the Scriptures and the practice of the Saints some other ornáments that must bee vsed as needfull euery one in the time of Prayer as the former be before The first is that euery request wee make to God must proceed from a liuely sence Psal 51. feeling and vnderstanding of the want of that which wee aske for example In the first Petition when wee pray that Gods name may be sanctified that is that in his Word workes mercies iudgements and all the creatures wee may glorifie him except wee see and feele how proud and blinde how hard-hearted and ingratefull wee are to God by nature and also by custome in sinne for his mercies for his creatures for his Word for his Spirit c. wee can neuer pray seriously for humility for the true knowledge of God for zeale for loue for care to please God all which and more are included in this Petition In the second Petition when wee pray and say Thy Kingdome come who can-rightly with feruencie of Spirit request God to renew his soule his heart his will and affections to sanctifie him so that the spirit that raised vp Iesus from the graue may raise him from the graue of sin and reigne and rule in euery part of him making him liue in holinesse and righteousnesse all his life if first hee feele not the bondage and heauy yoke of his sinne and the slauery wherein naturally he is chain'd to Satan being dayly led captiue to all kinde of vice Gold and heartlesse is that request that flowes not from a true touch of want So in the third Thy will bee done except wee feele and that very liuely our owne pronenesse and aptnesse to rebell against Gods lawes our hypocrisie our pride ambition contempt of God his Word and Sacraments our exaction oppression cruelty impatience and murmuring against God because wee cannot haue our owne wills who can rightly desire to learne that of Christ to deny our selues take vp our crosse daily submitting our selues in all things to God indeuouring both to know his will and do it In the fourth likewise who can Pro. 30.8 with Agur pray for contentednes in all estates aswell pouerty as prosperity that first feeles not a want therof through couetousnesse that 's naturally ingrafted in him and diffidence that God will not prouide for him This liuely sense of want was in Anna 1. Sam. 1.10 when in the anguish of her heart shee praied for a child to God in Dauid Psal 51. when he roar'd for the very torture and vexation of heart because he felt not Gods presence and comfort Psal 130.1 as hee was wont In Daniel also Dan. 9. when with that feruencie of zeale he prayed for Ierusalem the Temple the Iewes and himselfe after their long Captiuity in Babylon And this must needs bee in euery one of vs if like Elias wee would haue our prayers to preualie 2. And as there must be a sense of want Psal 55.17 Psal 119.10 so must our requests proceed also from a liuely and feruent desire such a one as was in Moses when hee spake not a word and yet the Lord asked him Exod. 14.15 why hee cryed vnto him when in his heart hee onely called on him The same was in Dauid Psal 143. Psal 42.1.2 As the Hart panteth after the riuers of water so longs my Soule after thee O God My Soule is at hirsts for God euen for the liuing God O when shall I enter into the presence of God Esay 37.16 So in Ezekias that noble King whē with bended knees and teares he stretched out his hands and spread Sennacheribs raylings before God 3. Further that our Sacrifice may not be like Esau's Gen. 27.34 who felt roard and praid when the Birth-right was gone and that with bitternesse for a blessing nor like Ahabs 1. Ki. 21.27 which was feruent but yet hypocriticall euery request wee make to God must proceed of a liuely faith by which wee must haue an assurance to be heard For they that pray must haue an affiance that God in Christ will grant their petitions For this cause Christ tells vs Mark 11.24 that whatsoeuer wee
that euery Petition which Faith puts vp must bee made according to the will of God So Saint Iohn saith 1. Ioh. 5.14 Whatsoeuer wee aske in his Name according to his will we shall receiue Otherwise wee may aske Iam. 4.3 as Saint Iames sayes and not receiue because we aske amisse that is hauing neither commandement so to aske nor promise to receiue And so ask'd the Mother of Zebedees children promotion for her sonnes Mat. 20.23 was repell'd of Christ because she begged shee knew not what And so did Peter in Mount Thabor to build Tabernacles Luke 9.33 Mat. 12.38 And the Iewes to see a signe from Christ Wee therefore that sacrifice and that with faith must from God looke for both a cōmandement to warrant and a promise to fulfill our requests And here wee must obserue two Caueats First that all our requests to God are either for things spirituall or temporall And spirituall things are either absolutely necessarie to saluation as the knowledge of God in Christ the remission of sinnes Faith Hope Loue Humilitie Obedience a good conscience c. or else they are but onely such as are profitable as the vnderstanding of all Scripture all knowledge of Arts Tongues power to worke miracles and such like Those that are of absolute necessitie to saluation wee must aske them simply without condition So did Paul Ephes 1.17 Dauid Stephen and others Those that are but profitable and temporarie as health honour children life c. must alwayes haue a condition annexed Jam. 4.15 If it be for Gods glory If it be agreeable to his will Luke 22.42 Secondly wee must not binde God to any circumstances of time place Psal 130.5 6 7. meanes or otherwise but leaue all free to him and with patience attend his pleasure as Dauid did Psal 40.1 who waited patiently vpon the Lord till hee inclined to him For so God commands vs Psalm 37.3 4 5 6. Tarry thou the Lords leisure and hee will bring it to passe 5. Fiftly as we must pray from a liuely sence of our want with feruent desire and a liuely Faith hauing a warrant from the Word of God not asking things vnlawful Psa 99.5 6 Psal 86.7 8 9 10. Phil. 4.6 Esay 45.5 Ier. 23.24 Deut. 6.13 nor stinting God to any time so this sacrifice must bee offered onely to God sith He alone at all times and in all places is able and can heare All men which neither Angell nor Saints can doe Secondly because Prayer and Inuocation is from Man to God a peculiar part of Gods honour Mat. 4.10 And his honour he hath sworne not to giue to another Psal 97.7 In which respect the Angell refused adoration Reuel 22.9 commanding vs to worship God alone And GOD himselfe by Dauid speaking to all the Nations of the earth bids them trust in Him Psal 62.8 and powre cut their hearts before him And in another Psalme Dauid attributes it for a speciall tythe to God Psal 65.2 Thou that hearest the prayer vnto thee shall all flesh come For which cause that commandement is in the 50. Psalme 15. Call vpon mee not on any creature in the day of calamitie and I will help saith God And sure if the Angels must not bee honoured with this sacrifice of prayer and praise who are glorious spirits and more excellent by Creation and Grace than the Saints and are euer with vs Heb. 1.14 about vs for our good according to that of Dauid Psal 34.7 The Angell of the Lord tarryeth round about them that feare him to deliuer them and that of Christ touching little Infants Mat. 18.10 Their Angels alwayes behold the face of their Father which is in Heauen much lesse must we pray to any of the Saints who are neither so excellent nor so present with vs. Esay 63.16 Abraham knowes vs not saith God by the Prophet and Israel is ignornat of vs. And Saint Paul to the Romanes proues by demonstration Rom. 10.14 that wee must pray onely to God Thus Hee alone in whom wee must beleeue must bee prayed vnto Onely in God wee must beleeue To him onely wee must therefore pray And to whom else did the Fathers Patriarkes and Prophets Adam Seth Henoch Noah Abraham Dauid Daniel Esay Ieremy in the Old Testament Christ himself the Apostles and the Church in the new euer tender this sacrifice of Prayer praise but to the most Highest God Phil. 4.6 the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ I haue cryed vnto thee O LORD Psal 130.1 Psal 146.1 Psal 5.1 2 3 7. sayes Dauid and vnto thee will I giue thankes for thou art my God And when Ezechia in his straitnesse and distresse prayed began hee not O Lord of Hosts Esay 37.16 God of Israel which dwellest betweene the Cherubims Could Moses or Abraham or the Angels haue holpen them or had they had any confidence in them they might as well haue prayed vnto them also as to God It is therefore a spirit of errour and delusion that perswades poore ignorants to pray to and trust in Saints And of such spirits we must take heede And if the power of Scripture cannot moue such as are simple to beware heare a little short discourse of Saint Austens which word for word I will set downe out of his Booke of taking care for the Dead the thirteenth Chapter If the soules of the dead could be or were present at or about the affayres of the liuing and speake vnto vs when we dreame in our sleepe wee see them surely my Holy Mother no night would forsake mee who followed mee both by Sea and Land to liue with me For God forbid that by obtaining a happier life shee should now become more vnkinde then she was insomuch as when my heart is vexed and filled vvith sorrow shee will not so much as comfort her aggrieued sonne whom she loued most dearly whom shee neuer could endure willingly to see sad But verily it it as the Psalmist sayes My Father and my Mother haue forsaken mee but the Lord hath taken mee vp If then our Fathers haue left vs how are they present and behold our cares And if our fathers bee not what other dead folkes are there that know what wee doe or what wee suffer And a little after The Spirits of the Dead are in such a place as they doe not see the occurrences things in this life If neither they see vs then nor know not what we doe sure heare vs they cannot and why then should wee pray to them Let Christs answer to the Diuel sticke in our hearts when wee are tempted to pray to them Mat. 4.10 Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and Him onely thou shalt serue 6. Besides as God onely must haue this Sacrifice Heb. 13.15 so wee must offer it not in our owne but in the name and mediation of Christ Gen. 18. For we are
lying tongues Ephes 4.25 against their delight in fals-hood vntruthes reproching and tales that with Dauid they may haue a vvatch before them Psa 39.1 2. and that GOD would keepe the doore of their lips teaching them to speake the truth and detest all leasings The murtherer against his vnbrideled rage and passion Reu. 22.15 and thirsting after bloud that hee may learne to bee angry with his sinne Math. 5.6 and thirst after righteousnesse and the Kingdome of God The Thiefe Ephes 4.28 against Idlenesse Couetousnesse and distrust in God that hee may learne to labour with his hands prouiding for things honest lawfully in the sight of God and men and relye vpon the prouidence of God Psa 37.3 vsing those iust meanes which God hath appointed The ignorant against the sluggishnesse of their nature Ephe. 4.17 118. the darknesse and blindnesse of their minde that God would enlighten them with his Spirit of grace and teach them how to serue him as they ought They that liue in sinne â— Cor. 13.5 and know it yet repent not against their infidelitie impenitencie and thraldome to their lusts that being deliuered from the power of the Diuell they may amend their liues and sinne no more They that haue receiued great measure of grace â— Pet. 2.21 â—2 and decay in it or abuse it against their negligence coldnesse forgetfulnesse backsliding and falling away that vvith Peter being rais'd through the Mercie of God they may runne on ioyfully the race that is set before them not fainting any more nor yeelding to temptation but valiantly resisting the Diuell alwayes They that by the aboundance of blessings grow proud Apoc. 3.17 18 19. puffed vp with the winde of their owne strength in regard of the greatnesse of their Temporall state or of their knowledge and spirituall abilities in preaching or praying or any other gift as this sinne of Pride is euer the sorest and most frequent assaulter of all men indued with any eminent parts against their innated pronenesse to vanitie and vaine-glory selfe-loue boasting and conceiting too highly of their own worth that they may see from whom they haue receiued these blessings and bee thankefull Finally all sorts of sinners whom God cals to repentance let them after feeling the misery they are in and the want of that grace whereby they that grace whereby they must be helped earnestly and feruently cry for redresse Acts 2.37 with a resolution to sinne no more Acts 38.11 23. with a full purpose euer after to walk in holinesse and newnesse of life Heb. 12.28 for that is to pray with faith with an earnest endeuour to forsake sinne for else they doe but mock God referring themselues and their suite to his pleasure for they must limit him no time to answere them and asking such things as are lawfull to aske and to a lawfull end for otherwise they aske amisse and their suite shall not bee granted That they may not aske amisse Jam. 1.5 let them aske in faith beholding and beleeuing the promises of God of life and saluation in Christ Iesus And let them try their faith by their purpose of neuer sinning against God againe so far as their knowledge and power wil serue them for that 's an in fallible note of true faith because purpose of liuing continuing in sin is cleane contrarie to the nature of faith Thus when the sence of our want hath kindled in vs a flaming desire to craue reliefe and desire hath awakened our sleepie and fainting faith to behold and trust in Gods promised mercies Faith then must haue recourse to God Dan. 9.18 and sue for help and comfort at his hands I say at his hands not at any creatures For creatures be they Saints Ioh. â— 37 38. bee they Angels are not that Fountain of liuing waters wherewith our thirsty spirits must be queÌ„ched But he alone who is the Father of lights Iam. 1.17 froÌ„ whom comes down euery good and perfect gift who though hee bee high and excellent dwelling in the light and holy place so that no mortall eye can see him yet hath hee licensed vs that be but dust Gen. 3.19 to behold him with the Eye of Faith which how weake so euer it be so long as it is true and liuing louing God and desiring still to be at peace vvith him endeauouring in thoughts words workes to please Him euer fighting against inward sinnes and feares outward allurements and both inward outward assaults is not reiected neither yet receiued for it owne sake but for the merit and worthinesse of Christ Iohn 16.23 1. Cor. 13.12 For as yet it 's imperfect beleeuing but in part Therefore in Christs mediation let it come not in the blessed Virgin Maries nor any Saints Heb. 2.3 for their bloud purged vs not from sinne neither haue we through them Rom. 5.2 accesse to the Throne of God but onely by Iesus Christ Ephes 2.18 And this is that vnspeakable Comfort which fraile man through the riches of Gods loue 1. Tim. 1.15 hath left him as a sure refuge against all doubts Of himselfe hee is the vtter enemie of God Psal 51.5 borne in sinne full of sinne to be damned for sinne Gen. 2.17 vnlesse he finde a sufficient Suretie to make Gods Iustice satisfaction Heb. 12.29 For God is a consuming fire against sinne not enduring the least darknesse of it to approch him How then should hee dare since the Holy glorious Seraphims are said with their wings to hide their face vvhen they praise God to looke vpon the face of his offended Maker Behold heere the bounty and loue of God Hee hath so loued Man Iohn 3.16 that hee hath giuen him his owne Sonne to redeeme him His Sonne hath so redeemed him that now God is pleased for his Sonnes sake to suffer nay Esay 55.1 to command man to come to him not asking any other satisfaction of him Acts 2.37 but onely to repent and beleeue in him That he may repent hee giues him the Ministerie of the Word of Life Rom. 8.30 and the power of his Spirit to shew him his sinnes vvith the vglinesse and danger of them Psal 119.104 that he may hate them And least the grieuousnesse and multitudes of them should cause him despaire of pardon for them Ephes 1.11 hee begets in him Faith to beleeue those promises of remission and life 12 which in his Sonne Christ Iesus he hath made him 13. Hee strengthens him to lay hold vpon those promises and apply them particularly to himselfe thus Whosoeuer beleeues in Christ John 3.16 shall not perish but shall haue life euerlasting But I beleeue in Christ therefore I shall not perish but haue life euerlasting Againe Whosoeuer hungers and thirsts after righteousnesse Mat. 5.6 is blessed and shall bee satisfied I Hunger and thirst after righteousnesse Therefore I