Ancilla Pietatis: OR, THE HANDMAID to Private DEVOTION: Presenting a Manuel to furnish her with Necessary Principles of Faith. Forcible Motives to a holy life. Useful Forms of Hymns and Prayers: fitted to The Christian Feasts and Fasts. The Weeks of the year. The days of the Week. Christus fide concipitur, confession nascitur devotione tenetur S. Leo. By Daniel Featly, D. Divinity. At London printed for Nicholas Bourne. Anno Domini 1626. Than another Angel: Re Watch ye in Faith and Hope. and A the serpent was life: Io: 3.14 Loo y 3 star: Matt 2.9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: Luk: 2.11 There appeared 〈…〉 Why stand ye 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Acts ●●●… 〈…〉 Mat: 28. ●… Devotion. Handmaid 〈…〉 in Christo Patris 〈…〉 Coll. Emman. Cantab. TO THE RIGHT Noble and Religious Lady, the Duchess of Buckingam her GRACE. May it please your Grace: SAint Jerome in a Funeral Oration, Pretiosissimum de locis sanct●● monile peroxidized. strewing flowers upon the hearst of Fabiola, said concerning her, We have lost a most precious jewel out of the Church. But since your happy departure from the Romish Synagogue, and repairing to our true reformed Church, we may say on the contrary, in regard of you, We have gained a most precious jewel to the Church. Such lowliness of mind in such height of fortunes: such Devotion in such distractions; such constancy in such temptations, we bless God for, in you; we pray God for, in others of your Sex and rank. If to touch upon your modesty were not to wound it, and to relate your continual practice of Devotion were not to interrupt it, I should speak much of it, yet no more than they know to be most true, who are nearest to you, when you draw near to your Father in secret. But because it is not the least of your praises, that you cannot endure praise, Fascinant laudando. and there are many in England (not only in Africa) who are bewitched by flattery; I will draw a veil before those eminent parts which my pencil cannot express. And therefore ceasing farther to blazon your virtues, I humbly crave leave of you to prefer unto you a servant to attend you in your closet; I mean THE HANDMAID TO PRIVATE DEVOTION; who upon her knee, tenders to your Grace some helps to your Devotion, together with the Devotion and prayers of the Author to God for you, to crown you with the blessings of this life, and the blessedness of the life to come. Your Graces humbly devoted, DANIEL FEATLY. THE PREFACE to the Reader. CHRISTIAN READER, IN the late dreadful Visitation, when the ways of Zion mourned, because none passed by them; and the gates of the Sanctuary lamented, because almost none entered at them; Religion herself for the most, forbearing the Church, and keeping her closet, and there finding sufficient employment to complain of, & bewail the danger and desolation of her solemnest assemblies: I fell into a serious consideration of the use and most urgent necessity of PRIVATE DEVOTION. And to the end I might accord with my brethren in their groans and cries, being smitten myself with a dangerous (though not infectious) disease; I gave over those waters of strife wherein I had met with the Romish Fisher, entangled in his own Net; and sought after the waters of Shiloah that run softly, which at that season far better relished with me then the other. Not that I altered my judgement touching the study of controversies, which (without all controversy) is not only most needful, but delightful also to them that are therein exercised. It is an easy task, and almost every one's labour now a days to gather flowers of Paradise, and make Posies, or Garlands of them for Christ's Spouse. But it is not for every hand to meddle with those thorny difficulties, which yet must be carefully handled by them who will make a strong hedge or sure fence for the Lord's Vineyard. The more perplexed, and intricate the difficulty is, the greater is the contentment in beating out the truth in points of no less consequence than difference. Children are not so much delighted with smiting flints one against the other to see the sparkles, as men of rational understanding & discourse, by collision of contrary arguments, to strike out the fire of divine Truth. And this fire as well as that other which the natural heat of Devotion kindleth, yieldeth much warmth to the conscience even of a dying man. Witness Oecolampadius, whose last words were these: Now I go cheerfully to the tribunal of Christ, where it shall appear, that I have not seduced God's people, but have sincerely taught the truth of God. I might instance likewise in Doctor Whitaker's Cygnea Cantio, his swan-like song before his death, wherein he warble●h sweetly upon those at this day most Vexed questions of universal grace and freewill. And his contemporary, the eye of the other University, Doctor Reynolds, when he lay on his death bed, called for Doctor Abbots (after the Lord Bishop of Salisbury) Reply to W. Bishop, then newly come forth, and heard much of it read unto him with great contentment. But being (as I said even now) out of tune in my body, I listed not, nor in that shaking weakness could hold fast the pegs to strain and tune the jarring strings of controversed opinions in point of Religion. That which I then most desired, was to settle my thoughts and affections, and compose my soul to rest by listening to the sweet songs of Zion, set to David's well-tuned harp, and runs upon in exquisite division by some of our excellent Asaphs in their pious Treatises, Soliloquies, Prayers, Meditations, and Contemplations. This heavenly music so ranished my senses, that I found by experience in the twilight, betwixt the day of life, and night of death, that enlightened thoughts afford nothing like comfort to en flamed affections. Now the oil which feedeth this sacred flame (next to the inspired holy Scriptures) floweth most abundantly in Treatises of Devotion. In which kind of writings, the Romanists for the most part exceed in bulk, but our Divines in weight. The Church of Rome (like Leah) is more fruitful; but her Devotions (like Leah in this also) are blear-eyed with superstition. But the mother of our faith (like Rachel) is not altogether so fruitful, yet she is more comely, and beautiful, and I hope will be also here after as fruitful. Verily if ever Private Devotions pouring themselus forth in brinish tears, were in season, now they are. Never losses so great to be bewailed; never judgements so fearful to be averted; never hearts so hard to be mollified; never consciences so fowl to be rinsed by tears as now. Nature hath provided a sovereign remedy against the sting of the Scorpion in the oil of the Scorpion. When thou feelest the sting, it is but bruising the Serpent, and rubbing it on the place, and the moisture presently of the Serpent killed, destroyeth the venom of that Serpent. I would to God our souls were as dear to us as our bodies, and that we took as much care for remedies against sin, as salves against envenomed wounds. Then would we, as soon as we feel the sting of sin in our consciences, bruise the Serpent by true contrition; destroy the sin, and apply the oil of tears issuing from it, to cure the wound before it festered. But among other just causes of tears, this is not the least that we misspend our tears, and spill that heavenly dew, and profane the Font-water of our second baptism (as Saint Cyprian calleth it.) We have tears at our own will in worldly losses; but none at God's command for the loss of his grace. We take on for the death of our friends departing from us; but cannot wring out a tear for the spiritual death of our souls departing from God. Yet all our fretting and vexing, all our weeping and howling cannot fetch our friend back again, or repair our worldly losses: whereas on the contrary (as Saint Chrysostome piously noteth) the afflicting of our souls, and serious bewailing of our sins, by God's grace, shall revive our souls, and recover all our spiritual losses, and that with advantage. What pity, nay what folly is it, to pour costly eye-water out of a Venice-glass into a vile pot or basin to wash our feet withal? Do we not the like, when we turn godly sorrow into worldly, and abuse precious tears to the bewailing of vile & base losses? have we suchstore of them? or such want of better employment for them? See we not wrath is gone out against us, and the fire long ago kindled, and not yet quenched by our tears? Lord, thou hast showed thy people terrible things; thou hast given us a drink of deadly wine, and hast caused us to suck out the dreggs of it, because we (Moab like) are settled upon our Lees. As Pharaoh saw the hugh of his bloody mind in the waters of Egypt turned all red as blood: so we may see the crimson colour of our sins in the vials of thy wrath poured of late upon us. We trade not spiritually for the pearl of the Gospel, and therefore our Merchant's returns fail. We would not weep for our sins, and therefore the heavens did weep for us a long season in continual showers. We have been hard hearted, and barren in good works, and therefore thou madest heretofore the heaven above us as brass, and the earth under us as Iron. By drunkenness and gluttony, by evil persuasions and worse examples, one soul hath infected another; and therefore thou hast sent a Plague whereby one body infecteth another. Such a Plag●▪ as our ancients never heard of, and our posterity will scarce believe. The chief of our Cities have been ploughed up, and sowed so thick with dead corps that one could scarce lie by another. Against this and all other judgements which thy law threateneth, and our sins provoke, we have no weapons to contend with thy justice but prayers and tears. We have no means to cleanse the infected air but our sighs and groans. O Lord remove our sins as a cloud, and iniquities as a mist, and then this dreadful bloody cloud which lately poured down, but now only droppeth, will vanish of itself. Consummate the work of mercy thou hast begun, and quite remove this judgement through thy tender compassion in the bowels of Christ jesus, we beseech thee. But remove this judgement in mercy, not in judgement. Take not thy hand off of us to fetch a greater stroke at us. Deliver us not from one Plague as thou didst Pharaoh, to send a worse in steed thereof. Put us not out of thine hands into which we are fallen, to give us over into the hands of our enemies. Save us not from the Sword to kill us with Famine; neither preserve us from a corporal, to starve us with a spiritual. Take not away one plaster, to apply a smarter in the place; but perfectly heal our wounds. Be absolutely reconciled unto us in him, upon whom thou hast already laid the chastisement of our peace. O remember not our our old sins, but have mercy upon us, and that soon, for we are come to great misery. Help us, o God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name; o deliver us, and be merciful to our sins for thy name's sake. O think upon thy congregation, and Mount Zion wherein thou hast dwelled. Look upon the hands of many thousands that have been lifted up to thee in Public, and many more in Private, to justify thee in thy judgements, and bless thee for thy mercies, and entreat thee for this Land, and thy disconsolate Spouse yet weeping in tears of blood in divers places. To strengthen and support the weaker of these hands, and fill their mouths with continual Devotions, I have furnished and replenished this Manuel, which I name THE HANDMAID To PRIVATE DEVOTION, to wait on her in her Chamber, or Oratory. The purtraying of her Mistress I leave to the pencil of some Divine Apelles, whose task will be the harder, because she never cometh abroad. All that my intention aimeth at, and my endeavours promise, is but to lay open a private way, and set up certain Stages for thy holy race, and prick thee on forward in it. far better helps in this kind the pious charity and zeal of religious and learned persons hath afforded thee; of whom yet I may truly say, as Tully spoke of the Emperors that dealt with Mithridates before Pompey, Laudandum quod secerunt, ignoscendum quod reliquerunt: They are to be commended for that they have done, and pardoned for that they left. What they have left, I labour to supply; and if I cannot supply it, yet I thought fit to imply and intimate, that the Authors themselves, or the Publishers of their works, might add what they find wanting. First my thinks I see in their books of Devotion and prayers, Salomon's temple, without the gate called Beautiful; I mean, exquisite meditations, and orisons, without an entrance thereunto by preparation. With that part therefore I begin; and it taketh up the more room in my book, because it hath been so scanted for place, or rather quite excluded in theirs. In it if thou find some tertnesse, I entreat thee (Courteous Reader) to remember with me the precept of the Lord jesus, Have salt, and have peace. If I have salt, have thou peace, the rather, because Hymns, Prayers, and other religious exercises are spiritual sacrifices; and every sacrifice by the Law was to be seasoned with salt. Et quoniam mel in Dei sacrificijs non offertur, nimia dulcedo arte mutata est, & quâdam piperis austeritate condita apud Deum nil tantum suaue placet, nisi quod habet in se aliquid mordacis veritatis. It is S. Ierom's observation upon the legal sacrifices, that God never appointed honey to be offered unto him. And the moral truth vailed under that shadow, was that in our spiritual oblations, nothing pleaseth God that is only sweet, and hath not some smack 〈◊〉 it of biting truth. Next I have much marvelled what the reason might be that they undertaking to fit prayers and devotions to several seasons, and special occasions, baulked the Christian fast and feasts. For albeit the Saints days might far the worse with them, because Popish superstition over cloyed them. Which yet is an abuse of arguing to argue from the abuse to the abolishing the right use. By this means they might take from us the use of all God's creatures, because they have been superstitiously or profanely abused some way or other. But admit there might be a legal caveat put in against the Saint's Plea, what have the feasts of our Lord and Saviour deserved, that they should be struck out of their Calendar, or slightly passed without the honour of a meditation, Hymns, or Prayer on them? They cannot plead want of precedent, authority, or direction: for they have Copies fair written in golden characters by Chrysostome in his Homilies, Chrysologus, Leo, Augustine, Bernard, & other devout Fathers in their Sermons upon these days. If they saw not them, why did they not follow the excellent pattern in the book of Common Prayer? Which laying before me, I have drawn forms of exhortations, hymns, and prayers, carrying throughout a manifest impression of the feast to which they are dedicated. And before them I have prefixed a Parallel of the Prophecy of the old, and the History of the new Testament compared together, that thou mightest have an ocular demonstration of that which S. Austin writeth concerning both. The new Testament is vailed in the old, and the old is revealed in the new. After the feasts, or before as preparatives to them, the Church fasts should have been ranked. But there being in their Devotions no spiritual dainties allowed for the festivals, I nothing marvelled at it that Christian fasts were utterly unprovided for, and (if I may so speak) fast with them. Extraordinary fasts of humiliation to avert some fearful Plague or imminent judgement they take notice of, but the ordinary fasts of Devotion, they mention not at all. Yet certainly the devout soul out of a sympathy with her Saviour cannot 〈◊〉 weep with him, as well as rejoice with him, in some measure. Fast with him on good-friday, as well as feast with him, and for him, on Easter day. If any tears of a sinner are the wine of Angels, I am persuaded they are those tears of Devotion, which after much fasting, and Prayer, and meditation, spring out of the serious apprehension of Christ's infinite love testified to mankind by his fasting, watching, praying, weeping, bleeding, and dying for us on the Crosse. But they will say, these are the sacred fuel of every day's devotion. Yet it is more proper to remember the ●orke of the day, in the day wherein it was wrought. And albeit the jews were bound always to remember Gods wonderful deliverances; yet more strictly were they bound on the very day for that end appointed to be kept solemn. What though we find no express commandment for them? The practice of the ancient Church, and the religious constitutions of the present, ratified by Supreme authority, should sway in a matter of this nature, according to that golden rule of S. Bernard: Obey him as God who is in the place of God, in those things that are not against God. These fasts therefore should not have been forgotten. I come now in the last place to the weekly Devotions, wherein I find Prayers for each several day of the week. Yet as it is noted by the learned of S. Gregory's Comment upon job, that It is an excellent Commentary fraught with rich learning especially in matter of morality. But it might have been wrote almost, as well upon any parcel of Scripture, as upon job. So you shall find that the Prayers for each day may serve for any day as well as that to which they are entitled. For example, Munday's Prayer well fits Tuesday, and Tuesday's Wednesday; and all three, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. No day hath more interest in the Devotion for it then another. When Timothy found fault with ALEXANDER for striking a stroke amiss upon the Harp, and Alexander demanded of him; Is it not all one whether I strike it this way, or that way, with these fingers, or these? True, answered Timothy, It is all one to an Emperor, but not to a Musician, It is no error in stale to strike as you do; but it is an error in art. I confess in like manner, it is no error in Religion ● set a godly Prayer for the day which hath no interest or relation at all to the day; yet it is an indecorum and blur in Art. It is all one as if they should set a mark before them, and shoot no more towards it then any other white, To avoid this impropriety, if not incongruity, in the Morning Hymn and Prayer, I have an eye to some work of God the Father in the Creation wrought on that day: In the Evening Hymn and Prayer to some work of God the Son wrought (or by the Church remembered) on that day in the Passion week. For the admonitions and exhortations wherewith the Devotions are interlaced, I took my pattern of them from S. CYPRIAN; S. Cyprian lib. de exhortatione Martyrij. De agno per quem redempti & vivificati sumus lanam ipsam, & purpuram misi, quam cum acceperis to●icam tibi pro voluntate conficies. In exhortatione ●am necessaria amputandae sunt verborum nostrorum morae, & ambages sermonis humani s●btrahendae, & ponenda illa sola quae DEUS loquitur. W●th whose words, I will not clothe mine own. I have sent thee cloth (saith he) made of the fleece of that Lamb, by whose blood we are all redeemed. Take as much as will serve thy turn; and fashion and fit thy garment to thine own mind. All inferences and discourses of mine own I omit, because in so needful exhortations the delays and linger protractions of men's words are to be cut off, and only Gods own words to be set down. To sum up all in a word, I have brought thee into the Spouse garden of flowers and spices; I have gathered some out (almost) of every bed, and laid by them a thread in the Analysis or Method, to bind them up together. Make thou thy Posy as thou likest best; and breathe out with me that sweet Prayer of the Spouse, cut in one of her knots. Arise o North and blow, o South wind, thatch sent of our Spices & flowers may flow, and the beloved may come into his Garden. Cant. 4. 16. GEntle Reader, the lesser escapes, I entreat thee to mend with thy pen, and to set some marginal notes at the right place which thou shalt find here and there a little misplaced. A General Table, representing the Method of this Worke. This Manuel hath in it described a plat of holy ground divided into 1 A garden of spiritual flowers, 1 For ornament, to deck and dress up the inner room, to entertain the Spouse, as premparations to religious duties In general Prayer. Hearing the Word. In special to Receiving § Sacrament. 2. For sent, to make nosegays, according to the seasons of the year; as forms of hymns, prayers, and thanksgiuings Ordinary, for the week days. Extraordinary, for Christian Feasts. Fasts. 3 For medicine to cure & strengthen; as Admonitions out of Scripture. Prayers for Men in sickness. Women in childbearing. Thanksgiving for Recovery of men. Delivery of women. 2 The nursery thereof, which is set with 52. plants of Paradise, agreeable to the weeks in the year, digested into a Catechism; in which are set down Rules, according to which Graces, by which— Blessings, for which— we ought to pray and give thaks. A TABLE OF THE particular Contents. 1. The Preparation to religious exercise in general. p. 1. 1. Of Devotion. p. 2. 2. Of Preparation▪ and the several kinds thereof. p. 9 1. Purgation. p. 11. 2. Sequestration of the mind. p. 12. 3. Preconsideration. p. 14. 2. The Preparation to Prayer. p. 18. 1. A preparatory Exhortation. p. 27. 2. A preparatory Hymn. p. 56. 3. A preparatory Prayer. p. 58. 3. The preparation to bearing the Word. p. 59 1. A preparatory Admonition p. 69. 2. A preparatory Hymn. p. 74. 3. A preparatory Prayer. p. 76. 4. The preparation to the receiving of the Sacrament. p. 79. 1. The admonition before the Communion. p. 85. 2. The Hymn before the Communion. p. 87. 3. The Prayer before the Communion p 88 5. Religious Duties to be performed, and affections to be stirred up in the time of receiving the Communion. p. 91. 6. Short Prayers to be used at the receiving of the Communion, p. 97. 7. Short Forms of thanksgiving to be used after the Communion. p. 98. 8 A larger Form of thanks giving after the Communion p. 102. 9 The practice of private Devotions, both ordinary, and extraordinary. p. 106. 10. The Morning's Devotion. 1. An admonition for the Morning. p. 116▪ 2. A Hymn for the Morning. p. 117. 3. A Prayer for the Morning. p. 119. The Close out of Scripture. p. 128. 11. The Evening Devotion. 1. An admonition for the Evening. p. 128. 2. An Hymn for the Evening. 131. 3. A Prayer for the Evening p. 133. The Close out of Scripture. p. 137. 12. The Christian Sabbath, or Lords day's Devotion. p. 138. 1. The admonition for the Sabbath Morning. p. 139. 2. The Hymn for the Sabbath Morning. p. 148. 3. The Prayer for the Sabbath Morning. p. 147. 1. The admonition for the Sabbath Evening. p. 153. 2. The Hymn for the Sabbath Evening. p. 160. 3. The Prayer for the Sabbath Evening. p. 162. The Close out of Scripture. p. 166▪ 13. The Feast 〈◊〉 the Birth of our Lord 1. The ground of the Feast. p. 167. 2. The admonition for it. p. 171. 3. The Hymn for it. p. 174. 4. The Prayer for it. p. 178. 14. The Feasts of our Lord's circumcision. 1. The ground of it. p. 183. 2. The admonition for it. p. 184. 3. The Psalm for it. p. 187. 4. The Prayer for it. p. 190. 15. The Feast of the Epiphanie. 1. The ground of it. p. 197. 2. The admonition for it. p. 200. 3. The Psalm for it. p. 204. 4 The Prayer for it. p. 206. 16. The Feast of our Lord's resurrection. 1. The ground of it. p. 212. 2. The Psalm for it. p. 216. 3. The admonition for it. p. 219. 4. The Prayer for it. p. 222. 17. The Feast of our Lord's Ascension. 1. The ground of it. p. 228. 2. The Hymn for it. p. 230. 3. The Admonition for it. p. 233. 4. The Prayer for it. p. 237. 18. The Feast of the coming down of the holy Ghost. 1. The ground of it. p 243. 2. The Hymn for it. p. 245. 3. The exhortation for it. p. 248. 4. The Prayer for it. p. 252. 19 The Christian fast's Devotion. p. 257. Of the Lent Fast. p. 261. The ground of it. p. 266. 1. A Psalm for Ash wednesday. p. 270. 2. An admonition for it. p. 274. 3. A Prayer for it. p. 278. 20. Good Friday's Devotion. p. 284. 1. The ground of this Fast. p. 284. 2. The admonition for it. p. 288. 3. The Hymn for it. p. 295. 4. The Prayer for it. p. 300. 21. The Week day's Devotion. p. 310. 1. Munday's Devotion. The ground of it. p. 311. 1. The Hymn for the Morning. p. 312. 2. The admonition for the Morning. p 317. 3. The Prayer for the Morning. p. 322. The close out of Scripture. p. 325. 1. The Hymn for the Evening. 2. The admonition for the Evening. p. 329. 3. The Prayer for the Evening. p. 335. The Close out of Scripture. Ibid. 2. Tuesday's Devotion. The ground of it. p. 339. 1. The Morning's Devotion. 1. The Hymn for the Morning. p. 343. 2. The admonition for the Morning. p. 346. 3. The Prayer for the Morning. p. 342. The Close out of Scripture. p. 355. 2. The Evening's Devotion. 1. The Hymn for the Evening. p. 356. 2. The admonition for Evening. p. 359. 3. The Prayer for the Evening. p. 363. The Close out of Scripture. p. 368. 3. Wednesday's Devotion. The ground of it. p. 369. 1. The Morning's Devotion. 1. The Hymn for it. p. 37●. 2. The admonition for it. p. 376. 3. The Prayer for it. p. 382. The Close out of Scripture. p. 388. 2. The Evening's Devotion. 1. The Hymn for it. p. 389. 2. The admonition for it. p. 391. 3. The Prayer for it. p. 395. The Close out of Scripture. p 405. 4. Thursday's Devotion. The ground of it. p. 406. 1. The Morning's Devotion. 1. The Hymn for it. p. 410. 2. The admonition for it. p. ●14. 3. The Prayer for it. p. 418. The Close out of Scripture. p. 422. 2. The Evening's Devotion. 1. The Hymn for it. p. 423. 2. The admonition for it. p 427. 3. The Prayer for it. p. 435. The Close out of Scripture. p. 440. 5. Friday's Devotion. The ground of it. p. 441. 1. The Morning's Devotion. 1. The Hymn for it. p. 444. 2. The admonition for it. p. 445. 3. The prayer for it. p. 451. The Close out of Scripture. p. 455. 2. Evening's Devotion. 1. The Hymn for it. p 456. 2. The admonition for it. 460. 3. The Prayer for it. 471. The Close out of Scripture. 481. 6. Saturday's Devotion. The ground of it. 481. 1. The Morning's Devotion. 1. The Hymn for it. 485. 2. The admonition for it. 448. 3. The Prayer for it. 469. The Close out of Scripture. 474. 2. The Evening's Devotion. 1. The H●mne for it, p. 474. 2. The admonition for it. p. 477. ●. The Prayer for it. p. 487. The Close out of Scripture. p. 491. 22. The Childbearing Woman's Devotion. 1. In her travail 1. The admonition, 493. 2. The Hymn. p. 495. 3. The Prayer. 497. 2. After her travail The admonition, 50● The Hymn. The Prayer. 510. The sick man's devotion when there is hope of recovery. p. 515. A Psalm for the sick. p. 518. An admonition to the sick. p. 523. A Prayer for the sick. p. 530. The sick man's devotion after his recovery. p. 537. The exhortation to thanksgiving. p. 538. A Psalm of thanksgiving. p. 547. A prayer after recovery. p. 551. The Close out of Scripture. p. 559. The dying man's devotion. p. 560. The first admonition to the sick being an admonition to patience. p. ●63. The second admonition against despair. p. 594. A Psalm for the sick lying at the point of death. p. 594. A Prayer for the sick. To the Unity. p. 600. To the Trinity. p. 604. To the Lord jesus. p. 608. THE PREPARATION TO RELIGIOUS exercises in general. PAR. I. Of Devotion. PRemeditation is the preparation to private prayer; private to public; private, and public to the hearing the word; private, and public prayer, together with the hearing of the word to the worthy participation of the holy Sacrament. For the Sacrament receives strength and vigour from the word preached; the word preached from public prayer; public prayer from private Devotion; and that from premeditation, and consideration of the nature of devotion, and necessity of preparation itself to all holy duties, in the immediate worship of God. Devotion is the heart's warmth, Of devotion or rather life's blood of religion: It is a sacred bond knitting the soul unto God: It is a spiritual muscle moving only upward, and lifting up the hearts, eyes, and hands continually unto heaven. And because it consisteth rather in the fervour of the affections, then light of the thoughts, of blaze, or lustre in the words, it is better felt then understood, and yet better understood than can be expressed. Especially, private devotion, which is the Saint to whom I devote this Treatise. For private devotion (to shun ostentation, and hypocrisy in heavenly things) always shuts herself up in her closet, desiring no eye to see her but her Fathers in secret. Math. 6. 6. Wounded she is (like the spouse in the Canticles) with the darts of divine love; Greg. in Cant. and continually bleedeth, but inwardly in tears of compassion, Lachrimae sanguie animae, August. compunction, and excessive joy. There appears no external orifez in the flesh to be seen. She resembles the strange plant in Pliny, Plin. lib. 21. c. 16. which buds inwardly, Flos nasc●tur non evidens sed in occulto, & intùs germinatus, and shooteth forth no bud, blossom, or leaf outwardly. For if private devotion cometh once to be known, it ceaseth to be private. The greatest commendation of it is like to that of the Garamantite, Plin. 37. c. 7. Garamantitis summa commendatio est, quod velut in translucido stillantes intus fulgent aur●ae gu●●ae semper in c●●te, non in corpore. a precious stone, that hath no beauty nor lustre in the outside, or in the surface, but within the body of it appears golden drops of divine infusion. What Cyprian speaketh of the werke of regeneration may be truly applied to this virtue. Cypr. epist. l, 2 Sentitur priusquam discitur. It is felt before it can be spoken of, and it must be kindled in the heart by the Spirit, before it can be felt. It is the true Vest all fire that should be still kept burning in the heart; Val. Max. L●u. but if it go out (like that of the Vestals) it must be kindled from heaven. To thee therefore o most holy Spirit I address my prayer, to kindle and keep this fire in my soul by thy heavenly blasts. Heat my heart with the fervour of true Devotion, and touch my tongue with a coal from thine altar, that the words of my mouth and meditations of my heart may inflame all that read these devotions with a love of devotion itself, and true Zeal. Lev's censure may seem too tart: He that is not more religious in Lent then at other times hath no religion as all. But I have good warrant to suspect the sincerity of their Devotion altogether, who are not more devout in private then in public. For fire, the closer it is kept, the hotter it burneth; and the exhalations which are violently detained in crannies under ground, and can have no vent, are of force to move the earth itself. It cannot be otherwise but that the penitent, or compassionate eye, which droppeth in public should run and gush out with rivers of waters in private. The afflicted soul, which sometimes stealeth a groan, and fetcheth a sigh in the Church, offers up often prayers with strong cries at home. He that is affected and elevated with spiritual joy in public, is transported when he is alone, and hath private communications with God. S. Paul spoke words of truth and soberness to the Corinthians, 2. Cor. 5. 13. Whether we he besides ourselves it is to God, or whether we be sober it is to you. And Saint Jerome confirmeth it with an oath, Epist. tom 1. & Mar●an. invit jeron. T●stor deum, po●t heudomid● 〈◊〉 etc. v●su● sum mihi versari inter agmina angelor. that after many days (nay weeks) spent by him in fasting and prayer, in the end he was ravished in spirit, and seemed to have private conversation and familiarity with quires of Angels. My intent is not to detract any thing from public devotion; but my desire is to add to private. Public is more solemn, but private ought to be more frequent: Public makes more noise, but private (for the most part) hath a deeper channel. Our Saviour divideth blessedness equally between them both; Blessed (saith he) is he that heareth the word and keepeth it: it is public devotion that heareth the word preached, but private that keeps it: Public gathereth Manna in greater abundance; but private is the golden Omer that preserveth it. The Hart doth not so pant and bray for the rivers of waters, as the soul of every religious man longeth for the waters of life, running plentifully out of the golden spouts of the Temple, the Ministers of the word; but private devotion it is that breeds this longing after the public Ministry. Let us take a pattern of Devotion from our blessed Saviour, to whom all devotions are due. What commandeth he by express precept? When thou prayest enter into thy closet: Math. 6. 6. and what commendeth he most by his own practice? It is true, he calleth his house the house of prayer; and as we read, that he was daily preaching: so I doubt not but he was daily praying in the Temple; yet ye shall find him oftener on the Mount, Math. 14. 27. or in the Garden, Math. 26. 36. or in some private solitary place praying alone, Ma●ke 1. 35. then in the Temple; Luke 6. 12. yea, Luke 9 8. 28 and continuing longer in prayer, Luke 11. 1. spending sometimes whole nights in it. Luke 22. 45. This practice of our Saviour hath been a precedent to all those whose names in the Church of God are, john 17. and have been as a sweet ointment for daily offering the sweetest incense of prayer to God. Religious men never are wanting in public assemblies, but they exceed in private Devotion. Public exercises of religion be their feasts, but private their ordinary. Where find you Daniel but in his chamber at his Devotion looking towards jerusalem? Dan. 6. 10. Where find you David but in his couch, Psal. 6. 6. watering it with his tears, Psal. 77. 6. and communing with his own heart in the night? Acts 10. 30. Where find you Cornelius but in his house in praying? Where find you Saint john on the Lord's day but in the I'll alone by himself in the spirit. Reuel. 1. 10. The pouring out our special complaints to God, our vows to refrain such company and such occasions of sin; the ripping up of our whole life with a particular confession of our sins, aggravated by all circumstances, and all those parts of repentance, or the soul's discipline mentioned by Saint Paul are most necessary exercises of religion, 2. Cor. 7. 11. yet cannot be so safely done, nor so decently, nor so effectually in public as in private. These parts are not to be acted on the stage, but within the hangings. Commodius ista inter transiguntur. Ex. He that acts these on the stage will have the person of an hypocrite put upon him for it. Luke 22. 44. Where was our Saviour in his agony but alone in Gethsemaine? Math 26. 36. Where was he transfigured in his prayer but on the holy Mount alone? Math. 17. 2. Moses his face shined after he came from his secret parley with God▪ Exod. 34. 29. and our souls shall shine with all spiritual graces, if we have often private conference with him by prayer, but always with due reverence and preparation before. PARAG. 2. Of Preparation. Preparation to religious exercises is twofold. 1 Extraordinary, as watching, fasting and the like, of which see the admonition for Ash-wednesday. 2 Ordinary. which consisteth in 1 Cleansing our conscience from the guilt and stain of foul sins, especially gross actual sins newly committed. 2 Sequestering our thoughts from worldly cares & businesses. 3 Considering before hand what the RELIGIOUS work is we are about, and how we ought to perform it, and carry ourselves in it. Moses put off his shoes, Purgation. and David washed his hands before he drew near to God. Exod. 3. 5. The jews and Turks, Acts 7. 53. at this day, Psal. 26. 6. wash themselves before they enter their Temples; and the ancient Pagans used many ablutions and lustrations before they durst come in sight of their feigned gods. Math. 12. 44. The unclean Spirit in the Gospel had a clean lodging, and shall we entertain the most pure and holy Spirit of God in an unclean room in our souls? What Courtier presumeth to come into the King's presence in stinking and nasty clothes, or with his hands and face all besmeared with dirt, or spotted with ink? How dare we then appear before God with a foul and nasty conscience; with a heart full of malice; eyes full of adultery; hands full of the treasures of wickedness; mouths full of deadly poison of Asps? When we have defiled our eyes with unchaste looks, shall we presently cast them up to heaven, and confidently look God in the face, who is a God of most pure eyes, and cannot endure the least spot of impurity? when we have defiled our hands with blood or uncleanness, or telling our use money, shall we presently lift them up in supplication to God? when we have defiled our tongues with corrupt and rotten communication, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. shall we presently employ them in divine prayer? when we have defiled our bodies with beastly lusts, and wallowed in the mire of swinish pleasures, shall we presently present ourselves as a sacrifice unto God in private or public devotion? God by his holy Prophet teacheth us another lesson; Esay 5. 6. wash you; make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; Cease to do evil, learn to do well: Come now let us confer and reason together. Secondly, 2. Sequestration. he that will consecrate his thoughts and affections by private Devotion unto God, must remove and sequester them from earthly affairs, and worldly negotiations. For the cares of this life, as they choke the seeds of the word: so they stifle devout meditation in the womb that conceiveth them. It is not more difficult to cast up one eye to heaven, and the other down on the earth at the same instant, then to fix our cogitations and intentions at once, on God and the world. Holiness in the Greek implieth a direct contradiction to earthliness: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Hagios is derived from A: the privative particle, and Ge signifying earth as if you would say unearthlinesse. God is a Spirit, and cannot be otherwise seen of us then in spirit. Math 5. 8. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. The soul of man is the glass most truly representing God's image. If a glass be furred, or soiled with dust or dirt, it reflecteth no shape or proportion aright: Bern. de nat. dom. Tergat. speculum, mundet spiritum suum qui scitit videre deum. but wipe the dust from the glass, and you shall see clearly. So (saith Saint Bernard) rub thy glass, wipe away all dusty earthliness from thy mind, and thou shalt see God in thy soul, and conceive clear and divine imaginations of him. Thirdly, he that desireth that God should have respect to him, 3. Preconsideration. and to his spiritual offerings, must be more ready to hear the wise man, Eccles. 5. 1. and look to his foot, then to make haste to offer the sacrifice of fools. What is it to offer the sacrifice of fools, but rashly, and unadvisedly, not to bring and lay down, but to throw his gifts on God's Altar without considering what he offereth, or 〈◊〉▪ or to whom? He that makes no more of prayers to God then of speaking with one of his companions, nor of perusing inspired Scriptures, then reading a piece of Aristotle or Livy, nor of participating of the blessed Sacrament, then taking a morsel of bread, or drinking a cup of wine, can expect no blessing for the use, but rather ought to fear a curse for the abuse of these means of salvation. These ordinances of God sanctify not such, but they rather profane them. Numa Pomphilius forbade any man under a great penalty to salute his gods in the high way, or to pray, or bow, or to do any reverence to their temples, or images, as they walked by them in the streets: Wo●erus de polymathiâ sacris religiosae debetur. and Wover yields a reason of this law better than the law itself, Divine Majesty (says he) must not be slighted, holy duties must not be suddenly sl●bbered over, but performed with reverend regard, 〈◊〉 religious cunctation or delay to frame and compose the mind unto them. But men have forgotten the fear of the Lord, even in his presence, and under his eye. The holy name of God is made so common in men's mouths, and his dreadful Majesty so cheap in their estimamation, that as they speak of him without reverence, so also they speak to him without advised premeditation. They are far from David's modesty, who went step by step, Suspenso gradu. and fetched a compass to come to God's altar. Psal. 26. 6. I will wash my hands in innocence, and so I will compass thine altar; but these make but one step to it. They suddenly and rudely rush upon Almighty God, Heb. 12. 29. never thinking that he is a consuming fire. Augustus' being invited by a private Gentleman to his house, & entertained but slenderly, below the majesty of so great an Emperor, in stead of thanking him, gave him a secret, but smart check for it, I knew not (said he) before that we were such familiars. Nesci●bam me tibi eam familiarem esse. Eras. Apoth. But hath not the King of heaven and Monarch of the whole world more just cause to censure in the like manner, or more severely those among us that seem most forward to invite and entertain him; who run into his presence without showing any reverence; speak unto him without bowing their knee; hear him in the Ministry of the Word without uncovering their heads; participate of the dreadful Mysteries (as the Fathers call them) of his blessed Body and Blood; Tremenda mysteria. sitting at the Communion as they do at their ordinary table, without expressing any thankful humility, or giving testimony, that they discern the Lords body from common meat. Is this to serve the Lord Christ with fear? To rejoice unto him with trembling? To kiss the Son lest he be angry? Nay to fall low before his footstool, because he is holy? But I will speak no more of Preparation to holy duties in general, lest the praeludium grow longer than the lesson I am now to prick. The Preparation to Prayer. PARAG. 1. My heart is indighting of a good matter; Psal. 45. 1. 2. Psal. 39 3. my tongue is the pen of a ready writer, saith the Kingly Prophet, and again, My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned, then spoke I with my tongue: If this sweet singer of Israel, first pricked the notes in his heart before he began to sing them; If he who was inspired by the holy Ghost, framed his Prayers, and Psalms of thanksgiving in his mind, before he delivered them by his tongue; ought not we who are as far behind him in his gifts, as we are below him in condition, much more meditate before we utter any thing to the Lord? I speak not of pious ejaculations, which must needs be sudden as their occasions are, and the motions of God's Spirit within us; but of a set conceived Prayer, wherein we ought not only well to ponder the matter, but even weigh (if we have time) every word in the balance, that they be not found too light, Eccles. 6. 5. 2. and thereby our Prayers against sin, be turned into sin. Be not rash with thy mouth and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God. Senec. Epist. Seneca observing how bold men made with God, and what strange petitions they blushed not to prefer unto him, gave this sage advice, So deal with men as if God saw thee, and so speak with God as if men heard thee. Pers. introrsum obmurmurat ôsi ebullet patruij preclarii sumis, & ôsi etc. For many men vent such uncharitable, envious, and malicious matters, such confused, and undigested stuff, such impertinencies, inconsequencies, & absurdities, especially in their private extemporary Prayers, as they would be ashamed that any man of quality or understanding should over hear them. It would make a profane man laugh, but a Religious man weep to listen, and mark how sometimes they court Almighty God with idle compliments; sometimes they cast up Prayers with strong lines to heaven, hoping thereby to draw down a blessing from God; sometimes they expostulate with God in a saucy, and sometimes pose him in a ridiculous manner. Sometimes they discourse profoundly in their Prayer, as if they meant in good earnest to teach Almighty God what he ought to do; Sometimes they are too tedious, cloying his ears with babble; and vain repetitions; and sometimes again they are too brief, curtailing their Orisens', and breaking off in the midst. One while they fly too high, and meddle with counsels of State; and another while they fall too low, and tell God a Homely household tale. If they hear a strange Phrase, or an affected strain of puf-past eloquence, this they cull out carefully, and insert into their garlands. Peter Moulin justly taxeth a Friar for styling Christ the Dolphin of heaven; and I think he as well deserveth blame who prayeth to God that he may march to heaven in perfect equipage, or come unto God, not with the soles of his foot, but the foot of his soul: who layeth open before God his manifold defections, infections, imperfections; his sins of an higher strain, and deeper stain; and commendeth to his gracious goodness all the Ministers of the Church by what titles soever they are signified, or dignified. Give me leave to tell these men in their own language that this is playing, not Praying; and that in sending up such prayers they burn not incense to God, but incense him rather: Or if they will not hear me, let the grave high-Priest among the ancient Romans School them as he did a Vestal whom he observed to be too curious, Sancte magis quam scite. and neat about her work, which was tending the holy fire. Virgin do your work holily rather then handsomely; reverently, rather than trimly. There are a sort of men in direct opposition to these, who affect a kind of Rhetoric which weedeth out all flowers of Rhetoric. They can away with no Prayer, or meditation which favours of the lump, though the oil be sacred. Nothing pleaseth them in this kind, but that which is spun with an over course thread. Coursnes to them is strength; dulness gravity; dryness judgement; leanenes health; and pack-staffe plainness the evidence (as they term it) of the Spirit, Macies illis pro sanitate est, & iud●cij loco infirmitas cedit. and simplicity of the Gospel. Well may they claim kindred with the old Egyptians, Qui●●. instit. orator. who (as Herodotus, and Straboreport) temper mortar with their hands, and kneade their dow with their feet. Right so these men in all other things like well of art and wit, where the matter is vile, and base; but in the delivery of heavenly conceptions, utterly abandon them. But they should have considered better, that sharpness of wit, and true eloquence are gifts of God, and therefore best of all to be employed in holy things, as gold and silver are best bestowed in adorning God's house, so it be without superstition. Was not fine linen, and blue silk, and Scarlet of as good▪ use in the Ark as Camel's hair? Is not the Queen brought into the spiritual Salomans' chamber, in Vesture of gold wrought about with diverse colours? Was not the holy oil, and precious ointment made by God's commandment according to the art of the Apothecary? Exod. 30. 25. Are there not in the Prophet Esay, the Psalms of David, and the Epistles of Saint Paul in the original language, and other parts of Scripture more exquisite pieces of Artt, and strains of eloquence, then are to be found in any other writings whatsoever? If they are accursed who do the work of the Lord negligently, certainly the more diligence we use, the more blessed our holy labours shall be. For my part, I am resolved with David never to offer that to God which costeth me nothing. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 There remain yet in some places some of the base sect of the Patttalorochita, who place Religion in nosing their words, and speaking to God in a harsh, and uncouth sound, and pronunciation. They will not cry, but howl, and bellow to him. But these are so few in number, and their error is so contemptible, that I hold it scarce fit the naming, and no way worthy the refuting. I would there were no more left of the sect of the Pharisees, Mat. 23. 14. who under colour of long Prayers 〈◊〉 widow's houses; who presume their cons●●ing, and corrupt dealing with the balm of G●lead; who make Religion, and Devotion a stalking horse to their ambition, and avaricious purposes, and ends. O merciful God how is thy patience abused? How is thy Majesty sleightned? How is thy worship profaned? O what sinful wretches are we, who need a large pardon, not only for our profane, and carnal, but even for our holy, and spiritual exercises? Lord be merciful! shall I say to our sinnes? Nay even to our best works which are not free from imperfections, Even when we pray against sin, we sin in Praying, both in respect of the form, and manner, and end of Prayer. Which that we may not do; or not so frequently; or not so grievously; let us prepare ourselves before hand, with the admonition, ●hyme, and Prayer ensuing. THE TEXTS. GOD is in heaven, Prayer must be SHORT. and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few. Eccles. 5. 2. When we pray, use not vain repetitions as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Mat 6. 7. After this manner Pray ye. Conformable to the pattern, consisting of three parts. Humble confession. Verse 9 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper, but who so confesseth, and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Pro. 28. 13. I said I will confess my transgressions to the Lord, Wherein must be considered. and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Psal. 32. 5. God his terrible Name. Fear this glorious, and dreadful Name The Lord thy God. Deut. 28. 58. Let them praise thy great, and terrible Name, for it is holy. Psal. 99 3. Holy, and reverend is his name. Psal. 3. 9 I am a great King saith the Lord of Hosts, and my Name is dreadful among the heathen. Mal.. 1. 14. O Lord my God thou art become exceeding glorious; Glorious Majesty. thou art clothed with Majesty, and honour. Psal. 104. 1. Thou deckest thyself with light as with a garment, and spreadest the heavens like a curtain. Verse 2. The glorious Majesty of the Lord shall endure for ever. Verse 31. Then a cloud covered the Tent of the Congregation, and the glory of the Lord, filled the Tabernacle. Exod. 40. 34. The Chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of Angels, etc. Psal. 68 17. Who is the King of glory? Even the Lord of Hosts, he is the King of glory. Psal. 24. 10. The Lord, even the most Mighty God hath spoken, and called the world from the rising of the Sun to the going down of the same. Psal. 50. 1. Blessed be his glorious Name for ever, and let all the earth be filled with his Majesty Amen, Amen. Psal. 72. 18. Who only hath immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto. 1 Tim. 6. 18. And Moses was not able to enter into the Tent of the Congregation, because the cloud abode therein, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. Exo. 40. 35. I will reprove thee, His all-seeing eye. and set thy sins in order before thine eyes. Psal 50. 21. O Lord thou hast searched me, and known me. Psal 139. 1. Thou knowest my downe-sitting, and mine uprising; thou understandest my thoughts long before. v. 2. The ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord and he pondereth all his doings. Pro 5. 21. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the ●uil, and the good. Pro. 15. 3. If thou sayest, Behold we knew it not, doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it, and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? Pro. 24. 12. Mine eyes are upon all their ways, they are not hid from my face; neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes. jer. 16. 17. If our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and knoweth all things. 1. joh. 3. 20. Behold, Infinite purity and holiness. even to the Moon, and it shineth not; yea the Stars are not pure in his sight; how much less man that is a worm? job. 23. 9 Thou art not a God that hast pleasure in wickedness; neither shall evil dwell with thee. Ps. 5. 4. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest iniquity, therefore God even thy God, etc. Psal. 45. 7. And one cried to another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of Hosts. Isa. 6. 3. Then the Moon shall be confounded, and the Sun ashamed when the Lord of Hosts shall reign in Mount Zion. Isa. 24. 23. And they (the four beasts full of eyes) rested not day and night, Strict justice. saying, Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty. Reuel. 4. 8. Doth not he that pondereth the heart consider? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth he not know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works? Pro. 24. 12. Rejoice o young man in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, etc. but know thou that for all these things God will bring thee to judgement. Eccles. 11. 9 Woe unto the wicked, it shall be ill with him for the reward of his hands shall be given him. Isa. 3. 11. Thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men, to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. jer. 32. 19 I say unto you, that of every 〈◊〉 word that men shall speak, they shall give an account in the day of judgement. Mat. 12. 36. Then thinkest thou this o man that judgest them which do such things, and dost the same, that thou shalt escape the judgement of God? Rom. 2. 3. Thou treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous iudgeme●● of God. Rom. ●. 5. Who will render to every one according to his deeds. Verse 6. If ye call on the Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear. 1 Peter 1. 17. The time is come that judgement must begin at the House of God; and if it first begin at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the Gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly, and sinners appear? Verse ●8. God spared not the Angels that sinned, but cast them down into hell and delivered them to chains of darkness to be reserved unto judgement, etc. 2 Pet. 2. 4. Serve the Lord with fear, Fierce wrath against sin, and sinners. and rejoice with trembling. Psal. 2. 11 Kiss the Son lest he be angry, etc. Verse 12. Thou even thou art to be feared, and who may stand in thy sight when thou art angry? Psal. 76. 7. Then the earth shook and trembled, the foundations also of the hills moved, and were shaken because he was wrath. Psal. 18 7. The Lion hath roared, who will not fear? Amos 3. 8. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebr. 10. 31. I saw a great white Throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the Earth and Heaven fled away, and there was found no place for them. Revel 20. 11. And they said to the Mountains and Rocks fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the Throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. Reuel. 6. 16. Dust thou art. Man his vileness. Gen. 3. 19 Behold I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord who am but dust and ashes Gen. 18. 27. What is man that thou art mindful of him, and the Son of man that thou visitest him? Psal. 8. 4. Man is a worm, and the son of man is a worm. Surely every man living is altogether vanity. Psal. 39 11. All nations before him are as nothing, and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity. Isa. 40. 17. He knoweth our frame; he remembreth that we are but dust. Psal. 103. 14. Man that is borne of a woman hath but few days, Wretchedness. and is full of misery. job 14. 1. Is not man's life a warfare upon earth? Are not his days also as the days of an hireling? job 7. 1. O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Rom. 7. 24. Every imagination of the thoughts of man's heart are only evil continually. Sinfulness. Gen. 6. 5. There is no man that sinneth not. 1 Kings 8. 46. Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? job 14. 4. They are altogether become filthy; there is none that doth good, no not one. Psalm 143. Behold I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me? Psal. 51. 5. Who knoweth how oft he offendeth? Cleanse thou me from my secret fins. Psal. 19 12. If thou Lord shalt mark what is done amiss who may stand? Psal. 130. 3. Enter not into judgement with thy servant, for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. Ps. 143. 2. We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness is as filthy rags. Isa. 64. 6. Who can say I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? Pro. 20. 9 For the Scripture hath concluded all under sin. Gal. 3. 22. In many things we offend all. james 3. 2. If we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us. 1. john 1. 8. Without me ye can do nothing. Wants and V●abilitie. joh. 15. 5. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God. 2. Cor. 3. 5. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him; Confident invocation wherein to be considered. yea all such as call upon him faithfully. Psal. 145. 18. All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer believing, ye shall receive. Math. 21. 22. Let him ask in faith, nothing wa●ering. james 1. 6. Thou hast been precious in my sight, God his Love.. and I have loved thee. Isa. 43. 4. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. joh. 3. 16. As the Father hath loved me, so I have loved you. joh. 15. 9 After that the kindness, and love of God our Saviour towards man appeared, etc. Tit. 3. 4. To him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. Ren. 1. 5. The Lord, Mercy and long-suffering. the Lord God merciful, and gracious, long-suffering, abundant in goodness & truth. Exod. 34. 6. The Lord your God is gracious, and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him. 2. Chro. 30. 9 For thy great mercy's sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them, for thou art a gracious and merciful God. Nehe. 9 31. The Lord is merciful, and gracious; slow to anger, and plentiful in mercy. Psal. 103. 8. ver. 11. 13. 17. Who is a God like unto thee, that pard●neth iniquity, and passeth by the transgressions of the remnant of his heritage; he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in merche. Micah 7. 18. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us: he will subdue our iniquities, and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. ver. 19 Despisest thou the riches of his goodness, and forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth to repentance. Rom. 2. 4. God is not slack as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2. Pet. 3. 9 The seed of the woman shall bruise thy head. Gracious promises. Gen. 3. 15. He forgiveth all thine iniquities, and healeth all thy disease's. Psal. 103. 3. He will not always chide, nor keepeth he his anger for ever. ver. 9 His anger endureth but for a moment, in his favour is life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psal. 30. 5. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. Psal. 126. 5. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isa. 1. 18. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee saith the Lord thy redeemer. Isa. 54. 8. If the wicked will turn from all his sins which he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do all that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not d●o. Eze. 18. 21. Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die, saith the Lord God, & not that he should return from his ways and live? ver. 23. As I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Eze. 33, 11. I will betrothe thee unto me forever, yea I will betrothe thee unto me in righteousness, & in judgement, and in loving kindness, and in mercy. Host 2. 19 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench. Math. 12. 20. Come unto me all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Math 11. 28. There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ jesus. Rom. 8. 1. To him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, Omnipotent goodness. be glory, etc. Ephes. 3. 20. I am God all-sufficient, walk before me, and be thou perfect. Genes. 17. 1. Abraham being fully persuaded that what God had promised he was able to perform. Romans 4. 21. God is able to make all grace abound towards you, that you always having sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. 2. Cor. 9 8. The same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. Rom. 10. 12. Thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Christ his perfect obedience. Math. 3. 15. Which of you convinceth me of sin? joh. 18. 46. As by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Rom. 5. 19 He hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2. Cor. 5. 21. He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Heb. 4. 15. Such an high Priest became us who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners. Heb. 7. 26. He did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. 1. Pet. 2. 22. With the Lord is mercy, Full satisfaction. and plenteous redemption. Psal. 130. 7. The chastisement of our peace was upon him. Isa. 53. 5. The Son of man came to give his life a ransom for many. Math. 20. 28. I lay down my life for my sheep. joh. 10. 15. Feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood. Acts 20. 28. He was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Rom. 4. 21. Being justified by his blood we shall be saved from wrath through him. Rom. 5. 9 Who gave himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time. 1. Tim. 2. 6. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge our conscience from dead works. Heb. 9 14. His own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sin should live unto righteousness, by whose stripes ye were healed. 1. Peter 2. 24. The blood of jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin. 1. joh. 1. 7. Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood. Reu. 5. 9 Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. Perpetual intercession. Psal. 110. 4. It is Christ that died; yea rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Rom. 8. 34. There is one God, and one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ jesus. 1. Tim. 2. 5. He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Heb. 7. 21. Christ is entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. Hebrews 9 24. If any man sin we have an advocate with the Father jesus Christ the righteous. 1. joh. 2. 1. And he is the propitiation for our sins. ver. 2. Give thanks o Israel to the Lord from the ground of the heart. Hearty thanksgiving. Psal. 68 26. It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord. Psal. 92. 1. O give thanks to the Lord, and call upon his Name. Psal. 105. 1. I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart secretly among the faithful, and in the congregation. Psal. 111. 1. He fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks. Luke 17. 16. There are not found that returned to give glory to God save this stranger. ver. 18. Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father. Ephes. 5. 20. Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father, by him we give thanks to God always. 1. Thes. 1. 2. In every thing give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ jesus concerning you. 1. Thes. 5. 18. What shall I render to the Loro for all his benefits? Whereinto be numbered God his benefits spiritual. Election. Psal. 116. 12. 〈◊〉 Psal. 10. 7. 8. Psal. 116. 12. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal Priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of him, who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1. Pet. 2. 9 They that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. Reu. 17. 14. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. joh. 15. 16. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect? Rom. 8. 33. According as he hath chosen us in him, before the foundation of the world. Ephes. 1. 4. God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit, etc. 2. Thes. 2. 13. God created man in his own image. Creation. Genes. 1. 27. Have dominion over the fish ●f the sea, and the fowls of the 〈◊〉, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. ver. 28. Thy hands have made me, and fashioned me. Psal. 119. 73. Thou hast fashioned me behind and before, and ●●yed thine hand upon me. Psal. 139. 4. Thine eyes did see my substance yet being unperfect, and in thy book all my members written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. Psal. 139. 16. Thou art worthy o Lord to receive glory, and honour, and power, for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Reu. 4. 11. Thou hast redeemed me o Lord God of truth. Redemption. Psal. 31. 5. Blessed be the Lord, for he hath visited and redeemed his people. Luke 1. 68 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in jesus Christ. Rom. 3. 24. Christ jesus of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. 1. Cor. 1. 30. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a cur●e for us. ●al. 3. 13. In whom we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. Ephes. 1. 6. Colos. 1. 14. By his own blood he entered in once into the holy place having obtained eternal redemption for us. Heb. 9 12. Ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers. 1. Pet. 1. 18. But rather the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without a blemish, and without spot. v. 19 Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. Reu. 5. 9 I will call them my people which were not my people, Vocation. and her beloved which was not beloved. Host 2. 23. I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. Math. 9 13. Among whom also are ye the called of jesus Christ. Rom. 1. 6. Whom he did predestinate, them he also called. Rom. 8. 30. The gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Rom. 11. 29. Walk worthy the vocation wherewith ye are called. Eph. 4. 1. I press toward the mark for the price of the high calling of God in Christ jesus. Phil. 3. 14. God hath not called us to un cleanness, but to holiness. 1. Thes. 4. 7. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 1. Thes. 5. 24. Zion shall be redeemed with judgement, justification and her Courts with righteousness. Isa. 1. 27. By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many, for he shall bear their iniquities. Isa. 53. 11. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven and sin is covered. Psal. 32. 1. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, ver. 2. It is one God which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. Rom. 3. 30. To him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Rome 4. 5. Whom he hath called, them he also justifieth. Rom. 8. 30. Being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord jesus Christ. Rom. 5. 1. Much more being now justified by his blood we shall be saved from wrath through him. ver. 9 Being justified by his grace, we shall be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Tit. 3. 7. Purge me with Hyssop and I shall be clean, Sanctification. wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. Psal. 51. 7. I will purge away thy dross, and take away all thy Tinn●. Isa. 1. 25. For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified. john 17. 19 Being sanctified by the holy Ghost. Rom. 15. 16. Such were some of you, but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, 1. Cor. 6. 11. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, Eph. 5. 26. For by one offering he hath perfected them for ever that are sanctified, Heb. 10. 14. To them that are sanctified by God the Father, etc. jude 1. 1. I know that my redeemer liveth, Hope of glorificaetion. etc. job 19 25. Though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God, ver. 26. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterwards receive me to glory, Psal. 73. 24. Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me, joh. 17. 24. Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, Math. 25. 34. Fear not little flock for it is your Father's pleasure to give you the kingdom, Luke 12. 32. If so be we suffer with him we shall also be glorified together with him, Rom. 8. 17. The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us, ver. 18. Whom he justifieth them also he glorifieth, ver. 30. Who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned to his glorious body, Phil. 3. 21. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, 2. Tim. 4. 7. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto them also that love his appearing, ver. 8. Bless the Lord o my soul, Temporal as and forget not all his benefits, Psal. 103. 2. Which forgiveth all thy sin, and healeth all thy diseases, Health. ver. 3. O Lord thou hast brought up my soul from the grave; thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit, Psal. 30. 3. The Lord killeth and maketh alive, etc. 1. Sam. 2▪ 6. It is God that girdeth me with strength, Strength. and maketh my way perfect, Psal. 18. 32. He teacheth my hands to war▪ so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms, ver. 34. Which satisfieth thy mouth with good things, and maketh thee young and lusty as an Eagle, Psal. 103. 5. Come and let us return unto the Lord, for he hath torn and he will heal us: he hath smitten and he will bind us up, Host 6. 1. I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, Wealth. and of all the truth which thou hast showed unto thy servant: for with my staff I passed over this jordan, and now I am become two bands, Genes. 32. 10. Also the Lord gave job twice as much as he had before, job 42. 10. Charge the rich in this world that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy, 1. Ti. 6. 17. Thou hast set me at liberty when I was in thrall, Liberty. Psal 4. 1. Cornelius a just man, Good name. and of good report, Acts 10. 22. And these all having obtained a good report through faith received not the promises, Hebrews 11. 39 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart; Friends. so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel, Prou. 27●9. Then came to job all his brethren, and all his sisters; and all they that had been of his acquaintance, etc. job 42. 11. Thou Lord only makest me dwell in safety, Safety. Psal. 4. 8. He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty, Psal. 91. 1. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. Psal. 121. 4. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. A preparatory Hymn collected out of divers Psalms where in the devout soul desireth Accessea. Audienceb. Assistancec. Acceptanced. a Thou sayest seek ye my face, my heart said unto thee, thy face Lord will I seek. Psal. 27. 8. Hide not thy face far from me, nor put thy servant away in anger. ver. 9 Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy Spirit from me. Psal. 51. 11. ᵇ Hear o Lord when I cry unto thee; have mercy also upon me and answer me. Psal. 27. 7. Ponder my words o Lord, consider my meditation. Psal. 5. 1. My heart is enditing a good matter; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Psal. 45. 1. ᶜ O Lord open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. Psal. 51. 15. Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice. Psal. 141. 2. Set a watch o Lord before my mouth, and keep the door of my lips. ver. 3. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight o Lord my strength and my redeemer. Psal. 19 14. A preparatory Prayer, wherein all the conditions requisite in Prayer are expressed and prayed for. Heavenly Father, whose gift it is that I can ask any good gift at thy hands, without whose grace I cannot desire thy healthful and saving grace: Infuse into my heart the Spirit of supplication, that in an awful reverence of thy Majesty, out of a true sense and feeling of my wants and infirmities, and a lively faith in thy promises; I may with cheerfulness of mind, and fervency of Devotion, and constant perseverance lift up a pure and plain heart unto thee at all times: humbly entreating thy sovereign bounty for such things only as thou in thy eternal wisdom hast preordained to give; and calling upon thee in such order and manner as thou hast prescribed me to ask in that absolute pattern of all prayer set down in the Gospel by my Lord and Saviour jesus Christ. In whose name, mediation, and words I cry Abba, Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, etc. A preparation to the hearing of the word. GOd in his infinite wisdom hath so disposed the means of our salvation, that the sovereign Antidote against sin, & death is conveyed into the soul through the same passage, whereby the deadly poison first entered. Bern. serm. 2. de Penth. ut eadem v●a intraret antidotus q●a v● nenum intra verat. Death stole in at the ear by suggestion of the evil spirit, and now life in the hearing of the word passeth in at the same gate of the soul, by the operation of the holy Spirit. Hast thou an ear (o Christian by thy profession) for the devil, and none for God? An ear to receive poison dropped in, and not to receive the oil of grace, and most precious balsam of God's word instilled by preaching? If thou art a sheep of Christ, and belongest to his fold, show his eare-marke: My sheep hear my voice. Heb. 10. 5. Where we read in the Psalm according to the Septuagint, and in the Epistle to the Hebrews, Psal 40. 6. A body thou hast fitted or prepared me, it is in the original according to the Hebrew, word for word, Mine ears hast thou opened; to teach us that God fits us and prepares us for his service, especially by boaring our ears with those goads and nails that are fastened by the Masters of the assemblies, and are given from one shepherd: I socrates adviseth Demonicus to employ all his leisure time in diligently hearing the penned Orations and speeches of eloquent Orators, and grave Counsellors. For so (saith he) thou shalt get that with much ease which cost another man much pains. That which a divine Orator, and heavenly Preacher hath been many weeks (perhaps years) in laying together, he scattereth abroad in an hour. Observest thou not how the Manna which he gathereth grain by grain, or seed by seed he delivereth out to thee in whole Omers, yea and Ephaes too? Yea but thou art well stored with this heavenly provision, and food of Angels, thy library is like a rich Granary, and why mayst thou not then as well or better spend thy time, in perusing such writings then repairing to the Church perhaps a good way from thy house, to hear a man of meaner gifts than those were or are, whose works thou hast in the last and best editions by thee I perceive by this objection that thou hast heard much against hearing, hear now a little for it. First, as a great Master of the Law was wont to say, that Courts of justice must not Clash one against another: so it is most certain that duties of piety ought not Clash, justle, or any way cross one the other. Private reading and public hearing must both have their places, seasons, and turns. If thou art so straightened in time, or overlaid with business that thou canst not allow a fit time for both, let the private, voluntary always give place to the public necessary duty. The commandments of God, & the Church wherein thou livest aught to oversway thy private opinion, fancy, or inclination; or perhaps diabolical tentation. If thy Pastor be so strictly charged to preach unto thee, certainly thou art necessarily bound to hear him. For these duties are linked together. Hath private reading the like promises to public hearing the Word? Or is it of like force and efficacy? Where thou canst name one that hath been won to the Christian faith and true godliness by bare reading we can produce many thousands that have been added to the Church by public Sermons: yea sometimes at one Sermon. The holy Ghost in the day of Pentecost came with the sound. Acts 2. 41. Where the sound is of the Word Preached there goeth the Spirit ordinarily. Yet I deny not but that men in private reading the Scriptures and other holy books may & do feel some soft and sweet blasts of the holy spirit; but in the public Ministry of the Word, the Spirit cometh down like a mighty rushing wind filling the whole room, we receive then grace in a fuller measure. Sermons preached are compared to rain and dew, but printed to snow; which though it lie longer on the ground, yet it is much colder, and doth not in like sort pierce, moisten, and fatten the ground as the other. Moreover those things that have passed the press lie by us; we may at any time have, and use them: but the notes of a Sermon preached are like the Manna that fell on the Saturday which (if it was not presently gathered) was utterly lost. There is much difference between those general Receipts you find in Physic books, and a special potion or Electuary made by a trusty Apothecary, according to the direction of a Learned Physician, and particularly applied to thy peculiar disease. Every man hath not the skill of the Apothecary to make the confection, and fewer have the judgement of an experienced physician to direct where and how it ought to be given. And albeit thy preacher be a man of no very extraordinary gifts, yet in regard he is an Ambassador sent from God unto thee if he faithfully (though perhaps not so eloquently) deliver his message unto thee thou oughtest to hear it; and honour him for his Master's sake. His feet cannot but seem beautiful to thee if they be sho●d with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace. The diligent Bee gathereth honey out of Thime, Plut de tranquil avima one of the driest herbs that is; and certainly if thou be not a drone thyself, thou mayest suck from the mouth of the barrenest and (as thou callest him) the driest Preacher, Doctrine sweeter than the honey or the honey comb. Although I assent freely to Lactantius that the truth findeth easyer-entrance into the soul when she cometh armed, Lactan. instit diuin. lib. 1. c. 1. Potentius inanimos influit. & visuâ instructa, & luce orationis ornata. not only with her own strength but also with the best aid, wit, or art can afford. Yet withal I affirm with Saint Paul that faith standeth not in the enticing words of man's wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit, and the power of God. Art may move affection; but nothing but God's Word and the grace of the Spirit can remove corruption. Humane wit and learning may tickle the ear, and (as Seneca speaks of Chrysippus his acute Sentences) prick, Sen Epist. 1. ad Lucslium. Pungst non penetrate. Heb. 4. 12. Piercing to the dividing &c. but never pierce the heart: that is the singular prerogative of the Word of God. What are Rams-hornes in comparison of silver Trumpets? Yet when God commands and appoints, the harsh sound of them, shall demolish those strong holds of Satan which the sweeter and shriller sound of silver Trumpets shall not do. Be tho● obedient to him who is set over thee in the Lord, and must give an account of thy soul. Desire not to have thy ears tickled, but thy heart pricked, and make then no doubt but that God will bless his ordinance and thy obedience; and supply to thee by his Spirit what may be deficient in the Preachers learning or language. But then thou must come prepared to the hearing of the Word by such directions as are set down in the Word. THE preparatory Admonition. THE ANALYSIS. The preparation to the hearing of the Word consisteth in 1 Consideration, especially of these particulars, viz▪ that 1 The hearing of the word is a necessary duty joined by God the Father, Son, Holy-Ghost. 2 We must give account to God what, how, and whom we hear. 3 The word we hear is the word of God, & not of a mortal man. 4 It is the ordinary means of salvation. 5 If we profit not by it, it will be to our greater damnation. 2 Prayer for 1 The Preacher that God would Direct Assist him. 2 Ourselves; in that he will give us 1 Attention to hear. 2 Understanding to conceive. 3 Wisdom to apply. 4 judgement to discern. 5 Faith to believe. 6 Memory to retain. 7 Grace to practise the sincere doctrine of God's holy word. THE TEXTS. Harken o Israel unto the ordinances and statutes which I teach you. ● We are commanded by the Father. Deut. 4. 1. Hear my Law o my people; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. Psal. 78. 1. This is my well-beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear him. Mat. 3. 17. He that heareth of me these words, The Son. etc. Mat. 7. 24. He that hath an ear to hear let him hear. Mat. 11. 15. Let him that hath an ear hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches. The holy Ghost to bear heedfully the Word of the Preacher. Reu. 2. 7. Take heed what ye hear. Mar. 4. 24. Beware of false Prophets that come unto you in sheeps-clothing. Mat. 7. 15. They searched the Scriptures, whether those things were so. Acts 17. 11. Prove all things: hold that which is good. 1 T●es. 5. 21. Try the Spirits whether they be of God or not. 1. joh. 4. 1. They have not rejected thee but they have rejected me. Not as the Word of Man, but as the Word of God. 1 Sam. 8. 7. He that heareth you heareth me, and he that heareth me heareth him that sent me. Luk. 10. 16. Blessed is he that heareth the Word of God and keepeth it. Luk. 11. 28. Ye received the Word not as the Word of men, but as it is indeed the Word of God. 1 These. 2. 3. The Word of God is lively and mighty in operation, etc. Heb. 4. 12. If any man speak let him speak as the Word of God. 1 Pet. 4. 11. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; Which will prove the means of our salvation. for it is the power of God unto salvation to every believer. Rom. 1. 16. Man liveth not by bread only, but by every Word that proceedeth from the mouth of God. Luke 4. 4. He that heareth my words and believeth in me hath life eternal, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death to life. joh. 9 24. To whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. joh. 6. 68 He that refuseth me and receiveth not my words hath one that judgeth him. Or damnation. The word which I have spoken it shall judge him at the last day. joh. 12. 48. If I had not come, and spoken unto them they had not had sin. joh. 15. 22. We are the sweet smelling savour of Christ in them that are saved and them that perish. 2 Cor. 2. 15. To the one we are the savour of death unto death: and to the other the savour of life unto life, verse 16. Continue in Pra●er, 2. We must pray for the Preacher. and watch in the same with thanksgiving, Colos 4. 2. Praying for us, that God may open to us the door of utterance to speak the mysteries of Christ. verse 3. That I may utter it as it becometh me to speak. For ourselves that we may Attend. verse 4. A certain woman named Lydia heard us, whose heart the Lord opened that she attended to the things that Paul spoke. Acts 16. 14. Give me understanding and I will keep thy Law. Understand Psal. 119. 34. And this I pray that ye may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgement. Discern. Phil. 1. 9 That ye may discern those things that differ. verse 10. The Lord give thee a right judgement in all things. 2 Tim. 2. 7. God that commanded the light to shine out of darkness, is he that hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of jesus Christ. 2. Cor. 4. 6. The Apostles said Lord increase our Faith. Believe. Luke 17. 5. For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord jesus Christ, etc. Ephes. 3. 14. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith. verse 17. And his Mother kept all these sayings in her heart. Remember. Luk. 2. 51. I have hid thy promises in my heart▪ that I might not sin against thee Psal. 119. 11. Whosoever heareth of me these words and doth the same I will liken him to a wise man that built his house upon a rock Mat. Practice. 7. 24. If ye know these things blessed are ye if ye do them, joh. 13. 17. Be ye doers of the Word & not hearers only deceiving your own souls. jam. 1. 22. The Preparatory Hymn, wherein the devout soul expresseth her ᵃ High esteem of the Word. ᵇ Continual meditating on it. ᶜ Exceeding delight in it. Fervent desire to be ᵈ Instructed in it. ᵉ Ruled by it. ᵃ My soul breaketh for the longing it hath unto thy judgements at all times. Psal 119. 20. The Law of thy mouth is better to me then thousands of gold and silver. verse 72. The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple. Psal. 19 7. The Statutes of the Lord are right and rejoice the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. ver. 8 The fear of the Lord is clean enduring for ever: the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. verse 9 More to be desired are they then gold, yea then much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and the honey comb. verse 10. Moreover by them is thy servant taught: and in keeping of them is great reward. verse 11. ᵇ I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect to thy ways. Psal 119. 15. O how I love thy Law it is my meditation all the day. ver. 97. Thy words have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee. verse 11. ᶜ I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word verse 16. Thy testimonies are my delight & my counsellors. verse 24. Thy testimonies have I claimed as mine heritage for ever; for they are the very joy of mine heart. verse 111. ᵈ Open thou mine eyes that I may behold the wondrous things of thy Law. verse. 18. Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. verse 27. ᵉ Order my steps in thy Word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. verse 133. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: and teach me thy statutes. verse 135. The Preparatory Prayer. Gracious God who hast appointed the opening of the Scriptures by preaching to be the ordinary means of salvation to all thy chosen; bless this thine ordinance to me, and prepare me for it. Grant that thy Word being mixed with faith in me may be unto me a savour of life unto life, and not a savour of death unto death. Direct and assist thy Minister that he may rightly divide it. Open unto him the door of utterance, that what he hath conceived in thy fear upon thy holy Oracles, he may deliver to thy glory. Fill him with the holy Ghost that his lips may be full of grace, and that he may speak instruction to mine ignorance, correction to my errors, comfort to mine afflictions, and peace to my conscience. Guide the sword of the spirit in his hand that it may meet with, and smite my special corruptions and bosom sins, known, or unknown; and give me patience to endure the just reproof of them by his Ministry, and love him for it, and amend by it. Open my heart that I may attend to those things that belong to my peace. Endue me with wisdom, and spiritual understanding that I may discern those things that differ, and try all things, and hold that which is good, and apply it to myself for the subduing of my fleshly members, and affections, and building me up in the most holy faith of thine Elect. Quicken me with thy spirit that I may cheerfully, and willingly, and constantly listen to the voice of the heavenly charmer, that he may kill the venom of sin in my soul. Let the words of thy Preacher drop as rain, and distil as dew upon me, and into me to make my barren heart fruitful in holy affections & desires; my mind in heavenly thoughts and conceptions; my tongue in wholesome words, and graceful speeches; my hands in all manner of good works, that I prove not an idle hearer but a doer, of the Word, & constant practiser of all holy duties to the honour of thy holy and blessed Name, and the salvation of my soul in the day of the Lord jesus, To whom with thee and the holy Ghost, etc. The Preparation to the receiving of the holy Sacrament. IT being revealed to aged Simeon that he should see his Saviour in the flesh before he rendered up his own Spirit; Ber. Serm. de purificatione Hodie dominus Templi ingressus est Templum Domini. when he came into the Temple of the Lord and there found the Lord of the Temple, he was so over-ioyed there with that he took the babe into his arms, embraced it, and began his Swanlike song or Nunc dimittis, saying, Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace; for I have seen the Prince of Peace. Mine eyes have seen thy salvation, and I desire to see no more. Into thy hands o sweet babe whom I hold in mine arms I commend my fainting Spirit, Embrace my soul with thine arms of mercy, as I embrace thy body with these arms of flesh. This singular prerogative of Simeon, (or rather a far greater) the Lord vouchsafeth thee o devout soul, when he biddeth thee to his holy Table; even to take into thy hands thy Saviour: To see with thine eyes, & handle with thy hands, yea and taste with thy mouth the Word of life. For by, & with the sacred elements, (though not in, or under them) thou partakest of the flesh and blood of the Son of God spiritually, (for his words are spirit and life) yet truly, and in very deed, for he is the living bread that came down from heaven; his flesh is meat indeed, and his blood is drink indeed. As at sumptuous feasts where curious services are, thou seest the proportion and shape of the Dear or Fowl set out in gold and colours on the outside or lid of those baked meats which are truly contained under it, and to be eaten: So under the holy forms of bread and wine thou feedest on thy Saviour. That which is represented in the sign to the eye of the body is presented in the thing signified to the eye of the soul and hand of thy faith; what is shadowed in the Sacrament is truly also exhibited by it. Qui credit edit: If thou believest that thou eatest, thou eatest that thou believest: let no heretical Harpies pluck from thee thy heavenly dish or meat as Celaeno did Aeneas'. Beware of two sorts of Heretics especially, which seek to beguile thee in the Sacrament, or rather of it viz the Sacramentaries. Papists. the one denyeth the sign, the other the thing signified. The one offereth thee a shadow without the body, the other the body without the shadow, and consequently neither of them giveth thee the true Sacrament which in nature and substance consisteth of both. The Sacramentary would rob thee of the jewel, the Papist of the Casket. Lay thou thine hands on both, hold both fast as thou seest the verity and substance of the one, so believe that verity and substance of the other. As thou takest the one, receive the other: As thou handlest the one, apprehend the other: As thou feedest with thy mouth on the one, feed in thy heart on the other: And as truly as the one nourisheth thy body to a temporal, so the other shall preserve thy soul to eternal life. For it is the tree of Life which grows in the midst of the Paradise of God, his Church on earth. The way to the mystical tree in Paradise was guarded by an Angel waving a flaming sword: The way to this in like manner is fenced. There stands an Angel at the Table; Gods Minister brandishing the sword of the Spirit, and forbidding (under pain of death) any to eat of this fruit, that have their teeth set on edge with the apples of Sodom and grapes of Gomorrah. Other fruits and meat are prepared for us; but we must be prepared for this before we eat it. The bread of the earth cannot feed when thou eatest it, till it be changed into thy body because thou art more excellent than it: but this bread which came down from heaven is more excellent than thou art, and therefore thou must be changed into it before it nourish thee. All other meat is received as it is in itself, and no otherwise: but this is diverse as it is received. Other meat affecteth and altereth the taste, but here the taste altereth the meat. For if it be worthily received it is the body and blood of Christ; if unworthily it is but bare bread and wine. If it meet with a spiritual taste, and appetite, & stomach purged and prepared, it proveth the food of life, nay of immortality: if otherwise, it turneth into deadly poison: Calvin instit. par. 2. sacram. 1 Cor. 11. 29. for he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself not discerning the Lords body. A learned Physician that tendereth the health and life of thy body will never minister strong physic that will amend or end thee before he prepareth thy body accordingly. This Sacrament is not only food, but also physic to cure thy soul; yea such strong physic as will work effectually one way or other, to thy health and salvation, or to thy death and damnation. Be careful therefore before thou takest it to prepare thyself for it; and for thy help peruse the Admonition, Hymn, and Prayer following. The admonition before the Communion. THE ANALYSIS. The due preparation to the Sacrament is by 1 Examination whether thou hast 1 A fervent desire to partake of this holy table. 2 Competent knowledge in this high mystery. 3 Faith in Christ's incarnation & death, and affiance in the merits of both. 4 A conscience cleansed by true repentance. 5 An heart free from malice and all uncharitableness. He that worthily receiveth must 2 Prayer THE TEXTS. Let a man examine himself, 1. Examine. and so let him eate of that bread and drink of that cup. 1. Cor. 11. 28. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness sake, 2. Desire. for they shall be satisfied. Math. 5, 6. Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters. Isa. 55. 1. Give us evermore of this bread. joh. 6. 34. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, 3. Know. eateth and dr●nketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lords body, 1. Corinth. 11. 29. I am the bread of life; 4. Believe. he that cometh to me shall not hunger, and he that believeth in me shall never thirst, joh. 6. 35. Christ dwelleth in us by faith. Ephes. 3. 17. I will wash mine hands in innocence, 5. Repent. and so will I go to thine altar o God. Psal. 26. 6. To the impure all things are impure. Tit. 1. 15. If thou bring thy gift to the Altar, 6. Love.. and there remember'st that thy brother hath aught against thee. Math 5. 23. Leave thou thy gift before the Altar, and go thy way, be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. ver. 24. We being many are one bread and one body; for we are all partakers of this one bread. 1. Cor. 10. 17 A preparatory Hymn to be used before, or at the receiving of the blessed Sacrament; wherein the devout soul expresseth her ᵃ Desire of the food of life. ᵇ Hope that she shall obtain it. ᶜ Thanks for it. ᵃ As the Hart panteth after the water brooks; so panteth my soul after thee o God. Psal. 42. 1. My soul thirsteth for God, even for the living God. ver. 2. My soul thirsteth for thee: my soul longeth for thee as a dry and thirsty land. Psal. 63. 1. I will bless thee while I live; I will lift up my hands in thy Name. ver. 4. ᵇ My soul shall be satisfied with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips. ver. 5. Thou preparest a table before me, and my cup runneth over. Ps. 23. 5. The Lord is the portion of my inheritance, and of my cup. Psal 16. 5. I will take the cup of salvation, & call upon the Name of the Lord, Psal. 116. 13. ᶜ I will pay my vows unto the Lord, now in the presence of all his people. ver. 14. I will offer unto thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord, ver. 17. saying The Prayer before the Communion. GRacious Redeemer, who out of thy pierced side openedst to all that thirst for thy grace a double fountain for sin and uncleanness, the one of water, the other of blood; the one to purge the guilt, the other the filth of sin, and hast sealed these inestimable benefits of sanctification and redemption unto all believers by the Sacraments of Baptism and of thy holy Supper, assist me by thy Spirit in the sanctified use of these holy Mysteries and Symholls of thy most blessed body and blood. Most loving & bountiful Lord, who hast prepared such a table for me, give me a mouth and stomach according, that I may worthily receive these heavenly dainties to the glory of thine infinite goodness, and the everlasting comfort of my soul. Clear the eyes of mine understanding from all mists of heretical fancies & carnal imaginations, that I may rightly distinguish the signs from the things signified by them, and also discern thy body from common meat. Sharpen my appetite that I may hungrily feed upon this bread, of which whosoever eateth shall never hunger; and stily drink of this cup, of which whosoever drinketh shall never thirst, O thou true food of my soul, receive me who am now to receive thee. Quicken me with thy Spirit, who wilt feed me with thy flesh, vouchsafe me thy grace, who communicatest to me thy nature, that as in and by these holy Mysteries, I receive life from thee: so I may also receive by them grace to live to thee: not seeking mine own pleasure, nor doing mine own will, but devoting the remainder of my life to thy service, and yielding myself wholly to the power of thy sanctifying grace, to work in me always that which is pleasing in thy sight. So be it. Amen. Religious duties to be performed at the time of the receiving the Communion. 1. Prepare thy body by a decent gesture. 2. Recollect thy mind, and fix thy thoughts wholly upon this most sacred action stir up in thee. 3. Stir up in thee. 1 An holy fear out of this consideration, that God is there present in a special manner, and his Angels attending on him, and observing thee. Say to thyself in the words of jacoh. O how fearful is this place; it is no other than the house of God, and gate of heaven. 2 An holy astonishment or admiration, out of this consideration that the Lord thy Maker and Redeemer, and the high possessor of heaven and earth, so far humbles himself as to be thy guest. Say to thyself in the words of Solomon. Is it true indeed that God will dwell on the earth? Behold the heaven, and heaven of heavens cannot contain him; how much less the narrow room of my soul? 1. King 8. 27. 3 An holy abashment or confusion, out of this consideration, that so vile a worm, and sinful wretch as thou art should have so infinite a Majesty, and holy God to come and sup with thee. Say to thyself in the words of the Centurion. Lord I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: or with S. Peter, Depart from me, for I am a sinful man. 4 An holy sorrow out of this consideration, that thy sins did put thy Saviour to these torments, which are signified, and lively represented in this Sacrament. Say to thyself in the words of jeremiah. O that mine eyes were a fountain of tears to bewail those sins which drew so much blood from my Saviour. 5 An holy joy, out of this consideration, that the infinite debt of thy sins is discharged, and the acquittance delivered into thy hands. Say to thyself in the words spoken of Zacheus. This day salvation is come into mine house. 6 An holy desire of expressing some kind of thankfulness to God, out of this consideration, that together with the Sacrament thou receivest Christ himself, and all the benefits of his passion. Say to thyself in the words of David. What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits that he hath done unto me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. 4 join the signs with the things signified. Take Feed on bodily Bread Wine ghostly Body. Blood. 5 Observe & meditate upon the resemblances between them. 1 Bread and wine, true, and in substance, not in appearance only. Christ's body a true body; his blood true blood, not in show only as some Heretics have imagined. 2 Bread one body or lump made of many grains: wine one liquor or drink of many grapes. Christ his body one of many members united together. 3 Bread and wine an entire repast. Christ's body and blood the perfect refection of the soul. 4 Bread and wine strengthen and comfort the heart. Christ's body and blood est ablisheth the heart and comforteth the conscience. 5 Bread and wine the common food of men, not children. Christ's body and blood in the Sacrament no food for children, but men in riper years that can examine themselves. 6 Bread and wine are designed and set apart for the holy Communion. Christ's body and blood designed and appointed by God for man his redemption, and satisfaction. 7 Bread and wine laid upon the Communion table. Christ's body and blood laid upon the Altar of the cross. 8 Bread and wine consecrated by the Priest, and exhibited to the Communicants. Christ's body and blood consecrated by the eternal Spirit, and offered to his Father. 9 Bread broken, wine poured out. Christ's body bruised and torn, and his blood poured out. 10 Bread and wine given by the Minister. Christ's body and blood given by the Father. 11 Bread and wine taken into the hands of the faithful Communicant. Christ's body and blood received by faith, and applied. 12 Bread and wine eaten and drunk with the mouth. Christ's body and blood fed upon in the heart. 13 Bread and wine united to the substance of our body, and made one with us. Christ's body and blood united to us & made one with us by an unspeakable and inseparable conjunction. 14 Bread and wine sustain and nourish the body to a temporal life. Christ's body and blood nourish and preserve body and soul to eternal life. 15 Bread and wine increase the substance of one body. Christ's body and blood worthily received, increase faith and all spiritual graces in the soul. Short pravers to be used in the very act of receiving, or a little before. Lord make me a worthy partaker of these most holy mysteries: Prepare me before Assist me in Comfort and confirm me after the receiving of this heavenly food. Lord 1 Renew my repentance. 2 Confirm my faith. 3 Perfect my charity. 4 Increase my knowledge. 5 Fasten my intention. 6 Quicken my devotion. Lord give me I humbly beseech thee; 1 Sorrow for my sin. 2 Thirst of thy grace. 3 Knowledge in thy mysteries. 4 Faith in thy promises. 5 Love to thy members. 6 Thankfulness for this inestimable favour thou vouchsafest me inbidding me to thine own Table. A short thanksgiving after the Communion, to be used in the seat or at the Lords Table. GRacious Redeemer, I most heartily thank thee for these pledges of thy love, and tokens of thy favour, and seals of the general pardon for all my sins. And I vow by the help of thy strengthening grace from henceforth ever to abstain even from all appearance of evil, & never willingly to offend thee in thought, word, or deed. How shou●●● sin against thee who hast died for me, and washed my sins in thy blood, which I have now received to my unspeakable comfort? Another. Affect me with a taste of this heavenly food, and continue the relish of it in the mouth of my soul; & make me for ever hereafter loath the world's delicacies, the flesh's baits, and the devil's morsels; especially the forbidden fruit of, etc. Here name thy secret and bosom sins, which thou hast been last or most overtaken with. Another. Welcome blessed and heavenly guest, my dearest Lord and bountiful Saviour. I bow the knees of my heart unto thee; I put my hands under thy sacred feet pierced with nails for me; I lay down before thee the keys of my everlasting door: Enter high Lord of heaven and earth; take possession of all my inner rooms: Com●●nd and rule all the faculties of my soul, and members of my body, especially the hidden room of my heart: Live and dwell with me here below by faith, till I come to dwell with thee for ever above in heaven. So be it. How is it that my Lord is come himself to visit me. Use also this form. Can a sinful man expect of God such grace? much less deserve it. Wilt thou converse with Publicans and such sinners as I am? Nay wilt thou not only eat with them, but suffer thyself to be eaten of them? I am astonished at this thy wonderful humility, and unconceivable love, Lord make me for ever mindful of it, & thankful for it. Amen. Glory be to God on high, Or this. on earth peace, and eternal comfort in my conscience. I am fed now with thy body, and my heart is cheered with the cup of the new Testament in thy blood Now I am incorporated into thy mystical body, and am made flesh of thy flesh, bone of thy bone. Lord let nothing be ever able to separate me from this; but sith all things work for the good of thy chosen, let all things more and more unite me to thee, that I may grow from grace to grace, and strength to strength, till I come to the fuu measure of thy perfect age. Amen. I have now eaten of this bread and drunk of this cup, Or this. according to thine holy ordinance: Lord grant that I may feel in my soul the effect of this spiritual refection, by the confirming of my faith, assurance of my hope, enlargement of my love, and my increase in spiritual strength against all tentations. At my conception and birth thou gavest me myself o Lord, Or this. and now according to thy promise in the Sacrament thou hast given me thyself, and by faith I have received thee. I can do no less, and I would I could do more than give myself wholly unto thee. Refuse me not who hast given thyself for me, and unto me. Take me into thy favour and service. Keep me in thy Church which is thy house continually, and protect me against all my bodily and ghostly enemies. A larger form of Thanksgiving after thou returnest to thy house or chamber from receiving the Communion. I Yield unto thee, o most bountiful, gracious, and everliving Lord and Saviour, the greatest thanks my heart can conceive, or tongue express, for this inestimable favour, that thou vouchsafest to bid me to thine own Table, and there hast feasted my soul with the true Manna that came down from heaven, the food of Angels, thine own blessed body and blood. O knit my heart, and affections for ever unto thee, who hast substantially and inseparably united thyself unto mankind, by taking flesh from us in thine incarnation, and giving us thy flesh in this sacred institution. What shall be able to separate me from thee, or from thy members, who by thy Spirit and virtue of this Sacrament, am truly incorporated into thee, and made a member of thy mystical body? How can I question thy love, who hast given me this pledge of thy favour? How can I forget thy bitter death and passion, whereof thou hast instituted so lively a memorial? How can I doubt of thy promises, whereof thou hast given such a seal? How should I distrust my future inheritance, whereof thou hast given me this earnest? I know thou wilt deny me no good thing, who hast given me thyself. I know that I shall live eternally and blessedly, because by thy faith working in and through this Sacrament, I receive the seed of immortality; I am truly made partaker of thy natural, yea and a lively part of thy mystical body; and when the head reigneth in eternal glory, the members must needs participate of glorious eternity. What shall I offer unto thee for these so singular benefits, which I receive by the Sacrament? My body is vile, my soul sinful, and worse than nothing in respect of thy glorious and sacred flesh and blood. One drop of thy blood is more to be valued, than a thousand worlds; which yet to testify the abundance of thy love, thou pouredst out, and offeredst plentifully for me upon the cross, and now afford to me in the cup. Shall I not spend my dearest hearts blood in thy service, who hast shed thine for me? Shall I not willingly seal thy truth (if need be) with my blood, who have now received the pardon of all my sins, signed with it? What shall I render to thee for all thy loving mercies contained in this conduit of thy grace? I will take this cup of salvation, and I will not refuse the cup of trembling for thy sake, by the help of thy grace I will more strictly keep my holy vows which I have heretofore made, and now renew. I will seek to carry myself as a guest of so holy a table. Having eaten Angels meat, I will endeavour myself to lead an Angel's life. Having supped with thee, I will rest with thee, & have my conversation in heaven, and dwell with thee for ever. Amen. THE PRACTICE OF PRIVATE DEVOtion, both ordinary and extraordinary, in health and sickness, and at the hour of death. The scope of the Author and reason of his method and order. CHRISTIAN READER, IN these Devotions which I first offered (for the greater part) to God for myself, and now offer to the press for thy use, all that I intent, affect, and labour for is, to expres●e in the matter pious affection; in the form Scripture phrase and elocution. For it seemeth to me most agreeable to speak to God as near as we can in the same language he speaks to us, which is the sanctified language of the Bible. As for affected humane eloquence (consisting instreined conceits of wit, and swelling words of vanity) which, as it is puffed up itself, so it puffeth up those that use it; I hold it altogether unfit for a Minister of the Gospel, especially in meditations, or exercises of this nature. For in these we ought most of all to deny ourselves, and to captivate, not only our thoughts to the conceptions, but our tongs to the words and phrases of the inspired Oracles of God. As Menander said of women, that they were fairest who were not painted at all, and Tully of Atticus his book, that the gravity of the style, and neglect of light ornaments was a gra●e and ornament unto it: So it may be most truly avouched of holy vows, meditations, and prayers, that sincerity is best art, and simplicity their garb, modesty their trimming, and zeal their glory, when they are so conceived and uttered, that they show most affection and least affectation of art, wit, or language. Sighs are the figures that move Almighty God, and tears the fluent and most current Rhetoric before him; for he that made the mouth is not taken with words, unless they be such as proceed from his own mouth, and are warranted by his word: such as carry in them a manifest print of that pattern of sound or wholesome words set before us by the Apostles. Now a swelling member is not sound, Quint instit Orat. Tumour licet grandis contrarius est sanitati. neither is blown meat wholesome. The wisest among the heathen could distinguish between a Matrons and a Courtesans attire and ornaments; a lofty and a turgent style; the Asiaticke Superfluity, and Attic knife and modesty which pruned the luxuriancy of pregnant wits, & flourishing styles running out into superfluous stems, that the presses of eloquence might abound, not with leaves of words, but juice & sap of Sentences, as it were grapes pressed together. Thus eloquently Saint jerom declareth that Athenian eloquence, jerom. ad Rusticum. Luxuriantes flagellis vineas falcibus reprimebant, ut eloquent●● torcularia non verbori● pampinis, sed sensu●● quasi vuarum expressionibus redumdarent. and singularly approved it: to whose judgement I submit; only I would add this, that even this ivycie kind of sententious eloquence, relisheth not of a devout soul, unless it have in it the taste and tincture of the vines of Engaddy. Draw me saith the Spouse, we will run after thee, say her honourable attendants, because of the sweet savour of thy ointments. The spouse of Christ delighteth not in exotic perfumes though never so costly, because howsoever they please thy smell, yet they corrupt the brain, and oftentimes poison the spirits. But the smell of Christ's ointments, who was anointed with the oil of gladness above all his brethren, is the savour of life unto life. Therefore both the Spouse herself, and all her maids of honour (i. e. Virgins and chaste souls) run after it: Origen in Cant. And this my handmaid also followeth after them, yet as Peter followed Christ, a far off. The path in which she treads is this. From the general she passeth to particular, from extraordinary to ordinary, from the chamber and Closet, to the sick and death-bedds Devotion. Haec erit admissa met a terendarota. 1 BEcause the morning and evening were every day in the week I begin with the day's Devotion in general, and for morning and evening I frame such Admonitions, Hymns, and Prayers, as may serve for any day, Sabbath, or week day, festival or common. 2. Next I furnish the Christian Sabbath, because (as Ignatius styleth it) it is the chief and sovereign day, and the Queen of all days, and may rightly challenge the precedency of all festivals, both in regard of God's strict command for the religious observing it, and for that it is the sampler of them, they being cut as it were out of the days of the week, otherwise days of labour, according to the pattern of the sabboth's rest. 3. The feasts peculiarly dedicated to our Saviour and the holy Ghost succeed the Sabbath, and precede the week days. For whatsoever scruple hath been made of Saints days, the whole world as far as it is, or ever was Christian, hath observed religiously, these feasts as Monuments and a kind of Sacraments to refresh the memory of the chief works of our Lord, and mysteries of our faith, to check and control whose universal and uniform practice, especially in a matter of this nature is most insolent madness. Aug. Epist. ad januarium. God (saith Paulinus) hath garnished the Church Calendar with festival days, as the heaven with Stars, or a garland with roses. Is not Christ the rose of Sharon, and the bright morning Star? Doubtless then the festivals in special consecrated to him, aught to be as the fairest flowers in the round garland of the year, and brightest Stars in the Church- firmament. We never read of any (saith Calvin) that were blamed for drawing too much water out of the well of life: Neither can we possibly give too much honour to the King of glory. Bern. Serm. de. Pent. Saint Bernard's consequence is as sound as it is pious. If we celebrate the Saints solemnities, how much more ought we to keep his who made them Saints? In the Devotion fitted to these days, first I lay the ground out of Scripture, and then descant upon it in the Admonition, Hymn, and Prayer; all which allude to the History of that feast. 4. After these feasts, the weekdays come in their order. The Saints, Martyrs, and Archangel's days I have purposely omitted: not that I dislike the keeping of them; for I have ever, and will justify, and maintain the observation of them, according to that godly institution, and practice of our Church. But I desired to keep my book within the compass of the title, which is a Manuel. And albeit we honour Saints, and Martyrs, yet religious Devotion which is my Theme is restrained to God by holy David. Whom have I in heaven but thee o Lord. In the Church of Rome there are many Devotions to Saints, and more to our Lady then to Christ, but we acknowledge no religious Devotions, but to him who charmed the old Serpent, with that voice of his Father! Him only shalt thou serve. In the week day's Devotion, those words of our Saviour were my loadestarre. My father worketh, and I work: For all the morning prayers have relation to some work of God the Father, in the six days of Creation: and all the evening to some work of God the Son, in the six days, immediately before his glorious resurrection. The admonitions for morning and evening, contain 12 beatitudes, or blessedness; 8 mentioned by our Saviour, Matthew 5. and the rest out of other choice Texts of Scripture. All which blessednesses I wish thee from my heart, desiring thee to afford me one Prayer, who have stored thee with many. Thine in the Lord jesus D. F. THE MORNING'S DEVOTION. An admonition for the Morning. WE have a more sure word of Prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts. 1 Pet. 1. 19 I am the root, and the offspring of David (saith Christ) and I am the bright morning Star. Reu. 22. 16. Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. Ephes. 5. 14. It is now time to awake out of sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than when we believed. Rom. 13. 11. The night is past, the day is at hand, therefore cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light. verse 12. See that ye walk circumspectly, redeeming the time, because the days are evil Eph 5. 15. Walk honestly as in the day, not in rioting, and drunkenness, not in chambering, and wantonness, not in strife and envying, but put on the Lord jesus, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Rom. 13. 13. 14. A Hymn for the Morning. O Lord thou art my God, early will I seek thee; my soul thirsteth for thee; I will sing aloud of thy power, and mercy in the morning. Psal. 63. 1. 2. Psal. 59 10. My tongue shall speak of thy righteousness, and thy praise all the day long. Psal. 35. 28. I laid me down, and slept, for thou Lord sustainedst me. Psal. 3. 5. I have dwelled in the secret place of the most High, & abode under the shadow of the Almighty. Psal. 91. 1. 4 He shall cover me with his feathers, and under his wings will I trust; his faithfulness and truth shall be my shield, and buckler. ver. 4. Lord arise and lift up the light of thy countenance upon me. Ps. 4. 7. Teach me to number my days that I may apply my heart unto wisdom; Instruct me in the way which I shall go, and guide me with thine eye. Psal. 90. 12. Psal. 32. 9 Teach me thy way o Lord, and I will walk in thy truth, o knit my heart to thee, that I may fear thy Name! Psal. 86. 11. Hold up my goings in thy path, that my footsteps slip not. Psal. 17 5. O satisfy me early with thy mercy, and that soon that I may rejoice, and be glad all my days! Psal. 143. 8. Let the beauty of the Lord my God be upon me; establish thou the work of my hands upon me; o prosper thou my handy work. Psal. 90. 17. A Prayer for the Morning. GRacious Father, rich in mercy to all thy children that call upon thee, accept I beseech thee this my morning Sacrifice of praise, & thanks giving, which with a willing heart, and devout affection I offer unto thee in confidence of thy sons infinite merits, and acknowledgement of thine everlasting love, and those inestimable benefits which by him, and for him, and with him thou conferredst upon me, and all thine Elect in him. How dear are the thoughts of thy mercies unto me how great is the ●umme of them? Who can value the precious Pearl of thy Word, and treasure of thy grace? Who can raise his thoughts, and desires to the high price of our ●aling, an incorruptible crown of glory laid up for us in heaven? Lord fit me with thy grace, that I may abound in thanksgiving, and praises for it. Enlarge my heart with thy love, that I may in some sort comprehend with all Saints the measure of thine infinite ●oue manifested to me in the faith of jesus Christ, and abundantly testified by writing my name in the book of life before I was; and engraving me as a signet with thine own image at my creation; and when I had defaced▪ and in a manner quite razed it out, by renewing it in me again, and redeeming me that had sold myself as a bondslave under sin, and death, not with corruptible things, as gold, silver or precious stones, but with the invaluable, and incorruptible blood of thine only begotten son, who gave his life for my ransom, and by his suffering, and death hath purchased for me a crown of life. To whom therefore with thee, and thy spirit which sealeth all thy mercies unto me, and me unto the day of redemption, be ascribed the whole glory of my creation, redemption, sanctification, and salvation. For unto me nothing belongeth but shame, and confusion, who instead of embracing any mercy, and answering thy love, provoke thy justice, and incense thy wrath, and grieve thy spirit, and despite thy grace, and as much as in me lieth, crucify again to myself the Lord of life, and trample the blood of the New Testament under foot. Such is my perverse nature, and ungracious disposition, that the better thou art to me, the worse I prove to thee. What couldst thou have done unto me that thou hast not done? Thou hast planted me in a fruitful country; thou hast fenced me with thy providence; watered me with the former, and latter rain of thy Word, pruned me with mild, and seasonable afflictions; and thou castest continually the hot and bright beams of thy favour upon me; and thou lookest for grapes, but behold nothing but wild grapes. What remaineth therefore but that thou shouldest root me out of thy vineyard, and plant another in my place that might bring forth better fruits? Yet thou sparest me and strivest to overcome my evil nature with thy goodness? Mine eyes gush out like rivers of waters for my sin and the sin of this nation. Doth not the land even groan under the heavy burden of our transgressions? Have not our infectious sins long ago deserved an infectious disease, and our rebellions against thee the sword; and our barrenness in good works a dearth; and our want of penitent, and compassionate tears a drought; our overflowing luxury a deluge, and our burning lusts fire from heaven; and our loathing the Manna of our soul a famine of the Word? Notwithstanding thy mercy triumpheth over justice, and contrary to mine and all our deserts, and above hope of any of us thou sendest blessings for curses; peace for trouble; plenty for want; beauty for ashes; and the oil of gladness for the spirit of heaviness. Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? who considerest not the evil that we do, but the goodness which thou art. This last night passed for the sins of the former day, thou mightest most justly have taken me away in the dark, and east me ●nto utter darkness. But thou coveredst my sins, and hiddest me safe under the shadow of thy wings, and I have taken quiet, and comfortable rest; and with joy, and cheerfulness, I behold the day spring from on high come to visit me. Lord let not these thy mercies, because they are ordinary, diminish, but rather because they are continual, increase my thankful duties, and religious obsequies unto thee! As thou heapest blessing upon blessing, so still add grace to grace, that thy goodness continued to me, may make me continually better. And sith now thou hast given me a day more to my life, grant that I may give, and consecreate it to thee, by spending it wholly in thy service, and the necessary duties of my calling. Which that I may more cheerfully perform, open thy hand to fit me with all those good things I need; and stretch out thine arm to turn from me all the evils I fear. Above all things keep me from the unprofitable works of darkness, that my sins turn not day into night, sith thy goodness hath turned night into day. Awake my soul from carnal security, as thou hast my body from sleep, that I may stand up from the dead, and Christ may give me light, to walk honestly, uprightly and circumspectly; as becometh the child of the day. And that I be not ashamed to walk naked in the light, put upon me the true wedding garment, and cover me with the robes of thy son's righteousness. And as the light of the Sun shineth before me, so grant that my light may shine before men, that they may see my good works, and glorify thee my heavenly Father. And because thou art the light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world, cast I beseech thee the bright beams of thy favour upon thy whole Church: Propagate thy Gospel through the whole world, and by the preaching of thy Word, add those daily to the Church that shall be saved. Say to the North Give, and to the South Restore, and speedily accomplish the number of thine Elect, and so Come Lord jesus, come quickly. More particularly I pray thee for the prosperous, and flourishing estate of the Churches of great Britain, and Ireland. Crown the King's Majesty with all royal graces befitting his high calling. Establish his Throne that he may advance thy Kingdom. Bless our Queen, that she may be a nursing Mother to thy Spouse. Bless the Prince and Princess Palatine, and all the royal Issue, that in their stock the root of jesse may spring up and flourish over the whole earth. Bless the Nobles, and Peers of this Realm, that they may maintain thine Honour, and support thy Gospel. Bless the Bishops, and Ministers, that they may preserve thy worship, and carefully feed thy flock. Bless the judges, and Magistrates, that they may execute thy judgements, and keep thy peace. Bless the Captains and Soldiers, that they may fight thy wars, and defend thy Church. Finally, bless all thy people, that they may obey thy Gospel, and enlarge thy Kingdom. And give me grace in this my day to learn, and follow the things that belong to my peace; to accept the salvation now offered unto me, and bring forth fruits worthy of amendment of life. So be it, dear Father for the merits and Passion of thy Son, by the powerful operation of the holy Ghost with whose assistance I sum up all my requests, and tender them unto thee in that form of Prayer which thy Son hath taught me, saying, Our Father which art in heaven, etc. The close out of Scripture. THe Lord bless me, and keep me: The Lord make his face shine upon me, and be gracious unto me! The Lord lift up his countenance upon me, and give me peace. The Admonition for the Evening. IF any man walk in the day he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. joh 11. 9 But if a man walk in the night he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. verse 10. Walk while ye have the light▪ lest darkness come upon you; for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. joh. 12. 35. While ye have the light believe in the light, that ye may be the children of the light. verse 36. Work while it is day; the night cometh when no man can work. joh. 9 4. This is the condemnation, that light, is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil joh. 3. 19 For every one that doth evil hateth the light; neither cometh to the light lest his deeds should be reproved. verse 20. He that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because darkness hath blinded his eyes. 1 joh. 2. 11. Let not the Sun go down upon your wrath. Ephesians 4. 26. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but reprove them rather. Eph. 5. 11. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. verse 12. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day; ye are not of the night, nor of darkness. 1 Thes. 5. 5. Therefore sleep not (in sin, and carnal security,) as do others, but watch. verse 6. Watch ye, for ye know not when the Master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the Cock-crowing, or in the morning, least coming suddenly he find you sleeping. Mar. 13. 35. A Hymn for the Evening. IT is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy Name O thou most high. Psal. 92. 1. To show forth thy loving kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night. ver. 2. For day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. Psal. 19 2. Let the Saints be joyful in glory, let them sing aloud upon their beds. Psal. 149. 5. Behold he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber, nor sleep. Psal. 121. 4. The Lord is my keeper, the Lord is my shade on my right hand. verse 5. The Sun shall not smite me by day, nor the Moon by night. verse 6. The Lord shall preserve me from all evil; he shall preserve my soul. verse 7. I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest, for thou Lord makest me dwell in safety. Psal. 4. 9 Lighten mine eyes that I sleep not the sleep of Death. Psal. 13. 3. With thee is the fountain of life; In thy light shall I see light. Psal. 36. 9 Thou wilt light my candle, and wilt make my darkness to be light. Psal. 18. 28. A Prayer for the Evening. GLorious Creator, eternal, infinite, and incomprehensible God, whose face obscureth the Sun, and darkeneth the Moon, and shadoweth the Stars, and dazzleth the eyes of the Cherubims, to whom the light itself (if it be compared) is but a dark shadow, and the darkness is no darkness, but the darkness and light to thee are both alike, Enlighten the darkness of mine understanding that I wander not in the night of error, and ignorance; but continually walk, as becometh the child of the day, in the light of thy truth, and the ways of thy Commandments. And though the Sun hath withdrawn his comfortable light from my bodily eyes, yet let the light of thy countenance, and the bright beams of thy favour still shine upon my soul in the midst of thickest darkness, and the shadow of death. Save me o Father of lights from the powers of darkness. Receive me into thy gracious tuition, and give thine holy Angels charge to pitch their tents about me, that being secured on every side from all dangers, and fear, I may quietly rest in thee in whom I live, and move. And whilst my bodily senses are surprised with sleep, keep my soul still awake, that I may be always ready to meet the Bridegroom with my lamp in my hand▪ Let the last trump sound shrill in mine ears to drive away from me the spirit of slumber, and carnal security. O thou the keeper of thine Israel, who dost never slumber nor sleep, watch over me this night. Behold, into thy hands I commend my soul and body, and all things else wherewith thou hast blessed me, being assured that the thing cannot perish thou vouchsafest to take into thy custody. Grant me I beseech thee, safe, quiet, and comfortable rest, void of cares & fears, free from distempers and diseases, as also all dangers, dreams, fancies, pollutions, and temptations. And make it I pray thee as profitable to my soul, as it is necessary to my body, that it may not only refresh, & strengthen my body to the better performance of my daily labours and travels in my calling, but also settle and quiet my soul in the remembrance, and continual expectation of that sweet repose, and blessed rest which they enjoy that die in thee. Let my sleep put me in mind of my death, my bed of my grave, my lying down of my burial, my uncloathing of putting off this tabernacle of flesh, my rising again of my resurrection, my apparelling of putting on the Lord jesu. Like as the night covereth and hideth all things from the eyes of men; so let thy mercy cover and hide my sins, that they never come to light, either to confound me in this life, or condemn me in the life to come. Finally, as it is the nature of sleep to tie the outward senses, and make fast, and shut up the organs of my body: so let thy grace restrain my inward senses, and bar up all the passages of my soul, that the devil may find no place to enter into me. Close up the eyes of my mind, that they behold not vanity: stop my ears that they hear not folly, and my spiritual smell that it let not in the savour of death. Set a watch before my mouth, and seal up the closet of my heart, that nothing enter into the one, or go out at the other, that may defile me. Thus keep me, and guard me from my bodily and ghostly enemies this night, and as long as I abide in the dark prison of my body; and when thou deliverest me out of it by death, make me partaker of the glorious inheritance of thy Saints in light in the heavenly jerusalem, which needeth neither Sun, nor Moon, nor Stars to shine in it, for the glory of God enlighteneth it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. To whom with the everlasting Father, and most sacred & blessed Spirit be rendered thanks, and praise now and for ever. Amen. The close out of Scripture. Remember me o Lord with the favour thou bearest thy people o visit me with thy salvation, that I may see the felicity of thy chosen, and rejoice in the gladness of thy people, and glory with thine inheritance. THE CHRISTIAN Sabbaths or Lords days Devotion. Thou who intendest to sanctify the Christian Sabbath to thy Creator and Redeemer, must advisedly consider, that the fourth Commandment which enjoineth this duty with a special Memento, hath in it somewhat 1 Ceremonial, not now in force, as 1 Keeping the precise seaventh day on which God rested. 2 The strict rest according to the rigour of the letter. 3 The legal manner of hallowing it by sacrifices and ceremonial rites. 2 Moral, now and for ever in force as 1 The dedicating of a certain day to the true and essential worship of God. 2 The keeping holy of a seaventh day: i.e. one at the least in seven. 3 The hallowing that day of the seven which God appointeth, that was Under the Law, the seaventh from the Creation. Under grace, now the first day of the week. See the ensuing Admonition. THE ADMONITION for the Sabbath. THE ANALYSIS. To stir up thyself to sanctify the Christian Sabbath, meditate upon▪ 1 GOD 1 The Father, his Precepts for it. Promises to it. 2 The Son his resurrection on this day. 3 The holy Ghost his coming down on this day. 2 The Apostles (guided by the Spirit) Injunction. Practice. For the hallowing the Christian Sabbath. REmember the Sabbath day to keep it holy; 1 Grounds in the Law. six days shalt thou labour, etc. Exodus 2●. 8. Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore, Precepts. for it is holy unto you: Every one that despiseth it shall be surely put to death. Exodus 31. 14. Ye shall keep my Sabbath and reverence my Sanctuary, I am the Lord. Levit. 26. 2. Hollow my Sabbaths, and they shall be as signs between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God. Eze. 20. 20. Blessed is the man that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting, Promises. and keepeth his hands from doing any evil. Isaiah 56. 2. If thou turn away thy soot from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on the Holiday, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable, and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words. Isa. 58. 13. Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord, and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of jacob thy father; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it, ver. 14. When the first day of the week began Marie Magdalen, 2 Grounds in the Gospel. and the other Marie came to the sepulchre. Math. Christ's resurrection on this day. 28. 1. Mark 16. 1. john 20. 1. And behold there was a great earthquake, for the Angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it: Math. 28. 2. And the Angel answered and said to the woman, Fear ye not, for I know that ye seek jesus that was crucified, Math. 28. 6. He is not here, for he is risen. ver. 7. And when the day of Pentecost was come, The spirits coming down on this day. they were all with one accord in one place. Acts 2. 1. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. ver. 2. And they were all filled with the holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. ver. 4. Every first day of the week let every one lay aside as God hath prospered him, The Apostles injunction. etc. 1. Corinth. 16. 2. And the first day of the week the disciples being met together Practice. to break bread, Paul preached unto them. Acts 20. 7. And I was in the spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as it had been of a trumpet. Reu. 1. 10. THE MORNING HYMN for the Sabbath, or the Lord's day: Wherein the devout soul expresseth her performance (at least in desire) of all holy duties requisite. on the Sabbath, which are 1 Private, as ᵃ 1. Premeditation. ᵇ 2. Early rising, or watchfulness. ᶜ 3. The soul's examination of herself. ᵈ 4. Prayer at home consisting of 1. Confession of sin ᵉ Original. ᶠ Actual. ᵍ 2. Profession of faith. 3. Supplication for ʰ 1. The Church. ⁱ 2. The King. ᵏ 3. The Minister. ˡ 4. Ourselves. 2 Public, as ᵐ 1. Going to the Church. ⁿ 2. joining in public prayers and thanksgiving with the congregation. ᵒ 3. Hearing the word. ᵖ 4. Contributing to the poor. ᵃ I have thought upon thy Name in the night season, and have kept thy Law. Psal. 119. 55. ᵇ Early in the morning do I cry unto thee, for in thy word is my trust. ver. 147. ᶜ I called mine own ways to remembrance, and turned my foot to thy testimonies. ver. 59 ᵈ I will make my supplication in thy presence with my whole heart; be merciful unto me according to thy word. ver. 58. ᵉ Behold I was borne in iniquity, and in sin hath my mother conceived me. Psal. 51. 3. ᶠ Who can tell how oft he offendeth? O cleanse thou me from my secret faults. Psal. 19 12. ᵍ I said I will confess my sin, and so thou forgivest the wickedness of my sin. Psal. 32. 6. ʰ O be favourable and gracious unto Zion, build thou the walls of jerusalem. Psal. 51. 19 Thou shalt arise o Lord, and have mercy upon Zion, for it is time that thou have mercy upon her, yea the time is come. Psal. 102. 13. For why, thy servants think upon her stones, and it grieveth them to see her in the dust. ver. 14. ⁱ Give the King thy judgements o Lord, and thy righteousness to the King's son. Psal. 72. 1. Then shall he judge the people according unto right, and defend the poor. ver. 2. He shall keep the simple by the right, and punish the wrong doer. ver. 4. ᵏ Let thy Priests be clothed with righteousness, and let thy Saints sing with joyfulness. Psal. 132. 9 ˡ O send out thy light and thy truth, that they may lead me, and bring me to thy holy hill, and to thy dwelling. Psal. 43. 3. ᵐ I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Open me the gates of righteousness, that I may go in, and give thanks to the Lord. Psal. 118. 19 ⁿ O magnify the Lord our God, and let us fall down before his footstool, for he is holy. Psal. 99 5. ᵒ The Lord gave the word; great was the company of the Preachers. Psal. 68 11. I will hearken what the Lord God will say concerning me, for he shall speak peace unto his people, and to his Saints that they turn not again. Psal. 85. 8. For his salvation is nigh them that fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. ver. 9 ᵖ O my soul thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my God, my goods are nothing unto thee. Psal. 16. 2. All my delight is upon the Saints, and such as excel in virtue. ver. 3. An offering of a free heart will I give thee, and praise thy name, because it is so comfortable. Psal. 58. 7. A Prayer for the Sabbath Morning. BLessed Creator, and Author, and finisher of the salvation of mankind; who in memory of thy glorious rest from both thy noble works hast blessed and sanctified a day of holy rest unto thyself, sanctify me for it, that laying aside my accustomed business, and sequestering my thoughts from all worldly cares, I may keep it, and myself holy to thee, by dedicating it and devoting myself wholly to thy peculiar worship, and immediate service. And to the end that this my religious service may be more acceptable to thee, quicken me with thy Spirit, that I may perform it with all alacrity and cheerfulness, and may make thy Sabbath my delight. Touch my heart and tongue with a coal from thine Altar, that from the sweet incense of my meditations, hymns, prayers, and thanksgiving thou mayest smell a savour of rest. O holy Lord God of Sabbath sanctify thy rest unto me, & let thy Spirit rest in me, that I may find rest to my soul from all tentations, troubles, and fears, and may rest from my own works, which are painful and sinful travels, and may employ this day all the powers and faculties of my soul and body in doing and considering thy works, in adoring thy Majesty, and admiring thy wisdom, and acknowledging thy power, and embracing thy love, and magnifying thy goodness, and rejoicing in thy mercies, & trembling at thy judgements: In visiting thy holy Temple, and praising thee with thy Saints, and offering up the calves of my lips: In diligently reading thy Scriptures, attentively hearing thy word, reverently celebrating thy mysteries, charitably relieving thy members, and zealously practising all holy duties both public and private. O let me this whole day walk with thee as Enoch did, and talk with thee as Moses did, and seek thy face as David did: And grant that beholding thine image in thine holy word, as in a clear and crystal mirror I may be changed into the same image even from glory to glory. Let this Sabbath put me in mind of thy rest from thy works, and assure me thereby of an everlasting Sabbath in heaven from my works. Into which rest that I may enter, stir up my good desires in me; raise my thoughts and affections to the things that are above. Renew me according to the Image of thy Son, and frame my life to a heavenly conversation. Enlighten my understanding, sanctify my will, moderate my desires, govern my affections, mortify my fleshly members, and destroy the man of sin in me, and deliver me from this body of death. Work in me a fear of thy power, and love of thy goodness, and zeal of thy glory, and thirst of thy grace, & an earnest desire, and constant resolution as (much as in me lieth) to approve myself to thee in all things, and frame all my actions to the rule of thy word. Hear me I beseech thee for myself and for thy Church, and thy Church for me, and Christ for us all, etc. saying: Righteous Father keep them from evil, sanctify them with thy truth, thy word is truth. The close out of Scripture. The glory which thou hast given me, give them, that they may be one, as thou and I are one. So be it, heavenly Father for thy Son's sake, by the grace of thy holy Spirit: To whom be all honour, praise, glory, and thanksgiving from everlasting to everlasting. Amen. AN ADMONITION for the Sabbath Evening. THE ANALYSIS. The fittest subject of contemplation on the Sabbath, is the meditation on the eternal Sabbath in heaven, of which the Sabbath on earth is a type. Consider it two ways. Privately there is No sin. No tempter or temptation. No thraldom or servitude. No labour or toil. No sorrow or grief. No pain or torment. No night or darkness. No death. No curse. No fear. Positively there are Everlasting habitations. Indefiezable estates of inheritance. Royal honours and dignities. Invaluable wealth and riches. Unspeakable joys and pleasures in the Sight and fruition of God. Society with Christ Company with all Saints & Angels. Glorification of our bodies. Perfection of our souls in Knowledge. Righteousness Love & union with God. THE TEXTS. WE look for a new heaven and a new earth, In heaven no sin. according to his promises in which dwelleth righteousness. 2. Pet. 3. 13. The Dragon fought with his Angels. Reu. 12. 7. But they previtled not, No tempter neither was their place found any more in heaven. ver. 8. And the Dragon that old Serpent called the Devil, and Satan was cast out, etc. ver. 9 Rejoice ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. The creature shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. No thraldom. Rom. 8. 21. There remaineth a rest for the people of God. No labour. Heb. 4 9 Bessed are the dead that dye in the Lord, for they rest from their labours. Reu. 14. 13. God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. No sorrow. Reu. 7. 17. They shall hunger no more, No pain. nor thirst any more, neither shall the Sun-light on them, nor any heat Reu. 7. 16. And there shall be no night there, No night. and they shall need no candle, nor the light of the Sun, for the Lord God giveth them light, etc. Reu. 22. 5. There shall be no more death, No death. neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the first things are passed. Reu. 21. 4. And there shall be no more curse, No curse. but the Throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it. Reu. 22. 3. Your joy shall no man take away from you. No fear. joh. 16. 22. That they may receive you into everlasting habitations. Luk. 16. 9 For we know that if our earthly house of this. Tabernacle be destroyed, we have a building given of God, an house not made with hands, but eternal in the heavens. 2. Cor. 5. 1. An inheritance immortal, Indesiezable estate of inheritance and undefiled, that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. 1. Pet 1. 4. They strive for a corruptible, but we for an incorruptible crown. 1. Cor. 9 25. When the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive an incorruptible crown of glory. 1. Pet. 5. 4. Take inheritance of the kingdom prepared for you. Royal honours and dignities. Mat. 25. 34. It is your Father's pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luk. 12. 32 They shall reign for evermore. Reu. 22. 5. And the building of the wall was of jasper, Invaluable wealth and riches. and the City was pure gold like to clear glass. Reu. 21. 18. And the foundations of the walls were garnished with all manner of precious stones. ver. 19 And the gates were twelve pearls. ver. 21. The things which eye hath not Unspeakable joys and pleasures. seen, neither ear hath heard, neither can enter into man's heart to conceive are, which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1. Cor. 2. 9 In thy presence is the fullness of joy, and at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psal. 16. 12. They shall be satisfied with the fullness of thy house, and thou shalt give them drink out of the river of thy pleasures. Psal. 36. 8. For with thee is the well of life, etc. verse 9 I know that my redeemer liveth, and I shall see God in my flesh, joh. 19 25. Now we see in a glass, darkly, but then we shall see face to face. 1 Cor. 13. 12. And they shall see his face, In the light and fruition of God. and his name shall be in their foreheads. Reu. 22. 4. As for me, I will behold thy presence in righteousness, and when I awake up after thy likeness, I shall be satisfied with it. Ps. 17. 16. Father I will that they which thou hast given may be where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me. joh. 17. 24. These follow the Lamb wheresoever he goeth. Revelation 14. 4. We are come to the Mount Zion, and to the City of the living God, and to the celestial jerusalem, and to the company of innumerable Angels. Heb. 12. 22. And to the Congregation of the firstborn which are written in heaven etc. verse 23. This corruptible shall put on incorruption, and this mortal shall put on immortality. 1 Cor. 15. 13. The glory of the earthly is one, and the glory of the heavenly is another. verse 40. There is one glory of the Sun, and another of the Moon, and another glory of the Stars, for one star differeth from another star in glory. verse 41. So also is the resurrection of the dead, etc. verse 42. He shall change our vile body, and make it fashioned like unto his glorious body. Philippians 3. 21. They that be wise shall shine as the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever. Daniel 12. 3. Now I know but in part, but then I shall know as I am known. 1 Cor. 13. 12. We are come to the congregation of the firstborn which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just and perfect men. Heb. 12. 23. When that which is perfect shall come, then that which is in part shall be abolished. 1 Cor. 13. 10. Love doth never fall away, though that prophesying be abolished, or that tongues cease, etc. ver. 8. I pray that they all may be one, as thou O Father art in me and I in thee, even that they may be also one in us, etc. joh. 17. 21. An Hymn for the Sabbath Evening. Return to thy rest O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt graciously with thee. Psal. 116. 7. In God's Word will I rejoice; in the Lord's Word will I comfort me. Psal. 56. 10. The words of the Lord are pure words, like as silver which from the earth is tried, and purified seven times in the fire. Blessed are they that dwell in thine house, they will be always praising thee. They will go from strength to strength, and to the God of Gods appeareth every one of them in Zion. Psal. 84. 47. I will give thanks to the Lord in the Congregation from the ground of the heart. Psal. 68 26. Unto thee o God I will pay my vows, unto thee will I give thanks. Psal. 56. 12. Show the light of thy countenance upon thy servant, and teach me thy Statutes. Psalm 119. An Evening Prayer for the Sabbath. HOly, holy, holy Lord God Almighty which was, which art, and which art to come, hollow my nature, that I may hollow thy Name. As thou impartest thy goodness to me whereby I live and move in thee: so I beseech thee communicate to me some measure of thy holiness, that I may live and move to thee. Let thy Spirit of grace possess my body and soul, that the desires of my mind, and thoughts of my heart, and words of my lips, may be holiness unto thee. Sanctify me that I may glorify thee. And first with joy and thankfulness I acknowledge it a special testimony of thy love, that thou hast given me liberty and means to keep a holy Sabbath unto thee, to meet in thy House, to offer up my joint-prayers and thanksgiving with thy holy congregation, to confess my sins, to profess my faith, to lay open my wants, to cheer up myself by singing the sweet songs of Zion, to hear thy sacred Word read and Preached; whereby my faith hath been strengthened in the mysteries of salvation, my hope established in the promises of thy Gospel, and my life set forward in a settled course of holiness and righteousness, whereby the Kingdom of sin and Satan is beat down and destroyed, and the Kingdom of Christ built up in me, By this thy Word, the careless sinner is admonished, the ignorant instructed, the presumptuous terrified, and the penitent comforted, the power of sin is abated, the force of temptations weakened, the motions of the spirit quickened, grace revine, and my Election assured by these insallible Marks, and tokens thereof set before me in holy Scriptures. Blessed be thy Name for it, this day thy Word hath dwelled with me richly in all wisdom. The dispenser of thy mysteries hath scattered many Doctrines like so many pearls among thy people. Here thou mayest insert the principal Doctrine which thou hast heard from thy Pastor's mouth. Lord grant that with Mary I keep these, and all thy sayings in my heart, and make use of them in my life, and receive comfort from them at my death. And here I would proceed to entreat at thy hands the continuance and increase of thy spiritual and temporal blessings upon me, but my sins lie at the door of my conscience and affright me. My heart smites me for my failings in the performance of the duties of thy Sabbath. My devout Meditations have been stefled in the womb that bore them: my prayers have not been without distractions, my hearing without wearisomeness, nor my almsdeeds without grudging. Pardon dear Father my want of preparation before I come to thine house, of intention and Zeal at thy service, and want of Meditation and Application of those things which I heard there since I came thence. Bury I beseech thee these slips and all other my sins, especially of this week and day, in the night of eternal oblivion. Ease me of the burden of them, that I may more securely repose my body and soul upon thy gracious protection, to take their natural refreshing by sleep, whereby I may be enabled and strengthened to do thee better service the next day in walking carefully, diligently, conscionably, and constantly in the ways of thy commandments, and the duties of my calling. The close out of Scripture. Now the very God of peace sanctify me throughout, and I pray God that my whole spirit and soul, and body, may be kept blameless unto the coming of the Lord jesus Christ, Amen. THE PRACTICE of Extraordinary DEVOTION: In the Religious observation of Christian Feasts, as namely— our Lord's Birth. Circumcision. Epiphanie. Resurrection. Ascension. Sending down the— Holy Ghost. Fasts, as namely, Ash-wednesday. Good friday. By Daniel Featly, Doctor in Divinity. LONDON, Printed by G. M. and R. B. for Nicholas Bourne, and are to be sold at his shop, at the South Entrance of the Royal Exchange. 1626. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE and Religious Lady the Countess of DENBIGH. May it please your Honour: YOur conference with me, about my conference with the Jesuits, and your gracious acceptation of the relation and defence thereof, left in me such an impression of the Character of your Noble and Religious disposition, that I ever since desired the advantage of some good opportunity to testify my dutiful respect to your Honour. The truth of God receiveth not only support, but great honour from the patronage and countenance of great Personages; and she much glorieth in finding so strong a Champion, even in the weaker sex. Albeit the Sunbeams are always most bright in themselves, yet they never appear so glorious to us as when they fall upon crystal glass, or precious stones: In like sort Religion and virtue (the rays of divine light in the soul) although they shine always brightly in themselves, yet they never seem so conspicuous and resplendent, as when they receive some lustre from the subject; when Nobility of birth and mind concur; when ornaments of body and soul meet; when eminency of grace & eminency of conditions toyne in one, and reflect mutually each on the other. And verily if your more then or dinarie favour and respect to the Ministers of the Gospel, and to myself in particular, had not made this my voluntary oblation a necessary obligation to your Ladyship; yet your constancy in the truth, and love to Zion and her solemn and sacred assemblies, might justly challenge to your Honour the Dedication of this part of my HANDMAIDENS Task, which is to furnish Christian fasts and feasts with proper MEDITATIONS, HYMNS and PRAYERS. As our body lives to the soul, by which it liveth; so our soul should live to God by whom it liveth. And no otherwise is the life of the body preserved by heat and moisture, than the life of the soul is maintained and kept by the heat of divine love, and radical moisture of tears bedewing the heart root of a true penitent. To kindle the one and feed the other, I Dedicate and devote the DEVOTION of this part of my HANDMAID to your Honour. For the feasts representing to your Religious thoughts what Christ hath done for you, will (through the blasts of God's Spirit) inflame the heat of heavenly love in you: and the fasts admonishing you what Christ hath suffered for you, must needs yield abundant matter to supply the springs of godly sorrow. In heaven joy taketh up all times and parts; in hell sorrow; on earth they divide. In heaven there is joy without sorrow; in hell, sorrow without joy; on earth sorrow and joy act their parts; fasts and feasts have their courses; mirth and mourning their turns; and at every turn my HANDMAID is ready to attend you, either with sackcloth for the one, or the wedding garment for the other. S. Bernard taking his ground from those words of the Prophet joel, Rend your hearts etc. and return to the Lord with your whole heart; thus pleasantly descanteth thereupon: * Non est ad Deum to●o corde redite, nisiscisso cord. We cannot return unto the Lord with our whole heart unless it be broken first with true contrition. There is no whole heart, but a rend heart; no sound heart, but a broken; & S. Jerome according in the same note, summeth up the whole practice of a devout soul in her private carriage with God in these words * Dolet, & de dolore gaudet. She sorroweth after a godly manner, and rejoiceth for that sorrow. Godly sorrow for sin, and holy joy for that sorrow, is the whole Devoute man. Madam, if my Meditations upon the fasting, suffering, and death of our Saviour make you sad and sorrowful, remember out of S. Jerome that you ought to be joyful for such sorrow. If the piercing Texts of holy Scripture in the ADMONITIONS and HYMNS appointed for the Christian fasts, divide between your soul and spirit, and bruise if not break your heart with an holy sympathy, remember out of S. Bernard, that There is no returning to God with a whole heart, but by breaking it. And if you find in the whole Devotion of Fasts, matter of pensiveness and grief; in the Christian feasts, you shall have store of oil to make you a cheerful countenance, and revive your deadened thoughts. The heart of a man is in continual motion; it always either dilateth itself, or contracteth: and the hidden man of the heart in like manner hath his Systole and Diastole, (as the Anatomists speak:) his heart continually either enlargeth itself by joy, or contracteth itself by sorrow. And no doubt, when God bespeaks our hearts for himself, he especially expects and respects these motions thereof and affections producing them. He will have us joy in him, and sorrow and long after him. joy in his favour, and sorrow in his displeasure. joy in his promise, and sorrow at his threats. joy in the holy Ghost, and sorrow in our own spirits. Feast to him in a thankful profession of his gracious goodness, and fast to him in an humble confession of sinful wickedness. Like the Heliotropium, turn always to the Sun; open when he sheddeth abroad his beams, and shut when he draweth them in: Enlarge our hearts with joy at his gracious presence, and sorrowfully shut and contract them when he is, or seemeth to be absent from us. Thus if our joy be the interpreter of our love to him, and our sorrow of our desire of him; if our joy be holy, and our sorrow holy; if our feasts be feasts of Devotion, and our fasts be fasts of contrition, our gracious Redeemer will vouchsafe to be present at both: he will feast and fast with us. At our fasts he will weep for our spiritual, as he did for Lazarus his corporal death. At our feasts he will turn our water into wine, and ravish our souls with heavenly melody. Our feasts shall be as temperate and holy as fasts, and our fasts as comfortable as feasts. A good conscience shall be unto us a continual feast here, and the Marriage supper of the Lamb an everlasting feast hereafter. To both which feasts, God by his Spirit, which biddeth you, bring you for his sake, who by his fasts and sorrows on earth hath purchased for us everlasting feasts and joys in heaven; In whom I rest, Your Honour's to dispose of DANIEL FEATLY. PART 1. SUPPART 3. The Festiuall's Devotion. The Feast of the Birth of our Lord JESUS CHRIST. The ground of this feast Prophecies in the old Testament. Histories in the New. of the Incarnation of the Son of God. PARALLEL. Prophecy. The Seed of the woman shall break the Serpent's head. History. He took not on him the nature of Angels, but he took the seed of Abraham. Heb. 2. 16. In the fullness of time God sent his Son made of a woman. Gal. 4. 4. The Sceptre shall not depart from judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until SHILOH come, Gen. 49. 10. Christ is called Shiloh from an Hebrew word signifying to send, or to save, or secundinam, to intimate Christ's virgin birth, quasifilium secundinoe. When JESUS was borne in Bethlem of judea, in the days of Herod the king, who reigned when Christ was born, was a stranger and so the Sceptre was then departed from juda. Mat. 2. 1. The Lord himself shall give you a sign. Be hold a Virgin shall conceive, & bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isa. 7. 14. joseph being raised from sleep, did as the Angel of the LORD had bidden him, and took unto him his wife, Mat. 1. 24. But knew her not till she had brought forth her first begotten Son, and he called his name JESUS, ver. 25. For unto us a child is borne, unto us a son is given. Isa. 9 6. The Angel said Unto you is borne this day in the City of David, a Saviour, which is CHRIST the Lord. Luk. 2. 11. But thou Bethlem EPHRATA though thou be little among the thousands of juda, yet out of thee shall he come forth to me, that is to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from old and from everlasting. Mich. 5. 2. When jesus was borne in Bethlem, etc. Mat. 2. 1. joseph went to the City of David called Bethlem. Luk. 2. 4. And the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. verse 6. And she brought forth her first borne son. verse 7. For thine instruction meditate on Christ's birth. For thy comfort apply the benefits to thyself. For thy correction examine thy new birth and life, and quicken Thine obedience by the exhortation. Thy thankfulness by the Hymn. Thy Zeal and Devotion by the prayer. AN EXHORTATION TO STRIVE AND PRAY for the state of grace and regeneration. THE ANALISIS. We must desire and pray that we may be regenerated, and borne anew, because by it we obtain. 1 Entrance into the Kingdom of Grace Glory. 2 Knowledge. 3 Liberty from Corruption. Reigning sin. 4 Adoption, and the title of the Sons of God. 5 The preeminency of the first borne. 6 The spirit of supplication, and access to God with confidence. 7 The guidance of the spirit. 8 An incorruptible inheritance. THE TEXTS. EXcept a man be borne again, By regeneration we obtain he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. joh. 3. 3. 1 Entrance into the kingdom of God. Except a man be borne of water and the spirit etc. verse 5. Ye were darkness, but now ye are light in the lord 2 Knowledge Ephes. 5. 9 The creature shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, 3 Liberty from our corruption. into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God. Rom. 5. 21. Whosoever is borne of God sinneth not, From our reigning sin for his seed remaineth in him, neither can he sin because he is borne of God 1 joh. 3. 9 Sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not vnd●● the Law, but under grace. 〈…〉 6. 14. As many as received 〈…〉 them, he gave power to 〈…〉 Son's of God, even to them that believe on his name. joh. 1. 12. Which are borne not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. verse 13. That he might redeem them that are under the Law, 5 The preeminency of the first borne. and that we might receive the adoption of sons. Gal. 4. 5. And to the congregation of the firstborn. Heb. 12. 23. Of his own will begat he us with the Word of truth, that we should be the first fruits of his creatures. jam. 1. 18. We have received the spirit of Adoption whereby we cry Abba Father. 6 Spirit of supplication Rome 8. 11. As many as are led by the spirit of God, 〈…〉 they are the sons of God. Rom. 8. 14. Blessed be God the Father of 〈◊〉 Lord jesus Christ, which 〈◊〉 to his abundant mercy 〈◊〉 us again unto a 〈◊〉 ●pe. 1 Pet. 1. 3. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. verse 4. The same spirit testifieth to our spirits that we are the children of God. Rome 8. 6. If we be children than heirs, even the heirs of God, and coheirs annexed with Christ's. verse. 17. A Hymn for the Nativity of our Lord, consisting of four parts, 1. God the Fathers. 2. Christ's. 3. The Prophets. 4. The Churches. Glory be to God on High, in earth peace, good will to men. THe Lord even the most mighty God hath spoken, The Prophet speaketh in his own person. and called the world from the rising up of the Sun to the going down thereof. Ps. 50. 1. Out of Zion hath God appeared in perfect beauty. verse 2. Salvation is nigh them that fear him, that glory may dwell on the earth. Psal. 85. 9 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. verse 10. Truth shall flourish on the earth, and righteousness hath looked down from heaven. ver. 11. Thou art fairer than the children of men, full of grace are thy lips, because God hath blessed thee for ever. Psal. 45. 3. Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity, wherefore God even thy God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. verse 8. O Lord my God great are thy wondrous works which thou hast done, like as be also thy thoughts, which are to us ward, yet there is no man that ordereth them unto thee. Psal. 40. 6. If I would declare or speak of them, 2 In the person of Christ. they should be more in number than I am able to express. verse 7. Sacrifice and meat offerings thou wouldst not have, but mine ears hast thou opened. verse 8. Burnt offerings and sacrifice for sin hast thou not required, then said I, Lo I come. verse 9 In the volume of thy book, it is written of me that I should fulfil thy will, O my God I am content to do it, yea thy law is in my heart. verse 10. I have declared thy righteousness in the great congregation; Lo I will not refrain my lips o Lord, and that thou knowest. verse 11. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; my talking hath been of thy truth and of thy salvation. verse 12. I will preach the law whereof the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son, this day have I bogotten thee. Psal. 2. 7. He shall call me, 3 In the person of God the Father. Thou art my Father, my God, and my strong salvation. Psal. 89. 27. And I will make him my first born higher than the Kings of the earth. verse 28. Show us thy mercy o Lord, 4 Of the Church. and grant us thy salvation. Psal. 85. 7. Lord save us now! Lord send us now prosperity. Through thy tender mercy, whereby this day spring from on high hath visited us. To give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Cant. Zach. The Prayer. Gracious Lord jesus Christ the Son of God and Saviour of man, the joy of Angels, and dread of devils, the jews Messiah, the Gentiles star, the hope of the living, and resurrection of the dead, the way to all that come unto thee, the truth to all them that know thee, and the life to all them that believe in thee: Make good all thy glorious & gracious titles to me. Lord protect me, jesus save me, Christ my anointed King rule me, my anointed Priest sanctify me, my anointed Prophet reveal unto me the secrets of thy Kingdom. O Christ whose name is an ointment poured out, anoint me with the oil of gladness, this day above others. This is the day which the Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be glad in it; nay I dare take the note higher, This is the day in which the Lord was made, I will exult and triumph in it. Thou which madest all days, wert this day made of a woman, and made under the Law. From all eternity it was never heard, that eternity entered into the Calendar of time, supreme Majesty descended into the womb; immensity was comprehended; infinity bounded; ubiquity enclosed, and the Deity incarnated: Yet this day it was seen; for this day the Word became flesh; God became man, and to effect this wonderful mystery, a Virgin became a Mother. One deep calleth upon another; one miracle begetteth another: The Sun bringeth forth all other days, but this day brought thee forth the Son of righteousness. If we set our voices, and instruments, and heartstrings to the highest strain of joy at the birth of great Kings and Princes; What ought I to do this day, on which thou the king of heaven wast born upon the earth. At the marriage of great Personages, men give full scope to all manner of expressions of carnal joy even oftentimes to the very surfeit of the senses with pleasure: How then should I be ravished with spiritual joy at this time when heaven and earth, the divine nature and humane were married? The contract was in heaven before all times, but the marriage was this day consummated in the undefiled bed of the Virgin. Lord who this day camest downe to me, draw me up to thee, and give me access with more confidence and boldness; for now thou art become my brother and ally by blood. The rays of thy divine Majesty will not dazzle the eyes of my soul, they being now vailed with thy flesh. This day thou didst unite thyself to me naturally, and substantially and becamest truly flesh of my flesh, and bone of my bone. Unite me to thee this day spiritually, and make me a true member of thy mystical body, that I may be flesh of thy flesh, and bone of thy bone. Lord thou didst this day participate of my humane nature, make me this day participate by grace of thy divine, as far as I am capable thereof; and impart and communicate unto me the merit of all thy actions, and benefit of all thy sufferings in this thy nature. O my Lord & my God who by assuming flesh unto thy divine person, hast sanctified it, and highly advanced it far above all creatures, keep me from defiling my flesh with sinful pollutions, or abasing and enthralling it to Satan. O Son of God, who by thy incarnate nature, becamest the Son of Man, make me the sinful son of man, by grace and adoption to become the Son of God. And as thou this day according to the words of thine Angel wert borne to me, be borne also in me that from hence forth I live not, but thou in me. Let thy spirit quicken me, thy flesh nourish me, thy wisdom guide me, thy grace sanctify me, and thy Word instruct me. Let the holy Ghost of whom thou wast conceived beget thee in me, by the immortal seed of thy Word. Let my faith conceive thee, my profession bring thee forth, my love embrace thee, and Devotion entertain and continually keep thee with me till thy second coming. So come unto me Lord jesus, come quickly. THE Feast of our Lord's Circumcision: OR, New-year's days Devotion. The ground of this Feast are The type thereof in the old The accomplishment in the new Testament. PARALLEL. The Type. And Abraham circumcised Isaak when he was eight days old, as God commanded him Gen. 21. 4. The accomplishment. And when the eight days were accomplished that they should circumcise the child; his name was then called JESUS Luk. 2. 21. Meditate o devout Christian, 1 For thine instruction upon the circumcision of thy Saviour. 2 For thy comfort, apply to thyself the 3 For thy correction examine the circumcision of thy heart, and quicken thine 1 Obedience by the exhortation. 2 Thankfulness by the hymn. 3 Zeal & devotion by the prayer. THE ADMONITION for Newyears day. THE ANALYSIS. we ought to desire, strive, and pray for the circumcision of the heart 1 In respect of GOD who Desireth it. a Commandeth it. b loveth it. c Observeth it. d Praiseth it. e Rewardeth it. f Brandeth the contrary. g 2 In respect of man's heart which needeth it, 1 Because it is most corrupt and impure. 2 Because it is most deceitful. THE TEXTS. ᵃ MY son give me thy heart. God desireth the circumcision of the heart Commandeth it. Prou. 23. 16. vid. jer. 4. 4. ᵇ Circumcise the foreskin of your hearts. Deut. 10. 16. O jerusalem cleanse thy heart. jer. 4. 4. ᶜ Cleanse your hearts ye sinners. loveth. james 4. 8. Behold thou lovest truth in the inward parts. Psal. 51. 6. ᵈ God seeth not as man seeth, Observeth. for man looketh upon the outward appearance; but God seeth the heart. 1 Sam. 16. 7. ᵉ The circumcision is of the heart in the spirit, Praiseth. not in the letter, whose praise is not of man, but of God. Rom. 2. 29. In whom ye are circumcised with circumcision made without hands, by putting off the sinful body of the flesh through the circumcision of the flesh. Col. 2. 11. Beware of the concision: For we are the circumcision which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ jesus and have no confidence in the flesh. Philippians 3. 3. ᶠ The good Lord be merciful to him that prepareth his whole heart to seek the Lord his God. Rewardeth. 1 Chron. 30. 19 He will do good to such as be good and true of heart. Psal. 125. 4. There is sprung up a light for the righteous, and joyful gladness to such as be true hearted. Psal. 99 12. ᵍ The eyes of the Lord behold the earth to show himself strong with them that are of perfect heart towards him. Brandeth the contrary. 1 Chron. 16. 9 Ye of uncircumcised ears and hearts, have always resisted etc. Acts. 7. The perverse in heart are an abomination to the Lord. Pro. 11. 20. All the imaginations of man's heart are only evil continually. Gen. 6. The heart of man is deceitful above all things. jer. 17. 9 The Psalm for Newyears day. OSing unto the Lord a new song; sing unto the Lord all the whole earth. Psal. 96. 1. Sing unto the Lord and praise his name; be telling of his salvation from day to day. verse 2. The heavent declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handy work. Psal. 19 1. One day telleth another, and one night certifieth another. v. 2. There is neither speech nor language, but their voice is heard among them. verse 3. Their sound is gone out into all lands, and their words unto the end of the world. verse 4. In them hath he set a Tabernacle for the sun which cometh forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a giant to run his course. verse 5. He appointeth the Moon for certain seasons; and the Sun knoweth his going down. Psal. 104. 19 O Lord how manifold are thy works? In wisdom hast thou made them all; the earth is full of thy riches. verse 24. So is the great and wide, etc. verse 25. usque ad 〈◊〉. When thou lettest thy breath go forth they are made; and thou shalt renew the face of the earth. verse 30. The glorious Majesty of the Lord shall endure for ever; the Lord shall rejoice in his works. verse 31. Thou crownest the earth with thy goodness; and thy clouds drop fatness. Psal. 65. 12. They shall drop upon the dwellings of the wilderness; and the little hills shall rejoice of every side. verse 13. The flocks also shall be full of sheep; the valleys also shall stand so thick with corn that they shall laugh and sing. verse 14. The day is thine, and the night is thine: thou hast prepared the light of the sun. Psal. 74. 17. Thou hast set all the borders of the earth; thou hast made summer and winter. verse 18. The Prayer for Newyears day. MOst tender and compassionate Lord, now first known by thy name jesus, who being the true vine which yieldest the wine that gladdeth the heart, wast pruned this day with the sharp knife of circumcision, and bleddest for me; have pity and compassion on me, who with weeping eyes and a bleeding heart come unto thee, beseeching thee that those drops of blood which fell from thee this day may satisfy for the sin of my birth, and the whole stream that ran from all the parts of thy body in the Garden, and on the Cross may expiate all my numberless actual sins; whether they be sins of lighter tincture, or of a Scarlet dye: Sins like beams or sins like moats: Sins conceived in the heart only, or sins brought forth into act: Sins in my belief, or sins in my life: Sins once committed, or often repeated: Sins before, or after my calling: Sins of impiety against thee, or sins of iniquity against my neighbour, or sins of impurity against mine own flesh: for of all these I have a great load. They are more in number then the hairs of my head, they are a burden too heavy for me to bear. They lie upon my conscience like so many Talents of lead, and would press me down to hell, did not thy mercy take hold of the hand of my faith to support me in hope even above hope. How should I hope if I think upon thy greatness? How should I not hope if I think upon thy goodness? How should I hope if I weigh my sins? How should I not hope, if I weigh thy merits? How should I hope, if I consider my actions? How should I not hope, if I consider thy passions? How should I hope if I number my transgressions? How should I not hope, if I number thy blessings and favours towards me? How should I hope if I remember how oft I have refused grace after it hath been offered to me? How can I but hope if I remember how oft grace hath been offered me after I refused it? And still hope I will, as long as thou reteinest thy name jesus, which this day thou receivedst when thou offeredst the first fruits of thy blood for my sin, without which thou couldst not have been my jesus. For so fowl and festered were my sores, that nothing could heal them but a bloody knife. But why should this bloody instrument be applied to thy purest, tenderest, immaculate flesh made all of Virgin's blood? There was no superfluity to be pared off in thee; no rank▪ blood to be let out. The superfluous skin was on me, yet the knife is on thee: The festered sores were in my body, yet the Lance is in thy flesh. Thou hast the pain, I the ease; thou the smart, I the cure. O wonderful cure! O more wonderful love! Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings as thou hast ordained, so mayst thou justly challenge praise, who in thy infancy madest such an assay of my redemption, and tendered the earnest of thy blood for me. Not nine days old thou shedst drops of blood for me, far more precious than so many drops of the richest balsamom to cure my wounds. Let all flesh praise thee who healedst it by thy wounds. Eternal thanks be given to thee for thy circumcision, whereby thou hast abolished circumcision itself, and provided me an easier remedy of original sin the sacred laver of regeneration. Water now serveth instead of blood, and a gentle rubbing of the flesh for cutting and wounding it. By the circumcision of thy flesh thou hast also merited for me the fulfilling of thy father's promise and condition of his covenant to circumcise the foreskin of our hearts. By this thy razor thou hast fitted the tables of my heart: now write thy laws & love in them: By receiving this seal of the covenant in thy flesh thou hast sealed to me thy care of me in thy nonage. First o Lord I am everlastingly to praise thee for taking my flesh up on thee; and next for leaving part of it with me as a pledge of thy love, thou bearedst for me from thy mother's womb. In thy infancy thou bleddest for me; in thy twelfth year, thou arguedst for me, in thy youth thou obeyedst for me, and in thy ripe & perfect age thou suffered'st and died'st for me. To thee therefore as it is my bounden duty I offer the buds of my childhood, the blossoms of my youth, and the fruits of my age. As thou betimes didst set to the work of my redemption, and and on those terms acceptedst the name jesus: so let me betimes give my name to thee, and enter into thy service: Let me bear thy yoke even from my youth. Lord, who this day wert circumcised in the flesh, circumcise me in the heart, that I may in purity, sincerity, and uprightness of heart walk before thee all the days of my life. Neither circumcise my heart only but my ears, eyes, hands, heart, and feet, that no superfluity of maliciousness nor impurity remain in me. Now thou hast renewed the face of the earth, renew this day and repair thy decayed Image in me. Thou hast begun a new year, begin in me a new reformation. Make me I beseech thee a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me. The year like the serpent hath cast off his old skin, and put on a new; let me also cast off my old man, and put on the new man; and from this day to my old age and death walk in newness of life, that I may be a fit guest to be admitted into the new heaven, where dwelleth righteousness, and to be entertained at thy table, and drink new wine with thee in thy heavenly Kingdom for evermore Amen. THE FEAST OF EPIPHANY OR, TWELFE-DAYE'S DEVOTION. The ground of this feast Prophecy in the old History in the new Testament of our Lord's manifestation to the gentiles. PARALLEL. Prophecy. There shall come a star out of jacob, and a sceptre shall rise out of Israel. Num. 24. 17. History. Lo the star which they saw in the east went before them, till it came to the place where the child was. Mat. 2. 9 When they saw the star, they were exceeding glad, and went into the house, and found the child with Mary his mother. verse 10. The daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift, like as the rich also among the people shall do homage before thy face with presents. Psal. 45. 12. They fell down and worshipped him. Mat. 2. 11. King's shall bring presents unto thee. Psal. 68 29. The kings of Arabia and Saba shall bring gifts. Psal. 72. 10. And opened their treasures, and presented to him etc. Mat. 2. 11. All thy garments smell of Myrrh, Aloes, and Cassia. Psal. 45. 9 To him shall be given of the gold of Arabia, etc. Psal. 72. 15. Gold, and incense, & Myrrh. Mat. 2. 11. For thy instruction meditate on the Prophecy History of Christ's manifestation. For thy comfort apply to thyself the benefits thereof. For thy correction reprove thy backwardness in coming to Christ, and honouring him with thy substance. Quicken Thy Charity by the admonition. Thy FAITH by the Psalm. Thy Zeal and devotion by the prayer. THE ADMONITION for Twelve-day. THE ANALYSIS. We ought freely and liberally to offer to God and his Church; because we have in Scriptures Precepts in the old. Commandments for it. Examples of it. Promises unto it. Threats to the contrary. THE TEXTS. TAke from among you an offering to the Lord: Whosoever is of a willing heart let him bring it, an offering of the Lord, etc. Exod. 35. 5. Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase. Prou. 3. 9 Be reconciled to thy brother, In the new. and then come and offer thy gift. Mat. 5. 24. Yea tithe Mint and Rue, etc. These things ye ought to have done, and not left the other undone. Luke 11. 42. Let him that is taught in the word, make him that taught him partaker of all his goods. Gal. 6. 6. If we have sowed to you spiritual things, is it much if we reap of you carnal things. 2 Cor. 9 11. Abraham gave him Tithe of all that he had. Examples Abraham Gen. 14. 10. Of all that thou shalt give me will I give the tenth unto thee. jacob. Gen, 28. 2. Then David said behold I dwell in Cedar trees, David. but the Ark of the Lord remaineth under the curtains. 2 Sam. 7. 2. Then every one whose spirit made him willing, Israelites. came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work of the Tabernacle. Exod. 35. 21. I will not come within the Tabernacle of mine house, nor climb up into my bed. Psal. 132 3. I will not suffer mine eyes to sleep, nor mine eye lids to slumber, nor the Temples of my head to take any rest. verse 4. Till I have found out a place for the Temple of the Lord; an habitation for the mighty God of jacob. verse 5. I give Tithe of all that I possess. Pharisee. Luke 18. 12. So should thy barns be filled with abundance, Promises and thy presses shall burst with new wine. Prou. 3. 10. Bring all the tithes into the store-house, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me herewith sayeth the Lord. Mal. 3. 10. He will, Threats & curses to the contrary. multiply your seed, and increase the fruits of your benevolence. 2 Cor. 9 10. You looked for much, and lo it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it: Why, saith the Lord of Hosts? Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man to his own house. Hag. 1. 9 Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit. verse 10. Ye say wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Mal. 3. 8. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. verse 9 He that soweth sparingly, shall reap sparingly. 2 Cor. 9 6. Be not deceived, God is not mocked; Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he reap. Gal. 6. 7. A Psalm for Twelve-day. O Praise the Lord of heaven; praise him in the height. Psal. 148 1. Praise him all ye his Angels; praise him all his host. verse 2. Praise him Sun and Moon; praise him all ye stars and light. verse 3. Thy seat o God endureth for ever; the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Psal 45. 7. The Lord shall send the rod of thy power out of Zion: be thou ruler even in the midst among thine enemies. Psal. 110. 2. In the day of thy power shall the people offer thee free will offerings with an holy worship: the dew of thy birth is of the womb of the morning. verse 3. Thy dominion shall be from one sea to the other; and from the floods unto the world's end. Psal. 72. 8. They that dwell in the wilderness shall kneel before thee: thine enemies shall lick the dust. verse 9 All Kings shall fall down before thee, all nations shall do thee service. verse 11. Thy name shall endure for ever; thy name shall remain under the sun among all posterities, which shall be blessed through thee, and all the heathen shall praise thee. verse 17. Blessed be the name of thy Majesty for ever; and all the earth shall be filled with his Majesty. Amen. Amen. A Prayer for Twelve-day. FAther of lights, who didst guide the heathen Sages by a star to seek after, and find thy son, the true light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world; give me grace to give ear to the more sure Word of Prophecy in the Scriptures till the day dawn, and the day star arise in my heart. As thou called'st the wise men observers of the stars by a star, the shepherds lying abroad by an apparition in the fields, Zachary the Priest by a Vision in the Temple, Peter the fisher by a draught of fishes, Matthew the Publican at the receipt of custom, and Saint Austin enamoured with eloquence by the lustre of Saint Ambroses' style and enticing eloquence. I beseech thee take the advantage of such seasons, and apply such means for my unfeigned conversion unto thee as are most agreeable to my inclination, disposition, and condition. So will I come unto thee and fall down before thee, and present unto thee gold, frankincense and myrrh; gold in acknowledgement of thy kingdom, frankincense of thy Priesthood; and myrrh of thy death. I will offer willingly & freely unto thee incense of praise & thanksgiving for thy benefits; the myrrh of bitter tears for▪ my sins; and gold (according to my ability) for the maintenance of thy service, and adorning thy Temple. Lord who by this rich present providedst for the virgins wants to supply them in her journey to Egypt, extend thy goodness to me in all necessities; and establish my faith and confidence in thee in all dangers and difficulties whatsoever, For thou hast promised never to leave nor forsake them that trust in thee. The stony rock shall yield a fountain of water; and a dry cr●re a spring of oil: the loaves shall multiply by spending; nay, the Clouds shall be Storehouses of Bread, and the wind serve in Fowl, and the Ravens bring in provision; the Fishes pay tribute of money, and Heathen Sages from the East, (by the conduct of a Star) bring in costly presents and New yeeres-gifts before thy children shall want their necessary maintenance or sustenance. Blessed Babe, who at thy birth didst presage thy death, and assayedst the Cross in thy Cratch, and being excluded (as it were) from all men, wast constrained to take up thy lodging with beasts in a Stable, teach me what I am to look for in this world: If it give me course, and base, and beastly entertainment, it gave thee worse; and the servant is not to expect better respect than the Master. O King of glory, who hadst no Palace in this world, but an Inn; no Chamber of Presence, but a Stable; no Tapestry, but Straw; no Chair of estate, but a Cratch; no Sceptre, but a Reed; and no Crown, but a wreath of thorns; work in me an holy high-mindedness to despise this world which so despised thee. Make the worldly greatness seem small, honour base, estimation vile, and pomp vain unto me. Let not the glittering show of gold, silver, or precious stones, or the lustre of eminent conditions dazzle the eyes of my mind, but let the beams of this star, light and guide me rather to honour thee in a Stable, then leave thee to follow Herod in his Palace upon any hopes whatsoever. The wise men, after they had seen thee, never returned back to Herod, but went another way to their own home: so let me, after thou hast called me to the knowledge of the truth, and redeemed me from my vain conversations, never return back to my worldly courses, but take another way to my true home in heaven. The wise men when they saw thy star in the air were exceeding glad; I see thy star in the Scriptures, nay I see the bright morning star in my heart; O let my joy exceed theirs as my knowledge doth. The star still lighted them till they came to the place where thou layest, and entered into thy bedchamber: So o Lord let the light of faith guide me all the way of this life even till I come to see thee, not in a stable on earth strawed with litter and dung, but in a palace in heaven built with Sapphires, and founded upon pearls; not receiving a present of gold from men, but wearing a crown of gold put upon thee by thy Father; not having a quantity of frankincense or myrrh in thy hand, but a golden censor full of sweet odours which are the prayers of Saints. Among which I beseech thee offer up the prayers of me a sinner, that I may be a Saint after thou hast purged me from all my fill thynesse in the royal bath of thy blood Amen. THE FEAST OF OUR LORD'S RESURRECTION, OR, Easter-dayes Devotion. The ground of this Feast In the old Testament Prophecies. Types. In the new, the History of our Lords rising from the dead. PARALLEL. Prophecy. Thou shalt not leave my soul in hell or (grave) nor suffer thine holy One to see corruption, Psal. 16. 11. He spoke of the Resurrection of Christ, that his soul should not be left in grave, neither his flesh see corruption, Acts 2. 31. History. The Angel said to the women Fear ye not, for I know that ye seek jesus that was crucified. Mat. 28. 5. He is not here for he is risen, as he said come see the place where the Lord lay. verse 6. Thy dead men shall live: with my body shall they rise: The Prophet speaketh in the person of Christ. Awake & sing ye that dwell in dust, for thy dew is the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out her dead. Isa. 26. 19 And the graus did open themselues, and many bodies of the Saints which slept, arose. Mat. 27▪ 52. And came out of their graves after his resurrection, & went into the holy City, and appeared to many. v. 53. O death I will be thy death: o grave I will be thy destruction. Host 13. 14. Christ being raised from the dead, dyeth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. Rom. 6. 9 Death is swallowed up into victory. 1. Cor. 11. 14. O Death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? ver. 55. Type. And the Priest shall shake the sheaf of the first fruits before the Lord, that it may be acceptable to you the morrow after the Sabbath, Leu. 23. 11. Accomplishment. Now in the end of the Sabbath, when the first day of the week began to dawn, MARY MAGDALEN came to see the Sepulchre Mat. 28. And behold there was a great Earthquake: for the Angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled away the stone from the door and sat upon it, etc. ver. 2. He is not here, for he is risen, etc. 6. Christ is risen from the dead, the first fruits of them that sleep, 1. Cor. 11. 20. The first fruits is Christ, ver. 23. And jonah was in the belly of the Fish three days and three nights, jon. 1. 17. The Son of man, three days & three nights in the heart of the earth; Mat. 12. 4. The third day, God spoke unto the Fish, & it cast out jonah on the dry land. Ion: 2. 10. Destroy this temple, and in three days I will rear it up again. joh. 2. 19 He spoke of the temple of his body; ver. 21. As soon as he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered, and believed the Scriptures, and the word which he spoke unto them. ver. 22. For thine instruction meditate on the Prophecy. Types. Story. of Christ's resurrection For thy comfort apply to thyself the benefit thereof. For thy correction examine thy spiritual resurrection from dead works. Quicken Thy faith by the Hymn. Thy repentance by the exhortation. Thy Zeal and Devotion by the prayer ensuing. An Hymn for Easter day. OPen me the gates of righteousness, that I may go into them, and give thanks unto the Lord. Psal. 119. 19 This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter into it. verse 20. I will thank thee, for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. verse 21. Thou wilt show me the paths of life, in thy presence is the fullness of joy: and at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psal. 16. 11. The same stone which the builders refused, is become the head Stone in the corner. v. 22 This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes. v. 23 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. ver. 24. Why do the heathen rage continually, and the people imagine a vain thing. Psal. 2. 1. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure saying, Even I have set my king upon Zion mine holy Mountain. verse 5. 6. The Lord upon thy right hand shall wound even kings in the day of his wrath. Ps. 110. 5. He shall judge among the heathen; he shall fill their places with the dead bodies, and smite in sunder heads over diverse countries. verse 6. He shall drink of the brook in the way, therefore shall he lift up his head. verse 7: Be wise now therefore o ye kings; be learned ye that are judges of the earth. Ps. 2. 10. Serve the Lord with fear; and rejoice unto him with reverence. verse 11. Kiss the son lest he be angry, and so ye perish from the right way: if his wrath be kindled, yea but a little, blessed are all they that put their trust in him. verse 12. THE ADMONITION for Easter-day. THE ANALYSIS. We must pray and strive for repentance from dead works and newness of life because ᵃ 1. It is God's commandment. ᵇ 2. It is the Saints practise. ᶜ 3. It is the evidence of our newbirth. ᵈ 4. It is the end of our resurrection. ᵉ 5. It is the end of our redemption. ᶠ 6. It obtaineth remission of sins. ᵍ 7. It avoideth GOD'S temporal judgements. ʰ 8. It is the only means to shun eternal death. ⁱ 9 It maketh us blessed even in this life. THE TEXTS. ᵃ CAst off concerning the conversation in times past that old man which is corrupt through deceivable lusts. Eph. 4. 24. And be renewed in the spirit of your minds. verse 23. And put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness ver. 24. ᵇ Ye have put of the old man with his works. Colos. 3 9 And have put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge, after the Image of him that created him. verse 10. ᶜ Being borne anew, not of mortal seed, but of immortal 1 Pet. 12. 2. As new borne babes desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby. 1 Pet. 2. 2. New wine must be put into new bottells. Mat. 9 17. ᵈ As Christ was raised from the dead to the glory of the father: So also we should walk in newness of life. Rom. 6. 4. ᵉ We are delivered from the Law being dead to it, wherewith we were holden that we should serve in newness of spirit. Rom. 7. 6. Purge out the old leven, that ye may be a new lump. 1 Cor. 5. 7 If any man be in Christ let him be a new creature. Old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. 1 Cor. 5. 17. In Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. Gal. 6. 15. According to his mercy he hath saved us, by the washing of the new birth, and renewing of the holy Ghost. Tit. 3. 5. ᶠ Return and live. Eze. 19 Cease to do evil, learn to do well, etc. Isa. 1. 16. Though your sins were as crimson they shall be made white as snow. verse 18. ᵍ Unless ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 12. 3. ʰ Repent and do the first works. Reu. 2. 5. Repentance unto life. Acts 11. 18. ⁱ Blessed is he that hath part in the first resurrection, for the second death shall have no power over him. Reu. 10. 5. A Prayer for Easter-day. GLorious Son of righteousness who this morning didst prevent the dawning of the day, by sending forth the beams of thy glorified body out of the pit● of darkness and A shadow of death, shine upon my soul by the light of thy grace. enlighten my dark apprehension of the mysteries of thy resurrection: Inflame my cold affections and revive my heart even deadened with pensive thoughts upon thy bitter passion. O how did the surest ground of faith shake the fastest Anchor of hope, loosen' at the earthquake at thy death? what smiting together of knees, what wring of hands, what knocking of breasts, what fainting of hearts, what hanging down of heads, were there at giving up of the Ghost when thy head hung down on the Cross? with thee the faith, with thee the hope, with thee the joy, with thee the life of thy dearest Disciples expired. What should or could the prisoners of death ever expect, when they saw him, whom they thought to have been their redeemer, the Lord of life arrested by death, and kept close prisoner in the grave so long? O death how sharp was then thy sting? O grave how fearful was thy seeming victory? But blessed be the angel which removed the stone, and thereby made way that the stone which the builders refused might be preferred to be the head stone in the corner. Blessed be the right hand of thy Father, who in raising thee out of the grave, raised our hope out of the dust. For where is our hope? Our hope is even in thee o Christ, and thy resurrection. Thou art the life and the resurrection of all that believe in thee. Death (like a Hornet) by stinging thee hath lost his sting, and now may make a buzzing noise to affright me; but can thrust out no sting to hurt me. The grave by thy lying in it is turned to a bed, and a withdrawing room to retire myself a while, to put off this ragged flesh, and attire myself with robes of glory. Now I dare insult over death and hell, since thy triumph over them. O death where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory? O my soul where is all thy comfort? If in this life, thou art most miserable; if thy life be hid with Christ in God, then when Christ which is thy life shall appear, thou shalt also appear in glory. What though I mourn here? I shall be comforted. What though I fast here? I shall be satisfied. What though I am disgraced here? I shall be glorified. What though I am here trampled under feet? I shall there be crowned. What though my flesh be eaten with worms, and these worms turned into dust, and that dust blowed by the wind over the face of the earth? Yet after thou turnedst man to destruction; again thou sayest: Come again ye children of men, I know thou my Redeemer livest, and shall stand up at the last day, and I shall see them in my flesh with these eyes, and no other. Lord establish this belief in me: beat down all the forts that natural reason reareth against it. Grant that I may every day more and more feel as the power of thy birth in my regeneration, and of thy death in my mortification; so also of thy resurrection in my rising from the death of sin to the life of Grace. Lord thou restoredst life to three men: to one in his bed, to another on the bear, to the third in the grave. They who conceive sin in their hearts, are like him that was dead in his bed; they who bring it forth into action, are like him that was brought forth dead on his bear; but they that continue in sin and all impurity and putrify in the custom thereof, are like him that was four days dead and stanke in the grave. Such a one, or worse am I; for I have lain not four days, but scores of years in this loathsome grave, and am even devoured of the worm of conscience. Yet Lord this day of thy glorious resurrection, say unto me as thou didst to him, Come forth, awake thou that sleepest, and stand up from the dead, and I will give thee light. Make this day of thy resurrection from the death of nature, the day of my rising from the death of sin and corruption first to the life of grace, and after to the life of glory Amen. THE FEAST OF OUR LORD'S ASCENSION OR, Holy-Thurs-dayes Devotion. The ground of this Feast In the old Testament Prophecies. Types. In the new, the History of our Saviour's going in triumph into Heaven. PARALLEL. Prophecy. Thou hast ascended up on high, thou hast led captivity captive, Psalm. 68 18. History. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld him he was taken up, Act. 1. 9 He rod upon the Che●ubims, & did fly; yea he did fly upon the wings of the wind, Psa. 18. 10. For a Cloud took him out of their sight, Act. 1. 9 Sat thou on my right hand, Psalm. 110. 1. He was carried up into heaven, and he sat on the right hand of God. Mar. 16. 19 Type. Eliah was taken up with a fiery Chariot. 2. King. 2. 11. Accomplishment. While he blessed them he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven, Luke 24. 51. For thine instruction meditate upon Prophecy. Types. Story. of Christ's Ascension. For thy comfort apply the benefit thereof to thyself. For thy correction examine thy desires and affections, & check thy earthliness and worldliness. Thy faith and joy by the Psalm. Thy love and hope by the exhortation. Thy Zeal and Devotion by the prayer ensuing. The Hymn for Ascension-day. Wherein all parts of Christ his glorious return in triumph into heaven, are prophetically expressed: as 1 His lifting ᵃ up himself from the earth. 2 The clouds receiving ᵇ and carrying him. 3 The Angels ᶜ meeting him. 4 The heavens ᵈ opening to him. 5 God the Father's enthronising him into his everlasting kingdom. GOD is gone up with a merry noise; and the Lord in the sound of the Trump, Psal. 47. 5. Be thou exalted Lord in thine own strength; So will we sing & praise thy power, Psal 21. 13. Set up thyself, o God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth. Ps. 108. 5 ᵇ O sing unto God; sing praises unto his Name: magnify him that rideth upon the heavens (or clouds) by his name JAH, and rejoice before him, Psal. 68 4. In thy Majesty ride prosperously because of truth, meekness, and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. Psal. 45. 4. The Chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of Angels: the Lord is among them as in Sinai in the holy place, Psal. 68 17. ᵈ Lift up your heads, o ye gates, and be ye lift up ye everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in, Psalm. 24. 7. Who is the King of glory? It is the Lord strong and mighty, even the Lord mighty in battle. ver. 8. Lift up your heads, o ye gates, and be ye lift up ye everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in. ver. 9 Who is the King of glory? Even the Lord of Hosts; he is the King of glory. ver. 10. ᵉ I have set my King upon my holy hill of Zion, Psal. 2. 6. Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth, for thy possession. ver. 8. The Lord shall send the rod of thy power out of Zion; be thou Ruler in the midst among thine enemies. Thou shalt bruise them with a rod of Iron, and dash them in pieces like a Potter's vessel. The exhortation for Ascension DAY. We ought to set our affections on things above; 1 Because there is the source of our Soul which is of a heavenly and divine nature. 2 Because there is our Head. 3 Because there is the nobler & better part of our body. 4 Because there is our abiding City. 5 Because there is our mansion house. 6 Because there is our hope & inheritance. 7 Because there are no true joys nor durable riches but there. GOD created man in his own Image, Gen. 1. 27. In heaven is, God form him of the dust of the earth, 1 The source of our souls created according to God's Image. and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, Gen. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was. Eccles. 12. 7. The spirit-returneth to God that gave it. Ibid. We had fathers of our flesh which corrected us; shall we not be much more in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live. Heb. 12. 9 Exceeding great and precious promises are given to us, 2 Our heads that by these we might be partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world. 2 Pet. 1. 4. He was carried up into heaven, and sat at the right hand of God. Mat. 16. 19 Whom the heavens must contain. Acts 3. 21. I saw the ●eauen opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of the Father. Acts 7. 56. I go out of the world to the Father. joh. 13. 1. Go to my Father. joh. 15. 10. Our conversation is in heaven from whence also we look for the Saviour the Lord jesus. Phil. 3. 20. If ye be risen with Christ seek the things that are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Col. 3. 1. Set your affections on things that are above, and not on things on the earth. ver. 3. Ye are come to the general assembly, 3 The nobler parts of the Church. and Church of the firstborn which are written in heaven, and to the spirits of just men-made perfect. Hebrews 12. 23. Now ye are no more strangers and foreigners, 4 Our country. but fellow Citizens with the Saints, and of the household of God. Ephesians 2. 19 For here we have no continuing City, but we seek one to come. Heb. 13. 23. For this we groan earnestly desiring to be clothed with our house, 1. Cor. 5. 2. Arise and depart for this is no rest for you, Mic. 2. 10. They confessed that they were strangers, and sought a City whose builder and maker is God, Heb. 11. 13. I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts. 1. Pet. 2. 11. I am a stranger and soiournet as all my fathers were, Ps. 39 14. In my Father's house there are many mansions; 5 Our mansion house. I go to prepare a place for you, Io. 14. 2. If our hope were in this life only, 6 Hope and inheritance we were of all men most miserable, 1. Cor. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 1. Pet. 1. 4. Lay up your treasure in heaven, etc. Mat. 6. 19 Look not on things which are seen, but on things which are not seen; for the things etc. 2. Cor. 4. 18. Vanity of vanities, &c, Eccles. 1. 2. Whom have I in heaven but thee? etc. Psal. 73. 24. The Prayer for Ascension Day. GLorious and gracious Redeemer, Lord jesus Christ, who humbledst thyself, & didst become obedient to death, even the death of the Cross, and therefore thy Father highly exalted thee above the grave in the resurrection, above the earth in thy Ascension, above the heavens in thy session at his right hand, and then he gave thee a name above all names that at the name of jaesus every knee shall bow, both of things in heaven, and in earth, and of things under the earth. I humbly bow the knees not only of my body, but of my heart and soul unto thee. I never hear of thee, or remember; never think, or speak of thee but with greatest reverence, and love that heart can conceive, or tongue express. I admire the mystery of thine incarnation; I tremble at the horror of thy passion; I adore the power of thy resurrection; and I triumph in the glory of thine Ascension. My God and my Lord make me wholly thine as thou art mine. Thy birth was my life; thy life my merit; thy death my ransom; thy resurrection my delivery out of the prison of death (when thy father laid thee up for my debt) thy Ascension my assurance and takingp ossession of an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance reserved in the heavens. O Saviour if thou hadst not been born, I had never been borne anew, if thou hadst not died for my sins I had died in my sins: If thou hadst not risen from the dead, my soul might have been with thee in Paradise, but my body should not have rested in hope, neither should I have ever seen God in my flesh: if thou hadst not ascended I might have been freed from hell, but I should never have had a place prepared for me in heaven. O Lord when thou camest to us on earth, john was thy forerunner, but thou wert my forerunner in thy return into heaven. john prepared the way before thee on earth: but thou preparedst away before me into heaven. That way & those regions in the air which Lucifer defiled & cursed by his fall through them from heaven thou hast cleansed and blessed by the marching triumphantly through them into heaven. O blessed Creator and repairer of nature, in thee not only all the kindreds of the earth, but all creatures under the cope of heaven are blessed, and therefore they sigh and groan together with us; desiring fervently thy second coming. The earth was blessed and sanctified by thy birth, and thy treading upon it; The water, by thy descending into the river jordan at thy baptism, and walking on the Seas. Now the air, likewise, and fire expected an honour and a blessing from thee, and both received it: the air by thy ascending through it; the fire by sending down the Holy Ghost in the likeness of fiery Cloven Tonguer. O Lord my Redeemer, how excellent is thy Name in all the world! Creatures without voice praise thee, as the heavens and earth: without understanding know thee, as the star that lighted the Sages to thee: without will obey thee, as winds and Seas: without ears harken to thee, as the figtree which thou cursedst, and it withered: without natural affection bemoan thee, as the stones that clave, the vale that rent, the earth that quaked at thy passion: without will voluntarily offer thee service, the Foal to bear thee, the Dove to manifest thee, the Fish to discharge thee, the Sun to hide thine ignominy among men, and here the cloud to veil thee from mortal eye, and transport thee into heaven. O Lord my Redeemer how excellent is thy name in all the world, who makest the light thy garment, the Angel thy messenger, the air thy race, the clouds thy chariot, and fliest upon the wings of the wind into heaven? Thou art ascended upon high, thou hast led captivity captive. In thy Passion thou wast Death's death, & killed'st it. In thy burial thou wast the Graue's grave and destroyedst destruction; Victorian vicisti. and now in thy Ascension thou conquerdst conquest itself, and ledst captivity captive, and receivedst gifts for men, for the whole Church and every Believer. O Lord bestow these gifts liberally upon me, that I may grow in grace, and the knowledge and love of thee. This day thou liftedst up thy body from the earth; lift up my heart from it. This day thou transportedst thy body to heaven; transport my desires thither. This day thou setledst thyself in thy Throne at the right hand of thy Father, fix my thoughts, and settle mine affections on thee in heaven, and on heaven for thee. Amen. The Feast of the coming down of the Holy-Ghost, or, Whitsun-daye's Devotion. The ground of this Feast In the old Testament Prophecies. Types. In the new, the Promises, Performance of sending the holy Spirit. PARALLEL. Prophecy. I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons & daughters shall prophesy, etc. joel 2. 28. History. These are not drunken as ye suppose, Act. 2. 15. This is that which was spoken by the Prophet, joel ver. 16. And it shall come to pass in the last days that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, ver. 17. Type. He took up the mantel of Eliah that fell from him, and when the sons of the Prophets saw him, they said, The Spirit of Eliah doth rest on Elishah, 2. King. 13. 5. Accomplishment. And they were filled with the Holy-Ghost, etc. Acts 2. 4. God sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, Gal. 4. 6. Promise. Ye shall be baptised with the holy Ghost within these few days. Acts 1. 5. Performance. They were filled with the holy Ghost, etc. Acts 2. 4. He shall baptise you with the holy Ghost and with fire. Mat. 3. 11. There appeared to them cloven tongs like fire and it fate upon each of them Acts 2. 3. These signs shall shall follow them that believe, They shall speak with new tongues. Mar. 16. 17. And they began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Act. 2. 4 THE HYMN FOR Whitsunday. Wherein is expressed the holy Ghosts ᵃ 1 Sending. ᵇ 2 Coming down. 3 Works. In general ᶜ Creation. ᵈ Renovation. In special. ᵉ Inhabitation. ᶠ Inspiring Ministers. Inclining the minds and wills of the people. O Lord how manifold are thy works? In wisdom hast thou made them all, the earth is full of thy riches. Psal. 104. 24. So is the great and wide sea also, wherein are things creeping innun●erable ' both small and great beasts. verse 25. These wait all upon thee, and thou givest them their meat in due season. verse 27. ᵃ Thou sendest forth thy Spirit: they are ᶜ created, and thou ᵈ renewest the face of the earth. verse 30. Thou hast asended up on high: thou hast led captivity captive, and received gifts for men: yea even for the rebellious, that the Lord God might e ᵈ well among them. Psal. 68 18. He bowed the heavens and ᵇ came down. Psalm 18. 9 He rod upon the Cherubins and did fly: he did even fly upon the wings of the ᵇ wind. verse. 10. The Lord gave the Word: great ᶠ was the company of the Preachers or of them that published it Psal. 68 11. The people shall come ᵍ willingly in the day of thy power (or at the time of thy Assemblies) in the beauty of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. Psal. 110. 3. AN EXHORTATION to obey the motions of God's holy Spirit. THE ANALYSIS. The motives to obey the motions of the Spirit are 1 Gods strict Commandment. 2 The Saints continual practice. 3 The Spirit's excellency, who is the 1 Fountain of grace. 2 Lord of life. 3 Comforter of the Elect. 4 Teacher of the Church. 4 The benefits of obeying them. 5 The danger of resisting them. Walk in the Spirit. Gal. 5. 16. If we live in the Spirit, Precepts of God. let us walk in the Spirit. verse 23. Grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed to the day of redemption. Ephes. 4. 30. Quench not the Spirit of God. 1 Thes. 5. 19 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the holy Ghost. There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom. 8. 1. That the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us, 2 Practice of Saints. who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. verse 4. Ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwell in you. verse 9 As many as are led by the spirit of God are the Sons of God. Reasons. verse 14. Declared to be the Son of God according to the Spirit of a Holiness. Holiness. Rom. 1. 4. The Law of the Spirit of b Life. Life in Christ jesus hath made me free from the Law of sin, and of death. Romans 8. 2. Ye have not received the Spirit of bondage again to fear; but the Spirit of c Liberty. Adoption whereby we cry Abba Father. verse 15. They despite the Spirit of d Grace. Grace Heb. 10. 29. The Spirit maketh e Prayer. Intercession for us with sighs and groans that cannot be expressed. Romans 9 29. To one is given the Spirit of the Word of f Wisdom Wisdom; to another the Word of Knowledge by the same Spirit, 1 Corinthians 12. 8. All these worketh one and the same Spirit. verse 11. The Father of Glory give unto us the Spirit of Wisdom and revelation in the Knowledge of him. Ephes. 1. 17. The Spirit of g Glory. Glory and of GOD resteth in us. 1 Peter 4. 14. When the Spirit of h Truth. Truth is come, he will lead you into all Truth. joh. 16. 13. Now the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 1 Corinthians 3. 17. He that soweth to the Spirit, Benefits of obeying the Spirit. shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Gal. 6. 8. Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh. Gal. 5. 16. The fruits of the Spirit are love, peace, joy, etc. verse 17. If ye be led by the Spirit ye are not under the Law. verse 18. Whosoever speaketh against the holy Ghost, Danger of resisting. it shall not be forgiven him neither in this world, nor in the world to come. Mat. 12. 32. Of how much sorer punishment shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of GOD, and hath accounted the blood of the covenant (wherewith he was sanctified) an unholy thing, and hath done despite to the Spirit of God. Hebrews 10. 29. A Prayer for Whit sunday. Incomprehensible Spirit the third Person in the blessed and glorious Trinity, who after the Father had manifested himself to the world in the works of Creation, and the Son in the works of Redemption, finished in the flesh: didst manifest thyself on this day in a wonderful manner by the sound of a rushing wind, and the light of fiery tongues. Manifest thyself most powerfully and gloriously in the universall Church, by enlarging her bounds, and making up her breaches and hallowing her Assemblies, and furnishing her Pastors, and knitting the hearts of all her members in true love the bond of perfection. Perfect the work of sanctification in all thine Elect; manifest thyself also graciously this day, and declare thy gifts in the tongues of the Preachers, and ears of the hearers, and the hearts of all the Congregation. Direct the mouths of the Preachers, that they may skilfully sow the Seed, and open the ears, and mollify the hearts of the hearers, that they may receive it profitably, and bring forth the fruits of the Spirit abundantly, which are love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, etc. O Eternal and infinite holy Ghost, the love of the Father and the Son, who didst descend upon our Saviour in the likeness of a Dove without gall, purge out of my conscience all gall of malice and bitterness, and grant that with meekness I may receive the ingraffed Word which is able to save my soul. O holiest Spirit, eternal breath of the Father and the Son, and former of the Word in the womb, who camest with a sound, come down upon me in the sound of thy Word Preached; though not in the extraordinary gifts of Prophecy, tongues, and healing, yet in the ordinary graces of faith, hope, and charity, the Spirit of supplication and Prayer, of wisdom and spiritual understanding, of power and ghostly comfort. O heavenly Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son, who descendedst from heaven like a mighty rushing wind, throw me down to the ground in humility, and prostrate my heart and soul before thee: Beat down all strong holds of carnal imaginations and worldly thoughts resisting thy grace. Chase away all clouds of error out of my understanding: clear my will of all fogs of noisome desires; cool and refresh me in the heat of persecution, fill the sails of my affections, and drive me speedily into the fair haven where I would be. O divine fire burning continually in the hearts of the faithful, and consuming all our spiritual sacrifices, who this day didst descend and appear in the likeness of fiery tongues, be a fire in my heart and tongue, that I may be fervent in my Meditations and Prayers, and Zealous in the profession and defence of thy Truth. enlighten the darkness of my understanding, inflame the coldness of my affections, purge out the dross of my corruptions, direct me in all the affairs of this life, assist me in all the exercises of Devotion, strengthen me in all the assaults of temptation, comfort me in all the miseries and afflictions, seal all thy gracious promises of thy Gospel unto me, and seal me to the day of redemption. So be it. Amen. Into my mind descend o Dove Purge gall clean out of me, With silver wings raise me above My Saviour Christ to see. PART 1. SUPPART. 4. The Christian FAST'S Devotion. Of FASTS in general. There is a 3-old fast 1 Fast from sin. 2 Fast for sin. 3 Fast against sin. THe fast from sin ought to be perpetual. The fast for sin is extraordinary, upon special occasions to avert some dreadful judgement, or avoid some imminent danger. The fasts against sin ought to be more frequent, and according to the customs of the ancient Church; and the present practice of the Church of England, They are— Weekly on the Fridays. Monthly, on the Holiday Eves. Quarterly, in the Ember weeks. Yearly in the Lent. THe Doctrine of fasting hath met with errors and superstitions on both hands: Some ascribing too much to it, and placing the immediate and principal worship of God in it: some ascribing too little, and making it no matter of Religion at all: Some superstitiously observing; and others out of a contrary superstition scrupulously declining the observation of all Fasts appointed by the Church. To steer the judgement in a middle course between these rocks on both sides, conceive thus of the nature of Religious acts, the several kinds of Fasts, and the use thereof. A Religious act or work may be taken: 1 In a larger sense for any work commanded by Christian Religion, in which sense all the duties of the second Table may be called Religious acts, or works, as well as the first. 2 In a more restrained acception, for such works and acts in which Religion properly taken for the worship of God consists: And these are of two sorts: 1 Principal as Believing in God, Praying & the like 2 Accessary serving as helps or preparations to the princi— pall as, Watching, Fasting and the like. FAsting is not to be esteemed such an act of religion, as wherein principally and immediately we worship God; for the Kingdom of God (as the Apostle reacheth) consisteth not in meats and drinks, neither in feasting or fasting: and Tertullian's censure is observable. Qui Deum per escas colit propè est ut Deum ventrem habeat. He that worshippeth God by meats, or placeth worship in them, is not far off from making his belly his god; yet it may be truly called not only a good work, but also a religious, i. e. a work commanded by religion, and tending to religion, as a preparation and help thereunto. 〈…〉 to two- 1 The Spiritual or metaphorical fast of the soul, which is the abstinence from the forbidden fruit of sin; and this Fast although it may truly be so termed, in regard of the restraint of our carnal appetites, which as greedily desire sinful objects, as our stomach doth meat, yet it is indeed a Feast, as Solomon calleth it, A good conscience is a continual Feast. 2 Corporall, when we abstain from bodily sustenance: and this is also 2 fold 1 Constrained and involuntary, when Either we want meat to our stomach, as in famine. Or stomach to our meat; as in sickness. 2 Voluntary, undertaken deliberately, when we abstain from meat, though we could and might eat: and this is 3 fold 1 Medicinal, when we forbear either certain meats▪ or all meat for a while, for the preventing of sickness, or recovering health. 2 Civil, when some kind of meat is forborn for the profit of the Commonwealth. 3 Religious, when our abstinence is for the mortifying of our flesh, and fitting and preparing us to religious duties. This also is either 1 Private, in which every man's conscience guided by Scripture and discretion must be his law. 2 Public, for which there must be a command from lawful authority. These public fasts are either- 1 Extraordinary, as in time of war, plague or the like. 2 Ordinary, as the holiday Eve's, Embers, an● Lent Fasts. Place this first and second Table of Fasting in M btween fol. 260 and 261. Of the Lent Fast. THe Lent Fast is a mixed constitution; partly civil, appointed by the King or State, to preserve young cattle, spend fish, and encourage fishermen: partly Ecclesiastical ordered by the Church for religious ends. As those that have a care of their bodily health vsualy purge in the Spring: so the Church of God hath thought fit to prescribe this physic of fasting for the soul in the same season of the year, for these ends especially, 1. To beat down the flesh at that season when (by reason of the heat of the blood) it usually waxeth most wanton. The ancient Romans used to hollow a spring to God, Ver sacrum facere. and the Primitive Church disdaining to be outstripped by the heathen in any thing that savoured of Devotion, likewise consecrated the spring to the more strict Service of God by fasting and prayer then at other times. 2. To conform the members to the Head. In this season of the year our Lord's Agony and bitter Passion were endured, and are remembered: and therefore most fit it is that by fasting, watching, and tears, we express true remorse and sorrow for those our sins which were the causes of those his sufferings. Godfrey of Boulogne after he had conquered the holy land, and regained it from the Saracens, yet would never be crowned there, saying That it was not fit that the servant should were a crown of gold there where the Lord and Master ware a crown of thorns. Neither would Christ's dearest Spouse at that time of the year crown herself with rose-budds in which Christ ware that crown of thorns: nor lie in beds of down when he lay on the hard bed of his Cross: nor fare deliciously, or drink liberally when he had nothing but gall given him to eat, and vinegar to drink. 3 To prepare us to the celebration of the Feast of Easter, and the participation of the Blessed Sacrament. What time fitter to call ourselves to an account for the whole year, then at, or before the time which the Church hath appointed, & is in itself most proper for the most general and solemn communion of the Lords Body and Blood. 4 To celebrate, and (as far as we are able (to imitate our Lord's fast of forty days, at least by some kind of abstinence during that whole time to imprint that miraculous fast of our Saviour for us deeper in our memories. Question. Doth the Church of England keep the Lent fast as religious, or a mere civil constitution? Answer. Not as a mere civil, but also a religious sanction: for (as it appeareth in the book of Common Prayer) special Collects, Epistles, and Gospels, with a Commination are appointed for diverse days in Lent. Objection. Is it not Popery to keep strictly the Lent fast as a religious institution. An. It is not: for First, The religious observation of Lent is far more ancient than popery. There are such evident prints and footsteps of it in the Authentical Records of the Primitive Church, that he is altogether ignorant in the writings of the Fathers, or blind that seeth them not. Secondly, we keep not Lent as the Papists do, but as the ancient Christians did before Popery was hatched. As in other things: so in this we purge away the dross▪ we retain the gold; we remove the abuse; we preserve the use. 1. We place not Religion, or the substance of God's worship in abstaining from any kind of meat. 2. We renounce all merit by fasting. 3. We abstain not from flesh as being any way conceived by us to be more unholy than fish. 4. We do not equalise humane constitutions Ecclesiastical or Civil to Divine Laws. The one we teach directly and immediately to bind the conscience, the other but indirectly & immediately. 5. We keep it not by virtue of any papal constitution, but in conformity to the ancient Church, and obedience to his Majesty's Ecclesiastical Laws. THE LENT'S DEVOTION beginning on Ash-wednesday. (⁂) The ground (or at least the occasion, of this Fast. In the Old Testament; TYPES. In the New, an example in our LORD'S Fast. The Type. Moses was with the LORD forty days, and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. Exod. 34. 28. He went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights, till he came to Horeb the Mount of God, 1. Kings 19 8. Example. Then jesus, etc. Mat. 4. 1. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward he was an hungry, ver. 2. Being 40 days tempted of the devil, and in those days he did eat nothing, Luke 4. 2. And the devil took him up into an high mountain, ver. 5. Judicious Calvin, Object. Videlius, & other excellent learned Doctors of the reformed church teach, that this Fast of Christ was miraculous, & so no pattern for our imitation: and they put Saint Chrisostome upon it also, whose words are: Hom. 49. in Mat. Christ said, Learn of me, not that I fast, although he could have said so, for he fasted forty days; yet he saith not that, but Learn of me that I am meek and lowly in heart. The solution is not difficult, Answ. for Christ's Fast may be considered two ways, First, 1 as a miraculous demonstration of his Divinity, or an evidence that he was the true Messias, because he accomplished the Types foregoing in Moses and Eliah; and in this regard it is to be admired of us, but no way to be imitated: And in this sense, Videl exercitat, in Ignat. Calvin & Videlius' words may●passe, and Saint Chrisostome must be taken, unless thy will have him contradict himself. Secondly, as a moral remedy against tentation, or rather a spiritual Armour which Christ took upon him when he was to buckle with the Devil: and thus we may and aught to imitate Christ's Fast in the kind, Pro modulo nostro. though not in the degree. As we cannot fast as Christ fasted, so neither can we pray as Christ prayed, whole nights and with strong cries, and a bloody sweat: yet no Christians ever doubted but that we may and must follow Christ in all religious exercises, though not with even paces, yet as we are able. And because they appeal to S. Chrysostome, let him be the Umpire. Hom. 1. in gen. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Our Lord jesus Christ when he entered into the lists with Satan, fasted forty days, giving us an example how we ought to arm ourselves against the Devil. Certainly if the Learned Bishops, (afterwards Martyrs) that penned our Book of Common Prayers had thought Christ's Fast of forty days no way to belong to our Fast, they would never have appointed the Story of Christ's Fast for the Gospel, the first Sunday in Lent, nor touched upon it in the Collects. For thine instruction meditate on Christ's Fast. For thy comfort apply the benefit of it to thy soul. For thy correction condemn thy luxury, and consider what great cause thou hast to humble thy soul with fasting. Quicken Thy repentance by the Psalm. Thy fasting by the exhortation. Thy Devotion by the prayer ensuing. The Psalm for Ash-wednesday. Put me not to rebuke o Lord in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy heavy displeasure. Psal 38. 1. For thine arrows stick fast in me: and thy hand presseth me sore. verse 2. There is no life in my flesh because of thy displeasure; neither any rest in my bones by reason of my sin. verse 3. For my wickednesses are gone over my head: they are like a sore burden too heavy for me to bear. verse 4. Lord thou knowest all my desires: and my groaning is not hid from thee. verse 9 Hear my Prayer, o Lord, & consider my desire: o harken unto me for thy Truth and righteousness sake. Psal. 43. 1. And enter not into judgement with thy servant, for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. verse 2. My spirit is vexed within me; and my heart within me is desolate. verse. 4. I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul gaspeth unto thee as a thirsty land. verse 6. Lord be merciful unto me: heal my soul for I have sinned against thee. Psal. 41. 9 O remember not the sins and offences of my youth; but according to thy mercy think upon me, o Lord, for thy goodness. Psal. 21. 6. I have eaten ashes as it were bread, and mingled my drink with weeping. Psal. 102. 9 And that because of thine indignation and wrath, for thou hast taken me up and cast me down. verse 10. My days are gone like a shadow, and I am withered like grass. verse 11. When thou with rebuke dost chasten man for sin, thou makest his beauty to consume away like as it were a moth fretting a garment: every man therefore is but vanity. Psal. 39 12. What man is he that liveth & shall not see death, and shall deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Psal. 89. 47. When the breath of man goeth forth he shall turn again to his earth, and then all his thoughts perish. Psal. 146. 3. What profit is there in my blood when I go down to the pit? Psal. 30. 9 Shall the dust give thanks to thee? Or shall it declare thy Truth? verse 10. Hear Lord and have mercy upon me: Lord be thou my help. verse 11. Here my Prayer, o Lord, and let thine ears consider my colling; hold not thy peace at, my tears. Psal. 39 13. For I am a stranger upon earth and a sojourner as all my Fathers were. verse 14. O spare me a little that I may recover my strength before I go hence, and be no more seen. verse 15. AN ADMONITION FOR ASH-WEDNESDAY OR, Exhortation to Fasting. THE ANALSYS. A devout Christian ought to Fast because 1 God commandeth it. 2 Christ commendeth it by Precept. Example. 3 The Saints practised it Under the Law. Under the Gospel. 4 It expelleth the Devil. 5 It quickens Prayer. 6 It humbleth the Spirit. 7 It tameth the flesh. 8 It averteth God's judgements. 9 It obtaineth blessings Temporal. Spiritual. THE TEXTS. BLow the Trumpet in Zion, 1 Precepts for Fasting. sanctify a Fast, call a solemn Assembly. joh. 2. 16. Is this the Fast which the Lord requireth. etc. Isa. 58. 5. The Bridegroom shall be taken away, and then they shall Fast. Mat. 9 15. When ye Fast, be not as the hypocrites, etc. Mat. 6. 16. Give yourselves to Fasting. 1 Cor. 7. 5. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights afterward he was an hungry. 2 Examples of it. Mat. 5. 2. Moses fasted. Exod. 34 28. Fliah Fasted. 1 King. 19 8. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth. Dan. 10. 3. Hanna served God with Fasting and Prayer. Luk. 2. 37. About this hour I Fasted. Acts 10. 30. As they Ministered to the Lord and Fasted. Acts 13. 2. Then Fasted they and Prayed. verse 3. In Fasting often. 2 Cor. 11. 27. And Prayed and Fasted. Acts 14. 23. This kind (of Devil) goeth not out but by Fasting and Prayer. It expelleth Devils. Mat. 17. 21. I humbled my soul with Fasting. Benefits. Psal. 35. 13. I beat down my body. It tameth the flesh. 1 Cor. 9 27. And he proclaimed through Nineveh, Let neither man nor beast, taste any thing, neither feed, nor drink water. jonah 3. 7. And God saw their works, It averteth judgements and God repented him of the evil which he said he would do unto them, and he did it not. verse 10. Go and assemble all the jews that are found in Shushan, It obtaineth temporal blessings and Fast ye for me, and eat not, nor drink in three days: I also and my Maids will Fast likewise, Ester 4. 16. And the Posts went forth with speed to execute the King's decrees. Ester 8. 14. Mordecay went out in a crown of gold, and to the jews was come joy and gladness. verse 15. I Fasted. and spiritual. Acts 10. 30. Peter said, Of a truth I see, etc. ver. 34. The holy Ghost fell on them. verse 4. 4. A Prayer for Ash-wednesday. O Let not my Lord be angry that I who am but dust and ashes dare speak unto him: for my sins cry for vengeance, and shall I be silent for pardon? Gracious God either silence them, or hear me. If thou wilt not hear the voice of my words, hear the voice of my tears: if thou wilt not hear them, hear the voice of thy son's blood which speaketh better things than the blood of Abel. I confess I have sorely displeased thee, but it troubleth me that I have so incensed thee. I have grieved thy spirit, but it grieveth me that I should be so graceless as to grieve that Spirit of grace, which sealeth thy chosen to salvation. I deserve that thou shouldest even abhor me for my sins; but I abhor myself for them in dust and ashes. I have offended thee in gluttony, but I now fast for it: in pride, but I humble myself; in laughter and sports, but I weep for it: in sinful joys, but I mourn for it: I have wallowed in filthy pleasures, but I●wallow for it in dust and ashes: have broken all thy commandments, but I have broken my heart in true contrition for it. Thou didst not break a bruised reed, wilt thou grind to powder a broken heart? What profit is in my blood O Lord, when I go down into the pit? Nay, what profit is in thy blood O blessed Redeemer if they for whom it was shed god down into the pit of destruction? Shall the dust give thanks unto thee O Lord, or the ashes and cinders of hell praise the God of heaven? H●are O Lord, and have mercy upon me, thou that healest those that are broken in heart, and givest medicine to cure their sickness; raise up my prostrate and dejected soul. Why didst thou hunger O Lord, but to satisfy for my gluttony? Why didst thou thirst, but to satisfy for my drunkenness? Why didst thou weep, but to satisfy for my sinful joys? Why didst thou endure unspeakable torments, but to satisfy for my jewd pleasures? Why didst thou dye an ignominious death, but to satisfy for my shameful life? Why didst thou shed thy blood, but to satisfy for my crimson sins? Adam our first Parent did eat the forbidden fruit, and all our teeth are set on edge, but thy fasting forty days hath fully satisfied for his eating. But I renew my sins daily, and thou renewest thy mercies, The guilt of my sin is great, but the price of thy blood is greater. I have offended an infinite Majesty, but satisfaction hath been made by an infinite Majesty. My wickedness cannot exceed thy goodness: for my power of sinning is finite, but thy faculty of pardoning is infinite. Wherefore sith my sins (be they never so many, never so weighty) fall within the measure of thy mercy, and compass of thy goodness. And sith it is all one with thee to give what I ask, and to ineite me to ask, to heal my wounds, and to make me feel the smart of them: Lord who hast given me the one, deny me not the other: Rebuke the surges of temptations, and quiet my soul. Thou who in the days of thy flesh offeredst up prayers with strong cries, hear the strong loud cries of a penitent sinner. Thou who tookest upon thee our infirmities, take pity upon them: thou wert in thine agony stricken with horror, and unutterable grief, alloy the troubles of my affrighted conscience. Thou who fastedst forty days, accept of my humiliation these forty days; and grant that my stomach may not only fast from accustomed meats but all my senses from their usual delights, and most of all, my heart from worldly comforts and contentments. Let no fight delight me, till I see my sins removed like a mist and thy countenance shine upon me. Let no sound or voice delight me, till I hear thee by thy Spirit to speak peace to my conscience, and say to my soul, I am thy salvation. Let no pleasant fields and gardens delight me, till I have gathered red flowers out of that garden which was watered with thy blood. Let no fruit delight me till I have fully tasted the fruit of the tree of thy Crosse. Let no meat delight me, till with the sour herbs of sorrow and anguish of heart for my sin. I have eaten the Christian Passeover, the flesh of thee, that immaculate Lamb, slain from the beginning of the world. Hear me blessed Redeemer, and as thou wroughtest in dust when thou tookest the woman in adultery: So I beseech thee write my sins in dust, and bury them all in the ashes of oblivion. So be it. Amen. GOOD FRIDAY'S DEVOTION. OR, The Christian Fast on the Passion of our Lord. The ground of this Fast: In the Old Testament Prophecies. Types general, special. In the new, History, Sacrament of Christ's death: of which before in the preparation PARALLEL. Prophecy. Thou shalt bruise his heel, etc. Gen. 3. 15. He was cut out of the land of the living, Isa. 53. 8. He shall make his soul an offering for sin. ver. 10. And after threescore and two weeks, M●ssiah shall be slain. Dan. 9 26. They shall look upon him whom they have pierced. Zac. 12. 10. History. This is your hour & the Power of darkness. Luk. 22. 53. Then jesus cried with a loud voice, and yielded up the Ghost. Mat. 27. 50. Him have ye crucified & slain. Acts. 2. 22. Christ died for our sins. 1 Cor. 15. 3. He offered himself by the eternal Spirit. Heb. 9 14. One of the Soldiers with a Spear pierced his side. john 19 34. Type. Besides all sacrifices of the old Law which foreshowed Christ's death, there are 2. special types. 1 Abraham builded an Altar, and bound Isaak his son, Gen. 22. 9 And stretched out his hand, and took the knife to kill his son, ver. 10. Accomplishment. So God loved the world, that he gave his only begotten. Io. 3. 16. He became obedient to death, even the death of the cross, Phil. 2. 8. So Moses made a Serpent of brass, & set it up for a sign: and when a Serpent had bitten a man, than he looked to the Serpent of brass, and lived. Numb. 21. 9 They crucified him. Luk. 23. 33. jesus whom ye have crucified. Act. 2. 36. He was crucified concerning his infirmity. 2. Cor. 13. 4 ay, if I were lift up from the earth will draw all men to me. Io. 12. 32. This he spoke, signifying what death he should die. v. 33. JOH. 14. As Moses lift up the Serpent in the wilderness: so must the Son of Man be lift up. For thine instruction meditate upon Prophecy. Tips. Story. of Christ's Passion. For thy comfort apply to thyself the benefits of his death. For thy correction remember and bewail thy sins, for which Christ suffered and died. Quicken thy Faith by the Psalm. Obedience and patience by the admonition. Zeal and Devotion by the Prayer ensuing. THE ADMONITION for good-friday. THE ANALYSIS. We must suffer afflictions because 1. ᵃ By them we are made conformable to our Head Christ jesus. 2. ᵇ They are the Chastisements of our heavenly Father. 3. ᶜ They proceed from love. 4. ᵈ They are moderated and mitigated by his mercy. 5. ᵉ They are sweetened, with many comforts. 6. ᶠ They are the common lot of all God's dearest children. 7. ᵍ They are medicinable to the soul. 8. ʰ They bring us to a sense of our sins, and remorse for them. 9 ⁱ They quicken our Zeal and Devotion. 10. ᵏ They tryour saith, hope, and love. 11. ˡ They are means to wean us from the love of this world. 12. ᵐ They preserve and free us from everlasting torments. 13. ⁿ If we patiently endure them, our reward shall be plentiful in heaven. 14º They teach us to compassionate our brethren, and comfort them in their adversities. THE TEXTS. ᵃ IT became him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, seeing that he brought many children unto glory, to consecrate their Prince of their salvation by efflictions. Heb. 2. 10. For in that he suffered and was tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. verse 18. Christ suffered for us. leaving us an example that we should follow his steps. 1 Pet. 2 21. Whom he knew before to be made like to the Image of his Son. Rom. 8. 29. ᵇ The Lord hath chastened and corrected me. Psal. 118. 18. O Lord rebuke me not in thine anger, nor chasten me in thy displeasure. Psal. 6. 1. When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for sin, etc. Psal. 39 12. ᶜ My son despise not the the chastening of the Lord, neither faint when thou art rebuked of him. Prou. 3. 11. Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son that he receiveth. Heb. 12. 6. As many as I love I rebuke and chasten. Reu. 3. 19 ᵈ The Lord hath severely corrected me, but he hath not given me over unto death. Psal. 118. 18. Great are the troubles of the Righteous, but the Lord deliver him out of all. Psal. 34. 18. From them all the Lord delivered me. 2. Tim. 3. 11. God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able, but will even give the issue to the tentation, that ye may be able to hear it. 1 Cor. 10. 13. Blessed be God the Father of mercy, and God of all comfort. 2. Cor. 1. 3. Who comforteth us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort them that are in any affliction. ver. 4. ᵉ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us: so our consolation aboundeth through Christ. v. 5. ᶠ What son is he whom the father chasteneth not? Heb. 12. 7. If therefore ye be without correction, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards and not sons. ver. 8. In the world ye shall have afflictions. john. 16. 33. Which of the Prophets have not your fathers persecuted? Act. 7. 52. All that will live godly in Christ jesus, shall suffer persecutions. 2 Tim. 3. 12. ᵍ It is good for me that I have been in trouble, that I might learn thy Statutes. Psal. 119. No chastisement for the present seemeth joyous but grievous; but afterward it bringeth the quiet fruit of righteousness to them which are thereby exercised, Heb. 12. 11. He chasteneth for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. ver. 10. We know that all things work for the best to them that love God. Rom. 8. 28. Count it exceeding joy when ye fall into diverse temptations. jam. 1. 2. Before I was troubled I went wrong: but now have I kept thy Word. Psal. 119. 67. It is good for me that I have been in trouble, that I might learn thy Statutes. ver. 71. ʰ And they said, We have verily sinned against our brother, because we saw the anguish of his soul when he besought us, and we would not hear him, therefore is this trouble come upon us. Gen. 42. 21. All that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and our great transgoessions. Ez. 9 13. jerusalem hath greatly sinned, therefore she is in derision. La. 1. 8. The Lord is righteous, for I have rebelled against him. v. 18. There is no rest in my bones by reason of my sin. Psal. 38. 3. My wickednesses are gone over my head, & are like a sore burden too heavy for me to bear. ver. 4. ⁱ In their afflictions they will seek me diligently. Then he came to himself, etc. Luk. 15. 17. Every night wash I my bed, etc. Psal. 6. 6. Behold how I mourn in my Prayer, and am vexed. When he was tried he was found faithful. Heb. 11. 17. Others were tried by scourge, etc. ver. 36. ᵏ Knowing that the trial of your faith, bringeth forth patience jam. 1. 3. That the trial of your faith being much more precious than fine gold that perisheth, might be found to your glory. 1 Pet. 1. 7. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I will deliver thee from the hour of tentation which shall come to all the world, to try them that dwell on the earth. Rom. 3. 10. Woe is me that I am constrained to dwell with Mesech, etc. Psal. 120. 4. O that I had wings like a Dove, etc. Psal. 55. 6. Let me dye, for I am no better than my fathers. jonah 4. 3. ᵐ For when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we be not condemned with the world. 1 Cor. 11. 31. ⁿ If we suffer with him, we shall be also glorified with him. Rom. 8. 17. For I account the momentary afflictions are not worthy the glory that shall be showed to us. ver. 18. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, causeth unto us a far more excellent and an eternal weight of glory. 2. Cor. 4. 17. He suffered and was tempted, that he might succour them that are tempted. Heb. 2. 18. God comforteth us in all our tribulations, that we might be able to comfort them which are in any affliction, by the comfort wherewith ourselves are comforted of God. 2 Cor. 1. 4. The Hymn for Good-Friday: Wherein is expressed the manner of Christ's sufferings, death, and burial, with the remarkable circumstances thereof. In particular: 1 The Antecedents. 1 CHRIST'S Agony. 2 Herod's, Pilat's, and the Rulers of the jews conspiracy against him. 3 judas betraying him. 4 The Disciples forsaking him. 5 The jews false accusing him. 6 His silence before the judge. 7 The Soldiers blaspheming and deriding him. 2 The Passion itself. 1 The enduring his Father's wrath. 2 The racking his joints. 3 The piercing his flesh. 4 His thirst, and the drink given him. 5 His last cry upon the Crosse. 6 His giving up his spirit, the piercing his side, and not breaking a bone. Psal. 34. 20. 3 The consequents. 1 The gushing of water out of his heart. 2 The casting Lots upon his Vesture. 3 His burial, and lying no small time in the grave. THE TEXTS. O Lord God of my salvation, 1 The antecedents wherein, 1 Christ's Agony. I have cried day and night before thee. Psal. 88 1. Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee, ver. 9 For my soul is full of trouble, and my life draweth nigh unto the grave. Psal. 88 2. My heart is smitten and withered like grass, Psal. 102. 4. By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. ver. 5. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell got hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow, 2 Herod's, Pilots, and the Rulers of the jews conspiracy against him. Psal. 116. 3. The Kings of the earth set themselves, and the Rulers take council together against the Lord▪ and against his Christ. Psal. 2. 2. Mine enemies whisper together against me, against me do they devose hurt. Psal. 41. 7. l Yea, 3 judas betraying him. mine own familiar friends in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread hath lift up his heel against me. ver. 9 I am like a Pelican in the Wilderness, and an Owl in the Desert. Psal. 102. 6. I watch and am alone, as a Sparrow on the house top. ver. 7. My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my stroke, 4 The Disciples forsaking him. and my Kinsmen stand a far off. Psal. 38. 11. Mine enemy's reproach me all the day long, 5 The jews false accusing him. and they that are mad upon me are sworn against me, Psal. 102. 8. But I as a deaf man heard not, 6 His mecks silence. and as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. Psal. 39 13. I am as a worm and no man, 7 The Soldiers and people blaspheming & deriding him. a reproach to men, and despised of the people. Psal. 22. 6. All they that see me laugh me to scorn, they shout out their lips, and shake their heads, saying. ver. 7. He trusted in the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him, Psal. 22. 8. Many Oxen came about me: strong Bulls of Basan have beset me round. ver. 12. They gaped upon me with their mouths, 2 The Passion itself, wherein 1 The enduring Gods wrath. as it were a ramping and roaring Lyon. ver. 13. Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Psal. 88 7. I am poured out like water, all my bones are out of joint. 2 The racking of his joints. Psal. 22. 14. They pierced my hands and my feet. 3 The piercing his flesh. Psal. 22. 16. My strength is dried up like a Potsherd, and my tongue cleaveth to my gums. 4 His thirst. ver. 15. Reproach hath broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness: I looked for some to have pity on me, but there was none: for comforters, but I found none. Psal. 69. 20. They gave me gall to eat; His drink. and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. ver. 21. My God, 5 His last cry. my God, Why hast thou forsaken me! Psal. 22. 1. Into thy hands I commend my spirit, 6 His giu●ng up the ghost. Psal. 31. 5. Thou keepest all my bones, so that not one of them is broken. Psal. 3 The consequents. 34. 20. My heart is like wax: 1 Water gushing out of his strength. it is melted in the midst of my bowels. Psal. 22. 14. They part my garments among them, 2 Casting Lots. and on my vesture do they cast lots. Psal. 22. 18. Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit; 3 His burial. in a place of darkness, and in the deep. Psal. 88 5. Free among the dead, like to them that be wounded, and lie in the grave, which be out of remembrance, and are cut away from thine hand. The close out of jeremiah. IS it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold and see, if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his wrath, Lam. 1. 12. A Prayer for Good-friday. DEarest Redeemer, the Mediator of Heaven and Earth, who this day werest placed on the Cross between them both, with thine arms stretched abroad to embrace, and thy head bowed down, as it were, to kiss all that come unto thee; I humbly prostrate myself at thy feet, desiring in unfeigned repentance, with my tears to wash those thy wounds that bled for my sin; and in a lively faith to touch the print of thy nails, and thrust my finger into the hole of thy side, thereby to take real and corporal possession of thee, that I may with Thomas truly call thee, My Lord, and my God; my dread, and my love; my surety, and my ransom; my Sacrifice, and my Priest; my Advocate, and my judge; my desire, and my contentment; the life of my hope here, and hope of my life hereafter. Before, I was thine (for thy hands have made me and fashioned me:) but now sith thou hast offered thyself to be my pledge, and thy blood for my ransom, thou art truly mine, My Lord and my God. O let the Spear which ran thee thorough, fasten my heart to thy Cross: Let the nails which printed thy flesh, imprint thy love in my soul: let the thorns which pricked thy temples not suffer the temples of mine head to take any rest in sin: let the vinegar which was given thee, melt my adamantine heart into sorrow: let the Sponge which was offered thee on the Cross, wipe out all my debts out of thy Father's Tables. Let others go on forward if they please; I will stay still at the Cross, and take no other Lesson. for I desire no other Pulpit than that tree; no other Preacher than thy crucified body; no other Text than thy death and passion; no other parts then thy wounds; no other amplification than thy extension; no other notes then thy marks; no other points then thy nails; no other book than thy opened side. The first Adam did eat the fruit of the forbidden tree; therefore thou, the second Adam hangedst upon a Tree. By his fall all mankind were so sorely wounded, that the whole head was sick, and the whole heart faint; from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot, there was nothing but wounds, and bruises, and sores, full of corruption: therefore thy whole head was pained, thy whole heart wounded: from the sole of thy foot, which was gored with nails to the crown of the head, which was pricked with thorns there was nothing but cuts, and stripes, and marks, and scars, and sores, and wounds in thy whole body. Because our heads plotted and devised wickedness, on thy head was plaited a Crown of thorns. Because our eyes burned with lust, thy eyes were bedewed with tears. Because we belched out blasphemies against God, thy face was spit upon. Because our bodies have been stretched want only upon our soft beds, thy body was stretched upon the hard Crosse. O Lord, our ears have offended thee by listening to want on Music, profane speeches and songs, therefore thou suffered'st in thine ear by hearing scoffs and blasphemous taunts. We have offended God in our smell by luxurious perfumes, and sweet odours, therefore thou suffered'st in thy smell by the stench of Golgotha. Our taste had offended in gluttony and drunkenness, therefore thou suffered'st in thy taste by gall and vinegar. Because our feet were swift to shed blood, thy feet were nailed to the cross. Because our hands were defiled, thy hands were bathed in blood. Because all parts of our bodies offended, thou wast punished in all parts; in thy temples with thorns, on thy cheeks with buffets, in thy joints with strains, in thy flesh with stripes. Lastly, because our hearts most grievously offended in unchaste, malicious, covetous, ambitious thoughts, desires, and affections, and piercing ourselves with worldly cares; therefore thou wast most grievously punished in thy heart which was run thorough with the Spear. If all the sufferings of Martyrs since the world's beginning were put in one scale, and thine in the other, thy Passion would bear them all down, for thou barest the full weight of thy Father's heaviest hand. Never were there sufferings like thy sufferings, because never such a Sufferer, the torments being infinitely improved by the Bearer. Never sweat like thy sweat, because never any had a burden like to thine. Never tears like thy tears, because shed for them who thirsted for thy blood. Never torments like thy torments, because never flesh so pure and tender as thy flesh. Never horror like to thy horror, being forsaken of thy Father, because never love like to thy love of him. Never sorrow like to thy sorrow, because never sense and apprehension like to thy sense and apprehension of the infinite displeasure of God, for the sins of mankind. O my most bountiful Redeemer, who bestowedst largely, and waste bestowed liberally for me, it concerneth me to know how much I stood thee in. For how should I estimate thy love, if I cannot cast the total of the Debt thou didst discharge for me? But no heart can conceive what sorrow thou conceivedst: no tongue can express what grief thou didst express by thy bloody tears, and those thy strong cries when thou complainedst that thy soul was heavy unto death, & prayedst thy Father (if it were possible) to let this 〈◊〉 pass from thee. I am appalled at thine agony, I am astonished or thy fear, I am amazed at thy patience, I am ravished at thy love. My heart riseth, my veins swell, my blood boiles within me against thy Persecuters. If it were in my power, I would put them all to millions of torments; I would inflict a thousand deaths upon judas that betrayed thee, and Pilat that condemned thee, and the envious Scribes and Pharisees that laid snares for thee, and the perjured witnesses that gave false evidence against thee, and that execrable rout that preferred a murderer before thee, and the barbarous Soldiers that spit upon thee and buffeted thee, and the bloody executioners of the jewish malice and Roman cruelty that hanged, and nailed, and gored thee. But when I dive deep into thy bloody passion, I find myself as deep in the guilt of thy bloodshedding as they. They were in that but accessaries, but I by my sins was a principal in the death of the Lord of Life. My sins by their tongues and hands did all this villainy & outrage upon thee. Their nails and spears pierced but the flesh, but my sins pierced thy very soul. My sins, my sins, O Lord by their hands crucified thee; wherefore I condemn mine eyes to continual tears, my heart to perpetual sighs, and my thoughts to everlasting pensiveness. What shall I do to wash away the guilt of thy blood which alone can take away the guilt of my sins? Verily I should be utterly swallowed up in this gulf, but that the price of thy blood hath satisfied (as for all other sins: so) for the guilt of spilling itself. And now my anger, and fear, and trouble, & anguish are all turned into joy, and comfort, and love, & admiration of the infinite wisdom of thy Father in providing such a remedy, and his justice in requiring such a satisfaction; but most of all thy infinite love, making so full payment of the infinite debt of my sins. What can I do, what can I suffer enough for thee? Gracious God to all the rest of thy blessings spiritual & temporal conferred upon me, purchased by thy sufferings, add this one above the rest, the special gift of the remembrance of these thy sufferings, that wheresoever I am, whatsoever I do, I may have thy passion in my heart and thy wounds bleeding afresh in my mind, with an infinite hatred of sin that procured them, and love of thy goodness who induredst them for me. Thy Church, since thou leftest her is a widow, and I am as one of her dead children, not (as the Samaritan was) half dead, but whole dead in my sins and transgressions. Thou Lord art the true Elias, who raisedst and dost raise from death this Widow's children to life, by stretching thy body over them. O my gracious Lord, apply thy Body stretched this day on the Cross to me. Lay thy head to my head, thy hands to my hands, thy feet to my feet, and thy heart to my heart, that I may receive warmth from thy blood, and ease from thy stripes, and health from thy wounds, and spirit from thy breath, and strength from thy grace to stand up from the dead, and walk with thee from hence forth in newness of life. So be it, Amen. The week days Devotions. THe first day being the Christian Sabbath preceded the Festivals, whither I refer thee. The others here follow in their order. Munday's Devotion, being the second day from the Creation. The Father worketh. The work of Creation on this day. Again God said, Let there be a Firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters Gen. 1. 3. Then God made the Firmament, and separated the waters that were under the Firmament from the waters that were above the Firmament, and it was so; and God called the Firmament Heaven, ver. 7. So the evening and the morning were the 2. day. ver. 8. And I work. THe work of redemption this day prophesied of in the Epistle, Isa. 50. 6. I gave my back unto the smiters, & my cheeks to the nippers: I hid not my face from shame & spitting, etc. Related in the Gospel, Mat. 27. 1, 2. When the morning was come, all the chief Priests and the Elders of the People took counsel against jesus to put him to death. For thine instruction meditate In the morning upon the work of Creation. In the evening upon the work of Redemption. For thy comfort apply the Use of the one. Benefit of the other. For thy corrction reprove thy Abuse of the one. Unthankfulness for the other. Quicken Thy thanks by the Hymn. Thine obedience by the admonition. Thy zeal and devotion by the prayer ensuing. THE HYMN. Have I not remembered thee in my bed, and thought upon thee when I was waking. Psal 63. 7. Because thou hast been my helper, therefore under the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. ver. 8. My soul hangeth upon thee, thy right hand hath upholden me. ver. 9 Save me, O God, for the waters are come in, even to my soul. Psal. 69. 1. I stick fast in the deep mire where no ground is: I am come into deep waters, so that the floods run over me. ver. 2. My misdeeds prevail against me; O be thou merciful unto my sins. Psal. 65. 3. Blessed is the man whom thou choosest and receivest unto thee, he shall dwell in thy Courts, and shall be satisfied with the pleasures of thine House, even of thy holy Temple. ver. 4. Thou shalt show us wonderful things in thy righteousness, O God of our salvation, thou that art the hope of all the ends of the earth, and of them that remain in the broad Sea. ver. 5. Thou stillest the raging of the Sea, and the noise of the waves, and the madness of his people. ver. 7. They that dwell in the uttermost parts of the earth shall be afraid of thy tokens, thou that makest the our goings of the Morning and Evening to praise thee. ver. 8. Thou visitest the earth and blessest it; thou makest it very plenteous. ver. 9 Thou waterest her furrows, thou sendest rain into the little Valleys thereof: thou makest it sofis with the drops of rain, and blessest the increase of it. ver. 11. Thou crownest thy years with thy goodness, and thy clouds drop fatness. ver. 12. They shall drop upon the dwellings of the wilderness, and the little hills shall rejoice on every side ver. 13. He gathereth the waters of the Sea together, and layeth up the deep as in a Treasure-house. Psal. 33. 7. O praise the Lord of Heaven: praise him in the height. Psal. 148. 1. Praise him all ye Heavens, and ye waters that be above the Heavens. ver. 4. Praise the Lord upon earth ye Dragons and all deeps. ver. 7. Fire and Hail, Snow and vapours, wind and storm fulfilling his Word, ver. 8. Sing unto God, ò ye Kingdoms of the earth: o sing praises unto the Lord, Psal. 68 32. Which sitteth in the Heavens over all from the beginning: lo he doth send out his voice; yea, and that a mighty voice. ver. 33. Ascribe ye power unto God: his worship and strength are in the Clouds. ver. 34. The Admonition for Monday, being an Exhortation to humility or poverty in Spirit, Whereunto our Saviour ascribeth the first. BEATITUDE. THE ANALYSIS. The special motives to humility set down in the Scriptures are; 1 God's infinite Majesty, purity, perfection. 2 Man's vileness, sinfulness, wretchedness, wants; of which before: See the Preparation to Prayer. 3 Divine Precepts. 4 Holy patterns of this virtue in God the Father. Christ. The Saints under the— Law. Gospel. 5 Gracious promises made to the humble, of 1 Nearness & society with God. 2 Saving knowledge. 3 Sanctifying grace. 4 Honour and preferment. 5 Eternal blessedness in heaven. THE TEXTS. TAke my Yoke upon you, Divine precepts. and learn of me, that I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls, Mat. 11. 29. Unless ye become as one of these little ones ye cannot enter into the Kingdom of God, Mat. 18. 23. Cast down yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up, jam. 4. 10. Deck yourselves inwardly with lowliness of mind, 1. Pet. 5. 5. Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may raise you in due time, verse 6. Who is like to the Lord our God that hath his dwelling, Holy examples. on high, and yet, humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in earth, Psal. 113. 5. I am among you as he that ministereth, Christ Luke 22. 17. And he began to wash his Disciples feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded, john 13. 5. He emptied himself, or made himself of no reputation, Phil. 2. 7. He humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the Cross, Phil. 2. 8. I will speak unto the Lord who am but dust and ashes, Abraham. Gen. 18. 17. I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies, and of all thy truth which thou hast showed to thy servant, Gen. 32. 10. And he said, Gedcon. wherewith shall I save Israel? Behold my Father is poor in Manasseth, and I am the least in my father's house, jude 6. 15. Lord I am not highminded, etc. Psal. 131. 1. And David said unto Saul, David. who am I, and what is my life, and my father's family in Israel that I shall be son in Law to a King, 1. Sam. 18. 18. And now, Solomon. O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant King, in stead of David my father; and I am but a little child, I know not how to go in and out, 1. King. 3. 7. Notwithstanding, Ezekiah. Ezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord came not up them, 2. Chron. 32. 20. Then job arose and rend his Mantle, job. and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, job 1. 20. O Lord God, Daniel. righteousness belongeth to thee, but to us confusion of face at this day, Dan. 9 7. He that cometh after me is greater than I, john Baptist whose shoo-latchet I am not worthy to unloose, Math. 3. 11. When he was not far from the house, the Centurion sent unto him, The Centurion. saying; Master trouble not thyself, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under the roof of my house, Luke 7. 6. When Simon Peter saw it, Peter. he fell down on his knees, saying; Go from me, Lord for I am a sinful man, Luke 5. 8. The Publican standing a far off would not lift up his eyes to heaven, The Publican. but striking his breast said; Lord be merciful to me a sinner, Luke ●8. 15. I am the least of the Apostles not worthy to be called an Apostle, Paul. etc. 1. Cor. 11. 9 jesus Christ came to save sinners, whereof I am chief, 1. Tim. 1. 15. I am the Rose of the field, Promises to the humble of the favour with God. and the Lily of the valleys, Cant. 2. 1. I dwell in the high and holy place with him also that is of an humble & contrite heart, to revive the spirit of the humble, Is. 57 15 To this man will I look, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word, Isa. 66. 2. When pride cometh, Wisdom. then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom, Prou. 11. 2. Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and revealed them unto babes, Math. 11. 21. He giveth more grace, Sanctifying grace. wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble, jam. 4. 6. Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; Preferment but before honour is humility Pro. 18. 1●. He that humbleth, himself shall be exalted, Luke 14. 11. He raiseth the poor out of the mire, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill, Psal. 113. 7. That he may set him with Princes, even with the Princes of his people, verse 8. Blessed are the poor in spirit▪ for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven, Blessedness▪ Mat. 5. 3. THE PRAYER FOR Monday morning composed of 1. Petitions suitable to the work of the day. 2. Motives to humility agreeable to the precedent exhortation. The Prayer itself. The second day's Devotion. FAther Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, who createdst the Evening and the Morning the second day as well as the first, Continue, I beseech thee, unto me as well the comfortable rest of the Evening to refresh me after my labour and travail, as the most needful light of the Morning to manage my affairs and businesses. But especially perpetuatt unto me the repose of a quie● conscience, and the clear light of the Gospel; to guide my feet into the way of peace. This light convinceth the errors of my understanding, the depravation of my will, the disorder of my affections, the impurity of my thoughts, the vanity of my desires, the deceitfulness of my heart, & the wickedness of all my ways. This light showeth me what I was in my birth, slime and filthiness; what in my life, vanity and folly; and what in my death, stench & rottenness. This light discovereth unto me that I have nothing which I have not received; that without Christ I can do nothing; that in me (that is in my body) dwelleth no good; that I am not able of myself, as of myself; think a good thought: that I cannot desire to think, nor have will to desire; nor grace to will any good. My comforts are rare; my crosses frequent; my pleasures momentary; my pains permanent; my gifts small; my wants and infirmities great; my helps weak; my assaults strong; my good deeds few, and they tainted with imperfections, my sins infinite. Let these considerations, O Lord, humble me in myself, that Christ may raise me, wound me in my self, that Christ may heal me; burden me in my self, that Christ may ease me; kill me in my own conceits that Christ may quicken me; make me most vile in mine own eyes that I may be most dear and precious in his. O Lord which as upon this day createdst the clouds to rain upon the earth; shower down thy graces abundantly into my heart to mollify it, that the seed of the Word may take deep root downward in humility, and spring upward in hope, and spread abroad by charity, and fructify in all kinds of good works. Lord who this day separatedst the waters from the waters, separate, I beseech thee, and distinguish between the waters of tears which I shed for my sins, and those others which I shed for worldly crosses and calamities. Cast away the one, and put the the other into thy bottle. Lord who this day madest the heavens (or air) without which I cannot live naturally, no not for a moment; infuse into my heart the Spirit of grace, without which spiritually I cannot breathe in my prayers, nor sigh, nor so much as move any faculty or part of soul or body unto thee. As oft as I take in, or let out the air which I breathe, let me receive in grace from thee, and breathe out praise unto thee. Amen. The close out of Scripture. The grace of our Lord jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the holy Ghost be with me, 2. Cor. 13. ult. The Evening's Devotion for Monday. THE HYMN. Hear me, O Lord, in the multitude of thy mercies; even in the truth of thy salvation, Psal. 69. 14. Let not the water floods drown me, nor the deep swallow me up: and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me, verse 16. Thou didst divide the sea through thy power, and brakest the heads of the Dragons in the waters, Psal. 74. 14. Thou smoest the heads of Leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat for the people in the wilderness, verse 15. Thou broughtest out fountains and waters out of the hard Rocks; thou driedst up mighty waters, verse 16. Thou art the God that doth wonders, and hast declared thy power among the people, Psal. 77. 14. The waters saw thee O God, the waters saw thee and were afraid, the depths also were troubled, verse 16. The clouds poured out water; the air thundered, and thine arrows went abroad, verse 17. The voice of thy thunder was heard round about; the lightnings shone upon the ground; the earth was moved, verse 18. Thou bringest forth clouds from the ends of the world, and sendest forth Lightnings with the rain, bringing the winds out of his treasures, Psal. 135. The springs of water were seen, and the foundations of the round world were discovered at thy chiding, O Lord; at the blasting of the breath of thy displeasure, Psal. 18. 15. Thy way is in the Sea, and thy paths in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known, Psal. 77. 19 THE ADMONITION for Munday's Evening, being an exhortation to meekness. THE ANALYSIS. The special Arguments to persuade meekness, set down in Scripture, are drawn from 1. The causes Impulsive 1 Divine precepts. 2 humane frailty. Exemplary: God the Father. Son. H. Ghost. The Saints. The creatures in which nature hath paterned this virtue. 2 The effects 1 Peace With God. With men. 2 Wealth. 3 Wisdom and spiritual understanding. 4 Sanctifying graces, the fruits of the Spirit. 5 Blessedness. THE TEXTS. Put them in mind, God commandeth meekness. etc. Tit. 3. 1. That they be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness to all men, verse 2. If any man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, Gal. 6. 1. I beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with lowliness, and meekness, with long suffering, forbearing one another in love, Ephes. 4. 2. Put on therefore, as the Elect of God, holy and beloved, the bowels of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, Col. 3. 12. Forbearing one another, forgiving one another; if any man have a quarrel against any, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye, verse 13. But thou, O man of God, fly these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, patience, meekness, 1. Tim. 6. 11. Dear beloved avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; For it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord, Rom. 12. 19 Wherefore, my beloved Brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath, jam. 1. 19 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God, verse 20. Look diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness spring up and trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. Heb 12. 15. Consider thyself, Our condition requires it. lest thou also be tempted, Gal. 6. 1. Let him among you that is without sin, cast the first stone, joh. 8. 7. He shall have judgement without mercy that hath showed no mercy; Examples of meekness. and mercy rejoiceth against judgement, jam. 3. 13. And they heard the voice of the Lord in the cool of the day, God the Father. walking in the garden, etc. Gen. 3. 8. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but God was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice, verse 12. (in which voice God was)▪ And it was so when Eliah heard it. etc. verse 13. Nevertheless, for thy great mercy's sake, thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them, for thou art a gracious and merciful God, Nehem. 9 31. God said to jonah, Dost thou well to be angry for thy Gourd? jon. 4. 9 Thou hast pity on the Gourd for which thou hast not laboured, which came in a night, and perished in a night, verse 10. And should not I spare Nineveh that great City, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left; and also much cattle, verse 11. Tell the daughter of Soon Behold the King cometh unto thee, The Son. meek, Mat. 21. 5. He shall not strive nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets, Mat. 1●. 19 A bruised reed shall he not break, nor smoking flax shall he not quench, verse 20. I beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, 2. Cor. 10. 1. The said, The Spirit. Lord wilt thou command that we call for fire from heaven, etc. Luk. 9 54. But he turned and rebuked them, and said, ye know not of what spirit ye are made, verse 55. Lo the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit descending like a Dove, and lightning upon him, Math. 3. 16. The Saints. Moses. Now Moses was a very meek man above all the men that were upon the face of the earth, Num. 12. 3. Let him curse, David. seeing the Lord hath said unto me, Curse David: who shall then say; wherefore hast thou done so? 2. Sam. 16. 10. My soul is even as a weaned child, Psal. 131. 3. But I was like a Lamb, jeremiah. or an Ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, jer. 11. 19 jesus said, it is not meet to take the children's bread, and cast it to Dogs, Mar. 7. 27. And she said unto him, The woman of Canaan. Yes Lord; yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs, verse 28. But we were gentle among you; Saint Paul. even as a nurse cherisheth her children, 1. Thes. 2. 7. Thy name is as an ointment poured out, Resemblances in the creatures. Cant. 1. The anointment which ye have received of him abideth in you, 1. joh. 2. 27. I will give them hearts of flesh. Ezek. 11. 19 I send you as Lambs among wolves, Luke 10. 3. Behold the Lamb of God, etc. joh. 1. 29. He was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and like a Lamb dumb before the shearer, so opened he not his mouth, Acts 8. 32. Be wise as Serpents, and innocent as Doves, Mat 10. 16. Learn that I am meek, Meekness bringeth peace. and ye shall find rest unto your souls, Math 11. 29. The meek shall prosper in the earth, Wealth. and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace, Psal. 37. 11. The Lord lifteth up the meek, Honour. Psal. 147. 6. The meek shall he guide in judgement, Wisdom. and the meek will he teach his way, Psal. 25. 9 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you, let him show out of a good conversation his works in meekness of wisdom, jam. 3. 13. Receive with meekness the word ingraffed in you, which is able to save your souls, jam. 1. 21. The wisdom which is from above, is first pure, then peaceable, jam. 3. 17. And the fruits of righteousness are sown in peace of them that make peace, The fruits of the spirit. verse 18. Blessed are the meek, Blessedness for they shall inherit the earth, Mat. 5. 5. The Prayer for Munday-Euening. Composed of 1 Petitions suitable to the work of the day. 2 Motives to meekness, agreeable to the precedent exhortation. O Lamb of God which takest away the sins of the world, who as upon this day wert led as a sheep to the slaughter, and as a Lamb before thy Shearers, openedst not thy mouth; who gavest thy back to the smiters, and thy cheeks to the nippers, and thine arms to the binder's, and thy face to the spitters; apply, I beseech thee, unto me these thy meek sufferings. Make that profitable to me which thou enduredst for me. Let thy bonds, O meek Redeemer set me free; let thy silence plead for me, let thy spittle cure my blindness, let thy stripes heal me, let thy nakedness clothe me, and let thy meekness in all discipline me. If thou who in the form of God thoughtest it no robbery to be equal with God, yet humbledst thyself, & didst become obedient to death, even the death of the Cross, shall not I meekly submit my neck to the yoke? If thou who art God didst empty thyself and become of no reputation, shall I that am but a worm of the earth fill myself, and swell with pride? If thou suffered'st blows, shall not I an affront? If thou, the Beauty of Heaven, enduredst spitting upon, shall not I endure the foam of a loose tongue? Shall I for a word of disgrace venture my own life and assault the life of my brother? Do I value the life of my body and soul so low, that I will pawn it for a toy, a trifle, a mock, a word? God forbid. Thy Law, O God, commandeth meekness; thine example (my Lord) persuades meekness; my condition requires meekness; my frame and temper (after a sort) preacheth meekness. Why hast thou given me a soft skin, but to pattern in my body this virtue of the mind? Why hast thou given me a tender heart, but to receive deep the impression of compassionate grief? Why hast thou given me melting eyes but to weep for mine own infirmities, and my brethren's calamities? Why am I brought into the world disarmed, without any offensive Weapon, but to teach me that I should not fight with, nor hurt any? Thou, O Lord, hast created me a Lamb, shall I by rage and cruelty make myself a Tiger? Thou madest me as a soft rose of Sharon▪ and Lily of the valley, shall I turn myself into a thorn and thistle? I know Anger disfigureth the body, much more the soul. It hurteth and endangereth others, much more myself. It is very offensive to man, much more to thee. Wherefore I beseech thee, let thy peace always rule in my heart, and quell and subdue all my rebellious affections, especially this of wrath, the most violent and impetuous of all the rest. weed out of my heart all accursed Thorns and Thistles, that the seeds of thy Word may bring forth the fruits of righteousness, which are sown in peace of them that love peace. O let not the Sun go down on thy wrath against me, or my wrath against my brethren, but grant that having made my peace with thee, by faith in thy blood, with my brethren by forgiving them from my heart, and reconciling myself to them, I may lay me down in peace and take my rest. And let thy hand, O Saviour, which shall protect me this night from all perils and dangers, raise me the next morning to serve thee in my calling, and magnify thy goodness for all thy mercies and favours vouchsafed unto me. So be it. Amen. I The close out of Scripture. BLessing, honour, glory, and power be unto him that sitteth upon the Throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and over, Amen. Reuel. 5. ult. Tuesday's Devotion, being the third day from the Creation. The Father worketh. joh. 5. 17. The work of Creation. GOd said again, Let the waters under the Heaven be gathered▪ into one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. Gen. 1. 9 And God called the dry land earth; and he called the gathering together of the waters Seas: and God saw that it was good, v. 10. Then God said, Let the earth bud forth the bud of the herb that seedeth seed the fruitful tree, which beareth fruit according to his kind, which hath his seed in itself upon the earth: and it was so. ver. 11. And the earth brought forth the bud of the herb, that seedeth seed according to his kind; also the tree that beareth fruit, which hath his seed in itself according to his kind: and God saw that it was good. ver. 12. So the Evening and the Morning were the third day, ver. 13. And I work. joh. 5. 17. The work of Redemption. WHo is this that cometh from Edom, with red garments from Bozrah? He is glorious in his apparel, and walketh in his great strength; I speak in righteousness, and am mighty to save. Isa. 63. 1. I have trodden the Winepress alone, & of all people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and tread them under foot in my wrath, and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. ver. 3. And two days after followed the Feast of the Passeover, and of unleavened bread: and the high Priests and Scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death. Mar. 14. 1. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be a tumult among the people. ver. 2. And when he was in Bethania, in the house of Simon the Leper, as he sat at Table, there came a woman, having a box of Ointment of Spikenard, very costly, and she broke the Box and poured it on his head, ver. 3. For thine instruction meditate In the Morning, upon the work of Creation. In the Evening, upon the work of Redemption. For thy comfort apply the Use of the one. Benefit of the other. For thy correction reprove thy Abuse of the one. Unthankfulness for the other. Quicken Thy thanksgiving by the Hymn. Thine obedience by the admonition. Thy zeal and devotion by the prayer ensuing. The Hymn for Tuesday-morning. SIng unto the Lord a new song; sing cheerfully with a loud voice, Psal. 33. 3. For the Word of the Lord is true, and all his works are faithful, ver. 4. He loveth righteousness and judgement; all the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord, ver. 5. He gathereth the waters of the Sea together, as it were upon an heap, and layeth up the deep, as in a Treasure-house, ver. 7. Let the Earth fear the Lord; stand in awe of him all ye that dwell in the world, ver. 8. For he spoke and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast, ver. 9 He so laid the Foundations, that it should not move at any time, Psal. 104. 5. He watereth the hills from above; the earth is filled with the fruits of his works, ver. 3. He bringeth forth grass for the Cattle, and green herbs for the use of men, ver. 14. That he may bring food out of the Earth, and Wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and Oil to make him a cheerful countenance, and Bread to strengthen man's heart, ver. 15. The Trees of the Lord also are full of sap, even as the Cedars of Lebanon which he hath planted, ver. 16. He covereth the Heavens with Clouds, and prepareth rain for the earth, and maketh the grass to grow upon the mountains, Psal. 147. 8. Which giveth to the beasts their food, and to the young Ravens that cry, ver. 9 Praise the Lord upon earth ye Dragons and all deeps, Psal. 148. 7. Mountains and all Hills, fruitful Trees and all Cedars, ver. 9 Every day will I give thanks unto the Lord, and praise his Name for ever, Psal. 145. 2. Thou hast given me more joy of heart, than they whose Corn and Wine, and Oil increased, Psal. 4. 8. The Admonition for Tuesday morning: being an exhortation to godly sorrow. THE ANALYSIS. We must desire & pray for godly sorrow, because it is 1 A special duty required in the Law. Gospel. 2 The Saints continual practice. 3 A necessary disposition to make us capable of the Gospel. 4 A Sacrifice well pleasing to God. 5 An effect of true conversion. 6 An efficient cause of many divine virtues. 7 An assurance of eternal joy and comfort. 8 The want of it, a fearful sign of a reprobate sense. THE TEXTS. Turn ye unto me with all your heart, 1 God's Commandment. with fasting, weeping and mourning, joel 2. 12. And rend your hearts and not your garments, etc. ver. 13. And in that day did the Lord God of hosts call to weeping and mourning, and to baldness, and girding with Sackcloth, Isa. 22. 12. Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance, 2 Cor. 7. 9 For ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage in nothing. Weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, Luk. 23. 28. Ye shall weep and lament, etc. Io. 16. 20. Howle and lament, etc. james 5. 1. I abhor myself, 2 The Saints practise. and repent in dust and ashes, job. 42. 6. I fainted in my mourning; I cause my bed every night to swim, and water my couch with my tears, Psal. 6. 6. I will confess my wickedness, and be sorry for my sin Ps. 38. 18. Hezekiah. Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, he and the inhabitants of jerusalem, and therefore the wrath of the Lord came not in the days of Hezekiah, Manasses. 2 Cro. 33. 12. And when he was in affliction he besought the Lord his God, & humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, 2 Cr. 33. 12 And prayed unto him, and was entreated of him, ver. 13. Now when Ezra had prayed, Ezra. and had confessed weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him, out of Israel, a very great congregation of men, and women, and children; for the people wept very sore, Ezr. 10. 1. And Peter remembered the words which jesus said unto him, Peter. Before the Cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice; and he went out, and wept bitterly, Mat. 26. 75. Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden, 3 A preparation to the Gospel. and I will ease you, Mat. 11. 28. He hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor, he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, Luke 4. 18. The Sacrifice of God is a contrite spirit; 4 Acceptable to God. a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psal. 51. 17. Put my tears in thy bottle; are not these things noted in thy book? Psal. 56. 8. The Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping, Psal. 6. 8. Tell Hezekiah, the Captain of my people, saying; I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears, I will heal thee, 2 Kings 30. 5. And when they heard these things, 5 The effect of true conversion. they were pricked in their hearts, and said unto Peter, Men and Brethren, what shall we do? Act. 2. 37. Godly sorrow causeth repentance not to be repent of; 6 A cause of many divine virtues. but worldly sorrow causeth death, 2. Cor. 7. 10. For behold this self same thing that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea what clearing of yourselves, yea what indignation, yea what fear, yea what vehement desire, yea what zeal, yea what revenge, ver. 11. They that sow in tears, 7 Bringeth joy and comfort. shall reap in joy, Psal. 126. 7. I dwell with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite, Isa. 57 15. Ye shall be sorrowful but your sorrow shall be turned into joy; joh. 16. 20. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted, Mat. 5. 4. We have mourned unto you, 8 The want of it fearful. and ye have not wept, Luke 7. 32. And ye are puffed up, and have not sorrowed, 1 Cor. 5. 2. Woe be unto thee Corazin, woe unto thee Rethsaida, etc. for they, etc. in sack cloth, Mat. 11. 21. And I gave her time to repent, and she would not repent, Reuel. 2. 21. After thy hard and impenitent heart treasurest up to thyself wrath in the day of wrath, Rom. 2. 3. THE PRAYER FOR Tuesday morning; composed of 1. Petitions suitable to the work of the day. 2. Motives to godly sorrow, agreeable to the precedent exhortation. O That my head were water, and mine eyes were a spring of tears, that I might weep day and night, for the deluge of sin overflowing the whole world; but especially, for the inundation thereof in this our I●●nd. We are overwhelmed in this Torrent, and should be drowned, but that the gales of thy Spirit drive it somewhat back, and thy restraining Grace with the public discipline of our Laws and Canons set some bounds to it. What hearts can vent sight enough, what eyes yield sufficient tears to bewail those public sins, under the burden whereof the Land sinketh; besides those private which lie as heavy on each of us in particular? Sins of omission, sins of commission; sins of birth, sins of life; sins of youth, sins of age; sins of frailty, sins of wilfulness; sins of act sins of habit and custom; sins of secret taint, sins of open st●in●; Sins of infirmity committed against the power of the Father; sins of ignoranc● against the wisdom of the Son; and sins of malice against the grace of thy holy Spirit. If I should go about to extenuate my sinne●, even that would aggravate them: if to excuse them, my conscience would condemn me. For I must confess to thy glory, and my own shame, that by my Original and Actual, secret and open, sudden and advised, ignorant an●●●●icious sins, I have dishonoured thy Name, profaned thy Word, defaced thine Image, grieved thy▪ Spirit, despighted thy Grace, wounded my own conscience, stained my good name, scandalised my profession▪ deprived myself of the comforts of the Gospel, of the protection of Angels, of the sweet fellowship of thy Spirit, and drawn upon m●e many heavy judgements, and treasured up wrath against the day of wrath. Yet because I mourn (with David) in my prayers, I weep bitterly with Peter, I abhor myself in dust and ashes with job, I am ashamed and confounded with Ezra, Lord let thy mercy prevail against thy justice; my sighs and tears against my sinful joys, and thy Son's blood even against my crimson sins. Lord who on this day madest dry Land, and firm ground to appear, dry up my ●●●res with the beams of thy mercy, and give me firm ground of comfort in thy Word. Lord, who on this day createdst all kind of seeds, sow in my heart the incorruptible seed of thy Word, that I may thereby be regenerated to a lively hope. Lord, who on this day createdst all kinds of fruitful Trees, make me like a good Tree to bring forth good fruit here, that I may hereafter eat of the Tree of Life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God. So be it. Amen. The close out of Scripture. GOd, the Father of our Lord jesus Christ, grant me, according to the riches of his glory, that I may be strengthened by his spirit in the inner man, Ephes. 3. 16. That Christ may dwell in my heart by faith, that I being rooted and grounded in love, ver. 17. May be able to comprehend with all Saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, v. 8. And to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that I may be filled with the fullness of God, verse 19 The Devotions for Tuesday's Evening. THE HYMN alluding to the work of God on this day in the Allegory. OUT of the deep have I called unto thee, O Lord; Lord hear my voice, Psal. 130. 1. O let thine ears consider well the voice of my complaint, verse 2. If thou Lord wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss, O Lord, who can abide it? ver. 3. But there is mercy with thee, therefore thou shalt be feared, verse 4. I look for the Lord; my soul doth wait for him; in his word is my trust, verse 5. My soul flieth to the Lord before the Morning watch, I say before the Morning watch, verse 6. I have watched, and am even as a Sparrow that sitteth alone on the house top▪ Psal. 102. 7. My heart is smitten down and withered like grass, so that I forget to eat my bread, verse 4. Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and instructest him in thy Law. They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy, Psal. 126. 7. He that now goeth on his way weeping, and beareth forth good seed, shall doubtless come again with joy, and bring his sheaves with him, verse. 8. The righteous shall flourish like a Palmtree, and shall spread abroad like a Cedar in Lebanon, Psal. 92. 11. He shall be like a tree planted by the River's side, which bringeth forth her fruit in due season, Psal. 1. 3. Whose leaf shall not fall, and what soever he doth it shall prosper. verse 4. Such as be planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of the house of our God, Psal. 92. 12. They also shall bring forth more fruit in their age, and shall befat and well liking, ver. 13. THE ADMONITION for Tuesday Evening; being an exhortation to hunger and thirst for righteousness; whereunto our Saviour ascribeth the fourth Beatitude. THE ANALYSIS. We must diligently and earnestly seek after the means of our salvation because thereby— 1 We obey God. 2 We imitate his Saints. 3 We obtain blessings Temporal. Spiritual. 1 Favour. 2 Delight. 3 Peace. 4 Life. 5 Contentment. 6 The Kingdom of heaven. THE TEXTS. SEek the Lord and his strength, seek his face evermore, Precepts for seeking the means of salvation. Psal. 105. 4. Labour not for the meat that perisheth, but for that meat which endureth to everlasting life, joh. 6. 27. Receive mine instruction, & not silver; and knowledge rather than fine gold, Prou. 5. 10. For wisdom is better than precious stones; and all pleasures are not to be compared unto her, verse 11. Follow after love, and covet spiritual things, 1. Cor. 14. 1. Follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord; Heb. 12. 14. Set your affections on things which are above, Examples. and not on things which are in the earth, Col. 3. 2. My soul breaketh out for the very fervent desire that it hath always to thy judgements, Psal. 119. 26. My soul is a thirst, David. for God, even for the living God, Psal. 42. 1, 2. One thing is needful, Mary. & Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from her, Luke 10. 41. From the time of john Baptist, The bearers of john Baptist. hitherto the Kingdom of heaven hath suffered viclence, and the violent take it by force, Math. 1. 12. Length of days is in her right hand, Promises of life. and in her left hand riches and glory, Prou. 3. 16. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, All things needful. and his righteousness, and all other things shall be added unto you Mat. 6. 33. Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and that which is to come, 1. Tim. 4. 8. If from thence thou seek the Lord, God's favour. thou shalt find him. Deut. 4. 29. Her ways are the ways as pleasure. Delight. Peace. and all her paths are peace, Pro. 3. 17. She is a Tree of life to them that lay hold upon her; Life. and happy is every one that retaineth her, verse 18. Your heart shall live that seek good, Blessed content. Psal. 69. 33. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness: The kingdom of heaven. for they shall be satisfied, Mat. 5. 6. The Kingdom of Heaven is like to a Merchant man that seeketh good pearls, Mat. 3. 45. Who having found a Pearl of great price, went and fold all that he had, and bought it, verse 46. The Prayer for Tuesday Evening: composed of Petitions suitable to the the sufferings of Christ on this day. Motives to seek after the means of our salvation, agreeable to the precedent exhortation. BLessed Redeemer, who trodest the winepress of thy father's wrath alone, reconcile me to thy Father, and of a child of wrath make me a child of grace, and son of desires. Thou who trodest the winepress alone, no Archangel, or Angel, or any creature in heaven or in earth, being joined with thee in that work. Give me a taste of the new wine of thy Gospel, to cheer up and revive my drooping spirits, and comfort my heavy and sorrowful heart. Thou which camest with thy garments red from Bozra; yea, as red as blood. Cloth me with thy red garment died in thine own blood. Cover my nakedness, deformities, wounds, and sores from the sight of thy Father. Thy garment is no narrow nor scanty garment; it is large enough to cover thee, and all thine Elect. It is the wedding garment, without which none shall ever be admitted into the King's Supper, but be bound hand and foot, and cast into outward darkness; where shall be weeping, and gnashing of teeth. And this doom we all deserved; for we were borne naked and void of all good, and we lay a long time wallowing in our own blood and filth, and no eye pitied us, till it pleased thee of mere love and compassion to take upon thee a nature of infirmities, to cure all the infirmities of our nature, and to clothe thyself with flesh, that thou mightest bear off our blows, and receive the strokes of divine justice that we should have endured, and deadded them in thine own body. O what shall I return unto thee, by way of thankful acknowledgement of such thy love? I can render thee nothing but that which thou hast given me. I can render thee nothing that is not thy due before. I can render thee nothing but that which thou puttest into my heart to render it to thee. Wherefore I humbly beseech thee, by thy grace to inflame my heart with thy love, to incite me to perpetual praise & thanksgiving: to kindle in me an everlasting desire to approve myself unto thee, & more and more tie thy love unto me. O let nothing be so precious to me as thy favour, nothing so fearful as thy displeasure; nothing so hateful as sin; nothing so desirable as thy grace. Let me not now like a little child run in the dirt, & soil my clothes, and take many a fall in pursuit of a Butterfly, or a bubble of Soap appearing glorious in the air, but suddenly vanishing to nothing. Let me not be so foolish as to lay the foundation of my happiness in sinking sands, or go about to chase a vanishing shadow. Let me enter into a serious consideration of the vanity of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and shame of pleasures, and folly of sports, and levity of honours, and danger of greatness, and account of all. Persuade me by thy Spirit out of thy Word that I have here no abiding City, but seek for one hereafter. That I am a stranger and pilgrim here upon earth; and therefore howsoever I have heretofore misspent my time, and misplaced my affections, and spilt my labours, and lost myself in following earthly vanities; yet let me now take the right way to true contentment. Let all my travails be towards heaven, all my trade for spiritual merchandise, all my labour for the meat that perisheth not, all my searching for the pearl of the Gospel, all my seeking for the Kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof. Let me desire temporal blessings only for spiritual ends; wealth, that I may he rich in good works; preferment, to advance the honour of the Gospel; health & strength, the better to enable me to do thee service; length of days, that I may praise thee in the Land of the living. Lord, whose life was sought this day to destroy it, seek thou mine to save it. Lord who this day w●rt anointed to thy death and burial, anoint me with thy Spirit to eternal life. Save me from the hands of all mine enemies, that I may serve thee without fear, in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life. Guard me by thy providence, that securely reposing my soul on thy mercy for my absolution from sin, and my body on thy power for deliverance from all dangers, I may so by rest and sleep refresh and strengthen both, that I may rise the next morning more cheerfully to travail in the ways of thy laws, and works of thy commandments. So be it. Amen. The close out of Scripture. Unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly, above all that I ask or think, according to the power that worketh in me, be glory in the Church, by Christ jesus, throughout all ages, world without end, Ephes. 3. 20, 21. enemies; for I fly to thee to help me, verse 9 Be merciful unto me, and bless me, and show the light of thy countenance upon me, and be merciful unto me, Psal. 67. 1. God is the Lord who hath showed us light; bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the Altar, Psal. 118. 27. There is sprung up a light for the righteous, and joyful gladness for such as be true of heart, Psal. 97. 11. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye Righteous, and give thanks for a remembrance of his holiness, verse 12. I will consider the heavens, even the work of thy fingers; the Moon, the Stars which thou hast ordained, Psal. 8. 3. The Heavens declare the glory of God, and the Firmament showeth his handy work, Psal. 19 1. In them hath he set a Tabernacle for the Sun, which cometh forth as a Bridegroom out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a Giant to run his course, verse 5. It goeth forth from the uttermost part of heaven, and runneth about to the end of it again, and nothing is hid from the heat thereof, verse 6. The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom then shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom then shall I be afraid? Psal. 27. 1. Though I should walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy Rod and thy Staff they comfort me, Psal. 23. 4. Surely kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall remain a long season in the house of the Lord, verse 6. The admonition for Wednesday morning, being an exhortation to mercy, whereunto our Saviour ascribeth the fifth Beatitude. THE ANALYSIS. Mercy is a virtue highly to be esteemed, and carefully to be practised, because it is 1 Our only plea and hope. 2 The sovereign attribute of God. 3 His strict charge to us. 4 That upon which he proceedeth in the last judgement. 5 A choice fruit of the Spirit. 6 The Saints constant practice. 7 The Touchstone of true Religion. 8 The assurance of our salvation. 9 The means to obtain manifold blessings in this life, and in the life to come. THE TEXTS. ENter not into judgement with thy servants, Salvation by Mercy. O Lord, for in thy sight shall no man living be justified, Psal. 143. 2. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day, 2 Tim. 1. 18. That he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, Rom. 9 23. For God hath concluded all under unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all, Rom. 10. 31. And the Lord passed by before him, It is the most eminent attribute to God. and proclaimed, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long suffering, and abundant in goodness and in truth, Exod. 34. 6. Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin, ver. 7. God is rich in mercy, Ephesians 2. 4. Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the Heavens, and thy faithfulness reacheth to the Clouds, Psalm 36. 5. For thou, Lord, art good and ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy to all them that call upon thee, Psal. 86. 5. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy, Psal. 145. 8. The Lord is good unto all, and his tender mercies are over all his works, ver. 9 Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord jesus Christ, the Father of mercy, and God of all comfort, 2 Cor. 1. 3. He hath showed thee, Precepts of mercy. O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and love mercy, etc. Micah 6. 8. Thus speaketh the Lord, Execute true judgement, and show mercy and compassion every man to his brother, Zach. 7 9 Be ye merciful as your father also is merciful, Luke 6. 36. Give Alms of those things which are within, and behold all things shall be clean to you, Luke 11. 41. Sell that ye have, and give Alms, Luk. 12. 13. Be ye kind one to another; tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ's sake, hath forgiven you, Ephes. 4. 32. I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, Host 6. 6 Mat. 9 13. Put on therefore, as the Elect of God, bowels of mercy, etc. Col. 3. 12. To do good and communicate forget not, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased, Hebr. 3. 16. Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren; be pitiful, be courteous, 1 Pet. 3. 8. Remember those that are in bonds, as though ye were bound with them, Heb. 13. 3. Come ye blessed of my Father; The last judgement proceeds upon works of mercy. inherit the Kingdom prepared for you, from the foundations of the world, Mat. 25. 34. For I was hungry, and ye gave me meat, ver. 35. I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink, etc. In that ye did it to the least of my brethren, ye did it unto me, ver. 40. But the fruits of the Spirit are joy, Mercy, the fruit of the Spirit. peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, etc. Gal. 5. 22. The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth Eph. 5. 9 If I have withheld the poor from their desire; The Saints practise. if I have caused the eye of the widow to fail; if I have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof, job. 31. 17. If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, jobs. or any poor without covering, ver. 19 If his bones have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep, ver. 20. Now there was in joppa a certain woman, a Disciple called Tabytha, Tabithas. which by interpretation is called Dorcas; this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did, Act 9 36. There was a certain man in Cesaria called Cornelius, Cornelius. of the band, called the Italian band, Act. 10. 1. A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, ver. 2. There came a certain Samaritan also that way, The good Samaritans and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, Luke 10. 33. And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in Oil and Wine, etc. ver. 34. He said, He was his Neighbour that showed mercy on him; then said jesus to him, Go thou, and do likewise, ver. 37. Now I have all: Philippians. I abound, I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things that were sent from you, an ointment of a sweet smelling sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God, Phil. 4. 18. The Lord give mercy to Onesiphorus his house, Onesiphorus for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chains, 2 Tim. 1. 16. We have great joy and consolation in thy love, philemon's. because the bowels of the Saints are refreshed by thee, brother, Phil. 7. Pure Religion, Works of mercy, a certain note of pure Religion. and undefiled before God, even the Father, is this; to to visit the fatherless and widows in their adversities, and to keep himself unspotted of the world, jam. 1. 27. There shall be judgement merciless to him that showeth no mercy; In assurance of salvation, and means of obtaining mercy▪ at Gods hand. and mercy rejoiceth against justice, jam. 2. 13. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy, Mat 5. 7. The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered also himself, Prou. 11. 25. Give, and it shall be given unto you good measure, pressed down, and running over, Luke 6. 38. Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones, a cup of cold water, only in the name of a Disciple, verily he shall not lose his reward. THE PRAYER FOR Wednesday morning; composed of 1. Petitions suitable to the work of the day. 2. Motives to works of mercy, agreeable to the precedent exhortation. O Lord, what is man that thou art so mindful of him, or the son of man, that thou so regardest him? Thou madest so much of him, that thou madest all creatures for him; the Fowls of the Air, Fish in the Sea, and Beasts of the Field to furnish his Table, and cloth his nakedness, and serve his use. The earth thou createdst to sustain him, the water to wash and cool him, the air to breathe him, the fire to warm him, the Flowers to refresh him, the Herbs to cure him, the Fruits and Grains to nourish him, the Mines to enrich him, the precious Stones to adorn him; yea, the glorious Lamps of Heaven, The Sun and Moon, to light him, the one in the Day, the other in the Night, and both to measure his time, to direct his husbandry, to recreate him in his travels, to ripen his fruits and increase his store. Nay, (which far surpasseth the glorious beams of the Sun, and his comfortable light) thou gavest him a sure light of prophecy before the day dawn, and the daystar arose in the Firmament of the Church, and afterwards causedst the Sun of righteousness to arise upon him, to shine in his heart in this life by grace, and in Heaven by glory for evermore. Shall I not rejoice in this light? Shall I not open all the Casements of my soul to let it in? Shall I not account their feet beautiful, and the ground happy on which they tread, who bring me tidings of this wonderful Light? Shall I not love thee above all things, who hast preferred me above all things? Shall I not serve thee with all the faculties of my body and soul, who makest all thy Creatures serve me? What pretext can I have for my ingratitude and disobedience to thee, so gracious a Lord and Master? I cannot plead ignorance of thy Deity, for the Heavens declare thy glory, and the Firmament showeth thy handiwork. I cannot pretend ignorance of thy Law, for thou hast put thy Word into my mouth, and written thy Law in my heart. I cannot allege that I never heard of, or saw the Light of thy Gospel, for the light came into the world, and shined in the darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not. Never had any Nation a more bright Sunshine of the Gospel than ours. But we love darkness more than light, because our deeds are evil. And because we love darkness more than light, thou mightest most justly have already cast us into outward darkness. But there is mercy with thee, that thou mayest be feared; there is Balm in Gilead to cure cur deadly wounds; there is Vnctim in Christ; there is salvation in jesus; there is redemption in his blood; there is satisfaction in his death; there is merit in his perfect obedience; there is hope in his resurrection and ascension; and everlasting comfort in his sitting at the right hand of his Father, to make intercession for us. O Eternal Advocate, plead my muse. Thou, who out of thy pierced side openedst to all the inhabitants of the earth a Fountain for sin and uncleanness, wash me from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin: grant me thy peace which thou promisest thy chosen, that my heart be not troubled. Make an atonement for me, and bring me into favour, with thy Father, and my Father, thy God, and my God. And because all my hope is in thy mercy, Lord let me imitate that virtue in thee which I implore. Let me pattern that grace in my life, which saveth my life. Let me from my heart forgive my brethren their trespasses, compassionate their infirmities, relieve their necessities, ease their crosses, and bear their burdens. Let the hungry have never a just action against me at thy Bar, for not giving them meat, nor the thirsty for not giving them drink; nor the naked, for not clothing them; nor the sick and imprisoned, for not visiting them; nor the fatherless and widows for not protecting & defending them. Let me, who need abundant mercy, show abundant mercy. Let me meet such measure to my brethren as I expect from thee. As a good child, let me follow the example of my heavenly Father, who (as on this day) caused the Sun to rise upon the Just and the unjust. So let the light of my knowledge, and heat of my love be extended to all, but especially to those of the household of faith. And as the Sun shineth upon my body, so make thy countenance shine upon my soul. As the Sun draweth up exhalations from the earth, so raise thou my thoughts and desires from earthy comforts to heavenly objects. As the Sun melteth Snow and Ice: so melt thou my heart frozen in the dregs of sin. As the sun dispelleth all mists of darkness, and cleareth the Air from all Fogs and noisome Vapours: so let thy Spirit disped all errors of my understanding, and clear my will from all fogs and fumes of noisome lusts. Give me grace to keep a regular, constant, and unwearied course upon earth, as the Sun doth in Heaven; and to grow in grace, and increase in heavenly wisdom, as the Sun ascendeth higher, and shineth still brighter till it be high Noon. Lastly, the Sun rejoiceth as a Giant to run his course: So grant that I may cheerfully run and finish my race, and after I have finished it, receive the reward of the Righteous, who shall shine as the Sun in the Kingdom of the Father for evermore. Amen. The close out of Scripture. Grant, Lord, that I may be filled with the knowledge of thy Will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, Col. 1. 9 That I may walk worthy of thee, & please thee in all things, being fruitful in all good works, and increasing in the knowledge of thee, ver. 10. Strengthened with all might through thy glorious power unto all patience, and long suffering, with joyfulness, ver. 11. The Devotion for Wednesdays Evening. THE HYMN. O Give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious, and his mercy endureth for ever, Psal. 136. 1. Which only doth wonders; for his mercy endureth for ever, ver. 4. Which by his excellent wisdom made the Heavens; for his mercy endureth for ever, ver. 5. Which made great lights, for his mercy endureth for ever, ver. 7. The Sun to rule the day; for his mercy endureth for ever, ver. 8. The Moon and the Stars to govern the night; for his mercy endureth for ever, ver. 9 He telleth the number of the Stars, and calleth them by their names, Psal. 147. 4. He appointed the Moon for certain seasons; and the Sun knoweth his going down, Psal. 104. 19 Thou makest darkness that it may be night, wherein all the beasts of the Forest do move, ver. 20. The Sun ariseth, and they get them away together; and lay them down in their dens, ver. 22. Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the Evening, ver. 23. O Lord, our Governor, how excellent is thy Name in all the world, Psal. 8. 9 The Admonition for Wednesday Evening, being an Exhortation to purity in heart, answerable to the sixth Beatitude. THE ANALYSIS. Purity, especially in heart, is to be prayed for, and sought after in regard of God his 1. Special command for it. 2. Particular taking notice of it. 3. High esteem and approbation thereof. 4. Gracious promises to it, of 1 Life. 2 Favour of Kings 3 Sight of himself. 4 His favour and bounty. 5 Profit by the Word. 6 Abode in Heaven. THE TEXTS. NOw therefore serve the Lord, 1. Precepts for it. and serve him in sincerity of heart, and in truth, jos. 24. 14. Prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only, 1. Sam. 7. 3. They that are of a forward heart are an abomination to the Lord, but such as are upright in the way are his delight, Prou. 11. 20. My son give me thy heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways, Pro. 23. 26. Cleanse your hands ye sinners, and purge your hearts ye double-minded, jam. 4. 8. Serve God with a perfect heart, 2. God takes notice of it. and with a willing mind; for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all imaginations of the thoughts, 1. Chron. 28. 9 O jerusalem wash thine heart, Ier 4. 4. God seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance; but God judgeth the heart, 1. Sam. 16. 7. Thou knowest the hearts of all men, Acts 1. He will lighten things hid in darkness, and make the counsels of thy heart manifest, 1. Cor. 4. 5. Thou lovest truth in the inward parts, Psal. 51. 6. We speak not as pleasing men but as pleasing God who trieth the hearts, 2. Thes. 2. 4. Let it be the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible, 3. God highly esteems it. the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit; which is in the sight of God of great price, 1. Per. 3. 4. Keep the heart with all diligence; 4. Promises of 1. Life. for out of it are the issues of life, Prou. 4. 23. He that loveth pureness in heart, the King shall be his friend, 2. Favour of Kings. Prou. 22. 11. Blessed are the pure in heart, 3. Sight of God. for they shall see God, Math. 5. 8. Truly God is good unto Israel, 4. God's favours. even to him that is of a clean heart, 5. Profiting by the Word. Psal. 73. 1. That which fell on good ground, are they which with an honest and good heart hear the Word, and keep it, and bring forth fruits with patience, Luke 18. 15. Who shall ascend into the Hill of the Lord; 6. Abode in heaven. or who shall stand in his Holy place? Psal. 24. 3. He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart, verse 4. He that walketh uprightly, and speaketh uprightly, etc. Isai. 33. 15. He shall dwell on high, etc. The Prayer for Wednesday-Euening. Composed of 1 Petitions suitable to the sufferings of Christ on this day. 2 Motives to persuade purity in heart, and sincerity, agreeable to the precedent exhortation. MOst holy, blessed, and glorious God, who dwellest in light which none may approach, I miserable and sinful creature, by nature a child of the night, and of darkness; nay, very darkness itself, am ashamed and confounded to lift up mine eyes to heaven, or look towards the place where thine honour dwelleth. For, I have sinned against heaven and against thee, and deserve to be cast out for ever from the sight of thy face, and presence of thy glorious Majesty into utter darkness which the devil the Prince of darkness, and his Angels that are reserved in chains of darkness, till the great and terrible Day of thy wrath. For that heavenly light which thou hast kindled in my heart (though I seek to smother it never so much) clearly convinceth my conscience, that I prefer the pleasures of sin which are the works of darkness, before the glorious inheritance of thy Saints in light, having my very understanding, the only light which is in me, much darkened through the ignorance that is in me, by reason of the hardness of my heart. And notwithstanding thou hast called me early and late, and stretched thy hands all the day long unto me, yet I have walked still in the vanity of my mind, and wearied myself in the ways of wickedness, and have not harkened to thy voice whereby I might walk in thy laws which thou hast appointed for me. Or if for a short time I have rejoiced in the light of the Gospel, yet soon after I have quenched thy Spirit, and have given myself to wantonness, to work filthiness with greediness. Enter not into judgement with thy servant, O Lord, for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. Though thou shouldest drown all my former sins in the bottomless sea of thy mercy; yet the sins of this day alone give sufficient evidence against me, to condemn me. My unsanctified desires, and impure thoughts, and vain imaginations, and idle words, and unfruitful works make me unexcusable before thee. I cannot answer for my abuse of the creatures, misspending my time which is most precious, & overstipping many occasions of doing good. How negligent have I been in the duties of my calling? How cold and dull in my exercises of Religion? How defective in the confession of my sins? How careless in applying the sovereign remedies of the Word? My very prayers which I make unto thee for the supplying of all my wants, and healing of all my infirmities, are accompanied with so many wants and infirmities, that I have need to ask pardon for these my imperfect prayers. Lord give me a sense of my stupidity and senselessness, and a fervent desire of more fervency and zeal, and true remorse and sorrow for want of remorse and sorrow for these my sins. And because that I know not how to pray as I ought, let thy Spirit make intercession for me with sighs and groans which cannot be expressed, and let the blood of thy Son speak better things for me then the blood of Abel. O let not the glorious light of Heaven go down upon thy displeasure against me, but for thy decree Son, jesus Christ his sake, who is the propitiation for my sins, be reconciled unto me while it is called to day, that I may find rest unto my soul this night, together with the comfortable refreshing of my body by sleep. So shall I never cease with a joyful heart, and a cheerful voice, to praise thee for thine unspeakable love in electing me to eternal life in Heaven, before thou hadst laid the foundations of the earth: Thy goodness in creating me after thine own Image; thy mercy in redeeming me with the blood of thine only begotton Son; thy grace in calling me to the knowledge of thy truth; and thy fatherly care in safely protecting me, mercifully correcting, and liberally providing for me ever since the day thou breathedst into me the breath of life. Give me yet more, O lord What wilt thou give me? Give me a thankful heart for all these inestimable favours of thine infinite love, that I may continually bless thee for thy continual blessings, with the dew of thy grace descending upon me, always beginning the day with thy mercy, and ending it with thy praise. Blessed Redeemer, who wert this day sold for thirty pieces of Silver, redeem me from the thraldom of sin, and never suffer me with Ahab, to sell myself to work wickedness against thee. Let the heinousness of judas his sin, and the horror of his punishment deter me from betraying thy truth for any worldly advantage whatsoever. O Bread of Life, which hungredst for my sake; O Source of the Springs of Libanon, who thirstedst for my sake; O joy of all mankind, which sorrowedst for me; O Truth itself and fidelity, which waist by false treachery betrayed for my sake; O the true Wedding garment which wast stripped for me; O the Redemption and ransom of the world, who wert sold for my sake; O the Life and Resurrection of all that hope in thee, who died'st for me; imprint thy love so deep into my heart, that neither hunger, nor thirst, nor sorrow, nor nakedness, nor treachery, nor thraldom, nor hope of reward, nor fear of persecution, nor life, nor death may raze it out. Was it not enough, O Lord, to become man for me, but thou must become a servant? Was it not enough as a servant to be scourged for me, but must thou also, like a bondslave, be sold for me, that am a bondslave of Satan, sold under sin? Was it not too much to be sold, but must thou be sold at so vile a price as thirty pieces of silver? Was no means thought mean enough to abase thee? The cheaper thou wert sold, the dearer I cost thee; for thou gavest not only thy liberty and life, but thy estimation also for me. The lower thou wert abased, the higher thou hast exalted me. The less was given for thee, the more I owe thee, who wert content to be prized solow, and made of no reputation for me. O strange ransom! The Redeemer is sold, that the sold bondslave may be redeemed. O admirable judgement! The righteous is condemned, that the unrighteous may righteously be acquitted. O wonderful cure! The Physician is sick, and dyeth, that the Patient may live. Me●ke Saviour, thou foresawest that the Devil would enter into judas before he entered. Thou knewest that he would betray thee, yet thou choosest him: that he would lift up his foot against thee, yet thou shoddest him with the preparation of the Gospel of peace: that he would sell thee, yet thou trustedst him with thy Purse: that the poison of Asps was under his lip, yet thou suffered'st him to touch thy Lips in which there was no guile, and seal them with a kiss; and gently unsealing them, thou saidst no more to him but, Friend, how camest thou hither? Dost thou betray the Son of man with a kiss? Sweet Saviour, how wilt thou entertain thy friends, when thou thus intreatedst thy treacherous servant? Thou who wert so good to him, that was so bad, as worse never was; how will thy grace and goodness abound to them that excel in virtue. If thou suffered'st a Traitor to kiss thee, thou wilt never resuse to cheer up the drooping countenance of a penitent sinner with a kiss. Thy Espouse emboldeneth me to beg that kindness of thee which she did. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his lips. Kiss thou me with a kiss of love, but let me never kiss thee with the kiss of judas. Let me never draw near to thee with my lips, and be far from thee in my heart, but first draw ●y heart, & then my body & soul unto thee. Thou requirest the heart, and searchest the heart, and 〈◊〉 the heart, and acceptest of no service or sacrifice without it; Lord, give me a clean heart, and 〈◊〉 a right Spirit within me, that I may give thee such a heart as thou requirest. Cleanse the thoughts, and affections, and intentions of my heart from all impurity, impiety, iniquity, in-sincerity, fraud, and hypocrisy. Let all the thoughts of my heart be pure, the desires holy, the intentions sincere, the affections unfeigned, and let all my words and works be hearty. O let my heart be always fixed upon thee; possessed with thee; established in thee; true unto thee; upright towards thee; and sincere for thee; that in the great Day, when the secrets of all hearts shall be manifested, my heart may not condemn me, but thou approve it, and accept it, and fill it with such joys as never entered into the heart of man. So be it. Amen. The close out of Scripture. Thanks be given to the Father, which hath made me meet to be partaker of the inheritance of the Saints in light, Col. 1. 12. Who hath delivered me from the power of darkness, and hath translated me into the Kingdom of his dear Son, ver. 13. In whom I have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins, ver. 14. Thursday's Devotion, being the fifth day from the Creation. The Father worketh. joh. 5. 17. The work of Creation on this day. SO afterward God said, Let the waters bring forth in abundance every creeping thing that hath life: and let the Fowl fly upon the earth in the open Firmament of the Heaven Gen. 1. ●0. Then God created the great Whales, and every thing living and moving, which the waters brought forth in abundance, according to their kind, and every feathered Fowl, according to his kind; and God saw that it was good, ver. 21. Then God blessed them, saying; Bring forth fruit & multiply, & fill the waters in the Seas, and let the Fowls multiply in the earth, v. 2●. So the Evening and the Morning were the fifth day. And I work, joh. 5. 17. The work of Redemption on this day. THen came the Day of unlevened bread, when the Passover must be sacrificed, Luke 22. 7. And be sent Peter and john, saying; Go and prepare us the Passover, that we may eat it, ver. 8. And they said, etc. v. 9 Then he said unto them, Behold, etc. v. 10. And say to the good man of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the lodging where I shall eat my Passover with my Disciples, ver. 11. Then he shall show you a great high Chamber, etc. ver. 12. So they went, and found as he had said unto them, and need ready the Passover, ver. 13. And he took Bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave to them, saying; This is my Body which is given for you, do this in remembrance of me, ver. 19 Likewise also, after Supper he took the Cup, saying; This Cup is the new Testament in my blood, which is shed for you, ver. 20. And he came out, and went (as he was wont) to the Mount of Olives, and his Disciples also followed him, ver. 39 And when he came to the place, he said to them, Pray, lest ye enter into temptation, ver. 40. And he gate himself from them about a stones cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, ver. 41. Saying, Father, if thou wilt, take away this Cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine be done, ver. 42. And there appeared an Angel unto him from Heaven, comforting him, ver. 43. But being in an Agony, he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was like drops of blood, trickling down the ground, ver. 44. For thine instruction meditate In the Morning, on the creation of Fish and Fow●e. In the Evening, on thy Saviour's Agony. Last Passeover. Supper. For thy comfort apply to thyself the Benefits Corporal of the one. Spiritual of the other. For thy correction reprove thy Abuse of the one. Unthankfulness for the other. Quicken Thy thanksgiving by the Hymn. Thine obedience by the admonition. Thy zeal and patience by the prayer ensuing. The Hymn for Thursday-morning. O Lord, how manifold are thy works, in wisdom hast thou made them all; the earth is full of thy riches, Psal. 104. 24. So is the great and wide Sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts, ver. 25. There go the Ships, and there is that Leviathan, whom thou hast made to take his pastime therein, ver. 26. These wait all upon thee, that thou mayest give them their meat in due season, ver. 27. That thou givest, they gather, thou openest thy hand, and they are filled with good, ver. 28. Thou hidest thy face and they are troubled; thou takest away their breath and they dye, and return again to their dust, ver. 29. They that go down to the Sea in ships, that do their business in great waters, Psal. 107. 23. These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep, ver. 24. For he commandeth, and raiseth up the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. ver. 25. They mount up to the Heavens, they go down again to the depth; their heart is melted because of trouble, ver. 26. They reel to and fro, and stagger like, a drunken man, and are even at their wit's end, ver. 27. Then cry they to the Lord in trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distress, v. 28. He maketh the storms to cease, so that the waves thereof are still, ver. 29. Then are they glad because they are quiet; so he bringeth them to their desired Haven, ver. 30. Praise the Lord upon earth ye Dragons and all deeps, Psal. 148. 7. Beasts & all cattle; worms, and feathered Fowls, ver. 10. He sendeth the Springs into the Valleys, which run between the mountains, Psal. 104. 10. By these Springs shall the Fowls of the Heaven dwell, and sing among the branches, ver. 12. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord; Praise ye the Lord, Psal. 150. 6. The Admonition for Thursday Morning being an Exhortation to peacemaking or the seaventh Beatitude. THE ANALYSIS. The devout soul must labour to make peace, and have peace with all, as far as it is possible in 1 Obedience To the LAW. To the GOSPEL. 2 Conformity to 1 God the Father. Son. H. Ghost. 2 The Saints. 3 In hope & expectation of blessings. 1 Temporal as 1 Good days. 2 A good name or honour 2 Spiritual, as 1 The glad tidings of the Gospel. 2 Wisdom. 3 Righteousness. 4 The guidance of God's Spirit. 5 The unity of the Spirit, or communion of saints. 6 The Beatifical vision, or sight of God in Heaven. THE TEXTS. Seek peace and ensue it, Precepts. Psal. 34. 14. Execute the judgement of truth and peace in your gates, Zach. 8. 16. Let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against your Neighbour, ver. 17. Have Salt, and have peace one with another, Mar. 9 50. Into what house soever ye enter, first say; Peace be to this house, Luke 10. 5. If it be possible, have peace with all men, Rom. 12. 18. Let us therefore follow after the things that make for peace, and things wherewith we may edify one another, Rom. 14 19 God hath called us to peace, 1 Cor. 7. 15. Be of one mind; live in peace, 2 Cor. 13. 12. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which all ye are called in one body, Col. 3. 15 Follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart, 2 Tim. 2. 22. Follow peace with all men, God the Father, God of peace. etc. Heb. 12. 14. God is not the God of confusision, but of peace, 1 Cor. 14. 33. The God of peace shall be with you, Phil. 4. 19 To us a Son is given, The Son, Prince of peace. and the government shall be upon his shoulders, and his Name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of peace, Isa. 9 6. Melchi●sedec▪ first being by interpretation, King of Righteousness; and after that, also, King of Salem, which is King of peace, Heb. 7. 2. That he might be like to the Son of God, who abideth our Priest continually, ver. 3. The fruit of the Spirit is love, The holy Ghost, the Spirit of peace. Examples. joy, peace, etc. Gal. 5. 22. Abraham said, Let there be no strife between me and thee, and my Herdsmen & thy Herdsmen, for we are brethren, Gen. 13. 8. I labour for peace, The Saints, children of peace. Psal. 1 20 6. Though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more, etc. 1 Cor. 9 19 Why suffer ye not rather wrong? 1 Cor. 6. 7. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted we suffer it. 1 Cor. 4. 12. Being defamed, The fruits of peace are Prosperity. we entreat, ver. 13. What man is he that desireth life and loveth many days, that he may see good, Psal. 34. 12. Seek peace, etc. ver. 14. Blessed are the Peacemakers, Honour. for they shall be called, The children of the most High, Mat. 5. 9 If the Son of peace be there, Benediction your peace shall rest upon it; if not, it shall turn to you again, Luk. 10. 6. The Wisdom from above is first pure, Wisdom. then peaceable, jam. 3. 17. The fruits of righteousness are sown in peace of them that make peace, Righteousness. jam. 3. 18. The Kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace, and joy in the holy Ghost, Rom. 14. 17. Live in peace, The special presence of God. and the God of love and peace shall be with you, 2 Cor. 13. 12. Keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, Unity. Eph. 4. 3. Follow peace, Beatifical vision. etc. without which no man shall see God, Heb. 12. 14. The Prayer for Thursday Morning: composed of Petitions suitable to the work of the day. Motives to peaceableness agreeable to the precedent exhortation. ONe depth calleth upon another; the depth of my ignorance upon the depth of thy Wisdom; the depth of my wickedness, upon the depth of thy goodness; the depth of my misery, upon the depth of thy mercy. O Lord, in the depth of thy Wisdom find means to help my ignorance; in the depth of thy goodness, to overcome my wickedness; in the depth of thy mercy to relieve my misery. enlighten mine understanding, that I may know mine ignorance; rectify my will, that I may detest my wickedness; and mollify my heart, that I may bewail my misery: and by faith incorporate me into thy Son, jesus Christ, that I may be partaker of his knowledge, righteousness, and happiness. As he made my ignorance his ignorance, and my sin his sin, and my misery his misery▪ by taking upon him my guilt, and satisfying for my punishment: so make thou (I beseech thee) his Wisdom my instruction, his Righteousness my sanctification, and his Glory my happiness. Consider me, I beseech thee, not as I am in myself, defiled; but as I am in him, washed; not as I am in myself naked, but as I am in him, clothed; not as I am in myself wounded, but as I am in him, healed; not as in myself, a child of wrath, but as in him reconciled and at peace with thee. And having my peace made with thee by his chastisement; grant that I may have peace, as far as it is possible, with all men; especially, with all the children of peace. Let me ever remember and consider, that thou, my Father, art the God of peace; and thy Son, my Saviour, the Prince of peace; and his Law, the Gospel of peace; and his Servants, the Children of peace; whose duty is the study of peace, and the mark they principally aim at, as the end of their faith, the peace of God which passeth all understanding. O let me strive and contend against strife and contention, as a thing most hateful to thee, hurtful to my neighbour, and most of all prejudicial to myself, by endangering my person and state, disturbing the quietness of my mind, hindering me in the prosecution of my business, and (which is worst of all) making me indisposed, and altogether unfit for the performance of divine duties. Teach me of what spirit I am or should be, even of that which descended upon thy Son in the likeness of a Dove without Gall: By this spirit mortify in me the lusts and affections of the flesh, as envy, wrath, revenge, and the like. By the still voice, in which thou spakest to Elias, let me learn that thou art not in the fire of my rage, nor in the storm of my passion, but in the saft gale of grace. Lord, who on this day replenishedst the Sea and Rivers with fish, and Air with Fowls in shapes admirably various, and in number almost infinite; stir me up by the consideration thereof, to admire thy power & wisdom in thus storing, and (as it were) peopling this vast and fearful seeming solitude; and much more to magnify thy goodness in thus richly and daintily furnishing the tables of men. Blessed Lord, who this day madest the waters fruitful, let thy Spirit move upon the waters of my tears, that they may abound in the fruits of repentance, and be blessed in the increase of spiritual consolatious. Lord, who this day commandest the Fowls to fly through the air, lift up my soul from the earth with the wings of faith and hope, that she may fly up towards Heaven. Make me light and cheerful after my heavy sorrows and grievous afflictions, that though I have been as black and sad in my heart and countenance, as if I had lain among the pots, yet I may be, by the grace of thy Spirit, which descended in the likeness of a Dove, like that Dove, whose wings are silver, and her feathers like gold. So be it. Amen. The close out of Scripture. God grant that my love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgement, Phil. 1 9 That I may discern things that differ one from another, that I may be pure, and without offence, until the day of Christ, ver. 10. Filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by jesus christ, unto the glory and praise of God, ver. 11. The Devotion for Thursday Evening. THE HYMN. Wherein the devout soul expresseth her desire of prayer for peace Public. Private. THE TEXTS. BEhold how good and pleasant a thing it is, brethren to dwell together in unity, Ps. 133. 1. It is like the precious Ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the Beard, even Aaron's Beard, and went down to the skirts of his clothing, v. 2. As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the Mountain of Zion; for there the Lord promiseth his blessings, and life for evermore, ver. 3. Woe is me, that I am constrained to dwell with Meseck, and to have my habitation in the tents of Kedar, Psal. 120. 4. My soul hath long dwelled among them that be enemies unto peace, ver. 5. I labour for peace; but when I speak to them thereof they make themselves ready to battle, v. 6. Pray for the peace of jerusalem; they shall prosper that love thee, Psal. 122 6. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy Palaces, ver. 7. For my brethren and companions sake, I will now say, Peace be within thee, ver. 8. Because of the house of the Lord my God, I will seek thy good, ver. 9 The Admonition for Thursday Evening, being an Exhortation to Patience, the eightth BEATITUDE. THE ANALYSIS. All true Christians must valiantly and cheerfully endure troubles for the Gospel in respect of 1 God his Will. Power. Ordinance. 2 Christ his Love.. Example. Sympathy with us. 3 The Saints Practice. Encouragement. 4 The enemy's Conversion or Conviction. 5 Ourselves who thereby receive 1 Trial. 2 joy.. 3 Assurance of God's love. 4 Quiet fruit of Righteousness. 5 Holiness and perfection. 6 Life. 7 Protection. 8 Honour before God. 9 Inestimable rewards: 1 In this life. 2 In the life to come. THE TEXTS. IN the world ye shall have afflictions, job 6. 33. I was dumb, and opened not my mouth, because thou, Lord, hadst done it, Psal. 39 9 Let them that suffer according to the Will of God, God his Will. commit their souls to him in well doing, as their faithful Creator, 1 Pet. 4. ult. Who hath ever resisted his Will? Rom. 9 19 He is able to subdue all things to himself, Power. Phil. 3. 21. We must through many afflictions enter into the Kingdom of God, Ordinance. Act. 14. 22. All that live godly in Christ jesus, shall suffer persecutions, 2 Tim. 3. 12. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good Soldier of jesus Christ 1 Tim. 2. 3. You shall be hated of all men for my Names sake, Luke 21. 17. The love of Christ constraineth us, Christ his love. because we thus judge, that if One died for all, than all were dead, 2 Cor. 5. 14. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or sword? Rom. 8. 35. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ jesus, our Lord, Rom. 8. 39 Be not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord jesus, Example. nor of me his prisoner, but be partakers of the afflictions of the Gospel, 2 Tim. 1. 8. As the sufferings of Christ abound in us so our consolation abounds through Christ, 1 Cor. 1. 5. Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow his steps, 1 Pet. 2. 21. Whom he fore-knew, he predestinated to be conformed to the Image of his Son, Rom. 8. 29. I was hungry, Sympathy. and ye gave me no meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink, etc. Mat. 25. 43. In as much as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not unto me, ver. 45. He that despiseth you, despiseth me, Luke 10. 16. Saul, The Saints continual practice. Saul, Why persecutest thou me? Act. 9 4. joseph said, joseph. Fear not: for am not I under God? Gen. 50. 19 Naked came I out of my Mother's womb, job. and naked shall I return thither again; the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, and blessed be the Name of the Lord, job. 1. 21. Shall we receive good at the hands of the Lord, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not job sin with his lips, job 2. 10. But I was a man that heareth not, Daniel. and in whose mouth are no reproofs, Psal. 38. 14. For thy sake are we killed all the day long, etc. Psal. 44. 22. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. jeremiah. jer. 3. 27. He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him. ver. 28. He putteth his mouth to the dust if so be there may be hope, ver. 29. He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him; he is filled full with reproach. Others were tortured, The Apostls and Saints of the Primitive Church. and would not be delivered, that they might receive a better resurrection, Heb. 11. 35. And others have been tried by mockings and scourge, yea moreover, by bands and imprisonment, ver. 36. They were stoned, they were hewn in sunder, they were tempted, etc. verse 37, 38. And they departed from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his Name, Act. 5. 41. Then Paul answered, Paul. What mean you to weep, and to break mine heart, for I am ready, not only to be bound, but to dye also at jerusalem, for the Name of the Lord jesus, Acts 21. 13. In labours more abundant, The Thesa lovians. in stripes above measure, in prison more frequent, in death often, 2. Cor. 11 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, verses. Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord jesus Christ, 1. Thes. 13. God hath set forth us the last Apostles, as it were approved to death; for we are made a spectacle to the world, and to Angels, and to men, 1. Cor. 4. 9 Ye endured a great fight of afflictions, Heb. 10. 32. Partly while ye were made a gazing stock, The Hebrews. both by reproaches and afflictions, and partly while ye became companions of them that were so used, ver. 33. I know thy works, Thyatyra. and thy labour, and thy patience, Reve. 2. 2. I know thy faith, and thy patience, and thy works, ver. 19 My bonds in Christ are manifest in that place, and all other places, Phil. 1. 13. And many of the brethren in the Lord waxing confident by my bonds, Encouragements. are made more bold to speak the Word without fear, Phil. 1. 14. And they cast Stephen out of the City, Cowersion of enemies. and stoned him; and the Witnesses laid down their clothes at the young man's feet, whose name was Saul, Act. 1. 58. And they stoned Stephen calling upon God, and saying, Lord jesus receive my Spirit, ver. 59 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord lay not this sin to their charge; and when he had said this, he fell asleep, ver. 60. Saul's conversion, Act. 9 They shall lay their hands on you, Conviction. and persecute you, delivering you up to their Synagogues, and into prison, being brought before Kings and Rulers for my Names sake, Luk. 21. 12. And this shall turn to you for a testimony against them, ver. 13. And you shall be brought before Governors and Kings for my Names sake, for a testimony against them, and against the Gentiles, Trial. Mat. 10. 18. Others had trials of cruel mockings and scourges, yea moreover of bonds and imprisonment, Heb. 11. 36. The trying of your faith worketh patience, jam. 1. 3. Ye are in heaviness through manifold tentations, 1 Pet. 1. 6. That the trial of your faith being much more precious than Gold (though it be tried with fire) might be found unto praise, and honour, and glory at the appearing of jesus Christ, ver. 7. Brethren account it exceeding great joy when ye fall into diverse tentations, joy.. jam. 1. 2. I rejoice in my sufferings, Col. 1. 24. Your sorrow shall be turned into joy, Assurance of God's love. 10. 16. 20. As many as I love I rebuke and chasten, Reu. 3. 19 Whom the Lord loveth he chasteveth; and he scourgeth every son that he receiveth, Heb. 12. 6. No chastening, for the time seemeth to be joyous but grievous. Fruit of righteousness. Nevertheless, afterwards it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness to them that are exercised thereby, Holiness. ver. 11. He chasteneth us for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. ver. 10. Let patience have her perfect work, Perfection. that ye may be perfect and entire lacking nothing, james. 1. 4. By patience ye shall inherit the promises, The promises. Heb. 6. 12. By your patience possess your souls, Luke 21. 19 Because thou hast kept the world of my patience, Life. I will keep thee from the hour of tentation, Reu. 3. 10. Whosoever confesseth me before men, Honour in in heaven. I will confess him before my Father which is in heaven Luke 12. 8. Verily I say unto you, Rewards in this life. that no man that hath forsaken house, or lands for my sake, but he shall receive an hundred fold, and in the world to come life everlasting, Mark. 10. 29. If ye suffer for righteousness sake, blessed are ye: yea fear not their fear neither be troubled, 1. Pet. 3. 14. But sanctify the Lord in your hearts, ver. 5. If we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him, Rom. 8. 17. The afflictions of this present life are not worthy the glory that shall be revealed, ver. 18. Blessed are they that suffer for righteousness sake, for their is the Kingdom of heaven, Mat. 5. 10. THE PRAYER FOR Thursday evening consisting, of Petitions suitable to the works of redemption on this day. Motives to patience agreeable to the precedent exhortation. GRacious Lord and Saviour who this day didst eat the Passeover, and went eating in thy Supper; Sup with me in the Evening of this life, and grant that I may Dine with thee in thy day of eternity. Gracious Redeemer, who this day gavest thyself to me in the Sacrament, first instituted by thee; and the day following givest thyself for me on the Cross; give me a special saith to receive thee, and retain thee, and apply continually thy fear to embolden me, thine Agony to comfort me, thy nakedness to clothe me, thy condemning to quit me, thy blood to cleanse me, thy wounds to heal me, and thy death to quicken me. O let not the work of thy hands be plucked out of thy hands. Let not the purchase of thy blood be mortgaged to the devil. Let not thy tears and blood be shed in vain. Let not thy sighs and groans be breathed out to no purpose. Let not thine agony and sweat, let not thy taking and binding; let not thy arraigning and condemning; let not thy stripping and scourging; let not thy buffetting and being spit upon; let not thy pricking and goring; let not thy crucifying & dying want their effects in me. What should I not do or suffer for thee, who wert martyred in all parts of thy body and faculties of thy soul for me: In thy mind by apprehension of thy Father's wrath, in thy affections by fear and sorrow even unto death; in thy inward parts by thine agony: in thy outward by thy torments: in thy head by thorns: in thy cheeks by buffets: in thy face by spittle: in thy ears by blasphemies: in thy smell by the stench of Golgotha: in thy taste by gall and vinegar: in thy hands and feet by nails: in thy body by stripes: in thy side by the lance: and in thy joints by the cross. O Lord, who hast called me to the knowledge of thy truth, and by thy Spirit imprinted thy love in my heart by those nails which fastened thee to the Crosse. Let nothing ever be able to separate me from thy love, not tribulation, nor anguish, nor persecution, nor height, nor depth, nor things present, nor things to come, nor life, nor death: for I know that all things work for the best to them that love thee. I cannot suffer the thousandth part of that for thee, which thou hast suffered for me. I cannot suffer the least part of that which I deserve for my sins. I cannot suffer any thing which the Apostles and Prophets have not suffered before me. I cannot suffer so much as may any way counterbalance the massy crown of glory prepared for me: for my light and momentary afflictions are no way worthy the glory that shall be revealed upon me hereafter. And for the present, what are afflictions, or crosses, or persecutions, or mocks, or disgraces? but the common lot of thy children, the discipline of thy school, the physic for my soul, the pledge of thy love, the badge for my profession, the incentives of my devotion, the trial of my faith, the exercise of my patience, the testimony of my constancy, the mark of my conformity with thee. When I am thus chastened I am judged of thee that I be not condemned of the world. Shall tribulation therefore, or anguish, or bands, or imprisonment, or stripes, or banishment, separate me from thy love? Nay, sith I know they befall me by thy providence, and are mitigated by thy mercy, and directed by thy love for my greater good; they shall rather unite me faster to thee. How shall I deny thee who art the Lord that bought me● How should I grieve thy Spirit which comforteth me in all my griefs? How should I set that blood at nought which was the price of my redemption? How should I ever willingly offend thee who art my peace, & hast reconciled me to thy Father, and paid my ransom with thy dearest hearts blood? How can I ever forget thee who remember'st me at all times in all places; in my journeys by thy conduct; at home by thy safeguard; in my prayers by thy assistance; in my afflictions by thy comforts, in my board by thy bounty; in my bed by thy protection; and in all my ways by thy support. To this thy gracious providence and care which continually watcheth over all thine Elect: I commend my sleep and rest this night, beseeching thee so to order it and me that whether I sleep or wake, whether I labour or rest, whether I lie down or rise up, all may be done under thy protection, in thy fear, to thy glory. So be it, Amen. The close out of Scripture. TO him that is able to keep me that I fall not, and to present me faultless, before the presence of his glory with joy jud, 24. That is, to God only wise my Saviour, be glory, and majesty, and dominion, and power. etc. ver. 24. The Devotion for Friday: The Father worketh. The work of creation on this day Moreover God said, Let the earth bring forth the living thing, according to his kind, cattle, and that which creepeth, and the beast of the earth, according to his kind, and it was so, Gen. 1. 24. And God made the beast of the earth according to his kind, and the cattle according to his kind, and every creeping thing of the earth according to his kind: and God saw that it was good, ver. 25. Furthermore, God said; Let us make man in our own Image according to our likeness, and let him rule over the fish of the Sea, and over the Fowl of the Heaven, and over the beasts, and over all the earth, and over every thing that crcepeth, & moveth on the earth, ver. 26. Thus God created the man in his Image: In the Image of God created he him; he created them male and female, ver. 27. And God blessed them, and God said to them: Bring forth fruit, and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over the fish of the Sea, and over the fowl of the heaven, and over every beast that moveth upon the earth, ver. 28. And God said, Behold, I have given to you every herb bearing seed which is upon all the earth, and every tree wherein is the fruit of a tree bearing seed that shall be to you for meat, ver. 29. Likewise, to every beast of the earth, and to every soul of the heaven, and every thing that moveth upon the earth which hath life in itself, every green herb shall be for meat; and it was so, ver. 30. And God saw all that he had made, and lo it was very good. So the Evening & the Morning were the sixth day, ver. 31. AND I WORK The work of Redemption on this day. Matth. 27. the whole Chap. as also Luke 23. Mar. 15. joh. 19 When he was reviled, he reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. Who his own self bore our sins, in his own body on the tree, ver. 24. For thine instruction meditate In the Morning, on the work of thy Creation. In the Evening, on the work of thy Redemption, wrought on this day. For thy comfort apply to thyself the benefit of both. For thy correction check thyself for thy Defacing God's Image stamped in thee at thy Creation. Trampling under foot Christ's blood the price of thy Redemption. Quicken Thy thanksgiving by the Hymn. Thy sanctity and faith by the exhortation. Thy zeal and devotion by the prayer ensuing. The Hymn for Friday Morning, being the sixth day from the CREATION. O Come let us worship, and fall down, and kneel before the Lord our Maker, Psal. 95. 6. For he is the Lord our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hands, v. 7. What is man, Lord, that thou art so mindful of him, or the son of man that thou visitest him? Psal. 8. 4. Thou madest him little lower than the angels to crown him with glory and worship, v. 5. Thou madest him to have dominion over thy works, and thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet, v. 6. All Sheep and Oxen; yea, and the beasts of the field, v. 7. The Fowls of the air and the Fishes of the Sea, and whatsoever walketh through the paths of the seas, ver. 8. O Lord our governor, how excellent, etc. v. 9 The Admonition for Friday Morning, being an Exhortation to Holiness of life and conversation, the ninth BEATITUDE. THE ANALYSIS. We are in holy Scriptures invited & persuaded to Holiness by 1 Precepts in the Law. Gospel. 2 The pattern of sanctity in God the Father. Son. Spirit. 3 The Titles and Attributes of the Church. 4 The state of Creation at the fi●st. 5 The nature of our Vocation. 6 The end of our Redemption. 7 The effect of Sanctification. 8 The condition of Glorification. 9 The fruits of holiness which are▪ 1 joy.. 2 Peace. 3 Prosperity. 4 Dignity. 5 Everlasting happiness. THE TEXTS. BE ye holy, For holiness. for I the Lord your God am holy, Reuel. 11. 44. Give your members servants unto righteousness in holiness, Rom. 6. 19 Follow peace with all men and holiness, Heb. 12. 14. Put on the new man which after God is created in true holiness. Eph. 4. 24. Be in behaviour as becometh holiness, 1. Precepts. 2. Paterens. so fit in God the Father. Tit. 2. 3. As he that called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation, 1. Pet. 1. 15. Thou wilt not suffer thy holy one to see corruption, The Son. The Spirit. Act. 2. 27. But ye denied the holy one, and the just, Acts 3. 14. Holy men spoke as they were moved by the holy Ghost, 2. Pet. 1. 21. She was found with child of the holy Ghost, Mat. 1. 18. He will baptise you with the holy Ghost and with fire, Mat. 3. 11. The Spirit of sanctification, Rom. 1. 4. The Temple of God is holy; which Temple ye are, 1. Cor. 3. 17. That he might present to himself a glorious Church, The church not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy, and without blemish, Eph. 5. 27. Created after the Image of God in righteousness and true holiness, Reasons drawn from the Creation. Eph. 4. 24. God hath not called us to uncleanness, Our Vocation. but to holiness, 1. Thess. 4. 7. Let your conversation be such as becometh the Gospel, Phil. 1. 21. Walk worthy of the Lord, Col. 1. 10. I beseech you that ye walk worthy the calling whereunto ye are called. He hath visited and redeemed his people etc. Redemption. That we might serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life, Sanctification. Luke 1. 71. Being freed from sin and made servants to God, Glorification. ye have your fruit in holiness, and the end everlasting life, Rom. 6. 21. Holiness without which no man shall see the Lord, Fruits of holiness Heb. 12. 4. Rejoice in the Lord always, joy.. and again I say rejoice, Phil. 34. Rejoice in the Lord, o ye righteous, and be glad all ye that are true of heart, Psal. 31. 12. Psal. 32. 1. Ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, 1. Pet. 1. 8. The Kingdom of God is righteousness, Peace. and peace, and joy in the holy Ghost Rom. 14. 17. Blessed: is he that hath not walked in the ways etc. Prosperity. Psal. 1. 2. But his delight is in the law of God. etc. Psal. 1. 3. His leaf shall not wither, and whatsoever he doth it shall prosper, Psal. 1. 4. Those that honour me, Dignity. I will honour. If thou call the Sabbath thy delight, the holy of the Lord, and shalt honour him. I will cause thee to possess the high places of the earth, Isa. 56. 23. 24. Blessed are all those that are undefiled in the way, & walk in the Law of the Lord, Psal. 119. 1. We look for a new heaven & a new earth, in which dwelleth righteousness, 2 Pet. 3. 13. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection, on such the second death hath no power; but they shall be Priests of God, and of Christ, and shall reign with him, Reu. 20 6. And I john saw the holy City new jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a Bride adorned for her husband, Reu. 21. 2. He showed me that great City new jerusalem Verse 10. The way to the 〈…〉 all was not yet made manifest, Heb. 9 8. By his own blood he entered in once to the holy place having obtained eternal Redemption for us, verse 12. The Prayer for Friday Morning, being the sixth day from the Creation. Composed of Petitions suitable to the work of the day Motives to 〈…〉 agreeable to the precedent exhortation. GLOrious Creator and gracious Saviour of mankind, I lift up mine eyes & hands to thee, whose hands this day made and fashioned me. I lift up my heart unto thee, who●e heart was this day pierced for my transgressions. I lift up my body and soul to thee, who this day waste lifted upon the Cross to offer an infinite sacrifice for the expiation of the sins of the whole world. Let thy hands which fashioned and form me, sustain and support me: let thine arms which thou stretchedst on the Cross embrace me and hold me fast to thee that nothing may sever me from thee, Almighty and most wise Creator who hast made me of nothing, suffer me not to make myself worse than nothing. Gracious Redeemer, who hast saved that which was lost, lose not that which thou hast saved. Though the malice of Satan be great, yet thy goodness is greater. Though my sins be exceeding many, yet thy mercies exceed them, though my corruptions be strong, yet thy grace is stronger. Let it not be in my power or the power of any creature, either in heaven or in earth to mar thy best work; to deface thine Image which first thou stampedst in me; and after I had slurried and almost razed it out, thou hast by grace renewed it, according to the first pattern, in holiness and righteousness. When thou madest me light, I made myself darkness, but thou hast turned my darkness into light. When I was freed, I enthralled myself, but thou hast freed me: when I was strait, I crooked my will, but thou hast rectified it: when I was whole I maimed myself, but thou hast healed me: when I was happy I made myself miserable, but thou hast restored me to my former bliss. Nay I have gained by my losses, and am raised higher by my fall, through thy infinite mercy, which hath not only ransomed me from death, but purchased me an eternal inheritance, and crown of life in thi●e heavenly kingdom. Sith thou hast done so great things for me whereat I rejoice; sith thou hast prepared such things for me as neither eye hath seen, nor ear hath heard, nor ever entered into the heart of man to conceive; what manner of man ought I to be in all holy conversation? How clear aught those eyes to be which shall see God? How clean those ears, which shall hear words that cannot be uttered How pure that heart which shall be filled with those joys whi●h never entered into the heart of man? Thou, o Father, which hast created me art the holy one of Israel. Thou o Son, who redeemedst me art the Holy one of God. Thou, o Spirit, which sanctifiest me art the holy Ghost. Thou, o Father, hast created me according to thine Image in holiness and righteousness: thou, o Son, hast redeemed me to serve thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life: thou, o Spirit, hast freed me from sin and made me servant to God that I might have my fruit in holiness, and the end everlasting life. Our vocation is a holy calling, our societies a holy communion, our style a holy Priesthood, our assemblies holy congregations, our Country the holy land of Promise, our City the holy jerusalem, our Charter the holy Scriptures, our immunities holy privileges, our seals, which confirm them, holy Sacraments. All our happiness here is holiness, and holiness hereafter shall be our happiness. Lord make me therefore to be so happy here, as to be holy, and so holy here, that I may be hereafter happy, Amen. The close out of Scripture. The God of Peace that brought again from the dead our Lord jesus, the great Shepherd of the Sheep, through the blood of the everlasting Covenant, Heb. 2. 20. Make me perfect in all good works to do his will, working in me that which is pleasant in his sight, through jesus Christ. ver. 21. The Hymn for Friday Evening. Wherein the devout soul Praiseth God for her Creation. Redemption. Prayeth for Preservation. Glorification. THE TEXTS. THy hands have made me and fashioned me; o give me understanding that I may learn thy Commandments, Psal. 119. Into thy hands I commend my Spirit, for thou hast redeemed me thou God of Truth. O let me hear thy loving kindness betimes in the morning, for in thee is my trust. Show thou me the way that I should walk in, for I lift up my soul unto thee, Psal. 41. 8. Teach me to do the thing that pleaseth thee, for thou art my God: let thy loving Spirit lead me into the land of righteousness, verse 10. Set a watch o Lord before my mouth; and keep the door of my lips, Psal. 41. O let not mine heart be inclined to any wicked thing; let me not be occupied in ungodly works with the men that work wickedness, verse 4. O Lord thou hast searched me out and known me; thou knowest my downe-sitting and mine uprising; thou understandest my thoughts long befor●, Psal. 139. 1, 2. For lo, there is not a word in my tongue, but thou o Lord knowest it altogether, verse 3. Thou hast fashioned me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. verse 4. Such knowledge is too wonderful and excellent for me, I cannot attain unto it. verse 5. I will give thanks unto thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well, verse 13. My bones are not hid from thee, though I be made secretly, and fashioned beneath in the earth. verse 14. Thine eyes did see me when I was without form: for in thy book were all things written which in continuance were fashioned, when there was none of them before. verse 15. O how dear are thy counsels to me, 〈◊〉 God? O how great is the sum of them? verse 16. If I tell them, they are more in number then the sands of the sea: when I awake up, I am present with thee. verse 17. Lord guide me with thy counsel, and after that receive me with glory. Keep me as the Apple of thine eye: hide me under the shadow of thy wings. Psal. 17. 8. I will behold thy presence in righteousness; and when I awake up after thy likeness, I shall be satisfied with it. ver. 16. The Admonition for Friday Evening, being an Exhortation to Faith in CHRIST. The principal inducements to stir us up to faith in Christ, are the 1 Necessity of this virtue in respect of 1 The Commandment of God in general, to which faith is requisite. 2 All other duties in Special, Praying. Hearing. Communicating. 2 The excellency of it, for it is Precious. Holy. The faith of the Elect. 3 The certainty of it, for it is grounded on God, The Father his Word. Oath. The Son his Promises. Prayer. The Spirit his Earnest. Seal. 4 Efficacy 1 Extraordinary, as working miracles. 2 Ordinary, as Victory over the World. Devil. justification. Salvation. THE TEXTS. YE believe in God; Faith commanded. believe also in me, joh. 14. 1. This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he: hath sent, joh. 6. 29. Believe in the Lord jesus, and thou shalt be saved and all thine house, Act. 16. 31. This is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son jesus Christ, 1. joh. 3. 23. Earnestly contend for the saith, jud. 13. Repent ye and believe the Gospel, Mar. 1. 15. Follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, etc. 2. Tim. 2. 22. Without faith it is impossible to please God, As necessary to all religious duties, as Prayer. Heb. 11. 6. Whatsoever is not of faith, is sin, Rom. 14. 23. How shall they call upon him in whom they have not believed? Rom. 10. 14. He that prayeth, let him pray in faith, nothing doubting, jam. 1. 6. All things whatsoever ye ask for in prayer, believing, ye shall receive, Mat. 21. 21. The word preached did not profit them, Hearing the word. not being mixed with faith in them that heard it, Heb. 4. 2. Christ dwelleth in us by faith, Eph. 3. 17. I am the Bread of life: The Sacrament. whosoever believeth in me shall never thirst. joh. 6. 35. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him, ver. 56. He that believeth in me hath everlasting life, ver. 47. I am the Bread of life, ver. 48. To them that have received like precious faith with us, It is Precious. grace and peace be multiplied, 2. Pet. 1. ●. But ye beloved, building yourselves in your most holy faith, Holy. pray to the holy Ghost, jud, 20. Paul an Apostle of jesus Christ according to the faith of God's Elect, Proper to the Elect. Tit. 1. As many as were ordained to salvation believed, Act. 13. 48. This is my well-beloved Son, Grounded on God the Father his Word. hear him, Mat. 3. ult. So God loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, joh. 3. 15. The Father hath committed all judgement to the Son, that all men should honour the Son as the Father, joh. 5. 23. There is another that beareth witness of me, and I know that the witness he witnesseth of me is true, joh. 5. 32. The Father who hath sent me, himself beareth witness of me, joh. 5. 37. The Lord swore, Oath. and will not repent, thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedeck, Psal. 110. 4. God willing more abundantly to show to the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it with an oath, Heb. 6. 17. That by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation who have flied for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us, ver. 18. Go into all the world he that believeth and is baptised shall be saved; The Son his promise. he that believeth not shall be damned, Mar. 16. 16. Verily I say unto you, if any man keep my sayings, he shall never see death, joh 8. 51. I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live, joh. 11. 25. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die, v. 26. For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth, joh. 17. 19 Neither pray I for these alone, Pray. but for them also which shall believe in me through their word, ver. 20. The Spirit itself beareth witness to our spirits that we are the children of God, The Spirits earnest. Rom. 8. 16. He which stablisheth us with Christ, and hath anointed us, 2. Cor. 1. 21. Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of his Spirit in our hearts, ver. 22. He that wrought us for the self same thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. After that ye believed ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Seal. Eph. 1. 13. Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory, ver. 14. He that received his testimony hath set to his seal, that God is true, joh. 3. 33. He received the seal of righteousness, Rom. 4. 11. Grieve not the holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed to the day of redemption, Eph. 4. ●0. If ye have faith and doubt not, Faith worketh miracles. ye shall not only do this which is done to the figtree, but also if ye say to this mountain: Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea, it shall be done, Mat. 21. 21. If I had all faith, so that I could remove mountains, etc. 1. Cor. 1●. 2. These signs shall follow them that believe in my Name, they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues, Mar. 16▪ 17. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them: they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover, ver. 18. Verily, verily I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works which I do shall he do also, and greater works than these shall he do. joh. 14. 12. See Heb. 11 from the 14. verse to the 35. Above all, Overcometh the 〈◊〉. take the shield of faith whereby ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, Eph. 6. 16. Your adversary the devil as a roaring Lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour, 1. Pet. 5. 8. Whom resist, steadfast in the faith ver. 9 This is the victory that overcommeth the world even our faith, The world. 1. joh. 5. 4. Who is he that overcometh the world? He that believeth &c. ver. 5. For ye are the children of God by faith in jesus Christ, Maketh sons of God. Gal. 3. 26. God who knoweth the heart bore them witness, giving them the holy Ghost as he did unto us, Acts, 15. 8. And put no difference between us and them, Purifieth the heart. purifying their hearts by faith, Acts, 15. 9 Whosoever believeth in me shall not be ashamed, Rom. 9 33. Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, and precious; and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded, Keepeth from confusion. 1. Pet. 2. 6. See Isa. 28. 16. Psal. 118. 22. Mat. 21. 42. Acts, 4. 12. jesus seeing his faith, justifieth. said, Son be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee, Mat. 9 2. Daughter be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole, ver. 21. Behold, his soul which is lifted up in him is not upright; but the Justice shall live by his faith, Heb. 2. 4. And Abraham believed in the Lord, and it was counted to him for righteousness, Gen. 15. 6. And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the Law of Moses Acts, 13. 39 The righteousness of God without the Law is manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, Rom. 3. 21. Even the righteousness of God by the faith of jesus Christ to all that believe, ver. 22. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith, in his blood, ver. 25. It is one God which justifieth circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith, ver. 30. To him that worketh not, but believeth▪ on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness, Rom. 4. 5. 6 7. 8. verses. Being justified by faith we have peace with God, Rom. 5. 1. With the heart man believeth to righteousness, Rome, 10. 10. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of jesus Christ, that 〈…〉 justified by the faith of Christ and not by the works of the law, Gal. 2. 16. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, Saveth. 1. Pet. 1. 5. For by grace ye are saved, through faith, Eph, 2. 8. Receiving the end of our faith, the salvation of our souls, 1. Pet. 1. 9 I have finished my course; I have kept the faith, 2. Tim. 4. 7. From hence forth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, Crowneth with everlasting blessings. which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but to all them that love his coming, ver. 8. Be faithful unto the death, and I will give thee a crown of life, Reuel. 2. 10. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him Psal. 2. ult. Verily I say unto you, whosoever heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me, hath everlasting life, & shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death to life, joh. 5. 24. THE PRAYER FOR Friday Evening composed, of Petitions suitable to the work of the day. Motives to faith in Christ, agreeable to the precedent exhortation. MOst bountiful and merciful Lord God, who this day createdst man and redeemedst him; formedst and reformedst him, inspiredst him with the breath of life, and expiredst and diedst for him, upon the Cross; show thyself a faithful Creator in preserving thine own works, and a faithful Redeemer in holding thy dear purchase. O let not thy hate of sin extinguish thy love to thy creature. Let not any thing that I have done prejudice thee in the merit of that which thou hast suffered for me. My sins deserved eternal wrath of thy Father, but thou hast borne it. My wanton delights and impure pleasures deserved stripes and wounds, but thou hast received them. My heinous crimes deserved death, but thou hast suffered it for me. This day my first parent Adam was made a living soul; and this day thou the second Adam wert made a quickening Spirit. This day he sinned in a garden, and this day thou sorrowedst in the garden. This day he took the fruit of the forbidden tree, and this day thou wert hung upon the accursed tree. This day he was cast into a dead sleep, and his side opened, and his wit Eve form of his rib, was flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bone: this day also thou wert cast into a deadly sleep, and thy side opened and thy Spouse the Catholic Church brought forth, not by water only, but by water and blood, the water of regeneration▪ and blood of explation and sanctification. This day Adam brought the curse upon himself and all his posterity; this day thou providedst an everlasting blessing for thyself and all thy members. That which he lost thou hast regained with advantage: that which he did, thou hast suffered for: that which I owed, thou hast discharged on the very day, by taking all his and our debts upon thee, and laying down an all-sufficient price to satisfy for them. O give me an hand of faith to receive so much of this infinite sum as may discharge my debt, and strengthen this my hand, that I may hold it fast, and tender it to thy Father, and receive from him an absolute and general acquittance signed with thy blood, and sealed with thy Cross, bearing date the very day of thy consummation of all things at thy death. If thou badst required a greater thing we should have done it: for what will not a man do for his life? How much more when thou ●arest believe, and live; cast yourselves upon me, and I will save you from drowning in everlasting perdition: receive the price of your ransom, and be freed. When thou holdest out the golden Scapter of thy grace, if we will not take hold on it, we deserve double damnation for refusing so easy a means of salvation. Adam believed Eve, and Eve the Serpent, to her and our ruin: why should not I much rather believe thy Church thy Spouse, and thy Spouse thy Word to salvation▪ What should withhold my faith from apprehending, my hope from expecting the promises of thy Gospel, confirmed by so many miracles, testified by the Church in all Ages, signed with the blood of so many Martyrs, and 〈◊〉 to my soul and conscience by the holy Spirit? Doth it shake and stagger my faith that thy works recorded in holy Scriptures so far transcend nature, and the mysteries of saving truth soar above humane reason? But this demonstrateth rather faith to be faith, and thee, o God to be true God Faith is not faith if reason comprehend it. God cannot be God if nature limit him. Am I the more averse from embracing thy Gospel, because it crosseth and checketh my natural dispositions and in clinations? But the cause is most evident: thy Law is just, holy, and pure; but I am wicked, profane, and impure. The physic is for the most part the better which the patient liketh worst, because it exasperateth the pain for the time. Have I the less love and liking to the most holy faith, because it restraineth my carnal liberty and abridgeth me, or altogether depriveth me of worldly comforts and contentments▪ But am I not spirit as wel● as flesh? Have I not a Law in my mind controlling the Law of my members? Is it not much better to sow unto the Spirit that I may reap peace, joy, and life everlasting, then sow to the flesh, and of the flesh reap nothing but corruption? Thy Gospel, o gracious God, restraineth my carnal, but enlargeth my spiritual liberty: it denieth me sinful, but it promiseth me holy delights and pleasures: it moderateth the desire and use of temporary comforts and joys, but assureth me that my heart shall be filled with eternal. Am I ready to be beaten off from my holy profession and belief by blows, and strokes, persecutions, losses, imprisonment, banishment, scorn of the world and disgrace? This should make me hold it the faster; for the Gospel foretelleth that these things should befall true believers: and it is an honour to me to bear the ●adge of m●●profession and to drink with thee my Saviour in thine own Cup. It is my profession to be thy Soldier; and he is no Soldier that endureth not hardness. I can expect no crown without a Conquest, no Conquest without a battle, no battle without blows and wounds: and what are these light and momentary afflictions to an eternal weight of glory? Thus doth th● Word conquer my reason, and yet it will not yield. I resolve to believe: Lord strengthen my resolution. I do believe, Lord help mine unbelief▪ All things past have so come to pass as the Oracles of thy truth fore-shewed they should, and how then can I doubt of things future revealed in them? The deluge was foretold 120 years before; and at the prefixed time it overrun the whole world. Thy people's bondage in Egypt for 400 years, and their after delivery is no otherwise described by Moses, than it was in a dream many Ages before delivered to Abraham. Thou called'st thy Shepherd Cyrus, and thine anointed josias by name, to their functions long before either of them, or their forefathers, were conceived. The 4 famous Monarches pictured out in Nebuchadnezzars Image, succeeded in their order. The Assyrian represented by the golden head, the Persian by the silver arms and shoulders; the Grecian by the thighs of brass; and the Roman by the legs of iron. And do we not see at this day, the stump of that Image, and the feet, partly iron in the Turkish, and partly of clay in the German Empire? Thy Birth and Death, o Saviour, was fore shadowed in Types, and fore-spoken of by Prophets, ever since the world began; and since thy coming into the flesh, and finishing all things at thy death in jerusalem: Not a syllable, or one jot of any of thy words have passed without their accomplishment. jerusalem is destroyed; the Temple made even with the ground, and never could be built again. The jews are dispersed into all nations. The Gospel is preached through the whole world: the man of sin is every day more and more discovered; and why should I not then believe as certainly that the heavens shall pass away shortly with heat, and the elements melt with fire, and thy sign be seen in the clouds; and those that are in their graves be awaked with the sound of the last Trump, and meet thee in the air? I believe, Lord help my unbelief. Is it not as easy for thee to raise me out of ashes, as at the first to rear me out of the dust? to send back my Spirit into my body, as at the first to breathe it in? I see the seed in the ground, the plants in the garden, die before they rise and spring up. I see worms, and flies, and divers other creatures that spend the winter season in a kind of death, revive in the Spring. I see myself dead every night, and alive in the morning. Why then should I call in question this Article of my belief, of all most comfortable? Lord who this evening dist cast Adam into a dead sleep, and thyself fellest asleep on the bed of thy Cross, and awakedst him again, and raisedst thyself out of thy sleep of death; sanctify my rest and sleep this night unto me, that I may by it not only be strengthened in my body, and revived from my bed of slumber to rise to my labour and travel the next morning, but also more confirmed in my faith touching the resurrection of this my body out of the bed of the grave at the last day, So be it, Amen. The close out of Scripture. To him that loved us, and washed our sins in his blood, and made us Kings and Priests to God even his Father, be glory and dominion for evermore. Amen. Reu. 1. 5, 6. Saturdayes' Devotion. The Father resteth from the works of Creation. IN the seaventh day God ended his work which he had made, and the seaventh day he rested from all his work which he had made. Gen. 2. 2. So God blessed the seaventh day, and sanctified it, because that in it he had rested from all his work which God had created and made. verse 3. The Son resteth in the Sepulchre. ANd when the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathea, named joseph, who had also himself been Iesus' Disciple. Mat. 27. 57 He went to Pilate and asked the body of jesus. And Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. verse 58. So joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth. verse 59 And put it in his new Tomb which he had hewn out in a Rock, and rolled a great stone to the door of the Sepulchre, and departed. verse 60. And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary sitting over against the Sepulchre, verse 61. Now the next day that followed, the day of the preparation, the chief Priests and Pharisees came together to Pilate, verse 62. Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again, verse 63. Command therefore that the Sepulchre be made sure until the third day, left his Disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead; so the last error will be worse than the first, verse 64. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch, go your way, make it as sure as you can, verse 65. So they went, and made the Sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch, verse 66. For thine instruction meditate In the morning, on the Father's rest from works of Creation. In the evening on the Son's works of Redemption. For thy comfort apply the benefits of both to thyself, which are A holy rest here. and happy rest hereafter. Everlasting For thy correction reprove thy profaning God's holy Sabbath by First, Worldly business. Secondly, Carnal pleasures. Thirdly, Omitting holy duties. Fourthly, Performing them Negligently. Unwillingly. Quicken thy Preparation to holy duties by the Psalm. Constancy in life and death by the Admonition. Zeal, Devotion, and resolution by the Prayer ensuing The Hymn for Saturday Morning. I Have remembered thy Name o Lord in the night season, and have kept thy Law, Psal. 119. 57 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet to thy testimonies, verse 59 I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried; I hoped in thy Word, v. 147. Hear my voice according to thy loving kindness o Lord: quicken me according to thy judgements, verse 149. Seven times a day do I praise thee according to thy righteous judgement. v. 164. Great peace have they that love thy Law, and nothing shall offend them, verse 165. I have longed for thy salvation o Lord; & thy Law is my delight, verse 174. Deliver me o Lord from the wicked, which is a sword of thine, Psal. 17. 13. From men which are thy hand, o Lord, from men of the world which have their portion in this life, and whose bellies thou fillest with thy hid treasures, verse 14. My heart is pained within me, and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. Psal. 55. 4. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me; and horror hath overwhelmed me. v. 5. O that I had wings like a Dove, for than would I fly away, and be at rest. v. 6. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm, and tempest. v. 8. An Admonition for Saturday Morning, being an exhortation to perseverance, the twelfth BEATITUDE. All that expect the reward of Piety must strive and pray for perseverance and abhor and shun falling away from grace because in Scripture, The one is Commanded by God. Commended in his Saints. Encouraged unto by promises of Certain reward. Salvation. Assured comfort. An incorruptible Crown of glory. The other is Vehemently dissuaded. Severely censured. Dreadfully threatened. Eternally punished. THE TEXTS. Watch ye therefore, Precepts for perseverance. and pray continually, Luk. 21. 36. Continue ye in love, joh 15. 9 Take heed to thyself, and to thy Doctrine; continue in them, 1 Tim 4. 16. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, and hast been assured of, 2 Tim 3. 14. Let us hold fast our profession Heb. 4. 14. Hold fast till I come, Reu. 2. 25. Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer, Rom. 12. 12. Dear beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, stand fast in the Lord, Phil. 4. 1. Paul and Barnabas persuaded them to continue in the grace of God, Acts 13. 43. Confirming the souls of the disciple●, and exhorting them to continue in aith, Act. 14. 22. But ye brethren be not weary in well doing, 2. Thess. 3. 13. Let brotherly love continue, Heb. 13. 1. Stand fast in one spirit with one mind, striving together for the faith of the Gospel, Phil. 1. 17. Therefore my brethren be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, 1. Cor. 15. 28. Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, acquit you like men, 1. Cor. 16. 13. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, Gal. 5. 1. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand in the evil day; and having done all stand fast. Eph. 6. 13. Brethren stand fast: hold the traditions which ye have been taught, 2. Thess. 2. 13. Whom resist steadfast in the faith, 1. Pet. 5. 9 Ye therefore seeing ye know these things, beware lest ye also being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. 2. Pet. 3. 17. He spoke a parable, that we ought always to pray, and not to faint, Luke 18. 1. Shall not God avenge his Elect which cry unto him day and night, Examples. though he bear long with them? ver. 7. He, Abraham. after he had patiently endured, obtained the promise, Heb. 6. 15. O Lord God of my salvation, David. I have cried day and night before thee, Psal. 88 1. I have called daily upon thee; I have stretched forth my hands unto thee, ver. 9 He kneeled upon his knees, Daniel. and prayed three times a day Dan. 6. 10. And they which went before rebuked the blind man that he should hold his peace; The blind man. but he cried so much the more, Son of David have mercy on me, Luk. 18. 39 And behold a woman of Caanan cried unto him saying, The Cananitsh woman. Have mercy on me, etc. Mat. 15. 22. But he answered her not a word; and his disciples besought him, saying; Send her away, for she crieth after us, ver. 23. He answered, I am not sent, etc. ver. 24. Then came she, and worshipped, saying, Lord help me, ver. 25. But he answered, It is not meet, etc. ver. 26. And she said, Truth Lord; yet the dogs eat the crumbs, etc. ver. 27. Then jesus said, Woman, be it to thee as thou wilt, ver. 28. Ye are they which have continued with me in my tentations, Luk. 22. 28. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplications, with Marie the Mother of jesus, Act. 1. 14. We will give ourselves continually to prayer, etc. Act. 6. 4. There were added to them about three thousand souls, Peter's converts. etc. Act. 2, 41. And they continued steadfastly in the Apostles doctrine, and fellowship, and breaking of bread, and prayer, ver. 42. By the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night & day with tears, Paul. Act. 20. 31 Since the day we heard, we ceased not to pray for you, Col. 1. 9 For this cause, we thank God without ceasing, 1. Thess. 2. 13. A devout man, Cornelius. which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always, Act. 10 2. And the four beasts The beasts full of eyes. had each of them six wings upon them, and they were full of eyes within, and they ceased not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty, which was, and is, and is to come, Reu. 4. 8. I declare unto you the Gospel which ye have received, The Corinthians. and wherein ye stand, Continuance is a note of Truth. or continue, 1. Cor. 15. 1. Then said jesus to those jews that believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye indeed my disciples, joh. 8. 31. Who so looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer, shall be blessed in his deed, james 1. 25. They went out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us, 1. joh. 2. 19 Whosoever abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God, joh. 2. 9 So run that ye may obtain, 1. Cor. 9 26. Let us not be weatie in well doing; Hath certain promises of reward. for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not, Gal. 6. 9 Hold that thou hast, that no man take thy crown, Reu. 3. 11. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, Heb. 3. 14. He that endureth to the end shall be saved, Salvation. Mat. 10. 22. Continue therein; for in doing this, thou shalt save thyself, and them that hear thee, 1. Tim, 3. 8. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, Phil. 4. 12. Show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end, Comfortable assurance. Heb. 6. 11. To him that overcometh I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the garden of God, Reuel. 2. 7. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after that same example, Heb. 4. 11. Let us fear lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it, Heb. 4. 1. Ye have continued with me, etc. Luk. 22. 28. And I appoint unto you a Kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me, ver. 29. Be faithful unto death, A crown of life. and I will give thee the crown of life. Reuel. 2. 10. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, etc. 1. Tim. 4. 7. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but to them also that love his appearing, ver. 8. Take heed lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing away from the living God, Apostasy and backsliding vehemently dissuaded. Heb. 3. 12. If after they have escaped the pollution of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome; Severely censured. the latter end is worse than the beginning, 2 Pet. 2. 20. For it had been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness, then after they have known it to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them, ver. 21. But it is happened unto them according to the true Proverb; The dog is turned to his vomit again, and the sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire, ver. 22. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, etc. Mat. 12. 44. He taketh to himself seven other spirits, and they dwell there, and the last state of that man is worse than the first, ver. 45. Let him that standeth take heed lest he fall, Fearfully threatened with loss of reward 1. Cor. 10. 12. Are ye so foolish, having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect with the flesh? Gal. 3. 3. Have ye suffered so many things in vain? it it be yet in vain, ver. 4. Cast not away therefore your confidence which hath great recompense of reward, Heb. 10. 35. If any withdraw himself, Of God's favour. my soul shall have no pleasure in him, ver. 38. We are not of them which draw back unto perdition, ver. 38. In the latter days some shall depart from the faith, 1. Tim. 4. 1. Having their conscience seared with a hot iron, With a reprobate sense. ver. 2. Holding faith and a good conscience, Infamy. which some having put away, concerning faith have made shipwreck, 1. Tim. 1. 19 Of whom is Hymenaeus, and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan, ver. 20. Having forsaken the right way, they are gone astray, following the ways of Balaam the son of Bozor etc. 2. Pet. 2. 15. But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, Death. and committeth iniquity, etc. All the righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned; in his trespass that he trespasseth, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die, Eze. 18. 24. It is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, Eternally punished. and were made partakers of the holy Ghost, Heb. 6. 4: It they shall fall away, to renew them to repentance, etc. ver. 5. The Angels which kept not their first estate, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness, unto the judgement of the great day, Iud 6. THE PRAYER FOR Saturday Morning composed of Petitions suitable to the rest, of the Father and the Son on this day. Motives to perseverance, agreeable to the subsequent exhortation. Almighty Creator of heaven and earth, and all things therein; who this day restedst from all thy works, and blessedst it: grant to me (after the painful labours and travails of this life are ended) a sweet, blessed, and comfortable rest with thee in heaven, where I may keep a continual Sabbath, hold a perpetual feast, sing an everlasting song, wear an incorruptible crown, possess an eternal inheritance, and fully enjoy thee in all things, and all things in thee, in endless quietness, joy content, and rest. This rest is the mark at which all my desires aim; this is the price for which all my endeavours run; this is the haven to which (by the gales of thy spirit) my christian course drives. For in this rest there is perfect tranquillity, and in this tranquillity contentment; and in this contentment, joy and pleasure, and in this joy and pleasure, variety, and in this variety security, and in this security eternity. This is the end without end, to which all my labours in thy service, and sufferings for thee through my whole life, tend unto. Here I have labour without rest, there shall be rest without labour; here perturbations without tranquillity, there tranquillity without perturbations; here desire without content, there content without desire; here pain and sorrows, without sincere pleasures and joy; there joys and pleasures without all pain and sorrows: here satiety of delights without variety, there variety without satiety; here fear without safety, there safety without fear; here a sudden end without joy, there joys without end. Wherefore I beseech thee heavenly Father, loosen my desires and affections from the things that are below, and knit them to the things that are above Break and dissolve the unlawful contracts between my soul and the creatures, and marrte her to thee in righteousness. Breed in me more and more the loathing of the forbidden fruit; and a longing for the fruits of the tree of life. Let me not lean upon the reeds of Egypt which will break under me, and the splinters run into my body. Let me not repose myself under Ion●s's worm-eaten gourd, but the solid wood of Christ's Crosse. Let me not set up my rest on this side of jordan, but pass over into the celestial Canaan. And because death is the narrow passage between this life and the life to come, let me not so much fear this cut as I do; for on this side, I leave labour, sorrow, sin, shame, vexation, anxiety, pain, and mortality; and on the other side, I find rest, righteousness, glory, contentment, pleasure, and immortality. It is but a short passage, and my Saviour hath made it safe. All thy Saints either have, or shall pass it over. I lose nothing in this passage; my soul is presently transported, and though my body stay a while here, yet it shall follow in due time. And no sooner this dark world and the shadow of it goes out of sight, but the glorious light of heaven shineth upon me; I see streets of gold, and gates of pearl, and foundations garnished with all sorts of precious stones. I shall behold thee the Father in thy Majesty, Christ thy Son in his glory, the Spirit in his sanctity, the Archangels and Angels in their excellency, and the Saints in their felicity. I shall then hunger no more, I shall labour no more, I shall travel no more, I shall fear no more, I shall grieve no more, I shall desire no more. I shall need no more any house, for the heaven & heaven of heavens shall be my habitation; nor Temple, for God shall be my Temple: nor light, for the Lamb shall be my light. O Lord let the hope and expectation of this everlasting rest and happiness, sweeten all my labours, and ease my torment, and mitigate my sorrows, and comfort my heart, that I fail not in my labour, nor tire in my travel, nor sink under my burdens, nor fall under my crosses, nor die for sorrow of my wounds received in the Lord's battles; but hold on cheerfully, strenuously, and valiantly, till I arrive at the land of promise, and there receive the lot of mine inheritance with the Saints in light. So be it, Amen. The close out of Scripture. The peace of God which passeth all understanding, preserve my heart and mind through jesus Christ, Phillip 4. 7. The Devotion for Saturday Evening. THE HYMN. I Will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall be in my mouth continually, Psal. 34. 1. O how great is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee! which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men? Psal. 31. 19 Blessed be the Lord, for he hath showed me marvellous kindness. v. 21. Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation, Psal. 68 19 What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits? Psal. 116. 12. O love the Lord all ye his Saints, for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plenteously rewardeth the proud doer. Ps. 31. 23. Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, and upon them that hope in his mercy, Ps. 33. 18. To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine, v. 19 Though I have lain among the pots, yet shall I be as the wings of a Dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold, Psal. 68 13. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of all, Psal. 34. 19 He keepeth all his bones, so that not one of them is broken, v. 20. Why art thou cast down o my soul, and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God, for I will yet praise him who is the health of my countenance, and my God, Psal. 42. 11. THE TEXTS. IN. Adam all dye, 1 Death is common to all men. Cor. 15. 22. It is appointed to men once to dye, Heb. 9 27. Death went over all, Rom. 5. 12. Man that is borne of a woman is but of few days, job. 14. 1. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down; he flieth away as a shadow, and continueth not, verse 2. And where is he? verse 10. When the breath of man goeth forth, he shall turn again to his earth, and then all his thoughts perish, Psal. 146. 3. Man lieth down and riseth not, till the heavens be no more. job 14. verse 14. They shall not be awaked, nor raised out of their sleep, v. 14. Thou hast made my days as it were a span long, Psal. 39 6. We are but as yesterday; our days on earth are a shadow, job 8. 9 What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? Psal 89. 47. All flesh is grass; and the glory of it as the flower, 1 Pet 1. 24. As the flower of grass he shall pass away, jam. 1. 10. What is our life? It is a Vapour that appeareth for a little time, and vanisheth away, jam. 4. 14. Man his days are determined; The time and hour is by God prefixed. the number of his months are with thee; thou hast appointed him his bounds that he cannot pass, job. 14. 5. Lord let me know mine end, and the number of my days, Psal. 39 5. I will add unto thy days fifteen years, Isa 38. 5. O teach us to number our days etc. Psal. 90. 12. Whether we die or live, we are the Lords, Rom. 14. 8. The right use of Fasting consisteth in the 1 Manner, that it be sincere, not hypocritical. 2 Measure, that it be not immoderate. 3 Cause or end, which must be either 1 To tame and subdue the flesh: such was Paul's fast, I beat down my body. 2 To testify our humiliation, and sorrow for our sins; such was Ezra's and the Ninevites fast. 3 To quicken zeal and devotion: such was Hanna's fast Luke 2. The abuse of Fast likewise is seen in the 1 Manner, if we abstain from one kind of meat, and feed daintily on another: forbear one meal, and glut ourselves another. 2 Measure, if we continue or fast so long, that we much impair our strength, or endanger our health. 3 Cause or end- 1 If we abstain from any kind of meat out of an opinion and erroneous scruple of conscience, that it is of itself unclean, as the Tatians and Encratites did; or, as being now forbidden us under the Gospel, as some judaising Christians at this day. 2 If we abstain from all or any kind of meat to merit, or satisfy thereby; as Papists do. 3 If we keep a Fast to colour any ungodly or malicious purpose; as jezebel did. The second Table of Fasting. The Lord is faithful, God is an omnipotent and faithful Creator who shall keep you from evil. 2 Thes. 3. 3. Commit the keeping of their souls to him who is a faithful Creator, 1 Pet. 4. 19 I know whom I have trusted, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day, 2 Tim. 1. 12. For this end Christ died and rose, Christ himself died, and by death entered into his glory. and revived, that he might be Lord both of the living, and the dead, Rom. 14. 9 In that he died, he died to sin once; but in that he liveth, he liveth to God, Rom. 6. 10. If we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him, verse 8. I was dead, And destroyed death. I am alive, and I live for ever; and I have the keys of death and of hell, Reu. 1. 18. I am the resurrection and the life: He that believeth in me, though he were dead yet shall he live, joh. 11. 25. Christ hath abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light by the Gospel, 2 Tim. 1. 10. Death is swallowed up into victory, 1 Cor. 15. 54. O death where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory? v. 55. The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the Law, verse 56. But thanks be to God who hath given us victory through our Lord jesus Christ, verse 57 He also took part of the same, And changed it in that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, even the devil, Heb. ●. 14. Our friend Lazarus sleepeth, Name. joh 11. 11. And when he had thus spoken, he fell asleep, Acts 7. 60. And many are fallen asleep, 1 Cor. 11. 10. Which are asleep in Christ, 1 Cor. 15. 18. Christ is risen from the dead, the first fruits of them that sleep, verse 20. Christ to me is life, Nature. and to die is gain, Of a loss it is made a gain. Phil. 1. 21. Whosoever loseth his life for my sake shall save it, Mar. 8. 35. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, Of a curse, a blessing and a discharge from Labour. Reu. 14. 13. For they rest from their labours, verse. 16. There remaineth a rest for the people of God, Heb. 4. 9 God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, Sorrow. Reu. 1. 17. They shall hunger no more, nor thirst no more, Pain. neither shall the Sun light on them, nor any heat, Reu. 7. 16. He that is dead is free from sin, Sinne. Rom. 6. 7. We look for a new heaven, in which dwelleth righteousness, 2 Pet. 3. 13. And there shall in no wise enter any thing that defileth, Free from evil company. neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie, Reu. 21. 27. For, without shall be dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth, or maketh a lie, Reu. 22. 15. The creature shall be delivered from bondage, Bondage. Rom. 8. 21. His (the tempters) place was no more found, Temptation. Reu. 12. 8. Your joy shall no man take away from you, joh. 16. 22. Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, Fear the Saints desire Death. according to thy word, Luke 2. ●9. I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ, for that is best of all, Phil. 1. 23. For we know that if the house of this earthly Tabernacle were dissolved, we should have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens, 2 Cor. 5. 1. For in this we groan earnestly, desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven, verse 2. We are willing rather to be absent from the body, Are comforted in death by Faith. and present with the Lord, v. 7. So God loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life, joh. 3. 16. He that believeth on him is not condemned, v. 18. Faith is the substance of things hoped for; and the evidence of things not seen, Heb. 11. 1. There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ jesus, Ro. 8. 1. I am persuaded that neither life nor death, By Love.. etc. shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ jesus our Lord, v. ult. We know that we are passed from death to life, because we one the brethren, 1 john 3. 14. Our conversation is in heaven, from whence we look for the Saviour, the Lord jesus Christ, Phil. 3. 20. Hope maketh not ashamed, By Hope. Rom. 5. 5. If we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it, Rom. 8. 25. Rejoicing in hope. Rom. 12. 22 I would not have you ignorant concerning them which are fallen asleep, that ye sorrow not as they which have no hope, 1 Thes. 4. 13. The full assurance of hope unto the end, Heb. 6. 11. Let us hold fast the profession of our hope unto the end, for he is faithful that promiseth, Heb. 10 23. Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul both sure and steadfast and which entereth to that within the veil, Heb. 6. 19 A good conscience By a good conscience. is a continual feast, Proverbes 15. 15. For our rejoicing is this; the testimony of a good conscience, 2. Cor. 1. 12. We trust we have a good conscience in all things, Heb. 13. 18. If our hearts condemn us not, we have confidence towards God, 1. joh. 3. 31. Who shall change our vile bodies, The body resteth in hope of a glorious resurrection. and make them like unto his glorious body, Phil, 3. 20. See 1. Cor. 15. Entire. If we believe that jesus Christ was dead, and is risen; even so them which are asleep in jesus, God shall bring with him, 1. Thess. 4. 14. To the spirits of just men made perfect, Heb. 12. 23. The beggar died, The soul immediately enjoyeth bliss. and was carried into Abraham's bosom, Luk. 16. 22. This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise, Luk. 23. 43. We know that if our earthly tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens, 2. Cor. 5. 1. We would not be unclothed but clothed upon, that mortality may be swallowed up of life, ver. 4. While we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord, ver. 6. We are confident, that when we are absent from the body, we are present with the Lord, ver. 8. vid. supra, Phil. 1. I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ. There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, Body and sonle shall be crowned at the last day. which the righteous judge shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but to all that look for his coming, 2. Tim. 4. 8. Then we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; so shall we be always with the Lord, 1. Thess. 4. 17. Then the righteous shall shine as the Sun in the Kingdom of my Father, Mat. 13. 43. THE PRAYER FOR Saturday Evening, composed of Petitions suitable to the rest of Christ in the grave. Motives to perseverance agreeable to the precedent exhortation in the Morning. I Bless and magnify thy glorious Majesty, wisdom, and omnipotency, o Lord, high possessor of heaven and earth, as for all thy wonderful works in the six days, so also for thy holy rest on this day, whereby thou assurest me of eternal rest in heaven. And I beseech thee of thy goodness which answereth thy greatness, to distil the dew of thy blessings as upon my daily labours, so upon my rest in the night, that it may recover my spirits, and refresh my faculties, and repair my strength, and put me in mind of that comfortable rest which they enjoy, who lie in the bosom of Abraham, and sleep in jesus, who this day lay in his sepulchre, yet saw there no corruption. For thy promise thou madest good, not to leave his soul in hell, nor to suffer thine holy one to see corruption. O Lord I entirely desire thee to bury all my sins, especially those (which this day and week hath added to the total sum) in his grave; and teach me by it to bury in the pit of eternal oblivion. not only my brethren's trespasses against me, but also all those sinful baits which have heretofore alured me to any kind of vicious lewdness. Grant that I may more and more feel the power, as of Christ's death in the mortification of my fleshly members; and so of his burial in the conquering of the horror of the grave. For as thou hast threatened death saying, O death I will be thy death; so thou hast threatened the grave also, saying, O grave, or corruption, I will be thy corruption, or destruction And what though my flesh be all consumed to bones, yet thy spirit blowing upon dead bones can revive them, and couple them again with sinews, and clothe them with flesh. What though these bones be resolved into dust, yet thou which madest it of nothing, canst as easily restore it, and rear it out of that which is as lirtle or next neighbour to nothing. Thou which raisedst thy Son from death, sha●t raise and change my vile body, and make it like unto his glorious body, by that power whereby thou art able to subdue all things unto thyself. Make my heart hewn out of a harder rock them thy Son's sepulchre was, a fit receptacle, not for dead, but for living jesus. As that sepulchre never received any but jesus; so let my heart entertain nothing but thee. Make me a pure and chaste soul, that as thy Son was borne of a Virgin's womb, and lay buried in a virgin tomb: so he may abide in my virgin and undefiled soul. Remove the heavy stone from my heart, as thou didst that great stone from his sepulchre. As he never returned to his sepulchre after he came out of it: so grant that when thou hast perfectly raised me out of the grave of sin, I may never return to it again. And as he kept Sabbath in his grave, and observed thy statutes in life and in death, and fulfilled all righteousness: so grant I may both in life and death accomplish thy holy will. And as he never rested till he had cried out, All is finished: so grant that I may not be weary of well-doing, nor give over my heavenly race of godliness, till I may say, It is finished. Endue me with power from above, and gird about me thy whole armour, that I may fight a good fight against the world, the flesh, and the devil, and finish my course in the full discharge of my calling, and keep the faith to the end; and in the end receive that incorruptible crown of glory which thou the righteous judge wilt give to all that love the second coming of thy Son. And behold thou comest with the clouds, and all eyes shall see, even they that nailed thee; and all kindreds of the earth shall mourn before th●e, yea, and Amen. So be it. The close out of Scripture. Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory, and honour, and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy wills sake they are and have been created, Reu. ●. 11. Worthy is the Lamb that was killed to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, & praise, Reu. 5. 12 The Child-bearing Woman's Devotion In her travail. After her travail. THE ADMONITION. THE ANALYSIS. Religious women ought patiently and comfortably to endure the pains of childbirth, considering 1. That fruitfulness is a special blessing and honour to a woman. 2. That these pains were the punishments, and are the memorial of Eue's transgression. 3. That the hope of children who may be members of Christ, & heirs of salvation, assuageth the pains for the present, and the joy for them afterwards extinguisheth the memory of them. 4. That they have daily experiments of God's strange deliverances; especially in this kind. 5. That child-bearing hath a promise annexed unto it of a blessing Temporal. Spiritual. if the mothers be faithful, and so continue. THE TEXTS. O Lord God of Hosts, Fruitfulness is a spiritual blessing. if thou wilt indeed look upon the affliction of thine Handmaid, and wilt not forget her, but wilt give her a man-child, I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, 1 Sam. ●. 11. Lo children, and the fruit of the womb, are an heritage, and gift that cometh of the Lord, Psal. 127. 4. Like as arrows in the hand of a giant: even so are young children, v. 5. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate, v. 6. Thou fillest their belly with thy hid treasure, Psal. 17. 14. Elizabeth said, Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, The pains are deserved by the sin of Eue. to take away my reproach among men, Luke 1. 25. Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow, and thy conception; In sorrow shalt thou bring forth children, Gen. 3. 16. Adam was not deceived; but the woman being deceived was in the transgression, 1 Tim. 2. 14. A woman, Sweetened with hop of a child. when she is in travail, hath sorrow, because her hour is come; but as soon as she is delivered of a child, she remembreth no more her anguish for joy that a man is borne into the world, joh. 16. 21. Be fruitful, And promises of blessings Temporal, and multiply, and replenish the earth, Gen. 1. 28. Be ye fruitful and multiply, and bring forth abundantly, on the earth, Spiritual. Gen. 9 7. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in child bearing, if they continue in faith, and charity, & holiness, & sobriety, 1 Tim▪ ● 15. A Psalm for women in their travail. IN thee o Lord do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion, Psal. 71. 1. Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me, v. 2. Lord strengthen me upon the bed of languishing: make all my bed in my sickness, Psal. 41. 3. Lord be merciful unto me, heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee, v. 4. Make haste o God to deliver me: make haste o Lord to help me, Psal. 70. 1. For thou art my hope o Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth, Psal. 71. 5. By thee have I been holden up ever since I was borne: thou art he that took me out of my mother's womb: my praise shall be continually of thee, v. 6. I am feeble, and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart, Psal. 38. 8. Lord, all my desire is before thee: and my groaning is not hid from thee, v. 9 My soul is bowed down to the dust; my belly cleaveth to the earth, Psal. 44. 21. Make haste to help me o Lord my salvation, Psal. 38. 22. Lord hear me in this day of my trouble; thy name o God of jacob defend me, Psal. 20. 1. Send me help from the Sanctuary; and strengthen me out of Zion. v. 2. Bless me Lord, and bless the fruit of my womb. A Prayer for a woman in time of her travail. O Most righteous and merciful God who haste justly inflicted the sorrows upon me, which I now endure for the transgressions of Eve, the Mother of the living; and yet in judgement remembering mercy hast sanctified them to the propagation of thy Church; and dost graciously and wonderfully strengthen and help thy servants in them both, to overcome the pains, and escape the danger. Have pity upon the feeble estate of thy poor Hand maid, unable without thy special assistance to go through this great work of patience and labour. My first parent did eat the sour grapes, and my teeth are set on edge; and I now taste the bitterness of that forbidden fruit, and from my heart loathe and detest it. I confess, gracious Lord, that both myself & my child yet unborn have deserved to perish in our sin, original or actual; and I humbly submit it and myself to thy gracious will and pleasure: yet my hope is in that blessed seed of the woman that broke the Serpent's head, that thou hast a blessing in store for me, and that I bear in my womb; of which I am as much in travail in my soul to bring it forth to thee, and make it thine, as I am in labour in my body to bring it forth to me and make it mine. Bless me dear Father in both works, that of nature, and this of grace. Lord, punish not the child for the parent's sake, but preserve the parent for the child's sake, that both may live, and praise thy Name. Sanctify unto me these pains and throws, that they may serve not only as a corasive for sins past, but also as a preservative against sin to come. Bless me in the use of all ordinary means for my sake, bearing and bringing forth my child. Comfort my fainting heart, and strengthen my weak body, and assuage my bitter pangs and sorrows, and sweeten them with an assured hope of a happy and speedy exchange of them into comfort and joy that a child is borne into the world. Lord, who wert present with me at my conception, be present with me in the safe delivery of that I have conceived. Let thy hand which form and fashioned my babe in my womb, keep all the parts and members of it in due shape, substance, & proportion, that the notes of the parent's sin be not seen in the marks, maims, and defects of the child. It is my labour, but it is thy work, o Lord, to make it a living instrument of thy glory. Perfect, I beseech thee, the work thou hast begun and wrought in me thine unworthy workhouse. Make it like all the works of the creation; to which thine own mouth gave testimony, that they were perfect good. Deal not with me according to my wickedness, but according to thy gracious goodness. Carry such a hand over me in all time of my labour & grievous pains, and after my delivery also, that I may ever praise and magnify thee for the effects of thy grace in my patience, of thy power in my strength, of thy providence in my timely delivery, and thy great mercy in my safety, and the preservation of my fruit; for which I humbly beg a blessing from thee, and both dedicate it and myself to thee. Receive both in and for thy holy child Iesus' sake, to whom with thee, and the blessed Spirit, be all honour, praise, and thanksgiving now and for ever, Amen. The Childbearing woman's Devotion after her Delivery. The Admonition to confidence in God. THE ANALYSIS. For confidence in God in greatest and imminent dangers we have in Scripture 1 Precepts. 2 Precedents in— ABRAHAM. SARAH. DAVID. MOSES. ELIAH. HESTER. JOB. SHADRACH, MESECH, and ABEDNEGO. JONAH PETER. 3 Reasons drawn from God his— Names of Faithful Creator. Preserver of men. Mighty deliverer. Saviour. Attributes Omnipotency. Goodness. Promises. Works or performances. THE TEXTS. OFFER the Sacrifice of righteousness, Confidence in God commanded. and put your trust in the Lord, Psal. 4. 5. Put thou thy trust in the Lord, and be doing good, Psal. 37. 3. Commit thy way unto the Lord, and put thy trust in him, v. 5. Charge the rich that they trust not, in uncertain riches, but in the living God, etc. 1 Tim. 6. 17. In him shall the Gentiles trust, Rom. 15. 12. God will provide a Lamb for a burnt offering, Gen. 22. 8. Abraham above hope believed under hope, Practised by Abraham. that he should be the Father of many Nations, Rom. 4. 15. Through faith Sarah received strength to conceive Seed, Saraah. and was delivered when she was past age, because she judged him faithful which had promised, Heb. 11. 11. Moses said, Moses. Fear not, stand still, and behold the salvation of the Lord which he will show you this day, Exod. 14. 13. David said, David. the Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the Lion, and out of the paw of the Bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine, 1 Sam. 17. 37. Eliah said, Eliah. As the Lord liveth before whom I stand, I will surely show myself unto Ahab this day, 1 Kings 18. 15. I also, and my Maids will fast, and so I will go to the King, Hester. which is not according to the Law; and if I perish, I perish, Hester 4. 16. I am sure that my Reedemer liveth, job. etc. Mine eyes shall behold him, though my reins be consumed within me, job 19 25. see job. 13. 15. Shadrach, The three children. Meshach, & Abednego answered: We are not careful to answer thee in this matter, Daniel 3. 16. Behold, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the hot fiery Furnace, and he will deliver us out of thy hands o King, v. 17. jonah prayed to the Lord out of the fishes belly, jonah. jonah 2. 1. I said, I am cast away out of thy sight, yet will I look again toward thine holy Temple, v. 4. Commit their souls to him in well doing, Reasons drawn from God. His Attributes. as a faithful, Creator. 1 Pet. 4. 19 God is faithful, Faithfulness. which will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able, but will even give the issue with the tentation, 1 Cor. 10. 13. God is faithful, that our words to you were Yea and Amen, 2 Cor. 1. 18. All the promises of God in him, are Yea and Amen, v. 20. God is the Saviour of all men, especially of them that believe, 1 Tim. 4. 10. The Lord is my strength, Providence my stony rock, my Saviour, my might, my buckler, etc. Psal. 18. 1. Casting all your care upon God, for he careth for you, 1 Pet. 5. 7. To him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask, Omnipotency. or think, Eph. 3. 20. He is able to subdue all things unto himself, Phil. 3. 21. We received the Sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead, 2 Cor. 1. 9 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver us; in whom we trust that he also will deliver us, v. 10. God is able to make all grace to abound towards you, that ye always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound in every good work, 2 Corinthians 9 8. With God all things are possible, Mat. 19 16. Who is able to keep that which is committed to him till that day, 2 Tim. 1. 12. God is good unto all men, Goodness. and his mercy is over all his works, Psal. 145. 9 Who so dwelleth under the defence of the most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty, Psal. 91. 1. A thousand shall fall beside thee, and ten thousand at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee, v. 7. God is faithful, and will establish us, and keep us from evil, 2. Thes. 3. 3. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him, Gracious promises. Psal. 2. ult. Trust thou in the Lord, and verily thou shalt be fed, Psal. 37. 3. Put thy trust in him, and he shall bring it to pass, ver. 5. Hungry & thirsty their soul fainted in them, Psal. 107. 5. So they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distress, Performances to men in distress, as Lot, ver. 6. vide 13. 19 28. The men put forth their hands, and they pulled Lot into the house Gen. 19 20. And smote the men that were at the door with blindness, v. 21. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the Sea as on the ground, The children of Israel. ver. 23. And the Ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, Eliah. and bread and flesh in the evening, etc. 1. King. 17. 6. The Captain of fifty said; Thus saith the man of GOD: Come down, 2. King. 1. 9 And there came down fire from Heaven, and consumed him and his fifty, ver. 10. There was a great famine in Samaria, Citizens of Samaria. and they besieged it till an Ass' head was sold for eight pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a kab of doves dung for five pieces of silver, 2. King. 6. 25. Elisha said, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flower be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, and it came to pass, chap. 7. ver. 16. So Shadrach, The 3 children (as they are called.) Meshech and Abednego came forth of the fiery furnace, Dan. 3. 26. There was not a hair of their heads singed, neither were their coats changed, neither had the smell of fire passed on them, verse 27. Daniel said, Daniel. My God hath sent his angel, & shut the Lion's mouth that they have not hurt me, etc. Dan. 6. 22. And the Lord spoke to the fish, jonah. and the fish vomited out jonah on the dry land, jonah 2. 10. And behold, the Angel of the Lord came to Peter, Peter. and a light shined in the prison, and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell from his hands, Acts 12. 20. When they passed the first and second watch, they came to the iron gate which opened to them of its own accord, etc. A THANKSGIVING for safe Delivery. Eternal praises & thanks be rendered to thee o Lord of my health and strength, in whose hands are the ways of life, and issues of death. I looked for extreme danger, and behold safety; I looked for out-cries of sorrow, but behold shouts of joy; I looked for sudden death, and behold present life to me, and my sweet babe. O that my heart were a skilful inditer, and my tongue as the pen of a ready scribe, to write down thy praises, and record the wondrous things thou hast done for my soul. Thou hast delivered my life from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. Thou hast dealt graciously with me above my desert, enabled me above my strength, delivered me above my hope, and therefore I will rejoice in thee above measure, & magnify thee without end. Thou hast shut the mouth of the pit which would have swallowed me, ●herefore will I open my mouth in thy praises. Thou hast made good thy promises unto me, therefore I will make good my vows unto thee. Thou hast given me the fruit of my womb, therefore will I return unto thee the fruit of my lips. Now I have felt thy strength in my greatest weakness, I have tasted thy goodness in my bitter pangs, I will therefore call upon thee in my troubles, and will praise thee in my deliverances, and depend upon thee as well in want as in plenty, in sickness as in health, in death as in life. Thou mightest most justly have deprived me of the benefit, and my infant of the hope of life. Thou mightest deservedly have cut off the root and the branch in the same moment, for both were at thy mercy, and liable to a curse; But thy mercy is over all thy works: thou art good to them that are bad; gracious to them that are ungracious; merciful to them that are most sinful. Thou desirest not the death of a sinner, but of sin. Thou wouldst that all should live, and here sow the seeds, and in heaven reap the fruit of immortality. For to this end thou breathedst into us the life of nature to make us capable of the life of grace, that thereby we may attain the life of glory. Therefore dost thou bring us into the light of this world, and set us in the way: that walking the paths of thy Commandments we might in the end arrive at our country in heaven. This life of nature thou hast now given to my child, and continued to me; add now, I beseech thee, grace to nature, and glory to grace hereafter, that as we now live in thee by nature, so we may live to thee by grace, and hereafter for ever live with thee in glory. Thou h●st ordained strength out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, and justly mayst expect praise from them. Gracious Lord, first give my infant strength, and then receive praises from it. The hidden treasure which for many months thou layedst up in me, is now safely taken out of me, and delivered me, therefore I now offer it to thee in thy holy Temple. Accept that from me which thou hast given to me. Receive that into thy hands which thou hast put into mine arms. Wash it in the Font of Baptism; regenerate it by thy holy Spirit; feed it with the sincere milk of thy Word, till it have knowledge to choose the good and refuse the evil. As it groweth in years, and stature, & strength; so grant that it may grow in thy grace and favour, and increase in wisdom and in the knowledge of our Lord & Saviour jesus Christ. So be it, Amen. The close out of Scripture. NOw unto the King immortal, everlasting, invisible, unto God only wise, be honour and glory for ever and ever, Amen, 1 Tim. 1. 17. The Sick-man's Devotion (when there is yet hope of recovery In his Sickness. After his Recovery. When thou art smitten with sickness o devout Christian, 1 ENter into thy private Chamber and commune with thine own heart, and search out diligently the cause of thy Father's displeasure, Psal. 4. ●. 2 Confess the particular sin or sins, for which thy heart smiteth thee most with sighs and tears, Psal. 32. 5, 6. 3 Promise, and fully purpose amendment through the assistance of grace, Psal. 39 1. 4 Advise with the Physician of thy soul, and follow his godly direction, and desire him to pray for thee, and minister a word of comfort unto thee, and if thou find thyself fit for it in the beginning of thy sickness, when thou art in perfect sense and memory, participate of the blessed, Sacrament, rather than when thy faculties are more enfeebled, job. 33. 23. jam. 5. 14. 5 Use carefully all good means of Physic and diet for thy recovery; yet rely not upon the means, or instrument, but upon God, Eccl. 38. 1. 2. Chr. 16. 12. 6 Pray to God instantly & continually, First & absolutely for the health and salvation of thy soul. Secondly, & conditionally, for the health of thy body. 7 Settle thine estate, and make thy Will, that thou mayest be more free for holy and heavenly meditations, Isa. 38. 1. 8 Submit thyself wholly and absolutely to God's good will and pleasure concerning thee, whether for life or death, 1. Pet. 4. 19 9 Read (if thou be able) or appoint to be read unto thee, at seasonable times, select Chapters of Scripture, and devout Sermons, and Prayers: Rom. 8. Philippians 1. 1. Corinth. 15. 1. Thes. 4. 2. Cor. 5. joh. 5. 6. 17. H●b. 12. job. 19 Reu. 2. 3. 21. 22. job 14. Isa. 38. 40. Among other helps in this kind Open thy sorrow and grief by the Hymn. Strengthen thy faith & patience by the exhortation. Quicken thy Zeal and Devotion by the Prayer ensuing. A PSALM FOR the sick, wherein The devout Soul Expresseth her Malady & affection. Hope in God. Experience & remembrance of his former goodness. Meek patience. Prayeth for Ease. Help. Recovery. Quickening grace. Pardon for sin. Wisdom to make good use of sickness. THE TEXTS. Have mercy upon me o Lord, The sick soul expresseth her malady. for I am weak: O Lord heal me, for my bones are vexed, Psal. 6. 2. My soul also is sore troubled: But Lord, how long wilt thou punish me! v. 3 My Spirit vexeth within me: and my heart within me is desolate, Psal. 143. 4. Yet I do remember the time past; I muse upon all thy works; yea, I exercise myself in the work of thy hands, verse ●5. I stretch forth my hands unto thee: Remembrance and experience of God's goodness. my soul gaspeth unto thee as a thirsty land, v. 6. Hear me O Lord, and that soon, for my Spirit waxeth faint: Hide not thy face from me, ●est I be like unto them that go down into the pit, v. 7. Thou art he that took me out of my mother's womb: thou wast my hope when I hanged yet upon my mother's breast, Psal. 22. 9 I have been left unto thee ever since I was borne: Thou art my God even from my mother's womb, v. 10. Though I walk in the shadow of death, Hope in God. I will fear no evil: thy rod and thy staff comfort me, Psal. 23. 4. Lord what is my hope? Truly my hope is even in thee, Psal. 39 5. I became dumb, and opened not my mouth; for it was thy doing, v. 10. I will patiently abide always: Meek patience. and praise thy name more, and more, Psal. 71. 12. O Lord rebuke me not in thine anger, Prayeth for ease. nor chasten me in thy heavy displeasure, Psal. 6. 1. The sorrows of my heart are enlarged; O bring me out of my trouble, Psal. 25. 16. Hear o Lord, Help. and have mercy upon me; Lord be thou my helper, Psal. 30. 11. Turn thee o Lord, and deliver my soul: Recovery. o save me for thy mercy's sake, Psal. 6. 4. For in death no man remembreth thee: and who will give thee thanks in the pit? v. 5. What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Psal. 30. 9 Shall the dust give thanks unto thee? Or shall it declare thy truth? v. 10. Take thy Plague away from me: I am even consumed by the means of thy heavy hand, Psal. 39 11. Quicken me o Lord for thy name's sake; Quickening grace. and for thy righteousness sake, bring my soul out of trouble, Psal. 143. 11. Enter not into judgement with thy servant; Pardon for sin. for in thy sight shall no man living be justified, v. 2. O remember not the sins and offences of my youth; but according to thy mercy think upon me, o Lord, for thy goodness, Psal. 25. 6. Deliver me from all mine offences; and make me not a rebuke to the foolish, Psal. 39 9 O teach me to number my days, Wisdom. that I may apply my heart unto wisdom, Psal. 90. 12. An Admonition to the Sick. THE ANALYSIS. Every good Christian ought to struggle with his infirmities, & labour to compass his mind to meet patience in sickness; especially considering that sickness is— 1 His heavenly Father's visitation, whose 1 Power cannot be resisted. 2 Will must be obeyed. 3 Goodness must be acknowledged in sending us good as well as evil. 2 A deserved scourge for his sin. 3 Seat in love to him for his good 1 To wean him from the love of the world. 2 To strengthen the spirit in him, and tame the flesh. 3 To breed in him a loathing and detestation of sin in general, the cause of all afflictions. 4 To call him home, and bring him to a sense & acknowledgement of his particular sin. 5 To prove the truth and sincerity of his faith and love. 6 To save him from eternal punishment for his sin. 7 To make him seek more earnestly to God, who will be found of him, and (if his appointed time be not come) manifest his glory in delivering him from the very jaws of death. THE TEXTS. We have had Fathers of our flesh which corrected us, Sickness is God's visitation: who is the Father of our Spirits, and cannot be resisted. and we gave them reverence, shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of Spirits, and live? Heb. 12. 9 Who hath ever resisted his will? Rom. 9 19 He is able to subdue all things to himself, Phil. 3. 21. He draweth the mighty with his power; he riseth up, and no man is sure of life, job 24. 21. Will he plead against me with his great power? job 23. 6. God is greater than man, job 33. 12. Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters. v. 13. Thy will be done, Must be obeyed. etc. Mat. 6. 10. Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from me, Mat 26. 39 Yet not as I will, but as thou wilt, v. 16. I held my peace, because it was thy doing, Psal. 39 10. Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, etc. 1 Pet. 3. 11. Let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful creator, 1 Pet. 3. 19 We have received good at the hands of God, From whom we receive good. and shall we not receive evil? job 2. 10. Affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth travail come forth of the ground, job 5. 6. I will make thee sick in smiting thee, because of thy sin, Micha 6. 13. Man suffereth for his sin, It is a scourge for our sins. Lam. 3. 39 We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, It is sent for our good Rom. 8. 28. The heat beat upon the head of IONAS that he fainted, To wean us from the world. and wished in himself to dye, and said, It is better for me to die then to live, jonah 4. 8. And ELIAH requested that he might die: It is enough Lord, take away my life; I am no better than my Fathers, 1 Kings 19 4. We that are in this Tabernacle do groan being burdened, 2 Cor. 5. 4. That I should not be exalted above measure, To tame the flesh, and strengthening the Spirit. there was given me a Thorn in the flesh, 2 Cor. 12. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses; for when I am weak, then am I strong, v. 10 Though our outward man decay, To make us loath sin. our inward man is renewed, etc. 2 Cor. 4. 16. My wounds stink, and are corrupt through my foolishness, Psal. 38. 5. vid. Psal. 38. 4. Let us search, To bring us to acknowledgement of our sins in special. and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord, Lam. 3. 40. I truly am set in the Plague; and my heaviness is ever in my sight, Psal. 38. 17. I will confess my wickedness, and be sorry for my sin, verse 18. The people turneth not to him that smiteth them, Isa 9 13. see Ezra 9 13. The thing that I so greatly feared is fallen upon me, job 3. 25. We have transgressed, and rebelled, and thou hast not pardoned, Lam. 3. 42. Though he slay me, To prove sincerity of our faith and love. yet will I trust in him, job 13. 15. He shall also be my salvation, for an hypocrite shall not stand before him, v. 16. And though all this be come upon us, yet do we not forget thee, nor behave ourselves frowardly in thy covenant, Psal. 44. 18. Our heart is not turned back; neither our steps gone out of the way, v. 19 No not when thou hast smitten us into the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death, v. 20. We are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world, To keep us from everlasting torments. 1 Cor. 11. 32. I will be unto Ephraim as a Lion, To make us seek more earnestly to God. and as a roaring Lion to the house of judah; I will tear, and go away, Hosea 5. 14. I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offences, and seek my face: In their affliction they will seek me early, v. 15. He would have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat and no man gave unto him, Luke 15. 16. And when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants in my Father's house have meat enough, and I perish with hunger? v. 17. I will arise and go to my Father, etc. v. 18. When in their trouble they turned to the Lord God of Israel, Who will be found of us. and sought him, he was found of them, 2 Chron. 15. 4. In wrath, or, in the midst of judgement thou remember'st mercy, Abak. 3. 2. Ikill, And show his glory in our recovery. and make alive; I wound, and I heal, Deut. 32. 39 The Lord bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up, 1 Sam. 2. 6. This man was borne blind, that the work of God might be showed in him, joh. 9 8. This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby, joh. 11. 4. For we had the Sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God that raiseth the dead, 2. Cor. 1. 9, 10. Who hath delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us, ver. 11. A Prayer for the Sick. Faithful Creator, and preserver of all men, especially of thine Elect, whom thou smitest in mercy, and chastenest in love, and correctest in tender compassion, and wounding and healing again, killing and reviving, bringing down to the gates of hell, and raising up from thence again: Look down, I beseech thee, upon thy poor prostrated servant grievously punished, and afflicted in body with the smart of my pain, and much more troubled and terrified in mind with the sense of my sin, and fear of thy heavy displeasure. My pains and pangs of my sickness, O Lord, are bitter, yet the remembrance of my sin is more bitter unto me, and the apprehension of thy wrath far exceedeth both. Whilst I enjoyed health and prosperity, the joy of all my joys was in thy love; and so now in my misery & sickness, the sorrow of all my sorrows, and anguish of all my pains, is in the feeling of thy wrath. This is the very venom of the arrow that sticketh in me. It is gall to my taste, and wormwood to my mouth, and the sharpest vinegar in my festered sores, and a burning fire in my bones. I confess to thy glory and my shame, that of very faithfulness and goodness to me, thou hast laid this scourge upon me, to the end, that by the stripes of my flesh, my spirit might be healed, and saved in the day of my Lord JESV. I fostered snakes secretly in my bosom; I cherished private sin in my conscience, & now they have stung me. I took too much delight in worldly comforts, and therefore thou hast sauced them with sorrows. My wanton flesh pampered up with ease and dainty fare, spurned at thy word, and grew headstrong against thy Spirit, and therefore thou hast tamed it with the sharp whip. I was in a kind of a spiritual Lethargy, till thou didst awake me with the stroke of thy hand. There grew a Call over my conscience, which this thy chastisement hath plucked away. I felt an Itch of impure lusts & desires in all parts of my soul, but thy Rod hath killed it. I valued not the benefit of health as I should have done; and therefore thou hast taught me it by my pain. In my prosperity, I remembered not the afflictions of my brethren, and therefore thou hast afflicted me like unto them. I wept not for the calamities of thy people, I shed no tears for the public ruins of the Church, and therefore thou hast drawn from me abundance of them for my private griefs. I put from me still the evil day, and therefore thou hast brought it near unto me. All this have I done, and therefore most justly all this do I suffer. And because I know that it is good for me thus to be disciplined by thee; I humble myself under thy mighty hand, and kiss this thy Rod which imprints in my flesh a sense of my sin, and a mark of thy love, and maketh my body black and blue; but I trust (through thy grace) shall make my soul appear fair and beautiful in thine eyes. Oh that I could frame myself to perfect patience, that my abiding thy will might as well please thee, as my disobeying thy will hath displeased thee. My spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak. I strive with the rebellions of my heart and corruptions, but they are too strong for me. fain would I silence all clamorous passions, and let patience have her full work upon me; but the loathsomeness, and painfulness, and tediousness of my disease drown all my ghostly comforts, and make me even roar for the disquietness of my heart. O Lord thou knowest all my desires, and my groans are not hid from thee. Thou knowest whereof I am made, thou understandest that I am but dust; & wilt thou contend with dust & ashes? O Father of mercy, and God of all consolation, lay no more upon me than thou wilt give me ability to bear. Either assuage and diminish my pain, or increase my strength: either shorten my sickness, or lengthen (I beseech thee) my patience. I acknowledge my many sins deserve many strokes, & grievous sins smart strokes; but my flesh is not of iron, nor my sinews of brass, nor my heart of Oak, to endure so many blows and reiterated cuts of thy axe. Neither could my sufferings (if I could endure as much for sin as any of thy blessed Saints and Martyrs have suffered for righteousness) thereby satisfy for the least of my sins. For thy Majesty is infinite, and my offences therefore infinite; thy mercy toward me is infinite, and my ingratitude towards thee thereby made infinite. Thy law eternal, and my gilt consequently, for the breach thereof, eternal. But thy Son a person of infinite dignity, out of his infinite love to mankind hath laid down his life, a price of infinite value, to discharge the infinite debt of my sins. Wherefore, I beseech thee, look not upon my sin, but upon thy Son: weigh not my transgressions, but his merits. Thy justice is fully satisfied by him; O confirm thy mercies unto me. As I have, in the cup of trembling, tasted thy justice & my sins: so grant that in the cup of salvation I may taste thy mercy, and my saviour's merits. Bless all the meats, and drinks, and medicines, which I shall receive from the hand of the Physician to the repair and recovery of my bodily health; and sanctify all the bitter potions which thou hast, and shalt minister unto me to the restoring of my soul's health. Comfort my fainting Spirit, and strengthen my feeble knees, and support my weak hands, and revive my deadened heart; and so powerfully assist me with thy Spirit of strength, that I may with confidence call upon thee, with patience endure this trial, with hope expect thy good pleasure, with wisdom make use of this thy visitation, and with thankfulness ever praise thy goodness and mercy for my safe recovery, if it may stand with thy blessed will; whereunto I fully submit, and wholly resign myself now and for ever, Amen. The Sick-man's Devotion after his Recovery. The Admonition or Exhortation to Thanksgiving. THE ANALYSIS. For perpetual Thanksgiving, & a grateful acknowledgement of God's blessing, we have in Scripture▪ 1 Examples of CHRIST. The Angels. The Saints In heaven. On earth. 2 Reasons drawn from the consideration of God his— Precepts. Promises. Benefits Past. Present. To come. THE TEXTS. I Thank thee, For thankfulness. o Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes, Mat. 11. 25. And he took the seven loaves, Examples of Christ. and the fishes, and gave thanks, and broke them, Mar. 5. 36. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, Mat. 26. 27. And when he had given thanks, he took bread and broke it, Luk. 22. 19 And all the Angels that stood round about the Throne, The Angels and about the Elders, and the four beasts, fell down on their faces, before the Throne, and worshipped God, saying, (Reuel. 7. 11.) Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto God for ever, v. ●2. Glory be to God on high, The Saints in heaven. on earth peace, and good will towards men. Those beasts gave glory, The Saints on earth. and honour, and thanks, to him that sat on the Throne, who liveth for ever, Reuel. 4. 9 And he blessed him, Melchizedeck. and said, Blessed be Abraham of the most high God possessor of heaven and earth, Gen. 14. 19: And blessed be the most high God who hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand, ver. 20. I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies, jacob. and of all the truth which thou hast showed to thy servant. For with my staff I passed over this jordan; and now I am become two bands, Gen. 32. 10. And when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel, The people of Israel in Moses time and that he looked upon their afflictions, they bowed their heads, and worshipped, Exod. 4. 31. Then sang Moses Moses. and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, saying. I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse & the rider hath he thrown in the Sea, Exo. 15. 1. Then sang Deborah, Deborah. Barak. and Barak, etc. jud 5. 12. & sequ. And Anna prayed unto the Lord and said; Anna. My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, my horn is exalted in the Lord, 1. Sam. 21. & sequ. usq. ●d 11. And David spoke unto the Lord the words of this Song, David. in the days that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies etc. 2. Sam. 22. 1. & sequ. See Psal. 8. 9 18. 21. 27. 30. 34. 45. 46. 47. 48. 65. 66. 68 75. 77. 81. 85. 89. 92. 95. 96. 98. 99 100 103. 104. 105. 107. 108. 111. 113. 115. 117. 118. 124. 134. 135. 136. 138. 144. 145. 146. 147. 148. 149. 150. Blessed be the Lord God that hath given rest unto his people Solomon. Israel, according to all that he had promised, and hath not failed one word of all his good promises which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant, 1. Kin 8. 5. Blessed be the Lord God of our Fathers who hath put such a thing as this in the King's heart, Ezra. Ezr. 7. 27. O Lord thou art my God, Isaiah. I will exalt thee, I will praise thy Name, for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth, Isay 25. 5. The writing of Ezekiah king of juda, Ezekias. when he had been sick, and was recovered of his sickness, I said, etc. Isa. 38. 9 10. usq. ad 21. Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision; then Daniel blessed the God of heaven, Daniel. Dan. 2. 19 Blessed be the Name of God for ever and ever, for wisdom, and might are his, verse 20. I thank thee and praise thee o thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom, and might, and hast made known unto me what we have desired of thee, v. 23. I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; jonah. I will pay that I have vowed: Salvation is of the Lord, jonah 2. 9 MARRY said; My soul doth magnify the Lord, Marie. etc. Luke 1. 46. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, Zacharias. etc. v. 68 And the shepherds returned, The Shepherds. glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, Luke 2. 20. And immediately he rose up, The man taken with a Palsy. and departed to his own house, glorifying God, Luke 5. 25. And there came fear on all, The people. and they glorified God saying, A great Prophet is risen among us, and God hath visited his people, Luke 7, 16. When he had laid hands on her, The woman that had a Spirit of infirmity. immediately she was made strait, and glorified God, Luke 13. 13. And one of them (when he saw that he was ●ealed) turned back, One of the Lepers. and with a loud voice glorified God, Luke 17. 15. And immediately he received his sight, The blind man. and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people when they saw it, gave praise unto God, Luke 18 45. And he leaping up, The 〈…〉. stood and walked, and entered with them into the Temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God, Acts 3. 8. Paul, Paul. when he saw the brethren, thanked God, and took courage, Act. 18. 15. I thank God always etc. Rom. 7. 21. See 1. Cor. 14. 14. 10. 30. 14. 18. 15. 57 2. Cor. 9 15. Eph. 1. 16. Phillip 1. 3. Col. 1. 12. 1. Thess. 1. 2. 2. 13. 2. Tim. 1. 3. Phil. 4. To him be glory, Peter. and dominion for ever. 1. Peter 5. 11. To the only wise God our Saviour be glory and majesty, jude. dominion and power, now and for ever, Iud 25. To him that hath loved us etc. john. be glory, and dominion for ever and ever, Reuel. 1. 5. 6. Offer unto God thanksgiving, Precepts. and pay thy vows to the most High, Psal. 50. 14. Turn to the Lord; say unto him, Take away all iniquity and receive us graciously; so we will render the calves of our lips, Host 14. 2. Let no uncleanness etc. be once named amongst you: neither jesting, which is not convenient; but rather giving of thanks. Eph. 5. 3, 4. In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God, Phil. 4. 6. Giving thanks to the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light, Col. 1. 12. Being rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving, Col. 2. 7. Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him, Col. 3. 17. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving, Col. 4. 2. In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ jesus concerning you, 1 Thes. 5. 18. We are bound to thank God for you always brethren, 2 Thes. 1. 3. 2. 13. I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 1 Tim. 2. 1. Commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving, 1 Timothy 4. 3. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his Name. See more at the end of the preparatory Admonition to Prayer. A PSALM OF Thanksgiving for recovery. I Will magnify thee o Lord, for thou hast set me up; and not made my (spiritual) foes to triumph over me, Psal. 30. 1. O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou heardest me, v. 2. Thou Lord hast brought my soul out of hell; thou hast kept my life from them that go down into the pit, v. 3. Sing praises unto the Lord o ye Saints, and give thanks unto him for a remembrance of his holiness, v. 4. For his wrath endureth but for the twinkling of an eye, and in his pleasure is life: heaviness may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning, v. 5. O what great troubles and adversities hast thou showed me! Psal. 71. 18. Yet didst thou turn and refresh me; and broughtest me from the deep of the earth again. Thou hast turned my heaviness into joy; thou hast put off sackcloth, and girded me with gladness, Psal. 30. 11. Praise the Lord o my soul, and all that is within me praise his holy Name, Psal. 103. 1. Praise the Lord o my soul, and forget not all his benefits, v. 2. Which forgiveth all thy sin, and healeth all thine infirmities, v. 3. Which saveth thy life from destruction, and crowneth thee with mercy, and loving kindness, v. 4. Which satisfieth thy mouth with good things, and maketh thee young, and lusty as an Eagle, v. 5. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, long suffering, and of great goodness, v. 8. O taste, and see how gracious the Lord is: blessed is the man that trusteth in him, Psal. 34. 8. The Lord is my strength, and my song, and is become my salvation, Psal. 118. 14. The voice of joy and health is in my dwellings: the right hand of the Lord bringeth mighty things to pass, v. 15. The right hand of the Lord hath the pre-eminence: the right hand of the Lord bringeth mighty things to pass, v. 16. I will not dye, but live, and declare the works of the Lord, v. 17. The Lord hath chastened, and corrected me, but he hath not given me over unto death, v. 18. Open me the gates of righteousness, that I may go in, and give thanks to the Lord, v. 19 A Thanksgiving for recovery. O Lord God of my health & salvation, who hast known my soul in trouble, and didst make my bed in my painful & dangerous sickness, and hast now raised me out of it to stand before thee: I offer now unto thee the calves of my lips, and the sacrifice of my body and soul, which thou first givest, and now hast restored unto me. Because I employed not the faculties of my soul, and members of my body, as I should have done; thou bereavedst me of the strength, and vigour, and use of them for a season. But now, because thy compassion fails not, thou hast returned them to me again. Wherefore I consecreate and devote them perpetually to thy service; no longer desiring the use of them, than they may be servants unto me of righteousness unto holiness. What I vowed in my sickness, by the help I will carefully perform in my health. As I am in the state of my body, so by the power of thy renewing grace, I will become in the estate of my soul, a new man. My broken heart which thou hast healed, shall now entirely love thee; my feeble knees and loose bones which thou hast settled, shall day and night bow unto thee: My enthralld members which thou hast set free, shall cheerfully serve thee: My weak hands which thou hast strengthened, shall continually be lifted up unto thee: My tied tongue which thou hast loosened, shall unfold thy mercies: My deaf ears which thou hast opened, shall hear thy voice: My harsh, and hoarse, and faint voice which thou hast cleared, shall sing aloud, a song of mercy and judgement. For in thy former mercies thou forgottest not judgement to make me know mine evil; and in the latter judgement, thou remembredst mercy, to make me know thy goodness. By thy judgement, thou hast taught me to know myself, and by thy mercies to know thee. Before I was troubled I went wrong; but now, sith thou hast set me right, I will run the way of thy Commandments. I will perpetually renew and refresh the memory of this singular benefit, whereby thou hast renewed and restored me, and by the smart of my pain made me understand wisdom secretly. Thy rod and thy staff as they have comforted and supported me, so they have beat many profitable instructions into me. By thy scourge which peirceth the flesh, and entereth into the heart and bowels, I learn that thou requirest truth in the inward parts, and searchest the reins and the heart. By thy rod which at once striketh all the parts of my body, though it fall heaviest upon one particular, I learn, that though sin reigneth and rageth in one kind more than another, yet that my whole soul is diseased. The whole head is sick, and the whole heart is faint. My fits were many, because my sins were multiplied. My pain increased, because my sins were aggravated. My wounds stanke, and were corrupt through my foolishness: the insufferable anguish whereof, as it gave me a quick touch of my sin, so also a lively sense of the benefit of health. By my confining to my chamber, thou taughtest me what is the benefit of liberty; by the weakness of my limbs, what is the benefit of strength; by my want of appetite, what the benefit of a stomach is; by the missing my friends: what the benefit of society is; by my continual watching, what the benefit of rest, and repose is; by the stupidity and deadness of all my parts, what the benefit of the senses is. Alas, what is a crown beset with rubies, to a man that hath a carbuncle in his head? What is a chain of pearls to one that hath a squinsy in his neck? Or a collar of Esss to him that hath an imposthume on his breast? Or a diamond ring to him that hath the gout in his finger? Or the golden garter to him that hath the cramp in his leg? What are melodious songs to the deafe●● Beautiful pictures to a blind man? Dainty dishes to a man that hath lost his taste? What are large revenues to him that possesseth nothing but his bed? What are all to him that is tormented in body with the pangs of death, or troubled in mind with the horror of hell? I confess unto thee o Lord, that in my health I often read in the Scriptures, and heard this note from the sweet singers of Israel, that worldly delights and comforts were vain, and much like flags and bulrushes which men in danger of drowning catch to bear them up, but they sink down under water with them. I cannot deny but the golden bells of Aaron in thy Sanctuary, have often rung this lesson in mine ears, that the true Heart's ease groweth only in thy Paradise; that the contents of the large volume of this world is nothing but vanity: that one little fit of an ague can dispossess the happiest man alive of his temporal felicity. Yet till I learned by that which I suffered; till thy rod had imprinted it even in my flesh, I never deeply thought of it, nor so throughly assented thereunto, but I held the world (though not in admiration, yet) in too great esteem. I secretly repined at the wealth of the covetous, and honour of the ambitious, and pleasure of the voluptuous, and accounted the lives of thy Saints, miserable in comparison of them: so foolish was I, and ignorant; and even as it were a beast before thee: But in this school of my sickness I have perfectly gotten by heart that which I did but slubber over before and learned by rote. In my fearful visitation, finding by mine own experience, that all earthly delights and comforts, leave us in our extremities, and cannot steed us when we most need; nay they rather increase then assuage our pains: I began to distaste them all; I grew out of love with this life, and entertained death in my most serious thoughts; and I persuaded myself, that those thoughts of death shall never dye in me, but still live in my memory, and upon every good occasion be stirred up and revived, to prepare and dispose me to my last end, that so I may see that Basilisk first, and kill it, before it see and kill me. O death, how bitter is thy remembrance in the pride of health? O life how bitter is thy remembrance in the misery of sickness? Verily I had utterly fainted under my Cross, and my soul had been put to silence: I had swooned, and given up, not only my Ghost, but thy holy Spirit of comfort, if thou hadst not stayed me with flagons, and comforted me with apples, and in my hottest fits cooled me with the sweet gales of thy grace. I had fallen not only with job, to curse the day of my birth, but to question the truth of thy Promises. But everlasting thanks be unto thee, who gavest me victory over that fearful tentation; and by thy holy Spirit didst call to my mind all those sweet promises of thy Gospel, whereby I received comfort, and recovered strength. And now I am assured, and more than ever before, persuaded, that neither height nor depth, nor principality, nor power, nor pain, nor pleasure, nor sickness, nor health, nor life, nor death, nor things present, nor things to come, shall ever be able to separate me from thy love in CHRIST JESUS. The close out of Scripture. I Said in the cutting off of my days, I shall go to the gate of the grave, I am deprived of the residue of my years, Isa. 38. 10. I said, I shall not see the Lord in the land of the living; I shall behold man no more with the Inhabitants of the world, ver, 11. Behold, for peace I had great bitterness; but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption, for thou hast cast my sins behind thy back, ver. 17. For the grave cannot praise thee, death cannot confess thee; they that go down to the pit, cannot hope for thy truth, ver. 18. The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day, verse 19 The dying-mans' devotion. Suppart. ult. The Admonitions. The man that is breathing out his last gasp needeth● 1 Meek patience to endure God's good pleasure: Of which see the Admonitions for Good-Fridaie; for Thursday Evening, and for the sick before. 2 Godly sorrow for all the sins of his life, whereby he hath grievously displeased his heavenly Father: Of which see the Admonition for Tuesday morning. 3 Assured confidence to commit his Soul to God as a faithful Creator. Of which, see the Admonition for the Childbearing woman after her delivery. 4 Constant perseverance to hold on to the end. Of which, see the Admonition for Saturday morning. 5 Lively apprehension of the joys of heaven, and powers of the world to come. Of which, see the Meditation for the Sabbath Evening. 6 Christian resolution, cheerfully to lay down his Tabernacle, and go willingly to the Father of spirits. Of which, see the Admonition for Saturday Evening. 7 A peaceable disposition to forgive all his enemies, and depart in peace, as with God, so also with all men. Of which, see the Admonition for Thursday Morning. 8 A charitable, and compassionate aflection to consider the poor and destitute, according to his estate and wealth to help and succour them, that so by their prayers he may be received into everlasting habitations. Of which, see the Exhortation for Wednesday morning. In the extremity of bitter pangs consider o devout Christian: 1 Thy sins deserve a sharper scourge yet. 2 All thou sufferest is nothing to what Christ endured for thee. 3 Other Saints and holy Martyrs have abided a harder trial, and more grievous afflictions, & many more terrible conflicts, and yet have been more than Conquerors through Christ. 4 It is a thousand times better to be corrected here (though never so severely) then eternally tormented in hell. 5 God will not lay more upon thee than he will give thee ability to bear, & therefore will undoubtedly assuage thy pain or increase thy patience. 6 The extremity of thy pains will be but a short time; for God will either take them from thee, by recovering thee; or thee from them, by delivering thee out of the body. 7 The more grievous thy pains are, the greater thy reward shall be, if thou patiently endure them. THE TEXTS. IT is the Lords mercy that we are not utterly consumed, In thy extremest fit, meditate upon, because his compassion fails not, Lam. 3. 20. If thou Lord shalt mark iniquities, 1 The heinousness of thy sin deserving a sharper scourge. O Lord, who shall stand, (or who may abide it?) Psalm. 130. 3. He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us after our iniquities, Psal. 103. 10. Like as a Father pitieth his children: so the Lord pitieth them that fear him, ver. 13. For he knoweth our frame; he remembreth that we are but dust ver. 14. The sinners in Zion are afraid; 2 The unsufferable torments of hell, which by these temporal chastisements ●re prevented. fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites, who shall dwell with the devouring fire; who among us shall dwell with everlasting burning? I●. 33. Topheth is ordained of old; yea for the King it is prepared. He hath made it deep and large; the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of Brimstone doth kindle it, Isa. 30. 33. A fire is kindled in mine anger, and it shall burn to the lowest hell, Deut. 32. 22. The Son of man shall send his Angels, and they shall gather out of his Kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity, Mat. 13. 41. And shall cast them into a furnace of fire; there shall be weeping, and gnashing of teeth, verse 42. Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into his garner, but burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire, Mat. 3. 12. Suffering the vengeance of eternal fire, jud. 7. Send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame, Luk. 16. 24. Where the worm dyeth not, and the fire is not quenched, Mar. 9 44. 46. In flaming fire, taking vengeance of them that know not God, 2. Thes. 1. 8. Bind him hand and foot, cast him into utter darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, Mat. 22. 13. To whom the mist of darkness, is reserved for ever, 2. Pet. 2. He hath reserved in everlasting chains of darkness unto the judgement of the great day, jud. 6. 〈◊〉 same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation, and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels, and in the presence of the Lamb, Reu. 14. 10. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever, and ever, ver. 12. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone, R●u. 19 20. Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels, Mat. 25 41. And they have no rest day nor night, Reu. 14 12. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, 3 The unconceivable pains and sorrows which Christ endured for thee. where the beast and false Prophets are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever, Reu. 20. 10. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment & sorrow give her, Reu. 18. 7. He began to be sorrowful, and very heavy, Mat, 26. 37. Then said he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death, Mat. 26. 38. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground, Luke 22. 44. There stood by the Cross of jesus his Mother, and his Mother's sister, &c, joh. 19 25. And jesus cried with a loud voice, saying; My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me! Mar. 15. v. 34. Pilate released Barrabas; and delivered jesus unto them, when he had scourged him, to be crucified, Mar. 15. 15. The Soldiers plotted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, joh. 19 2. And he bearing his cross, went forth into a place called, The place of a skull, ver. 17. Where they crucified him, etc. ver. 18. One of the Soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out water and blood, ver. 34. In the days of his flesh when he had offered up prayers & supplications, with strong crying and tears, unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared, Heb. 5. 7. Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered, v. 8. Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow his steps, 1. Pet. 2. 21. There hath no such tentation taken you, but such as is common to men, 1. Cor. 10. 13. The same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world, 4 The afflictions of God's Saints equalizing & far surpassing thine job. 1. Pet, 5. 9 Satan smote job with sore biles from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head, job. 2. 7. And he took him a potsherd to scrape him withal; and he sat down in the ashes, ver. 8. I have sinned, what shall I do unto thee, o thou Preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself? job. 7. 20. Let the day perish wherein I was borne, and the night in which it was said: There is a manchild conceived, job. 3. 3. Let that day be darkness, let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it, ver. 4. & seq. I am troubled, David. I am bowed down greatly, I go mourning all the day long, Psal. 38. 6. My loins are filled with a loathsome disease, and there is no soundness in my bones, v. 7. I am feeble and sore-smitten; I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart, v. 8. Lord, all my desire is before thee, and my groaning is not hid from thee, ver. 9 See Psal. 6. Psal. 22. Psal. 102. Ps. 30. ps. 142. psal. 143. I am the man that have seen affliction by the rod of his wrath, jeremiah. Lam. 3. 1. He hath filled me with bitterness, and made me drunk with wormwood, ver. 15. I think God hath set forth the last Apostles as it were appointed to death; The Apostles and first Disciples. for we are made a spectacle to the world, and to Angels, and to men, 1. Cor. 4. 9 In journeying often, Paul. in perils of Waters, in perils of Robbers, in perils by mine own Countrymen, in perils by the Heathen, in perils in the City, in perils in the Wilderness, in perils in the Sea, in perils among false brethren, 2. Cor. 11. 26. In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness, 2. Cor. 11. 27. For thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter, Rom. 8. 36. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, then are we of all men most miserable, 1. Cor. 15. 19 Others were tried with mockings and scourge, yea moreover with bonds & imprisonment, Heb. 11. 36. They were stoned, they were sawed asunder, they were slain with the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins and goate-skins, being destitute, afflicted, and tormented, v. 37. Of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts, and mountains, and in dens, and in Caves of the earth, verse 38. These are they that came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, Reu. 7 14. I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire, and them that had gotten the victory over the Beast, and over his image, and over his name, etc. Reu. 15. 2. And they sang the Song of Moses and of the Lamb, v. 3. God is faithful, 5 The faithfulness & goodness of God, who will not tempt us above our strength. who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able, but will with the tentation also make a way to escape, that we may be able to escape, 1. Cor. 10. 14. The God of all grace, who hath called us to his eternal glory by Christ jesus, will (after that you have suffered a while) make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you, 1. Pet. 5. 10. For a small moment have I forsaken thee, 6 The short continuance of these pains and sorrows. but with great mercy will I gather thee, Isa. 54. 7. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, ver. 8. His anger endureth but a moment, in his favour is life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning, ps. 30. 5. The devil shall cast some of you in prison that ye may be tried, and ye shall have tribulation ten days, Reu. 2. 10. And it was said unto them, that they should rest yet a little season, until their fellow servants also, and their brethren which should be killed (as they were) should be fulfilled, Reu. 6. 11. The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us, 7 The incomparable reward of our patience Rom. 8. 18. The light affliction which is but for a moment, See the Admonition for good-Fryday. worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 2 Cor. 4. 17. No chastening for the time seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness, unto them which are exercised thereby, Heb. 12. 11. If thou art terrified in conscience with the gilt of thy sins, and fearfully tempted to despair, support thyself with these helps 1 Most earnest prayer of thyself of others for thee. 2 Bitter tears in abundance for thy particular sins. 3 Restitution. 4 Reconciliation. 5 Alms deeds. 6 The comfort of thy Pastor. 7 The absolution of the Church. 8 Meditation upon these heads especially, 1 The infiniteness of God's mercy. 2 The price & value of Christ's blood. 3 The efficacy of his intercession. 4 The virtue of the Sacraments. 5 The universality and certainty of God's promises to the penitent. 6 Exampls of mercy showed to most grievous sinners. THE TEXTS. ANd being in an Agony, Pray instantly and fervently. he prayed more earnestly, Luke 22. 44. Pray always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance, Eph. 6. 18. Be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, Rom. 12. 11. Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer, ver. 12. Pray one for another, Desire others to pray. ● that ye may be healed: the effectual servant prayer of a righteous man availeth much, I am. 5. 16. What prayer, 〈◊〉 open thy sins and grief in particular. or what supplication shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Israel, when every one shall know his own grief, and his own sore, and shall spread forth his hands unto thee, 2. Cron. 6. 29. Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, ver. 30. Then David's heart smote him after he had numbered the people; and David said unto the Lord, I have sinned greatly in this I have done; and now, I beseech thee, o Lord, take away the iniquity of thy servant, for I have done very foolishly, 2. Sam. 2●. 10. I make my bed to swim, Weep abundantly. I water my couch with my tears. Psal. 6. 6. And he went out, and wept bitterly, Mat. 26. 75. He shall restore that which he took violently away, Restore. or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered to him to keep, or the lost thing which he found, Leu. 6. 4. Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall restore it in the principal, and shall add a fifth part more thereto, v. 5. If I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him four fold, Luke 19 8. Go thy way, Reconcile. be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift, Mat. 5. 24. Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art in the way with him, ver. 25. Forgive, Forgive freely. and ye shall be forgiven, Luke 6. 37. If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will my heavenly Father forgive you, Mat. 6. 15. If thy brother trespass against thee seven times a day, and seven times a day, do return unto thee saying; I repent, thou shalt forgive him, Luke 17. 4. Be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you, Eph. 4. 32. And his Lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors till he should pay all that was due unto him, Mat. 18. 34. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, from the heart. if ye from your heart forgive not every man his brother their trespasses, v. 35. O King, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor, Dan. 4. 27. Many sins are forgiven her, for she loved much, Luk. 7. 47. Give alms of such things as ye have, Give as thou art able liberally. and behold all things are clean unto you, Luk. 11. 41. Sell that ye have, give alms, provide yourselves bags that wax not old, and a treasure in the heavens which faileth not, Luk. 12. 33. Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where rust and moths do corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal, Mat. 6. 19 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through, nor steal, v. 20. And I say unto you, make unto yourselves friends of the Mammon of unrighteousness, that when ye fail they may receive you into everlasting habitations, Luke 16. 9 While ye have time, do good unto all men, but especially to them of the household of faith, Gal. 6. 10. Charge the rich in this world, 1 Tim. 6. 17. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate, v. 18: Laying up for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life, v. 19 To do good, Seek to thy Pastor, and desire comfort from him, and the Church absolution. and to communicate forget not; for with such sacrifice God is well pleased, Heb. 13. 16. His soul draweth nigh to the grave, and his life to the destroyer, job. 33. 22. If there be a messenger with him, or an interpreter one of a thousand to show unto him his uprightness, ver. 23. Then he is gracious unto him, and saith; Deliver him from going down to the pit. I have found a ransom, ver. 24. He will pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him, he shall see his face with joy, v. 26. Is any man sick among you, let him call for the Elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, I am. 5. 14. And the prayer of the Faithful shall save the sick, &c, and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him, ver, 15. Verily I say vuto you, whatsoever ye shall bind in earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever ye shall lose on earth, shall be loosed jam Heaven, Matth. 18. 18. And when he had said thus, he breathed on them, and said unto them, Receive the holy Ghost, joh. 20. 22. Whosoevers sins ye remit, they are remitted, unto them; and whosoevers sins ye retain, they are retained verse 23. Thy mercy is great above the heavens, Medit at upon, & by faith, apply to thyself Gods infinite mercy. and thy truth reacheth to the clouds, Psal. 108. 4. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger, and of great mercy, Psal. 145. 8. The Lord is good unto all, and his tender mercy is over all his works, Psal. 145. 9 Thou Lord art good, and ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy to all them that call upon thee, Psal. 86. 5, Thou O Lord art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, plenteous in mercy and truth, ver. 15. O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good, and his mercy endureth for ever, Psalm. 136. 1. 116. 1. 107. 1. 118. 1. In whom we have redemption through his blood, according to the riches of his grace, Eph. 1. 6. By his own blood he entered once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us, Heb. 9 12. The precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish, 1 Pet. 1. 19 This is the Cup of the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you, Luke 22. 10. The Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood, Act 20. 28. Much more, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him, Rom. 5. 9 Ye are made nigh by the blood of Christ, Eph. 2. 13. For he is our peace, v. 14. If the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh, Heb. 9 13. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself to God without spot, purge our consciences from dead works? verse 14. The blood of jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin, 1 joh. 1. 7. If any man sin, we have an Aduecate with the Father, jesus Christ the righteous, 1 john. 2. 1. And he is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world, v. 3. These have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, Reu. 7. 14. Thou hast redeemed us by thy blood to God, Reu. 5. 9 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil, joh. 17. 15. Sanctify them through thy truth; thy Word is truth, v. 17. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them which shall believe on me through the word, v. 20. I have prayed for thee that thy faith may not fail, Luke 22. 32. In that day ye shall ask in my name, and I say not unto you that I will pray the Father for you, joh. 16. 26. For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, v. 27. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us, Rom. 8. 34. He is able to save them evermore that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them, Heb. 7. 25. JOHN did baptise in the wilderness, The virtue of the Sacraments. and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, Mar. 1. 4. According to his mercy he saved us by the laver of regeneration, and renewing of the holy Ghost, Tit. 3. 5. The like figure whereunto even baptism, doth now save us by the resurrection of jesus Christ, 1 Pet. 3. 21. Repent and be baptised every one of you, in the name of the Lord jesus, for the remission of sins, Act. 2. 38. This is the Blood of the New Testament, The universality of promises to penitent sinners. which is shed for many, for the remission of sins, Mat. 26. 28. Seek the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near, Isa. 55. 6. Let the wicked for sake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return to the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God, and he will abundantly pardon, v. 7. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor my ways your ways, saith the Lord, v 8. As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live, Ezekiel 18. 22. Turn you, turn you from your evil ways, for why will ye dye o ye house of Israel? Ezek. 33. 11. I have no pleasure in the death of him that dyeth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live, Ezek. 18. 32. They shall know me from the least to the greatest, saith the Lord, and I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more, jer. 31. 34. Thou shalt find the Lord, if thou seek him with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, Deut. 4. 29. For the Lord thy God is a merciful God, he will not forsake thee, nor destroy thee, v. 31. If my people shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, than I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, 2 Chro. 7. 14. If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, job 22. 23. I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions and as a cloud thy sins: return unto me, for I have redeemed thee, Isa. 44. 22. Cease to do evil; learn to do well, Isa. 1. 17. Come now, let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool, Isa. 1. 18. Go, proclaim these words to the North, and say, Return thou back-sliding Israel, saith the Lord, and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you, for I am merciful, saith the Lord, and will not keep anger for ever, jer. 3, 12. Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed the Lord thy God, verse 13. Come, let us return to the Lord, for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up, Hosea 6. 1. I will heal their back-slidings, I will love them freely, Hosea 14. 4. Seek the Lord, and ye shall live, Amos 5. 6. Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of Hosts, and I will turn unto you, Zac. 1. 3. Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden, and I will ease you, Mat. 11. 28. Likewise I say unto you, There is joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one sinner that repenteth, Luke 15. 10. The Son of Man came to save that which was lost, Luke 19 10. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance, Luk. 5. 32. That repentance, and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all Nations, Luke 24. 47. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out when the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord, Acts 3. 19 The Lord is not slack as some men account slackness, but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance, 2 Pet. 3. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, 1 joh. 1. 9 Manasses built altars for all the Host of heaven, The example of God's mercy in pardoning heinous and grieveus sinners. 2 Chron. 33. 5. And he caused his children to pass by the fire in the valley of Hinnon; also he used Witchcraft, and dealt with familiar Spirits, etc. v. 67. But when he was in his affliction, he besought the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the Lord of his Fathers, v. 12. And prayed unto him, and he was entreated of him, and he heard his supplication, v. 13. He denied before them all, Peter. saying, I know not what thou sayest, Mat. 26. 70. And again he denied him, v. 72. Then he began to curse, and to swear, saying, I know not the man, v. 74. And the Lord turned, and looked upon PETER, and PETER remembered the words of the Lord, Luk. 22. 61. And PETER went out and wept bitterly, v. 62. And behold a woman in the City which was a sinner, Marry Magdalen. brought an all abaster box of ointment, etc. Luk. 7 37. Her sins which are many, are forgiven her, for she loved much, v. 47. A woman which had been healed of evil Spirits and infirmities, Marry Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, Luk. 8. 2. The younger took his journey into a far country, The prodigal. and wasted his substance with riotous living, Luk. 15. 13. When he came to himself, he said, etc. v. 18. I will arise, and go to my Father, and say, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and against thee, etc. v. 20. And he arose, & went to his Father; but when he was yet a great way off, his Father saw him, and had compassion, & came, & fell on his neck, The thief on the Crosse. and kissed him, v. 20. And he said to jesus, Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom, Luk. 23. 41. And jesus said unto him, Vetily I say unto thee; This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise, v. 43. Him ye have taken, The jews that crucified, or consented to the crucifying of JESUS. and by wicked hands have crucified and slain, Act. 2. 23. Let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same jesus whom ye have crucified both Lord and Christ, v. 36. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in heart, and said to Peter, and the rest of the Apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? verse 37. Then Peter said, Repent, and be baptised for the remission of sins, v. 38. Then they that gladly received the Word were baptised; and the same day were added unto them about three thousand souls, verse 41. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief, 1 Tim. 1. 15. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me jesus Christ might first show forth all long suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to eternal life, v. 16. A Psalm for the sick lying at the point of death; wherein The humble and faithful Christian 1 Layeth open his affliction In body. In mind. 2 Confesseth his many and grievous sins. 3 Earnestly prayeth for Audience. Sense of God's favour. Pardon for his sin. 4 Acknowledgeth God's great mercies through his whole life. 5 Professeth his Trust in God. joy in the holy Ghost Peace of conscience. Desire of Death. Assured hope of eternal bliss. 6 Commendeth his soul to God. O Lord God of my salvation, Layeth open his afflictions in body and soul. I have cried day and night before thee, o let my prayer enter into thy presence, Psal. 88 1. For my soul is full of trouble, and my life draweth nigh unto hell, v. 2. I am weary of my groaning; every night wash I my bed, and water my couch with my tears, Psal. 6. 6. I am accounted as one that goeth down to the pit; I have been as a man that hath no strength, Psal. 88 3. Free among the dead like unto them that be wounded, and that lie in the grave, which be out of remembrance, and cut away from thine hand, v. 4. Thine indignation lieth hard upon me, and thou hast vexed me with all thy storms, v. 6. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart also in the midst of my bowels is like melted wax, Psal. 22. 14. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue cleaveth to my gums, and thou shalt bring me into the dust of death, v. 13. The sorrows of death compass me, and the overflowings of ungodliness make me afraid, Psal. 18. 3. The pains of hell come about me; the Snares of death overtake me, v. 4. Thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore, Psal. 38. 2. There is no health in my flesh because of thy displeasure; Confesseth. neither any rest in my bones by reason of my sin, v. 3. For my wickednesses are gone over my head, and are like a sore burden too heavy for me to bear, v. 4. If thou Lord wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss, o Lord, who may abide it? Psal. 130. 3. Out of the deep have I called unto thee o Lord, Lord hear my voice. v. 1. O let thine ears consider well the voice of my complaint, Prayeth for audience. v. 2. Lord, Sense of God's favour. why abhorrest thou my soul, and hidest thy face from me? Psal. 88 14. I am in misery, and like to him that is at the point to dye: from my youth up thy terrors have I suffered with a troubled mind, v. 15. Thy wrathful displeasure goeth over me; and the fear of thee hath undone me, v. 16. Have mercy upon me o God after thy great goodness; Pardon for his sin. according to the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences, Psal. 51. 1. Wash me throughly from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin, v. 2. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy Spirit from me, v. 11. O give me the comfort of thy help again, and establish me with thy free Spirit, v. 12. Nevertheless I am always with thee, 4 Acknowledgeth Gods mercies. for thou hast holden me up by thy right hand, Psal. 73. 23. Thou shalt guide me by thy counsel, 5 Professeth trust. and after that receive me with glory, v. 24. Whom have I in heaven but thee o Lord? and I desire none in earth in comparison of thee, v. 23. Return to thy rest o my soul, Desire of death. for the Lord hath rewarded thee, Psal. 116. 7. Thou hast put gladness in my heart more than theirs, joy in the holy Ghost. whose corn, and wine, and oil increaseth, Psal. 4. 8. I will lay me down, Peace of conscience. and take my rest; for it is thou Lord only that makest me dwell in safety, v. 9 I will behold thy presence, Assured hope of Eternal bliss. and when I awake up after thy likeness, I will be satisfied with it, Psal. 17. 16. I shall be satisfied with the plenteousness of thine house, and thou shalt give me drink of thy pleasures as of the rivers, Psal. 36. 8. For with thee is the well of life; and in thy light shall I see light, v. 9 Thou shalt show me the path of life, in thy presence is fullness of joy; and at thy right hand there is pleasure for evermore, Psal. 16. 12. Into thy hands I commend my Spirit, 6 Commendeth his soul to God. for thou hast redeemed me o Lord, thou God of truth, Psal. 31. 6. A Prayer for the sick lying at the mercy of God, and ready to depart. Eternal, and omnipotent, infinite, & incomprehensible God, Lord of my life, and determiner of my days: My body now is resolving into dust, and my soul returning to thee that gavest it. O Lord most holy, o God most mighty, draw near unto me, who make haste to come unto thee. Give me a clearer sight of thee, by how much the nearer I am out of the dark prison of my body. Give me also a quicker taste of the powers of the life to come, that I may more comfortably pass over these last troubles of this present life▪ O Lord, my soul is heavy even unto death; for the weight of all my sins aggravated by the devil is at once upon me; and I sink and faint under this burden which is too heavy for me to bear. Neither is there any means under heaven to ease me of it, but by laying it upon him that hath borne our infirmities and carried our sorrows. O Father of mercy, and God of all consolation, let not the guilt of my sins or horror of thy judgements, or Satan's suggestions, or the fear of death, or terrors of hell drive me to desperation. I confess that for my unmindfulness of thee, and ungratefulness to thee all my life, I deserve that thou shouldest utterly abandon and forsake me now at my death. But thy thoughts are not like our thoughts, nor thy affections like mine. Though a woman could forget the fruit of her womb, yet thou wilt not nor canst not forget those that trust in thee. Thy gifts and graces are without repentance; and whom thou lovest, thou lovest to the end. Thou wilt not break a bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax. Though thou hast severely corrected me in this thy fearful visitation; yet thou hast not, and I know wilt not give me over to eternal death. Dear Father, show thy strength in my greatest weakness; confirm thy mercy to me in my greatest misery; apply thy comfort to me in this my last extremity. Assuage the pains of my body with ghostly comforts; and diminish the fear of death, by the assured hope of a better life. Call to my mind (whilst yet I breathe) all the errors of my understanding, that I may timely revoke them; all the sins of my will, that I may heartily bewail them; all the testimonies of thy love, that I may gratefully acknowledge them; all the promises of thy Gospel, that I may comfortably embrace them; all my holy vows and purposes, that I may finally confirm them; and gracious Lord accept the will for the deed. O let me that am now returning to dust, and ashes, speak but this once to my Lord & maker. With all my heart, soul, and strength, I beseech thee, by all that my Saviour jesus Christ hath▪ done and suffered for me, I entreat thee, speak peace to my soul at her departing, and say unto her, I am thy salvation. Make my election sure by my true repentance, perfect charity, assured confidence, constant patience, comfortable perseverance unto the end, and in the end. To the TRINITY. GLorious Creator, gracious Redeemer, everlasting comforter, Lord God Almighty, send me aid & help from heaven in this my last and most dreadful conflict with all the powers of hell & darkness. Arm me with thy complete armour, and endue me with power from above to vanquish Satan and his infernal bands, and to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked in the blood of my Redeemer. I am thine, o God the Father, by the right of creation; I am thine, o God the Son, by the right of thy purchase; I am thine, o God the Holy Ghost, by the right of thine inhabitation, and possession. Save me, Father, by thy power: save me, Son, by thy merits: save me holy Spirit, by thy grace. O holy, blessed and glorious Trinity, whose power no creature is able to resist: Rebuke & confound thine enemy that goeth about to deface thine Image in me; to spoil thy creature; to destroy him for whom thou, o Son, offeredst thyself on the Cross by the eternal Spirit to the Father. O Father, be now to me a father in my greatest need. O jesus, be to me a jesus in my greatest danger. O Comforter, be to me a Comforter in my greatest afflictions. Holy & Righteous judge eternal, Satan taketh advantage of thy fatherly chastising me; he grows strong against me by this my great weakness. Now he rageth most furiously, because his time is short. He assaulteth me every way, by subtle suggestions, by fearful visions and apparitions. He terrifieth my flesh with the ugly shape of death; he affrighteth my conscience with the horror of the last judgement, and scorcheth my soul even with flashes of hell fire. O Father of spirits, deliver not the soul of thy Turtle Dove (that mourneth to thee day and night) as a prey unto him. Though never so deformed, yet I am thy work, O God my Father; though never so vile, yet I am thy purchase, o God my Redeemer: though never so polluted, yet I am thy Temple, O God my sanctifier. Faithful Creator, preserve the work of thine hand; faithful Redeemer, preserve the purchase of thy blood; faithful Sanctifier, preserve the Temple of thine honour. I abhor myself in dust and ashes, and I conceive more grief than I am able to express for abusing thy works, o Father, thy Word and Sacraments, o Son, thy gifts & graces, o Spirit Father forgive me all sins of infirmity against thy power: Son forgive me all sins of ignorance against thy wisdom; Holy Ghost forgive me all sins of malice against thy grace. Most mighty Father, give me thy protection; Most merciful Son, give me thy peace; Most gracious holy Spirit, give me thy comfort, that I may safely, peaceably and cheerfully leave this vale of tears. Father, possess me of the kingdom which thou, O Son hast purchased, and thou, O Spirit, hast sealed unto me. Into thy hands, O Father, who breathedst into me the Spirit of life; Into thy hands, O Son, who breathedst out thy Spirit for me; Into thy hand, o Holy Spirit, who renewedst a right spirit within me, and hast comforted my spirit to the last gasp, I now commend my spirit, Amen. To the Lord JESUS, at the hour of death. Welcome blessed hour, the period of my pilgrimage, the term of my bondage, the end of my cares, the close of my sighs, the bound of my travels, the goal of my race, and the haven of my hopes. I have fought a long fight in much weakness; I have finished my course, though in great faintness; and the crown of my joy is, that, through the strength of thy grace, I have kept the true faith, and now I die in it. I willingly resign my flesh, I despise the world, and I defy the devil who hath no part nor share in me. And now, what is my hope? My hope, Lord jesus, is even in thee. For I know that thou my Redeemer livest, and thou wilt immediately receive my soul, and raise up my body also at the last day, and I shall see thee in my flesh with these eyes, and none other. My heart fainteth, my strength faileth, my tongue faltereth. Lord let thy Spirit of comfort help mine infirmities, and make supplication for me with sighs and groans that cannot be expressed. I submit myself wholly to thy will. I commit my soul to thee as my faithful REDEEMER, who hast bought me with thy most precious blood. I profess to all the world, I know no name under heaven, by which I may be saved, but thine my JESV, my Saviour. I renounce all confidence in merits save thine; I thankfully acknowledge all thy blessings; I unfeignedly bewail all my sins; I steadfastly believe all thy promises; I heartily forgive all mine enemies; I willingly leave all my friends; I utterly loathe all earthly comforts; I entirely long for thy coming. Come Lord jesus; come quickly. Lord jesus receive my Spirit. The Hand-Maide's Posy, written in the end of her Manuel. Birth is a brag; Glory a blaze; Honour's earth's pomp; Riches a gaze; Fame is but wind; Beauty a flower; Pleasure a dance; the world a bower. In heaven with thee, Lord let me be; On earth my heaven's alone in thee. FINIS. Errata. PAge 3. in marg. germinatus, read germinans. p. 9 l 8 r. his private prayer. l. 9 deal alone. p. 19 in marg patrij r. patrui. p. 24 in marg r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. p. 58. l. 22. pure and plain heart. r. pure hearts and hands. p. 63. l. 9 bare, r. private. p 64. l. 13. Saturday. r▪ Sabbath eve p 68 l. 5. joined, r. enjoined. p. 97 l. 5 one, r. our. p. 100 l. 6. room. r. man. p. 109 l 1. knife r. thrift l 11. approved, r. approveth. p 120 l 9 fit, r fill l. 15. faith, r. face p. 150. l. 19 deal my. p. 151. l. 16. insert the close out of Scripture p. 163 l, 27 these, r. the p. 167. l. 11. add Gen. 3. 15. p. 185. l. 2. d jer. 44. p. 194 l. 16. d. for. p. 195. l. 14. heart. r. head. p. 235. l. ●. joh. 15. 10. r. joh 16. 28. p. 265. l. 27. immediately, r. mediately. p. 281. l. 18. thou wert, r. thou who wert p. 299. in marg. strength, r out of his side. p. 320. in mar. which God, r. of God, p. 328. l. 1. his, r thy. p 331. l 22. deal made. p. 361. l. 15. Mat. 1 12 r. Mat. 11. 1 p, 365. deadened, r dead p. 371 l 22 to, r. for. p. 380. in marg, in, r. an p. 388. l. 6. the, r as the▪ p 435. l. 23. eating, 1. eaten p. 439. l. 2. for, r. of. p. 443 l 10. add 1 Pet. 2. 23. p. 446. l 21. add in marg the Spirit. p. 449. l. 13. add in marg. happiness. p. 453 the prayers are false quoted. p. 458. l. 17. things, r. my members. p. 460. l. 5. deal to which faith is requisite▪ p. 465. in marg. pray, r. prayer. p 477. l. 24. them, r therein p 481. l. 20. in marg. deal peace p. 4. 82. in marg. deal here p. 488 l 26 deal and p. 490. l. 12. from, r. to. p. 524. l. 21. were yea and amen, r. were not yea and nay. p 518. l. 3. affection, r. affliction. p 523. compass. r. compose. p. 530. l. 13. deal and. p. 531. l. 8. deal. so. p. 532. l. 9 the, r thy. THE HANDMAID TO PRIVATE DEVOTION: THE SECOND PART; Delivering the sum of SAVING KNOWLEDGE, in 52 Sections, answerable to the number of the Sundays throughout the Year. JOH. 17. 3. This is life eternal, to know thee to be the only true God, and whom thou hast sent jesus Christ. AUGUST. Confess. Quid prodest in caeteris disciplinis peritum esse, & fine doctrinâ piëtatis periturum. LONDON, Printed by G. M. and R. B. for Nicholas Boorne, and are to be sold at his shop, at the South Entrance of the Rojall Exchange. 1625. A Table representing the general Method of this Part. Blessedness is obtained by true Religion, reueiled by God in holy SCRIPTURES which instruct us in the 1. Knowledge of 1 God his Nature Attributes Works of CREATION. Providence general. special. 2 CHRIST his Person, Estates, Offices of— King. Priest. Prophet. 2. Worship of GOD in CHRIST Immediate, which consisteth in performing all holy duties commanded in the first Table. Mediate, which consisteth in performing all duties to our neighbours and ourselves commanded in the second Table, which are of a sorts— 1 General, and common duties of all Christians one to another. 2 Special, proper to men in certain. Estates. Callings. A Table of the particular Contents. OF Catechism, the parts and proper ends thereof. Sect. 1. Of blessedness, and the means of obtaining it. Sect. 2. Of Religion, and the parts thereof. Sect. 3. Of the nature of God. Sect. 4. Of the principal attributes of God. Sect. 5. Of the works of God in general. Sect. 6. Of God's decrees. Sect. 7. Of the Creation. Sect. 8. Of God's general providence. Sect. 9 Of the Predestination of Angels. Sect. 10. Of the Predestination of men. Sect. 11. Of Christ his person, Sect. 12. Of Christ his estate of humiliation. Sect. 13. Of Christ his estate of exaltation. Sect. 14. Of Christ his Prophetical function. Sect. 15. Of Christ his Priestly function. Sect. 16. Of Christ his Kingly function. Sect. 17. Of the Church, and the parts thereof. Sect. 18. Of the notes of the true Church. Sect. 19 Of the twofold worship of God; and of faith in particular. Sect. 20. Of humility, and honouring God, and how they are the fruits of faith. Sect. 21. Of reverence, obedience, and patience; and how they are the fruits of faith. Sect. 22. Of love, fear, repentance, gratitude, and zeal; and how they are the fruits of faith. Sect. 23. Of hope, confidence, and magnanimity; and how they are the fruits of faith. Sect. 24. Of the outward worship of God in general. Sect. 25. Of keeping the Sabbath. Sect. 26. Of hearing the Word. Sect. 27. Of Prayer, and the parts thereof. Sect. 28. Of receiving the Sacrament, and necessary preparation thereunto. Sect. 29. Of oaths, vows and profession of our faith. Sect. 30. Of the Christian duties we owe to ourselves. Sect. 31. Of the common duties were owe to our neighbours. Sect. 32. Of the special works of humility. Sect. 33. Of the special works of meekness. Sect. 34. Of the special works of friendship. Sect. 35. Of the special works of Christian zeal. Sect. 36. Of the duties of Superiors towards inferiors. Sect. 37. Of the duties of inferiors towards their Superiors. Sect. 38. Of the duties of equals. Sect. 39 Of the Christian duties of Kings towards their Subjects. Sect. 40. Of the special duties of Subjects to their King. Sect. 41. Of the duties of Christian parents. Sect. 42. Of the special duties of children. Sect. 43. Of the special duties of Masters. Sect. 44. Of the special duties of Servants. Sect. 45. Of the duties of married folk. Sect. 46. Of the duties of the Husband. Sect. 47. Of the duties of the wife. Sect. 48 Of the duties of Pastors. Sect. 49 Of the duties of the flock toward their Pastor. Sect. 50. Of the special duties of men in respect of their personal callings. Sect. 51. Of the special antidotes, or preservatives against sin. Sect. 52. THE PRAYER BEFORE THE Catechism. GRacious Father, who hast provided the sincere milk of the Word for New borne babes in Christ; as thou hast strong meat for them that are of riper years, and judgement, and hast commended to the dispensers of thy holy mysteries, as well the care of feeding thy tender Lambs, as thy well grown, and stronger sheep: Guide me by thy holy spirit, that I may guide them in the paths of righteousness, and lead them to the waters of comfort, flowing from the fountain of thy most pure and holy Word. Season their tender years with true Religion; and power into these new vessels the new wine of thy Gospel, that they savour not of the cask of the old Man. Open their hearts as thou openedst the heart of Lydia, that they may attend to those things that concern their eternal salvation. Sat thou in the midst of us here assembled, as thou sattest in the midst of the Doctors in the Temple, opposing, and answering them. Propound such Questions by me, and return such Answers by them, as may clearly express to our understanding, and imprint in our memories the necessary points of saving Truth, and foundations of Christian Doctrine; and may serve for the instruction of the ignorant, admonition of the learned, and the building up of us all in our most holy faith; So be it, Amen. PARS PRIMA: THE SUM of saving Knowledge. SECT. Prim. DOMIN. Prim. Of Catechism; the parts, and proper ends thereof. Q. WHAT is Catechism? A. The sum of Christian religion revealed by God, in holy Scriptures, for man's perfect instruction in the mysteries of eternal salvation. Q. What doth Christian Doctrine contain in it? A. The true knowledge, and worship of God in Christ. Q. Where find you the sum of this Doctrine? A. 1. In the Decalogue, written by God the Father. 2. In the Lord's Prayer, conceived by God the Son. 3. In the creed, set down by the Apostles inspired by the holy-Ghost. Q. What containeth the Decalogue? A. All duties to been performed by us to God, and our neighbours. Q. What containeth the Lord's Prayer? A. All benefits to be desired of God. Q. What containeth the Creed? A. All things the ●are to be believed concerning God, and his Church. Q. What is the use and proper end of Catechism? A. To instruct the ignorant and confirm the learned in the principles of Religion; and prepare both to the profitable use of the special means of their salvation, which are Hearing the Word preached. Receiving the Sacraments. Public and private Prayer SECT. 2. DOMIN. 2. Of blessedness, and the means of obtaining it. Q. What are the chiefest things to be desired of all men? A. God's favour, blessings, and grace in this present life, and eternal blessedness in the vision, and fruition of him in the life to come. Q. How may we attain hereunto? A. By true Religion, or godliness; which hath the promise of this life, and the life to come. Q. What is godliness? A. The true worship, and service of the true God. Q. Where is this true God's worship, and service to be learned, and known, and how? A. Obscurely, and imperfectly it may be learned in the book of the creatures, by the light of nature: but clearly, and perfectly by the light of the Spirit in the Canonical books of the old and new Testament. SECT. 3. DOMIN. 3. Of Religion, and the parts thereof. Q. What do the Scriptures teach in general, concerning the true God, and his worship? A. That we ought to know, and acknowledge the true God his Nature Attributes Works as far forth as God hath made himself known to us. 2. That we ought to know, and acknowledge jesus Christ (the Mediator between God, and man) his Person. State. Office. 3 That we ought to worship God in Christ, and serve him both Immediately, by religiously adoring him, and performing all such holy rites unto him as he requireth in the first Table. Mediately, by readily obeying him, and performing all such duties to ourselves, and our neighbours as he requireth in the second Table. SECT. 4. DOMIN. 4. Of the Nature of God. Q. What do the Scriptures teach concerning the nature of God? A. That he is One, true, eternal, simple, all-sufficient, immutable, infinite, incomprehensible spirit; having being of himself; distinguished into three persons of the same nature, dignity, and power. The Father begetting. The Son begotten. The holy-Ghost proceeding from them both. SECT. 5. DOMIN. 5. Of the principle attributes of God. Q. What do the Scriptures teach concerning the attributes of God? A. That he is a living, blessed, and glorious God; the great, high, and mighty Lord, and possessor of heaven and earth, and our most gracious and loving Father, most holy, wise, just, faithful, and good. SECT. 6. DOMIN. 6. Of the works of God in general. Q. What do the Scriptures teach concerning the works of God? A. That he decreeth, and executeth all things for his glory, according to the counsel of his own will; powerfully working all the good of nature, and grace in all things, and wisely disposing of all the evil, both of sin and punishment. SECT. 7. DOMIN. 7. Of God's Decrees. Q. What decrees of God are registered in holy Scriptures for our instruction, and comfort? A. Two Especially 1. His decree of creation of all things. 2. His decree of providence over all, which is twofold, 1. General, concerning the present state of all things in this world. 2. Special, concerning the eternal state of Angels, and men in the world to come. Q. What is this special decree properly called? A. Predestination. Q. What are the parts of it? A. Two Election Reprobation, or rejection. Q. What is Election? A. Gods eternal counsel, and purpose of choosing certain Angels, and men, and bringing them to everlasting happiness, for the declaration of his infinite mercy. Q. What is Reprobation? A. Gods eternal counsel, and purpose of rejecting others, and reserving them to everlasting misery, and torments, for the manifestation of his justice. SECT. 8. DOMIN. 8. Of the Creation. Q. What learn you out of Scripture, concerning the execution of God's decree of Creation? A. That in six days, he made all things visible, and invisible, of nothing, by his word, to the glory of his infinite power. SECT. 9 DOMIN. 9 Of God's general Providence. Q. What learn you concerning the execution of God his decree of general Providence? A. That he preserveth all things in their state, and kind; and governeth them after an excellent manner, to the glory of his manifold wisdom, and goodness. SECT. 10. DOMIN. 10. Of the Predestination of Angels. Q. What is revealed in Scripture, concerning the execution of God's decree of Predestination; and first of Angels? A. That he suffered the reprobate Angels voluntarily, without any temptation, to fall into the unpardonable sin of Apostasy; and that he reserveth them in chains of darkness, ti● the judgement of the great day. But contrarily, that he hath confirmed the Elect Angels in their holy, and blessed estate. SECT. 11. DOMIN. 11. Of the Predestination of men. Q. What is revealed in Scripture concerning the Predestination of men? A. That he gave all men in Adam and Eve a Law, and free will to keep it, or break it: and after they abused their free will, and broke that Law, and thereby brought a curse upon them, and all their posterit: y that of his mercy & grace, he chose & chooseth some out of the estate of misery, and corruption; maketh them his sons by adoption, calleth them to the knowledge of the truth, regenerateth them by his spirit, justifieth them by faith, and in the end crowneth them with everlasting glory. Others he left and leaveth in the state of misery and corruption, offereth them some outward means which make them unexcusable, & for their refusal, or abuse of them hardeneth them, casting them into a reprobate sense; and in the end after many judgements, and Plagues in this life, condemneth them to everlasting torments in hell. PARS II. SECT. 12. DOMIN. 12. Of Christ his Person. Q. WHat are we to know and acknowledge concerning Christ the Mediator? A. His Person. State. Office. Q. What ought we to believe touching his Person? A. That he is God, and man, in one person, conceived by the Holy-Ghost, incarnate of the Virgin Marie. SECT. 13. DOMIN. 13. Of Christ's estate of humiliation. Q. In what state, or states doth the Scripture describe him to us? A. In two states, 1. Of humiliation. 2. Of exaltation. Q. What suffered he in the state of humiliation? A. He bore all our infirmities; became subject to the Law, and was obedient to death, even the death of the Cross, was buried, and descended into hell. SECT. 14. DOMIN. 14. Of Christ his estate of exaltation. Q. What did Christ in the state of exaltation? A. He laid down all our infirmities, arose from the dead, ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God, and shall come in the clouds with great glory to judge the quick and the dead. SECT. 15. DOMIN. 15. Of Christ his Prophetical function. Q. What office did the Son of God take upon him for the salvation of man? A. The Office of a Mediator, betwixt God, and man. Q. How performeth he this office? A. By executing the functions of a Prophet. Priest. King. Q. What appertaineth to Christ's Prophetical function? A. To reveal the hidden wisdom of his Father. Q. How hath he heretofore executed this function? A. Before his Incarnation, by the Priests and Prophets of the old Law. In the days of his flesh he executed it in his own person, preaching the Gospel, which is the covenant of grace, and instituting Sacraments, as seals theroof viz. Baptism; which is the seal of regeneration, and our entrance into the Church. The Lord's Supper, which is the seal of our spiritual growth, and nourishment in the Church. Q. How doth he yet execute this function? A. By the Ministers of the Word, whom he furnisheth with gifts answerable; and assisteth them in the holy works of their sacred calling with his spirit, enlightening the understanding, and opening the hearts of all believers, to make their Ministry effectual. Q. What benefits reap we by Christ's Prophetical function? A. Vocation, and the Effects thereof; incorporation into Christ's mystical body; faith, spiritual wisdom and understanding, with other sanctifying graces of the holy. Ghost. SECT. 16. DOMIN. 16. Of Christ his Priestly function. Q. What appertaineth to Christ's Priestly function? A. To cleanse us from our sins, and reconcile us to God his Father. Q. How did he execute this function? A. By fulfilling the Law, and offering up himself upon the Altar of the Cross, for a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins. Q. How doth he yet execute this office? A. By appearing at the right hand of God, to make intercession for us. Q. What benefits reap we by his Priesthood? A. justification, with the fruits thereof; free access unto God, with confidence; settled peace of conscience, and unspeakable joy in the holy-Ghost. SECT. 17. DOMIN. 17. Of Christ his Kingly function. Q. What appertaineth to Christ's Kingly function? A. To rule and govern his Church. Q. How hath he executed this function? A. By making laws for the whole company of the faithful, and establishing a perpetual government in his Church. Q. How doth he yet execute this royal function? A. First, by his spirit ruling in our hearts, and subduing the flesh to the Spirit. 2. By protecting us against all our ghostly and bodily enemies. 3. By inflicting judgements upon the enemies of his Church. 4. By advancing his Elect to a Kingdom in heaven. Q. What benefits reap we by his Kingdom? A. Glorification, with the parts thereof; victory, safety, eternal glory. SECT. 18. DOMIN. 18. Of the Church, and the parts thereof. Q. For whom did Christ take our nature upon him, and discharge his threefold office? A. For his Mystical body, the Catholic Church. Q. What mean you by the Catholic Church? A, The whole company of the Elect, called already, or to be called, by the Word, & Spirit out of the estate of corruption, and servitude of sin, into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God, to been coheirs with Christ in his Kingdom. Q. Where is this company to be found? A. It is partly triumphant in heaven with Christ their Head; partly militant under the cross, dispersed over the face of the whole earth, where Christian Religion is professed, and believed. SECT. 19 DOMIN. 19 Of the notes of the true Church. Q. Is the Catholic Church a visible company, that we may know whither to repair for the means of salvation; or is it altogether invisible? A. It is visible in respect of the outward badge of profession; and it may be discerned by two notes especially, viz. the sincere preaching of the Word, and right & due administration of the Sacraments, agrèeable to the holy Scriptures. But it is invisible in respect of the inward seal of God's Election, who alone knoweth who are his. Q. How then may a man know that he belongeth to the number of the Elect, and is a living member of Christ? A. 1. By the testimony of the spirit which witnesseth to our spirits that we are the Sons of God. 2. By conformity of our belief to the holy Scriptures in all points necessary to salvation. 3. By a particular assurance of our own salvation, grounded upon the promises of God in Christ and applied to us by faith. 4. By the divers remarkable effects of a justifying faith, and sanctifying grace, which are especially these, 1. True humility. 2. Unfeigned repentance. 3. Son-like fear. 4. Universal and absolute submission to Gods will. 5. Comfortable patience in all afflictions. 6. Proficiency and perseverance in godliness. 7. Settled peace of conscience. 8. Unspeakable joy in the holy-Ghost. PARS III. SECT. 20. DOMIN. 20. Of the twofold worship of God, and of faith. THis may suffice concerning the knowledge of God, and him whom he hath sent jesus Christ to discharge the Office of a Prophet, Priest, and King for his Church. Q. Now how ought we to worship, and serve God? A. Both immediately, and mediately, as before I said. Q. How immediately? A. Both inwardly, and outwardly. Q. How inwardly? A. By faith, and other divine graces that issue of faith. Q. What is faith? A. An infused habit, or spiritual grace, whereby we stédfastly believe all things contained in holy Scriptures, and particularly apprehend, and apply unto ourselves the promises of God in Christ, wholly relying upon him for our salvation. SECT. 21. DOMN. 21. Of humility, and honouring God, and how they are the fruits of faith. Q. What divine virtues are the special issues of faith? A. Humility, honour, reverence, obedience, patience, love, fear, repentance, zeal, hope, and confidence. Q. What is humility? A. A divine virtue, or grace, whereby we wholly deny ourselves, and carry ourselves lowly before God and men. Q. What is honour? A. A divine grace, or virtue, whereby we admire, and advance Gods superexcellent Majesty, and yield him all glory, and praise. Q. How doth faith beget these virtues? A. As it apprehendeth Gods infinite perfections. SECT. 22. DOMIN. 22. Of reverence, obedience, and patience; and how they are the fruits of faith. Q. What is reverence? A. A divine grace, or virtue, whereby we stand continually in awe of the divine Majesty, and never speak, or think of God, without a trembling astonishment. Q. What is obedience? A. A divine grace, whereby we apply ourselves wholly to God, and endeavour to fulfil all his Commandments. Q. What is patience? A. A divine grace, or virtue, whereby we submit ourselves under the mighty hand of God, and without grudging, or repining, endure whatsoever he layeth upon us. Q. How doth faith beget these virtues? A. As it fixeth the eye of the soul upon the omnipotent power, all-séeing wisdom, and sovereign Majesty of God. SECT. 23. DOMIN. 23. Of love, fear, repentance, gratitude, and zeal; and how they are the fruits of faith. Q. What is divine love? A. A spiritual grace, whereby we prefer God before all things, and set our hearts, and whole delights on him. Q. What is filial fear? A. A spiritual grace, whereby we are careful to shun, and avoid any thing that may offend our heavenly Father. Q. What is repentance? A. A spiritual grace, whereby we are heartily sorry, as oft as we offend, and earnestly desire to amend. Q. What is gratitude to God? A. A spiritual grace, or virtue, whereby both in word, and deed we endeavour to express our thankfulness to God, lauding him for his benefits, and contributing to the maintenance of his service. Q. What is Zeal? A. A divine virtue, whereby we are continually inflamed with a desire to promote God's glory. Q. How doth faith beget these virtues? A. By fixing the eye of the soul, and apprehending Gods infinite bounty, and goodness. SECT. 24. DOMIN. 24. Of hope, confidence, and magnanimity, and how they are the fruits of faith. Q. What is hope? A. A divine, or theological virtue, whereby we expect the performance of all God's promises touching our salvation. Q. What is confidence? A. A divine virtue, whereby we continually depend upon God, and trust in him, in all difficulties and dangers. Q. What is magnanimity, or spiritual courage? A. A divine virtue, or spiritual grace, whereby we valiantly attempt, and achieve matters of greatest difficulty, in God's cause, and for the maintenance, and advancing of Religion. Q. How doth faith produce these divine virtues? A. As it apprehendeth God's Truth, and faithfulness in his promises, and applieth them to us in particular. SECT. 25. DOMIN. 25. Of the outward worship of God in general. Q. Thus much of the inward worship: How ought we to worship God outwardly? A. By hearing the Word; receiving the Sacraments, Prayer, profession of our faith, keeping his Sabbath, and the religious use of oaths, and vows. SECT. 26. DOMIN. 26. Of Keeping the Sabbath. Q. How worship we God in keeping the Sabbath? A. By sequestering it from our accustomed business, and dedicating it to the immediate worship of God, and his peculiar service. SECT. 27. DOMIN. 27. Of hearing the Word. Q. How ought we to worship God by hearing the Word? A. By repairing frequently to the Church; there reverently, attending to the Word read, or preached, seriously meditating upon it, and endeavouring to practise it in our lives and conversations. SECT. 28. DOMIN. 28. Of Prayer, and the parts thereof. Q. How ought we to worship God by Prayer? A. By calling upon the Name of God through Christ, out of a true sense, and feeling of our wants and infirmities; and a lively faith in his promises fervently, and constantly, both publkely, and privately, for such things as are agreeable to his holy will. Q. What are the parts of Prayer? A. First, an humble confession of our sins. Secondly, a hearty thanksgiving to God for his benefits. Thirdly, a fervent desire, and ask such things as we need. SECT. 29. DOMIN. 29. Of receiving the Sacrament, and necessary preparation thereunto. Q. How are we to worship God by receiving the Sacraments? A. By Preparation, before we receive. Reverend intention in the receiving. Thanksgiving after it. Q. How ought we to prepare ourselves before we come to the Communion? A. By special Prayer. Examination. Q. What special Prayer is requisite? A. A Prayer to God, to assist us in this holy exercise, and make us worthy receivers; and to confer on us those graces that are promised to all that communicate worthily: And lastly, to give us a sense and feeling of them in ourselves. Q. Wherein standeth our special examination? A. In four points principally. First, whether we have a true sense, and remorse of conscience for our sins past; and a vehement desire, and constant purpose of amendment; whence ariseth a hungering, and thirsting for grace. Secondly, whether we have a competent measure of knowledge in the grounds of Christian religion in general, and in particular of the Sacraments. Thirdly, whether we have a particular affiance in Christ, and grounded persuasion of our salvation by his death and passion. Fourthly, whether our hearts are free from malice, and hatred; and whether we bear true, and sincere affection to all Christ's members. SECT. 30. DOMIN. 30. Of Oaths, Vows, and profession of our faith. Q. How ought we to worship God by Oaths, Vows, and profession of our faith? A. 1. By swearing by God In truth, not falsely. In judgement, not rashly, nor upon any slight occasion. In justice, not maliciously, to a wicked end. 2. By making holy vows unto God, and religiously performing them. 3. By publicly testifying the truth of the holy Gospel, and sealing it with our blood, if it be required of us. PARS FOUR SECT. 31. DOMIN. 31. Of the Christian duties we owe to ourselves. Q. BBy your answers I understand what you mean by the immediate worship of God, both inward and outward: Now tell me wherein consisteth the mediate worship of God, or rather service, or obedience to him? A. In such duties as, by God's command, we owe to ourselves, and our brethren. Q. What duties owe we to ourselves? A. 1. To provide for the good of our Souls, improving our natural faculties by Art and Industry: but especially by seeking after the gifts of God's Spirit, and using all means to increase them in us. 2. To provide for the good of our bodies, by sobriety, wholesome diet, comely raiment, moderate exercise and physic. 3. To provide for our good name, by taking virtuous and honest courses, and following after such things as are praiseworthy, and eschewing the contrary. 4. To provide for our estate; by first, Careful getting; secondly, Frugal saving; thirdly, wisely using the goods of this life, and discreetly managing our private affairs. SECT. 32. DOMIN. 32. Of the common duties we owe to our Neighbours. Q. What duties, by God's commandment, are we to perform to others? A. They are either General and common duties of all christians one toward another: Or, Special duties proper to certain estates, callings of men. Q. What are the general duties of all men (especially Christians) one towards another? A. They are comprised in these two Virtue's Innocence, Charity. Q. What doth innocence require? A. That we hurt not, nor wrong any man in Person, Goods, Name. Q. What doth charity require? A. That we do all the good we can to our brother; abounding in good works, which may be reduced to four heads; uz. works of Humanity. Meekness. Friendship. Zeal. SECT. 33. DOMIN. 33. Of the special works of Humanity. Q. What are the special works of Humanity? A. To be compassionate towards our brother; feed the hungry; cloth the naked; harbour the stranger; relieve the oppressed; redeem the captive; defend the fatherless and widow; visit the sick; and bury the dead. SECT. 34. DOMIN. 34. Of the special works of meekness. Quest. What are the special works of meekness? A. To bear one another's burdens; forgive one another all private injuries, and wrongs; to endeavour to make peace between others, and (if it be possible) to have peace ourselves with all men. SECT. 35. DOMIN. 35. Of the special works of friendship. Q. What are the special works of friendship? A. 1. To preserve (as much as in us lieth) the life of our brother, by counsel, aid, and assistance. 2. To endeavour to preserve his good name, and credit, by affording him our true testimony and just defence; commendation of his good parts, and covering his infirmities. 3. To endeavour to preserve, and better his estate, by dealing truly with him in all bargains, and contracts, lending him freely, and contributing liberally to his necessities, according to our means and ability. SECT. 36. DOMIN. 36. Of the special works Christian of Zeal. Q. What are the special works of Zeal, or holy and Christian love towards our brother? A. To seek to win him to Christ; and to labour his eternal salvation. 1. By instructing him in the Truth. 2. Convincing his errors. 3. Admonishing him of his duty. 4. Reproving his faults. 5. Compassionating his falls. 6. Rejoicing at his recovery. 7. Comforting him in all temptations and afflictions. 8. Avoiding all scandalous carriage before him. 9 Giving him good example. SECT. 37. DOMIN. 37. Of the duties of Superiors towards inferiors. Q. Besides these general duties, you mentioned special duties to men in respect of certain estates, and callings. What mean you by states? A. The condition, quality and degree of men. who are in a 3-fold respect, & order, or rank 1 Superiors In general, over inferiors. To special 1 Kings over their Subjects. 2 Fathers over their children. 3 Husbands over their Wives. 4 Masters our their servants. 5 Pastors over their flock. 2 Inferiors In general to Superiors. In special 1 Subjects to their Prince. 2 Children to their Fathers. 3 Wives to their husbands. 4 Servants their Masters. 5 Flocks to their Pastors. 3 Equals in all respects. Q. What are the duties of superiors in general toward their inferiors? A. 1. To carry themselves with that gravity and discretion towards them, that they may deserve respect and reverence from them. 2. To respect them in their place; not despising their advised admonitions, nor slighting their just exceptions and complaints. 3. To employ their eminent gifts, (in what kind soever they are) to the glory of God, and good of them. 4. To countenance and encourage them in good courses, and discourage them in the contrary. 5. To shine before them in good example of life and conversation; which is a duty of all Christians, but more especially concerneth superiors, because their example prevaileth most either way. SECT. 38. DOMIN. 38. Of the duties of inferiors towards their superiors. Q. What are the duties of inferiors in general towards their superiors? A. 1. To yield them that reverence which is any way due to their persons or places. 2. To hearken to their sage counsels and admonitions. 3. To make use of their gifts, and benefit themselves by them. 4. To recompense them for the good they receive by them, at least by a thankful acknowledgement. 5. To imitate their virtues, and follow their good example. SECT. 39 DOMIN. 39 Of the duties of equals. Q. What are the duties of equals? A. To converse friendly, civilly, and courteously one with another Friendly, in mutual office of love. Civilly, in saluting, taking leave and the like commendable compliment. Courteously, in honour, one going before another. SECT. 40. DOMIN. 40. Of the Christian duties of Kings toward their Subjects. Q. What are the duties of superiors in special, and first of Kings towards their Subjects? A. 1. To make wholesome and godly Laws and Edicts for the 1. Establishing of Religion. 2. Execution of justice. 3. Preservation of peace. 4. Welfare of Church. Commonwealth. 2. To appoint officers under them; men fearing God, and hating covetousness. 3. To call assemblies (as oft as it is needful) ecclesiastical, and civil, for the better ordering of the affairs of Church and Commonwealth. 4. To see (as much as in them lieth) that all the subjects, in their places discharge their duty. 5. To prefer, and reward those that deserve well in Church, or Commonwealth. 6. To punish all sorts of delinquents with indifferency, and equity. 7. To defend their Subjects against violence, and wrong both by Law. Sword. 8. To provide the best they can for their subjects after their death, by taking care for their successor. SECT. 41. DOMIN. 41. Of the special duties of Subjects to their King. Q. What are the special duties of Subjects? A. 1. To make supplication in special for their Prince. 2. To honour his Person. 3. To obey his Laws. 4. To fear his power, and submit themselves to it. 5. To bear arms for him in time of war, if their age, and sex permit. 6. To do him faithful service in their several place, and office; seeking by all means to preserve his Life. State. Honour. 7. To pay willingly all dues unto him. 8. To obey his inferior Officers, and Ministers. SECT. 42. DOMIN. 42. Of the duties of Christian Parents. Q. What are the duties of Christian Parents? A. 1. To bless their children. 2. To instruct them in the grounds of Religion. 3. To excite them to virtue by Praises. Promises. Rewards. 4. To deter & reclaim them from vice by— Rebukes, Threats, Moderate chastenings. 5. To bring them up in good nurture, and fit them for some calling. 6. To allow them competent maintenance, by their life time. 7. To provide for them after their death, as they are able by leaving their substance, and goods to them. 8. To defend them from injury. 9 To have a care of disposing them in marriage, if they are thereunto inclined. SECT. 43. DOMIN. 43. Of the special duties of children. Q. What are the special duties of children? A. 1. To pray in special for their Parent's safety, and happiness. 2. To hearken to their counsels, and instructions. 3. To yield them all reverend respect. 4. To obey them in the Lord. 5. To endure their rebukes, and moderate chastenings. 6. To cover their infirmities. 7. To comfort them by their virtuous disposition, and towardliness. 8. To aid them (according to their power) if they stand in need of their help, or relief. SECT. 44. DOMIN. 44. Of the special duties of Masters. Q. What are the special duties of Masters? A. 1. To take special care that their servant serve God, and live in good order. 2. To provide for them (as parts of their family,) such things as are needful, and fit. 3. To use their power over them moderately, knowing that they also have a Master in heaven. 4. To reward them agreeably to their deserts, paying them their wages in due season, and otherwise gratifying, them as it shall seem fit, and they deserve. SECT. 45. DOMIN. 45. Of the special duties of Servants. Q. What are the special duties of Servants? A. 1. To do their Master's true, and faithful service. 2. To obey them; and submit themselves unto them, though they are froward. 3. To pray for their Master's safety, wealth, and happiness. SECT. 46. DOMIN. 46. Of the duties of married folk. Q. What are the duties of married folk? A. They are of two sorts, Common to both. Proper. Q. What are the common duties? A. 1. To dwell together. 2. To express all entire, and loyal affection one to another. 3. To bend their endeavours to help each other; and both to join for the good of the family. SECT. 47. DOMIN. 47. Of the duties of the Husband. Q. What are the proper duties of the Husband? A. 1. Wisely to govern his Wife, as being her head. 2. To nourish and cherish her, as his own flesh. 3. To instruct her in the points of Religion. 4. To protect, and defend her from injury and wrong. SECT. 48. DOMIN. 48. Of the duties of the Wife. Q. What are the proper duties of the Wife? A. 1. To yield reverend respect to her Husband, of what condition soever he be. 2. To obey (as a Wife) in all things submitting herself to her Husband. SECT. 49. DOMIN. 49. Of the duties of Pastors. Q. What are the duties of godly Pastors? A. 1. To increase their Talon of knowledge by the study of the holy Scriptures, that they may the more sufficiently discharge their duty to their Flock. 2. To conceive and deliver holy forms of Prayers, and thanksgiving in the name of the whole Congregation. 3. To preach the Word of God Sincerely. Faithfully. Diligently. Discreetly. Zealously 4. To administer the Sacraments rightly, and duly. 5. To exercise such ecclesiastical discipline as appertaineth to them according to God's Word, and the Canons of the Church. 6. To conform themselu●● to the holy and decent orders of the Church, performing all rites, and ceremonies enjoined by it; as reading the Litturgie, marrying, burying, etc. 7. To lead● a strict, and exemplary life. SECT. 50. DOMIN. 50. Of the duties of the flock toward their Pastor. Q. What are the duties of the flock towards their Pastor? A. 1. To pray with, and for their Pastor, that his Ministry may be effectual among them. 2. To hear their own Pastor diligently. 3. To obey him in the Lord. 4. To have him in reverend account, and estimation for his works sake. 5. To yield him sufficient and comfortable maintenance by paying duly, and willingly their Tithes, and offerings where the Church hath so well provided; according to God's Law and where it hath not, to supply the defect by voluntary contributions. 6. To aid and assist him against such as oppose his Ministry. SECT. 51. DOMIN. 51. Of the special duties of men in respect of personal callings. Q. What are the special duties of men, in respect of their personal callings? A. 1. To prepare, and fit themselves for some lawful calling, most agreeable to their gifts, means, and inclinations. 2. To enter into it lawfully, and discreetly, not unadvisedly, nor by indirect means. 3. To walk in it worthily viz: 1. Religiously, in all works of their calling, having a reference to God. 2. Wisely spending their time in necessary and profitable works of their calling; not curious or superfluous. 3. Diligently, and assiduously; not living idly, upon other men's labours. 4. Uprightly, using no unlawful means of gaining. 5. Ingenuously; free from covetousness, and baseness. 6. Decently, within the compass of their calling, not exceeding in apparel, retinue their table, or other expense. 7. In-offensively, giving no scandal to their calling by their vicious life, and conversation. 4. To leave if willingly when either God calls them to an higher, or more necessary, or profitable calling; or disableth them for this; or authority removes them: Otherwise to hold it constantly, to the end. SECT. 52. DOMIN. 52. Of the special Antidotes, or preservatives against sin. Q. What are the special preservatives against sin, and means to increase sanctifying grace? A. 1. Frequent, and fervent Prayer, with thanksgiving. 2. The exercising ourselves in reading, and hearing the holy Scriptures, and meditating upon them day and night. 3. Often receiving the blessed Sacrament, with due preparation before, and holy vows, after. 4. Conferring with godly Pastors, and other Religious Divines, touching our spiritual estate and following their holy counsels, and directions. 5. Conversing with the best sort of Christians, and imitating them in the best things. 6. Often visiting the sick lying upon their death beds, and making use of their godly speeches, and behaviour at their departure. 7. Reading; or if we are not able to read, hearing read devout Treatises, or discourses Sermons. Meditations. Histories, etc. 8. Every night examining Our faith by the creed. Our desires, by the Lord's Prayer. Our thoughts, words, & deeds by the Decalogue. 9 Observing what temptations we are most subject to; and arming ourselves against them. 10. Avoiding all occasions of sin; especially flying evil company. 11. Resisting the first motions to sin, and killing the Cockatrice in the egg. 12. Employing ourselves continually about some lawful work, that the Devil find us not idle. 13. The consideration of the dreadful Majesty of GOD in whose presence and eye we are always. 14. The consideration of the infinite goodness of God whom we grievously offend by the least sin. 15. The consideration of God's fearful judgements upon sinners in former times, and in our memory. 16. The pricking our conscience with the remembrance of our former sins; especially such as have lain heaviest upon us, saying to ourselves in the words of the Apostle, or the like. What fruit had we in those things whereof we are now ashamed? 17. The consideration of the certainty of our death, and the uncertainty of the time. 18. The consideration of the strict account we are to make at the day of judgement. 19 The consideration of the everlasting, and unsufferable torments of the wicked in hell. 20. The consideration of the eternal, and unconceivable joys of the godly in heaven. Who so doth these things shall never fall. HEB. 13. VERSE 20. 21. 20. The God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting Covenant, 21. Make you perfect in all good works, to do his will, working in you that which is pleasant in his sight through jesus Christ, to whom be praise for ever and ever, Amen. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. FINIS.