Holy incense for the censers of the saints. Or, A method of prayer with matter, and formes in selected sentences of sacred scripture. Also A praxis upon the holy oyle shewing the vse of scripture-phrases. And choyse places taken out of the singing Psalmes, digested into a method of prayer and praises.

Promises made to Prayer .

EXceeding great and precious 2. Pet. 1. 4. Promises are made by God , to his Elect ; and yet how often doth the poore soule lag and droope , for not Knowing , or not Vsing them as need requires : living ( like some Misers ) besides their hopes , besides their meanes . They deserve to want , who lack supply for want of fetching . 'T is not the having of wealth , meate , or cloathing , but the Vsing , applying , digesting , and putting on , that does us good . Spirits and life may bee in the heart , and blood may bee in the liver , yet unlesse these flow kindly to every part , the body is not healthfull , beautifull , or vigorous . The Promises therefore should be often chewed , sucked and meditared on : God must be humbly , and holily remembred of them : not as if he were not faithfull and just , but because we are distrustfull : he cannot lye , and though we be weak in Faith , our unbeliefe cannot make his promise of none effect : He will not falsifie his covenant , nor alter the thing that is gone out of his lips : hath he said , and shall he not doe it ? hath he spoken , and will hee not bring it to passe ? — Now as wee would receive of his fulnesse , so the promises must enlarge our hearts —

Promises made to Prayer in Generall .

Before they call I will answer , Isay 65. 24. and whilst they are yet speaking , I will heare .

Aske , and it shall be given ; Math. 7. 7. seeke , and ye shall find ; knocke , and it shall be opened unto you .

And yee shall bee unto mee a Exod. 19. 6. kingdome of Priests .

— In every place , incense shall be Mal. 1. 11. offered in my name , and a pure offering .

Wee know not what to pray for Rom. 8. 26. as we ought , but the spirit it self , maketh intercession for us , with groning which cannot be uttered

Lord , thou hast heard the desire Psal. 10. 17 of the humble , thou wilt prepare their heart , thou wilt cause thine eare to heare .

Whatsoever things ye desire when ye pray , beleeve that ye receive Mar. 11. 24. them , & ye shal have them .

Secondly the , Parts of Prayer . 2. Promises made to each several head of Prayer , &c. Pro. 28. 13. 1. Confession of Sinne.

Hee that covereth his sinnes shall not prosper , but who so Confesseth and forsaketh them , shall have mercie .

If we Confesse our sinnes , he is faithfull and just to forgive I Iohn 1. 9. us our sinnes , and to cleanse us from all unrighteousnesse .

Secondly to Petition , for 1 Pardon of Sinne.

Though your sinnes be as scarlet , Isai. 1. 18. they shall bee as white as snow , though they be red like crimson , they shall be as wooll .

I , even I , am he that blotteth Isai. 43. 25. out thy transgressions , for mine owne sake , and will not remember thy sinnes .

I will forgive their iniquity , Ier. 31 34. and remember their sin no more .

I have seene his wayes , and Isay 57. 1● . will heale him : I will lead him also , and restore comforts unto him , and to his mourners .

If the wicked will turne from Ezek. 18. 21. all his sinnes that he hath committed , and keep all my statutes , and doe that which is lawfull and right , hee shall surely live , he shall not dye .

All his transgressions which he 22 hath committed they shall not be mentioned unto him : in his righteousnesse that he hath done , he shall live .

Have I any pleasure at all that 23. the wicked should dye , saith the Lord God ? & not that he should returne from his wayes and live ?

Come unto mee all ye that labour , Mat. 11. 28. and are heavie laden , and I will give you rest .

2 Power against Sins .

Who is a God like unto thee , Mic. 7. 18. that pardoneth iniquity , and passeth by the transgressions of his heritage , &c.

He will turne againe , he will 19. have compassion on us : he will subdue our iniquities , and thou wilt cast all their sinnes into the depths of the Sea .

The God of peace shall bruise Rom. 16. 20. Satan under your feet shortly .

Sin shall not have dominion Rom. 6. 14. over you .

Though he fall he shall not be Psal. 37. 24. utterly cast downe , for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand .

3 Grace , conferred , continued , and encreased .

— I will sprinkle clean water upon you , and you shall be cleane .

A new heart also will I give Ezech. 36. 25. 26. you , and a new spirit will I put into you , and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh , & I will give you a heart of flesh :

And I will put my spirit within you , and cause you to walke 27 in my statutes , and ye shall keep my judgements , and doe them .

And the Lord thy God will Deut. 30. 6. circumcise thine heart , and the heart of thy seede , to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart , and with all thy soule , that thou mayst live .

I will poure upon him that is Isai. 44 3. thirstie , and flouds upon the dry ground : I will poure my spirit upon thy seed , and my blessing upon thine off-spring .

A bruised reede shall he not Isai. 42 3. breake , and the smoking flax shall he not quench , he shal bring forth judgement unto truth .

Blessed are they which do hunger Math. 5. 6. and thirst after righteousnesse , for they shall be filled .

He which hath begun a good Phil. 1 6. work in you , will perform it untill the day of Iesus Christ .

Fourthly the Meanes of Grace .

With joy shall ye draw waters out of the wels of salvation . Isai. 12. 3.

Ho , every one that thirsteth Isai. 55. 1. come ye to the waters .

In all places where I record Exod. 20. 24. my name , I will come unto thee , and I will blesse thee .

5 Personall concernements , in our particular calling .

Commit thy works unto the Prov. 16. 3. Lord , and thy thoughts shall be established .

In all thy wayes acknowledge prov. 3. 6. him , and he shal direct thy paths . — thy eares shall heare a word behind Isai. 30. 21. thee saying , this is the way , walke ye in it , when ye turne to the right hand , and when yee turne to the left .

The Lord shall preserve thy psal. 121. 8. going out , & thy comming in , from this time forth for evermore .

Blessed shalt thou bee when Deut. 28. 6. thou commest in & blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out .

The Lord thy God will make 30. 9. thee plenteous in every worke of thy hand .

The Lord , he is he , that goeth 31 8. before thee , he , wil be with thee , he wil not faile thee , neither forsake thee , feare not , neither bee dismayed .

Hee shall give his Angels Psal. 91. 11. charge over thee , to keepe thee in all thy wayes —

Thou may est in the reading of the Scriptures , find out , and adde hereunto promises made to thy more particular occasions . —

Thirdly Thansgiving .

— The tongue of the dumb shall Isay 35. 6. 10. sing , for in the wildernes shal waters break out — the ransomed of the Lord shall return & come to Zion with songs , and everlasting joy upon their heads : they shall obtain joy & gladnes , and sorrow and sighing shall flye away .

Ye shall eate in plenty and be Ioel. 2. 26. satisfied , and praise the name of the Lord your God , that hath dealt wondrously with you .

Ye shall go forth with joy , and Isai. 55. 12. be led forth with peace , the mountaines & the hils shall break forth before you into singing , and al the trees of the fields shall clap their hands .

A METHOD of PRAYER .

PRayer is a lifting up of the Psal. 25. 1. Soule to God .

Wherein there is to bee considered the Preface to it , and the Parts of it .

The Preface to it , consists 1. Preface .

1 In a description , or compellation of God , by his glorious inajesty , terrible names , holy nature , incommunicable attributes , strict justice , consuming wrath , gracious promises — &c.

2 In a craving of audience , assistance , and accceptance : wee may conclude also herewith , as Dan. 9. 17. 18.

The Parts of Prayer , are usually 2. Parts . three .

1 Confession . 2 Petition . 3 Thanksgiving .

Though in exactnes of speech , Confession and Thankesgiuing be not Prayers formally : but commonly prefixed or annexed therunto , as Dan. 9. Ezr. 9.

1 Confession is an humble , 1. Confession of 1 Sinne. hearty , and feeling acknowledgment , of the evill of Sinne ; and of punishment done to , or due for , Sinne.

1 Confession of the euill of to which is necessary Sinne , both in the Habits , Acts , Kindes thereof . Which that it may bee done effectually , and to purpose , we must

1 Labour for the particular 1 A particular knowledge of sin . knowledge and discovery of Sin , in our owne soules , which must be by looking our selves in the glasse of the Law , whereby we shall discover our Sinnes in each Commandement . viz.

1 Comandement .

Atheisine , Epicurisme , Idolatry — &c —

Atheism , in want of the Knowledge , Love , Feare of God — Zeale , Faith —

Epicurisme , in mis-placing our affections .

Idolatry , in neglect of Gods mercies , in neglect of Gods works of Iustice , in neglect of Gods Saints , and communion with them — &c

2 Command .

Not worshipping God by praying , reading —

Will-worship , Idol-worship .

3 Command .

Serving God hypocritically , when his Word is preached , read — and prayer .

When his Sacraments are administred , not examining our selves , not reconciling our selves to our brethren , not discerning the Lords body .

Luke warmenesse , Uncheerefulnesse , Unteachablenesse , Incorrigiblenesse , Security .

4 Command .

Not remembring the Lords day , longing to have it past .

Idlenesse , omitting duties publike or private .

5 Command .

In the Family , Wife , Husband , Children , Parents , Master , Servants —

In the Common-wealth , Subjects , Magistrates — &c.

In the Church , Ministers , People — &c

6 Command .

Not pittying or relieving the afflicted .

Envying , Anger , Hatred , Worldly sorrow . Cursing .

Murthering of Soule , or Body .

7 Command .

Uncleannesse , Wantonnesse . Whoredome .

Drunkennesse , Gluttony —

8 Command .

Discontentednesse , Sloth , Unthriftinesse . Oppression . Sacriledge .

9 Command .

Disgracing , and speaking evill of others , Censuring . Lying , Slandering , Vaine-boasting . Flattering , False-witnesse —

10 Command .

Not desiring the good of others , and our selves .

Delighting in the contemplation of evill .

2 Get our hearts deeply affected 2. Sense of it , and sorrow for it . with a true sense , and thorow feeling , of the haynousnesse of our Sinnes , a serious detestation , and vtter hatred of them , with vnfeined sorrow , and condemning our selves , for them .

3 Then descend wee to a 3. particular enumeration particular enumeration of them , in the bitter root , spreading branches , cursed fruits , and dangerous effects thereof —

First the Sinne of our first parents , 1. Of Adams disobedience Adam and Evah : looke unto the rocke whence we were hewen , and to the hole of the pit whence wee were digged , for wee all sinned in their loynes , and so come short of the glory of God . Rom. 3. 23. 2. Originall sinne .

2 Originall depravation , and pollution of nature , in the corruption to be descried in the of the Vnderstanding . 2 Conscience . 3 Memory . 4 Will . 5 Sensitive appetite , and affections .

1 The corruption of the Vnderstanding Vnderstanding . in 5.

1 Vanity therof , our thoughts are vaine , taken up with frothy , and fruitlesse speculations .

2 Blindnesse , being ignorant , and impotent , not able to conceive spirituall things .

3 Vnteachatlenesse , resisting and opposing the truth .

4 Incredulity , unapt to believe the truth of God .

5 Enmity , 1 not subject to the Law of God . 2 Not resolving to be so holy , pure , exact as Gods Word requires . 3 but casting off Gods yoke and his coards , with reluctancie and distast .

2 Conscience , which is impure 1. Conscience . and polluted , without light , and life .

1 A bad remembrancer , and false register , setting downe sin by the halves ; like the unjust Steward , but fifty , where hundreds are due .

2 A slack instigatour to good , or restrayner from evill , being not cleare to discerne things amisse , like a dusty looking-glasse

Not sensible of sinne , or tender , but brawney , past feeling .

Not active , or stirring up to good , but sleeping , drowsie , not rowsing us to purpose , giving us no rest , but letting us sleepe securely againe .

3 A false accuser , or excuser , excusing for Sinnes : accusing for not Sins : 1 It should when the Law is preached , accuse , thou art the man : but then it extenuates that it is no sinne , or but a little sinne : approving , and allowing wayes and courses which seeme good to a Man , but tend to death .

2 When the Gospell is preached , it should extenuate , but then it aggravates , crying out amaine with Cain , My sinne is greater than — full of hellish and amazing terrours .

3 Memory full of weaknesse , 3. Memory . our remembrance being like unto ashes , 1. forgetting what we ought to remember , as our Creatour in the dayes of our youth ; 2 remembring what wee should forget , as injuries and indignities .

4 Our Will is full of 4. Will .

1 Contrariety to the Will , and Word of God in every thing ; refusing to doe what hee commands , but wilfull in doing what he forbids .

2 Pride , not dependant on , or subject unto Gods will ; 't will not stoope to bee , or to doe any thing for God , 't will bee something in it selfe , and must be carved to , in a good condition , as it selfe likes .

3 Inconstancie , unstable as water in good , peremptorie and resolute in evill : our tongues are our owne , who is Lord over us ? though in some good mood like Saul to David it may weep , yet like the morning dewe it vanisheth presently .

4 Disobedience , when God commands apt to doe the contrary .

5 Sensitive appetite , taking 5. Sensitive appetite . pleasure in sensible things too much , our appetites and senses outray in things lawfull , which come in by the senses .

1 Eyes , to women , wine — 2 Eares , itching after vanity . 3 Taste , meat and drinke , to Gluttony . 4 Touch , hands , &c.

6 Affections , deeply distempered , 6. Affections being violent , turbulent , sullen , way ward , untoward ▪ ready to be fired with any temptation , rebellious against God : either 1. not active & lusting after good , or 2. placed where they should not bee , or 3 exceeding in measure : they overjoy , over-grieve , over love , we humour and please them , they can but aske and have —

This corruption is in the concupiscible and irascible faculties of the soule .

In the concupiscible faculties , 1 Love and Hatred , 2 Desire and Abomination , 3 Ioy & sorrow , which hath under it , Pitty , Envie , Heavinesse , Repentance , and Zeale .

In the irascible faculties , 1 Hope and Despaire , 2 Boldnes , Anger , 3 Feare , which hath under it , Blushing , Shamefastnesse , Astonishment , Agony —

1 Love and hatred not of all good , not against all sin . 2 Delight , not in God , religion , the Saints . 3 Feare , Man , the creature , poverty — 4 Sorrow , cast downe for disgrace . 7. Body and members .

7 Body and members , Eyes Eares , Tongue , Hands , Feet . 3 Actuall sin in deeds of

Thirdly , Actuall transgressions , against

the

Law Gospell

of both , in our

1 Thoughts , being idle , vaine , frothie , not entertaining God in them .

2 Words rotten , unseasoned , they heale not , edifie not , our tongues set on fire of hell , corrupt with lying , slander , dissembling , backbiting .

3 Deeds of

Omission , Commission ,

Not husbanding the talents of 1. Omission and grace , and nature , which wee were betrusted with ; which we have ill imployed : our precious time we raffle out —

Barren , unfruitfull , 1 for acts D●s●●uncie and dueties .

1 Neglecting wholly , 2 intermitting , 3 slighting them .

Restreyning prayer , refuse the Sacrament , omit Fasting and Prayer .

2 Graces , want of

love to Christ & godly men . humility . faith . zeale .

3 Mis-spending our time in vanity , raffling out our precious houres , and squandring away our talents .

4 Occasions of doing , and receiving good , not clothed , not visited , not instructed others , or trying if at any time God would give them repentance .

2 Commission , in the rebellion , 2. Commission and sinfulnesse of our lives , sinning in our generall and particular calling , confessing here the sinnes of our Sexe , complexion , constitution , &c. those we last of all committed , under ●hich our consciences doe yet freshly bleede : by which God hath been most dishonoured — Both for ,

1 Quantitie , in the greatnesse . frequencie . 2 Quality , in the haynousnesse . 3 Relapses , iterations . 4 Circumstances , aggravating sinne . viz.

The Person against whom : The glorious God , our most gracious and tender Father .

Against our Christian Brethren , Superiours , Inferiours , Equalls , becomming guilty of other mens sinnes , occasioned by our Command , Company , Counsell , Ill example , Connivence , Silence — &c.

Against our owne soules .

Against every Creature .

The Time , when , In generall , in particular .

In generall before and since our Conversion — &c. In Infancie , Child-hood , Youth , Mans-age , Old-age .

In particular , in the Day , Night — &c.

The Place , where , at home , and abroad .

At home , the Table , Closet , Bed .

Abroad , viz. in the Church , in Company , in the Fields — &c.

1 Against God himselfe . 1. Against God 2 and that against knowledg . 3 without any , or with very small Temptation . 4 against vowes and covenants . 5 against meanes afforded , to resist sinne , and doe better .

1 Hating of God , being enemies to him .

2 Denying by our workes , his power , omnipresence , justice , omniscience , setting up base lusts to be our God .

3 Despising of God , if so we can hide our sinne from man , we never care though God see it .

2 And thus not onely of ignorance 2. Presumptuously . when we-knew not , nor of infirmity being transported with passion , the Law in our members , but even of wilfulnes , and presumption , acted with a high hand , against Knowledge and the cries of a convinced conscience , which makes sinne rebellion ; to know God , yet not to glorifie him as God , not in the dayes of our ignorance onely , but since the light of the glorious Gospell , hath shone into our hearts .

3 Without any , or with small 3. Without , or with temptations . temptation , resolving to sinne , selling themselves with Ahab , even in cold bloud , to doe wickedly . Heb. 10. 26. as in sinnes in which there is neither pleasure , or profit , &c. As to sweare , prophane the Sabbath , refuse preaching , praying , scorning Gods wayes .

4 Against frequent purposes , 4. Against vowes — faire promises , of more holy obedience , reiterated vowes and covenants .

generall in

Baptisme , Lords Supper .

particular on such and such an occasion .

5 Against meanes . 1 Blessings , coards of love . 2 Corrections , thou hast striken us , but wee have not sorrowed , Ier. 5. 3.

3 Word , early and late , all the day long .

2 Actuall sinnes against the Gospell . 1 Not thirsting after 2. Sinnes against the Gospell . Christ Iesus , nor prizing , nor loving and cleaving unto him with our dearest affection : 2 denying him in our lives . 2 Not repenting us of our sinnes , though God in mercie vouchsafe space and means , but hiding , excusing , not mourning for , nor forsaking sinne . 3 Not believing the promises of salvation , nor relying upon Iesus Christ for justification , sanctification , and salvation , &c. not stirring up our selves to take hold of him , but forsaking our owne mercies 4 S●●ning against the hol● Ghost , by tempting , grieving , or quenching the holy spirit of God , receiving the grace of God in vaine , turning it into wantonnes , growing cold in religion , losing our first love .

Thus bringing our iniquities to remembrance , 1 wee must acknowledge and bewayle them , not onely generally , but individually also , one by one , fetching and ferreting them out ( as so many Achans ) by the poll , especially those which are naturalized , and habituated in us , our beloved and darling sinnes , our dearest Dalilahs .

And that , from a 1 Trobled , broken , bleeding melting spirit , beleeving heart , clasping the promises Ezr. 10. 2. yet now there is hope in Israel , &c. 2 Honest heart , wishing the confusion , as wel as making the confession of sin , meaning to leave every wicked way ▪ and with purpose of heart cleaving to the Lord —

2 Confession of the evill of 2. part of Confession viz. of the wages of punishment . punishment , acknowledging our selves , in regard of these our so many and grievous sinnes , not onely to bee lesse than the least of all Gods mercies , but most justly worthy of his most dreadfull plagues , lyable and obnoxious to all evills of punishment in

Iudgements

Corporall . Spirituall . Temporall . Eternall .

vid. Ezr. 9. Dan ▪ 9.

Thus of the first part of Prayer , viz. CONFESSION .

The Second followes , The second part of prayer , which is Petition . which is PETITION .

PEtition is either

for

Our selves . Others .

1 Our selves , and is called Supplication , consisting of two branches , viz.

Apprecation . Deprecation .

1 Apprecation , or collation of good , which also consists , in desiring ;

1 Supply of all wants

Spirituall . Corporall .

2 Continuance and encrease of all blessings both

Eternall . Spirituall . Corporall .

1 Apprecation , for bestowing of all good blessings , viz. 1 Supplying all our wants of things , 1 Spirituall ,

viz.

Grace . Encrease of Grace . Meanes of Grace .

1 For the grace of free Pardon Apprecation for for our sinnes , that God for his mercies , promise , Christs sake 1. Pardon of sinne . ( even the abundant merits of our Lord Iesus his bloudy passion , who hath satisfyed for them to the utmost farthing , by pouring out his soule for an oblation for the sinnes of the whole world ) would be pleased freely to forgive , and blot them out of his booke , never laying them to our charge beforemen , to shame us in this world ; or to our everlasting confusion before men and Angels in the world to come .

Of which that we may more 2. Faith in Christ . fully bee assured , wee pray for a lively and apprehensive Faith , by which we may be inabled to lay hold on , and apply the generall and free Promises of Salvation , to our selves in particular , that God would seale up the assurance hereof to our consciences , by the gracious testimony of his holy spirit , giving unto us the spirit of adoption , whereby we may with comfort and confidence cry ABEA father , that so being justifyed and freed from the guilt and punishment of all our sinnes wee may have peace of conscience , being reconciled to him in his Sonne .

2 Repentance unto life , whereby 3. Repentance . our stony hearts may be softned & broken with godly sorrow , & our eyes run down with rivers of teares , for our falls and faylings heretofore , and we quickned to new obedience to serve the living God , in holinesse and righteousnesse all our remaining dayes .

3 All other sanctifying graces ▪ 4. All sanctifying grace . accompanying & furthering our everlasting happinesse , 1. as saving knowledge , that we may understand what the holy and acceptable will of the Lord is . 2 Fervent love to God , our brethren , yea our very enemies , for his sake that loved us when wee were enemies . 3 Ardent zeale . 4 Lively hope ▪ 5 Son-like feare of God . 6 True humility and contrition of spirit . 7 Sincerity and boldnesse in the profession of the truth . Perseverance , patience and strength under the crosse , Contentation in all estates , either of weale or 2. For growth and encrease of Grace . woe , want , or abundance .

2 Encrease and growth of all these graces , that the bruised reed may not be broken , nor the smoking Flaxe quenched , but that our graces , like the light , may shine more and more to the perfect day ; and our works be more at last , than at the first . 3. The meanes of grace continued and sanctifyed to us .

3 The meanes of grace continued and sanctifyed unto us : as 1 Gods Word preached at Church . 2 Read in private , that the holy Ghost blessing it from heaven , may bring it close home unto , and savingly worke it upon our hearts , that thus the heavenly spirit breathing on his own ordinances , they may quicken us , and become effectuall to our salvation :

2 Sacraments . 3 Sabbaths . 2. Petition for supply of temporall wants . 4 Prayer . 5 Fasting , &c.

2 Supply of wants temporall , our owne personall concernements , and all outward blessings appertayning to this present life , Health , Liberty , Friends , Rayment , Food , giving and preserving to our use the kindly fruits of the earth , so as in due time wee may enjoy them : preservation in our persons and estates , Direction in all our courses , thoughts , words , actions : the blessing of God upon all our labours , a right and sanctifyed use of all Gods blessings , and chastisements .

2 Deprecation of Evills , personall , 2. Deprecation . nationall , both of sinne and punishment , either before or after it comes : Before it comes , aversion & prevention ; After it comes , ablation or removall .

1 Wee pray against the evill of sinne , that we may be , 1 Delivered , freed and acquitted of the guilt and danger of all our sinnes . 2 Endued with watchfulnesse , power , and dominion over them all : in our judgements to dislike them , in affections to hate them , in heart to bewaile them , and in life to forsake them — 1. To be freed from the guilt of Sin .

1 From the guilt and danger , that our sinne may not shame us before men , and torture our consciences here in this life , nor condemne us body and soule in the world to com ; that our doing evil , omitting good , particular failings , Personall . frailties , distractions , indisposednes to serve God , our ignorance , Atheism , infidelitie , hypocrisie , inconstancie , pride , vaine-glory , envy , uncharitablenesse , putting off our repentance , forgetfulnesse , distrustfulnesse , unthankefulnesse , dulnesse , unchearfulnesse , felfe-love , strife , wrath , flattery , idlenesse , gluttony , uncleannesse , covetousnesse , all inordinate desires , and all the evill of our good workes — &c. — may never bee imputed or layd to our charge .

As likewise the Nationall unthankfulnesse , Nationall . heresies , schismes , swearing , oppression , security — ( which crye open ▪ mouth'd against us ) may not enter into the eares of the Lord of hosts .

Secondly , That we may from on , high be indued with power over those corruptions , and lusts , 2. To have power 1. Over Sinne. to which pleasure allures , profit provokes , sinfull custome most of all swayes us ; the plague of our own heart , that the lusts of our flesh may be crucifyed , and the whole body of sinne abolished , and we leade our captivity captive .

2 Victory over all the deceits 2. The world . of the whole world ( which lieth in wickednesse ) and all the temptations thereof , that neither the persons , nor things therein , may become our suare .

3 Over the Devill , that arch-enemy 3. The Devill of our salvation , and his fiercest and eraftiest assaults : that he may never finally prevaile over us : that the God of peace , would tread downe Satan under our feete , and so make us more than conquerors , through our Lord Iesus , who hath loved us .

Secondly , Deprecation of the 2. To hee freed from the evill of punishment . evill of Punishment : 1. All those dreadfull curses due to our sinnes , that they may not be inflicted on us .

2 Deliverance from all plagues , which we now feele , or hereafter may feare . viz.

1 Iudgements nationall , which Nationall . the whole Land mournes under : Plague of the pestilence , famine , warre , sedition , conspiracie —

2 Afflictions personall , that Personall . lie on our selves , either in soule , body , or in estate ; troubles and terrours of conscience : griefe of minde , scandalls and offences , imprisonment , banishment , sicknesse , poverty , disgrace , losse of friends or any other afflictions of what kinde soever : preservation from and in all dangers , Death it selfe , the king of terrours , the day of judgement , from Hell , and chaines of darknesse , from Gods wrath , and everlasting damnation — &c.

Secondly , We petition for others , 2. I●tercession for the Catholike Church . which is Intercession : and thus here , wee pray for the Catholike Church of Iesus Christ , militant every where on earth , which is either ,

1 Uncalled ( yet belonging to the election of grace ) that they may be converted as 1. Iews ( our elder sister , which was in the covenant before us ) 2 Pagans and Infidels , that they may heare the glad tidings of salvation , and that the Sunne of righteousnesse may arise on them , with healing in his wings , that they may enjoy Gods Word , Sacraments , Sabbaths , that God would bring home them that goe astray , instruct the ignorant , and forgive them that rebelliously transgresse ; Heretickes , yea the Enemies , and Persecutours of the Church , that they all may bee converted , or ( if implacable ) confounded : beseeching God to forgive our Enemies , Persecutors , and Slanderers , and to turne their hearts —

2 Already called , that the Lord 2. Called . would purge it from Schisme , and Heresie , and appease all unhappy differences in the Church , making all Christians keepe the unity of the spirit , in the bond of peace : and that he would warme and enliven the setling and cooled affections of these secure and earthly-minded times . To watch over it for good , whether in the transmarine parts , and forraigne 3. In forraine arts . countries abroad , or our owne nation at home , & herein especially our gracious soveraigne King Charles , and his Highnes Dominions , with all his sacred Stocke 2. Our land at home . and Lineage , the Queene , young Prince , Princesse , Duke : the Lady Elizabeth the Kings onely sister , and her Progenie . The Lords spirituall and temporall , those of his Majesties most honourable Privie Councell : the Nobility , Majestra●ie , Ministrie , the two Universities , the Gentry , and Commonalty , our Parents , Kindred , Friends , Benefactours , all such as we stand obliged unto by nature , desert , duty , or any speciall relation .

Thirdly , Afflicted in soule , 3. Afflicted . body , or in estate , being oppressed , and persecuted under Popish tyranny , or Mahumetan cruelty : those that bee destitute of all comforts of this life , that want foode , rayment , harbour , liberty , peace , health , that grone under poverty , famine , nakednesse , &c. — that all the Israel of God may bee delivered from all their troubles .

3. THANKSGIVING .

The third part of Prayer which is Thankesgiving for the Church in generall . THe third and last Part of our Prayers is Thankesgiving , that God would give us thankefull hearts for all his Blessings .

First , Positive .

Secondly , Privative in Temporall , spirituall , and eternall good things towards his whole

Church 1 Triumphant , for providing for it Heaven , a place of rest and happinesse : for the glorious Martyrs , godly Bishops , Preachers , and Confessors , that out of their ashes he hath wondrously raysed up beleevers . 2 Militant , for giving ●●●m 1 Christ to be their Saviour , captaine and leader . 2 Holy spirit to bee their comforter . 3 God himself to be their father . 4 His Gospell , Sacraments , — &c.

Secondly , For his blessings to our selves , for that eternall , unchangeable , 2. Our selves in particular . Election , &c. infinite , everlasting , undeserved love of his to us , in our Election in , and Redemption by Iesus Christ , our vocation , our Adoption , Iustification , Sanctification inchoate , with assured hope of future Glorification .

That we were borne of Christian and beleeving Parents , in a land of righteousnesse , in a time of knowledge , planted in religious families & towns , undergodly and painfull Ministers , and gracious Governours , that we enjoy Gods word and Sacraments in the power and purity of them , for the many great and precious promises made to us therein ,

Which are either performed already towards us ; or shall be hereafter in due time accomplished :

For all the Graces of the holy ● . For grace in any measure . spirit , for the gracious and free pardon of our many sinnes , Faith , Repentance , some care of sincere obedience , and tender hearts desiring to feare God : for power against , and prevailing over any sinne , that we are not given over to Heresies , and Errours in opinion , nor to those base and fleshly Lusts that some others are , in our lives , nor to a hard heart , reprobate minde , benummed conscience , and finall Apostasie : for victory in any temptation , over subtle Satan , the alluring world , and our own selfe-deceiving selves .

Secondly , Temporall Blessings . 2. Thankesgiving for Temporall Blessings .

viz. of

Creation . Providence .

1 Creation after Gods own image , not being made a Beast , Toad , Foole , &c.

2 Gods providence

Nationall Personall

in those

wonderfull

Deliverances of the nation — Preservation , peace ,

plenty towards us , and fatherly care over us , in our birth and infancie , ever since we hung upon the ●rests : in our childe-hood , youth , mans estate , unto old age and gray haires , ; for our health continued so long , or restored of late , for understanding ▪ judgement , and discretion , peace , liberty , prosperity , food , raiment , same and good esteeme among Gods people : for wealth , friends Godly parents , carefull ●utours , masters , and governours : good education , quietnesse of minde , contentment , &c. — Daily preservation , manifold deliverances from imminent and apparent , yea unseene and unfeared dangers , For his fatherly chastisements , and corrections : for sanctifying to our everlasting good , our afflictions , sicknesses , crosses , temptations ; for ordinary and extraordinary favors , for desired successe in our labors , and vocations : for blessing the workes of our hands , upon us in the day , and for preserving and refreshing us with sweet sleepe in the night : and finally all blessings of what kinde soever , may here ( as occasion is offered ) yea must be remembred with thankful acknowledgement unto God , not onely verbally with our lips and tongue , but vitally and really in a holy conversation shining in our life ; lest it be verifyed of us , which our Saviour saith concerning the Lepers , Were there not ten cleansed , but where are the nine ? There are not found that returned to give glory unto God , &c. Luk. 17. 17. 18.

FINIS Methodi .

Causes of Distraction in PRAYER . Ex P. M.

1. THe naturall lightnesse of our spirits , that have much adoe to stay themselves , and keepe long in one state .

2 Because divine things are farre off from our senses , now they are the senses which tye our attention , as the sight of the Preacher , workes a deeper impression in the hearers .

3 Because of our lusts , as hatred , covetousnesse , ambition , — which being bent to their naturall center will bee setling .

4 Because of the Devill , who stirs up our lusts , and foysteth in vaine thoughts , when we pray ; because Prayer is the maine ram , that batters downe the wals of his kingdome .

Helpes against it .

1 A Voice in prayer , for the Helpes against Distraction in Prayer . thought alone , is easily distracted .

2 Darkenesse , and the removing of all objects that may distract .

3 Be short in thy prayers , and pray the oftner , Eccles. 5.

4 Mortifie our lusts , for they clip the wings of our prayers : pride , covetousnesse , 1 Tim. 2. 8 wantonnesse , chol●er .

5 Meditate before you pray , of Gods greatnesse , of his judgements , of our sinnes , &c. — The godly man will bee sorry for , judge and condemne himselfe for , his distraction , formalitie , deadnesse of spirit , &c.

The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him , to all that call upon him in truth , Psal. 145 18 — to this man will Isai. 66. 2. I looke , even to him that is poore , and of a contrite spirit , and trembleth at my word .

Be not rash with thy mouth , and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God , for God is in heaven , and thou upon earth , therefore let thy words be few . — Take heed thou give not the sacrifice of fooles : if thou offer the lame and the Eccles. 5. 2. vers. 1. sicke unto thy governour , will he be pleased with thee , or accept thy person ? Cursed be the Mal. 13. 14. deceiver which hath in his flocke a male , and voweth and sacrificeth to the Lord , a corrupt thing . Offer incense unto Mal. 1. 11. his name and a pure offering : whatsoever thine heart prayeth let it bee heartily , with all thy might , labour for the spirit of prayer ; which the Lord promiseth to his faithfull ones , the Spirit of grace , and of supplications — for know that : Zech. 12. 10.

1 A very hypocrite may pray and that ( as one would thinke ) very zealously , both with others , and also apart by himselfe . For is the true Christian M. Dyke on the hearts deceiptf . sometimes hot in prayer ? hee will sweat : is the humbled soule sorrowfull ? he wil weepe and blubber : doth the sincere heart sigh softly ? hee will cry out amaine , with a great and exceeding bitter cry , as Esau , Blesse Gen. 27. 34. me , even mee also O my father . It stands us therefore in hand , to looke that our hearts bee right , in the sight of God .

2 For , what is the hope of the Iob ▪ 27. 8. 10. hypocrite ? will hee delight himselfe in the Almighty , will hee alwayes call upon God ? no , for in more grievous crosses , he sometimes hath not one word to blesse himselfe withall — yet hee sometimes may then seeke God early , — they powred out their Hos. 5. 15. Isai. 26. 16. prayer when thy chastning was upon them .

3 In thy Praying , seeke Gods 2 Chr ▪ 7. 14. face ; herein the hypocrite is too blame , hee prayes out of selfe-respects , for base ends — and out of pride , and vaine glory , hee prayes more often , more zealously with others , than alone by himselfe , to his father in secret — not with all manner of prayer , &c. the touchstone of prayer is giving of thankes , in which he is seldome , about which he does but bungle .

4 Make not prayer thy end in praying , but use it in good sadnesse , as a meanes to bee enabled against corruptions , and to get grace : the hypocrites are lazie lip-prayers , hee feeles not sinne like a mountaine of leade lying on his conscience , hee sees not a want of grace , &c. he puts not to the shoulder , he useth not the meanes for the atteining of what hee prayes : his hands labour M. Dyke ibid. not , his feet bestirre them not so fast as his tongue — hee prayes against sinne , yet lives wickedly : hee prayes for health , &c. and yet lives riotously , intemperately , would I Our sacrifices must bee offered with fire , warmth of enflamed Zeale . Cold Prayers are to God as dead drinks be to us . had such and such a grace , but hee is not sicke of love , nor earnest for those graces : hee desireth , he never breaketh his sleep for the matter , hee hungers not , thirsts not for righteousnesse ; Hunger will breake stone walsand the sincere Christian , will have no nay , like Rachel , give mee children , give me this and this grace , or I die : hee useth the meanes , O that my wayes were so directed ! Like as the Hart brayeth for the water Psal. 42. 1. Ps. 119. 20. brookes , my soule-breaketh for the longing that it hath —

5 Pray without ceasing , persevere Luk. 18. 10. 1 Thes. 5. 17 ▪ in prayer , and faint not ; never thinke thy selfe to have too much heavenly society , and talke with God , acquaint thy selfe still more with the Almighty — The hypocrite is inconstant , fickle off and on — Wicked men and hypocrites have taken up a course of prayer , and breeding and custome have wrought a kind of conscience in some : but they but lust with Balaam , let mee die the death of — 2. They alwayes have one pad , one forme , — 3. From the lips or braines , not from the spirit . 4. At randome , as men shoot , not minding how their arrow lights or speeds . 5. They begin and end in themselves , with their owne strength , for their owne particular ends , not for the Church .

Meanes of PREPARATION to Prayer .

1 CLense our soules from the guilt of foule sinnes , Isai. 1. those lately committed . Wash Tergat speculum , mundet spiritum . Bern. you , make you cleane — The Iewes and Turkes wash their bodies ; wash thou thy soule in the brinish teares of sincere sorrow .

2 Sequester our thoughts from worldly cares goe up into the mount : retire thy selfe some little while before thou prayest : outward things stifle our prayers , and make them hang the wing .

3 Consider we have to doe with God , come with feare and trembling into his presence , not rushing on a consuming fire .

Three Questions to bee Out of M. Byfield . asked of our selves , the serious answer whereunto , will stirre up and furnish every babe in Christ , to cry Abba father , with faith , feeling , and fervencie .

Q. 1. WHat sins have 1. For confession of sin . I committed all my life long that lie heavie on my conscience , and would affright my soule , if I were now to die ?

This Question sincerely answered , wil drive thee to a scrutinie , and searching them out : ( as the Iewes did Leaven before the Passeover , and very seasonable for Christians before every Communion , &c. ) to a particular confession , and bewayling of them . Thou maist set them downe in a paper .

Qu. 2. What would I desire 2. For petition of necessaries . God to doe for me , if I were sure to obtaine my wish of him ?

Thy heart will answer , O that God would please , to forgive my sinnes , such , and such — O that hee would give unto

stedfast faith in the Lord Iesus : the grace of Perseverance — Health , &c.

Set downe the particulars .

3. Qu. What speciall favours 3. for thankesgiving , and blessings hath God bestowed 3 For Thankesgiving . on mee , from my infancie till now , for which I owe him all possible thankesgiving ?

Thy heart will make answer , such and such a time hee delivered mee from danger , from death , &c. made such a man to be my friend — gave mee a husband , a wife , preferment , &c.

Thus if thou signifie to God

thy

hatred of those sinnes . want and hearty desire of those graces — thankesgiving for those blessings .

Exercise will make this easie , and Christs spirit ( that great master of requests ) will be ready to draw thy petitions for thee , prompting thee with sit words , and holy affections : thou shalt make thy prayers unto him , and hee shall heare thee , and if thou seeke him , hee will be found . Iob 22. 27.

Doe this daily , it will bee no hinderance , to thy worldly employments . No man ever lost by serving God , Meat and Mattens hinder no mans thrift . Godlinesse hath the Promise ; for as hee rideth not furthest , * * Practice of Christianity . pag. 622. that goes early out on a bad horse &c. or hee that is early up at his busines with blunt , and dull-edged tooles , but wea●ies himselfe and mars his worke — so he prospers not best that goes about his calling , before he hath seasoned his heart with holy meditations , reading , and prayer to God .

Exod. 40. 5. Thou shalt set the Altar of Gold for the Incense before the Arke of the Testimonie , — Exod. 30. 7. — Aaron shall burne thereon sweet Incense every morning — vers. 8 and at Even hee shall burne incense upon it , a perpetuall incense before the Lord . Levit. 16. 12. — He shall take a censer full of burning coales of fire , from off the Altar before the Lord , and his hands full of sweet incense , beaten small , and bring it within the veile . vers. 13. And hee shall put the incense upon the fire before the Lord , that the cloud of the incense may cover the Mercie-seat , that is upon the Testimonie — Holy Incense for the To these Common-places , thou mayest in thy daily reading the Scriptures , referre many of the like nature . the Censers of the Saints : Or , Selected Sentences of holy Scripture , furn●shing with materialls , and serving as Formes of Prayer , according to the heads of the former Method .

PREPARATION .

LEt us lift up our heart , with Lam. 3. 41. our hands unto God in the heavens .

Unto thee lift I up mine eyes , Psal. 123. 1. O thou that dwellest in the heavens .

DESCRIPTIONS of GOD.

O God , the God of the Spirits Num. 16. 22. of all flesh —

Thou art a God ready to pardon , Nehe. 9. 17. gracious and mercifull , slow to anger , and of great kindenesse .

O thou that hearest prayers — Psal. 75. 2. Isai. 42. 5. — Thou Lord that createdst the heavens , and stretchedst them out , that spreadest foorth the earth , and that which commeth out of it ; that givest breath unto the people upon it , and spirit to them that walke therein .

— The God in whose hand our Dan. 5. 23. breath is , and whose are all our wayes .

The high and lofty One , that Isai. 57. 15. inhabitest eternity , whose name is holy ; who dwellest in the high and holy place , &c.

The living God and the everlasting Ier. 10. 10. King .

— Who hast made the earth by 12. thy power , and hast established the world by thy wisedome , and stretched out the heavens by thy discretion .

That formest the mountaines Amos 4. 15. and createst the wind , & declarest unto man what is his thought , that makest the morning darkenesse ; and treadest upon the high places of the earth .

The blessed and onely Potentate , 1 Tim. 6. 15. the King of Kings , and Lord of Lords : Who onely hast 16. immortality , dwelling in the light which no man can approch unto , whom no man hath seene or can see .

— The Lord of Hoasts , which Sam. 1. 4. 4 dwelleth betweene the Che●u●ims .

— Behold the heaven , and the 1 King . 8. 27 heaven of heavens cannot containe thee .

— Thine is the Kingdome , O 1 Chr. 29. 11 Lord , and thou art exalted as head above all .

Both riches and honour come 12. of thee , and thou reignest over all , and in thine hand is power and might , and in thine hand it is to make great , and to give strength unto all .

Behold , even to the Moone , Iob 25. 5. and it shineth not , yea , the Stars are not pure in his sight .

— O Lord my God , thou art Psal. 104. 1. very great ; thou art cloathed with honour and Majesty .

Who coverest thy selfe with 2. light , as with a garment : who stretchest out the heavens like a curtaine .

— The nations are as a drop of a Isai. 40. 15. bucket , and are counted as the small dust of the ballance : hee taketh up the Isles as a very little thing .

All nations before him are as 17. nothing , and they are counted to him lesse than nothing , and vanity .

It is he that sitteth upon the 22. circle of the Earth , and the inhabitants thereof are as grashoppers , that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtaine , and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in .

O Lord of Hoasts , that trieth Ier. 20. 12. the righteous , and seest the reines and the heart .

— The Lord which giveth the Ier. 31. 35. Sunne for a light by day , and the ordinances of the Moone and of the Stars , for a light by night , which divideth the Sea , when the waves thereof roare , the Lord of Hoasts is his name .

— Lord God behold thou hast Ier. 32. 17. made the heaven and the earth , by thy great power , and stretched out arme , and there is nothing too hard for thee .

Thou shewest loving kindnesse 18. unto thousands , and recompencest the iniquity of the Fathers into the bosome of their children after them , the great , the mighty God , the Lord of hoasts is his name .

Great in Councell , and mighty 19. in worke , for thine eyes are open upon all the wayes of the Sonnes of men , to give every one according to his wayes , and according to the fruit of his doings .

— The King whose name is the Ier. 46. 18. Lord of Hoasts .

— Him that maketh the seaven Amos 5 8. Stars and Orion , and turneth the shaddow of death into the morning , and maketh the day darke with night : that calleth for the waters of the Sea , and powreth them out upon the face of the earth , the Lord is his name .

— He that buildeth his stories in Amos 9 6. the heaven , and hath founded his troupe in the earth .

Who is a God like unto thee Mich. 7. 18. that pardoneth iniquity , and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage , he retaineth not his anger for ever , because hee delighteth in mercie .

He rebuketh the Sea , and maketh Nah. 1. 4. it dry and drieth up all the Rivers .

Thou art of purer eyes then Hab. 1. 13. to behold evill , and canst not looke on iniquity .

Descriptions of God from his Mercie and long-suffering . Exod 34. 6. 2 Pet. 3. 9. 2 Chron. 30. 9. Nehem. 9. 31. Psal. 103. 8. 11. 13. 17. Mic. 7. 18. 19. Rom. 2. 4. Gracious Promises Gen. 3 15. Psal. 103 3. 9. Psal. 30. 5. Psal 126. 5. Isay . 1 18. Isay 54 8. Ezec. 18 21. 23. Ezech. 33. 11. Math. 12. 20. Math. 11. 28. Rom. 8. 1. Omnipotent goodnes . Eph. 3. 20. Gen. 17. 1. 2 Cor. 9. 8. Rom. 10. 12.

Craving of AVDIENCE , ASSISTANCE , and ACCEPTANCE .

Looke downe from thy holy Deut. 26. 15 habitation , from heaven .

— have thou respect unto the 1 Reg. 8. 28. prayer of thy servant , and to my supplication , O Lord my God , to hearken to the cry , and to the praier which thy servant prayeth before thee this day .

Thou hast commanded that we should call upon thee in the Psal. 50. 15. day of trouble , and hast promised also that thou wilt deliver us .

Lord bow downe thine eare and heare , open Lord thine eyes 2 Reg. 19. 16. and see , and heare the words —

Let my prayer bee set forth before thee as incense : and the Psal. 141. 2. lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice .

Thou hast promised that if wee shall aske any thing in thy Iohn 14. 14. Sonnes name , thou wilt doe it —

Now therefore , O our God , Dan. 9. 17. heare the prayer of thy servants , and their supplication , and cause thy face to shine upon us for the Lords sake , — for wee doe not 18. present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesse , but for thy great mercies .

Wee know not what wee Rom. 8. 26. should pray for as we ought , therefore let thy Spirit it selfe helpe our infirmities , and make intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered .

It shall come to passe when Exo. 22. 27. he cryeth unto me , that I will heare , for I am gracious .

— Hearken thou to the supplication 1 Kin. 8. 30. of thy servant , and of thy people Israel when they shall pray towards this place , & heare thou in heaven thy dwelling place and when thou hearest , forgive . 36 — Heare thou in heaven and forgive the sinne of thy servants , and of thy people Israel , that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walke , and give raine upon thy land which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance .

Heare thou in h●eaven thy 43. dwelling place , and doe according to all that the stranger calleth to thee , for that all people of the earth may know thy name to feare thee , as doe thy people Israel .

Heare thou in heaven thy 39. dwelling place , and forgive and doe , and give to every man according to his wayes .

Let thine eare now be attentive , Nehe. 1. 6. and thine eyes open , that thou may est heare the prayer of thy servants .

Hearken unto the voyce of Psal. 5. 2. my cry , my King and my God : for unto thee will I pray .

— Heare the voyce of my supplication Psal. 28. 2. when I cry unto thee , when I lift up my hands toward thy holy Oracle .

Give eare O Lord unto my Psal. 86. 6. prayer : and attend to the voyce of my supplication .

Let the words of my mouth , Psal. 19. 14. and the meditation of my heart , be acceptable in thy sight , O Lord , my strength and my redeemer .

Unto thee lift I up mine eyes : Psal. 123. 1 O thou that dwellest in the heavens .

Heare my prayer , O Lord Psal. 143. 1 give eare to my supplications , in thy faithfullnesse answer me , and in thy righteousnesse .

Heare me speedily , O Lord , 7. my spirit faileth , hide not thy face from me , lest I be like unto them that goe downe into the pit .

Looke downe from heaven , Isai. 63. 15. and behold from the habitation of thy holinesse , and of thy glory .

O Lord how long shall I cry , Hab. 1. 2. ● . and thou wilt not heare , I even cry out unto thee of violence , and thou wilt not save .

CONFESSION of Sinne.

O my God , I am ashamed Ezra 9. 6. and blush , to lift up my face to thee my God , for our iniquities are increased over our heads , and our trespasse is growne up unto the heavens .

Thou createdst our first Parents Gen 1. 27. in thine owne image , and breathedst into their nostrils the 2. 7. 3. 13. breath of life : but the Serpent beguiled them , and they did eate of the forbidden Fruit , Heb. 7. 10. whereby all mankind ( being then in their loines ) also sinned : Rom. 3. 23. and now come short of the glory of God —

— thou madest man upright , but Eccles. ● . 29 they sought out many inventions .

We are risen up in our fathers Num. 32. 14 steed an increase of sinfull men , to augment yet the fierce anger of the Lord toward us .

Behold I was shapen in iniquity , ●il . ● ▪ ●● . and in Sinne did my mother conceive me .

We know Lord that in us , Rom. 7. 18. ( that is , in our flesh ) dwelleth no good thing : for ( though to will be present with us , yet ) how to performe that which is good we finde not .

Thou Lord seest that the wickednesse Gen. 6. 5. of man is great upon earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart is onely evill continually —

If I justifie my selfe mine Io● 9. 20. owne mouth shall condemne me , — the heaven shall reveale & . 20. 27. our iniquity , and the earth shall rise up against us .

What is man that he should 15. 14. bee cleane ? and hee which is borne of a woman , that hee should be righteous ?

— abominable and filthy is 〈…〉 6. man , which drinketh iniquity like water .

— for mine iniquityes are Psal. 38. 4. growne over mine head , and as a heavy burden they are too heavie for me .

Who can say I have made my Pro. 20. 9. heart cleane ? I am pure from my sinnes ?

Wee are all as an uncleane Isai. 64. 6. thing , and all our righteousnesses are as filthy ragges : and our iniquities like the wind have taken us away — and there is none 7. of us that calleth upon thy Name , that stirreth up himselfe to take hold on thee —

We have made thee to serve Isai. 43. 24. with our sinnes , we have wearied thee with ou● iniquities —

The shew of our countenance Isai. 3. 9. doth witnesse against us , and we declare our sinne as Sodome and hide it not : woe unto our soule for we have rewarded evill to our selves —

If thou Lord shouldest marke Psal. 130. 3. iniquities : O Lord who shall stand ? But ●h●re is forgivenesse with thee : that thou mayest be feared .

If we should be weighed by Dan. 5. 27. thee in the balances , we should be found wanting .

And that which makes our Rom 7. 13. sin become exceeding sinfull , in the land of uprightnes have we dealt unjustly , & would not behold Isa. 26. 10. the majestie of the Lord .

— We are ashamed of the Gospell Rom. 1. 16. of Christ , though it be the power of God unto salvation to every one that beleeveth .

Thou hast spread out thy Isa. 65. 2. hands all the day , unto a rebellious people which have walked in a way that was not good after their owne thoughts .

Ah Lord God! we love not 1 Cor. 16. 22 Eph. 6. 24. Isai. 53. 3. the Lord Iesus in sincerity .

— We hide as it were our faces from him , and will not have him to raigne over us .

Alas ! wee count not all Phil. 3. 8. things losse and doung for the excellencie of the knowledge of Christ Iesus our Lord .

— That we might bee found in 9. him not having our owne righteousnesse .

— We take no paines to know 10. him , and the power of his resurrection , and the fellowship of his sufferings , or to bee made conformable to his death .

Thou hast given us space to Rev. 2. 21. repent of all our abominations that wee have committed , but we repented not .

Wee confesse not our transgressions Psal. 32. 5. unto thee Lord , that thou mightest forgive the iniquity of our sinne .

Thou hast stricken us but we Ier. 5. 3. have not grieved , thou hast consumed us but wee have refused to receive correction , wee have made our faces harder than a rocke , and have refused to returne .

We have received the grace of God in vaine , and have neglected the great Salvation which thou tendrest unto us in Iesus Christ .

Wee have grieved the holy Ephes. 4. 30 ▪ Spirit of God , whereby wee are sealed to the day of redemption — and have turned the Iude 4. grace of God into lasciviousnesse .

We have left our first love — Revel. 2. 4. Psal. 42. 2. our soule thirsteth not for God , for the living God .

— We have even sinned wilfully , Heb. 10. 26. since we received the knowledge of the truth : so that ( we may justly feare , ) there remayneth now no more sacrifice for our sinnes , but a certaine fearefull looking for of judgement , and fiery indignation — For if 27. he that despised Moses law died without mercy — Of how much 28. sorer punishment shall wee be thought worthy , who have 29. troden under foote the Sonne of God , and have counted the blood of the covenant wherewith we were sanctified , an unholy thing , and have done despite to the Spirit of Grace .

— Many scarlet and crimsin sins , Isai. 1. 18. have wee committed whereby great occasion hath beene given by us to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme . 2 Sam. 12. 14 Ier. 5. 28.

Yea we overpasse the deeds of the wicked .

Wherefore I abhorre my Iob 42. 6. selfe and repent in dust and ashes .

For innumerable evils have Psal. 40. 12. compassed me about , mine iniquities have taken hold upon me , so that I am not able to looke up : they are moe then the haires of my head : therefore my heart faileth me .

For thou art the God of my Psal. 43. 2. strength , why dost thou cast me off ? why goe I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy .

Thou hast set our iniquitles Psal. 90. 8. before thee , our secret sinnes in the light of thy countenance .

When yee come to appeare Isai 1. 12. before me , who hath required this at your hand , to tread my courts ?

For Ierusalem is ruined , and Isai. 3. 8. Iudah is f●llen , because their tongues , and their doings are against the Lord , to provoke the eyes of his glory .

Woe unto them that draw Isai. 5. 18. injquity with cords of vanity , and sinne as it were with a Cart rope .

But your injquities have separated Isai. 59. 2. between you and your God , and your sinnes have hid his face from you that hee will nor heare .

As a Fountaine casteth out Ier. 6. 7. her waters , so shee casteth out her wickednesse , violence and spoyle is heard in her , before mee continually is griefe and wounds .

Yet I had planted thee a noble Ier. 2. 21. vine wholly a right seed : How then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me ?

For though thou wash thee Ier. 2. 22. with niter , and take thee much sope , yet thine injquities is marked before mee saith the Lord God .

The sinne of Iudah is written Ier. 17. 1. with a pen of jron , and with the point of a diamond , it is graven upon the table of their heart , and upon the hornes of your altars .

Behold I am pressed under Amos. 2. 13. you as a cart is pressed , that is full of sheaves .

For I know your manifold Amos 5. 12. transgressions and your mighty sinnes .

For wee know that the Law Rom. 7. 14. is spirituall but I am carnall sold under sinne .

But I see another law in my 23. members warring against the law of my mind , and bringing me into captivity to the law of sinne which is in my members : O wretched man that I am who 24. shall deliver me from the body of this death .

2. EVILL of punishment .

And for all these thou our Ezr. 9. 13. God hast punished us lesse than our injquities deserve .

It is of the Lords mercies Lam. 3. 22. that wee are not consumed , because his compassions faile not . — If thou shouldst lay judgement Isay . 28. 17. to the line , and righteousnesse to the plummet — thou Deu. 29. 23. mightest make thy anger and jealousie to smoke against us , and all the curses that are written in thy booke , thou mightest lay upon us , and blot out our name from under heaven ,

Thou mightest give us our Psal. 9. 17. portion with the wicked that are turned into hell , and all the nations that forget God .

See the heads Plague , Punish , &c. in the Seripture Phrases .

2. PETITION for FORGIVENES .

But with thee Lord is mercy , Psal 130. 7. and with thee is plenteous redemption — O therefore pardon Exod. 34. 9. our injquities and our sinne , and take us for thine inheritance .

Put away our transgressions Isai. 44. 2. as a cloud , and our sinnes as a mist .

O Lord though our injquities Ier. 14. 7. testifie against us , doe thou it for thy names sake : for our back-slidings are many , we have sinned against thee .

O that I might have my request , Iob 6. 8. and that God would grant mee the thing that I long for ! — even that it would please Nehe 4 5. him to cover mine injquity , and cause my sinne to be blotted out from before him .

Remember not the sinnes of Psal. 25. 7. my youth , nor my transgressions : according to thy mercie remember thou mee , for thy goodnesse sake , O Lord .

For thy names sake O Lord Psal. 25. 11. pardon mine injquity for it is great .

O remember not against us Psal 79. 8. former iniquities , let thy mercies speedily prevent us . — Take Hos. 14. 2. away our injquitie , and receive us graciously : so will we render the calues of our lips .

Turne againe and have compassion Mic. 7. 19. upon us ; subdue our injquities , and cast all our sinnes into the depthes of the Sea .

Behold the Lambe of God Ioh. 1. 29. that taketh away the sinnes of the world .

To this end was hee borne , Ioh. 18 37. and for this cause came hee into the world , that hee might save sinners , of whom wee are the chiefe .

Hee was wounded for our Isai. 53. 5. transgressions , hee was bruised for our injquities : the chastisement of our peace was upon him , and with his stripes are we healed .

For his sake , and in his blood , Psal. 57. 2. wash me throughly from mine injquities , and cleanse me from Psal. 51. 2. my sinne .

— Purge me with Hysope and I 7. shall be cleane , wash mee and I shall bee whiter than snow . Hide thy face from my sinnes , and blot out all mine injquities .

— I have ▪ sinned greatly in that 2 Sam , 24. 10 I have done , and now I beseech thee O Lord , take away the injquitie of thy servant , for I have done very foolishly .

Looke thou upon me and bee Ps. 119. 132 mercifull unto me as thou usest to doe unto those that love thy name .

— Though your sinnes bee as Isai. 1. 18. scarlet they shall be as white as snow : though they be red like c●imson they shall be as wooll .

Behold thou art the Lord the Ier. 32. 27. God of all flesh , there is nothing too hard for the.

For FAITH .

O we are of little faith , therefore , Math. 6. 39. O Lord , encrease our faith , though it be yet but as a graine Luk. 17. 5. Math. 7. 20. Rom. 5. 1. of mustard seed , —

— that being justified by faith , wee may have peace with thee .

Worke in us not a dead faith , Iam. 2. 20. Heb. 12. 14. but that which may bee rich in good workes , following after peace with all men , and holinesse , without which none shall see God .

Create in mee a cleane heart ; Psa. 51. 10. O God : and renew a right spirit within me .

— Not having mine owne righteousnesse Phil. 3. 9. which is of the law , but that which is through the faith of Christ , the righteousnesse which is of God by faith .

For REPENTANCE .

Oh that my head were waters , and mine eyes a fountaine of teares that I might weepe day and night , for —

O that all the night I could Psa. 6. 6. make my bed to swim ! that I could water my couch with my teares ! that I might repent in sacke-cloth and ashes . — and grant us repentance unto life — Mat. 11. 21. Act. 11. 18.

Thou hast in love to our soules vouchsafed unto us space and time to repent in ; O that Rev. 2. 21. thou wouldst also give us grace to repent ! O that there were Deut 5. 29. such an heart in us that wee might repent , and recover our selues out of the snare of the Devill , who have beene hither ▪ to taken captive by him at his 2 Tim 2. 26. will !

Doe thou melt our stonie 2 Cor. 7. 10. hearts into godly sorow , which worketh repentance unto salvation not to bee repented of .

SANCTIFYING GRACE .

Sprinkle cleane water upon Ezek 37. 25. us that we may bee cleane from all our filthinesse , and from all our —

— a new heart also doe thou Eze. 36. 26. give us , and a new spirit doe thou put within us ; and take away the stony heart out of the middest of us , and give thou unto us an heart of flesh —

— and put thy Spirit within 27 us , and cause thou us to walke in thy statutes , and keepe thy judgements , and doe them .

KNOWLEDGE .

That the God of our Lord Ephes. 1. 17. Iesus Christ , the father of glory , would give unto us the spirit of wisedome and ●evelation in the knowledge of him —

The eyes of our understanding 18. being inlightned : that we may know what is the hope of his calling , and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints .

— that the earth may bee filled Hab. 2. 14 with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the Sea . — that all may know thee Heb. 8. 11. from the least to the greatest of us .

That Christ may dwell in Ephes. 3. 17. our hearts by faith , that we being rooted and grounded in love , — may be able to comprehend 18. with all Saints , what is the breadth , and length , and depth , and heighth : And to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge , — that wee might 19. be filled with all the fulnesse of God .

That I may know him , and Phil. 3. 10. the power of his resurrection , and the fellowship of his sufferings , being made conformable unto his death —

And because it is not good Prov. 192. that the soule bee without knowledge , incline our eares to wisedome and apply our hearts to understanding — that we may Prov. 2. 2. cry after knowledge , and lift up our voice for understanding , that wee may understand the 3. 5. feare of the Lord , and find the knowledge of God —

— That wee may be enabled Hos. 8. 2. to cry unto thee , Our God wee know thee . Vid. Ier. 31. 33. 34.

LOVE of GOD , &c.

That wee may love the Lord Mat. 22. 37. our God with all our heart , and with all our soule , and with all our mind , — that because our Luke 7. 47. sinnes which are many are forgiven us , therefore we may love thee much .

That wee may love one another Iohn 13. 34. as Christ hath loved us — — that our love may abound yet Phil. 1. 9. more and more towards all men , especially them that are of the houshold of faith — Gal. 6. 10.

That wee may love our enemies , Mat. 5. 44. blesse them that curse us , doe good unto them that hate us , and pray for them that dispitefully use , and persecute us .

ZEALE .

Make us to bee zealous of Tit. 2. 14. good workes , that we may not rest contented with a luke-warme profession , being neither cold nor hot , but that our soule may breake for the longing Rev. 3. 16. that it hath to thy judgements at all times , — that the Psa. 119. 20 zeale of thine house may eate us up — that so our zeale may Iohn 2. 17. 2 Cor. 9. 2. provoke very many —

SINCERITIE .

Behold thou desirest truth in Psal. 51. 6. the inward parts , O therefore make us Israelites indeed in Iohn 1. 47. whom there is no guile .

That in simplicitie and godly 2 Cor. 1. 12. purenesse wee may have our conversation in the world ; because Ier. 16 ▪ 17. thine eyes are upon all our wayes : and thou understandest our thoughts a farre off , and art acquainted with all our wayes : for there is not a word in our Psal. 139. 2 tongue , but loe , O Lord , thou 3. knowest it altogether .

And thou wilt bring to light 1 Cor 4. 5. the hidden things of darknesse : and wilt make manifest the counsels of the heart .

Though they dig into hell , Amos 9. 2. thence shall my hand take them , though they climbe up to heaven , thence will I bring them downe .

And though they hide themselves 3. in the top of Carmel , I will search and take them out thence , and though they be hid from my sight in the bottome of the Sea , thence will I command the Serpent , and hee shall bite them .

If thou sayest behold , wee Prov. 24. 12. knew it not , doth not he that pondereth the heart , consider it , and that keepeth thy soule , doth not he know it , and shall not he render to every man according to his workes ?

God shall bring every worke Eeles . 12. 14 ▪ into judgement with every secret thing whether it be good , or whether it be evill .

— the Lord seeth not as man seeth : 1 Sam. 16. 7. for man looketh on the outward appearance , but the Lord looketh on the heart .

I beseech thee O Lord , remember 2 Kin. 20. 3. now how I have walked before thee in truth , and with a perfect heart , and have done that which is good in thy sight .

— the Lord searcheth all hearts , 1 Chr. 28. 2. and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts .

Can any hide himselfe in secret Ier. 23. 24. places that I shall not see him , sayeth the Lord , doe not I fill heaven and earth sayeth the Lord .

Shall not God know this , Psal. 44. 21. for he knoweth the secrets of the heart .

The darknesse hideth not Ps. 139. 12. from thee , but the night shineth as the day the darknesse and the light are both alike to thee .

The Spirit of man is the candle Prov. 20. 27. of the Lord , searching all the inward parts of the belly .

— thou even thou knowest the 1 King . 8. 39 hearts of all the children of men .

Neither is there any creature Heb. 4. 13. that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and opened to the eyes of him , with whom they have to doe .

BOLDNES the Profession of the GOSPEL .

That we may not be ashamed Rom. 1. 1● , of the Gospel of Christ ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that beleeveth .

— Grant unto thy servants that Act 4. 29. with all boldnesse we may speak of ; and professe thy word .

— Considering that if we shall Mark . 8. 38. bee ashamed of Our Lord Iesus Christ , and of his words in this adulterous , and sinfull generation , the Sonne of man also will be ashamed of us , when he commeth in the glory of his Father with the holy Angels .

PERSEVERANCE .

O that there were such an Deut. 5. 29. heart in us that we might feare thee , and keepe thy commandements alway , that it might be well with us , and with our children after us for ever !

Give us our heart and our Ier. 32. 39. way , that we may feare thee for ever ; and make thou an everlasting covenant with vs , that thou wilt not turne away from 40. us , to doe us good , and put thy feare in our hearts that we may not depart from thee .

— Let us hold fast the profession Heb. 10. 23. of our faith without wavering .

CONTENTATION .

— that we may learne in whatsoever Phil. 4. 11. state we are there with to be content , knowing both how to be abased , and to abound : every Phil 4. ●2 . where , and in all things being instructed , both to bee full , and to bee hungry , both to abound , and to suffer need .

Because godlinesse with contentment 1 Tim. 6. 6. is great gaine : for we brought nothing into this world 7. and it is certaine wee can carry nothing ou● .

— Having therefore food and 8. rayment , let us bee therewith content .

That our conversation may Heb. 13. 5. bee without covetousnesse : being content with such things as wee have . For thou hast sayd , thou wilt never leave us , nor forsake us .

— Casting all our care upon thee , 1 Pet. 5. 7. for thou carest for us .

What ? shall we receive good Iob. 2. 10. the hands of the Lord , and not evill ?

— Take no thought for your Math. 6. 25. life , what ye shall eate , or what ye shall drinke , nor yet for your body what you shall put on .

— the foules of the ayre , they Math. 6. 26. sow not , neither doe they reape , nor gather into barnes , yet your heavenly father feedeth them .

Which of you by taking 2● . thought , can adde one cubite unto his stature .

Consider the Lillies of the 27. field , how they grow : they toyle not , neither doe they spin .

— If God so cloathe the grasse 30. of the field , which to day is , and to morrow is cast into the oven , shall he not much more cloathe you , O ye of little faith , take no thought , saying , what 31. shall we eate , or what shall we drinke , or where withall shall we be cloathed ?

— Your heavenly father knoweth 32. that you have neede of all these things .

— give me neither poverty nor Prov. 30. ● . riches ; feed me with food convenient for me ,

Lest I be full and deny thee , Prov. 30. 9. and say , who is the Lord ? or lest I be poore and steale , and take the name of my God in vaine .

PATIENCE under the CROSSE .

Helpe us to deny our selves , Luk. 9. 23. and to take up our Crosse daily and follow our Saviour .

Thou hast fore-told us , that Ioh. 16. 33 ▪ in the world we shall have tribulation . — And that through Act. 14. 2● . much tribulation we must enter into the Kingdome of God .

Let us therefore reckon with Rom. 8. 1● . our selves that the sufferings of this present time , are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall bee revealed in us .

— That it may be given unto us , Phil. 1. 29. in the behalfe of Christ , not only to beleeve on him , but also to suffer for his sake .

Let us run with patience the Heb 12. 1. way that is set before us .

Looking unto Iesus the author 2. and finisher of our faith , who for the joy that was set before him endured the crosse .

Consider him that endured 3. such contradiction of sinners against himselfe , lest you be wearied and faint in your mindes .

Thinke it not strange concerning 1 Pet. 4. 12. the fiery triall which is to try you , as though some strange thing happened unto you .

Rejoyce in as much as yee are 13 partakers of Christs sufferings , that when his glory shall be revealed , ye may be glad also with exceeding joy .

If ye be reproched for the 14. name of Christ , happy are ye , for the spirit of glory , and of God resteth upon you .

GODS WORD .

Let thy word be a lampe unto 〈◊〉 119. 105 my feet : and a light unto our path .

O make it unto us a word of Psal. 16. 7. power , converting the soule , quicke and powerfull , and sharper than any two edged sword , Heb. 4. 12. piercing even to the dividing asunder of soule and spirit , and of the joynts and marrow .

Give us the hearing eare , and Pro 20. 12. the seeing eye ▪ make thy word Ier. 23. 29. like fire , and like a hammer that breaketh the rockes in pieces .

— and as the raine commeth Isai. 55. 10. downe , and the snow from heaven , and returneth not thither but watereth the earth , and maketh it bring forth and bud , that it may give seed to the sower , and bread to the ea●er : so let 11. thy word bee , that goeth forth out of thy mouth , let it not returne unto thee void , but accomplish that which thou pleasest , and prosper in the thing whither thou sendest it .

Lord give the Preacher the Isai. 50. 4. tongue of the learned , that hee may know how to speake a word in season to him that is weary , and create the fruit of his lips peace — and let the worke of the Lord prosper in Isai. 53. 10. his hand .

They shall be abundantly satisfied Psal. 36. 8. with the fatnesse of thy house , and thou shalt make them drinke of thy pleasures .

For with thee is the fountain 9. of life ; in thy light shall we see light .

We will goe into his tabernacles ; Psal. 132. 7. we will worship at his foot stoole .

Open thou mine eyes , that I Psa. 119. 18 may behold wondrous things out of thy Law .

In the way of thy judgements , Isai. 26. 8. O Lord , have I waited for thee , the desire of our soule is to thy name , and to the remembrance of thee .

Come let us goe up to the Mic. 4. 2. mountaine of the Lord , and to the house of the God of Iacob , and hee will teach us of his wayes , and we will walke in his paths .

— thine eares shall heare a word Isai. 30. 21. behind thee , saying , this is the way , walke in it .

Blessed is the man whom Psal. 65. 4. thou chusest , and causest to approch unto thee , that hee may dwell in thy courts : we shall be satisfied with the goodnesse of thy house , euen of thy holy Temple .

And in this mountaine shall Isai. 25. 6. the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things , a feast of wines on the lees , of fat things full of marrow , of wines on the lees well refined . Vid. vers. 7. 8.

Even them will I bring to ●● . 7. my holy mountaine and make them joyfull in my house of prayer ; their burnt offrings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine Altar : for mine house shall bee called a house of prayer unto all people .

SACRAMENTS in Speciall . 〈…〉

— let a man examine himselfe 1 Cor. 11. 28. and so let him eate of that bread , and drinke of that cup —

— my father giveth you the loh. 6. 32. true bread from heaven , for the 35. bread of God is he which commeth 36. downe from heaven , and giveth life unto the world . 37.

As the Hart panteth after the Psal. 42. 1. water-brookes , so panteth my soule after thee O God .

O God thou art my God , Psal. 63. 2. early will I seeke thee , my soule thirsteth for thee , my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirstie land , where no water is .

— what shall I render unto the Psa. 126. 12. 13. Lord for all his benefits towards me ? I will take the cup of salvation , and call upon the name of the Lord —

Personall Concernments , and speciall employments in our particular calling :

Lord be thou with mee , and Gen. 28. 20. keepe mee in this way that I goe , and give me bread to eate , and rayment to put on , so that I may come againe to my fathers house in peace .

O Lord God I pray thee send 21. mee good speed this day , and shew kindnesse unto

God Almighty give you 43. 14. mercie before the man , that he may

And thou who preservest the Prov. 2. 8. way of thy Saints hold up my Psal. 17. 5. goings in thy paths that my foote steps slip not

Give thine Angels charge Psal. 91. 11 over us , to keepe us in all our 12. wayes : that they may beare us up in their handes lest at any time we dash our foot .

O be thou with us , and keepe Gen. 28 15. us in all places whither we goe , and bring us againe , and leave us not untill thou hast done that which thou hast spoken to us of .

O that thou wouldst blesse 1 Chr. 4. 10. mee indeed , and enlarge my coast , and that thine hand might bee with me , and that thou wouldest keepe me from evill that it may not grieve me .

Prosper now I pray thee thy Neh. 1. 11. servant this day , and grant him mercy in the sight of the man . — and let the beauty of the Lord Psal. 90. 17. our God bee upon us , and establish thou the worke of our hands upon us : yea the worke of our hands establish thou it .

We know not what to doe , 2 Chr. 20. 12 but our eyes are upon thee — thou also must worke all our Isai. 26. 12. workes in us .

It is in vaine for us to rise up Psal. 127. 2. early , to sit up late , to eat the bread of sorrowes .

O Lord I know that the way Ier. 10. 23. of man is not in himselfe : it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps

— neither is hee that planteth 1 Cor. 2. 3. any thing , neither hee that watereth , but God that giveth the increase .

Deliverance from Evill . 1. Of SINNE .

Let not sinne raigne in our Rom. 6. 12. mortall bodies , that wee should obey it in the lusts thereof .

— neither suffer us to yeeld 12. our members as instruments of unrighteousnesse unto sinne : but unto God as those that are aliue from the deast , and our members as instruments of righteousnesse unto God , —

— looking diligently , lest any Heb. 12. 15. man faile of the grace of God , lest any root of bitternesse springing up trouble us , and thereby we be deluded .

— that being now made free Rom. 6. 22. from sinne , and become the servants of God , wee may have our fruit unto holinesse , and the end everlasting life .

But I see another law in my Rom 7 23. members , warring against the law of my mind , and bringing mee into captivity to the law of Sinne which is in my members .

O wretched man that I am , 24 who shall deliver me from the body of this death ?

— Cleanse thou mee from secret Psal. 19. 12. faults . Keepe backe thy servant also from presumptuous sinnes , let them not have dominion over me : then shall I bee upright , and I shall be innocent 13. from the great transgression .

Subdue the pride of our nature , 2 Cor. 10. 5. cast downe every imagination , and every high thing that exalteth it selfe against thee , and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ .

Let not my heart be haughty Ps. 131. 1. 2. nor my eyes lofty , neither suffer me to exercise my selfe in great matters or in things too high for me , but behave and quiet my selfe as a child that is weaned by his mother —

— Order my steps in thy word , Psa. 119 33 and let none in●quity have donion over me —

— make me also to be upright Psal. 8. 23. before thee , and to keepe my selfe from mine in●quity .

Let us lay aside every weight , Heb. 12. 1 2. and the sinne that doth so easily beset us , that we may run with patience the race that is set before us —

— that we may not love the 1 Ioh. 2 15. 16. world , nor the things in the world , because all that is in the world , the lust of the flesh , the lust of the eyes , and the pride of life , is not of the Father , but of the world .

— that denying ungodlines and Tit. 2. 12. worldly lusts , wee may live soberly , righteously , and godly in this present world —

That we may walke circumspectly Eph. 5. 15. not as fooles but as wise — giving none occasion to 1 Tim. 5. 14. the adversary to speake reproachfully .

— Mortifying our members Col. 3. 5. which are on the earth fornication , uncleannesse , the inordinate affection , evill concupiscence , and covetousnesse which is idolatry

— Putting off all these , anger , Col. 3. 8. wrath , malice , blasphemie , filthy communication —

— That wee may resist unto Heb. 12. 4. blood , striving against sinne , taking Heb. 3. 12. heed lest there bee in any of us an evill heart of unbeliefe in departing from the living God

— taking heed to our selves , Luke 21. 34. lest at any time our hearts bee over-charged with suffering and drunkennesse , and cares of this life —

That wee may bee sober and 1 Pet. 5. 8. vigilant , because our adversary the devill , as a roaring Lyon , walketh about , seeking whom hee may devoure , whom that wee may resist , stedfast in the Eph. 6. 11. faith , let us take unto us the whole armour of God , that we may bee able to stand against all his wiles , being strong in the 10. Lord , and in the power of his might .

2. PVNISHMENT .

Let no evill befall us , neither Psal 91. 10. let any plague come nigh our dwelling ,

Send from heaven and save Psal. 57 ● . mee from the reproach of him that would swallow me up . My soule is among Lyons , and I lye even among them that are set on fire ; even the sonnes of men , whose teeth are speares , and arrowes , 4. and their tongue a sharpe sword .

Plead my cause O Lord , with Psal. 35. 1. them that strive with me , fight thou against them that fight against me —

Have mercy upon me O Lord , Psal. 6. 2. for I am weake , O Lord heale me for my bones are vexed — My soule also is sore vexed , &c. 3 4.

Returne O Lord , deliver my soule : O save me for thy mercies sake

For in death there is no remembrance 5. of thee : in the grave who shall give thee thankes

I am weary with my groaning , 6. all the night make I my bed to swimme : I water my couch with my teares

Mine eye is consumed because 7. of griefe , it waxeth old because of all mine enemies .

Turne thee unto mee , and Psal 25. 16. have mercie upon me , for I am desolate and afflicted . The 17. troubles of my heart are enlarged ; O bring thou me out of my 18. distresses . Looke upon mine affliction and my paine , and forgive all my sinnes .

O my Father if it be possible Mat. 26. 39 let this affliction passe from me ; neverthelesse not as I will , but as thou wilt .

Lord make mee to know Psal. 39. 4. mine end , and the measure of my dayes , what it is : that I may know how fraile I am . Behold 5. thou hast made my dayes as an hand-breadth , and mine age is as nothing before thee : verely every man at his best state is altogether vanity .

So teach us to number our Psal. 90. 12. dayes , that wee may apply our hearts unto wisedome .

The HOLY CATHOLIKE Intercession , or the Prayer of Charity . CHVRCH of IESVS CHRIST .

Preserve that little flocke to Luke 12. 32. whom thou hast promised , and reserved the Kingdome .

Be unto it a wall of fire , round Zech. 2. 5. about .

Let thy delight be to Mount Isai. 49. 16. Sion , grave her on the palmes of thy hands , let her walls bee continually before thee : Let her builders make haste , and 17. cause her destroyers , and such as would lay her wast to depart from her —

Feed them that oppresse her 26. with their owne flesh , and make them drunken with their owne blood , as with sweet wine —

Looke downe from heaven , Isal. 63. 15. and behold from the habitation of thy holinesse , and of thy glory : where is thy zeale and thy strength , the sounding of thy bowels ; and of thy mercies towards me ? are they restrayned ?

Doubelesse thou art our father , 16. though Abraham be ignorant of us , and Israel acknowledgeth us not ; thou O Lord art our father , our Redeemer , thy name is from everlasting . Awake , awake , put on strength , Isai. 51. 9. O arme of the Lord , awake as in the ancient dayes , in the generations of old : Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab , and wounded the Dragon ? thou art King of Kings and Lord of Lords .

Shew thy marveilous loving Psal. 17. 7. kindnesse , O thou that savest by thy right hand , those which put their trust in thee , from those that rise up against them , &c —

Awake , why sleepest thou O Psa. 44. 23. 24. 25. 26 Lord ? arise cast us not off for ever . Wherefore hidest thou thy face , and forgettest our affliction , and oppression ?

Let them all be confounded , Ps. 129. 5. 6. and turned backe that hate Zion , &c. Let their flesh consume away while they stand upon their feete , and their eyes consume away in their holes , and their tongues consume away in their mouth , Ezek. 11. 16. Isay 40. 11.

Blesse every member of the Catholike Church in what place , in what case soever ; women with child , blesse them with safe deliverie , make them joyfull mothers of children — young children blesse them , with religious education ; Seafarring men , blesse them with prosperous navigation ; Husbandmen , blesse thou them with plentifull harvests and encrease ; Captives , blesse thou with enlargement ; Prisoners with repentance and amendment . M. Valent.

VNCALLED .

Raise up the Tabernacle of Amos 9. 11. & 5. 15. David that is falne , and close up the breaches thereof , and bee gracious to the remnant of Ioseph —

— that the Day-spring from Lukh 1. 78. on high , may visite , and give light , to them that sit in darkenesse and in the shadow of death , to guide their feete into 79. the way of peace —

Those other sheepe which Ioh. 10. 16. thou hast , which are not yet of thy folde , them also doe thou bring in , and make them to heare thy voyce —

A a shepherd seeketh out his Eze. 34. 12. flocke in the day that hee is among his sheepe that are scattered : so will I seeke out my sheepe , and will deliver them out of all places where they have beene scattered in the cloudy and darke day .

And I will bring them out 13. from the people , and gather them from the countries , and I will bring them to their own land , and feed them upon the mountaines of Israell by the rivers , and in all the inhabited places of the countrey — vid. Ezek. 37. 21. 22.

I will surely assemble , O Iacob , Mich. 2. 12. all of thee , I will surely gather the remnant of Israell , I will put them together as the sheepe of Bozrah , as the flocke in the middest of their fold : they shall make great noise , by reason of the multitude of men .

CALLED .

Keepe them as the apple of Deu. 32. 10. 1 Pet. 5. 8. an eye — though Satan like a roaring Lyon goe about seeking whom hee may devoure : yet Psal. 31. 8. give them not over unto the will of their enemie , but upon Isai. 4. 5. all the glory let there bee thy defence .

Lord blesse this land , compasse Psal. 5. 12. it with thy favour , as with a shield . — Lord doe thou keep Isai. 27. 3. it , and water it every moment ▪ lest any hurt it , keepe thou it night and day .

The KINGS most excellent Majestie .

Let the soule of my Lord be 2 Sam. 25. 19 bound in the bundle of life with thee , and the soules of his enemies , them cast out as from the middle of a sling —

Make his seed to endure for Psal. 89. 29. ever , and his throne as the daies of heaven —

Prolong the Kings life , and Psal. 61. 6. his yeares , as many generations ; and that hee may abide 7. with thee for ever , O prepare mercy , and truth , which may preserve him !

Our renowned and gracious Lam. 4. 20. Soveraigne , the breath of our nostrils , the annoynted of the Psal. 21. 6. Lord , let his house , and throne be established for ever , and set him as blessings unto his people .

Keepe him as the apple of Psa. 17. 8. thine eye , hide him under them shadow of thy wings

From the wicked that oppresse 9. him , from his deadly enemies that compasse him about .

His seed doe thou establish Psal. 89. 4. for ever and build up his throne to a●● generations

Let his seed endure for ever ; Ps. 89. 36. and his throane as the Sunne before thee — give him a long life , a prosperous raigne , that none of all the Kings may bee like him .

— His enemies cloath with Ps. 132. 18. shame , but on himselfe let his Crowne flourish — Let his glory bee great in thy salvation — crowne him with outward blessings , with inward graces

— with long life satisfie thou Ps. 91. 16. him , and shew him thy salvation — give him riches and glory , that none of the Kings may be like him .

As thou hast annoynted him 2 Sam. 7. 8. to bee ruler of thy people , so give him a wise and understanding 1 Kin. 3. 12. heart , to goe out and come in , before this great people , that 7. he may governe over them inthy 2 Sam. 23. 3. feare , serving thee with a 1 Chr. 2● . 9. willing mind .

Bee thou unto him a father , 2 Sam. 7. 14. and make him unto the●● thy sonne — Blesse also thy servants house , and let it be established before thee — make a covenant with him as thou didst with David — let the Angell of the Lord pitch round about him — let 26. not the sonnes of wickednesse approach neere to hurt him .

Blesse his Counsell with wisedome , his Iudges with integrity , his Magistrates with courage , his people with obedience , his Armies with victorie , his raigne with peace — M. Val.

The LORDS of the Privie Councell .

Enforme thon his Councellers Ps. 105. 22. after thy will , and teach his Senators wisedome ▪ that judgement Amos 5. 24. may runne downe as waters ; and righteousnesse as a mighty streame — — that they Isa. 30. 2. may aske at thy mouth that counsell which they shall mister unto their Soveraigne — that they may bee to us in Num. 10. 31 stead of eyes — filled with the Exod. 31. 3. spirit of God in wisedome .

— As they be famous in the congregation Num. 16. 2. and men of renowne , so they may be as Gods knowing good and evill .

— that all the counsell which 2 Sam. 16. 23 they counsell , may bee as if a man should enquire at the Oracle of God .

MAGISTRACIE .

And that judgement may not Amos. 6. 12. be turned into gall , nor the fruit of righteousnesse into hemlocke , give courage to our rulers , that they may execute justice truely in the gates — 1 Tim. 2. 2. that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godlinesse and honesty . —

MINISTERIE .

And thou who art the Lord Math. 2. 38. of the harvest send our labourers into thy harvest , that those which are ordained to eternall Acts 13. 48. life may be saved —

— and let the worke of the Isai. 53. 10. Lord , prosper in their hand — The Chariots of Israel and the horse-men thereof —

Let thy Thummim , and thy Deut. 33. 8 Urime be with thy holy one — — who observe thy word , and 9. 10. keepe thy Covenant — that they may teach Iaeob thy judgements , and Israel thy Law : they shall put incense before thee , and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine Altar .

Blesse Lord their substance , 11. and accept the worke of their hands , smite through the loines of them that rise against them , and of them that hate them that they rise not againe .

— Make them like Iohn , burning Ioh. 5. 35. and shining lights — that they may bee holinesse to the Lord —

Whom thou hast set as watch-men over thy people , make them instant in season , and out of season — that they may give warning from thee — — that they may cry aloud and Isai. 58. 1. not spare , lifting up their voyce like a trumpet , and shew thy people their transgressions .

COMMONALTIE .

Blesse all Israel from Dan to 2 San. 17. 11 Beershebah , make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field , and with the fowles of heaven : breake the bow and the sword , and the battell out of Hos. 2. 18. the earth , and make them to lye downe safely —

For the AFFLICTED .

And thou Lord who givest Isai. 10. 29. power to the faint , and to them that have no might encreasest Psal. 41. 3. strength , comfort them that lie upon beds of languishing , make all their beds in their sicknesse — for unto thee Lord , belong the Psa. 68 20. issues from death —

Behold the teares of such as Eccles. 4. 1. are oppressed and have no comforter .

Lord remember them that Heb. 13. 2. are in bonds , that are tryed in Isai. 48. 10. the furnace of affliction .

Bind up the breach of thy Isai. 30. 26. people , heale the stroke of their wound .

Let the sighing of the prisoners Psal. 79. 11. come before thee ; according to the greatnesse of thy power , preserve thou those that are appoynted to dye .

— Bee thou a strength to the Isai. 25. 4. poore , a strength to the needy in their distresse , a refuge from the storme , a shadow from the heat , when the blast of the terrible Ones is a storme against the wall .

— His place of defence shall bee 33. 16. the munition of rockes , bread shall be given him , his waters shall be sure —

THANKS GIVING for Blessings Spirituall and Eternall .

And now our God we thanke 1 Chr. 29. 13 thee , and praise thy glorious name , for blessing us with all Eph. 1. 3. spirituall blessings in heavenly places in Christ , for delivering us Col. 1. 3. from the power of darknesse , and translating us into the Kingdome of thy deare Sonne .

Blessed be God even the Father 2 Cor. 1. 3. of our Lord Iesus Christ , the Father of mercies , and the God of all comfort , who when we were sometimes aliens , and Col. 1. 21. enemies in our mind by wicked workes , and were by nature , the Eph. 2. 4. children of wrath , as well as others , 1. out of his rich mercy , for 2. the great love where with hee loved us , even when we were dead in trespasses , and sinnes , and Col. 2. 13. the uncircumcision of our flesh hath quickned us . together with Christ , having forgiven us all trespasses , Blotting out the hand-writing 14. of Ordinances that was against us , which was contrary unto us , and tooke it out of the way , nayling it to his Crosse .

Blessed bee thy glorious Nehe. 9. 5. Name , which is exalted above all blessing , and praise ; for great Psal. 86. 12. is thy mercie towards us , and thou hast delivered our soule from the lowest hell — and hast Col. 1. 12. made us meet to bee partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light .

3. For TEMPORALL blessings , of Creation and Providence .

I thanke thee Father , Lord Mat. 11. 25. of heaven and earth , that —

Blesse the Lord , O my soule , Ps. 103. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. and all that is within mee blesse his holy name , &c.

For thou art he that tookest Psal. 22. 9. me out of the wombe ; thou 10. didst make me hope , when I was upon my mothers breasts — I was cast upon thee from the wombe ; thou art my God from my mothers belly .

— We have beene borne by Isai. 46. 3. thee from the belly , and are carried from the wombe — And even 4. to our old age be thou hee , and even to hoarie haires doe thou carry us —

— Thou hast covered me in Psa. 139. 13 my mothers wombe ,

— I will praise thee , for I am 14. fearefully and wonderfully made marveilous are thy workes , and that my soule knoweth right well .

How precious are thy Psa. 139. 17 thoughts unto me O God ? how great is the summe of them ? If 18. I should count them they are moe in number than the sand —

Thy hands have made me , and Psa. 119. 73 fashioned me —

I am not worthy of the least Gen. 32. 10. of all thy mercies , and of all the truth , which thou hast shewed nuto thy servant .

Thus will I blesse thee while Psal. 63. 4. I live , I will lift up my hands in thy name . My soule shall be satisfied 5. as with marrow and fatnesse , and my mouth shall praise thee with joyfull lips , when I 6. remember thee upon my bed , and meditate on thee in the night watches . &c —

I know Lord that thy judgements Psa. 119 75. are right , and that thou in faithfulnesse hast afflicted me .

Before I was afflicted I went 67. astry , but now I have kept thy word —

O Lord my God I cryed unto Psal. 30. 2. thee , and thou hast healed me ; O Lord thou hast brought 3. up my soule from the grave : thou hast kept me alive , that I should not goe downe to the pit , &c.

Thou hast delivered mee in Iob 5. 19. sixe troubles , yea in seven , there hath no evill touched me , &c.

There hath no evill befallen me , neither hath any plague come neere my dwelling —

— Thou hast delivered my Psal. 116. 8. soule from death , my eyes from teares , and my feete from falling —

— What shall I render unto the 12. Lord , for all his benefits towards me ? I will take the cup 13. of salvation , and call upon the name of the Lord .

Thou hast extended peace Isai. 68. 12. unto us like a river , and prosperity like a flowing streame ; we drinke waters out of our owne Wells .

Thou hast strengthened the Psa 147. 13. 14. barres of our gates , and blessed our children within us &c. —

Thou hast given us bread to Gen. 28. 10. eate and rayment to put on , yea our bread like Ashurs is fat , and Gen. 49. 20. wee have pleasures which even Ps. 147. 20. Kings doe want .

Thou hast not dealt so with Ps. 107. 21. any nation — O that men would praise the Lord for his goodnesse ; and for his wonderfull Ps. 147. 20. workes to the children of men !

CONCLVSION with a craving of Audience .

Two things have I required Pro. 30. 7. of thee , deny me them not , before I depart .

Thy Sonne our Saviour hath Mar. 11. 24. promised , that What things soever wee desire when we pray , if we beleeve we shall receive them .

Lord we beleeve , helpe thou Mar. 9. 24. our unbeliefe .

Now unto him that is able Ephe. 3. 20. to doe exceeding abundantly , above all that wee aske or thinke according to the power that worketh in us , unto him be glory 21. in the Church of Christ throughout all ages , world without end , Amen .

Now the God of Peace , that Heb. 23. 20. brought againe from the dead , our Lord Iesus , that great Shepheard of the Sheepe , through the the bloud of the everlasting covenant ; Make us perfect in every Heb. 13. 21. good worke , to doe his will , working in us that which is well pleasing in his sight , through Iesus Christ , to whom be glory for ever and ever . Amen .

REVEL. 5 13. Blessing , honour , glory , and power , be unto him that sitteth upon the Throne , and unto the Lambe for ever and ever . Reve. 7. 12. Amen , Blessing , and glory , and wisedome , and thanksgiving , and honour , and power , and might be unto our God , for ever and ever . Amen .

MEDITATIONS for the Morning .

My soule waiteth on thee , O Psa. 130. 6. Lord , more than the morning watch , watcheth for the morning . O God be mercifull unto me , and blesse me , and cause thy 67. 1. upon face to shine upon me : O fill me Psa. 90. 14 with thy mercie this morning so shall I rejoyce and bee glad all my dayes .

O God thou art my God earwill 63. 1. I seeke thee : my soule thirsteth for thee , my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land , where no wattr is .

O Sunne of righteousnesse shine upon me —

My voyce shalt thou heare in 5. 3. the morning O Lord , in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee , and will looke up .

Unto thee have I cryed O 88 13. Lord , and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee .

Awake , thou that sleepest , Ephe. 5. 14. and arise from the dead , and Christ shall give thee light .

The night is past , the day is at Rom. 13. 11. 12 hand —

— worke while it is called day , Iohn 9. 4. the night commeth when no man can worke .

MEDITATIONS for the Evening .

Thou knowest my downe sitting , Psal. 139. 2. and mine up rising thou understandest my thought a farre off .

Thou compassest my path , and 3. my lying downe , and art acquainted with all my wayes .

Let my prayer be set forth 141. 2. before thee as incense , and the lifting up of my hands , as the evening Sacrifice .

Let teares run downe like a Lam. 2. 18. river , day and night , give thy selfe no rest : let not the Apple of thine eye cease : Arise , cry out in the night , in the beginning of the watches powre out 19. thy heart like water before the face of the Lord , lift up thy hands towards him .

Lighten mine eyes , that I sleepe not in death —

He that keepeth Israel neither slumbreth nor sleepeth —

— the day is thine , the night Psa. 74. 16. also is thine —

— the darknesse hideth not 139. 12. from thee , but the night shineth as the day , the darknesse and the light to thee are both alike .

I will lay me downe in peace Psal. 4. 8. take my rest , &c.

— when thou liest downe thou Prov. 3. 24. shalt not bee afraid , yea thou shalt lie &c.

MEDITATIONS for thee as thou goest into Bed .

— Think with thy selfe , that —

1 Thou art one day neerer end , than thou wert in the morning .

2 Consider what thou hast seene , heard , or read that day , worth the remembring : and make use thereof .

3 Seriously examine thy selfe what Sinne thou hast committed , what duty thou hast omitted , how thou hast failed , and lament them , on thy knees , begging pardon in thy Saviours Name .

4 Consider that many goe well to bed , and never rise againe till the day of Iudgement , therefore say , Father into thy hands I commend my spirit .

5 Let thy stripping thee naked , put thee in mind of thy death , thy bed , of thy grave , thy coverings of the moulds , and wormes of the earth : thy sheets of thy winding sheete , thy sleepe of thy death , thy waking of thy resurrection .

In the night when thou awakest , say ,

With my soule have I desired Isai. 26. 9. thee in the night , yea with my spirit within me will I seek thee early .

Thus will I blesse thee while Psal. 63. 4. I live , I will lift up my hands in thy name ; my soule shall be satisfied 5. as with marrow , and fatnesse , and my mouth shall praise Psal. 63. 5. thee with joyfull lips — when I remember thee upon my bed , 6. and meditate on thee in the night watches .

MEDITATIONS for the Lords day in the Morning .

It is a good thing , to give Psal. 92. 1. thankes , unto thee , O Lord , and to sing praises to thy name , O thou most high : to shew forth 2. thy loving kindnesse in the morning , and thy faithfulnesse every night .

This is the day which the Lord hath made , wee will rejoyce , and be glad in it .

Blessed is the man that doth Isai. 56. 2. thi● , and the Sonne of man that layeth hold on it , that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it , and keepeth his hands from doing any evill :

— they that be planted in the Psal. 92. 13. house of the Lord , shall flourish in the courts of our God : they Psa. 92. 14. shall still bring forth fruit in old age , they shall bee fat and flourishing .

As thou goest to the Church meditate thus —

One thing have I desired of Psal. 27. 4. the Lord , that I will seeke after , that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the dayes of my life , to behold the beauty of the Lord , and to enquire in his temple .

My soule longeth , yea even 84. 2. fainteth for the courts of the Lord , my heart and my flesh cryeth out for the living God .

At the Church thinke with thy selfe that —

The place where thou standest Exod. 3. 5. is Holy ground — none other Gen. 28. 17. but the house of God —

How amiable are thy Tabernacles Ps. 84. 14. O Lord of Hoasts !

Blessed are they that dwell in 4. thy house , they will bee still praysing thee .

For a day in thy court , is better 10. than a thousand :

I had rather be a doore-keeper 11. in the house of my God , then dwell in the tents of wickednesse .

They that joyne themselves Isai. 56. 6. to the Lord , to serve him , and to love the name of the Lord , to bee his servants : every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it , and taketh hold of my covenant — Even them will I bring to my holy mountaine , 7. and make them joyfull in my house of prayer .

— the like course thou mayest take in other places of Scripture which thou mayest make use of for all kinde of meditations , at home , abroad , in field , towne , journeyes , &c —

Matter for Graces before meat .

O Lord our God , the onely giver of all good gifts , thou feedest the young ravens when they cry — they have their meat of God —

— the eyes of all waite upon thee — thou openest thy hand , and fillest with thy blessing every living thing — thou lovedst us before we were , thou hast kept us from our birth — supply all our wants , sanctifie all thy dealings towards us , and let thy blessing be on the food which we are now to receive — Speake a word of blessing to it from heaven , that it may nourish and strengthen us — comfort and do us good — let us taste and see how gracious the Lord is — let us feele the sweetnesse of that love , with which thou hast loved us in Christ — man liveth not by bread alone — 't is by thy word of blessing , not our meates alone , that wee are nourished and preserved —

— which satisfiest our mouth with good things — thou shalt eate and blesse the name of the Lord thy God — Let not these creatures turne to the hurt of our souls , which thou hast given us for good of our bodies , — I am not worthy of the least morsell of thy good creatures , unworthy of the crums which fall under thy table . — Let not our table Graces . become a snare unto us — breake not the staffe of our bread — curse not unto us any blessing —

Good Lord forgive us all our 1. sinnes , and blesse at this time these good creatures to our nourishment , through Iesus Christ , our Lord , Amen .

O Lord it is not by bread alone 2. that man lives , it is thy blessing upon the creatures that they sustaine us . O draw up our hearts and eyes to heaven , to acknowledge thy providence in them ; to praise thy goodnesse for them , that we may receive them as pledges of thy favour , and gracious assurances of thine everlasting love , through Iesus , &c —

Matter for Graces after meate .

Blessed bee thy name for health , life , strength , and for all the blessings of this , and the blessed hopes of a better life — make it our meate , and drinke , to doe the will of thee our heauenly father — make us to hunger after that bread which endureth to everlasting life —

— Provide dayly bread for all thy poore servants , till thou bring us to that place where we shall never hunger , nor thirst any more — thy loving kindnesse is better than life —

— that I may labour not so much for this meat that perisheth , but for that meate which endureth to everlasting life — the body and bloud of our Saviour which is meate indeed , and drinke indeed . — Keepe us in thy feare while we live on earth and afterward receive us to glory in thy kingdome —

We thanke thee O Lord , for the comfortable use of these good blessings , we beseech thee also feed our soules to everlasting life , with the meate that perisheth not , through Iesus Christ our Lord , Amen .

Blessed bee thy name O Lord God , for thus opening thy hand , and filling us at this time with thy good creatures , vouchsafe still to be our God , with-hold no good thing from our soule , or body . Save all thy Church , protect our King , Queene , Prince , Royall Progeny and Realme ; Grant free passage to to thy Gospel , comfort to thy Servants , and peace of conscience to us all , through Iesus Christ our Lord ,

Amen .

An EPITOME of a Christians Conversation and Religious course of life , gathered out of some Godly Practicall Divines &c.

Every day bestow halfe an 1. Daily . houre in reading the Scriptures , and Prayer : Gods word , will not onely shew thee what to do , what to pray , but will worke a secret power to accomplish the same —

Appoint and set a part some time once every day , seriously and solemnely to cast up the eye of thy Faith , on that never-fading crowne of life , which after an inch of time shall for ever rest upon thy head . The comforts hereof will make a man live almost without a soule , and sweeten all the troubles of this life —

Set one houre in the weeke 2. Weekely . a part ( Saturday in the afternone is more fit , by reason of the approching day , to consider of , search , and try thy wayes : this will snub and keepe downe , the weeds of corruptions , from overspreading thy soule . Thou bestowed an houre on thy body every day , in dressing it , and lookest thy selfe in a glasse to attire thy outward sheath , and wilt thou not once a weeke doe as much for thy soule ? thy body must one day rot and turne to dust , perhaps to morrow : thy soule must live ever either in weale or woe : Life and death , are now in thy choyse — chuse then that good part —

— Give God the honour of thy In particular for thy Thoughts . thoughts , as well as of thy words and actions : often thinke how all the glistering shewes of this whole world must and doe vanish and moulder into vanity , and nothing — very smoke .

As soone as thou hast broken of sleepe , set God before thee and thinke — What shall I doe ? what course shall I take , that I may bring glory to God , that I may not sinne , this day , — O that my wayes were so directed — — Never speake the evill which Words . thou too certainely knowest by others , but with fearefulnesse , ( as it were ) and some kinde of enforcement , being sure thou hast a calling to it , and then doe it

seasonably , charitably , discreetly ,

and not in

humour , spleene , imperiousnesse

T is the humor of Hypocritts to be supercilious and censorious : but for

Gods glory . thy owne discharge .

— use no moe wordes against m●ns sinnes , than thou wilt make prayers for their soules in secret .

Be bold , yet wise in speaking for Christ , and with height of resolution , goe through all the disgraces that the sinfull times , lay in the wayes of God . In Actions

civil — Doe as thou wouldst be done to . religious , Strive to

live by faith : because faith is the soule of all our actions , our prayers will bee cold unlesse this warme them .

— Take heed of falling from thy first love .

— Serve not God for by-respects , but onely for himselfe .

— So long as thou art unfeinedly displeased with , and sorry for , all thy sinnes , and dost mortifie the deedes of thy body by the spirit , thy case is the state of salvation .

Let thy whole conversation favour of the Lord .

Bee alwayes bemoaning thy spirituall pride , knowne hypocrisie , covetousnesse , perf●●ctorinesse and formality in Gods service .

Give not way to a heartlesse neglect of the use of Gods holy ordinances , reading , prayer , fasting , private humiliation ; for this is the fore-runner to some fearefull sinne , or fiery temptation , to some heavie judgement , or dangerous apostasie .

Seeke not thy selfe in any of thy actions .

Looke to thy repentance , that it bee sincere , universall , constant , from the heart root , for all sinne .

Incorporate thy selfe into the Company . Communion of Saints , be intimate onely with them : such an holy and humble majesty is in their carriage , such a deale of heaven is in their countenances , such spirituall ravishments is in their hearts , such grace and powerful piercings in their speeches , such zeale and hearty melting is in their prayers , that they cannot but worke upon thy heart , if thou converse with them .

Looke well to thy carriage , that thou leave not an ill savour behinde thee in any company . Wait for occasions to doe good , Act. 26. 28. In bad company give them apparent signes of thy dislike : Unlesse you give some kinde of reall , or verball reproofe , they will be hardned .

Often withdraw your selfe Solitarinesse . apart , imparting unto God your griefes , wants , desires . Walke with God on the top of Mount Tabor once a day — Prayer in Prayer . secret will bee unto thee an unspeakeable comfort , a testimony that thou art not left to thy selfe , if words will not come , sigh , God heares the sighing of his servants : if thou canst not sigh , breath , God hath an care for that , thou hast heard my voyce , hide not thine eare at my breathing , at my cry . — yea Lam. 3. 56. speake with thy countenance , be humbled for thy unfitnesse , dulnesse — &c. Then wee pray most happily , when wee arise M. Harris . from prayer most humbled . After prayer thou shalt carry thy selfe in thy vocation with much more zeale , and standing thus upright with God , thou wilt not feare the world , thou shalt have rest and peace within , what ever stirres bee without .

— Have a speciall eve to a sincere , constant and fruitfull performance of holy duties , take heed of customarinesse and Formality , which cuts out the heart and drawes the very life-blood from them .

— Strive by all meanes for attainment of what thou prayest for , by all occasions , helpes and heavenly offers .

Be diligent in thy personall Vocation and particular calling . employments , and take heed of idlenesse .

2 Have an eye to Gods glory in all thy undertakings .

3 Goe about earthly busines , with an heavenly mind .

4 Let not any unrighteous gaine entice thee to sinne , or belime thee .

5 Set not thy delight on any earthly thing , for nothing brings true content to the soule but God .

Delight thy selfe in him , this will both purifie thy heart and assure it before God .

In thy carnall delight there are or may be losse of crosses in curses for them .

They are broken cisternes —

In the end of every day , aske thy selfe

What have I done ? Evening . What have I done amisse ? What have I left undone ?

Thus summe up thy accounts , and make all streight twixt ▪ For more solemne ●u●i 〈…〉 and preparation ●● the 〈…〉 a 〈…〉 , &c. God and thee .

Keepe a Catalogue of all thy g 〈…〉 knowne sinnes , nor balking any , but dealing truely with thy selfe , and then falling downe on thy knees disburden thy conscience of them by humble confession to God , carrying this thy owne inditement and spreading it before the Lord and pleading guilty , drag thy sinfull lusts to the crosse of thy Saviour , and there crucifie them . 2 Pray for a soft and tender heart , as for life ; Lord thou hast promised to take out the heart of stone — to give an heart of flesh — 3 Get the particular promises , which thou desirest to have fulfilled to thy soule without booke , yea into thy heart as well as thy head . Mr. Byfield .

Mr. GEORGE FLETCHER , in Christs victory and triumph — pag. 50. WHo is it sees not , that he nothing is , But he that nothing sees ? what weker brest , Since Adams armour faild , dares warrant his ? That made by God of all his creatures best , Straite made himselfe the worst of all the rest : If any strength we have , it is to ill , But all the good is Gods , both pow'r and will : The dead man , cannot rise , though he himselfe may kill .

Mr. QVARLES Historie of SAMPSON . Medit. 21. LOrd if our Father Adam could not stay In his upright perfection one poore day , How can it be expected we have power To hold out siege one scruple of an houre ? Our armes are bound with too unequall bands ; We cannot strive , we cannot loose our hands : Great Nazarite , awake ; and looke upon us ; Make haste to helpe ; the Philistims are on us . Medit. 22. ibid. Lord shouldst thou punish every part in me That does offend , what member would be free ? Each member acts his part ; they never lin Vntill they joyne , and make a body of sinne : Make sinne my burthen ; let it never please me ; And thou hast promis'd when I come , to ease me . Medit. 19. idem . ibid. Thou great Chirurgion of a bleeding soule , Whose soveraigne balme is able to make whole The deepest wound , thy sacred salve is sure ; We cannot bleed so fast as thou canst cure : Heale thou our wounds , that having salv'd the sore , Our hearts may feare , and learne to sinne no more ; And let our hands be strangers to those knives That wound not fingers only , but our lives .

Some particular formes of PRAYER .

1. For the Sacrament of the LORDS Supper .

WOnderfull art thou , O Lord , in all thy works towards the sons of men , but more especially , wonderfull in that great worke of our redemption , by the death of thy Son ; Hadst thou left us to have perished , in that estate of damnation , into which wee , desperately had implunged our selves , by the wilfull disobedience of our first parents , it had beene but just with thee so to have done : for wee were the clay , thou wast our Potter , and we all are the work of thine owne hands ; and hadst thou taken no delight in us , to doe us good , thou mightest easily have made us dishonourable vessels of thy wrath , as well as thou didst the Angels which kept not their first estate , but left their owne habitation , whom thou hast reserved in everlasting chaines , under darkenesse , under the judgement of the great day . But thou , in love to our soules , wouldest not that wee should perish , and therefore out of thine own incomprehensible wisedome , foundest out a meanes of rasoming and redeeming man from hell , by causing thine own sonne ( God equall for ever with thy blessed selfe ) to bee made sinne for us , that so wee might bee made the righteousnesse of God in him : who his owne selfe bare our sinnes in his body on the tree ; and the more to confirme us in the assured hope of everlasting salvation , which he once purchased for us , by his bloody passion , did institute for his Church the blessed Sacrament of his body and blood , in which I see him againe crucified , and freshly bleeding before mine eyes in the outward elements of bread and wine , which he hath appointed to bee often celebrated in remembrance of him .

Blessed bee thy holy name therefore ; my daily sinnes have made mee unworthy of daily bread , much more of this bread of life ; yet seeing thou callest and invitest mee at this time to the Supper of the Lambe to eate of that Manna that came down from heaven , to partake of those divine mysteries . O let not mee suffer my selfe to bee needlesly detained from so blessed a feast , by any pretended occasions whatsoever ( as those did that made excuses and set light by their invitation to the marriage of the Kings sonne , Math. 22. 5. ) left thou sweare in thy wrath that I shall never taste of thy Supper , nor enter into that rest , which my Saviour is gone to prepare for thy beloved ones ,

For if those in the law that did neglect to eate the Passeover , and to worship at Hierusalem at the times appoynted , were to bee cut off from the number of thy people : of how much sorer punishment shall I bee worthy , if I refuse to partake in thy blessed Sacrament , and neglect so great salvation which thou tenderest unto mee hereby ? O therefore make me to come as a guest invited , comming prepared unto thy table , having on my wedding garment , because thou thy selfe , the great master of this feast , art present in the assembly , eying and observing thy guests . Let mee therefore first wash my hands in innocencie , my heart from wickednesse , and so compasse thine Altar O Lord : that seeing Christ my Passeover is sacrificed for mee , I may purge out the old leaven , and become a new lumpe , keeping this feast with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth , feeding on him with the sowre herbes of godly sorrow , and unfained repentance for all my former sins : O make the very remembrance of them to be grievous , and the burthen of them intollerable unto mee . O wash mee Lord , wash mee , not onely the feete , but even the hands also , and the head ; for I am uncleane , I am uncleane , a very Leper , a sinke of sinne , whom thou mighest shut out of the congregation of thy people for ever ; but yet O Lord if thou wilt , thou canst make mee cleane ; Thy blood ( O sweet Iesus ) is able to cleanse more throughly than the waters of Iordan did Naomans leprosie , and to wash away all my pollutions , and make my Ethiopian skin , my leopards spots to be white as snow in Salmon . Now the good Lord pardon me , and every one , that prepareth himselfe to seeke thee in the truth of his heart , though wee bee not cleansed and prepared according to that exact purification of thy Sanctuary . O Lord make me to search and try my wayes , to looke backe upon all the ungodly actions and aberrations of my fore-past life , to view my sinne-deformed soule in the cleare glasse of thy undefiled ●aw , that so I may judge and abhorre my selfe in dust and ashes , and bee still more vile in mine owne esteeme : make me to examine my selfe , and so eate of that bread and drinke of that cup knowing that if I eate and drinke thereof unworthily , I eate and drinke damnation to my selfe , because I discerne not the Lords body . Teach mee to try my selfe whether I be in the faith or no , for without faith it is impossible to please thee in any service . T is my faith in the death of my Saviour that is the hand and mouth by which I must apply him , and make him mine in this Sacrament . Assure me by these broad seales annexed to the covenant of grace , and letters patents of thy holy word , that thou wilt make good what thou hast promised , that as thou hast called , Ho , every one that thirsteth come to the waters ; — so thou wilt refresh this my gasping and thirsting soule ; as thou callest all that be weary and heavie laden to come unto thee ; so thou wilt in no wise send mee empty away that cast my selfe into the bleeding armes of my dying Saviour .

Perswade my unbeleeving and doubting heart , that as thy Minister taketh , and blesseth , and breaketh , and poureth out , and giveth , and saith , Take and eate , the bread , take and drinke the wine of the Sacrament ; so thou from everlasting hast separated , consecrated , and ordained Iesus Christ to be a Sacrifice for my sinnes , hast poured out his blood to be a satisfaction to thy offended justice for my sinfull soule , and that hereby I shall continue in communion with him , my head , and his mysticall body my fellow members . Thy flesh , O sweet Saviour , is meate indeed , and thy blood is drinke indeed . O let me I beseeth thee find it so in my fainting soule that I may bee ravished with thy love , that I may taste and see how gracious the Lord is , and find thy free promises , and pledges of thy grace to bee better than wine , sweeter also than the honey and the honey combe . Let thy holy spirit set to his privie seale on my heart inwardly , by the secret and sweet refreshment of his blessed testimonie , that I am my well beloveds , and my well beloved is mine — establishing my heart in thy love , and knitting my soule unto thee for ever . O draw me , and I shall run after thee , shew me the light of thy countenance and I shall bee saved .

And Lord make mee to love my brethren , as thou hast loved me , yea to love my very enemies for thy names sake , reconciling my selfe to those whom I have offended , following peace with all men , and forgiving Mat. 18. 23. them their hundred pence , 28. as thou hast freely forgiven me my ten thousand talents — Vouchsafe me this , and all other graces which may fit mee for thy service in thy kingdome of grace , and prepare mee for the enjoyment of everlasting glory , through my Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ .

Amen .

After the receiving of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper .

O Lord , what shall I render unto thee , for all the benefits which thou hast bestowed upon mee , and daily ladest mee withall , a most unworthy sinner ? how shall I bee sufficiently thankefull unto thee for them , when they bee more than I can reckon up unto thee , more then my heart is able to conceive or comprehend ? Should I offer up unto thee , thousands of rams , or ten thousand rivers of oyle , they all would come farre short of thy most free , eternall , undeserved , infinite love . Lebanon it selfe is not sufficient for wood , nor the beasts upon a thousand hils for a burnt offering . What shall I then doe unto thee , O thou Preserver of men , or what recompence shall I make thee ? I will even take the cup of salvation , and give thankes to thy name , O Lord . I will offer up my soule and body for a holy , living and acceptable sacrifice unto thee ; this will please thee better than ▪ bullocke that hath hornes and hoofes . —

Thou O Lord in the beginning , didst make mee to bee , when I was not before ; and when I had lost my selfe , and forfeited my being , and life , and happinesse , didst in Christ , restore mee to a more blessed estate , than at my Primitive integrity . Thou thy selfe art become my Father , thy sonne my Saviour , thy holy Spirit my Sanctifier , thy word my Instructor , thy Sacraments the food to refresh , satisfie , and feed my poore hungry soule to everlasting life .

This day thou hast called me to thy holy Mountaine , and made me joyfull in thy house of prayer , this day hast thou invited me to sit downe at thy table , and made unto mee a feast of fat things full of marrow , a feast of wines on the lees well refined ; thou hast abundantly satisfied me with the f●●nesse of thy house , and hast made mee to drinke of the river of thy pleasures . Blessed bee thy glorious name for ever and ever , which is above all thankesgiving and prayse of mine ! O that I could bee indeed thankefull unto thee as thou art gracious unto me ! If I should open my mouth never so wide thou wouldest fill it , thy favours to my poore soule are more than all tongues of men and Angels can worthily magnifie . And now O Lord accept , I beseech thee , the free will-offering of thy servant , that desires to feare thy name , and to make a covenant with thee never to bee broken , that my soule shall cleave close unto thee , and avouch thee this day to bee my God and Saviour for ever more . Here I doe resigne myselfe , soule and body , all that is in me , and all that belongs unto me , to bee wholly thine , and that I will never wickedly depart from thee , my God , as I have done . O that my wayes were so directed , that I might keepe thy commandements alway !

Never let mee with the disgorged dog , returne any more to my former vomit ; nor with the washed sow to wallow in the mire : but as I have now washed my feete , so suffer mee no more againe to defile them : as I have put off the filthy rags of my old conversation , so I may never againe put them on , but become a new creature . That seeing the expiation of my sins cost my Saviour so deare , as the shedding of his precious blood , and that thy wrath lay so heavie upon him who was our suretie onely , being innocent in himselfe ; I may hence conceive how heinous a thing sinne is , how abhorred by thee , and so hate it in my selfe with a perfect hatred , and resist it even to blood ; and not crucifie againe hereby , the Lord of life and glory .

O make mee thankefully to remember that bitter passion of his , and thy love ( O Father ) unto mee , in that thou hast accepted mee to life in him , and hast brought salvation this day home to my house , to my heart . Lord enter in , abide with , and dwell in my soule for ever . Take not thy holy spirit from mee , make mee one with Christ my head , flesh of his flesh , bone of his bone ; make mee one with the mysticall body of thine Elect , that I may have my part in the prayers of the Church , in the Communion of Saints , here on earth , in the kingdome of grace , and may enjoy thee , and them , face to face , and sit downe and eat and drinke with thee , in thy kingdome of glory .

Amen .

For the Sacrament of Baptisme .

O Lord our God , the great , the mighty , and the terrible God , who keepest covenant and mercy with all them that feare thy name , and trust upon thee , even to a thousand generations , thou hast promised to bee our God , and the God of our seed , to enter into covenant with us , that wee should bee thine ; O Lord I come to thy throne of grace at this time , to lay claime to my interest in that new covenant , sealed unto thy Church in the blood of Iesus , that thou wouldst performe the same unto mee , and mine also : hast not thou said , thou wilt circumcise mine heart and the heart of my seed , to love the Deut. 30. 6. Lord our God with all our heart , and with all our soule ? — that thou wilt put thy Law in our inward parts , and write it in our hearts , and that thou wilt bee our God , and wee shall bee thy Ier. 31. 34. people , that thou wilt forgive our injquity , and wilt remember our sinne no more ? O Lord hast thou said it , and wilt not thou also doe it ? By faith I plead my interest thereunto , not for my selfe alone , but for mine also , with whom I beseech thee to make an everlasting covenant of life and peace , that being baptized into Iesus Christ , they may bee sanctified and cleansed with the washing of water by the word . O Lord wee are all borne the children of wrath , and there is no way for us to escape the damnation of hell , except wee bee borne againe of water and of the Spirit . O Lord doe thou sprinkle cleane water upon us , wash away the filth of Zion , and purge the blood of Ierusalem from the midst thereof : Baptize us with the Holy Ghost , that having our hearts sprinkled from an evill conscience , and our bodies washed with pure water , wee may bee new creatures , fit to bee an habitation of God through the spirit .

O blessed be thy goodnesse for ever , which hast given us this seale of thy rich promise ; this is that Arke in and through which thou savest thine Elect : thou dalliest not with us herein , it is no idle ceremonie ; thou art present in thy own ordinance to fulfill that which thou hast promised . O wash our soules with the baptisme of Repentance , as thou doest our bodies with the outward element of water . Let the vertue of Christs death kill sinne in us , for how shall wee that are buried with Christ by baptisme , and thereby dead to sinne , live yet therein ? Doe not wee herein vow to forsake the Devill , the Pomps and vanities of this wicked world , and all the sinfull lusts of the flesh , and shal we break our vow , & transgresse the covenant ? O let this be far from us , teach us therefore to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts , deliver us from every evill worke that we may serve the living God ; Sprinkle cleane water upon us , that we may bee cleane from our naturall filthinesse , and from all our uncleannesses . Wash us , O wash us throughly from our iniquities , and cleanse us from our sinnes . Make our hearts to be stedfast in thy love , and never to forget this covenant of our God : thy mercie doe thou keepe for us , and ours for evermore , and let thy covenant stand fast with us , and bee established for ever as the Moone , and as a faithfull witnesse in heaven . And as thou hast thus brought us into the bond of the covenant , so let us never depart from thee . Bee thou unto us a God , and let us be thy people for evermore , even till thou bringest us unto Mount Sion , and to the Citie of the living God , the heavenly Ierusalem , and to an inumerable company of Angels , to the generall assembly and Church of the first borne which are written in heaven , and to God the judge of all , and to the spirits of just men made perfect : and to Iesus the Mediatour of the new covenant , and to the bloud of sprinkling , that speaketh better than that of Abel . Make me to be thine my self , be thou my Father and make me to be thy Sonne : for if the first fruit be holy , the lumpe also shall be holy ; and if the roote be holy , so also shall the branches bee . This mercie I beg of thee in his name , merits , and mediation , out of whose pierced side , issued forth water and bloud , for the sanctifying , and justifying , of thine Elect. To whom , with thee , and the Holy Spirit , be all glory , service , thanksgiving , and dominion , through all the Churches of the Saints , for ever ,

Amen .

For Regeneration , Sanctification , and grace to serve God .

O Lord , thou God of truth , who hast sworne in thy faithfulnesse , that as thou livest thou hast no pleasure in the death of the wicked , but that hee should turne from his way and live : and therefore commandest thy people , saying , Turne ye , turne ye from your evill Ezek. 33. 11. wayes , for why will ye dye , O house of Israel ? and hast enjoyned , that I should wash me , and make me cleane , & put away the evill of my doings from before thine eyes : promising moreover , that though my sins be as scarlet , they shall be as white as Snow , though they bee red like crimson , they shall be as wooll : I that am a wicked and miserable caitiffe , a sinner before the Lord exceedingly , even as the men of Sodome , that have done abominable workes , and denied the God that is above , wilfully sinning after I had received the knowledge of the truth , and treading under foote the Sonne of God , counting the bloud of Heb. 10. 26. 29. the covenant , wherewith I was sanctified an unholy thing , and having done de●pi●e to the spirit of grace ; O Lord , even out of the deepes doe I call unto thee for helpe , yea out of the belly of hell doe I earnestly cry for thy mercie : O cast not out my prayer . Though mine iniquities be more than the haires of my head & my transgressions heavier than the sand , yet is there forgivenesse with thee : and although my sinnes have reached up to heaven , yet thy mercie is above the heavens : mine are , at the most , but the sinnes of a man : but thine , at the least , are the mercies of an infinite God , yea thou hast the relenting bowells of a most tender Father .

O spread the robe of thy Sonnes righteousnesse over me , that so thou mayest not behold my nakednesse , cloath me with ▪ the garments of his salvation , say unto my soule , Live : cause breath to enter into my dry E●● . 37. 3. 6. bones , lay sinewes upon them , and bring flesh upon them , and cover them with skinne , that I may know that thou art the Lord . And albeit I be dead in trespasses and sinnes , yet open my grave and cause me to come out of it : yea though with Lazarus I stinke already , yet roll away the stone , and speake thou by thy all-powerfull word , and I shall come forth and live . O purge my conscience from dead workes , redeeme mee from death , ransome me from power of the grave : and though I be lesse than the least of all Saints , lesse than the least of all thy mercies , yet make me a prisoner of hope , and by the bloud of thy covenant send forth my soule , out of the pit wherein is no water . Wash my robes and make them white in the bloud of the Lambe : Create in me a cleane heart O God , and renew a right spirit within me . Make thy word to be unto me , like a refiners fire , and like fullers sope , cleansing me from all filthinesse of flesh and spirit , that so I may be meete to be a partaker of the inheritance of the Saints in light , not having spot or wrinkle , or any such thing , but holy and without blemish , the sonne of thy love , through Christ .

Thou hast promised that if I Pro. 8. 17. returne unto thee , thou wilt receive me , and that if I seek thee early , I shall finde thee , that thou wilt have mercie upon me , and wilt abundantly pardon all my sinnes , heale my backeslidings , and love me freely . O Lord , it is not sinne in the highest degree , when it is out of measure sinfull , and is come to the full , that can hinder the Sunne of righteousnesse from arising , with healing in his wings , on any humbled soule : no , for where Sinne abounded , Grace doth much more superabound : and where shall , or can the skill of thee , our heavenly Physician , be so much seene , so much adored , and magnified , as in healing a poore soule , weltring and wallowing in its bloud , and desperately wounded unto everlasting death ? O speake thou the word and my soule shall live . Subdue mine iniquities , and cast all my sinnes into the depths of the Sea .

O redeeme me from my former vaine conversation , that I may renounce the hidden things of dishonesty : turne thou mee and I shall be turned , betroth my soule unto thee in faithfulnesse , make with me a covenant of peace . And because no man can come to thee , except the father which sent thee draw him ; O draw me ; and I will run after thee ; open my blinde eyes , say Epphata to my deafe eares , touch my lips with a coale from thy Altar , that my iniquity may bee taken away , and my sinne purged , then shall my lame feet leape as an Hart , and my dumbe tongue shall sing forth thy praise .

A new heart doe thou also Eze. 36. 27. give me , and a new spirit doe thou put within me , and take away the stony heart out of the Eze. 36. 27 midst of me , and bestow upon me an heart of flesh : and put thy spirit within mee ( as thou hast promised ) and cause me to walke in thy statutes , and to keepe thy judgements and doe them . And for the time to come , Lord make me more zealous of thy glory , more profitable in wayes of my calling , more carefull to doe and receive all possible good that I can . Alas I have beene a barren tree , thou hast planted mee neere the rivers of water , hast digged about me , and taken much paines with me , but I am still unfruitfull , thy glory is not so deare unto me as it ought to be ; nor is my owne salvation , or the edification of others , so sincerely indevoured by me , as was meet .

O turne me into another man , circumcise the foreskinne of my heart , let the time past of my life suffice to have served , and live in sinne . Give mee grace now in this my day , to know the things that belong to my peace , to make use of this time of my visitation , to lay hold on eternall life , to take the kingdome of heaven by violence : now thou standest at the doore and knockest , O let me open unto thee , that thou mayest enter in , and sup with me . Give mee grace to worke out my salvation with feare and trembling , to bee often in calling upon thee in prayer , and lifting mine eyes up to the hills from whence both pardon of sinne , and power over sinne must bee expected . Make mee often search and trye my wayes , and examine my selfe , whether I be in the faith or no. Now I beseech thee to heare me , and helpe me ; doe away the iniquity of thy servant , cover my transgressions , and let my sinnes bee blotted out from before thee , for the Lord Iesus Christs sake .

Amen . Amen .

Some particular formes of PRAYER .

For the English Colonies and Plantations in New-England , Virginia , &c.

O Most high God , Possessor Gen. 14. 19. Deut. 10 14 Isai. 63. 15. of heaven and earth , the heaven , and the heaven of heavens , is the habitation of thy Psal. 90. 2. holinesse and of thy glory ; by thee the Mountaines were 115. 16. brought forth , and thou hast formed the earth , and the would , and hast given it to the children of men for a possession ; And by thy word of blessing Gen. 9. 7. hast commanded man , to encrease and multiply , and replenish the face of the earth : We in this nation have found thy gracious Providence over us , in thy continuall protection and preservation ; for thou hast Psa. 147. 13 strengthned the bars of our gates , and blessed our children within us , thou hast set peace in our borders , and hast abundantly 14. given us blessings of the Gen. 49. 25. brest , and of the wombe : insomuch that wee are exceedingly 2 Kin. 6. 1 multiplyed , so that the place where wee dwell is too narrow for us , for our seed is become as Isai. 48. 19. the sand , and the offspring of our bowels , as the gravell thereof : And now O Lord , thou of Num. 14. 7. thy good providence , hast espied out for us , an exceeding good land , watred with the dew of Gen. 27. 39. heaven from above , blessed with the farnesse of the earth Psal. 80. 9. from beneath , and hast made roome for us to bee planted therein , that wee who are Deut. 4. 7. growne into so great a nation , and are thronged at home , may swarme out , and bee gathered thither , for the glory of thy great name , the honour of this Kingdome , and the further enlargement of our Kings dominions . O let their designe be Exod. 28. 36 holinesse to the Lord , honour and wealth to our nation , and enlargement also to the kingdome of thy Christ , who are transplanted into those remoter parts of the world . Build a 2 Sam. 7. 10. 1 Chr. 28. 2. place of rest for thy tabernacle among them , that the heathen that have not knowne thee , and the families that have not called Ier. 10. 25. on thy name , may by this meanes bee delivered from the power of darkenesse , and translated Coll. 1. 13. into the kingdome of thy deare sonne . Bee thou a wall of Zech. 2. 5. fire round about our people , and a little Sanctuary unto them : Let Eze. 11. 16. no sonne of wickednesse approach Psa. 89. 22. neere , to hurt them , build them up into a nation ; there plant them , and make Deut. 33. 28 2 Sam 20. 1. them to dwell in safety : Let no seditious Sheba be author of faction or schisme among them

And as thou causest the Sun to arise upon all the earth , so that nothing is hid from the heate thereof , so le● there bee no speech , nor language , where the voyce of thy Gospell is not heard . Let thy way be knowne upon earth , and thy saving health among all nations : cause the Sunne of righteousnesse to arise with healing in his wings , upon all those that sit in darkenesse , and the shadow of death , to guide their feete into the way of peace : Give thy sonne Iesus the heathen for his inheritance , and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession . Make all the Kings of the earth to fall downe before him , and all nations to doe him reverence . That his dominion may bee from Sea even to Sea , and from the rivers even to the ends of the earth . That Tarshish , Pul , and Lud that draw the bow , Tuball , and Iavan , and the Iles afarre off , that have not heard thy ●ame , neither have seene thy glory , may be brought into the houshold of faith , and be joyned to the people of the God of Abraham , and so bee made one folde under that great shepheard and Bishop of their soules .

Those sinners of the Gentiles , O Lord draw them out of the darkenesse of Paganisme , Idolatrie , ignorance , and superstition ; and though they now bee wallowing in their blood , yet let it bee the time of love with thee , and say unto them live : spread thy skirt , over them . Let the light of the glorious Gospell of Iesus Christ shine unto them , that they may turne from the service of dumb Idols , yea , of very Devils , to thee the living God . Teach them to know thee the onely true God , and whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ ; open the doore of faith unto them that they may beleeve in the name of thy Sonne ; grant them repentance unto life , that they may be saved ; light up among them , some burning and shining lamps , to beare thy name among them , that the grace of God which bringeth salvation , may appeare unto all men : that so they which are without Christ , being aliens from the Common wealth of Israel , and strangers from the covenants of Promise , that have no hope , and are without God in the world , may heare the voyce of the Sonne of God , and live .

To this end , plant thy grace , and feare , in their hearts , who are of that Colonie and Plantation : make them wise to win those poore soules , by their unblameable conversation , being zealous for thee , gentle towards them , apt to teach them , patient ▪ in meeknesse instructing them , if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth , and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the Devill , who are taken captive by him at his will .

O Lord this is a worthy worke , and who is sufficient for these things ! therefore doe thou make bare thine owne almighty arme , bring in the fulnesse of the Gentiles , give them where Satans throne is , an heart to perceive , and eyes to see , and eares to heare the word of thy grace ; that the ends of the earth may see the salvation of God , and they that dwell in the uttermost parts thereof may be converted unto thee : then shall the earth bee filled with the knowledge of the Lord , as the waters cover the sea , and they shall feare the name of the Lord from the West , and his glory from the rising of the Sunne .

Amen .

A Prayer to bee prepared against Death , &c.

O Thou eternall , immortall , invisible , and onely wise God , who stretchedst forth the heavens , and laidst the foundations of the earth , and formedst the spirit of man within him ; thou art the former of al things , thy spirit did at the first make mee , and the breath of the Almighty hath given mee life : thou hast clothed mee with skin and flesh , and fenced mee with bones and s●●ewes , my substance was not hid from thee , when I was made in secret , and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth : thine eyes did see mee when I was yet unperfect , and in thy booke all my members were written , which in continuance were fashioned , when as yet there was none of them before . And thou Lord tookest me out of the wombe , thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mothers breasts , thou hast fed me , and led me all my life long unto this day : when I have passed through the waters , thou hast beene with me , and through the rivers , they have not overflowed me ; thou hast carryed mee on Eagles wings , and in the time of trouble hast preserved me safely under thy feathers , and there hath not one haire of mine head fallen to the ground , without thy Providence ?

But what man is hee that liveth , and shall not see death ? our dayes on the earth are as a shadow , and there is none abiding ; we spend our yeares as a tale that is told : our life is even as a Vapour that appeares for a little time , th●n vanisheth away : wee build our house as a moth , and as a booth that the Keeper maketh . We have here no continuing Citie , all flesh is grasse , and all the goodlinesse thereof as the flower of grasse . Man that is borne of a woman , is of few dayes , and full of trouble , he commeth forth like a flower and is cut downe ; hee fleeth also as a shadow , and continueth not .

O Lord my times are in thy hand , all my dayes are determined , the number of my months are with thee , thou hast appointed my bounds which I cannot passe , I must one day returne to the ground , for dust I am , and to dust I must returne : thou wilt bring me to death , and to the house appoynted for all living , where I shall make my bed in darkenesse , and must say to corruption , thou art my father , and to the wormes , thou art my mother and my sisters . O that I were wise and did understand this ! that I could consider my latter end ! that whether I live , I might live unto the Lord , or whether I dye , I might dye unto the Lord ; that both living and dying I might bee the Lords ! then should I use the world , as if I used it not , then would I not bee conformed to the men of this world , who have their portion in this life , whose God is their belly , who make pleasures , and honour , and riches their God , and mind only earthly things . But by that irreversible sentence of thine , In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt dye the death , it is appoynted unto all men once to dye our fathers where are they ? and the Prophets , doe they live for ever ? they all are gone downe into the chambers of death , there they rest together in their beds , till the heavens be no more , they shall not wake nor bee raysed out of their sleepe : and I my selfe also who am a sonne of Adam , and formed out of the same clay , I must ( when my dayes be fulfilled ) sleepe with my fathers , and goe the way whence I shall not returne .

Truly the light is sweete , and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the Sunne , and yet thy favour , presence , and light of thy countenance is better than life : whilest I am in the flesh , I am absent from thee , and thou hast taught mee , that the day of death is better than the day when I was borne : Blessed are the dead that dye in the Lord , for they rest from their labours , and their workes follow them . And that I may dye in thee , O make me to live to thee , O teach mee so to number my dayes , that I may apply my heart unto wisedome ; that all the while my breath is in me , and the spirit of God is in my nostrills , I may glorifie thee on earth , and finish that worke thou givest me to doe ; because there is no worke , nor device , nor knowledge in the grave whither I am going . O make mee to passe the Eccles. 9. 10 time of my Sojourning heere in thy feare , because the night commeth , in which I cannot worke : So long as this my day lasteth , let me live as a child of the light , let my behaviour be , as becommeth holinesse , adorning the doctrine of God my Saviour in all things , that I may praise thee my God whilest I have my being , and my conversation may be in heaven , even whilest I Sojourne heere on earth : and the life which I now live in the flesh , I may live by the faith of the Sonne of God , that the world may be crucified unto me , and I unto the world . For to this end , our Saviour Iesus once tasted death for every man , and humbled himselfe , and became obedient , even to the death of the crosse , that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him , which dyed for them , and rose againe . When therefore my race is finished , and I have served out my time .

O let mee dye the death of the righteous , and let my last end , be like his ! Let my soule be bound up in the bundle of life with the Lord my God , shew me the path of life , In thy presence is fulnesse of joy , at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore .

Pardon all my Sinnes , heale my backe-slidings love me freely , subdue mine iniquities , and cast all my Sinnes into the depths of the Sea . Give me peace of conscience , and joy in thee , that when dust shall returne againe to the earth as it was , my spirit may returne to God who gave it .

Amen .

A Prayer for a Scholler .

O Lord , thou art the Father of lights , every good gift , and every perfect gift is from above , and commeth downe from thee ; thou hast commanded that if any lacke wisedome , he should aske it of thee ; thou it is that givest to the simple sharpnesse of wit , and to the child knowledge and understanding . O give unto me thy servant , a wise and understanding heart , and make learning delightfull unto my soule , that I giving attendance unto reading , may meditate upon the things that shall be taught me , and give my selfe wholly thereunto , that so my profiting may appeare unto all . O make mee also to learne Christ , in whom are hid al the treasures of wisedome and knowledge ; that I may grow up before thee as a plant of righteousnesse .

And because Paul may plant , and Appollos water , but it is thou alone that canst give the increase , command thy blessing from heaven that it may rest upon my studies . It will be in vaine for me to rise early , and to sit up late , unlesse it please thee to prosper mine endeavours . O doe thou bestowe on mee knowledge and skill , in all learning and wisedome , as thou didst on Daniel and his three companions . And as Moses was learned in all the wisedome of the Aegyptians , so also incline mine eare to wisedome , and apply mine heart unto understanding , that I may say unto wisedome , thou art my Sister , and call understanding my Kinswoman : make me to seeke her , as silver , and to search for her as hidden treasures , to be instant in season , and out of season , in labours more abundant , in watchings often , applying my heart to know , to search , and seeke out wisedome and the reason of things . O make me in the morning to sow my seed , and in the evening not to withhold mine hand , that I may take hold of instruction and not let her goe , but keepe her , for shee is my life . Make me swift to heare , carefull to redeeme the time , wisely husbanding those opportunities I have to learne , that with all my getting I may get understanding , and may not onely learne the wisedome of heathen , and prophane Authors , but that wisedome also which is from above , and heavenly , which may give me an inheritance among all them that are sanctified .

Lord set thy stampe on this my pliable and waxie youth , that it may bee holinesse unto thee , season my heart with thy feare betimes , let me set thee alwayes before mine eyes , that as Samuel , Iosiah , and Solomon , I may learne to know thee the Lord God of my Fathers , and serve thee with a willing mind , make me to give to thee the first fruits of my yeares , and to remember thee my creatour in the dayes of my youth , whilest the evill dayes come not , thus laying up a good foundation for the time to come .

Thou hast promised that if I seeke thee , thou wilt be found of me , but if I forsake thee , thou wilt cast me off for ever ; make me therefore diligent to know the Scriptures of a child , which are able to make me wise unto salvation ; let thy glory be the end , thy word the rule , thy spirit the guide , thy will the law , thy promises the comforts of my life , that thus acquainting my selfe with thee betimes , and abhorring all prophane and Atheisticall conceits of thee , thy wayes , & worship , I may by thy grace suppresse all filthy and unholy thoughts , fancies and desires , & so fly the lusts of youth .

Thou hast made me to bee borne into thy Church , and hast even from my infancie received me into thy covenant , O that there were such an heart in me , that I might serve thee alwayes ! Give me patient , obedient , humble , dutifull , and discreet carriage , to all my Supiriours : to him especially at whose feet , as Saint Paul at Gamaliels , I now sit : make me painfull , and industrious , carefull to please him , reverencing his authority . Make mee affable , loving , courteous , harmlesse , and of winning behaviour towards my Equalls and Inferiours , being gentle , and easie to be intreated by them all . Pardon and heale the frailties , follies and infirmities of my youth , give me understanding to conceive , largenesse of heart , and capacity to apprehend ; confirme my memorie to retaine , my invention to finde out , and attaine to humane literature . Prosper all my labours , and make me wise , to understand mine owne wayes , to save mine owne soule , that I may bee a comfort to my Parents , and honour to thy Gospell , an example of Learning , Pietie , and vertue to all my Equalls : that so I may heereafter become a profitable instrument of thy glory either in the church or common wealth , as thou shalt see it best in thine heavenly wisedome , and most agreeable to mine owne disposition , that thus glorifying thee in my life , I may be blessed of thee in my death , and glorified for ever with thee in the world to come ,

Amen .

A Prayer for a Trades-man , Merchant , &c.

O Lord , the righteous God , that triest the reines and the heart , thou lovest truth in the inward parts , and hast commanded all those that call upon thy name to depart from iniquity , and to put away lying , speaking the truth from his heart , every man unto his neighbour , not using false weights , deceitfull ballances , or unjust measures : and wouldest that no man should goe beyond , and defraud his brother in any matter , because that the Lord is the avenger of all such .

O Lord , the heart of man is deceitfull above all things , and desperately wicked , and in nothing more discovers it selfe , than in the gaine of unrighteousnesse . The love of money is the roote of all evill , which while some have coveted after , they have erred from the faith , and pierced themselves through with many sorrowes . Thus in buying , and selling , and trading with each other , so they may lade themselves with thicke clay , they care not to load their consciences with heavie Sinne. Thus it often is , as with the buyer , so with the seller : 'T is naught , 't is naught , saith the buyer , but when he is gone his way he boasteth : and how many severall tricks of deceit , and sleights , there are practised by the cunning craftinesse of men that lye in waite to deceive , which the false and dissembling heart of man is guilty of , thou onely knowest , who searchest the heart , and tryest the reines , and wilt one day bring to light the hidden things of dishonesty and darknesse : so that as a naile sticketh fast betweene the joyning Eccles 27. 2. of stones , so doth Sinne sticke close betweene buying and selling .

O Lord what shall it profit me to win the whole world and to lose mine owne soule ? could I rejoyce because my wealth was great , or because my hand had gotten much ? If I should get my house full of silver , and gold , heaping up silver as dust , and fine gold as the mire in the streets , or prepare rayment as the clay , being filled with all precious and pleasant riches ; yet thou that hatest false ballances , and the bag of deceitfull weights , canst blow upon all my substance , that it shall melt away , by thy blast it would perish ; a fire not blowne should consume it suddenly : thou couldst make my riches to take them wings and fly away as an Eagle towards heaven , to vanish as a dreame , and not bee found , or chased away as a vision of the night . And thou hast in thy assured mee , that hee that getteth riches , and not by right , shall leave them in the midst of his dayes , and at his end shall bee a foole : and howsoever bread of deceit may bee sweet to a man , yet afterwards his mouth shall bee filled with gravell .

O let mee never be given over to that reprobate mind , supposing that gaine i● godlinesse ; Let mee not grind the face of my brother , or pant after the dust of the earth , on the head of the poore , making the Ephah small , and the shekell great , and falsifying the ballances by deceit . Never let me bee so greedy of gaine , that in the seeking thereof I should enlarge my desire as hell , or as death , that cannot be satisfied . O make me to hate and take heed of guile : Let not my soule bee poysoned with the mammon of unrighteousnesse , that I should by lying and fraud , obtrude bad wares on the men I trade withall , for hereby I should take the name of my God in vaine , and cause thy Gospell to bee evill spoken of ▪ Wicked ballances and the bag of deceitfull weights are an abomination unto thee , and much better will a dry morsell be , or a dinner of greene herbes gotten by honest dealing , then a stalled Oxe by coozening and deceit : Godlinesse with contentment is great gaine , but they that will bee rich fall into temptation , and a snare , and into many foolish and hurtfull lusts , which drowne men in destruction , and perdition .

O Lord , faith and a good conscience are speciall jewels , a precious treasure : Let not mee make shipwracke of them for every trifle ; how ever prophane and godlesse men may disesteeme them , they are not to bee valued with the gold of Ophir , with the precious Onyx or the Saphire . Let mee ever remember that golden rule , to doe unto other men as I would they should doe unto me . And if by my industry , thou doest please to blesse my estate , that my riches doe encrease , O let me not set my heart upon them , making gold my hope , or saying to fine gold , thou art my confidence ; or if I shall wax poore , and fall into decay through crosses , and losses by thy hand of providence , and not by mine owne negligence , sloth , or ill husbandry , yet make mee to learne in whatsoever state I am , therewith to bee content , and may know both how to be abased , and how to abound , to be full , and to bee hungry , which grace I beseech thee to grant me for Christ Iesus sake .

Amen .

A Servants Prayer .

MOst holy and great God , thou hast commanded servants to be obedient to them which are their masters according to the flesh , with feare and trembling , in singlenesse of heart , as unto Christ : not with eye-service as men-pleasers , but as the servants of Christ , doing the will of God from the heart . Therefore as thy good hand of providence hath placed mee in this condition , so I beseech thee , give me thy grace , that with good will I may doe service , as to the Lord and not unto men , knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth , the same shall hee receive of the Lord , whether he be bond or free . O teach me therefore , first to serve , and to feare thee ; for thy service is perfect freedome ; thus being the Lords free man , I shall no more be a Servant but a Sonne , and heire of God through Christ . To this end make thy face to shine upon thy servant , be thou with me in all that I doe , and let the beauty of the Lord my God be upon mee and establish thou the worke of my hands upon me , that thy blessing may be upon all that my master hath in the house , and in the field : make thou a hedge about him , and about all that he hath on every side , and blesse thou the worke of his hands , that his substance may be encreased in the Land . And as thou blessedst Laban for Iacobs sake , Potiphar for Iosephs sake , Obed Edom for the Arkes sake , Ahab for Obadiahs sake , so also I beseech thee to blesse me and all the things that are under my hand : cause thy blessing to rest in my masters house , prevent him daily with blessings of goodnesse , that he may learne by experience , that thou Lord , hast blessed him since my comming . O make mee a faithfull and a wise servant as Eliezer unto Abraham , that if my master commit his goods into my hand , and make me ruler over his houshold , to appoint them their worke , to give them their meate in due season , I may with all my power serve him therein , not eating the bread of idlenesse , nor brawling nor quarrelling with my fellow servants , but make me to be peaceable , gentle , easie to bee intreated . Let me not be sloathfull in businesse , or indammage my master by my neglect , but desirous to promote his good , and to please him in all things ; not answering againe , not purloyning , but shewing all good fidelity , that I may adorne the doctrine of God my Saviour in all things .

And though my master should become a hard man , and should make my life bitter with sore bondage , making me serve with rigor , yea though he make me a hewer of wood , or drawer of water , or imploy me even to the basest offices , yet let not my proud heart swell and repine hereat . Grant that I may submit my selfe under his hand , not onely when hee is good , and gentle , but also when he is froward , even when I am bu●feted for my faults ; remembring my blessed Saviour , that tooke on him the forme of a servant , who though he was our Lord and Master , yet willingly gave himselfe an example and patterne of all patience , and humility .

And although with One simus , I have beene sometimes unfaithfull and unprofitable heretofore , yet make me profitable to my master for the time to come : that he may receive me , not now as a servant , but above a servant : never suffer me like Iudas in a religious family , to be ungodly , to betray my master , or bewray his secrets , nor a lying , covetous , and dissembling servant as Gehezi , nor as Ziba , slandering my master : but counting him worthy of all honour , that he being a beleever , I may not despise him because he is a brother , but rather doe him service because he is faithfull and beloved , pertaker of the benefit of thy Sons redemption . Let my behaviour be as becommeth holinesse , grant that with patience I may beare his threatnings , chidings , revilings , because thou hast taught mee , that a soft tongue breaketh the bones . Make mee wisely to forbeare , and in my patience to possesse my soule , referring all my wrongs , and injuries to thee , though he should not doe unto mee that which is just and equall ; knowing that even hee also hath a Master in heaven , neither is there respect of persons with thee .

O Lord I beseech thee , let now thy eare bee attentive to the prayer of mee thy servant , who desires to feare thy name , and prosper I pray thee thy servant this day , and grant me grace instantly to serve thee , that so thou who hast the hearts of all men in thy hands , as the rivers of water , maist give me favour in the sight of my master , that my worke and labour may bee accepted . O Lord I beseech thee free me from sinne , that I may become a servant of righteousnesse ● alasse I have made thee too long , to serve with my sinnes , I have wearied thee with mine iniquities : pardon I pray thee all my transgressions , and enter not into judgement with thy servant , for in thy sight no flesh living shall bee justified : let mee not henceforth serve sinne any longer , but grant that I may serve thee in holinesse , and righteousnesse all the dayes of my life . Amen . Lord Iesus

Amen .

A thankesgiving to our Saviour Iesus Christ .

MOst loving Lord , and blessed Saviour , the mighty God , everlasting Father , Prince of peace and life , the rocke of my salvation , the fountaine opened to the house of David , and to the inhabitants of Ierusalem for sinne and for uncleannesse , the Lambe of God that takest away the sinnes of the world , who now art set downe at the right hand of the Majestie on high , and yet hast respect unto thy poore members here on earth . O Lord heare , O Lord forgive , O Lord accept the groanings of my humbled soule , 〈…〉 . 63 8. 63. 1. which followeth ●a●d after thee , which thirsteth & longeth for thee in a dry , and barren land where no water is .

O my sweet Saviour , very loving hast thou beene to me , thy love to me was wonderfull , passing the love of women : at the which so infinit , so unconceivable , unchangable , everlasting and undeserved love of thine to me a miserable sinner , the very Angels stand amazed , desiring to prie into the mysterie of thy incarnation , and admire to see thee ( the brightnesse of thy Fathers glory , and the expresse image of his person ) assuming a nature inferiour to theirs : who though thou wert Lord of Lords , King of Kings , the image of the invisible God , the first borne of every creature , heire appointed of all things , by whom also the worlds were made , yet tookest upon thee , the forme of a servant , and wast made in the likenesse of men , being delivered to death for my sinnes , and made a curse for mee . Was there ever love like this love of thine , that one should dy for his enemies ? from the beginning of the world was it ever heard before , that God should become man , to save man from the wrath of God due to mans sinne ? But thou art that good Shepherd that givest thy life for thy Sheepe , and thou hast loved me , and washed me from my sinnes in thy owne bloud , and delivered me from the wrath to come .

O Lord Iesus Christ , thou , thou onely art the hope of Israel , the Saviour thereof in the time of trouble ; whom have I in heaven but thee , and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee : without thee , and out of thee , there is nothing amiable , worthy the setting my heart upon . Let the world love it selfe , let men be Idolaters of their owne concupiscences , of their goods , lives , wisedome , reputation , &c but cause thou me to forsake , and to hate all things for thee , and to count them dung , that I may winne Christ . Let my heart take no greater pleasure than to see thee glorified in the world , and enthronized in my owne soule . Thou art my portion for ever , hee whom my soule loveth , whose love to mee is better than wine , the Lord my righteousnesse . Who shall now lay any thing to the charge of thine Elect ? seeing thou dost justifie , who can condemne ?

I desire to know nothing but thee crucified , to love nothing more than thy sacred selfe , I desire onely to be found in thee , not having mine owne righteousnesse ( which indeed is none ) but to bee clad with the garments of thy salvation . O sweet Iesus spread thy skirt over me , for thou art my neere kinsman , true Immanuel , God with us , God for us . Never , I beseech thee , suffer me to bee unmindfull of , unthankfull for that wonder of all thy wondrous workes , my eternall redemption , and salvation by thy precious bloud .

Order my conversation aright , to the pleasing of thee in all my desires , thoughts , words , & actions , that I may not henceforth live to my selfe , but unto thee , which hast dyed for mee and rose againe . Guide mee Lord with thy counsell whiles I live on earth , and afterward , receive me to thy glory .

Amen .

A thankesgiving to God for his wonderfull deliverance of our King and state from the Gun-powder Treason , Novem. 5. 1605.

LOrd God Almighty , glorious in holinesse , working wonders alway for thy poore Church , and in the greatnesse of thine excellencie , confounding all those that are implacable enemies to thine elect : we the people of this land ( who have , at this day , tasted and seene how gracious thou art in saving us by so great a deliverance , as the like was never heard of , since man dwelt upon the fa●e of the earth ) doe with all humble and hearty acknowledgement , prayse and blesse● thy glorious name , for that admirable and strange deliverance which thou graciously vouchsafedst to our King , Prince , Nobles , and the whole body of this Kingdome , and state assembled together in the high-court of Parliament . How great a cause have wee to praise thee day by day , and to blesse thy name for ever & ever who hast given us such deliverance as this ? which if ever we forget , let our tongues cleave to the roofe of our mouth : Doubtlesse unto God the Lord belong the issues from death ; it was thou that saidst hither to shall yee goe and no further , here shall the proud waves of your hellish attempts stop themselves , O yee popish conspiratours , your mischiefe shall returne upon your owne head , and your violent dealing shall come downe upon your owne pate : and all that see it shall say this hath God done , for they shall perceive it was thy worke . Blessed be thy name O Lord , who hast not given us as a prey unto their teeth , that kept the proud waters from going over our soule , and deliveredst us from so great a death , thou hast broken the jaw-bone of those ravening Lyons , and hast plucked us as a prey out of their teeth : our soule is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowler , the snare is broken and we are delivered .

Not unto us O Lord , not to us but to thy name , be the praise for ever given , that thus savedst thy people with an outstretched hand , and watchedst betwixt our enemies and us : they thought to have cut off head and tayle , branch and rush in one day , to have swallowed us up alive as the grave , and whole as those that goe downe into the pit : but themselves are salne into the pit which they digged for us : Righteous art thou O Lord God of recompences , just and true are thy judgements , who maintainedst our right and our cause , and gavest not the soule of thy turtle into their hands , but gavest them blood to drinke for they were worthy . Blessed be thy name , who redeemedst our life from destruction , and thus crownest us with loving kindnesse : thou satest in heaven and laughedst them to scorne , thou Lord hadst them in derision , and though they cursed , yet thou didst blesse us , yea thou didst curse them , and didst blow upon them in the fire of thy wrath , and dashedst them in pieces like a Potters vessell .

They digged deepe to hide their counsell from thee , but the darkenesse ●ideth not from thee , thou broughtest to light their workes of darkenesse , thou causedst their own tongus to ma●e them to fall — thus when thou pleasest to worke for thy Church — a bird of the aire shall carry the voyce , and that which hath wings shall discover the matter : and in the thing wherein they deale proudly thou wilt bee above them . They tooke craftie counsell against thy Saints , and were mad against thy people , and sworne together against us and had their mischievous device not beene defeated by thee , our land had beene as Sodome , our people as Gomorrah a desolation , our Cities Golgotha , our fields Aceldama . Cursed bee their anger for it was fierce , and their wrath for it Exod. 12. Yee shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and thy sonnes for ever . Vers 24. When your children shall say unto you , What mean you b● th●● service ? was cruell : but blessed bee thou O Lord , who savedst us by a great deliverance , and gavest us not over to the will of our enemies into the hands of bruitish men , and skilfull to destroy , more fierce then the Evening Woulues , bloody , and breathing out cruelty . This was none other but the finger of God , this was thy doing O Lord , and it is marvellous in our eyes ; this is the day which thou hast m●de to be unto us , a good day , a day of blessings and prayses , we will Vers. 26. — that yee shall say , It is the day of thankesgiving for — it is a day to be much observed unto the Lord , for delivering us from — . Vers. 42. rejoyce and be glad in it , yea and the children which are yet unborne shall arise , and for it praise thy name , and tell it also unto their children , that even to perpetuall generations , we all may remember this day ( as the Iewes did their feast of Purim ) and keepe it throughout every generation , every Family , every Province , and every Citie , that it may not faile from among the people of this land , nor the memoriall of it perish from our seed .

Still confound all their devilish practises , blast their purposes , infatuate their policies , as many as have evill will to Zion . Let the ravens of the valies picke out those eyes , and the young Eagles eate them , as many as rejoyce not to see thy Gospell flourish , nor thy Saints prosper , nor the welfare of this state and Church all their dayes . So let all thine enemies perish O Lord ! but let them that love thee bee as the Sunne when hee goeth forth in his might — Amen .

Deut. 4. 7. What nation is there so great who hath God so nigh unto them , as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for ?

Happy art thou O Israel , Deut. 33. 20. who is like unto thee , O people saved by the Lord , the shield of thy helpe , and who is the sword of thy excellencie ! and thine enemies shall be found lyars unto thee —

A Praxis upon the Holy Oyle , Printed for Robert Milbourne 1632. shewing the Vse of the Scripture Phrases , In Praying , meditating , writing Letters , exhorting , comforting , reproving , &c. yea in any Christian dutie , on any occasion to be performed .

For Example . Wouldst thou in the time of dearth , and famine , insert a seasonable petition or two , into thy prayers , that God would please to provide for thee , thy family — and the poore — &c. to remove this judgement , and send plenty — Turne then to the Heads , Famine , Poore , Plenty , provide — &c.

Let me ( if thou wilt ) spell thee out this lesson , and shew thee the way-thus then -

O Lord , the God of the Spirits Scripture . Numb. 27. 16. Head . GOD of all flesh — who givest to the beast Scripture . Psal. 247 9 his food , and to the young ravens which cry — the God which Scripture . Gen. 48. 15. hast fed us all our life long unto this day — and hast said thou wilt never Scripture . Heb. 13. 5. leave us , nor forsake us , Give us this day Scripture . Math. 6. 11. Head . Competencie . our daily bread — feed us with food Scripture . Fro. 30 8. convenient for us — The eyes of all wait Scripture . Psal. 145. 15 -16. Head . Provide . upon thee , and thou givest them their meate in due season , thou openest thine hand , and satisfiest the desire of every living thing : — Look Scripture . Deut. 26. 15. downe now from thy holy habitation , from heaven , and Head . Famine . kill not the assembly Scripture . Exod. 16. 3. of thy people with hunger — Thou hast Scripture . Amos 4. 6. given us cleannesse of teeth in all our Cities , and want of bread in all our palaces — Scripture . Hos. 2. 9. thou hast taken away thy corne in the time thereof — Scripture . Ezek. 5. 16. and hast sent upon us the evill arrowes of Famine — O Lord the Land Scripture . Hos. 4. 8. Head . Satisfie . mourneth , and every one that dwelleth therein doth languish — they that were full have hired Scripture . 1 Sam. 2. 5. out themselves for bread , — and yet Scripture . Eccles. 6. 7. the appetite is not filled .

Our bread formerly Scripture . Gen. 49. 20. Head . Plentie . hath bene fat , and we have enjoyed royall dainties — the Lord our God Scripture . Deut. 7. 2. hath beene with us , and we have lacked nothing — we have Scripture . - 8. 9. Head . Abound . lived in a Land , wherein wee have eaten bread without scarsenesse — in Scripture . Iudg 18. 10 a place where there is no want of any thing that is in the earth — But now for Scripture . 2 King . 8. 1. our sinnes thou hast called for a Famine , Head . Famine . and it is also come — Scripture . Psal. 105. 16. and thou hast broken the whole staffe of bread — such as Scripture . Iob 20. 22. have hither to beene in the fulnesse of sufficiencie , are likely now to bee in straits — some that Scripture . 1 Sam. 25. 36. Head . Feast . have held feasts in their houses like the feasts of a King — are hardly bestead & Scripture . Isai. 8. 21. Scripture . Iudg. 19 5. hungry — & would now comfort their heart with a morsel Head . Eat . of bread — Many Scripture . Deut. 15 8. that have opened their hand wide unto their brethren — distributing to the Scripture . Rom. 12. 13. Head . Liberall . necessitie of the Saints — are now Scripture . Lev. 25. 35. Head . Almes . themselves waxen poore and falne into decay — and are Scripture . Iam. 2. 15. Head . Poore . de●titute of daily food .

Lord open unto Scripture . Deut. 28. 12 us thy good treasure — and let not Scripture . Gen. 41. 30. Head . Plentie . the Famine consume the land — minister Scripture . 2 Cor. 9. 10. bread for our food — - Head . Feed . and fill the hungry Scripture . Luk. 1. 53 soule of thy people with good things — - that there may bee Scripture . Psal 144. 11. no complaining in our streets .

Thou hast promised thou wilt abundantly Scripture . Psa. 132. 15 blesse our provision , and wilt satisfie the poore with bread — Open now unto us the windowes Scripture . Mal. 3. 10. Head . Plenty . of heaven , and poure us out a blessing — that our Scripture . Psal. 144. 13. garners may be full , affording all manner of store — with Scripture . Gen. 27. 37. Head . Abound . corne also and wine doe thou susteine Scripture . Psal. 104. 15. us — and with bread which strengthens mans heart . — Stirre Scripture . Ezra . 1. 1. Head . Perswade . up the spirit — bow Scripture . 2 Sam 19. 14. Scripture . 2 Kin. 15. 20 the hearts of — the mighty men of Head . Rich. wealth — that have Scripture . Pro. 28. 19. plenty of bread — Head . Abound . whose portion is Scripture . Hab 1. 16. fat , and their meat plenteous — to remember the poore — Head . Almes . to draw out their Scripture . Isai 58. 10. soule to the hungry , and satisfie the afflicted soule — not Scripture . Iob 31. 17. eating their morsell alone — but sending Scripture . Nehe. 8. 10 portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared — and Scripture . Esth. 9. 22. gifts to the poore . — O make them put Scripture . Col. 3. 12. on the bowells of mercy — being kind Head . Compassion . to their brethren , Scripture . Eph. 4. 32. and tender hearted — rich in good Scripture . 1 Tim. 6. 18. workes — ready to distribute , willing to communicate — Scripture . Deut. 15. 7. not hardening their heart , nor shutting their hand from their poore brethren — that wee may all , eate in plenty , Scripture . Ioel 2. 26. and bee satisfied , and praise the name of the Lord our God , that hath dealt wonderously with us — giving us Scripture . 1 Tim 6. 17. richly all things to enjoy . Amen .

In the time of Drought thou mayest thus poure out thy soule to God in prayer .

O Lord , thou art the father of Scripture . Iob. 38. 28. the raine , thou hast Head . Raine . begotten the drops Scripture . Deut. 28. 12. of dew — Wee bese●ch thee to open now unto us thy good treasure , the heaven to give us raine unto our land in his season — because Scripture . Ier. 14. 4. the ground is Head . Drought . chapt — the land perisheth and is burnt Scripture . - 9. 12. Head . Drie . up like a wildernesse — In our wants Scripture . Psal. 68. 9. heretofore thou O God didst send a plentifull Raine , whereby thou didst confirme thine inheritance when it was weary — but now thou stayest Scripture . Iob. 38. 37. the bottles of heaven — the showers Head . Clouds . Scripture . Ier. 3. 3. are with-holden from us , and there hath beene no latter raine — . Thus Scripture . Lev. 26. 19. for our sinnes thou hast made our heaven as iron , and our earth as brasse — and hast commanded the Scripture . Isai. 5. 6. clouds that they rain no raine upon us —

How doe the Scripture . Ioel 1. 18. beasts mourne , and the heards of cattell Head . Drought . are perplexed , because they have no pasture ? — How Scripture . Ier. 12. 4. doth the land mourn and the herbes of every field wither ? — Command now therfore Scripture . Psal. 78. 23. O Lord the clouds from above , and open the doores of heaven — and water Scripture . Psa. 65. 10. Head . Heaven . the ridges of the earth abundantly , settle the furrowes thereof , make it soft with showres — Scripture . - 104. 14. cause the grasse to grow for the cattell , and herbe for the service of man — that thou mayest bring forth food out of the earth . — Drop Head . Raine . downe then yee heavens from above , and let the skies Scripture . Eccles. 11. 8. empty themselves upon the earth — Lord why bindest Scripture . Iob 26. 8. thou up the waters in thy thick clouds , and the cloud is not rent under them ? — O cause the showre Scripture . Eze. 34. 26. to come downe in his season , let there be showres of blessing — that the earth Scripture . Iam. 5. 18. may bring forth her fruit — that we may Scripture . Ier. 5 24. feare thee the Lord our God , that givest us raine , both the former and the latter in his season — Amen .

Dost thou goe to visit some sicke friend , with whom thou shalt happily be desired to pray ; and wouldst thou bee able to speake a word in season to him — Run over with thine eye some of these heads — Pardon , Sinne , Sicke , Die , Death — Heaven , &c. and some choyse phrases of more speciall note and use , will offer themselves , which thou occasionally maist turne into Petitions — or make matter of comfortable meditation and discourse . Yea suppose thou thy selfe , wert falne sicke of the sicknesse wherof thou maist die — having received the sentence of death in thy selfe , — and that some friend ( as Isaiah to King Hezekiah ) should advise thee to set thine house , and heart in order , for thou must dye and not live , — thou mightst weepe out ( with Hezekiah ) this comfortable meditation - under these Heads , Heaven . Desire . Glorified . Death . Grave . Resurrection .

O Heaven , the citie of our solemnities , a quiet habitation , a tabernacle Scripture . Isai. 33. 20. Head . Heaven . that shall not be taken downe , not one of the stakes thereof shall ever bee removed , neither shall any of the cords thereof bee broken ! — O Scripture . Psal. 63. 1. how my soule thirsteth for thee ! how Head . Desire . my flesh longeth after thee , in a dry and thirstie land , where no water is ! — But now ( O blessed day ! thrice welcome newes ! ) — the Head . Die . messengers of death Scripture . Pro. 16. 14. tell mee , that the Scripture . Gen. 47. 29. time drawes neere that I must dye —

1. And shall I so Head . Death . Scripture . Math. 25. 23. soone enter into the joy of my Lord ? is the time of my DEPARTING so Scripture . 2 Tim. 4. 6. neere at hand ? then blesse the Lord O Scripture . Psal. 103. 1. my soule , and all that is within mee bless his holy name ! — I have long lyen Head . World . Scripture . Dan. 7. 2. upon this great SEA — the world looking longly for this happy day , when one sweet gale of wind , my last breath , should wast me over Scripture . Hebr. 11. 10. unto a better countrey , that is an heavenly , — where Scripture . — 3. 11. I shall enter into REST , and bee Scripture . Col. 1. 12. partaker of the inheritance of the Saints in light .

2. Alas ! I am but a Stranger on this earth — and woe is Scripture . Psal. 120. 5. Head . Wicked . me that I Sojourne in Mesech , that I dwell in the tents of Kedar — my soule Scripture . — 6. hath too long dwelt Scripture . Mal. 3. 15. with such as — tempt Scripture . Ephe. 2. 2. Head . Profane . God — children of disobedience — that Scripture . Pro. 30. 12. are not washed from their filthynesse — I have beene long Head . Vngodly . absent from the Lord — But now Scripture . Eccle. 12. 5. I am going to my long HOME — to Head . Death . my Fathers House Head . Heaven . Scripture . Ioh. 14. 2. 3. where are many mansions — whither my Saviour is gone before to provide me a place — there Scripture . 1 Sam 20. 3 is now but a step betwixt me and life everlasting — Head . Glorified . I shall Scripture . 2 Cor. 5. 8. now shortly be present with the Lordbeing Scripture . Hebr. 7 26. seperate from sinners , and made higher than the heavens .

3. I dwell now Scripture . Iob 4. 19. in a house of clay , whose foundation is in the dust — an Head . Body . Scripture . 2 Cor. 5. 1. earthly Tabernacle which may bee crushed before the moaths — But ( blessed bee God ) now I am ●●itting to an House , Head . Heaven . not made with hands , but eternall in the Heavens , whose builder and Scripture . Heb. 11. 10. maker is God —

4. Why should I then feare death , Head . Death . though a King of terrours to ungodly Scripture . Iob 18. 14. men ? ●a● , with holy ●o● , All the dayes of Scripture . — 14. 14 my appointed time , I will waite till my CHANGE comef●r death is but a-Change , yea and a Head . Glorifie . Change , also for the better — for thereby , Scripture . Phil. 3. 21. Christ shall Change our vile body , that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body — Scripture . 2 Co 5. 4. mortalitie shall bee swallowed up of life — then I shall hunger no more , neither thirst any more — nor sinne any more , O blessed Change ! ( for my sinning against my God , hath grieved me sore — hath even Scripture . Psal. 69. 20. made me weary of my life — and broken my heart ) but I shall then follow Scripture . Rev ▪ 14 4. the Lambe whither soever hee goeth .

5 What is Death , Head . Die . but a putting off the rags of mortalitie ? Scripture . 2 Cor. 5. 4. and why should I feare to be u●cloathed , or be loath to put off this corruptible , yea rather why should I not be gla● when I can find the grave ? For 6 — Now I shall Scripture . Iob 3 22. Scripture . Iob 7. 21. -14. 12. Head . Die . Sleepe in the dust — I shall lye downe , and not rise againe , till the heavens bee no more — I shall make Scripture . - 17. 13. my bed in darkenesse — I shall fall Scripture . 1 Thess 4. 14. Scripture . Acts 13. 36. asleepe in IESVS , and bee laid to my Fathers — where though wormes be spread under mee , and wormes cover me , and though after this skin , they Scripture . Iob 19. 26. shall destroy this body , Head . Resurrecti ¦ on . yet in my flesh I shall see God —

Therefore as the Scripture . Psal. 42. 1. Hart panteth after the water-brookes , so panteth my soule after thee O God — My soule thirsteth , Scripture . 2 for God , for the living God , when shall I come and appeare Head . Life . before God ? — My times Lord Scripture . Psa. 31. 15. are in thy hand-thou breathedst into me , Scripture . Gen. 2. 7. at first , the breath of life — command Head . Die . Scripture . Tobit 3. 6. now therefore , my Spirit to bee taken from me , that I may be dissolved and become earth — and my soule returne to God that gave it . Father into thy hands I commend Scripture . Psal. 31. 5. my spirit , for thou hast redeemed mee , O Lord thou God of truth —

Amen .

An humble Soule , bemoaning it selfe under its many Sins , may thus pray .

O My God I am ashamed , and Scripture . Ezr. 9. 6. Head . Ashamed blush to lift up my face to thee my God , for mine inquities are increased over mine head , and my trespasse is growne up unto the heavens — yet suffer me , O thou Holy Scripture . 2 King . 19. 22. Head . God . One of Israel — suffer me ( who am Scripture . Dan. 4. 17. Scripture . Iob. 30. 8. Head . Base . the basest of men — viler than earth — Scripture . 1 Tim. 1. 15 the chiefe of sinners — ) to bring Scripture . Numb. 5. 15 mine iniquity to remembrance — Head . Repent . to afflict Scripture . - 29 7. my soule in thy sight — to abhorre Scripture . Iob. 42. 6. Head . Humble . my selfe , and repent in ●ust and ●shes , — Scripture . Isai 57. 9. d●basing my selfe even unto hell — because of my manifolde Scripture . Amos 5. 12. transgressions Head . Sinne. and my mightie sinnes .

Father I have sinned Scripture . Luk. 15. 21. against heaven and in thy sight , and am no more worthy to bee called thy Sonne — I have dealt treacherously Scripture . Hos. 5. 7. against thee , — and have gone a whoring Scripture . - 9. 1. from my God — yea in the land of righteousness I have Head . Sinne. done wickedly , — and thee the God Scripture . Dan. 5. 23. in whose hands my life is , and whose are all my wayes , have I not glorified — But have walked Scripture . Lev. 26. 21. contrary unto 〈…〉 and , ( to make Scripture . Rom. 7. 13. 〈…〉 me become exceeding sinnefull ) I have added rebellion Scripture . Iob. 34. 37. unto my sin — Alas ! how often have I yeelded my Scripture . Rom. 6. 13. members as instruments of unrighteousnesse unto sinne ? — doing evill with Scripture . Mic. 7. 3. both hands earnestly , — seeking after Scripture . Numb. 15. 39. mine owne heart , and mine owne eyes , — making my Scripture . Lev. 20. 25. soule abominable by those things which are forbidden to bee Scripture . — 5. 17. done by the commandements of the Lord .

And as if it had Scripture . 1 K. 16. 31. beene a light thing for me to commit those sinnes which men commit — I Scripture . 1 Kin. 16. 25. have done woorse than all that were before me — drinking iniquity like water — Scripture . Iob 15. 16 and selling my selfe to doe evi●l in Scripture . 2 Ki. 17. 17. the sight of the Lord , to provoke him to anger . Alas ! Head . Excuse . how shall I Scripture . Gen. 44. 16. cleere my selfe concerning these my overspreading abominations ? Scripture . Dan. 9. 27. how shall I lift up my face before thee my God ? for though I should Head . Purge . wash my selfe with Scripture . Iob. 9. 30. snow-water , and make my hands never so cleane — yet Head . Disclose . Scripture . Ier. 2. 22. mine iniquitie is marked before theeyea the heaven shall Scripture . Iob 20. 27. reveale mine iniquitie , and the earth shall rise up against me — woe unto my Scripture . Isay 3 9. soule , for I have rewarded evill unto my selfe .

But if thou Lord be extreme to mark iniquities , if thou enter into judgement with the servant , Lord who who shall stand ? — for so detestable and Scripture . Ier. 16. 18. abominable are my doing● , — that for the ●einousnesse therof thou mightest let death seaze upon me Scripture . Psal. 55. 15. and make mee goe downe quicke into Head . Damne . hell — where the Scripture . Isai. 66. 24. worme shall never dye , and the fire shall never be quenched . But thou hast in love to my soule Scripture . — 38. 17. delivered it from the pit of corruption , for thou hast cast all my sinnes behind thy backe — thou hast ransomed Scripture . Hos. 13. 14. me from the power of the grave , thou hast redeemed mee from death — by the mediatour betwixt Scripture . 1 Tim. 2 5. God and man — even Iesus — who Scripture . 1 Thess. 1. 10. hath loved me , and given himselfe for me , and hath washed mee from my sinnes in his blood and delivered mee from the wrath to come — O that I Head . Repent . Scripture . Ezek. 36. 31 could loath my selfe in mine owne sight , for all mine iniquities and abominations ! O that they might grieve me at the heart ! O that Scripture . — 21 6. I could sigh even with the breaking of my loines — wailing Scripture . Mic. 1. 8. as the dragons and mourning as the owles — because I have sinned against the Lord , and have Scripture . Psal. 18. 21. departed wickedly from my God — Amen .

A Letter consolatorie to his friend , perswading to patience in his afflictions . Faithfull and beloved brother

Scripture . Col. 4. 9. GOd that comforteth Scripture . 2 Cor. 7. 6. Head . God . those that are cast downe Scripture . 1 Cor. 16. 18. 2 Scripture . Thess. 2. 16. refresh your spirit — and give you everlasting consolation , Head . Comfort . and good hope through grace — for he hath torne , and he Scripture . Hosea . 6. 1. will heale you , hee hath smitten , and he onely can bind you up — I indeed faine Scripture . Iob 16. 5. would strengthen you with my mouth and the moving of my lips should asswage your griefe — But alas ! miserable Scripture . — 2. comforters are wee all — if the comforter that should relieve your soule bee farre from you .

It grieveth mee Head . Grieve . Scripture . Ruth 1. 13. much for your sake , that the hand of the Lord is gone out against you — that the Scripture . — 20. Almighty hath delt so very bitterly with you — making Head . Afflict . Scripture . Eze. 20. 37. you to passe under the rod — and to Scripture . Iob 13. 26. possesse the iniqui-quities of your youth — you were at ●ase , but hee hath broken you asunder , hee hath also taken Scripture . Iob 16 12. you by the necke , and shaken you to pieces , and set you up for his marke — It is good for a man Scripture . Lam 3. 27. ( saith Ieremy ) that he beare the yoke in his youth — for whom the Lord loveth , Scripture . Hebr. 12. 6. he chasteneth and scourgeth every sonne whom he receiveth — but if you be without chastisement , Scripture . — 8. whereof all are partakers , then are you a bastard and not a sonne — Assure Scripture . Isai. 1 25. Head . Purge . yourselfe when God shall have purged away your drosse , and taken away al your tin — when he hath tryed you , you Scripture . Iob 23. 10. shall come forth as gold .

Therefore in your Head . Murmure . Scripture . Luk. 21. 19. patience possess your soule — looke unto Scripture . Hebr. 12. 2 Iesus the author and finisher of your faith — Hee was oppressed , Scripture . Isay 53. 7. and hee was Scripture . — 10. afflicted , yet he opened not his mouth — Behold and see if Scripture . Lam. 1. 12 there were ever any sorrow like to his sorrow — O then Scripture . Mar. 10. 21 take up the crosse and follow him — Be dumbe and open Scripture . Psal. 39. 9. not your mouth for it is his doing — Bee you partaker of the Head . Afflict . Scripture . 2 Tim. 1. 8. affliction of the Gospell — Take pleasure in infirmities , in reproaches , Scripture . 2 Cor. 12. 10. in necessities , in persecutions , in distresses for Christs sake — for this light affliction Head . Patient . which is but for a Scripture . 2 Cor. 4. 17. moment , worketh for you , a farre more exceeding , and eternall weight of glory — Though you Scripture . — 1 ▪ 8. bee now pressed out of measure above strength , insomuch that you dispaire even of life — yet unto Scripture . Psal. 68. 20. God the Lord belong the issues from death . —

Wherefore lift Scripture . He. 12. 12. up the hands which hang downe , and the feeble knees — look Scripture . Isa. 17. 7. to thy Maker , and let Head . Rely . thine eyes have respect unto the Holy one of Israel — and Scripture . Hos. 12. 6. waite on thy God continually — and he will turne for thee thy mourning into dauncing , hee will Scripture . Psal. 30. 11 put off thy sackcloth and gird thee with gladnesse . Amen . The Lord doe Scripture . Ier. 28. 6. so — Farewell , and Head . Requite . according to the Scripture . Gen. 21. 23. kindnesse that I have done unto thee ( in this day of thy distresse ) thou shalt likewise doe unto me — who also am

Your Brother and Scripture . Rev. 1. 9. Companion in tribulation , and in the kingdome and patience of Iesus Christ . L. M.

If thou wert to disswade thy friend from keeping bad company , thou mightst find here happily some prevailing arguments : nay , were I to preach on such a text as I might find sufficient footing to ground this point of Doctrine — that

A godly man must avoid the company of the wicked .

If I doe but turne to some of these heads : Godly , Regenerate , Righteous , Christian , live Godly , Sanctifie — Hate , Fly , Abborre — Wicked , Vngodly , Prophane , live Wickedly — Company — &c. I shall , t is likely , in ●t with good matter , and savourie expressions suiting to my purpose — for example , suppose my text were — Psal. 26. 5. — I have hated the congregation of evill doors — & , — It might bee confirmed by Pro. 1. 10. 15. Psal. 97. 10. or 2 Cor. 6. 14. or Eph. 5. 7. 11. — &c. — For what should a godly man doe in the wickeds company , seeing —

1 Vngodly men are Gods enemies , Psal. 92 9. for loe thine enemies O Lord — God himselfe sayes of them , Zech. 11. 8. — my soule loathed them and their soule also abhorred me — Now every Godly man is on the Lords side — Exod. 32. 26. — yea are the friends of God , Ioh. 15. 15. Lam. 2 23. Shouldst thou then helpe the ungodly , and love them that hate the Lord ? ( as Iehu the Seer reproved Iehoshaphat . ● Chron. 19. 2. ) — Surely there will bee wrath upon us from the Lord , for so doing .

2 Wicked men are Sonnes of Belial , 1 Sam. 2. 12. — of their father the Devill , Ioh. 8. 44. — servants of ●inne , Rom. 6. 20. — now the Godly are borne of God — Sons of God — 1 Ioh. 3. 9. heires of God , Gal. 4. 7. the servants of God , 1 Pet. 2. 16. — who have fellowship with the Father and with his Sonne Iesus Christ , 1 Ioh. 1. 3. — and shall such keepe company with prophane wretches , uncircumcised in the heart ? Ier. 9. 26.

3 Wicked men are of the Synagogue of Satan , Rev. 3. 9 , the Godly are the Temple of the living God — 2 Cor. 6. 16. — of the houshold of Faith , Gal. 6. 10. — Besides the Godly feare the Lord , and thinke upon his name , Malch . 3. 16. Wicked men forget God , neither is God in all their thoughts , — their 's are the paths of all that forget God . Iob. 8. 13.

4 What communion hath light with darkenesse ? now wicked men walke in darkenesse . 1 Ioh. 1. 6. nay , are darknesse , Ephe. 5. 8. But the Godly are light in the Lord , 1 Thes. 5. 5. yee are all the children of the light — Againe Godly men are Wise men , Math. 7. 24. wicked men Fooles , Psalm . 14. 1. and what credit shall a Wise man have by keeping Fooles company ? —

5 What should living men doe among the dead ? Luk. 24. 5. why seeke yee the living among the dead ? — None but L●gion a mad man possessed of the Devill , lived among the tombes — But all ungodly men are dead in trespasses and sinnes , Ephe. 2. 1. Dead while they live , 1 Tim. 5. 6. — yea they seeke death , Pro. 21. 6. — Now the Godly are quickened together with Christ ▪ Eph. 2. 5. and therefore should arise from the dead — Eph. 5. 14.

Vse . — Exhort . — Therefore have no fellowship with the unfruitfull workes of darknesse all yee that know righteousnesse , Isay 51. 7. the people in whose heart is Gods law — order your conversation aright , and walke worthy of the Lord , unto all pleasing , behave your selves holily , justly , and unblameably — say with David , Psal. 139 ●2 . Doe not I hate them that hate thee O Lord ? — And as inducements —

Feare , lest ye perish in the Rev. 18. 4. sinnes of the ungodly men , and partake of their Plagues — for consider I pray , that among prophane ungodly men , the best of them are as a Bryer , and the most upright of them are like a thorne hedge — Bryers and Thornes bee with thee , and thou dwellest among scorpions — a generation of vipers — that will sting the conscience , scratch and teare your flesh —

2 Wicked men pervert their Ier. 50. 5. wayes — are out of the way , but the Godly walke in the way of the Lord — they walke with God , their faces are to Zion-ward — what then should they doe in such company as turne their backs on heaven ? — they have turned away their faces from the habitation of the Lord , and turned their backs — 2 Chr. 29. 6.

3 Consider your owne dignity — you are Saints on earth , and excellent . Psal. 16. 3. Gods jewells — Mal. 3. 17. — wicked men make themselves vile — very swine , dogs that love the myre . 2 Pet. 2. 22.

4 The Godly are trees of righteousnesse , the planting of sai 61. 3. the Lord — wicked men are roots that beare gall and wormwood , Deut. 29. 18.

5 The shame and discredit will light on your selfe — If you follow vaine persons , you will get to your selfe a blot . Prov. 9. 7. — It s a shame for Christs Spouse , whom he hath married to himselfe , Hos. 9. 1. to keepe strumpets company — they are a wicked and adulterous generation , Math. 12. 39. — that goe a whoriug from the Lord , Psal. 37. 24. — and will you associate your selfe with such ? —

This for a taste — I meant not to handle the Point exactly — but only to point to a way — in which there may be use of these Phrases — for who seeth not that Reasons , Uses , Motives , Meanes , Marks — &c. may from hence as a Sacrum pena — be drawne , which have a speciall weight , Emphasis , and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 in them ? — & surely the Spirit and blessing of God goes along with his Word , — even those expressions which it pleased the Holy Ghost to utter himselfe in at the first , carry with them an heate and warmth , to the soule of a beleever — And why may not the most able memorie , and best versed in Scripture , be helped hereby , to find readily some apt expressions , which memorie could not command presently . What disparagement , to any mans Prayers — Meditations — Exhortations — to have a helpe at hand ? —

In the time of Pestilence , thou mayest thus order thy complaint , and meditate —

RIghteous art thou , O Lord , Head . God . Scripture . Ier. 12. 1. when I plead with thee , yet let mee ( who am but dust Scripture . Gen. 18. 27. and ashes ) talk with thee of thy judgements . Wherefore — hast thou shewed Head . Man . Scripture . Esal . 60. 3 thy people hard things , and made us to drinke the wine of astonishment ? why hast thou smitten , Scripture . Ier. 14. 19. Head . Afflict . and there is no healing for us ? — why doth thine anger Scripture . Psal. 74 1. smoake against the sheepe of thy pasture ? All joy is Scripture . Isai. 24. 11. Head . Plague . darkned , the mirth of the land is gone — all the merry-hearted Scripture . — 7 doe sigh — weep , and howle Scripture . Iam. 5. 1. Head . Mourne . for the miseries that are come upon us — Scripture . Psal. 83. 15. for thou persecutest us with thy tempest and make●● us afraid with thy stormes — The arrowes of the Scripture . Iob 6. 4. Almi●hty are within us , the poyson whereof drinketh Head . Afflict . up our spirits , the terrours of God do set themselves in array against us .

For ( Loe ! ) Death is come up Head . Pestilence . Scripture . Ier. 9. 21. into our windowes , and is entred into our palaces , to cut off the children from without , and the young men from the streets — thy anger Scripture . Deut. 29. 20 and thy jealousie smoake against us — and thou hast Scripture . 21 separated us unto evill — there is a Head . Plagues . Scripture . 1 Sam. 5. 11 deadly destruction , throughout all the Citie , and Country , the hand of the Lord is very heavie there , upon us — The Scripture . 1 Chr. 21. 12. Sword of the Lord , even the Pestilencefills all places with Scripture . Psal. 110. 6. the dead bodies — Head . Slay . the carkeises of men Scripture . Ier 9. 21 fall as dung upon the open held — the valliant men are swept Scripture . Ier. 46. 15. away — and thou Scripture . Rev. 2. 23. hast killed our children with death — O thou Sword of Scripture . Ier. 47. 6. the Lord , how long will it be ere thou be quiet ? put up thy Head . Peace . selfe into thy Scabberd , rest and bee still .

Surely for the Scripture . Ier. 13. 22. greatnesse of our iniquities , Head . Plague . our skirts are discovered , and our heeles made bare — Our transgressions Scripture . Ezek. 33. 10 and our Head . Sinne. sinnes bee upon us , and wee pine away in them , how should we then live ? — We are a people that Scripture . Isai. 65. 3. provoke thee , continually — Scripture . Psal. 78. 8. a generation that set not our heart aright , and Head . Vngodly . whose spirit is not stedfast with our God — therefore Scripture . Dan. 9. 14. hath the Lord watched upon the evill , and brought it upon Scripture . Psal. 106. 29. us — therefore the Head . Plague . Plague breakes in upon us — thou Scripture . Isai. 14. 23. sweepest us away with the beesome Scripture . Deut. 28. 21. of destruction — the noysome Pestilence cleaveth unto us — and we dye of grievous Scripture . Ier. 16. 4. Scripture . Deut. 32. 23. deaths — thus thou heapest mischeifes upon us , and spendest thine arrowes upon us — for surely destruction Scripture . Iob. 31. 4. is to the wicked , and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquitie —

O that we would Scripture . 1 Kin. 8. 28 know every man the plague of his owne Head . Sinne. heart — then the Scripture . 1 Chr. 21. 12. sword of the Lord even the Pestilence Head . Pestilence . — which thou bringest Scripture . Lev. 26. 25. upon us to avenge the quarrell of thy covenant — should no more goe Scripture . - 6. through our land — to cut off from us , Scripture . Ier. 44. 7. man and woman , Head . Slay . child and suckling — thou wouldst then Scripture . Mic. 6. 13. no longer make us Head . Afflict . sicke in smiting us — thou wouldst then Scripture . Isai. 57. 18. heale us , and leade us also , and restore comforts untous and to our mourners — Head . Comfort . O Lord though our Scripture . Ier. 14. 7. iniquities testifie against us , doe thou it for thy names sake , for our backe-slidings are many , wee have sinned against thee — Amen —

Wouldst thou pray against Hypocrisie , and for Sinceritie — turne to those Heads , Hypocrite — Sincere . &c.

SO for any other request — resolve it briefely into a Proposition — as thus , Lord blesse unto mee thy Holy Word — Here , looke but compellations and titles of God — 2 Blesse Sanctifie , Prosper , &c. the ministry of thy Gospell , Scriptures , — &c — So , Lord grant me Pardon of my Sins : Looke , Grant — Pardon — Sinne — &c — there thou shalt find words and matter .

Good Lord preserve me this day , or night , &c — See , God , Protect , Day — Night — prosper my labours — — Blesse — Success — Labour — Paines —

And thus even any meane Christian , of ordinary parts , and invention , may be able soone to spinne , and draw out from many of those Heads ( which Hee occasionally shall have neede to use ) much heavenly matter and words , sweet Metaphors , Allegories — &c. delightfull , and of good use , in Prayer , Conference , Meditation , Thanksgiving , — Writing , &c. and on any Subject whatsoever . —

I have here ranked into severall heads some choyse phrases and passages of Scripture , to which thou mayest adde many like , and contrive them into prayers or meditations , &c — as thy occasion shall require .

O Lord every man that is Iob 14. 1. borne of a woman is of few dayes and full of trouble — thou hast caught us that wee must take up our crosse daily — many are the troubles of the Iam. 5. 10. righteous , wee have the Prophets an ensample of suffering adversity ; the same afflictions 1 Pet. 5. 9. are accomplished in our brethren which are in the world — there hath nothing befalne us , but what is common to man — O 1 Cor. 10. 13 Lord all my desires are before thee , my groaning is not hid from thee — thou doest not willingly afflict , nor punish the children of men — yea in all our affliction thou art afflicted — should we then refuse thy chaftning ? dost thou not offer thy selfe to us , as to sonnes ? what sonne is there whom the father chasteneth not ? As our afflictions abound , shall not our consolation 2 Cor. 1. 5. much more abound ? Light is sowne for the righteous — heavinesse Psal. 97. 11. may endure in the night , but joy commeth in the morning — in thy favour is Isai. 54. 7. 8. life — thou wilt not cast off for ever , though for a small moment , thou mayest seeme to forsake us , yet with great mercie thou wilt gather us , in a little wrath , thou maist hide thy face — thou wilt lay no more upon us than wee are able to beare , but wilt give an issue out of every temptation , — thou wilt correct us in measure — and doest waite that thou may est be gracious — we may be troubled 2 Cor. 4. 8. on every side , but not distressed , perplexed , yet not in dispaire .

Doe not all things worke together for the best to them that feare God ? Make these like fire to purge out our drosse and tinne , thou dost now refine us in the furnesse of affliction , this is the fruit of our trouble , the taking away of our sinne , — should Isai. 27. 9. wee not then count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations ? knowing that the triall 1 Pet. 1. 7. of our faith is much more precious than that of gold — therefore let us in nothing bee carefull , but in all things make our requests known to God . — Give thou us helpe against trouble , for vaine is the helpe of man — See Afflict . Deliver . Sinne. &c. in the Scripture-phrases .

Aged .

O Lord , the almond tree now begins to flourish , grey-heires are here , and there upon me , they begin to be darke that looke out at the windowes , thou hast filled mee with wrinkles , O leave me not in the time of old age , forsake mee not when my strength fayleth me . Even to my old age doe thou preserve mee , and even to hoarie haires doe thou carry me : let mee bring forth more fruit in my age , that it may bee a crowne of glory to me : I walking before thee in the way of righteousnesse — And seeing all these are monitours from thee , to tell mee of my approaching end , and that the time drawes neere in which I must die : grant that as my outward man decayes , so my inward man may bee renewed daily —

Amen .

Against Anger .

O Lord thou hast taught me in thy holy word , that Pro. 16. 32. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty man : and he that ruleth his spirit , than he that taketh a Citie . Among all those fleshly lusts that warre in my members , and too often ( alas ! ) leade mee captive unto Sinne , there is hardly one , that more tyrannizeth over my poore soule , than this of hastinesse of spirit , and pronenesse to be rashly and unadvisedly angry ; this is that reigning lust , that eates out the heart of all grace , that maketh me that I cannot doe that good to the soules and bodies of my Christian brethren , as my place and calling binde mee : neither doe I receive that good from others as I might by their wholesome counsell , and admonitions towards me ; yea , Lord , I cannot lift up pure hands without wrath unto thee , but my prayers , are quelled , quenched , and interrupted hereby .

O Lord helpe me I beseech thee against this masterfull Sin : suffer me not to bee hasty in my Eccles. 7. 9. spirit to bee angry ; because anger resteth in the bosome of fooles , and if I be sometimes provoked to speake unadvisedly with my lips , or to doe things that are not comely , yet never let me suffer the Sunne to goe downe upon my wrath , or so farre to give place to the Devill , that my countenance should fall ( as Cains ) that it Gen. 4. 5. should not be towards my brethren — 31. 5. as before , that I cannot — 37. 4. speake peaceably unto them . Let me take thy Saints to bee an ensample unto me herein . Was not thy servant Moses a Numb. 12. 3 very meeke man , above all the men that were on the earth ? Doth not my blessed Saviour command mee to learne of ●i● Math. 11. 29. who was meeke and lowly in heart ? he was oppressed and he was afflicted , yet he opened not Isai. 53. his mouth he was led as a Lamb to the slaughter , and as a sheepe before her sherer , he was dumb ; and can all the indignities offered to me , be comparable to all those shamefull spittings , and revilings , that he for my sake , was exposed unto ? alasse no. O teach me therefore to bring downe my swelling and proud heart , to suffer patiently for his sake : the servant of God must not strive , but be patient toward all men , why doe I not then , rather take wrong and suffer injury ? why doe I not take up my Crosse daily and follow him , that endured such contradiction of sinners , Labouring for — A meek and quiet spirit 1 Pet 34. which is in the sight of God of great price , but hee that is soone angry dealeth foolishly . Pro. 14. 17. O make mee therefore wise in watching over mine owne heart , in keeping downe mine owne unmortified spirit , to restraine my mouth with a bridle , seeing the discretion of a man deferreth his anger , Pro. 19. 11. and it is his glory to passe over a transgression — vouchsafe mee thy grace for Iesus Christ his sake — To whom with thee and — &c —

Against Apostacie and Backsliding in religion .

O Lord my God never I beseech thee , let there be in me an evill heart of unbeliefe to depart from thee , the living God : let mee never be of the number of them that draw back unto perdition ; leaving my first love , casting off my first faith to embrace this present world , or to enjoy the pleasures of sin , which are but for a season . O Lord though some fall away , and are already turned after Satan , even denying the Lord that bought them , and so bring upon themselves swift destruction : yet doe thou please so to establish my heart with grace that I may continue to the end , in that good way , in which I have begun : let mee not leave the pathes of righteousnesse , to walke againe in the wayes of darkenesse , or with the dog returne to my former vomit , and with the sow that was washed to my wallowing in the mire . O Lord there is in me by nature , a revolting and rebellious heart , I am bent to backsliding from thee ; unlesse thou doe draw me , I shall settle and lag ; O teach mee to looke to my selfe , to keepe my heart with all diligence , 2 Iohn 8. that I lose not those things which I have wrought , but that I may receive a full reward ; 2 Ioh. 8. make mee to run with patience the race that is set before me , and to be faithfull unto the death , that thou maist give me a crowne of life . As thou hast given mee a little strength , to keepe thy word , and not to deny thy name : so establish O God the thing that thou hast wrought in me ? ' ● is he that continueth to the end that shall be saved , not he that beginneth well , that putteth his hand to the plough and looketh backe ; O let me hold Faith and a good conscience , that my last workes , may bee better , & moe than at first : thou art able to keep mee from falling , and to preserve me faultlesse , before the presence of thy glory , with exceeding joy . O doe it I beseech thee for thy names sake . Even so Lord Iesus . Amen .

See , Apostate , Backslide , Persevere , &c. in the Scripture phrases .

Against distrustfull Cares .

O Lord hast not thou commanded me , to cast all my care upon thee , because thou carest for me ? hast not thou said thou wilt never leave me , nor for sake me ? art not thou God all-sufficient ? Thy Sonne my Saviour Math. 6. 25. hath also bidden mee to take no thought for my life , what I shall eate , or what I shall drinke , nor yet for my body what I should put on . Doest not thou feed the fowles of the ayre , which sow not , neither reape , nor gather into barnes ? By taking thought I cannot adde one cubit unto my stature : and thou ( my heavenly father ) knowest what things I want , what things are best for me , and hast promised rather to starve the Lyons , than to let thy children want any thing that is good for them . O let me believe thy gracious promise , to live by Faith , to be content with those things that I have , yea to receive evill at thy hands , as well as good . I am yet in better condition to the world-ward , than many of thy dearest Saints , and ( now-glorious ) Heb. 11. 37. Martyrs , that wandered up and downe , in sheepe-skins , and goat●-skins , being destitute , afflicted , and tormented : of whom the world was not worthy : yea I have more worldly riches than the Lord of the whole world my blessed Saviour , who Math. 17. 27. had not wheron to rest his head : who when he was to pay tribute-money , had never a penny , but sent his Disciple Peter to the Sea , to cast in a hooke , and to take up the first Fish , and there found to supply his present necessitie . O let not me expect to be carved to , in a better condition , than my Lord and Master ; But to wait on thee my God continually . Teach me first to seeke the Kingdome of heaven , and the righneousnesse thereof , then hast thou promised that all other things shall be added unto me .

Amen .

Vid. Care , Providence &c. For Marriners or Seafaring men , &c.

O Lord the great and dreadfull ●er. 5 22. God , which hast placed the sand from the bound of the Sea , by a perpetuall decree , that it cannot passe it ; and though the waves thereof tosse themselves , yet can they not prevaile , though they roare , yet can they not passe over it , for thou shuttest Iob ▪ ● . 8. up the Sea with doores and barres , and sayest to the waves , hither shall yee come , and no further . Thou art the hope of all the ends of the earth , and of such as abide in the broad Sea , wee O Lord , whose imployment and calling is in the deepe , in this heape of great waters , in the ●sal . ●07 . 23. midst of the Seas , that go down to the Sea in ships , and doe businesse in great waters , we see thy 24 works and wonders in the deep . For thou commandest and raisest the stormie wind , which lifteth Psal. ●0 ▪ 7. 25 up the waves thereof . We mount up to the heaven , we go downe againe to the depths , our 26. soule is melted because of trouble , wee reele too and fro , and 27. stagger like a drunken man , and are at our wits end . O teach us to 28 cry unto thee in our trouble , and doe thou bring us out of our distresses : make thou ( we beseech thee ) the storme a calme , that the 29 waves therof may be still , and so bring us to the desired haven , then shall we praise thee Lord 30 for thy goodnesse , and for thy wonderfull works , towards the 31 children of men .

Thou art our refuge and strength , a very present helpe in Psal. 46. 1. trouble , therefore will wee not feare though the earth be removed : 2 and though the mountaines be carried into the midst of the Sea : though the waters thereof roare , and bee troubled ; though Psal. 46. 3. the mountaines shake with the swelling thereof : for unto thee , O Lord belong the issues from death . O make us to cast the anchor of our hope still on thee , who hast hitherto mercifully delivered us from so great a death , and dost deliver us , in whom we trust that thou wilt yet deliver us . Let not the depths , we pray thee cover us , neither let us sink into the bottome as a stone , though the flouds compasse us about , yet let not the waves and billowes passe over us : thou makest a way in the Sea , and a path in the mighty waters , thou art the God that hast made the Sea and the dry Land , doe not thou suffer that there be the losse of any mans life among us , let not a Acts 27. 22. hayre of our heads perish . Appease the mighty tempest when it ariseth , that our Ship may not be broken , rebuke the wind , and say unto the waves peace , and be still . O teach every Ship-master , and all the company in Ships , Ezek. 27. 29. those that handle the Oare , the Marriners , and all the Pilots of the Sea , and as many as trade by Rev. 18. 17. Sea , to trust in the saving helpe Mar. 6. 48. of thy right hand , when we be toyled in rowing , and the wind is contrary unto us , and not to rely on our owne skill : take from us that desperate boldnesse , fearelesnesse of thee and danger , that Atheisme , Swearing , and Prophanenesse , and notorious Ungodlinesse , which is too often found in many of us : Make us to be at peace with thee , in the blood of thy Sonne , that he may be advantage unto us both in life and death . There is continually but a step betwixt us and death , yea even but an hand-breadth , Psal. 39. 5. for thou hast made all mens dayes as an hand-breadth , and our age is as nothing before thee ; Be thou our life in death , and to trust thee with our bodies and soules , knowing that the Sea shall at the last day , give up the dead that are in it , and our spirits shall returne unto God that gave them . If thou please to bring us safely to land , O make us to remember our vowes , which we uttered with our-lips when wee were in trouble , lest otherwise thou shouldst Iudg. 10. 13. deliver us no more — Grant this grace unto us for Iesus sake , to whom with thee , &c.

Amen .

Husbandman in Seed time .

O Lord , doe thou teach me to ●say 28. cast abroad the fitches , and scatter the cummin , and cast in the principall wheat , and the appointed barley , and rye in their places , and that I may plough and ●i● . vers. 24 d●s●●em . capit . sow in hope make me to breake up the fallow ground of mine owne heart : that the earth bring not forth bryars and thornes , and thist●es unto me , when it is tilled , neither be cursed for my Sinne. Make me to sow to my selfe in righteousnesse .

2 Spring-time .

BLessed bee thy name that Psal. 65. 11 thus renewest the face of the earth , that crownest the yeare with thy goodnes , and thy steps drop fatnesse — the winter is past , the raine is over , the time of the singing of birds is come , and the voyce of the turtle is heard in our Land — the pastures are clothed with flocks , the valleyes also are covered over with corne , they shout for joy and sing . O make my barren heart to flourish in grace , to abound in the fruits of righteousnesse .

For Seasonable weather , Plentie — &c.

O Lord give us the raine of Isay 30. 23. our seed , that we have sowed the ground withall , and bread of the encrease of the earth , that it may be sat and plenteous . Let not the Locust , Catterpillar , Cankerworme , Blasting , Mildew , or unseasonable weather , deprive us of the fruits of the earth , but blesse them , and bring them to maturity , that our garners may be full , abounding in all manner of store , let our oxen be strong to labour , let the mower fill his hand , and hee that gathereth up the sheaves , his bosome , that our barnes may Pro. 3. bee filled with plentie ▪ and our presses burst with new wine . Reserve for us the appointed weeks of harvest , and though wee deserve not the least morsell of bread we eate , yet thou that art goodnesse it selfe , and canst not but put on bowels of pitty , wilt fulfill thine owne gracious promise , that Seed-time and Harvest , summer and winter , may not cease : true it is Lord , we deserve not onely that the fruits of the earth , but even that our selves also should be swept away like dung from off the earth ; for thou art pressed under us as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves , — thou changest the seasons , because we change our obedience ; our hearts are stony , and the heavens weepe for their hardnesse , yet we lay not all this to heart . —

— teach mee to provide my meate in summer as a Sonne of wisedome — and although the Hab. 3. 17. fig-tree shall not blossome , neither fruit be in the vine , though the Labour of the Olive shall faile , and the fields shall yield no meate , the flock shall be cut off from the fold , and there shall be 18. no herd in the stalls : yet that I may rejoyce in the Lord , and joy in the God of my salvation —

Amen .

FINIS .