Lord honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine owne wayes nor finding thine owne pleasure nor speaking thine owne words Isa. 58. 13. Then shalt thou delight thy selfe in the Lord and I will cause thee to ride vpon the high places of the earth and feede thee with the heritage of Iacob thy father for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it ver 14. When the first day of the weeke began Marie Magdalen and the other Marie came to the sepulcher Math. 28. 1. Marke 16. 1. Iohn 20. 1. And behold there was a great earth-quake for the Angell of the Lord descended from heauen and rolled backe the stone from the doore and sate vpon it Math. 28. 2. And the Angell answered and said to the woman Feare yee not for I know that ye seeke Iesus that was crucified Math. 28. 6. He is not here for he is risen ver 7. And when the day of Pentecost was come they were all with one accord in one place Acts 2. 1. And suddenly there came a sound from heauen as of a rushing mightie wind and it filled all the house where they were sitting ver 2. And they were all filled with the holy Ghost and began to speake with other tongues as the Spirit gaue them vtterance ver 4. Euery first day of the weeke let euerie one lay aside as God hath prospered him c. 1. Corinth 16. 2. And the first day of the weeke the disciples being met together to breake bread Paul preached vnto them Acts 20. 7. And I was in the spirit on the Lords day and heard behind me a great voice as it had bene of a trumpet Reu. 1. 10. THE MORNING HYMNE for the Sabbath or the Lords day Wherein the deuout soule expresseth her performance at least in desire of all holy duties requisite on the Sabbath which are 1 Priuate as a 1. Premeditation b 2. Early rising or watchfulnesse c 3. The soules examination of her selfe d 4. Prayer at home consisting of 1. Confession of sinne e Originall f Actuall g 2. Profession of faith 3. Supplication for h 1. The Church i 2. The King k 3. The Minister l 4. Our selues 2 Publike as m 1. Going to the Church n 2. Ioyning in publike prayers and thankesgiuing with the congregation o 3. Hearing the word p 4. Contributing to the poore a I haue thought vpon thy Name in the night season and haue kept thy Law Psal. 119. 55. b Early in the morning do I cry vnto thee for in thy word is my trust ver 147. c I called mine owne wayes to remembrance and turned my foote to thy testimonies ver 59. d I will make my supplication in thy presence with my whole heart be mercifull vnto me according to thy word ver 58. e Behold I was borne in iniquitie and in sin hath my mother conceiued me Psal. 51. 3. f Who can tell how oft hee offendeth O cleanse thou mee from my secret faults Psal. 19. 12. g I said I will confesse my sin and so thou forgauest the wickednesse of my sinne Psal. 32. 6. h O be fauourable and gracious vnto Sion build thou the walls of Ierusalem Psal. 51. 19. Thou shalt arise ô Lord and haue mercie vpon Sion for it is time that thou haue mercie vppon her yea the time is come Psal. 102. 13. For why thy seruants thinke vpon her stones and it grieueth them to see her in the dust ver 14. i Giue the King thy iudgements ô Lord and thy righteousnesse to the Kings sonne Psal. 72. 1. Then shall hee iudge the people according vnto right and defend the poore ver 2. Hee shall keepe the simple by the right and punish the wrong doer ver 4. k Let thy Priests be cloathed with righteousnesse and let thy Saints sing with ioyfulnesse Psal. 132. 9. l O send out thy light and thy truth that they may leade mee and bring mee to thy holy hill and to thy dwelling Psal. 43. 3. m I was glad when they said vnto me Let vs go into the house of the Lord. Open me the gates of righteousnesse that I may go in and giue thanks to the Lord. Psal. 118. 19. n O magnifie the Lord our God and let vs fall downe before his footestoole for he is holy Psal. 99. 5. o The Lord gaue the word great was the companie of the Preachers Psal. 68. 11. I will hearken what the Lord God will say concerning me for hee shall speake peace vnto his people and to his Saints that they turne not againe Psal. 85. 8. For his saluation is nigh them that feare him that glorie may dwell in our land ver 9. p O my soule thou hast said vnto the Lord Thou art my God my goods are nothing vnto thee Psal. 16. 2. All my delight is vpon the Saints and such as excell in vertue ver 3. An offering of a free heart will I giue thee and praise thy name because it is so comfortable Psal. 58. 7. A Prayer for the Sabbath Morning BLessed Creator and Author and finisher of the saluation of man-kind who in memorie of thy glorious rest from both thy noble workes hast blessed and sanctified a day of holy rest vnto thy selfe sanctifie me for it that laying aside my accustomed businesse and sequestring my thoughts from all worldly cares I may keepe it and my selfe holy to thee by dedicating it and deuoting my selfe wholly to thy peculiar worship and immediate seruice And to the end that this my religious seruice may bee more acceptable to thee quicken me with thy Spirit that I may performe it with all alacritie and chearefulnesse and may make thy Sabbath my delight Touch my heart and tongue with a coale from thine Altar that from the sweet incense of my meditations hymnes prayers and thanksgiuing thou mayest smell a sauour of rest O holy Lord God of Sabbath sanctifie thy rest vnto me let thy Spirit rest in me that I may find rest to my soule from all tentations troubles and feares and may rest from my owne workes which are painefull and sinfull trauels and may employ this day all the powers and faculties of my soule and bodie in doing and considering thy workes in adoring thy Maiestie and admiring thy wisdome and acknowledgeing thy power and embracing thy loue and magnifying thy goodnesse and reioycing in thy mercies trembling at thy iudgements In visiting thy holy Temple and praising thee with thy Saints and offering vp the calues of my lips In diligently reading thy Scriptures attentiuely hearing thy word reuerently celebrating thy mysteries charitably relieuing thy members and zealously practising all holy duties both publike and priuate O let me this whole day walke with thee as Enoch did and talke with thee as Moses did and seeke thy face as Dauid did And grant that beholding thine image in thine holy word as in a cleare and cristall mirrour I may bee changed into the same image euen from glorie to glorie Let this Sabbath put
come then that which is in part shall be abolished 1 Cor. 13. 10. Loue doth neuer fall away though that prophecying be abolished or that tongues cease c. ver 8. I pray that they all may be one as thou O Father art in me and I in thee euen that they may be also one in vs c. Ioh. 17. 21. An Hymne for the Sabbath Euening REturne to thy rest O my soule for the Lord hath dealt graciously with thee Psal. 116. 7. In Gods Word will I reioyce in the Lords Word will I comfort me Psal. 56. 10. The words of the Lord are pure words like as siluer which from the earth is tryed and purified seauen times in the fire Blessed are they that dwell in thine house they will bee alway praysing thee They will goe from strength to strength and to the God of Gods appeareth euery one of them in Sion Psal. 84. 47. I will giue thankes to the Lord in the Congregation from the ground of the heart Psal. 68 26. Vnto thee ô God I will pay my vowes vnto thee will I giue thanks Psal. 56. 12. Shew the light of thy countenance vpon thy seruant and teach me thy Statutes Psalme 119. An Euening Prayer for the Sabbath HOly holy holy Lord God Almighty which was which art and which art to come hallow my nature that I may hallow thy Name As thou impartest thy goodnes to me whereby I liue and moue in thee so I beseech thee communicate to mee some measure of thy holinesse that I may liue and moue to thee Let thy Spirit of grace possesse my body and soule that the desires of my minde and thoughts of my heart and words of my lipps may be holinesse vnto thee Sanctifie me that I may glorifie thee And first with ioy and thankfulnesse I acknowledge it a special testimony of thy loue that thou hast giuen me liberty and meanes to keepe a holy Sabbath vnto thee to meete in thy House to offer vp my ioynt-prayers and thanks-giuing with thy holy congregation to confesse my sinnes to professe my faith to lay open my wants to cheere vp my selfe by singing the sweete songs of Sion to heare thy sacred Word read and Preached whereby my faith hath beene strengthened in the misteries of saluation my hope established in the promises of thy Gospell and my life set forward in a setled course of holinesse and righteousnesse whereby the Kingdome of sinne and Satan is beate down and destroyed and the Kingdome of Christ built vp in me By this thy Word the carelesse sinner is admonished the ignorant instructed the presumptuous terrified and the penitent comforted the power of sinne is abated the force of temptations weakned the motions of the spirit quickned grace reuined and my Election assured by these insallible Marks and tokens thereof set before me in holy Scriptures Blessed bee thy Name for it this day thy Word hath dwelt with me richly in all wisedome The dispenser of thy misteries hath scattered many Doctrines like so many pearles among thy people Lord grant that with Mary I keepe these and all thy sayings in my heart and make vse of them in my life and receiue comfort from them at my death And here I would proceed to intreate at thy hands the continuance and increase of thy spiritual and temporall blessings vpon mee but my sinnes lye at the doore of my conscience and affright mee My heart smites mee for my failings in the performance of the duties of thy Sabbath My deuout Meditations haue bin stefled in the wombe that bare them my prayers haue not beene without distractions my hearing without wearisomenesse nor my almes-deeds without grudging Pardon deare Father my want of preparation before I come to thine house of intention and Zeale at thy seruice and want of Meditation and Application of those things which I heard there since I came thence Bury I beseech thee these slips and all other my sins especially of this weeke and day in the night of eternall obliuion Ease me of the burden of them that I may more securely repose my body and soule vpon thy gracious protection to take their naturall refreshing by sleepe whereby I may bee enabled and strengthened to doe thee better seruice the next day in walking carefully diligently conscionably and constantly in the waies of thy commandements and the duties of my calling The close out of Scripture Now the very God of peace sanctify mee throughout and I pray God that my whole spirit and soule and body may bee kept blamelesse vnto the comming of the Lord Iesus Christ Amen THE PRACTICE of Extraordinarie DEVOTION In the Religious obseruation of Christian Feasts as namely our Lords Birth Circumcision Epiphanie Resurrection Ascension Sending downe the Holy Ghost Fasts as namely Ashwednesday Good friday By Daniel Featly Doctor in Diuinity LONDON Printed by G. M. and R. B. for Nicholas Bourne and are to be sold at his shop at the South Entrance of the Royall Exchange 1626. TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE and Religious Ladie the Countesse of DENBIGH May it please your Honour YOur conference with me about my conference with the Iesuites and your gracious acceptation of the relation and defence thereof left in me such an impression of the Character of your Noble and Religious disposition that I euer since desired the aduantage of some good opportunitie to testifie my dutifull respect to your Honour The truth of God receiueth not onely support but great honour from the patronage and countenance of great Personages and she much glorieth in finding so strong a Champion euen in the weaker sexe Albeit the Sun-beames are alwayes most bright in themselues yet they neuer appeare so glorious to vs as when they fall vpon crystall glasse or pretious stones In like sort Religion and vertue the raies of diuine light in the soule although they shine alwayes brightly in themselues yet they neuer seeme so conspicuous and resplendent as when they receiue some luster from the subiect when Nobilitie of birth and minde concurre when ornaments of bodie and soule meete when eminencie of grace eminency of conditions toyne in one and reflect mutually each on the other And verily if your more then or dinarie fauour and respect to the Ministers of the Gospell and to my selfe in particular had not made this my voluntarie oblation a necessarie obligation to your Ladiship yet your constancie in the truth and loue to Sion and her solemne and sacred assemblies might iustly challenge to your Honour the Dedication of this part of my HAND-MAIDES Taske which is to furnish Christian fastes and feasts with proper MEDITATIONS HYMNES and PRAYERS As our bodie liues to the soule by which it liueth so our soule should liue to God by whom it liueth And no otherwise is the life of the bodie preserued by heate and moisture then the life of the soule is maintained and kept by the heate of diuine loue and radicall moisture of teares bedewing the heart
receiue the oyle of grace and most pretious balsame of Gods word instilled by preaching If thou art a sheepe of Christ and belongest to his fold shew his eare-marke My sheepe heare my voyce Where wee reade in the Psalme according to the Septuagint and in the Epistle to the Hebrewes A body thou hast fitted or prepared me it is in the originall according to the Hebrew word for word Mine eares hast thou opened to teach vs that God fits vs and prepares vs for his seruice especially by boaring our eares with those goades and nailes that are fastened by the Maisters of the assemblies and are giuen from one sheapheard I socrates aduiseth Demonicus to employ all his leasure time in diligently hearing the penned Orations and speeches of eloquent Orators and graue Counsellers For so saith hee thou shalt get that with much ease which cost another man much paines That which a diuine Orator and heauenly Preacher hath beene many weekes perhaps yeeres in laying together hee scattereth abroad in an hower Obseruest thou not how the Manna which he gathereth graine by graine or seede by seede hee deliuereth out to thee in whole Omers yea and Ephaes too Yea but thou art well stored with this heauenly prouision and foode of Angels thy library is like a rich Granarie and why maist thou not then as well or better spend thy time in perusing such writings then repairing to the Church perhaps a good way from thy house to heare a man of meaner gifts then those were or are whose works thou hast in the last and best editions by thee I perceiue by this obiection that thou hast heard much against hearing heare now a little for it First as a great Master of the Law was wont to say that Courts of iustice must not Clash one against another so it is most certaine that duties of piety ought not Clash iustle or any way crosse one the other Priuate reading and publike hearing must both haue their places seasons and turnes If thou art so straightned in time or ouerlaid with businesse that thou canst not allow a fit time for both let the priuate voluntary alwaies giue place to the publike necessary duty The coÌ„mandements of God the Church wherein thou liuest ought to ouersway thy priuate opinion fancie or inclination or perhaps diabolicall tentation If thy Pastor be so strictly charged to preach vnto thee certainely thou art necessarily bound to heare him For these duties are linked together Hath priuate reading the like promises to publike hearing the Word Or is it of like force and efficacie Where thou canst name one that hath beene wonne to the Christian faith and true godlinesse by bare reading wee can produce many thousands that haue beene added to the Church by publike Sermons yea sometimes at one Sermon The holy Ghost in the day of Pentecost came with the sound Where the sound is of the Word Preached there goeth the Spirit ordinarily Yet I deny not but that men in priuate reading the Scriptures and other holy books may do feele some soft and sweet blasts of the holy spirit but in the publike Ministry of the Word the Spirit commeth downe like a mighty rushing winde filling the whole roome wee receiue then grace in a fuller measure Sermons preached are compared to raine and deaw but printed to snow which though it lye longer on the ground yet it is much colder and doth not in like sort pierce moysten and fatten the ground as the other Moreouer those things that haue passed the presse lye by vs wee may at any time haue and vse them but the notes of a Sermon preached are like the Manna that fell on the Saturday which if it was not presently gathered was vtterly lost There is much difference betweene those generall Receipts you finde in Physick bookes and a speciall potion or Electuary made by a trusty Apothecary according to the direction of a Learned Physitian and particularly applyed to thy peculiare disease Euery man hath not the skill of the Apothecary to make the confection and fewer haue the iudgement of an experienced physitian to direct where and how it ought to bee giuen And albeit thy preacher bee a man of no very extraordinary gifts yet in regard he is an Ambassadour sent from God vnto thee if he faithfully though perhaps not so eloquently deliuer his message vnto thee thou oughtst to heare it and honour him for his Masters sake His feete cannot but seeme beautifull to thee if they be shoâ—d with the Preparation of the Gospell of Peace The diligent Bee gathereth hony out of Thime one of the driest herbs that is and certainly if thou bee not a drone thy selfe thou mayest sucke from the mouth of the barrenest and as thou callest him the dryest Preacher Doctrine sweeter then the hony or the hony combe Although I assent freely to Lactantius that the truth findeth easyer-entrance into the soule when she commeth armed not onely with her owne strength but also with the best aide wit or art can afford Yet withall I affirme with Saint Paul that faith standeth not in the entising words of mans wisedome but in the demonstration of the Spirit and the power of God Art may moue affection but nothing but Gods Word and the grace of the Spirit can remoue corruption Humane wit and learning may tickle the eare and as Seneca speakes of Chrysippus his acute Sentences pricke but neuer pierce the heart that is the singular prerogatiue of the Word of God What are Rams-hornes in comparison of siluer Trumpets Yet when God commands and appoints the harsh sound of them shall demolish those strong holds of Satan which the sweeter and shriller sound of siluer Trumpets shall not doe Bee thoâ— obedient to him who is set ouer thee in the Lord and must giue an account of thy soule Desire not to haue thy eares tickled but thy heart pricked and make then no doubt but that God will blesse his ordinance and thy obedience and supply to thee by his Spirit what may bee deficient in the Preachers learning or language But then thou must come prepared to the hearing of the Word by such directions as are set downe in the Word THE PREPARATORIE Admonition THE ANALYSIS The preparation to the hearing of the Word consisteth in 1 Consideration especially of these particulars viz that 1 The hearing of the word is a necessarie dutie ioined by God the Father Sonne Holy-Ghost 2 Wee must giue account to God what how and whom wee heare 3 The word we heare is the word of God not of a mortal man 4 It is the ordinarie meanes of saluation 5 If we profit not by it it will be to our greater damnation 2 Prayer for 1 The Preacher that God would Direct Assist him 2 Our selues in that he will giue vs 1 Attention to heare 2 Vnderstanding to conceiue 3 Wisedome to apply 4 Iudgement to discern 5 Faith to belieue 6 Memory to
ye to the waters Isa. 55. 1. Giue vs euermore of this bread Ioh. 6. 34. For he that eateth and drinketh vnworthily eateth and drâ—nketh damnation to himselfe not discerning the Lords bodie 1. Corinth 11. 29. I am the bread of life hee that cometh to me shall not hunger and he that belieueth in me shall neuer thirst Ioh. 6. 35. Christ dwelleth in vs by faith Ephes. 3. 17. I will wash mine hands in innocencie and so will I go to thine altar ô God Psal. 26. 6. To the impure all things are impure Tit. 1. 15. If thou bring thy gift to the Altar and there remembrest that thy brother hath ought against thee Math 5. 23. Leaue thou thy gift before the Altar and go thy way be reconciled to thy brother and then come and offer thy gift ver 24. Wee being many are one bread and one bodie for we are all partakers of this one bread 1. Cor. 10. 17 A preparatory Hymne to bee vsed before or at the receiuing of the blessed Sacrament wherein the deuout soule expresseth her a Desire of the foode of life b Hope that she shall obtaine it c Thankes for it a As the Hart panteth after the water brookes so panteth my soule after thee ô God Psal. 42. 1. My soule thirsteth for God euen for the liuing God ver 2. My soule thirsteth for thee my soule longeth for thee as a drie and thirstie land Psal. 63. 1. I will blesse thee while I liue I will lift vp my hands in thy Name ver 4. b My soule shall be satisfied with marrow and fatnesse and my mouth shall praise thee with ioyfull lips ver 5. Thou preparest a table before me and my cup runneth ouer Ps. 23. 5. The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup. Psal 16. 5. I will take the cup of saluation call vpon the Name of the Lord Psal. 116. 13. c I will pay my vowes vnto the Lord now in the presence of all his people ver 14. I will offer vnto thee the sacrifice of thanksgiuing and will call vpon the name of the Lord ver 17. saying The Prayer before the Communion GRacious Redeemer who out of thy pierced side openedst to all that thirst for thy grace a double fountaine for sinne and vncleannesse the one of water the other of bloud the one to purge the guilt the other the filth of sinne and hast sealed these inestimable benefits of sanctification and redemption vnto all beleeuers by the Sacraments of Baptisme and of thy holy Supper assist me by thy Spirit in the sanctified vse of these holy Mysteries and Symholls of thy most blessed bodie and bloud Most louing bountifull Lord who hast prepared such a table for me giue me a mouth and stomacke according that I may worthily receiue these heauenly dainties to the glorie of thine infinite goodnesse and the euerlasting comfort of my soule Cleare the eyes of mine vnderstanding from all mists of hereticall fancies carnall imaginations that I may rightly distinguish the signes from the things signified by them and also discerne thy bodie from common meate Sharpen my appetite that I may hungrily feede vpon this bread of which whosoeuer eateth shall neuer hunger and stily drinke of this cup of which whosoeuer drinketh shall neuer thirst O thou true foode of my soule receiue me who am now to receiue thee Quicken me with thy Spirit who wilt feede me with thy flesh vouchsafe me thy grace who communicatest to me thy nature that as in and by these holy Mysteries I receiue life from thee so I may also receiue by them grace to liue to thee not seeking mine owne pleasure nor doing mine owne will but deuoting the remainder of my life to thy seruice and yeelding my selfe wholly to the power of thy sanctifying grace to worke in me alwaies that which is pleasing in thy sight So be it Amen Religious duties to be performed at the time of the receiuing the Communion 1. Prepare thy body by a decent gesture 2. Recollect thy mind and fixe thy thoughts wholly vpon this most sacred action stir vp in thee 3. Stirre vp in thee 1 An holy feare out of this consideration that God is there present in a speciall manner and his Angels attending on him and obseruing thee Say to thy selfe in the words of Iacoh O how fearefull is this place it is no other then the house of God and gate of heauen 2 An holy astonishment or admiration out of this consideration that the Lord thy Maker and Redeemer and the high possessour of heauen and earth so farre humbles himselfe as to bee thy guest Say to thy selfe in the words of Salomon Is it true indeed that God will dwell on the earth Behold the heauen and heauen of heauens cannot containe him how much lesse the narrow roome of my soule 1. King 8. 27. 3 An holy abashment or confusion out of this consideration that so vile a worme and sinfull wretch as thou art should haue so infinite a Maiestie and holy God to come and sup with thee Say to thy selfe in the words of the Centurion Lord I am not worthy that thou shouldest come vnder my roofe or with S. Peter Depart from me for I am a sinfull man 4 An holy sorrow out of this consideration yâ— thy sins did put thy Sauiour to these torments which are signified and liuely represented in this Sacrament Say to thy selfe in the words of Ieremiah O that mine eyes were a fountaine of teares to bewaile those sinnes which drew so much bloud from my Sauiour 5 An holy ioy out of this consideration that the infinite debt of thy sins is discharged and the acquittance deliuered into thy hands Say to thy selfe in the words spoken of Zacheus This day saluation is come into mine house 6 An holy desire of expressing some kind of thankfulnesse to God out of this consideration that together with the SacrameÌ„t thou receiuest Christ himselfe and all the benefits of his passion Say to thy selfe in the words of Dauid What shall I render vnto the Lord for all his benefits that he hath done vnto me I will take the cup of saluation and call vpon the name of the Lord. 4 Ioyne the signes with the things signified Take Feede on bodily Bread Wine ghostly Bodie Bloud 5 Obserue meditate vpon the resemblances betweene them 1 Bread and wine true and in substance not in appearance onely Christs bodie a true bodie his bloud true bloud not in shew onely as some Hereticks haue imagined 2 Bread one bodie or lumpe made of many graines wine one liquor or drinke of many grapes Christ his body one of many members vnited together 3 Bread and wine an entire repast Christs body and bloud the perfect refection of the soule 4 Bread and wine strengthen and comfort the heart Christs body and bloud est ablisheth the heart and comforteth the conscience 5 Bread and wine the common foode of men not children
retaine 7 Grace to practise the sincere doctrine of Gods holy word THE TEXTS HEarken ô Israell vnto the ordinances and statutes which I teach you Deut. 4. 1. Heare my Law ô my people incline your eares to the words of my mouth Psal. 78. 1. This is my welbeloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased heare him Mat. 3. 17. Hee that heareth of mee these words c. Mat. 7. 24. Hee that hath an eare to heare let him heare Mat. 11. 15. Let him that hath an eare heare what the Spirit saith to the Churches Reu. 2. 7. Take heed what ye heare Mar. 4. 24. Beware of false Prophets that come vnto you in sheeps-clothing Mat. 7. 15. They searched the Scriptures whether those things were so Acts 17. 11. Proue all things hold that which is good 1 Tâ—es 5. 21. Try the Spirits whether they be of God or not 1. Ioh. 4. 1. They haue not reiected thee but they haue reiected me 1 Sam. 8. 7. Hee that heareth you heareth me and he that heareth me heareth him that sent me Luk. 10. 16. Blessed is hee that heareth the Word of God and keepeth it Luk. 11. 28. Ye receiued the Word not as the Word of men but as it is indeed the Word of God 1 These 2. 3. The Word of God is liuely and mighty in operation c. Heb. 4. 12. If any man speake let him speake as the Word of God 1 Pet. 4. 11. I am not ashamed of the Gospell of Christ for it is the power of God vnto saluation to euery beleeuer Rom. 1. 16. Man liueth not by bread only but by euery Word that proceedeth from the mouth of God Luke 4. 4. Hee that heareth my words and belieueth in mee hath life eternall and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death to life Ioh. 9. 24. To whom shall we goe Thou hast the words of eternall life Ioh. 6. 68. He that refuseth me and receiueth not my words hath one that iudgeth him The word which I haue spoken it shall iudge him at the last day Ioh. 12. 48. If I had not come and spoken vnto them they had not had sin Ioh. 15. 22. Wee are the sweete smelling sauour of Christ in them that are saued and them that perish 2 Cor. 2. 15. To the one wee are the sauour of death vnto death and to the other the sauour of life vnto life verse 16. Continue in Praâ—er and watch in the same with thanksgiuing Colos 4. 2. Praying for vs that God may open to vs the dore of vtterance to speake the mysteries of Christ. verse 3. That I may vtter it as it becommeth me to speake verse 4. A certaine woman named Lydia heard vs whose heart the Lord opened that she attended to the things that Paul spake Acts 16. 14. Giue me vnderstanding and I will keepe thy Law Psal. 119. 34. And this I pray that ye may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all iudgement Phil. 1. 9. That yee may discerne those things that differ verse 10. The Lord giue thee a right iudgement in all things 2 Tim. 2. 7. God that commanded the light to shine out of darknesse is he that hath shined in our hearts to giue the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Iesus Christ. 2. Cor. 4. 6. The Apostles said Lord increase our Faith Luke 17. 5. For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ c. Ephes. 3. 14. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith verse 17. And his Mother kept all these sayings in her heart Luk. 2. 51. I haue hid thy promises in my heart that I might not sin against thee Psal. 119. 11. Whosoeuer heareth of mee these words and doeth the same I will liken him to a wise man that built his house vpon a rock Mat. 7. 24. If ye know these things blessed are ye if ye do them Ioh. 13. 17. Be ye dooers of the Word not hearers only deceiuing your own soules Iam. 1. 22. The Preparatory Hymne wherein the deuout soule expresseth her a High esteeme of the Word b Continuall meditating on it c Exceeding delight in it Feruent desire to be d Instructed in it e Ruled by it a My soule breaketh for the longing it hath vnto thy iudgements at all times Psal 119. 20. The Law of thy mouth is better to me then thousands of gold and siluer verse 72. The Law of the Lord is perfect conuerting the soule the testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple Psal. 19. 7. The Statutes of the Lord are right and reioyce the heart the commandement of the Lord is pure enlightning the eyes ver 8 The feare of the Lord is cleane enduring for euer the Iudgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether verse 9. More to bee desired are they then gold yea then much fine gold sweeter also then hony and the hony combe verse 10. Moreouer by them is thy seruant taught and in keeping of them is great reward verse 11. b I will meditate in thy precepts and haue respect to thy waies Psal 119. 15. O how I loue thy Law it is my meditation all the day ver 97. Thy words haue I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee verse 11. c I will delight my selfe in thy statutes I will not forget thy word verse 16. Thy testimonies are my delight my counsellers verse 24. Thy testimonies haue I claimed as mine heritage for euer for they are the very ioy of mine heart verse 111. d Open thou mine eyes that I may behold the wondrous things of thy Law verse 18. Make me to vnderstand the way of thy precepts so shall I talke of thy wondrous workes verse 27. e Order my steps in thy Word and let not any iniquity haue dominion ouer me verse 133. Make thy face to shine vpon thy seruant and teach mee thy statutes verse 135. The Preparatory Prayer GRatious God who hast appointed the opening of the Scriptures by preaching to bee the ordinary meanes of saluation to all thy chosen blesse this thine ordinance to me and prepare me for it Grant that thy Word being mixed with faith in me may bee vnto me a sauour of life vnto life and not a sauour of death vnto death Direct and assist thy Minister that hee may rightly diuide it Open vnto him the dore of vtterance that what he hath conceiued in thy feare vpon thy holy Oracles hee may deliuer to thy glory Fill him with the holy Ghost that his lips may bee full of grace and that he may speake instruction to mine ignorance correction to my errors comfort to mine afflictions and peace to my conscience Guide the sword of the spirit in his hand that it may meete with and smite my speciall corruptions and bosome sins knowne or vnknowne and giue me patience to
his who made them Saints In the Deuotion fitted to these dayes first I lay the ground out of Scripture and then descant vpon it in the Admonition Hymne and Prayer all which allude to the History of that feast 4. After these feasts the week-dayes come in their order The Saints Martyrs and Arch-angels dayes I haue purposely omitted not that I dislike the keeping of them for I haue euer and will iustify and maintaine the obseruation of them according to that godly institution and practice of our Church But I desired to keepe my book within the compasse of the title which is a Manuell And albeit wee honour Saints and Martyrs yet religious Deuotion which is my Theame is restrained to God by holy Dauid Whom haue I in heauen but thee ô Lord. In the Church of Rome there are many Deuotionâ— to Saints and more to our Lady then to Christ but wee acknowledge no religious Deuotions but to him who charmed the old Serpent with that voice of his Father Him onely shalt thou serue In the weeke daies Deuotion those words of our Sauiour were my loadestarre My father worketh and I worke For all the morning prayers haue relation to some worke of God the Father in the sixe dayes of Creation and all the euening to some worke of God the Sonne in the sixe dayes immediately before his glorious resurrection The admonitions for morning and euening containe 12 beatitudes or blessednes 8 mentioned by our Sauiour Mathew 5. and the rest out of other choice Texts of Scripture All which blessednesses I wish thee from my heart desiring thee to afford me one Prayer who haue stored thee with many Thine in the Lord Iesus D. F. THE MORNINGS DEVOTION An admonition for the Morning VVEE haue a more sure word of Prophecie whereunto ye do well that yee take heede as vnto a light that shineth in a dark place vntill the day dawne and the day starre arise in your hearts 1 Pet. 1. 19. I am the roote and the off-spring of Dauid saith Christ and I am the bright morning Starre Reu. 22. 16. Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall giue thee light Ephes. 5. 14. It is now time to awake out of sleepe for now our saluation is neerer then when wee belieued Rom. 13. 11. The night is past the day is at hand therfore cast off the works of darknesse and put on the armour of light verse 12. See that ye walk circumspectly redeeming the time because the dayes are euill Eph 5. 15. Walke honestly as in the day not in rioting and drunkennesse not in chambering and wantonesse not in strife and enuying but put on the Lord Iesus and make no prouision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof Rom. 13. 13. 14. A Hymne for the Morning O Lord thou art my God earely will I seeke thee my soule thirsteth for thee I will sing alowd of thy power and mercy in the morning Psal. 63. 1. 2. Psal. 59. 10. My tongue shall speake of thy righteousnesse and thy praise all the day long Psal. 35. 28. I layd mee downe and slept for thou Lord sustainedst me Psal. 3. 5. I haue dwelt in the secret place of the most High abode vnder the shadow of the Almighty Psal. 91. 1. 4 He shall couer me with his feathers and vnder his wings will I trust his faithfulnesse and truth shall bee my shield and buckler ver 4. Lord arise and lift vp the light of thy countenance vpon me Ps. 4. 7. Teach me to number my dayes that I may apply my heart vnto wisedome Instruct mee in the way which I shall go and guide me with thine eye Psal. 90. 12. Psal. 32. 9. Teach mee thy way ô Lord and I will walke in thy truth ô knit my heart to thee that I may feare thy Name Psal. 86. 11. Hold vp my goings in thy path that my footsteps slip not Psal. 17 5. O satisfie mee earlie with thy mercy and that soone that I may reioyce and be glad al my dayes Psal. 143. 8. Let the beauty of the Lord my God be vpon mee establish thou the worke of my hands vpon me ô prosper thou my handie worke Psal. 90. 17. A Prayer for the Morning GRacious Father rich in mercy to all thy children that call vpon thee accept I beseech thee this my morning Sacrifice of praise thanks giuing which with a willing heart and deuout affection I offer vnto thee in confidence of thy sonnes infinite merits and acknowledgement of thine euerlasting loue and those inestimable benefits which by him and for him and with him thou conferredst vpon me and all thine Elect in him How deare are the thoughts of thy mercies vnto me how great is the â—umme of them Who can value the precious Pearle of thy Word and treasure of thy grace Who can raise his thoughts and desires to the high price of our â—aling an incorruptâ—ble crowne of glory layd vp for vs in heauen Lord fit me with thy grace that I may abound in thanksgiuing and praises for it Enlarge my heart with thy loue that I may in some sort comprehend with al Saints the measure of thine infinite â—oue mâ—nifested to me in the faith of Iesus Christ and abundantly testified by writing my name in the booke of life before I was and engrauing me as a signet with thine owne image at my creation and when I had defaced and in a manner quite raced it out by renuing it in me againe and redeeming mee that had sold my selfe as a bondslaue vnder sinne and death not with corruptible things as gold siluer or pretious stones but with the inualuable and incorruptible blood of thine onely begotten son who gaue his life for my ransome and by his suffering and death hath purchased for me a crowne of life To whom therefore with thee and thy spirit which sealeth all thy mercies vnto me and me vnto the day of redemption bee ascribed the whole glory of my creation redemption sanctification and saluation For vnto me nothing belongeth but shame and confusion who insteede of embracing any mercy and answering thy loue prouoke thy iustice and incense thy wrath and grieue thy spirit and despight thy grace and as much as in me lyeth crucifie againe to my selfe the Lord of life and trample the blood of the New Testament vnder foot Such is my peruerse nature and vngratious disposition that the better thou art to me the worse I proue to thee What couldest thou haue done vnto mee that thou hast not done Thou hast planted me in a fruitfull country thou hast fenced mee with thy prouidence watered me with the former and latter raine of thy Word pruned me with milde and seasonable afflictions and thou castest continually the hot and bright beames of thy fauour vpon me and thou lookest for grapes but behold nothing but wilde grapes What remaineth therefore but that thou shouldest roote mee out of thy vineard and plant another in my
to God with confidence 7 The guidance of the spirit 8 An incorruptible inheritance THE TEXTS EXcept a man bee borne againe hee cannot enter into the Kingdome of God Ioh. 3. 3. Except a man be borne of water and the spirit c. verse 5. Ye were darknesse but now yee are light in the Lord. Ephes. 5. 9. The creature shall bee deliuered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the Sonnes of God Rom. 5. 21. Whosoeuer is borne of God sinneth not for his seede remaineth in him neither can hee sinne because he is borne of God 1 Ioh. 3. 9. Sinne shall not haue dominion ouer you for yee are not vndâ—â— the Law but vnder grace 〈…〉 6. 14. As many as receiued 〈…〉 them he gaue power to 〈…〉 Sonnes of God euen to them that belieue on his name Ioh. 1. 12. Which are borne not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God verse 13. That he might redeeme them that are vnder the Law and that we might receiue the adoption of sonnes Gal. 4. 5. And to the congregation of the first-borne Heb. 12. 23. Of his owne will begat hee vs with the Word of truth that we should bee the first fruits of his creatures Iam. 1. 18. Wee haue receiued the spirit of Adoption whereby wee cry Abba Father Rom 8. 11. As many as are led by the spirit of God they are the sonnes of God Rom. 8. 14. Blessed bee God the Father of 〈◊〉 Lord Iesus Christ which 〈◊〉 to his abundant mercy 〈◊〉 vs againe vnto a 〈◊〉 â—pe 1 Pet. 1. 3. To an inheritance incorruptible and vndefiled and that fadeth not away reserued in heauen for you verse 4. The same spirit testifieth to our spirits that we are the children of God Rom 8. 6. If we be children then heires euen the heires of God and coheirs annexed with Christs verse 17. A Hymne for the Natiuity of our Lord consisting of fowre parts 1. God the Fathers 2. Christs 3. The Prophets 4. The Churches Glory be to God on High in earth peace good will to men THe Lord euen the most mighty God hath spoken and called the world from the rising vp of the Sunne to the going downe thereof Ps. 50. 1. Out of Sion hath God appeared in perfect beauty verse 2. Saluation is nigh them that feare him that glory may dwell on the earth Psal. 85. 9. Mercy and truth are met together righteousnesse and peace haue kissed each other verse 10. Truth shall flourish on the earth and righteousnesse hath looked downe from heauen ver 11. Thou art fairer then the children of men full of grace are thy lipps because God hath blessed thee for euer Psal. 45. 3. Thou hast loued righteousnesse and hated iniquity wherfore God euen thy God hath annointed thee with the oyle of gladnesse aboue thy fellowes verse 8. O Lord my God great are thy wonderous workes which thou hast done like as be also thy thoughts which are to vs ward yet there is no man that ordereth them vnto thee Psal. 40. 6. If I would declare or speake of them they should be more in number then I am able to expresse verse 7. Sacrifice and meate offerings thou wouldest not haue but mine eares hast thou opened verse 8. Burnt offerings and sacrifice for sin hast thou not required then said I Loe I come verse 9. In the volume of thy booke it is written of me that I should fulfill thy will O my God I am content to doe it yea thy law is in my heart verse 10. I haue declared thy righteousnesse in the great congregation Loe I will not refraine my lipps ô Lord and that thou knowest verse 11. I haue not hid thy righteousnesse within my heart my talking hath beene of thy truth and of thy saluation verse 12. I wil preach the lawe whereof the Lord hath said vnto me Thou art my Sonne this day haue I bogotten thee Psal. 2. 7. He shall call me Thou art my Father my God and my strong saluation Psal. 89. 27. And I will make him my first borne higher then the Kings of the earth verse 28. Shew vs thy mercy ô Lord and grant vs thy saluation Psal. 85. 7. Lord saue vs now Lord sende vs now prosperity Through thy tender mercy whereby this day spring from on high hath visited vs. To giue light to them that sit in darknesse and in the shadow of death and to guide our feete into the way of peace Cant. Zach. The Prayer GRatious Lord Iesus Christ the Sonne of God and Sauiour of man the ioy of Angels and dread of diuels the Iewes Messiah the Gentiles starre the hope of the liuing and resurrection of the dead the way to all that come vnto thee the truth to all them that know thee and the life to all them that belieue in thee Make good all thy glorious gratious titles to me Lord protect me Iesu saue me Christ my anointed King rule me my anointed Priest sanctifie me my anointed Prophet reueale vnto mee the secrets of thy Kingdome O Christ whose name is an oyntment powred out annoint me with the oyle of gladnesse this day aboue others This is the day which the Lord hath made I wil reioyce and be glad in it nay I dare take the note higher This is the day in which the Lord was made I will exult and triumph in it Thou which madest all dayes wert this day made of a woman and made vnder the Law From all eternity it was neuer heard that eternity entred into the Kalender of time supreame Maiesty descended into the wombe immensity was comprehended infinity bounded vbiquity inclosed and the Deity incarnated Yet this day it was seene for this day the Word became flesh God became man and to effect this wonderfull mystery a Virgin became a Mother One deepe calleth vpon another one miracle begetteth another The Sunne bringeth forth all other dayes but this day brought thee forth the Sonne of righteousnesse If wee set our voices and instruments and heart-strings to the highest straine of ioy at the birth of great Kings and Princes What ought I to doe this day on which thou the king of heauen wast born vpon the earth At the mariage of great Personages men giue full scope to all manner of expressions of carnall ioy euen oftentimes to the very surfeit of the senses with pleasure How then should I bee rauished with spirituall ioy at this time when heauen and earth the diuine nature and humane were married The contract was in heauen before all times but the marriage was this day consummated in the vndefiled bedde of the Virgin Lord who this day cammest downe to me draw me vp to thee and giue me accesse with more confidence and bouldnesse for now thou art become my brother and ally by bloud The rayes of thy diuine Maiesty will not dazle the eyes of
my soule they being now vailed with thy flesh This day thou diddest vnite thy selfe to me naturally and substantially and becamest truly flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone Vnite me to thee this day spiritually and make me a true member of thy mysticall body that I may bee flesh of thy flesh and bone of thy bone Lord thou diddest this day participate of my humane nature make me this day participate by grace of thy diuine as farre as I am capable thereof and impart and communicate vnto mee the merrit of all thy actions and benefit of all thy sufferings in this thy nature O my Lord my God who by assuming flesh vnto thy diuine person hast sanctified it and highly aduanced it farre aboue all creatures keepe me from defiling my flesh with sinfull pollutions or abasing and inthralling it to Satan O Sonne of God who by thy incarnate nature becamest the Sonne of Man make me the sinfull sonne of man by grace and adoption to become the Sonne of God And as thou this day according to the words of thine Angel wert borne to me bee borne also in mee that from hence forth I liue not but thou in me Let thy spirit quicken me thy flesh nourish me thy wisdome guide me thy grace sanctifie me and thy Word instruct me Let the holy Ghost of whom thou wast conceiued beget thee in mee by the immortall seede of thy Word Let my faith conceiue thee my profession bring thee forth my loue embrace thee and Deuotion entertaine and continually keepe thee with mee till thy second comming So come vnto me Lord Iesus come quickly THE Feast of our Lord's Circumcision OR New-yeares dayes Deuotion The ground of this Feast are The type thereof in the old The accōplishmēt in the new Testament PARALELL The Type And Abraham circumcised Isaak when he was eight daies old as God commanded him Gen. 21. 4. The accomplishment And when the eight dayes were accomplished that they shuld circumcise the child his name was then called IESVS Luk. 2. 21. Meditate ô deuout Christian 1 For thine instruction vpon the circumcision of thy Sauiour 2 For thy comfort applie to thy selfe the 3 For thy correctiō examine the circumcision of thy heart and quicken thine 1 Obedience by the exhortation 2 Thankfulnes by the hymne 3 Zeale deuotiō by the praier THE ADMONITION for New-yeeres day THE ANALYSIS wee ought to desire striue and pray for the circumcision of the heart 1 In respect of GOD who Desireth it a Commandeth it b Loueth it c Obserueth it d Praiseth it e Rewardeth it f Brandeth the contrarie g 2 In respect of man's heart which needeth it 1 Because it is most corrupt and impure 2 Because it is most deceitfull THE TEXTS a MY son giue me thy heart Prou. 23. 16. vid. Ier. 4. 4. b Circumcise the fore-skinne of your hearts Deut. 10. 16. O Ierusalem clense thy heart Ier. 4. 4. c Clense your hearts yee sinners Iames 4. 8. Behold thou louest truth in the inward parts Psal. 51. 6. d God seeth not as man seeth for man looketh vpon the outward appearance but God seeth the heart 1 Sam. 16. 7. e The circumcision is of the heart in the spirit not in the letter whose praise is not of man but of God Rom. 2. 29. In whom yee are circumcised with circumcision made without hands by putting off the sinfull body of the flesh through the circumcision of the flesh Col. 2. 11. Beware of the concision For wee are the circumcision which worship God in the spirit and reioyce in Christ Iesus and haue no confidence in the flesh Philippians 3. 3. f The good Lord be mercifull to him that prepareth his whole heart to seeke the Lord his God 1 Chron. 30. 19. He will doe good to such as be good and true of heart Psal. 125. 4. There is sprung vp a light for the righteous and ioyfull gladnesse to such as bee true hearted Psal. 99. 12. g The eyes of the Lord behold the earth to shew himselfe strong with them that are of perfect heart towards him 1 Chron. 16. 9. Yee of vncircumcised eares and hearts haue alwaies resisted c. Acts. 7. The peruerse in heart are an abomination to the Lord. Pro. 11. 20. All the imaginations of mans heart are onely euill continually Gen. 6. The heart of man is deceitfull aboue all things Ier. 17. 9. The Psalme for New-yeeres day OSing vnto the Lord a new song sing vnto the Lord all the whole earth Psal. 96. 1. Sing vnto the Lord and praise his name be telling of his saluation from day to day verse 2. The heauent declare the glory of God and the firmament sheweth his handy worke Psal. 19. 1. One day telleth another and one night certifieth another v. 2. There is neither speech nor language but their voice is heard among them verse 3. Their sound is gone out into all lands and their words vnto the end of the world verse 4. In them hath he set a Tabernacle for the sunne which commeth forth as a bridegroome out of his chamber and reioyceth as a gyant to runne his course verse 5. He appointeth the Moone for certaine seasons and the Sunne knoweth his going downe Psal. 104. 19. O Lord how manifold are thy workes In wisedome hast thou made them all the earth is full of thy riches verse 24. So is the great and wide c. verse 25. vsque ad 〈◊〉 When thou lettest thy breath goe forth they are made and thou shalt renew the face of the earth verse 30. The glorious Maiesty of the Lord shall endure for euer the Lord shall reioyce in his workes verse 31. Thou crownest the earth with thy goodnesse and thy cloudes drop fatnesse Psal. 65. 12. They shall drop vpon the dwellings of the wildernesse and the little hills shall reioyce of euery side verse 13. The flocks also shall bee full of sheepe the valleys also shall stand so thick with corne that they shall laugh and sing verse 14. The day is thine and the night is thine thou hast prepared the light of the sunne Psal. 74. 17. Thou hast set all the borders of the earth thou hast made summer and winter verse 18. The Prayer for New-yeeres day MOst tender and compassionate Lord now first knowne by thy name Iesu who being the true vine which yeeldest the wine that gladdeth the heart wast pruned this day with the sharpe knife of circumcision and bleddest for me haue pitty and compassion on mee who with weeping eyes and a bleeding heart come vnto thee beseeching thee that those drops of blood which fell from thee this day may satisfie for the sinne of my birth and the whole streame that ranne from all the parts of thy body in the Garden and on the Crosse may expiate all my numberlesse actuall sinnes whether they be sinnes of lighter tincture or of a Scarlet dye Sinnes like beames or sinnes like moates Sinnes conceiued
come and offer thy gift Mat. 5. 24. Yea tithe Mint and Rue c. These things yee ought to haue done and not left the other vndone Luke 11. 42. Let him that is taught in the word make him that taught him partaker of all his goods Gal. 6. 6. If we haue sowed to you spirituall things is it much if wee reape of you carnal things 2 Cor. 9. 11. Abraham gaue him Tithe of all that he had Gen. 14. 10. Of all that thou shalt giue me will I giue the tenth vnto thee Gen 28. 2. Then Dauid said behold I dwell in Cedar trees but the Arke of the Lord remaineth vnder the curtaines 2 Sam. 7. 2. Then euery one whose spirit made him willing came and brought an offering to the Lord for the worke of the Tabernacle Exod. 35. 21. I will not come within the Tabernacle of mine house nor climbe vp into my bed Psal. 132 3. I will not suffer mine eyes to sleepe nor mine eye lidds to slumber nor the Temples of my head to take any rest verse 4. Till I haue found out a place for the Temple of the Lord an habitation for the mighty God of Iacob verse 5. I giue Tithe of all that I possesse Luke 18. 12. So should thy barnes bee filled with abundance and thy presses shall burst with new wine Prou. 3. 10. Bring all the tithes into the store-house that there may bee meate in mine house and proue me heerewith sayeth the Lord. Mal. 3. 10. He will multiply your seede and increase the fruits of your beneuolence 2 Cor. 9. 10. You looked for much and loe it came to little and when yee brought it home I did blow vpon it Why saith the Lord of Hosts Because of mine house that is waste and yee runne euery man to his owne house Hag. 1. 9. Therefore the heauen ouer you is staied from dew and the earth is stayed from her fruit verse 10. Yee say wherein haue wee robbed thee In tithes and offerings Mal. 3. 8. Ye are cursed with a curse for yee haue robbed mee euen this whole nation verse 9. He that soweth sparingly shall reape sparingly 2 Cor. 9. 6. Be not deceiued God is not mocked Whatsoeuer a man soweth that shall he reape Gal. 6. 7. A Psalme for Twelfe-day O Praise the Lord of heauen praise him in the height Psal. 148 1. Praise him all yee his Angels praise him all his host verse 2. Praise him Sunne and Moone praise him all yee starres and light verse 3. Thy seate ô God endureth for euer the scepter of thy kingdom is a right scepter Psal 45. 7. The Lord shall send the rod of thy power out of Sion bee thou ruler euen in the middest among thine enemies Psal. 110. 2. In the day of thy power shall the people offer thee free will offerings with an holy worship the dew of thy birth is of the wombe of the morning verse 3. Thy dominion shall bee from one sea to the other and from the floods vnto the worlds end Psal. 72. 8. They that dwell in the wildernesse shall kneele before thee thine enemies shall lick the dust verse 9. All Kings shall fall downe before thee all nations shall doe thee seruice verse 11. Thy name shall endure for euer thy name shall remaine vnder the sun among all posterities which shall bee blessed through thee and all the heathen shall praise thee verse 17. Blessed bee the name of thy Maiesty for euer and all the earth shall bee filled with his Maiesty Amen Amen A Prayer for twelve-Twelfe-day FAther of lights who didst guide the heathen Sages by a starre to seeke after and find thy sonne the true light which enlighteneth euery man that commeth into the world giue mee grace to giue eare to the more sure Word of Prophecie in the Scriptures til the day dawne and the day starre arise in my heart As thou calledst the wise men obseruers of the starres by a star the sheepheards lying abroad by an apparition in the fields Zachary the Priest by a Vision in the Temple Peter the fisher by a draught of fishes Mathew the Publican at the receipt of custome and Saint Austin enamourd with eloquence by the lustre of Saint Ambroses stile and enticing eloquence I beseech thee take the aduantage of such seasons and apply such meanes for my vnfeigned conuersion vnto thee as are most agreeable to my inclination disposition and condition So will I come vnto thee and fall downe before thee and present vnto thee gold frankinsence and mirrh gold in acknowledgement of thy kingdome frankinsence of thy Priesthood and mirrh of thy death I will offer willingly freely vnto thee incense of praise thanksgiuing for thy benefits the mirrh of bitter teares for my sinnes and gold according to my ability for the maintenance of thy seruice and adorning thy Temple Lord who by this rich present prouidedst for the virgins wants to supply them in her iourney to Aegypt extend thy goodnesse to mee in al necessities and establish my faith and confidence in thee in al dangers and difficulties whatsoeuer For thou hast promised neuer to leaue nor forsake them that trust in thee The stony rocke shall yeeld a fountaine of water and a dry crâ—re a spring of oyle the loaues shall multiply by spending nay the Clouds shall be Store-houses of Bread and the winde serue in Fowle and the Rauens bring in prouision the Fishes pay tribute of money and Heathen Sages from the East by the conduct of a Starre bring in costly presents and New yeeres-gifts before thy children shall want their necessary maintenance or sustenance Blessed Babe who at thy birth didst presage thy death and assayedst the Crosse in thy Cratch and being excluded as it were from all men wast constrained to take vp thy lodging with beasts in a Stable teach me what I am to looke for in this world If it giue me course and base and beastly entertainment it gaue thee worse and the seruant is not to expect better respect then the Master O King of glory who hadst no Palace in this world but an Inne no Chamber of Presence but a Stable no Tapestry but Straw no Chaire of estate but a Cratch no Scepter but a Reede and no Crowne but a wreath of thornes worke in me an holy high-mindednesse to despise this world which so despised thee Make the worldly greatnesse seeme small honour base estimation vile and pompe vaine vnto me Let not the glittering shew of gold siluer or precious stones or the luster of eminent conditions dazell the eyes of my minde but let the beames of this starre light and guide me rather to honour thee in a Stable then leaue thee to follow Herod in his Palace vpon any hopes whatsoeuer The wise men after they had seene thee neuer returned backe to Herod but went another way to their owne home so let me after thou hast called me to the knowledge of the
truth and redeemed mee from my vaine conuersations neuer returne backe to my worldly courses but take another way to my true home in heauen The wise men when they saw thy starre in the aire were exceeding glad I see thy starre in the Scriptures nay I see the bright morning starre in my heart O let my ioy exceede theirs as my knowledge doth The starre still lighted them till they came to the place where thou layest and entered into thy bed-chamber So ô Lord let the light of faith guide me all the way of this life euen till I come to see thee not in a stable on earth strawed with litter and dung but in a pallace in heauen built with Saphyrs and founded vpon pearles not receiuing a present of gold from men but wearing a crowne of gold put vpon thee by thy Father not hauing a quantity of frankinsence or mirrh in thy hand but a golden censor full of sweete odours which are the prayers of Saints Among which I beseech thee offer vp the prayers of mee a sinner that I may bee a Saint after thou hast purged mee from all my fil thynesse in the royall bath of thy blood Amen THE FEAST OF OVR LORD'S RESVRRECTION OR Easter-dayes Deuotion The ground of this Feast In the old Testamēt Prophecies Types In the new the History of our Lords rising from the dead PARALELL Prophecie Thou shalt not leaue my soule in hell or graue nor suffer thine holy One to see corruption Psal. 16. 11. He spake of the Resurrection of Christ that his soule should not be left in graue neither his flesh see corruption Acts 2. 31. Historie The Angel said to the women Feare yee not for I know that yee seeke Iesus that was crucified Mat. 28. 5. He is not here for he is risen as hee said come see the place where the Lord lay verse 6. Thy dead men shall liue with my body shall they rise Awake sing yee that dwell in dust for thy dew is the dew of herbs and the earth shall cast out her dead Isa. 26. 19. And the graus did open thēselues and many bodies of the Saints which slept arose Mat. 27 52. And came out of their graues after his resurrection went into the holy City and appeared to many v. 53. O death I wil be thy death ô graue I wil bee thy destruction Hos. 13. 14. Christ being raised from the dead dyeth no more death hath no more dominion ouer him Rom. 6. 9. Death is swallowed vp into victorie 1. Cor. 11. 14. O Death where is thy sting O graue where is thy victorie ver 55. Type And the Priest shall shake the sheafe of the first fruites before the Lord that it may be acceptable to you the morrowe after the Sabbath Leu. 23. 11. Accomplishment Now in the end of the Sabboth when the first day of the week began to dawn MARY MAGDALEN came to see the Sepulcher Mat. 28. And behold there was a great Earth-quake for the Angell of the Lord descended from heauen and came and rolled away the stone from the dore and sate vpon it c. ver 2. He is not here for hee is risen c. 6. Christ is risen from the dead the first fruites of them that sleepe 1. Cor. 11. 20. The first fruits is Christ ver 23. And Ionah was in the belly of the Fish three dayes and three nights Ion. 1. 17. The Sonne of man three daies three nights in the heart of the earth Mat. 12. 4. The third day God spake vnto the Fish it cast out Ionah on the drye land Ion 2. 10. Destroy this temple and in three dayes I will reare it vp againe Ioh. 2. 19. Hee spake of the temple of his bodie ver 21. As soone as he was risen from the dead his disciples remembred and belieued the Scriptures and the word which he spake vnto them ver 22. For thine instruction meditate on the Prophecie Types Storie of Christ's resurrection For thy comfort apply to thy selfe the benefit thereof For thy correction examine thy spiritual resurrection from dead workes Quicken Thy faith by the Hymne Thy repentance by the exhortation Thy Zeale and Deuotion by the prayer ensuing An Hymne for Easter day OPen mee the gates of righteousnesse that I may goe into them and giue thankes vnto the Lord. Psal. 119. 19. This is the gate of the Lord the righteous shall enter into it verse 20. I will thanke thee for thou hast heard me and art become my saluation verse 21. Thou wilt shew me the paths of life in thy presence is the fulnesse of ioy and at thy right hand there are pleasures for euermore Psal. 16. 11. The same stone which the builders refused is become the head Stone in the corner v. 22 This is the Lord 's doing and it is maruellous in our eyes v. 23 This is the day which the Lord hath made wee will reioyce and be glad in it ver 24. Why doe the heathen rage continually and the people imagin a vaine thing Psal. 2. 1. Then shall hee speake vnto them in his wrath and vexe them in his sore displeasure saying Euen I haue set my king vpon Zion mine holy Mountaine verse 5. 6. The Lord vpon thy right hand shall wound euen kings in the day of his wrath Ps. 110. 5. Hee shall iudge among the heathen hee shall fill their places with the dead bodies and smite in sunder heads ouer diuers countries verse 6. He shall drinke of the brooke in the way therefore shall hee lift vp his head verse 7 Be wise now therefore ô yee kings bee learned yee that are iudges of the earth Ps. 2. 10. Serue the Lord with feare and reioyce vnto him with reuerence verse 11. Kisse the sonne least hee bee angry and so ye perish from the right way if his wrath bee kindled yea but a little blessed are all they that put their trust in him verse 12. THE ADMONITION for Easter-day THE ANALYSIS Wee must pray and striue for repentāce from dead workes and newnes of life because a 1. It is God's commandement b 2. It is the Saint's practise c 3. It is the euidence of our new-birth d 4. It is the end of our resurrection e 5. It is the end of our redemption f 6. It obtaineth remission of sinnes g 7. It auoideth GOD'S temporall iudgements h 8. It is the onely means to shun eternal death i 9. It maketh vs blessed euen in this life THE TEXTS a CAst off concerning the conuersation in times past that old man which is corrupt through deceaueable lusts Eph. 4. 24. And be renewed in the spirit of your mindes verse 23. And put on the new man which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse ver 24. b Yee haue put of the old man with his workes Colos. 3 9. And haue put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the Image of him that created him verse 10. c Being borne
conscience and the cleare light of the Gospel to guide my feete into the way of peace This light conuinceth the errours of my vnderstanding the deprauation of my will the disorder of my affections the impurity of my thoghts the vanity of my desires the deceitfulnesse of my heart the wickednes of all my wayes This light sheweth mee what I was in my birth slime and filthinesse what in my life vanity and folly and what in my death stench rottennesse This light discouereth vnto me that I haue nothing which I haue not receiued that without Christ I can doe nothing that in me that is in my body dwelleth no good that I am not able of my selfe as of my self think a good thought that I cannot desire to thinke nor haue wil to desire nor grace to will any good My comforts are rare my crosses frequent my pleasures momentary my paines permanent my gifts small my wants and infirmities great my helpes weake my assaults strong my good deeds few and they tainted with imperfections my sinnes infinite Let these considerations O Lord humble me in my selfe that Christ may raise me wound mee in my selfe that Christ may heale me burden mee in my selfe that Christ may ease me kill mee in my owne conceits that Christ may quicken me make mee most vile in mine own eyes that I may bee most deare and precious in his O Lord which as vpon this day createdst the clouds to raine vpon the earth showre downe thy graces abundantly into my heart to mollifie it that the seede of the Word may take deepe root downeward in humility and spring vpward in hope and spread abroad by charity and fructifie in all kindes of good workes Lord who this day separatedst the waters from the waters separate I beseech thee and distinguish betweene the waters of teares which I shed for my sinnes and those others which I shed for worldly crosses and calamities Cast away the one and put the the other into thy bottle Lord who this day madest the heauens or ayre without which I cannot liue naturally no not for a moment infuse into my heart the Spirit of grace without which spiritually I cannot breathe in my prayers nor sigh nor so much as moue any facultie or part of soule or body vnto thee As oft as I take in or let out the aire which I breathe let mee receiue in grace from thee and breathe out praise vnto thee Amen The close out of Scripture The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ and the loue of God and the fellowship of the holy Ghost be with me 2. Cor. 13. vlt. The Euening's Deuotion for Munday THE HYMNE Heare me O Lord in the multitude of thy mercies euen in the truth of thy saluation Psal. 69. 14. Let not the water floods drowne mee nor the deepe swallow me vp and let not the pit shut her mouth vpon mee verse 16. Thou diddest diuide the sea through thy power and brakest the heads of the Dragons in the waters Psal. 74. 14. Thou smoest the heads of Leuiathan in pieces and gauest him to be meate for the people in the wildernesse verse 15. Thou broughtest out fountaines and waters out of the hard Rocks thou driedst vp mighty waters verse 16. Thou art the God that doth wonders and hast declared thy power among the people Psal. 77. 14. The waters saw thee O God the waters saw thee and were afraid the depths also were troubled verse 16. The clouds powred out water the aire thundered and thine arrowes went abroad verse 17. The voice of thy thunder was heard round about the lightnings shone vpon the ground the earth was moued verse 18. Thou bringest forth clouds from the ends of the world and sendest forth Lightnings with the raine bringing the windes out of his treasures Psal. 135. The springs of water were seene and the foundations of the round world were discouered at thy chiding O Lord at the blasting of the breath of thy displeasure Psal. 18. 15. Thy way is in the Sea and thy pathes in the great waters and thy footsteps are not knowne Psal. 77. 19. THE ADMONITION for Munday's Euening being an exhortation to meeknes THE ANALYSIS The speciall Arguments to perswade meeknes set downe in Scripture are drawne from 1. The causes Impulsiue 1 Diuine precepts 2 humane frailty Exemplary God the Father Sonne H. Ghost The Saints The creatures in which nature hath patern'd this vertue 2 The effects 1 Peace With God With men 2 Wealth 3 Wisedome and spiritual vnderstanding 4 Sanctifying graces the fruits of the Spirit 5 Blessednesse THE TEXTS PVt them in minde c. Tit. 3. 1. That they be no brawlers but gentle shewing all meekenesse to all men verse 2. If any man bee ouertaken in a fault ye which are spirituall restore such a one in the spirit of meeknesse Gal. 6. 1. I beseech you that yee walke worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called with lowlinesse and meeknesse with long suffering forbearing one another in loue Ephes. 4. 2. Put on therefore as the Elect of God holy and beloued the bowels of mercy kindnesse humblenesse of minde meeknesse long-suffering Col. 3. 12. Forbearing one another forgiuing one another if any man haue a quarrell against any euen as Christ forgaue you so also doe ye verse 13. But thou O man of God flye these things and follow after righteousnesse godlinesse faith patience meekenesse 1. Tim. 6. 11. Dearely beloued auenge not your selues but rather giue place vnto wrath For it is written Vengeance is mine I will repay saith the Lord Rom. 12. 19. Wherefore my beloued Brethren let euery man bee swift to heare slow to speake and slow to wrath Iam. 1. 19. For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousnesse of God verse 20. Look diligently least any man faile of the grace of God least any root of bitternesse spring vp and trouble you and thereby many be defiled Heb 12. 15. Consider thy selfe least thou also be tempted Gal. 6. 1. Let him among you that is without sinne cast the first stone Ioh. 8. 7. Hee shall haue iudgement without mercy that hath shewed no mercy and mercy reioyceth against iudgement Iam. 3. 13. And they heard the voice of the Lord in the coole of the day walking in the garden c. Gen. 3. 8. And after the earthquake there was a fire but God was not in the fire and after the fire a still small voice verse 12. in which voice God was And it was so when Eliah heard it c. verse 13. Neuerthelesse for thy great mercies sake thou diddest not vtterly consume them nor forsake them for thou art a gracious and mercifull God Nehem. 9. 31. God said to Ionah Doest thou well to be angry for thy Gourd Ion. 4. 9. Thou hast pitie on the Gourd for which thou hast not laboured which came in a night and perished in a night verse 10. And should not I spare Nineueh that great
causeth repentance not to be repented of but worldly sorrow causeth death 2. Cor. 7. 10. For behold this selfe same thing that yee sorrowed after a godly sort what carefulnesse it wrought in you yea what cleering of your selues yea what indignation yea what feare yea what vehement desire yea what zeale yea what reuenge ver 11. They that sow in teares shall reape in ioy Psal. 126. 7. I dwell with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit to reuiue the spirit of the humble and to reuiue the heart of the contrite Isa. 57. 15. Ye shall be sorrowfull but your sorrow shall bee turned into ioy Ioh. 16. 20. Blessed are they that mourne for they shall bee comforted Mat. 5. 4. Wee haue mourned vnto you and yee haue not wept Luke 7. 32. And yee are puffed vp and haue not sorrowed 1 Cor. 5. 2. Woe bee vnto thee Corazin woe vnto thee Rethsaida c. for they c. in sack cloth Mat. 11. 21. And I gaue her time to repent and shee would not repent Reuel 2. 21. After thy hard and impenitent heart treasurest vp to thy selfe wrath in the day of wrath Rom. 2. 3. THE PRAYER FOR Tuesday morning composed of 1. Petitions sutable to the worke of the day 2. Motiues to godly sorrow agreeable to the precedent exhortation O That my head were water and mine eyes were a spring of teares that I might weepe day and night for the deluge of sinne ouerflowing the whole world but especially for the inundation therof in this our Iâ—â—nd We are ouerwhelmed in this Torrent and should be drowned but that the gales of thy Spirit driue it somewhat backe and thy restraining Grace with the publike discipline of our Lawes and Canons set some bounds to it What hearts can vent sight enough what eyes yeeld sufficient teares to bewaile those publike sinnes vnder the burthen whereof the Land sinketh besides those priuate which lye as heauy on each of vs in particular Sinnes of omission sinnes of commission sinnes of birth sinnes of life sinnes of youth sinnes of age sinnes of frailty sinnes of â—ilfulnesse sinnes of act sinnes of habit and custome sinnes of secret taint sinnes of open stâ—inâ— Sinnes of infirmity committed against the power of the Father sinnes of ignorancâ— against the wisdome of the Sonne and sinnes of malice against the grace of thy holy Spirit If I should goe about to extenuate my sinneâ— euen that would aggrauate them if to excuse them my conscience would condemne me For I must confesse to thy glory and my owne shame that by my Originall and Actuall secret and open sudden and aduised ignorant anâ—â—â—â—icious sinnes I haue dishonoured thy Name prophaned thy Word defaced thine Image grieued thy Spirit despighted thy Grace wounded my owne conscience stained my good name scandalized my profession depriued my selfe of the comforts of the Gospell of the protection of Angells of the sweet fellowship of thy Spirit and drawne vpon mâ—e many heauy iudgements and treasured vp wrath against the day of wrath Yet because I mourne with Dauid in my prayers I weepe bitterly with Peter I abhorre my selfe in dust and ashes with Iob I am ashamed and confounded with Ezra Lord let thy mercy preuaile against thy iustice my sighs and teares against my sinfull ioyes and thy Sonnes bloud euen against my crimson sinnes Lord who on this day madest dry Land and firme ground to appeare dry vp my â—â—â—res with the beames of thy mercy and giue me firme ground of comfort in thy Word Lord who on this day createdst all kinde of seedes sow in my heart the incorruptible seede of thy Word that I may thereby be regenerated to a liuely hope Lord who on this day createdst all kindes of fruitfull Trees make mee like a good Tree to bring forth good fruit here that I may hereafter eate of the Tree of Life which is in the middest of the Paradise of God So be it Amen The close out of Scripture GOd the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ grant mee according to the riches of his glory that I may be strengthened by his spirit in the inner man Ephes. 3. 16. That Christ may dwell in my heart by faith that I being rooted and grounded in loue ver 17. May be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the bredth and length and depth and height v. 8. And to know the loue of Christ which passeth knowledge that I may bee filled with the fulnesse of God verse 19. The Deuotions for Tuesdayes Euening THE HYMNE alluding to the worke of God on this day in the Allegory OVT of the deepe haue I called vnto thee O Lord Lord heare my voice Psal. 130. 1. O let thine eares consider wel the voice of my complaint verse 2. If thou Lord wilt be extreme to marke what is done amisse O Lord who can abide it ver 3. But there is mercy with thee therefore thou shalt bee feared verse 4. I looke for the Lord my soule doth waite for him in his word is my trust verse 5. My soule flyeth to the Lord before the Morning watch I say before the Morning watch verse 6. I haue watched and am euen as a Sparrow that sitteth alone on the house top Psal. 102. 7. My heart is smitten down and withered like grasse so that I forget to eate my bread verse 4. Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest O Lord and instructest him in thy Law They that sowe in teares shal reape in ioy Psal. 126. 7. Hee that now goeth on his way weeping and beareth forth good seede shal doubtlesse come againe with ioy and bring his sheaues with him verse 8. The righteous shall flourish like a Palme-tree and shall spread abroad like a Cedar in Lebanon Psal. 92. 11. Hee shall be like a tree planted by the Riuer's side which bringeth forth her fruit in due season Psal. 1. 3. Whose leafe shall not fall and what soeuer hee doth it shall prosper verse 4. Such as bee planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of the house of our God Psal. 92. 12. They also shall bring forth more fruit in their age and shal befat and well liking ver 13. THE ADMONITION for Tuesday Euening being an exhortation to hunger and thirst for righteousnesse whereunto our Sauiour ascribeth the fourth Beatitude THE ANALYSIS We must diligently and earnestly seek after the meanes of our saluation because therby 1 Wee obey God 2 Wee imitate his Saints 3 Wee obtain blessings Temporall Spirituall 1 Fauour 2 Delight 3 Peace 4 Life 5 CoÌ„tentment 6 The Kingdom of heauen THE TEXTS SEek the Lord and his strength seeke his face euermore Psal. 105. 4. Labour not for the meat that perisheth but for that meat which endureth to euerlasting life Ioh. 6. 27. Receiue mine instruction not siluer and knowledge rather then fine gold Prou. 5. 10. For wisedome is better then precious stones and all pleasures are not to bee
it may be night wherein all the beasts of the Forrest doe moue ver 20. The Sunne ariseth and they get them away together and lay them downe in their dens ver 22. Man goeth forth vnto his worke and to his labour vntill the Euening ver 23. O Lord our Gouernour how excellent is thy Name in all the world Psal. 8. 9. The Admonition for Wednesday Euening being an Exhortation to purity in heart answerable to the sixth Beatitude THE ANALYSIS Purity especially in heart is to bee prayed for and sought after in regard of God his 1. Speciall command for it 2. Particular taking notice of it 3. High esteeme and approbation thereof 4. Gracious promises to it of 1 Life 2 Fauor of Kings 3 Sight of himselfe 4 His fauour and bounty 5 Profit by the Word 6 Abode in Heauen THE TEXTS NOw therefore serue the Lord and serue him in sinceritie of heart and in truth Ios. 24. 14. Prepare your hearts vnto the Lord and serue him onely 1. Sam. 7. 3. They that are of a forward heart are an abomination to the Lord but such as are vpright in the way are his delight Prou. 11. 20. My sonne giue mee thy heart and let thine eyes obserue my wayes Pro. 23. 26. Cleanse your hands yee sinners and purge your hearts yee double-minded Iam. 4. 8. Serue God with a perfect heart and with a willing minde for the Lord searcheth all hearts and vnderstandeth all imaginations of the thoughts 1. Chron. 28. 9. O Ierusalem wash thine heart Ier 4. 4. God seeth not as man seeth for man looketh on the outward appearance but God iudgeth the heart 1. Sam. 16. 7. Thou knowest the hearts of all men Acts 1. He will lighten things hid in darknesse and make the counsels of thy heart manifest 1. Cor. 4. 5. Thou louest truth in the inward parts Psal. 51. 6. Wee speake not as pleasing men but as pleasing God who tryeth the hearts 2. Thes. 2. 4. Let it bee the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible the ornament of a meeke and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price 1. Per. 3. 4. Keepe the heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life Prou. 4. 23. Hee that loueth purenesse in heart the King shall be his friend Prou. 22. 11. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God Math. 5. 8. Truely God is good vnto Israel euen to him that is of a cleane heart Psal. 73. 1. That which fell on good ground are they which with an honest and good heart heare the Word and keepe it and bring forth fruits with patience Luke 18. 15. Who shall ascend into the Hill of the Lord or who shall stand in his Holy place Psal. 24. 3. He that hath cleane hands and a pure heart verse 4. Hee that walketh vprightly and speaketh vprightly c. Isai. 33. 15. He shall dwell on high c. The Prayer for Wednesday-Euening Composed of 1 Petitions sutable to the sufferings of Christ on this day 2 Motiues to perswade purity in heart and sincerity agreeable to the precedent exhortation MOst holy blessed and glorious God who dwellest in light which none may approach I miserable and sinfull creature by nature a child of the night and of darknesse nay very darknesse it selfe am ashamed and confounded to lift vp mine eyes to heauen or looke towards the place where thine honour dwelleth For I haue sinned against heauen and against thee and deserue to be cast out for euer from the sight of thy face and presence of thy glorious Maiestie into vtter darknesse which the diuel the Prince of darknesse and his Angels that are reserued in chaines of darknesse till the great and terrible Day of thy wrath For that heauenly light which thou hast kindled in my heart though I seeke to smother it neuer so much clearely conuinceth my conscience that I preferre the pleasures of sinne which are the workes of darknesse before the glorious inheritance of thy Saints in light hauing my very vnderstanding the onely light which is in me much darkened through the ignorance that is in me by reason of the hardnesse of my heart And notwithstanding thou hast called mee early and late and stretched thy hands all the day long vnto mee yet I haue walked still in the vanitie of my minde and wearied my selfe in the wayes of wickednesse and haue not hearkened to thy voice whereby I might walke in thy lawes which thou hast appointed for me Or if for a short time I haue reioyced in the light of the Gospel yet soone after I haue quenched thy Spirt and haue giuen my selfe to wantonnesse to worke filthinesse with greedinesse Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant O Lord for in thy sight shall no man liuing be iustified Though thou shouldest drowne all my former sinnes in the bottomelesse sea of thy mercy yet the sins of this day alone giue sufficient euidence against mee to condemne mee My vnsanctified desires and impure thoughts and vaine imaginations and idle words and vnfruitfull workes make mee vnexcusable before thee I cannot answer for my abuse of the creatures mis-spending my time which is most precious ouerstipping many occasions of doing good How negligent haue I beene in the duties of my calling How cold and dull in my exercises of Religion How defectiue in the confession of my sinnes How carelesse in applying the soueraigne remedies of the Word My very prayers which I make vnto thee for the supplying of all my wants and healing of all my infirmities are accompanied with so many wants and infirmities that I haue neede to aske pardon for these my imperfect prayers Lord giue mee a sense of my stupidity and senselesnesse and a feruent desire of more feruency and zeale and true remorse and sorrow for want of remorse and sorrow for these my sinnes And because that I know not how to pray as I ought let thy Spirit make intercession for me with sighs and grones which cannot be expressed and let the bloud of thy Sonne speake better things for mee then the bloud of Abel O let not the glorious light of Heauen goe downe vpon thy displeasure against me but for thy decre Sonne Iesus Christ his sake who is the prâ—pitiation for my sinnes be reconciled vnto mee while it is called to day that I may finde rest vnto my soule this night together with the comfortable refreshing of my body by sleepe So shall I neuer cease with a ioyfull heart and a cheerefull voice to praise thee for thine vnspeakable loue in electing me to eternall life in Heauen before thou hadst laid the foundations of the earth Thy goodnesse in creating mee after thine owne Image thy mercy in redeeming mee with the bloud of thine onely begotton Sonne thy grace in calling mee to the knowledge of thy truth and thy fatherly care in safely protecting me mercifully
in the middest of the Doctors in the Temple opposing and answering them Propound such Questions by me and returne such Answers by them as may cleerely expresse to our vnderstanding and imprint in our memories the necessary points of sauing Truth and foundations of Christian Doctrine and may serue for the instruction of the ignorant admonition of the learned and the building vp of vs all in our most holy faith So be it Amen PARS PRIMA THE SVMME of sauing Knowledge SECT Prim. DOMIN Prim. Of Catechisme the parts and proper ends thereof Q. WHAT is Catechisme A. The summe of Christian religion reuealed by God in holy Scriptures for mans perfect instruction in the mysteries of eternall saluation Q. What doth Christian Doctrine containe in it A. The true knowledge and worship of God in Christ. Q. Where finde you the summe of this Doctrine A. 1. In the Decalogue written by God the Father 2. In the Lords Prayer conceiued by God the Son 3. In the Créed set down by the Apostles inspired by the holy-Ghost Q. What containeth the Decalogue A. All duties to bée performed by vs to God and our neighbours Q. What containeth the Lords Prayer A. All benefits to be desired of God Q. What containeth the Creed A. All things the â—are to be belieued concerning God and his Church Q. What is the vse and proper end of Catechisme A. To instruct the ignorant and confirme the learned in the principles of Religion and prepare both to the profitable vse of the speciall meanes of their saluation which are Hearing the Word preached Receiuing the Sacraments Publique and priuate Prayer SECT 2. DOMIN 2. Of blessednesse and the meanes of obtaining it Q. What are the chiefest things to bee desired of all men A. Gods fauour blessings and grace in this present life and eternall blessednesse in the vision and fruition of him in the life to come Q. How may wee attaine hereunto A. By true Religion or godlinesse which hath the promise of this life and the life to come Q. What is godlinesse A. The true worship and seruice of the true God Q. Where is this true God's worship and seruice to bee learned and knowne and how A. Obscurely and imperfectly it may be learned in the booke of the creatures by the light of nature but cleerely and perfectly by the light of the Spirit in the Canonicall bookes of the old and new Testament SECT 3. DOMIN 3. Of Religion and the parts thereof Q. What do the Scriptures teach in general concerning the true God and his worship A. That we ought to know and acknowledge the true God his Nature Attributes Workes as farre forth as God hath made himself knowne to vs. 2. That we ought to know and acknowledge Iesus Christ the Mediator betwéene God and man his Person State Office 3 That wee ought to worship God in Christ and serue him both Immediately by religiously adoring him and performing all such holy rites vnto him as hée requireth in the first Table Mediately by readily obeying him and performing all such duties to our selues and our neighbours as hee requireth in the second Table SECT 4. DOMIN 4. Of the Nature of God Q. What do the Scriptures teach concerning the nature of God A. That he is One true eternall simple all-sufficient immutable infinite incomprehensible spirit hauing being of himselfe distinguished into thrée persons of the same nature dignitie and power The Father begetting The Sonne begotten The holy-Ghost procéeding from them both SECT 5. DOMIN 5. Of the principle attributes of God Q. What doe the Scriptures teach concerning the attributes of God A. That he is a liuing blessed and glorious God the great high and mighty Lord and possessor of heauen and earth and our most gracious and louing Father most holy wise iust faithfull and good SECT 6. DOMIN 6. Of the workes of God in generall Q. What do the Scriptures teach concerning the workes of God A. That he decreeth and executeth al things for his glory according to the counsell of his own will powerfully working all the good of nature and grace in all things and wisely disposing of al the euil both of sinne and punishment SECT 7. DOMIN 7. Of God's Decrees Q. What decrees of God are registred in holy Scriptures for our instruction and comfort A. Two Especially 1. His decrée of creation of all things 2. His decree of prouidence ouer all which is two-fold 1. Generall concerning the present state of all things in this world 2. Speciall concerning the eternall state of Angels and men in the world to come Q. What is this speciall decree properly called A. Predestination Q. What are the parts of it A. Two Election Reprobation or reiection Q. What is Election A. Gods eternall counsell and purpose of chusing certaine Angels and men and bringing them to euerlasting happinesse for the declaration of his infinite mercie Q. What is Reprobation A. Gods eternall counsell and purpose of reiecting others and reseruing them to euerlasting miserie and torments for the manifestation of his iustice SECT 8. DOMIN 8. Of the Creation Q. What learne you out of Scripture concerning the execution of Gods decree of Creation A. That in sixe dayes he made all things visible and inuisible of nothing by his word to the glory of his infinite power SECT 9. DOMIN 9. Of Gods generall Prouidence Q. What learne you concerning the execution of God his decree of generall Prouidence A. That he preserueth al things in their state and kinde and gouerneth them after an excellent manner to the glory of his manifold wisedome and goodnesse SECT 10. DOMIN 10. Of the Predestination of Angels Q. What is reuealed in Scripture concerning the execution of Gods decree of Predestination and first of Angels A. That hee suffered the reprobate Angels voluntarily without any temptation to fall into the vnpardonable sinne of Apostasie and that hee reserueth them in chaines of darknes tiâ— the iudgement of the great day But contrarilie that hee hath confirmed the Elect Angels in their holy and blessed estate SECT 11. DOMIN 11. Of the Predestination of men Q. What is reuealed in Scripture concerning the Predestination of men A. That hee gaue all men in Adam and Eue a Lawe and free will to kéepe it or breake it and after they abused their frée will and brake that Lawe and thereby brought a curse vpon them and all their posterit y that of his mercy grace he chose chooseth some out of the estate of misery and corruption maketh them his sonnes by adoption calleth them to the knowledge of the truth regenerateth them by his spirit iustifieth them by faith and in the end crowneth them with euerlasting glory Others he left and leaueth in the state of misery and corruption offereth them some outward meanes which make them vnexcusable for their refusall or abuse of them hardeneth them casting them into a reprobate sence and in the end after many iudgements and Plagues in this life
admire and aduance Gods super-excellent Maiesty and yéeld him all glory and praise Q. How doth faith beget these vertues A. As it apprehendeth Gods infinite perfections SECT 22. DOMIN 22. Of reuerence obedience and patience and how they are the fruits of faith Q. What is reuerence A. A diuine grace or vertue whereby wee stand continually in awe of the diuine Maiesty and neuer speake or thinke of God without a trembling astonishment Q. What is obedience A. A diuine grace whereby we apply our selues wholly to God and endeauour to fulfill all his Commandements Q. What is patience A. A diuine grace or vertue whereby we submit our selues vnder the mighty hand of God and without grudging or repining endure whatsoeuer he layeth vpon vs. Q. How doth faith beget these vertues A. As it fixeth the eye of the soule vpon the omnipotent power all-séeing wisedome and soueraigne Maiesty of God SECT 23. DOMIN 23. Of loue feare repentance gratitude and zeale and how they are the fruits of faith Q. What is diuine loue A. A spirituall grace whereby we preferre God before all things and set our hearts and whole delights on him Q. What is filiall feare A. A spirituall grace whereby we are carefull to shunne and auoid any thing that may offend our heauenly Father Q. What is repentance A. A spirituall grace whereby we are hartily sorry as oft as wee offend and earnestly desire to amend Q. What is gratitude to God A. A spirituall grace or vertue whereby both in word and déed wee endeuour to expresse our thankfulnesse to God lauding him for his benefits and contributing to the maintenance of his seruice Q. What is Zeale A. A diuine vertue whereby we are continually enflamed with a desire to promote Gods glory Q. How doth faith beget these vertues A. By fixing the eye of the soule and apprehending Gods infinite bounty and goodnesse SECT 24. DOMIN 24. Of hope confidence and magnanimity and how they are the fruits of faith Q. What is hope A. A diuine or theologicall verture whereby wee exspect the performance of all God's promises touching our saluation Q. What is confidence A. A diuine vertue whereby we continually depend vpon God and trust in him in all difficulties and dangers Q. What is magnanimity or spirituall courage A. A diuine vertue or spirituall grace whereby wee valiantly attempt and atchieue matters of greatest difficulty in Gods cause and for the maintenance and aduancing of Religion Q. How doth faith produce these diuine vertues A. As it apprehendeth Gods Truth and faithfulnesse in his promises and applyeth them to vs in particular SECT 25. DOMIN 25. Of the outward worship of God in generall Q. Thus much of the inward worship How ought wee to worship God outwardly A. By hearing the Word receiuing the Sacraments Prayer profession of our faith keeping his Sabboth and the religious vse of oathes and vowes SECT 26. DOMIN 26. Of Keeping the Sabboth Q. How worship we God in keeping the Sabboth A. By sequestring it from our accustomed businesse and dedicating it to the immediate worship of God and his peculiar seruice SECT 27. DOMIN 27. Of hearing the Word Q. How ought wee to worship God by hearing the Word A. By repairing frequently to the Church there reuerently attending to the Word read or preached seriously meditating vpon it and endeauouring to practise it in our liues and conuersations SECT 28. DOMIN 28. Of Prayer and the parts thereof Q. How ought wee to worship God by Prayer A. By calling vpon the Name of God through Christ out of a true sence and féeling of our wants and infirmities and a liuely faith in his promises feruently and constantly both publkely and priuately for such things as are agréeable to his holy will Q. What are the parts of Prayer A. First an humble confession of our sinnes Secondly a hearty thanks-giuing to God for his benefits Thirdly a feruent desire and asking such things as we néede SECT 29. DOMIN 29. Of receiuing the Sacrament and necessary preparation thereunto Q. How are we to worship God by receiuing the Sacraments A. By Preparation before wee receiue Reuerent intention in the receiuing Thanksgiuing after it Q. How ought wee to prepare our selues before wee come to the Communion A. By speciall Prayer Examination Q. What speciall Prayer is requisite A. A Prayer to God to assist vs in this holy exercise and make vs worthy receiuers and to conferre on vs those graces that are promised to all that communicate worthily And lastly to giue vs a sence and féeling of them in our selues Q. Wherein standeth our speciall examination A. In foure points principally First whether wée haue a true sence and remorse of conscience for our sinnes past and a vehement desire and constant purpose of amendment whence ariseth a hungring and thirsting for grace Secondly whether wée haue a competent measure of knowledge in the grounds of Christian religion in generall and in particular of the Sacraments Thirdly whether wee haue a particular affiance in Christ and grounded perswasion of our saluation by his death and passion Fourthly whether our hearts are frée from malice and hatred and whether wee beare true and sincere affection to all Christ's members SECT 30. DOMIN 30. Of Oathes Vowes and profession of our faith Q. How ought wee to worship God by Oathes Vowes and profession of our faith A. 1. By swearing by God In truth not falsly In Iudgement not rashly nor vpon any slight occasiō In iustice not maliciously to a wicked end 2. By making holy vowes vnto God and religiously performing them 3. By publikely testifying the truth of the holy Gospell and sealing it with our blood if it be required of vs. PARS IIII. SECT 31. DOMIN 31. Of the Christian duties we owe to our selues Q. BBy your answers I vnderstand what you meane by the immediate worship of God both inward and outward Now tell me wherein consisteth the mediate worship of God or rather seruice or obedience to him A. In such duties as by Gods command wee owe to our selues and our brethren Q. VVhat duties owe we to our selues A. 1. To prouide for the good of our Soules improuing our naturall faculties by Art and Industrie but especially by séeking after the gifts of God's Spirit and vsing all meanes to encrease them in vs. 2. To prouide for the good of our bodies by sobriety wholsome dyet comely rayment moderate exercise and physicke 3. To prouide for our good name by taking vertuous and honest courses and following after such things as are prayse-worthy and eschewing the contrary 4. To prouide for our estate by first Carefull getting secondly Frugall sauing thirdly wisely vsing the goods of this life and discréetly managing our priuate affaires SECT 32. DOMIN 32. Of the common duties wee owe to our Neighbours Q. VVhat duties by Gods commandement are wee to performe to others A. They are either General and common duties of al christians one toward another Or Speciall dueties proper