Drops of myrrh, OR, MEDITATIONS AND PRAYERS, Fitted to divers of the preceding Arguments. O Lord my strength, be not silent unto me, lest if thou make as though thou hearest me not, I become like them that go down into the pit, Psal. 28. 1. My Beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of Spices, to feed in the garden, and to gather the lilies. I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine; he feedeth among the lilies, Cantic. 6. 2, 3. LONDON, Printed by R. W. for Rich. Davis in Oxon. 1653. The Arguments. 1. A Prayer for a distracted Church and State. 2. A Prayer for the Spirit of moderation and discerning. 3. A Meditation and Prayer concerning the perfection of God's Word. 4. The hopeful Soul's conflict between extremities. 5. The humble Soul's Agony with natural pride. 6. The mortified Christian tolling his own knell. 7. The delivered Soul's jubilee. 8. The Authors concluding vote for himself and the Reader. An Advertisement to the READER. BEcause there are abundance of excellent forms of Meditations and prayers for all occasions already in Print, and the generality of men now, with Saul's Army, choose rather to fast and faint, then save such honey from dropping on the ground (which probably, if tasted, might illuminate the eyes,) I shall not add much of this nature (as namely particular Forms of confession & humiliation, of supplications & intercession & thansgivings;) but only some few Portions excerpt or enlarged from my own private Devotions, which I thought most pertinent to some of the matters foregoing. God sanctify them to the humble Readers use. For a distracted CHURCH and STATE. Prayer I. OH Lord God, the great and terrible, that rulest heaven and earth, that puttest down one, and settest up another, and none may say unto thee, what dost thou? Look down from the hibitation of thy holiness, and thy glory, and behold with an eye of pity this wretched Nation. O Lord, things are now at that pass, that we know not which way to look; Our eyes are up unto thee, merciful God, save or we perish! Let not the oppressions and calamities that have already befallen us seem small in the eyes of thy compassion, though we confess thou hast punished us much less than our iniquities deserve: But for thy mercy sake, which is over all thy works, for thy son's sake, who taketh away the sins of world, let it be enough: Let there be no more such terrible shakings, and earthquakes among us: Let the prayers of thy small remnant more prevail with thee for pardon and mercies, than the abominations of wicked men and hypocrites for judgement, and vengeance. Sanctify thy bitter providences to such as it hath pleased thee to afflict and debase: Give them submiss patience under thy all-ruling-hand, and a joyful harvest from their sorrows, even if it be thy will in this life, if otherwise, in the next: and however thou disposest (O thou most Just and most Wise) of particular persons, and interests; yet let the interest of thy Gospel be Advanced, the hearts of thy people established and comforted, and the patient expectation of the humbled and injured satisfied. Arise Oh Lord! let not man prevail. Thou who ●●●est between the Cherubims show thyself. Show thyself a Defender if the innocent, One that humbleth those that exalt themselves, that taketh the crafty in his devices, and maketh the hypocrite a terror to himself. Lord God of hosts! Let not them have occasion to say with their mouth, or in their heart, that thou God hearest not, or seest not; or that thou God hast forsaken the Earth. Let a Book of Remembrance be written for those that fear thee, and yet speak often for thy truth; and put up into thy bottle every tear shed by those, whom it pitieth to see our Zion thus in the dust. Return Oh Lord! how long stoppest thou thy ears and wilt not hear thy people pray? Be pleased for thy son's sake, yet at length to make this Land a praise in the Earth, an holy Church, and a Religious prosperous State. Take away from amidst us the spirit of delusion and strife, and hatred, and hypocrisy; and pour out a Spirit of love, of equity, and of truth: Remove every stumbling-block and rock of offence, every galling thorn, and pricking briar to the spirits of such as desire to fear thy name: and make the way of the Lord so plain in the Land, that the waifaring man, though a fool, may not err therein. And cause all of us, however at present unhappily divided, yet at length with unanimous hearts to say; Not any of our wills, but the will of our Lord be done. Amen. For the Spirit of moderation and discerning. OH Lord, the Father of Lights Pray. 2. and fountain of Wisdom! Into how many parties and interests are those that profess thy name divided? How many lay claim to thy truth, that in the same particulars contradict each other? And how many colours are found out to make each pretence seem probable? How difficult is it to determine which is right? how uncomfortable to hover between uncertainties? how dangerous to resolve at a rash adventure? Oh Lord, thy unworthy Servant hath a long time sadly considered these premises; and amidst those floods of doubts and controversies which now cover the face of thy Church, can scarce (with Noah's Dove) find one dry place whereon to rest his foot: Oh my God, I betake myself to the Ark, my refuge: My eyes are up unto thee, Thou hast bid those who want wisdom to ask of thee, who givest liberally, and upbraidest no man: Vouchsafe me I beseech thee for thy son's sake a share in that thy promise, That thy Spirit shall lead me into all truth. Give me a discerning spirit, that I may discern between things that differ, and a stable mind, with a settled judgement, that I may not be tossed about with every wind of doctrine, but let my senses be so exercised, that I may prove all things, and firmly hold whatsoever is good: And because knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth, join humility and charity with my knowledge, and effectually bow my heart to do thy will, and then thy promise is, That I shall know it. Furthermore, O Lord, because of all thy attributes, thou commendest none more to our imitation then those of love & mildness, grant O Lord, that I may not deceive myself, and think it a piece of Religion to be bitter against my Brethren; but make me to study and practise that wisdom which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy, and good fruits, without partiality and hypocrisy. O Lord, grant me my request for thy son's sake. Amen. Meditation and Prayer concerning the Word of God. HOw perfect is thy Law, O Pray. 3. God, which converteth souls; Thy Testimonies, O Lord, which make the wise simple, how sure are they? Thy Statutes are pure, and r●joyce the heart; Thy Commandment is pure, and enlightens the eyes. Thy Word is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the d●●●ding asunder of soul and spirit. Let others seek for grounds to believe the Scriptures, thy inspiration; This satisfyeth me, that none could so lay open the inmost secrets of the heart, but thou alone who only knowest it. O Lord, I many times think that in reading other books, I have discovered mysteries, and yet upon review of thine, I see the same things there; and oh how much clearer! Oftentimes, O Lord, I meet with things both within me and without, which when I seek to know, they are too painful for me: until I fly unto this thy sanctua●●, and then I understand them. O Lord, I have seen an end of all perfection, but thy Commandments are exceeding broad. To thy Law, and to thy Testimonies let all men have recourse; They that speak not according to this word, have no light in them. Behold all they that kindle fires, and compass themselves about with their own sparks; Though they walk never so presumptuously and pleasantly in the fire, and the sparks they have kindled; yet this shall they have at thy hand, they shall lie down in sorrow. As for me, O Lord, I am a stranger upon Earth, oh hide not thy Commandment from me. Suffer me not to choose unto myself any of those blind guides my vain mind or subtle adversary would accommodate me with. Lord whither should I go from thee? Thou hast the words of eternal life. Let thy word be a Lamp to my feet, and a light unto my path▪ Let thy Statutes be my Song in the house of my Pilgrimage. Grant that here beholding thy glory in this glass, when I awake up, I may be satisfied with thine Image. The hopeful soul's conflict between extremities. Suffer thy Servant, O Lord, who Pray. 4. is but dust and ashes, thus to expostulate with thee in the bitterness of his Soul. Lord, what a riddle, and a wonder am I to myself! How many characters read I in my heart, which I understand not; and how many see I there, which I cannot read? How oft am I in a great straight, my Soul being dejected, and my Spirit confounded within me? how oft am I at a loss, and know not what to think of myself? One while I find my Soul somewhat confident in thee, and am ready to say, I shall never greatly be moved; Thou Lord, of thy goodness seemest to have made my ●ill so strong. Anon, thou but hidest thy face, and oh how am I troubled! One while my fingers seem to drop myrrh in following after thee; and ere I am aware, my Soul carrieth me like the Chariots of Ammi-nadab. Anon, all my Wheels are taken off, and I find nor foot, or heart, to draw or move toward thee. One while I can with joy and cheerfulness look into the Holy of Holies, through the veil of thy son's flesh. Anon, with the Publican, I dare not so much as lift up my eyes unto heaven, and say, I am deservedly cast out of thy sight. One while I think the high holds of my heart leveled to the foot of Christ, and the way of the Lord prepared in my Soul. A while after, I seem to descry Mountains yet unremoved. Now I persuade myself thou hast in good measure cast my heart into the mould of Christianity; Anon, I cry out, oh in how little am I a Christian! I one while laugh at my weaknesses, follies and mistakes; to consider how oddly, and strangely I cheat and deceive myself; soon after I am astonished and confounded at fouler discoveries▪ and then again, in hopes of thy pardoning and subduing my corruptions, I say return unto thy rest o my Soul; and yet I keep not long there. Every day new wonders appear within me, and I know I am far still from seeing to the bottom of my heart. Lord, all things are naked and bare before thee; thou understandest my thoughts afar off: thou knowest my foolishness, and none of my sins are hid from thee▪ Lord, though I know not what I am, yet I know thou canst make me what thou wilt. Search me, O God, try my heart and my reins, suffer not any way of wickedness to remain with me, but guide me in the way everlasting. Work truth in my inward parts, and in my hidden part make me to understand Wisdom. O let my heart be sound in thy Statutes, that I be not ashamed. The humble Soul's Agony with natural Pride. O Lord God of hosts, the Pray. 5. terrible, and Omnipotent; thou settest thyself in battle-array against the proud. How shall I approach thy presence with a proud heart, when the Mediator between thee and man admits none to him, but the humble and lowly? Yet, oh meek Jesus! amongst them certainly thou invitest those that are sensible of, that are heavy laden with their pride, and desire to be humble. Holy Father! thy poor creature hath all the causes in the world to be humble; whether I respect thee above, or hell beneath, or the weaknesses of body and mind in myself, or without me, the eminent gifts thou hast bestowed upon others, of the least of which I am not as uncapable as unworthy. Yet O Lord, none of these considerations will prevail on my corrupt perverse treacherous heart, without thy blessing, without thou set them home upon me. Thou canst level the Mountains, and bring down the high and lofty, and make the rough smooth, and the crooked straight; Thy smallest breath can rend the Cedars. My sad experience with my natural fears, make me almost despair of prevailing against this corruption; of ever performing the least part of my duty without this taint attending it. My God, my whole trust is in thee; with thee I know all things are both possible and easy. I cast my spirit into thy hands, undertake for me. Be surety for thy servant in that which is good, that the proud do me no harm. Suffer me not to think the pride of my heart then mortified, when charmed only by some passionate reflection, or warm application▪ Suffer me not to think it extinct, when with▪ drawn only, or hid in some corner of my breast. Suffer me not to make terms with this enemy, or conceit I am humbled, and be proud in that. Rather, oh Lord! let the Messenger of Satan buffet me, so that thy grace be sufficient for me: Rather let him foil me, so that I rise by my false, and through thy grace prevail, by being overcome. Yet, oh Lord! how long shall I cry out by reason of the oppression of the enemy? I beseech thee for thy Anointed's sake (and thou wilt not turn away his face) let me not go all the day long this heavily, whilst the enemy magnifies himself, and triumphs over me. Arise, O Lord! command deliverances for me: Attend unto my cry, for I am brought very low; deliver me from my persesecutor, for he is too strong for me. Bring my Soul out of prison, that I my praise thy name; o compass me about with Songs of deliverance. Open my mouth wide with thanksgiving, and let my tongue sing aloud of thy righteousness. The mortified Christian tolling his own knell. LOrd! since death is my passage Pray. 6. into thy presence, why sufferest thou the thought thereof to be terrible unto me? This consideration affrights me more than death itself. O Lord, I cannot without some reluctance think, that suddenly I shall see man no more upon the face of the earth. Doubtless the light is pleasant to the eyes, and a joyful thing it is to behold the Sun. The Grave cannot praise thee, Death cannot celebrate thee, they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I desire to do this day. Consider o Lord, I desire to walk before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart. O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days; Thy years are throughout all Generations. Hast thou so little work for me to do, that thou allottest me so short a time, and bringest upon me sorrows and weaknesses so fast? Lord, I came into the world on thy errand, and I live only upon thy allowance, I am not to be my own carver. My God, my goodness extendeth not unto thee, thou needest neither my service, nor my being; certainly 'tis but nature in me, that thus affects to serve thee in life, when thou callest on me to glorify thee by death. Let it abundantly content me, O Lord, that whether waking or sleeping, dead or alive, I shall be always thine, and always live together with Christ. Lord, help me to consider what a poor derivative thing I am, what a mere dependent upon thee: And let the consideration of thy Majesty and glory swallow up all those petty interests of my own, which I create in myself, to myself. Help me in every passage and particular of my life and death, to say as is right meet, & my bounden duty; the will of my Lord be done. O Lord, let me not dare to be displeased at any thing, whatsoever it be, that is thy pleasure. Suffer me not, though with the softest voice of my Soul, to interrogate upon thy proceedings, or to whisper to myself what's the reason the Lord will thus deal with me. Though thou shouldst cut off like a Weaver my life, and deprive me of the residue of my years; Though thou shouldst like a lion, break all my bones, and from day even till night with pining sickness and faintness make an end of me; Yet let me be dumb and not open my mouth, because it is thy doing. Nay, O Lord, open my mouth wide, to say, Behold the unprofitable servant of the Lord, be it unto me as thou pleasest: Into thy hand Lord, I resign my Body and Soul; Lord Jesus receive my spirit. Come Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen. The Jubilee. THy Vows are upon me, O God, Pray. 7. I will sing and give thanks. Open thou my lips, that my mouth may show forth thy praise; That I may extol thee with the best member I have, and that my tongue may sing aloud of thy righteousness, and of thy goodness. Why is it Lord, that I am thus straightened towards thee, who art so enlarged unto me? Why is it that my thanksgivings are usually confined to the very enquiry only what I shall render unto thee for all thy benefits towards me? But O Lord, what can I render unto thee, since all I have is thine? First, O Lord, I praise thee, that thou hast put it into the▪ heart of thy servant, thus to ascribe all I have unto thee, and thus to give unto thee of thine own. From thy goodness, O Lord, I have received my being, and every thing, which maketh it not a burden and a misery unto me. Thou openest the hand of thy liberality, and suppliest all my necessities. Lord, I praise thee for the many temporal blessings thou hast here afforded me; and yet that thou hast not given me my portion in this life, or my good things in it. I praise thee for those unutterable and endless joys which thou of thy grace hast prepared for me, and of which thou hast already wrought in me some participation by hope, through Christ, the fountain of all my good. Praised be thy name for that discipline and method of grace which thou art pleased to take to fit me for that thy Kingdom. I praise thee, O Lord, for bringing me into the wilderness, to humble me, to prove me, to know what was in my heart, and then to speak comfortable words to me. That thou art pleased, as a man chastneth his son so to chasten me; to cross my will, and frustrate my designs, and all to do me good in the latter end. I praise thee for correcting me in measure; for considering how frail a creature I am, and not suffering my spirit quite to fail under thy hand. Oh, what great troubles and adversities hast thou showed me! and yet didst thou turn and refresh me, and broughtest me from the deep of Hell again. O Lord, thou knewest my Soulin all her adversities: When I said, I was cast out of thy presence, yet then wert thou near unto me, and receivedst my prayer. In the multitude of terrible and distracting thoughts within me, thy comfort, O Lord, through thy son's blood, refreshed my Soul. I praise thee, O Lord, for the long striving of thy Spirit with me, whereas thou mightest without me offer of grace, have left me unto that Death, which I have more than once chosen. Lord, thou continually bearest with my evil manners; Thou sparest when I deserve punishment, and according to thy unspeakable goodness, rewardest me good for evil. O Lord, I daily undo myself, and lose the works thou hast wrought: I daily pierce my Soul through with poisoned darts, yet thou art my continual help, and my constant health. How many times do both my flesh and my heart fail me? Yet Lord, thou art always the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. They that follow after lying vanities, for sake their own mercies. But it is good for me to draw nigh unto my God; I have put my trust in thy name, oh thou most High! The Authors concluding Vote for himself and the Reader. O Lord, let the dross, and the Pray. 8. hay and the stubble in this book be burnt with fire; but the Author saved at thy great day, through thy son's blood. Suffer no Reader to turn that to an occasion of uncharitableness toward me, which I designed for his good. Suffer no Reader to think I sought myself, in that I have told him somewhat that thou hast done for my Soul. Grant also, that none may think of me beyond what with judicious and charitable eyes and ears he heareth of me, or seeth in me; And Lord, thou knowest I have not the least cause to be proud of that. FINIS.