A Guide to Young Communicants: Or, The Whole Duty of the Sacrament, Fitted for those that Desire to be WORTHY RECEIVERS OF THE Lord's Supper: With Suitable PRAYERS, For Morning and Evening. Also Directions for a Holy Living and Dying. A Dialogue between a Divine and a Beggar. And a Description of CHRIST'S Person when on Earth. To which is added, Bishop USHER's Prophecy. The Fourth Edition. London, Printed for G. C. at the Ring in Little-Britain. Price 2 d. Reader, THis little Book was printed for the Use of an Honourable Lady, and was wrote (as I was informed by Dr. J. Bishop of L— n. It has found a kind Reception, and many of them have been distributed among the Poor. It contains what is necessary to be known on this Occasion, sufficiently explaining what the Communion or Sacrament of the New Testament is, and what is meant thereby; showing plainly what is to be done at, before, and after Receiving. Indeed that which makes all People Worthy Communicants, or truly prepares for this Duty, is a Holy Life; it does not require so much Head-Knowledge, as a sincere Heart devoted to God. A Godlike or Christ-like Life is the best Qualification: True Repentance, or forsaking Sins past, and hearty Obedience to what God manifests or discovers in the inward of thy Heart, to be thy Duty: This must be done by thee, whoever thou art, th●t would come rightly prepared to Receive the Lord's Supper. For thy Assistance herein, I recommend to thee this little Book. ADVERTISEMENT. A Guide to young Communicants, with Meditations for every Day of the Week; to which is added, a History of Riches, Poverty, Godliness, Labour, and Content. Bp Usher's Prophecy; an Account of Popish Persecutions, with other matters. Pr. stitched 4 d. bd 6 d. A Guide to the Altar, with Prayers for Morning and Evening, and other Occasions; to which is added, The Practice of the Faithful. 1 s. A Spark from the Altar; or, Preparation for the Sacrament: Pr. 6 d. A Bundle of Myrrh. Pr. 1 d. The pious Man's Directions, showing how to walk with God all his Days, etc. Pr. 6 d. The Child's Weeks-work, and Father's Blessing, 6 d. England's Reformation, against Drunkenness, Gluttony, Whoredom, Fornication, Cursing, Swearing, etc. with Examples of God's Judgements on such as use them. Pr. 1 d. The Trial and Execution of Joan Perry & her two Sons, in Gloucestershire; very strange and true. Pr. 2 d. A Week's Preparation for a Worthy Communicant. Quest. 1. WHAT is the Communion? Answ. It is the second Sacrament of the New Testament, wherein (by the outward Receiving the Bread and Wine) is signified the inward and spiritual Receiving of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ; that is, of all the Benefits of his Incarnation and Sufferings. Q 2. Why do we Receive the Communion? A. For four Reasons especially. 1. Because Christ, in the Institution of it, did expressly command it, Do this in remembrance of me, Luk. 22.19. which is also repeated and enjoined by St. Paul in his first Epistle to the Corinthians, chap. 11, from the 2●d to the 29th verse. 2. To testify our unfeigned Love to GOD, and Charity to all Men. 3. To show our thankful Hearts for God's unspeakable Mercy in it. Abraham reckoned himself unworthy to speak with God: Moses thought himself unfit to be sent to Pharaoh: And behold! God himself entertains us as Guests at a Holy Feast of the richest and most costly Dainties, provided by himself for us. And what can be sufficient for sinful Creatures to return in Gratitude for such endearing Love and Condescension! 4. Because of the great Advantage and Benefit we receive by taking of it worthily. The Benefit we receive in this Sacrament does chief consist in these four Particulars. 1. We are by this Sacrament united to Christ, and made one with him: for as the Bread and Wine becomes one with our Bodies, so by this Sacrament we become one with Christ. 2. To strengthen and increase our Faith and Repentance; for in this Sacrament we do, as it were, see Christ Crucified before our Eyes, Gal. 3.1. When the Bread is Broken, it puts me in mind how the Blessed Body of my Saviour was Torn and Wounded before Pontius Pilate, upon the Cross: and when the Wine is poured forth into the Cup, it shows how the precious Blood of Jesus Christ was abundantly shed for our Sins: And when the Minister reaches me the Bread and Wine, it showeth me his beloved Son is to be received and embraced by me, and that through his Merits and Intercession we are reconciled unto him. 3. By this Sacrament, we become united to our Christian Brethren: for it is a Feast of Love, where we profess hearty Affection to all the People of God; sincerely desiring and seeking the Welfare of his Church, putting up our devoutest Prayers for our Fellow Christians, and forgiving, if we have aught against any of them, as God, for Christ's sake, hath forgiven us. And, 4. We hereby receive the Assurance of Pardon and Remission for all our past Transgressions, and a Confirmation and Increase of all Christian Graces: for this Sacrament is a Seal of our Covenant with God, assuring and sealing to us (upon the Conditions of true and hearty Repentance, etc.) the Pardon of all our Sins, and a comfortable Assurance of Eternal Life and Salvation, and it is an Instrument or Means whereby we receive Grace and Strength to serve God more freely and cheerfully ever after. In a word, it gives us a Title and Interest to all the Blessings obtained by Christ Jesus. The very Names given to the Sacrament in the New-Testament declare unto us the Nature of it, and the Blessing we receive by it, which are these six: 1. It's called the Communion, or Communication of the Body and Blood of Christ; that is, (as was said before) of all the Benefits of his Life and Sufferings, 1 Cor. 10.26. 2. It is called, The Lord's Supper, 1 Cor. 11.20. as our Lord instituted it after he supped with his Disciples. 3. It is called The Lord's Table on the same account, 1 Cor. 10.21. 4. It is called Breaking of Bread, Acts 2.40. to denote Charity. 5. It is called The Last Will of Christ, or The New Testament, Mat. 26.28. viz. wherein he bequeathes to us Life and Salvation. 6. It is called The Cup of Blessing; that is, of Praise and Thanksgiving, 1 Cor. 10.16. It is also called the Eucharist, which signifies the same thing. Q. 3. What is required of a Christian, that he may become a Worthy Communicant? A. Three sorts of Duties: 1. Somewhat to be done before we receive the Communion. 2. Our Duties at Receiving. And, 3. Our Duties afterwards. Q. 4. What is expected before we receive the Communion? A. To examine and prepare ourselves beforehand; this God hath commanded: And we can't be assured that without such Examination we shall be welcome Guests at the Lord's Table. See to this purpose 1 Cor. 11.28, 29. For tho' a true Christian ought always to be fitted for the performance of so holy a Duty to God, which is called Habitual Preparation, yet in regard of our daily Errors and Miscarriages, we should prepare and examine ourselves in a stricter way, whenever we intent to receive: And this is called Actual Preparation; which is a serious Trial and Examination of our State, how we stand affected toward GOD and Man. Q. 5. Wherein must we examine ourselves? A. In these Five Things, viz. Knowledge, Faith, Repentance, Charity, and Obedience. Q. 6. How must I examine my Knowledge? A. I must try, 1. Whether I understand the Nature of this Sacrament, and the Necessity of Receiving it. The Knowledge here required is plain and easy, and may be learned from the Answers to the first and second Questions. 2. I must examine how much I have profited & grown in Grace and Knowledge; and if I have not profited, Whether, 3. I am sorry for my want of Knowledge, or Faith, or other Heavenly Graces. Q. 7. How must I examine my Faith? A. I must try, 1. Whether I rely on Christ alone for Salvation; yet so, as not to neglect my Endeavours: and, Whether I depend on him only in time of internal or external Temptation. 2. Whether I believe that God, on my Repentance, will freely (for Christ's sake) forgive and blot out all my Sins. 3. Whether I long for such a strong and lively Faith, such a firm Belief of God's Word, as may influence my Heart and Practice, and transform me into the Image of Him, who is the Author and Finisher of our Faith. Q. 8. How must I examine my Repentance? A. I must try, 1. Whether I am sorry for my Sins past. 2. Whether I am willing in good earnest to forsake 'em, and live a better Life for the future, aiming at the Life and Power of Religion. 3. Whether I am willing to make Restitution for the Injuries I have done, and for whatever I have unjustly taken from any, because without this there can be no True Repentance. 4. Whether I like those Sermons which reach to my Conscience, and bring me to the sight of my Sins. Q. 9 How must I examine my Charity? A. I must try, 1. Whether I forgive every one, and bear no Malice nor Hatred in my Heart, but wish my Enemy's Repentance and Salvation. 2. Whether I labour for Peace, and neither seek nor give Occasion of Contention. 3. Whether I love Good Men because they are Good. Q. 10. How must I examine my Obedience? A. I must try, 1. Whether I make God's Word my Rule, and frame my Life thereafter. 2. Whether I am ready to obey all the Laws and Commands of God, without keeping any darling Sin or Lust in my Soul. Q. 11. What is required of me at Receiving? A. 1. To carry myself decently, humbly, and reverently. 2. To fix my Heart and Thoughts on this Sacred Ordinance and the bitter Passion and Sufferings of Christ, there represented to us. 3. According to my Ability, to give somewhat towards the Relief of the poor Members of Christ. Q. 12. What is required of me after my Receiving? A. 1. To examine whether I receive Comfort by it. 2. To be joyful and thankful to God, for affording this blessed Opportunity of receiving, Ps. 116.13. 3. To remember that I have now renewed that Vow which, at first in Baptism, I made to God by my Sureties. 4. To be careful to pay to GOD and Man what I have so vowed. 5. To show my Love and Thankfulness to God, by holiness of Life and Conversation; by loving his Word, i. e. by duly reading and meditating on it; by a strict Observation of the Lord's Day, spending it in Devotion, especially attending on public Prayer and Preaching; being careful to remember, of every Sermon I hear, somewhat either for my Information or Reproof, or that tends to the promoting Piety towards GOD, or Charity to Men. And because we are not able of ourselves to perform the least of these Duties here prescribed, we ought therefore now and then to abstain from a Meals Meat, and by Fasting, Prayer, and Humiliation to implore the Grace and Assistance of God's Holy Spirit, to enable us to perform these Duties, and keep us in the constant Practice thereof. At such time of Abstinence it may be convenient to read and meditate on Psalms 25, 39, 130. Isaiah 55. Matth. 5. John. 6. & 15. Romans 8. and Hebrews 12. Thus I have done with the First Part that respects Knowledge, or what we ought to know of this Duty. Next follows what you are to practise. On Sunday Morning get up betimes, and Read a Chapter; on your Knees wait or sit silent a little time, casting all worldly Thoughts out of your Mind. Then say this Preparatory Prayer, for Sunday Morning, at home: MOST Great and Incomprehensible Lord God Thou art worthy of all Praise, and infinitely to be admired for thy Grace and Mercy in the Redemption of the World, by the Body and Blood of thy Son, whom thou hast given to be Meat and Drink to them that Fear and Obey Thee. O Lord, I design this Morning to receive of that Bread, and Drink of that Cup that nourishes the Soul of all true Penitents. Lord, let the Inward and Spiritual Grace accompany the Bread and Wine, that so my Body may not only be Refreshed, but my Soul also Refreshed, Comfortcd, and Strengthened; that I may evermore continue Obedient to thee, Blessed Jesus. O Lord, I beseech thee, send forth thy Light and thy Truth, to Guide and Direct me. O Establish me with thy free Spirit, that thou givest freely to them that ask in Faith, that Blessed Spirit that makes our Meditations of Thee to be sweet, yea, sweeter than Honey: It makes the Soul to rejoice more than in plenty of Corn, Wine, and Oil. This is that that made Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego embrace a Fiery Furnace; Daniel a Lion's Den; St. Peter a Crucifixion; and John a Kettle of Boiling Oil: St. Bartholomew to be Flayed; St. Bernard to cry out, Hold, hold, for my Heart is not able to cantain these Joys which thou dost so liberally pour out upon me. Blessed God, let my Heart be thus tuned, and then shall I receive Strength and Nourishment of Soul to Everlasting Life. All which I beg through the Merits of Jesus Christ, to whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be all Glory and Praise, now and evermore. Amen. Our Father which art in Heaven, etc. Then repair to Church, etc. And after Sermon is ended, say this Prayer before the Sacrament: MOST merciful and gracious Lord, who didst Institute this Feast of Love for us vile and miserable Sinners, utterly unworthy of the least of thy Favours, be pleased to help me to approach it with that Devotion, Reverence, and Humility that befits a worthy Communicant at thy Table. Lord I come, out of a Sense of my want of that Food from Heaven, to which thou most graciously dost invite me. I come in Obedience to thy Commands, to testify my Faith in Thee, and to commemorate thy unspeakable Love in accomplishing the work of my Redemption, by a most Shameful and Bitter Death. I come to renounce and cast off my Sins and Transgressions, and to renew my Baptismal Covenant, which I have often and perversely broken. O do thou for thy Mercy sake accept me, though an unworthy Guest: Enter not into Judgement with thy Servant, for in thy Sight shall no Man living be justified. If thou, Lord, shouldst be extreme to mark what I have done amiss, I must suffer all the Vials of thy Wrath; I must undergo all the Curses of thy Law; I must stand exposed to all the Judgements and Terrors of this Life, and to the intolerable Torments of Hell in another. So far should I be in this Case from receiving any manner of Advantage from these Holy Mysteries, that I should eat and drink my own Damnation. Miserable wretched Creature that I am, that I should so eagerly pursue the Paths that lead to Death and Misery! that I should so continually offend thee, my most tender and indulgent Father! that I should trample under foot the Son of God, and repay that wonderful Love, and those unknown Sufferings of His on my behalf, with those Sins which at first Crucified him, and still continue to Crucify him afresh, and put him to an open Shame! that I should grieve that good Spirit of God, which so earnestly woos and entreats to accept of Life and Salvation! that I should be guilty of so much Pride, Hypocrisy, Indevotion, and Deadness in my Prayers; of so much Injustice, Passion, and Malice, of so much Impenitency, Uncleanness, Intemperance, etc. [Hear reckon up the particular Sins thou hast been guilty of] whereby I have wickedly departed from Thee, the Lord of Life and Glory, the Fountain and Spring of all Happiness! Lord, I fly into the Arms of Thy Mercy: O save me or I perish. Hid me under the Clefts of thy Wounds until thy Father's Indignation be overpast. O thou that delightest not in the Death of a Sinner, but rather that he should turn and be saved, receive me to thy Favour, for the Merits and Satisfaction of my Blessed Redeemer, in whom alone thou art well pleased. His Blood was shed to make Atonement for my Sins: His Body was bruised and beaten with Stripes, that through them I might be healed. Lord grant, that in this Blessed Sacrament, I may effectually receive these Benefits of his Death and Passion; grant that I may have my Pardon sealed, my Weakness repaired, my Graces strengthened, and my Soul raised to Heaven in Flames of devoutest Affection and Adoration. O do thou nourish my Soul by this immortal Food, to live the Life of Grace and Holiness, and enable it to make some Returns of Love to Thee, the infinite Lover of Souls: But oh! What Returns can be sufficient, what Transports of Love and Praise can be enough for Him, who died a most painful and ignominious Death, to deliver us from inevitable Ruin and Misery, when we were his bitter Enemies, and at open Defiance and Rebellion against him? Oh the Riches of thy Goodness, how unutterable are thy Mercies, and how unconceivable is thy Love! Grant I pray thee, that tho' I am utterly unable to make a true estimation thereof, yet I may love Thee to the utmost capacity of a frail Creature, and show it by living in all holy Obedience and Conformity to thy Laws and Precepts. Grant that I may always desire and endeavour to please thee; and be very tender and fearful of offending Thee; keeping a strict Watch over my Heart and Ways, that no Temptations prevail against me, or make me fall from my own Steadfastness: But that being effectually Sanctified here, I may in the end be eternally Blest in the Kingdom of Glory. Lord, pity and commiserate my Frailty, and graciously supply all my Wants and Necessities; for thy Mercy and Compassion's sake. Amen. Our Father, etc. Now repair to the Communion-Table, and being placed conveniently, lift up your Heart towards Heaven, and say, O Lamb of God that didst offer thyself a Sacrifice for the Sins of the whole World, have Mercy upon me miserable Sinner. I am here ready to renew the Covenant I made with thee in Baptism, and once more to take those solemn Engagements upon myself: O do thou give me the Assistance of thy Grace and Holy Spirit, that I may be enabled to perform them; that I may henceforth renounce the Devil and all his Works, all the Pomps and Vanities of the World, and the sinful Lusts of the Flesh; that I may steadfastly persist in the true Faith of thy most Holy Religion, and live in sincere Obedience to thy Laws, all the Days of my Life. Amen. Just before Receiving, a Prayer. GRant, O Lord, I beseech thee, that the Wine that makes glad, and the Bread of Life may infuse new Strength and Vigour into my Soul, and into the Souls of all that Communicate with me; that we may daily grow in Grace, and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; and that (according to his Command) we may be united in Holy Love and Fellowship with one another, and with the Church of God; and at last obtain that glorious Fellowship with thyself in Heaven, which thou hast promised to all that love and fear thee, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. When you receive the Bread, say, GRant me, Blessed Lord, so to eat the Flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and so to drink his Blood, that my sinful Body may be made clean by his most holy Body, and my Soul washed in his most precious Blood, that I may evermore dwell in him, and he in me. Amen. After you have received the Bread, say, O That the Bread which I have now eaten may be the Bread which came down from Heaven, and gives Life unto the World. O that I may now feel ●s Efficacy, inflaming my Soul with the Heavenly Ardours of Divine Love; having all my Affections fet on things Above, and not on things Below. May this Bread be to my Soul the staff of Strength, whereby I may vanquish all the Assaults of the Devil, the World, and the Flesh, and continue my Lord's faithful Servant to my Life's end. Amen. At the receiving the Cup, say, THe Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for me, preserve my Body and Soul unto Everlasting Life: I drink this in Remembrance that Christ's Blood was shed for me, and am thankful. After you have received the Cup, say, O That this precious Blood of my dear Redeemer may be now both the Purification and Nourishment of my Soul, the Seal of my Pardon, and Peace with God, and the Pledge of mine Inheritance in Heaven. Amen. Then return to your Pew or Seat, and say, on your Knees, this Thanksgiving after the Sacrament: BLessing, Honour, and Glory be given to thee, O Lord, for thy Love this Day discovered to me; and for all the Benefits received at thy Table. What is Man that thou art mindful of him, or Son of Man that thou shouldst so regard him, as to suffer such bitter things for his sake; to be Scourged and Bruised for his Transgressions, and to bear upon thy Shoulders the Sins of a whole World? O the depth of the Riches of thy Mercy and Goodness! We have sinned against thee, and thou thyself hast undergone the Punishment! We have perversely run in the Paths that lead to Death and Damnation, and thou hast undeservedly merited Life and Salvation for us, and dost woo and entreat us to accept of it, and hast ordained this Sacrament to assure us of the Reality of thy gracious Intentions towards us: Praise the Lord, O my Soul, and all that is within me praise his Holy Name! Praise the Lord, O Soul, and forget not all his Benefits; who forgiveth all thy Sin, and healeth all thine Infirmities; who saveth thy Life from Destruction, and crowneth thee with Mercy and loving Kindness! Lord, grant that this unspeakable Love of thine may make me more and more a bound in Love to thee: Grant that it may constrain me to Obedience and good Living, and to a diligent Performance of all those solemn Engagements I have now made unto thee. And since thou hast purchased me with the inestimable Price of thy Blood, grant that I may continue wholly thine, and glorify thee both in Body and Spirit, by giving up myself to thy Service, and by walking before thee in Holiness and Righteousness all my days. Thou hast in infinite Mercy vouchsafed to unite thyself to me miserable and unworthy Creature, thereby becoming the Strength, Life, and Support of my Soul: O grant that I may never dissolve this Sacred Union, nor suffer any sinful Lust or unlawful Passion to take me out of thy Hand. And grant that (according to the Profession of Charity I have made at thy Table) I may henceforward be Compassionate, and ready to forgive all Wrongs and Injuries, supply the Wants and Necessities of the Poor; that so in all things I may adorn the Gospel of God my Saviour, and finally attain that Glorious Crown of Bliss and Immortality, which thou hast prepared for thy Saints in Heaven. Pardon, O my God, all my Sins and Failings, and perfect whatever Good Work thou hast begun in me unto the Day of Christ. Direct, sanctify, and govern both my Heart and Body in the ways of thy Laws, and in the Works of thy Commandments, that through thy most Mighty Protection both here and ever, I may be preserved both in Body and Soul, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. Our Father, etc. Then return home with a cheerful Heart, and let a Holy Life be thy Care ever after. Directions for Holy Living and Dying. 1. Directions how to Live well. IN the Morning awake with God, and offer up unto Him thy Morning-Sacrifice of Prayer: First, Give hearty Thanks for all his Mercies Spiritual and Temporal; and for thy Preservation in the Night. Secondly, Make an humble Confession of thy Sins, and desire Pardon. Thirdly, Ask such Necessaries as are requisite for thy Soul and Body, with fervent Request to be relieved in them; and desire his Blessing upon thy Labour in thy Calling. Always think that thou art before the Living God, and let the Remembrance hereof make thee afraid to Sin. Make Conscience of Idle, Vain, Dishonest, and Ungodly Thoughts; for these are the Seeds and Beginnings of actual Sin, in Word and Deed. Have a special Care to avoid those Sins which thou findest thy Nature most prone unto, and eschew those Provocations which were wont most to prevail against thee. Fellow with Faithfulness and Diligence thy Lawful Calling. Think thy present State and Condition to be the best State for thee. Look well to thy Carriage in Company, that thou do no hurt by Word or Example; nor take any thing from others, but endeavour rather to do good. Use Honesty towards all Men: A good Conscience and good Manners go together. If at any time thou art overtaken with any Sin, lie not in it, but speedily recover thyself by Repentance. When any good Desire, Motion, or Affection doth arise in thine Heart, suffer it not to pass away, but feed it by Reading, Meditating, or Praying. Esteem every Day as the Day of thy Death; and therefore live now, even as though thou wert now Dying; and do those good Duties every Day, which thou wouldst do if this were thy Dying Day. At the end of the Day, before thou sleepest, call to mind how thou hast spent the Day past: Thy Misdoing repent, and praise God for assisting thee with his Grace in the Duties which thou hast performed. Sleep not, at Night, before thou hast commended thyself by Prayer into the Hands of God; for thou knowest not whether (fallen asleep) thou shalt rise again to live here. Let Prayer be the Key to open the Morning, and the Bar to shut in the Evening. Walk as the Children of Light. II. Directions how to Die well. THink that the greatest Work thou hast to do in this World, is to Die well. They which Die well, Die not to Die, but to Live Eternally. Be every Day ready to leave this Life. That Man doth finish his Days best, that every Day esteemeth the last Day of his Life to be present and at hand. Endeavour before Death come to pull out his Sting, and take from him his Power and Strength, by humbling thyself in the time present for all thy Sins past, and by turning unto God for the time to come. That Man can never die ill, that taketh care to live well. Innure thyself by little and little to Die, before thou come to that Point that thou must needs Die. He that leaves the World before the World leaves him, giveth Death the Hand like a welcome Messenger, and departs in Peace. When thou art Visited with Sickness, or Old-age, think either of these are Warnings for thee e'er long to appear before the Great Judge of all the World: Therefore now prepare to set all things in good order, and make thine Accounts ready. Make a new Examination of thy Life and Conversation passed. Make a Confession unto God of thy new and particular Sins: As God sendeth new Corrections and Chastisements, make new Prayers, and more earnest than ever before, for Pardon of thy Sins, and Reconciliation with God in Christ; by all means avoid those Sins which thou findest and feelest increase the Wrath of God against thee. Be reconciled to thy Neighbour, freely forgiving them that have offended thee, and earnestly desire to be forgiven of all that thou hast offended. Set thine House and Family in order, by disposing of thy Worldly Goods in thy Will and Testament; thereby thou shalt Die not the more quickly, but the more quietly, and prevent the Brawls and Jars that otherwise (when thou art gone) may arise from thine Heirs. Thou partest with Earthly Possessions, and art going to take Possession of Heavenly. In the last Agony of Death, when all things in and of the World do fail and forsake thee, rest thyself by Faith on the Favour and Mercy of God in Christ, and comfort thyself in the Lord thy God. What shall separate from the Love of God in Christ? Not Life nor Death. Let thine Heart and Tongue be still employed in Prayer to the Lord: First, For Patience in thy Trouble. Secondly, For Comfort in thine Affliction. Thirdly, For Strength in Weakness. Fourthly, For Deliverance at his Pleasure. Yea, endeavour to Die Praying. When thou art in the depth of Miseries, and at the Gates of Death, there is a depth of God's Mercy, which is ready to hear and help thee. Misery must Call upon Mercy. Be willing and ready to departed out of this World without murmuring or repining, whensoever, wheresoever, or howsoever it shall please the Lord to call thee. For why shouldest thou unwillingly suffer a short Death that will bring thee to the Fruition of Eternal Joys: Persuade thyself, that if thou Live, by the Mercy of God, thou shalt do well; but if thou Die, doubt not but thou shalt do better. Lastly, when thou feelest Death approaching, commend thy Soul unto God: He gave it, to Him surrender it again. So laying thyself down to sleep and rest, God shall make thee to dwell in everlasting Safety. A● Death leaveth thee, so shall Judgement find thee. To preserve thy Body in Cleanness. Often meditate of God and good things. Carefully watch over thine Eyes and Ears. Be always doing something that is good. To preserve thy Tongue from Sin. Forethink whether it be lawful and fit to be spoken. Avoid all superfluity of Words. Affirm the Truth. To keep thy Life in Holiness. Do all things as in God's Sight. Eschew ill Company. Think daily of thy Death. A Dialogue between a BEGGAR and a DIVINE. THere was a certain Divine, famous in Learning and Piety, that did earnestly importune God, by Prayer, for some time together, thinking he had not the true Knowledge of the Ways of God (notwithstanding his much Learning) begging that God would give him to know more of Him and himself, and direct him to some that would teach him the way of Truth: And being inflamed at a certain time with vehemency of Desire, a Voice, as was supposed, spoke thus to him: Go forth into the Churchyard, and there thou may'st find a Man that can Teach thee the way. And going forth, he found there a certain Beggar, with patched and torn Apparel, and filthy dirty Feet, whose were not worth Three-halfe-pences, whom he spoke thus unto: Divine. God give thee a good Morning. Beggar, Sir, I do not remember I ever had an evil one. Diu. God make thee fortunate and prosperous: Why speakest thou in this manner? Beg. Neither was I unprosperous, neither was I ever unhappy. Diu. God save thee; speak now plainly. Beg. Truly Sir, I will do it willingly: Sir, thou didst wish me a prosperous and good Morning, and I answered I never had an evil one; for when I am pinched with Hunger, I praise God; if I suffer Cold, if it Snow, Hail, or Rain; be the Wether fair or foul, I praise God; and therefore there never happened any sad or evil Morning unto me. Thou didst likewise wish that I might be fortunate: I said I was never unfortunate, because whatever God gave me, I suffered; or whatever happened to me, whether it were agreeable, sweet or bitter to me, I gladly received it at his Hands, as the best; and therefore I was never unfortunate. Thou saidst moreover, That God would be pleased to make me happy; whereunto I likewise answered, That I never had been unhappy; for I am fully resolved (through his Grace) to adhere and cleave to the Will of God; and for this Cause, as I said, I was never unhappy, in that I cleave to his Will only, and have wholly resigned mine own. Diu. This is very strange! But what, I pray thee, wouldst thou do, if the Lord of Majesty should cast thee into the bottomless Pit? Couldst thou be content with his Will? Beg. Drown me in the bottomless Pit! Why, certainly, if he should, I have two Arms, by which I would still embrace him; the one is true Humility, and that I lay under him, and by him I am united to his Sacred Humanity; the other, and that is the Right one (which is Love) is united to his Divinity; and by his Love from himself, I hold him so fast, that he would go down to Hell with me; and it is much better for me to be in Hell with God, than in Heaven without him. By this the Divine learned that the most compendious way to God is true Resignation, with profound Humility. Hereupon the Divine spoke again to the Beggar, and asked him, Diu. Whence comest thou? Beg. From God. Diu. Where found'st thou God? Beg. Even where I left all the Creatures. Diu. I pray thee, Friend, who art thou? Beg. Who am I? Truly, I am a King; and Jesus himself crowned me with Peace, Power, and Rest. Diu. A King! Where is thy Kingdom? Beg. The Kingdom of Heaven is in me, that is, in my Soul; and I can now, and do, by his Power (not my own) in me, so govern and command all my inward Parts and Senses, that all the Affections and Powers of the Old Man in my Soul, are conquered, and are in subjection to me; which Kingdom no Man can doubt but is better than all the Kingdoms and Glories in the World. Diu. What brought thee to this Perfection? Beg. My sublime Meditations, and Union with that great God of Peace, and Improvement of Mercies to his Glory, and by growing in Grace, adding one Grace unto another; and I could rest in nothing less than an Assurance of God's Love, and this I have found: I have forsaken the unquiet World, and in him I have Peace of Conscience, and therein I rest. A Description of Christ's Person, according to Publ. Lentulus' News to the Senate of Rome. IN the Days of Tiberius Caesar, as the Governors of sundry Provinces under the Senate and People of Rome used to advertise the Senate of such News as happened in divers Countries, Publius Lentulus being at that time Precedent in Judea, wrote an Epistle to the Senate and People of Rome, the words these: There appeared, in these our Days, a Man of great Virtue, named Jesus Christ, who is yet living among us, and of the Gentiles is accepted as a Prophet of Truth, but his own Disciples call him the Son of God. He raises the Dead, and cures all sorts of Diseases; a Man of stature somewhat tall, and comely, with a very reverend Countenance, such as the Beholders may both love and fear; his Hair is of the colour of a Philbert full ripe, and plain almost down to his Ears, but thence downwards somewhat curled, and more orient of colour, wavering about his Shoulders; in the midst of it goeth a Seam or Partition, after the manner of the Nazarites; his Forehead plain and smooth; his Face without spot or wrinkle, beautified with a comely red; his Nose and Mouth so formed, as nothing can be reprehended; his Beard pretty thick, agreeable in colour to the Hair of his Head, not of any great length, but forked in the midst; of an innocent and mature Look, his Eyes grey, clear, and quick. In reproving he is terrible; in admonishing, courteous and fair spoken; pleasant in Speech, mixed with Gravity. It can't be remembered that any have seen him laugh, but Of the Persecution in Queen Mary's Reign. BIshop Jewel writes, That in the 5 years' Reign of Q. Mary was martyred 277 Persons, viz. 5 Bishops, 8 gentlemans, 21 Ministers, 84 Tradesmen, 100 Husbandmen, Labourers, and Servants, 20 Widows, 26 Wives, 9 Virgins, 2 Boys, 2 Infants, one sprung from the Womb as its Mother was burning at the Stake, so fling into the Fire at the very Birth; 64 were also persecuted for their Religion, 7 of 'em whipped, 16 died in Prison, 12 buried in Dunghills, and many lay in Captivity till the Reign of Q. Elizabeth. In the Year 1572, 30000 Protestants were massacred by Papists in France, etc. In the Year 1642, above 100000 Protestants were massacred in Ireland. Many more Cruelties our Historians mention, which here is not room to insert. Bishop Usher's Prophecy. THis pious Man had, at several times, many things impressed on his Mind concerning future Events, and with that warmness, that he could not keep 'em secret. He (by the Holy Spirit) foretold the Irish Rebellion 40 Years before it came, and the time it would break out. From this Prophetic Spirit he foresaw the Miseries of England in Church and State, and gave mournful Intimations of the Death of King Charles I. From this Spirit he foresaw his own Poverty, as to Worldly Things: From this Spirit he predicted the Divisions and Confusions in England about Religion, and the sad Consequences of it; some whereof we have seen fulfilled, and I pray God the rest may not be accomplished. And lastly, From this Spirit he foretold, that the greatest Stroke upon the Reformed Christians was yet to come, and the time of the utter Ruin of Rome should be when she thought herself most secure. His Opinion of Sanctification, that is, of the New Creature, which God formeth by his Spirit in every Soul which he doth truly regenerate. I find (says he) so little of it wrought in myself, that I can speak of it only as Parrots, by rote, and without the Knowledge and Understanding of what I might have expressed, and therefore I durst not presume to proceed any farther upon it. I must tell you (says he) we do not well understand what Sanctification and the New Creature are: It is no less than for a Man to be brought to an entire Resignation of his Will to the Will of GOD, and to live in the offering up of his Soul continually in Flames of Love, as a whole Burnt-Offering to Christ. And how little (continues he) are many of those who profess Christianity experimentally acquainted with this Work on their Souls! I asked him then, what his present Apprehensions were concerning a great Persecution which should fall on the Church of God in England, Scotland, and Ireland, which he had spoke of many Years before, when we were in Peace? and, Whether they were passed, or to come? He told me they were to come, and that this sad Persecution would fall on all the Protestant Churches in Europe. He was told, that it was hoped it might be passed as to these Nations; instancing the Judgements that had befallen us, tho' not so great as we deserved. He answered, (the Power of God seeming to be upon him, to constrain him to speak, which Mr. B. says he could easily discern much to differ from the Countenance wherewith he usually spoke to him) Fool not yourself with such Hopes, for I tell you, all that you have yet seen, are but the beginning of Sorrows, to what is yet to come on the Protestant Churches of Christ, who will e'er long fall under a sharper Persecution than ever yet has fell upon them: And therefore, said he, look you be not found in the outward Court, but a Worshipper in the Temple before the Altar, for Christ will rescue all those that profess his Name, and call themselves his People; but the outward Worshippers he will leave out to be trodden down by the Gentiles. The outward Court (says he) is the formal Christian, whose Religion lies in performing outside Duties of Christianity, without having an inward Life, and Power of Faith and Love, uniting them to Christ; and these God will leave to be trodden down, and swept away by the Gentiles: But the Worshippers within the Temple, and before the Altar, are those who do indeed worship GOD in Spirit and in Truth, whose Souls are made his Temples, and He is honoured and adored in the most inward Thoughts of their Hearts, and they sacrifice their Lusts and vile Affections, yea, and their own Wills to him; and these God will hid in the hollow of his Hand, and under the shadow of his Wings. And this, said he, shall be one great Difference between the last, and all the other preceding Persecutions; for in the former, the most eminent Spiritual Christians did generally suffer most, but in this last Persecution, these shall be preserved by GOD as a Seed to partake of the Glory that shall immediately follow, and come upon the Church, as soon as ever this Storm shall be over; for as this shall be the sharpest, so shall it be the shortest Persecution of them all, and shall only take away the gross Hypocrites, and formal Professors; but the true Believers shall be preserved till the Calamity be overpast. Mr. B. then asked him, By whom; He said, By the Papists, and in a way of sudden Massacre, and that the Pope should be the chief Instrument of it. He then added, That the Papists were (in his Opinion) the Gentiles spoken of in Revelat. 11. to whom the outward Court should be left, that they might tread it under foot, they having received the Gentiles Worship, in their adoring Images, and Saints departed, and in taking to themselves many Mediators: And this (said he) the Papists are now designing among themselves, and therefore be you ready. This is the Substance, says Mr. B. of what he spoke to me, and he repeated the same (in Substance) to the Lady Tyrel, and the Lady ●yss●. An Account of the Spanish Invasion. IN the 31st Year of Queen Elizabeth, 1588., Philip the Second, King of Spain, set forth a mighty Fleet, which, for its mighty Greatness, they called it, The Invincible Armado. It consisted of 150 tall Ships, in which was 20000 Soldiers. The Duke of Parma also was designed to bring out of Flanders Fifty-thousand more to join them; it had likewise 8600 Mariners, 2080 Galleyslaves, 2630 Great Guns, and abundance of Boats and Tenders beside, with Provisions. The Pope, 'tis said also, contributed a Million of Money. All these were to Land at the Thames Mouth. The Queen hearing of it, provided two Guards, one for the Sea, and another for the Land; that by Land was divided into Two Armies, one of Twenty-two thousand two hundred Foot, and One thousand Horse, Commanded by the Earl of Leicester, at Tilbury, where the Queen came and viewed her Army, to the great Encouragement of Her Soldiers, both by Her Presence and Speech to them. Her Guard at Sea were, in number, One hundred and Forty Ships, divided into Three Squadrons, Commanded by Admiral Howard, Vice-Admiral Drake, and Rear-Admiral Seymour. The Spaniards having entered our Seas, the Queen commanded the Lord-Admiral to prepare Eight of Her worst Ships for Fireships, which, in the dead of the Night were sent down the Wind among the Spanish Fleet, which so surprised and alarmed them, not understanding the Invention, that they immediately cut their Cables, and weighed Anchor, and put to Sea; upon which the Queen's Fleet, under the Command of Sir Francis Drake and others, took some of them, drove others on the Sands, others were tossed to and fro, and mangled and racked: So that more than one half of them were lost, returning home with Shame and Dishonour: And of the English were lost only One Ship of small Value. So that this Fleet, that was Three Years preparing, was in a Month's Time overthrown, with the Loss of a Multitude of Spaniards. FINIS.