THE RAPTURES OF A Flaming Spirit.  
BEING A Directory, Wherein Methodically is contained the several Parts of PRAYER.  
With Select Expressions for the Performance of the DUTY.  
As the Author useth to Express himself before and after his SERMONS.  
By NICO. PEARSON. etc.  HOS. 14. 2. Take with you words, and turn to the LORD; say unto him, etc. 
LONDON, Printed by Tho. James for the Author, and are to be sold by Robert Clavel and Richard Jones, at the Peacock in St. Paul's Churchyard, and the White Horse in Little Britain. 1682.   

THE PREFACE OR INTRODUCTION.  
IT was uncharitably, ungratefully, and indeed enviously said of Eliab, David's Eldest Brother, when he saw David so vigorous and zealous in the Lords Work; That he came from home, to the Camp, in Pride, and Naughtiness of heart, to exalt himself, leaving the Sheep under his charge, exposed to danger: Eliab not knowing that the thing was of God, and not considering he was sent by his Father; and not Vacuis Manibus, but brought a Present to their Captain and Sustenance for himself and brethren. I am sure to meet with such misinterpretation and suspect from my Anti-ingenious Brethren, of whom I say as St. Paul said of Alexander the Copper Smith, altering the Deprecation not the Complaint, God forgive them, for they have done me much harm. Envy that dark Shadow, always waiteth upon Shining Merit; being an inseparable Attendant of all good things: and where she cannot find a hole, will be sure to make one. I am sure, in regard I venture to stand up in this Sycamore Tree, to be charged with Pride, Presumption, and Arrogancy. Calumny and Conjecture may abuse Innocency herself: But if God justify me in this Matter (as I believe he will) I fear not Man's Judgement. If I fall in with God, I care not who falls out with me. David was obedient to his Father's Commands, and took a great deal of pains to bring a Gift to the Captain to infavour his Brethren with him, and an Ephah of Parched Corn and ten loaves for their subsistence: When he had quit himself of that Burden, they laden him with another much harder to be born, Cruel Censures and Contumelious Words. I fear not that my Obedience to God will be in vain; but for my Care, Industry, and Kindness, to my Brethren, I shall have Instead of Grapes, Thorns; and for Figgs, Thistles. I have here provided and brought some Weapons which are not Carnal, not only to oppose the Enemies that defy the Armies of the Living God, and exalt themselves against his Kingdom; but such as are Instrumental for the gaining it for ourselves and for them that are under our charge: Matt. 11. 12. and also some Instructions how to manage them. I am sure there is need enough, but the hearts of the needful I am afraid are too proud to accept of assistance; but will be ready to ask as the Captains that was with Jehu, did concerning he Prophet, Wherefore came this mad fellow hither? 2 Kings 9 11. I can find no better Answer for these Ingratoes than David gave his Brother, What have I now done? Is there not a Cause? 1 Sam. 17. 29.  
How many are they, and what is most lamentable, who have taken upon them the Ministry, the Dispensation of God's Word and Sacraments, to be Agents between God and his People, and to stand between the Porch and the Altar; who by presuming to do what they are uncupable of, prostitute the Solemnity of this Duty of Prayer; which being duly performed is the Sun of Spiritual Exercises, the Centre of Christian Religion, the Heart of Devotion, and the very Soul of Piety; but by an undue performance of it, and by trifling in it, they render it inconsiderable and contemptible, either by making a Set Form according to their weak apprehension of Things, or else, which is, more intolerable, to venture to pray extempore not having the Gift, nor any tolerable Requisites or Qualifications towards it.  
This ensuing Work is principally intended for those that pray in public, and are as it were the Mouth of all that join with them: Notwithstanding every one may inform themselves for the performance of Private Devotion, by the following Instructions.  
I have observed two great defects in Public Extempore Prayer, the one Want of Method, and the other the Want of apt and elegant Expressions; which even forced me upon this adventure.  
I own that the life of Prayer is from infusion from above, and is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the Ministration of the Spirit. But Method is the Organ, and Rhetocal Sweet-charming and Pathetical Expressions, are the Harmony; and where these all combine together, there's a Heavenly Melody.  
It's well known that the Spirit of God generally worketh in the Use of Means: And when the Heart bathe indicted a Good Matter, causeth the Tongue to be like unto the Pen of a Ready Writer. I have found that the Spirit is more assistant in Method than otherwise, for Confusion in the Mind and Thoughts hinder the Operation thereof: Method and Matter ought to be studied and observed, by all Public Persons, as Ministers, Chaplains, Masters of Families, etc. because we are to work upon the Affections of them that join with us: I shall first speak to the Method of Prayer.  
In want of Method there must necessarily be great Irregularity, and such a Wandering and Wildering flat and baffle Devotion, and withal many times, as I have observed, some of the Essential Parts of Prayer omitted; Yea by able Ministers, and they who were accounted extraordinarly gifted for this performance, for want of Method, have abruptly stepped out of one part of Prayer into another, and presently hedged back again; and have been guilty of Notorious Tautology, and sometimes being at Nonplus, rather than continue silent, pronounce that which they would be ashamed to see in Writing: and in this hurry and disorder forget the Confessing of Sin, Thanksgiving, or the Afflicted, or some other Things, which ought not to he left out. These faults and neglects are not so considerable in Private Devotion, nor intermission, which is intolerable in Public. They say they pray by the Dictates of the Spirit of God, and that Praying in Method is not much different from a Set Form, and that Set Forms are dull, heartless, lifeless. For my part, I find no Authority to condemn Set Forms of Prayer; neither will I judge or reproach any that pray only by them; those that are not gifted must do as they can. But Method and Form in my eye are two distinct Things, as in this my Design you will find. My Hearers know I constantly keep a Method, although I take liberty to vary Expressions every day, which I find much refreshing to them as well as to myself. I am so far from being obliged or obliging to a Pack of Words, that I would not have any to think me so vain, as to endeavour to bind any to keep to my Expressions; far be it from me to reduce all that may be spoken in this Duty to a proportion or scantling of my Conceiving: for I know, however the ignorant and profane World scoff, the Product of Divine Inspiration, must be a great Sum of Grace and Sanctity, which do not only ravish the hearts of them that possess them, but expandeth to the enlightening of all about them. It was the emptiness and insufficiency of too many, that caused me to offer this which I call not a Form, but a Sample, Pattern, or Directory. I believe I shall many times perform this Duty, and not use any of these Expressions, I bless God there's enough from whence these came; yet I observe a Method, even this which I show to the world. I begin with Adoration, then to Confession, from Confession to Gratulation, and so to Petition in general; and afterward descend to particulars, for the Church, for Governors, for the Ministers of the Gospel, for a Blessing upon the Word preached, for Unregenerate Men, for Wounded Consciences, for others in Affliction; and then conclude, rolling ourselves upon God and committing ourselves unto his Protection, with some Earnest Supplications for his guiding of us and care over us, etc. In the using of this Method we shall not omit any part of Prayer. This is my way in my Meditations for the preparation for the Duty and in performance of it, And my grounds for it are that we ought to fill our Apprehensions and Understandings with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the Great things of God, the Infiniteness of the Glory, Sovereignty Wisdom, Power Justice, and Purity of God; this will bring a Dread and Consternation upon us; Then come to consider his Grace, Goodness, Mercy, Truth, Sufficiency, etc. this will temper the Consternation that the Consideration of the more awful Attributes brought upon us: So there will be a Gracious Mixture of Fear and Love. To have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, right Opinions and Apprehensions of God, is the Architectonicon, Basis, and Foundation of all Devotion. The Waiting upon God with a due sense of the Nature, Attributes, and the Dispensation of his Providences, raiseth our Minds, quickeneth our Affections, and causeth us to take all up the Hill to the Sacrifice. And when we have spent some time in this Exercise, in Adoring, Praising and Glorifying God, then look we inward. I believe in Divinity as well as in Philosophy, The Knowledge of one Contrary bringeth in the Contrary or another: After we have considered that all the Prodigies of Greatness and Goodness are in God, then to look upon and into our Selves, and consider we are the Creatutes of the Most High, and what Obligations he hath laid upon us, and what kind of Returns we have made, what Duties are incumbent upon us, and how we have performed them, etc. These things done unfraudulently, will bring Confusion upon our Faces; this must humble us, ay to the Earth. These things being truly considered, maketh us sick of ourselves, and so to loathe ourselves, as to vomit up our Sin by Confession; then we shall say in bitterness of Spirit (not in a Theatrical Manner, as the most do) That we have left undone those things which we ought to have done: And That we have done those things which we ought not to have done. We shall with deep accents and resentments say we are miserable sinners, for the nearer we draw to God the more light discovereth itself; which will show that guilt and pollution in us that we were strangers to, in respect of the apprehension of it. Then it necessarily followeth that we shall fall upon the Admiring and Praising God's Long-suffering, Mercy, and Goodness, that the effects of our Sins are not upon us; and acknowledge our Selves the Living monuments of his Grace, and return Hearty Thanks for all the Blessings We enjoy spiritual and temporal; knowing our Selves to be utterly unworthy of them, and that 'tis merely Divine Bounty that bestoweth them. Then Freegrace will appear more beautiful than the Sun. Then the Lord Christ the great Minister thereof, will be the Chief of Ten thousand: Then precious will the Promises and all the Means of Grace appear: Certainly this is enough to make the Dumb to speak, and enlarge every straight heart to give all possible thanks, and to study what they shall render unto the Lord for all his benefits. And by this time we shall be so high, lifted out of Worldly Darkness, that we shall see what Gild even the best of us gather and contract day by day; then shall we beg to be washed and purified: Also we shall see our Frailty and Inability, and be earnest with God for such Graces and Qualifications as shall enable us to run the Race that is set before us; and by considering other men's conditions by our own, we shall not fail to intercede for them. This is the Method I constantly keep (I can say) with great benefit; but in the words of the great Apostle, If any one can Show me a more excellent Way, Noverint Universi, I am not of them that despise Instruction.  
The Second Want that I observed in the performance of this Duty, is the not having full and weighty Expressions, which is like the want of Wing-feathers to a Bird, or of a Gale of Wind to a Ship under sail. We ought to use full and significant Words in Prayer, not so much to mo●● the Mind of God by Rhetorical Insinuations, as by rehearsing and considering the Words, to stir up in ourselves Attention, Adoration, Contrition, Gratulation, Fervent Holy Desires, etc. Sinewy pregnant powerful Expressions, are an Advertisement unto us, and that Advertisement leadeth us unto a Consideration, and the Consideration carrieth us to the Understanding. Rehearsing of Words are profitable, if thereto the Mind give heed; then we pray with the Understanding, as St. Paul mentions; 1 Cor. 14. 15. I have here provided many hundreds of Expressions adapted and fitted for each part of Prayer, I could have placed them so that they might have been more dependant and coherent, but my Intention is not to teach Forms of Prayer. I have laid them open, that they who have not the Gift of Prayer (for them this is chief intended) may take and choose where they please, and with a little Industry so order their Affairs, that they may express themselves with variety every time they are called to the performance of this Duty, to the great enlightening and refreshment of themselves and others. I much fear that some of those Raptures are so high and lofty, that they be obscured in the Clouds of some men's Ignorance; and to such will prove invaluable: But I must, as they that show their Jewels openly, abide the Curiosity and Censure of every Beholder: And surely by the Ignorant the Richest shall be the least regarded, Judgements being apt to err where they pass upon Things, they understand not. We take Unknown Coin, suspiciously, and where there is no true Judgement, the heaivest Judgement cometh. I observe the Poets many times in their Prologues earnestly entreat to be understood, that is, that the Auditors and Spectators may not Hiss, until they have well considered and know a reason for it. One of them telleth the people why he maketh such an Apological Defence.  
Some Critic woudbe's they will rail at the Poet.  
For speaking sense (poor souls) and they not know it.  
I showed my Papers in Manuscript to divers, who I presumed were Intelligent and Learned, desiring them to try them, and pass Judgement, and execute them who deserved not to live; To work they went, with Abbington Law: When I came to see what condition my dear Issue was in, I found the chiefest of my Darlings under Bars, being crossed out, sentenced, ready for Execution. I not having patience to see the Innocent barbarously murdered before my face, Natural Affection (you know will do much) forced me to arrest the Judgement, and by that means procured another Trial for them: But they being Strangers, spoke in a Language that their Judges were not acquainted with, they never having been in the High Countries, where the supposed Criminals came from: But with much ado I procured some Interpreters that understand both Languages, and causing some auxiliary Lights to be brought in, by and by the Innocents' appeared in great loveliness and beauty; insomuch that their hasty inconsiderate Judges embraced them and did them great Honour.  
I am well acquainted with the baseness of the World, Pride and Ignorance, those inseparable Companions go hand in hand next the Wall; and where ever they meet Divine Wisdom and Humility (who never part) they kick them into the Kennel. I have read of one kind of Serpent, that always hisses at the Light: I know what sort of Men will use more Criticism than Ability, another sort that know better things, will look upon my pains and endeavours, as though they looked thro' the wrong end of a Perspective, which maketh things seem little, inconsiderable, at great distance, and of little value: Others there are that are so proud that they'll rather sit in the dark than light their Candle at their Neighbours, more I know that will not fail to throw dirt in my face, and endeavour to persuade the World that its my Natural Complexion; and will strive to blast my Fruits with their poisonous breath: O Tempora! O Mores! I have twenty years together run the Gauntlet, many a blow and thrust I have had, yet (for all) thro' mercy I am still on my Legs, and able to face them. We may know when we see a Tree battered, and stones and sticks lying in the Boughs, that good Fruit hath grown there. Yet notwithstanding all the discouragments I have had and am sure to meet with, I determine not to leave any thing undone that is incumbent upon me. It was a humble, but a sweet and gracious Saying of a worthy Divine, I am glad to bring one Pin towards the decking of the Lords Bride. What ever is in my way that tendeth to Edification, or may in the least help the Church of God, I resolve (by God's help) to break thro' the throngs of Opposition, to hand it to her; and if this be as kindly accepted as it is humbly offered, it will vigorate me in the performance of that which is before me.  
Let no one think that I would have them to mutter over any of these Expressions in Prayer without Understanding, as though there were some Magical force in them; I intent them not for such: God delighteth not in the Sacrifices of Fools. Surely there is not any that oftener protesteth against heartless performances than I do. I have often said, yet I find not any reason to recant it, That God is more displeased with the unsincere Prayers of the Wicked, than with any other of their Actions. It's an old Saying, Simulata sanctitas est duplex Iniquitas. It's much better not to tread the Lords Courts at all, than in vain. What a heavy Detestation God pronounceth in the First of Isaiah against Vain Oblations, and against their Hypocritical spreading forth their hands. Heartless Operations are hearty Dissimulations. How the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the beginning of the Creation of God, loathed the Church of Laodicea; Revel. 3. 14, 15, 16. because of her lukewarmness: He wished she were either cold or hot; that is either to serve him in sincerity, or not to pretend to it: but because she was lukewarm, he spewed her out of his Mouth with strong demonstration of abhorrency: And how far it is from God to return to his Vomit again: God will not be mocked, Good Words without the heart are but Flattery, yea good Works without the Heart are but hypocrisy. I confess Prayer is a Sacrifice, but abominable, except the Heart be the Altar, whereon it is offered. A Heart without a Sacrifice is better than a Sacrifice without a Heart. Deus magis delectat affectu quam effectu; is an Old but true Maxim in Divinity. God calleth for the heart, Pro. 23. 26. He that is all in all to us, will have all in all in us; as the famous Carthaginian Captain was Primus ingressus and ulitmus egressus; so our Hearts must be the first and last in all our Performances.  
It's sad to consider that the Heathen should give real honour to counterfeit gods, and that Christians should give a counterfeit honour to the True God. A Sacrifice without a Heart was a sad and Ominous Presage in the Superstition of the Roman Augurs. They that give but the Skin of Worship shall have but the Shell of Comfort. He that accepteth the Heart without any thing, will not accept of any thing without the Heart. I have heard of a Gentleman's Servant, that was such an Ignoramo, that when he heard that his Mother was offended with his negligence in not sending of her a Letter, sent her a Letter that came for his Master; thinking if it were a Letter it was well enough, what ever was in it; which did not only discover his own folly but affront his Mother. Too many such Ignoramo's have we, that hear God expecteth Sacrifices of Prayer and Praise, and to hear daily from them; then they get some other men's Letters, such as others have made and directed to God, not considering the substance and contents of them, but offer them at a venture, their hearts being strangers to them: which doth not only show their wretched Ignorance, but affronteth the Majesty of God; as though he were not acquainted with all our ways nor pondered all our go. Vain Prayers are Religiosum Scelus, which indeed are Wickednesses of the First Magnitude.  
Therefore in the words of the Wise man jexhort thee, When thou prayest, prepare thine Heart, and be not as one that tempteth the Lord. He alludeth to an Irreverent Fellow that rusheth inconsiderately into a Prince's presence, which tempteth the Prince to order him to be punished. How many in this Kingdom daily thus tempt God, by their inconsiderate entering into this Duty, being not so much concerned as they who worship Idols. How lamentable it is to go into a Church, when the Minister is at Prayer, and the People about him, scarce one of them showing any Respect, Reverence, Affection, or Devotion, their eyes wandering from one part of the Congregation to another, the Men adjusting of their Hair or Peruque, and the other Sex, their Ornaments; some whispering, others in intolerable Postures, yet will observe their times to give their Responds, and speak to God when they do not think of him. These are they that God complaineth of, That draw near unto him with their lips, when their hearts are far from him. I plead not for outward Postures and Gestures, yet I am sure if the heart be rightly affected, it commandeth the Body. When the Mind is filled with what concerneth us in the performance of this Duty, we are far from notifying other Trifles: How many there are that think they have performed their Duty of Prayer when they have rabbled over a many words, although they have no more sense or knowledge of what they say, than Parrots have.  
I have read of one Bolus, an Actor upon a Stage, in the Representation of Grief, he feigned a Weeping, but at the very time, he remembered the death of his only Daughter than he weeped in earnest: I wish that our ordinary Actors, when they say daily, We have left undone those things that we ought to have done, and done those things which we ought not to have done, and that there is no health in us, etc. The words are good, and above exception, as indeed in my Judgement is all the Liturgy of the Church of England: I wish that they that daily use it, did but feel the weight of the words, and that their Understandings did go along with their Tongues, and remember what they speak is true, they would be sorrowful indeed. When we say, We have left undone those things that we ought to have done; We say in effect we have not paid that Fear, Adoration, Reverence, Honour, Praise, Love, Obedience, etc. that is due from us to God; nor that Love, Pity, Charity, and Mercy, that is due to our Neighbours. And when we say, That we have done those things that we ought not to have done; that is, we have made unto our selves other Gods; that we have imagined Security in transitory things, profaned the Name of God, and his Saboths; that our lives have been disorderly, in Disobedience, Cruelty, Incontinency, Rapine, Perfidiousness, and Covetousness: and when we say, There is no health in us; We own that our Brain is the Forge of Wickedness, our Eyes full of Adultery, our Tongues unruly Evils, full of deadly Poison; our Throats open Sepulchers, our Hearts deceitful above measure, and desperately wicked; yea all our Members the Instruments, of Iniquity: Now if our Consiciences were but as ready, as active as Nathan was to David, and tell us, yea convince every one of us, that thou art the Man, that hath contracted all this guilt, and art so wretched; and God darting in some beams of Divine light, as he commonly doth when we wait upon him in sincerity, this would make us turn our formalities into realities. I must say, I have had many times a warm heart full of Devotion in reading the Common Prayer, by fetching and binding my Understanding to the sense of the words. I own their Zeal and Piety that were the Compilers of it, but think it's impossible to persuade me, that they ever intended to blind and oblige Gifted Men so to it, as not to exercise their Endowments. Neither do I find that the Governors of our Church pretend to it.  
It was a sweet Admonition of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Neither to give offence to the Jew, nor to the Gentile, nor to the Church of God: God knoweth my endeavours are for Love, Peace, and Unity. I have been very careful in my Studies not to write any thing that could give just offence. If any thing in this Epistle seem to be too severe, and that there are too many grating Reflections, so far as I know my own heart, the Arrows I have shot, I sent them with a good will, not for ruin, but remedy: Why shall I not meet with a Candid Interpretation? But if otherwise, I determine to be purely passive, and receive all the Scorn, Contempt, or what else can come, with an indeclinable acquiescence in the Will of God, that will e'er long discover the secrets of all hearts. In the interim I doubt not but these my labours and endeavours, will be a Guide and Assistance to many, that are hungering and thirsting after Righteousness; that are enquiring, Where Christ feedeth, and where his Flocks rest at Noon day? That wait for Wisdom as they that watch for the Morning. But let no one speak to God by mine or any other Directions, except the heart speak the words, and the words the heart: And that you may so do, I'll but open one Text of Scripture, and conclude this: It is in Joshua 15. 16. And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjath-sepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsach my Daughter to Wife. This Kirjath-sepher was a City in Canaan, that held out after that the Israelites had got possession of the Land; Caleb, seeing it to be very desirable, and most necessary for them, propoundeth his Daughter Achsach, which was very beautiful and worthy, as a Reward to any one that should take Kirjath-sepher.  
What chief concerneth me to open to you, is, What this Kirjath-sepher and Achsach, and how to apply them in a Spiritual Sense; Kirjath-sepher signifieth the Strong-hold of the Letter, and Achsach, the Rending of the Veil; so whosoever smiteth and taketh the Strong-hold of the Letter of the Scriptures, or any other Divine Truths; shall have the Rending of the Veil: That is, Whosoever shall find out the spiritual Meaning of the things written in Scripture, or elsewhere, that are Divine; shall have the Veil rend that is between us, and the things that are spiritually discerned, and we shall see into the beauty of Holiness.  
Reader, Consider the Letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life: Whoever depends upon the External Performances of Outward Ordinances, or the Historical Knowledge of Christ for their Salvation, will surely meet with such disappointment that death instead of life will be their portion. Therefore whatever thou dost, gain Kirjath-sepher, there lieth all the Treasure, than Achsach will surely be thine, that Veil which covereth thy Face whilst thou art a Stranger to the Life of Grace, shall be rend, and thou wilt see that which will make thee cry out, Psal. 84. 1, 2, 10. How aimable are thy Tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts, My Soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the Courts of the Lord. One day in thy Courts, is better than a Thousand else where, etc. And the Veil that covereth thy Face, shall not only be rend, but the Veil that covereth thy Heart; thou wilt not only see of the Divine Excellencies that are in God, and a Pisgah's Prospect, but thou wilt see that Den and Cave of Uncleaness, the deeps of Filth that is in thy own Heart; which will cause God's Mercy to be amazing, and thee restless until thou be partaker of it: by thy gaining of Achsach thou wilt see the things that are spiritually discerned. Take one Word of Advice how to go about this great Work, and God speed thee well. When thou readest that God is the Omnipotent Lord of all Glory and Majesty, make way through thy Thoughts and Considerations, to thy Understanding, and entertain the Notion there, and let it be an Inhabitant with thee, as Solomon saith concerning the Fear of God, I say of the Knowledge of him, Hold it fast, and grow old therein: This will make thee reverence Him, his Name will be great in thy sight; and when thou readest, He's the great Benefactor of Mankind, etc. Observe the former Method in bringing the Notion home, this will exceedingly greaten thy Respect and increase thy Love to him. And when thou readest, That we have profaned our Affections, which are due only to God, by setting them upon unworthy things, and that our Adulteries are between our Breasts: Consider thou art the Man that hath promised to forsake the Devil, the World, and the Flesh, and thyself only to thy great Lord, to love him with all thy Heart, and Mind, and Soul; and finding thyself guilty, if thou have not an hardened Whore's forehead, thou must blush, and be confoundedly ashamed, and acknowledge it Justice to be put away. And when thou readest, That we have continually lived in contempt of God and in the transgression of his Commands; breaking his bands in sunder, laying the Reins of our Loyalty upon the Neck of licentious liberty: Consider then what it is for the so much obliged Creature to rebel against so great and good Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, and Preserver, and reckon thyself in the throng of such Malefactors; then thou canst not be keeped from judging and abhorring thyself; and thus apprehending of the Soul of the Letter, taking Kirjath-sepher, thou wilt find so much within the Word which is Divine, that will rightly humble thee; when thou comest to Gratulation, so much sweetness in Mercy, and so much Comfort in Grace, that will take and hold thee; that as Death is swallowed up in Victory, that thy Miserable Wretchedness is swallowed up in Divine Bounty. And when thou hast taken Kirjath-sepher, and obtained Achsach, thou wilt find that every good and perfect Gift cometh from the Father of Lights, and that thou wantest nothing that he hath not for thee; that he delighteth himself in showing Mercy and doing Good: this will encourage thee to lift up thy head upon the account of thy Redeemer, and with boldness ask Relief. And when thou hast taken Kirjath-sepher and enjoyed Achsach, thou wilt see the State of the Church, her Ruins and Wants, and what is needful for her: Also the Duty of Ministers, what Blessing we want upon the Word Preached; also the Deplorable State of Unregenerate Men, and the Flashes of Hell Fire, that irresistibly invade the Wounded Soul; and see others in outward Troubles, bleeding by the Arrows of God's Fury, and squeezed in the Press of Adversity, than thou wilt as Elihu, feel thyself full of Matter, the Spirit within thee will constrain thee. When thou art seriously and divinely concerned, forget not thy Director,  
NICO. PEARSON.   

ON THE AUTHOR AND HIS Elaborate Work.  
Whilst the dull clods of worse informed Earth  
Stifle the Spirit in its very birth;  
See here the more refined mould aspire  
To Heaven which made it, in the Flaming fire  
Of Ardent zeal, to Praise, and Pray to him,  
That first endued the glorious Seraphim:  
With Love like his he would not be alone,  
But shows the way to others to that Throne  
Whose Monarch blesseth all: but yet commands,  
His Creatures Prayers to force it from his hands:  
And showed the piercing Author to dispense  
Methods to take even Heaven by violence.  
Which if by his Direction we attain,  
He hath the trouble, and we have the gain▪  
G. H.   

THE RAPTURES OF A Flaming Spirit.  

ADORATION.  
ETernally Blessed, Incomprehensible, most Mighty and most Glorious Lord our God.  
The high and lofty One, who inhabiteth Eternity, whose Name is Holy; who dwelleth in the high and holy Place.  
The Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth, and of all Things Visible and Invisible.  
Heaven is thy Throne, Earth is thy Footstool.  
Thou art encircled with Millions of Angels, clothed with Glory and Honour, decked with Majesty and Excellency, and arrayed with Beauty and Splendour.  
Before thee the glorious Angels cover their Faces, not being able to behold so glorious a Majesty.  
Thy Throne is Inestimable, thy Glory Incomprehensible, befor● thee the Host of Angels stand with trembling.  
The First Cause of Things, the Foundation of the Universe, the Infinite, Invisible, and only Wise God.  
Thou hast no partner in thy Supreme Sovereignty.  
Thou, even thou, art Lord alone.  
Who dwellest in the Splendours of that inaccessible Light, unto which no mortal eye can approach.  
Who with a powerful hand keepest an undisturbed Order in all thy Affairs.  
The Invisible Divinity, that cannot be comprehended within the scanty compass of a Created Mind.  
We thy poor Creatures with all Reverence desire to lift up our dim eyes to discover some of the light of thy Perfections, to enkindle in our dull Souls some Devotion.  
Nothing can be added unto thee to make thee more excellent.  
Thou art eternal and infinite in Being and Perfection, who consistest of thyself alone, without participation from others; being absolute endless, and without all limitation of Perfection; who derivest from thy own incomprehensible Infiniteness, certain limited Natures and Perfections to Creatures, which Natures and Perfections in Creatures, are nothing else but little Particles and Participations of that Bottomless Sea of Infiniteness that is in thyself; whereunto they all are to be referred and reduced, as the Beam to the Sun, or as the Brook to the Spring.  
Thou art Alpha and Omega, and beside thee there is no God.  
The Omnipotent Lord of all Glory and Majesty, more high than all that can be imagined and conceived, and all that can be understood and considered, with any Created Understanding. More, high and precious than all that can be beloved, enjoyed, or desired; for the Infiniteness of thy Greatness doth far pass and exceed all this; for thou art to all Creatures Incomprehensible: no Understanding can reach unto thee, nor Imagination nor Reason, nor any other Virtue created can comprehend thee.  
Thou hast thy Existence from thyself and not from another; such a Being, as in comparison of thee nothing else hath a being. Who hast no Succession, always the same.  
Thou our God, art the Cause of Causes, and the Being of Being's; and in every Degree unspeakable and incomprehensible.  
How can we express thy Noble Acts, or speak out all thy Praise.  
Thy Name alone is excellent.  
Thou incomparably exceedest our best conceptions of thee.  
Thou holdest back the Face of thy Throne, and spreadest thy Cloud upon it.  
When we endeavour to make Discoveries of thee, we strain our sight, thou betakest thyself to thy heights.  
Thy Glory can neither be manifested nor increased.  
Who hath seen thee, that he may tell us; and who can magnify thee as thou art?  
As thou art of purer Eyes than to behold iniquity, so we are of impurer eyes than to behold thy glory.  
As the Heavens are above the Earth, so are thy thoughts above our thoughts, and thy ways above our ways.  
Thou art that fixed and unshaken Entity, that art without the least shadow of variation.  
All certainty floweth from thee, from that Original Immutability that is in thyself.  
Thou hast an Independent, an Eternal Certainty, thou beholdest all Being's and Motions of Being's, past, present, and to come.  
Thou art the Reason and Order of all Things, that with everlasting Laws dost govern the World.  
Thou from the beginning hast commanded Times to run, according to their Order, governing them by the Celestial Bodies, which thou hast placed; obliging them to observe an absolute Harmony and Decorum in all their Motions, to keep time with thy Musical Laws.  
Thou composed'st all their Lessons, and measured'st all their Dances.  
Thou art most necessarily and eternally existing, exalted in thy own strength above the highest reach of our imaginations.  
In thee are all things, through thee are all things, and to thee are all things; the beginning from which, and the end to which all things do tend.  
Thou art Inexhaustible in thy Sufficiency, Infinite in thy Good Will, who canst supply all our Necessities, expecting no return, but is our benefit to give.  
Heaven and Earth, and all that in them is, depend upon thee, as the Beams depend upon the Sun.  
Unto thee the whole World is infinitely obliged.  
Thou art that most Glorious and Super-essential Being of Being's, that delightest thyself with scattering of Beams, and in filling all things with th' Expandings and Circumfusions of thy Goodness.  
In thy Hand is the Soul of every Living Thing, and the Breath of all Mankind.  
Thou art the Life of our Lives, and the Soul of our Souls.  
Thy Love is always bubbling and springing out of thyself, and overflowing out to all.  
Thou fannest thy Favours forth, to the Refreshing and Delight of Heaven and Earth.  
Thou waterest the Hills from thy Chambers, and satisfiest the Earth with the Fruit of thy Do.  
Thou crownest the year with thy Goodness, and thy Paths drop Fatness.  
Thou art the Source of the Springs of Lebanus.  
All things by a graduate Derivation, receive their life, light, and being from thee.  
There is no Water in our Cisterns but what comes from thy Fountain.  
Thou art that high and infinite Spring, that always floweth out and is not impaired.  
Thou art the Treasure of Heaven and Earth.  
Thy overflowing Favours are not given one by one, but liberally bestowed with an open hand.  
There is not any thing that hath any patrimony or being but what it hath from thee.  
The Eyes of all wait upon thee, and thou givest them their Meat in due season.  
There is nothing Infinite, Eternal, and Perfect, but thyself, who art the Perfection of all things.  
Thou art that Essential and Infinite Goodness, Good not by Quality, but by Essence; whose Nature is Goodness itself.  
In thee are Oceans of Perfections, being the Perfection of Being's.  
In thee all Perfections are concentered.  
All Glory is hatched in the Bosom of God.  
All the Beauty, all Excellencies that lie scattered about in the Creature, are but drops of thy Ocean, beams of thy Sun, glympses of thy Beauty.  
All the worth that is in the Creature, dependeth absolutely upon thee, the highest End of all things whatsoever.  
The Rays of thy Goodness inlivens all things.  
Thou incompassest the World with thy outstretched Arms, and reachest Perseverance, to the happiness of the Creation.  
Thou fillest all things without enlarging thyself, thou passest thro' all things without moving of thyself: Thou dwellest in all things without straitning thyself, thou createdst all things without any necessity, thou governest all things without any travel, thou changest all things without any change to thyself; thou judgest without error, thou punishest without passion, and givest to all things continually, without exhausting thy Treasures.  
There is nothing so little that declareth not thy greatness, there is nothing so great that must not acknowledge thy Sovereignty, there is nothing so low that leadeth us not up to acknowledge thy Majesty, and nothing so high that descendeth not down to teach us thy Verity.  
Thou our God art every way as full in all Goodness as thou art excellent in Glory.  
Thou art not only to be worshipped and adored for the Excellencies that are in thyself, but as the Benign Parent of all things, and the great Benefactor of Mankind.  
Every good and perfect Gift cometh from thee the Father of Lights.  
All causes of Love and whatsoever can excite Desire are in thee.  
We cannot desire any thing that is Good that our God hath not for us.  
Thou that satisfiest the immense desires of the Angels, canst answer all the desires of our Souls in a most eminent manner unto all Perfection.  
Thou art the most Soul-suitable and Soul-satisfying Good.  
If we strain out the Quintessence of the Creature, or if we extract the most Exquisite Spirit, it turns into froth; but in thee is unspeakable Satisfaction.  
If we ask Bread of the World, it gives us a Stone; if we look for a Fish, we shall have a Serpent; and when we wait for an Egg, we shall not fail of a Scorpion: We come not only off with Vanities of Vanities, but with Vexation of Spirit; but in thy Favour is Life. Thy Loving Kindness is better than Life itself.  
In thee is all possible Good whatsoever: All Good Things are in thee originally, essentially, equally, purely, immutably, infinitely, and eternally.  
Thou hast All sufficiency in thyself, for thyself, and for all thy Creatures.  
The Inexhaustible Fountain of all Consolations.  
In thee are Oceans of Comfort, thou hast Light to enlighten us, Wisdom to counsel us, Power to support us, Mercy to pardon us, Glory to ravish us, and Fullness to fill us.  
When thou art absolutely considered, thou art immeasurably lovely. The most attractive Objects of Insatiable Love and all Aimable Excellencies, are eminentiy and transcendently triumphant in thee eternally.  
There is no end of thy Goodness, no numbering of thy Wisdom, nor fathoming thy Bounty.  
Thou art the Spring of Being, the Root of Life, the Father of Wisdom, the Fountain of Pleasure, and the Haven of Desire.  
Thine is the Greatness, the Excellency, the Glory, and the Victory.  
Thou art most worthy to be known, because thou art the highest Truth; most worthy of our love, because thou art the chiefest Good; most worthy of our fear, because thou art most powerful: most worthy of our obedience, because thou art the most righteous Lawgiver, and most worthy of our trust and confidence, because thou art immutably Faithful.  
The Mountains shall departed, and the Hills shall be removed, but thy Kindness shall not departed from thee; the Covenant of thy Peace shall not fail.  
It is better to trust in God, than to have any confidence in Man. It is better to trust in God than to have confidence in Princes.  
Thy Faithfulness is well-known in the Congregation of Saints.  
They that know thee, put their trust in thee, because thou forsakest not them that seek thee.  
Thou art the Hope of Israel, and the Saviour thereof in a time of trouble, the Strength of their Heart, and their Portion for ever.  
Thou art known for a Refuge in the Palaces of thy City, for thou art their mighty Protection and strong Ground, a Succour from Stumbling, and a Help from Falling.  
Thou fulfilest the Desires of them that fear thee, thou hearest their Cry, and art a present Help in trouble.  
Thou art the best Refuge in the midst of Storms, and the best Support to all afflicted Spirits.  
How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O Lord, therefore thy people put their trust under the shadow of thy Wings.  
As the Heavens are above the Earth, so great is thy Love unto them that fear thee: Thou art their God for ever and ever.  
Who is God save the Lord? Who is a Rock save our God? Good and plenteous in mercy to all them that call upon him.  
Thou ride upon the Heavens in thine Excellency for the help of thy people; thou art their refuge, and underneath them are his everlasting Arms.  
As the Mountains are about Jerusalem, so the Lord is about his people, even for ever and ever.  
Thy way O God is in the Sanctuary, who is so great a God as our God; thou art a God that dost Wonders; thou hast declared thy Strength among tha people.  
There is none like unto thee O Lord, whose Name is great in Might.  
Thy Name alone is excellent.  
The Lord is above all Gods, the only Potentate, King of Kings and Lord of Lords; the absolute Monarch, who hath a boundless and infinite Supremacy.  
Thou deservest to receive from every Understanding Nature Never-ceasing Praises, and perpetually to be worshipped with the most humble Prostrations.  
Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the Gods? Who is like unto thee among the Gods, glorious in Holiness, fearful in Praises, doing Wonders?  
Thou rulest by thy power for ever, of old thou hast laid the Foundations of the Earth. The Heavens are the Works of thy Hands, they shall perish but thou shalt endure; yea all of them shall wax old like a Garment; and as a Vesture shalt thou change them; they shall be changed, but thou art the same, and thy years have no end.  
Thy Throne, O God, is for ever and ever; thy Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom.  
O Lord thou art worthy of all Honour, Glory, and Power; for thou hast created all things: and for thy pleasure they are and were created.  
The glorious Productions of thine Omnipotency, they speak thee to be infinitely Excellent. They are the Evidences and Demonstrations of thy Infinite Wisdom, Power, and Providence.  
Thou hast garnished the excellent Works of thy Wisdom, and art from everlasting to everlasting▪  
Thy Works praise thee, and are honourable and glorious, and are to be had in remembrance to all generations.  
They are thy Witnesses that thou art God.  
The Heavens declare thy Glory, and the Firmament showeth thy Handiwork.  
The Operations of thy Hands are Testimonies of thy Glory, Glasses of thy Beauty, Preachers of thy Wisdom, and Provokers of Love.  
O Lord, how manifold are thy Works, in Wisdom hast thou made them.  
Thou formedst the Earth by thy Power, established the World by thy Wisdom, and didst spread forth the Heavens by thy Understanding.  
By thy Word thou didst hang the Earth upon the Waters.  
Thou createst all things, thou bringest out their Host by number by the greatness of thy Might.  
Thou tellest the number of the Stars, by thy Word they are established.  
Thou hast appointed the Moon for Seasons, and the Sun knoweth his going down.  
Thou hast builded thy Stories in the Heavens, and founded thy Troops upon Earth.  
Thou dost greater things than these are, for we have seen but a few of thy Works.  
Thou dost great things, unsearchable marvellous things without number.  
With thee is Wisdom and Strength, Counsel and Understanding.  
The Consideration of thy Works are Entertainments worthy of the best and most raised Minds.  
Honour and Majesty are before thee, Strength and Beauty are in thy Sanctuary.  
Glory and Honour are in thy Presence, Strength and Gladness are in thy Place.  
In thy presence is fullness of Joy, and at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.  
Thou humblest thyself when thou beholdest the things that are done in Heaven and in Earth.  
Even as the Clay is in the hand of the Potter, so all the Nations of the Earth are at thy disposal.  
The Kingdom is the Lords, thou art Governor among the Nations.  
Thou art great in Wisdom and mighty in Power, and beholdest all things continually.  
Thou seest from everlasting to everlasting, there is nothing that is wonderful unto thee.  
The great Orderer and Disposer of all Things.  
There is nothing so high that is above thy Providence, there is nothing so low that is beneath thy Providence.  
There is nothing so large but it is bounded by thy Providence, there is nothing so confused but thou canst order it, there is nothing so contrived but thou canst disappoint it.  
Thou keepest every thing upon the right Wheel, for the managing of thy most righteous Affairs both in Heaven and Earth.  
Thou turnest the way of the Wicked upside down, the Deceiver and the Deceived are thine.  
The Lord bringeth the Counsel of the Wicked to naught, he maketh the Devices of the People of none effect.  
Thou disappointest the Devices of the Crafty, so that they cannot perform their Enterprise.  
Thou takest the Wise in their own Craftiness, the Counsel of the Froward thou carry'st headlong.  
Thou hast power of Life and Death, thou leadest down to the gates of Hell and bringest up again.  
Before thee the Nations are but as the Drop of a Bucket, or as the Small Dust of the Balance.  
Thou guidest the Stars, thou thunderest in the Clouds, and turnest the hearts of Kings as Rivers of Water.  
Thou treadest upon the Circle of the Earth, and all the Inhabitants are but as Grasshoppers.  
Thou stretchest out the Heavens like a Curtain, and foldest them up as a Tent to dwell in.  
Thy Blessed Will the power of man is not able to withstand, the Eternal Decrees no conspiracy is able to impair.  
Thou increasest the Nations, and destroyest them; thou enlargest the Nations, and straitens them again.  
When thou stretchest out thy Hand who can restrain it.  
Thou weakenest the strength of the mighty, thou pourest contempt upon Princes.  
Thy Counsels stand sure, thou dost all thy Pleasure.  
The Lord hath his way in the Whirlwind, the Storm and the Clouds are the Dust of his Feet.  
Thou dost whatsoever thou pleasest both in Heaven and in Earth.  
Thy Will cannot go beyond thy Power, who can speak the World into nothing.  
It's God that bringeth down the high, and exalteth the low.  
That drieth up the Green Tree, and that causeth the Dry Tree to flourish.  
God is Judge, he setteth up one and pulleth down another.  
Thou art the great Rewarder and Punisher of Good and Evil.  
Thou fillest Heaven and Earth with thy presence.  
Thou art acquainted with all our ways, and ponderest all our go.  
Thou sittest upon the Thrones in the Heavens, and from thence beholdest the bottomless places.  
There is not any Creature that is not manifest in thy sight.  
All things are naked before thine Eyes with whom we have to do.  
He that planted the Ear shall he not hear, and he that form the Eye shall he not see.  
Thou discoverest Deep things out of Darkness, and bringeth to Light the Shadow of Death.  
Thou declarest the things that are past and for to come, and revealeth the steps of hidden things. No thought escapeth thee, neither is any word hidden from thee.  
The ways of good men and the goodness of their ways, and the ways of evil men, and the evil of their ways, are not hidden from thee.  
The Lord is in his Holy Temple, the Lords Throne is in Heaven, his Eyes behold, his Eye lids try the Children of Men.  
Thou searchest the Heart, thou triest the Reins, that thou may'st give unto every Man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his do.  
Thou watchest over the Wicked to pluck them up and to destroy them; but thou watchest over the Righteous to build them and to plant.  
We own thy absolute Sovereignty over us, and although thou art girded with Strength, and who can say, What dost thou? Yet thou dost nothing but what is equal and right.  
Thy ways are always full of righteousness, though not always full of clearness to mortals.  
Thou art righteous in all thy Ways, and just in all thy Judgements.  
As thou art known to be King of Nations by thy works of Providence abroad in the World, so thou art known to be the King of Saints, because the Sceptre of thy Kingdom is a Sceptre of Righteousness.  
Thou lovest Righteousness and Judgement, and takest pleasure in Uprightness.  
All the Works of the Lord are good, he giveth every one in season, and when need is; so that a man need not say this is worse than that, for in due time all thy do will prove worthy of praise.  
Our God one day will bring forth all the grounds of all his Dispensations towards Man, and all the Proceed with him, in such a demonstrative and undeniable Consonancy, even to the very Reason of Man, that every Mouth shall be stopped.  
It's far from thee to do wickedness, it's far from the Almighty to commit iniquity.  
Thy Counsels of old are Faithfulness and Truth.  
Thou sittest upon the Throne of Holiness.  
To thee Cherubin and Seraphim continually do cry, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Sabbaoth.  
Righteousness and Judgement are the Habitations of thy Throne.  
Thou keepest the Paths of Judgement.  
According to thy Name, O Lord, so are thy praises to the ends of the Earth; thy right hand is full of Righteousness.  
Thou exercisest Loving Kindness, Righteousness, and Judgement in the Earth, for thou excellest therein.  
They that honour thee thou wilt honour, but they that despise thee, shall be but lightly esteemed.  
The righteousness of the Upright shall deliver them, but the Wicked shall be caught in their own naughtiness.  
The Lord loveth the righteous, but the wicked and him that loveth violence, his Soul hateth.  
The Lord is known by the Judgement that he executeth, the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands.  
The foolish shall not stand in thy sight, thou hatest all the workers of iniquity.  
He that will not bow to thy Sceptre of Mercy, shall be crushed in pieces by the Rod of thy Wrath.  
With thee is terrible Majesty.  
Thou canst show thy strength at all times, and who may withstand the power of thine Arm.  
At thy wrath the Earth shall tremble, the wicked shall not be able to abide thine Indignation.  
Thou who buildest the World, canst easily destroy the wicked.  
Thou art wise in heart and mighty in strength, who hath hardened himself against thee and prospered.  
The Pillars of Heaven tremble and are astonished at thy reproof.  
Thro the greatness of thy power shall thy enemies submit unto thee.  
We adore thy righteousness, O God, when thou punishest the wicked, because they trample upon thy most righteous Edicts.  
When thou judgest, 'tis not out of Sovereignty but Justice.  
Thou never didst command Man to do any thing, but what was conducible to his own happiness.  
Thou madest the World for Man, thou madest Man to obey thee; and the reason thou commanded'st Man to serve thee, was that thereby he might be eternally blessed.  
If we had walked in thy Counsels, they had before this time led us out from under the Curse we are now labouring under.  
One day in thy Courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. It's better to be a Doorkeeper in the House of God than to dwell in the Tents of Wickedness.  
We taste and relish the joys of Heaven, when we contemplate thy Attributes, which are the Notifications of thy Nature, so far as is knowable.  
The Demonstrations that thou hast given of thyself in thy Attributes, is sufficient, if we did but rightly consider, to make us both fear and love thee.  
Thy Holiness, Justice, and Power, well considered, would put a Bridle in our Jaws, to keep us from rushing into Sin as a Horse rusheth into the Battle.  
And thy Mercy, Truth, Goodness, and Sufficiency well learned, is enough to make us love thee, and to be a willing people in the day of thy Power.   

Confession of Sin.  
OUR Gild flasheth in our Faces, woe unto us, for we have sinned.  
We have not kept the way of the Lord, but perfidiously departed from our God.  
In the greatness of our Folly we have gone astray.  
We have Profaned our Affections, which are due only to God, by setting them upon base and contemptible Objects.  
The Spirit of Fornication is in the midst of us.  
According to the multitude of the Fruit we have increased the Altars, according to the goodness of our Land we have made the Images.  
We have gone a Whoring after our own Inventions.  
Sin like a strong Byass, hath drawn our hearts from God.  
We have run after other Lovers, our Adulteries are between our Breasts.  
We have tempted Temptation to deceive us.  
How hotly we have followed the Chase of our own Delusions.  
We are guilty of the two Old Evils, we have snatched at the Shadow but let go the Substance: We have forsaken the Fountains of Living Water, and have hewn unto ourselves broken Cisterns that hold no Water.  
Instead of trusting in God that giveth good things, we have trusted in the good things that God hath sent.  
Instead of rejoicing in God that giveth us Blessings, we rejoice in the Blessings that God hath given.  
We have gazed upon the brightness, but considered not the britleness: We have looked upon their glory, but forgot the frailty.  
Worldly Lusts hath abused our Sight, and cozened our Understanding.  
The Earth is thy Footstool, we have made it our Throne; Heaven is thy Throne, we have made it our Footstool.  
We have been for this World as though it would never have an ending, and for the World to come as though it would never have beginning.  
Instead of laying up our Treasure in Heaven, we have laid up our Heaven in our Treasure.  
We have been gross Idolaters, in paying Adorations to earthy things.  
We have pawned Heaven for a few trifles, and given infinite of years purchase for them.  
We have taken our Egyptian Jewels, those Temporal Blessings thou hast so plentifully cast amongst us, and have made a Golden Calf of them; adoring and trusting it, and have fallen off from the Cause of Causes.  
We have set up Idols in our Hearts that destroy our Happiness.  
The Wise Man trusteth in his Wisdom, the Strong Man in his Strength, and the Rich Man in his Riches: Thus we have brought ourselves under the Curse, by trusting in the arm of Flesh.  
The Balances of Deceit are in our hands.  
We have wrought a deceitful Work.  
We have walked in a Fool's Paradise, surveying the fading Flowers of Imaginary Felicities, catching at the Apples of Sodom, that vanish away in Smoke.  
We have been serious about Trifles, and trifled about Serious Things.  
We have furied ourselves in the pursuit of the fugitive Toys of this life, which if they were put into the Balance, would prove altogether lighter than Vanity.  
We have spent our Money for that which is not Bread, and our Labour for that which satisfieth not.  
We have wandered at random in the vast emptiness of the Creature.  
What we find most perfect in this World, is rather merely Fictitious and Imaginative, than Real and Substantial; the best Condition of this Life, being but a Variety of Vanity.  
We have wildred ourselves in our own Mazes, and wearied ourselves with mere Vanity.  
We have sold ourselves for naught.  
With Esau we have despised our Birthright.  
With Cain we have gone out from the presence of the Lord.  
With the Prodigal we have gone into a far Country.  
Every step we have set forward in Sin, hath been a step backward from thee.  
Our Habitation hath been in the midst of Deceit, 'tis thro' Deceit that we refuse to know the Lord.  
We have drawn the World's two Breasts Profit and Pleasure, and fallen asleep at them, but have neglected the Things that concern our Everlasting Peace.  
We have neither delighted in the Law of God, nor the God of the Law.  
The Thefts and Wiles of Prosperity hath not only stolen us away from ourselves but from God.  
Our Desires and Affections have been journeying we know not where.  
We have cause to be ashamed because of the Oaks that we desired, and the Gardens that we have chosen.  
We have trusted unanchored Hope in fleeting Streams.  
We have pitched our thoughts and the restless desires of our Souls upon the Creature, as though there were nothing beyond the Creature.  
We have stretched out our widened Arms beyond their Dimensions, and our Hands have grasped beyond their Distance, to encompass this inferior Orb, but we are forced to come off, not only with Vanity of Vanities but with Vexation of Spirit.  
We have sought the Living among the Dead, Happiness where 'tis not to be found.  
We have sought Strength in Weakness, Riches in Poverty, Gloryin Shame, and Life in Death; and in this course we have forsaken our own Mercy.  
We find by woeful experience that all Worldly Enjoyments stand upon two lame Legs, Insufficiency, Uncertainty.  
The end of all our Earthly Comforts eateth up the pleasure we had in them, like Pharaoh's lean Kine.  
We have sown the Wind to reap the Whirlwind.  
The Magnetic Power of the World hath drawn our Countenances downward, which thou madest erect for the Contemplation of Thee and thy Works; but now the Curse of the Serpent is upon us, upon our Bellies do we creep, and Dust do we eat all the days of our lives.  
We are deeply sunk in the World's Quicksands.  
The Earth hath swallowed us up alive.  
Our Affections the Feet of our Souls, have stuck fast in the mire and clay of the World, so that we have been hindered from running the race that hath been set before us.  
We have wearied ourselves in the way of Wickedness, but the way of Truth we have not known.  
The bewitching of Worldly trifles have obscured and hid from us the good things.  
We have rather chosen to go astray, than to walk in the sweet Rules of thy Commands.  
Our Rest and our Lusts have shared our Time.  
We are strangers to the life of Grace thro' the Ignorance that is in us.  
We have taken bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter: What Poison or Gall so bitter as Sin? Yet we have delighted ourselves therein. What more sweet than thy Testimony? More to be desired than gold, yea than much fine gold; sweeter also than the honey and the honeycomb, yet we nauseated them.  
Damned Satan with his Orphean Airs and dexterous Warbles, with Masques and Triumphs hath enticed us along in the paths of Death.  
Sin hath betrayed us with a Kiss.  
Pleasure merrieth our Senses for a while, but Horror followeth after, and vultereth our unconsuming Hearts.  
Sin is sweet in the commission, but bitter in the recollection, in the Mouth 'tis as sweet as honey, but in the Belly as bitter as gall.  
Sinful Pleasures have been the Thiefs that have trained us out of the way and robbed us.  
With Ahab we have sold ourselves to work wickedness.  
We have made haste in the paths of Death.  
We have not only woven the Spider's Web, but we have hatched the Cockatrice Egg.  
Our Actions have not only been vain and unprofitable, but dangerous.  
We have not only not been for thee, but against thee.  
We have not only not gathered, but scattered.  
We have desperately invaded the most equal Rules of the Gospel.  
We have broken thy Bonds in sunder, and cast away thy Cords from us.  
We have laid the Reins of our Loyalty upon the Neck of Licentious Liberty.  
We have proceeded from Evil to Evil, not considering thy Purity and Justice.  
We have drawn Iniquity with the Cords of Vanity.  
Every thought and imagination of our hearts have been evil, and that continually.  
The frame of our hearts have not only been evil continually, but our hearts have framed that which hath been evil continually.  
Although thou hatest iniquity with a perfect hatred, yet even as a Fountain casteth forth her water, so have we cast out our iniquities before thee.  
Heaven and Earth testify against us that thou as an indulgent Father hast brought us up as dear Children, but we have rebelled against thee.  
We have be-leapered ourselves with Sin, and like drunken men have staggered in our own vomit.  
We have wrought abbomination before thee.  
As a Mill-wheel is continually turned round, and ever drenched with a new stream: so are we continually hurried with the Successions of our various Sins.  
We have progressed in the ways of Vice, and spacious fields of deadly Luxury, and have been constant in nothing but perpetual offending.  
We have offered violence to thy patience and long-suffering, extorting severities from thee, by the audacious Importunities of our Notorious Impieties; as though we would wrestle a Fall or fight a Duel with the Almighty: We have run upon him, even upon his Neck, upon the thick Bosses of his Buckler.  
We have ploughed iniquity and sowed wickedness.  
We have continually lived in contempt of thy Majesty, and transgression of thy Commands.  
We have streamed out our days in Riot and Excess.  
We have revealed in a Shoreless Excess, in the ungirthed Solaces of Sensual Liberty.  
Our longing for the Forbidden Fruit, showeth us all to be the Children of Eve.  
Oh how abominable and filthy is Man, that drinketh up iniquity like water.  
We have laid our hearts in Carnal Pleasures, forgetting what will be in the end thereof.  
We have swum down the temporising Torrent of these last and lewdest days, against the secret Wastes and Counterblasts of Reclaiming Consciences.  
We have gone in the common tract, and waved with the wanton train of the World.  
Our Judgements have been bribed to misapprehension, and we seduced to bad actions.  
We have given to our will the reins, and have yielded to all that Sense requires.  
We have hoodwinked our Souls with presumption.  
Sin and Sin hath gone hand in hand, and blood hath touched blood.  
Opportunity and our Nature, like two inordinate Lovers, they seldom meet, but they sin together.  
We have run carelessly in Sin, not being ware of the Stabbing sham's that await us in a Killing Ambush; our own purblind sight leaving them undiscovered.  
Charming pleasures sing us into Lethargies, while Damnation stealeth insensibly upon us: they dandle us into Flames.  
We have confronted thy unspeakable Kindness with unspeakable Unworthiness.  
Atheism hath possessed our Hearts, and luxurious Lewdness hath polluted our Bodies.  
We have bathed ourselves in the muddy Streams of Luxury and Riot.  
Although we have known the way of the Lord and the Judgements of our God, yet we have altogether broken the Yoke and burst the Bands.  
Our Impieties are of the largest Dimensions, we have taken pains to make ourselves the heirs of Darkness.  
We have prodigally contributed to our own ruin.  
We have been as active in working out our Damnation, as we should have been to work out our Salvation.  
Instead of arming ourselves against the day of wrath, we have armed the day of wrath against ourselves.  
The Oil of Mercy hath made us more active in the feats of Impiety.  
We have looked upon all thy favours thro' the contracting Optics of Ingratitude.  
The fresh and green Pastures have made us fat and proud, and with Jesurun spurn against our God.  
Thou hast filled our Cup, but thro' carelessness and an uneven hand we have spilled most of it.  
It's a wonder thou hast not shrunk thy descending favours.  
We have fought against God with his own weapons: If thou hadst not been so kind to us, we could not have been so unkind to thee.  
The warmth of Prosperity hatcheth up Luxury.  
We are the Wonders and Spectacles of Unthankfulness.  
The worldly Blessings thou hast so plentifully bestowed upon us, have been the causes of our Pride, Riot, Tyranny, and Excess.  
It's pity that fair weather should do any harm.  
Our Haltionian days, our Health, our Peace, our Liberty, our Plenty, hath brought forth Spiders and Caterpillars; Pride and Profaneness: therefore we provoke God to send showers of wrath to cleanse them away.  
The cry of our Sins hath invaded Heaven.  
Our Impieties stare Heaven and Earth in the face, and beat the Air for Vengeance.  
Our Sins have ripened us for destruction.  
From the Crown of the Head to the Sole of the Foot, there is nothing but bruises and wounds and putrifying Sores.  
Our Eyes being full of Adultery, our Tongues being unruly Evils, full of deadly Poison, our Throats open Sepulchers, our Hearts deceitful above measure, and desperately wicked; the Dens and Caves of Uncleanness: Our Hands full of Mischief, our Feet ready in the Paths of the Destroyer. Yea, all our Members are the Instruments of Unrighteousness.  
We have every day raised Monuments to our own Shame.  
If the Beasts could speak, they might say that Really that God spoke once Ironically, Man is become as one of us: yea like all of us. For we have of the Fox, the Wolf, the Tiger, the Swine, and the Dog, yea some of the evil of every Beast.  
Our wickedness is condemned by its own witness.  
Our Sins testify against us.  
The guilt of our own misguided Souls condemn us.  
We have brambled our way to Virtue.  
We have spun Cords of Iniquity out of our own bowels, and Satan bound us with them; so that now we are under the Chains of an habituated course of Sin, and except God help, those Chains will reserve us unto everlasting Chains.  
We have fitted ourselves for wrath, and are the Procurers and Artificers of our own ruin.  
We have enclosed ourselves in a Den of Thraldoms.  
We have laid wait for our own Blood, and lurked privily for our own Destruction.  
We have destined ourselves to misery.  
We have posted with precipitant and winged haste towards our own destruction.  
Like Rivers we have run hastily to lose ourselves.  
Atheism and Infidelity hath bewitched us with a desperate senslesness.  
We are Children of Infidelity.  
Our hearts have been the Habitations of Unbelief.  
Our Incredulity have eclipsed God's Sufficiency.  
Wisdom hath cried and Understanding hath lift up her Voice.  
Thou hast set before us Life and Death, Blessing and Cursing. Yet we have been like deaf Adders, not harkening to the Voice of the Charmer charm he never so wisely.  
We have shut the Windows of our Souls against the Light of the Gospel.  
The Foxes have holes, the Birds of the Air have Nests, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his Head.  
We have room enough for crafty and subtle Inventions and Contrivances, and high and soaring Thoughts, but the Lord Christ is kept out.  
We have hated Knowledge, we have contemned thy Counsels and despised thy Reproofs.  
A Frozen Stupidity hath benumbed us, Plainness hath not made us understand.  
Serious piercing Warnings have not made us afraid, the greatest matters wrought upon us, the sweetest things have not enticed us, the most dreadful things have not terrified us, Truth and Sincerity have not convinced us. The God that made us, the Christ that redeemed us, the Holy Ghost that would sanctify us, prevail not with us.  
Our Disobedience is rooted in Folly and Ingratitude.  
Thou hast pursued us with Sermons and followed us with close Convictions, yet we are Pilgrims and Strangers in the Knowledge of God.  
We have stopped the Organs of our Mind with Earthy Oppilations.  
We have broke a thousand Bonds that should have kept us to our Duty.  
Thou hast given us the means of Grace, thy Word, thy Messengers, our Consciences: Threaten from Mount Ebal to stop us in our Career of Sin, Promises from Mount Gerizzim to allure us into the paths of life. The Examples of Holy Men to guide us, that we may follow the Footsteps of the Flock, and thy Holy Spirit attending upon these and many other Assistances in our Course to Heaven: but we hate to be reformed, and make all our Returns in Ingratitude.  
Although thou hast made out unto us thy Wisdom, Holiness, Greatness, and Goodness, Mercy and Long Suffering, Power and Justice. And although thou hast proclaimed Free Grace unto all those that are a willing People in the day of thy Power, but Tribulation and Wrath unto the Disobedient. And notwithstanding the Divine Authority, that unlimited Supremacy that thou hast over us; and notwithstanding the Righteousness of thy Sceptre, yet we have so degenerated from Reason and apostatised from all Ingenuity, that we have not kept the way of the Lord, but wickedly departed from our God.  
We are like to the Wild Ass that snuffeth up the Wind at her pleasure, in her occasion who can turn her away. In the height of our Prosperity we say with Pharaoh; Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice? but in her Month they'll find her. So Extremities and Deathbed Pangs will seize us, the time is coming, that we must fall into the hands of the Living God.  
Thou hast given us space to repent, but we have not found the place of Repentance.  
We have had line upon line▪ precept upon precept.  
Thou hast harkened and heard no man speak aright, saying, What have I done? Every one turned to his course, as the Horse rusheth into the Battle, carelessly, fearlessly and desperately; the Stork of the Heavens knoweth her appointed time, the Turtle, the Swallow and the Crane know the time of their coming; but we have not known the Judgements of the Lord.  
Those Irrational Creatures know by instinct of Nature to avoid such intemperate Wether as would be destructive to them, yet we, notwithstanding many Warnings, have not flown from the wrath to come.  
We have wrestled with thy patience, and urged thee to swear in thy wrath, that we shall never enter into thy rest.  
Well may we be compared to Children sitting in the Marketplace, calling one unto another and saying, We have piped unto ye but ye have not danced; we have mourned unto ye, but ye have not wept.  
We have been inflexible to Promises and Threaten.  
Neither th'acute Demonstrations of Terror, not the Ponderous Inductions of Interest, have prevailed with us.  
Thou hast many times beat up for Volunteers amongst us, and hast proclaimed the Privileges, Prerogatives, Graces and Comforts that belong to thy Followers, but we have turned our backs.  
And thou hast warned us to flee from the wrath to come, yet we have come in the very face of that wrath which thou hast warned us to flee.  
The Trumpets have sounded, and the Lions have roared upon us, and yet we have hardened our hearts.  
We have made thee to serve with our sins, as though thou wert bound to endure our abominations.  
We have offered Violence to thy Law, and have made such large Breaches in our Duty, as though thou wert forced to abide our Contempt.  
We have been Professors of Piety, but Practisers of Iniquity.  
How little have we advanced in Religion?  
The Faith of Christians have been in our Mouths, but the works of Infidels in our Hearts.  
We have been mere Promisers of Obedience.  
We have betrayed our Lord Jesus with a Kiss.  
Our Actions Religious have been merely Theatrical, and done in Subornation to some other Interest.  
Our Goodness is but like the Morning Dew.  
We have delighted more in the Theatre than in the Closet.  
We have often bound ourselves unto thee, but we have forfeited our Indentures.  
That which we have verbally detested we have actually embraced.  
We have looked Heaven-ward in our Profession, but Hellward in our Conversation.  
We have covenanted against Sin, yet we have sinned against Covenant.  
We have been rather Superficial than Fundamental Christians.  
The Heathen give real honour to counterfeit gods, but we give a counterfeit honour to the true God.  
Our Devotion to God our Love to our Brethren, 'tis a Measuring Cast, hard to determine which is the Colder, but both ready to faint and fall down dead.  
We have put on the Sheep's Coat upon the Wolf's Back; the Velvet Plaster of Profession upon the Stinking Ulcer of Corruption.  
Our Righteousness is so imperfect, that it can claim no Blessing; and our Wickedness so great, that it deserves nothing but Cursing.  
We have the Spots and Tokens of the Plague of Plagues; we sin and see it not, therefore neither care nor fear, nor repent nor amend.  
Our Spot is not the Spot of thy People.  
We have hired thy Plagues as Israel did the King of Assur.  
Our Sins are envenomed with many heinous and hellish Circumstances: We despise thy Authority, we break righteous Laws, we contemn precious Promises, we give more credence to Satanical suggestions, than we do to the Infallible Word of God. We wove the Web of our own Woe, and spin the Cords of our own Thraldom; and every Sin breaketh the Sacred Covenant between Christ and our souls.  
Thou mayst justly pronounce Lo-ruhamah against us.  
We have been Traitors to our own Peace.  
We have daily multiplied our own Calamities.  
Our own Inventions have intwined us and bewrayed us into many troubles, and enclosed us in a Den of Thraldoms.  
We day by day alarm Divine Justice.  
We have cause to fear there are many in Hell cursing our Examples.  
We know not how many we have infected with the plague that is upon us.  
If thou shouldst lay Judgement to the Line and Righteousness to the Plumb-line, thou mayst righteously make thy Wrath to smoke against us.  
We have provoked thee to feed us with Wormwood, and to give us Gall to drink.  
Our Sins have laid us most naked to thy Wrath.  
We have ripened ourselves for Vengeance.  
It's unspeakable forbearance, that thy fury is not kindled and broke out into a Flame against us.  
That the Water-flood hath not overflown us, that the Deep hath not swallowed us up, that the Pit hath not shut her mouth upon us.   

GRATULATION.  
LEt our never ceasing Praises wait upon thee our God, because thy wrath is not kindled and broke out into a Flame against us.  
We are the Living Monuments of thy Mercy.  
Thy Patience suspendeth Judgement.  
If thou shouldst withdraw thy Patience and Long-suffering, we should drop into Hell.  
It's unspeakable Mercy that we are not invelopped in the revenging Flames of Hell.  
Although thou hast not looked upon our Sins approvingly yet patiently.  
If thou hadst but the Patience of Men and Angels, we should spend it one day, thou couldst not hold thy tongue and hands one hour.  
The life of our Souls is wrapped up in the life of Grace.  
All Sacrifice is too little for a sweet savour, all Fatness is too little for a Burned Offering.  
How low should we fall in adoration of thy Grace, and how high should we rise in Thankful Praises?  
It's great Condescension in thee to be content to be praised or beloved by such miserable Creatures of uncircumcised hearts and lips.  
Eternity itself is little enough to praise thee.  
Blessed be the Majesty of Heaven for our Creation, and that we are Men and not Beasts.  
Blessed be God for our Immortal Souls that are capable of Communion with thy own self for ever and ever.  
Let our never-ceasing Praises wait upon thee for our Redemption, the great Work which the Angels desire to look into.  
Everlastingly praised be our God for the light of his Glory that shineth in the Face of Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of his Grace.  
Our Praises wait upon thee, for Free Grace that unlimited Treasury of the highest Love and Bounty.  
Thy precious Love is from Eternity to Eternity.  
That hath prevented the Lion from coming out of the Thicket, and hath kept the Destroyer out of sight.  
That hath stopped the Mouths of the Lions of thy Judgements, so as they have not torn in pieces, when there was none to deliver us.  
Our Praises wait upon our God for Free Grace, that Blessed Root out of which springeth all the pleasant and precious Mysteries of the Gospel.  
The most Beautiful Womb out of which Christ Jesus with all his Heavenly Treasures, the unspeakable Privileges, Prerogatives, Graces and Comforts that are to be had in him and by him, do come forth.  
The Blessed Cause that is sufficient to produce the Blessed Effects of the Salvation of our Souls thro' Jesus Christ our Lord.  
The Blessed Fountain that continually sends forth Streams of Comfort, to refresh the dejected, disconsolate, weary, and heavy loaden ones.  
The Bow thou hast set in the Clouds of Spiritual Sorrow, to assure the Contrite Ones that thy Wrath shall not overflow them.  
Were it not for thy Grace, what should we do when our Sins testify against us, but call for the Mountains to fall upon us, and the Hills to cover us from the Presence of the Lord.  
Thy Grace hath kept many Thousands from following Judas into Despair.  
When we know not what to do then we turn our Eyes towards thee, and find there is yet hope for Israel.  
It was Free Grace that our great Lord Christ lived and died to declare.  
We adore the great Minister of Grace Jesus Christ our Lord, the Ark that saveth us from perishing in the Floods of our Iniquities.  
Who was given for us, who was conceived and born for us, who lived and died for us, who risen again for us, and who ever liveth and maketh Intercession for us.  
Who trod the Winepress alone.  
The Son of God became the Son of Man, that the Sons of Men might become the Sons of God.  
Who was made like unto all, that all might be made like unto him.  
Who sought us in sharp ways and bought us with a dear price.  
Who came from Heaven to Earth, that we may go from Earth to Heaven.  
The Brightness of the Father's Glory, and the Express Image of Person, paid the Price of our Redemption, to discharge us Rebels who were in our Filthiness in our Blood.  
Our Jesus leaped into a Sea of Wrath to save us from perishing.  
He waded thro' a Sea of Sufferings to procure a Pardon for our Transgressions.  
Who made himself Sin for us who knew no Sin, that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him.  
He suffered our Cross, that we might wear his Crown.  
He died our Death, that we might live his Life.  
Who endured our Hell that we might enjoy his Heaven.  
He bore our Griefs and carried our Sorrows.  
He was wounded for our Transgressions and bruised for our Iniquities.  
The Chastisements of our Peace was upon him, and by his Stripes we may be healed.  
We all like Sheep have gone astray, but on him was laid the Iniquities of us all.  
Adored be Christ Jesus, who hath done what we ought to have done, and suffered what we ought to have suffered.  
This is the solid Basis of our Comfort.  
The Lord of Life is the Way to escape Eternal Death.  
Although we have turned our Backs on Grace, and with the Israelites loathed the Manna, and hath so little regarded what the Lord Christ hath done and suffered for us, and that Blessed Treasure that he at so dear a rate bought for us, and hath been daily offered unto us, yet he pleadeth for us, stoppeth Judgement, and stayeth Divine Vengeance.  
Although the Earth was thought too good for him, he thinketh not Heaven too good for us.  
Our Praises wait upon the Majesty of Heaven for the continuance of the Gospel, the Wisdom of God, ordained before the World unto our Glory, the Power of God unto Salvation, unto every one that believe. That mighty Efflux and Emanation of Life and Spirit, freely issuing from an Omnipotent Source of Grace and Love: That true Godlike Vital Influence whereby Divinity derives itself into the Souls of Men, inlivening and transforming them into its own likeness, and strongly imprinting upon them a Copy of its own Beauty and Goodness.  
Blessed be God that thy Precepts are yet our Heritage, in the House of our Pilgrimage.  
The Light, without which the whole World would be but a dark Chaos.  
Our Praises wait upon our God, because we are within the sound of his Trumpets.  
Because the Sun of the Gospel shineth upon the Lot of our Inheritance.  
Our Praises wait upon thee, because the Holy Spirit is still ready to bear witness to our Spirits the Truth of thy Holy Word, which transcribeth thy Heart and Mind unto us.  
Thy Judgements thou hast laid before us, and the Way of Truth, whereby we may be kept from the Paths of the Destroyer.  
Our Praises wait upon thee our God for all the faithful Dispensers' of thy Word and Sacraments.  
It's great favour that thou hast not removed them into Corners, and that their Tongues do not cleave to the roofs of their Mouths.  
Jonah was sent from Samaria to Nineveh, doubtless we have turned as deaf an Ear as ever did Samaria.  
It's unspeakable Mercy that thou hast not commanded the Clouds that they rain no more rain upon us.  
That thou hast not pronounced against us, They that are filthy let them be filthy still, and they that are unrighteous, let them be unrighteous still.  
Our Praises wait upon our God for all the great and precious Promises, ratified by the Oath of God the Father, sealed by the Blood of God the Son, testified by God the Holy Ghost; and delivered by the hand of Mercy.  
Those Breathe of Divine Love.  
The Breasts of the Gospel, out of which we draw forth so much Consolation.  
Those firm Foundations to build upon.  
Great and precious Promises.  
To the Chief of Sinners.  
To them that have been prodigalizing all their days, and spent all upon Lust.  
To them that have all the day been standing idle in the Marketplace, even until the Eleventh hour.  
Although we have run so much upon the score, that if thou shouldst arrest us, all the Angels of Heaven could not bail us, yet whoever cometh unto thee, thou wilt in no wise cast off.  
Tho our Sins be as Crimson, thou wilt make them as Snow; and though they be as Scarlet, thou wilt make them as Wool, if we are willing and obedient.  
If we confess and forsake our sins, we shall find Mercy.  
The Bruised Reed thou wilt not break, the smoking Flax thou wilt not quench.  
Thou despisest not the desires of a Contrite Heart.  
Our Sins shall be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.  
Blessed be God for our Seasons of Grace and Times of Repentance.  
That the Door of Hope standeth yet open in the Valley of Anchor.  
That the Lord is yet to be found, and that we have a time to seek him.  
And as we praise our God for the Springs above, so we praise thee for our Springs below; our Health, Wealth, Peace, and Liberty, with many other Blessings of this Life.  
We humbly and thankfully acknowledge, That we are capable of so much Mercy and Favour only thro' the Merits and Mediation of Jesus Christ our Lord.  
That Name is above every name in which we hid ourselves.  
He ever liveth to make Intercession for us.  
Now when we look towards the Place where thine honour dwelleth, towards thy Holy Habitation, that we hope our Lord will not suffer us to receive Denial, or to come off without Favour and Grace.  
Let us be in thy Sight as they that find Favour.   

SUPPLICATION.  
GIve ear unto our Prayers, attend unto the voice of our Supplications.  
Suffer not the Sun of Mercy to set, lest the dark Night of Wrath over take us.  
Give us not only Sparing Mercy but Saving Mercy.  
Give us not only space to repent, but grace to repent.  
In regard the Sun of Mercy shineth so warm upon us, cause the fruits of Grace to grow in us.  
'Cause thy Rich Attracts to gain the Obedience of our Hearts.  
Bind us to the Good behaviour with the Bands of thy Love, that they may charm our Evil Spirits.  
Shed abroad thy Love in our Hearts, that Love may beget Love; that thy unspeakable Love unto us may beget in us some Love unto thee.  
Fasten thy Goodness so upon us, that it may lead us to Repentance.  
That we may not only be thankful for Mercy, but fruitful under Mercy.  
Fill us with the Apprehension of thy Goodness, that the Sun of Divine Favour, may be as the Manna that lieth on the top of all our outward Blessings, that our Souls may feed upon it.  
That the glorious Productions of thine Omnipotency may charm our Hearts to Reflect on the Cause of Causes and the Being of Being's.  
God forbidden that we should any longer suck poison out of the sweet Flowers of thy Mercy and Goodness.  
The Spider gathers Poison out of the same Flower where the Bee gathers Honey.  
Because Judgement is not executed speedily, therefore the Hearts of the Children of Men are wholly set in them to do Evil.  
But Long-suffering leadeth the Children of God to Repentance.  
The same Heat that softens Wax hardeneth Dirt.  
We are depraved and base by Degeneration, make us worthy by Regeneration.  
We were shapen in Iniquity, and in Sin did our Mothers conceive us.  
The Root in which we were conceived and born; hath put forth innumerable of Branches; they are spread forth into many Actual Transgressions. We are conceived, born, brought up, and grown to full Stature in Sin; so that now we are under the Chains of an habituated Course of Sin, and without help from Heaven, those Chains will reserve us to Eternal Chains.  
O Lord break these Bonds in sunder, and cast away these Cords from us.  
Separate Sin which thou so much hatest from the Souls thou so much lovest.  
Separate Sin from us, else it will separate us from thee.  
'Cause the Law of the Spirit of Life that is in Christ Jesus, to free us from the Law of Sin and Death.  
Deliver us from the Tyrannical Power of Sin, that we may turn unto thee from whom we have deeply revolted.  
Wash away our Filth and purge our Blood by the Spirit of Judgement and the Spirit of Burning.  
Thou who takest away the Sins of the World, take away the World of our Sins.  
Cast out the Bondwoman and her Seed.  
Subdue our unruly Inclinations to do Evil.  
Bridle our Unrestrained, Licentious, and Distempered Passions.  
Cashier the Turbulent Rout of our Corrupt Affections.  
We have cause with the Men of Jericho to complain of our Stinking Waters, throw in Salt to heal them.  
Sin is never kindlily cast out, but by the Introduction of Grace.  
Sin reigneth, cause Grace to step in and exauctorate and dethrone it.  
Destroy the Weakness and the Moth, cause our Corruptions to flee into Hell, ever to be forgotten, seal up the root of Evil.  
We want a Touch of the Lord to heal our Bloody Issues.  
Shut up the Womb and dry up the Breasts of Sin.  
Melt down our Lusts, and cause them to whither at the Root.  
Thou madest Man upright, but he hath found out many Inventions.  
Create in us New Hearts, and renew right Spirits within us.  
Frame our Hearts fit for thy own purpose, that we may will and do according to thy own good pleasure.  
We have all been Examples of Sin, make us all Examples of Reformation.  
That Old Things may pass away, and all Things may become New.  
Vassallize our Rebellious Affections.  
Our Iniquities swallow us up alive.  
O break the Bars of Death, conquer the Powers of Darkness, lead Captivity Captive.  
Deliver us from Sin that great Murderer that let Death into the World.  
It bringeth innumerable of Evils to encompass us.  
It keepeth us fast bound in the dreadful Expectation of the Revelation of thy insupportable Wrath and fiery Indignation, who art a Sin hating and Sin avenging God.  
Suffer not the God of this World to blind our Eyes, but give us a perfect sight of Sin, as it is the deadly Enemy of our Eternal Peace.  
That we may hate Sin more than ever we loved it.  
That we may not only dislike Sin, but that our dislike may increase and swell into a hatred of Sin.  
That we may not only loath Sin, but leave Sin.  
That we may sly from Sin, although robed in Successes and Triumphs.  
That we may not only fall out with Sin, but fall off from Sin.  
Secure us from the pernicious Effects of the Devil's Malice, suffer him not to add poison to our Lusts, nor paint to the Objects.  
Suffer us not to be carried away by the heady Stream of any base Affection.  
Strengthen us, that when we meet with temptations, we may quit ourselves like Men, and be strong in the Lord, and in the power of thy Might.  
Put on thy Armour upon us, that we may be able to stand against the Wiles of the Devil.  
That our Loins may be girt about with Truth, and having on the Breastplate of Righteousness, and our Feet shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace, and the Shield of Faith to quench the Fiery Darts of the Wicked with the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit in the Inner Man, than we shall be more than Conquerors.  
One Deep calleth to another, the depth of our Weakness to the depth of thy Strength, the depth of our Folly to the depth of thy Wisdom; the depth of our Poverty to the depth of thy Riches, the depth of our Miseries to the depth of thy Mercies.  
Suffer not thy Displeasure to kindle and break out into a Flame against us.  
Turn from us that Wrath that as a just recompense of our Provocations are due unto us.  
Spare us according to the multitude of thy Mercies.  
Lord Jesus thou art the hope of Israel, with the Lord there is mercy, and with thee there is plenteous redemption.  
Let thy Obedience recompense our Obstinacy, thy Abstinence our Superfluity, thy Meekness and Patience our Pride, Irefulness, and Enmity: Let thy Charity recompense our Malice, thy Devotion our Dulness, Love our unkindness; thy holy and precious Death our wretched & sinful Lives.  
But forasmuch as thou resistest the Proud but give●● Grace to the Humble, thou fillest the Hungry with good things, but the Rich thou sendest empty away.  
Therefore empty us of our Laodicean Riches, discover our Spiritual Poverty, and set home to our Consciences the weight and danger of our Sins.  
Suffer not our Consciences to let us be quiet until they have drawn us before thee in all Humility and Brokenness of Spirit in Bitterness, as one is in Bitterness for the loss of their Firstborn, and confessing ourselves loathing the Persons as well as the Actions: With Detestation and Self-abhorrency, and with indeclinable Resolves of Amendment of Life.  
In regard there must be a Resurrection of our Actions as well as of our Persons, if our Sins rise not again in this World to bring us to shame and confusion of face and unfeigned and sincere Repentance, they will rise again in the World to come, and be as so many Ghosts and Devils, and torment us for ever and ever. We had better judge ourselves than put God to judge us.  
Therefore, O God, by thy powerful voice raise our Sins that are graved in oblivion, and set them in order before us, that we may break them down by repentance.  
Thou canst teach us to gather Grapes of Thorns and Figgs of Thistles, because all things are possible unto thee. There is no Evil so great, but thou canst bring good out of it.  
We turn Gold into Dross, but thou canst turn Dross into Gold again.  
Therefore be entreated, thou Almighty One, that in regard we are such miserable Sinners, that our Sins may make us humble, for humility is in the sight of God of great price.  
And in regard we are so evil, that we may be more charitable in judging of others, let our own unworthiness hang so in our light, that we may not be too busy in meddling with others.  
And in regard we are such great Debtors to Divine Justice, that we may be more charitable in forgiving others: That we may take heed of taking our Brother by the Throat, lest thou call us to an account, and cast us into prison, until we have paid the utmost farthing.  
And in regard we are such notorious Criminals, that we may adore the light of the glory of God that shineth in the face of Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of his grace.  
And in regard we have spent so much time in rebellion, and yet thou art ready to show mercy, that therefore we may look upon ourselves in future as persons engaged to walk before thee in righteousness and holiness all our days.  
Spiritualise our Affections every day more and more.  
Irradiate our Souls with high apprehensions, and so elevate us unto thyself, where true Riches are to be had.  
We stand as poor Beggars without, but in consideration how thou feedest thy people with delicacies, in the perfection of righteousness, peace, and joy.  
O God we have heard with our ears, and our Fathers have declared unto us the noble works that thou dost in Heaven and Earth. O Lord arise, help and deliver us for thine honour.  
Bring us out of the Land of Egypt and out of the house of Bondage, that thou mayst feed us with Manna from Heaven, and that we may offer unto God acceptable Sacrifices.  
Make out unto us that thou art our God and we thy peculiar people.  
That we may live in absolute resignation, subjection, and love unto thee.  
Discover unto us the things beyond the World, that our Affections may be taken off from the World.  
The wise man trusteth in his wisdom, the strong man in his strength, and the rich man in his riches.  
The shipwrecked man catcheth hold on what is next him.  
Adam shipwrecked us all, and we are floating in a Deluge of Calamity: Man is born unto trouble, as the Sparks fly up ward; and in this wretcheduess we naturally catch hold on something; Self-preservation being a clear Dictate of Nature: But our ignorance and misapprehension make us to catch at deceitful things, that fill every one that trust in them with disappointment: some on Honour, some on Pleasure, some on Riches: And here they abide until God show them a more excellent way. What ever the Objects of our Souls are, we shall not desert them until better Objects be discovered unto us.  
Although it be an unsatisfied satisfaction that we enjoy by any sublunary thing, yet when we know of no better, we hold fast by what we have.  
Therefore we pray for some Discoveries of that glory that shall afterward be revealed; of those neverdying comforts for our neverdying souls.  
'Tis but an unquiet quiet and a restless rest, that we enjoy from the Creature: We pray for the Contentment above the World, which is better than the World without that Contentment.  
Ever since thou dravest out the Man, we have been seeking rest, but have found none.  
As Noah's Dove could find no rest for the sole of her foot until she returned into the Ark again, neither is there any rest for us until we return and centre in our God.  
Now when we turn our faces towards thee, for we know not what to do, but our Eyes are towards thee; take us into the Ark of the Covenant.  
We are very much foiled with walking after the sight of our own eyes and desires of our own hearts; take us into thy protection, that we may lay us down in peace, for thou makest thy people to dwell in safety.  
Embrace us in the arms of thy mercy.  
Hid us under the Covert of thy Wings, cover us with the Canopy of thy Love, that we may feel thy Power supporting us, and thy Goodness supplying us.  
That we may rejoice in thee as our Treasure, and rest in thee as our Centre.  
In this far Country we thought to have met with great matters, when we ran away from thee; but we find nothing but Husks which Swine feed upon; and gladly we would fill our Bellies with them, but cannot: Here is no soul-suitable nor soul-satisfying good, therefore we find it absolutely necessary to return to our Father's House, where there is Bread enough and to spare; there being infinite Treasures and Mansions at thy right hand. With thee is that River of Pleasure, in which our Souls may bathe with infinite delight, even for ever and ever.  
Take us into Favour, and receive us with a Fatherly Affection.  
When we cry unto the Lord with our voice, let him hear us out of his holy Hill.  
Doubtless thou art our Father, thou art the Potter, we are the Clay; it is thou that hast made us, and not we ourselves. We are thy people and sheep of thy pasture.  
Where is thy Zeal and the sounding of thy Bowels and of thy Mercies, are they restrained? Abraham is ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledgeth us not. We cannot have confidence in Saint or Angel, but thou art our God, in thy Word is our hope, therefore we lift up our eyes to the Hills, from whence cometh our hope. Our help cometh from the Lord, who made Heaven and Earth.  
'Cause thy Providences and thy Promises to meet together, and kiss each other, in opening to us that knock, in being found of them that seek thee.  
Lord separate us from the common condition of incapacity and indisposition.  
Disband and loosen our Affections from all Terrene Beauties.  
Convince us how good it is to draw nigh unto thee.  
We err in our hearts, because we do not know thy ways.  
We esteem not our God as we ought, because of the ignorance that is in us.  
Lighten our eyes, lest that we sleep the sleep of death.  
Purge our minds enough from the earthy dregs of Sense and Passion.  
Bring thy Ark into our Hearts, that Dagon may fall down.  
'Cause Aaron's rod to swallow up the Egyptians Rods.  
That the Stone cut out with hands may pound Nebuchadnezzar's Image to dust.  
Cloth us with the Sun, and we shall tread the Moon under our Feet.  
That the Privileges we may enjoy by our Lord Christ, our most blessed Redeemer and Saviour, may melt all our other Enjoyments into Nullities, and implanr in us a disestimation of all the Endearments that we use to feed upon here below.  
We have lost thee by Pride, we hope to find thee in Humility; we have lost our God in Luxury, we hope to find thee in Abstinence; we have lost thee by Oppression, we will seek thee in Restitution.  
Enlarge our Understandings, that the Diamond of Grace may hinder the Loadstone of the World from drawing our hearts after it.  
That we may be gained upon so much by Heavenly Things, that Earthy Things may have no power on us.  
That the Lustre of the Pearl of Price may make the World's glory to disappear.  
Open our Eyes, that we may see the Banner of the Gospel, that we may become Volunteers, and run to Christ's Standard.  
That we may account all things but loss and dross and dung, in comparison of the Excellency of Jesus Christ our Lord.  
Wean us from the World, that we may look towards our Maker, and have respect to the Holy One of Israel.  
Cloth us with a holy Indifferency and Neutrality in having or wanting Earthy Things.  
That we may have a steady composure and an uninterrupted serenity of mind, thro' an unshaken submission to, acquiescence in, and conformity to the will of God in all Occurrences, even in the greatest Storms to say Amen to God's Amen.  
Instruct us and teach us what we should do, and guide us with thine Eye.  
Be thou as the Dew unto us, that we may grow as the Lily, and cast forth our Roots as Lebanon, that our Branches may spread, and our Beauty as the Olive Tree, and our smell as Lebanon, that we may say with Ephraim, What have we to do any more with Idols? And that our Fruit may be found from thee. Make us all Obedience, by an infallible Resignation without Exception, Reservation, or Limitation.  
That thy Will may be our Rule, thy Spirit our Guide, thy Precepts the Rule of our Practices, and thy Decrees our Delight.  
Our own Strength is never so untrusty as when it is most trusted, therefore stay our steps in thy paths, that our feet slide not.  
Fill our Resolutions with the hope of Glory, that we may press forward towards the high price of our Calling with facility and alacrity.  
Set open the Gates of thy Treasures and Favours to us.  
Draw us with the Favours of thy good Ointments, for it is therefore the Virgins love thee.  
That we may be always in conjunction with God.  
That we may every day learn a Virtue and damn a Vice.  
Hid not thy Face from us, lest we be found amongst them that go down into the Pit.  
In regard that Christ our Lord is gone to prepare a place for us, that we may prepare ourselves for that place.  
In regard that Jesus was crucified for our Sins sake; help us to mortify our Sins for Jesus' sake.  
Bestow some tastes of thy Divine Love upon us, the Earnest of the Spirit: Then shall we be convinced that all the miseries of this life are not worthy to be compared with that glory that shall afterwards be revealed.  
Enrich our Souls with all the Movables of Heaven.  
Bestow upon us the Spirit of Obedience and Fidelity, too obey all the adored Commands of our Amiable Redeemer, that we may answer all the inspiring Calls of Piety.  
Give unto us all those degrees of Grace and Sanctity; those Efficacious Movements towards the Kingdom of Glory, that we may arrive at the unspeakable Consolation of thy Eternal Vision, which is Essential Happiness, of such Excellency and Supereminent Perfection, containing all Wisdom, all Learning, all Knowledge, all Beauty, all Fullness and Satisfaction, and all other Causes of Love, Joy, and Contentation, wherein our Souls may rest for ever and ever.  
Let our Virtues and Graces be acquainted with no other Season but a Spring, and let nothing screen us from those Beams that should ripen all our good Desires into Enjoyments.  
Father of Mercies do good unto all Mankind.  
Oh the Bondage, the Burden, the Gild, that the World hath contracted!  
The World lieth in Wickedness, Vice hath invaded the Commonwealth of Man.  
The Giants of Sin are grown to full stature.  
Oh how Iniquity hath advanced herself in the hearts of Men.  
The height of Iniquity is come to the top, the Fruit thereof is ripe and ready to drop upon us.  
Sin is rampant.  
The World goeth awry to damnation.  
The paths of Zion do weep and wail for want of passengers.  
What is become of Charity, Truth, Sincerity, Humility, and Piety: Oh they are flown to Heaven, from whence they came, and have left the dangerous Successors Falsehood, Cruelty, Pride, Hypocrisy, and Profaneness.  
Religion is in its last Period, decaying by little and little, entering the Cold Chillness of Dying Age.  
Not one in Forty thousand in whose hand a Spear or Shield is found.  
Even all are embarked in the Bold Adventure for Hell.  
Pride, Oppression, and Profaneness ride in Prosperous Triumphs without Control, and cover the face of the Earth.  
Vice braves it with a boldened Face.  
Sin is in its Power, Corruption is upon its Throne.  
Take away the Covering that covereth the face of all People.   

For the CHURCH.  
WE have had a long Summer, but small Harvest.  
Increase the precious Sons of Zion.  
Call thy Sons from far, and thy Daughters from the ends of the Earth; that they may be called by thy Name.  
Let all the Nations of the Heathen become the Kingdom of the Lord Christ.  
Take in the Heathen for thine Inheritance, and the Utmost Parts of the Earth forty Possession.  
Let all the People praise thee, O God, yea let all the People praise thee.  
'Cause all the Kindred of the Nations to worship before thee, and lead them in the Paths of Righteousness for thy Names sake.  
Cast thy Net into the Seas, and gather of all Kind's.  
That the Sun of the Gospel may rise to such an Altitude, that it may enlighten every Dark Corner of the Earth.  
That the World that is generally ruled by the Malicious Prince of Darkness, may now receive and obey thy Holy Laws in the Beauty and Harmony of Holiness.  
Search thy Sheep, and seek them out as a Shepherd seeketh out his Flock in the Day that he is among his Sheep, and deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark Day.  
Feed them upon Lebanon, by the Rivers, that they may lie them down in peace.  
Seek that which is Lost, Bring again that which is Driven away, Bind up that which is Broken, and strengthen that which is Sick.  
'Cause thy saving health to be known among all Nations.  
Pull down the Strong Holds of Satan, build up the Walls of Jerusalem, and gather together the Outcasts of Israel.  
Lamentable are the breaches and ruins of thy Church, scarce one stone left upon another.  
Thou art the Owner thereof, and able enough, therefore repair it.  
Thy Vineyard looks very wild, and instead of Grapes it bringeth forth Wild Grapes; Oh prune it and fence it, cleanse away the Impurity, Sinfulness, and Defilements of it.  
Suffer no Root of Schism, Slip of Error, or Fruit of Disobedience, to grow in thy Garden.  
'Cause the North Wind to arise, and the South Wind to blow, that the Spices may flow out.  
Adorn the Profession of Religion with an Accession of a Blessing.  
That the Sun of Righteousness may inliven the Church to a higher pregnancy.  
That the Innate Power of the Gospel may prove so Victorious, that Paganism, Mahumatism, Judaisme, Atheism, and Papism, may melt under the powerful Influences of it.  
Oh feed thy Flock and fold them.  
Thou who commandest the Clouds from above, and openest the Windows of Heaven, remember and refresh thine Inheritance with Showers of Divine Favour, lest it prove like a Heath in the Desert.  
Open the Celestial Casements▪ and shower down Gospel Blessings▪  
If our Root be not Rottenness, Heavenly Water and Influences will make it sprout forth into Fruits of Obedience.  
Send down the spirit of Obedience, and Fidelity, that the adored Commands of our aimiable Redeemer may be obeyed.  
Reform those parts of thy Church that are darkened and defiled: Cast down that Tyranny, Heresy, and Schism, which keepeth out Truth, Holiness, and Peace; that Truth may triumph over Error.  
That the Streams of Truth, in the Banks of Unity, may make glad the City of God.  
That Right may be restored, Worth prized, Virtue honoured, Vice degraded, and Honesty and Godliness encouraged.  
Set Bounds to our Passions by Reason, to our Errors by Truth, to our Seditions by Laws, to our Schisms by Charity, that the Church may be as a City at Unity in itself.  
'Cause the Fire of Divine Love to burn up and consume all Roughness, Hatred, and Cruelty, that a Willing and Peaceful Obedience may be-calm the World.  
That Ephraim may not envy Judah, nor Judah vex Ephraim.  
Show thy Compassions unto them who are upon the Mountains of Gilboa, where there are no Dews, and in Egypt, where there are no Showers: thou art sufficient for them.  
Show Pity and Favour unto them who are tossed to and fro upon the Main of Ignorance, with every Wind of Doctrine.  
Bring them under a powerful Spiritual Teaching, from the Heart to the Heart, from the Conscience to the Conscience, from Experience to Experience.  
Especially favour this Part of thy Church in this Kingdom, that it may be a Paradise of Pleasure, the Garden of God; that the Valleys may be like Eden, the Hills like Lebanon, the Springs like Pisgah, and the Rivers like Jordan, and the Defence thereof the Lord Jehovah.  
'Cause thy Spirit as a mighty East Wind to disperse the Locusts.  
That our Nation may be as a Field which the Lord hath blessed.   

For the KING.  
IN a most Eminent Manner give Demonstrations of thy Favour unto our Most Dread Sovereign Lord CHARLES, by thy Grace of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, King; Defender of the Faith: and in all Causes and over all Persons, as well Ecclesiastical as Civil, in these His Majesty's Realms and Dominions, Supreme Head and Governor.  
Let him be precious in thy Sight.  
Watch over him for Good.  
'Cause all Designs that are against him to prove abortive.  
Make his Enemies to be as Dagon was before the Ark, fallen down and broken in pieces; having neither Heads to plot, nor Hands to fight against Him.  
As thou hast placed him on high above us, make thy Blessings suitable to his Exaltation and Dignity.  
Let not the Sun of his Prosperity decline, but when his Course is finished here below, he may ascend into the Unchangeable Glory, and be clothed upon, and be a Star of the First Magnitude; ever shining in the Heaven of Heavens.   

For the Ministers of the GOSPEL.  
PLace in every one of us an Overflowing Fountain, that we may not only be constant, but abundant, in the Work of the Lord.  
That we may be a Means to mollify their hard Hearts, and bespeak their Love to God: Let us be more and more under the Influences and rich Pouring of thy Spirit.  
Make ut Masters of great Judgement and Experience in Soul Affairs.  
That we may wield the Weapons of our Warfare, which are not Carnal, to the beating down of every high and towering Imagination that shall exalt themselves against the Kingdom of our Lord Christ.  
That with sweet Insinuations and a holy Importunity, we may compel them to come in, that thy House may be filled, and thy Feast furnished with Guests.  
Inspire us with Zeal and Industry.  
That we may partake of the Fountain of Wisdom, and drink of the River of Knowledge, that in us may be the Vein of Understanding.  
Impregnate us with Divine Notions in such abundance, that we may have teeming Wombs to enrich the World.  
Adorni and Beautify us with such a Brightness of Wisdom and Understanding, that we may sparkle with ravishing heat of Love and Piety.  
That the Divine Image may fairly be reflected on us, that it may shine brightly in the Faces of Others.  
Fill us with Prudence and Advice: Mould many and Wise Resolutions, Mature Determinations, deep Notions holy and pious Counsels, for the Teaching and Carrying on of thy Flock.  
That we may be as precious Jewels to enrich the World.  
Communicate unto us the Sublime Mysteries of Divine Revelation.  
That our Lips may drop the Words of Life.  
And that our Tongues may be as a Tree of Life, whose leaves are Medicinable.  
Give unto us the Light of Divine Knowledge in the Purity of Divine Truth.  
Enrich us in all Knowledge, in all Utterance, and in all Workman ship.  
enlighten our Eyes, that we may see quite through the Depths of Divinity.  
Reveal unto us by thy Spirit, for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God.  
Give us leave to blow with thy Heifer; and we shall find out the Riddls.  
Great is the Mystrey of Godliness.  
Who is sufficient for these things? Attract our Minds by thy Spirit, that our Flight may be high, and we shall sing more sweetly.  
Suffer not the Sun to go down over the Prophets, let it not be dark over their Heads.  
Fill us with the Spirit of God in Wisdom, in Understanding, in Knowledge, and in Workmanship, that we may undeceive many.  
Make us Pastors according to thy own Heart, that we may feed thy People with Wisdom and Understanding.  
Furnish us with all the Requisites that should belong to Gospel Ministers.  
So qualify us with Ability and Integrity, that Envy herself may be forced to confess that we are Workmen that need not be ashamed.  
Suffer us not to be as Clouds without Rain, like empty Clouds that deceive thirsty Souls.  
Bless our Labours to great Meassures.  
To whom hath the Arm of the Lord been revealed?  
Who hath believed our Report?  
Shall the Trumpet beblown, and the People not afraid? Shall the Lion's roar, and the Beasts of the Forest not tremble.  
Cloth us with a great deal of Mind, that we may distil many wholesome Notions and rectified Apprehensions into the Minds of Men.  
That we may bring Truth which is so far absent, home into men's Bosoms.  
That we may use both the Harp and the Arrows, that our Speech be sweet and piercing.  
That we may feast the hungry Ears with Delicious Dainties.  
Give unto us the Tongue of the Learned, that we may speak a Word in due season.  
The Grace of God and the mighty Spirit of Jesus, work in us, that we may be enabled to instruct the Weak, to confute the Obstinate, to reclaim the Erroneous, to confirm the Faithful, and to comfort the Dejected and Disconsolate.  
Make us happy Instruments of much Glory unto thy Name, and of much good unto thy People.  
Suffer not the Fruits of our Understanding to fail: Give a Blessing to our Endeavours; Paul may plant, and Apollo may water, but thou only givest the Increase.  
Except the Lord build the House, they labour but in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the City, the Watchman watcheth but in vain.  
'Cause our Words which we speak from thee, to be as Goads and Nails fastened by the Masters of the Assembly.  
Suffer not our Knowledge to be without Zeal, nor our Zeal with out Knowledge.  
Make us not only Voices crying but Lights shining.  
That we may not only be Trees of Knowledge, but Trees of Life, in the Paradise of our God.  
Give unto us to know the Mysteries of of the Kingdom of God.  
Teach us to find much of the Treasure hid in the Field.  
Make us useful and successful.  
That we may gather many under the Triumphing Wings of Jesus.  
Enable us to unmask and unveil Heavenly Truths, that each eye may see their Beauty.  
That we may set such a lustrre upon the Pearl of Price, and so present Divinity in her graceful Jewels, that every one may be enamoured with her.  
That we may lead Affection by the hand, and with a sweet facility slide some Divine Truths into the Hearts of our Hearers.  
Grant that in all things we may approve ourselves as Ministers of God.  
That our Lights may so shine before Men, that they may see our Good Works and glorify thee our Father which art in Heaven.  
Suffer us not to be Strangers to that Holiness We press upon others.  
Make us feed by Doctrine and feed by Example.  
Suffer not the Salt to lose its Savour.  
Suffer not the Curse to come upon us, like Priest like People.  
Suffer us not to pull down with one hand what we build with another, lest the Sons of Levi cause the Offering of the Lord to be had in abomination.  
Dead Files causeth the Ointment of the Apothecary to send forth a stinking Savour, so doth a little Folly he that is in reputation for Wisdom and Honour! therefore stay our steps in thy Paths, that our feet slide not.  
That the Purity of Divine Truths may be unfolded in our hearts and lives.  
We have our Treasure in Earthen Vessels, purify and cleanse them, lest thy Word have a tincture of our Uncleanness.  
That we may not sound the Lords Trumpet with a Stinking Breath.  
Cloth us with Righteousness the Garments of Praise, and the Saints shall shout for joy.  
Grant that we may Credit the Gospel, with Exemplary Conversation.  
That our Lives as well as Doctrine, may continually teach Lessons of Faith, Knowledge, Temperance, Patience, Brotherly Kindness, and Charity.  
That there may be seen whatsoever things are true, lovely, pure, virtuous, or praise worthy.  
That every one of us may be as a Torch on a Hill to enlighten all about us.  
Make us as Wise as Serpents, but as Innocent as Doves.  
They who are called to the Work, give them Grace to work in their Callings, that we may be true Servants and Friends of God.  
That we may lay up and lay out.  
O Lord help us that we may live above the Dependence and Gratuities of this vain World.  
That our Aim may be higher than the Eating of a Piece of Bread.  
That we may be free from the Blood of all Men, give us Grace to warn all Men, and to teach every Man in all Wisdom; that we may present our Flocks acceptable before Christ.  
Whilst our Tongues run at the service of the Altar, God forbidden that our Eyes should squint at the Fat of the Sacrifice.  
Grant that we may not seek ourselves but thee.  
Let our Endeavours be rather for the profit than the pleasure of the People.  
Strengthen us to live above Discouragements, yea above Encouragements.  
That we may chief mind our Duty, and depend upon thee, as our only but our sure Reward.  
Give us a strong and clear sense of what we speak.  
Let nothing come out of our Mouths, but what is to good purpose.  
Suffer not the Stars of the Church to shed black and malignant Influences.  
Suffer not our Trumpets to give an uncertain Sound, than who shall prepare themselves for the Battle.  
Make us all of one right mind, that we may speak the same thing, that there may be no Divisions among us, that we may be perfectly joined together in the same Mind and Judgement.  
That we may all always be in Conjunction with Truth.  
That we may all prove such Predominant Lights, that the People cannot but choose us for Direction.  
That we may be as Tutelar Angels to our Flocks.  
And that we may make all good to Heaven's Eye that we show to the World.   

For a Blessing upon the WORD preached.  
O Lord cause thy Word to run, and be glorified.  
Ingrave thy Counsels in our Hearts.  
The fruitfulness of the Seed dependeth upon the Sun and the Rain.  
Let us not only have the presence of Ordinances, but thy presence in the Ordinances.  
Let us feel the inward Sweetness and Deliciousness that truly are in Divine Truths.  
Confirm the Words of thy Servants, and perform the Counsel of thy Messengers.  
Shall our Lips drop Honey, and they taste no Sweetness.  
'Cause the Entrance of thy Word to give Light and Understanding to the Simple, that thy Statutes may be our Songs in the House of our Pilgrimage.  
That the efflux of Life and Power from God may beget in us a true and lively Faith.  
The Law of the Lord being perfect, cause it to convert the Soul, the Testimonies of the Lord being sure, that they may make Wise the Simple: that the Testimonies of the Lord being right, may rejoice the Heart; and the Commandments of the Lord being pure, may enlighten the Eyes.  
Imprint thy Word in Living Characters upon the Vital Powers of our Souls.  
'Cause the blind to see out of Obscurity and out of Darkness.  
Our Sins are fast rooted in us, the Branches are wide and large, lay the Axe close to the Root of the Tree.  
Let thy Call not only reach our Ears but our Hearts.  
That our Ears may not only be tickled but our Hearts touched.  
That thy Word may not only dwell with us, but in us.  
That we may not only learn what to do, but do what we learn.  
That we may not only talk like Christians, but walk like Christians.  
A good Profession and a good Conversation, these two who God hath joined together, let no Man put asunder.  
That we may be Companions of all them that fear thee and keep thy Commandments.  
That we may not only be Verbalists but Realists.  
That our Heads may not only be full of Notions, but our Hearts full of Graces.  
That Christ Jesus may not only be the Subject of our Tongues but the Object of our Hearts.  
That we may make it our Business, yea our Meat and Drink, to do the Will of our Lord.  
'Cause the Word to prevail among us, that we may meet with something that may meet with us.  
That the Word of Christ may dwell in us in all Wisdom, that his Testimonies may be our Delight and our Councillors, that it may be unto us the Power of God unto Salvation.  
Suffer not the Word to return void, but that it may accomplish that which thou pleasest.  
Quicken our Apprehensions, strengthen our Memories; let us not be like a Man, beholding his Natural Face in a Glass, and goeth away forgetting what manner of Man he was: but grant that the Secret of the Lord may be with us, that we may know his Covenant.  
When the Watchmen sound the Lords Trumpet, that we may take alarm with stout resolutions to follow the Lords Banner.  
That the Words of thy Lips may keep us from the Paths of the Destroyer.  
That the Gospel may not only come unto us in Word but in Power; in much Assurance, and in the Holy Ghost.  
Suffer not the Word to be entombed but enshrined in us.  
That the Leaven may be hid within us, until the whole be leavened; that all the powers of our Souls may relish of it.  
That we may be abundantly satisfied with the Fatness of thy House, and that we may drink of the Rivers of thy Pleasure.  
'Cause thy Word to be an Engine to effect our Repentance.  
'Cause it to be as a Fire to consume our Lusts, and as a Hammer to break our hard Hearts upon the Cushion of thy Mercy.  
Bore our Ears, that we may hear when thou speakest in Mercy, otherwise thou wilt force us to hear when thou speakest in Wrath.  
That we may bow to thy Sceptre of Mercy, lest thou break us in pieces with the Rod of thy Wrath.  
Grant that our Eyes may be enlightened by tasting of the Honey of the Gospel.  
Open our Eyes, that we may see the Worth and Excellency of the Pearls that are cast before us, that we may gather them to enrich us, that we may be known by the Bridegroom at his coming, by the Gold that we have bought, and the White Raiment we have put on.  
'Cause the Word of Reconciliation to make such a Conjunction betwixt Christ and our Souls, that they may never be separated.  
Grant that we may hear in thy House of Instruction, lest thou bring us to thy House of Correction.  
That we may hear thy Word lest we bear the Rod.  
That we may turn at thy Reproof, that thou may'st pour thy Spirit upon us, and make known thy Words unto us, lest thou hedge up our Way with Thorns, and make a Wall, that we cannot find our Paths.  
Thou art the Lord that must teach us to profit, that must lead us the way that we should go; for thy Commandments are a Lamp, and thy Law a Light, and Reprooss of Instruction are the Way of Life.  
Grant that the same Spirit that wrote the Word, may teach us to understand it.  
That through thy Precepts we may get Understanding, and by Understanding hate every false Way.  
Open our Eyes, that we may see the wondrous Things that are in thy Law.  
That we may follow the Star, until we find Jesus the Christ, to worship him.  
When the Scriptures are opened to our Understandings, then open our Understandings to the Scriptures.  
That we may discern what the Spirit saith unto the Churches.  
Quicken us with thy Precepts, that we may never forget them.  
That they may make us wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  
That the light in the Golden Candlesticks, may so illuminate us, that we may walk in thy paths without stumbling.  
'Cause thy Word to take Root downward, that it may bear Fruit upward; that we may have respect unto all thy Commandments.  
Make the Word to be as a Remora to stay our Carnal Desires, which are Voyaging in the Ocean of Worldy and Sinful Pleasures.  
Make us not only constant, but conscionable Hearers.  
That thy Word may be in us, that Incorruptible Seed that liveth and abideth for ever.  
When we meet for the better make us better for the Meeting.  
They that serve the Lord, let them be accepted with favour, that their Prayers may reach unto the Clouds.  
Let the Eye of the Lord be upon them that fear him, and that hope in his mercy.  
Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.  
That they may be satisfied with the goodness of thy House, even with the goodness of thy Holy Temple.  
Dart in some Beams of Irresistible Light into our Minds.  
That the Word may be a savour of Life unto Life, and not of Death unto Death.  
'Cause that Word that offereth Salvation to our Souls, be a means to bring our Souls to Salvation.  
Let the Word be transforming, that we may be assimulated into Christ's likeness  
Cause our Affections to receive a Touch from the Word, that they may be stirred up, kindled, and inflamed thereby.  
That thy Message unto us may engage us to become a willing People in the day of thy Power.  
'Cause the Word to be quick and powerful, quicker than a two-edged Sword; so quick as to quicken us to every good duty: and so powerful to subdue the Old Man of Sin. Make it of such force, as to make a Division between us and our best beloved Sins.  
That the Sword of the Spirit may cut us off from the Wild Olive of Nature.  
That we may not only be acquainted with the Grace of Truth, but the Truth of Grace.  
'Cause the Dew to fall with the Manna.  
That the Dews of Hermon may fall upon the Hill of Zion.  
That we may bring forth Fruits as the Vines of Engedi.  
'Cause thy Doctrine to drop as the Rain, to distil as the Dew, as the small Rain upon the tender Herb, and as the Dew upon the Grass.  
Drive the Birds from the Sacrifice.  
When we draw nigh unto thee in Duty, draw nigh unto us in Mercy. Let not them that wait upon thee be ashamed.  
Open the Doors of our Hearts, that the King of Glory may enter.  
Put a holy Fear into our Hearts that we may attend upon thee with Reverence.  
That we may not receive it as the word of a sinful mortal Man, but as indeed and in truth it is, the Word of an Immortal God.  
'Cause the Word to be as a Bank, to hinder the Inundation of our Sins.  
Order our steps in thy Word, that Iniquity may not have Dominion over us.  
Make the Word to be as a Flaming Sword, to keep us from the forbidden Fruit: That it may be as a Curb to keep us from the stray of Offence.  
That we may observe to do what the Lord commandeth us, not turning to the right hand nor the left.  
That it may be as a Rudder to steer us in our right Course.  
Ingrave thy Counsels on the Frontispiece of our Hearts, and cause them to be evermore in an applicative practice.  
That we may grow by the sincere Milk of the Word.  
That as the Bee gathers the Flowers, and carrieth them home to the Hive, and worketh them into Honey, and liveth upon it in times of need; so help us, that we may gather the precious Truths out of thy holy Word, and carry them home unto the Hive of our Hearts, and work them into Grace, and live upon it in a time of Trial.  
Lay hold on our Hearts by thy Omnipotent Grace.  
'Cause the Influences of thy Grace irresistibly to engage us to do thy will.  
That the manifestation of thy Grace, may be as Showers to parched Grass, that our drooping Souls that hang their Wings, may revive and leap for joy.  
That the Efflux of Life and power from God, may beget in us true and lively Faith.  
That Love may be enticed out of ourselves too God.  
'Cause Heavenly Ordinances to leave Fruitful Influences.  
That we may not only enjoy the Gospel of Peace, but the Peace of the Gospel.  
We desire to sun ourselves in the Light of thy Countenance.  
'Cause the Word, like the Sun Beams, not only to enlighten us, but heat and inliven us.  
Let it be Honey in the Mouth, Melody in the Ear, and a Jubilee in the Heart.  
We see thy Footsteps in the Creatures, but we wait to see thy Face in the Ordinances.  
Ordinances are the Pool of Bethesda, that only heal when the Spirit moveth the Waters.  
The Gospel is the Pen, but the Holy Ghost is the Guider of it.  
Suffer not the Tree of Life to be too far from the Tree of Knowledge.  
'Cause Divine Truths to be manifested in the Purity of our Hearts and Lives.  
That every Gale of Divinity may drive us nearer to the Haven of Felicity.  
That we may not be all for Speculation, but Sensation, to taste how good the Lord is.  
Open the Passage between our Heads and our Hearts.  
Convey some warm sprinklings of thy Benediction into our inward parts.  
Suffer not any of us to be like Gideon's dry Fleece.  
Let not the Thirsty Souls that wait for thee as the Rain, return like the Troops of Tema, with their Heads covered.   

For Unregenerate Men.  
IN mercy remember the rebellious Children, that take counsel, but not of thee; and cover, but not with the covering of thy Spirit, that they may add Sin unto Sin.  
Whose Hearts are hardened from thy Fear.  
Sin at the first was the cause of Ignorance, now Ignorance is the cause of Sin.  
In the greatness of their Folly they go astray.  
Who never peeped out of the Bondage of Sensual Lust.  
They rebel against the Light, they know not the ways thereof, neither will they come into these Paths.  
Who walk after the vanity of their Minds, having their Understanding darkened; being alienated from the Life of God, thro' the Ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their Hearts: who being past feeling, have given themselves over to work all Uncleanness with greediness.  
Their god is their Belly, their glory is their shame; who mind Earthy things.  
There is a Bridle in their Jaws, which causeth them to err.  
Lord pity them, for they cannot pity themselves.  
In provoking thee, they provoke their own damnation.  
Thou Being of Being's, have mercy upon them.  
Interrupt the Process of their Extravagances.  
As they tread the paths of Death, let them see the drawn Sword of thy Displeasure.  
As they journey on in their Sins, cause a Light to shine from Heaven.  
Amaze them with the apprehensions of their woeful and wretched Estate.  
Suffer them not to breathe quietly, until they find the Fountain opened for Sin and for Uncleanness.  
Set home unto their Consciences the weight and danger of their Sins.  
That Conscience may be as a Scorpion in the Bosom.  
Send the Fiery Serpents to sting and wound them, that they may look after the Brazen Serpent.  
A wake them out of their Mortal Lethargy.  
Bring them out of the Womb of Natural Blindness, that they may be born again, although they be Old.  
Thou who at first caused Light to shine out of Darkness, say, Let there be Light, and there shall be Light.  
That the Dayspring from on high may visit them that sit in Darkness & in the shadow of Death.  
'Cause the Day to dawn, and the Day Star to arise in their Hearts.  
Turn the Shadow of Death into the Morning.  
Let the Spirit of Conviction come upon them, and a wake them as a Man that is a waked out of his Sleep.  
Our corrupt Nature is the most inexpugnable Fort in the World.  
'Cause the Dead to hear thy Voice and live.  
Of those Stones raise up Children to Abraham.  
Mollify their hard Hearts, that are not penetrable, when the Arrows of Conviction are shot against them.  
'Cause Hell to enter into them, that they may not enter into Hell.  
That thy terrors may affright them from those evils which delight them.  
'Cause Sin to reign unto Death, that Grace may reign unto Eternal Life, thro' Jesus Christ our Lord.  
Snatch them as Brands out of the Fire, lest they be swallowed up in their own ruins.  
Bring them out of their Spiritual Bondage with a mighty Hand and a stretched-out Arm.  
The pleasures of Sin, the power of Satan, and the source of Evil. Custom, this threefold Cord is not easily broken.  
Translate them out of the Kingdom of Satan into the glorious Liberty of the Children of God.  
Bring them from Darkness to Light, and from the power of Satan unto God.  
Glorify thyself by their salvation, and not by their damnation.  
Turn their Vices into Virtues.  
Although now they be afar off, make them nigh by the Blood of Christ.  
Bring the Blind by a way they know not: Make Darkness Light unto them, and Crooked Paths strait.  
O that Christ may be form in them.  
That the Blind may see, the Deaf may hear, the Dumb may speak, the Lame walk, and the Lepers may be cleansed.  
We are all the Work of thy Hands, make us all the Sheep of thy Pasture.  
We are all of one common Mould, make all of one common Salvation.  
Purge them with Hyssop, and they shall be clean.  
Say unto the dry bones live.  
'Cause the Leopards to change their Spots, and the Ethiopians their Hue.   

For the Broken hearted.  
O God show thy Grace to them whose souls desire thee in the Night, that sigh by reason of their bondage.  
Who thou hast broke in the place of Dragons, and covered with the shadow of Death.  
The Spirit of a Man is able to bear his infirmity, but a Wounded Spirit who can bear.  
The troubles of the Spirit are the Spirit of troubles.  
Even as the Wind, when it gets into the Caverns of the Earth, causeth it to quake, so Gild contracted and felt, maketh the poor soul to tremble.  
No Lion roars like that in a Man's bosom.  
If a spark of thy Wrath be so terrible, when it flieth into our Consciences; what will thy coming be, when thou comest with Flaming Fire, to render Vengeance to thy Adversaries?  
Their own Gild hath brought two Hells in their Hearts, Horror and Shame.  
Oh sin is of a Toady Complexion.  
After the strong Wind, the Earthquake and the Fire cause the Still Voice to come.  
Hear the Cries out of the Deeps.  
Be thou their Pilot in the dark and dangerous Storm.  
Thou healest the Broken in Heart, and bindest up their Wounds.  
Let the sighing of the Prisoners come before thee, and relieve them according to the greatness of thy Power.  
Bring the Prisoners from the Prison, and them that sit in Darkness from the Prison House.  
Say to the Prisoners, Go forth, to them in Darkness, Show yourselves. Cause them to ●eed in the ways, and their pastures to be in high places.  
Pleasures of Sin merried their Senses for a while, but horror followed after, and vultures their unconsuming Hearts, and those that carried the most pleasing tastes, fit them with the largest reluctations.  
Oh sympathise with the weary and heavy laden ones, how they long for the Scape-goat to carry their Sins into oblivion.  
They watch for him more than they that watch for the Morning.  
That look thro' the Windows, and cry thro' the Latesses, Why is his Chariot so long in coming? Why stay the wheels of his Chariot?  
They who are sick with the sense of their misery, comfort them with the sweetness of thy mercy.  
They who see their miseries out of Christ, cause them to see the light of the glory of God, that shineth in the Face of Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of his Grace.  
Lose off their Sackcloth, and gird them with gladness, that their glory may sing praise.  
Break their Bonds, and they shall sacrifice the sacrifice of praise.  
Bind up the broken hearted, proclaim liberty to captives, open the prison to them that are bound; comfort all that mourn, give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heavinness, that they may be called Trees of Righteousness.  
That they may be of the ransomed of the Lord, that return and come to Zion with Songs and everlasting joy upon their Heads.  
'Cause true joy and gladness to possess their souls, that sorrow and sighing may fly away.  
Even as the eye of the Servant waiteth upon the hand of his Master, or the Maiden upon the hand of her Mistress, so they wait upon thee, until thou hast mercy on them.  
Cause them that lift up their souls unto thee, to know the way wherein they should walk.  
Led them to the door of hope opened in the valley of Anchor.  
Be a Leader and Commander unto them, instruct them and teach them what they should do, and guide them with thine eye: Guido these prisoners of hope unto the strong holds.  
Remember them with the favour thou bearest unto thy people, and visit them with thy salvation.  
They who are stung with the Fiery Serpents, give them a sight of the Brazen Serpent.  
The sting of Death is Sin, the strength of Sin is the Law; give them the Victory thro' our Lord Jesus Christ.  
That the great Physician of Souls may heal their Spiritual Distempers.  
Where spiritual sorrow sinketh the heart, cause the pulley of Faith to raise it.  
They who look towards thee with contrition, consolate them with remission.  
They who turn unto thee with humiliation and repentance, turn unto them with commiseration and forgiveness.  
According to thy promise, be with them that are of contrite and humble spirits, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.  
Be nigh unto them that call upon thee, that call upon thee in truth.  
Suffer not all their sighs to wander in fleeting Air.  
Cause them that sow in tears to reap in joy.  
Turn their mourning into dancing, lose off their sackcloth, and gird them with gladness.  
'Cause thy Face to shine upon them, and they shall be saved.  
They who are afflicted and tossed with tempest, and are not comforted, lay their stones with fair Colours, and lay their Foundations with Saphires: Make their Windows of agates, and their Gates of Carbuncles, and all their Borders of pleasant Stones.  
The Vapours of Sin are risen and engendered into a Cloud, which interposeth between them and the Sun of Mercy: Grant for the present that some glances from the edges of the interposed body may refresh them.  
Where the stormy Clouds are risen, when the distressed ones expect to be overwhelmed with the Deluge of thy Wrath, than set thy Bow in the Clouds.  
A discovery of Free Grace will be precious.  
Make them to hear joy and gladness, that the bones that thou hast broken may rejoice.  
Bring them on eagle's Wings from Sinai to Zion.  
Cause them that mourn to be exalted to safety.  
Open the Conduits of Soul-supportation and Soul-consolation.  
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick, but when the desire cometh, it is a Tree of Life.  
Sin hath over-laid their hopes, O raise them from the dead.  
Let down a beam of Comfort to temper their Despair.  
Contend not for ever, be not always wroth, than the spirits will fail, and the souls which thou hast made.  
Teach them to feed on the Promises, as Samson did of the Honeycomb. Out of the Eater came forth Meat, and out of the strong came forth Sweetness.  
That they may be justified by Faith, and have peace with God thro' our Lord Jesus Christ.  
Hang forth the White Flagg of Mercy, and lift up their Heads, that they may see their redemption drawing near.  
Display the Ensign of thy Compassions, then shall they run to thy Standard.  
Help them that are under the pains and pangs of the New Birth, guide them in the way that leadeth to Everlasting Life.  
Open unto them the Gates of Righteousness, that they may go in and praise thy Name.  
Let the Lords Compassions reach to all that are wrestling with and tossed in the Sea of their Corruption, and are violently carried on with temptations, and overpowered by their licentious Affections in the Straits of Repentance, that have much ado to keep off from the Rocks of Despair, and afraid to be swallowed up in the Gulf of Perdition.  
When they pass thro' the Waters, be thou with them. When they go thro' the Rivers, suffer them not to overflow them. When they walk thro' the Fire, suffer them not to be burned, nor the flame to kindle upon them.  
Consider their trouble, for thou knowest their souls are in adversity.  
Turn the Bruised Reed into a Golden Pillar, and the Smoking Flax into a Triumphing Flame.  
Be thou their Arm every morning, and their salvation in a time of trouble.  
Bring them from the depths of Death.  
Glorify thyself in their Deliverances.  
Redeem Israel from all his iniquities.  
Swallow up Death in Victory, Wipe away tears from their Faces, and take away their Rebuke.  
Let the times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord.  
Execute not the fierceness of thy Wrath, for thou art God and not Man.  
Cast them not away from thy presence, but uphold them with thy free spirit.  
Bind up the breach of thy servants, and heal the stroke of their wound.  
For thy Names sake defer thine anger and for thy Praise refrain.  
Guide them with thy Counsel, in order to their Reception into Glory.  
And comfort just Lot, that is vexed with the unrighteous Conversation of the Sodomites from day to day.  
How the second Man the Lord from Heaven, the New Man, is plagued with the Hittites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.  
The small beginnings of Grace are preserved by the powers from Heaven.  
The Sojourner is opposed and despised, because of the contrariety between them.  
Damned Satan, the World, and the Flesh, combine to extinguish that which thou hast kindled.  
The Flesh jousteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the Flesh; these two are contrary the one to another.  
Relieve thy Servants who are engaged in the Holy War.  
When they walk thro' the midst of trouble, do thou revive them; stretch forth thy hand against the wrath of thine enemies, that thy right hand may save them.  
Support them with the Spirit of Power and the power of the Spirit.  
Perfect that which concerneth them, thy mercy O Lord endureth for ever; forsake not the Work of thine own hands.  
It is the Lord that bringeth forth his People from their Enemies, and lifteth them up on high above them.  
Corruption is always strong enough to keep Grace low: Grant 〈◊〉 Grace may prove strong enough to keep Corruption low.  
Suffer not their Corruptions to worry and devour the Fruits of the Spirit.  
Take the Foxes that spoil the Vines, for the Vines have tender Grapes.  
Fill every one that hunger and thirst after Righteousness.  
Deny not those ardent desires of the blissful fruition of thyself, which the lively sense of thy own Goodness hath enkindled; those breathe and gaspings for an eternal participation of thee.  
The Soul is depressed with an unpassable thicket of hindrances, the frailties of the Body, the current of the World, and the spiritual Enemies that continually war against Goodness; they are ever checking the production of those good motions she is pregnant with.  
Oh send a spring of auxiliary Grace to actuate the dull habits of inherent Grace.  
Thou knowest their woe because they dwell in Mesech, and are constrained to dwell in the Tents of Kedar.  
Led forth thy people whom thou hast redeemed, and guide them with thy strength to thy holy Habitation.  
Open the Rivers in high places, and Fountains in the midst of the Valleys: Make the Wilderness a Pool of Water, and the dry Land Springs of Water.  
The whole World cannot satisfy their Spiritual Long, give them Soul-suitable Returns.  
The Good that they would do, that do they not, the Evil that they would not do, that do they; because of the Law of the Members that war against the Law of the Mind.  
They would gladly be with thee, but they cannot get near because of the Crowd.  
Their Souls thirst upon the Cross, but Gall and Vinegar is their Drink.  
Shall not the good Angel minister unto them.  
Help them who are troubled with vexing Scruples, and reduced to dark Perplexities.  
When they go forward thou art not there, and when they go backward they cannot perceive thee: Oh manifest thyself unto them.  
'Cause thy Grace to guide their slippery steps.  
And unto them who thou hast in some measure given Victory to, make the Habitation of their Righteousness prosperous.  
'Cause the Righteous to hold on his Way, and he that hath clean Hands to be stronger and stronger.  
That they may grow in Grace, and from one degree of Grace unto another.  
'Cause the Light of the Righteous to shine more and more unto perfect Day.  
Suffer not Pharaoh and his Host to overtake them.  
Suffer them not to look back to Egypt, nor to long after the Garlic and the Onions.  
That they may rather think of the burden and bondage, and the woeful circumstances and consequents of Sin, than the vain pleasures of it.  
Suffer them not to be plagued with Satan's return or any fresh invasions or revolutions of their old Sins.  
Thou who settest them up, and makest them holy, keep them up, and make them steady.  
Keep them from lapses and prevarications.  
Let them not want the Pillar of a Cloud by Day, nor the Pillar of Fire by Night.  
Let the Blessed Spirit, which was the Pre-operator, be the Co-operator; lest they return to the borders of Egypt.  
Fight their battles and supply their wants.  
Give them a clear sight of the Crown of Immortality that the joys of that which is set before the eyes of their Faith, may still refresh them, that they may endure unto the End.  
Give them a Sample of what they are pressing toward, and sometimes a Taste of the Fruits of Canaan, that they may resolve to fight with the Sons of Anack.  
Fraught them so with hope that they may venture into any storm.  
That they may be satisfied that all the miseries of this life is not worthy to be compared with that glory that shall afterward be revealed.  
That all the thoughts of misery may be drowned in the precious deeps of Eternity.   

For the Afflicted.  
O Lord be Gracious to all them that are under the Wring of Sorrow and in the Press of Adversity.  
That are Wounded with the Weapons of thy Indignation, and cast down with the Evidences of thy Displeasure.  
That are sunk into Inconsolable Afflictions, captivated and fettered in the Darksome Prison of Discontentedness, and hurried upon the Shelves and Rocks of Infelicity.  
We humbly own thou mightest justly have made us Examples unto them, our sins was in the Cry that brought down Vengeance.  
We are not spared because we are more righteous, but because to us thou art more gracious.  
Thou dealest with us as with Prince's Children, others are beaten for our faults, but 'tis intended for our amendment.  
Thou hast distributed sorrows in thine anger, and hast broken them with breach upon breach.  
Thou reapest that glory in their calamity, that they robbed thee of in their prosperity.  
Thou hast builded against them and encompassed them with Gall and Travel.  
Thou hast filled them with Bitterness, and made them drunken with Wormwood.  
Thou hast spoken against them in thy Wrath, and vexed them with thy sore displeasure.  
Thy Wrath lieth hard upon them, thou hast afflicted them with many waves.  
Thou hast spread thy Net upon them, and hast brought them down as the Fowls of Heaven.  
Terrors are turned upon them▪ they pursue their Souls like the Wind, the days of affliction have taken hold upon them.  
With thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against them.  
Thou hast lifted them up to the Wind.  
Thou hast wrote bitter things against them, and caused them possess the Sins of their Youth.  
Thou hast sealed up their transgressions in a Bag.  
Their Foundation is overflown with a Flood.  
Black Clouds have darkened their day, Gall and Wormwood hath bittered their Cup.  
Afflictions are Stinging Serpents.  
We humbly own Sin is both the Mother and the Nurse of all Calamity.  
There's some of the Golden Calf in all our Suffering.  
They have betrayed themselves into the Hands of Sorrow.  
Afflictions spring not out of the dust nor trouble out of the ground.  
They have largely contributed to their own ruin.  
They have made Wings for thy Judgements, which made them come so swiftly upon them.  
Their Sins have been sure Pulleys to draw on unexpected Wrath.  
Sin is the Venomous Root out of which springeth all Calamities.  
Vengeance like a Bloodhound, hunteth and findeth out the Guilty.  
Their Life spendeth in Grief, and their days in sighing; their Strength faileth because of their Iniquity.  
They have trodden the Paths of Death, else they had not met with the Drawn Sword of thy Displeasure.  
They have necessitated thee to chastise them.  
Their Sin hath burned hot, and hath set on fire the Train of God's Wrath.  
They have strung God's Bow with the Cords of Iniquity.  
Their own Wickedness hath corrected them, and their own Backslidings have cast them down, as Trees and Garments are eaten up with Moths and Worms which they breed themselves.  
The Vapours of Sin have ascended, that have made such thundering in the Clouds.  
Like Thunderbolts and such fearful Meteors, that fall upon the Earth from whence they had their original.  
Their Iniquities are gone over their Heads like a heavy Burden.  
The Deluge of Impiety drowned the Old World.  
The Fire of Lust fetched fire from Heaven upon Sodom.  
The Stinking corruption of Manners breed the Plague.  
They have broken the Hedge, therefore the Serpent hath bit them.  
They have eaten the forbidden Fruit, therefore the Curse is upon them.  
Their Quails are sauced with thy Wrath.  
Sin hath been the Herald that hath gone before, therefore Afflictions are th' Attendants that follow after.  
They have made paths in Sin, therefore thou hast made paths in Judgement.  
They are eating the Fruit of their own Ways, and are entangled in their own Devices.  
They have rewarded Evil unto themselves.  
The Steps of their Strength are straitened, their own Counsels have cast them down.  
The Effects of their Transgressions are heavy upon them.  
Is not their Condition heavier than their Complaint, and their Stroke heavier than their Groan?  
O Lord our God their Sores are not so great but thou canst salve them.  
The Lord upholdeth all them that fall, and raiseth up them who are bowed down.  
In regard that Sin hath been a means to bring them into Suffering, grant that Suffering may be a means to bring them out of Sin.  
Writ their Sin legible in their Sorrows.  
'Cause their Chastisements to be remedies not ruins to them.  
'Cause the Arrows of Vengeance to wound the Old Man of Sin.  
Let the Rod beat out the Moths.  
'Cause the rough File to take away the Rust.  
Make the bitter Pills, take away the peccant Humours.  
Let their be no worse consequences of their Afflictions than the purging away their Iniquity and the taking away their Sin.  
That the Waters of Affliction may so season their Earthen Vessels, that they may be freed from all tincture of Sin and Corruption.  
The more Correction the less Corruption we beseech thee.  
If the Furnace be seven times hotter, cause it to make them seven times better.  
In regard thou dost bring them thro' the Fire, refine them as Silver is refined, and try them as Gold is tried.  
That they may learn Obedience by the things that they suffer.  
'Cause the polishing of those Stones to make them fit for the Building of the Temple.  
That their chastening may yield unto them the peaceable Fruits of Righteousness.  
Open their Ears to Discipline.  
That all the Black Lines of Affliction may lead to the true Centre of Happiness.  
That thy Rods may become Sermons.  
That they may hear the Rod and who hath appointed it.  
Put Wisdom into their Inward Parts, and Understanding into their Hearts.  
Add Instruction to Correction, that they may be corrigible by the Rod, lest thou send thy Axe.  
That they may learn by Correction, lest thou bring them to Destruction.  
That they may be as Sea-marks unto them, that they in future beware of the dangerous Rocks that lie hid under the smooth Waters of Sin.  
Cause them to feel the weight of their Sin, as well as the weight of their Punishment.  
●ake them to know their Trans●●●●●●on and their Sin, that they 〈…〉 be truly humbled, that thou, ●●●vest put an end to all their Tragedy's and turn away thine Anger and comfort them.  
Deliver them that are big with Grief.  
Tho they have lain among the Pots, that they may be as the Wings of a Dove covered with Silver, and his Feathers of Yellow Gold.  
'Cause the Night of Sorrow to vanish by the appearance of the Sun of Mercy, like the Sun of Righteousness with Healing in his Wings.  
That their Afflictions may be Preparatives for future Blessings, and better Hearts to enjoy them.  
That thou may'st make them glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted them, or the years wherein they have seen Evil.  
Thou hast watehed over them to break them down, to root them out, and to destroy them; now watch over them to build and to plant.  
In the interim help them to take up their Contentment in they Appointment.  
That they may say Amen to Gods Amen.  
If they cannot read Love in the Hands and Face of God, by reason of Frowns and Strokes, teach them to draw by the Veil, and read Love in the Heart of God; and cry out the Thoughts of God are Thoughts of Love and Peace  
That they may trust in the Name of the Lord, and stay upon their God.  
They have lost the Comforts which they could not keep, give them to keep the Comforts which they cannot lose.  
In regard their Cisterns are broken, lead them to the Fountain.  
Remember thy Footstool in the day of thine Anger.  
Oh set bounds to those Seas.  
Don't always Chide, keep not thine Anger for ever.  
Don't triumph in farther Executions.  
Let thy Compassions say, It is enough.  
Blow not all the day to Sow.  
Their strength is not as the strength of Stones.  
Neither is their Flesh of Brass.  
Thou knowest their Frame, remember they are but Dust.  
If thou shouldst be extreme in marking what is done amiss, who is able to abide thy Wrath.  
Let it not be long before thou heal the Stroke of their Wound.  
Regard their Affliction when thou hearest their Cry.  
Doth the Wild Ass bray when he hath Grass, or loweth the Ox over his Fodder?  
Deep calleth unto Deep at the noise of thy Water-spouts, thy Waves and thy Billows are gone over them.  
Wilt thou break a Leaf driven with the Wind? Wilt thou pursue the dry Stubble?  
Remember them in their low estate, for thy mercies endure for ever.  
Tho thou Chasten them sore, give thm not over unto Death.  
Tho thou take Vengeance of ●heir Inventions, yet forgive them: Psal. 99 8.  
Be their Defence and Refuge in ●he day of their Trouble, that they may sing of thy Power.  
Give Power unto the Faint and ●hem that have no Might.  
Break the Yoke from their Neck, burst their Bonds, command Deliverance for them.  
Let not the Needy always be forgotten, let not the Expectation of the Poor perish for ever.  
Raise the Poor out of the Dust, and the Needy out of the Dunghill.  
Set them high from Affliction and make them Families like a Flock.  
Bring back their Souls from the Pit, and enlighten them with the Light of the Living.   

The Conclusion.  
GRant that all thy Dispensations to us may be a means to further us in that great Work; in making our Calling and Election sure.  
That in this our day we may improve our Talents, get Oil in our Lamps, Grace in our Hearts; that we may be owned by the Bridegroom at his coming.  
Make us live Spiritually before we die Naturally.  
That the Temple of Grace may be raised before the Tabernacle of Nature be taken down.  
That our Souls may be fit to be taken into Heaven, before our Bodies be fit to be put into the Earth.  
That the second Birth may have place in us, lest the second Death have power over us.  
Let our Prayers be as Incense and the Lifting up our Hands as an acceptable Sacrifice.  
Lord kindle our Sacrifice from Heaven.  
That our Prayers may be as a Key to unlock the Bowels of Mercy.  
Return Answers of Peaec into our own Bosoms.  
That the Trade we drive in Prayer may increase our Stock of Grace.  
We depend upon thee, for we of ourselves can do nothing.  
Our Strength is never so un trusty, as when 'tis most trusted.  
Thou knowst what we have to do and suffer before our course be finished.  
All Futurities are treasured up in God.  
Thou knowest Sin hath cut the Lock where our Strength lay.  
We have lost the Rudder of Free Will.  
Oh whither will the turbulent Waves of our Corrupt Affections carry us, if thou do not come to us and help us, and stay the raging of the Sea, and command ● Calm?  
If thy Presence go along with us we shall have Rest.  
Let thy everlasting Arms be under us.  
Put thy Left Hand under our Head, and let thy Right Hand embrace us.  
If thou dost not provide us a Pillar of a Cloud by Day, and a Pillar of Fire by Night: If thou dost not fight our Battles and make our Way plain before us, we shall never reach Canaan.  
Cover thou our Heads in a day of Battle, and teach our Hands to War and our Fingers to Fight.  
Our Souls have broke their Wings, thou only canst restore us, therefore enable us that we may mount up with Wings as Eagles, that we may run and not be weary, that we may walk and not faint.  
If the Heavenly Bodies did not move, there would be no Motion here below.  
When thou didst not lead Israel on they took up their Stand.  
Enlarge our Steps under us, that our Feet do not slide.  
Gird us with Strength, for thou art our Rock, our Fortress, our Deliverer, the Strength in whom we will trust, our Buckler, the Horn of our Salvation and high Tower.  
If the Face of the Sun be intercepted, the Moon loseth her Light; when thou hidest thy Face we are in Darkness.  
Because thou art our Strength we will wait upon thee, for God is our Defence.  
Unto thee our Strength will we sing, for God is our Defence, the God of our Mercy.  
Stir up thy Strength and come and save us.  
That the Place of our Defence may be Munition of Rocks, that Bread may be given unto us, that our Waters may be sure.  
Advance and confirm all our Resolutions for doing Good, give a Prevailing Issue to all our Endeavours, and cause Blessed Success to attend all our good Erterprises.  
If there be any good Desires in us, thou hast begun them; perform them until the day of Jesus Christ.  
Send Auxiliary Graces to actuate the dull Habits of Inherent Graces.  
That the Buds of our Good Desires may blossom into Resolutions, and that those Blossoms may come to such perfection as to produce the Fruit of good Actions.  
That we may not only purpose to be religious, but religious to purpose.  
That we may not only desire but endeavour, and give thou that blessing to our Endeavours, that they may be successful, that we may do that which is well pleasing unto thee.  
When we press forward towards the high Price of our Calling, suffer not any discouragement to fasten upon us.  
Suffer us not to unbend our Resolutions for Heaven.  
Suffer not the Earth to put out the Fire.  
Let not the things of the World choke our Zeal, nor stifle the Motions of the Spirit.  
Tho all the Instruments sound, suffer us not to fall down to the Image that Nabuchadnezzar hath set up.  
Suffer not Secular Provisoes to blunt the edge of our Zeal, nor the things of the World to eat out the Heart of Religion.  
Suffer not the World's Silver Trumpet to sound a Retreat, to call us off from the Pursuit of Heaven.  
Let not the Music of the World charm us asleep.  
Keep Satan from cutting the Sinews of our Endeavours.  
Suffer not the Darts of Temptation to pierce thro' the Armour of our Resolution.  
Suffer not our good Resolutions to be vanquished by the Impetuousness of our base sensual Affections.  
Go thou along with us thro' the Crowd of Opposition.  
Keep us from being worried with the power of Sin.  
Although we cannot be kept altogether from falling, keep us from falling altogether.  
Keep us from being carried into any ways that shall dishonour the Gospel.  
Hold us by the Right Hand, thou art the Lord our God, therefore encourage us and help us.  
Direct us in this Maze of Life and in the Buffle of the World.  
Let the Spirit of Truth guide us in all Truth.  
Give us a Safe Conduct thro' all Casualty, hid our lives with Christ in God.  
Keep us by thy Power thro' Faith unto Salvation.  
In large our Hearts, that we may run in the Way of thy Commandments.  
Suffer us not to truck our Faith for our Liberty.  
Confirm us unto the end, that we may be blameless in the Day of our Lord Jesus.  
In regard our Impatient and Immoderate Desires after Carnal Pleasures always return laden with an Intolerable Burden of Grief and Sorrow, and that Sin loseth what Repentance gains, therefore Caution us.  
Put thy Fear in our Hearts, that we may not departed from thy Statutes.  
Sins Gilded Pills are the Forerunners of Bitter Potions, therefore work in us a dislike of them.  
Keep us from catching at the Bait of Pleasure, lest we hang upon the Hook of perpetual Perdition.  
Order our Steps, and uphold us with thy Free Spirit.  
'Cause Faith and Fear to go hand in hand, that Faith may keep us cheerful, and that Fear may keep us serious; that Faith may keep us from sinking in Despair, and that Fear may keep us from floating in Presumption.  
Why should we despair, God can help us? Why should we presume, God can cross us?  
That a holy Alacrity may be tempered with a gracious Humility.  
Keep our Feet from falling, that we may walk before thee in the Light of the Living.  
Let us hear the Still Voice behind us, when we turn to the Right hand or the Left.  
The Lord is our Shepherd.  
The Shepherd when he sees his Sheep straying out of their Bounds, he calls out unto them.  
Our Shepherd is the Living Lord, who is acquainted with all our Ways, and pondereth all our Go.  
When thou O Lord feest us Wandering out of our Gospel Rules, lift up thy Voice; either the voice of thy Word or the voice of thy Messengers, or the Voice of our Consciences; or the Voice of thy Spirit: That we may return to the green pastures and to the still waters.  
Give Light unto our Understandings, Order in our Affections, Pliableness in our Will, that we may be exemplary in our Lives.  
Deliver us not only from the Sins of the Times; but from the Times of Sin.  
That we may be found always moving in the Orb of Obedience.  
Make us so Honourable as to be born of thee, so Wise as to know thee, so Beautiful that we may bear thy Image, so Rich as to be rich in Faith, so Victorious as to overcome the World, so happy as to enjoy thyself, so blessed with peace as to have the peace of God, which passeth all understanding; then we shall be sure of true joy, the joy of the Holy Ghost.  
Work our Names in the Frame of thine own Glory.  
Make us blessed in this Life, happy in Death, and glorious after Death.  
Make out unto us that thy Mercy is ours to pardon us, that thy Blood is ours to cleanse us, thy Merits ours to justify us, thy Righteousness ours to  us, thy Spirit ours to lead us, thy Grace ours to enrich us, and thy Glory ours to crown us.  
Make us Masters of so much Consideration, that we are swimming down the Stream of Time, and it will not belong before we launch into the Ocean of Eternity.  
Teach us so to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto Wisdom.  
That we may live in thy fear and die in thy favour, rest in thy peace, arise by thy power, and remain in thy glory for ever and ever.  
This and whatsoever else we should ask for ourselves or any other, let it be granted unto us and to them, upon the alone account of our great Lord and ever blessed Redeemer, who was given for us, who was made a Curse for us, who inexpressibly suffered for us, who satisfied Divine Justice for us, who was made reconciliation for us, who died and risen again for us: Who prepared glory for us, and ever maketh Intercession for us. For him we give all praises, in him we ever desire to be found, rendering unto the most glorious Majesty of Heaven, as we for ever will acknowledge most due, all Honour, Glory, Power, Might, Reverence, Fear, and Obedience, World without end. Amen.   

The Blessing with which the Author used to dismiss his Congregation.  
THe Almighty Power of God the Father vanquish and overcome whatsoever may hinder you from him, and give you strength to do his acceptable Will in all things: The most Bright Wisdom of God the Son enlighten you and lead you to all things which may bring you forward to him. The Unspeakable and Superabounding Love of God the Holy Ghost pierce thro' all the Oppositions in you, kindle and unite your love to him with a most ardent and pleasing turning, all your Powers and Strength, that you may follow his sweet Calling and most amorous drawing: Whereunto the more than Most Glorious Trinity hath called you: Namely, From the Love of this Deceitful World to the Enjoyment of God and his Riches, and Unspeakable Blessedness; so that by Grace you may be that which you are not nor can be by Nature. To whom be all Honour, Praise, Obedience, and Reverence. Amen.   
FINIS.