But Gracious God, if thou delivereſt me not from that Iſhmaelite, (who purſues me with deadly hatred) and from his Children, who follow him in Flatteries and Accuſations: I ſee, alaſs! the Repoſe of my Soul is ſo much broken by their Aſſaults, and its own Impotencies, as that it may deſpair of Safety. Becauſe, without Divine Aſſiſtance, no body can reſiſt the Witckcraft of thoſe Tongues, that are the Fire-brands of the Devil, and by his inſtigation, like the Fool in the Proverbs, throw about Fire and darts, and (as if in jeaſt) work nothing but miſchief and deceit.

The wondrous Frame and machine of the Heavens, the ſpacious Theatre of the Earth, with all the movements and ſpectators round about them, is the great Ball thou giveſt unto rational conſiderations, and was the work of thy Hands alone.

Nothing it ſelf was matter enough for thy Omnipotency, from whence to build up the mighty Fabrick of the Univerſe. So that by the ſame power thou didſt Create, thou mayſt alſo Relieve and Redeem me from the Miſeries wherein I am plunged by my Sins.

Without thy moſt Divine Aſſiſtance all my good intentions flagg and vary from the ſtrict obſervance of thy Commands. My Nature habituated and grown old in Evil, wanting thy help on every ſide, finds the Precipices of its endleſs Ruin. Thou only O my God! mayſt withold my falling, uphold my weak endeavours, and raiſe me out of the Gulphs of my Condition which is ſinking down to the lowermoſt Hell.

Under the ſafeguard of thy friendly Aſpect mine Eyes fear not the blinding of themſelves on Sublunary Glories, my Tongue dares not Profane it ſelf with the vain diſcourſe of this looſe Age, my Feet will not follow the motions of the Fleſh, my Hands will find themſelves obliged to pious Actions, and my Ears will not admit of other ſounds than ſuch as Eccho forth thy greatneſs and thy Glories.

'Tis ſo indeed, moſt dear Redeemer! that under the Banner of thy Love I fear not the Forces of thoſe Enemies both to thy Croſs and to my Crowning, I am ſure the Captain of my Salvation will put to flight whole Armies of thoſe aliens of vain and intemperate affections who would Lord it over thine Inheritance, O Lord! and thou wilt heal my backſlidings ſo, as that Sin ſhall not be finiſhed to bring forth Death eternal.

Comfort thy ſelf then O my Soul! that the care of God in preſerving of men is ſo great as not to let him ſeem to ſlumber when thou haſt occaſion of thy Shepheards Staff; nor will he prove ſuch a ſtupid Patron as Baal did,1 Kings 18.27, 28. when intreated by his Votaries.

But if thy greater provocations hinder not his pity, this will ever be at hand to ſupport, to ſupply thy deficiency; and we have no reaſon to doubt or deny the effects of his Vigilance who with ſuch unwearied and conſtant attendance makes the Angels wait upon our Motions.

Nay, although we leave, and tire God by our Sins; yet for all our wilfull Defections and Errors God hath never yet left or abandoned us.

This great Eye of the Univerſe is never cloſed, never blinded by our juglings, never impoſed upon by appearances, never heavy with Sleep; he decks the Glories of his goodneſs with the particular kindneſs which he hath for the Sons of Men.

If then the Majeſty of the moſt High not only by the Actings of his bounty, but by the Miniſtry of his Angels thus guards and governs, aids and accompanies frail Humanity; how comes it to paſs O my Soul! that thy Affections run from ſuch Fellowſhip, from ſuch Defence to expoſe themſelves to the Shadows of Vanity, or the dangers of Senſuality?

Why doſt thou venture thy ſelf ſo alone like Hagar in a barren Wilderneſs far from Heaven, from Angels, and from God, to ſeek for Earthly ſatisfactions, or to let a ſervile corrupt Wilfulneſs domineer over the?

O reſiſt ſtoutly the aſſaults of the common Enemy, who (if it were poſſible) would allay the ſcorching of his own flames by throwing thee and other Souls into them. Therefore quench the violence of thoſe Tendencies that ſink thy Soul down from Heaven. Maſter the power of ſuch Affections, as deſpoiling thee of thy moſt noble part would cloath thee with the filthy Raggs of Sin: and then fear not Soul! for God is with thee.

Indeed Lord, if my frailties did not rob me of the favour, thou ſhouldſt be my Maſter, teaching me the things which belong unto my peace, Thou ſhouldſt be my Guide, not only unto but through Paradice. Thou ſhouldſt be my ſafe Conuoy to defeat the Enemy of his rejoicing at my falls. Thou alſo ſhouldſt be my keeper to detourne me from the Snares which are daily ſpread for me by the pleaſures of Senſe: and I am weak (as Hezekiah once ſaid) Lord do thou undertake for me. Take upon thee my Guardianſhip and thou ſhalt ſee how valiantly I will reſiſt all the Temptations of the Devil. If thy moſt powerful Arm doſt ſhield my tender Heart, O Lord! what Power, though ever ſo inſolent, dares ſhoot an Arrow or throw a Dart againſt it? If thy Right-hand be my Support, what Force can over-turn me? Heaven hath no Thunder, Earth hath never a Mouth, nor Hell it ſelf an Abyſſe for ſuch as ſit under the ſhadow of the Almighty. When the great God ſets his Hand to the Charter of our Protection, or to the ſecuring of our ſafety, what alteration can all the changes of the World make on us? None, not any, Non ſi ruat Orbis: We cannot wander as e'rewhile from his mind, nor ſo groſsly tranſgeſs his Precepts.

Rejoice then O my Soul! that God hath undertook thy defence by all his Divine care and induſtry, and hath made his Son a Hoſtage for our ſecurity, while he continually holds thee up by the outſtretched Arm of his Favour.

O moſt Glorious God! it is thou alone that ruleſt all the Motions, the Ragings, the Madneſs of the World, and its Elements. Thou ſitteſt above the Heavens, (ſaith the Pſalmiſt) thou preſideſt over all thy Works by thy Power and Mercy, ſo that thou canſt allay the force of every Influence in ſuch an Almighty ſort as that the Sun ſhall have no feavouriſh Darts, nor the Moon any malignant Aſpects to caſt on thoſe who are ſhielded by thy Protection.

The Fire in its own quality is ſo violent and greedy, as never to ſay it hath enough, but after it hath devoured all in its way is ready to feed (like Envy) on it ſelf; how is it by the Heavenly Providence tempered in its unbridled Nature, and reſtrained from doing Miſchief, as held in from deſtroying both it ſelf and others?

What ſhall I then ſay of thoſe Flames of ſenſuality, thoſe Fits of Intemperance, thoſe Epilepſies of Laſciviouſneſs, thoſe Rapes and Violences committed upon (and much againſt) our own Conſtitutions, which without a ſingular effect of Divine Clemency would ſoon torment and conſume our Nature.

And who is there but ſome time or other plays the Curtius, and deſperately throws himſelf into the Gulph of Danger, rather than he will offer to turn the Stream of Pravity, which carries away our Affections ſo much the more precipitouſly and miſchievouſly, as we allow, it Natural and Born • us. What force then O Lord! without thy Sovereign help can bear the Shock of Ambition, or bridle the fury of Paſſions, or reſiſt the Aſſaults of Luſt? Thou alone, moſt Gracious God! mayeſt enlighten the blindneſs of my Mind, enable the weakneſs of my Heart, and invigorate the deſperate eſtate of my Soul.

He that thinks to go out by himſelf in his own ſtrength alone againſt the Uncircumciſed Enemies of our Peace, he knows not what he hath about him; how unprovided he is of Armour, and of Force to encounter ſuch Giants as may defeat him even by the falſeneſs of his own Nature. Man of himſelf being now ſo entangled, (in his own Land as it were) ſo hampered by his depraved and carnal Senſe, as that his very preſuming to fight his Adverſary with his own ſorry Weapons, is the ſhewing but of his Pride and Weakneſs, (the faults charged on David, and the Sins of Goliah) the defying of the Moſt High, and the diſgracing the Armies of the Living God.

My ſafety therefore ſhall depend onely upon Gods defence, whoſe continual Guard and ſeaſonable Reliefs, free me from the injurious Accidents happening in the Day or in the Night. So that all my time and life finds it ſelf exempt, or ſecured from ſuch continual Perils as are encountered in an Age ſo full of Sin and Violence, and therefore ſo full of Miſeries as this Preſent is.

O how doeſt thou diſarm the furiouſneſs of my Enemies, and of the whole Creation, Deareſt Lord? How doſt thou ſtop the Mouths of the fierceſt Monſters? (which are opened againſt Mankind ſince the Fall.) It is thou who doſt blunt the Cruelties of Thieves and Tyrants, and calmeſt the moſt violent Stormes, and humbleſt the moſt Lofty Pride. All Misfortunes, all Diſaſters, all Calamities are overcome by thy Power, and made beneficial to us by thy Providence.

Continue therefore thy Favours towards my poor Soul, which oppreſſed by the weight of its Earthly-mindedneſs ſinks down into the Pit without the ſupport of thy Love. O •• rcover it as thou didſt Hezekiah's, and ſee how the Devil (that is ever imploying his uſual Malice) is allways in Ambuſh, or in open War againſt her. With the Complacencies of the Appetite he Charmes her, with the Heats of Ambition he Chafes her, with the Pleaſures of Senſe he Diverts, with the Snares of Beauty he Entraps, and with the Glories of the World he quite dazles me, frail Mortal, ſo that being near loſt and carried away by his cunning Deviſes (of which I would not be longer ignorant, O Lord!) I ſtruggle with the utmoſt effort to break away from the ſpecious promiſes and puiſſance of my Adverſary, that my Mind may not be debauched by the fair ſhews of the Fleſh, nor my Soul enſlaved to the unreaſonable paſſions of the Body: But that ſhe may fly to thy Aid, imploring thy Succor, and ſheltering me under the Wings of thy Protection.

Surely, dear Lord! I have not tired out thy Pity, for all the Maladies of my Heart do want a continual Medicine; and un-interrupted applications of a Divine Hand; grant therefore O my God! through thine immediate Care and infinite Commiſeration the whole courſe of my Life may be ſo directed as that I may obſerve thy Commands, and the end of my Deſignes may be wholly thy Glory; the Scope of my Deſires, thy Service, and thy Love, the Center of my Affections.

Haſt thou no reaſon then, O Soul! to give thy ſelf up abſolutely to the goodneſs of my God? what ſhould hinder or impeach thy ſubmiſſion? is not this due to the merits of his goodneſs and to the demerits of thy former Operations? Yea ſurely by ſo much the more art thou oblig'd to his ſervice, by how much the more his bounties have been extended towards thee. Therefore after all this his payment of thy debt of tranſgreſſions, I find thee bound more faſt to thy debt of Duty, to fear Gods Power, to adore his Majeſty, to be humbled for my Pride, and aſhamed of my follies.

Heaven is no place thou knoweſt for the unclean, there are none but Innocents or Penitents, ſuch as have needed no Repentance or elſe have uſed it.

O thou moſt gracious Monarch of the World! whoſoever pretends to aproach thy Throne, to partake of thy Glories, or to enter into thy garden of Life: He muſt of neceſſity be inſtalled with the Veſture of thy Grace and be ſtript of all Earthly compliances which ſo intangle men amongſt the ſnares of Offences or the miſeries of this Life.

All they who to this time have ſtay'd in the Preſence-chamber of the Heav'n of Heavens, have been ſignalized with the ſpecial characters of thy Love (without which all our indeavours are alike Blind and fruitleſs,) they alone have gained that place and honour, by the ſincerity of their Conſciences, by the purity of their Lives, by the cleanneſs of their hands in thy ſight O Lord, as ſaith the Pſalmiſt.

Let this be owned by (thoſe Children of Iſrael, thoſe choſen people and that Royal Prieſthood of Thine,) who being advanced to an heavenly height by the ſteps of their Vertues, have made thy greatneſs (conjoyn'd with thy goodneſs) to be Ecchoed through the Univerſe, to the ſhame and confuſion of others more oblig'd who notwithſtanding they be inriched by millions of Benefits yet know not how to reſpect the Donor, acknowledg the Gift, or ſanctifie thy Holy name therewithall.

Lord I am ſenſible of the backwardneſs of my Heart to any gratefulneſs, it is conſcious of it's own Guilt, and would not go no farther till it hath confeſt, how the obſervation of thy Commands hath been the leaſt of its care, and thy Love, (which ought to have been the firſt deſire of my Heart) hath by my ignorance been ſo neglected, as that the fading ſparks of a beautiful look have more eaſily inflamed it then thy preſence.

As many Objects as have been offered to my ſenſe, became ſo many Idols, to the which my paſſions were devoted.

Thy divineſt Name hath been caſt out of my Mouth in a Thouſand vain aſſeverations, and theſe have been uttered to no other end, then to give Credence to the vanity of my intentions, or the falſehood of my Speeches. How then, can theſe Eyes, theſe Ears, theſe Hands, theſe words of mine, plead themſelves guiltleſs of any Crime? ſince they have or would have offended in all, and this conviction of my own guilt, frights me with the thoughts of thy comeing with thy Holy ones to judge the World, leſt I be then found in the number of ſuch profane wretches as ſhall be ſhut forth of thy Caeleſtial Manſions.

I therefore dread that laſt and great Aſſizes of thy Saints, moſt glorious God I fear that general Summons, and the Aſſembly of thy firſt born, leaſt when that Bench ſits upon the examination of my Actions and Omiſſions, how I have neglected the directions of their Doctrine, and not imitated the goodneſs of their Manners, nor traced the footſteps of their Charity, nor admired the proofs of their Patience: I being ſo vile a ſinner, (ſuch reprobate ſilver) may be rejected, for if I am apprehended without the wedding garment of Chriſts righteouſneſs; I have nothing to ſay for my ſelf, no plea to make, ſaving the inexpreſſible deſire of my poor Soul, not to be excluded with Doggs, but to enter into the Holyeſt City the new Jeruſalem.

I confeſs good Lord, that I have neither worth nor will, to follow the conducts of thy grace, nor to arrive at thy Favour: all the courſes of my Life have been great aggravations of my guiltineſs, for I have ſlighted thy Omnipotency, by prideing my ſelf in thy extraordinary gifts. The very ſight and heat of the Sun have appeared, not the Loanes of thy peculiar bounty but things made on purpoſe for my convenience.

The return and pleaſure of each ſeaſon, hath been reckon'd the unavoidable actings of ſublunary Creatures. Thunder, Lightning, and ſtorms of Hail, were too often counted the neceſſary effects of ſecond cauſes. Thus Brutiſh have I been, thus blind and yet I knew full well there would not be a Breath of Air, nor ſo much as a leaſe wag unleſs it were by thy appointment, that makes every Creature live and move and have a Being.

Yet alaſs, for all I can ſo ſpeciouſly declare this, I muſt confeſs alſo that many a time when my tongue undertook to diſcloſe thy Name, with the due Attributes of thy greatneſs; my wild heart hath then witheld its aſſent, and been ready to give the lye to my ſpeech.

Since therefore all that I can ſay of my ſelf ſpeaks me very guilty before thee O Lord, I Plead, not any Merits but thoſe of my Saviours Paſſions, not any goodneſs but that of thy Divine Nature; afford me theſe, through thy Grace, and then I ſhall have that peace (which is an inſeparable accident to it) I ſhall have ſuch a Magazine of bleſſing as may render my Soul like a ſtrong fortreſs, well provided againſt the aſſaults of the World, and the ſnares of the Devil.

Gratious Lord! I have often begg'd the favour of thy mercy to draw me out of that wretched ſtate of my prevarications, and from the ſlavery of Concupiſence, and from the Tyranny of evil habits, I know how weak, how blind, how falſe or infirme, our own Nature finds it ſelf at the beſt, and therefore he that ſuppoſeth (without the aſſiſtance of thy goodneſs, without the armour of thy Grace, without the incouragement of thy Love,) either to quell the impetuouſneſs of his Luſts, or to get up to the holy Hill, deſtroying like a Jonathan all his enemies in his way, ſuch a one muſt ſurely be more then a Man, or miſtakes himſelf groſly; for he ſhould know 'tis only from the exceſs of thy pitty, that a ſinner is turned from the evil of his way.

The prodigal ſoul that hath long ſtrayed, can never make up its loſſes nor mend its condition, unleſs it be by the inexhauſted treaſures of thy Grace.

Help me therefore, and redeem me from the power of Satan unto God, that being intruſted with thy Talents I may ſhew forth to all thy manifold goodneſs, and tender Bowels of Compaſſions ſo that ſinners (many with my ſelf) may be farther converted unto Thee, and by my example inflamed with thy Love, renounce Earthly Toyes and pay thy Clemency the due Tribute of penitential Tears.

And from whence dear God! art yet more glorified then by forgiving us poor ſinners? Thy mercies are likewiſe a guide for ours, ſince all the Acts of thy goodneſs and kindneſs, may in ſome degree be imitated by man. He was formed after thy Image, and the more juſt and holy he is, the more doth he approach unto Thee. That Prince who beſt reſembles God on Earth, muſt own his power to reward or to puniſh from thy ſpecial grant O Jeſu.

The Martyrs have eſſayed to copy out thy patience, the Virgins thy purity, Confeſſors thy truth, and Hermits thy Innocence. But alaſs! How far ſhort are they of the Original? They have repreſented thy image as St. Paul ſpeaks but as in a glaſs very darkly, and deficiently. For as the Heavens are higher then the Earth ſo far more excellent are thy operations and affections then ours,

The proofes of thy goodneſs are infintly Tranſcendent and inexpreſſible, rather to be admired then exemplifyed, and did not all the Prerogatives of Heaven and Earth, concur to ſet forth thy greatneſs and to ſpeak thee the Lord of Hoſts: Yet thy goodneſs alone would deſcribe thee moſt admirably according as thou declaredſt thy ſelf unto Moſes, the Lord, the Lord merciful and gracious, ſlow to anger and abundant in truth and goodneſs.

Therefore extend theſe glorious attributes towards my relief, and advance thy lovely Titles, by the forgiveneſs of my ſins, I have no farther cauſe to urge, but that by how much the more unworthy my Soul is of pardon, by ſo much the more will thy pity be ador'd in the pardoning of me.

I am ready to cry out who is ſufficient for theſe things? How can I reſiſt the attempts of the fleſh, the allurements of the world, or the aſſaults of our cunning adverſary the devil? I am intangled as the unhappy Laocoon is ſaid to be.Aenoid. lib. 2.

When three ſuch poyſonous ſerpents, crawling out of the earth are twiſted againſt me: They make ſure of my ruine; and how can I break the knots of ſuch a triple League? ſince the beauty but of one face (adorned with ſeveral charms) had almoſt got the command of my heart? and the ſolace of idleneſs, the ſweets of riches, the ſavour of vain glory many times captive my affections ere I am aware of them, what may not the cunning therefore of the Father of theſe falſhoods impoſe upon me, ſince he differs not in power from the beſt of the Angels, but in the manner of his operations, if not reſtrained by thine immediate hand?

When ſuch dangerous enemies had attacqued my inconſideratneſs, and batter'd my cowardice, I having but little or no conſtancy nor integrity, I had certainly become the prey of their malice, and they muſt needs have left me in the very jaws of death and damnation.

Away then from me all ye inſtruments of ſin and miſchief above named, goe ye buiſy ſeducers of the beſt mens ways, Ye with your jugglings dazle the eyes of the Soul, that like a Sodomite it ſhould not find the Dore of Life, the way to get into the City of the Lamb, ye ſo varniſh over the Copy of Falſhood, as it proves a hard matter to diſcern her from the Original of truth; and our Conſciences are hurt (not purg'd) by your ſugaring over the draught of Sin.

Nevertheleſs, O merciful God! let that invincible power by which Lucifer was tumbled down from Heaven, and Hell it ſelf led Captive, free me from theſe Hunters after my Life, theſe noiſom Peſtilences to my Health, theſe tyrannick Nimrods againſt my Liberty; if their malice be once turned into fury what ſhall I do? for if thou hadſt not been my Refuge and Fortreſs I had fallen through that baſeneſs of Mind which is incident to the Sinner, who doubts of finding any Friend in his own Heart, or any Evidence in his Conſcience, but what will be againſt himſelf. If thou hadſt not by thy unſpeakable bounty afforded me ſome patience and perſeverance to diſentangle me from many wicked devices, perhaps the Waves of my Afflictions and Trialls would have ſwallowed up all the Faculties of my Soul, and made my Heart a Cage of unclean Birds, a Veſſel full of nothing but what was foul and beſtial.

But by thy aid I muſt acknowledge it is that I have given place to Charity and Forgiveneſs (without regarding the nice punctilioes of the blinded World) then when Egg'd on by the deſire of Revenge, (which is the keeneſt Goad in the ſides of Fleſh and Blood) I ſtrove to ſet up my ſelf far above my ſelf even in thy Throne of Vengeance. But,

For all I might have once too vainly thought to ſecure the beſt ſhare of thy favour, when I made a Covenant with my Eyes (which are as Tinder to the Fire of Amorous paſſions) not to ſtoop at any Femal Object: and when I farther attempted to ſet up the Government of Reaſon over all the mutinies of my ſenſe, and ſo to get a Triumphal-Wreath by the paſſing ſafely through thoſe dangers which threatned to overwhelm my Soul. O Lord! I find now that I Deſigned too much; Doing ſo little and Conſidering leſs; that without thy gracious and continual Aſſiſtance, without the extreameſt Acts of thy bounty my utmoſt endeavours had been but Flouriſhes in the Aire, and Paeans before a Victory. They might have allarmed my Adverſary, awaked his greater force and policies. But the eſcaping his malicious devices would have been without the compaſs of my Power and Arms.

When I perceived this, I could diſcover alſo that it was thy good will I ſhould gain a Conqueſt, and though my ſtrength was but weakneſs, yet that this my weakneſs ſhould not be wrought upon too far by all the force and cunning of my Adverſaries.

Therefore gracious Lord! I pray, that thy Goodneſs may have its due praiſe, that thy Mercy be greatly bleſſed, and thy Greatneſs glorified; ſince thou haſt not ſuffered my viſible or inviſible Foes to triumph over me, but thou haſt delivered me (like Daniel from the jaws of thoſe Abaddons) who would have torn and miſerably deſtroyed, even my better part, my Soul.

O that I could immortalize my Voice to reſound thy Name more Gloriouſly! O that all my Words might become Spirits, and that I could devote them all to the ſervice of my God, as a ſmall acknowledgment of the grace received from thee!

However I fall ſhort I will endeavour to ſpeak my ſelf not inſenſible though unworthy of thy Favours. I will try if my Arms (who have hitherto ſerved as Chains to embrace the Debauches of the World) may be turned into Columns erected unto Heaven in Thankſgiving and ſupplications for thy help. I will try if my Mouth (which hath been the Gate of Dishoneſty) may become a Theatre echoing forth thy Praiſe, as in thy holy Temple. I will ſtrive to fit up my Heart into a Lamp for thine Altar, where it ſhould be ſtill flaming with a Zeal for thy Glory.

It hath been a Veſſel foully ſavouring of the ſmutty affections of Earth, but I hope to cleanſe it from ſuch taints, now that I may liken my Soul to a Bird, which hath broken through the Snares of the Fowler.

Thanks to thy Pity gracious Lord! I now find the Devil was not ſo skilfull in laying his Snares, as thy Wiſdom hath been in the defeat of his Stratagems. He like Nimrod is a mighty Hunter, ever purſuing our fearful Hearts, that he may chaſe them from their repoſe and ſhelter, and then ſurprize, take, and ſlay them. His Toils are the Pleaſures of the World, his Darts are a Thouſand Temptations, his Hounds are profane and wicked men, and what pains doth this Enemy of mankind refuſe? ſo that he may but compaſs his ends, by entangling us in wretched bondage, and enſlaving us under the dominion of Sin?

He hath ſometimes endeavoured to enthral me by a handſome Face, whiſpering it out as a Ray of thy faireſt Light: and hath made uſe of the Gloworm Luſtre in two ſparkling Eyes to lead me out of thy way, into a Night of error, and when therein, now would he ſcare me with the ſeverity of thy Juſtice, anon lull me aſleep with the exceſs of thy Mercy; and then divert me by the evil cuſtoms of others, or charm me by my own bad Inclinations, perſwading by falſe and carnal Reaſonings.

O Ye Sons of mortal men, Pſal. 4.5. how long will ye turn your Bodies into weapons of Sin, your Souls into Veſſels of Diſhonour, your Glory into Shame; your Shame into your Boaſt? in believing Vanities, and ſeeking after falſe things? On what Rock but Chriſt can you anchor the Hopes of your Salvation and Eternity?

Will ye truſt the fading Beauties of Fleſh and Blood, which are ſuperfluous gifts of Nature, vaniſhed in a moment, ſcarcely entertained or taken notice of before they take their leave and are gone?

Will ye confide on the Vigor and ſtrength of youth? Know Death makes no diſtinction of ages, and after a ſhort ſpace of time both Youth and Health are diſſolved into the imperfections of decrepid years.

But perhaps ye will truſt (as ye doat) upon the worldly Honours? but ponder a while what Weights they are; and like Phariſaïcal burthens too grievous for moſt good men to carry. Experience ſhews that too many, even of the beſt, by the deſire or Act of Ruling others grow irregular themſelves, and diſordering their own thoughts and quiet thereby, diſtemper their felicities, if not debauch their Souls: and who ſo truſts in uncertain Riches is worſe than a Goſpel Fool. Gold is but a Waſp though it look yellow, it hath Wings to fly away from us, and ſtings to leave behind it at its departure, even ſuch ſtings as are like Goads, apt to puſh on our greedy and brutiſh appetites to the moſt ſordid and ſinful Actions.

But ye would have a Cordial made up of all theſe ingredients, that rare Catholicon called Worldly felicity, which ye think might recover and ſecure the Spirits from all thoſe Qualmes and Lypothymies that many times ſeize upon them, notwithſtanding all your falſe jollities and merry Companions. But alas what is any happineſs of this lower Globe, but like it ſelf turning about. 'Tis but a Scene upon this Theatre, 'tis ſhifted and changed often from one to another; and appears always moving and inconſtant, as long as this lifes Opera is acting.

Truſt then in God, and in God alone, for if you be under his protection you need fear neither the Infirmities of Life nor the Injuries of Death.

Let God be your Honour, Joy, Delight, and Treaſure; in him conſiſts all Happineſs and Glory. Wherefore,

Bleſſed God, as long as I am ſheltered by thy Divine Goodneſs, I will not fear the Tongues of this evil World, nor the Venom of that moſt evil One, let them joyn all the force of their Malice and perfidiouſneſs together, I will remain firm and unſhaken like Mount Zion, and baffle their attempts and deride their ineffectual fury.

The good Angels are appointed by thy great care over us, to be a watchful Guard and Bulwark for our weakneſs, and they are called Mountains of ſtrength from the excellency of their natures and thy ſupporting Grace. But for all that they are not ſtrong enough (or rather not commiſſioned) to keep us always from the attacks of Sin, or from the Snares of the Devil.

Doubtleſs thoſe Guardian Spirits direct us to Good, and very oft do turn us from Evil.

But alas the pravity of our Nature makes it not ſtill capable of Angel-like perſwaſion, we are ſo immerſed in the ſatisfaction of our Luſts, and ſo inured to ſinful compliancies, that we have neither Ear nor Heart left us to liſten to the Whiſpers of Holy Spirits. We ſtill want O Lord! thy Admonitions, Aſſiſtance, and Conduct; 'tis to the Glory of thy Omnipotence onely, that I owe my ſafety. Henceforth I live with a chearful truſt ſprung from the greatneſs of thy Mercy, that thou wilt ever ſtand by my Soul in its frequent perils, and every action of my Life ſhall be ſmiled on with the favour of thy preſence, and with the direction of thy Will.

For, as the Mountains give a defence and ſhelter round about the City of God, ſo God (who is the Rock of Ages, a vaſt Mountain of Power and Charity) will continually ſuccor and ſecure his People.

Since 'tis the peculiar effect of thy gracious Providence, O my God! to favour and defend ſuch who (relying on thy Pity) ſtill implore thy help, and Sanctuary themſelves under thy Providence; this is always ready to lend a helping hand to ſuch as rightly ask it, and although ſometimes the Righteous Cauſe is oppreſſed by wicked Judges, and Cruelty domineers over Goodneſs, and the Purple of Tyrants is double dyed in the Blood of Innocents, yet all this is done upon righteous and wiſe grounds.

Thereby thou haſt a mind, O Lord! to try the Conſtancy of thy Servants, to Correct their Errors, to exerciſe their Patience, to brighten or refine their Graces, or elſe thou wouldſt have them ſerve for excellent patterns and directions for others, that they may become thy Portion, and be fit to addreſs themſelves to thee, and then thou ſuffereſt not their Slavery to be tedious, nor their Rod too heavy. Becauſe they who are thus Obedient both to thy preceptive and providential Will are thy Children, Heb. 12.5, 6, 7. whom thou Chaſtiſeſt as a Father, and wilt not ſuffer the Scourge of the Wicked to dwell long upon thine Inheritance, Pſal. 80.4. eſpecially when it earneſtly begs Relief.

It would be no leſs contrary to that Dear Relation thou ſtandeſt in to us, than to the proper goodneſs of thy Nature, not to reſtrain the fury of the impious, didſt not thou hook up Leviathan in dne time, it might be dangerous, that thy weak and infirm Diſciples (waving thy protection) would depart from thee, and either abandon themſelves to Vice (charmed by the ſhort proſperity of evil doers) or elſe grow fearful of Perſecution, and ſo put forth their hands to Iniquity, and render themſelves uncapable of thy Compaſſion.

Therefore moſt Gracious Lord do not forſake them who adore the greatneſs of thy Love and Wiſdom, and ſtudy to obſerve the Holyneſs of thy Will and Pleaſure. Heap thy bounties on their Goodneſs, which hath no other end but God and Righteouſneſs. O how bleſſed is the Man who by the integrity of his Affection, hath fouled neither Hand nor Tongue in the blemiſh or blood of his Neighbour! How bleſſed is he that by not obeying the uſurpations of Sin, hath not made his Reaſon cloſe Priſoner to his Concupiſcence! He is alſo bleſt, who content with what he hath, would not robb nor envy the enjoyments of others. And he is bleſt too, that by the ſincerity of his Behaviour, by the probity of his Life, by the faithfulneſs of his Heart, by the innocence of his Eyes, hath endeavoured to fit himſelf for the High-calling whereunto he is called in Jeſus Chriſt; and thereby gain thy favour, and work out his own Salvation.

I am aſſured O Lord that thou powereſt forth the Treaſure of thy Bleſſings on them who make ſtreight paths for their Feet, who keep the way of Righteouſneſs, and are as conſtant as Couragious to reſiſt all Vice; ſince to accommodate the Thoughts, and fix the Will to thy Diſpenſations, is the way to get Chriſt, and to be found in him, not having our own Righteouſneſs.

But on the contrary, Thoſe who forget thy greatneſs, O Lord! and fall down to the Worſhip of themſelves; thoſe who enter the wrong way into their Mother's Womb, and embowel the Earth to ſteal away her Treaſure, and ſeem to have no other end thereby than to bury their Souls and Hopes therein; Thoſe who being ſwallowed up in Voluptuouſneſs believe no other Paradice than the delights of Fleſh and Bloud: or thoſe who place next their own misfortunes, every proſperous event of others, ſuch as choak all Virtue by imperious appetites; and Sacrifice their beſt faculties unto Fury and Madneſs; turning all Sobriety and Reaſon out of doors. Laſtly, ſuch as being loſt to themſelves, and in their own Opinions too, ſometimes knowing not how to wake themſelves out of the Lethargy of Vice, nor get up beyond the terms of nothing (that is, Sin and Vanity.) Such as all theſe are, I ſay, theſe unhappily curſed ones, ſhall be ſtruck down from Heaven's glorious preſence, like Nimrod's Gyants, with hot Thunderbolts, they ſhall be confounded with Babel's Workmen, and become the wretched Objects of the ſeverity of ſuch Corrections as are given by a Hand no leſs Powerfull and Juſt, than Jealous and Pure. They ſhall feel the Scorching of thoſe immortal Flames, which yet can never burn out their Spots, ſince they have rendered themſelves Heirs of Wrath, and Children of the Devil; whereas the Righteous (before-mentioned, ſuch as may be ſet far from theſe Goats) bleſt with thy Love and Protection, O Lord, ſhall enjoy the ſerenity of that peace which reſides in thy favour, and ſurpaſſeth our Underſtanding.

O My God! how can I expreſs the Conſolation of my Soul? My Words are loſt in my joy of Heart, and can break forth but lamely at my Lips, for I behold my ſelf Redeemed, I find my ſelf delivered alſo from the dangerous Labyrinth of my winding Errours, thanks be to thy goodneſs only.

The confuſed Chaos of my Life hath been called to by thy Word, and looked on by the Beams of thy Grace, nay, diſtinguiſhed and reformed by thy Son into a new Lump, a new Converſion.

The miſchiefs of my guiltineſs are not aggravated by the continual Remorſe of Conſcience, but my ſteps are directed by ſweet methods how to keep thy Statutes to the end.

Terrene Objects have now no priviledge to control my Thoughts. My Delights and Deſires retain no other reliſh than of a Crucified Saviour. Mine Ears took up with the name of Jeſus, cannot underſtand or liſten to the low dumb Muſick of Vanity. Mine Eyes are faſcinated by one glance of thine, and follow none of thoſe Wildfires which did uſe to miſguide them. My Taſt ſavouring the things of God, the Glories of another State, diſguſts thoſe Treats which Satan entertained me withal (while he would have me take Stones for Bread:) All thoſe Appetites which mere moſt my own, and ſeemed Connatural to a deluded mind, (having left me nothing but Shame and Sorrow) they take their leave of me (I truſt for ever) not to return any more (with ſeven Devils worſe than themſelves) to poſſeſs me.

Wherefore advanced by ſo much Grace, and replete with ſo much Happineſs as to find Favour in thy ſight, O moſt gracious Lord! how great is my Jubile! how infinite my Conſolation!

Methinks the rough and narrow way to Heaven is now made plain and ſmooth before my Face, and my Feet are not apt to wander ſo as they did formerly, but are more ſteadily guided to the Obſervance of thy Commands: and I find theſe, as David ſaith, exceeding broad on every ſide of me, that I have no Temptation (without much perverſeneſs) to depart from them. My Conſcience doth not Goad me with unſound Repentance, or unſafe Deſpair. Mine Eyes do not ſtay themſelves on terrene Objects, except it be to make them more contemptible, even to my outward ſenſe. The Sin that erewhile was the Idol of my enjoyments, is now the Subject of my Hate and Abhorrence. My Actions are levelled at the love of Virtue. My Deſires are converted (from the enhanſing my Account, and running on further on the ſcore of guilt) to the making all the ſatisfaction I can, for the Debts I have contracted, and my hope is grounded on thy Mercy (not on my poor endeavours) for the raiſing up the Pillar of my conſtant happineſs.

FEar not Temptations, O my Soul! the Apoſtle ſaith, We ſhould count it all joy when we enter into them, for theſe are but to exerciſe thy Patience, to prove thy Sincerity, and to juſtify thy Fidelity. How canſt thou hope to arrive at Gods Favour, like one of his dear Children, unleſs thou endure the Fiery tryal?

Reſiſt therefore, O my Soul! if it ſhould be even to Blood, becauſe at laſt, even by the Temptation, God can make a way for thy eſcape, and thy God ſhall be with thee, thy tribulation ſhall but compleat the worthineſs of thy condition.

How oft in the more florid times of Youth, when that cooler reaſon, like a Winter fled from the Spring of Senſe, (and by the growing heat of this, the other was driven away:) then how did the great Enemies of my Welfare play their Game moſt cunningly, to eſtrange my Heart from due Obedience to its Maker? How oft did thoſe deadly Foes of mine make uſe of the Charmes of ſuch Beauty, as had but borrowed all its fine Feathers from Art, and adorn'd its Trophies with the ſpoils of many Graves? and all this to fetter me like a Bondſlave, to fix me to this lower World, ſo that I might not be able to run the way of the Commands of God, nor to find the Path of Life, and Tranquillity. Thus my Companions, whether good or bad, can witneſs againſt me, for to both indeed, (though in different manners) I have imparted the Conſpiracy of my rebellious Affections.

There are ſome debauched perſons, who have too often accompanied me, and there are ſome devout perſons who have admoniſhed me, when I have been in the midſt of my Extravagancies, and I muſt confeſs, (that for all the Aid I have craved, and the Advice I have deſired, of the beſt men for the maſtering of my Senſualities,) the very Principles, and firſt motions of my Repentings have been laid at terribly, and much attacked by the Suggeſtions, and Temptations of my inviſible Foes, and by the ill examples, and falſe colours of my apparent Friends, who indeed have been the mortalleſt Adverſaries to my welfare, by repreſenting Luſt to me, as an unavoidable warmth of Nature; Anger, as the Effect of my Vigorous Soul; Avarice, as the Daughter of Prudence; Idleneſs, as the Balſome of Health; Gluttony, as the needful Magazine for the Body; Envy, as the wiſe and uſual Virtue of Emulation; Pride, as a convenient quality for High-born perſons, and to be aſſumed, together with the titles of our Anceſtors.

In fine, by their Tyrannizing over my Will, they have not left tempting of me, till through their Authorities, and worſe Examples, together with my own Corruptions, I have been drawn into the fowleſt Crimes, and moſt dangerous Offences.

But now being armed by the Power of thy Glorious Name, O holy Jeſus! and by the Divinity of thine Inſtructions, I hope to overcome all the Malice, and all the Violence of my Adverſaries, who ſhall be ſo loſt in their own Confuſion, and Diſappointments, as that they ſhall onely ſerve to advance the proof of my Conſtancy, and to accelerate the deſtruction of their own Malice.

For alaſs! how often have theſe cruel hunters laid ſnares to entrap my Soul by Sin? They have allured me by the feigned ſweetneſs of Worldly Pleaſures; they have perſwaded me to offend out of a raſh confidence of Pardon; they have diverted me with ſuch Senſualities; as might ſooneſt abuſe my Conſtitution; they have entrapped me with ſuch falſe arguments, as might ſooneſt deceive the ſimple, and betray the innocent.

Lord! How often have they derided thy Power, with impious, and prophane Diſcourſes, becoming the Oracles of Hell, they have vented Blaſphemies againſt thy Holieſt Name? And, Ah! too often, with Raillery, and Scorn, have they attacked my Obedience, and overthrown my obſervance of thy Precepts. Every-ways they did ſo batter my Faith, that I ſeemed to bear in my Boſom the rebukes of many, and to have the weight of their Sin upon my Shoulders; this was a Load ſo inſupportable to my weakneſs, as hereupon my Afflictions became the more grievous, by their continuance upon me in ſuch a woful manner.

But Lord! that Sovereign Juſtice of thine, which deals Rewards, and Puniſhments; (and is conſtantly impartial in thy Corrections, as in thy Remunerations,) 'tis that which at laſt hath diſcovered the Cheats, defeated the force, and repulſed the pride of thoſe impious Sinners, who inſnared my Safety, contrived my Ruine, and digged Pitts (as the Prophet ſaith) for my Soul.

Thou, moſt Glorious God! haſt done Gloriouſly, thou haſt trod down the Pride of thoſe ſpurners at thy Greatneſs, thou haſt yoaked their ſtiff Necks, for all their wild boaſting, that they go down with the moſt pompous Train, and with the beſt Company. How will they dwell in darkneſs? loſt in the Confuſion of Eternal Shame, and in the total Eclipſe of thy Favour; who with Infernal Malice did perſecute him that worſhiped thee, and deſpiſed him that ſerved thee, and hated him that loved thee? Shall ſuch at all enjoy the ſweet fruits of thy bounty? Or be remembred when thou makeſt up thy Jewels, any otherwiſe than to be condemned, and blotted out of the Book of Life? No ſurely, they ſhall ſink under the weight of their Crimes, and be buried, as well as die, in thoſe Sins wherein they choſe to live.

In the mean time, what Praiſe and thanks do I not owe to my Gracious Redeemer's goodneſs? ſince thou, Lord! haſt been ſo ready to free my Shoulders from the burthen which might have broke my Back, and my Heart from thoſe Snares that would have endangered my Life or Liberty. With what exceſs of Pity haſt thou corrected the miſtakes, and prevented thoſe ſlips of my Carriage, that might have drove me down a Precipice of Deſpair?

Thou, deareſt Lord! haſt waſhed out the ſpots of my Uncleanneſs, which would have made me odious to God, and Man. Thou haſt healed thoſe Wounds which were grown old and rankled by my Carnal compliances, and would have rendered my ſafety very doubtful; ſo that the Enemies of my Salvation, and of thy Glories, O God! ſhall no farther triumph over my weakneſs, nor Captivate my will that is ſo bound to thy Goodneſs.

But thoſe our Enemies who would not have thee to rule over my Soul, may become like the Herbs growing on the Houſe top, that wither and come to nothing e're they can attain to any perfection of growth or Beauty. So let their vain Images be deſpiſed and neglected, as that nothing of them may be ſaved or gathered up by the meaneſt care of Men or Angels, at that great day of Harveſt, when every ones Works ſhall be made manifeſt of what ſort they are.

Deal thus, Great God! with thoſe impious wretches, who are guilty of High-Treaſon againſt thy Majeſty, and of Felony againſt my Soul; let them fall the Victims of thy juſt Diſpleaſure, and help by their puniſhment to mitigate the Sorrows of ſuch poor wretches, as they drew into the Nets of their Sins, and ſo into joint ſufferance with themſelves: and let them glorify thy Name, even in the Fire, through that probation of thine unalterable Juſtice.

In the World let them meet with no ſucceſs, until they Repent; let them haſt away like Shadows of the Night, becauſe they have loved Darkneſs, and ventured to hide themſelves from the ſight of God.

Nor may they be Bleſſed by any one that paſſeth through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, ſo that they may be ſhut out of all hopes of Happineſs, for indeed obſtinate Sinners are like the Ground which the Lord hath Curſed; unworthy to have one Shower of good Wiſhes, or Conſolations beſtowed upon them from good men, and much more uncapable of the Dew of God's Bleſſing. But, Ah! let not my Portion be with ſuch, nor ſhut up my Life with the Bloody-minded, but impower me to reſiſt the Malice of the Evil-ones, and ſo to rely upon thy Favour, as to live under thy Protection and Cogniſance, and to be known for ever by the white Stone with a new name, even by the bleſſing of thy holieſt Name, O Lord Jeſus! Amen.

O Lord how wretched, woful, lamentable is the Condition of a Sinner! who being turned into his own Enemy doth nothing but lay Ambuſhes for himſelf; while he forgets ungratefully thy benefits, he becomes moſt worthleſs, and hated both of Heaven and Earth! He deſerves no Manſion but in Hell. Alas, unhappy Sinner! how art thou forſaken by thy Creator, Redeemer, and Comforter, even by all of thy God! and thy hopeleſs ſtate is the more dreadful, being accompanied with the fearful expectation of Judgement. Thy Crimes bring with them unſpeakable bitterneſs, becauſe they fore-bode Eternal Torments, and thy Life is but a continual Death, by reaſon of the gnawings of Conſcience, the Horror of thy guilt, and the domineering of thine Enemies over thee.

Yet for all this with the loweſt Humility that is due to the height of thy State, and to the meanneſs of mine own; while the requeſts of my Heart keep time with the Words of my Mouth, I am bold to cry aloud for Mercy, and beg thy Compaſſion, O Lord God! although thy Mercy and Compaſſion may ſeem to ſtoop too low, while they take up my Petitions unto thine Ears. And if theſe are better emploied in hearkening to the Ecchoes of thy Glories, to the Lauds of thy Saints, and to the Harmony of Heaven, yet let them not diſdain the importunity of thoſe longings after thee, which ariſe from a firm deſire, and a deliberate Reſolution, and addreſs themſelves to the Footſtool of thy Goodneſs.

O Lord, I know the King of Iſrael is a merciful King. I know thou takeſt pleaſure in hearing the Requeſts of thy poor Creatures, eſpecially if they proceed from humble Hearts, and contrite Spirits. I know that thou art ready to put a ſtop to the Muſick of Heaven, and to give a pauſe to thine own Praiſes, rather than the Prayers of ſuch a poor Supplicant's ſhould not be liſtened to.

Therefore Receive with grateful attention thoſe cries of mine, which bring with them the true evidences (as I truſt) of Converſion, as well as of Contrition. It is the great prerogative of thy Uncircumſcribed Majeſty, as to hear and determine of my guilty State; So by thy Mercy to receive my Petitions, and reprieve me from the Sentence paſſed on me by reaſon of my Crimes.

Therefore I beg thou wouldſt not regard the number of my Sins, nor the Quality and Aggravations of them, which I will not pretend to enumerate by ſome few inſtances, becauſe thou knoweſt the minuteſt grain of my Offences. Thou haſt a particular of them all. And,

Shouldeſt thou weigh our Guilt in the Ballance of thy Juſtice only, ſhouldſt thou be extreamly ſevere in thy puniſhment of what is amiſs about us, if thou ſhouldſt not in thy Diſpleaſure think upon thy pity, and give this leave to Plead while the other arraigns; O Lord, who might abide thy preſence, or ſtand before thee in Judgment? The brighteſt Angels are not pure in reſpect of thee, and the moſt Holy would ſcarce be ſafe! Where then ſhould the Wickekd and Sinner appear, but in the bottomleſs Pit of Deſtruction? Had thy Wiſdom thought good to have ſet thee only upon the Correction of our failings, the World it ſelf, as well as we, had been long ſince buried in the Cinders of our laſt Funerals; and wholly burnt up with the Fire of thy juſt Diſpleaſure.

But ſince thou haſt ſet thy Pity and Good-will, thy Son and thy Spirit, as better Advocates between thy own Purities and thy Creatures Frailties, than Mans weakned Nature or worſe Infirmities could be: for we all are too apt to ſet theſe on pleading for us, as being ever near us, yet, Ah! let us beſeech thee rather to liſten to the others in our behalf, hearken to that chiefeſt Councellor of thy ſelf and us, the moſt holy, and gracious Paraclete; and hear thy Son Interceding for us Wretches, more freely than we hear him inſtructing of us.

Continue the incomparable Acts of thy Mercy, and exerciſe the accuſtomed proofs of thy goodneſs towards us, with the merits of Chriſt's precious Blood waſh out my ſpots, with the floods of my Tears quench the fire of my Luſts, that I may not be found the Heir of Wrath, or Child of the Devil.

For indeed the true Repentance of a Sinner is the ſole effect of thy Bounty. Man that is now made up of nothing but the mud of Earthly Debauches, cannot ſo little as look up to Heaven (with the Publican, though he look no higher than the Clod he ſtands on) without thy ſpecial influencing aid. But this Ray thou haſt promiſed by Ten thouſand ſolemn atteſtations, and 'tis the Light of Mankind which thou haſt afforded, that it might light every one coming into the World. Saints and Prophets have born witneſs that thou art the God of Sinnes, if Penitent; thou art the Redeemer of the moſt vile and miſerable when they truely return to their Father's embraces.

Let it then be an Addition to thy Glories, that thou haſt more of Pity, than I have of Provocation, and that thou yet retaineſt better Diſpoſitions to pardon Sins, than I have Inclinations to commit them. Through the exceſs of thy Goodneſs, thou haſt bounded thy own ſelf, and given leſs to thy Power and Juſtice than it might have challenged, and therefore have I long waited for thy Salvation, O Lord.

I have endured the Stings of delay while I looked for thy Redemption, and ſighed for the effects thereof; and I muſt avert my Labour hath not been in vain, for I have found the Hopes thou gaveſt me, to be anſwered; thy Word concerning me to be true and good; and thy promiſes to be performed.

They may be left to their own deceivings; who wait upon the vanity of the world, and build their expectations on mortal aſſurances. My Heart being fixed on the verity of thy Covenant, on the certainty of thy Promiſes, on the Anchor of a lively Hope, ſecures it ſelf of meeting with ſuch favour as is inſeparable from thy Majeſty.

O Lord! I perceive the greateſt Enemy of Mankind leaves no means un-attempted whereby he may draw us out of thy bleſſed way. Sometimes with proſperous Succeſs, and ſometimes with earthly Grandeurs, he well-nigh maſters ſuch (to their Eternal Ruine) as he durſt not aſſail by Croſſes, or by Want.

At other times, when neither fair means nor foul will do his Work, he takes a ſtranger courſe, and repreſents to thoſe too good Opinions, (which we ordinarily have of our ſelves) a long Bead-roll of Religious Performances, that wee Priding our ſelves in our own doings might infect them, and arrogate that to our own merit, which is wholly due to thy goodneſs.

Ariſtot. in Eth. 1.4. & 4.3. inquit, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . Ita fecrunt Optimi Gentium (Stotcorum ſcilicet & Epicuraeorum) qui dixerunt. Nos exaequat Victoria Caelo, immo & ipſe Philoſophorum & Romanorum Imperator, Marcus Aurelius erat famae ſuae curioſiſſimus, &c. The Beſt men of all are too much addicted to this Sacrilege; and few there are, alaſs! who are ſo well bred in Humility, as not to like their own Reputation, or not to covet Glory here, no leſs than above.

Who doth not think too well or too much of his Service, if it appear faithful to God, and Charitable to others? while he is patient in Adverſity, and temperate in all his Deſires; Is he not apt to be exalted above meaſure?

Therefore while I purpoſe with my ſelf to avoid the Pride and Pomps of the World, and to give my ſelf up wholly to the execution of thy Commands, let not my Heart applaud it ſelf in private, but ſo turn mine Eyes to thy Teſtimonies, that they may not cauſe, nor diſcover any Vain-glory about me.

Give me ſuch a likeneſs to my Jeſus, ſuch a lowlineſs of Spirit, as to referr all things duely to thy bounty, and nothing to my Power or Merit.

And as by the exceſſes of undeſerved loving-kindneſs, thou haſt advantaged my Birth with the Characters of Illuſtrious Parentage. Thou haſt enriched my Well-being with many temporal Honours, and Privileges above others: ſo grant that I may not exceed the Limits of my Duty, nor preſume to take thy Praiſes to my ſelf.

For my Birth (whether high or low) was not my choice, but thy good Will, and I can no more ſecure my Life, than I could at firſt chuſe it. For my Death ſhall come as my Life did, when it ſhall pleaſe thee to ſend it; and that too, ſhall pull off all diſguiſes; leaving me naked, as from my Mothers Womb, and in no better a condition than the pooreſt Mortal. And this the Princely Job taught both himſelf and us, when humbled to the very Dunghill. Job 1.20, 21.

Worldly Honours are deſigned by thy good Providence to be Spurs to our Vertue, while we ride through the ſhort Stages of this frail Life, and they ſhould be looked on as ſtreams iſſuing from thee their Fountain; ſo that when we grow proud of them we kick againſt thee, and make brutiſh returns of Ingratefulneſs to thy ſpecial favours.

Humane Learning (which is meer ignorance in reſpect of thy knowledg) is an Oyntment that is fly-blown, corrupt and unſavoury; when the Philoſopher is ſuch a Fool as to glory in his Wiſdom.

Therefore entertain my notions, good Lord! within the compaſs of a juſt moderation, that they may not boil over with conceit, or opinion; nor build Caſtles in the Air, (like Aeſop's Eagles) ſoaring above the proper reach of my own capacities.

Give me, I beſeech thee, an exact and ſober underſtanding of my ſelf, that Pride may have nothing to do within me, nor without. But that Humility may take its right place about me, and not be wrongfully ejected by Worldly Circumſtances.

Though Titles, Wealth, and Friends, may difference me from others. Gracious Father! I deſire that my beſt skill may be uſed in the accommodating me to others, in the levelling my conceit of my ſelf to him that hath the meaneſt thoughts of me; while I confeſs my ſelf as miſerable a Sinner as mortal a Creature, as the moſt abject wretch in the World can be.

If I ſtrive for Precedence, let it be only as Chriſt's Diſciples did, to be nearer to Jeſus, to out-ſtrip others in Prayer, and Faſting, and ſuch like Acts of Piety as may prove, that I have drank of his Cup of Grace.

I would diveſt my ſelf of all ſuch habits as like falſe Glaſſes render me bigger than the Life, and count my beſt efforts for thee to be nothing in compariſon of what thou haſt done me, dear Saviour! and thus will I traffick for true Glory, by getting all the Praiſe and Honour which I can for thee, till I come into the Harbour of thy Eternal Grace, and Goodneſs.

Should I indulge the Pride of my Nature, I ſhould loſe the pleaſure of thy Love. For Pride is a Sin ſo hainous as that it could tranſform an Angel, and throw him out of Heaven, and Man out of Paradice, for both their High-Treaſons againſt thy Majeſty; whereas Humility is the eldeſt Siſter of the Graces, and the firſt born of the Beatitudes, having promiſes like the Fifth Commandment, both for this Life and a better; and although Haughtineſs of Temper is one of the Goads of Nature which puſhes Man forward (ſince he was made with expectation of Dominion) yet Lord! abaſe this Domineering humour, leaſt Pride, that is the Queen of Vice, and firſt begotten Child of Sin, and the immediate Succeſſor of Wrath, and Vengeance, leſt Pride, I ſay, ſhould get the better of that Lowlineſs, I would ſtill keep in my Soul for the better imitation of my Saviour.

When I conſider how that dangerous forementioned Crime hath armed Legions of Angels to revenge it; I fear leſt it ſhould make me be (not like David in this Pſalm) but like an unhappy Child of Rachel, ſnatched away from the Boſom of my deareſt Parent, as unworthy of the ſweet and precious Milk of thy Word; or of any Spiritual refreſhment.

But for all Humility is ſo needful, (as the Mother of Vertues) yet a man ſhould not rely upon the brittle ſtaff of the beſt natural performances, even in the very Duty of meekneſs, and lowlineſs of Mind. Since our Salvation is ſecured by thy goodneſs, and in our holieſt Operations there is no Merit to Redeem us from Sin, or to entail thy Graces on us, upon thee alone we muſt ground our hopes; from thee onely ſprings our Happineſs, by thy good pleaſure Eternity is conſigned to us.

He that ſets his Heart on Riches, what doth he, but rear up Pinacles, whereon his Soul may be tempted, and his Life indangered? Gold is ſaid to be Devoted to Pluto, becauſe he that truſts therein can promiſe himſelf nothing at the laſt but the lowermoſt Pit. Honours, are rather the Gifts of Fortune than of Merit, and abandon, men uſually at the approach of Calamities. Friends are gained by intereſt, and loſt by Death, if not by ſome odd Caſualty before. Health is ſhort and fleeting, made ſo by change of Diet, Air, and every motion of Soul or Body. In fine,

All mortal Hopes and Joyes are liable to the Tempeſts of innumerable Accidents.

Thou onely, Almighty Lord! art He that changeſt not, and therefore art my ſafe Anchor-hold, and the Rock of my Hope.

In thee Devout Souls pitch their abſolute truſt, becauſe there is no time wherein thou art not able, willing, and ready to accommodate them with Mercies, and with thine infinite Beneficence. Amen.

O Gracious Lord! Look with the Eyes of thine infinite compaſſion upon a wretched Sinner, and remember that I am thy Servant, I am thy Servant, and the Son of thy Handmaid; let me refuge my ſelf now at thine Altars, though I have been ſuch an Idolater, as to worſhip moſt of the World's Naughtineſs.

I have adored earthly pleaſures, yet deny me not thy favourable protection, look not upon me as on ſuch an huge offender (who hath warred againſt thy Holineſs, by heaps upon heaps of vain aſpiring thoughts.) But,

Conſider me as thy Creature, as a penitent and humble Convert, who may be a fit Object for thy mighty Compaſſion, through the ſenſe I have at preſent of my Vileneſs. This is great, ſince I have been Impotent, Impious, nay Sacrilegious.

My Tongue hath dared to profane thy ſacred Attributes. My Hands have not ſpared the Blood or Honour of others, my Heart hath pitched its delight among brutiſh and ſenſual paſtimes, even ſuch as have been repugnant to thy laws, and to thoſe of Humanity.

But now that by my Converſion thou mayeſt be glorified; Haſt thou not obliged thy ſelf by the truth of thy promiſes, to receive ſuch guilty ones as are Weary and heavy laden? becauſe thou art a God of Mercy, and There is more joy in Heaven for one Sinner that Repents, than for Ninety and nine ſuch Righteous perſons, as think with the Phariſees, they need no Repentance.

I know mine Eyes have been treacherous Scouts to my Soul. I know mine Ears have been like the Adder's, and deaf to thy Commands, and to every good Exhortation, though open to the Whiſpers of a lying World. The motions of my outward man, like thoſe of my inward, have been but to hurry me to ruine. I know my Heart hath been moſt vain in its deſires, blind in its appetites, mad in that indulging of them: yet I rely upon thy Pity, and deſpair not of thy Forgiveneſs.

As thou didſt comply with the Vehement ſtruglings of Jacob for a Bleſſing, when he had cauſe enough to fear his own weakneſs; ſo do thou afford me thy Guidance and Protection, that I may not only begin well to turne towards Thee, but that I may go on from Strength to Strength to meet Thee, and if thy Grace ſo forward my Regeneneration, I ſhall not doubt of performing what I have promiſed, (that is) to give Thee all which the devouteſt Soul can offer.

My Heart would have no other place to recreate its affections in, but in the Preſence-Chamber of thy Love.

LIft up thy ſelf, O my Soul! and be thou raiſed up from the burthen of my Sins, unto the Throne of the Moſt High: for though God be the abſolute diſpenſer of his own Grace, yet he loves to have it coveted, and looked after by Mankind, ſince his delights are placed amongſt us. Be ſure not to leave his preſence; wander no more like a Cain from his ſight: for although nothing be covered from his inſpection, yet as he that travels far Northward baniſhes himſelf from the Sun's power, and will not be advantaged by his heat, ſo much as if he ſtayed near the place where the Sun makes his Bed at Noon: So neither can he receive the warmeſt influences of Gods Favour, who departs from it, like an offending Adam.

Therefore, O my Soul! Renounce thy Worldly affections altogether, and know that whoſoever leaves his Heart to be entrapped by the fair ſemblances of Earthly Toys, may loſe his ſhare in an Eternity of Glory, while he embraces nothing but a Cloud, and catches unhappily at a Shadow.

Alas! all Sublunary things are too ſlight to be compared with the pleaſures at God's Right-hand. What is moſt compleat here is ever aſſailed by its contraries, and what appears moſt Gygantick, or mighty, is but the greater Impoſture, cheating our apprehenſion by the caſt of a huge Shadow.

That which is ſweeteſt to our Senſes is incompaſſed with the moſt ſtings, as our lovelieſt Roſes have the ſharpeſt prickles; here is no Hony but what is ſcoured with Wormwood, and the whole courſe of our Lives is but a L'ambigue, a ſtrange Hotchpotch of Good and Evil. But in God, in God alone is found true Good, and perfect Happineſs.

Many things that are uſeful are not pleaſant, and many pleaſant things are noxious. Faſting, Abſtinence, and large Alms-deeds enrich the Mind, mortify the Paſſions, while they ſeem to impair our Worldly Concernments.

On the contrary, the ſatisfaction of ſenſuality may careſſe the Body, but they torture the Soul. In God alone meets that Profit and pleaſure which conſtitute the chief Good. Therefore,

O my Soul! with fervent Devotion, ſincere Converſion, and ſettled Reſolution, be fixed to thy Redeemer, and enjoy ſuch bliſs as is made over to thoſe who are acquainted with God's Mind, and obedient to his Commands.

How unhappy are the Scorners of ſuch acquaintance, and Union with God; Sit not thou in their place, if thou meaneſt to be happy: for they have took leave of their Felicity, they have ſhook hands with Faith, and Charity; they are Eclipſed from the Beams of the Sun of Righteouſneſs.

Yet let thoſe ſottiſh Animals inform me (if they can) why the bright Planet of the Day is ſo welcom to univerſal Nature? Why the ſending forth its Light and Heat draws up their Eyes, and the Faculties of the whole World, as it were, to the admiration of it ſelf? Why are the four Elements ſo needful, if they be not Communicative and aſſiſtant to every Body? and is not the Maker of theſe much more wonderful, as much more neceſſary to us all?

He that will lean to his own imaginations, makes them his Idols; and forfeits the Inheritance, that might be had by Communion with God. But he that with a right affection, and with Filial Reverence binds up all Cravings within the good pleaſure, and will of God, may receive all the Joys that can be handed to him by a Deity, for ſuch an Obſervance. Such Union of a Soul to Chriſt, is more ſweet and acceptable to Heaven, than was that holy Oyle which the High-prieſts onely were to make and uſe.

And as the Heavenly dew that falls upon the Hills of Hermon, and of Sion, brings Fruitfullneſs to their Rocks, and Health to their Inhabitants, ſo the Largeſſes of the Divine Bounty, many ways advantage all ſuch as are united to a Saviour, and to one another by a copious Charity.

The Dew comes down ſilently from Heaven, and waters the Earth, being nouriſhing, and medicinal: and ſuch a Celeſtial thing is Love and Concord, Curing all the Diſeaſes of the Mind.

It ſoftens the very Marbles of a proud Niobe, improves the ſterile bottom of Good-works; ſweetens the Aſperities of Contrition, and prevents the withering of our Hopes.

Send down this precious Dew upon my Soul, O Lord! as thou didſt another on the Fleece of Gideon, that being over-ſhadowed by thy Love, I may never Divorce my ſelf again from it, but value my affections (as thou doſt) even as Faculties more conſiderable than are all thoſe earthly Objects upon which they have been too often caſt away: but ſince Mundanities are ſo imperfect Comforts, & ſo vaniſhing; they ſhould be deſpicable. And I would devote my Heart altogether to thoſe Joys of thine, which are Eternal.

Guard it therefore with a generous Fortitude to reſiſt all the aſſaults of the Devil, to diſarm all my Senſes, to defeat all my Corruptions, from ever having any more Power to make me rebel againſt thy Goodneſs. And, Lord! command all the Forces of my Soul to concur in the deſires of thy Mercy, in the doing thy Will, in the magnifying thy Greatneſs; ſo ſhall I be ſecure of thy Grace here, and of thy Glory hereafter. Amen.

O My Soul! how art thou engaged by the Mercies of thy Creator to reinforce thy Powers for the ſetting forth his Praiſe; Now lay the Top-ſtone of thy Happineſs in the bleſſing of thy dear Redeemer; who hath ſuffered thee to get up thus near unto him, and to free thee from Sin, hath ſhewed the mighty skill of his Mercy in diverſe manners.

Firſt, In the delivering thee from the perils of Infidelity and Profaneneſs:

Secondly, In giving thee the due confidence thou oughteſt to have in his Goodneſs.

Thirdly, In letting thee ſee how all true pleaſures flow from him, who is all Love and Kindneſs.

Hath he enriched thee with the Ornaments of Hope? Hath he built thee upon the Groundwork of Charity, with the ſtrength of a right Faith? Hath he taught thee the fear of the Lord, and the reſpect due to his Command? Hath he ſhewed thee the Conſequence of Holy Sorrow, Meekneſs, and Exinanition? and at laſt invited thee to all Happineſs, by a perfect union to Himſelf? And,

Art thou not inaugurated with a Crown of Privileges? Art thou not wholly ſubdued to God, and overcome by ſuch powerful Reaſons to confeſs, that Religion muſt needs be thy greateſt advantage, and higheſt advancement alſo?

Then forget not thy ſelf ſo much as not to exalt his Merits, and bleſs his Mercy, and declare what he hath done for thee, as Loudly, as Plainly, as Continually, as 'tis poſſible for thee to do.

If thou ſlipp the time for theſe requiſite performances, (and which is thy time but the preſent?) It will look like an Act of Ingratitude, and an effect of Obduration.

To the wicked, ſaith God, What haſt thou to do to take my Name in thy Mouth, ſince thou hateſt to be reformed. O Lord! thou wilt have none of their Commendations, who indeed are unworthy to utter thy holieſt Name, being thy profeſſed Enemies, their Addreſſes are but like the gnaſhings of the Damned, meer Profanations, and no Worſhip of Thee.

But thy Servants are the Ecchoing Trumpets of thy Goodneſs; Thou loveſt their Eulogies, whom thou haſt adorned with thy Favours, and Redeemed from the Tyranny of their Accuſer.

Conſider then again and again, O my Soul! how Great! how Incomprehenſible! is the Goodneſs of thy God! ſince he would Create thee after his likeneſs, and give thee Underſtanding, and Dominion over and above thy Fellow-creatures? Since he would place thee at firſt but little lower than the Angels, and hereafter will promote thee even above thoſe bleſſed Spirits; ſince he would ſave thee with no leſs a Price than his Son's Blood; and make thee the chief Magazine, or Store-houſe of all the Treaſures of his Grace: ſince he would Manumitt thee by his Service, from the Tyranny of thy Senſualities, and from the Slavery of great Tranſgreſſions (which bind up Lucifer himſelf in Chains of Darkneſs.) O! do not fall (like him) again into the Hell of Ingratitude, ſince thou art raiſed thus into the Favour of the Moſt High: Employ thy faculties to his Honour, elſe thou art ſuch another unworthy Monſter as deſerves to be entombed in the bottom of that Gulph which burns for Ever and Ever.

Shew at leaſt how thou ſavoureſt the things of God, by acknowledging of them; 'Tis true, thou canſt never render unto him according as thou haſt received, yet return thy improved Talents, and thy utmoſt abilities, or elſe thy chearful readineſs, for the owning thy ſelf Obliged, and not unkind, to the Donor.

Suffer no Excuſe or Accident to put thee off from thinking of his Goodneſs, or from thanking of it.

Thy Proſperity is the Iſſue of his Providence, not of thy Merit. God (ſaith the Wiſe man) enables us to get Wealth, and all good Fortune. Thy Adverſaries celebrate his Wiſdom, for by them art thou taught how he knows thy deſert, and would try thy Patience, and deals not ſo hardly by thee as he is provoked.

Therefore in all Conditions ſet forth his moſt worthy Praiſe; with clean Hands, and a pure Heart lifted up by devout Expreſſions. Let us lead on our Deſires, and endeavours to ſet the Crown upon his Head, and to put the Scepter into his Hand, whoſe right it is.

I mean let our Church (with that which is Triumphant) aſcribe All Honour, Power, Dominion, and Glory unto him who ſits upon the Throne, and unto the Lamb, for evermore: bleſſing God every manner of way, whereby the Creature may be ſaid to Glorify his maker. As,

Firſt, By ſpeaking of God with that Reverence which the Majeſty of his Perſon doth require.

Secondly, By living according to the Rules of Probity, that by our good actions, both our ſelves and others may think well of his Service.

Thirdly, By rendering unto God the Honour due to his Name, in whatſoever condition may we be, that whether he gives or takes away, there may be no ſhipwrack of a good Conſcience, or of a chearful Spirit, becauſe we own our dependance not upon our ſelves but Him.

Fourthly, By Giving Thanks always for all things unto God, Eph. 5.20. (as ſaith the Apoſtle) while we entertain a grateful Taſt and Remembrance of the moſt ordinary Mercy, for there is none to be looked upon as little, if we juſtly regard either God or our ſelves.

NOW, moſt Gracious Lord! ſince thou haſt called up my Soul to this exalted Throne of Felicity, to this higheſt Round of Heavenly Comfort, (to wit) to the reſounding of thy Praiſes, for the efficacy of thy Favours towards a penitent Sinner: I beſeech thee, deareſt Lord! ſhower down continuall thy Gifts and Graces upon my humbled Soul, that it may be fruitful in every good Work, and ſhew no wretched marks of its former Sterility, though it Merits not the ſmalleſt Dew of thy Bleſſing, nor the leaſt warmth of thy Love; (having ſcarce put out the fire of extravagant Luſt.) Yet ſince thou haſt founded the vaſt Machine of the Univerſe upon the empty place; Thine out-ſtretched arm can amend and ſanctify whatever is amiſs about me.

Thou art both our Lord, and our God; a Maker, and Redeemer too; whoſe Operations are beyond all impoſſibilities, and thy Benefits above our Deſires, eſpcially in Heavenly things, no leſs than above our Deſerts.

However, give me leave, here at laſt, to beſeech thee ſo to fit me for thine Eternal Entertainments, by a thankful Senſe, and conſtant reliſh of thy Love and Goodneſs to me here, as that I may paſs along ſafely and contentedly through the many diſquiets of this mortal Life, to the continual Praiſing, and endleſs Fruition of thee in Heaven.

our Father which art, &c.