What preparation and reuerence is to be vsed in Prayer and other holy and religious Exercises .

IF men be to come into the presence of an earthly Prince , to put vp a supplication Mal. 1.8.9 vnto him for something which they are desirous to obtaine of him , or to heare him speake vnto them of somewhat which nearely concernes them , how carefull will they be to prepare themselues , in the best manner that can be , afore-hand ? With what reuerence will they present themselues before him ? O then what care , what preparation , what reuerence is to be vsed of all men , when they are to come before the King of glory , 1 Tim. 1.17 Dan. 2.47 . Isa. 40.15 . the Lord of heauen and earth , the great God of the whole world , at whose feete all Princes , and the mightiest monarchs in the world are to cast their Crownes , and their Scepters , and to humble themselues with all reuerent submission both of body and soule , Isa. 45.23 . acknowledging themselues to be nothing vnto him ; yea , the brightnesse of whose glory is so great , that those glorious Creatures , the Angels themselues , are faine to veyle and to couer their faces in his presence : Isay 6.2 . Exod. 3.5 . and 34.8 . Psal. 95.6.7 Mat. 26.39 Acts 20.36 Gen. 18.27 in what a holy and reuerent manner ought they to present themselues before his Maiestie , eyther when they are to speake vnto him in Prayer , or to heare him speake vnto them out of his Word , or to meditate vpon his holy and righteous wayes and workes , or to be acquainted with any part of his will , so as may concerne his glory or their good ! They can neuer vse too much diligence when they prepare and addresse themselues vnto this great and waighty businesse .

But alas ( a griefe it is vnto one that hath his heart well affected ) who doth not see how exceeding carelesse and negligent most men are in this duetie ; yea , how strangely and irreuerently they rush often into the presence of God , Eccl. 4.17 . without all preparation , yea , scarce once thinking or considering with themselues , what they are , before whom it is that they are to stand , and what businesse they haue in hand ; which if they did , sure it would make them to stirre vp their lumpish and drowsie affections , and to settle themselues vnto it in another manner then they doe ; yea , with farre more reuerence and preparation then if they were to appeare before the greatest Monarch on earth , and that when he were in his greatest State and Royaltie , attended with all his Nobles and Peeres , in the most maiesticall manner that could be .

O most mightie and most glorious God , let me be alwayes affected with the consideration of thy glorious and diuine presence , as I ought to be , especially when I approach nearer vnto thee , eyther to offer vp my humble suites and supplications by prayer vnto thee , for the obtayning of grace and mercy at thy hands , or to attend vpon thee , in that holy ordinance of thine to heare thee out of thy word , teaching me what thy will and pleasure is towards mee , or to be couersant in reading , meditation , or any other holy and religious exercise , whereby I may be furthered in the wayes of grace and saluation . Farre be it from me to thrust my selfe into thy holy and sacred presence ( as the manner of the prophane and vngodly ones is ) without a carefull and conscionable endeuour to haue my heart rightly prepared , and my affections truely sanctified . O Lord , this is not in my power more then in any other ; it is thy grace onely : let it please thee therefore to giue it vnto me . Purge my heart , I beseech thee , from all things which cause mee to offend ; free my minde from euery thing , which might be a cause of any distraction vnto me ; lift vp my soule farre aboue all earthly cogitations and desires , and possesse mee with such an entire loue , and such a holy reuerence of thy Maiestie , that thou maiest alwayes be truely glorified of mee , Leuit. 10.3 whensoeuer I draw neare vnto thee , and enter into thy presence to performe any duetie which thou requirest of mee . Heare mee ( O Lord ) and that onely for the merits and mediation of thy Sonne , and my blessed Sauiour and Redeemer , Christ Iesus : in whose Name alone , I poure out all my suites and supplications vnto thee , and looke to obtaine grace and mercy from thee .

Humilitie , the way to true knowledge and spirituall vnderstanding .

MAny there be that haue taken great paines , and beene very industrious in searching after many things , the knowledge and vnderstanding whereof ( although excellent in it selfe , and worthy the labouring for ) yet they could neuer attaine vnto , because they sought not for it , with a meeke and humble heart , and with a purpose to vse it to the right end , and for the greatest benefit both of themselues and others , but for sinister and by-respects . They that are most humble shall be best learned , and receiue the greatest blessing in the vse of the meanes which God hath appointed . The Lord reuealeth his secrets vnto them , Psal. 25.9 . which are hid from the proud , Mat. 11.25 1 Cor. 2.11 12. and such as are wise in their owne eyes . They shall vnderstand the wonderfull things of God , the great things of his Law , those deepe Mysteries contayned in his word , euen those things which the wisest of this world , and the learnedst Scribes amongst men cannot reach vnto shall they comprehend and vnderstand , because the Lord hath promised to giue them the teaching of his Spirit , that holy annoynting , 1 Ioh. 2.27 and will send downe that light from aboue , which will so illuminate and inlighten their mindes , Ephe. 1.17 18 Ioh. 7.17 . that they shall see clearely into those things which are darke and obscure vnto others . Good Lord , I humbly bowe the knee of my heart and soule before thy glorious Maiestie , suing vnto thee earnestly and instantly in the mediation of thy Son , for a further increase & a greater measure of that heauenly grace : for this I will pray , yea , cry vnto thee daily and vncessantly . Doe thou therefore vouchsafe to grant it vnto mee , and more and more to increase it in me . Giue mee a meeke spirit , a lowly minde , and an humble heart , a heart which may be set , not for the seeking of my selfe ( for that were wickednesse ) but for the aduancement of thy glory , referring all my studyes and endeuours to the end which thou hast appoynted that wee should ayme at continually ; and then I know that thou wilt reueale thy will vnto mee , and giue mee vnderstanding of thy word as farre as is requisite and necessary for mee ; yea , that thou wilt cause me to conceiue and comprehend those things which are wonderfull , and which none can search into , or finde out , but those alone that haue thy Spirit to be their teacher , which thou hast promised vnto them onely that are of a meeke spirit , and of an humble minde , which is a thing exceeding pleasing vnto thee , Iames 4.6 . and wherein thou much delightest , but abhorrest all those that are of a proud heart , and deniest thy grace vnto them .

Humilitie , the fruit of true sauing knowledge .

HE that knoweth things aright as hee ought to know them , especially if he hath attained vnto the knowledge of himselfe , and of his maker ; the better he knoweth and vnderstandeth these things , the more lowly , the more base and vile will hee bee in his owne eyes ; and the more will hee magnifie and extoll his God , the Creator , and the Lord of all things . They are but smatterers , 1 Cor. 8.2 1 Tim. 6.20 . and nouices of true knowledge and vnderstanding ( whatsoeuer they may seeme to themselues or others ) who haue not as yet learned to esteeme meanly of themselues , Gen. 18.27 . Isai. 40.17 . and verie highly of the God of glorie ; the aduancement of whom , is the chiefe end , vnto which all knowledge should tend and aime most directly . Grant O Lord , that I may vse all meanes whereby I may come vnto that knowledge which is necessarie and conuenient for me , especially that I may know my selfe aright , euen what I am in my self , and of my selfe ; a worme of the earth , a wretched and sinfull man , dust & ashes ; and thee , the mightie Creator and glorious God of heauen and earth , the possessour of all things , infinite in power and maiestie , the brightnesse of whose glorie the Angels themselues cannot fully comprehend : that hereby I may learne alwaies to humble and abase my selfe , and to glorifie and extoll thy name for euer and euer .

The right vse and end of all knowledge .

IT is an ordinary thing amongst men , to studie rather to know much , then to liue well ; from whence it commeth ( as euerie one that is of any discerning may easily see and obserue ) that many , whiles they haue their heads stuffed with multiplicitie and varietie of learning , yet haue their liues barren , and altogether fruitlesse and vnprofitable . How doe such deceiue themselues ? whiles they professe themselues to be wise , Rom. 1.22 . yet herein they shew themselues verie vaine and foolish . A strange thing : certaine it is , that men being otherwise so learned and intelligent , yet in this should shew themselues to bee so exceeding simple , and so grosly ignorant , as not to know the maine end of all their knowledge ; or else so ill disposed , as if they know it , yet altogether to neglect it , or little to regard it . Doubtlesse , knowledge is good and excellent in it selfe ; a singular blessing , and both giuen and appointed of God for the great benefit of mankinde , such as without which a man is scarce a man ; and by which a man commeth nearer vnto those heauenly natures ; yea , doth in some sort participate of the diuine nature it selfe , receiuing therby a print and stampe of the image of God , 2 Cor. 3.18 . 1 Sam. 2.3 . who is infinite in wisedome and knowledge . Knowledge then is excellent ; who will denie it , but he that is verie sottish and ignorant ? and to be much desired and sought for , and that with diligence of all that haue meanes to attaine vnto it , who will , not easily grant it , that is not depriued euen of sense and reason ? But yet this wee are to know also and acknowledge ( as that which is vndeniable , and to be yeelded vnto of all ) that action is to be preferred before speculation ; 1 Cor. 4.20 . Mat. 7.24 . Iam. 1.25 . Rom. 2.13 Iohn . 8.51 the doing of things knowne before the meere notion it selfe ; in briefe , the practise of a holy , a vertuous and religious life , before an idle , a bare and naked knowledge , without conscience and practise : In the day of the last and generall iudgement , it shal not be so much inquired of vs , what our knowledge , Math. 25.35 . &c. as what our works & actions haue been ; how much learning we had , as how soberly , how righteously , and how religiously , wee haue liued in this present world : This is that into which then especiall inquirie shall be made , and according vnto which we shall then chiefely be iudged . O Lord , giue me the knowledge of al those things which are meet and requisite to bee knowne of me whiles I liue heere below ; giue me the true vnderstanding of thy word , and of thy holy and blessed will which thou hast therein declared & reuealed vnto vs : and as I know these things , so grant that I may bee alwaies carefull with a conscionable endeauor to practise and performe them ; that so vsing the knowledge which thou shalt giue me vnto the right end which thou wouldest haue vs principally to intend & to ayme at , euen to the glory of thy name , in walking before thee , and before all men in the course of a holy life , and of a goodly and Christian conuersation , I may hereafter be glorified of thee in that coelestiall kingdome of thine , through the merits of Christ my Sauiour . Amen .

Another .

THe more knowledge that any hath , the greater shall his condemnation bee ; if he endeauour not to do those things which he knoweth . If he learneth not thereby to liue more holy , Iohn . 9.40 41. and to do the wil of God in all things more perfectly , he shal be sure to be beaten with more stripes , Luk. 12.47 . & be more seuerely dealt with then those that are eyther altogether ignorant , or else haue not attained vnto the like measure of knowledge that he hath . Small cause therefore haue any to be puffed vp in mind with selfe-conceit for those things which hee knowes , but rather to be humbled and to feare the greatnesse of the danger that he is in , if he be not much bettered in his life , according to the measure and proportion of his knowledge . O heauenly Father , giue me to know that good , that acceptable , and that perfect will of thine ; and not to know it onely , but to do it also , with all diligence , readinesse , and cheerfulnesse , euen as the Saints and Angels in heauen doe ; that thus I may not onely auoid the curse which otherwise would fall vpon mee , but also receiue that blessing which thou hast promised : Ioh. 13.17 If you know these things , blessed are yee , if you do them .

Diuine contemplation .

AMong all creatures here below , Man , onely beares the image of God his Creator , and hath his countenance erected and lifted vp to heauen-ward , that so being giuen to a contemplatiue life , he might thinke oft of his ascent into those heauenly places , where there is onely true peace and perfect happinesse in the fruition of that glorious presence ; and in the meane time whiles he lieth here below in a strange land , as one that is in exile and banishment out of his owne countrie , 2 Cor. 5.6.7.8 . Heb. 11.13 be taken vp with the frequent and serious cogitation of those things whereby he might euery day be more fitted and prepared for that long iourney into his blessed home , those coelestiall mansions : But alas ( so hath Sathan preuailed with the most , hauing great aduantage from the peruersnesse of their disordered and corrupted nature ) that almost euery man ( as if they had forgot themselues ) neglecting or little regarding the contemplation and meditation of things spirituall and heauenly ; euen from their youth vp follow their owne wayes , and in a very strange and preposterous maner peruert the end of their creation , & abode here in this world , during that short moment of time , which he who is the rule of all time hath measured out vnto them ; Habak. 2.6 Psal. 4.6 . one addicting himselfe to base worldlinesse , as if there were no other riches then these fading & transitorie things which shall soone perish : Eccles. 11.9 . Luk. 12.19 another to voluptuousnesse , powring out himselfe to vaine and sinnefull pleasures and delights , as if there were no happinesse else-where to bee found : another to ambition , * * Iudg. 9.2 . 2 Sam. 15.2.3 . 1 Kin. 1.5 . Este . 3.5 . & 5.13 . &c. fondly doting vpon the painted shape of the entising & bewitching honours and preferments of this mutable and changing world , in which there is no stabilitie , no stedfastnesse : and others giuing themselues ouer to more grieuous and fearefull sins ; and which is worst of all , lying and continuing in them , without any sense or feeling of them , or purpose to returne , and to leaue and forsake them : and so ( as if there were no felicitie , nor miserie , but on the earth , on which they tread , Iude 10. and lie groueling in a brutish sort ) spend their dayes as vnprofitable burthens thereof , and falling from the dignitie and excellent estate whereunto they were created , become like the beasts that perish , nay worse . A wofull case , and to be lamented euen with teares , of those that haue Wisedome and Vnderstanding to see into these things , and to consider of them aright . Many there be that are wholy drowned in these outward and earthly things ; few that set themselues to seeke after the chiefe good , and that which is most to be desired of all those that are the sonnes of wisedome . Blessed Lord , keepe me from the follie and vanitie of the world , who walke in such blinde and dangerous pathes . Giue mee eyes to discerne of the true good , that whereunto I was created ; and let my heart be wholy set vpon the same : let mee not be led as the bruite beast is , with those things which are sensible and carnall , but as in mercy and goodnesse thou hast stamped thine owne Image in mee ; and set my face to thee-wards , so Lord , let me alwayes be looking vp vnto thee , and meditating of those things which are spirituall and heauenly , Psal. 119.148 . that so after a few dayes spent heere below on this sinnefull earth , in these earthly cottages , where there is nothing but miserie and vanitie ; I may liue with thee aboue in those coelestiall mansions , and enioy that glory and happinesse which is endlesse and vnspeakeable , and that onely through the merits of thy Sonne my blessed Sauiour and Redeemer , who hath purchased so great things for me , & to whom with thee and thy gracious spirit be all prayse and glory , both now and euermore . Amen .

The end of the Preface .

Election .

WHY the LORD hath elected vs vnto life , and suff●red others to walke in the way vnto death and euerlasting perdition ; there can no reason bee giuen but onely this , that it was his owne good will and pleasure : Rom. 9.11 & 11.5 . Gal. 4.9 . 2 Tim. 1.9 Ephes. 1.5 . Iam. 1.18 . it is so because it pleased him it should bee so . Oh then how infinitely are the Lords chosen bound vnto him , in that he hath taken them vnto himselfe , and let goe thousands of others , who deserued this fauour at his hands as much as they did ? How should their harts be inflamed towards him , for that so free & vnspeakeable loue and kindnesse towards them ? How should it euen inforce them to seeke by all meanes to testifie their vnfained loue and thankefulnesse vnto him for the same ? Rom. 15.36 . Ephes. 1.6 . Col. 1.12 . O blessed Lord , how wonderfull is thy goodnesse towards me ? how vnsearchable are the riches of thy free grace , which through thy Christ thou hast vouchsafed vnto me , denying the same vnto others , who might haue made as good claime vnto it as I. Thou hast written my name in th● booke of life , when thou mightst haue suffered mee to haue my part and portion amongst those that being reiected and forsaken of thee , and cast out of thy presence , shall perish and be damned for euermore . Thou hast chosen me vnto life and saluation before all worlds , without any merits or deserts of mine ; euen because it pleased thee , O Father , and because thou hadst a loue vnto me : thou hast chosen me to be one of that small number , that little flocke of thine , Luk. 12.32 fo● whom thou hast prepared a kingdome , and in whom thou wilt make the riches of thy grace and glory to appeare in most glorious manner . Oh what shall I returne vnto thee , Psa. 116.12 answerable vnto this marueilous loue and goodnesse of thine towards me ? O doe thou affect my heart with it continually , & let the remembrance thereof constraine mee to loue thee , to reuerence thee , to sing praises vnto thee , yea to seeke by all meanes to glorifie thee , being feruent in the duties of pietie and holinesse , which thou hast commanded , and fruitfull in all those good workes which thou hast prepared for mee to walke in . Graunt this I beseech thee , for thy mercies sake , and for the merits of thy deere Sonne , my blessed Lord and Sauiour , in whom thou imbracedst mee from euerlasting , with so great loue and fatherly compassions : and to whom with thee and that good spirit of thine , which hath sealed the assurance hereof vnto mee , be ascribed , as due is , all honour , 2 Cor. 1.22 . glory , prayse , Maiestie & dominion , both now and for euer , Amen .

Those that are elected vnto life and saluation , are elected also vnto the meanes whereby to attaine vnto the same .

IF GOD hath ordayned mee vnto life , saith the carelesse and secure wretch , I shall be saued , doe I what I will , or liue I how I list ; and if otherwise I must needes be damned , doe I what I can , or what course soeuer I take : and therefore soule liue at ease , Eccl. 11.9 . sport thy selfe in the pleasures and delights of sinne , walke in the wayes of thy heart , and in the sight of thine eyes , let all griefe be put farre from thee , take no thought for the time to come , for howsoeuer thy life be , thou shalt surely come vnto the end which is appoynted for thee , and whereunto thou art destinated and ordayned of olde . O vaine man , how hath Sathan deluded thee ? yea , how wilfully and foolishly doest thou deceiue thy selfe , and beguile thine owne soule , whilest thou reasonest after such a fond and strange manner ; thereby laying a snare , with which , if thou bewarest not in time , thou art sure to be intangled , to thy vtter confusion ? Deut. 29.19.20 . See thy folly : If God hath decreed that thou shalt liue any longer , thou shalt liue till the date of that time be expired which hee hath appoynted , though thou neyther eate nor drinke , nor vse any meanes to preserue thy life : and if he hath decreed that thou shalt die shortly , thou must needs dye then , what meanes soeuer thou seekest to continue and prolong thy life : wilt thou therefore hereupon refuse thy meate , and neglect the meanes whereby thy life should be maintained and preserued , reasoning with thy selfe in this wise : if God hath appointed that I shall liue , then I shall liue without the vse of these ; and if otherwise , I must dye of necessitie , all the world cannot helpe mee : would not thine owne reason conuince thee of great senslesnesse herein ? and would not all that should heare of thee , condemne thee for thy simplicitie ; yea , extreame folly , in that as one destitute of all vnderstanding , thou wouldest through such a sottish opinion , breake in sunder the thread of thy life before the time , and euen wilfully hasten thine owne destruction , and in a desperate moode digge a pit for to bury thy selfe in before thou wert dead ; yea , when as thou mightst yet see many dayes in the Land of the liuing .

Good Lord , although the foolish and vngodly perish in their vaine and wicked imaginations , yet let not any of thy seruants fall into their snares , but giue true wisedome and vnderstanding vnto all those that loue and feare thy Name . Grant that as wee desire the end which wee hope for , euen life and glory in thy Kingdome , so wee may be alwayes carefull to vse those meanes duely , Ephes. 1.4 . 1 Pet. 1.2 . whereby we may attaine vnto the same , working out our saluation with feare and trembling ; and that as wee are desirous to escape death and destruction , so wee may be as carefull to shun those things which are the cause and procurers thereof , and to auoid those paths which lead directly to the congregation of the dead and damned . Thus doing wee shall not dye , but liue and be saued eternally .

The Booke of Nature .

NExt vnto the Booke of Bookes , the sacred and holy Scriptures , which are written with the finger of the Spirit of God , and wherein the manifold and vnsearchable wisedome of God , and those great and glorious mysteries are most clearely reuealed to them that haue eyes to behold them : Ephe. 3.9.10 . Next vnto this , the heauens are the clearest and fayrest Booke that we can open or reade in . Thence wee may learne what profound and excellent knowledge ; yea , hee that hath skill of neuer a Letter , may herein read distinctly the magnificence , ●●b 37.23 . ●●al . 19.1 . the power , the wisedome , the glory and maiestie of the Almightie Lord and Creator of all things . ●●m . 1.20 Hee is altogether inexcusable , that hath no skill , no desire , no endeuour , to gather instruction vnto himselfe out of it ; or that hauing it so long open before him , shewes himselfe to be a Non-proficient , one that is nothing at all bettered by it , in regard of his knowledge and vnderstanding of those things which concerne GOD , and his Worship and Seruice . Lord , let that Booke of thine be neuer closed or sealed vnto me ; neyther let mine eyes bee so dimme , that I should not bee able to reade those things which thou hast written therein in such great and Capitall Letters , and with such a cleare and legible hand : but giue mee the right vnderstanding of the same , and grant that from thence I may learne to feare , to loue , to praise , and extoll thy great and glorious Name , who art so exceeding wonderfull in all thy workes .

Gods marueilous workmanship in the frame of the world .

IF thou seest a stately Palace , or some rare and exquisite frame , wrought by the hand and by the curious Art of man , thou dost presently wonder and admire at it , and withall giue large commendations of him whose workemanship it was . Loe , thou beholdest euery day that most exquisite and glorious frame of heauen and earth , the worke of Gods owne hand ; Psal. 8.3 . and 135.6 . the roofe whereof is bespangled and adorned with those celestiall creatures , Eccle. 3.11 those glorious Lights , the Sunne , the Moone , and all those bright and glittering Stars , in which the wonderfull glory and wisedome of the Creator shineth forth so clearely , Psal. 104.24 . & 111.2 . that euen the blinde Heathen could not but see and acknowledge it ; yea , the whole building whereof , euen euery part of it , is most admirable , such as that it sheweth plainely , that it had no other to be the Maker and builder of it then GOD himselfe ; Iob 38. and yet thou neuer or seldome lookest vpon it with an holy admiration , thou art neuer moued with the serious consideration of it , to acknowledge the great and wondrous worke of God therein , and to magnifie the Creator of all things . O the blindnesse and senslesnesse , nay , Psal. 92.5.6 . brutishnes of man ! Lord , doe thou raise vp my thoughts to the due meditation of thy vnspeakeable wisedome , power , goodnes & mercie in those things which thou hast created and made for thine owne glorie , and for the vse and benefit of man ; euen those wonders of thine in the heauen , the earth , the sea and all places : Psal. 107.12.24 . Rom. 1.20 Let me in them see the inuisible things of thee who art God and Lord of all , euen the infinite power and glory of thy eternall and incomprehensible Deitie : Iob. 26.14 Let me acknowledge thy goodnesse and mercie towards mee ( a worme of the earth ) for whose sake thou hast made heauen and earth ; yea , let mee neuer cease to praise and glorifie thee , whose name is so excellent in all the world , who art Creator and Gouernour of all things , holy and blessed for euer . Amen .

The creatures prouoke man to serue his Creator .

ALL creatures serue their Lord and maker . The birds of the ayre by their pleasant notes and cheereful melodie , sing praise vnto their Creator ; Psal. 104. the fishes of the Sea , the beasts of the field , by seruing for the vse of man according to the ordinance and appointment of God . Euen the creatures without sense and life , the Sunne , the Moone , the Starres ; all these keepe their places , their motions which he hath assigned vnto them ; al these declare the glorie of God their maker , and shew forth his power and wisedome . Psal. 145.10 . Man only is found disobedient , vnseruiceable ; nay , rebellious against his Creator , who of all should chiefly be seruiceable and obedient vnto him , since all things were made for his sake , euen to draw him to loue , to duetie and obedience , that so he might glorifie his Creator who had so highly honoured and aduanced him . Ierem. 8.7 . O blessed Lord , farre be it from me , to be more senselesse then the bruite beasts , yea , the insensible creatures themselues . O let it be farre from me , to be so vnkinde , so vndutifull , so ingratefull , so stubborne and disobedient towards thee my God , my Creator , my Father , my Soueraigne , to whom I owe all seruice and homage ; yea , let me passe the beasts in dutie and obedience , or else euen they ( those dumbe and vnreasonable creatures ) shall be witnesses to testifie against me , and cause thee to proceed in iudgement , Psal. 8.4.5 . and to giue sentence with more rigour and seueritie to my deeper condemnation .

The greatnesse of the benefit of the redemption of mankind by Christ , and how much we are bound vnto God for the same .

IF any one of vs were taken by his enemy , put into a darke prison or deepe dungeon , where he could see no light of the Sun , or of the Moone , not any of the Starres for a long season ; and besides this , were laden also with many heauy chains and yrons , and no waies able to helpe himselfe out of that misery , yea , in regard of any meanes which himselfe could vse were cleane out of all hope euer to bee deliuered , sure to rot and perish ; would he not thinke himselfe much beholding , and greatly indebted vnto him that should freely of his owne loue and voluntary accord seeke to bring him out of that wofull estate , vnto light , life , and libertie ; especially , if so bee that hee that did him this fauour were one of whom hee neuer deserued any thing : yea , to whom hee had beene a professed and open enemie ? 1 Tim. 1.17 Reuel. 4.10.11 . O then how much more ought wee ( euen all such as are the chosen of God , and the redeemed of Christ Iesus ) to magnifie the grace and the tender mercie of God our Sauiour towards vs ? how deepely are we to acknowledge our selues to be indebted vnto him for the exceeding riches of his loue and vnspeakable kindnesse towards vs ? how are we to praise his name , and to extoll his infinite goodnes and bounty , so graciously vouchsafed , and so manifestly declared vnto vs ; seeing that no prison , no darknesse , no bondage , no miserie , is , Isai. 42.6.7 . Zach. 9.11 . or can be like vnto that wherein we were inclosed , and shut fast vp , without all hope of euer enioying the light of that glorious Sunne of righteousnesse , or once beholding the bright beames of that rich grace & mercie of God , which now shine so clearely & so comfortably vpon vs in the face of Christ Iesus our Lord ; & seeing that we being holden vnder sinne and Sathan , and sitting in the shadow of death , were neuer able in any wise , by any meanes whatsoeuer procured by our selues or others ( Angels , or any creature else ) to haue recouered our selues , but should haue lyen rotting in that woful and damnable estate , and so haue perished eternally , if God of his meere loue had not vouchsafed speciall grace and fauour vnto vs , and that when we were his enemies , Rom. 5.10 Isay . 49.9 . Luke . 1.79 . and freed , and redeemed vs from that miserable bondage and thraldome , yea , from the power of darknesse , euen death and destruction it selfe , and translated vs into that glorious libertie of his Saints in light ; and this by no smal or ordinarie meanes , 1 Pet. 1.18 . but by the shedding of the precious blood of Christ his deare son our blessed Sauiour , who loued vs , and according to the determinate counsell and decree of God , gaue himselfe to be crucified & slaine for vs ; euen for vs that had dealt most treacherously and rebelliously against him , & made our selues altogether vnworthy of the least mercy and fauour of his . O mercifull God , heauenly father , giue me to see what , and how great this benefit is which I haue receiued from thee , in and through thy Christ . Let me euer be mindfull of it , and vnfainedly thankefull vnto thee for it ; yea , as this bountifull and inestimable goodnesse of thine towards me ( so sinfull a wretch , and so vnworthie a creature as I am , and haue beene ) deserueth all praise , so let mee indeuour by al meanes to set forth and to publish the same , vnto the glory of thy grace , whereby in the riches of thy loue , through thy beloued , thou hast done so great and wonderfull things for me , for which I can neuer be sufficiently thankefull , nor returne that praise which is most due vnto thee . Oh that thou wouldest draw me yet neerer vnto thee , & cause me euen to melt in loue towards thee my God and Sauiour , and with heart , voyce , and life to magnifie and extoll thy name ; yea , to giue vp my selfe both body and soule , and all that is within me , vnto thy seruice , and to the aduancement of thy glory , both now and euer , Amen .

Thankefulnesse to God for all his fauours towards vs , especially that wonderfull loue of his in our redemption .

IF GOD had giuen vs nothing but our being , wee ought to be stirred vp with the remembrance of that alone , to be thankeful vnto him , and to acknowledge his mercie and goodnesse towards vs herein . But now , seeing that hee maketh vs Lords of all these senselesse and vnreasonable creatures , Psal. 8.6 . whereas hee might haue made vs bruitish , and voyd of sense and reason , like vnto them , 21. ( for wee were all made of the same common matter with them , and were in his hands as the clay in the hand of the potter to bee wrought to what forme and fashion it pleased him the Creatour of all things ; 42. ) seeing he hath preferred vs before all these visible creatures , making them to serue vs , whereas he might haue subiected vs vnto them ; and in euery creature both in heauen and earth , doth sparkle towards vs his loue with innumerable benefits : yea , ( which is the summe of all , ) in Christ vpon the Crosse , casts forth the flame of perfect charitie , and of his infinite & vnspeakeable mercie and kindnesse towards vs ; sure our hearts are frozen and euen dead within vs , if wee be not moued to loue him with an entire and vnfained loue . How should wee bee affected with these things ? O blessed LORD touch my heart with a true and liuely sense and feeling of the riches of that endlesse & incomprehensible loue of thine towards me : inlarge this narrow heart of mine , that I may be able in some measure with all thy Saints to comprehend the bredth , Eph. 3.18.19 length , depth and height of that wonderfull and vnspeakeale kindnes of thine towards me in thy Christ which passeth all knowledge . Inflame my affections with the meditation thereof , and let mee be constrained thereby to loue thee with all my heart , with all my soule , with all my strength ; euer to acknowledge thy free grace and marueilous goodnes towards me , and for the same to sing prayses vnto thee continually , who onely art worthy to be praised and magnified now and for euer , Amen .