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E ƲCHOLOGIA: OR, The DOCTRINE of PRACTICAL PRAYING. By the Right Reverend Father in God, JOHN PRIDEAUX, Late Biſhop of Worceſter.
Being a Legacy left to his DAUGHTERS in Private, directing them to ſuch manifold Uſes of OUR Common Prayer Book As may ſatisfie upon all Occaſions, without looking after New Lights from Extemporal Flaſhes.
Ask for the old paths where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye ſhall find reſt to your ſouls. Jer. 6.16
London, Printed for RICH. MARRIOT, and are to be ſold at his Shop in S. Dunſtans Church-yard, Fleetſtreet, 1655.
p: of Wor
three ſcore and ten years (the ordiMoſes allotted to mans life) finding weakneſſe with age to creep upChange: I have often beLegacy of my Love I might
Survivors of the nine children that God had bleſt me with, by your long ſince deceaſed Mother.
Acts 3.6 Silver and Gold have I none (as I may well profeſs with the Apoſtle) and you know it too well.
pelf to that Treaſure and Jewel, to purchaſe which, we ſhould be happy to part with all that we have.
My Education (as 'tis well known) and courſe of life hath not led me to make you great in this world; if it induce you to be good, and fit you for an heavenly Inheritance, it is all that
Your Mother was known to be a religious and modeſt Matron in all the courſe of her life, extraorch purpoſe I have framed theſe enſuing Directions, to ſet you onHusbands wil herein be my Seconds; whom thoſe that know muſt conLearned, Pious and painful Miniſters; and I think you happy to have met with ſuch above
He had rather be a Door-keeper in the Houſe of his God, then to bear a greater ſway in more eſteemed Manſions; and intimates the Sparrow and Swallowes condition, almoſt to be envied at, that have admittance to neſtle and lay their young ſo near Gods Altar. Beſides your Names ſhould mind you of good old Sarah in the Old Teſtament, and Elizabeth in the New, what excellent Patterns you have to follow. And when you read that Timothy
Pauls famous Pupil,
Epheſus) had the firſt ground of his Catechiſm, from his Grand-mother Lois, and Mother Eunice; you ſhould caſt about how you might perform the like to your litSons may grow up as the young plants,
Daughters may be as the poliſhed corners of the Temple; plants grow
To conclude, I may not oRowland Taylor, (which ſhould take the more with you, becauſe by your Mother you are lineally deſcended from him); the Chaine of Pearl he only left your great Grandmother, his dear wife, (when he laſt parted from her to ſuffer Martyrdome) was no other but the Book of Common Prayer; in contriving of which, he had a hand, and which he uſed only in his Impriſonment, as holding that Book (above all other, next the Bible) the moſt abſolute Directory
itching ears, and damned devourers of widows houſes, who under a ſhew of making long prayers,
ſilly women, to be ever learning,
come to the knowledg of the Truth. You ſee what miſchiefe ſuch Reformers have wrought; which the piety and prudence of manyages are ſcarce likely
imagine miſchief as a Law.
delivered from the hands of our enemies, both ſpiritual and temporal, may ſerve him without fear, in holineſſe and righteouſneſſe all the dayes of our lives, Which is the hearty Prayer and Concluſion of
Which are in General,
1. A Preparation to Prayer.2. Of prayers in private.3. Of Prayers in Publick Aſſemblies.
Particulars of the firſt part, being the Preparation, are,
1. The Neceſſity of Prayer, p. 7.
2. To whom our Prayers are to be directed. p. 18.
3. What we are to ask in Prayer. p. 24.
4 Of external Geſtures beſeeming religious Devotions, p. 46.
5 Of Impediments that diſtract or fruſtrate our prayers, p. 65
6 Of Helps for the ſtirring up and furtherance of our ſuits, p. 89.
7. Of waiting for a gracious Anp. 100.
Particulars of the ſecond Part concerning Private Prayers are,
1. Of Perſonal, or Prayers in ſep. 117.
2. Of Houſhold, or prayers in a Fap. 129.
3. Of Bleſſings, and Occaſional Sap. 146.
4. Pſalms and Hymns, and ſpirip. 160.
5. Of occaſional Ejaculations, 178
6 Of Lamentations, and complaints on ſad objects, p. 190
7 Of Excitations and Incourage204
The third Parts particulars are of
1. Confeſſions. p. 227
2. Deprecations. p. 242.
3 Supplications or Petitions, 249
4 Interceſſions. p. 257.
5 Thankſgivings, p. 267.
6 Praiſes, p. 277.
7 Comminations or Curſings, p. 288.
Lord teach us to pray, as John alſo taught his Diſciples:Luke 11.1.
Prayer may bee termed a fit Direction, collected out of Gods Word for the right preparing us to
ſelves and others: as alſo to praiſe and give thanks unto God, in Private and Publick, for his bleſſings beſtowed upon us.
It differs therefore from Meditations, Soliloquies, Lamentations, Expoſtulations, (though thefe border neare upon it, and may be made good Helps unto it) but hath a greater diſtance from Ave-maries, or Salutations of the bleſſed Virgin; as alſo from Adjurations, ſuch as the High Prieſt or the Divel uſed to our Saviour:
Creed ſaid or ſung, may be accounted Prayers, but Profeſsions of our faith, upon which our Prayers are groun
For your readier apprepractice and progreſſe herein; I ſhall divide this enſuing Diſcourſe into three parts; wherefirſt ſhall be concerndue preparations to Prayer: the ſecond of Prayer in private: and the third, of praying in publick AſſemTeacher hath left us a pattern to reſpect our Auditors capacities) I have many things to ſay unto you,
Joh. 16.12 1 Cor. 3.2 Heb. 5.12. but you cannot bear them now. Milk therefore muſt be the Childrens diet until their ſtomacks be fitſtronger meat. The Preparation comes here first to be thought on:
Where
Neceſsity of prayer.
whom our prayers are to be directed?What we are to ask.geſtures are moſt beſeeming our Devotions.impediments that are moſt likeHelps may moſt ſtir us up to further them.waiting for a gracious anſwer from God, and the ſureſt tokens to diſcern it.
In none of which (my Daughters) you muſt expect what might be gathered by me from divers Authors, with my own additions; but ſuch touches only as you may beſt remember to put in practice. When our Saviour had inſtructed his Diſciples to pray, and ſhewed how prevalent it is with God (if it be continued with imMiracle in caſtdumb Divel, (which he ſhewed his calumInchantments, but by the finger of God;) a cerwoman of the comvoice by way of applauſe, Bleſſed is the Womb,
Luk. 11.27 that bare thee, and the paps
haſt ſucked. But what was the anſwer ſhe reexpreſsion? yea, rather (ſaith our Saviour) Bleſſed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it. It is not the applauPreacher, but the edification and practice of the Hearer, that finds acceptance at the Throne of Grace. This therefore we ſhould eſpeciprayer. The Neceſsity of which in the firſt place is duly of you to bee conſidered.
OF all Chriſtian duties wee finde none ſo much urged in Scrialwayes (ſaith our Saviour;) continually (ſaith the Apoſtle) which convinceth its Neceſsity. And Experience informeth us, that there were never any ſo brutiſh, who acGod, but alſo concluded upon it, that hee muſt be ſought unto by prayer. We therefore that from heavenly Inſtitution have ſu
1. From the command of the Father.
2. From the ſeconding of the Son.
3. From the inforcing of the Holy Ghoſt.
4. From the honour given to them in Scripture that have been eminent in prayer. As alſo
5 From the wonderful effects of prayer. And
6. From the freedom of it, that cannot be hindred as o
And laſt of all, for that it is the only meanes, that forſpecial Engine that terrifieth and routeth Satan, and all his Adherents: may wel (I ſay) more peremptorily inforce the Neceſsity of it to be ſuch, that as outward works of our vocation cannot bee perLight,
night cometh (ſaith our Saviour) when no man can work:
ſalt of prayer.
1. For the firſt inducement, Call upon me (ſaith the Father) in the time of thy trouble, and I will hear thee,
ſhalt praiſe me.
For the ſecond, Ask and it ſhall be given you (they are the words of the Sonne) ſeek and ye ſhall finde,
Matth. 7.7. knock and it ſhall be opened unto you. Ask by prayer, ſeek by reading or hearing, knock by doing good works. And as though all this had been too little, in regard of our dulneſſe, to have once ſaid the word, hee reinforceth it again with a promiſe renewed; for every one
that asketh, receiveth, and he that ſeeketh findeth,
knocketh it ſhall be opened. And further, leſt this large proffer ſhould make the promiſe ſuſpected, he backs it with an inſtance, pickt out of our naturall corWhat man is there ſo perverſe among you (ſaith he) whom if his ſon ask for bread,
Ver. 9. will he give him a ſtone? or if he ask a fiſh, will he give him a ſerpent? And that we neglect not, or miſapply the inference, by our untoward Logick, he adds for a right application. If ye then being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,
father which is in heagood things to them that ask him?
3. For the third, Would
know not what we ſhould pray for as we ought,
interceſsion for us with groanings which cannot be uttered, (if prayers were not neceſſary) for the Saints according to the will of God?
4. In the fourth place,
Pſalmiſt, Moſes and Aaron among his Prieſts, and Samuel amongſt them that call upon his Name; and that of the prophet [If theſe three men, Noah, Daniel,
Job, ſhould be interceſſors for the putting by of a deterfamine and ſpoil by beaſts, ſword, or peſtilence for the wickedneſs of the people, they only ſhould ſave themprevalence of ſuch mens prayers, where any
abominations have not quite excluded pardon.
Fifthly,
effects of prayer are ſufficiently ſet forth in that of Joſhua,
Joſ. 10.12. Sun (ſaith he) ſtand thou ſtil upon Gibeon, and thou Moon in the valley of Ajalon; which was no ſooner asked then had, ſo that there was no day like behearkned unto the voice of a man. But if this may ſeem too extraordinary: Elias (ſaith the Apoſtle) was a man ſubject to the like paſſions as we are and he praynot raine,
earth, by the ſpace of three yeares and ſix months; and he prayed again,
heavens gave raine, and the
earth brought forth her fruit. And this makes both for prayers neceſsity, and excellency: Which (ſixthly) may be further thought on,
preaching, Sacraments, viſiting the afflicted, giving of Alms, or the like, may through preſdistractions, want of ability, or opportunity of time and place, be wholly hindered; no time, no place, no calamity whatſoever can prohibit us from the practice of praying. Daniel in the lions den, Jonas in the Whales belly;
Acts 5.16 25 Paul and Silas in the ſtocks, howſoever impriſoplace and ſpace, and ſcope, to have free acceſſe to the throne of grace, to pray, and ſing Pſalmes, and obmiraculous deliverance. For here the
inditing of a good matter,
tongue is pluckt out, and cannot be the pen of a ready writer: Here the heart of King Manaſſes finds knees to bow, when the knees of his body, are ſo chai
7. Laſt of all, it would be held a kind of blaſphemous poſition, if the Scripture had not uttered it, that Jacob ſhould wreſtle with God, and enforce (as it were) a Bleſsing from him by compulſion; that by prayer, Moſes ſhould ſtand in the gap, and hold the hand of the omnipotent, and cauſe him to cry, let me alone, that my wrath may waxe hot,
conſume this people. And againſt Satan that roating Lion, and ſpirituall Leviathan, think wee that any Magick-ſpells
prevaile, or force of arms,
faith of it ſelfe may doe much, but not wholly to caſt out all ſuch adverſaries without faſting and prayer. I perſwade my ſelf (my daughters) by that which hath beene ſponeceſsity of prayer. Now if any ſcruple and ſay, God knoweth our neceſsities beaske, and hath determined what to doe, ſo that our prayers cannot alter him, and therefore would prove needleſſe: The anſwer is at hand, that hee that hath determined what to doe, hath commanask; And not Gods ſecret decrees (which
commands or prohibitions in his word, are the rule of our actions, which we muſt follow; nay the Son himſelfe muſt ask that which the Father had ever reſolved to grant: Deſire of me, and I ſhall give thee the uttermoſt parts of the carth for thy inheritance.
cold in our asking, our hopes may freez from obtaining. But may not intruding importunity, rather exaſperate juſtice, then obtain a favour? With men it may, but with the fountain of mercyes the ſtriving to enter into the ſtrait gate; and offering violence to the kingdome of heaven,
pardon. In ſuch a caſe the unjuſt judg will do right, to free himſelf from trouble; much ſooner will the Father
mercies be pleaſed with ſuch holy intruſion,
anſwer be
Laſt of all, we need not fear that our continued prayers ſhould any way hinder the works of our ſeveral vocations. The Plough-man in the field, the tradeſman in his ſhop; Martha about her houſwifery, may be praying as they are doing, and do the better for their praying.
Ananias) and help Saul of Tarſus to his ſight, for behold he prayeth. Prayers bring us bleſſings we little think of; we ſhould think therefore on prayers the more ſeriouſly for the enjoyeſteem, that we hold not worth the asking.
IT were to ſmall purpoſe to acknowledge the neceſsity of prayer, if wee know not to whom we may confidently direct our prayers: wherfore this is ſo punctualSaviour,
Thou ſhalt worſhip the Lord thy God, and him only ſhalt thou ſerve. Calling upon,
praiſing, and praying to, are the eſpecial kinds of Gods worſhip, which confirmed by our Saviour aSatan in the new Teſtament,
old, to beTempters claime of it, that he left the field, and dared not to attempt any further.
Teſtament or new, it can be ſhewen that any of Gods people ever prayed to Saints or Angels, but only to God. No ſaying here of holy Abraham, or holy Peter pray for us; but Thou O God that heareſt prayers,
fleſh come. But you when ye pray, ſay, not O Holy mother of God, but [Our Father which art in heaven.]
Angels,
indignation, ſuch ſupreme worſhip and devotions tendered unto them.
detaine mee (ſaith the Angel to Manoah) I will not eat of thy bread; and if thou wilt offer a burnt-offering,
offer it to the Lord. St. John being about to worleſſon twice given him,
Rev. 19.10 & 22.9. Col. 2.18. [See thou do it not, I am thy fellow ſervant; worſhip God] Let not man therfore beguile you of your reward (they are the words of St. Paul) in a voluntary humility, and worſhiping of Angels, intruding intothoſethings which he hath not ſeen.
omniſcient, that knowes the heart; and Almighty, to be able to help us in all our exevery where, to be alwayes at
hand when wee call upon him? Otherwiſe we might play the hypocrites with him, ſay one thing, and mind another; or faile of our purcraving for that from a party who cannot relieve us. For what creature may we well imagine to bee every where? or able to help us at all times? or that underſtandeth our vethoughts long before?
Father which is in heaven? This Satan perceives to be moſt deEngines awork; that where hee cannot befool men againſt Nature, to think that there is no God: hee might at leaſt ſo puzzle them what that God ſhould be, that moſt ſhould
other then they and their Leaders have fancied. By ſuch meanes gods became multiplied acCities or Nations:
glory of the God of Iſrael, was turned inCalf that eateth hay.
Molocks and Baals, with innumerable abominations, and heathentrue God was only worſhipped by ſuch Interceſſours, or repreſentations; but the Vulgar foared no higher then that they ſaw, and moſt agreed with their humour, both coming unApoſtles reproof, Ye
Athens,
Act. 17 22 and 29. —We ought not to think, that the Godhead is like unto Gold or Silver, or Stone graven by Art or mans device. Thoſe that make ſuch puppets are like unto them, (ſaith the Pſalmiſt;)
ſenſeleſſe and blockiſh, as they are. For God is a Spirit,
Joh. 4.24. and they that worſhip him, muſt worſhip him in Spirit and Truth.
Statua's and Images, are good memorials to mind us what we ſhould worſhip; you may anſwer,
Heavens declare the glory of God, and all other Creatures his handy works, diworſhipping of him, that made them. Thus ſhall ye ſay unto them (as the Prophet charged the Iſraelites, to tell the Idolatrous Chaldeans) in their own lanThe Gods that have not made the heavens and the earth,
Jer. 10.12. even they ſhall periſh from the earth, and from under thoſe heavens. ImaTeachers of lies,
promoters of the Doctrine of Divels.
Hiſtorical uſe, and adorne buildings; but for Worſhip we have the Words direction; not a painCrucifix, to ſet before the fooliſh Galatians Chriſt cru
And for Remembrance of our Saviours Paſsion, why ſhould not the Breaking of bread, and drinking of wine in the Sacrament of his laſt Supper, be accounted the beſt Art of Memory, ſeeing hee himſelf hath taught us, Do this in remembrance of me?
wiſe man take the Sermons of our Saviour, and the Writings of his Apoſtles to be better Rechip of the mateCroſſe, or the ſhewing of Saint Peters Chaines, to intaught for our ſalvation, or did for our imitation.
Laſt of all,
Proctors for praying to Saints or Angels, that which our Saviour replyed to the Lawyer may be well made uſe of,
What is written in the Law? how readeſt thou? Can you ſhew me any Precept or Example of ſuch prayer throughOld or New Tereadie to hear, or tender our wants,
promote our Petitions, then our bleſſed Redeemer, and our only Mediatour and Advocate Chriſt Jeſus.
The Woman of Canaan found ſmall comfort upon earth of Saints Interceſſion:
Mat. 15.23 Send her away (ſay they) for ſhe cryeth after us. Wee believe the Saints are moſt happy in heaven, and honour their perſons and memory here on earth in appointing Holy-Dayes wherein their Doings and Doctrine are comImitation: But what they know of us, or may do for us by way of Interceſſion in heaven, is not re[Our Father which art in heaven,] and the Church wherein you were borne and baptized, teacheth you accordingly, That when you direct your Prayers ſeverally, to aPerſons (in whoſe Names you were baptized) or jointly to the Bleſſed Trinity, you direct them to One God, which is Three in One, and One in All. And as many as walk according to this Rule peace be on them, and mercy,
Iſrael of God; which prevailing with God they ſhall the more
Johns concluſion, [Little children,
John 5.13 keep your ſelves from Idols.
TO know the Neceſſity of Prayer, and to whom we are to pray, will but little avail, if we are not well adviſed what to ask.
Peter may enquire what ſhall become of John, but receive a check, What is that to thee? Inquire not after that which belongs not to thee; do that I bid thee, Follow thou me. And when the mother of Zebedees chilſatisfaction they obYe know not what ye ask. Neijoint petition of the Apoſtles afterwards conIt is not for you to know the times and ſeaſons which the Father hath put into his own power. Thoſe therefore that truſt to ſpeed, muſt petition only for thoſe things, which may be convenient for them to receive, and for God to grant, as the entrauce to our Liturrequiſite for the ſoul and body. Otherwiſe their prayers may be turned into ſin,
Bleſing, a decurſe may fall upon them.
preacher, as well for the mouth, as for the foot, is to be obſerved of all ſuiters that ſhall preſent themthrone of grace.
Firſt, learne by hearing, what to doe, before thou tender a fooles ſacrifice (withmouth, and haſty with thy heart, to mulloſt labour, to beg that of God which may not be granted by reaſon of his rewill to the contrary? Hence the ſalvation of Judas,
damned ſpirits, the foreJudgment, and ſecrets of God in election or reprobation of this or that party, muſt not come within the competitions. And if the tree muſt lye where it falleth,
condition of the dead from worſe to better be unchangeable, thoſe Maſſes, dirges, and prayers for any friend deparpurchaſe, and oſell at ſo dear a rate: for who hath required this at your hands?
coſt more to reedem a ſoul, therfore that muſt be let alone for ever: upon the ſame ground Samuel might not pray for Saul, nor Jeremiah for preventing
Judahs captivity, where the immutable purpoſe of God, was once made known unto them. Things then ſpiritual, which concerne our ſalvation; and temporal that make for our preſervation in the condition God hath put us, or furtheering us to a better, according to his good will and diſpoſition, not our reſtleſſe and itchline and compaſſe of our approveable devotions. And this brings in that confidence the beloved diſciple ſpeaks of, That if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
Joh 5.14. and if we know that he heareth whatſoever we aske, wee know wee have the petition that we deſired of him. Many ſcruples
blaſpemouſly ſinning to death? or obſtinately ſtanding excommunicate, or rebelliouſly perſeChurch and State, ſeeing the petition of the Pſalmiſt is expreſſe, Stand up O Lord God of hoſtes,
Pſal. 59.5. thou God of Iſrael, to viſit all the heathen, and be not mercifull unto them that offend of malicious wickedneſſe. But the Prophets prayer runs againſt thoſe that God ſhal find ſo, not againſt ſuch as we in paſſion may cenſure to be ſo; for we are to hope the beſt of all, and condemn not,
condemned. May not a perſecuPaul become an Elect veſſel,
forſworn Peter go out and weep bitterly? But of this more, when we ſhall
execrations herafter. What wee are to pray for? Sufficient limits may be found in that heavenly pattern which our Saviour hath left for that purpoſe;
Preface, petitions, and a concluſion. In the preface the first word (as we have it) [Our] minds us of unity, and reſpect to our brethren, as well as of our ſelves, excluding diſſention, that fruſtrates our beſt intentions, as alſo reſpect of perſons in preferring the rich before the poor, and cenſuring others as being not capable of Gods mercies equally with our ſelves. The ſecond word [Father] aſſures us of accepbrethren, and that we need not to make our addreſſes for our
fathers, he hawill and power to ſupbondage again to fear;
received the Spirit of Adoption, wherby we cry, Abba,
Gal. 4.6.7. Father. This Spirit it ſelfe bearing witneſs with our ſpirit, that we are the children of God. That which fol[which art in heaven] makes pilgrimages to ſhrines and reliques ſuperfluous, and ſuperſtitious.
heaven, and heavenly things, as the PſalI lift up mine eyes, O thou that dwelleſt in the heavens.
Saviours practice confirmeth; Theſe words ſpake Jeſus, and lift up his eyes to heaven, and ſaid, Father, the houre is come. And tells us moreover, that wee have an overſeer who looks into all our thoughts, words,
Who is like unto the Lord our God, who hath his dwelling ſo high? and yet humbleth himſelfe to behold the things that are in heaven and in earth? The Petitions that ſucſeven. In which the order of them ſhew, that ſpiritual things are to be firſt looked after,
temporal; according to that of our Safirſt ſeek the Kingdom of
God,
Mat. 6.33. and the righteouſneſſe thereof; and then temporal matters ſhall be added as an advantage. In which reſpects Solomons choice pleaſed God in praying for wiſdome,
petition, the Hallowing of Gods Name, before all temporalities. Of this Moſes and St. Paul were ſo tender, that the one wiſhed to be blotted out of Gods booke of life.
accurſed from Chriſt, rather then an aſperſion ſhould be caſt on God, either of impotency in not being able, or breach of promiſe, as not perforChurch, to bring to paſſe.
Hallowing therefore,
glorifying and extolling ainfinite Majeſty of Gods Name, is the thing that we are to esteem of above our own ſalvation. And [Name] here which ſignifies Gods Eſſence, Attributes, and Commands, muſt be conceived to be no other but that which wee were baptized in, including both Father, Sonne, and Holy Ghoſt, who being of one eſſence, muſt needs by the ſame Act of ours, equally be honoured, or diſhonoured.
The ſecond petition [Let thy Kingdome come.]
Gods glory, the good of his Church muſt be reſpected and prayed for, that being militant here, as it ought, it may triumph
chiefeſt deteſtations.
Thirdly,
[Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven;] guideth all our deſires and petitions to be regulated by Gods will revealed in his word: the reſiſting or declithoughts, much leſſe of our petitions. And now when we deſcend to beg for ſupplies in our own behalfe,
The fourth Petition [Give us this day our daily bread;]
word doth it leſſon us to exclude exorbimeer bounty; not
brethren too, who muſt do the like for them alſo: rich and poor are at Gods gate of mercy, muſt be equally ſupplicants, and that for preſent ſupply. [This day] our daily bread muſt be conferred on us, by a continued liberality: where under the name of bread, are contained apparel, dwellings, all things neceſſary; to teach moderation to be uſed in all Gods bleſsings, ſo that ſuperbleſsings be not hinde
petition puts in a caveat [forgive us our treſpaſſes]
as wee forgive them that treſpaſs againſt us. The condition here expreſſes the obligation that lies upon us, of forgiving others, if wee hope to be forgiven of God our ſelves; I ſay therefore (ſaith our Saviour) bleſſe them that curſe you,
Mat. 5.44. do good to them that hate you, pray for them that deſpightfully uſe you and perſecute you. So that an irreconciled petitioner in Gods Court of Requeſts, is like (as you ſee) to find no audience. And as not for the remiſsion of his own debts, ſo neither to be freed from the aſſaults and hazards of ruitemptations, which makes up the ſixth requeſt to be granted of him that only can keep us from,
World, the Fleſh, and alſo againſt the moſt impetuous incurſiſeventh and laſt Petition.
Articles of the Apoſtles Creed ſhew but the condition of that Kingdome, whoſe coming and proſperity we pray for in the ſecond Petition. And what is the loving of God above all things, and of our neighbour as our ſelves, but (the ſubſtance of the ten Commandthird Petition, That the will of God may bee done by us here on earth, as it is in Heaven by the Saints and Angels. For the more aſſured obtaining of all which petitions, the Concluſion adds this confidence, For thine (O Father) is the Kingdome] therefore thou wilt; the Power] therefore thou canſt; the Glory] therefore in honour, thou art (in a ſort) by thy ſelfe engaged to tenchildren, ſubjects, and humble Supplicants, and diſmiſſe them with the Seal of Amen ſet to their juſt requeſts. You cannot therefore (my DaughDevotions, being ſo compendiouſly inheavenly Directory. It will do well therefore in the next place to take ſome noGeſtures in our Prayers may be moſt conveniently uſed.
HOwſoever Superſtition, as praying in an unknown tongue upon Beads, before a Crucifixe, or the like, be as wild Goards;
herbs makes the pottage deadly, yet a direverence. This is required not only of the mind, but alſo
Body.
Exod. 4.5. Joſh. 5.15. Moſes and Joſhuah muſt put off their ſhooes when they approach near to have conference with God. Job,
integrity, when the Lord had ſchooled him, was quickly brought to profeſſe, that he abhorred himſelf, and repented in duſt and aſhes. And it may well be thought, that the heavy doome pronounced againſt the Intruder at the Kings Marriage Supper for his Son,
Wedding garment, was eſpecially inflicted upirreverence in that behalf. For would an earthly Prince endure a Tradeſman invited by him to a Feaſt, to come regardleſs out of his ſhop, in his worſt Apparrel, without reſpect of
Joſeph muſt not be preſentPharaoh without trimchanging his rayment. And what adoe was there with the Purification of the Virgins,
Ahaſuerus his preſence? To this purpoſe God himſelf leſſoneth grieAaron for the unexpectdeath of his two raſh ſons Nadab and Abihu, I will be ſanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. It is a plot of Satan to brand due reverence of the body with the ſcandal of Superſtition: Bowing at the name of Jeſus, ſtanding up at the
Creed; kneeling at the ReceiBleſſed Sacrament of the Lords Supper, muſt be held with ſome Superſtitious, & to ſmel of Popery, as though it were too much for him that created the body aswel as the ſoul, to have the due reverence from both. And becauſe Papiſts are too peeviſh in over acting, we ſhould performe nothing at all. That mean therefore muſt be kept bewarrantable Ceremonies and ſuperſtitious fooleries; that in deteſting the one, wee prove not profane in the oCeremonies, in a Preface to our Leiturgy, why ſome be aboliſhed, and ſome retained: which thoſe that diſlike,
fancies, and that moſt commonly (as our faſhions) endures no longer then the ſtarting up of aclouds without water, fruitleſſe trees, raſea, foamgrace, ſhifts withont bluſhing, drifts withconſcience and Chriſtianity, our late experience hath taught us how ruinous they prove to Church and Commonwealth. The ſmarts whereof ſhould rather make us to recollect our ſelves, and recover that we have loſt both in external and internal Devotions,
wayes which in the end muſt needs undo us; for this falleth in with that of the Prophet,
Becauſe my people have forgotten me, they have burnt Incenſe unto vanity, and they have cauſed them to ſtumble in their wayes from the ancient paths to walk in paths in a way not caſt up, to make their Land deſolate, and a perpetual hiſsing. Every one that paſſeth thereby, ſhall be aſtoniſhed, and wag his head. But mark the iſſue if timely repentance prevent it not) I will ſcatter them as with an Eaſt wind before the enemy, I will ſhew them the back, and not the face in the day of their calamity. Amendment therefore for the preſent, and prevention for
That which the Apoſtle requireth,
Let all things be done decently and in order,] is of a large extent, and hath a more evident reflex in our devotions upon the outward poſtures of our body, then the inward affection of the mind.
Such Geſtures therefore as theſe;
(1. Caſting our eyes on the earth, and ſmiting our breſts as unworthy to behold hea
2. Standing up at the Creed in token of our free profeſſion of it, and reſolution
3. The lifting up of our eyes and hands to heaven, as to the Mercy-Seat of that only God, to whom only our prayers are to bee direct
4 Strong cryes and tears,
Supplications prevalent with him that puts them in his bottle, and is able to ſave us from death, provided they be as well meant, as they are oftentimes expreſſed.
5. Bowing of the head and body.
6. Kneeling on the knees.
7. Proſtrating our whole body upon the earth;) have pattern and warrant in Scripture, and may be uſed of us in our private or publick de
1 For caſting down the eyes to the earth, as unworſmiting his breſt,
Publicans poſtures, that went home more juſtified thereby, then the ſelf-pleaſing, vaunting Phariſee. 2.
Phineas stood up and prayed, therewith executing judgſenſes) and ſo the plague ceaEglon the fat King of Moab had ſo much goodneſs in him, as to riſe from his ſeat when he was to hear a Meſſage from God. And may Chriſtians hold it ſuFaith is to be profeſſed? And Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghoſt,
bleſſed Trinity, to be given unto God?
3. Moſes holding up his hands that purchaſed victoAmalek:
Exod. 17.11. Davids practice and prayer, I have lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help.
lifting up of my hands be as the eveſacrifice. Our Saviours confirmation in that excellent prayer for his diſciples, [Theſe things ſpake Jeſus,
and lift up his eyes to heaven, and ſaid] are uncontrollable patterns for the lifting up of our eyes and hands to God in prayer. 4. And he that obſerDavids watering his couch with tears by night,
mingling his drink with weeping by day:
Jeremies
his head to be a fountears:
Peters bitter tears,
Marie's bath of tears for our Saviours feet, and towel of her locks, to wipe them, muſt acknowtears with prayer, make a happy mixture to procure pity from him who ſhed tears over Jeruſalem, and wept in compaſsion with the ſiſters,
Lazarus.
knees and body; that humble poſture of the afflicted Iſraelites, when they received the hopefull meſſage of their deliverance, may be a lending caſe to bee imitated, when they heard that the Lord had viſited the children of Iſrael, and that he had looked upon their affliction: Then they bowed
their heads (ſaith the Text) and worſhiped.
And what can be the meaprohibition from falling down, and worſhiping images, or any other ſimilitudes in the ſecond commandment? but that God hath retained unto himſelf, ſuch a religious worſhip of the body.
King of heaven; I have ſworn by my ſelfe, the word is gone out of my mouth in rightereturn; That unto mee every knee ſhall bow, and eſwear; The ſame poſture, when we find
[that at,
Phil. 2.10. or in the Name of Jeſus, every knee ſhould bow, of things inheaven, and things on the earth, and things under the earth] conOneneſſe of the Son with the Father; which novelliſts now queſtion, and make it their glory to cavil at, where confutation is impoſſible.
1 King. 8.54 Solomon (with theſe now maſters) for kneeling on his knees, and ſpreading of his hands toward heaven, in his dedication prayer of the Temple,
Daniel, for praying on his knees three times a day, ſhall be ſcarce thought worthy to be beloved. And Saint Paul might ſave his labour for bowing his knees to the Father of our Lord Jeſus
Epheſ. 3.14
Chriſt, in the behalfe of the Epheſians, becauſe ſitting (as many doe at Sermons with their heads covered) would be farre more eaſie, and in thoſe mens diſcipline, doe as well.
And laſt of all,
falling on his face,
[O my Father, if it be poſsible, let this cup paſſe from me; nevertheleſſe not as I will, but as thou wilt.] I ſhould hold him far from ſuperſtition, that in time and place, and where it may be fitly performed, ſhall probody, or doe more (if it were poſſible) put his face between his knees (as Elias did on mount Carmel) in adoring him in whoſe book are all our members written,
day by day
faſhioned when there was yet none of them.
leiturgy, as a preface to the enſuing devo[O come let us worſhip & fal down and kneel before the Lord our maker] conſorting with that in the 132. [we will go into his Tabernacle, we will fall low before his footstoole] ſhould ſhame the irreverent behavihouſe of prayer; which Turks and Infidels would hold abomihouſe is not a place for the diſplaying of plaited hair,
putting on of apparel,
Sion, (taxed particularly by the prophet) but for meek and quiet ſpirits,
to ſet forth his moſt worthy praiſe, to hear his moſt holy word, and to aske thoſe things that be requiſite as well for the body as the ſoule. And that is not to be ſlighted,
Corinthian Aſſemblies; that men preſuheads covered, and women, with their heads uncovered. I would have you (my daughfeet, when you enter into the houſ of God, that your devotions through irreverent unſeemlineſſe, prove not the ſacrifice of fools.
It was the modeſty & humility of ſome of your fore-mothers not to ſeat themſelves in the Church, before they had performed a reverent reſpect to the Miniſter then officiating: which howſoever the high ſpirits of theſe times hold derogatory to their greatneſſe; yet the Son of God will take it as done to himſelf, if it be done to the meaneſt of his,
Matth. 10.41 for his ſake: And the B. Virgin his momeek and humble, when the mighty ſhall be put down from their ſeat,
rich ſent empty away. This ſubmiſſe and religious deportment of the body in Gods worſhip, hath been too ſhamefully negleMiniſters ſo much, would hardly be induced to waſh their Maſters feet with their tears,
locks; but thoſe that have ears to hear will hear.
1. Bowing of the head. And,
2. The body to the earth.
3. Kneeling.
4. Proſtration or falling on the face.
5. Lifting up of the eyes to heaven.
6. And ſpreading forth the hands to the ſame place:
7. Smiting of the breſt with the penitent publican, are poſtures of the body warranted to be uſed by precept and practice,
prayers, according to the example of our religious predeceſſors,
phylacteries, or fringes, put us in mind of the weight of the buſineſs we are about, ſet an edge on our dulneſſe,
violence (as it were) and take by force the kingdome of heaven;
fervency will meet with many Impediments to be conſidered in the next place.
PRayer is ſo effectual aSatan and all his drifts and depths, that he ſets his utmoſt plots and ſtratagems to fruſtrate or hinder it; and therefore, he that ſeriouſly compoſeth himſelf to prayer, ſhall bee ſure to meet with a world of Impediments. Amongſt which theſe eſpecially may be taken notice of to be care
1. Wandring thoughts.
2. Preſumption.
3. Oſtentation.
4. Superſtition.
5. Boſom ſins retained.
6. Irreconciliation.
7. Deſpair.
1. Concerning wandring thoughts, we ſhould eApoſtle,
man ask wiſdom, let him as kit, (not by by Interceſſion of Saints or Angels) but of God himſelfe, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not. —But let him ask it in faith, nothing wavering, for he that wavereth is like a wave of the ſea, driven of the wind, and toſſed; and let not that man think that hee ſhall receive any thing of the Lord. Such people in our Saviours cenſure honour him
hearts are far from him. Say one thing, and mind another; pretend Love, but ſeek him for the Loaves;
contemplations on their Wives,
Farmes, and Oxen, (and perchance worſe fancies) in the midſt of their Devotions. This is an inbred Diſeaſe, and an infectious weed of origiHigaions, and Selahs, and Hoſannahs, uſed to raiſe Attention and Intention (as ſome probably think) in the Old Teſtament; and by that of the Apoſtles, Lord increaſe our faith,
New;
Phariſaical Philacteries.
2. The next Impediment
Preſumption, which ſwells up the thoughts of its owne worth, and acindignity, not to have audience before others. The wiſe man ſets them forth in their native colours:
There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet are not waſhed from their filthineſſe. Thoſe will tell you (as the Prophet informeth) Stand by thy ſelf,
near to me, for I am holier then thou: but what is the Lords cenſure of them in the very ſame place? Theſe are a ſmoak in my noſe, and a fire that burneth all day, with whom he is incenſed ſo far, that hee will deſtroy ſuch Murderers, and burne up their City.
Phariſee got by his preſumption,
Publican by his Humility in prayer, our Saviour tels us;
juſtified; what the other got, we read not. It is a ſubſtantiChurchbook, that would have us to confeſs our ſins with an humble, lowly, penitent and obedient heart, that we may obtaine forgiveneſſe of them by Gods infinite goodneſſe and mercy.
3. Therefore how can we preſume that thoſe Prayers ſhall be acceptable which are accompanied with an Oſtentation of Imaginary gifts, and ſpun out in length, to beg applauſe rather of tired hearFaſtings, Prayers, and Almeſ-deeds, that are done only to bee ſeen of men, have no further reward then a windy approbation: but thoſe that ſow the wind, can expect no better crop then a whirlewind,
meal, and if it do, ſtrangers ſhall ſwallow it up.
4. As Oſtentation, ſo ſuperſtition is to be avoided. External Ceremonies for Order, Decency and Solemnity, (no way croſſing Gods word and agreed upon by prudent and religious Superiours,) are to be conformably ſubSacraments into Sacrifices, make
God of a piece of Bread, atCroſs then to him that was crucified upon it, make maſters of ReSaints and Angels, without commiſſion from the Lord of all; nay, having prohibition to the contrary, and the like: this can proyour hands? Such Oblations and Incenſe are vaine and abominable undogs neck,
Lamb. Let Nadab and Abihn take heed therefore, (though they be Aarons ſons) how they bring in ſtrange fire before the Lord,
command lies, that muſt be punobſerved, wee muſt think that our inventions will not take better in Gods Worſhip then his own preſcriptions.
5. But ſuppoſe us free from Superſtition, yet a greater Impediment may fruſtrate our prayers, and that is, a boſom ſin, which moſt foſter as a Favourite. But this muſt be outed with the reſt, if we expect any favour from him that heareth prayer.
Pſal. 65.2. Joh. 9.31. We know, (ſaid the poor cured blind man) that God heareth not ſinners; which was Davids profeſſion in his owne experience.
If I incline to wickedneſſe with my heart, the Lord will not hear me. Fain would the young man that
running to our Saviour, have kept his pelf with theinKingdom of heaven; but when our Saviour had diſboſom impediment, he went away grieved,
Chriſt and Belial inJoſhuah be never ſo earneſt with all the Elders of Iſrael, by reaſon of their unexpectAi,
There is an accurſed thing in the midſt of thee, O Iſrael, thou canſt not ſtand before thine enemies untill
ye take away the accurſed thing from amongſt you. This is that the Apoſtle aimed at, when he importunes ſo earnCorinthians,
2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your ſelves, whether you be in the faith, prove your owne ſelves; Know you not your own ſelves, that Jeſus Chriſt is in you except ye be Reprobates? Now Jeſus Chriſt never harbourboſom-ſin keeps reſidence. The Prophet Davids prayer therefore in this caſe muſt make way to our Prayers.
ground of my heart. Prove me, and examine my thoughts. Look well if there bee any way of wickedneſſe in me, and lead me in the way everlaſting. In which way
6. No happy progreſſe to be expected, if wee that ſue for Gods peace ſhould come unreconciled to our brethren. Saint John gives him the plain lye,
loveth God, and hateth his brother; for (ſaith he) he that loveth not his brother whom he hath ſeen, how can he love God whom he hath not ſeen? That we ſee more effecteth then that we hear of; and all will ſay, I will truſt mine owne eyes rather then ano
But how irreconciliation with our brethren, voids all our addreſſes to God, we need be leſſoned no farther then from our Saviours owne mouth.
Firſt, Where he tells us, that all our Oblations will be
jar be dependbetween us and our brother; and therefore agree with thine Adverſary, and that quickly (ſaith he) whiles thou art in the way with him.
Next, what ſhall wee ſay to that, that our treſpaſſes are deſired to be forgiven us, no otherwiſe, then upon this (repeated condition again, and again moſt ſtrictly to be obſerved) As we forgive them that treſpaſſe againſt us.
And laſtly, is not that a thundring cenſure denounfew pence, when his Lord had acquitted him for ſo many Talents? O thou wicked Servant,
Mat. 28.32 I forgave thee all that debt becauſe thou
deſiredſt me, ſhouldſt not thou have had alſo compaſſion on thy fellow ſervant, even as I had pity on thee? And you may read what followes, Take him Tormentors, not a penny to be abated; thoſe that afford none, ſhall find no mercy. And the application is from him that propounDoctrine,
ver. 35. So likewiſe ſhall my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their treſpaſſes.
7. Laſtly, Diſtruſt and deſpair take away all ground of prayer, and turn us into the Land of Nod with Cain, to denounce with a guilty conſcience,
Gen. 4.13 Mine iniquity is greater then it my be forgiven; or politickly to hang our ſelves with Achitophel, or to give
Acheldama with Judas. Such Murderers and Traytors prevent as it were Gods judgments, and ſup
Let it be your care thereHindrances of prayer.
Abraham had much ado when he ſacrificed, to keep off the fowls from devouring it. And Joſhuah the High Prieſt ſhall no ſoonpoor and ragged ſupplicant for reſtoDivel
and he will flee from thee.
force of arms, nor faſting only, or almesdeeds (howſoever otherwiſe commended) but by contiSaviour, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. And with this being put to flight, if the evil ſpirit reſeven worſe then himſelf,
ſhield of faith will be ſufficient to quench all his fiery darts, becontinued prayers and ſupplication in the ſpirit, and watching there
HE that intends to build a tower,
ſits downe, and counts the coſts what it wil amount unto, leſt haply when he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to compaſs it, all that behold begin to mock and ſay, This man began to build, and was not able to finiſh it. In this the caſe of
addreſſes to God by prayer, is in a manner repreſented. All kind of ſnares, diſtractions, ſeductions, impediments, ſhall be caſt in his way; that expreventions, and helps come from above, and are circumſpectly uſed of us, our beſt intents will but prove attempts, like a foundation that wants a purſe to comhelpes that herein will beſt further us, may be reckoned to be,
1. Meditation.
2. Vowes.
3. Faſting.
4. Almes-deeds.
5. Viſiting of the ſick and diſtreſſed.
6. Frequenting pious and lawfull aſſemblies.
7. Putting on the whole
Armour of God, whereby we may be able to ſtand in the evil day,
Eph. 6 13. and having done all, to ſtand.
meditation and prayer mutually helpe each other, the Pſalmiſt ſheweth in his early, and earPonder my words (O Lord) and conſider my meditation.
Pſal. 5.1. O hearken thou unto the voice of my calling, my King and my God, for unto thee do I make my prayer: my voice ſhalt thou hear in the morning (O Lord) in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up; which when he had done in a ſerious turning over three books, the book of Nature, the book of Scripture, and the book of Conſcience (which alconcluſion, Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be alwaies acceptable in thy ſight,
Pſal. 19.14.15. O Lord my Strength and my Redeemer.
Iſaak's practice (no doubt from the inſtitution of his good father Abraham) he went out to meditate in the field at eveningtide (to pray ſaith the margin in our laſt tranſlation;) intimating,
prayer and Meditation be of ſuch affinity, that prayer without meditation is as a meſſenger that runs without his errand. 2.
prayers upon deliberate meditation,
Godfathers
Godmothers in our Baptiſm, to forſake the divel, fleſh, and world; with all their pompes and vanities, might hold us in a right courſe, without any monkiſh by-laws or further impoſitions of our owne, if they were as well kept, as they are wiſely ſet down in our Catechiſme: But ſuch is our wavering weakneſſe, and itch after Novelties, that we muſt needs have a new leſſon, before the old be learned, and Manna from heaven ſhall not reliſh, if it grow too common: you ſhould do well therefore (my daughters) not to vow more then you have undertaken to doe already, or elſe to vow no otherwiſe then that it may tend to the perforRechabites to the commands of their Father Jonadab,
Scripture, as an enſample for obſerving the fifth Commandment, yet the PhariſaiCorban, that exempted children from obedience to their parelieving them in their neceſsity, is branded by our Saviour, as an attempt which juſtles aſide Gods law that mans Traditions might take place. So wiſe wee would make our ſelves, to perfect Gods Text with our marginal notes, and give order for a directer way to heaven, then he that is the way,
truth, & the life, had leiſure or
Jeptha's invow.
Sauls for killing Jonathan?
Davids for maſNabal with his whole familie, have wrought, if God in mercy had not interpoſed? Our vowes therefore (when we make any extraordinary) muſt be, 1. Warrantable by Gods word. 2. Fit for our condition of life. 3. ConInjurious to none. 5. Changeable upon neceſſity. 6. Referred wholly to Gods glory, and the good of the Church and commonexempting from performance of any Chriſtian duties that juſtly belong unto
helps to our prayers.
As, 3. Faſting muſt be acknowledged to bee, which is commonly joined with praier.
Mat. 17.2. Our Saviour mentioneth a kind of divels that goeth out, not by prayer only, but by faſting, joiprayer. Where faſting ſtaves off ſenſuality from hindering our prayers, which only do the deed, that fasting fitteth us for. Thoſe that cry down our Lent faſts, ember weeks, faſting on holiday eves, according to preſcribed orChurch, may as wel take exception at the appoinafflicting of ſouls in the old Teſtament,
Pauls bringing under, and ſubjecting his
body in the new, without which his preaching would not free him from a caſt away. You ſhall do beſt therefore (my daughters) to keep theſe good and warrantable orders in your families. Your Almesdeeds will be the larger: which help on prayers,
4. In the fourth place. Cornelius (ſaith the Angel) thy prayers, and thy Almeſdeeds are come up as a memorial betheſe, nor faſting be tainted with Phariſaical vain glory,
Saviour warnes us of, as of leaven, corrupting the whole lump. Where,
5. Viſiting the ſick, or any other diſtreſſed, and relieving them according to our beſt
abilities, makes a fair way to have our own prayers heard, and diſtreſſes relieved. For doth not our Saviour put ſuch poor layings out (yet not of our own, but of that we are for a time intruſted with) upon his own account? I was an hungred,
Mat. 25.35 and ye gave mee meat; I was thirſty, and ye gave me drink; I was a ſtranger and ye took me in; naked, and ye clothed me; I was ſick, and ye viſited me; I was in priſon and ye come unto me. He that takes notice to grace ſuch petty aſſayes by the name of bleſſed, and crowns them through his infinite mercy with eternal happineſs, wil he reject the petitions that come thus accompanied? eſpecially if in their walke they lapeace-makers,
graces, honour and good acceptance, will be the better underſtood and improved of us,
frequenters of the appointed aſſemblies, in ſet times, and places for Gods publick and ſacred worſhip. Not to heare and obſerve only what gifts our teachers have, but to atſcripture orderly read, by the lawful Miniſter, according to the adviſed apChurch, maCalenders, and to joyn with him and the reſt of the congregation, in confeſſsion of our ſins, profeſsion of our faith, with one voice and heart offering up our prayers, as a ſweet ſmelling ſacripraiſe,
thanksgiving to our Father which is in heaven, through Jeſus Chriſt our only Lord and Saviour. This is that which the Apoſtle urgeth,
profeſsion of our faith without wavering, conſidering one another, to provoke unto love and good workes, not forſaking of the aſſembling of our ſelves together, as the manner of ſome is, ſome ſupeſtitious and ſchiſmatical Recuſants, being then, as now there are. For the joint prayers and orderly reading the Scricatechiſed, what to believe, how to pray, in what ſort to perduty towards God
Faith, Hope and Charity to eſteem of Baptiſm, and to receive the bleſſed Sacrament of the Lords Supper. Now where ſhall theſe ſa
I adviſe you therefore, my Daughters, to be alCommon-Prayers, Sermons, Marriages, Baptiſings, Churchings of Women, Funerals, or oLords Supper, where it is orderly and relichriſtened ſo by their owne,
faith, vertue, and to your vertue knowledge, and to your knowledge temperance, and to your temperance patience, and to your patience godlineſſe, and to your godbrotherly kindneſſe, and to your brotherly kindcharity. Theſe things abounding in you, ſhall make you powerful in prayfruitful in good works, chearful in your Callings, conſtant in your good courcontented in your condihappy in your chilcomfortable to your neighbors and acwhole Armour of God, which the Apoſtle commends un
7. Laſtly, betake our ſelves unto, as a ſafe Hold and Help to ſecure our prayers. By this Armour,
1.
feet are ſhod with the Goſpels preparation of Peace, ſuch peace as the world cannot give; this leads us in the right way, and frees us from by-pathes, or daſhing our feet againſt blocks or ſtones.
2. The loynes are girt atruth, which is al
3 The breſt is garded with the breſt-plate of Righteouſneſſe; not of our owne,
of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Chriſt, the Righteouſneſſe which is of God by faith.
4. The left hand next the heart is furniſhed with the Shield of faith. So that when Satan is ready with his fiery darts to drive a guilty conſcience into Deſpair, upon the horror of Gods immuFaith is reaPardon to preman ſin,
Advocate with the Father, Jeſus
Righteous, and he is the Propitiation for our ſins.
ſtripes we are healed, who as Sheep had gone aſtray, but are now returned to the Shepherd and Biſhop of our ſouls.
5. The right hand is fitSword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. This is not only Defenſive but Offenſive,
Heb. 4.12. quick and powerful, and ſharper then any two edged ſword, piercing even to the dividing aſunder of the ſoul and ſpirit, and of the joynts and marrow, and is a diſcerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. This frighted and flighted the Tempter in that onſet againſt our Saviour in the wilderneſſe, of which Triumph we are made par
6. The Head is ſecured with the Helmet of ſalvation, ſetled on the Promiſes of the Father in our Redeem
7. By Prayer and Supplication in the ſpirit,
Eph. 6.18. watching thereunto with all Perſeverance (as the Apoſtle there ſheweth) and that not withwreſtle not only againſt fleſh and blood, but againſt principalities, againſt Powers, againſt the Rulers of the darkneſſe of this world; againſt ſpiritual wickedneſſe in High Places, which needs
1. For their warineſſe that grapple with us.
2. For their invulnerableneſſe, they being Spirits, whereas wee are fleſh and bloud.
3. For their principalities, whereby they challenge a preheminence over us.
4. For their Power by which they would quickly overbear us.
5. By their rule in dark
6. They being ſpiritual and inviſible, wee car
7. They in high places, we in the lower ground, at plea
The advantages therefore being ſo many and material, doth it not ſtand us upon to be armed (as it were from top to toe) to withſtand all theſe Forces in the evil day; and and having done all, to ſtand? which if in a ſtorm extraorSaviour by prayMaſter,
Matth. 8. Luke 8. Maſter we periſh, that he may awinds and waves; and then a wiſhed calme will follow: which how it may be diſcerned, the next Chapter may in ſome ſort direct.
NOne put up Petitions to any, but wait for an Anſwer, what they may depend upon. The ſervants of Benhadad,
ſackcloth and ropes about
heads were ſupplicants for their Maſter to victoriAhab, obſerved diligentEſthers engagement amongſt the Virgins preſented to Ahaſuerus for ſelecting a Queen,
Eſth. 2.11. Mordecai walked every day before the Court of the Womens houſe, to know how Eſther did, and what would become of her. It ſtands much more upon Religious Petitioners, that have put up their Prayers to God in matters of the higheſt conI will hearken what the Lord will ſay concerning me, for he will ſpeak peace unto his people; and to his Saints, that they turne not again to folly. This Micah ſeconds him, in a time when neither friend, nor wife, nor children, much leſſe ſervants were to be truſted,
I will look upon the Lord (ſaith he) I will wait for the God of my ſalvation, my God will hear me. The like attendance we find profeſſed by Habakkuk, for expecting what God would do concerning a threatned ruine from the Caldeans,
will
ſtand upon my watch (ſaith he) and ſet me upon the Tower, and I will watch to ſee what he will ſay unto me, and what I ſhall anſwer when I am reproved; for hee that thinks it ſufficient to pray, and obOſtrich, which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmes them in the duſt, litpray fervently, but to wait patiently, till ſome good toMiracles here are not to be ex
When Abrahams ſervant ſaw with his eyes how all things ſucceeded as he had prayed for, in Rebekahs readineſs to give him to drink, and water his Camels,
And Hannahs cheerfulneſſe after her praying to God for a Man-child,
Manaohs wives Logick in ſuch caſes may ſtand for a rule, The Deed will lead us to
doer, and that we find, to that wee ſearch after.
Lord were pleaſed to kill us, (as you husband conclude) he would not have received a burnt Offering, and a Meat Offering at our hands, neither would he have ſhewed us all theſe things, nor would at this time have told us ſuch things as theſe. Upmen and women thus proceed to gather what is become of their devouteſt prayer.
Apoſtle to the Galatians ſets downe nine Fruits of the Spirit, which thoſe that are furniſhed with, are not liable to any conLaw. Theſe are 1. Love. 2. Joy. 3. Peace. 4. Long-ſuffering. 5. Gentleneſſe.
Goodneſſe. 7. Faith 8. Meekneſſe. 9. Temperance.
If after our humble ſuits then commended to God, upon unpartial examination of our untainted conſciences, we find our love to God and Man increaſed, our Joy, through ſome good events heightned, our Peace, both inward and outward confirwalking in the Spirit (as the Apoſtle gives there the rule) we ſhall find which way the Spirit blowes,
walking in the Spirit, there are required theſe ſeven Aſſociates.
1. Light, without which there is no walking or working.
night cometh when no man can work.
2. Confidence to come at length to the Haven where we would be,
ſtrangers and Pilgrims.
3 The love of the Country to which wee are walking; from whence being abſent, wee have Davids longing;
Simeons craving his Letters demiſſory,
Luk. 2.29. Lord now letteſt thou thy ſervant depart in peace, according to thy Word. And Saint Pauls deſire to be diſſolved,
Chriſt.
4. Aſſurance that we are in the right way to it; ſee that yee walk circumſpectly; (ſaith the Apoſtle) not as fools,
Eph. 5.15, 16. but as wiſe, redeeming the time becauſe the dayes are evil.
5. Sobriety;
bleſſed are they that are undefiled in the way, and walk in the Law of the Lord; which will be a ſure guide unto them.
6. Peaceableneſs with their fellow Travellers. See that ye fall not out by the way (ſaith Joſeph to his brethren;) which
vain glory,
provoking one an other, and envying one another, when common calamities or bleſſings invite us moſt to unity.
7. Cheerfulneſſe, that ſweetneth all the croſſes in the way, and encourageth us to go on, with aſſrance of the crowne that is ſet before us. Thoſe that ſigh and cry for the abominations of the times, and ſee (as it were) Gods hand lifted up to ſtrike,
marked (as in Ezekiel and the Revelation) which we ſhall diſcern in our ſelves, as we find a conformity beNathaniel without guile) finds himſelfe Humble
mourning for his owne ſins, and the inimeek to his companions; hungring and thirſting to do good to all men; Merciful to the miſerable; Pure in his intenpatient in induring inMark of Bleſſedneſſe is ſtampt upon him, which is the chief
1. Hallowing of Gods name above all things.
2. The promoting of his Kingdom and Church.
3. The doing his wil in ob
4. The acknowledging with all thankfulneſſe our daily bread, and all other neceſſa
5. Our readineſſe to forgive all other their treſpaſſes a
6. Our deſires to be freed from all temptations of the fleſh and world in which wee ſhould periſh being left to our ſelves. And
7. Of protection from the violences and ſtratagems of that roaring Lion,
ſeeking whom he may devour. Should not ſuch hearty deSons compoſing, hath found favour with the Father, to our beſt advantage in due time to be accompliſhed.
Thus have you (my dear children) the neceſsity of prayer, and to whom it is to be directed; the things that we are to pray for, and the awful reverence to be uſed in asking: the Impediments that may hinder it, and Helps that may make it effectual; The Tokens whereby we may conPreparation, when we ſettle our ſelves to pray,
without ceaſing,
1. The infinite Majeſty of God.
2. Our own vileneſſe.
3. The fraud and fury of our adverſaries, the Fleſh, the World, and the Divel.
4 The weight of the bu
5. The Intereſt we have in our Saviour Chriſt Jeſus, who hath made an Attone
6. The Inevitableneſs of the account we are to make, and the uncertainty of the time we ſhall be called to it.
7. And laſtly, The ſtrictneſs of the judgement, and unAway from me
all ye that work vanity, for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping, the Lord hath heard my Petition, the Lord will receive my prayer. Which how you may frame more parti
Private or Publick: Thoſe are to be accounted Private, which touch not only on private occafions, but as they are differenced from ſo
Perſonal, or prayers in ſecret.Houſhold, or prayers in a Family.Bleſſings, or occaſionPſalms, Hymns or ſpiEjaculations framed on all ſorts of conceits or objects.Lamentations for ſin or miſeries.Excitations or Incouragements to all kind of Chriſtian cheerful
IT is a queſtion propoſed by the Apoſtle, What man knoweth the things of man,
1 Cor. 2.11 ſave the ſpirit of man which is in him? And cannot be anſwered otherSpirit of Adoption, whereby wee cry Abba, Father, beareth witſpirit, that we are the children of God.
This Spirit is conſcienciO God, thou haſt ſearched me out, and knowne me, thou knoweſt my down-ſitting, and my up-riſing, thou underſtandeſt my thoughts long before. Thou art about my path, and about my bed, and ſpieſt out all my wayes. For lo, there is not
mouth, but thou O Lord knoweſt it altogether. To the ſame purpoſe is that conſiderate acknowledgment in an other place. Who can tell how oft he offendeth? O cleanſe mee from my ſecret faults, keep thy ſervant alſo from preſumptuous ſins, leſt they get the dominion over me; ſo ſhal I be undefiled and innocent from the great offence.
growth of ſin, as of an infant in the womb, from ſcarce ſenſible motions, to cloſe committed offences; which if they meet not with ſome publick check, they will dare by degrees to apſeareth the conſcience,
cruſhed, in the egge, will ſoon become a moſt dangerous flying ſerpent: which can be quelled only with perſonal prayers,
temptations, terrors, and aſſaults wee are moſt moleſted with. Now theſe are only known to God and our ſelves; and the Father, that obſerveth in ſecret our retired ſuits, will reward us openly to his own glory, and our beſt advantage. This Jacob was fully perſwaEſaus coming with four hundred men againſt him, he betakes himſelf to this effectual perſonal prayer, dictated to him by feare, upO
God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Iſaak, thou Lord, which ſaidſt unreturn unto thy country, and to thy kindred; and I will deal well with thee; I am not worthy of thy mercies; and all thy truth, which thou haſt ſhewed unto thy ſervant; for with my ſtaffe I paſſed over this Jordan, and now I am become two hands. Deliver me (I pray thee) from the hand of my brother Eſau, for I feare him, leſt he ſhould come and ſmite mee with the mother upon the children.
wreſtled he with God, and obtained a bleſsing, and thus muſt all that generation of them doe, that ſeek him, even of them that ſeek thy face, O Jacob. What was St.
Pauls thorne in the fleſh, that
remedie doe we find he uſed to take it off? no other but perſonal praier. For this thing (ſaith he) I beſought the Lord that it might depart from me; and the reMy Grace is ſufficient for thee, for my ſtrength is made perfect in weakneſſe. In theſe and the like practices of Piety, you have Samplers (my daughperſonal prayers upon aBoſome ſins, peculiar temptations, and ſecret defects are incident to the beſt, and none knowes ſo well where a fair ſhooe wrings, as hee that weares it. In ſuch caſes
Hannah, needed not a promO Lord of hoſts, if thou wilt indeed look upon the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man-child,
1 Sam. 1.11. then will I give him unto the Lord all the dayes of his life. I need not relate how well this prayer took, the ſtory of Samuel being ſo well known. From Eſthers tremAhaſucrus, and the imO my Lord, thou only art our king, helpe me deſolate woman, who have no helper but thee, for my danger is in mine hand. O thou mighty God above all,
forlorn,
deliver us out of the hand of the miſchievous, and deliver mee out of my feare. This prayer howſoever Apocriphal, the calamities of theſe times have made in a ſort Canonical. The dangers are not unſlike; all upon the point to be loſt, and no hopes of redreſs, but by publick and private prayers, deliberate and occaſional, which need not juſtle one the other, but duly take their turnes in their ſeveral places. Extemporal and perſonal
private occaſions (which are too often emergent) we muſt compublick Aſſemblies, where Gods people come toonly to hear that, whereby they may be inſtruprofeſſe their faith, and give God thanks with their own mouthes in an uniforme manask thoſe things which ſhall be requiſite and neceſbody, as the ſoul, not only for themdiſperſed, preſent or diſtreſſed; in ſuch publick devotions, young men and maidens,
Pſal. 148.12 every one accorPraiſe the Name of the Lord. All muſt joyne in ſaying, Almighty and moſt mercifull Father, we have erred and ſtrayed from thy waies like lost ſheepe. All anſwer the Miniſters entrance, O Lord open thou our lips, and our mouth ſhall ſhew forth thy praiſe. All ſtand up and profeſſe with him leading the way. I Believe in God, the Father Almightie, Maker of Heaven and Earth.] For was not the Hoſanna of the children in the Temple,
Miniſter in prayadmire or cenſure their Miniſters gifts, and perconvinced with better reaſons then have yet beene produced.
IF any provide not for his own, and eſpecially thoſe of his own houſe, or kindenied the faith,
Now if this be required in matters temporal, why ſhould it not be urged more earneſtly in caſes ſpirituall, by how much heaven is to be preferred before earth, and the ſoule before the bothe Lord build the houſe,
Pſ. 127.1. the labour is but loſt of them that build it: as except the Lord keepe the city, the watchman waketh but in vain: labor and wake, and toile we may early and late, and eat the bread of carefulneſſe, and be never the nearer,
glorious Majestie of the Lord our God be upon us, to proſper the workes of our hands, and impart ſucceſſe, and ſleep to his beloved.
Thoſe houſe-keepers thermarriage Pſalme (ſo pertinently uſed in our leiturgie) upon them and theirs,
Abraham was) to have them religiouſly inſtructed, and well chatechized (as thoſe
three hundred and eighteen were,
deſtruction of Sodom and Gomorrha. And the Lord ſaid,
Gen. 18.19. Shall I hide from Abraham the thing that I do? &c. For I know that he will command his children, and his houſhold after him, and they ſhall kee? the way of the Lord, to do juſtice and judgment. The fruit of which houſhold InMeſopetamia to fetch a wife for his ſon Iſaac. The prayer of
O Lord of my Maſter Abraham, I pray thee ſend me good ſpeed this day, and ſhew kindneſs to my Maſter Abraham;
but bowed himſelf to the earth and worſhipped.
Job herein out of the Land of Uz, from among the reGentiles, may bee a further patterne to Maſters of Families themſelvs; How
offer ſacrifices for them, and ſanctifie them? For it may be (ſaith he) that my ſons have ſinned, and curſed (or as one tranſlates it, little bleſſed) God in their hearts. And thus did Job continually.
Of Eli wee find nothing but that of himſelf, he was a good old man, and harmleſſe, yet for want of taking a rounder courſe with his ſcan
It is well David in ſetling his family bethought himdarling children had been ununfaithful,
Pſalm 101 froward, ſlanderous, proud, ſtubborn, deceitfull ſhall find intertainNay, (ſaith he) mine eyes look upon thoſe that are faithful in the Land,
ver. 8, that they may dwell with me: who ſo leadeth a godly life he ſhall be my ſervant.
Nay, if Captain Cornelius be obſerved to fear God ſincerely, and to be conſtant in his Devotions, he ſhall not be deſtitute of houſhold ſervants, and of a devout ſoldier, whom hee may ſeDevotions, and deſigned tasks. And theſe Devotions, muſt be firſt in ſet and ſuch forms, as all may beſt be acquainted with, and eaſily made their own to bear their part in them.
Next, The time and place for this concurrence, muſt be ſo ordered, wherein moſt (if not all) may bee preſent. Where the often repetition of the ſame ſet formes, may make ſuch an impreſſion, that the rudeſt and little ones may have them by heart, which the beſt gifted will confeſſe to be moſt uſeful and com
Now Houſhold Prayers are uſually Morning and Evening.
For Morning Prayer it will be found by experience, that by reaſon of divers diſtractiDinner. Then the Maſter of the Family, or fit
1. With the general ConAlmighty and moſt merciful Father, &c. to be repeated by all after him, de
2. Thoſe two knowne prayers, the one for Peace, O God who art the Author of peace and lover of concord,—
Grace and protection, that followes, O Lord our heavenly Father, Almighty and everlaſting God,— may be fitly added. In the third place, interpoſe thoſe interchangeable Scriptures, with the Lords Prayer in the midſt of them, as they are ordered in the Leiturgy, Lord have mercy upon us, Chriſt have mercy upon us, Our Father, &c. O Lord ſhew thy mercy upon us, &c. to the end. O Lord make clean our hearts within us.
4. After, that mixt PetitiWe humbly beſeech thee, O Father,] for pardoning our Infirmities, averting deſerved puniſhments, ſtrengthning us with confidence, and conti
5. Adjoyned, that prayer that petitioneth our faulty prayers may be graciouſly accepted, O God whoſe nature and property is ever to have mercy and forgive, — And ſo the common Bleſſing, The Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt,
1 Cor. 13.14 and the love of God, &c may make up the Concluſion.
Evening Prayer (to be celebrated either immediate
1 With the Confeſſion, Almighty and moſt merciful Father, &c. or elſe (for variCommunion, Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt,
Maker of all things, judge of all men, &c.
2. Then come in the two Collects, O God from whom all holy deſires, &c. and Lighten our darkneſſe, &c. anſwerCollects.
3. After, The Lord have mercy upon us, &c. and the Lords Prayer recited (as in the morning) you may take thoſe ſhort requeſts repeated interchangeably, From our enemies defend us, O Chriſt, Graciouſly look upon our afflictions, &c. to the end. And then, We humbly beſeech thee, O Father, &c. O God whoſe nature and property, &c. and The Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, &c. are to be added, as before in Morning Pray
A plainer and a more warMagnificat. But I muſt not digreſſe, you have in the former directions, the ordiWedneſdayes and Frydayes in the week, your houſhould prayers may proWedneſdayes let your be
1. O Lord open thou our lips, with thoſe mutual corGlory be to the Father, &c. wil follow.
2. Then let the Apoſtles Creed bee repeated by all, ſtanding with him that offiI believe in God the Father Almighty, &c.
3. The Prayer before the Commandments may bee repeated kneeling. Almighty
4. The Commandments may be repeated by him that officates, ſtanding, to which the reſt kneeling ſhould, as uſually they do in publick prayers, expreſſe their deLord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts, &c.
In the fifth place may bee added, the prayer for the whole eſtate of Chriſts Church militant here on earth, as you have it, Almighty God, whoſe kingdom is everlaſting, and power infinite, have mercy upon the whole congregation, &c. and then, as formerly, O God whoſe nature and property is ever to have mercy, and forgive, &c. And
The grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, makes up the con
This will revive the memoThey think of their dreames to cauſe my people to forget my name. And not to remember into what faith they were baptized.
For the Fridayes Office in Morning Prayer, the LeiturO God the Father of heaven, &c. and ending with the Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, &c.
And ſo have you the prayers to bee ordinarily uſed with your Families. If beprivate, when you lye downe to ſleep, or riſe in the morning, you would have ſome formes to commend you to God, you ſhall hardAlmighty and moſt gracious God, I heartily thank thee for the ſweet ſleep and comfortable reſt, &c. and that other for the Evening. O merciful God, and heavenly Father, whether we ſleep or wake, live or dye,
we are alwayes thine, &c. to be had in the end of moſt of our Church-Books, which devoutly uſed, will bring us to that thankful acknowledgI laid me down and ſlept, and roſe again, for the Lord ſuſtained me.
BLeſſings may be difavours to us, and our returning thanks to him, are indifferently calBleſsings; of which more hereafter.
Here Bleſsings are to be reckoned for ſuch good turnes, returnes, and wiſhes as uſually we receive from one another. So Melchizedeck
Abraham, Bleſſed be Abraham of the Moſt High God, poſſeſſour of heaven and eath, and bleſſed be the Moſt High God,
Gen. 14.19 20 which hath delivered thine enemies into thine hand. Where Abraham is pronounced happy through Gods favor, and God is praiſed and glorified for thus favouring Abraham.
The Emulation and plotEſau and Jacob for their Fathers Bleſsing, is an Argument that Parents Bleſsings were then of ſome eſteem, which now (with many) are reckoned ſcarce worth the asking. Eſau (not much noted for piety) how tenderly did he take it that his brother had prevented him? and paſſionately with tears urge his father to bleſs
Haſt thou not reſerved a bleſsing for me?
Gen. 27.38 Haſt thou but one bleſsing? Bleſſe me, even me alſo, my father. So ſenſible he ſhewes himſelf of ſo great a loſſe, and vowes revenge on his brother for thus ſupplanting him.
Jacob would not let go the Angel without a Bleſſing,
Pauls rapture into the third heaven was with a thorne in the fleſh, to keep him from boaſting; which our gifted age ſo much triumpheth in.
In ſtead of the patterns of the Old Teſtament, we have Precept in the New, and that
bleſſed. I ſay unto you,
Matt. 5.44. Love your enemies, bleſſe them that curſe you, do good to them that hate you, pray for them that deſpitefully uſe you and perſecute you. And when little caildren were brought unto him,
armes, and laid his hands on them, and bleſſed them.
Saint Peter leads us along in the ſame bleſſed path; for after he had fully ſhewne the mutual duties of HuſFinally be ye all of one mind (ſaith he) having compaſſion one of another. Love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous, not rendring evil for evil, or railing for railing; but contrariBleſſing, knowing that ye are thereunto called, that yee ſhould inherit a Bleſſing.
And do we not read, that as Aaron was commanded to bleſſe the children of Iſrael in this wiſe,
Num. 6.23 The Lord bleſſe thee and keep thee, the Lord make his face to ſhine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee, the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. So the Apoſtles bleſ[The Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt,
2 Cor. 13, 14. 2 Th. 3.17 and the love of God, and the fellowſhip of the Holy Ghoſt be with us all evermore,] is acknowLiberty of Propheſie, is in theſe dayes a
This Doctrine may bee entertained by itching ears,
Daughters) ſhal do better to follow the tracts of your pious predeceſſors, according to the example of good king
David, who after an eminent celebration of Gods publick Worſhip with his Subjects, returned (ſaith the Text) to bleſſe his houſe.
curſing, or ſwearing, or lying, or filthy, or fooliſh talking, or jeſting, which are not convenient, be not heard, or paſs unreproJudas character, fore-propheſied long by the Pſalmiſt, His delight was in curſing,
Pſ. 109.16. and it ſhall happen unto him, he loved not bleſsing, therefore it ſhall be far from him. Our Saviors laſt parting from his Diſciples is thus deſcribed,
He lift up his hands and bleſſed them; and it came to paſſe,
Luk. 24.51 while he bleſſed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. From whence when he returnes to judgeToi ſends Prince Joram his ſon to ſalute David, and to bleſſe him.
Saul goes to meet Samuel to ſalute him (ſaith the Text); the Margin noteth, to bleſſe him. And this muſt not be performed only to great ones, or thoſe of our acquaintance: For if
ſalute your brethren onWhen ye come into an houſe, (it is his charge to his Apoſalute it;
Mat 10.12 13 and if the houſe be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace returne unto you. Worthy and unRomans, with an allowgreet one another with an holy kiſſe; which the jea
The Angels Salutation to
Gideon,
Judg. 6.12 The Lord bee with thee, thou mighty man of Valour, from a Threſher, heightned him to be a viGeneral.
Such a Salutation it was from the Angel Gabriel,
Elizabeth heard the bleſſed Virgins Salutation afterward,
Babe leaped in her womb (ſaith the Text) and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghoſt.
Amongſt other faults of clowniſh and churliſh Nabal (who lived like a hog, and dyed like a dog) this is noted for one of the chiefeſt, that a diſcreet ſervant acMiſtris with; Behold, David ſent Meſſenrailed on them.
But BoaZ his courteous Salutation to his Reapers,
[The Lord be with you,] and their civil returne againe to him, [The Lord bleſſe thee,] are recorded for patternes to bee imitated in like ca
Let it be therefore a chief Token of your Humility and Meekneſſe (my loving Daughters) to bee free of your Bleſsings and due Saſoft anſwer turnes away wrath; ſo a kind Salutaas lyeth in you, live peaceably with all men. Neither is this croſſed by that of our Saviour, Salute no man by the way;
beloved Diſciple, concerning a falſe Teacher,
Receive him not into your houſes, neither bid him, God ſpeed; withal adding a reaFor he that biddeth him God ſpeed, is partaker of his
evil deeds. For in the firſt, Salutation is not forbidden ſimply, but inſiſting upon complements, that might hinder their injoyned quick diſpatch of the buſineſs in hand. And in the latter, a fore-knowledg is preſupSerpent did to Eve) and therefore are to be diſmiſſed rather with a Lord rebuke thee,
God ſpeed to be enGod Speed may bee gion and proſper: if not, they that ſow the wind,
reap nothing but the whirlwind, where their ſpiders
webs will meet with the beeſome of deſtruction;
thoſe ſhall not become Garments, neither ſhall they cover themſelves with their works.
HOW thoſe differ, there is a differJames is Canonical, If any amongſt you be aflicted, let him pray: Is any merry, let him ſing. What? Not Ballads or Jiggs of the times, but Pſalmes, and Hymnes, and
Spiritual Songs. So Saint Paul inſtructeth the Epheſians,
exceſs of wine; but of the fulneſſe of the Spirit; not onmelody in our hearts to the Lord. To the ſame key he tuneth the Coloſsians.
plentifully dwell in all wiſdom) to teach and admoniſh one another, in Pſalms, (as ſome take it) with voice, and Inſtruments of the beſt Muſick; and Hymns, in praiſing God with the voices only; and Spiritual Songs, of private Meditations, upſatisfactory Redemption ranketh the Pſalmes with the fulneſſe of the Law and Prophets?
Old Teſtament, ſo often ciNew, as that which we call the Pſalms of David, in regard he was the chiefeſt Authour of them. Seven of theſe Pſalmes our Savior is thought to have ſang with his Diſciples, (that is, by the Vulgar account from the 112 to the 119) after the Inſtitution of his laſt Supper,
Ezekiah the King, and the Princes, commanded the Levites to ſing praiſes unto the Lord; not in ex tempere conceptions, in their ſolemn reof David and Aſaph the Seer. And did they refuſe to do it? No, but as it followeth, They ſang praiſes with gladneſſe,
2 Chr. 29.30 and bowed themſelves and worſhipped. At the prayPaul and Silas,
foundations of the priſon were ſhadoors flew open, the priſonbands were looſed, and the Keeper of the priſon terriChriſtianity. A man would marvel therefore what thoſe men mean, that are ſo fierce againſt Church-MuDavids Harp,
Aſaph and his breheavenly multitude, who ſang that congratulatory Antheme for the birth of our Savior,
[Glory be to God in the Higheſt, & in earth peace, good wil towards men,] deſcendRevelation) thrice every year, and the moſt edifying paſ
But concerning the divers uſes and applications of the Pſalmes in private, that noPſalmes in Meter may bee a profitable Directory; whereCaſes are ſet down, what Pſalmes wee may di
For you (my Daughters) it may be ſufficient to take into your particular DevoPenitentials; which are the 6, 32, 38. 51, 102, 130, 143. and were uſually repeated weekly, each on its ſet day, which was a pious courſe. But if this may bee thought to be otherwiſe ſupplyed in the Family Confeſsions beMorning and Evening Prayer; it may bee worth
ſix dayes in the Creation, (as they are regiſtred in Geneſis) with the celebration of the Sabbath,
In this accommodation, for Light, the firſt dayes work, you have the 27 Pſalm, The Lord is my light and my ſalvation, whom then ſhall I fear, &c.
For the ſecond dayes work, which were the Heavens, the 19. Pſalm, The heavens declare the glory of God, and the Firmament ſheweth his handy-work.
For the Earth with the Sea, of the third dayes fraThe earth is the Lords, and all that therein is, the compaſſe of the world and they that dwell therein; for he hath founded it upon the ſea, and prepared it upon the flouds, &c.
In the ſame order the Sun, and Moon, and Stars, which were created and ſet in the Firmament the fourth day, are taken into eſpecial conſideration in the 8. Pſalm, When I conſider the heavens, the work of thy fingers, the Moon and the Stars which thou haſt ordained. Behold what an excellent uſe hee makes of it, for a patterne to direct us what we ſhould do in contemplating all the reſt of the Creatures, Lord, what is man that thou art mindful
of him, and the Son of man, that thou viſiteſt him?
The like uſe is made upfiſhes of the Sea, and of the fowls of the air (which were the work of the fifth day) in the 104. Pſalm.
And for the ſixth day, wherein Man was created, with the beaſt, and the reſt of the Inhabitants of the Earth to ſerve him, how fit is the 139 Pſalme to bee thought upon? O God,
Ver. and faſhioned beneath in the earth. Thine eyes did ſee
my ſubſtance, yet being un
And laſt of all, the 92 Pſalm bears this Title, A Pſalm, or Song for the Sabbath Day (conformable to which we have the ſeventh and Lords day) wherein we may obſerve (that which an unwiſe man doth not well conſider,
Ver. 6. and a fool doth not underſtand.)
1. What is to be done in celebrating of it,
[It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to ſing praiſes unto the name of the Moſt Higheſt.
2. At what ſet times e[Morning and Evening, To tell of thy loving kindneſſe early in the Morning,
and of thy truth in the night ſeaſon.
3. With what ſolemnity, [Upon an Inſtrument of ten ſtrings, and upon the Lute, upon a loud Inſtrument,] a
4. Upon what ground? Becauſe God hath made us glad through his works; and therefore this day ſhould be eſpecially ſet apart for to reoperations of his hands, which is intimated in the fourth Commaudment it ſelf, In ſix dayes the Lord made heaven and earth, the ſea and all that in them is. What ſhould this mean, but that eſpecially upon this day with
Praiſe, and Thankſgiving, all theſe things were to be conſidered in pious meditatiPrayers, Praiſes and Thankſgivings to be inferred thereupon, ac
5. In what manner muſt this be done? Our PſalGloria Patri, [O Lord, how glorious are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.] And
6. Tells us, that thoſe that paſs this over as a ſlight buſineſs, are but unwiſe men and fools, who prick up as the green graſſe, quickly to be mowen down, and made fodder for beaſts; whereas
Lords Day, (according to his own holy Ordinance)
1 Shal have their ſtrength exalted as the horn of an Unicorn.
2. Be annointed with the freſh oyl of Gods bleſſed Spirit.
3. Flouriſh like a Palm tree, that proſpereth under preſ
4. Spread abroad like a Cedar in Libanus, in ſpite of winds and tempeſts.
5. Shall ſee their enemies danted and put to confuſion, according to their deſire. Whereas
6. They themſelves ſhall be firmly fixed and flouriſh in Gods houſe, and bring forth more fruit in their age,
There be that apply the 150 Pſalmes in this manfirſt fifhearty repentance. The ſecond, to the conſideration of Gods Mercy and Juſtice. The third, to the contemplaEternal happineſſe to bee intertained with Hallelujahs and Thankſgivings. But if you anSuch knowledge is too wonderful and excellent,
Pſal. 139.5 we cannot attain unto it.
Take then in a ſhorter way, thoſe three Pſalms, which may well bee calDavid.
In the firſt of which, (which is the 37th) you have a plaiſter againſt fretting at the proſperity of the wicked, and perplexed e
In the ſecond, being the forty ninth, a purge for ſwelling up-ſtarts, whoſe ſtate is held no better then that of the beaſts that periſh: this is ſet forth more at large in the ſeventy third, to beat us off from all worldly vanities, and to bring us to hold faſt by God,
laſt. Theſe Sermons will not over-burden your meMiriam and Deborah, with that of Hannah in the Old Teſtament, and the Magnificat of the moſt bleſſed VirPatternes ſhould ſtir you up to Practice (my Daughters) and to part with your chiefeſt worldly delights (as the Hebrew women did with their Looking glaſſes to make a laver for the Sanctuary) for the ſetting forth Gods praiWorſhip,
O clap your hands together all ye people. O ſing unto God with the voice of melody.—O ſing praiſes, ſing praiſes unto our God; O ſing praiſes, ſing praiſes unto our King. For God is the King of all the
earth, ſing ye praiſes [to him] with underſtanding. And if not at all times in continued Pſalmes, yet on all occaſions in pious Ejaculations, the ſubject of the next Chapter.
BY Ejaculations are unſeeing, hearing, or thinking on any thing of extraordinary concernment, we turne our ſelves immediately to God, and in ſhort petitions, Praiſes, Wiſhes, or Thankſgivings, expreſs our hearty devotions.
In ſuch no ſet form can be preſcribed, but the oc
Into ſuch an Ejaculatory confeſſion the Iſraelites brake out at the ſight of fire from heaven to conſume the Sacrifice of Elijah (which all the Baalites raving and lancing had failed to pro[The Lord he is the God,
1 Ki. 18.39 The Lord he is the God,] falling upon their faces at the utterance of it. So David upon report that politick Achitophel was turned Traytor againſt him, O Lord (ſaith he) I pray thee turn the counſel of Achitophel into fooliſhneſs. And what fooliſhneſs could bee more palpable, then in the wiſe
King Aſa had no time (when Zerah the Ethiopian fell upon him with a Million of men) but to betake himO Lord it is nothing with thee to help,
2 Chr. 14.11, 12 whether with many, or with them that have no power. Help us O Lord our God, for we reſt on thee, and in thy name go we againſt this multitude. Lord thou art our God, let not man prevail againſt thee. And was not the ſucLord ſmote the Ethiopians before Aſa and Judah to their utter overthrow.
Upon the ſhort addreſſe of the Diſciples to our Savi[Maſter,
Mark 4.38. careſt thou not that we periſh?] He aroſe and rebuked the winds, and ſaid to the ſea, Peace and bee ſtill; and the wind ceaſed, and there was a great calm.] Sudden dan
As you provide therefore (my Daughters) to have Hot-waters in a readineſſe, or remedies appliable to ſud
To inſtance in a few of the moſt obvious particulars. For raiſing up of a dejected or drooping ſoul, what may prove more animating then that we firſt meet with at the threſhold of our Service?
At what time ſoever a ſinner doth repent him of his ſinnes from the bottom of his heart, I will put all his wickedneſſe out of my remembrance,
Ezek. 8.21. ſaith the Lord? What more effeCorrect us, O Lord,
Jer. 10.24. and yet in thy judgment, not in thy fury, leſt we ſhould be conſumed & brought to nothing. A plainer directiI will go to my Father, and ſay to him, Father, I have ſinned againſt heaven, and againſt thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy Son. Your children, and your rudeſt ſervants are acLord open thou our Lips, and our mouth ſhall ſhew forth thy praiſe. O God make ſpeed to ſave us, O
haſte to help us. O Lord ſhew thy mercy upSalvation. O Lord deale not with us after our ſins neither reward us after our iniquities. From our enemies defend us O Chriſt, graciouſly look upon our affliction: with the like.
Theſe are made familiar to them by often repetition, which thoſe that term ſhreds and porrage, little think upon the ſhort Ejaculation of David, I have ſinned againſt the Lord,
thy ſin, thou ſhalt not dy. Or that of the ſimple PubliGod, be merciful to me a ſinner; and the ſequel of it, that he went down to his houſe, rather juſtified then
To give a touch in ſome few particulars.
At our firſt awaking, in the morning, who may not with heart, and hands, and eyes lifted up to heaven, ſay,
Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us? and welcome the appearance of the light with this or the like Ejaculation,
God be merciful unto us, and bleſſe us, and ſhew us the light of thy countenance,
and be merciful unto us? In cloathing of our ſelves, how becoming would that be of the Apoſtle (which converted a holy Father) to be fitted to the occaſion?
The night is paſſed, and the day is at hand, Grant, O Lord) that I may caſt off the works of darkneſs, and put on the Armor of Light, that I may walk honeſtly as in the day; not in rioting or drunkenneſs, not in chambering or wantonneſſe, nor in ſtrife or envying; but that I may put on my Lord and Saviour Chriſt Jeſus, (more neceſſary to cover my ſouls nakedneſs, then appa
In like manner, far be it from Superſtition, when we waſh, to pray, Waſh me throughly from my wickedneſſe,
cleanſe me from my ſinne: for I acfaults (O Lord) and my ſin is ever before me.
At our going forth;
Shew me the way that I ſhould walk in, for I lift up my ſoul unto thee.
At the hearing of a Clock, or looking on a Watch, or a Dyal, Teach me, O Lord,
number my dayes, that I may apply my heart to Wiſdom.
At the undertaking of aThe glorious majeſty of the Lord our God be upon me;
Ibid. v. 17my hands, O proſper thou my handy work; which if wee cannot deſire with a good conſcience, a ſtop muſt be made, and the buſineſs not undertaken.
Laſt of all, upon our death-beds, old Jacobs Ejacalation will be acceptable, and comfortable,
waited for thy ſalvation. With old Simeons in the New Teſtament to bear it company, Lord, now letteſt thou thy ſervant depart in peace, becauſe mine eyes have ſeen thy Salvation, in knowLord and Saviour Chriſt Jeſus.
giving up the Ghoſt, muſt be ours at the laſt gaſp, Father, into thy hands I commend my ſpirit:
concluſion that all our Devotions can bring us unto. In the interim, we ſhall meet with in this vale of miſery many paſſages to be lamented at, which how it may be performed, the next Title ſuggeſteth.
WE read in the Old Teſtament of the Roll of a Book,
within and without, Lamentations, and Mourning, and Wo. And in Ramah was there a voice heard, (as it is repeated in the New Teſtament) Lamentation and weeping,
mourning, Rachel weeping
children, and would not be comforted bewere not. The taking up of a lamentation is a Scripture phraſe,
Lamentations are preſcribed for Tyre and Pharaoh. Saul hath a ſet lamentation penned by David for his ſad overthrow, and his brave ſon Jonathans, upon curſed mount Gilboa, in which the Daughters of Iſrael are called upon to weep over them,
Ornaments and happineſs. But all the ſinging men, and ſingIſrael,
Joſiah in their Lamentations, who was ſlain at Hadradrimmon,
Megidde: whereof the Prophet
Jeremiah was the Pen-man, from whom wee have thoſe inimitable Lamentations, for the ruines of the Church and State that fell out in his time, O that my head were waters,
Jer. 9.1. and my eys a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the ſlaine of the Daughter of my people.
Jer. 7.29. Cut off thy hair, O Jeruſalem, and caſt it away, and take up a Lamentation in the High-Places.
you, all ye that paſſe by? behold and ſee, if there be any ſorrow like unto my ſorrow. Then he turnes unto the Lord, Behold,
Chap. 2.20 O Lord and conſider to whom thou haſt done this: ſhal the women eat their fruit, and the children of a ſpan long? Shall the Prieſt and the Prophet be ſlain, and that
Sanctuary of the Lord? How cold are all Heathen Poets and Orators, compared to theſe burning expreſſiIſaiah had the like before for the deſolation he foreſaw ſhould come upon his Country for their ſins. Look away from me, for I wil weep bitterly. Labour not to comfort me, becauſe of the ſpoiling of the daughter of my people. And Alas,
Chap. 5.16 alas is the burthen of the LamenraAmos in the like caſe, which the Citizens and Husbandmen, and all thoſe that are skilful in wailing muſt take up, when the Lord is angry, and poureth out the Vials of his puniſhments upon them.
bread of tears, and drink mingled with weeping, the ProDavid often made his Kingly repaſt, when the floods of Belial made him aWill the Lord abſent himſelf for ever,
Pſal. 77.7 and will he be no more intreated? Is his mercy clean gone for ever, and his promiſe come utterly to an end for evermore? Hath God forgotten to be gracious, and will he ſhut up his loving kindneſs in diſpleaſure? And what conſorts more with the miO God thou haſt caſt us out, and ſcattered us abroad, thou haſt alſo been diſpleaſed; O turn thou unto us
again. Thou haſt moved the land, and divided it: heal the ſores thereof, for it ſhaketh: thou haſt ſhewed thy people heavy things, thou haſt given us a drink of deadly wine.
When you therefore conſeriouſly and conſcionably to do, the irreverent contempt, and worſe then heatheniſh profaneneſs, that is fallen of late upon Gods Worſhip, under a pretence of exacter teaching, and puone godly man left,
Pſalm. 12.1 the faithful are miniſhed from athe wicked walk on every ſide,
Ver. ult.
when the vileſt men are exalted. And turn that reproof of our Saviour into a neceſLord, thy houſe ſhould be called, and ſo ever acknowledged to bee the Houſe of Prayer, but behold, it is now made, not only a Den of Thieves, but a Stable for horſes, and a ReZims and Ohims, and daughters of the Owles to act their parts therein.
Heatheniſh conditions are come into thine inheritance,
Pſalm 79.1 thy holy Temple have they defiled, and made thy Jeruſalem an heap of ſtones, &c.
2. When you recount with your ſelves, Things conſecrated to God to be ahouſes of our friends:
O God,
Pſalm 74.1 why art thou abſent from us ſo long? Why is thy wrath ſo hot againſt the ſheep of thy paſture? — Thine adverſaries roar in the midſt of the congregations, and ſet up their banners for tokens, breaking downe the carved works (ſet up for thy Woraxes and hammers. Let us make havock of them altogether (ſay they) root them out,
houſes of God into our own poſſeſſion. Is it not time therefore for all good Chriſtians to cry out.
Ariſe O Lord,
Pſal. 74.23 and maintaine thine own cauſe; remember how the fooliſh man blaſphemeth thee daily.
3 At the diſmal ſpectabowels, my bowels, I am pained at the very heart; my heart maketh a noiſe within me, I cannot hold my peace, becauſe thou haſt heard (O my ſoul) the ſound of the Trumpet, and alarm of War, deſtruction upon deſtruction, for the whole land is ſpoiled.— And all this is done by fooliſh children, who are wiſe to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledg.
4. And may not our owne particular ſufferings turne us to the lamentable expreſſions of the 69 Pſalm? Save me O God,
Pſalm 69.1. for the waters are come into my ſoul; I ſtick faſt in the deep mire, where no ground is: I am come into deep waters, ſo that the flouds run over me. Thy rebuke hath broken my heart, I am ſo full of heavineſs.
Ver. 21 I looked for ſome to have pity on me; but there was no man, neither found I any to comfort me. And ſurely, the perfi
5.
Jobs comThey who are younger then I have me in deriſion,
whoſe fathers I would have diſdained to have ſet with the dogs of my flock. They were cried after as a thief— They were the children of fools and baſe men. — But now I am their ſong, —they abhor me and flee from me, and ſpare not to ſpit in my face.
6 Upon ſurvey and ſenſe of our own diſabilities, to procure the leaſt refreſhing to our galling grievances, how feelingly may that of Iſaiah vent our ſorrowes?
My leanneſſe, my leanneſſe, wo unto me, the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherouſly; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherouſly. Fear, and the ſnare, and the pit, are ſo ordered upon us, that he who flyes for fear ſhall fall into the pit, and he
cometh out of the midſt of the pit, ſhall be taken in the ſnare.
7. Laſt of all,
Davids eyes guſht out with water, beMoſes and the lamenting congregation by reaſon of the plague amongſt them, an impudent Zimri will trace aCozbi.
Lazarus,
purple Dives or any of his full-fed attendants. To
whom vengeance belongeth, Thou God to whom vengeance belongeth, ſhew thy ſelf, &c. and to comfort our ſelves in this,
Sodoms deſtruLot ſhal find a protection to eſcape. And Baruch ſhall obtain his life for a prey in all places whitherſoever he goes.
ſigh and cry for all the abominations that they ſee committed,
They that ſow in tears, ſhall reap in joy. He that now goeth on his way weeping, and beareth forth good ſeed, ſhall doubtleſſe come again with joy, & bring his ſheavs with him. For expreſsing of which rejoycing, we may uſe for a Directory the Helps that fol
SUch is our ſtupid dulLots wife,
Aqua vitae, in theſe and the like expreſsions; Quicken me,
word;—in the way;—according to thy loving kindneſſe. And the bleſſed Apoſtle thinks it not enough to put his SchoTimothy to indure hardneſſe,
Ibid. c. 1.6.blind Bartimeus (whom they had blamed before for his balſtand,
called for him, O how nimbly the blind begger beſtirs himſelf!
garment, up hee ſtarts, ſcrambles to Jeſus as well as he could, was preſently healJoſhuah, Have not I commanded thee?
Joſh. 1.9. Be ſtrong, and of a good courage?
be not afraid, neither be thou diſmayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee whitherſoever thou goeſt.
teeth, as ſpears, and arrowes, and tongues of his enemies as ſharp as ſwords, and nets to entangle his foot, and pits to ſwallow his whole body, obſerve how the Prophet David chears up himſelfe, My heart is fixed, O God,
Ver. 1 my heart is fixed. I will ſing and give praiſe. Awake up my glory, awake Lute and Harp, I my ſelf will awake right early. And this is the ready,
heart for joy,
praiſing of God with the beſt member we have, that was propheſied to be performed after our SaviIn the day of thy power the people ſhal offer thee free-will offerings, with an holy Worſhip (or as our latter tranſlation hath it) thy people ſhal be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holineſſe. The dew of thy birth is of the womb of the morning, gentle, for the deſcending in drops innumerable.
For putting life into, and hearting this Free-will Worſhip, which is only acDirectory, three things in the Scripture & our Church Book, are eſpecially to be taken notice of.
1. Proclamations from God.
2. Excitations of our ſelvs.
3. Incitations of o
I. Of thoſe which may be termed cheerful Proclamati
1. Of that wherof King David is made the Herald,
Come ye children, hearken unto me, and I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Your Teacher ſhall be a King and Prophet, your Teaching ſhall be gratis; your Learning ſhall be ſuch as ſhall make you eter
2. And becauſe (perSolomon the ſon brings in wiſdom beſtirring her ſelf, and ſend(She proclaimes in the higheſt places of the City, where it is likely of the greateſt Audience) whoſe is ſimple, let him turn in hither, and he that wanteth underſtanding, come eat of my bread, and drink of my wine which I have mingled.
In the third place, that of the Prophet Iſaiah would be diligently hearkned unto, Ho every one that thirſteth,
Iſai. 55.1 come ye to the waters, (for ſpiritual refreſhing, which is infinitely beyond all carcome ye, buy and eat, come ye, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherrfore do ye ſpend money for that which
is not bread, and your labour for that which ſatisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your ſoul delight it ſelf in fatneſſe.
And to prevent all ſur(fourthly) aſCome unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden,
Mat. 11.28 and I will give you reſt. Take my yoak upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye ſhall find reſt unto your ſouls: for my yoak is eaſie, and my burden is light. This is taken into our LeiturLift up your hearts, We lift them up unto the Lord. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God, It is meet and right ſo to do. Up
5. The great Kings Invitation of all ſorts to his wedBehold, I have prepared my dinner, my Oxen and my fatlings are killed, come unto the marriage: and not turn it off with ex
Neither is the ſixth ProCome out of her,
partaker of her ſins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Take it how you will, either for clearing your ſelves from the Babylon or confuſions of Popery, or of Schiſmaticks, or of wretched worldlings, the caſe is of ſuch conſe
Seventh and laſt ProclamaAnd the Spirit and the Bride ſay, Come; and let him that heareth ſay, Come; and let him that is a thirſt come. And whoſoever will, let him take the water of life freely. What ſenſe is ſo benummed, what
To ſtrengthen thoſe graMemorandums or Mementoes may do well to bee had in a readineſs.
1.
Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth; while thou haſt abilities and op
2.
Remember Lots wife; fall not back from a good courſe wherein thou art, leſt thou be at a loſſe, which
3. Remember Dives,
Luk. 16.25 Lot and Lazarus. We muſt not think to fare well here, and never to be called to an ac
4. Remember the SabConſidering one another to provoke unto love and good works, not forſaking the aſſembling of our ſelves together (as the manbut exhorting one another; ſo much the more as we ſee the day ap
Fifth Memento, Remember
that Jeſus,
2 Tim. 2.8 of the ſeed of David, was raiſed from the dead, having ſpoiled principalities and powers, and made a ſhew of them openly;
Gol. 2.15. tryumphing over them by himſelf in his Croſſe; thereby free
Sixth Memento of our Saviour with us, It is more bleſſed to give,
Act. 20.35. then receive.
And yet when all this is done, to keep us from undoMemento of Jude in the laſt place will be neceſſary, Beloved, remember the words which were
ſpoken before of the Apoſtles of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt,
Jude v. 17. that they told you, that there ſhould be mockers in the laſt times; who ſhould walk after their ungodly luſts. But how ſhall we diſcern them from honeſt men, ſeeing they varniſh all their actions with the exquiſeperate themſelves, ſenſual, having not the ſpirit. The Separatiſts, Libertines, and Enthuſiaſts of this ages ſpawthree frogs iſſuing out of the mouth of the Dragon,
beaſt, and the falſe Prophets, which ſet Kingdomes and States againſt the Lamb, and his followers, until in the batArmageddon they be utterly defeated.
Here the like number of Caveats may be put in, and all from our Saviour imme
1 Take heed that no man deceive you by putting falſe Chriſts and falſe Prophets upon you.
2 Take heed what you hear,
how you hear.
3. Take heed of vainAlmeſdeeds, Faſting, and Prayer.
4. Take heed that the light which is in you be not darkneſſe,
5. Heed alſo muſt bee taken of men,
Jeremiah hath more at large,
Take heed every one of his neighbor, and truſt ye not in any brother; for evewill utterly ſupplant, and every neighbor will walk with ſlanders.
6. Take heed and be
7. You that are better adviſed, Take heed to your ſelves, leſt at any time your hearts be overcharged with ſurfeiting, or drunkenneſſe, or cares of this life, and ſo that laſt day come upon you unawares: for as a ſnare ſhall it come on all them which dwell on the face of the whole earth.
But enough hath beene ſpoken, if it be well rememMemento's, or Edicts from heaven avail, if we be wanting to our ſelves, and bend not an ear to hear, or a heart to entertain what the Spirit ſaith unto the Churches, and in them to us in particular?
II. Here then come in, theſe Excitations which aSoliloquies, in which, by reUnderſtanding and Will, to comfort and cheare up our drooping ſenſes and conLanthorn to our feet, and a light unto our pathes, we have the Prophet David in ſo many paſſages, that it may diſtract us in which eſpecially to indevouring canibal enemies, that came upon him to eat up his fleſh, how cheerfully doth he rowze up himſelf? The Lord is my light and my ſalvation, whom then ſhall I fear?
The Lord is the ſtrength of my life, of whom then ſhould I be afraid. Upon the ſcoffs of his Adverſaries, that having him at an advantage, would caſt him in the teeth,
Where is now thy God? he reflects upon himſelf, and without paſsionate retortion, makes good his ground againſt them.
Why art thou ſo vexed, O my ſoul, and why art thou ſo diſquieted within me? O put thy truſt in God,
Pſal. 43.5, 6 for I will yet thank him, which is the help of my countenance, and my God.
Pſal. 103.1. Praiſe the Lord, O my ſoul, and all that is within me.
Pſal. 146.1. Praiſe the Lord, O my ſoul: While I live will I praiſe the Lord, as long as I have any being I will ſing praiſes unto my God. Such a communing with her own
bloody-iſſue.
Mark 5.26. Matth. 9.21 If I might but touch his garment, I ſhal be whole. And how calmly in this kind doth Job put off the loſſes of his goods and children,
Naked came I out of my mothers womb, and naked ſhall I return again. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; bleſſed be the name of the Lord.
III. Laſt of all, for inciting others; not only all ſorts of people muſt be calO praiſe the Lord,] O give thanks unto the Lord,] O ſing unto the Lord a new ſong.] which are as familiar as comfortable, but alſo beaſts and ſenſeleſſe creatures muſt be fetcht in to bear a
Let every thing that hath breath praiſe the Lord, is the cloſe of the Pſalms. Let the ſea make a noiſe, let the floods clap their hands, Let the Hills be joyful togethe Lord will not fail his people, neither forſake his inheritance; but give them patience in the time of adverſity, until the pit be digged us for the ungodly. Bruiſed reeds ſhall not be broken,
flax ſhall not bee quenched;
Pſal. 34 Sheep ſhall find green paſtures, when lions hunger: the meal ſhall not fail in the barrel,
oyl in the cruſe, until there apleave thee, nor forſake thee. And our Saviour who tels us that in this world we ſhall have tribulation,
cheers us up notwithſtanding with this concluſion, Be of good comfort, I have overcome the world.
times and places according
ſet formes preſcribed to Prieſt and people by partiLord ſpake unto Moſes ſaying, Speak unto Aaron and his ſons, ſaying, On this wiſe ſhall ye bleſſe the children of Iſrael, ſaying unThe Lord bleſſe thee and keep thee, The Lord make his face to ſhine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they ſhall put my Name upchildren of Iſrael, and I will bleſs them. This name
Jehovah, or Lord, here thrice repeated; to which that Bleſsing is well conformed which is impartIn the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoſt. And in the ſame form preciſely all chil[Thou ſhalt ſpeak (as the Text com
So Iſraels repentance is directed by Hoſea, Take unto you words,
Chap. 14.2. and turn unto the Lord, and ſay unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciouſly; ſo will we render the calves of our lips. So in their ſolemn faſting, the time was not to be unſeaſonably ſpent in tedious Teaching, or by extemporal rapſodies, to ſet forth the gifts of the Speakdevotion of the Auditory;
Prieſts the Miniſters of the Lord, neep, between the Porch & the Altar, and let them ſay, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the Heathen ſhould rule ever
them. Wherefore ſhould they ſay among the people, Where is their God? Which ſet formes in Publick Meetings were ſo far from altering in the New Teſtamouthes of babes and ſucklings, Hoſannaes were not to be endured.
Publick Prayers may be ei
Confeſsions.
Deprecations.
Supplications.
Interceſsions.
Thankſgivings.
Praiſes.
Comminations.
For Publick Confeſsions, what can be contrived more fully and effectually, then that uſed at the entrance of our Devotions, [Almighty and moſt merciful Father, we have erred and ſtrayed from thy wayes like loſt
ſadneſſe for ſin, or more dangerous convulſions of conſcience.
I ſaid I will confeſſe my ſins unto the Lord, and ſo thou forgaveſt the wickedneſſe of my ſin. This the Apoſtle commends as a ſalve moſt ſoveraign,
If we confeſſe our ſins, he is faithful and juſt to forgive us our ſins. But,
If we ſay we have not ſinned, we make him a liar, and
his word is not in us. The Prophet Daniel fully relates how it wrought with him; for no ſooner had hee made that earneſt & paſsionate ConBabylon. But, while I was yet ſpeaking,
and praying, and confeſsing my ſin, and the ſin of my people Iſrael; — Tea, while I was ſpeaking in Prayer, the man Gabriel being cauſed to flye ſwiftly, came and touched me to give me ſatisfaction. So quick in operation is an hearDavid ſay,
I have ſinned againſt the Lord, but the Prophet ſhall reply, And the Lord hath put away thy ſin, thou ſhalt not dye. As ſoon as he ſhall acknowledge, that
his feet hath ſlipped,
Thy mercy, O Lord held me up. In the multitude of the ſorrowes that I had in my heart, thy comforts have refreſhed my ſoul. For as voſtomack, ſo doth Confeſsion the conſci
[1. By our Fratricide, with Cain, who cauſeleſly murde
[2. By our unnatural irreCham, that ſcoffed at the nakedneſs of his father.]
[3. By our contemptuous profaneneſs, with Eſau, who ſold his birth-right for a meſs of broth.]
[4. By our Sacriledg with Achan, who wickedly ventu
[5. By our divelliſh conCorah and his Complices againſt Moſes and Aaron, Gods ſpiritual and temporal Prelates.]
[6. By Doegs brutiſh fal
[7. By Abſoloms moſt unjuſt vengeance upon us: but correct us therethy judgment, not in thy fury, leſt we ſhould be conſumed and brought to nothing.
And if you (my Daugh
[1.
Lots wife deSodom.]
[2. With Dinahs gad
[3. With the plots of Joſephs Miſtreſſe upon her chaſte ſervant.]
[4. With Jobs impatient wife to adde affliction to the greateſt afflictions of her tormented husband.
[5. With Michaels ſcofDavids Devotion, as misbeſeeming his High place to be ſubmiſ
[6. With the haughtiSion,
[7. With the peremptory Jewiſh wives,
Jeremiah in Egypt, and told them in plain termes, Let them ſay what they would, we would do as we liſt, and our huſſpare us, Good Lord, ſpare thy people whom thou haſt redeemed with thy moſt precious
blood, and be not angry with us for ever. Which leads us to Deprecation, the ſecond kind of Publick Prayer.
AFter Confeſsion, Deprecations may bee beſt thought upon, by which we being conſciIf thou, Lord, ſhouldſt be extreme to mark what is done amiſs, O Lord, who may abide it! And to fall in with our Leiturgy, O Lord, deal not with us after
our ſins, neither reward us after our iniquities! And fulO God, merciful Father, that deſpiſeſt not the ſighing of a contrite heart, &c. This is ſeconded by another no leſſe material; We humbly beſeech thee, O Father, mercifully to look upon our infirmities, and for the glory of thy Name ſake turn from us all thoſe evils which we moſt righteouſly have deſerved, &c. And here may be taken in thoſe interchangeable Votes of Prieſt and People, which are interpoſed, O Lord, ariſe, help us and deliver us for thy Names ſake! O God we have heard with our ears, &c. and therefore now, Ariſe, O Lord, help us, and deliver
us for thine honour! that we may alwayes with united hearts and voices in the higheſt ſtraine profeſſe and ſay, Glory be to the Father, &c And what are all thoſe reSpare us Good Lord! and, Good Lord deliver us! What are they but ſo many Deprecations for removal of juſt executions, which would otherwiſe utterly confound us? It was not without juſt cauſe therefore that Saint Paul ſo carefully exhorted Biſhop Timothy (whom hee had left in Epheſus to ſettle Church-Dectrine and Diſcipline)
Novelties, Fables,
endleſſe Diſputes concerning Genealogies, and ſuch wrangDiſcipline, he would have ſet in the firſt place, in the ordring of publick WorDeprecations,
1 Tim. 2.1. Supplications, Interceſsions, and giving of thanks for all men, but eſpecially for Kings, and thoſe that are in Authority. Which leſſon if it had been well preſſed by thoſe that take on them to be ſomewhat gifted above their brethren, and obſerved better by their zealous followers, we ſhould have had little need then of ſuch Leitugical Deprecati
[From 1. Herodian Ty
[2. Phariſaical malicious hypocriſie.]
[3. Saducean brutiſh in
[4 Judas his higheſt Trea
[5. Simon Magus and Elymas his helliſh oppoſiti
[6. Ananias and Saphira's dainty deludings with a ſmooth lye.]
[7. The Silver Smiths and Copper-Smiths boyſterous and mechanical tumults to have Church and State forGood Lord deliver us!
Let your care therefore (my Daughters) be in all
Lo here is Chriſt, or there is Chriſt; Behold, you ſhal find him by ſuch a River re-bapold way, which hath warrant to bee good from the Ancient of dayes, but to hold faſt by God, with the Pſalmiſt,
poſſeſs your ſelves in patience (according to our Saviours direction) in the heavieſt caforraign waters are not to bee preferred before our better tryed ſprings at home; nor untrodden paths that are not caſt up, before the ancient wayes wherein our fathers have ſafely walked
Supplications will be found neceſſary, and therefore fitteſt to be conſidered of in the third place.
SUpplications are PrayMagazine, wherein that armour of
principalities and powers,
Ephe. 6.12, 13 and rulers of the darkneſs of this world, and ſpiritual wickedneſs in high places; if we continue with all Prayers and Supplications, and watch thereunto with perſeverance, as the Apoſtle ex
Now for the firſt, we have theſe Prayers, O God, which art the Author of Peace and
Lover of Concord, &c. And, O God from whom all holy deſires, all good counſels, and all juſt works do proceed, give unto thy ſervants that peace which this world cannot give. &c.
For the ſecond, thoſe, O Lord our heavenly Father, Almighty and everlaſting God, who haſt ſafely brought us to the beginning of this day, defend us in the ſame by thy mighty power, &c. And, Lighten our darkneſs we beſeech thee, O Lord, and by thy great mercy defend us, &c. Thoſe that hold theſe and the like Supplications the leſs effectual, becauſe common, and ſo fitted for the mouths of babes and ſucklings, of leaſt underſtanding amongſt the Vulgar, may as well
Thoſe alſo, that further revariety, as more grateManna from heaven would not long ſatisfie) if they will but take the pains to peruſe with deliberation and ſingleninety two Collects, which are no other, but quick and pertinent petiEpiſtles and Goſpels for Sundays and Saints-daies, ſhall find the like veyne of Devotion, not to run in any H
or Hand-maids, or Practices
of Piety, that may fill the hungry with good things, when the rich in their ſqueaempty away. Where, by the way, if we but caſt an eye on the Letany, what are all thoſe neceſſary deſires (which the religious thoughts of maThrone of Grace, We beſeech thee to hear us, Good Lord!) but a ſum of Petitions linked together, wherein all have a ſhare, which the beſt gifted men on the ſudden will hardCollect of the ſecond Sunday in Advent, Bleſſed God, which haſt cauſed all Scripture to be written for our learning, &c.
When we undertake and begin any work of our vocaPrevent us, O Lord in all our doings with thy moſt gracious favour, and farther us with thy continual help, &c.
For an entrance into our Prayers, how fit is that? Aſsiſt us mercifully, O Lord, in theſe our ſupplications and prayers, &c. or that which followes, Almighty Lord, and everlaſting God, vouch&c.
And after the hearing of a Sermon, how becomGrant we beſeech thee, Almighty God, that the words which we have heard this day with our outward ears, &c.
And for the cloſe of all our Prayers, that which cloAlmighty God, which hast promiſed to hear the Petitions of them that ask in thy Sons name, &c.
They are unworthy to pray, or to bee heard,
fountains of knowne and living waters, to hew out to themCiſterns, broken Ciſternes, that hold troubled, or no water, or (perMarah, or Meribah; which will not guide us to the Springs of Interceſsion, that next wee muſt take in our way.
AMong thoſe kind of Prayers which the Apoſtle exhorteth,
Interceſsion ſucSupplications, which are Petitions put up to God for others for whom we are bound to pray, either by Na
To ſuch Interceſſions the Pſalmiſt exhorteth all well-affected people, eſpecially when they are aſſembled toO pray (ſaith he) for the peace of Jeruſalem, they ſhall proſper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and plenteouſneſſe within thy Palaces. For my brethren and companions ſake I wil wiſh thee proſperity; yea, becauſe of the Houſe of the Lord our God, I will ſeek to do thee good. So Samuel prayed for Saul, unrejected
moſt violent Perſecutor,
moſt laborious amongſt all the Apoſtles. Smal hopes there was of impriſoned Saint Peters preſercut off Saint James; and Herod being ſo fully bent to pleaſe the bloud-thirſty Jewes.
Peter was therefore kept in priſon (ſaith the Text) but prayer (that is, Interceſsiwas made, without ceaſing
of the Church unto God for him. And was not the ePeter is delivered by an Angel, and the expectation of the Jews. deluded. Few would imaPaul (who had the favour to be rapt up into the third heaven,
2 Cor. 12.4 and hear unſpeakable words which were not lawful for a man to utter) ſhould have need of the Interceſſion of any of thoſe Converts of his, which he had ſo lately catechized in Chriſtianity; yet wee ſee what he writes to the Theſſalonians,
1 The. 5.25 Brethren, pray for us. And to the Hebrews,
Heb. 13.11 Pray for us; for we truſt we have a good conſcience in all things, willing to live honeſtly. Nay Pharaoh and Simon Magus were not ſo hard hearted,
gall of bitterneſs, but they allowed and deſired the interceſſion of Gods ſervants. Intreat the Lord (ſaith Pharaoh) that there be no more mighty thundrings and hail.
pray ye unto the Lord for me (ſaith Magus,) that none of theſe things which ye have ſpoken come upon me. Whereupon Saint James laid it down for a Canon to be obſerved of all the faithful,
James 5.16 Confeſſe your ſins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. Which two Ingredients make an excellent Soulſalve for all ſpiritual wounds and bruiſes. And therefore we have ſo divers and effeInterceſsion in our Church-Book, that I may wel uſe the words to you
Boaz ſometime did unto Ruth,
Ruth 2.8. Hear ye not, my Daughters? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence; for here you ſhal find that will ſatisfie. The patJohn 17. (as we had his general prayer beMatth. 6.) conformable to which we have framed that excellent Interceſſion in our Leiturgy, under the Title of Let us pray for the whole eſtate of Chriſts Church militant here on earth, in theſe words, Almighty and everlaſting God, which by thy holy Apoſtle haſt taught us to make prayers and ſupplications, and to give thanks for all men, &c. This
King, Queen, and Royal Progeny, Biſhops and all the Clergy, moſt orderly following one another? To the ſame purO Lord, ſhew thy mercy upon us; and grant us thy ſalvation. O Lord ſave the King, &c. Which your little ones may be brought to repeat in anMatrimony for the parties marryed; O Lord ſave thy ſervant and thine hand-maid, that put their truſt in thee, &c. In the Viſitation of the
ſick, O Lord ſave thy ſervant which putteth his truſt in thee, &c. And at your Womens-meetings, commonly called Church-going, O Lord ſave this woman, thy ſervant, which putteth her truſt in thee, &c.
Perſwade your ſelves (my Daughters) theſe things are not to be little ſet by. This ſimplicity in coming to God with good hearts and humble minds, in obedience to our Mother the Church, which hath thus directed us, will be more acceptable to him, and more prevalent then Balaks ſeven Altars, and Balaams thence fetching ProSacrifice of a Bullock (to uſe the words of the Pſalmiſt) that hath horns and hoofes.
wiſdom of this world to him is but fooliſhneſs;
Kingdome conſiſteth not in words, but power. If our hearts therefore condemne us not, God is greater then our heart, and knoweth all things. And then (ſaith the bleſwe have confidence towards God;
1 Joh. 3.20 21, 22 and whatſoever wee ask, wee receive of Him, if wee keep his Commandments, and doe thoſe things which are pleaſing in his ſight. And ſo wee may cloſe with the man after Gods owne heart,
Pſal. 69.33. The humble ſhall conſider this, and bee
glad. Seek ye the Lord (in this way) and your foul ſhall live.
WEll may Thankſgiving follow Interceſsion; which is the only high-rent that God expecteth for all his infinite bleſſings beſtowed upon us. Amongſt the Satempered with plenty of oyl of gladneſs, that maketh the face to ſhine.
Pſalmiſt is ſo copious
Sabbath day no entrance is found but by the door of Thankſgiving, It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to ſing praiſes unto thy Name, O thou moſt high. To tell of thy loving kindneſſe early in the morning, and of thy truth in the night ſeaſon. Upon an Inſtrument of ten ſtrings, and upon the Lute, upon a loud Inſtrument, and upon the Harp. Church-muſick then in thoſe dayes was not held SuperſtiWhat reward ſhall I give unto the Lord for all the benefits he hath done unto me? and can reſolve no otherwiſe for himſelfe, but,
Every day will I give thanks to thee, and praiſe thy name for ever and ever. And for ſtirring up of others to the ſame duty, O praiſe the Lord (ſaith he) for it is a good thing to ſing praiſes unto our God; yea,
Pſal. 147.1 a joyful and pleaſant thing it is to be thankful.
But what need we go furI thank thee, O Father,
Mat. 11.25. Lord of heaven and earth, becauſe thou haſt hid theſe things from the wiſe and prudent, and
haſt revealed them to babes: Even ſo Father, for ſo it ſeemed good in thy ſight.
According with this, we have that large form of Thankgiving, beſides maO give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious, and his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of all gods, for his mercy endureth for ever: O thank the Lord of all Lords, for his mercy endureth for ever; and ſo going on in numbring up Gods bleſſings, for which thanks were due, with a repetition from whence they proceeded, from Gods mercy, not our defor his mercy endureth for ever. He ends as he beO give thanks unto the Lord of heaven, for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the Lord of Lords, for his mercy endureth for ever.
Upon this ground proElders, repreſenting the whole Church of the Faithful, falling upon their faces and worſhipping. We give thee thanks,
Rev. 12.17. O Lord God Almighty, which art, and which waſt, and which art to come, becauſe thou haſt taken unto thee thy great power, and haſt reigned.
From theſe and the like patterns our Leiturgies forms are derived.
A Thankſgiving for raine in time of drought, [O God
For fair weather, [O Lord God, who haſt juſtly hum
For Plenty, [O moſt mer
For Peace and Victory, [Almighty God, who art a ſtrong Tower of Defence unto thy ſervants againſt the face of their enemies, &c.]
For Deliverance from the Plague, [O Lord God which haſt wounded us for our ſins, &c.]
After receiving of the Lords Supper, [Almighty and everlaſting God, wee moſt heartily thank thee, for that thou doſt vouchſafe to feed us which have duly re
And laſt of all, under the Title of Prayers moſt commonly ſet in the end of the Church-Book, what a complete form of ThankſLet thy mighty
hand, and out-ſtretched arm, O Lord, be ſtill our defence, &c.]
For your Sexe alſo (my Daughters) is not to be oThankſgiving of women after Child-birth, commonly called the Churching of Women, (though latter times have held it ſuI have lifted up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my ſalvation; my help cometh
from the Lord which hath made heaven and earth. And that which followes, (The Sun ſhall not burn thee by day, nor the Moon by night, &c.) is not imperpunctual devout and judi
PRaiſe is a due acknowPower, Mercy and Juſtice. It hath ſuch affiAll thy works praiſe thee, O Lord, and thy Saints give thanks unto thee. I will magnifie thee,
Ver. 1, 2. O Lord my King; and will praiſe thy Name for ever and ever. Every day will I give thanks to
thee, and praiſe thy Name for ever and ever.
Notwithſtanding, how
In the Old Teſtament, thoſe that will ſeek for forms in this behalf, ſhall find all the Pſalmes of David in the Original to come under the title of The Book of Praiſes. Not that all Pſalmes there
And Samplers for PraiMiriam regiſtred to all poſteAnd Miriam the Propheteſſe, the ſiſter of Aaron, took a Timbrel in her hands, and all the women went out after her with Timbrels and with Dances (none being ſo ſcrupulous in thoſe dayes as to take exceptions at them) And Miriam ſaid, Sing ye unto the Lord, for he hath criumphed gloriouſly, the horſe and his rider hath he throwne into the ſea. O what an exDeborah and Barak, for the overthrow of GeneSiſerah:
Judges 5. Praiſe ye the Lord for the avenging of Iſrael, when the people willingly offered themſelves, &c. In compariſon of which piece, the higheſt touch of Heathen Poetry ſounds but flat and live
Neither muſt the goodBethlehems praiſing of God for the birth of Obed, King Davids grand-father, be thought not worthy to be imitated upon the like occaſion,
And the women ſaid unto Naomi, Bleſſed be the Lord which hath not left thee this day without a kinſman, that his name may bee famous in Iſrael. And he ſhall be
thee a reſtorer of thy life, and a nouriſher of thine old age; for thy Daughter in Law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee then ten ſonnes, hath born him.
Thankful Hannahs Hymn is tuned to the ſame key, for the birth of her ſon Samuel, And Hannah prayed and ſaid,
1 Sam. 2.1. My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, my horn is exalted in the Lord, my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies, becauſe I rejoice in thy ſalvation.
But eminent above all the reſt is that Magnificat, or Song of Praiſe and ThankſHe hath looked upon me a poor wretch regarding the low, and inconſiderable eſtate of his Hand-maiden, paſsing by the flouriſhing Pomp of the rich and mighty: He hath remembred his mercy for the redemption of Iſrael, according to the promiſe made to our forefathers; and therefore, My ſoul doth praiſe and magnifie the Lord, and my ſpirit rejoyceth (not for any worth found in my ſelf, but) in God only my Saviour. O that the proud ones of theſe times would but think upon this! This one patterne might be ſufficient to take down their haughty looks, and new fangled attires, by
bleſſedſt amongſt all women was otherwiſe affect
In the like ſtraine is that Benedictus of holy Zachary,
Luke 1.68. Bleſſed, or, praiſed be the Lord God of Iſrael, for hee hath viſited and redeemed his people, &c. And that,
O be joyful in the Lord all yee Lands, ſerve the Lord with gladneſſe, and come before his preſence with a Song. O go your way into his gates with Thankſgiving, and into his courts with praiſe; be thankful unto him, and ſpeak good of his Name. And it is worth the noting, that as the Book of the hundred and fifty Pſalms begins with, Bleſſed is the man (or, many bleſsings are upon that man) that hath not walked
in the counſel of the ungodly, but kiſſed the Son and orNeither ſtood in the way of ſinners, which the ſecond fifty beats him from as moſt dangerous: So the third fifty, plucks him and his from the Seat of the ſcornful, lift him up with Pſalms of Degrees, and Hallelujahs to thank and praiſe the Maker and PreſerLet every thing that hath breath praiſe the Lord.
Wherefore let not the Te Deum, [We praiſe thee, O God, we acknowledg thee to be the Lord,] or the Benedicite, the following CanApocrypha. Let it be ſufficient then, that ſuch holy prayers have ground in Scripture, from which, as the Articles of our Creed, they are deduced and framed to the capacitie and memopraiſe the Name of the Lord,
O come, let us
ſing unto the Lord, &c. with the Poſtſcript of that good wiſh,
Let all thoſe that ſeek thee be joyful and glad in thee; and let ſuch as love thy ſalvation ſay alwayes, The Lord be praiſed.
COmmination in our Leiturgy is a part of Church-Diſciaccurſed.
This is grounded on the twenty ſeventh of Deuteronomy, with little alteration of words or matter, for the applying it to our time. And to the ſame end ſerve the Woes denounced by our Saviour (Matth. 23) againſt the hypocritical Scribes and Phariſees; which will never be out of date, as long as the ſame ſins are fomented, and thought good policie, and not heartily repented of amongſt Profeſſors of Chri
With this Commination the Church-Excommunication hath a neer affinity, whereobſtinate notorious offenders are excluded from the
Saints communion, and delivered unto Satan (as the inceſtuous Corinthian was by Saint Paul) to the deſtruction of the fleſh,
1 Cor. 5.5. that the Spirit might be ſaved in the day of the Lord Jeſus.
Theſe warrantable praPrimitive Diſcipline conſidered as they ought, ſhould breed a reſtleſſe horBe not deceived, God is not mocked; who will not have his Church neglected; whoſe priviledges of binding and looſing here on earth are enfaithful and obedient into the New Jeruſalem, a better portion cannot be expected for us,
ſhut out with Dogs, and Socerers, and Whore-mongers, and Murderers, and Idolaters, and Forgers and approvers of lyes, into that utter darkneſſe, where ſhall be weeping and gnaſhing of teeth, and the worm dyeth not, and the fire goeth not out.
But that which may be more uſeful for you (my Daughters) and more conImprecation or Curſing; how farre that is to be deteſted, and
Such Imprecations then may either be upon unreaſon
So the Serpent is curInſtrument of the Divel to ſeduce Man.
The ground is curſed for mans ſake, that had yeilded to the divel ſo eaſily to tranſgreſs his Makers com
Likewiſe in the New Teſtament.
Figtree that yeilded only leaves in ſtead of fruit, eſcape the curſe of our bleſſed Saviour?
Theſe things are not for our practice, but obſervation,
bleſsings; ſo when he curſeth, the leaſt good or ſcruple of comfort cannot be expected.
It is a faſhion of divers, when their horſe ſtumbleth, to wiſh, The Divel take him; or when any thing thwarts their will, to bid a vengeance upon it, or the like.
Such Imprecations are intolerable abuſes in ChriPſalmiſt ſpeaks of,
His delight was in curſing, and it ſhall happen unto him; he loved not bleſsing, therefore it ſhall be far from him.
Imprecations againſt reablaſphemers & profaneners of Gods Name and Worſhip, Deſtroyers or perſecuters of his Church and Saints, Oppreſſors of their Countries wholeſome Lawes and Liberties, or againſt other perſons or Societies, that by private injuries, have wronged us or ours.
That Blaſphemers, and Profaneners of Gods Name and Worſhip, Deſtroyers and Perſecuters of his Church and Saints, oppreſſors of their Countries Laws and Liberties, or making any approaches that way, lye under the curſe of God and all good people, no man may doubt, that findmongrel boy ſtoned to death for blaſphemy, Levit. 24.14. Achan and all his
family executed for Sacriledg, Joſh. 7.22. Meroz curſed bitterly for not coming to help Gods people againſt the mighty, Judg. 5.
So that thoſe Pſalmes of David, the eighty third, and the one hundred and ninth, with like paſſages in others, may be thought not ſo much Prophecies what will befal the wicked, as Imprecations to implore Gods juſtice to take vengeance on them, that continue ſtill in their obſtiSmite through the loines of Church-Oppoſers, is a paſſage of Moſes bleſLevies enemies, Deut. 33.11. Let him be Anathema, Maran-atha (ſaith Saint Paul) whoſoever loveth not the Lord Jeſus Chriſt,
Cor. 16.22. And from the ſame incenſed zeal pronew Goſpel aGalatians, Galat. 1.8. Though wee, or an Angel from heaven preach any other Goſpel unto you, then that which we have preached, let him be accurſed. And, As we ſaid before, ſo ſay I now again, If any man preach any other Goſpel unto you, then that ye have received, let him bee accurſed. Here is Curſe upon Curſe, but upon juſt cauſe, and a ſuppoſal, that damnable SePeter after denying his Maſter, when he had curſed and ſworn that he knew not the man. Matth. 26.74.
All this will ſtand well with our Saviours mildeſt Doctrine and Practiſe; I ſay unto you, Love your enemies, bleſſe them that curſe you, do good to them that hate you; and pray for them that deſpitefully uſe and perſecute you, Matth. 5.44. For perſonal wrongs may and muſt be forgiven where a curſe is ever due to the opFather, forgive them, for they know not what they do, Luke 23.34. Thus when he was reviled, he reviled not againe, when he ſuffered, hee threatned not, 1 Pet. 2.23.
No ſuch words ever proI may forgive, but I will never forget; I ſhall find a time to cry quits with you; or, The plague of God fall upon him that ſo divelliſhhim that judgeth righteouſly; who will plead the
cauſe of the innocent,
Pſal. 35.1. with them that ſtrive with him, and fight againſt them that fight againſt him; and ſay unto his ſoul, I am thy ſalvation. For vengeance is mine,
Rom. 12.19. and I will repay, ſaith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirſt, give him drink; for in ſo doing thou ſhalt heap coals of fire on his head.
And according to this calme and Chriſtian temGood-friday (as we call it) for all ſorts of people for whom our Sa
To ſuch Charity and Bleſwe all are called (as the bleſſed Apoſtle inſtructs us) that we ſhould inherit a bleſſing.
The exemplary King David, in ſettling of his family (as it was touched before) would not endure that any (1.)
Unfaithful, (2.) Froward;
Scandalous, (4) Slanderous, (5) Proud, (6) Cheating, (7) Lying perſon ſhould have any reſi
And if you (my DaughIrreverent mention of Gods holy name, (2) Lying, (3) Swearing, (4) Curſings, (5) Calumnies, (6) Profane jeſtings, eſpecially on Gods Word or Miniſters, (7) Rotten communication, that corrupts good manners, muſt not once bee countenanced or named amongſt you, but knockt (as it were) in the head with your moſt effeſhall you bee delivered from the hand of ſtrange children,
Pſa. 144.11 whoſe mouth talketh of vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of iniquity; then ſhall your ſonnes grow up as the young plants, and your Daughters be as the poliſhed corners of the Temple; your garners ſhall bee full of all manner of ſtore, your ſheep ſhall increaſe, your Oxen bee ſtrong to labour, without decay, leading into captivity or complaining in your ſtreets.
And thus have you (my dear Daughters) the
I end with that Collect
fourth Sunday after Epiphany, which eſpecially ſorts with the times wherein we live, and was commended unto mee by your Grand faJohn Prideaux, my dear Father, when I was a boy, in the time of a Plague. The words are theſe:
O God, That knoweſt us to bee ſet in the midſt of ſo many and great dangers, that for Mans fraileneſſe we cannot alwayes ſtand uprightly, grant to us the health of Body and
Soul, that all thoſe things which we ſuffer for ſinne, by thy help wee may well paſſe and overcome, through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord.
To this you may add (if you pleaſe) the Collect for the ſecond Sunday in Lent.
Almighty God which doſt ſee that we have no power of our ſelves to help our ſelves, keep thou us both outwardly in our Bodies, and
inwardly in our Souls, that wee may bee defended from all adverſities which may happen to the Body, and from all evil thoughts which may aſſault and hurt the Soul, through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord. Who make You and Yours Partakers abundantly of all Temporal, and SpirituWhom with the Father and the Holy Ghoſt, Three
Perſons, and One God, be all Honour, Might, and Majeſty, in PrayAmen.