HOLY INCENSE FOR THE CENSERS of the SAINTS. OR, A method of Prayer, with matter, and forms in selected Sentences of sacred Scripture. ALSO A PRAXIS upon the HOLY OIL showing the USE of SCRIPTURE-PHRASES. And Choice Places taken out of the singing PSALMS, digested into a Method of Prayer and Praises. Pray always, with all prayer, and supplication in the Spirit, and watch thereunto, with all perseverance, and supplication for all Saints. Ephes. 6. 18. LONDON, Printed for Robert Milbourne, at the sign of the Greyhound in Paul's Churchyard. 1634. TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL, Sir EDWARD AYSCOUGH, Knight, and to his religious and noble Lady, the best blessings of this, and the blessedness of a better life, through JESUS CHRIST. Right Worshipful, IT was the Farewell-clause of HER Letter, (who is the Honour of this Country, the Praise of her own Sex, and the Glory of your Noble family, Mistress ANNE AYSCOUGH, Martyr,) a Mr Fox Acts monum. vol. 2. pag 578. col. 1. lin. 41. Pray, Pray, Pray: and in another Letter written to JOHN LACELS, (Sacrificed with her in the same fire, for the Word of God, and for the Testimony * Rev. 6. 9 which they held) b Fox ibid. col. 2. lin. 32. Farewell & Pray. This hath been the practice of all the Saints. Bishop Latimer is famous to Posterity for his three Grand-petitions, ( c Pref. before his Sermons. ) which God most graciously granted. Master Luther, not less powerful with God by Praying, than prevailing with Men, by his Preaching, daily breathed his soul herein, ( d Nullus abit dies quin ●t minimum tres ●●ras, easque studijs aptissimas in oration●m po●a●▪ etc. Vi●. Theodor. ad Melanc. Vid. Acts & monum. vol. 2 pag▪ 〈◊〉 col. 1. 〈◊〉 55. ) like jacob wrestling with God, and not letting him go without a Blessing: and thus the Captain of our salvation, our blessed Saviour, continued all night in Prayer to God, * Luk 6. 1ST and in the days of his flesh offered up Prayers and Supplications with strong crying and tears unto him, that was able to Acts 9 11. Isay 38. 16. save him, from death, and was heard— as the Apostle tells us. Heb 5. 7. PRAYER doubtless is the very element in which the Soul liveth; the very aliment by which it subsisteth: Saint Paul as soon as converted, Behold he Prayeth— O Lord by these, men live. * Innocentius ex advocate. vicar. pr●●fectur. mis●r● lab●●ns morbo, ●●●ula & c●●●pit orare quibus modis, quo affectu quo motu animi quo ●luvio lachrymarum quibus gemitibus atquè s●●gultibus-Domine quastuorum ●reces ex 〈…〉 as 〈…〉? nihil enim mihi vi●ebatur addi jam posse 〈…〉 ex●iraret orand● qui miraculose à Deo sanabatur ab illo●●n let hali morbo. Aug. li. 22. de civet. dei c. 8. As well may a fish live out of Water, or a bird without Air, as the Christian without Prayer, 'Tis the vital breath of Faith, stop it, and take away Spiritual life. And though at sometimes, he breathes short, and hardly, and insensibly in his deliquium animae, fits of Spiritual desertion, and temptation, yet his life is still in him as in epileptics; & the man possessed with the dumb be Spirit, Mark. 9 26. who was as one dead, yet when Christ takes him by the hand, he ariseth. Sin prevailing, may tongue-tie him a while, that he chatters not with Hezekiah, yet when his lips move not, nor his voice is heard, his desires will beat strongly upward, his heart works, and pants, and groans, and sighs, and breathes, and breaks in its longing, and looking towards Heaven. O thinks he, that my sins— such, and such— were Pardoned! o that I had more grace to serve my God O that I could master such, and such, a prevailing Lust! O that I could more abound in fruits of righteousness in my conversation! thus his heart is fired always, thus fixed. And who can marvel that the children of God, are so much herein, seeing all the blessings of this, and the hopes of a better life, are assured and conveyed unto them hereby? yea, ●ooker Eccles. policy lib. 5. and that the whole service and worship of God is in Scripture, styled a calling upon the name of the Lord: the Church a house of Prayer, and God himself a God that heareth Prayers, O thou that hearest Prayer, unto thee, shall all flesh come, Psal. 65. 2. Upon this sacred subject, is the ensuing treatise, which though but now presented to you Right Worshipful, long since was intended; in that mournful and praying time, when Gods chastening was upon the City of my habitation, the space of, almost two whole years together. Your noble house, * K●lsey. was then the Zoar, whither I was invited, whereto I fled, where I was (above my deserts) freely entertained. Those and many other your favours, before, and since, challenge my Prayers and best services. Accept of this I entreat you, as a testimony of my thankful observance towards you: yet not as mine, but as it hath received spirit and life, from the word of life. 'Tis Holy Incense for the Censers of the Saints, dropping from the Tree of Life, smelling sweetly in the coals of the Altar, hearts enkindled with true devotion, flaming, and blazing upward. Prayer will make the face to shine as Moses talking with God in the Mount. The more time we spend herein, the more heavenly is our life on earth. Godliness hath the promises; 'twill make your names to live and flourish, when other Magnificoes, whose portion is in the huskey profits, frothy pleasures, windy honours, &c— empty shadows of this life, shall be written in the * earth and rot. And jer. 17. 13. though now it be undervalved, and the price beaten down as a merchandise not worth the owning, much less of buying at any low rate, yet it will quite for cost, and be of high esteem in another world, a pearl of price, that good part, and that one thing necessary. You are happy (Right Worshipful) above many, in that God hath given you a mind to know him, a heart to love him. Press on still toward the mark: study which way to honour God most, and to live to him, this will bring you peace at the last. 'Tis not a form of godliness (which even the civil gentry affect, hereby gilding over their base courses, rotten practices) but the power of it in a sanctified life, which before God is much set by. Go on in that good way, you have begun, count all things u Galcacius Caracciolus son and heir apparent to Calantonius' marquis of Vicum in Naples, bred, born, & brought up in Popery, a Courtier to the Emperor Charles the 5. nephew to Pope Paul the 4. being married to the Dake of Nucernes daughter, & having by her six goodly children, at a sermon of Pet. Martyrs, was first touched: after by reading Scripture and other good means was fully converted: laboured with his Lady but could not persuade her. Therefore that he might enjoy Christ, and serve him with a quiet conscience, he left the lands, livings, and honours of a Marquesdome, the comforts of his Lady and children, the pleasures of Italy, his credit with the Emperor, his kindred with the Pope, and forsaking all for the love of Christ— came to Geneva, and there lived a poor and mean, but yet an humble and holy life for forty years together. And though his Father, his Lady, his kinsmen, yea the Emperor and the Pope did all they could to reclaim him, yet continued he constant to the end, and lived and died the blessed servant of God, leaving behind him a rare example to all ages— He lived with his wise till the year 1551. and then forsook all— His l●●e was translated out of Italian into Latin, by Beza, and englished by Mr. Crashaw. 1608. but dung, that ye may win Christ, and be found in him Take up the cross which lies in the ways of God. Deny your selves: This do, and you shall cause the blessing to rest on your house, and posterity after you; and those Olive plants about your table, shall become trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord; for so long as you hold you fast by him, you shall, you cannot but prosper, and grow as the Lily, as the Olive-tree, as the Vine, and spread out your branches as the Cedars in Lebanon. Thus praying to God for a blessing on these my prayers, and on you both, I commend my self and them to you, Reading & meditating in this word hath been the practice of all gods saints, Marcelia nunquam Hieronymum ipsum conveniret, quin de Scriptures aliquid interrogaret tantamquè sibi erudition●m compararet ut si in aliquo testimonio scripturarum esset aborta contentio ad illam judicem pergeretur Chamier. de canonis usu lib. 10. cap. 4. Sect. 18. you and yours to God, and to the word of his grace, ● which is able to build you up further, and to give you an inheritance, among all them which are sanctified, by faith in Christ Jesus. In whom he resteth, that is, Lincoln May 6. 1634. Your Worships in all Christian services to be commanded JOHN CLARKE. TO THE READER. TO gratify the expectation of friends, and to satisfy some to whom I have long been much obliged, rather than for any conceited worth of any thing that is mine, in these forms and method of Prayer, are they thus now presented to thy view (Christian Reader.) There be many (blessed be God) in manifold respects, far beyond these of mine. Excellent moulds and forms of prayer. That which I here undertake, is but to gather into heaps, and heads some grains of sweet gums, myrrh, aloes, cassia, and frankincense (more precious than all the perfumes, and powders of the Merchant) out of the Spouses garden of spices, which thou mayst scatter on the burning coals of thy zealous Devotions. If any, even the meanest that calleth God Father, can make use hereof in framing his petitions, to be put up, and presented to the high Court of Heaven, I have my ends and desires, how ever they shall be taken, or take others. I prescribe no man a way, the spirit of God is not limited by me. Private prayers may be framed, as the holy spirit gives us utterance; and it is a vain thing when the heart is full, and boyles upward, to quench and restrain its free operations. No, pour out thy heart in prayer as thou feelest enlargement. Public prayers would be more composed, and set to that exact and heavenly platform, and prayer of our Saviour, that others, who pray with us, may perceive the orderly passing from one part to another, and so be helped, edified, and affected thereby. For the Common-prayers in our Church Liturgy, it were to be wished, that in great and noble families, which are more than a model of a little Church, they would use the common-prayer-book, there they may have most excellent prayers, for almost-any occasion incident and imaginable: such as both Martyrs * Dr. Taylour taking his leave of his wife, with weeping and tears, before his Martyrdom, gave her for his Fare well and last token, a book of the Church-service, set out by K. Edward, which in the time of his imprisonment he daily used. Mr. Fox. Acts and Mon vol. 3. pag. 175 col 1. lin 10. (a) Pet. Martyr, and the Archbishop of Canterbury offered to defend the Protestants Common-Prayer Book against Queen Mary's Religion. Acts & Mon. vol. 3. pag. 18 col. 2. lin. 50. The Prelates in King Edward's time, after long, learned, wise, and deliberate advice, did finally conclude and agree upon one uniform order of Common-Prayer, Sacraments, etc.— vol. 2 pag. 659. lin. 47. And Doctor Taylour Parson of Hadley, saith thereof, that the book of Church-service, was so fully perfected according to the rules of our Christian religion in every behalf, that no Christian conscience could be offended with any thing therein contained. vol. 3 pag. 171. lin. 20. and all other, peaceable and soberminded Christians have ever honoured, extolled, vindicated, and practised. Pity it is to see some, out of I know not what humour, to cavil, carp at, and cry down (not only forms of private Devotion, such as these, but) that which all antiquity hath so much magnified, and hath under so gracious and pious Princes, a by public authority, so long been established in the Church. Certes Public Prayers of the people of God, in Churches throughly settled, did never use to be voluntary Dictates▪ b M. Hooker. lib. 5. Sect. 26. Eccles. policy. proceeding from any man's private spirit, gift, or extemporal wit. * Pause before thou speak, Solomon's caveat Be not rash▪ an Extempore oration before a Prince, becomes not, much less to open our mouths rashly before our M●ker. Mr Harr●● Haraldus▪ in Epist. to Peter's Enlargement. c Nu 6. 23. God himself framed to his Priests, the very speech wherewith they were charged to bless the people. And our Lord even of purpose to prevent this fancy of extemporal and voluntary Prayers, hath left us of his own framing, one, which might both remain as a part of the Church-Liturgie, and serve as a pattern whereby to frame all other Prayers, with efficacy, yet without superfluity of words. Prayers, doubtless, are accepted of God otherwise than being conceived always anew according to the exigent of present occasions: being not actions which ought to waste away themselves in the making; they may be resumed, and used again as Prayers, and yet no instruments of superstition. d From the tyranny of the Bishop of Rome, and all his detestable errors, idolatries, and abominations, good Lord deliver us. Acts & Mon. vol. 3. pag. 170. lin. 19 Hooker ibid. Moses hath left a prayer, (for that admirable victory given them against Pharaoh) cast into a Poetical mould which grew afterward to be a part of the ordinary jewish Liturgy— etc. The Lord grant unity, and concord to all that call upon his name, that they may agree in the truth of his holy Word, and live in Godly love one with another: that all unhappy differences in opinion may be composed, and those swellings and great thoughts of heart laid down. That we may all mind one thing, to serve our God out of a pure heart, without evil surmisings, or making things worse by jealous, and suspicious censurings, which exasperated rather than heal our breach. Let us pray and labour hereunto. The prayers of the Christian Soldiers brought rain to the fainting armies of the heathen Emperors. Elias a man subject to passions, as others be, by Prayer shut & opened heaven. Est quaedam precum omnipotentia, one calls it, e Preces hirudo curarum, Luth Ep. ad Melan Swanus King of Denmark, to all his outrages done in Eng. and his ●●●●ing excessive impositions upon the people, having entered the territory of St. Edmund, spoiling the country, and despising the holy Martyr, menacing also the place of his Sepulture, the men of that country fell to prayer, and fasting; so that Swanus shortly after died suddenly, crying and yelling among his Knights, See the virtue of Christian men's prayer. Acts & Mon. vol. ● pag 208 col. 2 lin. 20. K. Ethelred, then at service, and meditations when his bro●●er Alured was in fight with the Danes, being required to make ha●e, (such was his devotion) he would not star out one foot, before their service was fully complete, his brother being in great danger then: nevertheless the King through the gracious assistance of that God, whom he invoked, won the field, and the Danes lost both the victory, and their lives Mr. Fox Acts. & Mon. vol. 1. pag. 182. li 58. Pious O●w●ld also, K. of Northumberland, boat Penda & Cedwall, by the power, not so much of his sword, as prayer. Strength of prayer overcommeth armies Act. & Mon. vol. 1. pa. 157 col. 1. lin 71. What should I speak of his Prayers, which were soardent unto Christ that they which stood under his window, as he was praying, might see his tears falling & aropping down. Me●a●cth. de Luthero Again with such power he prayed, that he (as himself confesseth) had obtained of the Lord, that so long as ●el●●ed the Pope should not prevail in his country, after my death (said he) let them pray who can M. Fox Act & Monn. vol. 2 pag 88 the wonder-working power of Prayer, able to beat back the very Ordinance of Hell, a spiritual Engine, able to batter down all the Bull warks of the Devil, the most precious, and almost (if not altogether) omnipotent Grace, and great Master of miracles wrought both in heaven and earth. Believe it, if then wert in a state more dangerous than Death, in a place worse than Hell, yet if thou couldst but thence pray truly, thou shouldst find comfort. Out of the belly of hell cried I, jona. 2. Hereby thou mayst have access to God on all occasions; for Prayer bears about the privy Keys of heaven, yea forceth entrance, when all is locked. Be in love with this so heavenly a grace, f and that time, & breath, and spirits which others spend in prating f. An exercise (I can assure thee) of unspeakable strength and comfort, without which thou canst not live, and by which thou mayst live in the mouth of death▪ etc. Mr. Harris of Han. in Epist. before Peter's enlargement. of, and censuring the actions of superiors, do thou in praying to God, for thyself, for the Church, for our gracious King, and all in authority under him, that we may still lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty, which is the Prayer of thy fellow servant in Christ jesus, Promises made to Prayer. EXceeding great and precious 2. Pet. 1. 4. Promises are made by God, to his Elect; and yet how often doth the poor soul lag and droop, for not Knowing, or not Using them as need requires: living (like some Misers) besides their hopes, besides their means. They deserve to want, who lack supply for want of fetching. 'Tis not the having of wealth, meat, or clothing, but the Using, applying, digesting, and putting on, that does us good. Spirits and life may be in the heart, and blood may be in the liver, yet unless these flow kindly to every part, the body is not healthful, beautiful, or vigorous. The Promises therefore should be often chewed, sucked and meditared on: God must be humbly, and holily remembered of them: not as if he were not faithful and just, but because we are distrustful: he cannot lie, and though we be weak in Faith, our unbelief cannot make his promise of none effect: He will not falsify his covenant, nor alter the thing that is gone out of his lips: hath he said, and shall he not do it? hath he spoken, and will he not bring it to pass?— Now as we would receive of his fullness, so the promises must enlarge our hearts— Promises made to Prayer in General. Before they call I will answer, Isay 65. 24. and whilst they are yet speaking, I will hear. Ask, and it shall be given; Math. 7. 7. seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. And ye shall be unto me a Exod. 19 6. kingdom of Priests. — In every place, incense shall be Mal. 1. 11. offered in my name, and a pure offering. We know not what to pray for Rom. 8. 26. as we ought, but the spirit itself, maketh intercession for us, with groaning which cannot be uttered Lord, thou hast heard the desire Psal. 10. 17 of the humble, thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear. Whatsoever things ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive Mar. 11. 24. them, & ye shall have them. Secondly the, Parts of Prayer. 2. Promises made to each several head of Prayer, etc. Pro. 28. 13. 1. Confession of Sinne. He that covereth his sins shall not prosper, but who so Confesseth and forsaketh them, shall have mercy. If we Confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive I john 1. 9 us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Secondly to Petition, for 1 Pardon of Sinne. Though your sins be as scarlet, Isai. 1. 18. they shall be as white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. ay, even I, am he that blotteth Isai. 43. 25. out thy transgressions, for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. I will forgive their iniquity, jer. 31 34. and remember their sin no more. I have seen his ways, and Isay 57 1●. will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him, and to his mourners. If the wicked will turn from Ezek. 18. 21. all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not dye. All his transgressions which he 22 hath committed they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done, he shall live. Have I any pleasure at all that 23. the wicked should dye, saith the Lord God? & not that he should return from his ways and live? Come unto me all ye that labour, Mat. 11. 28. and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 2 Power against Sins. Who is a God like unto thee, Mic. 7. 18. that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgressions of his heritage, etc. He will turn again, he will 19 have compassion on us: he will subdue our iniquities, and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the Sea. The God of peace shall bruise Rom. 16. 20. Satan under your feet shortly. Sin shall not have dominion Rom. 6. 14. over you. Though he fall he shall not be Psal. 37. 24. utterly cast down, for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. 3 Grace, conferred, continued, and increased. — I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean. A new heart also will I give Ezech. 36. 25. 26. you, and a new spirit will I put into you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, & I will give you a heart of flesh: And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk 27 in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgements, and do them. And the Lord thy God will Deut. 30. 6. circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayst live. I will pour upon him that is Isai. 44 3. thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring. A bruised reed shall he not Isai. 42 3. break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench, he shall bring forth judgement unto truth. Blessed are they which do hunger Math. 5. 6. and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. He which hath begun a good Phil. 1 6. work in you, will perform it until the day of jesus Christ. Fourthly the Means of Grace. With joy shall ye draw waters out of the wells of salvation. Isai. 12. 3. Ho, every one that thirsteth Isai. 55. 1. come ye to the waters. In all places where I record Exod. 20. 24. my name, I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee. 5 Personal concernements, in our particular calling. Commit thy works unto the Prov. 16. 3. Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. In all thy ways acknowledge prov. 3. 6. him, and he shall direct thy paths.— thy ears shall hear a word behind Isai. 30. 21. thee saying, this is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. The Lord shall preserve thy psal. 121. 8. going out, & thy coming in, from this time forth for evermore. Blessed shalt thou be when Deut. 28. 6. thou comest in & blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. The Lord thy God will make 30. 9 thee plenteous in every work of thy hand. The Lord, he is he, that goeth 31 8. before thee, he, will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee, fear not, neither be dismayed. He shall give his Angels Psal. 91. 11. charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways— Thou may est in the reading of the Scriptures, find out, and add hereunto promises made to thy more particular occasions.— Thirdly Thansgiving. — The tongue of the dumb shall Isay 35. 6. 10. sing, for in the wilderness shall waters break out— the ransomed of the Lord shall return & come to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy & gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall fly away. Ye shall eat in plenty and be joel. 2. 26. satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you. Ye shall go forth with joy, and Isai. 55. 12. be led forth with peace, the mountains & the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the fields shall clap their hands. A METHOD of PRAYER. PRayer is a lifting up of the Psal. 25. 1. Soul to God. Wherein there is to be considered the Preface to it, and the Parts of it. The Preface to it, consists 1. Preface. 1 In a description, or compellation of God, by his glorious inajesty, terrible names, holy nature, incommunicable attributes, strict justice, consuming wrath, gracious promises— etc. 2 In a craving of audience, assistance, and accceptance: we may conclude also herewith, as Dan. 9 17. 18. The Parts of Prayer, are usually 2. Parts. three. 1 Confession. 2 Petition. 3 Thanksgiving. Though in exactness of speech, Confession and Thanksgiving be not Prayers formally: but commonly prefixed or annexed thereunto, as Dan. 9 Ezr. 9 1 Confession is an humble, 1. Confession of 1 Sinne. hearty, and feeling acknowledgement, of the evil of Sin; and of punishment done to, or due for, Sinne. 1 Confession of the evil of to which is necessary Sin, both in the Habits, Acts, Kinds thereof. Which that it may be done effectually, and to purpose, we must 1 Labour for the particular 1 A particular knowledge of sin. knowledge and discovery of Sin, in our own souls, which must be by looking ourselves in the glass of the Law, whereby we shall discover our Sins in each Commandment. viz. 1 Commandment. Atheisine, Epicurism, Idolatry— &c— Atheism, in want of the Knowledge, Love, Fear of God— Zeal, Faith— Epicurism, in mis-placing our affections. Idolatry, in neglect of God's mercies, in neglect of God's works of justice, in neglect of God's Saints, and communion with them— &c 2 Command. Not worshipping God by praying, reading— Will-worship, Idolworship. 3 Command. Serving God hypocritically, when his Word is preached, read— and prayer. When his Sacraments are administered, not examining ourselves, not reconciling ourselves to our brethren, not discerning the Lords body. Luke warmness, Uncheerefulnesse, unteachableness, Incorrigibleness, Security. 4 Command. Not remembering the Lord's day, longing to have it past. Idleness, omitting duties public or private. 5 Command. In the Family, Wife, Husband, Children, Parents, Master, Servants— In the Commonwealth, Subjects, Magistrates— etc. In the Church, Ministers, People— &c 6 Command. Not pitying or relieving the afflicted. Envying, Anger, Hatred, Worldly sorrow. Cursing. Murdering of Soul, or Body. 7 Command. Uncleanness, Wantonness. Whoredom. Drunkenness, Gluttony— 8 Command. discontentedness, Sloth, unthriftiness. Oppression. Sacrilege. 9 Command. Disgracing, and speaking evil of others, Censuring. Lying, Slandering, Vaine-boasting. Flattering, false-witness— 10 Command. Not desiring the good of others, and ourselves. Delighting in the contemplation of evil. 2 Get our hearts deeply affected 2. Sense of it, and sorrow for it. with a true sense, and thorough feeling, of the heinousness of our Sins, a serious detestation, and utter hatred of them, with unfeigned sorrow, and condemning our selves, for them. 3 Then descend we to a 3. particular enumeration particular enumeration of them, in the bitter root, spreading branches, cursed fruits, and dangerous effects thereof— First the Sin of our first parents, 1. Of Adam's disobedience Adam and Evah: look unto the rock whence we were hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence we were digged, for we all sinned in their loins, and so come short of the glory of God. Rom. 3. 23. 2. Original sin. 2 Original depravation, and pollution of nature, in the corruption to be descried in the of the Understanding. 2 Conscience. 3 Memory. 4 Will. 5 Sensitive appetite, and affections. 1 The corruption of the Understanding Understanding. in 5. 1 Vanity thereof, our thoughts are vain, taken up with frothy, and fruitless speculations. 2 Blindness, being ignorant, and impotent, not able to conceive spiritual things. 3 Vnteachatlenesse, resisting and opposing the truth. 4 Incredulity, unapt to believe the truth of God. 5 Enmity, 1 not subject to the Law of God. 2 Not resolving to be so holy, pure, exact as God's Word requires. 3 but casting off God's yoke and his coards, with reluctancy and distaste. 2 Conscience, which is impure 1. Conscience. and polluted, without light, and life. 1 A bad remembrancer, and false register, setting down sin by the halves; like the unjust Steward, but fifty, where hundreds are due. 2 A slack instigatour to good, or restrayner from evil, being not clear to discern things amiss, like a dusty lookingglass Not sensible of sin, or tender, but brawney, past feeling. Not active, or stirring up to good, but sleeping, drowsy, not rousing us to purpose, giving us no rest, but letting us sleep securely again. 3 A false accuser, or excuser, excusing for Sins: accusing for not Sins: 1 It should when the Law is preached, accuse, thou art the man: but than it extenuates that it is no sin, or but a little sin: approving, and allowing ways and courses which seem good to a Man, but tend to death. 2 When the Gospel is preached, it should extenuate, but than it aggravates, crying out amain with Cain, My sin is greater than— full of hellish and amazing terrors. 3 Memory full of weakness, 3. Memory. our remembrance being like unto ashes, 1. forgetting what we ought to remember, as our Creator in the days of our youth; 2 remembering what we should forget, as injuries and indignities. 4 Our Will is full of 4. Will. 1 Contrariety to the Will, and Word of God in every thing; refusing to do what he commands, but wilful in doing what he forbids. 2 Pride, not dependant on, or subject unto God's will; 'twill not stoop to be, or to do any thing for God, 'twill be something in itself, and must be carved to, in a good condition, as itself likes. 3 Inconstancy, unstable as water in good, peremptory and resolute in evil: our tongues are our own, who is Lord over us? though in some good mood like Saul to David it may weep, yet like the morning dew it vanisheth presently. 4 Disobedience, when God commands apt to do the contrary. 5 Sensitive appetite, taking 5. Sensitive appetite. pleasure in sensible things too much, our appetites and senses outray in things lawful, which come in by the senses. 1 Eyes, to women, wine— 2 Ears, itching after vanity. 3 Taste, meat and drink, to Gluttony. 4 Touch, hands, etc. 6 Affections, deeply distempered, 6. Affections being violent, turbulent, sullen, way ward, untoward▪ ready to be fired with any temptation, rebellious against God: either 1. not active & lusting after good, or 2. placed where they should not be, or 3 exceeding in measure: they overjoy, over-grieve, over love, we humour and please them, they can but ask and have— This corruption is in the concupiscible and irascible faculties of the soul. In the concupiscible faculties, 1 Love and Hatred, 2 Desire and Abomination, 3 joy & sorrow, which hath under it, Pity, Envy, Heaviness, Repentance, and Zeal. In the irascible faculties, 1 Hope and Despair, 2 Boldness, Anger, 3 Fear, which hath under it, Blushing, Shamefastness, Astonishment, Agony— 1 Love and hatred not of all good, not against all sin. 2 Delight, not in God, religion, the Saints. 3 Fear, Man, the creature, poverty— 4 Sorrow, cast down for disgrace. 7. Body and members. 7 Body and members, Eyes Ears, Tongue, Hands, Feet. 3 Actual sin in deeds of Thirdly, Actual transgressions, against the Law Gospel of both, in our 1 Thoughts, being idle, vain, frothy, not entertaining God in them. 2 Words rotten, unseasoned, they heal not, edify not, our tongues set on fire of hell, corrupt with lying, slander, dissembling, backbiting. 3 Deeds of Omission, Commission, Not husbanding the talents of 1. Omission and grace, and nature, which we were betrusted with; which we have ill employed: our precious time we raffle out— Barren, unfruitful, 1 for acts D●s●●uncie and duties. 1 Neglecting wholly, 2 intermitting, 3 slighting them. restraining prayer, refuse the Sacrament, omit Fasting and Prayer. 2 Graces, want of love to Christ & godly men. humility. faith. zeal. 3 misspending our time in vanity, raffling out our precious hours, and squandring away our talents. 4 Occasions of doing, and receiving good, not clothed, not visited, not instructed others, or trying if at any time God would give them repentance. 2 Commission, in the rebellion, 2. Commission and sinfulness of our lives, sinning in our general and particular calling, confessing here the sins of our Sex, complexion, constitution, etc. those we last of all committed, under ●hich our consciences do yet freshly bleed: by which God hath been most dishonoured— Both for, 1 Quantity, in the greatness. frequency. 2 Quality, in the heinousness. 3 Relapses, iterations. 4 Circumstances, aggravating sin. viz. The Person against whom: The glorious God, our most gracious and tender Father. Against our Christian Brethren, Superiors, Inferiors, Equals, becoming guilty of other men's sins, occasioned by our Command, Company, Counsel, Ill example, Connivance, Silence— etc. Against our own souls. Against every Creature. The Time, when, In general, in particular. In general before and since our Conversion— etc. In Infancy, Childhood, Youth, Mans-age, Old-age. In particular, in the Day, Night— etc. The Place, where, at home, and abroad. At home, the Table, Closet, Bed. Abroad, viz. in the Church, in Company, in the Fields— etc. 1 Against God himself. 1. Against God 2 and that against knowledge. 3 without any, or with very small Temptation. 4 against vows and covenants. 5 against means afforded, to resist sin, and do better. 1 Hating of God, being enemies to him. 2 Denying by our works, his power, omnipresence, justice, omniscience, setting up base lusts to be our God. 3 Despising of God, if so we can hide our sin from man, we never care though God see it. 2 And thus not only of ignorance 2. Presumptuously. when we-knew not, nor of infirmity being transported with passion, the Law in our members, but even of wilfulness, and presumption, acted with a high hand, against Knowledge and the cries of a convinced conscience, which makes sin rebellion; to know God, yet not to glorify him as God, not in the days of our ignorance only, but since the light of the glorious Gospel, hath shone into our hearts. 3 Without any, or with small 3. Without, or with temptations. temptation, resolving to sin, selling themselves with Ahab, even in cold blood, to do wickedly. Heb. 10. 26. as in sins in which there is neither pleasure, or profit, etc. As to swear, profane the Sabbath, refuse preaching, praying, scorning Gods ways. 4 Against frequent purposes, 4. Against vows— fair promises, of more holy obedience, reiterated vows and covenants. general in Baptism, Lord's Supper. particular on such and such an occasion. 5 Against means. 1 Blessings, coards of love. 2 Corrections, thou hast stricken us, but we have not sorrowed, jer. 5. 3. 3 Word, early and late, all the day long. 2 Actual sins against the Gospel. 1 Not thirsting after 2. Sins against the Gospel. Christ jesus, nor prising, nor loving and cleaving unto him with our dearest affection: 2 denying him in our lives. 2 Not repenting us of our sins, though God in mercy vouchsafe space and means, but hiding, excusing, not mourning for, nor forsaking sin. 3 Not believing the promises of salvation, nor relying upon jesus Christ for justification, sanctification, and salvation, etc. not stirring up ourselves to take hold of him, but forsaking our own mercies 4 S●●ning against the hol● Ghost, by tempting, grieving, or quenching the holy spirit of God, receiving the grace of God in vain, turning it into wantonness, growing cold in religion, losing our first love. Thus bringing our iniquities to remembrance, 1 we must acknowledge and bewail them, not only generally, but individually also, one by one, fetching and ferreting them out (as so many achan's) by the poll, especially those which are naturalised, and habituated in us, our beloved and darling sins, our dearest dalilah's. And that, from a 1 Troubled, broken, bleeding melting spirit, believing heart, clasping the promises Ezr. 10. 2. yet now there is hope in Israel, etc. 2 Honest heart, wishing the confusion, as well as making the confession of sin, meaning to leave every wicked way▪ and with purpose of heart cleaving to the Lord— 2 Confession of the evil of 2. part of Confession viz. of the wages of punishment. punishment, acknowledging ourselves, in regard of these our so many and grievous sins, not only to be less than the least of all God's mercies, but most justly worthy of his most dreadful plagues, liable and obnoxious to all evils of punishment in judgements Corporal. Spiritual. Temporal. Eternal. vid. Ezr. 9 Dan▪ 9 Thus of the first part of Prayer, viz. CONFESSION. The Second follows, The second part of prayer, which is Petition. which is PETITION. PEtition is either for Ourselves. Others. 1 Ourselves, and is called Supplication, consisting of two branches, viz. Apprecation. Deprecation. 1 Apprecation, or collation of good, which also consists, in desiring; 1 Supply of all wants Spiritual. Corporal. 2 Continuance and increase of all blessings both Eternal. Spiritual. Corporal. 1 Apprecation, for bestowing of all good blessings, viz. 1 Supplying all our wants of things, 1 Spiritual, viz. Grace. Increase of Grace. Means of Grace. 1 For the grace of free Pardon Apprecation for for our sins, that God for his mercies, promise, Christ's sake 1. Pardon of sin. (even the abundant merits of our Lord jesus his bloody passion, who hath satisfied for them to the utmost farthing, by pouring out his soul for an oblation for the sins of the whole world) would be pleased freely to forgive, and blot them out of his book, never laying them to our charge beforemen, to shame us in this world; or to our everlasting confusion before men and Angels in the world to come. Of which that we may more 2. Faith in Christ. fully be assured, we pray for a lively and apprehensive Faith, by which we may be enabled to lay hold on, and apply the general and free Promises of Salvation, to ourselves in particular, that God would seal up the assurance hereof to our consciences, by the gracious testimony of his holy spirit, giving unto us the spirit of adoption, whereby we may with comfort and confidence cry ABEA father, that so being justified and freed from the guilt and punishment of all our sins we may have peace of conscience, being reconciled to him in his Son. 2 Repentance unto life, whereby 3. Repentance. our stony hearts may be softened & broken with godly sorrow, & our eyes run down with rivers of tears, for our falls and failings heretofore, and we quickened to new obedience to serve the living God, in holiness and righteousness all our remaining days. 3 All other sanctifying graces▪ 4. All sanctifying grace. accompanying & furthering our everlasting happiness, 1. as saving knowledge, that we may understand what the holy and acceptable will of the Lord is. 2 Fervent love to God, our brethren, yea our very enemies, for his sake that loved us when we were enemies. 3 Ardent zeal. 4 Lively hope▪ 5 Sonlike fear of God. 6 True humility and contrition of spirit. 7 Sincerity and boldness in the profession of the truth. Perseverance, patience and strength under the cross, Contentation in all estates, either of weal or 2. For growth and increase of Grace. woe, want, or abundance. 2 Increase and growth of all these graces, that the bruised reed may not be broken, nor the smoking Flax quenched, but that our graces, like the light, may shine more and more to the perfect day; and our works be more at last, than at the first. 3. The means of grace continued and sanctified to us. 3 The means of grace continued and sanctified unto us: as 1 Gods Word preached at Church. 2 Read in private, that the holy Ghost blessing it from heaven, may bring it close home unto, and savingly work it upon our hearts, that thus the heavenly spirit breathing on his own ordinances, they may quicken us, and become effectual to our salvation: 2 Sacraments. 3 Sabbaths. 2. Petition for supply of temporal wants. 4 Prayer. 5 Fasting, etc. 2 Supply of wants temporal, our own personal concernements, and all outward blessings appertaining to this present life, Health, Liberty, Friends, Raiment, Food, giving and preserving to our use the kindly fruits of the earth, so as in due time we may enjoy them: preservation in our persons and estates, Direction in all our courses, thoughts, words, actions: the blessing of God upon all our labours, a right and sanctified use of all God's blessings, and chastisements. 2 Deprecation of Evils, personal, 2. Deprecation. national, both of sin and punishment, either before or after it comes: Before it comes, aversion & prevention; After it comes, ablation or removal. 1 We pray against the evil of sin, that we may be, 1 Delivered, freed and acquitted of the guilt and danger of all our sins. 2 Endued with watchfulness, power, and dominion over them all: in our judgements to dislike them, in affections to hate them, in heart to bewail them, and in life to forsake them— 1. To be freed from the guilt of Sin. 1 From the guilt and danger, that our sin may not shame us before men, and torture our consciences here in this life, nor condemn us body and soul in the world to come; that our doing evil, omitting good, particular failings, Personal. frailties, distractions, indisposednes to serve God, our ignorance, Atheism, infidelity, hypocrisy, inconstancy, pride, vainglory, envy, uncharitableness, putting off our repentance, forgetfulness, distrustfulness, unthankfulness, dulness, uncheerfulness, felfe-love, strife, wrath, flattery, idleness, gluttony, uncleanness, covetousness, all inordinate desires, and all the evil of our good works— etc.— may never be imputed or laid to our charge. As likewise the national unthankfulness, national. heresies, schisms, swearing, oppression, security— (which cry open▪ mouthed against us) may not enter into the ears of the Lord of hosts. Secondly, That we may from on, high be endued with power over those corruptions, and lusts, 2. To have power 1. Over Sinne. to which pleasure allures, profit provokes, sinful custom most of all sways us; the plague of our own heart, that the lusts of our flesh may be crucified, and the whole body of sin abolished, and we lead our captivity captive. 2 Victory over all the deceits 2. The world. of the whole world (which lieth in wickedness) and all the temptations thereof, that neither the persons, nor things therein, may become our suare. 3 Over the Devil, that arch-enemy 3. The Devil of our salvation, and his fiercest and eraftiest assaults: that he may never finally prevail over us: that the God of peace, would tread down Satan under our feet, and so make us more than conquerors, through our Lord jesus, who hath loved us. Secondly, Deprecation of the 2. To he freed from the evil of punishment. evil of Punishment: 1. All those dreadful curses due to our sins, that they may not be inflicted on us. 2 Deliverance from all plagues, which we now feel, or hereafter may fear. viz. 1 judgements national, which national. the whole Land mourns under: Plague of the pestilence, famine, war, sedition, conspiracy— 2 Afflictions personal, that Personal. lie on ourselves, either in soul, body, or in estate; troubles and terrors of conscience: grief of mind, scandals and offences, imprisonment, banishment, sickness, poverty, disgrace, loss of friends or any other afflictions of what kind soever: preservation from and in all dangers, Death itself, the king of terrors, the day of judgement, from Hell, and chains of darkness, from God's wrath, and everlasting damnation— etc. Secondly, We petition for others, 2. Intercession for the Catholic Church. which is Intercession: and thus here, we pray for the Catholic Church of jesus Christ, militant every where on earth, which is either, 1 Uncalled (yet belonging to the election of grace) that they may be converted as 1. jews (our elder sister, which was in the covenant before us) 2 Pagans and Infidels, that they may hear the glad tidings of salvation, and that the Sun of righteousness may arise on them, with healing in his wings, that they may enjoy God's Word, Sacraments, Sabbaths, that God would bring home them that go astray, instruct the ignorant, and forgive them that rebelliously transgress; Heretics, yea the Enemies, and Persecutors of the Church, that they all may be converted, or (if implacable) confounded: beseeching God to forgive our Enemies, Persecutors, and Slanderers, and to turn their hearts— 2 Already called, that the Lord 2. Called. would purge it from Schism, and Heresy, and appease all unhappy differences in the Church, making all Christians keep the unity of the spirit, in the bond of peace: and that he would warm and enliven the settling and cooled affections of these secure and earthly-minded times. To watch over it for good, whether in the transmarine parts, and foreign 3. In foreign arts. countries abroad, or our own nation at home, & herein especially our gracious sovereign King Charles, and his Highness' Dominions, with all his sacred Stock 2. Our land at home. and Lineage, the Queen, young Prince, Princess, Duke: the Lady Elizabeth the King's only sister, and her Progeny. The Lords spiritual and temporal, those of his Majesty's most honourable Privy Council: the Nobility, Majestra●ie, Ministry, the two Universities, the Gentry, and Commonalty, our Parents, Kindred, Friends, Benefactors, all such as we stand obliged unto by nature, desert, duty, or any special relation. Thirdly, Afflicted in soul, 3. Afflicted. body, or in estate, being oppressed, and persecuted under Popish tyranny, or Mahometan cruelty: those that be destitute of all comforts of this life, that want food, raiment, harbour, liberty, peace, health, that groan under poverty, famine, nakedness, etc.— that all the Israel of God may be delivered from all their troubles. 3. THANKSGIVING. The third part of Prayer which is Thanksgiving for the Church in general. THe third and last Part of our Prayers is Thanksgiving, that God would give us thankful hearts for all his Blessings. First, Positive. Secondly, Privative in Temporal, spiritual, and eternal good things towards his whole Church 1 Triumphant, for providing for it Heaven, a place of rest and happiness: for the glorious Martyrs, godly Bishops, Preachers, and Confessors, that out of their ashes he hath wondrously raised up believers. 2 Militant, for giving ●●●m 1 Christ to be their Saviour, captain and leader. 2 Holy spirit to be their comforter. 3 God himself to be their father. 4 His Gospel, Sacraments,— etc. Secondly, For his blessings to our selves, for that eternal, unchangeable, 2. Ourselves in particular. Election, etc. infinite, everlasting, undeserved love of his to us, in our Election in, and Redemption by jesus Christ, our vocation, our Adoption, justification, Sanctification inchoate, with assured hope of future Glorification. That we were borne of Christian and believing Parents, in a land of righteousness, in a time of knowledge, planted in religious families & towns, undergodly and painful Ministers, and gracious Governors, that we enjoy God's word and Sacraments in the power and purity of them, for the many great and precious promises made to us therein, Which are either performed already towards us; or shall be hereafter in due time accomplished: For all the Graces of the holy ●. For grace in any measure. spirit, for the gracious and free pardon of our many sins, Faith, Repentance, some care of sincere obedience, and tender hearts desiring to fear God: for power against, and prevailing over any sin, that we are not given over to Heresies, and Errors in opinion, nor to those base and fleshly Lusts that some others are, in our lives, nor to a hard heart, reprobate mind, benumbed conscience, and final Apostasy: for victory in any temptation, over subtle Satan, the alluring world, and our own selfe-deceiving selves. Secondly, Temporal Blessings. 2. Thanksgiving for Temporal Blessings. viz. of Creation. Providence. 1 Creation after Gods own image, not being made a Beast, Toad, Fool, etc. 2 Gods providence national Personal in those wonderful Deliverances of the nation— Preservation, peace, plenty towards us, and fatherly care over us, in our birth and infancy, ever since we hung upon the ●rests: in our childhood, youth, man's estate, unto old age and grey hairs,; for our health continued so long, or restored of late, for understanding▪ judgement, and discretion, peace, liberty, prosperity, food, raiment, same and good esteem among God's people: for wealth, friends Godly parents, careful tutors, masters, and governor's: good education, quietness of mind, contentment, etc.— Daily preservation, manifold deliverances from imminent and apparent, yea unseen and unfeared dangers, For his fatherly chastisements, and corrections: for sanctifying to our everlasting good, our afflictions, sicknesses, crosses, temptations; for ordinary and extraordinary favours, for desired success in our labours, and vocations: for blessing the works of our hands, upon us in the day, and for preserving and refreshing us with sweet sleep in the night: and finally all blessings of what kind soever, may here (as occasion is offered) yea must be remembered with thankful acknowledgement unto God, not only verbally with our lips and tongue, but vitally and really in a holy conversation shining in our life; lest it be verified of us, which our Saviour saith concerning the Lepers, Were there not ten cleansed, but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory unto God, etc. Luk. 17. 17. 18. FINIS Methodi. Causes of Distraction in PRAYER. Ex P. M. 1. THe natural lightness of our spirits, that have much ado to stay themselves, and keep long in one state. 2 Because divine things are far off from our senses, now they are the senses which tie our attention, as the sight of the Preacher, works a deeper impression in the hearers. 3 Because of our lusts, as hatred, covetousness, ambition,— which being bend to their natural centre will be settling. 4 Because of the Devil, who stirs up our lusts, and fosteth in vain thoughts, when we pray; because Prayer is the main ram, that batters down the walls of his kingdom. Helps against it. 1 A Voice in prayer, for the Helps against Distraction in Prayer. thought alone, is easily distracted. 2 Darkness, and the removing of all objects that may distract. 3 Be short in thy prayers, and pray the oftener, Eccles. 5. 4 Mortify our lusts, for they clip the wings of our prayers: pride, covetousness, 1 Tim. 2. 8 wantonness, chol●er. 5 Meditate before you pray, of God's greatness, of his judgements, of our sins, etc.— The godly man will be sorry for, judge and condemn himself for, his distraction, formality, deadness of spirit, etc. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth, Psal. 145 18— to this man will Isai. 66. 2. I look, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God, for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth, therefore let thy words be few.— Take heed thou give not the sacrifice of fools: if thou offer the lame and the Eccles. 5. 2. vers. 1. sick unto thy governor, will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? Cursed be the Mal. 13. 14. deceiver which hath in his flock a male, and voweth and sacrificeth to the Lord, a corrupt thing. Offer incense unto Mal. 1. 11. his name and a pure offering: whatsoever thine heart prayeth let it be heartily, with all thy might, labour for the spirit of prayer; which the Lord promiseth to his faithful ones, the Spirit of grace, and of supplications— for know that: Zech. 12. 10. 1 A very hypocrite may pray and that (as one would think) very zealously, both with others, and also apart by himself. For is the true Christian M. Dyke on the heart's deceiptf. sometimes hot in prayer? he will sweat: is the humbled soul sorrowful? he will weep and blubber: doth the sincere heart sigh softly? he will cry out amain, with a great and exceeding bitter cry, as Esau, Bless Gen. 27. 34. me, even me also O my father. It stands us therefore in hand, to look that our hearts be right, in the sight of God. 2 For, what is the hope of the job▪ 27. 8. 10. hypocrite? will he delight himself in the Almighty, will he always call upon God? no, for in more grievous crosses, he sometimes hath not one word to bless himself withal— yet he sometimes may then seek God early,— they poured out their Hos. 5. 15. Isai. 26. 16. prayer when thy chastning was upon them. 3 In thy Praying, seek God's 2 Chr▪ 7. 14. face; herein the hypocrite is too blame, he prays out of self-respects, for base ends— and out of pride, and vain glory, he prays more often, more zealously with others, than alone by himself, to his father in secret— not with all manner of prayer, etc. the touchstone of prayer is giving of thanks, in which he is seldom, about which he does but bungle. 4 Make not prayer thy end in praying, but use it in good sadness, as a means to be enabled against corruptions, and to get grace: the hypocrites are lazy lip-prayers, he feels not sin like a mountain of lead lying on his conscience, he sees not a want of grace, etc. he puts not to the shoulder, he useth not the means for the attaining of what he prays: his hands labour M. Dyke ibid. not, his feet bestir them not so fast as his tongue— he prays against sin, yet lives wickedly: he prays for health, etc. and yet lives riotously, intemperately, would I Our sacrifices must be offered with fire, warmth of inflamed Zeal. Cold Prayers are to God as dead drinks be to us. had such and such a grace, but he is not sick of love, nor earnest for those graces: he desireth, he never breaketh his sleep for the matter, he hungers not, thirsts not for righteousness; Hunger will break stone walsand the sincere Christian, will have no nay, like Rachel, give me children, give me this and this grace, or I die: he useth the means, O that my ways were so directed! Like as the Hart brayeth for the water Psal. 42. 1. Ps. 119. 20. brooks, my soule-breaketh for the longing that it hath— 5 Pray without ceasing, persevere Luk. 18. 10. 1 Thes. 5. 17▪ in prayer, and faint not; never think thyself to have too much heavenly society, and talk with God, acquaint thyself still more with the Almighty— The hypocrite is inconstant, fickle off and on— Wicked men and hypocrites have taken up a course of prayer, and breeding and custom have wrought a kind of conscience in some: but they but lust with Balaam, let me die the death of— 2. They always have one pad, one form,— 3. From the lips or brains, not from the spirit. 4. At random, as men shoot, not minding how their arrow lights or speeds. 5. They begin and end in themselves, with their own strength, for their own particular ends, not for the Church. Means of PREPARATION to Prayer. 1 Cleanse our souls from the guilt of foul sins, Isai. 1. those lately committed. Wash Tergat speculum, mundet spiritum. Bern. you, make you clean— The jews and Turks wash their bodies; wash thou thy soul in the brinish tears of sincere sorrow. 2 Sequester our thoughts from worldly cares go up into the mount: retire thyself some little while before thou prayest: outward things stifle our prayers, and make them hang the wing. 3 Consider we have to do with God, come with fear and trembling into his presence, not rushing on a consuming fire. Three Questions to be Out of M. Byfield. asked of ourselves, the serious answer whereunto, will stir up and furnish every babe in Christ, to cry Abba father, with faith, feeling, and fervency. Q. 1. What sins have 1. For confession of sin. I committed all my life long that lie heavy on my conscience, and would affright my soul, if I were now to die? This Question sincerely answered, will drive thee to a scrutiny, and searching them out: (as the jews did Leaven before the Passeover, and very seasonable for Christians before every Communion, etc.) to a particular confession, and bewailing of them. Thou mayst set them down in a paper. Qu. 2. What would I desire 2. For petition of necessaries. God to do for me, if I were sure to obtain my wish of him? Thy heart will answer, O that God would please, to forgive my sins, such, and such— O that he would give unto me steadfast faith in the Lord jesus: the grace of Perseverance— Health, etc. Set down the particulars. 3. Qu. What special favours 3. for thanksgiving, and blessings hath God bestowed 3 For Thanksgiving. on me, from my infancy till now, for which I owe him all possible thanksgiving? Thy heart will make answer, such and such a time he delivered me from danger, from death, etc. made such a man to be my friend— gave me a husband, a wife, preferment, etc. Thus if thou signify to God thy hatred of those sins. want and hearty desire of those graces— thanksgiving for those blessings. Exercise will make this easy, and Christ's spirit (that great master of requests) will be ready to draw thy petitions for thee, prompting thee with sit words, and holy affections: thou shalt make thy prayers unto him, and he shall hear thee, and if thou seek him, he will be found. job 22. 27. Do this daily, it will be no hindrance, to thy worldly employments. No man ever lost by serving God, Meat and Matins hinder no man's thrift. Godliness hath the Promise; for as he rideth not furthest, * Practise of Christianity. pag. 622. that goes early out on a bad horse etc. or he that is early up at his business with blunt, and dull-edged tools, but wearies himself and mars his work— so he prospers not best that goes about his calling, before he hath seasoned his heart with holy meditations, reading, and prayer to God. Exod. 40. 5. Thou shalt set the Altar of Gold for the Incense before the Ark of the Testimony,— Exod. 30. 7. — Aaron shall burn thereon sweet Incense every morning— vers. 8 and at Even he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the Lord. Levit. 16. 12. — He shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire, from off the Altar before the Lord, and his hands full of sweet incense, beaten small, and bring it within the veil. vers. 13. And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of the incense may cover the Mercy-seat, that is upon the Testimony— Holy Incense for the To these Common-places, thou mayest in thy daily reading the Scriptures, refer many of the like nature. the Censers of the Saints: Or, Selected Sentences of holy Scripture, furnishing with materials, and serving as Forms of Prayer, according to the heads of the former Method. PREPARATION. LEt us lift up our heart, with Lam. 3. 41. our hands unto God in the heavens. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, Psal. 123. 1. O thou that dwellest in the heavens. DESCRIPTIONS of GOD. O God, the God of the Spirits Num. 16. 22. of all flesh— Thou art a God ready to pardon, Nehe. 9 17. gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness. O thou that hearest prayers— Psal. 75. 2. Isai. 42. 5. — Thou Lord that createdst the heavens, and stretchedst them out, that spreadest forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; that givest breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein. — The God in whose hand our Dan. 5. 23. breath is, and whose are all our ways. The high and lofty One, that Isai. 57 15. inhabitest eternity, whose name is holy; who dwellest in the high and holy place, etc. The living God and the everlasting jer. 10. 10. King. — Who hast made the earth by 12. thy power, and hast established the world by thy wisdom, and stretched out the heavens by thy discretion. That formest the mountains Amos 4. 15. and createst the wind, & declarest unto man what is his thought, that makest the morning darkness; and treadest upon the high places of the earth. The blessed and only Potentate, 1 Tim. 6. 15. the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords: Who only hast 16. immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto, whom no man hath seen or can see. — The Lord of Hosts, which Sam. 1. 4. 4 dwelleth between the Che●u●ims. — Behold the heaven, and the 1 King. 8. 27 heaven of heavens cannot contain thee. — Thine is the Kingdom, O 1 Chr. 29. 11 Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come 12. of thee, and thou reignest over all, and in thine hand is power and might, and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Behold, even to the Moon, job 25. 5. and it shineth not, yea, the Stars are not pure in his sight. — O Lord my God, thou art Psal. 104. 1. very great; thou art clothed with honour and Majesty. Who coverest thyself with 2. light, as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain. — The nations are as a drop of a Isai. 40. 15. bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: he taketh up the Isles as a very little thing. All nations before him are as 17. nothing, and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity. It is he that sitteth upon the 22. circle of the Earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers, that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in. O Lord of Hosts, that trieth jer. 20. 12. the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart. — The Lord which giveth the jer. 31. 35. Sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the Moon and of the Stars, for a light by night, which divideth the Sea, when the waves thereof roar, the Lord of Hosts is his name. — Lord God behold thou hast jer. 32. 17. made the heaven and the earth, by thy great power, and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee. Thou showest loving kindness 18. unto thousands, and recompencest the iniquity of the Fathers into the bosom of their children after them, the great, the mighty God, the Lord of hosts is his name. Great in Council, and mighty 19 in work, for 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. — The King whose name is the jer. 46. 18. Lord of Hosts. — Him that maketh the seven Amos 5 8. Stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the Sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth, the Lord is his name. — He that buildeth his stories in Amos 9 6. the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth. Who is a God like unto thee Mich. 7. 18. that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage, he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He rebuketh the Sea, and maketh Nah. 1. 4. it dry and drieth up all the Rivers. Thou art of purer eyes then Hab. 1. 13. to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity. Descriptions of God from his Mercy and long-suffering. Exod 34. 6. 2 Pet. 3. 9 2 Chron. 30. 9 Nehem. 9 31. Psal. 103. 8. 11. 13. 17. Mic. 7. 18. 19 Rom. 2. 4. Gracious Promises Gen. 3 15. Psal. 103 3. 9 Psal. 30. 5. Psal 126. 5. Isay. 1 18. Isay 54 8. Ezec. 18 21. 23. Ezech. 33. 11. Math. 12. 20. Math. 11. 28. Rom. 8. 1. Omnipotent goodness. Eph. 3. 20. Gen. 17. 1. 2 Cor. 9 8. Rom. 10. 12. Craving of AUDIENCE, ASSISTANCE, and ACCEPTANCE. Look down from thy holy Deut. 26. 15 habitation, from heaven. — have thou respect unto the 1 Reg. 8. 28. prayer of thy servant, and to my supplication, O Lord my God, to hearken to the cry, and to the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee this day. Thou hast commanded that we should call upon thee in the Psal. 50. 15. day of trouble, and hast promised also that thou wilt deliver us. Lord bow down thine ear and hear, open Lord thine eyes 2 Reg. 19 16. and see, and hear the words— Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense: and the Psal. 141. 2. lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Thou hast promised that if we shall ask any thing in thy john 14. 14. Son's name, thou wilt do it— Now therefore, O our God, Dan. 9 17. hear the prayer of thy servants, and their supplication, and cause thy face to shine upon us for the Lords sake,— for we do not 18. present our supplications before thee for our righteousness, but for thy great mercies. We know not what we Rom. 8. 26. should pray for as we ought, therefore let thy Spirit itself help our infirmities, and make intercession for us with groan which cannot be uttered. It shall come to pass when Exo. 22. 27. he cryeth unto me, that I will hear, for I am gracious. — Harken thou to the supplication 1 Kin. 8. 30. of thy servant, and of thy people Israel when they shall pray towards this place, & hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place and when thou hearest, forgive. 36 — Hear thou in heaven and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance. Hear thou in h●eaven thy 43. dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee, for that all people of the earth may know thy name to fear thee, as do thy people Israel. Hear thou in heaven thy 39 dwelling place, and forgive and do, and give to every man according to his ways. Let thine ear now be attentive, Nehe. 1. 6. and thine eyes open, that thou may est hear the prayer of thy servants. Harken unto the voice of Psal. 5. 2. my cry, my King and my God: for unto thee will I pray. — Hear the voice of my supplication Psal. 28. 2. when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy Oracle. Give ear O Lord unto my Psal. 86. 6. prayer: and attend to the voice of my supplication. Let the words of my mouth, Psal. 19 14. and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes: Psal. 123. 1 O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Hear my prayer, O Lord Psal. 143. 1 give ear to my supplications, in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. Hear me speedily, O Lord, 7. my spirit faileth, hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Look down from heaven, Isai. 63. 15. and behold from the habitation of thy holiness, and of thy glory. O Lord how long shall I cry, Hab. 1. 2. ●. and thou wilt not hear, I even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save. CONFESSION of Sinne. O my God, I am ashamed Ezra 9 6. and blush, to lift up my face to thee my God, for our iniquities are increased over our heads, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens. Thou createdst our first Parents Gen 1. 27. in thine own image, and breathedst into their nostrils the 2. 7. 3. 13. breath of life: but the Serpent beguiled them, and they did eat of the forbidden Fruit, Heb. 7. 10. whereby all mankind (being then in their loins) also sinned: Rom. 3. 23. and now come short of the glory of God— — thou madest man upright, but Eccles. ●. 29 they sought out many inventions. We are risen up in our father's Num. 32. 14 steed an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the Lord toward us. Behold I was shapen in iniquity, ●il. ●▪ ●●. and in Sin did my mother conceive me. We know Lord that in us, Rom. 7. 18. (that is, in our flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for (though to will be present with us, yet) how to perform that which is good we find not. Thou Lord seest that the wickedness Gen. 6. 5. of man is great upon earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart is only evil continually— If I justify myself mine Io● 9 20. own mouth shall condemn me,— the heaven shall reveal &. 20. 27. our iniquity, and the earth shall rise up against us. What is man that he should 15. 14. be clean? and he which is borne of a woman, that he should be righteous? — abominable and filthy is 〈…〉 6. man, which drinketh iniquity like water. — for mine iniquities are Psal. 38. 4. grown over mine head, and as a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. Who can say I have made my Pro. 20. 9 heart clean? I am pure from my sins? We are all as an unclean Isai. 64. 6. thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags: and our iniquities like the wind have taken us away— and there is none 7. of us that calleth upon thy Name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee— We have made thee to serve Isai. 43. 24. with our sins, we have wearied thee with ou● iniquities— The show of our countenance Isai. 3. 9 doth witness against us, and we declare our sin as Sodom and hide it not: woe unto our soul for we have rewarded evil to ourselves— If thou Lord shouldest mark Psal. 130. 3. iniquities: O Lord who shall stand? But ●h●re is forgiveness with thee: that thou mayest be feared. If we should be weighed by Dan. 5. 27. thee in the balances, we should be found wanting. And that which makes our Rome 7. 13. sin become exceeding sinful, in the land of uprightness have we dealt unjustly, & would not behold Isa. 26. 10. the majesty of the Lord. — We are ashamed of the Gospel Rom. 1. 16. of Christ, though it be the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. Thou hast spread out thy Isa. 65. 2. hands all the day, unto a rebellious people which have walked in a way that was not good after their own thoughts. Ah Lord God we love not 1 Cor. 16. 22 Eph. 6. 24. Isai. 53. 3. the Lord jesus in sincerity. — We hide as it were our faces from him, and will not have him to reign over us. Alas! we count not all Phil. 3. 8. things loss and dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ jesus our Lord. — That we might be found in 9 him not having our own righteousness. — We take no pains to know 10. him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, or to be made conformable to his death. Thou hast given us space to Rev. 2. 21. repent of all our abominations that we have committed, but we repented not. We confess not our transgressions Psal. 32. 5. unto thee Lord, that thou mightest forgive the iniquity of our sin. Thou hast stricken us but we jer. 5. 3. have not grieved, thou hast consumed us but we have refused to receive correction, we have made our faces harder than a rock, and have refused to return. We have received the grace of God in vain, and have neglected the great Salvation which thou tenderest unto us in jesus Christ. We have grieved the holy Ephes. 4. 30▪ Spirit of God, whereby we are sealed to the day of redemption— and have turned the jude 4. grace of God into lasciviousness. We have left our first love— Revel. 2. 4. Psal. 42. 2. our soul thirsteth not for God, for the living God. — We have even sinned wilfully, Heb. 10. 26. since we received the knowledge of the truth: so that (we may justly fear,) there remaineth now no more sacrifice for our sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgement, and fiery indignation— For if 27. he that despised Moses law died without mercy— Of how much 28. sorer punishment shall we be thought worthy, who have 29. trodden under foot the Son of God, and have counted the blood of the covenant wherewith we were sanctified, an unholy thing, and have done despite to the Spirit of Grace. — Many scarlet and crimson sins, Isai. 1. 18. have we committed whereby great occasion hath been given by us to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. 2 Sam. 12. 14 jer. 5. 28. Yea we overpasse the deeds of the wicked. Wherefore I abhor my job 42. 6. self and repent in dust and ashes. For innumerable evils have Psal. 40. 12. compassed me about, mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up: they are more than the hairs of my head: therefore my heart faileth me. For thou art the God of my Psal. 43. 2. strength, why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy. Thou hast set our iniquitles Psal. 90. 8. before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. When ye come to appear Isai 1. 12. before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? For jerusalem is ruined, and Isai. 3. 8. judah is f●llen, because their tongues, and their doings are against the Lord, to provoke the eyes of his glory. Woe unto them that draw Isai. 5. 18. injquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a Cart rope. But your injquities have separated Isai. 59 2. between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you that he will nor hear. As a Fountain casteth out jer. 6. 7. her waters, so she casteth out her wickedness, violence and spoil is heard in her, before me continually is grief and wounds. Yet I had planted thee a noble jer. 2. 21. vine wholly a right seed: How then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me? For though thou wash thee jer. 2. 22. with niter, and take thee much soap, yet thine injquities is marked before me saith the Lord God. The sin of judah is written jer. 17. 1. with a pen of jron, and with the point of a diamond, it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars. Behold I am pressed under Amos. 2. 13. you as a cart is pressed, that is full of sheaves. For I know your manifold Amos 5. 12. transgressions and your mighty sins. For we know that the Law Rom. 7. 14. is spiritual but I am carnal sold under sin. But I see another law in my 23. members warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members: O wretched man that I am who 24. shall deliver me from the body of this death. 2. EVIL of punishment. And for all these thou our Ezr. 9 13. God hast punished us less than our injquities deserve. It is of the Lords mercies Lam. 3. 22. that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.— If thou shouldst lay judgement Isay. 28. 17. to the line, and righteousness to the plummet— thou Deu. 29. 23. mightest make thy anger and jealousy to smoke against us, and all the curses that are written in thy book, thou mightest lay upon us, and blot out our name from under heaven, Thou mightest give us our Psal. 9 17. portion with the wicked that are turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. See the heads Plague, Punish, etc. in the Scripture Phrases. 2. PETITION for FORGIVENESS. But with thee Lord is mercy, Psal 130. 7. and with thee is plenteous redemption— O therefore pardon Exod. 34. 9 our injquities and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance. Put away our transgressions Isai. 44. 2. as a cloud, and our sins as a mist. O Lord though our injquities jer. 14. 7. testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our back-slidings are many, we have sinned against thee. O that I might have my request, job 6. 8. and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!— even that it would please Nehe 4 5. him to cover mine injquity, and cause my sin to be blotted out from before him. Remember not the sins of Psal. 25. 7. my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me, for thy goodness sake, O Lord. For thy name's sake O Lord Psal. 25. 11. pardon mine injquity for it is great. O remember not against us Psal 79. 8. former iniquities, let thy mercies speedily prevent us.— Take Hos. 14. 2. away our injquitie, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. Turn again and have compassion Mic. 7. 19 upon us; subdue our injquities, and cast all our sins into the depths of the Sea. Behold the Lamb of God joh. 1. 29. that taketh away the sins of the world. To this end was he borne, joh. 18 37. and for this cause came he into the world, that he might save sinners, of whom we are the chief. He was wounded for our Isai. 53. 5. transgressions, he was bruised for our injquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes are we healed. For his sake, and in his blood, Psal. 57 2. wash me throughly from mine injquities, and cleanse me from Psal. 51. 2. my sin. — Purge me with Hyssop and I 7. shall be clean, wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine injquities. — I have▪ sinned greatly in that 2 Sam, 24. 10 I have done, and now I beseech thee O Lord, take away the injquitie of thy servant, for I have done very foolishly. Look thou upon me and be Ps. 119. 132 merciful unto me as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. — Though your sins be as Isai. 1. 18. scarlet they shall be as white as snow: though they be red like crimson they shall be as wool. Behold thou art the Lord the jer. 32. 27. God of all flesh, there is nothing too hard for the. For FAITH. O we are of little faith, therefore, Math. 6. 39 O Lord, increase our faith, though it be yet but as a grain Luk. 17. 5. Math. 7. 20. Rom. 5. 1. of mustard seed,— — that being justified by faith, we may have peace with thee. Work in us not a dead faith, jam. 2. 20. Heb. 12. 14. but that which may be rich in good works, following after peace with all men, and holiness, without which none shall see God. Create in me a clean heart; Psa. 51. 10. O God: and renew a right spirit within me. — Not having mine own righteousness Phil. 3. 9 which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. For REPENTANCE. Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears that I might weep day and night, for— O that all the night I could Psa. 6. 6. make my bed to swim! that I could water my couch with my tears! that I might repent in sackcloth and ashes.— and grant us repentance unto life— Mat. 11. 21. Act. 11. 18. Thou hast in love to our souls vouchsafed unto us space and time to repent in; O that Rev. 2. 21. thou wouldst also give us grace to repent! O that there were Deut 5. 29. such an heart in us that we might repent, and recover ourselves out of the snare of the Devil, who have been hither▪ to taken captive by him at his 2 Tim 2. 26. will! Do thou melt our stony 2 Cor. 7. 10. hearts into godly sorrow, which worketh repentance unto salvation not to be repent of. SANCTIFYING GRACE.. Sprinkle clean water upon Ezek 37. 25. us that we may be clean from all our filthiness, and from all our— — a new heart also do thou Eze. 36. 26. give us, and a new spirit do thou put within us; and take away the stony heart out of the midst of us, and give thou unto us an heart of flesh— — and put thy Spirit within 27 us, and cause thou us to walk in thy statutes, and keep thy judgements, and do them. KNOWLEDGE. That the God of our Lord Ephes. 1. 17. jesus Christ, the father of glory, would give unto us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him— The eyes of our understanding 18. being enlightened: that we may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints. — that the earth may be filled Hab. 2. 14 with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the Sea.— that all may know thee Heb. 8. 11. from the least to the greatest of us. That Christ may dwell in Ephes. 3. 17. our hearts by faith, that we being rooted and grounded in love,— may be able to comprehend 18. with all Saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height: And to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge,— that we might 19 be filled with all the fullness of God. That I may know him, and Phil. 3. 10. the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death— And because it is not good Prov. 192. that the soul be without knowledge, incline our ears to wisdom and apply our hearts to understanding— that we may Prov. 2. 2. cry after knowledge, and lift up our voice for understanding, that we may understand the 3. 5. fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God— — That we may be enabled Hos. 8. 2. to cry unto thee, Our God we know thee. Vid. jer. 31. 33. 34. LOVE of GOD, etc. That we may love the Lord Mat. 22. 37. our God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind,— that because our Luke 7. 47. sins which are many are forgiven us, therefore we may love thee much. That we may love one another john 13. 34. as Christ hath loved us—— that our love may abound yet Phil. 1. 9 more and more towards all men, especially them that are of the household of faith— Gal. 6. 10. That we may love our enemies, Mat. 5. 44. bless them that curse us, do good unto them that hate us, and pray for them that despitefully use, and persecute us. ZEAL. Make us to be zealous of Tit. 2. 14. good works, that we may not rest contented with a lukewarm profession, being neither cold nor hot, but that our soul may break for the longing Rev. 3. 16. that it hath to thy judgements at all times,— that the Psa. 119. 20 zeal of thine house may eat us up— that so our zeal may john 2. 17. 2 Cor. 9 2. provoke very many— SINCERITY. Behold thou desirest truth in Psal. 51. 6. the inward parts, O therefore make us Israelites indeed in john 1. 47. whom there is no guile. That in simplicity and godly 2 Cor. 1. 12. pureness we may have our conversation in the world; because jer. 16▪ 17. thine eyes are upon all our ways: and thou understandest our thoughts a far off, and art acquainted with all our ways: for there is not a word in our Psal. 139. 2 tongue, but lo, O Lord, thou 3. knowest it altogether. And thou wilt bring to light 1 Cor 4. 5. the hidden things of darkness: and wilt make manifest the counsels of the heart. Though they dig into hell, Amos 9 2. thence shall my hand take them, though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down. And though they hide themselves 3. in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence, and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the Sea, thence will I command the Serpent, and he shall bite them. If thou sayest behold, we Prov. 24. 12. knew it not, doth not he that pondereth the heart, consider it, and that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it, and shall not he render to every man according to his works? God shall bring every work Eels. 12. 14▪ into judgement with every secret thing whether it be good, or whether it be evil. — the Lord seeth not as man seeth: 1 Sam. 16. 7. for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. I beseech thee O Lord, remember 2 Kin. 20. 3. now how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. — the Lord searcheth all hearts, 1 Chr. 28. 2. and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts. Can any hide himself in secret jer. 23. 24. places that I shall not see him, sayeth the Lord, do not I fill heaven and earth sayeth the Lord. Shall not God know this, Psal. 44. 21. for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. The darkness hideth not Ps. 139. 12. from thee, but the night shineth as the day the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. The Spirit of man is the candle Prov. 20. 27. of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly. — thou even thou knowest the 1 King. 8. 39 hearts of all the children of men. Neither is there any creature Heb. 4. 13. that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and opened to the eyes of him, with whom they have to do. BOLDNESS the Profession of the GOSPEL. That we may not be ashamed Rom. 1. 1●, of the Gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. — Grant unto thy servants that Act 4. 29. with all boldness we may speak of; and profess thy word. — Considering that if we shall Mark. 8. 38. be ashamed of Our Lord jesus Christ, and of his words in this adulterous, and sinful generation, the Son of man also will be ashamed of us, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy Angels. PERSEVERANCE. O that there were such an Deut. 5. 29. heart in us that we might fear thee, and keep thy commandments always, that it might be well with us, and with our children after us for ever! Give us our heart and our jer. 32. 39 way, that we may fear thee for ever; and make thou an everlasting covenant with us, that thou wilt not turn away from 40. us, to do us good, and put thy fear in our hearts that we may not depart from thee. — Let us hold fast the profession Heb. 10. 23. of our faith without wavering. CONTENTATION. — that we may learn in whatsoever Phil. 4. 11. state we are there with to be content, knowing both how to be abased, and to abound: every Phillip 4. ●2. where, and in all things being instructed, both to be full, and to be hungry, both to abound, and to suffer need. Because godliness with contentment 1 Tim. 6. 6. is great gain: for we brought nothing into this world 7. and it is certain we can carry nothing ou●. — Having therefore food and 8. raiment, let us be therewith content. That our conversation may Heb. 13. 5. be without covetousness: being content with such things as we have. For thou hast said, thou wilt never leave us, nor forsake us. — Casting all our care upon thee, 1 Pet. 5. 7. for thou carest for us. What? shall we receive good job. 2. 10. the hands of the Lord, and not evil? — Take no thought for your Math. 6. 25. life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body what you shall put on. — the fowls of the air, they Math. 6. 26. sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly father feedeth them. Which of you by taking 2●. thought, can add one cubite unto his stature. Consider the Lilies of the 27. field, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin. — If God so clothe the grass 30. of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith, take no thought, saying, what 31. shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or where withal shall we be clothed? — Your heavenly father knoweth 32. that you have need of all these things. — give me neither poverty nor Prov. 30. ●. riches; feed me with food convenient for me, Lest I be full and deny thee, Prov. 30. 9 and say, who is the Lord? or lest I be poor and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. PATIENCE under the CROSS. Help us to deny ourselves, Luk. 9 23. and to take up our Cross daily and follow our Saviour. Thou hast foretell us, that joh. 16. 33▪ in the world we shall have tribulation.— And that through Act. 14. 2●. much tribulation we must enter into the Kingdom of God. Let us therefore reckon with Rom. 8. 1●. ourselves that the sufferings of this present time, are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. — That it may be given unto us, Phil. 1. 29. in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake. Let us run with patience the Heb 12. 1. way that is set before us. Looking unto jesus the author 2. and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross. Consider him that endured 3. such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds. Think it not strange concerning 1 Pet. 4. 12. the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. Rejoice in as much as ye are 13 partakers of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the 14. name of Christ, happy are ye, for the spirit of glory, and of God resteth upon you. GOD'S WORD. Let thy word be a lamp unto 〈◊〉 119. 105 my feet: and a light unto our path. O make it unto us a word of Psal. 16. 7. power, converting the soul, quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, Heb. 4. 12. piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow. Give us the hearing ear, and Pro 20. 12. the seeing eye▪ make thy word jer. 23. 29. like fire, and like a hammer that breaketh the rocks in pieces. — and as the rain cometh Isai. 55. 10. down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sour, and bread to the ea●er: so let 11. thy word be, that goeth forth out of thy mouth, let it not return unto thee void, but accomplish that which thou pleasest, and prosper in the thing whither thou sendest it. Lord give the Preacher the Isai. 50. 4. tongue of the learned, that he may know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary, and create the fruit of his lips peace— and let the work of the Lord prosper in Isai. 53. 10. his hand. They shall be abundantly satisfied Psal. 36. 8. with the fatness of thy house, and thou shalt make them drink of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain 9 of life; in thy light shall we see light. We will go into his tabernacles; Psal. 132. 7. we will worship at his foot stool. Open thou mine eyes, that I Psa. 119. 18 may behold wondrous things out of thy Law. In the way of thy judgements, Isai. 26. 8. O Lord, have I waited for thee, the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. Come let us go up to the Mic. 4. 2. mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of jacob, and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths. — thine ears shall hear a word Isai. 30. 21. behind thee, saying, this is the way, walk in it. Blessed is the man whom Psal. 65. 4. thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy Temple. And in this mountain shall Isai. 25. 6. the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. Vid. vers. 7. 8. Even them will I bring to ●●. 7. my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine Altar: for mine house shall be called a house of prayer unto all people. SACRAMENTS in Special. 〈…〉 — let a man examine himself 1 Cor. 11. 28. and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup— — my father giveth you the loh. 6. 32. true bread from heaven, for the 35. bread of God is he which cometh 36. down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 37. As the Hart panteth after the Psal. 42. 1. water-brookes, so panteth my soul after thee O God. O God thou art my God, Psal. 63. 2. early will I seek thee, my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is. — what shall I render unto the Psa. 126. 12. 13. Lord for all his benefits towards me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord— Personal Concernments, and special employments in our particular calling: Lord be thou with me, and Gen. 28. 20. keep me in this way that I go, and give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I may come again to my father's house in peace. O Lord God I pray thee send 21. me good speed this day, and show kindness unto God Almighty give you 43. 14. mercy before the man, that he may And thou who preservest the Prov. 2. 8. way of thy Saints hold up my Psal. 17. 5. goings in thy paths that my foot steps slip not Give thine Angels charge Psal. 91. 11 over us, to keep us in all our 12. ways: that they may bear us up in their hands lest at any time we dash our foot. O be thou with us, and keep Gen. 28 15. us in all places whither we go, and bring us again, and leave us not until thou hast done that which thou hast spoken to us of. O that thou wouldst bless 1 Chr. 4. 10. me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldst keep me from evil that it may not grieve me. Prosper now I pray thee thy Neh. 1. 11. servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of the man.— and let the beauty of the Lord Psal. 90. 17. our God be upon us, and establish thou the work of our hands upon us: yea the work of our hands establish thou it. We know not what to do, 2 Chr. 20. 12 but our eyes are upon thee— thou also must work all our Isai. 26. 12. works in us. It is in vain for us to rise up Psal. 127. 2. early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows. O Lord I know that the way jer. 10. 23. of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps — neither is he that planteth 1 Cor. 2. 3. any thing, neither he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase. Deliverance from Evil. 1. Of SIN. Let not sin reign in our Rom. 6. 12. mortal bodies, that we should obey it in the lusts thereof. — neither suffer us to yield 12. our members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but unto God as those that are alive from the deast, and our members as instruments of righteousness unto God,— — looking diligently, lest any Heb. 12. 15. man fail of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble us, and thereby we be deluded. — that being now made free Rom. 6. 22. from sin, and become the servants of God, we may have our fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. But I see another law in my Rome 7 23. members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of Sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am, 24 who shall deliver me from the body of this death? — Cleanse thou me from secret Psal. 19 12. faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins, let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent 13. from the great transgression. Subdue the pride of our nature, 2 Cor. 10. 5. cast down every imagination, and every high thing that exalteth it self against thee, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Let not my heart be haughty Ps. 131. 1. 2. nor my eyes lofty, neither suffer me to exercise myself in great matters or in things too high for me, but behave and quiet myself as a child that is weaned by his mother— — Order my steps in thy word, Psa. 119 33 and let none in●quity have donion over me— — make me also to be upright Psal. 8. 23. before thee, and to keep myself from mine in●quity. Let us lay aside every weight, Heb. 12. 1 2. and the sin that doth so easily beset us, that we may run with patience the race that is set before us— — that we may not love the 1 joh. 2 15. 16. world, nor the things in the world, because all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but of the world. — that denying ungodliness and Tit. 2. 12. worldly lusts, we may live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world— That we may walk circumspectly Eph. 5. 15. not as fools but as wise— giving none occasion to 1 Tim. 5. 14. the adversary to speak reproachfully. — Mortifying our members Col. 3. 5. which are on the earth fornication, uncleanness, the inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness which is idolatry — Putting off all these, anger, Col. 3. 8. wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication— — That we may resist unto Heb. 12. 4. blood, striving against sin, taking Heb. 3. 12. heed lest there be in any of us an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God — taking heed to ourselves, Luke 21. 34. lest at any time our hearts be overcharged with suffering and drunkenness, and cares of this life— That we may be sober and 1 Pet. 5. 8. vigilant, because our adversary the devil, as a roaring Lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, whom that we may resist, steadfast in the Eph. 6. 11. faith, let us take unto us the whole armour of God, that we may be able to stand against all his wiles, being strong in the 10. Lord, and in the power of his might. 2. PUNISHMENT. Let no evil befall us, neither Psal 91. 10. let any plague come nigh our dwelling, Send from heaven and save Psal. 57 ●. me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. My soul is among Lions, and I lie even among them that are set on fire; even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears, and arrows, 4. and their tongue a sharp sword. Plead my cause O Lord, with Psal. 35. 1. them that strive with me, fight thou against them that fight against me— Have mercy upon me O Lord, Psal. 6. 2. for I am weak, O Lord heal me for my bones are vexed— My soul also is sore vexed, etc. 3 4. Return O Lord, deliver my soul: O save me for thy mercy's sake For in death there is no remembrance 5. of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks I am weary with my groaning, 6. all the night make I my bed to swim: I water my couch with my tears Mine eye is consumed because 7. of grief, it waxeth old because of all mine enemies. Turn thee unto me, and Psal 25. 16. have mercy upon me, for I am desolate and afflicted. The 17. troubles of my heart are enlarged; O bring thou me out of my 18. distresses. Look upon mine affliction and my pain, and forgive all my sins. O my Father if it be possible Mat. 26. 39 let this affliction pass from me; nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. Lord make me to know Psal. 39 4. mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am. Behold 5. thou hast made my days as an hand-breadth, and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. So teach us to number our Psal. 90. 12. days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. The HOLY CATHOLIC Intercession, or the Prayer of Charity. CHURCH of JESUS CHRIST. Preserve that little flock to Luke 12. 32. whom thou hast promised, and reserved the Kingdom. Be unto it a wall of fire, round Zech. 2. 5. about. Let thy delight be to Mount Isai. 49. 16. Zion, grave her on the palms of thy hands, let her walls be continually before thee: Let her builders make haste, and 17. cause her destroyers, and such as would lay her waist to depart from her— Feed them that oppress her 26. with their own flesh, and make them drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine— Look down from heaven, Isal. 63. 15. and behold from the habitation of thy holiness, and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels; and of thy mercies towards me? are they restrained? Doubelesse thou art our father, 16. though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledgeth us not; thou O Lord art our father, our Redeemer, thy name is from everlasting. Awake, awake, put on strength, Isai. 51. 9 O arm of the Lord, awake as in the ancient days, in the generations of old: Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the Dragon? thou art King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Show thy marvellous loving Psal. 17. 7. kindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand, those which put their trust in thee, from those that rise up against them, &c— Awake, why sleepest thou O Psa. 44. 23. 24. 25. 26 Lord? arise cast us not off for ever. Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction, and oppression? Let them all be confounded, Ps. 129. 5. 6. and turned back that hate Zion, etc. Let their flesh consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes consume away in their holes, and their tongues consume away in their mouth, Ezek. 11. 16. Isay 40. 11. Bless every member of the Catholic Church in what place, in what case soever; women with child, bless them with safe delivery, make them joyful mothers of children— young children bless them, with religious education; Seafarring men, bless them with prosperous navigation; Husbandmen, bless thou them with plentiful harvests and increase; Captives, bless thou with enlargement; Prisoners with repentance and amendment. M. Valent. UNCALLED. Raise up the Tabernacle of Amos 9 11. & 5. 15. David that is fall'n, and close up the breaches thereof, and be gracious to the remnant of joseph— — that the Dayspring from Lukh 1. 78. on high, may visit, and give light, to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide their feet into 79. the way of peace— Those other sheep which joh. 10. 16. thou hast, which are not yet of thy fold, them also do thou bring in, and make them to hear thy voice— A a shepherd seeketh out his Eze. 34. 12. flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered: so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out 13. from the people, and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country— vid. Ezek. 37. 21. 22. I will surely assemble, O jacob, Mich. 2. 12. all of thee, I will surely gather the remnant of Israel, I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise, by reason of the multitude of men. CALLED. Keep them as the apple of Deu. 32. 10. 1 Pet. 5. 8. an eye— though Satan like a roaring Lion go about seeking whom he may devour: yet Psal. 31. 8. give them not over unto the will of their enemy, but upon Isai. 4. 5. all the glory let there be thy defence. Lord bless this land, compass Psal. 5. 12. it with thy favour, as with a shield.— Lord do thou keep Isai. 27. 3. it, and water it every moment▪ lest any hurt it, keep thou it night and day. The KING'S most excellent Majesty. Let the soul of my Lord be 2 Sam. 25. 19 bound in the bundle of life with thee, and the souls of his enemies, them cast out as from the middle of a sling— Make his seed to endure for Psal. 89. 29. ever, and his throne as the days of heaven— Prolong the King's life, and Psal. 61. 6. his years, as many generations; and that he may abide 7. with thee for ever, O prepare mercy, and truth, which may preserve him! Our renowned and gracious Lam. 4. 20. Sovereign, the breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the Psal. 21. 6. Lord, let his house, and throne be established for ever, and set him as blessings unto his people. Keep him as the apple of Psa. 17. 8. thine eye, hide him under them shadow of thy wings From the wicked that oppress 9 him, from his deadly enemies that compass him about. His seed do thou establish Psal. 89. 4. for ever and build up his throne to a●● generations Let his seed endure for ever; Ps. 89. 36. and his throne as the Sun before thee— give him a long life, a prosperous reign, that none of all the Kings may be like him. — His enemy's cloth with Ps. 132. 18. shame, but on himself let his Crown flourish— Let his glory be great in thy salvation— crown him with outward blessings, with inward graces — with long life satisfy thou Ps. 91. 16. him, and show him thy salvation— give him riches and glory, that none of the Kings may be like him. As thou hast anointed him 2 Sam. 7. 8. to be ruler of thy people, so give him a wise and understanding 1 Kin. 3. 12. heart, to go out and come in, before this great people, that 7. he may govern over them inthy 2 Sam. 23. 3. fear, serving thee with a 1 Chr. 2●. 9 willing mind. Be thou unto him a father, 2 Sam. 7. 14. and make him unto the●● thy son— Bless also thy servants house, and let it be established before thee— make a covenant with him as thou didst with David— let the Angel of the Lord pitch round about him— let 26. not the sons of wickedness approach near to hurt him. Bless his Counsel with wisdom, his judges with integrity, his Magistrates with courage, his people with obedience, his Armies with victory, his reign with peace— M. Val. The LORDS of the Privy Council. Inform thou his Councillors Ps. 105. 22. after thy will, and teach his Senator's wisdom▪ that judgement Amos 5. 24. may run down as waters; and righteousness as a mighty stream—— that they Isa. 30. 2. may ask at thy mouth that counsel which they shall mister unto their Sovereign — that they may be to us in Num. 10. 31 stead of eyes— filled with the Exod. 31. 3. spirit of God in wisdom. — As they be famous in the congregation Num. 16. 2. and men of renown, so they may be as Gods knowing good and evil. — that all the counsel which 2 Sam. 16. 23 they counsel, may be as if a man should inquire at the Oracle of God. MAGISTRACY. And that judgement may not Amos. 6. 12. be turned into gall, nor the fruit of righteousness into hemlock, give courage to our rulers, that they may execute justice truly in the gates— 1 Tim. 2. 2. that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.— MINISTRY. And thou who art the Lord Math. 2. 38. of the harvest send our labourers into thy harvest, that those which are ordained to eternal Acts 13. 48. life may be saved— — and let the work of the Isai. 53. 10. Lord, prosper in their hand— The Chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof— Let thy Thummim, and thy Deut. 33. 8 Urime be with thy holy one—— who observe thy word, and 9 10. keep thy Covenant— that they may teach jaeob thy judgements, and Israel thy Law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine Altar. Bless Lord their substance, 11. and accept the work of their hands, smite through the loins of them that rise against them, and of them that hate them that they rise not again. — Make them like john, burning joh. 5. 35. and shining lights— that they may be holiness to the Lord— Whom thou hast set as watchmen over thy people, make them instant in season, and out of season— that they may give warning from thee—— that they may cry aloud and Isai. 58. 1. not spare, lifting up their voice like a trumpet, and show thy people their transgressions. COMMONALTY. Bless all Israel from Dan to 2 San. 17. 11 Beershebah, make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven: break the bow and the sword, and the battle out of Hos. 2. 18. the earth, and make them to lie down safely— For the AFFLICTED. And thou Lord who givest Isai. 10. 29. power to the faint, and to them that have no might increasest Psal. 41. 3. strength, comfort them that lie upon beds of languishing, make all their beds in their sickness— for unto thee Lord, belong the Psa. 68 20. issues from death— Behold the tears of such as Eccles. 4. 1. are oppressed and have no comforter. Lord remember them that Heb. 13. 2. are in bonds, that are tried in Isai. 48. 10. the furnace of affliction. Bind up the breach of thy Isai. 30. 26. people, heal the stroke of their wound. Let the sighing of the prisoners Psal. 79. 11. come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power, preserve thou those that are apppointed to dye. — Be thou a strength to the Isai. 25. 4. poor, a strength to the needy in their distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible Ones is a storm against the wall. — His place of defence shall be 33. 16. the munition of rocks, bread shall be given him, his waters shall be sure— THANKS GIVING for Blessings Spiritual and Eternal. And now our God we thank 1 Chr. 29. 13 thee, and praise thy glorious name, for blessing us with all Eph. 1. 3. spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ, for delivering us Col. 1. 3. from the power of darkness, and translating us into the Kingdom of thy dear Son. Blessed be God even the Father 2 Cor. 1. 3. of our Lord jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, who when we were sometimes aliens, and Col. 1. 21. enemies in our mind by wicked works, and were by nature, the Eph. 2. 4. children of wrath, as well as others, 1. out of his rich mercy, for 2. the great love where with he loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, and sins, and Col. 2. 13. the uncircumcision of our flesh hath quickened us. together with Christ, having forgiven us all trespasses, Blotting out the hand-writing 14. of Ordinances that was against us, which was contrary unto us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his Cross. Blessed be thy glorious Nehe. 9 5. Name, which is exalted above all blessing, and praise; for great Psal. 86. 12. is thy mercy towards us, and thou hast delivered our soul from the lowest hell— and hast Col. 1. 12. made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light. 3. For TEMPORAL blessings, of Creation and Providence. I thank thee Father, Lord Mat. 11. 25. of heaven and earth, that— Bless the Lord, O my soul, Ps. 103. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. and all that is within me bless his holy name, etc. For thou art he that tookest Psal. 22. 9 me out of the womb; thou 10. didst make me hope, when I was upon my mother's breasts— I was cast upon thee from the womb; thou art my God from my mother's belly. — We have been borne by Isai. 46. 3. thee from the belly, and are carried from the womb— And even 4. to our old age be thou he, and even to hoary hairs do thou carry us— — Thou hast covered me in Psa. 139. 13 my mother's womb, — I will praise thee, for I am 14. fearfully and wonderfully made marvellous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well. How precious are thy Psa. 139. 17 thoughts unto me O God? how great is the sum of them? If 18. I should count them they are more in number than the sand— Thy hands have made me, and Psa. 119. 73 fashioned me— I am not worthy of the least Gen. 32. 10. of all thy mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast showed nuto thy servant. Thus will I bless thee while Psal. 63. 4. I live, I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied 5. as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips, when I 6. remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. &c— I know Lord that thy judgements Psa. 119 75. are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. Before I was afflicted I went 67. astry, but now I have kept thy word— O Lord my God I cried unto Psal. 30. 2. thee, and thou hast healed me; O Lord thou hast brought 3. up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit, etc. Thou hast delivered me in job 5. 19 six troubles, yea in seven, there hath no evil touched me, etc. There hath no evil befallen me, neither hath any plague come near my dwelling— — Thou hast delivered my Psal. 116. 8. soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling— — What shall I render unto the 12. Lord, for all his benefits towards me? I will take the cup 13. of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. Thou hast extended peace Isai. 68 12. unto us like a river, and prosperity like a flowing stream; we drink waters out of our own Wells. Thou hast strengthened the Psa 147. 13. 14. bars of our gates, and blessed our children within us &c.— Thou hast given us bread to Gen. 28. 10. eat and raiment to put on, yea our bread like Ashurs' is fat, and Gen. 49. 20. we have pleasures which even Ps. 147. 20. Kings do want. Thou hast not dealt so with Ps. 107. 21. any nation— O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness; and for his wonderful Ps. 147. 20. works to the children of men! CONCLUSION with a craving of Audience. Two things have I required Pro. 30. 7. of thee, deny me them not, before I depart. Thy Son our Saviour hath Mar. 11. 24. promised, that What things soever we desire when we pray, if we believe we shall receive them. Lord we believe, help thou Mar. 9 24. our unbelief. Now unto him that is able Ephe. 3. 20. to do exceeding abundantly, above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory 21. in the Church of Christ throughout all ages, world without end, Amen. Now the God of Peace, that Heb. 23. 20. brought again from the dead, our Lord jesus, that great Shepherd of the Sheep, through the the blood of the everlasting covenant; Make us perfect in every Heb. 13. 21. good work, to do his will, working in us that which is well pleasing in his sight, through jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. REVEL. 5 13. Blessing, honour, glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the Throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Reve. 7. 12. Amen, Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might be unto our God, for ever and ever. Amen. MEDITATIONS for the Morning. My soul waiteth on thee, O Psa. 130. 6. Lord, more than the morning watch, watcheth for the morning. O God be merciful unto me, and bless me, and cause thy 67. 1. upon face to shine upon me: O fill me Psa. 90. 14 with thy mercy this morning so shall I rejoice and be glad all my days. O God thou art my God earwill 63. 1. I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no wattr is. O Sun of righteousness shine upon me— My voice shalt thou hear in 5. 3. the morning O Lord, in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. Unto thee have I cried O 88 13. Lord, and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee. Awake, thou that sleepest, Ephe. 5. 14. and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. The night is past, the day is at Rom. 13. 11. 12 hand— — work while it is called day, john 9 4. the night cometh when no man can work. MEDITATIONS for the Evening. Thou knowest my down sitting, Psal. 139. 2. and mine up rising thou understandest my thought a far off. Thou compassest my path, and 3. my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. Let my prayer be set forth 141. 2. before thee as incense, and the lifting up of my hands, as the evening Sacrifice. Let tears run down like a Lam. 2. 18. river, day and night, give thyself no rest: let not the Apple of thine eye cease: Arise, cry out in the night, in the beginning of the watches pour out 19 thy heart like water before the face of the Lord, lift up thy hands towards him. Lighten mine eyes, that I sleep not in death— He that keepeth Israel neither slumbreth nor sleepeth— — the day is thine, the night Psa. 74. 16. also is thine— — the darkness hideth not 139. 12. from thee, but the night shineth as the day, the darkness and the light to thee are both alike. I will lay me down in peace Psal. 4. 8. take my rest, etc. — when thou liest down thou Prov. 3. 24. shalt not be afraid, yea thou shalt lie etc. MEDITATIONS for thee as thou goest into Bed. — Think with thyself, that— 1 Thou art one day nearer end, than thou wert in the morning. 2 Consider what thou hast seen, heard, or read that day, worth the remembering: and make use thereof. 3 Seriously examine thyself what Sin thou hast committed, what duty thou hast omitted, how thou hast failed, and lament them, on thy knees, begging pardon in thy Saviour's Name. 4 Consider that many go well to bed, and never rise again till the day of judgement, therefore say, Father into thy hands I commend my spirit. 5 Let thy stripping thee naked, put thee in mind of thy death, thy bed, of thy grave, thy cover of the moulds, and worms of the earth: thy sheets of thy winding sheet, thy sleep of thy death, thy waking of thy resurrection. In the night when thou awakest, say, With my soul have I desired Isai. 26. 9 thee in the night, yea with my spirit within me will I seek thee early. Thus will I bless thee while Psal. 63. 4. I live, I will lift up my hands in thy name; my soul shall be satisfied 5. as with marrow, and fatness, and my mouth shall praise Psal. 63. 5. thee with joyful lips— when I remember thee upon my bed, 6. and meditate on thee in the night watches. MEDITATIONS for the Lords day in the Morning. It is a good thing, to give Psal. 92. 1. thanks, unto thee, O Lord, and to sing praises to thy name, O thou most high: to show forth 2. thy loving kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night. This is the day which the Lord hath made, we will rejoice, and be glad in it. Blessed is the man that doth Isai. 56. 2. thi●, and the Son of man that layeth hold on it, that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hands from doing any evil: — they that be planted in the Psal. 92. 13. house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God: they Psa. 92. 14. shall still bring forth fruit in old age, they shall be fat and flourishing. As thou goest to the Church meditate thus— One thing have I desired of Psal. 27. 4. the Lord, that I will seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. My soul longeth, yea even 84. 2. fainteth for the courts of the Lord, my heart and my flesh cryeth out for the living God. At the Church think with thyself that— The place where thou standest Exod. 3. 5. is Holy ground— none other Gen. 28. 17. but the house of God— How amiable are thy Tabernacles Ps. 84. 14. O Lord of Hosts! Blessed are they that dwell in 4. thy house, they will be still praising thee. For a day in thy court, is better 10. than a thousand: I had rather be a doorkeeper 11. in the house of my God, then dwell in the tents of wickedness. They that join themselves Isai. 56. 6. to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants: every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant— Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, 7. and make them joyful in my house of prayer. — the like course thou mayest take in other places of Scripture which thou mayest make use of for all kind of meditations, at home, abroad, in field, town, journeys, &c— Matter for Graces before meat. O Lord our God, the only giver of all good gifts, thou feedest the young ravens when they cry— they have their meat of God— — the eyes of all wait upon thee— thou openest thy hand, and fillest with thy blessing every living thing— thou lovedst us before we were, thou hast kept us from our birth— supply all our wants, sanctify all thy dealings towards us, and let thy blessing be on the food which we are now to receive— Speak a word of blessing to it from heaven, that it may nourish and strengthen us— comfort and do us good— let us taste and see how gracious the Lord is— let us feel the sweetness of that love, with which thou hast loved us in Christ— man liveth not by bread alone— 'tis by thy word of blessing, not our meats alone, that we are nourished and preserved— — which satisfiest our mouth with good things— thou shalt eat and bless the name of the Lord thy God— Let not these creatures turn to the hurt of our souls, which thou hast given us for good of our bodies,— I am not worthy of the least morsel of thy good creatures, unworthy of the crumbs which fall under thy table.— Let not our table Graces. become a snare unto us— break not the staff of our bread— curse not unto us any blessing— Good Lord forgive us all our 1. sins, and bless at this time these good creatures to our nourishment, through jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen. O Lord it is not by bread alone 2. that man lives, it is thy blessing upon the creatures that they sustain us. O draw up our hearts and eyes to heaven, to acknowledge thy providence in them; to praise thy goodness for them, that we may receive them as pledges of thy favour, and gracious assurances of thine everlasting love, through jesus, &c— Matter for Graces after meat. Blessed be thy name for health, life, strength, and for all the blessings of this, and the blessed hopes of a better life— make it our meat, and drink, to do the will of thee our heavenly father— make us to hunger after that bread which endureth to everlasting life— — Provide daily bread for all thy poor servants, till thou bring us to that place where we shall never hunger, nor thirst any more— thy loving kindness is better than life— — that I may labour not so much for this meat that perisheth, but for that meat which endureth to everlasting life— the body and blood of our Saviour which is meat indeed, and drink indeed.— Keep us in thy fear while we live on earth and afterward receive us to glory in thy kingdom— We thank thee O Lord, for the comfortable use of these good blessings, we beseech thee also feed our souls to everlasting life, with the meat that perisheth not, through jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. Blessed be thy name O Lord God, for thus opening thy hand, and filling us at this time with thy good creatures, vouchsafe still to be our God, withhold no good thing from our soul, or body. Save all thy Church, protect our King, Queen, Prince, Royal Progeny and Realm; Grant free passage to to thy Gospel, comfort to thy Servants, and peace of conscience to us all, through jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. An EPITOME of a Christians Conversation and Religious course of life, gathered out of some Godly Practical Divines &c. Every day bestow half an 1. Daily. hour in reading the Scriptures, and Prayer: God's word, will not only show thee what to do, what to pray, but will work a secret power to accomplish the same— Appoint and set a part some time once every day, seriously and solemnly to cast up the eye of thy Faith, on that never-fading crown of life, which after an inch of time shall for ever rest upon thy head. The comforts hereof will make a man live almost without a soul, and sweeten all the troubles of this life— Set one hour in the week 2. Weekely. a part (Saturday in the afternone is more fit, by reason of the approaching day, to consider of, search, and try thy ways: this will snub and keep down, the weeds of corruptions, from overspreading thy soul. Thou bestowed an hour on thy body every day, in dressing it, and lookest thyself in a glass to attire thy outward sheath, and wilt thou not once a week do as much for thy soul? thy body must one day rot and turn to dust, perhaps to morrow: thy soul must live ever either in weal or woe: Life and death, are now in thy choice— choose then that good part— — Give God the honour of thy In particular for thy Thoughts. thoughts, as well as of thy words and actions: often think how all the glistering shows of this whole world must and do vanish and moulder into vanity, and nothing— very smoke. As soon as thou hast broken of sleep, set God before thee and think— What shall I do? what course shall I take, that I may bring glory to God, that I may not sin, this day,— O that my ways were so directed—— Never speak the evil which Words. thou too certainly knowest by others, but with fearfulness, (as it were) and some kind of enforcement, being sure thou hast a calling to it, and then do it seasonably, charitably, discreetly, and not in humour, spleen, imperiousness 'tis the humour of Hypocritts to be supercilious and censorious: but for God's glory. thy own discharge. — use no more words against m●ns sins, than thou wilt make prayers for their souls in secret. Be bold, yet wise in speaking for Christ, and with height of resolution, go through all the disgraces that the sinful times, lay in the ways of God. In Actions civil— Do as thou wouldst be done to. religious, Strive to live by faith: because faith is the soul of all our actions, our prayers will be cold unless this warm them. — Take heed of falling from thy first love. — Serve not God for by-respects, but only for himself. — So long as thou art unfeignedly displeased with, and sorry for, all thy sins, and dost mortify the deeds of thy body by the spirit, thy case is the state of salvation. Let thy whole conversation favour of the Lord. Be always bemoaning thy spiritual pride, known hypocrisy, covetousness, perf●●ctorinesse and formality in God's service. Give not way to a heartless neglect of the use of God's holy ordinances, reading, prayer, fasting, private humiliation; for this is the forerunner to some fearful sin, or fiery temptation, to some heavy judgement, or dangerous apostasy. Seek not thyself in any of thy actions. Look to thy repentance, that it be sincere, universal, constant, from the heart root, for all sin. Incorporate thyself into the Company. Communion of Saints, be intimate only with them: such an holy and humble majesty is in their carriage, such a deal of heaven is in their countenances, such spiritual ravishments is in their hearts, such grace and powerful piercings in their speeches, such zeal and hearty melting is in their prayers, that they cannot but work upon thy heart, if thou converse with them. Look well to thy carriage, that thou leave not an ill savour behind thee in any company. Wait for occasions to do good, Act. 26. 28. In bad company give them apparent signs of thy dislike: Unless you give some kind of real, or verbal reproof, they will be hardened. Often withdraw yourself Solitariness. apart, imparting unto God your griefs, wants, desires. Walk with God on the top of Mount Tabor once a day— Prayer in Prayer. secret will be unto thee an unspeakable comfort, a testimony that thou art not left to thyself, if words will not come, sigh, God hears the sighing of his servants: if thou canst not sigh, breath, God hath an care for that, thou hast heard my voice, hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry.— yea Lam. 3. 56. speak with thy countenance, be humbled for thy unfitness, dulness— etc. Then we pray most happily, when we arise M. Harris. from prayer most humbled. After prayer thou shalt carry thyself in thy vocation with much more zeal, and standing thus upright with God, thou wilt not fear the world, thou shalt have rest and peace within, what ever stirs be without. — Have a special eve to a sincere, constant and fruitful performance of holy duties, take heed of customariness and Formality, which cuts out the heart and draws the very life-blood from them. — Strive by all means for attainment of what thou prayest for, by all occasions, helps and heavenly offers. Be diligent in thy personal Vocation and particular calling. employments, and take heed of idleness. 2 Have an eye to God's glory in all thy undertake. 3 Go about earthly business, with an heavenly mind. 4 Let not any unrighteous gain entice thee to sin, or belime thee. 5 Set not thy delight on any earthly thing, for nothing brings true content to the soul but God. Delight thyself in him, this will both purify thy heart and assure it before God. In thy carnal delight there are or may be loss of crosses in curses for them. They are broken cisterns— In the end of every day, ask thyself What have I done? Evening. What have I done amiss? What have I left undone? Thus sum up thy accounts, and make all straight 'twixt▪ For more solemn ●u●i 〈…〉 and preparation ●● the 〈…〉 a 〈…〉, etc. God and thee. Keep a Catalogue of all thy g 〈…〉 known sins, nor balking any, but dealing truly with thyself, and then falling down on thy knees disburden thy conscience of them by humble confession to God, carrying this thy own indictment and spreading it before the Lord and pleading guilty, drag thy sinful lusts to the cross of thy Saviour, and there crucify them. 2 Pray for a soft and tender heart, as for life; Lord thou hast promised to take out the heart of stone— to give an heart of flesh— 3 Get the particular promises, which thou desirest to have fulfilled to thy soul without book, yea into thy heart as well as thy head. Mr. Byfield. Mr. GEORGE FLETCHER, in Christ's victory and triumph— pag. 50. Who is it sees not, that he nothing is, But he that nothing sees? what weker breast, Since Adam's armour failed, dares warrant his? That made by God of all his creatures best, Straight made himself the worst of all the rest: If any strength we have, it is to ill, But all the good is Gods, both power and will: The dead man, cannot rise, though he himself may kill. Mr. QVARLES History of SAMSON. Medit. 21. LOrd if our Father Adam could not stay In his upright perfection one poor day, How can it be expected we have power To hold out siege one scruple of an hour? Our arms are bound with too unequal bands; We cannot strive, we cannot lose our hands: Great Nazarite, awake; and look upon us; Make haste to help; the Philistines are on us. Medit. 22. ibid. Lord shouldst thou punish every part in me That does offend, what member would be free? Each member acts his part; they never lin Until they join, and make a body of sin: Make sin my burden; let it never please me; And thou hast promised when I come, to ease me. Medit. 19 idem. ibid. Thou great Chirurgeon of a bleeding soul, Whose sovereign balm is able to make whole The deepest wound, thy sacred salve is sure; We cannot bleed so fast as thou canst cure: Heale thou our wounds, that having salved the sore, Our hearts may fear, and learn to sin no more; And let our hands be strangers to those knives That wound not fingers only, but our lives. Some particular forms of PRAYER. 1. For the Sacrament of the LORDS Supper. WOnderfull art thou, O Lord, in all thy works towards the sons of men, but more especially, wonderful in that great work of our redemption, by the death of thy Son; Hadst thou left us to have perished, in that estate of damnation, into which we, desperately had implunged ourselves, by the wilful disobedience of our first parents, it had been but just with thee so to have done: for we were the clay, thou wast our Potter, and we all are the work of thine own hands; and hadst thou taken no delight in us, to do us good, thou mightest easily have made us dishonourable vessels of thy wrath, as well as thou didst the Angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, whom thou hast reserved in everlasting chains, under darkness, under the judgement of the great day. But thou, in love to our souls, wouldst not that we should perish, and therefore out of thine own incomprehensible wisdom, foundest out a means of rasoming and redeeming man from hell, by causing thine own son (God equal for ever with thy blessed self) to be made sin for us, that so we might be made the righteousness of God in him: who his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree; and the more to confirm us in the assured hope of everlasting salvation, which he once purchased for us, by his bloody passion, did institute for his Church the blessed Sacrament of his body and blood, in which I see him again crucified, and freshly bleeding before mine eyes in the outward elements of bread and wine, which he hath appointed to be often celebrated in remembrance of him. Blessed be thy holy name therefore; my daily sins have made me unworthy of daily bread, much more of this bread of life; yet seeing thou callest and invitest me at this time to the Supper of the Lamb to eat of that Manna that came down from heaven, to partake of those divine mysteries. O let not me suffer my self to be needlessly detained from so blessed a feast, by any pretended occasions whatsoever (as those did that made excuses and set light by their invitation to the marriage of the King's son, Math. 22. 5.) left thou swear in thy wrath that I shall never taste of thy Supper, nor enter into that rest, which my Saviour is gone to prepare for thy beloved ones, For if those in the law that did neglect to eat the Passeover, and to worship at Jerusalem at the times apppointed, were to be cut off from the number of thy people: of how much sorer punishment shall I be worthy, if I refuse to partake in thy blessed Sacrament, and neglect so great salvation which thou tenderest unto me hereby? O therefore make me to come as a guest invited, coming prepared unto thy table, having on my wedding garment, because thou thyself, the great master of this feast, art present in the assembly, eyeing and observing thy guests. Let me therefore first wash my hands in innocence, my heart from wickedness, and so compass thine Altar O Lord: that seeing Christ my Passeover is sacrificed for me, I may purge out the old leaven, and become a new lump, keeping this feast with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth, feeding on him with the sour herbs of godly sorrow, and unfeigned repentance for all my former sins: O make the very remembrance of them to be grievous, and the burden of them intolerable unto me. O wash me Lord, wash me, not only the feet, but even the hands also, and the head; for I am unclean, I am unclean, a very Leper, a sink of sin, whom thou mighest shut out of the congregation of thy people for ever; but yet O Lord if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean; Thy blood (O sweet jesus) is able to cleanse more throughly than the waters of jordan did Naomans' leprosy, and to wash away all my pollutions, and make my Ethiopian skin, my leopards spots to be white as snow in Salmon. Now the good Lord pardon me, and every one, that prepareth himself to seek thee in the truth of his heart, though we be not cleansed and prepared according to that exact purification of thy Sanctuary. O Lord make me to search and try my ways, to look back upon all the ungodly actions and aberrations of my forepast life, to view my sinne-deformed soul in the clear glass of thy undefiled ●aw, that so I may judge and abhor myself in dust and ashes, and be still more vile in mine own esteem: make me to examine myself, and so eat of that bread and drink of that cup knowing that if I eat and drink thereof unworthily, I eat and drink damnation to myself, because I discern not the Lord's body. Teach me to try myself whether I be in the faith or no, for without faith it is impossible to please thee in any service. 'tis my faith in the death of my Saviour that is the hand and mouth by which I must apply him, and make him mine in this Sacrament. Assure me by these broad seals annexed to the covenant of grace, and letters patents of thy holy word, that thou wilt make good what thou hast promised, that as thou hast called, Ho, every one that thirsteth come to the waters;— so thou wilt refresh this my gasping and thirsting soul; as thou callest all that be weary and heavy laden to come unto thee; so thou wilt in no wise send me empty away that cast myself into the bleeding arms of my dying Saviour. Persuade my unbelieving and doubting heart, that as thy Minister taketh, and blesseth, and breaketh, and poureth out, and giveth, and saith, Take and eat, the bread, take and drink the wine of the Sacrament; so thou from everlasting haste separated, consecrated, and ordained jesus Christ to be a Sacrifice for my sins, hast poured out his blood to be a satisfaction to thy offended justice for my sinful soul, and that hereby I shall continue in communion with him, my head, and his mystical body my fellow members. Thy flesh, O sweet Saviour, is meat indeed, and thy blood is drink indeed. O let me I beseeth thee find it so in my fainting soul that I may be ravished with thy love, that I may taste and see how gracious the Lord is, and find thy free promises, and pledges of thy grace to be better than wine, sweeter also than the honey and the honey comb. Let thy holy spirit set to his privy seal on my heart inwardly, by the secret and sweet refreshment of his blessed testimony, that I am my well beloved's, and my well beloved is mine— establishing my heart in thy love, and knitting my soul unto thee for ever. O draw me, and I shall run after thee, show me the light of thy countenance and I shall be saved. And Lord make me to love my brethren, as thou hast loved me, yea to love my very enemies for thy name's sake, reconciling myself to those whom I have offended, following peace with all men, and forgiving Mat. 18. 23. them their hundred pence, 28. as thou hast freely forgiven me my ten thousand talents— Vouchsafe me this, and all other graces which may fit me for thy service in thy kingdom of grace, and prepare me for the enjoyment of everlasting glory, through my Lord and Saviour jesus Christ. Amen. After the receiving of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper. O Lord, what shall I render unto thee, for all the benefits which thou hast bestowed upon me, and daily ladest me withal, a most unworthy sinner? how shall I be sufficiently thankful unto thee for them, when they be more than I can reckon up unto thee, more than my heart is able to conceive or comprehend? Should I offer up unto thee, thousands of rams, or ten thousand rivers of oil, they all would come far short of thy most free, eternal, undeserved, infinite love. Lebanon itself is not sufficient for wood, nor the beasts upon a thousand hills for a burnt offering. What shall I then do unto thee, O thou Preserver of men, or what recompense shall I make thee? I will even take the cup of salvation, and give thanks to thy name, O Lord. I will offer up my soul and body for a holy, living and acceptable sacrifice unto thee; this will please thee better than▪ bullock that hath horns and hooves.— Thou O Lord in the beginning, didst make me to be, when I was not before; and when I had lost myself, and forfeited my being, and life, and happiness, didst in Christ, restore me to a more blessed estate, than at my Primitive integrity. Thou thy self art become my Father, thy son my Saviour, thy holy Spirit my Sanctifier, thy word my Instructor, thy Sacraments the food to refresh, satisfy, and feed my poor hungry soul to everlasting life. This day thou hast called me to thy holy Mountain, and made me joyful in thy house of prayer, this day hast thou invited me to sit down at thy table, and made unto me a feast of fat things full of marrow, a feast of wines on the lees well refined; thou hast abundantly satisfied me with the f●●nesse of thy house, and hast made me to drink of the river of thy pleasures. Blessed be thy glorious name for ever and ever, which is above all thanksgiving and praise of mine! O that I could be indeed thankful unto thee as thou art gracious unto me! If I should open my mouth never so wide thou wouldst fill it, thy favours to my poor soul are more than all tongues of men and Angels can worthily magnify. And now O Lord accept, I beseech thee, the free will-offering of thy servant, that desires to fear thy name, and to make a covenant with thee never to be broken, that my soul shall cleave close unto thee, and avouch thee this day to be my God and Saviour for ever more. Here I do resign myself, soul and body, all that is in me, and all that belongs unto me, to be wholly thine, and that I will never wickedly depart from thee, my God, as I have done. O that my ways were so directed, that I might keep thy commandments always! Never let me with the disgorged dog, return any more to my former vomit; nor with the washed sow to wallow in the mire: but as I have now washed my feet, so suffer me no more again to defile them: as I have put off the filthy rags of my old conversation, so I may never again put them on, but become a new creature. That seeing the expiation of my sins cost my Saviour so dear, as the shedding of his precious blood, and that thy wrath lay so heavy upon him who was our surety only, being innocent in himself; I may hence conceive how heinous a thing sin is, how abhorred by thee, and so hate it in myself with a perfect hatred, and resist it even to blood; and not crucify again hereby, the Lord of life and glory. O make me thankfully to remember that bitter passion of his, and thy love (O Father) unto me, in that thou hast accepted me to life in him, and hast brought salvation this day home to my house, to my heart. Lord enter in, abide with, and dwell in my soul for ever. Take not thy holy spirit from me, make me one with Christ my head, flesh of his flesh, bone of his bone; make me one with the mystical body of thine Elect, that I may have my part in the prayers of the Church, in the Communion of Saints, here on earth, in the kingdom of grace, and may enjoy thee, and them, face to face, and sit down and eat and drink with thee, in thy kingdom of glory. Amen. For the Sacrament of Baptism. O Lord our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy with all them that fear thy name, and trust upon thee, even to a thousand generations, thou hast promised to be our God, and the God of our seed, to enter into covenant with us, that we should be thine; O Lord I come to thy throne of grace at this time, to lay claim to my interest in that new covenant, sealed unto thy Church in the blood of jesus, that thou wouldst perform the same unto me, and mine also: hast not thou said, thou wilt circumcise mine heart and the heart of my seed, to love the Deut. 30. 6. Lord our God with all our heart, and with all our soul?— that thou wilt put thy Law in our inward parts, and write it in our hearts, and that thou wilt be our God, and we shall be thy jer. 31. 34. people, that thou wilt forgive our injquity, and wilt remember our sin no more? O Lord hast thou said it, and wilt not thou also do it? By faith I plead my interest thereunto, not for myself alone, but for mine also, with whom I beseech thee to make an everlasting covenant of life and peace, that being baptised into jesus Christ, they may be sanctified and cleansed with the washing of water by the word. O Lord we are all borne the children of wrath, and there is no way for us to escape the damnation of hell, except we be borne again of water and of the Spirit. O Lord do thou sprinkle clean water upon us, wash away the filth of Zion, and purge the blood of jerusalem from the midst thereof: Baptise us with the Holy Ghost, that having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water, we may be new creatures, fit to be an habitation of God through the spirit. O blessed be thy goodness for ever, which hast given us this seal of thy rich promise; this is that Ark in and through which thou savest thine Elect: thou dalliest not with us herein, it is no idle ceremony; thou art present in thy own ordinance to fulfil that which thou hast promised. O wash our souls with the baptism of Repentance, as thou dost our bodies with the outward element of water. Let the virtue of Christ's death kill sin in us, for how shall we that are buried with Christ by baptism, and thereby dead to sin, live yet therein? Do not we herein vow to forsake the Devil, the Pomp's and vanities of this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh, and shall we break our vow, & transgress the covenant? O let this be far from us, teach us therefore to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, deliver us from every evil work that we may serve the living God; Sprinkle clean water upon us, that we may be clean from our natural filthiness, and from all our uncleannesses. Wash us, O wash us throughly from our iniquities, and cleanse us from our sins. Make our hearts to be steadfast in thy love, and never to forget this covenant of our God: thy mercy do thou keep for us, and ours for evermore, and let thy covenant stand fast with us, and be established for ever as the Moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. And as thou hast thus brought us into the bond of the covenant, so let us never depart from thee. Be thou unto us a God, and let us be thy people for evermore, even till thou bringest us unto Mount Zion, and to the City of the living God, the heavenly jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of Angels, to the general assembly and Church of the first borne which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect: and to jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better than that of Abel. Make me to be thine myself, be thou my Father and make me to be thy Son: for if the first fruit be holy, the lump also shall be holy; and if the root be holy, so also shall the branches be. This mercy I beg of thee in his name, merits, and mediation, out of whose pierced side, issued forth water and blood, for the sanctifying, and justifying, of thine Elect. To whom, with thee, and the Holy Spirit, be all glory, service, thanksgiving, and dominion, through all the Churches of the Saints, for ever, Amen. For Regeneration, Sanctification, and grace to serve God. O Lord, thou God of truth, who hast sworn in thy faithfulness, that as thou livest thou hast no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that he should turn from his way and live: and therefore commandest thy people, saying, Turn ye, turn ye from your evil Ezek. 33. 11. ways, for why will ye dye, O house of Israel? and hast enjoined, that I should wash me, and make me clean, & put away the evil of my doings from before thine eyes: promising moreover, that though my sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as Snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool: I that am a wicked and miserable caitiff, a sinner before the Lord exceedingly, even as the men of Sodom, that have done abominable works, and denied the God that is above, wilfully sinning after I had received the knowledge of the truth, and treading under foot the Son of God, counting the blood of Heb. 10. 26. 29. the covenant, wherewith I was sanctified an unholy thing, and having done de●pi●e to the spirit of grace; O Lord, even out of the deeps do I call unto thee for help, yea out of the belly of hell do I earnestly cry for thy mercy: O cast not out my prayer. Though mine iniquities be more than the hairs of my head & my transgressions heavier than the sand, yet is there forgiveness with thee: and although my sins have reached up to heaven, yet thy mercy is above the heavens: mine are, at the most, but the sins of a man: but thine, at the least, are the mercies of an infinite God, yea thou hast the relenting bowels of a most tender Father. O spread the robe of thy Son's righteousness over me, that so thou mayest not behold my nakedness, cloth me with▪ the garments of his salvation, say unto my soul, Live: cause breath to enter into my dry E●●. 37. 3. 6. bones, lay sinews upon them, and bring flesh upon them, and cover them with skin, that I may know that thou art the Lord. And albeit I be dead in trespasses and sins, yet open my grave and cause me to come out of it: yea though with Lazarus I stink already, yet roll away the stone, and speak thou by thy all-powerfull word, and I shall come forth and live. O purge my conscience from dead works, redeem me from death, ransom me from power of the grave: and though I be less than the least of all Saints, less than the least of all thy mercies, yet make me a prisoner of hope, and by the blood of thy covenant send forth my soul, out of the pit wherein is no water. Wash my robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb: Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Make thy word to be unto me, like a refiners fire, and like fullers soap, cleansing me from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, that so I may be meet to be a partaker of the inheritance of the Saints in light, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but holy and without blemish, the son of thy love, through Christ. Thou hast promised that if I Pro. 8. 17. return unto thee, thou wilt receive me, and that if I seek thee early, I shall find thee, that thou wilt have mercy upon me, and wilt abundantly pardon all my sins, heal my backslidings, and love me freely. O Lord, it is not sin in the highest degree, when it is out of measure sinful, and is come to the full, that can hinder the Sun of righteousness from arising, with healing in his wings, on any humbled soul: no, for where Sin abounded, Grace doth much more superabound: and where shall, or can the skill of thee, our heavenly Physician, be so much seen, so much adored, and magnified, as in healing a poor soul, weltering and wallowing in its blood, and desperately wounded unto everlasting death? O speak thou the word and my soul shall live. Subdue mine iniquities, and cast all my sins into the depths of the Sea. O redeem me from my former vain conversation, that I may renounce the hidden things of dishonesty: turn thou me and I shall be turned, betrothe my soul unto thee in faithfulness, make with me a covenant of peace. And because no man can come to thee, except the father which sent thee draw him; O draw me; and I will run after thee; open my blind eyes, say Epphata to my deaf ears, touch my lips with a coal from thy Altar, that my iniquity may be taken away, and my sin purged, then shall my lame feet leap as an Hart, and my dumb tongue shall sing forth thy praise. A new heart do thou also Eze. 36. 27. give me, and a new spirit do thou put within me, and take away the stony heart out of the Eze. 36. 27 midst of me, and bestow upon me an heart of flesh: and put thy spirit within me (as thou hast promised) and cause me to walk in thy statutes, and to keep thy judgements and do them. And for the time to come, Lord make me more zealous of thy glory, more profitable in ways of my calling, more careful to do and receive all possible good that I can. Alas I have been a barren tree, thou hast planted me near the rivers of water, hast digged about me, and taken much pains with me, but I am still unfruitful, thy glory is not so dear unto me as it ought to be; nor is my own salvation, or the edification of others, so sincerely endeavoured by me, as was meet. O turn me into another man, circumcise the foreskin of my heart, let the time passed of my life suffice to have served, and live in sin. Give me grace now in this my day, to know the things that belong to my peace, to make use of this time of my visitation, to lay hold on eternal life, to take the kingdom of heaven by violence: now thou standest at the door and knockest, O let me open unto thee, that thou mayest enter in, and sup with me. Give me grace to work out my salvation with fear and trembling, to be often in calling upon thee in prayer, and lifting mine eyes up to the hills from whence both pardon of sin, and power over sin must be expected. Make me often search and try my ways, and examine myself, whether I be in the faith or no. Now I beseech thee to hear me, and help me; do away the iniquity of thy servant, cover my transgressions, and let my sins be blotted out from before thee, for the Lord jesus Christ's sake. Amen. Amen. Some particular forms of PRAYER. For the English Colonies and Plantations in New-England, Virginia, etc. O Most high God, Possessor Gen. 14. 19 Deut. 10 14 Isai. 63. 15. of heaven and earth, the heaven, and the heaven of heavens, is the habitation of thy Psal. 90. 2. holiness and of thy glory; by thee the Mountains were 115. 16. brought forth, and thou hast form the earth, and the would, and hast given it to the children of men for a possession; And by thy word of blessing Gen. 9 7. hast commanded man, to increase and multiply, and replenish the face of the earth: We in this nation have found thy gracious Providence over us, in thy continual protection and preservation; for thou hast Psa. 147. 13 strengthened the bars of our gates, and blessed our children within us, thou hast set peace in our borders, and hast abundantly 14. given us blessings of the Gen. 49. 25. breast, and of the womb: insomuch that we are exceedingly 2 Kin. 6. 1 multiplied, so that the place where we dwell is too narrow for us, for our seed is become as Isai. 48. 19 the sand, and the offspring of our bowels, as the gravel thereof: And now O Lord, thou of Num. 14. 7. thy good providence, hast espied out for us, an exceeding good land, watered with the dew of Gen. 27. 39 heaven from above, blessed with the farnesse of the earth Psal. 80. 9 from beneath, and hast made room for us to be planted therein, that we who are Deut. 4. 7. grown into so great a nation, and are thronged at home, may swarm out, and be gathered thither, for the glory of thy great name, the honour of this Kingdom, and the further enlargement of our King's dominions. O let their design be Exod. 28. 36 holiness to the Lord, honour and wealth to our nation, and enlargement also to the kingdom of thy Christ, who are transplanted into those remoter parts of the world. Build a 2 Sam. 7. 10. 1 Chr. 28. 2. place of rest for thy tabernacle among them, that the heathen that have not known thee, and the families that have not called jer. 10. 25. on thy name, may by this means be delivered from the power of darkness, and translated Coll. 1. 13. into the kingdom of thy dear son. Be thou a wall of Zech. 2. 5. fire round about our people, and a little Sanctuary unto them: Let Eze. 11. 16. no son of wickedness approach Psa. 89. 22. near, to hurt them, build them up into a nation; there plant them, and make Deut. 33. 28 2 Sam 20. 1. them to dwell in safety: Let no seditious Sheba be author of faction or schism among them And as thou causest the Sun to arise upon all the earth, so that nothing is hid from the heat thereof, so le● there be no speech, nor language, where the voice of thy Gospel is not heard. Let thy way be known upon earth, and thy saving health among all nations: cause the Sun of righteousness to arise with healing in his wings, upon all those that sit in darkness, and the shadow of death, to guide their feet into the way of peace: Give thy son jesus the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession. Make all the Kings of the earth to fall down before him, and all nations to do him reverence. That his dominion may be from Sea even to Sea, and from the rivers even to the ends of the earth. That Tarshish, Pull, and Lud that draw the bow, Tubal, and javan, and the Isles afar off, that have not heard thy ●ame, neither have seen thy glory, may be brought into the household of faith, and be joined to the people of the God of Abraham, and so be made one fold under that great shepherd and Bishop of their souls. Those sinners of the Gentiles, O Lord draw them out of the darkness of Paganism, Idolatry, ignorance, and superstition; and though they now be wallowing in their blood, yet let it be the time of love with thee, and say unto them live: spread thy skirt, over them. Let the light of the glorious Gospel of jesus Christ shine unto them, that they may turn from the service of dumb Idols, yea, of very Devils, to thee the living God. Teach them to know thee the only true God, and whom thou hast sent jesus Christ; open the door of faith unto them that they may believe in the name of thy Son; grant them repentance unto life, that they may be saved; light up among them, some burning and shining lamps, to bear thy name among them, that the grace of God which bringeth salvation, may appear unto all men: that so they which are without Christ, being aliens from the Common wealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of Promise, that have no hope, and are without God in the world, may hear the voice of the Son of God, and live. To this end, plant thy grace, and fear, in their hearts, who are of that Colony and Plantation: make them wise to win those poor souls, by their unblameable conversation, being zealous for thee, gentle towards them, apt to teach them, patient▪ in meekness instructing them, if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth, and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the Devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. O Lord this is a worthy work, and who is sufficient for these things! therefore do thou make bare thine own almighty arm, bring in the fullness of the Gentiles, give them where Satan's throne is, an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear the word of thy grace; that the ends of the earth may see the salvation of God, and they that dwell in the uttermost parts thereof may be converted unto thee: then shall the earth be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea, and they shall fear the name of the Lord from the West, and his glory from the rising of the Sun. Amen. A Prayer to be prepared against Death, etc. O Thou eternal, immortal, invisible, and only wise God, who stretchedst forth the heavens, and laidst the foundations of the earth, and formedst the spirit of man within him; thou art the former of all things, thy spirit did at the first make me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life: thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and fenced me with bones and s●●ewes, my substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth: thine eyes did see me when I was yet unperfect, and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them before. And thou Lord tookest me out of the womb, thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts, thou hast fed me, and led me all my life long unto this day: when I have passed through the waters, thou hast been with me, and through the rivers, they have not overflowed me; thou hast carried me on Eagles wings, and in the time of trouble hast preserved me safely under thy feathers, and there hath not one hair of mine head fallen to the ground, without thy Providence? But what man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding; we spend our years as a tale that is told: our life is even as a Vapour that appears for a little time, th●n vanisheth away: we build our house as a moth, and as a booth that the Keeper maketh. We have here no continuing City, all flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof as the flower of grass. Man that is borne of a woman, is of few days, and full of trouble, he cometh forth like a flower and is cut down; he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. O Lord my times are in thy hand, all my days are determined, the number of my months are with thee, thou hast appointed my bounds which I cannot pass, I must one day return to the ground, for dust I am, and to dust I must return: thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house apppointed for all living, where I shall make my bed in darkness, and must say to corruption, thou art my father, and to the worms, thou art my mother and my sisters. O that I were wise and did understand this! that I could consider my latter end! that whether I live, I might live unto the Lord, or whether I die, I might dye unto the Lord; that both living and dying I might be the Lords! then should I use the world, as if I used it not, then would I not be conformed to the men of this world, who have their portion in this life, whose God is their belly, who make pleasures, and honour, and riches their God, and mind only earthly things. But by that irreversible sentence of thine, In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt dye the death, it is apppointed unto all men once to dye our fathers where are they? and the Prophets, do they live for ever? they all are gone down into the chambers of death, there they rest together in their beds, till the heavens be no more, they shall not wake nor be raised out of their sleep: and I myself also who am a son of Adam, and form out of the same clay, I must (when my days be fulfilled) sleep with my fathers, and go the way whence I shall not return. Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the Sun, and yet thy favour, presence, and light of thy countenance is better than life: whilst I am in the flesh, I am absent from thee, and thou hast taught me, that the day of death is better than the day when I was borne: Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, for they rest from their labours, and their works follow them. And that I may dye in thee, O make me to live to thee, O teach me so to number my days, that I may apply my heart unto wisdom; that all the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils, I may glorify thee on earth, and finish that work thou givest me to do; because there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge in the grave whither I am going. O make me to pass the Eccles. 9 10 time of my Sojourning here in thy fear, because the night cometh, in which I cannot work: So long as this my day lasteth, let me live as a child of the light, let my behaviour be, as becometh holiness, adorning the doctrine of God my Saviour in all things, that I may praise thee my God whilst I have my being, and my conversation may be in heaven, even whilst I Sojourn here on earth: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I may live by the faith of the Son of God, that the world may be crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For to this end, our Saviour jesus once tasted death for every man, and humbled himself, and became obedient, even to the death of the cross, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him, which died for them, and rose again. When therefore my race is finished, and I have served out my time. O let me dye the death of the righteous, and let my last end, be like his! Let my soul be bound up in the bundle of life with the Lord my God, show me the path of life, In thy presence is fullness of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Pardon all my Sins, heal my backeslidings love me freely, subdue mine iniquities, and cast all my Sins into the depths of the Sea. Give me peace of conscience, and joy in thee, that when dust shall return again to the earth as it was, my spirit may return to God who gave it. Amen. A Prayer for a Scholar. O Lord, thou art the Father of lights, every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from thee; thou hast commanded that if any lack wisdom, he should ask it of thee; thou it is that givest to the simple sharpness of wit, and to the child knowledge and understanding. O give unto me thy servant, a wise and understanding heart, and make learning delightful unto my soul, that I giving attendance unto reading, may meditate upon the things that shall be taught me, and give myself wholly thereunto, that so my profiting may appear unto all. O make me also to learn Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; that I may grow up before thee as a plant of righteousness. And because Paul may plant, and Apollo's water, but it is thou alone that canst give the increase, command thy blessing from heaven that it may rest upon my studies. It will be in vain for me to rise early, and to sit up late, unless it please thee to prosper mine endeavours. O do thou bestow on me knowledge and skill, in all learning and wisdom, as thou didst on Daniel and his three companions. And as Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, so also incline mine ear to wisdom, and apply mine heart unto understanding, that I may say unto wisdom, thou art my Sister, and call understanding my Kinswoman: make me to seek her, as silver, and to search for her as hidden treasures, to be instant in season, and out of season, in labours more abundant, in watchings often, applying my heart to know, to search, and seek out wisdom and the reason of things. O make me in the morning to sow my seed, and in the evening not to withhold mine hand, that I may take hold of instruction and not let her go, but keep her, for she is my life. Make me swift to hear, careful to redeem the time, wisely husbanding those opportunities I have to learn, that with all my getting I may get understanding, and may not only learn the wisdom of heathen, and profane Authors, but that wisdom also which is from above, and heavenly, which may give me an inheritance among all them that are sanctified. Lord set thy stamp on this my pliable and waxy youth, that it may be holiness unto thee, season my heart with thy fear betimes, let me set thee always before mine eyes, that as Samuel, josiah, and Solomon, I may learn to know thee the Lord God of my Fathers, and serve thee with a willing mind, make me to give to thee the first fruits of my years, and to remember thee my creator in the days of my youth, whilst the evil days come not, thus laying up a good foundation for the time to come. Thou hast promised that if I seek thee, thou wilt be found of me, but if I forsake thee, thou wilt cast me off for ever; make me therefore diligent to know the Scriptures of a child, which are able to make me wise unto salvation; let thy glory be the end, thy word the rule, thy spirit the guide, thy will the law, thy promises the comforts of my life, that thus acquainting myself with thee betimes, and abhorring all profane and Atheistical conceits of thee, thy ways, & worship, I may by thy grace suppress all filthy and unholy thoughts, fancies and desires, & so fly the lusts of youth. Thou hast made me to be borne into thy Church, and hast even from my infancy received me into thy covenant, O that there were such an heart in me, that I might serve thee always! Give me patient, obedient, humble, dutiful, and discreet carriage, to all my Supiriours: to him especially at whose feet, as Saint Paul at gamaliel's, I now sit: make me painful, and industrious, careful to please him, reverencing his authority. Make me affable, loving, courteous, harmless, and of winning behaviour towards my Equals and Inferiors, being gentle, and easy to be entreated by them all. Pardon and heal the frailties, follies and infirmities of my youth, give me understanding to conceive, largeness of heart, and capacity to apprehend; confirm my memory to retain, my invention to find out, and attain to humane literature. Prosper all my labours, and make me wise, to understand mine own ways, to save mine own soul, that I may be a comfort to my Parents, and honour to thy Gospel, an example of Learning, Piety, and virtue to all my Equals: that so I may hereafter become a profitable instrument of thy glory either in the church or common wealth, as thou shalt see it best in thine heavenly wisdom, and most agreeable to mine own disposition, that thus glorifying thee in my life, I may be blessed of thee in my death, and glorified for ever with thee in the world to come, Amen. A Prayer for a Tradesman, Merchant, etc. O Lord, the righteous God, that triest the reins and the heart, thou lovest truth in the inward parts, and hast commanded all those that call upon thy name to depart from iniquity, and to put away lying, speaking the truth from his heart, every man unto his neighbour, not using false weights, deceitful balances, or unjust measures: and wouldst that no man should go beyond, and defraud his brother in any matter, because that the Lord is the avenger of all such. O Lord, the heart of man is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked, and in nothing more discovers itself, than in the gain of unrighteousness. The love of money is the root of all evil, which while some have coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. Thus in buying, and selling, and trading with each other, so they may lad themselves with thick clay, they care not to load their consciences with heavy Sinne. Thus it often is, as with the buyer, so with the seller: 'Tis naught, 'tis naught, saith the buyer, but when he is gone his way he boasteth: and how many several tricks of deceit, and sleights, there are practised by the cunning craftiness of men that lie in wait to deceive, which the false and dissembling heart of man is guilty of, thou only knowest, who searchest the heart, and tryest the reins, and will't one day bring to light the hidden things of dishonesty and darkness: so that as a nail sticketh fast between the joining Eccles 27. 2. of stones, so doth Sin stick close between buying and selling. O Lord what shall it profit me to win the whole world and to lose mine own soul? could I rejoice because my wealth was great, or because my hand had gotten much? If I should get my house full of silver, and gold, heaping up silver as dust, and fine gold as the mire in the streets, or prepare raiment as the clay, being filled with all precious and pleasant riches; yet thou that hatest false balances, and the bag of deceitful weights, canst blow upon all my substance, that it shall melt away, by thy blast it would perish; a fire not blown should consume it suddenly: thou couldst make my riches to take them wings and fly away as an Eagle towards heaven, to vanish as a dream, and not be found, or chased away as a vision of the night. And thou hast in thy assured me, that he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool: and howsoever bread of deceit may be sweet to a man, yet afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. O let me never be given over to that reprobate mind, supposing that gain i● godliness; Let me not grind the face of my brother, or pant after the dust of the earth, on the head of the poor, making the Ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit. Never let me be so greedy of gain, that in the seeking thereof I should enlarge my desire as hell, or as death, that cannot be satisfied. O make me to hate and take heed of guile: Let not my soul be poisoned with the mammon of unrighteousness, that I should by lying and fraud, obtrude bad wares on the men I trade withal, for hereby I should take the name of my God in vain, and cause thy Gospel to be evil spoken of▪ Wicked balances and the bag of deceitful weights are an abomination unto thee, and much better will a dry morsel be, or a dinner of green herbs gotten by honest dealing, than a stalled Ox by cozening and deceit: Godliness with contentment is great gain, but they that will be rich fall into temptation, and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction, and perdition. O Lord, faith and a good conscience are special jewels, a precious treasure: Let not me make shipwreck of them for every trifle; how ever profane and godless men may disesteem them, they are not to be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious Onyx or the Saphire. Let me ever remember that golden rule, to do unto other men as I would they should do unto me. And if by my industry, thou dost please to bless my estate, that my riches do increase, O let me not set my heart upon them, making gold my hope, or saying to fine gold, thou art my confidence; or if I shall wax poor, and fall into decay through crosses, and losses by thy hand of providence, and not by mine own negligence, sloth, or ill husbandry, yet make me to learn in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content, and may know both how to be abased, and how to abound, to be full, and to be hungry, which grace I beseech thee to grant me for Christ jesus sake. Amen. A Servants Prayer. MOst holy and great God, thou hast commanded servants to be obedient to them which are their masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as unto Christ: not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. Therefore as thy good hand of providence hath placed me in this condition, so I beseech thee, give me thy grace, that with good will I may do service, as to the Lord and not unto men, knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. O teach me therefore, first to serve, and to fear thee; for thy service is perfect freedom; thus being the Lords free man, I shall no more be a Servant but a Son, and heir of God through Christ. To this end make thy face to shine upon thy servant, be thou with me in all that I do, and let the beauty of the Lord my God be upon me and establish thou the work of my hands upon me, that thy blessing may be upon all that my master hath in the house, and in the field: make thou a hedge about him, and about all that he hath on every side, and bless thou the work of his hands, that his substance may be increased in the Land. And as thou blessedst Laban for Jacob's sake, Potiphar for Joseph's sake, Obed Edom for the Arkes sake, Ahab for Obadiahs' sake, so also I beseech thee to bless me and all the things that are under my hand: cause thy blessing to rest in my master's house, prevent him daily with blessings of goodness, that he may learn by experience, that thou Lord, hast blessed him since my coming. O make me a faithful and a wise servant as Eliezer unto Abraham, that if my master commit his goods into my hand, and make me ruler over his household, to appoint them their work, to give them their meat in due season, I may with all my power serve him therein, not eating the bread of idleness, nor brawling nor quarrelling with my fellow servants, but make me to be peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated. Let me not be slothful in business, or endamage my master by my neglect, but desirous to promote his good, and to please him in all things; not answering again, not purloining, but showing all good fidelity, that I may adorn the doctrine of God my Saviour in all things. And though my master should become a hard man, and should make my life bitter with sore bondage, making me serve with rigour, yea though he make me a hewer of wood, or drawer of water, or employ me even to the basest offices, yet let not my proud heart swell and repine hereat. Grant that I may submit myself under his hand, not only when he is good, and gentle, but also when he is froward, even when I am buffeted for my faults; remembering my blessed Saviour, that took on him the form of a servant, who though he was our Lord and Master, yet willingly gave himself an example and pattern of all patience, and humility. And although with One simus, I have been sometimes unfaithful and unprofitable heretofore, yet make me profitable to my master for the time to come: that he may receive me, not now as a servant, but above a servant: never suffer me like judas in a religious family, to be ungodly, to betray my master, or bewray his secrets, nor a lying, covetous, and dissembling servant as Gehezi, nor as Ziba, slandering my master: but counting him worthy of all honour, that he being a believer, I may not despise him because he is a brother, but rather do him service because he is faithful and beloved, partaker of the benefit of thy Son's redemption. Let my behaviour be as becometh holiness, grant that with patience I may bear his threatenings, chide, revile, because thou hast taught me, that a soft tongue breaketh the bones. Make me wisely to forbear, and in my patience to possess my soul, referring all my wrongs, and injuries to thee, though he should not do unto me that which is just and equal; knowing that even he also hath a Master in heaven, neither is there respect of persons with thee. O Lord I beseech thee, let now thy ear be attentive to the prayer of me thy servant, who desires to fear thy name, and prosper I pray thee thy servant this day, and grant me grace instantly to serve thee, that so thou who hast the hearts of all men in thy hands, as the rivers of water, mayst give me favour in the sight of my master, that my work and labour may be accepted. O Lord I beseech thee free me from sin, that I may become a servant of righteousness ● alas I have made thee too long, to serve with my sins, I have wearied thee with mine iniquities: pardon I pray thee all my transgressions, and enter not into judgement with thy servant, for in thy sight no flesh living shall be justified: let me not henceforth serve sin any longer, but grant that I may serve thee in holiness, and righteousness all the days of my life. Amen. Lord jesus Amen. A thanksgiving to our Saviour jesus Christ. MOst loving Lord, and blessed Saviour, the mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of peace and life, the rock of my salvation, the fountain opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness, the Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, who now art set down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, and yet hast respect unto thy poor members here on earth. O Lord hear, O Lord forgive, O Lord accept the groan of my humbled soul, 〈…〉. 63 8. 63. 1. which followeth ●a●d after thee, which thirsteth & longeth for thee in a dry, and barren land where no water is. O my sweet Saviour, very loving hast thou been to me, thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women: at the which so infinite, so unconceivable, unchangeable, everlasting and undeserved love of thine to me a miserable sinner, the very Angels stand amazed, desiring to pry into the mystery of thy incarnation, and admire to see thee (the brightness of thy Father's glory, and the express image of his person) assuming a nature inferior to theirs: who though thou wert Lord of Lords, King of Kings, the image of the invisible God, the first borne of every creature, heir appointed of all things, by whom also the worlds were made, yet tookest upon thee, the form of a servant, and waste made in the likeness of men, being delivered to death for my sins, and made a curse for me. Was there ever love like this love of thine, that one should die for his enemies? from the beginning of the world was it ever heard before, that God should become man, to save man from the wrath of God due to man's sin? But thou art that good Shepherd that givest thy life for thy Sheep, and thou hast loved me, and washed me from my sins in thy own blood, and delivered me from the wrath to come. O Lord jesus Christ, thou, thou only art the hope of Israel, the Saviour thereof in the time of trouble; whom have I in heaven but thee, and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee: without thee, and out of thee, there is nothing amiable, worthy the setting my heart upon. Let the world love itself, let men be Idolaters of their own concupiscences, of their goods, lives, wisdom, reputation, &c but cause thou me to forsake, and to hate all things for thee, and to count them dung, that I may win Christ. Let my heart take no greater pleasure than to see thee glorified in the world, and enthronised in my own soul. Thou art my portion for ever, he whom my soul loveth, whose love to me is better than wine, the Lord my righteousness. Who shall now lay any thing to the charge of thine Elect? seeing thou dost justify, who can condemn? I desire to know nothing but thee crucified, to love nothing more than thy sacred self, I desire only to be found in thee, not having mine own righteousness (which indeed is none) but to be clad with the garments of thy salvation. O sweet jesus spread thy skirt over me, for thou art my near kinsman, true Immanuel, God with us, God for us. Never, I beseech thee, suffer me to be unmindful of, unthankful for that wonder of all thy wondrous works, my eternal redemption, and salvation by thy precious blood. Order my conversation aright, to the pleasing of thee in all my desires, thoughts, words, & actions, that I may not henceforth live to myself, but unto thee, which hast died for me and rose again. Guide me Lord with thy counsel whiles I live on earth, and afterward, receive me to thy glory. Amen. A thanksgiving to God for his wonderful deliverance of our King and state from the Gunpowder Treason, Novem. 5. 1605. LOrd God Almighty, glorious in holiness, working wonders always for thy poor Church, and in the greatness of thine excellency, confounding all those that are implacable enemies to thine elect: we the people of this land (who have, at this day, tasted and seen how gracious thou art in saving us by so great a deliverance, as the like was never heard of, since man dwelled upon the fa●e of the earth) do with all humble and hearty acknowledgement, praise and blesse● thy glorious name, for that admirable and strange deliverance which thou graciously vouchsafedst to our King, Prince, Nobles, and the whole body of this Kingdom, and state assembled together in the high-court of Parliament. How great a cause have we to praise thee day by day, and to bless thy name for ever & ever who hast given us such deliverance as this? which if ever we forget, let our tongues cleave to the roof of our mouth: Doubtless unto God the Lord belong the issues from death; it was thou that saidst hither to shall ye go and no further, here shall the proud waves of your hellish attempts stop themselves, O ye popish conspirators, your mischief shall return upon your own head, and your violent dealing shall come down upon your own pate: and all that see it shall say this hath God done, for they shall perceive it was thy work. Blessed be thy name O Lord, who hast not given us as a prey unto their teeth, that kept the proud waters from going over our soul, and deliveredst us from so great a death, thou hast broken the jawbone of those ravening Lions, and hast plucked us as a prey out of their teeth: our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowler, the snare is broken and we are delivered. Not unto us O Lord, not to us but to thy name, be the praise for ever given, that thus savedst thy people with an outstretched hand, and watchedst betwixt our enemies and us: they thought to have cut off head and tail, branch and rush in one day, to have swallowed us up alive as the grave, and whole as those that go down into the pit: but themselves are salne into the pit which they digged for us: Righteous art thou O Lord God of recompenses, just and true are thy judgements, who maintainedst our right and our cause, and gavest not the soul of thy turtle into their hands, but gavest them blood to drink for they were worthy. Blessed be thy name, who redeemedst our life from destruction, and thus crownest us with loving kindness: thou sattest in heaven and laughedst them to scorn, thou Lord hadst them in derision, and though they cursed, yet thou didst bless us, yea thou didst curse them, and didst blow upon them in the fire of thy wrath, and dashedst them in pieces like a Potter's vessel. They digged deep to hide their counsel from thee, but the darkness ●ideth not from thee, thou broughtest to light their works of darkness, thou causedst their own tongues to ma●e them to fall— thus when thou pleasest to work for thy Church— a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall discover the matter: and in the thing wherein they deal proudly thou wilt be above them. They took crafty counsel against thy Saints, and were mad against thy people, and sworn together against us and had their mischievous device not been defeated by thee, our land had been as Sodom, our people as Gomorrah a desolation, our Cities Golgotha, our fields Aceldama. Cursed be their anger for it was fierce, and their wrath for it Exod. 12. Ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and thy sons for ever. Verse 24. When your children shall say unto you, What mean you b● th●● service? was cruel: but blessed be thou O Lord, who savedst us by a great deliverance, and gavest us not over to the will of our enemies into the hands of brutish men, and skilful to destroy, more fierce than the Evening Woulues, bloody, and breathing out cruelty. This was none other but the finger of God, this was thy doing O Lord, and it is marvellous in our eyes; this is the day which thou hast m●de to be unto us, a good day, a day of blessings and praises, we will Vers. 26.— that ye shall say, It is the day of thanksgiving for— it is a day to be much observed unto the Lord, for delivering us from—. Vers. 42. rejoice and be glad in it, yea and the children which are yet unborn shall arise, and for it praise thy name, and tell it also unto their children, that even to perpetual generations, we all may remember this day (as the jews did their feast of Purim) and keep it throughout every generation, every Family, every Province, and every City, that it may not fail from among the people of this land, nor the memorial of it perish from our seed. Still confound all their devilish practices, blast their purposes, infatuate their policies, as many as have evil will to Zion. Let the ravens of the valies pick out those eyes, and the young Eagles eat them, as many as rejoice not to see thy Gospel's flourish, nor thy Saints prosper, nor the welfare of this state and Church all their days. So let all thine enemies perish O Lord! but let them that love thee be as the Sun when he goeth forth in his might— Amen. Deut. 4. 7. What nation is there so great who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for? Happy art thou O Israel, Deut. 33. 20. who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee— A Praxis upon the Holy Oil, Printed for Robert Milbourne 1632. showing the Use of the Scripture Phrases, In Praying, meditating, writing Letters, exhorting, comforting, reproving, etc. yea in any Christian duty, on any occasion to be performed. For Example. Wouldst thou in the time of dearth, and famine, insert a seasonable petition or two, into thy prayers, that God would please to provide for thee, thy family— and the poor— etc. to remove this judgement, and send plenty— Turn then to the Heads, Famine, Poor, Plenty, provide— etc. Let me (if thou wilt) spell thee out this lesson, and show thee the way-thus then- O Lord, the God of the Spirits Scripture. Numb. 27. 16. Head. GOD of all flesh— who givest to the beast Scripture. Psal. 247 9 his food, and to the young ravens which cry— the God which Scripture. Gen. 48. 15. hast fed us all our life long unto this day— and hast said thou wilt never Scripture. Heb. 13. 5. leave us, nor forsake us, Give us this day Scripture. Math. 6. 11. Head. Competencie. our daily bread— feed us with food Scripture. Fro. 30 8. convenient for us— The eyes of all wait Scripture. Psal. 145. 15 16. Head. Provide. upon thee, and thou givest them their meat in due season, thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing:— Look Scripture. Deut. 26. 15. down now from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and Head. Famine. kill not the assembly Scripture. Exod. 16. 3. of thy people with hunger— Thou hast Scripture. Amos 4. 6. given us cleanness of teeth in all our Cities, and want of bread in all our palaces— Scripture. Hos. 2. 9 thou hast taken away thy corn in the time thereof— Scripture. Ezek. 5. 16. and hast sent upon us the evil arrows of Famine— O Lord the Land Scripture. Hos. 4. 8. Head. Satisfy. mourneth, and every one that dwelleth therein doth languish— they that were full have hired Scripture. 1 Sam. 2. 5. out themselves for bread,— and yet Scripture. Eccles. 6. 7. the appetite is not filled. Our bread formerly Scripture. Gen. 49. 20. Head. Plenty. hath been fat, and we have enjoyed royal dainties— the Lord our God Scripture. Deut. 7. 2. hath been with us, and we have lacked nothing— we have Scripture.- 8. 9 Head. Abound. lived in a Land, wherein we have eaten bread without scarceness— in Scripture. judge 18. 10 a place where there is no want of any thing that is in the earth— But now for Scripture. 2 King. 8. 1. our sins thou hast called for a Famine, Head. Famine. and it is also come— Scripture. Psal. 105. 16. and thou hast broken the whole staff of bread— such as Scripture. job 20. 22. have hither to been in the fullness of sufficiency, are likely now to be in straits— some that Scripture. 1 Sam. 25. 36. Head. Feast. have held feasts in their houses like the feasts of a King— are hardly bestead & Scripture. Isai. 8. 21. Scripture. judg. 19 5. hungry— & would now comfort their heart with a morsel Head. Eat. of bread— Many Scripture. Deut. 15 8. that have opened their hand wide unto their brethren— distributing to the Scripture. Rom. 12. 13. Head. Liberal. necessity of the Saints— are now Scripture. Leu. 25. 35. Head. Alms. themselves waxen poor and fall'n into decay— and are Scripture. jam. 2. 15. Head. Poor. destitute of daily food. Lord open unto Scripture. Deut. 28. 12 us thy good treasure— and let not Scripture. Gen. 41. 30. Head. Plenty. the Famine consume the land— minister Scripture. 2 Cor. 9 10. bread for our food—- Head. Feed. and fill the hungry Scripture. Luk. 1. 53 soul of thy people with good things—- that there may be Scripture. Psal 144. 11. no complaining in our streets. Thou hast promised thou wilt abundantly Scripture. Psa. 132. 15 bless our provision, and wilt satisfy the poor with bread— Open now unto us the windows Scripture. Mal. 3. 10. Head. Plenty. of heaven, and pour us out a blessing— that our Scripture. Psal. 144. 13. garners may be full, affording all manner of store— with Scripture. Gen. 27. 37. Head. Abound. corn also and wine do thou sustain Scripture. Psal. 104. 15. us— and with bread which strengthens man's heart.— Stir Scripture. Ezra. 1. 1. Head. Persuade. up the spirit— bow Scripture. 2 Sam 19 14. Scripture. 2 Kin. 15. 20 the hearts of— the mighty men of Head. Rich. wealth— that have Scripture. Pro. 28. 19 plenty of bread— Head. Abound. whose portion is Scripture. Hab 1. 16. fat, and their meat plenteous— to remember the poor— Head. Alms. to draw out their Scripture. Isai 58. 10. soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul— not Scripture. job 31. 17. eating their morsel alone— but sending Scripture. Nehe. 8. 10 portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared— and Scripture. Esth. 9 22. gifts to the poor.— O make them put Scripture. Col. 3. 12. on the bowels of mercy— being kind Head. Compassion. to their brethren, Scripture. Eph. 4. 32. and tender hearted— rich in good Scripture. 1 Tim. 6. 18. works— ready to distribute, willing to communicate— Scripture. Deut. 15. 7. not hardening their heart, nor shutting their hand from their poor brethren— that we may all, eat in plenty, Scripture. joel 2. 26. and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord our God, that hath dealt wondrously with us— giving us Scripture. 1 Tim 6. 17. richly all things to enjoy. Amen. In the time of Drought thou mayest thus pour out thy soul to God in prayer. O Lord, thou art the father of Scripture. job. 38. 28. the rain, thou hast Head. Raine. begotten the drops Scripture. Deut. 28. 12. of dew— We beseech thee to open now unto us thy good treasure, the heaven to give us rain unto our land in his season— because Scripture. jer. 14. 4. the ground is Head. Drought. chapt— the land perisheth and is burnt Scripture.- 9 12. Head. Dry. up like a wilderness— In our wants Scripture. Psal. 68 9 heretofore thou O God didst send a plentiful Rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance when it was weary— but now thou stayest Scripture. job. 38. 37. the bottles of heaven— the showers Head. Clouds. Scripture. jer. 3. 3. are withheld from us, and there hath been no latter rain—. Thus Scripture. Leu. 26. 19 for our sins thou hast made our heaven as iron, and our earth as brass— and hast commanded the Scripture. Isai. 5. 6. clouds that they rain no rain upon us— How do the Scripture. joel 1. 18. beasts mourn, and the herds of cattle Head. Drought. are perplexed, because they have no pasture?— How Scripture. jer. 12. 4. doth the land mourn and the herbs of every field wither?— Command now therefore Scripture. Psal. 78. 23. O Lord the clouds from above, and open the doors of heaven— and water Scripture. Psa. 65. 10. Head. Heaven. the ridges of the earth abundantly, settle the furrows thereof, make it soft with showers— Scripture.- 104. 14. cause the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man— that thou mayest bring forth food out of the earth.— Drop Head. Raine. down then ye heavens from above, and let the skies Scripture. Eccles. 11. 8. empty themselves upon the earth— Lord why bindest Scripture. job 26. 8. thou up the waters in thy thick clouds, and the cloud is not rend under them?— O cause the shower Scripture. Eze. 34. 26. to come down in his season, let there be showers of blessing— that the earth Scripture. jam. 5. 18. may bring forth her fruit— that we may Scripture. jer. 5 24. fear thee the Lord our God, that givest us rain, both the former and the latter in his season— Amen. Dost thou go to visit some sick friend, with whom thou shalt happily be desired to pray; and wouldst thou be able to speak a word in season to him— Run over with thine eye some of these heads— Pardon, Sin, Sick, Die, Death— Heaven, etc. and some choice phrases of more special note and use, will offer themselves, which thou occasionally mayst turn into Petitions— or make matter of comfortable meditation and discourse. Yea suppose thou thyself, wert fall'n sick of the sickness whereof thou mayst die— having received the sentence of death in thyself,— and that some friend (as Isaiah to King Hezekiah) should advise thee to set thine house, and heart in order, for thou must dye and not live,— thou mightst weep out (with Hezekiah) this comfortable meditation- under these Heads, Heaven. Desire. Glorified. Death. Grave. Resurrection. O Heaven, the city of our solemnities, a quiet habitation, a tabernacle Scripture. Isai. 33. 20. Head. Heaven. that shall not be taken down, not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken!— O Scripture. Psal. 63. 1. how my soul thirsteth for thee! how Head. Desire. my flesh longeth after thee, in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is!— But now (O blessed day! thrice welcome news!)— the Head. Die. messengers of death Scripture. Pro. 16. 14. tell me, that the Scripture. Gen. 47. 29. time draws near that I must dye— 1. And shall I so Head. Death. Scripture. Math. 25. 23. soon enter into the joy of my Lord? is the time of my DEPARTING so Scripture. 2 Tim. 4. 6. near at hand? then bless the Lord O Scripture. Psal. 103. 1. my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name!— I have long lain Head. World. Scripture. Dan. 7. 2. upon this great SEA — the world looking longly for this happy day, when one sweet gale of wind, my last breath, should waste me over Scripture. Hebr. 11. 10. unto a better country, that is an heavenly,— where Scripture.— 3. 11. I shall enter into REST, and be Scripture. Col. 1. 12. partaker of the inheritance of the Saints in light. 2. Alas! I am but a Stranger on this earth— and woe is Scripture. Psal. 120. 5. Head. Wicked. me that I Sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar— my soul Scripture.— 6. hath too long dwelled Scripture. Mal. 3. 15. with such as— tempt Scripture. Ephe. 2. 2. Head. Profane. God— children of disobedience— that Scripture. Pro. 30. 12. are not washed from their filthiness— I have been long Head. ungodly. absent from the Lord— But now Scripture. Eccle. 12. 5. I am going to my long HOME— to Head. Death. my Father's House Head. Heaven. Scripture. joh. 14. 2. 3. where are many mansions— whither my Saviour is gone before to provide me a place— there Scripture. 1 Sam 20. 3 is now but a step betwixt me and life everlasting— Head. Glorified. I shall Scripture. 2 Cor. 5. 8. now shortly be present with the Lordbeing Scripture. Hebr. 7 26. separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens. 3. I dwell now Scripture. job 4. 19 in a house of clay, whose foundation is in the dust— a Head. Body. Scripture. 2 Cor. 5. 1. earthly Tabernacle which may be crushed before the moths— But (blessed be God) now I am ●●itting to an House, Head. Heaven. not made with hands, but eternal in the Heavens, whose builder and Scripture. Heb. 11. 10. maker is God— 4. Why should I then fear death, Head. Death. though a King of terrors to ungodly Scripture. job 18. 14. men? ●a●, with holy ●o●, All the days of Scripture.— 14. 14 my appointed time, I will wait till my CHANGE comef●r death is but a-Change, yea and a Head. Glorify. Change, also for the better— for thereby, Scripture. Phil. 3. 21. Christ shall Change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body— Scripture. 2 Co 5. 4. mortality shall be swallowed up of life— then I shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more— nor sin any more, O blessed Change! (for my sinning against my God, hath grieved me sore— hath even Scripture. Psal. 69. 20. made me weary of my life— and broken my heart) but I shall then follow Scripture. Rev▪ 14 4. the Lamb whither soever he goeth. 5 What is Death, Head. Die. but a putting off the rags of mortality? Scripture. 2 Cor. 5. 4. and why should I fear to be unclothed, or be loath to put off this corruptible, yea rather why should I not be gla● when I can find the grave? For 6— Now I shall Scripture. job 3 22. Scripture. job 7. 21. 14. 12. Head. Die. Sleep in the dust— I shall lie down, and not rise again, till the heavens be no more— I shall make Scripture.- 17. 13. my bed in darkness— I shall fall Scripture. 1 Thess 4. 14. Scripture. Acts 13. 36. asleep in JESUS, and be laid to my Fathers— where though worms be spread under me, and worms cover me, and though after this skin, they Scripture. job 19 26. shall destroy this body, Head. Resurrecti ¦ on. yet in my flesh I shall see God— Therefore as the Scripture. Psal. 42. 1. Hart panteth after the water-brookes, so panteth my soul after thee O God— My soul thirsteth, Scripture. 2 for God, for the living God, when shall I come and appear Head. Life. before God?— My times Lord Scripture. Psa. 31. 15. are in thy hand-thou breathedst into me, Scripture. Gen. 2. 7. at first, the breath of life— command Head. Die. Scripture. Tobit 3. 6. now therefore, my Spirit to be taken from me, that I may be dissolved and become earth— and my soul return to God that gave it. Father into thy hands I commend Scripture. Psal. 31. 5. my spirit, for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord thou God of truth— Amen. An humble Soul, bemoaning itself under its many Sins, may thus pray. O My God I am ashamed, and Scripture. Ezr. 9 6. Head. Ashamed blush to lift up my face to thee my God, for mine inquities are increased over mine head, and my trespass is grown up unto the heavens— yet suffer me, O thou Holy Scripture. 2 King. 19 22. Head. God. One of Israel— suffer me (who am Scripture. Dan. 4. 17. Scripture. job. 30. 8. Head. Base. the basest of men— viler than earth— Scripture. 1 Tim. 1. 15 the chief of sinners—) to bring Scripture. Numb. 5. 15 mine iniquity to remembrance— Head. Repent. to afflict Scripture.- 29 7. my soul in thy sight— to abhor Scripture. job. 42. 6. Head. Humble. myself, and repent in ●ust and ashes,— Scripture. Isai 57 9 debasing myself even unto hell— because of my manifold Scripture. Amos 5. 12. transgressions Head. Sinne. and my mighty sins. Father I have sinned Scripture. Luk. 15. 21. against heaven and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy Son— I have dealt treacherously Scripture. Hos. 5. 7. against thee,— and have gone a whoring Scripture.- 9 1. from my God— yea in the land of righteousness I have Head. Sinne. done wickedly,— and thee the God Scripture. Dan. 5. 23. in whose hands my life is, and whose are all my ways, have I not glorified— But have walked Scripture. Leu. 26. 21. contrary unto 〈…〉 and, (to make Scripture. Rom. 7. 13. 〈…〉 me become exceeding sinful) I have added rebellion Scripture. job. 34. 37. unto my sin— Alas! how often have I yielded my Scripture. Rom. 6. 13. members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin?— doing evil with Scripture. Mic. 7. 3. both hands earnestly,— seeking after Scripture. Numb. 15. 39 mine own heart, and mine own eyes,— making my Scripture. Leu. 20. 25. soul abominable by those things which are forbidden to be Scripture.— 5. 17. done by the commandments of the Lord. And as if it had Scripture. 1 K. 16. 31. been a light thing for me to commit those sins which men commit— I Scripture. 1 Kin. 16. 25. have done worse than all that were before me— drinking iniquity like water— Scripture. job 15. 16 and selling myself to do evil in Scripture. 2 Ki. 17. 17. the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger. Alas! Head. Excuse. how shall I Scripture. Gen. 44. 16. clear myself concerning these my overspreading abominations? Scripture. Dan. 9 27. how shall I lift up my face before thee my God? for though I should Head. Purge. wash myself with Scripture. job. 9 30. snow-water, and make my hands never so clean— yet Head. Disclose. Scripture. jer. 2. 22. mine iniquity is marked before theeyea the heaven shall Scripture. job 20. 27. reveal mine iniquity, and the earth shall rise up against me— woe unto my Scripture. Isay 3 9 soul, for I have rewarded evil unto myself. But if thou Lord be extreme to mark iniquities, if thou enter into judgement with the servant, Lord who who shall stand?— for so detestable and Scripture. jer. 16. 18. abominable are my doings,— that for the ●einousnesse thereof thou mightest let death seize upon me Scripture. Psal. 55. 15. and make me go down quick into Head. Damn. hell— where the Scripture. Isai. 66. 24. worm shall never dye, and the fire shall never be quenched. But thou hast in love to my soul Scripture.— 38. 17. delivered it from the pit of corruption, for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back— thou hast ransomed Scripture. Hos. 13. 14. me from the power of the grave, thou hast redeemed me from death— by the mediator betwixt Scripture. 1 Tim. 2 5. God and man— even jesus— who Scripture. 1 Thess. 1. 10. hath loved me, and given himself for me, and hath washed me from my sins in his blood and delivered me from the wrath to come— O that I Head. Repent. Scripture. Ezek. 36. 31 could loathe myself in mine own sight, for all mine iniquities and abominations! O that they might grieve me at the heart! O that Scripture.— 21 6. I could sigh even with the breaking of my loins— wailing Scripture. Mic. 1. 8. as the dragons and mourning as the owls— because I have sinned against the Lord, and have Scripture. Psal. 18. 21. departed wickedly from my God— Amen. A Letter consolatory to his friend, persuading to patience in his afflictions. Faithful and beloved brother Scripture. Col. 4. 9 GOd that comforteth Scripture. 2 Cor. 7. 6. Head. God. those that are cast down Scripture. 1 Cor. 16. 18. 2 Scripture. Thess. 2. 16. refresh your spirit— and give you everlasting consolation, Head. Comfort. and good hope through grace— for he hath torn, and he Scripture. Hosea. 6. 1. will heal you, he hath smitten, and he only can bind you up— I indeed fain Scripture. job 16. 5. would strengthen you with my mouth and the moving of my lips should assuage your grief— But alas! miserable Scripture.— 2. comforters are we all— if the comforter that should relieve your soul be far from you. It grieveth me Head. Grieve. Scripture. Ruth 1. 13. much for your sake, that the hand of the Lord is gone out against you— that the Scripture.— 20. Almighty hath dealt so very bitterly with you— making Head. Afflict. Scripture. Eze. 20. 37. you to pass under the rod— and to Scripture. job 13. 26. possess the iniqui-quities of your youth— you were at ●ase, but he hath broken you asunder, he hath also taken Scripture. job 16 12. you by the neck, and shaken you to pieces, and set you up for his mark— It is good for a man Scripture. Lam 3. 27. (saith jeremy) that he bear the yoke in his youth— for whom the Lord loveth, Scripture. Hebr. 12. 6. he chasteneth and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth— but if you be without chastisement, Scripture.— 8. whereof all are partakers, then are you a bastard and not a son— Assure Scripture. Isai. 1 25. Head. Purge. yourself when God shall have purged away your dross, and taken away all your tin— when he hath tried you, you Scripture. job 23. 10. shall come forth as gold. Therefore in your Head. Murmur. Scripture. Luk. 21. 19 patience possess your soul— look unto Scripture. Hebr. 12. 2 jesus the author and finisher of your faith— He was oppressed, Scripture. Isay 53. 7. and he was Scripture.— 10. afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth— Behold and see if Scripture. Lam. 1. 12 there were ever any sorrow like to his sorrow— O then Scripture. Mar. 10. 21 take up the cross and follow him— Be dumb and open Scripture. Psal. 39 9 not your mouth for it is his doing— Be you partaker of the Head. Afflict. Scripture. 2 Tim. 1. 8. affliction of the Gospel— Take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, Scripture. 2 Cor. 12. 10. in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake— for this light affliction Head. Patient. which is but for a Scripture. 2 Cor. 4. 17. moment, worketh for you, a far more exceeding, and eternal weight of glory— Though you Scripture.— 1▪ 8. be now pressed out of measure above strength, insomuch that you despair even of life— yet unto Scripture. Psal. 68 20. God the Lord belong the issues from death.— Wherefore lift Scripture. Herald 12. 12. up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees— look Scripture. Isa. 17. 7. to thy Maker, and let Head. Rely. thine eyes have respect unto the Holy one of Israel— and Scripture. Hos. 12. 6. wait on thy God continually— and he will turn for thee thy mourning into dancing, he will Scripture. Psal. 30. 11 put off thy sackcloth and gird thee with gladness. Amen. The Lord do Scripture. jer. 28. 6. so— Farewell, and Head. Requite. according to the Scripture. Gen. 21. 23. kindness that I have done unto thee (in this day of thy distress) thou shalt likewise do unto me— who also am Your Brother and Scripture. Rev. 1. 9 Companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of jesus Christ. L. M. If thou wert to dissuade thy friend from keeping bad company, thou mightst find here happily some prevailing arguments: nay, were I to preach on such a text as I might find sufficient footing to ground this point of Doctrine— that A godly man must avoid the company of the wicked. If I do but turn to some of these heads: Godly, Regenerate, Righteous, Christian, live Godly, Sanctify— Hate, Fly, Abborre— Wicked, ungodly, Profane, live Wickedly— Company— etc. I shall, 'tis likely, in ●t with good matter, and savoury expressions suiting to my purpose— for example, suppose my text were— Psal. 26. 5.— I have hated the congregation of evil doors— &,— It might be confirmed by Pro. 1. 10. 15. Psal. 97. 10. or 2 Cor. 6. 14. or Eph. 5. 7. 11.— etc.— For what should a godly man do in the wickeds company, seeing— 1 ungodly men are Gods enemies, Psal. 92 9 for lo thine enemies O Lord— God himself says of them, Zech. 11. 8.— my soul loathed them and their soul also abhorred me— Now every Godly man is on the Lord's side— Exod. 32. 26.— yea are the friends of God, joh. 15. 15. Lam. 2 23. Shouldst thou then help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? (as jehu the Seer reproved jehoshaphat. ● Chron. 19 2.)— Surely there will be wrath upon us from the Lord, for so doing. 2 Wicked men are Sons of Belial, 1 Sam. 2. 12.— of their father the Devil, joh. 8. 44.— servants of ●inne, Rom. 6. 20.— now the Godly are borne of God— Sons of God— 1 joh. 3. 9 heirs of God, Gal. 4. 7. the servants of God, 1 Pet. 2. 16.— who have fellowship with the Father and with his Son jesus Christ, 1 joh. 1. 3.— and shall such keep company with profane wretches, uncircumcised in the heart? jer. 9 26. 3 Wicked men are of the Synagogue of Satan, Rev. 3. 9, the Godly are the Temple of the living God— 2 Cor. 6. 16.— of the household of Faith, Gal. 6. 10.— Besides the Godly fear the Lord, and think upon his name, Malch. 3. 16. Wicked men forget God, neither is God in all their thoughts,— their's are the paths of all that forget God. job. 8. 13. 4 What communion hath light with darkness? now wicked men walk in darkness. 1 joh. 1. 6. nay, are darkness, Ephe. 5. 8. But the Godly are light in the Lord, 1 Thes. 5. 5. ye are all the children of the light— Again Godly men are Wise men, Math. 7. 24. wicked men Fools, Psalm. 14. 1. and what credit shall a Wise man have by keeping Fools company?— 5 What should living men do among the dead? Luk. 24. 5. why seek ye the living among the dead?— None but Legion a mad man possessed of the Devil, lived among the tombs— But all ungodly men are dead in trespasses and sins, Ephe. 2. 1. Dead while they live, 1 Tim. 5. 6.— yea they seek death, Pro. 21. 6.— Now the Godly are quickened together with Christ▪ Eph. 2. 5. and therefore should arise from the dead— Eph. 5. 14. Use.— Exhort.— Therefore have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness all ye that know righteousness, Isay 51. 7. the people in whose heart is God's law— order your conversation aright, and walk worthy of the Lord, unto all pleasing, behave yourselves holily, justly, and unblamably— say with David, Psal. 139 ●2. Do not I hate them that hate thee O Lord?— And as inducements— Fear, lest ye perish in the Rev. 18. 4. sins of the ungodly men, and partake of their Plagues— for consider I pray, that among profane ungodly men, the best of them are as a Briar, and the most upright of them are like a thorn hedge— Briers and Thorns be with thee, and thou dwellest among scorpions— a generation of vipers— that will sting the conscience, scratch and tear your flesh— 2 Wicked men pervert their jer. 50. 5. ways— are out of the way, but the Godly walk in the way of the Lord— they walk with God, their faces are to Zion-ward— what then should they do in such company as turn their backs on heaven?— they have turned away their faces from the habitation of the Lord, and turned their backs— 2 Chr. 29. 6. 3 Consider your own dignity— you are Saints on earth, and excellent. Psal. 16. 3. God's jewels— Mal. 3. 17.— wicked men make themselves vile— very swine, dogs that love the mire. 2 Pet. 2. 22. 4 The Godly are trees of righteousness, the planting of sai 61. 3. the Lord— wicked men are roots that bear gall and wormwood, Deut. 29. 18. 5 The shame and discredit will light on yourself— If you follow vain persons, you will get to yourself a blot. Prov. 9 7.— It's a shame for Christ's Spouse, whom he hath married to himself, Hos. 9 1. to keep strumpet's company— they are a wicked and adulterous generation, Math. 12. 39— that go a whoriug from the Lord, Psal. 37. 24.— and will you associate yourself with such?— This for a taste— I meant not to handle the Point exactly— but only to point to a way— in which there may be use of these Phrases— for who seeth not that Reasons, Uses, Motives, Means, Marks— etc. may from hence as a Sacrum pena— be drawn, which have a special weight, Emphasis, and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in them?— & surely the Spirit and blessing of God goes along with his Word,— even those expressions which it pleased the Holy Ghost to utter himself in at the first, carry with them an heat and warmth, to the soul of a believer— And why may not the most able memory, and best versed in Scripture, be helped hereby, to find readily some apt expressions, which memory could not command presently. What disparagement, to any man's Prayers— Meditations— Exhortations— to have a help at hand?— In the time of Pestilence, thou mayest thus order thy complaint, and meditate— RIghteous art thou, O Lord, Head. God. Scripture. jer. 12. 1. when I plead with thee, yet let me (who am but dust Scripture. Gen. 18. 27. and ashes) talk with thee of thy judgements. Wherefore— hast thou showed Head. Man. Scripture. Esal. 60. 3 thy people hard things, and made us to drink the wine of astonishment? why hast thou smitten, Scripture. jer. 14. 19 Head. Afflict. and there is no healing for us?— why doth thine anger Scripture. Psal. 74 1. smoke against the sheep of thy pasture? All joy is Scripture. Isai. 24. 11. Head. Plague. darkened, the mirth of the land is gone— all the merry-hearted Scripture.— 7 do sigh— weep, and howl Scripture. jam. 5. 1. Head. Mourn. for the miseries that are come upon us— Scripture. Psal. 83. 15. for thou persecutest us with thy tempest and make●● us afraid with thy storms— The arrows of the Scripture. job 6. 4. Almighty are within us, the poison whereof drinketh Head. Afflict. up our spirits, the terrors of God do set themselves in array against us. For (Lo!) Death is come up Head. Pestilence. Scripture. jer. 9 21. into our windows, and is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, and the young men from the streets— thy anger Scripture. Deut. 29. 20 and thy jealousy smoke against us— and thou hast Scripture. 21 separated us unto evil— there is a Head. Plagues. Scripture. 1 Sam. 5. 11 deadly destruction, throughout all the City, and Country, the hand of the Lord is very heavy there, upon us— The Scripture. 1 Chr. 21. 12. Sword of the Lord, even the Pestilencefills all places with Scripture. Psal. 110. 6. the dead bodies— Head. Slay. the carkeises of men Scripture. Ier 9 21 fall as dung upon the open held— the valiant men are swept Scripture. jer. 46. 15. away— and thou Scripture. Rev. 2. 23. hast killed our children with death— O thou Sword of Scripture. jer. 47. 6. the Lord, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thy Head. Peace. self into thy Scabbard, rest and be still. Surely for the Scripture. jer. 13. 22. greatness of our iniquities, Head. Plague. our skirts are discovered, and our heels made bare— Our transgressions Scripture. Ezek. 33. 10 and our Head. Sinne. sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?— We are a people that Scripture. Isai. 65. 3. provoke thee, continually— Scripture. Psal. 78. 8. a generation that set not our heart aright, and Head. ungodly. whose spirit is not steadfast with our God— therefore Scripture. Dan. 9 14. hath the Lord watched upon the evil, and brought it upon Scripture. Psal. 106. 29. us— therefore the Head. Plague. Plague breaks in upon us— thou Scripture. Isai. 14. 23. sweepest us away with the besom Scripture. Deut. 28. 21. of destruction— the noisome Pestilence cleaveth unto us— and we dye of grievous Scripture. jer. 16. 4. Scripture. Deut. 32. 23. deaths— thus thou heapest mischiefs upon us, and spendest thine arrows upon us— for surely destruction Scripture. job. 31. 4. is to the wicked, and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity— O that we would Scripture. 1 Kin. 8. 28 know every man the plague of his own Head. Sinne. heart— then the Scripture. 1 Chr. 21. 12. sword of the Lord even the Pestilence Head. Pestilence.— which thou bringest Scripture. Leu. 26. 25. upon us to avenge the quarrel of thy covenant— should no more go Scripture.- 6. through our land— to cut off from us, Scripture. jer. 44. 7. man and woman, Head. Slay. child and suckling— thou wouldst then Scripture. Mic. 6. 13. no longer make us Head. Afflict. sick in smiting us— thou wouldst then Scripture. Isai. 57 18. heal us, and lead us also, and restore comforts untous and to our mourners— Head. Comfort. O Lord though our Scripture. jer. 14. 7. iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake, for our backeslidings are many, we have sinned against thee— Amen— Wouldst thou pray against Hypocrisy, and for Sincerity— turn to those Heads, Hypocrite— Sincere. etc. SO for any other request— resolve it briefly into a Proposition— as thus, Lord bless unto me thy Holy Word— Here, look but compellations and titles of God— 2 Bless Sanctify, Prosper, etc. the ministry of thy Gospel, Scriptures,— &c— So, Lord grant me Pardon of my Sins: Look, Grant— Pardon— Sin— &c— there thou shalt find words and matter. Good Lord preserve me this day, or night, &c— See, God, Protect, Day— Night— prosper my labours—— Bless— Success— Labour— Paines— And thus even any mean Christian, of ordinary parts, and invention, may be able soon to spin, and draw out from many of those Heads (which He occasionally shall have need to use) much heavenly matter and words, sweet Metaphors, Allegories— etc. delightful, and of good use, in Prayer, Conference, Meditation, Thanksgiving,— Writing, etc. and on any Subject whatsoever.— I have here ranked into several heads some choice phrases and passages of Scripture, to which thou mayest add many like, and contrive them into prayers or meditations, &c— as thy occasion shall require. O Lord every man that is job 14. 1. borne of a woman is of few days and full of trouble— thou hast caught us that we must take up our cross daily— many are the troubles of the jam. 5. 10. righteous, we have the Prophets an ensample of suffering adversity; the same afflictions 1 Pet. 5. 9 are accomplished in our brethren which are in the world— there hath nothing befallen us, but what is common to man— O 1 Cor. 10. 13 Lord all my desires are before thee, my groaning is not hid from thee— thou dost not willingly afflict, nor punish the children of men— yea in all our affliction thou art afflicted— should we then refuse thy chaftning? dost thou not offer thyself to us, as to sons? what son is there whom the father chasteneth not? As our afflictions abound, shall not our consolation 2 Cor. 1. 5. much more abound? Light is sown for the righteous— heaviness Psal. 97. 11. may endure in the night, but joy cometh in the morning— in thy favour is Isai. 54. 7. 8. life— thou wilt not cast off for ever, though for a small moment, thou mayest seem to forsake us, yet with great mercy thou wilt gather us, in a little wrath, thou mayst hide thy face— thou wilt lay no more upon us than we are able to bear, but wilt give an issue out of every temptation,— thou wilt correct us in measure— and dost wait that thou may est be gracious— we may be troubled 2 Cor. 4. 8. on every side, but not distressed, perplexed, yet not in despair. Do not all things work together for the best to them that fear God? Make these like fire to purge out our dross and tin, thou dost now refine us in the furnace of affliction, this is the fruit of our trouble, the taking away of our sin,— should Isai. 27. 9 we not then count it all joy when we fall into diverse temptations? knowing that the trial 1 Pet. 1. 7. of our faith is much more precious than that of gold— therefore let us in nothing be careful, but in all things make our requests known to God.— Give thou us help against trouble, for vain is the help of man— See Afflict. Deliver. Sinne. etc. in the Scripture-phrases. Aged. O Lord, the almond tree now begins to flourish, grey-heires are here, and there upon me, they begin to be dark that look out at the windows, thou hast filled me with wrinkles, O leave me not in the time of old age, forsake me not when my strength faileth me. Even to my old age do thou preserve me, and even to hoary hairs do thou carry me: let me bring forth more fruit in my age, that it may be a crown of glory to me: I walking before thee in the way of righteousness— And seeing all these are monitors from thee, to tell me of my approaching end, and that the time draws near in which I must die: grant that as my outward man decays, so my inward man may be renewed daily— Amen. Against Anger. O Lord thou hast taught me in thy holy word, that Pro. 16. 32. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty man: and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a City. Among all those fleshly lusts that war in my members, and too often (alas!) lead me captive unto Sin, there is hardly one, that more tyrannizeth over my poor soul, than this of hastiness of spirit, and proneness to be rashly and unadvisedly angry; this is that reigning lust, that eats out the heart of all grace, that maketh me that I cannot do that good to the souls and bodies of my Christian brethren, as my place and calling bind me: neither do I receive that good from others as I might by their wholesome counsel, and admonitions towards me; yea, Lord, I cannot lift up pure hands without wrath unto thee, but my prayers, are quelled, quenched, and interrupted hereby. O Lord help me I beseech thee against this masterfull Sin: suffer me not to be hasty in my Eccles. 7. 9 spirit to be angry; because anger resteth in the bosom of fools, and if I be sometimes provoked to speak unadvisedly with my lips, or to do things that are not comely, yet never let me suffer the Sun to go down upon my wrath, or so far to give place to the Devil, that my countenance should fall (as cain's) that it Gen. 4. 5. should not be towards my brethren — 31. 5. as before, that I cannot — 37. 4. speak peaceably unto them. Let me take thy Saints to be an ensample unto me herein. Was not thy servant Moses a Numb. 12. 3 very meek man, above all the men that were on the earth? Doth not my blessed Saviour command me to learn of ●i● Math. 11. 29. who was meek and lowly in heart? he was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he opened not Isai. 53. his mouth he was led as a Lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearer, he was dumb; and can all the indignities offered to me, be comparable to all those shameful spittings, and revile, that he for my sake, was exposed unto? alas no. O teach me therefore to bring down my swelling and proud heart, to suffer patiently for his sake: the servant of God must not strive, but be patient toward all men, why do I not then, rather take wrong and suffer injury? why do I not take up my Cross daily and follow him, that endured such contradiction of sinners, Labouring for— A meek and quiet spirit 1 Pet 34. which is in the sight of God of great price, but he that is soon angry dealeth foolishly. Pro. 14. 17. O make me therefore wise in watching over mine own heart, in keeping down mine own unmortified spirit, to restrain my mouth with a bridle, seeing the discretion of a man deferreth his anger, Pro. 19 11. and it is his glory to pass over a transgression— vouchsafe me thy grace for jesus Christ his sake— To whom with thee and— &c— Against Apostasy and Backsliding in religion. O Lord my God never I beseech thee, let there be in me an evil heart of unbelief to depart from thee, the living God: let me never be of the number of them that draw back unto perdition; leaving my first love, casting off my first faith to embrace this present world, or to enjoy the pleasures of sin, which are but for a season. O Lord though some fall away, and are already turned after Satan, even denying the Lord that bought them, and so bring upon themselves swift destruction: yet do thou please so to establish my heart with grace that I may continue to the end, in that good way, in which I have begun: let me not leave the paths of righteousness, to walk again in the ways of darkness, or with the dog return to my former vomit, and with the sow that was washed to my wallowing in the mire. O Lord there is in me by nature, a revolting and rebellious heart, I am bend to backsliding from thee; unless thou do draw me, I shall settle and lag; O teach me to look to myself, to keep my heart with all diligence, 2 john 8. that I lose not those things which I have wrought, but that I may receive a full reward; 2 joh. 8. make me to run with patience the race that is set before me, and to be faithful unto the death, that thou mayst give me a crown of life. As thou hast given me a little strength, to keep thy word, and not to deny thy name: so establish O God the thing that thou hast wrought in me? ' ● is he that continueth to the end that shall be saved, not he that beginneth well, that putteth his hand to the plough and looketh back; O let me hold Faith and a good conscience, that my last works, may be better, & more than at first: thou art able to keep me from falling, and to preserve me faultless, before the presence of thy glory, with exceeding joy. O do it I beseech thee for thy name's sake. Even so Lord jesus. Amen. See, Apostate, Backslide, Persevere, etc. in the Scripture phrases. Against distrustful Cares. O Lord hast not thou commanded me, to cast all my care upon thee, because thou carest for me? hast not thou said thou wilt never leave me, nor for sake me? art not thou God all-sufficient? Thy Son my Saviour Math. 6. 25. hath also bidden me to take no thought for my life, what I shall eat, or what I shall drink, nor yet for my body what I should put on. Dost not thou feed the fowls of the air, which sow not, neither reap, nor gather into barns? By taking thought I cannot add one cubit unto my stature: and thou (my heavenly father) knowest what things I want, what things are best for me, and hast promised rather to starve the Lions, than to let thy children want any thing that is good for them. O let me believe thy gracious promise, to live by Faith, to be content with those things that I have, yea to receive evil at thy hands, as well as good. I am yet in better condition to the worldward, than many of thy dearest Saints, and (now-glorious) Heb. 11. 37. Martyrs, that wandered up and down, in sheepskins, and goat●-skins, being destitute, afflicted, and tormented: of whom the world was not worthy: yea I have more worldly riches than the Lord of the whole world my blessed Saviour, who Math. 17. 27. had not whereon to rest his head: who when he was to pay tribute-money, had never a penny, but sent his Disciple Peter to the Sea, to cast in a hook, and to take up the first Fish, and there found to supply his present necessity. O let not me expect to be carved to, in a better condition, than my Lord and Master; But to wait on thee my God continually. Teach me first to seek the Kingdom of heaven, and the righneousnesse thereof, then hast thou promised that all other things shall be added unto me. Amen. Vid. Care, Providence etc. For Mariners or Seafaring men, etc. O Lord the great and dreadful ●er. 5 22. God, which hast placed the sand from the bound of the Sea, by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it; and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail, though they roar, yet can they not pass over it, for thou shutest job▪ ●. 8. up the Sea with doors and bars, and sayest to the waves, hither shall ye come, and no further. Thou art the hope of all the ends of the earth, and of such as abide in the broad Sea, we O Lord, whose employment and calling is in the deep, in this heap of great waters, in the ●sal. ●07. 23. midst of the Seas, that go down to the Sea in ships, and do business in great waters, we see thy 24 works and wonders in the deep. For thou commandest and raisest the stormy wind, which lifteth Psal. ●0▪ 7. 25 up the waves thereof. We mount up to the heaven, we go down again to the depths, our 26. soul is melted because of trouble, we reel too and fro, and 27. stagger like a drunken man, and are at our wit's end. O teach us to 28 cry unto thee in our trouble, and do thou bring us out of our distresses: make thou (we beseech thee) the storm a calm, that the 29 waves thereof may be still, and so bring us to the desired haven, then shall we praise thee Lord 30 for thy goodness, and for thy wonderful works, towards the 31 children of men. Thou art our refuge and strength, a very present help in Psal. 46. 1. trouble, therefore will we not fear though the earth be removed: 2 and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the Sea: though the waters thereof roar, and be troubled; though Psal. 46. 3. the mountains shake with the swelling thereof: for unto thee, O Lord belong the issues from death. O make us to cast the anchor of our hope still on thee, who hast hitherto mercifully delivered us from so great a death, and dost deliver us, in whom we trust that thou wilt yet deliver us. Let not the depths, we pray thee cover us, neither let us sink into the bottom as a stone, though the floods compass us about, yet let not the waves and billows pass over us: thou makest a way in the Sea, and a path in the mighty waters, thou art the God that hast made the Sea and the dry Land, do not thou suffer that there be the loss of any man's life among us, let not a Acts 27. 22. hair of our heads perish. Appease the mighty tempest when it ariseth, that our Ship may not be broken, rebuke the wind, and say unto the waves peace, and be still. O teach every Shipmaster, and all the company in Ships, Ezek. 27. 29. those that handle the Oar, the Mariners, and all the Pilots of the Sea, and as many as trade by Rev. 18. 17. Sea, to trust in the saving help Mar. 6. 48. of thy right hand, when we be toiled in rowing, and the wind is contrary unto us, and not to rely on our own skill: take from us that desperate boldness, fearlessness of thee and danger, that Atheism, Swearing, and Profaneness, and notorious Ungodliness, which is too often found in many of us: Make us to be at peace with thee, in the blood of thy Son, that he may be advantage unto us both in life and death. There is continually but a step betwixt us and death, yea even but an hand-breadth, Psal. 39 5. for thou hast made all men's days as an hand-breadth, and our age is as nothing before thee; Be thou our life in death, and to trust thee with our bodies and souls, knowing that the Sea shall at the last day, give up the dead that are in it, and our spirits shall return unto God that gave them. If thou please to bring us safely to land, O make us to remember our vows, which we uttered with our-lips when we were in trouble, lest otherwise thou shouldst judg. 10. 13. deliver us no more— Grant this grace unto us for jesus sake, to whom with thee, etc. Amen. Husbandman in Seed time. O Lord, do thou teach me to ●say 28. cast abroad the fitches', and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat, and the appointed barley, and rye in their places, and that I may plough and ●i●. vers. 24 d●s●●em. capit. sow in hope make me to break up the fallow ground of mine own heart: that the earth bring not forth briars and thorns, and thistles unto me, when it is tilled, neither be cursed for my Sinne. Make me to sow to myself in righteousness. 2 Springtime. BLessed be thy name that Psal. 65. 11 thus renewest the face of the earth, that crownest the year with thy goodness, and thy steps drop fatness— the winter is past, the rain is over, the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our Land— the pastures are clothed with flocks, the valleys also are covered over with corn, they shout for joy and sing. O make my barren heart to flourish in grace, to abound in the fruits of righteousness. For Seasonable weather, Plenty— etc. O Lord give us the rain of Isay 30. 23. our seed, that we have sowed the ground withal, and bread of the increase of the earth, that it may be sat and plenteous. Let not the Locust, Catterpillar, Cankerworm, Blasting, Mildew, or unseasonable weather, deprive us of the fruits of the earth, but bless them, and bring them to maturity, that our garners may be full, abounding in all manner of store, let our oxen be strong to labour, let the mower fill his hand, and he that gathereth up the sheaves, his bosom, that our barns may Pro. 3. be filled with plenty▪ and our presses burst with new wine. Reserve for us the appointed weeks of harvest, and though we deserve not the least morsel of bread we eat, yet thou that art goodness itself, and canst not but put on bowels of pity, wilt fulfil thine own gracious promise, that Seedtime and Harvest, summer and winter, may not cease: true it is Lord, we deserve not only that the fruits of the earth, but even that ourselves also should be swept away like dung from off the earth; for thou art pressed under us as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves,— thou changest the seasons, because we change our obedience; our hearts are stony, and the heavens weep for their hardness, yet we lay not all this to heart.— — teach me to provide my meat in summer as a Son of wisdom— and although the Hab. 3. 17. figtree shall not blossom, neither fruit be in the vine, though the Labour of the Olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat, the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be 18. no herd in the stalls: yet that I may rejoice in the Lord, and joy in the God of my salvation— Amen. FINIS. Some Choice places taken out of the singing PSALMS: Digested into a method of PRAYER. And PRAISES. Per hujusmodi aurium oblectamenta quae pietatis doctrinam continent, saepe infirmior animus in affectum pietatis assurgit. Theodoret. Printed at London for Rob. Milbourne. 1634. To the Christian READER. AThanasius in his Treatise upon the Psalms to Marcelinus, reports, that the ancient old Father Philoponus, in a learned discourse which he vouchsafed once to make to him, did evidently demonstrate, that whatsoever was contained abroad in the whole Scriptures, was fully reported in the Book of Psalms: It containeth (saith he) the motions, the mutations, the alterations of every Christians heart and conscience▪ described and lively painted to his own sight, so that if a man list, he may easily gather out thereof, certain considerations of himself, as out of a bright glass and plain pattern set before his face; so thereby to reform himself. He may have a very good form of Prayer meet to be said, and presently at hand, in every case and Vide Athanas▪ ad Marcellin, & his Treatise before the Psalms. state: The words here delivered in the Psalms, are as it were his own, spoken in his own person, and is so affected with them, as if they were first by him conceived, and pronounced, etc. Liber Psalmorum est ars ritè precandi, & Oratorium, ut ita dicam, divinisssimum. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Basil. Magn. Veteres vocârunt librum Psalmorum Augustin. PARVA BIBLIA, quia breviter omnia quae in Biblijs habentur continet, ut historias, legem, promissiones, fidem, consolationes, poenitentiam, bona opera. Antiquitùs, hic liber vocatus Alsted. praecognit. Theolog. pag. 598. est Soliloquium, quia solius hominis Christiani cum solo Deo colloquium habetur. Est anatome conscientiarum. Nullum in Calvin in praesat. Psalmor. se affectum quisquam reperiet, cujus in hoc speculo non reluceat imago.— Ab aliis rectè appellatur Panacea, instructa officina remediorum omnium. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Basil. Magn. de libr. Psal. Coloss. 3. 16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms, and Hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. A PRAYER gathered out of the PSALMS. O Lord that Heaven docst possess, 1 Preparation. Psal. 123. 1. I lift mine eyes to thee: Even as the servant lifteth his, His master's hands to see. Thou the foundations of the earth 2 description of God. ● sa. 102. 25▪ Before all times hast laid; And Lord the heavens are the work Which thine own hand hath made. Thou Lord I say, whose seat is set Psal. 80. ●▪ On Cherubin's most bright: Show forth thyself, and do not let, Send down thy beams of light. Incline thine ear unto my words, 3 Craving of audience and acceptance. Psal. 141▪ 2. O Lord my plaint consider: And hear my voice, my King, my God, To thee I make my prayer. As incenso let my prayers be Psal. 141 2 Directed in thine eyes, And the up-lifting of my hands As evening sacrifice. FOr lo, my wicked doings Lord, Secondly, parts. I Confession of sins. Psal. 38. 4. Above my head are gone; A greater load than I can bear, They lie me sore upon: O Lord our God, if thou shalt weigh Psal. 130. 3 Our sins, and them poruse, What one shall then escape and say, I can myself excuse? Thou Lord dost know the thoughts of man, Original Psal. 94. 11 His heart thou seest full plain: Thou Lord, I say, man's thoughts dost scan And findest them all but vain. The wicked works that we have wrought, Actual. Psal. 90. 8 Thou seest before thine eye: Our privy faults, yea eke our thoughts, Thy countenance doth spy. Both we, and eke our fathers all, Psal. 106 6. Have sinned every one: We have committed wickedness, And lewdly we have done. Our wicked life so far exceeds, Psal. 65. 3 That we should fall therein, But Lord forgive our great misdeeds, And purge us from our sin. IN judgement with thy servants, Lord, 2 Petition for forgiveness of sin. Psal. 143. 2 O enter not at all, For justified be in thy sight Not one that liveth shall. From the beholding of my sin, Psal. 51. 9 Lord turn away thy face: And all my deeds of wickedness, Do utterly deface. Lord turn thee to thy wont grace, Psal. 6. 4. My ●illy soul up take, O save me, not for my deserts, But for thy mercy's sake. Have mercy on me Lord, after Psal. 51. 1 Thy great abundant grace, After thy mercy's multitude, Do thou my sins deface. Yea Lord remove our sins from us, Psa 103. 12 And our offences all, As far as is the Sun rising, Full distant from his fall. The man is blessed whose wickedness Psal. 32. 1. Thou Lord hast clean remitted: And he whose sin and wickedness His hid and also covered. And blessed is he to whom the Lord 2. Imputeth not his sin, Which in his heart hath hid no guile, Nor fraud is found therein. O Lord, create in me a heart 2 For sanctifying grace Psal 51. 10 Unspotted in thy sight: And eke with in my bowels Lord, Renew a stable spirit. With Hyssop, Lord, besprinkle me, Psal. 51. 7 I shall be cleansed so, Yea, wash thou me, and so I shall Be whiter than the Snow. Of joy and gladness make thou me To hear the pleasant voice, 8 That so the bruised bones which thou Hast broken may rejoice. For thy Names sake, with quickening grace Psal 143 5 Alive do thou me make; And out of trouble bring my soul, Even for thy justice sake. O God my God, I watch betime To come to thee in haste, 3 For Faith▪ Psal. 63. 1 For why, my soul and body both Do thirst of thee to taste. And in this barren wilderness 2 Where waters there are none. My flesh is parched for thought of thee, For thee I wish alone. Direct our hearts unto thy grace, Psal. 80. 4. Convert us Lord to thee, Show us the brightness of thy face, And then full safe are we. God's promise I do mind and praise, Psal. 56 4 O Lord I stick to thee, I do not care at all assays, What flesh can do to me. I still depend with all my heart Psal. 89. 27 On thee, and thus will say, My Father and my God thou art, My rock of health and stay. O blessed is he whose hope and heart, Psal 40 5. Doth in thee Lord remain! That with the proud doth take no part, Nor such as lie and feign. My heart doth knowledge unto thee, Psal. 27 10 I sue to have thy grace; Then, seek my face, sayst thou to me, Lord I will seek thy face. In wrath turn not thy face away, 11 Nor suffer me to slide, Thou art my help still to this day, Be still my God and guide. SO grievous is my plaint and moan, 4 Sorrow for sin. Psal. 6. 6. That I wax wondrous ●aint: All the night long I wash my bed, With tears of my complaint. Thou seest my sins that many be, Psal 56. 8. Thou on my tears dost look, Reserve them in a glass by thee, And write them in thy book. Burnt offerings thou delight'st not in, Psal 40. 8. I know thy whole desire, With sacrifice to purge his sin Thou dost no man require. A troubled spirit is sacrifice Psal. 51. 16 Delightful in God's eyes, A broken and an humble heart God thou wilt not despise. Surely with ashes as with bread Psal 102 9 My hunger I have filled, And mingled have my drink with tears That from mine eyes have stilled▪ The Lord is high, and yet he doth▪ 5 Humility. Psal. 138 6 Behold the lowly sprite: But he contemning knows afar The proud and lofty wight. O Would to God it might thee please 6 Sincerity. Psal. 119. 5 My ways so to address, That I might both in heart and voice Thy laws keep and confess. I have both sworn and will perform Psal. 119. 147. Most certainly doubtless, That I will keep thy judgements just, And them in life express. Prove me my God I thee desire, Psal. 26. 2. My ways to search and try, As men do prove their gold with fire, My reins and heart espy. O Lord thou hast me tried and known, Psal 139. 2 My sitting thou dost know, And rising, eke my thoughts a far Thou understandest also. My paths yea and my lying down 3 Thou compassest always, And by familiar custom, art Acquainted with my ways. THen in thy paths that be most pure 7 Perseverance. Psal. 17. 5 Stay me, Lord, and preserve, That from thy way wherein I walk, My steps may never swerve. And whilst that breath within my breast, Psa. ●●9 44 Doth natural life preserve, Yea, till this world shall be dissolved, Thy law will I observe. From such as thee desire to know▪ Psal. 36. 10▪ Let not thy grace depart, Thy righteousness declare and show To men of upright heart. Thy tender mercy's Lord from me Psal. 40. 15 Withdraw thou not away, But let thy love and verity Preserve me still for aye. And whiles I live I will not fail Psal. 63 4. To worship thee always, And in thy name I shall lift up My hands when I do pray. As thou hast given power to me, Psal. 68 28▪ So Lord make firm and sure The thing that thou hast wrought in me, For ever to endure. O Teach me Lord thy ways, and I 7 Fear of God. Psal 86. 11. Shall in thy truth proceed: O join my heart to thee so nigh, That I thy name may dread. WHat thing is there that I can wish 8 Love of God. Psal. 73. 25 But thee in heaven above, And in the earth there is no thing Like thee that I can love? HAte I not them that hate thee Lord, 9 Zeal. Psal. 139. 21. And that in earnest wise? Contend I not against them all Against thee that arise? I hate them with unfeigned hate 22. Even as my utter foes. Try me O God and know my heart, 23. My thoughts prove and disclose. I will not stay nor linger long, Psal. 119. 60. As they that slothful are, But hastily thy laws to keep I will myself prepare. THe greater fort crave worldly goods, And riches do embrace: 10 Contentation. Psal. 4. 7 But Lord grant us thy countenance Thy favour and thy grace. For thou thereby shalt▪ make my heart 8 More joyful and more glad, Than they that of their corn and wine Full great increase have had. LOrd lead me in thy righteousness 11 Direction in our calling. Psal. 5. 8. Psal 143 8 For to confound my foes, And eke the ways that I shall walk Before my face disclose. Let me thy loving kindness in The morning hear and know; For in thee is my trust; show me The way where I should go. That folk is blessed that knows aright Psa. 89. 15 Thy present power O God, For in the favour of thy sight They walk full safe abroad. Give us O Lord thy saving health Psal. 108 12. When troubles do assail, For all the help of man is vain, And can no whit avail. Lord let thy grace and glory stand Psal 90 18 On us thy servants thus, Confirm the works we take in hand, Lord prosper them to us. O God thy house I love most dear, God's Word. Psal 26 8. To me it doth excel, I have delight and would be near God's word Whereas thy grace doth dwell. Send out thy light and eke thy truth, Psal. ●●. 3▪ And lead me with thy grace, Which may conduct me to thy hill, And to thy dwelling place. I will hark what God saith, for he Psal. 85. 8. Speaks to his people peace, And to his Saints, that never they Return to foolishness. The righteousness of thy judgements Psal. 119 144. Doth la●t for evermore. Then teach them me, for even in them, My life lies up in store. Therefore will I come to thine house Psal. 5. 7. Trusting upon thy grace, And reverently will worship thee Toward thy holy place— etc. vi. Ps. 84. IT is a thing both good and mee●e Lord's day. Psal. 92. 1. To praise the highest Lord, And to thy name, O thou most high▪ To sing with one accord. This is the joyful day indeed Which God himself hath wrought, Psal. 118. 24 Let us be glad and joy therein In heart, in mind, in thought. Fall down and worship ye the Lord Psal. 96. 9 Within his Temple bright, Let all the people of the world Be fearful at his sight. Let all thy Priests be clothed, Lord, Psal. 132. 9 With truth and righteousness: Let all thy Saints and holy men Sing all with joyfulness. The man is blessed whom thou dost choose Psal. 65. 4 Within thy courts to dwell, Thy house and Temple he shall use, With pleasures that excel. Unto thy house resort will I, Psal. 66. 13 To offer and to pray, And there will I myself apply My vows to thee to pay. O come let us lift up our voice, Psal. 95. 1. And sing unto the Lord, In him our rock of health, rejoice Let us with one accord. Yea let us come before his face To give him thanks and praise, 2 In singing Psalms unto his grace, Let us be glad always. MY hands I wash, and do proceed Sacraments Psal. 26. 6. In works to walk upright, And to thine altar I make speed To offer there in sight. That I may speak and preach the praise 7 That doth belong to thee: And so declare how wondrous ways Thou hast been good to me. Within thy house they shall be fed Psal. ●6. 8 With plenty at their will: Of all delights they shall be sped, And take thereof their fill. For why? the well of life so pure 9 Doth ever flow from thee, And in thy ●ight we are full sure The lasting light to see. But as for me I am but poor, 2 Oppressed, and brought full low: Supply of all wants temporal. Psal 40. 22. Psal 41 3. Health. Yet thou O Lord will't me restore To health, full well I know. And in my bed while I lie sick, The Lord will me restore: And thou O Lord wilt turn to health My sickness and my sore. Then in my sickness thus say I, 4 Have mercy Lord on me, And heal my soul which is full woe That I offended thee. Refuse me not O Lord I pray, Psa. 71. 9 When age my limbs doth take, And when my strength doth waste away, Do not my soul forsake. Cast thou thy care upon the Lord, Psal. 55. 24 And he shall nourish thee: For in no wise will he accord The just in th●all to see. FOr neither from the Eastern parts, Preferment. Psal. 75. 5. Nor from the Western side, Nor from forsaken wilderness Protection doth proceed: For why? the Lord our God he is 6 The righteous judge alone: He putteth down the one, and sets Another in the throne. But yet the poor he raiseth up Psal. 107 41. Out of their troubles deep, And ofttimes doth their train augment Much like a flock of sheep. FOr why the Lord the portion is Maintenance. Psal 16 5 Of mine inheritance, And thou art he that dost maintain My rent, my lot, my chance. The place wherein my lot did fall, Dwelling. 6 In beauty did excel, Mine heritage assigned to me, Doth please me wondrous well. THou givest to beasts their food, and to Food. Psal. 147. 9 10 Young ravens when they cry. Thy pleasure not in strength of horse, Nor in man's legs doth lie: But in all those that fear the Lord, 11 The Lord hath his delight, And such as do attend upon His mercies shining light The mighty mountains of his land, Plenty. Psal. 72. 16 Of corn shall bear such throng, That it like Cedar trees shall stand In Libanus full long. He covers Heaven with clouds, and for Psal. 147 8 The earth prepareth rain, And on the mountains he doth make The grass to grow again. THou mak'st our sons to be as plants, Prosperity Psal. 144. 12. Whom growing youth doth rear: Our daughters like carved corner stones, Like to a Palace fair. Our garners full, and plenty may 13 With sundry sorts be found: Our sheep bring thousands in our streets, Ten thousand may abound. THy promise which thou mad'st to me Trust in God's deliverance. Psal. 119. 49. Thy servant, Lord remember, For therein do I put my trust, And confidence for ever. It is my comfort and my joy, 50. When troubles me assail: For were my life not by thy word, My life would soone me fail. THough th'earth remove, we will not fear, Psal. 46▪ 2 Though hills so high and steep, Be thrust and hurled here and there, Within the sea so deep. No though the waves do rage so sore, That all the banks it spills, And though it overflow the shore, And beat down mighty hills. The Lord of hosts doth take our part, 7. To us he hath an eye: Our hope of health with all our heart, On Jacob's God doth lie. The strength that doth our fo●s withstand, Psa. 59 9 O Lord doth come from thee: My God he is my help at hand, A fort of fence to me. Thou art my strength, thou hast me stayed, 17. O Lord I sing to thee: Thou art my fort, my strength, and aid, A loving God to me. Then Lord depart not now from me, Psal. 22. 1●▪ In this my present grief, Since I have none to be my help, My succour and relief. Thy mercy Lord endures for aye, Psal. 138 ● Lord do me not forsake: Forsake me not, that am the work Which thine own hand did make. O keep me as thou wouldst keep Preservation I. sal. 17. 8. The apple of thine eye, And under covert of thy wings Defend me secretly. For I do call to thee O Lord, Psal. 17. 6. Surely thou wilt me aid; Then hear my prayer, and weigh right well The words that I have said. Into thy hands Lord I commit Psal. 31. 5 My spirit, which is thy due; For why? thou hast redeemed it O Lord my God most true. The length of all my life and age 15. O Lord is in thy hand: Defend me from the wrath and rage Of them that me withstand. Preserve my soul, because my ways Psal. 86. 2. And doings holy be, And save thy servant O my Lord, That puts his trust in thee. I laid me down, and quietly Psal. 3. 5. I slept and rose again, For why? I know assuredly The Lord will me sustain. In peace therefore lie down will I, Psal. 4. 9 Taking my rest and sleep, For thou only wilt me O Lord, Alone in safety keep. Within thy Tent I lust to dwell Psal. 61. 4. For ever to endure, Under thy wings I know right well▪ I shall be safe and sure. I set the Lord still in my sight, Psal. 16. 8. And trust him over all, For he doth stand on my right hand, Therefore I shall not fall. He the desires which they require, Psal. 145. 19 That fear him will fulfil, And he will hear them when they cry, And save them all he will. For why, our glory, strength, and aid Psal. 86.7. In thee alone doth lie: Thy goodness eke that hath us stayed, Shall lift our horns on high. Our strength that doth defend us well, 18. The Lord to us doth bring, The holy one of Israel, He is our guide and King. Therefore let thy goodness O Lord Psal. 33 22 Still present with us be, As we always with one accord Do only trust in thee. 2. Deprecation, aversion, and ablation of the evil of sin and punishment.. MY Lord, for guiding of my mouth, 2 Deprecation against the evil of sin. Psal. 141. 3. Psal. 119. 133. Set thou a watch before: And also of my moving lips, O Lord, keep thou the door. Direct my footsteps by thy word, That I thy will may know, And never let iniquity Thy servant overthrow. Thy countenance, which doth surmount 135. The Sun in his bright hue, Let shine on me, and by thy Law Teach me what to eschew. That I should wicked works commit, Psal. 141. 4. Incline thou not my heart, With ill men of their delicates, Lord let me eat no part. O shut not up my soul with them, Psal. 26. 9 In sin that take their fill: Nor yet my life among those men, That seek much blood to spill. All ye that love the Lord, do this; Psal. 97. 11▪ Hate all things that are ill: For he doth keep the souls of his, From such as would them spill. Out of mine eyes great floods gush out, Psal. 119. 136. Of dreary tears and fell, When I behold how wicked men, Thy laws keep never a dell. But I in righteousness intend, Psal. 26. 11. My time and days to serve: Have mercy Lord, and me defend, So that I do not swerve. THine arrows do stick fast in me, 2. Against the evil of punishment in body. Psal. 38. 2 Thine hand doth press me sore: And in my flesh no health at all, Appeareth any more. My wounds stink, and are festered so, As loathsome is to see: 5. Which all through mine own foolishness Betideth unto me. And I in careful wise am brought In trouble and distress, Psal. 38. 6. That I go wailing all the day, In doleful heaviness. My loins are filled with sore disease, 7. My flesh hath no whole part: I feeble am and broken sore, 8. I roar for grief of heart. Thou knowst Lord my desire, my groans, 9 Are open in thy sight: My heart doth pant, my strength doth fail, Mine eyes have lost their light: One grief another in doth call, Psal. 42. 7 As clouds burst out their voice: The floods of evil that do fall, Run over me with noise. And as an hearth my bones are burnt, Psal. 102. 4. My heart is smitten dead, And withers like the grass, that I Forget to eat my bread. By reason of my groaning voice, 5. My bones cleave to my skin: As Pelican in wilderness, Such case now am I in. And as an Owl in desert is, 6. Lo, I am such a one: I watch, and as a Sparrow on The housetop am alone. Lord take from me thy scourge and plague, Psal. 39 11. I can them not withstand: I faint and pine away for fear Of thy most heavy hand. Wherefore my God, some pity take, Psal. 30. 10. O Lord I thee desire: Do not this simple soul forsake, Of help I thee require. Then didst thou turn my grief and woe Psal. 30. 11 Into a cheerful voice: The mourning weed thou took'st me fro, And mad'st me to rejoice. For why, his anger but a space Psal. 30. 5. Doth last, and slack again: But in his favour and his grace, Always doth life remain. Trust still in God, whose whole thou art, Psal. 27. 16. His will abide thou must: And he shall ease and strength thy heart, If thou in him do trust. HOw ev'er it be, yet God is good, Estate. Psal. 73. 1 And kind to Israel: And to all such as safely keep, Their conscience pure and well: For when I saw such foolish men, 3. I grudged and did disdain, That wicked men all things should have Without turmoil and pain. And though I be nothing set by, Psal. 119. 141. As one of base degree: Yet do I not thy laws forget, Nor shrink away from thee. TRouble and grief have seized on me, Conscience troubled. 143. And brought me wondrous low; Yet do I still of thy precepts, Delight to hear and know. When with myself I mused much, Psal. 94. 19 And could no comfort find, Then Lord thy goodness did me touch, And that did ease my mind. How long wilt thou forget me Lord, Psal. 13. 1 Shall I never be remembered? How long wilt thou thy visage hide, As though thou wert offended? In heart and mind how long shall I 2. With care tormented be? How long eke shall my deadly foe Thus triumph over me? THou art my hope and my strong hold, Death. Psal. 91. 2 I to the Lord will say, My God he is, in him will I My whole affiance stay. What gain is in my blood, said I▪ Psal. 30. 9 If death destroy my days? Doth dust declare thy Majesty, Or yet thy truth doth praise? The Lord himself hath chastened, Psal. 118. 18. And hath corrected me: But hath not given me over, yet To death, as ye may see. Even when the snares of cruel death, Psal. 116. 3. About beset me round. When pains of hell me caught, and when I woe and sorrow found. They that be dead, do not with praise Psal. 115. 17. Set forth the Lords renown: Nor any that into the place▪ Of silence do go down. For why? thy mercy showed to me, Hell. Psal. 86. 13. Is great, and doth excel: Thou setst my soul at liberty, Out from the lower hell. The pangs of death did compass me, Satan. Psal. 18. 3 And bound me every where: The flowing waves of wickedness Did put me in great fear. The fly and subtle snares of hell 4. Were round about me set: And for my death there was prepared A deadly trapping net. How long away from me O Lord, Psal. 89. 47. For ever wilt thou turn? And shall thine anger still always As fire consume and burn? But sure the Lord will not forget Psal. ●. 18 The poor man's grief and pain: The patient people never look For help of God in vain. Therefore I pray thee be not far, Psal. 22. 19 From me at my great need, But rather, sich thou art my strength, World. To help me, Lord make speed. And from the sword Lord save my soul, 20. By thy might and thy power: And keep my soul, thy darling dear, From dogs that would devour. And from the Lion's mouth, that would 21. Me all in sunder shiver▪ And from the horns of Unicorns, Lord safely me deliver. Then shall I to my brethren all, Psal. 2●. 22 Thy Majesty record: And in the Church shall praise the Name Of thee the living Lord. O Lord my God, thou only art War and all Enemies. Psal. 140. 7 The strength that saveth me: My head in day of battle hath Bèene covered still by thee. Oft they, now Israel may say, Me from my youth assailed: Psal. 129. 1 Oft they assailed me from my youth, 2 Yet never they prevailed. The Lord himself is on my side, I will not stand in doubt: Psal 118. 6. Nor fear what man can do to me, When God stands me about. The Lord doth take my part, with them 7. That help to succour me: Therefore I shall see my desire Upon mine enemy. The Lord is my defence and strength, 14. My joy, my mirth, my song: He is become for me indeed, A Saviour most strong. The Lord is both my health and light, Psal. 27. 1 Shall man make me dismayed? Sith God doth give me strength and might, Why should I be afraid? While that my foes with all their strength, 2. Begin with me to brawl: And think to eat me up, at length Themselves have caught the fall. Though they in camp against me lie, 3. My heart is not afraid: In battle pight if they will try, I trust in God for aid. Lord plead my cause against my foes, Psal. 35. 1 Confound their force and might: Fight on my part against all those, That seek with me to fight. Lay hand upon the spear and shield, 2. Thyself in armour dress: Stand up for me, and fight the field, And help me from distress. Gird on thy sword, and stop the way, 3. Mine enemies to withstand, That thou unto my soul mayest say, Lo I thy help at hand. Confound them with rebuke and blame, 4. That seek my soul to spill: Let them turn back, and fly with shame, That think to work me ill. When they think least and have no care, 8. O Lord destroy them all: Let them be trapped in their own snare, And in their mischief fall. Awake, arise, and stir abroad, 24. Defend me in my right: Revenge my cause my Lord, my God, And aid me with thy might. Let not their heart rejoice, and cry, There, there, this gear goeth trim: 26. Nor give them cause to say on high, We have our will on him. Hear me O Lord, and that anon To help me make good speed: Ps 〈…〉 31 2 Be thou my rock and house of stone, My fence in time of need: Pluck thou my feet out of the snare Which they for me have laid: 4. Thou art my strength, and all my care Is for thy might and aid. Pluck thou my feet out of the mire, Psal. 69 16. From drowning do me keep: From such as owe me wrath and ire, And from the waters deep. Lest with the waves I should be drowned, 17. And depth my soul devour. And that the pit should me confound, And shut me in her power. Have mercy Lord on me I pray, Psal. 56. 1. For man would me devour: He fighteth with me day by day, And troubleth me each hour. Send aid, and save me from my foes, Psal. 59 1 O Lord I pray to thee: Defend and keep me from all those, That rise and strive with me. O Lord preserve me from those men, 2. Whose doings are not good: And set me sure and safe from them That thirst still after blood. For lo, they wait my soul to take, 3. They rage against me still, Yea for no fault that I did make, I never did them ill. Have mercy Lord on me poor wretch, Psal. 9 13. Whose enemies still remain: Which from the gates of death are wont To raise me up again. Alas how long shall I yet live, Psal. 119. 84. Before I see the hour, I hat on my foes which me torment, Thy vengeance thou wilt pour! Arise O Lord, O God, in whom Psal. 10. 1● The poor man's hope doth rest: Lift up thy hand, forget not Lord, The poor that be oppressed. What blasphemy is this, to thee 14. Lord dost thou not abhor it: To hear the wicked in their hearts, Say; tush, thou ear'st not for it? Loc, daily in reproachful wise, Psal. 102. 7 Mine enemies do me scorn: And they that do against me rage, Against me they have sworn. Although they curse with spite, yet thou Psal. 109. 28. Shalt bless with loving voice: They shall arise, and come to shame, Thy servant shall rejoice. Let them be clothed all with shame, ● 29. That enemies are to me: And with confusion as a cloak, Eke covered let them be. LOrd save me from the evil man, Reproach & slander. Psal. 140. 1 And from the cruel wight: And from all those which evil do Imagine in their spirit. Which make on me continual war, ●. Their tongues lo they have whet Like Serpents, un darn o'th' their lips, Is Adder's poison set. They mock the do of the poor, Psal. 14. 6. To their reproach and shame: Because they put their trust in God, And call upon his name. The drunkards which in wine delight, Psal. 69. 14. It is their chief pastime, To seek which way to work me spite, Of me they sing and rhyme. O God of Hosts, defend and stay, Psal. 69. 7 All those that trust in thee: Let no man doubt, or shrink away For aught that chanceth me. The wicked and the bloody men, Psal. 139. 19 O that thou wouldst slay: Even those O God, to whom depart, Depart from me, I say. Even those of thee O Lord my God, 20. That speak full wickedly: Those that are lifted up in vain, Being enemies to thee. O Lord, thou dost revenge all wrong, Psal. 94. 1. That office longs to thee: Sith vengeance to thee doth belong, Declare that all may see. Set forth thyself; for thou of right, 2. The earth dost judge and guide: Reward the proud and men of might, According to their pride. For they consent against the life 21. Of righteous men and good, And in their counsels they are rise, To shed the guiltless blood. And he shall cause their mischiefs all 23. Themselves for to annoy: And in their malice they shall fall, Our God shall them destroy. Let them sustain rebuke and shame Psal. 40. 19 That seek my soul to spill: Drive back my foes, and them defame, That wish and would me ill. For their ill feats do them descry, 20. That would deface my name: Always on me they rail and cry, Fie on him, fie for shame. Confound them with rebuke and shame, Psal. 35. 27 That joy when I do mourn: And pay 'em home with spite and blame, That brag at me with scorn. WHy are thou Lord so long from us Against evils national. Psal. 74. 1. In all these dangers deep? Why doth thine anger kindle thus, At thine own pasture sheep? Lord call the people to thy thought, 2. Which have been thine so long, The which thou hast redeemed and brought, From bondage sore and strong. Have mind therefore and think upon, 3. Remember it full well: The pleasant place thy Mount Zion, Where thou was wont to dwell. Lift up thy foot and come in haste, 4. and all my soesdeface, Which now at pleasure rob and waste, Within thy holy place. Rise Lord, let be by thee maintained, 23. The cause that is thine own: Remember how that thou blasphemed Art, by the foolish one. The voyee forget not of thy foes, 24. For the presumption high, Is more and more increased of those, That hate thee spitefully. Give aid O Lord, and us relieve, Psal. 60. 11 From them that us disdain: The help that Hosts of men can give, It is but all in vain. Except the Lord had been mine aid, Psal. 94. 17. Mine enemies to repel, My soul and life had now been laid Almost as low as hell. When I did say, my foot did slide, 18. I now am like to fall: Thy goodness Lord did so provide, To stay me up withal. In Chariots some put confidence, Psal. 20. 7. And some in horses trust: But we remember God our Lord, That keepeth promise just. They fall down flat, but we do rise, 8. And stand up steadfastly: Now save and help us Lord and King, On thee when we do cry. IN thy goodwill deal geutly Lord Church of Christ. Psal. 51. 17 To Zion, and withal; Grant that of thy jerusalem Upreared may be the wall. O Lord, give thou thy people health, Psal. 53. 8. And thou O Lord fulfil, Thy promise made to Israel. From out of Zion hill. Thy people and thine heritage, Psal. ●8. 9 Lord bless, guide, and preserve: Increase them Lord, and rule their hearts, That they may never swerve. The Lord will give his people power, Psal. 29. 1●. In virtue to increase: The Lord will bless his chosen flock With everlasting peace. Let them in thee have joy and wealth, Psal. 40. 21 That seek to thee always: That such as love thy saving health, May say, to God be praise. God loves the Gates of Zion best, Psal. 87. 2. His grace doth there abide: He loves them more than all the rest Of Jacob's tents beside. Though Basan be a fruitful hill, Psal. 68 15 And in height others pass: Yet Zion, God's most holy hill, Doth far excel in grace. From such as thee desire to know, Psal. 36. 10 Let not thy grace depart: Thy righteousness declare and show, To men of upright heart. O Thou the Saviour of all them, Confusion to the enemies of the Church. Psal. 17. 7. Psal. 59 1●. That put their trust in thee, Declare thy strength on them that spurn, Against thy Majesty. Destroy them not at once O Lord, Lest it from mind do fall: But with thy strength drive them abroad, And so consume them all. For their ill words and truthless tongues, 12. Confound them in their pride: Their wicked Oaths, with lies & wrongs, Let all the world deride. And as the fire doth melt the wax, Psal. 68 2. And wind blows smoke away: So in the presence of the Lord, The wicked shall decay. Our God will wound his enemy's head, Psal. 68 21 And break the hairy sealpe, Of those that in their wickedness Continually do walk. Lord turn their table to a snare, Psal. 69. 24 To take themselves therein: And when they think full well to far, Then trap them in the gin. The third head of Prayer, is Thanksgiving. TO sing the mercies of the Lord, ●. Thanksgiving. Psal. 89. 1. My tongue shall never spare: And with my lips from age to age Thy truth I will declare. The Heavens do show with joy and mirth, 5. 4▪ Thy wondrous works O Lord: Thy Saints within thy Church on earth, Thy Faith and Truth record. O how great good hast thou in store, For our Election, etc. Psal. 31 19▪ Laid up full safe for them That fear and trust in thee, therefore, Before the sons of men! Thou wilt them teach the way to life, For all treasure and store, Psal. 16. 11▪ Of perfect joy, are in thy face And power for evermore. O Lord my God, thy wondrous deeds In greatness far do pass: Psal. 40. 6. 7. Thy favour towards us, exceeds All things that ever was. When I intent, and do devise, Thy works abroad to show, To such ● reckoning they do rise, Thereof no end I know. My soul from death thou dost defend, Psal. 5●. 13▪ And keep'st my feet upright, That I before thee may ascend, With such as live in light. COme forth and hearken here full soon, Psal. 66. 16▪ All ye that fear the Lord, What he for my poor soul hath done, To you I will record. Full oft I call to mind his grace, 17. This mouth to him doth cry: And thou my tongue make speed apace, To praise him by and by. THe doctrine of his holy Word, For God's Word Psal. 147. 19 To jacob he doth show: His Statutes and his judgements, he Gives Israel to know. With every Nation hath he not 20. So dealt, nor they have known His secret judgements; ye therefore Praise ye the Lord alone, O Lord out of my mother's womb, Temporal blessings. 1. ● Creation. Psal 22. 9 I came by thy request: Thou didst preserve me still in hope, While I did suck her breast. I was committed from my birth, 10. With thee to have abode: Since I was in my mother's womb. Thou hast been ere my God. FOr why, the eyes of God above, Providence Psal. 34. 15 Upon the just are bend: His ears likewise do hear the plaint Of the poor innocent. What thou commandedst, wrought it was Psal. 33. 8. At once with present speed: What thou dost will, is brought to pass With full effect indeed. Know that the Lord our God, he is, Pres rvation. Psal. 100 2. He did us make and keep: Not we ourselves; for we are his Own flock and pasture sheep. The Lord of Hosts doth take our part, Psal. 46. 7. To us he hath an eye: Our hope of health with all our heart, On Jacob's God doth lie. Thou openest thy plenteous hand, Plenty. Psal. 145. 16▪ And bounteously dost fill All things whatsoever do live, With gifts of thy goodwill. O praise the Lord jerusalem, Prosperity Psal. 147. 12. 13. Thy God O Zion praise: For he the bars hath forged strong, Wherewith thy Gates he stays. Thy children he hath blessed in thee, Safety▪ 14. And in thy borders ●e Doth settle peace, and with the flower Of wheat ●e filleth thee. But Lord, that man is happy sure, Afflictions. Psal ●4. 12 Whom thou dost keep in awe: And through correction dost procure To teach him in thy Law. ALl praise to thee O Lord of Hosts, Conclusion with thanksgiving. Psal. 89. 53 Both now, and eke for aye: Through sky, and earth, and all the coasts, Amen, Amen I say. FINIS. THis for an Essay, I desired to show on every head of Prayer, that some place or other in the Psalms might be made use of, on several occasions, which a Christian hath to do about. There may be diverse added, & but for pe●●●ring this Book, I had added all those which I have lying by me thus digested: but these may suffice, to show thee (Christian Reader) my meaning, who master as thy need requires, supply what is now wanting in this. Sing with the Spirit, and sing with the understanding also. Master QVARLES on jonah, in the general use of the STORY. MAl●●do, rouse thy leaden spirit, bestir thee, Hold up thy drowsy head, here's comfort for thee: What if thy Zeal be frozen hard? what then? Thy Saviour's blood will thaw that frost again. Thy Prayers that should be fervent, hot as fire, Proceed but coldly from a d●ll desire: What then? grieve in'ly; but do not dismay, Who hears thy Prayers, will give thee strength to pray, Though left while, thou art not quite given o'er: Where Sin abounds, there Grace aboundeth more. Medit. 7. on jonah. Let Prayer be fervent, and thy Faith entire, And Heaven at last will grant thee thy desire. A Table whereby readily to find the principal things in the whole Book. A Page Actions of Christians how to be ordered. Page 143 Actual sins the several sorts. Page 23 — forms of confessing them. Page 242 Advise for a Christians carriage, daily, weekly, how. Page 140 Affections how disordered. Page 21 Afflicted. Page 120 Afflictions. Page 270 Aged man's prayer. Page 271 Aggravations of sin. Page 23 Anger. Page 272 Apostasy. Page 275 Apprecation, Page 31 Audience, assistance, acceptance how to be craved. Page 99 B. Backsliding, in godly courses, a prayer against it. Page 275 Baptism, a prayer for it. Page 165 Bed, meditations for it. Page 132 Blessings temporal, spiritual, eternal. Page 122 Body and all the members corrupt. Page 22 Boldness in witnessing to God's truth. Page 91 C Called Church of Christ. Page 114 Calling of the jews, Gentiles: Page 102 — to be blessed in our calling. ibid. Cares, & distrust in God's providence. Page 274 Catholic Church of Christ. Page 109 Causes of distraction in Prayer. Page 47 Christ jesus, a thanksgiving to him. Page 210 Christian conversation how to be ordered. Page 140 Church of God: Page 39 — How to meditate as thou goest to Church. Page 134 Colony, or plantations in New-England, Virgi. Page 178 Commission, how many sorts of those sins. Page 24 Commonalty. Page 120 Company of ungodly ones to be avoided. Page 254 — how to carry ourselves in company. Page 144 Concernements personal. Page 101 Conclusions of Prayer. Page 127 Confession of sin. Page 14. 58. 70 — promise made to it. Page 2 — punishment deserved by sin. Page 79 Confession of an humbled soul, &c: Page 242 Confusion to Gods and his Church's enemies. Page 125 Conscience how defiled with sin. Page 18 — Afflicted in conscience. Page 120 Consolatory Letter▪ Page 248 Contentation. Page 92 Council, the Lords of his Majesty's privy Council. Page 117 Craving audience, assistance, and acceptance. Page 127 Creation. ibid. D Death, to be prepared for it. Page 185 Dearth. Page 223 Deliverance from the Gunpowder Treason. Page 215 — Sin and punishment. Page 103. 107 Deprecation of evil of sin, and punishment. Page 35 Descriptions of God. Page 59 Devotion no hindrance to any man's particular calling. Page 57 Dying man's meditations. Page 234 Difference of praying in Hypocrites and godly men. Page 49 Directions for Christians, walking with God. Page 140 Direction in our calling. Page 101 Distraction in prayer, how to be helped against it. Page 47 Distrustful cares. Page 274 Drought, in time thereof a prayer for rain. Page 230 E Enemies of God and his Church. Page 112 English Colonies in New England, Virginia, etc. Page 178 Evening meditations. Page 130 Excellency of the Psalms. Praef. F Faith. Page 83 Famine. Page 223 Forms of prayer. Page 151 G Gods promises made to prayer. Page 2 Gods Word. Page 96 Godly men must avoid the company of the wicked. Page 254 Graces, or thanksgiving before and after meat▪— matter for etc. Page 135. 138 Growth of grace, continued, increased, begotten. Page 34. 84 Gunpowder Treason, and a thanksgiving for our deliverance. Page 215 H Health. Page 105 Helps against distraction in prayer. Page 48 Holy Oil, or Scripture phrases, how to make use of them. Page 223 Humble confession of sin. Page 81. 3. 7 Humiliation, solemnly how to be done. Page 147 Humility. Page 100 Husband man. Page 280 Hypocrites praying differs from the true Christians. Page 49 I Intercession for the Church. Page 109 K Kings Majesty, a prayer for him, his seed, etc. Page 114 Knowledge. Page 85 L Letter consolatory. Page 248 Lord jesus Christ, a thanksgiving to. ib. Lord's day, or Sunday morning's Meditation. Page 133 Lords Supper, a prayer for that Sacrament, before and after. Page 55 Love of God. Page 87 M Magistrates. Page 118 Maintenance. Page 34. 36. 105 Mariners prayer. Page 276 Matter for Graces before meat and after. Page 135. 138 Means to prepare us for prayer. Page 54 Means of grace; prayer that God would bless them. Page 97 Meditations for several occasions. Page 128 — For a dying man. Page 234 Memory corrupted. Page 20 Merchant's prayer. Page 198 Method of prayer. Page 13 Ministers of God's Word. Page 118 Morning-meditations for etc. Page 128 N Night-thoughts. Page 133 O Omission, sins of omission. Page 23 P Pardon of sin. Page 31 Parts of prayer. Page 13 Patience. Page 95 Perseverance. Page 92 Personal concernements. Page 101 Pestilence. Page 261 Petition. Page 29. 30. 97 Plenty that God would grant. Page 281 Power over sin. Page 37 Preface to prayer. Page 13 Preparation to prayer. Page 52 Praxis, showing how to make use of Scripture phrase. Page 223 Prayer what it is. Page 13 Privy Council, the Lords thereof. Page 117 Promises of God made to prayer. Page 1. 2. 3 Prosperity. Page 123 Providence of God over us. Page 12 Punishment inflicted for sin. Page 79 Q Questions which may help us with matter for prayer. Page 54 R Raine. Page 230 Regeneration. Page 170 Repentance. Page 83 S Sacraments of Baptism and the Lords Supper. Page 100 165 Sanctifying grace. Page 170 Seasonable weather. Page 281 Seafaring men. Page 276 Seedtime. Page 280 Sensitive appetite corrupt. Page 21 Servants prayer. Page 204 Scholars or Students prayer. Page 192 Sincerity. Page 88 Sin, how to know it, and find it out. Page 18 — How manifold. ibid. Solemn humiliation, how it may be done. Page 147 Solitariness. Page 145 Sorrow for sin. Page 242 Spiritual blessings. Page 31 Springtime. Page 281 Supply of wants temporal. Page 123 T Temporal blessings. Page 34. 44. 123 Thanksgiving for blessings. Page 122. 210 — deliverances, etc. abide. Thoughts how to order them. Page 141 Tradesman's prayer. Page 198 Trouble in conscience, estate. Page 268 V Uncalled, that God would convert them. Page 112 Understanding corrupt through sin. Page 18 Vocation, our duties in it, not hindered by Devotion. Page 57 W Wages of sin. Page 38 Will of man corrupted. Page 20 Words, how to order them. Page 141 Word of God and Sacraments. Page 96 World. Page 37 Z Zeal for God in matters of Religion. Page 52 A Table of the Psalms in Meeter. Page. PReparation to prayer, description of God, craving of audience and acceptance. Page. 1 Confession of sins, original, actual. Page. 2 Petition for forgiveness of sin. Page. 3 For sanctifying grace, for Faith. Page. 4 Sorrow for sin. Page. 5 Humility and Sincerity. Page. 6 Perseverance. Page. 7 Fear of God, love of God, and Contentation. Page. 8 Direction in our calling, God's Word. Page. 9 Lords day. Page. 10 Sacraments. Page. 11 Supply of all wants temporal, health. Page. 12 Preferment, maintenance, dwelling, food. Page. 13 Plenty, prosperity, trust in God's deliverance. Page. 14 Preservation. Page. 16 Deprecation against the evil of sin. Page. 18 Against the evil of punishment in body. Page. 19 Estate, conscience troubled. Page. 21 Death. Page. 22 Hell and Satan. Page. 23 World, War and all enemies. Page. 24 Reproach and slander. Page. 28 Against evils national. Page. 31 Church of Christ. Page. 32 Confusion to the enemies of the Church. Page. 33 Thanksgiving for our Election, etc. Page. 35 For God's Word, temporal blessings, and creation. Page. 36 Providence, preservation, plenty, and prosperity. Page. 37 Safety, afflictions, Conclusion with thanksgiving. Page. 38 FINIS. Recensui hunc librum, cui titulus, Holy Incense, etc. nihilque in eo inveni quod Christianos mores ac pietatem non redoleat. Ac ob id dignum existimo, ut Typis mandetur. Ex aedibus Fulham. jun 17. 1634. Thomas Weeks R-P D. Episc. Lond. Cap. domest.