Andrew's Golden chain, TO link the penitent sinner unto Almighty God. Richly adorned with the ornaments of holy Scripture, which was never in print, nor from any man elsewhere to be had. Newly made in a godly Prayer, taken out of the pure fountain of holy Scripture, very necessary to cure the sick soul of a sinner: and to draw him from desperation if with a believing faith he will daily use it, in prayer unto Almighty God. London printed for John Wright at the sign of the Bible without Newgate. 1645. Candido Lectori, Lege, perlege, relege. RIght Honourable, for God's sake, your own sake, and yours soul's sake, peruse this little book over, for it guides you in the direct way unto Almighty God, and showeth you how to give your heart unto God, and your sins unto Satan, every time you pray with this Prayer. By me John Andrew's, Preacher of God's Word. Andrew's Golden chain, TO link the Penitent Sinner unto Almighty God. MOst Mighty a Gen. 17. 17. , most holy b Rev. 4. 8. Psal 99 5. 8. Esay 6. 3. , most Righteous c Exod. 9 27. , and most merciful God d J●el 2. 13. Psal 86. 3. 5. Exod. 34. 6. , my sweet Saviour e Wisd. 16. 21. Act. 5. 31. 1 Tim. 4. 10. Psal. 18. 1. Luk. 2. 11. , and physician of my soul f Luk 4. 23. , have mercy on me thou that art full of pity and compassion g Psal. 103. 3. , rich unto all which call upon thee for mercy h Rom. 10. 12. , and never forsakest them that put their trust in thee i Ier. 31. 1. , again and again have mercy on me, here I bow the very knees of my heart unto thee O God, and with sighs, groans, and fears bewail my sins k Psal. ●8. 9 Jam. 4. 9 , beseeching thee with all humility to cure my wounded and distressed soul. O give my heart true repentance, my spirit contrition, and mine eyes a fountain of tears to weep for my sins. O Lord my God l Psal. 40. 6. 1 King. 7. 20. 21. Psal. 7. 1. Psal. 99 8, 9 Psal. 30. 2. Psal. 18. 1. Psal. 7. 2. , I am sick with sin m Mich. 6. 13. , and thou art my physician n Luk. 4. 23. , I am dead, but thou art my life o Ioh. 11. 25. , and although I am but earth and ashes, yet give me grace to seek for thy mercies p God. 8. 27. Job 30. 19 Eccle. 17. 32. . O Lord, I know thy hand is not shortened that it cannot save q Nu. 11. 2, 3. , neither is thine ear heavy that it cannot hear r Esay 50. 2. . but it is my sins, my sins, my unrepented sins s Nahum. 1. 2. , that have separated between this vanishing estate of mine t Psal. 39 5. Psal. 62. 9 and thine eternity u 1 Tim. 4. 17. . O Lord I beseech thee for thy son Jesus Christ his sake to incline thine ear and hear, open O Lord, thine eyes and see a Esay. 37. 17. , Oh behold the vehemency of my praying, and forgive me, O forgive me, and blot all thy sins out of thy remmembrance b Psal. 51. 8 9 . Here, O Lord my God c Psal. 7. 2. Psal. 30. 2. Psal. 18. 1. 1 King. 17. 20, 21. Psal. 40. 6. Psal. 99 8, 9 Psal. 109. 25. Psal. 7. 1. , with all humility I prostrate myself before my majesty pouring out my tears for my sins, and praying on my knees like Daniel d Dan. 6. 10. , weeping for mine offences like David e Psal. 6. 6. , crying like Esay f Esay 58. 1. , roar out my grief like Job g Joel 2. 13. Job 3. 24. , and rent my heart with the penitent h Mar. 14. 7. , lament with Peter i Mat. 26 75. Luk. 22. 62. , sorrow with Mary k Luk. 7. 38. Xsal. 109. 25. Psal. 18 1. 1 King. 17. 20. 21. , and cry out unto thee O Lord my God l Psal. 40. 6. Psal. 99 8 9 Psal. 30. 2. Psal. 7. 1, 2. , with the Jews, O what shall I do to be saved m Act. 2. 37. Act 16. 30. 35. . Oh therefore now hear me, and help me, O Lord n Psal. 109. 2 lest I perish in my wickedness o Psal. 94. 23. . Saint Peter's wives mother received thee O Christ, and thou curedst her p Luk. 4 39 Mat. 8. 15. Ma●. 1. 31. , Zacheus did but entertain thee, and thou O God bestowedst salvation upon him q Luk. 19 9 , Saint Peter which denied, and forswear thee, went for his sins, and was pardoned r Luk. 22. 62. Mat. 26 75. Mar. 14. 71. . Mary Magdalen which had many legions of devils, with tears of unfeigned repentance was absolved, and made a Temple of the Holy Ghost s Luk. 7. 38. : And although my sins, my sins, my scarlet sins t Esay. 1. 18. , be in number many u Psal. 19 12. , in weight most heavy * Eccles. 38. 18. , and for desert damnable x Luk. 13. 3. Esay 59 2. , Yet O jesu, my sweet Saviour y W●s. 16. 21. Psal. 18. 1. Act. 5. 31. 1 Tim. 4. 10. Luk. 2. 11. Mat. 1. 25. , I most entirely beseech thee, let not me that knocks at thy gates of mercy, with sighs, groans and tears be excluded z Iam. 4. 9 Psal. 38. 9 : But forgive me, O forgive me, again and again I beseech thee forgive me, for there is mercy with thee, O Lord my God to forgive even crying sins unto the penitent sinner, although they have been died in the deepest grain of iniquity. O jesu my sweet Saviour z Wis. 16. 21. 2 Sam. 22. 3. Act. 5. 31. Psal. 18. 1. 1 Tim. 4. 10. Luk. 2. 11. , thou light of mine eyes * Ioh. 8. 12. Ioh. 9 5. Ioh. 14. 9 2 Sam. 22. 29. , which hast pro●●sed to answer before I 〈◊〉, and while I pray for to hear a Esay. 65. 24. Mat. 6. 8. Psal. 19 1 Pet. 3. 12. , O for pity then hear my prayers, and grant my petition, that thy crimson drops of precious blood which trickled down thy azure veins, may wash away my scarlet sins b say 1. 18. , O let mine eyes be as continual lavers to wash away the pollution of my sins c J●m. 4. 9 Psal. 38. 9 , seeing tears be the best and sovereign 〈◊〉 balm to cure the wounds of my sin-bleeding soul: and therefore with a melting heart, and mourning eyes d Psal. 51. 4. , I tremble at thy word e Psal. 2. 12. , and am pricked when I am rebuked f Act. 2. 37. Act. 16▪ 3●. , and inflamed with burning zeal g Psal. 69 9 Psal. 119. 139. John 2. 17. Tit. 2 14. Wisb. 16. 21. Act. 5. 31. Psal. 18. 1. Luk. 2. 11. 2 Sam. 22. 3. Mat. 1, 21. , when I am instructed to come unto thee, O my sweet Saviouri, that I may see thee, thou joy of my heart k Psal. 119 11. , and love thee thou life of my soul l Ioh. 14. 6. Eccles. 23. 4. ; O let me find thee my hearts desire m Psal 42. 1, 2. , and hold thee whom my soul loveth n Sal. So●. 3. 3. . According unto the riches of thy mercies o Rom. 10. 12. , thou hast promised to hear my petition p Psal. 50. 15. Psal. 91. 15. , that whensoever I shall ask any thing in thy name through faith, I shall obtain the same q Jam. 1. 5. Mat. 7. 7. Mar. 11. Luk. 11. 9 Mat. 21. 32. . Oh therefore regard now O Lord, I most entirely beseech thee, thy gracious promises towards me r Eccles. 3. 11. Esay 55. 27. , and behold the words of thine own mouth, the works and covenants of thine own hands, how thou hast sworn by an oath s Heb. 6. 17, 18. Esay 54. 9, 10. , and covenanted and indented with me, To put thy laws in my heart, write them in my mind, and remember my sins no more t Ier. 31. 33. Heb. 10. 16, 17. , but at what time soever I repented from the bottom of my heart, of all my sins, thou wilt forgive me all mine offences u Ier. 24. 7. Ezech. 18. 21. Mal. 3. 7. , if they were as red as scarlet, thou wilt make them as white as snow w Esay 1. 18. : x Ioh. 6. 27. Rev. 7. 3. ●●●. 27. 31. which covenant thou hast sealed with thy own most precious blood, and confirmed the same by thy death and passion on the cross y Luk. 23. 33. Ioh. 19 14. . For whom thou hast suffered bitter bonds z Mat. 27 2. , cruel wounds a Mat 25 15 , tormenting death and the grave b Ioh. 19 41. : and withal, thou hast endued me with thy Image c Col. 3. 10. Gen. 1. 27. , that I should remember thee, graven me on the palm of thy hand d Esay. 49 16. , that thou shouldest not forget me, and called me in thy name e Rev. 14. 1. Reu. 22. 4. 2 Cor. 11. 2. , to make me a Christian, Betrothed through faith f Psal. 119. 105. , directed by thy word g Rom. 5. 5. , and guided by thy holy Spirit h Rom. 8. 6. , to enlighten my mind i 2 Cor. 13. 1. , cleanse my conscience k Gal. 5. 22. , and rejoice my heart l Luk. 2. 11. 1 Sam. 12. 3. , to come unto thee my sweet Saviour m 1 Tim. 4. 10. Act. 5. 31. Psal. 18. 1. Mat. 1. 21. , O therefore, I most entirely beseech thee, O Lord, to keep me as the apple of thine eye n Psal 17. 8. , and cleanse me from all my sins o Psal. 19 12. , Oh, let me never be confounded p Psal 31. 1. , O jesu of Nazareth q Mat. 26. 71. Mar. 1. 24. O son of David r Mar. 9 27. Mar. 10. 47. , O fountain of mercy i, have mercy upon me. s Zech. 13. 1. I will forsake all my sins and cleave unto thee for mercy t Psal. 32 11. Eccles. 17. 1. , that thou Mayst save me u Eph. 2. 7, 8. Wis. 2. 23. : I had perished, hadst not thou which didst make me * Gen. 1. 25. Tit. 3. 5. 6, 7. , renewed me again. O how often would the Dragon x Rev. 12. 34. Psal. 30. 2. Psal. 109. 25. 1 Kin. 17. 20, 21 Psal. 18. 1. have devoured me? but thou, O Lord my God y Psal. 7. 1, 2. Psal. 40. 6. , didst pluck me out of his mouth; how often have I sinned, and how often hath he been ready to swallow me up z Rev. 12. 7, 8. 1 Tim. 4. 10. Act. 5. 31. Psal. 18. 1. Luk. 2. 11. ? but thou O Lord hast defended me. O jesu my sweet Saviour a Wis. 16. 21. Mat. 12. 1. , thou madest man at the beginning after thine own Image b Gen. 26. 27. Gen. 5. 1. Gen. 9 6. 1 Cor. 11. 7. Col. 3. 10. , without sin, and therefore O Lord my God, c Psal. 40. Psal. 109. Psal. 7. 2. 25. 6. 1 King's 17. 20. Psal. 30. 2. Psal. 99 8, 9 Psal. 18. 1. , it was not man, but Satan, that was the author of sin, and through his diabolical practice he doth daily tempt me therewith. O therefore hold him fast good Lord, and bruise him in pieces d Rev. 20. 33. Ioh. 3. 35. Eccles. 23. 4. Job. 14. 6. 1 Ioh. 1. 2. Col. 3. 3. Ioh. 11. 25. Ioh. 1. 49. Ioh. 9 5. , that he exercise his devices no longer upon me: For my sins, my grievous sins, do seem so grim and ugly in my sight, so base and loathsome unto my mind, and so venomous unto my body, and soul, that, O Lord my God, the very stink thereof maketh me weary of all my sins, and utterly abhor and detest them. And therefore my life e 1 Cor. 1. 7. , my Redeemer f Eph. 1. 7. , my light g 2 Sam. 22. 29 I●h. 8. 2. , and only Saviour h Luk. 2. 11. Psal. 18. 1. Act. 5. 31. 2 Tim. 4. 10. 2 Sam. 22. 3. Mat. 21. 2. . I do here from the bottom of my heart, by thine assistance, with all my force and might, forsake and loathe my sins. And here I bequeathe all my sins, and every one of them unto Satan from whence they came; and I will also both now and evermore by thy help, O Lord, renounce, loath, and defy Satan, and all his works, both past, present, and for to come * Pet. 1. 8 9 Psal 99 8, 9 Psal. 30. 2. , and appeal unto thee, O Lord my God h Psal. 109. 25. 1 Kin. 17. 20. 21. , from thy seat of justice i Wis. 17. 1, 2. Psal. 40. 6. , unto thy throne of mercy k Rom. 10. 12. , beseeching thee mine all and only Saviour l Eph. 2. 4. Psal. 18. 1. whose arms were spread on the cross m Luk 22. 33. Rom. 10. 13. 2 Sam. 24. 14. , to embrace me and all penitent sinners n Act. 2. 31. Psal. 18. 1. Luk. 2. 11. 1 Tim. 4. 10. Mat. 1. 21. Joel 2. 32. Rom. 10. 11. Act. 10. 35. 1 Pet. 3. 18. Rom. 8. 23. , to have mercy on me, O Lord have mercy upon me; Oh nail my sins unto thy cross, and bury them in thy grave that they may never rise up in judgement against me. Now what shall I render unto thee, O my sweet and loving Saviour o, for all that thou hast done for me: Sacrifices and burnt offerings thou wilt not have, but a contrite and broken heart, O Lord, thou hast promised not to despise p Psal. 51. 16, 17. Ioh. 14. 9 2 Sam. 22. 29. 1 Cor. 1. 30. Tit. 3. 5, 6, 7. Wis 2. 23. Eccles. 17. 1. Col. 3. 10. . Wherefore in token of my humblest devotion I owe unto thy most sacred self, with all humility I will give my dearest love unto thee my sweet Jesus q Wis. 6. 21. Psal. 65. 9 Exod. 15. 2. , which art my light r Ioh. 8. 22. 2 Sam. 22. 3 , my way s Ioh. 14. 6. , and my salvation t 1 Pet. 3. 24. Eph. 1. 7. 2 Cor. 1. 30. , and what gift can be better, or more acceptable than my heart, unto my Maker u Gen. 1. 26. , that made and redeemed it x Eph. 1. 7. Ioh. 14. 6. 1 Ioh. 1. 23. Col. 3. 3. ? for it can find no rest until it come unto thee, to be refreshed with the sweet sight of thy cheerful countenance y Psal. 27. 4. Luk. 2. 11. : wherefore my comfort z 1 Cor. 1. 3. 2 Sam. 22. 3. , my Redeemer a Ioh. 11. 25. Mat. 1. 21. , my life b Act. 5. 31. Psal. 18. 1. , and only Saviour c Tim. 4. 10. , with all humility I prostrate myself before thy Majesty, most humbly beseeching thee to take it, oh take it, for it is thine, O Lord my God c Psal. 30. 2. Psal. 7. 12. 1 Kin. 17. 20. 21. Psal 109. 25. Psal. 18. 1. , it is thine. Thou suffered'st thine own heart to be pierced for it d I●h 19 34. Psal. 40. 6. Psal. 99 8, 9 1 Tim. 4. 10. 2 Sam. 22. 3. Psal. 18. 1. Mat. 1. 21. L●●. 2. 11. Eph 1 17. , and didst but lend it me during thy pleasure, and should I then detain it from thee that hast so dearly bought it? oh no, no, I will reserve it only for thee. To whom fitter may I bequeathe my heart, then unto thee my sweet and loving Saviour e Wis. 16. 21. Wis. 2. 23. Col. ●. 10. , which hast given thyself a ransom for it f 1 Col. 1. 30. Eccles. 17. 1. Tit. 3 5, 6, 7. Eph. 1. 7. ? Wherefore go thou O my heart, I have given thee unto God my Maker g Gen. 1. 21. , and Redeemer h 1 Cor. 1. 30. Col. 3. 10. 7. 1. , he created thee i Eccles. 1. Gen. 1. 27. Tit. 3. 6. Wis. 23. and he only shall have thee: Now thou art in God's keeping, thou Mayst quietly pass thorough the gates of death, there is neither disquieting with sorrow for sin, nor with sin, which is beyond all sorrow; thou art there without the reach of thine adversary. Whilst thou wast mine, thou wast a wandering, faithless, secure, carnal, and impenitent heart, (Always infected with the poison of sin,) but being now thy Creators, he will apparel thee anew, adorning thee with the gifts of his Spirit, that being here clothed with the ornaments of his grace, thou Mayst be transplanted unto the kingdom of glory, unto the which place, the Lord of his mercy bring me, through the merits of his son, my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: To whom with the Father and the holy Ghost, he rendered all honour and glory, power and praise, might, majesty, dignity, and dominion, both now and evermore, Amen. In this prayer I do from the bottom of my heart, with all humility confess my sins unto my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, most entirely desiring him in his mercy, to give me his grace to return unto him by speedy repentance. O Jesus Christ my sweet Saviour, thou son of God, which art most holy and most merciful, have mercy on me O Lord, for pity hear my prayers, and grant me petitions: I am a miserable and most wretched sinner, which from the crown of mine head unto the sole of my foot, have no soundness in me, but wounds, blains, and putrifying sores of sin, which deserve thy wrath and indignation against me: but sweet Lord, have compassion upon me, and anoint my wounds with thine oil of mercy. O Lord, I come with a mourning heart, and weeping eyes, with my most earnest repentance, Oh reconcile my poor, wounded, and distressed soul slain with sin, unto thee, O Lord my God, upon the multitude of thy mercies, and with a contrite heart, with all humility, even with sighs, groans, and tears, most lamentably bewail my sins, and openly confess them unto thee O sweet Jesus to be more in number then the hairs of mine head, or sands in the Sea. Yet O my most merciful Saviour, I beseech thee forgive me, O Lord forgive me, and give me grace to return unto thee by speedy repentance, which God grant me. FINIS.