Ancilla Pietatis: OR, THE HAND-MAID to Priuate DEVOTION: Presenting a Manuell to furnish her with Necessary Principles of Faith. Forcible Motiues to a holy life. Vsefull Formes of Hymnes and Prayers: fitted to

  • The Christian Feasts and Fasts.
  • The Weeks of the yeere.
  • The daies of the Weeke.

‘Christus fide concipitur, confessione nascitur deuotione tenetur’ S. Leo.

By Daniel Featly, D. Diuinity.

At London printed for Nicholas Bourne. Anno Domini 1626

Then another Angel: Re Watch yee in Faith and Hope. and

A ye serpent was lif: Io: 3.14

Loo y3 starre: Matt 2.9.

[...]: Luk: 2.11

There apeared [...]

Why stand ye [...] Acts [...]

[...] Mat: 28. [...]

Deuotion.
Handmaid

[Page]

[...]in Christo Patris [...] Coll. Emman. Cantab.

TO THE RIGHT Noble and Religious Lady, the Dutchesse of Buckingam her GRACE.

May it please your Grace:

SAint Ierome in a Fune­rall Orati­on,Pretiosissi­mum de locis sanct [...] monile per­ [...]idi [...]. strew­ing flow­ers vppon the hearst of Fabiola, said cōcerning her, [Page] VVee haue lost a most preti­ous iewell out of the Church. But since your happy depar­ture from the Romish Syna­gogue, and repairing to our true reformed Church, wee may say on the contrary, in regard of you, We haue gained a most pretious Iewell to the Church. Such lowlinesse of minde in such height of for­tunes: such Deuotion in such distractions; such constancy in such temptations, wee blesse God for, in you; wee pray God for, in others of your Sexe and ranke. If to touch vpon your modesty were not to wound it, and to relate your continuall practise of Deuotion were not to inter­rupt it, I should speake much of it, yet no more then they know to bee most true, who [Page] are neerest to you, when you draw neere to your Father in secret. But because it is not the least of your praises, that you cannot endure praise,Fascinant laudando. and there are many in En­gland (not onely in Africa) who are bewitched by flatte­ry; I will drawe a veile before those eminent parts which my pensill cannot expresse. And therfore ceasing farther to blazon your vertues, I humblie craue leaue of you to preferre vnto you a seruant to attend you in your closet; I meane THE HAND-MAID TO PRIVATE DEVOTION; who vpon her knee, tenders to your Grace some helpes to your Deuotion, together with the Deuotion and prayers of the Author to God for you, to [Page] crowne you with the bles­sings of this life, and the blessednesse of the life to come.

Your Graces hum­bly deuoted, DANIEL FEATLY.

THE PREFACE to the Reader.

CHRISTIAN READER,

IN the late dread­full Visitation, when the waies of Sion mour­ned, because none passed by them; and the gates of the San­ctuary lamented, because almost none entred at them; Religion her selfe for the most, forbearing the Church, and keeping her closet, and there finding sufficient employment to complaine of, & bewaile the dan­ger and desolation of her solemnest assemblies: I fell into a serious consi­deration of the vse and most vrgent necessity of PRIVATE DEVO­TION. And to the end I might [Page] accord with my brethren in their groanes and cries, being smitten my selfe with a dangerous (though not infectious) disease; I gaue ouer those waters of strife wherein I had met with the Romish Fisher, intangled in his owne Net; and sought after the waters of Shiloah that runne softly, which at that season farre better relished with me then the other. Not that I altered my iudgement touching the studie of controuersies, which (without all controuersie) is not onely most neede­full, but delightfull also to them that are therein exercised.

It is an easie taske, and almost e­uery ones labour now a dayes to ga­ther flowers of Paradice, and make Posies, or Garlands of them for Christ's Spouse. But it is not for euery hand to meddle with those thornie difficulties, which yet must be carefully handled by them who will make a strong hedge or sure fence for the Lord's Vineyard. The more perplexed, and intricate the difficulty [Page] is, the greater is the contentment in beating out the truth in points of no lesse consequence then difference. Children are not so much delighted with smiting flints one against the other to see the sparcles, as mē of ra­tional vnderstāding & discourse, by collision of contrary arguments, to strike out the fire of diuine Truth. And this fire as well as that other which the naturall heate of Deuoti­on kindleth, yeeldeth much warmth to the conscience euen of a dying man. Witnesse Oecolampadius, whose last words were these: Now I goe cheerefully to the tribunall of Christ, where it shall appeare, that I haue not seduced God's people, but haue sincerely taught the truth of God. I might instance likewise in Doctor Whitaker's Cygnea Cantio, his swanlike song before his death, wherein hee warble [...]h sweetely vpon those at this day most Vexed questions of vni­uersall grace and freewill. And his contemporary, the eye of the other [Page] Vniuersity, Doctor Reynolds, when hee lay on his death bed, called for Doctor Abbots (after the Lord Bishop of Salisbury) Reply to W. Bishop, then newly come forth, and heard much of it read vnto him with great contentment.

But being (as I said euen now) out of tune in my body, I listed not, nor in that shaking weakenes could hold fast the peggs to streine and tune the iarring strings of c [...]ntro­uersed opinions in point of Religion. That which I then most desired, was to settle my thoughts and affections, and compose my soule to rest by liste­ning to the sweete songs of Sion, set to Dauids well-tuned harpe, and runs vpon in exquisite diuision by some of our excellent Asaphs in their pious Treatises, Soliloquies, Pray­ers, Meditations, and Contemplati­ons. This heauenly musick so rani­shed my senses, that I found by ex­perience in the twylight, betwixt the day of life, and night of death, that inlightened thoughts affoord [Page] nothing like comfort to en flamed af­fections. Now the oyle which feedeth this sacred flame (next to the inspi­red holy Scriptures) floweth most abundantly in Treatises of Deuoti­on. In which kinde of writings, the Romanists for the most part exceede in bulke, but our Diuines in weight. The Church of Rome (like Leah) is more fruitfull; but her Deuotions (like Leah in this also) are blea [...]e­eyed with superstitiō. But the mo­ther of our faith (like Rachel) is not altogether so fruitful, yet she is more comely, and beautiful, and I hope wil be also here after as fruitful. Verily if euer Priuate Deuotions pow­ring thēselus forth in brinish teares, were in season, now they are. Neuer losses so great to be bewailed; neuer iudgements so fearefull to bee auer­ted; neuer hearts so hard to be mol­lified; neuer consciences so fowle to be rinsed by teares as now. Nature hath prouided a soueraigne remedy against the sting of the Scorpion in the oyle of the Scorpion. When [Page] thou feelest the sting, it is but brui­sing the Serpent, and rubbing it on the place, and the moisture present­ly of the Serpent killed, destroyeth the venome of that Serpent. I would to God our soules were as deare to vs as our bodies, and that we tooke as much care for remedies against sinne, as salues against enuenomed wounds. Then would we, as soone as we feele the sting of sinne in our consciences, bruise the Serpent by true contrition; destroy the sinne, and apply the oyle of teares issuing from it, to cure the wound before it festered. But among other iust cau­ses of teares, this is not the least that wee misspend our teares, and spill that heauenly dew, and profane the Font-water of our second baptisme (as Saint Cyprian calleth it.) Wee haue teares at our owne will in worldly losses; but none at God's command for the losse of his grace. Wee take on for the death of our friends departing frō vs; but cannot wring out a teare for the spirituall [Page] death of our soules departing from God. Yet all our fretting and vex­ing, all our weeping and howling cannot fetch our friend backe a­gaine, or repaire our worldly losses: whereas on the contrary (as Saint Chrysostome piously noteth) the afflicting of our soules, and seri­ous bewailing of our sinnes, by God's grace, shall reuiue our soules, and recouer all our spiri­tuall losses, and that with aduan­tage. What pittie, nay what folly is it, to powre costly eye-water out of a Venice-glasse into a vile pot or basen to wash our feete withall? Do we not the like, when we turne god­ly sorrow into worldly, and abuse pretious teares to the bewailing of vile & base losses? haue we suchstore of them? or such want of better em­ploymēt for them? See we not wrath is gone out against vs, and the fire long agoe kindled, and not yet quen­ched by our teares? ‘Lord, thou hast shewed thy people terrible things; thou hast giuen vs a [Page] drinke of deadly wine, and hast caused vs to suck out the dreggs of it, because we (Moab like) are setled vpon our Lees. As Pha­raoh saw the hugh of his bloodie minde in the waters of Aegypt turned all redd as blood: so we may see the crimson colour of our sins in the vialls of thy wrath powred of late vpon vs. We trade not spiritually for the pearle of the Gospell, and therefore our Merchant's returnes faile. Wee would not weepe for our sins, and therefore the heauens did weepe for vs a long season in continuall showers. We haue bin hard hear­ted, and barren in good works, and therefore thou madest here­tofore the heauen aboue vs as brasse, and the earth vnder vs as Yron. By drunkennesse and gluttony, by euill perswasions and worse examples, one soule hath infected another; and there­fore thou hast sent a Plague whereby one body infecteth ano­ther. [Page] Such a Plag [...] ▪ as our an­cients neuer heard of, and our po­sterity will scarce belieue. The chiefe of our Cities haue beene ploughed vp, and sowed so thick with dead corps's that one could scarce lye by another. Against this and all other iudgements which thy law threatneth, and our sins prouoke, wee haue no weapons to contend with thy iustice but pray­ers and teares. We haue no meanes to clense the infected aire but our sighs and groanes. O Lord re­moue our sins as a clowde, and iniquities as a mist, and then this dreadfull bloodie clowde which lately powred downe, but now onely droppeth, will vanish of it selfe. Consummate the worke of mercy thou hast begun, and quite remoue this iudgement through thy tender compassion in the bowells of Christ Iesus, wee beseech thee. But remoue this iudgement in mercie, not in iudge­ment. Take not thy hand off of vs [Page] to fetch a greater stroake at vs. Deliuer vs not from one Plague as thou diddest Pharoh, to send a worse in steede thereof. Put vs not out of thine hands into which we are fallen, to giue vs ouer into the hands of our ene­mies. Saue vs not from the Sword to kill vs with Famine; neither preserue vs from a corpo­rall, to starue vs with a spirituall. Take not away one plaister, to ap­ply a smarter in the place; but perfectly heale our wounds. Bee absolutely reconciled vnto vs in him, vpon whom thou hast alrea­dy layed the chastisement of our peace. O remember not our our old sinnes, but haue mercy vpon vs, and that soone, for wee are come to great mi­sery. Helpe vs, ô God of our saluation, for the glory of thy name; ô deliuer vs, and bee mercifull to our sins for thy names sake. O thinke vpon thy congregation, and Mount [Page] Sion wherein thou hast dwelt. Looke vpon the hands of many thousands that haue beene lifted vp to thee in Publike, and many more in Priuate, to iustifie thee in thy Iudgements, and blesse thee for thy mercies, and intreate thee for this Land, and thy disconso­late Spouse yet weeping in teares of bloud in diuerse places.’

To strengthen and support the weaker of these hands, and fill their mouthes with continuall Deuoti­ons, I haue furnished and repleni­shed this Manuel, which I name THE HAND-MAID To PRIVATE DEVOTION, to waite on her in her Chamber, or Oratorie. The purtraying of her Mistresse I leaue to the pensill of some Diuine Apelles, whose taske will be the harder, because she ne­uer commeth abroade. All that my intention aimeth at, and my endea­uours promise, is but to lay open a priuate way, and set vp certaine Stages for thy holy race, and pricke [Page] thee on forward in it. Farre better helpes in this kinde the pious chari­tie and zeale of religious and lear­ned persons hath afforded thee; of whom yet I may truely say, as Tully spake of the Emperours that dealt with Mithridates before Pompey, Laudandum quod secerunt, ig­noscendum quod reliquerunt: They are to be commended for that they haue done, and par­doned for that they left. What they haue left, I labour to supply; and if I cannot supply it, yet I thought fit to implie and intimate, that the Authors themselues, or the Publishers of their workes, might adde what they finde wan­ting.

1 First my thinkes I see in their bookes of Deuotion and prayers, Salomon's temple, without the gate called Bewtifull; I meane, ex­quisite meditations, and orizons, without an entrance thereunto by preparation. With that part there­fore I begin; and it taketh vp the [Page] more roome in my booke, because it hath beene so scanted for place, or rather quite excluded in theirs. In it if thou finde some tertnesse, I in­treate thee (Courteous Reader) to remember with me the precept of the Lord Iesu, Haue salt, and haue peace. If I haue salt, haue thou peace, the rather, because Hymnes, Prayers, and other religious exer­cises are spirituall sacrifices; and e­uery sacrifice by the Law was to be seasoned with salt. Et quoniam mel in Dei sacrificijs non offer­tur, nimia dulcedo arte mutata est, & quâdam piperis austerita­te condita apud Deum nil tan­tum suaue placet, nisi quod ha­bet in se aliquid mordacis veri­tatis. It is S. Ierom's obseruation vpon the legall sacrifices, that God neuer appointed hony to be of­fered vnto him. And the morall truth vailed vnder that shadow, was that in our spirituall oblations, nothing pleaseth God that is onely sweete, and hath not some [Page] smacke [...] it of biting truth.

2 Next I haue much maruelled what the reason might be that they vndertaking to fit prayers and de­ [...]tions to seuerall seasons, and speciall occasions, baulked the Chri­stian faste and feasts. For albeit the Saints dayes might fare the worse with them, because Popish super­stitiō ouer cloyed them. Which yet is an abuse of arguing to argue from the abuse to the abolishing the right vse. By this meanes they might take from vs the vse of all Gods creatures, because they haue beene superstitiously or profanely abused some way or other. But admit there might be a legall caueat put in a­gainst the Saints Plea, what haue the feasts of our Lord and Sauiour deserued, that they should be struck out of their Callender, or sleightly passed without the honour of a me­ditation, Hymnes, or Prayer on them? They cannot pleade want of president, authoritie, or direction: for they haue Coppies faire written [Page] in golden characters by Chryso­stome in his Homilies, Chrysolo­gus, Leo, Augustine, Bernard, & other deuout Fathers in their Ser­mons vpon these dayes. If they saw not them, why did they not follow the excellent patterne in the booke of Common Prayer? Which laying before me, I haue drawne formes of exhortations, hymnes, and prayers, carying throughout a manifest im­pression of the feast to which they are dedicated. And before them I haue prefixed a Paralell of the Pro­phesie of the old, and the Historie of the new Testament compared to­gether, that thou mightest haue an ocular demonstration of that which S. Austine writeth concer­ning both. The new Testament is vailed in the old, and the old is re­uealed in the new.

After the feasts, or before as 3 preparatiues to them, the Church fasts should haue beene ranked. But there being in their Deuotions no spirituall dainties allowed for the [Page] festiuals, I nothing maruelled at it that Christian fastes were vtterly vnprouided for, and (if I may so speake) fast with them. Extraordi­narie fasts of humili [...]tion to auert some fearefull Plague or im [...]inent iudgement they take notice of, but the ordinarie fasts of Deuotion, they mention not at all. Yet cer­tainely the deuoute soule out of a sympathie with her Sauiour cannot [...] weepe with him, as well as re­ [...]oyce with him, in some measure. Fast with him on good-friday, as well as feast with him, and for him, on Easter day. If any teares of a sin­ner are the wine of Angels, I am perswaded they are those teares of Deuotion, which after much fa­sting, and Prayer, and meditation, spring out of the serious apprehen­sion of Christs infinite loue testified to man-kinde by his fasting, watch­ing, praying, weeping, bleeding, and dying for vs on the Crosse. But they wil say, these are the sacred fewell of euery dayes deuotion. Yet it is more [Page] proper to remember the [...]orke of the day, in the day wherein it was wrought. And albeit the Iewes were bound alwayes to remember Gods wonderfull deliuerances; yet more stricktly were they bound on the very day for that end appointed to be kept solemne. What though we finde no expresse commandement for them? The practise of the anci­ent Church, and the religious con­stitutions of the present, ratified by Supreme authoritie, should sway in a matter of this nature, according to that golden rule of S. Bernard: Obey him as God who is in the place of God, in those things that are not against God. These fasts therefore should not haue bene forgotten.

I come now in the last place to the weekely Deuotions, wherein I finde Prayers for each seuerall day of the weeke. Yet as it is noted by the lear­ned of S. Gregories Comment vp­pon Iob, that It is an excellent Commentarie fraught with rich [Page] learning especially in matter of moralitie. But it might haue beene wrote almost, as well vp­pon any parcell of Scripture, as vpon Iob. So you shall finde that the Prayers for each day may serue for any day as well as that to which they are intituled. For example, Munday's Prayer well fits Tues­day, and Tuesday's Wednesday; and all three, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. No day hath more interest in the Deuotion for it then another.

When Timothie found fault with ALEXANDER for stri­king a stroke amisse vpon the Harpe, and Alexander demanded of him; Is it not all one whether I strike it this way, or that way, with these fingers, or these? True, answered Timothie, It is all one to an Emperour, but not to a Musitian, It is no error in stale to strike as you doe; but it is an error in art.

I confesse in like manner, it is [Page] no error in Religion [...] set a godly Prayer for the day which hath no interest or relation at all to the day; yet it is an indecorum and blurre in Art. It is all one as if they should set a marke before them, and shoote no more towards it then any other white, To auoid this impro­prietie, if not incongruitie, in the Morning Hymne and Prayer, I haue an eye to some worke of God the Father in the Creation wrought on that day: In the Euening Hymne and Prayer to some worke of God the Sonne wrought (or by the Church remembred) on that day in the Passion weeke.

For the admonitions and exhor­tations wherewith the Deuotions are interlaced, I tooke my patterne of them from S. CYPRIAN;S. Cyprian lib. de ex­hortatione Martyrij. De agno per quem redempti & viuificati sumus lanam ipsam, & purpuram misi, quam cum acceperis to [...]icam tibi pro voluntate conficies. In exhortatione [...]am necessaria amputandae sunt ver­borum nostrorum morae, & amba­ges sermonis humani s [...]btrahendae, & ponenda illa sola quae DEVS [Page] loquitur. W [...]th whose words, I will not cloathe mine owne. I haue sent thee cloth (saith he) made of the fleece of that Lamb, by whose bloud we are all redeemed. Take as much as will serue thy turne; and fashion and fit thy garment to thine owne minde. All infe­rences and discourses of mine owne I omit, because in so need­full exhortations the delayes and lingering protractions of mens words are to be cut off, and one­ly Gods owne words to bee set downe.

To summe vp all in a word, I haue brought thee into the Spouse garden of flowers and spices; I haue gathered some out (almost) of euery bed, and layed by them a thread in the Analysis or Method, to binde them vp together. Make thou thy Posie as thou likest best; and breathe out with mee that sweete Prayer of the Spouse, cut in one of her knots.

Arise ô North and blow, ô [Page] South winde, tha [...] [...]he sent of our Spices & flowers may flow, and the beloued may come into his Garden.Cant. 4. 16.

GEntle Reader, the lesser e­scapes, I intreat thee to mend with thy pen, and to set some mar­ginall notes at the right place which thou shalt find here and there a little misplaced.

A Generall Table, representing the Method of this Worke.

This Manuell hath in it described a plat of holy ground diuided into
  • 1 A garden of spirituall flowers,
    • 1 For ornament, to decke and dresse vp the inner roome, to entertaine the Spouse, as prēparations to re­ligious duties
      • In generall
        • Prayer.
        • Hearing the Word.
      • In speciall to
        • Receiuing § Sacrament.
    • 2. For sent, to make nose-gayes, accor­ding to the seasons of the yeere; as formes of hymnes, prayers, and thanksgiuings
      • Ordinarie, for the weeke dayes.
      • Extraordinary, for Christian
        • Feasts.
        • Fasts.
    • 3 For medicine to cure & strengthen; as
      • Admonitions out of Scripture.
      • Pray­ers for
        • Men in sicknesse.
        • Women in childbea­ring.
      • Thāksgi­uing for
        • Recouerie of men.
        • Deliuery of wo­men.
  • 2 The nursery thereof, which is set with 52. plants of Paradise, agreeable to the weekes in the yeere, digested into a Catechisme; in which are set downe
    • Rules, according to which
    • Graces, by which—
    • Blessings, for which—
      • wee ought to pray and giue thaks.

A TABLE OF THE particular Contents.

  • 1. The Preparation to religious exercise in generall. p. 1.
    • 1. Of Deuotion. p. 2.
    • 2. Of Preparation▪ and the seuerall kinds thereof. p. 9.
      • 1. Purgation. p. 11.
      • 2. Sequestration of the mind. p. 12.
      • 3. Preconsideration. p. 14.
  • 2. The Preparation to Prayer. p. 18.
    • 1. A preparatory Exhortation. p. 27.
    • 2. A preparatorie Hymne. p. 56.
    • 3. A preparatorie Prayer. p. 58.
  • 3. The preparation to bearing the Word. p. 59.
    • 1. A preparatory Admonition p. 69.
    • 2. A preparatorie Hymne. p. 74.
    • 3. A preparatorie Prayer. p. 76.
  • 4. The preparation to the receiuing of the Sacrament. p. 79.
    • 1. The admonition before the Communion. p. 85.
    • 2. The Hymne before the Com­munion. p. 87.
    • 3. The Prayer before the Com­munion p 88.
  • 5. Religious Duties to be performed, and affections to be stirred vp in the time of re­ceiuing the Communion. p. 91.
  • [Page]6. Short Prayers to be vsed at the recei­uing of the Communion, p. 97.
  • 7. Short Formes of thanksgiuing to be vsed after the Communion. p. 98.
  • 8 A larger Forme of thanks giuing after the Communion p. 102.
  • 9. The practise of priuate Deuotions, both ordinarie, and extraordinarie. p. 106.
  • 10. The Mornings Deuotion.
    • 1. An admonitiō for the Morning. p. 116▪
    • 2. A Hymne for the Morning. p. 117.
    • 3. A Prayer for the Morning. p. 119.
    • The Close out of Scripture. p. 128.
  • 11. The Euening Deuotion.
    • 1. An admonitiō for the Euening. p. 128.
    • 2. An Hymne for the Euening. 131.
    • 3. A Prayer for the Euening p. 133.
    • The Close out of Scripture. p. 137.
  • 12. The Christian Sabbath, or Lords day's Deuotion. p. 138.
    • 1. The admonition for the Sab­bath Morning. p. 139.
    • 2. The Hymne for the Sabbath Morning. p. 148.
    • 3. The Prayer for the Sabbath Morning. p. 147.
    • 1. The admonition for the Sab­bath Euening. p. 153.
    • 2. The Hymne for the Sabbath Euening. p. 160.
    • 3. The Prayer for the Sabbath Euening. p. 162.
    • The Close out of Scripture. p. 166▪
  • [Page]13. The Feast [...] the Birth of our Lord
    • 1. The ground of the Feast. p. 167.
    • 2. The admonition for it. p. 171.
    • 3. The Hymne for it. p. 174.
    • 4. The Prayer for it. p. 178.
  • 14. The Feasts of our Lord's circumcision.
    • 1. The ground of it. p. 183.
    • 2. The admonition for it. p. 184.
    • 3. The Psalme for it. p. 187.
    • 4. The Prayer for it. p. 190.
  • 15. The Feast of the Epiphanie.
    • 1. The ground of it. p. 197.
    • 2. The admonition for it. p. 200.
    • 3. The Psalme for it. p. 204.
    • 4 The Prayer for it. p. 206.
  • 16. The Feast of our Lord's resurrection.
    • 1. The ground of it. p. 212.
    • 2. The Psalme for it. p. 216.
    • 3. The admonition for it. p. 219.
    • 4. The Prayer for it. p. 222.
  • 17. The Feast of our Lord's Ascension.
    • 1. The ground of it. p. 228.
    • 2. The Hymne for it. p. 230.
    • 3. The Admonition for it. p. 233.
    • 4. The Prayer for it. p. 237.
  • 18. The Feast of the coming downe of the holy Ghost.
    • 1. The ground of it. p 243.
    • 2. The Hymne for it. p. 245.
    • 3. The exhortation for it. p. 248.
    • 4. The Prayer for it. p. 252.
  • 19. The Christian fast's Deuotion. p. 257.
    • Of the Lent Fast. p. 261.
      • [Page]The ground of it. p. 266.
        • 1. A Psalme for Ash wednesday. p. 270.
        • 2. An admonition for it. p. 274.
        • 3. A Prayer for it. p. 278.
  • 20. Good Friday's Deuotion. p. 284.
    • 1. The ground of this Fast. p. 284.
    • 2. The admonition for it. p. 288.
    • 3. The Hymne for it. p. 295.
    • 4. The Prayer for it. p. 300.
  • 21. The Weeke day's Deuotion. p. 310.
    • 1. Munday's Deuotion.

      The ground of it. p. 311.

      • 1. The Hymne for the Mor­ning. p. 312.
      • 2. The admonition for the Mor­ning. p 317.
      • 3. The Prayer for the Morning. p. 322.
      • The close out of Scripture. p. 325.
      • 1. The Hymne for the Euening.
      • 2. The admonition for the Eue­ning. p. 329.
      • 3. The Prayer for the Euening. p. 335.
      • The Close out of Scripture. Ibid.
    • 2. Tuesday's Deuotion.

      The ground of it. p. 339.

      • [Page]1. The Mornings Deuotion.
        • 1. The Hymne for the Morning. p. 343.
        • 2. The admonition for the Mor­ning. p. 346.
        • 3. The Prayer for the Morning. p. 342.
        • The Close out of Scripture. p. 355.
      • 2. The Euening's Deuotion.
        • 1. The Hymne for the Euening. p. 356.
        • 2. The admonition for Euening. p. 359.
        • 3. The Prayer for the Euening. p. 363.
        • The Close out of Scripture. p. 368.
    • 3. Wednesday's Deuotion.

      The ground of it. p. 369.

      • 1. The Morning's Deuotion.
        • 1. The Hymne for it. p. 37 [...].
        • 2. The admonition for it. p. 376.
        • 3. The Prayer for it. p. 382.
        • The Close out of Scripture. p. 388.
      • 2. The Euenings Deuotion.
        • 1. The Hymne for it. p. 389.
        • 2. The admonition for it. p. 391.
        • 3. The Prayer for it. p. 395.
        • The Close out of Scripture. p 405.
    • [Page]

      4. Thursday's Deuotion.

      The ground of it. p. 406.

      • 1. The Mornings Deuotion.
        • 1. The Hymne for it. p. 410.
        • 2. The admonition for it. p. [...]14.
        • 3. The Prayer for it. p. 418.
        • The Close out of Scripture. p. 422.
      • 2. The Euening's Deuotion.
        • 1. The Hymne for it. p. 423.
        • 2. The admonition for it. p 427.
        • 3. The Prayer for it. p. 435.
        • The Close out of Scripture. p. 440.
    • 5. Friday's Deuotion.

      The ground of it. p. 441.

      • 1. The Morning's Deuotion.
        • 1. The Hymne for it. p. 444.
        • 2. The admonition for it. p. 445.
        • 3. The prayer for it. p. 451.
        • The Close out of Scripture. p. 455.
      • 2. Euening's Deuotion.
        • 1. The Hymne for it. p 456.
        • 2. The admonition for it. 460.
        • 3. The Prayer for it. 471.
        • The Close out of Scripture. 481.
    • 6. Saturday's Deuotion.

      The ground of it. 481.

      • 1. The Morning's Deuotion.
        • 1. The Hymne for it. 485.
        • 2. The admonition for it. 448.
        • 3. The Prayer for it. 469.
        • The Close out of Scripture. 474.
      • 2. The Euening's Deuotion.
        • [Page]1. The H [...]mne for it, p. 474.
        • 2. The admonition for it. p. 477.
        • [...]. The Prayer for it. p. 487.
        • The Close out of Scripture. p. 491.
  • 22. The Child-bearing Woman's Deuotion.
    • 1. In her trauaile
      • 1. The admonitiō, 493.
      • 2. The Hymne. p. 495.
      • 3. The Prayer. 497.
    • 2. After her trauaile
      • The admonitiō, 50 [...]
      • The Hymne.
      • The Prayer. 510.
  • The sicke man's deuotion when there is hope of recouerie. p. 515.
    • A Psalme for the sicke. p. 518.
    • An admonition to the sicke. p. 523.
    • A Prayer for the sicke. p. 530.
    The sicke man's deuotion after his re­couerie. p. 537.
    • The exhortation to thanksgiuing. p. 538.
    • A Psalme of thanksgiuing. p. 547.
    • A prayer after recouerie. p. 551.
    • The Close out of Scripture. p. 559.
  • The dying man's deuotion. p. 560.
    • The first admonition to the sicke being an admonition to patience. p. [...]63.
    • The second admonition against despaire. p. 594.
    • A Psalme for the sicke lying at the point of death. p. 594.
    • A Prayer for the sicke.
      • To the Vnitie. p. 600.
      • To the Trinitie. p. 604.
      • To the Lord Iesus. p. 608.

THE PREPARATION TO RELIGIOVS exercises in generall.

PAR. I. Of Deuotion.

PRemeditation is the preparation to pri­uate prayer; priuate to publicke; priuate, and publicke to the hearing the word; priuate, and publicke prayer, together with the hea­ring of the word to the worthie participation of the holy Sacra­ment. For the Sacrament receiues strength and vigour from the word preached; the word prea­ched from publicke prayer; pub­licke prayer from priuate Deuo­tion; and that from premedita­tion, [Page 2] and consideration of the na­ture of deuotion, and necessitie of preparation it selfe to all holy duties, in the immediate worship of God.

Deuotion is the harts warmth,Of deuotion or rather lifes bloud of religion: It is a sacred bond knitting the soule vnto God: It is a spirituall mus­kle mouing onely vpward, and lifting vp the hearts, eyes, and hands continually vnto heauen. And because it consisteth rather in the feruour of the affections, then light of the thoughts, of blaze, or lustre in the words, it is better felt then vnderstood, and yet better vnderstood then can be expressed. Especially, priuate deuotion, which is the Saint to whom I deuote this Treatise. For priuate deuotion (to shunne ostenta [...]ion, and hypocrisie in heauenly things) alwayes shuts her selfe vp in her closet, desiring no eye to see her but her Fathers in secret. Math. 6. 6. Wounded she is (like the [Page 3] spouse in the Canticles) with the darts of diuine loue; Greg. in Cant. and continu­ally bleedeth, but inwardly in teares of compassion,Lachrimae sanguie ani­mae, August.compunction, and excessiue ioy. There appeares no externall orifez in the flesh to be seene. Shee resembles the strange plant in Plinie,Plin. lib. 21. c. 16.which buds inwardly, Flos nasc [...]tur non euidens sed in occul­to, & intùs germinatus, and shooteth forth no bud, blossome, or leafe out­wardly. For if priuate deuotion cometh once to be knowne, it ceaseth to be priuate. The grea­test commendation of it is like to that of the Garamantite,Plin. 37. c. 7. Garamantitis summa com­mendatio est, quod velut in translucido stillantes in­tus fulgent aur [...]ae gu [...]ae semper in c [...] ­te, non in cor­pore.a precious stone, that hath no beautie nor lustre in the outside, or in the surface, but within the bodie of it appeares golden drops of diuine infusion. What Cyprian speaketh of the w [...]rke of regeneration may be truly applyed to this ver­tue.Cypr. epist. l, 2 Sentitur pri­usquam dis­citur. It is felt before it can be spoken of, and it must be kindled in the heart by the Spirit, before it can be felt. It is the true Vest all fire that should be still kept burning in [Page 4] the heart;Val. Max. L [...]u. but if it go out (like that of the Vestals) it must bee kindled from heauen. ‘To thee therefore ô most holy Spirit I addresse my prayer, to kindle and keepe this fire in my soule by thy heauenly blasts. Heate my heart with the feruour of true Deuotion, and touch my tongue with a coale from thine altar, that the words of my mouth and meditations of my heart may inflame all that reade these de­uotions with a loue of deuo­tion it selfe, and true Zeale.’

Lev's censure may seeme too tart: He that is not more religious in Lent then at other times hath no religion as all. But I haue good warrant to suspect the sinceritie of their Deuotion altogether, who are not more deuout in pri­uate then in publike. For fire, the closer it is kept, the hot­ter it burneth; and the exhala­tions which are violently detai­ned in cranies vnder ground, [Page 5] and can haue no vent, are of force to moue the earth it selfe. It cannot be otherwise but that the penitent, or compassio­nate eye, which droppeth in publike should runne and gush out with riuers of waters in priuate. The afflicted soule, which some­times stealeth a groane, and fet­cheth a sigh in the Church, offers vp often prayers with strong cries at home. He that is affected and eleuated with spirituall ioy in publike, is transported when he is alone, and hath priuate com­munications with God. S. Paul spake words of truth and sobernesse to the Corinthians,2. Cor. 5. 13. Whether we he besides our selues it is to God, or whether we be sober it is to you. And Saint Ierome confirmeth it with an oath,Epist. tom 1. & Mar [...]an. inuit Ieron. T [...]stor deum, po [...]t heudo­mid [...] [...] &c. v [...]su [...] sum mihi versari inter agmina an­gelor. that after many dayes (nay weekes) spent by him in fasting and prayer, in the end hee was rauished in spirit, and seemed to haue priuate con­uersation and familiaritie with [Page 6] quires of Angels. My intent is not to detract any thing from pub­like deuotion; but my desire is to adde to priuate. Publike is more solemne, but priuate ought to be more frequent: Publike makes more noise, but priuate (for the most part) hath a deeper channell. Our Sauiour diuideth blessednesse equally betweene them both; Blessed (saith he) is he that heareth the word and keepeth it: it is publike deuotion that heareth the word preached, but priuate that keepes it: Publike gathereth Manna in greater a­boundance; but priuate is the golden Omer that preserueth it. The Hart doth not so pant and bray for the riuers of waters, as the soule of euery religious man longeth for the waters of life, running plen­tifully out of the golden spoutes of the Temple, the Ministers of the word; but priuate deuotion it is that breedes this longing af­ter the publike Ministerie. Let [Page 7] vs take a patterne of Deuotion from our blessed Sauiour, to whom all deuotions are due. What commandeth hee by ex­presse precept? When thou prayest enter into thy closet: Math. 6. 6. and what commendeth hee most by his owne practise? It is true, he cal­leth his house the house of prayer; and as we reade, that he was daily preaching: so I doubt not but hee was daily praying in the Temple; yet ye shall find him oftener on the Mount, Math. 14. 27. or in the Garden, Math. 26. 36. or in some priuate solitarie place pray­ing alone,Ma [...]ke 1. 35. then in the Temple;Luke 6. 12. yea,Luke 9. 8. 28 and continuing longer in prayer,Luke 11. 1. spending sometimes whole nights in it.Luke 22. 45. This practise of our Sauiour hath bene a president to all those whose names in the Church of God are,Iohn 17. and haue bene as a sweete ointment for dai­ly offering the sweetest incense of prayer to God. Religious men neuer are wanting in publike as­semblies, but they exceed in pri­uate [Page 8] Deuotion. Publike exercises of religion be their feasts, but priuate their ordinarie. Where find you Daniel but in his cham­ber at his Deuotion looking to­wards Ierusalem? Dan. 6. 10. Where find you Dauid but in his couch,Psal. 6. 6.watering it with his teares,Psal. 77. 6.and communing with his owne heart in the night? Acts 10. 30. Where find you Cornelius but in his house in praying? Where find you Saint Iohn on the Lords day but in the Ile alone by himselfe in the spirit. Reuel. 1. 10. The powring out our speciall complaints to God, our vowes to refraine such companie and such occasions of sinne; the ripping vp of our whole life with a particular confession of our sins, aggrauated by all circumstances, and all those parts of repentance, or the soules discipline mentio­ned by Saint Paul are most ne­cessarie exercises of religion,2. Cor. 7. 11. yet cannot be so safely done, nor so decently, nor so effectually in publike as in priuate. These parts [Page 9] are not to be acted on the stage, but within the hangings.Commodius ista inter transiguntur. Ex. He that actes these on the stage will haue the person of an hypocrite put vpon him for it.Luke 22. 44. Where was our Sauiour in his agonie but alone in Gethsemaine? Math 26. 36. Where was hee transfigured in his prayer but on the holy Mount alone?Math. 17. 2. Moses his face shined after he came from his secret parlie with God▪ Exod. 34. 29. and our soules shall shine with all spi­rituall graces, if we haue often priuate conference with him by prayer, but alwayes with due re­uerence and preparation before.

PARAG. 2. Of Preparation.

Preparation to religious exer­cises is twofold.

  • 1 Extraordinarie, as watching, fasting and the like, of which see the admonition for Ash-wednesday.
  • [Page 10] 2 Ordinary. which con­sisteth in
    • 1 Clensing our con­science from the guilt and staine of foule sinnes, es­pecially grosse actuall sins new­ly committed.
    • 2 Sequestring our thoughts from worldly cares & businesses.
    • 3 Considering be­fore hand what the RELIGIOVS worke is wee are about, and how we ought to per­forme it, and car­rie our selues in it.

Moses put off his shooes, Purgation. and Dauid washed his hands before he drew neare to God. Exod. 3. 5. The Iewes and Turkes,Acts 7. 53. at this day,Psal. 26. 6. wash themselues before they enter their Temples; and the ancient Pagans vsed many ablutions and [Page 11] lustrations before they durst come in sight of their faigned gods. Math. 12. 44. The vncleane Spirit in the Gospell had a cleane lodging, and shall we entertaine the most pure and holy Spirit of God in an vncleane roome in our soules? What Courtier presumeth to come in­to the Kings presence in stinking and nastie cloathes, or with his hands and face all besmeared with dirt, or spotted with inke? How dare we then appeare be­fore God with a foule and nastie conscience; with a heart full of malice; eyes full of adulterie; hands full of the treasures of wickednesse; mouthes full of deadly poyson of Aspes? When wee haue defiled our eyes with vnchast lookes, shall we presently cast them vp to heauen, and confidently looke God in the face, who is a God of most pure eyes, and cannot en­dure the least spot of impuritie? when we haue defiled our hands with bloud or vncleannesse, or [Page 12] telling our vse money, shall we presently lift them vp in suppli­cation to God? when wee haue defiled our tongues with corrupt and rotten communication, [...]. shall we presently employ them in di­uine prayer? when we haue de­filed our bodies with beastly lusts, and wallowed in the mire of swinish pleasures, shall wee pre­sently present our selues as a sa­crifice vnto God in priuate or publike deuotion? God by his holy Prophet teacheth vs ano­ther lesson;Esay 5. 6. wash you; make you cleane; put away the euill of your doings from before mine eyes; Cease to do euill, learne to do well: Come now let vs conferre and reason to­gether.

Secondly,2. Seque­stration. he that will conse­crate his thoughts and affections by priuate Deuotion vnto God, must remoue and sequester them from earthly affaires, and world­ly negotiations. For the cares of this life, as they choake the seedes [Page 13] of the word: so they stifle deuout meditation in the wombe that conceiueth them. It is not more difficult to cast vp one eye to hea­uen, and the other downe on the earth at the same instant, then to fixe our cogitations and inten­tions at once, on God and the world. Holinesse in the Greeke implyeth a direct contradiction to earthlinesse: [...] ab [...] & [...]. Hagios is deriued from A: the priuatiue particle, and Ge signifying earth as if you would say vnearthlinesse. God is a Spirit, and cannot be otherwise seene of vs then in spirit.Math 5. 8. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. The soule of man is the glasse most truly representing Gods image. If a glasse be furd, or soyled with dust or dirt, it refle­cteth no shape or proportion a­right:Bern. de nat. dom. Tergat. speculum, mundet spiri­tum suum qui scitit vi­dere deum. but wipe the dust from the glasse, and you shall see clearely. So (saith Saint Bernard) rub thy glasse, wipe away all dustie earthlinesse from thy mind, and [Page 14] thou shalt see God in thy soule, and conceiue cleare and diuine imaginations of him.

Thirdly, he that desireth that God should haue respect to him,3. Preconsi­deration.and to his spirituall offerings, must bee more readie to heare the wise man,Eccles. 5. 1. and looke to his foote, then to make hast to offer the sacrifice of fooles. What is it to offer the sa­crifice of fooles, but rashly, and vn­aduisedly, not to bring and lay downe, but to throw his gifts on Gods Altar without considering what he offereth, or [...] ▪ or to whom? He that makes no more of prayers to God then of spea­king with one of his companions, nor of perusing inspired Scrip­tures, then reading a peice of A­ristotle or Liuie, nor of participa­ting of the blessed Sacrament, then taking a morsell of bread, or drinking a cup of wine, can ex­pect no blessing for the vse, but rather ought to feare a curse for the abuse of these meanes of sal­uation. [Page 15] These ordinances of God sanctifie not such, but they rather prophane them.

Numa Pomphilius forbad any man vnder a great penaltie to salute his gods in the high way, or to pray, or bow, or to do any reuerence to their temples, or images, as they walked by them in the streets:Wo [...]erus de polymathiâ sacris religi­osae debetur. and Wouer yeelds a reason of this law better then the law it selfe, Diuine Maiestie (sayes hee) must not be sleighted, holy duties must not bee suddenly sl [...]bbered ouer, but performed with reuerent regard, [...] religious cun­ctation or delay to frame and com­pose the mind vnto them. But men haue forgotten the feare of the Lord, euen in his presence, and vnder his eye. The holy name of God is made so common in mens mouthes, and his dreadfull Ma­iestie so cheape in their estima­mation, that as they speake of him without reuerence, so also they speake to him without ad­uised [Page 16] premeditation. They are farre from Dauids modestie, who went step by step,Suspenso gradu. and fetched a compasse to come to Gods al­tar.Psal. 26. 6. I will wash my hands in inno­cencie, and so I will compasse thine altar; but these make but one step to it. They suddenly and rudely rush vpon Almightie God, Heb. 12. 29. neuer thinking that he is a consu­ming fire.

Augustus being inuited by a priuate Gentleman to his house, & entertained but slenderly, be­low the maiestie of so great an Emperour, in stead of thanking him, gaue him a secret, but smart checke for it, I knew not (said he) before that we were such familiars. Nesci [...]bam me tibi eam familiarem esse. Eras. A­poth. But hath not the King of heauen and Monarke of the whole world more iust cause to censure in the like manner, or more seuerely those among vs that seeme most forward to inuite and entertaine him; who runne into his presence without shewing any reuerence; [Page 17] speake vnto him without bow­ing their knee; heare him in the Ministry of the Word with­out vncouering their heads; par­ticipate of the dreadfull Myste­ries (as the Fathers call them) of his blessed Body and Blood;Tremenda mysteria. sitting at the Communion as they doe at their ordinary table, without expressing any thankfull humility, or giuing testimony, that they discerne the Lords bo­dy from common meat. Is this to serue the Lord Christ with feare? To reioyce vnto him with trem­bling? To kisse the Sonne least hee be angry? Nay to fall lowe before his footstoole, because hee is holy? But I will speake no more of Preparation to holy duties in ge­nerall, least the preludium grow longer then the lesson I am now to prick.

The Preparation to Prayer.

PARAG. 1.

My heart is indighting of a good matter;Psal. 45. 1. 2. Psal. 39 3.my tongue is the penne of a ready writer, saith the Kingly Prophet, and againe, My heart was hot within mee, while I was musing the fire burned, then spake I with my tongue: If this sweete singer of Israel, first pric­ked the notes in his heart before he began to sing them; If he who was inspired by the holy Ghost, framed his Prayers, and Psalmes of thanksgiuing in his minde, be­fore hee deliuered them by his tongue; ought not we who are as farre behinde him in his gifts, as we are below him in condition, much more meditate before we vtter any thing to the Lord? I speake not of pious [...]iaculations, which must needs be suddaine as their occasions are, and the moti­ons [Page 19] of Gods Spirit within vs; but of a set conceiued Prayer, where­in we ought not onely well to ponder the matter, but euen weigh (if wee haue time) euery word in the ballance, that they bee not found too light,Eccles. 6. 5. 2. and thereby our Prayers against sin, be turned into sinne. Bee not rash with thy mouth and let not thine heart be hasty to vtter any thing be­fore God.Senec. Epist.Seneca obseruing how bold men made with God, and what strange petitions they blu­shed not to preferre vnto him, gaue this sage aduise, So deale with men as if God saw thee, and so speake with God as if men heard thee. Pers. intror­sum obmur­murat ôsi ebullet pa­truij preclarii sumis, & ôsi &c. For many men vent such vncharitable, enuious, and mali­tious matters, such confused, and vndigested stuffe, such imperti­nencies, inconsequencies, & ab­surdities, especially in their pri­uate extemporarie Prayers, as they would be ashamed that any man of quality or vnderstanding [Page 20] should ouer heare them. It would make a prophane man laugh, but a Religious man weepe to listen, and marke how sometimes they court Almighty God with idle complements; sometimes they cast vp Prayers with strong lines to heauen, ho­ping thereby to drawe downe a blessing from God; sometimes they expostulate with God in a sawcie, and sometimes pose him in a ridiculous manner. Some­times they discourse profoundly in their Prayer, as if they meant in good earnest to teach Almigh­ty God what hee ought to doe; Sometimes they are too tedious, cloying his eares with bablings; and vaine repetitions; and some­times againe they are too briefe, curtayling their Orisens, and breaking off in the middest. One while they fly too high, and meddle with counsells of State; and another while they fall too low, and tell God a Homely hou­should [Page 21] tale. If they heare a strange Phrase, or an affected straine of puf-past eloquence, this they cull out carefully, and insert into their garlands. Peter Mou­lin iustly taxeth a Fryar for sty­ling Christ the Dolphin of hea­uen; and I thinke he as well de­serueth blame who prayeth to God that he may march to heauen in perfect equipage, or come vnto God, not with the soales of his foot, but the foot of his soule: who lay­eth open before God his mani­fold defections, infections, imperfe­ctions; his sinnes of an higher straine, and deeper staine; and commendeth to his gracious goodnesse al the Mi­nisters of the Church by what titles soeuer they are signified, or dignified. Giue me leaue to tell these men in their owne language that this is playing, not Praying; and that in sending vp such prayers they burne not incense to God, but in­cense him rather: Or if they will not heare me, let the graue high-Priest [Page 22] among the ancient Romans Schoole them as he did a Vestall whom he obserued to be too cu­rious,Sancte magis quam scite. and neate about her work, which was tending the holy fire. Vergin doe your work holily rather then handsomely; reuerently, rather then trimly. There are a sort of men in direct opposition to these, who affect a kinde of Rhe­torike which weedeth out all flowers of Rhetorike. They can away with no Prayer, or medita­tion which fauours of the lumpe, though the oyle be sacred. No­thing pleaseth them in this kinde, but that which is spunne with an ouer course thread. Coursnes to them is strength; dulnes gra­uity; drinesse iudgement; leane­nes health; and pack-staffe plain­nesse the euidence (as they terme it) of the Spirit,Macies illis pro sanitate est, & iud [...]cij loco infirmi­tas cedit.and simplicity of the Gospell. Well may they claime kindred with the old Aegyptians, Qui [...]. instit. orator. who (as Herodotus, and Straboreport) temper morter [Page 23] with their hands, and kneade their dow with their feete. Right so these men in all other things like well of art and wit, where the matter is vile, and base; but in the deliuery of heauenly concepti­ons, vtterly abandon them. But they should haue considered better, that sharpnesse of wit, and true eloquence are gifts of God, and therefore best of all to bee employed in holy things, as gold and siluer are best bestowed in adorning Gods house, so it bee without superstition. Was not fine linnen, and blew silke, and Scarlet of as good▪ vse in the Arke as Camels haire? Is not the Queene brought into the spiritu­all Salomans chamber, in Ve­sture of gold wrought about with diuers colours? Was not the ho­ly oyle, and precious oyntment made by Gods cōmandement ac­cording to the art of the Apothe­cary? Exod. 30. 25. Are there not in the Prophet Esay, the Psalmes of Dauid, and [Page 24] the Epistles of Saint Paul in the originall language, and other parts of Scripture more exqui­site peeces of Artt, and streines of eloquence, then are to be found in any other writings whatsoe­uer? If they are accursed who doe the worke of the Lord negligent­ly, certainly the more diligence we vse, the more blessed our ho­ly labours shall be. For my part, I am resolued with Dauid neuer to offer that to God which costeth mee nothing. [...] There remaine yet in some places some of the base sect of the Patttalorochita, who place Religion in nosing their words, and speaking to God in a harsh, and vncouth sound, and pronuntiation. They will not cry, but howle, and bellow to him. But these are so few in number, and their error is so contemptible, that I hold it scarce fit the naming, and no way worthy the refuting. I would there were no more left of the [Page 25] sect of the Pharisees,Mat. 23. 14.who vnder colour of long Prayers [...] wi­dowes houses; who persume their cons [...]ing, and corrupt dealing with the balme of G [...]lead; who make Religion, and Deuotion a stalking horse to their ambiti­on, and auaritious purposes, and ends.

‘O mercifull God how is thy patience abused? How is thy Maiesty sleightned? How is thy worship prophaned? O what sinfull wretches are we, who need a large pardon, not onely for our profane, and carnall, but euen for our holy, and spirituall exercises? Lord bee mercifull! shall I say to our si [...]nes? Nay euen to our best works which are not free from imperfections, Euen when we pray against sinne, wee sinne in Praying, both in respect of the forme, and manner, and end of Prayer.’

Which that we may not doe; or [Page 26] not so frequently; or not so grieuously; let vs prepare our selues before hand, with the ad­monition, [...]hyme, and Prayer ensuing.

THE TEXTS.

GOD is in heauen,Prayer must bee SHORT. and thou vpon earth; there­fore let thy words bee few. Eccles. 5. 2.

When we pray, vse not vaine repetitions as the heathen doe: for they thinke that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Mat 6. 7.

After this manner Pray yee.Conforma­ble to the patterne, consisting of three parts. Humble cōfession. Verse 9.

He that couereth his sinnes shall not prosper, but who so confesseth, and forsaketh them shall haue mercy. Pro. 28. 13.

I said I will confesse my trans­gressions to the Lord,Wherein must be cō ­sidered. and thou forgauest the iniquity of my sin. Psal. 32. 5.God his ter­rible Name.

Feare this glorious, and dread­full Name The Lord thy God. Deut. 28. 58.

Let them praise thy great, and terrible Name, for it is holy. Psal. 99. 3.

[Page 28]Holy, and reuerent is his name. Psal. 3. 9.

I am a great King saith the Lord of Hoasts, and my Name is dreadfull among the heathen. Mal.. 1. 14.

O Lord my God thou art be­come exceeding glorious; Glorious Maiesty. thou art clothed with Maiesty, and honour. Psal. 104. 1.

Thou deckest thy selfe with light as with a garment, and spreadest the heauens like a cur­taine. Verse 2.

The glorious Maiesty of the Lord shall endure for euer. Verse 31.

Then a clowde couered the Tent of the Congregation, and the glory of the Lord, filled the Tabernacle. Exod. 40. 34.

The Chariots of God are twenty thousand, euen thousands of Angels, &c. Psal. 68. 17.

Who is the King of glory? Euen the Lord of Hosts, hee is the King of glory. Psal. 24. 10.

[Page 29]The Lord, euen the most Mighty God hath spoken, and called the world from the rising of the Sunne to the going downe of the same. Psal. 50. 1.

Blessed be his glorious Name for euer, and let all the earth bee filled with his Maiesty Amen, A­men. Psal. 72. 18.

Who onely hath immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach vnto. 1 Tim. 6. 18.

And Moses was not able to enter into the Tent of the Con­gregation, because the clowde aboade therein, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. Exo. 40. 35.

I will reprooue thee,His al-see­ing eye. and set thy sinnes in order before thine eyes. Psal 50. 21.

O Lord thou hast searched me, and knowne me. Psal 139. 1.

Thou knowest my downe-sit­ting, and mine vp-rising; thou vnderstandest my thoughts long before. v. 2.

[Page 30]The wayes of man are before the eyes of the Lord and he pon­dereth all his doings. Pro 5. 21.

The eyes of the Lord are in e­uery place, beholding the [...]uil, and the good. Pro. 15. 3.

If thou sayest, Behold we knew it not, doth not hee that ponde­reth the heart consider it, and he that keepeth thy soule, doth not he know it? Pro. 24. 12.

Mine eyes are vpon all their waies, they are not hid from my face; neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes. Ier. 16. 17.

If our hearts condemne vs, God is greater then our hearts, and knoweth all things. 1. Ioh. 3. 20.

Behold,Infinite pu­rity and ho­linesse. euen to the Moone, and it shineth not; yea the Stars are not pure in his sight; how much lesse man that is a worme? Iob. 23. 9.

Thou art not a God that hast pleasure in wickednesse; neither shall euill dwell with thee. Ps. 5. 4.

[Page 31]Thou louest righteousnesse, and hatest iniquity, therefore God e­uen thy God, &c. Psal. 45. 7.

And one cryed to another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of Hosts. Isa. 6. 3.

Then the Moone shall be con­founded, and the Sunne ashamed when the Lord of Hosts shall reigne in Mount Sion. Isa. 24. 23.

And they (the foure beasts full of eyes) rested not day and night,Strict ius­tice. saying, Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty. Reuel. 4. 8.

Doth not he that pondereth the heart consider? and he that keepeth thy soule, doth hee not know it? and shall not he render to euery man according to his workes? Pro. 24. 12.

Reioyce ô young man in thy youth, and let thy heart cheere thee in the dayes of thy youth, &c. but know thou that for all these things God will bring thee to iudgement. Eccles. 11. 9.

Woe vnto the wicked, it shall [Page 32] be ill with him for the reward of his hands shall be giuen him. Isa. 3. 11.

Thine eyes are open vpon all the wayes of the sonnes of men, to giue euery one according to his wayes, and according to the fruit of his doings. Ier. 32. 19.

I say vnto you, that of euery [...] word that men shall speake, they shall giue an accompt in the day of Iudgement. Mat. 12. 36.

Then thinkest thou this ô man that iudgest them which do such things, and dost the same, that thou shalt escape the Iudgement of God? Rom. 2. 3.

Thou treasurest vp vnto thy selfe wrath against the day of wrath and reuelation of the righ­teous iudgeme [...] of God. Rom. [...]. 5.

Who will render to euery one according to his deedes. Verse 6.

If yee call on the Father who without respect of persons iudgeth according to euery mans worke, passe the time of your soiourning [Page 33] here in feare. 1 Peter 1. 17.

The time is come that iudge­ment must beginne at the House of God; and if it first beginne at vs, what shall be the end of them that obey not the Gospell of God?

And if the righteous scarcely be saued, where shall the vngodly, and sinners appeare? Verse [...]8.

God spared not the Angels that sinned, but cast them downe into hell and deliuered them to chaines of darknes to be reserued vnto Iudgement, &c. 2 Pet. 2. 4.

Serue the Lord with feare, Fierce w [...]ath a­gainst sinne, and sinners. and reioyce with trembling. Psal. 2. 11

Kisse the Sonne least he be an­gry, &c. Verse 12.

Thou euen thou art to be fea­red, and who may stand in thy sight when thou art angrie? Psal. 76. 7.

Then the earth shooke and trembled, the foundations also of the hills moued, and were shaken because hee was wrath. Psal. 18 7.

[Page 34]The Lyon hath roared, who will not feare? Amos 3. 8.

It is a fearefull thing to fall in­to the hands of the liuing God. Hebr. 10. 31.

I saw a great white Throne, and him that sate on it, from whose face the Earth and Heauen fled away, and there was found no place for them. Reuel 20. 11.

And they said to the Moun­taines and Rocks fall on vs, and hide vs from the face of him that sitteth on the Throne, and from the wrath of the Lambe. Reuel. 6. 16.

Dust thou art.Man his vi [...]enesse. Gen. 3. 19.

Behold I haue taken vpon me to speake vnto the Lord who am but dust and ashes Gen. 18. 27.

VVhat is man that thou art mindfull of him, and the Sonne of man that thou visitest him? Psal. 8. 4.

Man is a worme, and the sonne of man is a worme.

Surely euery man liuing is al­together [Page 35] vanity. Psal. 39. 11.

All nations before him are as nothing, and they are counted to him lesse then nothing, and va­nity. Isa. 40. 17.

He knoweth our frame; hee remembreth that wee are but dust. Psal. 103. 14.

Man that is borne of a wo­man hath but few dayes,Wretched­ness [...]. and is full of misery. Iob 14. 1.

Is not mans life a warfare vp­on earth? Are not his dayes also as the dayes of an hireling? Iob 7. 1.

O wretched man that I am, who shall deliuer mee from the body of this death? Rom. 7. 24.

Euery imagination of the thoughts of mans heart are only euill continually. Sinfulnesse. Gen. 6. 5.

There is no man that sinneth not. 1 Kings 8. 46.

Who can bring a cleane thing out of an vncleane? Iob 14. 4.

They are altogether become filthy; there is none that doth good, [Page 36] no not one. Psalme 143.

Behold I was shapen in iniqui­ty, and in sinne did my mother conceiue mee? Psal. 51. 5.

Who knoweth how oft hee offendeth? Cleanse thou me from my secret finnes. Psal. 19. 12.

If thou Lord shalt marke what is done amisse who may stand? Psal. 130. 3.

Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant, for in thy sight shall no man liuing bee iustified. Ps. 143. 2.

We are al as an vncleane thing, and all our righ [...]eousnesse is as filthy raggs. Isa. 64. 6.

Who can say I haue made my heart cleane, I am pure from my sinne? Pro. 20. 9.

For the Scripture hath con­cluded all vnder sinne. Gal. 3. 22.

In many things wee offend all. Iames 3. 2.

If we say that we haue no sinne we deceiue our selues, and there is no truth in vs. 1. Iohn 1. 8.

[Page 37]Without me ye can do nothing. Wants and V [...]abilitie. Ioh. 15. 5.

Not that we are sufficient of our selues to thinke any thing as of our selues, but our sufficiency is of God. 2. Cor. 3. 5.

The Lord is nigh vnto all them that call vpon him;Consident inuocat [...]on wherein to be consi­dered. yea all such as call vpon him faithfully. Psal. 145. 18.

All things whatsoeuer ye shall aske in prayer beleeuing, ye shall receiue. Math. 21. 22.

Let him aske in faith, nothing wa [...]ering. Iames 1. 6.

Thou hast bene pretious in my sight,God his Loue. and I haue loued thee. Isa. 43. 4.

God so loued the world that he gaue his onely begotten Son, that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish, but haue e­uerlasting life. Ioh. 3. 16.

As the Father hath loued mee, so I haue loued you. Ioh. 15. 9.

After that the kindnesse, and loue of God our Sauiour towards [Page 38] man appeared, &c. Tit. 3. 4.

To him that loued vs, and wa­shed vs from our sins in his owne bloud. Ren. 1. 5.

The Lord,Mercy and long-suffe­ring. the Lord God mer­cifull, and gratious, long-suffering, abundant in goodnesse & truth. Exod. 34. 6.

The Lord your God is graci­ous, and mercifull, and will not turne away his face from you, if you returne to him. 2. Chro. 30. 9

For thy great mercies sake thou diddest not vtterly consume them, nor forsake them, for thou art a gracious and mercifull God. Nehe. 9. 31.

The Lord is mercifull, and gra­cious; slow to anger, and plentifull in mercy. Psal. 103. 8. ver. 11. 13. 17.

Who is a God like vnto thee, that pard [...]neth iniquitie, and pas­seth by the transgressions of the remnant of his heritage; hee re­taineth not his anger for euer, be­cause he delighteth in merc [...]e. Mi­cah 7. 18.

[Page 39]He will turne againe, he will haue compassion vpon vs: hee wil subdue our iniquities, and thou wilt cast all their sinnes into the depths of the sea. ver. 19.

Despisest thou the riches of his goodnesse, and forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodnesse of God leadeth to repentance. Rom. 2. 4.

God is not slacke as some men count slacknesse; but is long-suffe­ring to vs ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2. Pet. 3. 9.

The seed of the woman shall bruise thy head.Gratious promises. Gen. 3. 15.

He forgiueth all thine iniqui­ties, and healeth all thy [...]iseases. Psal. 103. 3.

He will not alway chide, nor keepeth hee his anger for euer. ver. 9.

His anger endureth but for a moment, in his fauour is life; wee­ping may endure for a night, but [Page 40] ioy cometh in the morning. Psal. 30. 5.

They that sow in teares shall reape in ioy. Psal. 126. 5.

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

In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with euerlasting kindnesse will I haue mercy on thee saith the Lord thy redeemer. Isa. 54. 8.

If the wicked will turne from all his sinnes which he hath com­mitted, and keep all my statutes, and do all that which is lawfull and right, he shall surely liue, he shall not d [...]o. Eze. 18. 21.

Haue I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die, saith the Lord God, & not that he should returne from his wayes and liue? ver. 23.

As I liue saith the Lord God I haue no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wic­ked [Page 41] turne from his way and liue. Eze. 33, 11.

I will betroth thee vnto me for­euer, yea I will betroth thee vnto me in righteousnesse, & in iudge­ment, and in louing kindnesse, and in mercie. Hos. 2. 19.

A bruised reede shall hee not breake, and smoking flaxe shall he not quench. Math. 12. 20.

Come vnto me all ye that la­bour, and are heauie laden, and I will giue you rest. Math 11. 28.

There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Iesus. Rom. 8. 1.

To him that is able to do ex­ceeding abundantly aboue all that we aske or thinke,Omnipotent goodnesse. be glorie, &c. Ephes. 3. 20.

I am God all-sufficient, walke before me, and bee thou perfect. Genes. 17. 1.

Abraham being fully perswa­ded that what God had promi­sed he was able to performe. Ro­manes 4. 21.

[Page 42]God is able to make all grace abound towards you, that you alwayes hauing sufficiencie in all things, may abound to euery good worke. 2. Cor. 9. 8.

The same Lord ouer all is rich vnto all that call vpon him. Rom. 10. 12.

Thus it becometh vs to fulfill all righteousnesse. Christ his perfect obe­dience. Math. 3. 15.

Which of you conui [...]ceth mee of sinne? Ioh. 18. 46.

As by one mans disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Rom. 5. 19.

He hath made him to be sinne for vs who knew no sinne, that we might be made the righteous­nesse of God in him. 2. Cor. 5. 21.

He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sinne. Heb. 4. 15.

Such an high Priest became vs who is holy, harmelesse, vndefiled, separate from sinners. Heb. 7. 26.

He did no sinne, neither was guile [Page 43] found in his mouth. 1. Pet. 2. 22.

With the Lord is mercy,Full satis­faction. and plenteous redemption. Psal. 130. 7.

The chastisement of our peace was vpon him. Isa. 53. 5.

The Sonne of man came to giue his life a ransome for many. Math. 20. 28.

I lay downe my life for my sheepe. Ioh. 10. 15.

Feede the Church of God which he hath purchased with his owne bloud. Acts 20. 28.

He was deliuered for our of­fences, and was raised againe for our iustification. Rom. 4. 21.

Being iustified by his bloud wee shall bee saued from wrath through him. Rom. 5. 9.

Who gaue himselfe a ransome for all to be testified in due time. 1. Tim. 2. 6.

How much more shall the bloud of Christ, who through the eternall spirit offered himselfe without spot to God, purge our conscience from dead workes. Heb. 9. 14.

[Page 44]His owne selfe bare our sinnes in his owne body on the tree, that we being dead to sin should liue vnto righteousnes, by whose stripes ye were healed. 1. Peter 2. 24.

The bloud of Iesus Christ clean­seth vs from all sinne. 1. Ioh. 1. 7.

Thou wast slaine, and hast re­deemed vs to God by thy bloud. Reu. 5. 9.

Thou art a Priest for euer after the order of Melchizedek.Perpetuall intercession. Psal. 110. 4.

It is Christ that died; yea ra­ther that is risen againe, who is euen at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for vs. Rom. 8. 34.

There is one God, and one Mediator betweene God and man, the man Christ Iesus. 1. Tim. 2. 5.

He is able to saue them to the vttermost that come vnto God by him, seeing he euer liueth to make intercession for them. Heb. 7. 21.

[Page 45]Christ is entred into heauen it selfe, now to appeare in the pre­sence of God for vs. Hebrewes 9. 24.

If any man sinne wee haue an aduocate with the Father Iesus Christ the righteous. 1. Ioh. 2. 1.

And he is the propitiation for our sinnes. ver. 2.

Giue thankes ô Israel to the Lord from the ground of the heart. Harty thanksgi­uing. Psal. 68. 26.

It is a good thing to giue thanks to the Lord. Psal. 92. 1.

O giue thanks to the Lord, and call vpon his Name. Psal. 105. 1.

I will giue thankes to the Lord with my whole heart secretly a­mong the faithfull, and in the congregation. Psal. 111. 1.

He fell downe on his face at his feete, giuing him thanks. Luke 17. 16.

There are not found that re­turned to giue glory to God saue this stranger. ver. 18.

Giuing thankes alwayes for all [Page 46] things vnto God and the Father. Ephes. 5. 20.

Whatsoeuer ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Iesus, giuing thanks to God and the Father, by him wee giue thankes to God alwayes. 1. Thes. 1. 2.

In euery thing giue thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Iesus concerning you. 1. Thes. 5. 18.

What shall I render to the Loro for all his benefits? Whereinto be numbred God his be­nifits spiri­tuall. Election. Psal. 116. 12. [...] Psal. 10. 7. 8. Psal. 116. 12.

But ye are a chosen genera­tion, a royall Priest-hood, an ho­ly nation, a peculiar people, that ye should shew forth the praises of him, who hath called you out of darknesse into his maruellous light. 1. Pet. 2. 9.

They that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithfull. Reu. 17. 14.

Ye haue not chosen me, but I haue chosen you. Ioh. 15. 16.

[Page 47]Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect? Rom. 8. 33.

According as he hath chosen vs in him, before the foundation of the world. Ephes. 1. 4.

God hath from the beginning chosen you to saluation through sanctification of the Spirit, &c. 2. Thes. 2. 13.

God created man in his owne image.Creation. Genes. 1. 27.

Haue dominion ouer the fish [...]f the sea, and the fowles of the [...], and ouer euery liuing thing that moueth vpon the earth. ver. 28.

Thy hands haue made me, and fashioned me. Psal. 119. 73.

Thou hast fashioned me behind and before, and [...]yed thine hand vpon me. Psal. 139. 4.

Thine eyes did see my sub­stance yet being vnperfect, and in thy book all my members writ­ten, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. Psal. 139. 16.

[Page 48]Thou art worthy ô Lord to receiue glory, and honour, and power, for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Reu. 4. 11.

Thou hast redeemed me ô Lord God of truth.Redemptiō. Psal. 31. 5.

Blessed be the Lord, for hee hath visited and redeemed his people. Luke 1. 68.

Being iustified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Iesus Christ. Rom. 3. 24.

Christ Iesus of God is made vnto vs wisdome, and righteous­nesse, sanctification, and redemp­tion. 1. Cor. 1. 30.

Christ hath redeemed vs from the curse of the Law, being made a cur [...]e for vs. [...]al. 3. 13.

In whom we haue redemption through his bloud the forgiuenes of sinnes, according to the riches of his grace. Ephes. 1. 6. Colos. 1. 14.

By his owne bloud he entered in once into the holy place ha­uing [Page 49] obtained eternall redemp­tion for vs. Heb. 9. 12.

Ye know that ye were not re­deemed with corruptible things, as siluer and gold from your vaine conuersation receiued by tradition from your fathers. 1. Pet. 1. 18.

But rather the pretious bloud of Christ as of a lambe without a blemish, and without spot. v. 19.

Thou wast slaine, and hast re­deemed vs to God by thy bloud out of euery kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. Reu. 5. 9.

I will call them my people which were not my people,Vocation. and her beloued which was not be­loued. Hos. 2. 23.

I am not come to call the righ­teous but sinners to repentance. Math. 9. 13.

Among whom also are yee the called of Iesus Christ. Rom. 1. 6.

Whom hee did predestinate, them he also called. Rom. 8. 30.

[Page 50]The gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Rom. 11. 29.

Walke worthy the vocation wherewith ye are called. Eph. 4. 1.

I presse toward the marke for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus. Phil. 3. 14.

God hath not called vs to vn cleannesse, but to holines. 1. Thes. 4. 7.

Faithfull is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 1. Thes. 5. 24.

Zion shall be redeemed with iudgement,Iustification and her Courts with righteousnesse. Isa. 1. 27.

By his knowledge shall my righteous seruant iustifie many, for he shall beare their iniquities. Isa. 53. 11.

Blessed is he whose transgres­sion is forgiuen and sinne is coue­red. Psal. 32. 1.

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not iniquitie, ver. 2.

It is one God which shall iusti­fie [Page 51] the circumcision by faith, and vncircumcision through faith. Rom. 3. 30.

To him that worketh not, but beleeueth on him that iustifieth the vngodly, his faith is counted for righteousnesse. Rom 4. 5.

Whom he hath called, them he also iustifieth. Rom. 8. 30.

Being iustified by faith we haue peace with God through our Lord Iesus Christ. Rom. 5. 1.

Much more being now iustified by his bloud wee shall be saued from wrath through him. ver. 9.

Being iustified by his grace, we shall be made heires according to the hope of eternall life. Tit. 3. 7.

Purge me with Hysope and I shall be cleane,Sanctifica­tion.wash me and I shall be whiter then snow. Psal. 51. 7.

I will purge away thy drosse, and take away all thy Tinn [...]. Isa. 1. 25.

For their sakes I sanctifie my selfe, that they also may be san­ctified. [Page 52] Iohn 17. 19.

Being sanctified by the holy Ghost. Rom. 15. 16.

Such were some of you, but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, 1. Cor. 6. 11.

That he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of wa­ter by the word, Eph. 5. 26.

For by one offering he hath perfected them for euer that are sanctified, Heb. 10. 14.

To them that are sanctified by God the Father, &c. Iude 1. 1.

I know that my redeemer li­ueth,Hope of glo­rificaetion. &c. Iob 19. 25.

Though after my skin wormes destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God, ver. 26.

Thou shalt guide me with thy counsell, and afterwards receiue me to glorie, Psal. 73. 24.

Father, I will that they also whom thou hast giuen me bee with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou hast giuen me, Ioh. 17. 24.

[Page 53]Come yee blessed of my Fa­ther, inherit the kingdome prepa­red for you from the foundation of the world, Math. 25. 34.

Feare not little flocke for it is your Fathers pleasure to giue you the kingdome, Luke 12. 32.

If so be we suffer with him we shall also bee glorified together with him, Rom. 8. 17.

The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be com­pared with the glorie that shall be reuealed in vs, ver. 18.

Whom he iustifieth them also he glorifieth, ver. 30.

Who shall change our vile bo­die that it may be fashioned to his glorious body, Phil. 3. 21.

I haue fought a good fight, I haue finished my course, I haue kept the faith, 2. Tim. 4. 7.

Henceforth there is layed vp for me a crowne of righteousnes, which the Lord the righteous Iudge shall giue me at that day: and not to me onely, but vnto [Page 54] them also that loue his appea­ring, ver. 8.

Blesse the Lord ô my soule,Temporall as and forget not all his benefits, Psal. 103. 2.

Which forgiueth all thy sinne, and healeth all thy diseases, Health. ver. 3.

O Lord thou hast brought vp my soule from the graue; thou hast kept me aliue, that I should not go downe to the pit, Psal. 30. 3.

The Lord killeth and maketh aliue, &c. 1. Sam. 2▪ 6.

It is God that girdeth me with strength, Strength. and maketh my way perfect, Psal. 18. 32.

He teacheth my hands to warre▪ so that a bow of steele is broken by mine armes, ver. 34.

Which satisfieth thy mouth with good things, and maketh thee young and lustie as an Eagle, Psal. 103. 5.

Come and let vs returne vnto the Lord, for he hath torne and he will heale vs: he hath smitten [Page 55] and he will bind vs vp, Hos. 6. 1.

I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, Wealth. and of all the truth which thou hast shewed vnto thy seruant: for with my staffe I passed ouer this Iordan, and now I am become two bands, Genes. 32. 10.

Also the Lord gaue Iob twise as much as he had before, Iob 42. 10.

Charge the rich in this world that they bee not high minded, nor trust in vncertaine riches, but in the liuing God, who giueth vs richly all things to enioy, 1. Ti. 6. 17.

Thou hast set me at libertie when I was in thrall,Libertie. Psal 4. 1.

Cornelius a iust man,Good name. and of good report, Acts 10. 22.

And these all hauing obtained a good report through faith recei­ued not the promises, Hebrewes 11. 39.

Oyntment and perfume re­ioyce the heart;Friends. so doth the sweetnes of a mans friend by hear­tie counsell, Prou. 27 [...]9.

[Page 56]Then came to Iob all his bre­thren, and all his sisters; and all they that had bene of his acquain­tance, &c. Iob 42. 11.

Thou Lord onely makest mee dwell in safetie, Safetie. Psal. 4. 8.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall a­bide vnder the shadow of the Al­mightie, Psal. 91. 1.

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleepe. Psal. 121. 4.

The Lord shall preserue thee from all euill: he shall preserue thy soule.

A preparatorie Hymne collected out of diuerse Psalmes

where in the deuout soule desireth

  • Accessea.
  • Audienceb.
  • Assistancec.
  • Acceptanced.

a Thou sayest seeke ye my face, my heart said vnto thee, thy face Lord will I seeke. Psal. 27. 8.

[Page 57] Hide not thy face farre from mee, nor put thy seruant away in anger. ver. 9.

Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy Spirit from me. Psal. 51. 11.

b Heare ô Lord when I crie vnto thee; haue mercy also vpon me and answer me. Psal. 27. 7.

Ponder my words ô Lord, consider my meditation. Psal. 5. 1.

My heart is enditing a good matter; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Psal. 45. 1.

c O Lord open thou my lips, and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. Psal. 51. 15.

Let my prayer bee set forth before thee as incense, and the lifting vp of my hands as an eue­ning sacrifice. Psal. 141. 2.

Set a watch ô Lord before my mouth, and keepe the doore of my lips. ver. 3.

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart [Page 58] bee acceptable in thy sight ô Lord my strength and my re­deemer. Psal. 19. 14.

A preparatorie Prayer, where­in all the conditions requisite in Prayer are expressed and prayed for.

HEauenly Father, whose gift it is that I can aske any good gift at thy hands, without whose grace I cannot desire thy healthfull and sauing grace: Infuse into my heart the Spirit of suppli­cation, that in an awfull reuerence of thy Maiestie, out of a true sence and feeling of my wants and infirmities, and a liuely faith in thy promises; I may with chearefulnesse of mind, and fer­uencie of Deuotion, and constant perseuerance lift vp a pure and plaine heart vnto thee at all times: humbly intreating thy soue­reigne bountie for such things [Page 59] onely as thou in thy eternall wis­dome hast pre-ordained to giue; and calling vpon thee in such or­der and manner as thou hast pre­scribed me to aske in that abso­lute patterne of all prayer set downe in the Gospell by my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ. In whose name, mediation, and words I crie Abba, Our Father which art in heauen, hallowed be thy Name, &c.

A preparation to the hearing of the word.

GOd in his infinite wisedome hath so disposed the meanes of our saluation, that the soue­raigne Antidote against sinne, & death is conueyed into the soule through the same passage, whereby the deadly poyson first entered. Bern. serm. 2. de Penth. vt eadem v [...]a intraret anti­dotus q [...]a v [...] nenum intra uerat. Death stole in at the eare by sug­gestion of the euill spirit, and now life in the hearing of the word passeth in at the same gate [Page 60] of the soule, by the operation of the holy Spirit. Hast thou an eare (ô Christian by thy profession) for the diuell, and none for God? An eare to receiue poyson drop­ped in, and not to receiue the oyle of grace, and most pretious balsame of Gods word instilled by preaching? If thou art a sheepe of Christ, and belongest to his fold, shew his eare-marke: My sheepe heare my voyce. Heb. 10. 5. Where wee reade in the Psalme according to the Septuagint, and in the Epistle to the Hebrewes,Psal 40. 6. A body thou hast fitted or prepared me, it is in the originall according to the Hebrew, word for word, Mine eares hast thou opened; to teach vs that God fits vs and prepares vs for his seruice, especially by boa­ring our eares with those goades and nailes that are fastened by the Maisters of the assemblies, and are giuen from one sheapheard: I socra­tes aduiseth Demonicus to em­ploy all his leasure time in dili­gently [Page 61] hearing the penned Ora­tions and speeches of eloquent Orators, and graue Counsellers. For so (saith hee) thou shalt get that with much ease which cost ano­ther man much paines. That which a diuine Orator, and hea­uenly Preacher hath beene many weekes (perhaps yeeres) in lay­ing together, hee scattereth a­broad in an hower. Obseruest thou not how the Manna which he gathereth graine by graine, or seede by seede hee deliuereth out to thee in whole Omers, yea and Ephaes too? Yea but thou art well stored with this heauen­ly prouision, and foode of Angels, thy library is like a rich Grana­rie, and why maist thou not then as well or better spend thy time, in perusing such writings then repairing to the Church perhaps a good way from thy house, to heare a man of meaner gifts then those were or are, whose works thou hast in the last and best e­ditions [Page 62] by thee I perceiue by this obiection that thou hast heard much against hearing, heare now a little for it.

First, as a great Master of the Law was wont to say, that Courts of iustice must not Clash one against another: so it is most certaine that duties of piety ought not Clash, iustle, or any way crosse one the other. Priuate reading and publike hearing must both haue their places, sea­sons, and turnes. If thou art so straightned in time, or ouerlaid with businesse that thou canst not allow a fit time for both, let the priuate, voluntary alwaies giue place to the publike necessary du­ty. The cōmandements of God, & the Church wherein thou liuest ought to ouersway thy priuate opinion, fancie, or inclination; or perhaps diabolicall tentation. If thy Pastor be so strictly charged to preach vnto thee, certainely thou art necessarily bound to [Page 63] heare him. For these duties are linked together. Hath priuate reading the like promises to pub­like hearing the Word? Or is it of like force and efficacie? Where thou canst name one that hath beene wonne to the Christi­an faith and true godlinesse by bare reading wee can produce many thousands that haue beene added to the Church by publike Sermons: yea sometimes at one Sermon. The holy Ghost in the day of Pentecost came with the sound. Acts 2. 41. Where the sound is of the Word Preached there goeth the Spirit ordinarily. Yet I deny not but that men in priuate rea­ding the Scriptures and other holy books may & do feele some soft and sweet blasts of the ho­ly spirit; but in the publike Mi­nistry of the Word, the Spirit commeth downe like a mighty rushing winde filling the whole roome, wee receiue then grace in a fuller measure. Sermons prea­ched [Page 64] are compared to raine and deaw, but printed to snow; which though it lye longer on the ground, yet it is much col­der, and doth not in like sort pierce, moysten, and fatten the ground as the other. Moreouer those things that haue passed the presse lye by vs; wee may at any time haue, and vse them: but the notes of a Sermon preached are like the Manna that fell on the Saturday which (if it was not presently gathered) was vtterly lost. There is much difference betweene those generall Re­ceipts you finde in Physick bookes, and a speciall potion or Electuary made by a trusty Apo­thecary, according to the directi­on of a Learned Physitian, and particularly applyed to thy pecu­liare disease. Euery man hath not the skill of the Apothecary to make the confection, and fewer haue the iudgement of an expe­rienced physitian to direct where [Page 65] and how it ought to bee giuen. And albeit thy preacher bee a man of no very extraordinary gifts, yet in regard he is an Am­bassadour sent from God vnto thee if he faithfully (though perhaps not so eloquently) deliuer his message vnto thee thou oughtst to heare it; and honour him for his Masters sake. His feete cannot but seeme beautifull to thee if they be sho [...]d with the Preparation of the Gospell of Peace.

The diligent Bee ga­thereth hony out of Thime,Plut de tran­quill auimaone of the driest herbs that is; and certainly if thou bee not a drone thy selfe, thou mayest sucke from the mouth of the barrenest and (as thou callest him) the dryest Preacher, Doctrine sweeter then the hony or the hony combe. Al­though I assent freely to Lactan­tius that the truth findeth easyer-en­trance into the soule when she com­meth armed,Lactan. instit diuin. lib. 1. c. 1. Potentius inanimos in­fluit. & vi­suâ instruc­ta, & luce o­rationis orna­ta.not onely with her owne strength but also with the [Page 66] best aide, wit, or art can afford. Yet withall I affirme with Saint Paul that faith standeth not in the enti­sing words of mans wisedome, but in the demonstration of the Spirit, and the power of God. Art may moue affection; but nothing but Gods Word and the grace of the Spirit can remoue corrup­tion. Humane wit and learning may tickle the eare, and (as Seneca speakes of Chrysippus his acute Sentences) pricke,Sen Epist. 1. ad Lucsliū. Pungst non penetrat. Heb. 4. 12. Peircing to the deuiding &c.but neuer pierce the heart: that is the singular prerogatiue of the Word of God. What are Rams-hornes in comparison of siluer Trumpets? Yet when God commands and appoints, the harsh sound of them, shall demolish those strong holds of Satan which the sweeter and shriller sound of siluer Trum­pets shall not doe. Bee tho [...] obe­dient to him who is set ouer thee in the Lord, and must giue an ac­count of thy soule. Desire not to haue thy eares tickled, but thy [Page 67] heart pricked, and make then no doubt but that God will blesse his ordinance and thy obedience; and supply to thee by his Spirit what may bee deficient in the Preachers learning or language. But then thou must come prepa­red to the hearing of the Word by such directions as are set downe in the Word.

THE PREPARATORIE Admonition.

THE ANALYSIS.

The prepa­ration to the hearing of the Word consi­steth in

  • 1 Conside­ration, espe­cially of these par­ticulars, viz▪ that
    • 1 The hearing of the word is a ne­cessarie dutie ioi­ned by God the
      • Father,
      • Sonne,
      • Holy-Ghost.
    • 2 Wee must giue account to God what, how, and whom wee heare.
    • 3 The word we heare is the word of God, & not of a mortal man.
    • 4 It is the ordinarie meanes of saluation.
    • 5 If we profit not by it, it will be to our greater damnation.
  • 2 Prayer for
    • 1 The Preacher that God would
      • Direct
      • Assist
      him.
    • 2 Our selues; in that he will giue vs
      • 1 Attention to heare.
      • 2 Vnderstanding to con­ceiue.
      • 3 Wisedome to apply.
      • 4 Iudgement to discern.
      • 5 Faith to belieue.
      • 6 Memory to retaine.
      • 7 Grace to practise the sincere doctrine of Gods holy word.

THE TEXTS.

HEarken ô Israell vnto the ordinances and statutes which I teach you. [...] We are commanded by the Fa­ther. Deut. 4. 1.

Heare my Law ô my people; incline your eares to the words of my mouth. Psal. 78. 1.

This is my welbeloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased, heare him. Mat. 3. 17.

Hee that heareth of mee these words,The Sonne. &c. Mat. 7. 24.

Hee that hath an eare to heare let him heare. Mat. 11. 15.

Let him that hath an eare heare what the Spirit saith to the Churches.The holy Ghost to beare heed­fully the Word of the Preacher. Reu. 2. 7.

Take heed what ye heare. Mar. 4. 24.

Beware of false Prophets that come vnto you in sheeps-clo­thing. Mat. 7. 15.

They searched the Scriptures, whether those things were so. Acts 17. 11.

[Page 70] Proue all things: hold that which is good. 1 T [...]es. 5. 21.

Try the Spirits whether they be of God or not. 1. Ioh. 4. 1.

They haue not reiected thee but they haue reiected me. Not as the Word of Man, but as the Word of God. 1 Sam. 8. 7.

Hee that heareth you heareth me, and he that heareth me hea­reth him that sent me. Luk. 10. 16.

Blessed is hee that heareth the Word of God and keepeth it. Luk. 11. 28.

Ye receiued the Word not as the Word of men, but as it is in­deed the Word of God. 1 These. 2. 3.

The Word of God is liuely and mighty in operation, &c. Heb. 4. 12.

If any man speake let him speake as the Word of God. 1 Pet. 4. 11.

I am not ashamed of the Gos­pell of Christ;Which will proue the meanes of our saluati­on. for it is the power of God vnto saluation to euery be­leeuer. [Page 71] Rom. 1. 16.

Man liueth not by bread only, but by euery Word that procee­deth from the mouth of God. Luke 4. 4.

Hee that heareth my words and belieueth in mee hath life eternall, and shall not come into con­demnation, but is passed from death to life. Ioh. 9. 24.

To whom shall we goe? Thou hast the words of eternall life. Ioh. 6. 68.

He that refuseth me and recei­ueth not my words hath one that iudgeth him.Or damna­tion. The word which I haue spoken it shall iudge him at the last day. Ioh. 12. 48.

If I had not come, and spoken vnto them they had not had sin. Ioh. 15. 22.

Wee are the sweete smelling sauour of Christ in them that are saued and them that perish. 2 Cor. 2. 15.

To the one wee are the sauour of death vnto death: and to the [Page 72] other the sauour of life vnto life, verse 16.

Continue in Pra [...]er, 2. Wee must pray for the Preacher. and watch in the same with thanksgiuing, Colos 4. 2.

Praying for vs, that God may open to vs the dore of vtterance to speake the mysteries of Christ. verse 3.

That I may vtter it as it be­commeth me to speake.For our selues that we may Attend. verse 4.

A certaine woman named Lydia heard vs, whose heart the Lord opened that she attended to the things that Paul spake. Acts 16. 14.

Giue me vnderstanding and I will keepe thy Law.Vnderstand Psal. 119. 34.

And this I pray that ye may a­bound yet more and more in knowledge and in all iudgement. Discerne. Phil. 1. 9.

That yee may discerne those things that differ. verse 10.

The Lord giue thee a right iudgement in all things. 2 Tim. 2. 7.

[Page 73]God that commanded the light to shine out of darknesse, is he that hath shined in our hearts, to giue the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Iesus Christ. 2. Cor. 4. 6.

The Apostles said Lord in­crease our Faith. Belieue. Luke 17. 5.

For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, &c. Ephes. 3. 14.

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith. verse 17.

And his Mother kept all these sayings in her heart. Remember. Luk. 2. 51.

I haue hid thy promises in my heart▪ that I might not sin against thee Psal. 119. 11.

Whosoeuer heareth of mee these words and doeth the same I will liken him to a wise man that built his house vpon a rock Mat.Practice. 7. 24.

If ye know these things blessed are ye if ye do them, Ioh. 13. 17.

Be ye dooers of the Word & not hearers only deceiuing your own soules. Iam. 1. 22.

The Preparatory Hymne,

wherein the deuout soule expresseth her

  • a High esteeme of the Word.
  • b Continuall medita­ting on it.
  • c Exceeding delight in it.
  • Feruent desire to be
    • d Instru­cted in it.
    • e Ruled by it.

a My soule breaketh for the lon­ging it hath vnto thy iudgements at all times. Psal 119. 20.

The Law of thy mouth is bet­ter to me then thousands of gold and siluer. verse 72.

The Law of the Lord is perfect conuerting the soule: the testi­mony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple. Psal. 19. 7.

The Statutes of the Lord are [Page 75] right and reioyce the heart: the commandement of the Lord is pure, enlightning the eyes. ver. 8

The feare of the Lord is cleane enduring for euer: the Iudge­ments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. verse 9.

More to bee desired are they then gold, yea then much fine gold; sweeter also then hony, and the ho­ny combe. verse 10.

Moreouer by them is thy ser­uant taught: and in keeping of them is great reward. verse 11.

b I will meditate in thy pre­cepts, and haue respect to thy waies. Psal 119. 15.

O how I loue thy Law it is my meditation all the day. ver. 97.

Thy words haue I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee. verse 11.

c I will delight my selfe in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word verse 16.

Thy testimonies are my de­light & my counsellers. verse 24.

[Page 76] Thy testimonies haue I clai­med as mine heritage for euer; for they are the very ioy of mine heart. verse 111.

d Open thou mine eyes that I may behold the wondrous things of thy Law. verse. 18.

Make me to vnderstand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talke of thy wondrous workes. verse 27.

e Order my steps in thy Word: and let not any iniquity haue dominion ouer me. verse 133.

Make thy face to shine vpon thy seruant: and teach mee thy statutes. verse 135.

The Preparatory Prayer.

GRatious God who hast appointed the opening of the Scriptures by prea­ching to bee the ordina­ry meanes of saluation to all thy chosen; blesse this thine ordi­nance [Page 77] to me, and prepare me for it. Grant that thy Word being mixed with faith in me may bee vnto me a sauour of life vnto life, and not a sauour of death vnto death. Direct and assist thy Mini­ster that hee may rightly diuide it. Open vnto him the dore of vtte­rance, that what he hath concei­ued in thy feare vpon thy holy Oracles, hee may deliuer to thy glory. Fill him with the holy Ghost that his lips may bee full of grace, and that he may speake instructi­on to mine ignorance, correcti­on to my errors, comfort to mine afflictions, and peace to my con­science. Guide the sword of the spirit in his hand that it may meete with, and smite my speci­all corruptions and bosome sins, knowne, or vnknowne; and giue me patience to endure the iust re­proofe of them by his Ministry, and loue him for it, and amend by it. Open my heart that I may attend to those things that belong [Page 78] to my peace. Endue me with wis­dome, and spirituall vnderstanding that I may descerne those things that differ, and try all things, and hold that which is good, and ap­ply it to my selfe for the subduing of my fleshly members, and affecti­ons, and building me vp in the most holy faith of thine Elect. Quicken me with thy spirit that I may cheerefully, and willingly, and constantly listen to the voice of the heauenly charmer, that hee may kill the venome of sinne in my soule. Let the words of thy Preacher drop as raine, and distill as deaw vpon me, and into mee to make my barren heart fruit­full in holy affections & desires; my minde in heauenly thoughts and conceptions; my tongue in wholsome words, and graceful spee­ches; my hands in all manner of good workes, that I proue not an idle hearer but a doer, of the Word, & constant practicer of al holy du­ties to the honour of thy holy and [Page 79] blessed Name, and the saluation of my soule in the day of the Lord Iesus, To whom with thee and the holy Ghost, &c.

The Preparation to the receiuing of the holy Sacrament.

IT being reuealed to aged Si­meon that hee should see his Sauiour in the flesh before hee rendered vp his owne Spirit;Ber. Serm. de purificatio­ne Hodie do­minus Tem­pli ingres­sus est Tem­plum Do­mini. when hee came into the Temple of the Lord and there found the Lord of the Temple, hee was so ouer-ioyed there with that hee tooke the babe into his armes, embraced it, and began his Swan-like song or Nunc di­mittis, saying, Lord now lettest thou thy seruant depart in peace; for I haue seene the Prince of Peace. Mine eyes haue seene thy saluation, and I desire to see no more. Into thy hands ô sweete [Page 80] babe whom I hold in mine arms I commend my fainting Spirit, Em­brace my soule with thine armes of mercy, as I embrace thy body with these arms of flesh. This sin­gular prerogatiue of Simeon, (or rather a farre greater) the Lord vouchsafeth thee ô deuout soule, when he biddeth thee to his holy Table; euen to take into thy hands thy Sauiour: To see with thine eyes, & handle with thy hands, yea and taste with thy mouth the Word of life. For by, & with the sacred ele­ments, (though not in, or vnder them) thou partakest of the flesh and bloud of the Son of God spi­ritually, (for his words are spirit and life) yet truly, and in very deede, for hee is the liuing bread that came downe from heauen; his flesh is meate indeede, and his blood is drinke indeede. As at sumptu­ous feasts where curious seruices are, thou seest the proportion and shape of the Deere or Fowle set out in gold and colours on the [Page 81] outside or lidde of those baked meates which are truly contai­ned vnder it, and to bee eaten: So vnder the holy formes of bread and wine thou feedest on thy Saui­our. That which is represented in the signe to the eye of the body is presented in the thing signified to the eye of the soule and hand of thy faith; what is shadowed in the Sacrament is truly also ex­hibited by it. Qui credit edit: If thou belieuest that thou eatest, thou eatest that thou belieuest: let no hereticall Harpyes pluck from thee thy heauenly dish or meate as Celaeno did Aeneas's.

Beware of two sorts of Here­ticks especially, which seeke to beguile thee in the Sacrament, or rather of it viz the

  • Sacramentaries.
  • Papists.

the one denyeth the signe, the o­ther the thing signified. The one offereth thee a shadow without the body, the other the body without the shadow, and conse­quently [Page 82] neither of them giueth thee the true Sacrament which in nature and substance cosisteth of both. The Sacramentary would robb thee of the Iewell, the Papist of the Casket. Lay thou thine hands on both, hold both fast as thou seest the verity and substance of the one, so beleeue that verity and substance of the other. As thou takest the one, receiue the other: As thou hand­lest the one, apprehend the other: As thou feedest with thy mouth on the one, feede in thy heart on the other: And as truly as the one nourisheth thy body to a tem­porall, so the other shall preserue thy soule to eternall life. For it is the tree of Life which growes in the middest of the Paradice of God, his Church on earth. The way to the mysticall tree in Pa­radice was guarded by an Angel wauing a flaming sword: The way to this in like manner is fenced. There stands an Angell at the [Page 83] Table; Gods Minister brandi­shing the sword of the Spirit, and forbidding (vnder paine of death) any to eate of this fruit, that haue their teeth set on edge with the apples of Sodome and grapes of Gomorrah. Other fruits and meate are prepared for vs; but we must be prepared for this before we eate it. The bread of the earth cannot feed when thou eatest it, till it bee changed into thy body because thou art more excellent then it: but this bread which came downe from heauen is more excellent then thou art, and therefore thou must be chan­ged into it before it nourish thee. All other meate is receiued as it is in it selfe, and no other­wise: but this is diuers as it is re­ceiued. Other meate affecteth and altereth the taste, but heere the taste altereth the meate. For if it be worthily receiued it is the body and blood of Christ; if vn­worthily it is but bare bread and [Page 84] wine. If it meete with a spiritu­all taste, and appetite, & stomack purged and prepared, it proueth the food of life, nay of immorta­lity: if otherwise, it turneth into deadly poyson: Caluin instit. par. 2. sacram. 1 Cor. 11. 29. for hee that eateth and drinketh vnworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himselfe not discerning the Lords body. A lear­ned Physitian that tendreth the health and life of thy body will neuer minister strong physick that will amend or end thee be­fore hee prepareth thy body ac­cordingly. This Sacrament is not onely foode, but also physick to cure thy soule; yea such strong physick as will worke effectually one way or other, to thy health and saluation, or to thy death and damnation. Bee carefull therefore before thou takest it to prepare thy selfe for it; and for thy helpe peruse the Admoniti­on, Hymne, and Prayer follo­wing.

The admonition before the Communion.

THE ANALYSIS.

The due prepara­tion to the Sa­crament is by

  • 1 Exa­minatiō whether thou hast
    • 1 A feruent desire to partake of this holy table.
    • 2 Competent know­ledge in this high mysterie.
    • 3 Faith in Christs in­carnation & death, and affiance in the merits of both.
    • 4 A conscience clean­sed by true repen­tance.
    • 5 An heart free from malice and all vn­charitablenesse.
      He that worthily re­ceiueth must
  • 2 Prayer

THE TEXTS.

Let a man examine himselfe,1. Examine. and so let him cate of that bread and drinke of that cup. 1. Cor. 11. 28.

Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousnesse sake,2. Desire. for they shall be satisfied. Math. 5, 6.

[Page 86]Ho, euery one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters. Isa. 55. 1.

Giue vs euermore of this bread. Ioh. 6. 34.

For he that eateth and drinketh vnworthily,3. Know. eateth and dr [...]nketh damnation to himselfe, not discer­ning the Lords bodie, 1. Corinth. 11. 29.

I am the bread of life;4. Belieue. hee that cometh to me shall not hunger, and he that belieueth in me shall neuer thirst, Ioh. 6. 35.

Christ dwelleth in vs by faith. Ephes. 3. 17.

I will wash mine hands in inno­cencie,5. Repent. and so will I go to thine al­tar ô God. Psal. 26. 6.

To the impure all things are im­pure. Tit. 1. 15.

If thou bring thy gift to the Al­tar,6. Loue. and there remembrest that thy brother hath ought against thee. Math 5. 23.

Leaue thou thy gift before the Altar, and go thy way, be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and [Page 87] offer thy gift. ver. 24.

Wee being many are one bread and one bodie; for we are all parta­kers of this one bread. 1. Cor. 10. 17

A preparatory Hymne to bee vsed before, or at the recei­uing of the blessed Sacra­ment;

wherein the deuout soule expresseth her

  • a Desire of the foode of life.
  • b Hope that she shall ob­taine it.
  • c Thankes for it.

a As the Hart panteth after the water brookes; so panteth my soule after thee ô God. Psal. 42. 1.

My soule thirsteth for God, euen for the liuing God. ver. 2.

My soule thirsteth for thee: my soule longeth for thee as a drie and thirstie land. Psal. 63. 1.

I will blesse thee while I liue; I will lift vp my hands in thy Name. ver. 4.

[Page 88] b My soule shall be satisfied with marrow and fatnesse, and my mouth shall praise thee with ioyfull lips. ver. 5.

Thou preparest a table before me, and my cup runneth ouer. Ps. 23. 5.

The Lord is the portion of my in­heritance, and of my cup. Psal 16. 5.

I will take the cup of saluation, & call vpon the Name of the Lord, Psal. 116. 13.

c I will pay my vowes vnto the Lord, now in the presence of all his people. ver. 14.

I will offer vnto thee the sacrifice of thanksgiuing, and will call vpon the name of the Lord, ver. 17. saying

The Prayer before the Communion.

GRacious Redeemer, who out of thy pierced side openedst to all that thirst for thy grace a dou­ble fountaine for sinne and vnclean­nesse, the one of water, the other of bloud; the one to purge the guilt, the other the filth of sinne, [Page 89] and hast sealed these inestimable benefits of sanctification and re­demption vnto all beleeuers by the Sacraments of Baptisme and of thy holy Supper, assist me by thy Spirit in the sanctified vse of these holy Mysteries and Sym­holls of thy most blessed bodie and bloud. Most louing & boun­tifull Lord, who hast prepared such a table for me, giue me a mouth and stomacke according, that I may worthily receiue these heauenly dainties to the glorie of thine infinite goodnesse, and the euerlasting comfort of my soule. Cleare the eyes of mine vnderstanding from all mists of hereticall fancies & carnall ima­ginations, that I may rightly di­stinguish the signes from the things signified by them, and al­so discerne thy bodie from com­mon meate. Sharpen my appetite that I may hungrily feede vpon this bread, of which whosoeuer eateth shall neuer hunger; and [Page 90] stily drinke of this cup, of which whosoeuer drinketh shall neuer thirst, O thou true foode of my soule, receiue me who am now to receiue thee. Quicken me with thy Spirit, who wilt feede me with thy flesh, vouch­safe me thy grace, who commu­nicatest to me thy nature, that as in and by these holy Mysteries, I receiue life from thee: so I may also receiue by them grace to liue to thee: not seeking mine owne plea­sure, nor doing mine owne will, but deuoting the remainder of my life to thy seruice, and yeelding my selfe wholly to the power of thy sanctifying grace, to worke in me alwaies that which is pleasing in thy sight. So be it. Amen.

Religious duties to be perfor­med at the time of the recei­uing the Communion.

  • 1. Prepare thy body by a de­cent gesture.
  • 2. Recollect thy mind, and fixe thy thoughts wholly vpon this most sacred action stir vp in thee.
  • 3. Stirre vp in thee.
    • 1 An holy feare out of this con­sideration, that God is there present in a speciall manner, and his Angels attending on him, and obseruing thee.

      Say to thy selfe in the words of Iacoh.

      O how fearefull is this place; it is no other then the house of God, and gate of heauen.

    • 2 An holy astonishment or ad­miration, out of this consi­deration that the Lord thy Maker and Redeemer, and the high possessour of hea­uen and earth, so farre hum­bles himselfe as to bee thy guest.

      [Page 92] Say to thy selfe in the words of Salomon.

      Is it true indeed that God will dwell on the earth? Behold the heauen, and heauen of hea­uens cannot containe him; how much lesse the narrow roome of my soule? 1. King 8. 27.

    • 3 An holy abashment or con­fusion, out of this consi­deration, that so vile a worme, and sinfull wretch as thou art should haue so infinite a Maiestie, and holy God to come and sup with thee.

      Say to thy selfe in the words of the Centurion.

      Lord I am not worthy that thou shouldest come vnder my roofe: or with S. Peter, De­part from me, for I am a sinfull man.

    • 4 An holy sorrow out of this consideration, y thy sins did put thy Sauiour to these tor­ments, which are signified, [Page 93] and liuely represented in this Sacrament.

      Say to thy selfe in the words of Ieremiah.

      O that mine eyes were a fountaine of teares to bewaile those sinnes which drew so much bloud from my Sa­uiour.

    • 5 An holy ioy, out of this con­sideration, that the infinite debt of thy sins is dischar­ged, and the acquittance de­liuered into thy hands.

      Say to thy selfe in the words spoken of Zacheus.

      This day saluation is come into mine house.

    • 6 An holy desire of expressing some kind of thankfulnesse to God, out of this conside­ration, that together with the Sacramēt thou receiuest Christ himselfe, and all the benefits of his passion.

      Say to thy selfe in the words of Dauid.

      [Page 94] What shall I render vnto the Lord for all his benefits that he hath done vnto me? I will take the cup of saluation, and call vpon the name of the Lord.

4 Ioyne the signes with the things signified. Take Feede on

  • bodily
    • Bread
    • Wine
  • ghostly
    • Bodie.
    • Bloud.

5 Obserue & meditate vpon the resemblances betweene them.

1 Bread and wine, true, and in substance, not in appearance onely.

Christs bodie a true bodie; his bloud true bloud, not in shew onely as some Hereticks haue imagined.

2 Bread one bodie or lumpe made of many graines: wine one liquor or drinke of many grapes.

Christ his body one of many mem­bers vnited together.

3 Bread and wine an entire re­past.

[Page 95] Christs body and bloud the perfect refection of the soule.

4 Bread and wine strengthen and comfort the heart.

Christs body and bloud est ablisheth the heart and comforteth the conscience.

5 Bread and wine the common foode of men, not children.

Christs bodie and bloud in the Sa­crament no foode for children, but men in riper yeares that can examine themselues.

6 Bread and wine are designed and set apart for the holy Communion.

Christs body and bloud designed and appointed by God for man his redemption, and satisfaction.

7 Bread and wine layed vpon the Communion table.

Christs body and bloud layed vpon the Altar of the crosse.

8 Bread and wine consecrated by the Priest, and exhibited to the Communicants.

Christs body and bloud consecrated [Page 96] by the eternall Spirit, and offered to his Father.

9 Bread broken, wine poured out.

Christs body bruised and torne, and his bloud poured out.

10 Bread and wine giuen by the Minister.

Christs body and bloud giuen by the Father.

11 Bread and wine taken into the hands of the faithfull Communicant.

Christs body and bloud receiued by faith, and applyed.

12 Bread and wine eaten and drunke with the mouth.

Christs body and bloud fed vpon in the heart.

13 Bread and wine vnited to the substance of our body, and made one with vs.

Christs body and bloud vnited to vs & made one with vs by an vnspeak­able and inseparable coniunction.

14 Bread and wine sustaine and nourish the body to a tempo­rall life.

[Page 97] Christs body and bloud nourish and preserue body and soule to eter­nall life.

15 Bread and wine increase the substance of one body.

Christs body and bloud worthily re­ceiued, increase faith and all spi­rituall graces in the soule.

Short pravers to be vsed in the very act of receiuing, or a little before.

Lord make me a worthy par­taker of these most holy myste­ries:

  • Prepare me before
  • Assist me in
  • Comfort and con­firme me after

the receiuing of this heauenly foode.

Lord

  • 1 Renew my repentance.
  • 2 Confirme my faith.
  • 3 Perfect my charitie.
  • 4 Increase my knowledge.
  • 5 Fasten my intention.
  • 6 Quicken my deuotion.

[Page 98] Lord giue me I hum­bly beseech thee;

  • 1 Sorrow for my sin.
  • 2 Thirst of thy grace.
  • 3 Knowledge in thy mysteries.
  • 4 Faith in thy pro­mises.
  • 5 Loue to thy mem­bers.
  • 6 Thankfulnesse for this inestimable fa­uour thou vouch­safest me inbidding me to thine owne Table.

A short thanksgiuing after the Communion, to be vsed in the seate or at the Lords Table.

GRacious Redeemer, I most heartily thank thee for these pledges of thy loue, and tokens of thy fauour, and seales of the generall pardon for all my sins. And I vow by the helpe of thy strengthening grace from hence­forth euer to abstaine euen from all [Page 99] appearance of euill, & neuer wil­lingly to offend thee in thought, word, or deed. How shou [...] sinne against thee who hast died for me, and washed my sinnes in thy bloud, which I haue now receiued to my vnspeakable comfort? Ano­ther.

Affect me with a taste of this heauenly food, and continue the rellish of it in the mouth of my soule; & make me for euer here­after loath the worlds delicacies, the fleshes baites, and the diuels morsels; especially the forbidden fruite of, &c. Here name thy se­cret and bosome sinnes, which thou hast bene last or most ouer­taken with. Another.

Welcome blessed and heauen­ly guest, my dearest Lord and bountifull Sauiour. I bow the knees of my heart vnto thee; I put my hands vnder thy sacred feete pierced with nailes for me; I lay downe before thee the keyes of my euerlasting doore: Enter high [Page 100] Lord of heauen and earth; take possession of all my inner roomes: Com [...]nd and rule all the facul­ties of my soule, and members of my body, especially the hidden roome of my heart: Liue and dwell with me here below by faith, till I come to dwell with thee for euer aboue in heauen. So bee it.

How is it that my Lord is come himselfe to visite me. Vse also this forme. Can a sinfull man expect of God such grace? much lesse deserue it. Wilt thou conuerse with Publicans and such sinners as I am? Nay wilt thou not onely eate with them, but suffer thy selfe to be eaten of them? I am astonished at this thy won­derfull humilitie, and vncon­ceiueable loue, Lord make me for euer mindfull of it, & thank­full for it. Amen.

Glorie be to God on high,Or this. on earth peace, and eternall comfort in my conscience. I am fed now with thy body, and my heart is [Page 101] cheared with the cup of the new Testament in thy bloud Now I am incorporated into thy mysticall body, and am made flesh of thy flesh, bone of thy bone. Lord let no­thing be euer able to separate me from this; but sith all things worke for the good of thy chosen, let all things more and more vnite me to thee, that I may grow from grace to grace, and strength to strength, till I come to the fuu measure of thy perfect age. A­men.

I haue now eaten of this bread and drunke of this cup, Or this. according to thine holy ordinance: Lord grant that I may feele in my soule the effect of this spirituall refe­ction, by the confirming of my faith, assurance of my hope, en­largement of my loue, and my increase in spirituall strength a­gainst all tentations.

At my conception and birth thou gauest me my selfe ô Lord,Or this. and now according to thy pro­mise [Page 102] in the Sacrament thou hast giuen me thy selfe, and by faith I haue receiued thee. I can do no lesse, and I would I could do more then giue my selfe wholly vnto thee. Refuse me not who hast giuen thy selfe for me, and vn­to me. Take me into thy fauour and seruice. Keepe mee in thy Church which is thy house con­tinually, and protect me against all my bodily and ghostly ene­mies.

A larger forme of Thanksgi­uing after thou returnest to thy house or chamber from receiuing the Communion.

I Yeeld vnto thee, ô most boun­tifull, gracious, and euerliuing Lord and Sauiour, the greatest thanks my heart can conceiue, or tongue expresse, for this inesti­mable fauour, that thou vouch­safest [Page 103] to bid me to thine owne Table, and there hast feasted my soule with the true Manna that came downe from heauen, the foode of Angels, thine owne blessed body and bloud. O knit my heart, and affections for euer vnto thee, who hast substantially and inseparably vnited thy selfe vnto mankind, by taking flesh from vs in thine incarnation, and giuing vs thy flesh in this sacred institution. What shall be able to separate me from thee, or from thy members, who by thy Spirit and vertue of this Sacrament, am tru­ly incorporated into thee, and made a member of thy mysticall body? How can I question thy loue, who hast giuen me this pledge of thy fauour? How can I forget thy bitter death and pas­sion, whereof thou hast instituted so liuely a memoriall? How can I doubt of thy promises, whereof thou hast giuen such a seale? How should I distrust my future inhe­ritance, [Page 104] whereof thou hast giuen me this earnest? I know thou wilt denie me no good thing, who hast giuen me thy selfe. I know that I shall liue eternally and blessedly, because by thy faith working in and through this Sacrament, I receiue the seede of immortali­tie; I am truly made partaker of thy naturall, yea and a liuely part of thy mysticall bodie; and when the head reigneth in eternall glo­rie, the members must needs par­ticipate of glorious eternitie. What shall I offer vnto thee for these so singular benefits, which I receiue by the Sacrament? My body is vile, my soule sinfull, and worse then nothing in respect of thy glorious and sacred flesh and bloud. One drop of thy bloud is more to be valued, then a thou­sand worlds; which yet to testi­fie the aboundance of thy loue, thou pouredst out, and offeredst plentifully for me vpon the crosse, and now affordest to me in the [Page 105] cup. Shall I not spend my dearest hearts bloud in thy seruice, who hast shed thine for me? Shall I not willingly seale thy truth (if need bee) with my bloud, who haue now receiued the pardon of all my sinnes, signed with it? What shall I render to thee for all thy louing mercies contained in this conduit of thy grace? I will take this cup of saluation, and I will not refuse the cup of trem­bling for thy sake, by the helpe of thy grace I will more strictly keepe my holy vowes which I haue heretofore made, and now renew. I will seeke to carrie my selfe as a guest of so holy a table. Hauing eaten Angels meate, I will endeauour my selfe to leade an Angels life. Hauing supped with thee, I will rest with thee, & haue my conuersation in heauen, and dwell with thee for euer. Amen.

THE PRACTICE OF PRIVATE DEVO­tion, both ordinarie and extra­ordinarie, in health and sick­nesse, and at the houre of death.

The scope of the Author and reason of his method and order.

CHRISTIAN READER,

IN these Deuotions which I first offe­red (for the grea­ter part) to God for my selfe, and now offer to the presse for thy vse, all that I intend, affect, and labour for is, to expres [...]e in the matter pious affection; in the forme Scripture phrase and elo­cution. [Page 107] For it seemeth to mee most agreeable to speake to God as neare as wee can in the same language he speakes to vs, which is the sanctified language of the Bible. As for affected humane eloquence (consisting instreined conceits of wit, and swelling words of vanitie) which, as it is puf­fed vp it selfe, so it puffeth vp those that vse it; I hold it alto­gether vnfit for a Minister of the Gospell, especially in medita­tions, or exercises of this nature. For in these we ought most of all to denie our selues, and to capti­uate, not onely our thoughts to the conceptions, but our tongs to the words and phrases of the inspired Oracles of God. As Menander said of women, that they were fai­rest who were not painted at all, and Tullie of Atticus his booke, that the grauitie of the stile, and neg­lect of light ornaments was a gra [...]e and ornament vnto it: So it may be most truly auouched of holy [Page 108] vowes, meditations, and prayers, that sinceritie is best art, and sim­plicitie their garbe, modesty their trimming, and zeale their glorie, when they are so conceiued and vttered, that they shew most af­fection and least affectation of art, wit, or language. Sighs are the figures that moue Almightie God, and teares the fluent and most current Rhetoricke before him; for he that made the mouth is not taken with words, vnlesse they be such as proceed from his owne mouth, and are warranted by his word: such as carrie in them a manifest print of that pat­terne of sound or wholesome words set before vs by the Apostles. Now a swelling member is not sound,Quint instit Orat. Tumor licet grandis contrarius est sanitati. neither is blowne meate wholesome. The wisest among the heathen could distinguish betweene a Matrons and a Cur­tizans attire and ornaments; a loftie and a turgent stile; the Asiaticke Superfluitie, and Attick [Page 109] knife and modesty which pruned the luxuriancy of pregnant wits, & flourishing styles running out into superfluous stemmes, that the presses of eloquence might a­bound, not with leaues of words, but iuyce & sap of Sentences, as it were grapes pressed together. Thus elo­quently Saint Ierom declareth that Athenian eloquence,Ierom. ad Rusticum. Luxuriantes flagellis vi­neas falcibus reprimebant, vt eloquent [...] torcularia non verbori [...] pampinis, sed sensu [...] quasi vuarum ex­pressionibus redumdarent. and singularly approued it: to whose iudgement I submit; onely I would adde this, that euen this iuycie kinde of sententious elo­quence, relisheth not of a deuout soule, vnlesse it haue in it the taste and tincture of the vines of En­gaddy.

Draw me saith the Spowse, we will runne after thee, say her ho­nourable attendants, because of the sweete sauour of thy oyntments. The spowse of Christ delighteth not in exoticall perfumes though neuer so costly, because howsoe­uer they please thy smell, yet they corrupt the braine, and of­tentimes [Page 110] poyson the spirits. But the smell of Christs oyntments, who was annointed with the oyle of gladnesse aboue all his brethren, is the sauour of life vnto life. There­fore both the Spowse her selfe, and all her maides of honour (i. e. Virgins and chaste soules) runne af­ter it:Origen in Cant. And this my hand-maid also followeth after them, yet as Peter followed Christ, a farre off. The path in which shee treads is this.

From the generall she passeth to particular, from extraordinary to ordinary, from the chamber and Closet, to the sicke and death-bedds Deuotion.

Haec erit admissa met a terendarota.

1 BEcause the morning and euening were euery day in the weeke I beginne with the dayes Deuotion in generall, and for morning and euening I frame [Page 111] such Admonitions, Hymnes, and Prayers, as may serue for any day, Sabboth, or weeke day, fe­stiuall or common.

2. Next I furnish the Christi­an Sabboth, because (as Ignatius styleth it) it is the chiefe and so­ueraigne day, and the Queene of all dayes, and may rightly chal­lenge the precedency of all festi­ualls, both in regard of Gods strict command for the religious obseruing it, and for that it is the sampler of them, they being cut as it were out of the dayes of the weeke, otherwise dayes of la­bour, according to the patterne of the Sabboths rest.

3. The feasts peculiarly dedi­cated to our Sauiour and the ho­ly Ghost succeede the Sabboth, and precede the weeke dayes. For whatsoeuer scruple hath bin made of Saints dayes, the whole world as farre as it is, or euer was Christian, hath obserued re­ligiously, these feasts as Monu­ments [Page 112] and a kinde of Sacraments to refresh the memory of the chiefe workes of our Lord, and mysteries of our faith, to checke and controle whose vniuersall and vniforme practice, especially in a matter of this nature is most inso­lent madnesse. Aug. Epist. ad Ianuari­um. God (saith Pauli­nus) hath garnished the Church Calender with festiuall dayes, as the heauen with Starres, or a gar­lād with roses. Is not Christ the rose of Sharon, and the bright morning Starre? Doubtles then the festi­ualls in speciall consecrated to him, ought to bee as the fairest flowrs in the round garland of the yeere, and brightest Starres in the Church-firmament. Wee neuer reade of any (saith Caluin) that were blamed for drawing too much water out of the well of life: Nei­ther can wee possibly giue too much honour to the King of glo­ry. Bern. Serm. de. Pent. Saint Bernards consequence is as sound as it is pious. If we ce­lebrate the Saints solemnities, [Page 113] how much more ought wee to keepe his who made them Saints?

In the Deuotion fitted to these dayes, first I lay the ground out of Scripture, and then descant vp­on it in the Admonition, Hymne, and Prayer; all which allude to the History of that feast.

4. After these feasts, the week­dayes come in their order. The Saints, Martyrs, and Arch-angels dayes I haue purposely omitted: not that I dislike the keeping of them; for I haue euer, and will iustify, and maintaine the obser­uation of them, according to that godly institution, and practice of our Church. But I desired to keepe my book within the com­passe of the title, which is a Ma­nuell. And albeit wee honour Saints, and Martyrs, yet religious Deuotion which is my Theame is restrained to God by holy Dauid. Whom haue I in heauen but thee ô [Page 114] Lord. In the Church of Rome there are many Deuotion [...] to Saints, and more to our Lady then to Christ, but wee acknow­ledge no religious Deuotions, but to him who charmed the old Ser­pent, with that voice of his Father! Him onely shalt thou serue.

In the weeke daies Deuotion, those words of our Sauiour were my loadestarre. My father wor­keth, and I worke: For all the mor­ning prayers haue relation to some worke of God the Father, in the sixe dayes of Creation: and all the euening to some worke of God the Sonne, in the sixe dayes, immediately before his glorious resurrection. The admonitions for morning and euening, con­taine 12 beatitudes, or blessednes; 8 mentioned by our Sauiour, Mathew 5. and the rest out of other choice Texts of Scrip­ture. All which blessed­nesses I wish thee from my [Page 115] heart, desiring thee to afford me one Prayer, who haue stored thee with many.

Thine in the Lord Iesus D. F.

THE MORNINGS DEVOTION.

An admonition for the Morning.

VVEE haue a more sure word of Prophecie whereunto ye do well that yee take heede, as vnto a light that shineth in a dark place, vntill the day dawne, and the day starre arise in your hearts. 1 Pet. 1. 19.

I am the roote, and the off­spring of Dauid (saith Christ) and I am the bright morning Starre. Reu. 22. 16.

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

It is now time to awake out of sleepe, for now our saluation is neerer then when wee belieued. Rom. 13. 11.

The night is past, the day is at [Page 117] hand, therfore cast off the works of darknesse, and put on the ar­mour of light. verse 12.

See that ye walk circumspect­ly, redeeming the time, because the dayes are euill Eph 5. 15.

Walke honestly as in the day, not in rioting, and drunkennesse, not in chambering, and wanto­nesse, not in strife and enuying, but put on the Lord Iesus, and make no prouision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. Rom. 13. 13. 14.

A Hymne for the Morning.

O Lord thou art my God, earely will I seeke thee; my soule thirsteth for thee; I will sing alowd of thy power, and mercy in the morning. Psal. 63. 1. 2. Psal. 59. 10.

My tongue shall speake of thy righteousnesse, and thy praise all the day long. Psal. 35. 28.

I layd mee downe, and slept, [Page 118] for thou Lord sustainedst me. Psal. 3. 5.

I haue dwelt in the secret place of the most High, & abode vnder the shadow of the Al­mighty. Psal. 91. 1.

4 He shall couer me with his feathers, and vnder his wings will I trust; his faithfulnesse and truth shall bee my shield, and buckler. ver. 4.

Lord arise and lift vp the light of thy countenance vpon me. Ps. 4. 7.

Teach me to number my dayes that I may apply my heart vnto wisedome; Instruct mee in the way which I shall go, and guide me with thine eye. Psal. 90. 12. Psal. 32. 9.

Teach mee thy way ô Lord, and I will walke in thy truth, ô knit my heart to thee, that I may feare thy Name! Psal. 86. 11.

Hold vp my goings in thy path, that my footsteps slip not. Psal. 17 5.

[Page 119] O satisfie mee earlie with thy mercy, and that soone that I may reioyce, and be glad al my dayes! Psal. 143. 8.

Let the beauty of the Lord my God be vpon mee; establish thou the worke of my hands vp­on me; ô prosper thou my han­die worke. Psal. 90. 17.

A Prayer for the Morning.

GRacious Father, rich in mercy to all thy children that call vpon thee, accept I beseech thee this my morning Sacrifice of praise, & thanks giuing, which with a willing heart, and deuout affection I offer vnto thee in confidence of thy sonnes infi­nite merits, and acknowledge­ment of thine euerlasting loue, and those inestimable benefits which by him, and for him, and with him thou conferredst vpon me, and all thine Elect in him. How deare are the thoughts of thy [Page 120] mercies vnto me how great is the [...]umme of them? Who can value the precious Pearle of thy Word, and treasure of thy grace? Who can raise his thoughts, and desires to the high price of our [...]al­ing, an incorrupt [...]ble crowne of glo­ry layd vp for vs in heauen? Lord fit me with thy grace, that I may abound in thanksgiuing, and praises for it. Enlarge my heart with thy loue, that I may in some sort comprehend with al Saints the measure of thine infinite [...]oue m [...] ­nifested to me in the faith of Iesus Christ, and abundantly testified by writing my name in the booke of life before I was; and engrauing me as a signet with thine owne image at my creation; and when I had defaced▪ and in a manner quite raced it out, by renuing it in me againe, and redeeming mee that had sold my selfe as a bond­slaue vnder sinne, and death, not with corruptible things, as gold, siluer or pretious stones, but with [Page 121] the inualuable, and incorrupti­ble blood of thine onely begotten son, who gaue his life for my ransome, and by his suffering, and death hath purchased for me a crowne of life. To whom therefore with thee, and thy spirit which sealeth all thy mercies vn­to me, and me vnto the day of re­demption, bee ascribed the whole glory of my creation, redempti­on, sanctification, and saluation. For vnto me nothing belongeth but shame, and confusion, who insteede of embracing any mercy, and an­swering thy loue, prouoke thy iustice, and incense thy wrath, and grieue thy spirit, and despight thy grace, and as much as in me lyeth, crucifie againe to my selfe the Lord of life, and trample the blood of the New Testament vnder foot. Such is my peruerse nature, and vngratious disposition, that the better thou art to me, the worse I proue to thee. What couldest thou haue done vnto mee that thou [Page 122] hast not done? Thou hast planted me in a fruitfull country; thou hast fenced mee with thy proui­dence; watered me with the for­mer, and latter raine of thy Word, pruned me with milde, and sea­sonable afflictions; and thou ca­stest continually the hot and bright beames of thy fauour vp­on me; and thou lookest for grapes, but behold nothing but wilde grapes. What remaineth therefore but that thou shouldest roote mee out of thy vineard, and plant another in my place that might bring forth better fruits? Yet thou sparest mee and striuest to ouer­come my euill nature with thy goodnesse? Mine eyes gush out like riuers of waters for my sin and the sinne of this nation. Doth not the land euen groane vnder the heauy burden of our transgressi­ons? Haue not our infectious sinnes long agoe deserued an infectious disease, and our rebellions against thee the sword; [Page 123] and our barrennesse in good workes a dearth; and our want of peni­tent, and compassionate teares a drouth; our ouerflowing luxury a deluge, and our burning lusts fier from heauen; and our loathing the Manna of our soule a famine of the Word? Notwithstanding thy mercie triumpheth ouer ius­tice, and contrary to mine and all our deserts, and aboue hope of a­ny of vs thou sendest blessings for curses; peace for trouble; plenty for want; beauty for ashes; and the oyle of gladnesse for the spirit of heauinesse. Who is a God like vnto thee that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? who con­siderest not the euill that we do, but the goodnesse which thou art. This last night past for the sinnes of the former day, thou mightest most iustly haue taken me away in the darke, and east mee [...]nto vtter darknesse. But thou coueredst my sins, and hiddest [Page 124] me safe vnder the shadow of thy wings, and I haue taken quiet, and comfortable rest; and with ioy, and cheerefulnesse, I behold the day spring from on high come to vi­sit me. Lord let not these thy mer­cies, because they are ordinary, diminish, but rather because they are continual, increase my thank­full duties, and religious obse­quies vnto thee! As thou heapest blessing vpon blessing, so still adde grace to grace, that thy goodnesse continued to me, may make me continually better. And sith now thou hast giuen mee a day more to my life, grant that I may giue, and consecrate it to thee, by spending it wholly in thy ser­uice, and the necessary duties of my calling. Which that I may more cheerefully performe, open thy hand to fit mee with all those good things I neede; and stretch out thine arme to turne from me all the euills I feare. Aboue all things keepe mee from the vnprofitable [Page 125] workes of darknesse, that my sins turne not day into night, sith thy goodnesse hath turned night into day. Awake my soule from carnall security, as thou hast my body from sleepe, that I may stand vp from the dead, and Christ may giue me light, to walke honestly, vpright­ly and circumspectly; as becommeth the childe of the day. And that I be not ashamed to walke naked in the light, put vpon mee the true wedding garment, and couer me with the robes of thy sonnes righteousnesse. And as the light of the Sunne shineth before mee, so grant that my light may shine be­fore men, that they may see my good workes, and glorifie thee my hea­uenly Father. And because thou art the light which enlightneth e­uery man that commeth into the world, cast I beseech thee the bright beames of thy fauour vp­on thy whole Church: Propagate thy Gospell through the whole world, and by the preaching of [Page 126] thy Word, adde those daily to the Church that shall be saued. Say to the North Giue, and to the South Restore, and speedily accomplish the number of thine Elect, and so Come Lord Iesu, come quickly. More particularly I pray thee for the prosperous, and flourishing estate of the Churches of great Britaine, and Ireland. Crowne the Kings Maiesty with all royall graces befitting his high calling. Establish his Throne that hee may aduance thy Kingdome. Blesse our Queene, that she may bee a nursing Mother to thy Spowse. Blesse the Prince and Princesse Palatine, and all the royall Issue, that in their stocke the roote of Iesse may spring vp and flourish o­uer the whole earth. Blesse the Nobles, and Peeres of this Realme, that they may maintaine thine Honour, and support thy Gospell. Blesse the Bishops, and Ministers, that they may preserue thy worship, and carefully feede [Page 127] thy flocke. Blesse the Iudges, and Magistrates, that they may exe­cute thy iudgements, and keepe thy peace. Blesse the Captaines and Soldiers, that they may fight thy warres, and defend thy Church. Finally, blesse all thy people, that they may obey thy Gospell, and enlarge thy Kingdome. And giue mee grace in this my day to learne, and follow the things that belong to my peace; to accept the saluation now offered vnto mee, and bring forth fruits worthy of amendment of life. So be it, deare Father for the merits and Passion of thy Sonne, by the powerfull o­peration of the holy Ghost with whose assistance I summe vp all my requests, and tender them vnto thee in that forme of Pray­er which thy Son hath taught me, saying, Our Father which art in heauen, &c.

The close out of Scripture.

THe Lord blesse me, and keepe me: The Lord make his face shine vpon me, and be gratious vnto me! The Lord lift vp his counte­nance vpon me, and giue mee peace.

The Admonition for the Euening.

IF any man walke in the day hee stumbleth not, because hee seeth the light of this world. Ioh 11. 9.

But if a man walke in the night hee stumbleth, because there is no light in him. verse 10.

Walke while yee haue the light▪ least darknesse come vpon you; for hee that walketh in darknesse knoweth not whither he goeth. Ioh. 12. 35.

While ye haue the light beleeue in the light, that yee may be the children of the light. verse 36.

[Page 129] Worke while it is day; the night commeth when no man can worke. Ioh. 9. 4.

This is the condemnation, that light, is come into the world, and men loued darknesse rather then light because their deeds were euill Ioh. 3. 19.

For euery one that doeth euill hateth the light; neither commeth to the light least his deedes should be reproued. verse 20.

He that hateth his brother is in darknesse, and walketh in dark­nesse, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because darknesse hath blinded his eyes. 1 Ioh. 2. 11.

Let not the Sunne goe downe vpon your wrath. Ephesians 4. 26.

And haue no fellowship with the vnfruitfull workes of darknes but reproue them rather. Eph. 5. 11.

For it is a shame euen to speake of those things which are done of them in secret. verse 12.

[Page 130] Yee are all the children of light, and the children of the day; ye are not of the night, nor of darknesse. 1 Thes. 5. 5.

Therefore sleepe not (in sinne, and carnall security,) as doe o­thers, but watch. verse 6.

Watch yee, for yee know not when the Master of the house commeth, at euen, or at midnight, or at the Cock-crowing, or in the morning, least comming sud­denly he finde you sleeping. Mar. 13. 35.

A Hymne for the Euening.

IT is a good thing to giue thankes vnto the Lord, and to sing praises vnto thy Name O thou most high. Psal. 92. 1.

To shew forth thy louing kind­nesse in the morning, and thy faithfulnes euery night. ver. 2.

For day vnto day vttereth speech, and night vnto night sheweth knowledge. Psal. 19. 2.

Let the Saints bee ioyfull in glory, let them sing alowd vpon their beds. Psal. 149. 5.

Behold he that keepeth Isra­el shall neither slumber, nor sleepe. Psal. 121. 4.

The Lord is my keeper, the Lord is my shade on my right hand. verse 5.

The Sunne shall not smite me by day, nor the Moone by [Page 132] night. verse 6.

The Lord shall preserue mee from all euill; he shall preserue my soule. verse 7.

I will lay me downe in peace, and take my rest, for thou Lord makest mee dwell in safety. Psal. 4. 9.

Lighten mine eyes that I sleepe not the sleepe of Death. Psal. 13. 3.

With thee is the fountaine of life; In thy light shall I see light. Psal. 36. 9.

Thou wilt light my candle, and wilt make my darknesse to be light. Psal. 18. 28.

A Prayer for the Euening.

GLorious Creator, eternall, in­finite, and incomprehensi­ble God, whose face obscureth the Sunne, and darkeneth the Moone, and shadoweth the Starres, and dazeleth the eyes of the Cheru­bims, to whom the light it selfe (if it be compared) is but a darke shadow, and the darkenesse is no darkenesse, but the darkenesse and light to thee are both alike, Enligh­ten the darkenesse of mine vnder­standing that I wander not in the night of errour, and ignorance; but continually walke, as becom­meth the childe of the day, in the light of thy truth, and the wayes of thy Commandements. And though the Sunne hath with­drawne his comfortable light from my bodily eyes, yet let the light of thy countenance, and the bright beames of thy fauour still [Page 134] shine vpon my soule in the mid­dest of thickest darkenesse, and the shadow of death. Saue me ô Father of lights from the powers of darke­nesse. Receiue me into thy graci­ous tuition, and giue thine holy Angels charge to pitch their tents about me, that being secured on euery side from all dangers, and feare, I may quietly rest in thee in whom I liue, and moue. And whilest my bodily sences are sur­prized with sleepe, keepe my soule still awake, that I may be al­wayes readie to meete the Bride­groome with my lampe in my hand▪ Let the last trump sound shrill in mine eares to driue away from me the spirit of slumber, and car­nall securitie. O thou the keeper of thine Israel, who doest neuer slumber nor sleepe, watch ouer me this night. Behold, into thy hands I commend my soule and bodie, and all things else wherewith thou hast blessed me, being assu­red that the thing cannot perish [Page 135] thou vouchsafest to take into thy custodie. Grant me I beseech thee, safe, quiet, and comforta­ble rest, voyde of cares & feares, free from distempers and disea­ses, as also all dangers, dreames, fancies, pollutions, and tempta­tions. And make it I pray thee as profitable to my soule, as it is necessarie to my bodie, that it may not onely refresh, & streng­then my bodie to the better per­formance of my daily labours and trauels in my calling, but al­so settle and quiet my soule in the remembrance, and continuall expectation of that sweete re­pose, and blessed rest which they enioy that die in thee. Let my sleepe put mee in minde of my death, my bed of my graue, my lying downe of my buriall, my vn­cloathing of putting off this taber­nacle of flesh, my rising againe of my resurrection, my apparelling of putting on the Lord Iesu. Like as the night couereth and hideth all [Page 136] things from the eyes of men; so let thy mercy couer and hide my sinnes, that they neuer come to light, either to confound mee in this life, or condemne me in the life to come. Finally, as it is the nature of sleepe to tye the out­ward senses, and make fast, and shut vp the organs of my body: so let thy grace restraine my in­ward senses, and barre vp all the passages of my soule, that the di­uell may finde no place to enter into me. Close vp the eyes of my minde, that they behold not vani­tie: stop my eares that they heare not follie, and my spirituall smell that it let not in the sauour of death. Set a watch before my mouth, and seale vp the closet of my heart, that nothing enter into the one, or go out at the other, that may defile me. Thus keepe me, and guard me from my bodily and ghostly enemies this night, and as long as I abide in the darke prison of my bodie; and [Page 137] when thou deliuerest me out of it by death, make me partaker of the glorious inheritance of thy Saints in light in the heauenly Ie­rusalem, which needeth neither Sunne, nor Moone, nor Starres to shine in it, for the glorie of God en­lighteneth it, and the Lambe is the light thereof. To whom with the euerlasting Father, and most sa­cred & blessed Spirit be rendred thankes, and praise now and for euer. Amen.

The close out of Scripture.

Remember me ô Lord with the fa­uour thou bearest thy people ô visite me with thy saluation, that I may see the felicitie of thy chosen, and re­ioyce in the gladnesse of thy people, and glorie with thine inheritance.

THE CHRISTIAN Sabbaths or Lords dayes Deuotion.

Thou who intendest to sanctifie the Chri­stian Sabbath to thy Creator and Redeemer, must aduisedly consider, that the fourth Commandement which enioyneth this du­tie with a speciall Memento, hath in it some­what

  • 1 Ceremoni­all, not now in force, as
    • 1 Keeping the precise seauenth day on which God rested.
    • 2 The strict rest according to the rigour of the letter.
    • 3 The legall manner of hallo­wing it by sacrifices and ce­remoniall rites.
  • 2 Morall, now and for euer in force as
    • 1 The dedicating of a certaine day to the true and essentiall worship of God.
    • 2 The keeping holy of a sea­uenth day: i.e. one at the least in seauen.
    • 3 The hallowing that day of the seauen which God ap­pointeth, that was
      • Vnder the Law, the seauenth from the Creation.
      • Vnder grace, now the first day of the weeke.

See the ensuing Admonition.

THE ADMONITION for the Sabbath.

THE ANALYSIS.

To stirre vp thy selfe to sanctifie the Christian Sabbath, me­ditate vpon▪

  • 1 GOD
    • 1 The Fa­ther, his
    • Precepts for it.
    • Promises to it.
    • 2 The Sonne his resurrection on this day.
    • 3 The holy Ghost his comming downe on this day.
  • 2 The Apostle's (guided by the Spirit)
    • Iniunction.
    • Practise.

For the hallowing the Chri­stian Sabbath.

REmember the Sabbath day to keepe it holy; 1 Grounds in the Law. sixe dayes shalt thou labour, &c. Exodus 2 [...]. 8.

Yee shall keepe the Sabbath therefore,Precepts. for it is holy vnto you: Euery one that despiseth it shall be surely put to death. Exodus 31. 14.

Ye shall keepe my Sabbath and reuerence my Sanctuarie, I am the Lord. Leuit. 26. 2.

Hallow my Sabbaths, and they shall bee as signes betweene me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God. Eze. 20. 20.

Blessed is the man that kee­peth the Sabbath from pol­luting,Promises. and keepeth his hands from doing any euill. Isaiah 56. 2.

If thou turne away thy soote [Page 141] from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on the Holy-day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honoura­ble, and shalt honour him, not doing thine owne wayes, nor finding thine owne pleasure, nor speaking thine owne words. Isa. 58. 13.

Then shalt thou delight thy selfe in the Lord, and I will cause thee to ride vpon the high places of the earth, and feede thee with the heritage of Iacob thy father; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it, ver. 14.

When the first day of the weeke began Marie Magdalen, 2 Grounds in the Gos­pell. and the other Marie came to the sepul­cher. Math.Christs re­surrection on this day. 28. 1. Marke 16. 1. Iohn 20. 1.

And behold there was a great earth-quake, for the Angell of the Lord descended from hea­uen, and rolled backe the stone from the doore, and sate vpon it: Math. 28. 2.

[Page 142] And the Angell answered and said to the woman, Feare yee not, for I know that ye seeke Iesus that was crucified, Math. 28. 6.

He is not here, for he is risen. ver. 7.

And when the day of Pente­cost was come,The spirits comming downe on this day. they were all with one accord in one place. Acts 2. 1.

And suddenly there came a sound from heauen as of a rush­ing mightie wind, and it filled all the house where they were sit­ting. ver. 2.

And they were all filled with the holy Ghost, and began to speake with other tongues, as the Spirit gaue them vtterance. ver. 4.

Euery first day of the weeke let euerie one lay aside as God hath prospered him,The Apo­stles iniun­ction. &c. 1. Corinth. 16. 2.

And the first day of the weeke the disciples being met togetherPractise. [Page 143] to breake bread, Paul preached vnto them. Acts 20. 7.

And I was in the spirit on the Lords day, and heard behind me a great voice, as it had bene of a trumpet. Reu. 1. 10.

THE MORNING HYMNE for the Sabbath, or the Lords day:

Wherein the deuout soule expresseth her performance (at least in desire) of all holy duties requisite. on the Sabbath, which are

  • 1 Priuate, as
    • a 1. Premeditation.
    • b 2. Early rising, or watchful­nesse.
    • c 3. The soules examination of her selfe.
    • d 4. Prayer at home consisting of
      • 1. Confession of sinne
        • e Originall.
        • f Actuall.
      • g 2. Profession of faith.
      • 3. Suppli­cation for
        • h 1. The Church.
        • i 2. The King.
        • k 3. The Mini­ster.
        • l 4. Our selues.
  • 2 Publike, as
    • m 1. Going to the Church.
    • n 2. Ioyning in publike prayers and thankesgiuing with the congregation.
    • o 3. Hearing the word.
    • p 4. Contributing to the poore.

[Page 145] a I haue thought vpon thy Name in the night season, and haue kept thy Law. Psal. 119. 55.

b Early in the morning do I cry vnto thee, for in thy word is my trust. ver. 147.

c I called mine owne wayes to re­membrance, and turned my foote to thy testimonies. ver. 59.

d I will make my supplication in thy presence with my whole heart; be mercifull vnto me ac­cording to thy word. ver. 58.

e Behold I was borne in ini­quitie, and in sin hath my mother conceiued me. Psal. 51. 3.

f Who can tell how oft hee offendeth? O cleanse thou mee from my secret faults. Psal. 19. 12.

g I said I will confesse my sin, and so thou forgauest the wic­kednesse of my sinne. Psal. 32. 6.

h O be fauourable and graci­ous vnto Sion, build thou the walls of Ierusalem. Psal. 51. 19.

Thou shalt arise ô Lord, and haue mercie vpon Sion, for it is [Page 146] time that thou haue mercie vp­pon her, yea the time is come. Psal. 102. 13.

For why, thy seruants thinke vpon her stones, and it grieueth them to see her in the dust. ver. 14.

i Giue the King thy iudge­ments ô Lord, and thy righte­ousnesse to the Kings sonne. Psal. 72. 1.

Then shall hee iudge the peo­ple according vnto right, and de­fend the poore. ver. 2.

Hee shall keepe the simple by the right, and punish the wrong doer. ver. 4.

k Let thy Priests be cloathed with righteousnesse, and let thy Saints sing with ioyfulnesse. Psal. 132. 9.

l O send out thy light and thy truth, that they may leade mee, and bring mee to thy holy hill, and to thy dwelling. Psal. 43. 3.

m I was glad when they said vnto me, Let vs go into the house of the Lord.

[Page 147] Open me the gates of righte­ousnesse, that I may go in, and giue thanks to the Lord. Psal. 118. 19.

n O magnifie the Lord our God, and let vs fall downe before his footestoole, for he is holy. Psal. 99. 5.

o The Lord gaue the word; great was the companie of the Preachers. Psal. 68. 11.

I will hearken what the Lord God will say concerning me, for hee shall speake peace vnto his people, and to his Saints that they turne not againe. Psal. 85. 8.

For his saluation is nigh them that feare him, that glorie may dwell in our land. ver. 9.

p O my soule thou hast said vnto the Lord, Thou art my God, my goods are nothing vnto thee. Psal. 16. 2.

All my delight is vpon the Saints, and such as excell in ver­tue. ver. 3.

An offering of a free heart will I giue thee, and praise thy name, [Page 148] because it is so comfortable. Psal. 58. 7.

A Prayer for the Sabbath Morning.

BLessed Creator, and Author, and finisher of the saluation of man-kind; who in memorie of thy glorious rest from both thy noble workes hast blessed and sanctified a day of holy rest vnto thy selfe, sanctifie me for it, that laying aside my accustomed bu­sinesse, and sequestring my thoughts from all worldly cares, I may keepe it, and my selfe holy to thee, by dedicating it and deuo­ting my selfe wholly to thy pe­culiar worship, and immediate seruice. And to the end that this my religious seruice may bee more acceptable to thee, quicken me with thy Spirit, that I may per­forme it with all alacritie and chearefulnesse, and may make thy Sabbath my delight. Touch [Page 149] my heart and tongue with a coale from thine Altar, that from the sweet incense of my meditations, hymnes, prayers, and thanksgi­uing thou mayest smell a sauour of rest. O holy Lord God of Sabbath sanctifie thy rest vnto me, & let thy Spirit rest in me, that I may find rest to my soule from all tenta­tions, troubles, and feares, and may rest from my owne workes, which are painefull and sinfull trauels, and may employ this day all the powers and faculties of my soule and bodie in doing and considering thy workes, in ado­ring thy Maiestie, and admiring thy wisdome, and acknowledge­ing thy power, and embracing thy loue, and magnifying thy goodnesse, and reioycing in thy mercies, & trembling at thy iudge­ments: In visiting thy holy Tem­ple, and praising thee with thy Saints, and offering vp the calues of my lips: In diligently reading thy Scriptures, attentiuely hearing [Page 150] thy word, reuerently celebrating thy mysteries, charitably relieuing thy members, and zealously pra­ctising all holy duties both pub­like and priuate. O let me this whole day walke with thee as E­noch did, and talke with thee as Moses did, and seeke thy face as Dauid did: And grant that behol­ding thine image in thine holy word, as in a cleare and cristall mirrour I may bee changed into the same image euen from glorie to glorie. Let this Sabbath put mee in mind of thy rest from thy workes, and assure me thereby of an euerlasting Sabbath in hea­uen from my works. Into which rest that I may enter, stirre vp my good desires in me; raise my thoughts and affections to the things that are ab [...]ue. Renew mee according to the Image of thy Sonne, and frame my life to a heauenly conuersation. Enlighten my vnderstanding, sanctifie my will, moderate my desires, go­uerne [Page 151] my affections, mortifie my fleshly members, and destroy the man of sinne in me, and deliuer me from this bodie of death. Worke in me a feare of thy power, and loue of thy goodnes, and zeale of thy glorie, and thirst of thy grace, & an earnest desire, and constant resolution as (much as in me ly­eth) to approue my selfe to thee in all things, and frame all my actions to the rule of thy word. Heare me I beseech thee for my selfe and for thy Church, and thy Church for me, and Christ for vs all, &c. saying: Righteous Fa­ther keepe them from euill, sancti­fie them with thy truth, thy word is truth.

The close out of Scripture.

The glorie which thou hast giuen me, giue them, that they may bee one, as thou and I are one. So bee it, heauenly Father for thy Sonn's sake, by the grace of thy holy [Page 152] Spirit: To whom be all honour, praise, glorie, and thanksgi­uing from euerlasting to euerlasting.

Amen.

AN ADMONITION for the Sabbath Euening.

THE ANALYSIS.

The fittest subiect of contempla­tion on the Sabbath, is the medita­tion on the eternall Sabbath in heauen, of which the Sabbath on earth is a type. Consi­der it two wayes.

  • Priuately there is
    • No sinne.
    • No tempter or temptation.
    • No thraldome or seruitude.
    • No labour or toyle.
    • No sorrow or griefe.
    • No paine or torment.
    • No night or darkenesse.
    • No death.
    • No curse.
    • No feare.
  • Positiuely there are
    • Euerlasting habitations.
    • Indefiezable estates of inheri­tance.
    • Royall honours and dignities.
    • Inualuable wealth and riches.
    • Vnspeak­able ioyes and plea­sures in the
      • Sight and fruition of God.
      • Societie with Christ
      • Companie with all Saints & Angels.
      • Glorification of our bodies. Perfe­ctiō of our soules in
        • Knowledge.
        • Righteousnesse
        • Loue & vnion with God.

THE TEXTS.

WE looke for a new hea­uen and a new earth,In heauen no sinne. ac­cording to his promises in which dwelleth righteousnes. 2. Pet. 3. 13.

The Dragon fought with his Angels. Reu. 12. 7.

But they preuitled not, No tempter neither was their place found any more in heauen. ver. 8.

And the Dragon that old Ser­pent called the Diuell, and Satan was cast out, &c. ver. 9.

Reioyce yee heauens, and yee that dwell in them.

The creature shall be deliuered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious libertie of the sonnes of God. No thral­dome. Rom. 8. 21.

There remaineth a rest for the people of God. No labour. Heb. 4 9.

Bessed are the dead that dye in the Lord, for they rest from their labours. Reu. 14. 13.

God shall wipe away all teares from their eyes.No sorrow. Reu. 7. 17.

They shall hunger no more, No paine. nor [Page 155] thirst any more, neither shall the Sun-light on them, nor any heate Reu. 7. 16.

And there shall bee no night there,No night. and they shall neede no candle, nor the light of the Sunne, for the Lord God giueth them light, &c. Reu. 22. 5.

There shall be no more death, No death. neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more paine, for the first things are passed. Reu. 21. 4.

And there shall be no more curse, No curse. but the Throne of God and of the Lambe shall be in it. Reu. 22. 3.

Your ioy shall no man take a­way from you. No feare. Ioh. 16. 22.

That they may receiue you into euerlasting habitations. Luk. 16. 9.

For we know that if our earth­ly house of this. Tabernacle bee destroyed, wee haue a building giuen of God, an house not made with hands, but eternall in the heauens. 2. Cor. 5. 1.

[Page 156] An inheritance immortall,Indesieza­ble estate of inheritance and vndefiled, that fadeth not away, reserued in heauen for you. 1. Pet 1. 4.

They striue for a corruptible, but wee for an incorruptible crowne. 1. Cor. 9. 25.

When the chiefe Shepheard shall appeare, ye shall receiue an incorruptible crowne of glorie. 1. Pet. 5. 4.

Take inheritance of the kingdome prepared for you.Royall ho­nours and dignities. Mat. 25. 34.

It is your Fathers pleasure to giue you the kingdome. Luk. 12. 32

They shall raigne for euer­more. Reu. 22. 5.

And the building of the wall was of Iasper, Inualuable wealth and riches. and the Citie was pure gold like to cleare glasse. Reu. 21. 18.

And the foundations of the walls were garnished with all manner of precious stones. ver. 19.

And the gates were twelue pearles. ver. 21.

The things which eye hath notInspeakable loyes and pl [...]asures. [Page 157] seene, neither eare hath heard, neither can enter into mans heart to conceiue are, which God hath prepared for them that loue him. 1. Cor. 2. 9.

In thy presence is the fulnesse of ioy, and at thy right hand there are pleasures for euermore. Psal. 16. 12.

They shall bee satisfied with the fulnesse of thy house, and thou shalt giue them drink out of the riuer of thy pleasures. Psal. 36. 8.

For with thee is the well of life, &c. verse 9.

I know that my redeemer li­ueth, and I shall see God in my flesh, Ioh. 19. 25.

Now we see in a glasse, dark­ly, but then wee shall see face to face. 1 Cor. 13. 12.

And they shall see his face, In the light and fruitiō of God. and his name shall bee in their fore­heads. Reu. 22. 4.

As for me, I will behold thy pre­sence in righteousnesse, and when I awake vp after thy likenesse, I [Page 158] shall be satisfied with it. Ps. 17. 16.

Father I will that they which thou hast giuen may bee where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou hast giuen me. Ioh. 17. 24.

These follow the Lambe where­soeuer he goeth. Reuelation 14. 4.

Wee are come to the Mount Sion, and to the City of the li­uing God, and to the celestiall Ie­rusalem, and to the company of innumerable Angels. Heb. 12. 22.

And to the Congregation of the first-borne which are writ­ten in heauen &c. verse 23.

This corruptible shall put on incorruption, and this mortall shall put on immortality. 1 Cor. 15. 13.

The glory of the earthly is one, and the glory of the heauenly is another. verse 40.

There is one glory of the Sun, and another of the Moone, and another glory of the Starres, for [Page 159] one starre differeth from another starre in glory. verse 41.

So also is the resurrection of the dead, &c. verse 42.

He shall change our vile body, and make it fashioned like vnto his glorious body. Philippians 3. 21.

They that be wise shall shine as the firmament, and they that turne many to righteousnesse as the starres for euer. Daniel 12. 3.

Now I know but in part, but then I shall know as I am knowne. 1 Cor. 13. 12.

We are come to the congrega­tion of the first-borne which are written in heauen, and to God the Iudge of all, and to the spirits of iust and perfect men. Heb. 12. 23.

When that which is perfect shall come, then that which is in part shall be abolished. 1 Cor. 13. 10.

Loue doth neuer fall away, though that prophecying be abo­lished, or that tongues cease, &c. ver. 8.

[Page 160] I pray that they all may be one, as thou O Father art in me and I in thee, euen that they may be al­so one in vs, &c. Ioh. 17. 21.

An Hymne for the Sabbath Euening.

REturne to thy rest O my soule, for the Lord hath dealt graciously with thee. Psal. 116. 7.

In Gods Word will I reioyce; in the Lords Word will I com­fort me. Psal. 56. 10.

The words of the Lord are pure words, like as siluer which from the earth is tryed, and pu­rified seauen times in the fire.

Blessed are they that dwell in thine house, they will bee alway praysing thee.

They will goe from strength to strength, and to the God of [Page 161] Gods appeareth euery one of them in Sion. Psal. 84. 47.

I will giue thankes to the Lord in the Congregation from the ground of the heart. Psal. 68 26.

Vnto thee ô God I will pay my vowes, vnto thee will I giue thanks. Psal. 56. 12.

Shew the light of thy counte­nance vpon thy seruant, and teach me thy Statutes. Psalme 119.

An Euening Prayer for the Sabbath.

HOly, holy, holy Lord God Almighty which was, which art, and which art to come, hallow my nature, that I may hal­low thy Name. As thou impartest thy goodnes to me whereby I liue and moue in thee: so I beseech thee communicate to mee some measure of thy holinesse, that I may liue and moue to thee. Let thy Spirit of grace possesse my body and soule, that the desires of my minde, and thoughts of my heart, and words of my lipps, may be holinesse vnto thee. Sanctifie me that I may glorifie thee. And first with ioy and thankfulnesse I ac­knowledge it a special testimony of thy loue, that thou hast giuen me liberty and meanes to keepe a holy Sabbath vnto thee, to meete in thy House, to offer vp my ioynt-prayers and thanks-giuing [Page 163] with thy holy congregation, to confesse my sinnes, to professe my faith, to lay open my wants, to cheere vp my selfe by singing the sweete songs of Sion, to heare thy sacred Word read and Prea­ched; whereby my faith hath beene strengthened in the miste­ries of saluation, my hope esta­blished in the promises of thy Gospell, and my life set forward in a setled course of holinesse and righteousnesse, whereby the Kingdome of sinne and Satan is beate down and destroyed, and the Kingdome of Christ built vp in me, By this thy Word, the carelesse sinner is admonished, the ignorant instructed, the pre­sumptuous terrified, and the pe­nitent comforted, the power of sinne is abated, the force of temptations weakned, the mo­tions of the spirit quickned, grace reuined, and my Election assured by these insallible Marks, and tokens thereof set before me [Page 164] in holy Scriptures. Blessed bee thy Name for it, this day thy Word hath dwelt with me richly in all wisedome. The dispenser of thy misteries hath scattered many Doctrines like so many pearles among thy people.Here thou mayest in­sert the principale Doctrine which thou hast heard from thy Pastors mouth. Lord grant that with Mary I keepe these, and all thy sayings in my heart, and make vse of them in my life, and receiue comfort from them at my death. And here I would proceed to intreate at thy hands the continuance and increase of thy spiritual and temporall bles­sings vpon mee, but my sinnes lye at the doore of my conscience and affright mee. My heart smites mee for my failings in the performance of the duties of thy Sabbath. My deuout Meditati­ons haue bin stefled in the wombe that bare them: my prayers haue not beene without distractions, my hearing without wearisome­nesse, nor my almes-deeds with­out grudging. Pardon deare Fa­ther [Page 165] my want of preparation be­fore I come to thine house, of in­tention and Zeale at thy seruice, and want of Meditation and Ap­plication of those things which I heard there since I came thence. Bury I beseech thee these slips and all other my sins, especially of this weeke and day, in the night of eternall obliuion. Ease me of the burden of them, that I may more securely repose my body and soule vpon thy gracious pro­tection, to take their naturall re­freshing by sleepe, whereby I may bee enabled and strengthe­ned to doe thee better seruice the next day in walking carefully, diligently, conscionably, and constantly in the waies of thy com­mandements, and the duties of my calling.

The close out of Scripture.

Now the very God of peace san­ctify mee throughout, and I pray God that my whole spirit and soule, and body, may bee kept blamelesse vnto the comming of the Lord Ie­sus Christ, Amen.

THE PRACTICE of Extr …

THE PRACTICE of Extraordinarie DEVOTION:

In the Religious obseruation

  • of Christian
    • Feasts, as namely—our Lords
      • Birth.
      • Circumcision.
      • Epiphanie.
      • Resurrection.
      • Ascension.
      • Sending downe the—Holy Ghost.
    • Fasts, as namely,
      • Ashwednesday.
      • Good friday.

By Daniel Featly, Doctor in Diuinity.

LONDON, Printed by G. M. and R. B. for Nicholas Bourne, and are to be sold at his shop, at the South Entrance of the Royall Exchange. 1626.

TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE and Religious Ladie the Countesse of DENBIGH.

May it please your Honour:

YOur conference with me, about my conference with the Iesu­ites, and your gracious acceptation of the re­lation and defence thereof, left in me such an impression of the Character of your Noble and [Page] Religious disposition, that I e­uer since desired the aduantage of some good opportunitie to te­stifie my dutifull respect to your Honour. The truth of God re­ceiueth not onely support, but great honour from the patro­nage and countenance of great Personages; and she much glo­rieth in finding so strong a Champion, euen in the weaker sexe. Albeit the Sun-beames are alwayes most bright in themselues, yet they neuer ap­peare so glorious to vs as when they fall vpon crystall glasse, or pretious stones: In like sort Religion and vertue (the raies of diuine light in the soule) al­though they shine alwayes brightly in themselues, yet they neuer seeme so conspicuous and resplendent, as when they receiue some luster from the [Page] subiect; when Nobilitie of birth and minde concurre; when or­naments of bodie and soule meete; when eminencie of grace & eminency of conditions toyne in one, and reflect mutually each on the other. And verily if your more then or dinarie fauour and respect to the Ministers of the Gospell, and to my selfe in par­ticular, had not made this my voluntarie oblation a neces­sarie obligation to your Ladi­ship; yet your constancie in the truth, and loue to Sion and her solemne and sacred assemblies, might iustly challenge to your Honour the Dedication of this part of my HAND-MAIDES Taske, which is to furnish Chri­stian fastes and feasts with pro­per MEDITATIONS, HYMNES and PRAYERS. As our bodie liues to the soule, by which it [Page] liueth; so our soule should liue to God by whom it liueth. And no otherwise is the life of the bodie preserued by heate and moisture, then the life of the soule is maintained and kept by the heate of diuine loue, and ra­dicall moisture of teares bedew­ing the heart roote of a true pe­nitent. To kindle the one and feede the other, I Dedicate and deuote the DEVOTION of this part of my HAND-MAIDE to your Honour. For the feasts representing to your Religious thoughts what Christ hath done for you, will (through the blasts of Gods Spirit) inflame the heate of heauenly loue in you: and the fasts admonishing you what Christ hath suffered for you, must needs yeeld aboun­dant matter to supply the springs of godly sorrow. In hea­uen [Page] ioy taketh vp all times and parts; in hell sorrow; on earth they diuide. In heauen there is ioy without sorrow; in hell, sor­row without ioy; on earth sor­row and ioy act their parts; fasts and feasts haue their cour­ses; mirth and mourning their turnes; and at euerie turne my HAND-MAIDE is readie to attend you, either with sack­cloth for the one, or the wed­ding garment for the other. S. Bernard taking his ground from those words of the Prophet Ioel, Rent your hearts &c. and returne to the Lord with your whole heart; thus pleasantly descanteth therupon:Non est ad Deum to [...]o corde redite, nisi­scisso cor­de. We can­not returne vnto the Lord with our whole heart vnlesse it be broken first with true con­trition. There is no whole heart, but a rent heart; no [Page] sound heart, but a broken; & S. Ierome according in the same note, summeth vp the whole practice of a deuoute soule in her priuate carriage with God in these wordsDolet, & de dolore gaudet. She sorroweth after a godly manner, and re­ioyceth for that sorrow. Godly sorrow for sinne, and holy ioy for that sorrow, is the whole Deuoute man. Madame, if my Meditations vpon the fasting, suffering, and death of our Sa­uiour make you sad and sorrow­full, remember out of S. Ie­rome that you ought to be ioy­full for such sorrow. If the pier­cing Texts of holy Seripture in the ADMONITIONS and HYMNES appointed for the Christian fasts, diuide betweene your soule and spirit, and bruse if not breake your heart with an holy sympathy, remember out of [Page] S. Bernard, that There is no returning to God with a whole heart, but by breaking it. And if you find in the whole Deuotion of Fasts, matter of pensiuenesse and griefe; in the Christian feasts, you shall haue store of oyle to make you a cheer­full countenance, and reuiue your deaded thoughts. The heart of a man is in continuall motion; it alwayes either dila­teth it selfe, or contracteth: and the hidden man of the heart in like manner hath his Systole and Diastole, (as the Anato­mists speake:) his heart con­tinually either enlargeth it selfe by ioy, or contracteth it selfe by sorrow. And no doubt, when God bespeakes our hearts for himselfe, he especially expects and respects these motions thereof and affections produ­cing [Page] them. He will haue vs ioy in him, and sorrow and long after him. Ioy in his fa­uour, and sorrow in his displea­sure. Ioy in his promise, and sorrow at his threates. Ioy in the holy Ghost, and sorrow in our owne spirits. Feast to him in a thankefull profession of his gracious goodnesse, and fast to him in an humble confession of sinfull wickednesse. Like the Heliotropium, turne alwayes to the Sunne; open when he sheddeth abroade his beames, and shut when he draweth them in: Inlarge our hearts with ioy at his gracious pre­sence, and sorrowfully shut and contract them when he is, or seemeth to be absent from vs. Thus if our ioy be the interpre­ter of our loue to him, and our sorrow of our desire of him; if [Page] our ioy be holy, and our sorrow holy; if our feasts be feasts of Deuotion, and our fasts be fasts of contrition, our graci­ous Redeemer will vouchsafe to be present at both: he will feast and fast with vs. At our fasts he will weepe for our spiri­tuall, as he did for Lazarus his corporall death. At our feasts he will turne our water into wine, and rauish our soules with hea­uenly melodie. Our feasts shall be as temperate and holy as fasts, and our fasts as comforta­ble as feasts. A good conscience shall be vnto vs a continuall feast here, and the Marriage supper of the Lamb an euerla­sting feast hereafter. To both which feasts, God by his Spirit, which biddeth you, bring you for his sake, who by his fasts and sorrowes on earth hath purcha­sed [Page] for vs euerlasting feasts and ioyes in heauen; In whom I rest,

Your Honour's to dispose of DANIEL FEATLY.

PART 1. SVPPART 3. The Festiuall's Deuotion. The Feast of the Birth of our Lord IESVS CHRIST.

The ground of this feast

  • Prophecies in the old Testament.
  • Histories in the New.

of the Incarna­tion of the Sonne of God.

PARALELL.

Prophecie.

The Seede of the woman shall break the Serpents head.

Historie.

He took not on him the nature of Angels, but he tooke the seed of Abraham. Heb. 2. 16.

In the fulnes of time God sent his Sonne made of a woman. Gal. 4. 4.

The Scepter shall not depart from Iudah, nor a law­giuer from be­tweene his feete, vntill SHILOH come, Gen. 49. 10. Christ is cal­led Shiloh from an Hebrew word signifying to send, or to saue, or se­cundinam, to inti­mate Christs vir­gin birth, quasifi­lium secundinoe.

[Page] When IESVS was borne in Bethlem of Iudea, in the daies of Herod the king, who raigned when Christ was born, was a stran­ger and so the Scepter was then departed from Iuda. Mat. 2. 1.

The Lord him­selfe shall giue you a signe. Be hold a Virgin shal conceiue, & beare a sonne, and shall call his name Im­manuel. Isa. 7. 14.

Ioseph being raised from sleepe, did as the Angell of the LORD had bidden him, and tooke vn­to him his wife, Mat. 1. 24.

But knew her not till she had brought forth her first begot­ten Sonne, and hee called his name IE­SVS, ver. 25.

[Page] For vnto vs a child is borne, vnto vs a sonne is giuen. Isa. 9. 6.

[Page] The Angel said Vn­to you is borne this day in the City of Dauid, a Sauiour, which is CHRIST the Lord. Luk. 2. 11.

But thou Beth­lem EPHRATA though thou bee little among the thousands of Iu­da, yet out of thee shall hee come forth to me, that is to be Ruler in Israel, whose go­ings forth haue bin from old and from euerlasting. Mich. 5. 2.

When Iesus was borne in Bethlem, &c. Mat. 2. 1.

Ioseph went to the City of Dauid called Bethlem. Luk. 2. 4.

And the dayes were accomplished that she should bee deli­uered. verse 6.

And shee brought forth her first borne sonne. verse 7.

  • For thine instruction meditate on Christs birth.
  • For thy comfort apply the benefits to thy selfe.
  • For thy correction examine thy new birth and life, and quicken
    • Thine obedience by the exhortation.
    • Thy thankfulnesse by the Hymne.
    • Thy Zeale and Deuotion by the prayer.

AN EXHORTATION TO STRIVE AND PRAY for the state of grace and regeneration.

THE ANALISIS.

  • Wee must defire and pray that we may bee regenerated, and borne anew, be­cause by it we obtaine.
    • 1 Entrance into the Kingdome of
      • Grace
      • Glory.
    • 2 Knowledge.
    • 3 Liberty from
      • Corruption.
      • Raigning sin.
    • 4 Adoption, and the title of the Sonnes of God.
    • 5 The preheminency of the first borne.
    • 6 The spirit of supplication, and accesse to God with confi­dence.
    • 7 The guidance of the spirit.
    • 8 An incorruptible inheri­tance.

THE TEXTS.

EXcept a man bee borne a­gaine, By regene­ration we obtaine hee cannot enter into the Kingdome of God. Ioh. 3. 3.1 Entrance into the kingdome of God.

Except a man be borne of wa­ter and the spirit &c. verse 5.

Ye were darknesse, but now yee are light in the Lord. 2 Knowledg Ephes. 5. 9.

The creature shall bee deliue­red from the bondage of corrupti­on, 3 Liberty from our corruption. into the glorious liberty of the Sonnes of God. Rom. 5. 21.

Whosoeuer is borne of God sinneth not, From our reigning sin for his seede remai­neth in him, neither can hee sinne because he is borne of God 1 Ioh. 3. 9.

Sinne shall not haue dominion ouer you, for yee are not vnd [...] the Law, but vnder grace. [...] 6. 14.

As many as receiued [...] them, he gaue power to [...] [Page 172] Sonnes of God, euen to them that belieue on his name. Ioh. 1. 12.

Which are borne not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. verse 13.

That he might redeeme them that are vnder the Law,5 The pre­heminencie of the first borne. and that we might receiue the adoption of sonnes. Gal. 4. 5.

And to the congregation of the first-borne. Heb. 12. 23.

Of his owne will begat hee vs with the Word of truth, that we should bee the first fruits of his creatures. Iam. 1. 18.

Wee haue receiued the spirit of Adoption whereby wee cry Abba Father. 6 Spirit of supplication Rom 8. 11.

As many as are led by the spi­rit of God, [...] they are the sonnes of God. Rom. 8. 14.

Blessed bee God the Father of [...] Lord Iesus Christ, which [...] to his abundant mercy [...] vs againe vnto a [...] [...]pe. 1 Pet. 1. 3.

[Page 173] To an inheritance incorruptible, and vndefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserued in heauen for you. verse 4.

The same spirit testifieth to our spirits that we are the children of God. Rom 8. 6.

If we be children then heires, euen the heires of God, and coheirs annexed with Christs. verse. 17.

A Hymne for the Natiuity of our Lord,

consisting of fowre parts,

  • 1. God the Fathers.
  • 2. Christs.
  • 3. The Prophets.
  • 4. The Churches.

Glory be to God on High, in earth peace, good will to men.

THe Lord euen the most mighty God hath spo­ken,The Pro­phet spea­keth in his own person. and called the world from the rising vp of the Sunne to the going downe thereof. Ps. 50. 1.

Out of Sion hath God ap­peared in perfect beauty. verse 2.

Saluation is nigh them that feare him, that glory may dwell on the earth. Psal. 85. 9.

[Page 175] Mercy and truth are met together; righteousnesse and peace haue kissed each other. verse 10.

Truth shall flourish on the earth, and righteousnesse hath looked downe from heauen. ver. 11.

Thou art fairer then the children of men, full of grace are thy lipps, because God hath blessed thee for euer. Psal. 45. 3.

Thou hast loued righteous­nesse and hated iniquity, wher­fore God euen thy God hath annointed thee with the oyle of gladnesse aboue thy fellowes. verse 8.

O Lord my God great are thy wonderous workes which thou hast done, like as be also thy thoughts, which are to vs ward, yet there is no man that orde­reth them vnto thee. Psal. 40. 6.

[Page 176] If I would declare or speake of them,2 In the person of Christ. they should be more in number then I am able to ex­presse. verse 7.

Sacrifice and meate offerings thou wouldest not haue, but mine eares hast thou opened. verse 8.

Burnt offerings and sacri­fice for sin hast thou not requi­red, then said I, Loe I come. verse 9.

In the volume of thy booke, it is written of me that I should fulfill thy will, O my God I am content to doe it, yea thy law is in my heart. verse 10.

I haue declared thy righte­ousnesse in the great congrega­tion; Loe I will not refraine my lipps ô Lord, and that thou knowest. verse 11.

I haue not hid thy righteous­nesse within my heart; my tal­king hath beene of thy truth [Page 177] and of thy saluation. verse 12.

I wil preach the lawe where­of the Lord hath said vnto me, Thou art my Sonne, this day haue I bogotten thee. Psal. 2. 7.

He shall call me,3 In the person of God the Father. Thou art my Father, my God, and my strong saluation. Psal. 89. 27.

And I will make him my first borne higher then the Kings of the earth. verse 28.

Shew vs thy mercy ô Lord, 4 Of the Church. and grant vs thy saluation. Psal. 85. 7.

Lord saue vs now! Lord sende vs now prosperity.

Through thy tender mercy, whereby this day spring from on high hath visited vs.

To giue light to them that sit in darknesse, and in the sha­dow of death, and to guide our feete into the way of peace. Cant. Zach.

The Prayer.

GRatious Lord Iesus Christ the Sonne of God and Sa­uiour of man, the ioy of An­gels, and dread of diuels, the Iewes Messiah, the Gentiles starre, the hope of the liuing, and resurrection of the dead, the way to all that come vnto thee, the truth to all them that know thee, and the life to all them that belieue in thee: Make good all thy glorious & gratious titles to me. Lord pro­tect me, Iesu saue me, Christ my anointed King rule me, my anoin­ted Priest sanctifie me, my anoin­ted Prophet reueale vnto mee the secrets of thy Kingdome. O Christ whose name is an oyntment pow­red out, annoint me with the oyle of gladnesse, this day aboue others. This is the day which the Lord hath made, I wil reioyce and be glad in it; nay I dare take the note higher, This is the day in which the Lord [Page 179] was made, I will exult and tri­umph in it. Thou which madest all dayes, wert this day made of a woman, and made vnder the Law. From all eternity it was neuer heard, that eternity entred into the Kalender of time, supreame Maiesty descended into the wombe; immensity was compre­hended; infinity bounded; vbiqui­ty inclosed, and the Deity incarna­ted: Yet this day it was seene; for this day the Word became flesh; God became man, and to effect this wonderfull mystery, a Virgin became a Mother. One deepe calleth vpon another; one miracle begetteth another: The Sunne bringeth forth all other dayes, but this day brought thee forth the Sonne of righteousnesse. If wee set our voices, and instru­ments, and heart-strings to the highest straine of ioy at the birth of great Kings and Princes; What ought I to doe this day, on which thou the king of heauen wast born [Page 180] vpon the earth. At the mariage of great Personages, men giue full scope to all manner of ex­pressions of carnall ioy euen of­tentimes to the very surfeit of the senses with pleasure: How then should I bee rauished with spiri­tuall ioy at this time when hea­uen and earth, the diuine nature and humane were married? The contract was in heauen before all times, but the marriage was this day consummated in the vndefi­led bedde of the Virgin. Lord who this day cammest downe to me, draw me vp to thee, and giue me accesse with more con­fidence and bouldnesse; for now thou art become my brother and ally by bloud. The rayes of thy diuine Maiesty will not dazle the eyes of my soule, they being now vailed with thy flesh. This day thou diddest vnite thy selfe to me naturally, and substantially and becamest truly flesh of my flesh, and bone of my bone. Vnite [Page 181] me to thee this day spiritually, and make me a true member of thy mysticall body, that I may bee flesh of thy flesh, and bone of thy bone. Lord thou diddest this day parti­cipate of my humane nature, make me this day participate by grace of thy diuine, as farre as I am capable thereof; and impart and communicate vnto mee the merrit of all thy actions, and be­nefit of all thy sufferings in this thy nature. O my Lord & my God who by assuming flesh vnto thy diuine person, hast sanctified it, and highly aduanced it farre aboue all creatures, keepe me from de­filing my flesh with sinfull pollutions, or abasing and in­thralling it to Satan. O Sonne of God, who by thy incarnate na­ture, becamest the Sonne of Man, make me the sinfull sonne of man, by grace and adoption to become the Sonne of God. And as thou this day according to the words of thine Angel wert borne [Page 182] to me, bee borne also in mee that from hence forth I liue not, but thou in me. Let thy spirit quicken me, thy flesh nourish me, thy wis­dome guide me, thy grace sancti­fie me, and thy Word instruct me. Let the holy Ghost of whom thou wast conceiued beget thee in mee, by the immortall seede of thy Word. Let my faith conceiue thee, my profession bring thee forth, my loue embrace thee, and Deuotion entertaine and continu­ally keepe thee with mee till thy second comming. So come vnto me Lord Iesus, come quickly.

THE Feast of our Lord's Circumcision: OR, New-yeares dayes Deuotion.

The ground of this Feast are

  • The type there­of in the old
  • The accōplish­mēt in the new Testa­ment.

PARALELL.

The Type.

And Abraham circumcised Isaak when he was eight daies old, as God commanded him Gen. 21. 4.

The accomplishment.

And when the eight dayes were accompli­shed that they shuld circumcise the child; his name was then called IESVS Luk. 2. 21.

Meditate ô de­uout Christian,

  • 1 For thine instruction vpon the cir­cumcision of thy Sauiour.
  • 2 For thy comfort, applie to thy selfe the
  • 3 For thy correctiō examine the cir­cumcision of thy heart, and quic­ken thine
    • 1 Obedience by the exhortation.
    • 2 Thankfulnes by the hymne.
    • 3 Zeale & deuo­tiō by the praier.

THE ADMONITION for New-yeeres day.

THE ANALYSIS.

wee ought to desire, striue, and pray for the circumci­sion of the heart

  • 1 In respect of GOD who
    • Desireth it.a
    • Comman­deth it.b
    • Loueth it.c
    • Obserueth it.d
    • Praiseth it.e
    • Rewardeth it.f
    • Brandeth the contrarie.g
  • 2 In respect of man's heart which nee­deth it,
    • 1 Because it is most corrupt and impure.
    • 2 Because it is most deceitfull.

THE TEXTS.

a MY son giue me thy heart. God desi­reth the circumcisiō of the heart Comman­deth it. Prou. 23. 16. vid. Ier. 4. 4.

b Circumcise the fore-skinne of your hearts. Deut. 10. 16.

O Ierusalem clense thy heart. Ier. 4. 4.

c Clense your hearts yee sinners.Loueth. Iames 4. 8.

Behold thou louest truth in the inward parts. Psal. 51. 6.

d God seeth not as man seeth, Obserueth. for man looketh vpon the outward appearance; but God seeth the heart. 1 Sam. 16. 7.

e The circumcision is of the heart in the spirit,Praiseth. not in the letter, whose praise is not of man, but of God. Rom. 2. 29.

In whom yee are circumcised with circumcision made without hands, by putting off the sinfull body of the flesh through the circumcision of the flesh. Col. 2. 11.

Beware of the concision: For [Page 186] wee are the circumcision which worship God in the spirit, and reioyce in Christ Iesus and haue no confidence in the flesh. Philip­pians 3. 3.

f The good Lord be mercifull to him that prepareth his whole heart to seeke the Lord his God. Rewardeth. 1 Chron. 30. 19.

He will doe good to such as be good and true of heart. Psal. 125. 4.

There is sprung vp a light for the righteous, and ioyfull glad­nesse to such as bee true hearted. Psal. 99. 12.

g The eyes of the Lord behold the earth to shew himselfe strong with them that are of perfect heart towards him.Brandeth the contra­ry. 1 Chron. 16. 9.

Yee of vncircumcised eares and hearts, haue alwaies resisted &c. Acts. 7.

The peruerse in heart are an a­bomination to the Lord. Pro. 11. 20.

All the imaginations of mans [Page 187] heart are onely euill continually. Gen. 6.

The heart of man is deceitfull aboue all things. Ier. 17. 9.

The Psalme for New-yeeres day.

OSing vnto the Lord a new song; sing vnto the Lord all the whole earth. Psal. 96. 1.

Sing vnto the Lord and praise his name; be telling of his salua­tion from day to day. verse 2.

The heauent declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handy worke. Psal. 19. 1.

One day telleth another, and one night certifieth another. v. 2.

There is neither speech nor language, but their voice is heard among them. verse 3.

Their sound is gone out into all lands, and their words vnto the end of the world. verse 4.

[Page 188] In them hath he set a Taberna­cle for the sunne which commeth forth as a bridegroome out of his chamber, and reioyceth as a gy­ant to runne his course. verse 5.

He appointeth the Moone for certaine seasons; and the Sunne knoweth his going downe. Psal. 104. 19.

O Lord how manifold are thy workes? In wisedome hast thou made them all; the earth is full of thy riches. verse 24.

So is the great and wide, &c. verse 25. vsque ad [...].

When thou lettest thy breath goe forth they are made; and thou shalt renew the face of the earth. verse 30.

The glorious Maiesty of the Lord shall endure for euer; the Lord shall reioyce in his workes. verse 31.

Thou crownest the earth with thy goodnesse; and thy cloudes drop fatnesse. Psal. 65. 12.

They shall drop vpon the [Page 189] dwellings of the wildernesse; and the little hills shall reioyce of e­uery side. verse 13.

The flocks also shall bee full of sheepe; the valleys also shall stand so thick with corne that they shall laugh and sing. verse 14.

The day is thine, and the night is thine: thou hast prepa­red the light of the sunne. Psal. 74. 17.

Thou hast set all the borders of the earth; thou hast made sum­mer and winter. verse 18.

The Prayer for New-yeeres day.

MOst tender and com­passionate Lord, now first knowne by thy name Ie­su, who being the true vine which yeeldest the wine that gladdeth the heart, wast pruned this day with the sharpe knife of circumcisi­on, and bleddest for me; haue pit­ty and compassion on mee, who with weeping eyes and a blee­ding heart come vnto thee, be­seeching thee that those drops of blood which fell from thee this day may satisfie for the sinne of my birth, and the whole streame that ranne from all the parts of thy body in the Garden, and on the Crosse may expiate all my numberlesse actuall sinnes; whe­ther they be sinnes of lighter tin­cture, or of a Scarlet dye: Sinnes like beames or sinnes like moates: Sinnes conceiued in the heart onely, or sinnes brought forth into act: Sinnes in my beliefe, or [Page 191] sinnes in my life: Sinnes once com­mitted, or often repeated: Sinnes before, or after my calling: Sinnes of impiety against thee, or sinnes of iniquity against my neighbour, or sins of impurity against mine owne flesh: for of all these I haue a great loade. They are more in number then the haires of my head, they are a burden too heauy for me to beare. They lie vpon my conscience like so many Talents of lead, and would presse mee downe to hell, did not thy mercy take hold of the hand of my faith to support me in hope euen aboue hope. How should I hope if I thinke vpon thy greatnesse? How should I not hope if I think vpon thy goodnesse? How should I hope if I weigh my sinnes? How should I not hope, if I weigh thy merits? How should I hope, if I consider my actions? How should I not hope, if I con­sider thy passions? How should I hope if I number my transgressions? [Page 192] How should I not hope, if I number thy blessings and fa­uours towards mee? How should I hope if I remember how oft I haue refused grace after it hath bin offered to mee? How can I but hope if I remember how oft grace hath bin offered mee after I re­fused it? And still hope I wil, as long as thou reteinest thy name Iesu, which this day thou receiuedst when thou offeredst the first fruits of thy blood for my sin, without which thou couldest not haue bin my Iesus. For so fowle and festered were my soares, that nothing could heale them but a bloody knife. But why should this bloody instrument be applyed to thy purest, tenderest, immaculate flesh made all of Vir­gins blood? There was no super­fluity to be pared off in thee; no ranke▪ blood to bee let out. The superfluous skinne was on me, yet the knife is on thee: The feste­red [Page 193] sores were in my body, yet the Launce is in thy flesh. Thou hast the paine, I the ease; thou the smart, I the cure. O wonder­full cure! O more wonderfull loue! Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings as thou hast ordai­ned, so maist thou iustly chalenge praise, who in thy infancy madest such an assay of my redemption, and tendered the earnest of thy blood for me. Not nine dayes old thou sheddest dropps of blood for me, farre more precious then so many drops of the richest balsamom to cure my wounds. Let all flesh praise thee who hea­ledst it by thy wounds. Eternall thankes be giuen to thee for thy circumcision, whereby thou hast abolished circumcision it selfe, and prouided mee an easier remedy of originall sinne the sacred lauer of regeneration. Water now ser­ueth insteede of blood, and a gentle rubbing of the flesh for cutting and wounding it. By the [Page 194] circumcision of thy flesh thou hast also merited for me the fulfilling of thy fathers promise and con­dition of his couenant to circum­cise the foreskinne of our hearts. By this thy razor thou hast fitted the tables of my heart: now write thy lawes & loue in them: By receiuing this seale of the co­uenant in thy flesh thou hast sea­led to me thy care of mee in thy nonage. First ô Lord I am euer­lastingly to praise thee for taking my flesh vp on thee; and next for leauing part of it with mee as a pledg of thy loue, thou bearedst for me from thy mothers wombe. In thy infancy thou bleddest for me; in thy twelfth yere, thou arguedst for me, in thy youth thou obeyedst for me, and in thy ripe & perfect age thou sufferedst and dyedst for me. To thee therefore as it is my bounden duty I offer the budds of my childe-hood, the blossoms of my youth, and the fruits of my age. As thou betimes didst set to [Page 195] the worke of my redemption, and and on those termes acceptedst the name Iesus: so let me betimes giue my name to thee, and enter into thy seruice: Let mee beare thy yoke euen from my youth. Lord, who this day wert circum­cised in the flesh, circumcise me in the heart, that I may in purity, sincerity, and vprightnesse of heart walke before thee all the dayes of my life. Neither circumcise my heart onely but my eares, eyes, hands, heart, and feete, that no superfluity of maliciousnesse nor impurity remaine in me.

Now thou hast renewed the face of the earth, renew this day and repaire thy decaied Image in me. Thou hast begunne a new yeere, beginne in me a new refor­mation. Make me I beseech thee a cleane heart, and renew a right spirit within me. The yeere like the serpent hath cast off his old skinne, and put on a new; let mee also cast off my old man, and put [Page 196] on the new man; and from this day to my old age and death walke in newnesse of life, that I may be a fit guest to be admitted into the new heauen, where dwelleth righteousnesse, and to be entertai­ned at thy table, and drinke new wine with thee in thy heauenly Kingdome for euermore Amen.

THE FEAST OF EPIPHANY OR, TWELFE-DAYE'S DEVOTION.

The ground of this feast

  • Prophecie in the old
  • History in the new

Testament of our Lords ma­nifestation to the gentiles.

PARALELL.

Prophecie.

There shall come a starre out of Ia­cob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel. Num. 24. 17.

History.

Lo the starre which they saw in the east went before them, till it came to the place where the childe was. Mat. 2. 9. When they saw the starre, they were ex­ceeding glad, and went into the house, and found the childe with Mary his mo­ther. verse 10.

[Page] The daughter of Tyre shall bee there with a gift, like as the rich al­so among the people shall doe homage before thy face with presents. Psal. 45. 12.

[Page] They fel down and worship­ped him. Mat. 2. 11.

Kings shall bring pre­sents vnto thee. Psal. 68 29.

The kings of Arabia and Saba shall bring gifts. Psal. 72. 10.

And opened their treasures, and presented to him &c. Mat. 2. 11.

All thy garments smel of Mirrh, Aloes, and Cassia. Psal. 45. 9.

To him shall be giuen of the gould of Arabia, &c. Psal. 72. 15.

Gold, and in­cense, & Mirrh. Mat. 2. 11.

[Page 199] For thy instruction meditate on the

  • Prophecy
  • Historie

of Christ's manifestatiō.

For thy comfort apply to thy selfe the benefits thereof.

For thy correction reprooue thy backwardnesse in comming to Christ, and honouring him with thy substance.

Quicken

  • Thy Charitie by the admonition.
  • Thy FAITH by the Psalme.
  • Thy Zeale and deuo­tion by the prayer.

THE ADMONITION for Twelfe-day.

THE ANALYSIS.

We ought freely and liberally to offer to God and his Church; because we haue in Scrip­turesPrecepts in the old.

  • Commandements for it.
  • Examples of it.
  • Promises vnto it.
  • Threats to the cōtrary.

THE TEXTS.

TAke from among you an offering to the Lord: Who­soeuer is of a willing heart let him bring it, an offering of the Lord, &c. Exod. 35. 5.

Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase. Prou. 3. 9.

Be reconciled to thy brother,In the new. and then come and offer thy gift. Mat. 5. 24.

[Page 201] Yea tithe Mint and Rue, &c. These things yee ought to haue done, and not left the other vn­done. Luke 11. 42.

Let him that is taught in the word, make him that taught him partaker of all his goods. Gal. 6. 6.

If we haue sowed to you spi­rituall things, is it much if wee reape of you carnal things. 2 Cor. 9. 11.

Abraham gaue him Tithe of all that he had.Examples Abraham Gen. 14. 10.

Of all that thou shalt giue me will I giue the tenth vnto thee.Iacob. Gen, 28. 2.

Then Dauid said behold I dwell in Cedar trees,Dauid. but the Arke of the Lord remaineth vn­der the curtaines. 2 Sam. 7. 2.

Then euery one whose spirit made him willing,Israelites. came and brought an offering to the Lord for the worke of the Tabernacle. Exod. 35. 21.

I will not come within the [Page 202] Tabernacle of mine house, nor climbe vp into my bed. Psal. 132 3.

I will not suffer mine eyes to sleepe, nor mine eye lidds to slumber, nor the Temples of my head to take any rest. verse 4.

Till I haue found out a place for the Temple of the Lord; an habitation for the mighty God of Iacob. verse 5.

I giue Tithe of all that I pos­sesse.Pharisee. Luke 18. 12.

So should thy barnes bee filled with abundance,Promises and thy presses shall burst with new wine. Prou. 3. 10.

Bring all the tithes into the store-house, that there may bee meate in mine house, and proue me heerewith sayeth the Lord. Mal. 3. 10.

He will,Threats & curses to the contra­ry. multiply your seede, and increase the fruits of your beneuo­lence. 2 Cor. 9. 10.

You looked for much, and loe it came to little; and when yee [Page 203] brought it home, I did blow vp­on it: Why, saith the Lord of Hosts? Because of mine house that is waste, and yee runne eue­ry man to his owne house. Hag. 1. 9.

Therefore the heauen ouer you is staied from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit. verse 10.

Yee say wherein haue wee robbed thee? In tithes and offe­rings. Mal. 3. 8.

Ye are cursed with a curse: for yee haue robbed mee, euen this whole nation. verse 9.

He that soweth sparingly, shall reape sparingly. 2 Cor. 9. 6.

Be not deceiued, God is not mocked; Whatsoeuer a man so­weth, that shall he reape. Gal. 6. 7.

A Psalme for Twelfe-day.

O Praise the Lord of hea­uen; praise him in the height. Psal. 148 1.

Praise him all yee his Angels; praise him all his host. verse 2.

Praise him Sunne and Moone; praise him all yee starres and light. verse 3.

Thy seate ô God endureth for euer; the scepter of thy kingdom is a right scepter. Psal 45. 7.

The Lord shall send the rod of thy power out of Sion: bee thou ruler euen in the middest among thine enemies. Psal. 110. 2.

In the day of thy power shall the people offer thee free will offerings with an holy worship: the dew of thy birth is of the wombe of the morning. verse 3.

Thy dominion shall bee from one sea to the other; and from the floods vnto the worlds end. Psal. 72. 8.

[Page 205] They that dwell in the wilder­nesse shall kneele before thee: thine enemies shall lick the dust. verse 9.

All Kings shall fall downe be­fore thee, all nations shall doe thee seruice. verse 11.

Thy name shall endure for e­uer; thy name shall remaine vn­der the sun among all posterities, which shall bee blessed through thee, and all the heathen shall praise thee. verse 17.

Blessed bee the name of thy Maiesty for euer; and all the earth shall bee filled with his Maiesty. Amen. Amen.

A Prayer for Twelfe-day.

FAther of lights, who didst guide the heathen Sages by a starre to seeke after, and find thy sonne, the true light which enlighteneth euery man that com­meth into the world; giue mee grace to giue eare to the more sure Word of Prophecie in the Scrip­tures til the day dawne, and the day starre arise in my heart. As thou calledst the wise men obseruers of the starres by a star, the sheep­heards lying abroad by an ap­parition in the fields, Zachary the Priest by a Vision in the Temple, Peter the fisher by a draught of fishes, Mathew the Publican at the receipt of custome, and Saint Au­stin enamourd with eloquence by the lustre of Saint Ambroses stile and enticing eloquence. I be­seech thee take the aduantage of such seasons, and apply such meanes for my vnfeigned conuersi­on vnto thee as are most agreea­ble [Page 207] to my inclination, dispositi­on, and condition. So will I come vnto thee and fall downe before thee, and present vnto thee gold, frankinsence and mirrh; gold in acknowledgement of thy king­dome, frankinsence of thy Priest­hood; and mirrh of thy death. I will offer willingly & freely vnto thee incense of praise & thanksgiuing for thy benefits; the mirrh of bitter teares for▪ my sinnes; and gold (ac­cording to my ability) for the maintenance of thy seruice, and adorning thy Temple. Lord who by this rich present prouidedst for the virgins wants to supply them in her iourney to Aegypt, extend thy goodnesse to mee in al neces­sities; and establish my faith and confidence in thee in al dan­gers and difficulties whatsoeuer, For thou hast promised neuer to leaue nor forsake them that trust in thee. The stony rocke shall yeeld a fountaine of water; and a dry cr [...]re a spring of oyle: the loaues [Page 208] shall multiply by spending; nay, the Clouds shall be Store-houses of Bread, and the winde serue in Fowle, and the Rauens bring in prouision; the Fishes pay tribute of money, and Heathen Sages from the East, (by the conduct of a Starre) bring in costly presents and New yeeres-gifts before thy children shall want their neces­sary maintenance or sustenance.

Blessed Babe, who at thy birth didst presage thy death, and as­sayedst the Crosse in thy Cratch, and being excluded (as it were) from all men, wast constrained to take vp thy lodging with beasts in a Stable, teach me what I am to looke for in this world: If it giue me course, and base, and beastly entertainment, it gaue thee worse; and the seruant is not to expect better respect then the Master. O King of glory, who hadst no Palace in this world, but an Inne; no Chamber of Presence, but a Stable; no Ta­pestry, [Page 209] but Straw; no Chaire of estate, but a Cratch; no Scepter, but a Reede; and no Crowne, but a wreath of thornes; worke in me an holy high-mindednesse to de­spise this world which so despised thee. Make the worldly great­nesse seeme small, honour base, estimation vile, and pompe vaine vnto me. Let not the glittering shew of gold, siluer, or precious stones, or the luster of eminent conditions dazell the eyes of my minde, but let the beames of this starre, light and guide me rather to honour thee in a Stable, then leaue thee to follow Herod in his Palace vpon any hopes whatso­euer. The wise men, after they had seene thee, neuer returned backe to Herod, but went another way to their owne home: so let me, after thou hast called me to the knowledge of the truth, and re­deemed mee from my vaine conuer­sations, neuer returne backe to my worldly courses, but take another [Page 210] way to my true home in heauen. The wise men when they saw thy starre in the aire were exceeding glad; I see thy starre in the Scrip­tures, nay I see the bright morning starre in my heart; O let my ioy exceede theirs as my knowledge doth. The starre still lighted them till they came to the place where thou layest, and entered into thy bed-chamber: So ô Lord let the light of faith guide me all the way of this life euen till I come to see thee, not in a stable on earth strawed with litter and dung, but in a pallace in heauen built with Saphyrs, and founded vpon pearles; not receiuing a pre­sent of gold from men, but wea­ring a crowne of gold put vpon thee by thy Father; not hauing a quantity of frankinsence or mirrh in thy hand, but a golden censor full of sweete odours which are the prayers of Saints. Among which I beseech thee offer vp the prayers of mee a sinner, that I may bee [Page 211] a Saint after thou hast purged mee from all my fil thy­nesse in the royall bath of thy blood Amen.

THE FEAST OF OVR LORD'S RESVRRECTION, OR, Easter-dayes Deuotion.

The ground of this Feast

  • In the old Testamēt
    • Prophecies.
    • Types.
  • In the new, the History of our Lords rising from the dead.

PARALELL.

Prophecie.

Thou shalt not leaue my soule in hell or (graue) nor suffer thine holy One to see cor­ruption, Psal. 16. 11.

He spake of the Resurrection of Christ, that his soule should not be left in graue, neither his flesh see corruption, Acts 2. 31.

Historie.

The Angel said to the women Feare yee not, for I know that yee seeke Ie­sus that was cruci­fied. Mat. 28. 5.

He is not here for he is risen, as hee said come see the place where the Lord lay. verse 6.

[Page] Thy dead men shall liue: with my body shall they rise:The Prophet speaketh in the person of Christ. Awake & sing yee that dwell in dust, for thy dew is the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out her dead. Isa. 26. 19.

[Page] And the graus did open thē ­selues, and many bodies of the Saints which slept, a­rose. Mat. 27▪ 52.

And came out of their graues after his re­surrection, & went into the holy City, and appeared to many. v. 53.

O death I wil be thy death: ô graue I wil bee thy de­struction. Hos. 13. 14.

Christ being raised from the dead, dyeth no more; death hath no more domini­on ouer him. Rom. 6. 9.

Death is swallowed vp into victorie. 1. Cor. 11. 14.

O Death, where is thy sting? O graue, where is thy victorie? ver. 55.

Type.

And the Priest shall shake the sheafe of the first fruites be­fore the Lord, that it may be acceptable to you the mor­rowe after the Sabbath, Leu. 23. 11.

Accomplishment.

Now in the end of the Sabboth, when the first day of the week began to dawn, MARY MAGDALEN came to see the Sepul­cher Mat. 28.

And behold there was a great Earth-quake: for the Angell of the Lord descended from heauen, and came and rolled a­way the stone from the dore and sate vpon it, &c. ver. 2.

He is not here, for hee is risen, &c. 6.

Christ is risen from the dead, the first fruites of them that sleepe, 1. Cor. 11. 20.

The first fruits is Christ, ver. 23.

And Ionah was in the belly of the Fish three dayes and three nights, Ion. 1. 17.

The Sonne of man, three daies & three nights in the heart of the earth; Mat. 12. 4.

[Page] The third day, God spake vn­to the Fish, & it cast out Io­nah on the drye land. Ion: 2. 10.

[Page] Destroy this temple, and in three dayes I will reare it vp againe. Ioh. 2. 19.

Hee spake of the temple of his bodie; ver. 21.

As soone as he was risen from the dead, his disci­ples remembred, and be­lieued the Scriptures, and the word which he spake vnto them. ver. 22.

For thine instruction medi­tate on the

  • Prophecie.
  • Types.
  • Storie.

of Christ's resurrection

For thy comfort apply to thy selfe the benefit thereof.

For thy correction examine thy spiritual resurrection from dead workes.

Quicken

  • Thy faith by the Hymne.
  • Thy repentance by the exhorta­tion.
  • Thy Zeale and Deuotion by the prayer ensuing.

An Hymne for Easter day.

OPen mee the gates of righteousnesse, that I may goe into them, and giue thankes vnto the Lord. Psal. 119. 19.

This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter into it. verse 20.

I will thanke thee, for thou hast heard me, and art be­come my saluation. verse 21.

Thou wilt shew me the paths of life, in thy presence is the fulnesse of ioy: and at thy right hand there are pleasures for e­uermore. Psal. 16. 11.

The same stone which the builders refused, is become the head Stone in the corner. v. 22

This is the Lord's doing, and it is maruellous in our eyes. v. 23

[Page 217] This is the day which the Lord hath made; wee will re­ioyce and be glad in it. ver. 24.

Why doe the heathen rage continually, and the people ima­gin a vaine thing. Psal. 2. 1.

Then shall hee speake vnto them in his wrath, and vexe them in his sore displeasure say­ing,

Euen I haue set my king vp­on Zion mine holy Mountaine. verse 5. 6.

The Lord vpon thy right hand shall wound euen kings in the day of his wrath. Ps. 110. 5.

Hee shall iudge among the heathen; hee shall fill their pla­ces with the dead bodies, and smite in sunder heads ouer di­uers countries. verse 6.

He shall drinke of the brooke in the way, therefore shall hee lift vp his head. verse 7:

[Page 218] Be wise now therefore ô yee kings; bee learned yee that are iudges of the earth. Ps. 2. 10.

Serue the Lord with feare; and reioyce vnto him with re­uerence. verse 11.

Kisse the sonne least hee bee angry, and so ye perish from the right way: if his wrath bee kindled, yea but a little, blessed are all they that put their trust in him. verse 12.

THE ADMONITION for Easter-day.

THE ANALYSIS.

Wee must pray and striue for repentāce from dead workes and newnes of life be­cause

  • a 1. It is God's com­mandement.
  • b 2. It is the Saint's practise.
  • c 3. It is the eui­dence of our new-birth.
  • d 4. It is the end of our resurrection.
  • e 5. It is the end of our redemption.
  • f 6. It obtaineth re­mission of sinnes.
  • g 7. It auoideth GOD'S temporall iudgements.
  • h 8. It is the onely means to shun eter­nal death.
  • i 9. It maketh vs bles­sed euen in this life.

THE TEXTS.

a CAst off concerning the conuersation in times past that old man which is corrupt through deceaueable lusts. Eph. 4. 24.

And be renewed in the spirit of your mindes. verse 23.

And put on the new man which after God is created in righteous­nesse and true holinesse ver. 24.

b Yee haue put of the old man with his workes. Colos. 3 9.

And haue put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge, after the Image of him that crea­ted him. verse 10.

c Being borne anew, not of mor­tall seede, but of immortall 1 Pet. 12. 2.

As new borne babes desire the sincere milke of the Word, that ye may grow thereby. 1 Pet. 2. 2.

New wine must bee put into new bottells. Mat. 9. 17.

[Page 221] d As Christ was raised from the dead to the glory of the fa­ther: So also wee should walke in newnesse of life. Rom. 6. 4.

e We are deliuered from the Law being dead to it, where­with we were holden that wee should serue in newnesse of spirit. Rom. 7. 6.

Purge out the old leuen, that ye may be a new lumpe. 1 Cor. 5. 7

If any man be in Christ let him bee a new creature. Old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. 1 Cor. 5. 17.

In Christ neither circumcision auaileth any thing, nor vncir­cumcision, but a new creature. Gal. 6. 15.

According to his mercy hee hath saued vs, by the washing of the new birth, and renewing of the holy Ghost. Tit. 3. 5.

f Returne and liue. Eze. 19.

Cease to doe euill, learne to do well, &c. Isa. 1. 16.

Though your sinnes were as [Page 222] crimson they shall bee made white as snow. verse 18.

g Vnlesse yee repent, yee shall all likewise perish. Luke 12. 3.

h Repent and doe the first workes. Reu. 2. 5. Repentance vnto life. Acts 11. 18.

i Blessed is he that hath part in the first resurrection, for the se­cond death shall haue no power ouer him. Reu. 10. 5.

A Prayer for Easter-day.

GLorious Sonne of righte­ousnesse who this mor­ning didst preuent the dawning of the day, by sending forth the beames of thy glorified body out of the pit [...] of darknesse and A shadow of death, shine vpon my soule by the light of thy grace. Inlighten my darke appre­hension of the misteries of [Page 223] thy resurrection: Inflame my cold affections and reuiue my heart euen deaded with pensiue thoughts vpon thy bitter passi­on. O how did the surest ground of faith shake the fastest An­ker of hope, loosen' at the earthquake at thy death? what smiting together of knees, what wringing of hands, what knocking of brests, what fain­ting of hearts, what han­ging downe of heads, were there at giuing vp of the Ghost when thy head hung downe on the Crosse? with thee the faith, with thee the hope, with thee the ioy, with thee the life of thy dea­rest Disciples expired. What should or could the prisoners of death euer expect, when they saw him, whom they thought to haue bin their redeemer, the Lord of life arrested by death, and kept close prisoner in the graue so long? O death how sharpe was then thy sting? O graue how [Page 224] fearefull was thy seeming victo­ry? But blessed bee the angell which remoued the stone, and thereby made way that the stone which the builders refused might be preferred to bee the head stone in the corner. Blessed be the right hand of thy Father, who in rai­sing thee out of the graue, raised our hope out of the dust. For where is our hope? Our hope is e­uen in thee ô Christ, and thy re­surrection. Thou art the life and the resurrection of all that belieue in thee. Death (like a Hornet) by stinging thee hath lost his sting, and now may make a buzzing noise to affright me; but can thrust out no sting to hurt mee. The graue by thy lying in it is turned to a bedde, and a with­drawing roome to retire my selfe a while, to put off this ragged flesh, and attire my selfe with robes of glory. Now I dare in­sult ouer death and hell, since thy triumph ouer them. O death [Page 225] where is thy sting? O graue where is thy victory? O my soule where is all thy comfort? If in this life, thou art most miserable; if thy life bee hid with Christ in God, then when Christ which is thy life shall appeare, thou shalt also appeare in glory. What though I mourne here? I shall be comforted. What though I fast here? I shall bee satisfied. What though I am disgraced here? I shall bee glo­rified. What though I am here trampled vnder feete? I shall there be crowned. What though my flesh be eaten with wormes, and these wormes turned into dust, and that dust blowed by the winde ouer the face of the earth? Yet after thou turnedst man to de­struction; againe thou sayest: Come againe yee children of men, I know thou my Redeemer liuest, and shall stand vp at the last day, and I shall see them in my flesh with these eyes, and no other. Lord establish this beliefe in me: beate downe all [Page 226] the forts that naturall reason rea­reth against it. Grant that I may euery day more and more feele as the power of thy birth in my regeneration, and of thy death in my mortification; so also of thy resurrection in my rising from the death of sinne to the life of Grace. Lord thou resto­redst life to three men: to one in his bed, to another on the beare, to the third in the graue. They who conceiue sinne in their hearts, are like him that was dead in his bed; they who bring it forth into action, are like him that was brought forth dead on his beare; but they that con­tinue in sinne and all impurity and putrifie in the custome thereof, are like him that was foure dayes dead and stanke in the graue. Such a one, or worse am I; for I haue layen not foure dayes, but scores of yeeres in this loathsome graue, and am euen deuoured [Page 227] of the worme of conscience. Yet Lord this day of thy glo­rious resurrection, say vnto mee as thou didst to him, Come forth, awake thou that sleepest, and stand vp from the dead, and I will giue thee light. Make this day of thy resurrection from the death of nature, the day of my rising from the death of sinne and corruption first to the life of grace, and after to the life of glo­ry Amen.

THE FEAST OF OVR LORD'S ASCENSION OR, Holy-Thurs-dayes Deuotion.

The ground of this Feast

  • In the old Testamēt
    • Prophecies.
    • Types.
  • In the new, the History of our Sa­uiours going in triumph into Heauen.

PARALELL.

Prophecie.

Thou hast ascended vp on high, thou hast ledde captiuity captiue, Psalm. 68. 18.

Historie.

And when he had spokē these things, while they beheld him hee was taken vp, Act. 1. 9.

Hee rodde vpon the Che [...]ubims, & did flye; yea he did flye vpon the wings of the wind, Psa. 18. 10.

For a Clowd tooke him out of their sight, Act. 1. 9.

Sit thou on my right hand, Psalm. 110. 1.

Hee was caried vp into heauen, and he sate on the right hand of God. Mar. 16. 19.

Type.

Eliah was taken vp with a fierie Cha­ret. 2. King. 2. 11.

Accomplishment.

While hee blessed them he was parted from them, and ca­ried vp into heauen, Luke 24. 51.

For thine instruction medi­tate vpon

  • Prophecie.
  • Types.
  • Storie.

of Christ's Ascension.

For thy comfort apply the benefit thereof to thy selfe.

For thy correction examine thy desires and affections, & check thy earthlinesse and worldlinesse.

  • Thy faith and ioy by the Psalme.
  • Thy loue and hope by the ex­hortation.
  • Thy Zeale and Deuotion by the prayer ensuing.

The Hymne for Ascension-day.

Wherein all parts of Christ his glorious re­turne in try­umph into heauen, are prophetically expressed: as

  • 1 His liftinga vp him­self from the earth.
  • 2 The cloudes recei­uingb and carrying him.
  • 3 The Angelsc mee­ting him.
  • 4 The heauensd o­pening to him.
  • 5 God the Father's enthronizing him into his euerla­sting kingdome.

GOD is gone vp with a merrie noyse; and the Lord in the sound of the Trumpe, Psal. 47. 5.

Be thou exalted Lord in thine own strength; So will we sing & prayse thy power, Psal 21. 13.

Set vp thy selfe, ô God, a­boue the heauens: and thy glo­ry aboue al the earth. Ps. 108. 5

b O sing vnto God; sing prai­ses [Page 231] vnto his Name: magnifie him that rideth vpon the hea­uens (or cloudes) by his name IAH, and reioice before him, Psal. 68. 4.

In thy Majestie ride prospe­rously because of truth, meeknes, and righteousnes; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. Psal. 45. 4.

The Chariots of God are twentie thousand, euen thou­sands of Angells: the Lord is among them as in Sinai in the holy place, Psal. 68. 17.

d Lift vp your heads, ô yee gates, and be yee lift vp yee e­uerlasting dores, and the King of glorie shall come in, Psalm. 24. 7.

Who is the King of glory? It is the Lord strong and mightie, euen the Lord mighty in battel. ver. 8.

[Page 232] Lift vp your heads, ô yee gates, and be ye lift vp ye euer­lasting dores, and the King of glorie shall come in. ver. 9.

Who is the King of glorie? Euen the Lord of Hosts; he is the King of glorie. ver. 10.

e I haue set my King vpon my holy hill of Sion, Psal. 2. 6.

Aske of mee, and I will giue thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the vtter­most parts of the earth, for thy possession. ver. 8.

The Lord shall send the rod of thy power out of Sion; bee thou Ruler in the middest a­mong thine enemies.

Thou shalt bruise them with a rodde of Iron, and dash them in pieces like a Potters vessell.

The exhortation for Ascension DAIE.

Wee ought to set our affecti­ons on things aboue;

  • 1 Because there is the source of our Soule which is of a hea­uenly and diuine na­ture.
  • 2 Because there is our Head.
  • 3 Because there is the nobler & better part of our bodie.
  • 4 Because there is our abiding Citie.
  • 5 Because there is our mansion house.
  • 6 Because there is our hope & inheritance.
  • 7 Because there are no true ioyes nor dura­ble riches but there.

GOD created man in his own Image, Gen. 1. 27. In heauen is,

God formed him of the dust of the earth,1 The source of our soules created ac­cording to God's I­mage. and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, Gen.

[Page 234] Then shall the dust returne to the earth as it was. Eccles. 12. 7.

The spirit-returneth to God that gaue it. Ibid.

We had fathers of our flesh which corrected vs; shall we not be much more in subiection to the Father of spirits, and liue. Heb. 12. 9.

Exceeding great and precious promises are giuen to vs,2 Our heads that by these wee might bee partakers of the diuine nature hauing escaped the corruption that is in the world. 2 Pet. 1. 4.

He was caried vp into heauen, and sate at the right hand of God. Mat. 16. 19.

Whom the heauens must con­taine. Acts 3. 21.

I saw the [...]eauen opened, and the Sonne of man standing at the right hand of the Father. Acts 7. 56.

I goe out of the world to the Father. Ioh. 13. 1.

[Page 235] Go to my Father. Ioh. 15. 10.

Our conuersation is in heauen from whence also we look for the Sauiour the Lord Iesus. Phil. 3. 20.

If ye be risen with Christ seek the things that are aboue where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Col. 3. 1.

Set your affections on things that are aboue, and not on things on the earth. ver. 3.

Yee are come to the generall assembly,3 The nobler parts of the Church. and Church of the first-borne which are written in hea­uen, and to the spirits of iust men-made perfect. Hebrewes 12. 23.

Now yee are no more stran­gers and forreiners,4 Our coun­try. but fellow Citizens with the Saints, and of the houshould of God. Ephesians 2. 19.

For here we haue no continu­ing Citie, but wee seeke one to come. Heb. 13. 23.

For this we groane earnestly [Page 236] desiring to bee clothed with our house, 1. Cor. 5. 2.

Arise and depart for this is no rest for you, Mic. 2. 10.

They confessed that they were strangers, and sought a Citie whose builder and maker is God, Heb. 11. 13.

I beseech you as strangers and pilgrimes abstaine from fleshly lusts. 1. Pet. 2. 11.

I am a stranger and soiournet as all my fathers were, Ps. 39. 14.

In my Fathers house there are many mansions;5 Our man­sion house. I goe to prepare a place for you, Io. 14. 2.

If our hope were in this life onely,6 Hope and inheritance we were of all men most miserable, 1. Cor.

To an inheritance incorrupti­ble, and vndefiled, and that sa­deth not away, reserued in hea­uen for you, 1. Pet. 1. 4.

Lay vp your treasure in hea­uen, &c. Mat. 6. 19.

Look not on things which are seene, but on things which are [Page 237] not seene; for the things &c. 2. Cor. 4. 18.

Vanitie of vanities, &c, Eccles. 1. 2.

Whom haue I in heauen but thee? &c. Psal. 73. 24.

The Prayer for Ascension Day.

GLorious and gratious Re­deemer, Lord Iesus Christ, who humbledst thy selfe, & didst become obedient to death, euen the death of the Crosse, and there­fore thy Father highly exalted thee aboue the graue in the resurrecti­on, aboue the earth in thy Ascen­tion, aboue the heauens in thy session at his right hand, and then he gaue thee a name aboue al names that at the name of Iaesus euery knee shall bow, both of things in heauen, and in earth, and of things vnder the earth. I humbly bow the knees not onely of my body, but of my heart and soule vnto thee. I neuer heare of thee, or remem­ber; [Page 238] neuer thinke, or speake of thee but with greatest reuerence, and loue that heart can conceiue, or tongue expresse. I admire the mystery of thine incarnation; I tremble at the horror of thy pas­sion; I adore the power of thy resurrection; and I triumph in the glory of thine Ascension. My God and my Lord make me wholly thine as thou art mine. Thy birth was my life; thy life my merit; thy death my ransome; thy resurrection my deliuery out of the prison of death (when thy father layed thee vp for my debt) thy Ascension my assurance and takingp ossessiō of an incorruptible and vndefiled inheritance reserued in the heauens. O Sauiour if thou haddest not been born, I had ne­uer been borne anew, if thou hadst not dyed for my sins I had dyed in my sins: If thou hadst not risen from the dead, my soule might haue bin with thee in Paradice, but my body should not haue rested in hope, [Page 239] neither should I haue euer seene God in my flesh: if thou hadst not ascended I might haue bin freed from hell, but I should ne­uer haue had a place prepared for mee in heauen. O Lord when thou camest to vs on earth, Iohn was thy forerunner, but thou wert my forerunner in thy returne into heauen. Iohn prepared the way before thee on earth: but thou preparedst away before me into heauen. That way & those regi­ons in the aire which Lucifer de­filed & cursed by his fall through them from heauen thou hast clen­sed and blessed by the marching tryumphantly through them in­to heauen. O blessed Creator and repairer of nature, in thee not onely all the kindreds of the earth, but all creatures vnder the cope of heauen are blessed, and there­fore they sigh and grone together with vs; desiring feruently thy second comming. The earth was blessed and sanctified by thy birth, and thy treading vpon it; [Page 240] The water, by thy descending into the riuer Iordan at thy bap­tisme, and walking on the Seas. Now the ayre, likewise, and fire expected an honour and a bles­sing from thee, and both recei­ued it: the ayre by thy ascending through it; the fire by sending downe the Holy Ghost in the like­nesse of fierie Clouen Tonguer. O Lord my Redeemer, how excellent is thy Name in all the world!

Creatures without voice praise thee, as the heauens and earth: without vnderstanding knowe thee, as the starre that lighted the Sages to thee: without will obey thee, as winds and Seas: with­out eares hearken to thee, as the figtree which thou cursedst, and it withered: without naturall af­fection bemoan thee, as the stones that claue, the vale that rent, the earth that quaked at thy pas­sion: without will voluntarily offer thee seruice, the Foale to beare thee, the Doue to manifest [Page 241] thee, the Fish to discharge thee, the Sunne to hide thine ignominy among men, and here the cloude to vaile thee from mortall eye, and transport thee into heauen. O Lord my Redeemer how excellent is thy name in al the world, who ma­kest the light thy garment, the An­gell thy messenger, the aire thy race, the cloudes thy charriot, and flyest vpon the wings of the winde into heauen? Thou art ascended vpon high, thou hast led captiuity captiue. In thy Passion thou wast Death's death, & killedst it. In thy buriall thou wast the Graue's graue and destroyedst destruction; Victoriā vi­cisti. and now in thy Ascension thou conquerdst conquest it selfe, and ledst captiuity captiue, and recei­uedst gifts for men, for the whole Church and euery Belieuer. O Lord bestow these gifts liberally vpon me, that I may grow in grace, and the knowledge and loue of thee. This day thou liftedst vp thy body from the earth; lift vp [Page 242] my heart from it. This day thou transportedst thy body to hea­uen; transport my desires thi­ther. This day thou setledst thy selfe in thy Throne at the right hand of thy Father, fixe my thoughts, and settle mine affecti­ons on thee in heauen, and on heauen for thee. Amen.

The Feast of the comming downe of the Holy-Ghost, or, Whitsun-daye's Deuotion.

The ground of this Feast

  • In the old Testament
    • Prophecies.
    • Types.
  • In the new, the
    • Promises,
    • Performance of sending the holy Spirit.

PARALELL.

Prophecie.

I will powre out of my Spi­rit vpō all flesh, and your sons & daughters shall prophe­cie, &c. Ioel 2. 28.

Historie.

These are not drunken as ye suppose, Act. 2. 15. This is that which was spoken by the Prophet, Ioel ver. 16.

And it shal come to passe in the last daies that I wil powre out my Spirit vpon all flesh, ver. 17.

Type.

He took vp the man­tell of Eliah that fell from him, and when the sons of the Pro­phets saw him, they sayd, The Spirit of E­liah doth rest on Eli­shah, 2. King. 13. 5.

Accomplishment.

And they were fil­led with the Holy-Ghost, &c. Acts 2. 4.

God sent the Spi­rit of his Sonne in­to your harts, Gal. 4. 6.

Promise.

Ye shall be baptized with the holy Ghost within these few daies. Acts 1. 5.

Performance.

They were filled with the holy Ghost, &c. Acts 2. 4.

He shall baptize you with the holy Ghost and with fire. Mat. 3. 11.

There appeared to them clouē tongs like fire and it fate vpon each of them Acts 2. 3.

These signes shall shall follow them that belieue, They shall speake with new tongues. Mar. 16. 17.

And they began to speake with o­ther tongues as the Spirit gaue them vtterance. Act. 2. 4

THE HYMNE FOR Whitsunday.

Wherein is expressed the holy Ghost's

  • a 1 Sending.
  • b 2 Comming downe.
  • 3 Workes.
    • In generall
      • c Creation.
      • d Renouation.
    • In speciall.
      • e Inhabita­tion.
      • f Inspiring Ministers.
      • Inclining the minds and wills of the people.

O Lord how manifold are thy workes? In wisedome hast thou made them all, the earth is full of thy riches. Psal. 104. 24.

So is the great and wide sea also, where­in are things creeping innun [...]erable' both small and great beasts. verse 25.

These waite all vpon thee, and thou [Page 246] giuest them their meate in due season. verse 27.

a Thou sendest forth thy Spi­rit: they are c created, and thou d renewest the face of the earth. verse 30.

Thou hast asended vp on high: thou hast led captiuity captiue, and receiued gifts for men: yea euen for the rebellious, that the Lord God might ed well among them. Psal. 68. 18.

Hee bowed the heauens and b came downe. Psalme 18. 9.

Hee rod vpon the Cherubins and did flie: hee did euen fly vpon the wings of the b winde. verse. 10.

The Lord gaue the Word: great f was the company of the Preachers or of them that published it Psal. 68. 11.

The people shall come [Page 247] g willingly in the day of thy power (or at the time of thy Assemblies) in the bewty of holinesse from the wombe of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. Psal. 110. 3.

AN EXHORTATION to obey the motions of God's holy Spirit.

THE ANALYSIS.

The mo­tiues to o­bey the mo­tions of the Spirit are

  • 1 Gods strict Commandement.
  • 2 The Saints continuall pra­ctice.
  • 3 The Spirit's excellency, who is the
    • 1 Fountaine of grace.
    • 2 Lord of life.
    • 3 Comforter of the Elect.
    • 4 Teacher of the Church.
  • 4 The benefits of obeying them.
  • 5 The danger of resisting them.

WAlke in the Spirit. Gal. 5. 16. If we liue in the Spirit,Precepts of God. let vs walke in the Spirit. verse 23.

Grieue not the holy Spirit of God, where­by [Page 249] yee are sealed to the day of redemption. Ephes. 4. 30.

Quench not the Spirit of God. 1 Thes. 5. 19.

Yee stiffnecked and vncircum­cised in heart and eares, yee doe alwaies resist the holy Ghost.

There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus, who walke not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom. 8. 1.

That the righteousnesse of the Law might be fulfilled in vs,2 Practice of Saints. who walke not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. verse 4.

Ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwell in you. verse 9.

As many as are led by the spi­rit of God are the Sonnes of God. Reasons. verse 14.

Declared to be the Sonne of God according to the Spirit of Holinesse. Holinesse. Rom. 1. 4.

The Law of the Spirit ofLife.Life in Christ Iesus hath made mee free from the Law of sinne, and of [Page 250] death. Romans 8. 2.

Yee haue not receiued the Spirit of bondage againe to feare; but the Spirit ofLiberty.Adoption where­by wee cry Abba Father. verse 15.

They despight the Spirit of Grace.Grace Heb. 10. 29.

The Spirit makethPrayer. Intercession for vs with sighs and grones that cannot be expressed. Romans 9. 29.

To one is giuen the Spirit of the Word ofWisedome Wisedome; to ano­ther the Word of Knowledge by the same Spirit, 1 Corinthians 12. 8.

All these worketh one and the same Spirit. verse 11.

The Father of Glory giue vnto vs the Spirit of Wisedome and re­uelation in the Knowledge of him. Ephes. 1. 17.

The Spirit ofGlory.Glory and of GOD resteth in vs. 1 Peter 4. 14.

When the Spirit ofTruth.Truth is [Page 251] come, hee will leade you into all Truth. Ioh. 16. 13.

Now the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 1 Corinthians 3. 17.

He that soweth to the Spirit, Benefits of obeying the Spirit. shall of the Spirit reape life euer­lasting. Gal. 6. 8.

Walke in the Spirit and yee shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Gal. 5. 16.

The fruits of the Spirit are loue, peace, ioy, &c. verse 17.

If yee be led by the Spirit yee are not vnder the Law. verse 18.

Whosoeuer speaketh against the holy Ghost, Danger of resisting. it shall not bee for­giuen him neither in this world, nor in the world to come. Mat. 12. 32.

Of how much sorer punishment shall hee bee thought worthy who hath troden vnder foot the Sonne of GOD, and hath accounted the blood [Page 252] of the couenant (wherewith hee was sanctified) an vnholy thing, and hath done despight to the Spirit of God. Hebrewes 10. 29.

A Prayer for Whit sun­day.

INcomprehēsible Spirit the third Person in the blessed and glo­rious Trinity, who after the Father had manifested himselfe to the world in the works of Crea­tion, and the Sonne in the works of Redemption, finished in the flesh: diddest manifest thy selfe on this day in a wonderfull manner by the sound of a rushing winde, and the light of fiery tongues. Mani­fest thy selfe most powerfully and gloriously in the vniuerfall Church, by enlarging her bounds, and making vp her breaches and hallowing her Assemblies, and furnishing her [Page 253] Pastors, and knitting the hearts of all her members in true loue the bond of perfection. Perfect the work of sanctification in all thine Elect; manifest thy selfe also graciously this day, and de­clare thy gifts in the tongues of the Preachers, and eares of the hearers, and the hearts of all the Congregation. Di­rect the mouthes of the Prea­chers, that they may skil­fully sowe the Seede, and open the eares, and mollify the hearts of the hearers, that they may re­ceiue it profitably, and bring forth the fruits of the Spirit abundantly, which are loue, ioy, peace, long suffe­ring, gentlenesse, goodnesse, faith, meeknesse, temperance, &c. O E­ternall and infinite holy Ghost, the loue of the Father and the Sonne, who diddest descend vpon our Sauiour in the likenesse of a Doue without gall, purge out of my conscience all gall of malice and bitternesse, and grant that with [Page 254] meeknesse I may receiue the ingraf­fed Word which is able to saue my soule. O holyest Spirit, eternall breath of the Father and the Son, and former of the Word in the wombe, who camest with a sound, come down vpon me in the sound of thy Word Preached; though not in the extraordinary gifts of Prophecy, tongues, and hea­ling, yet in the ordinary graces of faith, hope, and charity, the Spirit of supplication and Prayer, of wisedome and spirituall vnderstan­ding, of power and ghostly com­fort. O heauenly Spirit procee­ding from the Father and the Sonne, who descendedst from heauen like a mighty rushing winde, throw mee downe to the ground in humility, and prostrate my heart and soule before thee: Beate downe all strong holds of car­nall imaginations and worldly thoughts resisting thy grace. Chase away all cloudes of error out of my vnderstanding: cleare [Page 255] my will of all foggs of noysome desires; coole and refresh me in the heate of persecution, fill the sailes of my affections, and driue mee speedily into the faire hauen where I would bee. O di­uine fire burning continually in the hearts of the faithfull, and consuming all our spirituall sa­crifices, who this day diddest descend and appeare in the likenesse of fiery tongues, bee a fire in my heart and tongue, that I may be feruent in my Meditations and Prayers, and Zealous in the pro­fession and defence of thy Truth. Inlighten the darknesse of my vnderstanding, inflame the cold­nesse of my affections, purge out the drosse of my corruptions, di­rect me in all the affaires of this life, assist mee in all the exercises of Deuotion, strengthen me in al the assaults of temptation, com­fort me in all the miseries and af­flictions, seale all thy gracious promises of thy Gospell vnto [Page 256] mee, and seale mee to the day of redemption. So bee it. Amen.

Into my minde descend ô Doue
Purge gall cleane out of me,
With siluer wings raise me aboue
My Sauiour Christ to see.

PART 1. SVPPART. 4. The Christian FAST'S Deuotion.

Of FAST'S in generall.

There is a 3-old fast

  • 1 Fast from sinne.
  • 2 Fast for sinne.
  • 3 Fast against sin.

THe fast from sinne ought to bee perpetuall. The fast for sinne is extraordinarie, vpon spe­ciall occasions to auert some dreadfull iudgement, or auoide som imminent danger. The fasts against sinne ought to be more frequent, and according to the customes of the ancient Church; and the present practise of the Church of England,

They are—

  • Weekly on the Fridaies.
  • Monethly, on the Holy­day Eeues.
  • Quarterly, in the Ember weekes.
  • Yeerely in the Lent.

[Page 258] THe Doctrine of fasting hath met with errors and super­stitions on both hands: Some ascribing too much to it, and pla­cing the immediate and princi­pall worship of God in it: some ascribing too little, and making it no matter of Religion at all: Some superstitiously obseruing; and others out of a contrary su­perstition scrupulously declining the obseruation of all Fasts ap­pointed by the Church. To steere the iudgement in a middle course betweene these rocks on both sides, conceiue thus of the nature of Religious acts, the se­uerall kindes of Fasts, and the vse thereof.

[Page 259] A Religious act or work may be taken:

  • 1 In a larger sence for any work commanded by Chri­stian Religion, in vvhich sence all the duties of the second Table may be called Religious acts, or workes, as well as the first.
  • 2 In a more restrained accep­tion, for such workes and acts in which Religion pro­perly taken for the worship of God consists: And these are of two sorts:
    • 1 Principall as
      • Believing in God,
      • Praying & the like
    • 2 Accessarie seruing as helps or preparations to the princi­—pall as,
      • Watching,
      • Fasting and the like.

[Page 260] FAsting is not to be esteemed such an act of religion, as wherein principally and imme­diatly we worship God; for the Kingdome of God (as the Apo­stle reacheth) consisteth not in meates and drinkes, neither in fea­sting or fasting: and Tertullian's censure is obseruable.Qui Deum per escas co­lit propè est vt Deum ventrem ha­beat. Hee that worshippeth God by meates, or placeth worship in them, is not farre off from making his belly his god; yet it may bee truly called not only a good work, but also a religious, i. e. a worke commanded by re­ligion, and tending to religion, as a preparation and helpe there­unto.

[Page] [...] to two-

  • 1 The Spirituall or metaphoricall fast of the soule, which is the abstinence from the forbidden fruit of sin; and this Fast al­though it may truly be so termed, in regard of the restraint of our carnall appetites, which as greedily desire sinfull ob­jects, as our stomake doth meate, yet it is indeed a Feast, as Salomon calleth it, A good conscience is a continuall Feast.
  • 2 Corporall, when wee abstaine from bodily sustenance: and this is also 2 fold
    • 1 Constrained and inuoluntary, when
      • Either we want meate to our stomake, as in famine.
      • Or stomake to our meat; as in sicknesse.
    • 2 Voluntary, vndertaken deliberately, when we ab­staine from meate, though wee could and might eate: and this is 3 fold
      • 1 Medicinall, when wee forbeare either certaine meates▪ or all meate for a while, for the preuen­ting of sicknesse, or recouering health.
      • 2 Ciuill, when some kinde of meate is forborne for the profit of the Common-wealth.
      • 3 Religious, when our abstinence is for the mor­tifying of our flesh, and fitting and preparing vs to religious duties. This also is either
        • 1 Priuate, in which euery man's conscience gui­ded by Scripture and discretion must bee his law.
        • 2 Publike, for which there must be a command from lawfull authority. These publike fasts are either-
          • 1 Extraordinary, as in time of warre, plague or the like.
          • 2 Ordinary, as the holiday Eues, Embers, an [...] Lent Fasts.

Place this first and second Table of Fasting in M btween fol. 260 and 261.

Of the Lent Fast.

THe Lent Fast is a mixed constitution; partly ciuill, appointed by the King or State, to preserue young cattell, spend fish, and encourage fi­shermen: partly Ecclesiasticall ordered by the Church for reli­gious ends. As those that haue a care of their bodily health vsualy purge in the Spring: so the Church of God hath thought fit to prescribe this physick of fasting for the soule in the same season of the yeere, for these ends espe­cially,

  • 1. To beate downe the flesh at that season when (by rea­son of the heate of the blood) it vsually waxeth most wan­ton. The ancient Romans vsed to hallow a spring to God,
    Ver sacrum facere.
    and the Primitiue Church disdai­ning to bee outstripped by the heathen in any thing that [Page 262] sauored of Deuotion, likewise consecrated the spring to the more strickt Seruice of God by fasting and prayer then at other times.
  • 2. To conforme the members to the Head. In this season of the yeere our Lord's Agony and bitter Passion were en­dured, and are remembred: and therefore most fit it is that by fasting, watching, and teares, wee expresse true re­morse and sorrow for those our sinnes which were the causes of those his sufferings.

    Godfrey of Bulloigne after he had conquered the holy land, and regained it from the Sa­racens, yet would neuer bee crowned there, saying That it was not fit that the seruant should were a crowne of gold there where the Lord and Ma­ster ware a crowne of thornes. Neither would Christ's dea­rest Spowse at that time of [Page 263] the yeere crowne her selfe with rose-budds in which Christ ware that crowne of thornes: nor lye in beddes of downe when hee lay on the hard bed of his Crosse: nor fare deliciously, or drinke libe­rally when hee had nothing but gall giuen him to eate, and viniger to drinke.

  • 3 To prepare vs to the cele­bration of the Feast of Easter, and the participation of the Blessed Sacrament. VVhat time fitter to call our selues to an accompt for the whole yeere, then at, or before the time which the Church hath appointed, & is in it selfe most proper for the most gene­rall and solemne communion of the Lords Bodie and Bloud.
  • 4 To celebrate, and (as farre as wee are able (to imitate our Lord's fast of fortie dayes, at least by some kind of absti­nence during that whole time [Page 264] to imprint that miraculous fast of our Sauiour for vs dee­per in our memories.
Question.

Doth the Church of England keepe the Lent fast as religious, or a meere ciuill constitution?

Answere.

Not as a meere ciuill, but also a religious sanction: for (as it appeareth in the booke of Com­mon Prayer) speciall Collects, Epistles, and Gospells, with a Commination are appointed for diuers dayes in Lent.

Obiection.
Is it not Popery to keepe strictly the Lent fast as a religious in­stitution.

An. It is not: for First, The re­ligious obseruation of Lent is far more ancient then popery. There are such euident prints and foot­steps [Page 265] of it in the Authenticall Re­cords of the Primitiue Church, that he is altogether ignorant in the writings of the Fathers, or blinde that seeth them not.

Secondly, we keepe not Lent as the Papists doe, but as the an­tient Christians did before Po­pery was hatched. As in other things: so in this we purge away the drosse▪ wee retaine the gold; wee remoue the abuse; wee preserue the vse. 1. Wee place not Religion, or the sub­stance of Gods worship in ab­staining from any kinde of meate. 2. We renounce all merit by fa­sting. 3. Wee abstaine not from flesh as being any way conceiued by vs to bee more vnholy then fish. 4. We doe not equalize hu­mane constitutions Ecclesiastical or Ciuill to Diuine Lawes. The one we teach directly and imme­diately to binde the conscience, the other but indirectly & i [...]me­diately. 5. We keepe it not by [Page] vertue of any papal constitution, but in con­formity to the ancient Church, and obedi­ence to his Maiesties Ecclesiasticall Lawes.

THE LENT'S DEVOTION beginning on Ashwednesday. (⁂)

The ground (or at least the oc­casion, of this Fast.

  • In the Old Testament; TYPES.
  • In the New, an example in our LORD'S Fast.
The Type.

Moses was with the LORD fortie dayes, and fortie nights; he did nei­ther eate bread, nor drinke water. Exod. 34. 28.

Hee went in the strength of that meate fortie dayes and fortie nights, till hee came to Horeb the Mount of God, 1. Kings 19. 8.

Example.

Then Iesus, &c. Mat. 4. 1.

And when he had fa­sted fortie dayes and fortie nights, after­ward he was an hun­gry, ver. 2.

Being 40 daies temp­ted of the diuell, and in those daies he did eat nothing, Luke 4. 2.

And the diuell tooke him vp into an high mountaine, ver. 5.

[Page 267] IVdicious Caluin, Obiect. Videlius, & other excellent learned Do­ctors of the reformed church teach, that this Fast of Christ was miraculous, & so no patterne for our imitation: and they put Saint Chrisostome vpon it also, whose words are:Hom. 49. in Mat. Christ said, Learne of mee, not that I fast, al­though hee could haue sayd so, for he fasted forty dayes; yet he saith not that, but Learne of mee that I am meeke and lowly in heart.

The solution is not difficult,Answ. for Christ's Fast may be conside­red two waies,

First,1 as a miraculous demon­stration of his Diuinity, or an e­uidence that hee was the true Messias, because hee accompli­shed the Types foregoing in Moses and Eliah; and in this re­gard it is to bee admired of vs, but no way to be imitated: And in this sence,Videl exer­citat, in Ig­nat. Caluin & Videlius's words may [...]passe, and Saint Chri­sostome [Page 268] must bee taken, vnlesse thy will haue him contradict himselfe.

Secondly, as a morall remedy against tentation, or rather a spi­rituall Armour which Christ tooke vpon him when he was to buckle with the Diuell: and thus wee may and ought to imi­tate Christ's Fast in the kinde,Pro modulo nostro. though not in the degree. As we cannot fast as Christ fasted, so neither can we pray as Christ prayed, whole nights and with strong cries, and a bloody sweat: yet no Christians euer doubted but that we may and must follow Christ in all religious exercises, though not with euen paces, yet as wee are able. And because they appeale to S. Chrysostome, let him be the Vmpire. Hom. 1. in gen. [...]. Our Lord Ie­sus Christ whē he entred into the lists with Sathan, fasted forty days, giuing vs an example how wee ought to arme our selues against the Diuel. Certainely if the Lear­ned [Page 269] Bishops, (afterwards Mar­tyrs) that penned our Booke of Common Prayers had thought Christ's Fast of forty dayes no way to belong to our Fast, they would neuer haue appointed the Story of Christ's Fast for the Gospell, the first Sunday in Lent, nor touched vpon it in the Collects.

For thine instruction meditate on Christ's Fast.

For thy comfort apply the bene­fit of it to thy soule.

For thy correction condemne thy luxury, and consider what great cause thou hast to humble thy soule with fasting.

Quicken

  • Thy repentance by the Psalme.
  • Thy fasting by the ex­hortation.
  • Thy Deuotion by the prayer ensuing.

The Psalme for Ash-wed­nesday.

PVt mee not to rebuke ô Lord in thine anger, nei­ther chasten mee in thy heauy displeasure. Psal 38. 1.

For thine arrowes stick fast in mee: and thy hand presseth me sore. verse 2.

There is no life in my flesh because of thy displeasure; nei­ther any rest in my bones by reason of my sinne. verse 3.

For my wickednesses are gone ouer my head: they are like a sore burden too heauy for me to beare. verse 4.

Lord thou knowest all my desires: and my groaning is not hid from thee. verse 9.

Heare my Prayer, ô Lord, & consider my desire: ô hearken [Page 271] vnto mee for thy Truth and righteousnesse sake. Psal. 43. 1.

And enter not into iudge­ment with thy seruant, for in thy sight shall no man liuing be iustified. verse 2.

My spirit is vexed within me; and my heart within me is desolate. verse. 4.

I stretch forth my hands vn­to thee: my soule gaspeth vnto thee as a thirsty land. verse 6.

Lord be mercifull vnto me: heale my soule for I haue sin­ned against thee. Psal. 41. 9.

O remember not the sinnes and offences of my youth; but according to thy mercy thinke vpon me, ô Lord, for thy good­nesse. Psal. 21. 6.

I haue eaten ashes as it were bread, and mingled my drinke with weeping. Psal. 102. 9.

[Page 272] And that because of thine indignation and wrath, for thou hast taken me vp and cast me downe. verse 10.

My dayes are gone like a shadow, and I am withered like grasse. verse 11.

When thou with rebuke doest chasten man for sinne, thou makest his beauty to consume away like as it were a moth fretting a garment: euery man therefore is but vanity. Psal. 39 12.

What man is he that liueth & shall not see death, and shal de­liuer his soule from the hand of the graue? Psal. 89. 47.

When the breath of man go­eth forth he shall turne againe to his earth, and then all his thoughts perish. Psal. 146. 3.

What profit is there in my blood when I goe downe to the pit? Psal. 30. 9.

[Page 273] Shall the dust giue thanks to thee? Or shall it declare thy Truth? verse 10.

Heare Lord and haue mercy vpon me: Lord be thou my help. verse 11.

Here my Prayer, ô Lord, and let thine eares consider my col­ling; hold not thy peace at, my teares. Psal. 39. 13.

For I am a stranger vpon earth and a soiourner as all my Fathers were. verse 14.

O spare me a little that I may recouer my strength before I go hence, and bee no more seene. verse 15.

AN ADMONITION FOR ASH-WEDNESDAY OR, Exhortation to Fasting.

THE ANALSYS.

A deuout Christian ought to Fast be­cause

  • 1 God commandeth it.
  • 2 Christ commen­deth it by
    • Precept.
    • Example.
  • 3 The Saints practised it
    • Vnder the Law.
    • Vnder the Gospell.
  • 4 It expelleth the Diuell.
  • 5 It quickens Prayer.
  • 6 It humbleth the Spirit.
  • 7 It tameth the flesh.
  • 8 It auerteth God's Iudge­ments.
  • 9 It obtaineth blessings
    • Temporall.
    • Spirituall.

THE TEXTS.

BLow the Trumpet in Zion,1 Precepts for Fasting. sanctifie a Fast, call a solemne Assemblie. Ioh. 2. 16.

Is this the Fast which the Lord requireth. &c. Isa. 58. 5.

The Bridegroome shall be ta­ken away, and then they shall Fast. Mat. 9. 15.

When yee Fast, bee not as the hypocrites, &c. Mat. 6. 16.

Giue your selues to Fasting. 1 Cor. 7. 5.

And when he had fasted forty dayes and forty nights afterward he was an hungry.2 Examples of it. Mat. 5. 2.

Moses fasted. Exod. 34 28.

Fliah Fasted. 1 King. 19. 8.

I ate no pleasant bread, nei­ther came flesh nor wine in my mouth. Dan. 10. 3.

Hanna serued God with Fasting and Prayer. Luk. 2. 37.

About this howre I Fasted. Acts 10. 30.

[Page 276] As they Ministred to the Lord and Fasted. Acts 13. 2.

Then Fasted they and Prayed. verse 3.

In Fasting often. 2 Cor. 11. 27.

And Prayed and Fasted. Acts 14. 23.

This kinde (of Diuell) goeth not out but by Fasting and Pray­er.It expelleth Diuels. Mat. 17. 21.

I humbled my soule with Fa­sting.Benefits. Psal. 35. 13.

I beate downe my body.It tameth the flesh. 1 Cor. 9. 27.

And hee proclaimed through Nineueh, Let neither man nor beast, taste any thing, neither feede, nor drinke water. Ionah 3. 7.

And God saw their workes,It auerteth Iudgements and God repented him of the e­uill which hee said he would doe vnto them, and hee did it not. verse 10.

Go and assemble all the Iewes that are found in Shushan, It obtaineth temporall blessings and [Page 277] Fast ye for me, and eate not, nor drinke in three dayes: I also and my Maides will Fast likewise, Ester 4. 16.

And the Posts went forth with speede to exe cute the Kings de­crees. Ester 8. 14.

Mordecay went out in a crowne of gold, and to the Iewes was come Ioy and gladnesse. verse 15.

I Fasted.and spiri­tuall. Acts 10. 30.

Peter sayd, Of a trueth I see, &c. ver. 34.

The holy Ghost fell on them. verse 4. 4.

A Prayer for Ash-wednesday.

O Let not my Lord be angry that I who am but dust and ashes dare speake vnto him: for my sinnes cry for venge­ance, and shall I be silent for par­don? Gracious God either silence them, or heare mee. If thou wilt not heare the voice of my words, heare the voice of my teares: if thou wilt not heare them, heare the voice of thy sons blood which speaketh better things then the blood of Abel. I confesse I haue sorely displeased thee, but it troubleth me that I haue so in­censed thee. I haue grieued thy spi­rit, but it grieueth mee that I should bee so gracelesse as to grieue that Spirit of grace, which sealeth thy chosen to saluation. I deserue that thou shouldest euen abhorre me for my sinnes; but I ab [...]orre my selfe for them in dust and ashes. I haue offended thee in gluttony, but I now fast for it: [Page 279] in pride, but I humble my selfe; in laughter and sports, but I weepe for it: in sinfull ioyes, but I mourne for it: I haue wal­lowed in filthy pleasures, but I [...]wallow for it in dust and ashes: haue broken all thy commande­ments, but I haue broken my heart in true contrition for it. Thou didst not breake a bruised reede, wilt thou grind to pow­der a broken heart? What profit is in my blood O Lord, when I go down into the pit? Nay, what profit is in thy blood O blessed Redeemer if they for whom it was shed god downe into the pit of destruction? Shall the dust giue thankes vnto thee O Lord, or the ashes and cin­ders of hell praise the God of hea­uen? H [...]are O Lord, and haue mercie vpon me, thou that healest those that are broken in heart, and giuest medicine to cure their sick­nesse; raise vp my prostrate and deiected soule. Why didst thou hunger O Lord, but to satisfie [Page 280] for my gluttony? Why didst thou thirst, but to satisfie for my drun­kennesse? Why didst thou weepe, but to satisfie for my sinfull ioyes? Why didst thou endure vn­speakeable torments, but to sa­tisfie for my Iewd pleasures? Why didst thou dye an ignominious death, but to satisfie for my shamefull life? Why didst thou shed thy blood, but to satisfie for my crimson sinnes? Adam our first Parent did eat the forbidden fruit, and all our teeth are set on edge, but thy fasting forty dayes hath fully satisfied for his eating. But I renue my sinnes dayly, and thou renewest thy mercies, The guilt of my sinne is great, but the price of thy blood is greater. I haue offen­ded an infinite Maiestie, but sa­tisfaction hath beene made by an infinite Maiestie. My wickednes cannot exceede thy goodnesse: for my power of sinning is fi­nite, but thy facultie of pardo­ning is infinite. Wherefore sith [Page 281] my sins (bee they neuer so many, neuer so weighty) fall within the measure of thy mercy, and com­passe of thy goodnesse. And sith it is all one with thee to giue what I aske, and to ineite mee to aske, to heale my wounds, and to make mee feele the smart of them: Lord who hast giuen mee the one, deny mee not the other: Rebuke the surges of temptati­ons, and quiet my soule. Thou who in the dayes of thy flesh of­feredst vp prayers with strong cryes, heare the strong lowd cryes of a penitent sinner. Thou who too­kest vpon thee our infirmities, take pitie vpon them: thou wert in thine agony stricken with hor­ror, and vnutterable griefe, allay the troubles of my affrighted conscience. Thou who fastedst forty dayes, accept of my humilia­tion these forty dayes; and graunt that my stomacke may not onely fast from accustomed meates but all my sences from their vsual de­lights, [Page 282] and most of all, my heart from worldly comforts and contentments. Let no fight delight mee, till I see my sinnes remoued like a mist and thy countenance shine vpon mee. Let no sound or voice delight mee, till I heare thee by thy Spirit to speake peace to my conscience, and say to my soule, I am thy saluation. Let no pleasant fields and gardens delight me, til I haue gathered red flowers out of that garden which was wate­red with thy blood. Let no fruit delight me till I haue fully tasted the fruit of the tree of thy Crosse. Let no meate delight me, till with the sower herbes of sorrow and anguish of heart for my sinne. I haue eaten the Christian Passeouer, the flesh of thee, that immaculate Lambe, slaine from the beginning of the world. Heare me blessed Redeemer, and as thou wroughtest in dust when thou tookest the woman in adultery: [Page 283] So I beseech thee write my sins in dust, and bury them all in the ashes of obliui­on. So be it.

Amen.

GOOD FRIDAY'S DEVOTION. OR, The Christian Fast on the Passion of our Lord.

The ground of this Fast:

  • In the Old Testament
    • Prophecies.
    • Types
      • geuerall,
      • speciall.
  • In the new,
    • Historie,
    • Sacrament of Christ's death: of which before in the preparatiō

PARALELL.

Prophecie.

Thou shalt bruise his heel, &c. Gen. 3. 15.

He was cut out of the land of the li­uing, Isa. 53. 8.

He shal make his soule an offering for sinne. ver. 10. And after three­score and two weekes, M [...]ssiah shall bee slaine. Dan. 9. 26.

They shall looke vpon him whom they haue pear­ced. Zac. 12. 10.

Historie.

This is your houre & the Power of darknesse. Luk. 22. 53.

Then Iesus cried with a loud voice, and yeel­ded vp the Ghost. Mat. 27. 50.

Him haue yee crucifi­ed & slaine. Acts. 2. 22. Christ dyed for our sins. 1 Cor. 15. 3.

He offered himselfe by the eternal Spirit. Heb. 9. 14.

One of the Souldiers with a Speare peirced his side. Iohn 19. 34.

Type.

Besides all sacri­fices of the old Law which foreshewed Christs death, there are 2. speciall types.

1 Abraham builded an Altar, and bound Isaak his son, Gen. 22. 9.

And stretched out his hand, and tooke the knife to kill his sonne, ver. 10.

Accomplishment.

So God loued the world, that he gaue his onely begotten. Io. 3. 16.

He became obedi­ent to death, euen the death of the crosse, Phil. 2. 8.

So Moses made a Serpent of brasse, & set it vp for a signe: and when a Serpent had bitten a man, then he looked to the Serpent of brasse, and liued. Numb. 21. 9.

They crucified him.

Luk. 23. 33.

Iesus whō ye haue crucified. Act. 2. 36.

Hee was crucified concerning his in­firmity. 2. Cor. 13. 4 I, if I were lift vp from the earth wil draw all men to me. Io. 12. 32.

This he spake, sig­nifying what death he should die. v. 33.

IOH. 14.‘As Moses lift vp the Serpent in the wildernesse: so must the Sonne of Man be lift vp.’

For thine instruction medi­tate vpon

  • Prophecie.
  • Tipes.
  • Storie.

of Christ's Passion.

For thy comfort apply to thy self the benefits of his death.

For thy correction remember and bewaile thy sinnes, for which Christ suffered and dyed.

Quicken thy

  • Faith by the Psalme.
  • Obedience and patience by the admonition.
  • Zeale and Deuotion by the Prayer ensuing.

THE ADMONITION for good-friday.

THE ANALYSIS.

We must suffer af­flictions because

  • 1.a By them we are made conformable to our Head Christ Iesus.
  • 2.b They are the Chastisements of our hea­uenly Father.
  • 3.c They proceede from loue.
  • 4.d They are moderated and mitigated by his mercy.
  • 5.e They are sweetened, with many com­forts.
  • 6.f They are the common lot of all Gods dearest children.
  • 7.g They are medicinable to the soule.
  • 8.h They bring vs to a sence of our sins, and remorse for them.
  • 9.i They quicken our Zeale and Deuotion.
  • 10.k They tryour saith, hope, and loue.
  • 11.l They are meanes to weane vs from the loue of this world.
  • 12.m They preserue and free vs from e­uerlasting torments.
  • 13.n If we patiently endure them, our re­ward shall be plentifull in heauen.
  • 14 o They teach vs to compassionate our brethren, and comfort them in their ad­versities.

THE TEXTS.

a IT became him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, seeing that he brought many children vnto glory, to consecrate their Prince of their saluation by efflictions. Heb. 2. 10.

For in that he suffered and was tempted, hee is able to succour them that are tempted. verse 18.

Christ suffered for vs. leauing vs an example that we should fol­low his steps. 1 Pet. 2 21.

Whom he knew before to be made like to the Image of his Son. Rom. 8. 29.

b The Lord hath chastened and corrected me. Psal. 118. 18.

O Lord rebuke me not in thine anger, nor chasten me in thy dis­pleasure. Psal. 6. 1.

When thou with rebukes doest chasten man for sin, &c. Psal. 39. 12.

c My sonne despise not the [Page 289] the chastening of the Lord, nei­ther faint when thou art rebuked of him. Prou. 3. 11.

Whom the Lord loueth hee chasteneth, and scourgeth euery son that he receiueth. Heb. 12. 6.

As many as I loue I rebuke and chasten. Reu. 3. 19.

d The Lord hath seuerely corrected me, but he hath not gi­uen mee ouer vnto death. Psal. 118. 18.

Great are the troubles of the Righteous, but the Lord deliuer him out of all. Psal. 34. 18.

From them all the Lord deli­uered me. 2. Tim. 3. 11.

God is faithfull, who will not suffer you to be tempted aboue that you are able, but will euen giue the issue to the tentation, that ye may bee able to heare it. 1 Cor. 10. 13.

Blessed be God the Father of mercy, and God of all comfort. 2. Cor. 1. 3.

Who comforteth vs in all our [Page 290] tribulations, that wee may bee able to comfort them that are in any affliction. ver. 4.

e For as the sufferings of Christ abound in vs: so our consolation aboundeth through Christ. v. 5.

f What son is he whom the father chastneth not? Heb. 12. 7.

If therefore yee bee without correction, whereof all are parta­kers, then are ye bastards and not sons. ver. 8.

In the world yee shall haue af­flictions. Iohn. 16. 33.

Which of the Prophets haue not your fathers persecuted? Act. 7. 52.

All that will liue godly in Christ Iesus, shall suffer persecu­tions. 2 Tim. 3. 12.

g It is good for me that I haue beene in trouble, that I might learne thy Statutes. Psal. 119.

No chastisement for the present seemeth ioyous but grieuous; but afterward it bringeth the quiet fruit of righteousnesse to [Page 291] them which are thereby exerci­sed, Heb. 12. 11.

Hee chastneth for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holinesse. ver. 10.

We know that all things work for the best to them that loue God. Rom. 8. 28.

Count it exceeding ioy when ye fall into diuers temptations. Iam. 1. 2.

Before I was troubled I went wrong: but now haue I kept thy Word. Psal. 119. 67.

It is good for me that I haue beene in trouble, that I might learne thy Statutes. ver. 71.

h And they said, Wee haue verily sinned against our bro­ther, because we saw the anguish of his soule when he besought vs, and wee wonld not heare him, therefore is this trouble come vpon vs. Gen. 42. 21.

All that is come vpon vs for our euill deeds, and our great trans­goessions. Ez. 9. 13.

[Page 292] Ierusalem hath greatly sinned, therfore she is in derision. La. 1. 8.

The Lord is righteous, for I haue rebelled against him. v. 18.

There is no rest in my bones by reason of my sinne. Psal. 38. 3.

My wickednesses are gone ouer my head, & are like a sore burden too heauy for me to beare. ver. 4.

i In their afflictions they will seeke me diligently.

Then hee came to himselfe, &c. Luk. 15. 17.

Euery night wash I my bed, &c. Psal. 6. 6.

Behold how I mourne in my Prayer, and am vexed.

When hee was tryed hee was found faithfull. Heb. 11. 17.

Others were tryed by scour­gings, &c. ver. 36.

k Knowing that the tryall of your faith, bringeth forth patience Iam. 1. 3.

That the triall of your faith being much more precious then fine gold that perisheth, might bee found to your glory. 1 Pet. 1. 7.

[Page 293] Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I will deliuer thee from the houre of tentation which shall come to all the world, to try them that dwell on the earth. Rom. 3. 10.

Woe is mee that I am constrai­ned to dwell with Mesech, &c. Psal. 120. 4.

O that I had wings like a Doue, &c. Psal. 55. 6.

Let me dye, for I am no better then my fathers. Ionah 4. 3.

m For when wee are iudged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we bee not condemned with the world. 1 Cor. 11. 31.

n If wee suffer with him, wee shall bee also glorified with him. Rom. 8. 17.

For I account the momentary afflictions are not worthy the glory that shall be shewed to vs. ver. 18.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, causeth vn­to vs a farre more excellent and [Page 294] an eternall weight of glory. 2. Cor. 4. 17.

He suffered and was tempted, that he might succour them that are tempted. Heb. 2. 18.

God comforteth vs in all our tribulations, that we might be able to comfort them which are in any affliction, by the comfort where­with our selues are comforted of God. 2 Cor. 1. 4.

The Hymne for Good-Friday:

Wherein is expressed the manner of Christs sufferings, death, and buriall, with the re­markable circumstances thereof.

In particular:

  • 1 The Ante­cedents.
    • 1 CHRISTS Agony.
    • 2 Herods, Pilats, and the Rulers of the Iewes conspiracy against him.
    • 3 Iudas betraying him.
    • 4 The Disciples forsaking him.
    • 5 The Iewes false accusing him.
    • 6 His silence before the Iudge.
    • 7 The Souldiers blaspheming and deri­ding him.
  • 2 The Passion it selfe.
    • 1 The enduring his Fathers wrath.
    • 2 The racking his ioints.
    • 3 The piercing his flesh.
    • 4 His thirst, and the drinke giuen him.
    • 5 His last cry vpon the Crosse.
    • 6 His giuing vp his spirit, the piercing his side, and not breaking a bone. Psal. 34. 20.
  • 3 The con­sequents.
    • 1 The gushing of water out of his heart.
    • 2 The casting Lots vpon his Vesture.
    • 3 His buriall, and lying no small time in the graue.

THE TEXTS.

O Lord God of my salua­tion,1 The an­tecedents wherein, 1 Christs Agony. I haue cryed day and night before thee. Psal. 88. 1.

Mine eye mourneth by reason of afflliction: I haue called dayly vpon thee, I haue stretched out my hands vnto thee, ver. 9.

For my soule is full of trouble, and my life draweth nigh vnto the graue. Psal. 88. 2.

My heart is smitten and withe­red like grasse, Psal. 102. 4.

By reason of the voice of my groning my bones cleaue to my skin. ver. 5.

The sorrowes of death com­passed me, and the paines of hell gat hold vpon me: I found trou­ble and sorrow, 2 Herod's, Pil [...]ts, and the Rulers of the Iewes conspiracy against him. Psal. 116. 3.

The Kings of the earth set them­selues, and the Rulers take coun­cell together against the Lord▪ and against his Christ. Psal. 2. 2.

[Page 297] Mine enemies whisper toge­ther against mee, against me doe they deuise hurt. Psal. 41. 7.

l Yea,3 Iudas betraying him. mine own familiar friends in whom I trusted, which did eate of my bread hath lift vp his heele against me. ver. 9.

I am like a Pelican in the Wil­dernesse, and an Owle in the De­sart. Psal. 102. 6.

I watch and am alone, as a Spar­row on the house top. ver. 7.

My louers and my friends stand aloofe from my stroke,4 The Disciples forsa­king him. and my Kinsmen stand a farre off. Psal. 38. 11.

Mine enemies reproch mee all the day long, 5 The Iewes false accu­sing him. and they that are mad vpon mee are sworne against me, Psal. 102. 8.

But I as a deafe man heard not, 6 His mecks silence. and as a dumbe man that openeth not his mouth. Psal. 39. 13.

I am as a worme and no man, 7 The Soul­diers and people blas­pheming & deriding him. a reproch to men, and despised of the people. Psal. 22. 6.

All they that see me laugh mee [Page 298] to scorne, they shout out their lips, and shake their heads, say­ing. ver. 7.

He trusted in the Lord that he would deliuer him: let him de­liuer him, seeing he delighted in him, Psal. 22. 8.

Many Oxen came about me: strong Bulls of Basan haue be­set me round. ver. 12.

They gaped vpon mee with their mouthes,2 The Pa­ssion it self, wherein 1 The en­during Gods wrath. as it were a ram­ping and roaring Lyon. ver. 13.

Thy wrath lyeth hard vpon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waues. Psal. 88. 7.

I am powred out like water, all my bones are out of ioynt.2 The rack­ing of his ioints. Psal. 22. 14.

They pierced my hands and my feet.3 The pier­cing his flesh. Psal. 22. 16.

My strength is dryed vp like a Pot-sheard, and my tongue cle­ueth to my gums. 4 His thirst. ver. 15.

Reproch hath broken my heart, and I am full of heauinesse: I loo­ked for some to haue pitty on [Page 299] me, but there was none: for com­forters, but I found none. Psal. 69. 20.

They gaue me gall to eat;His drinke. and in my thirst they gaue me vineger to drinke. ver. 21.

My God,5 His last cry. my God, Why hast thou forsaken me! Psal. 22. 1.

Into thy hands I commend my spirit,6 His gi­u [...]ng vp the ghost. Psal. 31. 5.

Thou keepest all my bones, so that not one of them is broken. Psal.3 The con­sequents. 34. 20.

My heart is like wax:1 Water gushing out of his strength. it is mel­ted in the middest of my bowels. Psal. 22. 14.

They part my garments among them,2 Casting Lots. and on my vesture doe they cast lots. Psal. 22. 18.

Thou hast layed me in the low­est pit; 3 His buriall. in a place of darknesse, and in the deepe. Psal. 88. 5.

Free among the dead, like to them that bee wounded, and lye in the graue, which be out of remembrance, and are cut away from thine hand.

The close out of Ieremiah.

IS it nothing to you, all yee that passe by? Behold and see, if there be any sorrow like vnto my sor­row which is done vnto mee, where­with the Lord hath afflicted mee in the day of his wrath, Lam. 1. 12.

A Prayer for Good-friday.

DEarest Redeemer, the Mediatour of Heauen and Earth, who this day werest placed on the Crosse be­tweene them both, with thine armes stretched abroad to em­brace, and thy head bowed downe, as it were, to kisse all that come vnto thee; I humbly prostrate my selfe at thy feet, desiring in vnfained repentance, with my teares to wash those thy wounds that bled for my sinne; and in a liuely faith to touch the print of thy nailes, and thrust my finger into [Page 301] the hole of thy side, thereby to take reall and corporall possessi­on of thee, that I may with Tho­mas truely call thee, My Lord, and my God; my dread, and my loue; my surety, and my ran­some; my Sacrifice, and my Priest; my Aduocate, and my Iudge; my desire, and my contentment; the life of my hope here, and hope of my life hereafter. Before, I was thine (for thy hands haue made me and fashioned me:) but now sith thou hast offered thy selfe to be my pledge, and thy bloud for my ransome, thou art truly mine, My Lord and my God. O let the Speare which ranne thee thorow, fasten my heart to thy Crosse: Let the nailes which printed thy flesh, imprint thy loue in my soule: let the thornes which pricked thy temples not suffer the temples of mine head to take any rest in sinne: let the vineger which was giuen thee, melt my adamantine heart into sorrow: let the Spunge [Page 302] which was offered thee on the Crosse, wipe out all my debts out of thy Fathers Tables. Let others goe on forward if they please; I will stay still at the Crosse, and take no other Lesson. for I de­sire no other Pulpit then that tree; no other Preacher then thy crucified body; no other Text then thy death and passion; no o­ther parts then thy wounds; no other amplification then thy ex­tension; no other notes then thy markes; no other points then thy nailes; no other booke then thy opened side. The first Adam did eat the fruit of the forbidden tree; therefore thou, the second Adam hangedst vpon a Tree. By his fall all mankinde were so sorely wounded, that the whole head was sicke, and the whole heart faint; from the crowne of the head to the sole of the foot, there was nothing but wounds, and bruses, and sores, full of corruption: therefore thy whole head was pained, thy whole [Page 303] heart wounded: from the sole of thy foot, which was gored with nailes to the crowne of the head, which was pricked with thornes there was nothing but cuts, and stripes, and markes, and skars, and sores, and wounds in thy whole body. Because our heads plotted and deuised wickednesse, on thy head was platted a Crowne of thornes. Because our eyes burned with lust, thy eyes were bedew­ed with teares. Because we bel­ched out blasphemies against God, thy face was spit vpon. Because our bodies haue beene stretched want only vpon our soft beds, thy body was stretched vpon the hard Crosse. O Lord, our eares haue offended thee by listening to want on Musicke, prophane spee­ches and songs, therefore thou suffredst in thine eare by hearing scoffes and blasphemous taunts. Wee haue offended God in our smell by luxurious perfumes, and sweete odours, therefore thou [Page 304] sufferedst in thy smell by the stench of Golgotha. Our taste had offended in gluttony and drun­kennesse, therefore thou sufferedst in thy taste by gall and vineger. Because our feet were swift to shed bloud, thy feet were nailed to the crosse. Because our hands were defiled, thy hands were ba­thed in bloud. Because all parts of our bodies offended, thou wast punished in all parts; in thy temples with thornes, on thy cheekes with buffets, in thy ioints with straines, in thy flesh with stripes. Lastly, because our hearts most grieuously offended in vn­chaste, malicious, couetous, am­bitious thoughts, desires, and af­fections, and piercing our selues with worldly cares; therefore thou wast most grieuously puni­shed in thy heart which was run thorow with the Speare. If all the sufferings of Martyrs since the worlds beginning were put in one skale, and thine in the [Page 305] other, thy Passion would beare them all down, for thou barest the full weight of thy Father's hea­uiest hand. Neuer were there suf­ferings like thy sufferings, because neuer such a Sufferer, the tor­ments being infinitely improued by the Bearer. Neuer sweat like thy sweat, because neuer any had a burthen like to thine. Neuer teares like thy teares, because shed for them who thirsted for thy bloud. Neuer torments like thy torments, because neuer flesh so pure and tender as thy flesh. Ne­uer horrour like to thy horrour, being forsaken of thy Father, be­cause neuer loue like to thy loue of him. Neuer sorrow like to thy sorrow, because neuer sense and apprehension like to thy sense and apprehension of the infinite dis­pleasure of God, for the sinnes of mankinde. O my most bounti­full Redeemer, who bestowedst largely, and wast bestowed liberal­ly for me, it concerneth mee to [Page 306] know how much I stood thee in. For how should I estimate thy loue, if I cannot cast the totall of the Debt thou did­dest discharge for mee? But no heart can conceiue what sorrow thou conceiuedst: no tongue can expresse what griefe thou diddest expresse by thy bloudy teares, and those thy strong cries when thou complainedst that thy soule was heauy vnto death, & prayedst thy Father (if it were possible) to let this [...] passe from thee. I am appaled at thine agony, I am asto­nished or thy feare, I am amazed at thy patience, I am rauished at thy loue. My heart riseth, my veines swell, my bloud boiles within me against thy Persecu­ters. If it were in my power, I would put them all to millions of torments; I would inflict a thousand deaths vpon Iudas that betrayed thee, and Pilat that con­demned thee, and the enuious Scribes and Pharisees that layed [Page 307] snares for thee, and the periured witnesses that gaue false euidence against thee, and that execrable rout that preferred a murtherer before thee, and the barbarous Souldiers that spit vpon thee and buffeted thee, and the bloudy ex­ecutioners of the Iewish malice and Romane cruelty that hanged, and nayled, and goared thee. But when I diue deepe into thy blou­dy passion, I finde my selfe as deepe in the guilt of thy bloud-shedding as they. They were in that but accessaries, but I by my sinnes was a principall in the death of the Lord of Life. My sinnes by their tongues and hands did all this villany & out­rage vpon thee. Their nailes and speares pierced but the flesh, but my sinnes pierced thy very soule. My sinnes, my sinnes, O Lord by their hands crucified thee; where­fore I condemne mine eyes to continuall teares, my heart to per­petuall sighs, and my thoughts to [Page 308] euerlasting pensiuenesse. What shall I doe to wash away the guilt of thy bloud which alone can take away the guilt of my sinnes? Verily I should bee vt­terly swallowed vp in this gulfe, but that the price of thy bloud hath satisfied (as for all other sins: so) for the guilt of spilling it selfe. And now my anger, and feare, and trouble, & anguish are all tur­ned into ioy, and comfort, and loue, & admiration of the infinite wis­dome of thy Father in prouiding such a remedy, and his iustice in requiring such a satisfaction; but most of all thy infinite loue, ma­king so full payment of the infi­nite debt of my sinnes. What can I do, what can I suffer enough for thee? Gracious God to all the rest of thy blessings spirituall & tem­porall conferred vpō me, purcha­sed by thy sufferings, adde this one aboue the rest, the special gift of the remembrance of these thy sufferings, that wheresoeuer I [Page 309] am, whatsoeuer I doe, I may haue thy passion in my heart and thy wounds bleeding afresh in my mind, with an infinite hatred of sinne that procured them, and loue of thy goodnesse who indu­redst them for me. Thy Church, since thou leftest her is a widdow, and I am as one of her dead chil­dren, not (as the Samaritan was) halfe dead, but whole dead in my sinnes and transgressions. Thou Lord art the true Elias, who rai­sedst and doest raise from death this Widdowes children to life, by stretching thy body ouer them. O my gracious Lord, apply thy Body stretched this day on the Crosse to me. Lay thy head to my head, thy hands to my hands, thy feet to my feet, and thy heart to my heart, that I may receiue warmth from thy bloud, and ease from thy stripes, and health from thy wounds, and spirit from thy breath, and strength from thy grace to stand vp from the dead, [Page 310] and walke with thee from hence forth in newnesse of life. So bee it, Amen.

The weeke dayes Deuotions.

THe first day being the Chri­stian Sabbath preceded the Festiualls, whither I referre thee. The others here follow in their order.

Munday's Deuotion, being the second day from the Creation.

The Father worketh. The worke of Creation on this day.
AGaine God said, Let there be a Firmament in the mid­dest of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the wa­ters Gen. 1. 3. Then God made the Firmament, and separated the waters that were vnder the [Page 311] Firmament from the waters that were aboue the Firmament, and it was so; and God called the Firmament Heauen, ver. 7. So the e­uening and the morning were the 2. day. ver. 8.
And I worke. THe worke of redemption this day pro­phesied of in the Epistle,

Isa. 50. 6. I gaue my backe vnto the smiters, & my cheeks to the nippers: I hid not my face from shame & spitting, &c. Related in the Gospell, Mat. 27. 1, 2. When the morning was come, all the chiefe Priests and the Elders of the People tooke counsell against Iesus to put him to death.

For thine instructi­on meditate

  • In the morning vpon the worke of Creation.
  • In the euening vpon the worke of Redemption.

For thy comfort apply the

  • Vse of the one.
  • Benefit of the other.

For thy corrction reproue thy

  • Abuse of the one.
  • Vnthankfulnesse for the other.

Quicken

  • Thy thankes by the Hymne.
  • Thine obedience by the ad­monition.
  • Thy zeale and deuotion by the prayer ensuing.
THE HYMNE.

HAue I not remem­bred thee in my bed, and thought vpon thee when I was waking. Psal 63. 7.

Because thou hast beene my helper, therefore vnder the shadow of thy wings will I re­ioyce. ver. 8.

My soule hangeth vpon thee, thy right hand hath vpholden me. ver. 9.

Saue me, O God, for the wa­ters are come in, euen to my soule. Psal. 69. 1.

I stick fast in the deepe mire where no ground is: I am come into deepe waters, so that the flouds runne ouer me. ver. 2.

My misdeeds preuaile a­gainst me; O be thou mercifull [Page 313] vnto my sinnes. Psal. 65. 3.

Blessed is the man whom thou choosest and receiuest vnto thee, he shall dwell in thy Courts, and shall bee satisfied with the pleasures of thine House, euen of thy holy Temple. ver. 4.

Thou shalt shew vs wonder­full things in thy righteous­nesse, O God of our saluation, thou that art the hope of all the ends of the earth, and of them that remaine in the broad Sea. ver. 5.

Thou stillest the raging of the Sea, and the noise of the waues, and the madnesse of his people. ver. 7.

They that dwell in the vt­termost parts of the earth shall bee afraid of thy tokens, thou that makest the our goings of the Morning and Euening to [Page 314] praise thee. ver. 8.

Thou visitest the earth and blessest it; thou makest it very plenteous. ver. 9.

Thou waterest her furrowes, thou sendest raine into the lit­tle Vallies thereof: thou makest it sofi with the drops of raine, and blessest the encrease of it. ver. 11.

Thou crownest thy yeeres with thy goodnesse, and thy clouds drop fatnesse. ver. 12.

They shall drop vpon the dwellings of the wildernesse, and the little hils shall reioyce on euery side ver. 13.

Hee gathereth the waters of the Sea together, and layeth vp the deepe as in a Treasure-house. Psal. 33. 7.

O praise the Lord of Hea­uen: praise him in the height. Psal. 148. 1.

[Page 315] Praise him all ye Heauens, and ye waters that bee aboue the Heauens. ver. 4.

Praise the Lord vpon earth yee Dragons and all deepes. ver. 7.

Fire and Haile, Snow and vapours, wind and storme fulfilling his Word, ver. 8.

Sing vnto God, ò ye King­domes of the earth: ô sing prai­ses vnto the Lord, Psal. 68. 32.

Which sitteth in the Hea­uens ouer all from the begin­ning: loe he doth send out his voice; yea, and that a mighty voice. ver. 33.

Ascribe ye power vnto God: his worship and strength are in the Clouds. ver. 34.

The Admonition for Munday, being an Ex­hortation to humility or pouerty in Spirit, Wherunto our Sauiour ascribeth the first. BEATITVDE.
THE ANALYSIS.

The speci­all motiues to humility set down in the Scrip­tures are;

  • 1 God's infinite Majestie, pu­ritie, perfection.
  • 2 Mans vilenesse, sinfulnesse, wretchednesse, wants; of vvhich before: See the Preparation to Prayer.
  • 3 Diuine Precepts.
  • 4 Holy pat­terns of this vertue in
    • God the Father. Christ.
    • The Saints vn­der the—
      • Lawe.
      • Gospell.
  • 5 Gratious promises made to the humble, of
    • 1 Neerenesse & societie with God.
    • 2 Sauing know­ledge.
    • 3 Sanctifying grace.
    • 4 Honour and preferment.
    • 5 Eternal bles­sednes in hea­uen.
THE TEXTS.

TAke my Yoake vpon you,Diuine pre­cepts. and learne of me, that I am meeke and lowly in heart, and you shall finde rest to your soules, Mat. 11. 29.

Vnlesse yee become as one of these little ones yee cannot enter into the Kingdome of God, Mat. 18. 23.

Cast downe your selues before the Lord, and he will lift you vp, Iam. 4. 10.

Decke your selues inwardly with lowlinesse of minde, 1. Pet. 5. 5.

Humble your selues vnder the mighty hand of God, that he may raise you in due time, verse 6.

Who is like to the Lord our God that hath his dwelling,Holy exam­ples. on high, and yet, humbleth himselfe to behold the things that are in heauen and in earth, Psal. 113. 5.

I am among you as hee that [Page 318] ministreth, Christ Luke 22. 17.

And he began to wash his Dis­ciples feet, and to wipe them with the towell wherewith hee was girded, Iohn 13. 5.

He emptied himselfe, or made himselfe of no reputation, Phil. 2. 7.

He humbled himselfe, and be­came obedient to death, euen the death of the Crosse, Phil. 2. 8.

I will speake vnto the Lord who am but dust and ashes, Abraham. Gen. 18. 17.

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

And he said,Gedcon. wherewith shall I saue Israel? Behold my Father is poore in Manasseth, and I am the least in my fathers house, Iude 6. 15.

Lord I am not high-minded, &c. Psal. 131. 1.

And Dauid said vnto Saul,Dauid.who am I, and what is my life, and my [Page 319] father's family in Israel that I shall bee sonne in Law to a King, 1. Sam. 18. 18.

And now,Salomon. O Lord my God, thou hast made thy seruant King, in stead of Dauid my father; and I am but a little child, I know not how to goe in and out, 1. King. 3. 7.

Notwithstanding,Ezekiah. Ezekiah humbled himselfe for the pride of his heart, both hee and the inha­bitants of Ierusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord came not vp them, 2. Chron. 32. 20.

Then Iob arose and rent his Mantle,Iob. and shaued his head, and fell downe vpon the ground, and worshipped, Iob 1. 20.

O Lord God, Daniel. righteousnesse belongeth to thee, but to vs con­fusion of face at this day, Dan. 9. 7.

He that commeth after me is greater then I,Iohn Baptist whose shoo-latchet I am not worthy to vnloose, Math. 3. 11.

When hee was not farre from [Page 320] the house, the Centurian sent vnto him,The Centu­rian. saying; Master trouble not thy selfe, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come vnder the roofe of my house, Luke 7. 6.

When Simon Peter saw it,Peter. hee fell downe on his knees, saying; Goe from me, Lord for I am a sin­full man, Luke 5. 8.

The Publicane standing a farre off would not lift vp his eyes to heauen,The Publi­cane. but striking his breast said; Lord be mercifull to mee a sinner, Luke [...]8. 15.

I am the least of the Apostles not worthy to be called an Apostle,Paul. &c. 1. Cor. 11. 9.

Iesus Christ came to saue sin­ners, whereof I am chiefe, 1. Tim. 1. 15.

I am the Rose of the field,Promises to the humble of the fa­uour with God. and the Lilly of the valleys, Cant. 2. 1.

I dwell in the high and holy place with him also that is of an humble & contrite heart, to reuiue the spirit of the humble, Is. 57. 15

To this man will I look, euen [Page 321] to him that is poore, and of a con­trite spirit, and trembleth at my word, Isa. 66. 2.

When pride commeth,Wisedome. then commeth shame: but with the lowly is wisedome, Prou. 11. 2.

Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and reuealed them vnto babes, Math. 11. 21.

Hee giueth more grace,Sanctifying grace. where­fore hee saith, God resisteth the proud, but giueth grace to the hum­ble, Iam. 4. 6.

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty;Preferment but before honour is humilitie Pro. 18. 1 [...].

Hee that humbleth, himselfe shall be exalted, Luke 14. 11.

He raiseth the poore out of the mire, and lifteth the needie out of the dunghill, Psal. 113. 7.

That he may set him with Prin­ces, euen with the Princes of his people, verse 8.

Blessed are the poore in spirit▪ for theirs is the Kingdome of Heauen,Blessedness▪ Mat. 5. 3.

[Page 322]THE PRAYER FOR Munday morning
The Prayer it selfe.
The second dayes Deuotion.

composed of

  • 1. Petitions sutable to the worke of the day.
  • 2. Motiues to humilitie agreeable to the pre­cedent exhortation.

FAther Almighty, maker of hea­uen and earth, who createdst the Euening and the Morning the second day as wel as the first, Con­tinue, I beseech thee, vnto mee as well the comfortable rest of the Euening to refresh mee after my labour and trauaile, as the most needfull light of the Morning to manage my affaires and busi­nesses. But especially perpetuatt vnto mee the repose of a quie [...] conscience, and the cleare light of the Gospel; to guide my feete into the way of peace. This light con­uinceth [Page 323] the errours of my vnder­standing, the deprauation of my will, the disorder of my affecti­ons, the impurity of my thoghts, the vanity of my desires, the de­ceitfulnesse of my heart, & the wic­kednes of all my wayes. This light sheweth mee what I was in my birth, slime and filthinesse; what in my life, vanity and folly; and what in my death, stench & rot­tennesse. This light discouereth vnto me that I haue nothing which I haue not receiued; that without Christ I can doe nothing; that in me (that is in my body) dwelleth no good; that I am not able of my selfe, as of my self; think a good thought: that I cannot desire to thinke, nor haue wil to desire; nor grace to will any good. My comforts are rare; my crosses frequent; my pleasures momentary; my paines permanent; my gifts small; my wants and infirmities great; my helpes weake; my assaults strong; my good deeds few, and [Page 324] they tainted with imperfections, my sinnes infinite. Let these con­siderations, O Lord, humble me in my selfe, that Christ may raise me, wound mee in my selfe, that Christ may heale me; burden mee in my selfe, that Christ may ease me; kill mee in my owne con­ceits that Christ may quicken me; make mee most vile in mine own eyes that I may bee most deare and precious in his. O Lord which as vpon this day createdst the clouds to raine vpon the earth; showre downe thy graces abun­dantly into my heart to mollifie it, that the seede of the Word may take deepe root downeward in hu­mility, and spring vpward in hope, and spread abroad by charity, and fructifie in all kindes of good workes. Lord who this day sepa­ratedst the waters from the wa­ters, separate, I beseech thee, and distinguish betweene the waters of teares which I shed for my sinnes, and those others which I [Page 325] shed for worldly crosses and ca­lamities. Cast away the one, and put the the other into thy bottle. Lord who this day madest the heauens (or ayre) without which I cannot liue naturally, no not for a moment; infuse into my heart the Spirit of grace, with­out which spiritually I cannot breathe in my prayers, nor sigh, nor so much as moue any facultie or part of soule or body vnto thee. As oft as I take in, or let out the aire which I breathe, let mee receiue in grace from thee, and breathe out praise vnto thee. Amen.

The close out of Scripture.

The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ, and the loue of God, and the fellowship of the holy Ghost be with me, 2. Cor. 13. vlt.

The Euening's Deuotion for Munday.

THE HYMNE.

Heare me, O Lord, in the multitude of thy mer­cies; euen in the truth of thy saluation, Psal. 69. 14.

Let not the water floods drowne mee, nor the deepe swallow me vp: and let not the pit shut her mouth vpon mee, verse 16.

Thou diddest diuide the sea through thy power, and brakest the heads of the Dragons in the waters, Psal. 74. 14.

Thou smoest the heads of Le­uiathan in pieces, and gauest him to be meate for the people in the wildernesse, verse 15.

Thou broughtest out foun­taines [Page 327] and waters out of the hard Rocks; thou driedst vp mighty waters, verse 16.

Thou art the God that doth wonders, and hast declared thy power among the people, Psal. 77. 14.

The waters saw thee O God, the waters saw thee and were afraid, the depths also were troubled, verse 16.

The clouds powred out water; the aire thundered, and thine arrowes went abroad, verse 17.

The voice of thy thunder was heard round about; the lightnings shone vpon the ground; the earth was moued, verse 18.

Thou bringest forth clouds from the ends of the world, and sendest forth Lightnings with the raine, bringing the windes [Page 328] out of his treasures, Psal. 135.

The springs of water were seene, and the foundations of the round world were discoue­red at thy chiding, O Lord; at the blasting of the breath of thy displeasure, Psal. 18. 15.

Thy way is in the Sea, and thy pathes in the great wa­ters, and thy footsteps are not knowne, Psal. 77. 19.

THE ADMONITION for Munday's Euening, being an exhortation to meeknes.
THE ANALYSIS.

The speci­all Argu­ments to perswade meeknes, set downe in Scrip­ture, are drawne from

  • 1. The causes
    • Impulsiue
      • 1 Diuine precepts.
      • 2 humane frailty.
    • Exem­plary:
      • God the
        • Father.
        • Sonne.
        • H. Ghost.
      • The Saints.
      • The creatures in Wch nature hath patern'd this ver­tue.
  • 2 The effects
    • 1 Peace
      • With God.
      • With men.
    • 2 Wealth.
    • 3 Wisedome and spiritual vnderstanding.
    • 4 Sanctifying graces, the fruits of the Spirit.
    • 5 Blessednesse.
THE TEXTS.

PVt them in minde,God com­mandeth meekenesse. &c. Tit. 3. 1.

That they be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekenesse to all men, verse 2.

If any man bee ouertaken in a fault, ye which are spirituall re­store such a one in the spirit of meeknesse, Gal. 6. 1.

I beseech you that yee walke worthy of the vocation where­with ye are called, with lowlinesse, and meeknesse, with long suffe­ring, forbearing one another in loue, Ephes. 4. 2.

Put on therefore, as the Elect of God, holy and beloued, the bowels of mercy, kindnesse, hum­blenesse of minde, meeknesse, long-suffering, Col. 3. 12.

Forbearing one another, for­giuing one another; if any man haue a quarrell against any, euen as Christ forgaue you, so also doe ye, verse 13.

[Page 331] But thou, O man of God, flye these things, and follow after righteousnesse, godlinesse, faith, patience, meekenesse, 1. Tim. 6. 11.

Dearely beloued auenge not your selues, but rather giue place vnto wrath; For it is written, Ven­geance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord, Rom. 12. 19.

Wherefore, my beloued Bre­thren, let euery man bee swift to heare, slow to speake, and slow to wrath, Iam. 1. 19.

For the wrath of man wor­keth not the righteousnesse of God, verse 20.

Look diligently, least any man faile of the grace of God; least a­ny root of bitternesse spring vp and trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. Heb 12. 15.

Consider thy selfe, Our condi­tion re­quires it. least thou also be tempted, Gal. 6. 1.

Let him among you that is without sinne, cast the first stone, Ioh. 8. 7.

Hee shall haue iudgement [Page 330] without mercy that hath shewed no mercy; Examples of mecknes. and mercy reioyceth a­gainst iudgement, Iam. 3. 13.

And they heard the voice of the Lord in the coole of the day, God the Father. walking in the garden, &c. Gen. 3. 8.

And after the earthquake there was a fire, but God was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice, verse 12. (in which voice God was)▪ And it was so when Eliah heard it. &c. verse 13.

Neuerthelesse, for thy great mercies sake, thou diddest not vtterly consume them, nor for­sake them, for thou art a gracious and mercifull God, Nehem. 9. 31.

God said to Ionah, Doest thou well to be angry for thy Gourd? Ion. 4. 9.

Thou hast pitie on the Gourd for which thou hast not laboured, which came in a night, and peri­shed in a night, verse 10.

And should not I spare Nine­ueh that great Citie, wherein are [Page 331] more then sixscore thousand per­sons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left; and also much cattell, verse 11.

Tell the daughter of Soon Be­hold the King commeth vnto thee,The Sonne. meeke, Mat. 21. 5.

He shall not striue nor crie; nei­ther shall any man heare his voice in the streets, Mat. 1 [...]. 19.

A bruised reede shall hee not breake, nor smoking flaxe shall hee not quench, verse 20.

I beseech you by the meeknesse and gentlenesse of Christ, 2. Cor. 10. 1.

The said,The Spirit. Lord wilt thou com­mand that wee call for fire from heauen, &c. Luk. 9. 54.

But hee turned and rebuked them, and said, yee know not of what spirit yee are made, verse 55.

Loe the heauens were opened vnto him, and hee saw the Spirit descending like a Doue, and lighte­ning vpon him, Math. 3. 16.

The Saints. Moses. Now Moses was a very meeke [Page 334] man aboue all the men that were vpon the face of the earth, Num. 12. 3.

Let him curse, Dauid. seeing the Lord hath said vnto mee, Curse Dauid: who shall then say; wherefore hast thou done so? 2. Sam. 16. 10.

My soule is euen as a weaned child, Psal. 131. 3.

But I was like a Lambe, Ieremiah. or an Oxe that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had deuised deuises against me, Ier. 11. 19.

Iesus said, it is not meet to take the childrens bread, and cast it to Dogs, Mar. 7. 27.

And shee said vnto him,The woman of Canaan. Yes Lord; yet the dogges vnder the ta­ble eate of the childrens crums, verse 28.

But wee were gentle among you;Saint Paul. euen as a nurse cherisheth her children, 1. Thes. 2. 7.

Thy name is as an ointment powred out,Resemblan­ces in the creatures. Cant. 1.

The anointment which ye haue [Page 335] receiued of him abideth in you, 1. Ioh. 2. 27.

I will giue them hearts of flesh. Ezek. 11. 19.

I send you as Lambes among wolues, Luke 10. 3.

Behold the Lambe of God, &c. Ioh. 1. 29.

Hee was led as a sheepe to the slaughter, and like a Lambe dumb before the shearer, so opened hee not his mouth, Acts 8. 32.

Be wise as Serpents, and inno­cent as Doues, Mat 10. 16.

Learne that I am meeke, Meekenesse bringeth peace. and ye shall finde rest vnto your soules, Math 11. 29.

The meeke shall prosper in the earth, Wealth. and shall delight them­selues in the aboundance of peace, Psal. 37. 11.

The Lord lifteth vp the meeke,Honour. Psal. 147. 6.

The meeke shall hee guide in iudgement, Wisedome. and the meeke will he teach his way, Psal. 25. 9.

Who is a wise man and indued [Page 334] with knowledge among you, let him shew out of a good con­uersation his workes in meekenesse of wisedome, Iam. 3. 13.

Receiue with meekenesse the word ingraffed in you, which is able to saue your soules, Iam. 1. 21.

The wisedome which is from aboue, is first pure, then peaceable, Iam. 3. 17.

And the fruits of righteous­nesse are sowne in peace of them that make peace, The fruits of the spirit. verse 18.

Blessed are the meeke, Blessednesse for they shall inherit the earth, Mat. 5. 5.

The Prayer for Munday-Euening. Composed of • 1 Petitions sutable to the worke of the day. , and • 2 Motiues to meek­nesse, agreeable to the precedent ex­hortation. 

O Lambe of God which takest a­way the sinnes of the world, who as vpon this day wert led as a sheepe to the slaughter, and as a Lambe before thy Shearers, ope­nedst not thy mouth; who gauest thy back to the smiters, and thy cheeks to the nippers, and thine armes to the binders, and thy face to the spitters; apply, I beseech thee, vnto mee these thy meeke suffe­rings. Make that profitable to mee which thou enduredst for me. Let thy bonds, O meeke Re­deemer [Page 336] set me free; let thy si­lence pleade for me, let thy spittle cure my blindnesse, let thy stripes heale me, let thy nakednesse cloth me, and let thy meekenesse in all discipline me. If thou who in the forme of God thoughtest it no rob­bery to be equall with God, yet hum­bledst thy selfe, & didst become obe­dient to death, euen the death of the Crosse, shall not I meekely submit my necke to the yoke? If thou who art God didst empty thy selfe and become of no reputa­tion, shall I that am but a worme of the earth fill my selfe, and swell with pride? If thou suff [...] ­redst blowes, shall not I an affront? If thou, the Beauty of Heauen, enduredst spitting vpon, shall not I endure the fome of a loose tongue? Shall I for a word of disgrace venter my owne life and assault the life of my brother? Doe I value the life of my body and soule so low, that I will pawne it for a toy, a triflle, a mocke, a [Page 337] word? God forbid. Thy Law, O God, commandeth meekenesse; thine example (my Lord) per­swades meekenesse; my condition requires meekenesse; my frame and temper (after a sort) prea­cheth meekenesse. Why hast thou giuen me a soft skinne, but to pat­terne in my body this vertue of the minde? Why hast thou gi­uen me a tender heart, but to receiue deepe the impression of compassionate griefe? Why hast thou giuen me melting eyes but to weepe for mine owne infirmities, and my brethrens calamities? Why am I brought into the world disarmed, without any of­fensiue Weapon, but to teach me that I should not fight with, nor hurt any? Thou, O Lord, hast created me a Lambe, shall I by rage and cruelty make my selfe a Tyger? Thou madest me as a soft rose of Sharon▪ and Lillie of the Vallie, shall I turne my selfe into a thorne and thistle? I [Page 338] know Anger dis-figureth the bo­dy, much more the soule. It hur­teth and endangereth others, much more my selfe. It is very offensiue to man, much more to thee. Wherefore I beseech thee, let thy peace alwaies rule in my heart, and quell and subdue all my rebellious affections, especi­ally this of wrath, the most vio­lent and impetuous of all the rest. Weede out of my heart all accursed Thornes and Thistles, that the seedes of thy Word may bring forth the fruits of righ­teousnesse, which are sowne in peace of them that loue peace. O let not the Sunne goe downe on thy wrath against me, or my wrath against my brethren, but grant that ha­uing made my peace with thee, by faith in thy bloud, with my brethren by forgiuing them from my heart, and reconciling my selfe to them, I may lay me downe in peace and take my rest. And let thy hand, O Sauiour, which shall [Page 339] protect mee this night from all perills and dangers, raise me the next morning to serue thee in my calling, and magnifie thy goodnesse for all thy mercies and fauours vouchsafed vnto me. So be it. Amen. I

The close out of Scripture.

BLessing, honour, glory, and power bee vnto him that sit­teth vpon the Throne, and vn­to the Lambe for euer and ouer, Amen. Reuel. 5. vlt.

Tuesday's Deuotion, being the third day from the Creation.

The Father worketh. Ioh. 5. 17. The worke of Creation.

GOd said againe, Let the waters vnder the Heauen bee gathered▪ into one [Page 340] place, and let the dry land ap­peare: and it was so. Gen. 1. 9.

And God called the dry land earth; and he called the gathering together of the waters Seas: and God saw that it was good, v. 10.

Then God said, Let the earth bud forth the bud of the herbe that seedeth seede the fruitfull tree, which beareth fruit accor­ding to his kinde, which hath his seede in it selfe vpon the earth: and it was so. ver. 11.

And the earth brought forth the bud of the herbe, that see­deth seede according to his kind; also the tree that beareth fruit, which hath his seede in it selfe according to his kinde: and God saw that it was good. ver. 12.

So the Euening and the Mor­ning were the third day, ver. 13.

And I worke. Ioh. 5. 17. The worke of Redemption.

WHo is this that com­meth from Edom, with [Page 341] red garments from Bozrah? He is glorious in his apparell, and walketh in his great strength; I speake in righteousnesse, and am mighty to saue. Isa. 63. 1.

I haue troden the Wine-presse alone, & of all people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and tread them vnder foot in my wrath, and their bloud shall bee sprinkled vpon my garments, and I will staine all my rayment. ver. 3.

And two dayes after follow­ed the Feast of the Passeouer, and of vnleauened bread: and the high Priests and Scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death. Mar. 14. 1.

But they said, Not on the feast day, least there bee a tumult a­mong the people. ver. 2.

And when he was in Bethania, in the house of Simon the Leper, as he sate at Table, there came a woman, hauing a box of Oint­ment [Page 342] of Spikenard, very costly, and shee brake the Box and powred it on his head, ver. 3.

For thine instructi­on meditate

  • In the Morning, vpon the worke of Creation.
  • In the Euening, vpon the worke of Redemption.

For thy comfort apply the

  • Vse of the one.
  • Benefit of the other.

For thy correction reproue thy

  • Abuse of the one.
  • Vnthankfulnesse for the other.

Quicken

  • Thy thankesgiuing by the Hymne.
  • Thine obedience by the ad­monition.
  • Thy zeale and deuotion by the prayer ensuing.
The Hymne for Tuesday-morning.

SIng vnto the Lord a new song; sing cheerefully with a loud voice, Psal. 33. 3.

For the Word of the Lord is true, and all his workes are faithfull, ver. 4.

He loueth righteousnesse and iudgement; all the earth is full of the goodnesse of the Lord, ver. 5.

Hee gathereth the waters of the Sea together, as it were vpon an heape, and layeth vp the deepe, as in a Treasure-house, ver. 7.

Let the Earth feare the Lord; stand in awe of him all yee that dwell in the world, ver. 8.

For hee spake and it was done; hee commanded, and it [Page 344] stood fast, ver. 9.

He so layed the Foundations, that it should not moue at any time, Psal. 104. 5.

He watereth the hills from aboue; the earth is filled with the fruits of his workes, ver. 3.

Hee bringeth forth grasse for the Cattle, and greene herbes for the vse of men, ver. 14.

That he may bring food out of the Earth, and Wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and Oyle to make him a cheer­full countenance, and Bread to strengthen mans heart, ver. 15.

The Trees of the Lord also are full of sap, euen as the Ce­dars of Lebanon which hee hath planted, ver. 16.

Hee couereth the Heauens with Clouds, and prepareth raine for the earth, and maketh [Page 345] the grasse to grow vpon the mountaines, Psal. 147. 8.

Which giueth to the beasts their foode, and to the young Rauens that cry, ver. 9.

Praise the Lord vpon earth yee Dragons and all deepes, Psal. 148. 7.

Mountaines and all Hills, fruitfull Trees and all Cedars, ver. 9.

Euery day will I giue thanks vnto the Lord, and praise his Name for euer, Psal. 145. 2.

Thou hast giuen me more ioy of heart, then they whose Corn and Wine, and Oyle increa­sed, Psal. 4. 8.

The Admonition for Tuesday morning: being an exhorta­tion to godly sorrow.
THE ANALYSIS.

We must desire & pray for godly sorrow, because it is

  • 1 A speciall duty requi­red in the
    • Law.
    • Gospel.
  • 2 The Saints conti­nuall practise.
  • 3 A necessary dispo­sition to make vs ca­pable of the Gospel.
  • 4 A Sacrifice well plea­sing to God.
  • 5 An effect of true conuersion.
  • 6 An efficient cause of many diuine vertues.
  • 7 An assurance of e­ternall ioy and com­fort.
  • 8 The want of it, a fearefull signe of a reprobate sense.
THE TEXTS.

TVrne ye vnto me with all your heart,1 Gods Com­mande­ment. with fasting, weeping and mourning, Ioel 2. 12.

And rent your hearts and not your garments, &c. ver. 13.

And in that day did the Lord God of hosts call to weeping and mourning, and to baldnesse, and girding with Sackcloth, Isa. 22. 12.

Now I reioyce, not that yee were made sorry, but that yee sorrowed to repentance, 2 Cor. 7. 9.

For ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might re­ceiue damage in nothing.

Weepe not for me, but weepe for your selues, Luk. 23. 28.

Ye shall weepe and lament, &c. Io. 16. 20.

Howle and lament, &c. Iames 5. 1.

I abhorre my selfe,2 The Saints pra­ctise. and repent in dust and ashes, Iob. 42. 6.

[Page 348] I fainted in my mourning; I cause my bed euery night to swimme, and water my couch with my teares, Psal. 6. 6.

I will confesse my wickednesse, and be sorry for my sin Ps. 38. 18.Hezekiah.

Hezekiah humbled himselfe for the pride of his heart, he and the inhabitants of Ierusalem, and therefore the wrath of the Lord came not in the dayes of Heze­kiah,Manasses.2 Cro. 33. 12.

And when he was in affliction he besought the Lord his God, & humbled himselfe greatly before the God of his fathers, 2 Cr. 33. 12

And prayed vnto him, and was intreated of him, ver. 13.

Now when Ezra had prayed,Ezra. and had confessed weeping and casting himselfe downe before the house of God, there assembled vnto him, out of Israel, a very great congregation of men, and women, and children; for the people wept very sore, Ezr. 10. 1.

And Peter remembred the [Page 349] words which Iesus said vnto him,Peter. Before the Cocke crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice; and he went out, and wept bit­terly, Mat. 26. 75.

Come vnto me all ye that are heauy laden, 3 A prepa­ration to the Gospell. and I will ease you, Mat. 11. 28.

He hath anointed me to preach the Gospell to the poore, hee hath sent me to heale the broken hearted, Luke 4. 18.

The Sacrifice of God is a con­trite spirit; 4 Accepta­ble to God. a broken and a con­trite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psal. 51. 17.

Put my teares in thy bottle; are not these things noted in thy booke? Psal. 56. 8.

The Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping, Psal. 6. 8.

Tell Hezekiah, the Captaine of my people, saying; I haue heard thy prayer, I haue seene thy teares, I will heale thee, 2 Kings 30. 5.

And when they heard these [Page 350] things,5 The effect of true con­uersion. they were pricked in their hearts, and said vnto Peter, Men and Brethren, what shall we doe? Act. 2. 37.

Godly sorrow causeth repen­tance not to be repented of;6 A cause of many di­uine ver­tues. but worldly sorrow causeth death, 2. Cor. 7. 10.

For behold this selfe same thing that yee sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulnesse it wrought in you, yea what clee­ring of your selues, yea what in­dignation, yea what feare, yea what vehement desire, yea what zeale, yea what reuenge, ver. 11.

They that sow in teares, 7 Bringeth ioy and comfort. shall reape in ioy, Psal. 126. 7.

I dwell with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to re­uiue the spirit of the humble, and to reuiue the heart of the contrite, Isa. 57. 15.

Ye shall be sorrowfull but your sorrow shall bee turned into ioy; Ioh. 16. 20.

Blessed are they that mourne, [Page 351] for they shall bee comforted, Mat. 5. 4.

Wee haue mourned vnto you,8 The want of it feare­full. and yee haue not wept, Luke 7. 32.

And yee are puffed vp, and haue not sorrowed, 1 Cor. 5. 2.

Woe bee vnto thee Corazin, woe vnto thee Rethsaida, &c. for they, &c. in sack cloth, Mat. 11. 21.

And I gaue her time to repent, and shee would not repent, Reuel. 2. 21.

After thy hard and impenitent heart treasurest vp to thy selfe wrath in the day of wrath, Rom. 2. 3.

THE PRAYER FOR Tuesday morning; composed of • 1. Petitions sutable to the worke of the day. , and • 2. Motiues to godly sor­row, agreeable to the precedent exhortati­on. 

O That my head were water, and mine eyes were a spring of teares, that I might weepe day and night, for the deluge of sinne ouerflowing the whole world; but especially, for the in­undation therof in this our I [...]nd. We are ouerwhelmed in this Tor­rent, and should be drowned, but that the gales of thy Spirit driue it somewhat backe, and thy re­straining Grace with the publike discipline of our Lawes and Ca­nons set some bounds to it. What hearts can vent sight e­nough, what eyes yeeld suffici­ent [Page 353] teares to bewaile those pub­like sinnes, vnder the burthen whereof the Land sinketh; be­sides those priuate which lye as heauy on each of vs in particu­lar? Sinnes of omission, sinnes of commission; sinnes of birth, sinnes of life; sinnes of youth, sinnes of age; sinnes of frailty, sinnes of [...]ilfulnesse; sinnes of act sinnes of habit and custome; sinnes of se­cret taint, sinnes of open st [...]in [...]; Sinnes of infirmity committed a­gainst the power of the Father; sinnes of ignoranc [...] against the wisdome of the Sonne; and sinnes of malice against the grace of thy holy Spirit. If I should goe about to extenuate my sinne [...], euen that would aggrauate them: if to ex­cuse them, my conscience would condemne me. For I must con­fesse to thy glory, and my owne shame, that by my Originall and Actuall, secret and open, sudden and aduised, ignorant an [...] [...]i­cious sinnes, I haue dishonoured [Page 354] thy Name, prophaned thy Word, defaced thine Image, grie­ued thy▪ Spirit, despighted thy Grace, wounded my owne con­science, stained my good name, scandalized my profession▪ de­priued my selfe of the comforts of the Gospell, of the protection of Angells, of the sweet fellow­ship of thy Spirit, and drawne vpon m [...]e many heauy iudge­ments, and treasured vp wrath a­gainst the day of wrath. Yet be­cause I mourne (with Dauid) in my prayers, I weepe bitterly with Peter, I abhorre my selfe in dust and ashes with Iob, I am ashamed and confounded with Ezra, Lord let thy mercy preuaile against thy iustice; my sighs and teares against my sinfull ioyes, and thy Sonnes bloud euen against my crimson sinnes. Lord who on this day madest dry Land, and firme ground to appeare, dry vp my [...]res with the beames of thy mercy, and giue me firme ground [Page 355] of comfort in thy Word. Lord, who on this day createdst all kinde of seedes, sow in my heart the in­corruptible seede of thy Word, that I may thereby be regenera­ted to a liuely hope. Lord, who on this day createdst all kindes of fruitfull Trees, make mee like a good Tree to bring forth good fruit here, that I may hereafter eate of the Tree of Life which is in the middest of the Paradise of God. So be it. Amen.

The close out of Scripture.

GOd, the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, grant mee, ac­cording to the riches of his glory, that I may be strengthened by his spirit in the inner man, Ephes. 3. 16. That Christ may dwell in my heart by faith, that I being rooted and grounded in loue, ver. 17.

May be able to comprehend with all Saints, what is the bredth, and length, and depth, and height, v. 8.

[Page 356] And to know the loue of Christ which passeth knowledge, that I may bee filled with the fulnesse of God, verse 19.

The Deuotions for Tues­dayes Euening.

THE HYMNE alluding to the worke of God on this day in the Allegory.

OVT of the deepe haue I called vnto thee, O Lord; Lord heare my voice, Psal. 130. 1.

O let thine eares consider wel the voice of my complaint, verse 2.

If thou Lord wilt be extreme to marke what is done amisse, O Lord, who can abide it? ver. 3.

But there is mercy with thee, therefore thou shalt bee feared, verse 4.

[Page 357] I looke for the Lord; my soule doth waite for him; in his word is my trust, verse 5.

My soule flyeth to the Lord before the Morning watch, I say before the Morning watch, verse 6.

I haue watched, and am euen as a Sparrow that sitteth alone on the house top▪ Psal. 102. 7.

My heart is smitten down and withered like grasse, so that I forget to eate my bread, verse 4.

Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and instruct­est him in thy Law.

They that sowe in teares, shal reape in ioy, Psal. 126. 7.

Hee that now goeth on his way weeping, and beareth forth good seede, shal doubtlesse come againe with ioy, and bring his sheaues with him, verse. 8.

The righteous shall flourish [Page 358] like a Palme-tree, and shall spread abroad like a Cedar in Lebanon, Psal. 92. 11.

Hee shall be like a tree plan­ted by the Riuer's side, which bringeth forth her fruit in due season, Psal. 1. 3.

Whose leafe shall not fall, and what soeuer hee doth it shall prosper. verse 4.

Such as bee planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of the house of our God, Psal. 92. 12.

They also shall bring forth more fruit in their age, and shal befat and well liking, ver. 13.

THE ADMONITION for Tuesday Euening; being an exhor­tation to hunger and thirst for righte­ousnesse; whereunto our Sauiour ascribeth the fourth Beatitude.
THE ANALYSIS.

We must di­ligently and earnestly seek after the meanes of our saluation because ther­by—

  • 1 Wee obey God.
  • 2 Wee imitate his Saints.
  • 3 Wee obtain bles­sings
    • Temporall.
    • Spiri­tuall.
      • 1 Fauour.
      • 2 Delight.
      • 3 Peace.
      • 4 Life.
      • 5 Cōtentment.
      • 6 The King­dom of heauen.
THE TEXTS.

SEek the Lord and his strength, seeke his face euermore,Precepts for seeking the meanes of saluation. Psal. 105. 4.

Labour not for the meat that perisheth, but for that meat which endureth to euerlasting life, Ioh. 6. 27.

Receiue mine instruction, & not siluer; and knowledge rather then fine gold, Prou. 5. 10.

For wisedome is better then pre­cious stones; and all pleasures are not to bee compared vnto her, verse 11.

Follow after loue, and couet spi­rituall things, 1. Cor. 14. 1.

Follow peace with all men and holinesse, without which no man shall see the Lord; Heb. 12. 14.

Set your affections on things which are aboue, Examples. and not on things which are in the earth, Col. 3. 2.

My soule breaketh out for the [Page 361] very feruent desire that it hath al­way to thy iudgements, Psal. 119. 26.

My soule is a thirst, Dauid. for God, euen for the liuing God, Psal. 42. 1, 2.

One thing is needfull,Mary. & Mary hath chosen that good part which shal not be taken away from her, Luke 10. 41.

From the time of Iohn Baptist, The bearers of Iohn Baptist. hitherto the Kingdome of heauen hath suffered viclence, and the violent take it by force, Math. 1. 12.

Length of dayes is in her right hand,Promises of life. and in her left hand riches and glory, Prou. 3. 16.

Seeke yee first the Kingdome of God,All things needfull. and his righteousnesse, and all other things shall be added vnto you Mat. 6. 33.

Godlinesse is profitable vnto all things, hauing promise of the life that now is, and that which is to come, 1. Tim. 4. 8.

If from thence thou seeke the [Page 362] Lord, Gods fa­uour. thou shalt finde him. Deut. 4. 29.

Her wayes are the wayes as plea­sure. Delight. Peace. and all her paths are peace, Pro. 3. 17.

She is a Tree of life to them that lay hold vpon her;Life. and happy is euery one that reteineth her, verse 18.

Your heart shall liue that seeke good,Blessed con­tent. Psal. 69. 33.

Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousnesse:The king­dome of heauen. for they shall be satisfied, Mat. 5. 6.

The Kingdome of Heauen is like to a Merchant man that seeketh good pearles, Mat. 3. 45.

Who hauing found a Pearle of great price, went and fold all that he had, and bought it, verse 46.

The Prayer for Tuesday Euening: composed of • Petitions sutable to the the sufferings of Christ on this day. , and • Motiues to seeke after the meanes of our sal­uation, agreeable to the precedent exhortation. 

BLessed Redeemer, who tro­dest the wine-presse of thy fa­ther's wrath alone, reconcile mee to thy Father, and of a child of wrath make mee a child of grace, and sonne of desires. Thou who tro­dest the wine-presse alone, no Arch-angell, or Angel, or any creature in heauen or in earth, being ioy­ned with thee in that worke. Giue mee a taste of the new wine of thy Gospel, to cheere vp and reuiue my drooping spirits, and comfort my heauy and sorrowfull heart. Thou which camest with thy garments red from Bozra; yea, as [Page 364] red as bloud. Cloath mee with thy red garment died in thine owne bloud. Couer my nakednesse, defor­mities, wounds, and sores from the sight of thy Father. Thy garment is no narrow nor scanty garment; it is large enough to couer thee, and all thine Elect. It is the wed­ding garment, without which none shall euer be admitted into the Kings Supper, but bee bound hand and foot, and cast into outward darknesse; where shall bee weeping, and gnashing of teeth. And this doome we all deserued; for wee were borne naked and voide of all good, and we lay a long time wallowing in our owne bloud and filth, and no eye pittied vs, till it pleased thee of meere loue and compassion to take vpon thee a nature of infirmities, to cure all the infirmities of our nature, and to cloath thy selfe with flesh, that thou mightest beare off our blowes, and receiue the stroakes of diuine iustice that wee should [Page 365] haue endured, and deadded them in thine owne body. O what shall I returne vnto thee, by way of thankefull acknowledgement of such thy loue? I can render thee nothing but that which thou hast giuen me. I can render thee no­thing that is not thy due before. I can render thee nothing but that which thou puttest into my heart to render it to thee. Wherefore I hūbly beseech thee, by thy grace to enflame my heart with thy loue, to incite mee to perpetuall praise & thanksgiuing: to kindle in me an euerlasting desire to ap­proue my self vnto thee, & more and more tie thy loue vnto me. O let nothing be so precious to me as thy fauour, nothing so fearfull as thy displeasure; nothing so hatefull as sin; nothing so desira­ble as thy grace. Let me not now like a little child run in the dirt, & soile my cloathes, and take many a fal in pursuite of a Butter-fly, or a bubble of Sope appearing glo­rious [Page 366] in the aire, but suddenly vanishing to nothing. Let mee not be so foolish as to lay the foundation of my happinesse in sinking sands, or goe about to chase a vanishing shadow. Let me enter into a serious conside­ration of the vanitie of the world, and the deceitfulnesse of riches, and shame of pleasures, and folly of sports, and leuity of honours, and danger of greatnesse, and account of all. Perswade mee by thy Spirit out of thy Word that I haue heere no abiding Citie, but seeke for one hereafter. That I am a stranger and pilgrim here vpon earth; and therefore howsoeuer I haue heretofore mis-spent my time, and mis-placed my affecti­ons, and spilt my labours, and lost my selfe in following earth­ly vanities; yet let me now take the right way to true content­ment. Let all my trauailes be to­wards heauen, all my trade for spiritual merchandise, all my labour [Page 367] for the meate that perisheth not, all my searching for the pearle of the Gospell, all my seeking for the Kingdome of God and the righte­ousnesse thereof. Let mee desire temporall blessings onely for spi­rituall ends; wealth, that I may he rich in good workes; prefer­ment, to aduance the honour of the Gospell; health & strength, the better to enable mee to doe thee seruice; length of dayes, that I may praise thee in the Land of the liuing. Lord, whose life was sought this day to destroy it, seeke thou mine to saue it. Lord who this day w [...]rt anointed to thy death and buriall, anoint me with thy Spirit to eternall life. Saue mee from the hands of all mine enemies, that I may serue thee without feare, in holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of my life. Guard mee by thy proui­dence, that securely reposing my soule on thy mercy for my ab­solution from sinne, and my [Page 368] bodie on thy power for deliue­rance from all dangers, I may so by rest and sleepe refresh and strengthen both, that I may rise the next morning more cheere­fully to trauaile in the wayes of thy lawes, and workes of thy com­mandements. So be it. Amen.

The close out of Scripture.

Vnto him that is able to doe ex­ceeding aboundantly, aboue all that I aske or thinke, accor­ding to the power that worketh in me, be glory in the Church, by Christ Iesus, throughout all ages, world without end, Ephes. 3. 20, 21.

[...]

[Page 373] enemies; for I fly to thee to helpe me, verse 9.

Be mercifull vnto mee, and blesse mee, and shew the light of thy countenance vpon mee, and be mercifull vnto me, Psal. 67. 1.

God is the Lord who hath shewed vs light; binde the sa­crifice with cords to the hornes of the Altar, Psal. 118. 27.

There is sprung vp a light for the righteous, and ioyfull gladnesse for such as be true of heart, Psal. 97. 11.

Reioyce in the Lord, O yee Righteous, and giue thankes for a remembrance of his holi­nesse, verse 12.

I will consider the heauens, euen the worke of thy fin­gers; the Moone, the Starres which thou hast ordained, Psal. 8. 3.

[Page 374] The Heauens declare the glory of God, and the Firma­ment sheweth his handy work, Psal. 19. 1.

In them hath hee set a Ta­bernacle for the Sunne, which commeth forth as a Bride­groome out of his chamber, and reioyceth as a Gyant to runne his course, verse 5.

It goeth forth from the vt­termost part of heauen, and runneth about to the end of it againe, and nothing is hid from the heate thereof, verse 6.

The Lord is my light and my saluation, whom then shall I feare? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom then shall I be afraid? Psal. 27. 1.

Though I should walke through the valley of the sha­dow of death I will feare no [Page 375] euill, for thou art with me; thy Rod and thy Staffe they com­fort me, Psal. 23. 4.

Surely kindnesse and mercy shall follow mee all the dayes of my life; and I shall remaine a long season in the house of the Lord, verse 6.

The admonition for Wed­nesday morning, being an ex­hortation to mercy, where­vnto our Sauiour ascribeth the fifth Beatitude.
THE ANALYSIS.
  • Mercy is a vertue highly to be e­steemed, and care­fully to be pra­ctised, because it is
    • 1 Our onley plea and hope.
    • 2 The soueraigne at­tribute of God.
    • 3 His strickt charge to vs.
    • 4 That vpon which hee proceedeth in the last Iudgement.
    • 5 A choice fruit of the Spirit.
    • 6 The Saints constant practise.
    • 7 The Touch-stone of true Religion.
    • 8 The assurance of our saluation.
    • 9 The meanes to ob­taine manifold bles­sings in this life, and in the life to come.
THE TEXTS.

ENter not into iudgement with thy seruants,Saluation by Mercy. O Lord, for in thy sight shall no man li­uing be iustified, Psal. 143. 2.

The Lord grant vnto him that he may finde mercy of the Lord in that day, 2 Tim. 1. 18.

That he might make knowne the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, Rom. 9. 23.

For God hath concluded all vnder vnbeliefe, that hee might haue mercy vpon all, Rom. 10. 31.

And the Lord passed by before him,It is the most emi­nent attri­bute to God. and proclaimed, The Lord, the Lord God, mercifull and gra­cious, long suffering, and abun­dant in goodnesse and in truth, Exod. 34. 6.

Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiuing iniquity, transgression and sinne, ver. 7.

God is rich in mercy, Ephesians 2. 4.

[Page 378] Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the Heauens, and thy faithfulnesse reacheth to the Clouds, Psalme 36. 5.

For thou, Lord, art good and ready to forgiue, and plenteous in mercy to all them that call vpon thee, Psal. 86. 5.

The Lord is gracious and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy, Psal. 145. 8.

The Lord is good vnto all, and his tender mercies are ouer all his workes, ver. 9.

Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, the Fa­ther of mercy, and God of all comfort, 2 Cor. 1. 3.

He hath shewed thee,Precepts of mercy. O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to doe iustly, and loue mercy, &c. Micah 6. 8.

Thus speaketh the Lord, Ex­ecute true iudgement, and shew mercy and compassion euery man to his brother, Zach. 7 9.

[Page 379] Be ye mercifull as your father also is mercifull, Luke 6. 36.

Giue Almes of those things which are within, and behold all things shall bee cleane to you, Luke 11. 41.

Sell that yee haue, and giue Almes, Luk. 12. 13.

Be yee kinde one to another; tender-hearted, forgiuing one a­nother, euen as God, for Christs sake, hath forgiuen you, Ephes. 4. 32.

I will haue mercy, and not sa­crifice, Hos. 6. 6 Mat. 9. 13.

Put on therefore, as the Elect of God, bowels of mercy, &c. Col. 3. 12.

To doe good and communicate forget not, for with such sacrifi­ces God is well pleased, Hebr. 3. 16.

Finally, be ye all of one minde, hauing compassion one of another, loue as brethren; be pittifull, be courteous, 1 Pet. 3. 8.

Remember those that are in [Page 380] bonds, as though yee were bound with them, Heb. 13. 3.

Come ye blessed of my Father;The last iudgement proceeds vpon works of mercy. inherit the Kingdome prepared for you, from the foundations of the world, Mat. 25. 34.

For I was hungry, and ye gaue me meat, ver. 35.

I was thirsty, and ye gaue mee drinke, &c.

In that ye did it to the least of my brethren, ye did it vnto me, ver. 40.

But the fruits of the Spirit are ioy,Mercy, the fruit of the Spirit. peace, long-suffering, gentle­nesse, goodnesse, &c. Gal. 5. 22.

The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodnesse, and righteousnesse, and truth Eph. 5. 9.

If I haue with-held the poore from their desire;The Saints practise. if I haue cau­sed the eye of the widdow to faile; if I haue eaten my morsell alone, and the fatherlesse hath not eaten thereof, Iob. 31. 17.

If I haue seene any perish for want of cloathing, Iobs. or any poore [Page 381] without couering, ver. 19.

If his bones haue not blessed me, and if hee were not warmed with the fleece of my sheepe, ver. 20.

Now there was in Ioppa a cer­taine woman, a Disciple called Tabitha, Tabithas. which by interpretati­on is called Dorcas; this woman was full of good workes and almes­deeds which she did, Act 9. 36.

There was a certaine man in Cesaria called Cornelius, Cornelius. of the band, called the Italian band, Act. 10. 1.

A deuout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gaue much almes to the people, ver. 2.

There came a certaine Sama­ritane also that way,The good Samaritans and when he saw him, hee had compassion on him, Luke 10. 33.

And went to him, and bound vp his wounds, powring in Oyle and Wine, &c. ver. 34.

He said, Hee was his Neigh­bour that shewed mercy on him; [Page 380] then said Iesus to him, Goe thou, and doe likewise, ver. 37.

Now I haue all:Philippi­ans. I abound, I am full, hauing receiued from Epaphroditus the things that were sent from you, an ointment of a sweet smelling sacrifice accepta­ble and pleasing to God, Phil. 4. 18.

The Lord giue mercy to One­siphorus his house,Onesiphorus for hee oft re­freshed me, and was not ashamed of my chaines, 2 Tim. 1. 16.

We haue great ioy and conso­lation in thy loue,Philemons. because the bowels of the Saints are refreshed by thee, brother, Phil. 7.

Pure Religion, Workes of mercy, a certaine note of pure Religion. and vndefiled before God, euen the Father, is this; to to visit the fatherlesse and widdowes in their aduersities, and to keepe himselfe vnspotted of the world, Iam. 1. 27.

There shall be iudgement mer­cilesse to him that sheweth no mer­cy; In assu­rance of saluation, and meanes of obtaining mercy▪ at Gods hand. and mercy reioyceth against iustice, Iam. 2. 13.

Blessed are the mercifull, for [Page 381] they shall obtaine mercy, Mat 5. 7.

The liberall soule shall be made fat, and hee that watereth shall bee watred also himselfe, Prou. 11. 25.

Giue, and it shall be giuen vn­to you good measure, pressed downe, and running ouer, Luke 6. 38.

Whosoeuer shall giue to drink vnto one of these little ones, a cup of cold water, only in the name of a Disciple, verily he shall not lose his reward.

THE PRAYER FOR Wednesday morning;

composed of

  • 1. Petitions sutable to the worke of the day.
  • 2. Motiues to workes of mercy, agreeable to the precedent exhor­tation.

O Lord, what is man that thou art so mindfull of him, or the sonne of man, that thou so regardest him? Thou ma­dest so much of him, that thou madest all creatures for him; the Fowles of the Aire, Fish in the Sea, and Beasts of the Field to furnish his Table, and clothe his nakednesse, and serue his vse. The earth thou createdst to su­staine him, the water to wash and coole him, the aire to breath him, the fire to warme him, the Flowers to refresh him, the Herbes to cure him, the Fruits [Page 383] and Graines to nourish him, the Mines to inrich him, the preci­ous Stones to adorne him; yea, the glorious Lamps of Heauen, The Sunne and Moone, to light him, the one in the Day, the o­ther in the Night, and both to measure his time, to direct his husbandry, to recreate him in his trauells, to ripen his fruits and increase his store. Nay, (which farre surpasseth the glo­rious beames of the Sunne, and his comfortable light) thou ga­uest him a sure light of prophecy before the day dawne, and the day­starre arose in the Firmament of the Church, and afterwards cau­sedst the Sunne of righteousnesse to arise vpon him, to shine in his heart in this life by grace, and in Heauen by glory for euermore. Shall I not reioyce in this light? Shall I not open all the Case­ments of my soule to let it in? Shall I not account their feet beautifull, and the ground happy [Page 384] on which they tread, who bring me tidings of this wonderfull Light? Shall I not loue thee a­boue all things, who hast pre­ferred mee aboue all things? Shall I not serue thee with all the faculties of my body and soule, who makest all thy Creatures serue me? What pretext can I haue for my ingratitude and dis­obedience to thee, so gracious a Lord and Master? I cannot pleade ignorance of thy Deity, for the Heauens declare thy glory, and the Firmament sheweth thy handy-worke. I cannot pretend ignorance of thy Law, for thou hast put thy Word into my mouth, and written thy Law in my heart. I cannot alledge that I neuer heard of, or saw the Light of thy Gospell, for the light came into the world, and shined in the darke­nesse, and the darkenesse compre­hended it not. Neuer had any Na­tion a more bright Sun-shine of the Gospell then ours. But we [Page 385] loue darkenesse more then light, be­cause our deeds are euill. And be­cause we loue darkenesse more then light, thou mightest most iustly haue already cast vs into outward darkenesse. But there is mercy with thee, that thou mayest be feared; there is Balme in Gilead to cure cur deadly wounds; there is Vn­ctim in Christ; there is saluation in Iesus; there is redemption in his bloud; there is satisfaction in his death; there is merit in his perfect obedience; there is hope in his resurrection and ascension; and euerlasting comfort in his sitting at the right hand of his Father, to make intercession for vs. O Eter­nall Aduocate, pleade my muse. Thou, who out of thy pierced side openedst to all the inhabitants of the earth a Fountaine for sinne and vncleannesse, wash mee from my wickednesse, and clense me from my sinne: grant me thy peace which thou promisest thy chosen, that my heart bee not troubled. Make [Page 386] an atonement for mee, and bring me into fauour, with thy Father, and my Father, thy God, and my God. And because all my hope is in thy mercy, Lord let me imi­tate that vertue in thee which I implore. Let mee patterne that grace in my life, which saueth my life. Let mee from my heart forgiue my brethren their tres­passes, compassionate their infir­mities, relieue their necessities, ease their crosses, and beare their burthens. Let the hungry haue neuer a iust action against me at thy Barre, for not giuing them meate, nor the thirsty for not gi­uing them drinke; nor the naked, for not clothing them; nor the sicke and imprisoned, for not visi­ting them; nor the fatherlesse and widowes for not protecting & de­fending them. Let me, who need abundant mercy, shew abundant mercy. Let me mete such measure to my brethren as I expect from thee. As a good childe, let mee [Page 387] follow the example of my hea­uenly Father, who (as on this day) caused the Sunne to rise vp­on the Iust and the vniust. So let the light of my knowledge, and heat of my loue be extended to all, but especially to those of the houshold of faith. And as the Sun shineth vpon my body, so make thy countenance shine vpon my soule. As the Sunne draweth vp exhalations from the earth, so raise thou my thoughts and de­sires from earthy comforts to heauenly obiects. As the Sunne melteth Snow and Ice: so melt thou my heart frozen in the dregs of sinne. As the Snnne dispelleth all mists of darkenesse, and cleereth the Aire from all Fogs and noysome Vapours: so let thy Spirit disped all errors of my vnderstanding, and cleere my will from all fogs and fumes of noy­some lusts. Giue mee grace to keepe a regular, constant, and vnwearied course vpon earth, as [Page 388] the Sunne doth in Heauen; and to grow in grace, and increase in heauenly wisdome, as the Sunne ascendeth higher, and shineth still brighter till it bee high Noone. Lastly, the Sunne reioy­ceth as a Gyant to runne his course: So grant that I may cheerefully runne and finish my race, and af­ter I haue finished it, receiue the re­ward of the Righteous, who shall shine as the Sun in the Kingdome of the Father for euermore. Amen.

The close out of Scripture.

Grant, Lord, that I may bee filled with the knowledge of thy Will in all wisdome and spirituall vn­derstanding, Col. 1. 9.

That I may walke worthy of thee, & please thee in all things, being fruitfull in all good workes, and increasing in the knowledge of thee, ver. 10.

Strengthened with all might through thy glorious power vn­to [Page 389] all patience, and long suffe­ring, with ioyfulnesse, ver. 11.

The Deuotion for Wednes­dayes Euening.

THE HYMNE.

O Giue thankes vnto the Lord, for he is gracious, and his mercy endu­reth for euer, Psal. 136. 1.

Which onely doth wonders; for his mercy indureth for e­uer, ver. 4.

Which by his excellent wise­dome made the Heauens; for his mercy endureth for euer, ver. 5.

Which made great lights, for his mercy endureth for euer, ver. 7.

The Sunne to rule the day; for his mercy endureth for e­uer, ver. 8.

[Page 390] The Moone and the Stars to gouerne the night; for his mer­cy endureth for euer, ver. 9.

He telleth the number of the Starres, and calleth them by their names, Psal. 147. 4.

He appointed the Moone for certaine seasons; and the Sun knoweth his going downe, Psal. 104. 19.

Thou makest darknesse that it may be night, wherein all the beasts of the Forrest doe moue, ver. 20.

The Sunne ariseth, and they get them away together; and lay them downe in their dens, ver. 22.

Man goeth forth vnto his worke and to his labour vntill the Euening, ver. 23.

O Lord, our Gouernour, how excellent is thy Name in all the world, Psal. 8. 9.

The Admonition for Wednesday Euening, being an Exhortation to purity in heart, answerable to the sixth Beatitude.
THE ANALYSIS.
  • Purity, especial­ly in heart, is to bee prayed for, and sought after in regard of God his
    • 1. Speciall command for it.
    • 2. Particular taking notice of it.
    • 3. High esteeme and appro­bation thereof.
    • 4. Gracious promises to it, of
      • 1 Life.
      • 2 Fauor of Kings
      • 3 Sight of him­selfe.
      • 4 His fauour and bounty.
      • 5 Profit by the Word.
      • 6 Abode in Heauen.
THE TEXTS.

NOw therefore serue the Lord, 1. Precepts for it. and serue him in sin­ceritie of heart, and in truth, Ios. 24. 14.

Prepare your hearts vnto the Lord, and serue him onely, 1. Sam. 7. 3.

They that are of a forward heart are an abomination to the Lord, but such as are vpright in the way are his delight, Prou. 11. 20.

My sonne giue mee thy heart, and let thine eyes obserue my wayes, Pro. 23. 26.

Cleanse your hands yee sin­ners, and purge your hearts yee double-minded, Iam. 4. 8.

Serue God with a perfect heart, 2. God takes notice of it. and with a willing minde; for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and vnderstandeth all imagina­tions of the thoughts, 1. Chron. 28. 9.

[Page 393] O Ierusalem wash thine heart, Ier 4. 4.

God seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance; but God iudgeth the heart, 1. Sam. 16. 7.

Thou knowest the hearts of all men, Acts 1.

He will lighten things hid in darknesse, and make the coun­sels of thy heart manifest, 1. Cor. 4. 5.

Thou louest truth in the inward parts, Psal. 51. 6.

Wee speake not as pleasing men but as pleasing God who tryeth the hearts, 2. Thes. 2. 4.

Let it bee the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible,3. God highly e­steemes it. the ornament of a meeke and quiet spirit; which is in the sight of God of great price, 1. Per. 3. 4.

Keepe the heart with all dili­gence;4. Promi­ses of 1. Life. for out of it are the issues of life, Prou. 4. 23.

Hee that loueth purenesse in [Page 394] heart, the King shall be his friend, 2. Fauour of Kings. Prou. 22. 11.

Blessed are the pure in heart, 3. Sight of God. for they shall see God, Math. 5. 8.

Truely God is good vnto Israel, 4. Gods fauours. euen to him that is of a cleane heart, 5. Profiting by the Word. Psal. 73. 1.

That which fell on good ground, are they which with an honest and good heart heare the Word, and keepe it, and bring forth fruits with patience, Luke 18. 15.

Who shall ascend into the Hill of the Lord;6. Abode in heauen. or who shall stand in his Holy place? Psal. 24. 3.

He that hath cleane hands, and a pure heart, verse 4.

Hee that walketh vprightly, and speaketh vprightly, &c. Isai. 33. 15.

He shall dwell on high, &c.

The Prayer for Wednesday-Euening.

Compo­sed of

  • 1 Petitions sutable to the sufferings of Christ on this day.
  • 2 Motiues to perswade purity in heart, and sincerity, agreeable to the precedent ex­hortation.

MOst holy, blessed, and glo­rious God, who dwellest in light which none may approach, I miserable and sinfull creature, by nature a child of the night, and of darknesse; nay, very darknesse it selfe, am ashamed and confoun­ded to lift vp mine eyes to heauen, or looke towards the place where thine honour dwelleth. For, I haue sinned against heauen and against thee, and deserue to be cast out for euer from the sight of thy face, and presence of thy glorious Ma­iestie into vtter darknesse which [Page 396] the diuel the Prince of darknesse, and his Angels that are reserued in chaines of darknesse, till the great and terrible Day of thy wrath. For that heauenly light which thou hast kindled in my heart (though I seeke to smother it neuer so much) clearely conuinceth my conscience, that I preferre the pleasures of sinne which are the workes of darknesse, before the glo­rious inheritance of thy Saints in light, hauing my very vnderstan­ding, the onely light which is in me, much darkened through the ignorance that is in me, by reason of the hardnesse of my heart. And notwithstanding thou hast cal­led mee early and late, and stret­ched thy hands all the day long vn­to mee, yet I haue walked still in the vanitie of my minde, and wea­ried my selfe in the wayes of wickednesse, and haue not hear­kened to thy voice whereby I might walke in thy lawes which thou hast appointed for me. Or if for a short [Page 397] time I haue reioyced in the light of the Gospel, yet soone after I haue quenched thy Spirt, and haue giuen my selfe to wantonnesse, to worke filthinesse with greedinesse. Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant, O Lord, for in thy sight shall no man liuing be iustified. Though thou shouldest drowne all my former sinnes in the bottome­lesse sea of thy mercy; yet the sins of this day alone giue sufficient euidence against mee, to con­demne mee. My vnsanctified de­sires, and impure thoughts, and vaine imaginations, and idle words, and vnfruitfull workes make mee vnexcusable before thee. I cannot answer for my abuse of the crea­tures, mis-spending my time which is most precious, & ouer­stipping many occasions of do­ing good. How negligent haue I beene in the duties of my cal­ling? How cold and dull in my exercises of Religion? How de­fectiue in the confession of my [Page 398] sinnes? How carelesse in applying the soueraigne remedies of the Word? My very prayers which I make vnto thee for the supplying of all my wants, and healing of all my infirmities, are accompanied with so many wants and infir­mities, that I haue neede to aske pardon for these my imperfect prayers. Lord giue mee a sense of my stupidity and senselesnesse, and a feruent desire of more fer­uency and zeale, and true remorse and sorrow for want of remorse and sorrow for these my sinnes. And because that I know not how to pray as I ought, let thy Spirit make intercession for me with sighs and grones which cannot be expres­sed, and let the bloud of thy Sonne speake better things for mee then the bloud of Abel. O let not the glorious light of Heauen goe downe vpon thy displeasure against me, but for thy decre Sonne, Iesus Christ his sake, who is the pr [...] ­pitiation for my sinnes, be reconci­led [Page 399] vnto mee while it is called to day, that I may finde rest vnto my soule this night, together with the comfortable refreshing of my body by sleepe. So shall I neuer cease with a ioyfull heart, and a cheerefull voice, to praise thee for thine vnspeakable loue in e­lecting me to eternall life in Hea­uen, before thou hadst laid the foundations of the earth: Thy goodnesse in creating mee after thine owne Image; thy mercy in redeeming mee with the bloud of thine onely begotton Sonne; thy grace in calling mee to the know­ledge of thy truth; and thy fa­therly care in safely protecting me, mercifully correcting, and liberally prouiding for me euer since the day thou breathedst into me the breath of life. Giue me yet more, O Lord. What wilt thou giue me? Giue mee a thankefull heart for all these inestimable fauours of thine infinite loue, that I may continually blesse [Page 400] thee for thy continuall bles­sings, with the dew of thy grace descending vpon me, alwaies be­ginning the day with thy mercy, and ending it with thy praise. Blessed Redeemer, who wert this day sold for thirty pieces of Siluer, redeeme me from the thraldome of sinne, and neuer suffer mee with Ahab, to sell my selfe to worke wickednesse against thee. Let the heinousnesse of Iudas his sinne, and the horrour of his punish­ment deterre me from betraying thy truth for any worldly ad­uantage whatsoeuer. O Bread of Life, which hungredst for my sake; O Source of the Springs of Libanon, who thirstedst for my sake; O Ioy of all mankinde, which sorrowedst for me; O Truth it selfe and fidelity, which wast by false trechery betrayed for my sake; O the true Wedding gar­ment which wast stript for mee; O the Redemption and ransome of the world, who wert sold for [Page 401] my sake; O the Life and Resur­rection of all that hope in thee, who dyedst for me; imprint thy loue so deepe into my heart, that nei­ther hunger, nor thirst, nor sor­row, nor nakednesse, nor trechery, nor thraldome, nor hope of re­ward, nor feare of persecution, nor life, nor death may race it out. Was it not enough, O Lord, to become man for mee, but thou must become a ser­uant? Was it not enough as a seruant to bee scourged for me, but must thou also, like a bond­slaue, bee sold for me, that am a bond-slaue of Satan, sold vnder sinne? Was it not too much to be sold, but must thou bee sold at so vile a price as thirty pieces of siluer? Was no means thought meane enough to abase thee? The cheaper thou wert sold, the dearer I cost thee; for thou gauest not onely thy liberty and life, but thy estimation also for mee. The lower thou [Page 400] wert abased, the higher thou hast exalted mee. The lesse was giuen for thee, the more I owe thee, who wert content to bee prized solow, and made of no re­putation for me. O strange ran­some! The Redeemer is sold, that the sold bond-slaue may be redee­med. O admirable iudgement! The righteous is condemned, that the vnrighteous may righteously bee acquitted. O wonderfull cure! The Physician is sicke, and dyeth, that the Patient may liue. Me [...]ke Sauiour, thou foresawest that the Diuell would enter into Iudas before hee entered. Thou knewest that hee would betray thee, yet thou chosest him: that hee would lift vp his foot against thee, yet thou shoddest him with the preparation of the Gospell of peace: that hee would sell thee, yet thou trustedst him with thy Purse: that the poyson of Aspes was vnder his lip, yet thou suffe­redst him to touch thy Lips in [Page 401] which there was no guile, and seale them with a kisse; and gently vnsealing them, thou saidst no more to him but, Friend, how camest thou hither? Doest thou betray the Sonne of man with a kisse? Sweet Sauiour, how wilt thou entertaine thy friends, when thou thus intreatedst thy trecherous seruant? Thou who wert so good to him, that was so bad, as worse neuer was; how will thy grace and goodnesse a­bound to them that excell in vertue. If thou sufferedst a Trai­tor to kisse thee, thou wilt neuer resuse to cheere vp the drooping countenance of a penitent sin­ner with a kisse. Thy Espouse emboldneth me to beg that kind­nesse of thee which she did. Let him kisse me with the kisses of his lips. Kisse thou me with a kisse of loue, but let me neuer kisse thee with the kisse of Iudas. Let mee neuer draw neere to thee with my lips, and be farre from thee in my [Page 404] heart, but first draw [...]y heart, & then my body & soule vnto thee. Thou requirest the heart, and sear­chest the heart, and [...] the heart, and acceptest of no seruice or sa­crifice without it; Lord, giue me a cleane heart, and [...] a right Spirit within me, that I may giue thee such a heart as thou requi­rest. Clense the thoughts, and affections, and intentions of my heart from all impurity, impie­ty, iniquity, in-sincerity, fraud, and hypocrisie. Let all the thoughts of my heart bee pure, the desires holy, the intentions sincere, the affections vnfained, and let all my words and works be hearty. O let my heart be al­waies fixed vpon thee; possessed with thee; established in thee; true vnto thee; vpright towards thee; and sincere for thee; that in the great Day, when the secrets of all hearts shall bee manifested, my heart may not condemne mee, but thou approue it, and accept [Page 405] it, and fill it with such ioyes as neuer entred into the heart of man. So be it. Amen.

The close out of Scripture.

Thanks bee giuen to the Father, which hath made me meet to be partaker of the inheritance of the Saints in light, Col. 1. 12.

Who hath deliuered me from the power of darknesse, and hath translated mee into the King­dome of his deare Sonne, ver. 13.

In whom I haue redemption through his bloud, euen the for­giuenesse of sinnes, ver. 14.

Thursday's Deuotion, being the fifth day from the Creation.

The Father worketh. Ioh. 5. 17. The worke of Creation on this day.

SO afterward God said, Let the waters bring forth in a­bundance euery creeping thing that hath life: and let the Fowle flye vpon the earth in the open Fir­mament of the Heauen Gen. 1. [...]0.

Then God created the great Whales, and euery thing liuing and mouing, which the waters brought forth in abundance, according to their kinde, and euery feathered Fowle, according to his kinde; and God saw that it was good, ver. 21.

Then God blessed them, saying; Bring forth fruit & multiply, & fill the waters in the Seas, and let the Fowles multiply in the earth, v. 2 [...].

So the Euening and the Mor­ning were the fifth day.

And I worke, Ioh. 5. 17. The worke of Redemption on this day.

THen came the Day of vnle­uened bread, when the Passo­uer must be sacrificed, Luke 22. 7.

And be sent Peter and Iohn, say­ing; Goe and prepare vs the Passo­uer, that we may eat it, ver. 8.

And they said, &c. v. 9. Then he said vnto them, Behold, &c. v. 10.

And say to the goood man of the house, The Master saith vnto thee, Where is the lodging where I shall eat my Passouer with my Disci­ples, ver. 11.

Then he shall shew you a great high Chamber, &c. ver. 12.

So they went, and found as hee had said vnto them, and neade rea­dy the Passouer, ver. 13.

And he tooke Bread, and when he had giuen thankes, hee brake it, [Page 408] and gaue to them, saying; This is my Body which is giuen for you, doe this in remembrance of me, ver. 19.

Likewise also, after Supper hee tooke the Cup, saying; This Cup is the new Testament in my bloud, which is shed for you, ver. 20.

And he came out, and went (as he was wont) to the Mount of O­liues, and his Disciples also follow­ed him, ver. 39.

And when he came to the place, he said to them, Pray, lest ye enter into temptation, ver. 40.

And he gate himselfe from them about a stones cast, and kneeled downe, and prayed, ver. 41.

Saying, Father, if thou wilt, take away this Cup from me: ne­uerthelesse not my will, but thine be done, ver. 42.

And there appeared an An­gell vnto him from Heauen, com­forting him, ver. 43.

But being in an Agony, he pray­ed more earnestly: and his sweat [Page 409] was like drops of bloud, trickling downe the ground, ver. 44.

For thine instructi­on meditate

  • In the Morning, on the creation of Fish and Fow [...]e.
  • In the Eue­ning, on thy Sauiours
    • Agony.
    • Last Passeouer.
    • Supper.

For thy comfort apply to thy selfe the Benefits

  • Corporall of the one.
  • Spirituall of the other.

For thy correction reproue thy

  • Abuse of the one.
  • Vnthankfulnesse for the other.

Quicken

  • Thy thankesgiuing by the Hymne.
  • Thine obedience by the ad­monition.
  • Thy zeale and patience by the prayer ensuing.
The Hymne for Thursday-morning.

O Lord, how manifold are thy workes, in wisdome hast thou made them all; the earth is full of thy riches, Psal. 104. 24.

So is the great and wide Sea, wherein are things cree­ping innumerable, both small and great beasts, ver. 25.

There goe the Ships, and there is that Leuiathan, whom thou hast made to take his pastime therein, ver. 26.

These wait all vpon thee, that thou mayest giue them their meate in due season, ver. 27.

That thou giuest, they gather, thou openest thy hand, and they are filled with good, ver. 28.

Thou hidest thy face and [Page 411] they are troubled; thou takest away their breath and they dye, and returne againe to their dust, ver. 29.

They that goe downe to the Sea in ships, that doe their bu­sinesse in great waters, Psal. 107. 23.

These see the workes of the Lord, and his wonders in the deepe, ver. 24.

For hee commandeth, and raiseth vp the stormy wind, which lifteth vp the waues thereof. ver. 25.

They mount vp to the Hea­uens, they goe downe againe to the depth; their heart is melted because of trouble, ver. 26.

They reele to and fro, and stagger like, a drunken man, and are euen at their wits end, ver. 27.

Then cry they to the Lord [Page 412] in trouble, and hee bringeth them out of their distresse, v. 28.

He maketh the stormes to cease, so that the waues there­of are still, ver. 29.

Then are they glad because they are quiet; so hee bringeth them to their desired Hauen, ver. 30.

Praise the Lord vpon earth ye Dragons and all deepes, Psal. 148. 7.

Beasts & all Cattel; wormes, and fethered Fowles, ver. 10.

He sendeth the Springs into the Vallies, which run between the mountaines, Psal. 104. 10.

By these Springs shall the Fowles of the Heauen dwell, and sing among the branches, ver. 12.

Let euery thing that hath breath praise the Lord; Praise ye the Lord, Psal. 150. 6.

The Admonition for Thursday Morning being an Exhortation to peace-making or the seauenth Beatitude.
THE ANALYSIS.

The deuout soule must labour to make peace, and haue peace with all, as far as it is possible in

  • 1 Obedience
    • To the LAVVE.
    • To the GOSPEL.
  • 2 Confor­mitie to
    • 1 God the
      • Father.
      • Sonne.
      • H. Ghost.
    • 2 The Saints.
  • 3 In hope & expecta­tion of bles­sings.
    • 1 Tem­porall as
      • 1 Good daies.
      • 2 A good name or honor
    • 2 Spirituall, as
      • 1 The glad tydings of the Gospell.
      • 2 Wisedome.
      • 3 Righteousnesse.
      • 4 The guidance of Gods Spirit.
      • 5 The vnitie of the Spirit, or com­munion of saints.
      • 6 The Beatifical vi­sion, or sight of God in Heauen.
THE TEXTS.

SEeke peace and ensue it,Precepts. Psal. 34. 14.

Execute the iudgement of truth and peace in your gates, Zach. 8. 16.

Let none of you imagine e­uill in your hearts against your Neighbour, ver. 17.

Haue Salt, and haue peace one with another, Mar. 9. 50.

Into what house soeuer yee enter, first say; Peace bee to this house, Luke 10. 5.

If it bee possible, haue peace with all men, Rom. 12. 18.

Let vs therefore follow after the things that make for peace, and things wherewith wee may edifie one another, Rom. 14 19.

God hath called vs to peace, 1 Cor. 7. 15.

Be of one minde; liue in peace, 2 Cor. 13. 12.

Let the peace of God rule in [Page 415] your hearts, to the which all yee are called in one body, Col. 3. 15

Follow righteousnesse, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart, 2 Tim. 2. 22.

Follow peace with all men,God the Father, God of peace. &c. Heb. 12. 14.

God is not the God of confusi­sion, but of peace, 1 Cor. 14. 33.

The God of peace shall be with you, Phil. 4. 19.

To vs a Sonne is giuen,The Sonne, Prince of peace. and the gouernment shall bee vpon his shoulders, and his Name shall be called, Wonderfull, Counseller, The Mighty God, The Euerlasting Father, The Prince of peace, Isa. 9. 6.

Melchi [...]sedec▪ first being by in­terpretation, King of Righteous­nesse; and after that, also, King of Salem, which is King of peace, Heb. 7. 2.

That he might be like to the Sonne of God, who abideth our Priest continually, ver. 3.

[Page 416] The fruit of the Spirit is loue,The holy Ghost, the Spirit of peace. Examples. ioy, peace, &c. Gal. 5. 22.

Abraham said, Let there bee no strife betweene me and thee, and my Herdsmen & thy Herds­men, for we are brethren, Gen. 13. 8.

I labour for peace, The Saints, children of peace. Psal. 1 20 6.

Though I bee free from all men, yet haue I made my selfe seruant vnto all, that I might gaine the more, &c. 1 Cor. 9. 19.

Why suffer yee not rather wrong? 1 Cor. 6. 7.

Being reuiled, we blesse; be­ing persecuted we suffer it. 1 Cor. 4. 12.

Being defamed,The f [...]uits of peace are Prosperity. wee intreat, ver. 13.

What man is he that desireth life and loueth many dayes, that he may see good, Psal. 34. 12.

Seeke peace, &c. ver. 14.

Blessed are the Peace-makers, Honour. for they shall be called, The chil­dren of the most High, Mat. 5. 9.

If the Sonne of peace be there,Benediction [Page 417] your peace shall rest vpon it; if not, it shall turne to you againe, Luk. 10. 6.

The Wisdome from aboue is first pure,Wisdome. then peaceable, Iam. 3. 17.

The fruits of righteousnesse are sowne in peace of them that make peace, Righteous­nesse. Iam. 3. 18.

The Kingdome of God is not meat and drinke, but righteous­nesse and peace, and ioy in the holy Ghost, Rom. 14. 17.

Liue in peace, The speciall presence of God. and the God of loue and peace shall bee with you, 2 Cor. 13. 12.

Keepe the vnity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, Vnity. Eph. 4. 3.

Follow peace, Beatificall vision. &c. without which no man shall see God, Heb. 12. 14.

The Prayer for Thursday Morning:

composed of

  • Petitions sutable to the worke of the day.
  • Motiues to peaceable­nesse agreeable to the precedent exhortation.

ONe depth calleth vpon a­nother; the depth of my ignorance vpō the depth of thy Wisdome; the depth of my wickednesse, vpon the depth of thy goodnesse; the depth of my misery, vpon the depth of thy mercy. O Lord, in the depth of thy Wisdome finde meanes to helpe my ignorance; in the depth of thy goodnesse, to ouercome my wickednesse; in the depth of thy mercy to relieue my misery. Inlighten mine vnderstanding, that I may know mine igno­rance; rectifie my will, that I may detest my wickednesse; and [Page 419] mollifie my heart, that I may be­waile my misery: and by faith incorporate me into thy Sonne, Iesus Christ, that I may be par­taker of his knowledge, righte­ousnesse, and happinesse. As he made my ignorance his igno­rance, and my sinne his sinne, and my misery his misery▪ by ta­king vpon him my guilt, and sa­tisfying for my punishment: so make thou (I beseech thee) his Wisdome my instruction, his Righteousnes my sanctification, and his Glory my happinesse. Consider mee, I beseech thee, not as I am in my selfe, defiled; but as I am in him, washed; not as I am in my selfe naked, but as I am in him, clothed; not as I am in my selfe wounded, but as I am in him, healed; not as in my selfe, a childe of wrath, but as in him reconciled and at peace with thee. And hauing my peace made with thee by his chastise­ment; grant that I may haue peace, [Page 420] as farre as it is possible, with all men; especially, with all the chil­dren of peace. Let mee euer re­member and consider, that thou, my Father, art the God of peace; and thy Sonne, my Sauiour, the Prince of peace; and his Law, the Gospell of peace; and his Seruants, the Children of peace; whose du­ty is the study of peace, and the marke they principally aime at, as the end of their faith, the peace of God which passeth all vnderstan­ding. O let mee striue and con­tend against strife and contenti­on, as a thing most hatefull to thee, hurtfull to my neighbour, and most of all preiudiciall to my selfe, by endangering my person and state, disturbing the quietnesse of my minde, hindring me in the prosecution of my bu­sinesse, and (which is worst of all) making me indisposed, and al­together vnfit for the perfor­mance of diuine duties. Teach me of what spirit I am or should [Page 421] be, euen of that which descended vpon thy Sonne in the likenesse of a Doue without Gall: By this spirit mortifie in me the lusts and affections of the flesh, as enuy, wrath, reuenge, and the like. By the still voice, in which thou spakest to Elias, let mee learne that thou art not in the fire of my rage, nor in the storme of my passion, but in the saft gale of grace. Lord, who on this day replenishedst the Sea and Riuers with fish, and Aire with Fowles in shapes admirably various, and in number almost infinite; stir me vp by the consideration thereof, to admire thy power & wisdome in thus storing, and (as it were) peopling this vaste and fearefull seeming solitude; and much more to magnifie thy goodnesse in thus richly and daintily fur­nishing the tables of men. Bles­sed Lord, who this day madest the waters fruitfull, let thy Spirit moue vpon the waters of my [Page 422] teares, that they may abound in the fruits of repentance, and bee blessed in the encrease of spiritu­all consolatious. Lord, who this day commandest the Fowles to flye through the aire, lift vp my soule from the earth with the wings of faith and hope, that she may flye vp towards Heauen. Make mee light and cheerefull after my hea­uy sorrowes and grieuous affli­ctions, that though I haue beene as blacke and sad in my heart and countenance, as if I had lay­en among the pots, yet I may be, by the grace of thy Spirit, which descended in the likenesse of a Doue, like that Doue, whose wings are siluer, and her feathers like gold. So be it. Amen.

The close out of Scripture.

God grant that my loue may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all iudgement, Phil. 1 9.

That I may discerne things [Page 423] that differ one from another, that I may be pure, and without of­fence, vntill the day of Christ, ver. 10.

Filled with the fruits of righ­teousnesse, which are by Iesus Chirst, vnto the glory and praise of God, ver. 11.

The Deuotion for Thurs­day Euening.

THE HYMNE.

Wherein the deuout soule expresseth her desire of prayer for peace

  • Publike.
  • Priuate.
THE TEXTS.

BEhold how good and plea­sant a thing it is, brethren to dwel together in vnity, Ps. 133. 1.

It is like the precious Oint­ment vpon the head, that ranne downe vpon the Beard, euen Aarons Beard, and went downe [Page 424] to the skirts of his clothing, v. 2.

As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended vpon the Mountaine of Sion; for there the Lord promiseth his blessings, and life for euermore, ver. 3.

Woe is me, that I am constrai­ned to dwell with Meseck, and to haue my habitation in the tents of Kedar, Psal. 120. 4.

My soule hath long dwelt a­mong them that be enemies vnto peace, ver. 5.

I labour for peace; but when I speake to them therof they make themselues ready to battaile, v. 6.

Pray for the peace of Ierusalem; they shall prosper that loue thee, Psal. 122 6.

Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy Palaces, ver. 7.

For my brethren and compa­nions sake, I will now say, Peace be within thee, ver. 8.

Because of the house of the Lord my God, I will seeke thy good, ver. 9.

The Admonition for Thursday Euening, being an Exhortation to Patience, the eightth BEATITVDE.
THE ANALYSIS.

All true Christians must valiantly and cheerfully endure troubles for the Gospell in respect of

  • 1 God his
    • Will.
    • Power.
    • Ordinance.
  • 2 Christ his
    • Loue.
    • Example.
    • Sympathy with vs.
  • 3 The Saints
    • Practice.
    • Encouragement.
  • 4 The enemies
    • Conuersion or
    • Conuiction.
  • 5 Our selues who ther­by receiue
    • 1 Tryall.
    • 2 Ioy.
    • 3 Assurance of God's loue.
    • 4 Quiet fruit of Righ­teousnes.
    • 5 Holinesse and per­fection.
    • 6 Life.
    • 7 Protection.
    • 8 Honor before God.
    • 9 Inesti­mable re­wards:
      • 1 In this life.
      • 2 In the life to come.
THE TEXTS.

IN the world ye shall haue af­flictions, Iob 6. 33.

I was dumbe, and opened not my mouth, because thou, Lord, hadst done it, Psal. 39. 9.

Let them that suffer according to the Will of God, God his Will. commit their soules to him in well doing, as their faithfull Creator, 1 Pet. 4. vlt.

Who hath euer resisted his Will? Rom. 9. 19.

He is able to subdue all things to himselfe,Power. Phil. 3. 21.

We must through many affli­ctions enter into the Kingdome of God, Ordinance. Act. 14. 22.

All that liue godly in Christ Iesus, shall suffer persecutions, 2 Tim. 3. 12.

Thou therefore endure hard­nesse, as a good Souldier of Ie­sus Christ 1 Tim. 2. 3.

You shal be hated of all men for [Page 426] my Names sake, Luke 21. 17.

The loue of Christ constraineth vs,Christ his loue. because wee thus iudge, that if One dyed for all, then all were dead, 2 Cor. 5. 14.

Who shall separate vs from the loue of Christ? Shall tribu­lation, or anguish, or distresse, or persecution, or famine, or sword? Rom. 8. 35.

Nor height, nor depth, nor a­ny other creature shall be able to separate vs from the loue of God, which is in Christ Iesus, our Lord, Rom. 8. 39.

Be not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord Iesus, Example. nor of mee his prisoner, but bee partakers of the afflictions of the Gospell, 2 Tim. 1. 8.

As the sufferings of Christ a­bound in vs so our consolation abounds through Christ, 1 Cor. 1. 5.

Christ also suffered for vs, lea­uing vs an example, that wee should follow his steps, 1 Pet. 2. 21.

[Page 428] Whom he fore-knew, he pre­destinated to be conformed to the Image of his Sonne, Rom. 8. 29.

I was hungry,Sympathy. and ye gaue me no meate; I was thirsty, and yee gaue me no drinke, &c. Mat. 25. 43.

In as much as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not vnto me, ver. 45.

He that despiseth you, despi­seth me, Luke 10. 16.

Saul,The Saints continuall practise.Saul, Why persecutest thou me? Act. 9. 4.

Ioseph said,Ioseph. Feare not: for am not I vnder God? Gen. 50. 19.

Naked came I out of my Mo­thers wombe,Iob. and naked shall I returne thither againe; the Lord gaue, and the Lord hath taken away, and blessed be the Name of the Lord, Iob. 1. 21.

Shall wee receiue good at the hands of the Lord, and shall wee not receiue euill? In all this did not Iob sinne with his lips, Iob 2. 10.

[Page 429] But I was a man that hea­reth not, Daniel. and in whose mouth are no reproofes, Psal. 38. 14.

For thy sake are we killed all the day long, &c. Psal. 44. 22.

It is good for a man that hee beare the yoke in his youth.Ieremiah. Ier. 3. 27.

He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because hee hath borne it vpon him. ver. 28.

He putteth his mouth to the dust if so bee there may be hope, ver. 29.

Hee giueth his cheeke to him that smiteth him; he is filled full with reproach.

Others were tortured, The Apostls and Saints of the Pri­mitiue Church. and would not bee deliuered, that they might receiue a better re­surrection, Heb. 11. 35.

And others haue beene tryed by mockings and scourgings, yea moreouer, by bands and impri­sonment, ver. 36.

They were stoned, they were hewen in sunder, they were temp­ted, [Page 430] &c. verse 37, 38.

And they departed from the presence of the Councell, reioy­cing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his Name, Act. 5. 41.

Then Paul answered,Paul. What meane you to weepe, and to breake mine heart, for I am rea­dy, not onely to be bound, but to dye also at Ierusalem, for the Name of the Lord Iesus, Acts 21. 13.

In labours more abundant,The Thesa louians. in stripes aboue measure, in prison more frequent, in death often, 2. Cor. 11 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, verses.

Remembring without ceasing your worke of faith, and labour of loue, and patience of hope in our Lord Iesus Christ, 1. Thes. 13.

God hath set forth vs the last Apostles, as it were ap­proued to death; for wee are made a spectacle to the world, and to Angels, and to men, 1. [Page 431] Cor. 4. 9.

Ye endured a great fight of af­flictions, Heb. 10. 32.

Partly while ye were made a gazing stocke, The He­brewes. both by reproches and afflictions, and partly while ye became companions of them that were so vsed, ver. 33.

I know thy workes, Thyatyra. and thy la­bour, and thy patience, Reue. 2. 2.

I know thy faith, and thy pati­ence, and thy workes, ver. 19.

My bonds in Christ are mani­fest in that place, and all other places, Phil. 1. 13.

And many of the brethren in the Lord waxing confident by my bonds,Encourage­ments. are made more bold to speake the Word without feare, Phil. 1. 14.

And they cast Stephen out of the City,Couuersion of enemies. and stoned him; and the Witnesses laid downe their clothes at the young mans feet, whose name was Saul, Act. 1. 58.

And they stoned Stephen calling vpon God, and saying, [Page 432] Lord Iesus receiue my Spirit, ver. 59.

And he kneeled downe, and cryed with a loud voice, Lord lay not this sinne to their charge; and when hee had said this, hee fell asleepe, ver. 60.

Sauls conuersion, Act. 9.

They shall lay their hands on you,Conuiction. and persecute you, deliue­ring you vp to their Synagogues, and into prison, being brought before Kings and Rulers for my Names sake, Luk. 21. 12.

And this shall turn to you for a testimony against them, ver. 13.

And you shall be brought be­fore Gouernors and Kings for my Names sake, for a testimony a­gainst them, and against the Gentiles,Triall. Mat. 10. 18.

Others had tryalls of cruell mockings and scourges, yea more­ouer of bonds and imprisonment, Heb. 11. 36.

The trying of your faith wor­keth patience, Iam. 1. 3.

[Page 433] Ye are in heauinesse through manifold tentations, 1 Pet. 1. 6.

That the triall of your faith being much more precious then Gold (though it bee tryed with fire) might be found vnto praise, and honour, and glory at the ap­pearing of Iesus Christ, ver. 7.

Brethren account it exceeding great ioy when ye fall into diuers tentations, Ioy. Iam. 1. 2.

I reioyce in my sufferings, Col. 1. 24.

Your sorrow shall bee turned into ioy, Assurance of Gods loue. 10. 16. 20.

As many as I loue I rebuke and ch [...]sten, Reu. 3. 19.

Whom the Lord loueth he cha­steueth; and hee scourgeth euery son that he receiueth, Heb. 12. 6.

No chastening, for the time seemeth to bee ioyous but grie­uous. Fruit of righteous­nesse. Neuerthelesse, afterwards it yeeldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousnesse to them that are exercised thereby,Holinesse. ver. 11.

He chasteneth vs for our profit, [Page 434] that we might be partakers of his holinesse. ver. 10.

Let patience haue her perfect worke, Perfection. that ye may be perfect and entire lacking nothing, Iames. 1. 4.

By patience ye shall inherite the promises, The promi­ses. Heb. 6. 12.

By your patience possesse your soules, Luke 21. 19.

Because thou hast kept the world of my patience, Life. I will keepe thee from the houre of tentation, Reu. 3. 10.

Whosoeuer confesseth me be­fore men,Honour in in heauen. I will confesse him be­fore my Father which is in he [...] ­uen Luke 12. 8.

Verily I say vnto you,Rewards in this life. that no man that hath forsaken house, or lands for my sake, but he shall receiue an hundred fold, and in the world to come life euerlasting, Mark. 10. 29.

If ye suffer for righteousnesse sake, blessed are ye: yea feare not their feare neither be troubled, 1. Pet. 3. 14.

[Page 435] But sanctifie the Lord in your hearts, ver. 5.

If we suffer with him, wee shall also raigne with him, Rom. 8. 17.

The afflictions of this present life are not worthy the glory that shall be reuealed, ver. 18.

Blessed are they that suffer for righteousnesse sake, for their is the Kingdome of heauen, Mat. 5. 10.

THE PRAYER FOR Thursday euening

consisting, of

  • Petitions sutable to the workes of redemption on this day.
  • Motiues to patience a­greeable to the pre­cedent exhortation.

GRacious Lord and Sauiour who this day didst eate the Passeouer, and went eating in thy Supper; Suppe with me in the Eue­ning [Page 436] of this life, and grant that I may Dine with thee in thy day of eternitie. Gracious Redeemer, who this day gauest thy selfe to me in the Sacrament, first insti­tuted by thee; and the day fol­lowing gauest thy selfe for mee on the Crosse; giue me a speciall saith to receiue thee, and retaine thee, and applie continually thy feare to embolden me, thine A­gonie to comfort me, thy naked­nesse to cloathe me, thy cōdemning to quit me, thy bloud to clense me, thy wounds to heale me, and thy death to quicken me. O let not the worke of thy hands bee plucked out of thy hands. Let not the purchase of thy bloud be morgaged to the diuell. Let not thy teares and bloud bee shed in vaine. Let not thy sighes and groanes be breathed out to no purpose. Let not thine agonie and sweate, let not thy taking and bin­ding; let not thy arraigning and condemning; let not thy stripping [Page 437] and scourging; let not thy buffet­ting and being spit vpon; let not thy pricking and goaring; let not thy crucifying & dying want their effects in me. What should I not do or suffer for thee, who wert martired in all parts of thy body and faculties of thy soule for me: In thy minde by apprehension of thy Fathers wrath, in thy affecti­ons by feare and sorrow euen vn­to death; in thy inward parts by thine agonie: in thy outward by thy torments: in thy head by thornes: in thy cheekes by buffets: in thy face by spettle: in thy eares by blasphemies: in thy smell by the stench of Golgotha: in thy taste by gall and vineger: in thy handes and feete by nailes: in thy bodie by stripes: in thy side by the launce: and in thy ioynts by the crosse. O Lord, who hast called me to the knowledge of thy truth, and by thy Spirit imprin­ted thy loue in my heart by those nailes which fastened thee to the [Page 438] Crosse. Let nothing euer be able to separate me from thy loue, not tri­bulation, nor anguish, nor persecu­tion, nor height, nor depth, nor things present, nor things to come, nor life, nor death: for I know that all things worke for the best to them that loue thee. I cannot suffer the thousandth part of that for thee, which thou hast suffered for mee. I cannot suffer the least part of that which I deserue for my sins. I cannot suffer any thing which the Apostles and Prophets haue not suffered before me. I cannot suffer so much as may any way counter-ballance the massie crowne of glory prepared for me: for my light and momentarie afflicti­ons are no way worthy the glorie that shall be reuealed vpon me hereafter. And for the present, what are afflictions, or crosses, or persecutions, or mockes, or disgra­ces? but the common lot of thy children, the discipline of thy schoole, the physicke for my [Page 439] soule, the pledge of thy loue, the badge for my profession, the incen­tiues of my deuotion, the triall of my faith, the exercise of my patience, the testimonie of my constancie, the marke of my con­formitie with thee. When I am thus chastened I am iudged of thee that I be not condemned of the world. Shall tribulation therefore, or anguish, or bands, or imprison­ment, or stripes, or banishment, se­parate me from thy loue? Nay, sith I know they befall me by thy prouidence, and are mitiga­ted by thy mercie, and directed by thy loue for my greater good; they shall rather vnite me faster to thee. How shall I denie thee who art the Lord that bought me [...] How should I grieue thy Spirit which comforteth me in all my griefes? How should I set that bloud at nought which was the price of my redemption? How shold I euer willingly offend thee who art my peace, & hast reconciled me [Page 440] to thy Father, and payed my ran­some with thy dearest hearts bloud? How can I euer forget thee who remembrest me at all times in all places; in my iour­nies by thy conduct; at home by thy safe-guard; in my pray­ers by thy assistance; in my affli­ctions by thy comforts, in my board by thy bountie; in my bed by thy protection; and in all my wayes by thy support. To this thy gracious prouidence and care which continually watcheth ouer all thine Elect: I commend my sleepe and rest this night, be­seeching thee so to order it and me that whether I sleepe or wake, whether I labour or rest, whe­ther I lye downe or rise vp, all may be done vnder thy prote­ction, in thy feare, to thy glorie. So be it, Amen.

The close out of Scripture.

TO him that is able to keepe me that I fall not, and to pre­sent me faultlesse, before the pre­sence [Page 441] of his glory with ioy Iud, 24.

That is, to God onely wise my Sa­uiour, be glorie, and maiestie, and dominion, and power. &c. ver. 24.

The Deuotion for Friday:

The Father worketh. The work of creation on this day

MOreouer God sayd, Let the earth bring forth the li­uing thing, according to his kind, cattell, and that which creepeth, and the beast of the earth, according to his kind, and it was so, Gen. 1. 24.

And God made the beast of the earth according to his kind, and the cattel according to his kind, and euery creeping thing of the earth according to his kind: and God saw that it was good, ver. 25.

Furthermore, God sayd; Let vs make man in our owne Image ac­cording to our likenes, and let him rule ouer the fish of the Sea, and ouer the Fowle of the Heauen, and [Page 442] ouer the beasts, and ouer all the earth, and ouer euery thing that crcepeth, & moueth on the earth, ver. 26.

Thus God created the man in his Image: In the Image of God created hee him; hee created them male and female, ver. 27.

And God blessed them, and God sayd to them: Bring forth fruit, and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule ouer the fish of the Sea, and ouer the fowle of the heauen, and ouer euery beast that moueth vpon the earth, ver. 28.

And God sayd, Behold, I haue giuen to you euery herbe bearing seede which is vpon all the earth, and euery tree wherein is the fruit of a tree bearing seed that shall be to you for meate, ver. 29.

Likewise, to euery beast of the earth, and to euery sowle of the heauen, and euery thing that mo­ueth vpon the earth which hath life in it selfe, euery greene herbe shall be for meat; and it was so, ver. 30.

[Page 443] And God saw all that he had made, and loe it was very good. So the Euening & the Mor­ning were the sixt day, ver. 31.

‘AND I WORKE’ The worke of Redemption on this day.

Matth. 27. the whole Chap. as also Luke 23. Mar. 15. Ioh. 19. When he was reuiled, he reuiled not againe; when he suffered, hee threatned not, but committed himselfe to him that iudgeth righteously.

Who his owne selfe bore our sinnes, in his owne body on the tree, ver. 24.

For thine instru­ction meditate

  • In the Morning, on the worke of thy Creation.
  • In the Euening, on the work of thy Redemption, wrought on this day.

For thy comfort apply to thy selfe the benefit of both.

For thy correction check thy selfe for thy

  • Defacing Gods Image stamped in thee at thy Creation.
  • Trampling vnder foote Christ's blood the price of thy Re­demption.

Quicken

  • Thy thankesgiuing by the Hymne.
  • Thy sanctity and faith by the exhortation.
  • Thy zeale and deuotion by the prayer ensuing.
The Hymne for Friday Morning, being the sixt day from the CREATION.

O Come let vs worship, and fall downe, and kneele before the Lord our Ma­ker, Psal. 95. 6.

For he is the Lord our God, and wee are the people of his pasture, and the sheepe of his hands, v. 7.

What is man, Lord, that thou art so mindfull of him, or the sonne of man that thou visitest him? Psal. 8. 4.

Thou madest him little low­er then the angels to crown him with glory and worship, v. 5.

Thou madest him to haue do­minion ouer thy workes, and thou hast put all things in sub­iection vnder his feet, v. 6.

All Sheep and Oxen; yea, and the beasts of the field, v. 7.

[Page 445] The Fowles of the aire and the Fishes of the Sea, and whatsoeuer walketh through the paths of the seas, ver. 8.

O Lord our gouernor, how excellent, &c. v. 9.

The Admonition for Friday Morning, being an Exhortation to Holinesse of life and conuer­sation, the ninth BEATITVDE.
THE ANALYSIS.

We are in holy Scrip­tures inui­ted & per­swaded to Holinesse by

  • 1 Precepts in the
    • Lawe.
    • Gospell.
  • 2 The patterne of sanctitie in God the
    • Father.
    • Sonne.
    • Spirit.
  • 3 The Ti [...]les and Attributes of the Church.
  • 4 The state of Creation at the fi [...]st.
  • 5 The nature of our Vocation.
  • 6 The end of our Redemption.
  • 7 The effect of Sanctification.
  • 8 The condition of Glorifica­tion.
  • 9 The fruites of holinesse which are▪
    • 1 Ioy.
    • 2 Peace.
    • 3 Prosperitie.
    • 4 Dignitie.
    • 5 Euerlasting happinesse.
THE TEXTS.

BE ye holy, For holi­nesse. for I the Lord your God am holy, Reuel. 11. 44.

Giue your members seruants vnto righteousnesse in holinesse, Rom. 6. 19.

Follow peace with all men and holinesse, Heb. 12. 14.

Put on the new man which af­ter God is created in true holi­nesse. Eph. 4. 24.

Be in behauiour as becometh holinesse, 1. Precepts. 2. Paterens. so fit in God the Father. Tit. 2. 3.

As he that called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of con­uersation, 1. Pet. 1. 15.

Thou wilt not suffer thy holy one to see corruption,The Sonne. The Spirit. Act. 2. 27.

But ye denied the holy one, and the iust, Acts 3. 14.

Holy men spake as they were moued by the holy Ghost, 2. Pet. 1. 21.

Shee was found with child of [Page 447] the holy Ghost, Mat. 1. 18.

He will baptise you with the holy Ghost and with fire, Mat. 3. 11.

The Spirit of sanctification, Rom. 1. 4.

The Temple of God is holy; which Temple ye are, 1. Cor. 3. 17.

That he might present to him­selfe a glorious Church, The church not ha­uing spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy, and without blemish, Eph. 5. 27.

Created after the Image of God in righteousnesse and true holinesse, Reasons drawne from the Creation. Eph. 4. 24.

God hath not called vs to vn­cleanenesse,Our Voca­tion. but to holinesse, 1. Thess. 4. 7.

Let your conuersation be such as becometh the Gospel, Phil. 1. 21.

Walke worthy of the Lord, Col. 1. 10.

I beseech you that ye walke worthy the calling whereunto ye are called.

[Page 448] He hath visited and redeemed his people &c.Redemp­tion.

That we might serue him without feare in holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of our life,Sanctifica­tion. Luke 1. 71.

Being freed from sinne and made seruants to God,Glorifica­tion. ye haue your fruite in holinesse, and the end euerlasting life, Rom. 6. 21.

Holinesse without which no man shall see the Lord, Fruites of holinesse Heb. 12. 4.

Reioyce in the Lord alwayes,Ioy. and againe I say reioyce, Phil. 34.

Reioyce in the Lord, ô ye righ­teous, and be glad all ye that are true of heart, Psal. 31. 12. Psal. 32. 1.

Ye reioyce with ioy vnspeake­able and full of glorie, 1. Pet. 1. 8.

The Kingdome of God is righteousnesse,Peace. and peace, and ioy in the holy Ghost Rom. 14. 17.

Blessed: is he that hath not wal­ked in the wayes &c.Prosperitie. Psal. 1. 2.

But his delight is in the law of God. &c. Psal. 1. 3.

[Page 449] His leafe shall not wither, and whatsoeuer he doth it shall pros­per, Psal. 1. 4.

Those that honor me,Dignitie. I wil honor.

If thou call the Sabbath thy delight, the holy of tho Lord, and shalt honour him.

I will cause thee to possesse the high places of the earth, Isa. 56. 23. 24.

Blessed are all those that are vn­defiled in the way, & walk in the Law of the Lord, Psal. 119. 1.

We looke for a new heauen & a new earth, in which dwelleth righteousnesse, 2 Pet. 3. 13.

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection, on such the second death hath no power; but they shall be Priests of God, and of Christ, and shall raigne with him, Reu. 20 6.

And I Iohn saw the holy Citie new Ierusalem, comming downe from God out of heauen, prepa­red as a Bride adorned for her husband, Reu. 21. 2.

[Page 450] Hee shewed mee that great Citie new Ierusalem Verse 10.

The way to the [...] all was not yet made manifest, Heb. 9. 8.

By his owne bloud he entred in once to the holy place hauing obtained eternall Redemption for vs, verse 12.

The Prayer for Friday Mor­ning, being the sixt day from the Creation.

Composed of

  • Petitions sutable to the worke of the day
  • Motiues to [...] agreeable to the prece­dent exhortation.

GLOrious Creator and gra­tious Sauiour of mankind, I lift vp mine eyes & hands to thee, whose hands this day made and fashioned me. I lift vp my heart vnto thee, who [...]e heart was this day pierced for my trans­gressions. I lift vp my bodie and soule to thee, who this day wast lifted vpon the Crosse to offer an infinite sacrifice for the expiati­on of the sinnes of the whole world. Let thy hands which fashioned and formed me, sustaine and support me: let thine armes which thou stretchedst on the Crosse embrace [Page 452] me and hold me fast to thee that nothing may seuer me frō thee, Almightie and most wise Crea­tor who hast made me of nothing, suffer me not to make my selfe worse then nothing. Gracious Redeemer, who hast saued that which was lost, loose not that which thou hast saued. Though the malice of Sathan be great, yet thy goodnesse is greater. Though my sinnes be exceeding many, yet thy mercies exceede them, though my corruptions be strong, yet thy grace is stron­ger. Let it not be in my power or the power of any creature, ei­ther in heauen or in earth to marre thy best worke; to deface thine Image which first thou stampedst in me; and after I had slurried and almost raced it out, thou hast by grace renewed it, ac­cording to the first patterne, in holinesse and righteousnesse. When thou madest me light, I made my selfe darkenesse, but thou hast [Page 423] turned my darkenesse into light. When I was freed, I enthralled my selfe, but thou hast freed me: when I was straight, I crooked my will, but thou hast rectified it: when I was whole I maimed my selfe, but thou hast healed me: when I was happie I made my selfe miserable, but thou hast re­st [...]red me to my former blisse. Nay I haue gained by my losses, and am raised higher by my fall, through thy infinite mercie, which hath not onely ransomed me from death, but purchased me an eternall inheritance, and crowne of life in thi [...]e heauenly king­dome. Sith thou hast done so great things for me whereat I re­ioyce; sith thou hast prepared such things for me as neither eye hath seene, nor eare hath heard, nor e­uer entred into the heart of man to conceiue; what manner of man ought I to be in all holy conuersation? How cleare ought those eyes to be which shall see God? How [Page 424] cleane those eares, which shall heare words that cannot be vtte­red How pure that heart which shall be filled with those ioyes whi [...]h neuer entred into the heart of man? Thou, ô Father, which hast created me art the holy one of Israel. Thou ô Sonne, who redee­medst me art the Holy one of God. Thou, ô Spirit, which sanctifiest me art the holy Ghost. Thou, ô Fa­ther, hast created me according to thine Image in holinesse and righ­teousnes: thou, ô Sonne, hast redee­med me to serue thee in holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of my life: thou, ô Spirit, hast freed me from sinne and made me ser­uant to God that I might haue my fruite in holinesse, and the end euer­lasting life. Our vocation is a holy calling, our societies a holy com­munion, our stile a holy Priesthood, our assemblies holy congregations, our Coūtrie the holy land of Pro­mise, our Citie the holy Ierusalem, our Charter the holy Scriptures, [Page 425] our immunities holy priuiledges, our seales, which confirme them, holy Sacraments. All our hap­pinesse here is holinesse, and ho­linesse hereafter shall bee our happinesse. Lord make mee therefore to be so happy heere, as to be holy, and so holy here, that I may be hereafter happy, Amen.

The close out of Scripture.

The God of Peace that brought againe from the dead our Lord Ie­sus, the great Shepheard of the Sheepe, through the blood of the e­uerlasting Couenant, Heb. 2. 20.

Make mee perfect in all good workes to doe his will, working in mee that which is pleasant in his sight, through Iesus Christ. ver. 21.

The Hymne for Friday Euening.

Wherein the deuout soule

  • Prayseth God for her
    • Creation.
    • Redemption.
  • Prayeth for
    • Preseruation.
    • Glorification.
THE TEXTS.

THy hands haue made me and fashioned me; ô giue me vnderstanding that I may learne thy Commande­ments, Psal. 119.

Into thy hands I commend my Spirit, for thou hast redee­med mee thou God of Truth.

O let mee heare thy louing kindnesse betimes in the mor­ning, for in thee is my trust.

Shew thou me the way that I should walke in, for I lift vp my soule vnto thee, Psal. 41. 8.

[Page 427] Teach mee to doe the thing that pleaseth thee, for thou art my God: let thy louing Spirit leade me into the land of righ­teousnesse, verse 10.

Set a watch ô Lord before my mouth; and keepe the doore of my lipps, Psal. 41.

O let not mine heart bee in­clined to any wicked thing; let me not be occupied in vngodly workes with the men that work wickednesse, verse 4.

O Lord thou hast searched me out and knowne mee; thou knowest my downe-sitting and mine vp-rising; thou vnder­standest my thoughts long be­for [...], Psal. 139. 1, 2.

For loe, there is not a word in my tongue, but thou ô Lord knowest it altogether, verse 3.

Thou hast fashioned mee behinde and before, and layed [Page 428] thine hand vpon me. verse 4.

Such knowledge is too won­derfull and excellent for me, I cannot attaine vnto it. verse 5.

I will giue thanks vnto thee, for I am fearefully and won­derfully made; meruailous are thy workes, and that my soule knoweth right well, verse 13.

My bones are not hid from thee, though I be made se­cretly, and fashioned beneath in the earth. verse 14.

Thine eyes did see me when I was without forme: for in thy booke were all things writ­ten which in continuance were fashioned, when there was none of them before. verse 15.

O how deare are thy counsels to me, [...] God? O how great is the summe of them? verse 16.

[Page 429] If I tell them, they are more in number then the sands of the sea: when I awake vp, I am present with thee. verse 17.

Lord guide me with thy coun­sell, and after that receiue me with glory.

Keepe mee as the Apple of thine eye: hide mee vnder the shadow of thy wings. Psal. 17. 8.

I will behold thy presence in righteousnesse; and when I a­wake vp after thy likenesse, I shall be satisfied with it. ver. 16.

The Admonition for Friday Euening, being an Exhortation to Faith in CHRIST.

The principall inducements to stirre vs vp to faith in Christ, are the

  • 1 Necessity of this vertue in respect of
    • 1 The Commandement of God in generall, to which faith is requisite.
    • 2 All other duties in Speciall,
      • Praying.
      • Hearing.
      • Communicating.

  • 2 The excellencie of it, for it is
    • Pretious.
    • Holy.
    • The faith of the Elect.

  • 3 The cer­tainty of it, for it is grounded on God,
    • The Father his
      • VVord.
      • Oath.
    • The Sonne his
      • Promises.
      • Prayer.
    • The Spirit his
      • Earnest.
      • Seale.

  • 4 Efficacie
    • 1 Extraordinary, as working mi­racles.
    • 2 Ordina­ry, as
      • Victorie ouer the
        • VVorld.
        • Diuell.
      • Iustification.
      • Saluation.
THE TEXTS.

YE beleeue in God;Faith com­manded. beleeue al­so in me, Ioh. 14. 1.

This is the worke of God, that ye beleeue on him whom he: hath sent, Ioh. 6. 29.

Beleeue in the Lord Iesus, and thou shalt be saued and all thine house, Act. 16. 31.

This is his commandement, that we should beleeue in the name of his Sonne Iesus Christ, 1. Ioh. 3. 23.

Earnestly contend for the saith, Iud. 13.

Repent ye and beleeue the Gospel, Mar. 1. 15.

Follow righteousnesse, faith, charitie, peace, &c. 2. Tim. 2. 22.

Without faith it is impossible to please God, As necessa­rie to all religious duties, as Prayer. Heb. 11. 6.

Whatsoeuer is not of faith, is sinne, Rom. 14. 23.

How shall they call vpon him in whom they haue not beleeued? Rom. 10. 14.

[Page 432] He that prayeth, let him pray in faith, nothing doubting, Iam. 1. 6.

All things whatsoeuer ye aske for in prayer, beleiuing, ye shall receiue, Mat. 21. 21.

The word preached did not profit them,Hearing the word. not being mixed with faith in them that heard it, Heb. 4. 2.

Christ dwelleth in vs by faith, Eph. 3. 17.

I am the Bread of life:The Sacra­ment. whosoe­uer beleeueth in me shall neuer thirst. Ioh. 6. 35.

He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud, dwelleth in me, and I in him, ver. 56.

He that beleeueth in me hath euerlasting life, ver. 47.

I am the Bread of life, ver. 48.

To them that haue receiued like pretious faith with vs,It is Preti­ous. grace and peace be multiplied, 2. Pet. 1. [...].

But ye beloued, building your selues in your most holy faith, Holy. [Page 433] pray to the holy Ghost, Iud, 20.

Paul an Apostle of Iesus Christ according to the faith of Gods Elect, Proper to the Elect. Tit. 1.

As many as were ordained to saluation beleeued, Act. 13. 48.

This is my welbeloued Sonne,Grounded on God the Father his Word. heare him, Mat. 3. vlt.

So God loued the world that he gaue his onely begotten Son, that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish, Ioh. 3. 15.

The Father hath committed all iudgement to the Sonne, that all men should honour the Sonne as the Father, Ioh. 5. 23.

There is another that beareth witnesse of me, and I know that the witnesse he witnesseth of me is true, Ioh. 5. 32.

The Father who hath sent me, himselfe beareth witnesse of me, Ioh. 5. 37.

The Lord sware, Oath. and will not repent, thou art a Priest for euer after the order of Melchi­zedeck, Psal. 110. 4.

[Page 434] God willing more aboundant­ly to shew to the heires of pro­mise the immutabilitie of his counsell, confirmed it with an oath, Heb. 6. 17.

That by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lye, we might haue a strong consolation who haue flied for refuge to lay hold vpon the hope set before vs, ver. 18.

Go into all the world he that beleeueth and is baptized shall be saued; The Sonne his promise. he that beleeueth not shall be damned, Mar. 16. 16.

Verily I say vnto you, if any man keepe my sayings, he shall neuer see death, Ioh 8. 51.

I am the resurrection and the life; he that beleeueth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he liue, Ioh. 11. 25.

And whosoeuer liueth and be­leeueth in me shall neuer die, v. 26.

For their sakes I sanctifie my selfe, that they also might be san­ctified through the truth, Ioh. 17. 19.

[Page 435] Neither pray I for these alone, Pray. but for them also which shall be­leeue in me through their word, ver. 20.

The Spirit it selfe beareth wit­nesse to our spirits that we are the children of God,The Spirits earnest. Rom. 8. 16.

He which stablisheth vs with Christ, and hath annointed vs, 2. Cor. 1. 21.

Who hath also sealed vs, and giuen the earnest of his Spirit in our hearts, ver. 22.

He that wrought vs for the selfe same thing is God, who al­so hath giuen vnto vs the earnest of the Spirit.

After that ye beleeued ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,Seale. Eph. 1. 13.

Which is the earnest of our in­heritance vntill the redemption of the purchased possession, vnto the praise of his glorie, ver. 14.

He that receiued his testimonie hath set to his seale, that God is true, Ioh. 3. 33.

[Page 436] He receiued the seale of righ­teousnesse, Rom. 4. 11.

Grieue not the holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed to the day of redemption, Eph. 4. [...]0.

If ye haue faith and doubt not,Faith wor­keth miracles. ye shall not onely do this which is done to the figge-tree, but al­so if ye say to this mountaine: Be thou remoued, and be thou cast into the sea, it shall be done, Mat. 21. 21.

If I had all faith, so that I could remoue mountaines, &c. 1. Cor. 1 [...]. 2.

Thes [...] signes shall follow them that beleeue in my Name, they shall cast out diuels; they shall speake with new tongues, Mar. 16▪ 17.

They shall take vp serpents; and if they drinke any deadly thing it shall not hurt them: they shall lay hands on the sicke, and they shall recouer, ver. 18.

Verily, verily I say vnto you, he that beleeueth on me, the [Page 437] workes which I do shall he do also, and greater workes then these shall he do. Ioh. 14. 12.

See Heb. 11 from the 14. verse to the 35.

Aboue all,Ouercom­meth the [...]. take the shield of faith whereby ye shall be able to quench all the fierie darts of the wicked, Eph. 6. 16.

Your aduersarie the diuell as a roaring Lyon walketh about seeking whom he may deuour, 1. Pet. 5. 8.

Whom resist, stedfast in the faith ver. 9.

This is the victorie that ouer-commeth the world euen our faith, The world. 1. Ioh. 5. 4.

Who is he that ouercometh the world? He that beleeueth &c. ver. 5.

For ye are the children of God by faith in Iesus Christ, Maketh sonnes of God. Gal. 3. 26.

God who knoweth the heart bore them witnesse, giuing them the holy Ghost as he did vnto vs, Acts, 15. 8.

[Page 438] And put no difference be­tweene vs and them,Purifieth the heart. purifying their hearts by faith, Acts, 15. 9.

Whosoeuer beleeueth in me shall not be ashamed, Rom. 9. 33.

Behold, I lay in Sion a chiefe corner stone, elect, and pretious; and he that beleeueth on him shall not be confounded, Keepeth from con­fusion. 1. Pet. 2. 6. See Isa. 28. 16. Psal. 118. 22. Mat. 21. 42. Acts, 4. 12.

Iesus seeing his faith, Iustifieth. said, Son be of good cheere, thy sinnes be forgiuen thee, Mat. 9. 2.

Daughter be of good com­fort: thy faith hath made thee whole, ver. 21.

Behold, his soule which is lif­ted vp in him is not vpright; but the Iust shall liue by his faith, Heb. 2. 4.

And Abraham beleeued in the Lord, and it was counted to him for righteousnesse, Gen. 15. 6.

And by him all that beleeue are iustified from all things, from which ye could not be iustified [Page 439] by the Law of Moses Acts, 13. 39.

The righteousnesse of God without the Law is manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, Rom. 3. 21.

Euen the righteousnesse of God by the faith of Iesus Christ to all that beleeue, ver. 22.

Whom God hath set foorth to be a propitiation through faith, in his bloud, ver. 25.

It is one God which iustifieth circumcision by faith, and vncir­cumcision through faith, ver. 30.

To him that worketh not, but beleeueth▪ on him that iustifieth the vngodly, his faith is counted for righteousnesse, Rom. 4. 5. 6 7. 8. verses.

Being iustified by faith we haue peace with God, Rom. 5. 1.

With the heart man beleeueth to righteousnesse, Rom, 10. 10.

Knowing that a man is not iustified by the workes of the law, but by the faith of Iesus [Page 440] Christ, that [...] iustified by the faith of Christ and not by the workes of the law, Gal. 2. 16.

Who are kept by the power of God through faith vnto saluation,Saueth. 1. Pet. 1. 5.

For by grace ye are saued, through faith, Eph, 2. 8.

Receiuing the end of our faith, the saluation of our soules, 1. Pet. 1. 9.

I haue finished my course; I haue kept the faith, 2. Tim. 4. 7.

From hence foorth is laide vp for me a crowne of righteousnesse, Crowneth with euer­lasting blessings. which the Lord, the righteous Iudge, shall giue me at that day, and not to me onely, but to all them that loue his comming, ver. 8.

Be faithfull vnto the death, and I will giue thee a crowne of life, Reuel. 2. 10.

Blessed are all they that put their trust in him Psal. 2. vlt.

Verily I say vnto you, who­soeuer heareth my word, and [Page 441] beleeueth him that sent me, hath euerlasting life, & shall not come into condemnation, but is pas­sed from death to life, Ioh. 5. 24.

THE PRAYER FOR Friday Euening

composed, of

  • Petitions sutable to the worke of the day.
  • Motiues to faith in Christ, agreeable to the precedent exhortation.

MOst bountifull and merci­full Lord God, who this day createdst man and redeemedst him; formedst and reformedst him, inspiredst him with the breath of life, and expiredst and diedst for him, vpon the Crosse; shew thy selfe a faithfull Creator in preser­uing thine owne workes, and a faithfull Redeemer in houlding thy deere purchase. O let not thy hate of sinne extinguish thy loue to thy creature. Let not any [Page 442] thing that I haue done preiudice thee in the merit of that which thou hast suffered for me. My sins deserued eternall wrath of thy Father, but thou hast borne it. My wonton delights and impure pleasures deserued stripes and wounds, but thou hast recei­ued them. My hainous crimes de­serued death, but thou hast suffe­red it for me. This day my first pa­rent Adam was made a liuing soule; and this day thou the se­cond Adam wert made a quick­ning Spirit. This day he sinned in a garden, and this day thou sor­rowedst in the garden. This day he tooke the fruite of the forbidden tree, and this day thou wert hung vpon the accursed tree. This day he was cast into a dead sleepe, and his side opened, and his wite Eue formed of his ribbe, was flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bone: this day also thou wert cast into a deadly sleepe, and thy side opened and thy Spouse the Catholicke Church [Page 443] brought foorth, not by water onely, but by water and bloud, the water of regeneration▪ and bloud of ex­plation and sanctification.

This day Adam brought the curse vpon himselfe and all his posterity; this day thou proui­dedst an euerlasting blessing for thy selfe and all thy members. That which he lost thou hast re­gayned with aduantage: that which he did, thou hast suffered for: that which I owed, thou hast discharged on the very day, by ta­king all his and our debts vpon thee, and laying downe an al-suf­ficient price to satisfie for them. O giue me an hand of faith to re­ceiue so much of this infinite sum as may discharge my debt, and strengthen this my hand, that I may hold it fast, and tender it to thy Father, and receiue from him an absolute and generall acquit­tance signed with thy blood, and sealed with thy Crosse, bearing date the very day of thy consum­mation [Page 444] of all things at thy death. If thou bad'st required a greater thing we should haue done it: for what will not a man doe for his life? How much more when thou [...]arest belieue, and liue; cast your selues vpon me, and I will saue you from drowning in euerla­sting perdition: receiue the price of your ransome, and bee freed. When thou holdest out the gol­den Scapter of thy grace, if wee will not take hold on it, wee de­serue double d [...]mnation for refu­sing so easy a meanes of saluation. Adam belieued Eue, and Eue the Serpent, to her and our ruine: why should not I much rather belieue thy Church thy Spouse, and thy Spouse thy Word to salua­tion▪ What should with-hold my faith from apprehending, my hope from ex [...]ecting the promises of thy Gospell, confirmed by so many miracles, test [...]fied by the Church in all Ages, signed with the blood of so many Martyrs, [Page 445] and [...] to my soule and conscience by the holy Spirit? Doth it shake and stagger my faith that thy workes recorded in holy Scriptures so farre transcend na­ture, and the mysteries of sauing truth soare aboue humane rea­son? But this demonstrateth ra­ther faith to be faith, and thee, ô God to be true God Faith is not faith if reason comprehend it. God cannot be God if nature li­mit him. Am I the more auerse from embracing thy Gospell, be­cause it crosseth and checketh my naturall dispositions and in clinations? But the cause is most euident: thy Law is iust, holy, and pure; but I am wicked, prophane, and impure. The physick is for the most part the better which the patient liketh worst, because it exasperateth the paine for the time. Haue I the lesse loue and liking to the most holy faith, be­cause it restraineth my carnall liberty and abridgeth mee, or al­together [Page 446] depriueth mee of worldly comforts and content­ments▪ But am I not spirit as wel [...] as flesh? Haue I not a Law in my minde controlling the Law of my members? Is it not much bet­ter to sowe vnto the Spirit that I may reape peace, ioy, and life e­uerlasting, then sowe to the flesh, and of the flesh reape nothing but corruption? Thy Gospell, ô graci­ous God, restraineth my carnall, but enlargeth my spirituall liber­ty: it denieth mee sinfull, but it promiseth me holy delights and pleasures: it moderateth the de­sire and vse of temporarie com­forts and ioyes, but assureth mee that my heart shall be filled with eternall. Am I ready to be beaten off from my holy profession and beliefe by blowes, and strokes, persecutions, losses, imprisonment, banishment, scorne of the world and disgrace? This should make mee hold it the faster; for the Gospell foretelleth that these [Page 447] things should befall true b [...]lie­uers: and it is an honour to mee to beare the [...]adge of m [...]profession and to drinke with thee my Saui­our in thine owne Cup. It is my profession to be thy Souldier; and he is no Souldier that endureth not hardnesse. I can expect no crowne without a Conquest, no Conquest without a battaile, no battaile without blowes and wounds: and what are these light and momentary afflictions to an e­ternall weight of glory? Thus doth th [...] Word conquer my rea­son, and yet it will not yeeld. I resolue to belieue: Lord strengthen my resolution. I doe belieue, Lord helpe mine vnbelief▪ All things past haue so come to passe as the Oracles of thy truth fore-shewed they should, and how then can I doubt of things future reuealed in them? The de­luge was foretold 120 yeeres be­fore; and at the prefixed time it ouerranne the whole world. Thy [Page 448] peoples bondage in Aegypt for 400 yeeres, and their after deli­uery is no otherwise described by Moses, then it was in a dreame many Ages before deliuered to Abraham. Thou calledst thy Shep­heard Cyrus, and thine annoin­ted Iosias by name, to their fun­ctions long before either of them, or their forefathers, were conceiued. The 4 famous Mo­narchs pictured out in Nebuchad­nezzars Image, succeeded in their order. The Assyrian re­presented by the golden head, the Persian by the siluer armes and shoulders; the Grecian by the thighs of brasse; and the Romane by the leggs of yron. And do we not see at this day, the stumpe of that Image, and the feete, partly yron in the Turkish, and partly of clay in the Germane Empire? Thy Birth and Death, ô Sauiour, was fore shadowed in Types, and fore-spoken of by Prophets, euer since the world began; and [Page 449] since thy comming into the flesh, and finishing all things at thy death in Ierusalem: Not a sylla­ble, or one iot of any of thy words haue passed without their accom­plishment. Ierusalem is destroyed; the Temple made euen with the ground, and neuer could be built againe. The Iewes are dispersed into all nations. The Gospell is preached through the whole world: the man of sinne is euery day more and more discoue­red; and why should I not then belieue as certainly that the hea­uens shall passe away shortly with heate, and the elements melt with fire, and thy signe bee seene in the clowdes; and those that are in their graues be awaked with the sound of the last Trumpe, and meete thee in the aire? I belieue, Lord helpe my vnbeliefe. Is it not as easy for thee to raise mee out of ashes, as at the first to reare me out of the dust? to send backe my Spirit into my body, as at the first to breathe it [Page 450] in? I see the seede in the ground, the plants in the garden, dye be­fore they rise and spring vp. I see wormes, and flies, and diuerse other creatures that spend the winter season in a kinde of death, reuiue in the Spring. I see my selfe dead euery night, and aliue in the morning. Why then should I call in question this Ar­ticle of my beliefe, of all most comfortable? Lord who this euening dist cast Adam into a dead sleepe, and thy selfe fellest a­sleepe on the bedde of thy Crosse, and awakedst him againe, and raisedst thy selfe out of thy sleepe of death; sanctifie my rest and sleepe this night vnto me, that I may by it not only be strengthe­ned in my body, and reuiued from my bed of slumber to rise to my labour and trauell the next morning, but also more confirmed in my faith touching the resurrection of this my body out of the bedde of the graue at [Page 451] the last day, So bee it, Amen.

The close out of Scripture.

To him that loued vs, and wa­shed our sinnes in his blood, and made vs Kings and Priests to God euen his Father, bee glory and do­minion for euermore. Amen. Reu. 1. 5, 6.

Saturdayes Deuotion.

The Father resteth from the workes of Creation.

IN the seauenth day God ended his worke which he had made, and the seauenth day he rested from all his worke which he had made. Gen. 2. 2.

So God blessed the seauenth day, and sanctified it, because that in it hee had rested from all his worke which God had created and made. verse 3.

The Sonne resteth in the Se­pulcher.

ANd when the euen was come, there came a rich man of Arimathea, named Ioseph, who had also himselfe bin Iesus's Dis­ciple. Mat. 27. 57.

He went to Pilate and asked the body of Iesus. And Pilate com­manded the body to bee deliuered. verse 58.

So Ioseph tooke the body, and wrapped it in a cleane linnen cloth. verse 59.

And put it in his new Tombe which he had hewen out in a Rocke, and rolled a great stone to the doore of the Sepulcher, and departed. verse 60.

And there was Mary Magda­lene, and the other Mary sitting ouer against the Sepulcher, verse 61.

Now the next day that followed, the day of the preparation, the chiefe [Page 453] Priests and Pharisees came toge­ther to Pilate, verse 62.

Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiuer sayed while hee was yet aliue, After three dayes I will rise againe, verse 63.

Command therefore that the Sepulcher be made sure vntill the third day, left his Disciples come by night, and steale him away, and say vnto the people, He is risen from the dead; so the last error will bee worse then the first, verse 64.

Pilate saide vnto them, Yee haue a watch, goe your way, make it as sure as you can, verse 65.

So they went, and made the Se­pulcher sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch, verse 66.

[Page 454] For thine instruction meditate

  • In the mor­ning, on the Father's rest from works of Creation.
  • In the euening on the Sonn's works of Redemp­tion.

For thy comfort apply the benefits of both to thy selfe, which are A holy rest here. and happy rest here­after. Euerlasting

For thy cor­rection re­prooue thy prophaning God's holy Sabbath by

  • First, Worldly businesse.
  • Secondly, Carnal pleasures.
  • Thirdly, Omitting holy du­ties.
  • Fourthly, Per­forming them
    • Negligent­ly.
    • Vnwilling­ly.

Quicken thy

  • Preparation to holy duties by the Psalme.
  • Constancy in life and death by the Admonition.
  • Zeale, Deuotion, and resolu­tion by the Prayer ensuing
The Hymne for Saturday Morning.

I Haue remembred thy Name ô Lord in the night season, and haue kept thy Law, Psal. 119. 57.

I thought on my waies, and turned my feete to thy testimo­nies, verse 59.

I preuented the dawning of the morning, and cryed; I ho­ped in thy Word, v. 147.

Heare my voice according to thy louing kindnesse ô Lord: quicken mee according to thy iudgements, verse 149.

Seauen times a day doe I praise thee according to thy righteous iudgement. v. 164.

Great peace haue they that loue thy Law, and nothing shall offend them, verse 165.

[Page 456] I haue longed for thy salua­tion ô Lord; & thy Law is my de­light, verse 174.

Deliuer me ô Lord from the wicked, which is a sword of thine, Psal. 17. 13.

From men which are thy hand, ô Lord, from men of the world which haue their porti­on in this life, and whose bellies thou fillest with thy hid trea­sures, verse 14.

My heart is pained within me, and the terrors of death are fallen vpon me. Psal. 55. 4.

Fearefulnesse and trembling are come vpon me; and horror hath ouerwhelmed me. v. 5.

O that I had wings like a Doue, for then would I fly away, and be at rest. v. 6.

I would hasten my escape from the windy storme, and tempest. v. 8.

An Admonition for Saturday Mor­ning, being an exhortation to perseuerance, the twelfth BEATITVDE.

All that expect the reward of Pietie must striue and pray for perseuerance and abhorre and shunne falling away from grace because in Scripture,

  • The one is
    • Commanded by God.
    • Commended in his Saints.
    • Encoura­ged vnto by promises of
      • Certaine re­ward.
      • Saluation.
      • Assured cō ­fort.
      • An incor­ruptible Crowne of glorie.
  • The other is
    • Vehemently dis­swaded.
    • Seuerely censured.
    • Dreadfully threat­ned.
    • Eternally punished.
THE TEXTS.

VVAtch yee therefore,Precepts for perseue­rance. and pray continually, Luk. 21. 36.

Continue yee in loue, Ioh 15. 9.

Take heede to thy selfe, and to thy Doctrine; continue in them, 1 Tim 4. 16.

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, and hast bin assured of, 2 Tim 3. 14.

Let vs hold fast our profession Heb. 4. 14.

Hold fast till I come, Reu. 2. 25.

Reioycing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer, Rom. 12. 12.

Dearely beloued and longed for, my ioy and crowne, stand fast in the Lord, Phil. 4. 1.

Paul and Barnabas perswaded them to continue in the grace of God, Acts 13. 43.

[Page 459] Confirming the soules of the disciple [...], and exhorting them to continue in aith, Act. 14. 22.

But ye brethren be not wearie in well doing, 2. Thess. 3. 13.

Let brotherly loue continue, Heb. 13. 1.

Stand fast in one spirit with one minde, striuing together for the faith of the Gospel, Phil. 1. 17.

Therefore my brethren be ye stedfast, vnmoueable, alwayes aboū ­ding in the worke of the Lord, 1. Cor. 15. 28.

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, acquit you like men, 1. Cor. 16. 13.

Stand fast therefore in the li­bertie wherewith Christ hath made vs free, Gal. 5. 1.

Wherefore take vnto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand in the euill day; and hauing done all stand fast. Eph. 6. 13.

Brethren stand fast: hold the [Page 460] traditions which ye haue beene taught, 2. Thess. 2. 13.

Whom resist steadfast in the faith, 1. Pet. 5. 9.

Ye therefore seeing ye know these things, beware lest yee also being led away with the er­rour of the wicked, fall from your owne stedfastnesse. 2. Pet. 3. 17.

He spake a parable, that we ought alwayes to pray, and not to faint, Luke 18. 1.

Shall not God auenge his E­lect which crie vnto him day and night,Examples. though he beare long with them? ver. 7.

He, Abraham. after he had patiently en­dured, obtained the promise, Heb. 6. 15.

O Lord God of my saluation,Dauid. I haue cried day and night before thee, Psal. 88. 1.

I haue called daily vpon thee; I haue stretched foorth my hands vnto thee, ver. 9.

He kneeled vpon his knees,Daniel. [Page 461] and prayed three times a day Dan. 6. 10.

And they which went before rebuked the blind man that he should hold his peace;The blind man. but he cried so much the more, Sonne of Dauid haue mercie on me, Luk. 18. 39.

And behold a woman of Caanan cried vnto him saying,The Cana­nitsh wo­man. Haue mer­cie on me, &c. Mat. 15. 22.

But he answered her not a word; and his disciples besought him, saying; Send her away, for she crieth after vs, ver. 23.

He answered, I am not sent, &c. ver. 24.

Then came she, and worship­ped, saying, Lord helpe me, ver. 25.

But he answered, It is not meete, &c. ver. 26.

And she said, Truth Lord; yet the doggs eate the crummes, &c. ver. 27.

Then Iesus said, Woman, be it to thee as thou wilt, ver. 28.

[Page 462] Ye are they which haue conti­nued with me in my tentations, Luk. 22. 28.

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplicati­ons, with Marie the Mother of Iesus, Act. 1. 14.

We will giue our selues conti­nually to prayer, &c. Act. 6. 4.

There were added to them a­bout three thousand soules, Peters con­uerts. &c. Act. 2, 41.

And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine, and fel­lowship, and breaking of bread, and prayer, ver. 42.

By the space of three yeares I ceased not to warne euerie one night & day with tears,Paul. Act. 20. 31

Since the day we heard, we cea­sed not to pray for you, Col. 1. 9.

For this cause, we thanke God without ceasing, 1. Thess. 2. 13.

A deuoute man,Cornelius. which gaue much almes to the people, and prayed to God alwaies, Act. 10 2.

And the foure beasts The beasts full of eyes. had each [Page 463] of them sixe wings vpon them, and they were full of eyes with­in, and they ceased not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almightie, which was, and is, and is to come, Reu. 4. 8.

I declare vnto you the Gos­pel which ye haue receiued,The Corin­thians. and wherein ye stand,Cōtinuance is a note of Truth. or continue, 1. Cor. 15. 1.

Then said Iesus to those Iewes that beleeued on him, If ye con­tinue in my word, then are ye in­deede my disciples, Ioh. 8. 31.

Who so looketh into the per­fect law of libertie, and conti­nueth therein, he being not a for­getfull hearer, but a doer, shall be blessed in his deede, Iames 1. 25.

They went out from vs, but they were not of vs: for if they had beene of vs, they would no doubt haue continued with vs, 1. Ioh. 2. 19.

Whosoeuer abideth not in the [Page 464] doctrine of Christ, hath not God, Ioh. 2. 9.

So runne that ye may obtaine, 1. Cor. 9. 26.

Let vs not be weatie in well doing;Hath cer­taine pro­mises of re­ward. for in due season we shall reape, if we faint not, Gal. 6. 9.

Hold that thou hast, that no man take thy crowne, Reu. 3. 11.

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast to the end, Heb. 3. 14.

He that endureth to the end shall be saued, Saluation. Mat. 10. 22.

Continue therein; for in doing this, thou shalt saue thy selfe, and them that heare thee, 1. Tim, 3. 8.

Worke out your saluation with feare and trembling, Phil. 4. 12.

Shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end, Comforta­ble assu­rance. Heb. 6. 11.

To him that ouercometh I will giue to eate of the tree of life, which is in the middest of the garden of God, Reuel. 2. 7.

[Page 465] Let vs labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall af­ter that same example, Heb. 4. 11.

Let vs feare lest a promise being left vs of entering into his rest, any of you should seeme to come short of it, Heb. 4. 1.

Ye haue continued with me, &c. Luk. 22. 28.

And I appoint vnto you a Kingdome, as my Father hath ap­pointed vnto me, ver. 29.

Be faithfull vnto death,A crowne of life. and I will giue thee the crowne of life. Reuel. 2. 10.

I haue fought a good fight, I haue finished my course, &c. 1. Tim. 4. 7.

Hencefoorth there is laide vp for me a crowne of righteousnesse, which the Lord the righteous Iudge shall giue me at that day; and not to me onely, but to them also that loue his appearing, ver. 8.

Take heede lest there be in any [Page 466] of you an euill heart of vnbeleefe in departing away from the liuing God, Apostasie and back­sliding vehemently disswaded. Heb. 3. 12.

If after they haue escaped the pollution of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Sauiou [...] Iesus Christ, they are a­gaine intangled therein and o­uercome;Seuerely censured. the latter end is worse then the beginning, 2 Pet. 2. 20.

For it had beene better for them neuer to haue knowne the way of righteousnesse, then af­ter they haue knowne it to turne from the holy commandement deliuered vnto them, ver. 21.

But it is happened vnto them according to the true Prouerbe; The dogge is turned to his vomit againe, and the sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire, ver. 22.

When the vncleane spirit is gone out of a man, &c. Mat. 12. 44.

He taketh to himselfe seuen other spirits, and they dwell [Page 467] there, and the last state of that man is worse then the first, ver. 45.

Let him that standeth take heede lest he fall,Fearefully thr [...]a [...]ned with losse of reward 1. Cor. 10. 12.

Are ye so foolish, hauing begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect with the flesh? Gal. 3. 3.

Haue ye suffered so many things in vaine? it it be yet in vaine, ver. 4.

Cast not away therefore your confidence which hath great re­compence of reward, Heb. 10. 35.

If any withdraw himselfe,Of Gods fauour. my soule shall haue no pleasure in him, ver. 38.

We are not of them which draw backe vnto perdition, ver. 38.

In the latter dayes some shall depart from the faith, 1. Tim. 4. 1.

Hauing their conscience seared with a hot iron,With a re­probate sence. ver. 2.

Holding faith and a good [Page 468] conscience,Infamy. which some hauing put away, concerning faith haue made shipwrack, 1. Tim. 1. 19.

Of whom is Hymenaeus, and Alexander, whom I haue deliue­red to Sathan, ver. 20.

Hauing forsaken the right way, they are gone astray, follow­ing the wayes of Balaam the son of Bozor &c. 2. Pet. 2. 15.

But when the righteous tur­neth away from his righteousnes,Death. and committeth iniquitie, &c. All the righteousnesse that he hath done shall not be mentioned; in his trespasse that he trespas­seth, and in his sinne that he hath sinned, in them shall he die, Eze. 18. 24.

It is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and haue tasted the heauenly gift,Eternally punished. and were made partakers of the holy Ghost, Heb. 6. 4:

It they shall fall away, to re­new them to repentance, &c. ver. 5.

The Angels which kept not [Page 469] their first estate, he hath reserued in euerlasting chaines vnder darkenesse, vnto the iudgement of the great day, Iud 6.

THE PRAYER FOR Saturday Morning

composed of

  • Petitions sutable to the rest, of the Father and the Sonne on this day.
  • Motiues to perseuerāce, agreeable to the subse­quent exhortation.

ALmightie Creator of heauen and earth, and all things therein; who this day restedst frō all thy workes, and blessedst it: grant to me (after the painefull laboures and trauailes of this life are ended) a sweete, blessed, and comfortable rest with thee in heauen, where I may keepe a continuall Sabbath, hold a perpe­tuall feast, sing an euerlasting song, weare an incorruptible [Page 470] crowne, possess an eternall inhe­ritance, and fully enioy thee in all things, and all things in thee, in endlesse quietnesse, ioy content, and rest. This rest is the marke at which all my desires aime; this is the price for which all my endea­uou [...]s runne; this is the hauen to which (by the gales of thy spirit) my christian course driues. For in this rest there is perfect tran­quillitie, and in this tranquillitie contentment; and in this content­ment, ioy and pleasure, and in this ioy and pleasure, varietie, and in this varietie securitie, and in this securitie eternitie. This is the end without end, to which all my labours in thy seruice, and suffe­rings for thee through my whole life, tend vnto. Here I haue labour without rest, there shall be rest without labour; here perturbations without tranquilli­tie, there tranquillitie without perturbations; here desire with­out content, there content with­out [Page 471] desire; heere paine and sor­rowes, without sincere pleasures and ioy; there ioyes and plea­sures without all paine and sor­rowes: heere satiety of delights without variety, there variety without satiety; here feare with­out safety, there safety without feare; heere a sudden end with­out ioy, there ioyes without end. Wherefore I beseech thee hea­uenly Father, loosen my desires and affections from the things that are belowe, and knit them to the things that are aboue Breake and dissolue the vnlaw­full contracts betweene my soule and the creatures, and marrte her to thee in righteousnesse. Breede in me more and more the loathing of the forbidden fruit; and a lon­ging for the fruits of the tree of life. Let mee not leane vpon the reedes of Aegypt which will breake vnder me, and the splin­ters run into my body. Let mee not repose my selfe vnder Ion [...]s's [Page 472] worme-eaten gourd, but the sol­lid wood of Christ's Crosse. Let me not set vp my rest on this side of Iordan, but passe ouer into the celestiall Canaan. And because death is the narrow passage be­tweene this life and the life to come, let mee not so much feare this cut as I doe; for on this side, I leaue labour, sorrow, sinne, shame, vexation, anxiety, paine, and mortality; and on the o­ther side, I finde rest, righteous­nesse, glory, contentment, plea­sure, and immortality. It is but a short passage, and my Sauiour hath made it safe. All thy Saints either haue, or shall passe it ouer. I lose nothing in this passage; my soule is presently transpor­ted, and though my body stay a while heere, yet it shall follow in due time. And no sooner this darke world and the shadow of it goes out of sight, but the glo­rious light of heauen shineth vp­on me; I see streetes of gold, and [Page 473] gates of pearle, and foundations garnished with all sorts of pretious stones. I shall behold thee the Fa­ther in thy Maiesty, Christ thy Sonne in his glory, the Spirit in his sanctity, the Arch-angels and Angels in their excellency, and the Saints in their felicity. I shall then hunger no more, I shall labour no more, I shall trauell no more, I shall feare no more, I shall grieue no more, I shall desire no more. I shall need no more any house, for the heauen & heauen of hea­uens shall be my habitation; nor Temple, for God shall bee my Temple: nor light, for the Lambe shall be my light. O Lord let the hope and expectation of this euerlasting rest and happinesse, sweeten all my labours, and ease my torment, and mittigate my sorrowes, and comfort my heart, that I faile not in my labour, nor tyre in my trauell, nor sinke vn­der my burdens, nor fall vnder my crosses, nor die for sorrow of [Page 474] my wounds receiued in the Lord's battailes; but hold on cheerefully, strenuously, and va­liantly, till I ariue at the land of promise, and there receiue the lot of mine inheritance with the Saints in light. So be it, Amen.

The close out of Scripture.

The peace of God which passeth all vnderstanding, preserue my heart and minde through Iesus Christ, Phil 4. 7.

The Deuotion for Saturday Euening.

THE HYMNE.

I Will blesse the Lord at all times, his praise shall bee in my mouth continually, Psal. 34. 1.

O how great is thy goodnesse [Page 475] which thou hast layed vp for them that feare thee! which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men? Psal. 31. 19.

Blessed be the Lord, for hee hath shewed mee meruailous kindnesse. v. 21.

Blessed be the Lord who dai­ly loadeth vs with benefits, euen the God of our saluation, Psal. 68. 19.

What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits? Psal. 116. 12.

O loue the Lord all yee his Saints, for the Lord preserueth the faithfull, and plenteously rewardeth the proud doer. Ps. 31. 23.

Behold, the eye of the Lord is vpon them that feare him, and vpon them that hope in his mer­cie, Ps. 33. 18.

[Page 476] To deliuer their soule from death, and to keepe thē aliue in famine, v. 19.

Though I haue layen among the pots, yet shall I bee as the wings of a Doue couered with siluer, and her feathers with yellow gold, Psal. 68. 13.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord de­liuereth him out of all, Psal. 34. 19.

He keepeth all his bones, so that not one of them is broken, v. 20.

Why art thou cast downe ô my soule, and why art thou dis­quieted within me?

Hope thou in God, for I will yet praise him who is the health of my countenance, and my God, Psal. 42. 11.

THE TEXTS.

IN. Adam all dye, 1 Death is common to all men. Cor. 15. 22.

It is appointed to men once to dye, Heb. 9. 27.

Death went ouer all, Rom. 5. 12.

Man that is borne of a woman is but of few dayes, Iob. 14. 1.

Hee commeth forth like a flower, and is cut downe; he fly­eth away as a shadow, and conti­nueth not, verse 2.

And where is he? verse 10.

When the breath of man go­eth forth, hee shall turne againe to his earth, and then all his thoughts perish, Psal. 146. 3.

Man lyeth downe and riseth not, till the heauens be no more. Iob 14. verse 14.

They shall not be awaked, nor raised out of their sleepe, v. 14.

Thou hast made my dayes as it were a span long, Psal. 39. 6.

Wee are but as yesterday; our [Page 478] dayes on earth are a shadow, Iob 8. 9.

What man is hee that liueth, and shall not see death? Psal 89. 47.

All flesh is grasse; and the glo­ry of it as the flower, 1 Pet 1. 24.

As the flower of grasse hee shall passe away, Iam. 1. 10.

What is our life? It is a Va­pour that appeareth for a little time, and vanisheth away, Iam. 4. 14.

Man his dayes are determined; The time and houre is by God prefixed. the number of his months are with thee; thou hast appointed him his bounds that hee cannot passe, Iob. 14. 5.

Lord let me know mine end, and the number of my dayes, Psal. 39. 5.

I will adde vnto thy dayes fif­teene yeeres, Isa 38. 5.

O teach vs to number our dayes &c. Psal. 90. 12.

Whether we dye or liue, wee are the Lords, Rom. 14. 8.

[Page] The right vse of Fasting consisteth in the

  • 1 Manner, that it be sincere, not hypocriticall.
  • 2 Measure, that it be not immoderate.
  • 3 Cause or end, which must bee either
    • 1 To tame and subdue the flesh: such was Paul's fast, I beate downe my bodie.
    • 2 To testifie our humiliation, and sorrow for our sinnes; such was Ezra's and the Nineuites fast.
    • 3 To quicken zeale and deuotion: such was Hanna's fast Luke 2.

The abuse of Fast likewise is seene in the

  • 1 Manner, if wee abstaine from one kinde of meate, and feede daintily on another: forbeare one meale, and glut our selues another.
  • 2 Measure, if we continue or fast so long, that we much im­paire our strength, or endanger our health.
  • 3 Cause or end-
    • 1 If we abstaine from any kind of meat out of an opinion and erroneous scru­ple of conscience, that it is of it selfe vncleane, as the Tatians and Encra­tites did; or, as being now forbidden vs vnder the Gospell, as some Iudai­sing Christians at this day.
    • 2 If we abstaine from all or any kind of meate to merit, or satisfie thereby; as Papists doe.
    • 3 If wee keepe a Fast to colour any vn­godly or malicious purpose; as Iezebel did.
The second Table of Fasting.

[Page] [Page 479] The Lord is faithfull, God is an omnipotent and faith­full Creator who shall keepe you from euill. 2 Thes. 3. 3.

Commit the keeping of their soules to him who is a faithfull Creator, 1 Pet. 4. 19.

I know whom I haue trusted, and I am perswaded that he is a­ble to keepe that which I haue committed vnto him against that day, 2 Tim. 1. 12.

For this end Christ dyed and rose, Christ him­selfe died, and by death en­tred into his glorie. and reuiued, that he might be Lord both of the liuing, and the dead, Rom. 14. 9.

In that hee dyed, hee dyed to sinne once; but in that hee li­ueth, hee liueth to God, Rom. 6. 10.

If we be dead with Christ, wee belieue that wee shall also liue with him, verse 8.

I was dead,And de­stroyed death. I am aliue, and I liue for euer; and I haue the keys of death and of hell, Reu. 1. 18.

I am the resurrection and the [Page 480] life: Hee that beleeueth in mee, though he were dead yet shall he liue, Ioh. 11. 25.

Christ hath abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light by the Gospell, 2 Tim. 1. 10.

Death is swallowed vp into victory, 1 Cor. 15. 54.

O death where is thy sting? O graue where is thy victory? v. 55.

The sting of death is sinne, and the strength of sinne is the Law, verse 56.

But thankes bee to God who hath giuen vs victory through our Lord Iesus Christ, verse 57.

Hee also tooke part of the same,And chan­ged it in that through death hee might destroy him that had the power of death, euen the diuell, Heb. [...]. 14.

Our friend Lazarus sleepeth, Name. Ioh 11. 11.

And when hee had thus spo­ken, he fell asleepe, Acts 7. 60.

[Page 481] And many are fallen asleepe, 1 Cor. 11. 10.

Which are asleepe in Christ, 1 Cor. 15. 18.

Christ is risen from the dead, the first fruits of them that sleepe, verse 20.

Christ to me is life, Nature. and to die is gaine, Of a losse it is made a gaine. Phil. 1. 21.

Whosoeuer loseth his life for my sake shall saue it, Mar. 8. 35.

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord,Of a curse, a blessing and a d [...]scharge from La­bour. Reu. 14. 13.

For they rest from their la­bours, verse. 16.

There remaineth a rest for the people of God, Heb. 4. 9.

God shall wipe away all teares from their eyes,Sorrow. Reu. 1. 17.

They shall hunger no more, nor thirst no more,Paine. neither shall the Sun light on them, nor any heate, Reu. 7. 16.

Hee that is dead is free from sinne, Sinne. Rom. 6. 7.

We looke for a new heauen, in which dwelleth righteousnesse, 2 Pet. 3. 13.

[Page 482] And there shall in no wise en­ter any thing that defileth, Free from euill com­pany. nei­ther whatsoeuer worketh abomi­nation, or maketh a lye, Reu. 21. 27.

For, without shall bee doggs, and sorcerers, and whoremon­gers, and murderers, and idola­ters, and whosoeuer loueth, or maketh a lie, Reu. 22. 15.

The creature shall be deliuered from bondage, Bondage. Rom. 8. 21.

His (the tempters) place was no more found,Tempta­tion. Reu. 12. 8.

Your ioy shall no man take a­way from you, Ioh. 16. 22.

Lord now lettest thou thy ser­uant depart in peace,Feare the Saints de­sire Death. according to thy word, Luke 2. [...]9.

I desire to be dissolued, and to be with Christ, for that is best of all, Phil. 1. 23.

For we know that if the house of this earthly Tabernacle were dissolued, we should haue a buil­ding of God, an house not made with hands, eternall, in the hea­uens, 2 Cor. 5. 1.

[Page 483] For in this we groane earnestly, desiring to be clothed vpon with our house which is from heauen, verse 2.

We are willing rather to bee ab­sent from the body,Are com­forted in death by Faith. and present with the Lord, v. 7.

So God loued the world, that he gaue his onely begotten Son, that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish, but haue euerla­sting life, Ioh. 3. 16.

He that beleeueth on him is not condemned, v. 18.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for; and the euidence of things not seene, Heb. 11. 1.

There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus, Ro. 8. 1.

I am perswaded that neither life nor death,By Loue. &c. shall be able to separate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord, v. vlt.

We know that wee are passed from death to life, because wee [Page 484] oue the brethren, 1 Iohn 3. 14.

Our conuersation is in heauen, from whence we looke for the Sa­uiour, the Lord Iesus Christ, Phil. 3. 20.

Hope maketh not ashamed,By Hope. Rom. 5. 5.

If we hope for that we see not, then doe we with patience waite for it, Rom. 8. 25.

Reioycing in hope. Rom. 12. 22

I would not haue you igno­rant concerning them which are fallen asleepe, that ye sorrow not as they which haue no hope, 1 Thes. 4. 13.

The full assurance of hope vnto the end, Heb. 6. 11.

Let vs hold fast the profession of our hope vnto the end, for he is faithfull that promiseth, Heb. 10 23.

Which hope we haue as an an­chor of the soule both sure and stedfast and which entereth to that within the veile, Heb. 6. 19.

A good conscience By a good conscience. is a continu­all [Page 485] feast, Prouerbes 15. 15.

For our reioycing is this; the testimonie of a good conscience, 2. Cor. 1. 12.

We trust we haue a good con­science in all things, Heb. 13. 18.

If our hearts condemne vs not, we haue confidence towards God, 1. Ioh. 3. 31.

Who shall change our vile bo­dies,The bodie resteth in hope of a glorious re­surrection. and make them like vnto his glorious bodie, Phil, 3. 20. See 1. Cor. 15. Entire.

If we beleeue that Iesus Christ was dead, and is risen; euen so them which are asleepe in Iesus, God shall bring with him, 1. Thess. 4. 14.

To the spirits of iust men made perfect, Heb. 12. 23.

The begger died,The soule immediat­ly enioyeth blisse. and was car­ried into Abrahams bosome, Luk. 16. 22.

This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise, Luk. 23. 43.

We know that if our earthly tabernacle be dissolued, we haue [Page 486] a building not made with hands, eternall, in the heauens, 2. Cor. 5. 1.

We would not be vncloathed but cloathed vpon, that mortali­tie may be swallowed vp of life, ver. 4.

While we are at home in the bodie, we are absent from the Lord, ver. 6.

We are confident, that when we are absent from the bodie, we are present with the Lord, ver. 8. vid. supra, Phil. 1. I desire to be dissolued, and to be with Christ.

There is laide vp for me a crowne of righteousnesse,Body and sonle shall be crow­ned at the last day. which the righteous Iudge shall giue me at that day, and not to me onely, but to all that looke for his comming, 2. Tim. 4. 8.

Then we which are aliue and remaine, shall be caught vp toge­ther with them in the cloudes to meete the Lord in the aire; so shall we be alwayes with the Lord, 1. Thess. 4. 17.

Then the righteous shall shine [Page 487] as the Sunne in the Kingdome of my Father, Mat. 13. 43.

THE PRAYER FOR Saturday Euening,

composed of

  • Petitions sutable to the rest of Christ in the graue.
  • Motiues to perseue­rance agreeable to the precedent exhortation in the Morning.

I Blesse and magnifie thy glori­ous Maiestie, wisdome, and omnipotencie, ô Lord, high possessor of heauen and earth, as for all thy wonderfull workes in the sixe dayes, so also for thy holy rest on this day, whereby thou assu­rest me of eternall rest in heauen. And I beseech thee of thy good­nesse which answereth thy great­nesse, to distill the dew of thy blessings as vpon my daily la­bours, so vpon my rest in the [Page 488] night, that it may recouer my spirits, and refresh my faculties, and repaire my strength, and put me in minde of that comfortable rest which they enioy, who lie in the bosome of Abraham, and sleepe in Iesus, who this day lay in his sepulchre, yet saw there no corruption. For thy promise thou madest good, not to leaue his soule in hell, nor to suffer thine holy one to see corruption. O Lord I entirely desire thee to burie all my sins, especially those (which this day and weeke hath added to the totall summe) in his graue; and teach me by it to burie in the pit of eternall obliuion. not one­ly my brethrens trespasses against me, but also all those sinfull baites which haue heretofore al­lured me to any kinde of vicious leudnesse. Grant that I may more and more feele the power, as of Christs death in the mortification of my fleshly members; and so of his burial in the cōquering of the [Page 489] horror of the graue. For as thou hast threatned death saying, O death I will be thy death; so thou hast threatned the graue also, saying, O graue, or corruption, I will be thy corruption, or destru­ction And what though my flesh be all consumed to bones, yet thy spirit blowing vpon dead bones can reuiue them, and couple them againe with sinnewes, and cloathe them with flesh. What though these bones be resolued into dust, yet thou which madest it of nothing, canst as easily restore it, and reare it out of that which is as lirtle or next neighbour to nothing. Thou which raisedst thy Sonne from death, sha [...]t raise and change my vile bodie, and make it like vnto his glorious bodie, by that power whereby thou art able to subdue all things vnto thy selfe. Make my heart hewen out of a harder rocke them thy Sonnes sepulchre was, a fit receptacle, not for dead, but for liuing Iesus. As that se­pulchre [Page 490] neuer receiued any but Iesus; so let my heart entertaine nothing but thee. Make me a pure and chaste soule, that as thy Sonne was borne of a Virgins wombe, and lay buried in a vir­gine tombe: so he may abide in my virgin and vndefiled soule. Remoue the heauie stone from my heart, as thou diddest that great stone from his sepulchre. As he neuer returned to his sepulchre after he came out of it: so grant that when thou hast perfectly raised me out of the graue of sin, I may neuer returne to it againe. And as he kept Sabbath in his graue, and obserued thy statutes in life and in death, and fulfilled all righteousnesse: so grant I may both in life and death accom­plish thy holy will. And as hee neuer rested till he had cried out, All is finished: so grant that I may not be wearie of well-doing, nor giue ouer my heauenly race of godlinesse, till I may say, It is [Page 491] finished. Endue me with power from aboue, and gird about me thy whole armour, that I may fight a good fight against the world, the flesh, and the diuell, and finish my course in the full discharge of my calling, and keepe the faith to the end; and in the end receiue that incorruptible crowne of glory which thou the righteous Iudge wilt giue to all that loue the second comming of thy Sonne. And behold thou commest with the cloudes, and all eyes shall see, euen they that nailed thee; and all kindreds of the earth shall mourne before th [...]e, yea, and Amen. So be it.

The close out of Scripture.

Thou art worthy O Lord to re­ceiue glory, and honour, and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy wills sake they are and haue beene created, Reu. [...]. 11.

Worthy is the Lambe that was killed to receiue power, and riches, and wisedome, and strength, and ho­nour, and glory, & praise, Reu. 5. 12

The Childe-bearing Woman's Deuotion • In her traueile. , and • After her traueile. 

THE ADMONITION.

THE ANALYSIS.

Religious women ought pati­ently and comfortably to endure the paines of childe­birth, con­sidering

  • 1. That fruitfulnesse is a speci­all blessing and honour to a wo­man.
  • 2. That these paines were the punishments, and are the memo­rials of Eue's transgression.
  • 3. That the hope of children who may be members of Christ, & heires of saluation, asswageth the paines for the present, and the ioy for them afterwards ex­tinguisheth the memory of them.
  • 4. That they haue daily experi­ments of God's strange deliuerances; especially in this kinde.
  • 5. That childe-bearing hath a promise annexed vnto it of a blessing
    • Temporal.
    • Spiritual.
    if the mo­thers bee faithfull, and so continue.
THE TEXTS.

O Lord God of Hoasts,Fruitfulnes is a spiritu­all blessing. if thou wilt indeede looke vpon the affliction of thine Hand-maid, and wilt not forget her, but wilt giue her a man-childe, I will giue him to the Lord all the dayes of his life, 1 Sam. [...]. 11.

Loe children, and the fruit of the wombe, are an heritage, and gift that commeth of the Lord, Psal. 127. 4.

Like as arrowes in the hand of a gyant: euen so are young children, v. 5.

Happie is the man that hath his quiuer full of them: they shall not be ashamed when they speake with their enemies in the gate, v. 6.

Thou fillest their belly with thy hid treasure, Psal. 17. 14.

Elizabeth said, Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the daies [Page 494] wherein he looked on me, The paines are deser­ued by the sin of Eue. to take away my reproach among men, Luke 1. 25.

Vnto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrowe, and thy conception; In sorrow shalt thou bring forth children, Gen. 3. 16.

Adam was not deceiued; but the woman being deceiued was in the transgression, 1 Tim. 2. 14.

A woman, Sweetened with hop of a childe. when she is in tra­ueile, hath sorrow, because her howre is come; but as soone as shee is deliuered of a childe, shee remembreth no more her anguish for ioy that a man is borne into the world, Ioh. 16. 21.

Be fruitfull, And pro­mises of blessings Temporall, and multiply, and replenish the earth, Gen. 1. 28.

Be ye fruitfull and multiply, and bring forth abundantly, on the earth,Spirituall. Gen. 9. 7.

Notwithstanding she shall be saued in childe bearing, if they continue in faith, and charity, & holines, & sobriety, 1 Tim▪ [...] 15.

A Psalme for women in their trauaile.

IN thee ô Lord doe I put my trust: let me neuer be put to confusion, Psal. 71. 1.

Deliuer mee in thy righte­ousnes, and cause me to escape: incline thine eare vnto me, and saue me, v. 2.

Lord strengthen mee vpon the bed of languishing: make all my bed in my sicknesse, Psal. 41. 3.

Lord be mercifull vnto me, heale my soule, for I haue sin­ned against thee, v. 4.

Make haste ô God to deliuer me: make haste ô Lord to helpe me, Psal. 70. 1.

For thou art my hope ô Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth, Psal. 71. 5.

[Page 496] By thee haue I bin holden vp euer since I was borne: thou art hee that tooke mee out of my mothers wombe: my praise shall be continually of thee, v. 6.

I am feeble, and sore bro­ken: I haue roared by reason of the disquietnesse of my heart, Psal. 38. 8.

Lord, all my desire is before thee: and my groaning is not hid from thee, v. 9.

My soule is bowed downe to the dust; my belly cleaueth to the earth, Psal. 44. 21.

Make haste to helpe mee ô Lord my saluation, Psal. 38. 22.

Lord heare me in this day of my trouble; thy name ô God of Iacob defend me, Psal. 20. 1.

Send mee helpe from the Sanctuary; and strengthen me out of Sion. v. 2.

[Page 497] Blesse me Lord, and blesse the fruit of my wombe.

A Prayer for a woman in time of her trauaile.

O Most righteous and mer­cifull God who hast iustly inflicted the sorrowes vp­on me, which I now endure for the transgressions of Eue, the Mo­ther of the liuing; and yet in iudgement remembring mercie hast sanctified them to the propa­gation of thy Church; and doest graciously and wonderfully strengthen and help thy seruants in them both, to ouercome the paines, and escape the danger. Haue pitty vpon the feeble estate of thy poore Hand maid, vnable without thy speciall assistance to goe through this great worke of pati­ence and labour. My first parent did eate the sowre grapes, and my teeth are set on edge; [Page 498] and I now taste the bitternesse of that forbidden fruit, and from my heart loathe and detest it. I confesse, gracious Lord, that both my selfe & my childe yet vnborne haue deserued to perish in our sin, originall or actuall; and I humbly submit it and my selfe to thy gracious will and pleasure: yet my hope is in that blessed seede of the woman that brake the Serpent's head, that thou hast a blessing in store for me, and that I beare in my wombe; of which I am as much in trauaile in my soule to bring it forth to thee, and make it thine, as I am in la­bour in my body to bring it forth to me and make it mine. Blesse me deare Father in both workes, that of nature, and this of grace. Lord, punish not the childe for the parents sake, but preserue the parent for the child's sake, that both may liue, and praise thy Name. Sanctifie vnto mee these paines and throwes, that they [Page 499] may serue not onely as a corasiue for sinnes past, but also as a pre­seruatiue against sinne to come. Blesse me in the vse of all ordina­rie meanes for my sake, bearing and bringing forth my childe. Comfort my fainting heart, and strengthen my weake body, and asswage my bitter pangs and sorrowes, and sweeten them with an assured hope of a hap­pie and speedy exchange of them into comfort and ioy that a childe is borne into the world. Lord, who wert present with me at my conception, be present with me in the safe deliuery of that I haue conceiued. Let thy hand which formed and fashioned my babe in my wombe, keepe all the parts and members of it in due shape, substance, & proportion, that the notes of the parent's sin bee not seene in the markes, maimes, and defects of the childe. It is my labour, but it is thy work, ô Lord, to make it a liuing instrument of [Page 500] thy glory. Perfect, I beseech thee, the worke thou hast begunne and wrought in mee thine vnworthy worke-house. Make it like all the works of the creation; to which thine own mouth gaue testimo­ny, that they were perfect good. Deale not with me according to my wickednes, but according to thy gracious goodnesse. Carrie such a hand ouer me in al time of my labour & grieuous paines, and after my deliuery also, that I may euer praise and magnifie thee for the effects of thy grace in my pa­tience, of thy power in my strength, of thy prouidence in my timely deliuery, and thy great mercy in my safety, and the preseruation of my fruit; for which I humbly beg a blessing from thee, and both dedicate it and my selfe to thee. Receiue both in and for thy holy childe Iesus's sake, to whom with thee, and the blessed Spirit, be all honour, praise, and thanksgiuing now and for euer, Amen.

The Child-bearing womans Deuotion after her Deliuerie.

The Admonition to confidence in God.

THE ANALYSIS.

For confidence in God in greatest and imminent dangers we haue in Scripture

  • 1 Precepts.
  • 2 Presidents in—
    • ABRAHAM.
    • SARAH.
    • DAVID.
    • MOSES.
    • ELIAH.
    • HESTER.
    • IOB.
    • SHADRACH, MESECH, and ABEDNEGO.
    • IONAH
    • PETER.
  • 3 Reasons drawn frō God his—
    • Names of
      • Faithfull Creatour.
      • Preseruer of men.
      • Mighty deliuerer.
      • Sauiour.
    • Attributes
      • Omnipoten­cie.
      • Goodnesse.
    • Promises.
    • Works or performances.
THE TEXTS.

OFFER the Sacrifice of righ­teousnesse,Confidence in God co­manded. and put your trust in the Lord, Psal. 4. 5.

Put thou thy trust in the Lord, and be doing good, Psal. 37. 3.

Commit thy way vnto the Lord, and put thy trust in him, v. 5.

Charge the rich that they trust not, in vncertaine riches, but in the liuing God, &c. 1 Tim. 6. 17.

In him shall the Gentiles trust, Rom. 15. 12.

God will prouide a Lambe for a burnt offering, Gen. 22. 8.

Abraham aboue hope belieued vnder hope,Practised by Abra­ham. that he should bee the Father of many Nations, Rom. 4. 15.

Through faith Sarah receiued strength to conceiue Seede,Saraah. and was deliuered when she was past age, because shee iudged him faithfull which had promised, Heb. 11. 11.

[Page 503] Moses said,Moses. Feare not, stand stil, and behold the saluation of the Lord which hee will shew you this day, Exod. 14. 13.

Dauid said,Dauid. the Lord that de­liuered me out of the pawe of the Lyon, and out of rhe pawe of the Beare, he will deliuer mee out of the hand of this Philistine, 1 Sam. 17. 37.

Eliah said,Eliah. As the Lord liueth before whom I stand, I will surely shew my selfe vnto Ahab this day, 1 Kings 18. 15.

I also, and my Maides wil fast, and so I will goe to the King,Hester. which is not according to the Law; and if I perish, I perish, He­ster 4. 16.

I am sure that my Reedemer liueth,Iob. &c. Mine eyes shall behold him, though my reines bee con­sumed within me, Iob 19. 25. see Iob. 13. 15.

Shadrach,The three children.Meshach, & Abed­nego answered: We are not care­full to answer thee in this mat­ter, [Page 504] Daniel 3. 16.

Behold, our God whom wee serue is able to deliuer vs from the hot fiery Furnace, and he will deliuer vs out of thy hands ô King, v. 17.

Ionah prayed to the Lord out of the fishes belly,Ionah. Ionah 2. 1.

I said, I am cast away out of thy sight, yet will I looke againe toward thine holy Temple, v. 4.

Commit their soules to him in well doing,Reasons drawne from God. His Attri­butes. as a faithfull, Creator. 1 Pet. 4. 19.

God is faithfull, Faithful­nesse. which will not suffer you to bee tempted a­boue that you are able, but will euen giue the issue with the ten­tation, 1 Cor. 10. 13.

God is faithfull, that our words to you were Yea and Amen, 2 Cor. 1. 18.

All the promises of God in him, are Yea and Amen, v. 20.

God is the Sauiour of all men, especially of them that beleeue, 1 Tim. 4. 10.

[Page 505] The Lord is my strength,Prouidence my stonie rocke, my Sauiour, my might, my buckler, &c. Psal. 18. 1.

Casting all your care vpon God, for he careth for you, 1 Pet. 5. 7.

To him that is able to doe ex­ceeding abundantly aboue all that we aske,Omnipo­tencie. or thinke, Eph. 3. 20.

He is able to subdue all things vnto himselfe, Phil. 3. 21.

We receiued the Sentence of death in our selues, that wee should not trust in our selues, but in God which raiseth the dead, 2 Cor. 1. 9.

Who deliuered vs from so great a death, and doth deliuer vs; in whom we trust that hee also will deliuer vs, v. 10.

God is able to make all grace to abound towards you, that ye alwaies hauing all sufficiency in all things, may abound in e­uery good worke, 2 Corinthians 9. 8.

[Page 506] With God all things are possible, Mat. 19. 16.

Who is able to keepe that which is committed to him till that day, 2 Tim. 1. 12.

God is good vnto all men,Goodnesse. and his mercy is ouer all his workes, Psal. 145. 9.

Who so dwelleth vnder the defence of the most High, shall abide vnder the shadow of the Almighty, Psal. 91. 1.

A thousand shall fall beside thee, and ten thousand at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee, v. 7.

God is faithfull, and will esta­blish vs, and keepe vs from euill, 2. Thes. 3. 3.

Blessed are all they that put their trust in him,Gracious promises. Psal. 2. vlt.

Trust thou in the Lord, and verily thou shalt be fedde, Psal. 37. 3.

Put thy trust in him, and hee shall bring it to passe, ver. 5.

Hungry & thirsty their soule [Page 507] fainted in them, Psal. 107. 5.

So they cried vnto the Lord in their trouble, and hee deliuered them out of their distresse,Perfor­mances to men in di­stresse, as Lot, ver. 6. vide 13. 19. 28.

The men put forth their hands, and they pulled Lot into the house Gen. 19. 20.

And smote the men that were at the dore with blindnesse, v. 21.

And the children of Israel went into the midst of the Sea as on the ground, The chil­dren of Is­rael. ver. 23.

And the Rauens brought him bread and flesh in the morning,Eliah. and bread and flesh in the eue­ning, &c. 1. King. 17. 6.

The Captaine of fifty sayd; Thus sayth the man of GOD: Come downe, 2. King. 1. 9.

And there came downe fire from Heauen, and consumed him and his fiftie, ver. 10.

There was a great famine in Samaria,Citizens of Samaria. and they besieged it till an Asses head was sold for eight pieces of siluer, and the fourth [Page 508] part of a kab of doues dung for fiue pieces of siluer, 2. King. 6. 25.

Elisha sayd, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flowre be sold for a shekell, and two measures of barlie for a she­kell, and it came to passe, chap. 7. ver. 16.

So Shadrach,The 3 chil­dren (as they are called.)Meshech and A­bednego came forth of the fierie furnace, Dan. 3. 26.

There was not a haire of their heads singed, neither were their coates changed, neither had the smell of fire passed on them, verse 27.

Daniel sayd,Daniel. My God hath sent his angel, & shut the Lyons mouth that they haue not hurt mee, &c. Dan. 6. 22.

And the Lord spake to the fish,Ionah. and the fish vomited out Io­nah on the drie land, Ionah 2. 10.

And behold, the Angel of the Lord came to Peter, Peter. and a light [Page 509] shined in the prison, and hee smote Peter on the side, and rai­sed him, saying, Arise vp quick­ly. And his chaines fell from his hands, Acts 12. 20.

When they passed the first and second watch, they came to the yron gate which opened to them of its owne accord, &c.

A THANKSGIVING for safe Deliuery.

AETernall praises & thanks bee rendered to thee ó Lord of my health and strength, in whose hands are the waies of life, and issues of death. I looked for extreme dan­ger, and behold safetie; I looked for out-cries of sorrow, but be­hold shoutes of ioy; I looked for sudden death, and behold pre­sent life to me, and my sweete babe. O that my heart were a skilfull inditer, and my tongue as the pen of a ready scribe, to write downe thy praises, and record the wonderous things thou hast done for my soule. Thou hast de­liuered my life from death, mine eyes from teares, and my feete from falling. Thou hast dealt graciously with mee aboue my desert, ena­bled [Page 511] me aboue my strength, de­liuered me aboue my hope, and therefore I will reioyce in thee aboue measure, & magnifie thee without end. Thou hast shut the mouth of the pit which would haue swallowed mee, [...]herefore will I open my mouth in thy prai­ses. Thou hast made good thy promises vnto mee, therefore I will make good my vowes vnto thee. Thou hast giuen mee the fruite of my wombe, therefore will I returne vnto thee the fruite of my lippes. Now I haue felt thy strength in my greatest weakenesse, I haue tasted thy goodnesse in my bitter pangs, I will therfore cal vpon thee in my troubles, and will praise thee in my deliuerances, and depend vpon thee as well in want as in plentie, in sicknesse as in health, in death as in life. Thou migh­test most iustly haue depriued me of the benefit, and my infant of the hope of life. Thou migh­test [Page 512] deseruedly haue cut off the roote and the branch in the same moment, for both were at thy mercie, and liable to a curse; But thy mercie is ouer all thy workes: thou art good to them that are bad; gracious to them that are vngracious; mercifull to them that are most sinfull. Thou desi­rest not the death of a sinner, but of sin. Thou wouldest that all should liue, and here sowe the seedes, and in heauen reape the fruite of immortality. For to this end thou breathedst into vs the life of nature to make vs capable of the life of grace, that thereby we may attaine the life of glory. Therefore doest thou bring vs into the light of this world, and set vs in the way: that walking the paths of thy Commande­ments we might in the end ariue at our country in heauen. This life of nature thou hast now giuen to my childe, and continued to me; adde now, I beseech thee, grace [Page 513] to nature, and glory to grace hereafter, that as we now liue in thee by nature, so wee may liue to thee by grace, and hereafter for euer liue with thee in glory. Thou h [...]st ordained strength out of the mouthes of babes and sucklings, and iustly maist expect praise from them. Gracious Lord, first giue my infant strength, and then receiue praises from it. The hid­den treasure which for many moneths thou layedst vp in me, is now safely taken out of me, and deliuered me, therefore I now offer it to thee in thy holy Temple. Ac­cept that from mee which thou hast giuen to me. Receiue that into thy hands which thou hast put into mine armes. Wash it in the Font of Baptisme; regenerate it by thy holy Spirit; feede it with the sincere milke of thy Word, till it haue knowledge to choose the good and refuse the euill. As it groweth in yeeres, and stature, & strength; so grant that it may grow in thy [Page 514] grace and fauour, and increase in wisedome and in the knowledge of our Lord & Sauiour Iesus Christ. So be it, Amen.

The close out of Scripture.

NOw vnto the King immortal, euerlasting, inuisible, vnto God onely wise, be honour and glo­ry for euer and euer, Amen, 1 Tim. 1. 17.

The Sicke-mans Deuotion (when there is yet hope of reco­uerie • In his Sicknes. , and • After his Recouery. 

When thou art smitten with sicknesse ô deuout Christi­an,

  • 1 ENter into thy priuate Chamber and commune with thine owne heart, and search out diligently the cause of thy Fathers displeasure, Psal. 4. [...].
  • 2 Confesse the particular sin or sinnes, for which thy heart smiteth thee most with sighs and teares, Psal. 32. 5, 6.
  • 3 Promise, and fully purpose amendment through the assis­tance of grace, Psal. 39. 1.
  • 4 Aduise with the Physitian of thy soule, and follow his god­ly direction, and desire him to pray for thee, and minister a word of comfort vnto thee, and if thou find thy selfe fit for it in the be­ginning of thy sicknesse, when thou art in perfect sence and me­morie, participate of the blessed, [Page 516] Sacrament, rather then when thy faculties are more enfeebled, Iob. 33. 23. Iam. 5. 14.
  • 5 Vse carefully all good meanes of Physicke and dyet for thy recouerie; yet rely not vpon the meanes, or instrument, but vpon God, Eccl. 38. 1. 2. Chr. 16. 12.
  • 6 Pray to God instantly & continually,
    • First & absolute­ly for the health and saluation of thy soule.
    • Secondly, & con­ditionally, for the health of thy bodie.
  • 7 Settle thine estate, and make thy Will, that thou mayest bee more free for holy and hea­uenly meditations, Isa. 38. 1.
  • 8 Submit thy self wholly and absolutely to God's good wil and pleasure concerning thee, whe­ther for life or death, 1. Pet. 4. 19
  • 9 Reade (if thou be able) or appoint to be read vnto thee, at [Page 517] seasonable times, select Chap­ters of Scripture, and deuout Sermons, and Prayers: Rom. 8. Philippians 1. 1. Corinth. 15. 1. Thes. 4. 2. Cor. 5. Ioh. 5. 6. 17. H [...]b. 12. Iob. 19. Reu. 2. 3. 21. 22. Iob 14. Isa. 38. 40.

Among o­ther helpes in this kind

  • Open thy sorrow and griefe by the Hymne.
  • Strengthen thy faith & patience by the exhortation.
  • Quicken thy Zeale and Deuoti­on by the Prayer ensuing.

A PSALME FOR the sicke,

wherein The deuout Soule

  • Expres­seth her
    • Maladie & affe­ction.
    • Hope in God.
    • Experience & re­membrance of his former goodnes.
    • Meek patience.
  • Prayeth for
    • Ease.
    • Helpe.
    • Recouerie.
    • Quickning grace.
    • Pardon for sinne.
    • Wisedome to make good vse of sicknesse.
THE TEXTS.

HAue mercy vpon mee ô Lord,The sicke soule ex­presseth her malady. for I am weake: O Lord heale mee, for my bones are vexed, Psal. 6. 2.

My soule also is sore troubled: But Lord, how long wilt thou punish mee! v. 3

My Spirit vexeth within me: and my heart within mee is deso­late, Psal. 143. 4.

Yet I doe remember the time past; I muse vpon all thy workes; yea, I exercise my selfe in the worke of thy hands, verse [...]5.

I stretch forth my hands vnto thee:Remem­brance and experience of Gods goodnesse. my soule gaspeth vnto thee as a thirsty land, v. 6.

Heare me O Lord, and that soone, for my Spirit waxeth faint:

Hide not thy face from mee, [...]est I bee like vnto them that go downe into the pit, v. 7.

Thou art he that tooke me out [Page 520] of my mothers wombe: thou wast my hope when I hanged yet vpon my mothers brest, Psal. 22. 9.

I haue bin left vnto thee euer since I was borne: Thou art my God euen from my mothers womb, v. 10.

Though I walke in the sha­dow of death,Hope in God. I will feare no euill: thy rod and thy staffe comfort me, Psal. 23. 4.

Lord what is my hope? Truly my hope is euen in thee, Psal. 39. 5.

I became dumbe, and opened not my mouth; for it was thy doing, v. 10.

I will patiently abide alway:Meeke pa­tience. and praise thy name more, and more, Psal. 71. 12.

O Lord rebuke mee not in thine anger,Prayeth for ease. nor chasten mee in thy heauy displeasure, Psal. 6. 1.

The sorrowes of my heart are enlarged; O bring me out of my trouble, Psal. 25. 16.

Heare ô Lord,Helpe. and haue [Page 521] mercy vpon me; Lord bee thou my helper, Psal. 30. 11.

Turne thee ô Lord, and deli­uer my soule:Recouery. ô saue mee for thy mercies sake, Psal. 6. 4.

For in death no man remem­breth thee: and who will giue thee thankes in the pit? v. 5.

What profit is there in my blood, when I goe downe to the pit? Psal. 30. 9.

Shall the dust giue thanks vn­to thee? Or shall it declare thy truth? v. 10.

Take thy Plague away from me: I am euen consumed by the meanes of thy heauy hand, Psal. 39. 11.

Quicken mee ô Lord for thy names sake;Quickening grace. and for thy righte­ousnesse sake, bring my soule out of trouble, Psal. 143. 11.

Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant;Pardon for sinne. for in thy sight shall no man liuing be iustified, v. 2.

O remember not the sinnes and offences of my youth; but accor­ding [Page 522] to thy mercy thinke vpon me, ô Lord, for thy goodnesse, Psal. 25. 6.

Deliuer me from all mine offen­ces; and make me not a rebuke to the foolish, Psal. 39. 9.

O teach mee to number my daies,Wisedome. that I may apply my heart vnto wisedome, Psal. 90. 12.

An Admonition to the Sicke.

THE ANALYSIS.

Euery good Christian ought to struggle with his in­firmities, & labour to compass his minde to meet pati­ence in sick­nesse; espe­cially consi­dering that sicknes is—

  • 1 His heauenly Fathers visi­tation, whose
    • 1 Power cannot bee re­sisted.
    • 2 Will must be obeyed.
    • 3 Goodnesse must bee ac­knowledged in sending vs good as well as euill.
  • 2 A deserued scourge for his sinne.
  • 3 Seat in loue to him for his good
    • 1 To weane him from the loue of the world.
    • 2 To strengthen the spirit in him, and tame the flesh.
    • 3 To breed in him a loathing and de­testation of sin in generall, the cause of all afflictions.
    • 4 To call him home, and bring him to a sence & acknowledgement of his particular sinne.
    • 5 To proue the truth and sincerity of his faith and loue.
    • 6 To saue him from eternall punish­ment for his sinne.
    • 7 To make him seeke more earnestly to God, who will be found of him, and (if his appointed time bee not come) manifest his glory in deliue­ring him frō the very iawes of death.
THE TEXTS.

VVEe haue had Fathers of our flesh which corrected vs, Sicknesse is God's vi­sitation: who is the Father of our Spirits, and cannot be resisted. and wee gaue them reuerence, shall wee not much rather be in subiection to the Father of Spirits, and liue? Heb. 12. 9.

Who hath euer resisted his wil? Rom. 9. 19.

He is able to subdue all things to himselfe, Phil. 3. 21.

Hee draweth the mighty with his power; he riseth vp, and no man is sure of life, Iob 24. 21.

Will hee pleade against mee with his great power? Iob 23. 6.

God is greater then man, Iob 33. 12.

Why doest thou striue against him? for hee giueth not account of any of his matters. v. 13.

Thy will be done,Must be o­beyed. &c. Mat. 6. 10.

Father, if it be possible let this [Page 525] cup passe from me, Mat 26. 39.

Yet not as I will, but as thou wilt, v. 16.

I held my peace, because it was thy doing, Psal. 39. 10.

Sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts, &c. 1 Pet. 3. 11.

Let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their soules to him in well doing, as vnto a faithfull creator, 1 Pet. 3. 19.

Wee haue receiued good at the hands of God,From whō we receiue good. and shall wee not receiue euill? Iob 2. 10.

Affliction commeth not forth of the dust, neither doth trauaile come forth of the ground, Iob 5. 6.

I will make thee sicke in smi­ting thee, because of thy sinne, Micha 6. 13.

Man suffereth for his sinne, It is a scourge for our sins. Lam. 3. 39.

Wee know that all things worke together for good to them that loue God,It is sent for our good Rom. 8. 28.

[Page 526] The heate beate vpon the head of IONAS that he fainted,To weane vs from the world. and wished in himselfe to dye, and said, It is better for me to die then to liue, Ionah 4. 8.

And ELIAH requested that he might die: It is enough Lord, take away my life; I am no bet­ter then my Fathers, 1 Kings 19. 4.

We that are in this Taberna­cle doe groane being burdened, 2 Cor. 5. 4.

That I should not bee exalted aboue measure,To tame the flesh, and strengthe­ning the Spirit. there was giuen me a Thorne in the flesh, 2 Cor. 12.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in ne­cessities, in persecutions, in di­stresses; for when I am weake, then am I strong, v. 10

Though our outward man de­cay,To make vs loath sin. our inward man is renewed, &c. 2 Cor. 4. 16.

My wounds stinke, and are corrupt through my foo­lishnesse, [Page 527] Psal. 38. 5. vid. Psal. 38. 4.

Let vs search, To bring vs to acknow­ledgement of our sins in speciall. and trie our waies, and turne againe to the Lord, Lam. 3. 40.

I truly am set in the Plague; and my heauinesse is euer in my sight, Psal. 38. 17.

I will confesse my wickednesse, and be sorrie for my sinne, verse 18.

The people turneth not to him that smiteth them, Isa 9. 13. see Ezra 9. 13.

The thing that I so greatly feared is fallen vpon me, Iob 3. 25.

We haue transgressed, and re­belled, and thou hast not pardo­ned, Lam. 3. 42.

Though he slay me,To proue sincerity of our faith and loue. yet will I trust in him, Iob 13. 15.

He shall also be my saluation, for an hypocrite shall not stand be­fore him, v. 16.

And though all this be come vpon vs, yet doe we not forget thee, [Page 528] nor behaue our selues frowardly in thy couenant, Psal. 44. 18.

Our heart is not turned backe; neither our steps gon out of the way, v. 19.

No not when thou hast smitten vs into the place of dragons, and couered vs with the shadow of death, v. 20.

We are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world,To keepe vs from euer­lasting tor­ments. 1 Cor. 11. 32.

I will bee vnto Ephraim as a Lyon,To make vs seeke more earnestly to God. and as a roaring Lyon to the house of Iudah; I will teare, and goe away, Hosea 5. 14.

I will goe and returne to my place, till they acknowledge their offences, and seeke my face: In their affliction they will seeke me early, v. 15.

Hee would haue filled his bel­lie with the huskes that the swine did eate and no man gaue vnto him, Luke 15. 16.

And when he came to himself he said, How many hired ser­uants [Page 529] in my Father's house haue meate enough, and I perish with hunger? v. 17.

I will arise and goe to my Fa­ther, &c. v. 18.

When in their trouble they turned to the Lord God of Israel,Who will be found of vs. and sought him, hee was found of them, 2 Chron. 15. 4.

In wrath, or, in the middest of iudgement thou remembrest mercy, Abak. 3. 2.

Ikill,And shew his glory in our reco­uery. and make aliue; I wound, and I heale, Deut. 32. 39.

The Lord bringeth downe to the graue, and bringeth vp, 1 Sam. 2. 6.

This man was borne blinde, that the worke of God might bee shewed in him, Ioh. 9. 8.

This sicknesse is not vnto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might bee glorified thereby, Ioh. 11. 4.

For wee had the Sentence of death in our selues, that wee should not trust in our selues, but [Page 530] in God that raiseth the dead, 2. Cor. 1. 9, 10.

Who hath deliuered vs from so great a death, and doth deli­uer: in whom wee trust that he will yet deliuer vs, ver. 11.

A Prayer for the Sicke.

FAithfull Creator, and preser­uer of all men, especially of thine Elect, whom thou smitest in mercie, and chastenest in loue, and correctest in tender compassion, and wounding and healing againe, killing and reuiuing, bringing downe to the gates of hell, and raising vp from thence againe: Look downe, I beseech thee, vpon thy poore prostrated seruant grieuously punished, and afflicted in body with the smart of my paine, and much more troubled and terrified in minde with the sence of my sinne, and feare of thy heauie displeasure. My paines and pangs of my sick­nes, [Page 531] O Lord, are bitter, yet the remembrance of my sin is more bitter vnto mee, and the appre­hension of thy wrath far excee­deth both. Whilest I enioyed health and prosperitie, the ioy of all my ioyes was in thy loue; and so now in my misery & sicknes, the sorrow of all my sorrowes, and anguish of all my paines, is in the feeling of thy wrath. This is the very venome of the arrow that sticketh in me. It is gall to my taste, and wormwood to my mouth, and the sharpest vineger in my festered sores, and a bur­ning fire in my bones. I confesse to thy glory and my shame, that of very faithfulnesse and goodnesse to mee, thou hast layd this scourge vpon me, to the end, that by the stripes of my flesh, my spirit might be healed, and saued in the day of my Lord IESV. I fostered snakes secretly in my bosome; I cherished priuate sin in my con­science, & now they haue stung [Page 532] me. I tooke too much delight in worldly comforts, and therefore thou hast sawced them with sor­rowes. My wanton flesh pam­pered vp with ease and daintie fare, spurned at thy word, and grew head-strong against thy Spirit, and therefore thou hast tamed it with the sharpe whip. I was in a kind of a spirituall Lethargie, till thou didst awake me with the stroke of thy hand. There grew a Call ouer my con­science, which this thy chastise­ment hath plucked away. I felt an Itch of impure lusts & desires in all parts of my soule, but thy Rod hath killed it. I valued not the benefit of health as I should haue done; and therefore thou hast taught me it by my paine. In my prosperity, I remembred not the afflictions of my brethren, and therefore thou hast afflicted mee like vnto them. I wept not for the calamities of thy people, I shed no teares for the publike [Page 533] ruines of the Church, and there­fore thou hast drawne from mee abundance of them for my pri­uate griefes. I put from mee still the euill day, and therefore thou hast brought it neere vnto mee. All this haue I done, and there­fore most iustly all this do I suf­fer. And because I know that it is good for mee thus to be discipli­ned by thee; I humble my selfe vnder thy mighty hand, and kisse this thy Rod which imprints in my flesh a sence of my sinne, and a marke of thy loue, and maketh my body black and blew; but I trust (through thy grace) shall make my soule appeare faire and beautifull in thine eyes. Oh that I could frame my selfe to perfect patience, that my abiding thy will might as wel please thee, as my disobeying thy will hath dis­pleased thee. My spirit is wil­ling, but my flesh is weake. I striue with the rebellions of my heart and corruptions, but they are too strong for mee.

[Page 534] Faine would I silence all clamo­rous passions, and let patience haue her full worke vpon me; but the loathsomenesse, and painful­nesse, and tediousnesse of my dis­ease drowne all my ghostly com­forts, and make me euen rore for the disquietnes of my heart. O Lord thou knowest all my desires, and my groanes are not hid from thee. Thou knowest whereof I am made, thou vnderstandest that I am but dust; & wilt thou contend with dust & ashes? O Father of mercy, and God of all consolation, lay no more vpon me then thou wilt giue me abili­ty to beare. Either asswage and diminish my paine, or increase my strength: either shorten my sicknesse, or lengthen (I beseech thee) my patience. I acknow­ledge my many sins deserue ma­ny strokes, & grieuous sins smart strokes; but my flesh is not of yron, nor my sinews of brasse, nor my heart of Oke, to endure so many blowes and re-iterated cuts of [Page 335] thy axe. Neither could my sufferings (if I could endure as much for sin as any of thy blessed Saints and Martyrs haue suffered for righteousnesse) thereby sa­tisfie for the least of my sins. For thy Maiesty is infinite, and my offences therefore infinite; thy mercy toward me is infinite, and my ingratitude towards thee thereby made infinite. Thy law eternall, and my gilt conse­quently, for the breach thereof, eternall. But thy Son a person of infinite dignity, out of his infi­nite loue to mankinde hath layed downe his life, a price of infinite value, to discharge the infinite debt of my sins. Wherefore, I beseech thee, looke not vpon my sin, but vpon thy Son: weigh not my transgressions, but his merits. Thy iustice is fully sa­tisfied by him; O confirme thy mercies vnto me. As I haue, in the cup of trembling, tasted thy iustice & my sins: so grant that in [Page 536] the cup of saluation I may taste thy mercie, and my Sauiour's merits. Blesse all the meates, and drinks, and medicines, which I shall re­ceiue from the hand of the Phy­sitian to the repaire and recouery of my bodily health; and sancti­fie all the bitter potions which thou hast, and shalt minister vn­to mee to the restoring of my soule's health. Comfort my fain­ting Spirit, and strengthen my fee­ble knees, and support my weake hands, and reuiue my deaded heart; and so powerfully assist me with thy Spirit of strength, that I may with confidence call vpon thee, with patience endure this tryal, with hope expect thy good pleasure, with wisedome make vse of this thy visitation, and with thankfulnesse euer praise thy goodnesse and mercy for my safe recouery, if it may stand with thy blessed will; whereunto I fully submit, and wholy resigne my selfe now and for euer, Amen.

The Sicke-mans Deuotion after his Recouerie.

The Admonition or Exhortation to Thanksgiuing.

THE ANALYSIS.

For perpetuall Thanksgiuing, & a grate­full acknowledgement of God's bles­sing, we haue in Scripture▪

  • 1 Exam­ples of
    • CHRIST.
    • The Angels.
    • The Saints
      • In heauen.
      • On earth.
  • 2 Reasons drawn from the conside­ration of God his—
    • Precepts.
    • Promises.
    • Benefits
      • Past.
      • Present.
      • To come.
THE TEXTS.

I Thanke thee,For thank­fulnesse. ô Father, Lord of heauen and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast reuea­led them vnto babes, Mat. 11. 25.

And he tooke the seuen loaues,Examples of Christ. and the fishes, and gaue thankes, and brake them, Mar. 5. 36.

And he tooke the cup, and when he had giuen thankes, he gaue it to them, Mat. 26. 27.

And when he had giuen thanks, he tooke bread and brake it, Luk. 22. 19.

And all the Angels that stood round about the Throne,The Angels and a­bout the Elders, and the foure beasts, fell downe on their faces, before the Throne, and worship­ped God, saying, (Reuel. 7. 11.) Amen: Blessing, and glorie, and wisedome, and thanksgiuing, and honour, and power, and might, be vnto God for euer, v. [...]2.

Glorie be to God on high,The Saints in heauen. on [Page 539] earth peace, and good will to­wards men.

Those beasts gaue glorie,The Saints on earth. and honour, and thanks, to him that sate on the Throne, who liueth for euer, Reuel. 4. 9.

And he blessed him,Melchize­deck. and said, Blessed be Abraham of the most high God possessor of heauen and earth, Gen. 14. 19:

And blessed be the most high God who hath deliuered thine ene­mies into thy hand, ver. 20.

I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies,Iacob. and of all the truth which thou hast shewed to thy seruant. For with my staffe I passed ouer this Iordan; and now I am become two bands, Gen. 32. 10.

And when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel,The people of Israel in Moses time and that he looked vpon their afflictions, they bowed their heads, and worshipped, Exod. 4. 31.

Then sang Moses Moses. and the [Page 540] children of Israel this song vnto the Lord, saying. I will sing vnto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse & the rider hath he throwne in the Sea, Exo. 15. 1.

Then sang Debora,Deborah. Barak.and Ba­rak, &c. Iud 5. 12. & sequ.

And Anna prayed vnto the Lord and said;Anna. My heart reioy­ceth in the Lord, my horne is ex­alted in the Lord, 1. Sam. 21. & sequ. vsq. [...]d 11.

And Dauid spake vnto the Lord the words of this Song,Dauid. in the dayes that the Lord had de­liuered him out of the hand of all his enimies &c. 2. Sam. 22. 1. & sequ. See Psal. 8. 9. 18. 21. 27. 30. 34. 45. 46. 47. 48. 65. 66. 68. 75. 77. 81. 85. 89. 92. 95. 96. 98. 99. 100. 103. 104. 105. 107. 108. 111. 113. 115. 117. 118. 124. 134. 135. 136. 138. 144. 145. 146. 147. 148. 149. 150.

Blessed be the Lord God that hath giuen rest vnto his peopleSalomon. [Page 541] Israel, according to all that he had promised, and hath not fai­led one word of all his good pro­mises which he promised by the hand of Moses his seruant, 1. Kin 8. 5.

Blessed be the Lord God of our Fathers who hath put such a thing as this in the Kings heart,Ezra. Ezr. 7. 27.

O Lord thou art my God,Isaiah. I will exalt thee, I will praise thy Name, for thou hast done won­derfull things; thy counsels of old are faithfulnesse and truth, Isay 25. 5.

The writing of Ezekiah king of Iuda,Ezekias. when he had beene sick, and was recouered of his sicke­nesse, I said, &c. Isa. 38. 9. 10. vsq. ad 21.

Then was the secret reuealed vnto Daniel in a night vision; then Daniel blessed the God of heauen,Daniel. Dan. 2. 19.

Blessed be the Name of God for euer and euer, for wisedome, and [Page 542] might are his, verse 20.

I thanke thee and praise thee ô thou God of my fathers, who hast giuen me wisedome, and might, and hast made knowne vnto me what we haue desired of thee, v. 23.

I will sacrifice vnto thee with the voice of thanksgiuing; Ionah. I will pay that I haue vowed: Saluati­on is of the Lord, Ionah 2. 9.

MARIE said; My soule doth magnifie the Lord,Marie. &c. Luke 1. 46.

Blessed be the Lord God of Is­rael, Zacharias. &c. v. 68.

And the shepheards returned,The She­pheards. glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seene, Luke 2. 20.

And immediately he rose vp,The man taken with a Palsie. and departed to his owne house, glorifying God, Luke 5. 25.

And there came feare on all,The people. and they glorified God saying, A great Prophet is risen among vs, and God hath visited his people, Luke 7, 16.

[Page 543] When he had laid hands on her,The woman that had a Spirit of in­firmity. immediatly she was made straight, and glorified God, Luke 13. 13.

And one of them (when he saw that he was [...]ealed) turned backe,One of the Lepers. and with a loude voyce glorified God, Luke 17. 15.

And immediatly hee receiued his sight,The blinde man. and followed him, glo­rifying God; and all the people when they saw it, gaue praise vn­to God, Luke 18 45.

And he leaping vp,The [...]. stood and walked, and entred with them into the Temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God, Acts 3. 8.

Paul, Paul. when he saw the bre­thren, thanked God, and tooke courage, Act. 18. 15.

I thanke God alwayes &c. Rom. 7. 21. See 1. Cor. 14. 14. 10. 30. 14. 18. 15. 57. 2. Cor. 9. 15. Eph. 1. 16. Phil 1. 3. Col. 1. 12. 1. Thess. 1. 2. 2. 13. 2. Tim. 1. 3. Phil. 4.

To him be glorie, Peter. and domi­nion [Page 544] for euer. 1. Peter 5. 11.

To the onely wise God our Sa­uiour be glorie and maiesty, Iude. domi­nion and power, now and for e­uer, Iud 25.

To him that hath loued vs &c.Iohn. be glorie, and dominion for euer and euer, Reuel. 1. 5. 6.

Offer vnto God thanksgiuing, Precepts. and pay thy vowes to the most High, Psal. 50. 14.

Turne to the Lord; say vnto him, Take away all iniquity and receiue vs graciously; so we will render the calues of our lips, Hos. 14. 2.

Let no vncleanenesse &c. be once named amongst you: nei­ther iesting, which is not con­uenient; but rather giuing of thanks. Eph. 5. 3, 4.

In euery thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiuing, let your requests be made knowne vnto God, Phil. 4. 6.

Giuing thanks to the Father, which hath made vs meete to be [Page 545] partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light, Col. 1. 12.

Being rooted and built vp in him, and established in the faith, as ye haue bin taught, abounding therein with thanksgiuing, Col. 2. 7.

Whatsoeuer ye do in word or deede, doe all in the name of the Lord Iesus, giuing thankes to God and the Father by him, Col. 3. 17.

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thankesgiuing, Col. 4. 2.

In euery thing giue thankes; for this is the wil of God in Christ Iesus concerning you, 1 Thes. 5. 18.

Wee are bound to thanke God for you alwaies brethren, 2 Thes. 1. 3. 2. 13.

I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, in­tercessions, and giuing of thankes bee made for all men, 1 Tim. 2. 1.

[Page 546] Commanding to abstaine from meates, which God hath created to bee receiued with thanksgiuing, 1 Timothie 4. 3.

By him therefore let vs offer the sacrifice of praise to God con­tinually, that is, the fruit of our lipps, giuing thankes to his Name.

See more at the end of the preparatory Admonition to Prayer.

A PSALME OF THANKSGI­uing for recouerie.

I Will magnifie thee ô Lord, for thou hast set mee vp; and not made my (spi­rituall) foes to triumph ouer me, Psal. 30. 1.

O Lord my God, I cryed vn­to thee, and thou heardest me, v. 2.

Thou Lord hast brought my soule out of hell; thou hast kept my life from them that go downe into the pit, v. 3.

Sing praises vnto the Lord ô ye Saints, and giue thankes vnto him for a remembrance of his holinesse, v. 4.

For his wrath endureth but for the twinkling of an eye, and in his pleasure is life: heauines [Page 548] may endure for a night, but ioy commeth in the morning, v. 5.

O what great troubles and aduersities hast thou shewed me! Psal. 71. 18.

Yet diddest thou turne and refresh me; and broughtest me from the deepe of the earth a­gaine.

Thou hast turned my heaui­nesse into ioy; thou hast put off sackloth, and girded me with gladnesse, Psal. 30. 11.

Praise the Lord ô my soule, and all that is within me praise his holy Name, Psal. 103. 1.

Praise the Lord ô my soule, and forget not all his benefits, v. 2.

Which forgiueth all thy sin, and healeth all thine infirmi­ties, v. 3.

Which saueth thy life from destruction, and crowneth thee [Page 549] with mercy, and louing kindnes, v. 4.

Which satisfieth thy mouth with good things, and maketh thee young, and lustie as an Eagle, v. 5.

The Lord is full of compas­sion and mercie, long suffering, and of great goodnesse, v. 8.

O taste, and see how graci­ous the Lord is: blessed is the man that trusteth in him, Psal. 34. 8.

The Lord is my strength, and my song, and is become my saluation, Psal. 118. 14.

The voice of ioy and health is in my dwellings: the right hand of the Lord bringeth mighty things to passe, v. 15.

The right hand of the Lord hath the preheminence: the right hand of the Lord brin­geth mighty things to passe, v. 16.

[Page 550] I will not dye, but liue, and declare the workes of the Lord, v. 17.

The Lord hath chastened, and corrected me, but hee hath not giuen me ouer vnto death, v. 18.

Open me the gates of righte­ousnesse, that I may goe in, and giue thankes to the Lord, v. 19

A Thanksgiuing for recouery.

O Lord God of my health & saluation, who hast knowne my soule in trouble, and diddest make my bed in my paine­full & dangerous sicknes, and hast now raised me out of it to stand before thee: I offer now vnto thee the calues of my lippes, and the sacrifice of my body and soule, which thou first gauest, and now hast restored vnto me. Because I employed not the faculties of my soule, and members of my body, as I should haue done; thou bereauedst mee of the strength, and vigour, and vse of them for a season. But now, be­cause thy compassiō failes not, thou hast returned them to me againe. Wherefore I consecrate and de­uote them perpetually to thy seruice; no longer desiring the [Page 552] vse of them, then they may bee seruants vnto me of righteousnesse vnto holinesse. What I vowed in my sicknesse, by the helpe I will carefully performe in my health. As I am in the state of my body, so by the power of thy renewing grace, I will become in the estate of my soule, a new man. My broken heart which thou hast healed, shall now entirely loue thee; my feeble knees and loose bones which thou hast setled, shall day and night bowe vnto thee: My enthralld mēbers which thou hast set free, shall cheereful­ly serue thee: My weake hands which thou hast strēgthened, shal continually be lifted vp vnto thee: My tyed tongue which thou hast loosened, shall vnfold thy mer­cies: My deafe eares which thou hast opened, shall heare thy voice: My harsh, and hoarse, and faint voice which thou hast cleared, shall sing alowde, a song of mercy and iudgement. For in thy former [Page 553] mercies thou forgottest not iudgement to make mee know mine euil; and in the latter iudge­ment, thou remembredst mercy, to make me know thy goodnes. By thy iudgement, thou hast taught me to know my self, and by thy mercies to know thee. Before I was troubled I went wrong; but now, sith thou hast set me right, I will run the way of thy Comman­dements. I will perpetually re­new and refresh the memory of this singular benefit, whereby thou hast renewed and restored me, and by the smart of my paine made mee vnderstand wisedome se­cretly. Thy rod and thy staffe as they haue comforted and suppor­ted mee, so they haue beate ma­ny profitable instructions into me. By thy scourge which peir­ceth the flesh, and entereth into the heart and bowells, I learne that thou requirest truth in the in­ward parts, and searchest the reines and the heart. By thy rod which [Page 554] at once striketh all the parts of my body, though it fall heauiest vpon one particular, I learne, that though sinne reigneth and rageth in one kinde more then another, yet that my whole soule is disea­sed. The whole head is sicke, and the whole heart is faint. My fits were many, because my sins were mul­tiplyed. My paine increased, be­cause my sins were aggrauated. My wounds stanke, and were cor­rupt through my foolishnesse: the insufferable anguish whereof, as it gaue me a quicke touch of my sin, so also a liuely sence of the benefit of health. By my confi­ning to my chamber, thou taugh­test me what is the benefit of li­berty; by the weakenesse of my limmes, what is the benefit of strength; by my want of appe­tite, what the benefit of a sto­macke is; by the missing my friends: what the benefit of society is; by my continuall watching, what the benefit of rest, and repose is; by [Page 555] the stupidity and deadnesse of al my parts, what the benefit of the senses is. Alas, what is a crowne beset with rubies, to a man that hath a carbuncle in his head? What is a chaine of pearles to one that hath a squinsie in his neck? Or a collar of Esss to him that hath an impostume on his brest? Or a diamond ring to him that hath the gowte in his finger? Or the golden garter to him that hath the crampe in his leg? What are melodious songs to the deafe [...] Beautifull pictures to a blinde man? Dainty dishes to a man that hath lost his taste? What are large reuenewes to him that possesseth nothing but his bed? What are all to him that is tor­mented in body with the pangs of death, or troubled in minde with the horror of hell? I con­fesse vnto thee ô Lord, that in my health I often read in the Scrip­tures, and heard this note from the sweete singers of Israel, that [Page 556] worldly delights and comforts were vaine, and much like flaggs and bulrushes which men in danger of drowning catch to beare them vp, but they sinke downe vnder water with them. I cannot denie but the golden bells of Aaron in thy Sanctuarie, haue often rung this lesson in mine eares, that the true Heart's ease groweth onely in thy Paradise; that the contents of the large volume of this world is no­thing but vanitie: that one little fit of an ague can dispossesse the hap­piest man aliue of his temporall feli­citie. Yet till I learned by that which I suffered; till thy rod had imprinted it euen in my flesh, I neuer deepely thought of it, nor so throughly assented thereunto, but I held the world (though not in admiration, yet) in too great esteeme. I secretly repined at the wealth of the couetous, and honour of the ambitious, and pleasure of the voluptuous, and accounted the liues of thy [Page 557] Saints, miserable in comparison of them: so foolish was I, and igno­rant; and euen as it were a beast before thee: But in this schoole of my sicknesse I haue perfectly gotten by heart that which I did but slubber ouer before and lear­ned by rote. In my fearefull visi­tation, finding by mine owne experience, that all earthly de­lights and comforts, leaue vs in our extremities, and cannot steed vs when we most neede; nay they rather increase then asswage our paines: I beganne to distaste them all; I grew out of loue with this life, and entertained death in my most serious thoughts; and I perswaded my selfe, that those thoughts of death shall neuer dye in me, but still liue in my memory, and vp­on euery good occasion bee stir­red vp and reuiued, to prepare and dispose mee to my last end, that so I may see that Basyliske first, and kill it, before it see and [Page 558] kill mee. O death, how bitter is thy remembrance in the pride of health? O life how bitter is thy remembrance in the misery of sicknesse? Verily I had vtterly fainted vnder my Crosse, and my soule had bin put to silence: I had sowned, and giuen vp, not onely my Ghost, but thy holy Spirit of comfort, if thou hadst not stayed me with flagons, and comforted mee with apples, and in my hottest fits cooled me with the sweete gales of thy grace. I had fallen not onely with Iob, to curse the day of my birth, but to question the truth of thy Promises. But euerlasting thanks bee vnto thee, who gauest me victorie ouer that fearefull tentation; and by thy holy Spirit didst call to my mind all those sweet promises of thy Gospell, whereby I receiued comfort, and recouered strength. And now I am assured, and more then euer before, perswaded, that neither height nor depth, nor princi­pality, [Page 559] nor power, nor paine, nor pleasure, nor sicknes, nor health, nor life, nor death, nor things pre­sent, nor things to come, shall euer be able to separate me from thy loue in CHRIST IESVS.

The close out of Scripture.

I Said in the cutting off of my dayes, I shall goe to the gate of the graue, I am depriued of the residue of my yeeres, Isa. 38. 10.

I sayd, I shall not see the Lord in the land of the liuing; I shall behold man no more with the Inhabitants of the world, ver, 11.

Behold, for peace I had great bitternesse; but thou hast in loue to my soule deliuered it from the pit of corruption, for thou hast cast my sins behind thy backe, ver. 17.

For the graue cannot praise thee, death cannot confess thee; they that goe downe to the pit, cannot hope for thy truth, ver. 18.

The liuing, the liuing, hee shall prayse thee, as I doe this day, verse 19.

The dying-mans deuotion. Suppart. vlt.

The Admonitions.

The man that is breathing out his last gaspe nee­deth [...]

  • 1 MEeke patience to en­dure God's good plea­sure: Of which see the Admo­nitions for Good-Fridaie; for Thursday Euening, and for the sicke before.
  • 2 Godly sorrow for all the sinnes of his life, wherby he hath grieuously displeased his heauen­ly Father: Of which see the Ad­monition for Tuesday morning.
  • 3 Assured confidence to com­mit his Soule to God as a faithfull Creator. Of which, see the Ad­monition for the Child-bearing woman after her deliuery.
  • 4 Constant perseuerance to hold on to the end. Of which, see the Admonition for Saturday morning.
  • 5 Liuely apprehension of the [Page 561] ioyes of heauen, and powers of the world to come. Of which, see the Meditation for the Sab­bath Euening.
  • 6 Christian resolution, cheer­fully to lay downe his Tabernacle, and go willingly to the Father of spirits. Of which, see the Admo­nition for Saturday Euening.
  • 7 A peaceable disposition to forgiue all his enemies, and de­part in peace, as with God, so also with all men. Of which, see the Admonition for Thursday Mor­ning.
  • 8 A charitable, and compas­sionate aflection to consider the poore and destitute, according to his estate and wealth to help and succour them, that so by their prayers he may be receiued into euerlasting habitations. Of which, see the Exhortation for Wednes­day morning.

[Page 562] In the extremity of bitter pangs consider ô deuout Christian:

  • 1 Thy sins deserue a sharper scourge yet.
  • 2 All thou sufferest is nothing to what Christ endured for thee.
  • 3 Other Saints and holy Martyrs haue abided a harder tryall, and more grieuous afflictions, & ma­ny more terrible conflicts, and yet haue been more then Conquerours through Christ.
  • 4 It is a thousand times better to be corrected here (though neuer so se­uerely) then eternally tormented in hell.
  • 5 God wil not lay more vpō thee thē he will giue thee ability to beare, & therfore will vndoubtedly asswage thy paine or increase thy patience.
  • 6 The extremity of thy paines wil be but a short time; for God wil either take them from thee, by recouering thee; or thee from them, by deliue­ring thee out of the body.
  • 7 The more grieuous thy paines are, the greater thy reward shall be, if thou patiently endure them.
THE TEXTS.

IT is the Lords mercy that wee are not vtterly consumed, In thy ex­tremest fit, meditate vpon, be­cause his compassion fails not, Lam. 3. 20.

If thou Lord shalt marke ini­quities,1 The hei­nousnes of thy sin de­seruing a sharper scourge. O Lord, who shall stand, (or who may abide it?) Psalm. 130. 3.

He hath not dealt with vs after our sinnes, nor rewarded vs after our iniquities, Psal. 103. 10.

Like as a Father pittieth his children: so the Lord pittieth them that feare him, ver. 13.

For he knoweth our frame; he remembreth that we are but dust ver. 14.

The sinners in Sion are afraid;2 The vn­sufferable torments of hel, which by these tē ­porall cha­stisements [...]re preuen­ [...]ed. fearfulnes hath surprized the hy­pocrites, who shall dwell with the deuouring fire; who among vs shall dwel with euerlasting bur­ning? I [...]. 33.

Topheth is ordained of old; yea [Page 564] for the King it is prepared. Hee hath made it deep and large; the pile therof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a streame of Brimstone doth kindle it, Isa. 30. 33.

A fire is kindled in mine an­ger, and it shall burne to the low­est hell, Deut. 32. 22.

The Sonne of man shall send his Angells, and they shall ga­ther out of his Kingdome all things that offend, and them wch doe iniquity, Mat. 13. 41.

And shall cast them into a fur­nace of fire; there shall be weeping, and gnashing of teeth, verse 42.

Whose fan is in his hand, and hee will throughly purge his floore, and gather his wheat into his garner, but burne vp the chaffe with vnquenchable fire, Mat. 3. 12.

Suffering the vengeance of e­ternall fire, Iud. 7.

Send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and coole my tongue, for I am tor­mented [Page 565] in this flame, Luk. 16. 24.

Where the worme dyeth not, and the fire is not quenched, Mar. 9. 44. 46.

In flaming fire, taking ven­geance of them that knowe not God, 2. Thes. 1. 8.

Binde him hand and foot, cast him into vtter darknes, there shall bee weeping and gnashing of teeth, Mat. 22. 13.

To whom the mist of darknes, is reserued for euer, 2. Pet. 2.

He hath reserued in euerlasting chaines of darknes vnto the iudge­ment of the great day, Iud. 6.

[...] same shall drinke of the wine of the wrath of God which is powred out without mixture into the cup of his indignation, and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels, and in the pre­sence of the Lambe, Reu. 14. 10.

And the smoke of their torment ascendeth vp for euer, and euer, ver. 12.

[Page 566] These both were cast aliue in­to a lake of fire burning with brim­stone, R [...]u. 19. 20.

Depart from me ye cursed in­to euerlasting fire prepared for the diuel and his angels, Mat. 25 41.

And they haue no rest day nor night, Reu. 14 12.

And the diuel that deceiued them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, 3 The vn­conceiua­ble paines and sor­rowes which Christ endured for thee. where the beast and false Prophets are, and shall be tormented day and night for e­uer and euer, Reu. 20. 10.

How much she hath glorified her selfe, and liued deliciously, so much torment & sorrow giue her, Reu. 18. 7.

He began to be sorrowfull, and very heauy, Mat, 26. 37.

Then sayd he vnto them, My soule is exceeding sorrowfull, euen vnto death, Mat. 26. 38.

And being in an agony he prai­ed more earnestly; and his sweat was as it were great droppes of bloud falling downe to the [Page 567] ground, Luke 22. 44.

There stood by the Crosse of Iesus his Mother, and his Mo­ther's sister, &c, Ioh. 19. 25.

And Iesus cryed with a loud voice, saying; My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken mee! Mar. 15. v. 34.

Pilate released Barabbas; and deliuered Iesus vnto them, when he had scourged him, to be cruci­fied, Mar. 15. 15.

The Souldiers plotted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, Ioh. 19. 2.

And hee bearing his crosse, went forth into a place called, The place of a skull, ver. 17.

Where they crucified him, &c. ver. 18.

One of the Souldiers with a speare pierced his side, and forth­with came there out water and bloud, ver. 34.

In the daies of his flesh when he had offered vp prayers & sup­plications, with strong crying [Page 568] and teares, vnto him that was a­ble to saue him from death, and was heard in that he feared, Heb. 5. 7.

Though he were a sonne, yet learned hee obedience by the things which he suffered, v. 8.

Christ also suffered for vs, lea­uing vs an example that wee should follow his steps, 1. Pet. 2. 21.

There hath no such tentation taken you, but such as is com­mon to men, 1. Cor. 10. 13.

The same afflictions are accom­plished in your brethren that are in the world,4 The af­flictions of Gods Saints equalizing & farre sur­passing thine Iob. 1. Pet, 5. 9.

Satan smote Iob with sore biles from the sole of his foote to the crowne of his head, Iob. 2. 7.

And he took him a potsheard to scrape him withall; and hee sate downe in the ashes, ver. 8.

I haue sinned, what shall I do vnto thee, ô thou Preseruer of men? why hast thou set mee as a mark against thee, so that I am [Page 569] a burden to my selfe? Iob. 7. 20.

Let the day perish wherein I was borne, and the night in wch it was sayd: There is a man-child conceiued, Iob. 3. 3.

Let that day be darknesse, let not God regard it from aboue, neither let the light shine vpon it, ver. 4. & seq.

I am troubled, Dauid. I am bowed downe greatly, I goe mourning all the day long, Psal. 38. 6.

My loynes are filled with a loathsome disease, and there is no soundnesse in my bones, v. 7.

I am feeble and sore-smitten; I haue roared by reason of the dis­quietnes of my heart, v. 8.

Lord, all my desire is before thee, and my groaning is not hid from thee, ver. 9. See Psal. 6. Psal. 22. Psal. 102. Ps. 30. ps. 142. psal. 143.

I am the man that haue seene affliction by the rod of his wrath,Ieremiah. Lam. 3. 1.

He hath filled me with bitter­nesse, [Page 570] and made me drunke with wormwood, ver. 15.

I think God hath set forth the last Apostles as it were appoin­ted to death; The Apo­stles and first Dis­ciples. for wee are made a spectacle to the world, and to An­gels, and to men, 1. Cor. 4. 9.

In iournying often,Paul. in perils of Waters, in perils of Robbers, in perils by mine owne Countri­men, in perils by the Heathen, in perils in the Citie, in perils in the Wildernesse, in perils in the Sea, in perils among false bre­thren, 2. Cor. 11. 26.

In wearinesse and painfulnes, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakednesse, 2. Cor. 11. 27.

For thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheepe for the slaughter, Rom. 8. 36.

If in this life onely wee haue hope in Christ, then are we of all men most miserable, 1. Cor. 15. 19.

[Page 571] Others were tryed with mock­ings and scourgings, yea moreouer with bonds & imprisonment, Heb. 11. 36.

They were stoned, they were sawed asunder, they were slaine with the sword, they wandred about in sheep-skins and goate­skins, being destitute, afflicted, and tormented, v. 37.

Of whom the world was not worthy. They wandred in deserts, and mountaines, and in dennes, and in Caues of the earth, verse 38.

These are they that came out of great tribulation, and haue wa­shed their robes, and made them white in the bloud of the Lamb, Reu. 7 14.

I saw as it were a sea of glasse mingled with fire, and them that had gotten the victorie ouer the Beast, and ouer his image, and ouer his name, &c. Reu. 15. 2.

And they sang the Song of Moses and of the Lambe, v. 3.

[Page 572] God is faithfull,5 The faith­fulnesse & goodnesse of God, who will not tempt vs aboue our strength. who will not suffer you to be tempted aboue that you are able, but will with the tentation also make a way to e­scape, that we may be able to e­scape, 1. Cor. 10. 14.

The God of all grace, who hath called vs to his eternall glorie by Christ Iesus, will (after that you haue suffered a while) make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you, 1. Pet. 5. 10.

For a small moment haue I for­saken thee,6 The short continuance of these paines and sorrowes. but with great mer­cie will I gather thee, Isa. 54. 7.

In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with euerlasting kindnesse will I haue mercy on thee, sayth the Lord, thy Redeemer, ver. 8.

His anger endureth but a mo­ment, in his fauour is life; weep­ing may endure for a night, but ioy commeth in the morning, ps. 30. 5.

The diuell shall cast some of you in prison that ye may be tri­ed, [Page 573] and ye shall haue tribulation tenne dayes, Reu. 2. 10.

And it was sayd vnto them, that they should rest yet a little season, vntil their fellow seruants also, and their brethren which should be killed (as they were) should be fulfilled, Reu. 6. 11.

The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be com­pared with the glory which shall be reuealed in vs,7 The incō ­parable re­ward of our patience Rom. 8. 18.

The light affliction which is but for a moment,See the Ad­moni [...]ion for good-Fryday. worketh for vs a far more exceeding and eter­nall weight of glorie, 2 Cor. 4. 17.

No chastening for the time see­meth to be ioyous, but grieuous; neuerthelesse, afterward it yeel­deth the peaceable fruit of righte­ousnesse, vnto them which are ex­ercised thereby, Heb. 12. 11.

If thou art terrified in conscience with the gilt of thy sinnes, and fearefully tempted to despaire, support thy selfe with these helps

  • 1 Most earnest prayer
    • of thy self
    • of others for thee.
  • 2 Bitter teares in aboundance for thy particular sinnes.
  • 3 Restitution.
  • 4 Reconciliation.
  • 5 Almes deedes.
  • 6 The comfort of thy Pastor.
  • 7 The absolution of the Church.
  • 8 Meditation vp­on these heads especially,
    • 1 The infinitnesse of God's mercie.
    • 2 The price & value of Christ's bloud.
    • 3 The efficacy of his intercession.
    • 4 The vertue of the Sacraments.
    • 5 The vniuersalitie and certaintie of Gods promises to the penitent.
    • 6 Exampls of mer­cy shewed to most grieuous sinners.
THE TEXTS.

ANd being in an Agonie,Pray in­stantly and feruently. he prayed more earnestly, Luke 22. 44.

Pray alwayes with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all per­seuerance, Eph. 6. 18.

Be feruent in spirit, seruing the Lord, Rom. 12. 11.

Reioycing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer, ver. 12.

Pray one for another, Desire o­thers to pray. [...] that yee may be healed: the effectuall ser­uent prayer of a righteous man auaileth much, I am. 5. 16.

What prayer, [...] open thy sins and griefe in particular. or what suppli­cation shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Israel, when euery one shall know his owne griefe, and his owne sore, and shall spread forth his hands vnto thee, 2. Cron. 6. 29.

Then heare thou from heauen [Page 576] thy dwelling place, and forgiue, ver. 30.

Then Dauids heart smote him after he had numbred the people; and Dauid sayd vnto the Lord, I haue sinned greatly in this I haue done; and now, I beseech thee, ô Lord, take away the iniquitie of thy seruant, for I haue done very foolishly, 2. Sam. 2 [...]. 10.

I make my bed to swimme, Weepe a­bundantly. I wa­ter my couch with my teares. Psal. 6. 6.

And hee went out, and wept bitterly, Mat. 26. 75.

He shall restore that which hee tooke violently away,Restore. or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was deli­uered to him to keepe, or the lost thing which he found, Leu. 6. 4.

Or all that about which hee hath sworne falsly; hee shall re­store it in the principall, and shall adde a fift part more thereto, v. 5.

If I haue taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I re­store [Page 577] him foure fold, Luke 19. 8.

Goe thy way,Reconcile. bee reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift, Mat. 5. 24.

Agree with thine aduersarie quickly, while thou art in the way with him, ver. 25.

Forgiue, Forgiue freely. and ye shall be forgi­uen, Luke 6. 37.

If ye forgiue not men their tres­passes, neither will my heauenly Father forgiue you, Mat. 6. 15.

If thy brother trespasse against thee seauen times a day, and sea­uen times a day, doe returne vnto thee saying; I repent, thou shalt forgiue him, Luke 17. 4.

Be yee kinde one to another, tender hearted, forgiuing one ano­ther, euen as God for Christ's sake hath forgiuen you, Eph. 4. 32.

And his Lord was wroth, and deliuered him to the tormentors til he should pay all that was due vnto him, Mat. 18. 34.

So likewise shall my heauenly Father doe also vnto you,from the heart. if yee [Page 578] from your heart forgiue not e­uery man his brother their tres­passes, v. 35.

O King, let my counsell be ac­ceptable vnto thee, and breake off thy sinnes by righteousnesse, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poore, Dan. 4. 27.

Many sins are forgiuen her, for she loued much, Luk. 7. 47.

Giue almes of such things as ye haue,Giue as thou art able libe­rally. and behold all things are cleane vnto you, Luk. 11. 41.

Sell that ye haue, giue almes, prouide your selues baggs that waxe not old, and a treasure in the heauens which faileth not, Luk. 12. 33.

Lay not vp for your selues treasures on earth, where rust and moths doe corrupt, and where theeues breake through and steale, Mat. 6. 19.

But lay vp for your selues treasures in heauen, where nei­ther moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where theeues doe not [Page 579] breake through, nor steale, v. 20.

And I say vnto you, make vnto your selues friends of the Mam­mon of vnrighteousnesse, that when yee faile they may receiue you into euerlasting habitations, Luke 16. 9.

While ye haue time, doe good vnto all men, but especially to them of the houshould of faith, Gal. 6. 10.

Charge the rich in this world, 1 Tim. 6. 17.

That they doe good, that they be rich in good workes, ready to di­stribute, willing to communicate, v. 18:

Laying vp for themselues a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternall life, v. 19.

To do good, Seeke to thy Pastor, and desire comfort frō him, and the Church absolution. and to communicate forget not; for with such sacrifice God is well pleased, Heb. 13. 16.

His soule draweth nigh to the graue, and his life to the destroy­er, Iob. 33. 22.

[Page 580] If there bee a messenger with him, or an interpreter one of a thousand to shew vnto him his vprightnesse, ver. 23.

Then he is gracious vnto him, and saith; Deliuer him from go­ing downe to the pit. I haue found a ransome, ver. 24.

He will pray vnto God, and he will be fauourable vnto him, hee shall see his face with ioy, v. 26.

Is any man sicke among you, let him call for the Elders of the Church, and let them pray ouer him, I am. 5. 14.

And the prayer of the Faithfull shall saue the sicke, &c, and if hee haue committed sinnes, they shal be forgiuen him, ver, 15.

Verily I say vuto you, whatso­euer ye shal bind in earth shall be bound in heauen, and whatsoe­uer yee shall loose on earth, shall bee loosed ia Heauen, Matth. 18. 18.

And when hee had sayd thus, he breathed on them, and sayd [Page 581] vnto thē, Receiue the holy Ghost, Ioh. 20. 22.

Whosoeuers sins ye remit, they are remitted, vnto them; and who­soeuers sinnes ye retaine, they are retained verse 23.

Thy mercy is great aboue the heauens,Medit at vpon, & by faith, apply to thy selfe Gods infi­nite mercy. and thy truth reacheth to the clouds, Psal. 108. 4.

The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger, and of great mercy, Psal. 145. 8.

The Lord is good vnto all, and his tender mercy is ouer all his workes, Psal. 145. 9.

Thou Lord art good, and ready to forgiue, and plenteous in mercy to all them that call vpon thee, Psal. 86. 5,

Thou O Lord art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suf­fering, plenteous in mercy and truth, ver. 15.

O giue thanks vnto the Lord for he is good, and his mercy en­dureth for euer, Psalm. 136. 1. 116. 1. 107. 1. 118. 1.

[Page 582] In whom we haue redemption through his blood, according to the riches of his grace, Eph. 1. 6.

By his owne blood hee entered once into the holy place, hauing obtained eternall redemption for vs, Heb. 9. 12.

The precious blood of Christ, as of a Lambe without blemish, 1 Pet. 1. 19.

This is the Cup of the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you, Luke 22. 10.

The Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood, Act 20. 28.

Much more, being now iustifi­ed by his blood, we shall bee saued from wrath through him, Rom. 5. 9.

Ye are made nigh by the blood of Christ, Eph. 2. 13.

For he is our peace, v. 14.

If the blood of bulls and of goates, and the ashes of an heifer, sprinkling the vncleane, sanctifieth to the purifying of [Page 583] the flesh, Heb. 9. 13.

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eter­nall Spirit offered himselfe to God without spot, purge our con­sciences from dead workes? verse 14.

The blood of Iesus Christ his Son clenseth vs from al sinne, 1 Ioh. 1. 7.

If any man sin, wee haue an Aduecate with the Father, Iesus Christ the righteous, 1 Iohn. 2. 1.

And he is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours onely, but also for the sins of the whole world, v. 3.

These haue washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lambe, Reu. 7. 14.

Thou hast redeemed vs by thy blood to God, Reu. 5. 9.

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keepe them from the euill, Ioh. 17. 15.

Sanctifie them through thy [Page 584] truth; thy Word is truth, v. 17.

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them which shall belieue on me through the word, v. 20.

I haue prayed for thee that thy faith may not faile, Luke 22. 32.

In that day ye shall aske in my name, and I say not vnto you that I will pray the Father for you, Ioh. 16. 26.

For the Father himselfe loueth you, because ye haue loued me, v. 27.

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that dyed, yea rather that is risen againe, who is euen at the right hand of God, who al­so maketh intercession for vs, Rom. 8. 34.

Hee is able to saue them euer­more that come vnto God by him, seeing hee euer liueth to make intercession for them, Heb. 7. 25.

IOHN did baptize in the wil­dernesse,The vertue of the Sa­craments. and preach the baptisme of repentance for the remission of sins, Mar. 1. 4.

[Page 585] According to his mercy hee saued vs by the lauer of regenerati­on, and renewing of the holy Ghost, Tit. 3. 5.

The like figure whereunto euen baptisme, doth now saue vs by the resurrection of Iesus Christ, 1 Pet. 3. 21.

Repent and bee baptized euery one of you, in the name of the Lord Iesus, for the remission of sins, Act. 2. 38.

This is the Blood of the New Testament,The vni­uersality of promises to penitent sinners. which is shed for ma­ny, for the remission of sins, Mat. 26. 28.

Seeke the Lord while hee may be found, call ye vpon him while he is neere, Isa. 55. 6.

Let the wicked for sake his way, and the vnrighteous man his thoughts, and let him returne to the Lord, and he will haue mer­cy vpon him, and to our God, and he will abundantly pardon, v. 7.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor my waies your [Page 586] waies, saith the Lord, v 8.

As I liue, saith the Lord God, I haue no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turne from his way and liue, Ezekiel 18. 22.

Turne you, turne you from your euill waies, for why will yee dye ô yee house of Israel? Ezek. 33. 11.

I haue no pleasure in the death of him that dyeth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turne your selues, and liue, Ezek. 18. 32.

They shall know me from the least to the greatest, saith the Lord, and I will forgiue their ini­quity, and remember their sin no more, Ier. 31. 34.

Thou shalt finde the Lord, if thou seeke him with al thy heart, and with all thy soule, Deut. 4. 29.

For the Lord thy God is a mercifull God, he will not forsake thee, nor destroy thee, v. 31.

If my people shall humble [Page 587] themselues, and pray, and seeke my face, and turne from their wicked waies, then I will heare from heauen, and will forgiue their sinne, 2 Chro. 7. 14.

If thou returne to the Almigh­ty, thou shalt be built vp, Iob 22. 23.

I haue blotted out, as a thick clowde, thy transgressions and as a clowde thy sins: returne vnto me, for I haue redeemed thee, Isa. 44. 22.

Cease to doe euill; learne to doe well, Isa. 1. 17.

Come now, let vs reason to­gether, saith the Lord: though your sins be as skarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall bee as wooll, Isa. 1. 18.

Goe, proclaime these words to the North, and say, Returne thou back-sliding Israel, saith the Lord, and I will not cause mine anger to fall vpon you, for I am mercifull, saith the Lord, and [Page 588] will not keepe anger for euer, Ier. 3, 12.

Onely acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast trans­gressed the Lord thy God, verse 13.

Come, let vs returne to the Lord, for he hath torne, and hee will heale vs; he hath smitten, and he will binde vs vp, Hosea 6. 1.

I will heale their back-slidings, I will loue them freely, Hosea 14. 4.

Seeke the Lord, and yee shall liue, Amos 5. 6.

Turne yee vnto mee, saith the Lord of Hosts, and I will turne vnto you, Zac. 1. 3.

Come vnto me all ye that are heauy laden, and I will ease you, Mat. 11. 28.

Likewise I say vnto you, There is ioy in the presence of the An­gels of God ouer one sinner that repenteth, Luke 15. 10.

The Son of Man came to saue that which was lost, Luke 19. 10.

[Page 589] I came not to call the righte­ous, but sinners to repentance, Luk. 5. 32.

That repentance, and remission of sinnes should bee preached in his name among all Nations, Luke 24. 47.

Repent ye therefore, and bee conuerted, that your sinnes may be blotted out when the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord, Acts 3. 19.

The Lord is not slacke as some men account slacknesse, but is long suffering to vs-ward, not wil­ling that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance, 2 Pet. 3. 9.

If wee confesse our sins, hee is faithfull and iust, to forgiue vs our sinnes, and cleanse vs from all vn­righteousnesse, 1 Ioh. 1. 9.

Manasses built altars for al the Host of heauen,The exam­ple of Gods mercy in pardoning heinous and grieueus sinners. 2 Chron. 33. 5.

And he caused his children to passe by the fire in the valley of Hinnon; also he vsed Witch-craft, [Page 590] and dealt with familiar Spirits, &c. v. 67.

But when hee was in his affli­ction, hee besought the Lord his God and humbled himself great­ly before the Lord of his Fathers, v. 12.

And prayed vnto him, and he was intreated of him, and he heard his supplication, v. 13.

He denied before them al,Peter. say­ing, I know not what thou say­est, Mat. 26. 70.

And againe he denyed him, v. 72.

Then he began to curse, and to sweare, saying, I know not the man, v. 74.

And the Lord turned, and looked vpon PETER, and PE­TER remembred the words of the Lord, Luk. 22. 61.

And PETER went out and wept bitterly, v. 62.

And behold a woman in the City which was a sinner, Mary Magdalen. brought an al abaster box of ointment, &c. Luk. 7 37.

[Page 591] Her sinnes which are many, are forgiuen her, for she loued much, v. 47.

A woman which had bin hea­led of euill Spirits and infirmities, Mary Magdalene, out of whom went seauen diuels, Luk. 8. 2.

The younger tooke his iour­ney into a farre countrey,The prodi­gall. and wasted his substance with rio­tous liuing, Luk. 15. 13.

When he came to himselfe, he said, &c. v. 18.

I will arise, and goe to my Fa­ther, and say, Father, I haue sin­ned against heauen, and against thee, &c. v. 20.

And he arose, & went to his Fa­ther; but when he was yet a great way off, his Father sawe him, and had compassion, & came, & fell on his neck,The theefe on the Crosse. and kissed him, v. 20.

And he said to Iesus, Lord re­member me when thou commest into thy kingdome, Luk. 23. 41.

And Iesus said vnto him, Ve­tily I say vnto thee; This day [Page 592] shalt thou be with me in Paradise, v. 43.

Him ye haue taken, The Iewes that cruci­fied, or con­sented to the cruci­fying of IESVS. and by wicked hands haue crucified and slaine, Act. 2. 23.

Let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Iesus whom yee haue crucified both Lord and Christ, v. 36.

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in heart, and said to Peter, and the rest of the Apostles, Men and brethren, what shall wee doe? verse 37.

Then Peter said, Repent, and be baptized for the remission of sins, v. 38.

Then they that gladly receiued the Word were baptized; and the same day were added vnto them about three thousand soules, verse 41.

This is a faithfull saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Iesus came into the [Page 593] world to saue sinners, of whom I am chiefe, 1 Tim. 1. 15.

Howbeit for this cause I ob­tained mercy, that in mee Iesus Christ might first shew forth all long suffering, for a patterne to them which should hereafter belieue on him to eternall life, v. 16.

A Psalme for the sicke lying at the point of death;

wherein The humble and faithfull Christian

  • 1 Layeth open his affliction
    • In body.
    • In minde.
  • 2 Confesseth his many and grieuous sins.
  • 3 Earnestly pray­eth for
    • Audience.
    • Sence of Gods fa­uour.
    • Pardon for his sinne.
  • 4 Acknowledgeth God's great mercies through his whole life.
  • 5 Professeth his
    • Trust in God.
    • Ioy in the holy Ghost
    • Peace of conscience.
    • Desire of Death.
    • Assured hope of eter­nall blisse.
  • 6 Commendeth his soule to God.

[Page 595] O Lord God of my salua­tion,Layeth opē his afflicti­ons in body and soule. I haue cryed day and night before thee, ô let my prayer enter into thy presence, Psal. 88. 1.

For my soule is full of trou­ble, and my life draweth nigh vnto hell, v. 2.

I am weary of my groaning; euery night wash I my bed, and water my couch with my teares, Psal. 6. 6.

I am accounted as one that goeth downe to the pit; I haue bin as a man that hath no strength, Psal. 88. 3.

Free among the dead like vnto them that bee wounded, and that lie in the graue, which be out of remembrance, and cut away from thine hand, v. 4.

Thine indignation lyeth hard vpon me, and thou hast [Page 596] vexed me with all thy stormes, v. 6.

I am powred out like water, and all my bones are out of ioynt; my heart also in the middest of my bowells is like melted waxe, Psal. 22. 14.

My strength is dryed vp like a potsheard, and my tongue cleaueth to my gummes, and thou shalt bring mee into the dust of death, v. 13.

The sorrowes of death com­passe me, and the ouerflowings of vngodlines make me afraid, Psal. 18. 3.

The paines of hell come a­bout me; the Snares of death ouertake me, v. 4.

Thine arrowes stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth mee sore, Psal. 38. 2.

There is no health in my flesh because of thy displeasure;Confesseth. [Page 597] neither any rest in my bones by reason of my sin, v. 3.

For my wickednesses are gone ouer my head, and are like a sore burden too heauy for me to beare, v. 4.

If thou Lord wilt bee ex­treame to marke what is done amisse, ô Lord, who may abide it? Psal. 130. 3.

Out of the deepe haue I cal­led vnto thee ô Lord, Lord heare my voice. v. 1.

O let thine eares consider well the voice of my com­plaint,Prayeth for audi­ence. v. 2.

Lord,Sence of Gods fa­uour.why abhorrest thou my soule, and hidest thy face from me? Psal. 88. 14.

I am in misery, and like to him that is at the point to dye: from my youth vp thy terrors haue I suffered with a troubled minde, v. 15.

[Page 598] Thy wrathfull displeasure goeth ouer me; and the feare of thee hath vndone me, v. 16.

Haue mercy vpon mee ô God after thy great goodnesse;Pardon for his sin. according to the multitude of thy mercies doe away mine offences, Psal. 51. 1.

Wash me throughly from my wickednesse, and clense me from my sinne, v. 2.

Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy ho­ly Spirit from me, v. 11.

O giue me the comfort of thy helpe againe, and stablish me with thy free Spirit, v. 12.

Neuerthelesse I am alwaies with thee,4 Acknow­ledgeth Gods mer­cies. for thou hast holden me vp by thy right hand, Psal. 73. 23.

Thou shalt guide me by thy counsell,5 Professeth trust. and after that receiue me with glory, v. 24.

[Page 599] Whom haue I in heauen but thee ô Lord? and I desire none in earth in comparison of thee, v. 23.

Returne to thy rest ô my soule,Desire of death. for the Lord hath re­warded thee, Psal. 116. 7.

Thou hast put gladnesse in my heart more then theirs,Ioy in the holy Ghost. whose corne, and wine, and oyle increaseth, Psal. 4. 8.

I will lay me downe, Peace of conscience. and take my rest; for it is thou Lord onely that makest mee dwell in safety, v. 9.

I will behold thy presence, Assured hope of Eternall blisse. and when I awake vp after thy likenesse, I will bee satisfied with it, Psal. 17. 16.

I shall be satisfied with the plenteousnesse of thine house, and thou shalt giue mee drinke of thy pleasures as of the riuers, Psal. 36. 8.

[Page 600] For with thee is the well of life; and in thy light shall I see light, v. 9.

Thou shalt shew me the path of life, in thy presence is fulnes of ioy; and at thy right hand there is pleasure for euer­more, Psal. 16. 12.

Into thy hands I commend my Spirit, 6 Commen­deth his soule to God. for thou hast redee­med me ô Lord, thou God of truth, Psal. 31. 6.

A Prayer for the sicke lying at the mercy of God, and ready to depart.

AETernall, and omnipo­tent, infinite, & incom­prehensible God, Lord of my life, and determiner of my dayes: My body now is resoluing into dust, and my soule returning to thee that gauest it. O Lord most holy, ô God most mighty, draw neere vnto me, who make hast to [Page 601] come vnto thee. Giue mee a cleerer sight of thee, by how much the neerer I am out of the darke prison of my body. Giue me also a quicker taste of the pow­ers of the life to come, that I may more comfortably passe ouer these last troubles of this present life▪ O Lord, my soule is heauy e­uen vnto death; for the weight of al my sins aggrauated by the di­uel is at once vpon me; and I sink and faint vnder this burdon which is too heauy for me to beare. Neither is there any meanes vnder heauen to ease mee of it, but by laying it vpon him that hath borne our in­firmities and carried our sorrowes. O Father of mercy, and God of all consolation, let not the guilt of my sins or horror of thy iudgements, or Sathans suggestions, or the feare of death, or terrors of hell driue me to desperation. I con­fesse that for my vnmindfulnesse of thee, and vngratefulnesse to thee all my life, I deserue that [Page 602] thou shouldest vtterly abandon and forsake me now at my death. But thy thoughts are not like our thoughts, nor thy affections like mine. Though a woman could for­get the fruit of her wombe, yet thou wilt not nor canst not forget those that trust in thee. Thy gifts and graces are without repentance; and whom thou louest, thou louest to the end. Thou wilt not breake a bruised reede, nor quench the smoking [...]lax. Though thou hast seuerely cor­rected me in this thy fearefull vi­sitation; yet thou hast not, and I know wilt not giue me ouer to eter­nal death. Deare Father, shew thy strength in my greatest weakenes; confirme thy mercy to me in my greatest misery; apply thy com­fort to me in this my last extre­mity. Asswage the paines of my body with ghostly comforts; and diminish the feare of death, by the assured hope of a better life. Call to my minde (whilest yet I breathe) all the errors of my vn­derstanding, [Page 603] that I may timely reuoke them; all the sins of my will, that I may heartily bewaile them; all the testimonies of thy loue, that I may gratefully ac­knowledge them; all the promi­ses of thy Gospell, that I may com­fortably embrace them; all my holy vowes and purposes, that I may finally confirme them; and gracious Lord accept the will for the deede. O let me that am now returning to dust, and ashes, speake but this once to my Lord & maker. With all my heart, soule, and strength, I beseech thee, by all that my Sauiour Iesus Christ hath▪ done and suffered for mee, I in­treate thee, speake peace to my soule at her departing, and say vnto her, I am thy saluatiō. Make my electi­on sure by my true repentance, perfect charity, assured confi­dence, constant patience, comfor­table perseuerance vnto the end, and in the end.

To the TRINITY.

GLorious Creator, gracious Redeemer, euerlasting com­forter, Lord God Almighty, send me ayde & helpe from heauen in this my last and most dread­full conflict with all the powers of hell & darknes. Arme me with thy compleat armour, and endue mee with power from aboue to van­quish Sathan and his infernall bands, and to quench all the fierie darts of the wicked in the bloud of my Redeemer. I am thine, ô God the Father, by the right of creation; I am thine, ô God the Sonne, by the right of thy pur­chase; I am thine, ô God the Ho­ly Ghost, by the right of thine in­habitation, and possession. Saue me, Father, by thy power: saue me, Sonne, by thy merits: saue me holy Spirit, by thy grace. O holy, blessed and glorious Trinitie, whose power no creature is able to [Page 605] resist: Rebuke & confound thine enemy that goeth about to de­face thine Image in me; to spoile thy creature; to destroy him for whom thou, ô Sonne, offe­redst thy self on the Crosse by the eternall Spirit to the Father. O Father, be now to me a father in my greatest need. O Iesus, be to me a Iesus in my greatest danger. O Comforter, bee to me a Com­forter in my greatest afflictions. Holy & Righteous Iudge eternall, Sathan taketh aduantage of thy fatherly chastising me; he grows strong against mee by this my great weaknesse. Now hee ra­geth most furiously, because his time is short. He assaulteth mee euery way, by subtill suggesti­ons, by fearfull visions and appa­ritions. Hee terrifieth my flesh with the vgly shape of death; he affrighteth my conscience with the horror of the last iudgement, and scorcheth my soule euen with flashes of hell fire. O Father [Page 606] of spirits, deliuer not the soule of thy Turtle Doue (that mourneth to thee day and night) as a prey vnto him. Though neuer so deformed, yet I am thy worke, O God my Father; though neuer so vile, yet I am thy purchase, ô God my Redeemer: though neuer so pol­luted, yet I am thy Temple, O God my sanctifier. Faithful Crea­tor, preserue the worke of thine hand; faithfull Redeemer, pre­serue the purchase of thy bloud; faithfull Sanctifier, preserue the Temple of thine honour. I ab­horre my selfe in dust and ashes, and I conceiue more grief then I am able to expresse for abusing thy workes, ô Father, thy Word and Sacraments, ô Sonne, thy gifts & graces, ô Spirit Father forgiue me all sinnes of infirmity against thy power: Sonne forgiue me all sinnes of ignorance against thy wisedome; Holy Ghost forgiue mee all sinnes of malice against thy grace. Most mighty Father, [Page 607] giue mee thy protection; Most mercifull Son, giue me thy peace; Most gracious holy Spirit, giue me thy comfort, that I may safely, peaceably and cheerfully leaue this vale of teares. Father, pos­sesse me of the kingdome which thou, O Sonne hast purchased, and thou, O Spirit, hast sealed vnto mee. Into thy hands, O Father, who breathedst into mee the Spirit of life; Into thy hands, O Sonne, who breathedst out thy Spirit for mee; Into thy hand, ô Holy Spi­rit, who renewedst a right spirit within mee, and hast comforted my spirit to the last gaspe, I now commend my spirit, Amen.

To the Lord IESVS, at the howre of death.

VVElcom blessed houre, the period of my pil­grimage, the terme of my bondage, the end of my cares, the close of my sighs, the bound of my trauels, the gole of my race, and the hauen of my hopes. I haue fought a long fight in much weaknes; I haue finished my course, though in great faint­nesse; and the crowne of my ioy is, that, through the strength of thy grace, I haue kept the true faith, and now I dye in it. I wil­lingly resigne my flesh, I despise the world, and I defie the diuell who hath no part nor share in mee. And now, what is my hope? My hope, Lord Iesu, is euen in thee. For I know that thou my Redee­mer liuest, and thou wilt immedi­atly receiue my soule, and raise vp my body also at the last day, [Page 609] and I shall see thee in my flesh with these eyes, and none other. My heart fainteth, my strength faileth, my tongue faltereth. Lord let thy Spirit of comfort helpe mine infirmities, and make supplication for mee with sighes and groanes that cannot be expressed. I submit my selfe wholly to thy will. I commit my soule to thee as my faithfull REDEEMER, who hast bought mee with thy most pre­cious bloud. I professe to all the world, I know no name vnder hea­uen, by which I may be saued, but thine my IESV, my Sauiour. I renounce all confidence in me­rits saue thine; I thankfully ac­knowledge all thy blessings; I vnfeinedly bewaile all my sinnes; I stedfastly belieue all thy promi­ses; I heartily forgiue all mine e­nemies; I willingly leaue all my friends; I vtterly loath all earth­ly comforts; I entirely long for thy comming.

[Page 610] Come Lord Iesu; come quickly. Lord Iesu receiue my Spirit.

The Hand-Maide's Posie, written in the end of her Manuell.

Birth is a bragge; Glory a blaze;
Honour's earths pompe; Riches a gaze;
Fame is but winde; Beauty a flower;
Pleasure a dance; the world a bower.
In heauen with thee, Lord let me be;
On earth my heauen's alone in thee.
FINIS.

Errata.

PAge 3. in marg. germinatus, reade germinans. p. 9. l 8 r. his priuate prayer. l. 9. dele alone. p. 19. in marg patrij r. pa­trui. p. 24 in marg r. [...]. p. 58. l. 22. pure and plaine heart. r. pure hearts and hands. p. 63. l. 9. bare, r. priuate. p 64. l. 13. Saturday. r▪ Sabbath eue p 68. l. 5. ioyned, r. inioyned. p. 97 l. 5 one, r. oure. p. 100. l. 6. roome. r. man. p. 109 l 1. knife r. thrift l 11. approued, r. approueth. p 120 l 9. fit, r sill l. 15. faith, r. face p. 150. l. 19 dele my. p. 151. l. 16. insert the close out of Scripture p. 163 l, 27 these, r. the p. 167. l. 11. adde Gen. 3. 15. p. 185. l. 2. d Ier. 44. p. 194 l. 16. d. for. p. 195. l. 14. heart. r. head. p. 235. l. [...]. Ioh. 15. 10. r. Ioh 16. 28. p. 265. l. 27. immediately, r. me­diately. p. 281. l. 18. thou wert, r. thou who wert p. 299. in marg. strength, r out of his side. p. 320. in mar. which God, r. of God, p. 328. l. 1. his, r thy. p 331. l 22. dele made. p. 361. l. 15. Mat. 1 12 r. Mat. 11. 1 p, 365. deaded, r dead p. 371 l 22 to, r. for. p. 380. in marg, in, r. an p. 388. l. 6. the, r as the▪ p 435. l. 23. eating, 1. eaten p. 439. l. 2. for, r. of. p. 443 l 10. adde 1 Pet. 2. 23. p. 446. l 21. adde in marg the Spirit. p. 449. l. 13. adde in marg. happinesse. p. 453 the prayers are false quoted. p. 458. l. 17. things, r. my members. p. 460. l. 5. dele to which faith is requisite▪ p. 465. in marg. pray, r. prayer. p 477. l. 24. them, r therein p 481. l. 20. in marg. dele peace p. 4. 82. in marg. dele heere p. 488 l 26 dele and p. 490. l. 12. from, r. to. p. 524. l. 21. were yea and amen, r. were not yea and nay. p 518. l. 3. affection, r. affliction. p 523. compasse. r. compose. p. 530. l. 13. dele and. p. 531. l. 8. dele. so. p. 532. l. 9 the, r thy.

THE HAND-MAID TO PRI …

THE HAND-MAID TO PRIVATE DEVOTION: THE SECOND PART; Deliuering the summe of SAVING KNOVVLEDGE, in 52 Sections, answerable to the number of the Sun­dayes throughout the Yeere.

IOH. 17. 3.
This is life eternall, to know thee to be the onely true God, and whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ.
AVGVST. Confess.
Quid prodest in caeteris disciplinis peritum esse, & fine doctrinâ piëtatis periturum.

LONDON, Printed by G. M. and R. B. for Nicholas Boorne, and are to be sold at his shop, at the South Entrance of the Rojall Exchange. 1625.

A Table representing the generall Method of this Part.

Blessed­nes is obtai­ned by true Re­ligion, reueiled by God in holy SCRIP­TVRES which instruct vs in the

  • 1. Knowledge of
    • 1 God his
      • Nature
      • Attributes
      • Works of
        • CREATION.
        • Prouidence
          • generall.
          • speciall.
    • 2 CHRIST his
      • Person,
      • Estates,
      • Offices of—
        • King.
        • Priest.
        • Prophet.
  • 2. Worship of GOD in CHRIST
    • Immediate, vvhich consisteth in performing all holy duties com­manded in the first Table.
    • Mediate, which consisteth in per­forming all duties to our neigh­bours and our selues comman­ded in the second Table, which are of a sorts—
      • 1 Generall, and com­mon duties of all Chri­stians one to another.
      • 2 Special, proper to men in certaine.
        • Estates.
        • Callings.

A Table of the par­ticular Contents.

  • OF Catechisme, the parts and proper ends thereof. Sect. 1.
  • Of blessednesse, and the meanes of obtaining it. Sect. 2.
  • Of Religion, and the parts there­of. Sect. 3.
  • Of the nature of God. Sect. 4.
  • Of the principall attributes of God. Sect. 5.
  • Of the workes of God in generall. Sect. 6.
  • Of Gods decrees. Sect. 7.
  • Of the Creation. Sect. 8.
  • Of Gods generall prouidence. Sect. 9.
  • Of the Predestination of Angels. Sect. 10.
  • Of the Predestination of men. Sect. 11.
  • Of Christ his person, Sect. 12.
  • Of Christ his estate of humiliati­on. Sect. 13.
  • [Page] Of Christ his estate of exaltation. Sect. 14.
  • Of Christ his Propheticall functi­on. Sect. 15.
  • Of Christ his Priestly function. Sect. 16.
  • Of Christ his Kingly function. Sect. 17.
  • Of the Church, and the parts thereof. Sect. 18.
  • Of the notes of the true Church. Sect. 19.
  • Of the two-fold worship of God; and of faith in particular. Sect. 20.
  • Of humility, and honouring God, and how they are the fruits of faith. Sect. 21.
  • Of reuerence, obedience, and pa­tience; and how they are the fruits of faith. Sect. 22.
  • Of loue, feare, repentance, grati­tude, and zeale; and how they are the fruits of faith. Sect. 23.
  • Of hope, confidence, and magna­nimity; and how they are the fruits of faith. Sect. 24.
  • Of the outward worship of God [Page] in generall. Sect. 25.
  • Of keeping the Sabboth. Sect. 26.
  • Of hearing the Word. Sect. 27.
  • Of Prayer, and the parts thereof. Sect. 28.
  • Of receiuing the Sacrament, and necessary preparation thereunto. Sect. 29.
  • Of oathes, vowes and profession of our faith. Sect. 30.
  • Of the Christian duties wee owe to our selues. Sect. 31.
  • Of the common duties were owe to our neighbours. Sect. 32.
  • Of the speciall workes of humili­tie. Sect. 33.
  • Of the speciall workes of meek­nesse. Sect. 34.
  • Of the speciall workes of friend­ship. Sect. 35.
  • Of the speciall workes of Christi­an zeale. Sect. 36.
  • Of the duties of Superiours to­wards inferiours. Sect. 37.
  • Of the duties of inferiours to­wards their Superiours. Sect. 38.
  • Of the duties of equalls. Sect. 39.
  • [Page] Of the Christian duties of Kings towards their Subiects. Sect. 40.
  • Of the speciall duties of Subiects to their King. Sect. 41.
  • Of the duties of Christian pa­rents. Sect. 42.
  • Of the speciall duties of children. Sect. 43.
  • Of the speciall duties of Masters. Sect. 44.
  • Of the speciall duties of Seruants. Sect. 45.
  • Of the duties of married folke. Sect. 46.
  • Of the duties of the Husband. Sect. 47.
  • Of the duties of the wife. Sect. 48
  • Of the duties of Pastours. Sect. 49
  • Of the duties of the flock toward their Pastour. Sect. 50.
  • Of the speciall duties of men in respect of their personall callings. Sect. 51.
  • Of the speciall antidotes, or pre­seruatiues against sinne. Sect. 52.

THE PRAYER BEFORE THE Catechisme.

GRacious Father, who hast proui­ded the sincere milke of the Word for New borne babes in Christ; as thou hast strong meate for them that are of riper yéers, and iudge­ment, and hast commended to the dispensers of thy holy mysteries, as well the care of feeding thy tender Lambes, as thy well growne, and stronger sheepe: Guide me by thy holy spirit, that I may guide them in the paths of righteousnesse, and leade them to the waters of com­fort, flowing from the fountaine of thy most pure and holy Word. [Page] Season their tender yéeres with true Religion; and powre into these new vessels the new wine of thy Gospell, that they sauour not of the caske of the olde Man. Open their hearts as thou openedst the heart of Lydia, that they may at­tend to those things that concerne their eternall saluation. Sit thou in the middest of vs here assem­bled, as thou satest in the middest of the Doctors in the Temple, oppo­sing, and answering them. Pro­pound such Questions by me, and returne such Answers by them, as may cleerely expresse to our vnder­standing, and imprint in our me­mories the necessary points of sa­uing Truth, and foundations of Christian Doctrine; and may serue for the instruction of the ignorant, admonition of the learned, and the building vp of vs all in our most holy faith; So be it, Amen.

PARS PRIMA: THE SVMME of sauing Knowledge.

SECT. Prim. DOMIN. Prim. Of Catechisme; the parts, and proper ends thereof.

Q. WHAT is Cate­chisme?

A. The summe of Christian re­ligion reuealed by God, in holy Scriptures, for mans perfect in­struction in the mysteries of eter­nall saluation.

Q. What doth Christian Do­ctrine containe in it?

[Page 2] A. The true knowledge, and worship of God in Christ.

Q. Where finde you the summe of this Doctrine?

A.

  • 1. In the Decalogue, writ­ten by God the Father.
  • 2. In the Lords Prayer, conceiued by God the Son.
  • 3. In the Créed, set down by the Apostles inspired by the holy-Ghost.

Q. What containeth the Deca­logue?

A. All duties to bée performed by vs to God, and our neighbours.

Q. What containeth the Lords Prayer?

A. All benefits to be desired of God.

Q. What containeth the Creed?

A. All things the [...]are to be be­lieued concerning God, and his Church.

Q. What is the vse and proper end of Catechisme?

A. To instruct the ignorant and confirme the learned in the princi­ples [Page 3] of Religion; and prepare both to the profitable vse of the spe­ciall meanes of their saluation, which are

  • Hearing the Word preached.
  • Receiuing the Sacra­ments.
  • Publique and priuate
  • Prayer

SECT. 2. DOMIN. 2. Of blessednesse, and the meanes of obtaining it.

Q. What are the chiefest things to bee desired of all men?

A. Gods fauour, blessings, and grace in this present life, and eter­nall blessednesse in the vision, and fruition of him in the life to come.

Q. How may wee attaine here­unto?

A. By true Religion, or godli­nesse; which hath the promise of this life, and the life to come.

Q. What is godlinesse?

[Page 4] A. The true worship, and ser­uice of the true God.

Q. Where is this true God's worship, and seruice to bee learned, and knowne, and how?

A. Obscurely, and imperfectly it may be learned in the booke of the creatures, by the light of na­ture: but cleerely, and perfectly by the light of the Spirit in the Ca­nonicall bookes of the old and new Testament.

SECT. 3. DOMIN. 3. Of Religion, and the parts thereof.

Q. What do the Scriptures teach in general, concerning the true God, and his worship?

A. That we ought to know, and acknowledge the true God his

  • Nature
  • Attributes
  • Workes

as farre forth as God hath made himself knowne to vs.

[Page 5] 2. That we ought to know, and acknowledge Iesus Christ (the Me­diator betwéene God, and man) his

  • Person.
  • State.
  • Office.

3 That wee ought to worship God in Christ, and serue him both Immediately, by religiously adoring him, and performing all such holy rites vnto him as hée requireth in the first Table. Mediately, by readily obeying him, and performing all such du­ties to our selues, and our neigh­bours as hee requireth in the se­cond Table.

SECT. 4. DOMIN. 4. Of the Nature of God.

Q. What do the Scriptures teach concerning the nature of God?

A. That he is One, true, eter­nall, simple, all-sufficient, immuta­ble, [Page 6] infinite, incomprehensible spi­rit; hauing being of himselfe; di­stinguished into thrée persons of the same nature, dignitie, and power.

  • The Father begetting.
  • The Sonne begotten.
  • The holy-Ghost procéeding from them both.

SECT. 5. DOMIN. 5. Of the principle attributes of God.

Q. What doe the Scriptures teach concerning the attributes of God?

A. That he is a liuing, blessed, and glorious God; the great, high, and mighty Lord, and possessor of heauen and earth, and our most gracious and louing Father, most holy, wise, iust, faithfull, and good.

SECT. 6. DOMIN. 6. Of the workes of God in generall.

Q. What do the Scriptures teach concerning the workes of God?

A. That he decreeth, and exe­cuteth al things for his glory, accor­ding to the counsell of his own will; powerfully working all the good of nature, and grace in all things, and wisely disposing of al the euil, both of sinne and punishment.

SECT. 7. DOMIN. 7. Of God's Decrees.

Q. What decrees of God are re­gistred in holy Scriptures for our in­struction, and comfort?

[Page 8] A. Two E­specially

  • 1. His decrée of crea­tion of all things.
  • 2. His decree of pro­uidence ouer all, which is two-fold,
    • 1. Generall, concer­ning the present state of all things in this world.
    • 2. Speciall, concer­ning the eternall state of Angels, and men in the world to come.

Q. What is this speciall decree properly called?

A. Predestination.

Q. What are the parts of it?

A. Two

  • Election
  • Reprobation, or re­iection.

Q. What is Election?

A. Gods eternall counsell, and purpose of chusing certaine An­gels, and men, and bringing them to euerlasting happinesse, for the declaration of his infinite mercie.

[Page 9] Q. What is Reprobation?

A. Gods eternall counsell, and purpose of reiecting others, and reseruing them to euerlasting mi­serie, and torments, for the mani­festation of his iustice.

SECT. 8. DOMIN. 8. Of the Creation.

Q. What learne you out of Scrip­ture, concerning the execution of Gods decree of Creation?

A. That in sixe dayes, he made all things visible, and inuisible, of nothing, by his word, to the glory of his infinite power.

SECT. 9. DOMIN. 9. Of Gods generall Proui­dence.

Q. What learne you concerning the execution of God his decree of generall Prouidence?

[Page 10] A. That he preserueth al things in their state, and kinde; and go­uerneth them after an excellent manner, to the glory of his mani­fold wisedome, and goodnesse.

SECT. 10. DOMIN. 10. Of the Predestination of Angels.

Q. What is reuealed in Scrip­ture, concerning the execution of Gods decree of Predestination; and first of Angels?

A. That hee suffered the repro­bate Angels voluntarily, without any temptation, to fall into the vnpardonable sinne of Apostasie; and that hee reserueth them in chaines of darknes, ti [...] the iudgement of the great day. But contrarilie, that hee hath confirmed the Elect Angels in their holy, and blessed estate.

SECT. 11. DOMIN. 11. Of the Predestination of men.

Q. What is reuealed in Scripture concerning the Predestination of men?

A. That hee gaue all men in Adam and Eue a Lawe, and free will to kéepe it, or breake it: and after they abused their frée will, and brake that Lawe, and thereby brought a curse vpon them, and all their posterit: y that of his mercy & grace, he chose & chooseth some out of the estate of misery, and corrup­tion; maketh them his sonnes by a­doption, calleth them to the know­ledge of the truth, regenerateth them by his spirit, iustifieth them by faith, and in the end crowneth them with euerlasting glory. Others he left and leaueth in the state of mi­sery and corruption, offereth them some outward meanes which make them vnexcusable, & for their refu­sall, [Page 12] or abuse of them hardeneth them, casting them into a reprobate sence; and in the end after many iudgements, and Plagues in this life, condemneth them to euerla­sting torments in hell.

PARS II.

SECT. 12. DOMIN. 12. Of Christ his Person.

Q. WHat are we to know and acknowledge concer­ning Christ the Mediator?

A. His

  • Person.
  • State.
  • Office.

Q. What ought wee to belieue touching his Person?

A. That he is God, and man, in one person, conceiued by the Holy-Ghost, incarnate of the Virgin Ma­rie.

SECT. 13. DOMIN. 13. Of Christ's estate of hu­miliation.

Q. In what state, or states doth the Scripture describe him to vs?

A. In two states,

  • 1. Of humiliation.
  • 2. Of exaltation.

Q. What suffered he in the state of humiliation?

A. He bare all our infirmities; be­came subiect to the Law, and was obe­dient to death, euen the death of the Crosse, was buried, and descended into hell.

SECT. 14. DOMIN. 14. Of Christ his estate of ex­altation.

Q. What did Christ in the state of exaltation?

A. He laid downe all our infir­mities, arose from the dead, ascen­ded [Page 14] into heauen, sitteth at the right hand of God, and shall come in the clowdes with great glory to iudge the quicke and the dead.

SECT. 15. DOMIN. 15. Of Christ his Propheticall function.

Q. What office did the Sonne of God take vpon him for the saluation of man?

A. The Office of a Mediator, betwixt God, and man.

Q. How performeth hee this office?

A. By executing the functions of a

  • Prophet.
  • Priest.
  • King.

Q. What appertaineth to Christ's Propheticall function?

A. To reueale the hidden wisedome of his Father.

Q. How hath he heretofore exe­cuted this function?

A. Before his Incarnation, by [Page 15] the Priests and Prophets of the old Law. In the dayes of his flesh he executed it in his owne person, preaching the Gospell, which is the couenant of grace, and institu­ting Sacraments, as seales theroof viz.

  • Baptisme; which is the seale of regeneration, and our entrance into the Church.
  • The Lords Supper, which is the seale of our spirituall growth, and nourishment in the Church.

Q. How doth he yet execute this function?

A. By the Ministers of the Word, whom he furnisheth with gifts answerable; and assisteth them in the holy workes of their sacred calling with his spirit, en­lightening the vnderstanding, and opening the hearts of all belie­uers, to make their Ministerie effectuall.

Q. What benefits reape wee by Christ's Propheticall function?

[Page 16] A. Vocation, and the Effects thereof; incorporation into Christ's mysticall body; faith, spirituall wisedome and vnderstanding, with other sanctifying graces of the ho­ly. Ghost.

SECT. 16. DOMIN. 16. Of Christ his Priestly function.

Q. What appertaineth to Christ's Priestly function?

A. To cleanse vs from our sins, and reconcile vs to God his Father.

Q. How did hee execute this function?

A. By fulfilling the Law, and offering vp himselfe vpon the Al­tar of the Crosse, for a propitiatory sacrifice for our sinnes.

Q. How doth he yet execute this office?

A. By appearing at the right hand of God, to make intercession for vs.

[Page 17] Q. What benefits reape wee by his Priest-hood?

A. Iustification, with the fruits thereof; frée accesse vnto God, with confidence; setled peace of conscience, and vnspeakeable ioy in the holy-Ghost.

SECT. 17. DOMIN. 17. Of Christ his Kingly function.

Q. What appertaineth to Christ's Kingly function?

A. To rule and gouerne his Church.

Q. How hath hee executed this function?

A. By making laws for the whole companie of the faithfull, and esta­blishing a perpetuall gouernment in his Church.

Q. How doth he yet execute this royall function?

A. First, by his spirit ruling in [Page 18] our hearts, and subduing the flesh to the Spirit.

2. By protecting vs against all our ghostly and bodily enemies.

3. By inflicting iudgements vpon the enemies of his Church.

4. By aduancing his Elect to a Kingdome in heauen.

Q. What benefits reape wee by his Kingdome?

A. Glorification, with the parts thereof; victory, safetie, eternall glory.

SECT. 18. DOMIN. 18. Of the Church, and the parts thereof.

Q. For whom did Christ take our nature vpon him, and discharge his threefold office?

A. For his Mysticall body, the Catholike Church.

Q. What meane you by the Ca­tholike Church?

A, The whole company of the [Page 19] Elect, called already, or to be cal­led, by the Word, & Spirit out of the estate of corruption, and serui­tude of sinne, into the glorious li­berty of the Sonnes of God, to bée co-heires with Christ in his King­dome.

Q. Where is this company to be found?

A. It is partly triumphant in heauen with Christ their Head; partly militant vnder the crosse, dispersed ouer the face of the whole earth, where Christian Religion is professed, and belieued.

SECT. 19. DOMIN. 19. Of the notes of the true Church.

Q. Is the Catholike Church a visible company, that we may know whither to repaire for the meanes of saluation; or is it altogether inuisi­ble?

A. It is visible in respect of the [Page 20] outward badge of profession; and it may be discerned by two notes e­specially, viz. the sincere preaching of the Word, and right & due ad­ministration of the Sacraments, agrèeable to the holy Scriptures. But it is inuisible in respect of the inward seale of Gods Election, who alone knoweth who are his.

Q. How then may a man know that he belongeth to the number of the Elect, and is a liuing member of Christ?

A. 1. By the testimonie of the spirit which witnesseth to our spi­rits that we are the Sonnes of God.

2. By conformitie of our beliefe to the holy Scriptures in all points necessarie to saluation.

3. By a particular assurance of our owne saluation, groun­ded vpon the promises of God in Christ and applyed to vs by faith.

4. By the diuerse remarkable effects of a iustifying faith, and sanctifying grace, which are espe­cially these,

  • [Page 21]1. True humility.
  • 2. Unfeigned repentance.
  • 3. Sonne-like feare.
  • 4. Uniuersall and absolute sub­mission to Gods will.
  • 5. Comfortable patience in all afflictions.
  • 6. Proficiencie and perseuerance in godlinesse.
  • 7. Setled peace of conscience.
  • 8. Unspeakable ioy in the holy-Ghost.

PARS III.

SECT. 20. DOMIN. 20. Of the two-fold worship of God, and of faith.

THis may suffice concer­ning the knowledge of God, and him whom he hath sent Iesus Christ to discharge the [Page 22] Office of a Prophet, Priest, and King for his Church.

Q. Now how ought we to wor­ship, and serue God?

A. Both immediately, and me­diately, as before I said.

Q. How immediately?

A. Both inwardly, and out­wardly.

Q. How inwardly?

A. By faith, and other diuine graces that issue of faith.

Q. What is faith?

A. An infused habit, or spiritu­all grace, whereby wee stédfastly belieue all things contained in ho­ly Scriptures, and particularly apprehend, and apply vnto our selues the promises of God in Christ, wholly relying vpon him for our saluation.

SECT. 21. DOMN. 21. Of humility, and honouring God, and how they are the fruits of faith.

Q. What diuine vertues are the speciall issues of faith?

A. Humility, honour, reuerence, obedience, patience, loue, feare, re­pentance, zeale, hope, and confi­dence.

Q. What is humility?

A. A diuine vertue, or grace, whereby wée wholly de­nie our selues, and carrie our selues lowly before God and men.

Q. What is honour?

A. A diuine grace, or vertue, whereby we admire, and aduance Gods super-excellent Maiesty, and yéeld him all glory, and praise.

Q. How doth faith beget these vertues?

[Page 24] A. As it apprehendeth Gods in­finite perfections.

SECT. 22. DOMIN. 22. Of reuerence, obedience, and patience; and how they are the fruits of faith.

Q. What is reuerence?

A. A diuine grace, or vertue, whereby wee stand continually in awe of the diuine Maiesty, and neuer speake, or thinke of God, without a trembling astonish­ment.

Q. What is obedience?

A. A diuine grace, whereby we apply our selues wholly to God, and endeauour to fulfill all his Commandements.

Q. What is patience?

A. A diuine grace, or vertue, whereby we submit our selues vn­der the mighty hand of God, and [Page 25] without grudging, or repining, endure whatsoeuer he layeth vpon vs.

Q. How doth faith beget these vertues?

A. As it fixeth the eye of the soule vpon the omnipotent power, all-séeing wisedome, and soue­raigne Maiesty of God.

SECT. 23. DOMIN. 23. Of loue, feare, repentance, gratitude, and zeale; and how they are the fruits of faith.

Q. What is diuine loue?

A. A spirituall grace, whereby we preferre God before all things, and set our hearts, and whole de­lights on him.

Q. What is filiall feare?

A. A spirituall grace, whereby we are carefull to shunne, and a­uoid any thing that may offend [Page 26] our heauenly Father.

Q. What is repentance?

A. A spirituall grace, whereby we are hartily sorry, as oft as wee offend, and earnestly desire to amend.

Q. What is gratitude to God?

A. A spirituall grace, or vertue, whereby both in word, and déed wee endeuour to expresse our thankfulnesse to God, lauding him for his benefits, and contributing to the maintenance of his seruice.

Q. What is Zeale?

A. A diuine vertue, whereby we are continually enflamed with a desire to promote Gods glory.

Q. How doth faith beget these vertues?

A. By fixing the eye of the soule, and apprehending Gods infinite bounty, and goodnesse.

SECT. 24. DOMIN. 24. Of hope, confidence, and mag­nanimity, and how they are the fruits of faith.

Q. What is hope?

A. A diuine, or theologicall ver­ture, whereby wee exspect the per­formance of all God's promises touching our saluation.

Q. What is confidence?

A. A diuine vertue, whereby we continually depend vpon God, and trust in him, in all difficulties and dangers.

Q. What is magnanimity, or spi­rituall courage?

A. A diuine vertue, or spiritu­all grace, whereby wee valiantly attempt, and atchieue matters of greatest difficulty, in Gods cause, and for the maintenance, and ad­uancing of Religion.

Q. How doth faith produce [Page 28] these diuine vertues?

A. As it apprehendeth Gods Truth, and faithfulnesse in his promises, and applyeth them to vs in particular.

SECT. 25. DOMIN. 25. Of the outward worship of God in generall.

Q. Thus much of the inward worship: How ought wee to wor­ship God outwardly?

A. By hearing the Word; re­ceiuing the Sacraments, Prayer, profession of our faith, keeping his Sabboth, and the religious vse of oathes, and vowes.

SECT. 26. DOMIN. 26. Of Keeping the Sabboth.

Q. How worship we God in kee­ping the Sabboth?

[Page 29] A. By sequestring it from our accustomed businesse, and dedica­ting it to the immediate worship of God, and his peculiar seruice.

SECT. 27. DOMIN. 27. Of hearing the Word.

Q. How ought wee to worship God by hearing the Word?

A. By repairing frequently to the Church; there reuerently, at­tending to the Word read, or preached, seriously meditating vpon it, and endeauouring to pra­ctise it in our liues and conuersa­tions.

SECT. 28. DOMIN. 28. Of Prayer, and the parts thereof.

Q. How ought wee to worship God by Prayer?

A. By calling vpon the Name [Page 30] of God through Christ, out of a true sence, and féeling of our wants and infirmities; and a li­uely faith in his promises feruent­ly, and constantly, both publkely, and priuately, for such things as are agréeable to his holy will.

Q. What are the parts of Prayer?

A. First, an humble confession of our sinnes.

Secondly, a hearty thanks-gi­uing to God for his benefits.

Thirdly, a feruent desire, and asking such things as we néede.

SECT. 29. DOMIN. 29. Of receiuing the Sacrament, and necessary preparati­on thereunto.

Q. How are we to worship God by receiuing the Sacraments?

A. By

  • Preparation, before wee receiue.
  • Reuerent intention in the receiuing.
  • Thanksgiuing after it.

[Page 31] Q. How ought wee to prepare our selues before wee come to the Communion?

A. By speciall

  • Prayer.
  • Examination.

Q. What speciall Prayer is re­quisite?

A. A Prayer to God, to assist vs in this holy exercise, and make vs worthy receiuers; and to conferre on vs those graces that are promi­sed to all that communicate wor­thily: And lastly, to giue vs a sence and féeling of them in our selues.

Q. Wherein standeth our speci­all examination?

A. In foure points principally.

First, whether wée haue a true sence, and remorse of conscience for our sinnes past; and a vehe­ment desire, and constant purpose of amendment; whence ariseth a hungring, and thirsting for grace.

Secondly, whether wée haue a competent measure of knowledge in the grounds of Christian reli­gion [Page 32] in generall, and in particu­lar of the Sacraments.

Thirdly, whether wee haue a particular affiance in Christ, and grounded perswasion of our salua­tion by his death and passion.

Fourthly, whether our hearts are frée from malice, and hatred; and whether wee beare true, and sincere affection to all Christ's members.

SECT. 30. DOMIN. 30. Of Oathes, Vowes, and pro­fession of our faith.

Q. How ought wee to worship God by Oathes, Vowes, and profes­sion of our faith?

A.

1. By swea­ring by God

  • In truth, not falsly.
  • In Iudgement, not rashly, nor vpon any slight occasiō.
  • In iustice, not ma­liciously, to a wic­ked end.

[Page 33] 2. By making holy vowes vnto God, and religiously performing them.

3. By publikely testifying the truth of the holy Gospell, and sea­ling it with our blood, if it be re­quired of vs.

PARS IIII.

SECT. 31. DOMIN. 31. Of the Christian duties we owe to our selues.

Q. BBy your answers I vnder­stand what you meane by the immediate worship of God, both inward and outward: Now tell me wherein consisteth the mediate worship of God, or rather seruice, or obedience to him?

A. In such duties as, by Gods command, wee owe to our selues, and our brethren.

[Page 34] Q. VVhat duties owe we to our selues?

A. 1. To prouide for the good of our Soules, improuing our na­turall faculties by Art and Indu­strie: but especially by séeking af­ter the gifts of God's Spirit, and vsing all meanes to encrease them in vs.

2. To prouide for the good of our bodies, by sobriety, wholsome dyet, comely rayment, moderate exercise and physicke.

3. To prouide for our good name, by taking vertuous and ho­nest courses, and following after such things as are prayse-worthy, and eschewing the contrary.

4. To prouide for our estate; by first, Carefull getting; secondly, Frugall sauing; thirdly, wisely vsing the goods of this life, and di­scréetly managing our priuate affaires.

SECT. 32. DOMIN. 32. Of the common duties wee owe to our Neighbours.

Q. VVhat duties, by Gods com­mandement, are wee to performe to others?

A. They are either

  • General and common duties of al christians one toward another: Or,
  • Speciall dueties proper to certaine e­states, callings of mē.

Q. VVhat are the generall du­ties of all men (especially Christians) one towards another?

A. They are comprised in these two Vertues

  • Innocencie,
  • Charitie.

Q. VVhat doth innocencie re­quire?

A. That wee hurt not, nor wrong any man in

  • Person,
  • Goods,
  • Name.

[Page 36] Q. VVhat doth charitie require?

A. That we do all the good we can to our brother; abounding in good workes, which may bee re­duced to foure heads; vz. workes of

  • Humanitie.
  • Meekenesse.
  • Friendship.
  • Zeale.

SECT. 33. DOMIN. 33. Of the speciall works of Humanity.

Q. VVhat are the speciall works of Humanitie?

A. To bee compassionate to­wards our brother; feed the hun­grie; cloath the naked; harbour the stranger; relieue the oppressed; re­deeme the captiue; defend the fa­therlesse and widdow; visit the sick; and burie the dead.

SECT. 34. DOMIN. 34. Of the speciall works of meeknesse.

Quest. VVhat are the speciall [Page 37] workes of meekenesse?

A. To beare one anothers bur­dens; forgiue one another all pri­uate iniuries, and wrongs; to en­deauour to make peace betweene others, and (if it be possible) to haue peace our selues with all men.

SECT. 35. DOMIN. 35. Of the speciall workes of friendship.

Q. What are the speciall works of friendship?

A. 1. To preserue (as much as in vs lyeth) the life of our brother, by counsell, aide, and assi­stance.

2. To endeauour to preserue his good name, and credit, by affor­ding him our true testimony and iust defence; commendation of his good parts, and couering his infir­mities.

3. To endeauour to preserue, and better his estate, by dealing [Page 38] truly with him in all bargaines, and contracts, lending him fréely, and contributing liberally to his necessities, according to our meanes and ability.

SECT. 36. DOMIN. 36. Of the special works Christian of Zeal.

Q. What are the speciall workes of Zeale, or holy and Christian loue towards our brother?

A. To séeke to winne him to Christ; and to labour his eternall saluation.

  • 1. By instructing him in the Truth.
  • 2. Conuincing his errors.
  • 3. Admonishing him of his duty.
  • 4. Reprouing his faults.
  • 5. Compassionating his falls.
  • 6. Reioycing at his recouerie.
  • 7. Comforting him in all temp­tations and afflictions.
  • 8. Auoiding all scandalous car­riage before him.
  • 9. Giuing him good example.

SECT. 37. DOMIN. 37. Of the duties of Superiours towards inferiours.

Q. Besides these generall duties, you mentioned speciall duties to men in respect of certaine estates, and callings. VVhat meane you by states?

A. The condition, qualitie and de­gree of men. who are in a 3-fold re­spect, & order, or ranke

  • 1 Superiours
    • In generall, ouer inferiours.
    • To speciall
      • 1 Kings ouer their Sub­iects.
      • 2 Fathers ouer their chil­dren.
      • 3 Husbands ouer their Wiues.
      • 4 Masters our their ser­uants.
      • 5 Pastours ouer their flock.
  • 2 Inferiours
    • In generall to Superiours.
    • In speciall
      • 1 Subiects to their Prince.
      • 2 Children to their Fa­thers.
      • 3 Wiues to their hus­bands.
      • 4 Seruants their Ma­sters.
      • 5 Flocks to their Pa­stours.
  • 3 Equalls in all respects.

[Page 40] Q. What are the duties of supe­riours in generall toward their infe­riours?

A. 1. To carrie themselues with that grauitie and discretion towards them, that they may deserue respect and reuerence from them.

2. To respect them in their place; not despising their aduised admonitions, nor sleighting their iust exceptions and complaints.

3. To employ their eminent gifts, (in what kind soeuer they are) to the glorie of God, and good of them.

4. To countenance and encou­rage them in good courses, and dis­courage them in the contrary.

5. To shine before them in good example of life and conuersation; which is a dutie of all Christians, but more especially concerneth su­periours, because their example preuaileth most either way.

SECT. 38. DOMIN. 38. Of the duties of inferiours towards their superiours.

Q. What are the duties of inferi­ours in generall towards their supe­riours?

A. 1. To yéeld them that reue­rence which is any way due to their persons or places.

2. To hearken to their sage coun­sels and admonitions.

3. To make vse of their gifts, and benefit themselues by them.

4. To recompence them for the good they receiue by them, at least by a thankfull acknowledgement.

5. To imitate their vertues, and follow their good example.

SECT. 39. DOMIN. 39. Of the duties of equals.

Q. What are the duties of equals?

A. To conuerse friendly, ci­uilly, [Page 42] and curteously one with ano­ther

  • Friendly, in mutuall office of loue.
  • Ciuilly, in saluting, taking leaue and the like cōmendable com­plement.
  • Courteously, in honour, one going before another.

SECT. 40. DOMIN. 40. Of the Christian duties of Kings toward their Subiects.

Q. What are the duties of supe­riours in speciall, and first of Kings towards their Subiects?

A. 1. To make wholesome and godly Lawes and Edicts for the

  • 1. Establishing of Religion.
  • 2. Execution of iustice.
  • 3. Preseruation of peace.
  • 4. Welfare of
    • Church.
    • Cōmon-wealth.

2. To appoint officers vnder them; men fearing God, and hating couetousnesse.

[Page 43] 3. To call assemblies (as oft as it is needfull) ecclesiasticall, and ci­uill, for the better ordering of the affaires of Church and Common-wealth.

4. To see (as much as in them lyeth) that all the subiects, in their places discharge their dutie.

5. To preferre, and reward those that deserue well in Church, or Common-Wealth.

6. To punish all sorts of delin­quents with indifferencie, and e­quity.

7. To defend their Subiects a­gainst violence, and wrong both by

  • Law.
  • Sword.

8. To prouide the best they can for their subiects after their death, by taking care for their suc­cessor.

SECT. 41. DOMIN. 41. Of the speciall duties of Sub­iects to their King.

Q. What are the speciall duties of Subiects?

A. 1. To make supplication in speciall for their Prince.

2. To honour his Person.

3. To obey his Lawes.

4. To feare his power, and sub­mit themselues to it.

5. To beare armes for him in time of warre, if their age, and sexe permit.

6. To doe him faithfull seruice in their seuerall place, and office; séeking by all meanes to preserue his

  • Life.
  • State.
  • Honour.

7. To pay willingly all dues vnto him.

8. To obey his inferiour Offi­cers, and Ministers.

SECT. 42. DOMIN. 42. Of the duties of Christian Parents.

Q. What are the duties of Chri­stian Parents?

A. 1. To blesse their children.

2. To instruct them in the grounds of Religion.

3. To excite them to vertue by

  • Prayses.
  • Promises.
  • Rewards.

4. To deter & reclaime them from vice by—

  • Rebukes,
  • Threats,
  • Moderate cha­stenings.

5. To bring them vp in good nurture, and fit them for some cal­ling.

6. To allow them competent maintenance, by their life time.

7. To prouide for them after their death, as they are able by lea­uing their substance, and goods to them.

[Page 46] 8. To defend them from iniu­rie.

9. To haue a care of dispo­sing them in marriage, if they are thereunto inclined.

SECT. 43. DOMIN. 43. Of the speciall duties of children.

Q. What are the speciall duties of children?

A. 1. To pray in speciall for their Parents safety, and happi­nesse.

2. To hearken to their coun­sels, and instructions.

3. To yeeld them all reuerent respect.

4. To obey them in the Lord.

5. To endure their rebukes, and moderate chastenings.

6. To couer their infirmities.

7. To comfort them by their vertuous disposition, and toward­linesse.

8. To aide them (according to their power) if they stand in néede [Page 47] of their helpe, or reliefe.

SECT. 44. DOMIN. 44. Of the speciall duties of Masters.

Q. What are the speciall duties of Masters?

A. 1. To take speciall care that their seruant serue God, and liue in good order.

2. To prouide for them (as parts of their family,) such things as are néedefull, and fit.

3. To vse their power ouer them moderately, knowing that they also haue a Master in heauen.

4. To reward them agréeably to their deserts, paying them their wages in due season, and other­wise gratifying, them as it shall séeme fit, and they deserue.

SECT. 45. DOMIN. 45. Of the speciall duties of Seruants.

Q. What are the speciall duties of Seruants?

A. 1. To doe their Masters true, and faithfull seruice.

2. To obey them; and submit themselues vnto them, though they are froward.

3. To pray for their Masters safetie, wealth, and happinesse.

SECT. 46. DOMIN. 46. Of the duties of mar­ried folke.

Q. What are the duties of mar­ried folke?

A. They are of two sorts,

  • Common to both.
  • Proper.

Q. What are the common du­ties?

[Page 49] A. 1. To dwell together.

2. To expresse all entire, and loyall affection one to another.

3. To bend their endeuours to helpe each other; and both to ioyne for the good of the fami­lie.

SECT. 47. DOMIN. 47. Of the duties of the Hus­band.

Q. What are the proper duties of the Husband?

A. 1. Wisely to gouerne his Wife, as béeing her head.

2. To nourish and cherish her, as his owne flesh.

3. To instruct her in the points of Religion.

4. To protect, and defend her from iniurie and wrong.

SECT. 48. DOMIN. 48. Of the duties of the Wife.

Q. What are the proper duties of the Wife?

A. 1. To yéeld reuerent respect to her Husband, of what conditi­on soeuer he be.

2. To obey (as a Wife) in all things submitting her selfe to her Husband.

SECT. 49. DOMIN. 49. Of the duties of Pastors.

Q. What are the duties of god­ly Pastors?

A. 1. To increase their Talent of knowledge by the study of the holy Scriptures, that they may the more sufficiently discharge their dutie to their Flock.

2. To conceiue and deliuer ho­ly [Page 51] formes of Prayers, and thanks­giuing in the name of the whole Congregation.

3. To preach the Word of God

  • Sincerely.
  • Faithfully.
  • Diligently.
  • Discréetly.
  • Zealously

4. To administer the Sacra­ments rightly, and duly.

5. To exercise such ecclesiasti­call discipline as appertaineth to them according to Gods Word, and the Canons of the Church.

6. To conforme themselu [...] to the holy and decent orders of the Church, performing all rites, and ceremonies enioyned by it; as rea­ding the Litturgie, marrying, bu­rying, &c.

7. To lead [...] a strickt, and ex­emplary life.

SECT. 50. DOMIN. 50. Of the duties of the flock to­ward their Pastor.

Q. What are the duties of the flocke towards their Pastor?

A. 1. To pray with, and for their Pastour, that his Ministery may be effectuall among them.

2. To heare their owne Pastor diligently.

3. To obey him in the Lord.

4. To haue him in reuerent ac­count, and estimation for his works sake.

5. To yéeld him sufficient and comfortable maintenance by pay­ing duly, and willingly their Tithes, and offerings where the Church hath so well prouided; according to Gods Law and where it hath not, to supply the defect by voluntarie contributi­ons.

6. To ayde and assist him a­gainst such as oppose his Mini­sterie.

SECT. 51. DOMIN. 51. Of the speciall duties of men in respect of personall callings.

Q. What are the speciall duties of men, in respect of their personall callings?

A. 1. To prepare, and fit them­selues for some lawfull calling, most agréeable to their gifts, meanes, and inclinations.

2. To enter into it lawfully, and discreetly, not vnaduisedly, nor by indirect meanes.

3. To walke in it worthily viz:

  • 1. Religiously, in all workes of their calling, hauing a re­ference to God.
  • 2. Wisely spending their time in neces­sary and profitable workes of their cal­ling; not curious or superfluous.
  • 3. Diligently, and assiduously; not li­uing [Page 54] idely, vpon o­ther mens labours.
  • 4. Uprightly, v­sing no vnlawfull meanes of gaining.
  • 5. Ingenuously; frée from couetousnesse, and basenesse.
  • 6. Decently, with­in the compasse of their calling, not ex­céeding in apparell, retinue their table, or other expense.
  • 7. In-offensiuely, gi­uing no scandall to their calling by their vicious life, and con­uersation.

4. To leaue if willingly when either God calls them to an high­er, or more necessary, or profitable calling; or disableth them for this; or authority remoues them: Otherwise to hold it constantly, to the end.

SECT. 52. DOMIN. 52. Of the speciall Antidotes, or preseruatiues against sinne.

Q. What are the speciall preser­uatiues against sinne, and meanes to increase sanctifying grace?

A. 1. Frequent, and feruent Prayer, with thanksgiuing.

2. The exercising our selues in reading, and hearing the holy Scriptures, and meditating vpon them day and night.

3. Often receiuing the blessed Sacrament, with due prepara­tion before, and holy vowes, after.

4. Conferring with godly Pa­stors, and other Religious Di­uines, touching our spirituall estate and following their holy counsells, and directions.

5. Conuersing with the best sort of Christians, and imitating them in the best things.

[Page 56] 6. Often visiting the sicke lying vpon their death beds, and ma­king vse of their godly speeches, and behauiour at their departure.

7. Reading; or if we are not a­ble to reade, hearing read deuout

  • Treatises, or discourses
  • Sermons.
  • Meditations.
  • Histories, &c.

8. Euery night examining

  • Our faith by the Créede.
  • Our desires, by the Lords Prayer.
  • Our thoughts, words, & déeds by the Deca­logue.

9. Obseruing what temptati­ons wee are most subiect to; and arming our selues against them.

10. Auoiding all occasions of sinne; especially flying cuill com­pany.

11. Resisting the first motions to sinne, and killing the Cockatrice in the egge.

[Page 57] 12. Employing our selues con­tinually about some lawfull work, that the Deuill finde vs not idle.

13. The consideration of the dreadfull Maiesty of GOD in whose presence and eye wee are al­waies.

14. The consideration of the infinite goodnesse of God whom we grieuously offend by the least sin.

15. The consideration of God's fearefull iudgements vpon sinners in former times, and in our me­mory.

16. The pricking our conscience with the remembrance of our for­mer sinnes; especially such as haue layen heauiest vpon vs, saying to our selues in the words of the A­postle, or the like. What fruit had we in those things whereof wee are now ashamed?

17. The consideration of the certainty of our death, and the vncertainty of the time.

18. The consideration of the strickt account we are to make at [Page 58] the day of Iudgement.

19. The consideration of the e­uerlasting, and vnsufferable tor­ments of the wicked in hell.

20. The consideration of the e­ternall, and vnconceiueable ioyes of the godly in heauen.

Who so doeth these things shall neuer fall.
HEB. 13. VERSE 20. 21.

20. The God of peace that brought againe from the dead our Lord Iesus, the great Shepheard of the sheepe, through the blood of the euerlasting Couenant,

21. Make you perfect in all good workes, to doe his will, working in you that which is pleasant in his sight through Iesus Christ, to whom be praise for euer and euer, Amen.

[...].

FINIS.

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