SEing by the Psal. 124. 8. helpe of the LORD GOD, which made Heaven and Earth, and by the gratious assi­stance of his holie Spirit, wee are now of purpose to handle that most worthie and [Page 2] excellent matter, the doctrine of Iam. 5. 16. fervent and powerfull prayer: It is not only expedient and com­lie, but also most profitable and necessare, that everie one of vs in all humiltie and sinceritie, in Iohn. 4. 24 trueth and spirit vnfeinedly first confesse our sinnes and iniquitie: next deplore and lament our woe­full estate and great miserie: and thirdlie that we earnestly beg for grace and mercie. Augustin, Prius requirit Deus confessi­onem quam o­rationem.

But before wee come to this confession, wee will declare three things, whereof we must be cer­tainly assured, and throughly per­swaded, first, that sinne and ini­quitie cannot bee for ever cove­red: next, of the great good, and profite of confession: lastlie, that there is a right maner thereof, and this will bee for our prepa­ration before confession.

There Luke. 8. 17 is nothing so secreet (saith our SAVIOUR) but it shall bee evident: neither any thing hid that shall not be known, and come to sight.

[Page 3] Sinne then cannot bee concea­led, In regard of GOD. but at some tyme must bee disclosed, and that in regard of GOD, of thy conscience, of Sa­than, and of the nature thereof, and of other creatures. GOD him­selfe against whom it is princi­pally Psal. 51.4. committed; and who there­with is highly offended, and hea­vily Sam. 11. 27 displeased, IESUS CHRIST the Prince of Glorie, who there­by is Heb. 6.5. againe mocked and cruci­fied: the holy Ghost, that sancti­fying Spirit is therewith Ephes. 4. [...]0 grie­ved, Thess. 5. 19 quenched and Act. 7.5 resisted; e­ven hee who Iob. 12.22 discovereth the deepe places from the darknesse, and bringeth foorth the shaddow of death to sight: Hee will (who seeth and knoweth all things, re­vealeth wickednesse, and Hos. 2.10 disco­vereth lewdenesse, and no man can delyver out Nehem. 3.5 of his hand) show to Nations all filthinesse. Againe, the conscience cryeth, and originall sinne that therein is writ­ten; Of the consci­ence. at length that Revel. 20.12 booke will be [Page 4] opened, all faults vnrepented will bee manifested, and the true te­stimony thereof, which everie one hath had in his owne custodie, can not bee denyed.

* Conscientia est codex in qua Chrysost. in Psal. 50. quotidiana peccata conscribuntur.

The conscience (saith a fa­ther) is a booke wherein our dayly sinnes are written together. An other Ancient compareth the conscience to a contentious wo­man, chyding oftentimes, and clat­tering, casting vp secreet sinnes, having no discretion nor power to conceale things, not to bee revealed: Like Samsons wife, who could not keepe secreet that rid­dle, which hee did put foorth to the Philistimes, but Iudg 14. 17 told the same to the children of her people.

Lyke Fulvia a whoorish wo­man, Salust bello Catilin. who declared the secreets of her foolish lover Cneius, a noble Roman: he a dissolute, and luxu­rious young man.

This conscience is as a thou­sand Cons [...]ientia mille reste [...]. [Page 5] witnesses to tell the trueth, and veritie of all our proceedings: and as Seneca saith, O te mise­rum si contemnis hunc testem, that thou art miserable if thou contemne this witnesse.

Moreover Sathan, a malicious Math. 4. 3 Tempter, entysing thee to doe Sathan. evill; hee is a shamelesse and im­pudent Revel. 12.10 Accuser, judicially and openly challenging thee, laying thy cryme to thy charge to con­demne thee: hee who was not ashamed to accuse patient JOB. an Iob. 2. 10 vpright, and just man, that fea­ved GOD, and eshewed evill, as an hyrling, or hypocrite: will he not more boldly accuse others, farre inferior in pietie, in sobrie­tie, and in righteousnesse, who are Iohn 9. 24 borne in sinne, and conceived in wickednesse? Some rulers and governours full of envy did ac­cuse Dan. 6. 24 Daniell wrongouslie, where fore they were punished deser­vedly: But Sathan more full Revel. 12. 12 of wrath and envy, doth declare [Page 6] and accuse sinners more earne­stlie, as Tertullus an oratour [...]p­peared against S^t. Paul, Act. 24. [...]. and accused him vehemently; so the Devill, a more deadly adversare, will stand vp against a sinner see­king his perdition more careful­ly: For that evill Math. 13.19 one, and envy­ous, is most vnlike a certaine o­ther famous oratour Demosthenes, who being commanded by the people to accuse a certaine man; hee refused so to doe and when the whole multitude did straitly vrge him: he arose, and said; yee shall haue mee a counseller to you against your will, but not a ca­lumniator, nor an accuser: Sathan is not so; but most promptly and readie, ever willing for to charge and accuse the LORDS most faith­full and conscientious servants.

It is written of one Fimbria, Cicero pro Ro­scio Amerino, & Stephanus. a most impudent and audacious accuser; who summond Scaevola to vnderly the law, because hee did not receaue the whole weapon [Page 7] within his whole bodie, alb [...]it it may bee thought he was grie­vously wounded with the poynt thereof: But the Devill that ma­licious deceaver, much more bold and shamelesse, who durst presume to accuse the blessed GOD to our first Genes. 3 Parents of envy, and malice; he will be most ea­ger and intentiue to cast vp in thy teeth, thy most secreet and filthie sinnes, to challenge impu­dently thee for the same for thy conviction and condemnation.

Besides these, the nature of sin declareth plainely, that it cannot Of the nature of sinne. be kept close and secreet perpe­tually: For sinne is an evill Math. 13. 25 seede or tares sowne by the enemie, while men sleept, it will not appeare at the first, but afterward, when the blade will spring vp, sinne is a debt, which for a season may be committed and conteined, but at length will be devulgate and cra­ved. That 2 King. 4. 1 son of the Prophet (in the dayes of Elisha) by all [Page 8] during her lyfetyme, tooke order with his creditors, his debt was not so well knowne, as afterwards it was when hee was dead, then his burthen better appeared, his wife then a widow was vexed, by the helpe of the Prophet shee was releeved: So this fearefull Math. 6. 12 debt s [...]nne, for a short season (I say) may bee cunningly ob­scured, but afterwards will bee open and manifest.

Sinne 3. is a Tempestuous wind who can hide Proverb. 27 16. it, it is like oyle in the right hand, it vttereth her selfe.

Sinne 4. is thift or murther which may bee done and com­mitted, but will be punisht public­kly and exemplarlie, when Hos. 4. 2. by kil­ling and stearing men breake out.

Sinne 5. is a fire, which for a space may bee covered with ashes, and shortly will kindle and burne violently, and shall Iob. 31. 12 devoure to destruction, and shall roote out all encrease, the smoake whereof will [Page 9] mount vp to HEAVEN as the smoake of Sodom, which Abra­ham saw.

Sinne 6. is as an heavie sick­nesse, or secreet corruption for a tyme lurking, but afterward will spre [...]d, and 2 Timoth. 2. 17. fret as a Cancer.

It is lastly like a treacherous enemie, who at last will vtter his malice and crueltie, albeit he ap­peared to bee thy compainion, thy Psal. 55. [...]3 & 21. guid, and thy familiar: his words softer than butter, and more gentle than oyle; yet these will proue swords to kill thee, and to be mortall and malicious ene­mies to destroy thee.

And surely Genes. 4. [...]. Cains parricide, and crueltie, and Hebr. 12. 18. Esawe his profainesse, Pharaoh Exod. 1. 10 his op­pression, Saras 1 Sam. 15. 5 covetousnesse, Ha­mans hautinesse, Achitophels trea­son, Iezabels atheisme, Manas­ses sorcerie, Iudas [...]is thift, Ana­nias hypocrisie, Demas worldli­nesse; all shall bee in their owne time openly delated, clearely de­tected, [Page 10] evidently published, and seveerely punished.

Finally other creatures will dis­cover Many crea­tures doe vtter their sinnes. secreet sinnes, and be wit­nesses against the same; whether they bee creatures that hath no sence or lyfe: for the Habb. 211. stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beame out of the timber shall answere it, and crie for a curse, and woe against iniquitie: and Zophar spea­keth most Iob. 20.27 truely, that the Hea­ven shall declare the wickednesse of the vngodly; and that the earth shall rise vp against him: the Hea­ven defiled, the earth burdened, and other senselesse creatures de­filed, polluted; they Rom. 8. 22. groane and travell together, and they com­plaine of the inhabitants of this earth, or whither they be living creatures without reason, as Sa­lomon saith, that the Eccles. 10. 20. foule of the Heaven shall carie the voice of the curse against it, and that which hath wings shall de­clare the matter, albeit it bee but [Page 11] in thought in thy bedchalmber: Thus the Crowes did detect the Ex Erasmo in Proverbiis I­bici grues. secreet murther of the Poet I­bicus: Also the Crowes brought to light the death of a certaine Ausonius Ibicus vt peri­it vindex suit alti [...]olans grus. man; who travelling was killed by Robbers: these whom he did take for witnesses, was the occa­sion of the manifestation of that murther, and of the deserved pu­nishment inflicted vpon these ma­lefactors. Likewise the swallowes did so molest and trouble one Bessus, (as Plutarch reporteth) Plutarch. that hee was compelled to con­fesse his most vnnaturall and ab­hominable parricide, wherefore hee was worthily tortured.

The histories record, that ma­ny Blondus Read the the­ater of Gods îudgements. Ah miser, & siquis multum periuria celet, Sera tamen tacitis p [...]na [...]enit pedibus. secreet sinnes and robberies haue beene in diverse ages dis­closed by dogs; passing over these which haue beene discovered by men and women, conjunct, or verie neare to the evill doers themselues.

Forasmuch that this is most [Page 12] cleare and evident and altogether true without doubt or contra­versie, that thy sinne can not bee keept secreet perpetually; but it shall bee manifested and revealed openly, and at length (without repentance) shall bee punished publickly: [...]he Gentils by expe­rience knew this plainely, and confessed the same frequently.

It is then the safest and best way: (beleeue mee) it is most profitable and comfortable vnto thee, that thou thy selfe make a true, humble, and sinceere con­fession of thy owne sinnes, since they can not bee covered conti­nually, but will certainely be ma­nifested; if not in this world, yet most fearefully in that day of the Rom. 2. 5. declaration of the just judgement of GOD; when the secreets of all hearts shall bee revealed, and e­verie Math. 12.38 idle word shall bee brought to an account; and everie privie action shall bee disclosed. And that thou may bee thus moved: [Page 13] In the second place thou hast to consider of the profite and com­moditie Of the good of confession. of confession.

And first heere obserue a great difference: yea, and manifest op­position betwene the effect of the confession of the guiltie, before the judgement seate of men, or earthly judges, and of that con­fession which is made before the Spineus in lib. de peccatorum confessione. tribunall of GOD, the Heavenlie judge who is the righteous and high judge Genes. 18. 25 of all the world.

The confession before Magi­strates, even at other times merci­full, is verie dreadfull, dangerous and deadly for evill doers; when Achan made his confession of the thift, of the execrable goods, then Ioshuah, and all Iudg. 7. 25 Israel stoned him his sonnes and his daugh­ters, his oxen, his asses, and his sheepe with stones, and burnt them with fire, because of his trespasse and abomination.

When the Amal [...]ki [...]e, a stran­ger confessed the killing of Saul, [Page 14] then David caused to kill him, and that justly; because his owne 2 Sam. 16 mouth testified against him.

Thus after a confession made before earthly Rom, 12. 1 powers, who are Ministers of justice, followeth death, sorrow, punishment, and execution; and therefore it is no wonder although malefactors be verie unwilling to confesse capi­tall crymes. So these Eunuches Bigthan and Teresh did not ac­knowledge their conspiracie a­gainst Assuerus, vntill Ester. 2. 22 inquisition was made and it was found so, and therefore they were both hanged on a tree, and died sham­fullie.

But it is plaine contrarie in The fruites of confession. regarde of the confession of our sinnes to the Almightie. After the same followeth great good and vnspeakable commoditie, as most evidently appeareth, by proofe of sacred Scripture, by ex­amples, by the testimonies of learned writers, and by experience.

[Page 15] First: If Proverb. 28 13. thou hide thy sinnes (saith Salomon) thou shall not First Mercy. prosper; but if thou will confesse them, and forsake them, thou shalt haue mercie. What more plea­sant or more expedient to a mi­serable sinner then GODS mercies? Secondly forgivenesse of thy fault and remission: If Iohn 1.9 thou acknow­ledge thy sinne, (saith S^t. IOHN) 2 Remission. GOD is faithfull, and just, to for­giue thee thy sinne: Thus forgive­nesse and remission bringeth hap­pinesse, and salvation. Blessed is hee Psal. 28. 13 whose wickednesse is forgiven him, so proclaimeth the Prophet DAVID.

Thirdly: If thou confesse thy of­fences, (the Apostle witnesseth) 3 Sanctifi­cation. that GOD will Iohn. 2. 9 cleanse thee from all vnrighteousnesse: so thou may bee most sure of sanctification, and Heb. 12. 14 holynesse; without the which no man shall see the LORD in his eternall glory.

Fourthly: thou by confession 4 Knowledge. shall get Heavenly wisedome, and [Page 16] instruction, as when Daniell was speaking, and confessing his sinnes, and Daniel. 9.2 [...] presenting his supplications; in that same instant the Angell Gabriell gaue him knowledge and vnderstanding: So when thou shalt truely acknowledge thy wicked­nesse; the holy Spirit will bee sent vnto thee, to bestow vpon thee knowledge & vnderstanding.

Fiftly: Ioy and consolation shall 5 Consolation. come to thee in tyme of anguish and affliction: If thou shalt make to GOD a right confession, as Da­vid was greatly greeved; and very sore troubled for his mur­ther and adultery, when he con­fessed that he had sinned against the LORD, hee was immediatly strongly and joyfully comforted: when the Prophet Nathan reply­ed on this maner, the 2 Sam. 12.13 LORD hath put away thy sinnes, thou shalt not die: that was glad tydings, and comfortable newes vnto his wearied and distressed spirit: So it is most certaine, that consola­tion [Page 17] will come to every Christi­an after confession.

Sixtly: if thou confesse thy sin 6 Employment in the LORDS service. in sinceritie, the LORD then will more readily imploy thee in his service, as when the Prophet E­say confessed his vncleannesse and pollution, that hee was a man of polluted I saiah 6. 3 lippes: there his iniqui­tie was taken away, and his sins purged; and hee was in the bu­sinesse of the LORD imployed, and in his service directed, and hee was sent by GOD to the people of the Iewes.

Lastly: if thou conceale not thy 7 Furnitur [...] of necessaries. offences, nor thy distresse, but will confesse the same ingenuoussie, the LORD will furnish thee good things aboundantly: as when the Aegyptians confessed to Ioseph their want and great povertie: when they said, wee Genes. 47.23 will not hide from my LORD our pittiefull indigence: then Ioseph did furnish them food, and seede to sow the ground.

So will GOD doe to thee, if thou [Page 18] on this maner will deale faithful­ly and truely: Hee will giue vnto thee that bread, Iohn 6. 37 which came downe from Heaven, which giveth lyfe to the world: He will giue thee that good feed of his Luke 8. 21 Word, and make it Zach. 8. 12 prosperous to bring foorth good fruite in thee.

And shortly after the right con­fession, thou mayest assuredly per­swade thy selfe of absolution, of justification, and of thy glorifica­tion: For the LORD Psalm. 103 8. 9. is full of compassion and mercie, slow to an­ger, and of great kindnesse; he will not alwayes chide, nor keepe his wrath for ever.

And most sure it is: if the LORD absolue thee, who shall lay Rom. 8. 33 any thing to thy charge? If GOD justifie thee, who shall con­demne thee? If the Almighti glo­rifie thee, who shall disgrace or bring infamie vpon thee: Againe hearken, and take heede diligent­ly; consider and meditate carefully, what the auncient, wise, true, and [Page 19] judicious fathers tell to thee plainly of the profite that commeth to thee by humble, and sincere confession. One saith, cessat vinaicta divina, Ambros. Beati imma­culats. si confessio praecurrat humana, the revenge of GOD ceasseth, if the confession of man preceedeth: and in an other place he thus exhor­teth, Fatere peccata ô homo, vt Idem lib 1. de interpellatione & cap. 5. veniam consequaris, dic iniquita­tes vt justificeris, quid erubescis fateri ea in quibus natus es? O man! acknowledge thy faults, that thou mayest haue pardon; tell thine iniquitie, that thou mayest be ju­stified: wherefore art thou ashamed to confesse these in the which thou art borne? An other Ancient affir­meth Gregorius Na­zianzen in o­ratione conso­laorta de pa­cis silentio. thus: Magnum remedium malitiae, est confessio & fuga pecca­ti: that confession is a great reme­die of maliciousnesse, and a flight of sinne. An other so speaketh: Basilius in Hexamero ho­milia vndeci ma. Septuplam retributionem peccatori­bus delatam remittet DOMINUS, in hac vita, per confessionem ac re­sipiscentiam à nobis placatus: the [Page 20] LORD being pleased by vs in this lyfe by confession and repentance will forgiue that sevenfold retri­bution objected to sinners: dicito peceata (saith Chrysostome) vt Chrysostom. homilia 2. deleas, dicito in hac vita vt requi­em habeas: tell thy sinnes that thou mayest put them away; tell them in this lyfe, that thou mayest get rest in an other lyfe. Abs (que) con­fessione Bernard. 2 [...]ep. cap 14. justus judicabitur ingratus, & peccator mortuus reputatur: con­fessio igitur peccatoris est vita, & justi gloria: without confession, the just is judged vnthankfull, and the wicked is esteemed dead: confes­sion then is the lyfe of the sins, and the glory of the just. More­over another writeth thus: Con­fessio sanat, confessio justificat, con­fessio peccatis vemam donat, omnis spes in confessione consistit, in con­fessione locus misericordia est, nul­la est tam gravis culpa, quae per confessionem non habeat veniam: Confession healeth, confession ju­stifieth, confession giveth pardon [Page 21] to sinnes; all hope consisteth into confession, in confession there is a place for compassion, there is no fault so greevous, but by con­fession it will bee pardoned.

But principally let vs giue at­tendance August. pas sim in multi. locis. to Augustin in this point; assevering, Damnaberis tacitus, qui possis liberari confessus: being silent thou shall bee condemned, who being confessed may be de­lyvered. Againe, Confessio malo­rum operum, initium bonorum ope­rum est: the confession of evill workes, is the beginning of good workes: And furthermore, Con­fessio nos humiles facit: Confessi­on maketh vs humble: Confessio jungit nos DEO: confession con­joyneth, or vniteth vs to GOD; Confessio judicat vivos: confession declareth that wee are aliue, now enjoying the lyfe of grace, refer­ved to haue eternall fruition of the lyfe of glory: yea, that Phi­losopher Seneca. Seneca saith, Somnium narrare vigilantis est, & vitia con­fiteri [Page 22] sanitatis indicium est: It is a token of one awake to tell their dreame, and of health to confesse their sinnes.

And not to bee too tedious in such trie testimonies, for con­c [...]ution of the same, wee will of­fer to your due consideration, that fathers saying, Ratio DEI inducen­di, August. citan­te Spinaeo in lib depeccato­rum confessi­one. vt peccata nosira excuset, ac tegat [...] ea est si ea detegamus, ac nos ipsos accusemus, nos ille eve­hit: cum ipsi nos abijcimus: nos justificat cum nos ipsi condemna­mus: obliviscitur peccatorum, cum nos ipsi meminimus eorum: deni (que) nos in prctio habet, cum nobis ipsi vilescimus: nos invenit, cum nobis ipsis perditi videmur, & pluriminos facit, cum nos ipsos nihili facimus. [...]he m [...]ane (most remarkable are the sentences) to moue GOD, that hee may excuse and cover cur sinnes, is, that if wee shall vncover them, & accuse our selues, hee exalteth vs: when wee cast downe our selues: hee justifieth. [Page 23] vs, when we condemne our selues: hee forgetteth our sinnes, when wee remember on them: Finalie wee are pretious vnto him, when wee are vile in our owne sight; hee findeth vs, when wee seeme lost to our selues; and he maketh much of vs, when we make no­thing of our selues. Sicut sumus praecedit incendium, sic flammam Similitude. fidei & charitatis praecedit pecca­torum confessi [...]: As smoake goeth Primasius in Apocalypsin. before burning, so confession of sinnes goeth before the flamme of faith and charitie.

Thirdly: Experience showeth vs, that the parient will declare his disease to the Physitian, the wounded man will vncover his soares to the Chirargion: the Cli­ent will manifest the weaknesse of his cause or action to his Ad­vocate: the poore Beggar will vt­ter his wants to the helping Pas­senger, and cry pittifully and ear­nestlie for some support, that the child will tell his necessitie to his [Page 24] loving parents: that the oppres­sed subject will signifie his hurt to a gratious King, or pittiefull Magistrate.

Now answere mee truely, is not GOD thy perfite Physitian, who will heale all thine Psal. 103. 3 infirmi­mities? Is not CHRIST a faithfull 1 Iohn 2. 1 Advocate, who will defend thy right, and bee thy reconciliation for thy sinnes, to purchase an Hea­venly Kingdome for thee? Is not thy LORD a most liberall bene­factor, who Iob. 22. 18 can fill the house of the wicked with good things, at sometimes; and will multiplie his Hezek. 36.11 benefites towards thee, more than at the first? Is not Hee the Father 2 Corinth 1.3 of mercy, and the GOD of all consolation? Will not He sa­tisfie Psal. 91. 16 thee with long lyfe, and glo­rifie thee with salvation? Is not He the King of Isaiah 44. 6 Israell, the LORD of Hostes, and thy Redeemer? Will not Hee looke Psalm. 102 19. 20 downe from the hight of his Sanctuarie, out of Hea­ven? Will Hee not behold the Earth, [Page 25] that he may heare the mourning of his prisoners, and delyver the children of death? Wherefore then will thou hide thy woes and of­fences from him? Wherefore will thou Iohn 8. 24 die in thy sinnes, and perish eternally in thine iniquities? Why concealeth thou thy cancred cor­ruption for thine owne destructi­on, in 2 Pet. 3. 47 the day of judgement, and perdition of vngodly men, or be­fore that dreadfull day? Why will thou vexe thine owne soule with continuall griefe and molestation. When DAVID himselfe did hold his Psal. 32. 3. tongue, his bones consumed fearefully, his hand was vpon him continually, his very moisture was turned into the drought of summer. But when hee did not hide his i­niquitie, but acknowledged his tre­spasse, then he got remission, and so joy and consolation.

It is written of Creusa, by an Ethnick, that being troubled in Euripides in Iovem. her minde, and grievouslie per­plexed in conscience; to mitigate [Page 26] the extremitie of that vexation, shee did vse the remedie of con­fession: and shee did discover her secret fornicatios; and did declare openly her whoordome, that shee had borne a bairne quietly, and exposed him. Should not a Christian then privily confesse his faultes, and enormities, to be de­livered from the anguish of an evill conscience, and to obtaine peace and tra [...]quillitie to himselfe.

Thinke not in thine owne minde that this sentence was onely said to David this sinne thou didst 2 Sam. 12. 12 secretly, (saith GOD) but I will correct thee before the sinne most openly: but also to every one of vs without confession, so sayeth that father, and it is also contain­ed in the canon law.

Is it not then m [...]st fit, com­modious, and necessary for thee, that thou thy selfe make a plaine, and open confession of thine owne fearefull sinnes, and terrible trans­gressions? that thou may altogether [Page 27] eshew that Math. 37 wrath to come, that also Luke 21. 36 thou mayest be counted wor­thie, to escape the vengeance of the Almightie; even the curse of GOD, and the damnation of the vngod­ly: yea, that Heb. 4.16 thou may receiue mercie and find grace to helpe thee in tyme of neede; that thou mayest obtaine [...]anctification, which is a maine end of thy vocation: For 1 Thess. 4.7 GOD hath not called thee vnto vncleannesse, but vnto holynesse, that thou may obtaine wholesome in­struction, and the knowledge of GOD, when rightly to know is Iohn. 17. 3 life eternall, that thou mayest get constant consolation 2 Cor. 1. 4 to com­fort thee in all thy tribulation, that thou may serue GOD in sinceri­rie: For thou can doe no ser [...]ice acceptable to an vnknowne Eccles, 27. 33 God: that thou mayest get furniture from him, who Psal. 104. 27 giveth foode to every living creature in due sea­son, and filleth them with his free benefits: Shortly that thou mayest receiue remedie for trespassion, [Page 28] absolution from thy sinne, recon­ciliation with GOD, and con­junction with him, peace heere, rest, honour, and happinesse in the life to come.

To the end that thou may re­ceiue this incomprehensible good, & vnspeakeable blessings, goe on to make this confession of our sin, and haynous iniquities.

But in the third place advert The right ma­ner of confes­sion. attentiuely, and take diligent heed, that thou acknowledge and con­fesse thy faultes in the right maner, and forme; otherwise assuredly thy confession will never neither comfort thee, not profite thee; for thou may know by the read­ing the sacred Scripture, that many wicked wretched men, who lived lewdly, and died profainly, haue made a fashion of confession, as Exod. 6. 27 Pharoah, Numb. 22 34 Balaam, Ioshua 7. 20 Achan, 1 Sam. 26. 21 Saul, wicked 1 King. 21 27 Achab, yea the the traitour Math. 27. 4 Iudas. Their con­fessions brought to them no con­solation, but paine and confusion.

[Page 29] Therefore if thou desires thy confession acceptable to GOD and steadable to thy selfe, labour with most diligent endevoure, that the same may bee well conceived, & in the right manner vttered ha­ving all the good properties be­longing therevnto.

Thy comfortable confession must See Bi. Thom conteene sixteene conditions com­posed in these verses by the schoole men.

For a briefe explanation, 1. let thy confession bee without hy­pocrisie: [...] plaine. If ever thou lay aside guile Pet. 2. 1 and dissimulation, remoue the same chiefly in this action, and studie most carefully to bee [Page 30] an ^r Israell indeede, to be the true sonne of Iakob, who was a plaine Genes 25 man or simple, and so is all his po­steritie sinceere and ingenuous in all their proceedings; and parti­cularly in this point.

Secondly: thy confession must 2 Humble con­fession. bee without pride or arrogancy: for the proude Luke 18. 12 Pharisees confes­sion shall never bring joy nor ju­stification, as the earth wherein Ieremias Ierem. 13. 7 Similitude. [...] girdle was hid, and wherewith it was covered, made the gird [...] corrupt, and pro­fitable for nothing: So will pride make thy person, as it were pu­trified before GOD, to be as the Ammonites were to DAVID, to stinke 2 Sam. 10 6 in GODS sight, and all thy actions to bee but abhomi­nations

Let thy confession therefore be in great humilitie and submission, as Genes 18. 27 Abrahams, like the Publi­cans, like S^t. Timoth. 2. 15 Pauls, like all the godlies [...] this humilitie will be to thee in all thy proceedings, [Page 31] like as Benjamins was to his brethren, without him they would not haue beene accepted by Io­seph, nor their gifts receaved, but having him in their company, they were welcomed, they were brought Genes. 43. 16 to Iosephs house, they were feasted, and gotte giftes be­fore their departure. So without humilitie thou will bee despised of GOD, and punished: but loving humilitie, GOD will greately re­garde thee, Hee will accept of thy offerings, and giue gifts vn­to thee most plentifully.

Thirdly: thy confession must be without filthinesse or pollution, 3 Holie confes­sion. thou shouldst with David wash thine b Psal. 26. 6 hands (yea thine heart first) in innocen [...]ie, and compasse GODS Altar; and then acknow­ledge thine iniquitie: If thou haue Cains wickednesse, the LORD will haue no Genes. 43.16 respect to thy sacrifice: and as Abraham left his servants and beastes behind him, when hee was to goe to the mountaine [Page 32] to Genes 22.4 Similitude. worshippe: So when thou art of this purpose, for to goe to doe this service, leaue thy sinnes, and wickednesse behind thee, which otherwise will altogether hinder thee, and take great care to bring holynesse, with which will make thee most to resemble thy GOD, and bee most acceptable to his Heavenly Majestie; as David said to Abner, that hee was content to make a covenant with him; but vpon this condition, see 2 Sam. 3. 13 my face no more, except thou bring Michall with thee, when thou com­meth to mee: So as it were, GOD saith vnto thee, I am content to haue a covenant with thee, but come not in my sight, except thou bring piety with thee.

Fourthlie: Let thy confession 4 Faithfull confession. be without infidelitie: Take heede least Heb. 3. 12 at any tyme there bee in thee an evill heart, and vnthank­full to departe from the living GOD. If it was evill for Lot, to departe from Abraham to goe to [Page 33] Sodom, then vexation 2 Peter. 2.7 of heart, and captivitie Genes. 14. 12 came vpon him. Was it not worse for Gehazi, when hee departed from Elisha, then an incurable disease, and fil­thie 2 King 5. 27 leprosie did cleaue vnto him, and his posteritie? but worst of all it is to departe from the living LORD: then anguish, affliction, captivitie, calamitie, death, and eternall miserie will come vnto thee, without faith, confession, re­pentance, or turning againe to the Almightie. So then let this work bee done in faith; without the which, it Heb. 11.6 is impossible to please GOD. As the LORD did prohi­bite his people in his law, to of­fer any oblation Levit. 2. 13 to him, without it were seasoned with salt: so no service without faith will be ac­ceptable to GOD; but the vertue of faith will make the same plea­sant, and savorie to GOD.

Fifthly: Let thy confession bee almost without intermission, and 5 Frequent confession. very frequent: for if thou drink [Page 34] in Iob 15. 16 iniquitie like water frequent­ly, shouldest not thou cast foorth the same frequently by confessi­on, as Mariners very often times will draw the pumpe, that they nor the passingers be not offended, nor indangered by abundance of wa­ter? So all Christians should vse frequent confession, that their con­sciences may be cased, and them­selues preserved. And if men com­monly will sweepe their houses Similitude. for health and honestie: Art not thou GODS house? Knowest 2 Cor. 3. 16 thou not that thou art the temple of GOD? Thou hast neede to sweepe this house dayly, and ofter for thy health and soules safetie, and that by confession and conversion, since thou art exhorted to pray Thess. 5. 17 con­tinually; thou shouldest acknow­ledge thy trespasse also continually.

6 Seing Hebr. 4. 13 all things are naked, 6 A naked confession. and open before his eyes, with whom thou hast to doe, let then thy confession also bee naked; and ne­ver prease to paint thy vice with [Page 35] vertuous colours. Bee not thou like Iehu, who did call his pride and desire of authoritie the zeale 2 King. 10.12 which hee had for the LORD: wherefore hee was not praised, but punished; and thus by GOD threatned, that hee would visite the Hosea. 1. 4 blood of Israell upon the house of Iehu.

Neither thinke thou it possible for thee to hide thy faultes, as Rachell her Idoles: she indeed did hide them from Genes. 31. 35 Laban, but not from Genes. 35. 4 lakob, who did find them, and buryed them. Thou may con­ceate thy selfe, that thou can con­ceale thy faults from men, but thou can not cover them from the LORD GOD.

Seventhly: Let thy confession 7 A wise confession. bee with wisedome and discre­tion, having a due consideration to all convenient circumstances; and specially the maine point, that it redound to GODS glory, to thy profite and consolation. Let not thy confession bee like La­mechs, [Page 36] Genes. 4 23 It a interpre­tatur Avenzra Calvinus. Pa­taeus, & ortho­doxi. for vaine glory and osten­tation. Let it not bee like the wicked, entising Prover. 1. 10 the evill, (them selues without doubt confessing their vngodlinesse) to stirre vp others to the imitation of the like naughtinesse; neither let it be for thine owne perishing pleasure or delectation, in remembring v­pon them, for so thou will pos­sesse Iob 13. 26 the iniquities of thy youth: but let thy confession (I say) be with wisdome, leaving, and ab­horring all thy faults and abho­minations.

Eightly: Let thy confession be A willing confession. from a free and willing minde; not vrged nor constrained: for as the LORD loveth a cheerefull giver, so he loveth a cheerefull confessor.

Ninthly: Thy confession must not bee with too great boldnesse and audacitie, but with some shame 9 A shamefast confession. and modestie. For we should be ashamed, (saith one) and con­demne our sinne, and not defend the same, quoniam pudore culpa mi­nuitur, Ambros. de Abel, & Cain [Page 37] defensione cumulatur, because by shamefastnesse a fault is dimi­nished; by defending, it is aggre­ged: And acknowledge with Da­niell, that as righteousnesse Daniel. 9.7 be­longeth to the LORD, so to thee open shame and confusion. If thou loue the LORD (as he requireth thee to doe) with thy whole heart, then make a full, and a whole confession of all thy sinnes in par­ticulare; and more-over, pray with the Prophet, LORD Pfal. 19. 12 cleanse me from secreet sinnes.

10. Seing thou art comman­ded by thy Master to pray ^b pri­vily, 10 A [...] secreet confession. or in secreet, it is good to confesse thy hid sinnes to GOD in secreet. It is written of a La­cedemonian Christian Lysander, that when hee was consulting with an oracle, hee was desired by the Priest to declare the most hainous sinne that ever hee had committed in all his lifetime, he then asked the Priest, whether hee behoved to doe so by his di­rection, [Page 38] or by the Gods comman­dement: Plutarch in La conicis & Bru­son. who answered, by the Gods commandement: then re­plyed hee, graunt thou this to mee, that if thou aske me I may tell them, hee said discretly: So if thou hath offended thy GOD secreetly; acknowledge thy of­fence secreetly: if thy transgressi­on bee publick; let thy confessi­on bee also publick, for thine owne profite and absolution.

11. Thy confession must bee with sorrow and contrition: if 11 A weeping confession. thou mayest with teares and wee­ping, it will then bring vnto thee great joy and consolation: for a naturall man may show thee, ‘—Est quaedam flore voluptas, Expletur lachrymis, exeritur (que) dolor.’ Ovid, 4. de Trist. That there is a certaine pleasure to weepe, that sorrow by teares is fulfilled, and also expelied: yea, the LORD will Psalm. 56. 5 put thy teares in his bottell: he will write them into his register, and at length will wipe ^c them all from thee.

[Page 39] 12 Thy confession must bee like thy converssion to GOD, 12 A tymous confession. without delay or procrastination, with all diligence and expedition. Let it not bee like the curst ca­tiues, alreadie vnder the sentence of condemnation: for they at length when the tyme of mercie is gone; and they plunged in woefull mi­serie, and when they are puni­shed with endlesse torment, will bee constrained to confesse that they Sapientia Sa­lonis. haue erred from the way of trueth, and wearyed themselues in the way of wickednesse and de­struction, thus their too late con­fession will nothing availe them.

Acknowledge therefore thy transgression I say. 49. 8 in a tyme accepta­ble, in due season, in the day of salvation: Behold (saith the A­postle) the 2 Cor. 6.2 accepted time, be­hold now the day of salvation: It is a most good thing for thee to keepe the fit opportunitie of true confession before Zeph 2.2 the decree of de­sertion (or damnation) come foorth, [Page 40] before the fierce wrath of the Lord come vpon thee, and before the day of GODS anger and indigna­tion overtake thee. Confessionis ne­gligentia Augustinus. (saith a wise father) periculosa est: the sloathfulnesse of confession is very dangerous: de­lay not therefore this duety, per­forme the same with expedition most diligently and speedily.

13. If the crying of CHRIST in Hebr. 5.7 the dayes of his flesh was a 13 A strong confession. strong crying: let thy confession also bee a strong confession; if thou desires to haue strong Hebr. 6.18. con­solation to vphold thee in the day of tentation: then also vse a strong confession of thy sinnes and trans­gressions: never goe about to ex­tenuate thine offences, but rather labour to aggrevate, and to ag­grege the same.

1 In regarde of the person a­gainst whom thou hast offended, who hath beene so patient 2. Pet. 3.9. in spa­ring a guiltie malefactor, and would not thee to perish, but to [Page 41] come to repentance; and is so boun­tifull and mercifull towards thee, whose mercies Lament. 3.21 faile not, but are renued every morning: Who Exod. 34. 6 is strong, gratious, slow to anger, a­bundant in goodnesse, and trueth: who Psal. 68. 19 ladeth thee dayly with his benefits: who so loved thee, that hee Rom. 8. 32 spared not his owne Sonne, but gaue him to death for thee, and for thy redemption; and for thine eternall glorification.

2 Of IESUS CHRIST, who made himselfe of no reputation, but humbled Philip. 2. 8 himselfe to the death of the crosse for his affection to­wards thee: who Revel 1. 5 shed his preti­ous blood to wash thee, and to make thee a King and Priest to GOD.

3 In consideration of the sea­son, the Rom. 13. 12 night is past, the day is at hand, that thou hast sinned, when salvation was neere thee, in the revelation of his glorious Gospell, when his light hath shi­ned clearely before thine eyes; when his trumpet hath frequently, feare­fully, [Page 42] and comfortably sounded in thine eares, that thou hast not only trespassed in Act. 17. 30 the time of ig­norance, which GOD regarded not; but after so many instructi­ons, admonitions, reprehensions, counsells, and consolations, com­minations, and commandements in the contrarie.

4 In consideration of the occa­sion, or matter wherefore thou hast so transgressed for so small a [...]d base thing; for some Genes. 25.33 pot­tage with Esau, to sell thy birth­right; or for a cuppe Iudg. 4. 14 of milke with Sisera, to lose thy lyfe; or for some beastes with Saul, Sam. 15. 28 to bee deprived of a Kingdome, not earthly or temporary, but Hea­venly and eternall, for a triffle, for vanitie, and perishing pleasure, a short and filthie delectation, to losse GODS favour, to bee plag­ued with his anger, to destroy thine owne soule, to bee misera­ble for ever: confesse thy sinne vehemently, that GOD may the [Page 43] more pittie thee.

15 In thy confession transferre 15 An accu­sing confession not thy faults vpon others, to lay the blame vpon them, or cleare­ing, and excusing thy selfe: for now they be many like that foo­lish man, (of whom Seneca spea­keth) Seneca de tranquillitate animi. who having a fore foote, and so crooking, he imputed the cause of his limping to the sharpe­nesse of the way, and not to the thorne pricking his foote within, or like one that is sea-sicke, a­scribing the cause of his diseas [...] to the swelling of the sea, and not (as the trueth is) to the cor­rupt Simile humors of his owne stomack: or like that blind woman Harpa­sta, Seneca epi­stola [...]0. who would not bee perswaded of her owne blindnesse, but found fault with the house where­in shee remained, as being voide of light, and over dark.

So I say, with too many it is, who in their spirituall crooked­nesse, their inward sicknesse, and in their owne spirituall blindnesse [Page 44] would lay the fault vpon other outward occasions, but not vpon themselues.

But in thy confession charge thine owne selfe for thy trans­gressions; blame thine owne selfe and thine inward corruption: ac­cuse thy selfe principally, and on­ly with DAVID, It 2 Chron. 21. 17. is I, even I that haue sinned; but these sheepe what haue they done? By such confession thou will obtaine the free absolution of GOD, and stop the devils mouth from thine ac­cusation.

16 Lastly: let thy confession 16 A punishing confession. be without flattering of thy selfe, and let it bee with some holy indignation, and with a desire to take some punishment 2 Cor 7. 11 of thy selfe for thy foolishnesse. For thy bea­stlinesse, with IOB abhorre Iob. 42. 6 thy selfe in dust and ashes: with the Prophete IEREMIE smite thine owne Ierem. 31. 19 thigh, and say, what haue I done: with the Publican, knock thine Luke 18. 14 owne brest: with S^t. Paul [Page 45] beate thine owne body, and bring it into subjection.

Thus thou hast more than rea­son to take heede most diligent­ly and carefully that thou con­fesse thy sinnes arightly, and in due maner, or else know for a surety that thy confession will be altogether improfitable, and ne­ver comfort thee, without the forsaid conditions in some mea­sure bee keept therein: and first of all, labour to get a sure no­tice, and exact knowledge of thy secreet sinnes, and privie corrup­tions, of thy predominant, pro­fitable, (as thou dreames) and pleasant vice: Take travell with all industrie to try them with the Proverb. 20 27 light of the LORD, with the Lanterne Psal. 119. 115 of his Word, by search­ing Zephan. 2. 1 thy selfe narrowly, by 1 Cor. 11. 28 ex­amining, by 2 Cor. 13. 15 prooving thy selfe most accurately and continually; and thereafter goe to a sinceere, humble, and most serious con­fession, and prying into thy selfe [Page 46] profoundly, bee perswaded that thou cannot confesse thy sinnes sufficiently.

Thus farre for preparation, come now to thy right confes­sion, as it shall please GOD to helpe thee, and strengthen mee to fur­ther thee.

ALmightie GOD, and most mercifull Father: Now I thy poore servant am heere Act. 10. 33 present before thee: and it is of trueth thou seest 1 Sam. 16. 7 not as man seeth: for man looketh only to the outward appearance, but thou ô GOD beholdest mine heart, and searchest Ierem. 17. 10 my reines, thou vnder­standest Psal. 135 2 my thoughtes a farre off. I take thy selfe to record, O Lord GOD Numb. 27.16 of the spirits of all flesh, that I desire greatly to confesse my sinnes in sinceritie, humilitie, and tymouslie, as it becommeth [Page 48] mee to doe, And I acknowledge before thee, who knowest the hearts Act. 1. 24. of all men, that my trans­gressions are many; they Psal. 49. 12 are moe 1. Many sins. in number than the haires of my head, my trespasses are multiplied before thee as the Isaiah 40.12 waters: As the waters in the deludge were en­creased exceedingly, to Genes. 7. 18 drowne the old and wicked world, so are my sinnes to destroy mee ever­lastingly.

Certainly it was easier to Ioab to 1 Sam. 24. 9 number the thousands of Isra­ell, than it is for mee to number the millions of mine iniquities.

It was as easie for Abraham to number the Genes 13. 16 dust of the earth, the Genes. 22.13 sand which was vpon the sea shore, and the starres of Hea­ven, as it is to mee to number my innumerable offences, and ma­nifold enormities, whereby I haue offended thy godly Majestie: I 2 Great sins. am compelled also, (O gratious GOD) to confesse vnto thee, that mine iniquities Psal. 25. 11 are great my [Page 49] wickednesse Iocl. 3. 13 is grievous; it is al­so growne to a terrible hight: it is mounted vp to the cloudes. Ne­buchadnezar but dreamed that Daniel. 4. 8 the hight of that tree, which hee saw in a [...] vision, reached vp to the Heaven; but I am perswaded that my sinne is ascended higher: It is come vp to Revel. 18. 5 Heaven, and cryeth Genes. 18.20 vpon GOD for wrath and indignation against mee.

I doe acknowledge, (O Heaven­ly and mercifull Father) that my 3 Heavie sins. sinnes are wondrous weightie, and infinitly heavie: The Psal. 70.27 stones are weighty, and the sand is hea­vie, but light in respect of my i­niquities; for Psal. 23. 4 they are growne o­ver my head, and as a weightie burden they are too heavie for mee; the iron thereof is importable. Manasseh In the prayer of Manasses. was bound downe with many iron bands, that hee could not lift vp his head vnto Heaven: I am bund downe with many heavie bands of sinne, that I can not lift vp my heart to thee, as I [Page 50] most earnestly desire to doe.

The people of Israell protested that 2 Chron. 10.4 Salomons yoke was heavie, and his servitude sore vpon them, and prayed that it might be made lighter; but LORD I find the yoke of sinne much more bitter, and the slaverie thereof more in­tolerable, I long to bee eased thereof.

The Israelites sighed, Exod. 2. 23 and cryed to GOD, when they were kept vnder with the heavie burdens of the Aegyptians: I haue greater cause (O LORD) to bee vexed and wearied with the burden of sinne, which Heb. 12. 1 hangeth so fast, and presseth so sore downe, which with­out helpe from thy Majestie would thrust my soule to the lowest hell. I confesse (O GOD) that as my 4 Filthie sinne sinnes they are not few, but ma­ny; they are not small sinnes, but great sinnes, they are not light, but verie heavie sinnes, so they are most vile, filthie, and abho­minable, polluting, and defiling [Page 51] mee both outwardly and inward­ly in soule, spirit, and body.

It is trueth, pitch Eecles. 13. 4 defileth him that toucheth it, and mirie clay contaminateth him that walloweth in the same: The excrements of men, which thou most holy GOD commanded to be digged in Deut. 23. 13 the graue, and to bee covered with earth: the dung of beastes doe not so defile the body, as the ex­crements of filthie sinne hath pol­luted my soule and inward man.

The corruption of dead Cari­ons, and carkases Levit 11. 39 made the hand­lers thereof vncleane, but LORD my continuall doing of dead Heb. 12. 1 workes hath made mee much more polluted and detestable in thy pre­sence. The Ammonites for their wrong to DAVID did 2 Sam. 10. 6 stinke in his sight, but LORD I am more lothsome in thy pure eyes.

I doe acknowledge before thee 5 Odious sins. (O Genes. 18.25 righteous judge of the whole world) that my hainous sinnes makes mee odious vnto thy Ma­jestie: [Page 52] for I know well, that thou hatest Psal. 5. 5 all them that worke ini­quitie: and even at this time my conscience cryeth to mee, that I haue committed many enormities, justly O LORD may thou hate mee, and set Psal. 50. 21 all my sinnes in or­der before mee, and therefore take vengance vpon mee most deser­vedly.

O my GOD! I confesse also that Scandalous sin my sinnes are exemplary and scan­dalous: I haue (alace) caused the 2 Sam. 12. 14 enemies of the LORD blas­pheme: They Rom. 3. 19 who obeyed not the word, haue not beene wonne by my holy lyfe and conversation: I haue not stopped, but rather opened the mouths of the vngodly: I haue strengthned them in their wickednesse and impietie: as al­so I haue scandalized, but not bet­tered the weake ones: I Levit. 19. 14 haue put a stumbling block before my blind brethren: I haue caused them by mine evill example to goe a­stray, and to fall into the pit: I [Page 53] haue beene an offence to some litle ones that dwelt with mee: Thou thy selfe (O my SAVIOUR!) hath said, it Math. 18.7 must needs bee that some offences must come: Many (alace) haue come by mee; for the which without thy mercie I would be wrapped vp in woe and end­lesse miserie.

I can not deny, (O most righ­teous 7 Pernitious sinnes. judge) but I must acknow­ledge of necessitie that my filthie faults and terrible transgressions are most hurtfull and pernicious to my selfe, for weakning, and wounding mee, for binding and blindfolding me, for sundering me from thee, and swallowing mee vp in woe and calamitie: I say with thy servant, O Psal. 6. 2 LORD I am weake and feeble, my sinnes haue made my strength to fall; neither am I able to rise againe: my Psal. 38. 4. 5.6.7.8. wounds are putrified and cor­rupt, because of my foolishnesse, I am bowed and crooked very sore; my reines are full of burning, and [Page 54] there is nothing sound in my flesh, I am weakned and sore bowed: I roare for the very griefe of myne heart: I find O LORD that myne owne Proverb. 5.22 iniquities doe take me, and Sathan by them hath caught me, and I am holden with the cordes of sinne; and by them the Devill is drawing mee vnto everlasting damnation: And as the blind Ara­mits were 2 King. 6.19 led to Samaria; so am I carried to hell, and without spi­rituall eyes am brought to per­dition, without thy helpe and salvation: for Isaiah. 59.2 they doe hide thy face from mee, that thou will not heare: they doe separate betweene thy Majestie and mee: they will make mee (alace) to perish e­ternally, to bee deprived of all comfort and glory, and without true repentance, to bee tormen­ted continually in that lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which Revel. 21. 8 Originall sin. is the second death.

And yet O LORD, when I descend more deeply, by thy assi­stance [Page 55] of thy grace into mine heart; and narrowly examine my conscience: I doe confesse in sin­ceritie, that I am guiltie of ori­ginall sin: I want that righteous­nesse, wherewith man was indued in his creation: I haue a bent de­sire, a bad inclination to doe e­vill, wickednesse, and abhomi­nation: Behold Psal. 51.5 I was borne in iniquitie, and in sinne did my mo­ther conceaue mee: I Rom. 7.23 see another law in my members, rebelling a­gainst the law in my mynde, and leading mee captiue vnto the law of sinne, which is into my members. O LORD! this is the evill seede, which bringeth foorth evill en­crease: This is the bitter roote, which beareth bitter branches, and corrupt fruite: Heere sprin­geth the Ʋine Deut. 32.32 of Sodom, the grapes of gall: This is the poysoned fountaine, which sendeth foorth bit­ter streames.

I acknowledge (O LORD) be­fore Actuall sin. thy Majestie, that I am guil­tie [Page 56] of innumerable actuall sinnes, and hath offended in thought, in word, and in deed: I Dan. 9. 5 haue sin­ned hainouslie; I haue done wic­kedly, and haue broken thy com­mandements continually.

Thou (O LORD) mayest bee Sinnes of o­mission. higly offended against mee, for the sinnes of omission, and ne­glect of my duety. Thy servant Elisha (O most mercifull GOD) was angrie at the King of Israell, because he 2 King 13.19 did smite the ground but three tymes, and ceassed: where­as it had beene better, and more profitable for him to haue done so many tymes, for his honour, pleasure, vtilitie; and for the de­struction of his enemies: but thou LORD hast much more cause to bee angry against mee poore ca­tiue, because I haue so seldome knocked Math. 7. 7 at the gate of Heaven; and neglected that speciall service of prayer, tending to my good, tranquillitie, and overthrow of mine enemies.

[Page 57] And trueth it is, that thy A­postle S^t. Iohn. 20. 25 Thomas did receiue great hurt spiritually, that for a tyme hee was faithlesse, and re­mained in his incredulitie, by being absent from that pious com­panie; and was not present with the rest at one tyme, when thou (O my SAVIOUR) appeared: but I haue not so frequented the assemblie of the godly, as I might haue done conveniently; and as I was bound to doe of duety: I haue Psal. 26. 8 not so loved the habitation of thine house, nor the place where thine Honour dwelleth, as it be­came mee. I Psal. 122. 1 rejoyced not to goe vnto the house of the LORD. I Psal. 27. 4 did not desire to dwell in the tabernacle of the Almighty all the dayes of my lyfe; but I haue delighted my selfe, to goe to the places of vanitie, and of impietie, therefore justly ignorance, infide­lity, and prophainesse abideth with mee.

I confesse (O LORD) before thy [Page 58] Heavenly Majestie, that I am vn­willing and slothfull to doe the workes of charitie, of compassion and of mercy: I forget to Iames. 1. 27 visite the widow, and the fatherlesse, in their adversitie: I am not carefull to support the needie, the poore, & the indigent members of Christ my Saviour; but I am too readie to abuse thy benefites, to spend my substance, to wast my goods vpon perishing pleasures; and to fulfill the noysome lusts of my cor­rupt nature. I confesse I am one like the inhabitantes of Meroz because I came not to helpe Iudg. 5. 23 the LORD against the mightie enemy, and thus I haue many times omit­ted and neglected to doe my boun­den duety.

Moreouer I plainely protest vn­to thee, that I haue fearefully, and Sinnes of com­mission. frequently transgressed thy com­mandementes, and most holy pre­cepts; Now wicked Shimei was obedient to the charge of Salomon for many yeares, and 1 King. 2.3.8 sundrie dayes [Page 59] hee did dwell in his house, and did not depart from the place appointed, and did not passe over the bounds prescribed, but I in few dayes, in a short time, haue I often times transgressed the limites of thy holy Law: I haue deborded into the evill way of iniquitie; and against thy precepts, I haue taken Exod. 20. 7 THY HOLY NAME IN VAINE: I haue wronged my neighbours, and I Math 33. 8 haue robbed thee O LORD of thy due: I Hosea. 8 1 haue surely transgressed thy covenant, & trespassed against thy law: and hath sinned hamous­ly, both against my particulare calling, and my generall calling of Christianitie: I Math. 1. 12 haue polluted thy name, which from the rising of the sunne to the going to of the same is great amongst the Gentiles.

I haue (my conscience cryeth to mee) many a time, with the car­nall Iewes Numb. 11. 6 loathed the Heavenly MANNA: I haue wearied of thy holy worship, I haue 1 Thess. 5.20 snuffed at thy seruice: I haue Maiach. 1 13 despised pro­phesie; [Page 60] I haue 1 Sam. 15 20 cast away thy bles­sed word from mee; I haue most fearefully rebelled against thy Ma­jestie, Numb. 20.10 who hath power to destroy both soure, and body in hell fire eternally.

I acknowledge (O my GOD) Secreet sins. that I haue sinned priuily, and am guiltie of many Psal. 19. 12 secret faultes: I haue had fellowship with the vn­fruitfull workes of darknesse, and Ephes. 5. 12 am ashamed of these thinges to speake, which I haue done in secret: and that I haue offended also Publick sins. publickly, and impudently: I haue had a Ierem 3. 3 whoorish forehead, and would not bee ashamed of myne owne wickednesse, and filthinesse

For I haue not only (O most mercifull GOD) transgressed ig­norantly, Presumptuous sinnes. and by infirmitie; (For I Rom. 7. 15 doe not that good thing, which I would doe; but the evill which I would not doe, that doe I) but also (alace) I haue sinned Psal. 19. 13 pre­sumptuously, which is the greatest miserie. Woe is mee! (O grati­ous [Page 61] LORD) it feareth mee, that I haue come to the hight of im­pietie, that when thou hast beene threatning, I haue beene flatte­ring: When Deut. 29. 19 thy Majestie hath beene cursing, I haue beene bles­sing, saying, I shall haue peace, adding drunkennesse to thirst, most miserably, and mishantly.

For (O LORD) I see truely, Inward sin in heart. that by nature the Genes. 6. 5 imaginati­ons of my heart are evill continu­ally: I 2 Tim. 3. 8 am of a corrupt mynde, there is nothing pure in mee: my conscience Titus 1. 15 is defiled within mee.

My judgement and vnderstan­ding is so weakned, and vitiat; Sinne in vn­derstanding. that 2 Cor. 2. 14 I perceiue not the thinges of GOD: without thy speciall grace, they are foolishnesse to mee: Mine 1 Cor. 37. 5 vnderstanding (without thee) will puft mee vp, and not edifie mee: It Isaiah 47. 10 will deceiue mee, and cause mee to rebell against thy Majestie: It Ierem. 4.22 will make mee wise to doe euill, but to haue no knowledge to doe well.

[Page 62] But trueth it is, (O most mer­cifull Sinne in will. Father!) that I am the son of Adam: I find sensibly my will to bee rebellious against thy will, and contrary thereto: for thy will (O loving GOD) is holy, hea­venly, good, Rom. 12. 2 acceptable, and per­fect: but my will is wicked, earth­ly, perverse, and imperfect.

Furthermore I acknowledge O LORD, Sinne in affe­ction. that my affections are lewde, & earthly: they are crooked and vnruely: I Coloss. 3. 2 haue set them on things, which are on the earth; and not on things which are aboue: They Heb. 12. 1 are a heavie burden vnto mee, pressing mee downe grievous­ly, and hindring mee from run­ning the race of my spirituall jour­ney: They Isaiah 1. 4 moue mee to goe back­ward from GOD, in the broad way of impietie.

I confesse (O LORD) my ig­norance Sinnes of ig­norance. and foolishnesse: So Psal. 73. 22 foo­lish and ignorant am I, I am as a beast before thee: yea, much worse than a beast: For the Isaiah 1. 3 Oxe [Page 63] knoweth his owner, and the Asse his Masters cribbe: but I, whom thou hast nourished, whom thou hast brought vp, and often-tymes preserved, haue not knowne thee The sinne of infidelitie. rightly, to honour and worship thee, as it becommeth mee: But albeit Math. 6. 3 thou hast never grieved mee, I can not testifie against thee, I Ierem. 2. 5 never found iniquitie in thee: Thou hast not beene to mee a Ierem. 2. 31 and verse 12 barren wildernesse, nor a land of darknesse, yet I haue gone farre away from thee, and haue walked after vanitie. O yee Heavens bee astonyed! bee affrayed! and vtter­ly confounded! I haue forsaken the Wel-spring of living water: I haue turned my back vpon thee, O my GOD! who Psal. 84. 11 art my sunne, and my shield, for my illumination and direction; for my consolation, and my protection: I Psal. 119. 170 haue gone farre astray from my sheepheard: I haue runne away from my kynd Master: I haue left my loving Fa­ther by my infidelitie; by myne [Page 64] vntowardnesse and wilfulnesse.

Now (O LORD) I haue great Sinne of diso­bedlence. cause to bee ashamed, and to ab­horre my selfe, for my continuall disobedience, and rebellion, 1 Sam. 15.23 which is as the sinne of Witchcraft: when I consider the readie obedience, not only of thy holy Angels, thy Messingers, Psal. 104. 4 and ministring spi­rits, but also of other vnreasona­ble creatures, the 1 King. 17. 4 foules of the Heaven, the Ionas 2 10 fishes in the sea, the Genes 6. 19 wild beastes in the field: yea the Numb 6. 32 dead earth, the deepe Exod 14 21 Wa­ters, the Genes. 10. 24 consuming fire are all subject to thy commandement, and senselesse creatures yeeld thee obedience, and doe thy holy will: but (alace O LORD!) I to whom thou hast beene very favourable and beneficiall, to whom thou hast given sense and reason: yea, to whom thou hast given thy blessed Word, to bee a rule to my lyfe, and a Lanterne Psal. 119. to my steppes: yet I haue remained re­fractarie, and repining: I abide [Page 65] rebellious and transgressing.

But now also (O LORD) I Sinne of in­gratitude. call to minde, and sorrowfully I remember vpon my vile ingrati­tude, and beastly vnthankfulnesse, when I thinke seriously thereof, I doe protest, and proclaime vn­fainedly, that Daniel. 9. 7. righteousnesse be­longeth vnto thee, and to mee ap­pertaineth open shame and confusion, for I haue forgoten the Deut. 32.18. mighty and gracious GOD that formed mee, in whom I Act. 17. 28. liue, and moue, and haue my beeing: It is thought a fault in Pharaohs chiefe butler, be­cause hee did not remember Ioseph, but forgot him: Oh! what abho­minable cryme it is to mee, that that I doe not thankfully remem­ber IESUS my SAVIOUR; because I forget CHRIST my redeemer the Heb 1 [...] 2 Author and finisher of my faith; my Iohn. 2. 1. advocat with my Father, and my reconciliation for my sinnes.

Moreover: This is shamelesse ingratitude in mee, that I recom­pence not a good deede for an o­ther [Page 66] bestowed: but trueth it is (O LORD) that Psal. 16. 2 my well-doing ex­tendeth not to thee, who is the Allsuf­ficient GOD of all perfection, and felicitie, but Math. 25. 43 I show no kindnesse to any of thy Saintes, as I am ob­liged to doe: I know well that 2 Sam. 9. 1 David did show great mercy, and kindnesse to Mephibosheth, lame of his feete, for lonathans sake: hee enriched the poore man, and ho­noured the contemptible man: but little kindnesse haue I showne to thy deare servants, to the distres­sed members of the mysticall body of IESUS; In regarde of them I haue had an Esay. 46. 12 hard heart, a wi­thered Math. 12. 10 hand, loftie Psal. 131. 1 eyes, and a tyed tongue: I would not truely pitty them, nor helpe them, nor looke vpon them compassionatly; nor speake to them comfortably: alace I am not like thy servant IOB, who was eyes Iob. 26. 15 to the blinde, feete to the lame, and a father to the poore: I haue beene vncharitable, and without pittie: I haue not visited [Page 67] duetifully the fatherlesse, and widow in adversitie.

Further (LORD) I confesse that I am come to the hight of the worst ingratitude, for I Prover. 17.13 haue re­warded many times evill for good: thy Psal. 3. 23 mercies are renued every mor­ning vpon mee; but my transgres­sions are multiplied against thy Majestie: yea, (LORD) when thou sendest downe thy benefites every moment to vphold mee, e­ven at that same instant I send vp my sinnes to anger thee. O my Saviour! I acknowledge, that I doe dishonour, and displease thee; when thou art honouring and plea­sing me, I poore Catiue am woun­ding, and pearcing Revel. 1.7 thee; when thou art healing, and preserving mee assuredly.

And further: I thinke this to Stubburnesse. to bee the heape of my wretched­nesse, that to all my haynous sins, I adde stubbornnesse, and yet doe remaine wicked, and contumaci­ous: I Deut. 9. 6 am stiffe-necked, alace it [Page 68] feares mee, that I am Isaiah. 48. 4 obstinate; that my necke is an iron s [...]new; and my brow brasse: when thou cryest to mee, I will not answere thee: when thou speakest vnto mee, I will not hearken to thee: when thou denouncest threatning against mee, I will not feare, nor tremble Isaiah. 66 2 before thy Majestie; When thou Revel. 3. 20 knockest at the doore of my heart mercifully, I will not open to thee immediatly: when thou comman­dest mee righteously, I will not obey thee duetifully; I will not forsake Ierem. 13 23 my evill custome, nor leaue my sinnes at thy direction; but I still continue in them, without any care of my salvation, with­out any feare of my condemna­tion.

I doe yet continue negligent, Idlenesse. and idle Math 1 20 all the day, albeit I should not bee slouthfull, but Heb 6. 12 a follower, of those; which through faith, and patience, inherit the promise, yet I remaine a sluggarde, and remisse in my christian calling, rather a [Page 69] foolish companion of slouthfull sinners; than a carefull imitator of thy laborious servants.

As also: I feare that I will not leaue my luckwarmenesse; I am Luckewarm­nesse. afraide, lest I bee luckwarme; Revel. 3. 16 nei­ther hote, nor cold, and content my selfe with indifferencie of religion; and that my devotion bee in my tongue only; and not ruling in my heart powerfully, and so many sor­rowfull sinners; a penitent Pub­licane may Math. 21.31 goe to the kingdome of GOD before mee.

And trueth it is, (O LORD!) that I so stubbornely persevere in Malitiousnesse my wicked wilfulnesse, that I will not put Coloss 3.8 away, nor 1. Pet. 2. 1 lay aside my sinfull wrath, my anger, my envy, hatred, and maliciousnesse; but I delight still to beare in my breast that fire, which burneth mee, to foster in my bosome that serpent, which will sting mee; and to keepe fast in my stomacke that poyson, which will destroy mee, without any regarde of thy whol­some [Page 70] admonitions, or of myne owne safetie.

O righteous Iudge! I confesse Intemperance. that I doe delight too much, for to satisfie the filthie lust of my vi­tiate nature: for by the corruption thereof, I haue walked Rom. 13. 13 in glut­tonie, and drunkennesse, in chalm­bring, and in wantonnesse, and hath not cast away the workes of dark­nesse.

Moreover: albeit (LORD) I Pride. know assuredly, that Pet. 5. 8 thou resi­steth the proud, and givest grace to the humble, and lowlie: yet I doe remaine in my pride, and arro­gancie: I 2 Cor 8. 1 am puft vp & Isaiah 3. 18 haughtie: when in the meane time, Barueh. 2. 18 my soule should bee vexed within mee, for the greatnesse of my sinne and ini­quitie: Covetousnesse and I weake in grace, should goe crooked, who am so wrapped in woe and miserie.

For I remember with feare, and anxietie: that I continue also in covetousnesse, Coloss. 3. 5 which is Idolatrie, which is the 2 Tim. 6.10 roote of all evill, and [Page 71] miserie: this Mark. 4. 16 deceitfulnesse of riches hath entred in me subtillie: it re­maineth in my heart firmelie, and chokes the word of GOD within mee: It may at sometimes make mee mercilesse, without pittie; as was the rich Luke. 16. 19 Glutton: at other times deceitfull, without honestie, as was Genes. 24.29 Laban: and often hurt­full to my selfe, without wisdome, as was 1 King. 2. 48 Shimei.

But now LORD! I am com­pelled to confesse, that most ab­hominable Hypocrisie. sinne, of my dange­rous and deadly hypocrisie, (O mercifull GOD) I haue come Isaiah 29. 13 neere thee with my lips, and haue honoured thee with my mouth, but I haue removed my heart farre from thee: I am vtterlie astonied, for that I haue spoken 1 Tim. 4. 2 lyes with dis­simulation, and haue done deedes deceitfullie: I Psal. 125. 4 haue turned aside by my crooked wayes: I am plunged in this pudle: I am almost drow­ned in this deluge of hypoc [...]isie, which is the bane of all grace & [Page 72] pietie: I by nature am like a beau­tifull apple rotten within, who without helpe of thy Majestie, will incontinent putrifie: I am like a whyted tombe, which Math. 23. 27 appeareth beautifull outward; but within, is full of dead mens bones. I am like that Mark. 11.13 figge tree, which had leaues, but no fruit.

And truely (O LORD) I ac­knowledge ingenuously, Thou R [...]l. 3.2 haste not found my workes per­fect before Icrem. 17.10 thee, who searchest the heart, and tryest the reines, to giue to every one according to his wayes, and according to the fruites of his workes,

O gracious GOD, when I think and consider the infirmities, im­perfections, Sinnes more than the sins of others. and sinnes of thy owne servants, and of others also, where with thy Majestie was displeased; and wherefore they were corre­cted, & punished, their small faults, their little and light sinnes. (if so their may bee any called) doe aggrege the hainousnesse, the great [Page 73] nesse, and widenesse of my most filthie, and scandalous sinnes, and of my notorious, and terrible trans­gressions. Thy owne faithfull Mo­ses Deut. 1. 37 was chastened for his short misbeleeving, at the waters of Me­ribah: and Miriam an holy Pro­phetesse, for Numb. 12. 18 speaking against her younger brother, in the matter of his mariage: and king Saul, and his posteritie, were deprived of his kingdome, for z Sam. 15.23 sparing olde Agag; and some of the best bestiall: yea, an honest man of thy owne, who did faithfully, couragiously, and duetifully discharge his calling, and being seduced by an other old Prophet, because of his eating of 1 King 13.22 bread, and drinking of water, in a place forbidden, hee did not come to the Sepulchre of his fathers; but in the way was slaine by a Lyon: Also thy servant Hezekiah, who did vprightly in thy sight, was proved for showing 2 King. 20.17 his treasure to the Babylonian Ambassadour: And how fearefully was Ananias and [Page 74] Saphira punished for Act. 5.3 keeping a­way a part of the possession, which appertained to themselues, and was once in their owne power.

The fault of Ʋzzah, where­fore hee was slaine, was the 2 Sam. 6.6 put­ting his hand to the Arke, and the holding it, when the oxen did shake it. The fault of the people of Bethshemesh, (O holy LORD GOD!) wherefore so many thou­sands perished▪ was their 1 Sam. 6. 19 looking vnto the Arke of the LORD The fault of Lots wife, whom CHRIST commandeth vs to Luke. 17 33 re­member, was, her looking backe to Sodome, wherefore shee became a Pillar of salt; and was made a feare­full spectacle of thy terrible in­dignation. The fault of the Iewes was their Numb. 11. 5 rememberance of the fish, and flesh pots of Egypt, where­fore they Cor. 10 5 were overthrowne in the Wildernesse,

Alace: (O LORD) if my sinnes, and offences were woyed Dan. 5. 27 in the ballance, they are more heavie and [Page 75] grievous, more displeasant to thy Majestie; and pernicious to my selfe: I for a long season haue had within mee an evill, Heb. 3. 2 and vnfaith­full heart, to depart away from thee the living GOD: my infideli­tie is of longer continuance, and durance: I haue not beene conten­ted with my estate, nor approved thy wise dealing towards me but hath Exod. 16. 7 murmured and vttered my impatiencie.

I haue not mortified Coloss. 3. 5 my lusts, and affections; but I haue spared my strong sinnes, which haue Rom. 6. 11 had dominion over mee: I haue fostered my pleasant and profitable sinnes, albeit most dangerous and hurtfull vnto mee.

I haue drunken in iniquitie Iob. 34. 7 like water aboundantly; and I haue de­lighted my selfe to glutte Psal. 141. 4 in the delicates of the vngodly: I haue beene puft Habb. 1. 14 vp with vaine glorie: and ostentation: I haue beene gi­ven to fraud and oppression: I haue beene a bussie 1 Tim. 5. 13 bodie; and hath [Page 76] passed the limites of my vocation: I haue beene given to curiositie, and haue beene Rom. 11. 20 high minded: I haue looked frequently vpon sinne, and the world, with the which I was wedded: I haue remembred the Titus. 3. 3 deceitfull pleasures thereof, wherewith I was intangled: I am bent to the vile Rom. 13. 14 lustes of my flesh; wherein I am defiled miserablie, and almost drowned eternally.

O LORD I find sensitlie, that Capitall crimes. I am not able to expresse sufficient­ly the hainousnesse, the grievous­nesse of my filthie enormitie: for frequently I Timoth. 5. 4 haue turned the grace of GOD into wantonnesse: I haue despised Rom. 2. 4 the riches of the bounti­fulnesse of thy patience: without Ephes. 4. 15 feeling I haue given my selfe to commit vncleannesse, to commit wickednesse; even with a vehe­ment desire▪ and with greedinesse.

Alace! (O mightie GOD) if it was said of thy servant IOB, that hee added rebellion Iob. 34. 37 to his sinne; may not I say rather of my [Page 77] selfe, that I haue added high trea­son to my manifold transgressions: In so great a light of the GOSPEL, I Ezech 16.49 haue exceeded the people of sinfull Samaria in vngodlinesse: A­lace (O LORD) without mercy, and amendement, I haue iustified the sinne of Sodom and Gomorah, in pride and aboundance of idlenesse.

If the prophet DAVID pro­tested, (O LORD,) that Psal. 73. 22 hee was a beast before thee, how can I declare my beastlynesse vnto thee? For Psal. 119.176 I haue gone astray like a lost sheepe: I am now in great danger, and jeopardie: I, who should haue beene vpright, am like Deut. 32. 15 a horse, waxing fatte, haue spurned with my heele, and forsaken thee, who made mee: I haue not regarded; but I haue offended the GOD of my salvation: I haue beene like an Hosea 10.12 heifer, vsed to delight in thresh­ing, but haue no desire of the pain­full worke of plowghing.

I am like a vile 2 Pet. 2. 22 dogge retur­ning to his vomite againe: I am like [Page 78] the filthie Sow once washen, and yet turneth backe to the pudle and filthie myre: like 2 Tim. 4. 17 a cruell Lyon devouring; and like a false foxe Luke. 13 31 deceiving: like a bold Psal. 22. 12 bull of Bashan pushing, and wronging; or like a subtill Serpent, and like an Levit. 11. 41 vncleane creature, creeping on my bellie, and licking the dust of the earth, altogether abhominable, and vnmeete to bee offered vp v­pon GODS Altar. And I confesse that by nature I am like Ierem. 13. 23 a Leo­pard, that cannot change his spots.

I doe acknowledge (O LORD!) Worse than senslesse crea­tures. that Isaiah 5. 4 I haue beene an evill vine in thy vineyarde: thou lookest that I should bring foorth sweet grapes, but I haue brought foorth soure: I, as I am the sonne of Adam, haue not the fatnesse of the oliue; but am as a wilde oliue: I am Rom. 11. 7 as a brier, or thorne of the garden worthie to bee cast in the fire. I am alace like a barren, and vn­profitable husbandrie, for Iob. 31. 40 thistles doe grow in me in stead of wheate, [Page 79] and cockle in stead of barley: I like earth doe drinke in the raine, that commeth vpon mee; but I am hurtfull, and noysome, and neere Heb. 6. 8 to cursing, whose end (without repentance) is to bee burned.

O pitifull GOD! I haue reason to cry to thy Majestie, that [...] Tim. 1. 15 I am the least of thy Saints, that I am Luke 17. 10 the chiefe of all sinners: I am an vnprofitable servant: I haue not done that which was my duetie to doe: and (LORD) most justlie may thou cast Malach. 2.3 the dongue of our confession backe vpon our faces, and reject me with all my ser­vice: but now (O LORD) by thy helpe I will assay to lament before thee most bitterly, my woefull state, and great miserie.

THou! to whom the Al­sufficient GOD, the Iam 1.17 gi­ver of every perfect gift and donation, hath vouchsafed v­pon thee this Heavenly wisdome: that thou art of this resolute pur­pose, as to 1 Sam. 7.2 lament after the LORD, to 1 Sam. 1.15 powre foorth thy soule with Hannah before thy GOD, to de­plore thy miserable estate, and wretched condition,

Know thou must certainly, and bee perswaded in thy minde as­suredly, Three thinges needefull for true lamenta­tion. that first thou must haue three things necessarie, namelie, a [Page 81] sure sense, and feeling of thy vn­speakable miserie: againe a great feare, and terrour therewith: last­ly, an vnfained sorrow, and hea­vie displeasure for the same. No lamentation will bring to thee Feeling life. solide joy, and consolation, with­out a sure sense, and painefull feel­ing of thy sore disease, and doole­full calamitie.

Before thou attaine to this feel­ing, thou must of absolute necessitie, and without any controversie haue two things: First, spirituall quick­ning: Secondly, tymous awaking, vnlesse thou bee quickened in­wardly, vnlesse thou be awakened throughly, thou shall neither haue knowledge, nor feeling of thy wretchednesse and misery.

And yet before this Galat. 6. 15 new birth and regeneration there must bee Death of sin. in thee vndoubtedly, a Coloss. 3. 5 true mor­tification, and Heb. 2. 15 deliverance, from the death of sinne, and impietie, which by many degrees is worse, than naturall death, the separation [Page 82] of the soule from the body.

This naturall death bringeth to Death of sin worse than na­turall death. the bodie seven evils: Namelie, senselesnesse, weaknesse, heauinesse, vglinesse, coldnesse, rottennesse, & stinke, or an evill savour: Now, albeit this bee most evident, and manyfold by the proofe of dayly experience, so that it needeth no probation, yet wee will insist a little therein, for our memorie and consideration.

1 Saul being slaine had no feel­ing, Senslesnesse. when the Philistims abused his body, and 1 Sam. 31. 10 hanged vp the same on the wall of Bethshan.

2 A dead body, wanting vitall Heavinesse. spirits, is heavier than it was when the soule remained therein: this heavinesse of body apparant­ly made these Iewes, when they were burying 2 King. 13.21 a corps, when they saw the Souldiers of Moab, they cast his corps in the sepulchre of Elisha.

3 Seeing there is weakenesse Weaknesse. in man while hee liveth, (for all [Page 83] flesh is as grasse) how weake is hee wanting life? That Giant Go­liah being dead, had 1 Sam. 17.46 no strength to keepe his carkase from the foules of the aire.

4 If olde age bringeth colde­nesse Coldnesse. to the feeble body, (for David himselfe being striken in yeares, albeit 1 King. 1. 1 they covered him with cloths yet no heat came vnto him) death much more maketh the body cold as a key, or as clay.

5 The body by death groweth Vglinesse. vglie, and vnprofitable to behold. when beautifull Genes. 12. 11 Sara her selfe was deprived of life, then her lo­ving husband Abraham had no pleasure to looke on her, he Genes. 23.3 arose from the sight of the corps, he made request and gaue money for a place to burie his dead wife from his sight.

6 Putrefaction, and rottennesse followeth death; The bodie will Rettennesse. returne to the dust, and bee putri­fied: albeit the Genes. 13. 16 Physitian embal­med Ioseph and put him in a chest, yet they could not preserue his [Page 84] fraile flesh from putrifying; Exod. 13. 15. for Moses tooke but his bones with him from Egypt.

7 A dead body becommeth loathsome, and hath an evill smell, A evill savour. therefore, Marke said of Lazarus whom CHRIST Iohn. 11. 39 did raise from the graue, LORD! hee stinketh al­ready, hee hath beene deade foure dayes.

Yet, notwithstanding this na­turall death bringeth not wretch­ednesse, but rather happinesse to the bodies of the godly.

For their bodies being deade, shall Isaiah. 57. 2 haue peace and shall rest in their beds for a time: They 2 Cor. 15. 42 43. 44 will be sowne in corruption, but raised in incorruption: They will bee sowne in dishonour, but raised in glory: They will bee sowne in weakenesse, but raised in power: They will be sowne naturall bodies, but raised spiri­tuall bodies. Now the death of sinne will bring such senselesnesse, that albeit the Prover. 23.35 wicked be striken yet they are not sicke, albeit they [Page 85] be beaten, yet they know not, they haue no feeling nor paine of their misery, their heart is dead within them, and they are like a stone.

2 This death it will bring such heavinesse, so that the sinner can­not lift vp his soule to GOD, it will be disquieted, Psal. 42. 11 and cast downe within him.

3 It will bring such weaknesse, that one cannot rise inwardly: vnlesse hee bee lifted: one cannot stand, vnlesse hee bee strengthned: one cannot goe forward, except hee bee borne in GODS bosome: one cannot doe good, except hee bee helped; Iam. 4. 6 neither resist the Devill, or the smallest tentation, ex­cept Ephes. 6. 13 14.15.16.17. 18 he put on the whole armour of GOD.

4 Coldnesse commeth by the death of sinne, and no wonder, for as a father saith, Frigus DEI est, cum deserit peccatorem, nec vo­cat, Augustin. nec aperit sensum, nec infundit gratiam. GOD leaveth that sinner, hee calles not on him; neither o­peneth [Page 86] hee his senses, neither in­fuseth grace: Hee remaineth like to the Salamander, who as they say, walking vpon the fire, doth extinguish the same: And Hab. 1. 6 albeit hee cloth himselfe, yet shall hee not bee warme.

5 By this death of sinne one becommeth abominable, and vglie in the eyes of the Almightie: The LORD cannot endure to looke v­pon such a one: If hunger or bodi­ly famine will make the Lament. 4.7 Naza­rites, who were purer than snow, and whyter than milke, and rudier than the red pretious stones, to haue a visage blacker than a coale and to bee withered like a stocke; will not this death bring greater black­nesse, and deformitie, it will sure­lie remoue all comelinesse, and beautie.

If DAVID said, in regarde of his afflictions hee was become a Psal 71. 7 monster vnto many; surely much more a sinner, in respect of his transgressions appeareth a monster [Page 87] in the eyes of the Almightie: Hee is Titus. 1. 16 abominable, and to every good worke a reprobate.

6 By this death a sinner becom­meth like Isaiah. 14. 16 a carkase, troden vn­der foote, such a one Iob 13. 24 consumeth like a rotten thing; and as a gar­ment that is moth-eaten, hee is cor­rupt and putrified.

7 Yea Ioel. 2. 20 his stinke shall come vp, and his corruption shall ascend: and his Isaiah. 34. 3 stinke shall come out of his body, and the mountains shall bee melted with his blood.

But which is worst of all, this death of sinne, without regene­ration, bringeth the Revel 21 8 second death, which is eternall death, anguish and tribulation. Mors prima ani­mam nolentem pellit de corpore; Augustinus Mors autem secunda animam no­lentem tenet in corpore. The first death thrusteth the vnwilling soule out of the body; the second death detaineth the vnwilling soule with­in the body. Mors nulla major est, quam vbi non moritur mors, Idem. [Page 88] & surelie there is no greater death, than when death dieth not: This bringeth everlasting misery, and perpetuall wretchednesse, the a­boundaunce of all affliction, the want of all consolation. Ingressus humanae conditionis, miserabilis, pro­gressus humanae conversationis, cul­pabilis, Hugo de vili­tate humanae conditionis. egressus humanae dissolution is damnabilis: The ingresse of mans condition is miserable, the pro­gresse of mans conversation is culpable; and the egresse of mans dissolutionis damnable.

Now contrariwise, if thou shall bee quickened with spirituall life, thou shalt surely attaine to happi­nesse, and felicitie, then thou hast Revel. 20. 6 part in the first resurrection: the second death shall haue no power over thee, thou are blessed, and holy, thou shall bee nourished in this life, and glorified in the life to come: Resurgat in prima resurrectione, qui non vult in secunda damnari. Let him rise in the first resurrection, who in the second would not be [Page 89] condemned.

2 Thus, thou living the life of grace shall bee nimble, light, and spirituall discerning al things; 1 Corin. 5. 14 seek­ing Coloss. 3. 1 those things, which are aboue: While thou art in nature, thou art like an egge, heavie and dead, Similitudo Zanchii. but in, and by grace hatched, thou art like a birde moving, seeking, and flying.

3 Then the loue of GOD shed 2 Cor. 5. 14 a­broad into thy soule, constraining thee to doe thy duetie, shall streng­then thee for thy calling: 2 Cor. 12. 9 His grace shall bee sufficient for thee: thou shall bee more strong, than Goliah: than Milo, who with a Sam. 17. 5 stroke of his fist did kill a Cow, than Polydamas, who trusting to their owne strength, died all mi­serably, Franciscus Patricius lib. 2 de institutione reipubl. but thou shall liue most happily, overcomming the Devill thine adversarie: Yea, in Rom. 8. 37 al things through CHRIST thou shall be more than a conquerour, Philip. 4. 13 through him, thou shall bee able to doe all things necessarie.

[Page 90] 4 When thou enjoyeth that spirituall life, thou shall be warme with the heate of the holy Spirit, and of the Malach 4. 2 sunne of Righteousnesse, which shall arise vnto thee, where­with thou shall bee so inflamed, that the extremitie of cold shall never prevaile against thee.

These fourtie Martyres, who (that father writteth) in the dayes Basilius Mag­nus in 40 Martyros. of cruell Licinius, were cast into a pond of water all the night, suf­fering the cold Northerne wind, and their bodies being frozen, and almost senslesse; their soules re­maining hotte, with the flammes of GODS loue, endured that paine of these Northerne blasts most patiently; as also the torments of the fire most couragiously.

5. Then thou shall bee come­ly, and pleasant in the sight of thy LORD: Thou Psal. 45. 13 shall be faire, and all glorious within, the Psal. 90. 17 beau­tie of GOD shall bee vpon thee, which fadeth not, but ever shall remaine with thee: wisedome al­so [Page 91] and joy shall never departe from thee: it is much better than earthly beautie.

A faire woman, comming to Coelius Rho­dius lib 6. cap. 15. & Stephan. olde age, looking into a glasse, when shee saw her comelie coun­tenance, and well-favourdnesse al­tered, and wrinkled, for sorrow shee lost her wit; and fell into madnesse: but thou being thus beautified. GOD Psal. 30. [...] shall turne thy mourning into joy, he shall loose thy sacke, and gird thee with everla­sting gladnesse.

6. Thou 1 Pet. 1. 23 being borne anew, not of mortall seede, but of immor­tall, and continually nourished with the sweete milke of GODS Word, and 1 Pet 2. 2 anoynted with fresh oile, thou shall not rotte, nor de­cay: thou Psal 92. 10 shall still bring foorth good fruite in thine age: thou Isaiah 53. 15 shall bee the true Israell of GOD, who shall bee saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: thou shall stand before his sight for ever.

Lastly: If Rom. 12. 1 thou bee a living [Page 92] sacrifice, thou shall bee holy and acceptable to GOD, thou Philip. 4. 18 will be an odour that smelleth sweete, and the LORD will fulfill all thy ne­cessities: Hee will also giue thee a feeling of thy miserie, that thou mayest lament the same in a right manner, to thy eternall comfort afterward.

Now if thou aske how this lyfe is obtained, that thou may attaine to a sense of thine owne distresse, and dangerous calami­tie, I answere thee by foure meanes ordinarly: first, by receaving of the holie Word preached: for CHRIST hath 2 Tim. 1. 10 brought lyfe vn­to light, through the Gospell, by holding Philip. 2. 16 foorth the Word of lyfe: Secondly, by praying: the Pro­phet cryed fervently and frequent­ly: LORD Psal. 119. 25 quicken mee accor­ding to thy Word: againe, quicken mee Psal. 119. 149 according to thy loving kind­nesse: Moreover, quicken Psal. 119.149 me ac­cording to thy judgement, or cu­stome. Thirdly, by the application [Page 93] of CHRIST, who will doe to thee in a manner, as Flisha 2 King. 4.33 did to the dead sonne of the Shunamite, hee will (as it were) ly vpon thee, and put his mouth vpon thy mouth, and his eyes vpon thine eyes, and his hands vpon thy hands, and stretch himselfe vpon thee, till thy soule waxe warme, and thy selfe reviue: Also by participation of the vertue, and vigour of that most pretious, and meritorious blood of that immaculate lambe, slaine Revel. 13. 8 from the beginning of the world, who (as the Pelican) quick­neth thee, when thou art dead in thy sinne, and as Plinius lib 2. cap. 20. polium is a preservatiue against serpents; e­ven so hee preserveth thee from that old Revel. 12. 9 serpent Sathan, per­suing thee.

Fourthlie: by the operation of GODS sanctifying Spirit, whom Similitude. in this action, and in all other service thou by no meanes may want: for as the absence, or the want of food bringeth leannesse: [Page 94] want of clothes, coldnesse, or fil­thinesse: want of light bringeth darknesse: The want of this Spi­rit will bring Psal. 106. 15 leannesse vnto the inward man: it will bring pollu­tion, and Revel. 3. 17 filthinesse to thy soule: it will bring the blacknesse of Iude. vers. 13 darknesse, and everlasting mise­rie and wretchednesse.

But by the gratious presence, and powerfull operation of this Spirit, thy Psal. 63. 6 soule shall bee satis­fied with fatnesse and marrow: thou shall Cantic. 6. 9 [...]ooke foorth as the morning, faire as the Moone, pure as the Sun, terrible as an armie with banners: then Iob 34. 30 thy soule shall bee turned back from the pit, to be illumina­ted in the land of the living: Thou Iohn 6. 63 shall get the lyfe of grace, (for the spirit quickneth) and all other things necessary.

The notable effects, the good fruites, and properties of the ho­ly The holy Spi­rit compared to the wind, by ten simili­tudes. Spirit, are largely declared in the fift chapter of our first trea­tise, entituled CHRISTS Starre: [Page 95] where it is likened to fire, wa­ter, and oile: now in this place wee will compare it (with the Scripture) with wind, for these ten respects.

First: the wind is free, blow­ing where Iohn. 3. 8 it listeth: it is vn­searchable, Effectes of the wind. thou can not tell whence it commeth, nor whether it go­eth, it is subtill and powerfull.

Secondly: Wind dryeth the watery, and durtie ground, and fitteth the same for tillage, and manuring: After the deludge, GOD made Genes. 8. 11 a wind to passe vpon the earth, the waters ceassed, and the ground was dryed.

Thirdly: wind blowing on ones backe, will promoue him on his way, and helpe one in his jour­ney: yea, it will bee comforta­ble vnto the godly, for gaining of victorie, and destroying of their enemies, as it was Exod. 14. 21 to the Israe­lites in Moses dayes, as it was to Christian souldiers, in the dayes of Marcus Aurelius, as in that Euseb. lib. 5 cap. 5 [Page 96] bloodie battell of Theodosius the first, against the tyrant Engenius, Socrat. lib. 5 cap. 25 the dartes of whose armie were turned backe on their faces, as it Claud. Et coniurati veniunt ad classica venti. was (GOD bee praised) to the inhabitants of this Iland, in the 1588 yeere of CHRIST, against the Spainyards.

Fourthlie: A moderate winde will coole, and refresh [...], in time of the heate of summer.

Fiftly: in the cleane Math. 3. 12 floore wind will purge the corne, and sepa­rateth the same from the chaffe, which will bee burned with fire.

Sixtly: Wind will raise corne fallen downe with weight of raine, and cause the same to grow.

Seventhly: Wind will winne the cornes, and preserue them from rotting.

Eightly: Winde will further navigation, and bring Psal, 107. 30 the shippes and Mariners vnto their haven where they would bee.

Ninthly: Wind melteth hard yee: hee Psal. 147. 18 causeth it to blow, and [Page 97] the waters flow.

Tenthly: It purifieth the aire, the Iob. 27. 21 wind passeth, and cleanseth the clouds.

Lastly: the wind encreaseth the flammes of fire, and maketh it to burne more vehemently.

Now these, and manie moe, more comfortable, and more pro­fitable are the effects of the holy Spirit, which,

First is a most free Spirit, most penetrating, and most powerfull in operation, whom hee pleaseth, teaching, Iohn 14. 26 and illuminating, and remembering. 2. regenerating, Iohn 3. 5 and converting. 3. conjoyning, Cor. 12.13 and vniting vs with CHRIST, that being made members, wee may be quickned and revived. 4. ruling and Rom. 8.14 governing vs, who are vn­ruly, and subject to wander, and goe Psal. 119.167 astray, like lost sheepe, even leading vs in the right way to happinesse. 5. comforting Iohn 1. 16 vs in all troubles and afflictions, and sea­ling Ephes. 1. 18 vs, wavering in faith, and [Page 98] assuring vs of our salvation.

Secondly: (to insist shortly in the comparison) by this Spirit, wee will become GODS 1 Cor. 3. 9 hus­bandrie, to bring foorth fruit plen­tifully and constantly.

Thirdly: by the helpe of this Spirit, wee goe forward in the straite gate, in the narrow Math 7. 44 way, that leadeth to life, overcomming all impediments and enemies.

Fourthly: when thou walkest through Isaiah. 43. 2 the fire, thou shall not bee burnt, neither shall the flame kindle vpon thee; but thou by the Spirit shall bee refreshed joyful­ly, and cooled comfortably.

Fiftly: by this Spirit, the Lord will fine Mal. 3. 3 thee, and purifie thee as golde and silver, and separateth thy sinnes, and drosse from thee.

Sixtly: GOD by the vertue of his efficacious Spirit, will raise thee vp, when thou fallest. When the holy Prophet Ezechiel saw that glorious, and Heavenly vi­sion, hee Ezech. 2. 2 fell vpon his face, and [Page 99] the LORD said to him: Sonne of man stand vp vpon thy feete, and I shall speake vnto thee, but of him­selfe hee had no strength to a­rise, vntill the Spirit entered in­to him, and set him vpon his feete: So it is with thee, and the stron­gest Christian also, thou hast no power to arise, and stand, vn­lesse the Spirit enter into thee.

Sevently: So Psal. 12. 7 the Lord will pre­serue thee from perishing, or rot­ting from generation to generation, for ever.

Eightly: then hee will direct thee in the right course to Hea­ven, that Iob 17. 9 thou Who are righte­ous, should holde on thy way, and thou Whose handes are pure, shall encrease thy strength.

Nyntly: his Spirit will worke true saith in thee, which Act. 15. 9 Will purifie thy heart, and make cleane thy conversation.

Tenthly: hee will giue thee an heart Ezech. 11. 19 of flesh, and mollifie and soften the hardnesse, and obdu­ration [Page 100] of the same.

Lastly: it will kindle the fire of grace within thee, and inflame thee with an ardent zeale of GODS Glory: it shall bee like the Levit. 6. 12 fire, burning on the Altar evermore, never to bee put out, or extinguished.

Seeing then such is the neces­sitie of the presence of the holy Spirit, seeke the same most earnest­ly, and continually: Entertaine the same most carefully, and con­scientiously, never Ephes. 4. 3 [...] grieue this Spirit, by which thou art sealed vnto the day of redemption: quench not Thess. 5 19 this holy Spirit by thy filthy sinnes, and stubbornnesse, for it will procure to thee endlesse joy, it will worke in thee new life and regeneration, and so bring thee to a sense of thy misery, and to a deploration of thy calamitie.

Without the power and asi­stance of this Spirit thou can ne­ver bee revived and quickened: As Ezech 17. 9 the dry bones which were [Page 101] scattered and dispersed, being con­joyned, and having flesh, sineues, & skinne: but had no breath nor life, vntill the Prophet did prophecie vnto the wind, and life, and breath came vnto the slaine and they stood vp vpon their feete a great armie.

So, thou who by nature was Ephes. 2. 5 dead by sinnes, will bee quick­ned by GOD in CHRIST, by the breathing (as it were) of the wind of the holy Spirit, thou shall line spiritually.

Now, seeing it is so sure, that without the Spirit thou knowest not Rom. 8. 26 to pray as thou ought to doe; seeke for the Spirit, seeke for this Spirit, which will quicken and helpe thy infirmitie, and make request for thee, with sighes, that cannot bee expressed, and then, the words of thy mouth, and medi­tation of thy heart shall bee accep­table in the LORDS sight,

Secondly: Before thou canst truely lament thy wretchednesse, Wakening be fore true lamē ­ting. and miserable estate, thou must [Page 102] not only bee quickened with the life of grace, but also awakened from thy deepe sleepe of sinne, and securitie.

In this place wee will declare (Godwilling) foure things. 1. The evill of such sleeping. 2. Who doe sleepe, and the difference be­tweene them. 3. The meanes of awakening. 4. The good thereof.

First: the great evill, that feare­full hurt, which commeth by this sleepe, can not bee sufficiently de­clared. The evill of sinfull sleepe.

First: The Talent given from Idlenesse. GOD is not well vsed, the LORDS gifts are not duely employed: one when he is sleeping, is Math. 25. 26 that vnprofitable servant, that carelesse [...]gerer, from whom, that which he hath shall bee taken away: hee is not worthie of any reward.

Secondly: If naturall sleepe of Povertie. the body bee an occasion of indi­gence and scarsitie, for this is the saying of Salomon himselfe, loue not Prover. 2 [...].13 sleepe, least thou fall into po­verty: [Page 103] open thine eyes, and thou shall bee satisfied with bread: much more that spirituall slumber of the soule is a cause of povertie, la­mentable and shamefull povertie proceedeth therefrom: One Revel. 3. 17. will bee poore, and wretched: misera­ble, and naked. Qui modo dormit in cupiditatibus suis, postea nihil inveniet in suis manibus.

Thirdly: Shame and infamie fol­loweth Infamie. this security: for the wise man, he Proverb. 10.5 that sleepeth in harvest, is a sonne that causeth shame; hee is a child of confusion that slee­peth vntymously, when he should bee diligent about his businesse. If ignominy follow sleepe natu­rall, it will rather follow spiritu­all. When Noah after wine was sleeping, hee Genes 9. 22 was vncovered in the midst of his tents, his shame and nakednesse was seene, and told to others. Our shame, and filthy nakednesse will bee seene of the Almighty GOD, and of his holy Angels; and many others, when [Page 104] we are sleeping in sinfull securitie.

Fourthly: Our Math. 13.2 [...] enemie that Polluion or an evill mixture. envyous one, while men sleepe, will come, and sow tares amongst the wheate in the husbandrie of our hearts. If Abimelech did harme to the citie of Shechem, when Indg 9. 45 he sowed salt in it, for a token of perpetuall detestation; will not Sathan doe much more harme to a Christian, when hee shall sow salt, and tares in his soule; evill thoughts, and most wicked lusts to defile the same?

Fifthly: Our vigilant adversa­rie Spoile of goods. will also bee most diligent, to bereaue vs of the gifts, which wee haue alreadie receaved: As that harlot tooke her neighbours living sonne, and 1 King. 3.20 layde her dead sonne in her bosome; so that de­ceaver will most craftily labour to make a living soule a dead soule in sinne, and in trespasses. During Samsons sleepe, one Iudg. 16. 19 did shaue off his seven lockes of his head, and tooke away his conse­crate [Page 105] haire; then his strength was gone from him: yea, the LORD for a season departed from him: therefore the Philistims, his ene­mies they tooke him, they put out his eyes, and bound him with fet­ters, and hee did grind in the prison house; so while a Christian is sleeping, Sathan will bee most readie to spoile him of his strength, and other gifts, wherewith hee was endued.

Sixtly: By such sleepe, man be­commeth most vnlike to GOD, Vnlikenesse to GOD. whom hee should most of all re­semble: for the keeper of Israell will Psal. 122. 4 neither sleepe nor slumber: GOD Iob. 28. 24 beholdeth the ends of the world, and seeth all that is vnder Heaven, ruling, and governing all things, by his mightie providence: his eyes are looking, his eares patent, his hand sustaining conti­nually; and Psal. 104. 27 giving foode in due season to every creature: where­fore his servants should studie to show themselues, to be obedient [Page 106] children of their good Creator, to bee lyke to him in holynesse, in righteousnesse, and in watchfulnes, That every one may say Psal. 25. 1 vnto the LORD, I lift vp my heart, and I Psal. 123. 1 lift vp my eyes (O LORD) to thee, that dwelleth in the Hea­vens, and I 1 Tim. 2. 8 pray every where, lifting vp pure hands.

I will altogether, with all vigilance, and diligence, conse­crate my selfe, soule and bodie, vnto the LORD his service, and Rom. 6.13 giue all my members to GOD, as weapons of righteousnesse.

7 Death, and destruction will Destruction. ensue therevpon: if that younge man Eutychus, Act. 20. 9 fallen into a deepe sleepe, and overcome therewith, fell downe and with that fall he died: whom the Apostle Paule raised vp, and restored to life againe. Sisera Iudg. 4 21 a valiant man, being fast a sleepe was killed by a wo­man as Iudg. 8. 11 the hoste of the Midianits which were carelesse, was easily destroyed in the night.

[Page 107] Chedarlaomer, with the rest of the Kinges, and their victori­ous armie, being Genes. 14.15 secure, sleepie, and drunken, as Iosephus writeth were surprized and smitten. Wee Antiquitatiud. lib. 1. cap. 1. Franc. Patric. de inst. reip. & Herod. read that Spargastes sonne to Tho­myris, queene of the Scythians, and all his armie being buried in sleepe and wine, was destroyed by Cyrus. Thus, if so many hath beene overthrowen in sleepe na­turall, many moe haue perished. while they haue beene sleeping in sinne and securitie.

Yea wee read that a weake, Plinius. and contemptible enemie, will o­vercome, and kill a strong ad­versarie, being a sleepe: for albe­it the Crocodile, an hudge and a savage Serpent, bee of great strength: yet a very weake beast, of a little more quantitie, than a ratte: while the Crocodile slee­peth, creepeth in at the mouth of the strong fish, it goeth downe to the bellie, and lacerateth the same: the Crocodile dieth and it [Page 108] escapeth: No maruell then that Sa­than, who is strong, and subtill, get advantage to overcome, and overthrow weake men, especial­ly, when in securitie accompanied with infirmitie.

These, and moe being the dis­commodities of that fearefull sleep, namely, 1. idlenesse, 2. indigence, 3. infamie, 4. pollution, 5. losse, 6. vnliknesse to GOD, and 7. destruction. It is much to bee wondred, and much more to bee pitied, that (Alace) so many should so carelesly continue in their let hargie.

Heere in the third place wee Who do sleepe A difference betweene the godly and the wicked. will breefly declare, who they are that sleepe. 1. The godlie sleepe. 2. The wicked also, but with this maine difference; albe­it while the Cant. 5. 2. bridegroome tarieth, both the wise Virgins, and the foo­lish Virgins slumber, and sleepe, yet the wise haue oyle in their lampes, even, faith in their soules; but the foolish are emptie, and [Page 109] haue not the oyle of grace in their hearts. Againe the faithfull sleepe most vnwillingly: they are sor­rowfull for their slumbring: hee sleepeth, but his heart waketh, and it is oftentymes, that hee Numb. 15.27 sinneth through ignorance, so they sleepe: But the wicked, hee doeth Numb. 15.30 pre­sumptuously, hee sleepeth willing­ly, as Prover 15.21 foolishnesse is a joy to him, so sleepe is a pleasure, and de­lectation. This may be esteemed a wonder in Gippius, that Romane, Lucilius apud Beraldum. who would desire; yea, faine himselfe to sleepe, and swore that his owne wife might play the harlote, more easilie, and commit adulterie. But it is verie vsuall to many, calling themselues Chri­stians, who desire to sleepe, that their soules may the more readi­ly commit great whoredome, Hos. 1. 2 de­parting from the LORD, a most pittifull, and marvellous matter. Few men will sleepe naturally, to prostitute their wiues, but ma­ny will sleepe spiritually, to pro­stitute [Page 110] their soules.

Fourthly: Let vs consider, by what meanes, and how wee are awakened. 1. by GODS Word. 2. by his rodde. 3. by his bene­fites. 4. by the operation of his holy Spirit,

First: The Word is a cleare light, that shineth Prov. 4. 12 in a darke place, vntill the day dawne, and the day starre arise in our hearts, it is a Lanterne to our feete, and a light to our paths, that Psal. 2. 9. the way of righteousnesse may shine, as the light, which shineth more and more, vntill the perfite day.

The Word of the LORD, is his Numb. 10.2 voice, Which is mightie and glorious, like the silver trumpets, which were vsed for the assembling of the congregation: Now shall the light so long tyme shine in thine eyes, and shall this voice, and trumpet so long tyme sound in thine eares; telling thee with ma­ny cryes, and advertisements, that thou sleepest in a most perillous [Page 111] place, as Prov. 23.34 one that sleepeth in the top of the mast in the midst of the sea. 2. In a most dangerous case, having moe cruell enemies in this wildernesse, compassing thee round about for thy confusion, than DA­VID had in the wildernesse Ma­on, where hee sleeped not, but made 1 Sam. 23. 36 haste to get from the pre­sence of Saul, pursuing him. 3. In a most short and troublous time, when other Saincts, some of them are sore working for [...] Cor. 9. 24 their penny, some of them are fast Heb. 12. 4 running for their prize: some are praying, and weeping in calamitie: some are fighting for victorie: some are suffering and resisting Act. 21. 13 vnto blood, striving against sinne, readie to die and giue their lyues for the name of the LORD IESVS, for to ob­taine an incorruptible Crowne of glorie.

What now art thou (I pray thee) doing? Is this a fitte tyme to sleepe in? yea, the Heavens are swiftly moving: the sea vn­cessantly [Page 112] flowing and ebbing: the earth is now decaying: All creatures Rom. 8. 22 together are groning: Our corruption is ever defiling: The world deceaving continual­ly: The Devill destroying bussily: The glorious Bridgrome Math. 25. 6 is com­ming: The righteous Iudge ap­proaching: The great GOD is al­ready executing his determined decree: and art thou yet slouth­full, yet securing, yet sleeping?

What Ionas. 2. 6 meanest thou O sleeper? Thou sleepest in such estate as Ionas: The heavie tempest of GODS wrath is raised: the tempest of his indignation is encreased: the sea of miserie highly swelled: the weake ship of thy rotten bodie is fearefully cracked, it is like to be broken: thy neighbours haue la­boured; and death is present be­fore thee: hell it selfe hath gaped for thee; yet (alace) thou slee­pest, when thou shouldst awake: thou loyterest, when thou should worke: thou tarriest, when thou [Page 113] shouldst runne: thou goest back­ward, when thou shouldst goe fordward: [...]hou rejoycest in wic­kednesse, when thou shouldst la­ment in heavinesse: thou art yeel­ding, when thou shouldst be figh­ting: thou art a prisoner, when thou shouldst bee a conquerour; that thou Revel. 21. 7 mayest bee GODS sonne to inherite all things.

What meanest thou O sleeper? Knowest thou not, that in the meane tyme thou art contracting debt, which Math. 6. 12 vnforgiven will mo­lest thee: thou Psal. 51. 2. art gathering fil­thinesse, vnwashen will pollute thee: thou art breeding a Psal. 36. 3 sick­nesse, which vnhealed will wea­ken thee: thou art making Prover. 5. 22 cords, which vnloosed will bind thee: thou art Rom. 2. [...] heaping coales, which vnremoved will burne thee, against the day of judgement, and the de­claration of the judgement of GOD.

What meanest thou O sleeper? to hinder Ier. 5. 25. the good things of GOD from thee, to procure his anger [Page 114] and displeasure against thee, to hasten his heavie curse and male­diction vpon thee, to depriue thee of his blessed societie, to bring everlasting Math. 25.12 paine and griefe v­pon thee.

When the LORD called, Sam. 3. 4 and spake to Samuel, he awaked, and answered, When Act. 12 7 an Angell of light came into the prison where Peter was, hee awakened, hee a­rose, hee followed, and obeyed: The LORDS voice hath come ofter vnto thee: his marveilous light hath shined longer vnto thee: Awake, Awake.

It was holden a wonder, and a very rare thing, because that Plutarchus in vita Alexan. & Iustinius. Conquerour did sleepe deeply, contrare to his custome, as op­pressed therewith, a little before hee was to fight, that last, and great battell against Darius, his Captaines marveiled at him, Par­menio reproved him.

But this is an evill custome of many, that they are secure and [Page 115] sleepie in time of greatest dan­ger and difficultie; while they haue to encounter with a subtle, and puissant adversarie, and to wrestle, Eph. 6.12 not against flesh and blood, But Eph. 2.2 against that prince, that ru­leth in the aire, and that spirit, which ruleth in the children of disobedience, which is a great wonder, especially, seing GOD hee calleth vpon them to bee a­waking.

Secondly: GOD hath his rod, GODS rod. who will not heare his Word, let him feare Math. 6.9 his rodde: If an earthly father should (according to SALOMON) smite Prover. 23.14 the child with his rod, to delyver his soule from hell: will not rather our Heavenly Father, more wise and more loving, correct his child with his rod, for his deliverance and instruction? Hath thy LORD GOD this delight with thee? Art thou not awakened? Hast thou not turned Isaiah. 4 to him that smiteth thee? Hast thou not sought the [Page 116] LORD of hostes, who visiteth thee? thy case is most dangerous, thou hast to bee afraide greattumlie, least Psal. 2. 9. he crush thee with his scep­ter of yron, least hee breake thee in peeces, like a potters vessell: Thou Lament. 3. 1 shall bee much more mise­rable than that man, who saw af­fliction in the rod of GODS in­dignation.

Many are in regarde of their estate like vnto Dionisius Hera­cteol: in regarde of his godly e­state, who was so corpulent, that albeit needles were thrust into his belly, being asleepe, yet hee was senslesse; and not touched with paine. Many Prov. 25. 36 they are stricken, and not sicke: they are beaten, and know not: they are chastised, and amend not.

Ah! If Amos. 4. 6 the LORD giue thee cleannesse of teeth, and scarsnesse of bread, returne vnto him. If GOD shall punish thee with thirst, and with drougth that thou shall wander farre to drinke watter: [Page 117] Awake, and turne in tyme to GOD: If hee shall smite thee with bla­sting, and mildew, returne vnto him. If hee shall send thee pe­stilence, and sword, and a great overthrow; prepare to meete thy GOD O Israel! See that thou be wearied of thine owne wayes: a­wake, and by vnfained repen­tance turne vnto thy GOD, least hee forsake thee altogether, and punish thee with vtter destructi­on and ruine.

Now when the LORDS hand shall bee heauie vpon thee, and his rod painefull vnto thee, when thy crosse shall bee sanctified for thy conversion, bee not Heb. 12 3. 5. 6 wearie, neither faint in thy minde: forget not the consolation, neither despise the LORDS chastenings: For whom the LORD loveth, hee correcteth, and hee scourgeth every sonne, which hee receaueth, even for thy profite: that thou mayst be par­taker of his holynesse, and bring vnto thee the quiet fruite of righ­teousnesse.

[Page 118] When thou art corrected, hope thou that thy sinne is remitted. Nullus fructus correctionis, sine Augustin. spe remissionis: There is no fruit of correction, without hope of remission: Remember if the Lords Word had awaked, and amended thee: his rodde had not lighted vpon thee: But, Quem non corri­gunt Augustin. verba, corrigunt experimenta: whom words will not amend, then let tryall amend them; and let him, who with the Word is bettered, and converted, confesse with the Prophet, It Psal. [...]. 6 is good for mee that I was afflicted.

Thirdly: Let the benefits which GOD bestoweth vpon thee, bee GODS gifts. meanes for to awake thee: As when Elijah sleept naturally, vn­der the juniper tree: Behold 1 King. 19. 5 an Angell touched him, and brought benefits vnto him; so oftentimes while thou doest sleepe spiritual­ly, GOD hee commeth and gi­veth gifts vnto thee: Thou slee­pest, [Page 119] when thou forgettest the LORD. So saith the Ancient, Quaecun (que) anima oblita fuerit Do­minum Augustin. suum, dormit; What ever soule forgetteth the LORD, slee­peth.

Thou cannot deny, but when thou hast forgotten the LORD, hee hath beene then mindefull of thee: hee then hath beene be­neficiall vnto thee. Israell Hos. 8. 14 hath forgotten his Maker: His Ier 2. 32 people hath forgotten him, dayes without number, who is only the good portion, and ornament, and attyre of his people. But hath thy Well­beloved come vnto thee, who art sleepie, and drousie? Hath he for a long tyme knocked at the doore of thy heart: Open, Cant. 5. 2 open: hath hee put his hand in at the hole of the doore, and powred in pure mirrhe? Hath hee vouchsa­fed benefits abundantly vpon thee? Hath hee Hos. 11. [...] healed thee, and thou knowest not? Hath hee drawne thee with the cords of men, even [Page 120] with the bands of loue; and thou awakest not; yet let the remem­brance of his blessings, which he hath multiplied vpon thee; seing Cant. 3. 22 his compassions faile not, but are renued every morning; let those be forcible meanes of thy waking.

Fourthly: The operation of his holy Spirit, is most avai [...]eable, The holy Spi­rit. and effectuall to this purpose: The 2 King 4. 3 servant alone with the staffe is vnprofitable, hee returned, and con­fessed, that the childe was not wa­kened, the master behoved to come for the raising of the Shunamits sonne: that lively Spirit, which 1 Cor. 15.45 quickeneth vs: that lightsome Spirit, which illuminateth vs, and Iohn. 14. 26 teacheth vs by his forcible power, principallie doth waken vs, neither the word of GOD, nor his rod, nor his benefits will bring vs out of that deepe lethar­gie, vnlesse the LORD helpe vs, by the powerfull presence of his Spirit, which is the Spirit of grace, and of compassion, which is that [Page 121] seede remaining within vs; where­by our corrupt qualities are so renued that wee die to sinne, and liue to GOD: Spiritus sanctus, ha­bitator noster ipse facit, augit, per­ficit Augustin. justitiam nostram: That holy Spirit, our indweller, work­eth, perfitteth, and augmenteth our righteousnesse, must awaken vs, for these vses; and if by the bountifull favour, of thy gratious GOD, thou hast obtained this great gift; I may speake vnto you in these words, that CHRIST spake vnto Peter, Blessed Math. 16. 17 art thou, for flesh and blood hath not done this vnto thee, but thy hea­venly father, by his Spirit, which shall be a Rom. 8. 2 Spirit of life, of trueth, and Iohn. 14 17 consolation vnto thee,

Fourthly: Touching the good which wee get, by wakening, it The profite proceeding frō this duetie. Escape danger is manifold. First wee will per­ceiue, and vse meanes to eshew the danger into the which wee remaine, as Genes. 32. 7 Iacob was in perrill; when Esau his cruell brother [Page 122] came against him, with Exod. 14. 10 foure hundreth men. As the Israelites were sore afraide, when 1 Sam. 11. 2 Pharao, and his chariots marched after them. The people of Iabesh-gilead were in great hazarde, when Nahash, the Ammonit beseiged them, who would accept of no condition of peace, but to thrust out all their right eyes; and the Apostle Paul, while 1 Cor 15. 35 hee was fighting with the beasts of Ephesus, had great tra­vell, all their laborious, and re­ligious men were not sleeping, but awaking: they saw their dan­ger, and were carefull to eshew it, by wrestling, by crying, by praying, and by fasting.

And seing our estate spirituall is all hazardous; and we remaine in as great jeopardie, for so wee haue many enemies before vs, profane like Esau, meeting vs, and as many behind vs, like cruell Pha­raoh, pursuing vs: their be many adversaries, like Nahash, beseig­ing vs: and many beastlie men [Page 123] fighting against vs: thou thy selfe by nature, (if thou hast grace to consider) art riding on a headie horse, like with a fall to bruise thee: thou art dwelling in a rot­ten house, readie to smother thee, thou art sailing in a laiking ship, like to drowne thee: thy life is a warfare, wherein thou hast many craftie foes, desirous to de­stroy thee; that battell continueth, that fight endureth, vnto thy lifes end.

And what, art thou sleeping most careleslie? Art thou yet opprest with that deepe lethargie, and overgone with that heavie slum­ber of fearefull securitie: It may be cryed to thee with compas­sion, with admiration,

[Page 124] Thou who art Iohn 3. 9 borne of God, art thou sleeping in so great an adventure?

O marvelous wonder! When Daniel was cast into the denne of Lyons; and in danger, then King Darius remained fasting: and Dan. 6. 18 the sleepe went from his eyes, Was hee sollicitous for an other man? and will not thou bee care­full of thy selfe, for thy owne sake? I tell to thee with teares, that thy estate is in perrill, thy soule is in manifest danger: Cruell Psal. 28. 13 dogs haue compassed thee: migh­tie beastes haue environed thee. The assemblie of the wicked haue enclosed thee: thou art in the denne of ramping, and roaring Lyons, seeking to devoure thee: Let sinfull sleepe goe from thee: awake out of thy lasie slumber, to the end thou mayest perceaue, and prevent extreame danger.

Secondly: If wee bee awake, wee will bee the more readie Strengthen. to Revel 3. 2 strengthen the things that [Page 125] are readie to decay: for during our sinfull sleepe, our spirituall life languisheth: our gifts many of them are gone from vs: our grace is sore decayed, and diminished, yea, come to that ebbe, that we are at the point of death. Let vs a­wake in due time, to Math. 29. 4 provide more oyle to our lamps, to get more grace to our soules. Let vs take wine Isa. 55. 2 and milke, and bread without money; that wee may be satisfied, and strengthened.

Then wee will bee soone mo­ved, with all diligence to follow Vse our talent. our vocation, to employ righty our talent; and to behaue our selues according to our calling: remem­bring that wee 1 Pet. 2. 9 are a chosen ge­neration, a royall priesthood, an holy Nation, That wee are Revel. 1. 6 made Kings and Priests vnto GOD: That it is no wayes beseeming to vs, to giue our selues to securitie and idlenesse; to liue Iames. 5. 5 in pleasure on the earth, and wantonnesse: when as in the meane season, wee haue [Page 126] to performe a great businesse.

It is not fitting to a counseller (who hath a great charge) to sleepe all the night over.

Thus Nehemiah, (whose name signifieth the consolation of GOD) who was sent to restore the Iewes to their owne countrey; and re­build Hierusalem, hee Nehemi. 2.12 arose in the night, to view the walles of that citie: hee lay not still in his bed. Also it is written of that famous Scanderbeg, that while he was delivering himselfe, and his subjects of Epirus, from the sla­verie, and tyrannie of the fierce Turks: and while with valour and See Rolles in the Turkes storie. wisedome he was to fight against the strong enemie, to possesse an earthly kingdome, then he never sleeped aboue two houres in the night; but with endlesse labour, and carefull vigilancie repelled his enemies, and prosecuted his af­faires. [Page 127] Wee haue great reasons to awake, to rouse vp our selues from securitie. seing by nature we are Heb. 2. 15 subject to bondage, and spi­rituall slauerie; that wee may be delyvered from thence; and 2 Pet. 1. [...]1 to strine, that an entring may be mi­nistred vnto vs abundantly, into the everlasting Kingdome of IE­SVS CHRIST our Saviour. This is a pittifull and marveilous mat­ter; for wicked men will absteene from naturall sleepe, to doe evill:

Robbers, and throat-cutters will rise in the night to kill men, but wee will not absteene from spi­rituall sleepe, to doe good: wee will not awake from this securi­tie, wherein we haue beene wrap­ped vp, both Tim. 4. 6 to saue our selues, & others with whom we haue to doe.

Fiftly: When wee awake ty­mously [Page 128] wee 1 Cor. 13. 34 will liue righteously; and every one thus awakened, delivered, and strengthned; and well exercised, will at length say, It Galat. 2. 20 is not I that liue, but CHRIST that liveth in mee.

We by waking and watching, Keepe our garments. will ^d keepe our garments, we shall not walke naked; our filthinesse will not bee seene; and we shall bee blessed perpetually, wee will bee happy and honorable: Bles­sed Luk. 12. 37 are these servants, whom the LORD when hee commeth shall finde waking.

Thirdly: As Genes 28.17 Iakob, awaking from his naturall sleepe, where hee saw an Heavenly vision, and receaved a comfortable promise, and a favourable revelation, was afraide: so a Christian, awaking out of his sinfull sleepe and se­curity, out of his deepe lethar­gie, will haue great feare and ter­rour, for GODS wrath and in­dignation, for his owne danger and destruction; and it will moue him [Page 129] greatly, to make a pittifull mone, and an heavie lamentation. The feare of God is the best furnisher.

This holy and filiall feare, is most requisite, and necessarie for thee, and that in three respects. 1. because it is the best furnisher. 2. the best counseller. and 3. the best preserver.

First it is the best furnisher, for the Psal. 3. 5 LORD will giue a por­tion to them that feare him: no­thing Psal. 34. 9 shall be wanting to them that feare GOD.

This feare it will suppeditat Wisdome. and furnish. 1. wisdome; it Prover. 1. 7 is the beginning of knowledge, it Ecle. 1. 24. ibid. & passim is the roote of wisdome, it raineth downe knowledge, and vnderstan­ding: It filleth the whole earth, v. 22. with all things desireable.

Secondly: This feare will fur­nish Ioy. peace and ^l perfect health. Thirdly: Glory, gladnesse, and re­joycing, and a joyfull crowne commeth therewith.

Fourthly: It will bring courage Courage. and magnanimitie, thou needest [Page 130] not to feare what man can doe: Though Psal 46. 2. the earth bee moved, though the mountains fall into the midst of the sea: Though the wa­ters thereof rage, and be troubled, and the hils shake at the surges of the same: Though Psal. 27. 3 warre be raised against thee, and though an hoste should encampe against thee, thy heart needeth not to bee afraide. yea, though thou Psal. 33. 4 shouldst walke through the valley of the shadow of death; and the devill Ephes. 6.16 throw­ing his firie dartes at thee, thou hast not cause to feare an evill, for the LORD is with thee, his Psal. 138. 7 right hand will saue thee, hee will Psal. 91. 4 cover thee with his wings, and thou Isa. 40 11 shall bee sure vnder his feathers: hee will carie thee in his owne bosome; Et quid timeret homo, in Dei sinn positus: What should a man, placed in GODS bosome feare? And thus thou shall haue continuall courage, thou shall be Pror. 28. 15 bold, as a Lyon.

Fiftly: This feare of the Lord [Page 131] shall furnish thee all good riches: for Isa. 33.6 the feare of the LORD shall bee thy treasure; and no Math. 6. 20 theefe shall steale this treasure from thee.

Secondly: This holy feare is The feare of GOD is the counseller. the best counseller, it will not (with Sathan, the world, nor the flesh) counsell thee to doe any wrong, or evill. 1. Not to any person; although weaker than thou; and in thy reverence: thus Ioseph Genes. 50.15 a powerfull governour did not harme his base brethren, be­ing strangers. 2. Not in any place: David fearing GOD, will not wrong Saul 1 Sam. 24.17 in the caue. 3. Not in any time; abeit it were in an vniversall defection: so Noah fea­ring GOD was a 2 Peter. 2. 5 preacher of righteousnesse to the vngodly world. 4. Not for any cause: No: not for a Kingdome: thus Ionathan fearing GOD, came 1 Sam. 23.17 and comforted distressed David, and no wayes wronged him: Againe, this feare it will counsell thee Titus. 2. 12 to liue god­ly, and religiously in this present [Page 132] world. A godly father saith truely, Connexa sunt timor, & religio, nec Bernardus in sermone de donis spiritus. potest manere alterum abs (que) altero: Feare, and religion are knit to­gether, that the one cannot re­maine without the other.

Thus if Cornelius Act. 10. 2 feare GOD, hee will be a devote man, praying continually.

Secondly: To doe the workes of charitie: thus happie Obadi­ah, 1 King 18.13 who did feare the LORD from his youth, when wicked Ieza­bell slew the LORDS Prophets, he hid an hundreth of them, and sed them by fifties in a caue, with bread and water: and the former Corneli­us did giue much almes to the poore people. Also it will coun­sell thee to suffer wronges patient­ly: by this David endured 2 Sam 16. 11 the contumelious injuries of Shimei.

Thirdly: This feare is the best 3. Feare is the best preserver. preserver of all grace and inno­cencie: it is so to thy soule, as the ballast is to the ship; and as the Imocentiae cu­stos, & omnium bonorum. eyelids to the eyes; and as an [Page 133] hedge to a garden, saving thy soule from drinking in the sea of sinne, preserving thee from thy devouring enemy, delivering Psal. 91. 3 thee from the snare of the hunter, and from sin and impietie, keeping all righteousnes in thee: Nemo nisi De­um Augustin. timeat, potest servare justitiam.

Surely this feare will guide and defend thee from yeelding to the tentation of fleshlie pleasure and sensuality, as it did Genes. 39. 9 Ioseph from the filthy tentation of gaine and commoditie: as it did 1 King. 5. 16 Elisha from yeelding to the tentation of worldly honour, and dignity: as did Moses, who Heb. 11. 24 refused to be cal­led the sonne of Pharaohs daugh­ter. Timentis DEVM bona est Augustin. anima, & à tentatione diabolica tuta: the soule of one that is god­ly is good, and sure from the ten­tation of the devill.

Excellently writteth Bernard, Bernardus in sermone de do­no Spiritus. Omne virtutis adificium ilico vergit in praecipitium, si hujus gratiae ami­serit praesidium: all vertuous buil­ding [Page 134] will fall flat downe to the ground incontinently, if it losse the helpe of this grace: Sine hac gratiâ primâ gratiarum, que to­tius religionis exordium est, nullum bonum pull [...]lare, aut manare potest: Without this grace, the first of graces, which is the beginning of Religion, no good thing can spring vp vnto thee. If thou bee GODS 1 Cor. 3. 9 building, let not this keeper depart from thee, lest thou fall to ruine, and destruction.

Wise Abraham judged, that there was no good in Gerar; nei­ther pittie, equitie, or civilitie, when Genes. 29.11 the feare of GOD was not in that place: and surely, according to Peters preaching in every Na­tion. Hee that Act. 10. 35 feareth GOD, and worketh righteously, is accepted with him.

Lastly: Thou being quickened, awakened, and somewhat afraid: Sorrow before lamentation. thou will haue that godly 2 Cor 2. 16 sorrow that causeth repentance vnto sal­vation, not to be repented of: then [Page 135] thou will set thy selfe to deplore thy miserable estate, and woefull condition, thou will giue thy selfe to earnest prayer, and supplication, that the LORD may refresh thee with his inward consolation, that hee may Psal. 106.4.5 remember thee with the favour of his people, and visite thee with his salvation: that thou may see the felicitie of his chosen, and rejoyce in the joy of his Sancts, and glory with his inheritance.

Now, perswade thy selfe as­suredly, as it is Heb. 9. 27 appointed, that man should once die naturally: so it is appointed that everie man should lament once pitifully: The wicked indeede are most vnwise, and vnhappie, for they shall bee constrained, to youle and lament eternally, for their vnspeakeable paine, and punishment with Genes. 4. 13 Cain. 2. In an evill time with Heb. 12. 17 Esau, the season of repentance being past. 3. In an evill place, in Hell, in the Revel. 21. 8 lake, which burneth with f [...]e and brimstone. 4. In evill com­panie, [Page 136] with the Math. 25.41 reprobat, with the Devill, and his angels: yea, sometimes in this life the strongest and best hearted of them, will youle with bitter lamentation. So Eras. in Adag. did the Emperour Bassianus, when hee saw the image of his brother Geta, whom hee slew. So did couragious Pericles, at Plutarchus in Pericl. the death of his sonne.

But the godly, they are wise and blessed, they lament. 1. For a good cause, even for their sinnes, with Rom. 7. 24 S^t. Paul. 2. In a good tyme, where their is hope of comfort, with Psal. 6. 6 David. 3. In a good place, in the LORDS Sanctuarie, with 1 Sam. 1. 9 Hannah. 4. With good companie, with the Church militant, Which Revel. 7. 14 shall come out of their great tribulation; and remaine in the LORDS presence to be partakers of his joyes forever.

If thus thou complaine, and la­ment arightly, for thy grievous sinnes and miserie, thou shall not find the LORD, as Pharao Exod. 5. 17 to [Page 137] the Israelits, misregarding thee, refusing thee; and more vexing thee: But certainly, at length thou shall find the LORD Exod. 34 6 mercifull to thee, slow to anger, and abun­dant in kindnesse, saying to thee comfortably, and doing commo­diouslie, as David Sam. 22. 23 said to Abi­athar, declaring Sauls crueltie, a­bide with mee, feare not, for with mee thou shall bee in safegarde.

Let vs goe on now to this lamentation, as it shall please our GOD to assist vs by his Spirit, and helpe vs by his Al­sufficient grace.

ALmighty, and most dread­full GOD! thou who art the Genes. 18. 28 righteous judge of the whole world, who maketh not the Exod. 24.7 wicked innocent, who is most fearefull and terrible, a Heb. 12. 29 consu­ming fire against vngodlinesse. I thine owne poore servant, a wret­ched worme, who Isaiah. 1. 4 am a sinfull creature, ladened with iniquitie; overburthened with miserie, al­together [Page 139] polluted with impietie, most guiltie for my transgression, subject to thy wrath and indig­nation, worthie of death and e­ternall damnation: It is impossi­ble to mee, to hide my selfe from thy Al-seing eye: Whether Psalm. 139. 7. 8. 9. shall I goe from thy Spirit? or whether shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend vnto the Heaven, thou art there: If I flee downe to hell, thou art there: Let mee take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the vttermost partes of the earth, yet there shall thine hand find me, and hold mee: Though I hide my selfe in the toppe of Carmell, thou may search me; and take me out thence: and though I hide mee in the bot­tome of the sea, yet there thou may command a serpent to bite me.

Therefore O LORD my GOD, I desire earnestly to Iam. 4. 8 draw neere vnto thine Heavenly Majestie, to prostrate, and Psal. 95. 6 fall downe before thee my Maker in humilitie, to lament also my woefull estate, [Page 140] and great misery. Now trueth it is O LORD. that I am insuffici­ent to expresse Psal. 106. 2 thy noble actes, and worthinesse, so am I as vn­able to deplore my calamitie and wretchednesse.

At this tyme I am perswaded GOD com­plaineth. certainly, that thou my Creator, my preserver, and gratious bene­factor, doth complaine of mee, for my manifold sinnes, and hai­nous iniquities: Ah! Isaiah. 1. 4 I am a seede of the wicked, a corrupt child, that I haue forsaken the LORD, that I haue provoked the Holy One of Israell to anger; that I haue gone backward: And that my Sa­viour, CHRIST la­menteth. my Redeemer hath: egra­ted, hath Mark. 6.6 mervailed, hath mour­ned at mine vnbeliefe.

When Luke 19.41 hee beheld Ierusalem, hee wept, becavse in her day shee did not know these things, which belonged to her peace: that I in the day of mercifull visitation am ignorant of these things, which concerne my peace and aeternall [Page 141] salvation.

All the holy Saints, the chosen Saincts doe mourne. of the LORD, who Math. 5 4 are blessed, they mourne now, that they may be comforted: They sow Psal. 126. 5 in teares, that they may reape in joy ever­lastingly: Yea, the p dead earth The dead earth lamen­teth lamenteth and falleth away: the world is feebled, and decayed: the earth is vtterly broken downe: the earth Isay 24. vers 4. and 19 is cleane dissolved: the earth is moved exceedingly: the earth doth reele to and fro, like a drun­ken man: the inhabitants thereof are heavy upon it: it shall be re­moved, like a tent: Yea, I know, All creatures grone. that every Rom. 8. 22 creature groneth with me also; and travelleth in paine together vnto this present, desiring to be delyvered from this bondage of corruption.

Seing it is so: Haue not I (for­lorne miscreant, the chiefe cause of all calamity) great reason se­riously to deplore my lamentable miserie; to bewaile my deplora­ble estate, and vnspeakable cala­mitie? [Page 142] Haue not I reason to poure out 1 Sam. 1. 15 my soule before thee; and to walke Isaiah. 38.15 weakely all my yeeres in the bitternesse of my Spirit.

And first, (O LORD) I find Lament thy losse. my selfe insufficient to lament duely the manifold, and great losses, sustained by mee, through my default, through my sinne, and iniquitie.

If the childe of the Prophet sorrowed for a peece yron, 2 King. 6. 5 for an axe head, that fell into the river of Iordan, and thus cryed to Elisha; Alace Master! it is but borrowed.

And no question (O LORD) that Pauls companions, were then somewhat greived, for the hurt and damnage they suffered in that dangerous navigation, where they lost their lading, Act. 27. 10 and their ship also. If thy servant King Da­vid mourned, for the losse of his deare friend Ionathan, with lamen­tation: Woe 2 Sam. 1.26 is mee (cryed hee) for thee, my brother Ionathan: very [Page 133] kind hast thou beene to mee, thy loue towards mee was wonderfull, passing the loue of women.

If thy servant Iacob Genes. 37.34 rent his clothes, and did put sackcloth a­bout his loynes, and sorrowed a long season, for his sonne Ioseph, whom hee supposed to haue beene lost.

And if without doubt Naomi lamented greevously, when her husband Abimelech Ruth. 1.3 died in a strange land.

And if Ieremiah sorrowed hea­vilie, for the life of a good King, because the breath Lamen. 4.20 of their nos­trils, the anointed of the LORD was taken in the nets of the enemie.

Yea, Ioash, King of Israel 2 King. 13.14 did weepe vpon the face of sicke Elisha. If wicked 2 Sam. 14.32 Absalon was no way contented, when hee saw not his fathers face: and if profaine Esau cryed Genes. 27.34 out with a great cry, and bitter, out of measure; when hee wanted the blessing of Isaak. Ma­nasseh Manasseths prayer. mourned for the losse of a [Page 144] worthie Kingdome.

Alace (O LORD!) when I consider deligently, the wonder­full great losse, and damage, which I haue sustained spiritually, by reason of the multitude of my sinnes, and iniquities, I cannot deplore, nor condignelie lament the same.

How is it possible to mee, to sorrow sufficiently, for that I haue lost that fine Revel 3. 18 gold tryed by the fire, enriching mee? That Revel. 2.4 I haue lost my first loue beautifying mee? I haue wasted the portion of goods, which my father gaue vnto mee at my creation? How can I be­waile my foolishnesse, who haue done, what in mee lyeth, to losse the kindnesse of my first, and best Iohn. 15. 15 friend, so beneficiall, and lo­ving to mee? Woe is mee! be­cause I haue Revel. 1. 7 pearced my deare Saviour: I haue crucified Heb 6. 6 againe the Sonne of GOD; my most wor­thie Ephes. 5.32 husband, and haue made a mocke of him.

[Page 145] How can I deplore my misery and great losse? which I haue gotten by my rebellion against thee Iere. 10. 7 O KING of all Nations, vnto whom appertaineth the domini­on for ever? Who Math. 10.28 is able to de­stroy both soule and bodie, in Hell eternallie? How can I, foolish creature! lament my losse, for not hearkning to thy Heavenly in­structions, and not receiving thy healthsome admonitions, who is my Math. 23.10 only doctor, and my Iohn. 3. 2 teacher come from GOD?

I am much troubled, because Psal. 101.29 thou hidest thy face from mee, and for that, the light of thy lo­ving countenance doeth not shine vpon mee, because by my sinnes, I haue almost lost thy favour; Psal. 30. 5 in which is life and felicitie, and thy Prov. 10.22 blessing, which maketh rich; and the Math. 6.33 Kingdome of Heaven in regard whereof, all the earth is but vanitie and meere miserie.

Now trueth it is, (O merci­full GOD) that many haue sustai­ned Lament thy povertie. [Page 146] great losse; and yet hath some good remaining behind: but I am redacted to extreame povertie: I may lament grievouslie, because I Revel 3. 17 am miserable, and wretched; poore, and most indigent; empty and naked.

That widow 1 King. 17.12 of Sarepta, O my GOD! was greatly impoverished, and redacted to a meane estate: She had not a cake, but even an handfull of meale in a barrell, and a little oyle in a cruse, shee re­solved, after that it was eaten to haue dyed.

But O bountifull LORD! thy wisedome knoweth, that I poore wretch spiritually, doe remaine in greater penurie: I haue not of my selfe a sanctified thought, an holy word; no, not a small teare, one sorrowfull sigh Psal. 51 16 of a contrite spirit, or broken heart: For I true­ly know, that in me, in Rom. 7. 18 my na­ture dwelleth no good thing at all: I am like one, who hath made ship­wracke of all his goods: I am like [Page 147] Lazarus, Luk. 16. 20 I haue nothing of my selfe, not a morsell of bread, not a cuppe of cold water, but that which I get by crying, and beg­ging of thy Alsufficiencie. Now Lament thy debt. which is much worse O LORD! I am not only thy poore beggar; but also I am thy debter, won­derfull great is my debt, terrible is mine obligation; and Colos. 2. 14 thine handwriting against mee is feare­full: That 2 King. 4. 1 poore widow cryed for her earthly debt, because the cre­ditor would take her two sonnes, to bee his bond men for the same: I haue much more reason to cry and mourne to thee for my spiritual debt, which without a discharge, will take my soule from mee: A­lace Debt is easilie contracted but hardly remo­ved. (O LORD) it was easily, and pleasantly contracted; but it is like to bee with paine and dif­ficultie removed.

Sathan hath deceaved mee: he made it to seeme light and easie at the beginning; but now it is too heavie, and verie displeasant vnto [Page 148] mee: and if I get not an acquit­tance from thine Alsufficient Ma­jestie, I Math. 18. 34 will bee delyvered to the jaylors; and cast into the pri­son, out of which, there is no foorth comming, nor redemption.

In the meane season (O LORD) albeit I bee so drowned in debt, Lament thy vnfruitfulnesse and miserie; yet I remaine as Math. 3. 10 a barren ground, as an vnfruitfull tree: woe is mee, the axe is put to the roote: in danger to bee he­w [...]n downe, and cast into fire, which is vnquenchable, I am (O LORD) by nature, like that vnprofitable Luke 13. 4 figge tree, planted in thy wine­yarde: Thou hast for many yeares suffered mee patiently; thou hast taken paines vpon mee: Thou hast digged about mee, thou hast sought figges and fruite from mee. But (alace) thou hast found none: justly THOU mayest cutte mee downe, and cast mee out of thy wine-yarde to rotte and putrifie.

I lament bitterly, (O my KING and my SAVIOUR!) that I Psal. 39. 12 am Lament thy banishment. [Page 149] not only a stranger, and sojourner, as all my fathers were; but also that now I doe remaine in exile, and banishment, for my trans­gressions; a most just punishment. The Israelites being banished from Ierusalem, did Psal. 13. 2 weepe when they sate at the river of Babel: And out of all question our first pa­rent Adam was perplexed, and sore grieved, when for his sinne thou Genes. 2. 24 did cast him out of the gar­den of Eden; and banished him from a terrestiall paradise.

But (LORD) I want words to bewai [...]e the evill of my tres­passes, which without forgive­nesse, will cause me bee banished from IIeb. 12. 22 the citie of the living GOD; from the Cel [...]stiall I [...]rusalem; and to bee Luk. 23 43 exiled from that Hea­venly Paradise; the Luk. 16. 22 bosome of A­braham, and to bee tormented in Hell, in everlasting perdition.

Further (O LORD) I mourne 6. Lament for thy servitude. with teares, and dolour, because I continue by nature a Rom. 7. 10 servant [Page 150] of sinne vnto death, and of 2 Pet. 2 19 cor­ruption; a slane to sathan, vnto damnation. If the Luk. 15. 15 prodigall sonne did regrate his pittifull estate, when hee serued a stranger, when hee was sent to his farme to feede swine: and if that Egyptian 1 Sam 30.13 the servant of an Amalekite, could complaine of his masters crueltie, and vnkindnesse, who left him sicke in the wildernesse, destitute of all comfort and necessaries: I haue (O LORD) more cause to la­ment my sore servitude and thral­dome; in that I am slaue to mine enemie, serving him in hunger, in thrist, in neede of all spirituall things, who will not goe from mee; but doeth abide to torture mee, and doeth put a Deut. 28. 48 yocke of irone upon my necke, and to de­stroy mee.

Now (LORD) thy wisdome 7 Lament for thy burthen. knoweth, how greatlie I am dis­pleased, and how I bewaile this burthen of sinne, that Heb. 12. 1 preasseth so sore downe, and this iniquitie [Page 151] that hangeth so fast on: They Psal. 38. 4 are as a weightie burthen, too heavie for mee, I am wonderfull wearie and Math. 11.28 laden with them.

The Israelites in Egypt were cruellie oppressed, and vexed with bodilie burthens, they Exod. 1.11 sighed Exod. 2. 23 in their bondage; and cryed to the LORD, who heard their moane, and had a respect vnto them▪ but I miserable wretch, am more o­vercharged with the heavie bur­then of sinne, if I were sensible thereof: The Scribs, Luk 11. 6 Pharise [...]s, and interpreters of the Law, did lade men with burthens of cere­monies, grievous to be borne; but Sathan, the world, mine owne lust, and concupiscence, doe lay more heavie burthens of sinne v­pon my conscience.

And thus (O LORD) being 8 Lament thy filthinesse. overburthened, I am altogether defiled, and filthily polluted, with the turpitude, and pollution of my filthinesse: I haue remained in Psal. 40 2 myrie clay, I am the dung vpon [Page 152] the earth, I haue wallowed my selfe in the filthy puddle of this prophaine world, I am spotted, and altogether defiled, I Ier. 8.2. am filthie within and without: Nitre and Ier. 2.22 much sope will not wash a­way mine iniquitie: All the water of the Ocean cannot cleanse mee, for I am vncleane from my nati­vitie: I Ezech. 16.6 ly polluted in my owne blood lamentablie, I Iob. 9. 31 am plunged in the pit, and mine owne clothes make mee filthie. Albeit the wa­ter of the river Alpheus did cleanse the stable of Augeus, where dung lay heaped vp, the space of thirtie yeares, yet all the waters of the rivers of the Word cannot cleanse, Ier 4. 14 and wash my heart from wickednesse: For alace (O LORD) I 2 Pet. 2 22 am like the dogge re­turning to his vomite, and like the sow that was washed comming a­gaine to the wallowing in the myre. I lament that I am bound in the 9 Lament thy bands m [...]st miserable forme: for Genes 42 26 Simeon, Iudg. 15. 13 Samson, Daniel. 3. 20 Shadrah, Meshah and [Page 153] Abednego were bound bodilie; but shortly loosed and gloriously delivered: Thou (O LORD) laide Ezech. 4. 8 bands vpon thine owne ser­vant Ezechiel; so that hee might neither turne himselfe from the one side to the other: But alace hea­vie bands are laide vpon mee.

That Luk. 13. 11 wretched woman, who had a spirit of infirmitie; and was bound together eighteene yeares, that shee could not lift vp her selfe in any wise: Sathan had bound her so, that none could relieue her of her bands; but thou O LORD could loose her: shee questionlesse did mourne grievouslie, in hard distresse and miserie: but I poore catiue am deteined in straiter [...]et­ters and bands, (it feareth mee for moe yeares) so that I can not lift vp my eves, nor my soule to thee, as I desire, and should: for I (O LORD!) am sore smitten and wounded: There is nothing sound 10 Lament for thy wounds. in mee, but wounds, and swelling; and Psal. 69. 26 soares full of corruption. A­lace! [Page 154] (O LORD) I Isa. 1. 6 haue fallen amongst theeues, who haue robbed mee of my raiment; and of all goods: they haue wounded mee, and left mee halfe dead. Albeit King Io­ram was sensible of his hurt, and had a feeling of the paine and dan­ger of Luk. 10 30 the wound, which the A­ramits had given him at Ramath: yet LORD I haue little sense, or feeling of the dolorous, and dan­gerous wounds, that Sathan and sinne hath given mee, in this my warfare, and perillous fight: I haue 2 King. 8. 29 small griefe for them. I cry not to thee, who only is able for to heale Isa 30. 26 the stroke of my wounds, putrifying, and bringing destru­ction both to soule and body.

And moreover, I am captiva­ted, and by my foes strately im­prisoned: Many (LORD) of thy 1. Lament for thy imprison­ment servants were deteined in earth­ly prisons; and questionlesse did mourne bitterly, for their mise­rable estate and calamitie Godly Ioseph Genes. 32.20 was put in prison: They [Page 155] Psal. 105.18 layed his feete in the stockes, and hee was laide in yron. Strong Sam­son, Iudg. 16. 21 bound with fetters, did grina in the prison. Faithfull 1 King. 22.27 Micajah was put in prison, and fedde with the bread and water of affliction. The holy Prophet Ieremiah was vexed in a dungeon; where hee stack Ier: 38: 6 fast in the myre. And when thy holy Apostle S^t. Paul Act: 16: 25 with Silas were beaten wiih rods, and thrust into an inner prison, they prayed: But (O my GOD) this spirituall dungeon, wherein I am holden fast, is farre more dange­rous, and deplorable. How should I poore wretch, weepe and sor­row for my mishappe, and mise­rie. Am Iob: 7: 12 I a sea fish, that thou keepest mee in ward? When Psal: 4: 1 shall I bee delyvered, and set at liber­tie, from my deepe distresse?

Now by my imprisoning (O 12 Lamentthy weaknesse: LORD) I am become verie weake, and by my wounds infirme: I Psal: 38. 8 am weakned, and sore broken: I roare for the griefe of mine heart. I goe [Page 156] mourning Psal 66: 2 all the day long: LORD I am weake; my bones are vexed. I Rom: 14: 1 am weake in faith. I 1 Cor: 14. 20 am a child in vnderstanding. I Heb: 5, 13 am a babe, inexpert in the word of righ­teousnesse. I Psal: 22: 6 am but a sillie worme, and not a man: a shame of men, and contempt of the people. I Iob: 13: 52 am like a leafe, driven to and fro: and like the dry stubble. I Zach 3 [...] : 2 am a burnt sticke: a brande taken out of the fire. I Psal: 119: 141 am small and de­spised. I Psal: 119: 83: am like a bottle in the smoke. There is no strength, nor 13 Lament thy sicknesse: beautie in mee, poore miserable wretch! Let Psal: 119. 169 my complaint come before thee, for my great sicknesse; and manifold diseases, for my in­ward deafnesse. I am (alace) like many of the obdured Iewes, who Act: 7: 57 stopped their eares, and would not hearken to the Sermon of Ste­ven: Or like the deafe Psal: 58: 4 adder, which stoppeth his eare; and will not heare to the charming of the inchauter. I Zach: 7: 11 haue often refused to hearken: I haue pulled away the [Page 157] shoulder, and stopped the eare, least I should heare the law of GOD, and the word, (O LORD of hoastes) which thou hast sent in thy spi­rit, by the Ministerie of thy Pro­phets. I am like the Heathens I­doll, I Psal: 115: 6 haue eares but heare not.

Woe is me (O LORD) for my spirituall blindnesse: I am like one of the vnrighteous Aegyptians: I am Wisdome: 17: 2 blind, and bound in the bands of darknesse: I Isa: 59: 10 grope for the wall, and I stumble at the noone day.

If Samson was sorrowfull for his sight, and desired to be aven­ged on the Philistims, Iudg: 16: 28 because they did plucke out his two eyes; and for that hee was a laughing stocke to them: Haue not I a grea­ter cause of sorrow, and hatred, against my sinnes, which hath plucked out the eyes of my soule, and made mee a gazing stock to all creatures. Alace (O LORD) how can I pittifully eneugh make my moane vnto thee, for the fro­wardnesse, foolishnesse, double­nesse, [Page 158] and hardnesse of my filthie heart: for it Psal: 101: 4 is froward: it Eceles: 1: 33 is double and divyded: it Hos: 10: 2 is foolish; impenitent, Rom: 2: 4 and earthly: it Ezech: 11: 19 is obdured, hard, and stome.

O my GOD! I haue great rea­son to lament the spirituall lepro­sie of mine inward man: I may most justly haue my cloths Levit. 13 45 rent my head bare, my lips covered, and cry, that I am vncleane: If the bodilie leprosie of Oziah, King of Iudah, caused him 2 Chro 26.21 to bee cut off from the house of the LORD; and to lose an earthly Kingdome; may not my spirituall leprosie se­parate mee from the societie of CHRIST, from the communion of the Saincts, and depriue mee of an Heavenly Kingdome.

But now (O mercifull Father) I want wordes to deplore my 1 [...] Lament for thy wickednes wickednesse, and my 1 Peter 2. 1 malicious­nesse, the very roote, and wel­spring of all my woe and miserie: I delight to foster that serpent in my bosome, which doeth sting [Page 159] me, to carie that fire in my brest, which doeth burne mee, to keepe still on my stomach that poyson that will infect mee, and destroy mee.

Alace! miserable is my mad­nesse: Should it not bee my prin­cipall care, and my continuall in­devoure? Should not I take all possible paines, to shake off that serpent as Act. 28. 5 Paul did the viper, to cast away these coales, to vomite out that noysome poyson, that I may liue, and not perish eternally?

Yet (LORD) this is worse, that I cannot condignelie com­plame 15 Lament thy stubbornnesse. of my contumacie, and stubbornnesse, (O my GOD,) I spake in sinceritie, many Isa. 66. 4 times thou hast called, but I would not answere; thou hast spoken, but I would not heare: Many times (Lord) hast thou early Ier. 11. 7 rysing, protested, saying, obey my voyce: but I am disobedient, and refractorie. Thou hast come to mee, when I haue departed from thee: Thou hast [Page 160] followed mee, when I haue fled away from thee: Thou hast stoode and Revel. 3. 20 knocked at the doore of my heart, but I would not open vnto thee: I haue not (O LORD) beene throughly moved with the loue of mine owne salvation: I haue not beene arightly terrified with the feare of my condem­nation: I Isaiah. 66. 3 haue not trembled at thy Word, or threatnings: I haue not beene joyfull of thy sweet promises, and consolations. Alace (O LORD!) and woe is mee, Isaiah. 43. 4 I am obstinate, and my necke is an yron sinew, and my brow brasse. I am senselesse of my sinne and past feeling. Yea O LORD I am dead in my transgressions, and putrifying in my abominations: I haue Revel. 3.1 a name that I liue while I am dead: I 2 Tim. 5. 6 liue naturally, but am dead spiritually.

O my mercifull Father! I la­ment Lament thy curses. bitterly, that by nature I am subject to thine heavie curse; and hath deserved thy terrible [Page 161] malediction, in respect I Ier. 11. 3 haue not obeyed the words of thy merci­full covenant: in respect I Mal. 1. 14 haue sacrificed to the LORD of hostes, who art a great King, whose name is terrible, a corrupt thing, a torne, and vnworthie offering. Albeit I had a male in my flock, in respect I Ier. 48. 10 haue done thy worke negligent­ly: in respect I Isaiah. 5. 20 haue beene wise in myne owne eyes, and prudent in myne owne sight: in respect I haue fled Hos. 7. 13 away, and departed from thee my gratious GOD: in respect I haue Habb. 2. 9 coveted an evill covetous­nesse to mine house, that I may set my nest on high; and in respect I Galat. 3. 10 haue not continued in all things that are written in the booke of the LORD to doe them.

Alace (O LORD) what shall I say to thy Majestie? How can 17 Lament thy condemnation I excuse my selfe before thee? I cry vnto thee pittiefully: My condemnation Hos. 13.9 commeth of my selfe, but my salvation is from thee on­ly: It Lament. 3.22 is of thy mercie, that I am [Page 162] not alreadie consumed, because thy compassions faile not: thy mercies are renued vnto me every morning.

Albeit (O most mercifull GOD) thou Pet. 2.4. 5. 6 spared not the Angels that sin [...]ed, but cast them downe to hell, and delyvered them to the chaines of darknesse, to be keept into dam­nation: Neither spared thou the old world, but brought in the flood v­pon the vngodly: and turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes, thou condemned, and over­threw them perpetually: yet LORD it hath pleased thee of thy good­nesse to spare mee into this pre­sent tyme, who am worthie of that same punishment and con­demnation.

O LORD! like Isaiah; 8. 14 a crane, or a swalow so should I chatter, and as a doue mourne before thee.

I am like Psal. 102. 6 Polica [...]e of the wildernesse: I am like an Owle of the deserts. I am as a Spar­row alone vpon the house tops. Oh! that Ier. 9. 1 myne head were full of wa­ter, [Page 163] and mine eyes a fountaine of teares, that I might weepe day and night, for my miserie and iniqui­tie. O Psal. 42. 7 LORD, all thy waues, and floods are gone over me: Sor­row for sinne, grievous calamitie hath so choaked me, that I can not more speake to thy Majestie. Let my secreet sighes, and my salt teares, and Psal. 19 14. the medi­tation of myne heart, bee alwayes acceptable in thy sight: O LORD my Strength, and my Redeemer.

ALthough the due, and di­ligent practise of the pro­mises of humble co [...]es­sion, and bitter lamentation, may verie forcibly vrge thee to ear­nest petition, yet for preparation to the same, consider diligently, what graces, and good gifts are absolutelie necessarie to prepare thee arightly, that thou mayest be a true, and sinceere supplicant vnto the LORD.

Now, lest Iames. 4.3 thou aske amisse and receiue not; lest when thou stretchest out thy hand, the Lord hide his eyes from thee: and though thou Isaiah. 1. 15 make many prayers, yet God [Page 165] will not heare thee▪ le [...]t thy Prover. 28. 9 prayer it selfe bee abhominable: Lest al­beit thou Prover. 1.26 call yet the LORD laugh at thy destruction; and mocke when thy feare commeth: Thou must take much diligent heede, with earnest indevour, that in some measure thou bee indued with these good gifts, that are absolutlie requisite, to the end that thy prayer may bee effectuall, and comfortable vnto thy selfe: the want whereof, will make thy petition to be effectlesse; yea to be but abomination.

Therefore come on, and con­sider with mee carefully, what graces must accompanie thy pe­tition, and convert (as it were) the same to Heaven.

First thou must haue know­ledge, Iraeneus lib. 15 [...]. Iustin. Mar. quaest. 1. d [...] gent. saving knowledge: Cognitio Dei renovat hominem: The know­ledge of GOD will make thee a new creature. It is the greatest good to man: It will bring thee to salvation; for this Iohn 17. 3 is life eter­nall [Page 166] to know the LORD, to be very GOD: and whom hee hath sent IESVS CHRIST. Thou shouldest not be a Samaritan, to worship that which thou know­est not. Content not thy selfe with worldlie wisdome, which is but sensuall Iam. 3.15 and divelish. Bee not like an Basilicus. Owle, blinde in the day, but seeth somewhat in the night.

A people that is of no vnder­standing, hee that made them, shall haue no compassion on them: and hee that flamed them, will haue no mercie on them Shortly if thou knowest not CHRIST, thou shall never with Christians cry to CHRIST; but with the Iewes, thou shall kill him, and crucifie Act. 3. 17 Faith. him. Fides est sea­la, à terra in Coelum. Am­bros. Fides est lumen animae, ostium vitae, fundamentum salutis arternae Chtysost.

Secondly: Thou must haue true justifying faith: This is the ladder of Iaakob, from earth to Heaven: This is the light of the soule; the d [...]e and foundation of life c­ternall: This is the golden port, [Page 167] by which the KING of Glorie entreth into our mynde: This is the first word of a Christian, I BELIEUE: This is the eare, by which we heare CHRIST our good Iohn. 10. 11 Shepherd: the eye, by which with MOSES we Heb. 11. 27 see him: The mouth by which we doe receiue: the tongue, by which wee pray to him, saying, Abba Rom. 8. 15 Father.

This faith procureth our adop­tion, that wee are Iohn 1. 12 the sonnes of GOD: This maketh vs the ha­bitation of CHRIST, that hee will Ephes. 3. 17 dwell in our hearts: It is the hand whereby we take hold on him; the Luke 2. 28 armes by which with Simeon wee embrace our Saviour CHRIST, and then wee pray to GOD, and praise his Ma­jestie.

Now as this was a great point of wisedome in Themistocles, that when hee came in the presence of his enemie Admetas, King of Molossi, hee tooke the Kings sonne in his armes, and then made [Page 168] his petition to Admetus, of whom Thucydides & Chytraeus. hee received favour and kindnesse: So thou, if thou desire to Iam. 4. 8 draw neare to thy GOD, to goe Hebr. 4. 16 bold­ly vnto the throne of grace, and present thy selfe before him, from whose Revel. 20.11 face both the earth and Heaven shall flee away: It shall bee greatest wisedome for thee to take CHRIST IESUS, in whom the Math. 3. 17 Father is well pleased into the armes of thy soule, and then make thy petition to the Almigh­ty, who will delyver Psal. 91. 16 thee, glo­rifie thee, and show thee his sal­vation: otherwise thy supplicati­on; yea, thy selfe shall bee like Cains Genes. 4. 5 offering, wherevnto the LORD will haue no regarde; because without Heb. 11. 6 faith it is impos­sible to please GOD, and whatso­ever is not of faith is sinne, and will procure but a punishment from him, who is the just Psal. 94. 1 A­venger.

Thirdly: Studie most carefully, and continually, to be graced with [Page 169] true holynesse and pietie, without the Heb. 12. 15 Sine pictate virtues non pos­sunt esse in hac vita which, no man shall see the LORD in mercie in the lyfe to come, and without it, there can bee no vertue in this present life. If Psal. 66. 18 I regarde wickednesse in my heart, (saith the Psalmist) the LORD will not heare mee. If the Leviticall Priests of necessitie, vn­der paine of death, were ordai­ned to wash Exod. 30. 28 themselues with wa­ter, when they did goe into the ta­bernacle; much more must the Preist Evangelicall wash Ierem. 4. 14 his heart from wickednesse, and his Psal. 26. 6 hands in innocencie, and then compasse the LORDS Altar: hee must put Exod. 3. 5 off his shoes, and cast Heb. 12 1 a­way his sinnes, and put Rom. 13. 14 on the LORD IESVS, and bee arrayed with his righteousnesse: Thou must haue written on thine head, HO­LYNESSE Exod. 39. 30 TO THE LORD, and sanctifie 1 Pet. 3. 15 GOD in thine heart; and bee renued according to his glorious image, and then send vp thy prayers into the Highest: for [Page 170] it is most true, that GOD Iohn. 9.31 hea­reth not sinners, who continue in their sinne with delectation.

Fourthly: to the end thy sup­plication may bee acceptable to Charitie. the Almighty, thou of necessicie also must haue towards thy neigh­bour true loue and charitie, in the which if thou Iohn. 4. 12 dwell, thou dwellest in GOD, and GOD in thee: So thou mayest know, that thou Iohn 3. 14 art translated from death to lyfe, because thou lovest the brethren. If thy soule 1 Pet. 1. 22 bee purify­ed in obeying the trueth through the Spirit, thou will loue brother­ly, without faining; then thou may­est pray comfortably without a­ny Isiodor. Etym. lib. 6. Nullum in vul nere profi­citmedicamen tum, si adhuc in eo ferrum sit. sic nihil proficit oratio illius, cuius ad­huc odium in pectore, vel do lus maneat in mente. doubting: As no salue, nor me­dicament will profite, or bring health to a wound, if the yron remaine therein; so thy petition will bee vnprofitable, if hatred abyde in thy brest, or deceite in thy minde: If thou haue not the fire of GODS Spirit within thee, and ardent affection to warme thee, [Page 171] then doubtlesse thou shall haue the fire of malice, anger, and ha­tred, which will consume thee. If thou with Nahab Levit. 10. 2 and Abi­hu offer strange fire before the LORD, a fire may come [...] out from the LORD to devoure thee: and albeit thou wouldest 1 Cor. 13. 3 giue thy bo­dy to bee burned, and wo [...]l lest feede the poore with all thy goods, and hath not loue, it profiteth no­thing: thy selfe, thy prayer shall not bee regard [...]d, nor acceptable to GOD; neither profitable to thy owne selfe; because (as an anci­ent affirmeth) Nihil est pretiosi­us DEO virtute dilectionis, nihil desider abilius diabolo extinctione charitatis: Their is nothing more precious vnto GOD, than the vertue of loue, their is nothing more desired to the devill, than the extinguishing of charity.

Leaue l therefore thy offering be­fore Math. 5. 24 the Altar, (saith our Savi­our) goe thy way, first be recon­ciled vnto thy brother, and then [Page 172] come, and offer thy gift, and send vp to GOD thine humble suppli­cation.

Fiftly: thou who desirest to Sobrietie. pray arightly, thou must be en­dued with temperancie and sobri­etie, and so as CHRIST comman­deth thee more conveniently, thou will watch Math. 26.41 and pray, that thou enter not into tentation, thou will bee 1 Pet. 5. 8 sober, vigilant, and fit for prayer: This vertue of temper­ance is the leader, and modera­trix Temperantia est actionum auriga & mo­deratrix. of our actions.

Intemperancie will greatlie sunder thee from this holy duetie, it is the greatest degree of filthy shame, and miserie: And there­fore Xerxes, after deliberation did Spinaeus in vo lupt. lib. 5 inflict the highest punishment v­pon the Babylonians, when a­gaine he subdued them after their rebellion; hee did prohibite the vertuous exercises of arts, and sciences; and enjoynd them to giue themselues to idlenesse, play, banquetting, and surfetting, and [Page 173] to all luxurie and voluptuousnesse.

Take Luk. 21. 34 heede therefore to thy selfe, lest at any tyme thy heart bee oppressed with sursetting▪ and drunkennesse, and the cares of this lyfe, least that day come on thee at vnwares. Watch therefore, and pray continually. Ioyne 2 Pet. 1. 5 therefore with vertue knowledge, and with knowledge temperancie: (which as the Philosopher affirmeth is Arist. Ethic. lib. 6 cap. 5 Fervencie. the preserver of all other good qualities) and then surely Iam. 5. 16 thou shall not be idle, nor vnfruitefull in the knowledge of the LORD IE­SVS CHRIST.

Sixtly: If thou wish thy pe­tition profitable, thou must pray with an vehement and earnest affection: for Genes. 32. 28 the prayer of a righteous man availeth much, if it bee fervent. Remember well I be­seech, that all pious professors, who hath ^s had power with GOD, were ever most ardent in their requests.

Consider diligentlie, and follow [Page 174] faithfully, in the vttermost of all thy power the fervencie, and ar­dor of good Kings: David saith, As Psal. 42. 1 the Hart brayeth for the rivers of water, so pan [...]et my soule after thee O GOD: and Hezekiah, incline Isaiah. 37. 17 thine [...]are O LORD, and heare: open thine eyes O LORD, and see: And godle Prophets, Da­niel crying O Dan 9. 19 [...] LORD heare! O LORD forgiue! O LORD con­sider and Habbak [...]k praying, O LORD Habb. 3. 2 reviue thy works in the midst of thy people, in wrath re­member mercie.

But principally consider Heb. 3. 1 the Apostle, and high Priest of our profession CHRIST IESUS, which in Heb. 5.7 the dayes of his flesh did of­fer vp prayers and supplications, with strong crying and teares Our blessed MASTER in Luk. 22. 44 his most bit­ter and heavie agonie, Hee prayed most earnestly with great ferven­cie, and his sweate was like drops of blood trickling downe to the ground.

Many indeede doe mervell at [Page 175] that most illustrious George Ca­striot Abrahamus Scultetus in lib. de precat. cap. 19. Scanderbeg, the peerelesse Prince of Epirus, in whom (they write) was so great ardor into fighting, that the blood would burst furth out of his lippes, but surely, one hath greater cause to wonder at the fervencie of our SAVIOUR, who was so vehe­ment in praying, that a bloodie sweate came not from his lippes only; but also from his whole bo­die in great abundance: Follow then the ardent zeale, and ferven­cie of thy Master, and take good heede, (I beseech thee) that thou doe Ier. 48. 10 not the worke of GOD ne­gligently, least thou bee subject to GODS curse, and miserie, that thou Revel. 3. 16 be not cold nor luckewarme, least CHRIST spue thee out of his mouth most shamefully. Quo­modo Cyprianus in sermone de o­ratione Domi­ni. te audiri à DEO postulas, cum ipse te non audias? How can thou require thy selfe to be heard of GOD, when thou hearest not thy selfe by sloathfulnesse, cold­nesse, [Page 176] or distractions: But thou call vpon GOD with a vehement desire, and earnest affection: So did Samson for earthly water, sav­ing, LORD Iudg. 15. 18 shall I die for thirst: more fervently shouldst thou pray for the water of the Well of life, for thine aeternall consolation.

Seventhly: Aboue all labour Sinceritie. with continuall care and industrie, that thou may ever bee graced with vprightnesse of heart, and sinceritie, to the end, thy prayer may haue force with GOD, and tend to thy solicitie: Content not thy selfe to bee like the hypocri­ticall Iewes, of whom GOD com­plaineth; because they Hosea. 7. 14 cryed not vnto him With their hearts, When they houled vpon their beds, and because Isaiah. 29.13 they came neere to him With their month, and honour him With their lips, but had removed their heart farre from him: And truely this is a most grievous complaint, also of that same E­vangelicall Prophet; There Isaiah. 64. 7 is none [Page 177] that calleth vpon thy Name. What did that holy and wise Prophet lament? did not that people ap­peare Isaiah. 1. 12 before GOD, and did tread in his courts, and brought obla­tions, and kept Sabbaths, and so­lemne assemblies. Did Amos. 5. 22 they not then pray to GOD, when they offered burnt offerings, meate of­ferings, and peace offerings? The Prophet yet spake truely, they did not call vpon GOD, because they did it not rightly, but ly­pocritically, and the prayer of the hypocrite shall turne to sinne, and bee esteemed transgression. A Father maketh a notable com­parison in affirming, that the hy­pocrite, Augustin. and counterfaite Chri­stian, is like that golden Revel. 17. 4 cuppe, which was in the hand of that whoorish woman, full of abomina­tion and filthinesse, of her forni­cation: His prayer then can not bee acceptable: Yea, though Iob. 20. 6. 7 his excellencie mounted vp to the Hea­vens, and his head reach to the [Page 178] clouds, yet hee shall perish for ever lyke his doung, and they which haue seene him, shall say, where is hee? But worship thou thy GOD (as hee requireth) Iohn 4. 23 in Spirit and Trueth with an vp­right and honest heart in true simplicitie, which is the whole grace of our oratrie, which co­vereth Tota Rheto ricae nostrae gratia. est me­ra simplicitas and [...]eth all other in­firmitie, which is the highest perfection of Christianitie: for GOD P [...]al. 51. 4 who loveth trueth in the inward affection, hee will ever doe Psal. 125. 4 good to them that are true in heart. Hee will heare their prayers, and in his owne good tyme grant them their requests, and fu [...]fill their desires.

Moreover in the eight place, yea in the first, studie principal­ly Humiliue. to haue true humilitie: because as excellently saith the Wise-man, The Ec [...]l [...]s. 35.17 prayer of him that hum­bleth hiraselfe, goeth through the clouds, and ceaseth not till it come [...]ere; and will not departe, till the [Page 179] most [...]igh haue respect therevnto, to judge righteously, and to execute judgement, and doubt [...]sle, Isaiah. 66. 2 the LORD will looke to him that is poore, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at his Words, Cae [...]e [...] a vitia in peccatis, superbia vero in Augustin. recte factis timend [...] est; Other vyces in sinnes, but pryde is to bee seared in weldoing: And que­stionl [...]sse all Prov. 16. 5 that are proud in heart are an abh [...]mination to the LORD. The ambitious p [...]titioner shall not bee rewarded, but pu­nished: learne Mat 11. 29 then of thy Saviour to bee m [...]ke and [...]o [...]lie in heart, and thou shall find rest vnto thy soule. Thou shall bee conte [...]ted, and thy petition gra [...]ted: Prov 29. 23 For the humble in s [...]irit shall receive glorie, and enjoy mer [...]ie. O felix humilitas, quae DEI trahit [...]le­mentiam, Augustin. & ejus ligat omnipoten­tiam. O happie humilitie, which draweth GODS mercie, and bind­eth his omnipotencie.

Nynthly: Take good heed to Oppurtunitie. [Page 180] the time 2 Cor. 6. 2 accepted, and to the day of salvation, wherein GOD will heare thee and succour thee. Bee not thou like profaine Esau, Heb. 12. 12 who afterward, out of t [...]me, seeking the blessing with teares, was rejected. Follow not the joolish Math. 25 12 Ʋirgins, who vntymously, when the gate was shut did cry, and were re­pulled: but bee carefull Isaiah. 55. 6 to seeke the LORD, while hee may bee found, and to call vpon him, while hee is neere. As some Emperi­ours, namely ƲESPASIAN had a time, even when he was going to the baths, wherein hee did principally show his libe­ralitie, and bountifulnesse. So the great and most Genes. 4. 22 High GOD, pos­sessour of Heaven and earth, hath his owne season when hee will bestow his rich mercie, and vn­speakeable goodnesse, when hee will Hos. 10. 12 come and raine righteous­nesse vpon his people, which oc­casion if thou [...]loathfully neglect, the LORD will not admit thy [Page 181] request, nor grant thy petition.

Tenthly: As the holy Apostle Constancie. exhorteth thee, to Thess. 5. 17 pray conti­nually: bee Galat. 6. 9 not wearie of well­doing, for in due season thou shall reape, if thou faint not. Consider diligently that parable of thy Sa­viour, of the importunate widow, and vnrighteous Iudge; who Luk. 18. 5 did her justice against her adversarie, because shee did make him wearie. Let thy prayer be li [...]e S^t Stevens looking, hee Act 7. 55 looked to Heaven stead [...]astly, and therefore comfor­tabl [...], for hee saw the glorie of GOD, and IESVS standing at his right hand, readie to receaue him, so pray thou constantly, and ever with vehement affection. But vse Math. 6 7 not vaine repetitions, as the Hea­then or [...]dolaters, who thinke to be heard for their much babling: like Baals 1 King. 18.26 priests, who called from morning till noone, saving no other thing, but O Baal heare vs, all that labour was lost, there was none to answere them, or helpe [Page 182] them: But I say pray continually with [...], and so thou may­est doe comforta [...]e, for Christ will haue a [...]are of thee, because if hee gaue acc [...] to thee, being farre d [...]tant from him, much more will hee hold thee, when thou are more neere to him: and if thou Psal. 37. 4 delyte thy selfe in the LORD, surely hee will giue thee thy hearts desire in due and con­venient time for to comfort thee.

Lastly! in the first place, most carefully and continually labour, Spirit. to bee possessed wholly with the san [...]tifying Spirit, who is GOD, and the gift of GOD, which Rom. 8. 26 Deus, & do­num Dei. will helpe thy infirmities, when thou knowest not to pray as thou oughtest, the spirit it selfe will make request August. for thee with sighes which cannot bee expressed, which will worke hope and confidence in thee, so that thou Heb. 10 22 shall draw neare to GOD, with a true heart, in the assurance of Faith: so that thou shall giue thy selfe to true fasting [Page 183] and almes-deeds. This hope and confidence will not make thee Rom. 5. 5 ashamed, but encouraged; and if thou desirest thy prayer to flee vp to Heaven, thou must haue (as that Father cou [...]selleth) two August. wings, namely, this right pri­vate fasting a frequent custome of a good Heb. 13. 16 doing and distributing, for with such sacrifices GOD is pleased: thou with him will bee reconciled, & thy request granted.

This Spirit will cause thee to continue Col. 1. 21 grounded and stablished in faith, and not to bee moved a­way from the hope of the Gospell, to bee so rootted and builded in CHRIST, that thy heart shall not be distracted with vaine co­gitations, or worldly cares in time of this holy service, neither shall thou waver Iam. 1. 6 and bee like a wave of the sea, tossed with the winds and carried away.

If in time, and in the practise Plutarch, in vita coriola. of the blind superstition of the old Romans, a cryer proclamed, [Page 184] Hoc age, doe this onelie; much more in the sincere service of our GOD, wee should bee most intentiue, and only diligent to per­forme this duetie.

Now seeing the true supplicant must bee graced with all these qualities, thou may soone per­ceiue the difficultie of this exer­cise, it is wonderous hard, to be adorned with so many properties, and more of the difficultie of this action, thou shall find in the 12. Chapter following.

Thus after confession, and la­mentation, Remember to note well th [...]t all these good gifts and qua­lities. are both purchased & increased by prayer. goe on to an earnest and sinceere p [...]tition, with con­sideration of thine owne indigni­tie, and of the necessities of those good things to bee desired and asked, and let this petition be to thee an information of the principall graces, which ought fervent­ly to bee re­quired.

O Almightie GOD, and most mercifull Father, trueth it is, that in regard of my wickednesse, and wretch­ednesse, the Psal. 116. 3 snares of death haue compassed mee, and the griefes of Pray for the Lords remem­brance. the graue haue caught mee; I now finde trouble, sorrow, and miserie. But O LORD I humblie pray thy Majestie, to Psal. 40. 16 thinke vpon me, who am poore, and needie; and to remember Psal. 106. 4 mee with the favour of thy people, and to visite mee with thy salvation, by this thy [Page 186] mercifull rememberance (O my gratious Redeemer!) albeit I re­maine in a deludge of dangers, yet with Noah Genes. 8. 1 I shall bee de­livered: albe [...]t I bee in doolefull distresse, yet with Rachell Genes. 29. 22 I shall b [...]e comforted: albeit I be in paine, in shame, and cala [...]nitie, yet with the Luk. 23. 43 penite [...]t thiefe, I shall get pleasure, honour and felicitie.

Wryte m [...] nam [...] [...] bese [...]ch thee in that Booke Mal. 3. 16 of rememberance, which is before thee. Isa. 49. 16 Graue me vpon the palme of thy owne hands: set Cant. 8. 6 mee O LORD as a seale v­pon thy heart, and as a signet v­pon thy owne arme, that [...]o thou mayest ever thinke vpon mee, and that I may remember vpon thee continually, and Cant. 1. [...] remember thy loue more than wine, and that I may rejoyce, Psal. 97. 12 and gaue thee that for thine holy rememberance.

O gracious GOD! looke Isaiah. 63.15 downe 2 For Gods gracious looke from the Heaven, and behold from the Genes. 16.13 dwelling place of thy San­ctuarie, mee thy owne poore ser­vant; [Page 187] loo [...]e LORD vpon mee, as thou looked ⁿ vpon Hagar, A­brahams maide: s [...]e then recei­ved instruction and consolation; so I sha [...]l bee wel [...] instructed, and comforted; turne Psal. 25. 16 thy face vnto mee to regard mee, who am de­so [...]ate, and needie: looke vpon mee, as thou did to thy servant Peter, Luk. 22. 6 that I may remember thy Word, and weepe b [...]tterly for my transgr [...]ssions, and gran [...] (O my Saviour!) that as Psal. 123. [...] the eyes of the servants, looke vnto the hand of their masters; and as the eyes of a maide vnto the hand of her mistresse; so my eyes may waite vpon thee O LORD my GOD! vntill thou be beneficiall vnto me.

O m [...]rcifull Father! Psal. 77. 7 absent not thy selfe for ever, not only 3 For GODS good cōming. remember mee, and looke vpon mee, but come quicklie Revel. 22. 20 to bee my deliverer and to be my comfor­table helper, Psal. 90. 13 returne (O LORD how long) and bee paci [...]ied toward thy servant.

[Page 188] If the Gibeonits, being in dan­ger of their enemies, thus besought Ioshua▪ saying, Iosh. 10. 6 withdraw not thine hand from thy servants, come vp to vs quickly, and saue vs, and helpe vs: I haue greater neede to cry to thee O IESUS, withdraw not thine hand from mee: Psal 18. 9 Bow the Heavens, come O LORD my GOD! bring to mee (who 4 Pray for mercie. am miserable) m [...]rcie vnder Mal 4. 2 thy wings: Haue compassion vpon me, a wretched tre [...]passer: for with thee O LORD there is abun­dant mercie, Psal. 130 7 and great redemption! I rejoyce O good GOD! that thy mercies Psal. 36. 5 doe reach vnto the Hea­vens, and thy faithfulnesse, vnto the clouds: that the shining sunne in the firmament, shall sooner want light, and the great Ocean shall sooner want water; than thou, O infinite in goodnesse, shall want mercie for a poore peni­tent sinner. Giue some portion thereof to mee, who am most indigent. Haue Psal. 6 2 mercie vpon mee, [Page 189] who am weake, and who desireth to repent: without this me [...]cie, all other gifts O LORD, as an abortiue birth is to the mother: As Psal. 58. [...] the vntimely fruite of a wo­man, which hath not seene the sunne, which will bring paine, and perill to the parent; but no pleasure, no profite at all.

O LORD! thou art the foun­taine 5 Pray for grace. Ier. 2. 13 of living water: thou hast the fulnesse Ioh. 1. 16 of grace and trueth: O most loving Father, giue grace to me, who of my selfe am voide of all good, and gracelesse: where­by I may so serue thee, that I may please thee, with reverence and feare: Albeit sinne Heb. 12. 28 aboundeth in mee, yet grace Rom. 5. 20 much more aboun­deth in thy Majestie: Gra [...]t O Heavenly Father, that I may trust 1 Peter. 1. 13 perfectly on that grace that is brought to mee by the revelation of IESVS CHRIST: And I in­treat 6 Pray for Gods favour. thy Majestie, to lift Psal. 4 7 vp the light of thy countenance to shine continually vpon mee: be­stow [Page 190] thy favour Psal. 30. 5 in which is life vpon mee, who hath so often de­served thine anger, giue to mee O LORD thy loving kindnesse, which is better than ten thou­sand worlds, which as it is most profitable and pleasant, so it is most sure and permanent. Thou O LORD endurest and art Psal. 102.27 the same, thy yeeres faile not, thy fa­vour altereth not, thou O LORD a [...]t never changed, and thy chil­dren therefore are not Mal. 3. 6 cons [...]ed. O my blessed Saviour! who art 7 Pray for peace and re­con [...]iliati [...]n. the Prince Isaiah. 9. 6 of peace, and recon­ciliation, which hath Eph. 214.17 broken the partition wall, a [...]d [...]th preached peace vnto mee, that thou might reconcile mee vnto thy GOD: giue vnto mee Iob. 34. 29 peace and quietnesse, and who then can make trouble and vexation, bee thou my ad­vocate [...] Iohn. 2. 1 with the Father, and the recon [...]iliation for my soule, be thou my attonem [...]nt and propitiation.

If the inhabitants of Tyrus and Sidon, did earnestly labour to haue [Page 191] peace Act. 12. 20 with Herod, an evill and earthly King: O LORD what paines should I take to haue con­cord and vnitie with thee, a good and Heavenly King, O LORD make mee diligent 2 Pet. 3. 14 that I may be founde of thee in peace without spot, and blamelesse, let the Col. 3. 15 peace of GOD rule in my heart: let O LORD thy peace Philip. 4.7 which passeth all vnderstanding, preserue mine heart, and minde in CHRIST IESVS, for ever, and ever.

And for this purpose, most [...] Pray for re­missi [...] of sin. mercifull GOD, forgiue me Math. 6. 12 all my debts: grant vnto mee a free dis­charge of all my sinnes, and a comfortable acquittance of all mine iniquities, written, subscribed, and sealed with the Blood of m [...] fa­viour: Put Col. 2. 14 out that hand writting, and obligation, that is against me, and cortrarie to mee, take it out of the way, and fasten it vpon the crosse. Let it never bee of power to shame mee in this world, or to condemne mee in the world [Page 192] to come. As Psal. 103.12 farre as the East is from the West, so farre remoue thou my sinnes from mee: Let Rom. 6. 12 not finne rule in my mortall bodie, that I obey the lusts thereof: But O LORD! subdue Math. 7. 19 mine iniquities, and cast all my faultes into the bottome of the sea. I humbly be­seech thee to Col 3. 5 mortifie, and slay my sinne in mee, least it slay my soule eternally: Burie all my of­fences in the graue, of CHRIST; Let them never rise against mee, for my conviction, and eternall confusion.

Now almightie GOD! Seing by 9 Pray for life spirituall. nature I am Eph. 2. 1 dead in sinne and trespasses, I pray thee to quicken mee: Let 2 Cor. 4. 16 my inward man be re­nued dayly: Grant that I may be borne Iohn. 3. 3 againe, and bee partaker of regeneration; and so enter in­to thy Kingdome: Thou who art the Iohn. 11. 2 resurrection, and the lyfe, who raised from death Lazarus, who was stincking, and rotting in the graue, and gaue him natu­rall [Page 193] lyfe; breath spirituall lyfe in­to my dead soule, that thou who art the GOD Math. 22.32 of the living, thou mayest bee my GOD, and guide for ever.

O thou, who art the Mal. 4. 2 Sunne Pray for spiri­tuall light of Righteousnesse, and the true light of the world, who hast abundance of eye Revel. 3. 18 salue, arise, and shine v­pon mee; anoynt the blind eyes of my minde; illuminate my dark vnderstanding. Thou who opened the Genes. 21.19 eyes of Hagar, and made her see a Well of water, wherewith her dying sonne was refreshed, open thou the eyes of my inward man, that I may see that Well of the Iohn 3. 10 water of lyfe, that my dying soule may be comforted, and thou O powerfull SAVIOUR, who did giue sight to that man, who Iohn 9.7 was borne blind, giue spirituall sight to my blind soule, that I may see thee, and follow thee continually. O my GOD! thou who opened the Math. 7. 33 eares of that deafe man, grant Pray for in ward hearing. that myne inward eares may be [Page 194] prepared, Psal. 40. 6 and opened, to heare thy holy, and blessed Word, that my bodie Heb. 10. 5 may bee ordeined, and made fitte for thy continuall ser­vice and worship.

For O my gra [...]ious GOD, while Pray for health. I haue beene walking in the wil­dernesse of this world, I haue fallen Luke. 11. 30 amongst cruell, and cove­tous theeues, who haue robbed m [...]e of my raiment, and riches: they haue wounded me grievous­ly: I am now lying waltring in my blood, and half dead: Many miseregarde me, and passe by me without any pittie, I can not pit­tie myne owne selfe, but O sweet Samaritan, come neere to me, and haue compassion on mee: Bind vp Ibidem. my bleeding wounds: powre in wine & oile: carry me in thy owne armes, and heale mee: Haue a continuall care of me, that I may haue a care to honour thee, and glorifie thy Majestie.

O my blessed Red [...]emer, in whom Pray for wis­dome are Coloss. 2. 3 hidde all the treasures of wise­dome [Page 195] and knowledge, giue vnto mee true wi [...]edome, and Heavenly knowledge and vnderstanding, so that I Prover. 5. 23 may not die for fault of instruction, and that I goe not astray through my great folly, that I may bee wise Proverb. 16 20. 21. & in myne owne bu­sinesse, and prudent in heart, that my vnderstanding may bee a wel­spring Pro. 16. 23 of lyfe vnto mee, that I may trust in thy mercie, and be blessed aeternally.

O LORD! thou who art able to breake Psal. 107. 16 the gates of brasse, and to brast the barres of yron asun­der, Pray for liber­tie. I pray thy Majestie to set mee at libertie, who am a cap­ti [...]e, and miserable prisoner: loose mee from the bands of the devill, for spiritually I am bound, and bowed Luke. 13. 11 together, and can not lift vp my soule in any wise without thy helpe: Bring mee out of the snare 2 Tim. 2. 26 of Sathan, that I may come to amendement: Take 2 Sam. 8. 1 the bridle of bondage out of the hand of mine enemie: Bee thou LORD my good­nesse, [Page 196] Psal. 144. 2 and my fortresse, my tower my sheild and delyverer: Restore mee to the glorious freedome of thy children: Giue mee strength to stand Galat. 5.1 fast into that libertie, wherewith thou hast made me free, that I never bee intangled againe with the yoke of bondage.

And because in the devils dun­geon, and in the stinking puddle Pray for pur­gation. of sinne I am filthily polluted, and miserably defiled: O holy God! wash Psal. 51. 2 mee througly from mine i­niquitie, and cleanse mee from my sinnes and pollutions: If thou wash mee Iohn. 13. 8 not, I shall haue no part, nor portion with thee: and I know perfectly, that no Revel 21. 27 vncleane thing shall enter in Heavenly Ierusalem, nor within thy holy Sanctuarie: therefore O gratious GOD, I hum­bly and heartily intreate thy Ma­jestie, to wash Ierem. 4.4 [...] mine heart from wickednesse, and my whole man from vngod [...]ines, even in the lawes of regeneration, in that [...]ch. 13. 1 fountaine opened to the house of David, for [Page 197] sinne, and for vncleannesse: Grant LORD that with indeavour, and industrie, I keepe my selfe pure, and holy, vnspotted Iam 1. 27 of this wic­ked world, that I may cast Rom. 13. 12 away the workes of darknesse, and so walke honestlie, as in the day con­tinually.

And seing (O LORD) like [...]sal. 119.176 a Pray for con­version. lost sheepe I haue gone astray, and wandred farre out of that narrow way, seeke thy servant, and find mee; turne me that I may turne: convert Ierem. 31.18 mee, and I shall bee cor­verted: turne mee O most migh­tie and mercifull GOD, from the devill myne adversarie, a Iohn 8. 44 lyar, and a murtherer, who would de­ceaue mee, and destroy mee to IESUS CHRIST, my Saviour, and Ephes. 5. 29 husband, who will teach mee, and glorifie Psal. 91. 15 mee: turne me from Coloss. 3.13 darknesse to thy joyfull light, from nature to grace: turne mee from the broad Math. 7. 13 way that leadeth to hell and damnation, to the strait way, which leadeth to Heaven and [Page 198] salvation: turne mee from wic­kednesse to holynesse, from wret­chednesse to everlasting happines.

O my GOD! draw Cant. 1.3 mee after thee, knit Psal. 86.11 and vnite my heart inseparablie with thy Majestie: teach mee thy wayes to feare thine holy name continually, to Genes. 17. 1 walke before thee, and with thee consciensciously, and be vp­right in thy sight continually.

And for this effect, O thou Al-sufficient GOD! take a mercifull Pray for Gods good dealing with thine heart. dealing with my faultie heart, that the same which by nature sinne and Sathan hath locked with Lydias Act. 16. 14 heart, it may bee opened, by thee who hath Revel. 3. 7 the key of Da­vid: Grant that my narrow heart may bee Isaiah 60. 5 enlarged, to receaue within mee the LORD IESUS, the King of glory. O holy & Heavenly Father! soften ^e my hard, and ob­dur [...]d heart with the oyle of grace, with the precious blood of my Sa­viour, Iob. 23. 16 that it may receaue the im­pression of the image of CHRIST, [Page 199] that I 2 Cor. 3. 18 may bee changed into the same image from glory to glory: Bow my stiffe Ezech. 2 4 heart: Encline it Psal. 119. 36 to thy testimonies, and not to covetousnesse: O LORD giue mee a wise and vnderstanding 1 King 2. 9 heart, that I may discerne betweene good and bad.

O LORD vouchsafe vpon mee an honest Luke 8 15 and good heart, that I may heare thy Word, keepe it, and bring foorth fruite with pati­ence: and O my GOD! I most wil­lingly giue Prover. 23 26 mine heart to thy Majestie, requiring the same from mee, beseeching thy goodnesse to take such full possession and go­vernement of my heart, that thou may Rom. 9. 23 declare the riches of thy glo­ry vpon mee a vessell of mercie, that I may be most certainly per­swaded a chosen Act. [...] 15 vessell appoin­ted for honour, and everlasting hap­pinesse.

O my blessed Creator! assure Pray for the grouth of all good. mee that I am thine owne 1 Cor. 3. 9 hus­bandry. Grant that I may bee as [Page 200] good Math. 13. 8 ground to receaue the good seede of godlinesse and pieti [...], and to bring foorth fruite aboundant­ly, that I may grow 2 Pet. 3. 18 in grace, and in the knowledge of IESVS CHRIST my LORD and Savi­our: O LORD helpe Mark. 9. 24 my vnbe­liefe, and encrease my faith, my loue, patience, zeale, feare, hope, courage, and all Christian ver­tues: make my good [...]orkes Revel. 2. 19 to be moe at the last than at the first.

O my most mercifull Father [...] Pray for the Lords presence Teach Psal. 27. 11 mee thy way, and leade mee in a right path: Forsake Psal. 38. 21 me not O LORD, bee not far from, mee my GOD: Thou Psal. 27. 9 art my suc­cour, leaue mee not, neither for­sake mee, O GOD of my salvati­on: Though my father and my mo­ther should forsake mee, yet thou O LORD will gather mee vp: Though Psal. 38. 10 the Light of mine eyes bee not myne owne, my sight will faile mee, my senses will departe from mee, my soule will be se­parate from my body, yet abide [Page 201] thou with mee continually.

O gracious GOD I most hum­bly intreate thy Majestie, giue mee Rom. 1. 24 not vp to my hearts lusts, nor vile affections, for that I will bee but a lost creature; and of all most wretched and miserable.

But O LORD of thy vnspeaka­ble Pray for God his blessing. kindnesse, and endlesse mer­cie, vouchsafe thy Heavenly and spirituall blessings vpon mee: O GOD blesse mee with the blessing of election, that thou mayest chuse mee, Psal. 65. 4 and cause mee to come to thee, that I may be satisfied with the pleasures of thine holy Temple. Blesse mee with the blessing of effectuall vocation, that thou may­est call mee inwardly, and power­fully to thee, that I may answere and obey thy blessed calling, and say, heere Genes. 22 [...] am I, readie to doe thine holy will. Blesse mee O LORD with the blessing of true sanctification, that I may bee ho­ly, Levit. 11. 24 as thou my GOD is most ho­ly, that I may keepe Isaiah. 56. 2 judgement, [Page 202] and doe justice, and restraine my hand from doing any evill. Blesse mee with the blessing of spiritu­all joy and consolation, that I may ever rejoyce Psal. 40. 4 in thee my LORD, and walke in the light of thy coun­tenance. Blesse mee O my GOD with a setled purpose and resolu­tion to serue thee continually, that I may determine Psal. 119. 57 to keepe thy Words constantly. Blesse mee with the blessing of true repen­tance through all my lyfe, that I may Revel. 20. 6 haue parte in the first re­surrection, that the second death haue no power to hurt me. Blesse mee with an happie end, that I may die Revel. 14. 13 in the LORD, and re­ceaue the blessing of glory, and inherite Math. 25.34 the Kingdome, prepared from all eternity. As also O LORD I most humbly beseech thy good­nesse to blesse me with thine owne selfe to bee Psal. 16. 5 my lot and portion, to bee the GOD Psal. 27. 9 of my salvati­on: For whom Psal 73. 25 haue I in Hea­ven but thee, and I haue desired [Page 203] none in earth with thee. Grant O gratious GOD, that as Psalm. 42. 1 the Hart brayeth for the rivers of wa­ters, so my soule may pant after thee the living GOD, vntill thou come to be favourable vnto me.

Blesse mee with CHRIST IE­SUS, that he may be my Heb. 7. 2 King, governing mee: my Math. 1. 21 Saviour, saving me: my high Heb. 10. 21 Preist, re­conciling me: my Math. 13. 10 Prophet, and Master, instructing mee: my Iohn 11. 52 Pastor, nourishing me, that he may bee my wisedome, 1 Cor. 1. 30 righte­ousnesse, sanctification, and redemp­tion: mine Philip 1. 21 advantage in lyfe and death, that hee may bee All in all vnto mee.

Blesse mee with thine holy Spi­rit, to bee Iohn 14. 26 comforter, remem­berer, my Rom. 1. 4 sanctifier and dire­cter. Grant O LORD that I may labour most earnestly to [...]ntertaine that good Spirit most carefully, consc [...]entio [...]ly and continually.

Blesse me O LORD with earth­lie Pray for tem­porary bene­fites. benefites also according as thy [Page 204] wisdome shall think necessarie for mee, I aske them for thy glory, for the good of thy Church, for my owne necessitie. Let mee not want these giftes, without the which I cannot well serve, but bee so beneficiall to mee, that I may bee rather helpfull and com­fortable, than chargeable to o­thers.

But grant O Lord: that I maye first Math. 6. 33 seek the kingdome of Heaven and the righteousnesse thereof, and then other thinges needefull shall bee ministred vnto mee.

O LORD teach mee to Psal. 90. 12 num­ber Pray for the best things. my dayes, that I may apply my heart to wisedome: teach mee to Ephes. 5. 15 redeeme the time, which I haue foolishly and miserablie lost: giue mee grace to be have my selfe, as a 1 Pet. 2. 11 pilgrime, a stranger, as a sojour­ner in this earth, abstaining from those filthy lusts, that fight against the Soule, Titus 2. 12 denying vngodlinesse.

Grant that I maye liue soberly, quietly and godly, Rom. 12. 1 offering vp [Page 205] soule and body an holie, living, and acceptable sacrifice to thy Ma­jestie. LORD, let me not fashion my selfe like vnto this world, which will surely and suddainlie perish: but grant that I may bee changed by renueing of my mind, that I may proue and doe thy holy good-will, which is perfite and acceptable, that I may walke Ephes. 4. 1 worthy of that heavenly vocation wherevnto I am called.

O Lord giue mee the gift of perseverance, that I maye perse­vere vnto the end, that I may be Math. 24. 13 saved. LORD grant that I may be faithfull Revel. 2. 10 vnto the death, that I may get the Crowne of lyfe.

Let Psal. 19. 14 the words of my mouth, and the meditation of mine heart bee acceptabe to thee, O LORD my strength and my Rede [...]mer! Let my life and death bee preti­ous in thy fight, and receaue me in thy rest, that I may inherite eternall glorie, and endlesse feli­citie with thee in thine Heavenly [Page 206] Kingdome, to remaine and reigne with thee for ever, and ever. So bee it, even so bee it.

THus after the confession of our sinnes, after bit­ter lamentation for the [...]ame, and earnest petition, let vs come to a plaine description of prayer, which may bee in this manner, Prayer is a principall part A description of true prayer. of GODS service, wherein a true Christian, leaving the earth in his [Page 207] heart and affections, ascending in­to Heaven in his mind, approach­ing vnto the throne of grace, pre­senting him selfe before the glo­rious GOD, hee conferreth, and speaketh familiarly with his CRE­ATOR, hee offereth a spirituall sa­crifice vnto his Majestie, he wre­stleth with the Omnipotent, he gi­veth a comfortable victorie, hee becommeth the 1 Cor. 3. 16 Temple of GOD, the holy Spirit dwelling in him, and obtaineth every Iam. 1. 17 good gift, that is necessarie for him.

In the forsaid description I say, Three reasons wherfore prayer is the prin­cipall part of Gods service. that Prayer is a principall part of GODS service, for three reasons: first, because vnder the name of invocation all the LORDS wor­ship is comprehended, as is writ­ten in the booke of Genesis, Then Genes. 4. 26 began men to call vpon the name of the LORD: that is, at that tyme the Church began to The 1. reason. bee manifest, and to exercise the the LORDS publicke worshippe: Againe, it is said that in Canaan, [Page 208] Abraham Genes. 12. 8 called vpon the name of the LORD: that is, hee ser­ved GOD openly, and wholly, altogether, as the LORD appoin­ted by faith, obedience, prayer, and thankfulnesse.

Contrariely: the heathen rebels, reprobats, & atheists, vpon whom GOD Psal 79.6 will powre out his wrath, are thus marked, that they Psal. 79.7 haue not called vpon the name of the LORD: that is, they prayed not vnto GOD. Againe the Prophet complaineth, that there Isaiah 64. 7 is none that calleth vpon the name of the LORD: as if hee should say, there is none that worshippeth thee rightly: so it is most manifest, that whosoever doe pray truely, hee then serveth his Majestie al­so: who neglecte [...]h this duetie, is a rebell to the GOD of glory.

Secondly, by reason, that pray­er The second reason where­fore prayer is the principall part of Gods service. is most honorable to GOD, se­ing the supplicant doth ascribe most justly all his holy, and true attribute to his Majestie, ac­knowledging [Page 209] the same in all sin­ceritie, let mee remember six of them briefly: namely, GODS om­nipresence, omniscience, and his omnipotencie: also, his remem­berance, his goodnesse, and his fi­delitie.

The petitioner, honoureth GOD as present every-where, with his The true peti­tioner honou­reth GOD, as omnipresent. owne in Psal. 91. 15 trouble chiefly, and more to bee magnified than all mortall and miserable men: for Abraham was not ever present with his beloved wife Sarah, when shee was Genes. 12.14 taken to Pharaohs house, and when Abimelech Genes. 20. 2 sent and tooke her: Neither was Iaakob ever pre­sent with his owne sonne Ioseph, when he was cast Genes. 37.20 in a pit, and and after sold to the Ishmaelites: Neither was David ever present with Abner, but being out of his sight, Ioab 2 Sam. 3. 2 killed him: Nei­ther was S^t. Paul a teacher ever present with the Galatians: for after his departure they Galat. 1.6 were soone removed away vnto an other [Page 210] Gospell, they were seduced, and bewitched, Galat. 3. 1 that they did not o­bey the trueth.

But this is the glory of our GOD, vpon whom wee depend, and vnto whom wee pray, that he is our husband, who will mar­rie Hosea 2. 19 vs for ever: hee will never be absent from vs, but at all oc­casions in every place present with vs, so that wee shall not be de­filed by the foule a [...]d Zach. 13. 2 vncleane spirit, and be vnspotted Iam. 1. 27 in this filthy world.

That GOD is our Math. 23. 9 Father, to keepe vs continually, that wee perish not in the Iob 33. 24 pit of sin and damnation, that hee is our ever­lasting King, to delyver Luke 1. 74 vs out of the hands of all our enemies, who would destroy vs, that hee is our instructor, who Revel. 1. 18 liveth for evermore, who Math. 28. 20 is with his owne alwayes vntill the end of the world, so teaching them, that they shall never bee finally forsaken, decea­ved, nor destroyed.

[Page 211] Secondly: By praying thou ac­knowledgest that the LORD The petitioner honoureth the Lords omni­science. searcheth Ierem. 17.10 the heart, and tryeth the r [...]ines, that GOD Psal. 139. 2 vnderstan­deth thy thoughts a farre off, that all Heb. 4. 13 creatures are manifest in his sight, that all things are naked, and open in his eyes, with whom thou hast to doe.

Albeit Ioshua knew not the di­stresse of the Ios. 10. 6 Gib [...]onites, vntill hee was advertised: and that great Prophet knew not the griefe and vexation of the 2 King 4.27 Shunnamite, vn­till it was vttered: neither did the Apostles themselues know of of the death of Iohn. 11. 13 Lazarus, vntill they were informed.

GOD, who filleth Ierem. 23.24 the Hea­ven and earth, in prayer is glo­rified, that hee throughly, easily, and exactly knoweth all secreets both in Heaven and earth, that he perfectly knoweth the distresse, danger, trouble, and all the cala­mities of his Church.

Thirdly: Who calleth vpon the In prayer God is praised, as Omnipotent. [Page 212] LORD, honoureth his Majestie as Omnipotent, protesting, that hee do [...]th Psal 115. 3 whatsoever hee will: that hee who delyvered David Psal. 69. 2 out of the deepe myre: From Psal. 18. 4 the snares of death, and from the cords of the graue: That hee who pre­s [...]rved these three young men in the Dan. 3. [...]6 firie fornace: and his Dani­el Dan. 6. 22 in the den of lyons: and also brought Ionas 2. 10 Ionas from the sea, out of the fish belly: and Peter Act. 1 [...]. 7 from the prison, will also in his Almigh­tie power delyver his owne from all perills, and desperate danger, and glorifie them with his salva­tion for ever.

Fourthly: The pious petitioner In prayer God is prai [...]ed for his remembe­rance. will in this service praise GOD for his holy Psal. 97. 12 rememberance, and that his Maker will never bee vnmindfull of him: although men may forget, as the butler, Genes 40.23 Ioseph: as the Sechemits, Iudg 9.17 Gideon, and as Ashuerus Esther 2. 22 forgot Mord [...]cai, who deserved well of him, by disco­very of a dangerous treason, yet [Page 213] albeit a man doth forget himselfe in the night tyme, while hee is sleeping, yet the LORD will n [...] ­ver forget his owne servants, but will ever bee mindfull of them, to doe good vnto them conti­nually.

Fi [...]thly, by praying thou will ac­knowledge The petitioner acknowledge­eth Gods good nesse. the riches Rom. 2.4 of the Lords bountifulnesse, thou will honour his great Nehem. 9.25 goodnesse, and will also Psal▪ 138. 2 praise his Name, because of his lo­ving kindnesse, thou will magnifie his Psalm. 36.7 excellent, and manifold m [...]rcies and compassions, because with him is favour and plentifull redemption. Psal. 130. 7

Sixthly, by praying thou be­lievest in thy LORD, and honou­rest God his sideli­tie is praised in pra [...]er. him as most constant, true, and faithfull, that hee Psalm. 146.6 keepeth his fidelitie for ever. If God gaue goodes, and performed his pro­mise to profane Esau, whom hee Rom. 9. 13 hated, the Genes. 27.39 fatnesse of the earth was promised to him, hee after­ward is increased in Genes. 36.7 riches, his substance is great, and his succes­sion [Page 214] ample: much rather may the chosen and elect be assured of the performance of all his promises, for most surely, no Iosh. 23. 14 thing shall saile of all the good thinges which the Lord promiseth, but all shall come to passe.

Thirdly, Prayer is a principall Prayer is most profitable. part of Gods service, seeing it is most profitable to the supplicant: 1. thou shall get Psal 91. 15 deliverie from all evill: thou shall bee Math. 1. 21 saved from all thy sinnes: 2. thou shall get plentie of all good, and if thou Deut. 28. 47 servest not GOD with joyful­nesse, with a good heart in the a­boundance of all things, therefore it is just with GOD to giue thee to thine enemie, to ser [...] him in hun­ger and thirst, in nakednesse, and in neede of all thinges. 3. Thou shall get a perpetua [...]l blessing, for if Salomons 1 King. 10. [...] seruants who stoode before him were happie, doubtlesse the servants of God, with whom is fulnesse of selicitie shall be more blessed and happie. 4. Yea, thou [Page 215] shall receiue the holy Luke. 11. 13 Ghost, if thou desire him, if thou seeke him, to teach, sanctifie, and guide thee for ever. 5. Thou shall receiue a Kingdome which shall never bee shaken, thou shall bee made par­taker Luke. 12. 32 of the godlie nature, Christ shall bee thy head, thou shall bee 2 Pet. 1. 4 flesh of his flesh, of his bones a mem­ber Ephes. 5. 39 of his body conjoyned with him for ever.

But because wee will Godwil­ling afterward speak more of the profite of prayer, in the tenth chap. following wee continue the discourse thereof: for the present let vs considder some necessarie conclusions clearely a [...]ysing from the description.

• 1. It is then evident, that it is a great sinne to neglect prayer.
• 2. Then it will bring a great punishment.
• 3. That it is good to pray.
• 4. Of the difficultie of prayer; of these in order.

WHoever thou be, of what­soever estate, sexe or de­gree that dost not pray nor call Psal▪ 53. 4 vpon GOD, thou art miserable and wretched, Prover. 1. 27 thy de­struction shall come like a whirle­wind, affliction, and anguish shall come vpon thee s [...]ddainlie and most certainlie.

Thy miserie is great in regard of thy great sinne, and grievous punishment: thou vnhappie wretch who will not seeke the Lord while Isaiah 55. 6 [Page 217] hee may bee found, nor call vpon him while hee is neere, thou art guiltie of most manifest and hai­nous sinne, Rom. 6. [...] the wages whereof is death, the end whereof is dool­full damnation, and I beseech thee to consider heereof with earnest and continuall meditation.

Thou sinnest (I tell thee) fear­fully, because thou neglectest, and omittest the performance of due­tie, which is frequently prescribed.

Thou giveth a refusall to GOD of that gift, which most ioyfully thou should giue, thou reiectest, and castest off the LORD, who most willinglie should bee recei­ved, thou despisest the Almighty, who most principally should bee honoured; thou art not onlie an alian [...] Ephes. 2. 12 from the commonwealth of Israell, and a stranger from the co­venants of promise; but also thou art a meere Atheist without Christ without GOD in the world, thou art fruitlesse and barren: thou art perverse, wicked, and vitious.

[Page 218] First, thou art faultie by negle­cting that service so seriouslie re­commended The sinne of omission of a necessary due­tie. and commanded by GOD thy Creator (saying) Psal. [...]0. 15 call vpon mee by Iesus Christ, thy Prince and Saviour, (saying) aske Math. 7. 7 seeke, knock, and by the LORDS messi [...]gers exhorting to pray al­wayes, pray Ephes. 6. 18 alwayes with all kinde of prayer and supplication in spirit.

If Moses highlie offended by omitting, or continuing the cir­cumcision of his childe, for Exod. 4. 24 the LORD therefore mett him, and would haue killed him: Is not thy offence as hainous, if thou omitt the exercise of prayer so oft re­quired, whereby is procured the circumcision of Rom. 2. 29 thine heart.

If Titus Ʋespasian lamented when hee did not his duetie as to Amici diem perdidi. gaine a mans friendshippe every daye; maye not thou lament in bitternesse, when thou neglectest thy duetie to GOD, as not to seeke his favour and loving kindnesse; who is the Psal. 65. 5 hope of all the ends [Page 219] of the earth: and that for manie dayes, and for many yeeres: be­ware I beseech thee of rebellion 1 Sam. 15.23 which is as the sinne of Witch­craft, and of stubbor [...]nesse, which is wickednesse and Idolatrie.

Secondly, by not praying thou art verie culpable, seeing most A refusall gi­ven to GOD. vnthankfullie thou refu [...]est the most reasonable request of GOD, who giveth to all Iam. 1. 5 men liberallie.

The LORD thus intreateth the [...] My Prover. 23.26 sonne, giue mee thine heart,

Wilt thou deny to GOD his owne due, and his right? hee hath made Psal▪ 100. [...] vs and not wee our selues: Hee who created thy heart requi­reth thy heart: wilt thou put back thy Princes just petition? Wilt thou so shamefully g [...]ue vnto the LORD a flat refusall, who Genes. 14.22 is the most high Possessour of Heaven, and Earth?

Churlish Nabal 1 Sam. 25. 14 did foolishly, who mis-regarded, and refused David seeking some benefite to himselfe: Doest not thou more [Page 220] foolishly? and is not this thy fault more filthie when thou refusest the King of Kings? to whom be­longeth the World Psal. 50. 12 and all that therein is, who is seeking to bring a benefite to thy selfe: not that hee needeth it, but to soften and sanctisie, to possesse and preserue thy heart for everlasting felicitie, and yet thou continuest a stub­borne and impudent recusant.

Wee reade that the Romanes Valer. Maxim. lib. 7. cap. 5 sometime did commit a great o­versight, which afterward they repented, when for their errour they were punished, they refused to bestow a gift to Porcius Cato, Stephan. a notable wise, and verie worthie man, who had well deserved of Vatinius (in­quit) assiduo con [...]itio depu­der [...]didicit. them: and gaue that same gift to one Vatinius, a shamelesse and foo­lish fellow, who could not go­verne them. Seneca thus descri­bed him; Vatinius by continuall [...]eproach hath learned to cast off all shame. But alace many who call themselues Christians doe at [Page 221] all times commit a farre greater oversight. They stubbornely re­fuse to giue their heart to their Creator, who Rom. 1. 25 is blessed for ever, and will giue the same to Satan, an impudent Revel. 12 10 accuser, a lyar Iohn 8. 24 and murtherer from the beginning,

Thirdly, by not praying thou departest from GOD, to whom The sinne of reiecting God. thou shouldest Iam. 4. 8 draw neere: thou separatest thy selfe from GOD, vnto whom thou shouldst Deut. 10.20 cleaue and adhere, for hee is thy praise, who hath done for thee great things.

Thou forsakest GOD whom thou shouldest embrace, I [...]rem. 2 19 thine owne wickednesse therefore shall correct thee, and thy turnings backe shall reproue thee: Know therefore, and behold that it is an [...]vill thing and a bitter, that thou hast forsaken thy GOD, Thou rejectest him: thou thus surely sayest vnto him, depart Iob. 21. 14.15 from mee, I desire not the knowledge of thy wayes, who is the Almighty that I should serue? or what profite should I haue if I shall [Page 222] pray to him? Is it not an abhomi­nable fault to cast off thy Creator, who offereth life to quicken thy dead soule, to cast off thy Saviour, who off [...]reth grace to thee who a [...]t gracelesse: to cast off thy Com­fort [...]r, who offereth grace and san­ctification: to cast off thy Physi­tian, who offereth health and pre­servation shortly: to cast off thy heavenly Father, who offereth thee an immortall heritage, and a faire portion: to forsake thy kind hus­band, the guide Prover. 2. 17 of thy youth.

If thou callest not vpon GOD, thou castest off GOD: the Iewes sinned against GOD, when they did cast Samuel 1 Sam. 8. 7 amay: Is not thy offence more hainous to cast The sinne of the contempt of GOD. GOD himselfe away.

Fourthly, by not praying thou plainley declarest that thou con­temnest Contemptus est trans [...]ess [...]o legis, ex hoc quod voluntas renuit subiici regulae. and despis [...]st God, which is a sinne and transgression of the Law, for this, because thy will (as the Schoolman telleth) refuseth to bee subject to his rule. Thom. Sec. 2 qu [...]s [...] 136. art 9.

[Page 223] The holy Apostle Peter justlie calleth them 2 Pet. 2. 10 presumptuous stan­ding in their owne conceit, who de­spise earthly government, and speak evill of them that are in dignitie.

The holy Apostle Saint Paul blameth the Corinthians for 1 Cor. 11. 22 de­spising the Church of GOD: The wi [...]e King Salomon forbiddeth thee to Prover. 23. 22 despise thy mother when shee is old: Our Saviour sayeth see that Math. 18. 10 yee despise not one of those litle ones, hee will not haue children nor babes contemned.

Now what a terrible trespasse is it to contemne the Nehem. 1. 5 LORD of Heave [...], the great and terrible GOD, the Revel. 18. 8 strong Lord, which may condemne thee to prease to Psal 2. 3 breake his bands, or cast his cords from thee: to despise his holy, and heavenly commande­ments of governement: to vili­pend the Almightie, who hath Isaiah 66. 1 the Heaven to bee his throne, and the Earth to bee his foot-st [...]ole.

This was esteemed a fault in [Page 224] Scipio Nasica, otherwayes a wor­thie personage, because hee mis­regarded, Valer. Maxim. lib. 7. cap. 5 and mocked a poore Countrey-man, whose hands were made hard by labour; whom hee asked in derision, saying, Whe­ther he was accustomed to walk on his handes, or not; this con­tempt or disdainfull speach of his brought him great sorrow, and anger and afterward some disho­nour.

But if thou a poore wretch, and a Iob. 2 [...]. 6 weake worme, shall continue to contemne the Almightie, and Tit. vers. 16 deny by thy workes, and dis­daine by thy deeds the most high and excellent GOD, Psal. 139. 7 from whose presence thou can no wayes flie: thy sinne is abominable, like Herods▪ who Luke 23. 11 despised, and mocked the King of glory; thou art so culpa­ble that thou art inexcusable; for a contemning Scholler (sayeth a Father) cannot bee excused, who Augu [...]in. learned what hee should doe, and contemned.

[Page 225] Fifthly, if thou pray not, thou plainlie declarest thy selfe to bee The sinne of Atheisme. guiltie of that detestable sinne of Atheisme, thou hast no hope, thou Ephes. 2. 12 art without GOD in this world: a meere Atheist, I doe thee no wrong, but tells the trueth, according to the veritie of the sacred Scripture; The foole hath said in Psalm. 14.1.2 his heart (saith the Prophet) there is no GOD: how is it known that the foolish so thinke? thus hee calleth not vpon the LORD; pretend what thou will, thy not praying to GOD bewrayeth thy Atheisme, that thou do [...]st ^x d [...]ny Iudeverse 4 GOD.

It is written of the Athenians that they banished and thrust out one of their Philosophers, named Suidas ex Lil. lib. 1 de natu­ra [...]eorum Diagoras, and promised a talent to any that would kill him, be­cause by his speach hee denyed their false gods and idols: The Heathen accompted his sinne to bee very hainous: but is not his fault by infinite degrees more grie­vous, [Page 226] who in his heart 2 Pe [...]. 2. [...] denyeth the true GOD who made him, and his only Lord that hath bought him.

Sixthly, if thou pray not, thou art barren and vnprofitable, and in a worse estate than that Math. 21. 16 figge Barrennesse tree, which had leafes only, but no fruit: but thou hast neither leases nor fruites, I meane neither a true prof [...]ssion, nor true action.

Thy LORD hath come [...]undrie yeares to seeke fruite, but hath [...]uke. 13. 7 found none: thou art a [...]ude v [...]s. 12 corrupt tree without fruit, tuice dead, and pluck [...]d vp by the rootes: thou then art but the st [...]ck of a rotten tree, Arboris exesae [...]runcus Telluris invti­le pondus. an vnprofi [...]able burth [...]n of the earth: th [...]u art a Iohn 15. 6 withered branch and the vnprofitable wood Of the vine tree, shall Ezech. 15 3 wood (saith GOD) bee tak [...]n thereof to any worke, or will men take a pinne of it to hang any veshell thereon, amongst all the trees of the forrest is it meet for a­ny worke?

Last [...]ie, if thou continue not in prayer, thou art not only a drye Wickednesse. [Page 227] and with [...]r [...]d ground, (for [...]arren [...]and will sometimes bee profita­ble for bringing foorth the stron­gest men, a [...] for containing the Petraris Dial. Saepe [...]orti [...]res viros plaga fert sterilis. [...] chest minera [...]s,) but also like that earth, which Hebr. 6.7. 8 drink [...] in the raine, which commeth o [...]t vpon it, yet beareth thornes and bri [...]rs. The Psal. 53 1.2.3 foole who hath said in his heart there is no GOD. Now who is this foole? Even he who will not seeke GOD, nor call vpon the Lord: hee is corrupted, hee is a worker of ini­quitie, and doth abominable wicked­nesse Assure thy selfe in thy owne conscience, that not praying, ma­ [...]eth evill doing: that the want of godlinesse, and the spirit of sup­plication is the mother of pro­ [...]inesse, and aboundance of abho­mination▪ Then perswade thy self that thou will Hebr. 6. 6 crucifie againe to thy self the Sonne of GOD, and make a mocke of the Lord of glo­rie; then (I truely tell thee) that it shall bee Math. 1. 24 easier for them of So­dome in the day of judgment, than [Page 228] for thee, if thou continue still with­out repentance in thy mani [...]old sin and ha [...]ous iniquitie.

THE Iob 27 33 Almightie who is excellent in power and judgment, who is aboundant in justice, who Isaiah 2 [...].17 will lay judgment to the rule, and righteousnesse to the ballance will not suffer such a grie­v [...]us sinner so stubbornely diso­beying his Majestie, by neglecting his duet [...]e, refusing him his due [Page 229] most v [...]reasonabl [...]e, rejecting God most vnworthi [...]ie, Rom. 2. 4 despising the riches of his bountifulnesse continu­ally, living on this earth an A­theist impiouslie, a fruitlesse crea­ture: a vitious and perverse wretch to escape v [...]punished, as the sinne is great, so will the judgement bee heavie and grievous: the Lord who is slow to wrath, and abound [...]nt in goodnesse, yet Exod. 34. 7 he will not make the wicked innocent, hee will not suffer the faultie goe free v [...]judg­ed. If the trespasse bee ma [...]ifold and multiplied, hee will Deut. 28 59 make the plagues many and wonderfull, of long continuance, and long d [...] ­rance, Seeing it is most true that our Saviour telleth vs, with Math 7. 2 what measure you mett, it shall bee mea­sured to you againe.

First then, if thou bee carelesse GOD will bee ca [...]elesse of thy saf [...]tie. of thy service, GOD will bee carelesse of your safetie, hee will speake, and perfome this: that Zach. 11. 9 which dyeth, let it die, that which perisheth let it perish, and let the [Page 230] remnant every one eate the flesh of his neighbour: Hee Revel. 22. 11 that is vn­just let him bee v [...]just still, and bee that is filthie let him bee fil­thie still.

If the LORD carel [...]sly misre­garde thee, what (I pray thee) will become of th [...]? In what la­mentable estate will thou remaine into? Thou will bee [...]e a wast vineyard, which is [...] her cutre nor digg [...], but Isaiah. 5. 6 where briers and th [...]rnes will grow vp, vntill it be consumed. Thou [...] a [...] an a­dulterous wife, Hosea 2. 3 dishonoured, di­verced, and stript, naked, made as a wildernesse, and left like a dry land, [...] for thirst. Thou will bee li [...] a weake new infant, whose Ezech. 16. 4 navel is not cutted. who in water is not washed, nor with salt seasoned, nor with cloutes swadled, but in thine owne blood polluted, exposed, and cast foorth to the o­pen fields, to the contempt of thy person, to thy endlesse perdition.

When the Emperor Honorius Carion. Chr [...] lib. 3 [Page 231] became a little carelesse of his go­vernement, and Italy [...]eft destitute of a Praesident and chistane: what woefull calamitie? what doolefu [...]l destruction did then come vnto the subjects of the Romaine Em­pire? What desolation came to that realme? it is well knowne by the recordes of historic: for by Alaricus, King of the Gothes the coun [...]rey was wasted, Rom it selfe bese [...]ged, taken, and spoi­led, people captivated, and ma­ny riots committed.

If then the Genes▪ 14.22 most high GOD, possessor of Heaven and earth shall neglect thee of whom he is ne­glected: and so behaue himselfe to thee, as he justly behaved him­selfe vnto the vnduetifull Iewes, whom hee brought out of Egipt, for it is written, that he regar­ded Hebr. 8. 9 not them who continued not in his testament, into what pit­ti [...]full case will thou abide in­to, then thou Zach. 2. 9 will bee a spoile to those that served thee: thou [Page 232] will be as Samson. who was but a laughing Iudg. 16. 25 stocke to thy disdain­full adversaries, and so thou will bee p [...]unged, and overwhelmed with manifold miserie.

But secondly, most horrible will GOD will de­n [...] the request of the wicked. thy punishment bee, during the tyme that thou continuest in this extremitie, there is no appearance of thy helpe or remedie, because thou hast Prover. 1. 29 hated knowledge, and did not chuse the feare of the LORD, thou shall call vpon him, but hee shall not answere: thou shall seeke him, but thou shalt not fi [...]d him: When Isaiah 1. 15 thou shall stretch out thy hands, hee will hide his eyes from thee, and though thou make many prayers, he will not heare thee.

Seeing thou hast refused GOD his m [...]st reasonable request, hee will iustly refuse thee the smallest request that thou will make to his Maj [...]stie, the meanest bene­fite, the shortest refreshment shall be denyed, an ho [...]res space for re­pentance, a moments mitigation [Page 233] of thy paines shall not bee gran­ted vnto thee.

King Saul because hee refused GOD, and 1 Sam. 15.19 obeyed not the voice of the Lord, but did wickedlie in his sight: therefore hee beeing af­frayed, and his 1 Sam. 25. 8 heart sore asto­nied, when hee sought GOD, the Lord refused him: he asked coun­sell of the Lord, but the Lord an­swered him not, nether by dreames nor visions, nor yet by the Pro­phets.

If Pharaoh who denyed to o­bey GOD, shall seeke the Exod. 10. 26 hoofe of a beast, (a very meane gift) it shall bee denyed to him. If the rich Glutton shall Luke 16. 24 seeke a drop of cold water from the tippe of ones finger, hee will get a refu [...]all.

If thou bee vnfaithfull, proud, dissobedient: if thou bee cruell, vnmercif [...]ll, and intemperate, al­beit thou would require the smal­lest benefite, a [...]rumme of bread, a spoone-full of water in thy grea­test necessitie, thou should not ob­taine [Page 234] the same.

And seeing it is appointed to men that they Hebr. 9. 27 shall once die, and when that vnhappie prefixed houre shall come vpon the vn­god [...]e, no request nor supplicati­on shall procure any de [...]ay, or prorogation thereof: And verie likely that rich ma [...] whose ground brought fruites, plent [...]ousl [...], who did pull downe his old Barnes, and did build new and greater, and gathered goods in great abun­dance, resolving long to liue at [...]ase, to eate, drin [...]e, and take his pastime, and Luke 12. 20 when GOD said to him, O foole! this night they will fetch away thy soule from thee: it is likelie [...] say, that hee requested that his life might bee lengthned, but hee was refused, and his re­quest not granted. Tullius in Phi­lippi [...]. & alii multi.

If that Romane ambassadour Popilius would not yeeld to the re­quest of a great King, enteating Chron. Cario. lib. [...]. Antio­chus, Epipha­nes Livius lib. 45. & Valer. for few dayes a short space of deliberation, but making a circle [Page 235] about him with his rodde, said, Answer thou my d [...]mands before thou passe these bounds.

Thinkest thou that the almigh­tie GOD will bee moved by the request of the wicked to giue them the shortest space or an houres continuation of their life who refused him, hee will not doe it, but incontinently Psal. 73. 18 hee wil cast him them downe into desolation, [...]ow suddainly shall they bee de­stroyed, perished, and horriblie con­sum [...]d, hee will Amos 8. 9 cause the Sunne goe downe vpon them at noone, yea, when th [...]y shall bee punished 2 Thess. 1. 9 with everlasting perdition from the presence of the Lord: and re­maining Iude vers. 13 in the blacknesse of dark­nesse for ever, shall be tortured with vnspeakeable torments, in that vn­quenchable fire, if they shall make [...]upplication for the smallest, or [...]h [...]rtest mitigat [...]on, i [...] will bee al­ [...]og [...]ther de [...]d them.

That valian [...] man GIDEON, when ^f his Warriors were weary, & Iudg. 6. 12 [Page 236] [...]aint by fighting and pursuing his enemies, he requeasted the princes and elders of Succoth to refresh his armie with m [...]rsel [...] of bread, and other such provision; but they re­fusing, and vpbra [...]ding him, hee threatned, that after victorie, when the Iudg. 8.7 LORD would delyver his e­nemies into his hands, to teare or to thresh their flesh with thornes of the wildernesse, which thing he did accordingly as hee determi­ned: Now questionlesse in their grievous paine and miserie, they earnestly requeasted for some re­liefe and remedie, which apparant­ly was wholly refused: So will Simile. the LORD deale with thee, who denyed him his most just petiti­on, because when Prover. 1. 22 hee called they refused, he will laugh at their de­struction, and mo [...]ke when their feare comm [...]th, and tribulation.

Thirdly: Albeit in thine owne GOD will cast away all these that prayeth not. conceate and imagination: yea in other mens judgement and aesti­mation, thou were as a [...]erem. 13. 11 girdle [Page 237] tyed to the LORDS loines, or a bracelet Cant. 8 2 on his armes, or with Coniah, Ierem. 22.24 King of Iudah, the sig­net of GODS right hand: yea, al­beit thou appeare very deare, and neare vnto GOD, as it were plea­sant foode, receaved in CHRISTS owne stomacke: yet because thou prayest not, GOD who loseth Iob. 12. 18 the collar of Kings, he will cast thee from him, as corrupt and vnwor­thie, hee will breake thee as a vess [...]ll, wherein Hosea 8. 8 is no pleasure, but deformitie, and impuritie: he will cast thee away, as a Ierem. 22.28 despi­sed and broken idole, full of filthi­nesse and vanitie: It will surely come to passe, that the Revel. 3. 16 LORD will spue thee out of his mouth, as most noysome, and abhominable, hee will so sweepe 1 King. 14.10 thee away, as a man sweepeth away dung, till it bee all gon [...]: hee will cut thee off, and cast thee away suddain­ly and violently, as a Revel. 18.21 great mil­stone cast into the sea.

Now if it was a great punish­ment [Page 238] to Ieroboam, that his [...] King. 14.11 seede that dyed in the citie should bee cast out to the dogs to be devou­red: and if it was a fearefull pu­nishment for Absal [...]m 2 Sam. 17. 18 to bee cast into a pit in the wood, and a great heape of stones laide vpon him: or if it was an heavie paine to these who accused Daniel, Dan. 6. 24 they were cast into a den of Ly­ons, that had the masterie over them, and brake all their bones in peeces: What a plague will b [...] ­fall the vngodly, who pray not, for hee will not only appoint dogges to Ierem. 15. 3 teare in peeces their bodies, to devoure and to destroy them; but also will delyver the soules and bodies of the wicked to devils, to torment and annoy them for ever: Feare Isaiah 24. 17 and the pit of perdition, and snares are vpon them.

Fourthly, if thou praye not, Shame will come to these that pray not. shame and disgrace will come v­pon thee, yea, thou Psal. 109. 29 shall be clothed with shame, and covered with con­fusion [Page 239] as with a cloake: may not the Almightie, who Iob 12. 21 poureth con­tempt on Princes, and maketh the strength of the mightie weake, soone set a Genes. 4. 1 [...] marke of infamie on thee, to thy everlasting woe and mi [...]erie; who hath despised the riches of his mercie.

Consider now of two thinges: Cause of shame. 1. Thou hast great reason to bee ashamed. 2. That this shame is a grievous punishment, thou hast cause of shame. 1. For thy na­kednesse. 2. For thy filthinesse. 3▪ For thy vnthankfulnesse. 4. For thy wickednesse, and wretchednesse. 1. Our first parents were ashamed of their nakednesse, Genes. 3. 8 therefore they hid themselues from the presence of the LORD, amongst the trees of the Garden. 2. Iacobs sonne Iudah, was ashamed of his whoor­dome, and desired rather to want his seale, Genes. 2 [...].3 [...] his cloake and his staffe, then to be blotted with that note of ignominie. 3 The prodigall son was ashamed of his ingratitude, [Page 240] and vnkindnesse, when hee con­fessed that Luke 15. 19 hee was no more wor­thie to be called his sonne. 4 Dani­el himselfe was ashamed for the sinnes of his people, and the la­mentable estate vnder the thral­dome and captivitie: he Dan. 9. 7 with sack­cloth, fasting, and ashes prayed; & protested that righteousnesse belong­ed to GOD, and to them open shame and confusion. Thus if thou pray not to the Almightie, thou Psal. 49. 12 shall not continue in honour and digni­tie: but shame and disgrace will abide with thee, seeing thou de­spiseth thy GOD so vnduetifully.

Againe, Remember that sinne Sinne it is a great plague. is a great iudgement, which ap­peareth evidently both in this life, and in the life to come, not only by the testimonie of godly, and wise men, who (as Salomon saith) haue Eccles. 2. 14 their eyes in their head, and Eccles. 10. 2 their hearts in their right hand, who Iam. 3. 13 are endued with true wisedome, and knowledge, and are Prover. 8. 10 prudent to vnderstand their [Page 241] owne way; for David himselfe did thus pray, remoue [...] Cor. 4. 13 Hisp. mag [...]s Ten 3. cap. 10 Livius. from me shame Psal 119.22 and contempt, and the holy A­postle with all the Sainctes did truely complaine, that y wee are made as the filth of the world, the ofscourings of all things. Thus Ori­gen, sonne to Leonides, so renow­ned, and respected in his life, for many gifts which hee hadde re­ceiued, esteemed shame more hea­vie, and grievous than death, for from his childhood, hee desired to die and to losse his life, for the loue of CHRIST: But hee so feared and eshewed shame, that rather than his chast bodie should bee defiled with a filthie Ethio­pian, hee chose to offer incense to an Idoll, which brought great sorrow and lamentation to him afterward; But also of civill Eth­nicks: for Cato a naturall wise man, choose rather to kill him­selfe, than render himselfe vnto Caesars power, or with shame and Tullius 1. of­fic. ignominie, looke on his face, which [Page 242] fact Cicero labours to defend, al­beit with little reason: yea, Saul desired rather to bee killed, then by his enemies 1 Sam. 31.4 mocked. Also Decius a Romane Emperour, a pitielesse persecuter, a cruell mon­ster, being in battell vanquished by the S [...]ythians, and fearing to come vnder the reverence of the proud Barbarians, to eshew that shame, hee cast himselfe into a deepe pit, where hee end [...]d his miserable life, and wanted the ho­nour of buriall: Againe shame and ignominie, is a great punishment in the life to come: for the wicked shall rise to Daniel. 12. [...] s [...]ame and perpetuall contempt.

Fifthly: If thou pray not, thou art a stranger from GOD, and as They are spi­ritualy posses­sed who pray not. an abominable atheist will be most severely punished, for GOD not only will giue Rom. 1. 24 thee vp to thy hearts lust, but also will deliuer thee to the Devill, to bee if not Augustin. bodil [...], yet spiritually possessed. Qui [...]ult pos­sidere terram, videat ne [...] ter ra possideatur A judicious father adviseth men [Page 243] to bee circumspect, lest they bee possessed of the earth, as it is cer­taine that the estate of that man who was Math. 9. 32 dumbe, and could not speake to man, being bodily pos­sessed by a devill, was verie mise­rable: but the case of that ca [...]ine, who is inwardly dumbe, and can not speake to GOD, being posses­sed by a devill spiritually; is farre more pitifull & lamentable: think­ [...]st thou that bodily possession is very fearefull, and a great plague, assure thy selfe that spirituall pos­s [...]ssion by the evill spirit is farre more grievous and fearefull. Punishment for barrennes.

Sixtly: If thou pray not, thou art a fruitlesse corrupt Math. 7. 17 tree, and s [...]relie thy imminent judgment shall bee great and terrible, i [...] shall bee inevitable and rem [...]dilesse.

First: Thy punishment will be very grievous, much more heavie indeed, then thou conceivest; for the LORD hath a scepter Psal. 2. 9 of iron to crush thee, hee Isaiah. 27. 1 hath a sore, and great, and mightie sword to [Page 244] smite thee: Yea: he Math. 3. 10 hath an axe to hew thee downe: Yea, he Ieremi. 18. 7 will speake suddenly against a Nation, or against a Kingdome, to plucke it vp, or to rootte it out: If thou pray not, he hath a Revel. 21 8 lake which burneth with fire, and brimstone, where he will for ever to [...]ment thee: hee will not so deale with thee as he dealeth with the god­ly, who doe incall vpon his name, and pray to his Majestie, for he will chasti [...]e them with a father­ly affection: Though for Isaiah. 58. 7 a litle while hee fors [...]ke them: if for a lit­tle season, or for a moment he hide his face from them, yet with great compassion hee will gather them, and with everlasting mercy he will p [...]ttie them: Certainly, There Ieremi. 30. 12 brui­sing is not incurable, their wounds are not for ever dolorous: GOD will apply a plaster, and there are medicines, and helpe for them: He will Iere. 30. 11 correct them by judgement, and not v [...]terly cast them off: Hee will 2 Sam. 7. 14 chasten them with the rod [Page 245] of men, but his mercy shall not de­parte from them.

Secondly: If thou neglectest this exercise of prayer, thy pu­nishment, which is great, wi [...] come vpon thee suddainly: for i [...] thou Genes. 4 7 doest not well, sinne lyeth at thy doore: If Luk. 3. 9 thou bringst not foorth fruite, worthie of amende­ment of lyfe, the axe is laide to the roote of the tree. Nadab and Abih [...] were incontinently destroy­ed, a Levit. 10. 2 fire went from the LORD and destroyed them. Nebuchad­nezar, Daniel. 4. 28 while the word was into his mouth, the same very [...]oure was fearefully punished: The Act. 12. 23 An­gell of the LORD smote Herod, so that hee was eaten of wormes, and dyed miser [...]blie.

And surely if one consider due­ly, it is not wonder albeit the LORD plagne the wicked suddain­ly: For Zach. 5. 2 hee hath a flying booke of his curse, which goeth foorth over the whole earth: He Psal. 45. 5 hath arrowes that are sharpe and swift, [Page 246] to pearce the heart of his enemies suddenly: For Zach. 9. 14 they shall goe foorth as the lightning: [...]he vngod ie shall bee visited Isaiah 29. 6 with thunder, and shaking, a great noise, a whirle­winde, and a flame of devouring fire.

And alb [...]rt the punishment of the pro [...]ane before a short sea­son Sera tamenta­citis paena ve­nitpedibus. su [...]pended and continued, yet certainly it will come to passe at the appointed tyme: for it i [...] most sure, and without all question, that the Revel. 1.3 tyme is at hand, that day Rom. 13.12 draweth neere, the m [...]ssin­ger death commeth: The Revel. 1. 7 Ma­ster, the judge commeth quickly with clouds, in Math 24. 50 a day that one l [...]o­keth not for, and in an houre that one is not a-ware off.

Thirdly: If thou prayest not, thy punishment is inevitable: If thou Amos 9 vers. 1. 2. 3 fleest, thou shall not flee a­way: If thou escapest, thou shall not bee delyvered: Though thou digge into hell, thence shall his hand take thee: though thou climbe in­to Heaven, thence will hee bring [Page 247] thee downe, and though thou hide thy selfe in the toppe of Carmell, thence will hee find thee out, and take thee hence: and though thou be hidde in the bottome of the sea from his sight, there will hee com­mand a serpent, and it shall bite thee. Albeit 1 Sam. 19. 12 David did escape the furie of Saul his cruell enemy: Elijah 1 King. 19. 3 did flee from Iezabell, who threatn [...]d to take his lyfe from him, and that suddainly. Peter was Act. 12. 11 delyvered from the hands of Herod, who intended to kill him, as hee did lately to IAMES before: Yea, although that m [...]st worthy Sozom. lib. 3 cap 7. & hist Magd. admired Athanasius, when migh­tie Emperours, Constantius and [...]ulian, almost with the whole world conspired against him, (no Doctor, no Bishop did ever suf­fer such persecution) and by all meanes laboured to procure his disgrace and destruction; yet by the power of GODS grace hee was delyvered out of all his trou­bles, and being full of dayes and [Page 248] honour, dyed peaceably: But who shall eshew, or flee away from GODS punishment, seing that all things Hebr. 4. 13 are naked, and open to his eyes: Whether Psal. 139.7 shall one flee from his spirit, or goe from his pre­sence? None Ierem. 50. 29 of his enemies shall escape: for it is remedilesse which is sent from Heaven, like to the judgement of Sodom & Gomorrha.

Lastly: If thou call not vpon Wretchednes. GOD, thine Act. 8. 21 heart is not right in the sight of GOD: thou Rom. 3. 12 art made not only vnprofitable altoge­ther, but also wicked and abho­minable: Thou Heb. 6. 8 art the earth that drinketh vp the raine, and beareth thornes and briers: thou art neare vnto cursing, thy end is to be bur­ned: For if the deceaver be cur­sed, that Malach. 1. 1 [...] hath a male in his flock, and yet offereth a corrupt, and vn­worthie sacrifice: will not farre rather that ca [...]iue be cursed with an heavier curse, that offereth no sacrifice at all? They Psal. 53.4 goe backe, they are altogether corrupt, they [Page 249] dishonour GOD: they devoure his people, they seeke not GOD, they call not vpon him: and because of their wickednesse, vnspeakeable will be their wretchednesse, grie­vons paine and destruction will bee vpon their bodies: Anguish and Rom. 2. 9 tribulation shall bee vpon their soules.

NOW consider Christian with carefulnesse and with attention the number and weight of those fearefull judgements that Illy [...]icus. will befall the wicked who call not vpon GOD: surely none can declare sufficiently their punish­ment and miserie, and shortly con­cluding this with the learned and judicious divines. Sine oratione res in oratiòne Dominica comprae­hensas I [...]dex [...]aber. habere non pot [...]rimus quibus destituti, quid potest nobis esse ae­rumnosius? Without prayer wee can not receaue these good things, which are contained in the LORDS prayer, whereof if wee bee de­prived, what can bee more mi­serable [Page 250] and wretched than wee? This is also most seriouslie to be remarked, that other dueties of the LORDS service for a tyme may bee omitted, as to giue al­mes, when one is altogether vn­provided, as to heare the holie Word, and to receaue the bles­sed Sacraments, when one is hea­vily diseased, and such like: But no impediment, no sicknesse, no crosse nor calamitie should hinder vs from this due­tie, and divine exer­cise, there is nothing into this point that can, or may ex­cuse vs.

WOnderfull, and manifold is the good of prayer: it is incomprehensible and [...]nspea [...]able: a [...]beit o [...]e hadde a wise 1 King 3.12 and vnderstanding heart, as Salomons; and 1 Cor. 13. 1 the toungue of Angels, and Psalm. 45. 1 the pen of a swift writter, yet neither could he con­sider in himselfe, nor vtter with Et precibus sanctis quaenā solatia quinam Exsurgunt fructus, nemo referre potest. his mouth, no [...] write vnto o­thers how great is the excellen­cie and profite of prayer: what inestimable blessings they receaue who truely call vpon GOD: As none can tell the sweetnesse of hony but these who haue tasted [Page 252] it; so none can declare the com­fort and contentment which the sanctified soule enjoyeth by that familiarity that shee hath with her GOD in her fervent prayers, shee is privie thereto, and re­joyceh therein.

Let vs consider some of these Great profite in prayer. commodities: 1. When thou art carefull of his service, GOD will bee carefull of thy safetie, when thou humbleth thy selfe vnder the mightie hand of GOD, and pray­eth earnestly; thou declarest that thou 1 Peter. 5. 7 casteth thy care on him: then thou may bee perswaded as­suredly, that hee careth for thee; O how great a benefite is this? The proper­ties of GODS care. how comfortable will this care bee vnto thee, seeing it hath so notable good properties: 1. It is It is Heavenly. Heavenly, and so from all eterni­tie; GOD cared for thee, his eyes did Psal. 119. 16 see thee, when thou was with­out forme, and in his Booke were all things written; which in con­tinuance were fashioned, when there [Page 253] was none of them before. If he Math. 25. 34 pre­pared a Kingdome for thee, before the foundation of the world; he then cared for thee, before Psalm. 90. 2 the moun­taines, or earth were formed, from everlasting to everlasting, hee hath beene thy GOD. Againe, this di­vine care is not like the care of mortall men, that hath paine and Attenuant vi­giles corpus miserabile cu [...]ae, Cura quoque interdum nul­lo medicabilis a [...]e. trouble with it, which weakeneth the bodie, and vexeth the soule; and can by no worldly meanes be well helped: but it is an easie care, with alsufficiencie of pleasure, for hee that beareth Heb. 1. 3 vp all things by his mightie Word, may with all facilitie care for his owne, and that particularlie: therefore thou may thinke vpon this care most comfortablie: Habebit curam tui qui fecit te, qui (que) habuit curam tui priusquam esses: GOD who made thee, will haue a care of thee, who had a care of the before e­ver thou was; hee will so regard thee, that thou shall be a Isaiah 62. 3 crowne of glorie in the hand of the LORD, [Page 254] and a royall diademe in the hand of thy GOD.

Secondly: GODS care towards It is a great care. thee will bee a great care: if a mortall man will care for his in­heritance to keepe the same: this did 1 King. 21.3 Naboth who refused to s [...]ll his heritage to king Ahab: much more w [...]ll the LORD care for the god [...]ie soules who pray to him, he doth esteeme of them greatlie, as the sanctified soule will cry vnto GOD; thou Psal. 142. 5 art my portion, so the LORD will answere a [...]d assure that soule, that she is his 1 Cor. 3.9 buil­ding, his temple, his husbandrie, and p [...]rpetuall poss [...]ssion.

Thirdly: [...]he LORDS care will bee m [...]st joyfull to thee and ef­f [...]ctuall; It is effectuall. a fatherly care, a princely care: Seing hee is [...]ur Heavenly Father, yea the Heb. 12. 9 Father of our spi­rits, much more rich tha [...] Abra­ham, who could not make all his children his heires, for hee sent Genes. 25. 6 them away from him and Isaac himself also while hee was living: [Page 255] but our most wealthie and hea­venlie Father, will make all his children also Rom. 8. 17 his heires annexed with Iesus Christ.

Our heavenly Father is much more powerfull than David was, who had no sufficient power to make all his sonnes Kinges: but our liberall Father giveth vs Pet. 1.14 an inheritance immortall, and vndefi­led, that fadeth not to all his chil­dren whom he careth for suffici­entlie.

Haereditas non minuitur copia possessorum, nec fit angustior nume­rositate Augustin. cohaeredum: sed tanta est multis, quanta paucis, tanta singu­lis, quanta omnibus. This inhe­ritance is not diminished by a­bundance of possessours, neither becommeth strait by number of coheires: for it is as much to ma­nie, as few, and as much to everie one, as to all: for he that is Rom. 10. 12 Lord over all, is rich vnto all that call vpon him, and will giue everie one of his Saints a Heb. 12. 28 Kingdome [Page 255] which can not bee shaken, which endureth for [...]ver and ever. Now during the time of our pilgrimage, whiles 2 Cor. 5.6 wee are at home in our bo­dy and absent from the Lord, and hath not attained to the present possession of that Kingdome. 1. [...]e will haue a care of our susten­tation. 2. a care of our preser­vation. 3. a care of our instru­ction. 4. a care of our consola­tion. 5. a care of our marriage band. 6. a care of our blessed­nesse and happinesse. Behold Math. 6 [...]6 the fowles of the heaven for they sowe not neither reape, nor carrie into the Barnes, yet our heavenly Fa­ther feedeth them: are we not (saith our Saviour) much better than they? Did Genes. 28.2 Isaac care through his fatherly affection for Iacobs safetie, will not GOD in greater affe­ [...]tion regarde the safetie of our [...]ules, who doe consecrate our [...]l [...]es to his service.

Also, if that royall Prophet was verie carefull to gi [...]e good in­struction, [Page 257] and Prover. 4. 2 good doctrine to his wise sonne Salomon, tender and deare in the sight of his parents: will not our most wise, and pro­vident Father, bee more carefull to Isaiah. 44. 3 poure his spirit, and his bles­sing vpon his owne? to Ier. 31. 33 put his Law in their inward parts, and to write it in their hearts, and to giue 2 Peter. 1. 3 vnto them all thinges that pertaine vnto life and godlinesse through the knowledge of him that hath called them to glorie and vertue?

Moreover hee is 2 Cor. 1. 3 the GOD of mercies, and the Father of all consolation, he will haue a speciall care to comfort all his children in all their tribulation. If Edna was carefull to comfort her daugh­ter Sarah, who Tob. 7. 17 wiped away her teares, and spake comfortablie vn­to her, much more our LORD, who (though Psal. 27. 10 father and mother should forsake vs, yet wil hee ga­ther vs vp) will also comfort vs, and providentlie prepare a better marriage for vs, than Genes. 24. 3 A­braham [Page 258] did for Isaac; namelie the King of glories owne sonne to be our husband, who Eph. 5. 25 will sanctifie vs, nourish vs, and cherish vs, who will make vs honorable and hap­pie for ever and ever.

4. If thou shall invocat GOD Gods ca [...]e is te [...]de [...] & c [...]m passionat. arightlie, hee will haue a tender and compassionate care for thee, who Iohn. 3. 16 hath so loved thee, that he hath given his first borne for thee, who Rom. 8. [...]2 hath not spared his owne sonne, but gaue him to the death for thee: that Iohn. 4▪ 9 thou mayest live e­ [...]ernally through him, hee will take care of thee as of the member of his owne body: thus Zech. 2. 8 will the LORD of hosts say, that hee that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of his owne eye.

And if Zaleucus a ruler and law giver of Locris did so pittie his Valer maxim. sonne found guiltie of the crime lib. 6. cap 5 of adulterie, who therefore con­forme to a constitution made by his Father, should haue lost both his eyes, and so bee deprived of [Page 259] all sight: this Zaleucus did not spare himself, but pulling out one of his owne eyes, and another of his sonnes, left the vse of seeing to them both, and so behov [...]d himself a mercifull and pitifull Fa­ther, and a iust or vpright Law­giver.

Also if Codrus a [...]ing of Athens of great nobilitie and greater af­fection and pittie, who for his subjects safetie did suffer, yea seek death most willingly: for when hee received a response of an ora­cle, that his enemies the people of Peloponesus should bee victori­ous and rulers, if they did not Virgilius in F [...]logis. kill the King of their adversaries: Codrus deceived them, for in the Aut Alconis habes laudes aut iurgia Codri. habite of a beggar by chyding, and vpbraiding, hee provoked them to slay him, and vnknowne to any, hee died for his subiects safetie such was his care of their wellfare.

Will not thy heavenly Father lighten Psal. 13. 3 thy eyes that thou sleepe [Page 260] not in death, when the eyes Psal. 69. 2 [...] of the wicked shall bee blinded that they cannot see, and having Eph. 4.18 their co­gitation darkned, as strangers from the life of Christ, shall walke in the vanitie of their mind; When their Iob. 21. 17 candle shall bee put out, when they shall bee as stubble before the wind, and as the chaffe, that the wind and st [...]rme carri [...]th away. In the meane s [...]ason, surelie Psal. 18. 28 the Lord will light thy candle, and ligh­ten thy dark [...]sse: hee will illu­minate the ey [...]s of thy mind, 2 Tim. 2. 7 and gi [...]e thee vnderstanding in all things: th [...] LORD will never leaue thee, though Psal. 27. 10 Father and mother should forsake thee, yet the [...]rd will gather thee vp, and re­gard thee: though thy Prince & ruler would mi [...]-know, yet the LORD more loving than Moses (who for the welfare of his peo­ple, would haue beene content to haue [...]ab his Exod 32.32 name rased out of the booke of life) will never de­part from thee, nor cast Psal. 51. 11 thee a­way [Page 261] from his presence, neither take his holy presence from thee: but he will giue thee good counsell, and shew thee the Psal. 16. 11 path of life, & will set thee at his right hand, where there are pleasure for evermore.

Fistly: Seing that GODS care is continuall, most firme and per­manent, Gods care is continuall. which will not decay, nor bee diminished by length of time, hee will care for thee, when thou art young and foolish, as he ca­red for Moses Exod. 2. 5 of three months age, when hee was put in the ri­ver: he will care for thee, when thou art old and [...]eeble, as hee cared for Simeon, Luk. 2. 28 and rejoyced him by beholding CHRIST, the LORD of consolation: hee will haue a care of thee when thou art living, as he had of his servant Da­vid: he will haue a care also of thee while thou art dying, as he had of his servant Steven, 2 Sam. 16.12 & passim. who then saw the glorie of GOD, and CHRIST standing at his right hand: Yea, GOD will haue a care of thy bu­riall [Page 262] after death, as hee accom­panied Iaakobs Genes. 46. 4 funerall: he will haue a care of thy dead bodie, he will lose Iohn. 6. 39 nothing, but he will raise it vp againe at the last day. The LORDS care is not like the care of man, which continueth not, but evanisheth and weareth away by tyme: but GODS care is constant and permanent, as Psal. 136. 1 & passim. is his mercy which endureth forever.

Secondly: If thou prayest a­rightlie, thou may be surely per­swaded The Lord will performe the request of the that pray. that thou shall receiue this exceeding great benefite, & strong consolation, to wit, the Almigh­tie GOD will giue eare vnto thy supplication, he will performe thy request, and grant thy petition.

Behold (saith the Prophet) the LORDS Isaiah. 59. 1 hand is not shortned, that hee can not sau [...], neither is his eare heavie, that he can not heare: for certainly GOD Isaiah 65. 1 him­selfe was found of them that sought him not, as he himselfe assureth vs, will not thou then find him com­fortably, [Page 263] if thou seeke him dili­gently, then the LORD Psal. 21. 2 will giue thee thy hearts desire, and will not deny thee the request of thy lips: he will looke to thee with the eyes of his pittie, hee will declare himselfe a liberall, and bountifull GOD towards thee.

It was thought that Salom [...]n would not refuse the request of his mother Bethsheba, nor say he [...] nay: and thus he promised, say­ing, Aske [...] King 2. 20 on my mother, for I will not say thee nay, vndoubted­lie hee was most respectiue and loving: Also Assuerus showed great kindnesse and affection vn­to Esther, while hee thus offe­red, What Ester. 5. 6 is thy petition that it may bee given thee? What is thy request, it shall even bee perfor­med vnto the halfe of my Kingdome. Yet Salom [...]n will sooner deny the Marcellinus. request of his mother Bethsheba, and Alexander the great, will soo­ner deny the request of his mo­ther Olympias, remembering him [Page 264] that for the space of nyne months shee had borne him in her womb: And Constantine the great, a Isaiah 49. 32 nur­sing father to the Church, and a great comfort, will rather giue a refusall to Antonius an holy and famous man, whom for his ver­tues and devotion hee much ho­noured and respected, when hee His [...]. Magd. Cent. 4 lib. 9 was interceeding for the returne of Athanasius from banishment; than the LORD will deny the sup­plications of his owne servants: and therefore shall everie one of the godly make Psal. 32. 6 his prayer vnto thee in a tyme when thou mayst bee found.

If thou aske then grace to thy selfe who art grace [...]sse, of Iohn. 1. 19 his fulnesse thou shall receaue grace: If Iam. 1. 5 thou lacke wisdome, aske it of him that reproacheth no man, and hee will giue it liberally: If thou shall seeke his holy Spirit with Psal 51. 12 David, hee will vouchsa [...]e it on thee comfortably: yea, thou will sooner wearie in asking, than hee will wearie in granting, as it [Page 265] may appeare in Genes. 18.22 Abrahams re­questing clearely, who first de [...]ist­ed in [...]cting, before GOD l [...]ft off yeelding to his supplication: GOD some­times will giue more than is asked. yea, which is very admirable and most comfortable, thy bountifull [...]ather will often-tymes bestow more than his servants will re­quest for Abraham wished, Oh that Genes. 17. 18 Ishmael might liue, then GOD said to him, Sarah thy wife shall beare thee a sonne. Iaakob wished with the LORDS presence and protection breade Genes. 28.20 to eate, and clothes to put on, only foode and raiment, yet the LORD did more to him than hee desired, [...]ee gaue him before his returne to his father, wife, children, and a familie! hee Genes. 30.42 encreased excee­dingly, hee had many slockes, and ma [...]e-servants, and man-servants, and camels, and asses, he was made very rich. Salomon required of the LORD only wisdome 2 Chron. 1.10 and knowledge: the most bountifull GOD most gratiouslie answered, [Page 266] I ^u haue done according vnto thy 1 King. 3. 13 word, I haue given thee a wise and vnderstanding heart; and I haue given to thee also that which thou hast not asked, both riches and ho­nour. The prodigall sonne resol­ved to pray his father to Luke 15. 16 make him o [...]e of his hired servants: but his father dealeth not so with him, to wit, as an hireling, but recea­ved him as his owne sonne, and entertained him accordingly. The LORD IESUS was requested to put Mark. 7. [...]3 his hands vpon one who was dease and stammered in his speach, but CHRIST did more, hee did put his finger in his eares, and did spit, and touched his tongue, and looking vp to Heaven, hee sighed, and said vnto him EPH [...]HATH [...], that is, bee opened. Some Ieves came to CHRIST for bodily nou­rishment, because they Iohn 6. 26 ate of the loa [...]es, and were filled: but [...]ESUS best [...]wed on them more, even spirituall refreshment for their soules, and offred them meate th [...] [Page 267] endureth for ever vnto everlasting life: And thus it is most sure and certaine, that GOD will vouch­safe more good vpon his Sa [...]cts than they will require, or aske of his blessed Majestie: for as much as bountifulnesse, and la [...]ge li­berality is naturall and essentiall to his high honour, and great glo­ry: Hee Zeph. 3. 17 will quiet himselfe, and rest in his loue: He delighteth to doe good abundantly in all plen­tie and statelie royaltie: We reade that when Perillus one of Alex­anders friends asked him dowrie to his daughters, the King com­manded him to take fiftie talents: Perillus answering, that ten ta­lents would be sufficient: the King replyed. Tibi quidem satis est tan­tum accipere; mihi v [...]o non satis Seneca, & a­l [...]i plerique. est tantum dare: it is indeede suf­ficient to thee to rec [...]aue so much, but so much is not sufficient to mee to giue: that King had a re­spect to his hon [...]ur, and not to the mans deservings. Thy great [Page 268] and immorta [...]l King, (who [...]aveth vnto thee, Open Psalm. 81.11 thy mouth wide and I shall f [...]ll it [...]) in giving he re­gardeth more his owne glorie, and great [...]sse, than thy merits, and worthin [...]ss [...]: For Isaiah 48 9 his names sake hee deferreth his wrath, and for his praise will he refraine from it: The LORD led Isaiah 62.14 his people with his owne glorious arme, divyding the waters before them, to make himselfe an everlasting and glori­ous name: Hee Ezech. 20.44 will haue a re­spect vnto vs, for his owne Names sake: Hee will bee beneficiall vn­to vs, and not after our wicked wayes, nor according to our corrupt workes. GOD will giue to his owne a new heart, and a new spirit he will put within them: hee will gather them out of all countries, and bring them to their land: But thus Ezech. 36.22 saith the LORD GOD. I doe not this for your sakes, O house of Israel [...] but for my holie Names sake.

And surely in thy conscience [Page 269] thou may be fully perswaded and firmelie assured, that thy most gra­tious GOD will Dan. 9. 18 encline his eares to heare thy prayers, that he will yeelde to thy desires, and sati [...]ie thy requestes for three causes: first, because Iohn 2. 1 thou hast an Ad­vocate with thy Father CHRIST IESVS the just, his Math. 3. 17 beloved Sonne in whom hee is well pleased: who Hebr. 9. 24 appeareth now in the sight of GOD, to make request and in­tercession for thee: seing Heb. 7. 25 he ever liveth, hee is able perfectly to saue thee, and to bring thee honour and felicirie.

Albeit Const [...]ntine the most wor­thie Emperor, by his great moy­en, Theodoret. lib 1 cap. 24, & Euseb. [...]b. 4 and letters of recommendati­on made intercession for the Saints, who were gr [...]evouslie afflicted, and by barbarous crueltie perse­cuted in the Kingdome of Persia: when he did pleade the cause of innocent Christians, who in great number were tortured vnto death; and intreated their King Sapores [Page 270] to deale mercifullie, to embrace them kindly: it is yet vncertaine if the intercession of Constantine prevailed any thing; or if any mi­tigation of that horrible pers [...]cu­tion was granted: seing we reade that in Constantius his sonnes dayes vnder that same Barbarian it en­dured: yet this is most sure and certaine, that CHRISTS interces­sion will ever prevaile, and bee effectuall, seing Isaiah 42. 1 in him GODS soule delighteth, and whatsoever hee willeth GOD worketh: what­soeve [...] hee Psal. 2. 8 asketh GOD giveth; and he will never g [...]t a refusall If his Father who loved Iohn. 17. 24 him before the fundation of the world, vnto Math. 28. [...]8 whom is given all power in Heaven and in Earth, who Ephes. 4. 8 ascen­ded vp in high, who led captivi­tie captiue; and gaue gifts vnto men.

The second cause of thy sure cer­tification, that GOD will grant thy supplication, is this: For Rom. 8. 26 that the spirit also helpeth thine infir­mities, [Page 271] for thou knowest not what to pray, as thou oughtest; but the spirit it selfe maketh request for thee, with sighes which can not be expressed, according to the will of GOD: and hee that searcheth the heart, and tryeth the reines know­eth 27. the meaning of the spirit: and because thou art Galat. 4. 6 the sonne of a­doption, GOD hath sent foorth the spirit of the Sonne in thine heart, which cryeth, Abba father: who is (as a learned man testifieth) Hilarius. Advocatus nobiscum perpetu [...] ma­nens, an Advocate for ever aby­ding with vs: and as the Iohn 3. 8 wind bloweth where it listeth, so the SPIRIT effecteth whatsoever he requireth.

A third cause of thy vndoubted assurance, that the Almightie will yeelde vnto thy petition, is this: albeit himselfe be the most wor­thie and mightie partie offended; yet hee first seeketh thee: yea, by his 2 Cor. 5. 20 ambassadours beseecheth thee to be reconciled with his Ma­jestie: [Page 272] As Psal. 103. 13 a father hath compas­sion on his children, so the LORD hath compassion on them that feare him.

As the most gratious GOD is of vnspeakeable loue, of great pit­tie, and ardent affection; so hee is omnipotent, whose Dan. 7. 14 Kingdome shall never bee destroyed, who hath an everlasting dominion.

That mightie monarch Alexander, gaue commandement to his The­saurer for to bestow vpon Anax­archas a Philosopher, whatsoe­ver hee should require, who as­ked a verie great sowme, which the Thesaurer hearing, and beeing troubled, declared the same to Alexander, who thus answered; Plutarch. in apophtheg. Recte facit, sciens se habere ami­eum, qui tantum dare, & possit & velit. Hee doeth well, know­ing hee hath a friend, who both will and may giue so much. As GOD is our friend, so hee calleth vs his friends: not only as Abra­ham Isaiah 4 [...]. [...] GODS friends, but also [Page 273] as his Iohn. [...]. 39 children, which doe his workes. The LORD as hee is good so is he great, and aboue all GODS: whatsoever pleaseth Psal. 135. 5 the LORD hee may doe in the Heaven, in the earth, in the sea, and in all the depths: the Omnipotent may giue what hee pleaseth: no creature whatsoever may doe soe, for the devill hee lyed, and spake vn­trueth, when hee said, all Luk. 4.6 power, and glorie of the earth was delive­red to him, and that hee may giue it to whom-so-ever hee will.

No man, nor potentate in this Plinius lib. 7 cap. 2 Cic [...]ro Tuscul quaest lib 5. & August. lib. 15 de civitate de [...]. earth can doe so. It is saide of that same mightie man Alexan­der, that hee came to see the gymnosophists Philosophers of India, wise naturalists, and won­derfull patient: (as Historiogra­phers write) The King said vn­to them; aske of mee whatsoever you desire: who answered; giue vnto vs imm [...]rtalitie, which a­boue all other things wee desire: who vnto them thus replyed; see­ing [Page 274] my selfe am mortall, I can [...]ouch [...]afe vpon none immortalitie, the King declared plainelie that hee had no power to bestowe immortalitie. But the Tim. 9. 16 blessed and only Prince, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who only hath immortalitie, and dwelleth in that light that none can attaine vnto, hee hath power to graunt to his people what hee pleaseth, and 1 Cor. 15.53 will ca [...]se this corruption put on in­corruption, and this mortall put on immortalitie, for his Psal. 14. 66 favour is ex­ceeding great, and his loue is vn­speakeable, which keepeth his fi­delitie for ever: Let Psal. 130.7 Israel waite on the LORD, for with the Lord is mercie, and with him is great redemption, and hee shall rede [...]me Israel from all his iniquities.

Thirdly, thou hast this gaine, and shall reape this commoditie, Thou hast cōmunion with GOD. i [...] thou shalt call vpon GOD in­stantly, that when thou approach­ [...]st to the throne of his grace, that Iam. 4. 8 thou do [...]st draw neare vnto [Page 275] GOD, and he doth draw neere vn­to thee: and mayest not thou say with that royall Prophet; It Psal. 73. 28. is good for mee to draw neere vnto GOD: and if it was profitable to the Patriar [...]h Genes. 44. 18 Iuda, when hee did draw neere to Ioseph: or if it was comfortable vnto Queene Esther. 5. 2 Esther, when s [...]e [...] did draw neere and touched the toppe of the scep­ter of King Ahashuerus; will it not bring farre more profite, and greater plentie of consolation to the devout soule, humbled before GOD, and drawing neere his sacred Majestie? Then the LORD will Psal. 86. 11 knite and vnite thy heart vn­s [...]parablie vnto him, then thou shall bee combined with his holinesse: thou then will bee partaker of Hebr. 3. 14 the Heavenly v [...]cation: yea, thou will bee made partaker of Christ and of eternall salvation. Seing thou even then art partaker 2 Pet. 1. 4 of the godlie nature: thou art (as the Apostle affirmeth) of 1 Cor. 1. 30 GOD in CHRIST. yea thou art a mem­ber [Page 276] Eph. 5. 30 of his bodie, of his flesh and of his bones.

So by praying thou shall haue an happie change in thy selfe, and an happie communion with thy Saviour. Now if it be great Arte to turne contemptible ashes into the curious wor [...]emanshippe of g [...]asse: yea, to make such tempera­ture thereof, that glasse was made flexible, and plyable, as mettle which was brought to passe in Plinius & Isido [...]us. Tiber [...] dayes as is record [...]d: and if the Philosophers stone (if any such thing bee) bee so pretious, that it will change any mettle that it toucheth to gold or silver, and will bring from the hig [...]est Hea­ven a certaine first [...]ssence, as they call it. (I thinke it but a [...]able, or a dreame) which will not on­ly bring with it vn [...]peakeable riches, surpassing that of Craesus; [...]ide Corne­lium Agripp. de vanitat [...]sci­ent. cap. 90. but also by removing old age will bring youth-head againe, and per­petuall health with the best dis­position. But most sure it is, by [Page 277] devote prayer and supplication, and without all contraversie, thou shall obtaine a more happie change and renovation. Though 2 Cor. 4. 16 thy out­ward man perish, yet thy inward man shall bee renued daylie, thou shall Eph. 4. 23 bee renued in the right spi­rit of thy minde: Yea, thou Col. 3 10 shall bee renued in knowledge, after the image of him that created thee. Certainly, by the vse of thy con­ference with the Almightie, thou shall bee changed wonderfully, and most comfortablie: thou who was once Eph 5. 8 darknesse, is light in the LORD: thou who was vn­righteous, shall become righteous; Seing CHRIST Peter. 3. 23 suffered for thee, the just for the vnjust, to bring thee to GOD, and to make thee holy: thou who was earthly shall be­come Heavenly; thou who was weake and an old creature, shall become Psal. 103. 5 strong in the LORD, and a new creature, thy youth shall bee renued like the Eagles. Isaiah. 58. 8 Thy health shall grow speedily, thou [Page 278] shall not faint nor wearie, Iob. 17.9 but shall encrease thy strength continuel­ly: Because CHRIST and thou art actually coupled; and really conjoyned in one body, by that vnspeakable and inseparable con­junction in the Spirit, that surely thou art of 1 Cor. 1, 30 GOD in CHRIST, who Psal. 16. 5 shall maintaine thy lot, and thy faire heritage: who shall bee the Psal. 73. 26 strength of thine heart, and portion for ever.

Fourthly: If thou shall call vpon God will ho­nour those who pray. GOD earnestly, and pray vnto GOD instantly, the LORD will be with thee, and glorifie Psal 9. 15 thee: thou shall surely haue honour from GOD, when thou hast familiaritie, and se­creet conference with him: the Al­mighty hee will favour thee, and glorifie thee, hee will hold out his golden scepter towards thee, speake to thy soule secreetly and most lovingly, he Ester. 15. 15 will kisse thee, and say, talke with mee: so hee will b [...]stow vpon thee greater ho­nour than Assuerus vpon Ester.

[Page 279] By prayer thou will be one of the LORDS privie counsell, for thereby thou declarest thy feare of GOD, and Psal. 25. 14 then the secreet of the LORD will bee revealed vn­to thee. Indeede it is most sure, that by fervent prayer, and fre­quent supplication commeth the greatest honour and commendati­on: Moses often prayed, he was greatly honoured, hee Exod. 11.32 was v [...]rie great in the land of Egypt: So Da­vid rejovcing to Psal. 122. 1 goe to the house of the LORD, compassing his Al­ [...]r, who did mourne in his prayer, and make a noise, who Psal. [...]. 4 [...] powred out his heart before the LORD: He be­haved 1 Sam. 18.30 himselfe wisely, and his name much set by: hee was exalted to high honour and dignitie. So Da­niel hee humbled himselfe before the LORD, he prayed and fasted, Hee Daniel. 2. 48 was made a great man, and a Govern [...]ur over all the province of Babell, the chiefe of the rulers, and aboue all the wise-men of that Kingdome.

[Page 280] The Sainctes in the Primitiue Church, who gaue themselues to praying, albeit the Preistes and Pharisees did persecute them: ne­verthelesse Act. 13 the people magnified them. If any be, who make con­science of this holy duety, and ex­erciseth himselfe in this most ho­ly action, and offereth vp his sutes and true supplications: If I say such a one remaine in contempt, and disgrace in this earth, certein­ly it will bee for a short time, and a little season: Everie contem­ned Christian in some respect, may bee compared to Menedemus a notable Philosopher, Cùm primò ab omnibus ludibrio haberetur, po­stea in tanta admiratione habitus est, vt civitatis gubernacula ei trade­rentur: Stephanus. who at the first was mock­ed and derided of all, but after­ward hee was so honoured and admired that the governement of the Citie was committed vnto him, and was in greatest estima­tion. The LORDS supplicant may [Page 281] bee humbled for a while, but sure­ly hee shall bee exalted, if hee be casten downe, vndoubtedly hee will bee preferred: surely Wisedome▪ 5, 4 the fooles who thought his life madnesse, and his end without honour, shall wonder to see him counted a­mong the Children of GOD, and his portion among the Sainctes: yea, it may come to passe that these who most disdained him, shall bee compelled, even in this life greatly to reverenc [...] him: the LORD may Revel. 3. 9 make them that they shall come and worshippe before his seete, with a most reverend re­gard and estimation of him.

Fiftly, By praying thou will They who pray are kings and preists vn­to GOD. not only bee honoured and great­ly preferred; but also thou will attaine to that high excellencie of greatest dignitie: that thou will bee Revel. 1. 6 made a King and a Preist vnto GOD thy Father: when thou off [...]rest vp spiritually sacrifices to his heavenly Majestie, every Tim. 2. 8 where lifting vp pure hands, without wrath [Page 282] or doubting vndoubtedly, then thou shall get a sure right, and tittle to a Kingdome, so thou shall re­ceiue the beginning of the posses­sion of that Kingdome, which is not earthly but Heavenly, which is not outward but inward, not bodily but spirituall, not decaying but eternall, which Hebr. 12. 28 cannot bee shaken, which standeth now Rom. 14. 17 in righteousnesse, in peace, and joy in the holy Ghost. Albeit by na­ture thou bee a base and con­temptible creature, yet if thou pray to GOD fervently, hee will speake to thy soule assuredly, and say, Feare Luk▪ 12. 32 not, it is my pleasure to giue thee a Kingdome: yea, who by nature hast Iob. 17.14 corruption to thy father, and the worme to thy mother, which is worse, thou who for thy sinne and wickednesse hast Iohn. 8. 44 the devill to thy father: by grace and prayer shall haue the blessed GOD to bee thy Father; hee will giue thee prorogatiue Iohn. 1. 1 [...] and power to be the sonne of GOD; to bee a King [Page 293] indeed, and Rom. 8. 27 more than a conque­rour through him that loved thee.

This was thought a wonder­full Ci [...]ro Tuscul quaest lib 5. & Livinius lib. 1 and a rare thing, that Tarqui­nius Priscus the sonne of a mar­chant of Corinth, named Demara­thus a fugitiue, and a stranger should bee so highly exalted, and come from so low a degree, to such a great estate and dignitie, that hee was made a King of the people of Rome, and did reigne many yeares with valour and wisdome, subduing his enemies on every side, and governing his subjects. It is written also which is admi­rable, Florus & Val­er. maximus. lib. 3. cap. 4 that Tullius Servius, who borne a base slaue, was yet ad­vanced to that Kingdome, and governed the R [...]m [...]es verie dis­creetly, & did three times triumph gloriously.

Remember the Isaiah. 51. 1 rocke whence thy selfe was hewen; and looke in­to the hole of the pit whence thy selfe was digged. Consider that thy selfe was an aliant Eph. 2. 12 from the com­moun [Page 284] wealth of Israel, and a stranger from the covenant of pro­mise: yea, thou was a servant Rom. 6. 17 to sinne and a s [...]aue to Sathan, yet by frequent and fervent praying, and by GODS speciall blessing, thou shall bee wonderfully preferred, and most highly graced, so thou shall receiue a Tim. 4. 8 crowne of righ­teousnesse: a Revel▪ 2.10 crowne of life, yea an incorruptible 1 Peter. 5. 4 crowne of glory, thou shall bee a Isaiah. 62. 3 royall diademe in the hand of GOD. Thou art a heire of the Iames 2. 5 Kingdome promised, of the everlasting [...] Pet▪ 1. 11 Kingdome through CHRIST, which shall not decay: which is not subject to alteration, and none shall take it from thee. Many indeede of the Romane Em­perours were verie infortunate and miserable, they remained in a dangerous and lamentable estate, for their whole dignitie and safe­tie consisted in the power of their vnrulie Legions, and base soul­diers, who lived most inordinatly; so that it was a wonder to the [Page 285] wise and judicious▪ that there were any who would embrace the con­dition, Vide Sleida­num lib 2. de quatuor sum­mis Monar­chiis & Eras­mum. or take vpon them that perillous and painefull function, seing from C. Iulius Caesar, who was slaine in the sight of the Se­nators, into the dayes of Charles the great, about thrittie of the Emperours were killed, foure of them did put violent hands in themselues, yea these disloyall and outragious souldiers, destroyed some, whom against their will they had drawne on to the height of that honour, which befell Aelius Pertinax.

But all devote Christians, who are earnest petitioners, incalling arightly vpon the blessed name of the Almightie, they shall all bee for ever most happie and blessed, they shall abide continually in a most glorious, happie, and sure e­state, they shall stand Revel 7.9 before the Throne, and before the Lambe, clo­thed with long white robs, and palmes in their hands: Yea, the LORD [Page 286] IESUS shall gran [...] vnto them, to sit Revel. 3. 21 with Himselfe and his Father in his Heavenly Throne; and they shall bee more Rom. 8. 37 than conquerours through him that loved them.

Sixt [...]y: If thou aske, Math. 7. 7 it shall bee given thee, thou shall not bee an emptie Hos. 10. 1 vine, neither shall thou bring foorth fruite, to thy selfe but shall bring foorth [...]uk 3. 8 fruite worthie of amendement of life, and Eph. 4. 1 walke worthie of the vocation wherevnto thou are called, b [...]having thy self du [...]tifully, both in regard of thy selfe and others: in respect of thy selfe, thou will take heede to thy selfe, thou will judge thy selfe and thou will rule over thy selfe, and thou will furnish thy selfe with wisdome, courage, comfort and constancie.

First: If thou pray fervently, considering thy royall dignit [...]e, thou will keepe Prover. 4. 21 thy heart dili­gentlie, that it bee not polluted with wickednesse, and impietie, thou will resolue with thy selfe [Page 287] wiselie, if thy estate bee high and honourable, that then thy fault is the more pernicious and discom­mendable: If a pri [...]ate souldier should De [...]t. 23. 9 Omne animi vitium [...]nto conspectius in se crim [...] habet, quantum qui pec [...]at maior habetur. keepe himselfe from all wickednesse, much more a c [...]m­mander should doe so, for his vice as it is most conspicuous, so it is most exemplarie and dangerous.

Secondly: Seing thou art a King who is an absolute judge, and at length attaine to that honour, as to bee one who with CHRIST shall judge 1 Cor. 6. 2 the world and the An­gels: in this world thou must of nec [...]ss [...]ie judge thy selfe: by sum­monding thy selfe, who by nature art a fugi [...]iue, by trying thy selfe, delated by thine owne conscience, by accusing thy selfe, justly called culpable, and by cond [...]mning thy selfe, truely found gu [...]tie: and by this mea [...]e thou shall be surely fred from the fearefull judgement to come: for (as the Scripture saith) if wee would 1 Cor. 11.31 judge our selues, wee should not be judged narrow­ly, [Page 288] by Iames▪ 2. 13 a mercilesse judgement in­to eternall condemnation: for bles­sed bee our GOD, the Father 2 Cor. 1.3 of mercies, and the GOD of all con­solation: hee is most vnlike that curst catiue Caligula, who com­pelled his deputie of Iudea Pe­tronius, [...]oseph antiq. lib. 18 cap. 11 to giue out a sentence of death against his owne lyfe, and to bee both judge and burrio to him­selfe: but it is cleane contrare in our favourable Father, who will cer­tainly absolue all that judge, and condemne themselues.

Thirdly: By praying fervently, and by seeking Math. 6. 33 the Kingdome of GOD principally, thou will obtaine this favour and felicitie, that thou shall get power and dexteritie to rule thy selfe arightly.

Wise Salomon sayeth very wor­thily, hee who Prov. 16. 31 ruleth his owne minde, is better than hee who win­neth a citie: and what will it pro­fite any (saith Ach [...]tophell who dyed miserably) to put 2 Sam, 17. 23 his house in order, and in the meane season [Page 289] to haue his heart out of order? Or what will it availe thee, with E­lah King. 16. 9 King of Israell, who com­manded and ruled over many, who being overcome in his stewards house with drunkennesse and in­temperancie, was slaine by his servants suddainly, and so peri­shed perpetually.

Or canst thou be content with Cocceius Nerva, the 13 Romane Traheron in vitis imper a­torum. Emperour, (who dyed of anger, taken against one Regulus a Se­nator) hee gu [...]ded others, but could not containe his owne pas­sion, neither guide himselfe, hee ended his dayes by choller and displeasure.

Or with Ʋalentinianus the first, who albeit he vanquished others, E [...]ugere cupi­dit atem regu­lum est vincere Pub. Minist. lib. 4 Sic agitur cen­sura & sic ex­empla par [...]tur, Cum iudex a­lios quod mo­net ipse facit. yet hee could not vanquish his pas­sion of anger, through vehemen­ [...]e whereof an arterie bursted with in him, and his blood did gush out of his mouth in such abun­dance, that hee dyed shortly.

Or yet what will it profite thee [Page 290] albeit with renowned Attolus thou subdue whole Italie, if with him thou thy selfe bee subdued with surfetting and venerie, and spend thy dayes in shame and miserie. Is it not much better, and by in­finite degrees more profitable and more honourable, to be thy owne judge, never to bee condemned, to bee thy owne ruler never to be misguided, to be King over thine owne selfe, never to bee degraded nor deposed, but ever to bee o­beyed, honoured and reverenced.

Fourthly: If thou pray earne­stly, by this meanes, an 2 Pe [...]. 1. 11 entrie shall bee minis [...]red vnto thee a­boundantly, into the everlasting Kingdome of our LORD and Sa­viour IES [...]S CHRIST. If thou pray 1 Thess. 3.10 exceedingly, thou shall bee furnished plentifully: if thou lack wisdome Iam. 1. 5 seeke it of GOD, which will giue it vnto thee liberallie; Sapientis [...]st non [...]am cu­i [...]slib [...]trei prin cipium quam exitum provi­dere. August. then thou will not so much looke to the beginning of any thing, as to the issue thereof: then thou will [Page 291] bee Deut. 32. 29 wise and consider the latter end.

And thou shall haue wisdome, both in thy learning, and in thy life, in thy lips, and in thy heart. As the sight is needefull for the Simil. Bion. & Laer. lib. 4. cap 7 travelling bodie, and strong walles for a besieged Towne, as an expert commander to a fighting Armie, as a skilfull pilote for a ventring Nauie: So this wisdome and pru­dencie is most necessarie for e­verie true Christian, desiring eter­nall selicitie: for a prudent man seeth Prov. 27. 12 the plague, and hid [...]th him­selfe when the foolish goe on still, and are punished: he Prov. 19. 20 heareth coun­sell and receiveth instruction, and i [...] wise in his latter end.

Secondly: by praying, thou will bee furnished with strength, and courage, and be indued with true magnanimitie, which for rulers is most necessarie, both for doing of good couragiously, and for suffe­ring affliction, and paine patientlie. Thus by true valour ⁿ Nehemiah Nehem. 2. 20 [Page 292] did builde the walles of Herusalem, neither was hee discouraged by the force, or flatterie of Nehem. 6. 1 Sanbal­lat and Tobiah, and other adver­saries; nor yet dismaied by the di­rection of the false Prophet She­meiah. Thus by the strength of GOD, the Apostles rejoyced in their afflictions; that they Act. 5. 41 were counted worthie to suffer rebuke for CHRISTS Name.

So many faithfull Martyres as that notable Laurentius, and a Euseb lib 5 cap. 3 hist. Eccl. noble Roman Attalus, who albe­it they were tormented and rosted by a long small burning fire, yet died most pleasantly, and finished their course couragiously, even deriding and victoriously trium­phing over their fierce enemies, and wretched tormentors.

Thirdly: Thou hast by praying in consideration of thy sure King­dome, a good occasion of great joy and consolation, in time of most bitter anguish and grievous afflictions, so that thou may both [Page 293] say and doe with that royall Pro­phet, In Psal. 94. 19 the multitude of the thoughts of mine heart, thy com­forts haue rejoyced my soule, and when hee was in great sorrow, his Samuel. 30.6 house and Towr [...] burnt with fire, his wife and children taken prisoners, and his owne people, whose duetie it was to defend him, in­tended to stone him, being in grie­vous perp [...]exitie, hee comforted himselfe in the LORD GOD.

Consider rightly with thy selfe, if thou bee in povertie, heere, that all 1 Cor. 3. 21 things are thine: yea the world is thine: Though Psal. 34. 10 the Lyons lacke and suffer hunger, yet if thou seek the LORD thou shall want nothing that is good: If thou bee in sick­nesse, comfort thy selfe, for that sicknesse Iohn. 1 [...]. 4 is not vnto death, but for the glorie of GOD, for thy life and felicitie: Indecde yet Iohn. 3. 2 it doth not appeare what thou shall bee, and know that when CHRIST shall appeare, thou shall bee like him in honour, in health and happi­nesse [Page 294] eternally: If thou bee put in prison, and deteined in a dongeon, bee of good courage, and Zach. 9. 12 turne thee to the strong hold, thou pri­soner of hope: Albeit with Ioseph thy Psal. 105. 18 feete bee helde in the stocks, and thou laide in yrons: yet in the appointed time thou shal be loosed, delivered, and exalted; As Ma­nasses was brought from [...]etters, from chaines, from Babell to Ie­rusalem, and 2 Chr. 33.13 to his Kingdome; or as Mathias, a mightie and happie King of Hungarie, was freed from prison, and with great Vide Spinaeū. lib. 7. in metū. pompe and solemnitie caried to Buda, the Metropolitan citie, and there with contentment and ac­clamations of the people was joy­fully crowned: So the LORDS a­noynted shall surclie come out of great ^a tribulation; albeit hee bee in prison, and the Psal. 18. 4 snares of death compasse him, and the griefes of the graue caught him; yea though hee were in the verie agonie and pang of death, when natures debt [Page 295] must needs bee payed, and this outward man dissolved, our earth­ly 2 Cor. 5. 1 house of this Tabernacle de­stroyed, and soule and bodie sepa­rated, yet let him remember with comfort, that his light 2 Cor. 4. 17 affliction which is but a moment, causeth vn­to him farre more excellent and e­ternall weight of glorie; and that death it selfe is but GODS mes­singer, Similit. to call thee out of this wea­risome world, to the perpetuall possession of an Heavenly King­dome: as it would haue bene a great delight to David, to follow the m [...]ssi [...]ger sent 1 Sam. 16. [...] to him by Samuel, that of a sheepheard hee might bee the LORDS Annoynted King over Israel: So death may be very welcome to thee, who is the LORDS messinger, to bring thee a [...] Peter. 2.11 Pilgrime, and Psal 39. 12 Sojurne heere to his Heb. 2. 11 rest; to bring thee, a mi­serable and contemptible creature to glorie and endlesse felicitie.

Lastly: By heartie praying thou shall bee furnished with constan­cie [Page 296] and perseverance, and so shall be comfortably and as [...]ed [...]y per­swaded, that thou art not only a King into the LORDS house, but also Heb. 3. 6 the very house of CHRIST, if thou hold fast the confidence; and the rejoycing of the hope vnto the end.

This stabilitie in we [...]doing, and continuance in goodnesse is most necessarie for thy Christian calling, and [...]oyall dignitie: as the Patri­arch laakob in his journey from Mesopotamia to Canaan, his natiue countrey, and to his earthly father Isaac, was hindered with many impediments, namely Laban be­hind him, detaining him, and de­termining to Genes 31. 25 doe him evill: E­sau before him, afraying and sore troubling Genes. 32. 7 him; himselfe going more slowly, and halting Genes. 32. 31 vpon his thigh, yet hee continued con­stant in his intended course, hee would not decline, nor goe back­ward, but did ever proceede, and goe forward with true pietie and lawfull policie, as is at length ex­pressed [Page 297] in the same historie, hee was much given to fervent pray­er, and earnest supplication, and so wrestled Genes. 32.31 and prevailed, vntill hee receaved a blessing by Hos. 12. 4 wee­ping and praying, vnto him whom hee found in Bethell.

So thou in this thy warrefare and pilgrimage, looking to Christ, going to the land of Canaan the [...]tie Heb. 12. 22 of the living GOD, the ce­lestiall Hierusalem, to Heb. 12. 9 the Fa­ther of the living spirits, that thou mayest liue, thou will bee detei­ned with many stayes, and cros­sed with many calamities, for some tymes thou Lament. 1 19 shall call vpon thy lovers who will decea [...]e the [...]: som [...] ­tymes thou shall meete with false 2 Cor. 11. 26 brethren, who will annoy thee, and bring thee in greater perrill: the world like Laban will hin­der thee, the devill worse than Esau will tempt thee, and [...]phes. 6. 1 [...] Wres [...]le with thee; cra [...] flatterers like A­chitophell Sam. 15. 12 desirous to betray thee, will trouble thee: thou will some­times [Page 298] find thine owne hands weake and Hebr. 12. 12 thy knees wearie; thy Math. 4. 6 selfe halting and fainting, yet goe not backward, but fordward hold on thy course with constancie, runne thy Heb. 12. 1 race with patience, cry to GOD, crane helpe of the Almigh­tie, implore GODS mercie; and with sighs and teares, that rare gift of perseverance, which is most necessare for thy salvation and glo­ry: for (as CHRIST cer [...]ifieth thee) if Math. 24.13 thou endure vnto the end thou shall bee saved: for that ef­fect aske GOD courage, and con­stancie, which is most necessarie: Sicut oculis corporalibus necessaria Similit. est lux, vt suo fruantur fine; ita om­nibus praedestinatis ac vocatis, ad regnum Coelorum necessaria est per­severantia: aut sicut abs (que) luce fru­stra aperitur oculus, codem modo inaniter currit, qui vs (que) ad vitae finem non perseverat: As light is necessarie to the bodily eyes, that they may enjoy their owne end; so perseverance to all those who [Page 262] are predstinate, and called to the Kingdome of Heaven: or as with­out light there is no sight, the eye is opened in vaine, so in that same manner he runneth in vaine who doeth not persevere vnto the end of the race, to his liues end.

By fervent prayer also thou shall bee indued with such discretion and dexteritie, that carying thy selfe duetifully, in respect of all, in whatsoever estate, sexe, con­dition, or degree they bee: Thou will 1 Thess. 4.12 Principis est virtus maxima nosce suos. behaue thy selfe honestly toward them that are without: Thou will labour to know the conditions, and to acquaint thy self well with thy owne friends, for that is the chiefe duetie of a com­mander: Thou will studie then, if Rom. 1 [...]. 18 it be possible to haue peace with all men: but knowing well that thou hast mortall and irreconci­liable enemies; thou will travaile with all the force of thy soule, to scatter, subdue, and overcome them, who goe about to tyra­nize [Page 300] over thee, to bring thee to perpetuall slauer [...] a [...]d end [...]sse mi­serie: A wise King (saith Salo­mon) scattereth Prov. 20. 18 the wicked, and causeth the wheele to turne over them.

A wise Christian will vse all meanes to punish his sinnes, his most cruell and deadly fo [...]s, to smite them with a mightie de­struction, as Iudg. 15.8 Samson the Phili­stims, and so to doe with his corruptions, (as the Prophet speak­eth of the Babilonians) Psal. 137. 9 to put them to the sword, to mortifie them with anger, and indignation: And yet perswade thy selfe, that thou hast great neede of watch­fulnesse and consideration of pray­er and earnest supplication, for this victorie over thy ghostly enemy, [...]onne and gotten with much tra­vell, tu [...]m [...]il [...], & trouble with vex­ation, and much wrestling, in re­garde of the multitude, might and maliciou [...]ss [...] of thy enemies: con­sidering thy owne sinnes, also o­ [...]her [Page 301] soes who in number, will be [...]erie many, as Bees, or as the haires of our head: they will bee also cruell in ma [...]ce, they having no compassion, strong and might [...]e, they being principalites and powers and worldly governours.

Briefly: By the helpe of pray­er, thou will behaue thy selfe dis­creetly, and wisely towards all, thou will comfort Thess. 5. 14 the feeble min­ded, beare with the weake: If Galat. 6. 1 any bee fallen into any fault or distres, thou who art spirituall, will restore such a one with the spirit of meek­nesse, considering thy selfe, lest thou also bee tempted.

Lastly: When thou prostrates, and presents thy selfe before GOD, Regia ( [...]rede mihi) r [...]s est succcurrere lapsis. and ferventlie dost incall vpon his blessed Name, thou may bee perswaded in thy owne conscience, that thou art a pious, a devote Priest vnto GOD: and that the LORD will furnish thee with these gifts and graces needfull for the discharge of so holy a function.

[Page 302] First: With saving wisedome and knowledge, and 2 Pet. 3. 18 so thou will both grow in this knowledge, and thy lippes shall preserve the same: thou shall Mal. 2. 7 bee a teacher in Israel, and a Iohn. 2. 10 strengthner of thy brethren: Without this knowledge a man is not teachable, as a swallow which (as the naturalistes writ [...]th) is indocill and cannot be brought to learne; hee is blind and with­out Plin Nat. hist lib. 19. cap 32 Sacerdos s [...]ne literis tauqu [...] navis absque v [...]lis eyes like the seawinkle, hee is vnprofitable, like a ship with­out sailes, he is beastly, more bru­tish than the Isa. 1. 3 oxe, than the asse, knowing his owner, and masters cryb, hee is wretched and miserable, as a Isa. 27. 11 people of no vnderstanding, hee that made them shall haue no com­passion on them, and he that formed them shall haue no mercie on them.

Secondly: With this gift of prayer, praying continually, thou shall not pray for thy selfe only, but also for others: This did Mo­ses, Exod [...]. 2 who stood before the LORD in the gape: Thus did Samuel, say­ing, [Page 303] 1 Sam. 12. [...] GOD forbidde that I should sinne against the LORD, in not praying for you: So did David for the people, and CHRIST made this his speciall duetie Iohn. 17. 20 pray­ing for all bele [...]vers: This gi [...]t of prayer is the key of Heaven, if prayer ascend, GODS mercie will descend vnto thee.

Thirdly: By praying, as the LORDS Priest, thou shall 1 Pet. 3. 9 loue blessing, and hate cursing, thou will not render evill for evill, neither rebuke for rebuke, but contrari­wise bl [...]sse, knowing that thou art therevnto called; that thou shuld bee the heire of blessing, thou will blesse GOD and his Saincts, not in wordes only, but also in works: Noli gloriari, (as an Ancient [...]el­leth) si lingua benedicas & vita, & meritis maledicas: Rejoyce not August. if in thy words thou blesse, and in thy life and conversation curse: but if thou loue blessing, thou shall be Galat. 3. 9 blessed with faithfull Abraham.

Fourthy: By prayer thou shall [Page 304] entertaine the holy Spirit, as the Lev [...]ticall Priests vnder the law, be­hoved to Leu [...]t. 6. 13 keepe the fire ever bur­ning upon the Altar, and never let [...]t goe foorth; but feade it careful­ly, and continuaily: So preser [...]e thou the fire of GODS grace vpon the Altar of thy heart, and bee thou most watchfull and solicitous, that thou never 1 Thess. 5. 19 quench the Spirit.

Lastly: Thou will bee heartly content, to haue the LORD thy portion and habitation: For Deut. 10. 19 as the Levits had no portion in the land of Canaan, but dwelt in tents and Psal. 119. 57 the LORD was their portion. So thou being a Priest to GOD, and praying duetifully to his Ma­jestie, thou will not seeke so much to haue any inheritance vpon this [...]ar [...]h, as to desire Psal. 16. 6 that faire heri­tage in Heaven, where thou shall haue food and raiment: Thou will be content, knowing thou brought nothing 1 Tim. 6. 7 into this world, and it is certaine thou can carie nothing out of it: and during the short tyme [Page 305] of thy momentaniall life, thou will abide in CHRIST, and bring soorth much fruite, and then Iohn. 15. 7 aske what thou will, and it shall be given to thee, for GODS glory, and thy eternall felicitie.

Wee will speake more God-willing of the good which is got­ten by earnest prayer, when wee shall declare the vtilitie, effica­cie, nec [...]ssitie, and effects there­of; but first of the difficultie of this divine exercise of prayer.

SVch is the Revel. 2. 15 depth of the deceite of the Devill, a lyar from the beginning, who can transforme himself into an [Page 306] angell of light, that most frequent­ly, and lamentably hee deludeth, and deceaveth an infinite number of people of all sortes, in making them to d [...]me, (yea rather to dreame) that that service which is most painefull, w [...]ightie, labo­rious, of greatest importance and difficultie, to bee most light, ea­sie, of small effect, and greatest facilitie; as the worke of faith, of repentance, and prayer.

But bee not dec [...]aved by the illusions of thy false enemie: giue great diligence for [...]shewing and espying his craft and machinati­ons: For all they to whom the se­creets of the LORD is revealed, who haue their eyes in their heads, who haue their hearts at their right hands, who haue their witnesse in Heaven, who are prud [...]nt in spirit, they know full well by proofe of experience, they will acknowledge with sorrow, and heavie displea­sure, that it is a most hard, and dif­ficult thing to pray arightly, and [Page 307] to ca [...]l vpon GOD in spirit and veritie.

This vnknowne difficultie will appeare more cleare and evident to all in a fourefold respect or con­sideration: first, in respect o [...] the verie a [...]t of prayer it selfe: second­ly, in regard of the parts of pray­ [...]r: thirdly, in respect of all those g [...]aces, which of necessi [...]ie must [...]ncurre to adorne the true sup­plicant: Lastly, by considering of these manifold impediments that are multiplyed, for the hindering of such a profitable, and godlie exercise.

First then in the a [...]t of prayer, it is most certaine, thou shall sure­ly find sundrie (if thou pray a­ [...]ghtly) d [...]ffi [...]ile, and laborious workes: let vs consider of some of them.

In true and acceptable prayer, the first worke is a departure from the world, or a separation of our hearts from this earth: The se­cond is the ascension of our mynd [Page 308] to Heaven: the third worke in prayer is an approaching to GOD, and a presenting of our [...]elues be, fore his glorious and sacred Ma­jestie: the fourth is a speaking and conference with the most high, holy, and wise GOD: the fift, an offering or oblation to GOD the possessor of Heaven and earth, who is of greatest perfection and sufficiencie: The sixt, an combate or wrestling with the Almighty: The seventh a prevailing, or an obtaining of the victorie: The last a building of a temple to GOD: all these are workes of turmoile and difficultie.

The world is like Egypt, Exod. 3. 8 a place of bondage and slauerie: It was an hard matter for Israell to departe from it, Pharaoh a migh­tie King to hinder them; the task­masters cruell to detaine them, and vexe them: GOD 1 Pet 2.7 himselfe did come downe, and delyver them.

Secondly: this world is like So­dom, a place of filthy pleasure and [Page 309] impietie: Iust Lot, albeit adver­tised of the punishment of the citie, yet prolonged his depar­ture, and delayed his obedience, whi [...]e the Gen. 19. 16 Angell caught him by the hand, and pulled him from out the fire.

Thirdly: This world which is not our natiue countrie, but a place Mundus non patria sed cap­tivitas nobis est. of banishment and confusion, it is like a Babylon, a citie of disorder and confusion, goe Revel. 18. 4 out of her, thou who art the LORDS servant, that August. thou bee not partakers of her [...]innes, Babi [...]nia, id­est confusio, significat mun dum desertum malum & horribile mundus. and receiue not of her plagues, de­part, depart, thou that art cleane, that thou may pray and prosper, separat Isaiah. 51.11 thy selfe from her, and touch no vncleane thing, that the LORD may receiue Cor. 6. 17 thee and be thy father.

Fourthy: This world is like an evill and horrible wildernesse, and waste wildernesse of Arabia, there was scarcely of good things ne­cessarie: No h bread, little water, and plentie of hurtfull things, as Deut. 31.10 [Page 310] firie Ser [...]ents, Scorpions and drought thou shall wander in this de [...]art, both Deut. 8. 15 hungrie, thirstie, and disea­sed, thy verie soule Psal. 107. 4 fainting with­in thee.

Fifthly: This world is like a Labyrinth, a place intricat by ma­ny [...]lin. lib. 30 cap. 13. wyndings and turnings, farre easi [...]r to ridde thy selfe out of the foure chiefe labyrinths of Crete, of Egypt, of L [...]mnos, and of Italie, than to bee deliuered from Galat. 1. 4 this present evill world.

Sixthly: This world is like a strong prison, a p [...]ofound pit where are sharpe st [...]s to hurt one, where is filthinesse, a more to de­ [...]e one, wor [...]e than the prison Gen. [...]9. 20 of Egypt, where Ioseph was bound, [...] also than the du [...]ge [...]n Ier. 38. 6 of [...], where the holy Prophet [...]remi [...]h sta [...]ke fast in the myrie [...]ung with hunger.

Seventhly: Yea, it was difficile and impossible for Dan. 6. 2 [...] Daniel to come ou [...] of the d [...]nne from among the Lyons, vnlesse his GOD had [Page 311] sent an Angell to stoppe their mouthes that they might not hurt him: so it is as diffici [...]l, yea, more impossible for vs to g [...]t foorth of the denne of this world, where remaineth our adversarie the 1 Pet. 5. 8 de­vill like a roaring Lyon, seeking to devoure vs.

Lastly: the world is like a tem­pestuous and dangerous sea trou­blesome and raging, as when Io­ [...]as was in the ship sleeping: as when Paul and his companie were carried to and froe in the Adria­ticke sea, fasting, farre from the ha­ven where they would bee.

Mare significat hoc seculum, (saith Augustine) quia habet a­maritudinem, habet fluctus tribula­tionum, tempestates tentationum, & pisces se devorant [...]s.

This world signifieth a sea, be­cause it hath great bitternesse, it hath floodes of tribulations, tem­pests of tentations, and fish de­vouring one another.

Now advise thy selfe (conside­rat [Page 312] Chrstian) diligently, and after due deliberation tell plainly, is it an hard matter or no? a laborious worke of wonderfull great d [...]ffi­cu [...]tie to goe forth from this So­dome, from this Egypt, and from Babilon, to bee delivered from this wildern [...]sse, from this laby­rinth, from this [...]ungeon, and from such a sea, to haue thy soule sepa­rated from the profite, pleasures, and preferments, from the crosses, and distra [...]tions of this world, to haue thy conversation in Heaven, and Colos. 3. 2 to set thy affections on things which are aboue,

O how painfull, and toylesome is it to ridde our selues from Luke. 8. 7 these thornes which spring vp with the seed of the word: and as they choke the word, so they hinder the ex­ercise of prayer.

The second worke no lesse dif­ficile than the former, is the as­cension of our mindes to Heaven: W [...]e ascend and goe vpward (saith a Father) two wayes; by medi­tation Bernard in Ser [...] de ascensione. [Page 313] and by prayer: Meditation teacheth vs that which is lacking: and prayer obtaineth that it be not inlaking. If it was painfull and tedious to ascend and goe vp to earthly Hierusalem, for they Psal 85. 6 go­ing vp through the valley of Baca did make welles, they were weak and wearie, feeble and thirstie, is it not more laborious to goe vp to the heavenlie and holie Hieru­salem, the great and glorious ci­tie of GOD? the way wherevnto is narrow Math. 7. 14 and straite, and few there bee that find it. If it was an hard matter to Ionathan and his armour­bearer to climbe 1 Sam. 14. 13 vp betwixt the sharpe rockes, that they might fight against the Philistimes, they w [...]nt vp vpon their hands and seete with difficultie and jeopardie. Is it not as difficile to ascend on high, go­ing through many d [...]fficulties and distractions.

This was esteemed a great and Livius & al [...]i. weightie worke of Hanniball to pierce through the high Alpes in [Page 314] his journey to Italie: but it is much more weightie to Eccles. 35.15 peirce the clouds, to mount aboue the Sunne, Moone and Planets, Hebr. 12. 21 to passe through the visible Heavens, and to enter into the pallace of glo­rie.

It was ter [...]ible to Moses himself hee did Galat. 4. 25 quake and feare to goe vp to mount S [...]nai, a mountaine in Arabia, it is diffici [...] also Psal. 15. 1 to ascend vnto S [...]on the mountain [...] of GOD.

That Act. 3. 2 [...]reple from his mothers wonsb [...] could not come vp to the T [...]mple, but was carried: it was impossible for E [...]as himself by his owne power to bee taken vp to heaven, the 2 King. 2.11 charet and horses of [...]re, the wh [...]rle-wind did mount him vp: it is a [...] impo [...]ible for thee to come to the LORD, to Cant. 1. 3 ascend to his [...], vnlesse D [...]ut. 1. 31 the Lord [...] thee and b [...]are thee, as a man b [...]ar [...]h [...]: vnlesse the holy [...] thee, and conduct thee [...]: For as none durst at­t [...]mpt Dissi [...]illa quae pul [...]hra Si [...]ilit. to as [...]nd to that admirable [Page 315] hill Amara, where none may come but an Aethiopian, and that Sam. Purchas pilgrimage. lib. 7. cap. 5 by expresse licence, vnder the paine of leauing his hands, and feete, and eyes behind him, the price of his curiositie, seing it is a place of greatest pleasure on the earth, some taking it for Paradise.

So none dare presume to passe to the Celestiall Paradise, Luke. 23. 43 which CHRIST promised to the penitent thiefe; but Iohn. 1. 43 a true Israelite in whom there is no guile: a sincere Christian and constant, who hath received Rom. 8. 15 the Spirit of adopti­on, whereby hee cryeth Abba Fa­ther; if any other ascend, it will bee with the lose of his soule though it were possible to him to doe so.

The third work to be perfor­med in this exercise, (which m [...]st not seeme a small thing but of moment and importance) is, when the Num. 19 9 LORD shall tak [...] th [...]e nearer to himselfe, considering thy bas [...] ­nesse, guiltinesse, and wr [...]tched­nesse: [Page 316] againe GODS holynesse, and righteousnesse, to think that thou art Psal. 73. 22 a beast before the Almigh­tie, a 2 Sam. 9 8 dead dogge, vnworthie to bee respected of the King of Glory, that thou Psal. 22. 6 art but a worm [...] and the contempt of the people; that thou art but Gen. 18 27. dust and ashes, that thou of thy selfe art more vnpro­fitable than the sea-weede, where Pro [...]ecta vilios alga. vi [...]ga. with many at sometimes doe good the ground: yea, by nature, with­out the Luke. 14 34 spirit of prayer, thou will bee as vnsavorie Math. 5. 13 salt, which is neither meete for land, nor yet for the dung-hill, but men cast it out to bee troden vnder foote, as Ecbolius a Sophister in Constan­tinople, (a timorous temporizer) who altered his religion as tymes altered that followed, who fol­lowing the profession of sundrie Emperours in his tyme, was in­constant in his profession; yet at length he was so troubled in his conscience, that lying downe at the Church doore, hee cryed to [Page 317] the people to t [...]ample him vnder foote, for hee was but vnfavory salt: Surely before GOD thou art as Isaiah 40. 17 a droppe of a bucket, as va­nitie, as nothing, as lesse than no­thing: Againe think seriously v­pon thine owne guiltinesse, and thou shall acknowledge it an hard matter to compeere in the LORDS presence, as our first parents know­ing their nakednesse, did preasse to Genes. 3 [...] hide themselues (if they could) from the face of the LORD.

The Patriarchs after Ioseph had vttered himselfe to them, and re­membring their crueltie and vn­naturalnesse towards him, they could not endure to draw neere to him, or looke him in the face: but shame, feare, and astonish­ment did suddainly oppresse them; they Genes. 45. 3 went backe, and were asto­nied at his presence: Seing thou hast delt more vnkindly with thy blessed GOD. and Act. 2 23 hath cruc [...]fi­ed to thy selfe the King of Glory: may not thou justly bee dismay­ed [Page 318] for thy guiltinesse and iniqui­tie? and confesse ingenu [...]usly, [...]ay­ing, O Daniel. 9.7 LORD! righteousnesse be­longeth to thee; but to vs open s [...]ame, and everlasting ignomi [...]ie.

If there was dang [...]r and diffi­cultie to any to come into the presence of an earthly King, for whosoever Esther. 4. 11 man or woman did come to the King Ahasuerus, into the inner court vncalled, there was a law that hee should die, except him to whom the king h [...]ld out his gol­den rodde, [...] scepter, that hee might liu [...]. If thou appeare be­fore the king of Kings, and Lord of glorie; vnlesse it pl [...]a [...]e his godly Majestie, to hold foorth vn­to thee, the golden scepter of his compassion, th [...]n art but a l [...]st catiue, the [...] will bee justly puni­shed, with endlesse wo [...] and mi­ [...]rie.

And as thou remembrest thy fo [...]lorne estate, and wretchednesse, that thou art Revel. 3. 17 miserable & weake, blind, and naked: the Eph. 2. 3 ch [...]l [...]e of [Page 319] wrath by nature, from CHRIST a stranger, to GOD a re [...]ell, and d [...]sloyall traitor; a slaue to sinn [...], a vassall to Sathan; subject to the Miseria est co­mes individuae malitiae. [...]urse of GOD, and heavie mal [...] ­diction: and so by reason of thy wickednesse, thou still rem [...]inest in miserie and wretchednesse.

Also consider carefully the LORD [...] greatnesse first, and Ma­jestie, from whose face, both Revel. 20 11 the Heaven and the earth will [...]ee a­way: Hee is most high over all the earth: The Psal 83. 18 whole world is full of his glorie: Whose Isaiah. 6. 3 Na [...]e is great from the r [...]sing of the Sunne vnto the going downe of the sa [...]e among the Gentils: The S [...]raphims them [...]elues, in [...]gard of the [...]ur­passing greatnesse, and brightnesse of his most excellent glorie, with their Mal. 1. 11 wings they cover both face and feete: Hee Isaiah. 6. 2 looketh on the earth and it tr [...]mbl [...]th; hee touch­eth the mountains and they smoke, the sea roareth and all that is there­in: Hee Psal. 96. 11 createth the winde: and [Page 320] declareth Amos. 4. 13 to man what is his thought, hee maketh the morning darknesse; his anger is the m [...]s­singer of death: his wrath as a hote consuming fire: his indig­nation is like a terrible tempeit, wee by nature are like dry sticks or with [...]ed branches, wee are as weake stubble, as light chaffe, which the wind driveth away.

Againe, If thou thinke vpon the LORDS holynesse, thou will thinke it difficill to compeere in his presence: His Isa. 67. 15 Name is the holy One; his Name is high and excellent: the Revel. 4, 8 Angels say, holy, holy, LORD GOD Almight [...]e! which was, which is, and which is to come: Behold (said Bildad) power Iob. 25. 5 and feare is with him, and the starres are vncleane in his sight, how much more man which is but a worme.

If a Captaine of Damas [...]us e­steemed the bodie of that craftie See Purchas pilgrimage lib 3 cap. 6 seducer Mahomet▪ that hee both made great request, and offered a [Page 321] great [...]umme of money to the idolatrous Priest, for the obtaining of a sight of the same, and when the Priest had proudly answered, how can those eyes wherewith thou hast committed so many e­vils in the world, see him by whom GOD hath created both Heaven and earth? The Captaine replyed, trueth Sir, but grant mee this [...]avour, that I may see his bodie, and I will presently pluck out mine eyes: That man in his blind superstition, thought it a great matter to compeare before the rotten carion of that vile de­ceaver, is it not by infinite de­gries, and without any compari­ [...]on, much more difficill to appeare before the glorious Majestie of the Almightie, and everli [...]ing GOD, who Isaiah. 44.6 is the first, and the last: a small sight of whose glori­ous presence is so terrible, as to make Moses, Hebr. 12. 21 who was the Lords friend, to quake and feare. And lastly, remembering GODS righ­teousnesse, [Page 322] who Ier. 31. 19 is great in coun­sell, and mightie in worke, whose eyes are open vpon all the wayes of the sonnes of men, to giue to e­verie one according to his wayes, and according to the fruit of his workes, who Exod. 34. 7 will not make the wicked innocent: the Gen. 18. 25 true judge of all the world will doe rightly: for if Rom. 11. 21 GOD spared not the na­turall branches, take heeds also least hee not spare thee, behold therefore both GODS bountiful­nesse and severitie.

Now if naturall men civilie, or morally righteous, were fear­full to some, verie neare to them­selues, in [...]egard of their strict severitie, and just rigour, for they punished such whom nature would haue spared, in the highest degree of justice: Such was the famous Ti [...]us, Manlius, Torquatus, who caused kill his victorious sonne, o­vercomming Stephanus. his proude provo­king enemie, because against his commandement, and the manner [Page 323] of militarie discipline hee hadde foughten: Againe that same man, because his sonne Decius Syl­la [...]us, Valerius max. lib. 5. cap. 8. had received money from the Roman confederates, he there­fore being judge, adjudged his sonne vnworthie of the common­wealth, or of his familie, and com­manded him to depart out of his sight incontinently: Also an other renowned Romane Mar. Scaurus, Eras▪ lib. 7 Apopth. because his sonne had fled the battell and left the Con [...]ull C [...] ­tulus, hee for [...]ade him to looke him in the face any more, or to come in his presence: and with greater sort of severitie Suetonius Gallus did repudiate his wife, be­cause shee came out of her house vncovered, her face being naked, h [...]e had more skill in astronomie, than in governing his wife and familie, for he comforted the Soul­diers of Pub. Aemilius, who were Plinius lib. 12 cap. 2. & Ci­cero. 1. offic. cast downe and discouraged for the eclipse of the moone, by telling them the naturall cause thereof.

[Page 324] Hast not thou oftentimes beene found a Act. 5. 39 fighter even against God: yea, thou hast Act. 7. 51 resisted the holie Ghost, thou hast done wrong not only to the LORDS servants, but also thou hast Mal. 3. 8 spoyled GOD, e­ven this whole Nation, verie ma­ny are guiltie of this abomination: yea, thou hast Ezech. 16.26 committed forni­cation with others, and encreased thy whooredomes, thou hast done shamesullie and foolishly, thou hast played Hos. 2. 5 Adulter serpens antiquus. Aug. the harlot with the world, and with impietie, and with the devill, a filthie and a cruell enemie.

Is it not a great matter then for thee to appeare personally in the presence of so righteous a judge, who may justly condemne thee, even in the presence of thy owne husband, who may justlie repudiat thee, and consume thee: for the LORD destroyeth them all that goe a whooring from him: Remember that when the LORDS Priests Nadab, Levit. 10.i, 2 and Abihu, be­cause they offered strange fire be­fore [Page 325] the LORD, which he had not commanded them: therefore a fire went out from the LORD, and de­voured them: so they died even in the LORDS presence.

If 1 Pet. 4. 18 then the righteous shall scars­ly bee saved, where shall the wicked and sinners appeare: If then the holy Prophet Ezechiel, Ezech. 1. 29 at one sight of the glorie of the LORD, fell vpon his face: If the holy A­postle beloved of CHRIST S^t. IOHN, shall see a vision of Christs Majestie, shall Revel. 1. 17 be afraide and a­stonished, and fall at his feete, as dead: how will thou bee able to come before him, so dreadfull and righteous? that the vngodly will wish Revel. 6. 17 hils and mountains to fall vpon them, to hide them from the presence of him that sitteth on the Throne.

The fourth worke which must bee done in true prayer is yet more hard and di [...]ficill: Namelie, speach with GOD, a duetifull and familiar conference, or com­munication [Page 326] with the A [...]mightie: For it is vsuall, and easie for a meane man of good behaviour, and having honest apparrell, to come within a Kings palace: yea, in his sight and presence, in his cham­ber of State, to looke to him at dinner or past [...]me: But to speake pertinently and wisely, to discourse discreetly and pleasantly, it is a Simit. rare thing of greater d [...]fficultie: also as it is an easie thing to speake of a King, but not so easie to speake to him: so is it easie to speake of GOD, but not to GOD, in regard of his eternitie, wisdome, power, and glorie, and of thy owne ignorance, vnworthinesse, and infirmitie.

First he is Dan. 7.9 the Ancient of dayes, before Psal. 90.2 the mountains were made, before the world was formed, from everlasting to everlasting.

If Iob. 32.6 Elihu a wise noble man, young in yeares was afraide to speake before old men; much more may thou bee to speake before the e­ternall [Page 327] GOD, whose Psal. 102. 27 Aeternitas dei neseit tempora August. yeares shall not faile, without beginning or ending, who liveth and reigneth for ever, whose eternitie is his substance, which hath nothing mutable, nothing bygone, nothing to come.

Againe, If thou shall thinke diligently of the vnsearchable wis­dome of the Almightie, who is so replenished with knowledge and wisdome: Behold Iob. 4.1 [...].19 he found no stedfastnesse in his servants, and bee charged his Angels with follie, how much more them that [...]well in a house of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, and die without wis­dome?

Now if that wise man Agur thus protested of himselfe, saying, Surely Prov. 30. 2 I am more foolish than any man, and I haue not the vnder­standing of a man in mee. It is most certaine that wee are infe­riour in any sort of knowledge, or Heavenly wisdome to that most humble and prudent man.

[Page 328] And it is of veritie, if GOD most Iob. 9. 3. 14 wise in heart and mightie in strength, will dispute with thee, that thou could not answere him one of a thousand, how much more lesse shall thou find out thy workes with him.

Secondly: Consider diligently of this great power of the Omni­potent GOD, which is Math. 10. 2 [...] able to destroy both soule and bodie in hell, and thou shall confesse it is an hard and fearefull matter to con­ferre with his glorious Majestie: For if the Patriarch Iudah, in re­gard of Iosephs power, did est [...]eme it a hard matter to request his vnknowne brother, as appeareth plainely by his preface, saying, O Gen. 45. 18 my LORD! let thy servant now speake a word in my Lords eares, and let not thy wrath bee kindled against thy Servant, for thou art even as Pharoah: What more patheticallie, more humbly, and with more reverence, and feare can bee said: may thou not [Page 329] much more vpon the due con­sideration of the infinite power of the Almightie thinke it a won­derfull difficill, and a fearefull mat­ter, to speake frequently and to conferre familiarly, with the su­preame divine Majestie, the GOD of all power and glorie.

And also on the other part, let a 1 Cor. 11. 2 [...] man examine himselfe of his ignorance, and want of knowledge, and then hee will say, So Psal. 73. 22 foolish am I and ignorant, I am but a beast before thee; as did the royall Pro­phet: yea, worse than a beast, for the Isaiah 1. 3 oxe knoweth his owner, and the asse his masters crybbe, but I haue not knowne GOD to honour and serue him duetifully.

Thou will find that thou can­not so much as Isaiah. 19. 19 speake the lan­guage of Canaan, of the LORDS people, neither by nature, arte, or industrie, and GOD will not heare an other language.

Againe, Iudge Psal. 58. 2 wisely, and thou shall soone know that thou art [Page 330] vnworthie to take GODS cove­nant Psal. 50. 16 in thy mouth.

Thou may say truely with that worthie and holy man IOHN the Baptist, that thou art Iohn. 1. 27 vnworthie to loose the latchet of CHRISTS shoe, and with that humble and happie Centurion that thou art not Math. 8.8 worthie that CHRIST should come vnder thy roofe, and thinke seriously that for thee it is a point of great difficultie, to call vpon the name of the LORD arightly, because it is not easie altogether, to Tim. 2. 19 depart from iniquitie.

Thirdly: When thou shall con­sider diligently of thy owne spi­rituall weaknesse and infirmitie, thou will thinke it a hard matter, to lift vp thy voyce, and cry to the Almightie: for that effect, se­ing thou art Act. 20 25 weake, thou hast neede to be supported: I say, thou art Rom. 14. 1 weake in the faith which thou hast, and hast neede to bee recei­ved, instructed, and strengthened, thou in grace art as a 1 Pet. 2. 2 new b [...]rne [Page 331] babe, thou hast neither skill nor strength to speake: as an Ephra­mite had no skill to Iudg. 12. 16 say shib­boleth, he could not so pronounce; so many Christian (called) can not say Abba Father: the one was slaine at the passage of Ior­dan; but the other will be puni­shed and tormented in Revel. 21. 81 the lake which burneth with fire and br [...]m­stone.

The fourth worke in prayer is of greater difficultie than any of the former: namely, to offer 1 Peter. 2. 5 vp a spirituall sacrifice to GOD ac­ceptable by IESVS CHRIST: for sometimes thou will want a sacri­fice, while GOD provide Gen [...]2. 8 the same, as hee did to his owne ser­vant Abraham. 2. Sometymes thou will haue but a base and vn­worthie offering; not Exod. 25. 4 gold, nor silver, but goates haire. 3. Some­times thou will haue a Mal. 1. 8 blind, lame, or sicke sacrifice; and ever a filthy and polluted sacrifice, while it bee cleansed not in Iohn. 3. 2 the poole [Page 332] of Bethseda, where they were wont to wash the sacrifice that was de­filed by the way, and therefore it was called [...], neither with Ier. 2. 22 nitre, or much sope, but in the [...]itus 3. 5 lawer of regeneration, by the washing Zach. 12. 1 of the new birth, in the fountaine Revel. 1. 5 opened vp to the house of David, for sinne and for vnclean­nesse, with Rom. 4 the pretious blood of our LORD [...]ESUS, by ^o the renu­ing of the holy Ghost.

Now certainly, as the Father of the faithfull found it very la­borious to offer a sacrifice to GOD, after he had received direction and information from the LORD him­selfe; and that in regarde of three impediments: 1. the Gen. 15 11.12 foules fell on the carkeise, while he did driue them away: 2. an heavy sleepe came vpon him: 3. a fearefull darknesse f [...]ll on him.

If thou be the child of Abra­ham, thou shall find it very hard and wonderfull painfull to pray a­rightly, thou will find great lets [Page 333] to hinder thee, from offering a spirituall sacrifice: 1. the foules will come and stay thee; Sathan, and vncleane spirits, that Math. 13. 19 evill one, and Pet. 5. 8 our malitious adversary, who will not only devoure Luk. 5 the good seede, and hinder vs from [...]ructifying; but also in sacrificing, and that in sundry respects. First of their number & multitude, they are many devills, and wicked spi­rits, their are troupes, and legi­ons Mark. 5. 9. to possesse, and vexe a poore man: Secondly, they are aboue vs, they haue advantage of the place, spirituall wickednesse in Eph 6.1 2 high pla­ces: wee can lesse hinder them from tempting, than the foules from fly­ing in the aire: Thirdly, in re­garde of their agilitie and nimble­nesse, they are swift and nimble to annoy vs, they can Iob. 1.7 compasse, and goe about the earth verie quick­ly, in a short tyme: Fourthly, in regarde of their devouring, gree­die, and ravenous nature, like the Eagles, Math. 24. 3 who resort wheresoever [Page 334] the dead carkeise is.

So the similitude of our Savi­our, comparing wicked spirits to foules, showeth danger and diffi­cultie, but the dissimilitude showeth greater da [...]ger and difficultie, for the evill spirits are vnlike foules, and so much worse.

First, the fowles are visible, and objects of our outward senses; but the spirits are not so, but are Col. 1. 19 in­visible: 2. The fowles generally are weake, and infirme creatures; but the spirits are very strong, and of power, Thrones, Eph. 6. 12 Dominions, Principalities, and Powers, wicked Governours, Princes of darknesse: 3. Fowles are fearefull, and of a [...]imorous nature ordinarlie, they may be driven Gen. 15. 10 away easily; but the spirits are bold, and audaci­ous, like roaring and devouring Lyons, not sparing to tempt A­dam Col. 2 9 in his innocencie, not CHRIST IESUS our Captaine, in whom is the fulnesse of all glory and honour, and farre rather fraile flesh, mise­rable [Page 335] man, loadned with sinne and iniquitie: 4. The fowles Math. 13. 4 doe feede vpon the seede that falleth by the way side, or which is sowne in the ground, remaining vncove­red, or vpon dead carkeises, lying foorth in the fields; but the evill spirits will enter within ones heart, within the most secreet closet of our breast subtily: Sathan Math. 4. 15 com­meth, and taketh away the Word that was sowne in the heart: 5. The fowles are mortall, subject vnto slaughter; but the spirits they die not, they Eph. [...]. 2 liue for ever, working in the children of disobedience, temp­ting the godly to sinne, accusing them before GOD day and night, hindering them in all good cour­ses of pietie, making war against thee continually. Lastlie: S [...]ing by nature thou hast but a dead sacri­fice, profa [...]e and abhominable: it is truely an hard matter to get a living Rom. 12. 1 sacrifice, holy, and accep­table to bee offered to his divine Majestie, in the right manner, [Page 336] as hee hath prescribed.

The sixt work which is to be Militia nobis est assidua. August. performed in prayer is yet more hard and difficile, namelie, to fight and wrestle against all opponents, as first, the wickednesse of the world: 2. our inward corrupti­ons and sinnes: 3. the evill spi­rits: 4. GOD himselfe.

A godly soule will be in a con­tinuall warrefare: The Iohn. 15. 24 world ha­teth the LORDS beloved: The ho­ly Apostle Paul behoved to 1 Cor. 15.22 fight against beastes at Ephesus, The LORDS Saincts must st [...]iue against beastly men. The royall Prophet thus prayed, giue Psal. 74. 1 [...] not the soule of thy turtle doue vnto beastes: Surely thou must fight against Lyons, cru­ell men like Nero: against foxes, craftie men like Herod: against bulles, strong men, as that Egyp­tian, whom Benaiah slew, a man of great stature and strength: and against [...] Sam. 23.21 dogs, shamelesse and im­pudent men like Doeg: yea, a­gainst subtile serpents, false, flat­tering, [Page 337] and betraying men, as A­hitophell.

This is an hard matter, but al­so honourable: for as faith an ho­ly Father, Milites suos CHRIS­TVS August. reges appellat, CHRIST cal­leth his souldiers Kings, and will giue to them an everlasting King­dome.

But if thou say, I find world­lings to bee my friends; and not my foes, I hope to get good and favour by them: I answere, The In Carrinensi Hispaniae agro [...]ons est, au­rei coloris om­nes ostendens pisces, nihil ex­tra illam aquā à caeteris diffe­rentes. Plinius natur. hist. lib. 2. cap. 103 wicked of the world are like the fish of that river, which is in the countrey Carrinensus in Spaine, they appeare to be like gold in the wa­ter, but taking them in thy hand, thou will perceaue them neither in nature or colour to be any wayes discrepant from other fifties: So the vngodly will seeme not to fight against thee, but to favour thee; not hurtfull, but profitable to thee, yet looke to them narrowly, and bring them to the touch of trueth and veritie: thou shall confesse all [Page 338] is not gold that glistereth, thou shall trie at length that they are false friends, ever hurting thee, and fighting against thee.

Yet if thou affirme, I haue sen­sible proof [...] of the contrarie, that I smell, and taste sweenesse in them: I answere, that this world is like a Pa [...]ther, that carrieth with him a sweete sent, but an vgly face: [...]lin [...]natur. hist lib. [...]. cap. 17 the one entycing beastes to sollow him; the other affrighting them from him, therefore craftilie hee hides his head, till assuredly the prey bee in his power to destroy the same: So this world will show foorth a faire colour, and giue a pleasant tast, and smell at the be­ginning, and allureth many to fol­low, & to embrace the same, but it hideth the end thereof, which is de­ceaving, and destroying: for the whole Iohn. 5. 1 [...] world lyeth in wickednesse, and therefore fighteth against vs, to bring vs to death and wret­chednesse, vnlesse wee bee helped by IESUS CHRIST, who sayeth [Page 339] to his di [...]ciples, Be Iohn. 16. 22 of good com­fort, I haue overcome the world.

Secondly: How hard is it to fight against thine owne filthy, and faultie flesh, thy corruptions, sinnes, and terrible transgressions, these are the Exod. 17. 8 Amalekits hindring thee, in the way to Heavenly Canaan: These 1 Sam. 11. 1 are the Ammonits besci­ging thee, who will agree with thee, vpon no other condition, but to thrust out thy right eye, to bring shame and paine vpon thee: These are the Cananits, Iosh. 23. 13 a snare and destruction vnto thee, a whippe to thy side, and a thorne in thine eyes: These are like the governours of 1 Sam 23. 12 Keilah, traitours to David, rea­die to betray thee, and to dely­verthee to the devill thine enemi [...].

These thy sinnes are as the Rev. 9.7.8.10 lo­custs, like horses prepared for the battell, they promise honour and victorie, but will giue shame and miserie, for they haue on their heads as it were crownes like vnto gold, they promise friendshippe and fa­vour, [Page 340] their faces beeing like vnto men, they promise profite and pleasure, for they haue haire as the haire of women: but yet bee not deceived, looke and consider their teeth, and their tailes, their teeth are as the teeth of lyons to devoure thee: their tailes are like a Scorpions to sting thee, and to annoy thee.

Thou must striue against them at all times, but chiefly at prayer, for then they will striue to separate Isaiah 59. 2 you betweene you and your GOD, to blind-solde thee, to cast thee into the pit of eternall perdition.

Thirdly as when Zech. 2. 1 Iehoshua stood before the Angell of the LORD, Satan stood at his right hand to resist him; so when the devoute Christian shall Psal. 42. 2 come and appeare in the presence of GOD, the de­vill wi [...]l drawe neere to molest, and fight against him.

But it was more easie for young David 1 Sam. 17. 3 [...] to overc [...]me Goliah: al­beit others, as Saul said, hee was [Page 341] not able, who was but young to goe against a strong man of warre, than it is to a Christian by him­selfe to foyle Satan, and put him to flight, who never ceaseth, sed Gregori. lib. 18 moral. viventem accendit ad vitia, mo­rientem trabit ad tormenta, while one liveth hee stirreth him to vice, when hee dieth, hee draweth him to torment.

Fourthly, which without doubt is yet more diffici [...]e, in prayer thou must wrestle with GOD him­selfe, as did Gen. 32. 24 Israel, so must all true Israelites, thou must Hos. 12. 4 haue power over the Angell by weeping and praying. Now consider I be­seech thee, if there be betweene such parties any appearance of e­qualitie. What is ma [...]? fraile flesh, a Isaiah 41. 14 weake w [...]rme, a Nehem 13 17 sillie grasse­hopper, a fading flowre, a decay­ing dreame, Psal. 90. 5 grasse from [...]ithering dry stubble, light Psal. 1. 4 chaffe, which the wind driveth away: Againe, [...]he other partie is GOD Almigh­ [...]ie, who Amos 5. 9. 6 buildeth his spheres in [Page 342] the Heavens, and hath laid the foundations of his globe of ele­ments in the earth: whose Psal. 29.47.8 voice is mighti [...] and glorious, that divi­deth the slammes of fire, and ma­keth the wildernesse to tremble: the Iob 29. 11 pillars of Heaven quake at his reproofe: Iob. 9. 7 the Sea by his power is made calme, and hee smiteth the pride thereof: yea, hee commandeth the Sunne, and it riseth, hee clo­seth vp the starres as vnder a signet. Behold, all Isa. 40. 15 nations before him are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the dust of ballance, they are as nothing, and they esteemed of him l [...]sse than nothing, even va­nitie: [...]et thou who art so filthy a [...]d wea [...]e by nature must striue and wrestle with the Almightie by Heb. 5. 7 prayer and supplication, by strong crying and teares, and so on­ly th [...]u must fight while thou get the vi [...]torie, and prev [...]ile with th [...] Cr [...]ator: and Rom. 8. 37 in all these things thou will bee more than a conqu [...]rour through him who loveth [Page 343] thee so plentifully, freely, and con­tinuallie.

But seventhly, thou shall finde it most painfull and laborious to gaine such a notable and comfor­table victorie, for nothwithstan­ding of all thy travailes and tur­moyle, GOD 1 Cor. 15.57 himselfe must giue the victorie through Iesus Christ: thou must Iohn. 5.4 bee borne of GOD, if thou purchase victorie to over­come the world, and them that fight against thee; yet if thou con­tinue to call vpon GOD fervent­ly, thou mayest well perswade thy selfe of the certaintie of this victorie, for nec vulneratus, nec prostratus, nec conculcatus frauda­beris Lactant, fir­mian. [...] victoria; neither albeit thou bee wounded, casten downe, and trampled vnder-foote thou shall bee frustrated of the victorie, for albeit thou bee slaine, stoned, Heb. 11. 37 or hewen asunder, dead, and buried, yet thou shall rise a­gaine with CHRIST, and triumph gloriously, and remaine with him [Page 344] in perpetuall felicitie: but of this more Godwilling, when wee shal treate of the effect of prayer.

Lastly, Albeit thou shall find sensiblie that thou art a strong I­sraelite, that thou hast Gen. 32. 28 had po­wer with GOD and hast prevai­led with men, yet bee not secure, and sloathfull; farre lesse proude, Rom. 1 [...]. 20 and high minded: but labour carefully, albeit with difficultie to builde an house for thy GOD, who hath ever helped thee, whose presence is most necessarie for thee.

When Moses was delivered from the bondage of Egypt, and Pharaoh with his enemies drow­ned, then hee remembred with thankfulnesse, I Exod 15. 2 will build a Ta­bernacle to GOD.

When GOD did remember Da­vid mercifully, and freede him from all his adversitie, hee thus protested that hee Psal▪ 132. 4 would not suf­fer his eyes to sleepe, nor his eye­lids to slumber, vntill he had found [Page 345] out a place to the GOD of Iaakob, an habitation to the mightie GOD of Israel. So when thy GOD shall thinke vpon thee, who art poore and needie, and shall suc­cour thee with his strength joy­fully; then labour thou carefully to prepare a place for thy GOD, that he may delight to dwell with thee, that Revel. 2. 6 his soule may never loath thee: take paines that thou may bee 2 Cor. 6. 16 the temple of the living GOD, who hath given the vi­ctorie.

If these martiall men, two great commanders and conquerours, Plutarch. & Stephanus. Alexander and Augustus, did build or repare that citie called Nicopolis, were carefull when they gained an earthly victorie, to haue a remembrance and monument of that glorie: Thou hast greater cause to build an house for thy God, and adorne the same continually; to proclame his praises publict­ly, and with his Prophet to sing thankfully; Blessed Psal. 144. 1. 2 be the LORD [Page 346] my strength, which teacheth my hand to fight, and my fingers to battell, hee is my goodnesse, and my for­tresse, my towre and my deliverer, my sheild and my buckler, in him will I trust: but know this for a suretie, that it shall bee a matter of great importa [...]ce and difficultie▪

If Tatnai and Shetherboznai with Ezra 5. 3 their companions, did labour to hin­der the materiall temple from being built: will not Sathan and sinne, with the wicked world labour and indevoure, to their vttermost, to stay and impede the building & reparing of that inward temple?

Secondly, prayer is wonderfull Prayers diffi­cle in respect of the parts thereof. difficile, in regard of the practi­sing of all the parts thereof, for it is a hard matter to make true conf [...]ssion of thy sinnes and trans­gr [...]ssions Of confession. with a contrite Psal▪ 51. 17 and bro­ken heart, with a faithfull and be­lieving heart; that thou may say sincerel [...], yet Daniel. 9. 9 compassion and for­givenesse is with the LORD, and with an vpright and honest heart [Page 347] of purpose to Ezech. 10. 3 make a covenant with the LORD, for to Ephes. 4. 1 walke worthy of that vocation wherevnto thou art called.

Againe, it is very difficile to Of Lamenta­tion▪ lament for thy sinne and iniqui­tie, for to Luke. 22. 62 weepe bitterly, with repenting Peter, and to powre out thy Psal. 56. 8 teares in the Lords bottle, into his owne register.

As it was a very hard matter to Psal. 105.41 open the Rocke, and to cause Ezech 17. 6 water come out of it: so it is to soften the Ezech. 11. 19 stonie heart, and to bring out thereof the teares of godly sorrow, and contrition, which lead to repentance, or con­version.

Moreover it is an hard matter to make a petition to the Al­mightie, Of petition. for if Genes. 44. 18 Iudah the Pa­triarch, a man of wisdome, cou­rage, and a [...]tion, est [...]em [...]d it both difficile and dang [...]rous to make a petition to [...]oseph, for his inno­cent brother Benj [...]min; thou may thinke it hard for thee to make [Page 348] request to the Almightie for thy selfe, who art so gui [...]tie, that thou mayest come to Heaven and felici­tie, seeing thou hast deserved hell and endlesse miserie.