IN the morn­ing, after thy solemne and CHRISTI­AN Prayers, standing in heart before the Tribu­nall of God, thou shalt make Confession of thy Faith, saying the Apo­stles Creed.

2 Let the Holy Scri­ptures be thy chaste de­light, [Page 2] reade them often, and be sure that Gods word is the most exact Rule of Truth. In mat­ters of Faith admit of nothing, but what a­grees with the foundati­on of the Apostles and Prophets. Abide in all things, which thou hast learned; For the Holy Scriptures are able to make thee wise unto salvation through the faith of Jesus Christ. 1. Tim. 3.14. Adde not unto the words of [Page 3] God lest perhaps thou be found a liar, and he rebuke thee. Prov. 30.6.

3 Preferre the Bible before all treasures in the World, and as oft as thou goest to reade, take it into thy hands with reverence and pray after this manner:

O Lord Jesu! reveal unto me what here lies hidden, open the myste­ries, enlighten things that are dark, define what are doubtfull: Make me to hate all [Page 4] vices, and to love all virtues; to tremble at thy Judgements, and to have a respect unto thy Rewards. Preserve me in thy truth, and cor­rect me in my errours: Confirm me in all Truth which I stagger in; and free me from false and noxious opinions which I stumble in: That so I may know thy Word rightly, and perform it religiously, and may profit therein to the glo­rie of thy holy Name, [Page 5] and the salvation of my self, and others. Amen.

4 Behave thy self ac­cording to the Pattern of holinesse which is set down in holy Writ.

5 When thou art tempted to any heinous or beastly sinne, either in thought or deed, ex­ercise thy self in this act of Faith;

I verily believe, that my God is present here and every where else a Beholder and Searcher, and a severe Judge, [Page 6] not onely of my actions, but even of my very thoughts. I see not Thee indeed, O my God! yet thou beholdest me; And shall I be so impudent, as to do this wickednesse before thy face? oh ra­ther let me die a thou­sand deaths.

6 Thou shalt pray often, & by good works strive to obtain of God the conversion of Here­ticks and infidels, either by thy own means, (if so God hath enabled [Page 7] thee) or by the means of others who can and ought to further the propagation of the Go­spel.

7 And lastly, as oft as time and occasion re­quire, with a chearfull heart and countenance thou shalt make profes­sion of thy Christian Religion and Devoti­on.

But if the Devil go about to shake thy faith, the foundation of thy ghostly building, [Page 8] (which chiefly he strives to do at the houre of Death) answer him: I defie thee, O thou de­ceiver! whatever sha­dows of arguments thou pretend, I shunne and detest; and verily be­lieve whatever God by his Prophets, Evange­lists and Apostles hath revealed to his Church. I place all my confidence in the merits of Christ, and in the mercies of my heavenly Father in Christ, which for his [Page 9] sake he hath promised unto me and all that be­lieve in him; In this faith I will live and die. God is my witnesse. Wherefore if any idle word hath fallen from me, I utterly renounce it. Increase O Lord this my faith; and un­dertake for me, for I am oppressed.

IN the morning amidst thy o­ther devotions pray thus: O God infinite in power and mercie! I, a weak and wretched man, who of my self neither have nor am any thing, come unto thee, O thou well-spring of all goodnesse! and trusting in thy im­mense goodnes, through the merits of thy dear [Page 11] Son and my Redeemer, hope assuredly to obtain of thee grace and power and aid and all other goods of body and mind, which are needfull to the attaining of heaven­ly happinesse. O WHEN WILL THAT TIME BE, WHEN I SHALL COME AND APPEAR BEFORE THE PRESENCE OF GOD? Grant me so to run that I may obtain. Then shalt thou say the Lords Prayer with all vehemencie of mind. [Page 12] Our Father which art, &c.

2 In a fair day or a starrie night, when hea­ven and earth smile to­gether, or any other pleasing, beautifull, or glorious object presents it self unto thy eyes, then crie out with Saint Augustine; O my God, If thou shewest so glori­ous works to us here in prison, what wilt thou shew us there, when we enter into thy Courts! If thou bestowest thus [Page 13] many and various bene­fits on thy enemies as well as friends, how great & pleasant things hast thou reserved for thy friends alone! If such comforts for this time of tears what will our Bridegroom bring us on that wedding day!

3 When thou feelest thy mind moved at tri­fles, chide and rebuke thy self for shame. Alas, poore soul! why doest thou admire these toyes, and heap up riches with [Page 14] so much perill of thy salvation! God is All, and this world is no­thing. doest thou love pleasures, God hath laid up for thee eternall ones in heaven; doest thou seek honours? pursue those true honors there, why doest thou catch at shadows, and fumes and follies? And why feed­est thou thy mind with phancies, husks for swine, who art invited to the Kings table? sigh and look up to Heaven, [Page 15] for which thou wert created: There be trea­sured the true and eter­nall goods; these below are beneath thee, there­fore tread and trample them under thy foot.

4 When thou suffer­est pain and anguish in thy bodie, being affli­cted with diseases or o­ther miseries, then stirre up thy tyred asse with this spurre: It will not be thus ever, nor long neither. It is but mo­mentanie what ever [Page 16] hath an end. But I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that at the last day I shall rise out of the earth, and be clo­thed with my skinne a­gain; and in my flesh shall behold God my Saviour, whom I shall see my self with these eyes, and not another. Job 19.25. In his bo­some will I repose my hope.

5 When crosses con­trary to flesh and bloud are to be undergone for [Page 17] God and heavens sake, sweeten the bitter Cup with this sugar and ho­nie: O my soul, The sufferings of this pre­sent life are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. These light and short afflicti­ous which are but for a moment, work in us a farre more exceeding weight of glorie, while we look not at the things which are seen, but the things which are not [Page 18] seen, for the things which are seen are tem­porall, but the things which are not seen are eternall; Rom. 8.18. With this handkerchief that excellent wrastler S. Paul wiped away all the sweat of his most hard labours; by the proposall of this prize the other most vali­ant souldiers of Christ fought with beasts, with flames, with gibbets, nay with death it self, and overcame.

[Page 19]6 If through strong temptations thou feel thy self falling into the pit of despair, especially on thy death-bed, cast forth this Anchor of hope, and say, Why doest thou make ship­wrack of thy self, O my soul! Put thy trust in God, for I will yet give him thanks who is the help of my countenance, and my God, Psal. 43.5. Cast thy burden upon him, he will not suffer thee to fall: for he is in­finitely [Page 20] good, more rea­dy to give then we to ask or hope. He is thy Father who made thee, and made so much of thee that he gave his onely begotten Sonne to redeem thee a bondslave And for three and thir­ty years together how much did he do and suf­fer for thy sake! And now thou hast this same Jesus an Advocate for thee with the Father, who is the propitiation for thy sinnes, and his [Page 21] blood shall cleanse thee from all sin, 1. Joh. 2.1. O be thou with me my dear Jesus, help thy humble supplicant lest thy bloud be shed in vain for me: by thy help I shall hope as long as I live; and though warre rise up against me, yet shall not my heart be afraid.

THou shalt use these ejacula­tions to en­flame thy mind to the love of God: It is writ­ten, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and all thy mind, & all thy strength. He that loveth not a­bideth in death, Matth. 22.37. He who loveth [Page 23] not his brother, 1. Joh. 3.19. how much more he that loveth not God? Thou therefore com­mandest me to love, O good God, and threat­nest death, eternall death, if I love thee not. Is it not torment enough not to love thee, or need we be tied by laws and threats to love thee? Am I so blind as not to know thy mani­fold blessings and gra­ces, and immense per­fections? or rather am [Page 24] I so stupid and sense­lesse, that I have no heart to love thee, O thou infinite goodnesse: Thou bottomlesse sea of goodnesse! Thou im­mense goodnesse it self! And now if love ought to be requited with lo­ving again, what love is that which can equal­lize thy love? Thou lovedst me from eter­nity, before I was, or could gainsay thy love. Thou createdst soul & body and all things else, [Page 25] which were nothing to thee, for my sake; and conservest them for me to this day. Thou hast given thy Angells charge over me, to keep me in my wayes, even then (ah wretch) when I am sinning against thee. Thou hast prepa­red for me an exceeding great reward, and hast called me into thy grace that I might inherit it. And when I fell away so oft and lost thy love, yet didst thou call me [Page 26] back again unto repen­tance. The cogitation of this is pleasant to my soul: But, O far more sweet (O sweetest Sa­viour) that thou should­est daigne to become Man, to suffer so bitter and horrid things, and at last to die upon the Crosse for me; O cruell me! who crucified thee. But that which lies sweetest of all upon my soul, is, That when thou wert about to die, thou ordainest the Sacra­ment [Page 27] of thy precious Bo­dy and Bloud, a wonder­full token of thy love to­wards me. And now to make amends for so great benefits, thou re­quirest onely that I love thee again, O Love! exstasie of love! How doest thou deserve, O thou infinite goodnesse! to be loved of all and a­bove all created things! So let me love thee therefore, O Jesus! Thou Saviour of lovers, and onely love of all that [Page 28] are saved. Let the fire of thy love consume me quite, that so I may live and die for love of thy love, as thou vouchsa­fedst to die for love of mine.

When thou hast thus blown this fire of Di­vine Love, then let it break forth into these flames: O my God! my infinite goodnesse! I do love thee above all created beings: I love thee with all my heart, with all my mind, and [Page 29] with all my strength, & am stedfastly purposed to keep all thy righte­ous commandments, and to conform my self to thy most holy will. And why do I love thee thus? but because thou art infinitely more love­ly then it is possible thou canst be loved of me: for thy unmeasu­rable perfections sake, thy incomprehensible power, most unsearch­able wisdome, for thy unbounded Holinesse [Page 30] and goodnesse sake, viz. For thine own sake, O Father, Sonne and Ho­ly Ghost, three persons and one God! I will love thee above all things, who art become all things to me.

2 Frequent this duty often, chiefly when any tentations befall thee; for it helps much thy perseverance in grace.

3 Often looking up towards heaven, thou shalt crave this excel­lent gift of love to­ward [Page 31] God, with this short prayer: O Thou love, which art alwaies flaming and never ex­stinct, my God Love in­flame me with the fire of thy love. Ah! too late do I love thee. O Beauty so ancient and so fresh! too too late have I loved thee. Make me to know my self and to know thee, that so I may despise my self, and love thee.

4 Be glad whatsoe­ver happens to thee, if [Page 32] thou find that Gods providence would have it so. Reioyce though adversity and afflictions befall thee, and let righ­teous Jobs song be thine, As the Lord pleased, so is it, Blessed be the Name of the Lord, Job 1.21.

5 Be sorry if any thing happen repugnant to the will of God; if any man sinne and of­fend God, let this trou­ble thee. And do thy endeavour to prevent [Page 33] such deeds, and remove the offence when it is committed, if thou canst

6 If the devil tempt thee with any grievous temptation, pray thus: Thou permittest me to be tempted, O Lord, to try me whether I love thee or not; yet thou wilt not suffer me to be tempted above what I am able; I know that without thy grace, I should contemn thee, O thou universall good­nesse! and to please that [Page 34] enemy of Mankind, in­curre eternall death for a momentany pleasure. But I have sworn and am stedfastly purposed to keep thy righteous judgements. Be thou my helper, O forsake me not, neither despise me.

7 When upon any occasion thou runnest into any danger of a mortall sinne, O let me be torn into a thousand pieces, and rent asunder (shalt thou say) rather [Page 35] then preferre any thing before the love of God: often objecting to the devil that Christians sentence, I had rather die then be defiled.

8 But if thou chance to fall (wretch that thou art) make all haste to rise again; and by re­newing thy first love, eschewing evil and do­ing good, deferre not to reconcile thy self to God, through the me­rits of Jesus.

9 Be sure thou com­mit [Page 36] not the least fault wittingly or willingly for the dearest friends sake: O rather let all friendship fall to the dust, then thy friendship with God should be en­dangered.

10 Thou shalt pray for all men, and strive to obtain of God truly to know him, love him, worship him, and thou shalt endeavour by all means truly to bring all to the knowledge of him, to love him, and [Page 37] to worship him.

11 Fail not to be a frequent partaker of his holy Communion, that so thou mayst cleave nearer to him by faith, and more sweetly con­verse and delight thy self with him in one Spirit.

12 In every creature thou shalt contemplate God, who in the least things is most great. Thou shalt love him in them, and them for his sake. Seest thou the [Page 38] Sunne? It is God (say) that sendeth forth these beauteous beams, who is the Fountain of all beauty himself, and ten thousand times brighter then the Sun. Is meat set before thee? say, God hath prepared a table for me. And so forth of the rest.

IN all distresses and afflictions make Prayer thy refuge.

2 And upon all oc­casions, at any time or place when thou pray­est, pray not onely in spirit, but also exhibite a lowly reverence by the outward gesture of thy body: especially in thy private devotions, where [Page 40] God alone is witnesse of thy actions: and in publick so farre forth as thou seem not unto men to affect hypocrisie, or vain ostentation with the Pharisee, Matt. 6.5. But in private ejacula­tions which are the ar­rows of the soul shot to heaven, every outward gesture is not so need­full to be expressed.

3 The Common-Prayer, and Sermons, and other duties of de­votion neglect not; but [Page 41] say with David, I was glad when they said un­to me, We will go into the House of the Lord, Psal. 122.

4 Be carefull that Divine Service be per­formed aright, and de­light thy self in the beauty of Gods House.

5 If God hath given thee riches, adorn Chur­ches therewith, buy Books, Chalices, Vest­ments, and other orna­ments for them at thine own cost; especially in [Page 42] such places where Di­vine Service is not alto­gether so devoutly and purely administred.

6 Set aside appoint­ed times for thy private devotions, and observe them not onely out of custome, but of ferven­cy to encrease thy piety.

7 Use not thy self to swearing, yet if thou swear, perform thy oaths.

8 Vow nothing rash­ly, but upon great de­liberation; and when [Page 43] thou hast vowed, pay.

9 Imitate the life of Jesus Christ, and fol­low the steps of his Saints in all things, wherein they may or ought to be imitated.

10 The pious rites and Ceremonies of the Church esteem highly of, which are not re­pugnant to Gods word; and on the other side, flie superstition.

IF thou seest men flourishing and in prosperitie, think that thou behold­est God in them, who is the wellspring of all good: If on the contra­ry thou seest any poore and despised, Christ and him crucified. By these considerations thou wilt nourish and shew love [Page 45] to both sorts. In love make no difference be­tween thy friends and enemies, Charitie em­braceth these as well as them; them indeed with more tendernesse, these with more noblenesse.

2 Thou shalt strive by all wishes and pray­ers, all pains and en­deavours, that all may have sufficiencie of the gifts of Nature and prosperitie, but especi­ally of divine Grace, that so they may be tru­ly [Page 46] happie: And if thou seest any to abound in these with affluence, shew thy self glad of it, with all cheerfulnesse of countenance; but if thou findest any to want them, or be in any di­stresse or perill, thou shalt be sad and endea­vour by all means to rid him from his cala­mitie.

3 Thou shalt inter­pret all things from o­thers in the better sense, thou shalt scorn none, [Page 47] nor detract from any; nor provoke them by opprobrious terms. Ho­nour all with due re­spect. If any detract or rail against other thou shalt interpose, & main­tain his credit with what buckler thou canst Thou shalt further all thou canst in the fear and worship of God; and to good works thou shalt perswade by word but much rather by example, they indeed move, but these draw.

[Page 48]4 Denie not to suc­cour, to lend when thou art askt, nay do such courtesies without ask­ing; Feed the hungrie, give drink to the thir­stie, entertain the stran­ger, clothe the naked, and visit the sick, re­deem the prisoners, and burie the dead: This Charitie belongs to the bodie.

5 As for the soul, Instruct the ignorant, correct the sinner, coun­sell the doubtfull, com­fort [Page 49] the afflicted, indure injuries, forgive wrongs, pray for others, yea for thy enemies.

6 Observe friendship with constancie, fasten that knot, and if it be loosed, tie it again: Re­concile those who are fallen out; strifes and contentions which are the bane of Charitie ex­tinguish and wipe a­way: these and all o­ther deeds of mercie and goodnesse perform with all cheerfulnesse.

VSe constantly the appointed prayers for the Church, by name, For the Kings Majestie, his Royall Consort, and their princely Progenie; for all the Magistrates and Clergie. It much con­cerns the publick good, to have speciall care [Page 51] of publick Persons.

2 Thou shalt promote the good of others by setting forth books, ca­techismes, exhortations, sermons, lections, ei­ther by thy self or o­thers; by thy munifi­cence towards the Uni­versitie and Schools, &c. or by any other wayes thou canst.

3 If any offends or hath incurred any fault, do thy endeavour to forbid it, or take it a­way; and be as diligent [Page 52] as if thou thy self hadst been wounded thereby.

4 And if it shall please God hereafter to make thee a Father of a fami­lie, and blesse thee with wife and children, thou shalt have a singular care of them, they are more near to thee. Di­scipline thy children betimes, provide a good nurse, good guides for them: Here lies the main businesse, if thy children or servants of­fend grievously, correct [Page 53] & chastise them severe­ly; rule thy wife with prudence, and provoke her to good works. Be vigilant and carefull night and day for the chastitie of thy daugh­ters: thou hast no trea­sure so much exposed as these.

5 Lastly, govern all thy familie piously and religiously, let all resort to Prayer morning and evening, privately or publickly if it may be. Let all that can assemble [Page 54] in Common Prayers at Church; let this be a law to thy Familie; Whosoever comes with­in this house let him be sober, chast, just, religi­ous honest in all things. Lie not, forsweare not, blaspheme not; detract not from others: mind not cups and re­vells: offend not any­bodies eyes or eares or mind, either by words or deeds, Who so doth otherwise, let him depart hence.

INto the bot­tome of thy penitent soul shoot these fierie darts: Ah me! What thoughts have I had! what have I said? what have I done? mad man that I am! I have transgressed contrary to all reason and consci­ence: and oh me! against [Page 56] whom? and who am I that have done it? I a vile and contemptible wretch, a base clod of earth, more foul and more unworthy then all Creatures, have dared (and with what face!) in the presence of my God himself, to defie him who is my Maker, who formed me out of nothing: who is my Re­deemer, and ransomed me with his bloud, when I had made my self worse then nothing: Who [Page 57] is my God, my onely God. Yet the wages of sinne is death. Oh what a terrible thing is it to fall into the hands of the living God!

2 And for a mo­mentanie pleasure (ah shamefull Merchant that I am!) in contempt of heaven I have pur­chased to my self the everlasting torments of hell fire. I am confoun­ded and ashamed; for though none be privie to my sinne besides my [Page 58] self, yet what will be­come of me when my uncleannes shall be un­folded before, all Saints and Angels. And how great is my ungrati­tude to offend him thus who hath done so much for me? to have despised all his mercies and lo­ving kindnesses? O un­thankfull I! who have trampled his bloud un­der my feet: O cruell and thrice wicked me! who have thus often crucified thee, O sweet [Page 59] Jesu! And yet thou art patient, nay stretchest forth thy nailed arms to embrace me, and hang­est down thy blessed head to kisse me! O in­finite Goodnesse! I am sorrie sorrie for my sins, and lament now, not so much that I have lost heaven and purchased hell, as that I have of­fended thee O merci­full Father, who now doest not onely not strike me dead, but al­so knockest, that I may [Page 60] come to thee and begge for mercie; which thing surely thou wouldest not do, unlesse thou intend­edst to have mercie up­on me. And now faln flat on my face I come to thee like the Prodi­gall sonne that had spent all, and crie, Father, I have sin­ned against Heaven and before thee, and am no more worthie to be called thy son, Luke 15. But pardon me, O my Father.

[Page 61]3 Then when thou feelest thy soul to grow warm with a heavenly fire, break forth into these Flames of lively sorrow:

O my most Gracious God! O my most sweet Jesus! I repent from the bottom of my heart, that by my foul trans­gressions I have offend­ed thy Majestie and most infinite Goodnesse, which I ought and will now love above all cre­ated things; and this, [Page 62] cause thou art the God Almightie, wise, holy, and good, to whom all sinne is more odious and detestable then can be possibly imagined. Wherefore for this thy Love sake I firmly re­solve never to offend thee any more, to shun all occasions of evil, and perform all that thou hast commanded me: Forgive I beseech thee, as I forgive all trespas­ses against me: and as I humbly crave pardon [Page 63] of my offences so I hope by thy merits of thy pre­cious bloud, O Jesus! I shall obtain what I ask for, and by thy Grace shall amend the remain­der of my life and per­severe in thy service unto my death. Amen.

4 Let this be thy constant dutie, morning and evening, and as oft as thou shalt fall into any sinne, that so thou mayest recover Gods favour to thee again.

5 And to prove thy [Page 64] repentance to be sin­cere, chastise and mor­tifie thy flesh, by aba­ting thy flesh of all pleasant food, by sobri­etie and temperance in thy diet, by prayers la­bours and fastings; that thy flesh may be subdu­ed to the spirit, and yet think not that thou de­servest or mayest chal­lenge pardon at Gods hands for all these.

THou art a sin­ful & a wretch­ed man, and art mad if thou arro­gate any thing to thy self: Wherefore if thou be commended at any time by others or high­ly esteemed of ascribe all the praise to God who is the Fountain of all Goodnesse, from whence whatever good [Page 66] is in thee first flowed.

2 If in all thy life thou hast committed any sinne against God or thy Neighbour, ei­ther by will or deed, thou hast deserved hell fire; if therefore by Gods providence thou suffer any afflictions or inju­ries or reproches from thine enemies think thus with thy self, I have deserved to be punished in hell, how small then are these troubles in comparison of those tor­ments!

[Page 67]3 Flie riot in clothes or feasting, and all vain pomp and gaudinesse in familie or houshold­stuff.

4 If the spirit of pride move thee at any time, say with that humble and humbled Saint, I have said to rottennesse thou art my father, and to the worm thou art my mother and my si­ster. Job 17. And adde, Wherefore art thou proud, O dust and ashes!

5 Make no open [Page 68] of thy good works, yet let them think that so God may be glorified thereby and the Church edified.

6 Scorn not to put thy hand to the lowest and meanest offices for thine own good or the good of others.

7 Give good heed to wholsome counsell and correction, and be not thou forward to make excuses.

8 Think oft and oft upon thy death, judge­ment [Page 69] and hell; let these be alwayes written in the tables of thy mind. Especially when thou goest to bed, think that thy bed is thy volunta­rie grave, and sleep but the image of thy death.

9 Repeat not what may make for thy own commendation, bragge not, nor vaunt of great matters; of thy naturall endowments, thy vir­tues, learning, nor thy ancient stock. What hast thou which thou [Page 70] didst not receive? and if thou receivedst it, why doest thou brag as if they were thine own? 1. Cor. 4.7. O most vain man! cover thy self with thy dust, for dust thou art and to dust shalt thou return. Gen. 3.19. Nothing is properly thine own but sinne, which may justly make thee asha­med but not proud.

10 Carrie thine eyes lowly, behold the earth sometimes, and judge [Page 71] thy self an unprofitable burden thereof.

11 When thou pas­sest through a Church­yard, say, This is our home, appointed for all men, hither we all tend, and are we proud?

12 Cast not angrie looks upon any out of hate, nor offend them by word or gesture. Gentlenesse is daughter or the sister of Humi­litie.

13 Yield to other mens judgements if they [Page 72] agree with right rea­son, Be not high mind­ed nor wise in thine own conceit, Rom. 12. Give the place which is more honourable and fit for others: Converse wil­lingly with the poore and lowly: Visit Pri­sons, Hospitalls and Almshouses to do good to them.

14 Moreover ac­count not onely thy self the meanest and lowest of all, but professe it openly to others; and if [Page 73] others esteem so of thee, be not sad but rather rejoyce, Jam. 1.10.

15 Lastly, if thou find thy mind at any time prone unto pride, keep down its swelling with this thought, What was I once, O Lord! what am I now, and what shall I be hereaf­ter? I was nothing once, I am nothing, and per­haps shall be worse then nothing. I was concei­ved in sinne and have heaped up actuall trans­gressions, [Page 74] and now un­lesse I repent and obey the Gospel, I shall be da­mned for ever, Mar. 1.15 ibid. 16.16. Luk. 13.5. I was once unclean seed, and am now but a masse of corruption and shall be food for worms. If I had remained as thou at the first created us, I could not have been damned, and now by reason of my sinnes I cannot be saved but through thy merits, and I shall be at last either [Page 75] eternally damned for my own faults, or eter­nally saved for thy mer­cies sake. I know what once I was; I know not what I am now, except thou illuminate me; and what I shall be hereaf­ter I am ignorant unles thy Spirit confirm me. Pardon O Lord what I have been rectifie what I am now, and guide me in thy paths hereafter, that I may ever medi­tate these things and think humbly of my self

MOdesty, the si­ster or daugh­ter of Humi­litie, regards the decencie and fit car­riage of the whole body.

2 Let thy garments be neither too gay, nor yet beggarly.

3 Let thy gesture be without affectation, yet not phantasticall; but as becometh thee.

[Page 77]4 Let thy counte­nance be free, but not lofty: cheerfull, not lowring. Thine eyes neither frowning, nor yet wanton; fixt upon no bad object. Carrie thy mouth seemly. Let thy voice be manlike, and yet not loud. Thy speech pure, simple, harmlesse; and expresse no stage-player in thy gesture, without mimi­call actions. Consider whether thou art faulty in these, and take to [Page 78] thee a faithfull counsel­lour, because we can­not so well behold our selves.

5 Use Modestie even then when thou art a­lone, else thou mayest easily slip in publick, and behave thy self in thy private closet as if the eyes of all looked upon thee.

TAke it not grud­gingly if un­seasonable wea­thers, cold, and heat, and rain, and other incon­veniencies of nature; nay, though drought & famine happen to thee; because thy manifold offences which thou hast committed, have deser­ved a thousand-times more heavy plagues [Page 80] then these be. If thou considerest those, these will seem lighter to thee.

2 Diseases also be they never so grievous and continuall, thou oughtest to kisse these rods as love tokens re­ceived from the Al­mightie. What thou thinkest to be strokes are strokings. That ho­ly man knew this to be true, who once cryed, Burn me here, O Lord! cut me, and lance me [Page 81] here, so thou spare me hereafter.

3 If through tedious and heavie sicknes thou break into impatience, chear up thy troubled soul thus; Be strong, O my heart, be strong. He who now chastiseth thee is thy most indulgent Father. He who cau­terizeth thee and laun­ceth thee now, remem­ber, is thy most wise and skilfull Physitian. It will be better with thee ere long, and he [Page 82] that torments thee a little now, will spare thee for ever hereafter. This fiery triall does but purge away thy drosse, and make thy gold shew brighter. Me­ditate moreover upon Christ dying on the Crosse, and so many Martyrs dying for him: If we suffer with him, we shall also reigne with him.

4 And if revilements, reproches, or other in­juries be thrown upon [Page 83] thee, strengthen thy soul and undergo them not onely valiantly, but al­so constantly.

5 In all these (what­ever the causes may be) be silent, for 'tis impa­tiency to complain. Be­ware thou accuse not heaven, or the elements, or men. None is more injurious to thee then thou to thy self, if thou be impatient: Righte­ous is the Lord, & true are his judgements.

6 If thou find no [Page 84] comfort all this while, nor thy soul any dew of heaven, but onely gall to drink, yet drink even that, and say, Why, It is not fit to take the childrens bread, and throw it unto dogs. It is enough that the dogs gather up the crumbs under their Masters table, but my sinfull life hath not deserved the least crumbe.

7 But here take heed lest in these worldly troubles, forgetting thy [Page 85] Creatour, thou seek re­dresse by vile means & desire to thrive by un­lawfull courses; for it may often happen when thou wouldest hold fast and retain thy inno­cence, divers occasions and men may disswade thee, objecting thy po­verty and crosses, but do not thou therefore let go, nor depart from thy righteousnesse.

8 Thy wrongs tell not unto others, neither reckon them, up to thy [Page 86] self. If thy friends, thy father and mother for­sake thee, yet say, I will leave all and follow my Jesus. Then say with greater fervency, Our Father which art in heaven, &c. and with David, When my father and my mother forsake me, the Lord taketh me up, Psal. 27. and Know this, that in the last times troublesome daies shall come, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer perse­cution, [Page 87] 2. Tim. 3.12.

9 If the times com­pell thee to suffer for Religion and righteous­nesse sake, be not afraid of imprisonment, nor death it self: but rather rejoyce with the Apo­stles, that thou art ac­counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus, Acts 5.41. and with S. Paul be ready to lay down thy life, if need require.

UPon urgent ne­cessity part with thy wealth, as when the gene­rall poverty of thy bre­thren requires it, when heat of persecution ra­ges, or lastly, when temptations frō thence increase so upon thee, that either thou must forsake all, or lose [Page 89] Christ, Act. 4.32, 34, 35. Hebr. 10.34. Matth. 19.21. And yet if thou leave all, pride not thy self in any desert. The Apostle S. Paul said, Those things which were gain to me I ac­counted losse for Christ; yea, and I account all but dung, that I may gain Christ, and be found in him, not ha­ving mine own righte­ousnesse which is by the Law, but the righte­ousnes which is through [Page 90] the faith of Christ, the righteousnesse which is of God by faith, Phil. 3.7. &c.

2 Throw away all vain desire of riches; despise this world, yea, all solace of acquain­tance & worldly goods, if they hinder thee from Christ, or a godly life.

3 If our Profession require not to forsake all, and give all to the poore; yet thou shalt cast off all superfluous cares and anxieties of [Page 91] this life: Hate and fly covetousnesse which the Apostle calls worship­ping of idols, Col. 3.5.

4 Avarice is the root of all evils, which some following have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves tho­rough with many sor­rows. But thou, flie these things and follow righteousnesse, holines, faith, charity, patience, meeknesse, 1. Tim. 6.10.

5 If riches encrease set not thy mind upon [Page 92] them, said that Kingly Prophet, Psal. 62.10. Be thou lord over thy wealth, but let not that be over thee.

6 Settle thy self ra­ther to endure poverty and death it self, then to encrease wealth by fraud or any sinne. Nay, be ready to forsake Crowns and Scepters if thou hast them, if the Crown and Kingdome of heaven call thee a­way.

7 At any feasting, if [Page 93] thou prepare a wedding or a funerall feast, or the like, set aside a por­tion for the poore and sick, whom the prison or bed detains.

8 If thou hast where­withall, give something daily to the poore; He that hath pitie on the poore, lendeth unto the Lord, Prov. 19.17. Wherefore to him that asketh thee an almes, give without delay: to those chiefly whom ne­cessity may urge to take [Page 94] evil courses, or modesty will not permit to beg. And if thou hast no­thing to give give them good words at least. For remember that it is the Lord who of all he hath given thee, re­quires a peny back a­gain, a morsel of bread, a cup of drink, by the hands of the poor. And teach thy children or servants to say, Father, or Master, Christ stands at the doore de­siring an almes. Let [Page 95] thy children carry it, that they likewise may learn to have mercy. Out of thy daily gains sever one part to give to the poore. This is true piety. Some do so; and happy art thou if thou do likewise.

9 This same duty to the poore forget not on thy dying bed, and in thy Will make Christ heir of some of thy e­state at least. So shalt thou purchase a reward in heaven.

DO Justice, and speak the truth from thy heart detract not with thy tongue, and do no evil to thy neighbour. If thou swear to thy neigh­bour disappoint him not, though it be to thine own hinderance.

2 Render to every man his due, hurt no body, do as you would [Page 97] be done by: As ye would that men should do unto you, so do unto them, Matth. 7.12.

3 Pay that thou ow­est, restore what is not thine own: Beware that thou keep not the hire of the poore by thee, it is an abomination unto the Lord, Lev. 19.13.

4 Thou shalt not have divers weights in thy bag, a greater and a lesse; neither shalt thou have measures, a great­er and a lesse in thine [Page 98] house; but thy weight shall be just and true, and thy measure even & true, that thou mayst live long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee: For the Lord thy God ha­teth him who doth so, and turneth away him­self from all unrighte­ousnesse, Deut. 25.13. &c

5 Be not unthankful, but acknowledge and professe from whom & how great benefits thou hast received, and shew [Page 99] thy self willing and rea­dy to return all possible and honest thanks to thy benefactours.

6 Thou shalt not ju­stifie the wicked, neither shalt thou pervert judg­ment, nor shalt thou judge with respect of persons. Thou shalt not take a gift; because gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and alter the sen­tence of the just, Deu. 16

7 Preserve peace and quietnes, and prefer the publick good before thy private.

HEarken unto the commands of thy Fathers, especially of Gods Ministers, as un­to the Oracles of God.

2 Obey Rulers and thy Parents, and do what they bid thee. Thou shalt perform all their commands whom God hath set over thee, Deut. 17.10.

[Page 101]3 Observe truly and constantly the laws of the Commonwealth or societie wherein thou livest. Let every soul be subject unto the higher Powers. Rom. 13.1.

4 If thou be a sonne or a servant attend the will of thy Superiours, and do what they com­mand thee.

5 If their commands distaste thee, yet be thou obedient, unlesse they command a thing ap­parently evil: for when [Page 103] any thing is command­ed against God, then obey God rather then men, Acts 5. 29.

6 But if their com­mands be just, perform them though they be adverse to thy inclina­tion; and do them hear­tily without delay.

THou shalt stirre up in thee an exceeding love of Chastitie, and a ve­hement hatred of all wantonnesse.

2 By all means shun all occasions of luxurie; Turn away thine eyes from alluring beauties, and look not after wo­men, fix them not there.

3 Keep with a dou­ble [Page 104] lock thy eares and tongue from obscenitie and scurrilitie. Abstain from impudent jests & gestures; from shame­lesse companions and evil conversation flie as from a serpent.

4 When thou art a­lone, incline not to lust, sinne not; for God seeth.

5 Pamper not thy flesh; soft raiment, drink­ing, and daintie meats effeminate both mind and bodie. Go not to [Page 105] suspicious places; use not idlenesse, wanton Books, lascivious Pi­ctures, nor immodest dances: It is a true say­ing, Who flies wanton­nesse, puts it to flight.

6 When thou go­est to sleep, close up thy eyes with heavenly thoughts. When thou awakest shake off all foul imaginations. Call on thy Jesus, and set thy mind on divine ob­jects.

7 If in the day time [Page 106] foul imaginations and suggestions arise, repell them by Prayer and strengthen thy mind a­gainst them. Meditate of the presence of God and his holy Angels, of the Crosse of Christ, thy own death, judgement, and hell. Such golden nails will soon drive out the other.

8 Wash and cleanse thy soul full oft; if thou hast polluted thy self with sinnes of the flesh, confesse with David thy [Page 107] transgressions unto the Lord, Psal. 32.5. Take to thee some wise and faithfull Nathan who may comfort thee in thy Repentance, and say, The Lord hath ta­ken away thy sinne, thou shalt not die, 2. Sam. 12.13.

9 Go, and sinne no more. Confession is the sinners physick: But re­sist by all means tem­ptations in the begin­ning. When first there­fore thou feelest thy sen­sitive [Page 108] appetite to rebell against reason, and the devil at hand; resist him presently or thou art undone. If the old serpent gets but in his head, he will soon draw in his whole bodie: therefore be readie to crush that cockatrice in the shell; think of some other matter. Call up­on God, for his aid, set thy self to some hard la­bour, honest and pro­fitable, lest the devil find thee idle.

[Page 109]10 I beseech thee by the mercie of God, to present thy body a lively sacrifice, holy and acce­ptable to God, Rom. 12. Make not the members of Jesus Christ the mem­bers of an harlot. Thy body ought to be the temple of the H. Ghost; Thou art bought with a price, therefore glorifie God in thy body and in thy spirit which are Gods: S. Paul speaks excellently of this, 1. Cor. 6.

EAt such aquan­titie of food as may stand with the health of thy body, and not the destruction of thy soul. In feeding flie all greedinesse and voraci­ty. Take thy food but as Physick.

2 Be sober and vigi­lant, because your ad­versary the devil goeth [Page 111] about like a roaring li­on, seeking whom he may devour, 1. Pet. 5.8. Take heed lest at any time thy heart be bur­dened with surffeting and drunkennesse and cares of this life, and the day of the Lord come upon thee una­wares, Luk. 21.34. Wo to thee if thou risest early to follow strong drink, and continue till night. Wo to thee if thou be strong to mingle strong drink. Isa. 5. 11, 22.

[Page 112]Wherefore I com­mand thee and adjure thee by that terrible day of judgement, to flie drunkennesse with all thy power, and Gods help. Drunkards toge­ther with fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, lascivious, abusers of themselves with man­kind thieves, covetous, railers, extortieners, are utterly excluded from the kingdome of God, 1. Cor. 6.9, 10.

3 Give not strong [Page 113] drink to another to make him drunk. Wo be to thee if thou doest. We may here apply that of the Prophet, speaking, of the judge­ment of the Chaldeans, Hab. 2. 15, 16. Drink thou also—The cup of the Lords right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shamefull spewing shall be on thy glory.

4 Though thou be adjur'd by great and dear names to drink off [Page 114] whole ones, consent not.

5 Thou oughtest to abstain not onely from imitating, but also from the company of drun­kards; according to that of the Apostle; If any who is called a brother, be a drunkard, with such an one do not eat, 1. Cor. 5.11. And if the Church neglect to excommunicate such a notorious unrepentant sinner; if the Magistrate punish him not, yet let [Page 115] every man in particular shun his company, lest they appear to comply with other mens sinnes, or to partake with them This is to be done then at least, when there is no hope of his repen­tance.

6 Let it suffice thee for the time past to have lived as the heathens live; walking in lasci­viousnesse, lusts, drink­ings, revellings, and abominable idolatries— The end of all is at [Page 116] hand, be thou therefore sober, and watch unto prayer, 1. Pet. 4.3.

I charge thee by Christ to consider what I say, and the Lord grant thee understand­ing in all things.

God sanctifie thee throughout, that thou mayst be blamelesse in soul and body, and mayst be found so at his coming, when he shall come to judgement to render unto all accord­ing to their works.

[Page 117]The Lord preserve thee unto his heavenly Kingdome: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.