lying with many other euils whereto tentations will intice a man that is left to himselfe whereas to one that is guided with Gods spirit temptations are but trials to the glorie of GOD comfort of the tempted and edyfâ—ing of thy Church But as I saide if a man bee left alone tentations entice euen to the diuel himselfe and therefore thy children praye to bee deliuered from euill vnderstanding thereby Sathan himselfe the sower of and supporter of all euill And this thy children do as well for others as for themselues So that I may learne heereby many good thinges First to remember often our infirmitie and weakenesse the daungerous estate wee stand in in respect of our fleshe of the worlde which is full of euil of Sathan which seeketh to sift vs and as a roaring Lion to destroy vs and of our sinnes which deserue al kinde of punishments and correction that I might with thy children feare thee watch pray and desire the daye of redemption and deliueraunce from all euils Againe I may learne heere that to auoide all daungers and euils is not in the power of man but onelie thy worke By reason whereof I shoulde consider thy great goodnesse which hitherto hast kept me from so many euils both of soule and bodie yea of name goods c. as thou hast doone in my infancie childhood youth middle age c. Thirdly I may learne heere that I should bee careful for others both that they might bee deliuered from their euils and that they might bee preserued from temptation and from being ouercome in the same and thâ—rfore thou teachest me not to pray Deliuer me from euil simplie but Deliuer vs from euiil Last of all I am taught thereby to see thy goodnes towards me which will deliuer mee from euill and from being ouercome in tentations for thou wouldest not haue mee aske for that which I should not certainly looke for at thy handes By reason whereof thou wouldest haue mee to bee in a certainety of my saluation for euer For else I cannot beleeue my prayer to bee heard if that finally I shoulde not bee deliuered from euill and therefore thou ioynest hereto a giuing of thanks which with thy Church I should say For thine is the kingdome thine is the power thine is the glorie for euer By reason whereof I haue great cause to lament and to reioyce To lament because of my corruption infirmitie weakenesse obliuâ— on and carelesnesse for thy people ingratitude c. because of Sathans power vigilancie and prudencie which hatâ— ouercome most graue wise and holâ— men whereof some neuer recouercâ— as Cain Cam Achitophel Saul Iuda 〈◊〉 To reioyce because of thy goodnesse which teacheth me this aâ— shewest mee the remedie commaundest all thy church to pray for mee and wilt at length deliuer mee from all euill and giue me glorie But alas I am altogether carelesse and miserable Oh be merciful vnto mee deare father and for Christs sake for giue me all my sinnes grant me thy holy spirit to reueale to me mine infirmities weakenes perils dangers c. in such sort that as I may heartily lament my miseries so I may aske and obtaine thy grace to guide me from all euill for euermore Againe grant mee the same thy holy spirite to reueale to me thy loue and kindnesse towards me and that in eternitie in such sort that I may be throughly perswaded of the same become thankeful vnto the a dailie expect and look for the reuelation of thy kingdom power and glorie as one that for euer shall haue the fruition of the same through thine own goodnes and mercie in Christ prepared for mee before the beginnings foundation of the world was laide Heere call to minde our securitie sathans vigilancie our negligence his diligence our infirmitie his abilitie our ignorance his craft and subtiltie c. Againe call to minde howe that he hath ouerthrowne for a time many of the deare saintes of God to whom we are to be compared in nothing as Adá Eue Lot Iudas Thamar Moses Aaron Myrian Samson Gedeon Ely Dauid Solomon Ezechias Iosias Peter Thomas and innumerable moe Also call to minde the goodnesse of God and of our sheepehearde Christ which hath kept vs hitherto keepeth vs still and teacheth vs heere to know that hee will keepe vs for euer for hee woulde not haue vs aske for deliuerance from euil if that hee would not wee shoulde certainely looke for the same If thou doubt of small perseuerance thou dishonourest God Bee certaine therefore rest in hope bee still in his worde See also how he hath commmaunded his whole church and euery member thereof to pray for thee all well as for themselues in these and all other thinges Nowe and then goe about to recken how many and diuerse kindes of euils there bee and thereby as you may know you are deliuered from none but by Gods greate goodnesse so may you see that the number of euils that you haue are nothing to bee compared to the multitude of euils wherewith if your Christ were not the diuel would all to beray you infect and corrupt you But what are all the miseries and euils that can bee to be compared to â—he least ioy prepared for vs in heauen Oh thinke of those ioyes and pray that when the tide of death commeth we may hale forth of the haueh of this flesh and this world ioyfully In praying this petition call to minde the euils you haue beene in the euil you are in and the euils you may fall into if God shoulde not preserue you that you might be stirred vp the more to thankefulnesse to prayer to trust in God For thine is the kingdom thine is the power thine is the glory for euer AS in the beginning of this prayer by these wordes Our father which art in heauen thy children an excited stirred vp to a ful confidens of obtaining the petitions following all things necessarie so in the latter end thou hast added for the same pâ—â—â—pose these wordes For thine is the kingdom thineis c. Wherin I 〈◊〉 taught these many things First that iâ— prayer I should haue such consideration of thy kyngdom power glorie eternitie that my minde should be striken with an admiration of the same Secondly that I should so consider theÌ„ especially in prayer that I should not doubt but that thou workest rulest gouernest all things euery where in all persons and creatures most wisely iustly and mercifully Thirdly that in praier al my petitions should tend to the setting footh of the power of thy kingdom and of thy glorie Last of all that in prayer I should in no wise doubt of being heard but be assured that thou which hast commaunded me to pray and hast promised to heare mee doest most gratiousâ—e for thy mercies sake and truthes sake heare my petitions according to thy good wil through Iesus Christ thy deare sonne our Lords and only Sauiour By reason whereof I haue greate cause
and made such fatherlie prouision for vs poore sinners that of thy louing kindnesse we haue rich portions not onely in the creatures of heauen and earth but also in that plentifull redemptioÌ„ which thy most deare Sonne Iesus Christ hath purchased for vs grant vnto vs O merciful father the assistance of thy grace and holy spirite that as our bodies shall nowe take their natural rest euen so our soules and mindes at the beholding of thy goodnesse towardes vs may quiet themselues in thee conceiue such inward pleasure heaueÌ„ly sweetnes in thy loue that whatsoeuer we shal from henceforth either thinke speak or we it may be all to the honour of thy holy name through Iesus christ thy deare sonne our Lorde and onely Sauiour Amen Thy mightie hand and outstretched arme O Lord be still our defence thy mercie and sâ—â—ing kindnesse in Iesus Christ thy deare sonne bee our saluation thy trueth and holy worde out instruction thy grace and holy spirite our comfort and consolation vnto the end and in the ende A prayer for the remission of sinnes O Almightie and euer liuing Lord God the deare father of our Sauiour Iesus Christ which hast made heauen and earth the sea and al that therein is which art the only ruler and gouernour conseruer keeper of all things together with thy dearely beloued Sonne Christ Iesus our Lord and with the holy Ghost our comforter O holy righteous a wise O strong terrible mightie fearefull Lord God gouernor of the whole world iudge of al meâ—â— O exorable patient most gracious Father whose eies are vpon the wayes of all men and are so clean'â— that they cannot abide impietie thou searchest the hearts and triest the verie thoughtes and reines of all men thou hatest sinne abhorrest iniquitie For sinnes sake thou hast greeuously punished maÌ„kinde thy most deare creature as thou hast declared by the penalty of death laide vpon all the children of Adam by the casting of Adam and his ofspring out of Paradise by the cursing of the earth by the drowning of the worlde by the burning of Sodom and Gomor by hardening the heart of Pharao so that no miracle could conuert him by the drowning of him and his people in the red sea by the ouerthrowing of the Israelites in the wildernesse so that of fire hundreth thousand there were but two that entred into the land of promise by reiecting Kingâ— Saul by the punishmentes vpon thy seruant Dauid notwithstanding his heartie repentance by greeuously afflicting Salomon in himselfe and his posteritie by the captiuitie of the ten tribes and by the thraldome of the Iewes wherein vntill this present day they continue a notable spectacle of thy wrath to the worlde against and for stâ—ne But of aâ—â— spectacles of thy anger against sinne the greatest and most notable is the death and bloudie passion of thy dearely beloued Sonne Iesu Christ Great was thine anger against sinne when in heauen earth nothing could be found which might appease thy wrath saue the bloudshedding of thine onely most dearely beloued sonne in whom was and is all thy delight Great was the sore of sinne that needed such a salue mightie was the maladie that needed such a medicine If in Christ in whome was no sin thy wrath was so fierce for our sins that he was constrayned to cry My God my God why hast thou forsaken me How great importable then is thine anger against vs which art nothing but sinfull They that are thy children through the contemplation of thine anger against sinne set forth most euidently in the death of Christ doe tremble and are afraide lamenting themselues vpon him and heartily crying for mercy wheras y â— wicked are altogether carelesse and conteÌ„ptuous nothing lamenting their iniquities or crying to thee heartily for mercy and pardon Amongest whom wee are rather to be placed than amongest thy childreÌ„ for that we are so shamelesse for our sinnes carelesse of thy wrath heaping dailie sinne vpon sinne so that the measure hath ouerflowed and ascended vp to heaueÌ„ brought thy heauy plagues vpon vs which are but earnest for geeater to ensue therefore to vs pertaineth shame and nothing else is one but confusion What shall we doe what shall wee say who shall giue vs peniteÌ„t harts who can open our lippes that our mouthes might make acceptable coÌ„fession vnto thee Alas of our selues we caÌ„not think any good much lesse wish it and least of all we it As for Angels or any other creatures they haue nothing but that which they haue receiued and they are made to minister vnto vs. So that where iâ— passeth the power of the maister the minister must needes want Alas then what shall we doe Thou art holie and we vnholie thou art good and wee nothing but euill thou art pure we altogether impure thou art light and we most darke darkenesse howe then can there be any agreement betwixt vs O what now may we do Dispayre No. for thou art God and therfore good thou art mercifull and therefore thou forgiuest sinnes with thee is mercie and propitiation and therefore thou art worshipped When Adam had sinned thou gauest him mercy before hee desired it wilt thou deny vs mercy which now desire the same Adam excused his fault and accused thee but we accuse our selues and excuse thee and shall we be sent emptie away Noe founde fauour when thy wrath abounded and shall wee seeking grace be frustrate Abraham was pulled out of Idolatrie when the worlde was drowned therein and art thou his GOD onely Israel in captiuitie in Egypt was graciously visited deliuered deare God the same good Lord shall we alwaies be forgotten Now often in the wildernes didest thou deferre spare thy plagues at the requestes of Moses wheÌ„ the people themselues made no petition to thee and seeing we not onelie now make our petitioÌ„s vnto thee through thy goodnesse but also haue a mediatour for vs farre aboue Moses euen Iesus Christ shall wee I say deare Lorde depart ashamed So soone as Dauid said I haue sinned thou diddest forthwith answere him that he should not die thou hast takeÌ„ away his sinnes and gratious God euen the selfe same God shall not wee not we which now with Dauid gladlie confesse that we haue sinned shal we I say not heare by thy good spirit that our sinnes bee pardoned O graunt that with Manasses wee may finde fauour and mercie Remember that thou hast not spared thine owne onely deare Sonne Iesus Christ but giuen him to die for our sinnes to rise for our righteousnesse to ascend for our possession taking in heauen and to appeare before thee for vs for euer a high priest after the order of Melchizedech that through him we might haue free accesse to come to thy throne now rather of grace than of Iustice RemeÌ„ber that thou by him hast bidden vs aske promised that we shoâ—lde receiue saying Aske and yee shall haue seeke and yee
shall finde knocke and it shall be opened vnto you O deare God and most meeke and mercifull father we heartily beseech thee to be mercifull vnto vs for this thy Christs sake for his deaths sake for thy promise trueth mercies sake Haue mercie vpon vs pardon and forgiue vs all our sinnes iniquities and trespasses whatsoeuer we haue committed against thee in thought word or deed euer or at any time hitherto by any meanes Deare father haue mercy vpon vs. Though we be poore yet our Christ is rich though wee be sinners yet hee is righteous though wee be fooles yet he is wise though we be impure yet he is pure and holie for his sake therefore bee merciful vnto vs. Call to minde how thou hast promised that thou wilt powre out of thy cleane waters wash vs from our filthe and cleanse vs from our euils Forget not that thou hast promised to take from vs our stonye heartes and to giue vs soft heartes newe heartes to put in the middest of vs right spirits Remember thy couenant namely that thou wilt be our God and wee shal be thy people that thou wilt put out of thy memory for euer al our vnrighteousnesse and hast promised to write in our mindes and hearts thy law and testimonies Remember that thou doest straitly charge vs to haue none other Gods but thee saying that thou art the Lorde our God O then declare the same to vs all we heartilie now beseech thee Forgiue vs our sinnes forget our iniquities cleanse vs from our filthines wash vs from our wickednesse powre out thy holy spirite vpon vs. Take from vs our harde heartes our stonie heartes our impenitent heartes our distrusting and doubtfull heartes our carnall our secure our idle heartes our impure malitious arrogant enuious wrath full impatient couetous hypocriticall and epicurall hearts and in place thereof giue vs new harts soft harts faithfull hearts mercifull hearts louing obedient chast pure holy righteous true simple lowly and patient hearts to feare thee to loue thee to trust in thee for euer Write thy law in our hearts graue it in our mindes we heartilie beseech thee Giue vs the spirite of prayer make vs diligent and happie in the workes of our saluation sake into thy custodie and gouernaunce for euer our soules and bodies our liues all that euer we haue Tempt vs neuer further than then wilt make vs able to beare and whatsoeuer thou knowest wee haue neede of in soule or bodie deare God gratious father vouchsafe to giue vs the same in thy good time and alwayes as thy children guide vs so that our life may please thée and our death praise thee through Iesus christ our Lorde for whose sake wee hartilye praye thee to graâ—nt these thinges thus asked and all other things necessarie for soule bodie not onely to vs but to all others also for whome thou wouldest that we should pray specially for thy children that bee in thraldome in exile in prison misery heauinesse pouertie sickenesse c. Be mercifull to the whole realme of England and graunt vs all true repentance and turne from vs the euils that wee so wickedlie haue deserued Pardon our enemies persecutors slaunderers and if it bee thy pleasure turne their harts Bee mercifull vnto our parents brethren and sisters friendes kinsfolkes and familiars neighbours and such as by anie meanes thou hast coupled and lincked to vs by loue or other wise and vnto vs poore sinners here gathered together in thy holie name graunt thy blessing and holie spirite to sancâ—fie vs dwell in vs as thy deare children to keepe vs this day and for euer from all euill to thy eternall glorie and euerlasting comforte and the profite of thy Church which mercifully maintaine cherish and comfort strengthenning theÌ„ that stand so that they neuer fall lifting vp them that bee fallen and keepe vs from falling from thy trueth through the merits of thy dearelie beloued sonne Iesu Christ our onelie Sauiour which liueth and raigneth with thee and the holy Ghost to whome bee al praise and honour both now for euer Amen I. B. A prayer for the true knowledge of the mysterie of our redemption in Christ O Almightie God and father of our Lorde Iesus Christ and by him also our Father the Father of all mercy God of all consolation haue mercy vpon vs and heare our praiers wee most humblie beseeche thee for thy deare sonne Iesus christ his sake for his merites and cruell death which he suffered to deliuer vs from eternal death and the power of darkenesse sende into our hearts the spirit of truth to worke in vs a true liuely stedfast faith that the cleere light and brightnesse of thy Gospell the glorie of Christ may shine vnto vs and lighten our minds that wee may learne and vnderstand the wonderfull and vnspeakeable riches of y e mystery of our redemption in Christ and by Christ O Father of glorie giue vnto vs the spirit of wisedome and bring vs vnto the true knoweledge of this thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ and the knowledge of thy selfe Open and lighten the eyes of our mindes and vnderstanding that wee may knowe what the hope is whereunto thou hâ—st called vs and howe rich the glorie of thine inheritance is vpon thy Saints and the exceeding greatnesse of thy power towardes vs that by trne faith by vnderstanding knowledge of thine eternall-wisedome which is Iesus Christ we may be indeede as wee are called true Christians and vnfained professours of thy holy name to worship thee in spirit and trueth to set forth the glory of thy grace giuen vnto vs in Christ Iesu our lord Amen O deare father write in our harts loue of thy law hate to al sin thankfulnesse of heart and continual heat of thy holie spirite for thy sonne Iesus Christs sake To whome with thee and thy holy spirit be al honour maiestie glory thanks rule empire and dominion for euermore Amen A forme of thankesgiuing for our redemption and prayer for the strength increase of faith Lord incrâ—ase our faith Luc. 17. ETernall praise and thankes bee giuen vnto thee deare God and Father of our Lorde Iesus Christ which hast blessed vs with all spirituall blessings in heaueÌ„ly things by Christ in that thou hast chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world was laide that we should bee without blame before thee through him by whom we haue redemption through his bloud euen the forgiuenesse of our sinnes in whome after we heard y e word of truth the Gospell of our saluation wherein we beleeued we are sealed with the holie spirite of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance which spirit hath and doeth beare witnesse vnto our spirits that we are thy children and therefore crieth into our harts Abba Father And thus most gracious father when thou hast once giuen the earnest penie of our saluation into our heartes thou doest not repent
worke in vs that which is acceptable in thy sight SanctifiE vs thoroughout and keepe our whole spirit soule and bodie faultlesse vnto the comming of thy dear sonne our Lord Iesus Christ Thou art faithful O Father who hast promised this who also shall bring it to passe to thee therfore be giuen euerlasting praise honour and glorie Amen A thankesgiuing after meales LEt al nations magnifie the Lord let all people reioyce in praysing and extolling his greate mercies For his fatherly kindnesse is plentifully shewing foorth vpon vs and the truth of his promise endureth for euer Wee render thankes vnto thee O Lord God for thy manifold benefits which we continually receiue at thy bountifull hand not onely for that it hath pleased thee to feede vs in this present life giuing vnto vs al things necessarie for the same but especially because thou hast of thy free mercie fashioned vs anewe into an assured hope of a farre better life the which thou hast declared vnto vs by thy holie Gospel Therefore we humbly beseech thee Oh heauenly father that thou wilt not suffer our affections to bee so intangled and roâ—ted in these earthly corruptible things but that we may alwayes haue our mindes directed to thee oâ— high continually watching for the coÌ„mming of our lord Isesus Christ what time he shal appeare for our full redemption To whom with thee and the holy Ghost bee all honor and glorie for euer and euer So bee it Another thankesgiuing after meales GLorie praise and honour be vnto thee most mercifull and omnipotent Father who hastfed and daylie doest feede of thy most bountifull goodnesse al liuing creatures we beseech thee that as thou hast nourished these our mortal bodies with corporall food so thou wouldest replenish our souls with the perfect knowledg of the liuely word of thy beloued son Iesus Christ to whom with thee the holy Ghost be praise glorie and honour for euer So be it Another MOst bountifull and gratious God which feedest all flesh and hast promised that asking of thee we shall not lacke if wee first seeke thy kingdome the righteousnes thereof we feeling presently the benefit of this thy gratious promise in feeding our bodies with this corporal foode do rendervnto thee most harty thanks for the same beseeching thee likewise to feed our soules with that heauenlie foode which perisheth not but abideth vnto euerlasting life so that we being norished by thy goodnesse both in bodie soule may be apt readie to do al good workes which thou hast prepared for vs to walke in through Iesus Christ our Lord. Vnto him that loueth vs and washed vs from our sinnes in his bloud and made vs Kings and Priestes vnto God his father be all glory power and dominion for euermore Amen Another THe God of glorie who hath created redeemed and presently fed vs be blessed for euermore Amen The God of all power who hath called from death the greate pastor of the sheepe our Lord Iesus comfort defend the flock which he hath redeemed by the bloud of the eternall Testament increase the number of true preachers represse the rage of obstinate tyrants lighten the harts of the ignorant releeue the pains of such as be afflicted but specially of those that suffer for the testimonie of thy truth and finally confound Sathan by the power of our Lord Iesus Christe So be it Prayers commonly called Lydleys prayers with certayne godly additions Before thou prayest forgiue if thou hast any thing against any man and come not to GOD with a double heart but lift vp pure handes without wrath or doubting 1. Tim. 2. AL mightie and most mercifull Father I thy poore creature work of thy hands acknowledge confes vnto thee my manifolde sinnes and â—ffences which I froÌ„ my youth vp vnto this day haue committed against thee in thoughte word deede beseeching thee for Iesus Christ thy deere sonnes sake to haue mercie vpon mee and to pardon the same according to thy greate mercie which hast promised that At what time soeuer a sinner doth repent him of his sinne from the bottome of his heart thou wilt put his wickednesse out of thy remembrance O Lord I confesse that I was borne in sinne and conceiued in wickednesse and am by nature a childe of wrath for in my flesh dwelleth no good thing and of my selfe I am not able to thinke a good thought much lesse to doe that thou in thy lawe requirest of mee saying Cursed is he that continueth not in all thinges that are written in the lawe to doe them Againe thy lawe is spirituall but I am carnall sould vnder sinne Therefore O LORD I come vnto thee for grace which hast said Aske ye shal haue seeke ye shall find knock it shal be opened vnto you to preuent draw my will vnto all goodnesse for none can come vnto thee except he be drawn except we be borne from aboue we cannot see the kingdom of God Therefore O Lord renew in mee a right spirit that I may receiue strength and ablenes to doe thy righteous will Grant that I may euer desire and will that which is most pleasing and acceptable to doe thy will Thy will be my will and my will be alwayes to follow thy will Let there be euer in mee one will one desire with thee and let me neuer desire to will or not to will but as thou wilt Graunt mee that aboue all things I may rest in thee and fully quiet pacifie my heart in thee for thou Lord art the true peace of the heart and the perfect rest of the soule Thou knowest Lord what is most profitable expedient for me where fore doe with mee in al things as it shall seeme best vnto thee For it may not be but well that thou dost which doest most iustly and blessedly dispose al things after thy most godly wisedome Therefore whether it be by prosperitie or aduersitie losse or gain sicknesse or health life or death thy will be done Cast out of my heart al vnprofitable cares of worldly thinges and suffer me not to be lead with the vnstable desires of earthly vanities but giue me grace that all worldlye and carnal affections may bee mortified die in mee Graunt vnto mee the strength of thy holie spirite to subdue this body of sinne with the whole lustes thereof that it may be obedient both in wil minde and members to do thy holy wil Assist me with thy grace O Lord that I may be strenthened in the inwarde man and bee armed with thy holy armor which is the breast-plate of righteousnesse the shielde of faith the hope of saluation for an helmet and the sworde of the spirit which is thy holy word that I may stand perfect in all that is thy will be found worthy through Christ to receiue the crowne of life which thou hast promised to all them that loue thee Giue me grace that I may esteeme
the space of eighteen moneths was finally taken by the king of Babylon Ier. 39. 10 b  11 c  12 d  13 e  14 f  15 g About this time the great sweat began in England Anno. 1552. 16 A  17 b  18 c  19 d  20 e  21 f Marie Magdalen 22 g  23 A  24 b  25 c James Apostle 26 d  27 e As vpon this day the Athenians receiued a great ouerthrow in Sicilia of the Syracusians 28 f  29 g  30 A  31 h  August hath XXXI dayes 1 c Aaron died in the mountain of Hor being 123 yeares olde 40. yeares after the comming out of Egypt Num. 20. 33. 38. 〈◊〉 2 d  3 e  4 f  5 g  6 A  7 b  8 c  9 d  10 e The 10. the temple of Jerusalem was set on fire by the souldiours of Iitus hath not since been builded againe Iosephus lib. 6. cap. 26. 11 f  12 g  13 A  14 b  15 c  16 d  17 e  18 f Dog dayes end 19 g  20 A  21 b  22 c  23 d  24 e Bartholmevv Apostle 25 f  26 g  27 A Religion as on this day was reformed according to Gods expresse truth in the most renounced citie of Geneua an 1535 28 b  29 c  30 d  31 e  September hath XXX daies 1 f  2 g  3 A  4 b  5 c  6 d  7 e Our soueraigne Lady Queen Elizabeth was borne vpon this day at Greenwich Anno. 1532. 8 f  9 g The 9. of this moneth Ierusalem was put to fire and sword and wholly ouerthrowne as Christ foretold them Iosephus lib. 7. cap. 26. 10 A  11 b  12 c  13 d  14 e Chrisostome being chased out of his Church of Constantinople as vpon this daie died 15 f  16 g  17 A  18 b  19 c  20 d  21 e S. Nathevv Apostles 22 f  23 g  24 A  25 b The 25. Nehemias did finish the repairing of the walles of Ierusalem An. 1444 before Christ Nehe 6. 5 26 c  27 d  28 e  29 f S. Michael 30 g  October hath XXXI daies 1 A The Iewes fasted and wept for Godolias Iere 41 and 42. 2 b  3 c  4 d  5 e  6 f  7 g  8 A  9 b  10 c The 10. day was the feast of conciliation which was the only day that God ordained to fall 11 d  12 e  13 f  14 g  15 A  16 b  17 c â— The 17. day which was the 150 after the beginning of the flouds the Ark rested vpon the mountain Ararat in Armenia Gen. 8. 18 d Luke Euangelist 19 e  20 f  21 g  22 A  23 b  24 c The 24. Titus gaue forth 3000. Iewes to the wild beasts Anno. 73. 25 d  26 e  27 f  28 g Simon and Jude 29 A  30 b  31 c  November hath XXX dayes 1 d All Saintes 2 e  3 f  4 g  5 A  6 b  7 c  8 d  9 e  10 f The 10. This day happened the wofull slaughter of Verna where Ladislan king of Hungarie was slaine by the Turke an 1444. Also as vpon this day Martin Luther was borne 11 g  12 A  13 b  14 c  15 d  16 e  17 f The 17. day of this moneth Queene Elizabeth began her raign 18 g  19 A  20 b  21 c  22 d  23 e  24 f  25 g The 25. day was the counterfeit fealt by Ieroboam after he had withdrawne the ten tribes of Israel from the obedience of Roboam their lawful king the which be ordained in Dan and Bethel after he had set vp the the golden caluer to the intent the people should goe no more to worship in Ierusalem 1. King 12. 26 A  27 b  28 c  29 d  30 e Andrevv Apostle Decembber hath XXX dayes 1 f  2 g  3 A  4 b  5 c The shortest day 6 d  7 e  8 f  9 g  10 A  11 b  12 c  13 d  14 e  15 f The 15. day the yeare before the natiuitie of Christ 165. Antiochus the gretset vp an idol vpon the altar of the Lord in Ierusalem Mach. 1. 16 g  17 A  18 b  19 c  20 d The 20. daie Esdras gaue foorth proclamation to the Israclites to for sake their strange wiues that they had married and to send them away 1. Esd 9. 21 e Thomas Apostle 22 f  23 g  24 A S. Iohn Euangelist died in Ephesus being of the age of 89. yeres vnder Iraian 25 b The natiuâ—tie of Christ 26 c S. Stephen 27 d S. John Euangelist 28 e Jnnocents 29 f The Emperour about 30. yeares after the destruction of Ierusalem 30 g  A Rule to knowe when the Termâ—â— beginneth and endeth HIllarie Terme beginneth the three twentieth of Ianuarie if it be not sundaie if it be then the next day after and endeth the twelfth of Februarie Easter Terme beginneth seuenteene daies after Easter and endeth foure daies after the Ascension Trinitie Terme beginneth the next day after Corpus Christi day and endeth the Wednesday fourthnight after Michaelmas Terme beginneth the ninth of October if it be not Sunday and endeth the seuen and twentieth of Nouember Eight dayes before anie Terme begin the Exchequer openeth except Trinitie Terme which openeth but foure daies before ¶ An Almanacke for ten yeeres The yere of our Lord. The Prime The Epact Sondaies letter Leape yere Ashwednesday the first day of Lent Easter day VVhitsonday 1596 1 11 D C Mar. 1. April 11. May. 30 1597 1 22 B  Ma. 5. Marc. 27 15 1598 3 23 A  12 April 61. Iune 4. 1599 4 4 G  Mar. 4. 8 May. 27 1600 5 15 F E Feb. 17. Marc. 23 11 1601 6 26 E  8 April 12. May. 31 1602 7 7 D  28 4 23 1603 8 18 B  13 Apr. 24. Iune 12 1604 9 29 A E Mar. 5. April 8 May. 27 1605 10 11 G  Feb. 24. Mar. 31. Mai. 19 AN INTRODVCTION to Prayer FOrasmuch at of our selues we are destitute of all good thinges and vtterlie voyde of all necessarie helpes to saluation the Lord our God of his owne free mercie and goodnessâ— offereth himselfe to vs in Christ and in him he giueth vnto vs in the steed of our miserie all felicitie in the steed of our pouertie the vnspeakeable riches of his grace he openeth vnto vs in him the treasures of heauen that our faith might wholly behold him and
the Lorde is and are becom new creatures by the heauenlie regeneration through the doctrine of the gospell should like holie and innocent babes lay aside all such workes of the flesh which do depriue a man of the kingdome of God And Saint Paule commaundeth vs that laying aside those cursed vvorkes of darknesse vve should in the steed thereof put on euen as the elect of God holie and beloued tender mercie kindness humblenesse of minde meeknesse long suffering forbearing one another forgiuing one another if anie haue a quarrell to another as Christ forgaue vs end aboue all these things saith he put on loue vvhich is the bond of perfection let the peace oh God rule in your hearts vvhen ye shall stand and praie saith Sâ— Marke forgiue if ye haue anie thing against anie man that your Father also vvhich is in heauen maie forgiue you your trespassesâ— for if yee vvill not forgiue your father vvhich is in heauen vvill not pardon you your trespasses Moreouer we must haue such a feeling of our owne miserie and wretehednes as may worke in vs an earnest sorrowe and vexation of minde for the same Example whereof wee may see in the deare seruantes of God when they say that out of the deep deepenesse and out of the middes of the iawes of death they vtter vnto the Lord a sorrowfull voice He that desireth mercy must haue a feeling of his owne miserie And therefore saith Dauid Heale my soule O Lord for I haue sinned against thee There is nothing in my flesh saith hee because of thy displeasure neither in there any rest in my bones because of my sin This anguish and sorrowe stirreth vp in Gods children a feruent desire to obtain coÌ„fort help and succour at Gods hande and therfore such as fâ—ele themselues oppressed with great calamities hauing by the help of man no hope of deliuerance doe crie vnto God with afflicted hearts as Dauid did in his distresse My soule thirsteth for God euen for the liuing God and as the hart being vvounded braiâ—th for the riuers of vvater so panteth my soule after thee O God This is that godlie sorrow which S. Paule saith worketh in Gods children repentaunce to saluation The Lorde is nigh to them saith Dauid that are of a contrite heart and vvill saue all such as are afflicted in spirite To him vvill I looke euen vnto him saith the Lord that is afflicted and broken hearted and trembleth at my vvordes Therefore Dauid calleth the time of trouble the fit and conuenient time for the faithful to fly vnto God by prayer And albeit they be not at al times in like distresse or continuallie groning vnder the burthen of present euils yet must they needes bee euer in dread of new daungers and carefully â—ffraid of further troubles to follow As trouble and feare therfore are the verie spurs to â—ir them vp to heartie and feruent prayer â—o by occasion thereof they haue more free accesse vnto God as though he did therby call them vnto him This godly sorrow for sinne and feruent desire and longing for Gods louing mercie and fauour commeth not of our selues but of the speciall goodnesse of God for we are of our selues dul and without al lust to pray â—ea so great is our imperfection that wee know not howe to pray as wee ought and therefore the spirite helpeth our infirmities instâ—ucteth vs what is right and guideth our affections Hee maketh intercession for the Saintes saith 〈◊〉 Paule according to the vvill of God and that vvith Vighes and grâ—anings vvhich cannot be expressed that is hee stirreth vp our he arts giueth vs a desire and boldnesse to pray causeth vs to mourn when we are by any meanes hindred from it and feele not our selues moued therunto with such feruent zeale and affection as we should be Now although wee knowe that it is the only work of the holie Ghost thus to moâ—e and incline our heartes to prayer notwithstanding we may not be negligent slouthfull to dispose and stirre vp our selues therevnto but rather contrariwise so often as we feele our selues colde and not disposed to praier as we ought to be wee must make our supplication vnto the Lorde that it woulde please him to inflame vs with his holie spirit wherby we may be framed to pray with such feruencie of mind as we ought to doe When we are cast downe by the sence feeling of our owne infirmity sinne aud miserie Yet must we pray notwithstanding in sure and stedfast hope to obtaine our requests These be things in deed contrarie in shewe to ioyne with the feeling of the iust vengeance of God sure affiance of fauour which things doe yet verie wel agree in that it is the goodnesse of God onlie that raiseth vs vp being oppressed with our owne euils from the which of our selues we cannot rise For as repentance and faith are knit as companions together albeit the one driueth vs downe with feare and the other lifteh vs vp again with comfort so in praying they must needs go together And this agreement Dauid expresseth in few wordes I vvill saith he in the multitude of thy mercies enter into thy house and in the temple of thy holinesse I vvill vvâ—rship thee vvith feare Therefore when wee are once touched with true repentance and feling of our own miserie we must withall haue such a perswasion of Gods fauor and mercie towards vs in all our praiers that they shall be accepted of God so far foorth as it shall be necessary for â—s This is the assurance saith S. Iohn that vve haue in God that if vve aske anie thing according to his vvill he heareth vs. If we haue not a sure â—rust and confidence in the mercie and promises of God it is vnpossible to make our praier to him aright and whosoeuer doubteth whether God heareth his prayer that man obteineth nothing to such praiers God hath made no promise But contrariwise he saith vvhatsoeuer ye shall aâ—ke in praier if ye beleeue ye shall receiue it And againe VVhatsoeuer yee desire beleeue that yee shall obtaine it and it shal be done vnto you Ask saith Saint Iames in faith and vvauer not for hee that vvauereth is like to the vvaues of the sea vvhich are tossed of the vvind and caried avvaie And why should wee wauer or doubt seeing the holie scriptures testifie of God that he is faithful iust and true in all his wordes and promises saying The Lord is faithfull in all his vvordes hee vvill euer bee mindfull of his couenant the trueth of the Lorde endureth for euer And although our faith be not so strong and therfore our prayer so hearty and zealous as it ought to be yea though our faith be faint and cold yet let vs hold fast this principle that our praiers are not frustrate or in vaine For our comfort herein we haue an example in the father which brought his sonne first to the Apostles and
of the gift and calling neither wilt thou at any time breake thy couenant of race and mercy in Christ thy sonnes merites confirmed in vs by that seale loue token For what though wee be weake in our beleefe shal our vnbeleefe make thy promise of no effect No thou wilt alway bee founde true but all men are lyars And yet Lord thou doest most graciously behold accept bee it neuer so little a sparke of faith We say therfore cry vnto thee with one y e wept said I beleeue Lord helpe my vnbeleefe Yea that little be it neuer so little is thy meere gift also The which as thou hast begun so most merciful Lord increase the same more more to the peace and comfort of our conscience and the glorie of thy name through Iesus Christ Amen A thankesgiuing to God for his great benefites HOnour and prayse bee giuen to thee Lorde God almightie most deare Father of heauen for all thy mercies and louing kindenesse shewed vnto vs in that it hath pleased thy gracious goodnesse freelie and of thine owne accorde to elect and choose vs to saluation afore the beginning of the worlde and euen like continuall thankes bee giuen vnto thee for creating vs after thine owne image for redeeming vs with the precious bloud of thy deare Sonne when we were vtterlie lost for sanctifying vs with thy holie spirite in the reuelation and knowledge of thy sacred word for helping and succouring vs in all our neede and necessity for sauing vs from all daunger both of bodie and soule for comforting vs so fatherlie in al our troubles and afflictions for sparing vs so long and giuing vs so large a time of repentance These benefites O most mercifull Father like as we do acknowledge that wee haue receiued of thy onelie goodnesse euen so wee beseech thee for thy deere sonne Iesus Christ his sake to graunt vs alwaies thy holy spirite whereby we may continually growe in thankefulnesse towardes thee be lead in all trueth and comforted in all aduersitie Strengthen our faith O lorde kindle it more and more in feruentnesse and loue towardes shee and our neighbours for thy sake Suffer vs not most deere Father to receiue thy word any more in vaine but graunt vs alwaies the assistance of thy grace and holy spirite that in heart word and deede we may sanctifie and doe worship to thy holy name that wee may helpe to amplifie and increase thy kingdome and that whatsoeuer thou sendest we may heartily wel be content with thy good wil and pleasure Suffer vs not to lacke the thing O Father without the which wee cannot serue thee but blesse thou so all the workes of our hands that we may haue sufficient and not to bee chargeable but rather helpefull vnto other Bee mercifull O Lorde vnto our offences and seeing our debt is great which thou hast forgiuen vs in Iesus Christ make vs to loue thee and our neighbors so much the more Be thou O father our captayne defender in all temptations holde thou vs by thy mercifull hande that we thereby may be deliuered from al inconueniences and end our liues in the sanctifying and honouring of thy name through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen A prayer for true mortification O God my creator preseruer and euerlasting defender where first in my creation I was made like vnto thine owne likenesse the deuil alas hath since by Adams fall made mee vgly monstrous and euill fauored like to him self For what are nowe Lorde mine earthly members but as thine Apostle writeth adulterie whoredome vncleanesse vnnaturall lustes euill concupiscence couetousnes which is the worshipping of Idols such other for the which thy wrath is wont to come vpon the children of vnbeleefe Neuerthelesse Lord of thy great mercy and goodnesse against this so greate a mischiefe a much greater remedy thy fatherly prouidence hath or dayned for thou hast sent Iesus Christ thy deare only natural sonne into this world the vale of miseries to loose the workes of the deuill and to take away my sinnes Therefore Sathan hath nowe nothing to brag of for through Christ al that beleeue in thee and so become thy children do ouercome the world the flesh the deuil And this is the victorie which ouercometh them al euen our faith That faith I meane which is perswaded that whosoeuer beleeueth in Christ shall not perish but haue euerlasting life That faith which beleeueth the testimony to be true which thou God the father doest testifie of thy sonne so making thee no lyar and this is y â— testimonie that thou hast giuen vs eternall life That faith which beleeueth that thou Father who raisedst vp Christ from death shalt also quicken our mortall bodies through thy holie spirit dwelling in vs. That faith which beleeueth it to bee true which thy Sonne Christe affirmed with a double oth saying Verily velily I say vnto you hee that beleeueth in mee the works that I doe the same shall hee doe and greater workes than these shall he doe because I goe to my Father And finally that faith which beleeueth that nowe Christ hath been lift vpon the crosse he shal drawe all thinges vnto him This faith I say is the victory which ouercommeth our enemies the deuil the world and our flesh Thou therfore deare father which hast promised to giue whatsoeuer I shall aske in thy deare sonne Iesus name for thy great mercie and infallâ—ble truethes sake do now in mee y e thing that he came for loose in me the workes of the diuel take away my sinnes I beseech thee make stedfast my faith and confidence in thy promised mercies and merciful promises so that I assuredlie beleeuing in thee may haue as thou hast promist euerlasting life making thee deare God no â—iâ—r may beleeue feele know in my heart and conscience that the same euerlasting life is thy meere and free gift vnto mee yea all readie of thy great goodnes vndoubtedly giuen me being now traslated from death to life Of a thankfulnesse wherof Lord cause me now dailie to mortifie my earthlie members yea deare father â—â—th thy spirit which raysed vp christ from death dwelleth within me doe thou who raisedst Christ froÌ„ death quicken my mortal bodie throgh thy spirit so dwelling within me I beseech thee yea Lord Iesu according to thy promise because thou art now gone to thy father make mee worke this woÌ„derful great work that thou speakest of I meane make me being of my selfe but a lumpe of sinne and a monster most vgly as the vices whereon the members of my earthlie body are aboue declared to be compact doe proone make me I say yet through thy grace to hate abhorre flee and subdue all adultery whoredome vncleannesse vnnaturrall lusts euill concupiscence vnordinate desires wantonnesse tendernesse delicatenesse idlenesse drunkennesse gluttonie slouthfulnesse distrust despaire ignorance
the same doth come to mee by thy most iust ordinance yea by thy mercifull ordinance for as thou art iust so art thou mercifull yea thy mercie is aboue all thy workes And by this knowledge graunte me that I may humble my selfe to obey thee looke for thy helpe in time conuenient not onely when I haue meanes by which thou maiest work and are so accustomed to do but also when I haue no meanes but am destitute thereof yea when al meanes be directlye and cleane against mee grant I say that I may yet stil hang vpon thee and thy prouidence not doubting of a fatherly ende in thy good time Againe least I should contemne thy prouidence or presume vpon it by vncoupling those thinges which thou hast coupled together preserue mee from neglecting thy ordinary lawfull meanes in all my needes if so be I may haue them with good conscieÌ„ce vse them although I know thy prouidence bee not tied to them further than pleaseth thee graunt that I may with diligence reuerence and thankefulnes vse them thereto my diligence wisedome and industrie in all thinges lawfull to serue thereby thy prouidence if it so please thee howbeit so that I hang in no parte on the meanes or on my diligence wisedome and industrie but onely on thy prouidence which more and more perswade mee to bee altogether fatherlie and good how farre soeuer otherwise it appeare seeme yea or else is felt of me By this I being preserued from negligence on my behalfe and despaire or murmuring towardes thee shall become diligent and patient through thy meere and alone grace which giue and increase in me to the praise of thy holy name for euer through Iesus Christ our Lorde and onelie Sauiour Amen I. B. A meditation of Gods power beauty goodnesse c. BEcause thou lord wouldest haue vs to loue thee not onelie doest thou wil entice allure and prouoke vs but also doest commaund vs so to doe promising thy selfe vnto such as loue thee threatning vs with dam nation if we do otherwise Whereby we may see both our great corruptioÌ„ and naughtinesse and also thine exceeding great mercie towards vs. First concerning our corruption and naughtinesse what a thing is it that power riches authority beautie goodnes liberalitie trueth iustice all which thou art good Lorde can not mooue vs to loue thee Whatsoeuer things wee see faire good wise mightie are but euen sparkles of that power beautie goodnesse wisedome which thou art For to the ende thou mightest declare thy riches beautie power wisedome goodnesse c. thou hast not onely made but still doest conserue all creatures to be as Dauid saith of the heauens declarers setters foorth of thy glorie and as a booke to teach vs to knowe thee How faire thou art the beauty of the Sunne Moone Starres lights flowers riuers fieldes hilles birdes beastes men and all creatures yea the goodlie shape and forme of the whole world doth declare Howe mightie thou art wee are taught by the creation of this world euen of nought by gouerning the same by punishing the wicked mightie Giants therof by ouer throwing their deuises by repressing the rages of the sea within her boundes by stormes tempestes fires These and such like declare vnto vs thine inuisible almighty terrible power wherby thou snbduest al things vnto thee Howe rich thou art this worlde thy great and infinite treasurehouse doth well declare What plentie is there not onelie of thinges but also of euery kinde of thing Yea howe dost thou yearely and daily multiply these kinds How many seeds dost thou make of one seede Yea what great increase dost thou bring it vnto These cannot but put vs in remembrance of the exceeding riches that thou hast For if to thine enemies which loue the not as the most part in this world be if to them thou giuest so plentifully thy riches heere what shall we thinke that with thy selfe thou hast laid vp for thy friends Howe good thou art all creatures generally and particularly do teach What creature is there in the world which thou haste not made for our commoditie I wil not say how that thou mightest haue made vs creatures without sense or reason if thou haddest woulde But among all thinges none doth so teach vs thy great loue towardes vs as doth the death of thy most dearelie beloued sonne who suffered the pains terrors thereof yea and of Hell it selfe for our sakes If this thy loue had been but a small loue it would neuer haue lasted so long nor Christ should neuer haue died I. B. A Meditation concerning the sober vsage of the bodie that it may be subiect and obedient to the soule THis our body which God hath made to bee the tabernacle and mansion of our soule for this life if we consider it accordingly we could not but vse it otherwise than we do that is we would vse it for the souls sake being the guest thereof and not for the bodie it selfe and so should it be serued in things to helpe but not to hinder the soule A seruant it is therefore it ought to obey serue the soule that the soule might serue God not as the body will neither as the soule it selfe will but as God will whose wil we should learne to know and behaue our selues therafter The which thing to obserue is harde for vs nowe by reason of sinne which hath gotten a mansion house in our bodie dwelleth in vs as doth the soule To the which sinne I meane wee are altogether of our selues inclined because we naturally are sinners and borne in sinne by reason whereof wee are redie as seruantes to sinne and to vse our bodies accordingly making the soule to sit at reward and pampering vp the seruant to our shame Oh therefore good Lorde that it would please thee to open this geare vnto mee and to giue mee eies to consider effectually thâ—s my body what it is namely a seruant lent for thee soule to soiourne in and serue the in this life yea it is by reason of sin that hath is dwelling ther become nowe hto the soule nothing else but a prison and that most strait vile stinking filthy and therefore in danger of miseries to many in al ages times and places till death haue turned it to dust whereof it came and whither it shall returne that the soule may returne to thee from whence it came vntill thâ— day of iudgement come 〈◊〉 the which thou wilt raise vp that bodie that then it may be partaker with the soule and the soule with it inseparably of weale or woe according to that is done in and by the same bodie here now in earth Oh that I coulde consider often and heartily these things then should I not pamper vp this body to obey it but bridle it that it might obey the soule then should I flie the paine it putt â—t my soule vnto by reason of sinne and prouocation
the multitude of thy tender mercies Looke vpon mine affliction and my trauell and forgiue mee my sinnes Remember not the offences of my youth nor my rebellioÌ„s against thee For if thou Lord shouldest marke our iniquities Lord who should bee able to stand in thy sight Seeing thou hast found iniquity euen in thine Angels the heauens are not clean in thy sight much more is man abhominable filthie which drinketh iniquite like water Notwithstanding thou hast said O lord that as the reghteousnes of the righteous man shal not saue him whensoeuer he offendeth so shal not the wickednesse of the wicked man hurt him whensoeuer hee forsaketh his wickednes and turneth to thee For thou knowest thine owne handie work thou remeÌ„brest what wee are thou seest that we are but weake and feeble flesh Looke not therefore vpon my sinnes O Lorde but looke vpon the face of thine annoynted For he hath borne our iniquities he hath caâ—ried our sorrowes Hee was wounded for our transgressioÌ„s he was broken for our iniquities the chastisemeÌ„t of our peace is laid vpon him He gaue his bodie to be beaten and his cheekes to bee stricken he bare y â— sinnes of manie and prayed for the offenders He came to bring glad tidings to the poore to bind vp y e broken hearted to preach liberty to the captiues to coÌ„fort them that mourne in Sion and to giue vnto them beauty for ashes the oyle of ioy for mourning the garment of gladnes for y e spirite of heauinesse that they might be called trees of righteousnes the planting of the Lord. For his sake therefore O Lorde be mercifull vnto me and saie vnto my soule behold I come to thee thy health and thy saluation A prayer for the true knowledge and vnderstanding of the worde of God LEt my praier come before thee O Lord giue mee vnderstanding according to thy worde Blessed art thou O Lord teach me thy statutes That with my lips I may declare all the iudgements of thy mouth That I may delight in the way of thy testimonies aboue all riches That I may meditate in thy precepts and consider thy waies That I may take pleasure in thy statutes and not forget thy word Be good vnto mee thy seruant O Lord y â— I may liue keep thy word Open mine eies that I maye see the wonders which are in thy lawe I am a stranger vpon earth notwithstanding hide not from mee thy commaundementes For my hart languisheth with the desire that it hath to thy iudgments Thy testimonies are my delighte and my counselles I will praise thee with an vpright â—â—art when thou hast taught mee the â—udgmentes of thy righteousnesse Shewe mee thy waies O Lorde and teach me thy paths Leade mee foorth in thy trueth and each mee for thou art my God and â—y saluation in thee doe I trust al the day long Make mee vnderstand the way of â—hy preceps and I will consider thy â—onderous workes Thy handes haue made mee and â—ashioned mee giue mee vnderstanâ—ing that I may learne thy commandementes That they which feare thee seeing mee may reioyce because I haue trusted in thy word Shewe the light of thy countenance vpon thy seruant and teach me thy ordinances Thou art good and gracious therefore according to thy goodnesse teach me thy statutes O Lorde of whose goodnesse the earth is ful teach me thy ordinances O lorde I beseech thee accept the sacrifice of my lippes and teach mee thy iudgements The righteousnesse of thy testimonies is euerlasting graunt me vnderstanding and I shall liue Deale with thy seruaunte according to thy mercies and teach me thy statutes I am thy seruant graunt mee vnderstanding that I may knowe thy testimonies My lips shall shewe foorth thy praise wheÌ„ thou hast tanght me thy statutes My tong shall talke of thy word for al thy commandements are righteous For in thee is awel of liuing waters aud euer flowing in thy light shall wee see light A prayer for the leading of a godly life I Crie vnto thee with my whole heart heare me O Lord guide â—e that I may keepe thy statutes I call vpon thee saue mee that I may keepe thy testimonies Let my prayer bee directed in thy â—â—ght as incense the lifting vp of â—y handes as an euening sacrifice I haue gone astray like a loste â—eepe seeke thy seruant for I doe not forget thy commandements Teach me thy way O Lord that I may walke in thy trueth knit my heart vnto thee that I may feare thy name Let thy louing kindnes come vnto mee O Lorde and thy saluation according to thy promise Let my heart be vpright in thy statutes that I be not confounded Oh that my waies were so directed that I might keepe thy statutes Then shall I not bee confounded when I haue regarde vnto all thy commandements I made my supplication in thy preseÌ„ce with my whole hart be mercifull vnto mee according to thy promise Guide mee O Lorde that I may consider my waies and turne my feeâ— into thy testimonies Wherewith shal a man redresse his waies In taking deed therto according to thy word Teach me O Lorde the may of thy statutes that I may keepe them to the ende Giue me vnderstanding that I may keepe thy law yea that I may keepe it with my whole heart Direct me in the path of thy commaundements for therein is my delight Turne away mine eies that I regard not vanitie quickeÌ„ me in thy waie Stablish thy promise to thy seruaunt whereby he may be taught to feare thee Direct my steppes in thy worde and let not iniquity haue dominion euer me Let not the foote of pride come against me let not the hande of the wicked moue mee Gather not my soule with the sinners nor my life with y e bloudy men Let my foote stand in vprightnes that I may praise thee O Lorde in the congregation Let not the word of trueth depart out of my mouth for I trust in thy iudgements Set a watch O Lorde before my mouth keepe the dore of my lips Let not mine heart bee inclined to euil to worke wicked workes with them that worke iniquitie Teach me good iudgment knowledge for I do beleeue thy commandements Staie my steps in thy pathes that my feete do not slide Stablish mee in thy promise that I may lâ—ue and let me not be disappoynted of my hope Staie thou me O Lord I shal be safe and I will delight continually in thy statutes O God create in me a pure heart renue a right spirit within mee Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holy spirite from mee Restore me to the ioy of thy saluation and stablish mee with thy free spirite Let me heare thy louing kindnes in the morning shew mee the waye that I should walke in for in thee is my trust
els but to sinne So that the best parte in man before regeneration in Gods fight is not onely an enemie but enimitie it selfe One man therefore which iâ— regenerate may well bee called alwayes iust and alwayes sinfull iust in respect of Gods seede and his regeneration sinfull in respect of Sathans seede and his first birth Betwixt these two men therefore there is continuall conflict and war most deadlie The flesh and the olde man by reason of his birth that is perfect doe often for a time preuaile against the new man being but a childe in comparison and that in such sort as not onely other but euen the children of God themselues thinke that they be nothing els but old and that the spirit and seed of God is lost and gone away where yet notwitstanding the truth is otherwise the spirite and the seed of God at the length appearing againe and dispelling awaye the cloudes which couer the Sunne of Gods seede from shining as the cloudes in the aire doe the corporall Sunne so that sometimes a man cannot tel by any sense that theâ— is any sunne the cloudes and windes so hidetâ— it from our fight Euen so our cecitie or blindnesse and corrupt affections doe often shadow the sight of Gods seede in Gods children as though they were plaine reprobates Whereof it commeth that they praying according to their sense but not according to the trueth desire of God to giue them againe his spirite as though they had lost it and hee had taken it away VVhich thing God neuer doth indeed although hee make vs to think so for a time for alwaies he holdeth his hand vnder his children in their falles that they lie not still as other do which are not regenerate And this is the difference betwixt Gods children which are regenerate aud elect before all times in Christ and the wicked cast awayes that the elect lie not still continuallie in their sin as doe the wicked but at the length doe returne again by reason of Gods seede which is in them hid as a sparke of fire in the ashes as we may see in Peter Dauid Paule Marie Magdalen and others For these I meant Gods children God hath made all things in Christ Iesu to whome hee hath giuen this dignity that they should be his inheritance and spouses This our inheritour Christ Iesus God with God light of light coeternall consubstantiall with the father and with the holie Ghost to the end that he might become our husband because the Husband and the Wife must be one body and flesh hath taken our nature vpon him communicating with it and by it in his owne person to vs all his children his diuine maiestie as Peter saith and so is become flesh of our flesh bone of our bones substantiallie as wee are become flesh of his flesh and bone of his bones spiritually al that euer we haue perteining to him yea euen our sinnes as all that euer he hath perteining vnto vs euen his whole glorie So that if Sathan should summon vs to answere in our debts and sinnes in that the wife is no suable person but the husband wee may well bid him enter his action against our husband Christ and he will make him a sufficient answer For this ende I meane that wee might be coupled and maried thus to Christ and so be certaine of saluation and at peace with God in our consciences God hath giuen his holy word which hath two parts as now the children of God doe consist of two men the one part of Gods word being proper to the old man the other part of Gods word beeing proper to the newe man The parte properlie pertaining to the old man is the lawe the part properly perteining to the new man is the Gospell The law is a doctrine which commaundeth and forbiddeth requiring doing and auoyding Vnder it therfore are conteined al precepts threatnings promises vpon conditions of our doing and auoyding c. The Gospell is a doctrine which alwayes offereth and giueth requireng on our behalf not as of worthinesse or as a cause but as a certificate vnto vs and therefore vnder it are contained all the free and sweet promises of God as I am the Lord thy God c. In those that be of yeares of discretion it requireth faith not as a cause but as an instrument whereby we ourselues may be certaine of our good husband Christ and of his glorie and therefore when the conscience feeleth it selfe disquieted for feare of Gods iudgement against sin she may in no wise looke vpon the doctrine pertaining to the olde man but to the doctrine onely that pertaineth to the newe man in it not looking for that which it requireth that is faith because wee neuer beleeue as wee should but onely on it which it offereth which it giueth that is on Gods grace and eternall mercie and peace in Christ Iesu So shall she be in quiet when she looketh for it altogether out of her selfe in gods mercy in christ Iesu in whose lap if she lay her head with S. Iohn then is shee happie and shall finde quietnesse in deede When she feeleth her selfe quiet then in Gods name let her looke on the lawe and vpon such things as it requireth thereby to bridle and keepe downe the olde Adam to stay the Goliah froÌ„ whom she must needs keepe the sweet promises being the bed wherein her spouse she 〈…〉 lie together For as the wife 〈◊〉 keepe her bed onelie for her husband although in other things she is contented to haue fellowship with others as to speak sit eate drinke go c. so our consciences which are christs wiues must needs keep the bed that is goes sweet promises all only for our selues and our husband there to meete together to imbrace and laugh together and to be ioyful together If sinne the lawe the deuill or any thing els woulde creepe into the bed and lye there then complaine to thy husbande Christ and foorthwith thou shalt see him play Phinees part Thus my dearly beloued I haue giuen you in few wordes a summe of all the Deuinity which a Christian conscience cannot want FINIS The Table AN introduction to praier 17 A meditatioÌ„ coÌ„cerning praier 49 A meditation vpon the Lords praier 68 Priuate praier for the morning euening and other thâ—eâ— of the day 132 VVhen you avvake out of your sleepe cod VVhen you behold the daie light 134 VVhen you arise 135 VVhen you apparell your selfe 136 VVhen you are made readie to beginne the day vvithall 138 Cogitation meete to begin the day vvithal 139 VVhen you goe foorth of the doore 143 VVhen you are going anie iourneie 145 VVhen you are about to receiue your meat 148 In the meale time 150 After your meat 152 VVhen you come home againe 155 At the Sunne going dovvne 156 VVhen the candles bâ— light 158 VVhen you make your selfe vnreadie 160 VVhen you goe into