temptations of the world but hath by his good providence with-held us from many of those sins and dangers to which of our selves we were exposed There are many others in the world who have this day perhaps been surprized by some mischief or have fallen into some great sin and the same might have been our condition and therefore we have reason to be sensible of his favour in exempting us from it that he hath in any measure afforded us direction and successe in our affaires and not blasted our endeavours accompanying us in our goings out and comings in Because the Lord hath commanded his loving kindnesse in the day therefore in the night shall my song be unto him and my prayer unto the God of my life Next to these we may recite those temporal favours which do more particularly concern us either in our Soules Bodies Friends Names Estates 1. Our Souls in respect of our Vnderstandings Memories Consciences Affections that we were not made idiots or blockish we might have been possessed with stupidity and forgetfulnesse with madnesse and astonishment of heart with wilde and raving passions And therefore we have reason to be sensible of that great favour we enjoy in respect of the clearness of our understandings strength of our memories peace in our coÌ„sciences moderatnes in our affections c. 2. Our Bodies in regard of Health Senses Limbs That he doth not send upon us sore sicknesses and of a long continuance and make us Prisoners to the bed of languishing That he does not chasten us with strong pain upon our beds so that our life should abhor bread and our soul dainty meat That we are not tormented with grievous aches with loathsome diseases and sores that we have the free use of our senses not blinde or deaf or dumb c. that we are sound and perfect in our limbs not maimed or deformed as many others are whereby their condition is made very uncomfortable in comparison to ours 3. Our Friends that God hath inclined the hearts of others to shew us any favour that we do enjoy the acquaintance of such in whose society and converse we may relieve and refresh our selves amidst the maâ—y perplexities that we shall meet with 'T is the case of many others to be left in a forlorn and friendlesse condition with Ishmael to have every mans hand against them and therefore we have great reason to blesse God for raising us up friends and benefactors and continuing them to us 4. Our Names that he hath bestowed upon us any reputation in the hearts and reports of others and not given us over to such scandalous sins as would have made us a proverb and reproach that we are not Cains to kill our Brethren nor Amnons to commit incest nor Absaloms to attempt the ruine of our Parents nor Judases to murder our selves The seeds and principles of all these abominations being in our natures it must needs be acknowledged for a great mercy to be withheld from them That he hath in any measure restrained the malicious tongues of others from aspersing of us 5. Our Estates and therein for plenty liberty quietnesse suitablenesse God might have placed us in some needy slavish unquiet condition in some calling disproportionable to our inclinations and gifts and therefore we have reason to acknowledge his mercy in bestowing upon us competency of means freedom and seemlines of condition wherin we are not forced to flatter or borrow fitnes of calling c. That we have opportunity to serve the Lord our God with joyfulnesse and with gladnesse of heart in the abundance of all things Whereas 't is the case of many others that they are forced to serve their enemies in hunger in thirst in nakednes and in want of all things There may be some poor Christians perhaps at this time under cruel restraint and imprisonment others it may be wallowing in their blood by reason of bitter and fierce persecutions for their bearing witnesse unto the truth of Jesus Other precious Saints of whom the world is not worthy may be now under great necessities wandering up and down in deserts and mountains being destitute afflicted tormented having not a place whereon to rest their heads Whereas 't is our happinesse that we are supplied with all things convenient for us having bread to eate and clothes to put on and many other particular favours which are renewed to us every moment the very continuance and commonnesse of which doth take away their observation And as we are thus to remember private mercies so likewise should we take notice of those temporal favours which concern the publike the peace plenty strength safety of the Nation wherein we live For that every one may sit under his own vine and fig-tree there being none to make us afraid That he hath not delivered us to trouble and astonishment and to hissing That whereas his anger and his fury hath been poured out upon other places upon man and upon beast upon the trees of the field and upon the fruit of the ground yet the overflowing scourge hath not come near us He might make us a reproach and a taunt and an astonishment unto the nations that are round about us Executing upon us judgment in anger and in fury in furious rebukes He might infatuate our Governours and mingle a perverse spirit in the midst of them This is the condition of other places and we have reason to praise him if it be not so with us In a more especial manner we ought to take notice of our freedom or deliverance from those sore judgements the sword the famine and the pestilence 1. For our Peace for delivering us from the hurtful sword that there is no breaking in nor going out nor any complaining in our street whereas he might whet his glittering sword and make his hand take hold of judgement till his arrows he drunk with blood and his sword to devoure flesh Yet he hath made peace in our borders so that violence is not heard in our land nor wasting or destâ—uction within our borders Whereas other countreys are made desolate so that their high wayes are untrodden and the travellers walk through by-ways the inhabitants of the villages cease Yet he hath been pleased to make us like the garden of Eden our Cities being fenced and inhabited and hath not taken away our peace from us his loving kindnesse and mercies 2. For our Plenty that he hath according to his promise called for the corne and wine and increased it and layed no famine upon us multiplying the fruit of the trees and the increase of the field that we do not receive the reproach of the famine amongst the heathen For crowning the year with goodnesse and making his paths to drop fatnesse 1. For bestowing upon us the former and the later raine moderately and in his season that he does
the Earth is thine thine is the Kingdome O Lord and thou art exalted as head above all Vers. 12. Both riches and honour come of thee and thou reignest over all and in thine hand is power and might and in thine hand it is to make great and to give strength unto all 1 Chron. 16.27 Glory and honour are in his presence strength and gladnesse are in his place Neh. 9.5 Whose glorious name is exalted above all blessing and praise Vers. 6. Thou even thou art Lord alone thou hast made Heaven the Heaven of heavens with all their Host the earth and all things that are therein the seas and all that is therein and thou preservest them all and the Host of Heaven worshippeth thee Vers. 32. The great and mighty and terrible God who keepeth Covenant and mercy Job 4.18 Who chargeth his Angels with folly Job 5.9 Who doth great things and unsearchable marvellous things without number Vers. 10. Who giveth raine upon the Earth and sendeth waters upon the Fields 11 To set up on high those that be low that those which mourne may be exalted to safety 12 Who disappointeth the devices of the crafty so that their hands cannot performe their interprize 13 Who taketh the wise in their own craftinesse and the counsell of the froward is carried headlong 14 So that they meet with darknesse in the day-time and grope in the noon-day as in the night 15 But he saveth the poor from the sword and from their mouth and from the hand of the mighty Job 9.4 He is wise in heart and mighty in strength who hath hardened himself against him hath prospered Vers. 5. Which removeth the mountaines and they know not which overturneth them in his anger 6 Which shaketh the Earth out of her place and the pillars thereof tremble 7 Which commandeth the Sun and it riseth not and sealeth up the starres Vers. 8. Which alone spreadeth out the Heavens and treads upon the waves of the Sea c. Job 15.15 Who putteth no trust in his Saints yea the Heavens are not clean in his sight Job 26.6 Before whom Hell is naked and destruction hath no covering Vers. 7. Who stretcheth out the North over the empty place and hangeth the Earth upon nothing 8. Who bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds and the cloud is not rent under them 9. Who boldeth back the face of his throne and spreadeth his cloud upon it 10. Who hath compassed the waters with bounds untill day and night come to an end 11. The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproofe 12. Who divideth the Sea by his power and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud 13. Who by his Spirit hath garnished the Heavens and his hand hath formed the crooked Serpent Who is perfect in Knowledge Job 37.16 Vers. 22.23 With whom is terrible Majesty We cannot find him out he is excellent in Power and in Judgement and in plenty of Justice He respecteth not any that are wise of hâ—art Psal. 8.1 Whose Name is excellent in all the Earth who hath set his glory above the Heavens Psal. 33.6 By whose word the Heavens were made and all the Host of them by the breath of his mouth Vers. 7. Who gathereth the waters of the Sea together as an heap and layeth up the deeps in store-houses 8. That all the Earth might fear him and all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him 10. Who bringeth the counsel of the People to nought and maketh the devices of the people to be of none effect 11. Whos 's own counsel standeth for ever and the thoughts of his heart to all generations 13. Who looks down from Heaven and beholds all the sons of men 14. From the place of his habitation he looks upon all the inhabitants of the Earth 15. Fashioning their hearts alike and considering all their works Psal. 47 2. Who is the Lord most high and terrible a great King over all the Earth Psal. 57.5 Who is exalted above the Heavens and his glory above all the Earth Psal. 65.6 Who by his strength setteth fast the mountains being girded with power Vers. 7. Who stilleth the noise of the seas the noise of their waves anâ— the tumult of the people Psal. 66.5 Who is terrible in his doings towards the children of men Vers. 7. Who ruleth by his power for ever and his eyes behold the Nations Ps. 68.33 Who rideth upon the Heaven of heavens which were of old Psal. 72.2 Who shall judge the people with righteousnesse and the poor with judgement Vers. 11. All Kings shall bow down before him and all Nations shall do him service 17. Whose name shall endure for ever and be continued as long as the Sun and men shall be blessed in him and all Nations shall call him blessed 18 Who onely doth wondrous things Ps. 83.18 Whose name alone is Jehovah who is the most high over all the Earth Psal. 89.6 Who in the Heaven can be compared unto the Lord Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord Vers. 7. Who is greatly to be feared in the Assembly of his Saints and to be had in reverence of all those that are about him 8 O Lord God of Hosts who is a strong God like unto thee or to thy faithfulnesse round about thee 9 Thou rulest the raging of the Sea when the waves thereof arise thou stillest them 10 Thou scatterest thine enemies with thy strong arme 11 The Heavens are thine the Earth also is thine as for the world and the fulnesse thereof thou hast founded them 13 Thou hast a mighty arme strong is thine hand and high is thy right hand 14 Justice and Judgement are the habitation of thy throne mercy and truth shall go before thy face Psal. 95.3 Who is a great God and a great King above all gods Vers. 4. In whose hands are the deep places of the Earth the strength of the Hills is his also 5 The Sea is his and he made it his hands formed the dry land Psal. 96.6 Before whom are Honour and Majesty and in whose sanctuary are strength and beauty Psal. 99.2 Vers. 3. Who is great in Zion and high above all people Whose Name is great and terrible for it is holy 4 Who loveth judgement and doth establish equity executing judgement and righteousnesse in Jacob. Psal. 103.19 Who hath prepared his throne in the Heavens and his Kingdome ruleth over all Ps. 104.1 O Lord my God thou art very great thou art clothed with Honour and Majesty Verse 2. Who coverest thy self with light as with a garment Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain 3. Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters and maketh the clouds his charet and walketh upon the wings of the winde 4. Who maketh his Angels spirits his Ministers a flaming fire 5. Who laid the foundations of the Earth that it sheuld not be removed for ever 9. Who hath set a bound to the
4 5. Who will bring to light the hidden things of darknesse and will make manifest the counsels of the heart Eph. 1.11 Who doth every thing according to the counsel of his own will Eph. 3.20 Who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think Col. 1.16 By whom all things were created that are in heaven and earth visible and invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers 1 Tim. 1.17 Who is the King eternal immortal invisible the only wise God Ch. 6.15 The blessed and only Potentate the King of kings and Lord of lords Vers. 16. Who only hath immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto whom no man hath seen or can see Heb. 4.13 In whose sight there is no creature that is not manifest but all things are naked and opened unto the eye of him to whom we have to do Heb. 13.8 Rev. 6.15 Who is yesterday to day and the same for ever At whose dreadful appearance the Kings of the earth and the great men and the rich men and the chief Captains and the mighty men shall be willing to hide themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountaines Vers. 16. Crying to the mountaines and rocks Fall on us and hide us from the face of him that sits upon the Throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. II. Invocations of the second sort are such Scripture-expressions as these Ex. 34.6 The Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious long-suffering and abundant in goodnesse and truth Vers. 7. Keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin Neh. 9.17 Who is a God ready to pardon gracious and merciful slow to anger and of great kindnesse Psal. 9.9 Who is a refuge for the oppressed a refuge in time of trouble Verse 10. Who will never forsake them that seek him Psal. 33.4 Whose word is right and all his works are done in truth Verse 18. Whose eye is upon them that fear him and upon them that hope in his mercy Verse 19. To deliver their souls from death and to keep them alive in famine Psal. 34.8 9. Who will not suffer them to want that fear and trust in him Verse 15. Whose eyes are upon the righteous and his ears are open to their cry Verse 17. To hear deliver them out of all their troubles Verse 18. Who is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit Verse 22. Who will redeem the soul of his servants and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate Psal. 36.5 Whose mercy is in the heavens and his faithfulnesse reacheth to the clouds Verse 6. Whose righteousnesse is like the great mountains and whose judgements are a great deep who preserveth man and beast Psal. 46 1. Our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble Psal. 65.2 The God that heareth Prayers unto whom all flesh should come Verse 5. The confidence of all the ends of the earth and of them that are afar off upon the sea Psal. 72.12 Who delivereth the needy when he crieth the poor also and him that hath no helper Verse 14. Who shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence and precious shall their blood be in his sight Ps. 103.8 Who is merciful and gracious slow to anger and plenteous in mercy Verse 9. Who will not alwayes chide neither will he keep his anger for ever Verse 10. Who does not deal with us after our sins nor reward us according to our iniquities Verse 13. Like as a father pitieth his children so the Lord pitieth them that feare him Verse 14. He knows our frame he remembers that we are but dust Verse 17. Whose mercy is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that feare him and his righteousnesse unto childrens children Verse 18. To such as keep his Covenant and to those that remember his Commandments to do them Ps 145.8 Who is gracious and full of compassion slow to anger and of great mercy Verse 9. Who is good to all and his tender mercies are over all his works Verse 18. Who is nigh unto them that call upon him to all that call upon him in truth Verse 19. He will fulfill the desires of them that fear him he also will hear their cry and will help them Isa. 51.6 Though the heavens shall vanish away like smoke and the earth shall waxe old like a garment and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner Yet his salvation shall be for ever and his righteousnesse shall not be abolished Isa. 66.2 Who hath great regard to them that are poor and of a contrite spirit and tremble at his Word Jer. 14.8 Who is the hope of Israel and the Saviour thereof in time of trouble Ezek. 33.11 Who hath no pleasure in the death of the wicked but rather that he should turn from his way and live Mich. 7.18 Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage who retaineth not his anger for ever because he delighteth in mercy Verse 19. Who will turn again and have compassion upon us subduing our iniquities and casting all our sins into the depths of the sea Mat. 18.20 Who hath promised where two or three are gathered together in his name to be in the midst of them Rom. 2.4 Who does abound in riches of goodnesse and forbearance and long sufferance which should lead us to repentance Who is rich unto all that call upon him Rom. 10.12 2 Cor. 1.3 Eph. 1.17 Who is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort The God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of glory Jam. 1.17 The Father of lights from whom every good and perfect gift doth come with whom there is no variablenesse neither shadow of turning 2 Pet. 3.9 Who is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance III. Divine compellations of the third sort may be derived from such Scriptures as these Neh. 1.5 Who keepeth Covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his Commandments Job 5.19 Who will deliver us in six troubles yea in seven there shall no evill touch us Verse 20. Who in famine shall redeem us from death and in war from the power of the sword O thou Preserver of men Job 7.20 Psalm 8.1 O Lord our Lord how excellent is thy name in all the world Psalm 18.2 My rock my fortresse and my deliverer my God my strength in whom I will trust my buckler the horne of my salvation and my high tower Verse 3. Who is worthy to be praised Ps. 19.14 Ps. 22.9 10 My strength and my Redeemer Who tookest me out of the wombe and hast been my hope and my God since I was upon my mothers breast Psal. 27.9 The God of my salvation Psal. 33.5 Who loveth righteousnesse and judgement and the earth is full of his goodnesse Verse 12. Blessed
but the generals and kindes of our sins The particular acts of them being past our numbring To all which may be added our pronenesse to maintain justifie extenuate our offences CHAP. XIII Concerning the aggravation of sins BEsides the Enumeration of our sins it is also requisite that we understand somewhat concerning the aggravation of them whereby they may appear exceeding sinful that so we may be the better affected with a selfe-abhorrency and humiliation for them Aggravation may be either of Sinne in General Kindes of sin Particular sins 1. Sinne in general may be aggravated either by its Greatnesse Multitude in both which respects it is eminent above any thing else as for other matters if they be great they are but few if many they are but small But sin exceeds in both these 1. The greatnes of its evil may be discerned in its Nature Effects both in regard of Christ. Our selves Other creatures 1. All sinne in its own nature and essence is enmity against God Now as he that hateth his brother is a murtherer So he that hateth God may be said to be a murtherer of him Because in his heart he wishes that he were not The holy Ghost fitly stiles it The excrement The superfluity of naughtinesse implying that if all other evils were to have a scum a superfluity 't is sinne must be it 'T is worse then the Devil himself it made him to be so 'T is worse then Hell that is but opposite to the good of the creature this of the Creator And if the greatnesse of the malady may be judged by the cost and difficulty of the Cure It will easily appear that no evil is so great as this because nothing could serve for the remedy of it but the infinitely precious blood of Jesus Christ 'T is so great an evil that there can be no greater punishment of it then by it self when God would deale with a man as a most desperate enemy he give him up to sin There can be no worse epithite or expression for it then it self When the Apostle would speak the worst of it he could he calls it by his own name sinful sin 2. For the effects of it in regard 1. Of Christ who had it only by imputation as our Surety It was the cause of all his bitter Agonies It afflicted his soul and broke his heart making him to cry out My God my God why hast thou forsaken me 2. In respect of our selves it hath utterly undone all mankinde debased our souls which were fit companions for God himself unto a servile shameful condition Deprived them of that glorious Image wherein all our happinesse and excellency did consist and made us more vile then the beasts that perish 3. In respect of the other Creatures it hath brought a vanity and curse upon the whole Creation causing all the miseries and sorrows in this world and those eternal torments in the world to come All which mischief is contained in the nature and might be effected by any the least particular sin Now if every sin have in it so much deformity and danger if our least offences do contain in them more enmity and injustice against God then could be expiated by the whole Creation and of themselves would be enough to sink us into eternal perdition how desperate then are those greater abominations those crying sins of a scarlet and crimson dye wherewith our lives have been defiled If an infinite wrath be due to our idle thoughts what may we expect then for our unclean covetous malicious proud Atheistical Blasphemous thoughts If every vaine word does deserve hell what depth of damnation then shall be inflicted for those many cursed oaths lies bitternesse railings and other unsavory discourses whereof we have been guilty If our Righteousnesse be as filthy rags if the iniquity of our holy things be enough to condemne us what dregs of indignation may we then expect for our many rebellions prophane hypocritical actions if our sacrifice and obedience may be counted abomination what shall be thought then of our Sacriledge and Rebellion 2. For the multitude of our sins who can tell how oft he offendeth Our iniquities are increased over us and our trespasses are grown up unto the heavens They are more then the haires of our head Neither the tongue of men or Angels is able to reckon them up if there be any impiety which we have not fallen into 't is not for want of sinful inclinations in us but rather because we had not temptations means opportunities for the acting of it To which may be added our continuance in sin as a fountain casteth out her waters without intermission Now if one sin alone be enough to expose us to damnation O then how shall we be able to stand before so many sins which we know by our selves besides those many secret sins which we have not known many that we never considered and very many that we have quite forgotten If all the plagues and curses of the law be due unto those who continue not in all things written in that book to do them What fury and wrath then may they look for who have persevered in a continual rebellion against all Gods holy Laws and Commandments If one sin in Adam were enough to condemn the whole world what then may a world of sins in every one of us All which sins will yet appear more heinous by comparing them with those many and great favours which we have received 2. The Kindes of sin may be aggravated 1. By comparing them with others which are lesse evil 2. By examining them according to their full latitude shewing how many impieties are involved in every one 3. By distinguishing them into their several degrees 1. By comparing them for example sinnes of Commission are in themselves more hainous then sins of Omission Sins against the Gospel are in some respects much worse then sins against the Law because they are against greater light and mercy and the more means any have injoyed the greater shall their condemnation be Corazin and Bethsaida being upon this ground pronounced by our Saviour to be in a worse condition then Tyre and Sidon As in matter of grace God does not weigh it by the Scales but try it by the touchstone not so much regarding the number as the truth of duties So it is likewise for sins a lesser sin against light and love does more provoke him then a much greater with reluctancy or from surprisal Transgressions against the first Table are worse then those against the second If one man sin against another the Judge shall judge him But if a man sin against the Lord who shall intreat for him and for this reason the first Table is called The great Commandment Neglect of a principal duty of the first or second Table is a greater sin then the neglect or omission of that which
seemeth good unto him That we may be constant universal sincere in our obedience Walking before him in truth and with a perfect heart and may do that which is good in his sight That in the generall course of our lives we may demean our selves in a setled regular way of submission and obedience having respect to all Gods Commandments Obeying from the heart the forme of doctrine delivered to us Following the Lord fully walking exactly and precisely before him That we may have not only the forme of godlinesse but the power also That we may sanctifie the Lord God of Hosts making him our fear and our dread considering that the end of all things is at hand when we must all appear before his dreadful tribunal every one to receive according to that he hath done in his body whether it be good or bad That we may be lesse afraid of other matters that cannot hurt us men that shall die and the sons of men that shall be made as grasse but may chiefly fear him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell Behaving our selves as being alwayes in his sight and presence as considering that our most secret bosome-sins which with such Art and care we have endeavoured to conceal from men are all of them naked and open in his sight before whom we must be judged at the last day That we may be humble before him ascribing nothing to our own power or merit That our hearts may not be lifted up to forget the Lord nor our mindes hardened in pride as considering that his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him And that if any man think himself to be something when indeed he is nothing he deceives himself That we may be clothed with humility counting it our safest defence and most comely ornament That we may not mind high things nor be wise in our own conceits Considering the basenesse of our Originall the many diseases and miseries which our bodies are liable unto the sinful and slavish condition of our souls our nothingnesse as creatures our vilenesse as sinners CHAP. XIX What are we directed to pray for out of the second Commandment THe second Commandment does enjoyn us to worship God after such a spiritual manner and by such holy means as is agreeable to his Nature and required in his Word So that from hence we are taught to pray for the direction and asistance of his Spirit in all our holy duties that he would work in us an holy frame and temper of heart without which 't is not possible for us to performe any acceptable service That he would quicken our affections to a greater fervency and delight in our attendance upon him That he would make us more careful in enjoying and increasing our communion with him by a conscionable observance of all those holy ordinances which he hath appointed particularly 1. Prayer 2. Ministery of the Word 3. Receiving of the Sacraments 1. That he would poure upon us the Spirit of prayer and supplication make us diligent and constant in our Publick Private devotions that we may accustome our selves to them with a greater forwardnesse and delight as being the chief means to ease our hearts of all troubles and sorrow to fill up our joy That we may be more solemn and reverent in our approaches before him as considering that we who are but dust and ashes vile despicable creatures are to speak unto that dreadful Majesty before whom all the world shall be judged at the last day That we may be more vigilant over our own hearts in respect of roving distracted thoughts which are so apt to interrupt us in this duty That we may stir up our selves to lay hold on God and set our faces to seek him Not pouring out words onely but our souls before him Serving him in our spirits Drawing near unto him with a true heart sprinkled from an evill conscience That he would be pleased to assist us and to accept of us in this duty Shedding abroad his love in our hearts Opening our lips that our mouths may shew forth his praise And then that the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts may be alwayes acceptable in his sight That we may confesse our sins with a greater sense and sorrow for them feeling in our selves a greater loathing and detestation of them Acknowledging our transgressions and setting our sins before us Abhorring our selves for them and repenting in dust and ashes That we may put up our petitions with a greater faith and fervency as being truly sensible of our own wants and those gracious promises which he hath made for the supply of them Drawing near in the full assurance of faith nothing wavering Asking such things as are according to his will That his Spirit may help our infirmities and make intercession for us and that he would remember the promise which he hath made to be nigh unto them that call upon him in truth and to fulfill the desire of those that fear him That we may give thanks with greater chearfulnesse and love and sense of his favours with such heartinesse and fervency as may be in some measure proportionable to our importunity in the want of mercies That we may be ready to speak the praises of our God whilest we have any being that our meditations of him may be sweet and we may be glad in the Lord. That we may retain a relish and taste of this holy duty in our mindes after the performance of it behaving our selves answerably in the course of our lives observing what return is made to our prayers Hearkening what God the Lord will say Considering the several wayes and dispensations of his providence towards us that we may understand the loving kindnesse of the Lord. This Commandment does likewise concerne the duties which belong to that other Ordinance the Ministery of the word in reference both to Minister People The Minister may hereby be directed to pray that God would endow him with all those graces and abilities which may fit him for the discharge of his calling both in respect of his Life Doctrine that he may both save himself and them that hear him 1. For his Life That he may shew himself as a pattern of good works Of a blamelesse conversation not self-willed not soon angry Not given to wine no striker not given to filthy lucre but a lover of good men sober just holy temperate gentle unto all men apt to teach patient Renouncing the hidden things of dishonesty Not walking in craftinesse but by manifestation of the truth commending himself unto every mans conscience in the sight of God Behaving himself as a steward of the mysteries of God Not seeking so much his own profit as the profit of many that they may be saved that
in his corrections To observe and understand his meaning in the troubles that befal us that we may accordingly apply our selves to meet him in his ways These occasions for particular intercession are distinguishable into several kindes comprehending all manner of inward or outward exigences all difficulties and doubts in respect of any weighty businesse or temptation but the two chief kinds of them are troubles of conscience sicknesse of body 1. If the occasion be trouble of Conscience and spiritual desertions in such cases the petitions arguments before-mentioned in our deprecation against the guilt of sin are fitly applyable to which may be added such other desires as these That God would inable them to beleeve and consider that feares and doubts and temptations are an unavoidable part of our Christian warfare that not only his dearest servants Job David c. but also his only Sonne Christ himself hath suffered under them That he being touched with a feeling of our infirmities might be ready to help us in the time of need That God is faithful and will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able but will with the temptation also make away to escape that we may be able to bear it He hath promised that he will not contend for ever nor be alwayes wroth lest the spirits of men should fail before him the souls which he hath made that though for a small moment he doth forsake us yet with great mercies will he gather us though in a little wrath he doth hide his face from us for a moment yet with everlasting kindnes will he have mercy upon us The Lord upholdeth those that fall and raiseth up all those that be bowed down He is nigh unto them that be of a broken heart and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit That as for our infirmities the best men in this life are not without them nor shall they be imputed to us If we do that which we would not it is no more we that do it but sin that dwelleth in us as for our wilful sins if they be particularly repented of and forsaken though they be as red as scarlet yet he will purge us from them if we do count them as a burden and come unto Christ for help he will ease us of them That God in the New Covenant does undertake for both parts that our hopes are not now to be grounded upon our own works or sufficiency but upon the infallible promise of God and the infinite merits of Christ that if we were without sin or could do any thing perfectly we should not in that respect have need of a Mediatour From all which considerations those who are afflicted with spiritual desertions may receive sufficient comfort in respect of their sins past and for the future we should pray in their behalf That God would inable them to put on the breast-plate of faith and love and for an helmet the hope of salvation That they may labour to keep a good conscience to be observant of all those experimenss which they have had of Gods love unto them for experience worketh hope Unto this head concerning comfort against the dejections of mind and trouble of conscience those expressions of the Psalmist may be fitly applied My soul is sore vexed but thou O Lord how long Return O Loâ—d deliver my soul O save me for thy mercy sake Turn thee unto me and have mercy upon me for I am desolate and afflicted the troubles of my heart are enlarged O bring thou me out of my distresses look upon mine affliction my pain forgive me all my sins O keep my soul and deliver me let me not be ashamed for I put my trust in thee Let integrity and uprightnes preserve me O hide not thy face from me neither cast thy servant away in displeasure Make thy face to shine upon thy servant O save me for thy mercy sake Withhold not thou thy tender mercy from me O Lord let thy loving kindnes thy truth continually preserve me for inumerable evils have compassed me about mine iniquities have taken hold upon me so that I am not able to look up they are more then the hairs of my head therefore my heart faileth me Be pleased O Lord to deliver me O Lord make haste to help me Be merciful unto me O Lord be merciful unto me for under the shadow of thy wings shall be my refuge until my calamities be overpast In the multitude of the sorrowful thoughts within me let thy comforts O Lord delight my soul. Remember me O Lord with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people O visit me with thy salvation That I may see the good of thy chosen and rejoyce with the gladness of thy people and glory with thine inheritance Do thou save me O Lord for thy name sake for I am poor and needy and my heart is wounded within me 2. If the occasion be Sicknesse of Body in this case we ought to intercede for others That God would teach them quietly to submit unto his afflicting hand as considering that diseases do not arise meerly from naturall or accidentall causes without the particular appointment and disposal of his wise providence which doth extend to the very hairs of our head much more to the dayes of our lives and the health of those dayes and that he is faithful and true having ingaged his promise that all conditions though never so troublesome Tribulation and anguish and sicknesse and death it self shall work together for the good of those that belong unto him That he would sanctifie their pains and troubles unto them giving them a true sight of their sins an unfeigned sorrow for them and a steadfast faith in the merits of Christ for the remission of them That he would recompence the pains and decays of their bodies with comfort and improvement in their souls That as their outward man does decay so their inward man may be renued daily That he would fit them for whatever condition he shall call them unto That Christ may be unto them both in life and death advantage That if it be his will he would recover them from their paines and diseases and restore them to their former health That he would direct them to the most effectual means for their recovery and blesse unto them those that have been or shall be used to that end Of this kinde are those petitions of the Psalmist for himself Have mercy upon me O Lord for I am weak O Lord heal me for my bones are vexed for in death there is no remembrance of thee and who will give thee thanks in the pit What profit is there in my bloud if I go down into the pit shall the dust praise thee shall that declare thy truth Shall thy loving kindnesse be declared in the grave or thy