The Explanation of the Frontispiece.
A Box of Spikenard: or a little Manual OF Sacramental Instruction AND Devotion: Especially, helpful to the People of God, at and about the time of receiving the Lords Supper.
WITH Some other formes expedient for some peculiar occasions.
The third Edition, By Thomas Walmestry, Dean of Worcester.
London, Printed by T. Mabb, for William Sheares, at the Bible in Bedford street, 166 [...].
To the Right Honourable, the Lady Frances Courtney, Eldest Daughter to the Right Honourable the Earle of Cork.
THE two great Offices of Magnificence, [Page]are to do great things where there is no desert to merit the performance; and to accept of small returns where there is no worth to challenge and [Page]acceptance.
There is bounty and charity in the one, and humility and meekness in the other: you have been very free and active towards former in those [Page]many & great favours, you have bestowed upon one that is so unworthy. And now I am bold to offer you an occasion to exercise the noblenesse of your disposition [Page]in the latter, in the Present of this poor acknowledgment unto your Honour in the Dedication of this small piece of devotion unto you. The love [Page]that you beare unto the service of God, to the promotion whereof it is designed; and the tender respect you have manifested unto the Author, gives me so [Page]good assurance of a fair admission hereof unto your hands, that I do with confidence cast and leave all the faults and imperfections thereof at your mercy: It hath [Page]bin twice published already, & hath found so much of entertainment abroad; as hath been enough to encourage a third Edition; wherein it hath received [Page]some enlargement, and though it may yet want growth to render it serviceable to you, yet I hope it may receive some power from the countenance [Page]of your Honourable Patronage to be instrumental to the Good of others; which is Humbly implored by him, who is exceedingly obliged [Page]to remain,
To his Honoured, loving and Christian Friends of his Congregation in the Strand at London, and to other Christian Communicants, as they are concerned: Grace, Mercy and Peace from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
OF all the operations of the life of man, and indeed of [Page]the whole Creation, and of the highest and most perfect creatures that are found in the whole extent thereof, The most Noble and Excellent, the most Profitable and truly Delectable, and that which is the Crown and Diadem of their perfection and being, is the operation of Religion, as that whereby the creature hath Communion with God, which is the most [Page]excellent being, and the chiefest good, and whereby it offereth homage and acknowledgement unto his Infinite greatness, and receives again the influence & enjoyment of his Eternal and Infinite goodnesse. And indeed without this the generality of mankinde is not onely degraded from its dignity, but deprived of its use; and in the uselesnesse, or unprofitablenesse [Page]of mankinde, all the creatures that were made for his comfort and preservation, are rendered uselesse and unprofitable: So that the end of the whole material Creation is in a sort lost, in the want of Religion in mankinde; for if mankinde be good for nothing without Religion, if he loose that action, then all the creatures would become serviceable for [Page]the preservation of them that are good for nothing, and so being ordered unto a vain end, they would all be as it were vain and unprofitable creatures, which would lay an unsufferable charge upon Gods wisedome as well as goodnesse, not onely that he made all men in vain, but that he made the creatures of the world for a vain end and purpose, [...] [Page](which God forbid.) Now there is no reason in the world, why mankind should live, or be in the world, if man be not a worshipper of God, whereby he is to attain the enjoyment of God.
Other Creatures indeed have their several ends inferior unto this (yet in order unto this in man) some are made for the preservation of others, [Page]and all for the good and preservation of man. But if man be not the servant of his God here, what is he but fruges consumere nat us, an unprofitable plunderer of the world, and destroyer of the rest of the creatures, whom he wastes and devours in great multitudes daily, whilest he himself liveth to no considerable end, that may be answerable [Page]for so great a ruine.
And if his end be in the Grave and in the Dust, when he hath spent a few dayes and hours in eating, and drinking, and sleeping, and enduring many calamities and troubles in this world, it may put all the world to a stand, how it could stand with the wisdome of God to make such an excellent Creature to no better end; and as the [Page]Apostle tells us of Christians, That if in this life only we have hope, we are of all men most miserable. So it may be said of all mankinde, that if in this life onely, we have our end, we are of all creatures in the world the most miserable and unprofitable, and the rather, because man hath so much knowledge of his infelicity, and such a stomach unto eternity, [Page]which he cannot upon that supposition upon any terms ever attain unto.
Which is (to me I confesse) one of the strongest arguments to prove the immortality of the soul of man, and the assurance of another and better life after this; that I know how to draw out of the quiver of humane reason, without the clearer light of Divine Revelation.
For though it may be said that particular men are made, and are of use for the good of Community; (which hath, it may be, given the occasion unto some Philosophers that could see no higher to place the end & final operation of man in politique good, or advantage of humane Society,) Yet when all is done, if man hath no other end but this: that [Page]Society, Community & Generality of mankinde, for the service whereof every particular man is supposed to be made, will prove in the end to be either of no use at all, or of none proportionable to such a multitude of so many, so excellent beings, if that Generality of mankinde be not appointed for some end higher than it self, which what other can it be imagined [Page]to be, than the holy worship and enjoyment of his God, which is indeed the great end for which man was made, and for which both all and every of them have their beings, and their lives, and all the comforts, and either general or particular advantages in this world that they may be unto them engagements, encouragements and helps, to promote [Page]them in the worship of him, who is the Fountain of them all: That as they live by his Mercy, they may live unto his Glory here, and attain unto the enjoyment of his Glory hereafter.
By all this that hath been said, we may then see, that it is a very great and intolerable mistake that hath possessed too many in the world, that Religion and the service [Page]of God is a kinde of impertinent thing, or at the best but such as is to be attended upon at our leisure, or when we have nothing else to doe; whereas in truth it is the great reason why we live, or enjoy any comfort, or blessing here in this world; and of so great weight and concernment, dignity, profit and advantage, that all other things ought to be ordered unto [Page]this, and are no otherwise allowable, profitable, or advantagious than as they are conducible hereunto.
And if Religion, and the Worship of God be the most Glorious, Honorable and Excellent imployment, and operation of the life of man, then certainly it doth most properly belong, and best become those that are of the most Honourable condition amongst [Page]mongst the Children of men, since there is nothing more decent or correspondēt, than that the most eminent persons should be exercised in the most eminent and excellent operations, and ought to be therein patterns and examples unto others, looking upon every degree of advancement that God hath given them above others in point of Dignity, as an obligation [Page]laid upon them by God, who hath bestowed those preheminencies, to be afore others in Devotion and Piety, that they may advance him the more, that hath advanced them so much; according to that resolution of David, a man of the highest degree of honour in this world, wherewith he dedicates him self and his house unto God, I wil extol thee, [Page]O Lord, becaus thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to triumph over me. Ps. 30.1.
It is a great deformity in the eys of God of Angels, & of good men, for people to be high in outward honour and dignity, and to be low in Spiritual Grace and Piety; and that they, unto whom God in his bounty hath given most leasure and conveniencies to serve him, by [Page]the freedome (that they enjoy in their abundance) from worldly necessities & distractions, & upon whom he lath laid the greatest obligations to honour him, by those honours that he hath bestowed upon them, should take discharge from these very obligations, and turn their Bonds into Acquitances without the payment of the Debt, whilest they of all others [Page]are too often most negligent of his worship, and least frequent in the holy assemblies of his people, the attendance whereupon is in a sort their peculiar calling; and that they should look upon Religion, as a businesse below their greatness, which is indeed the Crown and Dignity of their life, so that it is become (as I have found it to my sorrow) one [Page]of the greatest difficulties of the work of the Ministry to work upon a people that are rich and honourable in this world, and to perswade them to a constant attendance upon Religious Duties in the service of God. I have given some blows at this Nail, but it would not enter as I could wish, but I must not leave it, but tell them again and again, that they [Page]are the people of all others, whom God doth expect (as to be most exemplary in all other vertues) so to be most daily and frequent in his publick worship. The great obligations that I have received from some of them (which I do with thankfullnesse acknowledge) must not be turned by me into a bribe, to make me flatter or spare them in this miscarriage; [Page]I must rather venture the loosing of their favour and their bounty too, than countenance the ruine and destruction of their soules. The more liberall they have been unto me, the more plainly and sincerely I must deal with them in this matter, remembring that excellent expression of St. Ambrose unto his great benefactor, Theodosius the Emperour, in case [Page]wherein he held himself engaged, in thankfullness unto him as well as duty to God, to deal plainly with him: Tantum debeo beneficis tuis, ut male de beam pro salute tuâetiam offensionem animi tui non timere; Iow so much unto your bounty and benificence. That I am bound thereby to despise your anger, that I may contribute to the salvation of your soul. This is a sort of thankfulness, that few [Page]benefactours will accept of in this world, because they are greater friends unto their sins, than to themselves. And upon this account, it may be, I have lost some friends and some Auditors, but I cannot help it; but must yet say, that I can never be satisfied with the carriage and conversation of such eminent persons, untill I se [...] their pitty endeavouring to keep [Page]peace with their dignity; Because I know that God expects it at their hands.
Now as Religion is the most eminent and excellent operation of humane life, so of all the operations of Religion, those are of the greatest power and concernment, most prevalent with God, and most profitable to man, which are offered unto God in the holy consort & heavenly [Page]Harmony of the Congregation of his people. These are they that have the special promise of Christs presence, and the speciall assurance of his blessing and approbation, Math. 18.19, 20. These are they that are graced with the attendance of Angels, 1 Cor. 11.10. Psal. 68.18, 19.
These are the warlike forces of Gods peoples whereby they offer an holy and acceptable [Page]violence unto God, to obtain blesings at his hands, according to that of Tertullian in his excellent Book of Apology for the Christians against the Gentiles, Coim. saith he, in coetum, & congregationem ut in deum, quasi manu â precationibus ambiamus orantes. We gotegether into the Congregation and Assembly, that we may, as it were, joyn ourselves [Page]into an Army to assault God with our prayers.
These Religious performances in the Congregation are the Musick, wherewith earth ravisheth heaven, an harmony that charms the very power of God.
These are the Batteries of heaven gates, and that beats down the partition wall that sinne hath raised between God and us.
These are the strong and the powerfull engines, that pull down mercies from God upon us.
That repair the ruines of Churches and Nations, that Buoy up sinking States and Kingdomes.
To conclude, Holy congregations are the Work-houses, & their Religious operations, are the works where and whereby Fetters may be forged, that [Page]may binde the Devil & all his instruments; nay, golden chains to binde God himself from proceeding in judgement against his people: Pillers to support the ruinous fabrick of the tottering societies of men, & to keep the world from ruine and destruction, according to that saying (I take it) of the Jews, Sine stationibus non consisteret mundus. The world is held [Page]up by the Congregations of Gods people; and if there be any charms to be had, that may raise up our dry bones of this confused and distracted and demolished Church and Nation, they must be had, not from Councels or Armies: but from the devout performances of the congregations of Gods people; which may shew you the reason, why I have been so [Page]earnest with you for your presence and assistance in these assemblies, in these times of our calamity of non conformity. Sure I am, if the Devill trembles at any thing that can be done upon earth, it is at the gatherings of holy Congregation, and at the work that they have in hand.
And of all the holy actions of a Congregation, the most heavenly excellent, the most [Page]perfect glorious, and comfortable, is the Holy Solemnity of the Supper of the Lord, which is as it were the summe and recapitulation of all other duties.
There the Covenant of Baptisme is renued and confirmed.
There the Word is administred and sealed.
There the Laws of God are owned and subscribed, as the articles [Page]on our part in that treaty of Peace between God and us, which is there presented and managed.
There the promises, the articles on Gods part are made sure, & established particularly unto every faithful receiver, which are promised in general in the Holy Book, and the Gospel is brought home unto every devout soul, with all the blessings thereof; for [Page]look what the Gospel promiseth, that the Sacrament sealeth, and delivereth unto every faithfull receiver in particular.
Their solemn praise and thanksgiving is offered unto God in the thankfull memorial of the death and passion of Christ, which is there presented unto us, for that great redemption that he hath wrought for us.
There the sweet incense of most earnest prayers and holy desires are exhaled unto God.
And there we have our petitions granted, subscribed and sealed with the blood of Christ.
There we offer up our selves in homage unto God and Christ, that gave his Son, and that offered up himself for us.
There we present [Page]our Almes and Oblations to the Lord, that we may answer his Mercy and Compassion unto us, in mercy unto others, and devotion unto him.
There we binde up our selves afresh, and more and more in the holy Communion of Saints, with the Church triumphant in Heaven, and militant upon Earth.
There we are confirmed in our Union [Page]and Communion with Christ, and receive his body and blood inseparably united to his Divinity, with all the benefits of his Death and Passion, really and truly applied unto our soules, that by the merrit of his death and sufferings, our sins may be pardoned, that by the merrit of his Righteousnesse our persons may be justified, that we may be enlightened [Page]by the beams of his heavenly Wisdome, sanctified by the holinesse of his heavenly Graces, refreshed with the cordials of his heavenly Comforts, that we may be strengthened by the might of his heavenly Virtue that we may be enriched with the riches of his heavenly Blessings, & that we may be crowned at length, and saved by his heavenly Glory and Salvation.
And receiving Christ, we have power in him to become the Sonnes of God, John 1.12. And if Sons, then heirs, heirs of God, and joynt heirs with Christ: If so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Rom. 8.17.
Yea, we have God in him. For in him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the God-head bodily. Col. 2.9.
We have the Father [Page]in him. For he that acknowledgeth the Sonne hath the Father also: and truly our fellowship is with his Father, and with his Sonne Jesus Christ, 1 Joh. 2.23. 1 Joh. 1.3.
And if we have the Father and the Sonne, we have the Holy Ghost: For hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the spirit which he hath giveu us, 1 Joh. 3.24. So that the whole blessing of the [Page]Apostle is upon us in the use of this holy Sacrament. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all, Amen.
What shall I say, it is visibile Evangelium, a visible Gospel; and (if you use it as you ought to do) it will be to you vivum Evangelium, a living Gospel, a working Gospell, a Gospel in possession, not in [Page]your ears, but in your hearts.
Here all mercies are conveyed and sealed, all graces are confirmed and exercised.
Here repentance is imployed & quickened, faith is actuated & strengthned, hope encouraged, devotion enflamed, charity kindled, peace & concord established, & if there be a heaven upon earth it is in the holy opperation of a congregation [Page]devoutly celebrating the holy Supper of the Lord.
This is the Holy plaister or love-charm to make us in love with God, and one another, and to make God also in love with us.
The [...], or soveraign antidote against sin.
The food of life, the viaticum of eternity: The universal medicine for all our diseases, [Page]and an Ark of safety against all our dangers.
And now by this you may know the reason why I have been so earnest with you of my Congregation, not to neglect the blessed opportunities that God offers you for your addresses unto him in the use of this holy mistery, and to prepare your selves thereunto, and why I have offered you this [Page]help, which is presented unto you in this ensuing Treatise.
The truth is, that I finde my self under very great obligations unto you, I have received much of the comfort of my life from you, and the great tenderness, love, and care that you have shew'd unto me in my late sickness (the recovery from which Low under God) in a great measure unto some of [Page]you, addeth unto the endearments that are upon my soul toward you, and it lies upon me to do my endeavour to answer your love, which God in his mercy inable me, and direct me to do in such a way as may be most for your good and spirituall advantage, and truly I think I am in the way, for I cannot pitch upon any thing that can be done more summarily [Page]or effectually in order to all your good and happinesse, than to assist you in that great and excellent performance of the use of the Lords Supper, for since it is a duty of so great perfection, and so comprehensive of the whole businesse of a Christian, and so entitling us to the whole treasure & comfort of the Gospel, if I shall prevaile with you to be good Communicants, [Page]I am sure I shal have then prevailed with you to be good Christians, and then you must needs be both a holy and a happy people.
Now there are three things that I finde necessary to be done, that you may become good Communicants, and use that holy and excellent Ordinance to Gods honour and your own comfort and salvation.
The first is to convince you of the necessity that lies upon you to make a frequent and a diligent use of that great means and pledge of your salvation, and to perswade you that it is your duty to be constant therein, and that you cannot neglect any oportunity whereby you are called thereunto in the Congregation of which you are members, unlesse [Page]you have some weighty and innocent cause to the contrary, without violating both the authority of Christs command, and the love of his invitation in the institution of the Lords Supper, and if you do but consider these obligations that Christ our Lord hath laid upon us, and the great and excellent duties that we there are called to offer unto God, and [Page]the great & manifold graces & mercies that God therein offers unto us; and remember what I have often said unto you, touching this matter, I cannot see how you will be excusable, if you shall wilfully without some very weighty & warrantable impediment abstain from the use of this holy Ordinance of God; assure your selves, neither pride, nor sloath, nor love [Page]unto any sin, nor wilfull ignorance, when the means of instruction is offered and despised; no, nor servile fear, nor the love of this world will be accepted for discharges of our attendance upon God in this Christian duty, for all those are sinfull, and therefore are not like to excuse us from duty.
The Second is, that you be directed and perswaded to a due [Page]preparation of your selves unto this holy Sacrament, that we may not eat that bread and drink that cup of the Lord unworthily, least we bring thereby both great guilt and judgement upon our soules, and make even that Table to be asuare unto us, whilest we approach with impenitent, unbelieving uncharitable, unthākfull, cold and earthly minds, not discerning [Page]the body of Christ.
The Third is, that we be rightly advised and assisted, for the due disposition of our hearts, & imploy ment of our thoughts and affections, in & about the time of the receiving the holy Supper of the Lord.
You will I hope, finde somthing in this little Manuall, that may be serviceable to you for all these purposes, as in the little [Page]Catechism, and some devotions, that are added unto the former edition thereof, and I do earnestly desire all of you from the eldest to the youngest, that are capable, to acquaint themselves with that little Catechisme, so as to be able to give an account thereof, and if they would exercise their humility so farr, as to give me leave to receive it from them, it [Page]would be a comfort to me, & I hope no hurt or dishonour unto them; remember that of our blessed Saviour, Except ye become as little children, ye cannot enter into the Kingdom of God, Mat. 18.3. And that of St. Peter, Be ready to give an answer unto every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. 1 Pet. 3.15.
But the first and peculiar [Page]business of this Book, was to be helpfull unto you and others, for their more easy and orderly delivery of holy thoughts, about the time of the receiving of the Lords supper, and after the use thereof.
The work that is done in that holy Solemnity is of that nature, that though it aimes at the greatest unity and fellowship that can be in an holy [Page]Congregation, which are all thereby gathered up close together into Christ; yet it offers particular and retired employment to thoughts and affections of every particular receiver: Unto whom (being rightly quali. fied and prepared) it offers & seals all that mercy & grace which the Gospel promiseth in general unto all that are penitent Sinners & true Believers; [Page]and requires of every one a very serious attendance unto private and secret meditation and holy devotion. There are in the time of that sacred Celebration many pauses and intermissions of the joynt imployment of the Congregation, which doth, as it were, separate them unto their several works in their Soules. Whilest some are Receiving, it is the businesse of others [Page]to be in the holy preparation of themselves to the Duty; And they that have thus passed through both these performances, are to be exercised in the admiration of that mercy they have received, & in the inflaming of their hearts unto the holy praises of the Lord. Some course hath been taken heretofore in some Congregations to prevent the chasme that [Page]might be in the spiritual work, & the falling of thoughts for want of holy suggestions, by the singing of a Psalm at the very time of the celebration: But besides that the pattern of our Saviours practise, Mat. 26.30. leads us to believe that to be a work more proper and fit to succeed than accompany that holy Business: The very noise of that service, in those [Page]that are at leasure to be employed in it, appears to be too great an Enemy unto that severe attention and holy sequestration of spirit that is required in those that are to be employed in Receiving, which doth least of all admit of the offers of distraction. I know no way better to prevent all inconveniencies, & to make up all gaps in that sacred celebration, than [Page]to offer some variety of short Meditations & Devotions, into the hands, and unto the hearts of the particular Receivers, to be used according to those severall works that they have to doe, which may be as so many several notes of the Spiritual Song; which being composed in their right order and consent, will make up an holy Harmony in the ears of [Page]the Almighty. If any part seem too long, there is nothing imposed, but every Communicant may satisfie the bents of their own devotions, & answer the measure of their time and leasure, by marking out some of the shortest forms unto themselves, especially in that which is to be done about the time of the receiving; Or, if they have better of their own, or from [Page]any other, they may spare their troubling of themselves with this.
God (I hope) will pardon the infirmities, and his people accept of the poore endeavours of him
A Prayer for incitement of affection to attend upon the Lord in the use of the Lords Supper.
O Most gracious Saviour, who hast not only vouchsafed in the great Mystery and work of thy Incarnation to take our humane flesh and blood together with [Page 2]an humane soul into the unity of thy divine person, that God and man might be one Christ, that so it might become possible for the immortal God to dye for us, and for the spiritual God to be wounded & pierced, and to shed his blood for us, nor yet only hast been pleased to give up thy blessed body to be crucified, and thy precious blood to be shed for our Redemption, but art pleased still to [Page 3]revive thy death, to cause the flame of thy love to burn, and the streams of thy blood to run into thy peoples souls, in thy holy Sacrament, at thy Supper, and hast enjoyned us by the authority of thy Command, and encouraged us by the invitation of thy Love, to make use thereof to the Glory of thy Mercy, and the Eternal good of our Soules, grant unto us, and to all thy people, that in al holy [Page 4]and awfull obedience to thy command, and all thankfull and dear observance of thy Love, we may make an holy and conscionable use of that thy holy Ordinance, upon all occasions & conveniencies that thou offerest us, that we may neither violate thy great and dreadfull Authority, nor despise thy great & wonderful mercy; let the apprehension of the greatnesse of thy heavenly blessings discharge [Page 5]us from al worldly impediments, let us not harken unto the occasions or pleas of dross and dung, to keep us from the pursuit of thy heavenly treasures, let no prohibitions from earth prevaile against the calls of heaven, let no civility towards men make us commit sinfull iniquity against thee our God, in the neglect of the Celestiall banquet when the King sumons, us, let not vassalls detain [Page 6]us, let us not commit such Idolatry with any relation or dignities, as to prefer our respects to them, before our duties to thee; let us not dare to be so impudent as to bring dust and ashes in competition with thee, nor prize the vain societies of sinners before the holy Communion & Fellowship with thee our Saviour, with thy Angells, thy heavenly Stsand thy holy people, in that thy sacred Ordinance, [Page 7]much less, O Lord, let us not once dare to think of preferring Sathan and sinne before Christ and heaven, so as to keep away from those thy great Mysteries & mercies, because we are loath to part from any beloved sin when a Saviour calls; let not our greatest, and thy vilest enemies prevaile with us to keep away, but make us willing to part with the dearest bosome-corruptions, [Page 8]that we may partake of thy heavenly benediction; divorce our souls from all iniquity, that we may contract our selves unto thee in that thy marriage Feast and Solemnity; let not any blessings that thou hast bestowed upon us in earthly things, make us to forget the dependance we have upon thee for them, or the great need we have of thy heavenly mercie, neither let any advancements that thou [Page 9]hast given us, teach us to despise thee, or to neglect the pursuit of those celestial dignities which thou offerest us in Christ Jesus; but the more thou doest blesse us, the more make us to serve thee, and the more thou hast exalted us, the more make us to exalt & honour thee, & the higher thou hast made us above others in the dignities of this world, the more let us labour to get above others in spiritual [Page 10]dignities, and make us alwayes to esteem it our greatest honour to honour & serve thee, and to enjoy thy favour. Let not idleness or sloath, or servile fear discourage us, or betray us to the neglect of those great & inestimable advantage that thou offerest unto us in that thy blessed Ordinance, for our eternal good; but make us action and diligent, lively and fervent in our holy addresses unto thee, & to [Page 11]think no pains, no industry too much, to get heaven and eternal life-Oh, let not our sinns, though great and many affright us from thee, because we are unworthy of thee, but let the humble sense of them drive us to thee, because we have great need of thee, and the more and the greater our diseases are, the more earnest speed let us make unto thee, who art the great Physician of our soules, whose [Page 12]blood is balsome for the most deadly wounds, who hath both the skill and the will to cure and to heal the most desperate diseases of those that with penitent hearts seek unto thee for recovery and relief; let al our weaknesses send us unto thee for strength, let all our wants drive us unto thee for supply, let all our sorrows dispatch us unto thee for comfort, let all our afflictions hasten us unto [Page 13]thee for redresse, let all our dangers make us fly unto thee for refuge and shelter, and let the sense of that death and hell which is due unto us for our iniquities move us to seek life and heaven in thee, which thou offerest unto us by thy heavenly mercies, who callest not those that are perfect or righteous, but sayest, Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Oh [Page 14]God, we are heavy laden with our unsupportable load and burden of sins, ready to press us down unto the nethermost hell, if we be not supported by thy heavenly goodness; make us to labour under this load with a contrite & broken spirit, that we may find eternal rest in thee. Let me not be so foolish as to seek excuses to divert me from thee, who art the summe of all my felicity, neither [Page 15]suffer me to hearken unto any, that may put me off, or delay me from thee, But make me watchful against all impediments, and prevident beforehand for all advantages that may promote and expedite my holy addresses unto thee at thy heavenly Table, and active in the use of all other means of my spiritual good, and in all offices of thy Divine Worship, whereby I may glorify thee, or benefit [Page 16]my soul, or maintain and further the enjoyment of an holy communion with thee and thy faithfull people.
Make me to come unto thee, as the hungry unto food:
As the thirsty unto the waters:
As the sick unto the Physician:
As a poor drowning soul into the ark of thy mercy:
As a weather-beaten Ship-wrack passenger [Page 17]into a far and a sase harbour:
As a poore needy wretch unto a rich treasure:
And be thou all in all unto me, let me seek thee earnestly, and receive me graciously, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Psal. 42.1. &c. As the Hart panteth after the water Brooks, so longeth my soul after thee O God.
My Soul is a thirst [Page 18]for God, even for the living God; Oh, when shall I come and appear before God.
Psal. 63.1. &c. Oh God, thou art my God early will I seek thee.
My soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh also longeth after thee, in a barren and dry land where no water is.
Thus have I looked for thee in holinesse, that I might behold thy power and glory, For thy loving kindness [Page 19]is better than the life it self, my lips shall praise thee.
As long as I live will I magnify thee on this manner, and lift up my hands in thy name.
My Soul shall be satisfied as with marow and fatness, when my mouth praiseth thee with joyfull lips.
A Prayer for the preparation to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper.
OH my God, thou art a great God, and I am a poor inconsiderable wretch, a poore vile lump of dust and clay, and thou art a Glorious God, incomprehensible in thy excellency and perfection; The [Page 21]Angels are amazed at the brightnesse of thy glory; The Devils tremble at the dreadfulness of thy Majesty, & what am I, that I should approach unto thee.
Oh my God, Thou art a holy God, and of purer eyes than to behold iniquity; Thou canst haveno communion with Belial; thou canst have no fellowship with unrighteousnesse.
And I am a base, wretched, unholy, unthankful sinner, overspread from top to toe, soul and body, with a leprosy of sin, and my very righteousnes are as filthy rags; Thy Angels thou chargedst with folly, and the Stars are not pure in thy sight, and how shall I then appear before thee, or draw near unto thee!
Oh my God thou art all light, and I am a [Page 23]cloud of darknesse; Thou art a wise God, and I am a foolish and simple creature, so blinde, that I can neither bear thy light, nor discover my own blindeness, as I ought to do, and how then shall my darkness endure the beams of thy heavenly light, and not be confounded at thy unsupportable brightness.
Oh my God, I am a poor, a weak, feeble [Page 24]worm, trodden under foot, and trampled & bruised in the dirt and mire of corruption, by mine own sins and wickednesses, & thou art a strong, a powerfull, and an Almighty God, that artable with a look of thine to frown me into no, thing, and into hell, that art able with one thought of thine, to think me to destruction, & how then dare my weakness and nothingnesse [Page 25]approach unto thy Grace & invisible strength, and not expect to be crushed into nothing, & undone?
And yet, O Lord, now thou callest me & I am about to come unto thee, and what shall I say or doe, O God, how am I perplexed with severall sears, if I come not when thou callest, I am in danger to provoke thy wrath by dispising [Page 26]thy Authority, & if I come, I may seem to be in danger to incense thine anger, by offending against thy Majesty; I may justly he afraid to come by reason of my sin, and yet, O Lord, if I forbear to come, this will encrease my sin: And in so great a strait that I am in, what can thy poor sinfull creature do? Oh my God, I am undone, & know not what to do, unles thou [Page 27]help me? To thee therefore I come, O Lord, desiring to receive thy heavenly Councel and advice, that I may obey thy authority, that I may not faile of thy mercy Othou that hast called me unto thee; let thy compassion pitty my vileness; let thy mercy pardon my sinfulnesse; let thy grace cleanse my filthinesse; let thy wisdome enlighten my darkness; [Page 28]let thy strength support my weakness.
Pardon me by thy mercy, that I may receive thy grace, & fit me by thy grace, that I may receive thy mercy: Let thy spirit be thy holy Harbinger to provide entertainment for thy Son, and my heavenly Lord Christ Jesus in my soul, that he may come and make it the Sanctuary of his holiness.
Adorne me O God, [Page 29]with the wedding garment of the righteousnesse of thy Son, & the holiness of thy spirit, that all my nakedness may be covered, and my great deformities may be hid from thine eyes.
Purge away all the polutions of my heart & life, that thou mayest not be offended at me, nor in ty displeasure cast me out. Fill me with heavenly desires toward my Lord [Page 30]Jesus; with holy meditations of the wonders of thy love; with holy devotions to the excellency of thy glory. Send a beam of thy light from heaven into my heart, that I may be illuminated thereby to the right understanding of those great mercies thou offerest unto me, vailed with the cloud of thy divine mysteries, and that I may understand my Saviours heavenly [Page 31]language in the Sacrament, both in the mysterious signs what he speaks in them, & in the mysterious words what he speaks of them; That I may know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent, which is eternal life: That I may know the power of his sufferings: And that I may be able to comprehend whats the breadth, and the length, and the [Page 32]depth, and the height, and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge: That I may know them so as to be enflamed by them. Oh let thy heavenly beams be contracted upon my heart, and shine upon it through the burning glass of thy love in this Sacrament: That all the light may burne, and that all my knowledg of thee and of thy misteries, may be turned [Page 33]into love unto thee, for they only know thee indeed that love thee; For if any man love God he knoweth God, or rather is known of him.
And as thy holy Prophet, when he was exalted into a sight of thy Majesty, was there by stricken down into an humble sense of his own vileness and iniquity, as with a flash of thy heavenly lightening, bringing with it a thunder bolt of humiliation, [Page 34]that broke his heart as it were in pieces, and made that lamentation of his gush out at a breach of his wounded soul Woe is me for I am undone, for I am a man of uncleane lips and dwell among a people of uncleane lips, for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts: So let the sight of thy Glory cast me down into a sense of mine own vileness and iniquity, strike an holy [Page 35]terrour into my soul, and lay me in the dust, at the apprehension of my sins: send a thunderbolt of grace from heaven, and dash my heart in pieces with contrition for mine offences, that I may be undone in my self, that so I may be made up again in thee, smite the rock of my hard heart with the rod of thy holy fear, that the water of repentance may flow [Page 36]out, even that pretious heart wate of penitent tears and Godly sorrow for all my transgressions: Make me to sow in tears, that I may reap in joy, and let the apprehension of thy love to me, and the heat of my love to thee and my Jesus, imprint he impression of his wounds upon my soul, that they may wound me first and then heal me, and let that love affect me with [Page 37]a perfect hatred against sin, and against my self for sin; for my sin against thee, my great, my glorious, my gratious God, my Maker, my Saviour and the God of all my mercies, against those sins of mine that have been the Traitors, and Murderers of my Dear Saviour, and let the sense of thy pardon of my great and manifold sins would me yet the more for them, make [Page 38]me to mourn more for pardoned sin, than for sin as exposing unto judgement; Oh, let thy mercy soften me more than thy wrath, and make me out of love with all things that engage, or move me into sin; out of love with the world, with the flesh, and with my self, with my own corrupt and sinfull heart, and inclinations that have been so often the factours and the snares [Page 39]of Sathan to my soul, that so I may be set free from all earthly affections, and fixed upon thee, and upon things that are above, and give up my heart and my life wholy to serve and glorify thee, my God, in a holy and a heavenly conversation, which is the true state of Conversion; help me to confesse my sins with sorrow and to reforme with joy, and to make restitution where [Page 40]I have done wrong, as thou givest oportunity and ability, and where either are wanting, let not will be wanting, nor thy acceptance be wanting unto my sincere desires and endeavours; Help me to accuse my self, that thou mayest acquit me to judge & condemn my self, that thou mayest absolve me, help me to exercise an holy revenge upon my self, that thou mayest spare [Page 41]me; help me to endeavour a redress of all scandals that I have given & to reduce those whom I have seduced, or with whom I have complied in any evill way; and seal unto me thy pardon, in the blood of Christ, by the inward testimony of thy sanctifying spirit, and let the reformation of mylife be an evidence unto me of the forgiveness of my sins, which is the authentick [Page 42]seal of thy Spirit, giving the impression of thine own Image.
Grant me a lively & saving faith to believe thy Gospel and all thy Heavenly truthes that thou hast revealed in thy holy Word, and to subdue and bring down all mine own thoughts, apprehensions, imaginations and affections thereunto, that I may trust in the Lord with all mine heart and not lean unto [Page 43]mine own understanding. Convince me, O Lord, of that great article of faith, that my Jesus is thy Christ, and the Son of the living God, which is the rock upon which thou buildest thy Church, and the gates of hell shal not prevail against it, that I may not believe it, by relation onely from men, but by revelation from thee, being wrought unto a full perswasion [Page 44]thereof, by the arguments of thy spirit, by the holy Prophecies that went before of him in the Old Testament, which were all fulfilled in him in the New, by the wonderfull miracles which he did by the descending of the Holy Ghost upon him in the visible form of a Dove, by the voice from Heaven, declaring him to be thy well beloved Sonne in whom thou art well [Page 45]pleased, which voice was sent from thy heavenly Throne after his baptisme, and at his tranfiguation, by the holiness of his life, the excellency of his Doctrine; by the wonderfull sending of his Holy Spirit upon his Disciples, in the likeness of fiery tongues, and those excellent and wonderfull gifts that were bestowed upon them; by the dreadfull judgment that fell upon [Page 46]the Jews for Crucifying him, and reviling the Gospell; by the blood of thy victorious Martyrs, who sealed thy heavenly truth by their constancy in their sufferings and cruell deaths, which they chearfully under went for the Testimony thereof, and by the wonderfull wayes whereby thou hast carried on and maintained thy Church and Gospell against all the [Page 47]wisdome and power of the world that was against it. Convince my Soul, O Lord, of that great truth by these arguments, and by the experiment of the work of thy Grace in my Soul, that I may firmly believe it, and rely upon it for my falvation, and that I may believe infallibly that this my Saviour by his death and passion hath satisfied for my sins, that he hath justified [Page 48]me by his righteousness, and that by his mediation he prevails with thee for obtaining of spiritual blessings, & all mercies needful for me, and for the bring home of the fruit and benefit of that redemption which he hath wrought for me, unto me, bring a penitent sinner.
Give me faith to lay hold upon the Sacramental promise, that I may come with a full [Page 49]and assured expectati. on to receive thy Sons body crucified, and his blood shed upon the Cross for my sins with all the benefits of his death and passion, and of that great Redemption he hath wrought for me, truly and really conveyed and applied and sealed to my soul in that thy holy Ordinance; Let me take thy heavenly mysteries, as thine earnest, to oblidge me to serve [Page 50]thee, and as thy pledges to assure me of thy love unto me, and of my Interest in thy Christ and my Jesus, unto my salvation.
And let my Faith work by Love, that in the sense of thy great goodness, offered and given unto me in Christ Jesus-I may love thee and thy Christ above all, and with all my heart and soul, & mind and strength. Let me think nothing too [Page 51]much to do or suffer for the, who didst not think it too much to give thy son thy beloved son to suffer and die for me.
Enflame me with holy love unto all people that I may give up my self to them, to serve them in love; make me to own them in al their concernments, to pitty them in all their miseries; to be ready to relive them in all their wants, to comfort them in all their distresses, to counsel [Page 52]them in al their perplexity, to pardon all their miscarriages towards me, to bear their infirmities to study their good, to love brotherly fellowship, to delight in thy Sts. and holy ones, and to walk comfortably & chearfully together with them in thy holy worship and service: Let not any poisoned dart of rancour, or envy, or malice, or heart burning toward any, rankle or feaster [Page 53]my soul. But make us al up more & more into the mistical body of thy Son, that we may keep the unity fo the spirit, in the bond of peace, that we may be all one in thee, as thou and thy Son Christ Jesus are one. And let the Peace of God, which passeth all nnderstanding rule in our hearts, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Give me a thankfull sense and sweet relish of thy great mercy [Page 54]in that great redemption thou hast wrought for my soul, by thy blesed Son. That I may have an high esteem of thy love, in giving thy son for me to be a sacrifice for my sins upon the Cross; and in giving him unto me to be the nourishment & life of my soul in the Sacrament: Oh make me to receive him from thee there with a gratefull soule; & to return thee the devout and thankfull [Page 55]homage of my heart: Strike me into an holy amazment at the wonders of thy great mercy toward me in him; to poure out my soule in the praises of thy name; to embrace thee in thy Christ and my Jesus, with all the dearest affections of my heart; & to devote and consecrate my self unto thee to be a sacrifice of praise unto thee, in the whole course of my life and [Page 56]conversation, & to rejoyce in the mercy and the loving kindenesse of my God.
Affect me with an awfull Reverence toward the greatnesse of thy Majesty, with whō I there come to renew my Covenant, toward the excellency of thy sonne, whom I come to receive into my soul.
Toward the holiness of thy spirit, by whom I come there to be establisht in my union and [Page 57]Communion with Christ and his Church.
And enable me to discerne the body of the Lord Jesus; put me into an holy extasy of heavenly longing after Christ: And whilst he descendeth unto me in that holy reflection, let me ascend unto him in heavenly devotion: Let not my soul be satisfied with any thing but my Jesus: Give me thy Christ, O God, & take what thou wilt [Page 58]from me, give me my Jesus, and do what thou wilt unto me, for in him I shall be sure of thy tender love, & let that love do what it will: Thou bidst me love thee, & do what I will; & I say unto thee love me, and do what thou wilt; wound me, chasten me, kill me, so that thou love me: I aske nothing of thee, but thy Christ and thy Love.
Oh my God, I am undone, [Page 59]I am lost for ever, I am a fire-brand of hel, it had been better for me that I had been a Toad, a Serpent, a Worm, a dead clod of clay, that I had never lived, that I had never been conceived or born, if thou shouldst with-hold my Jesus from me.
But if I have him, I have thee, and heaven, and Angells, and the world, and life, and all: Oh my God, give me [Page 60]my Jesus, and give thy self unto me in him, & make me to give my self unto thee in him.
And oh make room for thy Christ in my Soule; turn out the world, and the flesh, & sin, turn me out of my self, that there may be room for my Jesus, that my heart may be as a large upper-room furnished for my heavenly Saviour to keep his Passeover in my Soul.
Let it be a large room for my great Jesus; let my heart contain him, for whom the whole world is too little, extend the grasp of my affections, O God, make me unsatiable in an holy covetousnesse after Christ, and the more I taste of him, the more I enjoy him, the more make meto desire him.
And let my heart be an upper-room, not an Earthly, but an Heavenly minde: For the [Page 62]entertainment of my heavenly Jesus, for he can dwell no where but in an heavenly place: Yea, let his presence in my heart, turn my heart into heaven; for it is his presence that maketh heaven; and this is the heaven of heavens it self. Oh let all earthly things be vile unto me; now that I look for my heavenly Jesus.
Give me an holy pride, an holy ambition [Page 63]& greatness of spirit, that I may look upon all the things of this world, as unworthy of my thoughts, since my Jesus is pleased to think upon me, to call for my heart, and to come unto me.
Oh let my soul be a well furnisht room, furnisht with all the furniture of heavenly love, and of all thy heavenly Graces, for the entertainment of my Glorious Jesus.
Yet withall, give me an humble heart, that I may put no trust at all in my self, or in any thing that is in me, or that can be, or hath been perform'd by me: But cast me down into an holy despair of my self, and of all righteousnesse, Wisdome, Strength, or Worthinesse, or comfort in my self; that I may trample my self as filthy sinfull dung, under my feet before thee; and [Page 65]cast my self down at the feet of thy mercy; relying only upon thy goodness & thy Christ for my acceptance, and for my salvation.
Help me O God in the examination, and in the reformation of my sinns.
Help me in the triall and in the exercise of thy graces, that knowledg may be saving, & faith found, and repentance true, and love unfained, and thankfullnesse [Page 66]sincere, and reverence awfull, and desire enflamed, & my soul truly humbled. That thou mayest exalt me in the greatness of thy mercy, and feed my soul with the riches of thy goodness, and the delicates of thy heavenly joyes, that I may returne refreshed with thy favour, and enlightened, & beutified with thy truth & holiness like Moses out of the Mount; and [Page 67]strengthened with the might of thy strength from the holy table of thy Son. Through the same, thy dear Son and our blessed Saviour, our Jesus Christ, Amen.
A Prayer when the Bread and Wine is brought to the Table.
OH most Glorious God; we praise thee, we blesse thee, we glorify thy sacred name, & here prostrate in our souls and bodys before thee; we desire to present unto thee the homage of our thankfull hearts for thy great and wonderfull mercy, that thou [Page 69]hast been pleased to shew unto us miserable sinners, that lay in the Jaws of hell, under the sentence of condemnation, to eternal death for our sins; in sending thy dearly beloved, and only begotten Son Christ Jesus, to become man for us: and to offer up his precious Body and Blood upon the Crosse to be a Sacrifice unto thee for our sins, where by he hath made an eternal [...] [Page 70]to practise it diligently to the benefit of my Soul, and to the glory and honour of thy holy Name. Prepare my heart for all holy approaches unto thy holy Table for the time to come; Make me frequent and humble, sincere and fervent in prayer; Help we to follow and imitate all good patterns, and holy examples which thou settest before me in thy Son and in thy Saints, and preserve me from the [Page 71]contagion of all evill society; Make me an ensample of all vertue unto others, make me daily and hourely to grow in grace, and forgetting those things that are behinde, to presse toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus; making it my great and onely businesse to serve thee my God, and to set forward my self and others unto salvation. Help me to give all diligence [Page 72]to make my Calling and Election sure, and to pass my so journing here in feare; Keep me within the bounds of that Calling to which thou hast called me, that I may walk quietly, obediently, industriously, chearefully, and conscionably therein; and as much as in me lieth, live peaceably with all men; Suffer me not to give offence or scandal unto any, by the uncharitable or imprudent use of that [Page 73]liberty thou hast given me; but grant unto me and all that have now received with me, and to all that name the name of the Lord Jesus, that we may depart from iniquity, and walke in love and meeknesse, in all humility and righteousness and holinesse before thee; That we may be blamelesse and harmlesse as the children of God; without rebuke in the midst of this untoward and perverse generation. [Page 74]Help me and all of us to profit under all thy dispensations, to be patient and confident in adversity, to be humble and temperate, and thankful and merciful in prosperity; and in whatsoever state we are, therewith to be content. Make us holy to thee, obedient to Magistrates, & all those whom thou hast set over us, regardfull of thy Ministers, esteeming them very highly for their workes sake; conscionably [Page 75]respectfull to all our relations: Make us just, and loving, and peaceable, and comfortable towards one another and all thy people, sober and chast, and undefiled in our selves: Make us alwayes mindefull of thy presence with us wheresoever we are, or whatsoever we do; and to walk before thee as it becometh us in thy sight, and as having to do with thee our God in all things: Keep us alwayes in the [Page 76]sense of our frailty, and of our uncertaine condition and continuance in this world, that we may live every day as if it were to be our last, and to labour to make our accounts even with thee daily; Make us to be often thinking upon the houre of death, the day of judgment, the paines of Hell, and the joyes of Heaven, & let the dread and aw of eternity be ever upon our Souls. Teach us how to carry our [Page 77]selves prudently and innocently in these dangerous times, that we may be wise as serpents, and harmlesse as Doves; and direct us in all the changes that are or shall be upon us in this world, to walk inoffensively in thy presence, and herein to exercise our selves, to have alwayes a Conscience void of offence towards God and towards man. Suffer us neither through sinfull fears to desert our duties, or to [Page 78]comply with wickednes, or to forsake thy righteousnes; or yet imprudently, rashly or unadvisedly to cast our selves into any unnecessary dingers; and whensoever through our frailty we shall fall into any sinne (as what man is he that sins not,) Oh our God, let us not rest in sin, nor perish in our iniquities; but be thou alwayes ready with thy mercy and grace to raise us up again, and to give us repentance unto [Page 79]Salvation. Grant all these blessings to me and all thy people: And make us all the better for ever, for this our approach unto thee this day; Through that thy blessed Son, whom thou hast given us to be our Saviour, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
A Prayer of Intercession for the sick, to be used by those that are with him, or that come to visit him.
OH Eternal God and our most Gracious Father in Christ Jesus; That art the God of health, and the God of life, and the God of all mercy & compassion; [Page 81]in thy hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind: thou woundest, and thou healest, thou bringest to the grave, and bringest back again, thou turnest man to destruction, and again thou sayest? Come again yo children of men, thou doest whatsoever pleaseth thee, in Heaven and Earth, and in things under the Earth: And as for us, O Lord, we are all [Page 82]the workes of thy hand; and we are in thy hands at the clay in the hands of the Potter, that thou mayest do with us whatsoever pleaseth thee.
Whilst thou preservest us we live, & when thou takest away our breath we dy, and turn again unto our dust, and then all our thoughts perish, and after death commeth Judgement, wherein we must render an account unto thee our [Page 83]God, for the whole course of our lives and conversation, and receive from thee, according to that which we have done in the body, whether it be good, or whether it be evill. Have mercy, O Lord, have mercy, we beseech thee, upon us all thy poore, weake, fraile, sinfull and mortall creatures, give us not up unto utter ruin and destruction, but grant us thy grace, [Page 84]that we may so walke before thee, both in sicknesse and in health, that we may have comfort in our deaths, and look downe wee humbly beseech thee, with the eyes of thy tender pitty and compassion upon this thy servant, that is here before thee, under the visitation of thy heavenly hand; it is thou that hast wounded him and it is thou onely, that canst heal him, it [Page 85]is thou that hast brought him down, & it is thou onely that canst raise him up: and we know, Oh Lord, that thou art able to do all things, all means will be helplesse without thee and thy blessing. But thou art able to make the weakest meanes to become beneficiall unto thy people, and to help them by thine own power and goodnesse in all they want, and in [Page 86]all the failings of outward help. Thy word O God, is an al sufficient remedy. There is no disease so desperate, but thou canst Cure it, there is no wound so deadly, but thou canst heal it, thou wert able to raise the Rulers Daughter from the bed, when she was in the gripes of death: The Widdowes sonne from the beer, when he was upon his journey to the grave: thou [Page 87]wert able to raise Lazarus out of the Grave when he had bin foure dayes dead and buried. And thou art the same God still, the same in power, and the same in mercy: thou hast as open an Eare, and as compassionate a heart, and as able a hand to hear & pitty, and help thy poor people, as ever thou hadst: When Physicians can do nothing, and when medicines can do nothing, [Page 88]and when Angels can do nothing, and when all the creatures are at a stand, and when the strength of nature faileth; yet there is help and comfort in thee, and thou makest the extremities of thy people, the opportunities of thy power and goodness. To thee therefore, O Lord, we come, beseeching thee to glorify the power of thy mercy in restoring this thy [Page 89]servant to his former health and strength, if it be thy blessed will, that he may live to praise and glorifie thy name; To amend his life, to increase in knowledge and grace, to do good amongst thy people, to make his calling and election more and more sure unto himself, against his departure out of this world, and that he may have strength of Body; and vigorous [Page 90]soundness of his faculties & powers to come before thee in the holy Assemblies of thy people, and to enjoy the benefit of thy heavenly and publique ordinance. Do it, Lord, if it be thy blessed will, speak but the word, and thy servant shall be whole: Direct him unto the use of those means, which thou knowest to be most expedient, and let thy blessing be above all [Page 91]means unto him. Or if thou hast otherwise determined in thy wisdome, and if it be thy heavenly pleasure, by this sicknesse, to put a period unto the dayes of this his earthly pilgrimage, O Lord, thy heavenly will be done, but let it be done in great mercy and compassion: Do nothing in wrath, nothing in indignation, for Christ Jesus his sake: Sanctify this thy visitation [Page 92]unto thy servant, that it may be a meanes to prepare him for thy kingdom; let the sicknesse of his Body, be unto the health of his soul, that whether he live, he may live unto the Lord, and whether he dye, he may dye unto the Lord; and whether he live or dye, he may be the Lords: Help him to improve that time that is yet remaining unto him, in this [Page 93]world in the best manner, to thy glory and to his eternal good, make him seriously to minde the things that belong unto his everlasting peace, and so to make up his accounts with thee, that he may stand with joy and comfort before the Tribunal of thy Sonne Christ Jesus, and receive the blessed sentence of everlasting life and salvation, give him a saving sight and [Page 94]sense of his sinns, that he may mourn for them, from the bottom of his heart; and offer unto thee the sacrifice of a broken and contrite spirit, which thou O God, wilt not despise; grant him that godly sorrow, that worketh Repentance unto salvation, not to be repented of, let nothing be so grievous unto him, as that he hath sin'd against thee, his mercifull and gracious [Page 95]God; the God of his life, and of his being, and of all the blessings and comforts that ever he hath enjoyed. The God that didest not spare thine own Sonne, but gavest him up to dye for him, enable him to confesse his sins unto thee, that he may mouth for his sinns and finde pardon from thee: affect him with a perfect hatred against sin, that he may hate it above death & [Page 96]hell it self. Help him to loath himself, for all those offences, that he hath committed against thee: make him vile in his own eyes, that he may be dear & precious in thy sight, and give him a true love unto thy Lawes, and Commandements, that it may be the joy of his heart to do thy heavenly will in all things, and let the sense and horrour of the corruptions of his nature [Page 97]and the wickednesse of his life, not drive him from thee, but let it drive him unto thee, that he may fly for refuge into the bosome of that rich mercy, that thou hast opened unto him in the Lord Jesus Christ. Help him to reforme every thing that is amisse; and to give himself up wholly unto thee, to seek thy glory, and to do thy heavenly will in all things, [Page 98]purge and cleanse his soul from all evill thoughts, ungodly affections, distempered passions, from all sinfull inclinations whatsoever, and fill him full of holy thoughts, of heavenly meditations, devour affections, and good inclinations toward thee his God; wean him from the world, and from all the vanities thereof, and from all the sinfull pleasures of the [Page 99]flesh, that he may set his affections wholly upon thee, and upon things that are above, where Christ Jesus sitteth at thy right hand: seal unto him his pardon in the blood of thy Sonn, by the inward testimony and grace of thy spirit, let thy spirit of adoption cry Abba father in his heart, strengthen his faith unto an holy and comfortable assurance of his interest in Christ [Page 100]crucified, and in all thy mercies towards thy people in him; make him to know that though he is a miserable sinner in himself; yet the Death and Passion of thy Son hath satisfied thy Justice for all his iniquities: and that, though he hath no righteousnesse of his own to plead unto thee, yet the righteousnesse of thy Son is his Justification in thy sight.
Oh Transcribe the promises of thy holy Gospel upon the Table of his heart, that they may be unto him the sure evidence of his eternal inheritance in heaven. Oh let the Mediation and Intercession of thy Sonne Christ Jesus at thy right hand, prevaile with thee for all those mercies and graces and heavenly blessings that are needfull for him. And let the sense of [Page 102]thy great mercies toward him, and of thy great love unto him in the Lord Jesus his Saviour, enflame his soul with an holy and fervent love unto thee, that he may love thee with all his heart, and with all his soule, and with all his minde, and with all his strength, that he may love thee above his life, and above his soul, and that he may be willing to part with all that is [Page 103]dear unto him for thee, that nothing may be dear unto him in respect of thee.
That he may love thee in all thy perfections, in all thy mercies, and all thy works, in all thy dispensations, in all thy corrections, that thou art pleased to lay upon him. Help him to discover thy tender mercy and Fatherly loving kindnesse unto his Soul, shining forth unto [Page 104]him through all the clouds of that sickness and affliction, that is or shall be upon him from thy hand, and to taste thy sweetnesse in all the bitternesse of his trouble, give him some comfortable relishes of those incomprehensible joyes and delights that are in thee, that as the Hart panteth after the water-brooks, so his soul may long and thirst, and faint, and languish [Page 105]after thee, make him sick of love toward thee, which is the only true health of his Soul. Blessed God, furnish thy servant with true Christian love & charity to all thy people for thy sake. Help him to forgive al that have wronged him, to love his enemies, to blesse them that curse him, to do good to them that hate him, to pray for them that despightfully use him, [Page 106]and persecute him. Give him reconciled affections to all with whom he hath had any difference, make him desirous to do good unto all, and as much as in him lyeth, to live peaceably with all men: Direct him and incline him readily & willingly to seek reconciliation, and to make satisfaction in case he hath done wrong, or given any just cause of offence [Page 107]unto any. Help him to settle his estate according to the rules of prudence, righteousnes and charity, to shew mercy to the poor, as thou enablest him, and to order all his affairs, with discretion. Bind him up in the Communion of thy Church and in the fellowship of a spiritual love, and of a heavenly life with thy people, give him tender affections towards thy Church, and to those that are thine [Page 108]in faith and holinesse, that he may be known to be thy disciple, by his love unto thy people. Give him patience to submit unto thy chastisements, that he may bear them with a christian minde, make him with a child like affection to accept of thy correction, and to kiss every rod, wherewith thou smitest him for his good: give him an heart wholy resigned up unto [Page 109]to thy heavenly pleasure, that he may refer himself entirely unto thee, to choose for him, and to deal with him, as thou knowest to be most expedient, that he may entrust thee as his merciful father, reconciled to him in Christ, and as the alwise and all sufficient God with his life and soul, and all his happiness, and with all his relations and concernments. And deal with [Page 110]him in all things tenderly and graciously, according to those bowells of compassion that thou bearest to thy people. Be thou health unto him in all his sicknesse, strength unto him in all his weaknesse, comfort unto him in all his distresse, life unto him in death it self: stand by him in all temptations and trials, to keep him from fainting, and to give him the victory [Page 111]in Christ Jesus, that he may obtain the Crown of thy heavenly glory. Binde up Satan and all his spiritual enemies, that they may not be able to hurt him: make thou all his bed in his sicknesse, and as outward strength decayeth, so let spiritual strength continually increase in him, as outward comforts fade & vanish, let spiritual comforts appear, & be cleared up more and [Page 112]more unto him; and when thou shalt be pleased to call him out of this wretch'd world, make him willingly & cheerfuly to yield him self up into thy hands, and send thine holy angells with a commission of mercy from thy mercy-seat to translate his soul to thy heavenly glory thorow Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.
A Prayer to be used when we hear a Passing-Bell Toll, or have any other notice of a Soul ready to depart.
OH Mercifull God, Thou Father of all pitty and compassion, open the [Page 114]bowels of thy Tender mercy unto this Soul, that seems now ready to depart, and to be now entring into the Ocean of Eternity: Thou knowest (O Lord) the state and condition thereof, and how it is disposed, and prepared for a dissolution. O Lord take it not out of this world untill thou hast weaned it from the world, that it may have a free passage through thy [Page 115]mercy unto thy eternal mansions of Blessed nesse. If thou knowest it may stand with thy Glory, and may make for his salvation, bring it back from this gate of Death, and let it continue in the body, and restore this person, yet if it be thy blessed wil, unto health and strength; or if thou shalt be pleased to take this soul hence, ô Lord, wash it clean from iniquity by the blood of [Page 116]Christ, and adorn it with the robe of his perfect righteousness, and give it the benefit of the Intercession of thy Son: Quicken repentance, strengthen Faith, raise up in it an holy flame of heavenly love to thee, that may carry it up as a sacrifice to the throne of thy Glory; Binde it up in the holy peace and Communion of thy Church, by the bond of holy love and Christian [Page 117]charity to all thy people; Grant patience and strength, and spiritual comfort to convey it safe through the pangs & torments of dissolution; Let not the Enemy have any power to hurt it, but take it into thy keeping, and into the guard of thy grace and mercy. Binde up Sathan and all spiritual adversaries, and send thine Angels with a commission of Mercy to convey [Page 118]this Soul unto the habitation of thy Glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
[Or this.]
OGracious God, be with this person in the holy operations of thy grace, and in the yearning of thy tenderest mercies, in the dreadfull moment when the Soul shal depart from the body; & conduct this thy dying creature through the [Page 119]valley of the shadow of death, unto the Land of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
[Or this]
IN the midst of life we be in death; of whom may wee seek for succour, but of thee O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased: Yet O Lord, most Holy, O God most mighty, O Holy and mercifull Saviour, remember [Page 120]the work of thy hands, and the purchase of thy blood; give not up this thy departing Creature unto the bitter pain of eternal Death: Lord remember now thy great mercy, and thy Bloody Sufferings and death, and let thy Bowels, melt in tender compassion towards this person in this great extremity: Shut up Hell and open Heaven: O Lord destroy [Page 121]not, Oh Lord forsake not; O Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and mercifull Saviour, thou most worthy Judge eternal, suffer not this person at the last hour for any pains of death to fall from thee, Amen.
A Prayer for the three Kingdomes of England, Scotland, and Ireland, proper for all tmes.
OH most Gracious God, who doest Rule and Govern all things, who increasest the Nations and destroyest them, who enlargest them again, look down I beseech thee, with the eye of [Page 123]thy tender pitty and compassion, upon these poore, miserable and sinfull Kingdoms, that have now lain for these many years under the load of thy heavy displeasure against them for their sins, and are at this time in the mouth of so great ruin and destruction, if we be not relieved by thy heavenly mercy.
O Lord, we must all needs confess that our iniquities have been [Page 124]and are still very great against thee, and in the very midst of the flames of thine indignation against us, we have multiplied our rebellions against thee our God, as if we would even bid defiance unto thine anger, and dare thee to doe thy worst against us.
And that blood that bath been wickedly shed in these Nations, cryes aloud for vengeance against us, so that [Page 125]it were most just in thee to make the ruins of these three Kingdomes, the standing monuments of thy displeasure against sinne, unto all the rest of the Nations of the world; But I humbly beseech thy divine Majesty to pitty a poore perishing people. Hear not, O Lord, the cry of our sins, neither heare the cry of that blood, that cryes for vengeance, but hear the cry of that [Page 126]blood that cryes for mercy, even of the blood of thine own dear Son Christ Jesus, That speaketh better things than the blood of Abel; and hear the Cryes and the Prayers of thy people that call upon thee for Mercy O Lord hear, O Lord forgive, O Lord humble and convert us and these whole Nations unto thee: O let it be thy pleasure to deliver us, make hast, O God, [Page 127]to help us; help us, O God of our Salvation, for the glory of thy name? Oh deliver us, and be mercifull to our sins, for thy name sake; leave us not to become a prey unto our own iniquities, nor to the wicked interests of men. But be thou pleased so to over-rule all the publick motions and consultations, and all the confusions and distactions that are upon us, or shall befall [Page 128]us, that whatsoever men shall contrive or designe, that whatsoever they shall act or enterprise, all things may be drawn in by thy wisdome, and thy providence to the advancement of thy glory, of the Gospel and Kingdome of thy son amongst us; to the restoring of a righteous and lawfull Government in the state of an holy and orderly discipline and ministry in [Page 129]the Church, and to the establishment of all these nations in holinesse and truth, in righteousnesse and peace, and prosperity before thee: and help us, O God, without the shedding of any more innocent blood, and without any more bloody confusions and distractions, if it be thy blessed will, grant this. O Lord, though we be most unworthy, for the worthiness and merrit [Page 130]of thy deare sonne and our onely Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen.
A Prayer for the restoring of our afflicted Soveraign.
O Most Gracious & Glorious God, Thou King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, who hast established and ordained Kings and Princes in the world; to be thy substitutes in the Rule and [Page 131]Government of thy people. As thou hast appointed thine Ordinances of Government for the good and safety of thy people: So we beseech thee, be thou the Protectour of thine own ordinances, and therein of thy peoples safety, and make them at length to know their own happiness, and to acknowledg and embrace that fatherly care that thou hast taken of them, [Page 132]that they may no more take thy Castle for a Prison, nor the bounds of their safety for a restraint of their liberty; vindicate, ô Lord, those two great trusts that thou hast established for the good of thy people in the world, from those high presumptions and from that Sedition and Schisme, whereby they have been violated so haniously in the world and in these Nations, [Page 133]make the people sensible now at length both of the folly and iniquity of their rebellions, and return them to obedience, that they may be received to thy favour. And open we beseech thee, the bowels of thy compassion to our afflicted Soveraign, that hath suffered so long under the cloud of our sins, and his own miseries. Remember O Lord, our David, and all his [Page 134]troubles, remember all the holy Vows and resolutions of his soul, for the establishment of thy truth, and the advancement of thy worship; remember his patience and humility under those great trials, that thou hast been pleased to send upon him. Remember his constancy in adhearance unto thy truth, against all the temptations wherewith he hath been assaulted in [Page 135]that time of his distres, remember O God, the care that he hath taken of thy Church and of thy Gospel, and of the spiritual concernments of thy peoples souls, and how willing he hath been rather to undergo the continuance of his own trouble and afflictions, than to purchase his release, by betraying thy Truth, by compliance with Romane superstition, or permitting the corruption [Page 136]of the true Religion in this Nation, remember him, O Lord, we beseech thee for good, and cause thou his people to remember these things, and the great offence that they have committed against him, and the great obligations that are upon them toward him, by thy Laws; and the Laws and sacred Oaths of this Nation, in point of recompence for those great [Page 137]injuries they have done, and in point of thankfulness for all his love and tenderness toward them, and his sufferings for them; subdue the hearts of his enemies unto him, & increase the desires of his people after him. And as thou hast brought him home out of his afflictions, as Gold out of the fire, pure and precious in thy sight, and in the eyes of his people, furnished [Page 138]and adorned with all those Royall endowments and christian graces, that may make him a glorious Instrument of thy praise, of the advancement of the Gospel, and Kingdome of thy sonne, of great good unto thy Church, and of peace and happines unto these poor Nations. That mercy and truth may meet together, and righteousnes and peace may kisse [Page 139]each other. That thy people may rejoyce under the shadow of his Government, that he may be a nursing Father unto thy Church and people, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
The First Table.
- A Prayer for incitement for affection to attend upon the Lord in the use of the Lords Supper. folio 1.
- A Prayer for preparation to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper. folio 20
- A Prayer when the Bread and VVine is brought to the Table folio 68
- Employment for Thoughts in the pauses of the Congregations folio 77
- [Page]Between the Sermons end, & the Communion, when the people that do not Communicate, are going out. folio 90
- The judgment and practice of the antient Church, concerning the frequent and constant use of the Lords Supper. folio 93
The second Table.
- A Clear and short Catechisme for those that are to receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper. folio 1
- [Page]Prayers before the Sacrament to God the Father folio 21
- To Christ Jesus. folio 26
- A prayer to the Holy Ghost. folio 49
- A prayer after the Sacrament. folio 53
- A prayer for Perseverance in grace and godlinsse, after the receiving of the Lord Supper. folio 63
- A prayer of Intercession for the sick, to be used by those that are with him, or that come to visite him. folio 80
- A prayer to be used when we hear a Passing-Bell toll, or have any other notice of a Soul ready to depart, folio 113
- [Page]A prayer for the three Kingdomes of England, Scotland, and Ireland, proper for all times. folio 122
- A prayer for the restoring of our afflicted Soveraign folio 130