A WEEKES WORKE AND A WORKE FOR EVERY weeke By R. B. The third Edition LONDON Printed by Felix Kyngston and are to be sold by Nathanael Newbery 1616. TO THE VERTVOVS AND RELIgious Ladies the Ladie Elizabeth Barkley of Bruton the Ladie Elizabeth Barkley of Yearlington and the Ladie Anne Horner that wisdome which is from aboue that true peace which is from within and the manifestation of both in the fruits of the spirit to their perfect ioy AS I consider with my selfe how Mary did make choice of the better part I cannot but blesse God for the worke of grace So Right Worshipfull on the contrary marking the mad choyce of others I follow the counsell of the Prophet Esaiah I stay wonder Eue had free-will the choyce of an apple and Paradise was before her God said eate not and liue but eate said the Serpent thou shalt not die The diuell was credited God not beleeued the apple was eaten Paradise lost a miserable choice But led she the way in this point of follie and hath shee had no followers What none of her posterity to walk in her steps Behold the sonnes of God chose the daughters of men and forsooke the generation of the righteous Lot left Abraham and made choyce to dwell in Sodome Esau loueth his bellie and for a present messe of pottage selleth away his birth-right The mixt people among the Israelites rather desire garlicke and onyons and to sit by the flesh-pots of Egypt then to eat that sweet Manna frō heauē Yea so mad are men in their choyce as the Iewes from the highest to the lowest cry out to haue a rebell a theefe a murtherer euen a Barrabas instead of that iust one and innocent Christ the righteous As I haue stayed in my thoughts vpon these so now should I wonder but that among our selues I finde many as foolish and as vnreasonable in their chusing They esteeme more of pleasure then of peace wiih God they will sell godlines for earthly gain they preferre profit before piety worldly goods they like of better then heauenly graces they chuse rather to rest vpon an idle conceit in themselues of saluation then vpon the witnesse of Gods word a truly informed conscience they wil plead rather custom then diuine precepts mens examples now for liberty in sinn e rather then the holy liues of the godly recorded in Scripture most in a word chuse rather to be reputed religious then so to be indeed But perhaps you Ladies will say what of all this to you Surely that you beholding nature corrupted and your selues through Gods mercy sanctified by grace may in your more happie choyce giue due praises heartily vnto God who affoordeth you from aboue so much power and strength that you may in some measure with holy Elizabeth walke in the Commandemēts of the Lord with religious Mary sit down at Christs feet heare his word with that blessed Virgin Christs mother ponder the words and lay them vp in your hearts with afflicted Hannah poure out in your necessities your soules by prayer vnto God and with that deuout Anna serue God in fasting and prayers day and night For this end and purpose to further euery well disposed Christian in the path that leadeth vnto life and glory I haue now this third time published this Weeks work worke for euery weeke I haue presumed to send it forth vnder your names not in any merit of the worke but in my true esteeme of your godlinesse and certaine perswasion of your good desires to please God which the Lord encrease in you more more with such inward comfort of spirit as you may perseuere in euery good worke of grace to goe boldly to the throne of grace in euery state and condition to the end of your daies euen so Amen Your Ladyships in all Christian duties RIC. BERNARD Batcombe Iuly 14. A DIALOGVE BETWEENE IOHN the beloued Apostle and his beloued Gaius Epist. 3. vers 1. Iohn GRace be with thee Noble Gaius mercy and peace from God the Father and from the Lord Iesus Christ the Sonne of the Father with truth and loue Gaius Reuerend Father let this thy prayer this day preuaile with God for Grace Peace Mercy Truth in Loue I much long after Iohn Well may wee wish for these things friend Gaius as the foundation of all good fauours with God and all good men Gaius Oh my Lord I thanke God these things with me are of greater price then any thing which may seeme most pretious with the world For Grace maketh me acceptable to God Peace comforteth mee within my selfe Mercy from God affordeth me remission of sins and Mercy from me shewed towards others maketh them both to pray and praise God for me The Truth of God warranteth my course and way and truth obserued of me iustifieth my words and workes Loue in God to me procureth peace bringeth forth mercy and confirmeth truth loue in our selues maintaineth peace vrgeth to mercy and bindeth one to another and all vnto the truth Therefore Sir doe I in soule desire earnestly after the same but I cannot attain vnto that measure which I would I hunger after the perfection of all true holinesse but alas I cannot bee satisfied I thirst after righteousnesse but ah miserable man that I am who shall deliuer mee from the body of this death which so much doth hinder mee in my heauenly progresse Iohn I reioyce greatly worthie Gaius that I find thee thus well prepared for further instructions blessed art thou for so hungring and thirsting after the best things for thou shalt be satisfied Gaius My Lord I am not ignorant blessed be God for this knowledge of my selfe that I am heere indeed in this present world but not of this world one as a pilgrime and stranger without any certaine mansion hither sent of the Lord for a time to bee employed in his seruice and so to stay till hee call mee hence which houre I waite for looking for death daily and the Lords comming to iudgement And therefore I desire to bee ready prepared and to learn whatsoeuer may be needfull both for continuance and encrease of grace in the way of life Especially seeing how the world groweth so on to worse and worse and this our present age declining so fast vnto wickednesse lest I bee intrapped and become guiltie of the common sinnes and so perish in the deserued plagues Iohn Indeed good Christian heart wel mayest thou so tearme these Euill daies our present times Is not pietie turned by many into policie sincerity by others into schisme true zeale is decayed conscience is now but a customarie fashion graced with conformitie faith is altogether a formal seruice without fasting without true feare of God and feruencie of spirit without gratious words tending to edification or good workes assuring vs of saluation godly gouerment is grosly abused by couetous persons and made a base course for filthie gaine true deuotion is not
thy selfe hast is more then thou well deseruest or rightly canst vse without Gods speciall grace the lesse thou hast the lesse account thou art to make Striue to bee well pleased with Gods will and his disposing of all things for this ende pray much and feruently fast often but beware of hypocrisie reade the holy Scriptures diligently and that with all reuerence attention and faith make them thy counsellours in all thy enterprises thy comforts in aduersitie thy guide in prosperity and the rule of thy whole life Eighthly be much addicted vnto heauenly meditations lifting vp thy heart vnto the Lord sending forth spirituall eiaculations vpon euery occasion though prayers bee but short yet may they pierce the heauens by sighes that cannot be expressed If thou doe thinke of God let it be with high reuerence to his Maiestie speake of him with feare as his glorious excellencie requireth So know him as thou mayest in acknowledging him neuer dare to disobey his Commandements Behold him in his goodnes to loue him in his iustice to feare him in his word to know him and to beleeue in him Behold him also in his workes his wisedome and How to behold the Lord in his creatures power in the workes of creation his mercy and iustice in the worke of redemption his euer being in our continuall preseruation Acknowledge his prouidence in prouiding for his creatures his strength in the mightinesse of mountaines and powers vnresistable his holinesse by his Angels puritie and his Saints piety his inuisibility by the aire and strong winds his miraculous hand by the Ocean sea his glorious Maiestie by the brightnesse of the Sunne his bountie by extending his goodnesse to euery creature his dominion and soueraignty by his rule ouer the world his patience by not speedily confounding some presumptuous sinners yet his iustice in due inflicted punishments vpon others His beautie by the heauens brightnesse the Sun in his glory the shining starres the glistering gold and the liuely colours set vpon his faire creatures full of admiration to the beholders His truth by the performance of his word his stability by the certain and vnchangeable course of things and his infinitenesse by the earths roundnesse the heauens circumference and the immeasurable spatiousnes betwixt both Praise this God in all his proceedings disgrace none of his workes magnifie his goodnesse for the least of his gifts bee silent when hee crosseth thee feare when he is vsing vpon his children the rod of his correction but tremble at his wrath in his worke of destruction and euer submit to the powerfull hand of his prouidence Ninthly in the next place with thy thoughts of God sauour also the things that are of God that is his word and ordinances ministery and magistracie also all diuine truthes though aboue all reason likewise all holy motions pressing downe the corruptions of thy heart yea sharpe rebukes for reformatiō shew patience in bearing of wrōgs and manifest loue to the godly though neuer so poore and let their account of thee bee more esteemed of thē the countenance of the mightiest that bee enemies to goodnesse Let mourning and sorrow for sin please thee better then wicked mirth Preferre Gods honor and diuine worship before thine owne life and al thy wealth Hold it thy greatest preferment and glory to be a true Christian and a companion to all that feare God professing the truth with them in the way of life Iudge it no disgrace to bee noted for zeale in religion for following the holy Saints in true deuotion But desire and striue to bee like the best follow Dauid in feruencie Iosias in tendernes of spirit and a melting heart Barnabas in charitie Nathaniel in sinceritie without guile Moses in the spirit of meeknes and Ioshua in his resolution to feare God and that alone with all thine household and bee as Cornelius in his holy estimation of the ministerie and alacrity of spirit to ioyne with the people of God Step forward euer with these and the like in the way of vertue that vnto the death as holy Martyrs haue done constantly looke to the reward of glory in the end Tenthly as thou art religious so bee also righteous serue God and doe thy dutie vnto men obey lawful commands of such as haue authority ouer thee Looke on God in the Commander and for a reward at his hands Be of a peaceable spirit offer Of our carriage towards men wrong to none wrongs receiued seeke not to reuenge desire onely that which is thine owne require that peaceably which other withhold wrongfully vse law but as a moderator and not as an auenger hate no man though he haue deserued it by loue win him and by thy weldoing hold him fast to thee make account of thy neighbour as of thy selfe let his honour bee thy ioy his sorrow thy griefe and his life to thee pretious his chastitie preserue as thine owne honesty thinke thy good name touched in the cracke of his credit for the Gospels sake wish him euer well do as thou wouldest be done vnto If in his absence thou speakest of him let it be good and in his presence onely for his good Couet not to bee preferred before him that is pride not to haue his life that is bloody cruelty nor to satisfie thy lust that is filthie dishonestie nor to get his goods that is the euerie nor to take away his good name that is worse then death Though he dislike of thee yet loue thou him faile not thou of any dutie albeit other doe not obserue thee according as is meet There is in thee the more grace and the greater praise thou doest deserue when thou canst subdue thy passions passe by contempt neglect thy selfe and teach other men their duties onely by thine owne weldoing This will procure loue make all thy paths peaceable and get thee praise and due honour with men if not yet God seeth hee will iudge and plead thy cause for thee in their consciences reuenge thy wrongs vpon obstinate enemies and recompence fully thy goodnesse vpon thy selfe Let this comfort thee against their vnthankfulnesse and remember the end obserue the commandement of loue liue euer in daily expectation of death the reward of life the crowne of glory and by the helpe of Gods spirit thou shalt neuer doe amisse Gaius O blessed Lord God! how do I hunger to haue part in this blessednes my soule is as the thirstie land I preceiue heereby my great wants and bewaile my imperfections I see now the narrow way and the straight gate to life and feare Ah how much is professed how little practiced I should vtterly despaire of my safety but that I rest vpon Gods mercy and relie onely vpon Christ his merits Now the Lord vouchsafe mee his spirit and the helpe of his grace that I may be a true obseruer of all these things thus to doe his will thus to performe my bounden dutie Oh Sir that I could
eternall mansion consider of the earth as but the place of thy pilgrimage not any continuing habitation Thinke of thy remoue all prepare for a better home Prouide for thy selfe with God thereupon often set thy mind but vpon this world vaine and fading away no more thē needs must knowing that he which is least intangled in mundane affaires is most fit for God and can with the greatest ease bid farwell to this world Make all the day time the manifestation of thy graces thy calling the circuit of thy walking thy iust dealing with men the true triall of thy faith towards God thy painfull labour in thy vocation the ordinarie means of thy maintenance be neuer either idle or ill exercised In thy conuersing with How to behaue our selus in conuersing with others men doe as thou wouldest bee done vnto buy and sell in truth and equitie moderate by mercy what thou mayest haue by law in extremity Seek not gaine vnlawfully neither that which may vndoe thy brother Make no vniust prey vpō thy poore neighbours necessity neither seeke aduantage vpon meere mistakings in word or deed Hee that trusteth thee faile him not frustrate not a hopefull expectation of thy goodnesse Secrecies in friendship reueale not no though the partie become thy deadly enemie Bee not hastie to promise but thy word being past keepe it faithfully deale warily and yet liue innocently In companie with persons vnknowne haue a wise respect to thy words and behauiour and be religiously suspicious feare the worst till thou know more as thou shalt find men worthy thy loue so afford it them and therein proceed by degrees and abide constant Loue onely for vertues and forsake not friendship because of humaine frailties Intermeddle not in other mens matters be no busie body to speake or do without the compasse of thy vocation If thou bee intreated to interpose thy selfe betweene parties let thy words aduice tend to peace and iudge without partiality be alike iust therein to friend and foe To conclude so liue in the view of all as none may iustly condemn thee though some maliciously slander thee so also as all good men may behold thee in thy iourney towards heauen as Gods steward in thy course ready at euery houre to giue vp thine account to the Lord with a chearful hart Gaius A men amen I beseech thee good God of Israel For if euery man would thus behaue himselfe abroad The good which cōmeth by mens iust and faithfull dealing then would fraud and falsehood bee sent packing oppression would be suppressed cruelty would bee turned into Christian compassion and friendly courtesies biting vsurie into workes of mercie vniust gaine by periurie briberie robberie and symonie into iust dealing equitie and pietie Wee should heare no more of hard hartednesse extortion malicious reuenging the extremitie of iustice the mischiefs of iniustice for all misse-deeds would bee turned into almes-deeds and duties of loue by which peace is preserued and charity practised And so though wee were abroad wee should neither offend nor easily bee offended and when wee bee returned home wee might sit downe with ioy to meditate vpon Gods mercies to sing praise to him to conferre of the best things to be think our selues in the euening how to prepare our selues to our nights rest in which point also I desire to bee instructed For hauing learned my mornings meditations and the duties therof also how to carrie my selfe abroad on the day I would be glad my Father to know how to behaue my selfe returning home sitting in the house and going to my rest at seasonable houres Iohn Good Gaius I Directions for the euēing perceiue thou art loath to break off before thou hast perfected the worke it is my ioy to goe on with thee being sure that thou doest willingly turne euery good precept into a cōscionable practice When therefore thou doest returne home First giue thy selfe to Meditations in returning home meditation vpon these things 1. That as the end of the day cuts off thy worldly businesse abroad and causeth thee to returne home euen so the worlds end shall cut off all earthly businesses and bring vs to our euerlasting home 2. That as the setting of the Sunne and the darknesse of the night couering vs doth make vs that we cannot follow our callings abroad euen so by the declining of Gods grace the losse of the light of truth blindnesse and darke errour possessing vs wee cannot follow the workes of pietie nor doe the duties of good Christians 3. That as after thy long trauel and absence from home yet thou doest returne again euen so there is a time comming when thou must though heere staied very long returne to thy home thy euerlasting mansion 4. That as thy house being faire and Heauen pleasant they also which liue in it louely peaceable and ioyfull at thy comming doe much reioyce thy heart to enter in and to sit downe with them hauing sustained much trouble abroad euen so may it be great ioy to vs after this miserable life ended to enter into heauen into that pleasant Paradise and to sit downe among that louely peaceable and ioyfull company of elect men and Angels And on the contrary as mā hauing had pleasures honour and all contentment abroad returning home to a filthy house Hell the people in it most disorderly and nothing among them but wickednesse the punishments thereof woes miseries much lamentations as such a man I say would be exceedingly cast down to thinke that he must goe to such a home and it would be as bitter to him as death to enter into his house euen so will it bee to all such as here liue in this world full of honour pleasures and riches with all fleshly and carnall contentment whē they must needs goe to their home euen hell the harbour for all those that liue and die irrepentantly there to bee tormented with the diuels and his Angels for euer Secondly being entred Another duty being set downe into thy house and set downe then call to remembrance what God hath done for thee what mercies hee hath shewed what benefits bestowed what friends raised what comforts affoorded and so forth And againe on the other side what euils preuented what dangers auoided how peaceably continued and preserued and such like that so the Lord for them may bee most worthilie magnified Consider what thou hast done what duties performed to see the continuance of grace what duties omitted and sinnes committed to behold thy imperfections and decay in goodnesse except thou repent Thirdly after these A third dutie at night things take Gods booke into thy hand reade it for thy selfe others if thou hast a familie conclude with prayer and a Psalme of praises vnto the Lord. And withall meditate vpon the candle brought for thee to reade by that as thou canst not reade without light no more canst thou vnderstand without the illumination
of Gods Spirit 2. As the light of the candle being in our eye but a little light yet giueth a great light to the whole house euē so doth that heauenly enlightening of God though it seeme neuer so little to worldly wisedome yet doth it greatly enlighten vs. 3. As while the candle is light we can reade and it being out wee cannot see no more can wee see heauenly things if once the light of Gods spirit be taken from vs. So likewise meditate that the word is as fire which thou sittest by The fire thaweth off frostines and expels cold so the word melteth frozen hearts it comforteth vs going to rest so doth the word going out of the world it trieth mettals so the word doth men It diuideth things sending some vpward and leaueth some on the earth so the word diuideth people some sending vpward some leauing below c. Fourthly in going to thy 4. Dutie Meditations in going to rest rest thinke vpon the ende of this earthly toylesomenesse in the eternall rest in putting off thy clothes thinke how thou shalt at length be vnclothed and as thou art naked in a shirt so shalt thou bee naked in a sheet Thinke also as thou arisest naked in the morning and so returnest to thy bed naked in the euening euen so camest thou naked into the world and so naked shalt thou returne againe Fifthly in lying downe 5. Meditations in lying downe in thy bed consider thy bed as thy graue thy lying downe the laying of thy body in the place of the dead the couering the earthly molds vpon thee the closing of thine eyes the representation of death the sleepe possessing thee deaths ceasing vpon thee the impossibility to preuent sleepe euer the ineuitablenesse of death the ringing of the bell the sound of the last trumpet Thinke by thy companion in bed of the dead with thee in the graue that two may be together the one receiued the other refused Consider how as a flea in the bed may bite thee so the wormes in graue shall eate thee as sleepe taketh away all care of the world from thee so shall death in like manner set thee free from the same And as thou doest not feare to sleepe because thou art in hope to awake againe so be not afraid to die for that thou shalt arise afterwards to life eternall Lastly as thou knowest thou hast a soule awaking though thy body bee sleeping so know that albeit thy bodie lie a while asleepe in the graue yet thy soule euen then liueth and partaketh of ioy let this be for thy comfort Thus by these thy heauenly meditations thy last thoughts being so fixed vpon God and good things before thou doest fall asleepe they will cause thee to lift vp thine eies to the Lord to entreate him to take protection of thee for he neither slumbreth nor sleepeth which keepeth Israel These will preuent vaine dreames idle fantasies and prepare thy soule to better cogitations Yea thus graciously exercised albeit thou doest lie down to rise againe in the morning yet wilt thou so rest secure and lie downe without feare as one assured of life though for this light thou behold it no more with bodily eies vntil the day of iudgment It is euer therefore best to haue thy mind full of godly meditations in betaking thy selfe to rest and it shall not bee amisse so to lie downe as thinking no more to rise till the last day the preparation to death doth not any whit sooner hasten it but maketh it more comfortable when it doth come Gaius Blessed is that man that thus meditateth of his mortalitie happie is he surely that thus prepareth to his rest vndoubtedly hee shall finde the sweet fruites thereof in the end But I now desire to heare of some godly directions how to meditate in the night season if happily I doe awake but I thinke I heard thee speak of prayer before I should goe to my bed therefore as it hath pleased thee to set me downe a forme of prayer for the morning so I beseech thee affoord me the like helpe for the euening Iohn It is indeed Gaius as necessarie to praise God and to pray vnto him in the euening as in the morning and therefore hast thou well done to put me in mind hereof In the name therefore mediation of Christ Iesus thus or in some such like maner mayest thou make thy prayers vnto the Almighty Honour and praise bee giuen A Prayer for the euening to thee most holy Father my most gracious Lord and strong protector which hast of thy great goodnes this day both led me forth safely and now brought me home in peace This hath been thy mercy wholy of which I haue abundantly tasted blessed bee thy name therefore for euer and for euer I confesse to thy praise and glory O God that by thy light I haue walked by thy power I haue been preserued by thy grace preuented from sinnes which I might haue run into from perils which I might haue fallen into and by thy spirit haue I been directed in that which hath been comfortable vnto mee and wherin I haue cause to reioyce Albeit I doe acknowledge that in my best actions I haue shewed much humaine frailty and not a little offended thy diuine Maiesty in thought in words and in deeds which yet of thy great mercy thou hast passed by and not laid vnto my charge as thou mightest iustly haue done Now O Lord I beseech thee so be still gracious vnto me for Iesus Christ his sake and continue thy fauourable countenance and bee euer with me as heretofore and this day past so also the rest of my life this present night now come vpon me Vnclothe mee I pray thee of my old raymēt of vnrighteousnesse and make mee to throw away all my vncleane ragges of filthie corruptions that I may goe in the whitenesse of sincerity and holines vnto my eternall rest In the meane space giue mee the candle light of the truth to shine vnto me in this darke world and make thy word as a fire to heate and enflame my affections with the loue of thee O God and all goodnesse that I may see the way and go with a warm zeale of thy spirit vnto my graue And seeing I came naked into the world and so must lie downe naked bringing nothing neither carrying away any thing Oh blesse mee from couetousnesse and greedie cares of this fading world If I haue but to liue let mee bee therewith contented Put away from mee the feare of death seeing it is but as a sleepe and cannot depriue me of life Yea sythen I am mortall make mee willing to goe vnto my rest that I may cease to sinne and bee freed from the manifold tentations and troubles which accompanie vs heere that although my bodie lie in the graue asleepe my soule may ascend vnto my blessed Sauiour with whom I desire to bee Sanctifie vnto me my rest keepe
how contrary heereunto are the most and how defectiue are the best I may mourne heauily for the multitude and much lament my own wants but as I heare now my dutie so will I endeauour to performe by Gods grace more carefully hereafter the present desire of my heart and therefore proceed thou best beloued Apostle of the Lord to teach me what to do when the publike seruice to God is ended Iohn 1. Preuent al present occasions of worldly vnnecessarie communication 2. Betake thy selfe a Our duty after publike seruice of God while to some priuate place for priuate meditation and prayer vpon that which thou hast heard remembrest 3. Receiue that day so much nourishment only as may satisfie for necessitie auoiding superfluitie arising of variety which may cause drousines dulnesse of spirit and hinder thy meditation 4. Vse conference with other and occasion them to holy speeches if thou doest doubt thou mayest perhaps bee resolued if thou hast forgot the memories of other may help thee as also giue thee vnderstanding in that thou thy selfe knowest not 5. Being disposed to be merrie sing Psalms abandon foolish and leaud sports and vaine companie 6. Forget not this day to shew forth workes of mercy to visit the sicke to relieue the poore and to comfort the afflicted Lastly in the end of the day praise God for the comforts thereof remember what thou hast heard and that which especially concerned thy selfe make some vse of all but forget not that pray for a blessing resolue to put what thou learnest into daily practise and then before thy rest fall to thy daily deuotion and in all good things bee euer constant vnto the end Gaius O Lord grant me so great mercy how happie were I if thus I could doe I earnestly desire it Oh that I could attaine vnto it This were indeed a blessednesse here a heauen vpon earth a celestiall felicity in a terrestriall place in this wretched state of miserie This pearle if I could purchase I offer willingly to giue away all my carnal pleasures al my worldly profits all vaine honour and my selfe wholly for the loue of it For what am I if I had all the world without the effectuall sauing power and grace of the word if I had all pleasure and had no portion in the heauenly Paradise If I had all honour without certaine hope of heauen Woe would bee to mee endlesse woes would seaze vpon mee I will therefore now resolue to walke with God seek fellowship with the faithfull and abandon the waies of wickednesse whatsoeuer befalleth mee in this present world Iohn A most blessed resolution sweet soule go on and prosper looke for ioyfull fruits of thy blessed labour by well doing thou shalt haue assured hope of Gods fauour boldnesse in Christ to go vnto God who will be to thee a Father the Spirit a Comforter as Christ thy Redeemer and Iustifier Feare not death dread not hell heauen is thine inheritance The godly pray for thee Angels accompanie thee the Law will not curse thee the Gospel is for thy comfort and thy conscience will speake peace vnto thee Satan dare not claime thee God doth acknowledge thee for his owne and hath thee in his safe keeping to bring thee to heauen Gaius Blessed man of God thou beloued of the Lord thou hast comforted me and spoken comfortably vnto thy seruant the Lord recompence thy worke and a full reward bee giuen thee of the Lord God of Israel and now behold thy seruant and the seruant of the Lord bee it vnto mee according to all these thy words Yet good Sir before I end I must needs craue a little more helpe I was aduised to pray vpon the Sabbath day in the morning before I goe vnto the publike congregation and in the euening when the day is ended vouchsafe I beseech thee to help my weaknesse heerein also and to set me downe how to pray morning euening on the Sabbath Iohn Friend Gaius I am ready to further thy gracious desires in al good things much reioycing in thy vnfained loue to the Lord and to the holy exercises of religion I heartily wish thee heerein all happie successe such feruencie such growth such constancie as thy example may moue many to imitate thy vertues and to ioyne with thee in the way to eternitie Thus therefore mayest thou or to the like effect pray in the morning O Lord our God whose A Prayer for the Sabbath day in the morning will and commandement it is that wee should keepe holy this day as set apart for the publike worship and seruice of thy most holy name Now I do heartily beseech thee in thy tender compassion and mercy so to looke vpon me in Christ Iesus that my sinnes may not be a wall of separation betweene thee and me but that of thy gracious goodnesse through my blessed Sauiour I may obtaine ful remission of all my sinnes and by him the gift of thy most holy spirit which may happily prepare and make ready my heart that I may goe to the holy assembly of thy Saints as well prepared ground fit to receiue the good seed of thy most holy word Oh Lord open mine eyes to see thy truth mine eares encline to harken attentiuely bend my will to follow what I shall heare that I may not be a bare hearer but a doer of thy word Giue me wisdome to iudge of the truth humility to receiue it faith to beleeue it conscience to practise it make it vnto me the Sauiour of life vnto life a word of reconciliation that I may for euer by it be wonne vnto thee Withdraw my mind and affections wholly from euery thing that may hinder mee from the performance of my duty this day in thy diuine seruice Take from me blindnesse of mind dulnesse of wit disorderlines of affections deadnesse of spirit hardnesse of heart vnbeleefe pride selfe-conceit presumption of mercy and wicked prophanenes that so I may not contemne nor yet make light account of thy holy ordinances the word read and preached the administration of the Sacramēts prayer and thankes giuing with the whole congregation Being set to heare good Father blesse me from wandring thoughts vaine imaginations Satans suggestions drowsinesse of the flesh and whatsoeuer is an enemie to the sauing hearing of thy blessed word Sanctifie my vnderstanding rightly to conceiue my memory to retaine and keepe and my heart truly to affect what thy seruant shall speake vnto mee and to the rest of thy people this day O Lord open his mouth that hee may speake onely thy truth enforme his vnderstanding settle his iudgement enflame his affections with that truth which he shal deliuer vnto vs and guide so his tongue that he may speak wisely seasonably aptly and also with great power of thy spirit to the heart and consciences of euery of vs his hearers so as we may liuely feele the power of thine owne ordinance and may also truly say of him that
thou Lord art most assuredly with him Giue mee and the rest of thy flocke this grace O Lord God of heauen I doe humbly beseech thee that as hee shall teach soundly aptly and powerfully so wee may all most humbly submit our selues vnto his ministery as well when hee conuinceth our errours rebuketh vs of sinne and threatneth Gods fearfull plagues for the same as when he preacheth peace to the penitent and comforteth the sorrowfull spirit Oh let vs not make exceptions against any thing commanded him to speake but rather iudge him the more faithfull and so to loue him more for the truth sake and for his sincere handling of the same Qualifie him euery way for vs as he may go wisely in and out before vs in soundnesse of doctrine in holinesse of life in humility in godly grauity with wisedome and authority familiarly conuersing among vs. And for his encouragement make vs willing to frequent diligently the Church to heare attentiuely to abide reuerently and to learne of him gladly not to looke vpon his humaine frailties but in true loue to passe them by to make much of him lest wee stumble at his doctrine Make vs conscionable towards him in his maintenance to deale vprightly and liberally that hee may doe the worke of his ministery cheerfully And when we haue heard thy word blesse vs O Lord with conscience of holy meditation and prayer suffer not me nor any of thy seruants as the common custome is to be content onely to heare and to remaine still in ignorance and errour to come and goe and yet neuer the better let not thy word so be the sauour of death vnto death to our deeper condemnation O Lord pardon my former negligence and forgiue vs all this wretched prophanenesse and carelesnesse of our saluation as if we were either soul-lesse or senseles Lay not this sin O Lord vnto our charge but afford vs thy grace to heare in hearing to learn and in learning to beleeue so to professe constantly and practise religiously euery day more more till we become perfect in Christ Iesus Giue mee grace O Lord to auoid all occasions of prophaning this day keepe mee from ill companie and from all vaine carnall worldly minded people which may withdraw my heart and thoughts from better things Cause me to make conscience of my whole carriage of my thoughts words and deeds that by vaine talke leaud sports light behauior vnnecessary businesses of the world I may not my selfe bee guiltie of prophanenesse neither by example may moue others to doe amisse Let my thoughts be vpon that which I haue heard and other heauenly things my words vttered to tend to edification Let my mirth be that heauenly melody singing Psalmes to thee O Lord in my heart and my companie such as I may either learne good from them or doe some good vnto them that so the day thus set apart wholly to thee and diuine exercises wee thereby may the better be furnished and made able in the weeke following to do the duties of our calling conscionably in all truth and equitie to thy glory and our owne cōforts that for Iesus Christ his sake our only Lord Sauiour in whose name for my selfe for this congregation and thy holy Church vniuersall I call vpon thee further saying Our Father c. Gaius By the helpe of my God I will surely make more conscience of this dutie then I haue hitherto done I well perceiue the necessity of praier before for indeed Paul may plant with his profound learning Apollos may water by his powerfull eloquence but all is nothing except God giue the encrease except hee giue eyes to see eares to heare and hearts to vnderstand the Teacher shall teach in vaine and we also heare in vaine Iohn Thy resolution Gaius is very good and thou hast also well considered of the necessity of prayer before thou doest go to Gods house Verily the neglect of this holy dutie and the comming of people so prophanely to Gods worship as thou formerly hast complained without due preparation is the very cause why men reape so small fruit by the meanes Cursed is their irreligious cōming their cursed customarie seruing of God their hellish luke-warmenesse their presumptuous prophanesse without any feare of God estimation of Gods ordinances reuerēt respect of his ministers or care at all truly of their owne saluation Oh daies without pure deuotion O times for temporizers But goe thou on good Gaius as thou doest and as thou stil resoluest to do he that is filthie let him be filthy stil follow thou not their guise pray continually and the Lord deliuer his people from the tentations of the times of luke-warmenes and carnall securitie in a worldly peace which is the blūter of zeale the death of true deuotion the very prison of sincere piety the breeder of Atheisme the cause of the contempt of religion the nurse of proud presumption of mercy of vanity wantonnesse with all kind of wickednesse Gaius Sir wofull experience hath proued this for truth in many ages I haue learned it but by your words I haue more reason to consider of it And therefore the Lord directing mee and in his mercy making good these fatherly aduisements vpon me that I may haue the grace to follow the same I hope hereafter to auoid better the occasions of euill and the intrapments of Satā this seducing wicked world which I will daily pray for and in mercy I hope the Lord will heare me But reuerend Sir lest I be too tedious let it please you to finish this work in adding that one thing remaining which is a forme of prayer vpon the Sabbath day in the euening Iohn Hauing meditated somewhat before of the doctrines vses and instructions deliuered of the benefit of the Sacraments of the excellency of religion as also of the publike worship of the diuine exercises and of the fellowship of the godly and in like manner hauing considered what good thou hast receiued thereby wherein informed for rectifying of iudgement wherein instructed to follow vertue wherin reproued for amendmēt of life wherein conuinced of errour wherein comforted concerning affliction and strengthened against tentation thou mayest thus or after such a like maner both heartily praise God and humbly pray vnto him as followeth O Lord God most gracious Euening Prayer for the Sabbath and mercifull Father I doe render vnto thy heauenly maiesty all humble hearty thanks praising and lauding thy most holy name for that of thy great compassion thou hast affoorded vnto mee and thy people the preaching of thy word the effectual means of saluation to as many as truly beleeue Oh how pleasant is thy dwelling place to all that delight in goodnesse better is one day in thy house then a thousand yeeres elsewhere right ioyfull are the feete of thy faithful messengers bringing to vs poore soules the glad tidings of peace Oh that I might dwell in thy house for
euer I had rather bee there a doorekeeper then dwell in the tents of the vaine and wicked though mighty in the world Surely there is no company comparably to the blessed communion of Saints who are Christs members the temple of the holy Ghost and hee in the middest among them Make me highly to esteeme of the publike assembly where thy word is preached and thy name called vpon and cause mee euer to bee vnfainedly thankfull for the same Oh it is thy exceeding great mercy towards me and towards vs all this day that wee may with such freedome and liberty enioy that truth in peace which the blessed Apostles taught and sealed with their blood which many thousands of Saints after thē did professe and maintaine with their very liues in the middest of bloody persecution because otherwise they could not enioy the benefit of the word What ingratitude were therefore this in vs if wee should not laud thy name daily sing praises vnto thy most diuine Maiesty which hast thus in so great mercy dealt with vs that may without feare of open enemies keep publike meetings frequent those places set vp in the honour and praise of thy blessed sonne Iesus How vnworthie should we make our selues of this vnspeakeable grace and fauour if wee should carelesly neglect as too many doe so great meanes of our saluatiō Those that died for the truth may well perswade vs to the loue of the truth and they that shead their blood for preaching it others also who rather then they would not heare it and enioy the benefit of it were contented to hazard their liues they may iustly condemne vs of negligence and shall rise vp in iudgement against vs if wee will not leaue our vaine pleasures and our worldly profits for it O Lord our God lay not this iniquitie to our charge the too much neglect if not contempt of the sauing means of saluation thou mayest in thy iust iudgment vtterly depriue vs of all meanes of our spirituall life of all grace and heauenly comforts for that indeed we doe not so esteeme of the ministerie of thy word and of the Gospell of thy Son as we should Turne vs of thy mercy O God from the accursed loathing to a blessed louing thereof And make vs to account of it as a thing most precious to shew the same in a more earnest seeking after knowledge therein in a greater desire thereof with feruencie of spirit for the truth against sinne in our selues and others against superstition and idolatrie against prophanenesse against contempt of good gouernment and base account of thy faithfull ministers then hitherto wee haue done and cause vs to bring forth also better fruits worthy the Gospell of Christ and our profession That so it may appeare that we be Christians indeed professors in good earnest sincere louers of the truth that so these thy mercies may be established vpon vs continued with vs and propagated to posterities whereby not onely we but euen our children childrens children may haue cause herein with vs to magnifie thy name for euer and for euer And here O Lord I call not vpon thy name for my selfe alone and these thy people knowne vnto me but for all thy whole Church euery where in all the world remember them Lord in thy mercy call those that are not yet called confirme such as are bring backe such as slip out of the way resolue such as stand doubting raise vp such as doe fall comfort the afflicted stand by such as be in combate with the diuell with the world or with the strong and violent streame of corruptions flowing out from their owne euill hearts Stand by them good Lord helpe them for the victorie and deliuer them from euill and by thy grace euer either preuent their falles or forgiue their offences Blesse these particular Churches of England Scotland and Ireland and herein especially the principall member of the same our dread Soueraigne the Kings Maiestie the Queene Prince Charles Fredericke Prince Elector and the Lady Elizabeth the Honourable Councell and worthy Nobles the Ministery and Ministers of thy Gospell and all Schooles of learning for the furtherāce of religiō Lord continue peace among vs vnite our hearts in one in the truth and for the truth cause iustice in true iudgmēt to bee maintained grieuous wrongs and oppressions to bee vtterly suppressed good works of zeale mercy piety to be euery way furthered and the instruments to be highly aduāced And if there be any enemies to thee O God and to thy people maintaining that man of sinne O Lord thou mighty God of heauen reueale them to the world discouer all craftie Achitophels set thy selfe against them and all wicked seducers misleading thy people by errour into Antichristian superstition and idolatrie and either conuert them or confound them for the safety of thy people and their great peace yea for the more full manifestation of thy hatred against that man of sinne against that tyrannicall regiment and that bloody persecuting power with all the trecherous and traiterous adherents to the same and this doe O Lord for thy owne name sake also euen for the merits of Christ Iesus our only Lord Sauiour in whose name we pray vnto thee as he hath taught vs saying Our Father c. Gaius I giue vnto thee thou mā of God most humble thankes for this so great labour vndertaken for my sake I wish I could recompence this thy so great goodnesse but albeit I cannot I doubt not but he that is able and hath promised to reward euery good worke hee assuredly will to whom I shall daily pray that hee may recompence and euerlastingly blesse thee for euery good deede euen so Amen Iohn I thank thee good Gaius I haue done but my dutie of God I deserue nothing of thee for a requitall I looke for no more but that which I know already thou wilt do euen constantly make to a good vse of al. Therin the Lord blesse thee and I am satisfied and so farewel till our next meeting Gaius The Lord be with thee my Father my Father and his holy Angels take safe custodie of thee for euer and euer Amen FINIS