The second part of the true watch containing the perfect rule and summe of prayer: so plainlie set downe, that the weakest Christian, taking but the leas paines, may in a very short space, learne to pray of himselfe, with much assurance and comfort: both to get strength to obserue the Lords watch; and to helpe to turne away, or at least finde comfort in the euils that are to come.

THE SECOND PART of the true watch , CONTAINING THE perfect rule and summe of Prayer : So plainelie set downe , that the weakest Christian , taking but the least paines , may in a very short space , learne to pray of himselfe , with much assurance and comfort : both to get strength to obserue the Lords watch ; and to helpe to turne away , or at least finde comfort in the euils that are to come .

Luk. 21. 36. Watch and pray continually , that you may be accounted worthie to escape al these things that shall come to passe , and that yee may stand before the Sonne of Man . Esay 62. 6. 7. Yee that are the Lords remembrancers , giue him no rest .

AT LONDON Printed F. K. for Samuel Macham , and are to be sold at his shop in Pauls Church yard , at the signe of the Bul-head . 1607.

TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE MY singular good Ladie , L. ELIZABETH Countesse of Huntingdon .

OVR Sauiour hath not without good cause , ( Right Honorable ) so oft called on vs to watch and pray , Mark . 13. 33. and 14. 38. ioyning these two together ; and warning his Disciples in their greatest dangers to watch and pray , that they might not fall into temptation ; and also charging vs al to watch and pray continually , that wee may bee accounted worthy to escape all the euils that shal come to passe , Luk. 21. 36. and to stand before the Sonne of man : because wee can neither watch vnlesse we pray , to obtaine strength from the Lord by it ; nor pray with any comfort or power vnlesse we watch ; nor euer get assurance to escape the euils that shall come on the world , much lesse the temptations of Satan , and damnation of hell , and appeare with boldnes before our Sauiour , vnlesse we both watch and pray . In regard whereof , first my dutie to the Maiestie of God , who prepared the watch against so needfull a time ; and after so graciously caused my poore desire therein to be accepted in his church , hath encouraged me to endeuour to adioine vnto the watch , this short direction for praier , as a second part & vnseparable companion , for the further good of his seruants , of whom sundry haue desired it at my hands . And secondly , your Ladiships most fauourable acceptance of it , being dedicated vnto my Honorable Lord , perswading mee of your Honors vnfained desire both to obserue the same , and walke in al the waies of the Lord , haue imboldened mee to presume to offer this vnto your Honorable Ladiship : both to testifie my dutifull & thankfull affection to your Honor also : and withall my feruent desire that you may both walke hand in hand all your daies , in the selfesame narrow way of eternall life ; as being of the same heart and holy accord ; inabled thereunto by the spirit of the Lord , obtained by continuall and instant prayer . That so ye may shine as glorious lights together in the earth , and after in the heauens aboue the brightnes of the Sunne for euermore .

This shall bee in the meane time your key into the palace of the Almightie , Mat. 7. 7. 8 and 21. 22. and to the presence chamber of his glorious Maiestie : Psal. 135. 18. whereby you may be admitted at al times Iames 4. 8. to most familiar conference ; receiue immediate answers from his Highnes : Esay 65. 24 obtaine the riches and pleasures of his house , with the most pretious iewels of his treasurie , to adorne you farre more gloriouslie then al the pearle & pretious stones of all the Princes of the earth : all which shall vtterly vanish as the dimmest star , when the brightnesse of your glory shall appeare . Gen. 32. 28. and 1. 2. You shall as Israel preuaile with your God ; Hebr. 1. 14. haue his Angels and all the hoasts of heauen at your desire ; Iames 47. all being at a perpetuall league with you : Ephes. 6. 18. vanquish the diuels and put them to slight : Iob 22. 27. 28. 29. ouerthrow the plots of the wickedest , and bee accepted for the Church : subdue in your selfe each corruption : bring euery thought into an holy obedience : finde the Comforter at hand in all your trials ; the sweete voice of the Spirit , making you with confidence to call him Abba , oh Father ; Rom. 8. 15. 16. and giuing you most strong assurance of a kingdome , and the life of the Angels in the very terrours of death . And in a word , you shall thus most happilie redeeme the daies of our vanitie , and treasure vp in heauen abundantly against the time of the perfect accomplishment of your eternall triumph and felicitie .

Wherunto according to my perpetuall bounden dutie I shall alwaies striue during my life ; both by my incessant prayer , and all other holy meanes , which the Lord shall in mercie vouchsafe vnto mee his poore and vnworthie seruant . And in this studie towards your eternall glory and happines I rest my selfe ; nothing doubting of your like honorable acceptation of this my poore endeuour , howsoeuer penned in a most plaine and familiar stile ; not to delight the curious with an houres reading , ( which I leaue to others ) but to helpe the honest heart that is desirous to learne of our Sauiour how to pray , Luke 18. 1. and con●inue therin in this life without fainting , Esay 65. 13. 14. to reioyce and sing with the Angels for euer after ; when all others shall weepe and mourne , and neuer find any comfort or release .

Your Honors in the Lord euer to be commanded . IOHN BRINSLEY .

THE PREFACE TO THE CHRISTIan Reader , containing a large and plaine direction to all the simpler sort , how to vse this aright ; and an earnest exhortation to all sorts to giue themselues instantly to watching and prayer .

IT hath bin wished ( Christian and louing Reader ) that as I haue gone briefly thorow the Commandements and Articles of the faith , to set downe the true watch ; so I would take some paines in like manner to go thorow the Lords Prayer , to set downe the rule and summe of prayer , for the further perfecting and our better performing the same watch . Whereupon notwithstanding my great inabilitie , in respect of many of my brethren , yet considering the Lords former mercie , who shewes his power in weakenes ; and that by this motion of diuers , he seemes to require my poore labour in this also , I haue attempted likewise to make triall herein : the better to inable the simpler sort , and to stir vp all sorts to this holy dutie of prayer ; that wee may obtaine strength from the Lord to keepe his watch more faithfully , with innumerable other benefits procured by the same . And the rather waying well into what dangerous times we are fallen ; wherein the greatest part ( as it is much to be feared ) in such a declining to Atheisme , and generally to extreame coldnes or luke-warmenes , do seldome or neuer pray priuately ; vnlesse perhaps they vse the Lords Prayer without vnderstanding . And of those who vse to pray , some although they pray much , yet they do it verie superstitiously , to the prouoking of the Lord , and hurt of their owne soules , insteed of receiuing any true comfort therein ; as all our popish sort doe . Others haue a desire to pray , but want abilitie or leasure ; as all our young and weak Christians . A third sort droope in their troubles , temptations and feares , & are at their wits end , as Iacobs sons , not knowing what way to take , and so continue fretting & vexing themselues , or attempt vnlawfull meanes for their reliefe and comfort . A fourth are afraid to vse the Lords Praier as a prayer , because they cannot comprehend the power and meaning of it in so short a forme . A fifth haue gone forth with our Sauiour into the garden , promising and beginning to watch & pray , which yet through our long peace , ease and prosperitie , are fallen a sleepe . Anoother sort liue in monstrous sinnes , as in oppression and vnmercifull dealing , deceit , secret vncleannesse and the like , without repentance ; and yet imagine that they do pray , that their prayers are accepted , and that they shall be heard in the day when they crie , deceiuing their owne soules . A last sort , and those one only and scarse to befound abide therein with our Sauiour , in watching , cries and teares ; wrastling and weeping as Iacob for the deadly malice & bloodie threats of Esau ; and holding vp their hands with Moses against Amaleck , and also to pacifie the Lords wrath , that it may not be powred out vpon his people , for all our grieuous prouocations . To witnes my loue therefore yet further to all these , and all other the Lords people , I haue thought it my dutie , to offer this weake labour also vnto the Church of God , commending the successe vnto him who is only wise , and worketh by what instruments it pleaseth him , and aboue all that we are able to conceiue : yet not before I had first communicated it vnto some , much reuerenced of all , for their learning and pietie . Now I onely craue pardon to speake freely , to each of these sorts particularly .

And first to you that pray not at all , looke but vpon the necessitie of prayer , Harken you that pray not at all . and consider well in what state you stand vntill you both can and vse to pray ; that you are in state of damnation , hauing all things accursed vnto you , and working your perdition ; and that you but onely tarrie for the execution of Gods vengeance ; and then if God open your eyes to see your selues and your danger , I shall not neede to call vpon you : for , I know you will giue no rest vnto your eyes , vntill yee both can and do practise this dutie : nor that you will euer let day passe hereafter , but reserue some part of it from your pleasures and profits , to bestow on the Lord in praier , at least a morning and an euening sacrifice .

For you that pray in an vnknowne tongue , or without vnderstanding , You that pray man vnknowne tongue . bee aduised to spend no more labor in vain , deceiuing your owne soules : but learne of your Lord and Sauiour to pray according to that heauenly paterne , wherein all true wisedome and comfort are to bee found , and which hee hath prescribed vnto you to vse , if you be any of his disciples ; warranting you , that if you so aske you shall haue ; and then shall you finde him to answere to your hearts desire , and carry you into all his sauing truth .

And you that haue a desire to pray , but know not how to performe this dutie aright ; You that desire to pray . I haue chiefely intended your good , both to direct you for the things which are principally to be begged of vs , contained in the Lords praier , the summe whereof I haue indeuoured to set downe plainely in these short formes , applying them to the times ; and also to helpe you for the maner of vttering your requests ; ayming at this specially , that by daily practise and meditation herein , you may better attaine to the true vnderstānding of the Lords prayer , and euer haue it in fresh memorie : which being the true perfection and paterne of all holy prayer , doth in the infinite wisedome of God comprehend whatsoeuer wee can aske . That so you hauing first gathered by wise obseruation in the watch , a true catalogue of your owne speciall sinnes and wants , together with the maine sins and wants of the Church and Land , may be able of your selues both for matter and words , to make a most holy confession of sinnes , and powre forth your supplications according to your necessities , with comfort and assurance . I haue set them downe in two formes , both containing the same matter , as they are one set against the other : the one more shortly , because of our wearinesse in the best things , and chiefely in this dutie of praier , ( though of all other most necessarie ) the other somewhat more largely , for the fuller vnderstanding of it ; & the heads of both in the margent , for the better remembring therof , or conceiuing the like . Not intending to tie any necessarily euer to vse one of these , ( though it were much better to vse them or the like , then not to pray at all , or to pray vnprofi●ablie ) nor to vse the whole euer at large ; although all the things therin comprized , are to be begged daily for our selues , or our brethren ; but to vse those most which chiefely concerne our speciall necessities , and the necessities of the Church & our Land ; all which may be referred to one of these sixe petitions ; As when we would pray for the glorie of God , or to kindle the zeale of it in our hearts , or that hee would shew his glorie in the preseruation of our King and Realms , to vse the first . For the Church of God and perfect vnitie therein , and against the proude enemies thereof ; or to get more assurance that we are true members of it , to vse the second petition . The third for cheerefulnes in doing Gods will or submission to the same . The fourth for dependance on God , for the things of this life , and against all worldly cares . The fifth for forgiuenes of sins . The last against dangers or feare of temptation , or any euill whatsoeuer . I haue laboured to set downe the heads so plainly in the margent , distinguishing them by figures , that euerie one that is desirous to learne , hauing but the seuerall parts of the Lords prayer in his mind may meditate of them happily at his worke , or as God giues any leasure ; first marking how many things are chiefely to bee learned in the Preface ; then in each petition ; so in the conclusion : and withall labouring to feele the need that hee hath of them , our miserie without them , and our happinesse in inioying them ; stirring vp his heart to a vehement desire of them : and then at time of prayer , to trie how hee can pray of himselfe according to the same order ; vsing in the meane time , the helpe of one of the prayers set downe , to get fit words ; and withall a daily meditation of his particular sinnes , ( chiefely those following his nature and course of life , with his principall wants , dangers , chastisements and mercies receiued ; ) which wil be the speediest teacher to the simplest to pray with true feeling and power . If you would yet wish further direction for the generall confession of sinne , you may vse the first and second helpes in the watch of the miseries and hainousnes of sin , Edit. 2. p. 5. l. 9. If for an increase in holines , the third helpe of the blessings following a holy conuersation , pag. . 11. If for true comfort and thankesgiuing ; you may vse the helpe of the rules for direction and comfort in our examination , pag. 13. All which with the graces we haue obtained in the Law , and promises wee are assured of in the Gospell , must needes cause the simplest to send forth most sweete prayers and thankesgiuings vnto the Lord . And so much for you that are desirous to pray .

Now to you that droope and faint vnder your seuerall troubles and temptations , not knowing what to doe , You that faint in your troubles . the Lord hath here shewed you plainly what you should doe . Learne of Eliphas in Iob : Iob 22. 21. Acquaint your selues with your God , search your sins by the true triall ; Make peace with him ; 26. then you may lift vp your face to God , make your prayer vnto him , and he will heare you : 28. And his light shall shine vpon your waies . When others are cast downe you shall be lift vp , 29. and God will saue the humble person . Therfore continue in prayer , wrastling with him , let him not go before he haue blessed you , hee will certainly doe it : Proue and see . Onely , waite vpon the Lord in the way of righteousnes vntill hee send you comfort ; vsing all holy and warrantable meanes to helpe herein , to serue his diuine and fatherly prouidence ; but bee afraid of so much as euer thinking of any indirect course ( as to do but the least euil to obtaine neuer so great a good ) and much more of rebelling against the Lord or his anointed , and that authoritie which he hath set ouer you ; lest aboue all other your miseries , you bring vpon you the terrors of an accusing conscience , Rom. 13. 2. and procure vnto your selues most certaine w●e and endlesse damnation . And thus much also for you that faint in your trials . If you desire further aduice , looke the watch , pag. 127.

You that are afraid to pray , vsing the Lords praier as a praier , You that are afraid to vse the Lords praier . because you cannot comprehend the meaning of it in so few words : and for that the multitude abuse it ; accept my earnest endeuour to knit our hearts in one , both by assisting you , that you may haue the summe of the chiefe heads euer in fresh memorie , as before your faces ; and that those who abuse it without vnderstanding may learne a more holy vse thereof . If yet you say , that you cannot so comprehend the full meaning of it , and all things contained in it , the like you may say ( as I take it ) of euery seuerall petition thereof , and so we should vse none of them in our prayers at all .

For you beloued that sometimes were feruent in prayer , You that are fallen asleepe . but now are cold and heauie , or altogether fallen asleepe ; I say not vnto you awake ; Behold from whence you are fallen , and the danger wherein your selues and the Church of God stand continually ; seeing our experience teacheth vs , that there is but a haire bredth betweene vs and death ; especially if euer the Lord should leaue his anointed , our Iosiah , the breath of our nostrils , for one minute , into the enemies hand . But only ● put you in mind of the speech of our Sauiour to his drowsie Disciples ; Sleepe hencef●●th & take your rest . I beseech the Lord that I may neuer see that day . But what meane all our prodigious signes ? and aboue all the worst , that almost all are * * I desire to awake you by oft beating vpon this point . fallen asleepe in the midst of such inueterate and deadly malice , with all sorts of grieuous sins , increased to the vttermost , to prouoke the Lord : after so many bloodie practises , and terrible forewarnings giuen so oft , and gratiously to preuent the fierce wrath of the Lord ; with such sudden and insolent ouer flewings ; some of them in the middest and highest part of the Land , where the people were altogether secure , as not hauing the least thought of any danger by water ; which together with the former , ( principally of the raging seas ) all must needs acknowledge to bee the finger of God . If our sinnes had been so increased in the daies of popish blindnes , they had been nothing in respect ; but now in such a glorious light , wherin all of vs haue been conui●ced so many waies ; and subscribed in our hearts to the truth of God ; and also doe generally still iustifie the good waies of God ; and yet for most part set our selues to trample all vnder our feete , hating or scorning all that so walke , how gratious , dutifull and blamelesse soeuer they bee ; this must needs make our sins vnmeasurablie sinfull , and aboue the sins of all other people .

And you that imagine you pray , and are accepted of the Lord , and yet liue in your vnmerciful oppression , or any other such haynous sin ; may it not well be demaunded of you , as the Lord doth of the people before the Captiuitie : Ier. 7. 9. 10. Will you sweare , lie , dissemble , oppresse , build your houses with blood , commit adulterie , drinke the blood of soules and all other euil , and yet crie , the temple of the Lord , we are the seruants of the Lord , and call vpon his name ? Will the Lord take a wicked man by the hand ? Can the hypocrite call on God in the day of his aduersitie ? No , no , you deceiue your own soules ; vntill you haue made peace with God by vnfained repentance , and by Zacheus restitution peace with men . Nay although you commit not halfe these sins , Ezec. 18. 11. but liue in any one of them , or any other like , hath not the Lord saide you shall surely die for it ? What good then can your prayers doe , when the Lord turnes away his eare ( as from that which Prou. 28. 9. is abominable , ) Prou. 1. 24. 25. 26. and will laugh at your destruction ; because you would not first harken vnto him to turne from your euill waies , while he stretched forth his hands vnto you ? You that still continue with our Sauiour .

Therefore vnto you ( my deere brethren of all sorts and degrees ) who haue continued with our Sauiour hitherto , in watching , prayers and teares , and yet at length begin with Moses to faint , with long holding vp your hands , or are in danger thereof ; I vnfainedly desire of the Lord , that I may bee as Aaron or Hur , to helpe to confirme your weake hands and wearie knees . Deut. 20. 1. 2. 3 . Let not your hearts faint . 2. Chr. 25 ▪ 2. The Lord our God is with vs while we are with him . Let vs continue wrastling and weeping , and become so much more instant and importunate as the sins & dangers increase ; vrging him euer with his owne glorie , the pride of his enemies , and their blasphemies , if euer they should preuaile : together with his gratious promises , loue and former mercies , both to all his owne people in all ages , and especially towards our selues , declared hitherto in all our peace , prosperitie , miraculous deliuerances , with continuance of the Gospell beyond all expectation . Oh that all in the Land fearing the Lord , Three things wished at the hands of all fearing God . and the tokens of his displeasure , had hearts to performe but these three duties to his heauenlie Maiestie .

First that euerie one of vs would but learne to know our owne speciall faults and wants by carefull meditation in the law , Each to know and amend our speciall faults . together with the sins and wants of the Church and Land , and so to consider each night how we preuaile in reforming our selues ; and then frame our praiers and thankesgiuing accordingly : for each of our particular and principall sins , are as Satan that stood at Iehosuahs right hand , that our praiers cannot go vp vnto the Lord . And of all others , that euery one whose conscience doe accuse them of crueltie towards their brethren , would take away that crying sin of oppression , crying louder for vengeance then al the sins of the earth besides , which brought the floud of waters , when the earth was filled with crueltie ; and brought in the fierce Babylonian , to oppresse and spoile the great men in Iudea , and to make those goodlie houses desolate , Esay 5. 8. 9. which had formerly been built by the oppressions and spoiling of the poore : which makes the poore to sigh being wearie of their liues , Psal. 12. 5. whose sighes the Lord must needes heare and auenge , Exod. 22. 22. 23. when man regardeth them not : Deut. 9. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. which will so shut vp the bowels of the Lords mercie and compassion , that hee will shew vs no more mercie , but , reiect all our praiers , because we would haue no mercie of the poore ; no , though Noah , Iob and Daniel were amongst vs ; Ezek. 14. 14. that they should but saue their owne soules ; and so must needs bring a fearefull desolation vpon our sinfull nation , vnlesse it be speedilie redressed : besides the blasphemies of the Idolatrous enemies of the Church of God , and their braggs of their workes of mercie and pitie ; thereby mouing the people to a discontentednes , & to dislike of the religion of the Lord , as being the breeder and nourisher of all such cruel and vnmercifull dealing ; though euen in this same bloodie sin , they be as deepe as any other .

Secondly , that all would learne of our Sauiour to pray as he hath commanded . To learne of our Sauiour to pray . I haue this consident hope , that the weakest Christian amongst vs hauing a good heart , My hope of the simplest . although he haue neuer been able to vtter his requests to God for himselfe or Gods Church , Learne but the chiefe heads of the margents and trie , making them your morning meditation . would in few weekes ( but following this poore direction ) learne to pray in feeling with much comfort : & those who want good hearts , would by this practise obtaine them .

Thirdly , that wee would all ioyne to pray according to the two first petitions , for the Church of God , our Prince and Realmes , with true vnitie therein , To pray according to the two first petitions chiefelie . and against all the enemies of them ; for then vndoubtedly we should neither neede to feare the practises of the Popes Seminaries nor diuels , The fruit hereof . nor yet all the enemies of the world ; but only stand still with Moses , and see what the Lord would still do for vs . Happie shall they be , whom the Lord singles out vnto this worke , to be if it were but as one of Gedeons three hundred , for the perpetuall preseruation of the Church of God and their countrey . But for the rest , although they scape the Beare , yet a Lion shall teare them in peeces ; for being deliuered with Gods s●ruants from the temporal iudgement , the eternall wrath of God doth certainly remaine for them . Wherefore giue me leaue to speake a little further A further pressing the exhortation to prayer . vnto your soules in this important businesse , if I may awake but some of you .

You that spend your liues in pleasures , will you not be perswaded to spend some To them that liue in pleasures . houres in this heauenvly work , to talke with God for the sauing your owne soules and the people of the Lord ? Oh that you knew the vnspeakable sweetenesse that heerein you should find ; whereas in your vaine pleasures what can you looke for , but intolerable bitternes in the end ? will not all these increase the wrath against vs ? whereas the changing them into prayers , with fasting and teares , would be as the sacrifice of Noah , wherein the Lord would certainly smell a sauor of rest ; and as the repentance of Niniuie , that hee that had compassion on the poore ignorant heathen , would much more cause his face to shine still more bright , vpon vs , whom he hath vouchsafed so long the profession of his name . Know it for certaine , as the Lord hath giuen any of you mo of his outward blessings , & with them more time & meanes to serue him , so hee lookes for so much more time at your hands to be spent in instant prayer , then of any other of the earth , and so must your account be . Do not the popish sort that liue in your bosoms obserue , besides your extreame irreligiousnes , how you neuer vse to pray priuately , or with any deuotion ? and are they not hereby hardened to like far better of their owne blind superstition ; wherein they spend so much time in praier ? How will you answere your God for the blood of so many soules as hereby perish ? If you could bee perswaded ( which you will one day feele , either in this life , or when it is vtterlie too late ) that these & all other your sins , wherein now is your felicitie , will bee as so many swords to peirce your poore soules , and so many diuels to torment you eternally ; and your repentance & death altogether vncertaine : you durst not let one minute passe , but would fall into bitter mourning for all your sinnes , and for your time so ill spent , and bee warned by our Sauiour to begin to watch and pray , that you might escape all these miseries , that will certainly come vpon you .

You also that haue filled your houses with the spoiles of the poore , & the earth with their cries , the crie of your sinnes is gone vp into the heauens , that the Lord threatneth to be auenged forthwith . Let the counsell of Daniel to Nabuchadnezar be acceptable vnto you , Dan. 4. 24. if you will escape the decree that is comming forth against you . Breake off your sins by righteousnes , and your iniquities by mercie towards the poore . Esay 1. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. Repent and make restitution while you may ▪ Cease to do euil , learne to doe well , seeke iudgement , releeue the oppressed , iudge the fatherlesse and defend the widow , as the Lord bids you by his Prophet . Then you may pray , and your praiers shall be heard : though your sins were as crimson ( that is , most bloodie sins ) yet they shall be made white as snow . If yee consent and obey , yee shall eate the good things of the Land : but if yee refuse and be rebellious , ye shall be deuoured with the sword ; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it . Your oppressions which haue pressed downe the poore vnto the ground , will one day crush you into the bottome of hell , and will be a loade heauier then the whole earth vpon you : that you would giue all the world , if you had it , to be disburdened of them ; and at your death the iudgement threatned vnto Iehoiakim shall surely light vpon you , Ierem. 22. 18. 19. that none shall lament or mourne for you , to say , ah Lord , ah his glorie ; but all shall reioyce that the earth is eased of you ; and your remembrance shall remaine most vile and loathsome to all posteritie , as the memorie of other oppressors doth before .

And for you that would neuer spare so much as one houre from your worldly businesses to priuate praier , To the worldling . when God opens your eyes to discerne the true profit hereof , aboue the other , & that hitherto you haue been meerely of the world , and vtterly without God ; howsoeuer you look to your worldly businesse , you will looke to this businesse of the Lord , and set your selues times of praier , which the gaining of the world cannot make you to forget .

And in a word , so many of you as can talke with men of any earthly matter , To all that cannot pray of themselues , nor regard to learne . and make any request for this present life , for whatsoeuer you need ; and yet could neuer vtter so much as one speech , no not in secret to your Father in heauen , nor make any one supplication for any heauenly thing with feeling ; how can you thinke that euer you were touched with Zeale of Gods glorie or his kingdome ? or how can you imagine that you can be the children of the heauenlie Father , or haue any interest in the Lord and his kingdome ; or be any thing but meere worldlings , sauoring onely the world , and it alone your portion , hauing a world of miseries and torment remaining for you for euer ? Learne therefore to praie aboue all ; you will finde this a treasure ten thousand times better then all the wealth & pleasures of the world . For what you would haue , this will vndoubtedlie procure you , as far as shall be good ; and whereas all the honors , pleasures , riches and friends in the world , can neuer giue you any true contentment , nor adde one minute vnto your life ; this only will fill your hearts in heauenly contentation , with abundant ioy and gladnesse , and make you liue and raigne with Christ for euer in the heauens .

Now so many as acknowledge that thus indeede you ought both to watch and pray , To all that acknowledge the truth and necessitie hereof . and yet but only giue these the reading , without care to learne the practise of them , or happily hauing some good motions or purposes , to put them forthwith in practise , or it may be , haue begun well , yet through your pleasures or worldly businesse , or at least a carnall sloth and securitie leaue them off , and returne to your old courses , bee warned from the Lord ; for this will certainly be one further witnesse and conuiction against you , then euer formerly you receiued , and much better it had bin for you , that you had neuer seene this way of life , thus plainly and easily set before you , and how you may either helpe to preserue the whole , or at least escape your selues from the euils to come ; then after you haue knowne it , and subscribed in your hearts to the truth and necessitie of it , and happilie put your hands to the plow , to looke backe againe . Remember Lots wife ; if you be out of Sodome hie for your liues , vntill you be safe in Zoar ; and being safe your selues , learne to be as importunate with the Angell of the Couenant , when you but thinke of the sins of the Land , as faithfull Abraham was : comforting and incouraging your selues in this , that you are not alone but many with you , and the Lord hath yet his ten righteous left , in all quarters some , that mourne and crie for all the abominations . If in this attempt I haue failed of that I desire , I humblie craue pardon ; and also that my good will may be accepted , in this endeuour intended chiefely to helpe the simple . Vouchsafe me your better direction , and I shall willinglie follow it . My desire is to labour herein also to bring this together with the watch to more perfection , if I shall find it accepted , and that it may bring the least good to Gods Church ; in which I desire not to liue one day longer , then I may bee some way profitable . I haue so oft made reference to the watch as to a maine ground of prayer , and for that this is as a second part , and an vnseparable companion thereof , Ephes. 6. 13. 14. 18. ( as the Apostle makes them Ephes. 6. ) and also that I neede not trouble you with oft repetition of the To them that are not perswaded of such present necessitie of praier , but thinke me ouer fearefull . same things .

Concerning the present necessitie hereof , ( that I may neither seeme ouer bold , not yet to fearful of some grieuous iudgment without cause ) I desire of all sorts that you would examine it betweene the Lord and your owne consciences ( to whom I appeale , and which I know will witnesse with me , when I shall stand before the great tribunall ) your consciences I say , not asleep in this deepe security , but either throughly awaked by the law , or as they were vpon the instant of the discouerie of the gunpowder plot ; or at any time before any of our great deliuerances , fullie accomplished in the midst of our extreame dangers . Remember but whether your hearts weare not then as my heart is now ; that if God had done with vs as he then threatned , he had not been most righteous , and wee iustlie deserued it . Did not all hearts tremble in the acknowledgement of the truth of his Maiesties sacred speech in the Parliament house at that time ? And who would not haue confessed in any of these dangers , that it had not been full time for each to haue betaken himselfe to this armour ; to haue run to God by instant supplication , and stood vp in the breach ; and for euery one to haue learned to watch and pray ? And must not our case since be far more desperate , wee hauing receiued thus our third most terrible admonition , together with so many mercies still heaped vpon vs ? Let vs but thinke what wee haue done since that time , to secure vs from the finall execution of his vengeance : haue we not most fearefully increased the transgression , going still many degrees backwards , running from the Lord , and suncken deeper in our rebellion , insteed of turning to him according to our oft promises , and his infinite mercy ? Besides our impudencie in sinning ; and our eating vp one another in euery corner and degree , racking al things to the vttermost farthing , and all commonly to maintaine pride and all excesse ; countenancing the lewdest in euery place , disgracing and treading vpon the vpright , that he that abstaines from euil maketh himself a prey : Let but the shamelesnes of that one sin of quaffing , condemned by the heathen , in Assuerus Court in their greatest pomp and excesse that euer we reade of , and registred in Gods book for that cause , be witnes : although we cannot imagin that euer it was practised in halfe so odious a maner , as it is ordinarilie with vs euerie where , in scorning the Lord to his face , and sacrificing to Satan . Our cloakes of Ciuility wil proue but Adams figleaues . Inquire of your own hearts , whether this be not the generall verdict of all whom God hath touched , or who retaine any of their ancient feeling ; yea whether the very blind may not grope it ; that there was neuer such a declining to all loosenes , open prophanenes & euen Atheisme heard or read of in any age , where the Gospell was professed , nor that sinne was practised with so high a hand . And then answere plainly , whether the Lord may not iustly get himselfe glory of vs , in the declaration of his iustice , and the power of his wrath against our sins ; seeing the riches of his mercies in sparing and deliuering vs , haue made vs so far to exceede , as to deny the tokens of his wrath , and despise him to the face ; scorning and hating nothing so much as a holy care to serue him according to his wil. Or what followes amongst men ( euen the most equal & merciful ) after the third admonition at most , but the due execution & final expulsion ? And whether we haue not iust cause to feare and seeke to pacifie his wrath ? Or whether hee may not most righteouslie cause his owne children to crie in feeling the miseries which haue not cried out in seeing the abominations , & seeking to pacifie him : and also whether hee may not iustly pluck the world from vs , which hath so bewitched & plucked vs from him . And to conclude , whether it be not much better that we each awake and meet him in time with intreaty of peace , because he is so merciful , them to be awaked of him and crie day and night ( as his people in the Captiuitie ) when it is too late , and he will shew no mercy vntill his work be accomplished vpon vs . Thus hauing presumed this second time , to testifie my heart to al , and my earnest desire of a heauenvly vnion , and all happines to Gods Church , & this our nation , I take my leaue ; with my instant praiers that al Gods seruants may haue their eies open , to see the necessitie of this work aboue al other , & their harts prepared to set themselues forthwith hereunto , ( which hath made me the longer in perswading vnto it . ) The whole successe I leaue to his heauenly Maiestie , whose this work is , & who hath long called vs al vnto the practise of it , looking & wondring that so few haue come to help , Esay 6. 3. 5. and whose only arme hath helped vs hitherto Ezek. 22. 30 . & wil for euer , Iudg. 5. 23. if we but only cry to him .

THREE PRINCIPALL points to be first learned and felt of euery poore Christian , that intends to helpe in this worke of prayer ; the summe where of being in our hearts , will bee as a continuall spurre and preparatiue to prayer , and as the life and soule thereof . 1. The necessitie of prayer . 2. The speciall properties of them that can pray . 3. The power of prayer rightly performed .

The necessitie of prayer .

1 WE can neuer come to any assurance that we are in the fauour of God , Without this constant practise , we can neither be assured that we are Gods children , nor that wee haue right to any creature . or his children , before wee make conscience to practise this dutie daily : for the spirit of prayer , ( which makes vs to pray with sighes & grones ) is the earnest and seale of our adoption ; and is giuen vnto vs so soone as euer Christ is made ours by faith ; and therefore in the meane time we stand in state Rom. 8. 15. 16. of damnation , Gal. 4. 6. and are theeues and vsurpers of that which we haue .

2 We can haue no comfort , But haue all things work to our damnation . that the things which we enioy shal be to our saluation ; but to increase and seale vp our condemnation ; seeing they are only sanctified by the word and prayer ; 1. Tim. 4. 5. and for that we receiue them without giuing the Lord his due glory . Prou. 16. 4.

3 We cannot looke to obtaine any one thing as a blessing , We cannot looke to obtaine any thing as a blessing , nor turne away any euill . of al those things which our Sauiour hath taught vs to pray for , nor to turne away any one euil but by prayer : for God hath ordained this to be the onely hand hereunto , Mat. 7. 7. saying , Iam. 4. 2. 3. Aske and ye shall haue .

4 Seeing euery worldling can speake to his friend , Nor be any thing but meere worldlings , feeling no want , nor able to speake of any thing else . for worldly things ; and euery child can and vseth to run to his louing father making his mone & requests for whatsoeuer he would haue ; how can we imagin that God is our heauenly and tender Father , or we any thing but merely earth-wormes and worldlings , Rom. 8. 5. vntill wee vse to run vnto him daily to beg of him heauenly things , which wee continually and principally stand in need of .

5 If we will be saued we must pray , Otherwise we cannot be saued . seeing our Lord and Sauiour , ( who will saue only those that obey him , and destroy all the rest , ) hath so oft charged vs to pray , and to pray continually , as the importunate widow ; teaching vs also , Luke 18. 1. so plainly how to pray ; Matth. 6. 9. leading vs by the hand , if we will be guided by him ; and made vs such gracious promises if we wil pray ; Psal. 14. 4. and contrarily describing the accursed Atheists to be such as call not vpon his name . Ier. 10. 25.

6 Lastly , The Lord cals vs al to step into the breach with Moses . the Lord our merciful God , at this time especially cals vs all that are in any fauour with his Maiestie , to steppe vp into the breach to stay his hand for being auenged , Ezec. 22. 30 for the generall ouerflow of iniquitie in all estates ; concerning which all naturall men could say long agoe , that God must needes bring some terrible plague vpon our nation , without speedie repentance ; which indeed hee had done sundrie times since , ( but * * At the intended inuasion . thrice aboue all other , neuer to be forgotten ) had not his hand been wonderfully stayed : and we notwithstanding since insteed of repenting , The death of Q. Elizabeth . haue growne much worse in euery kind of iniquitie , being now become not only secure , The gunpowder plot . but also hardned in all our euill courses , to make but a sport of sin , and a scorne of al those who make any conscience to walk in the waies of the Lord ; so that hereby our sin must needs be increased to the vttermost , and much more considering the Lords most miraculous deliuerances of vs ; his continuall threatnings and admonitions by his seruants proclayming his wrath ; warnings from heauen and earth ; a continued pestilence for so many yeeres together , visiting euery corner of our Land ; the raging of the winds and waters , to such a terror and desolation : the sword set to our very hearts ; the graue prepared for vs by our enemies , yet wee deliuered , and sundrie of them throwne in as our ransome . Now after al this , and that in the cleare light of the Gospell , with innumerable mercies besides , & sundry promises of our amendment wee waxing still worse and worse , and now without all hope of recouerie ; how can it be but the Lord must needes waxe wearie with forbearing ; or what comfort can bee left vs but onely the instant prayers of Gods faithfull seruants , Reade with reuerence the Prophet Ieremie , with the rest who liued hard before the captiuitie euen in Iosiahs daies , and compare times with times , and it will make vs crie instantly to God , day and night . either to stay his hand still , or to secure vs to bee hid in the euill day ? If all this cannot awake vs , yet this one thing well considered , will vndoubtedly rouse vs , as the certainest euidence of vengeance approching , that those enemies by whom he hath so oft threatned vs to auenge his quarrell , and whom we al know by long experience to thirst most greedily after our blood , are againe increased in number , pride and malice , after the time that we had thought them quashed for euer rising , or once daring to shew their faces againe : that knowing their holie father , the bloodie positions , Machiauellian plots and practises of their cursed religion in all countries , we must needes see our selues in imminent danger of vtter destruction euerie houre , more then that mightie arme shal still protect vs , which wee see to bee iustly stretched out against vs for our sinnes , and the power of praier which hitherto hath staied it , to be fearfully abated .

THE SPECIALL PROperties of them that can pray : ( for as Iosuah told the people they could not serue the Lord , Ios. 24. 19. so euery one cannot pray ) Prou. 28. 9. and these euidently grounded out of the Lords Prayer .

1 WE must bee the children of GOD , Wee must be children of childlike affections towards our heauenvly Father , and able to cal him Father . borne anew by his Word and Spirit , hauing some assurance of his fauour , and a desire to grow therein ; carrying alwaies childlike affections to his Maiestie : for we must come to him as to our deare Father , and be able by the Spirit of adoption to call him Abba , oh Father .

2 Wee must euer come vnto our Father only through his beloued Sonne , Rom. 8. 15. by whom we are reconciled , Comming in faith only in Christ & in a true sense of our owne vnworthines . made his children , and kept in his fauour ; and withall in a true sense of our vnworthines to bee called his children , or make any request vnto him : and so we must make our petitions only in the name of this our Lord and Sauiour , in whom alone our Father is well pleased : begging in faith ( that is ) in full assurance to be heard for Christs merit , in whatsoeuer wee request of our tender Father .

3 We must come in all humilitie before his heauenly Maiestie , In all humilitie , being but dust and ashes ; yet with our hearts lift vp to heauen . remembring we are but dust and ashes ; yet full of heauenly affections ; able to lift vp our harts vnto him , and to bee onely conuersant with him in the heauens for the time of prayer principally ; hauing all our thoughts separated from the earth , and all earthly cogitations ; because we speak to our Father which is in heauen .

4 We must be brethren of brotherly and tender hearts towards all the children of our heauenly father , Wee must be brethren tenderly affected towards all the children of our heauenly Father . ( that is , all those who soundly professe the Gospell of Christ in word and conuersation ) because our heauenly Father will haue vs hereby both to declare and increase our loue ; praying all one for another , and in the name of all , as deare brethren and feeling members ; crying earnestly for all : Our Father .

5 We must be such as are zealous for the glory of our heauenly Father ; Zealous of our Fathers glorie aboue all things in the wo●ld . desirous both to behold his glory , shining brightly in all his workes , and chiefely in his heauenly word ; and labouring to draw all others to a like reuerend admiration thereof ; making this the end of all our indeuours , that our heauenly Father may bee honoured ; and casting all our thoughts which way we may gaine him any glorie ; more afraid of dishonoring him any way , or offending him , but euen in our thoughts , then any euill that can befall vs in the world ; and such as vse to mourne for all the dishonors done vnto God his heauenly Maiestie ; that we may euer both truly begin and end our prayers with this feruent desire ; That his great name may be glorified , because all kingdome , Seeking first the kingdome of heauen , and the righteousnes therof . power and glorie are only his for euer .

6 Such as first seek his kingdome and the righteousnes of it ; that is , the inlargement of the Church wherin Christ raignes and is magnified , and so the spreading of his true religion , and of all the meanes belonging to the conuersion and sauing of his elect ; with the vtter ouerthrow of all false religion and vngodlines , whereby Satan and Antichrist do raigne , vsing all diligence for sauing ourselues and others : ) that being heere partakers of his kingdome of grace , wee may euer after raigne with him in glorie : and also such as long and waite for the comming of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ . Otherwise how can wee pray in truth : Let thy kingdome come ?

7 We must bee of an holy conuersation , Making conscience of euery tittle of the will & word of the Lord . as the loyal subiects of this heauenly kingdome ; striuing to know the will of our heauenvly Father , in al things which concerne vs ; and such as make conscience of euery tittle of his word , as Noah and Moses : who in all things as the Lord bad them , so did they : able to say as Dauid , I am heere Lord to do thy will , I am desirous to do it as cheerefully as the Angels in heauen ; readie with Abraham to leaue all at the Lords commandement , and offer vp whatsoeuer is dearest vnto vs in the world ; and to receiue any triall with patience and thankfulnes , and with Paul , not onely ready to bee bound , but to die at Ierusalem for the name of Iesus . Or else we can neuer pray in sinceritie , Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen .

8 Such also as labor to depend whollie vpon the Lords fatherly prouidence , Labouring to depend wholly vpon the Lords prouidence and protection . and watchfull protection , for this life , and all the comforts of it ; in a feeling of our owne naturall frailtie , that if hee but take away our breath wee are gone , and cannot of our selues continue one minute ; and withall , that wee are neither worthie of , nor able of our selues to get the least crumme of bread , much lesse to cause it to do vs any good ; and therfore such as vse to beg it euery day from our heauenly Father , and that as well for the poore as for our selues , being liuely touched with their miseries ; desirous to imploy that which he bestowes vpon vs , to his glory and the good of his children ; labouring ( as Iacob and Paul ) if we haue but bread to be therewith content : such as neither trust in the abundance of meanes , nor faint in the want of them ; but onely vse all meanes appointed to serue his diuine and fatherly prouidence , casting all the care for the successe vpon him alone , being assured that he cannot faile vs , nor forsake vs of that that shall be best for vs ; ( so far as may stand with his owne glorie and the good of vs his people ) at least so long as we endeuour to honor him , walking as his obedient children : without this we can neuer pray aright ; Giue vs this day our daily bread .

9 We must bee such as vse to trauell vnder the burden of all our sins , Trauelling vnder the burden of our sinnes . especially presumptuous and scandalous ; in the sense both of the multitude & haynousnes of them , & also our misery by them , vntill we be throughly washed from them in the blood of Iesus Christ ; as hauing no other meanes of deliuery or satisfaction : feeling with Paul the corruption of our nature , and our daily infirmities to be as a death vnto vs ; and hereupon vsing to crie instantly in the eares of the Lord : Forgiue vs our trespasses ; neuer giuing him ouer vntil we obtaine this assurance .

10 We must be voide of malice , Voide of malice , vsing to pray for our enemies . and such as vse to pray for our very enemies ; and are readie to doe them any kindnes , wherby to gaine them to Christ , or leaue them more without excuse ; because then wee haue this assurance to bee forgiuen , and not else ; neither can we say in truth Forgiue vs our trespasses , as wee forgiue them that trespasse against vs : but pray for a curse vpon our selues .

11 Hauing a continuall sense of the danger we stand in , Fearing alwaies , and watching , lest wee should fall into temptation , so suspecting all our waies . of falling into some sinne euery houre , to the dishonor of our heauenly Father , and prouoking his displeasure , with innumerable euils following thereupon ; through the deadly malice and subtiltie of Satan , who hath the aduantage of our corrupt nature , and all things in the world to beguile vs : fearing alwaies lest for our sinnes the Lord should leaue vs in his hand ; and thereupon such as are carefull to keepe our rankes , and the watch of the Lord . That wee may continually pray in feeling , Leade vs not into temptation , but deliuer vs from euill .

12 Carrying alwaies a reuerent and thankfull acknowledgement of his absolute kingdome , Acknowledging euer his soueraigntie , and how he disposeth al for his own glorie , and the good of his elect . power and soueraigntie ouer all creatures , that hee ouerrules both the rage of men and diuels , and all other things in heauen and earth , disposing all to his owne glorie , and the saluation of his obedient subiects and children ; that we may be euer able to sound forth with thankfulnes , For thine is the kingdome , power and glory for euer and euer .

13 Lastly wee must bee such true beleeuers , Able in true faith with thankfulnes to say Amen . as being assured that hee will graunt all that we beg , as shall bee most for his own glory , and the greatest good of his elect , do rest our selues wholly vpon his fatherly loue , being able in thankfulnesse euer to say : Amen ; Lord let it be so as we doe assure our hearts it shal bee .

THE POWER OF true Prayer .

1 WHen we are such sound Christians , To giue vs assurance of Gods fauour . and vse to pray in this manner , wee shall haue a certaine assurance that we are Gods children , Rom. 10. 12. and in his fauour , Rom. 8. 15. 16. 26. and such as shall be saued vndoubtedly : for this is the Lords seale and the earnest of our inheritance . 2 Cor. 1. 22.

2 We shall haue a comfortable and sanctified vse of all things wee enioy . To haue all things sanctified vnto vs . 1. Tim. 4. 5.

3 We shall bee sure to obtaine whatsoeuer he hath taught vs to pray for ; To obtaine whatsoeuer we so pray for . so far as shal be for his owne glory and our good ; for the very forme of prayer containes a most gratious promise ; that so asking we shall obtaine : otherwise our Sauiour would neuer haue taught vs to pray so ; assuring vs that if wee aske in faith we shall haue , and that according to our faith , it shall bee done vnto vs .

4 The seruent prayers of a few of vs , For the turning away any iudgement from our Land , or procuring any blessing . being such as are described , shall doe more for turning away any iudgement from the Church ; discouering and ouerthrowing the deepest plots of Gods enemies , or for procuring any blessing to our Land , then many of our valiantest souldiers and wisest polititians ; or then many thousands of our enemies , & hundred thousands of the wicked ioyning with them to prouoke the Lord by their sins , can doe to bring a iudgement vpon vs . For wee know how many times that one Moses staied the Lords hand , that he could not destroy his people ; and also that Eliah was the Chariots and horsemen of Israel ; yet were they men subiect to like passions that we are : for our God is still the same of infinite compassion ; and therefore looke what Gods seruants haue been formerly able to doe by their praiers , the same shall wee doe still , so farre as shall be necessarie , if we striue to walke in their steps . So that we haue no cause to feare , sith one of them alone could so farre preuaile with the Lord , but that many of vs ioyning as an a mie to compasse the Lord about with our prayers and teares , may much more ouercome his heauenly Maiestie , if our hearts and hands be steadie with Moses ; especially he hauing shewed such tokens of his compassion and loue towards his chosen flocke amongst vs , as neuer in any age more : Ezech. 22. 30. and now calling vs also to stand vp in the breach , Iob 22. 30. hauing assured vs that the innocent shall deliuer the Iland . Therefore all of vs that feare the Lord , must cheerfully each incourage one another to this dutie , Deut. 20. 1. 3. 4. confirming the wea●●e hands and wearie knees ; Heb. 12. 12. being certainly assured of this at least , that though the Lords decree should bee gone forth against vs for all our exceeding prouocations , and that hee would not spare the whole at our prayers , ( whereof notwithstanding we may haue gratious hope to the contrarie , if we can but find our harts feruently set to this dutie of prayer ) yet we shall saue our owne soules , Ezek. 14. 14. and the Lord will bee vnto vs as a sanctuarie , whereas otherwise , if such a iudgement come vpon vs , as hath been so oft almost fully executed , ( which the Lord in mercie still saue vs from ) we are all accessary to it , who haue not sought in time to turne it away , and accursed with Meroz , Iudg. 5. 23. because we came not to helpe the Lord against the mightie : and so shall find nothing but feare and an euill conscience to chase vs : Prou. 28. 1. whereas on the contrarie wee shall be strong and couragious as Lions whatsoeuer come to passe ; knowing that euen in the midst of the fire there he will bee with vs , Esay 43. 1. 2. 3. that the flame shall not so much as kindle on vs ( more then he wil dispose to his own exceeding glorie and our endlesse comfort ) and also in the flouds that they do not ouerwhelme vs .

A MOST HEAVENlie and sure rule according to the whole Lords Prayer in order : whereby wee may grow to strong assurance and much power in Prayer .

LIue alwaies as an obedient child , in the eye of thy heauenly Father ; humbled in the reuerence of his most holy and glorious Maiestie , and in the sense of thine owne vilenesse and vnworthines to be called his childe ; longing vntill he take thee vnto himselfe into the heauens ; studying what way thou mayest * * Let the desire of the two first petitions be euer in thy hart , & beg al other things for them only as being the end of all , then shalt thou bee each way most blessed , and aske what thou wilt so , & thou shall receiue it . honor him most in the meane time : and that first by yeelding all obedience to the lawes of his kingdome , and gayning moe thereunto : attending continually what his diuine will and pleasure is concerning thee , chiefely in thy particular calling , and the charge committed vnto thee : and then thou shalt surely find him God all-sufficient vnto thee , more tender ouer thee then euer was father or mother , performing vnto thee all his promises according to all thy petitions , for this and for the better life ; and sealing vnto thee a plentifull assurance of the free pardon of all thy sinnes in the blood of his Sonne Iesus Christ ; and that he will saue thee from the tempter , and all euill that they shall not hurt thee : That thou shall be able with all ioy and thankfulnes to acknowledge vpon happie experience , his absolute kingdome and power , and so to giue him continually with all his holy Angels , all glory , praise and dominion , resting thy selfe most fully satisfied in his onely loue and fauour for euer and euer .

THE SVMME OF all in other words , most plainly ; for the vnderstanding of the simplest .

OBserue diligently the Watch of the Lord ; growing daily in the practise of euery Commandement , and faith in all his promises : and keepe in thy heart a Catalogue or short summe of thine owne chiefe sins , wants and infirmities , together with the maine sins and wants of the Land , and tokens of the Lords wrath due therunto ( gathered by wise obseruation according to the rule of the Watch ) and withall set before thee the infinitnesse of the Lords loue and compassion towards his , with his speciall fauours towards thy selfe : and then pray feruently in faith to thy heauenly Father , looking stedfastlie at Iesus Christ thy Sauiour ; crying onely in zeale for his glorie and kingdome ; and thou shalt bee able to pierce the heauens ; to preuaile with God as Iacob , and much more with men ; and finde by good experience the truth of that promise , Esay 65. 24. that before thou callest God will answere ; and whilest thou speakest hee will heare .

THE PERFECT RVLE AND SVMME of Prayer .

Our Father ] Oh Lord most holy and glorious , terrible to all the wicked , but most gratious and ful of compassion towards all that desire to obey al thy Commaundements : we that are but dust and ashes , children of wrath by nature , and most rebellious of all thy creaturs , dare not of our selues once lift vp our eies to heauen .

Father . ] Yet neuerthelesse seeing it hath pleased thee to receiue vs for thine own children by grace , thorow thy Son Iesus Christ , by whom thou hast purchased & ordained vs to eternal glory , and giuen him to be our mediatour ; wee come before thee , ( oh Father ) in his name ; magnifying thee for this fauour , beeing the greatest happines that euer could befall vs .

Increase in vs daily this assurance , by making vs to grow in repentance & faith ; & framing vs to the image of thy Son , in al knowledge ▪ loue & obedience ; wholly changing and renewing vs , that wee may bee no longer strangers from thee , but may delight to be euer in thy presence , hearing thy voice or speaking to thee in prayer , crying , Oh Father .

Our ] And that it may bee more euident that thou art our Father indeede , giue vs grace to loue thy children aboue all other for thy sake : and each so much more , as they more excell in vertue , and are more deare vnto thee , that we may daily remember them in al our prayers , saying ; Our Father : And delight in their companies onely , as those with whom we shal liue for euer . Knit our harts in brotherlie loue , that wee may tenderlie comfort & edifie one another , afraide of grieuing or hindering , & much more of turning anie one out of the way of life .

Let our holie agreement in al the substance of thy truth , with our ioint profession to walk together in the path of life , bee of more force to vnite vs , then all the trash of the world , or cunning of Satan to diuide vs .

Are we not all that so walke , thine owne children , and coheires of thy kingdom ; notwithstanding all our imperfections and some lesse diuersities which must accompanie vs while wee are in the earth .

Confound therfore all deuices working this diuision , to thy dishonor & reioycing to our enemies , who thus conspire to worke our shame & ruin , if it were possible .

Let vs neuer rest vntill wee finde these hartie affections towards al thy children , that heereby we may know certainly that we are translated from death to life , when we can pray , Our father .

Which art in heauen ▪ ] And whereas thou raignest in the heauens where thou hast prouided throns for vs , humble vs stil more , in the sense of thy greatnes ; seeing we are but poore wormes crawling in sin .

And yet so lift vp our hearts vnto thee , that wee may bee with thee , esspecially in all our prayers ; longing to behold thee face to face : & let our conuersation be so heauenvly , that the world may see that wee are thy heauenlie children trauelling towards thee , & our selues may grow vp to a full assurance that heauen is ours , reserued by our Lord & Sauiour for vs , & all creatures euer to do vs good .

Hallowed ] And seeing thou hast vouchsafed vs onelie this honor , to be the heires of thy kingdom , whereas thou mightest iustlie haue lefte vs with the wicked to euerlasting perdition .

Giue vs grace euer to testifie our thankfulnesse , seeking in and aboue al things to honor thee . Open our eyes to behold thy power , wisedom & goodnes shining in all thy works , & much more in thy heauenvly word chieflie in all thy iudgments vpon thine enemies , & mercies towards thy children , still shewed euery day .

Make vs able to consider of , and set forth the prayses belonging to thee therein , both in word & deed ; that by vs thy great name may be knowne in all the world . Aboue all in that wherein thou hast bin magnified before our eyes , in shewing thy fatherly care for vs , & wrath against our enemies : how for dishonoring thee in abusing thy Gospel , and al thy blessings bestowed on vs aboue all people ; thou hast not onely corrected vs tenderly with thy milder rods , but hast also sundrie times raysed vp most cruell enemies , threatning not onely to take away the Gospell , but our vtter destruction also , and brought them to the very execution of it , because we would not hearken and turne vnto thee according to thy mercies : yet euer when we haue cried vnto thee , thou hast plucked them backe in the instant , and taken vengeance for vs : so as we haue oft thought that they durst neuer haue attempted the like againe : & so , as if the most barbarous nations had receiued but the least of our deliuerances with our meanes they would haue repented long agoe , as wee haue oft promised .

Oh gracious Father make vs euer to acknowledge this , & to see that thy anger is againe more fearfully kindled , for that these our enemies , ( as our sinnes ) do stil increase in number and malice , without hope of leauing off their practises , vntil they haue wrought either ours or their owne endlesse ruin .

Good Father , let this token of thy wrath , ( together with the arming of the dumbe creatures , both windes and waters so oft threatning our destruction , for the ouerflow of all iniquitie in euerie place ) preuaile so mightily with vs , that wee may all presently seek to appease thine anger . Diddest thou not before the bloodie and fiery conspiracie warne vs all from heauen ( as thou didst Ierusalem ) inclosing vs in a fiery tent with pillers of darknesse , of fire & blood ( foreshewing vs as by that which followed we may iustlie deeme ) that bloodie destruction which was towards vs ?

Did not many of our hearts tremble at that sight , causing vs to seeke more earnestly to turne away the future euils ?

And feared wee without cause ? Had it not bin effected indeed , and we all inclosed in the most dark , fiery and bloody tent that euer the world heard of ; if thou hadst not heard the prayers of thy poore children , in the verie instant , and remembred vs in mercie ?

And shall wee remain senselesse still in the middest of the tokens of thy wrath , making the whole land to tremble at the report of them ? Saue vs from that the heauiest iudgment that euer fell vpon the hart of man , wherby not onely the Egyptians , but also thine owne people were prepared for their final desolation , so oft threatned by our Sauiour , that by seeing wee should see & not perceiue , but haue our harts more ful ( by al the means vsed for our repentance ) lest we should conuert & be spared .

Open our eyes to see our fearful estate , and how farre this iudgement hath seased on vs already . Conuert vs & we shal be conuerted , & not harden our selues against the tokens of thy wrath , thy word and seruants .

Oh leaue vs not vnto them whose mercies are crueltie , to cause them to blaspheme , but let vs still fall into thy hands who pitiest vs when thou smitest vs , and in wrath remembrest mercie .

Though our sinnes be haynous to anger thee , yet let the cry of thy seruants still preuaile .

Hast thou not saide it , that the innocent shall deliuer the Iland ? and dost thou not cal vs to stand vp in the breach , because thou wouldest not destroy vs ? Hast thou not beene wont to pardon whole nations at the prayers of a few of thy seruants ?

Therefore we thy remembrancers ( knowing that thou art still the same , as to thy seruants in former time , and wee as deare vnto thee ; and that thou canst denie vs nothing which we beg in thy Sonnes name , according to thy will , for our good ) doe humblie intreate thee , to glorifie thy mercie in pardoning our sin , and turning vs speedilie vnto thee ; but make thine enemies to feele thy hand , & those chiefely , who haue as Balaam caused vs to prouoke thee so grieuously , that we haue been so oft in so fearefull danger , by our backslidings and rebellions .

Get thy selfe glory vpon them as vpon Pharaoh , that when thou hast deliuered vs and ouerthrowne them , as fundrie times thou hast begun , wee may sing praises , and euer keep a remembrance of thy mercie .

Let vs bee afraid of obscuring any part of thy glorie ; and much more of seeking our own honour , or taking any part of thine honour to our selues , being proud of thy gifts . But aboue all , keep vs from dishonoring thee , by our sinfull liues amongst the wicked , to cause them to blaspheme .

Let this bee our honor to honour thee , and contrarily our greatest dishonor .

Strengthen vs to walk so vprightly , that others seeing our good workes , may glorifie thee , and wee may weare the reproch of the wicked as a crowne .

So kindle the zeale of thy glorie in our harts , that we may bee grieued continually for all the dishonors done vnto thee . And that insteede of being ashamed of thee , or any part of thy truth , we may euer professe it with all holie wisedome , and boldnesse as our chiefest glory ; that our Sauiour may acknowledge vs before thee in the presence of men & Angels , to be the heires of thy kingdom ; when he will denie all other , as those whom hee neuer knew , to their endlesse confusion .

Thy kingdome come ]

And whereas thou ( oh Father ) art chiefly glorified in the increase of thine owne people which obey thy word , amongst whom onelie thou raignest , and especiallie when thou causest thy religion & people to prosper against all the power of hell : Grant thy Gospell whereby thou conquerest & rulest , to be sincerelie preached euery where , and make it so powerful that it may destroy the kingdome of Satan & Antichrist ; & gather all thine vnto thee , that so thou mayest hasten thy glorious kingdome .

And to this end , raise vp Kings and Queenes to nourish vs with the word of life , & preserue vs from the rage of all our cruel enemies , especially that bloody Antichrist : and for those that are such already , make them ten times more , accounting this their greatest dignitie to haue the bringing vp of the heires of thy kingdome committed vnto them .

And as it hath pleased thee to settle this kingdome in so great peace amongst vs , deliuering vs from that blood thirstie whore of Babylon , & to continue the same beyond all former expectation vnder our dread Soueraigne , so indue him with such an abundant portion of thy Spirit , according to that high dignitie laide vpon him ; and with such tender affections towards thy children , that in token of true thankfulnes for all his dominions , & chiefelie the wonderfull deliuerances of his Maiestie & his , ( and of all vs thy people principally by him ) hee may set himselfe with Iehosaphat and Ezechiah , & other worthie Kings of Iuda , to inlarge thy king dome , & promote thy pure religion , destroying al vngodlines ; and to procure each way the good of vs thy poor children committed to him ; that al we being still more loyallie affected , as toward our most happie nursing father vnder thee , & as al the good people were towards Dauid , may euer sound foorth thy praises for him , and pray earnestlie for his preseruation , & of our Queene with all their royal progenie , that his kingdome may bee established vntill Christ shall come , to resigne vp this earthly scepter and raigne with thee eternally .

Giue all our Rulers the same heart , that they may be as the hands of thine annointed in euery place , for this purpose .

And as thou hast ordained chiefely to finish thy kingdome by the preaching of thy Gospell , which thou did dest first spread by thy holy Apostles subduing the world therby , so wee pray thee to send foorth such powerful preachers into euerie congregation , which may not cease to admonish euerie one with teares : framing themselues by all holy meanes to win all ; afraid of the least offence , which might hinder the saluation of anie one . Awaken at length all sorts of vnconscionable ministers , drunken with the blood of their people ; that remembring the crie of Abels blood , they may be thinke themselues in time what to answere when Christ shall come : and either giue them repentance & care for their peoples saluation , or free them from them , and commit them to such by whom they may bee brought into obedience to the lawes of thy kingdome ; that thou alone maiest raigne as Lord amongst them , Antichrist being cast out vtterly , with al things whereby hee hath kept any of thy people vnder his slauerie , or seekes to pull them into Babylon .

Deface ( oh Lord ) all the prints of his Idolatrie , and cut off all hopes of euer building vp Babel againe .

And seeing the chiefe glorie and safetie of thy kingdom , is in the vnity of thy subiects ; take away , good Lord , all causes of contentions . Confound all the plots of cursed Balaam , who knowing that no kingdome diuided can stand , seeks to rend thy Church in peeces , the easier to preuaile against it , when thou art also departed from it ; as euer Satan hath beene wont . Graunt that we may buy this peace , with the losse of all , except thy fauor , that al sorts seeing our holie agreement , may ioyne themselues vnto vs , and come into the bosome of thy Church . And moreouer , sith thou wilt haue euery one to helpe to build vp thy kingdome , and to saue others by bringing them therunto , graunt vs more care , not onely for our charges committed to vs ; but for euerie one tied vnto vs by any special bond that wee may take euery first occasion for gaining them vnto thee , by all holy meanes .

Let vs not rest before they be safe . And that wee may preuaile the more , giue vs ( oh Lord ) a sweet feeling what a blessed thing it is to be of thy kingdome , & partakers of thy glorie : euen to be Kings & Priests vnto thee ; and what happines there is in liuing such a holy conuersation , & how wretched the state of all other people is , being bondslaues of Saran , and reserued for hell .

Graunt vs to liue in all things , as thy obedient subiects , that wee may passe from this kingdom of grace into thy glorious kingdome .

Make vs to feare the occasions of backsliding , that wee neuer so much as once look back vnto the world , but hie fast towards heauen where our Sauiour keeps possession for vs . Destroy in vs all our corruption , wherby Satan preuailes against vs . Hasten that day when the difference shall appeare between vs and then that feare thee not , when we shal raigne with thee for euer .

And because wee now liue by faith , and not by sight , the wicked oft flourishing when thy children are afflicted : Oh Lord increase our faith in all thy sweete promises , that through the comfort of it , & power of godlinesse , we may grow vp to a full assurance , that wee are the true heires of thy kingdome and ouercome all hinderances , that being faithful to the death , we may haue the crown of life . Fill our hearts with such peace & ioy , with all the fruits of righteousnes , that all may see to what kingdome wee belong , and wee feeling the beginning of it here , may enter into thy heauenly ioy . Thy wil be &c. ] And that our childlike affections , with our zeale & thankfulnesse , may more appeare to all the world ; quicken vs to do thy heauenvly will , chiefelie wherein thou hast shewed vs how thou wilt haue vs walk , that wee may do it cheerefullie , as the Angels .

Accept our will for the deede . Let it be our chiefe desire to stand in thy presence , to enquire by all holy meanes what thy diuine pleasure is : and euer so soone as thou hast made it knowne vnto vs , giue vs Dauids Eccho , to say I am heere Lord to doe thy will , thy law is within my heart .

And whereas it is thy decree , that thorow many troubles wee must enter into thy kingdome ; ( good Father ) subdue our corrupt wils to thy holy will , that humbling our selues vnder thy hand , we may trie & reforme our waies immediately , without once whispering against thee : knowing that in loue thou so workest our good in all our trials , and wilt giue vs a happy issue in thy due time .

And if it shall bee thy good pleasure to cal vs to suffer for thy name ; keepe vs that we may suffer as thine owne children for righteousnes , and then to take vp our crosses with thankfulnes , reioicing that thou countest vs worthy that honour , looking stedfastly at our Lord & Sauiour , who hauing ▪ first troden that way before vs , sits for euer in glorie at thy right hand . But keepe vs that we neuer do any thing against thy reuealed will , to procure therby neuer so great a good ; seeing thou canst and wilt effect whatsoeuer is best without our sin . That wee may euer truly pray ; Thy will bee done in earth , as it is in heauen .

Giue vs this day &c. ]

And thou ( oh deare Father ) when wee are such ; that the world may see thy tender care ouer vs , and how thou fulfillest thy promises vnto vs , & that wee may the better attend the seeking of thy glorie and good pleasure ; vouchsafe vs the conforts of this present life . Shew vs thy loue in prouiding for vs in due time . Direct vs to vse all painfulnes and holy wisdom , chiefely in our particular calling , with all the meanes to serue thy prouidence : auoiding whatsoeuer may hinder our comfort , or hurt our estate . Graunt vs to hide our selus vnder thy watchful protection , knowing that our times are in thy hand , to continue as pleaseth thee ; and to consider that of our selues , we cannot prolong our liues one minute , nor haue any power to get one morsell of bread , vnlesse thou both shew vs the meanes , assist vs to vse them , & giue a blessing to them . Humble vs here in , that wee are not worthie the least crumme of bread , which we are taught to beg daily : and that wee are but vsurpers of it , and of whatsoeuer else we haue , vnlesse we be in Christ ; because wee hauing lost all , can haue no right to anie thing vntill it bee restored vnto vs in him who is Lord of all . Increase our assurance that thou hast giuen him vnto vs , that we may haue a true title to whatsoeuer wee enioy . Blesse thy good creaturs to nourish & comfort vs .

Giue vs contented hearts though wee haue but bread , acknowledging thy fatherlie prouidence as wel in want as plentie , and that thou wilt make euen bread sufficient when other means faile .

And if we shal come to haue no more but for the present day , nor any meanes of succour ; then strengthen vs to cast our selues vpon thee without fainting , and to shew that we liue not by bread onelie , but by thy power & tender care and blessing Certifie our consciences , that though wicked men may bee hunger-starued , yet thou wilt neuer let any of vs that serue thee , being heires of thy kingdome , to want any thing that is good for vs , but wilt work extraordinarilie causing our enemies to feede vs , or the fouls to bring vs meate , rather then we shall want . Keep vs therfore from carking cares aforehand , for prouision for vs or ours , & much more from murmuring , whereby thou art dishonored & prouoked . Make vs able to sanctifie thee , vsing only the means for thy protection & prouidence , commending our selues wholly vnto thee , being certainlie assured that thou canst not faile vs . And when thou dost bestow thy gifts vpon vs , make vs to behold thy goodnesse in them , vsing them holily , & neuer abusing them to satisfie our lustes , or to puffe vs vp , or set our confidence & loue vpon them ; but that wee may imploy them to maintaine thy worship & seruice , and performe all holie duties , especially for the reliefe of thy children , for whom we are to praie daily , and to whom thou hast giuen an interest in the vse of them ; that so we may shew our thankfulnesse to thy heauenly Maiestie , loue to thy children and chiefelie the most excellent , and therein the true practise of the Communion of Saints , wayting for the ioyfull sentence , Come ye blessed of my Father , receiue the kingdome prepared for you &c.

Forgiue vs our trespasses . ]

And whereas our sins onely doe hinder , & turne from vs all these blessings which we haue begged ▪ and bring innumerable euils vpon vs , insteede of them , & so make vs most vnhappie , wherupon thou hast taught vs to crie euerie day , forgiue vs our sinnes ;

Pardon ( good Lord ) and remoue all our sinnes out of thy sight . And to the end that we may neuer giue thee rest vntill we haue gotten this assurance ; teach vs that herein is all true happines , and without it we are most miserable , & without all hope of comfort .

Shew vs also the haynousnesse of sinne , declared in the fearefull punishment of thy most glorious Angels , the excellentest of all thy works , whom for one sinne thou diddest throw downe vnto hel to be reserued in chaines of darkenesse to the iudgement of the great day . And after wards in our first parents cast out of their happie estate accursed in themselues and all their posteritie , euen al vs , vntill wee obtaine deliuerance by laying hold of our Lord and Sauiour . Make vs able yet more plainely to behold the same , not only in the generall destruction of the olde world ; turning Sodom into ashes ; preparing hell for an euerlasting punishment to all vnbeleeuers and impenitent sinners ; but also in thy seueritie against thine owne children , as in cutting off Moses ( onelie for that hee did not sanctifie thee at the waters of strif ) that he could not enter into Canaan , after hee had led thy people forty yeers and now brought them to the borders of it .

And besides the heauy punishment of Dauid and his house all his life long , and the fearefull iudgements on many of thine owne faithful seruants . Teach vs to conceiue aright of the vilenesse and danger of sin hereby , that the least sinne of thine elect could neuer haue bin ransomed , but by the sacrifice of thine owne deare Sonne ; and how thou diddest powre out vpon him the ful viols of thy wrath , to cause him to crie , my God why hast thou forsaken mee .

Giue vs a continuall meditation hereof , and of the innumerable euils which euerie sinne brings on thine owne children , vnlesse they bee preuented by speedy repentance , especially depriuing vs of all true comfort and power in praier , so long as wee remaine therein without repentance , besides the losse of many extraordinary fauours . Shew vs withal how our sinnes increased , being committed not onely against thy glorious Maiestie , but also against our high calling , and all thine abundant mercies with so strong means to restrain vs , besides so many vowes and promises of amendment , & that after pardon formerly obtained and sealed vnto vs .

Grants vs some sight also of the multitude of our sins , not onely in breaking thy Commandements , in thought , word or deed , but euen in omitting anie part therof , or doing it without all our heart ; besides the sin of our first parents whereof wee are all guiltie ; and the corruption of our sinful natures whereby wee are so infected with sin , that wee are inclined vnto euil continaully ; & vnable to thinke anie thing but that which is sinfull ; so little moued by thy iudgements or mercies , to make anie right vse therof . Giue vs such a liuelie sense hereof , & of our daily frailties , in●rmities & noysome lustes , flowing from this lothsome sinke , that in the feeling of this bondage of our corruption , wee may euer sigh , desiring to be deliuered therefrom .

Set before our faces also the grieuous sins of our youth , & much more those which we haue committed since our high calling , contrarie to our consciences , and whereby wee haue dishonored thee to the reproach of thy Gospel , griefe of thy seruants , or hindering the saluation of any soule : that by al these we beholding the infinitenes of our debt , and our great misery therby , that we may runne continually to the fountaine of thy Sonnes blood , which is open to all the house of Israel for sin & vncleannesse , crying , Wash me thorowlie from my sin , purge and purifie me . And yet that the vgelie view of them may not vtterly dismay vs , as though we could not be purged from them ; comfort vs in the infinite worth & merit of thy Sonnes blood which is al-sufficient to cleanse vs thorowly , although wee had al the sins of the world vpon vs , so long as wee can crie to be washed therin . But yet seing thou admittest none to this fountaine , but only them that come in true fainth , and vnfaied repentance for all their sins , resoluing to liue a new life , and crying after this fountain :

Make vs able in the sense of our vilenes by nature , and our particular sins , to mourn bitterly when wee looke at thy Son whom we haue pearced thereby , and so to hate sinne , that we may be afraid of euer defiling our selues againe , sinning against that precious blood .

Helpe vs to trie our repentance & faith to bee such as are sound , & haue beene wrought in vs by the preaching of the Gospel , & do continually increase , which are the certaine euidences thereof .

Grant vs grace to iudge our selues daily , that we may not be iudged of thee . Remember vs also , we intreate thee againe , for our sinfull Land ; though euen the earth bee corrupt , & the crie of the sinnes exceeding great , yet let the cry of vs thy children in euery corner preuaile against the crie of the sinnes , that thy mercie may bee magnified in all the world . As wee for giue &c. ] And as thou hast taught vs to pray onely so to be forgiuen , as we forgiue others ; assuring vs that if we do forgiue wee shall bee forgiuen , and otherwise we shall neuer bee forgiuen . Change our malicious and proud hearts , that although we hate the sins and company of the wicked , and reioice in the execution of thy righteous iudgments , and pray daily for the confounding of al the wicked practises and deuises of the enemies of thy Church ; that yet wee may seeke the saluation of al sorts : and for them that are our enemies but vpon priuate respects , giue vs grace to pray earnestly for them that they may repent & obtaine mercie .

And that wee may seeke to pacifie them , by offering them full satisfaction , and doing them any good , so far as may stand with their saluation , & the credit of the Gospell , to heape coales vpon their heads , either to gaine them or leaue them more without excuse ; and to seale vp to our selues a ful remission of all our sins therby .

Leade vs not into temptation . ] And seing our deadly enemy seekes hourely to tempt vs to sin to dishonour thee , and become his vassals , that thou mightest leaue vs in his hand to execute his malice vpon vs , and bring vpon vs al the euils which follow sinne , wherupon our Sauiour hath taught vs to pray , Leade vs not into temptation : Open our eies ( good Father ) to see our continual danger ; and first for the multitude of damned spirits ranging vp and downe as roaring Lions to deuour vs . Teach vs to know that they are able to bring vs to as fearful sins as euer were committed , & to destroy vs vtterlie in a moment with all that wee haue , if thou giue them leaue . Acquaint vs with their subt●lties in fitting their temptations to our particular estates and dispositions which they know , by dogging vs euer , & taking their aduantages to solicite vs to those sinnes , whereby they haue most preuailed against vs formerly or against other thy seruants ; and how they are wont also to draw vs on by degrees , as first to yeelde to some smaller matters which are accounted no sinnes ; or to thrust our selues carelessely or with our warrant into the danger and occasions of temptation , neglecting the calling laid vpon vs , as Dauid to lie on his bed in the afternoones insteede of looking to the affaires of his kingdome .

Make vs able to consider how they haue all the baites of the world , both the credit , riches & pleasures thereof , which they euer hold forth vnto vs , if wee will follow their counsel ; and otherwise threaten not only the losse of all these , but also of all comforts , with hatred , disgrace and many other euils which wee must suffer from malicious men , if we wil make such a strict conscience of all our waies , to the verie least duty that thou hast commanded .

And whereas wee are ordinarilie secure in ouerweening of our own strength ; Shew vs ( oh Lord ) the vilenesse of our corrupt natures , which are euer readie to conspire with Satan to our vtter perdition , & to swallow euery baite which he layeth for vs , without anie feare of danger ; so that wee haue no strength , more then thou reachest forth thine hand to helpe vs . Reueale vnto vs also the danger wee stand in from thy glorious Maiesty , lest thou shouldest leaue vs vp vnto the power of the tempter , and our owne corruption ; to awake vs from our security , for our neglect of thy watch , & carelesse vsing the meanes of grace , or at least for tempting thee , in not auoiding each occasion of temptation .

And seing the tempter in all his temptations , hideth the danger & vglines of sin , shewing only the faire side of it , that is , the go●d that wee shall get thereby , and chuseth the subtillest and fittest instruments to serue his purpose , as the counsel or example of men of chiefest reputation , somtimes changing himselfe into an Angel of light , neuer comming like himself ; wherby hee deceiues all the world , and oft preuailes with vs thine owne children , at least to presume to sinne , because thou art so mercifull ;

Good Father set before vs a continual view hereof , and of the sundry euils which by euery sin wee ha●e vpon our heads ; especially the wound of conscience which wil certainely come on vs vnlesse it be preuented , & which none can beare . Make vs to know that howsoeuer reprobats may wallow in their filth , and scape vnpunished here , being reserued for hell , and fatted for destruction : yet thou wilt not suffer any of vs thy children , who haue begunne to make a profession of thee according to thy word , to commit the very least sin , but wilt make vs feele the smart of it , vnlesse wee preuent thee speedily by repentance , because thou wilt not bee dishonored by vs , nor haue vs condemned with the world ; & that the wicked may see thy hatred against sin , and what plagues remaine for themselues for euermore . Yea ( oh holie Father ) let vs feare alwaies lest thou shouldest leaue vs neuer so little , & suspect all our waies , in as much as Satan more maliceth vs , than any other of the world , and therefore seeks hourely to prouoke thee to leaue vs in his hand , and for that our sins will cause moto blaspheme , hardening them to perdition , than the sins of any other : wherupon verie few of thy worthiest seruants haue escaped to the end ; without some grieuous wounds , the scarres wherof they haue carried to their graues , to the blemishing their profession , the griefe of themselues and all the godlie . And therfore as thou hast giuen vs this only remedie to watch and pray that wee enter not into temptation , so make vs able to keepe this thy watch , and by it to bee better acquainted with our selues , & our particular infirmities , that wee may alwaies weare the compleat armour , chieflie the shield of faith , & thy Word euer in readinesse against each temptation , which w●l put Satan to flight ; that being strengthned by thy Spirit , we may stand fast in the euill day , & get the conquest without anie grieuous wounds ; to thy greater glorie , & our owne greater honor in the heauens : Wee do not pray against temptations altogether , knowing the profit that wee reape thereby ; but that wee may indure fighting valiantly and conquering , vntill thou set the crowne vpon our heads .

For thine is the &c. ] We haue been bold to beg all these things of thee ( oh holy Father ▪ ) because all kingdome , power & glorie are onelie thine ; acknowledging that we haue receiued all from thy heauenly bounty ; and being assured th thou wilt grant vs all these things for thy Sonnes sake , and whatsoeuer else is good for vs , so far as shall bee for thine owne glorie , seeing thou art absolute Lord & King in heauen and in earth , and doest dispose , guide and ouerrule all things , as shal make most for thine owne glorie , and the greatest good of vs thine obedient subiects and children ;

That we may set foorth the glorie of thy dominion , and happinesse of thy Kingdom , liuing as thy loyal subiects ; to which wee hereby binde our selues for euer ; and so returne all possible thanks and praise to thy heauenly Maiestie , saying euer , Amen .

Be it so ( oh Lord holy & true ) as wee fully beleeue it shall bee . Euen so Amen : Come Lord Iesus , come quicklie .

OVr Father which art in heauen ] 1. We must come trembling , because of Gods glorious Maiesty : Oh Lord most holy and most glorious , whose brightnes the Angels are not able to behold , so terrible to all the vngodly , as they shall wish the mountaines to couer them , that they may neuer appeare in thy presence ; and yet a most gratious and tender Father to all thy children that desire to obey all thy Commandements : And our owne vilenesse by nature . we that are but dust and ashes , and by nature through the fal of our first parents , children of wrath in state of damnation , bond-slaues of Satan , and most rebellious of all thy creatures , dare not presume of our selues , once to lift vp our eies to heauen ; 2. Yet in confident boldnes , as to our Father in Christ . yet neuertheles seeing it hath pleased thee of thy free mercie to adopt vs to be thy children by grace , through thy Son Iesus Christ , and hast chosen vs hereunto , bought vs with his precious blood , called vs by thy Gospel , sealed vs with thy Spirit , and giuen him to bee our perpetuall mediator at thy right hand , bidden vs to come to thee as to our tender father , and call thee father through him ; oh deare Father wee present our selues before thy diuine Maiestie onely in his name , 3. Onely in the name of Christ our Mediator . magnifying thy mercie that thou hast 4. With thankfulnes for our happiestate in him . vouchsafed vs this blessed estate to be thy children , Watch. ed. 2. p. 1. l. 1. 2. and to haue thy fauor , being the greatest happines that euer can befal mortal creatures . 5. Begging an increase of our assurance . Giue vs hearts ( most gratious Father ) to seek daily to increase this assurance , by growing in repentance for all our sins and faith in thy sweet promises ; frame vs euery day more & more to the image of thy Sonne , By more conformitie to Christ in knowledge . Watch. pag. 88 lin. 6. in all knowledge of thy heauenvly Maiesty ; And al child-like affections . being affectioned to reuerence , loue and obey thee as our most deare Father , wholly changed in all the parts & qualities both of our soules and bodies ; that we may be no longer strangers from thee , as all the wicked are , who bidde thee to depart from them ; but may take our chiefest delight to be euer in thy presence , Delighting in the presence of our Father . to heare thee to speak to vs in thy heauenvly word , & to vtter all our wants and our whole heart to thee in our praiers , crying , Oh Father .

Our ] And that it may be more euident , 6. And an increase of our loue to al Gods children : not only to our selues , but to all the world , that wee are thine own children indeed , giue vs hearts to loue all thy children , being our brethren and sisters , aboue all other for thy sake alone : and euery one so much the more , as they more liuely carry thy image in all holines excelling in vertue , Chiefely as they more excell in vertue : and so are more deare vnto thy heauenly Maiestie ; that we may euery day in all our prayers remember them as our selues , begging alike for them all , saying , By praying for them as for our selues , and delighting in their companies . Our Father : And that wee may delight in their companies onely , as those with whom we shall conuerse together for euer in the heauens . Knit all our hearts in this firme bond of brotherly loue , Begging most instantly our heauenly vnion to bee shewed in al duties : that we may tenderly exhort , releeue , helpe , comfort & support the weakenesses one of another , seeking by all meanes the edifying of others , afraid of giuing the least offence to grieue , and much more to hinder the saluation or turne any one out of the way of life . Confirmed by all bonds of agreement : Let this happie brotherhood and holy agreement in all the substance of thy truth , which is able vndoubtedlie to saue our soules , together with our ioynt profession to walke hand in hand , in all the narrow way of life , haue more power firmely to vnite vs , then all the trash , pompe or pleasure of the world , with all the cunning of Satan or Antichrist can haue to diuide vs .

Are wee not all that so walke , And common interest . thine owne children , hauing thy Son our Sauiour , thy Spirit our conforter and earnest for our ioint inheritance and glorie ; notwithstanding all our infirmitie and imperfections , with some lesse diuersities in iudgement , which must accompanie vs vntill we bee perfect in the heauens ?

Confound therefore all the deuices of thine enemies , And all contrarie deuices of our enemies confounded . that worke this euill among thine owne children , to so great dishonor to thy heauenly Maiestie , whereby our enemies insult ouer vs , who haue conspired thus to worke our shame , and to prouoke thee against vs , Which by our di●isio● seeke our ruine : to leaue vs into their hands to our vtter ruin , if it were possible . Deare Father , let vs neuer thinke our state to be good , vntill we carrie these hartie affections to al thy children , That we may neuer thinke our state good . studying to knit this bond of loue , being able truly thus to pray , Our father . For hereby we know that wee are translated from death vnto life , Vntill we loue the brethren . because we loue the brethren , and vntill this time we abide still in death . 1. Iohn 3. 14.

Which art in heauen 7. To grow in reuerence to our heauenly Father . And whereas thou our Father art highly exalted in the heauen of heauens , and there also hast prouided thrones for vs thy children after wee haue suffered a little ; humble vs euermore in the sense of thy greatnesse , together with our owne basenes and vnworthinesse , beeing but poore wormes crawling vpon the earth , & loaden with innumerable sinnes . And yet withall lift vp our hearts alwaies vnto the heauens , 8. And in heauenly affections : there to be conuersant with thee our heauenvly Father , minding heauenly things ▪ especially in all our prayers ; longing there to behold thee face to face : and that in the meane time while wee abide heere below , And conuersations : we may be of such heauenly conuersations , so vsing the world , as if wee vsed it not , that the world may see that wee are not of it , but pilgrims and strangers here , and thy heauenly children : To declare our selues his children . and that our selues also may hereby grow vp to a strong assurance that heauen is ours , Watch. pag. 90. lin. 9. & all the ioyes thereof reserued for vs by our Lord & Sauiour , And heauen ours , and all creatures at a league with vs for our good . and all the creatures in heauen and earth at a league with vs to do vs good , so far as shall stand with thine honor and our saluation , euer readie to helpe in time of need .

Hallowed be thy name ] And seeing thou ( oh tender Father ) hast vouchsafed vs this honour aboue the greatest part of the word , For this honour that God hath vouchsafed to vs to be his children . to bee thine ▪ owne children and heires of thy glorious kingdom , wheras thou mightest iustlie haue left vs in our sinnes with all the wicked to euerlasting shame and perdition . 1. To seeke his honor in and aboue al things . Giue vs grace ( good Father ) to testifie our loue and thankfulnesse all the dayes of our life , Watch. p. 78. lin. 17. in studying in and aboue al things which way to honor thee . 2. To haue our eies open to behold his glory , shining in all his workes , as his Creatures : Open our blinde eyes to this end , to behold the glory of thy wisedome , power , goodnes and righteousnes shining in al thy workes , euen in the basest creature in heauen or earth ; and much more in thy heauenly word ; Word : Iudgement : chiefely in all thy terrible iudgements executed vpon the enemies of thy Church therin reueiled , Mercie : with mercies towards thy children , Watch. pag. 31. lin. 17. and which thou still shewest euery day , especiallie towards our selues . Make vs ab●e to take euery occasion to consider of aright , 3. To be able to set foorth his praises belonging to him therein , and haue a holy vse of them . and set foorth the praises belonging to thee therein , and haue a holie vse of them both in word & deed , that by vs thy great name may be knowne & magnified in al the world . Aboue all , 4. Chiefely his glory manifested in our daies , for vs and against our enemies . set euer before our faces ( good Lord ) that wonderfull glory wherein thou hast been magnified in these our daies , and before our daies , in the euident declaration both of thy displeasure against vs of this sinfull nation ; and withall of thy mercy and tender care for vs , and wrath against our enemies ; how for dishonoring thee , First for vs , in ab●ndant mercies . by abusing thy Gospell which thou hast giuen vs with such peace and prosperitie , as neuer nation knowne before , thou hast not only corrected our grieuous transgressions and securitie , And then correcting vs fa●herly for abusing his mercies to his dishonor : So to bring vs to amendment : as a tender Father with thy milder rods of dearth , pestilence & sundrie the like , to bring vs to amendment , and cause vs with more cheerefulnes to embrace thy Gospell , and bring foorth the fruits of it : After threatning vs by cruell enemies , to take away all : but also raised vp against vs sundrie times , most cruell enemies , threatning not only the taking away thy Gospell , but our vtter destruction also , Bringing them to the execution : & brought the enemies to the verie execution thereof , because we would not serue thee with good hearts , according to all thy mercies bestowed vpon vs : and yet euer when we haue cried vnto thee , thou hast heard vs , Yet euer deliuering and auenging vs , when we haue cried vnto him : as thou diddest thy people Israel , and as thou diddest heare Iehosaphat against the Moabits , and Ezechiah and Esay against the proud Assyrian ; and plucking them back in the instant , hast taken vengeance for vs : that we haue oft thought that they durst neuer haue risen against vs any more : So as it had been enough to haue conuerted the most barbarous nation . so as if the most barbarous nations of the earth , had receiued but the least of our deliuerances , with our meanes , they vndoubtedly had repented long ago in sack-cloath and ashes ; as we for the present haue promised vnto thee . Oh gratious Father , 5. To pray for grace euer to remember and acknowledge this . inable vs alwaies to remember and acknowledge this , and to see moreouer that thine anger is not yet turned away , but more fearefully kindled against vs , And to see moreouer his anger kindled againe , by increase of our sins , with these bloodie enemies , and their malice . for that as our sins and prouocations are multiplied , so these our bloody enemies insteede of decreasing , or ioyning themselues vnto vs , do still increase daily ; and their malice is become much more deadly against vs thy poore children , without hope of leauing off , Without hope of leauing off ; vntill they haue their wils . vntill they haue wrought either ours , or at least their own vtter ruine , which in time they must needs effect .

Good Father cause this principal token of thy displeasure , And also witnessed by many fearefull signes : together with all other signes therof shewed from heauen and earth , Arming windes and waters against vs : ( as the arming of the dumbe creatures against vs , both winds and waters so strangely and furiously in so many places , threatning vtterly to sweepe vs Threatning to sweepe vs away : away in our deadly securitie , For our ouerflow of iniquitie , that we may be awaked , and seeke to appease his wrath in in time . for the great ouerflow of all iniquitie euerie where ) cause this to work so mightilie , that we may all bee presently awaked out of our deepest securitie , and seek by al meanes to appease thy wrath . Oh Lord , diddest thou not before that most secret , That remembring our former warnings from heauen , and what followed the fierie tent spred ouer our heads . bloodie and fierie conspiracie , warne vs all from heauen , ( as thou diddest Ierusalem before her last destruction ) by a fierie tent directly ouer our heads , inclosing vs all , with pillers of most horrible darknes , pillers of fire , and pillers of blood , foreshewing vs ( as by that which followed wee may iustlie deeme ) that bloody darknesse and fiery destruction that was towards vs ? Did not the hearts of many of vs tremble in the beholding thereof , and in fearing some grieuous iudgment that was to come , causing vs to flie to thee , to seeke to hide our selues vnder thy wings ? And did wee feare without iust cause ? Had it not been effected indeed , and we all , chiefely our dread Soueraigne with all our heads and rulers , inclosed in the most darke , fiery & bloodie tent , that euer the world heard of ; in that most vnnatural and accursed massacre , if thou our gracious and most tender Father haddest not heard the prayers of thy poore children , which both before and at that very instant were humbled before thee , and so thought on vs in mercy ? And shall we now be senselesse still in these signes , & tokens still entring in vpon vs , as fearefully as euer any of the ten plagues vpon the Egyptians , Wee may not be senselesse in these tokens of his wrath , seazing vpon vs as fearefully as any of the piagues of Egypt . making the whole land to tremble , at the very report of them ? Saue and deliuer vs from that iudgement , Chiefely to be saued from that heauiest iudgement : of all other the heauiest that euer fall vpon the heart of man : and whereby not onely the Egytians were prepared for their finall ouerthrow in the sea , but also thine owne people Israel , both before the great captiuitie , Whereby both Egypt and Israel were prepared for ●estruction . and also before the last and vtter desolation of that nation , so oft threatned by our Sauiour : ( that by hearing we should heare , That we should be worse for all the meanes sent to call vs to repentance , vntill the iudgement come , that we may s●e our estate and turne : & not vnderstand , and seeing we should see , & not perceiue ; but haue our hearts made more fat and senselesse ( by all the meanes sent to call vs to repentance ) lest wee should be conuerted , and thou shouldest spare vs . Oh open our eies that we may see in what state we stand , and how farre this iudgement hath seased vpon vs already . Conuert vs & we shall be conuerted ; and neuer let vs , ( as those whom thou hast vtterly destroyed ) harden our selues against the euident tokens of thy wrath , And not harden our selues against the Lord . denying or making light of them , much lesse to oppose our selues against thee , thy word , and seruants . Preserue vs from the outragious ouerflowings of the multitude , which thou mayest iustly arme against vs in their ignorance , like the furious waues of the raging seas , for lack of our care & conscience to see them taught , to knowe thee and thine ordinances , and to feare thy great and mighty name . Let not the flouds of iniquity swallow vs vp . Aboue all , That wee may neuer fall into the bloody enemies hands : neuer leaue vs in their hands whose very mercies are cruelties , that they should blaspheme thy great name , to say where is now their God ; but let vs still fall into thy hands , But still into the Lords . and deale with vs as it pleaseth thee , for with thee is mercy , and when thou smitest vs , yet thou pitiest vs , Because hee pitieth vs when hee smiteth vs . euer in wrath remembring mercie . Though our prouocations be more hainous , then we are able to expresse , yet Lord heare the crie of thy seruants , and let them stil preuaile 6. To pray instantly that the crie of his seruants may preuaile : with thee to stay thy hand . Hast thou not sayd it , and manie a time made it good , euen vnto this very day , As hitherto according to his promise : Sith he cals vs now to stand in the breach , as Moses to stay his hand : to declare the riches of his mercie : sauing vs still at the prayers of a few . that the innocent should deliuer the Iland ? & doest thou not call for vs thy poore seruants , to stand vp with Moses in the breach to stay thy fierce wrath , because thou art a God of mercie , and wouldest not destroy thy people ? most declaring the riches of thy grace , in pardoning and sauing whole nations at the praiers of a few of thy poore seruants , and giuing the wicked for their ransome ? Therfore ( oh good Lord ) we whom thou doest call to be thy remembrancers ( knowing that thou art still the same good God to thine , as thou wast to Moses , Abraham , And seeing he is still the same to vs , as to Moses and Abraham : and Samuel ; and being assured that through thy Son we are as deare vnto thee , as the apple of thine owne eie , that thou canst denie vs nothing And we so deare to him that he can deny vs nothing : which we beg in his name , which may make for thine owne glorie and good Which may make for his glorie , and our good : of thy people ) do humbly intreate thee to glorifie thy mercy , that it may shine to all the world , To intreate him to magnify his mercie in pardoning and turning our hearts to meete him : in pardoning the sinne of our Land , turning the harts of all sorts speedily vnto thee , to meete thee with an intreatie of peace : but make all the vnplacable enemies of thy Church to feele thy hand ; But to make his enemies to feele his hand , who haue bin the causes of our sinne by their wiles : and those chiefly who haue as Balaam and the Midianites , caused vs with their wiles to prouoke thee to so fierce a wrath , wherein we haue bin so oft and so lately almost vtterly consumed , through our backslidings and rebellions against thee . Get thy selfe glory vpon them as vpon Pharo , To get himselfe glory vpon them , as vpon Pharaoh . in the heart of the sea , that when thou hast deliuered vs , & ouerthrowne them ( as sundry times thou hast begunne , As he hath begunne & promised to accomplish to his euerlasting praise . and promised to accomplish ) we may sing the song of Moses thy seruant : and all ages keepe a remembrance of thine endlesse mercy .

Let euery one of vs be afraide of defacing or obscuring any part of thy glory , 7. That we may be afraid of obscuring his glory : and much more of seeking vainly our owne glory , Seeking our owne glory , or taking his honour to our selues . especially of robbing thy Maiestie , by taking any part of thine honour to our selues as Herod ; being proud of thy gifts , whereunto our sinfull natures are strongly inclined . But aboue all , keepe vs from dishonoring thee by our euil example , 8. That we may not dishonour him by our sins : amongst the wicked and vngodly , to cause them to blaspheme that glorious truth which we professe . Make vs to account it our greatest honour to honor thee , But account it our greatest honour to honour him ; and contrarily . and the greatest dishonour and euill that euer can befall vs , so much as in shewe to dishonour thee . Strengthen vs to walke so vprightly , 9. To honour him by our holy ensample . that others seeing our good workes , may glorifie thee our heauenly father ; and that we may stop the mouthes of all the wicked , To stop the mouthes of the wicked . bearing their reproch as a crowne vpon our heads .

So inflame our harts with a zeale of thy glory , that our righteous soules may be vexed from day to day , for all the abominations , 10. To haue the zeale of Lot against the abominations of our age . whereby thou art dishonored by Atheists , Papists , and all sorts of godlesse men . 11. With a bold acknowledgement of the Lord , and euery part of his truth : And let vs be so farre off from dishonoring thee , by being ashamed with Peter of thee and thy religion , or any part thereof , where we ought to professe it , that in all places we may shewe it forth , with all wisdome and boldnesse , as that which is our chiefest glory , As being our glory : gracing it with a holy conuersation : that our Lord & Sauiour may acknowledge vs before thee our heauenly father , That wee may be acknowledged of him before all the world : to our owne euerlasting honor : in the presence of thy glorious Angels , and of the whole world , to be thine owne children , and heires of thy Kingdome ; when he will most iustly deny all the fearefull and vnbeleuers , as those whom he neuer knew , to their endlesse horror and confusion .

Thy kingdome come . ]

And whereas thou ( oh Father ) art chiefely glorified when thy kingdome commeth , Seeing Gods glorie is in the inlarging his kingdome , and doing his will . and thy will is done ; that is , in the increase of thine owne Church & people , which obey thy word , amongst whom alone thou raignest as Lord and King , & especially when thou doest inlarge thy dominions against al the subtlety and power of hell , causing thy religion and people to prosper & increase : 1. To pray for a free course to the Gospell , which is the scepter of his kingdome , and that it may be powerfull euery where . Good father giue thy Gospell ( which is the scepter of thy kingdome ) whereby thou conquerest and rulest , a free course to be sincerely preached in all the world , all impediments being vtterly remoued ; and make it so powerfull in all places that it may vtterly throw downe the kingdome of Satan , and Antichrist ; conuerting & speedily gathering all thine elect vnto thee , that so thou maiest hasten thy kingdome of glory .

And to this end , wheras thou hast ordained Kings and Queenes , to be nursing fathers and mothers to thy poore 2. For Kings and Queens , to be nursing fathers and mothers to the Church : Church , to nourish vs thy children with the word of life , and to preserue vs from the rage of that bloody Antichrist , Chiefely to preserue is against the rage of all cruell enemies , and to account this their chiefest dignitie . and of all other cruell enemies ; oh almighty and deare Father , raise vp such for vs in all the countries of the world , and those which are such already make them ten times more , that they may account this their greatest dignity , to haue the bringing vp of thine own children & heires of thy kingdom , committed to their care & faithfulnes .

More specially as thou hast setled this thy kingdome among vs , of this nation in much peace and prosperity , vnder our late tender nursing mother , 3. Especially to pray for our soueraigne , raised vp for vs , in place of our tender mother . deliuering vs from the tyranny of that bloodthirsty whore of Babylon , and continued the same still most miraculously , and beyond all former expectation vnder our gracious Soueraigne , whom thou hast raised vp for a foster father in her place ; so we beseech thee to inlarge the hart of thine anoynted seruant , That hee may haue an abundant portion of Gods Spirit : with such an abundant portion of thy Spirit , both of wisdome and zeale for thy glory & kingdome , and tender affections towards thy children , According to his high dignitie and charge : according to that high dignity layd vpon him ; and the charge committed vnto him , that in token of true thankfulnes for all his dominions and great honour , and much more for the admirable deliuerances giuen vnto him and his , ( and aboue all that thou hast made him twice , cheifely so wonderfully in our eies , thy principal instrument , And the deliuerances of the Church by him , he may set himselfe to aduance Christs kingdome and Gospell : Watch. pag. 43. lin. 2. in sauing vs thy poore Church ) he may set himselfe much more earnestly then euer did Cyrus , or Darius , euen worthy Iehosaphat , and Ezekiah , to aduance thy glory , in inlarging and furthering this kingdome of thy Sonne , and in promoting thy pure religion with all his power , destroying whatsoeuer is against it , and discountenancing all vngodinesse ; and to procure each way both by godly lawes , Procure the good of Gods seruants , repressing the wicked : and all other holy meanes , the good of vs thy poore people committed vnto his trust , repressing all the wicked ; that we may liue a quiet life in all godlinesse and honesty , That we may liue in al peace and godlinesse without feare , affected towards him as the good people were towards Dauid : fearing none but onely thy heauenly Maiestie : that all we thy children being affected towards him , thine anoynted , more and more , as towards our happy nursing father vnder thee , and as all the good people were towards thy seruant Dauid , may euermore accordingly sound forth thy praises for him , Sound forth his praises : and cry continually vnto thee , for the preseruation of his Maiestie , And pray for him and his , to raigne for euermore . with our noble Queene , and all their royall progenie , that the throne of his kingdome may be establihed vntill Christ , the King of Kings shall come : then to resigne vp the scepter into his hands , and to be taken vp into his throne to raigne with thee for euermore .

4. For our Magistrates to haue the same harts . Good Lord giue all our Magistrats and Rulers vnder him the same heart , that they may be as the hands of thine anoynted in euery place , for the accomplishment of this worke .

And withall as thou hast appointed to build vp thy kingdome , 5. For our Ministers to tread in the steps of the holy Apostles . Watch. p. 45. l. 11. 12. chiefely by the sincere preaching of thy sacred Gospell , whereby thou didst first spread it so speedily , subduing all the world by the Ministrie of thy holy Apostles ; so we pray thee send forth such faithfull Preachers , into euery congregation , which being furnished with gifts , Seeking to saue euery soule . and tenderly affected with the care of euery soule , committed vnto their charge , may not cease with Paul , By word , to admonish euery one both publickly and priuately , day & night with teares ; going before them in all holy conuersation , And conuersation . and framing themselues to all , to win all ; afraid of giuing the least offence , either to harden , or any way to hinder the saluation of any one of them . To awaken all our vnconscionable Ministers : Awaken at length ( oh Lord ) all our blind guids , and all sorts of vnconscionable Ministers , who are drunke with the blood of soules , that they may but remember , They may remember the crie of Abels blood : how the blood of one Abel did crie for vengance from the earth , and thinke where they wil appeare , And Christ appearing . when Christ shall come to take an account for euery soule : and either giue them repentance for that bloody sinne , And either to repent & become profitable , or the people may be committed to such , as by whom Christ may raigne , and they saued : that they may saue themselues , and those committed to them ; or else vtterly free thy people from this heauie iudgement , and set such in their places , by whose faithfull Ministrie thy people may bee brought euery where , into a holy obedience to thy heauenly Gospell , to their euerlasting saluation ; that thou alone mayest raigne as Lorde and King , Antichrist cast forth : and whatsoeuer belongeth to him , or whereby he hath deceiued the people of the Lord : and Antichrist cast out vtterly , with all that appertaines to his bloody religion , and whereby he hath vpholden his throne and tyrannie , & kept any of thy people vnder his flauery , or at least seekes to bewitch them , to pull them into Babylon againe . Good Lord destroy all the very prints of that cursed Idolatrie , And the very prints of his Idolatire vtterly destroyed . & whatsoeuer may put his fauorits in hope of euer repayring the ruines of their Babel .

And seeing ( oh Lord ) that this is the glory & safetie of thy Kingdome , 6. To pray for a holy vnitie in the Church , chiefely amongst the leaders : And to take away all causes of contention , confounding all Balaams deuices . when all the subiects of it , especially the leaders of thy people , liue in a holy vnitie vnder thy laws : take away we beseech thee , all contentions from amongst vs , with the causes therof . Confound we pray thee , all the plots of that cursed Balaam of Rome ; who knowing that not thine owne kingdome , if it be diuided , can stand , seekes day and night by all his agents , to rend thy Church in peeces , the easier to preuaile against it when it is diuided , Who seekes by our diuisions , to preuaile against vs . and thou departed from it : as Satan hath euer preuailed by his instruments in all countries . Grant we may buy this peace with godly Abraham , with the losse of all things , And that we may buy this peace with the losse of all . except thy fauour ; that all sorts seeing our holy agreement may come forth of Poperie , That all sorts may ioyne themselues vnto vs . & profanenes vnto vs ; & our brethren departed , may turne into the bosome of thy Church againe . 7. That euery one of vs may haue a care to saue others . Wat. p. 57. l. 14. 15. And wheras thou hast appointed that euery one of vs should labour to build vp thy Kingdome , by bringing others thereunto , that they may be saued ; giue vs harts to haue a speciall regard , Especially all committed to our charge : not only of all those committed to our charge , to bring them in obedience to the lawes of thy Kingdome , With all knit vnto vs by any special bond : but euen all who are tyed vnto vs by any speciall bond , that we may take euery first occasion which thou offerest for procuring , Taking all occasions to saue them by al means , being as the Angels for Lot . or furthering their saluation , and so gayning them vnto thee , by all good admonitions , exhortations and examples . Let vs be as the Angels vnto Lot , neuer resting before we haue gotten them safe into Zoar. 8. That we may haue a feeling of the happines of this kingdome . And that we may be able to perswade others more effectually , Lord giue euery one of vs a sweete feeling , what a blessed thing it is to bee the subiects of this thy Kingdome ; Watch. p. 11. lin. 2. p. 114. 115. to haue all the priuiledges thereof , and to be partakers of thy glory , And of the reward of holines : euen Kings , and Priests vnto thee ; and what reward and happines , there is in liuing such a holy conuersation ; and how wretched & vnhappie , And how wretched the state of all other is . Watch. p. 56. 7. 8. 9. the state of all other people is , seeme they neuer so happy in this world , being but bondslaues of Sathan , reserued for the chaines of eternall darknesse . 9. That we may liue as the subiects of this kingdome : Oh heauenly King , grant vs to liue in all things , as the subiects of thy Kingdome , that so we may passe from this Kingdome of grace , into that thy Kingdome of glory . Fearing the causes of backsliding . Watch. pag. 122. lin. 8. Make vs to feare the causes of backsliding , that we may neuer so much as looke backe with Lots wife , towards this euill world ; but euer hie fast towards thine heauenly Kingdome , hauing our eie at our Lord and Sauiour , Hying fast towards heauen , looking at our Sauiour . who fitteth at thy right hand , keeping there possession for vs . Destroy in vs euery corruption , whereby Satan keepes vs any way in his slauerie , 10. To destroy all our corruption . or at any time gets the dominion ouer vs . Hasten that glorious day , 11. To hasten the day of the appearing of our glorie and triumph . when the difference shall appeare betwene vs thy subiects , and those who serue thee not ; when we shall wholly raigne in glory with thee , free from al our enemies , and from euer offending thee any more . And because in the meane time , 12. And in the meane time seeing we liue by faith . we thy subiects liue by faith , and not by sight in this world , where all things vsually seeme to go out of order ; the wicked florishing in their vngodlinesse , when wee oft weepe and mourne : To increase our faith : Oh Lord increase our faith , in all thy gracious promises , that through the comfort and power of godlinesse wrought in vs thereby , we may grow vp to such a ful assurance , That we growing to ful assurance , may ouercome the world . Wat. 116. lin. 20. 117. lin. 7. that we are the true heires of thy kingdome , that we may easily ouercome al the hindrances of the world , and hauing the patience of Saints , we may be faithfull to the death , vntill thou set the crowne vpon our heads . And remaine faithfull to the death . Fill our harts with such peace of conscience , and ioy in thee , 13. To be filled with peace , ioy and righteousnesse : That al may see of what kingdome we are : with all the fruits of righteousnesse , incoraged by thy sweete promises , that all others may see to what Kingdome we belong , and we our selues may feele daily , the beginning of it in our selues , And we feele the beginning of it in our selues , so entring into our ioy . so entring into thy heauenly ioy .

Thy wil be done in earth , as it is in heauen . And that our childlike affections towards thy heauenly Maiestie , 1. To pray that wee may declare our childlike effections , zeale and thankfulnes , ●y doing his heauenly will : our zeale for thy glory , and thankfulnes for thy Kingdome , may bee more manifest to all the world ; quicken vs to doe thy heauenly will , & commandements , chiefely those with which thou hast fully acquainted vs , As cheerefully as the Angels . how thou wilt haue vs to walke , and keepe thy watch ; 2. That hee will accept our will for the deed . and that with as much readinesse as thy Angels in heauen : 3. That we may delight to stand in his presence , to inquire his will by all meanes : and wherein we are too short accept ( good Father ) our will for the deede . Let it be our delight to stand euer in thy presence , to inquire thy diuine pleasure , both by reading and hearing thy heauenly word , and asking of others ; and euer so soone as thou hast by any meanes made knowne vnto vs , what thy good wil is , Hauing Dauids Eccho , I am heere Lord : giue vs forthwith Dauids Eccho , that without consulting with flesh and blood we may say forthwith , I am heere Lord , to doe thy will , yea thy law is within my hart : that so all our seruice may be freewill offrings vnto thee . That all our seruice may be freewill offerings . And whereas it is thy decree , that thorowe many troubles wee must enter into thy heauenly Kingdome ; 4. To prepare for troubles , and humble our selues vnder them , as his obedient children ▪ Making right vse of them : ( good Father ) frame our corrupt wils vnto thy heauenly will , & giue vs grace both to look for them , & euer to humble our selues vnder thy hand as thy obedient children , seeking alwaies to pacifie thee , searching immediately , and amending whatsoeuer is amiste , Without whispering : without once whispering against thy diuine Maiestie : Assured that God doth all of loue for our good , and will giue a happy issue . being assured that thou still louest vs , euen when thou correctest vs most sharply , and art working our good ; & wilt in thy due time giue a happy end to all our troubles , and cause thy louing countenance to shine on vs againe . 5. To take vp our crosses , not suffering as euill doers , but onely for righteousnesse : And if it shall be thy good pleasure to call vs to suffer for thy name , keepe vs that we may not suffer as euill doers , or busie bodies for medling in things without our calling , so to bring crosses on our selus , but as thine owne children for righteousnesse ; and then make vs to take vp our crosses , With ioy and thankfulnesse . with al ioyfulnesse and thankfulnesse , that thou accountest vs worthy that honor , looking stedfastly at the great reward holden forth vnto vs , in the hand of our Lord & sauior , Looking at our Sauiour . who hauing troden that way before vs , is there highly exalted to raigne for euer . 6. That we may neuer do any thing against his reuealed wil , to obtaine neuer so great a good , which we imagine . But keepe vs that we neuer goe against thy reuealed will , whereby thou hast conuinced our consciences , vnder pretence either to honour thee , or doe any seruice vnto thy Church , or for neuer so great a good : seeing thou canst and wilt maintaine thine owne honour , & saue thy Church , effecting whatsoeuer is best without our sinne . That we may euer truly pray , Thy will be done in earth , as it is in heauen .

Giue vs this day our daily bread . ] And then ( oh deare Father , when thou hast giuen vs such harts thus to seeke thy will ; To the end that all may see the Lords tender care for vs , and that we may attend the doing of his will . that the world may see the tender care that thou hast for vs , and how thou dost fulfill vnto vs all thy promises , and that we likewise may wholy attend the seeking of thy glory , 1. To pray for the comforts of this life . in the inlargement of thy Kingdome , Watch. pag. 51. lin. 6. and doing thy will ; vouchsafe vs gratiouslie all things meete for the comfort of this present life : 2. That hee would shew his f●therly prouidence for necessaries , and to direct vs to the means to serue his prouidence . Watch. pag. 65. lin. 15. Shew vs thy fatherly loue , prouiding sufficiently for all our necessities in thy due time : Direct vs to vse all the holy means , which thou hast appointed to serue thy diuine prouidence , both painfulnesse , thrift and godly wisdome , Chiefely in our particular calling , auoiding the contrarie . chiefely in our particular calling ; auoyding as warily whatsoeuer may any way indanger vs , make our liues vncomfortable , or hurt our estate . 3. To commit ourselues wholly to his protection , depending on him without feare . Grant vs grace also euermore , in all humility to commit our selues vnto thy Fatherly protection , not fearing what man can do vnto vs ; remembring that our times are in thy hands , to continue so long as it pleaseth thee ; & that likwise vnlesse thou who hast giuen vs our liues do preserue them , 4. To know our owne frailtie , wee cannot continue one moment . And vnabilitie to get a crumme of bread , or to see or vse the meanes . Make vs to know that of our selues wee haue no power to get one morsell of bread , vnlesse thou both shew vs the meanes , and after inable vs to vse the same , and giue a blessing to them . To be humbled in the sense of our vnworthines of bread : Humble vs in the sense of our vilenesse , that wee are so farre off from deseruing eternal life , that we are not worthy of the least crumme of bread , which thou hast taught vs to beg daily : and grant vs grace to knowe , that when we haue it , wee are but theeues and vsurpers of it , And that we are vsurpers of it ▪ & of all other things , and of whatsoeuer else we possesse , & to make a dreadful account for it , vnlesse thou giue it vs in Iesus Christ ; Vntill they be giuen vs in Christ , hauing lost al in Adam . because we hauing lost al through Adams transgression , can haue no right vnto it againe , vntill it be restored vnto vs , 5. To get more assurance of our title in Christ . in our Lord and Sauiour . Vouchsafe therefore to increase our assurance that thou hast giuen vs thy Sonne who is Lord of all , that in him we may be certaine , that we haue a true title to whatsoeuer we inioy . 6. For power to the creature to nourish vs . Giue withall both power and strength , to thy good creatures , to norish and comfort vs .

Bread . ] Bestow vpon vs 7. For contentation with our estate . contented harts , with the estate wherein thou settest vs , Watch. p. 66 lin. 12. And to see the Lords prouidence in bread alone . though we haue but bread ; & grace to see , and acknowledge thy wise and tender prouidence , aswell in want as plē●y , being vndoubtedly assured that thou canst , & wilt make bread alone to satisfie vs abundantly , when other meanes faile .

This day . ] And when we haue but for the day , nor any meanes . And if thou shalt euer bring vs into that strait , that we shall haue no more but for the present day , nor any means of succor in the world ; To be able to cast our selues wholly on the Lord without fainting . Watch. p. 21. lin. 7. them strengthen vs to giue thee glory , by casting our selus wholy vpon thee , without impatience or fainting ; that we may be able euen then , to shewe our confidence in thee , & how we liue not by bread onely , but by euery word proceeding out of thy mouth . Certifie our consciences aforehand , 8. To pray for assurance that the Lord will neuer let vs want that is good : that howsoeuer wicked men , be they neuer so rich , may starue with hunger before they die , yet thou wilt neuer let vs thine owne obedient children , and heires of thy Kingdome , to want any thing that shall be good for vs ; but that thou wilt rather worke extraordinarily , But worke extraordinarily : when ordinarie meanes faile , causing our enemies to feede vs , When ordinary meanes faile . if our bretheren forget vs , the very foules to bring vs bread , and the heauens to poure vs downe a blessing . 9. To be afraid of dishonoring the Lord , by carcking cares aforehand , or impatience in trials . And therefore ( good Father ) let vs alwaies bee reuerently afraid of dishonoring , or grieuing thee by carcking cares aforehand , for prouision for vs or ours : and much more of murmuring , or impatience in any such trials , whereunto our sinfull natures are extreamly inclined . 10. When we vsed only the means to referre the blessing to the Lord . Make vs able to sanctifie thy great name , in vsing onely the meanes for thy protection and prouidence , referring the worke & whole successe vnto thy heauenly Maiestie alone , being certaine that thou wilt doe that , that shall be best , and that thou canst not faile vs nor forsake vs . 11. To haue a holy vse of all Gods gifts to our saluation : And when thou doest bestowe thy gifts vpon vs , giue vs a holy vse of them ; that both they may further our saluation ; and that wee may see thy goodnes in them ; and neuer abuse them to satisfie our sinfull desires ; Neuer abusing them : or puffe vp our proud harts ; or make them our gods , putting our confidence or felicitie in them ; But imploying them to the ends appointed , as first and chiefely , to maintaine Gods religion , and relieue his seruants : but that wee may imploy them to the maintenance of thy religion , with all the holy ends which thou hast ordained them for : and especially for the reliefe & comfort of our poore brethren , for whom thou hast taught vs to pray daily as for our selues ; and to whom thou hast giuen an interest in the vse of our goods . Esay 58. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. &c. Giue vs bowels of compassion towards the poore and needy , that we may take off euery heauie burden , relieue the oppressed , deale our breade to the hungry soules , that their backes and bellies may blesse vs , and that thou mayest remember vs in the day of our aduersitie , and we lay vp a sure foundation against the time to come : that therin also we may shewe forth our homage to thy diuine Maiestie , So to shew our homage to God : that we hold all of thy goodnesse ; and declare the loue we beare to thy children for thy sake , and chiefely to them that most excell in thy graces , and so the true practise of the Communion of Saints , And the communion of Saints : wayting for the ioyfull sentence . waiting for that ioyfull sentence , Come yee blessed of my Father , receiue the Kingdome prepared for you , for when I was hungry , you gaue me meate .

Forgiue vs our trespasses . ]

And wheras our sinnes onely do hinder our assurance , And seeing our sinnes onely do hinder all these things which we haue begged : that we are thy children , and cause vs that we can neither behold thy glory , nor feele the power and happinesse of thy Kingdome ; neither yet haue that full securitie for thy fatherly prouidence , and protection from all euill , which otherwise we should find , and do moreouer bring all contrary euils vpon vs , and therefore thou hast taught vs to cry euery day , 1. To pray for pardon of all our sinnes : forgiue vs our trespasses : Pardon ( good Lord ) and remoue all our sinnes , that keepe away these good things from vs . And that we may cry more earnestly for forgiuenesse , neuer giuing thee rest , vntill wee haue attained it ; Because heerein alone stands all true happinesse . teach vs that heerein alone stands all true peace and blessednes , when we haue this full assurance sealed in our harts , that our sinnes are pardoned ; and that all they whose sinnes are not remitted , are most accursed and vnhappy . 2. To this end to see the haynousnes of sinne : And to this end shewe vs ( good Father ) first the hainousnesse of sinne , by making vs to consider aright thy wrath , declared against it from heauen , In the fearefull punishment of the Angels : in the fearefull punishment of thy most excellent creatures the Angels , whom for that one sinne , euen because they were not content with their estate , thou hast cast down into hel , to be reserued in chaines of darknes , vnto the iudgement of the great day ; then to be damned to endlesse torments : & afterwards in our first parents , Our first parents : cast from their happy estate , for eating the forbidden fruit , & for whose sin alone , all the curses of this life & that to come , fel not only vpon themselues but also all their posterity , euen all of vs , being wrapped vnder the same condemnation , vntill we be deliuered by Iesus Christ . Open our eies to see this thy wrath against sinne yet more fully , not only vpon the wicked in the generall destruction of the old world , and in turning the filthy Cities of Sodome & The old world . Gomorrah into ashes , to remaine as eternal monuments to all posteritie ; Sodome . & in preparing the lake burning with fire and brimstone , for an euerlasting punishment to all vnbeleeuers , Hell prepared for the wicked : and impenitent persons ; but euen against the sinnes of thine owne dearest children , And in the punishment of Gods dearest seruants : As Moses : as in the heauy punishment vpon thine own faithful seruant Moses , for so smal a sin in our account ( as not honoring thee before the people , in beleeuing and auouching thy power and truth ) that thou didst cut him off for entring into Canaan , which of al earthly things he must needes most desire , being the land of promise , the type of heauen , and also after that he had led the people , fortie yeares towards it . And besides the punishment of Dauid , And Dauid . and his house for that one sinne , that thy hand did so pursue him and his , all his life long ; & so thy sharpe corrections , laid vpon all other thy dearest seruants , registred in thy booke ; Lord teach vs yet more rightly to conceaue the vilenesse of sin by this one thing chiefely , And chiefely that vpon our Sauiour himselfe . that the least sinne of thine elect , could neuer haue bin ransommed , but by the vnspeakeable torments of thine owne beloued Sonne , the Lord of glory , taking our nature to become a sacrifice to appease thy wrath , and to satisfie thy Iustice : & how thou didst poure out vpon him , the full viols of thy wrath , to cause him to sweate drops of blood , & to cry out ; my God my God , why hast thou forsaken me . Giue vs thy children some true sense heereof , 3. To haue some sense of the innumerable euils , which each sinne brings p. 5. l. 22 23. p. 6. 7. and withal this grace to keepe a continuall remembrance of the innumerable euils , which euery sinne brings euen vpon vs , thine owne children in our soules or bodies , Vpon Gods owne children : goods , name or friends , vnlesse wee preuent them by speedy and vnfained repentance ; Vnlesse they be preuented , especially depriuings vs of Gods protection and prouidence , and al power in prayer . especially how thereby we are left wholly destitute of thy protection & prouidence , and depriued of all comfort and power in prayer , so long as we remaine therein ; and also of many extraordinary experiments of thy bounty , which otherwise wee should find . Make vs able in some sort to comprehend the greatnesse of sin , 4. To bee able to comprehend in some sort the greatnes of our sin , how it is increased by circumstances , being ●om●mitted ●gainst the infinit God : our high calling : by the infinitnesse of thy glorious Maiestie , against whom each sinne is committed : & how our sinnes are increased heereby also , that they are committed against our high calling to be Christians , and heires of thy Kingdome : with such abundant mercies , both ordinarie and extraordinarie ; All mercies : and so many and strong meanes to restraine vs ; Meanes : besides sundry vowes and couenants renewed , Vowes : and that after mercy obtained , and pardon formerly sealed , After pardon obtained . vpon our promise of amendment . Open our blind eies to haue some sight also of the multitude of our sinnes , 5. To haue some sight of the multitude of our sinnes . how they are more in number , then the starres of heauen , seeing they are euery breach of thy diuine will , Being euerie breach of Gods Commandement , in thought : reuealed vnto vs in thy law and Gospell , and that not only in thought , word or deede , Or in omitting the very least dutie : but euen in omitting of any part thereof , or doing it without all our hart , and all our strength ; Besides Adams sin . besides the sinne of our first parents , whereby we are all the children of wrath , and vnder thy curse ; and also besides the corruption of our sinfull natures receiued from The corruption of our nature : thence ; whereupon wee are so wholy inclined vnto euill , that all the thoughts of our harts , Being wholly carried to euill : are onely euill continually ; so as we cannot of our selues so much as thinke , much lesse will any thing but that which is sinfull ; and hence also the hardnesse of our harts , And the hardnes of our hearts . that we are so little moued , either at the hearing of so many iudgements , or the inioying of so many mercies , to make any right vse of them . 6. For a continuall feeling of ourdaily fraulties : Vouchsafe vs such a liuely , and continuall sense heereof , together with a feeling of our daily slips , wants , frailties , infirmities , imperfections & noisome lustes , issuing from this filthy puddle of originall corruption in vs , that we may bee wearie of this body of sinne , Trauelling vnder them , Desiring to be deliuered . groning vnder the bondage of this our corruption , & sighing to bee deliuered from it . 7. That we may see our most grieuous sinnes , both before our calling and since . Shewe vs also our most grieuous sinnes , not onely of our youth and ignorance , but those much more which we haue committed , since thou hast called vs by thy grace vnto so high a dignitie , & conuinced our consciences ; chiefely our open and scandalous sinnes , Chiefely our scandalous sinnes . whereby wee haue most dishonored thee , causing thy Gospell to bee euill spoken of ; grieued thy children , or any way hindred the saluation of others ; that by all these we may see what debters we are , 8. That by all these wee may see what debters wee are : & how vnable to pay the least part , but to lie in hell for euermore ; that we may crie continually with Dauid , And may be driuen to cry for forgiuenes , and to runne to the fountaine of Chrisis blood . Lord forgiue vs our sinnes , and blot out all our offences ; wash vs thorowly , purge and clense vs ; thus running euery moment , to the fountaine of thy Sons blood , which is open to all the house of Israel , for all sinnes & vncleannesse . And yet that we may find comfort in the al-sufficiencie thereof . And yet withal that we may not be vtterly ouerwhelmed , by the vgly view of the multitud or lothsomenesse of our sinnes , as though they could not bee pardoned , nor we purged from them ; comfort vs in this that thy Sonnes blood is of infinite merit , and all sufficient to wash vs from all our sinnes ( though they were the most haynous sinnes , that euer were committed ; yea although we had all the sinnes of the world vpon vs ) so long as in a true feeling of them , we can desire to be washed therein . 9. To the end that we may not bee deceiued in the forgiunes of our sinnes . But because wee are all very ready to deceiue our selues , imagining that we are washen , when we remaine still in our filthines ; seeing thou neither callest , nor admitst of any to this fountaine , but them that come in true repentance for all their sinnes , To pray for true repentance and faith , which are the vnseparable companions of forgiuenes . fully purposing amendment ; and in a liuely faith in thy sweete promises , desiring to grow therein ; Oh grant vs grace , truely to see our particular sinnes , and the vilenesse of them , and make vs able in the sight of them , and the sense of our estate and danger by them , to mourne bitterly for them , looking at thy Sonne , whom wee haue pierced thereby ; and so to hate and abhorre them , that being once purged in this Lauer , we may bee euer afraid of defiling our selues againe , or of sinning against that pretious blood . And to trie them both by the word , to be sincere . Wat. pag. 2. lin. 8. Helpe vs to trie both our repentance and faith , by the holy rule which thou hast giuen vs in thy law and Gospell , that we may know them to be such , as will abide the triall , and not hypocriticall ; and which also haue bin first wrought in vs , And such as haue been wrought in vs , by the Gospell , and do increase and grow . by the powerfull preaching of thy Gospell , and doe continually increase and grow : which are the infallible euidences , that they are sound and sincere . 10. That wee may continually examine & iudge our selues . Giue vs harts to be daily examining , and iudging our selues that we may escape thy iudgement . We intreate thee also againe for our sinfull Realmes , 11. To pray againe for pardon of the sins of our land . to pardon all the fearefull prouocations thereof , and to be pacified at the instant prayers of thy faithfull seruants , As the instant prayers of Gods seruants by the blood of Christ . crying vnto thee in all places by the blood of thy Sonne , which speakes better things then the blood of Abel ; Let that cry still preuaile against the cry of the sinnes , that thy mercie may bee magnified in all the world .

As we forgiue them that trespasse against vs . ] Whereas we must pray to be forgiuen as we forgiue . And whereas thou ( oh holy and gratious Father ) hast taught vs euer to pray to be forgiuen , as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs , telling vs plainely that if wee forgiue others for thy cause , thou wilt also forgiue vs ; and contrarily that if we will not forgiue others , 1. To pray against all maliciousnes and desire of reuenge : we shall neuer bee forgiuen : Change ( good Lord ) the wickednesse of our sinfull hearts , which are most strongly bent to malice and reuenge , that howsoeuer wee hate the sins and company of the wicked , That though we hate the sinnes of the wicked and reioyce in the execution of Gods righteous iudgments on them : and whatsoeuer else is in them , whereby they dishonour thee , or shew themselues to bee thine enemies : and although we also reioyce in the execution of thy righteous iudgements , whereby thou gettest thy selfe glory vpon the proud enemies of thy Church ; and do also pray daily for the confounding of all their wicked practises and deuises ; And pray for confounding their euill practises : yet Lord graunt vs hearts to seeke the saluation of all sorts , Yet that we may pray for and seek their saluation . because we know not whether they belong to thine eternall election ; and for them that are but our enemies vpon priuate respects , 2. For them that are our enemies on priuate respects , to pray their sinne may be pardoned : giue vs grace that insteede of seeking reuenge , we may pray earnestly for them , that they may see their sins , and haue their hearts changed , and so obtaine pardon for it : And moreouer that we may seeke to pacifie them , And that we may seeke to pacifie them and gaine their loue : by offering them reconciliation or ful satisfaction , doing them good or gratifying them by any kindnesse , so far as may stand with their saluation and credit of thy Gospell , euen when they hunger to feed them , and when they thirst to giue them drinke , to heape coales on their heades : to heape coales vpon their heads as thou hast commanded ; either to gaine them by our Christian kindnesse , or to leaue them more without excuse ; And get full assurance of forgiuenesse to our selues . and to seale vp to our selues a most plentiful assurance of a full remission of all our sins thereby .

Leade vs not into temptation , but deliuer vs from euill . ] Seeing Satan seekes continuallie by temptations to draw vs to sinne to prouoke the Lord against vs & bring some euill vpon vs . And seeing ( oh tender Father ) that our deadly enemie seekes hourely by his temptations to draw vs to sin against thy heauenly Maiestie to dishonor thee , making vs his vassals to do his will , so to strippe vs vtterly both of thy protection and prouidence , and to cause thee to leaue vs in his hand , to bring vpon vs thy wrath with all the euils following vpon sin ; whereupon our Sauiour hath taught vs to pray alwaies , Leade vs not into temptation , but deliuer vs from euill : 1. To pray we may see the danger we stand in each houre . Good Lord open our eies to see the danger wherein wee stand continually , & first for the multitude of those damned spirits that range For the multitude of damned spirits . vp and downe day and night with a deadly malice seeking to deuour vs . Teach vs to know ( oh holy Father ) what their power is against vs , 2. For their power to tempt and destroy vs in a moment . if thou do not restraine it ; that they are able to bring vs to as fearefull sins , as euer they brought any of thy seruants vnto , and to destroy vs vtterly in a moment both soules and bodies , with al that euer thou hast giuen vnto vs , if thou preserue vs not . Acquaint vs with their deep subtilties , 3. Because of their subtilties : both in fitting their temptations to our particular natures and dispositions , Whereby they knowing our dispositions : to our conditions , callings and occasions which they know perfectly ; alwaies dogging vs at the heeles , and watching vs , Marke and take all aduantages : & their meetest opportunities ; whereby they take their fittest aduantage to ouercome vs , as against Eue and Dauid , To solicite vs to those sinnes wherin they are most like to preuaile , drawing vs on by degrees , to yeeld first to smaller matters which the world accounts no sinne : chiefely by soliciting vs to those sinnes , wherein we haue bin formerly ouertaken , or wherby they haue most preuailed against thy dearest seruants : & that also in drawing vs on by degrees , as first either to yeelde to some smaller matters which the world accounts no sins , but trifles , or too much precisenes ; as Eue to eie the forbidden fruit , and to reason with the Serpent about the temptation : Or not to auoid the occasions of temptation or neglect our calling . or else not to auoid the danger and occasions of the temptations , but thrust our selues into them carelessely without any warrant , neglecting the calling laid vpon vs ; as Dauid to lie idlely on his bed in the afternoones insteede of looking to the great affaires of his kingdome . 4. For their innumerable allurements and baytes of this world : Make vs able yet more fully to conceiue of our perpetuall danger , through their innumerable allurements and baits to deceiue vs both of the credit and estimation of the world , with the riches and pleasures thereof ; which they euer hold forth & proffer vnto vs , Which they proffer . if we will follow their perswasions ; 5. For their threatnings if we wil be so precise as to make conscience of each of Gods Commaundements . and otherwise threatning not onely the losse , or at least the hazarding of all these , but more also the hatred , disgrace and reproch of the world , with depriuing vs of all comforts , the losse of our goods , with many other euils , which we must bee sure to looke for daily at the hands of malicious men ; if we will be so strict as to make conscience of euery one of thy commandements , so as we wil not do the least thing forbidden , nor omit the least dutie commanded vs . And whereas we are ordinarily secure in an ouerweening of our owne strength and abilitie to resist Satan ; Shew vs ( oh Lord ) euen in our hearts , 6. For the vilenesse of our nature readie to conspire with them : the vilenesse of our corrupt nature , which is euer ready as a bond slaue of Satans , and a traitor against our soules to conspire with him presently to our vtter perdition , and as readie to run after & swallow euery one of his deadly temptations , And to swallow euerie baite : as euer fish the baite : Without all strength to resist . so as we haue no strength in the world to help our selues , but all against our selues , more then that thou gratiously reachest foorth thine hand vnto vs , strengthening & deliuering vs . 7. For Gods displeasure , to leaue vs in their power for our security . And heerein we pray thee also to reueale vnto vs that great danger which wee stand in continually from thy glorious Maiestie , seeing wee haue no warrant of protection , or any aide from thee ( but rathe iust cause of feare that thou shouldest giue vs vp wholly into the power of the tempter , and our own corruption ) longer then that we make conscience to obserue thy watch , walking carefully in euery one of thy Commandements ; vsing diligently euery meanes of grace , & auoiding as warilie each least occasion of temptation . 8. For Sathans cunning in hiding all this danger , and the vglinesse of sinne : And moreouer seeing the subtill tempter in all his temptations , vseth all his cunning to hide all this danger with the vglines of sin , and the misery that he knoweth it will bring vpon vs ; shewing onely the faire side of it , Shewing onely the faireside of it what we shal get by it , and vsing the fittest instruments to effect his purpose : as the safetie , credit , pleasure or gaine which we shall get by it , and also vseth the fittest instruments to perswade vs hereunto ; as the counsell or example of the wisest , learnedst , or wealthiest & of chiefest reputation , & sometimes of those who haue a name for godlines , so changing himselfe into an Angel of light , Neuer con●ing like him selfe to tempt , and neuer comming like himselfe , ( vnlesse to driue poore soules into vtter dispaire ) whereby he not onely deceiues the world , Whereby he deceiues all the world : but euen vs thy children , either to make vs to thinke sin to bee no sin , And oft times Gods owne children , making sinne to seeme no sin . or at least to presume to sin , because thou art so mercifull , or for that thou doest not punish presently . Cause vs ( good Father ) 2. To pray we may haue a continuall remembrance of the seuerall miseries of each sinne , Watch. p. 5. 6. 7. to keepe a continuall and fresh remembrance hereof , and withal of that fearfull misery which we hale vpon our heads by euerie sin ; especially the wound of conscience , which no creature was euer able to beare , Chiefely the wounds of conscience which none can beare : and will come vnlesse it bee speedilie preuented : and which will certainly come vpon vs , vnlesse it bee preuented by speedie repentance . And howsoeuer the reprobate and the vngodly may wallow in their filthines , and yet seeme to be more free from punishment than any other , That although wicked men escape here , who are reserued for hell , the Lord yet will not suffer vs so : because thou reseruest them for hel , and therefore fattest them for the day of slaughter : yet make vs to know that thou wilt not let any of vs thy children ( who haue specially giuen vp our names to thee , to make a more sincere profession of thy Gospell ) to commit the very least sin , but that thou wilt surely make vs feel the smart of it , vnlesse we preuent it presently by vnfained repentance : Especially when our sinnes are scandalous : and that thou wilt doe openly when our sins are hainous or to the offence of others ; because thou wilt neither be dishonored by vs , Because he will not be dishonored by vs , nor let vs be damned : nor let vs be condemned with the world ; but wilt surely correct vs to let all the wicked see with what a perfect hatred thou hatest all sinne , And that the wicked may see his hatred against sinne , and what remaines for them for euer . when thou doest punish it so seuerely in thine owne children , and what plagues remaine for them eternally . Yea ( oh gratious Father ) make vs to feare alway , 3. To pray we may feare alway lest God should leaue vs neuer so little , because of Satans most deadlie malice against vs who dreescaped from him : lest thou shouldest leaue vs neuer so little ; and to suspect al our waies , in as much as Satan carries a more deadly hatred against vs , To prouoke the Lord against vs : who are escaped from his tyrannie , then against any other people of the world ; and therfore seekes euery houre to prouoke thee against vs , to leaue vs in his hand , And for that our sinnes will more dishonour him , and harden moe to perdition then of anie other : and also because he knowes that our sinnes will more cause thy glorious name to bee blasphemed , and harden moe to vtter perdition , than the sins of any other ; Whence so few haue escaped to the end , wherupon very few of thy worthiest seruants through his continuall dogging them , haue escaped to the end of their liues without some grieuous foiles and wounds , Without some grieuous foiles . the scarres wherof they haue carried with them to their graues , to the blemishing their profession , & wounding their consciences , with the griefe and shame of the godly , and insulting of the wicked . 4. To learne to watch and pray as the remidie against all temptations : And therefore as thou hast taught vs this as the remedie against euery assault of the enemie , to watch and pray that we enter not into temptation ; so make vs alwaies able to obserue this thy watch which thou hast set before vs , And to be better acquainted without selues : and to learne to bee better acquainted with our owne selues and our estates , knowing our particular infirmities , And weaknesses : and wherein we are weak , that we may put on daily the compleate armour , To put on the compleat armour , chieflie the shield of faith : chiefelie the shield of faith , and brestplate of righteousnes to saue vs from his fierie darts , And to haue the word euer in readinesse : and withall to haue thy holy Word euer in readinesse against euery temptation , That strengthned by the spirit and continuing in prayer we may stand fast : which is the sword of thy Spirit , able vtterly to vanquish him , and put him to flight , that being strengthened by thy holy Spirit , obtained by continuing in instant prayer , And preserue our selues without any grieuous wounds , vntill wee haue gotten the finall conquest . wee may bee able to stand fast in the euill day , and so finish our course , vntill we haue gotten the finall conquest , without any grieuous wounds or foile ; to thine euerlasting glorie , & our own greater triumph and honor in the heauens . 5. That we pray not against all temptation : We do not pray that wee should not bee tempted at all ; for thou hast taught vs to account it exceeding ioy , when we fall into diuers temptations , knowing the good that comes thereby ; but that we may indure temptation , But onelie that in them we may ouercome : fighting valiantly and ouercomming , So to receiue the crowne of glorie in the ende . that when we are tried we may haue the crowne of glorie set vpon our heads .

For thine is the kingdom , power and glorie , We haue begged all from the Lord : for euer and euer : Amen . ] We haue been bold ( oh gratious Father ) to beg all these things from they heauenly Maiestie , 1. Because all kingdom , power and glorie are his , and we haue receiued all from him . because all kingdome , power and glorie belong onely to thee ; acknowledging that whatsoeuer good things wee enioy , wee haue receiued them all from thy rich and fatherly bountie ; 2. Because hee will grant vs all good things , aboue all that wee can aske : and being certainely assured that as thou hast bidden vs to pray thus , so thou wilt graunt vs all these things which wee haue begged in thy Sonnes name , and whatsoeuer else is good for vs , euen aboue all that wee are able to aske ; So farre as shall bee for his glory and our good : so farre as shall be for thine owne glorie ( seeing thou art absolute Lord and King in heauen and in earth , and doest by thy mightie power and wisedome dispose and guide all things , Seeing hee guideth and ouerruleth all things to serue hereunto : ouerruling the verie counsels and rage of all wicked men and diuels , as shall make most for thine owne glorie and the greatest good of vs thine owne obedient subiects and children ) and hast assured vs that asking thus in faith , And hath assured vs that asking in faith , we shall haue : wee shall receiue ; That wee may set foorth by good experience the glorie of thy dominion and power , with the happinesse of thy Kingdome , That wee may set foorth the glorie and happines of his kingdom : to all succeeding ages ; to which wee doe hereby binde our selues all the dayes of our life , and to liue as the loyall subiects of this thy Kingdome , Whereunto wee binde our selues , and to liue as his subiects all our daies : to thine euerlasting glorie ; and so returne all possible thankes , praise and dominion to thy heauenlie Maiestie , And so returne all praise and thanks , saying , Amen . saying euer , Amen , Bee it so ( oh LORD holie and true ) as wee doe fullie beleeue that it shall bee . Euen so Lord Iesus . Euen so Amen . Amen , Come Lord Iesus , Come quicklie .

FINIS .

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