His Waking in the Morning .

1 I Have sweetly rested this night , free from terrors , sights , noises , dreames and paines , which afflict manie men ; and from those nocturne sins , which pollute manie more , both in soule and bodie . I then lift up my eyes , and open my heart and mouth to thee , gracious God , giving thee cordiall and verball thanks , for thy favors to me . I acknowledge them such , meere favors to thy poore servant , and unworthie creature , who therefore vow thee all love and service . Accept , confirme my vow .

2. How manie men have lost their lives this night , or led them in feare and sorrow ; whilst I have slept soundly , and refresht my bodie ? Then let my soule praise now her preserver : And thou , good God , receive of me what thou hast given me , ●●thankfull heart for thy favors , a joyfull mind for my preservation , and a pious resolution , to love thee sincerely , and serve thee faithfully . This I willingly offer thee for morning sacrifice , without either reservation , or power of revocation .

3. This night hath been unpleasant to my thoughts , and unquiet to my bodie : yea , I have done both sleeping and waking what hath displeas'd that glorious God , by whose power I live . The troubles or feares of the mind , the distemper or paines of the bodie , the sins of both , and causes of those troubles , feare● , distempers and paines are the motive of my present humiliation and supplication . Acknowledging therefore my selfe a vile sinner , and a weak thing ; I pray thee , holie and great God , to be gracious to me , in the remission of my sins , and in the donation of thy comforting spirit , by which my whole person be sanctifi'd for thy service , and strengthned for mine owne affaires .

4. Have I not slept enough ? Why then doe I delay to rise ? Will I now make my bed a grave of corruption , and not a place of rest ? The Lord forbid . I have been made for other ends , then to sleep out the time , which is due to action . O then , my God , help me to resist slo●●b , and rise now cheerfully , to follow my calling .

5. Yet a little sleep , a little slumber , a little folding of the hands : but this little may procure great , a little sleep great povertie : for , who loves that , shall come to this . I 'le then unfold my armes , stretch out my lims , open my eyes , rise , work ; that I be satisfi'd with bread . Yet I may rise early , and sit up late in vaine ; Unles , O God , thou blesse my diligence , care and labor . I then beg thy blessing on them and me , which I wholy dedicate unto thy glorie .

6. Fie , fie on the sluggard . He should be sent with a good whipping to the Ant , to consider her wayes , and so be wise . Indeed since man lost the right use of his reason , he may well learne of those creatures , which doe not know , what reason is . Ants , Bees and such small things may teach him to order his familie and common-wealth , and so to humble his proud thoughts , considering , sin hath made him inferior to his underlings . I acknowledge this truth , O God , and since my great Sun is eclips'd , I will gladly borrow some light of these earthlie stars , and in them admire thy wisdome . Make me a docible scholar to their naturall instructions , and from them raise me to a higher schoole , thy holie and most perfect word .

7. Now my flesh is refresh't , and begins to rebell . I feele lustfull motions , which ( unles they be quail'd ) shall defile the bodie , and make the soule guiltie . What shall I doe in this case ? I will quickly get up , and give her some hard bone to gnaw , thus to keep her busie , for idlenes breeds wantonnes , and lust is fomented in doune . In the meane time coole , O Lord , this heat with thy grace , and as a naile doth expell another ; so let the feare of an eternall fire quench the flames of sensualitie , and abate carnall lust .

8. What makes me thus wanton ? Good diet and full sleep , plentie , ease , pleasures , strength and health . Should I ( as thousands of poore men ) want all these things ; or some of them , as manie of the greatest sort , my flesh should not be so lustie , as I with griefe find her . Were I halfe starv'd , on a hard and cold floore , or in the open fields , cross'd in all my desires , weakned by long disease , burnt with feavers or plague , tormented with the stone , gout and the like : then I should groane and crie unto my God for help . Should I doe so ? Then since I am not so , and know , that these blessings of plentie , ease , pleasures , strength , health proceed from God , I must sing praises unto him , yea my flesh must rejoyce in him . If I doe otherwise , listening to the lust of the flesh , I prove my selfe an ingrat wretch , and so may draw curse for blessing , penurie for plentie , trouble for ease , griefe for pleasures , infirmitie for strength , and diseases instead of health . Then I will not doe so , not take delight in these thoughts or motions : for those things should torture my flesh , and vexe my spirit . Nay rather I will not doe so : for thus I should offend my God , who commands me inward and outward puritie . Thou , who command'st , give to obey . Thou , who delight'st in pure minds , and chast flesh ; make mine such as thou lov'st . Thou Christ , who didst assume our flesh , yea whole nature , let me not henceforth defile that in me , which thou hast purifi'd in thee , and forgive me all my past pollutions .

In Opening his Eyes .

1 I See before my eyes th' effects of Gods mercie , my selfe alive , and my goods safe . Then I lift up these eyes to thee , and with them my heart , gracious God , acknowledging thy love to me , and offring mine to thee .

2. My eyes are open , yet I see nothing , for want of light . The Sun hath not yet wholy forsaken th' other part of the earth . So it happens inwardly to thousands , yea to millions of men . They have curious and acute wits , grave and judicious intellects , yet cannot see what belongs to their salvation , because they want that light , which fully shines on us , the word of truth and life . O God , let this Sun rise to them , yet never set to us . Send thy Gospel to them , yet let it still remaine with us , and chiefly with me thy servant .

3. Sith the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous , for care ; this must fix his upon the Lord , for hope and dependence . Though I be a sinner , yet my eyes are on thee , my God : I expect all good things from thee , and will be rul'd by thee .

4. All things are vanitie , yet I will , and doe pray , Lord , turne my eyes , from beholding vanitie . Must thou then make me blind ? No , but I pray thee , not to permit me , to set my affections on vanitie ; or to turne into vanitie , what thou hast made for excellent and necessarie uses .

5. Strengthen , O God , my carnall eyes , that I daily see thy wondrous creatures , with love and admiration ; reade thy converting word , with delight and profit ; look prudently to my affaires : and open my spirituall , that I may behold marvellous things out of thy Law .

6. The wise mans eyes are in his head , sees afarre off ; and wisely considers all things : but the foole walketh in darknes , hath no foresight , no judicious counsell . Make me , O God from foolish wise , and wise with honestie .

7. Truly the light is sweet , and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes , to behold the Sun : yet these eyes must not be too bold with it , not staring 'gainst the light , assoon as we awake ; but by few turnes being open and shut , thus to preserve their strength . We must doe so with knowledge and wisdome ; not presume to get all at once , but by degrees : in infancie feeding on milke , the first rudiments of knowledge : then on stronger and stronger meat , higher maximes of art , and mysteries of religion . Lord , let me seeke knowledge , according to my capacitie : give me capacitie , to conceive what I ought , chiefly , concerning thee and me ; and make me wise unto sobrietie .

8. As the eyes are the windores of the soule , it concernes her to looke to them ; least death enter by them , and so kill her . My God , preserve my eyes for the safetie of the bodie , and make my soule so watchfull over them ; that neither gift blind them ; nor beautie allure them lewdly ; nor vaine honors make them loftie ; nor brotherlie prosperitie envious ; and if they have been such , as I confesse it with sorrow , pardon their transgression .

In Shifting his Shirt .

1 THere is such corruption in man , so much uncleannes in his flesh , that unles he use much washing , rubbing , linnen ; he shall be offensive to himselfe and others . I will therefore take care of the puritie of the flesh , not forgetting that of the soule . My God , let me not be like the cups of old Pharisees , cleane without , foule within : or like the aples of Sodom , faire and pleasant in the outside , but rotten inwardly . Purifie thou my soule , and make her sound and sweet , by the graces of thy right Spirit ; and so let likewise my flesh be , both sound and sweet .

2. Nastie persons are not fit to live amongst men : for , man should be a pure creature both in bodie and soule , if he would , could follow the dictat of reason , concerning the bodie ; and the rules of Gods word , for the puritie of the soule . Give me , O Lord , to follow both . Let reason direct me in naturall actions ; thy word guide me , in spirituall operations .

3. This Shirt is foule : therefore I put it off , to put on another , which is both sweet and cleane . Could I doe so with the old man , how happie should I be ! My hearts inclinations are naught , his corruptions most foule , old Adam is hid there . But thou , my God , who didst cast him out of Eden , help me to put him off , with all his vicious workes ; and to put on the new , thy Son Jesus , with his divine vertues .

4. I put off this foule Shirt , but for a little while . When it is wash't , I 'le put it on again . Time is comming , in which I shall leave this corruptible flesh ; but God , in the last day , shall restore it againe to me , immortall . Grant , sweet Jesu , it be also glorious ; and therefore make me here stedfast in faith , aboundant alwayes in thy worke , and looking still for thy comming .

5. Now I am as naked , as I came from the wombe . O no : I have now more , then I brought thence . I had then but one sin , and now I have thousands . Yet , why should I say so ? Have I not truly griev'd for them , and hath not God forgiv'n them me for Christ ? Then I am free from them : and then againe , I must be thankfull and carefull . Make me both , my good Lord ; thankfull for thy mercie , carefull to avoid sin , yea the lest occasion of it .

6. While I put on this Shirt , clothe me , O God , clothe me , I beseech thee , with the precious robe of Christs Innocence ; that I be not naked before thy glorious majestie . Indue me with knowledge , righteousnes , holines .

7. This Shirt refreshes me , because 't is cleane , sweet , warme . Gods grace is such unto the soule , and makes the soule such as it is . O then , my God , let me now feele thy grace , to worke in me these blest effects . Let thy face shine on me , and be thou gracious unto me .

8. Have I not manie Shirts , and other changes of garments , while manie goe naked , or not clothed sufficiently for the weather , or according to their qualitie and merits ? If it be so , I will spare of my aboundance , chiefly to them , who deserve well of Church or State . Let not , O God , the rich permit , that the poore goe naked , or those in rags and course garments , whose learning , vertue , pietie adorne thy Church , and grace our State .

His Rising .

1. I Rise , to follow my calling , and my chiefe vocation is to serve God , sith I am his profest servant . O then , my God , grant , thy service be my principall care : and as thou art gracious , accept my workes , yea indeavours ; and pardon my imperfections , yea grievous transgressions .

2. I Rise , but shall speedily fall , unles God support me : for , nothing can subsist without his providence . Withdraw then not thy gracious hand from me , O God my onlie supporter .

3. I am ( by Gods help ) on my legs ; but in what posture is my soule ? Creeping on earth , or flying to heaven ? Lying in vice and sin , or standing in vertue and grace ? If in the first , raise her , my good Lord , and pardon her sins . If in the last , assist her in her flight ; that she flie still higher , and never fall .

4. Now legs , look to your selves . Doe , like good servants , your dutie , to carie the bodie in modest postures , and to good companies . Grant , gracious God , I remember with shame and griefe my past and sinfull wayes , which I beseech thee to forget : and then I think o wisely upon the present and future , standing not in that of sinners , but humbly turning now my feet to thy testimonies .

His Dressing .

1 SHame followes pride , and confusion is the usuall end of ambition . As long as man kept his distance from God , he was both glorious and content : but when he would goe too neere his Maker in knowledge , shame sat upon his face , and spred it selfe upon all his outside ; while within sorrow fill'd his heart , and feare possest his mind . Then the flesh begun to beare sway ; for , Adam sought to adorne her , little caring for the spirit : since then he hid himselfe from God , who could repaire what man had marr'd . Lord , let me not doe so . Let me first seeke the soules ornament , thy saving grace and those Christian vertues , thou dost command me in thy word : then let me provide those garments , which may cover my shame , and shelter me from the weather .

2. The first garments our parents had , were aprons of fig-leaves , and coats of skins : this last ( belike ) being made by God , to shew , how pride had made those like beasts , who would be as gods . Though our attire be more costlie ; yet it should still represent us our fall , from a blessed to a cursed estate . Let , O God , mine doe so . When I put on my clothes , let me think on my sins , which ( when I was immortall ) made me subject to corruption in the bodie , and unto damnation both in bodie and soule , unles in mercie thou sav'st me .

3. It is hard to leave old customes . As pride was mans first sin ; so we can hardly put it off . Rather 't is fed by us , both inwardly and outwardly ; inwardly , with conceits of bloud , wit and vertue ; and outwardly , with beautie , strength , riches , attire : and of these , the last is the worst : for , in that we glorie in weeds , we shew , we sorrow not for sin , the first cause of garments . O God! let nothing make thy servant proud ; chiefly , let me not take for foundation of my ostentation , the marke of my parents disgrace .

4. Why are men so busie , in seeking curious apparell , to cover a dunghill ? Indeed I cannot much blame them ; for , in that they imitate God himselfe , who in the frame of our bodies doth hide our inward parts , as unpleasant unto the sight ; and least perhaps we should dislike our old mother the Earth , attires her with flowr's and green grasse . Our fault is , that with proud exces we vaile our nakednes . Lord , keep me from these sins , and grant , I desire no more clothes , then need and decencie require .

5. Man is made of soule and bodie , a noble spirit and a vile flesh . The bodie ought to serve the soule ; for the sense should yeeld to reason . Yet it happens quite otherwise ; for , vile flesh rules , and noble sp'rit obeyes . At least the bodie hath the best . I have slept long , and I am long to make my selfe readie , though I will make as much hast , as I can : then I must walk , play , eat and worke , for the pleasure and profit of the flesh , whiles the poore soule lies still unregarded . Yet it shall not be so . I will spend some time upon her , in reading bookes , to increase her knowledge ; and praying God , to obtaine grace . Yea since the soule may be busie , while the bodie is in action ; rest and lie still , whilst he is in motion , I will take care , that in the midst of my occupations , she think often on God , speak unto him , and heare what he sayes unto her . O Lord ! blesse this resolution , and grant , this day I looke so well unto my selfe , that the bodie be subject to the soule , the soule faithfull to thee , and both belov'd of thee .

6. Now I must wash my hands and face , and see , all things be decent about me . In the meane time , speake thus my soule , unto thy God . O Lord ! cleanse my soule heart from 〈◇〉 impurities ; and so replenish it with grace ; that it enjoy and feele continually thy gratuit and preventing love : and so likewise blesse my bodie and externall actions ; that all persons like me , nor with an eye of flesh , to stirre their lust ; but of the sp'rit , to marke my courteous behaviour , vertuous and religious conversation ; to give thee the glorie of them , and indeavour to follow me .

His Looking in a Glasse .

1 Where 's the mirrour , in which I may see , how I looke ; seeke in my face markes of health or sicknes ; tokens of joy or griefe , and whether it be clean ? I see all things are well , as farre as this glasse can shew me . But how are things within ? How fares my heart ? In what case is my soule ? I must examine this ; and if I will consult my God , he will tell me : and if I reade wisely his booke , I shall see there my spirituall estate . I 'le trie that presently . I will reade it , then pray ; yet pray a little , ere I reade . My God , shew me what I desire , and if the sight be not good , make it so : and if good , perfect it . If my soule be diseas'd , heale her ; and if well , maintaine her in health . Cleanse her from sin , adorne her with thy grace .

2. This glasse flatters , and so 't is fit for me : for , I flatter likewise , great men , for preferment ; the rich , for helpe ; the strong , for feare ; the faire , for love , or perhaps lust . But what basenes in the adulator , and what follie in the adulated ? The first sells the truth and his owne credit , for a dish of pottage : and the second is cheated of the truth , by a flattering tongue , which charmes his eyes and heart so pow'rfully , that he beleeves the contrarie of what he sees , feeles , knowes . If then I doe flatter others , and love to be flattered , am I not a base foole ? And if I doe flatter my selfe , imagining me faire , vertuous , gracious , when beautie , vertue , grace are more remote from me , then the globe of the Sun : what shall I say , I am ? Worse then anie mad man , and more blind then a Mole . Then I may say so now ; sith I have often flattred my selfe thus : for which being asham'd and full of griefe , I pray thee , Lord , to be gracious to me , in the free remission of this great transgression , and future prevention of this base , foolish and mad vice . O let me not flatter others , and let not others flatter me : or if they doe 't , let me not regard their false words , but shew them my strong aversion of their base wayes , by a sincere acknowledgement of my infirmities , and diligent flight from their companie .

3. This Glasse represents me faire or comlie , with that due proportion and right color , which manie thousands want . So it gives me a double lesson , of vertue and gratitude : for , sith I am faire in bodie , I must not be uglie in mind ; and sith my beautie comes from God , I must render him thankes and love . I doe so now , most glorious Spirit , who art the first and chiefe beautie ; I thanke and love thee heartily , for my amiable feature ; beseeching thee to beautifie my soule , with all morall vertues , Christian graces , and to free my heart from those vanities , which are inherent to beautie .

4. What homelie face have I ? How course , yellow or tawnie my skin is ? If I am in my selfe , as this Glasse doth represent me , I am a good remedie against love . I should say against lust : for , who is wise , will not love me the lesse , because I want fading and deceitfull beautie : sith I am Gods noble creature , who ( belike ) made me thus , to shew his infinit pow'r and wisdome , in our diversitie . I will not then repine 'gainst him , but rather acknowledge his love , in making me not lesse perfect and lovelie : for , he might have made me a Toad , or a Hedge-hog . I will neither borrow the help of art , to counterfeit beautie : but will studie to have that inwardly , which I want outwardly . I 'le make provision of vertue . I 'le beg of God humilitie , meeknes , prudence , temperance , justice , fortitude , faith , love . If I have these , am I not faire enough ? O then , my God , give me these and all other graces , to cover my corporall imperfections . Give me an upright heart in this crooked bodie ; pure affections , and sweet disposition , that my squint eyes and stinking breath be not so offensive . Be thus gracious to those , whom thou hast made like me ; and let me and them be to the perfect in outward shape , motives of compassion , and not subjects of derision . Direct us all to the possible and lawfull meanes , to rectifie what is amisse in our bodies : or if there be no meanes , then give us patient hearts , to remaine cheerfully amongst th' outward vessels of worldlie dishonor ; till that time comes , in which the world shall see by our glorious resurrection , that we were truly vessels of honor .

5. How fresh am I ? What fine color doth my young bloud give my smooth skin ? And so , how fresh are Roses in their buds ; yet how soone doe they fade ? Not so soone as my life may doe . I will not then trust in the strength of youth , thus to addict my selfe to voluptie : but rather imploy it to the service of its giver , beginning now to beare his yoak . My God , put it about my necke , and thy bit in my mouth ; that I run not away from thee . Let me not looke upon long life as a pretext to carnall libertie , but as faire opportunities , to manifest my gratitude to my bounteous Maker , by a long and faithfull service . Shall I now live lewdly , because I may live long ? Nay rather , I must live better ; because if I live long , it is by thy mercie , and mercie must not be abus'd : otherwise justice succeeds it . O let thy mercie continue , in preserving these holie thoughts , and fortifying me , against all tentations and occasions of sin .

6. Fie on this dead color ! How dull and dim is now my sight ? how black and rotten all my teeth ? and how full of wrinkles my face ? Well , well . All these tokens are good . The more wrinkles I have , the fewer dayes to live . My weak sight declares me , I am neerer my journies end , if I lose not the way , by looking too much on this flesh , and exces of love to this world . If I doe so , I am a wretched foole . Then , my God , let me not doe so . Give me grace , to bewaile the folies of my youth ; wisdome , to take now better course ; fortitude , to overcome all opposition ; perseverance , to end it happily .

His Morning Pray'r .

1 THough we be commanded , to pray alwayes , as alwayes having need of God , Seek the Prayer● for the Lords Day in the Weeks Devotion . and may in all modest postures adore him in spirit and truth , who is both an infinit Spirit , and the eternall Truth : yet we may have speciall times and postures , to testifie our submission to that great God , and dependence on him . All mornings and evenings are the fit times for dailie sacrifice ; and kneeling is a convenient posture to offer it in all humilitie . I now then bow my knees before thee , glorious God , confessing my basenes , and acknowledging thy greatnes . I am weake , and thou art mightie : I am sillie , thou wise : I sinfull and injust , thou holie and righteous : I poore , thou rich . How then dare I present my selfe , before thy majestie , in my rags , uncleannes , folie , weaknes ? Nay rather , what should I doe else ? Must not the poore beg of the rich , that so they be reliev'd ? Must not sinfull , injust persons frequent the holie and righteous , to learne goodnes in their conversation ? Must not fools resort to the schoole of the wise & prudent , to know wisdome and instruction , and perceive the words of understanding ? Must not the weake leane on the strong , adhere to the mightie , to find support by them ? Yes certainly . I must therefore approch thee now , by holie desires of my heart , from whom I have often withdrawne my selfe , by impure affections , wicked actions . Looke now , my God , upon this poore begger . Thou art rich in mercie : O then have compassion on me , and forgive all my sins , my most frequent and grievous sins of pride and ambition , malice and infirmitie , knowledge and ignorance , idolatrie & infidelitie , presumption , despaire and mistrust , profanation and superstition , avarice and prodigalitie , unkindnes and ingratitude , love and hatred , feare and desires , joy and sadnes , gluttonie and drunkennes , wantonnes and all uncleannes , wearines and drowzines , coldnes and negligence in thy service , injustice and partialitie , severitie and crueltie to my brethren , and whatsoever else hath been in my thoughts , affections , words and actions unpleasant in thy sight , and injurious to my neighbour . Wash these and all other impurities in the fountaine of thy Christs bloud : and then with his originall and actuall holines cover my nakednes : that so I be righteous at least by imputation , and so he be my righteousnes and sanctification . I pray likewise , that he be my wisdome , that so my folies appeare not before thee and men ; but that he give me such subtilitie , knowledge and discretion , that I attaine unto thy wise counsels concerning my salvation ; and unto those meanes to work it with feare . And that in this and in all other things , I doe thy knowne will from my heart , strengthen me with thy pow'r , in the practice of all vertues and religious duties . Let me not live in ignorance , and let not my knowledge be vaine . And because thou hast alreadie done manie great things for me , in me , I blesse thy glorious name , for thy excessive love to me and all thy Church . Continue thy favors , multiplie thy mercies , because dangers increase . Let not the gates of hell , the power of Satan , the subtilitie of Papists , malice of Hereticks , pride of Schismaticks , furie of blasphemers , policie of the worldlie wise , insolencie of the mightie , ambition of some Ministers , pusillanimitie of others , ignorance of manie prevaile against thy Church : but give thy elect such knowledge of thee , faith in thee , love to thee , zeale for thee , that no power separate them from thee ; no waters extinguish their love , no affliction daunt their courage ; no perill make them leave their way ; no sword divide their hearts , either from thee , or from themselves . Now is the time to be gracious unto Sion , and to support the walls of thy Jerusalem . O then hide not thy face , neither withdraw thy helpe . Otherwise all our faces shall gather blacknes , our hearts faintnes , our hands weaknes . Then , gracious Lord , make now thy face shine upon thy servants , and save us for thy mercies sake . O preserve thy truth amongst us , and let our soules , bodies , friends , goods be alwayes in the gracious protection of thee , of whom I doe crave these and all other mercies , for the onelie merits , and in the words of my Saviour Jesus . Our Father , &c.

2. If I must be all day in the feare of the Lord , as Solomon advises me , I must early begin to consider , what feare he meanes : not that apprehension of Gods judgements upon sinners ; of his plagues , thunder , hell : for , this feare is servile and proper to sinners , whom I must not envie , nor in whose way I must not stand . They feare but the justice of God , his pow'r to deprive them of their delights , and to fill them with miserie . I will not then be in this cloudie feare , but in that , which is cleane and cleere . I will feare God and his goodnes , studie and beg that feare , in which there is strong confidence , which is call'd a fountaine of life , and the beginning of wisdome . My God , give me this feare . Let me so fully consider the greatnes of thy love , conceive th' exces of thy mercie , that the lest sin appeare more horrible to me , because opposit unto thee ; then all the torments of this world and hell , because grievous unto my flesh and spirit . Unite my heart to feare thy name , and so feare it , that I never willingly displease thee : and so feare it , that I wholy relie on thee , whom who feares , never wants . O let me tast and see , how good thou art ! Let me seeke thee , in whom is fulnes of good things . Let me feare thee , that so I feare no man , knowing , that who puts his trust in thee , shall be safe . Let me feare thee , and depart from evill ; feare and serve thee with all my heart , considering how great things thou hast done for me . For them I doe thanke thee , and them with this godly feare I beg for all men , chiefly for this Nation . Behold us with pittie . Turne not away from us , to doe us good ; but put thy feare in all our hearts , that we returne to thee , never more to depart from thee . Cleanse us from all iniquitie , from violence and bloud , from injustice and oppression , from cruell hearts , deceitfull tongues , envious eyes , theevish hands . Let truth , goodnes , love , peace , plentie flourish againe : and let againe the voice of joy be heard in all our houses , streets and fields ; and above all , the voice of them , who shall say , Praise the Lord of hosts ; for , the Lord God is good , and his mercie endureth for ever . Amen , Amen .

3. As all things are subordinate , our affections must be wisely ordred , and our duties rendred , first , unto the highest and most excellent pow'r ; then from him to the next , and so by degrees to the last . To teach us this , holie Paul counsels us in generall , to give honor to whom honor is due . God commands us in particular , to honor our Parents . Solomon exhorts us , to feare God and the King . Thus then I learne , that after God , I must Honor my Father and Mother , and Feare the King . And as I learne the commandements ; so I resolve to yeeld them obedience . I will then Honor my Parents , and I will Feare the King . But because I can doe neither , unles my God helpe me , I will thus beg his assistance . Almighty Spirit , to whom honor chiefly belongs , and to whom the first feare is due ! assist me thy servant , to honor and feare thee above all things ; then my Parents and Governors next thee . Let me behold , love and feare them , as those , whom thou hast set in authoritie over me . Let me serve and helpe them , as those , whose cares , paines , feares are great for me . Let me speake of them , and to them , as my relations to them oblige me : as of and to persons , whose honor is my glorie , and their disgrace my infamie . Though then they were not such , as their places require : though not so religious , wise , loving and carefull , as such should be ; but ungodlie , foolish , unkind and negligent : yet let me never despise them : for , I must not curse my Parents ; neither is it fit to say to the King , Thou art wicked ; and to Princes , You are ungodlie . O let me rather pittie them , beare their infirmities , and pray thee heartily for them : and be thou gracious unto them , in covering their sins of negligence , crueltie , folie , ungodlines , and all others , if yet they are guiltie of these , I have exprest : and giving them the contrarie vertues , yea all the qualities , which are necessarie to persons of their ranke . Where they have been wanting in their duties , forgive mercifully : and that they nere be so , assist them pow'rfully . Pardon likewise my offences to them , my harsh censures of them ; cold affections to them ; sleight words of them ; irreverent behaviour towards them ; want of helpe in their needs , of patience to their corrections , of submission to their prudent , honest counsels , of obedience to their just wills and lawfull commandements . Permit me not to continue in these , much lesse to goe beyond . If they command some injustice , require of me what thou forbid'st ; grant me reverend denialls . And if they forbid what thou dost command , let me tell them with great respect : thou art the greatest Lord , and so ought'st to be obey'd first . And if they 'le compell me to injust obedience , give me a prudent and stout heart : prudent , to appease their anger by satisfactorie reasons ; or avoid their furie by flight : and courageous , to endure their torments , with Christian fortitude . Give the same heart unto all Children and Subjects , and generally to all men , under authoritie . Let no more Hams be found in privat families ; no Jeroboams in Kingdomes . Let likewise no drunken fathers give occasions of derision to their children ; nor hard Rehoboams provoke Subjects to rebellion , by grievous servitude . Let Parents be sober , discreet , loving to their Children . Let Kings be kind to their people , please them , and speake good words to them , following the counsell of the prudent old men . That all this be , and till this be , by thy effectuall grace , pitie and relieve those , who are opprest , abus'd by them , who should ease , honor them . Regard the heavie yoakes about the necks of manie children , subjects and servants , and make them light . Consider the disgrace of Parents , Kings , Princes , great men , whose honor lies now in the dust , whose glorie is eclips'd , whose faces are covered with shame , and whose hearts are full of sorrow . And amongst Princes and Subjects , consider ours and us , the King and People of this Land : the King once potent and glorious ; tho People rich , great and happie : but now made weake , poore , despis'd , unhappie , by the child of our lusts , and effect of our jealousies , a long and unnaturall warre . I will not say , who began it , or which of us gave the first occasion : but I confesse , our sins did deserve it , our transgressions were the causes of it , our folies did strike the first blow . Our King hath sinn'd : for , he is a man ; our Nobles have committed wickednes , and delighted in vanitie ; the strong opprest the weake ; the prudent err'd , the poore repin'd and robb'd , and all are gone astray . But is not thy mercie above our injustice , and thy wisdome greater then our folies ? O then forgive , redresse : forgive our wickednes , redresse our disorders . Convert our hearts to thee , and one to the other . Let the King embrace his Subjects ; let the Subjects exalt their King : all weep for griefe at their past injustice : all laugh for joy at their present or shortly future reconciliation . Hasten it , gracious Lord , hasten it for thy love to Christ , whose bloud is our propitiation , and whose life should be our imitation , chiefly in meeknes and humilitie , two vertues , which we greatly want , and therefore beg of thee , as necessarie to our peace , either with thee or men .

4. The weak must not leane on that thing , which may break or fall under him . I must not then leane upon Man , my Riches , Merits , or Wisdome . Not upon Man , because his help is vaine , and his heart deceitfull , the brother supplanting , the neighbour walking with slanders . Not upon my Riches : for , they are incertaine . Not upon my Merits , because my righteousnes is but as filthie rags , whose touch should pollute me . Not upon my Wisdome : for , I must not glorie in it , and there is none against the Lord , nor without him . I must therefore denie my selfe , and mistrusting all men and wordlie things , acknowledge God in all my wayes ; that he direct my pathes . This I will freely doe , yea now , my God , I declare before thee , I have no confidence in Man ; no trust in my Riches ; no hope in my best Workes ; no assurance in my Wisdome ; but wholy trust in thy mercie : which that I alwayes doe , shew me fully the vanitie of all other subjects of confidence : and because I have not alwayes done it , forgive me my folies , in leaning on weake reeds ; and heale all the bruises and wounds , I have got by my frequent falls . O let me this day and alwayes acknowledge thee in all my wayes ; depend upon thy providence ; expect thy wisdome in all my counsels ; crave thy blessing on my words and actions , for delight and succes ; that they please thee , and succeed well . Direct my pathes , shew me the wayes of temporall contentment , and eternall felicitie , least I misse them ; yea beare me in those wayes , least I run too farre in the first , because it is smooth and pleasant : and faint in the second , because rough , hard & long . My soule shal praise thee for thy help : my heart love thee for thy goodnes .

5. When I seriously consider , how few persons in this wide world , have the knowledge of God : how manie live in ignorance , are misled by errors , possest by the spirit of blasphemie , and infected with heresies ; I am toucht with a double sense , of gratitude and compassion . Of gratitude , unto my loving God , for the light , I enjoy , while millions grope in thick darknes : then of compassion towards them , who sit in the shadow of death , stumbling , wandring for want of light . And as who pitties well , is willing and readie to helpe ; so I will doe the best , I can , to shew the realitie of my compassion , towards the blind sons of Adam . I will with tongue and pen indevour to give them the right knowledge of God , and by my Christian life invite them unto his service : and besides this , I will call upon God , to give efficacie to my words , writings and actions , illuminating their understandings , moving , mollifying their hearts . O God , be mercifull to me and them , blesse us , and cause thy face to shine on us : that thy way be knowne upon earth , thy saving health amangst all Nations . Disperse those mists of ignorance , doubts , error , infidelitie , which hinder millions of poore soules , to see thy light , discerne thy truth , follow thy wayes . Display thy heames so pow'rfully , that all men see , there is no God , but thou ; no Saviour , but thy Son ; no divine truth , but in thy word ; no comfort , but in thy Gospel ; no salvation , but in thy Church ; no Church , but ours , which acknowledges Christ her onlie Husband , Head , Life , Light . Send faithfull and sufficient Messengers , to declare them thy will ; men , who will lose corporall lives , to win a soule to thee ; men , who seeke not themselves , their honor or profit ; but chiefly thy glorie ; men mightie both in words and deeds , in learning and good life , speaking the truth , walking in truth . Within few dayes I pray'd thee to maintaine thy Church : but now I beseech thee , to enlarge her borders to the ends of the earth . Contract , yea destroy Satans black kingdome , and extend thy glorious dominion upon all Nations of the earth . Holie and heavenlie Father , let now thy name be sanctified by all men , let them acknowledge thy Kingdome , and let thy will be done in all the earth , as it is in heaven . Then shall the earth yeeld her increase , and God , even our owne God shall blesse us .

6. The pray'r of that man shall be abomination , who turnes his eare from hearing the Law . 't is then folie to speak to God , when we will not heare him : yea 't is great incivilitie . Sith then I have Meditations and Ejaculations upon manie subjects , thus to be talking with my God , in all affaires and occasions , I must be diligent to search , whether my Devotions please him . And I may know it by this marke ; if I delight to heare his voice : for , this is the marke of Christs sheep . They heare his voice , he knowes them , and they follow him . They heare him , he knowes them : and as they heare , and he knowes them , they follow him . So that who heares , must follow Christ , otherwise , he 's not of his sheep , and the Shepherd doth not know him , doth not acknowledge him : for , his knowledge makes men happie ; and he declares not those happie , who heare the word of God , unles in hearing they keep it . Gods word must not then onely touch the eare , but must enter the heart ; neither must it onely stay there , but be brought forth into action . If then I earnestly desire , that my frequent prayers be as sweet odors before God , his Law must be in my eares , more pleasant then the sound of gold ; in my eyes , more precious then jewells ; and unto my soule , sweeter then honey . I must love it , and I must practise it . It must be kept in my memorie , intertain'd in my heart , heard in my words , and seen in my actions . That it be so , assist me , gracious Lord , with thy effectuall grace , in my outward and inward vocation . Send me those men , or me to them , who shall preach me the word of truth , in demonstration of the spirit ; and let thy spirit illuminat and move my heart , to understand and beleeve it . Let me reade it often , not by custome , and so in vaine ; but as the word of truth , salvation , life ; and so to instruct and save me . Let it informe my understanding , affect my heart , direct my intentions , season my words , vivifie my actions . Let it have this operation in all Christians . Grant , it richly dwell in us all . As 't is the word of faith , so let us beleeve it , and by it judge of all doctrines , and end controversies in religion . As 't is the word of reconciliation , let 's seeke in it the meanes , to be reconciled to thee , by saith in Christ , and repentance from all dead workes ; and one to another , by a just and meeke spirit : just , in making satisfaction for injuries ; meeke , in pardoning them . As 't is the word of life , let it be a rule to our present life , and way to the future ; giving us prescriptions , to order the present ; shewing the way to the future , the holines and sufferings of Christ , my onelie way , truth , life ; in whose almightie name , and by whose infinit merits I beg all these mercies of thee ; and in the holie words , which he my Wisdome hath taught me , comprehend manie more . Our Father , &c.