The right way to heauen prayers and meditations of the faithfull soule with the spirituall morning sacrifice and consolations for the sicke.

Ap: 21

New Ierusalem

The prayers of the Saints Reuel. 8 4. Prayer breakes through all Act. 12.7 . The prayer of faith shall saue the sicke : Iam: 5.15 . Wisedome cryeth in the streetes Proue . 1.20 .

THE RIGHT WAY to Heauen Prayers and Meditations of the Faithfull Soule with the Spirituall morning Sacrifice and Consolations for the Sicke By Peter D. M●●lin

These were strangers and pilgrimes in the earth . Act. 1● . 13

London Printed for George Edwardes , and are sold in the Old Baily , in Greene Arbor , at the Angell . 1630.

TO THE RIGHT Worshipfull , truly religious , and vertuous Lady , Mary Crooke , wife to the Right Worshipfull Sir George Crooke Knight , one of His Majesties reverend and learned Iudges of the Kings Bench. Madame ,

AS Speech is the Character of man : that is , the image of his heart and mind , and be the Image of God , so silence , whilst it is a seasonable and discreet suspension thereof , becomes a man in its time and place : unseasonable use of either , offensive and obnoxious to censure . The excesse is branded for a nullifier of Religion , whilst it makes it vaine : The seeming defect finds some approbation in moralitie .

Nam nulli racuisse nocet : nocet esse locurum .

I was dumbe , and opened not my mouth , because thou didst it , this untun'd not this sweete singer , yet made him fall upon a large rest , which it served not to impeach , but rather to improve his spirituall melodie . Often suddaine and unexpected accidents produce semblable effects : Zacharias silenc't for his want of faith , yet after Ward enabled both with his heart and tongue to praise God , and to sing a Benedictus . That ;

Saepe tacc●s vocem verbaque vultu● habet .

Who holds his peace , hath yet a voice , that bewrayes him , and his countenance beares words with it . Yea a delinquent in the one , or an offendor in the other , as farre as either are exempt from the mixture of the leaven of malice , deserves an indulgent construction , and exemption from all imputation , either of surquedrie , or sullennesse , as different circumstances may accordingly induce dissimilitude , as of affect in one , so of affection in another .

Hac ego si compellar imagine .

This plaine ; yet true version of these sacred expressions , Holy Prayers , and Meditations of a faithfull soule , so truly stiled by their Author , so well knowne to all , to be a reverend and worthy Divine of the French reformed Church . I present and dedicate to your Ladiship . The end herein proposed to my selfe , being the same with that of my Authors ; which none can justly either question , or quarrel at to wit , the advancement of this part of Gods worship , so ' much languishing in the cold if not frozen deuotions of many , and opposed by the giddie practice of mothen a good many , that so farre nauzeate Prayer , publike especially , that in their unkindly and misguided zeale , they endeavour by one Ordinance of God to shoulder out another , Prayer by Preaching . God hath stiled his House the House of Prayer . Now , what my well meant paines herein cals mine , I wish may finde acceptance with you , as I do humbly tender & resigne the same unto you , not so much for supply of a supposed want in your own particular , of these Spirituall helps to devotion , as for a testimony of observance and due respect Where my obligation is so great . When I plowed with mine own heifer , a smiling autumn failed not to crown those weaker performances with a plenteous & lasting crop for after-use . But to usher in these Holy Prayers and sacred expressions of a faithfull Soule , into the approbation and use , of all that know their Author or his works . His name ( as I suppose ) will suffice . And hence is it Madame : that I presume of your good allowance for them to beare your name in their Frontispice , that thereby others may be excited and induced to the perusall and use of them in the frequent practice both of this sacred duty , and of the works of mercy , whereunto the other subsequent Tractates annex't do invite . The perusall of which as in order they stand rankt , with like good affection I commend to those your Olive branches , that stand about your table , to whom any tie of precedent relation may iustly claime my respect . All which I shall not faile to second with continuance of my daily prayers for your Ladiships health and happinesse , both in your stemme and branches , and will ever rest

At your Ladiships service and command , RICHARD BAILY .

A Table of the Matters contained in this present Book , in order as they stand . A 1. A Prayer and Meditation of the faithfull Soule , 2 , A Prayer for the Morning . 3 A ●ra●er f●● the Evening . 4 A Prayer of Thanksgiving for the accompl●shme●t of his Ans●er made to Mounsieur the Cardinall of Perroun . 5. A ●rayer in ●orme of a Confession . 6. Another ●ra●er 7 A Prayer f●r he Communion . 8. A Thank●giving after the Communion . 9 A ●onfession . 10. A Prayer f●r the Morning . 11. A ●rayer for the Evening 12. Another Prayer for the Morning , 13. Another Prayer for the Evening . 14. A Prayer in the time of the Plague . 15 A Prayer touching the Creation . 16. A Morning Prayer . 17 An Evening Prayer . 18. A Prayer for the obtaining of victorie . 19. A Prayer for the Preservation of the Church . 20. Another Prayer for the Church . 21. A Prayer to have our hearts set on Spirituall things , and to renounce the world . 22. A Thanksgiving and a Prayer on the same Subject . 23. A Prayer to be filled with charitie . 24. The Kings Prayer . 25. Another Prayer of the Kings . Chron. 1. 26. The Peoples Prayer for the King . 27. A Prayer of the faithfull , who fervently desireth to be made partaker of the publ●ke exercises , whereof he was deprived . 28. Another Prayer out of the 2 Epistle of S John , 29. The Holy Spirituall Morning Song . 30. A Consolation for the Sicke . 31. A Prayer for the Sicke in whom there is no appearance of death 32. A Prayer for the sicke in whom there shal be a likelihood of death . 33. Another Prayer for the sicke . 34. A singular Prayer for a person greatly afflicted with sicknes , which seemeth to approach nea●er unto death , then to life . 35. A Prayer against the apprehension of death 36. A Continued Sequell , or an Vnintermitted Course of Comforts , and Prayers for the sicke : and therein these Prayers . 37. A Prayer when the sicke is in perplexitie . 38. A Prayer when the sicke is neare unto death 39. Another Prayer in distresse . 40. Another Prayer when the sicke i● in some grievous perplexitie . 41. A Prayer the sicke being in extremitie . 42. Another Prayer unto Iesus Christ , the Great & Soveraigne Shepheard of our Soules , for the sicke in his extremitie . 43. A Prayer for Divine assistance to the sicke . 44. A Prayer after the sicke hath given up the Ghost , for the comfort of the by standers .

Whereunto is added : A Morning Prayer . An Evening Prayer . A short Catechisme , to prepare People for the receiving of the Lords Supper .

THE PRAYER AND MEDITATION of the faithfull Soule ,

Touching the present affliction of the Church .

1. O LORD our good God , and gracious Father , wee thy poore creatures , humbled before thy face , are bold to present our selves before thy holy and high majesty , although we be but dust and ashes , thou dwellest in inaccessible light ; but wee by nature are plunged in darknesse : thou art a consuming fire , but we are as the chaffe : thou art soveraigne righteousnesse , and we are poore sinners , thou art the fountaine of life , and we by nature are in death .

Yet O Lord , thou hast commanded vs to call vpon thee in our necessities , with promise to heare vs , and hast given us thine owne Sonne to be our Intercessor promising vs to give us the things we shall aske in his Name , thou hast called us with an holy calling , and amidst the thick darknes of ignorance , wherewith the earth is couered , thou hast enlightened us with thy knowlege , and received us into the number of thy children : yea every one of us severally hath beene sensible of thy particular assistance and fatherly succours in the whole course of his life .

But , O Lord , the greater thy favours are towards us , the guiltier are we of ingratitude , for we have abused thy graces , and thy feare hath not beene before our eyes ; Wee have despised thy word , and have not reverenced it . After the fires and massacres ; whereof we are but a remnant , and as a firebrand pluckt out of fire , thou hast re-establisht us , and hast given us dayes of peace , and of refreshing ; but we have abused our repose , and turned it into licentiousnesse and loosenes . We have had more care to build againe our owne houses , then to advance thine , we have run after the gaine and vanity of this world . In stead of cloathing the poore , we haue arrayed our owne bodies sumptuously . Wee have rent and torne our selves with quarrels and enmities , and are thereby become contemptible to our adversaries , our prayers have beene cold , our zeale languishing , our almes skanted , and therefore hath our iniquitie abounded , and our charity been frozen . In stead of drawing the ignorant unto the knowledg of thee , by our good life , we have scandalized & exasperated them by our evil conversation . When we have had humane strength , and meanes , and when thou raisedst up among us Princes and Potentates , who seemed they would be a firme prop unto thy Church , and and an assured shelter , and place of retrait during the storme , we have leaned on the arme of flesh , in stead of relying on thee alone : O God , which castest downe and abatest the pride of the loftiest , and raisest up the miserable out of the dust , thou liftest up , and bringest low the degree , therfore hast thou cast us downe , and humbled us , and hast made us know the vanitie of our thoughts contrary to thy counsells : yea even the Ministers and Preachers of thy word , have failed in their charges , and in many places evill and prophanation is issued and come foorth fr●m the Prophets , and indeed in these yeares of peace are seene the revolts of many , which had the leading of thy flocke .

For these causes , O Lord God , thou just Iudge , thy wrath is kindled against thy people , being confounded in our selves , wee acknowledge that thy chastisements are just : yea , Lord , far lesse then we have deserved , thou hast covered our faces with confusion , thou hast glutted us with bitternesse : thou hast caused us to drinke of the cup of thine anger , thou hast called us to weeping and sighing in sacke-cloath and ashes , thou hast lifted up the hand of our adversaries , and hast exposed us unto scorne , and hast made thy hand heavie upon us , thou hast plucked up the plants which thou hadst planted , and beaten downe the Churches which thou hadst erected by the blood of thy Martyrs , by the preaching of thy Gospell . Thou hast broken downe the hedge of thy providence , which environed thy Church , and hast exposed it as a prey to wilde beasts . And now Lord , we see , that in the places where thy Gospell was purely preached , even there at this day ecchoeth forth alowd forgerie , and idolatrie is againe established , and the enemies of thy truth insolently triumph , and insult over the ruines of thy house .

Hereupon we have cryed unto thee : but thou hast turned away thy face . Thou hast covered thee with a cloud , that our prayers might not come up unto thee : and we see thy hand lifted up to smite us yet more rigorously : and the rods prepared which thou displayest in thy displeasure , Lord God . justice belongeth to thee , but unto us confusion of face ; wee acknowledg in all this which is come to passe , the tokens of thy just displeasure , and there is no evill in the Cittie which the Lord hath not done .

So it is that thou art our Creator , and wee are the worke of thine hands ; thou art God , & we are thy people , thou art our Redeemer , and we are thine own purchase , thou hast purchased us with a great price , a people whom thou hast honored with thy knowledge , thou art a mercifull God , and of great benignitie , slow to anger , and dost not alwayes keepe it , that takest no pleasure in the destruction of thy work . It is thy goodnesse that we have yet any being : It is of thy tender compassion that we are not utterly consumed ; thou dweilest in the highest heavens , and in the humblest hearts : the broken and contrite spirit unto thee is an acceptable sacrifice .

Now then , O God , look downe from the place of thy Sanctuarie , to wit , from the heavens , heare the prayer of thy servants , and accept their humiliation , pardon Lord , pardon the iniquitie of thy children for thine owne sake , for the greater it is , by so much the more admirable is thy goodnesse in pardoning it , the greatnesse of our sinnes serveth to exalt thy mercie . and withall thou hast received a sufficient ransome of thine owne Sonne , and a redemption of infinite pric● , whereon relying we dare approch unto the throne of grace , to obtaine grace in due time .

For O God , in these anguishes we see no meanes on earth : but our eyes are towards thee . Heare then from thy habitation , and regard , for thou art able to releeve us , thou art not a God , that art onely a God at hand , and not a God a farre off , even then when all humane meanes faile , then is it that thou displayest thy strength , and when thorough our foolishnesse we have procured unto our selves evils , thou usest our foolishnesse for our good , that the subsisting of thy Church might not bee a work of mans wisdom , but of thy sacred providence .

Thou it is that in all former times hast succoured thy people , and drewest them forth of the iron fornace , with a strong hand , and with an outstretched arme , and hast carried them as upon the wings of an Eagle , who even in our time hast made us sensible of thy succours by many deliverances , and who deliveredst our fathers from many cruell persecutions , having caused them to passe thorow many more grievous tryals then this , thy tender compassions are not drawne dry , thy arme is not shortened , nor thine eare growne heavie of hearing : but our iniquities are they which make this sepation between thee and us , which take thou away by thy mercy , and by the intercession of our Saviour Iesus Christ ; It is thou that hast crusht the Dragon and bruised the head of that old Serpent , and who by the blood of thy Covenant hast drawne us out of the pit , where there was no water , having vanquished hell by the death of thy Sonne : thou then , great God , that hast pluckt us from out the talons of the Divell , wilt thou not deliver us from the hands of men , thou which hast saved us from hell , wilt thou not deliver us from the power of the world ?

O Eternall Lord , thou wilt do it , and wilt not forsake us , but rather having chastised us in measure , thou wilt make us sensible of thy comforts , and wilt cause to shine upon us thy face , in ioy , and in salvation , least wee faint thorow our infirmity , and least we be overcome through the length and hardnesse of the temptation , for so also Lord , hast thou promised , and thy promises are certain , & thy word more firm then heauen and earth , thou hast promised us by the mouth of thine own Sonne not to forsake us , and to be with us even to the end of the world , thou numberest our haires , thou receivest our sighes , thou puttest up our teares into thy bottles , he that toucheth thy children , toucheth the apple of thine eye , thou causest thine Angels to pitch their camps about them that feare thee , deare and precious is their death in thy presence .

Doe then , O God , according to thy word , and let the Angell of thy face march before us , let thy protection be round about us as a wall of fire , thou that stillest the waves of the sea , and the insurrections of the people , and which holdest the hearts of Kings in thine hands as the rivers of waters , curbe the furie of the people , and give unto our King thoughts of peace , estrange farre from him the Counsels of violence , frustrate the expectation of our enemies , who alreadie have devoured us in hope , dissipate their counsels , thou that surprisest the wise in their subtilties , which knowest the depths of Satan , and piercest with thine eyes into the counsels of the sonne of perdition , whom thou wilt discomfite with the breath of thy mouth , and wilt beate downe all power which opposeth it selfe against thine , but if our iniquities beare witnesse against us , and make us unworthy to see so excellent a worke , do it for thine owne sake , for though we be unworthy to be heard , thou art worthy to be glorified , wherefore suffer not Satan to triumph and reioyce at the dissipation of thy Church , and that thy holy Name is without punishment blasphemed .

Awake then , O God , thy jealousie , and the blustering motions of thy fatherly affections : unbare and tucke up the arme of thy holinesse , and let the ends of the earth see thy salvation ; remember thy ancient compassions , and thy covenant with thy people ; Remember the bloud of thy children spilt in abundance , which cryeth for vengeance from the earth .

We confesse indeed that we have need to be humbled , and that thy Church hath need to be purged againe , and therefore it is that thou takest the fanne into thy hand to repurge thy floore , and raisest the wind of persecution , which serveth to carry away chaffe , and to expell hypocrites : But withall , O good God , amidst this tribulation the weak do faint , and the good are oppressed , and partake in the affliction , and Idolatrie gathereth strength ; and the night of ignorance groweth thicker and thy holy Name is blasphemed , and the doctrine of salvation trampled under foot by thy adversaries .

Therefore is it , that we beseech thee , O Father of mercie , that if thou wilt afflict us , that we may not fall into the hands of men , but that we may fall into thine owne hands , for thy compassions are great : for men hate us not , for that we have offended thee , but because wee defend thy quarrell , and because thy Name is called upon by us , and renouned upon us , the blood-suckers thirst after our blood , not to ease the patient , but to satisfie their lust .

Above all things , O God and most gracious Father , continue unto us thy word , and afflict us rather with all other manner of affliction in this life , then to take from us that light , sith it is the testimonie of thy favor towards us , our priviledge amongst all people , and the way to come to thy kingdome , that our children may be instructed therein , and m●y be heires of thy Cove●●nt after us , and that our dayes may be finished in thy favour , may be followed with an age wherin thy truth may shine forth againe , and the kingdome of thy Sonne Iesus Christ may take a great increase , and by preserving unto us this preaching of the Gospell in the purity thereof , give it efficacie in our hearts , and breake not in thy anger the strength of this spirituall bread .

Rather , Lord , make the feare of this light incite and rowse us up to make our profit thereof , and to redeeme the time , and to further and carrie us on forward in this way , whilst we have the light : and let evils wherewith thou visitest us , be wholesome remedies unto us , and an instruction for our soules ; and let them serve to recollect our faith , and to draw from out our hearts fervent prayers ; and that the deliverance which it shal please thee to graunt us , may make us know thy fatherly love towards us , which shall accompanie us the rest of our dayes , till we be retired out of this vale of miserie , to put us in possession of thy kingdome , that we may leave after us thy Church peaceable , the breaches of thy house repaired , and thy service purely establisht , to the glory of thy great Name , and the salvation of many by thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord . Amen .

Es. c. 26. v. 12. & 13.

Lord , thou wilt ordaine peace for us : for thou also hast wrought all our workes in us .

O Lord our God , other Lords besides thee have had dominion over us : but by thee onely will we make mention of thy name .

Ver. 20.

Come my people enter thou into thy chambers , and shut thy doores about thee ; hide thy selfe as it were for a little moment , untill the indignation be overpast .

Morning Prayer .

2. O Our good God , and gracious Father , we thy poore creatures present our selves before thy face , acknowledging that we are great sinners , who cease not to offend thee , in thought , word , and deed , ingratefull for thy benefits , full of diffidence and incredulitie : more affectioned to the things of this world , then unto thy service .

But there is mercie with thee , for thou lovest not the death of a sinner , but that he should convert and live : and hast given us thine own Sonne , that we beleeving in him , might not perish , but have life everlasting . Thou hast commanded us to call upon thee , with promise to give us whatsoever we shall ask in his name .

Receive then his Passion and his obedience for satisfaction for all our sins , and in thy contemplation of his intercession be mercifull and favourable unto us , give us thy holy Spirit to touch our hearts unto true repentance , to enlighten our understanding with thy knowledge , and to warme our spirits in thy love , so that we may ever have thy glory for our end . thy will for our rule , thy providence for our guide , and thy promises for our comfort .

And because we are inclined unto incredulitie and distrustfulnesse , and are assaulted with diverse temptations , strengthen us in faith , and imprint in our hearts thy holy promises , giving us inwardly a lively sense and feeling of thy love , and the witnesse of our election , to the end that we may stand against all temptations , and may drive away all feares , griefes , and unprofitable sorrowes , by the assurance that thou lovest us , and art our Father in Iesus Christ our Lord .

And as it hath pleased thee to have kept us this night past , conduct us also this day , by causing to shine upon us the brightnesse of thy face , by directing us in all our actions , so that our deeds , our words , and our thoughts may be conformable to thy holy will .

Blesse our studies , open our understandings , preserve our memories , prosper our labours , strengthen us in our callings , wherein let us not have for our end our owne humour , but the glory of thy Name , nor our owne temporall profite , but the salvation of our soules .

For the effecting hereof , give us the grace to set our affections not on earthly things , but that we may acknowledge our selves pilgrims and strangers upon earth , may use the things of this world , as though we used them not , and as ready to lose them , tending alwayes to the end of our heavenly calling , expecting with joy and assurance that last houre wherein thou wilt draw forth our soules out of these bodies , to make them partakers of thy heavenly glory .

And seeing it hath pleased thee to graunt us the favour to be borne in thy Church , and hast receiued us even from our infancie into thy sacred Covenant , grant us the grace seriously to acknowledge the greatnesse of so inestimable a benefit , and to keepe even unto the end our soules unpoluted of all Idolatrie , ready to beare the opprobrie of Iesus Christ , and to suffer for the defence of thy truth , if it shall please thee to call us thereunto .

To this end give us thy holy Spirit , which may guide us , and teach us rightly to imploy our time , and to husband the occasions of learning , by obeying our superiours whom thou hast given us to conduct and teach us , that we may at length bring forth fruits , which may serve unto thy glorie , and may glorifie thee by our works , and by our words , both in life , and in death .

Have pittie also upon thy Church diversly tossed , defend it against the complots of thine enemies , and ours ; repaire her breaches , give her increase in thy graces , and in the number of persons give us faithfull Pastors , whose preaching may be pure , and their life holy : and Princes , which may be nursing Fathers to thy Church .

Blesse and preserve our King , enrich him with Christian and Royall Vertues : Guide and direct the Queene , be mercifull to our kinsfolks and friends , grant both them and us grace to live in thy feare , and to die in thy favour , and to be received into thy glorie : These things we humbly intreat thee for in the prayer which thy Sonne hath taught us .

Our Father which art in heaven , &c.

I beleeve in God , &c.

EVENING PRAYER .

3. O Lord our good God , we prostrate our selves before thy holy Majestie , offering up unto thee our evening sacrifice , in the acknowledgment of thy gracious benefits , and of the speciall care which thou hast of us thy poore creatures , thou hast kept us and led us forth this day , thou hast given us things necessarie for this present life : Be graciously pleased , O good God , to keepe us also this night , and give good repose , so that in our morning-wakeing wee may be sounder in bodie , and fitter for our vocation , wherein we pray thee , that thou wilt be pleased to guide and direct us by thy holy Spirit , making our labour fruitfull , unto thy glory , and to the edification of our neighbours , and unto our owne salvation .

Whereof be graciously pleased to give a full assurance , and to ingrave in our hearts the promises of thy holy Gospell , that we being strengthened in saith , may overcome all temptations , and finish holily and couragiously our begunne course , walking on not as before men , but as before thee which proovest our hearts .

And seeing that a great combat is set before us , and Satan is strong , and the world contrary ; and we weak , and slow , and inclined unto evill , hold us up by thy succours , defend us by thy providence , sanctifie us by thy holy Spirit , and cloath us with strength from above , and let thy Word imprinted in our hearts instruct our ignorance , correct our perversity , and heat our coldnesse and negligence in thy service : give us fervent charity towards our neighbours , a pure conscience , faith unfained , and fervent zeale unto the setting forth of thy glory .

Drive away from our hearts evill cares , earthly sorrowes , and unprofitable melancholies , teaching us to repose our selves upon thy providence , and to trust in thy promises , to be sorrowfull onely for having offended thee , but comforted in the assurance of thy mercies in Iesus Christ our Lord .

Give us also things necessary for this present life , not according to our vaine desires , but according to thy wisdome , what may suffice for the following of our Callings without lett , and passe this our race with sobrietie , whilst we advance on forward , towards that eternall and most happy life , which thy Sonne hath purchased for us .

And whilst we are in this temporall abode , grant us the favour to see the kingdome of thy Sonne advanced , and thy truth manifested , and the ignorant , yea even our enemies to be brought to thy knowledge : to this end give us faithfull Pastors , and Princes , that may imploy their government to the establishment of the kingdome of thy Sonne : give thy holy Spirit to the king , and to the Queene , and a good wholesome Councell , for the repose and advancement of thy Church .

Take care of our kinsmen and friends , and give them things ne●dfull both for body and soule , and that our iniquities may not stay the course of thy benefits , pardon them , Lord , and blot them out by the precious bloud of thy Son , in whose Name we ask these things of thee , in the prayer he hath taught us , saying :

Our Father which art in heaven , &c.

I beleeve in God , &c. Amen .

A Prayer of Thanksgiving for finishing the Answer made to Mounsieur the Cardinall of Perron by Peter du Moulin .

4. O Lord my God and Father , I close this travell with thanks giving to thy Soveraigne Majestie : I should be ungratefull to thy goodnesse , if I ended not my labour in thy praise : O God , that hast strengthened and enabled me . It is thou , whose strength is perfected in our weakenesse : it is thou that choosest the lowly and meane , to confound the strong , and who in the weaknesse of the instruments , thou imployest , displayest the greatnesse of thy strength : not unto us , but to thy Name give the glory and the honour : for , who are we that we should be able to beare so great a burthen , and what is our strength to sustaine so great a combat ? But that very Truth it self , which we defend , giveth strength to them that defend it , and thou deniest not them thy succours , that in defending thy cause have no other end but the glory of thy holy Name . It 's thou my God , who having been favourable to me from the beginning of my dayes , wilt not forsake me in my old age , and wilt make it yet profitable to the edification of thy Church , being beaten with sundrie afflictions , plucked from my flock , bewailing the pressure of thy People , disfurnisht with all necessarie aydes for so great a worke , travelled of a sicknesse almost this two yeares , which hath brought me within two inches of the graue , and having in my ordinary vocation a sufficient taske to take up a whole man : yet even against all appearance I have taken in hand this great labour , and against my expectation am come to the end thereof through thy assistance . I also hope , O my God , that thou wilt make fruitfull thy servants labor , to the end to draw into the right way the minds of those , who wilfully go not out of the way , and who err but thorow want of instruction . Against mine inclination I have imployed a multitude of humane testimonies in this worke , for I know that thy Word alone is the rule of our faith , and receiueth not men for judges in thy cause : and I know well , that a word which commeth forth of thy mouth , is more worth then all the writings of all men . But we are hurried away with the streame , and are constrained to give place to the maladie of this age , which holding thy word suspected as a dangerous booke , searcheth into the writings of men , wherwith to arme themselves against divine rules . Wee shew unto the advocats of errour , that they lose their cause , even before the Arbitrators whom they have chosen : but O God thou art mighty & good to bring forth an age wherein thy Word alone shal be listened unto , and whereunto for the sole unfolding and deciding of doubts , thy Sonnes mouth shall onely be consulted withall . Grant it O God and Father of all mercy , and author of all consolation , pittie the people that stoupe and stand still in so profound darknes : cause to shine forth the brightnesse of thy Word before the eyes of all Nations : as for me , having traverst and struck through a way ful of thornes , and with many infirmities & defects , which are in me , sustained the contradiction of an age contrary to thy Word , I am glad , perceiving the time to draw nigh of my repose , and my task to be so soone finished : But thou O God wilt raise up workmen , who with better successe shall labour in thy harvest , and whom thou wilt cloath with thy Spirit in greater measure , to defend thy holy Truth , Lord , it is thy cause , Lord it is for thy sake , that we are hated . Awake thy jealousie , and thine ancient compassions upon the people whom thou hast redeemed , that many soules may be saved , and thy holy name glorified : for , Lord , though we be worthy to be forsaken , and unworthy to be releeved , yet ever art thou worthy to be glorified . It is indeed a small matter that we are afflicted , were it not that amidst our afflictions thy truth is oppressed , and thy holy name blasphemed . Attend then O God , and Father of all consolation , and heare , and pardon for thine owne sake , thou art wise in thy counsels , just in thy judgements , mighty to execute thy will : but withall thou art full of tender compassion , and true true in thy words . Do then O Lord , according to thy promise , for thou hast promised not to forsake vs , but to bee with us to the end of the world . Thou that hast redeemed us from the power of Satan by the death of thy Sonne , wilt deliver us also from the hands of those which oppresse us : the time commeth , and is not long to , that out of the ashes of that burning , which seeme extinguisht , thou wilt cause to come forth a great brightnesse , and wilt confound the tongues of Babell , and wilt cause to fall outright the seat of the sonne of perdition . In the meane time we will possesse our soules in patience , whilst the full measure of their iniquitie be heaped up , and we expect from heaven our Lord Iesus , who will come to examine our cause , and to render unto every one according to his workes . Amen

A Prayer to be said going to the Communion .

5. LOrd , great God , have pitie on me a miserable sinner , and grant me grace to lay hold on my Saviour by true faith , and that being called to this holy and sacred banquet in the number of thy faithfull and elect , and truly repenting of my transgressions and sinnes , my soule may receive her spirituall nourishment , the true bread of life , which giveth salvation to the world : looke upon me , desiring ever to receive this holy and sacred spirituall meat . Amen .

A thanksgiving after the Communion received .

6. O My Saviour and my God , I render unto thee humble thanks for the great benefit , which thou hast this day bestowed on me , as having thy selfe for a ransome for me ; for having pluckt me out of the pawes of the Divell , and out of the depths of hell , whither so many enormious sinnes had plunged me ; guide me by thy Spirit , and give me grace that in overcomming the concupiscence of the world and the flesh , I may finish the rest of my dayes in thy feare . Amen .

HOLY PRAYERS .

A Prayer in forme of a Confession .

7. LOrd my God and Father Almightie , and most gracious to thy children , I cast downe my selfe in thy presence , acknowledging my selfe a poore and miserable creature , guilty of high treason against thy divine Majestie , For , O my God , I came into the world tainted with sinne , polluted with iniquitie , and through my evill conversation I have thorow the whole course of my life exceedingly augmented the same , I have made infinite the number of my transgressions , I have beene over unthankfull for so many blessings , wherof it hath pleased thy bounty to afford me the fruition : too often have I opposed to thy infinite goodnesse extreame ingratitude : by my hypocrisie and dissimulation I have made my selfe utterly unworthy of that freedome and faithfulnesse wherewith thou hast entertained me : I have beene deafe to thy admonitions , have stopped mine eare at thy Word , I have estranged my heart from thy instructions : the feare of men hath hindred me from making free & publike profession of thy Truth : I have more feared the world , then I have loved heaven : I preferred the preservation of my goods , before the setting forth of thy glory ; earthly repose , before eternall happinesse . Alas , Lord , what punishments am I worthy of ? What torments have I deserved ? For my conscience accuseth me , my sinnes call for vengeance against me : and surely if the wages of the least of our sinnes be eternall death , and if it be impossible for me to number my sinnes , or to conceive the enormiousnesse of them , how , O thou God of vengeance ? how , whilst I consider my selfe in my selfe , shall I expect from thee with unspeakeable feare eternall and infinite punishments ?

Yet , O gracious God , thy word teacheth us , and experience witnesseth to us , that thou wilt not the death of a sinner , but that he turne unto thee , and live : so also hast thou thy selfe found out in thine eternall counsell the meanes of our deliverance : and hast in the fulnesse of time sent into the world the eternall Sonne of thy love , thy darling , even he , in whom thou art well pleased : thou hast establisht him a Saviour and Redeemer for all those that hope in him by converting them unto thee : He was made for us wisedome , righteousnesse , sanctification , and redemption : his bloud cleanseth us from all sinne , he was despised to raise us unto glory : he hath taken our nature , to make us partaker of his : he was borne the Sonne of Man to make us the Children of God , he was full of sorrow , to fill us with happinesse ; he was wounded for our sins , and bruised for our iniquities : upon him was laid the penaltie which brought us peace , and by his bruises are we healed : he came into the world to lead us to heaven : he died to give us life . he rose againe for our justification . To conclude , Lord , thou so lovedst the world , that thou gavest that spotlesse Lamb , to the end , that whosoever beleeveth in him , should not perish , but have life everlasting .

And seeing , O my God and Father of mercy , that out of thy speciall favour , it hath pleased thee in the midst of my errour , even in mine infidelitie & ingratitude , to take pitie on me , to give me thy knowledg , and the resolution to follow thy Gospell : seeing thou hast endued me with true faith in thy Sonne ; seeing thou hast touched my heart , wherefore Lord , shall I not have accesse unto thee with confidence ? Why shall I not approch with assurance to the throne of thy grace to obtaine mercy , and to be releeved by thee in due time ? For though I be miserable , art not thou mercifull ? If I be unrighteous , wilt thou not cloath me with the righteousnesse of my Saviour ? Mine iniquitie amazeth me , but thy goodnesse assureth me : my unworthinesse estrangeth me from thee , but the worthinesse of thy Sonne recalleth me back , inviteth me , and conducteth me to thee ; unto thee that art the God of my salvation , that hast redeemed my soule from death : that hast purchased me life everlasting and most happy : O my God , how great is my comfort , how excellent the joy , how precious and unspeakeable the repose , which my soule enjoyeth in the meditation of these things ? Vnto thee onely then it is that I now addresse my selfe , as to confesse my sinnes , so also to acknowledge thy mercie as to condemne my selfe , so withall to find absolution in thy Sonne : If to be sorrowfull , and to grieve for my sinnes , so also to rejoyce , and to comfort my selfe in thy bounty , who shall lay any thing to my charge ? Is it not thou which justifiest me ? Who shall condemne me , seeing that Christ died for me ? Seeing he is risen againe , seeing that for me he is at thy right hand , making request for my salvation and quest conservation . Nothing O my God , shall separate me from the love thou bearest me : and seeing thou hast loved me in thy Sonne , I shall in all things be more then victorious .

But what shall I render unto thee , O Lord , unto thee , that hast delivered my soule from death , mine eyes from teares , and my feet from sliding ? Vnto thee O Lord , that hast loosed the bands of death which compassed me about ? Vnto thee that hast converted and turned into joy the sorrowes of the grave , which had overtaken me ? What shall I render unto thee O Eternall Lord , for all thy benefits conferred upon me ? I will take the cup of salvation , I will call upon thy Name , I will pay my vowes before the people : I am thy servant , thou hast unloosed my bands . I will sacrifice unto thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving , I will offer unto thee the fruit of my lips : I will confesse thy Name , thou hast purchased me with a price : I will glorifie thee in my body , and in my soule , I am thine , unto thee therefore will I present my selfe as a lively and holy sacrifice , that may be pleasing and acceptable unto thee .

To this end , O my God , I crave strength from thee , & the conduct of thy Spirit : thou hast already given me a will to serve thee , produce , O Lord , in me not onely the will , but withall perfect it with efficacie , and according to thy good pleasure . Of my selfe I can do nothing to thy glorie , I perceive not the things which are of thy Spirit : all the imaginations of the thoughts of my heart are altogether continually evill : the wisdome , the desires of the flesh is enmitie against thee , It will not , it cannot be subject to thy Law : and yet by thy Spirit thou hast already given me the beginning of my regeneration : Yet Lord , though I will the thing that is good , yet find I not the meanes to performe the same : I do not the good that I would , but I do the evill that I would not do . It is to thee then that I have my recourse , thou art the Author of every good gift , the fountaine of life lyeth in thee : in thy cleare light we see clearely , and from thee onely is all our sufficiencie : illuminate me by thy Spirit , that being directed by the same , I may render unto thee the service which I owe in the acknowledgment of all thy benefits .

Give me grace that to serve thee I may do nothing but what may be acceptable to thee , that I may frame my selfe , not unto mine owne fancie , but according to thy will , that I may do not what seemes good unto my selfe , but what thou approovest , that I may perform● not mine owne designes , but thy will , not mine owne intentions , but thy commandements , not my will , but thy Word : Graunt I may propound unto my selfe for my end , not the vanitie of the world , but thy glory , not my reputation , but the manifestation of thy holy Name , not my establishment on earth , but the advancement of thy truth , and of thy Church . Give me to serve thee not unwillingly , and by constraint , but freely and with a good heart : that I may be pricked forward , not by the rigour of Menaces , and the chastisements of thy Law , but incited by the sweetnesse of the promises , and benefits of thy Gospell : that I may be , not possessed with the Spirit of servitude , but ledd by the spirit of feare and true filiall love . Remove from my understanding all darknesse of error and ignorance : make me know thy works , cause mee to see in the mirrour of nature , the excellent works which thou madest in six dayes , and thine admirable providence in the upholding and preservation of all thy creatures : there appeares before our eys both thine eternal power and Godhead : and there is not the least of the world , which is not a faithfull witnesse of the glory which is due to thee , by reason of thy wisdome , power , and infinite goodnesse : but Lord , give me eyes to looke into the mirrour of thy Word , in which are represented most clearely unto us the mysteries of our redemption : that in it I may see thy Sonne , that in thy Sonne I may behold thee . For , O good God , as we beseech thee that thou wouldest not looke upon us but in thy Sonne ; for that in him onely thou findest us righteous and unblameable , so can we not behold thee but in him , because in him onely thou manifestest thy selfe unto us ; not as a rigorous Iudge , as thou doest to the reprobate , but a gracious and mercifull Father to thy children .

Moreover Lord , in such sort inspire mee , that having beene soundly , and faithfully instructed in the knowledge of thy Truth , I may judge uprightly of all thy counsells , of thy whole Word , of all thy actions : for seeing it hath pleased thee to lodge me in the midst of all thy creatures , and to put as it were into my hands the quiers of all thy Actions , namely thy holy Word , ought I not to avouch , that thou art just , wise , good , mightie and mercifull : and that glory is due unto thee , upon occasion of every one of thy works : and wherefore hast thou brought me up in the Schoole of thy Church , but to the end to forme in me a j●dgement , and to teach me to speake against all the reasons of men , be it that the Lord spareth , be it that he afflicteth , be it that he blesseth , be it that he punisheth , or what ere he doth , it is every way justice , equitie , and wisedome , and his sole will is the most perfect rule of all righteousnesse .

But O my God , graunt that I may not know thee unto my condemnation : with science give me conscience : illuminate my understanding , rectifie also my will , accompanie it with a franke affection to thy service : Graunt my heart may burn within me , let it be inflamed with the desire of thy glory , let my soule be continually ravisht with admiration : above all seeing that to save us thou hast turned our darknesse into light , our evils into good , our death into life : and us that were thine enemies , thou hast made not onely thy friends and servants , but of thy household , but even thy children , without any desert of ours , notwithstanding our contrary demerits , even of thy meere free grace and mercy , and without sparing of thine owne Sonne .

O Lord our God , let thy Name be magnified thorough out all the earth : but as thy works be admirable , but as thou art mercifull in thy Church , thou hast done great things for us , thou hast wrought powerfully by thine arme , and in such sort above my capacitie , that I cannot but crie out , ô the depth of the riches of thy wisdome , and of the knowledge of God! Grant Lord , that I may not be stupid nor insensible in these things : but care that my soule may be affected with gladnesse , my heart with joy and solid contentment . If the Devills and all thine enemies wonder at thy works , it is but in despight of themselves , it is but in their murmuring against thee : but have not I wherein to rejoyce ? have not I cause to put farre away from me all sorrow , every vaine apprehension ? seeing that I assuredly know that thou art not onely wise and mighty in thy selfe , nor good to others : but wise , mighty , and good unto me , and unto my salvation and redemption .

Yet , O my God , that I may keepe measure in my mirth , beget in my heart true humilitie , which may serve to counterpoise it , so that whilst I rejoyce in thee , I may be humbled in my selfe , that I may adore in all reverence thy divine Majestie : that I may be exempt from all pride , acknowledging how lamentable the poverty , and weaknesse of my condition should be , were it not , that I wholly depend on thy grace and on thy good pleasure . For it is thou that resistest the proud , and that givest grace to the lowly : it is thou that abhorrest every man of an haughty heart : he shall not from hand to hand abide scotfree and unpunished : In stead whereof thy favours flow downe upon them , which come unto thee in humilitie and reverence .

Forme Lord , forthwith in my foule a true feare of thy Name , which may withold me , and keepe me from offending thee : for thou seest , thou understandest all things , thou art he , that wilt judge all the thoughts , words , & works of men . But why should I not feare infinitely to offend thee ? to provoke thee by mine iniquities ? thou that hast alwaies bin a most gracious and mercifull Father unto me , suffer not my heart to be hardened : for then should I fall into all calamity , but make me happie in fearing continually . Let me feare Lord , not to out-passe the traditions of men , but the rules and instructions of thy Word . Let me apprehend not some imaginary punishments , but the rigour of thy just judgments . Let me have not the feare of the damned , and of Devils , which tremble with horrour ; but the feare of thy children . To this end , O my God , give me thy love , to season my feare , and to warrant me from despaire . The wicked feare thee onely for the apprehension of thy punishments : but as for me , I wil feare thee Lord , because in my heart shall lodge thy love . Also good God , wh●refore shall I not love thee when I consider what heretofore thou hast done for me , that which now thou doest in me , and that which hereafter thou wilt do with me ? thou hast elected me before all eternity , thou hast justified me in calling me unto thy selfe in the fulnesse of time : daily thou sanctifiest me by thy Spirit , and hereafter thou wilt glorifie me in everlasting life . I will love thee then with all hearty affection , and wholly accursed shall I account him , that shall practice the contrary . For my Saviours sake , I will deprive my selfe of all things ; I will account them all as dung : for thou hast loved me , not simply the first , or before I knew thee , but Alas ! Even then when I was of the number of thine enemies . And to sum up all , art not thou Lord , the Soveraigne Good ? Without thee , and out of thee is there any thing amiable ? Let the world love it selfe , let men be Idolaters of their concupiscences , of their goods , of their lives , and of their reputations on earth . As for me Lord , if I hate not all things for thy sake , and in case thou so requirest , and that it be expedient for thy glory , I am most assured , that I am unworthy of thee .

I will love thee , O my God ; and give me grace to put my whole trust and confidence in thee onely , and so to repose and relie upon thy goodnesse and holy providence , that from thee onely almighty and most gracious , I may hope for , and expect patiently whatsoever is expedient and necessary for me . Cursed be the man that trusteth in man , that maketh flesh his arme , and whose heart withdraweth it selfe from the Lord , It is better Lord , to cleave unto thee , then to trust in the Princes of the people . Let worldlings and the reprobate live full of diffidence and distrust , let them be bereau'd of judgement in their adversitie , let them be daunted and forlorne in the first difficultie that befalls them : let them have recourse to unlawfull meanes , and those that are forbidden by thy Word : As for me , O God of my salvation , in thee only will I place my hope , that I may not be confounded . Yea , rather thus beholding with a setled and fixed eye what ere shall come to passe , I shall abide stedfast as the mountaine of thy holines .

But , O my God , horrid should my condemnation be , if I hoorded up in my heart the precious gift of thy knowledge : how inexcusable my proceeding if I should boast of thy feare , of thy love , without my testifying thereof in my outward actions ? I beseech thee then so to strengthen me , that I may shew forth by an holy conversation , that it is thou Lord , that sanctifiest me by thy spirit : Touch my soule , worke so in my heart , and in my conscience , that I may be freed from hypocrisie , that my religion may not be a cloke to vaile from men the irregularitie of my passions , the violence of mine affections : but that being well ordered in my mind , from thence , as out of a purified fountaine may flow forth the streames of all sorts of good works , agreable to thy Word , meet for thy glory ; and profitable to my neighbours , befitting my Vocation , and unto my salvation . To this end , O Lord , I beseech thee that thou wilt be pleased to give me courage to testifie what I have in my heart by my outward actions , that I may glorifie thee every where and upon all occasions , in making free and publike profession of thy Truth : That I may not be ashamed of thy Word : that I may not passe by thy bountie in silence , but that I may shew forth thy strength , even from thee , Lord , that hast called me out of darknesse into thy marvelous light ; that with my mouth I may give unto thy works praise conformable to the judgment and approbation , I have already made of them in my soule : that I may never cease to magnifie thee , and that my heart may take no other pleasure but to see thee glorified in the world . For if even the livelesse creatures celebrate thee , why should I thorow ingratitude be mute in the acknowledgment of thy benefits ? Wherefore Lord , hast thou given me a tong , but chiefly to serve as an instrument to blesse and praise thee ? And that I may speak nothing , but what may tend to thy glory ? Let me not take thy Name in vaine , nor give my self to evill speaking , nor detraction : let no rotten speech go forth of my mouth , but let all my talke tend to edification . Moreover , O Lord , give and enable me to confesse , not only in prosperity , and whilst all things smile upon me according to the world , but even in the greatest adversity : that even in the midst of persecution , if it please thee not to exempt me from the same , I may answer alwayes with meeknes and reverence every one that shall demaund of me a reason of the hope that is in me . I know Lord , that very great is my weaknesse , but is thy hand shortened or lesse strong for me then for the rest of thy children ? Is it thou that art pleased to perfect thy strength in our weaknes and infirmity ? Thou wilt give me then the constancie and that perseverance which shall be necessary for me ; that without feare , and without being troubled , I may be happy in suffering for righteousnes .

Give me grace also that all my actions may be void of vanity , and presumption , accompanied and seasoned with humility and reverence , that I may humble my selfe under thy mighty hand , that the world may see , I wholly depend on thy goodnes and mercy ; that I hold my life , being , and all things of thee only ; that thou only hast the power to do with me thy poore and miserable creature , what shall seem good unto thee .

And seeing thou hast given me to feare thee , and to love thee ; give me also the strength to do what thou hast commanded me , to avoid what thou hast forbidden me , enable me to order my life according to thy commandements , thou hast given us in thy Law : As also , Lord , in that which displeaseth thee , it may be seen , that I have thy feare , and that I have thy love , whilst I do that which thou requirest of me . Thy feare shall estrange me from that familiarity which hath no place but amongst companions , and shall containe me within that respect which I ow unto thee , and thy love shall exempt me from that feare , which shall euer ceaze upon thine enemies .

Lastly , O my God , above all the things which in all humility I desire of thee , I beseech thee that often thou wouldst often graunt the leasure and desire to call upon thee , as thou now hast done . Thou dost familiarly speak to me by thy Word , graunt that I may confidently speak to thee by my prayers : that often I may withdraw my selfe apart , that I may shut my self up in my closet , to impart unto thee my griefs , to confesse unto thee my sinnes , to bewaile before thee my poverty , and my miserie , and to implore from thee thine assistance and thy mercy ; For Lord , prayer wil be unto me an unspeakable comfort , as an evident testimonie , that thou hast not left me to my self , that I am in the number of thy children , that thou wilt blesse me , and powre forth upon me thy mercy ; and after I have called upon thee , I shall carry my self in my vocation with much more zeale : standing upright with thee I will not feare the world : having discharged my conscience in thy presence , I will march with my head born aloft : having carefully recommended my self unto thy guidance , I shall have rest in my soule , and shal be most assured , that notwithstanding the rage and subtilty of all mine enemies , which are also thine , thou wilt give me to continue faithfully my life in thy feare , and end it in thy holy favour , even then when out of this vale of misery thou wilt receive me into thy glory unto everlasting and most happy rest .

Another Prayer .

8. O Lord , our gracious God , and almighty Father , as thou hast alwaies thy hand open to do us good thy wil is , that our mouthes likewise should be so heartily to render unto thee thanksgiving : Now then we praise and blesse thee for that thou hast so graciously preserved us unto this present houre , by reason of our sinnes our life is exposed to an infinitnes of inconveniences , and in the mean time we still subsist , and are filled with thy good things . Our being and our welbeing , Lord , we should hold it of thee , we ow it to thy free grace and meere mercy : to thee alone for the same be all glory for evermore . But , O our most gracious God , it is most necessary for us , that thou continue thy gracious favours unto us : otherwise what thou hast hitherto done for us , would turn to our confusion . Leave us not then , for then we shall perish , thou hast created and redeemed us , not to destroy us , but that we might have eternall life . Shed forth then upon us thy more especiall favours , and above all the grace of thy holy Spirit . Thou that hast washt us from our sins in the precious bloud of thy Sonne : Sanctifie also our soules by thy Word , and according to thy promise : For Lord , shall we enjoy Iesus Christ and his benefits without our serving of thee , without magnifying of thee ? And what honour shall we render unto thee , or what acknowledgment , unlesse thou thy self confer upon us both the will and hability of performance ? The will , and desire to honour thee : We already have of thy free grace , give us also the power of performance . Give it us Lord with efficacy , and according to thy good pleasure : graunt it unto us , and at the most humble and fervent request which we make unto thee for the same . Give us not over neither to the malice of our enemies , nor to our own perversnes , let neither of them hinder us in thy service , nor let us not give them any subject of dishonoring thee let our example serve for our conversion . That they seeing the holines of our lives may lose their wils to hurt us , and may gain an affection to know thee aright : to acknowledg thee , O God , according to thy Truth , according to their duty . Let us not , O Lord , abuse our health , and present prosperity . Grant we may imploy them to the glorifying of thee , and to the advancement of thy work with faithfulnes , and every one according to his vocation whereunto thou hast called us , above all that in the midst of our greatest repose we may prepare our selves for afflictions , to the houre of death , and for the fruition of our eternall rest . When thou shalt visit vs with thy rods , that it may be in thy mercy , and for our amendment , when thou shalt call us , that it may be in thy grace , and for our salvation , whether in prosperity or in adversity , whether sound , or sick , whether living or dying , we may evermore confesse thy truth , and do nothing which may be unworthy of our profession , nothing which not seriously testifies our repentance for our sinnes , our desire of thy grace , our seeking of thy glory , the peace of our soules , the comfort of our consciences , and the assurance of our salvation in thy welbeloved Sonne IESVS CHRIST .

In his Name we further pray thee to conferre the same good things on all our kinsfolks and friends : call unto thee those that know thee not , and strengthen those that already have thy feare . Establish , maintaine every where , and make effectuall the Ministerie of thy Word for the conversion & consolation of al thine Elect , and for the enlarging of thy glory , & of the Kingdome of Iesus Christ . Keep our King , and all His : grant Him a long Raigne in thy feare and for the good of of thy Church . Let his subjects O Lord , and above all , we , who are instructed by thy Gospell , render unto him , and unto all our Superiours all obedience , unto which thy Word obligeth us . Make thine own sensible of the bitternes of thine afflictions , & rejoyce them also in the sweetnesse of thy comforts : so moderate and terminate thy corrections , that they may be wholsome unto them : Above all we beseech thee for them which have need of thy succours in this Church , deny them not thine assistance , heare their prayers and ours , comfort them and deliver them , that they and we may praise thee : solacing our selves in thy goodnes . And because O God , it is onely our sins which are able to hinder us from hoping to receive from thee that which we ask of thee , as thou pardonest us our sins in thy Son , graunt us grace voluntarily to renounce all iniquitie , so shal not the course of thy grace be interrupted : so shall we have experience both in our prayers of the Truth of thy promises , and in our whole life : Yea even unto the last gasp therof , the continuance of thy fatherly mercy , in the same thy welbeloved Sonne , in whose Name , &c.

A Prayer for him , who after he hath beene worthily prepared to receive the holy Communion , approcheth to the Lords Table .

9. O My God , O my Father , I have had experience of thy mercy in the whole course of my life , especially since thou gavest me the knowledge of thy Truth , and of my salvation , and at this present time Lord , thou openest before me the treasure of all thy riches , thou presentest and offer'st unto me whole Iesus Christ , with all his benefits . Seeing then O God of my salvation , seeing thou wilt , that I should obey thy Word , that I should draw neare unto thy Table : Alas suffer not , nor permit that it shal be to my condemnation : But O good God , far be it from me , that I should admit any such feare : For thou hast touched my heart with serious repentance . I am right sensible , that thou strengthenest my faith , and reachest forth unto me thy hand thy selfe to receive me this day , thou that art the Authour of my salvation . O happy day wherein I protest before thee to detest my sinnes , to renounce mine iniquity , to be admitted unto the participation of the Sacrament of the New Testament . Good God , give me now the grace to shew forth the death of my Saviour : grant that in his sufferings I may discern how great was thy wrath , how exact thy justice against our sinnes , seeing that to blot them out , thou hast not spared thine owne Sonne : Graunt also I may acknowledg thankfully thy infinite mercy towards us , in that for us thine enemies , thou hast given unto death the just , thine onely Sonne . But , Lord , give me to admire the never to be paralel'd love , which thy Sonne beareth me , in that he hath undergone both my sins , and thy wrath , to affoord unto me the food of eternall life . O how wonderfull art thou in thy bounties ? Seeing that this day thou wilt by visible and sacred signes augment my joy , and present to the view of mine eyes thy celestiall and invisible graces . At this instant thou wilt give me an assured pledge of my conjunction with Iesus Christ . And by him with thee , O my Father , as also with thy holy Spirit : Now shall I be assured , that Christ is in me , and I in him . O excellent Vnion , sith it bringeth to passe , that I have peace with thee , that Iesus Christ taketh upon him all my evill , and bestoweth on me all his benefits , that he quickneth me by his Holy Spirit , that I am united unto all the faithfull , that nothing shall separate me from thy love , that none shall pluck me neither out of the hands of my Saviour , nor out of the bosome of his Church . I feare neither my sins ; for behold here the bloud of my Saviour , which blotteth them out : nor thy wrath , for loe here the seale of my reconciliation with thee : nor the Devill , for behold here Christ who hath overcome : Nor death , for this day I receive the Sacrament of life everlasting , this day is promise made unto me , and the scale of it is given me , that the heavens are opened unto me , that my habitation shal be in the house of God for ever .

Lord increase my faith , Lord raise up my heart unto thee , graunt that unto thy glory , graunt that unto salvation , I may comprehend the excellency and the benefit of these things , and that thence I may take up a firm resolution to renounce the world , to walk therein as a pilgrim , as keeping on my way towards my Saviour , to draw unto him my neighbours , to edifie them by mine example , to adhere to thy Truth , to continue their profession thereof against the rage , and against the subtilties of all the enemies of thy Truth to my singular comfort , even unto the last gasp of my life . Amen .

A Thanksgiving to be rendred unto God , after we have been partakers of the holy Communion .

10. LOrd my God , how is my soule ravisht in contemplation of the good things , which thou commest to give me thy poore servant . Alas , Lord , I am farr lesse then the least of thy mercies , and then all the truth thou usest towards me , it is thou that assurest me that thy Sonne , that thine onely Sonne died for me ; It is thou that hast given me the seales of thine inviolable Covenant . But what say I the seales ? O God , thou knowest what ardor I feele at this present within me , an assured testimonie , that Iesus Christ is come to dwell in my heart , by the precious faith thou hast given me : Yea , Lord , I feele that he dwelleth in me , I feele he engraveth in my heart the efficacie of his death and passion , he died once upon the Crosse for my sinnes : But he liveth for ever in my heart for my salvation . I know it , I beleeve it , with as much certainty as with truth , I have been partaker of the outward signes of thy grace , O let my soule enjoy so great repose , against her enemies , O let it have an unspeakeable contentment in thy mercy : As Iesus Christ died for me , let Iesus Christ live in me . O God it is so : for thou wilt have it so , for I am sensible of it , and my faith is greatly strengthened . Surely , Lord , thou wilt be my God for ever , for thou art with me , thou givest me the bread of life , thou cloathest me with the innocency and righteousnes of thy Son . O good God , finish in me thine own work , thou hast rescued me out of the dangers of eternall death , thou hast assured me of most happy rest , graunt me , Lord , yet this period unto my prayer , that I may not repay thee with ingratitude , that I may not die in sin , but may live to righteousnes , that I may deny my selfe , may edifie my neighbours , may consecrate my self to thy glory , that in the sobriety , righteousnes , and religion of my life , I may affect nothing so heartily , have nothing so often before mine eyes , as my leaving of this world : And whilst thou preservest me therein , O God , as long as thou keepest me in the same , I may expect with all thine Elect , the most blessed hope and appearance of the glory of the great God , which is our Saviour Iesus Christ , to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be honour and glory from this time and for evermore . Amen .

A Confession .

11. O Lord God , Eternall and Almighty Father , we confesse and acknowledge unfainedly before thy sacred Majestie , we are poore miserable sinners , conceived and born in iniquity and corruption , inclined unto evill doing , unprofitable unto every good work ; and that by our sins we transgresse continually and without ceasing all thy holy Commandements : In doing wherof we purchase to our selves by thy just judgment destruction and utter ruine . Yet Lord , we are displeased with our selves for having displeased & offended thee , we condemn ourselves & our sins , with true repentance , humbly praying thy grace may relieve our misery and calamity . Have mercy then upon us , O God , and most gracious Father and full of mercy , for Iesus Christs sake , thy Sonne , our Lord . And blotting out our sins and blemishes , inlarge in us and increase daily the graces of thy Holy Spirit ; that we acknowledging heartily all our unrighteousnes , may bee toucht with true displeasure which may beget in us sound repentance , which mortifying us unto all sinne , may bring forth the fruits of righteousnesse and innocency , which may be acceptable and wel pleasing unto thee , thorough the same Iesus Christ , thy welbeloved Sonne , our Saviour . Amen .

A Morning Prayer .

12. O Lord God , Eternall Father , seeing it hath pleased thee to bring us safely unto this present day , be pleased also to give us grace we may passe the same without offending thee , and what ere we shall do , say , or think , may be to the glory and praise of thy Name ; and edification of our neighbours . And look not Lord , upon our infirmities , upon our sinnes , and on our unthankfulnesse : But looke upon thine accustomed goodnes ; and according to the same , turn not away thy face from us , but ever hold us up by thy hand , that we fall not from thee at all : and let not those threatnings which thou hast pronounced against them , that have knowne thee , and have not glorified thee as they ought , fall upon us . But Lord , hold us ever in thy feare , and forsake us not ; teach us to do thy will , and give us the will and the power to do it , for without thee we can do nothing .

Above all , Lord make us alwayes with our whole hearts imbrace the memory and the merit of the death of thy Sonne : And especially when the houre of our owne death shall come , graunt that in the same we may have such faith , recourse , and assurance , that we may be in the ranke of those which die in the Lord . And even then also graunt us that we may leave this world without all discontent thereat , and that all our desire may be to be with thee . Also Lord , thou hast taught us to pray that thy Kingdome may come , be pleased to advance forward the same ; and in so doing touch our Kings heart , and the hearts of his Councill , and illuminate them with thy brightnesse , that thou maist be King , and rule every where : And that thine enemies may be made thy footstoole : looke downe Lord in mercy upon all the poore afflicted ones , persecuted and oppressed , especially for thy Word ; Deliver them , O good God , as thou hast begun , from their enemies and thine , that thy children may be comforted and confirmed in their faith and hope , and that the wicked may learne to cease from their blaspheming of thee : And that they may know that thou art the King of Kings , and the Lord of Lords Lord be mercifull unto us poore and miserable sinners : Give gladnesse unto our soules , give succours unto thy Church , for it is time ; O God , which art the God of Peace and of comfort , give us that true peace , which is the repose of our consciences . In the meane time reforme our disorders and confusions , as it shal be expedient for thy glory and our salvation , so that avoiding the surprises and practises which may be made against us by our enemies , we may serve thee in all security and tranquillity according to thy holy will . All the which things we aske , and most humbly crave of thee in the Name , and for thy beloved Sonne our Lord Iesus Christ his sake , praying unto thee as it hath pleased him to teach and shew us how to call upon thee , saying :

Our Father which art in heaven , &c.

An Evening Prayer .

13. O Lord God , eternal and Almighty Father , who hast made & formed us with thine owne hands , that knowest of what matter we are fashioned and made , and reservest to selfe , as Lord and Master , the prerogative of sounding and searching of the hearts of thy creatures , even unto their most retired thoughts . We cannot denie before thee this truth , namely ; that we are poore sinners , conceiv'd and born in iniquitie and corruption , inclined to do evill , unprofitable unto every good work , and that thorow our vitious disposition wee transgresse continually and without ceasing thy holy and heavenly Commandements , in doing wherof we purchase to our selves thy just judgment , our utter ruine and destruction . Yet Lord , we are grieved in our selves for the same .

O Lord God , who hast created the day for our travell and the night for our rest , pardon us if we have not imployed the day to thy service in performing thy holy will and ordinance , and grant we may passe the night without offending thee , even that we may remaine unpolluted both in body and soule , to the end that in the morning for our first work we may praise thee , and give thanks unto thee , and dispose our selves unto thy service . And because Lord , that in the night season our afflictions presse ordinarily more then in the day , and we have lesse succors from men ; re-inforce , Lord , thy Guard over us , and behold with pitie and compassion all thy poore , afflicted , persecuted and oppressed ones , especially for thy Word ; deliver them , O good God , as thou hast begun , from their enemies , and thine , that thy children may be comforted and confirmed in their faith and hope , and the wicked may learn to blaspheme thee no more : but that they may know ; that thou art the King of Kings , and Lord of Lords . Lord be mercifull unto us poore and miserable sinners , give joy to our soules , give relief to thy Church , for it is high time . O God , which art the God of peace and consolation , give us that true peace , which is the repose of our consciences : In the meane while remedie our disorders and confusions , as shall be expedient for thy glory , and our salvation : So that avoiding the surprises and deceitfull practises , which may be made against us by our enemies , we may serve thee in all security and tranquillity according to thy holy will . All the which things we ask and crave of thee most humbly , in the Name , and for the sake of thy welbeloved Sonne , our Lord Iesus Christ , according as it hath pleased him to informe and teach us to pray unto thee , saying :

Our Father which art in heaven , &c.

The blessing of our gracious God and Father , the peace and grace of our Lord Iesus Christ remaine evermore with us , in the Communion of the Holy Ghost . Amen .

Another Morning Prayer .

13. O Lord God , and most gracious Father , I thy poore creature , that naturally am wrapt in darknesse , durst not lift up mine eyes towards thee , that inhabitest inaccessible light , were it not that thy deare Sonne , who is the brightnes of thy glory , hath made way for me to the Throne of thy Grace by the effusion of his precious bloud . And now my God , I acknowledge that it is a great benefit , that I that am unworthy to live upon the face of the earth , and have deserved by my sins to be cast for ever into utter darknes , have this happines to see the light of the day , and of the Sun , and to behold the works of thy hands with the fruition of the good things of the earth , which thou hast given me . But because , O gracious God , thy Sun shines as well on the bad , as on the good , and that this light is but to guide my body , be pleased O God , that the brightnes of thy face may shine upon me , in blessing me , and enlighten my understanding by regenerating and sanctifying me , that I may walk in the way of thy Commandements , that in my Calling I may in such sort carry my self , as that all my words , deeds , and thoughts may be correspondent to thy honour and glory , and to the edification of my neighbours . Lord , thou hast drawne me out of the darknes of idolatrie and ignorance , thou hast taken away the vaile of superstition from before myne eyes , thou hast also even in my time caused to shine forth , and as it were lighted againe that lamp of the preaching of thy Gospell . But suffer me not , that having eyes , not to see with them : But Lord , inlighten all the parts of my soule , and graunt that what ere is in me , may be imployed to give thee all honour and obedience ; that in my Calling thy feare may before mine eyes : And because thou esteemest not thy selfe to be loved of us , unlesse we love our neighbours , imprint in me a faith working by love , in such sort , that with confidence I may have a good conscience , doing nothing to any other , but what I would should be done to my selfe : Let me have a mercifull and a relenting heart , let not my bowels be straitened towards the needy and poore : Lastly that seeing the shape of this world to passe away , I may use it as a passenger , remembring ever that my freedome is in heaven . Give me peace in my family , give a blessing upon my labour , contentment to my mind , repose and comfort to the poore afflicted , and full deliverance to thy Church by thy Sonne Iesus . Amen .

Another Prayer for the Evening .

15. O Lord God , thy People Israel offered unto thee Evening and Morning Sacrifices in token of acknowledgment unto thee , that keepest us both morning and evening ; but what more acceptable sacrifice can we offer unto thee then our contrite hearts and tongues to praise and blesse thee ? Wherefore Lord , in all humility and reverence I present my self before thy face : beseeching thee , thou wilt be pleased not to enter into account , nor into judgment with me thy poore creature , for whether thou lookest upon the first , or on the second Table of thy Commandements , thou wilt find that I have offended thee many wayes . Yet as the child hath alwaies recourse to his father , I have my refuge and my retrait unto thee O Lord , which art slow unto anger , and of great compassion , beseeching thee by thy goodnes to cover my sins , as all things are covered thorow the darknes spread over the earth . Alas , my God , I know Satan goeth round about us as a roaring Lion , I know he is the governour of the darknes , and Prince of this world : But withall if thou be for me , who shal be against me ? It is thou that hast thousands of Angels that are encamped round about us : It is thou that hast created the Sun begetting heat , and the Moone affording coolenes : It is thou that governest the whole frame of nature , and never slumberest : Be pleased then to graunt me the favour to take my rest this night in peace , not to suffer a sleepe unto the things of the earth , but more and more to acknowledg thankfully thy goodnes , untill thou callest me unto that so greatly to be desired rest which thou hast prepared for us ; O how sweet and amiable will that dwelling be to us , when in our graves we shall heare the voice of thy Sonne to raise us up unto glorious immortalitie . But in the mean time whilst we expect that last comming , we commend unto thee , O heavenly Father , the peace and preservation of thy Church , our Superiours , and Magistrates , and all them that have need of thy succours : beseeching thee that in this decrepit age of the world , wherein all the kingdomes of the earth do stagger , thou wilt be the prop and shoare of thy poore people , and in stead of the so many dolorous dayes and yeares which we have seen , we may see some rest in the midst of thy Church . Raise up , Lord , some nursing father , and some retrait for thy children , that an over-violent oppression trample them not under foot , and this for thy beloved Son our Lord Iesus Christ his sake , in whom I trust , and on whom I repose my selfe . Amen .

A Prayer in the time of the Plague .

16. LOrd , whose infinite power seemeth small , being compared to thy mercy , turne thine eye of pitie upon us , and amidst the dangers of this pestilent infection , which threatneth us on every side , retaine and uphold our languishing lives , which without thy grace would vanish to nothing , and be turned to corruption in a moment . With the same mercy , wherewith thou hast cleansed our soules , consecrating them to thy service by the badge of sacred Baptisme , repurge and cleanse our bodies to serve as cleane vessels unto our soules , and to co-operate in the mysterie of thy praise . Thou drewest light out of the bottomlesse deep by thy power , thou drawest away the darkenesse which obscured the earth : Purge away now again by the same light the noisomnes and corruption of the ayre , and in such wise powre forth thy grace , that we may breath to our safety and preservation . Lord , thou hast justly suffered for the punishment of our sins this poison and contagious venome to raigne with power over our bodies . But seeing thy deare and onely beloved Sonne hath blotted out with his bloud the sin which had provoked thee , he should withall have drowned the scourges appointed for the punishment . We fall againe every day into the gulfe , whereout thou hast drawne us , we renounce by our evill life the grace thou hast given us . It is true , Lord , that if thou wilt judge us in thy justice , we have but to be silent and to suffer : but we implore thy mercy , greater yet then all our sins : thy mercy Lord , which cannot bee invoked in vaine . It sufficeth that we lift up our eyes unto thee , it sufficeth that we sigh , & turne our heart unto thee , so soone as we feele thee present , and neare unto us . But without thee , Lord , we cannot move towards thee . Take us then my God , and inspire into us this wholsome motion : In the sequell whereof we shall undoubtedly have what ere we crave of thee , in the name of thy precious Son our Saviour Iesus Christ . Sith then that in his name we ask of thee the health of our bodies , preserve them , my God , from the danger wherein they are , make the ayre we breath , the water we drink , the victuals we use , the garments wherewith we cloath our selves , may be instruments of health to our life , remove farr from us in every thing what is impure and pestelent , fortifie the spirits that animate our bodies , to the end to be able to resist all the infection , they may encounter , to overcome , and surmount the same . Give us firme and undaunted courage , to wit , relying and resting on thy grace , thorough the which we may be enabled to passe without apprehension , the dangers amidst the which it pleaseth thee that we live , and make us continually sensible of thy comfort , by which we may be guided with a quiet mind thorough the midst of these worldly miseries , maintaining evermore that lively hope in our hearts , that giving thee the glory which is due to thy holy Name , we may arrive in the end to that which thou hast promised to thine Elect. Amen .

A Prayer upon the Creation .

17. LOrd God , who hast created all for thy glory , especially man to be the principall instrument thereof , and hast moreover received him unto the greatest honour , assuring him , that he shall obtaine what ere he shall ask of thee in true faith and charity , raise up my thoughts , purifie my heart , sanctifie my tongue , to the end I may sing worthily thy praises , render unto thy bounty the thanksgivings which are due thereunto , and ask that which is necessary for my salvation , and convenient and meet for the advancement of thy glory . This Lord , I cannot do , but thorough thy favorable assistance . Not onely all good commeth forth from thee , but even the hability to ask it . As then with fierie tongues thou openedst the lips of thine Apostles , purge now this of a poore humble sinner , and instruct my heart to ask of thee what may be pleasing unto thee . Give me a new spirit , which may know how to conceive that good which is to be praied for from thee , which therin may take content , which may therin confirm and entertaine it selfe , not floting and wavering , but firme and surely anchored in the faith of thy promises and assurance of thy goodnes , as in that safe and calm haven , whither ought to be steared the whole equipage of all our desires : looking alwayss for our most assured star the merit of thy most deare Sonne our Lord Iesus Christ , by the intercession of whom we cannot fall from any of our hopes : unto him I say be glory and honour for ever and ever . Amen .

A Morning Prayer .

18. O Light of lights , which hast dispersed the darknesse to bring light into the world , and to give man for a mirrour the beauty of thy works , and the elegant varietie of formes wherewith thou hast distinguisht them , and as thou now bringest upon the earth the brightnes of the day and of the Sun , bring also Lord , upon my soule the brightnes of thy holy Spirit , that according to the mesure , that my arms shal be imployed for the maintenance of my body , the thoughts of my soule may be engaged in the invocating of thy holy grace , thorow the conduct wherof wee may walke so on thorough the wayes of this sensuall and corruptible world , that I may not go astray from the celestiall and incorruptible . That if my senses deceived by the pleasing baites , and delicious objects which offer themselves in the world , would seduce my reason : hold them back Lord , by the hope of pleasures infinitely greater , which are proposed to them which live according to thy holy will , and by the feare of the paines 〈◊〉 number , 〈◊〉 ●●out measure , which 〈◊〉 them that forsake the way of thy commandements , to follow that of their flesh . And seeing that to lead me to thy mercy , thou hast been pleased that the Author of light , that eternall wisedome came downe upon earth , and there abode for a time , that he might converse amongst us to light the lamp of our soules , by the fire of thy holy Word : Infuse , Lord , by the same bounty , the cleare light which thou hast put therein by the operation of thy holy Spirit , that in thy wedding day , we finding our selves adorned with the wedding garment of thy grace , we may be led into the participation of thy celestiall glory .

A Prayer for the Evening .

19. LOrd , in as much as thine unsearchable wisdome hath been pleased to divide our whole life into labour and rest ; and every one of our dayes into light and darknes , and yet appointest them both to serve thy glory : Now at this houre , that it hath pleased thee to shut in this day . and to call me from my labour to sleepe , I lift up my hands unto thee , and offer unto thee for an Evening Sacrifice my heart and my tongue , and revolving and ruminating in my thoughts that favour wherewith thou hast from morning unto this evening sustained my life , conducted my actions , guided my steps , directed my hands , governed my thoughts , turned away the temptations of the world ; I forme in my voice , in the best manner I am able , a thanksgiving and song of praise to thy infinite goodnesse . And therefore , albeit I know well that in my works there is a great deale more want then good , yea not to file upon the account , but that which proceedeth from my self , the whole must needs be damnable . I conjure thy sacred mercy , that it will make them acceptable by powring forth on them that infinite grace which thy deare Son hath purchased for the world , which alone giveth perfection and sanctification unto all the actions of men . Now that I go to yeeld my eyes unto sleepe , graunt my body may take rest in bed , my soule withall may repose in the bosome of thy Son Iesus Christ . And thy Holy Spirit watching over me , may remove far away from me all unclean concupiscences , foolish imaginations , and uncouth dreames , and deliver me from all feare , saving from that of thy sacred and severe judgment ; and so moderate the course of my sleep , that repairing my strength of body , it may not lull it asleep in idlenes , but let me awake at a fit houre , and exercise my self in holy prayer thus all the dayes of my life , sliding on one after another , untill it shall please thee to change this temporall into an eternall rest , thorow the intercession of him , that hath purchased as with the price of his bloud , our SAVIOVR IESVS CHRIST . Amen .

A Prayer for our finall obtaining of victorie by Iesus Christ .

20. O Almighty God , sith we are filled with so many concupiscences , which must needs pollute the pure and sacred gifts of thy Holy Spirit , graunt we may take in good part the chastisements which thou sendest us to tame and bring under the said concupiscences : and that as we acknowledg thee to be our shepheard , we may yeeld up our selves to be governed by thy shepheards staffe , profiting daily under thy chastisements , and tasting in thy severitie of thy bounty , that we may not be discouraged but walking on forward thorow mis-reports and disgraces ; yea , even thorow the midst of death for thy Names sake , that we may rejoyce in thee , esteeming all things losse , for the price of the knowledge of thy Sonne , who giveth the same Spirit that hath sanctified us , which also strengtheneth us : That being partakers of that unction of the Holy Ghost , we may withall be partakers of the victorie of thy Sonne IESVS CHRIST .

A Prayer for the preservation of the Church .

21. ETernall Lord God , strong , pitifull , mercifull , slow to anger , abundantly plentifull in thy free mercy and truth , keeping Covenant to a thousand generations , taking away iniquity , transgression , and sin : We beseech thee , that we may find favour before thine eyes , pardon our iniquities and our sins , and possesse us , fill us with thy Spirit in wisdome , in understanding , in knowledge , teach us that which we are to do , so that we may apply our hearts to thy Word , and may not hold on our course of sinning , nor follow the multitude to do evill : But that we may seriously obey thy voice , keep thy covenant , may be ranked amongst all people thy most precious jewell , although all the earth is thine , and we are unto thee a kingdome of Priests , and an holy Nation , dwell thou in the midst of us , and be our God . Preserve our houses , and when thou shalt passe thorow the countrey ●o strike , and to exercise judgement , let there be no wound unto destruction among us , bedeaw with the bloud of the Lamb our threshold and both our doore-posts : look upon that bloud , and passe by the doore , and suffer not the destroyer to enter into our houses to strike , that we may know thou puttest a difference between the Egyptians and the Israelites . Graunt thy children may grow and increase into exceeding great abundance , may be multiplied and reinforced mightily , so that even the earth may be replenished with them , and the more it shall afflict them , the more they may multiplie in all abundance . Be moved with compassion towards them which sigh and crie , let their crie come up unto thee , looke downe upon their affliction .

Another Prayer for the Church .

22. LOrd , thou takest no pleasure in the death of a sinner , but hadst rather that he should turne from his way and live . Powre not forth thy furie upon us , heape not thy wrath upon us , judge us not after our wayes ; but let thine eye spare us , and have compassion upon us , for we are thy sheep , the sheep of thy pasture , and thou art our God . Hide not then thy face from us , but powre forth thy Spirit upon us . Graunt we may have all but one heart , and put into us a new spirit : Take from us our heart of stone , give us a heart of flesh , that we may walk in thy statutes , may keep thy ordinances , may do them , and be thy people , and thou our God . So shalt thou make known the Name of thy holines in the midst of us , shalt be sanctified in us , in the presence of the Nations , and we will consider in our hearts , will regard and look on with our eyes , will hearken unto with our eares what ere thou speakest unto us , concerning all thy ordinances , and thy Lawes . Save thy flocke , that it may not become a prey ; raise up Pastors thy servants , that may feed it with wholsome food . And let them whom thou hast set for watchmen in thine house hearken to the words of thy mouth , and give warning from thee . Give them a mouth opened amongst us , that the sheep which are dispersed thorow the want of a shepheard , and which are exposed to be devoured , and they which err , and are strayed out of the way over the whole surface of the earth , may be drawn home , and gathered in , and that thou maiest feed them , and give them rest , seek out that which is lost , bring back that which is driven away , bind up that which is broken , strengthen that which is sick , and those that are afarr off amongst the Nations , and those that are scattered upon the earth , be thou unto them a safe Sanctuarie in the countries wherein they are . Sanctifie thy great Name , which hath been prophaned among the Nations , let them know that thou art the Lord , that thou maist be sanctified among them , and that the earth may shine abroad with thy glorie .

A Prayer to be affected with Spirituall things , and to renounce the world .

23. LOrd we are rebellious against thy Truth , and have not been obedient to thy righteousnes , nor have put in practise thy Law ; whence our condemnation is just . Yet Lord , saith was imputed to Abraham for righteousnes : Graunt it may be so also imputed to us , and that we may obtaine mercy : Seeing Christ died for us , and he is the end of the Law , righteousnes unto all beleevers , and that whosoever beleeveth in him , shall not be confounded . And for that they that are according to the flesh , are affectioned to the things of the flesh , but they that are according to the spirit , unto the things of the spirit : And in as much as the affection of the flesh is death , but the affection of the spirit is life and peace . Let thy Spirit dwell in us , and let us put on the Lord Iesus Christ , and let us not be carefull for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof : Knowing that Christ being risen againe from the dead , dieth no more , death hath no more dominion over him : For in that he died , he died once for sinne ; but in that he liveth , he liveth unto thee . Also we summe up thus our account , that we are dead unto sin , but live unto thee in Iesus Christ our Lord : and that we shall appeare all before his judgment-Seat : and that every one of us shall render an account for himself .

Let then thy feare be before our eyes , having in horror all evill , & cleaving unto that which is good , that we lay no stumbling block or occasion of falling before our brother , but may walk in charity , loving our neighbor as our selves , being fervent in spirit , serving thee , joyfull in hope , patient in tribulations , persevering in prayer . That we may offer up our bodies as living sacrifices , holy , and pleasing unto thee , which is our reasonable service , and let us not fashion our selves unto this present world : But let us be transformed by the renewing of our understanding , that we may search out what thy good , pleasant , and perfect wil is . And be it that we live , we may live unto thee ; be it wv die , we may die unto thee ; that whether we live , or whether we die , we may be thine : For therefore died Christ , and rose againe , and returned unto life , that he might have dominion both over the dead and over the living . We commend unto thee all thy Churches , let the weak in faith be strengthened , grant there may be the obedience of faith thorow out all nations . Let every knee bow before thee , and let every tongue give thee praise . Let all nations praise thee Lord , and let all people celebrate thee . Relieve the poore and afflicted , and make them partakers of spirituall good things . Furnish them with the things of this life , assist them in every thing they stand in need of thorow Iesus Christ .

Grace be with us , and peace from God our Father , and from the Lord Iesus Christ .

A Thankesgiving and a Prayer on the same subject .

24. O Our God and Father which raisedst from the dead Iesus Christ , who gave himselfe for our sinnes , to the end , that according to thy will he might withdraw us out of this evill world . To thee be glory for ever and ever . Amen . 'T is thou Lord , that hast called us by thy grace , and hast revealed unto us thy Sonne , who hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law , when he was made a curse for us , that we might receive the promise of the Spirit by faith , knowing that man is not justified by the works of the Law , but onely by faith in Iesus Christ , in whom we have believed that we might be justified by faith . Give us to obey thy Truth , furnish us with thy Spirit , which may produce thy vertues in us . And because we are thy children , send the Spirit of thy Sonne into our hearts , crying Abba Father ; so that being thy children , we may be thine heires thorow Christ , and that we may walk according to the spirit , & not fulfil the lusts of the flesh : because what a man soweth , that shall he reape also . For he that soweth to the flesh , shall reape of the flesh corruption : But he that soweth to the Spirit , he shall reape of the Spirit life eternall . That we may live by the Spirit , and may walk also in the Spirit , the fruit whereof is love , joy , peace , patience , gentlenes , goodnes , faithfulnes , meeknes ; temperance . And as they which are Christs , have crucified the flesh with the Iusts thereof , that we may be crucified with Christ , and may live not now we , but that Christ may live in us ; and that what we now live in the flesh , we may live in the faith of thy Son , who hath loved us , and gave himselfe for us : that it might not happen unto us to glory in any thing save in the Crosse of our Lord Iesus Christ , by whom the world may be crucified unto us , and we unto the world : And that in him we may be new creatures , not growing carelesse of well doing , seeing we shall reape in due season , if we grow not slacke . Wherefore whilst we have time , let us do good unto al men , but especially unto the houshold of faith . And all they that shall walk according to this rule , peace be upon them , and mercy , and upon thy Israel O God . Work with efficacie by those unto whom the preaching of the Gospell is committed . That they which know thee not , and who serve those that by nature are no gods , may know thee , and may be knowne of thee , and may not to be turned back to the weak and beggarly rudiments which they would serve . That all they that are baptised , may put on Christ , and that we may be all united in Iesus Christ our Saviour .

Let thy grace be with our spirit . Amen .

A Prayer to be filled with Charitie .

25. LOrd , I beseech thee I may abound in faith and charity , that I may yeeld up my self wholly first unto thee , and then according to thy will unto my brethren : knowing the gracious favour of our Lord Iesus Christ , namely that he became poore for me , although he was rich , that by his poverty I might be made rich . That my abundance might supply their want , that I might have both a forwardnes of will thereunto , and an habilitie of bringing the same into action also , according to my meanes . That it may relish of bounty , not of close-hand niggardlinesse : Knowing that he that soweth sparingly , shall also gather sparingly : and he that soweth liberally , shall gather also liberally . That it may not be unwillingly or by constraint , seeing thou lovest a chearefull giver : and art able to make to abound all grace in me , to the end that having alwayes all sufficiencie in all things , I may be plentifull in every good work ( as it is writ ) he hath scattered abroad , he hath given to the poore : his righteousnes abideth for ever . Now thou Lord , that givest seed to the sower , be pleased also to give unto me bread to eat , and multiplie my wealth , augment the revenue of my righteousnes , and that I may be enriched in all franknes of liberalitie .

The Kings Prayer . Samuel II.

26. LOrd , thou hast anointed me to be King , thou hast accepted me to be the Leader of thy People , be with me , be thou with me , be thou my Father , and I shal be thy Son . Let not thy free mercy depart from me . Make an everlasting Covenant with me . Keepe me whither soever I shall go . Protect me from the hand of all them that shall rise up against me . Establish the throne of my kingdome , blesse thou thy servants house , that it may be blessed for ever . Graunt my dominion over men may be just , that I may govern in thy feare : O God , and that I may raigne doing judgement and justice to all my people , even as thou hast commanded me , and that I may be acceptable unto thee .

Another Prayer of the Kings . Chron. I.

27. O God , give me an upright & sound heart , that I may keep thy commandements , and thy testimonies , and thy statutes , that I may know and serve thee with an upright heart , and with a willing mind . For thou Lord searchest the hearts , and knowest all the imaginations of the thoughts thereof , graunt I may raigne doing judgment and justice to all thy people , that I may be thy Sonne , and that thou mayst be unto me a Father . Establish the throne of my Kingdome for ever . Be with me , that I may prosper , and build thy house , O Lord my God . Give me wisdome and understanding , and teach me how to governe , and how I may keep thy Law , knowing that then I shall prosper , if I take heed to do thy statutes and judgments which thou hast commanded . Fortifie me , and double in me my strength , keepe me wheresoever I go , blesse also thy servants house , that it may be alwayes before thee , and may be blessed for ever . Give peace and rest unto thy people in my time . Graunt thy Name may abide firme , and be magnified for ever .

The Peoples Prayer for the King .

27. BLessed be thou , O Lord our God , that hast accepted our King to set him upon the throne , because thou hast loved us , and hast establisht him , to the end to do judgment and justice . Shew thy great mercy unto him , and that he may walk before thee in truth , in righteousnes , and uprightnes of heart . Be with him , magnifie his Throne , lengthen his daies , and let him live for ever . Let there be peace to thee-wards alwayes for him , for his posteritie , for his house , and for his Throne . Give him riches , and glory , so as there hath not been the like unto him amongst Kings : Let him be greater then all the Kings of the earth , both in riches and in wisdome : Let him walk in thy wayes , to keep thy ordinances , and thy commandements , and let there ever be in him divine wisdome : Put his enemies under his feet : Give him rest round about him , and let him have no adversitie nor evill lucke . Let his people be very numerous , as the sand which is on the sea shore . Let him have peace round about him on every side , and let neither them nor their children turne back from thee , but keep thy commandements and thy statutes , which thou hast set before them , that men may know that thou art God in this Kingdome , and that we are thy servants .

A Prayer of the faithfull that fervently desireth to participate in the publike exercises whereof he was deprived .

28. O Lord of Hosts how amiable are thy Tabernacles ! My soule ceaseth not to desire greatly , and even languisheth after thy Courts , my heart and my flesh leape for joy after thee , O mighty and living God . O how happy are they that dwell in thy house , which praise thee uncessantly ! O how happy is the man whose strength is in thee , and they that go by troupes to present themselves before thee in thy Temple ! For better is a day in thy Courts , then a thousand elswhere . I had rather be a doore-keeper in thy house , O my God , then to dwell in the Tabernacles of the wicked . For Lord God , thou art unto us a Sunne and a shield : thou givest grace and glory , and withholdest no good thing from them that walk in integrity . O my God , I seek thee by the day breake , my soule thirsteth after thee : my flesh desireth thee as in a desart land . I am athirst , and without water to see thy face , and thy glory , as I have beheld thee in thy Sanctuary , for thy free mercy is better then life : therfore shall my lips praise thee : and so will I blesse thee whilst I live , and will lift up my hands in thy Name . Satisfie my soule as it were with honie , and with fatnes , and let my mouth praise thee with a song of rejoicing . Be my helper , and I will rejoice in the shadow of thy wings . My soule shall cleave unto thee to follow thee , and thy right hand shall hold me up .

Another Prayer out of the second Epistle of St. Iohn .

29. LOrd , cause thy Truth to abide in us , and to be alwayes with us , and let us be ever found walking in the Truth , according as we have received thy Commandement . Let us love one another , and walk according to thy commandements , taking heed unto our selves , that we lose not that we have done , but rather that we may receive our full wages , and that our joy may be full .

Grace , mercy , and peace from God the Father , and from the Lord Iesus Christ , the Sonne of the Father be with us in truth and love .

A SACRED Spirituall Awakening , or Morning Sacrifice , to serve for the awaking and rowsing of the carnally secure . The eare that heareth the reproofe of life , abideth among the wise . Pro. 15.31 . He that despiseth the Word , shall perish by reason thereof . Proverb. 13. It shall be more tollerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha . Mat. 10.14.15

29. IT is our over much stouping unto and our setling upon the lees of our vanities , that the foolish affections of the flesh dragge us deeper into their disordered appetites : It is our overmuch thinking on the things here below ; let us remain no longer curb'd on earth , let us rouse up , addresse our selves toward heaven , and let us not defraud it of what belongs unto it : shall not the examples of the creatures without reason ( yea without sense ) lead us unto this reason ? We see water commeth forth of the water , and returneth unto water , the earth drawne from the earth , re-inclineth to the earth , and so every thing tendeth to his place : and shall we that are borne for heaven flie from it ? The knowledge that our blessednesse is there , eternall blessednesse which already we possesse thorow the assurance of our union with Iesus Christ , into whose death we have been baptised , to the end to participate in his resurrection , and to be in time ordained by God fully co-heires of that celestiall heritage : ought it not to make us lift up our senses on high , and to pluck them wholly from the earth ?

But alas ! We confesse that this knowledge appeareth to be almost altogether obscured in us : for our conversation is like unto that of them that have not knowne God , walking as having no feare of the Lord , and doing the things , which indeed ought not to be so much as thought on or named of us : it seemeth to appeare by the course of the most , that man is but only for the flesh , to the end to glut his disordered passions . O wonderfull brutishnes !

Where then shall this knowledge be ? Or the feeling or expectation of the heavenly joy ? Rom. 6. Col. 3. For this union not performing her functions , should we not walke in feare and trembling all the course of our life ? mortifie our old man and corrupt nature ? Otherwise where shal be the fruit of our baptisme ? Or the efficacie of the passions and sufferings of Iesus Christ ? and if we be destitute and deprived of these things , abide we not still in death , yea eternall death ?

Wherefore let us here enter into astonishment , let us be terrified with feare , Rom. 2.4 . We see the anger of God threatneth us , if we turne not away from evill . His Patience inviteth us to repentance , let us not despise the riches of his mercy . Eccles. 5.5 . He hath borne with us untill this day , let us not say any more , the mercy of God is great , he will have pitie on the multitude of our sins , to ad sinne unto sinne , and let us not stay till to morrow to convert our selves , for mercy and wrath come both from the Lord , and his day shal be , and will come when it shall not be thought on , no man knoweth the houre : And this is it which is meant by the Parable of the evill servant , who saying in his heart my Master deferreth the time of his comming . Math. 24.48 . And therefore I will lead an evill life : That his Master will surprise him , and will come in a day , when he looketh not for him , and will cast him thither , where there shal be weeping and gnashing of teeth : Let us feare , let us feare then such a surprise , let us awake thorowly , and slumber no longer in our sins .

O halfe Atheists ! infamous Monsters ! that say , let us sinne that God may forgive us : otherwise , what use shall there be of his mercy , came he not for sinners ? Oh how you deceive your selves ! and those also that glut their brutish and irregular lusts , giving the full swing to their foolish desires ( prophaning likewise the mercy of God ) promise to themselves afterward to have the same all the course of their lives jollily , heaped up their iniquitie , to say at their last day a peccavi , whereupon they heape and pile up in this manner , as much mischief as the most perverse can do : As if it were in mans power to have repentance , to ask and obtaine mercy at any time or moment hee shall assigne himselfe , and as if it were in his own free habilitie , and power , and not a speciall and singular gift of God , as it is manifested unto us in Ieremy 31.8 . when he saith , Convert mee , and I shall bee converted , for thou art the Lord my God : surely after I was converted , I repented . That such grace commeth from God alone , according to his good pleasure . It is the saying of the Holy Ghost , Act. 11.18 . God gave to the Gentiles also repentance unto life . Which is also clearely shewed by Saint Paul charging Timothie to teach those that were contrarily minded . 2 Timoth. 1.25 . To trie if at any time God would give them repentance to the knowledge of the truth , that they may awake and recover themselves out of the snare of the Devill , according to that we gather Esay 1.15 . That man somtimes cryeth unto the Lord in vaine , and without that he answereth him .

Consider then now unto whom , when , and how mercy is graunted . Psalme 18.41 . And we may acknowledge all in that behalfe , that we have not the morrow to repent in : Let us not grow elder in our iniquitie , least ( as wisdome admonisheth us ) That malice having taken deep root in us , our heart can never be changed : Wisdome the 12.10 . So the tree long since planted is not easily stub'd up , and let us ever beare in mind that threatning Apoc. 3.3 . If therefore thou shalt not watch , I will come on thee as a thief , and thou shalt not know what houre I will come upon thee .

But what , shall we not grow wise thorough the frequent examples which daily occurre , and present themselves to our view : That the lustiest man , he that buildeth his designes ( as it were ) farre from the grave , and who thinketh of nothing lesse , then on the tribute he owes to death , in the same instant sinks downe : And therefore no man knowes the houre , nor how he must dislodge from out of this lower earth ; Every moment both of night and of day , shewing that God hath a thousand and a thousand meanes in his hand to cut off ( when he pleaseth ) the thread of the soundest , and strongest life . Whereupon one hath said very well : What act , what time , what place exempt can stand ? From dreadfull dart of Deaths fell hand ? Is not unpartiall proofe Pope Adrians flie ? That laughing , eating , drinking man may die ?

Stay a little thy mind and thoughts in this place , O thou temporiser ! that deferrest unto another season to amend and become better , let not this passe thee without thinking on it , and it shal be an entrance unto thee to profit by the admonition which our Saviour Iesus Christ gives us , Mat. 24.44 . Therefore be ye alwayes ready , and watch for feare of being surprised , not knowing the houre of your departure . Let us not here make as though we were deaf . If we give eare to an instrument which affoords us some recreation , shall we stop it from hearing of wholsome counsell ? No , no : least it may be said to us as in Proverb. 1.24 . I have called and ye refused . I have stretched out my hand , and no man regarded . Ye have set at naught all my counsell , and would none of my reproofe . I also will laugh at your calamity , I will mocke when your feare commeth : when your feare commeth as desolation , and your destruction commeth as a whirle-winde , when distresse and anguish commeth upon you . Then shall you call upon me , but I will not answer : For you have hated knowledge , and not chosen the feare of the Lord : you would none of my counsell , but have despised all my reproofe : therefore shall you eat of the fruit of your wayes , and shal be filled with your owne devises . For the turning away of the simple shall slay them , and the prosperitie of fooles shall destroy them . Remember what I did to Sodome and Gomorrha , 4. Esd. 2.8 . So will I deale with them that have not harkened unto me . Psal. 95 : 7.8 . saith the mighty Lord . Let us then be better advised , harkening to the voice of God . Let us not harden our hearts : Let us listen to his counsell , and receive reproof to become wiser : and profiting by these admonitions , may not procrastinate nor delay any more from day to day by saying ( every one ) I have sinned , and we must repent . But even now instantly , without putting it off , let us no more prophane this so speciall a gift of God . This most precious gift I say , of repentance , ( which Esau beg'd yea even with teares , and it was not graunted him Heb. 12.17 . ) For feare least that befall us which was said to the five foolish Virgins , who because they wanted oyle , when they had leisure to have made their provision thereof , entred not in with the bridegroome , and let us stand on our gards , walking in newnesse of life , as having already left this world , not knowing the houre when we shall be called out of it : Witnessing that we are dead unto sin , and liuing unto God thorow Iesus Christ , Col. 3. in whom we are made new creatures , to serve unto righteousnesse : And doe shew that truly we have more care of the things above then of these which are upon the earth , by renouncing and utterly abandoning the covetous to his coveteousnes ; the ambitious worldling to his insolent and vaine ambition ; the voluptuous person to the lascivious affections of his flesh : for from thence is it , that spring and issue forth all impieties . Hence is the root and the spring , this is that which produceth them , and which foments them . What wil not the covetous man do to augment his heape of wealth ? The ambitious to enjoy his ambition ? The voluptuous to accomplish his desires ? Their hearts being in these things , as if in them consisted their soveraine happines .

Not here to descend to the particular enormitie of these vices ( wherof he that is fulliest fraught , maketh himself ordinarily believe , that he is altogether exempt from them , or els glorieth in them , as in most commendable parts ) nor particularly to lay open , how detestable they are . To wind up all in brief ; appeareth it not that they that take their pleasure in these things , spare not the very honour of God , which they annihilate and utterly abolish , as much as in them lyeth , to give place to their irregular and disordered affections ? For although they know , and are informed of his will , and how he ought to be obeyed and served ; they voluntarily seduce and mislead themselves out of the way of salvation , and hold ( though against their conscience ) the great and wide way of the world : the way of those , which in their hearts they reproove , and know they serve not the Lord as they should : And with them often serve the creature ( yea their owne work ) in stead of the Creator , call upon it ( or faine to call upon it ) committing Idolatrie with all superstition , ( at the least in hypocrisie ) & so harden the poore ignorant , and by that meanes , not onely impeach Gods glory , but even withall fight against it to the uttermost of their possibilitie . Why then , these vices , draw they not after and with them this full measure of all wickednes , for what is this but so to renounce God ? Yea often times to make warre against him ? Can man with all his perversitie conceive a thing more abhominable ? No , no ; it is not possible , this is extreame iniquitie .

But least it should fare with them , as with a pleader which should be condemned , unheard before he had put in his answer to his adversaries plea : let us heare what defence they make , who will excuse themselves in this case : God requireth ( say they ) rather the inward man then the outward ; the inside then the outside . Then if to remaine in good concord , and better fellowship they accommodate and comply in themselves ( in regard of outward appearance ) with those whom otherwise they should thwart and be crosse unto , it is but onely to maintaine peace and unity : and so to retaine the meanes to settle themselves , and to thrive and prosper ameng men , not ceasing neverthelesse to condemne the actions of those , unto whom seemingly they conforme themselves , and in their hearts hold themselves unto that , which GOD requireth of the faithfull .

A doome it is most certaine , and truly remarkable of all other : That the way of the foole is right in his owne eyes , Proverb . 12.15 , Silly sots , to think by your humane wisdome ( foolishnesse before the Lord ) to take Sanctuarie , and better to shelter your selves from the wrath of God , then those whom you condemn ? Heare what Saint Paul saith to you , Rom. 1.21.22 . Whilst you think your selves wise , you are become fooles . Because when ye knew God , yet you have not glorified him as God . Luk. 2.47 : We learne , that hee that knowes his Masters will , and doth it not , shal be more grievously beaten , then he who not knowing it , hath not done it . Why , is not your hypocrisie here most manifest ? Whilst you endeavour to make men believe another thing then that which you have inwardly in your heart : that detestable vice , which our Saviour Iesus Christ never speakes of without expression of his anger : the high way of Atheisme . For he which strives to counterfeit a Religion , which he condemneth in his heart , can never have any rest in his conscience , untill he give himselfe over to believe that all things are indifferent , nor hath he any other meanes to free himselfe from that dread and from those horrours , which the just judgment of God inflicts upon that miserable and wretched conscience of his , as to be perswaded that God will not look so narrowly to mens demeanours , and then is he truly a spirituall leper : For having lost the feeling and feare of Gods justice , it is a sure testimonie , that such an one knoweth not God ; because to denie God , and to denie his justice is all one . Indeed appeares it not that the most of them , who at the beginning but fainingly shall adhere to Idolaters , at length become wholly Idolaters , or fall into that blindnes , that there 's no longer any religion at all in them , having altogether forgotten God , and live as though there were no God , of whom many that would have men esteem better of them , do as the Cameleon , and according to the object they encounter , they resemble one while one thing , another while another : And unto such the Prophet Elias cryeth out , saying : How long will yee halt between two opinions on both sides ? If God be God , why do you not follow him ? If Baal , Baal ? But if they have yet any sparke of knowledge that there is a God , a God terrible , to be feared in his judgments given in his anger , shall they not be astonisht to heare the Lord say to them in his displeasure ? Apoc. 3.16 . That because they are neither hot nor cold , but luke-warme , that he will vomit them out of his mouth . And hearing , that by his Prophet Ieremie , Ieremie 48.20 . Hee curseth him that doth the work of the Lord negligently : for what is there more fearefull , saving the execution ?

O you the best of these , that say you consent not in mind to that you do ? Lamentably wise fooles , whose wisdome consists in folly , know you not that he who is the Creator of the soule , is also of the body ? Can we serve God with the one , and Mammon with the other ? Dan. ● . If you can carry your selves in that manner , why then did not Daniel to avoid casting into the Lions den , following the decree of King Darius dissemble and faine to obey that was enjoyn'd him ? Why did not Sidrach , Mi●a●● , and Abednego ( outwardly at least ) yee●d and submit to what Nebuch●dnezzar required of them , rather then to cause him to cast them into the fire ? Why have not so many Martyrs spoken your language , and made some faire shew to be delivered from that infinitenes of horrible torments , and even from death it self ? But who by reason of many , of whom sometimes there was no more required ; but a yea , or a nay , without any further profession of Religion ( sollicited by them that thought to doe them a friendly office for their escape ) chose rather death , and forsooke their life .

No , no , we must a● Saint Paul saith , not only believe with the heart , to justification , Rom. 10.10 . But also confesse with the mouth unto salvation , for God require to the inward par●s , with the outward , and will have our light so shine before men , that they seeing our good works , may therupon glorifie him . It is the instruction of our Saviour Iesus Christ . Cease then and leave off this evill custome , seeing God by his Holy Spirit saith yet , repent you , Math. 5.16 . Who addeth , for otherwise I wil come against you speedily , Apo. 1.16 . and will fight against you with the sword of my mouth . And let us say all henceforth with David , Psalm . 34. Henceforth shall our tongues sing aloud the righteousnesse of the Lord , and the lowly minded shall heare that we boast our selves of the Lord , and shall bee glad thereof . Even as Saint Paul exhorteth us , 1. Corinth. 6.20 . Let us glorifie God , not onely in our spirits , but also in our bodies which are Gods . And in emulation one of another , let us give testimonie to every one of the adoption which we have in Iesus Christ : that all may know and take notice , that thorow him we are heires of the kingdome of heaven : let us boast of this glory , a glory to be paralel'd by no other , being a speciall benefit which is unvaluable .

That our pietie may shine forth singularly to the instruction of our families . Let us not be so luke-warme in following of Christ . And let us not a little cherish the riches of his opprobries , as to take our chiefest care to make them capable of sharing in the vanities of the world : For if we have no other care of their salvation , we are the executioners of their soules ; worse then the bruit beasts , that are carefull for the good of their young : no lesse lewd then they that sacrificed their children to Baal ▪ yea , if ( say I ) we consent that they be brought up with the milk and poison of the spirituall strumpet , as much as in us lyeth , to make them one day partakers of all the curses of the Lord , as if we had vowed to be instruments to deliver them over our selves unto Satan . This we shall witnesse to be thus , if against our science and conscience we bring them not up in the wayes of the Lord . Let us then herein place all our studie , dealing in such sort , that they whom God shall have committed to our guidance , may be as it were trumpets by their good and holy conversation , to publish unto every one the truth of our profession , as the thing wherewith wee account our selves most honoured .

I pray you , where is he , who being descended of some illustrious and noble familie , is not jealous unto the end to be held and known by every one to be issued of that race ? What Lord of some goodly possession doth not divulge his titles , beareth not willingly his coats of Armes ? Yea , doth he not set them up in sight on the highest places to be so much the more conspicuous and better discerned ? A thing neverthelesse bu● of small continuance : and which in very deed , when all comes to all , is but meere vanity : and whereof there can no comparison be made to this so loftie a title , and so full of glory ; the highest pitch of all honour : this title , say I , of Child and Servant of God , Coheire with Christ . A quality , O the noblest , and most magnificent , ( which maketh happy Monarchs ) not for a season , but eternally in comparison of which , surely all other even the greatest and the most precious that are under the coap of heaven , and compasse of the earth , are lesse then nothing , yea most wretched , if these be not adjoyned unto them . And then if a Noble Person●ge so much affect his ancient scutchions of armes for so small fruit ; if he would not endure that ought should be detracted , or any thing added , lest his linage might either be questioned or unknowne ? How much more carefull ought we to be , to take good heed we do not any act , which may not suit with those that are truly the children and servants of God ? And in contempt of the world , to enforce our selves to walk in that integrity and uprightnesse , we ought to be by so much the more remarkably such ? Seeing otherwise especially , we exclude and shut out our selves from his grace ; Rom. 1.16 . Let us not then be ashamed of the truth of the Gospell of Christ , which is the power of God unto salvation unto all that believe . For alas , if it be so , that we are so brutish and beastly , that to possesse the world , to please it , or for feare of it we dissemble the knowledg we have of him , the Son of God himself tels us , That as we have denied him before men , hee will denie us also before his Father , and will bee ashamed of us , and that worthily . Luk. 9.26 . Let us hold ( then ) the confession of our hope , without varying for any thing whatsoever : According as Saint Paul teacheth us , Heb. 10. And with him we say , Neither that which is present , nor that which is to come , nor height , nor depth , poverty , nor nakednes , persecution , affliction , nor death , nor life , shall separate us from the love of Christ . Rom. 8.34 . Prepare alwaies in every place and before all men to give a reason and an account to every one of the hope that is in us , Peter 1.3 . Yea as true faithfull ones let us take especially our neighbours by the hands , saying to them , let us go up ; let us ascend up to the mountaine , unto the house of the God of Iacob ; and he will teach us his wayes , Esa. 4. And let us stir up one another unto charity , and to good works Mic. 2. Not forsaking the assembly of the faithfull : For ( as Saint Paul saith ) if we sin willingly after we have received the knowledge of the truth , Heb. 10. There remaines no sacrifice for that sin , but a fearfull expectation of judgment , and the vengeance of fire , which shall devoure the adversaries : Setting before us , that if any one had despised the Law of Moyses , he was put to death without any mercy : and thence concludes , how much more grievous torments shall he deserve that shall esteem the bloud of the Sonne of God as a thing of no holines , thorow the which he had been sanctified , and had done injury to the Spirit of Grace ?

Yea , but what say you to this , that by making open profession of this knowne truth , men shall deprive themselves of the favour and good will of the great ones : It is a course that will bring an untimely issue to our best designes , and we shall run a hazard to fall from our honours ; yea , we shall be in danger to be brought to the lowest ebb of the greatest misery ( the ordinary condition of those that will be followers of Iesus Christ ) and some will say more ; they who earne me the bread which my family eats , will not henceforth serve me : and what shall then my condition be ? how shall I live .

It is here high time to sound the alarum , the combat is at hand ; but before we give the on-set , let us take better notice of our enemies , to wit , the world , and the flesh . Shall we demaund of him that maketh warre upon us , the things that are fit to destroy him ? No , no : this were all one as if we should cast flax into fire to quench it .

To shelter our selves then from the first encounter of the assault , let us set our selves in battell-array with Daniel , Sidrach , and Abednego , let us march forward in their steps , and use the same weapons with the Martyrs , Ephes. 6.11 . Let us have our loynes girt about with truth , and have on the brest-plate of righteousnes , and let us have our feet shod with the preparation of the Gospell of Peace ; and above all let us take the shield of Faith , and the helmet of salvation , and the sword of the Spirit , which is the word of God . Let us deny our selves to follow Christ , as every true Christian ought : so shall we passe thorow the greatest conflict , which shall present it selfe , if he encounter himself , and we shall remaine conquerors as they have done , that have known , and withall have followed the will of the Lord , and not the sensualitie of the flesh , and the world . A gift of God , which he giveth to them that aske it in faith , without wavering . Iames 1.6 . They know that the Almighty curseth the man that maketh flesh his arme , and that trusts in man . Ieremy 7.2 . That surely men of high degree are vanitie , Psal. 62.9 . and a lye : and that he that shall put into the ballance the grandes of the earth against nothing , shall find them yet lighter then nothing . Wherfore they have not expected salvation from any other but from the highest , relying wholly and trusting in him only . And see we not also indeed , that there is no Monarch so great , but God when he pleaseth , out of hand brings him to nothing ? Want we proofs for the uncertainty of the performance of mans promises ? Now when it was in his owne power to perform ( which he never hath but as it is given him from above ) shall there be any found that saith he hath not found as much by exp●rience ? The thing is too too frequent . So also do we not see , that not only it is in vaine , but withall draweth down the wrath of God upon himself that depends on man , how great or mighty soever he be in appearance ? Let us then forgo for ever such a thing . Psalme 60.11 . Give us helpe from trouble , for vaine is the helpe of man . And following Davids counsell , let us ever put our trust in God alone , he is good and gracious to will what shall bee expedient for vs ; mightie in his power , true and immutable in his promises to accomplish them : And let every one of us say with him , Psal. 28.7 .

He is my shield and fortitude , my buckler in distresse : My hope , my help , my hearts reliefe , my song shall him confesse .

To dive yet deeper into this matter : Thou that fearest thine honours , and art afraid that thy earthly goods will leave thee , after the which thou so breathest and barkest , thou verifiest that which cannot but be most true : That it is impossible that a man should serve God and riches . Luke 16.14 . He which is truth it self spake it . But it shall not be amisse to set a glasse before thee , that thou maist see how thou art disfigured , and that thou mayst know thine own deformity , if thou hast sight enough to discern it . O foole , that seekest after , and prisest at so high a rate the glory and treasures of the earth , as if therin consisted thy happines . ( horrible Idolatrie ) If thy soule be required of thee this night , what shall become of the totall ? And put the case , thou livest the longest age of man , that length is but a moment : What profit have they gain'd by it , whom thou hast seen go before thee , who are now in the grave ? Psalme 90. thinkest thou they are much more happy therby ? Alas , the danger is great , 't is contrary . Luke 18.24 . For it is a very hard thing for the rich to enter into the Kingdome of heaven . What hope therof wilt thou draw from out of that which St. Iames saith . ch. 5.2 . Weepe you rich men , howle for your miseries which shall come upon you : your riches are corrupted , your garments moath-eaten : your gold and silver is cancred , and the rust of them shall be a witnesse against you , and shall eat your flesh as it were fire : Tim. 6 , 9 Then what shall make thee desire abundance ? For they that will be rich , fall into temptation , into the snares of the Devill , and into many foolish and hurtfull lusts . Wisdom . 5. Which plunge men into destruction and ruine . Which the Wiseman knowing , made his prayer unto God , not to give him riches , but only his daily bread .

And withall what are all other things , but most vaine vanity ? Which not so soon have taken their being , as they are glided away , and passed by , as if they had not beene at all . Nor is there any more appearance left of them , then of a bird that hath flowne thorow the ayre , whose track cannot be found : flying away from him , who so greedily and with all carefulnes had heaped them up together , or if not , he himselfe leaves them by death , and unto whom ? Surely he knowes not : as saith the Prophet , Psalme 39.6 . He heapeth up riches , and knoweth not who shall gather them .

But when this should obtaine some continuance , wouldst thou so abastardise and curtall thy felicity , as therin to limit thy soveraign good ? Tell me , how many yeares thou hast already passed , and what a portion of thy age is glided on , which is no more to be reckon'd on then when thou beginnest therin to take pleasure , and if it were not so , but rather that man might rejoyce in and enjoy his pleasure even from the day of his birth , wouldst thou then esteeme it a profit , that for to possesse even the whole world , he should lose his soule ? Hearken unto , and consult with Iesus Christ in this question . Matth. 16.26 . We shall know , that whosoever seeketh after and loves these things , cannot please God : For there is his heart , and not with the Lord , and therfore let us contemne them , Matth. 6.9 . And following the instruction of Iesus Christ , Let us lay up our treasures in heaven , where neither the rust , nor moath corrupt , and thinke on those things which are above , and not on these that are here below : for whosoever is not ready to forsake all he hath in the world , and which he possesseth on earth , ( as he himself saith ) he cannot bee one of his . Now if this be once found in us , surely then we will seek rather to glor●fie God , then to possesse the goods , which oftentimes the very wicked injoy : We will prefer the riches of the opprobries of Christ , Heb. 11. before the treasures of Egypt , after the example of Moyses , nor will we commit such an errour , as to deprive our selves of the hearing of Gods Word , and of the meanes to serve him according to his already known will , thereby the more commodiously to heap up wealth as we are wont to do : But we had rather as David , Psal. 48. dwell simple doore-keepers in the house of the Lord , then to enjoy the delights of the flesh : Yea by so much the more willingly , if as we hold them happy that dwell in the house of God , praise him without ceasing : And on the contrary for most miserable those that are estranged far from it . Amos 8.11 . There being no greater evill , then to have a famine of the Word of the Lord .

It remaines to satisfie more particularly him , who doth not already see himselfe closely pursued with misery , but hath his eye fixt on those by the meanes of whom he thinketh to live , that regardeth nothing more then to conforme himselfe to their humour , even to the turning of his back unto God , for-feare of disgrace , preferring this temporall life before eternall life : having more care of the body then of the soule , as one that makes more of his apparell then of himselfe : Yet such a one in truth is brought to some tryall , by reason of the defects which are in man thorow his infirmitie and basenes , when as he hath not yet tasted of the promises of God , but that he may commit a thing yet more horrible , nothing more detestable , and which may make more for his condemnation , no : And say we what we will to palliate such sinne , so it is , that to speak properly , we must know that we set man in Gods place : For wee make lying man true ; and God who is power it selfe , a lyer . Man that is meerely impotent we make powerfull , and God , who is power it selfe , impotent : in reposing our trust ordinarily ( as in this behalf ) upon man , and on his promises : And on the contrary , there is nothing but diffidence and distrustfulnesse in that which is promised us from God , do we relie more upon him in our need ? Is not this his voice ? Mat. 6.25 . Take no thought for your life , what you shall eate , or what you shall drinke , nor for your bodies , what you shall put on . If God ( saith Iesus Christ ) feed the birds of the ayre , and cloath the grasse of the field , will he not much more do it for you ? O you of little faith . Aske then ( saith he ) and seeke you first of all the kingdome of God , and the righteousnesse thereof , and all these shal be ministred unto you withall : and be not carefull for to morrow . This is the Word of God , these are his promises : and yet in stead of retiring our selves unto him , and towards him , who hath promised never to leave us , and never to forsake us , whence Saint Paul , Heb. 15. Drawes an argument to bid us to be content with things present , we turn our selves unto men , and hope from them , as from them , that which we want : if any man mighty in possession hath made us protestation of friendship , and hath promised us his purse shall be open to us in our need , forthwith we make an account of it as of a thing most certaine , and which cannot faile us , and we so cherish this in such sort , that we take good heed in no wise to displease such an one : Yea with the dispence even of Gods honour , as he whom we leave out , as he of whom we had not received ought , and from whom we could not hope for any benefit : and what is this ? but ( with marvelous and detestable ingratitude ) to accuse God of impotencie , or of want of will to make good that which he hath promised , and so to make him a lyar ? A thing infinitely ( as the offence is infinite ) horrible to think onely . And on the contrary , setting man in his place , by attributing unto him , what appertaineth unto God alone . Psal. 42 , 1.50.12 . Yea we so preferre ma● before God , him , whose all things are , that brings the wealthy to beggerie , and raiseth up the poore unt● glory , making him aboun● in wealth .

It seemeth , that he●● some may say we will cease then henceforth to take paines , and trample upon all care , trusting and reposing our selves wholly upon the promises of God : Now know we , that this would be truly to tempt him : which makes us not these promises to make us carelesse to employ our selves in that wherunto we are cal●ed by him , and which our calling requires , seeing he himselfe hath ordained ( for a badge and by reason of our sin ) that we shall eat our bread in the sweat of our browes . Gen. 3.19 . all the time of our life ; Which made Saint Paul say , that he that labours not ( if he be able to do it ) ought not to eat , 1 Thes. 3.10 . This is it also why the Psalmist considering we are necessitated unto action , saith ( speaking of him that feareth God , and walketh in his wayes ) Psa. 127.128.2 . Blessed art thou that fearest God , and walkest in his way : For of thy labor thou shalt eat happy art thou I say .

But the end of these promises is to the end wee should not be dismayd , when by the providence of God we shall be destitute of all possessions , and even deprived of drawing any fruit from the labour we can undergo ; labour truly vaine , unlesse he extend his blessing to the same , without which in vaine wake we late and rise up early , Psalm . 146. and that we might know , that from mans industrie his wealth proceeds not , but from God onely , who advanceth and casteth downe when he pleaseth . From him , I say , that knowes no want , to give provision whereof to live unto them that need . And that thus we might be led on forward to walk in his obedience and feare , as of him on whom we wholy depend , yea even the mightiest and highest that are among the creatures .

But let us returne , let us yet further discover our owne filthines , Luke 21.18 Appeares it not that albeit that God assures us , that no man shal be able so much as to pluck a hayre from our head without his will ( which is the same St. Paul sayes , Rom. 8.3 . If God be for us , who shall be against us ? ) and although he say he will keep his people as the apple of his eye , seeming to expresse himselfe after our imperfect manner , to make us the better to comprehend his love , yet for all this , how great are our diffidences and distrusts ? That if it happen , that we be threatned with banishment , or otherwise to make any attempt upon our persons by reason of the confession of the Name of God , and of his Truth , we be altogether appaled with feare and terrible apprehensions , even to the renouncing of him , and to be disposed to speake such language : And to be short , to do that which they would do , that in appearance shal have strength in their hands ? Yea the greater part of them which follow the great and broad way , Ma. 7.13 . of destruction , and who as they say , houle when others yell , wil follow the fashion , be it never so vile , do not they act it before they see it , out of a foresight of the feare they have thereof ? Howsoever for a matter of this nature , following our SAVIOVR CHRISTS teaching , we ought not to feare them that can kill the body , Mat. 10.28 . and are not able to touch the soule ; but rather and only to feare him , who is able to destroy the soule , and to send the body to hell , Matth. 10.19 . Having elswhere said unto us , that whosoever will save his life , shall lose it : But he that for Gods sake shall lose it , shall save it .

And what shall we say ? Is not this all one as if one should affirme the promises of God were every one vaine . Could we make lesse reckoning of them then of some poore begger destitute of all meanes , who had promised to lend us at our need a great sum of money ? even thus fares it with the confidence we repose in man , a thing execrable .

If we be not now sufficiently convinced to lead us to passe the sentence of condemnation upon our selves , let us put the case h●re some miserable fellow had offended one that was greater then himselfe , who had the will to be revenged on him ; if he that hath offended findeth grace and credit with the Prince , in common , both to him , and to the offended ; and that the Prince promise him with all true affection to stay his evill willer that he do him no hurt , declaring in processe of time unto all his subjects that he loves that person , will keep and cherish him as himselfe ; will we not then say , such an one is well assured of a good Protector ; shall we not think him exempt from all occasion of feare ? For shall we not acknowledg that Prince of power easily to protect him ? And that great God , who is the Prince of Princes , who hath power above all the powers ( much more soveraignly without all comparison , then hath the greatest Monarch of the earth , over the most forlorn and most desolate of all his Dominion , Rom. 13.1 . there being none of them in the world but by divine dispensation by Gods appointment ) unto whom nothing is impossible , true of his word , unchangeable , cannot he keep us ? What ? So great , and so many numberlesse benefits which we have received , and daily do receive from him , fulfilling his promises , should it not be sufficient to carry us to put our whole trust and confidence in him , and not to doubt in any wise of the certaine effect of his Word .

O perverse diffidence , and disobedience , more then ingratefull to have preferred the prop and protection of men before that of God , to have had more feare of their displeasure then of him , 2 Pet. 21. Yea so much as to have turned their backs unto him for their respect to follow Baal , as Balaam , who for the wages of unrighteousnesse turned from the right way .

Many will not confesse the debt ; but will say ( although their conscience speak to the contrary : without feare of the curse pronounced by the Lord , Esay 5.20 . against them that will make evill to be believed to be good , and good to be evill ) that they walk according to God , and in all integritie without dissimulation , who to palliate by so much the more their hypocrisie , will take heed to observe even unto the grossest superstitions , and notorious abhominable idolatries , they wil be very glad to make knowne unto every one , they omit nothing of what is required to be done , by him that is such , as they counterfeit themselves to be : namely , to the end men might not doubt of them , and to make them believe they have sincerity in their course ( they which have children , make them suck in this poison , and will nourish them , and bring them up with this venome , for which they shall answer one day before God ) they will freely and openly make warre against the truth . See how from these impieties and wickednesses they fall into other , which at last do plunge them into a reprobate sense , Wisdom . 11.15 . Man being punished by the same things where in he sinneth . Thus is it , as it happeneth and falleth out with them that think to mock God , 4. Esdr. 16. That knoweth the inventions of men , what they thinke in their hearts , when in sinning they would hide their sinnes . 2 Peter 21. O how farre better would be the condition of such people that they had never knowne the way of righteousnesse , and of the truth : seeing after they have so knowne the same , they turne backe from the holy commandement : Esay 1.14 . A sinfull people , loaden with iniquitie , malignant seed , corrupt children , thus to forsake the Lord , to provoke in that manner the Holy One of Israel . Alas : What wil be the retribution for such lewdnes ?

They that commit these impieties , may deceive men , but God they cannot , who is the sole searcher of the heart . Act. ● . 44 . And from whom nothing is hid : Hee will disclose them in due time , for there is nothing so secret , Matth. 10.26 . which ( when he please ) shall not come to light , and be published even upon the house tops , yea when there is the least appearance : And he will one day say unto them ( it may be much nearer then they think ) if they repent not speedily , no longer abusing his mercy , Matth. 25.41 . Goe ye cursed into eternall fire , which is prepared for the Devill and his angels : And in vaine then shall they cry , Lord , Lord , Esa: 2. For he will answer them : I never knew you , you workers of iniquitie , that have loved better the praise of men , then of God .

O how fearefull a thing is it to fall into the hands of the living God ; he , who not only sees our actions , but also is judge of our intentions : and in a word , he unto whose eyes all things are knowne and open : let us not defer then to repent , let us seek to do good , as having to walk before the Lord , Psal. 44. Who beholdeth all our actions , yea who searcheth our reines , and examins our thoughts , Proverb. 21. there being no wisedome , strength , prudence , hid , retired , nor shrouded from him , knowing that it shall not be any deale the better for us for having our iniquities concealed from men , which ordinarily seemeth to suffice us : and so we take no further care . And in all feare let us apply and imploy our our members unto righteousnesse , and according as Saint Paul exhorts us Rom. 12.1 . Let us offer up our bodies a living sacrifice , holy , and acceptable unto God , which is our reasonable serving of him . Let us not any longer remaine asleepe in our vaine conversation , from the which we were redeemed , neither with gold , nor with silver , but by the most precious bloud of the Son of God : And let us awake up , let us awake , I say , unto holines of life , lest it prove the sleep of eternal death : let not the world nor the things of the world any longer retaine our affections to enforce us any longer to continue in this horrible hypocrisie : being content with that condition whereunto it shall please the Lord to call us , seeing all things turne to the good of them that feare God . Rom. 5. And so then that poverty make us not afraid , when it shall find us , that persecution daunt us not , when as for the Name of the Lord it must be undergone : but let us suffer chearefully with Christ that we may raigne with him , Heb. 11. Wisd. 2. Let the dis-reputation and dishonour wee shall reape from worldlings ( grieved because we will not follow their traine ) be sleighted of us : To conclude , let nothing ( no not the losse even of life it self ) make us warpe or decline from the wayes of the Lord : For the sufferings of the time present are not to be paralel●d with the good things to come , which are laid up for us in Christ , Philip. 1.21 . Who i● gaine unto us , not only living , but even also in death : And in our necessitie let us have recourse no more unto unlawfull meanes to shelter our selves under , but unto God alone , who giveth both good and evill , to wit the evill of punishment , life , and death , poverty and riches , Eccles. 11.14 . Vnto him , I say , who having so much loved us as to give his onely begotten Sonne unto death for us , Rom. 8.31 . Will not let us want any thing , though never so small , as farre forth as shal be expedient for our good . Yea hee , Whose ever watchfull eyes , O're his , beyond all hope : Their needfull wants in time supplies . His feare , his glory , is their guide , their scope . He still their life exempts , From what even death it selfe attempts : And fils them with the things they want ; When times of famine brings them scant . And by his bounty still recals , The Lord his owne backe from their falls : To wait on him in their distresse , To him to make their firme adresse . Who ever is sure castle , prop , and stay , To those that wander not from out his way .

And let us remove farre away from us all vanitie , let us strip and quite disvest our selves of this foolish and cursed confidence and reliance which we ordinarily have in the arme of man , and in riches . And henceforth for the remainder of our course of this earthly pilgrimage , let us not seeke but to glorifie God to the edification of others , and in him let us place our who●e expectation , for as David saith , Psal. 40.

Thrice happy hee his trust doth place In God the giver of all grace : And him alone his refuge makes , And not vaine man for patron takes .

Renouncing our owne wisdome , Esa. 5.21 . which is but foolishnes . Besides , the Spirit of God pronounceth a curse upon those t at are wise in their owne eyes , and prudent in their owne conceits . And let us not any more imagin our happines to consist in affoording our selves the fruition of our carnall lusts , the totall of bruit beasts whose bodies and soules both die together : For there is a soveraigne eternall happines for him that walks in the feare of God : let us value it above a●l things , knowing that the world and the concupiscence thereof passeth away : And that all the glory of man is fallen , Psalm . 62. But that the Word of God abideth for ever . And therefore let us say with David , That our soule resteth onely in God for in him onely is our salvation : Remembring daily this prayer , Psal. 90.12 .

Instruct us Lord to know and trie , How long our dayes remaine : That thus we may our hearts apply , True wisdome to attaine . Then teach us so our dayes , Our wasting yeares to count : That wisedome true our thoughts toward thee , Our endlesse end may mount .

Attending and expecting to be fully endowed and possest of all the benefits which are purchased for us by the death and resurrection of Iesus Christ ; unto the participation of that eternall blessednesse , and of that union , which we have thorow him with God . To whom only wise , onely good , onely mighty , infinite , and true , our Creator , and gracious benefactor , be all glory and honour for evermore , thorow the same Iesus Christ his Sonne , our onely Saviour , who in the unity of the holy Ghost liveth and raigneth with him eternally . Amen .

A FAMILIAR INSTRVCTION to comfort the Sicke .

With many Prayers on the same subject .

Philip. 1.21 . For to me to live is Christ , and to die is gaine .

LONDON , Printed by G. MILLER , for GEORGE EDWARDS , dwelling in Greene-Arbour without New-Gate , at the signe of the Angell . 1630.

To the Reader .

COurteous Reader , impute not unto my rashnes either the Title or Subject of this Booke , as if I undertooke to give instruction to those , from whom I ought to receive the same : I had not writ it at first , but in the behalfe of my deare brethren , the Elders of the Church , unto the guiding of whom God hath called me : In regard the said Church being composed of many quarters , and it not being possible for me to be with them all , necessitie required , that they often supplie my absence in the visitation of the sicke , whereunto they required my assistance by this small President , my purpose was to cause some few copies to bee printed to put into their hands , and by that meanes to give them that assistance with more ease , and with more conveniencie . But when it was further alleaged unto me , it might serve also for the use of others , either in regard of their obligation therunto , by the same charge , or for that they were so mooved out of their Christian zeale , imployed themselves in that pious and charitable dutie of visiting and comforting the sicke . And that moreover and besides the reason hereof would not bee unprofitable to any of the faithfull in particular , who even in his best health should ever prepare himselfe for sicknesse and death : I yeelded to make it publique with this word of information , which I suppose will arme thy ingenuitie to acquit me of all blame . I doubt not but thou wilt excuse the plainenesse of the stile ; having respect both to the nature of the subject , & withal unto whom and for whom it was directed As for them that shall think good to make use of it , I intreat them to beare with the length of it : Which I could not well avoid , as I desired , in a subject so fertile , and so hard to be contracted . This remedie there is for it , that this writing being composed of many disjointed parcels , and accomodated to the sundry dispositions of the sicke , they may be contented to cull out of them sometimes one , sometimes another , as they shall be adjudged more for their purpose , according to the circumstances of the persons they visit .

A FAMILIAR Instruction to comfort the Sick .

When the sicknes shall not as yet have any probabilitie to be mortall , there may be said to the sicke for his comfort that which here followeth . SIR ,

You must first of all know , that this sickenesse came not to you casually , nor by chance , but rather by the wise government of the providence of God our Creatour , and Father , who so disposeth of prosperity and adversity , of health , and of sicknesse towards his children , that he never sendeth them , either the one or the other , but it is for his owne glory , and for their good and salvation . Which the Apostle Saint Paul setteth forth , Ro. 8.28 . That to them that love God , all things worke together for good . Now hee there speakes expresly of afflictions , in the ranke whereof are sicknesses . Now they love God , who first of all are beloved of him , and as the same Apostle saith , called according to his determinate purpose . That you are of this number , you have occasion to take your assurance thereof by the faith he hath given you , in making you to believe that he is your Father and Sauiour in his welbeloved Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord , and causing you to receive his spirit of adoption , which is he that giveth testimonie and beareth witnesse with our spirit , that we are the children of God , his heires and co-heires with CHRIST , Rom. 8.11.16.17 .

Hereof ought you to take yet further assurance from the sanctification of his Spirit , thorough the which you are led and guided in his obedience : For they that are led by the Spirit of God , are the children of God .

Now unto them that are such , the Apostle Saint Paul saith , that all things worke together for good , afflictions , sicknesses , death it self : All are turned unto them by the grace of God unto their great good and profit , to serve unto the furthering of their salvation .

There are three speciall fruits which God causeth us to reape from our sicknesses , and afflictions .

The first is , the amendment of our life , awakening us out of our sinnes . In health and in prosperity , it is a thing too ordinary with us to flatter and to lull our selves asleep in our sinnes , by reason of the great corruption of our nature , which maketh us inclinable unto all evill , and unprofitable unto all good . Very necessary then is it for us to be awakened and to be made sensible of our sinnes , to be displeased with them , and to recover our selves out of them . All which is wrought by the meanes of sicknesses , and other adversities of this life , which are the issues of sinne , and oftentimes are sent unto us from God to chasten and correct us for our sinnes . And therein our gracious heavenly Father sheweth how he loveth us , withholding us by this meanes that we perish not in our dissolutions , as a good Father , and one that loveth his children , he chastiseth them , and gives them the rod , when need requires it to stay them , they run not upon their owne destruction . This is it which Saint Paul saith , 1. Cor. 11.32 . That when we are afflicted wee are chastened of the Lord , that wee should not be condemned of the world . And elswhere he saith ( Hebr. 12. ver. 6.7 . & 11. ) That the Lord chasteneth him whom he loveth , and scourgeth every childe , he approoveth ; if you suffer chastisement ( saith the Apostle ) God presenteth himselfe unto you as unto his children : For what sonne is he whom the Father correcteth not ? And although all chastisement for the present time seemeth not to bee joyous , but grievous , neverthelesse afterward it yeeldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousnes unto them that are exercised thereby . Wee must then in the first place gather this excellent fruit of our sicknesses to have a sensible apprehension by them of our so many and so grievous delicts , and offences , whereof we stand guilty before God , to the end to crave pardon for them with repentance and humility , and to make unto him an holy protestation to m●ke better performance of our duties hereafter to walk in his obedienee and feare , thorough the assissance of his grace , and conduct of his Spirit : Which we must ask of him by our fervent prayers , with faith and assurance to be heard according to his promis●s . And so shall we be able to say to him with David , that excellent s●rvant of God , Psal. 119.67 . & 72.

Ere thou didst touch mee with thy rod , I er'd and went astray : But now I have thy holy Word , And make it all my stay .

And also , O happy time may I well say , When thou didst me correct : For as a guide to know thy Lawes , Thy Word did me direct .

And behold how the maladies of our bodies are unto us thorough Gods grace , good and wholesome medicines for our soules .

The second benefit sicknes brings us , is to unloose , and pluck up our hearts from the earth , to lift them up unto heaven .

Experience shewes us that our hearts remaine over much fastened and rooted here below , whilst we are here in health and at our ease , we could be content never to budge hence . Nay , we could be content our felicity were here assigned us , and our soveraign happines , so farre are wee blinded . But God who hath ordained us for a better life , makes us see and feele how vaine and deceiveable are the sweet allurements and imaginary prosperities of this mortall life , when it pleaseth him to crosse it thus with sicknes , and with so many miseries and discomodities , which accompanie us therein perpetually , from the cradle to the grave . This makes us know , yea maketh us cry out with Esay , ch. 47. v. 6. That all flesh is as grasse , and the glory thereof as the flower of the field . With David Psalm . 90.6 . That the flower of this short life is such that men are in perpetuall travell and martyrdome . And with Iob , chap. 14. That man that is borne of a woman is of short life , and fraught with sorrow . And this is it God putteth us in mind of chiefly , when we feele our selves sick , or otherwise afflicted , to make us contemne the earth , and to aspire up unto heaven , to cause us to distast this miserable life , & to make us earnestly and heartily to relish and meditate on the heavenly life , to the end , that there where our treasure is , there also might bee our heart : and that our faith and hope might be weaned from the world , and from the things of the world to be raised up thither where they have their true objects , unto God , and to everlasting life : For also faith is not of things visible , but of invisible : And hope is not of good things present , but of good to come ; that is to say , of good celestiall and eternall , obtained in Iesus Christ , good so transcendently great , and so incomprehensible , that as Saint Paul saith , 1. Corinth. 1.6 . Eye hath not seene , nor eare hath heard , nor hath entred into the heart of man , that which God hath prepared for those that love him .

There is yet a third excellent fruit , which God makes us reape from the sicknesses , he sendeth us : that is , that by this meanes he puts us to triall , and to the touch-stone , to purifie and to amend our faith , to make it eminently to appeare to his glory , and to the edification of our neighbour . For as by this meanes our faith is stirred up and elevated from the world unto God , from the earth unto heaven , from this life unto a life most happy and lasting for ever : as also is it by such tryalls exercised and examined , and as it were refined and made more pure after the manner of gold , which is tryed and purified by fire : Even as Saint Peter , 1 Pet. 1.7 . It is also by this meanes drawn forth into evidence , and set in the light , with patience , constancie , and other Christian vertues , which God hath infused into us , and which otherwise without this would not be knowne of any , and thereby would remaine without use , and without profit in regard of our neighbours . And indeed we could not know what was the faith , and the patience of Iob , of Abraham , of David , and of such a number of other excellent servants of God , if God had not made them passe thorough the fire of sundry temptations and tryals , and we should not have at this day the worthy examples which we have to lead us to conforme our selves unto their imitation . It fareth with the faith and patience of Christians , as with the courage and valour of the souldier , which is not well seene , but in the midst of the battell : As with the light of the Starres , which appeares not but in the night : As with the odour and sweet smell of frankincense , which is not smelt , but when it is cast into the fire . Even so doth God make knowne unto our brethren the courage which he hath given us , when he causeth us to come into the hands of some rough and violent sicknes ; he maketh to appeare unto them the brightnes of our faith , when he spreadeth over us some night of affliction , he maketh them smell the good perfume of our patience , when he casts us into some fire of adversitie ; and by this meanes our brethren not onely are instructed , edified , comforted by our good example , but withall led to praise and glorifie God , who it is that sustains and strengtheneth us amidst the infirmities of our flesh , sheweth forth and perfecteth his great strength in our great weaknes .

Lo then the principall and more remarkable spirituall fruits , which God of his goodnes propounds unto us to be reaped from our bodily sicknesses .

And for this cause then , Sir , now that God visits you with this sicknes , and layes you on this bed of infirmitie ; you must acknowledge , that it is his fatherly hand , that handles you on this fashion , as one of his children , and that hereby he calls you to the fruition of these excellent fruits and benefits , which have been declared unto you , for his glory , and for your good and salvation .

Acknowledge then that he would awaken you from out your faults and sinnes , that he would have you to have a feeling of them indeed , to breed in you a dislike of them , that ye might seek for the free pardon of them in his mercy , thorow Iesus Christ , that you may renounce them with your whole heart , to take a sound resolution to serve him from henceforth , and to walk in his feare with more zeale and affection then heretofore thorough his grace . Is not this that which you promise ?

Yes .

Acknowledge further , that it is his will to make you by this meanes to haue a feeling of the miseries of this life , to contemne , and trample under foot the world and the vanities thereof , to the end to aspire with your whole heart unto the heavenly and everlasting life , and thereby to answer unto the dignity of that condition , whereunto you are called , to be the child of God , and not the child of the world ; to have your conversation as a Citizen of heaven , and not of the earth , and thereby to have you to seeke as Saint Paul saith , Philip. 3.20 . The things that are aboue , and not those that are here below . And is not this also the thing which you protest you will do all the dayes of your life , Gods grace thereunto assisting you ?

Yes .

Acknowledge you lastly , that the good pleasure of God is to trie and examine you by this sicknes , to the end that your faith and patience might be made more perfect , and that they might be seen and known of your brethren and neighbours , that they might thereby be edified and comforted , and might thereby give glory to God , when they shall see that you shall beare patiently and constantly the sorrow , and the violence of this affliction , and that you shall dispose and apply your selfe to rest with a calme and peaceable mind , in all and whatsoever handling it shall please God to impose upon you with his fatherly hand . Is not this also moreover the resolution you take ?

Yes .

I beseech God , give you grace thorowly and happily to accomplish your holy promises , to his glory , and your owne salvation . It is your part also to pray unto him for the same , with your heart ; otherwise you can never be able to performe it of your selfe . But if you ask it fervently with a true and lively faith in the name of his welbeloved Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord , doubt not but that according to his promises he heares you , yea from this very time forward he is neare unto you , and fils your soule with holy consolations , strengthening you with patience , and even solacing you as much as he shall know it to bee necessary for you , and by that meanes by so much the more will he oblige you to rejoyce and solace your selfe in his goodnes , and to glorifie his holy Name by thanksgiving . And this is it which he saith himself unto you , and unto whomsoever is afflicted as you are , call upon me when thou shalt be oppressed , and then will I helpe thee , and thou shalt honour me for the same . Would you not then have us now addresse our prayers altogether joyntly with you , that it would please him to assist you with his grace ?

Yes .

A Prayer for the sicke , in whom there shal be no appearance or signe of death .

LORD our good God and mercifull Father , we prostrate our selves in all humilitie at the feet of thy Divine Majestie , to acknowledg that , which is but too true , that we are utterly unworthy of any grace or mercy from thee , and are worthy of the lower-most hell : if thou shouldst deale with us in the rigour of thy justice , by reason of the numberlesse number of our sinnes and offences , wherewith we feele and confesse our selves tainted and guilty before thee . But we beseech thee ( that having regard to thy great and infinite goodnes , thou wilt be mercifull unto us poore sinners , and be mercifull unto us for thy deare Sonne Christ Iesus sake our Lord , looking upon us not in our selves ; but rather in the person of that Sonne of thy love , as members of his body , reconciled unto thy Majestie thorow the benefit of his death . And as thou art the Father of Mercy , and God of all consolation , rich in compassion and free grace towards all them that call upon thee , and put their trust in thee . We beseech thee be graciously pleased to shew unto us thy plenteous mercy both towards us , and generally upon us all that now call upon thee for thy grace , and particularly towards the person of this thy child and servant , lying on this his bed of infirmity . Give him to acknowledge in the first place , that he is not strucke by any other hand , but by thine ; that he may learne to submit himselfe unto , and under the same in all humility and obedience . And to this end , let him remember that it is a fatherly and a sweet hand , which strikes not to destroy , but rather to save : and who after he hath wounded , healeth and quickeneth by the same wounds which he hath made . Make him to seele that he is a poore and miserable sinner , not onely to be issued forth of that masse of corruption out of which we are all sprung in Adam , but also and chiefly because that after it pleased thee to give him the grace to know thee the only true God , and him whom thou hast sent , Iesus Christ , in whom abideth eternall life , manifesting unto him by that meanes thy free adoption in thy welbeloved , reconciling him to thy self , and so having done him the honor to hold the rank and place to be one of the number of thy children and servants in the midst of thy Church , he hath not duly acknowledged these abundant riches of thy mercy , to love and serve thee with his whole heart , as he ought to have done , in renouncing the world , and in denying himself : even as our ingratitudes are infinite , by which we fight ordinarily against thy bountifulnes and grace . O God and Father , touch him then in his heart with a lively sense of all his infirmities and offences , that without any way flattering of himself , he may escape and be freed from condemnation before thy sacred Majestie , may acknowledge that unto thee belongeth justice , and to himselfe confusion of face : may be altogether displeased at , and wholly deny himselfe , and may confesse that justly and by good right thou dost lay upon him thy chastisements : and that if thou shouldst deale with him according to his deserts , thou shouldest utterly overwhelme him under the unsupportable waight of thy justice , and shouldst cast him into the bottomlesse depth of eternall death . But withall make , Lord , this acknowledgment to serve onely to humble him , and not to precipitate him into the gulfe of despaire , and that he being on the one side beaten downe , and dejected to the earth by thy mighty hand , not so much by the sense of this sicknes , as in the sense and feeling of his sins , he may on the other side by the same hand of thine be succoured , relieved , and raised up againe in firm hope , thorow the consideration of this thy incomprehensible mercy , out of which thou hast given us so precious ; so rich a pledge as thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord , whom thou hast not spared , but rather hast given him up unto death , yea unto the ignominious and accursed death of the crosse , to redeeme us from the ignominy and curse of sin . Graunt Lord , that this thy poore servant may have his whole refuge there , excite and strengthen his faith , by the which he may seek and find in that death and entire obedience of thy Sonne , the expiation of all his sinnes and disobediences , and may firmely imbrace and lay hold on his perfect righteousnes , with the which being prepared and cloathed , he may find peace with thee , and boast himselfe in and of the hope of thy glory , even in the very midst of his troubles : And that thus the sorrowes of the curse wherewith thou visitest him in his body may be sweetened thorow the rest and contentment of his soule , that if it be thy good pleasure to raise him up againe from this sicknes , and to prolong his dayes , as thou doest not thereof as yet bereave him of good hope , give him grace to use them aright , to thy glory , and that perpetually nourishing the memory of this gracious favour received from thee , it may serve to consecrate the remainder of his life to serve and honour thee with so much the greater affection and zeale . And to this end , give him to receive this sicknes as a fatherly chastisement comming from thy hand to awaken and to withdraw him from his sinnes , and to make him take up an holy resolution by thy grace , all the dayes of his life thorowly to make a deep impression in his memory , of his duty and of that obedience , whereunto hereby he stands obliged unto thee to walk in thy feare more purely , and more affectionately for the time to come then he hitherto hath done . Blesse unto him the remedies which thou permittest him to use , whereby to receive ease in his disease : moderate the sharpnes of his griefs , and shorten the course of them , if thou knowest it to be expedient for him , that thereby he may have a subject of glorifying thee , and of rendring thanks unto thee for the same . But if it be thy will yet to continue any longer , or even to augment unto him this sicknes , grant it may be alwayes for his good , and give increase of strength and of constancie to be able to beare these thy trials with a calme and meek mind , without any impatiencie or grudging : and that thus in these truly christian testimonies of his faith and Patience , thou maist be glorified , and his neighbours edified and comforted . And that even he also by this experience had of the miseries of the world , and of this life , may be taught to wean his heart and affections from them , to raise them up heartily unto the meditation and diligent search of that repose and incomprehensible happines which is set before us in heaven , and in everlasting life . Grant also Lord the like graces unto all others that are sick and afflicted : Comfort them , and strengthen them , as thou knowest shal be needfull for them : and above all , give them power evermore with a true and lively faith to embrace thy mercy in Iesus Christ , therein to find matter of consolation . Heare us Father of grace , for the same thy deare Son Iesus Christ our Lord his sake , as we humbly beseech thee in that forme of prayer , which he himselfe hath commanded us to offer up unto thee : Our Father which art in heaven , &c.

And because , Lord , that without faith we cannot please thee , we beseech thee so to increase the same in this thy servant , and in us , that he may be enabled even unto the last gasp of his life , and we with him , to persevere in the same , and to be evermore readily disposed thereof to render unto thee a pure confession both with heart & mouth , as we now do : I beleeve in God , &c.

Such is his faith Lord , and also ours : give us grace both to live and die in the same : thorow Iesus Christ thy Sonne our Lord , who in the unity of the Holy Ghost , liveth & raigneth with thee , GOD eternally .

When there is some likelihood , that the sickenesse will be mortall , there must be added other consolations ▪ such as these following .

SIR , You must ever be of good courage in the midst of this affliction , wherewith God continueth to visit you in your body ; then you must know , that he sends it you , and continues it unto you , but for your good , and for the salvation of your soule : To teach you by this meanes , to come to a true knowledge of your selfe , as being a poore sinner ; to detest more and more your sins , to despise the world , to lift up your selfe wholly unto God , and to call upon him so much the more fervently , with assurance to be heard , according to his holy promises , and to obtaine from him Christian constancie which is necessary for you in this triall .

The assurance of Gods mercy in Iesus Christ , the foundation of all comfort .

NOW that which ought most to comfort you , and to strengthen you with courage and patience , which is that assurance which you must evermore take , that God for his welbeloved Sonne , Iesus Christ our Lord his sake , embraceth you in his love and free gracious good will , hath pardoned your sins , hath adopted and received you into the number of his children , to make you an heire of the kingdome of heaven , by vertue of that purchase which Iesus Christ hath made for you by his death . Such an assurance will ever make you certaine , that nothing can befall you , be it in life , or be it in death , which shall not be unto you a favour and a blessing from your heavenly father , and which by consequence shall not be an helpe and a meanes ordained by his wise providence to advance and lead you unto a happy life .

This assurance comes from Faith .

TRue it is , that this assurance we cannot take of our selves , but it is this our good God , who gives it us , when by the power of his Holy Spirit , and by his Word , he creates in our hearts a true and a lively faith , with the which we receive and appropriate to our selves the promises of his grace , which he addresseth unto us in the preaching of his holy Gospell . These promises briefly import thus much . That God so loved the world , that hee hath given his onely Sonne , to the end that whosoever beleeveth in him , should not perish , but have everlasting life , Iohn 3.16 . If then God give you the grace to believe in his only Sonne , and to embrace and lay hold on him for your Redeemer and Saviour ( as we gather you do , by the profession you hitherunto have made thereof , and do still make the same in the midst of his Church ) you may and ought to take from thence an holy assurance , that God according to the infallible truth of his Word , hath received you into his love , that you shall not perish , but you shall have eternall life . Now this being so , what can you be afraid of ? Rom. 8.30 , 31. If God bee for us , who shal be against us ? He who hath not spared his onely Sonne , but hath given him for us , how shall he not also give us all other things with him ? He hath given us the greater , namely his owne Sonne : shall he denie you then the lesse , to wit , what ere may be necessary and expedient to keep you , and to uphold you against all manner of evills , both corporall and spirituall , as well in life , as in death .

Faith applieth unto every faithfull one the promises of the Gospell .

NOw this application , ( I spake of ) which you ought to make of the promises of the Gospell , to draw from them such an holy assurance , it is necessarily to be looked for in faith . For to believe in Iesus Christ , is not to believe onely in the grosse , that there is a Iesus Christ ; and that he that believeth in him hath eternall life : and it is not enough to believe that the promises of the Gospell are true in general , and out of us ; The Devill himselfe believeth indeed all this , and yet hath no true faith for all that . But to believe in Iesus Christ , it is when the faithfull believeth , that there is salvation in Iesus Christ for himself ; which the Devill cannot believe : And true justifying faith , and by which the just liveth , consists properly in this , that we apply unto our selves , and that every one of us appropriate in his owne particular to himself , the promises of salvation , to be able to say , every one in his owne behalfe , that which Saint Paul said in the person of every faithfull man and woman . Gal. 2.20 . I live in the faith of the Sonne of God , who hath loved me , and who gave himselfe for me . Also , Tim. 1.2 . I know in whom I have believed , and am perswaded , that he is able to keepe that which I have committed unto him , even unto that day . And againe , Rom. 8.37 , 38. I am assured that neither death , nor life , nor Angels , nor principalities , nor powers , nor things to come , neither height , nor depth , nor any other creature , shal be able to separate us from the love of God which he hath shewed us in Iesus Christ our Lord . This same faith bringeth us not a simple opinion , or conjecture of our salvation , but even an assured knowledge of it , according to that which Saint Iohn saith chap. 5. ver. 14. We know that we are translated from death to life . Also 1. Iohn 10. Wee know that wee are borne of God . And , I have ( saith he Ioh. 5.13 . ) written these things unto you , that believe on the name of the Son of God , that you might know that you have eternall life . This faith gives us to go to the throne of the grace of our God . Heb. 4.10 . With assurance , so saith the Apostle , Heb. 10.22 . Yea with a true heart , and in full certainty of faith . As also S. Paul , Ephes. 2.12 . saith that by Iesus Christ wee have boldnesse and accesse in confidence thorough faith which we haue in him . This faith is called Heb. 11.1 . an hypostasie or substance of things that are hoped for : That is to say , which maketh to subsist , and to have a being in our minds of the things believed and hoped for , nor more , nor lesse , then as if already we were in the actuall possession and fruition of them . This faith makes us find peace and rest in our soules and consciences , and drives forth of them the feares and terrours which the sense of sin brings into them , and the apprehension of the judgment of God ▪ according to that which Saint Paul saith , Rom. 5.1 . That being justified by faith we have peace with God thorough our Lord Iesus Christ by whom also we have beene led thorow faith unto this grace , in whom we hold our selves firme , and boast our selves of the hope we have of the glory of God .

The gift of Perseverance assured to the faithfull .

MOreover these passages propound and set forth unto us this holy assurance of faith , not onely for the present , but also for the time to come ; and containe a promise , that God will give us to persevere in this faith even unto the end . Otherwise , where should this assurance be whereof the holy Apostle speaketh , not to be able to be separated from the love of God in Iesus Christ ? Where should be this subsistence and being of things hoped for ? How should we have in our soules a solid peace with God ? How should we hold our selves firm in this grace ? How should we be able to boast and glory in the hope of the glory of God ? Such then is the incomprehensible bounty & goodnesse of this Heavenly Father , that he begins not in us the work of our salvation to leave it imperfect , according to that which Saint Paul saith to the Philippians , and in their presence unto all true faithfull ones , Philip. 1.6 . I am assured that he that hath begun this good worke in you , will perfect it even unto the day of Iesus Christ . As besides he saith elswhere , Rom. 11.26 . That the gifts of God are without repentance , that is to say , that he never unsayes them , nor ever retracts them .

Against the objection , that this assurance of faith is a presumption .

NOr is there cause why finally this certainty of faith should be censured in us for rashnes and presumption : For on the contrary ; it were extreame rashnes & presumption in us , if we vouchsafed not to give credit unto so excellent promises of our God : and it is humility and obedience both to receive , and to rest in them with reverence . It is likewise said , That he that hath recei●●d the witnesse of God , hath 〈◊〉 to his seale that God is true , Iohn 3.33 . That is to say , he hath ( as it were ) subscribed and given approbation unto the truth of God , which he sheweth in the accomplishment of his promises : And on the contrary , it is said , 1. Iohn 5.10.11 That he that believeth not God , hath made him a lyer : because he hath not beleeved the record which God hath given of his Sonne : And this is the record that God hath given to us eternall life , and this life is in his Sonne .

Two things might make us rash and overweening in this assurance which we take of our salvation . The one if we found it upon the worthines and merit of our works ; Rom. 3.20 . For no flesh shal be justified before God by the works of the Law , and all they that seeke to bee justified by them , are under the curse . This saith Saint Paul , Galat. 3.10.2 . But it is not upon our own righteousnes , which is none at all , that we found any such assurance , but even upon the righteousnesse of him , whom God hath made to be sinne for us , 2 Cor. 5.21 . that is to say , a sacrifice for sinne : to the end that wee might bee the righteousnesse of God in him : and by whose obedience we are made righteous , in stead as by the disobedience of Adam wee were sinners , Rom. 5.19 . The other point which might make us overweening in this behalfe , might be this . If we presumed to acquire and get any such knowledg of our salvation by the subtilty and acutenes of our owne spirits or wits : it being so , that the naturall man perceiveth not the things which are of God , thus saith Saint Paul , 1 Corinth. 2.14 . But surely we make account to have received , as the same Apostle speaketh , 1 Corinth. 2.12 . Not the spirit of the world , but the spirit which is of God , that wee might know the things that are freely given unto us of God . He saith yet further in the same place , 1 Cor. 2.9.10 . That the things which in regard of us are altogether incomprehensible , God hath revealed unto us by his spirit . He addeth finally ( 1. Corinth. 2.16 . ) That by this meanes we apprehend the will of Christ . Now by this spirit of God are led all they that are the children of God . And this more yet , saith the same Apostle ; Rom. 8.14 . And it is called the spirit of adoption , and thereby wee crye Abba Father . ( Gal. 6.4 . ) to wit , we invoke and instantly call upon God , as our Father . As also it is the same Spirit , ( saith Saint Paul , Rom. 8.11.16 . ) which witnesseth to our Spirits that wee are the children of God . The same Apostle yet further saith , Ephes. 1.13 , 14. That when we believe the Gospell , wee are sealed with the holy Spirit of promise , which is the earnest of our inheritance , untill the redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of his glory : teaching us hereby that the record of the Holy Ghost received in our hearts with faith , is unto us as a seale which the Holy Ghost imprinteth in our hearts , to make us awfull of the promise of God , and to assure us that we are his children , and that as in contracts which are made betweene men , they give somtimes earnest , that is to say , a part of the price agreed upon , as well to begin the payment as to make the match or bargaine irrevocable . And to give assurance , it shal be firmly and constantly kept : Even so the Holy Ghost which by faith begetteth peace and joy in our hearts , is given us for earnest of our celestiall inheritance , ( Rom. 14.17 . ) to assure us by this beginning , of the spirituall goods , which God hath promised to his children , that he holdeth us for his purchased possession , unto the praise of his glory , and without ever revoking his promises , he will gather us finally into the full fruition of this heavenly inheritance .

There must ( if it be possible ) bee drawne from the mouth of the sicke a confession of his sinnes , of his repentance , and of his faith . And if happily he have not the use of speech , but yet of understanding , he must be exhorted to answer by some signe .

NOw then M. it is now your part to be of good courage , and to apply unto your selfe soundly and heartily this holy doctrine , for the comfort of your soule . This doctrine hath been addressed and declared unto you by the preaching of the Gospell in the bosome of the Church of God , whereof you have the honour to be in the number : it hath been also confirmed unto you by the use of the Sacraments , in which you have communicated . Have you not received them with faith ?

Yes .

Do you not believe according to the same , that God is not only your Creator , but that sinne having made you a cast-away , he is your Saviour in Iesus Christ ?

Yes .

Acknowledge you not that you are a poore and miserable sinner , and confesse you not , that should he enter into a reckoning with you , to impute your sinnes unto you , you should of necessitie and unavoidably perish in death and eternall damnation .

Yes .

Do you not protest you are exceeding sorrie and much grieved for having so offended him , and that you do repent the same with all your heart ?

I do .

Do you not utterly renounce all conceit and confidence in your owne righteousnes , to settle entirely and wholy your hope in the sole mercy of God , by the which he justifieth and saveth us in his beloved Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord ?

Yes .

Believe you not that he hath received you in this his mercy , that he is appeased and at peace with you , and hath reconciled you into his favour and grace with him , in regard of , and thorow the obedience and merit of the same Iesus Christ his Sonne , whom you firmly believe died for your sins , and rose againe for your justification ?

Yes , I do .

Now I beseech God to be pleased to establish you , and to increase in you more and more this faith , according to the which you must take a full assurance of being justified and saved , seeing God hath given you this grace to believe with the heart unto righteousnesse , and with your mouth to make this confession unto salvation , Rom. 10.10 .

To induce the sicke person to set up his rest , and to resolve , bee it for life ▪ or be it for death , according to the will of God .

BEing thus supported and sustained by the firme foundation of faith , you must take up an holy resolution , and expect constantly without all feare , such issue whatsoever it shall please God to send unto your sicknes , with a setled perswasion , that it cannot chuse but be profitable and wholsome for you , be it that it please him to cause you to injoy yet longer life here below , or be it , it shal be his pleasure to withdraw you hence , to make you more happy . If it shal be his pleasure to returne and restore you to health , as he is almighty , to fetch even the dead out of the grave , and to make them to live againe : This shal be ( if he please ) to give give you to serve yet further to his glory , yea more affectionately then ever hitherto , for which you have to pray unto him for the grace . But if his will be to lead you by this sicknes unto the end of your course , it shal be to receive you into the fruition of that perfect happinesse which the Sonne of God hath so dearly purchased for you by the price of his bloud . And therefore go you unto him with an holy cheerfulnes , in the assurance of his grace and favours , cheere up your self , and rejoice in the happy exchang which you shall make of the earth with heaven , of this miserable and short life , for one that 's most happy and permanent for evermore ; from these wretched and perishing goods , unto goods celestiall and eternall , which eye hath not seene , nor eare heard , and which farre surmount the thought of man , which God hath prepared for them that love him .

Are you not then well resolv'd to conforme in all this your will unto the will of your Father in heauen ? To the end , that be it whether you live , you live to the Lord , or be it that you dye , you dye to the Lord , Rom. 14.8 . Being well assured that Christ shal be unto you alwayes gaine , both in life and in death ?

Yes .

God graunt you that grace .

To comfort and assure the sicke in the weaknesse of his faith .

IN the meane time , I am not ignorant , that your faith , how great and strong soever it may be , may yet for all that be small and weake in you : For during the infirmities of this life , the Holy Ghost is but given you in a certaine measure , according to the which we know but in part , and our spirituall renovation is but yet here begun . Certaine it is , we cannot attaine here below unto the perfection of faith . And therefore I doubt not but your faith yet is infirme and weake , and cannot chuse but be tossed with sundry temptations , and skirmished with divers assaults of doubts and distrusts . But you must not therefore shrinke or bee crest-fallen in courage : For this combat you feele in yourselfe , it is the fight , which as Saint Paul saith Galat. 5. ver. 17. is in the soule of every faithfull one , between the flesh and the spirit , and therefore it is unto you an assured testimonie that you have faith . For as the flesh fighteth in you by distrust , the spirit also fighteth in you by faith ; and this faith will never yeeld it selfe , being backt and sustained by the spirit of God , which will make it victorious . And how imperfect soever it be , God will make it sufficient unto you unto salvation : For it is not said , he that shall believe perfectly , shall be saved , but rather simply , he that shall believe . Besides as you feele in your self your faith weak and imperfect , so I doubt not , but you therewith feele an holy desire , that it might be strengthened and increased , and that your heart prayeth and maketh request unto God for the same . Is it not true ?

Yes , it is .

Now sith it is so , this faith , this desire that it might be increased , and this prayer you make for it unto God , are not these fruits of the spirit , and not of the flesh ? And seeing they are the fruits of Gods Spirit produced in you ; is not this a sure testimonie that you are led by the same , and by consequence the child of God ? For all they that are led by the Spirit of God , are the children of God , as Saint Paul saith , Rom. 8.14 .

Courage then , Sir ; say boldly with that holy Apostle in the midst of your combats : I am assured that nothing shal be able to separate me from the love of God which he hath shewed me in Iesus Christ our Lord

To assure the sicke against the temptations and terrors of conscience .

FOure things there are indeed , which in this spirituall combat may give you terror , stagger your faith , and trouble the peace of your conscience : Namely , the sense of your sinnes , the apprehension of death , the feare of the Devill , and the horrour of the judgement of God , before whom we are to appeare at our going forth of this life . But against the feare of al these things , the goodnesse of God in the benefits of Christ , and in the testimonies he gives us in his Word , furnisheth you with good and sufficient remedies , thorowly to assure and establish you in invincible constancie .

Against the terrors proceeding from the sense of his sinnes .

FIrst for the regard of your sinnes , it is indeed very necessarie to have a thorow sensible apprehension and lively feeling of them , to humble you before God : But in as much as you protest you have a true and serious repentance of them , and do seek and lay hold of by faith the satisfaction and expiation of them in the bloud of Iesus Christ , assure your self they can in no sort hinder the effect of your salvation . If you be a sinner , why , Iesus Christ also came into the world to save sinners : 1. Tim. 1.15 . He is that Lamb of God that takes away the sinnes of the world : Iohn 1.29 . It is his bloud which cleanseth us from all iniquitie . 1 Ioh. 1.7.9 . And whosoever shall believe in him , shall receive remission of his sins thorow his name : Act. 10 43. For this cause is it that there should be preached in his name repentance and remission of sinnes : Luke 24 47. Yea he himselfe invites us to himselfe to endow us with the fruition of such a good , come unto mee all yee that labour and are heavie laden , and I will give you rest , Matth. 11.28 . Go you then unto him , if you feele your selfe overwhelmed with the burthen of your sinnes in assurance to find remedie and rest to your soule . And for this selfe same cause performes he yet still dayly the office of an Advocat with the Father for us , If we have sinned ( saith Saint Iohn , ch. 2. ver. 1 , 2. ) We have an Advocat with the Father , to wit , Iesus Christ the righteous , who is the propitiation for our sinnes .

Against the feare of death .

NOW as touching death , why should you feare it , seeing your sinnes are not imputed unto you ? For by sin it is that death entred into the world , ( thus saith Saint Paul , Rom. 5.12 . ) and by consequent , where there is no sinne , there can be no death . And indeed , as for eternall death , which the Scriptures call the second death , you have from it a full and a perfect release by the meanes of this faith , which God hath given you . Verily ( saith the Son of God , Iohn 5.24 . ) I say unto you , that hee that heareth my Word , and believeth in him that sent me , he hath eternall life , and shall not come into condemnation , but is passed from death vnto life .

And as for the death of the body , whereunto we remaine still subject , it is not unto the faithfull a testimonie of Gods anger upon them , as it is ever such unto the reprobate , but rather a great and singular favour of his bounty , and which bringeth them an infinitenes of excellent commodities . First of all it delivereth and setteth us free from all manner of evils , and dangers , putting an end unto such a number of miseries , vexations and griefs , which exercise and disquiet us uncessantly both in our bodies and in our mindes , during the course of this miserable life , or rather of this continuall death , wherein we languish here below : and by drawing us out of this corrupt world , imbrued in malignitie ; with the corruption wherof we cannot chuse but be infected , as with a contagious ayre , to see our selves brought to this unhappy necessity of offending daily the goodnesse of our heavenly Father , so many wayes as we do .

Secondly , corporall death is an entrance to us into a true life , by the benefit of Iesus Christ , who hath himselfe passed thorow this death , to make the passage happy and dangerlesse unto us : it is a safe bridge unto us , to passe us and convay us out of the world unto God , from earth to heaven , and out of the calamities of this transitorie life unto the incomprehensible blessednesse of life eternall : unto that fulnesse of joyes , which is ( as David saith , Psal. 16.11 . ) in beholding the face of the Lord . This is the happinesse which your soule shall injoy even from your very instant departure out of this body . And as for your body , which shal be put into the earth , this shall not be for it , there to perish for ever , but rather there to rest only for a time in expectation of a blessed resurrection : For this cause is it , that the death of the faithfull is called a sleepe in the Scriptures , and they are called , they that are asleepe , in regard of their bodies , which at the last day shal be awakened , and raised up out of the dust , to possesse together with their soules glorious immortality , being made conformable unto the glorious body of our Lord Iesus Christ , Philip. 3.21 . He is the head , and they are the members : And therefore it must needs be that the members be made like and conformable to their head .

What do you then find now in death , which should astonish or affright you , seeing it will deliver and set you free from all evill , and will mount you up to the highest pitch of all happinesse ? But rather you shall find in it nothing , which makes not f●● your comfort , and to settle and warrant you , and which for that cause ought not to make you wait for it with resolution and repose of spirit , yea to breath and long after it with all your heart , when the houre therof shall come . And to say with Saint Paul , My desire tendeth and endeavoureth to go hence , & to be with Christ

Against the feare of the Devill .

AS for the feare you may have of the Devill , you see now how you have no great subject to fear●●im , seeing that death cannot hurt you , but by that death whereof he hath the empire and power thereof . Now the Apostle witnesseth that Iesus Christ hath not onely by death destroyed death , but also him that had the power of death , to wit , the Devill , Heb. 2.14 .

Our Lord saith himself , that the Prince of this world hath nothing in him : Nor then hath he ought in those that ●ire his members , of the number of whom ( by the grace of God ) you are one . Besides for us , and for our profit it was , that the Son of God fought with , and hath vanquished and overcome him upon the Crosse , upon the which he hath ( as Saint Paul speaketh , Col. 2.15 . ) dispoiled the principalities and powers of hell , which hee openly led in show , triumphing over them in the same .

I doubt not but this enemie of our salvation will performe his utmost against you to astonish and trouble our faith . For as S. Peter saith , 1. Pet. 5.8 , 9. Our adversarie the Devill goeth about like a roaring Lion , seeking whom he may devoure . But Saint Peter addeth : That we must resist him , being strong in faith . Resist you the Devill ( the same saith S. Iames , ch. 4.7 . ) and hee will flye from you . Now to resist and overcome him , you must be furnished with the armour of God , whereof S. Paul speaketh to the Ephesians , chap. 6. ver. 16. Taking above all ( as he saith ) the shield of faith , by the which you may quench all the fierie darts of the Devill .

Against the apprehension of the judgement of God .

THere remaineth the feare you may happily take of the judgement of God , before whom you must appeare . But wheron now shall this apprehension be founded ? Seeing your sinnes shall not be imputed unto you , seeing you shall not be condemned thereby unto death , seeing it shall be to no purpose for Satan there to accuse you , you being there absolv'd and justified by the grace of God . This is the doctrine which S. Paul affords us , Rom. 8.32.33 . Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect , it is God that justifieth ? Who is he that condemneth ? it is Christ that died , yea rather that is risen againe , who is even at the right hand of God , who also maketh intercession for us .

Thus then you must indeed appeare before God , but not as before a severe and rigorous judge , but rather as before a mercifull and an appeased Father towards us in Iesus Christ , By Iesus Christ , I say , whom you have himselfe for an Advocat and Intercessor with the Father : Now he shall not be denied by the Father in his request for you , by Iesus Christ , whose member you are . Now there is no condemnation to them that are in Iesus Christ , saith Saint Paul , Rom. 8.1 . By Iesus Christ in the end , in whom you believe . Now he that believeth in me ( saith he ) hath eternall life , and he shall not come into condemnation , but rather is passed from death unto life .

Is not this then , Sir , your faith , and firm beliefe , that by the benefit of our Lord Iesus Christ you have the remission of your sins , Iohn 5.24 . That you are saved from eternall death , and set free from the rigor of the judgment of God , and that by consequent Satan cannot prejudice or bring you any hurt by his accusations and temptations , and that your bodily death cannot but he happy and profitable to you every way .

One must also draw from the sicke a protestation of his charity towards his neighbour .

FInally , Sir , it being so that faith worketh by charity , and necessarily produceth it , seeing it hath pleased God , that you are at peace with him by faith , you must also be at one and in peace with all your brethren and neighbours thorow true Christian charity . And therefore tell us if you renounce from your heart all hatred , rancour , and enmity against all men , without any exception , and do desire the welfare and salvation of all in generall , and of every one in particular , as your very owne ?

Yes , I do .

Do you not forgive honestly and with a good heart all them who have any way whatsoever it be offended you , as also reciprocally you do ask forgivenes of all them whom you have any way offended ?

Yes .

Now Sir , must we herewithall addresse our prayer unto God , to the end it would please him to strengthen you in the faith , which he hath given you , and to make more and more to abound in you all graces , it is your part to humble your selfe with us before him , and to lift up unto him your heart to implore his mercy from the depth of your soule .

A Prayer for the sicke , in whom there shal be likelihood of death .

O Lord our good God , and mercifull Father , we are indeed every way unworthy to lift up our eyes towards thee , for the multitude and grievousnesse of our sinnes and transgressions , wherewith we are tainted and blemished before thy face . But it is not in the confidence of our owne worthinesse that we dare presume to present our selves at the feet of thy sacred Majestie , but rather in the assurance of thy great compassions , and the perfect obedience which thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord hath performed unto thee in our name , with whose righteousnesse we beseech thee to cover and adorne us with thy grace , that thorow him , and in thy favour we may be reconciled and acceptable . But now we beseech thee , O good God , be pleased particularly to impart this great mercy unto this thy poore child and servant , cast downe under thy mighty hand , a poore sinner indeed , and such a sinner as should for ever remaine overwhelmed under the heavy waight and rigour of thy soveraigne justice , if thou affoordest not him thy infinite mercy .

Graunt him grace more and more to enter into a serious examination and acknowledgment of his sinnes , that thereby he may conceive a true detestation of them , which may beget in him true repentance , and may further him and put him on forward unto an entire and absolute deniall of himselfe , to have his whole refuge unto thee , and to thy mercy , in the meane time receive him graciously , Lord , shew unto him a fatherly countenance , establish him , and comfort him , say unto his soule , I am he that is able to ensafe thee , dispose his heart to receive patiently and with thankfulnesse this fatherly correction which thou sendest him , and to resigne up wholly himselfe into thy hands , to range himselfe peaceably unto whatsoe're it shall please thee out of thy sacred wisdome to ordaine for him . Lord , thou knowest better then he himself , or we , either whether is more expedient for him , that he should live , or die . If thy good pleasure be he shall live , let it be that he may live wholly unto thee : So as that having well profited by these thy chastisements ; he may learn to love thee , to honour , and serve thee all the dayes of his life in the midst of thy Church , by studying perpetually therein to bring forth the fruits of pietie and holines worthy of thy Gospell , and beseeming the child of such a Father , and the service of such a Master : And so thou mayest be glorified in him , and his neighbours edified . But if otherwise it be thy will to take him out of this miserable world , give him assurance that it shal be to put him in possession of thy heavenly kingdome ; which thou hast prepared for him before the foundation of the world , and which thy Son hath purchased for him by the merit of his death . To this end , O Father of light , from whom descendeth every good and perfect gift , be pleased to give unto him a true and a lively faith , wherewith he may seeke , find , and lay hold on thy mercy for his sins , and true righteousnes in the obedience of the same thy deare Son Iesus Christ our Lord , who was delivered up unto death for our sinnes , and rose againe for our justification : Yea ascended into heaven to take possession thereof in our name , and by that meanes give us accesse and entrance thither , whence sinne had banished us . Imprint in his heart by the Power of thy holy Spirit a full certainty of all these thy graces , that thereby he may be enabled to repose himself peaceably in thy mercy , and to overcome happily all temptations and crosses , which Satan and his owne flesh would lay before him , to trouble the serenitie and cleerenesse of his faith , and the tranquillitie of his conscience . Let not his sinnes then plunge him into despaire , seeing they have been so fully payed and satisfied unto thy justice , not by gold or silver , but by the precious bloud of thy Christ , as by that Lamb without spot and blemish . Let not death affright him , seeing that sinne being destroyed and abolisht in him , which is the sting of death ▪ it may remaine unto him disarmed , and without power to hurt him . Yea that his soule being separated from his body by corporall death , it shal be to go unto thee victorious , and freed from the captivity of sin , therby to tast thorow the fruition of it that blessed life which he hath not tasted of in this world but by hope : leaving indeed his body in the earth , but not for ever , but rather to be refined , transformed ; and made ( in due time ) conformable to the glorious body of his head by the benefit of his resurrection . Let not Satan daunt him any more , seeing he cannot hurt him , but by sinne and death , the dominion whereof he hath lost in his behalfe : Assure him in the end , that in vain that accuser shall lay ought to his charge at the throne of thy justice , seeing that he being already absolved and justified by thy grace , there is no Iudge that can condemn him . Let it be thy good pleasure , also O good God , to shew thy fatherly mercy unto all other sicke persons , comfort and strengthen them according as thou knowest they have need thereof : And above all graunt them the grace to embrace evermore with a true and a lively faith thy mercie in Iesus Christ , that therein they may find all matter of comfort . Graunt also unto us all that grace , Lord , that by this example we may profit , and learne to renounce the world , and our selves , to imploy those few dayes we have here below to live , to meditate on thy wisdome , to walk carefully in thy feare , to weane our hearts from the vanities of this life , to raise them up to the meditation and expectation of the celestiall life ; And to this end to be alwayes prepared and in a readinesse to appeare before thee , in assurance to be entertained and received in thy great mercie , even for thy deare Son Iesus Christ our Lord his sake : In whose Name we beseech thee , O Father of mercie , to heare us , and in all other , which thou knowest better then we our selves to be necessarie for us , and this for thy poore servant , as we pray unto thee in that forme of prayer , which he himselfe hath commanded us to offer up unto thee .

Our Father which art in heaven , &c.

Lord increase that faith which thou hast planted in the heart of this thy servant and child : defend him with it as with a strong shield , wherewith he may be inabled to quench all the fierie darts of the evill one : And graunt that persevering constantly in the same unto the last gaspe of his life , he may evermore ( at the least in heart ) make thereof unto thee a pure and Christian confession , as we will presently do both with heart and mouth : I believe in God the Father Almighty , &c.

Such is his Faith , Lord , as also ours : give the grace to live and die in the same , thorough Iesus Christ thy Sonne our Lord , who in the unitie of the Holy Ghost , liveth and raigneth with thee , God eternally . Amen .

If the sicke person continue long time , and yet alwayes with appearance of danger of death , it shal be good to repeate unto the sicke now and then some of the aforesaid consolations , but especially those which serve to assure him , and to strengthen him against the temptations and combats of conscience .

And if happily the sicke person bee troubled with raving and fond imaginations , or otherwise be not of perfect memorie and good understanding , to heare any long discourse in a continued speech ; there shal not be used unto him other then short sentences , such short questions as these here following , also such as these , or others the like : And but talking to him by respits , and some pauses interposed .

SIr , you must take a good heart .

It is the fatherly hand of God which visits you for your good and welfare . For unto them that love God , all things do work together for their good .

Lift up your heart unto God to confesse unto him your sinnes and offences , and to imbrace by faith his mercy in Iesus Christ , which he hath promised unto all those that repent and believe in him .

Have you not alwayes a good assurance in the mercie of God , and a stedfast faith in Iesus Christ your Saviour ?

Yes .

Do you not believe that Iesus Christ died for your sinnes , and rose againe for your justification ? ( Rom. 4.25 . )

Yes .

Believe you not that he hath been made unto you by the Father , wisdome , righteousnes , sanctification , and redemption ? ( 1. Cor. 1.30 . )

I do .

Do you not believe that you are freely justified by the grace of God , thorow the redemption which is in Iesus Christ ?

Yes .

According to your faith doubt not but God will free you , and securely protect you from perdition , and give you everlasting life . For God gave his Sonne , that whosoever shall believe in him , shall not perish , but rather have everlasting life . Iohn 16.

Feare not death , seeing by faith you imbrace Iesus Christ , who is your life . I am ( saith he ) the resurrection and the life : He that believeth in me , although he were dead , he shall live : and whosoever liveth and believeth in me , he shall never die . Iohn 11.25.26 .

If your sinnes trouble and disquiet you , have recourse ever by faith unto Iesus Christ , and you shall find rest for your soule . Come unto me ( saith he Matth. 11.28 . ) you that labour and are heavie laden and I will ease you .

Feare not the rigour of Gods justice : For there is no condemnation to them that are in Iesus Christ . So saith the Apostle S. Paul , Rom. 8.1 . And who is he ( saith he , Rom. 8.32.33 . ) who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect ? It is God that justifies , who is he that shall condemne ? It is Christ which died , or rather ( which is more ) which is risen againe , who also is at the right hand of God , and who maketh intercession for us .

Be not loath to leave this miserable life : which as S. Iames saith , chap. 4.14 is but a vapour which appeareth for a short time , and then vanisheth away : sith in exchange therof there shal be given you life eternall , and therein the height of happines so transcendent and incomprehensible , that neither eye hath seene , nor eare hath heard , nor hath entred into the heart of man , that which God hath prepared for them that love him .

When it shall appeare that the sicke doth notoriously draw on unto death , or seemeth indeed readie to give up the ghost ; there may be yet further added ( if need require ) and repeated this briefe consolation , with the prayer following .

COurage , Sir , you draw neare now unto the end of the combat , which cannot but be happy for you , as you are assured of the victorie , by the meanes of your faith , which is the victorie which overcommeth the world : and the Prince of the world Iesus Christ your head and Saviour stretcheth out his arme unto you , and stayeth attending you at the end of the fight , to present unto you the incorruptible Crowne of glory , which he hath purchased for you by the price of his bloud . Commend and commit your selfe then unto him with your whole heart : go unto him with cheerfulnesse , cast your selfe into his armes , and say unto him , my soule into thine hands I come to yeeld , for thou hast redeemed me , ô God of truth , Psa. 31. We will beseech God againe , that he will give you grace so to doe .

A Prayer .

O Lord , Father of mercy , and God of all consolation and comfort , unfold plenteously in this exigencie thy mercies and boundlesse comforts upon the person of this thy poor servant and child . Give him to reape now and to apply unto himselfe an abundant and excellent fruit and profit from those holy lessons , which thou hast ( during the course of his life ) taught him in thy schoole : Give him an invincible faith in this combat , arme him with thy whole Spirituall armour , that he may be able to stand against all the temptations and ambushes of Satan ; and having vanquisht them all he may abide stedfast . If thy justice astonish him , let thy mercy establish and comfort him , if his sinnes accuse him , let the obedience of thy beloved Sonne excuse and justifie him . If the apprehension of death trouble him , make him behold the gate of eternall life . Open unto him , wherunto thou goest to give him entrance : Thou hast given him thy Sonne , make good unto him such a gift , that it may not be vaine nor unprofitable . He is one of the sheepfold of that great shepheard , let none take him out of thy hands . Thou hast begun in him his salvation , let not thine owne work remaine unperfect . And seeing thou hast led him on forward to the end of a painfull course , receive now his soule into thy hands , and carrie it into thy celestiall paradise , to that height and full accomplishment of rest and blessednesse in the companie and fellowship of thy blessed Angels , and of all the holy soules of thine Elect , which thou hast already gathered thither , there jointly to injoy together for ever the fulnesse of joy , which standeth in the beholding of thy face . Heare us Father of grace for the sake of thy deare Son Iesus Christ our Lord ; who in the unity of the Holy Ghost liveth and raigneth with God eternally . Amen .

A briese consolation to give unto the neare friends of the deceased person , of whether sex soever , especially afther their returne from the funerall .

DEare friends , in this exigent it is , that you are to call to mind that holy and Christian instruction which you have received in the schoole of Iesus Christ ; to make your profit thereof , by bearing patitiently your affliction , and resting with humilitie and with a quiet mind in the will of God , whereunto evermore ours must conforme and submit it selfe : Our nature indeed in such accidents carrieth us to nothing but to teares , to plaints , and sorrowes : But the Spirit of God , the author of all new-birth , teacheth therein to keepe me●sure , and not to grieve after the manner of those that are without hope : ( 1 Thess. 4.14 . ) If we be men in mourning , we must withall shew that we are Christians , adorn'd with Faith and with Hope , to assure us that this corporall death is unto the faithfull children of God ( by the benefit of Iesus Christ ) nothing else but a doore to enter by into everlasting life , Iohn 5. vers. ●8 . 29 . and that for the regard even of their bodies themselves , that the earth receiveth them but a pledge , they shall heare one day the voice of the Lord , that shall cause them to come forth of their graves into the resurrection of life ; that the partie deceased ( he or she ) may there be of the number of the children of God , the witnesses , and the mirks , and badges , that God hath given him thereof by the good profession of pietie and integritie which he practised in the midst of his Church , unto the last gasp of his life , ought not hereof to leave any scruple or doubt in us . He lived to the Lord , and he is dead to the Lord , by consequent he is happy & resteth from his labours , Apo. 14.13 . by the heavenly witnes of the Spirit of God himselfe . You have then no subject matter to weepe over him , in regard of his estate , which is not to be bewailed : he being every way most happy . He hath likewise a great advantage above us , that remaine still in the world after him : for he is arrived at the haven of happines , whereas we are still tossed under the storme and tempest of the troublesome and dangerous Sea of this miserable world . And therfore farre better is it for us to breath after our going to him , then to wish him here againe with us . As for the regard of your selves , who , in that which may concern this life , may receive some inconvenience by his absence , you must consider that God who gave him you , abideth for evermore for you , who is sufficient for us without all other things , whereas all other things are nothing without him . He it is who will continue evermore over you the care of his Fatherly Providence , if you continue alwayes to walke in his feare . I beseech him to give you the grace so to do , and that he will therein strengthen you with an holy resolution and with constancie .

Consolation for the sicke ( extracted out of the holy Scriptures ) to prepare them unto death . F. S. N.

HE that is of God , heareth the Word of God , and he not only heareth it , but keepeth it , and bringeth it into practice : For all things shall come to an end , and shall wax old as a garment : but the Word of God shall abide for ever . Now seeing it is so that by one man sinne came into the world , and by sinne death , and consequently all afflictions and adversities do thereon depend , upon just occasion the life of man is but a continuall battell upon the earth : in like manner , the flesh fighteth against the Spirit , and the Spirit against the Devill , the world , and the flesh . Which are the enemies of our soules . But following the Apostles counsel to obtaine the victorie in this Spirituall battell , we must resist constantly by faith : For the victorie which overcommeth the world it is our faith , which is a certaine and assured knowledge of the love of God towards us , according as by his Gospell he declareth himselfe to be our Father and Saviour by the meanes of Iesus Christ . Having then such a firm faith for your principall foundation , know ye and confesse unfainedly before the Majestie of God , that you are a poore and a miserable sinner , conceived and borne ini●niquitie & corruption , prone ▪ unto the doing of evill , unprofitable unto every good thing , and that by your sinnes you have transgressed without end and uncessantly the holy commandements of God . In the committing whereof you have purchased and brought by his just judgement ruine and destruction upon your selfe . Notwithstanding you are sorry and grieved in your selves for having offended him , and do condemne your selves and your sinnes with true repentance , desiring that Gods grace may help and relieve your calamitie . Pray then in this firm faith , if you cannot with mouth , speak it in your heart : that God our most gracious and most mercifull Father enter not into judgment nor into an account with you ; but would be pleased to have pitie on you in the name of his Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord , and that he would blot out your sinnes and blemishes by the merit of the death and passion of the same Iesus Christ , in whose Name offer up unto him his holy Prayer , which he hath taught us , saying from your heart : Our Father which art in heaven , hallowed be thy name , thy kingdome come , thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven : give us this day our daily bread , and forgive us our trespasses , as wee forgive them that trespasse against us : and leade us not into temptation , but deliver us from evill . For thine is the kingdome , the power , and the glory , for ever & ever . Amen .

F. S. N. Acknowledge from the bottome of your heart your unrighteousnes , be sorry for your sinnes , repent uncessantly , and the kingdome of God will draw neare unto you : Acknowledge there is no righteousnesse , no innocencie , nor any good works of yours , nor in you : But rather as the children of wrath , conceived and born in the sinne of old Adam , you deserve death and eternall damnation . Notwithstanding let not this , nor all the sinnes of the world , ( when you should have committed them ) affright you . For Iesus Christ the true Sonne of the eternall God , is made true man , conceived by the Holy Ghost , borne of the holy Virgin , to sanctifie and cleanse you : He suffered under Pontius Pilate many afflictions , injuries , and outrages , making himselfe a servant and captive to set you in full libertie . Iesus Christ was crucified as accursed , upon the tree of the Crosse , to deliver you , from the eternall curse . Iesus Christ died shedding forth his bloud , his precious bloud , to wash you , to redeem you , to deliver and wholly set you free from the death of hell , and from the power of Satan . Iesus Christ was buried in the grave to burie all your sins , which he tooke away and blotted out . Iesus Christ descended into hell , insuffering extreame sorrowes , to free you from all the paines and sorrowes of death . Iesus Christ rose againe from the dead , to cause you to rise againe in your owne body , and unto glorious immortalitie . Iesus Christ ascended into heaven , to make you to ascend up thither after him . Iesus Christ sitteth at the right hand of God his Father Almighty , being your Advocate and Intercessor towards him , and the attonement of all your sinnes . We look for his comming to judge the quick and the dead , to render unto every one according to his works . But unto his faithfull ones , that believe in him , he will not impute their sinnes , but having entirely justified them by his grace , will make them raigne with him in his heavenly throne for ever .

F. S. N. Such is the great mysterie of our redemption , which by the working of the grace of the Holy Ghost , you m●s● firmly believe was wrough● for your salvation : And doubt not but that by the merit of Iesus Christ the head of his Church , you are a member incorporated into the same , returning him thanks in great humilitie , that he hath been so gracious unto you , to have graunted you the happines to have lived in the communion and company of his faithfull ones , for having fed you with his Word , with his Body and Bloud , acknowledging ( as being fully assured ) the great mercy of God , in the remission of all your sinnes , which is made over unto you in Iesus Christ , who will raise you up againe at the last day , to make you raigne with him in life everlasting , which he hath promised unto all those which believe in him , being baptised into his name .

Now , F. S. N. seeing you have this faith , doubt you not to receive the promise of Faith : for God is true , he cannot lie as man ; Sooner shall heaven and earth perish : But the Word of God shall abide for ever . God is your Father and Creator , you are his creature and the worke of his hands : He hath not made you to destroy you : for he is the Saviour of all men , and will not the death of a sinner , but rather that he be converted and live . Wherefore I declare unto you in the Name of God , that out of his great goodnesse and mercy he gives you full pardon and forgivenesse of all your sins thorow the sole merit of his Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord , in the shedding of his precious bloud , for he is the propitiation , not only for all your sins , but for all the sins of the world .

F. S. N. Iesus Christ saith with his own mouth , that all things are possible unto him that believeth . Believe then ( without doubting at all ) that Iesus Christ putting on our flesh , was made true man , wherin he died for you , having taken upon him all your sinnes in his body , to abolish and blot them out . Set before and present unto God the precious death of his Sonne Iesus Christ , and for the merit of the same death and Passion ask his mercy , in saying from the bottome of your heart in great humilitie and repentance .

O Lord God Almighty , be mercifull unto me a poore and miserable sinner , for thy deare Sonne my Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ his sake , and by the merit of his Death and Passion be graciously pleased to receive my soule , which I commend into thy hands .

F. S. N. Put your whole assured trust and confidence in God . For seeing he is for you , none shal be against you : for Iesus Christ , who is the Lamb without spot or blemish , hath overcome all for you : He offered up himselfe once for you , and by the same sole oblation hath wholly abolished all your sinnes . He hath abrogated , made void , and forcelesse your follie , unrighteousnesse , abomination , and obligation . With this good Lord Iesus Christ God the Father hath given you all things .

F. S. N. Be strong in Iesus Christ , who calls and inuites you by his Prophets , Apostles , and Evangelists , to resort , and freely to make towards him , saying , you that thirst , come unto the great fountaine , come unto me all you that travell and are heavie laden , and I will ease you .

F. S. N. Believe stedfastly that Iesus Christ hath discharged and set you free from all your sins , and hath reconciled you unto God his Father : Vnto whom in all humilitie and repentance , say from the bottom of your heart .

LOrd God Almighty , have mercy upon me a poore miserable sinner , for thy Sonne Iesus Christ my Lord and Saviour his sake : and by the merit of his death & passion be pleased to receive my soule , which I commend into thy hands .

F. S. N Bee of good hope : For assuredly he will receive your soule , as his , for his Sonne Iesus Christ our Lords sake , who is the Saviour and Redeemer of all those that believe in him . Moyses and all the Prophets have testified , that all Nations shall receive salvation and blessednes by Iesus Christ . The Apostles and Evangelists do testifie , that Iesus Christ came not to call the righteous , but sinners to repentance , and to give his life for the redemption of many : for he hath shed his bloud for the remission of sinnes : Believe then , and doubt not in any wise : for Iesus Christ hath made you cleane from all your sinnes , having promised , that all they that shall believe in him , and in his Father that sent him , shall have eternall life , and shall not come into judgement , but shall passe from death unto life .

Well then , F. S. N. take a good courage in Iesus Christ : For he hath loved you , and washed you from your sinnes in his bloud . Have then this stedfast faith to fight valiantly against the adversarie , use no other buckler to defend your selfe withall , but this precious bloud of Iesus Christ , which by vertue of his Death and Passion hath reconciled you unto God his Father : unto whom in great humility and repentance offer up this Prayer .

O Lord God Almighty , have mercy upon me a poore miserable sinner , for thy Sonne Iesus Christ my Lord and Saviour his sake : and by the merit of his Death and Passion be graciously pleased to receive my soule , which I commend into thy hands .

F. S. N. Let this be your hope & stedfast faith , that that good God full of all mercy , will receive your soule , as his , into his hands , for his Sonne Iesus Christs sake . For there is no other Name under heaven given unto men wherby we must be saved , nor is there salvation in any other but in Iesus Christ . Arme your self then indeed with this gracious Iesus Christ : for he hath done all for you ; he hath fulfilled the Law for you , he hath overcome all for you .

Well then , F.S.N. cheer up your self in God , be you ever unmooveable in this lively faith : follow and imitate you the holy Patriarks , Prophets and Apostles , who are all saved in this faith , who assure you all of them , that the adversarie can no wayes hurt you : For your suit is won by Iesus Christ , who is both your Iudge and Advocat together . Wherfore say evermore in this stedfast faith : that though I should walke thorow the midst of the shadow of death , yet would I feare no manner of evill . For thou Lord God art with me . F. S. N. Also cease not to say from the bottome of your heart in great humility and repentance .

LOrd God Almighty , have mercy upon me poore miserable sinner for thy Sonne Iesus Christ my Lord and Saviour his sake : and by the merit of his Death and Passion let it please thee to receive my soule , which I commend into thy hands . So be it .

A singular Prayer for a person greatly afflicted with sicknes , which seemeth to approach nearer to death , then to life . With a short Catechisme , purposely made to instruct the sicke , and to make him contemplate by faith the great mysterie of our redemption . Eccles. c. 18. v. 19.20 . Vse . Physicke ere ever thou be sick , before judgement examine thy selfe , and in the day of visitation thou shalt find mercy .

NOw the Lord admonisheth us to pray continually , especialy when we are touched with his rods , wherefore all kinsfolks and faithfull friends , that visit the sick person , ought not only to visit and be carefull for the body : but withall to seek and ask for the spirituall physick for his Soule . This must he do by good prayers , confession of sinnes , and Christian exhortation according to the Word of God , without which man cannot live : and to this end that all things may be done in good order and with zeale . First of all it is meet to cast downe himselfe before the Majestie of God , and to call upon him by beginning : Our helpe is in the Name of the Lord , &c.

Then to present unto him the generall confession of sinnes ; and consequently this present prayer as it followeth .

O Lord God Almighty , and Father of mercy , we are here assembled together in the Name of thy welbeloved Son our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ , thorow whom we are bold to present our selves before thee , to call upon thy holy Name , having our sole refuge unto thy Soveraigne and transcendent goodnes , which we not only desire to be sensible of , and to tast in our selves ▪ but also in the necessitie of thy poore creature here afflicted with corporall sicknes , and with the affliction and calamity of mind . We know Lord , that justly thou visitest and chastnest him with thyrods to make him to understand thy fatherly affection . But thy great mercies , which thou hast used towards our fathers , are not extinguisht , nor exhausted . For thou art that great eternall God , gracious and mercifull , that never changest , with whom there is no variablenes , nor shadow of change . Thy holy Word teacheth us most evidently that the whole earth is full of thy mercies , which are farre above thy justice . Whe●fore Lord , mitigate thy rigour towards thy creature , have pity ▪ and compassion on him , for thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Lords sake . Looke not upon his sins , but looke upon the face of thy Christ , who hath fully satisfied thee for him , by offering up unto thee that great sacrifice of his body upon the Crosse . We beseech thee then ; O most gracious God , full of mercy , to make him sensible of thy grace , which thou hast never denied to thy children . And because thou art our eternal Father well knowing whatsoeve● is needfull and expedient for our salvation . We pray not unto thee to lengthen unto him his life , or to abridge it : for we repose our selves upon thy holy will , whereunto onely we desire to be conformable . Thou art wise without counsell , to dispose of thy creature according to thy good pleasure . That if it shal be thy pleasure to call him hence , who is he that shal be able to resist thee ? But if it be thy good pleasure to send him health againe , who is he that shall reprehend thee ? For all things are in thy hand , and nothing is done without thy will and holy providence . Yet Lord , if out of thy grace thou prolong unto him his dayes , thy rod shall serve him for a chastisement to amend him , and to convert him unto thee , and we together with him will render unto thee thanks and praises . But if thy will be determined to make him passe hence into a better life , wee beseech thee for thy Sonne Iesus Christ his sake to forget all his sins and transgressions , which thou hast been pleased to blot out and towa●● away by the effusion of his precious bloud , be graciously pleased thorow the merit of the Death and Passion of thy Sonne to receive his soule into thy hands , when as thou wilt call him out of this world . Lord God , despise not the work of thine owne hands : for behold here thy poore creature , as it were wholly overwhelmed , who calleth upon thee out of the depth of all these evills , presenting unto thee his sad and penitent soule , with his dejected and humbled heart , which we beseech thee to be pleased to accept as well pleasing unto thee , for thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Lords sake : in whose Name thou hast promised to heare our requests . Wherefore Lord we beseech thee to receive us into thy holy protection , to illuminate our hearts and understandings , to addresse our selves unto thee , to call upon thy holy Name , as thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord hath taught us to pray unto thee for the relieuing of all our necessities , saying : Our Father which art in heaven , &c.

Finally , O God , most gracious Father , full of mercy , be pleased evermore to support us by thy grace and power , that by the infirmity of our flesh we fall not away . And because that of our selves we are so fraile , that we are not able to continue firm one minute of time , graciously strengthen us by thy Holy Spirit , and arme us with thy graces , that we may bee enabled to persevere constantly in the faith without which it is not possible to please thee . Bee graciously pleased then to confirme and establish us daily in the same , whereof we will make confession with heart and mouth .

I believe in God the Father Almighty , &c.

Prayers being ended , notice shal be taken how the sicke person doth , and hee may bee asked how he feeleth himselfe touching the state of his health with gracious talke , and Christian Speeches . But if it appeare that he decline , and no token of recoverie appeare : a while after a fit time shall be chosen to speak unto the said sicke person , and to aske him whether he be not willing to heare talk of God , and to hearken to his Word : Whilst he is still in perfect memorie . So that if he be inclinable to entertaine discourse concerning God , the short Catechisme following shall be begun .

A SHORT CATEchisme , which is not onely to instruct the sicke , but also to refresh his memorie with the great mysterie of our Redemption . For the better understanding and retaining whereof , in his latter dayes he ought to make confession of his faith , before the assistance of the faithfull : whereof one of them ( in the Ministers absence ) must question him , as followeth . The Minister .

F. S. N. EVery man that rightly knows himselfe , and is not ignorant of his owne condition and qualitie : certainly he ought to acknowledge , that although he was created after the image and likenesse of God , neverthelesse he is conceived and borne in the sinne of old Adam , whereby he is made a poore and miserable sinner ▪ ignorant , inconstant , and full of iniquitie ; and consequently subject unto all miseries , afflictions , adversities ; and finally unto death : all which sinne hath caused : which God not willing to leave unpunished , daily afflicts us for ( or to speake more properly ) hee chastiseth us in this world , that he might not condemne us with the world . Wherefore , F. S. N. be patient in your sicknesse , and you shall possesse your soule in spirituall ioy . Acknowledge your sins , and accuse you your selfe before the Majestie of God , whom you must looke up unto and behold by faith , making confession thereof with heart and mouth before this whole assistance : for it is written , that wee believe with the heart unto justification , and confesse with the mouth unto salvation . Hearken then unto the questions , which I will now propound unto you , and answer them faithfully , according to that understanding which you have received of the Lord . Which if you cannot answer by reason of your weakenesse , and hinderance of your sicknesse , I will answer for you , and it shal be sufficient for you to give us to understand your heart , and constancie of your faith , in which you must live and die .

Go to then , I demand of you , wherefore and to what end were you created in this world ?

The Sicke .

To know God .

The Minister .

Was it necessary for you●● know God ?

The sicke .

Yes verily : For seeing he is my soveraigne good , without the knowledge of him , I had been more miserable then the bruit beasts .

The Minister .

Seeing you know God , you well know that he is power , wisedome , and infinite goodnesse , one God alone in three persons , Father , Sonne , and Holy Ghost . He is that one God , whom Abraham , Isaac , and Iacob worshipped in spirit , and truth , hee is that one God Eternall , who created heaven and earth , and all things that are therein , not such the knowledge of God which you have ?

The Sicke .

Yes .

The Minister .

But can such , and this simple knowledge of God conduct and guide you straight to eternall life ?

The Sicke .

Very hardly : For it is life eternall , to confesse and know one onely God , and him whom he hath sent his onely eternall Sonne , our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ .

The Minister .

Why is it necessarie for you to confesse and know the Lord Iesus Christ ?

The Sicke .

Because in Iesus Christ I must recover all that I have lost in my selfe , by reason of the sinne of old Adam , in whom I am borne and conceived . Wherfore it hath been behooffull for my salvation , that Iesus Christ true God and true man , being clothed with our flesh , should give unto me of his free grace all that which I had lost in Adam .

The Minister .

It is very well said . Behold why Iesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Ghost , borne of the Virgin Mary , to purge and sanctifie you . For absolutely contrary hereunto him , you are conceived and borne in sinne , and of sinfull parents . Why do you not confesse , that without Iesus Christ you had remained a poore miserable sinner in eternall death ?

The Sicke .

Yes assuredly . But I believe and confesse that that good Iesus Christ hath reconciled me unto God his Father .

The Minister .

But how hath he reconciled you unto God his Father ?

The Sicke .

By his Death and Passion in the shedding forth of his precious Bloud , for to deliver me from all eternall paines . This good Iesus Christ hath suffered for me under Pontius Pilate many afflictions , injuries and troubles : Iesus Christ it is , that was crucified for me . As accursed upon the tree of the Crosse , to free me from the curse eternall , wherunto Adam had obliged me . This my Saviour Iesus Christ was truly buried , to burie all my sinnes with him , to the end they might not be imputed unto me before God . It is my Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ which went downe into hell , suffering extream temporall anguish , to deliver me from the eternall .

The Minister .

All this that you have now confessed of Iesus Christ , was it sufficient to save you ?

The Sicke .

No : According as the holy Scriptures ought in every thing to be fulfilled : For what had it profited me , that Iesus Christ was borne , crucified , dead , buried , and went downe into hell for me only , unlesse he had risen againe . Wherefore I believe and confesse , that my Lord , my Head , and Saviour Iesus Christ is risen againe from the dead , to make me to rise againe with him , as one of his meaner members unto life eternall .

The Minister .

Consequently , it is written , that he ascended up into heaven , being now set downe at the right hand of God his Father . But what doth this his ascention benefit you ?

The Sicke .

My Lord , my Head , and Saviour Iesus Christ is ascended up into heaven , to cause me to ascend thither after him : for where the Head is , there are the members also . And I believe that being set downe at the right hand of God his Father , he is my Advocat , intereessor , and onely Mediator with him , assuring me exceedingly , that none can hurt me , seeing that Iesus Christ is my Advocate and Iudge both together . Wherfore I have no occasion to feare the day of his judgment , when he shall come to judge the quick and the dead . For I believe and confesse in stedfast faith , that there is neither judgment nor condemnation to them that are faithfull members of Iesus Christ .

The Minister .

Who hath given you the grace to understand and know all these things ?

The Sicke .

It is by the grace of the Holy Ghost , one only God with the Father , and the Sonne , by whose means we receive all the goods and gifts which are offered us in Iesus Christ .

The Minister .

Seeing you have already confessed that you are a member of Iesus Christ , it thence followeth that you are withall incorporated into his Church , which you must believe to be Holy , Catholique , and Vniversall .

The Sicke .

I do assuredy believe the Holy Catholique Church , wash● and cleansed with the Precious Bloud of Iesus Christ , for the which in the greatest humility I render him thanks , that he hath affoorded me the grace to be one of the meanest members of his Church , being baptized into his Name , he hath made me to live in the communion , unity , and love of the same , by having instructed me in his holy Word , and fed me with his true Body , steeped in his precious Bloud , into the hope of eternall life .

The Minister .

Well , go to , seeing you are so well founded upon the lively Rocke , which is Iesus Christ , in knowing so well your selfe , you must confesse and acknowledge the principall good which you have received from this good Iesus Christ .

The Sicke .

It is very reasonable : for I would not be ingratefull in not acknowledging the goods and gifts which I have received from God . Wherefore I confesse , that I poore miserable sinner have offended without end and without ceasing the goodnesse and justice of God , having transgressed all thy holy Commandements . In the doing wherof I have deserved death and eternall damnation . Neverthelesse appealing to Gods mercy , I cry him mercy , and do believe and confesse without all manner of doubt or wavering , that full and perfect forgivenes of all my sinnes is graunted me by the sole merit of the Death and Passion of my Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ , in the effusion of his precious Bloud , wherein I assure my self to be sufficiently and entirely washed and purged : which is the most transcendent good and contentment that I could ever have received : and such is my faith , wherein I will live and die by the helpe of the grace of Gods Holy Spirit .

The Minister .

Seeing you have received so great a good from God by the means of his Sonne Iesus Christ , it is fitting also that you do his commandement . For even as he hath pardonned you , and remitted all your sinnes : in like manner must you pardon heartily all those which may have offended you . Otherwise you walk not according to God .

Sick .

In this thing I have knowne the Law of Iesus Christ , to be the singular , sacred , and perfect Law : commanding us to love our neighbours , friends , and enemies as our selves . Wherefore I also intreat all those to whom I have done wrong , or said wrong , to pardon me as heartily , as I pardon all them that have offended me , desiring to do them all good offices of love and kindnes , as to my good brethren and friends .

The Minister .

Now sith it is ordained by God that all men shall die , we cannot resist his ordinance : rather we ought evermore to conforme our selves to his holy will . Wherefore my brother , you must not think it strange , if I declare unto you the same which the good Prophet Esay declared unto King Ezechias , saying unto him from the Lord , Set thy house in order , for thou shalt die , & not live . This good advice ought to stirre you up thorowly to set your selfe in good order , spiritually , in your conscience . And that is first of all to convert and turne you unto God , to bewaile your sinnes , as that good King did : To implore his mercy , in begging pardon at his hands , and saying alwayes in your heart , Lord God , be propitious and mercifull unto me poor miserable sinner , for thy Sonne Iesus Christ his sake my Lord and Saviour . And then you must not forget your house and familie , which you ought so well to set in good order , and so to dispose of by a good testament and last will , that it may remaine in peace and tranquillitie after you . But the better to give you to understand how to dispose aright and to set in order your house , it is , that you give unto every one what belongeth unto him , without defrauding of any man : that you leave your wife endow'd with what is due to her , your children and kinsfolkes in good agreement and charitie : that after your decease they may have no occasion to fall to dissention and division . This being done , you must quite forget all worldly eares , and affection to the world , which passeth away withall the concupiscence thereof . But he that doth the will of God , abideth for ever . Touching your children , you are only their naturall father for a time : but God is perpetually their Spirituall Father , having them in his holy keeping and protection , to preserve and sustaine them , to keep and deliver them from all evill , whilst they will but walk in his wayes . Besides in that you are a Christian , regenerate in the holy Sacrament of Baptisme ; long since you knew that we have not here any Citie of continuance : for we looke for a better then this ; which is eternall . Wherfore I pray you in the Name of God , that you disquiet not your selfe for any affection you may have to this world : For here we are all but strangers , as our fathers , when as then the Lord God shall have ordained and decreed that you must dislodge , flit , and go before us , will not you conform your self unto his holy will and ordinance ? As on the other side , if he see it expedient for your salvation to prolong unto you your life , as he did to that good King Ezekias , would you not content your selfe with whatsoever it shall please him to do with you ? Yes assuredly : for he is Lord and Master , you are but his servant . He is your Creator , you are his Creature , and the work of his hands . For this cause then will he dispose of you according to his will . Vnto the which alone you ought to conforme and humble your selfe , saying from your heart .

LOrd God , thou knowest my necessitie , if it shal be thy good pleasure to prolong and lengthen my life , thy will be done , if it be thy good pleasure also to call me hence unto thee , even thy will be likewise done . For thy creature ( Lord ) hath no other will but thine .

Now brother , comfort your selfe with God , who if he hath ordained to call you , your Calling shall be happy : For you must believe and hope in firme faith , that he will make you rise againe in your owne body unto glorious immortalitie , to make you raigne with him in life eternall , which is purchase and given you by the vertue of the precious Bloud of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ : In whose name the Lord God blesse and protect you , and make his face to shine upon you , and be mercifull unto you . The Lord turn his face towards you , and preserve you in all happines . Amen .

THis done , if it appeare he growes worse and worse , and draweth on towards death , and tending to his appointed end , forthwith in his deadly agonie , we must not faile to repeate with a lowde voice before him the Christian Consolation which is heere below promised . This doing , GOD graunt him grace well and and faithfully to die in him . Amen .

HEB. XIII . Remember them that are afflicted , as being your selves of the body of the Church , and subject to undergoe the like afflictions .

A PRAYER AGAINST the Apprehensions of Death . PSAL. XVIII . IIII . The sorrowes of death compassed mee round about , and the flouds of the ungodly men made me afraid .

O Lord my gracious Saviour , when sorrowes presse us , and death threatens us , we looke up unto thee , that art our life . Death thought to have daunted thee in the garden of Geth-semane : in such sort , that thou knowest well what the distresses are which it brings unto men . But as thou ha●t vanquisht and overcome it , graunt me also the grace to vanquish & overcome it , to beare patiently affliction , to submit my selfe to the will of my heavenly Father . Thou hast seene how the wicked did compasse thee about , as the flouds of waters . But now thou art in the happy haven of thy celestiall glory . But being there on high , despise not , ●or sleight nor thy Church , which is as yet in the midst of the waves , and stormes of the world .

Gather us also unto that happy life : draw us unto that wished port : still the furie of the winds which trouble the earth : for Lord , thou art our Lord , we are thy people .

A Continued Sequell , OR , An Vnintermitted Course of Comforts .

MOunsieur d' Ambesaignes a Domestique Gentleman , of the late Mounsieur the Marquesse of Moussay being sicke in the Castle of Plouer in Bretagne , Madame the Marquesse of Moussay sent to fetch Mounsieur Pallory of Richelieu , Pastor and Author of this Booke , to be comforted by him : and as they expected from houre to houre his death , for hee was in an agony from Munday evening the ninth of March , 1626. Vntill the morning of Thursday the tenth , in that sort , that hee was required after diverse consolations , to redouble ( during the space of that night ) prayers hourely and oftener for him .

And because there are but two prayers in this preceding Booke to be said when the Sicke is in anguish , the first whereof is in the leafe 231. The other in the leafe 344. To satisfie the devotion of certaine good men , the Authour hath caused to bee added these prayers following , which he then said , unto this second Edition , to serve hereafter unto the comforters who shall assist the Sicke .

COMFORTS for the Sicke .

1. A Prayer to be said when the sicke is in perplexitie .

34. O Lord , our good God and gracious Father , the onely comfort of our soules , the gladnes of our hearts , our sole solace and refuge , yea our singular sweetnesse amidst the sharpest bitternesses and anguishes which oppresse us , we beseech thee to cast thy sweet and mercifull eyes upon this sicke person , which hath received this honour together with us by thy speciall favour to bee delivered from the power of darknesse ; and to be transported unto the Kingdome of the Sonne of thy love : having opened his heart , as ours , to receive the Word of life , which alone can save our soules . And as thou hast given him the wil to do wel , grant unto him , and unto us also this happines , to give him to perfect the same according to thy good pleasure , and to finish his course in thy feare , that persevering in the confession of thy holy Name , thy light and thy truth may lead him , and bring him into the mountaine of thy holinesse . O Heavenly Shepheard , that hast sent thy deare Sonne to seeke the lost sheep , and who repellest not the languishing soule that casts it selfe into thy bosome : accomplish in such sort thy strength in the weaknesse of this sicknes , that he may say with his whole heart : the Lord is my portion and my succour , therefore will I hope in him unto the end .

And seeing thou hast engraven and imprinted the seale of thine election upon the soule of this sick person : Yea sith thou hast sealed him with the seale of thy Spirit , for the Day of redemption purchased unto the glory of thy Name . And seeing thy comforts are welcom to good soules , give unto this sicke person amidst the anguishes he suffers in his body , a vigorous and a constant soule , sweetly bedewd from the springs of sweet comforts , in the midst of the hot fits of his disease , and the which may make to flie up and to sparkle forth the flames of a sacred desire , even unto the Sanctuarie of thy Holines , there to behold with the eyes of his mind , the ineffable love thou bearest to thine Elect , and the glory inestimable which thou keepest in heaven for thy children .

And to this end give him a gracious refreshing , repaire his enfeebled forces , wasted and spent by the violence of his disease : quicken his heart by the sweetnes of thy grace : kindle afresh his zeale , inflame his prayers , animate his sighes , restore unto him the joy of his salvation , and let the bones which thou hast broken , rejoyce .

As then thou didst that favour unto the Israelites , even then when they were in the desarts , to make them to tast of the fruits of the terrestriall Canaan , to the end to incourage them to make them to walk on forward with boldnesse towards the Land of Promise . So ( Lord ) give unto this sick person , and unto us that are in the wildernesse of this world , an assurance of the forgivenes of our sins in the bloud of thy Welbeloved , who was wounded for our trespasses , and bruised for our iniquities , peace in our consciences , a continuall acknowledgment of thy favours , a firm reliance on thy love , and joy in our soules , which are the fruits of the Celestiall Canaan , to the end that relishing that sweetnes , we may aspire with zeale and courage towards the end of our Spirituall Calling in Iesus Ch●●st to be filled , not with 〈◊〉 and hony , but with 〈◊〉 beams of thy glorious 〈◊〉 and with the rivers of th● pleasures with thee for evermore . For in possessio● of thee ( great God ) we shall possesse all things : and in thee and thorow thee we shal be all radiant with thy glory , and shining as the brightnes of the firmament , and as the Sun which shineth in his strength .

And during this small time which remains for us to live in this world , give u● grace that thorow good works we may make sure 〈◊〉 Vocation and Election : to the end , that thus doing , 〈◊〉 ●ntrance into the eter●●●●●ingdome of our Saviour Iesus Christ may be ab●nd●ntly accommodated unto us , bearing evermore in ●●nd those words of thy Sonne Iesus Christ : that he that shall persevere , and shall overcome , shal be clothed with white garments , and I will not blot his name out of the booke of life : But I will confesse his name before my Father , and before his Angells .

And to the end we may receive death ( which is the end of our miseries ) in good part , make us seriously to think on the future resurrection of our bodies , for as this day ( according as thy Prophet Amos teacheth ) us ) shal be a day of darknes , not of brightnes , of heavines , not of joy , of destruction , not of salvation to the wicked , so shall it be the acceptable day of the Lord for the good , for ( as thy Son our Saviour teacheth us ) we ought to lift up our heads , and to rejoyce in that day , because our redemption is neare .

In that day shall it be , ( according to thy Prophet Malachie ) that the register or book of remembrance , which is written before thee , of them which think of thy Name , shal be opened . If King Assuerus had in his Palace a Booke of the worthy exploits of his subjects , wherein he found written the good deeds of Mardoch● , to recompence it : and shalt not thou have , O great King , by whom the Kings of the earth raigne : Thy book of life and retribution , wherin are writ the names of thy children , whom by a singular prerogative thou hast adopted for such in thy Son Iesus Christ ? David surely knew this mysterie , when as in his sorest afflictions he said unto thee : Lord thou tellest my wanderings , my tears are in thy bottle , are they not in thy Book ?

Now to the end we may bee acceptable to thee , whilst we are incompassed with this mortall flesh , graunt us the grace to live in this present world soberly , justly , and religiously , expecting that happy day of the last resurrection , and appearing of thy deare Son our Saviour Iesus Christ , who in the same shall transforme our vile bodies , to the end they may be made like to his glorious body , according to the effectuall power , wherby he is able to subdue all things unto himself . Vnto thee O great God thorow thy Son Iesus Christ , in the Vnity of the Holy Ghost , be honour and glory for ever and ever . Amen .

2. Another Prayer when the sicke is neare unto death .

35. O Lord , our good God and Father , who out of thy great goodnes daily showrest downe upon us a sea of bounty and blessings , and who hast in thy hand rest and labour , health and sicknes , life and death . We poore sinners , setling our selves upon the assurance of thy goodnes , which is continually ready to relieve those that resort thereunto in the interim of their grievous assaults : unto the blessed haven of thy sacred mercy : We are bold in the name of this sick person , who fighteth against death , to lift up our hearts and our eyes towards thee , to the end that thy favour and grace may serve unto him for a starre of light , and a guide , in that voyage which his soule maketh from earth to heaven , and from this mortall life , unto the immortall , to persist firmly in the faith even unto the end , without being terrified or shaken by temptation , illusion , or by any other stratageme of the enemie .

Thou art O great God , the light of all them that hope in thee , and who leddest thy people Israel thorow the ghastly wildernes by a pillar of fire in the dark night , therfore we beseech thee to enlighten with thine assistance , and holy protection this thy childe in the darkesome passage of death .

And surely Lord , experience shewes us that when humane means seeme most to faile us , then is it that thou keepest nearest unto thine to comfort them with thy right hand , handling them with thy helpfull hand , with gentle and cherishing fomentations : and that thou makest them sensible that the point of their extreame need is the opportunitie of thy succours . And therefore is it , that now the heart of this sicke person sobbeth , that his eyes are duskish and heavy , his eares deafe , his mouth dry and juycelesse , and as the outward man falleth in him , it would please thee to give him strength in his inward man , and to fill his soule with gladnes and joy in that last conflict , making him powerfully to relish those celestiall gifts , which are laid up for us in heaven , by the merits of thy deare Sonne our Saviour , who to make us to live againe in heaven , after he had by his death reconciled us unto thee , ascended into heaven , there to prepare a place for us .

In the interim then of this small time , which remaines for this thy child to live in this world , give him grace that his spirit may alwayes acknowledge thee , that his heart may adore thee whilst he shall breath that he may be assured stedfastly , that in the end of his mortall sweat he may find unspeakable happines with his bride-groome Iesus Christ , unto whom with thee in the unitie of the Holy Ghost , be honour and glorie for ever . Amen .

3. Another prayer in distres .

36. LOrd , God and Father of all mercy , that sentest from heaven an Angell to comfort thy Son , when in the depth of his Passion ( bearing our sorrowes , and loaden with our griefs , wounded for our offences , and bruised for our iniquities ) his soule was heavie even unto death . We beseech thee from the bottome of our hearts to comfort this thy sick child , whom thou hast regenerated and incorporated into thy welbeloved Sonne : acknowledg ( Lord ) the mark of thine adoption in him .

We know , O God of inestimable puritie , that our sinnes drive us back far away from thee : But thy deare Sonne , who is made for us ( by thee ) wisdome , righteousnesse , sanctification , and redemption : not only washeth us with his bloud to becom acceptable unto thee , but withall maketh & giveth us entrance into thy Sanctuary , & boldnes by his death to approch with assurance to the throne of thy grace , to be heard in due time .

Graunt grace unto this sick person to free the point of death with an holy and Christian resolution . Redouble his courage at that present houre , that his soule is upon the point to behold thy face , wherein is fulnesse of joy . And amidst the violent dartings of those sighs which accompanie the last acts of his life , give him perfect clear●esse of judgement , accompanied with calmenesse of spirit , evermore to acknowledge his true and only God , that drawes him out of the desarts of this world , to live happy in the Heavenly Ierusalem , and who withdrawes him out of the bottomlesse depths of wretchednes , to bring him to live in heaven , heaped with eternall blessings .

Command thy holy Angels which thou incampest round about those that feare thee , and which watch for the welfare and safety of thy children , that they beare the soule of this thy servant up into heaven , the sacred Temple of thy glory , most gloriously resplendant with happinesse and honour , where he shall clearely see that which his spirit adores here below , and where he shall injoy that divine and celestiall harmonie , which the blessed Spirits make unto thee uncessantly , and the eternall joyes which cannot be valued , and where he shall live in continuall admiration of those incomprehensible bounties in the presence of his Spouse , thy beloved Sonne Iesus Christ . To whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be honour and glory for evermore . So be it .

4. Another Prayer to bee said when the Sicke is in extremity .

37. O Lord , our good God , and most mercifull Father , who being overcome with the bowels of thy tender mercies hast sent down thy beloved Sonne to save sinners , and hast been pleased that this thy Sonne was bound to loose us , condemned to absolve and free us , that he died , to give us life ; yea , that he was made a curse , to the end , that we might be made a blessing of God in him . We beseech thee to graunt this grace unto this sick person , to repose and relye himselfe on the certainty of faith , for the full remission of his sinnes , upon that entire and perfect satisfaction , which thy deare Sonne ( whose bloud was once offered up to abolish the sinnes of many ) hath made unto the● upon the Crosse . For it is certaine that thou wilt not the death of a sinner , but that he be converted and live : Thou bruisest not in thy displeasure those that thou hast redeemed by his death thou dost not precipitate into that eternall gulfe those whom thou hast ingrafted and regenerated in that great Mediator and Saviour of the world , when as ( calling upon thy mercy ) they shal be converted with their whole heart unto thee .

That when Satan our adversarie ( who like a roaring Lion goeth about us , endeavouring to devoure us ) maketh himself a party against this sick person in this his last conflict , setting before him the checkroule and catologue of his sinnes , and thy rigorous judgment to astonish and to precipitate him into despaire , give him grace to shield and ward himselfe as with a target and buckler , to repell and beat back the fierie darts of that enemie , with the truth and assurance , that the bloud of thy Sonne Iesus cleanseth from all sinne .

Fortifie then and animate ( O God of invincible power , and our firme hope ) this thy child with the strength of thy Holy Spirit at this present houre , that his soule being disburdened of the miseries which presse him , yea set free from the captivitie of his body , is ready to go unto thee . And in that houre , wherin the earth claimeth in his person what we have borrowed of her , have pitie Lord on thine owne image , and despise not the works of thy hands .

Behold , Lord , the teares , the plaints , the sighes , the groanes , and the contrition of the heart of this sicke person , and our prayers , that we may acknowledge in his person thy clemency , the mother of our hope , thy succours , the source of our life : and that indeed thou art our sacred and saving refuge .

And as for us which remaine in this vale of miserie , graunt us this grace , that as thy people being captive in Babilon , had the comfort to direct and lift up their eyes towards Ierusalem , the place wherein thou didst manifest unto them thy glorious and gracious presence , that even so amidst the captivitie of this world , where we see nothing but confusion , and where vice raigneth , and thy honour is dis-esteemed , we may have our eyes towards thee , as on the sole object and subject of our joy and rejoycing , seeing in thy face is the fulnes of joy , and at thy right hand are perfect pleasures for evermore .

Even so , O thou God of inestimable bounty and goodnes , and who hast chosen us out of the world to follow thy holy will : we beseech thee that when thou shalt call us out of this world to place our soules in the company of those who by faith have overcome Kingdomes , have done righteousnesse , and have obtained the promises , and who are written in the Booke of Life of the Lamb.

In the meane time , O Lord , arme us with patience , and in the midst of our troubles make us sensible by a lively feeling that our light affliction , which is transient and soone over , produceth in us a waight of glory , wonderfully excellent , and that leaving by death these visible things , which are but of small continuance , we shall injoy those that are now invisible to our eyes , which are abiding for ever in Iesus Christ , and by Iesus Christ : to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be honour and glory for ever . Amen .

5. A Prayer when the sick is in some grievous perplexitie .

38. O God , and Father of all mercy , who art wise in thy counsels , true in thy word , and admirable in thy works : yea who keepest thy deare children as the apple of thine eye . In as much as now we see , that now it is , even at this time , that it wil be thy pleasure to withdraw this thy sick child out of this mortall world . We beseech thee enter not into account with him to punish him , nor reprove him in thy displeasure , neither chasten him in thy wrath : But remember Lord , he hath beene called in thy Church and in the number of thine Elect , to be washed and sanctified by thy grace in the name of Iesus Christ , thy deare Sonne , who took upon him our griefs , and hath undergone the burden of our sorrowes , that by his wounds we might receive health , whereof his baptisme hath beene the badge . Wash then , Lord , ( who art in goodnesse most compleat ) his soule in the innocent bloud of thy deare Sonne , in whose wounds and merits we inclose our present and future happines , that being made cleane he may keep thee eternally in his sacred celestiall Temple . Gracious Lord , and full of tender compassion , shew not forth thy strength at this time against a languishing body : arme not thy selfe unto vengeance against one that can do nothing . Crush not in thine indignation him whom thou hast in thy goodnesse created after thine owne image : but rather returning thy gracious countenance towards his sorrowes , make him powerfully sensible of thy clemencie , the mother of our hope , and thy love the source of our life .

Drive away Lord , by thy power all dreadfulnesse , all distrustfulnes , and doubts which Satan our adversarie can present unto this sick person , leave not at randome ( as prostituted unto that roaring Lion ) this thy creature , regenerated and born anew in that great Saviour of the world , but rather establish and comfort his soule : Strengthen his faith , redouble upon him in this last houre of his the forces of his Spirit , that with a truly Christian courage he may repell and beat backe ( thorough thy strength ) all the assaults and temptations of the enemie , by the merit of thy deare Son , who was made man to save man , and whose soule was heavie , even unto death , to deliver us from the hell of eternall fire , and from the horrour of the deep . O God of incomparable bounty , the fountaine of joy and of eternall happines , ravish the mind of this sick person , even unto the heavens , and shew unto him the share of those inestimable graces which thy Son our Redeemer hath purchased for us with thee , give him grace to die in the hope of the future resurrection of our bodies , and powerfully to comprehend how the resurrection of thy Sonne is the bud of our blessed immortality , yea the speciall gage of eternall life , and of our holy glorification .

And unto us that shall yet remaine in this world , give grace , that expecting our last day , which shal be the first of our rest , and the end of our miseries , that our contentment may not be elswhere then under the covert of thy grace , let our soules breath nothing but the sweetnes of thy love : and let the continuall desire of living in the admiration of the contemplation of thy divine beauties , which thou hast reserved for thine Elect. Let it be the fervent desire , and the sole vote of our hearts , that daily dying in Adam by the mortifying of our flesh , to be borne anew in Iesus Christ , we may feele more and more by thy grace , our carnall concupiscences repressed , our faith inflamed , and our hearts cheered by thy singular blessings , which thou powrest out daily ( with a hand more then liberall ) upon them that feare thee . Which we crave of thee in the name of thy deare Son : O our Father which 〈◊〉 in heaven , &c.

6. A Prayer directed unto Iesus Christ , the Great and Soveraigne Shepheard of our Soules , for the Sick that is in extremity .

39. LOrd Iesus , our sole and only Redeemer , who lovest thine with an eternall love , and who camest downe from heaven to raise us up to heaven , who tookest our humane nature upon thee to make us the children of God : Who borest upon thy back the burthen of our sins , to discharge us of them : and who as a celestiall . Pelican , after thou hadst pierced thy sides with the edge of thy love , to make thy Vermilian Bloud distill forth to heale our mortall wounds , and to drowne our sins in the sea of thy mercies , callest us to come unto thee , promising to ease all those that are heavie laden and travell ; assuring them they shall find rest for their soules .

We beseech thee from the bottome of our hearts O Soveraigne Physitian of our soules , who camest not for the whole and the righteous , but for the sicke , and for sinners , to strengthen the faith of this thy sick child , redoubling the strength of his Spirit , to overcome all feares , to vanquish all dangers , and to repell the Alarums of Satan , and all the assaults of his temptations .

And seeing that the desire of this sicke person is before thee , and that his sorrowes are not hid from thee , forsake him not , and be not farre from succouring of him , but turning thy mercifull countenance towards his griefs , make him powerfully sensible of thy succours in joy and in salvation , that he may dispose himselfe , and we also , when it shall please thee to call us , to die to thee , to live againe in thee , O God of our deliverance .

We confesse O thou Soveraigne Redeemer , that our sins were infinite , because Adam had offended against thee Infinite . We likewise acknowledge that for the same there was requisite an infinite satisfaction : which neither Angels , nor men , nor any finite creature could accomplish : But thy bloud , O Saviour of the world , who by thy eternall Spirit offered thee unto God thy Father , thy selfe without all blemish , and who art of an infinite price , art alone able to cleanse our consciences from dead works , to serve the living God .

And seeing that by this inestimable redemption thy Name is unto thy faithfull ones a perfume spread forth abroad and powred out : and that thy divinitie joyned unto our humanitie in one person , is our sole comfort , and the certain pledge of our union and reconciliation with God : We beseech thee to present unto thy Father ( as a sweet odour for this sick person ) the merits of thy Passion , seeing that thy righteousnes wherewith thou justifiest sinners is not only of inestimable vertue to sanctifie us , but also thy death is incomparably admirable to quicken us .

And in as much as the death of thy beloved ones is precious before thy Father , when he looketh upon thee . We beseech thee to blesse the death of this our brother , covering him with the mantle of thy protection , a mantle farre more excellent then that of Elias : that securely he may passe the torrent and violent streame of this life , to come unto thy holy mountaine , and to drink of that spirituall sweetnesse , with thine Elect , of the fountaine of life in heaven .

O Saviour of the world , the lively brightnes of the eternall glory of the Father , who camest downe from the highest pitch of the celestiall mountaines to seek the lost sheep , and to inclose him , after thou hadst found him , in the parks of thy sacred custody , save now , and protect the soule of this thy sheep , to the end the infernall wolfe devoure him not , but accomplish thine owne desire , touching those whom the Father hath given thee , seat it and bestow it with thee in the place of consolation , to the end that with all the happy spirits , which have imbraced the merits of thy Passion , it may behold that eternall glory , which the Father , who loveth thee , and who alwayes heareth thee , hath given thee before the foundation of the world . To thee then the Redeemer of the world , with the Father in the unitie of the Holy Ghost , be honour and glory for evermore . So be it .

7. Another Prayer , wherein supplication is made unto God to assist with his holy Spirit the Sick in his agonie .

40. O Lord God , and most gracious Father when we enter into a serious consideration of our estate , certaine it is , that we are in this world , as upon a rough and tempestuous sea : and that the winds and storms of temptations advance themselves and arise every minute against us , and therefore is it that we humbly beseech thee that in this perillous passage thy Spirit may conduct and strengthen our brittle vessell , that by the assistance thereof at the last we may happily arive at the haven of eternall salvation .

And especially we beseech thee for this thy sicke child , to the end it may please thee to imprint by the effectuall power of thy Holy Spirit more and more in his heart charity , and the love of thy Sonne , in whose name we have remission of our sinnes , that Persevering with invincible constancie unto the end in the faith , and confession of the Name of his Saviour he may find undoubtedly in him whatsoever is requisite unto his assured blessednes .

Let that thy Spirit , which inflameth that which is cold , which erecteth what is fallen , which giveth breath unto that which is weary , cheare up by his vertue the feeblenes of this sick person , and produce in him ardent sighs , Which may be dissolved into the sweet raine of teares , fruitfull unto his soule . Let the Same thy Spirit be unto this sick person that which it was unto Elias , the whirle-wind , and the chariot of fire , wherein he may be carried up to heaven . Let it be the same that was the New Starre to the Wisemen of the East , that by the guiding thereof he may come unto Iesus Christ , not laid in the manger not any more passible , but glorious and risen againe , sitting at thy right hand , above all powers and principalitie , victorious over death , triumphant over hell ; and Head , and Consummatour of our faith . And as thou shewedst unto three of thy Apostles in the mountaine , when as thy Sonne was transfigured , having his face shining as a radiant Sun , a skantling and patterne of the glory and celestiall beauty , which they should injoy , whom thou hast chosen and incorporated into thy said Son . So we beseech thee that during the small time which remaineth for us to passe the course of this life , it may please thee to give us a continuall tast of that heavenly happinesse , and an holy sense of thy glory , with a firme and an assured peace of conscience , founded upon thy love , to walke in the strength of this consolation unto thy holy mountaine .

For in as much as this world is but a pilgrimage , and a way wherein there is nothing to be found firme , and wherein the more that men digge to build in it , the more do they find unstable sand , and unconstant agitations . Where ought we Lord , to seeke for the true foundation of our expectation and hope , but in heaven ? And seeing that where the body is , thither gather together the Eagles , We beseech thee to raise up aloft the heart of this sicke person , and ours unto thee , that thy love may be a precious ointment to make us run and aspire after thee .

If David in the midst of his great riches thought himselfe a stranger and a forraigner as his Fathers , if he said that his dayes were as a shadow upon the earth , wherein there is no stay , if he looked upon his Royall Pallace as upon an Inne , whereout he was every houre to dislodge : if he looked upon his Throne as upon a seat which he must leave and resigne over to another . And if looking upon his Crowne , as on a thing which was subject to fade in these terrestriall places , he breathed after an incorruptible Crowne of glory , how much more ought we out of the midst of the dust of this world to desire and to breathe after that glorious eternall Crowne , where our heavines shal be turned into gladnes : our poverty into eternall riches : and our ignominie into incorruptible honours .

Graunt us this grace then , O great God , not only to despise the things which the world admires , but also make us to take patiently the afflictions which invirone and assault us , whilst we run this our mortall race .

For seeing thou hast ordained that they whom thou hast chosen should be made like to the image of thy Sonne , not only in suffering , but also in glory : graunt us grace firmely to be sensible of in this world , and truly to injoy in the other the effect of this holy promise , which thy Sonne who is holy , and true , hath made unto those that partake in his afflictions , namely that he will give unto him that shall overcome , to sit with him upon his Throne , so as he also that hath overcome , sitteth upon the Throne of his Father .

For it is certaine , if we beare here below the Crosse of his Son , we shall weare also the Crowne of glory with him in heaven . That if we drink gall and vinegar out of the cup of his Passion , we shal be watered and thorowly moistened with the rivers of his pleasures ; and if we beare in our bodies the mortification of the Lord Iesus , even so also the life of the Lord Iesus shal be manifested in our mortal flesh : & then al of us casting forth bright beams of glory , and shining with splendor , we shal be not only like unto Angels , but even withall we shal be like unto thee , to injoy thorow thee and with thee , that thy glory and felicitie , the which ( because our words fall farre short of our thoughts yet shorter of the greatnesse therof ) eye cannot behold , eare cannot heare , nor heart comprehend .

Graunt us these things , O God , who art goodnes it self , love it self , & holines it self , who givest us what ere we have , & wilt give us out of thy bounty and mercy the fruition of what ere we hope for in all eternity , thorow thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord , to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost , be honor and glory .

Our Father which art in heaven , &c.

A prayer to be said after the sicke hath rendred his soule unto God , for the comfort of the by-standers .

41. O God and most merciful Father , who hast created all things without necessitie , who governest them without labour , and who changest them , thou thy selfe being unchangeable , and whose sacred and perfect will is daily done on earth , as in heaven . We thank thee for this , that it hath pleased thee to withdraw unto thee the soule of our brother , making us to know in his death what our infirmity is : and making us to behold , as in a glasse the accomplishment of thine irrevocable sentence , by which dust must returne to dust , and the soule goe to heaven , to him that gave it .

Graunt us this grace , that this death may serve to make a serious impression in our thoughts , not onely how his day is this day to die , ours shal be tomorrow , and that as the last of our dayes shal be the first of our rest : Yet , that the death of the righteous is the sun-set of their woes , and the sun-rising of their felicities : but herewithall it may be also unto us an example to contemne this world where we do but offend thee : to breath after ( with our whole hearts ) the celestiall Ierusalem , wherein we shall injoy with Iesus Christ our Spouse unspeakeable and eternall pleasures , whose excellencies surpasse all understanding , according to that holy promise , which he hath made us , to be gone up thither , there to prepare us a place , to be with him injoying eternall glory .

Expecting then that most happy houre , when thou wilt call us out of this world , and where our salvation , which is shut up in hope , shal be fully revealed unto us : Inable us powerfully to comprehend the excellencie of our Calling , and what are the riches of thy glory in that heavenly inheritance of thy Saints : and what the excellent greatnes of that power is to us ward , that believe thorow operation of the power of thy strength , which thou hast effectually exprest in thy Sonne Iesus Christ , when thou raisedst him from the dead , and madest him sit at thy right hand in heavenly places , above all principalitie and power , strength , and dominion : and above every name which is named , not only in this world , but also in that which is to come . To the end , that being strengthened and corroborated in the inward man , we might walk on as becommeth that Calling whereunto we are called , in all humilitie and meeknes : and with a patient mind , bearing with one another in deare love , being carefull to keepe the Vnitie of the Spirit in the Bond of peace , seeing we are called into the hope of our Calling . To thee O great God , Father of all , which art above all , amongst all , and in us all : with thy Sonne in the unitie of the Holy Ghost , be honour and glory for ever . Amen .

Vnto him that feareth God , to die is to be borne .

FINIS .

A PRAYER to be said in the Morning at our Vprising .

O Most glorious God , most gracious Father , and most mercifull Saviour , seeing it hath pleased thee to graunt me the gracious favour to have passed this night , and to come unto this present day , be likewise graciously pleased to adde herewith also unto me the benefit and abilitie to imploy the same wholly and altogether unto thy service , in such sort that I may neither thinke , say , nor doe any thing , but what may bee well pleasing unto thee : And comply with the obedience unto thy blessed will and pleasure . That so all my words may tend to the glory of thy Name , and edification of my neighbours And as it hath pleased thee to make thy Sunne to shine upon the earth , to inlighten our bodies : so likewise be pleased by the bright beames of thy Spirit to illuminate my understanding , ●nd my heart , to direct and guide me in the saving way of thy righteousnesse , so that unto whatsoever I apply my selfe evermore my principall end and Intention may bee to walk in thy feare , to serve and honour thee , expecting all my happinesse and welfare from thy onely blessing , that so I may take nothing in hand , but what is agreeable to thy blessed Will and Commandements : As also that so travelling for the body , and this present life , that I may ever looke further , namely unto that heavenly life , which thou hast promised unto thy children . Yet so Lord , that it may please thee , both in body , and soule , to bee my protector , strengthening me against all the temptations of the Devill , and delivering me from all dangers which may befall mee . And because it is nothing to begin well , unlesse it be seconded with perseverance ▪ Re●●●●me not onely for this day into thy sacred protection , but even for the whole course of my life , co●tin●e , and daily augment , and increase in thee thy Hea●●●ly Grace , ●ntill thou hast brought me unto the full fruition of thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord , who is the true Sunne of 〈◊〉 soules that shineth day and night without end , and for ever . And that I may obtaine these graces from thee , bee pleased to forget all my sinnes past , and by thy infinite mercies to forgive mee them , as thou hast promised unto all them , that by faith in Iesus Christ , the Sonne of thy love , accompanied with true repentant , sorrow for their sinnes heartily seeke thy mercie in the pardon of their sinnes by Iesus Christ , to whom with thee and thy Holy Spirit , one true and everliving God , bee all honour and glory , now and for evermore . Amen .

A PRAYER TO 〈◊〉 said before going to bed .

O Lord God , sith it hath pleased thee to create the night for the rest of man as thou hast ordained him the day for his travell : Graunt me the grace so to take rest this night in body , as that my soule may alwayes watch unto thee , and that my heart may be raised up in thy love , and that I may so cast off and lay as●de all earthly cares that I may bee refreshed , as mine infirmitie shall require , that I never forget thee : but that the remembrance of thy bounty and grace may remaine evermore so deepely imprinted in my memorie , that by that means my conscience may have as well her spirituall rest , as the body taketh his . And withall let not my sleepe bee excessive , inordinately to please the ease of the flesh , but onely to satisfie the frailtie of nature , the better to dispose me to thy service . Be also pleased to keep me unpolluted in my body , as in my minde . And to preserve mee against all dangers , that my sleep may bee to the glory of thy Name And seeing there h●th not a day passed , wh●●● I have not many wayes of●●●●●● thee , according as I am a poor● wretched sinner , even as all a now covered by the darkenesse which thou sendest upon the earth , graunt likewise all my sinnes may bee buried thorow thy mercy , that by them I may not bee deprived of the light of thy countenance Heate mee most gracious God , and loving Father , for Iesus Christ his sake . Amen .

THE MANNER of questioning those that are to bee received to the Supper of our LORD IESVS CHRIST .

Question .

IN whom believest thou ?

Answer . In God the Father , in Iesus Christ his Sonne , and in the Holy Ghost .

Q The Father , the Sonne , and the Holy Ghost : are they more then one God ?

A. No.

Q Must we serve God according to hi● 〈◊〉 or according to the traditions of ●●n ?

A. We must serve him according to his Commandements , and not according to the commandements of men .

Q. Canst thou fulfill Gods Commandements of thy selfe ?

A No.

Q. Who is it then that fulfill them in thee ?

A. The Holy Ghost .

Q And when God hath given thee his Holy Spirit , canst tho● perfectly fulfill them ?

A. No : in no wise .

Q And yet God curseth and reiecteth all those that doe not perfectly and entirely fulfill his Commandements ?

A. It is true .

Q By what meanes then canst thou be saved , and delivered from the curse of God ?

A. By the Death and Passion of our Lord Iesus Christ .

Q How by the meanes of his Death and Passion ?

A. Because by his Death he hath purchased us life , and hath reconciled us unto God his Father .

Q. Vnto whom prayest thou ?

A. Vnto God

Q In whose name prayest thou ?

A. In the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ , who is our Mediator and Intercessor .

Q. How many Sacraments are there in the Christian Church ?

A Two .

Q. Which are they ?

A. Baptisme , and the Lords Supper .

Q. What is the signification of Baptisme ?

A. It hath two parts For our Lord doth therein set forth unto us the remission of our sins : and then our regeneration or spirituall renewing .

Q. And what signif●●th the S●pper ?

A. It setteth forth unto vs , that by the Communion of the Body and bloud of our Lord Iesus Christ our soules are nourished in the hope of eternall life .

Q What do the Bread and Wine set forth unto us in the Lords Supper ?

A. They set forth unto us that the Body and Bloud of Iesus Christ have such vertue and strength unto our soules as Bread and Wine have unto our bodies

Q Conceivest thou that the Body of Iesus ●hrist is inclosed and contained u●der the Bread , and his Blo●d under the Wine ?

A. No

Q Where then must we seeke Iesus Christ to have the fruition of him ?

A. In heaven , in the glory of God his Father .

Q What is the meanes to come unto heaven where Iesus Christ is ?

A. It is faith .

Q. We must then have true faith before we can have the right use of this holy Sacrament ?

A. So we must .

Q. And how can we come by this faith ?

A We attaine unto it by the Holy Ghost , which dwelleth in our hearts , and assureth us of the Promises of God , which are made unto us in the Gospell .

FINIS .