The Youngmans' Guide in his way to HEAVEN: OR, A CABINET of Rich Jewels, left and Bequeathed to all Young Persons by the Reverend Mr. John Shrenock. B. D. Who died in the flower of his Age, lying but seven days on his Death bed; during which space of time, he wrought this Sermon: desiring it might be Preached at his Funeral, and published for the benefit of all persons both young and old. With his last Prayers. woodcut of a skeleton or figure of death preparing to thrust an arrow with his hand into a well-dressed young man or gentleman; nearby a young woman or lady holds her hand to the spot where she has been wounded by another arrow Licenced and Entered according to order. Printed for J. Conyers at the Black Raven in Haul 〈…〉 Church and Th●●●●● Inn 2. Chron. 34.2. Whilst he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his Father. THis whole Chaper, with the next, ar● nothing but a recital of the Acts of good King Josiah: he was a holy and good King as any we read of in the book of God, and this is a commendation of him; that he sought the Lord God betimes, he was good when almost all were bad & were turned into Idolatry: He in the twelfth year of his Reign began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places and the Groves, the Carved Images, and Molten Images, and they broke down the Altar of Baal in his presence, ver. 3, 4. And when he had destroyed all the Idol● Worship, he set up the worship of the true God, and repaired the house of the Lord Great was his hatred to Idolatry, as you may read at large in the remaining part of the Chapter. And as of all examples, the best aught to be followed and imitated, so I here present you with a most excellent pattern, and that is of good King Josiah: Whilst he was, yet young, he sought the Lord God. From which words we shall show you, that it the duty of young men and young women to seek the Lord in their youth, and to be really good betimes. Reason, 1. Because youth is the fittest time Remember thy Creator in the days of thy Youth saith Solomon. Eccles. 12.1. Not a few spar● hours, as one well notes, but days, every da● working; it must be in the days of thy youth before the evil day comes, that is, before ag● and sickness seize on thee, and thou be mad● unfit for so great a work. The 2 Reason is, because youth is a choosing time. Oh when thou art a choosing a fit object for thy eye, or heart, oh than think upon God and consider if he be not the best choice. 〈◊〉 shall show you those excellencies that are in God and Christ, that thou shouldest choose him above all others. 1. Are you poor, he is rich; art thou naked Christ hath white Raiment to thee, ar● thou spiritually blind he hath an eyesalve to enlighten thee; art thou in great straits, h● hath wisdom, to counsel thee; art thou unrighteous, unholy, he will give holiness and sanctification to thee; art thou an hungry, o● thirsty, he will be the bread of life and fee● thee, and wine to satisfy thy thirsty soul; ar● thou sick, he will be thy Physician; in a word he will be All, and in all to thee; thou shal● want nothing that is good for thee. Thus having chosen Christ to be thine, thou hast go● the pearl of great price, the richest Jewel that that cannot be overvalued, therefore oh young men get Christ and make him your choice, and you have all that can be desired. Secondly, young women let me entreat you to make the same choice that Mary did, Lu. 10.42. But one thing is needful, Mary hath chosen the good part that shall not be taken from her she had chosen Christ, she had got a saving interest in Christ which is this one thing necessary. Plutarch writes of Hannibal, that when he could have taken the great City of Rome he would not; and when he would, he could not; so many in their young years, when they might have mercy and grace, would not, and in their old Age, when they would have Christ, pardon, peace and Heaven, they cannot. Thirdly, it was the commendation of Josiah, that he served the Lord betimes. And Timothy, that he know the Scriptures from a Child. And Obediah, that he feared the Lord from his Youth 1 Kings 8.12. Again, Remember thy Creator presently, instantly for thou knowest not whether thou shall ever attain to age, thou knowst not what a day may bring forth, therefore remember to know him to love him, to desire, delight, to depend upon him, & to get an interest in him, and to live unto him, remembering to walk with him. First remember the Father, to know him, and to be inwardly acquainted with him. Secondly remember the Son, to believe and trust in him, to embrace him, and give up thyself wholly unto him Remember the holy Spirit, so as to hear and obey his Voice, and feel his Presence, and to experience his Influence, and thus thou oughtest to remember thy Creator. Saith Seneca, though Death be before the old Man's face, yet he may be as near the young Man's back. Man's life is but a shadow that soon passeth away: and St. Austin doubteth which to call it. A dying life, or living death: Alas how many young men, when God calls for the Primrose of their youth and vigour, put him off with the trembling joints of Old age. Never had youth better opprotunities of being good than now, in these golden Sunshining days of the Gospel, wherein God and Christ and the holy Spirit, are offered in the Gospel to sinners, nay, the greatest of sinners, that will come in and submit to the Sceptre of Christ, and be saved, Oh young man, nay all persons, remember in this thy day, the things that belong to thy peace before they be hid from thy eyes, and thou go hence, & be no more seen. Remember that God will not always strive with thee, Gen. 6. by his holy spirit; God gives every man and woman a day of grace, and if thou improve not that thou mayest be undone for ever, therefore consider Reader seriously on these things, Oh consider young Men, young Women, all persons in general, that this is the acceptable time, this is thy day of grace, even this day that is before thee, now or never. The Ancients (saith Erasmus) paint Time with an hairy Forehead, but bald behind, to signify that whilst a man hath opportunity before him he may lay hold of it, but if he suffer it to slip away, he cannot pull it back again. 4. Consider of this young men & young women, you are equally concerned. Now in the flower of your days, remember your Creator and having begun well, continue in well doing, knowing your Labour shall not be vain in the Lord; pray and pray earnestly to him for grace and his holy spirit to mortify your corrupt lusts and affections; you have a great many enemies, the Flesh, the World and the Devil, and against these must thou be always striving and keeping a strict watch, or thou wilt be overcome. I shall endeavour to set before thee some of those sins that daily attend youth, and the first is Pride, and it is a reigning sin in young men & young women at this day: I think never more than now. First, Pride of heart, Secondly Pride of Apparel. Oh, 'tis rare (saith one) to see young men humble and watchful, and to see an old man contented and cheerful. Saint Bernard saith; That Pride is the Rich Man's Cousin, but Experience speaks it to be the young Men and young women's Cousin. God had three Sons, (saith one) Lucifer, Adam, and Christ; the first aspired to be like God in Power, and was thrown from Heaven. The second like him in knowledge, and was driven out of Eden when young. And the third was like God in Goodness, Mercy and Humility, and by so doing, obtained an everlasting inheritance. Remember this, young men, get to be be humble, and keep humble, for the humble God will teach: Pride is a great evil, and reigneth more in young men than ever. Consider and leave it, lest God leave you, and that for ever. What evils did Belshazzar, Haman and Herod's Pride bring them to. Young Women, let me entreat you in the bowels of love, and out of compassion to your immortal souls, that our Saviour so dearly bought with his most precious blood, to leave off those patchings and paint, which are the Devils badgges. O how like Monsters do too many Women in our times make themselves, in their false Hair, as Towers and Bulls, (as they call them) and other ridiculous Fashions, and gaudy Lascivious Attire, not becoming Women professing Godliness, 1. Tim. 2.7.8. saith St. Paul. Likewise, also the Women that they adorn themselves in modest Apparel with shamefacedness and sobriety, not with broidered hair, or Gold, or Pearls, or costly Array: Oh how contrary to this Rule do the Women of our times walk. Read the 16. of Ezekiel throughout, and Deut. 22. ver. 5. to the end of the Chapter. And Isaiah 3.6. to the end. Tertullia's Counsel to young Men and Women, in this, To yourselves with the Silk of Piety and with the Satin of Sanctity, and with the Purple of Modesty, so shall you have God for your Suitor. The second sin of youth is, unlawful Pleasures; hear what Solomon the wisest of Men saith, Rejoice, O young Man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy Youth, and walk in the way of thy heart, and in the sight of thine Eyes, but remember for all these things God will bring thee to Judgement. Solomon doth not comply with Youth, to encourage them to sin; but by this way confutes them of their folly; as much as to say, Thou mayest if thou wilt take thy pleasure and ease, and satisfy thy vain appetite, with all manner of pleasures that this world will afford, but remember that bitterness will attend thy pleasures, God will bring to light thy deeds of Darkness; those sins that thou hast committed in secret, shall be brought to light, and ●ring thee to Judgement, where thou must give an account of every idle word, and wicked action, and then what will these pleasures profit thee, by the committing of which thou hast lost Heaven and Happiness, and thy immortal Soul? I have read of a young Man that was very much given to pleasure, he standing by St. Ambrose, and seeing his most excellent Death, turned to the other young men by him, and said Oh that I might live with you and die with him. Again, there is a Curse of insatiableness in the Creature, Eccles. 1.8. The Eye is not saiisfied with seeing, nor the Ear with hearing, Pleasure (saith one) is a beautiful Harlot, sitting in her Chariot, whose Wheels are Pride and Gluttony, Lust and Idleness: the two Horses are Prosperity and Abundance: the two Drivers, Idleness and Security: her Attendants are Grief, Gild and too late Repentance, Death and Ruin. Many strong men have been destroyed by her, but never any received full satisfaction and content in her: Therefore, O young Men, avoid this Harlot, come not near her door. St. Augustine before his Conversion, could not tell how to live without those Pleasure, which he much delighted in, but when his nature was changed, and his heart graciously turned to God: Oh how sweet is it (saith he) to be without those former sweet Pleasures. A truly enlightened soul that hath tasted of the pleasures that are in the enjoyment of Christ, Oh how bitter are all other pleasures to him! The third sin of Youth is rashness, They (saith Aristotle) know little and fear less. Saint Paul exhorts young men to be sober minded and discreet; how many young men have had large Estates, and by their Folly, Rashness, and Extravagancy, have brought themselves; to Poverty. Rashness unmans a man, and will put him upon things below manhood. Should I discover the many evils that attend Rashness which usually Reigns in Youth. I should exceed my bounds, but let this suffice, and let all young men decline, and wholly forsake it. The fourth sin attending Youth is, mocking and Scoffing at Religion, and those that are holier than themselves Job. 30 3, 4. But now, saith he, they that are younger than I have me in derision. Doth not this age abound with too many Scoffers at Religion, I leave any indifferent party to judge? The Athenians scoffing at Silasis Wife, had like to cause the destruction of their City, her Husband was so incensed against them. I am afraid that our Atheism and scoffing at Religion and good men, hath ruined our City. Felix for one malicious scoff, did nothing day and night but vomit blood, till his unhappy soul was separated from his wretched body. The fifth Sin attending Youth is Lust and Wantonness which caused St. Paul to admonish Timothy, to flee worldly Lust, notwithstanding Timothy was a chaste Youth: but St. Paul admonisheth him, knowing the temptations that attend Youth: much more need have we to warn the Youth of our days to flee those youthful Lust that so unman them, and make them so like to the beasts that perish: Oh how do too many in this Nation, in this City, in these Suburbs, instead of going to hear a Sermon on the Lord's day walk in the Fields, or lie in an Alehouse or Tavern: nay I am afraid some, too many, go to the cursed Harlots houses, and there spend their time, but surely destruction will certainly attend such practices. The poor youngman that murdered his fellow servant, Thomas Savage by name, confessed that the sin of Whoredom and Sabbath-breaking brought him to the Gallows. Young man take heed by this sad example now in time, lest God make thee the next, for great and grievous is this sin in the eyes of God, and he will severely punish it upon all such as follow it, as we see daily he hath done on several Persons. Sixthly, another grievous sin too much practised by youth, is swearing, how too common is it, in many places in City and Country, by men, women and children, notwithstanding the foulness, vileness; and wickedness of this sin, and so offensive to Almighty God. Consider of it, before it be too late, for how dost thou know; O thou filthy Swearer and Blasphemer of God's name, in thy cursed and filthy Oaths, wishing God to damn thee? but he may take thee at thy word, and send thee to Hell, there to abide to Eternity, Matth. 12 34. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. So than if thy words are profane thy heart is polluted: if it were a pure Fountain, it would not bring forth such bitter streams of filthiness; if thou did bless God in thy heart thou wouldst not blaspheme with thy tongue James 3.10. Oaths are nothing but Badges of a vile and wicked person, even such as are scu● of Alehouses, Taverns, and filthy Prisons, as unseemly evil in the most notorious Villains and High-way-men, much more in any that pretend the least spark of Grace: Remember that God will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain, Ex. 20. He that maketh no conscience of small Oaths, will not stick at great Ones. But some may object and say, I have been so accustomed to Swear that I cannot leave it; know this, that if thou canst not alter thy custom by Repentance, God can and will alter it by punishment, and therefore let all Men, Women and Children, leave this sin as they tender the salvation of their immortal Souls, and rebuke it boldly in all Persons guilty of it. Saith St. Chrysostom, Youth is hard to be ruled, easy to be drawn away; apt to be deceived, and and stands in need of very violent Reins. Saith Cornelius, A Lapide, The Ancients did use to paint Youth like a young man naked, with a veil over his face, his right hand bound behind him, and his left hand lose, and Time behind him pulling one thread out of his Veil every day intimating that young men are void of Knowledge, and blind, and unfit to do good ready to do evil, till time by little and little makes them wiser. Consider of this O young man; that the least Dram of Pleasure brings thee abundance of grief, and though thy paths seem to be strewed with Rose Buds of Delight and Pleasure, yet bitterness will be the end. There are many other sins that attend Youth, Ignorance, Falsehood, Impatiency under reproof, a trifling Spirit, Prodigality, Drunkenness, and taking God's name in vain, which sins I would entreat thee, O young man, to avoid, as thou tendernest the good of thy immor-soul, and as thou expectest Heaven and Happiness for ever, leave and loathe these Sins, as thou wouldst a Toad or Serpent. I shall refer thee for thy further satisfaction to an excellent sheet. Entitled, A timely Warning to Drunkards, Swearers and blasphemers of Gods holy Name, and other lewd Livers. Again, I shall speak a few words to Young men. 1. As a Child under tuition of thy parent● 2. As a Apprentice under tuition of a Master. ● As a child in the first place, be diligent to serum God, hear the word preached, read the Scriptures diligently and other good Books, be sur● to pray to God morning and evening, according to the example of holy David, if thou can not pray, buy a Book of Godly prayers till God shall enable thee to pray without a Book. Be sure to reverence, respect and honour thy Parents with all dutifulness and gentle behaviour as a Child of God ought to do. I shall not be large in this, but refer thee t● an excellent sheet named, Mr. Baxters' direction for Family Duties, containing the duty of parent● to children, children to parents, Masters to Servants, and servants to masters. Secondly, a word to thee as an Apprentice o● Servant: First, be faithful and honest in that calling that God hath called thee to, giving respect to thy master and mistress, obey the● in all their lawful commands, hear the advice of S. Paul, Servants be obedient to your masters, in singleness of heart, Eph, 6, avoiding all ●●fering and making away thy master's goods read the pattern of a good servant in that o● Joseph, Gen. 30. he was so just, that his master committed all his goods into his possession, and he miss nothing; afterward God raised him up to be the second person in the Kingdom. I have read of an Italian Poet who brings in a proper Young man, Rich and Potent, thus discoursing with Death in the habit of a Mower, with a Sith in his hand cutting down the life of Man, (for all flesh is grass) Isa. 40. and wilt thou not spare any Person, saith the young man. I spare none, saith Death; Man's life is but a Day, a short day, a Winter's day; oftentimes the Sun goes down upon a Man before it be well up; your day is short, and your work is great and your Journey is long, and therefore you should rise early, and set forwards towards Heaven betimes, as that Man doth that hath a long Journey to go on a Winter's day; every days experience tells us that a young Man's Life is as much a vapour as the Old, and as much uncertain. Again, young Men and young Women, if you would be really good, in the next place make sure of your Conversion, for without Conversion there is no salvation: Except you be born again, you cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, Joh. 3.3 St. Augustine's Conversion was on this wise, He heard a voice from Heaven, saying, take up and Read, and in opening the New Testament he fell upon the place of Romans 13.13.14. Let us walk honestly as in the day, not in Drunkenness, not in Chambering and Wantonness, not in Strife and Envy, but put on the Lord Jesus, and make no provision for the flesh, to obey it 〈◊〉 the Lust thereof. The Scripture so wrought upon him, as it was the means of his conversion St. Cyprian was converted by reading the fir●● Chapter of Jonah. Junius was converted by reading the first chapped. of John the Evangelist. I have read of Paphnutius, that he converted two Famous Strumpets. Thais and Ephron with this Scripture Argument: That God seet● all things in the dark when the doors are fast, th● windows shut and the Curtains drawn. I have read of a poor Man that persuaded a young Scholar from reading Poetry, and to fall upon reading the Scriptures, which he did and before he had read out Genesis it pleased God to work a change in his heart, and tur● him to the Lord, in the 20th year of his Age. Many more Examples might be produced to exctie young Persons to the Study of the Scriptures, thou dost not know but it may have the same influence on thy hard heart to soften it and thy proud spirits to humble them, an● your sinful natures to change them, and yo● may by the operation of the spirit, be converted and saved by them. Again further consider O all young person● if in the spring and morning of your days yo● do not bring forth fruits to God, it is ver● much if you do ever, for deathbed Repentance is rarely true; for those that stop th●● ears to Gods early calls, he will shut his ears to their late Prayers. It is a great honour to a man when he is old, that he can date his conversion from the morning of his youth. It was Abraham's honour that he died in a good old age: so St. Paul's, that he was aged in years and grace: and St. John had those Divine revelations when he was aged in years and grace. I say that God doth make large discoveries of himself to aged Christians. Polycarpus could say when he was old, Many years have I served my Master Christ, and hitherto he hath dealt well by me. By this you may see as in a glass, plainly the honour of being an old disciple of Christ. Let me exhort you young Men and young Women in the words of that ancient and faithful Servant of Jesus Christ, T. Brooks, saith he, As you love your precious souls, and as you would scape Hell and come to Heaven, and as you would be happy in life, and blessed in death, and glorious after death, don't spend any more of your precious time in drinking and drabbing, in Carding and Dicing: do not trifle away your time, don't Swear away your time, don't Whore away your time, don't Lie away your time, but begin to be good betimes, because Time is a Talon that God will reckon with you for. Again, consider in the next place, Oh young men and women, how near you are to the ocean of Eternity, there is not a step you step, nor a breath you draw, nor moment of time you live, but hath an influence on Eternity. O the gold●● Sands will be quickly run out! Oh what a 〈◊〉 thing is your life, but a span, a dream, a wi● a shadow, a post, swifter than a post, Job 7. ● Remember that you are all going to your long 〈◊〉 to the house of Eternity; yet man doth not ●●●cern how his precious time doth fly from h●● as the shadow on a Dial passeth on, from 〈◊〉 hour to another, though its speedy motion not discerned, so man passeth from infancy childhood, and from childhood to youth, 〈◊〉 from youth to middle age, and so to old a●● and to the grave; and how few are there t● take notice of it? yea in a moment we shall 〈◊〉 down into the grave and come up no m●● How these Meditations much trouble a Pers●● King, that having took a view of his vast Ar● wept to think that within an hundred ye● not one of them would be left alive. Oh young men, tremble to consider that y●● are on the very brink of Death and Eternal upon the borders of Heaven, or the mouth 〈◊〉 Hell, and as soon as death hath shut your ey●● you shall see and know what you shall be, 〈◊〉 ever; for you are almost within the dread●● noise of the Millstone of God's wrath, and 〈◊〉 rattling of fiery Chains of the prisoners of He●● Oh dolorous out-cries, and roaring of the d●●ned in Hell! crying out, One and all. Oh w● evil, and grievous evil, and bitter a thing i● 〈◊〉 which we would not believe till we came to this dis●al place of torment! There you may hear those ●ursed tormented sinners, crying out in the ve●y anguish of their spirits, Oh when the Lord of ●lory was at the door knocking, we would not let 〈◊〉 in, and now is Hell's Mouth shut upon us for ●ver. There the filthy Swearer, Liar and blasphemer of God's holy Name, that did tear ●nd rend the Name of their Creator, and ●wear by the blood of their Redeemer, are ●ere with scorching tongues to bewail, that ●hey should take the Name of God in vain. There the impudent and swinish Drunkard, that ●ad too often with his pleasant Cups, and sparking Wine, and cursing Companions, here in ●he Agony of his soul does wish that he had been ●ober and temperate; so that he might not have ●asted the bitter wine of God's wrath, the dregs of which he is made to drink for ever, Psalm. 75.8. There the filthy Adulterers and cursed Harlots ●urning in their Hellish lust, crying out, Oh ●hat we had been chaste, sober and modest, and ●hat our eyes had been blind, and never had known the face of man or woman, so we had ●scaped the vengeance of eternal fire. There ●●e shall hear the vile Atheist wishing that he had believed the Ministers of Christ; but alas, ●ow it is too late. And likewise the Worldling choked with Silver and Gold: There ●he cowardly back-slider in heart shall wish that he had never know the way of God, 〈◊〉 that he had been faithful unto death. But you that are the Servants of God, an● mourners in Zion, Lift up your heads, for your Redemption draws nigh; and know that you are co●● within the hearing of the Heavenly Songs, Eternal Triumphs and Hallelujahs of the Saints and Glorious Angels in your Father's house, where there 〈◊〉 fullness of Joy and Pleasure for evermore, Psalm 16.11. St. Jerom used to say, That whether he 〈◊〉 or drink, I hear the voice sound in my ear, Arise 〈◊〉 dead and come to Judgement. To conclude, Oh let the thoughts of things to come be much upon your spirits: every night when thou goest to bed, and every morning have some serious thoughts of Death and Eternity, let it be by the Pen of a Diamond writ●●● on your hearts. Death, that grim Porter, wi●● open the Gates of Glory to every Believer, an● let them into their Father's house. Whoso th●● is wise will observe these things, he shall see th● salvation of the Lord. Stars are poor books, and oftentimes do miss, This book of Stars lights to eternal bliss. ●hall insert some Forms of Prayer for the benefit of such young Persons as shall stand in need of them. A Morning Prayer for Youth. O Eternal, most Great, most Gracious, and ever Blessed Lord God, thou art a great God, ●●d greatly to be feared and reverenced of all 〈◊〉 draw nigh unto thee; thou art a Spirit, and ●ou wilt be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth, 〈◊〉 of such worshippers wilt thou be found, thus ●●king thee: we beseech thee to pour down upon our ●arts the spirits of Supplication and Prayer, so 〈◊〉 to seek thee aright, and offer up an acceptable ●●●vice, in and through the merits of our Blessed ●●viour and Redeemer Jesus Christ, and through ●●e assistance of thy holy spirit of truth, and let thy ●●ly word be a Lantern to my feet, and a light ●●to my paths, to lead me in the ways of Truth ●nd Holiness, that I may obtain everlasting Happiness, through the merits of my Blessed Saviour ●nd Redeemer Christ Jesus. O Lord pardon my manfold sins and transgressions wherewith I have transgressed against thee, in thought, word and deed, specially the sins and frailty of my youth O, Lord, ●hey have been many and great, and by reason ●hereof, I have merited thy wrath and Eternal Damnation: But O Lord in the midst of judgement remember mercy; spare me, spare me, O Lord God, for thy loving kindness sake in Christ Jesus, who hath satisfied thy Justice, and is ever ma●● intercession for me at the Throne of Grace and mer●● I desire to bless and praise thy Name, O Lord Go● for thy mercies and loving kindness to me and 〈◊〉 mankind, that thou hast preserved and kept me 〈◊〉 my sleep from all manner of danger that might h● befallen me, and that thou hast brought me safe 〈◊〉 the beginning of this day, and I bless thy holy Na●● for all the mercies that I have received from 〈◊〉 to time from thee, before to give me gr●● to walk thankfully beseeching thee, and to live to t●● praise all the days of my life, I beseech thee b●● my young and tender years with the gifts and graces' of thy holy spirit, and to amend my life according to thy holy word, and to pass the time of my li●● here in thy fear that I may die in thy favour. I ●●seech thee, O my God, to bless my Parents and Kindred and all my Relations, and teach me to walk d●● fully before them, as becomes a Child of God, having thy fear before mine eyes and thy spirit directing my heart, that I may always do those things tha● are well pleasing in thy sight, O Lord my strength and Redeemer, & make me thy true and faithful Servant; teach me to love and serve thee O my Blesse● Saviour and Redeemer, all the days of my life, tha● I may live in thy fear, and at last die in thy favour, Grant me these poor Petitions, O Lord, for the sa●● of my Blessed Saviour and Redeemer, Jesus Christ to whom be Honour, Praise and Glory, now and for evermore. Amen. The Maid's Prayer. O Lord, let thy Handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine Audience, and hearken unto her ●hen she calleth upon thee, O despise not her low state, when she offereth up her Supplication unto ●ee, but how down thine Ears to the hearty de●●res of thy poor Servant, teach me to ask aright ●r such things as are requisite for me both for Soul ●nd Body; and though thou hast ordained Women 〈◊〉 be the weaker Vessels, both in labours of the Body ●nd endeavours of the mind; yet so strengthen me, O my Lord that I may perform that labour whereunto I am called, with easiness and comfort; Oh ●nlighten my Soul with thy Divine inspiration, that 〈◊〉 may do those things that are well pleasing in thy ●●ght; let me keep my Reputation honest in the eyes ●f the world, knowing that a good Name is bet●er than precious Ointment; especially in thy sight ●et me be pure, honest and undefiled in this World, so shall I not be ashamed in the great day of my account; give me chaste and religious thoughts let not the wanton pleasures of the flesh drown in me the Heavenly treasures of thy spirit; Defend me from Sin, Satan, and the Poison of evil Tongues: make ●ne faithful, wise, wary, trusty and just in those ●hings committed to my charge by my Master and Mistress, Father and Mother: Grant me health of body, quietness of mind, gentleness towards every body, put out of my heart all Pride, 〈◊〉 Hatred, and all uncharitableness; give me t●●●●●rit of contentment in all conditions, though I ha●● wealth and dowry as others have in this worl● I trust thou wilt give me the true Riches. Gra● Grace that I may love, serve honour and obey 〈◊〉 in Holiness and Righteousness all my days, 〈◊〉 may enjoy thee for ever in the World to come. G● these my Petitions for the sake of Jesus Christ 〈◊〉 Saviour and Redeemer. Amen. The Dying Man's last Prayer. O Lord God, who art the Health of all Me●●●ving, and the everlasting Life of them 〈◊〉 die in thy Faith; I poor Creature submit to thy 〈◊〉 will. I humbly beseech thee, O Lord, to give grace, that I may now willingly lay down this 〈◊〉 Body in hope of the Resurrection which in 〈◊〉 manner shall be restored again. O most mer●● Saviour, that when Death hath shut up the 〈◊〉 of my Body, my Soul may be received up unto th● Lord Jesus Receive my Spirit, and take me to 〈◊〉 mercy. Amen. Whereas certain encroaching dishonest p●●sons have counterfeited this Book, the 〈◊〉 book is only to be had of J. Conyers at the 〈◊〉 of the Raven over against Ely-House in Hol● FINIS.