TO THE HIGH, AND MIGHTY, RIGHT VIRTUOUS, AND MOST CHRISTIAN PRINCE, KING CHARLES, OUR DEAR, AND DRAED SOVEREIGN LORD. BY THE GRACE OF GOD, KING OF GREAT BRItaine, France, and Ireland, etc. Most gracious Sovereign, THis is usual, (since natural) that any good earnestly desired, when it is tyMously offered, is then favourably received. Did Isaak love venisome? that meat was acceptable to him. Did King David, a valiant warrior 2 Sam. 17. 8 affect victory and renown? a sword in season was most steadable 1 Sam. 21. 9 unto him. Did Solomon delight in policy and stately building? the wise workmen, and wood sent from Hiram was welcome unto 2 Chron. 2. 13 hi●●. Did josiah rejoice in holiness and learning? the book of the Law which was brought to him, 1 King. 22. 10 he hearty heard the same read before him. Did Charles the Great reverence and regard rare knowledge, Chron. Carion. lib 〈…〉 alii. all virtuous good counsel and direction? then most worthy Alconius, disciple to venerable Bede, who well instructed the Emperor both in Divinity and Philosophy, was ever most lovingly and honourably entertained by his imperial Majesty: and me thinketh certainly, that this of all tended most to his greatest honour and felicity, because it was spoken of him truly, Carolus plus cum DEO quam cum hominibus loquitur. Now this is most sure, (without any controversy or contradiction) that true prayer and earnest supplication is an incomprehensible and unspeakable good: seeing it is 1 Cor. 3.9 Heavenly food for sustentation, a sharp sword for victory and protection, which will make one GOD'S blessed building, which will beget all piety and all happy learning; will bread saving knowledge, and all Heavenly virtues, wise counsel and good direction, which will undoubtedly bring one to everlasting glory and salvation. For as much than your sacred Majesty (GOD be thanked) doth delight yourself in the Lord GOD continually, who will give Psal. 37. 4. you your hearts desire for his own glory, and doth earnestly love, affect, and use frequently this most holy, honourable, and profitable exercise of prayer and invocation, which will procure all spiritual and temporal blessings, happiness eternal, praise and commendation. I therefore most humbly with all submission, and reverence entreat your most excellent Majesty, to accept favourably this small treatise, worthy indeed in respect of the matter, albeit not so in regard of me the weak author, who ever shall most instantly beseech the Almighty to watch over your Majesty, by his continual and fatherly providence, which is as a wall of fire round about Zach. 2. 5 you, and to guard you by his mighty Angels, who will keep Psal. 91.11 you in all your ways, and to give you an happy success in all your honourable enterprises, and to compass you with his favour, as with a shield: yea, to vouchsafe grace Psal. 5.12 and honour here in this earth, with glory and happiness in his Celestial Kingdom for ever. From Dysart the 28 of May. 1630. Your Majesty's most humble, obedient, and loyal servant, WILLIAM NARNE AD Potentissimum, & Serenis SIMUM PRINCIPEM CAROLUM DEI GRATIA, MAGNAE BRITANNIAE, FRANCIAE, ET Hiberniae Regem illustrissimum. De vi, & praestantia orationis, Carmen. ENthea stelliferum penetrans oratio Coelum, judicis aetherei pergit ad ora tui. Te columem, clarum, cumulatum laude perenni, Felicem Regem reddit & eximium. gemma rutilante modo ditabere miro, Durabit firmum nobile stemma domus. Hoc ense assuesces, tu debellare profanos Armipotens, magni muneris instar erit. Hac clavi claudes Orcum reserabis Olympum, Charus eris populo, charior atque Deo. Hoe libro doctus mysteria magna Tonantis Addisces, factis magnus, & eloquio. Hoc curru vectus, trans ignea maenia mundi, Ingrediere locos palmifer aethereos. Sereniss. tuae Majest. humillimus, & addictissimus servus, GUIL. NARNE. AD AMICUM FIDELEM, VIGILANTEM PASTOREM, ET ERUDITUM, GVILIELMUM NARNUM, CARMEN. ORans exores qui sic ratione peroras: Non deserta tua est 〈◊〉 diserta docens. Hâc itur ad superos, infra tollure restictâ, Te monstrante, peto quaeroque pulso, viam. Profice scribendo, seribas quoque proficiendo, Scribas ut prosis frairibus atque tibi. Aliud. DEsertum nactus, Christi ut praecursor eremum, Vtrumque at celebrem vos facitote locum. Aliud. CIrrha, Helicon, Pindus, Parnassus, Apollo, Aganippe, Castalijs latices, turbaque Pieridûm. Haec me si faciant vatem, diuûmque Poetam, Haud caenerem ingenio carmina digna tuo. Nostra tuo ingenio si non sunt digna beato, Sat scio sunt genio carmina grata tuo. IO. MICHAELSONE. TO THE RIGHT VIRTUOUS AND Worshipful Patrons OF THIS FAMOUS CITY OF EDINBURGH, DAVID AIKENHEAD, MOST WORTHY LORD PROVEST, james Cochren, William Reid, Andrew Ensley, Edward Edgar, most just, and faithful judges. joseph Marjoribanks, Dane of Guild, David Mackald Treasurer: And to the whole Counsel within this flourishing Town of EDINBURGH, wisheth Grace here, and Glory hereafter, Wil Narne. SOmetimes, Right worshipful and reverend, coming unto your city, for performance of some necessary duties of my calling: I did soon and clearly perceive three most notable, commendable, and worthy virtues, wherewith by the Almighty ye are truly beautiful and blessed. First: Pure religion and piety. Secondly: Affection to your King and sincere loyalty. Thirdly: A care of your commoun-wealth and country. Your religion (in whose bosom all other virtues are contained, which is the belt and bond that uniteth Religionis gremio omnes virtutes continentur. Idoneus. and knitteth the heart to GOD, without the which men have no more to do with Heaven; and Psal. 86. 11 Si Relligio tollitur, nulla nobis ratio cum Coelo est. Lactant. institut lib. 3. c. 10 1 Cor. 15. 19 of all creatures they are most miserable) doth most evidently appear by your frequent resorting to the house of GOD, by your diligent hearing of his holy Word, by the great respect, and due regard ye have of your faithful Pastors, and by your holy life and pious conversation, conform to the rule of the LORD his Commandments; and shortly by your rare charity, in these last and worst days of this dotting and decaying world, extending itself to the depauperate and indigent members of the body of CHRIST. Concerning your due affection to your supreme Sovereign, all who walk upon your streets may easily observe the same: What earnest desire you have? What preparation you have made for his Majesty coming into this Realm: And this is most certain, that you have, and will continue lovingly, and willingly subject, not for wrath only, but much more for conscience Rom. 13. 5 sake, according to Christian duty. Touching the third: Your W. care for your commoun-wealth is so great and continual, so manifest and profitable; that it is worthiss of admiration, commendation, and imitation. Herein you need no words of exhortation: for to all men is known your moderation: Your Philip. 4. 5 light so shineth before them, that they may see your good works, Math. 5. 6 and glorify you Father which art in HEAVEN. For which causes I have presumed to present next to his Majesty, this small treatise unto your Wisdoms, praying that your succeeding posterity, and all others of this Kingdom may be earnest followers of your godly virtues, and diligent imitators of your pious proceedings, for GOD his glory, the welfare of this Kingdom, the good of your City, your own praise, and eternal salvation in the LORD JESUS, to whose grace and blessing I commend you for ever. From Dysart the last of Maij. 1630. Remaining your W. most assured, and affection at all power in CHRIST. WILLIAM NARNE TO THE READER. SOme Writers, both Christian and Heathen, do make mention of Gyges, his admirable ring August. & Erasmus in adagii. Cicero & valer. Maximus, affirming, that by virtue thereof, or of the stone therein, he received 3 great commodities, namely: 1. Victory over his enemies, for when he pleased he became (saith they) invisible. 2. He attained to an honourable marriage. 3. He gained an earthly Kingdom, and so became happy and fortunate. This (in my judgement) may be but a fable, or a tradition without a sure ground, or certainty: But thou mayest persuade thyself, that this is a most certain truth, a undoubted verity, without all controversy; that true and earnest prayer, is a most powerful and precious Pearl, by help and virtue whereof, thou shall surely save thy a Act. 2. 40 self from this naughty, crooked and untoward generation; thou shall subdue sin and thy own fleshly corruption, thou shall be able b Ephes. 6. 16 to quench all the fiery darts of Satan, and in c Rom. 8. 37 all things thou shall be more than a Conqueror through him, who hath loved thee from the beginning. 2. Thou shall get CHRIST JEUS the prince of Glory, to be the husband of thy soul eternally, thou shall be joined in most happy marriage with him, unseparable and most comfortable, thou shall become a d Ephes. 5. 30 member of his most glorious body. 3. Thou shall gain a Heavenly Kingdom, which cannot be shaken, thou shall be e Revel. 1. 6 made a King unto GOD, and reign with Christ in Heaven, in all glory and happiness for ever and ever. I pray thee then to receive courteously, and to possess continually this Pearl of inestimable worth, and commodity, that thou may receive grace here, and glory in the life to come: In & through the merits of the LORD JESUS, to whom with the Father and holy Spirit, be all honour, power, praise and Dominion, forever & ever Amen. AD. LECTOREM, QVI cupis horrendos Erebi vitare caminos, Deliciis Domini perpetuòque frui. Hunc lege, perlectum decies imiture libellum, Vespere, nocte, die corde precando Deum, Quo duce per Christum vita potiere futura, Hujus & innumeris tu potiere bonis. RICHARDUS WRIGHT. The Table of this Book. Chap. 1 A Preparation to our confession. Pag. 1 Chap. 2. A confession of our sin and iniquity. Pag. 47 Chap. 3 A preparation to lamentation. Pag. 80 Chap. 4 A lamentation for our woe and misery. Pag. 138 Chap. 5 A preparation before petition. Pag. 164 Chap. 6 A petition for grace and mercy. Pap. 185 Chap. 7 A description of true prayer. Pag. 206 Chap. 8. A great sin not to pray. Pag. 216 Chap. 9 A grievous punishment not to pray. Pag. 228 Chap. 10 Of the good of prayer. Pag. 251 Chap. 11 Of the difficulty of prayer. Pag. 305 Chap. 12. Consolations for weak Christians. Pag. 352 Chap. 13. Of the causes of prayer. Pag. 377 Chap. 14. Of the necessity of prayer. Pag. 390 Chap. 15 Of the profit of true prayer. Pag. 401 Chap. 16 Of the dignity of prayer. Pag. 407 Chap. 17 Of the force of prayer. Pag. 414 Chap. 18 Of the circumstances of prayer. pag 434 Chap. 19 Of the signs of prayer. Pag. 450 FINIS. THE PEARL OF PRAYER, MOST PRECIOUS, AND POWERFUL. The first Chapter. seeing by the a Psal. 124. 8. help of the LORD GOD, which made Heaven and Earth, and by the gracious assistance of his holy Spirit, we are now of purpose to handle that most worthy and excellent matter, the doctrine of b jam. 5. 16. fervent and powerful prayer: It is not only expedient and comely, but also most profitable and necessare, that every one of us in all humiltie and sincerity, in c john. 4. 24 truth and spirit unfeignedly first confess our sins and iniquity: next deplore and lament our woeful estate and great misery: and thirdly that we earnestly beg for grace and mercy. Augustin, Prius requirit Deus confessionem quam orationem. But before we come to this confession, we will declare three things, whereof we must be certainly assured, and throughly persuaded, first, that sin and iniquity cannot be for ever covered: next, of the great good, and profit of confession: lastlie, that there is a right manner thereof, and this will be for our preparation before confession. There d Luke. 8. 17 is nothing so secret (saith our SAVIOUR) but it shall be evident: neither any thing hid that shall not be known, and come to sight. Sin than cannot be concealed, In regard of GOD. but at some time must be disclosed, and that in regard of GOD, of thy conscience, of Satan, and of the nature thereof, and of other creatures. GOD himself against whom it is principally e Psal. 51.4. committed; and who therewith is highly offended, and heavily f Sam. 11. 27 displeased, JESUS CHRIST the Prince of Glory, who thereby is g Heb. 6.5. again mocked and crucified: the holy Ghost, that sanctifying Spirit is therewith h Ephes. 4. ●0 grieved, i Thess. 5. 19 quenched and k Act. 7.5 resisted; even he who l job. 12.22 discovereth the deep places from the darkness, and bringeth forth the shadow of death to sight: He will (who seethe and knoweth all things, revealeth wickedness, and m Hos. 2.10 discovereth lewdness, and no man can delyver out n Nehem. 3.5 of his hand) show to Nations all filthiness. Again, the conscience cryeth, and original sin that therein is written; Of the conscience. at length that o Revel. 20.12 book will be opened, all faults unrepented will be manifested, and the true testimony thereof, which every one hath had in his own custody, can not be denied. * Conscientia est codex in qua Chrysost. in Psal. 50. quotidiana peccata conscribuntur. The conscience (saith a father) is a book wherein our daily sins are written together. An other Ancient compareth the conscience to a contentious woman, chyding oftentimes, and clattering, casting up secret sins, having no discretion nor power to conceal things, not to be revealed: Like Samsons wife, who could not keep secret that riddle, which he did put forth to the Philistimes, but p judge 14. 17 told the same to the children of her people. Like Fulvia a whorish woman, Sallust bello Catiline. who declared the secreets of her foolish lover Cneius, a noble Roman: he a dissolute, and luxurious young man. This conscience is as a thousand Cons●ientia mille reste●. witnesses to tell the truth, and verity of all our proceed: and as Seneca saith, O te miserum si contemnis hunc testem, that thou art miserable if thou contemn this witness. Moreover Satan, a malicious q Math. 4. 3 Tempter, enticing thee to do Satan. evil; he is a shameless and impudent r Revel. 12.10 Accuser, judicially and openly challenging thee, laying thy crime to thy charge to condemn thee: he who was not ashamed to accuse patiented JOB. an s job. 2. 10 upright, and just man, that feaved GOD, and eshewed evil, as an hyrling, or hypocrite: will he not more boldly accuse others, fare inferior in piety, in sobriety, and in righteousness, who are t john 9 24 borne in sin, and conceived in wickedness? Some rulers and governor's full of envy did accuse u Dan. 6. 24 Daniel wrongouslie, where fore they were punished deservedly: But Satan more full x Revel. 12. 12 of wrath and envy, doth declare and accuse sinners more earnestly, as Tertullus an orator appeared against St. Paul, y Act. 24. ●. and accused him vehemently; so the Devil, a more deadly adversare, will stand up against a sinner seeking his perdition more carefully: For that evil z Math. 13.19 one, and envious, is most unlike a certain other famous orator Demosthenes, who being commanded by the people to accuse a certain man; he refused so to do and when the whole multitude did straight urge him: he arose, and said; ye shall have me a counsellor to you against your will, but not a calumniator, nor an accuser: Satan is not so; but most promptly and ready, ever willing for to charge and accuse the LORDS most faithful and conscientious servants. It is written of one Fimbria, Cicero pro Roscio Amerino, & Stephanus. a most impudent and audacious accuser; who summoned Scaevola to underly the law, because he did not receive the whole weapon within his whole body, albeit it may be thought he was grievously wounded with the point thereof: But the Devil that malicious deceaver, much more bold and shameless, who durst presume to accuse the blessed GOD to our first a Genes. 3 Parents of envy, and malice; he will be most eager and intentive to cast up in thy teeth, thy most secret and filthy sins, to challenge impudently thee for the same for thy conviction and condemnation. Besides these, the nature of sin declareth plainly, that it cannot Of the nature of sin. be kept close and secret perpetually: For sin is an evil b Math. 13. 25 seed or tares sown by the enemy, while men steeped, it will not appear at the first, but afterward, when the blade will spring up, sin is a debt, which for a season may be committed and contained, but at length will be devulgate and craved. That c 2 King. 4. 1 son of the Prophet (in the days of Elisha) by all during her lifetime, took order with his creditors, his debt was not so well known, as afterwards it was when he was dead, than his burden better appeared, his wife then a widow was vexed, by the help of the Prophet she was relieved: So this fearful d Math. 6. 12 debt s●nne, for a short season (I say) may be cunningly obscured, but afterwards will be open and manifest. Sin 3. is a Tempestuous wind who can hide e Proverb. 27 16. it, it is like oil in the right hand, it uttereth herself. Sin 4. is thift or murder which may be done and committed, but will be punished publicly and exemplarlie, when f Hos. 4. 2. by killing and steering men break out. Sin 5. is a fire, which for a space may be covered with ashes, and shortly will kindle and burn violently, and shall g job. 31. 12 devour to destruction, and shall root out all increase, the smoke whereof will mount up to HEAVEN as the smoke of Sodom, which Abraham saw. Sin 6. is as an heavy sickness, or secret corruption for a time lurking, but afterward will spre●d, and h 2 Timoth. 2. 17. fret as a Cancer. It is lastly like a treacherous enemy, who at last will utter his malice and cruelty, albeit he appeared to be thy compainion, thy i Psal. 55. ●3 & 21. guide, and thy familiar: his words softer than butter, and more gentle than oil; yet these will prove swords to kill thee, and to be mortal and malicious enemies to destroy thee. And surely k Genes. 4. ●. cain's parricide, and cruelty, and l Hebr. 12. 18. Esawe his profaneness, Pharaoh m Exod. 1. 10 his oppression, Saras n 1 Sam. 15. 5 covetousness, haman's haughtiness, Achitophel's treason, jezabels' atheism, Manasses sorcery, Iudas ●is thift, Ananias hypocrisy, Demas worldliness; all shall be in their own time openly delated, clearly detected, evidently published, and seveerely punished. Finally other creatures will discover Many creatures do utter their sins. secret sins, and be witnesses against the same; whether they be creatures that hath no sense or life: for the o Habb. 211. stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it, and cry for a curse, and woe against iniquity: and Zophar speaketh most p job. 20.27 truly, that the Heaven shall declare the wickedness of the ; and that the earth shall rise up against him: the Heaven defiled, the earth burdened, and other senseless creatures defiled, polluted; they q Rom. 8. 22. groan and travel together, and they complain of the inhabitants of this earth, or whither they be living creatures without reason, as Solomon saith, that the r Eccles. 10. 20. foul of the Heaven shall carry the voice of the curse against it, and that which hath wings shall declare the matter, albeit it be but in thought in thy bedchalmber: Thus the Crows did detect the Ex Erasmo in Proverbiis Ibici grues. secret murder of the Poet Ibicus: Also the Crows brought to light the death of a certain Ausonius' Ibicus ut periit vindex suit alti●olans grus. man; who travelling was killed by Robbers: these whom he did take for witnesses, was the occasion of the manifestation of that murder, and of the deserved punishment inflicted upon these malefactors. Likewise the swallows did so molest and trouble one Bessus, (as Plutarch reporteth) Plutarch. that he was compelled to confess his most unnatural and abominable parricide, wherefore he was worthily tortured. The histories record, that many Blondus Read the theatre of God's îudgements. Ah miser, & siquis multum periuria celet, Sera tamen tacitis p●na ●enit pedibus. secret sins and robberies have been in divers ages disclosed by dogs; passing over these which have been discovered by men and women, conjunct, or very near to the evil doers themselves. Forasmuch that this is most clear and evident and altogether true without doubt or controversy, that thy sin can not be kept secret perpetually; but it shall be manifested and revealed openly, and at length (without repentance) shall be punished publicly: ●he Gentiles by experience knew this plainly, and confessed the same frequently. It is then the safest and best way: (believe me) it is most profitable and comfortable unto thee, that thou thyself make a true, humble, and sincere confession of thy own sins, since they can not be covered continually, but will certainly be manifested; if not in this world, yet most fearfully in that day of the s Rom. 2. 5. declaration of the just judgement of GOD; when the secreets of all hearts shall be revealed, and every t Math. 12.38 idle word shall be brought to an account; and every privy action shall be disclosed. And that thou may be thus moved: In the second place thou hast to consider of the profit and commodity Of the good of confession. of confession. And first here observe a great difference: yea, and manifest opposition between the effect of the confession of the guilty, before the judgement seat of men, or earthly judges, and of that confession which is made before the Spineus in lib. de peccatorum confession. tribunal of GOD, the Heavenly judge who is the righteous and high judge u Genes. 18. 25 of all the world. The confession before Magistrates, even at other times merciful, is very dreadful, dangerous and deadly for evil doers; when Achan made his confession of the thift, of the execrable goods, than joshuah, and all x judg. 7. 25 Israel stoned him his sons and his daughters, his oxen, his asses, and his sheep with stones, and burned them with fire, because of his trespass and abomination. When the Amal●ki●e, a stranger confessed the kill of Saul, than David caused to kill him, and that justly; because his own y 2 Sam. 16 mouth testified against him. Thus after a confession made before earthly z Rom, 12. 1 powers, who are Ministers of justice, followeth death, sorrow, punishment, and execution; and therefore it is no wonder although malefactors be very unwilling to confess capital crimes. So these Eunuches Bigthan and Teresh did not acknowledge their conspiracy against Assuerus, until a Ester. 2. 22 inquisition was made and it was found so, and therefore they were both hanged on a tree, and died shamefully. But it is plain contrary in The fruits of confession. regard of the confession of our sins to the Almighty. After the same followeth great good and unspeakable commodity, as most evidently appeareth, by proof of sacred Scripture, by examples, by the testimonies of learned writers, and by experience. First: If b Proverb. 28 13. thou hide thy sins (saith Solomon) thou shall not First Mercy. prosper; but if thou will confess them, and forsake them, thou shalt have mercy. What more pleasant or more expedient to a miserable sinner than GOD'S mercies? Secondly forgiveness of thy fault and remission: If c john 1.9 thou acknowledge thy sin, (saith St. JOHN) 2 Remission. GOD is faithful, and just, to forgive thee thy sin: Thus forgiveness and remission bringeth happiness, and salvation. Blessed is he d Psal. 28. 13 whose wickedness is forgiven him, so proclaimeth the Prophet DAVID. Thirdly: If thou confess thy offences, (the Apostle witnesseth) 3 Sanctification. that GOD will e john. 2. 9 cleanse thee from all unrighteousness: so thou may be most sure of sanctification, and f Heb. 12. 14 holiness; without the which no man shall see the LORD in his eternal glory. Fourthly: thou by confession 4 Knowledge. shall get Heavenly wisdom, and instruction, as when Daniel was speaking, and confessing his sins, and g Daniel. 9. 2● presenting his supplications; in that same instant the Angel Gabriel gave him knowledge and understanding: So when thou shalt truly acknowledge thy wickedness; the holy Spirit will be sent unto thee, to bestow upon thee knowledge & understanding. Fiftly: joy and consolation shall 5 Consolation. come to thee in time of anguish and affliction: If thou shalt make to GOD a right confession, as David was greatly greeved; and very sore troubled for his murder and adultery, when he confessed that he had sinned against the LORD, he was immediately strongly and joyfully comforted: when the Prophet Nathan replied on this manner, the h 2 Sam. 12.13 LORD hath put away thy sins, thou shalt not die: that was glad tidings, and comfortable news unto his wearied and distressed spirit: So it is most certain, that consolation will come to every Christian after confession. Sixtly: if thou confess thy sin 6 Employment in the LORDS service. in sincerity, the LORD then will more readily employ thee in his service, as when the Prophet Esay confessed his uncleanness and pollution, that he was a man of polluted i I saiah 6. 3 lips: there his iniquity was taken away, and his sins purged; and he was in the business of the LORD employed, and in his service directed, and he was sent by GOD to the people of the jews. last: if thou conceal not thy 7 Furniture of necessaries. offences, nor thy distress, but will confess the same ingenuoussie, the LORD will furnish thee good things abundantly: as when the Egyptians confessed to joseph their want and great poverty: when they said, we k Genes. 47.23 will not hide from my LORD our pittiefull indigence: then joseph did furnish them food, and seed to sow the ground. So will GOD do to thee, if thou on this manner will deal faithfully and truly: He will give unto thee that bread, l john 6. 37 which came down from Heaven, which giveth life to the world: He will give thee that good seed of his m Luke 8. 21 Word, and make it n Zach. 8. 12 prosperous to bring forth good fruit in thee. And shortly after the right confession, thou mayest assuredly persuade thyself of absolution, of justification, and of thy glorification: For the LORD o Psalm. 103 8. 9 is full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger, and of great kindness; he will not always chide, nor keep his wrath for ever. And most sure it is: if the LORD absolve thee, who shall lay p Rom. 8. 33 any thing to thy charge? If GOD justify thee, who shall condemn thee? If the Almightis glorify thee, who shall disgrace or bring infamy upon thee: Again harken, and take heed diligently; consider and meditate carefully, what the ancient, wise, true, and judicious fathers tell to thee plainly of the profit that cometh to thee by humble, and sincere confession. One saith, cessat vinaicta divina, Ambros. Beati immaculats. si confessio praecurrat humana, the revenge of GOD ceaseth, if the confession of man precedeth: and in an other place he thus exhorteth, Fatere peccata ô homo, ut Idem lib 1. de interpellatione & cap. 5. veniam consequaris, dic iniquitates ut justificeris, quid erubescis fateri ea in quibus natus es? O man! acknowledge thy faults, that thou mayest have pardon; tell thine iniquity, that thou mayest be justified: wherefore art thou ashamed to confess these in the which thou art borne? An other Ancient affirmeth Gregorius Nazianzen in oratione consolaorta de pacis silentio. thus: Magnum remedium malitiae, est confessio & fuga peccati: that confession is a great remedy of maliciousness, and a flight of sin. An other so speaketh: Basilius in Hexamero homilia undeci ma. Septuplam retributionem peccatoribus delatam remittet DOMINUS, in hac vita, per confessionem ac resipiscentiam à nobis placatus: the LORD being pleased by us in this life by confession and repentance will forgive that sevenfold retribution objected to sinners: dicito peceata (saith Chrysostome) ut Chrysostom. homilia 2. deleas, dicito in hac vita ut requiem habeas: tell thy sins that thou mayest put them away; tell them in this life, that thou mayest get rest in an other life. Absque confession Bernard. 2 ●ep. cap 14. justus judicabitur ingratus, & peccator mortuus reputatur: confessio igitur peccatoris est vita, & justi gloria: without confession, the just is judged unthankful, and the wicked is esteemed dead: confession then is the life of the sins, and the glory of the just. Moreover another writeth thus: Confessio sanat, confessio justificat, confessio peccatis vemam donat, omnis spes in confession consistit, in confession locus misericordia est, nulla est tam gravis culpa, quae per confessionem non habeat veniam: Confession healeth, confession justifieth, confession giveth pardon to sins; all hope consisteth into confession, in confession there is a place for compassion, there is no fault so grievous, but by confession it will be pardoned. But principally let us give attendance August. pas sim in multi. locis. to Augustin in this point; assevering, Damnaberis tacitus, qui possis liberari confessus: being silent thou shall be condemned, who being confessed may be delivered. Again, Confessio malorum operum, initium bonorum operum est: the confession of evil works, is the beginning of good works: And furthermore, Confessio nos humiles facit: Confession maketh us humble: Confessio jungit nos DEO: confession conjoineth, or uniteth us to GOD; Confessio judicat vivos: confession declareth that we are alive, now enjoying the life of grace, referved to have eternal fruition of the life of glory: yea, that Philosopher Seneca. Seneca saith, Somnium narrare vigilantis est, & vitia confiteri sanitatis indicium est: It is a token of one awake to tell their dream, and of health to confess their sins. And not to be too tedious in such try testimonies, for conc●ution of the same, we will offer to your due consideration, that father's saying, Ratio DEI inducendi, August. citante Spinaeo in lib depeccatorum confession. ut peccata nosira excuset, ac tegat● ea est si ea detegamus, ac nos ipsos accusemus, nos ille evehit: cum ipsi nos abijcimus: nos justificat cum nos ipsi condemnamus: obliviscitur peccatorum, cum nos ipsi meminimus eorum: denique nos in prctio habet, cum nobis ipsi vilescimus: nos invenit, cum nobis ipsis perditi videmur, & pluriminos facit, cum nos ipsos nihili facimus. ●he m●ane (most remarkable are the sentences) to move GOD, that he may excuse and cover cur sins, is, that if we shall uncover them, & accuse ourselves, he exalteth us: when we cast down ourselves: he justifieth. us, when we condemn ourselves: he forgetteth our sins, when we remember on them: Finally we are precious unto him, when we are vile in our own sight; he findeth us, when we seem lost to ourselves; and he maketh much of us, when we make nothing of ourselves. Sicut sumus praecedit incendium, sic flammam Similitude. fidei & charitatis praecedit peccatorum confessi●: As smoke goeth Primasius in Apocalypsin. before burning, so confession of sins goeth before the flame of faith and charity. Thirdly: Experience showeth us, that the parient will declare his disease to the Physician, the wounded man will uncover his sores to the Chirargion: the Client will manifest the weakness of his cause or action to his Advocate: the poor Beggar will utter his wants to the helping Passenger, and cry pitifully and earnestly for some support, that the child will tell his necessity to his loving parents: that the oppressed subject will signify his hurt to a gracious King, or pittiefull Magistrate. Now answer me truly, is not GOD thy perfect Physician, who will heal all thine q Psal. 103. 3 infirmimities? Is not CHRIST a faithful r 1 john 2. 1 Advocate, who will defend thy right, and be thy reconciliation for thy sins, to purchase an Heavenly Kingdom for thee? Is not thy LORD a most liberal benefactor, who s job. 22. 18 can fill the house of the wicked with good things, at sometimes; and will multiply his t Hezek. 36.11 benefits towards thee, more than at the first? Is not He the Father u 2 Corinth 1.3 of mercy, and the GOD of all consolation? Will not He satisfy x Psal. 91. 16 thee with long life, and glorify thee with salvation? Is not He the King of y Isaiah 44. 6 Israel, the LORD of Hosts, and thy Redeemer? Will not He look z Psalm. 102 19 20 down from the height of his Sanctuary, out of Heaven? Will He not behold the Earth, that he may hear the mourning of his prisoners, and delyver the children of death? Wherefore then will thou hide thy woes and offences from him? Wherefore will thou a john 8. 24 die in thy sins, and perish eternally in thine iniquities? Why concealeth thou thy cankered corruption for thine own destruction, in b 2 Pet. 3. 47 the day of judgement, and perdition of men, or before that dreadful day? Why will thou vex thine own soul with continual grief and molestation. When DAVID himself did hold his c Psal. 32. 3. tongue, his bones consumed fearfully, his hand was upon him continually, his very moisture was turned into the drought of summer. But when he did not hide his iniquity, but acknowledged his trespass, than he got remission, and so joy and consolation. It is written of Creusa, by an Ethnic, that being troubled in Euripides in jovem. her mind, and grievously perplexed in conscience; to mitigate the extremity of that vexation, she did use the remedy of confession: and she did discover her secret fornicatios; and did declare openly her whoredom, that she had borne a bairne quietly, and exposed him. Should not a Christian then privily confess his faults, and enormities, to be delivered from the anguish of an evil conscience, and to obtain peace and tranquillity to himself. Think not in thine own mind that this sentence was only said to David this sin thou didst c 2 Sam. 12. 12 secretly, (saith GOD) but I will correct thee before the sin most openly: but also to every one of us without confession, so sayeth that father, and it is also contained in the canon law. Is it not then m●st fit, commodious, and necessary for thee, that thou thyself make a plain, and open confession of thine own fearful sins, and terrible transgressions? that thou may altogether eshew that d Math. 37 wrath to come, that also e Luke 21. 36 thou mayest be counted worthy, to escape the vengeance of the Almighty; even the curse of GOD, and the damnation of the : yea, that f Heb. 4.16 thou may receive mercy and find grace to help thee in time of need; that thou mayest obtain sanctification, which is a main end of thy vocation: For g 1 Thess. 4.7 GOD hath not called thee unto uncleanness, but unto holiness, that thou may obtain wholesome instruction, and the knowledge of GOD, when rightly to know is h john. 17. 3 life eternal, that thou mayest get constant consolation i 2 Cor. 1. 4 to comfort thee in all thy tribulation, that thou may serve GOD in sinceririe: For thou can do no service acceptable to an unknown k Eccles, 27. 33 God: that thou mayest get furniture from him, who l Psal. 104. 27 giveth food to every living creature in due season, and filleth them with his free benefits: Shortly that thou mayest receive remedy for trespassion, absolution from thy sin, reconciliation with GOD, and conjunction with him, peace here, rest, honour, and happiness in the life to come. To the end that thou may receive this incomprehensible good, & unspeakable blessings, go on to make this confession of our sin, and heinous iniquities. But in the third place advert The right manner of confession. attentively, and take diligent heed, that thou acknowledge and confess thy faults in the right manner, and form; otherwise assuredly thy confession will never neither comfort thee, not profit thee; for thou may know by the reading the sacred Scripture, that many wicked wretched men, who lived lewdly, and died profainly, have made a fashion of confession, as m Exod. 6. 27 Pharaoh, n Numb. 22 34 Balaam, o joshua 7. 20 Achan, p 1 Sam. 26. 21 Saul, wicked q 1 King. 21 27 Achab, yea the the traitor r Math. 27. 4 judas. Their confessions brought to them no consolation, but pain and confusion. Therefore if thou desires thy confession acceptable to GOD and steadable to thyself, labour with most diligent endevoure, that the same may be well conceived, & in the right manner uttered having all the good properties belonging thereunto. Thy comfortable confession must See Bi. Thom conteene sixteen conditions composed in these verses by the school men. Sit simplex, humilis confessio, pura, fidelis, Atque frequens, nuda, & discreta, lubens, verecunda, Properties of confession. Integra, secreta, & lachrymabilis, accelerata, Fortis, & accusans, & se punire parata. For a brief explanation, 1. let thy confession be without hypocrisy: ● plain. If ever thou lay aside guile r Pet. 2. 1 and dissimulation, remove the same chief in this action, and study most carefully to be an ʳ Israel indeed, to be the true son of jakob, who was a plain s Genes 25 man or simple, and so is all his posterity sincere and ingenuous in all their proceed; and particularly in this point. Secondly: thy confession must 2 Humble confession. be without pride or arrogancy: for the proud t Luke 18. 12 Pharisees confession shall never bring joy nor justification, as the earth wherein jeremias u jerem. 13. 7 Similitude. 〈◊〉 girdle was hid, and wherewith it was covered, made the gird● corrupt, and profitable for nothing: So will pride make thy person, as it were putrified before GOD, to be as the Ammonites were to DAVID, to stink x 2 Sam. 10 6 in GOD'S sight, and all thy actions to be but abominations Let thy confession therefore be in great humility and submission, as y Genes 18. 27 abraham's, like the Publicans, like St. z Timoth. 2. 15 Paul's, like all the godlies' this humility will be to thee in all thy proceed, like as Benjamins was to his brethren, without him they would not have been accepted by joseph, nor their gifts received, but having him in their company, they were welcomed, they were brought a Genes. 43. 16 to joseph's house, they were feasted, and got gifts before their departure. So without humility thou will be despised of GOD, and punished: but loving humility, GOD will greatly regard thee, He will accept of thy offerings, and give gifts unto thee most plentifully. Thirdly: thy confession must be without filthiness or pollution, 3 Holy confession. thou shouldst with David wash thine b b Psal. 26. 6 hands (yea thine heart first) in innocence, and compass GOD'S Altar; and then acknowledge thine iniquity: If thou have cain's wickedness, the LORD will have no c Genes. 43.16 respect to thy sacrifice: and as Abraham left his servants and beasts behind him, when he was to go to the mountain to d Genes 22.4 Similitude. worship: So when thou art of this purpose, for to go to do this service, leave thy sins, and wickedness behind thee, which otherwise will altogether hinder thee, and take great care to bring holiness, with which will make thee most to resemble thy GOD, and be most acceptable to his Heavenly Majesty; as David said to Abner, that he was content to make a covenant with him; but upon this condition, see e 2 Sam. 3. 13 my face no more, except thou bring Michall with thee, when thou cometh to me: So as it were, GOD saith unto thee, I am content to have a covenant with thee, but come not in my sight, except thou bring piety with thee. fourthly: Let thy confession 4 Faithful confession. be without infidelity: Take heed least f Heb. 3. 12 at any time there be in thee an evil heart, and unthankful to depart from the living GOD. If it was evil for Lot, to depart from Abraham to go to Sodom, than vexation g 2 Peter. 2.7 of heart, and captivity h Genes. 14. 12 came upon him. Was it not worse for Gehazi, when he departed from Elisha, than an incurable disease, and filthy i 2 King 5. 27 leprosy did cleave unto him, and his posterity? but worst of all it is to depart from the living LORD: then anguish, affliction, captivity, calamity, death, and eternal misery will come unto thee, without faith, confession, repentance, or turning again to the Almighty. So then let this work be done in faith; without the which, it k Heb. 11.6 is impossible to please GOD. As the LORD did prohibit his people in his law, to offer any oblation l Levit. 2. 13 to him, without it were seasoned with salt: so no service without faith will be acceptable to GOD; but the virtue of faith will make the same pleasant, and savoury to GOD. Fifthly: Let thy confession be almost without intermission, and 5 Frequent confession. very frequent: for if thou drink in m job 15. 16 iniquity like water frequently, shouldest not thou cast forth the same frequently by confession, as Mariners very often times will draw the pump, that they nor the passengers be not offended, nor endangered by abundance of water? So all Christians should use frequent confession, that their consciences may be cased, and themselves preserved. And if men commonly will sweep their houses Similitude. for health and honesty: Art not thou GOD'S house? Knowest n 2 Cor. 3. 16 thou not that thou art the temple of GOD? Thou hast need to sweep this house daily, and ofter for thy health and soul's safety, and that by confession and conversion, since thou art exhorted to pray o Thess. 5. 17 continually; thou shouldest acknowledge thy trespass also continually. 6 p Hebr. 4. 13 all things are naked, 6 A naked confession. and open before his eyes, with whom thou hast to do, let then thy confession also be naked; and never press to paint thy vice with virtuous colours. Be not thou like jehu, who did call his pride and desire of authority the zeal q 2 King. 10.12 which he had for the LORD: wherefore he was not praised, but punished; and thus by GOD threatened, that he would visit the r Hosea. 1. 4 blood of Israel upon the house of jehu. Neither think thou it possible for thee to hide thy faults, as Rachel her Idols: she indeed did hide them from s Genes. 31. 35 Laban, but not from t Genes. 35. 4 lakob, who did find them, and buried them. Thou may conceit thyself, that thou can conceal thy faults from men, but thou can not cover them from the LORD GOD. Seventhly: Let thy confession 7 A wise confession. be with wisdom and discretion, having a due consideration to all convenient circumstances; and specially the main point, that it redound to GOD'S glory, to thy profit and consolation. Let not thy confession be like Lamechs', u Genes. 4 23 It a interpretatur Avenzra Calvinus. Pataeus, & orthodoxi. for vain glory and ostentation. Let it not be like the wicked, enticing x Prover. 1. 10 the evil, (them selves without doubt confessing their ungodliness) to stir up others to the imitation of the like naughtiness; neither let it be for thine own perishing pleasure or delectation, in remembering upon them, for so thou will possess y job 13. 26 the iniquities of thy youth: but let thy confession (I say) be with wisdom, leaving, and abhorring all thy faults and abominations. Eightly: Let thy confession be A willing confession. from a free and willing mind; not urged nor constrained: for as the LORD loveth a cheerful giver, so he loveth a cheerful confessor. Ninthly: Thy confession must not be with too great boldness and audacity, but with some shame 9 A shamefast confession. and modesty. For we should be ashamed, (saith one) and condemn our sin, and not defend the same, quoniam pudore culpa minuitur, Ambros. de Abel, & Cain defension cumulatur, because by shamefastness a fault is diminished; by defending, it is aggreged: And acknowledge with Daniel, that as righteousness z Daniel. 9.7 belongeth to the LORD, so to thee open shame and confusion. If thou love the LORD (as he requireth thee to do) with thy whole heart, then make a full, and a whole confession of all thy sins in particular; and moreover, pray with the Prophet, LORD a Pfal. 19 12 cleanse me from secret sins. 10. thou art commanded by thy Master to pray ᵇ privily, 10 A● secret confession. or in secret, it is good to confess thy hid sins to GOD in secret. It is written of a Lacedaemonian Christian Lysander, that when he was consulting with an oracle, he was desired by the Priest to declare the most heinous sin that ever he had committed in all his life-time, he then asked the Priest, whether he behoved to do so by his direction, or by the God's commandment: Plutarch in La conicis & Bruson. who answered, by the God's commandment: then replied he, grant thou this to me, that if thou ask me I may tell them, he said discretly: So if thou hath offended thy GOD secretly; acknowledge thy offence secretly: if thy transgression be public; let thy confession be also public, for thine own profit and absolution. 11. Thy confession must be with sorrow and contrition: if 11 A weeping confession. thou mayest with tears and weeping, it will then bring unto thee great joy and consolation: for a natural man may show thee, — Est quaedam flore voluptas, Expletur lachrymis, exeriturque dolour. Ovid, 4. de Trist. That there is a certain pleasure to weep, that sorrow by tears is fulfilled, and also expelied: yea, the LORD will b Psalm. 56. 5 put thy tears in his bottle: he will write them into his register, and at length will wipe ᶜ them all from thee. 12 Thy confession must be like thy converssion to GOD, 12 A tymous confession. without delay or procrastination, with all diligence and expedition. Let it not be like the cursed caitiffs, already under the sentence of condemnation: for they at length when the time of mercy is gone; and they plunged in woeful misery, and when they are punished with endless torment, will be constrained to confess that they d Sapientia Salonis. have erred from the way of truth, and wearied themselves in the way of wickedness and destruction, thus their too late confession will nothing avail them. Acknowledge therefore thy transgression e I say. 49. 8 in a time acceptable, in due season, in the day of salvation: Behold (saith the Apostle) the f 2 Cor. 6.2 accepted time, behold now the day of salvation: It is a most good thing for thee to keep the fit opportunity of true confession before g Zeph 2.2 the decree of desertion (or damnation) come forth, before the fierce wrath of the Lord come upon thee, and before the day of GOD'S anger and indignation overtake thee. Confessionis negligentia Augustinus. (saith a wise father) periculosa est: the slothfulness of confession is very dangerous: delay not therefore this duty, perform the same with expedition most diligently and speedily. 13. If the crying of CHRIST in h Hebr. 5.7 the days of his flesh was a 13 A strong confession. strong crying: let thy confession also be a strong confession; if thou desires to have strong i Hebr. 6.18. consolation to uphold thee in the day of tentation: then also use a strong confession of thy sins and transgressions: never go about to extenuate thine offences, but rather labour to aggrevate, and to aggrege the same. 1 In regard of the person against whom thou hast offended, who hath been so patiented h 2. Pet. 3.9. in sparing a guilty malefactor, and would not thee to perish, but to come to repentance; and is so bountiful and merciful towards thee, whose mercies i Lament. 3.21 fail not, but are renewed every morning: Who k Exod. 34. 6 is strong, gracious, slow to anger, abundant in goodness, and truth: who l Psal. 68 19 ladeth thee daily with his benefits: who so loved thee, that he m Rom. 8. 32 spared not his own Son, but gave him to death for thee, and for thy redemption; and for thine eternal glorification. 2 Of JESUS CHRIST, who made himself of no reputation, but humbled n Philip. 2. 8 himself to the death of the cross for his affection towards thee: who o Revel 1. 5 shed his precious blood to wash thee, and to make thee a King and Priest to GOD. 3 In consideration of the season, the p Rom. 13. 12 night is past, the day is at hand, that thou hast sinned, when salvation was near thee, in the revelation of his glorious Gospel, when his light hath shined clearly before thine eyes; when his trumpet hath frequently, fearfully, and comfortably sounded in thine ears, that thou hast not only trespassed in q Act. 17. 30 the time of ignorance, which GOD regarded not; but after so many instructions, admonitions, reprehensions, counsels, and consolations, comminations, and commandments in the contrary. 4 In consideration of the occasion, or matter wherefore thou hast so transgressed for so small a●d base thing; for some r Genes. 25.33 pottage with Esau, to sell thy birthright; or for a cup s judg. 4. 14 of milk with Sisera, to lose thy life; or for some beasts with Saul, t Sam. 15. 28 to be deprived of a Kingdom, not earthly or temporary, but Heavenly and eternal, for a trifle, for vanity, and perishing pleasure, a short and filthy delectation, to loss GOD'S favour, to be plagued with his anger, to destroy thine own soul, to be miserable for ever: confess thy sin vehemently, that GOD may the more pity thee. 15 In thy confession transfer 15 An accusing confession not thy faults upon others, to lay the blame upon them, or cleareing, and excusing thyself: for now they be many like that foolish man, (of whom Seneca speaketh) Seneca de tranquillitate animi. who having a fore foot, and so crooking, he imputed the cause of his limping to the sharpness of the way, and not to the thorn pricking his foot within, or like one that is sea-sick, ascribing the cause of his diseas● to the swelling of the sea, and not (as the truth is) to the corrupt Simile humours of his own stomach: or like that blind woman Harpasta, Seneca epistola ●0. who would not be persuaded of her own blindness, but found fault with the house wherein she remained, as being void of light, and over dark. So I say, with too many it is, who in their spiritual crookedness, their inward sickness, and in their own spiritual blindness would lay the fault upon other outward occasions, but not upon themselves. But in thy confession charge thine own self for thy transgressions; blame thine own self and thine inward corruption: accuse thyself principally, and only with DAVID, It u 2 Chron. 21. 17. is I, even I that have sinned; but these sheep what have they done? By such confession thou will obtain the free absolution of GOD, and stop the devil's mouth from thine accusation. 16 Lastly: let thy confession 16 A punishing confession. be without flattering of thyself, and let it be with some holy indignation, and with a desire to take some punishment x 2 Cor 7. 11 of thyself for thy foolishness. For thy beastliness, with JOB abhor y job. 42. 6 thyself in dust and ashes: with the Prophet JEREMY smite thine own z jerem. 31. 19 thigh, and say, what have I done: with the Publican, knock thine a Luke 18. 14 own breast: with St. Paul beat thine own body, and bring it into subjection. Thus thou hast more than reason to take heed most diligently and carefully that thou confess thy sins arightly, and in due manner, or else know for a surety that thy confession will be altogether improfitable, and never comfort thee, without the foresaid conditions in some measure be kept therein: and first of all, labour to get a sure notice, and exact knowledge of thy secret sins, and privy corruptions, of thy predominant, profitable, (as thou dreams) and pleasant vice: Take travel with all industry to try them with the b Proverb. 20 27 light of the LORD, with the Lantern c Psal. 119. 115 of his Word, by searching d Zephan. 2. 1 thyself narrowly, by e 1 Cor. 11. 28 examining, by f 2 Cor. 13. 15 proving thyself most accurately and continually; and thereafter go to a sincere, humble, and most serious confession, and prying into thyself profoundly, be persuaded that thou cannot confess thy sins sufficiently. Thus fare for preparation, come now to thy right confession, as it shall please GOD to help thee, and strengthen me to further thee. PSAIME. 102. 6. I am like a Pelican of the Wilderness. A CONFESSION OF OUR SIN, AND iniquity. The second Chapter. Almighty GOD, and most merciful Father: Now I thy poor servant am here a Act. 10. 33 present before thee: and it is of truth thou seest b 1 Sam. 16. 7 not as man seethe: for man looketh only to the outward appearance, but thou o GOD beholdest mine heart, and searchest c jerem. 17. 10 my reines, thou understandest d Psal. 135 2 my thoughts a fare off. I take thyself to record, O Lord GOD e Numb. 27.16 of the spirits of all flesh, that I desire greatly to confess my sins in sincerity, humility, and timously, as it becometh me to do, And I acknowledge before thee, who knowest the hearts f Act. 1. 24. of all men, that my transgressions are many; they g Psal. 49. 12 are more 1. Many sins. in number than the hairs of my head, my trespasses are multiplied before thee as the h Isaiah 40.12 waters: As the waters in the deludge were increased exceedingly, to i Genes. 7. 18 drown the old and wicked world, so are my sins to destroy me everlastingly. Certainly it was easier to joab to k 1 Sam. 24. 9 number the thousands of Israel, than it is for me to number the millions of mine iniquities. It was as easy for Abraham to number the l Genes 13. 16 dust of the earth, the m Genes. 22.13 sand which was upon the sea shore, and the stars of Heaven, as it is to me to number my innumerable offences, and manifold enormities, whereby I have offended thy godly Majesty: I 2 Great sins. am compelled also, (O gracious GOD) to confess unto thee, that mine iniquities n Psal. 25. 11 are great my wickedness o jocl. 3. 13 is grievous; it is also grown to a terrible height: it is mounted up to the clouds. Nebuchadnezar but dreamt that p Daniel. 4. 8 the height of that tree, which he saw in a● vision, reached up to the Heaven; but I am persuaded that my sin is ascended higher: It is come up to q Revel. 18. 5 Heaven, and cryeth r Genes. 18.20 upon GOD for wrath and indignation against me. I do acknowledge, (O Heavenly and merciful Father) that my 3 Heavy sins. sins are wondrous weighty, and infinitely heavy: The s Psal. 70.27 stones are weighty, and the sand is heavy, but light in respect of my iniquities; for t Psal. 23. 4 they are grown over my head, and as a weighty burden they are too heavy for me; the iron thereof is importable. Manasseh In the prayer of Manasses. was bound down with many iron bands, that he could not lift up his head unto Heaven: I am bund down with many heavy bands of sin, that I can not lift up my heart to thee, as I most earnestly desire to do. The people of Israel protested that u 2 Chron. 10.4 salomon's yoke was heavy, and his servitude sore upon them, and prayed that it might be made lighter; but LORD I find the yoke of sin much more bitter, and the slavery thereof more intolerable, I long to be eased thereof. The Israelites sighed, x Exod. 2. 23 and cried to GOD, when they were kept under with the heavy burdens of the Egyptians: I have greater cause (O LORD) to be vexed and wearied with the burden of sin, which y Heb. 12. 1 hangeth so fast, and presseth so sore down, which without help from thy Majesty would thrust my soul to the lowest hell. I confess (O GOD) that as my 4 Filthy sin sins they are not few, but many; they are not small sins, but great sins, they are not light, but very heavy sins, so they are most vile, filthy, and abominable, polluting, and defiling me both outwardly and inwardly in soul, spirit, and body. It is truth, pitch z Eecles. 13. 4 defileth him that toucheth it, and miry clay contaminateth him that walloweth in the same: The excrements of men, which thou most holy GOD commanded to be digged in a Deut. 23. 13 the grave, and to be covered with earth: the dung of beasts do not so defile the body, as the excrements of filthy sin hath polluted my soul and inward man. The corruption of dead Carrions, and carcases b Levit 11. 39 made the handlers thereof unclean, but LORD my continual doing of dead c Heb. 12. 1 works hath made me much more polluted and detestable in thy presence. The Ammonites for their wrong to DAVID did d 2 Sam. 10. 6 stink in his sight, but LORD I am more loathsome in thy pure eyes. I do acknowledge before thee 5 Odious sins. (O e Genes. 18.25 righteous judge of the whole world) that my heinous sins makes me odious unto thy Majesty: for I know well, that thou hatest f Psal. 5. 5 all them that work iniquity: and even at this time my conscience cryeth to me, that I have committed many enormities, justly O LORD may thou hate me, and set g Psal. 50. 21 all my sins in order before me, and therefore take vengeance upon me most deservedly. O my GOD! I confess also that Scandalous sin my sins are exemplary and scandalous: I have (alas) caused the h 2 Sam. 12. 14 enemies of the LORD blaspheme: They i Rom. 3. 19 who obeyed not the word, have not been won by my holy life and conversation: I have not stopped, but rather opened the mouths of the : I have strengthened them in their wickedness and impiety: as also I have scandalised, but not bettered the weak ones: I k Levit. 19 14 have put a stumbling block before my blind brethren: I have caused them by mine evil example to go astray, and to fall into the pit: I have been an offence to some little ones that dwelled with me: Thou thyself (O my SAVIOUR!) hath said, it l Math. 18.7 must needs be that some offences must come: Many (alas) have come by me; for the which without thy mercy I would be wrapped up in woe and endless misery. I can not deny, (O most righteous 7 Pernicious sins. judge) but I must acknowledge of necessity that my filthy faults and terrible transgressions are most hurtful and pernicious to myself, for weakening, and wounding me, for binding and blindfolding me, for sundering me from thee, and swallowing me up in woe and calamity: I say with thy servant, O m Psal. 6. 2 LORD I am weak and feeble, my sins have made my strength to fall; neither am I able to rise again: my n Psal. 38. 4. 5.6.7.8. wounds are putrified and corrupt, because of my foolishness, I am bowed and crooked very sore; my reines are full of burning, and there is nothing sound in my flesh, I am weakened and sore bowed: I roar for the very grief of mine heart: I find O LORD that mine own o Proverb. 5.22 iniquities do take me, and Satan by them hath caught me, and I am holden with the cords of sin; and by them the Devil is drawing me unto everlasting damnation: And as the blind Aramits were p 2 King. 6.19 led to Samaria; so am I carried to hell, and without spiritual eyes am brought to perdition, without thy help and salvation: for q Isaiah. 59.2 they do hide thy face from me, that thou will not hear: they do separate between thy Majesty and me: they will make me (alas) to perish eternally, to be deprived of all comfort and glory, and without true repentance, to be tormented continually in that lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which r Revel. 21. 8 Original sin. is the second death. And yet O LORD, when I descend more deeply, by thy assistance of thy grace into mine heart; and narrowly examine my conscience: I do confess in sincerity, that I am guilty of original sin: I want that righteousness, wherewith man was endued in his creation: I have a bend desire, a bad inclination to do evil, wickedness, and abomination: Behold s Psal. 51.5 I was borne in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me: I t Rom. 7.23 see another law in my members, rebelling against the law in my mind, and leading me captive unto the law of sin, which is into my members. O LORD! this is the evil seed, which bringeth forth evil increase: This is the bitter root, which beareth bitter branches, and corrupt fruit: here springeth the Vine u Deut. 32.32 of Sodom, the grapes of gall: This is the poisoned fountain, which sendeth forth bitter streams. I acknowledge (O LORD) before Actual sin. thy Majesty, that I am guilty of innumerable actual sins, and hath offended in thought, in word, and in deed: I x Dan. 9 5 have sinned heinously; I have done wickedly, and have broken thy commandments continually. Thou (O LORD) mayest be Sins of omission. higly offended against me, for the sins of omission, and neglect of my duty. Thy servant Elisha (O most merciful GOD) was angry at the King of Israel, because he y 2 King 13.19 did smite the ground but three times, and ceased: whereas it had been better, and more profitable for him to have done so many times, for his honour, pleasure, utility; and for the destruction of his enemies: but thou LORD hast much more cause to be angry against me poor caitiff, because I have so seldom knocked z Math. 7. 7 at the gate of Heaven; and neglected that special service of prayer, tending to my good, tranquillity, and overthrow of mine enemies. And truth it is, that thy Apostle St. a john. 20. 25 Thomas did receive great hurt spiritually, that for a time he was faithless, and remained in his incredulity, by being absent from that pious company; and was not present with the rest at one time, when thou (O my SAVIOUR) appeared: but I have not so frequented the assembly of the godly, as I might have done conveniently; and as I was bound to do of duty: I have b Psal. 26. 8 not so loved the habitation of thine house, nor the place where thine Honour dwelleth, as it became me. I c Psal. 122. 1 rejoiced not to go unto the house of the LORD. I d Psal. 27. 4 did not desire to dwell in the tabernacle of the Almighty all the days of my life; but I have delighted myself, to go to the places of vanity, and of impiety, therefore justly ignorance, infidelity, and prophainesse abideth with me. I confess (O LORD) before thy Heavenly Majesty, that I am unwilling and slothful to do the works of charity, of compassion and of mercy: I forget to e James. 1. 27 visit the widow, and the fatherless, in their adversity: I am not careful to support the needy, the poor, & the indigent members of Christ my Saviour; but I am too ready to abuse thy benefits, to spend my substance, to waste my goods upon perishing pleasures; and to fulfil the noisome lusts of my corrupt nature. I confess I am one like the inhabitants of Meroz because I came not to help f judg. 5. 23 the LORD against the mighty enemy, and thus I have many times omitted and neglected to do my bounden duty. Moreover I plainly protest unto thee, that I have fearfully, and Sins of commission. frequently transgressed thy commandments, and most holy precepts; Now wicked Shimei was obedient to the charge of Solomon for many years, and g 1 King. 2.3.8 sundry days he did dwell in his house, and did not departed from the place appointed, and did not pass over the bounds prescribed, but I in few days, in a short time, have I often times transgressed the limits of thy holy Law: I have deborded into the evil way of iniquity; and against thy precepts, I have taken h Exod. 20. 7 THY HOLY NAME IN VAIN: I have wronged my neighbours, and I i Math 33. 8 have rob thee O LORD of thy due: I k Hosea. 8 1 have surely transgressed thy covenant, & trespassed against thy law: and hath sinned hamously, both against my particular calling, and my general calling of Christianity: I l Math. 1. 12 have polluted thy name, which from the rising of the sun to the going to of the same is great amongst the Gentiles. I have (my conscience cryeth to me) many a time, with the carnal jews m Numb. 11. 6 loathed the Heavenly MANNA: I have wearied of thy holy worship, I have o 1 Thess. 5.20 snuffed at thy service: I have n Maiach. 1 13 despised prophecy; I have p 1 Sam. 15 20 cast away thy blessed word from me; I have most fearfully rebelled against thy Majesty, q Numb. 20.10 who hath power to destroy both sour, and body in hell fire eternally. I acknowledge (O my GOD) secret sins. that I have sinned privily, and am guilty of many r Psal. 19 12 secret faults: I have had fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, and s Ephes. 5. 12 am ashamed of these things to speak, which I have done in secret: and that I have offended also Public sins. publicly, and impudently: I have had a t jerem 3. 3 whorish forehead, and would not be ashamed of mine own wickedness, and filthiness For I have not only (O most merciful GOD) transgressed ignorantly, Presumptuous sins. and by infirmity; (For I u Rom. 7. 15 do not that good thing, which I would do; but the evil which I would not do, that do I) but also (alas) I have sinned x Psal. 19 13 presumptuously, which is the greatest misery. Woe is me! (O gracious LORD) it feareth me, that I have come to the height of impiety, that when thou hast been threatening, I have been flattering: When y Deut. 29. 19 thy Majesty hath been cursing, I have been blessing, saying, I shall have peace, adding drunkenness to thirst, most miserably, and mishantly. For (O LORD) I see truly, Inward sin in heart. that by nature the z Genes. 6. 5 imaginations of my heart are evil continually: I a 2 Tim. 3. 8 am of a corrupt mind, there is nothing pure in me: my conscience b Titus 1. 15 is defiled within me. My judgement and understanding is so weakened, and vitiat; Sin in understanding. that c 2 Cor. 2. 14 I perceive not the things of GOD: without thy special grace, they are foolishness to me: Mine d 1 Cor. 37. 5 understanding (without thee) will puffed me up, and not edify me: It e Isaiah 47. 10 will deceive me, and cause me to rebel against thy Majesty: It f jerem. 4.22 will make me wise to do evil, but to have no knowledge to do well. But truth it is, (O most merciful Sin in will. Father!) that I am the son of Adam: I find sensibly my will to be rebellious against thy will, and contrary thereto: for thy will (O love GOD) is holy, heavenly, good, g Rom. 12. 2 acceptable, and perfect: but my will is wicked, earthly, perverse, and imperfect. Furthermore I acknowledge O LORD, Sin in affection. that my affections are lewd, & earthly: they are crooked and unruly: I h Coloss. 3. 2 have set them on things, which are on the earth; and not on things which are above: They i Heb. 12. 1 are a heavy burden unto me, pressing me down grievously, and hindering me from running the race of my spiritual journey: They k Isaiah 1. 4 move me to go backward from GOD, in the broad way of impiety. I confess (O LORD) my ignorance Sins of ignorance. and foolishness: So l Psal. 73. 22 foolish and ignorant am I, I am as a beast before thee: yea, much worse than a beast: For the m Isaiah 1. 3 Ox knoweth his owner, and the Ass his Master's crib: but I, whom thou hast nourished, whom thou hast brought up, and oftentimes preserved, have not known thee The sin of infidelity. rightly, to honour and worship thee, as it becometh me: But albeit n Math. 6. 3 thou hast never grieved me, I can not testify against thee, I o jerem. 2. 5 never found iniquity in thee: Thou hast not been to me a p jerem. 2. 31 and verse 12 barren wilderness, nor a land of darkness, yet I have gone fare away from thee, and have walked after vanity. O ye Heavens be astonied! be afraid! and utterly confounded! I have forsaken the Wellspring of living water: I have turned my back upon thee, O my GOD! who q Psal. 84. 11 art my sun, and my shield, for my illumination and direction; for my consolation, and my protection: I r Psal. 119. 170 have gone fare astray from my shepherd: I have run away from my kind Master: I have left my loving Father by my infidelity; by mine untowardness and wilfulness. Now (O LORD) I have great Sin of disobedlence. cause to be ashamed, and to abhor myself, for my continual disobedience, and rebellion, s 1 Sam. 15.23 which is as the sin of Witchcraft: when I consider the ready obedience, not only of thy holy Angels, thy Messengers, t Psal. 104. 4 and ministering spirits, but also of other unreasonable creatures, the u 1 King. 17. 4 fowls of the Heaven, the x jonas 2 10 fishes in the sea, the y Genes 6. 19 wild beasts in the field: yea the z Numb 6. 32 dead earth, the deep a Exod 14 21 Waters, the b Genes. 10. 24 consuming fire are all subject to thy commandment, and senseless creatures yield thee obedience, and do thy holy will: but (alas O LORD!) I to whom thou hast been very favourable and beneficial, to whom thou hast given sense and reason: yea, to whom thou hast given thy blessed Word, to be a rule to my life, and a Lantern c Psal. 119. to my steps: yet I have remained refractory, and repining: I abide rebellious and transgressing. But now also (O LORD) I Sin of ingratitude. call to mind, and sorrowfully I remember upon my vile ingratitude, and beastly unthankfulness, when I think seriously thereof, I do protest, and proclaim unfeignedly, that d Daniel. 9 7. righteousness belongeth unto thee, and to me appertaineth open shame and confusion, for I have forgotten the e Deut. 32.18. mighty and gracious GOD that form me, in whom I f Act. 17. 28. live, and move, and have my being: It is thought a fault in Pharaohs chief butler, because he did not remember joseph, but forgot him: Oh! what abominable crime it is to me, that that I do not thankfully remember JESUS my SAVIOUR; because I forget CHRIST my redeemer the g Heb 1● 2 Author and finisher of my faith; my h john. 2. 1. advocate with my Father, and my reconciliation for my sins. Moreover: This is shameless ingratitude in me, that I recompense not a good deed for an other bestowed: but truth it is (O LORD) that i Psal. 16. 2 my well-doing extendeth not to thee, who is the All-sufficient GOD of all perfection, and felicity, but k Math. 25. 43 I show no kindness to any of thy Saints, as I am obliged to do: I know well that l 2 Sam. 9 1 David did show great mercy, and kindness to Mephibosheth, lame of his feet, for lonathans sake: he enriched the poor man, and honoured the contemptible man: but little kindness have I shown to thy dear servants, to the distressed members of the mystical body of JESUS; In regard of them I have had an m Esay. 46. 12 hard heart, a withered n Math. 12. 10 hand, lofty o Psal. 131. 1 eyes, and a tied tongue: I would not truly pity them, nor help them, nor look upon them compassionately; nor speak to them comfortably: alas I am not like thy servant JOB, who was eyes p job. 26. 15 to the blind, feet to the lame, and a father to the poor: I have been uncharitable, and without pity: I have not visited dutifully the fatherless, and widow in adversity. Further (LORD) I confess that I am come to the height of the worst ingratitude, for I q Prover. 17.13 have rewarded many times evil for good: thy r Psal. 3. 23 mercies are renewed every morning upon me; but my transgressions are multiplied against thy Majesty: yea, (LORD) when thou sendest down thy benefits every moment to uphold me, even at that same instant I send up my sins to anger thee. O my Saviour ! I acknowledge, that I do dishonour, and displease thee; when thou art honouring and pleasing me, I poor Caitiff am wounding, and piercing s Revel. 1.7 thee; when thou art healing, and preserving me assuredly. And further: I think this to stubbornness. to be the heap of my wretchedness, that to all my heinous sins, I add stubbornness, and yet do remain wicked, and contumacious: I t Deut. 9 6 am stiffnecked, alas it fears me, that I am u Isaiah. 48. 4 obstinate; that my neck is an iron s●new; and my brow brass: when thou criest to me, I will not answer thee: when thou speakest unto me, I will not hearken to thee: when thou denouncest threatening against me, I will not fear, nor tremble x Isaiah. 66 2 before thy Majesty; When thou y Revel. 3. 20 knockest at the door of my heart mercifully, I will not open to thee immediately: when thou commandest me righteously, I will not obey thee dutifully; I will not forsake z jerem. 13 23 my evil custom, nor leave my sins at thy direction; but I still continue in them, without any care of my salvation, without any fear of my condemnation. I do yet continue negligent, Idleness. and idle a Math 1 20 all the day, albeit I should not be slothful, but b Heb 6. 12 a follower, of those; which through faith, and patience, inherit the promise, yet I remain a sluggard, and remiss in my christian calling, rather a foolish companion of slothful sinners; than a careful imitator of thy laborious servants. As also: I fear that I will not leave my luckwarmenesse; I am Luckewarmnesse. afraid, lest I be luckwarme; c Revel. 3. 16 neither hot, nor cold, and content myself with indifferency of religion; and that my devotion be in my tongue only; and not ruling in my heart powerfully, and so many sorrowful sinners; a penitent Publican may d Math. 21.31 go to the kingdom of GOD before me. And truth it is, (O LORD!) that I so stubbornly persevere in Maliciousness my wicked wilfulness, that I will not put e Coloss 3.8 away, nor f 1. Pet. 2. 1 lay aside my sinful wrath, my anger, my envy, hatred, and maliciousness; but I delight still to bear in my breast that fire, which burneth me, to foster in my bosom that serpent, which will sting me; and to keep fast in my stomach that poison, which will destroy me, without any regard of thy wholesome admonitions, or of mine own safety. O righteous judge ! I confess Intemperance. that I do delight too much, for to satisfy the filthy lust of my vitiate nature: for by the corruption thereof, I have walked g Rom. 13. 13 in gluttony, and drunkenness, in chalmbring, and in wantonness, and hath not cast away the works of darkness. Moreover: albeit (LORD) I Pride. know assuredly, that h Pet. 5. 8 thou resisteth the proud, and givest grace to the humble, and lowly: yet I do remain in my pride, and arrogancy: I i 2 Cor 8. 1 am puffed up & k Isaiah 3. 18 haughty: when in the mean time, l Barueh. 2. 18 my soul should be vexed within me, for the greatness of my sin and iniquity: Covetousness and I weak in grace, should go crooked, who am so wrapped in woe and misery. For I remember with fear, and anxiety: that I continue also in covetousness, m Coloss. 3. 5 which is Idolatry, which is the n 2 Tim. 6.10 root of all evil, and misery: this o Mark. 4. 16 deceitfulness of riches hath entered in me subtly: it remaineth in my heart firmly, and chokes the word of GOD within me: It may at sometimes make me merciless, without pity; as was the rich p Luke. 16. 19 Glutton: at other times deceitful, without honesty, as was q Genes. 24.29 Laban: and often hurtful to myself, without wisdom, as was r 1 King. 2. 48 Shimei. But now LORD! I am compelled to confess, that most abominable Hypocrisy. sin, of my dangerous and deadly hypocrisy, (O merciful GOD) I have come s Isaiah 29. 13 near thee with my lips, and have honoured thee with my mouth, but I have removed my heart fare from thee: I am utterly astonished, for that I have spoken t 1 Tim. 4. 2 lies with dissimulation, and have done deeds deceitfully: I u Psal. 125. 4 have turned aside by my crooked ways: I am plunged in this puddle: I am almost drowned in this deluge of hypocrisy, which is the bane of all grace & piety: I by nature am like a beautiful apple rotten within, who without help of thy Majesty, will incontinent putrify: I am like a whyted tomb, which x Math. 23. 27 appeareth beautiful outward; but within, is full of dead men's bones. I am like that y Mark. 11.13 fig tree, which had leaves, but no fruit. And truly (O LORD) I acknowledge ingenuously, Thou z R●●●l. 3.2 haste not found my works perfect before a Icrem. 17.10 thee, who searchest the heart, and tryest the reines, to give to every one according to his ways, and according to the fruits of his works, O gracious GOD, when I think and consider the infirmities, imperfections, Sins more than the sins of others. and sins of thy own servants, and of others also, where with thy Majesty was displeased; and wherefore they were corrected, & punished, their small faults, their little and light sins. (if so their may be any called) do aggrege the heinousness, the great nesse, and wideness of my most filthy, and scandalous sins, and of my notorious, and terrible transgressions. Thy own faithful Moses b Deut. 1. 37 was chastened for his short misbelieving, at the waters of Meribah: and Miriam an holy Prophetess, for c Numb. 12. 18 speaking against her younger brother, in the matter of his marriage: and king Saul, and his posterity, were deprived of his kingdom, for d z Sam. 15.23 sparing old Agag; and some of the best bestial: yea, an honest man of thy own, who did faithfully, courageously, and dutifully discharge his calling, and being seduced by an other old Prophet, because of his eating of e 1 King 13.22 bread, and drinking of water, in a place forbidden, he did not come to the Sepulchre of his fathers; but in the way was slain by a Lion: Also thy servant Hezekiah, who did uprightly in thy sight, was proved for showing f 2 King. 20.17 his treasure to the Babylonian Ambassador: And how fearfully was Ananias and Saphira punished for g Act. 5.3 keeping away a part of the possession, which appertained to themselves, and was once in their own power. The fault of Vzzah, wherefore he was slain, was the h 2 Sam. 6.6 putting his hand to the Ark, and the holding it, when the oxen did shake it. The fault of the people of Bethshemesh, (O holy LORD GOD!) wherefore so many thousands perished▪ was their i 1 Sam. 6. 19 looking unto the Ark of the LORD The fault of Lot's wife, whom CHRIST commandeth us to k Luke. 17 33 remember, was, her looking back to Sodom, wherefore she became a Pillar of salt; and was made a fearful spectacle of thy terrible indignation. The fault of the jews was their l Numb. 11. 5 remembrance of the fish, and flesh pots of Egypt, wherefore they m Cor. 10 5 were overthrown in the Wilderness, Alas: (O LORD) if my sins, and offences were woyed n Dan. 5. 27 in the balance, they are more heavy and grievous, more displeasant to thy Majesty; and pernicious to myself: I for a long season have had within me an evil, o Heb. 3. 2 and unfaithful heart, to departed away from thee the living GOD: my infidelity is of longer continuance, and durance: I have not been contented with my estate, nor approved thy wise dealing towards me but hath p Exod. 16. 7 murmured and uttered my impatiency. I have not mortified q Coloss. 3. 5 my lusts, and affections; but I have spared my strong sins, which have r Rom. 6. 11 had dominion over me: I have fostered my pleasant and profitable sins, albeit most dangerous and hurtful unto me. I have drunken in iniquity s job. 34. 7 like water abundantly; and I have delighted myself to glut t Psal. 141. 4 in the delicates of the : I have been puffed u Habb. 1. 14 up with vain glory: and ostentation: I have been given to fraud and oppression: I have been a busy x 1 Tim. 5. 13 body; and hath passed the limits of my vocation: I have been given to curiosity, and have been y Rom. 11. 20 high minded: I have looked frequently upon sin, and the world, with the which I was wedded: I have remembered the z Titus. 3. 3 deceitful pleasures thereof, wherewith I was entangled: I am bend to the vile a Rom. 13. 14 lusts of my flesh; wherein I am defiled miserable, and almost drowned eternally. O LORD I find sensitlie, that Capital crimes. I am not able to express sufficiently the heinousness, the grievousness of my filthy enormity: for frequently I b Timoth. 5. 4 have turned the grace of GOD into wantonness: I have despised c Rom. 2. 4 the riches of the bountifulness of thy patience: without d Ephes. 4. 15 feeling I have given myself to commit uncleanness, to commit wickedness; even with a vehement desire▪ and with greediness. Alas! (O mighty GOD) if it was said of thy servant JOB, that he added rebellion e job. 34. 37 to his sin; may not I say rather of my self, that I have added high treason to my manifold transgressions: In so great a light of the GOSPEL, I f Ezech 16.49 have exceeded the people of sinful Samaria in ungodliness: Alas (O LORD) without mercy, and amendment, I have justified the sin of Sodom and Gomorah, in pride and abundance of idleness. If the prophet DAVID protested, (O LORD,) that g Psal. 73. 22 he was a beast before thee, how can I declare my beastliness unto thee? For h Psal. 119.176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep: I am now in great danger, and jeopardy: I, who should have been upright, am like i Deut. 32. 15 a horse, waxing fat, have spurned with my heel, and forsaken thee, who made me: I have not regarded; but I have offended the GOD of my salvation: I have been like an k Hosea 10.12 heifer, used to delight in threshing, but have no desire of the painful work of plowghing. I am like a vile l 2 Pet. 2. 22 dog returning to his vomit again: I am like the filthy Sow once washen, and yet turneth back to the puddle and filthy mire: like m 2 Tim. 4. 17 a cruel Lion devouring; and like a false fox n Luke. 13 31 deceiving: like a bold o Psal. 22. 12 bull of Bashan pushing, and wronging; or like a subtle Serpent, and like an p Levit. 11. 41 unclean creature, creeping on my belly, and licking the dust of the earth, altogether abominable, and unmeet to be offered up upon GOD'S Altar. And I confess that by nature I am like q jerem. 13. 23 a Leopard, that cannot change his spots. I do acknowledge (O LORD!) Worse than senseless creatures. that r Isaiah 5. 4 I have been an evil vine in thy vineyard: thou lookest that I should bring forth sweet grapes, but I have brought forth sour: I, as I am the son of Adam, have not the fatness of the olive; but am as a wild olive: I am s Rom. 11. 7 as a brier, or thorn of the garden worthy to be cast in the fire. I am alas like a barren, and unprofitable husbandry, for t job. 31. 40 thistles do grow in me in stead of wheat, and cockle in stead of barley: I like earth do drink in the rain, that cometh upon me; but I am hurtful, and noisome, and near u Heb. 6. 8 to cursing, whose end (without repentance) is to be burned. O pitiful GOD! I have reason to cry to thy Majesty, that x ● Tim. 1. 15 I am the least of thy Saints, that I am y Luke 17. 10 the chief of all sinners: I am an unprofitable servant: I have not done that which was my duty to do: and (LORD) most justly may thou cast z Malach. 2.3 the dongue of our confession back upon our faces, and reject me with all my service: but now (O LORD) by thy help I will assay to lament before thee most bitterly, my woeful state, and great misery. A PREPARATION TO LAMENTATION. The third Chapter. THou! to whom the Alsufficient GOD, the a jam 1.17 giver of every perfect gift and donation, hath vouchsafed upon thee this Heavenly wisdom: that thou art of this resolute purpose, as to b 1 Sam. 7.2 lament after the LORD, to c 1 Sam. 1.15 pour forth thy soul with Hannah before thy GOD, to deplore thy miserable estate, and wretched condition, Know thou must certainly, and be persuaded in thy mind assuredly, Three things needful for true lamentation. that first thou must have three things necessary, namely, a sure sense, and feeling of thy unspeakable misery: again a great fear, and terror therewith: lastly, an unfeigned sorrow, and heavy displeasure for the same. No lamentation will bring to thee Feeling life. joy, and consolation, without a sure sense, and painful feeling of thy sore disease, and doleful calamity. Before thou attain to this feeling, thou must of absolute necessity, and without any controversy have two things: First, spiritual quickening: Secondly, tymous awaking, unless thou be quickened inwardly, unless thou be awakened throughly, thou shall neither have knowledge, nor feeling of thy wretchedness and misery. And yet before this d Galat. 6. 15 new birth and regeneration there must be Death of sin. in thee undoubtedly, a e Coloss. 3. 5 true mortification, and f Heb. 2. 15 deliverance, from the death of sin, and impiety, which by many degrees is worse, than natural death, the separation of the soul from the body. This natural death bringeth to Death of sin worse than natural death. the body seven evils: Namely, senselessness, weakness, heaviness, ugliness, coldness, rottenness, & stink, or an evil savour: Now, albeit this be most evident, and manifold by the proof of daily experience, so that it needeth no probation, yet we will insist a little therein, for our memory and consideration. 1 Saul being slain had no feeling, Senselessness. when the Philistines abused his body, and g 1 Sam. 31. 10 hanged up the same on the wall of Bethshan. 2 A dead body, wanting vital Heaviness. spirits, is heavier than it was when the soul remained therein: this heaviness of body apparently made these jews, when they were burying h 2 King. 13.21 a corpse, when they saw the Soldiers of Moab, they cast his corpse in the sepulchre of Elisha. 3 Seeing there is weakness Weakness. in man while he liveth, (for all flesh is as grass) how weak is he wanting life? That Giant Goliath being dead, had i 1 Sam. 17.46 no strength to keep his carcase from the fowls of the air. 4 If old age bringeth coldness Coldness. to the feeble body, (for David himself being stricken in years, albeit k 1 King. 1. 1 they covered him with yet no heat came unto him) death much more maketh the body cold as a key, or as clay. 5 The body by death groweth Ugliness. ugly, and unprofitable to behold. when beautiful l Genes. 12. 11 Sara herself was deprived of life, than her loving husband Abraham had no pleasure to look on her, he m Genes. 23.3 arose from the sight of the corpse, he made request and gave money for a place to bury his dead wife from his sight. 6 Putrefaction, and rottenness followeth death; The body will Rettennesse. return to the dust, and be putrified: albeit the n Genes. 13. 16 Physician embalmed joseph and put him in a chest, yet they could not preserve his frail flesh from putrifying; o Exod. 13. 15. for Moses took but his bones with him from Egypt. 7 A dead body becometh loathsome, and hath an evil smell, A evil savour. therefore, Mark said of Lazarus whom CHRIST p john. 11. 39 did raise from the grave, LORD! he stinketh already, he hath been dead four days. Yet, notwithstanding this natural death bringeth not wretchedness, but rather happiness to the bodies of the godly. For their bodies being dead, shall q Isaiah. 57 2 have peace and shall rest in their beds for a time: They r 2 Cor. 15. 42 43. 44 will be sown in corruption, but raised in incorruption: They will be sown in dishonour, but raised in glory: They will be sown in weakness, but raised in power: They will be sown natural bodies, but raised spiritual bodies. Now the death of sin will bring such senselessness, that albeit the s Prover. 23.35 wicked be stricken yet they are not sick, albeit they be beaten, yet they know not, they have no feeling nor pain of their misery, their heart is dead within them, and they are like a stone. 2 This death it will bring such heaviness, so that the sinner cannot lift up his soul to GOD, it will be disquieted, a Psal. 42. 11 and cast down within him. 3 It will bring such weakness, that one cannot rise inwardly: unless he be lifted: one cannot stand, unless he be strengthened: one cannot go forward, except he be borne in GOD'S bosom: one cannot do good, except he be helped; b jam. 4. 6 neither resist the Devil, or the smallest tentation, except c Ephes. 6. 13 14.15.16.17. 18 he put on the whole armour of GOD. 4 Coldness cometh by the death of sin, and no wonder, for as a father saith, Frigus DEI est, cum deserit peccatorem, nec vocat, Augustin. nec aperit sensum, nec infundit gratiam. GOD leaveth that sinner, he calls not on him; neither openeth he his senses, neither infuseth grace: He remaineth like to the Salamander, who as they say, walking upon the fire, doth extinguish the same: And d Hab. 1. 6 albeit he clothe himself, yet shall he not be warm. 5 By this death of sin one becometh abominable, and ugly in the eyes of the Almighty: The LORD cannot endure to look upon such a one: If hunger or bodily famine will make the e Lament. 4.7 Nazarites, who were purer than snow, and whiter than milk, and rudier than the red precious stones, to have a visage blacker than a coal and to be withered like a stock; will not this death bring greater blackness, and deformity, it will surely remove all comeliness, and beauty. If DAVID said, in regard of his afflictions he was become a f Psal 71. 7 monster unto many; surely much more a sinner, in respect of his transgressions appeareth a monster in the eyes of the Almighty: He is g Titus. 1. 16 abominable, and to every good work a reprobate. 6 By this death a sinner becometh like h Isaiah. 14. 16 a carcase, trodden under foot, such a one i job 13. 24 consumeth like a rotten thing; and as a garment that is motheaten, he is corrupt and putrified. 7 Yea k joel. 2. 20 his stink shall come up, and his corruption shall ascend: and his l Isaiah. 34. 3 stink shall come out of his body, and the mountains shall be melted with his blood. But which is worst of all, this death of sin, without regeneration, bringeth the m Revel 21 8 second death, which is eternal death, anguish and tribulation. Mors prima animam nolentem pellit de corpore; Augustinus Mors autem secunda animam nolentem tenet in corpore. The first death thrusteth the unwilling soul out of the body; the second death detaineth the unwilling soul within the body. Mors nulla major est, quam ubi non moritur mors, Idem. & surely there is no greater death, than when death dieth not: This bringeth everlasting misery, and perpetual wretchedness, the abundance of all affliction, the want of all consolation. Ingressus humanae conditionis, miserabilis, progressus humanae conversationis, culpabilis, Hugo de vilitate humanae conditionis. egressus humanae dissolution is damnabilis: The ingress of man's condition is miserable, the progress of man's conversation is culpable; and the egress of man's dissolutionis damnable. Now contrariwise, if thou shall be quickened with spiritual life, thou shalt surely attain to happiness, and felicity, than thou hast o Revel. 20. 6 part in the first resurrection: the second death shall have no power over thee, thou are blessed, and holy, thou shall be nourished in this life, and glorified in the life to come: Resurgat in prima resurrectione, qui non vult in secunda damnari. Let him rise in the first resurrection, who in the second would not be condemned. 2 Thus, thou living the life of grace shall be nimble, light, and spiritual discerning all things; p 1 Corin. 5. 14 seeking q Coloss. 3. 1 those things, which are above: While thou art in nature, thou art like an egg, heavy and dead, Similitudo Zanchii. but in, and by grace hatched, thou art like a bird moving, seeking, and flying. 3 Then the love of GOD shed r 2 Cor. 5. 14 abroad into thy soul, constraining thee to do thy duty, shall strengthen thee for thy calling: s 2 Cor. 12. 9 His grace shall be sufficient for thee: thou shall be more strong, than Goliath: than Milo, who with a Sam. 17. 5 stroke of his fist did kill a Cow, than Polydamas, who trusting to their own strength, died all miserably, Franciscus Patricius lib. 2 de institutione reipubls. but thou shall live most happily, overcoming the Devil thine adversary: Yea, in t Rom. 8. 37 all things through CHRIST thou shall be more than a conqueror, u Philip. 4. 13 through him, thou shall be able to do all things necessary. 4 When thou enjoyeth that spiritual life, thou shall be warm with the heat of the holy Spirit, and of the x Malach 4. 2 sun of Righteousness, which shall arise unto thee, wherewith thou shall be so inflamed, that the extremity of cold shall never prevail against thee. These forty Martyrs, who (that father writteth) in the days Basilius Magnus in 40 Martyros. of cruel Licinius, were cast into a pond of water all the night, suffering the cold Northern wind, and their bodies being frozen, and almost senseless; their souls remaining hot, with the flammes of GOD'S love, endured that pain of these Northern blasts most patiently; as also the torments of the fire most courageously. 5. Then thou shall be comely, and pleasant in the sight of thy LORD: Thou y Psal. 45. 13 shall be fair, and all glorious within, the z Psal. 90. 17 beauty of GOD shall be upon thee, which fadeth not, but ever shall remain with thee: wisdom also and joy shall never depart from thee: it is much better than earthly beauty. A fair woman, coming to Coelius Rhodius lib 6. cap. 15. & Stephan. old age, looking into a glass, when she saw her comely countenance, and well-favourdnesse altered, and wrinkled, for sorrow she lost her wit; and fell into madness: but thou being thus beautified. GOD a Psal. 30. ●● shall turn thy mourning into joy, he shall lose thy sack, and gird thee with everlasting gladness. 6. Thou b 1 Pet. 1. 23 being borne anew, not of mortal seed, but of immortal, and continually nourished with the sweet milk of GOD'S Word, and c 1 Pet 2. 2 anointed with fresh oil, thou shall not rot, nor decay: thou d Psal 92. 10 shall still bring forth good fruit in thine age: thou e Isaiah 53. 15 shall be the true Israel of GOD, who shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: thou shall stand before his sight for ever. last: If f Rom. 12. 1 thou be a living sacrifice, thou shall be holy and acceptable to GOD, thou g Philip. 4. 18 will be an odour that smelleth sweet, and the LORD will fulfil all thy necessities: He will also give thee a feeling of thy misery, that thou mayest lament the same in a right manner, to thy eternal comfort afterward. Now if thou ask how this life is obtained, that thou may attain to a sense of thine own distress, and dangerous calamity, I answer thee by four means ordinarily: first, by receiving of the holy Word preached: for CHRIST hath h 2 Tim. 1. 10 brought life unto light, through the Gospel, by holding i Philip. 2. 16 forth the Word of life: Secondly, by praying: the Prophet cried fervently and frequently: LORD k Psal. 119. 25 quicken me according to thy Word: again, quicken me l Psal. 119. 149 according to thy loving kindness: Moreover, quicken m Psal. 119.149 me according to thy judgement, or custom. Thirdly, by the application of CHRIST, who will do to thee in a manner, as Flisha n 2 King. 4.33 did to the dead son of the Shunamite, he will (as it were) lie upon thee, and put his mouth upon thy mouth, and his eyes upon thine eyes, and his hands upon thy hands, and stretch himself upon thee, till thy soul wax warm, and thyself revive: Also by participation of the virtue, and vigour of that most precious, and meritorious blood of that immaculate lamb, slain o Revel. 13. 8 from the beginning of the world, who (as the Pelican) quickeneth thee, when thou art dead in thy sin, and as p Plinius lib 2. cap. 20. polium is a preservative against serpents; even so he preserveth thee from that old q Revel. 12. 9 serpent Satan, pursuing thee. fourthly: by the operation of GOD'S sanctifying Spirit, whom Similitude. in this action, and in all other service thou by no means may want: for as the absence, or the want of food bringeth leanness: want of clothes, coldness, or filthiness: want of light bringeth darkness: The want of this Spirit will bring r Psal. 106. 15 leanness unto the inward man: it will bring pollution, and s Revel. 3. 17 filthiness to thy soul: it will bring the blackness of t jude. vers. 13 darkness, and everlasting misery and wretchedness. But by the gracious presence, and powerful operation of this Spirit, thy u Psal. 63. 6 soul shall be satisfied with fatness and marrow: thou shall x Cantic. 6. 9 ●ooke forth as the morning, fair as the Moon, pure as the Sun, terrible as an army with banners: then y job 34. 30 thy soul shall be turned back from the pit, to be illuminated in the land of the living: Thou z john 6. 63 shall get the life of grace, (for the spirit quickeneth) and all other things necessary. The notable effects, the good fruits, and properties of the holy The holy Spirit compared to the wind, by ten similitudes. Spirit, are largely declared in the fift chapter of our first treatise, entitled CHRIST'S Star: where it is likened to fire, water, and oil: now in this place we will compare it (with the Scripture) with wind, for these ten respects. First: the wind is free, blowing where a john. 3. 8 it listeth: it is unsearchable, Effects of the wind. thou can not tell whence it cometh, nor whether it goeth, it is subtle and powerful. Secondly: Wind drieth the watery, and dirty ground, and fitteth the same for tillage, and manuring: After the deludge, GOD made b Genes. 8. 11 a wind to pass upon the earth, the waters ceased, and the ground was dried. Thirdly: wind blowing on one's back, will promove him on his way, and help one in his journey: yea, it will be comfortable unto the godly, for gaining of victory, and destroying of their enemies, as it was c Exod. 14. 21 to the Israelites in Moses days, as it was to Christian soldiers, in the days of Marcus Aurelius, as in that Euseb. lib. 5 cap. 5 bloody battle of Theodosius the first, against the tyrant Engenius, Socrat. lib. 5 cap. 25 the darts of whose army were turned back on their faces, as it Claud. Et coniurati veniunt ad classica venti. was (GOD be praised) to the inhabitants of this Island, in the 1588. year of CHRIST, against the Spainyards. fourthly: A moderate wind will cool, and refresh 〈◊〉, in time of the heat of summer. Fiftly: in the clean d Math. 3. 12 floor wind will purge the corn, and separateth the same from the chaff, which will be burned with fire. Sixtly: Wind will raise corn fallen down with weight of rain, and cause the same to grow. Seventhly: Wind will win the corns, and preserve them from rotting. Eightly: Wind will further navigation, and bring e Psal, 107. 30 the ships and Mariners unto their haven where they would be. Ninthly: Wind melteth hard ye: he f Psal. 147. 18 causeth it to blow, and the waters flow. Tenthly: It purifieth the air, the g job. 27. 21 wind passeth, and cleanseth the clouds. last: the wind increaseth the flammes of fire, and maketh it to burn more vehemently. Now these, and many more, more comfortable, and more profitable are the effects of the holy Spirit, which, First is a most free Spirit, most penetrating, and most powerful in operation, whom he pleaseth, teaching, h john 14. 26 and illuminating, and remembering. 2. regenerating, i john 3. 5 and converting. 3. conjoining, k Cor. 12.13 and uniting us with CHRIST, that being made members, we may be quickened and revived. 4. ruling and l Rom. 8.14 governing us, who are unruly, and subject to wander, and go m Psal. 119.167 astray, like lost sheep, even leading us in the right way to happiness. 5. comforting n john 1. 16 us in all troubles and afflictions, and sealing o Ephes. 1. 18 us, wavering in faith, and assuring us of our salvation. Secondly: (to insist shortly in the comparison) by this Spirit, we will become GOD'S o 1 Cor. 3. 9 husbandry, to bring forth fruit plentifully and constantly. Thirdly: by the help of this Spirit, we go forward in the straight gate, in the narrow p Math 7. 44 way, that leadeth to life, overcoming all impediments and enemies. Fourthly: when thou walkest through q Isaiah. 43. 2 the fire, thou shall not be burnt, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee; but thou by the Spirit shall be refreshed joyfully, and cooled comfortably. Fiftly: by this Spirit, the Lord will fine r Mal. 3. 3 thee, and purify thee as gold and silver, and separateth thy sins, and dross from thee. Sixtly: GOD by the virtue of his efficacious Spirit, will raise thee up, when thou fallest. When the holy Prophet Ezechiel saw that glorious, and Heavenly vision, he s Ezech. 2. 2 fell upon his face, and the LORD said to him: Son of man stand up upon thy feet, and I shall speak unto thee, but of himself he had no strength to arise, until the Spirit entered into him, and set him upon his feet: So it is with thee, and the strongest Christian also, thou hast no power to arise, and stand, unless the Spirit enter into thee. Sevently: So u Psal. 12. 7 the Lord will preserve thee from perishing, or rotting from generation to generation, for ever. Eightly: then he will direct thee in the right course to Heaven, that x job 17. 9 thou Who are righteous, should hold on thy way, and thou Whose hands are pure, shall increase thy strength. Nyntly: his Spirit will work true saith in thee, which y Act. 15. 9 Will purify thy heart, and make clean thy conversation. Tenthly: he will give thee an heart z Ezech. 11. 19 of flesh, and mollify and soften the hardness, and obduration of the same. last: it will kindle the fire of grace within thee, and inflame thee with an ardent zeal of GOD'S Glory: it shall be like the a Levit. 6. 12 fire, burning on the Altar evermore, never to be put out, or extinguished. Seeing then such is the necessity of the presence of the holy Spirit, seek the same most earnestly, and continually: Entertain the same most carefully, and conscientiously, never b Ephes. 4. 3● grieve this Spirit, by which thou art sealed unto the day of redemption: quench not c Thess. 5 19 this holy Spirit by thy filthy sins, and stubbornness, for it will procure to thee endless joy, it will work in thee new life and regeneration, and so bring thee to a sense of thy misery, and to a deploration of thy calamity. Without the power and assistance of this Spirit thou can never be revived and quickened: As d Ezech 17. 9 the dry bones which were scattered and dispersed, being conjoined, and having flesh, sineves, & skin: but had no breath nor life, until the Prophet did prophesy unto the wind, and life, and breath came unto the slain and they stood up upon their feet a great army. So, thou who by nature was e Ephes. 2. 5 dead by sins, will be quickened by GOD in CHRIST, by the breathing (as it were) of the wind of the holy Spirit, thou shall line spiritually. Now, seeing it is so sure, that without the Spirit thou knowest not f Rom. 8. 26 to pray as thou ought to do; seek for the Spirit, seek for this Spirit, which will quicken and help thy infirmity, and make request for thee, with sighs, that cannot be expressed, and then, the words of thy mouth, and meditation of thy heart shall be acceptable in the LORDS sight, Secondly: Before thou canst truly lament thy wretchedness, Wakening be fore true lamenting. and miserable estate, thou must not only be quickened with the life of grace, but also awakened from thy deep sleep of sin, and security. In this place we will declare (Godwilling) four things. 1. The evil of such sleeping. 2. Who do sleep, and the difference between them. 3. The means of awakening. 4. The good thereof. First: the great evil, that fearful hurt, which cometh by this sleep, can not be sufficiently declared. The evil of sinful sleep. First: The Talon given from Idleness. GOD is not well used, the LORDS gifts are not duly employed: one when he is sleeping, is g Math. 25. 26 that unprofitable servant, that careless ●●gerer, from whom, that which he hath shall be taken away: he is not worthy of any reward. Secondly: If natural sleep of Poverty. the body be an occasion of indigence and scarcity, for this is the saying of Solomon himself, love not h Prover. 2●. 13 sleep, lest thou fall into poverty: open thine eyes, and thou shall be satisfied with bread: much more that spiritual slumber of the soul is a cause of poverty, lamentable and shameful poverty proceedeth therefrom: One i Revel. 3. 17. will be poor, and wretched: miserable, and naked. Qui modo dormit in cupiditatibus suis, postea nihil inveniet in suis manibus. Thirdly: Shame and infamy followeth Infamy. this security: for the wise man, he k Proverb. 10.5 that sleepeth in harvest, is a son that causeth shame; he is a child of confusion that sleepeth untymously, when he should be diligent about his business. If ignominy follow sleep natural, it will rather follow spiritual. When Noah after wine was sleeping, he l Genes 9 22 was uncovered in the midst of his tents, his shame and nakedness was seen, and told to others. Our shame, and filthy nakedness will be seen of the Almighty GOD, and of his holy Angels; and many others, when we are sleeping in sinful security. Fourthly: Our m Math. 13. 2● enemy that Polluion or an evil mixture. envious one, while men sleep, will come, and sow tares amongst the wheat in the husbandry of our hearts. If Abimelech did harm to the city of Shechem, when n Indg 9 45 he sowed salt in it, for a token of perpetual detestation; will not Satan do much more harm to a Christian, when he shall sow salt, and tares in his soul; evil thoughts, and most wicked lusts to defile the same? Fifthly: Our vigilant adversary Spoil of goods. will also be most diligent, to bereave us of the gifts, which we have already received: As that harlot took her neighbours living son, and o 1 King. 3.20 laid her dead son in her bosom; so that deceaver will most craftily labour to make a living soul a dead soul in sin, and in trespasses. During Samsons sleep, one p judg. 16. 19 did shave off his seven locks of his head, and took away his consecrate hair; then his strength was gone from him: yea, the LORD for a season departed from him: therefore the Philistines, his enemies they took him, they put out his eyes, and bound him with fetters, and he did grind in the prison house; so while a Christian is sleeping, Satan will be most ready to spoil him of his strength, and other gifts, wherewith he was endued. Sixtly: By such sleep, man becometh most unlike to GOD, Unlikeness to GOD. whom he should most of all resemble: for the keeper of Israel will q Psal. 122. 4 neither sleep nor slumber: GOD r job. 28. 24 beholdeth the ends of the world, and seethe all that is under Heaven, ruling, and governing all things, by his mighty providence: his eyes are looking, his ears patent, his hand sustaining continually; and s Psal. 104. 27 giving food in due season to every creature: wherefore his servants should study to show themselves, to be obedient children of their good Creator, to be like to him in holiness, in righteousness, and in watchfulness, That every one may say t Psal. 25. 1 unto the LORD, I lift up my heart, and I u Psal. 123. 1 lift up my eyes (O LORD) to thee, that dwelleth in the Heavens, and I x 1 Tim. 2. 8 pray every where, lifting up pure hands. I will altogether, with all vigilance, and diligence, consecrate myself, soul and body, unto the LORD his service, and y Rom. 6.13 give all my members to GOD, as weapons of righteousness. 7 Death, and destruction will Destruction. ensue thereupon: if that young man Eutychus, z Act. 20. 9 fallen into a deep sleep, and overcome therewith, fell down and with that fall he died: whom the Apostle Paul raised up, and restored to life again. Sisera a judg. 4 21 a valiant man, being fast a sleep was killed by a woman as b judg. 8. 11 the host of the Midianits which were careless, was easily destroyed in the night. Chedarlaomer, with the rest of the Kings, and their victorious army, being c Genes. 14.15 secure, sleepy, and drunken, as josephus writeth were surprised and smitten. We Antiquitatiud. lib. 1. cap. 1. Franc. Patric. de inst. reip. & Herod. read that Spargastes son to Thomyris, queen of the Scythians, and all his army being buried in sleep and wine, was destroyed by Cyrus. Thus, if so many hath been overthrown in sleep natural, many moe have perished. while they have been sleeping in sin and security. Yea we read that a weak, Plinius. and contemptible enemy, will overcome, and kill a strong adversary, being a sleep: for albeit the Crocodile, an huge and a savage Serpent, be of great strength: yet a very weak beast, of a little more quantity, than a rat: while the Crocodile sleepeth, creepeth in at the mouth of the strong fish, it goeth down to the belly, and lacerateth the same: the Crocodile dieth and it escapeth: No marvel then that Satan, who is strong, and subtle, get advantage to overcome, and overthrow weak men, especially, when in security accompanied with infirmity. These, and moe being the discommodities of that fearful sleep, namely, 1. idleness, 2. indigence, 3. infamy, 4. pollution, 5. loss, 6. unliknesse to GOD, and 7. destruction. It is much to be wondered, and much more to be pitied, that (Alas) so many should so carelessly continue in their let hargie. here in the third place we Who do sleep A difference between the godly and the wicked. will briefly declare, who they are that sleep. 1. The godly sleep. 2. The wicked also, but with this main difference; albeit while the d Cant. 5. 2. bridegroom tarrieth, both the wise Virgins, and the foolish Virgin's slumber, and sleep, yet the wise have oil in their lamps, even, faith in their souls; but the foolish are empty, and have not the oil of grace in their hearts. Again the faithful sleep most unwillingly: they are sorrowful for their slumbering: he sleepeth, but his heart waketh, and it is oftentimes, that he f Numb. 15.27 sinneth through ignorance, so they sleep: But the wicked, he doth g Numb. 15.30 presumptuously, he sleepeth willingly, as h Prover 15.21 foolishness is a joy to him, so sleep is a pleasure, and delectation. This may be esteemed a wonder in Gippius, that Roman, Lucilius apud Beraldum. who would desire; yea, fain himself to sleep, and swore that his own wife might play the harlot, more easily, and commit adultery. But it is very usual to many, calling themselves Christians, who desire to sleep, that their souls may the more readily commit great whoredom, i Hos. 1. 2 departing from the LORD, a most pitiful, and marvellous matter. Few men will sleep naturally, to prostitute their wives, but many will sleep spiritually, to prostitute their souls. Fourthly: Let us consider, by what means, and how we are awakened. 1. by GOD'S Word. 2. by his rod. 3. by his benefits. 4. by the operation of his holy Spirit, First: The Word is a clear light, that shineth k Prov. 4. 12 in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in our hearts, it is a Lantern to our feet, and a light to our paths, that l Psal. 2. 9 the way of righteousness may shine, as the light, which shineth more and more, until the perfect day. The Word of the LORD, is his m Numb. 10.2 voice, Which is mighty and glorious, like the silver trumpets, which were used for the assembling of the congregation: Now shall the light so long time shine in thine eyes, and shall this voice, and trumpet so long time sound in thine ears; telling thee with many cries, and advertisements, that thou sleepest in a most perilous place, as n Prov. 23.34 one that sleepeth in the top of the mast in the midst of the sea. 2. In a most dangerous case, having more cruel enemies in this wilderness, compassing thee round about for thy confusion, than DAVID had in the wilderness Maon, where he sleeped not, but made o 1 Sam. 23. 36 haste to get from the presence of Saul, pursuing him. 3. In a most short and troublous time, when other Saints, some of them are sore working for p ● Cor. 9 24 their penny, some of them are fast q Heb. 12. 4 running for their prize: some are praying, and weeping in calamity: some are fight for victory: some are suffering and resisting r Act. 21. 13 unto blood, striving against sin, ready to die and give their lyves for the name of the LORD JESUS, for to obtain an incorruptible Crown of glory. What now art thou (I pray thee) doing? Is this a fit time to sleep in? yea, the Heavens are swiftly moving: the sea uncessantly flowing and ebbing: the earth is now decaying: All creatures s Rom. 8. 22 together are groaning: Our corruption is ever defiling: The world deceiving continually: The Devil destroying bussily: The glorious Bridegroom t Math. 25. 6 is coming: The righteous judge approaching: The great GOD is already executing his determined decree: and art thou yet slothful, yet securing, yet sleeping? What u jonas. 2. 6 meanest thou O sleeper? Thou sleepest in such estate as jonas: The heavy tempest of GOD'S wrath is raised: the tempest of his indignation is increased: the sea of misery highly swelled: the weak ship of thy rotten body is fearfully cracked, it is like to be broken: thy neighbours have laboured; and death is present before thee: hell itself hath gaped for thee; yet (alas) thou sleepest, when thou shouldst awake: thou loyterest, when thou should work: thou tarriest, when thou shouldst run: thou goest backward, when thou shouldst go fordward: ●hou rejoicest in wickedness, when thou shouldst lament in heaviness: thou art yielding, when thou shouldst be fight: thou art a prisoner, when thou shouldst be a conqueror; that thou x Revel. 21. 7 mayest be GOD'S son to inherit all things. What meanest thou O sleeper? Knowest thou not, that in the mean time thou art contracting debt, which y Math. 6. 12 unforgiven will molest thee: thou z Psal. 51. 2. art gathering filthiness, unwashen will pollute thee: thou art breeding a a Psal. 36. 3 sickness, which unhealed will weaken thee: thou art making b Prover. 5. 22 cords, which unloosed will bind thee: thou art c Rom. 2. ● heaping coals, which unremoved will burn thee, against the day of judgement, and the declaration of the judgement of GOD. What meanest thou O sleeper? to hinder d jer. 5. 25. the good things of GOD from thee, to procure his anger and displeasure against thee, to hasten his heavy curse and malediction upon thee, to deprive thee of his blessed society, to bring everlasting e Math. 25.12 pain and grief upon thee. When the LORD called, f Sam. 3. 4 and spoke to Samuel, he awaked, and answered, When g Act. 12 7 an Angel of light came into the prison where Peter was, he awakened, he arose, he followed, and obeyed: The LORDS voice hath come ofter unto thee: his marvellous light hath shined longer unto thee: Awake, Awake. It was holden a wonder, and a very rare thing, because that Plutarch in vita Alexan. & justinius. Conqueror did sleep deeply, contrare to his custom, as oppressed therewith, a little before he was to fight, that last, and great battle against Darius, his Captains marveiled at him, Parmenio reproved him. But this is an evil custom of many, that they are secure and sleepy in time of greatest danger and difficulty; while they have to encounter with a subtle, and puissant adversary, and to wrestle, h Eph. 6.12 not against flesh and blood, But i Eph. 2.2 against that prince, that ruleth in the air, and that spirit, which ruleth in the children of disobedience, which is a great wonder, especially, seeing GOD he calleth upon them to be awaking. Secondly: GOD hath his rod, GOD'S rod. who will not hear his Word, let him fear k Math. 6.9 his rod: If an earthly father should (according to SALOMON) smite l Prover. 23.14 the child with his rod, to delyver his soul from hell: will not rather our Heavenly Father, more wise and more loving, correct his child with his rod, for his deliverance and instruction? Hath thy LORD GOD this delight with thee? Art thou not awakened? Hast thou not turned m Isaiah. 4 to him that smiteth thee? Hast thou not sought the LORD of hosts, who visiteth thee? thy case is most dangerous, thou hast to be afraid greattumlie, lest n Psal. 2. 9 he crush thee with his sceptre of iron, lest he break thee in pieces, like a potter's vessel: Thou o Lament. 3. 1 shall be much more miserable than that man, who saw affliction in the rod of GOD'S indignation. Many are in regard of their estate like unto Dionysius Heracteol: in regard of his godly estate, who was so corpulent, that albeit needles were thrust into his belly, being asleep, yet he was senseless; and not touched with pain. Many p Prov. 25. 36 they are stricken, and not sick: they are beaten, and know not: they are chastised, and amend not. Ah! If q Amos. 4. 6 the LORD give thee cleanness of teeth, and scarceness of bread, return unto him. If GOD shall punish thee with thirst, and with drought that thou shall wander fare to drink water: Awake, and turn in time to GOD: If he shall smite thee with blasting, and mildew, return unto him. If he shall send thee pestilence, and sword, and a great overthrow; prepare to meet thy GOD O Israel! See that thou be wearied of thine own ways: awake, and by unfeigned repentance turn unto thy GOD, lest he forsake thee altogether, and punish thee with utter destruction and ruin. Now when the LORDS hand shall be heavy upon thee, and his rod painful unto thee, when thy cross shall be sanctified for thy conversion, be not r Heb. 12 3. 5. 6 weary, neither faint in thy mind: forget not the consolation, neither despise the LORDS chastenings: For whom the LORD loveth, he correcteth, and he scourgeth every son, which he receiveth, even for thy profit: that thou mayst be partaker of his holiness, and bring unto thee the quiet fruit of righteousness. When thou art corrected, hope thou that thy sin is remitted. Nullus fructus correctionis, sine Augustin. spe remissionis: There is no fruit of correction, without hope of remission: Remember if the Lords Word had awaked, and amended thee: his rod had not lighted upon thee: But, Quem non corrigunt Augustin. verba, corrigunt experimenta: whom words will not amend, then let trial amend them; and let him, who with the Word is bettered, and converted, confess with the Prophet, It s Psal. ●●. 6 is good for me that I was afflicted. Thirdly: Let the benefits which GOD bestoweth upon thee, be GOD'S gifts. means for to awake thee: As when Elijah steeped naturally, under the juniper tree: Behold t 1 King. 19 5 an Angel touched him, and brought benefits unto him; so oftentimes while thou dost sleep spiritually, GOD he cometh and giveth gifts unto thee: Thou sleepest, when thou forgettest the LORD. So saith the Ancient, Quaecunque anima oblita fuerit Dominum Augustin. suum, dormit; What ever soul forgetteth the LORD, sleepeth. Thou cannot deny, but when thou hast forgotten the LORD, he hath been then mindful of thee: he than hath been beneficial unto thee. Israel u Hos. 8. 14 hath forgotten his Maker: His x Ier 2. 32 people hath forgotten him, days without number, who is only the good portion, and ornament, and attire of his people. But hath thy Wellbeloved come unto thee, who art sleepy, and drowsy? Hath he for a long time knocked at the door of thy heart: Open, y Cant. 5. 2 open: hath he put his hand in at the hole of the door, and poured in pure myrrh? Hath he vouchsafed benefits abundantly upon thee? Hath he z Hos. 11. ● healed thee, and thou knowest not? Hath he drawn thee with the cords of men, even with the bands of love; and thou awakest not; yet let the remembrance of his blessings, which he hath multiplied upon thee; seeing a Cant. 3. 22 his compassions fail not, but are renewed every morning; let those be forcible means of thy waking. Fourthly: The operation of his holy Spirit, is most available, The holy Spirit. and effectual to this purpose: The b 2 King 4. 3 servant alone with the staff is unprofitable, he returned, and confessed, that the child was not wakened, the master behoved to come for the raising of the Shunamits son: that lively Spirit, which c 1 Cor. 15.45 quickeneth us: that lightsome Spirit, which illuminateth us, and d john. 14. 26 teacheth us by his forcible power, principally doth waken us, neither the word of GOD, nor his rod, nor his benefits will bring us out of that deep lethargy, unless the LORD help us, by the powerful presence of his Spirit, which is the Spirit of grace, and of compassion, which is that seed remaining within us; whereby our corrupt qualities are so renewed that we die to sin, and live to GOD: Spiritus sanctus, habitator noster ipse facit, augit, perficit Augustin. justitiam nostram: That holy Spirit, our indweller, worketh, perfitteth, and augmenteth our righteousness, must awaken us, for these uses; and if by the bountiful favour, of thy gracious GOD, thou hast obtained this great gift; I may speak unto you in these words, that CHRIST spoke unto Peter, Blessed e Math. 16. 17 art thou, for flesh and blood hath not done this unto thee, but thy heavenly father, by his Spirit, which shall be a f Rom. 8. 2 Spirit of life, of truth, and g john. 14 17 consolation unto thee, Fourthly: Touching the good which we get, by wakening, it The profit proceeding from this duty. Escape danger is manifold. First we will perceive, and use means to eshew the danger into the which we remain, as h Genes. 32. 7 jacob was in peril; when Esau his cruel brother came against him, with i Exod. 14. 10 four hundreth men. As the Israelites were sore afraid, when k 1 Sam. 11. 2 Pharaoh, and his chariots marched after them. The people of jabesh-gilead were in great hazard, when Nahash, the Ammonit besieged them, who would accept of no condition of peace, but to thrust out all their right eyes; and the Apostle Paul, while l 1 Cor 15. 35 he was fight with the beasts of Ephesus, had great travel, all their laborious, and religious men were not sleeping, but awaking: they saw their danger, and were careful to eshew it, by wrestling, by crying, by praying, and by fasting. And seeing our estate spiritual is all hazardous; and we remain in as great jeopardy, for so we have many enemies before us, profane like Esau, meeting us, and as many behind us, like cruel Pharaoh, pursuing us: their be many adversaries, like Nahash, beseiging us: and many beastly men fight against us: thou thyself by nature, (if thou hast grace to consider) art riding on a heady horse, like with a fall to bruise thee: thou art dwelling in a rotten house, ready to smother thee, thou art sailing in a laiking ship, like to drown thee: thy life is a warfare, wherein thou hast many crafty foes, desirous to destroy thee; that battle continueth, that fight endureth, unto thy life's end. Nunquam bella piis, nunquam Cupr. demortalitate. discordia desunt; Et cum quo certet, mens pia semper habet. And what, art thou sleeping most carelessly? Art thou yet oppressed with that deep lethargy, and overgone with that heavy slumber of fearful security: It may be cried to thee with compassion, with admiration, Nate Deo potes hoc sub casu Propertii Epigramma. ducere somnos? Thou who art m john 3. 9 borne of God, art thou sleeping in so great an adventure? O marvellous wonder! When Daniel was cast into the den of Lions; and in danger, than King Darius remained fasting: and n Dan. 6. 18 the sleep went from his eyes, Was he solicitous for an other man? and will not thou be careful of thyself, for thy own sake? I tell to thee with tears, that thy estate is in peril, thy soul is in manifest danger: Cruel o Psal. 28. 13 dogs have compassed thee: mighty beasts have environed thee. The assembly of the wicked have enclosed thee: thou art in the den of ramping, and roaring Lions, seeking to devour thee: Let sinful sleep go from thee: awake out of thy lazy slumber, to the end thou mayest perceive, and prevent extreme danger. Secondly: If we be awake, we will be the more ready Strengthen. to p Revel 3. 2 strengthen the things that are ready to decay: for during our sinful sleep, our spiritual life languisheth: our gifts many of them are gone from us: our grace is sore decayed, and diminished, yea, come to that ebb, that we are at the point of death. Let us awake in due time, to q Math. 29. 4 provide more oil to our lamps, to get more grace to our souls. Let us take wine r Isa. 55. 2 and milk, and bread without money; that we may be satisfied, and strengthened. Then we will be soon moved, with all diligence to follow Use our talon. our vocation, to employ righty our talon; and to behave ourselves according to our calling: remembering that we s 1 Pet. 2. 9 are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy Nation, That we are t Revel. 1. 6 made Kings and Priests unto GOD: That it is no ways beseeming to us, to give ourselves to security and idleness; to live u James. 5. 5 in pleasure on the earth, and wantonness: when as in the mean season, we have to perform a great business. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is not fitting to a counsellor (who hath a great charge) to sleep all the night over. Thus Nehemiah, (whose name signifieth the consolation of GOD) who was sent to restore the jews to their own country; and rebuild Jerusalem, he x Nehemi. 2.12 arose in the night, to view the walls of that city: he lay not still in his bed. Also it is written of that famous Scanderbag, that while he was delivering himself, and his subjects of Epirus, from the slavery, and tyranny of the fierce Turks: and while with valour and See Rolls in the Turks story. wisdom he was to fight against the strong enemy, to possess an earthly kingdom, than he never sleeped above two hours in the night; but with endless labour, and careful vigilancy repelled his enemies, and prosecuted his affairs. We have great reasons to awake, to rouse up ourselves from security. seeing by nature we are y Heb. 2. 15 subject to bondage, and spiritual slavery; that we may be delivered from thence; and z 2 Pet. 1. ●1 to strine, that an entering may be ministered unto us abundantly, into the everlasting Kingdom of JESUS CHRIST our Saviour. This is a pitiful and marvellous matter; for wicked men will absteene from natural sleep, to do evil: jugulent homines, surgunt Lucan. lib. 5 Non meiam Marte parato: Securos caepisse pudet cum coniuge somnos. de nocte latrones: teispum serves, non expergisceris autem. Robbers, and throat-cutters will rise in the night to kill men, but we will not absteene from spiritual sleep, to do good: we will not awake from this security, wherein we have been wrapped up, both a Tim. 4. 6 to save ourselves, & others with whom we have to do. Fiftly: When we awake tymously we b 1 Cor. 13. 34 will live righteously; and every one thus awakened, delivered, and strengthened; and well exercised, will at length say, It c Galat. 2. 20 is not I that live, but CHRIST that liveth in me. We by waking and watching, Keep our garments. will ᵈ keep our garments, we shall not walk naked; our filthiness will not be seen; and we shall be blessed perpetually, we will be happy and honourable: Blessed e Luk. 12. 37 are these servants, whom the LORD when he cometh shall find waking. Thirdly: As f Genes 28.17 jakob, awaking from his natural sleep, where he saw an Heavenly vision, and received a comfortable promise, and a favourable revelation, was afraid: so a Christian, awaking out of his sinful sleep and security, out of his deep lethargy, will have great fear and terror, for GOD'S wrath and indignation, for his own danger and destruction; and it will move him greatly, to make a pitiful moan, and an heavy lamentation. The fear of God is the best furnisher. This holy and filial fear, is most requisite, and necessary for thee, and that in three respects. 1. because it is the best furnisher. 2. the best counsellor. and 3. the best preserver. First it is the best furnisher, for the g Psal. 3. 5 LORD will give a portion to them that fear him: nothing h Psal. 34. 9 shall be wanting to them that fear GOD. This fear it will suppeditat Wisdom. and furnish. 1. wisdom; it i Prover. 1. 7 is the beginning of knowledge, it k Ecle. 1. 24. ibid. & passim is the root of wisdom, it raineth down knowledge, and understanding: It filleth the whole earth, v. 22. with all things . Secondly: This fear will furnish joy. peace and ˡ perfect health. Thirdly: Glory, gladness, and rejoicing, and a joyful crown cometh therewith. Fourthly: It will bring courage Courage. and magnanimity, thou needest not to fear what man can do: Though m Psal 46. 2 . the earth be moved, though the mountains fall into the midst of the sea: Though the waters thereof rage, and be troubled, and the hills shake at the surges of the same: Though n Psal. 27. 3 war be raised against thee, and though an host should encamp against thee, thy heart needeth not to be afraid. yea, though thou o Psal. 33. 4 shouldst walk through the valley of the shadow of death; and the devil p Ephes. 6.16 throwing his fiery darts at thee, thou hast not cause to fear an evil, for the LORD is with thee, his q Psal. 138. 7 right hand will save thee, he will r Psal. 91. 4 cover thee with his wings, and thou s Isa. 40 11 shall be sure under his feathers: he will carry thee in his own bosom; Et quid timeret homo, in Dei sinn positus: What should a man, placed in GOD'S bosom fear? And thus thou shall have continual courage, thou shall be t Pror. 28. 15 bold, as a Lyon. Fiftly: This fear of the Lord shall furnish thee all good riches: for u Isa. 33.6 the fear of the LORD shall be thy treasure; and no x Math. 6. 20 thief shall steal this treasure from thee. Secondly: This holy fear is The fear of GOD is the counsellor. the best counsellor, it will not (with Satan, the world, nor the flesh) counsel thee to do any wrong, or evil. 1. Not to any person; although weaker than thou; and in thy reverence: thus joseph y Genes. 50.15 a powerful governor did not harm his base brethren, being strangers. 2. Not in any place: David fearing GOD, will not wrong Saul z 1 Sam. 24.17 in the cave. 3. Not in any time; abeit it were in an universal defection: so Noah fearing GOD was a a 2 Peter. 2. 5 preacher of righteousness to the world. 4. Not for any cause: No: not for a Kingdom: thus jonathan fearing GOD, came b 1 Sam. 23.17 and comforted distressed David, and no ways wronged him: Again, this fear it will counsel thee c Titus. 2. 12 to live godly, and religiously in this present world. A godly father saith truly, Connexa sunt timor, & religio, nec Bernardus in sermone de donis spiritus. potest manner alterum absque altero: Fear, and religion are knit together, that the one cannot remain without the other. Thus if Cornelius d Act. 10. 2 fear GOD, he will be a devote man, praying continually. Secondly: To do the works of charity: thus happy Obadiah, e 1 King 18.13 who did fear the LORD from his youth, when wicked jezabel slew the LORDS Prophets, he hide an hundreth of them, and said them by fifties in a cave, with bread and water: and the former Cornelius did give much alms to the poor people. Also it will counsel thee to suffer wrongs patiently: by this David endured f 2 Sam 16. 11 the contumelious injuries of Shimei. Thirdly: This fear is the best 3. Fear is the best preserver. preserver of all grace and innocence: it is so to thy soul, as the ballast is to the ship; and as the Imocentiae custos, & omnium bonorum. eyelids to the eyes; and as an hedge to a garden, saving thy soul from drinking in the sea of sin, preserving thee from thy devouring enemy, delivering g Psal. 91. 3 thee from the snare of the hunter, and from sin and impiety, keeping all righteousness in thee: Nemo nisi Deum Augustin. timeat, potest servare justitiam. Surely this fear will guide and defend thee from yielding to the tentation of fleshly pleasure and sensuality, as it did h Genes. 39 9 joseph from the filthy tentation of gain and commodity: as it did i 1 King. 5. 16 Elisha from yielding to the tentation of worldly honour, and dignity: as did Moses, who k Heb. 11. 24 refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter. Timentis DEUM bona est Augustin. anima, & à tentatione diabolica tuta: the soul of one that is godly is good, and sure from the tentation of the devil. Excellently writteth Bernard, Bernardus in sermone de dono Spiritus. Omne virtutis adificium ilico vergit in praecipitium, si hujus gratiae amiserit praesidium: all virtuous building will fall flat down to the ground incontinently, if it loss the help of this grace: Sine hac gratiâ primâ gratiarum, que totius religionis exordium est, nullum bonum pull●lare, aut manare potest: Without this grace, the first of graces, which is the beginning of Religion, no good thing can spring up unto thee. If thou be GOD'S l 1 Cor. 3. 9 building, let not this keeper departed from thee, lest thou fall to ruin, and destruction. Wise Abraham judged, that there was no good in Gerar; neither pity, equity, or civility, when m Genes. 29.11 the fear of GOD was not in that place: and surely, according to Peter's preaching in every Nation. He that n Act. 10. 35 feareth GOD, and worketh righteously, is accepted with him. last: Thou being quickened, awakened, and somewhat afraid: Sorrow before lamentation. thou will have that godly o 2 Cor 2. 16 sorrow that causeth repentance unto salvation, not to be repent of: then thou will set thyself to deplore thy miserable estate, and woeful condition, thou will give thyself to earnest prayer, and supplication, that the LORD may refresh thee with his inward consolation, that he may p Psal. 106.4.5 remember thee with the favour of his people, and visit thee with his salvation: that thou may see the felicity of his chosen, and rejoice in the joy of his Sancts, and glory with his inheritance. Now, persuade thyself assuredly, as it is q Heb. 9 27 appointed, that man should once die naturally: so it is appointed that every man should lament once pitifully: The wicked indeed are most unwise, and unhappy, for they shall be constrained, to you'll and lament eternally, for their unspeakable pain, and punishment with r Genes. 4. 13 Cain. 2. In an evil time with s Heb. 12. 17 Esau, the season of repentance being past. 3. In an evil place, in Hell, in the t Revel. 21. 8 lake, which burneth with f●e and brimstone. 4. In evil company, with the u Math. 25.41 reprobat, with the Devil, and his angels: yea, sometimes in this life the strongest and best hearted of them, will you'll with bitter lamentation. So Eras. in Adag. did the Emperor Bassianus, when he saw the image of his brother Geta, whom he slew. So did courageous Pericles, at Plutarch in Pericl. the death of his son. But the godly, they are wise and blessed, they lament. 1. For a good cause, even for their sins, with x Rom. 7. 24 St. Paul. 2. In a good time, where their is hope of comfort, with y Psal. 6. 6 David. 3. In a good place, in the LORDS Sanctuary, with z 1 Sam. 1. 9 Hannah. 4. With good company, with the Church militant, Which a Revel. 7. 14 shall come out of their great tribulation; and remain in the LORDS presence to be partakers of his joys forever. If thus thou complain, and lament arightly, for thy grievous sins and misery, thou shall not find the LORD, as Pharaoh b Exod. 5. 17 to the Israelits, misregarding thee, refusing thee; and more vexing thee: But certainly, at length thou shall find the LORD c Exod. 34 6 merciful to thee, slow to anger, and abundant in kindness, saying to thee comfortably, and doing commodiously, as David d Sam. 22. 23 said to Abiathar, declaring saul's cruelty, abide with me, fear not, for with me thou shall be in safeguard. Let us go on now to this lamentation, as it shall please our GOD to assist us by his Spirit, and help us by his Alsufficient grace. A LAMENTATION FOR OUR WOE AND MISERY. The fourth Chapter. ALmighty, and most dreadful GOD! thou who art the a Genes. 18. 28 righteous judge of the whole world, who maketh not the b Exod. 24.7 wicked innocent, who is most fearful and terrible, a c Heb. 12. 29 consuming fire against ungodliness. I thine own poor servant, a wretched worm, who d Isaiah. 1. 4 am a sinful creature, ladened with iniquity; overburthened with misery, altogether polluted with impiety, most guilty for my transgression, subject to thy wrath and indignation, worthy of death and eternal damnation: It is impossible to me, to hide myself from thy Al-seing eye: Whether f Psalm. 139. 7. 8. 9 shall I go from thy Spirit? or whether shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend unto the Heaven, thou art there: If I flee down to hell, thou art there: Let me take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the earth, yet there shall thine hand find me, and hold me: Though I hide myself in the top of Carmell, thou may search me; and take me out thence: and though I hide me in the bottom of the sea, yet there thou may command a serpent to bite me. Therefore O LORD my GOD, I desire earnestly to g jam. 4. 8 draw near unto thine Heavenly Majesty, to prostrate, and h Psal. 95. 6 fall down before thee my Maker in humility, to lament also my woeful estate, and great misery. Now truth it is O LORD. that I am insufficient to express i Psal. 106. 2 thy noble acts, and worthiness, so am I as unable to deplore my calamity and wretchedness. At this time I am persuaded GOD complaineth. certainly, that thou my Creator, my preserver, and gracious benefactor, doth complain of me, for my manifold sins, and heinous iniquities: Ah! k Isaiah. 1. 4 I am a seed of the wicked, a corrupt child, that I have forsaken the LORD, that I have provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger; that I have gone backward: And that my Saviour, CHRIST lamenteth. my Redeemer hath: egrated, hath l Mark. 6.6 mervailed, hath mourned at mine unbelief. When m Luke 19.41 he beheld jerusalem, he wept, because in her day she did not know these things, which belonged to her peace: that I in the day of merciful visitation am ignorant of these things, which concern my peace and eternal salvation. All the holy Saints, the chosen Saint's do mourn. of the LORD, who n Math. 5 4 are blessed, they mourn now, that they may be comforted: They sow o Psal. 126. 5 in tears, that they may reap in joy everlastingly: Yea, the p dead earth The dead earth lamenteth lamenteth and falleth away: the world is feebled, and decayed: the earth is utterly broken down: the earth p Isay 24. verse 4. and 19 is clean dissolved: the earth is moved exceedingly: the earth doth reel to and fro, like a drunken man: the inhabitants thereof are heavy upon it: it shall be removed, like a tent: Yea, I know, All creatures groan. that every q Rom. 8. 22 creature groaneth with me also; and traveleth in pain together unto this present, desiring to be delivered from this bondage of corruption. it is so: Have not I (forlorn miscreant, the chief cause of all calamity) great reason seriously to deplore my lamentable misery; to bewail my deplorable estate, and unspeakable calamity? Have not I reason to pour out r 1 Sam. 1. 15 my soul before thee; and to walk s Isaiah. 38.15 weakly all my years in the bitterness of my Spirit. And first, (O LORD) I find Lament thy loss. myself insufficient to lament duly the manifold, and great losses, sustained by me, through my default, through my sin, and iniquity. If the child of the Prophet sorrowed for a piece iron, t 2 King. 6. 5 for an axe head, that fell into the river of jordan, and thus cried to Elisha; Alas Master! it is but borrowed. And no question (O LORD) that Paul's companions, were then somewhat grieved, for the hurt and damnage they suffered in that dangerous navigation, where they lost their lading, u Act. 27. 10 and their ship also. If thy servant King David mourned, for the loss of his dear friend jonathan, with lamentation: Woe x 2 Sam. 1.26 is me (cried he) for thee, my brother jonathan: very kind hast thou been to me, thy love towards me was wonderful, passing the love of women. If thy servant jacob y Genes. 37.34 rend his clothes, and did put sackcloth about his loins, and sorrowed a long season, for his son joseph, whom he supposed to have been lost. And if without doubt Naomi lamented greevously, when her husband Abimelech z Ruth. 1.3 died in a strange land. And if jeremiah sorrowed heavily, for the life of a good King, because the breath a Lamen. 4.20 of their nostrils, the anointed of the LORD was taken in the nets of the enemy. Yea, joash, King of Israel b 2 King. 13.14 did weep upon the face of sick Elisha. If wicked c 2 Sam. 14.32 Absalon was no way contented, when he saw not his father's face: and if profaine Esau cried d Genes. 27.34 out with a great cry, and bitter, out of measure; when he wanted the blessing of Isaak. Manasseh Manasseths' prayer. mourned for the loss of a worthy Kingdom. Alas (O LORD!) when I consider diligently, the wonderful great loss, and damage, which I have sustained spiritually, by reason of the multitude of my sins, and iniquities, I cannot deplore, nor condignly lament the same. How is it possible to me, to sorrow sufficiently, for that I have lost that fine e Revel 3. 18 gold tried by the fire, enriching me? That f Revel. 2.4 I have lost my first love beautifying me? I have wasted the portion of goods, which my father gave unto me at my creation? How can I bewail my foolishness, who have done, what in me lieth, to loss the kindness of my first, and best g john. 15. 15 friend, so beneficial, and loving to me? Woe is me! because I have h Revel. 1. 7 pierced my dear Saviour: I have crucified i Heb 6. 6 again the Son of GOD; my most worthy k Ephes. 5.32 husband, and have made a mock of him. How can I deplore my misery and great loss? which I have gotten by my rebellion against thee l jere. 10. 7 O KING of all Nations, unto whom appertaineth the dominion for ever? Who m Math. 10.28 is able to destroy both soul and body, in Hell eternally? How can I, foolish creature! lament my loss, for not harkening to thy Heavenly instructions, and not receiving thy healthsome admonitions, who is my n Math. 23.10 only doctor, and my o john. 3. 2 teacher come from GOD? I am much troubled, because p Psal. 101.29 thou hidest thy face from me, and for that, the light of thy loving countenance doth not shine upon me, because by my sins, I have almost lost thy favour; q Psal. 30. 5 in which is life and felicity, and thy r Prov. 10.22 blessing, which maketh rich; and the s Math. 6.33 Kingdom of Heaven in regard whereof, all the earth is but vanity and mere misery. Now truth it is, (O merciful GOD) that many have sustained Lament thy poverty. great loss; and yet hath some good remaining behind: but I am redacted to extreme poverty: I may lament grievously, because I t Revel 3. 17 am miserable, and wretched; poor, and most indigent; empty and naked. That widow u 1 King. 17.12 of Sarepta, O my GOD! was greatly impoverished, and redacted to a mean estate: She had not a cake, but even an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse, she resolved, after that it was eaten to have died. But O bountiful LORD! thy wisdom knoweth, that I poor wretch spiritually, do remain in greater penury: I have not of myself a sanctified thought, an holy word; no, not a small tear, one sorrowful sigh x Psal. 51 16 of a contrite spirit, or broken heart: For I truly know, that in me, in y Rom. 7. 18 my nature dwelleth no good thing at all: I am like one, who hath made shipwreck of all his goods: I am like Lazarus, z Luk. 16. 20 I have nothing of myself, not a morsel of bread, not a cup of cold water, but that which I get by crying, and begging of thy all-sufficiency. Now Lament thy debt. which is much worse O LORD! I am not only thy poor beggar; but also I am thy debtor, wonderful great is my debt, terrible is mine obligation; and a Colos. 2. 14 thine handwriting against me is fearful: That b 2 King. 4. 1 poor widow cried for her earthly debt, because the creditor would take her two sons, to be his bond men for the same: I have much more reason to cry and mourn to thee for my spiritual debt, which without a discharge, will take my soul from me: Alas Debt is easily contracted but hardly removed. (O LORD) it was easily, and pleasantly contracted; but it is like to be with pain and difficulty removed. Satan hath deceived me: he made it to seem light and easy at the beginning; but now it is too heavy, and very displeasant unto me: and if I get not an acquittance from thine Alsufficient Majesty, I c Math. 18. 34 will be delivered to the jailors; and cast into the prison, out of which, there is no forth coming, nor redemption. In the mean season (O LORD) albeit I be so drowned in debt, Lament thy unfruitfulness and misery; yet I remain as d Math. 3. 10 a barren ground, as an unfruitful tree: woe is me, the axe is put to the root: in danger to be hew●n down, and cast into fire, which is unquenchable, I am (O LORD) by nature, like that unprofitable e Luke 13. 4 fig tree, planted in thy wine-yarde: Thou hast for many years suffered me patiently; thou hast taken pains upon me: Thou hast digged about me, thou hast sought figs and fruit from me. But (alas) thou hast found none: justly THOU mayest cut me down, and cast me out of thy wine-yarde to rot and putrify. I lament bitterly, (O my KING and my SAVIOUR!) that I f Psal. 39 12 am Lament thy banishment. not only a stranger, and sojourner, as all my fathers were; but also that now I do remain in exile, and banishment, for my transgressions; a most just punishment. The Israelites being banished from jerusalem, did g Psal. 13. 2 weep when they sat at the river of Babel: And out of all question our first parent Adam was perplexed, and sore grieved, when for his sin thou h Genes. 2. 24 did cast him out of the garden of Eden; and banished him from a terrestrial paradise. But (LORD) I want words to bewail the evil of my trespasses, which without forgiveness, will cause me be banished from i IIeb. 12. 22 the city of the living GOD; from the Celestial I●rusalem; and to be k Luk. 23 43 exiled from that Heavenly Paradise; the l Luk. 16. 22 bosom of Abraham, and to be tormented in Hell, in everlasting perdition. Further (O LORD) I mourn 6. Lament for thy servitude. with tears, and dolour, because I continue by nature a m Rom. 7. 10 servant of sin unto death, and of n 2 Pet. 2 19 corruption; a slain to sathan, unto damnation. If the o Luk. 15. 15 prodigal son did regrate his pitiful estate, when he served a stranger, when he was sent to his farm to feed swine: and if that Egyptian p 1 Sam 30.13 the servant of an Amalekite, could complain of his master's cruelty, and unkindness, who left him sick in the wilderness, destitute of all comfort and necessaries: I have (O LORD) more cause to lament my sore servitude and thraldom; in that I am slave to mine enemy, serving him in hunger, in thirst, in need of all spiritual things, who will not go from me; but doth abide to torture me, and doth put a q Deut. 28. 48 yoke of irone upon my neck, and to destroy me. Now (LORD) thy wisdom 7 Lament for thy burden. knoweth, how greatly I am displeased, and how I bewail this burden of sin, that r Heb. 12. 1 presseth so sore down, and this iniquity that hangeth so fast on: They s Psal. 38. 4 are as a weighty burden, too heavy for me, I am wonderful weary and t Math. 11.28 laden with them. The Israelites in Egypt were cruelly oppressed, and vexed with bodily burdens, they u Exod. 1.11 sighed x Exod. 2. 23 in their bondage; and cried to the LORD, who heard their moan, and had a respect unto them▪ but I miserable wretch, am more overcharged with the heavy burden of sin, if I were sensible thereof: The Scribs, y Luk 11. 6 Pharisees, and interpreters of the Law, did lad men with burdens of ceremonies, grievous to be borne; but Satan, the world, mine own lust, and concupiscence, do lay more heavy burdens of sin upon my conscience. And thus (O LORD) being 8 Lament thy filthiness. overburthened, I am altogether defiled, and filthily polluted, with the turpitude, and pollution of my filthiness: I have remained in z Psal. 40 2 miry clay, I am the dung upon the earth, I have wallowed myself in the filthy puddle of this profane world, I am spotted, and altogether defiled, I a jer. 8.2. am filthy within and without: Nitre and b jer. 2.22 much soap will not wash away mine iniquity: All the water of the Ocean cannot cleanse me, for I am unclean from my nativity: I c Ezech. 16.6 lie polluted in my own blood lamentably, I d job. 9 31 am plunged in the pit, and mine own clothes make me filthy. Albeit the water of the river Alpheus did cleanse the stable of Augeus, where dung lay heaped up, the space of thirty years, yet all the waters of the rivers of the Word cannot cleanse, e Ier 4. 14 and wash my heart from wickedness: For alas (O LORD) I f 2 Pet. 2 22 am like the dog returning to his vomit, and like the sow that was washed coming again to the wallowing in the mire. I lament that I am bound in the 9 Lament thy bands m●st miserable form: for g Genes 42 26 Simeon, h judg. 15. 13 Samson, i Daniel. 3. 20 Shadrah, Meshah and Abednego were bound bodily; but shortly loosed and gloriously delivered: Thou (O LORD) laid k Ezech. 4. 8 bands upon thine own servant Ezechiel; so that he might neither turn himself from the one side to the other: But alas heavy bands are laid upon me. That l Luk. 13. 11 wretched woman, who had a spirit of infirmity; and was bound together eighteen years, that she could not lift up herself in any wise: Satan had bound her so, that none could relieve her of her bands; but thou O LORD could lose her: she questionless did mourn grievously, in hard distress and misery: but I poor caitiff am detained in straighter ●etters and bands, (it feareth me for more years) so that I can not lift up my eves, nor my soul to thee, as I desire, and should: for I (O LORD !) am sore smitten and wounded: There is nothing sound 10 Lament for thy wounds. in me, but wounds, and swelling; and m Psal. 69. 26 soars full of corruption. Alas! (O LORD) I n Isa. 1. 6 have fallen amongst thiefs, who have rob me of my raiment; and of all goods: they have wounded me, and left me half dead. Albeit King joram was sensible of his hurt, and had a feeling of the pain and danger of o Luk. 10 30 the wound, which the Aramits had given him at Ramath: yet LORD I have little sense, or feeling of the dolorous, and dangerous wounds, that Satan and sin hath given me, in this my warfare, and perilous fight: I have 2 King. 8. 29 small grief for them. I cry not to thee, who only is able for to heal p Isa 30. 26 the stroke of my wounds, putrifying, and bringing destruction both to soul and body. And moreover, I am captivated, and by my foes strately imprisoned: Many (LORD) of thy 1. Lament for thy imprisonment servants were detained in earthly prisons; and questionless did mourn bitterly, for their miserable estate and calamity Godly joseph q Genes. 32.20 was put in prison: They r Psal. 105.18 laid his feet in the stocks, and he was laid in iron. Strong Samson, s judg. 16. 21 bound with fetters, did grina in the prison. Faithful t 1 King. 22.27 Micajah was put in prison, and fed with the bread and water of affliction. The holy Prophet jeremiah was vexed in a dungeon; where he stack u jer: 38: 6 fast in the mire. And when thy holy Apostle St. Paul x Act: 16: 25 with Silas were beaten with rods, and thrust into an inner prison, they prayed: But (O my GOD) this spiritual dungeon, wherein I am holden fast, is fare more dangerous, and deplorable. How should I poor wretch, weep and sorrow for my mishap, and misery. Am y job: 7: 12 I a sea fish, that thou keepest me in ward? When z Psal: 4: 1 shall I be delivered, and set at liberty, from my deep distress? Now by my imprisoning (O 12 Lamentthy weakness: LORD) I am become very weak, and by my wounds infirm: I a Psal: 38. 8 am weakened, and sore broken: I roar for the grief of mine heart. I go mourning b Psal 66: 2 all the day long: LORD I am weak; my bones are vexed. I c Rom: 14: 1 am weak in faith. I d 1 Cor: 14. 20 am a child in understanding. I e Heb: 5, 13 am a babe, inexpert in the word of righteousness. I f Psal: 22: 6 am but a silly worm, and not a man: a shame of men, and contempt of the people. I g job: 13: 52 am like a leaf, driven to and fro: and like the dry stubble. I h Zach 3●: 2 am a stick: a brand taken out of the fire. I i Psal: 119: 141 am small and despised. I k Psal: 119: 83: am like a bottle in the smoke. There is no strength, nor 13 Lament thy sickness: beauty in me, poor miserable wretch ! Let l Psal: 119. 169 my complaint come before thee, for my great sickness; and manifold diseases, for my inward deafness. I am (alas) like many of the obdured jews, who m Act: 7: 57 stopped their ears, and would not hearken to the Sermon of Steven: Or like the deaf n Psal: 58: 4 adder, which stoppeth his ear; and will not hear to the charming of the inchauter. I o Zach: 7: 11 have often refused to hearken: I have pulled away the shoulder, and stopped the ear, lest I should hear the law of GOD, and the word, (O LORD of hosts) which thou hast sent in thy spirit, by the Ministry of thy Prophets. I am like the Heathens Idol, I p Psal: 115: 6 have ears but hear not. Woe is me (O LORD) for my spiritual blindness: I am like one of the unrighteous Egyptians: I am q Wisdom: 17: 2 blind, and bound in the bands of darkness: I r Isa: 59: 10 grope for the wall, and I stumble at the noon day. If Samson was sorrowful for his sight, and desired to be avenged on the Philistines, s Iudg: 16: 28 because they did pluck out his two eyes; and for that he was a laughing stock to them: Have not I a greater cause of sorrow, and hatred, against my sins, which hath plucked out the eyes of my soul, and made me a gazing stock to all creatures. Alas (O LORD) how can I pitifully enough make my moan unto thee, for the frowardness, foolishness, doubleness, and hardness of my filthy heart: for it y Psal: 101: 4 is froward: it z Eceles: 1: 33 is double and divyded: it a Hos: 10: 2 is foolish; impenitent, b Rom: 2: 4 and earthly: it c Ezech: 11: 19 is obdured, hard, and stome. O my GOD! I have great reason to lament the spiritual leprosy of mine inward man: I may most justly have my c Levit. 13 45 rend my head bare, my lips covered, and cry, that I am unclean: If the bodily leprosy of Oziah, King of judah, caused him d 2 Chro 26.21 to be cut off from the house of the LORD; and to lose an earthly Kingdom; may not my spiritual leprosy separate me from the society of CHRIST, from the communion of the Saints, and deprive me of an Heavenly Kingdom. But now (O merciful Father) I want words to deplore my 1● Lament for thy wickedness wickedness, and my e 1 Peter 2. 1 maliciousness, the very root, and wellspring of all my woe and misery: I delight to foster that serpent in my bosom, which doth sting me, to carry that fire in my breast, which doth burn me, to keep still on my stomach that poison that will infect me, and destroy me. Alas! miserable is my madness: Should it not be my principal care, and my continual indevoure? Should not I take all possible pains, to shake off that serpent as f Act. 28. 5 Paul did the viper, to cast away these coals, to vomit out that noisome poison, that I may live, and not perish eternally? Yet (LORD) this is worse, that I cannot condignly complame 15 Lament thy stubbornness. of my contumacy, and stubbornness, (O my GOD,) I spoke in sincerity, many g Isa. 66. 4 times thou hast called, but I would not answer; thou hast spoken, but I would not hear: Many times (Lord) hast thou early h jer. 11. 7 rising, protested, saying, obey my voice: but I am disobedient, and refractory. Thou hast come to me, when I have departed from thee: Thou hast followed me, when I have fled away from thee: Thou hast stood and i Revel. 3. 20 knocked at the door of my heart, but I would not open unto thee: I have not (O LORD) been throughly moved with the love of mine own salvation: I have not been arightly terrified with the fear of my condemnation: I k Isaiah. 66. 3 have not trembled at thy Word, or threatenings: I have not been joyful of thy sweet promises, and consolations. Alas (O LORD!) and woe is me, l Isaiah. 43. 4 I am obstinate, and my neck is an iron sinew, and my brow brass. I am senseless of my sin and past feeling. Yea O LORD I am dead in my transgressions, and putrifying in my abominations : I have m Revel. 3.1 a name that I live while I am dead: I n 2 Tim. 5. 6 live naturally, but am dead spiritually. O my merciful Father! I lament Lament thy curses. bitterly, that by nature I am subject to thine heavy curse; and hath deserved thy terrible malediction, in respect I n jer. 11. 3 have not obeyed the words of thy merciful covenant: in respect I o Mal. 1. 14 have sacrificed to the LORD of hosts, who art a great King, whose name is terrible, a corrupt thing, a torn, and unworthy offering. Albeit I had a male in my flock, in respect I p jer. 48. 10 have done thy work negligently: in respect I q Isaiah. 5. 20 have been wise in mine own eyes, and prudent in mine own sight: in respect I have fled r Hos. 7. 13 away, and departed from thee my gracious GOD: in respect I have s Habb. 2. 9 coveted an evil covetousness to mine house, that I may set my nest on high; and in respect I t Galat. 3. 10 have not continued in all things that are written in the book of the LORD to do them. Alas (O LORD) what shall I say to thy Majesty? How can 17 Lament thy condemnation I excuse myself before thee? I cry unto thee pittiefully: My condemnation u Hos. 13.9 cometh of myself, but my salvation is from thee only: It x Lament. 3.22 is of thy mercy, that I am not already consumed, because thy compassions fail not: thy mercies are renewed unto me every morning. Albeit (O most merciful GOD) thou y Pet. 2.4. 5. 6 spared not the Angels that sin●ed, but cast them down to hell, and delyvered them to the chains of darkness, to be kept into damnation: Neither spared thou the old world, but brought in the flood upon the : and turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes, thou condemned, and overthrew them perpetually: yet LORD it hath pleased thee of thy goodness to spare me into this present time, who am worthy of that same punishment and condemnation. O LORD! like z Isaiah; 8. 14 a crane, or a swallow so should I chatter, and as a dove mourn before thee. I am like a Psal. 102. 6 Polica●e of the wilderness: I am like an Owl of the deserts. I am as a Sparrow alone upon the house tops. Oh! that b jer. 9 1 mine head were full of water, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night, for my misery and iniquity. O c Psal. 42. 7 LORD, all thy waves, and floods are gone over me: Sorrow for sin, grievous calamity hath so choked me, that I can not more speak to thy Majesty. Let my secret sighs, and my salt tears, and d Psal. 19 14. the meditation of mine heart, be always acceptable in thy sight: O LORD my Strength, and my Redeemer. A PREPARATION BEFORE PETITION. The fift Chapter. ALthough the due, and diligent practice of the promises of humble co●●ession, and bitter lamentation, may very forcibly urge thee to earnest petition, yet for preparation to the same, consider diligently, what graces, and good gifts are absolutely necessary to prepare thee arightly, that thou mayest be a true, and sincere supplicant unto the LORD. Now, lest a James. 4.3 thou ask amiss and receive not; lest when thou stretchest out thy hand, the Lord hide his eyes from thee: and though thou b Isaiah. 1. 15 make many prayers, yet God will not hear thee▪ le●t thy c Prover. 28. 9 prayer itself be abominable: Lest albeit thou d Prover. 1.26 call yet the LORD laugh at thy destruction; and mock when thy fear cometh: Thou must take much diligent heed, with earnest endeavour, that in some measure thou be endued with these good gifts, that are absolutely requisite, to the end that thy prayer may be effectual, and comfortable unto thyself: the want whereof, will make thy petition to be effectless; yea to be but abomination. Therefore come on, and consider with me carefully, what graces must accompany thy petition, and convert (as it were) the same to Heaven. First thou must have knowledge, Iraeneus lib. 15 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. justin. Mar. quaest. 1. d● gent. saving knowledge: Cognitio Dei renovat hominem: The knowledge of GOD will make thee a new creature. It is the greatest good to man: It will bring thee to salvation; for this e john 17. 3 is life eternal to know the LORD, to be very GOD: and whom he hath sent JESUS CHRIST. Thou shouldest not be a Samaritan, to worship that which thou knowest not. Content not thyself with worldly wisdom, which is but sensual f jam. 3.15 and devilish. Be not like an * Basilicus. Owl, blind in the day, but seethe somewhat in the night. A people that is of no understanding, he that made them, shall have no compassion on them: and he that flamed them, will have no mercy on them Shortly if thou knowest not CHRIST, thou shall never with Christians cry to CHRIST; but with the jews, thou shall kill him, and crucify g Act. 3. 17 Faith. him. Fides est seala, à terra in Coelum. Ambros. Fides est lumen animae, ostium vitae, fundamentum salutis arternae Chtysost. Secondly: Thou must have true justifying faith: This is the ladder of jaakob, from earth to Heaven: This is the light of the soul; the d●●●e and foundation of life cternall: This is the golden port, by which the KING of Glory entereth into our mind: This is the first word of a Christian, I BELIEVE: This is the ear, by which we hear CHRIST our good d john. 10. 11 Shepherd: the eye, by which with MOSES we e Heb. 11. 27 see him: The mouth by which we do receive: the tongue, by which we pray to him, saying, Abba f Rom. 8. 15 Father. This faith procureth our adoption, that we are g john 1. 12 the sons of GOD: This maketh us the habitation of CHRIST, that he will h Ephes. 3. 17 dwell in our hearts: It is the hand whereby we take hold on him; the i Luke 2. 28 arms by which with Simeon we embrace our Saviour CHRIST, and then we pray to GOD, and praise his Majesty. Now as this was a great point of wisdom in Themistocles, that when he came in the presence of his enemy Admetus, King of Molossi, he took the King's son in his arms, and then made his petition to Admetus, of whom Thucydides & Chytraeus. he received favour and kindness: So thou, if thou desire to k jam. 4. 8 draw near to thy GOD, to go l Hebr. 4. 16 boldly unto the throne of grace, and present thyself before him, from whose m Revel. 20.11 face both the earth and Heaven shall flee away: It shall be greatest wisdom for thee to take CHRIST JESUS, in whom the n Math. 3. 17 Father is well pleased into the arms of thy soul, and then make thy petition to the Almighty, who will delyver o Psal. 91. 16 thee, glorify thee, and show thee his salvation: otherwise thy supplication; yea, thyself shall be like cain's p Genes. 4. 5 offering, whereunto the LORD will have no regard; because without q Heb. 11. 6 faith it is impossible to please GOD, and whatsoever is not of faith is sin, and will procure but a punishment from him, who is the just r Psal. 94. 1 Avenger. Thirdly: Study most carefully, and continually, to be graced with true holiness and piety, without the t Heb. 12. 15 Sine pictate virtues non possunt esse in hac vita which, no man shall see the LORD in mercy in the life to come, and without it, there can be no virtue in this present life. If u Psal. 66. 18 I regard wickedness in my heart, (saith the Psalmist) the LORD will not hear me. If the levitical Priests of necessity, under pain of death, were ordained to wash x Exod. 30. 28 themselves with water, when they did go into the tabernacle; much more must the Priest Evangelicall wash y jerem. 4. 14 his heart from wickedness, and his z Psal. 26. 6 hands in innocence, and then compass the LORDS Altar: he must put a Exod. 3. 5 off his shoes, and cast b Heb. 12 1 away his sins, and put c Rom. 13. 14 on the LORD JESUS, and be arrayed with his righteousness: Thou must have written on thine head, HOLINESS d Exod. 39 30 TO THE LORD, and sanctify e 1 Pet. 3. 15 GOD in thine heart; and be renewed according to his glorious image, and then send up thy prayers into the Highest: for it is most true, that GOD f john. 9.31 heareth not sinners, who continue in their sin with delectation. Fourthly: to the end thy supplication may be acceptable to Charity. the Almighty, thou of necessity also must have towards thy neighbour true love and charity, in the which if thou g john. 4. 12 dwell, thou dwellest in GOD, and GOD in thee: So thou mayest know, that thou h john 3. 14 art translated from death to life, because thou lovest the brethren. If thy soul i 1 Pet. 1. 22 be purified in obeying the truth through the Spirit, thou will love brotherly, without feigning; then thou mayest pray comfortably without any Isiodor. Etym. lib. 6. Nullum in vul near proficitmedicamen tum, si adhuc in eo ferrum sit. sic nihil proficit oratio illius, cuius adhuc odium in pectore, vel do lus maneat in ment. doubting: As no salve, nor medicament will profit, or bring health to a wound, if the iron remain therein; so thy petition will be unprofitable, if hatred abide in thy breast, or deceit in thy mind: If thou have not the fire of GOD'S Spirit within thee, and ardent affection to warm thee, then doubtless thou shall have the fire of malice, anger, and hatred, which will consume thee. If thou with Nahab k Levit. 10. 2 and Abihu offer strange fire before the LORD, a fire may come● out from the LORD to devour thee: and albeit thou wouldst l 1 Cor. 13. 3 give thy body to be burned, and wo●l lest feed the poor with all thy goods, and hath not love, it profiteth nothing: thyself, thy prayer shall not be regarded, nor acceptable to GOD; neither profitable to thy own self; because (as an ancient affirmeth) Nihil est pretiosius DEO virtute dilectionis, nihil desider abilius diabolo extinctione charitatis: Their is nothing more precious unto GOD, than the virtue of love, their is nothing more desired to the devil, than the extinguishing of charity. Leave l therefore thy offering before m Math. 5. 24 the Altar, (saith our Saviour) go thy way, first be reconciled unto thy brother, and then come, and offer thy gift, and send up to GOD thine humble supplication. Fiftly: thou who desirest to Sobriety. pray arightly, thou must be endued with temperancy and sobriety, and so as CHRIST commandeth thee more conveniently, thou will watch m Math. 26.41 and pray, that thou enter not into tentation, thou will be n 1 Pet. 5. 8 sober, vigilant, and fit for prayer: This virtue of temperance is the leader, and moderatrix Temperantia est actionum auriga & moderatrix. of our actions. Intemperancie will greatly sunder thee from this holy duty, it is the greatest degree of filthy shame, and misery: And therefore Xerxes, after deliberation did Spinaeus in volupt. lib. 5 inflict the highest punishment upon the Babylonians, when again he subdued them after their rebellion; he did prohibit the virtuous exercises of arts, and sciences; and enjoined them to give themselves to idleness, play, banqueting, and surfeiting, and to all luxury and voluptuousness. Take o Luk. 21. 34 heed therefore to thyself, lest at any time thy heart be oppressed with sursetting▪ and drunkenness, and the cares of this life, lest that day come on thee at unwares. Watch therefore, and pray continually. join p 2 Pet. 1. 5 therefore with virtue knowledge, and with knowledge temperancy: (which as the Philosopher affirmeth is Arist. Ethic. lib. 6 cap. 5 Fervency. the preserver of all other good qualities) and then surely q jam. 5. 16 thou shall not be idle, nor unfruitful in the knowledge of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Sixtly: If thou wish thy petition profitable, thou must pray with an vehement and earnest affection: for r Genes. 32. 28 the prayer of a righteous man availeth much, if it be fervent. Remember well I beseech, that all pious professors, who hath ˢ had power with GOD, were ever most ardent in their requests. Consider diligently, and follow faithfully, in the uttermost of all thy power the fervency, and ardour of good Kings: David saith, As s Psal. 42. 1 the Hart brayeth for the rivers of water, so pan●et my soul after thee O GOD: and Hezekiah, incline t Isaiah. 37. 17 thine ●are O LORD, and hear: open thine eyes O LORD, and see: And godle Prophets, Daniel crying O u Dan 9 19 ● LORD hear! O LORD forgive! O LORD consider and Habbak●k praying, O LORD x Habb. 3. 2 revive thy works in the midst of thy people, in wrath remember mercy. But principally consider y Heb. 3. 1 the Apostle, and high Priest of our profession CHRIST JESUS, which in z Heb. 5.7 the days of his flesh did offer up prayers and supplications, with strong crying and tears Our blessed MASTER in a Luk. 22. 44 his most bitter and heavy agony, He prayed most earnestly with great fervency, and his sweat was like drops of blood trickling down to the ground. Many indeed do mervell at that most illustrious George Castriot Abrahamus Scultetus in lib. de precat. cap. 19 Scanderbag, the peerless Prince of Epirus, in whom (they writ) was so great ardour into fight, that the blood would burst forth out of his lips, but surely, one hath greater cause to wonder at the fervency of our SAVIOUR, who was so vehement in praying, that a bloody sweat came not from his lips only; but also from his whole body in great abundance: Fellow then the ardent zeal, and fervency of thy Master, and take good heed, (I beseech thee) that thou do b jer. 48. 10 not the work of GOD negligently, lest thou be subject to GOD'S curse, and misery, that thou c Revel. 3. 16 be not cold nor luckewarme, lest CHRIST spew thee out of his mouth most shamefully. Quomodo Cyprianus in sermone de oratione Domini. te audiri à DEO postulas, cum ipse te non audias? How can thou require thyself to be heard of GOD, when thou hearest not thyself by slothfulness, coldness, or distractions: But thou call upon GOD with a vehement desire, and earnest affection: So did Samson for earthly water, saving, LORD d judg. 15. 18 shall I die for thirst: more fervently shouldst thou pray for the water of the Well of life, for thine eternal consolation. Seventhly: Above all labour Sincerity. with continual care and industry, that thou may ever be graced with uprightness of heart, and sincerity, to the end, thy prayer may have force with GOD, and tend to thy solicitie: Content not thyself to be like the hypocritical jews, of whom GOD complaineth; because they e Hosea. 7. 14 cried not unto him With their hearts, When they houled upon their beds, and because f Isaiah. 29.13 they came near to him With their month, and honour him With their lips, but had removed their heart fare from him: And truly this is a most grievous complaint, also of that same Evangelicall Prophet; There g Isaiah. 64. 7 is none that calleth upon thy Name. What did that holy and wise Prophet lament? did not that people appear h Isaiah. 1. 12 before GOD, and did tread in his courts, and brought oblations, and kept Sabbaths, and solemn assemblies. Did i Amos. 5. 22 they not then pray to GOD, when they offered burnt offerings, meat offerings, and peace offerings? The Prophet yet spoke truly, they did not call upon GOD, because they did it not rightly, but lypocritically, and the prayer of the hypocrite shall turn to sin, and be esteemed transgression. A Father maketh a notable comparison in affirming, that the hypocrite, Augustin. and counterfeit Christian, is like that golden k Revel. 17. 4 cup, which was in the hand of that whorish woman, full of abomination and filthiness, of her fornication: His prayer then can not be acceptable: Yea, though l job. 20. 6. 7 his excellency mounted up to the Heavens, and his head reach to the clouds, yet he shall perish for ever like his dung, and they which have seen him, shall say, where is he? But worship thou thy GOD (as he requireth) m john 4. 23 in Spirit and Truth with an upright and honest heart in true simplicity, which is the whole grace of our oratrie, which covereth Tota Rheto ricae nostrae gratia. est mera simplicitas and ●●●eth all other infirmity, which is the highest perfection of Christianity: for GOD n P●al. 51. 4 who loveth truth in the inward affection, he will ever do o Psal. 125. 4 good to them that are true in heart. He will hear their prayers, and in his own good time grant them their requests, and fulfil their desires. Moreover in the eight place, yea in the first, study principally Humilive. to have true humility: because as excellently saith the Wiseman, The p Ec●l●s. 35.17 prayer of him that humbleth hiraselfe, goeth through the clouds, and ceaseth not till it come ●●ere; and will not depart, till the most ●●igh have respect thereunto, to judge righteously, and to execute judgement, and doubt●●sle, q Isaiah. 66. 2 the LORD will look to him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at his Words, Cae●e● a vitia in peccatis, superbia vero in Augustin. recte factis timend● est; Other vices in sins, but pride is to be seared in welldoing: And questionless all r Prov. 16. 5 that are proud in heart are an abomination to the LORD. The ambitious petitioner shall not be rewarded, but punished: learn s Mat 11. 29 then of thy Saviour to be m●●ke and ●o●lie in heart, and thou shall find rest unto thy soul. Thou shall be conte●ted, and thy petition gra●ted: t Prov 29. 23 For the humble in spirit shall receive glory, and enjoy mer●ie. O felix humilitas, quae DEI trahit ●lementiam, Augustin. & ejus ligat omnipotentiam. O happy humility, which draweth GOD'S mercy, and bindeth his omnipotency. Nynthly: Take good heed to Oppurtunitie. the time u 2 Cor. 6. 2 accepted, and to the day of salvation, wherein GOD will hear thee and secure thee. Be not thou like profaine Esau, x Heb. 12. 12 who afterward, out of t●me, seeking the blessing with tears, was rejected. Fellow not the joolish y Math. 25 12 Virgins, who untymously, when the gate was shut did cry, and were repulled: but be careful z Isaiah. 55. 6 to seek the LORD, while he may be found, and to call upon him, while he is near. As some Emperiours, namely VESPASIAN had a time, even when he was going to the baths, wherein he did principally show his liberality, and bountifulness. So the great and most a Genes. 4. 22 High GOD, possessor of Heaven and earth, hath his own season when he will bestow his rich mercy, and unspeakable goodness, when he will b Hos. 10. 12 come and rain righteousness upon his people, which occasion if thou ●loathfully neglect, the LORD will not admit thy request, nor grant thy petition. Tenthly: As the holy Apostle Constancy. exhorteth thee, to c Thess. 5. 17 pray continually: be d Galat. 6. 9 not weary of well-doing, for in due season thou shall reap, if thou faint not. Consider diligently that parable of thy Saviour, of the importunate widow, and unrighteous judge; who e Luk. 18. 5 did her justice against her adversary, because she did make him weary. Let thy prayer be li●e St Stevens looking, he f Act 7. 55 looked to Heaven steadfastly, and therefore comfortabl●, for he saw the glory of GOD, and JESUS standing at his right hand, ready to receive him, so pray thou constantly, and ever with vehement affection. But use g Math. 6 7 not vain repetitions, as the Heathen or idolaters, who think to be heard for their much babbling: like Baal's h 1 King. 18.26 priests, who called from morning till noon, saving no other thing, but O Baal hear us, all that labour was lost, there was none to answer them, or help them: But I say pray continually with 〈◊〉, and so thou mayest do comfortative, for Christ will have a ●are of thee, because if he gave acc●●● to thee, being fare distant from him, much more will he hold thee, when thou are more near to him: and if thou i Psal. 37. 4 delight thyself in the LORD, surely he will give thee thy hearts desire in due and convenient time for to comfort thee. last! in the first place, most carefully and continually labour, Spirit. to be possessed wholly with the sanctifying Spirit, who is GOD, and the gift of GOD, which l Rom. 8. 26 Deus, & donum Dei. will help thy infirmities, when thou knowest not to pray as thou oughtest, the spirit itself will make request August. for thee with sighs which cannot be expressed, which will work hope and confidence in thee, so that thou m Heb. 10 22 shall draw near to GOD, with a true heart, in the assurance of Faith: so that thou shall give thyself to true fasting and almsdeeds. This hope and confidence will not make thee n Rom. 5. 5 ashamed, but encouraged; and if thou desirest thy prayer to flee up to Heaven, thou must have (as that Father cou●selleth) two August. wings, namely, this right private fasting a frequent custom of a good o Heb. 13. 16 doing and distributing, for with such sacrifices GOD is pleased: thou with him will be reconciled, & thy request granted. This Spirit will cause thee to continue p Col. 1. 21 grounded and established in faith, and not to be moved away from the hope of the Gospel, to be so rootted and builded in CHRIST, that thy heart shall not be distracted with vain cogitations, or worldly cares in time of this holy service, neither shall thou waver q jam. 1. 6 and be like a wave of the sea, tossed with the winds and carried away. If in time, and in the practice Plutarch, in vita coriola. of the blind superstition of the old Romans, a crier proclaimed, Hoc age, do this only; much more in the sincere service of our GOD, we should be most intentive, and only diligent to perform this duty. Now seeing the true supplicant must be graced with all these qualities, thou may soon perceive the difficulty of this exercise, it is wondrous hard, to be adorned with so many properties, and more of the difficulty of this action, thou shall find in the 12. Chapter following. Thus after confession, and lamentation, Remember to note well th●t all these good gifts and qualities. are both purchased & increased by prayer. go on to an earnest and sincere petition, with consideration of thine own indignity, and of the necessities of those good things to be desired and asked, and let this petition be to thee an information of the principal graces, which ought fervently to be required. A PETITION FOR GRACE. MERCY etc. The sixth Chapter. O Almighty GOD, and most merciful Father, truth it is, that in regard of my wickedness, and wretchedness, the a Psal. 116. 3 snares of death have compassed me, and the griefs of Pray for the Lords remembrance. the grave have caught me; I now find trouble, sorrow, and misery. But O LORD I humbly pray thy Majesty, to b Psal. 40. 16 think upon me, who am poor, and needy; and to remember c Psal. 106. 4 me with the favour of thy people, and to visit me with thy salvation, by this thy merciful remembrance (O my gracious Redeemer!) albeit I remain in a deludge of dangers, yet with Noah d Genes. 8. 1 I shall be delivered: albe●t I be in doleful distress, yet with Rachel e Genes. 29. 22 I shall b●e comforted: albeit I be in pain, in shame, and cala●nitie, yet with the f Luk. 23. 43 penitent thief, I shall get pleasure, honour and felicity. Write m● nam●● beseech thee in that Book g Mal. 3. 16 of remembrance, which is before thee. h Isa. 49. 16 Grave me upon the palm of thy own hands: set i Cant. 8. 6 me O LORD as a seal upon thy heart, and as a signet upon thy own arm, that ●o thou mayest ever think upon me, and that I may remember upon thee continually, and k Cant. 1. ● remember thy love more than wine, and that I may rejoice, l Psal. 97. 12 and gave thee that for thine holy remembrance. O gracious GOD! look m Isaiah. 63.15 down 2 For Gods gracious look from the Heaven, and behold from the n Genes. 16.13 dwelling place of thy Sanctuary, me thy own poor servant; loo●e LORD upon me, as thou looked ⁿ upon Hagar, Abraham's maid: s●●e then received instruction and consolation; so I sha●l be wel● instructed, and comforted; turn o Psal. 25. 16 thy face unto me to regard me, who am desolate, and needy: look upon me, as thou did to thy servant Peter, p Luk. 22. 6 that I may remember thy Word, and weep bitterly for my transgressions, and gran● (O my Saviour!) that as q Psal. 123. ● the eyes of the servants, look unto the hand of their masters; and as the eyes of a maid unto the hand of her mistress; so my eyes may wait upon thee O LORD my GOD! until thou be beneficial unto me. O merciful Father! r Psal. 77. 7 absent not thyself for ever, not only 3 For GOD'S good coming. remember me, and look upon me, but come quickly s Revel. 22. 20 to be my deliverer and to be my comfortable helper, t Psal. 90. 13 return (O LORD how long) and be pacified toward thy servant. If the Gibeonits, being in danger of their enemies, thus besought joshua▪ saying, u Iosh. 10. 6 withdraw not thine hand from thy servants, come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: I have greater need to cry to thee O JESUS, withdraw not thine hand from me: x Psal 18. 9 Bow the Heavens, come O LORD my GOD! bring to me (who 4 Pray for mercy. am miserable) mercy under y Mal 4. 2 thy wings: Have compassion upon me, a wretched trespasser: for with thee O LORD there is abundant mercy, z Psal. 130 7 and great redemption! I rejoice O good GOD! that thy mercies a Psal. 36. 5 do reach unto the Heavens, and thy faithfulness, unto the clouds: that the shining sun in the firmament, shall sooner want light, and the great Ocean shall sooner want water; than thou, O infinite in goodness, shall want mercy for a poor penitent sinner. Give some portion thereof to me, who am most indigent. Have b Psal. 6 2 mercy upon me, who am weak, and who desireth to repent: without this mercy, all other gifts O LORD, as an abortive birth is to the mother: As c Psal. 58. ● the untimely fruit of a woman, which hath not seen the sun, which will bring pain, and peril to the parent; but no pleasure, no profit at all. O LORD! thou art the fountain 5 Pray for grace. d jer. 2. 13 of living water: thou hast the fullness e joh. 1. 16 of grace and truth: O most loving Father, give grace to me, who of myself am void of all good, and graceless: whereby I may so serve thee, that I may please thee, with reverence and fear: Albeit sin f Heb. 12. 28 aboundeth in me, yet grace g Rom. 5. 20 much more aboundeth in thy Majesty: Gra●t O Heavenly Father, that I may trust h 1 Peter. 1. 13 perfectly on that grace that is brought to me by the revelation of JESUS CHRIST: And I entreat 6 Pray for God's favour. thy Majesty, to lift i Psal. 4 7 up the light of thy countenance to shine continually upon me: bestow thy favour k Psal. 30. 5 in which is life upon me, who hath so often deserved thine anger, give to me O LORD thy loving kindness, which is better than ten thousand worlds, which as it is most profitable and pleasant, so it is most sure and permanent. Thou O LORD endurest and art l Psal. 102.27 the same, thy years fail not, thy favour altereth not, thou O LORD a●t never changed, and thy children therefore are not m Mal. 3. 6 cons●●ed. O my blessed Saviour! who art 7 Pray for peace and reconciliation. the Prince n Isaiah. 9 6 of peace, and reconciliation, which hath o Eph. 214.17 broken the partition wall, a●d ●●th preached peace unto me, that thou might reconcile me unto thy GOD: give unto me p job. 34. 29 peace and quietness, and who then can make trouble and vexation, be thou my advocate q ● john. 2. 1 with the Father, and the reconciliation for my soul, be thou my atonement and propitiation. If the inhabitants of Tyrus and Sidon, did earnestly labour to have peace r Act. 12. 20 with Herod, an evil and earthly King: O LORD what pains should I take to have concord and unity with thee, a good and Heavenly King, O LORD make me diligent s 2 Pet. 3. 14 that I may be found of thee in peace without spot, and blameless, let the t Col. 3. 15 peace of GOD rule in my heart: let O LORD thy peace u Philip. 4.7 which passeth all understanding, preserve mine heart, and mind in CHRIST JESUS, for ever, and ever. And for this purpose, most ● Pray for remissi●● of sin. merciful GOD, forgive me x Math. 6. 12 all my debts: grant unto me a free discharge of all my sins, and a comfortable acquittance of all mine iniquities, written, subscribed, and sealed with the Blood of m● faviour: Put y Col. 2. 14 out that hand writing, and obligation, that is against me, and cortrarie to me, take it out of the way, and fasten it upon the cross. Let it never be of power to shame me in this world, or to condemn me in the world to come. As z Psal. 103.12 fare as the East is from the West, so fare remove thou my sins from me: Let a Rom. 6. 12 not fin rule in my mortal body, that I obey the lusts thereof: But O LORD ! subdue b Math. 7. 19 mine iniquities, and cast all my faults into the bottom of the sea. I humbly beseech thee to c Col 3. 5 mortify, and slay my sin in me, lest it slay my soul eternally: Bury all my offences in the grave, of CHRIST; Let them never rise against me, for my conviction, and eternal confusion. Now almighty GOD! Seeing by 9 Pray for life spiritual. nature I am d Eph. 2. 1 dead in sin and trespasses, I pray thee to quicken me: Let e 2 Cor. 4. 16 my inward man be renewed daily: Grant that I may be borne f john. 3. 3 again, and be partaker of regeneration; and so enter into thy Kingdom: Thou who art the g john. 11. 2 resurrection, and the life, who raised from death Lazarus, who was stinking, and rotting in the grave, and gave him natural life; breath spiritual life into my dead soul, that thou who art the GOD h Math. 22.32 of the living, thou mayest be my GOD, and guide for ever. O thou, who art the i Mal. 4. 2 Sun Pray for spiritual light of Righteousness, and the true light of the world, who hast abundance of eye k Revel. 3. 18 salve, arise, and shine upon me; anoint the blind eyes of my mind; illuminate my dark understanding. Thou who opened the l Genes. 21.19 eyes of Hagar, and made her see a Well of water, wherewith her dying son was refreshed, open thou the eyes of my inward man, that I may see that Well of the m john 3. 10 water of life, that my dying soul may be comforted, and thou O powerful SAVIOUR, who did give sight to that man, who n john 9.7 was borne blind, give spiritual sight to my blind soul, that I may see thee, and follow thee continually. O my GOD! thou who opened the o Math. 7. 33 ears of that deaf man, grant Pray for in ward hearing. that mine inward ears may be prepared, q Psal. 40. 6 and opened, to hear thy holy, and blessed Word, that my body r Heb. 10. 5 may be ordained, and made fit for thy continual service and worship. For O my gracious GOD, while Pray for health. I have been walking in the wilderness of this world, I have fallen s Luke. 11. 30 amongst cruel, and covetous thiefs, who have rob m●e of my raiment, and riches: they have wounded me grievously: I am now lying waltering in my blood, and half dead: Many miseregarde me, and pass by me without any pity, I can not pity mine own self, but O sweet Samaritan, come near to me, and have compassion on me: Bind up Ibidem. my bleeding wounds: power in wine & oil: carry me in thy own arms, and heal me: Have a continual care of me, that I may have a care to honour thee, and glorify thy Majesty. O my blessed Redeemer, in whom Pray for wisdom are t Coloss. 2. 3 hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, give unto me true wisdom, and Heavenly knowledge and understanding, so that I x Prover. 5. 23 may not die for fault of instruction, and that I go not astray through my great folly, that I may be wise y Proverb. 16 20. 21. & in mine own business, and prudent in heart, that my understanding may be a wellspring z Pro. 16. 23 of life unto me, that I may trust in thy mercy, and be blessed eternally. O LORD! thou who art able to break a Psal. 107. 16 the gates of brass, and to braced the bars of iron asunder, Pray for liberty. I pray thy Majesty to set me at liberty, who am a captive, and miserable prisoner: lose me from the bands of the devil, for spiritually I am bound, and bowed b Luke. 13. 11 together, and can not lift up my soul in any wise without thy help: Bring me out of the snare c 2 Tim. 2. 26 of Satan, that I may come to amendment: Take d 2 Sam. 8. 1 the bridle of bondage out of the hand of mine enemy: Be thou LORD my goodness, e Psal. 144. 2 and my fortress, my tower my shield and delyverer: Restore me to the glorious freedom of thy children: Give me strength to stand f Galat. 5.1 fast into that liberty, wherewith thou hast made me free, that I never be entangled again with the yoke of bondage. And because in the devil's dungeon, and in the stinking puddle Pray for purgation. of sin I am filthily polluted, and miserably defiled: O holy God ! wash g Psal. 51. 2 me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sins and pollutions: If thou wash me h john. 13. 8 not, I shall have no part, nor portion with thee: and I know perfectly, that no i Revel 21. 27 unclean thing shall enter in Heavenly jerusalem, nor within thy holy Sanctuary: therefore O gracious GOD, I humbly and hearty entreat thy Majesty, to wash k jerem. 4. 4● mine heart from wickedness, and my whole man from ungodlinesses, even in the laws of regeneration, in that l ●●ch. 13. 1 fountain opened to the house of David, for sin, and for uncleanness: Grant LORD that with endeavour, and industry, I keep myself pure, and holy, unspotted m jam 1. 27 of this wicked world, that I may cast n Rom. 13. 12 away the works of darkness, and so walk honestly, as in the day continually. And seeing (O LORD) like o ●sal. 119.176 a Pray for conversion. lost sheep I have gone astray, and wandered fare out of that narrow way, seek thy servant, and find me; turn me that I may turn: convert p jerem. 31.18 me, and I shall be corverted: turn me O most mighty and merciful GOD, from the devil mine adversary, a q john 8. 44 liar, and a murderer, who would deceive me, and destroy me to JESUS CHRIST, my Saviour, and r Ephes. 5. 29 husband, who will teach me, and glorify s Psal. 91. 15 me: turn me from t Coloss. 3.13 darkness to thy joyful light, from nature to grace: turn me from the broad u Math. 7. 13 way that leadeth to hell and damnation, to the straight way, which leadeth to Heaven and salvation: turn me from wickedness to holiness, from wretchedness to everlasting happiness. O my GOD ! draw x Cant. 1.3 me after thee, knit y Psal. 86.11 and unite my heart inseparably with thy Majesty: teach me thy ways to fear thine holy name continually, to z Genes. 17. 1 walk before thee, and with thee consciensciously, and be upright in thy sight continually. And for this effect, O thou all-sufficient GOD! take a merciful Pray for God's good dealing with thine heart. dealing with my faulty heart, that the same which by nature sin and Satan hath locked with Lydias a Act. 16. 14 heart, it may be opened, by thee who hath b Revel. 3. 7 the key of David: Grant that my narrow heart may be c Isaiah 60. 5 enlarged, to receive within me the LORD JESUS, the King of glory. O holy & Heavenly Father ! soften ᵉ my hard, and obdured heart with the oil of grace, with the precious blood of my Saviour, d job. 23. 16 that it may receive the impression of the image of CHRIST, that I d 2 Cor. 3. 18 may be changed into the same image from glory to glory: Bow my stiff e Ezech. 2 4 heart: Incline it f Psal. 119. 36 to thy testimonies, and not to covetousness: O LORD give me a wise and understanding g 1 King 2. 9 heart, that I may discern between good and bad. O LORD vouchsafe upon me an honest h Luke 8 15 and good heart, that I may hear thy Word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience: and O my GOD! I most willingly give i Prover. 23 26 mine heart to thy Majesty, requiring the same from me, beseeching thy goodness to take such full possession and government of my heart, that thou may k Rom. 9 23 declare the riches of thy glory upon me a vessel of mercy, that I may be most certainly persuaded a chosen l Act. ● 15 vessel appointed for honour, and everlasting happiness. O my blessed Creator! assure Pray for the growth of all good. me that I am thine own m 1 Cor. 3. 9 husbandry. Grant that I may be as good n Math. 13. 8 ground to receive the good seed of godliness and pieti●, and to bring forth fruit abundantly, that I may grow o 2 Pet. 3. 18 in grace, and in the knowledge of JESUS CHRIST my LORD and Saviour: O LORD help p Mark. 9 24 my unbelief, and increase my faith, my love, patience, zeal, fear, hope, courage, and all Christian virtues: make my good corks q Revel. 2. 19 to be more at the last than at the first. O my most merciful Father's Pray for the Lords presence Teach r Psal. 27. 11 me thy way, and lead me in a right path: Forsake s Psal. 38. 21 me not O LORD, be not far from, me my GOD: Thou t Psal. 27. 9 art my succour, leave me not, neither forsake me, O GOD of my salvation: Though my father and my mother should forsake me, yet thou O LORD will gather me up: Though u Psal. 38. 10 the Light of mine eyes be not mine own, my sight will fail me, my senses will depart from me, my soul will be separate from my body, yet abide thou with me continually. O gracious GOD I most humbly entreat thy Majesty, give me x Rom. 1. 24 not up to my hearts lusts, nor vile affections, for that I will be but a lost creature; and of all most wretched and miserable. But O LORD of thy unspeakable Pray for God his blessing. kindness, and endless mercy, vouchsafe thy Heavenly and spiritual blessings upon me: O GOD bless me with the blessing of election, that thou mayest choose me, y Psal. 65. 4 and cause me to come to thee, that I may be satisfied with the pleasures of thine holy Temple. Bless me with the blessing of effectual vocation, that thou mayest call me inwardly, and powerfully to thee, that I may answer and obey thy blessed calling, and say, here z Genes. 22 ● am I, ready to do thine holy will. Bless me O LORD with the blessing of true sanctification, that I may be holy, a Levit. 11. 24 as thou my GOD is most holy, that I may keep b Isaiah. 56. 2 judgement, and do justice, and restrain my hand from doing any evil. Bless me with the blessing of spiritual joy and consolation, that I may ever rejoice c Psal. 40. 4 in thee my LORD, and walk in the light of thy countenance. Bless me O my GOD with a settled purpose and resolution to serve thee continually, that I may determine d Psal. 119. 57 to keep thy Words constantly. Bless me with the blessing of true repentance through all my life, that I may e Revel. 20. 6 have part in the first resurrection, that the second death have no power to hurt me. Bless me with an happy end, that I may die f Revel. 14. 13 in the LORD, and receive the blessing of glory, and inherit g Math. 25.34 the Kingdom, prepared from all eternity. As also O LORD I most humbly beseech thy goodness to bless me with thine own self to be h Psal. 16. 5 my lot and portion, to be the GOD i Psal. 27. 9 of my salvation: For whom k Psal 73. 25 have I in Heaven but thee, and I have desired none in earth with thee. Grant O gracious GOD, that as l Psalm. 42. 1 the Hart brayeth for the rivers of waters, so my soul may pant after thee the living GOD, until thou come to be favourable unto me. Bless me with CHRIST JESUS, that he may be my m Heb. 7. 2 King, governing me: my n Math. 1. 21 Saviour, saving me: my high o Heb. 10. 21 Priest, reconciling me: my p Math. 13. 10 Prophet, and Master, instructing me: my q john 11. 52 Pastor, nourishing me, that he may be my wisdom, r 1 Cor. 1. 30 righteousness, sanctification, and redemption: mine s Philip 1. 21 advantage in life and death, that he may be All in all unto me. Bless me with thine holy Spirit, to be t john 14. 26 comforter, rememberer, my u Rom. 1. 4 sanctifier and director. Grant O LORD that I may labour most earnestly to ●ntertaine that good Spirit most carefully, conscientiously and continually. Bless me O LORD with earthly Pray for temporary benefits. benefits also according as thy wisdom shall think necessary for me, I ask them for thy glory, for the good of thy Church, for my own necessity. Let me not want these gifts, without the which I cannot well serve, but be so beneficial to me, that I may be rather helpful and comfortable, than chargeable to others. But grant O Lord: that I may first y Math. 6. 33 seek the kingdom of Heaven and the righteousness thereof, and then other things needful shall be ministered unto me. O LORD teach me to z Psal. 90. 12 number Pray for the best things. my days, that I may apply my heart to wisdom: teach me to a Ephes. 5. 15 redeem the time, which I have foolishly and miserable lost: give me grace to be have myself, as a b 1 Pet. 2. 11 pilgrim, a stranger, as a sojourner in this earth, abstaining from those filthy lusts, that fight against the Soul, c Titus 2. 12 denying ungodliness. Grant that I may live soberly, quietly and godly, d Rom. 12. 1 offering up soul and body an holy, living, and acceptable sacrifice to thy Majesty. LORD, let me not fashion myself like unto this world, which will surely and suddenly perish: but grant that I may be changed by renueing of my mind, that I may prove and do thy holy goodwill, which is perfect and acceptable, that I may walk e Ephes. 4. 1 worthy of that heavenly vocation whereunto I am called. O Lord give me the gift of perseverance, that I may persevere unto the end, that I may be f Math. 24. 13 saved. LORD grant that I may be faithful g Revel. 2. 10 unto the death, that I may get the Crown of life. Let h Psal. 19 14 the words of my mouth, and the meditation of mine heart be acceptabe to thee, O LORD my strength and my Rede●mer! Let my life and death be precious in thy fight, and receive me in thy rest, that I may inherit eternal glory, and endless felicity with thee in thine Heavenly Kingdom, to remain and reign with thee for ever, and ever. So be it, even so be it. A DESCRIPTION OF TRUE PRAYER. The seventh Chapter. THus after the confession of our sins, after bitter lamentation for the ●ame, and earnest petition, let us come to a plain description of prayer, which may be in this manner, Prayer is a principal part A description of true prayer. of GOD'S service, wherein a true Christian, leaving the earth in his heart and affections, ascending into Heaven in his mind, approaching unto the throne of grace, presenting himself before the glorious GOD, he conferreth, and speaketh familiarly with his CREATOR, he offereth a spiritual sacrifice unto his Majesty, he wrestleth with the Omnipotent, he giveth a comfortable victory, he becometh the a 1 Cor. 3. 16 Temple of GOD, the holy Spirit dwelling in him, and obtaineth every b jam. 1. 17 good gift, that is necessary for him. In the foresaid description I say, Three reasons wherefore prayer is the principal part of God's service. that Prayer is a principal part of GOD'S service, for three reasons: first, because under the name of invocation all the LORDS worship is comprehended, as is written in the book of Genesis, Then c Genes. 4. 26 began men to call upon the name of the LORD: that is, at that time the Church began to The 1. reason. be manifest, and to exercise the the LORDS public worship: Again, it is said that in Canaan, Abraham d Genes. 12. 8 called upon the name of the LORD: that is, he served GOD openly, and wholly, altogether, as the LORD appointed by faith, obedience, prayer, and thankfulness. Contrariely: the heathen rebels, reprobats, & atheists, upon whom GOD e Psal 79.6 will pour out his wrath, are thus marked, that they f Psal. 79.7 have not called upon the name of the LORD: that is, they prayed not unto GOD. Again the Prophet complaineth, that there g Isaiah 64. 7 is none that calleth upon the name of the LORD: as if he should say, there is none that worshippeth thee rightly: so it is most manifest, that whosoever do pray truly, he than serveth his Majesty also: who neglecte●h this duty, is a rebel to the GOD of glory. Secondly, by reason, that prayer The second reason wherefore prayer is the principal part of God's service. is most honourable to GOD, seeing the supplicant doth ascribe most justly all his holy, and true attribute to his Majesty, acknowledging the same in all sincerity, let me remember six of them briefly: namely, GOD'S omnipresence, omniscience, and his omnipotency: also, his remembrance, his goodness, and his fidelity. The petitioner, honoureth GOD as present , with his The true petitioner honoureth GOD, as omnipresent. own in h Psal. 91. 15 trouble chief, and more to be magnified than all mortal and miserable men: for Abraham was not ever present with his beloved wife Sarah, when she was i Genes. 12.14 taken to Pharaohs house, and when Abimelech k Genes. 20. 2 sent and took her: Neither was jaakob ever present with his own son joseph, when he was cast l Genes. 37.20 in a pit, and and after sold to the Ishmaelites: Neither was David ever present with Abner, but being out of his sight, joab m 2 Sam. 3. 2 killed him: Neither was St. Paul a teacher ever present with the Galatians: for after his departure they o Galat. 1.6 were soon removed away unto an other Gospel, they were seduced, and bewitched, o Galat. 3. 1 that they did not obey the truth. But this is the glory of our GOD, upon whom we depend, and unto whom we pray, that he is our husband, who will marry p Hosea 2. 19 us for ever: he will never be absent from us, but at all occasions in every place present with us, so that we shall not be defiled by the foul a●d q Zach. 13. 2 unclean spirit, and be unspotted r jam. 1. 27 in this filthy world. That GOD is our s Math. 23. 9 Father, to keep us continually, that we perish not in the t job 33. 24 pit of sin and damnation, that he is our everlasting King, to delyver u Luke 1. 74 us out of the hands of all our enemies, who would destroy us, that he is our instructor, who x Revel. 1. 18 liveth for evermore, who y Math. 28. 20 is with his own always until the end of the world, so teaching them, that they shall never be finally forsaken, deceived, nor destroyed. Secondly: By praying thou acknowledgest that the LORD The petitioner honoureth the Lord's omniscience. searcheth z jerem. 17.10 the heart, and tryeth the r●ines, that GOD a Psal. 139. 2 understandeth thy thoughts a fare off, that all b Heb. 4. 13 creatures are manifest in his sight, that all things are naked, and open in his eyes, with whom thou hast to do. Albeit joshua knew not the distress of the c Ios. 10. 6 Gib●onites, until he was advertised: and that great Prophet knew not the grief and vexation of the d 2 King 4.27 Shunnamite, until it was uttered: neither did the Apostles themselves know of of the death of e john. 11. 13 Lazarus, until they were informed. GOD, who filleth f jerem. 23.24 the Heaven and earth, in prayer is glorified, that he throughly, easily, and exactly knoweth all secreets both in Heaven and earth, that he perfectly knoweth the distress, danger, trouble, and all the calamities of his Church. Thirdly: Who calleth upon the In prayer God is praised, as Omnipotent. LORD, honoureth his Majesty as Omnipotent, protesting, that he do●th g Psal 115. 3 whatsoever he will: that he who delyvered David h Psal. 69. 2 out of the deep mire: From i Psal. 18. 4 the snares of death, and from the cords of the grave: That he who preserved these three young men in the k Dan. 3. ●6 fiery furnace: and his Daniel l Dan. 6. 22 in the den of lions: and also brought m jonas 2. 10 jonas from the sea, out of the fish belly: and Peter n Act. 1●. 7 from the prison, will also in his Almighty power delyver his own from all perils, and desperate danger, and glorify them with his salvation for ever. Fourthly: The pious petitioner In prayer God is praised for his remembrance. will in this service praise GOD for his holy o Psal. 97. 12 remembrance, and that his Maker will never be unmindful of him: although men may forget, as the butler, p Genes 40.23 joseph: as the Sechemits, q judge 9.17 Gideon, and as Ashuerus r Esther 2. 22 forgot Mord●cai, who deserved well of him, by discovery of a dangerous treason, yet albeit a man doth forget himself in the night time, while he is sleeping, yet the LORD will n●ver forget his own servants, but will ever be mindful of them, to do good unto them continually. Fi●thly, by praying thou will acknowledge The petitioner acknowledgeeth Gods good nesse. the riches q Rom. 2.4 of the Lords bountifulness, thou will honour his great r Nehem. 9.25 goodness, and will also s Psal▪ 138. 2 praise his Name, because of his loving kindness, thou will magnify his t Psalm. 36.7 excellent, and manifold mercies and compassions, because with him is favour and plentiful redemption. Psal. 130. 7 Sixthly, by praying thou believest in thy LORD, and honour'st God his fidelity is praised in pra●er. him as most constant, true, and faithful, that he u Psalm. 146.6 keepeth his fidelity for ever. If God gave goods, and performed his promise to profane Esau, whom he x Rom. 9 13 hated, the y Genes. 27.39 fatness of the earth was promised to him, he afterward is increased in z Genes. 36.7 riches, his substance is great, and his succession ample: much rather may the chosen and elect be assured of the performance of all his promises, for most surely, no a Iosh. 23. 14 thing shall sail of all the good things which the Lord promiseth, but all shall come to pass. Thirdly, Prayer is a principal Prayer is most profitable. part of God's service, seeing it is most profitable to the supplicant: 1. thou shall get b Psal 91. 15 delivery from all evil: thou shall be c Math. 1. 21 saved from all thy sins: 2. thou shall get plenty of all good, and if thou d Deut. 28. 47 servest not GOD with joyfulness, with a good heart in the abundance of all things, therefore it is just with GOD to give thee to thine enemy, to ser●● him in hunger and thirst, in nakedness, and in need of all things. 3. Thou shall get a perpetual blessing, for if salomon's e 1 King. 10. ● servants who stood before him were happy, doubtless the servants of God, with whom is fullness of felicity shall be more blessed and happy. 4. Yea, thou shall receive the holy f Luke. 11. 13 Ghost, if thou desire him, if thou seek him, to teach, sanctify, and guide thee for ever. 5. Thou shall receive a Kingdom which shall never be shaken, thou shall be made partaker g Luke. 12. 32 of the godly nature, Christ shall be thy head, thou shall be h 2 Pet. 1. 4 flesh of his flesh, of his bones a member i Ephes. 5. 39 of his body conjoined with him for ever. But because we will Godwilling afterward speak more of the profit of prayer, in the tenth chap. following we continue the discourse thereof: for the present let us considder some necessary conclusions clearly arising from the description. 1. It is then evident, that it is a great sin to neglect prayer. 2. Then it will bring a great punishment. 3. That it is good to pray. 4. Of the difficulty of prayer; of these in order. FINIS. A GREAT SIN NOT TO PRAY. The eight Chapter. WHoever thou be, of whatsoever estate, sex or degree that dost not pray nor call a Psal▪ 53. 4 upon GOD, thou art miserable and wretched, b Prover. 1. 27 thy destruction shall come like a whirlwind, affliction, and anguish shall come upon thee suddenly and most certainly. Thy misery is great in regard of thy great sin, and grievous punishment: thou unhappy wretch who will not seek the Lord while Isaiah 55. 6 he may be found, nor call upon him while he is near, thou art guilty of most manifest and heinous sin, d Rom. 6. ●● the wages whereof is death, the end whereof is doolfull damnation, and I beseech thee to consider hereof with earnest and continual meditation. Thou sinnest (I tell thee) fearfully, because thou neglectest, and omittest the performance of duty, which is frequently prescribed. Thou giveth a refusal to GOD of that gift, which most joyfully thou should give, thou reiectest, and castest off the LORD, who most willingly should be received, thou despisest the Almighty, who most principally should be honoured; thou art not only an alian● e Ephes. 2. 12 from the commonwealth of Israel, and a stranger from the covenants of promise; but also thou art a mere Atheist without Christ without GOD in the world, thou art fruitless and barren: thou art perverse, wicked, and vicious. First, thou art faulty by neglecting that service so seriously recommended The sin of omission of a necessary duty. and commanded by GOD thy Creator (saying) f Psal. ●0. 15 call upon me by jesus Christ, thy Prince and Saviour, (saying) ask g Math. 7. 7 seek, knock, and by the LORDS messengers exhorting to pray always, pray h Ephes. 6. 18 always with all kind of prayer and supplication in spirit. If Moses highly offended by omitting, or continuing the circumcision of his child, for i Exod. 4. 24 the LORD therefore met him, and would have killed him: Is not thy offence as heinous, if thou omit the exercise of prayer so oft required, whereby is procured the circumcision of k Rom. 2. 29 thine heart. If Titus Vespasian lamented when he did not his duty as to Amici diem perdidi. gain a man's friendship every day; may not thou lament in bitterness, when thou neglectest thy duty to GOD, as not to seek his favour and loving kindness; who is the l Psal. 65. 5 hope of all the ends of the earth: and that for many days, and for many years: beware I beseech thee of rebellion m 1 Sam. 15.23 which is as the sin of Witchcraft, and of stubbornness, which is wickedness and Idolatry. Secondly, by not praying thou art very culpable, seeing most A refusal given to GOD. unthankfully thou refu●est the most reasonable request of GOD, who giveth to all n jam. 1. 5 men liberally. The LORD thus intreateth the● My o Prover. 23.26 son, give me thine heart, Wilt thou deny to GOD his own due, and his right? he hath made p Psal▪ 100 ● us and not we ourselves: He who created thy heart requireth thy heart: wilt thou put back thy Princes just petition? Wilt thou so shamefully g●ue unto the LORD a flat refusal, who q Genes. 14.22 is the most high Possessor of Heaven, and Earth? Churlish Nabal r 1 Sam. 25. 14 did foolishly, who misregarded, and refused David seeking some benefit to himself: Dost not thou more foolishly? and is not this thy fault more filthy when thou refusest the King of Kings? to whom belongeth the World s Psal. 50. 12 and all that therein is, who is seeking to bring a benefit to thyself: not that he needeth it, but to soften and sanctify, to possess and preserve thy heart for everlasting felicity, and yet thou continuest a stubborn and impudent recusant. We read that the Romans Valer. Maxim. lib. 7. cap. 5 sometime did commit a great oversight, which afterward they repent, when for their error they were punished, they refused to bestow a gift to Porcius Cato, Stephan. a notable wise, and very worthy man, who had well deserved of Vatinius (inquit) assiduo con●itio depuder●●didicit. them: and gave that same gift to one Vatinius, a shameless and foolish fellow, who could not govern them. Seneca thus described him; Vatinius by continual reproach hath learned to cast off all shame. But alas many who call themselves Christians do at all times commit a fare greater oversight. They stubbornly refuse to give their heart to their Creator, who t Rom. 1. 25 is blessed for ever, and will give the same to Satan, an impudent u Revel. 12 10 accuser, a liar x john 8. 24 and murderer from the beginning, Thirdly, by not praying thou departest from GOD, to whom The sin of rejecting God. thou shouldest a jam. 4. 8 draw near: thou separatest thyself from GOD, unto whom thou shouldst b Deut. 10.20 cleave and adhere, for he is thy praise, who hath done for thee great things. Thou forsakest GOD whom thou shouldest embrace, c I●rem. 2 19 thine own wickedness therefore shall correct thee, and thy turnings back shall reprove thee: Know therefore, and behold that it is an ●vill thing and a bitter, that thou hast forsaken thy GOD, Thou rejectest him: thou thus surely sayest unto him, depart d job. 21. 14.15 from me, I desire not the knowledge of thy ways, who is the Almighty that I should serve? or what profit should I have if I shall pray to him? Is it not an abominable fault to cast off thy Creator, who offereth life to quicken thy dead soul, to cast off thy Saviour, who offereth grace to thee who a●t graceless: to cast off thy Comforter, who offereth grace and sanctification: to cast off thy Physician, who offereth health and preservation shortly: to cast off thy heavenly Father, who offereth thee an immortal heritage, and a fair portion: to forsake thy kind husband, the guide e Prover. 2. 17 of thy youth. If thou callest not upon GOD, thou castest off GOD: the jews sinned against GOD, when they did cast Samuel f 1 Sam. 8. 7 amay: Is not thy offence more heinous to cast The sin of the contempt of GOD. GOD himself away. Fourthly, by not praying thou plainley declarest that thou contemnest Contemptus est trans●●ess●o legis, ex hoc quod voluntas renuit subiici regulae. and despis●st God, which is a sin and transgression of the Law, for this, because thy will (as the Schoolman telleth) refuseth to be subject to his rule. Thom. Sec. 2 qu●s● 136. art 9 The holy Apostle Peter justly calleth them g 2 Pet. 2. 10 presumptuous standing in their own conceit, who despise earthly government, and speak evil of them that are in dignity. The holy Apostle Saint Paul blameth the Corinthians for h 1 Cor. 11. 22 despising the Church of GOD: The wi●e King Solomon forbiddeth thee to i Prover. 23. 22 despise thy mother when she is old: Our Saviour sayeth see that k Math. 18. 10 ye despise not one of those little ones, he will not have children nor babes contemned. Now what a terrible trespass is it to contemn the l Nehem. 1. 5 LORD of Heave●, the great and terrible GOD, the m Revel. 18. 8 strong Lord, which may condemn thee to press to n Psal 2. 3 break his bands, or cast his cords from thee: to despise his holy, and heavenly commandments of government: to vilipend the Almighty, who hath o Isaiah 66. 1 the Heaven to be his throne, and the Earth to be his footstool. This was esteemed a fault in Scipio Nasica, otherways a worthy personage, because he misregarded, Valer. Maxim. lib. 7. cap. 5 and mocked a poor Countryman, whose hands were made hard by labour; whom he asked in derision, saying, Whether he was accustomed to walk on his hands, or not; this contempt or disdainful speech of his brought him great sorrow, and anger and afterward some dishonour. But if thou a poor wretch, and a p job. 2●. 6 weak worm, shall continue to contemn the Almighty, and q Tit. vers. 16 deny by thy works, and disdain by thy deeds the most high and excellent GOD, r Psal. 139. 7 from whose presence thou can no ways fly: thy sin is abominable, like Herod's▪ who s Luke 23. 11 despised, and mocked the King of glory; thou art so culpable that thou art inexcusable; for a contemning Scholar (sayeth a Father) cannot be excused, who Augu●●in. learned what he should do, and contemned. Fifthly, if thou pray not, thou plainly declarest thyself to be The sin of Atheism. guilty of that detestable sin of Atheism, thou hast no hope, thou t Ephes. 2. 12 art without GOD in this world: a mere Atheist, I do thee no wrong, but tells the truth, according to the verity of the sacred Scripture; The fool hath said in u Psalm. 14.1.2 his heart (saith the Prophet) there is no GOD: how is it known that the foolish so think? thus he calleth not upon the LORD; pretend what thou will, thy not praying to GOD bewrayeth thy Atheism, that thou do●st ˣ deny judeverse 4 GOD. It is written of the Athenians that they banished and thrust out one of their Philosophers, named Suidas ex Lil. lib. 1 de natura ●eorum Diagoras, and promised a talon to any that would kill him, because by his speech he denied their false gods and idols: The Heathen accounted his sin to be very heinous: but is not his fault by infinite degrees more grievous, who in his heart a 2 Pe●. 2. ● denyeth the true GOD who made him, and his only Lord that hath bought him. Sixthly, if thou pray not, thou art barren and unprofitable, and in a worse estate than that b Math. 21. 16 fig Barrenness tree, which had leaves only, but no fruit: but thou hast neither leases nor fruits, I mean neither a true profession, nor true action. Thy LORD hath come sundry years to seek fruit, but hath c ●uke. 13. 7 found none: thou art a d ●ude v●●s. 12 corrupt tree without fruit, tuice dead, and plucked up by the roots: thou than art but the st●ck of a rotten tree, Arboris exesae ●runcus Telluris inutile pondus. an unprofitable burden of the earth: th●u art a e john 15. 6 withered branch and the unprofitable wood Of the vine tree, shall f Ezech. 15 3 wood (saith GOD) be tak●n thereof to any work, or will men take a pin of it to hang any veshell thereon, amongst all the trees of the forest is it meet for any work? Last●ie, if thou continue not in prayer, thou art not only a dry Wickedness. and withered ground, (for ●arren ●and will sometimes be profitable for bringing forth the strongest men, a●● for containing the Petraris Dial. Saepe ●orti●res viros plaga fert sterilis. ● chest minerals,) but also like that earth, which g Hebr. 6.7. 8 drink●●● in the rain, which cometh o●t upon it, yet beareth thorns and bri●rs. The h Psal. 53 1.2.3 fool who hath said in his heart there is no GOD. Now who is this fool? Even he who will not seek GOD, nor call upon the Lord: he is corrupted, he is a worker of iniquity, and doth abominable wickedness Assure thyself in thy own conscience, that not praying, maneth evil doing: that the want of godliness, and the spirit of supplication is the mother of pro●●inesse, and abundance of abomination▪ Then persuade thyself that thou will i Hebr. 6. 6 crucify again to thyself the Son of GOD, and make a mock of the Lord of glory; then (I truly tell thee) that it shall be k Math. 1. 24 easier for them of Sodom in the day of judgement, than for thee, if thou continue still without repentance in thy mani●old sin and hamous iniquity. A GRIEVOUS PUNISHMENT NOT TO PRAY. The ninth Chapter. THE a job 27 33 Almighty who is excellent in power and judgement, who is abundant in justice, who b Isaiah 2●. 17 will lay judgement to the rule, and righteousness to the balance will not suffer such a grievous sinner so stubbornly disobeying his Majesty, by neglecting his duet●e, refusing him his due most v●reasonabl●e, rejecting God most vnworthi●ie, c Rom. 2. 4 despising the riches of his bountifulness continually, living on this earth an Atheist impiously, a fruitless creature: a vicious and perverse wretch to escape unpunished, as the sin is great, so will the judgement be heavy and grievous: the Lord who is slow to wrath, and abundant in goodness, yet d Exod. 34. 7 he will not make the wicked innocent, he will not suffer the faulty go free unjudged. If the trespass be manifold and multiplied, he will e Deut. 28 59 make the plagues many and wonderful, of long continuance, and long durance, Seeing it is most true that our Saviour telleth us, with f Math 7. 2 what measure you met, it shall be measured to you again. First then, if thou be careless GOD will be careless of thy safety. of thy service, GOD will be careless of your safety, he will speak, and perfome this: that g Zach. 11. 9 which dyeth, let it die, that which perisheth let it perish, and let the remnant every one eat the flesh of his neighbour: He h Revel. 22. 11 that is let him be unjust still, and be that is filthy let him be filthy still. If the LORD carelessly misregarde thee, what (I pray thee) will become of th●●? In what lamentable estate will thou remain into? Thou will be ●●e a waste vineyard, which is 〈◊〉 her cutre nor digg●●, but i Isaiah. 5. 6 where briers and thorns will grow up, until it be consumed. Thou 〈…〉 a● an adulterous wife, k Hosea 2. 3 dishonoured, diverced, and stripped, naked, made as a wilderness, and left like a dry land, 〈◊〉 for thirst. Thou will be li●● a weak new infant, whose l Ezech. 16. 4 navel is not cutted. who in water is not washed, nor with salt seasoned, nor with clouts swaddled, but in thine own blood polluted, exposed, and cast forth to the open fields, to the contempt of thy person, to thy endless perdition. When the Emperor Honorius Carion. Chr● lib. 3 became a little careless of his government, and Italy ●eft destitute of a President and chistane: what woeful calamity? what doolefu●l destruction did then come unto the subjects of the Roman Empire? What desolation came to that realm? it is well known by the records of historic: for by Alaricus, King of the Goths the country was wasted, Rom itself bese●ged, taken, and spoiled, people captivated, and many riots committed. If then the m Genes▪ 14.22 most high GOD, possessor of Heaven and earth shall neglect thee of whom he is neglected: and so behave himself to thee, as he justly behaved himself unto the undutiful jews, whom he brought out of Egypt, for it is written, that he regarded n Hebr. 8. 9 not them who continued not in his testament, into what pitti●full case will thou abide into, than thou o Zach. 2. 9 will be a spoil to those that served thee: thou will be as Samson. who was but a laughing p judg. 16. 25 stock to thy disdainful adversaries, and so thou will be plunged, and overwhelmed with manifold misery. But secondly, most horrible will GOD will den● the request of the wicked. thy punishment be, during the time that thou continuest in this extremity, there is no appearance of thy help or remedy, because thou hast q Prover. 1. 29 hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD, thou shall call upon him, but he shall not answer: thou shall seek him, but thou shalt not fi●d him: When r Isaiah 1. 15 thou shall stretch out thy hands, he will hide his eyes from thee, and though thou make many prayers, he will not hear thee. Seeing thou hast refused GOD his m●st reasonable request, he will justly refuse thee the smallest request that thou will make to his Majesty, the meanest benefit, the shortest refreshment shall be denied, an ho●res space for repentance, a moment's mitigation of thy pains shall not be granted unto thee. King Saul because he refused GOD, and g 1 Sam. 15.19 obeyed not the voice of the Lord, but did wickedly in his sight: therefore he being afraid, and his h 1 Sam. 25. 8 heart sore astonished, when he sought GOD, the Lord refused him: he asked counsel of the Lord, but the Lord answered him not, nether by dreams nor visions, nor yet by the Prophets. If Pharaoh who denied to obey GOD, shall seek the i Exod. 10. 26 hoof of a beast, (a very mean gift) it shall be denied to him. If the rich Glutton shall k Luke 16. 24 seek a drop of cold water from the tip of ones finger, he will get a refusal. If thou be unfaithful, proud, dissobedient: if thou be cruel, unmerciful, and intemperate, albeit thou would require the smallest benefit, a ●rumme of bread, a spoonful of water in thy greatest necessity, thou should not obtain the same. And seeing it is appointed to men that they l Hebr. 9 27 shall once die, and when that unhappy prefixed hour shall come upon the vngod●●e, no request nor supplication shall procure any de●ay, or prorogation thereof: And very likely that rich ma● whose ground brought fruits, plenteously, who did pull down his old Barns, and did build new and greater, and gathered goods in great abundance, resolving long to live at ●ase, to eat, dringe, and take his pastime, and m Luke 12. 20 when GOD said to him, O fool! this night they will fetch away thy soul from thee: it is likely ● say, that he requested that his life might be lengthened, but he was refused, and his request not granted. Tullius in Philippi●. & alii multi. If that Roman ambassador Popilius would not yield to the request of a great King, enteating Chron. Cairo. lib. ●. Antiochus, Epiphanes Livius lib. 45. & Valer. for few days a short space of deliberation, but making a circle about him with his rod, said, Answer thou my demands before thou pass these bounds. Thinkest thou that the almighty GOD will be moved by the request of the wicked to give them the shortest space or an hour's continuation of their life who refused him, he will not do it, but incontinently n Psal. 73. 18 he will cast him them down into desolation, ●ow suddenly shall they be destroyed, perished, and horribly consumed, he will o Amos 8. 9 cause the Sun go down upon them at noon, yea, when th●y shall be punished p 2 Thess. 1. 9 with everlasting perdition from the presence of the Lord: and remaining q jude vers. 13 in the blackness of darkness for ever, shall be tortured with unspeakable torments, in that unquenchable fire, if they shall make supplication for the smallest, or shortest mitigation, i● will be altogether de●●●d them. That valiant man GIDEON, when ᶠ his Warriors were weary, & r judg. 6. 12 ●aint by fight and pursuing his enemies, he requeasted the princes and elders of Succoth to refresh his army with m●rsel● of bread, and other such provision; but they refusing, and upbraiding him, he threatened, that after victory, when the s judg. 8.7 LORD would delyver his enemies into his hands, to tear or to thresh their flesh with thorns of the wilderness, which thing he did accordingly as he determined: Now questionless in their grievous pain and misery, they earnestly requeasted for some relief and remedy, which apparently was wholly refused: So will Simile. the LORD deal with thee, who denied him his most just petition, because when t Prover. 1. 22 he called they refused, he will laugh at their destruction, and mo●ke when their fear comes, and tribulation. Thirdly: Albeit in thine own GOD will cast away all these that prayeth not. conceit and imagination: yea in other men's judgement and estimation, thou were as a u ●erem. 13. 11 girdle tied to the LORDS loins, or a bracelet x Cant. 8 2 on his arms, or with Coniah, y jerem. 22.24 King of judah, the signet of GOD'S right hand: yea, albeit thou appear very dear, and near unto GOD, as it were pleasant food, received in CHRIST'S own stomach: yet because thou prayest not, GOD who loseth z job. 12. 18 the collar of Kings, he will cast thee from him, as corrupt and unworthy, he will break thee as a vessel, wherein a Hosea 8. 8 is no pleasure, but deformity, and impurity: he will cast thee away, as a b jerem. 22.28 despised and broken idol, full of filthiness and vanity: It will surely come to pass, that the c Revel. 3. 16 LORD will spew thee out of his mouth, as most noisome, and abominable, he will so sweep d 1 King. 14.10 thee away, as a man sweepeth away dung, till it be all gon●: he will cut thee off, and cast thee away suddenly and violently, as a e Revel. 18.21 great millstone cast into the sea. Now if it was a great punishment to jeroboam, that his f ● King. 14.11 seed that died in the city should be cast out to the dogs to be devoured: and if it was a fearful punishment for Absal●m g 2 Sam. 17. 18 to be cast into a pit in the wood, and a great heap of stones laid upon him: or if it was an heavy pain to these who accused Daniel, h Dan. 6. 24 they were cast into a den of Lions, that had the mastery over them, and broke all their bones in pieces: What a plague will b●fall the , who pray not, for he will not only appoint dogs to i jerem. 15. 3 tear in pieces their bodies, to devour and to destroy them; but also will delyver the souls and bodies of the wicked to devils, to torment and annoy them for ever: Fear k Isaiah 24. 17 and the pit of perdition, and snares are upon them. Fourthly, if thou pray not, Shame will come to these that pray not. shame and disgrace will come upon thee, yea, thou l Psal. 109. 29 shall be clothed with shame, and covered with confusion as with a cloak: may not the Almighty, who i job 12. 21 poureth contempt on Princes, and maketh the strength of the mighty weak, soon set a k Genes. 4. 1● mark of infamy on thee, to thy everlasting woe and misery; who hath despised the riches of his mercy. Consider now of two things: Cause of shame. 1. Thou hast great reason to be ashamed. 2. That this shame is a grievous punishment, thou hast cause of shame. 1. For thy nakedness. 2. For thy filthiness. 3▪ For thy unthankfulness. 4. For thy wickedness, and wretchedness. 1. Our first parents were ashamed of their nakedness, m Genes. 3. 8 therefore they hide themselves from the presence of the LORD, amongst the trees of the Garden. 2. jacob's son judah, was ashamed of his whoredom, and desired rather to want his seal, n Genes. 2●. 3● his cloak and his staff, then to be blotted with that note of ignominy. 3 The prodigal son was ashamed of his ingratitude, and unkindness, when he confessed that o Luke 15. 19 he was no more worthy to be called his son. 4 Daniel himself was ashamed for the sins of his people, and the lamentable estate under the thraldom and captivity: he p Dan. 9 7 with sackcloth, fasting, and ashes prayed; & protested that righteousness belonged to GOD, and to them open shame and confusion. Thus if thou pray not to the Almighty, thou q Psal. 49. 12 shall not continue in honour and dignity: but shame and disgrace will abide with thee, seeing thou despiseth thy GOD so unduetifully. Again, Remember that sin Sin it is a great plague. is a great judgement, which appeareth evidently both in this life, and in the life to come, not only by the testimony of godly, and wise men, who (as Solomon saith) have r Eccles. 2. 14 their eyes in their head, and s Eccles. 10. 2 their hearts in their right hand, who t jam. 3. 13 are endued with true wisdom, and knowledge, and are u Prover. 8. 10 prudent to understand their own way; for David himself did thus pray, remove x ● Cor. 4. 13 Hisp. mag●●s Ten 3. cap. 10 Livius. from me shame u Psal 119.22 and contempt, and the holy Apostle with all the Saints did truly complain, that y we are made as the filth of the world, the offscourings of all things. Thus Origen, son to Leonides, so renowned, and respected in his life, for many gifts which he had received, esteemed shame more heavy, and grievous than death, for from his childhood, he desired to die and to loss his life, for the love of CHRIST: But he so feared and eshewed shame, that rather than his chaste body should be defiled with a filthy Ethiopian, he chose to offer incense to an Idol, which brought great sorrow and lamentation to him afterward; But also of civil Ethnics: for Cato a natural wise man, choose rather to kill himself, than render himself unto Caesar's power, or with shame and Tullius' 1. office ignominy, look on his face, which fact Cicero labours to defend, albeit with little reason: yea, Saul desired rather to be killed, then by his enemies z 1 Sam. 31.4 mocked. Also Decius a Roman Emperor, a pitielesse persecuter, a cruel monster, being in battle vanquished by the Scythians, and fearing to come under the reverence of the proud Barbarians, to eshew that shame, he cast himself into a deep pit, where he ended his miserable life, and wanted the honour of burial: Again shame and ignominy, is a great punishment in the life to come: for the wicked shall rise to a Daniel. 12. ● s●ame and perpetual contempt. Fifthly: If thou pray not, thou art a stranger from GOD, and as They are spiritualy possessed who pray not. an abominable atheist will be most severely punished, for GOD not only will give b Rom. 1. 24 thee up to thy heart's lust, but also will deliver thee to the Devil, to be if not Augustin. bodily, yet spiritually possessed. Qui ●ult possidere terram, videat ne ● ter ra possideatur A judicious father adviseth men to be circumspect, lest they be possessed of the earth, as it is certain that the estate of that man who was c Math. 9 32 dumb, and could not speak to man, being bodily possessed by a devil, was very miserable: but the case of that ca●ine, who is inwardly dumb, and can not speak to GOD, being possessed by a devil spiritually; is fare more pitiful & lamentable: think●st thou that bodily possession is very fearful, and a great plague, assure thyself that spiritual possession by the evil spirit is fare more grievous and fearful. Punishment for barrenness. Sixtly: If thou pray not, thou art a fruitless corrupt d Math. 7. 17 tree, and surely thy imminent judgement shall be great and terrible, i● shall be inevitable and remediless. First: Thy punishment will be very grievous, much more heavy indeed, than thou conceivest; for the LORD hath a sceptre c Psal. 2. 9 of iron to crush thee, he f Isaiah. 27. 1 hath a sore, and great, and mighty sword to smite thee: Yea: he g Math. 3. 10 hath an axe to hue thee down: Yea, he h Ieremi. 18. 7 will speak suddenly against a Nation, or against a Kingdom, to pluck it up, or to rootte it out: If thou pray not, he hath a i Revel. 21 8 lake which burneth with fire, and brimstone, where he will for ever torment thee: he will not so deal with thee as he dealeth with the godly, who do incall upon his name, and pray to his Majesty, for he will chasti●e them with a fatherly affection: Though for k Isaiah. 58. 7 a little while he forsake them: if for a little season, or for a moment he hide his face from them, yet with great compassion he will gather them, and with everlasting mercy he will p●ttie them: Certainly, There l Ieremi. 30. 12 bruising is not incurable, their wounds are not for ever dolorous: GOD will apply a plaster, and there are medicines, and help for them: He will m jere. 30. 11 correct them by judgement, and not utterly cast them off: He will n 2 Sam. 7. 14 chasten them with the rod of men, but his mercy shall not depart from them. Secondly: If thou neglectest this exercise of prayer, thy punishment, which is great, wi●● come upon thee suddenly: for i● thou o Genes. 4 7 dost not well, sin lieth at thy door: If p Luk. 3. 9 thou bringst not forth fruit, worthy of amendment of life, the axe is laid to the root of the tree. Nadab and Abih● were incontinently destroyed, a q Levit. 10. 2 fire went from the LORD and destroyed them. Nebuchadnezar, r Daniel. 4. 28 while the word was into his mouth, the same very ●oure was fearfully punished: The s Act. 12. 23 Angel of the LORD smote Herod, so that he was eaten of worms, and died miserable. And surely if one consider duly, it is not wonder albeit the LORD plagne the wicked suddenly: For t Zach. 5. 2 he hath a flying book of his curse, which goeth forth over the whole earth: He u Psal. 45. 5 hath arrows that are sharp and swift, to pierce the heart of his enemies suddenly: For x Zach. 9 14 they shall go forth as the lightning: ●he ungod ie shall be visited y Isaiah 29. 6 with thunder, and shaking, a great noise, a whirlwind, and a flame of devouring fire. And albert the punishment of the pro●ane before a short season Sera tamentacitis paena venitpedibus. suspended and continued, yet certainly it will come to pass at the appointed time: for it i● most sure, and without all question, that the z Revel. 1.3 time is at hand, that day a Rom. 13.12 draweth near, the m●ssinger death cometh: The b Revel. 1. 7 Master, the judge cometh quickly with clouds, in c Math 24. 50 a day that one looks not for, and in an hour that one is not ware off. Thirdly: If thou prayest not, thy punishment is inevitable: If thou d Amos 9 vers. 1. 2. 3 fleest, thou shall not flee away: If thou escapest, thou shall not be delivered: Though thou dig into hell, thence shall his hand take thee: though thou climb into Heaven, thence will he bring thee down, and though thou hide thyself in the top of Carmell, thence will he find thee out, and take thee hence: and though thou be hid in the bottom of the sea from his sight, there will he command a serpent, and it shall bite thee. Albeit e 1 Sam. 19 12 David did escape the fury of Saul his cruel enemy: Elijah f 1 King. 19 3 did flee from jezabel, who threatn●d to take his life from him, and that suddenly. Peter was g Act. 12. 11 delivered from the hands of Herod, who intended to kill him, as he did lately to JAMES before: Yea, although that m●st worthy Sozom. lib. 3 cap 7. & hist Magd. admired Athanasius, when mighty Emperors, Constantius and ●ulian, almost with the whole world conspired against him, (no Doctor, no Bishop did ever suffer such persecution) and by all means laboured to procure his disgrace and destruction; yet by the power of GOD'S grace he was delivered out of all his troubles, and being full of days and honour, died peaceably: But who shall eshew, or flee away from GOD'S punishment, seeing that all things g Hebr. 4. 13 are naked, and open to his eyes: Whether h Psal. 139.7 shall one flee from his spirit, or go from his presence? None i jerem. 50. 29 of his enemies shall escape: for it is remediless which is sent from Heaven, like to the judgement of Sodom & Gomorrha. last: If thou call not upon Wretchedness. GOD, thine k Act. 8. 21 heart is not right in the sight of GOD: thou l Rom. 3. 12 art made not only unprofitable altogether, but also wicked and abominable: Thou m Heb. 6. 8 art the earth that drinketh up the rain, and beareth thorns and briers: thou art near unto cursing, thy end is to be burned: For if the deceaver be cursed, that n Malach. 1. 1● hath a male in his flock, and yet offereth a corrupt, and unworthy sacrifice: will not fare rather that caitiff be cursed with an heavier curse, that offereth no sacrifice at all? They o Psal. 53.4 go back, they are altogether corrupt, they dishonour GOD: they devour his people, they seek not GOD, they call not upon him: and because of their wickedness, unspeakable will be their wretchedness, grievons pain and destruction will be upon their bodies: Anguish and p Rom. 2. 9 tribulation shall be upon their souls. NOW consider Christian with carefulness and with attention the number and weight of those fearful judgements that Illy●icus. will befall the wicked who call not upon GOD: surely none can declare sufficiently their punishment and misery, and shortly concluding this with the learned and judicious divines. Sine oratione res in oratiòne Dominica compraehensas Index ●aber. habere non pot●rimus quibus destituti, quid potest nobis esse aerumnosius? Without prayer we can not receive these good things, which are contained in the LORDS prayer, whereof if we be deprived, what can be more miserable and wretched than we? This is also most seriously to be remarked, that other duties of the LORDS service for a time may be omitted, as to give alms, when one is altogether unprovided, as to hear the holy Word, and to receive the blessed Sacraments, when one is heavily diseased, and such like: But no impediment, no sickness, no cross nor calamity should hinder us from this duty, and divine exercise, there is nothing into this point that can, or may excuse us. OF THE GOOD OF PRAYER. The tenth Chapter. Wonderful, and manifold is the good of prayer: it is incomprehensible and ●nspea●able: a●beit o●e had a wise a 1 King 3.12 and understanding heart, as salomon's; and b 1 Cor. 13. 1 the tongue of Angels, and c Psalm. 45. 1 the pen of a swift writer, yet neither could he consider in himself, nor utter with Et precibus sanctis quaenam solatia quinam Exsurgunt fructus, nemo referre potest. his mouth, no● writ unto others how great is the excellency and profit of prayer: what inestimable blessings they receive who truly call upon GOD: As none can tell the sweetness of honey but these who have tasted it; so none can declare the comfort and contentment which the sanctified soul enjoyeth by that familiarity that she hath with her GOD in her fervent prayers, she is privy thereto, and rejoyceh therein. Let us consider some of these Great profit in prayer. commodities: 1. When thou art careful of his service, GOD will be careful of thy safety, when thou humbleth thyself under the mighty hand of GOD, and prayeth earnestly; thou declarest that thou d 1 Peter. 5. 7 casteth thy care on him: then thou may be persuaded assuredly, that he careth for thee; O how great a benefit is this? The properties of GOD'S care. how comfortable will this care be unto thee, seeing it hath so notable good properties: 1. It is It is Heavenly. Heavenly, and so from all eternity; GOD cared for thee, his eyes did e Psal. 119. 16 see thee, when thou was without form, and in his Book were all things written; which in continuance were fashioned, when there was none of them before. If he f Math. 25. 34 prepared a Kingdom for thee, before the foundation of the world; he than cared for thee, before g Psalm. 90. 2 the mountains, or earth were form, from everlasting to everlasting, he hath been thy GOD. Again, this divine care is not like the care of mortal men, that hath pain and Attenuant vigiles corpus miserabile cu●ae, Cura quoque interdum nullo medicabilis a●●e. trouble with it, which weakeneth the body, and vexeth the soul; and can by no worldly means be well helped: but it is an easy care, with all-sufficiency of pleasure, for he that beareth h Heb. 1. 3 up all things by his mighty Word, may with all facility care for his own, and that particularly: therefore thou may think upon this care most comfortably: Habebit curam tui qui fecit te, quique habuit curam tui priusquam esses: GOD who made thee, will have a care of thee, who had a care of the before ever thou was; he will so regard thee, that thou shall be a i Isaiah 62. 3 crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy GOD. Secondly: GOD'S care towards It is a great care. thee will be a great care: if a mortal man will care for his inheritance to keep the same: this did k 1 King. 21.3 Naboth who refused to s●ll his heritage to king Ahab: much more w●ll the LORD care for the god●ie souls who pray to him, he doth esteem of them greatly, as the sanctified soul will cry unto GOD; thou l Psal. 142. 5 art my portion, so the LORD will answer a●d assure that soul, that she is his m 1 Cor. 3.9 building, his temple, his husbandry, and perpetual possession. Thirdly: ●he LORDS care will be m●st joyful to thee and effectual; It is effectual. a fatherly care, a princely care: he is ●ur Heavenly Father, yea the n Heb. 12. 9 Father of our spirits, much more rich tha● Abraham, who could not make all his children his heirs, for he sent o Genes. 25. 6 them away from him and Isaac himself also while he was living: but our most wealthy and heavenly Father, will make all his children also p Rom. 8. 17 his heirs annexed with jesus Christ. Our heavenly Father is much more powerful than David was, who had no sufficient power to make all his son's Kings: but our liberal Father giveth us q Pet. 1.14 an inheritance immortal, and undefiled, that fadeth not to all his children whom he careth for sufficiently. Haereditas non minuitur copia possessorum, nec fit angustior numerositate Augustin. cohaeredum: sed tanta est multis, quanta paucis, tanta singulis, quanta omnibus. This inheritance is not diminished by abundance of possessors, neither becometh straight by number of coheires: for it is as much to many, as few, and as much to every one, as to all: for he that is r Rom. 10. 12 Lord over all, is rich unto all that call upon him, and will give every one of his Saints a s Heb. 12. 28 Kingdom which can not be shaken, which endureth for ●ver and ever. Now during the time of our pilgrimage, whiles t 2 Cor. 5.6 we are at home in our body and absent from the Lord, and hath not attained to the present possession of that Kingdom. 1. ●e will have a care of our sustentation. 2. a care of our preservation. 3. a care of our instruction. 4. a care of our consolation. 5. a care of our marriage band. 6. a care of our blessedness and happiness. Behold u Math. 6 ●6 the fowls of the heaven for they sow not neither reap, nor carry into the Barns, yet our heavenly Father feedeth them: are we not (saith our Saviour) much better than they? Did x Genes. 28.2 Isaac care through his fatherly affection for jacob's safety, will not GOD in greater affection regard the safety of our ●●ules, who do consecrate our ●●l●es to his service. Also, if that royal Prophet was very careful to gi●e good instruction, and y Prover. 4. 2 good doctrine to his wise son Solomon, tender and dear in the sight of his parents: will not our most wise, and provident Father, be more careful to z Isaiah. 44. 3 pour his spirit, and his blessing upon his own? to a jer. 31. 33 put his Law in their inward parts, and to write it in their hearts, and to give b 2 Peter. 1. 3 unto them all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of him that hath called them to glory and virtue? Moreover he is c 2 Cor. 1. 3 the GOD of mercies, and the Father of all consolation, he will have a special care to comfort all his children in all their tribulation. If Edna was careful to comfort her daughter Sarah, who d Tob. 7. 17 wiped away her tears, and spoke comfortably unto her, much more our LORD, who (though e Psal. 27. 10 father and mother should forsake us, yet will he gather us up) will also comfort us, and providentlie prepare a better marriage for us, than f Genes. 24. 3 Abraham did for Isaac; namely the King of glories own son to be our husband, who g Eph. 5. 25 will sanctify us, nourish us, and cherish us, who will make us honourable and happy for ever and ever. 4. If thou shall invocat GOD God's ca●e is te●●de● & c●m passionate. arightlie, he will have a tender and compassionate care for thee, who h john. 3. 16 hath so loved thee, that he hath given his first borne for thee, who i Rom. 8. ●2 hath not spared his own son, but gave him to the death for thee: that k john. 4▪ 9 thou mayest live eternally through him, he will take care of thee as of the member of his own body: thus l Zech. 2. 8 will the LORD of hosts say, that he that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of his own eye. And if Zaleucus a ruler and law giver of Locris did so pity his Valeria maxim. son found guilty of the crime lib. 6. cap 5 of adultery, who therefore conform to a constitution made by his Father, should have lost both his eyes, and so be deprived of all sight: this Zaleucus did not spare himself, but pulling out one of his own eyes, and another of his sons, left the use of seeing to them both, and so behov●d himself a merciful and pitiful Father, and a just or upright Lawgiver. Also if Codrus a ●ing of Athens of great nobility and greater affection and pity, who for his subjects safety did suffer, yea seek death most willingly: for when he received a response of an oracle, that his enemies the people of Peloponesus should be victorious and rulers, if they did not Virgilius in F●logis. kill the King of their adversaries: Codrus deceived them, for in the Aut Alconis habes laudes aut iurgia Codri. habit of a beggar by chyding, and upbraiding, he provoked them to slay him, and unknown to any, he died for his subject's safety such was his care of their welfare. Will not thy heavenly Father lighten m Psal. 13. 3 thy eyes that thou sleep not in death, when the eyes n Psal. 69. 2● of the wicked shall be blinded that they cannot see, and having o Eph. 4.18 their cogitation darkened, as strangers from the life of Christ, shall walk in the vanity of their mind; When their p job. 21. 17 candle shall be put out, when they shall be as stubble before the wind, and as the chaff, that the wind and storm carrieth away. In the mean season, surely q Psal. 18. 28 the Lord will light thy candle, and lighten thy darkness: he will illuminate the ey●s of thy mind, r 2 Tim. 2. 7 and gi●e thee understanding in all things: th● LORD will never leave thee, though s Psal. 27. 10 Father and mother should forsake thee, yet the ●●rd will gather thee up, and regard thee: though thy Prince & ruler would mi●-know, yet the LORD more loving than Moses (who for the welfare of his people, would have been content to have ●ab his t Exod 32.32 name razed out of the book of life) will never departed from thee, nor cast u Psal. 51. 11 thee away from his presence, neither take his holy presence from thee: but he will give thee good counsel, and show thee the x Psal. 16. 11 path of life, & will set thee at his right hand, where there are pleasure for evermore. Fistly: that GOD'S care is continual, most firm and permanent, God's care is continual. which will not decay, nor be diminished by length of time, he will care for thee, when thou art young and foolish, as he cared for Moses y Exod. 2. 5 of three months' age, when he was put in the river: he will care for thee, when thou art old and ●eeble, as he cared for Simeon, z Luk. 2. 28 and rejoiced him by beholding CHRIST, the LORD of consolation: he will have a care of thee when thou art living, as he had of his servant David: he will have a care also of thee while thou art dying, as he had of his servant Steven, a 2 Sam. 16.12 & passim. who then saw the glory of GOD, and CHRIST standing at his right hand: Yea, GOD will have a care of thy burial after death, as he accompanied jacob's b Genes. 46. 4 funeral: he will have a care of thy dead body, he will lose c john. 6. 39 nothing, but he will raise it up again at the last day. The LORDS care is not like the care of man, which continueth not, but evanisheth and weareth away by time: but GOD'S care is constant and permanent, as d Psal. 136. 1 & passim. is his mercy which endureth forever. Secondly: If thou prayest arightlie, thou may be surely persuaded The Lord will perform the request of the that pray. that thou shall receive this exceeding great benefit, & strong consolation, to wit, the Almighty GOD will give ear unto thy supplication, he will perform thy request, and grant thy petition. Behold (saith the Prophet) the LORDS e Isaiah. 59 1 hand is not shortened, that he can not sau●, neither is his ear heavy, that he can not hear: for certainly GOD f Isaiah 65. 1 himself was found of them that sought him not, as he himself assureth us, will not thou then find him comfortably, if thou seek him diligently, than the LORD g Psal. 21. 2 will give thee thy hearts desire, and will not deny thee the request of thy lips: he will look to thee with the eyes of his pity, he will declare himself a liberal, and bountiful GOD towards thee. It was thought that Salom●n would not refuse the request of his mother Bethsheba, nor say he● nay: and thus he promised, saying, Ask h ● King 2. 20 on my mother, for I will not say thee nay, undoubtedly he was most respective and loving: Also Assuerus showed great kindness and affection unto Esther, while he thus offered, What i Ester. 5. 6 is thy petition that it may be given thee? What is thy request, it shall even be performed unto the half of my Kingdom. Yet Salom●n will sooner deny the Marcellinus. request of his mother Bethsheba, and Alexander the great, will sooner deny the request of his mother Olympias, remembering him that for the space of nine months she had borne him in her womb: And Constantine the great, a k Isaiah 49. 32 nursing father to the Church, and a great comfort, will rather give a refusal to Antonius an holy and famous man, whom for his virtues and devotion he much honoured and respected, when he His●. Magd. Cent. 4 lib. 9 was interceding for the return of Athanasius from banishment; than the LORD will deny the supplications of his own servants: and therefore shall every one of the godly make l Psal. 32. 6 his prayer unto thee in a time when thou mayst be found. If thou ask then grace to thyself who art graceless, of m john. 1. 19 his fullness thou shall receive grace: If n jam. 1. 5 thou lack wisdom, ask it of him that reproacheth no man, and he will give it liberally: If thou shall seek his holy Spirit with o Psal 51. 12 David, he will vouchsafe it on thee comfortably: yea, thou will sooner weary in ask, than he will weary in granting, as it may appear in p Genes. 18.22 Abraham's requesting clearly, who first desisted in secting, before GOD l●ft off yielding to his supplication: GOD sometimes will give more than is asked. yea, which is very admirable and most comfortable, thy bountiful ●ather will oftentimes bestow more than his servants will request for Abraham wished, Oh that q Genes. 17. 18 Ishmael might live, than GOD said to him, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son. jaakob wished with the LORDS presence and protection bread r Genes. 28.20 to eat, and clothes to put on, only food and raiment, yet the LORD did more to him than he desired, ●ee gave him before his return to his father, wife, children, and a family ! he s Genes. 30.42 increased exceedingly, he had many slockes, and ma●●e-servants, and man-servants, and camels, and asses, he was made very rich. Solomon required of the LORD only wisdom t 2 Chron. 1.10 and knowledge: the most bountiful GOD most graciously answered, I ᵘ have done according unto thy e 1 King. 3. 13 word, I have given thee a wise and understanding heart; and I have given to thee also that which thou hast not asked, both riches and honour. The prodigal son resolved to pray his father to x Luke 15. 16 make him o●e of his hired servants: but his father dealeth not so with him, to wit, as an hireling, but received him as his own son, and entertained him accordingly. The LORD JESUS was requested to put y Mark. 7. ●3 his hands upon one who was dease and stammered in his speech, but CHRIST did more, he did put his finger in his ears, and did spit, and touched his tongue, and looking up to Heaven, he sighed, and said unto him EPH●HATH●, that is, be opened. Some jeves came to CHRIST for bodily nourishment, because they z john 6. 26 ate of the loaves, and were filled: but ●ESUS bestowed on them more, even spiritual refreshment for their souls, and offered them meat th●● endureth for ever unto everlasting life: And thus it is most sure and certain, that GOD will vouchsafe more good upon his Saints than they will require, or ask of his blessed Majesty: for as much as bountifulness, and la●ge liberality is natural and essential to his high honour, and great glory: He a Zeph. 3. 17 will quiet himself, and rest in his love: He delighteth to do good abundantly in all plenty and stately royalty: We read that when Perillus one of Alexander's friends asked him dowry to his daughters, the King commanded him to take fifty talents: Perillus answering, that ten talents would be sufficient: the King replied. Tibi quidem satis est tantum accipere; mihi v●●o non satis Seneca, & al●i plerique. est tantum dare: it is indeed sufficient to thee to receive so much, but so much is not sufficient to me to give: that King had a respect to his honour, and not to the man's deservings. Thy great and immortal King, (who ●aveth unto thee, Open b Psalm. 81.11 thy mouth wide and I shall f●ll it●) in giving he regardeth more his own glory, and greatness, than thy merits, and worthiness: For c Isaiah 48 9 his name's sake he deferreth his wrath, and for his praise will he refrain from it: The LORD led d Isaiah 62.14 his people with his own glorious arm, dividing the waters before them, to make himself an everlasting and glorious name: He e Ezech. 20.44 will have a respect unto us, for his own Names sake: He will be beneficial unto us, and not after our wicked ways, nor according to our corrupt works. GOD will give to his own a new heart, and a new spirit he will put within them: he will gather them out of all countries, and bring them to their land: But thus f Ezech. 36.22 saith the LORD GOD. I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel● but for my holy Names sake. And surely in thy conscience thou may be fully persuaded and firmly assured, that thy most gracious GOD will g Dan. 9 18 incline his ears to hear thy prayers, that he will yield to thy desires, and sati●●ie thy requests for three causes: first, because h john 2. 1 thou hast an Advocate with thy Father CHRIST JESUS the just, his i Math. 3. 17 beloved Son in whom he is well pleased: who k Hebr. 9 24 appeareth now in the sight of GOD, to make request and intercession for thee: seeing l Heb. 7. 25 he ever liveth, he is able perfectly to save thee, and to bring thee honour and felicirie. Albeit Const●ntine the most worthy Emperor, by his great moyen, Theodoret. lib 1 cap. 24, & Euseb. ●●b. 4 and letters of recommendation made intercession for the Saints, who were grievously afflicted, and by barbarous cruelty persecuted in the Kingdom of Persia: when he did plead the cause of innocent Christians, who in great number were tortured unto death; and entreated their King Sapores to deal mercifully, to embrace them kindly: it is yet uncertain if the intercession of Constantine prevailed any thing; or if any mitigation of that horrible persecution was granted: seeing we read that in Constantius his son's days under that same Barbarian it endured: yet this is most sure and certain, that CHRIST'S intercession will ever prevail, and be effectual, seeing m Isaiah 42. 1 in him GOD'S soul delighteth, and whatsoever he willeth GOD worketh: whatsoever he n Psal. 2. 8 asketh GOD giveth; and he will never g●t a refusal If his Father who loved o john. 17. 24 him before the foundation of the world, unto p Math. 28. ●8 whom is given all power in Heaven and in Earth, who q Ephes. 4. 8 ascended up in high, who led captivity captive; and gave gifts unto men. The second cause of thy sure certification, that GOD will grant thy supplication, is this: For r Rom. 8. 26 that the spirit also helpeth thine infirmities, for thou knowest not what to pray, as thou oughtest; but the spirit itself maketh request for thee, with sighs which can not be expressed, according to the will of GOD: and he that searcheth the heart, and tryeth the reines knoweth 27. the meaning of the spirit: and because thou art f Galat. 4. 6 the son of adoption, GOD hath sent forth the spirit of the Son in thine heart, which cryeth, Abba father: who is (as a learned man testifieth) Hilarius. Advocatus nobiscum perpetu● manens, an Advocate for ever abiding with us: and as the t john 3. 8 wind bloweth where it listeth, so the SPIRIT effecteth whatsoever he requireth. A third cause of thy undoubted assurance, that the Almighty will yield unto thy petition, is this: albeit himself be the most worthy and mighty party offended; yet he first seeketh thee: yea, by his u 2 Cor. 5. 20 ambassadors beseecheth thee to be reconciled with his Majesty: As x Psal. 103. 13 a father hath compassion on his children, so the LORD hath compassion on them that fear him. As the most gracious GOD is of unspeakable love, of great pity, and ardent affection; so he is omnipotent, whose y Dan. 7. 14 Kingdom shall never be destroyed, who hath an everlasting dominion. That mighty monarch Alexander, gave commandment to his Thesaurer for to bestow upon Anaxarchas a Philosopher, whatsoever he should require, who asked a very great sowme, which the Thesaurer hearing, and being troubled, declared the same to Alexander, who thus answered; Plutarch. in apophtheg. Recte facit, sciens se habere amieum, qui tantum dare, & possit & velit. He doth well, knowing he hath a friend, who both will and may give so much. As GOD is our friend, so he calleth us his friends: not only as Abraham z Isaiah 4●. ● GOD'S friends, but also as his a john. ●. 39 children, which do his works. The LORD as he is good so is he great, and above all GOD'S: whatsoever pleaseth b Psal. 135. 5 the LORD he may do in the Heaven, in the earth, in the sea, and in all the depths: the Omnipotent may give what he pleaseth: no creature whatsoever may do so, for the devil he lied, and spoke untruth, when he said, all c Luk. 4.6 power, and glory of the earth was delivered to him, and that he may give it to whom-so-ever he will. No man, nor potentate in this Plinius lib. 7 cap. 2 Cic●ro Tuscul quaest lib 5. & August. lib. 15 de civitate de●. earth can do so. It is said of that same mighty man Alexander, that he came to see the gymnosophists Philosophers of India, wise naturalists, and wonderful patient: (as Historiographers writ) The King said unto them; ask of me whatsoever you desire: who answered; give unto us immortality, which above all other things we desire: who unto them thus replied; seeing myself am mortal, I can ●ouch●afe upon none immortality, the King declared plainly that he had no power to bestow immortality. But the d Tim. 9 16 blessed and only Prince, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who only hath immortality, and dwelleth in that light that none can attain unto, he hath power to grant to his people what he pleaseth, and e 1 Cor. 15.53 will ca●se this corruption put on incorruption, and this mortal put on immortality, for his f Psal. 14. 66 favour is exceeding great, and his love is unspeakable, which keepeth his fidelity for ever: Let g Psal. 130.7 Israel wait on the LORD, for with the Lord is mercy, and with him is great redemption, and he shall rede●me Israel from all his iniquities. Thirdly, thou hast this gain, and shall reap this commodity, Thou hast communion with GOD. i● thou shalt call upon GOD instantly, that when thou approachest to the throne of his grace, that h jam. 4. 8 thou do●st draw near unto GOD, and he doth draw near unto thee: and mayest not thou say with that royal Prophet; It i Psal. 73. 28. is good for me to draw near unto GOD: and if it was profitable to the Patriarch k Genes. 44. 18 juda, when he did draw near to joseph: or if it was comfortable unto Queen l Esther. 5. 2 Esther, when s●e● did draw near and touched the top of the sceptre of King Ahashuerus; will it not bring fare more profit, and greater plenty of consolation to the devout soul, humbled before GOD, and drawing near his sacred Majesty? Then the LORD will m Psal. 86. 11 knite and unite thy heart vns●parablie unto him, than thou shall be combined with his holiness: thou then will be partaker of n Hebr. 3. 14 the Heavenly v●cation: yea, thou will be made partaker of Christ and of eternal salvation. thou even then art partaker o 2 Pet. 1. 4 of the godly nature: thou art (as the Apostle affirmeth) of p 1 Cor. 1. 30 GOD in CHRIST. yea thou art a member q Eph. 5. 30 of his body, of his flesh and of his bones. So by praying thou shall have an happy change in thyself, and an happy communion with thy Saviour. Now if it be great Art to turn contemptible ashes into the curious workmanship of grass: yea, to make such temperature thereof, that glass was made flexible, and pliable, as mettle which was brought to pass in Plinius & Isido●us. Tiber●●● days as is recorded: and if the Philosopher's stone (if any such thing be) be so precious, that it will change any mettle that it toucheth to gold or silver, and will bring from the highest Heaven a certain first ●ssence, as they call it. (I think it but a ●able, or a dream) which will not only bring with it unspeakable riches, surpassing that of Croesus; ●ide Cornelium Agripp. de vanitat●scient. cap. 90. but also by removing old age will bring youth-head again, and perpetual health with the best disposition. But most sure it is, by devote prayer and supplication, and without all controversy, thou shall obtain a more happy change and renovation. Though r 2 Cor. 4. 16 thy outward man perish, yet thy inward man shall be renewed daily, thou shall s Eph. 4. 23 be renewed in the right spirit of thy mind: Yea, thou t Col. 3 10 shall be renewed in knowledge, after the image of him that created thee. Certainly, by the use of thy conference with the Almighty, thou shall be changed wonderfully, and most comfortably: thou who was once u Eph 5. 8 darkness, is light in the LORD: thou who was unrighteous, shall become righteous; CHRIST x Peter. 3. 23 suffered for thee, the just for the , to bring thee to GOD, and to make thee holy: thou who was earthly shall become Heavenly; thou who was weak and an old creature, shall become y Psal. 103. 5 strong in the LORD, and a new creature, thy youth shall be renewed like the Eagles. z Isaiah. 58. 8 Thy health shall grow speedily, thou shall not faint nor weary, c job. 17.9 but shall increase thy strength continuelly: Because CHRIST and thou art actually coupled; and really conjoined in one body, by that unspeakable and inseparable conjunction in the Spirit, that surely thou art of d 1 Cor. 1, 30 GOD in CHRIST, who e Psal. 16. 5 shall maintain thy lot, and thy fair heritage: who shall be the f Psal. 73. 26 strength of thine heart, and portion for ever. Fourthly: If thou shall call upon God will honour those who pray. GOD earnestly, and pray unto GOD instantly, the LORD will be with thee, and glorify g Psal 9 15 thee: thou shall surely have honour from GOD, when thou hast familiarity, and secret conference with him: the Almighty he will favour thee, and glorify thee, he will hold out his golden sceptre towards thee, speak to thy soul secretly and most lovingly, he h Ester. 15. 15 will kiss thee, and say, talk with me: so he will b●stow upon thee greater honour than Assuerus upon Ester. By prayer thou will be one of the LORDS privy counsel, for thereby thou declarest thy fear of GOD, and i Psal. 25. 14 then the secret of the LORD will be revealed unto thee. Indeed it is most sure, that by fervent prayer, and frequent supplication cometh the greatest honour and commendation: Moses often prayed, he was greatly honoured, he k Exod. 11.32 was very great in the land of Egypt: So David rejoucing to l Psal. 122. 1 go to the house of the LORD, compassing his Al●●r, who did mourn in his prayer, and make a noise, who m Psal. ●. 4● poured out his heart before the LORD: He behaved n 1 Sam. 18.30 himself wisely, and his name much set by: he was exalted to high honour and dignity. So Daniel he humbled himself before the LORD, he prayed and fasted, He o Daniel. 2. 48 was made a great man, and a Governor over all the province of Babel, the chief of the rulers, and above all the wisemen of that Kingdom. The Saints in the Primitive Church, who gave themselves to praying, albeit the priests and Pharisees did persecute them: nevertheless o Act. 13 the people magnified them. If any be, who make conscience of this holy duty, and exerciseth himself in this most holy action, and offereth up his suits and true supplications: If I say such a one remain in contempt, and disgrace in this earth, certainly it will be for a short time, and a little season: Every contemned Christian in some respect, may be compared to Menedemus a notable Philosopher, Cùm primò ab omnibus ludibrio haberetur, postea in tanta admiratione habitus est, ut civitatis gubernacula ei traderentur: Stephanus. who at the first was mocked and derided of all, but afterward he was so honoured and admired that the government of the City was committed unto him, and was in greatest estimation. The LORDS supplicant may be humbled for a while, but surely he shall be exalted, if he be casten down, undoubtedly he will be preferred: surely p Wisdom▪ 5, 4 the fools who thought his life madness, and his end without honour, shall wonder to see him counted among the Children of GOD, and his portion among the Saints: yea, it may come to pass that these who most disdained him, shall be compelled, even in this life greatly to reverenc● him: the LORD may q Revel. 3. 9 make them that they shall come and worship before his feet, with a most reverend regard and estimation of him. Fiftly, By praying thou will They who pray are kings and priests unto GOD. not only be honoured and greatly preferred; but also thou will attain to that high excellency of greatest dignity: that thou will be r Revel. 1. 6 made a King and a Priest unto GOD thy Father: when thou offerest up spiritually sacrifices to his heavenly Majesty, every s Tim. 2. 8 where lifting up pure hands, without wrath or doubting undoubtedly, than thou shall get a sure right, and tittle to a Kingdom, so thou shall receive the beginning of the possession of that Kingdom, which is not earthly but Heavenly, which is not outward but inward, not bodily but spiritual, not decaying but eternal, which t Hebr. 12. 28 cannot be shaken, which standeth now u Rom. 14. 17 in righteousness, in peace, and joy in the holy Ghost. Albeit by nature thou be a base and contemptible creature, yet if thou pray to GOD fervently, he will speak to thy soul assuredly, and say, Fear x Luk▪ 12. 32 not, it is my pleasure to give thee a Kingdom: yea, who by nature hast y job. 17.14 corruption to thy father, and the worm to thy mother, which is worse, thou who for thy sin and wickedness hast z john. 8. 44 the devil to thy father: by grace and prayer shall have the blessed GOD to be thy Father; he will give thee prorogative a john. 1. 1● and power to be the son of GOD; to be a King indeed, and b Rom. 8. 27 more than a conqueror through him that loved thee. This was thought a wonderful Ci●●ro Tuscul quaest lib 5. & Livinius lib. 1 and a rare thing, that Tarqvinius Priscus the son of a merchant of Corinth, named Demarathus a fugitive, and a stranger should be so highly exalted, and come from so low a degree, to such a great estate and dignity, that he was made a King of the people of Rome, and did reign many years with valour and wisdom, subduing his enemies on every side, and governing his subjects. It is written also which is admirable, Florus & Valeria. maximus. lib. 3. cap. 4 that Tullius Servius, who borne a base slave, was yet advanced to that Kingdom, and governed the R●m●●es very discreetly, & did three times triumph gloriously. Remember the c Isaiah. 51. 1 rock whence thyself was hewn; and look into the hole of the pit whence thyself was digged. Consider that thyself was an alien d Eph. 2. 12 from the commoun wealth of Israel, and a stranger from the covenant of promise: yea, thou was a servant f Rom. 6. 17 to sin and a s●aue to Satan, yet by frequent and fervent praying, and by GOD'S special blessing, thou shall be wonderfully preferred, and most highly graced, so thou shall receive a g Tim. 4. 8 crown of righteousness: a h Revel▪ 2.10 crown of life, yea an incorruptible i 1 Peter. 5. 4 crown of glory, thou shall be a k Isaiah. 62. 3 royal diadem in the hand of GOD. Thou art a heir of the l james 2. 5 Kingdom promised, of the everlasting m ● Pet▪ 1. 11 Kingdom through CHRIST, which shall not decay: which is not subject to alteration, and none shall take it from thee. Many indeed of the Roman Emperors were very infortunate and miserable, they remained in a dangerous and lamentable estate, for their whole dignity and safety consisted in the power of their unruly Legions, and base soldiers, who lived most inordinately; so that it was a wonder to the wise and judicious▪ that there were any who would embrace the condition, Vide Sleidanum lib 2. de quatuor summis Monarchiis & Erasmum. or take upon them that perilous and painful function, seeing from C. julius Caesar, who was slain in the sight of the Senators, into the days of Charles the great, about thrittie of the Emperors were killed, four of them did put violent hands in themselves, yea these disloyal and outrageous soldiers, destroyed some, whom against their will they had drawn on to the height of that honour, which befell Aelius Pertinax. But all devote Christians, who are earnest petitioners, incalling arightly upon the blessed name of the Almighty, they shall all be for ever most happy and blessed, they shall abide continually in a most glorious, happy, and sure estate, they shall stand n Revel 7.9 before the Throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with long white robs, and palms in their hands: Yea, the LORD JESUS shall gran● unto them, to sit o Revel. 3. 21 with Himself and his Father in his Heavenly Throne; and they shall be more p Rom. 8. 37 than conquerors through him that loved them. Sixthly: If thou ask, p Math. 7. 7 it shall be given thee, thou shall not be an empty q Hos. 10. 1 vine, neither shall thou bring forth fruit, to thyself but shall bring forth r ●uk 3. 8 fruit worthy of amendment of life, and s Eph. 4. 1 walk worthy of the vocation whereunto thou are called, behaving thyself dutifully, both in regard of thyself and others: in respect of thyself, thou will take heed to thyself, thou will judge thyself and thou will rule over thyself, and thou will furnish thyself with wisdom, courage, comfort and constancy. First: If thou pray fervently, considering thy royal dignit●e, thou will keep t Prover. 4. 21 thy heart diligently, that it be not polluted with wickedness, and impiety, thou will resolve with thyself wisely, if thy estate be high and honourable, that then thy fault is the more pernicious and discommendable: If a pri●ate soldier should u De●t. 23. 9 Omne animi vitium ●nto conspectius in se crim● habet, quantum qui pec●at maior habetur. keep himself from all wickedness, much more a commander should do so, for his vice as it is most conspicuous, so it is most exemplary and dangerous. Secondly: thou art a King who is an absolute judge, and at length attain to that honour, as to be one who with CHRIST shall judge z 1 Cor. 6. 2 the world and the Angels: in this world thou must of nec●ss●●ie judge thyself: by summonding thyself, who by nature art a fugitive, by trying thyself, delated by thine own conscience, by accusing thyself, justly called culpable, and by condemning thyself, truly found guilty: and by this mea●e thou shall be surely fred from the fearful judgement to come: for (as the Scripture saith) if we would a 1 Cor. 11.31 judge ourselves, we should not be judged narrowly, by b james▪ 2. 13 a merciless judgement into eternal condemnation: for blessed be our GOD, the Father c 2 Cor. 1.3 of mercies, and the GOD of all consolation: he is most unlike that cursed caitiff Caligula, who compelled his deputy of judea Petronius, ●oseph antiq. lib. 18 cap. 11 to give out a sentence of death against his own life, and to be both judge and burrio to himself: but it is clean contrare in our favourable Father, who will certainly absolve all that judge, and condemn themselves. Thirdly: By praying fervently, and by seeking d Math. 6. 33 the Kingdom of GOD principally, thou will obtain this favour and felicity, that thou shall get power and dexterity to rule thyself arightly. Wise Solomon sayeth very worthily, he who e Prov. 16. 31 ruleth his own mind, is better than he who winneth a city: and what will it profit any (saith Ach●tophell who died miserably) to put f 2 Sam, 17. 23 his house in order, and in the mean season to have his heart out of order? Or what will it avail thee, with Elah f King. 16. 9 King of Israel, who commanded and ruled over many, who being overcome in his steward's house with drunkenness and intemperancy, was slain by his servants suddenly, and so perished perpetually. Or canst thou be content with Cocceius Nerva, the 13 Roman Traheron in vitis imper atorum. Emperor, (who died of anger, taken against one Regulus a Senator) he guided others, but could not contain his own passion, neither guide himself, he ended his days by choler and displeasure. Or with Valentinianus the first, who albeit he vanquished others, E●●ugere cupidit atem regulum est vincere Pub. Minist. lib. 4 Sic agitur censura & sic exempla par●tur, Cum iudex alios quod monet ipse facit. yet he could not vanquish his passion of anger, through vehemen●●e whereof an artery bursted with in him, and his blood did gush out of his mouth in such abundance, that he died shortly. Or yet what will it profit thee albeit with renowned Attolus thou subdue whole Italy, if with him thou thyself be subdued with surfeiting and venery, and spend thy days in shame and misery. Is it not much better, and by infinite degrees more profitable and more honourable, to be thy own judge, never to be condemned, to be thy own ruler never to be misguided, to be King over thine own self, never to be degraded nor deposed, but ever to be obeyed, honoured and reverenced. Fourthly: If thou pray earnestly, by this means, an g 2 Pe●. 1. 11 entry shall be ministered unto thee abundantly, into the everlasting Kingdom of our LORD and Saviour IES●S CHRIST. If thou pray h 1 Thess. 3.10 exceedingly, thou shall be furnished plentifully: if thou lack wisdom i jam. 1. 5 seek it of GOD, which will give it unto thee liberally; Sapientis ●st non ●am cui●slib●trei principium quam exitum providere. August. then thou will not so much look to the beginning of any thing, as to the issue thereof: then thou will be k Deut. 32. 29 wise and consider the latter end. And thou shall have wisdom, both in thy learning, and in thy life, in thy lips, and in thy heart. As the sight is needful for the Simil. Bion. & Laer. lib. 4. cap 7 travelling body, and strong walls for a besieged Town, as an expert commander to a fight Army, as a skilful pilot for a venturing Navy: So this wisdom and prudency is most necessary for every true Christian, desiring eternal felicity: for a prudent man seethe l Prov. 27. 12 the plague, and hid●th himself when the foolish go on still, and are punished: he m Prov. 19 20 heareth counsel and receiveth instruction, and i● wise in his latter end. Secondly: by praying, thou will be furnished with strength, and courage, and be endued with true magnanimity, which for rulers is most necessary, both for doing of good courageously, and for suffering affliction, and pain patiently. Thus by true valour ⁿ Nehemiah o Nehem. 2. 20 did build the walls of Herusalem, neither was he discouraged by the force, or flattery of o Nehem. 6. 1 Sanballat and Tobiah, and other adversaries; nor yet dismayed by the direction of the false Prophet Shemeiah. Thus by the strength of GOD, the Apostles rejoiced in their afflictions; that they p Act. 5. 41 were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for CHRIST'S Name. So many faithful Martyrs as that notable Laurentius, and a Euseb lib 5 cap. 3 hist. Eccl. noble Roman Attalus, who albeit they were tormented and roasted by a long small burning fire, yet died most pleasantly, and finished their course courageously, even deriding and victoriously triumphing over their fierce enemies, and wretched tormentors. Thirdly: Thou hast by praying in consideration of thy sure Kingdom, a good occasion of great joy and consolation, in time of most bitter anguish and grievous afflictions, so that thou may both say and do with that royal Prophet, In q Psal. 94. 19 the multitude of the thoughts of mine heart, thy comforts have rejoiced my soul, and when he was in great sorrow, his r Samuel. 30.6 house and Towr● burnt with fire, his wife and children taken prisoners, and his own people, whose duty it was to defend him, intended to stone him, being in grievous perplexity, he comforted himself in the LORD GOD. Consider rightly with thyself, if thou be in poverty, here, that all s 1 Cor. 3. 21 things are thine: yea the world is thine: Though t Psal. 34. 10 the Lion's lack and suffer hunger, yet if thou seek the LORD thou shall want nothing that is good: If thou be in sickness, comfort thyself, for that sickness u john. 1●. 4 is not unto death, but for the glory of GOD, for thy life and felicity: Indecde yet x john. 3. 2 it doth not appear what thou shall be, and know that when CHRIST shall appear, thou shall be like him in honour, in health and happiness eternally: If thou be put in prison, and detained in a dungeon, be of good courage, and x Zach. 9 12 turn thee to the strong hold, thou prisoner of hope: Albeit with joseph thy y Psal. 105. 18 feet be held in the stocks, and thou laid in irons: yet in the appointed time thou shall be loosed, delivered, and exalted; As Manasses was brought from ●etters, from chains, from Babel to jerusalem, and z 2 Chr. 33.13 to his Kingdom; or as Mathias, a mighty and happy King of Hungary, was freed from prison, and with great Vide Spinaeun. lib. 7. in metum. pomp and solemnity carried to Buda, the Metropolitan city, and there with contentment and acclamations of the people was joyfully crowned: So the LORDS anointed shall surclie come out of great ᵃ tribulation; albeit he be in prison, and the b Psal. 18. 4 snares of death compass him, and the griefs of the grave caught him; yea though he were in the very agony and pang of death, when nature's debt must needs be paid, and this outward man dissolved, our earthly c 2 Cor. 5. 1 house of this Tabernacle destroyed, and soul and body separated, yet let him remember with comfort, that his light d 2 Cor. 4. 17 affliction which is but a moment, causeth unto him fare more excellent and eternal weight of glory; and that death itself is but GOD'S messenger, Similit. to call thee out of this wearisome world, to the perpetual possession of an Heavenly Kingdom: as it would have been a great delight to David, to follow the m●ssi●ger sent e 1 Sam. 16. ●● to him by Samuel, that of a shepherd he might be the LORDS Anointed King over Israel: So death may be very welcome to thee, who is the LORDS messenger, to bring thee a f ● Peter. 2.11 Pilgrim, and g Psal 39 12 Sojurne here to his h Heb. 2. 11 rest; to bring thee, a miserable and contemptible creature to glory and endless felicity. last: By hearty praying thou shall be furnished with constancy and perseverance, and so shall be comfortably and as●●●ed●y persuaded, that thou art not only a King into the LORDS house, but also c Heb. 3. 6 the very house of CHRIST, if thou hold fast the confidence; and the rejoicing of the hope unto the end. This stability in welldoing, and continuance in goodness is most necessary for thy Christian calling, and ●oyall dignity: as the Patriarch laakob in his journey from Mesopotamia to Canaan, his native country, and to his earthly father Isaac, was hindered with many impediments, namely Laban behind him, detaining him, and determining to f Genes 31. 25 do him evil: Esau before him, afraying and sore troubling g Genes. 32. 7 him; himself going more slowly, and halting h Genes. 32. 31 upon his thigh, yet he continued constant in his intended course, he would not decline, nor go backward, but did ever proceed, and go forward with true piety and lawful policy, as is at length expressed in the same history, he was much given to fervent prayer, and earnest supplication, and so wrestled i Genes. 32.31 and prevailed, until he received a blessing by k Hos. 12. 4 weeping and praying, unto him whom he found in bethel. So thou in this thy warfare and pilgrimage, looking to Christ, going to the land of Canaan the ●●tie l Heb. 12. 22 of the living GOD, the celestial Jerusalem, to m Heb. 12. 9 the Father of the living spirits, that thou mayest live, thou will be detained with many stays, and crossed with many calamities, for some times thou n Lament. 1 19 shall call upon thy lovers who will decea●e the●: sometimes thou shall meet with false o 2 Cor. 11. 26 brethren, who will annoy thee, and bring thee in greater peril: the world like Laban will hinder thee, the devil worse than Esau will tempt thee, and p ●phes. 6. 1● Wres●le with thee; cra●●●● flatterers like Achitophel Sam. 15. 12 desirous to betray thee, will trouble thee: thou will sometimes find thine own hands weak and q Hebr. 12. 12 thy knees weary; thy r Math. 4. 6 self halting and fainting, yet go not backward, but fordward hold on thy course with constancy, run thy s Heb. 12. 1 race with patience, cry to GOD, crane help of the Almighty, implore GOD'S mercy; and with sighs and tears, that rare gift of perseverance, which is most necessare for thy salvation and glory: for (as CHRIST cer●ifieth thee) if t Math. 24.13 thou endure unto the end thou shall be saved: for that effect ask GOD courage, and constancy, which is most necessary: Sicut oculis corporalibus necessaria Similit. est lux, ut suo fruantur fine; ita omnibus praedestinatis ac vocatis, ad regnum Coelorum necessaria est perseverantia: aut sicut absque luce frustra aperitur oculus, codem modo inaniter currit, qui usque ad vitae finem non perseverat: As light is necessary to the bodily eyes, that they may enjoy their own end; so perseverance to all those who are predstinate, and called to the Kingdom of Heaven: or as without light there is no sight, the eye is opened in vain, so in that same manner he runneth in vain who doth not persevere unto the end of the race, to his life's end. By fervent prayer also thou shall be endued with such discretion and dexterity, that carrying thyself dutifully, in respect of all, in whatsoever estate, sex, condition, or degree they be: Thou will u 1 Thess. 4.12 Principis est virtus maxima nosce suos. behave thyself honestly toward them that are without: Thou will labour to know the conditions, and to acquaint thyself well with thy own friends, for that is the chief duty of a commander: Thou will study then, if x Rom. 1●. 18 it be possible to have peace with all men: but knowing well that thou hast mortal and irreconciliable enemies; thou will travail with all the force of thy soul, to scatter, subdue, and overcome them, who go about to tyrannise over thee, to bring thee to perpetual slauer● a●d endless misery: A wise King (saith Solomon) scattereth y Prov. 20. 18 the wicked, and causeth the wheel to turn over them. A wise Christian will use all means to punish his sins, his most cruel and deadly fo●s, to smite them with a mighty destruction, as z judg. 15.8 Samson the Philistines, and so to do with his corruptions, (as the Prophet speaketh of the babylonians) a Psal. 137. 9 to put them to the sword, to mortify them with anger, and indignation: And yet persuade thyself, that thou hast great need of watchfulness and consideration of prayer and earnest supplication, for this victory over thy ghostly enemy, ●●onne and gotten with much travel, turmoils, & trouble with vexation, and much wrestling, in regard of the multitude, might and maliciousness of thy enemies: considering thy own sins, also o●her foes who in number, will be ●erie many, as Bees, or as the hairs of our head: they will be also cruel in ma●●ce, they having no compassion, strong and might●e, they being principalites and powers and worldly governor's. Briefly: By the help of prayer, thou will behave thyself discreetly, and wisely towards all, thou will comfort b Thess. 5. 14 the feeble minded, bear with the weak: If c Galat. 6. 1 any be fallen into any fault or distress, thou who art spiritual, will restore such a one with the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. last: When thou prostrates, and presents thyself before GOD, Regia (●rede mihi) r●s est succcurrere lapsis. and fervently dost incall upon his blessed Name, thou may be persuaded in thy own conscience, that thou art a pious, a devote Priest unto GOD: and that the LORD will furnish thee with these gifts and graces needful for the discharge of so holy a function. First: With saving wisdom and knowledge, and c 2 Pet. 3. 18 so thou will both grow in this knowledge, and thy lips shall preserve the same: thou shall d Mal. 2. 7 be a teacher in Israel, and a e john. 2. 10 strengthner of thy brethren: Without this knowledge a man is not teachable, as a swallow which (as the naturalistes writeth) is indocill and cannot be brought to learn; he is blind and without Plin Nat. hist lib. 19 cap 32 Sacerdos s●ne literis tauqu● navis absque v●lis eyes like the seawinkle, he is unprofitable, like a ship without sails, he is beastly, more brutish than the f Isa. 1. 3 ox, than the ass, knowing his owner, and masters cryb, he is wretched and miserable, as a g Isa. 27. 11 people of no understanding, he that made them shall have no compassion on them, and he that form them shall have no mercy on them. Secondly: With this gift of prayer, praying continually, thou shall not pray for thyself only, but also for others: This did Moses, h Exod ●. 2 who stood before the LORD in the gape: Thus did Samuel, saying, i 1 Sam. 12. ●● GOD forbid that I should sinne against the LORD, in not praying for you: So did David for the people, and CHRIST made this his special duty k john. 17. 20 praying for all believers: This gi●t of prayer is the key of Heaven, if prayer ascend, GOD'S mercy will descend unto thee. Thirdly: By praying, as the LORDS Priest, thou shall l 1 Pet. 3. 9 love blessing, and hate cursing, thou will not render evil for evil, neither rebuke for rebuke, but contrariwise bl●sse, knowing that thou art thereunto called; that thou should be the heir of blessing, thou will bless GOD and his Saints, not in words only, but also in works: Noli gloriari, (as an Ancient kelleth) si lingua benedicas & vita, & meritis maledicas: Rejoice not August. if in thy words thou bless, and in thy life and conversation curse: but if thou love blessing, thou shall be n Galat. 3. 9 blessed with faithful Abraham. Fourthy: By prayer thou shall entertain the holy Spirit, as the Levitical Priests under the law, behoved to o Leu●t. 6. 13 keep the fire ever burning upon the Altar, and never let ●t go forth; but feade it carefully, and continuaily: So preserve thou the fire of GOD'S grace upon the Altar of thy heart, and be thou most watchful and solicitous, that thou never p 1 Thess. 5. 19 quench the Spirit. last: Thou will be heart'ly content, to have the LORD thy portion and habitation: For q Deut. 10. 19 as the Levits had no portion in the land of Canaan, but dwelled in tents and r Psal. 119. 57 the LORD was their portion. So thou being a Priest to GOD, and praying dutifully to his Majesty, thou will not seek so much to have any inheritance upon this ●ar●h, as to desire s Psal. 16. 6 that fair heritage in Heaven, where thou shall have food and raiment: Thou will be content, knowing thou brought nothing t 1 Tim. 6. 7 into this world, and it is certain thou can carry nothing out of it: and during the short time of thy momentaniall life, thou will abide in CHRIST, and bring soorth much fruit, and then u john. 15. 7 ask what thou will, and it shall be given to thee, for GOD'S glory, and thy eternal felicity. We will speak more God-willing of the good which is gotten by earnest prayer, when we shall declare the utility, efficacy, necessity, and effects thereof; but first of the difficulty of this divine exercise of prayer. OF THE DIFFICULTY OF PRAYER. The eleventh Chapter. Such is the a Revel. 2. 15 depth of the deceit of the Devil, a liar from the beginning, who can transform himself into an angel of light, that most frequently, and lamentably he deludeth, and deceaveth an infinite number of people of all sorts, in making them to d●●me, (yea rather to dream) that that service which is most painful, w●ightie, laborious, of greatest importance and difficulty, to be most light, easy, of small effect, and greatest facility; as the work of faith, of repentance, and prayer. But be not deceived by the illusions of thy false enemy: give great diligence for eshewing and espying his craft and machinations: For all they to whom the secreets of the LORD is revealed, who have their eyes in their heads, who have their hearts at their right hands, who have their witness in Heaven, who are prudent in spirit, they know full well by proof of experience, they will acknowledge with sorrow, and heavy displeasure, that it is a most hard, and difficult thing to pray arightly, and to ca●l upon GOD in spirit and verity. This unknown difficulty will appear more clear and evident to all in a fourfold respect or consideration: first, in respect o● the very a●t of prayer itself: secondly, in regard of the parts of prayer: thirdly, in respect of all those graces', which of necessity must concur to adorn the true supplicant: Lastly, by considering of these manifold impediments that are multiplied, for the hindering of such a profitable, and godly exercise. First then in the a●t of prayer, it is most certain, thou shall surely find sundry (if thou pray arightly) difficile, and laborious works: let us consider of some of them. In true and acceptable prayer, the first work is a departure from the world, or a separation of our hearts from this earth: The second is the ascension of our mind to Heaven: the third work in prayer is an approaching to GOD, and a presenting of our ●elues be, fore his glorious and sacred Majesty: the fourth is a speaking and conference with the most high, holy, and wise GOD: the fift, an offering or oblation to GOD the possessor of Heaven and earth, who is of greatest perfection and sufficiency: The sixth, an combat or wrestling with the Almighty: The seventh a prevailing, or an obtaining of the victory: The last a building of a temple to GOD: all these are works of turmoil and difficulty. The world is like Egypt, b Exod. 3. 8 a place of bondage and slavery: It was an hard matter for Israel to depart from it, Pharaoh a mighty King to hinder them; the taskmasters cruel to detain them, and vex them: GOD c 1 Pet 2.7 himself did come down, and delyver them. Secondly: this world is like Sodom, a place of filthy pleasure and impiety: Just Lot, albeit advertised of the punishment of the city, yet prolonged his departure, and delayed his obedience, whi●e the d Gen. 19 16 Angel caught him by the hand, and pulled him from out the fire. Thirdly: This world which is not our native country, but a place Mundus non patria sed captivitas nobis est. of banishment and confusion, it is like a Babylon, a city of disorder and confusion, go e Revel. 18. 4 out of her, thou who art the LORDS servant, that August. thou be not partakers of her ●innes, Babi●●nia, idest confusio, significat mun dum desertum malum & horribile mundus. and receive not of her plagues, depart, depart, thou that art clean, that thou may pray and prosper, separat f Isaiah. 51.11 thyself from her, and touch no unclean thing, that the LORD may receive g Cor. 6. 17 thee and be thy father. Fourthy: This world is like an evil and horrible wilderness, and waste wilderness of Arabia, there was scarcely of good things necessary: No h bread, little water, and plenty of hurtful things, as q Deut. 31.10 fiery Serpent's, Scorpions and drought thou shall wander in this de●art, both i Deut. 8. 15 hungry, thirsty, and diseased, thy very soul k Psal. 107. 4 fainting within thee. Fifthly: This world is like a Labyrinth, a place intricat by many ●lin. lib. 30 cap. 13. wynding and turnings, fare easier to rid thyself out of the four chief labyrinths of Crete, of Egypt, of L●mnos, and of Italy, than to be delivered from l Galat. 1. 4 this present evil world. Sixthly: This world is like a strong prison, a profound pit where are sharp st●●●s to hurt one, where is filthiness, a more to de●●●e one, wor●e than the prison m Gen. ●9. 20 of Egypt, where joseph was bound, 〈◊〉 also than the du●ge●n n jer. 38. 6 of 〈◊〉, where the holy Prophet ●●remi●h sta●ke fast in the miry ●ung with hunger. Seventhly: Yea, it was difficile and impossible for o Dan. 6. 2● Daniel to come ou● of the d●nne from among the Lions, unless his GOD had sent an Angel to stop their mouths that they might not hurt him: so it is as difficile, yea, more impossible for us to g●t forth of the den of this world, where remaineth our adversary the p 1 Pet. 5. 8 devil like a roaring Lion, seeking to devour us. last: the world is like a tempestuous and dangerous sea troublesome and raging, as when Io●as was in the ship sleeping: as when Paul and his company were carried to and fro in the Adriaticke sea, fasting, fare from the haven where they would be. Mare significat hoc seculum, (saith Augustine) quia habet amaritudinem, habet fluctus tribulationum, tempestates tentationum, & pisces se devorant●s. This world signifieth a sea, because it hath great bitterness, it hath floods of tribulations, tempests of tentations, and fish devouring one another. Now advise thyself (considerate Chrstian) diligently, and after due deliberation tell plainly, is it an hard matter or no? a laborious work of wonderful great d●fficu●tie to go forth from this Sodom, from this Egypt, and from Babylon, to be delivered from this wilderness, from this labyrinth, from this dungeon, and from such a sea, to have thy soul separated from the profit, pleasures, and preferments, from the crosses, and distractions of this world, to have thy conversation in Heaven, and q Colos. 3. 2 to set thy affections on things which are above, O how painful, and toilsome is it to rid ourselves from r Luke. 8. 7 these thorns which spring up with the seed of the word: and as they choke the word, so they hinder the exercise of prayer. The second work no less difficile than the former, is the ascension of our minds to Heaven: W●e ascend and go upward (saith a Father) two ways; by meditation Bernard in Ser● de ascensione. and by prayer: Meditation teacheth us that which is lacking: and prayer obtaineth that it be not inlaking. If it was painful and tedious to ascend and go up to earthly Jerusalem, for they s Psal 85. 6 going up through the valley of Baca did make wells, they were weak and weary, feeble and thirsty, is it not more laborious to go up to the heavenly and holy Jerusalem, the great and glorious city of GOD? the way whereunto is narrow t Math. 7. 14 and straight, and few there be that find it. If it was an hard matter to jonathan and his armour-bearer to climb u 1 Sam. 14. 13 up betwixt the sharp rocks, that they might fight against the Philistimes, they w●nt up upon their hands and feet with difficulty and jeopardy. Is it not as difficile to ascend on high, going through many difficulties and distractions. This was esteemed a great and Livius & al●i. weighty work of Hannibal to pierce through the high Alpes in his journey to Italy: but it is much more weighty to y Eccles. 35.15 pierce the clouds, to mount above the Sun, Moon and Planets, z Hebr. 12. 21 to pass through the visible Heavens, and to enter into the palace of glory. It was terrible to Moses himself he did z Galat. 4. 25 quake and fear to go up to mount S●nai, a mountain in Arabia, it is difficile also a Psal. 15. 1 to ascend unto S●on the mountain● of GOD. That b Act. 3. 2 creple from his mother's wonsb● could not come up to the Temple, but was carried: it was impossible for E●as himself by his own power to be taken up to heaven, the b 2 King. 2.11 chariot and horses of ●●re, the whirlwind did mount him up: it is a● impossible for thee to come to the LORD, to c Cant. 1. 3 ascend to his 〈◊〉, unless d D●ut. 1. 31 the Lord 〈◊〉 thee and b●are thee, as a man b●ar●●h 〈…〉: unless the holy 〈…〉 thee, and conduct thee 〈◊〉: For as none durst attempt Dissi●illa quae pul●hra Si●●ilit. to as●●nd to that admirable hill Amara, where none may come but an Aethiopian, and that Sam. Purchas pilgrimage. lib. 7. cap. 5 by express licence, under the pain of leaving his hands, and feet, and eyes behind him, the price of his curiosity, seeing it is a place of greatest pleasure on the earth, some taking it for Paradise. So none dare presume to pass to the Celestial Paradise, e Luke. 23. 43 which CHRIST promised to the penitent thief; but f john. 1. 43 a true Israelite in whom there is no guile: a sincere Christian and constant, who hath received g Rom. 8. 15 the Spirit of adoption, whereby he cryeth Abba Father; if any other ascend, it will be with the lose of his soul though it were possible to him to do so. The third work to be performed in this exercise, (which m●st not seem a small thing but of moment and importance) is, when the k Num. 19 9 LORD shall tak● th●e nearer to himself, considering thy baseness, guiltiness, and wretchedness: again GOD'S holiness, and righteousness, to think that thou art l Psal. 73. 22 a beast before the Almighty, a m 2 Sam. 9 8 dead dog, unworthy to be respected of the King of Glory, that thou n Psal. 22. 6 art but a worm● and the contempt of the people; that thou art but o Gen. 18 27. dust and ashes, that thou of thyself art more unprofitable than the sea-weede, where Pro●ecta vilios alga. vi●ga. with many at sometimes do good the ground: yea, by nature, without the p Luke. 14 34 spirit of prayer, thou will be as unsavoury q Math. 5. 13 salt, which is neither meet for land, nor yet for the dunghill, but men cast it out to be trodden under foot, as Ecbolius a Sophister in Constantinople, (a timorous temporizer) who altered his religion as times altered that followed, who following the profession of sundry Emperors in his time, was inconstant in his profession; yet at length he was so troubled in his conscience, that lying down at the Church door, he cried to the people to trample him under foot, for he was but unfavory salt: Surely before GOD thou art as r Isaiah 40. 17 a drop of a bucket, as vanity, as nothing, as less than nothing: Again think seriously upon thine own guiltiness, and thou shall acknowledge it an hard matter to compeer in the LORDS presence, as our first parents knowing their nakedness, did press to s Genes. 3 ● hide themselves (if they could) from the face of the LORD. The Patriarches after joseph had uttered himself to them, and remembering their cruelty and unnaturalness towards him, they could not endure to draw near to him, or look him in the face: but shame, fear, and astonishment did suddenly oppress them; they t Genes. 45. 3 went back, and were astonished at his presence: thou hast dealt more unkindly with thy blessed GOD. and u Act. 2 23 hath crucified to thyself the King of Glory: may not thou justly be dismayed for thy guiltiness and iniquity? and confess ingenuously, ●aying, O x Daniel. 9.7 LORD! righteousness belongeth to thee; but to us open s●ame, and everlasting ignominy. If there was danger and difficulty to any to come into the presence of an earthly King, for whosoever y Esther. 4. 11 man or woman did come to the King Ahasuerus, into the inner court uncalled, there was a law that he should die, except him to whom the king h●ld out his golden rod, 〈◊〉 sceptre, that he might liu●. If thou appear before the king of Kings, and Lord of glory; unless it pl●a●e his godly Majesty, to hold forth unto thee, the golden sceptre of his compassion, th●n art but a l●st caitiff, the● will be justly punished, with endless wo● and mi●●rie. And as thou remember'st thy forlorn estate, and wretchedness, that thou art z Revel. 3. 17 miserable & weak, blind, and naked: the a Eph. 2. 3 ch●l●e of wrath by nature, from CHRIST a stranger, to GOD a re●ell, and disloyal traitor; a slave to sinn●, a vassal to Satan; subject to the Miseria est comes individuae malitiae. ●urse of GOD, and heavy malediction: and so by reason of thy wickedness, thou still remainest in misery and wretchedness. Also consider carefully the LORD● greatness first, and Majesty, from whose face, both b Revel. 20 11 the Heaven and the earth will ●●ee away: He is most high over all the earth: The c Psal 83. 18 whole world is full of his glory: Whose d Isaiah. 6. 3 Na●e is great from the r●sing of the Sun unto the going down of the sa●e among the Gentiles: The S●raphims themselves, in ●●gard of the surpassing greatness, and brightness of his most excellent glory, with their e Mal. 1. 11 wings they cover both face and feet: He f Isaiah. 6. 2 looketh on the earth and it trembleth; he toucheth the mountains and they smoke, the sea roareth and all that is therein: He g Psal. 96. 11 createth the wind: and declareth h Amos. 4. 13 to man what is his thought, he maketh the morning darkness; his anger is the m●ssinger of death: his wrath as a hot consuming fire: his indignation is like a terrible tempeit, we by nature are like dry sticks or withered branches, we are as weak stubble, as light chaff, which the wind driveth away. Again, If thou think upon the LORDS holiness, thou will think it difficile to compeer in his presence : His i Isa. 67. 15 Name is the holy One; his Name is high and excellent: the k Revel. 4, 8 Angels say, holy, holy, LORD GOD Almight●e! which was, which is, and which is to come: Behold (said Bildad) power l job. 25. 5 and fear is with him, and the stars are unclean in his sight, how much more man which is but a worm. If a Captain of Damas●us esteemed the body of that crafty See Purchas pilgrimage lib 3 cap. 6 seducer Mahomet▪ that he both made great request, and offered a great ●umme of money to the idolatrous Priest, for the obtaining of a sight of the same, and when the Priest had proudly answered, how can those eyes wherewith thou hast committed so many evils in the world, see him by whom GOD hath created both Heaven and earth? The Captain replied, truth Sir, but grant me this ●avour, that I may see his body, and I will presently pluck out mine eyes: That man in his blind superstition, thought it a great matter to compeare before the rotten carrion of that vile deceaver, is it not by infinite degries, and without any comparison, much more difficile to appear before the glorious Majesty of the Almighty, and everliving GOD, who m Isaiah. 44.6 is the first, and the last: a small sight of whose glorious presence is so terrible, as to make Moses, n Hebr. 12. 21 who was the Lord's friend, to quake and fear. And lastly, remembering GOD'S righteousness, who o jer. 31. 19 is great in counsel, and mighty in work, whose eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men, to give to every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his works, who p Exod. 34. 7 will not make the wicked innocent: the q Gen. 18. 25 true judge of all the world will do rightly: for if r Rom. 11. 21 GOD spared not the natural branches, take heeds also lest he not spare thee, behold therefore both GOD'S bountifulness and severity. Now if natural men civilie, or morally righteous, were fearful to some, very near to themselves, in ●egard of their strict severity, and just rigour, for they punished such whom nature would have spared, in the highest degree of justice: Such was the famous Ti●us, Manlius, Torquatus, who caused kill his victorious son, overcoming Stephanus. his proud provoking enemy, because against his commandment, and the manner of military discipline he had fought: Again that same man, because his son Decius Sylla●us, Valerius max. lib. 5. cap. 8. had received money from the Roman confederates, he therefore being judge, adjudged his son unworthy of the commonwealth, or of his family, and commanded him to departed out of his sight incontinently: Also an other renowned Roman Mar Scaurus, Eras▪ lib. 7 Apopth. because his son had fled the battle and left the Consul C●tulus, he for●ade him to look him in the face any more, or to come in his presence: and with greater sort of severity Suetonius Gallus did repudiate his wife, because she came out of her house uncovered, her face being naked, h●e had more skill in astronomy, than in governing his wife and family, for he comforted the Soldiers of Pub. Aemilius, who were Plinius lib. 12 cap. 2. & Cicero. 1. office cast down and discouraged for the eclipse of the moon, by telling them the natural cause thereof. Hast not thou oftentimes been found a s Act. 5. 39 fighter even against God: yea, thou hast t Act. 7. 51 resisted the holy Ghost, thou hast done wrong not only to the LORDS servants, but also thou hast u Mal. 3. 8 spoilt GOD, even this whole Nation, very many are guilty of this abomination: yea, thou hast x Ezech. 16.26 committed fornication with others, and increased thy whooredomes, thou hast done shamesullie and foolishly, thou hast played y Hos. 2. 5 Adulter serpens antiquus. Aug. the harlot with the world, and with impiety, and with the devil, a filthy and a cruel enemy. Is it not a great matter then for thee to appear personally in the presence of so righteous a judge, who may justly condemn thee, even in the presence of thy own husband, who may justly repudiat thee, and consume thee: for the LORD destroyeth them all that go a whoring from him: Remember that when the LORDS Priests Nadab, z Levit. 10. i, 2 and Abihu, because they offered strange fire before the LORD, which he had not commanded them: therefore a fire went out from the LORD, and devoured them: so they died even in the LORDS presence. If a 1 Pet. 4. 18 then the righteous shall scarcely be saved, where shall the wicked and sinners appear: If then the holy Prophet Ezechiel, b Ezech. 1. 29 at one sight of the glory of the LORD, fell upon his face: If the holy Apostle beloved of CHRIST St. JOHN, shall see a vision of Christ's Majesty, shall c Revel. 1. 17 be afraid and astonished, and fall at his feet, as dead: how will thou be able to come before him, so dreadful and righteous? that the will wish d Revel. 6. 17 hills and mountains to fall upon them, to hide them from the presence of him that sitteth on the Throne. The fourth work which must be done in true prayer is yet more hard and difficile: Namely, speech with GOD, a dutiful and familiar conference, or communication with the Almighty: For it is usual, and easy for a mean man of good behaviour, and having honest apparel, to come within a King's palace: yea, in his sight and presence, in his chamber of State, to look to him at dinner or past●me: But to speak pertinently and wisely, to discourse discreetly and pleasantly, it is a Simit. rare thing of greater d●fficultie: also as it is an easy thing to speak of a King, but not so easy to speak to him: so is it easy to speak of GOD, but not to GOD, in regard of his eternity, wisdom, power, and glory, and of thy own ignorance, unworthiness, and infirmity. First he is e Dan. 7.9 the Ancient of days, before f Psal. 90.2 the mountains were made, before the world was form, from everlasting to everlasting. If g job. 32.6 Elihu a wise noble man, young in years was afraid to speak before old men; much more may thou be to speak before the eternal GOD, whose h Psal. 102. 27 Aeternitas dei neseit tempora August. years shall not fail, without beginning or ending, who liveth and reigneth for ever, whose eternity is his substance, which hath nothing mutable, nothing bygone, nothing to come. Again, If thou shall think diligently of the unsearchable wisdom of the Almighty, who is so replenished with knowledge and wisdom: Behold h job. 4. 1●.19 he found no steadfastness in his servants, and be charged his Angels with folly, how much more them that ●well in a house of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, and die without wisdom? Now if that wise man Agur thus protested of himself, saying, Surely i Prov. 30. 2 I am more foolish than any man, and I have not the understanding of a man in me. It is most certain that we are inferior in any sort of knowledge, or Heavenly wisdom to that most humble and prudent man. And it is of verity, if GOD most k job. 9 3. 14 wise in heart and mighty in strength, will dispute with thee, that thou could not answer him one of a thousand, how much more less shall thou find out thy works with him. Secondly: Consider diligently of this great power of the Omnipotent GOD, which is l Math. 10. 2● able to destroy both soul and body in hell, and thou shall confess it is an hard and fearful matter to confer with his glorious Majesty: For if the Patriarch judah, in regard of joseph's power, did est●eme it a hard matter to request his unknown brother, as appeareth plainly by his preface, saying, O m Gen. 45. 18 my LORD! let thy servant now speak a word in my Lords ears, and let not thy wrath be kindled against thy Servant, for thou art even as Pharaoh: What more pathetically, more humbly, and with more reverence, and fear can be said: may thou not much more upon the due consideration of the infinite power of the Almighty think it a wonderful difficile, and a fearful matter, to speak frequently and to confer familiarly, with the supreme divine Majesty, the GOD of all power and glory. And also on the other part, let a n 1 Cor. 11. 2● man examine himself of his ignorance, and want of knowledge, and then he will say, So o Psal. 73. 22 foolish am I and ignorant, I am but a beast before thee; as did the royal Prophet: yea, worse than a beast, for the p Isaiah 1. 3 ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib, but I have not known GOD to honour and serve him dutifully. Thou will find that thou cannot so much as q Isaiah. 19 19 speak the language of Canaan, of the LORDS people, neither by nature, art, or industry, and GOD will not hear an other language. Again, judge r Psal. 58. 2 wisely, and thou shall soon know that thou art unworthy to take GOD'S covenant s Psal. 50. 16 in thy mouth. Thou may say truly with that worthy and holy man JOHN the Baptist, that thou art t john. 1. 27 unworthy to lose the latchet of CHRIST'S shoe, and with that humble and happy Centurion that thou art not u Math. 8.8 worthy that CHRIST should come under thy roof, and think seriously that for thee it is a point of great difficulty, to call upon the name of the LORD arightly, because it is not easy altogether, to x Tim. 2. 19 departed from iniquity. Thirdly: When thou shall consider diligently of thy own spiritual weakness and infirmity, thou will think it a hard matter, to lift up thy voice, and cry to the Almighty: for that effect, seeing thou art y Act. 20 25 weak, thou hast need to be supported: I say, thou art z Rom. 14. 1 weak in the faith which thou hast, and hast need to be received, instructed, and strengthened, thou in grace art as a a 1 Pet. 2. 2 new b●rne babe, thou hast neither skill nor strength to speak: as an Ephramite had no skill to b judg. 12. 16 say shibboleth, he could not so pronounce; so many Christian (called) can not say Abba Father: the one was slain at the passage of jordan; but the other will be punished and tormented in c Revel. 21. 81 the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone. The fourth work in prayer is of greater difficulty than any of the former: namely, to offer e 1 Peter. 2. 5 up a spiritual sacrifice to GOD acceptable by JESUS CHRIST: for sometimes thou will want a sacrifice, while GOD provide f Gen ●2. 8 the same, as he did to his own servant Abraham. 2. Sometimes thou will have but a base and unworthy offering; not g Exod. 25. 4 gold, nor silver, but goat's hair. 3. Sometimes thou will have a h Mal. 1. 8 blind, lame, or sick sacrifice; and ever a filthy and polluted sacrifice, while it be cleansed not in i john. 3. 2 the pool of Bethseda, where they were wont to wash the sacrifice that was defiled by the way, and therefore it was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, neither with k jer. 2. 22 nitre, or much soap, but in the l ●itus 3. 5 lawer of regeneration, by the washing m Zach. 12. 1 of the new birth, in the fountain o Revel. 1. 5 opened up to the house of David, for sin and for uncleanness, with n Rom. 4 the precious blood of our LORD ●ESUS, by ᵒ the renewing of the holy Ghost. Now certainly, as the Father of the faithful found it very laborious to offer a sacrifice to GOD, after he had received direction and information from the LORD himself; and that in regard of three impediments: 1. the g Gen. 15 11.12 fowls fell on the carkeise, while he did drive them away: 2. an heavy sleep came upon him: 3. a fearful darkness f●ll on him. If thou be the child of Abraham, thou shall find it very hard and wonderful painful to pray arightly, thou will find great lets to hinder thee, from offering a spiritual sacrifice: 1. the fowls will come and stay thee; Satan, and unclean spirits, that q Math. 13. 19 evil one, and r Pet. 5. 8 our malicious adversary, who will not only devour s Luk. 5 the good seed, and hinder us from fructifying; but also in sacrificing, and that in sundry respects. First of their number & multitude, they are many devils, and wicked spirits, their be troops, and legions t Mark. 5. 9 to possess, and vex a poor man: Secondly, they are above us, they have advantage of the place, spiritual wickedness in u Eph 6.1 2 high places: we can less hinder them from tempting, than the fowls from flying in the air: Thirdly, in regard of their agility and nimbleness, they are swift and nimble to annoy us, they can x job. 1.7 compass, and go about the earth very quickly, in a short time: Fourthly, in regard of their devouring, greedy, and ravenous nature, like the Eagles, y Math. 24. 3 who resort wheresoever the dead carkeise is. So the similitude of our Saviour, comparing wicked spirits to fowls, showeth danger and difficulty, but the dissimilitude showeth greater da●ger and difficulty, for the evil spirits are unlike fowls, and so much worse. First, the fowls are visible, and objects of our outward senses; but the spirits are not so, but are z Col. 1. 19 invisible: 2. The fowls generally are weak, and infirm creatures; but the spirits are very strong, and of power, Thrones, a Eph. 6. 12 Dominions, Principalities, and Powers, wicked Governors, Princes of darkness: 3. Fowls are fearful, and of a timorous nature ordinarily, they may be driven b Gen. 15. 10 away easily; but the spirits are bold, and audacious, like roaring and devouring Lions, not sparing to tempt Adam c Col. 2 9 in his innocence, not CHRIST JESUS our Captain, in whom is the fullness of all glory and honour, and fare rather frail flesh, miserable man, loadned with sin and iniquity: 4. The fowls d Math. 13. 4 do feed upon the seed that falleth by the way side, or which is sown in the ground, remaining uncovered, or upon dead carkeises, lying forth in the fields; but the evil spirits will enter within ones heart, within the most secret closet of our breast subtly: Satan e Math. 4. 15 cometh, and taketh away the Word that was sown in the heart: 5. The fowls are mortal, subject unto slaughter; but the spirits they die not, they f Eph. ●. 2 live for ever, working in the children of disobedience, tempting the godly to sin, accusing them before GOD day and night, hindering them in all good courses of piety, making war against thee continually. Lastlie: S●ing by nature thou hast but a dead sacrifice, profa●e and abominable: it is truly an hard matter to get a living g Rom. 12. 1 sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to be offered to his divine Majesty, in the right manner, as he hath prescribed. The sixth work which is to be Militia nobis est assidua. August. performed in prayer is yet more hard and difficile, namely, to fight and wrestle against all opponents, as first, the wickedness of the world: 2. our inward corruptions and sins: 3. the evil spirits: 4. GOD himself. A godly soul will be in a continual warfare: The h john. 15. 24 world hateth the LORDS beloved: The holy Apostle Paul behoved to i 1 Cor. 15.22 fight against beasts at Ephesus, The LORDS Saints must st●iue against beastly men. The royal Prophet thus prayed, give k Psal. 74. 1● not the soul of thy turtle dove unto beasts: Surely thou must fight against Lions, cruel men like Nero: against foxes, crafty men like Herod: against bulls, strong men, as that Egyptian, whom Benaiah slew, a man of great stature and strength: and against l ● Sam. 23.21 dogs, shameless and impudent men like Doeg: yea, against subtle serpents, false, flattering, and betraying men, as Ahitophell. This is an hard matter, but also honourable: for as faith an holy Father, Milites suos CHRISTUS August. reges appellat, CHRIST calleth his soldier's Kings, and will give to them an everlasting Kingdom. But if thou say, I find worldlings to be my friends; and not my foes, I hope to get good and favour by them: I answer, The In Carrinensi Hispaniae agro ●ons est, aurei coloris omnes ostendens pisces, nihil extra illam aquam à caeteris differentes. Plinius nature. hist. lib. 2. cap. 103 wicked of the world are like the fish of that river, which is in the country Carrinensus in Spain, they appear to be like gold in the water, but taking them in thy hand, thou will perceive them neither in nature or colour to be any ways discrepant from other fifties: So the will seem not to fight against thee, but to favour thee; not hurtful, but profitable to thee, yet look to them narrowly, and bring them to the touch of truth and verity: thou shall confess all is not gold that glistereth, thou shall try at length that they are false friends, ever hurting thee, and fight against thee. Yet if thou affirm, I have sensible proofs of the contrary, that I smell, and taste sweenesse in them: I answer, that this world is like a Panther, that carrieth with him a sweet sent, but an ugly face: ●lin●natur. hist lib. ●. cap. 17 the one enticing beasts to sollow him; the other affrighting them from him, therefore craftily he hides his head, till assuredly the prey be in his power to destroy the same: So this world will show forth a fair colour, and give a pleasant taste, and smell at the beginning, and allureth many to follow, & to embrace the same, but it hideth the end thereof, which is deceiving, and destroying: for the whole m john. 5. 1● world lieth in wickedness, and therefore fighteth against us, to bring us to death and wretchedness, unless we be helped by JESUS CHRIST, who sayeth to his disciples, Be n john. 16. 22 of good comfort, I have overcome the world. Secondly: How hard is it to fight against thine own filthy, and faulty flesh, thy corruptions, sins, and terrible transgressions, these are the o Exod. 17. 8 Amalekits hindering thee, in the way to Heavenly Canaan: These p 1 Sam. 11. 1 are the Ammonits besciging thee, who will agree with thee, upon no other condition, but to thrust out thy right eye, to bring shame and pain upon thee: These are the Cananits, q Iosh. 23. 13 a snare and destruction unto thee, a whip to thy side, and a thorn in thine eyes: These are like the governor's of r 1 Sam 23. 12 Keilah, traitors to David, ready to betray thee, and to delyverthee to the devil thine enemy. These thy sins are as the s Rev. 9.7.8.10 locusts, like horses prepared for the battle, they promise honour and victory, but will give shame and misery, for they have on their heads as it were crowns like unto gold, they promise friendship and favour, their faces being like unto men, they promise profit and pleasure, for they have hair as the hair of women: but yet be not deceived, look and consider their teeth, and their tails, their teeth are as the teeth of lions to devour thee: their tails are like a Scorpions to sting thee, and to annoy thee. Thou must strive against them at all times, but chief at prayer, for than they will strive to separate t Isaiah 59 2 you between you and your GOD, to blind-solde thee, to cast thee into the pit of eternal perdition. Thirdly as when u Zech. 2. 1 jehoshua stood before the Angel of the LORD, Satan stood at his right hand to resist him; so when the devoute Christian shall x Psal. 42. 2 come and appear in the presence of GOD, the devil will draw near to molest, and fight against him. But it was more easy for young David y 1 Sam. 17. 3● to overc●me Goliath: albeit others, as Saul said, he was not able, who was but young to go against a strong man of war, than it is to a Christian by himself to foil Satan, and put him to flight, who never ceaseth, sed Gregori. lib. 18 moral. viventem accendit ad vitia, morientem trabit ad tormenta, while one liveth he stirreth him to vice, when he dieth, he draweth him to torment. Fourthly, which without doubt is yet more difficile, in prayer thou must wrestle with GOD himself, as did z Gen. 32. 24 Israel, so must all true Israelites, thou must a Hos. 12. 4 have power over the Angel by weeping and praying. Now consider I beseech thee, if there be between such parties any appearance of equality. What is ma●? frail flesh, a b Isaiah 41. 14 weak werme, a c Nehem 13 17 silly grasshopper, a fading flower, a decaying dream, d Psal. 90. 5 grass from withering dry stubble, light e Psal. 1. 4 chaff, which the wind driveth away: Again, ●he other party is GOD Almighty, who f Amos 5. 9 6 buildeth his spheres in the Heavens, and hath laid the foundations of his globe of elements in the earth: whose g Psal. 29.47.8 voice is mighty and glorious, that divideth the slammes of fire, and maketh the wilderness to tremble: the h job 29. 11 pillars of Heaven quake at his reproof: i job. 9 7 the Sea by his power is made calm, and he smiteth the pride thereof: yea, he commandeth the Sun, and it riseth, he closeth up the stars as under a signet. Behold, all k Isa. 40. 15 nations before him are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the dust of balance, they are as nothing, and they esteemed of him l●sse than nothing, even vanity: ●et thou who art so filthy a●d wea●e by nature must strive and wrestle with the Almighty by l Heb. 5. 7 prayer and supplication, by strong crying and tears, and so only th●u must fight while thou get the victory, and prevail with th● Creator: and m Rom. 8. 37 in all these things thou will be more than a conqu●rour through him who loveth thee so plentifully, freely, and continually. But seventhly, thou shall find it most painful and laborious to gain such a notable and comfortable victory, for notwithstanding of all thy travails and turmoil, GOD n 1 Cor. 15.57 himself must give the victory through jesus Christ: thou must o john. 5.4 be borne of GOD, if thou purchase victory to overcome the world, and them that fight against thee; yet if thou continue to call upon GOD fervently, thou mayest well persuade thyself of the certainty of this victory, for nec vulneratus, nec prostratus, nec conculcatus fraudaberis Lactant, firmian. ● victoria; neither albeit thou be wounded, casten down, and trampled underfoot thou shall be frustrated of the victory, for albeit thou be slain, stoned, p Heb. 11. 37 or hewn asunder, dead, and buried, yet thou shall rise again with CHRIST, and triumph gloriously, and remain with him in perpetual felicity: but of this more Godwilling, when we shall treat of the effect of prayer. Lastly, Albeit thou shall find sensibly that thou art a strong Israelite, that thou hast q Gen. 32. 28 had power with GOD and hast prevailed with men, yet be not secure, and slothful; fare less proud, r Rom. 1●. 20 and high minded: but labour carefully, albeit with difficulty to build an house for thy GOD, who hath ever helped thee, whose presence is most necessary for thee. When Moses was delivered from the bondage of Egypt, and Pharaoh with his enemies drowned, than he remembered with thankfulness, I s Exod 15. 2 will build a Tabernacle to GOD. When GOD did remember David mercifully, and freed him from all his adversity, he thus protested that he t Psal▪ 132. 4 would not suffer his eyes to sleep, nor his eyelids to slumber, until he had found out a place to the GOD of jaakob, an habitation to the mighty GOD of Israel. So when thy GOD shall think upon thee, who art poor and needy, and shall secure thee with his strength joyfully; then labour thou carefully to prepare a place for thy GOD, that he may delight to dwell with thee, that u Revel. 2. 6 his soul may never loathe thee: take pains that thou may be x 2 Cor. 6. 16 the temple of the living GOD, who hath given the victory. If these martial men, two great commanders and conquerors, Plutarch. & Stephanus. Alexander and Augustus, did build or repair that city called Nicopolis, were careful when they gained an earthly victory, to have a remembrance and monument of that glory: Thou hast greater cause to build an house for thy God, and adorn the same continually; to proclaim his praises publicly, and with his Prophet to sing thankfully; Blessed y Psal. 144. 1. 2 be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hand to fight, and my fingers to battle, he is my goodness, and my fortress, my tower and my deliverer, my shield and my buckler, in him will I trust: but know this for a surety, that it shall be a matter of great importance and difficulty▪ If Tatnai and Shetherboznai with Ezra 5. 3 their companions, did labour to hinder the material temple from being built: will not Satan and sin, with the wicked world labour and indevoure, to their uttermost, to stay and impede the building & repairing of that inward temple? Secondly, prayer is wonderful Prayers difficle in respect of the parts thereof. difficile, in regard of the practising of all the parts thereof, for it is a hard matter to make true confession of thy sins and transgressions Of confession. with a contrite a Psal▪ 51. 17 and broken heart, with a faithful and believing heart; that thou may say sincerely, yet b Daniel. 9 9 compassion and forgiveness is with the LORD, and with an upright and honest heart of purpose to c Ezech. 10. 3 make a covenant with the LORD, for to d Ephes. 4. 1 walk worthy of that vocation whereunto thou art called. Again, it is very difficile to Of Lamentation▪ lament for thy sin and iniquity, for to e Luke. 22. 62 weep bitterly, with repenting Peter, and to pour out thy f Psal. 56. 8 tears in the Lord's bottle, into his own register. As it was a very hard matter to g Psal. 105.41 open the Rock, and to cause h Ezech 17. 6 water come out of it: so it is to soften the i Ezech. 11. 19 stony heart, and to bring out thereof the tears of godly sorrow, and contrition, which lead to repentance, or conversion. Moreover it is an hard matter to make a petition to the Almighty, Of petition. for if k Genes. 44. 18 judah the Patriarch, a man of wisdom, courage, and a●tion, esteemed it both difficile and dangerous to make a petition to ●oseph, for his innocent brother Benj●min; thou may think it hard for thee to make request to the Almighty for thyself, who art so guilty, that thou mayest come to Heaven and felicity, seeing thou hast deserved hell and endless misery. Lastly, because thou may m 1 King 2.44 know Of request for others the wickedness whereunto thy heart is privy, and thy own conscience condemneth thee for thy trespass and iniquity, thou may well be ashamed, and think it hard to make request for others, seeing thyself is most unworthy, and . Thirdly: The difficulty of this exercise evidently appeareth: in regard the supplicant must of necessity be adorned with many other graces, which must concur to make thy prayer effectual, these Thou must have patience were mentioned in the fist chapter praeceeding: namely, knowledge faith, piety, charity, sobriety, fervency, sincerity, humility, opportunity, constancy: Good GOD! how hard matter is it, with so many gifts to be endued, as also to join n 2 Pet. 1. 5 other virtues with these rehearsed: Give moreover all diligence for to add to the ●est of these properties true patience, for thou hast great need thereof, that o Heb. 10. 38 after thou hast done the will of GOD, thou may receive the promise: Behold p jam 5. 7. 8 the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the former and latter rain, so be thou patiented, (in prayer) and settle thine heart, for the coming of the LORD draweth near, who will hear thy request, and grant unto thee thy petition. Furthermore thou must take diligent heed, that thou at this action Thou must have godly anger. flatter q Deut. 29. 19 not thyself in thine own heart, but thou must be very angry at thine own self, for thy manifold, and filthy sins, thou must have this holy r 2 Cor. 7. 11 indignation, if thou have not this godly anger, assure thyself thou shall not get the LORDS favour. last: Remember thee that it Thou must use good attention. is a difficile work, to give good attention in this action, to keeps thine s Prover. 4. 23 heart with all diligence, that it be not as t 2 Sam. 14.14 water spilt on the ground, which can not be gathered up again: And as the lame man, cripple from his mother's womb gave u Act. 3 5 heed, and diligent attention to the Apostles, Peter and john when he got health; so do thou in time of prayer, that thou mayest obtain health, and salvation. Fourthly, and finally: Wonderful Thou shall find ●undry in impediments. great is the difficulty of prayer, in regard of these stays and impediments that will meet with thee, partly in respect of Satan thine adversary: Surely as he x Thess. 2. 18 hindered the Apostle Paul from going to the Thessalonians, much more will he strive to his uttermost power to hinder thee from going to thy GOD, and from making of prayers and supplications: and as Amalek y Ezech. 17. 8 fought with Israel, when they were in their journey to earthly Canaan, so much rather will the devil fight against thee with all his force, and fiery z Eph. 6 16 darts, when thou art in thy journey, and making humble prayer and petition: Again partly in respect of thyself, for with the Disciples thou shall find thy eyes a Math. 26.43 heavy, thyself subject to sleepiness: and with Moses, thy hands b Ezech. 17. 12 heavy, thou will let them fall down, and thy knees c Heb. 1●. 12 weak, that thou can not endure of thyself, unless thou be strengthened. Thus fare of the wonderful great difficulty of prayer, now it is meet to give some consolations, that thou be not too much discouraged and dismayed. CONSOLATIONS FOR WEAK CHRISTIANS. The twelfth Chapter. FOR as much as the weak Christian, a a 1 Cor 14.20 child in understanding, upon the deep meditation of the difficulty of praying, may be heavily perplexed, and greatly discouraged, and with fear, sorrow, and bitterness of mind: thus reason, if so it be that true prayer be so hard a work to do, it is impossible for me to perform the same. Surely I say, as a faithful Messinger, b job. 33. 23 a wise interpreter is very rare, one of a thousand, who can declare to a man his righteousness, so a feeling petitioner is also very rare, who with a wounded conscience complaineth in this point of his own weakness, and of the Rara avis in terris nigroque simillima ●igno. difficulty of this exercise. But of a great number if one be found, who is exceeding sorrowful, that he can not pray powerfully as he desireth to do, and therefore lamenteth bitterly▪ and is troubled c 1 Sam. 1. 15 in spirit inwardly, when he considere●h that d●fficultie, and these many impediments which trouble him▪ I most humbly, and earnestly entreat GOD, who d 2 Cor. 1. 4 comforte●h his own in all tribulation, to ma●e me a●●● to comfort these that are in this affliction and ●o give them some contentment in this tribulation. Now first if thou complain that thy heart is tied, and so fixed into this vain world, so that as A comfort to a Christian complaining that he cannotleave the world Moses e Heb. 11. 27 forsook Egype, so thou can not forsake this present world: I say it is of truth, and verity thou can not do it boldly, yet if thou labour to leave it spiritually, it is very well for thee, and if as Hadad the Edomite in Egypt, enjoyed honour, pleasure, and plenty, taking f 1 King 11. 22 nothing, yet would not remain there, but in any ways would go to his own country, so if thou abiding in this earth, where is g Ecles' 1. 14 vanity and vexation, sin and transgression, and weary of this world, which h 1 john. 5. 19 lieth in wickedness, shall in some measure have thy conversation i Philip. 3. 20 in Heaven, seek those k Col. 3. 1 things which are above, beg for the help of GOD'S Spirit, that the LORDS power l 1 Cor. 12. 9 may be made perfect in thee: that he who did separate m Gal. 1. 15 thee from thy mother's womb, and who did separat the n Genes. 1 4 light from darkness, may also give thee grace, to o 2 Cor. 6. 17 come out from among the wicked, and separate thee to himself; that thou mayest sit p Eph. 2. 6 together with the Saints in such Heavenly places prepared for thee, before the foundation of this world was laid. Secondly: If thou be sorrowful, that it is too hard for thee yea, altogether impossible ●or to go up to Heaven, yet I may be Comfort to one who cannot ascend to Heaven. bold to persuade thee, that thy Saviour ascended q Ephes. 4. 10 fare above all Heavens, to fill all things: He will r Psal 37. 24 put his hand under thee: He will s john. 12. 32 draw thee to himself: If there be force, and virtue in that Similit. Plinius & August. precious stone the Magnet, to draw heavy iron to it: assuredly there is much more strength in CHRIST JESUS to draw t Cant. 1. 3 thee unto him: to knit u Psal. 86. 11 and unite thine heart unto him, that thou mayest fear his holy Name. And Similit. A●is●ot. & Zan●hius. if there be power in the natural Sun, by the hot vigour thereof, to d●aw up from the sea and earth, vapours and exhalations, to the mid region of the air. (experience and Naturalists teach the same) Certainly, there is much more power (without comparison) in the SON x Mal. 4. 2 of Righteousness, CHRIST JESUS; to draw up thy heart and affection unto the third Y Heaven: He in his own time will give grace, and furnish strength to thee, that thou shall say with DAVID: z Psal. 25. 1 Unto thee, O LORD lift ● up my soul: and ● lift a Psal. ●21. 1 up my eyes above the mountains, unto thee O LORD, from whence mine help cometh; I b 1 Tim. 2. 8 lift up to thee pure hands without wrath: And c Act. 4. 24 I lift my voice to GOD, to pray to thy Majesty, to praise thy holy Name as it becometh me. thirdly: If thou think it both dreadful, and dangerous for thee, Comfort for a Christian to draw near to GOD. who art filthy, who art guilty, who art as chaff before the fire, and dust d Gen 18. 25 and ashes before the wind, for to approach and appear before GOD, who e job. 15. 15 found no steadfastness in his Saints, and in whose sight the Heavens are not clean, not f job. 25. 4 the Moon nor Stars. I answer thee, albeit that be of verity, yet thou may come before his Majesty with courage, and thou may be well hearted to go boldly g Heb. 4. 16 unto the throne of grace, for these reasons: 1. because he h Math. 11. 28 calleth upon thee favourably, who art weary and laden; as the Patriarches were i Genes. 45. 3 astonished at joseph's presence, because of their sin against him, and of their evil conscience: yet when he said to them, come ᵏ near unto me▪ they came near. 2. As Ahasuerus l Esther 5. 2 held out his golden sceptre to Esther, fearing danger, she found favour: so the breaking m jerem. 10.7 of the nations holdeth out the golden sceptre of his compassion to thee, his rod and Psal. 23. 4 his staff may sufficiently comfort thee 3. Because that GOD will run n Philip. 5. 14 with the loving father to meet thee a forlorn son, and will have compassion on thee, and sufficiently satisfy thee: if thou be blind, he will o Psal 103. 14 englighten thee: if thou be cripple, he will p Revel. 1 5 heal thee: if thou be weak, he will strengthen thee. 4. CHRIST if thou be ashamed for thy pollution and filthiness will wash q Revel 3. 18 thee with his own blood: if thou fear for thy nakedness and sintu●ness●: He hath white r Revel. 3. 1● raiment: He shall b● to thee true righteousness s 1 Cor. 1.30 and sanctification, who will procure thy peace and reconciliation. Fourthly: Thou may say, it is a very hard matter, and of great Comfort to speak to God. difficulty, to speak and confer with the LORD of Glory: But this may encourage th●●, GOD is thy t I●r. 31. 20 father, thou art his child: As an earthly father will delight a●d Similit. take pleasure in the babying of his young bairne, who by his speech can not perfectly utter his own mind; so thy Heavenly Father will have more compassion u Psal. 103.13 upon thee, and will take greater pleasure in thy childish speaking: yea, in thy babbling, than in all the oratory of the wicked: if thou ●hink thyself weak, impotent, and ignorant, that as M●ses was before men, so thou art before GOD▪ slow x Exod 4. 10 of speech, and slow of tongue: yet content thyself with this comfort, that the LORD may soon open y Psal. 51. 15 thy lips, and lose thy tongue, that his Spirit z Rom. 8. 26 will help thine infirmities, and when thou knowest not to pray as thou ought, that Spirit itself will make request for thee with sighs which can not be expressed. Fifthly: If thou be perplexed, and sorrowful, that thou hast not a sacrifice to offer to thy GOD, Comfort to a Christian who lack a sacrifice. I tell thee certainly, that GOD who provided a Genes. 22. 8 a offering in the mountain for Abraham, he will provide a sacrifice for thee also, that will be pleasant and acceptable to himself: the b Psal. 51. 17 sacrifices of GOD are a contrite and broken spirit, a murning and melting heart he will never despise. Sixtly: if thou shall think it too hard and difficile for thee a weak c Psal. 22. 6 worm, a d Nehem 3.13 grasshopper, a flee to wrestle with the Almighty GOD, the Creator, and upholder of Heaven and earth, who will confound the mighty and malicious adversary: the Antichrist with the e ● Thess. 2 spirit or breath of his mouth, or with the blast of his nostril's. I answer thee, the LORD will give g●ace, and furnish strength to thee, albeit he do●h appea●e to be angry and thine en●mi●, yet than H●e is most favourable and frie●●d●y: he seems to shake thee, and to cast thee down yet then he upholds th●e: he alone gives thee power to stand, and w●●h jaakob to wrestle with himself: he will so h●pe thee, that with Fpaphras f Coloss. 4. 12 in thy prayers thou shall stri●e with the Almight●e. Seventhly: He will so enable thee with the strength of g●ace, that thou shall preva●le with him, and obtain the victory: this his Majesty will do most willingly, and mercifully: as a strong father Similit. skilful in sencing, will suffer his young weak son (as it were) to overcome him; so will th● LORD d●ale pitifully and lovingly at length with thee, and o● his freewill and good pleasure exalt thee to that dignity and sonour, that in CHRIST g Rom. 8. 37 JESUS thou shall through GOD'S love in all things be more than a Conqueror. And lastly persuade thyself certainly, that GOD who is thy habitation g Psal. 90. 1 from generation to generation, wil● bu●●d thee upon a sure foundation, so that thou shall grow h Ephes. 2. 21 unto a● holy Temple unto the LORD. Moreover, if thou be disquieted, because thou canst not confess Comforts for these who can not pray perfectly. thy sins vnsai●edly, thou canst not lament thy wretchedness grievous●: thou canst not ask good gifts a-rightly, thou can not request for others, as it becometh thee: I answer thee, if there he but a willing k 2 Cor▪ 8. 12 desint vires tamen est ●audanda voluntas, Hoc ego contentos augu●or esse Deos. mind in thee, it is accepted, according to that thou hast, and not according to that thou hast not: ●f thou hast not gold l Exod. 25. 4 and silver, silk, nor scarlet to offer to thy GOD, yet he will be content with brass, with goat's hair, with rams skins, if thy heart g●ue them freely: Yea, if thou have a ●ervent desire to do this duty, the LORD will hear that m Psal. 10. 17 desire of thine heart, and bend his ears unto thee. The royal Prophet had a purpose and a desire to build a house to GOD; the LORD was well pleased with his intention, and so was delighted with that desire, that he made him a sure n 2 Sam. 7. 16 house he established the same, and his throne for ever, Comfort thyself if thou find but a willingness and a pronn●sse unto prayer, for GOD will so mercifully help thee, that thou shall practise the same, and in his appointed time thou shall get grace to o Psal. 62. 8 pour out thy heart before him, who is thy hope, glory, and salvation. Finally: If thou complainest, that it is too difficile and laborious, Comforts for these that have not all these graces needful. for to acquire all the graces necessary for so holy an exercise, as to be endued with saving knowledge, lively faith, true piety, fervent charity, temperate sobriety, with the rest of these gifts which must accompany prayer, acceptable to GOD: This I d●c●are unto thee, that albeit thou can not attain unto these benefits in full measure, perfectly and in absolute quantity, yet if thou have them in part, in a m●ane measure, in true sincerity, a●d in right quality, than thou hast good cause of joy and consolation for: assuredly the p Psal. 125. 4 LORD will do good to thee that art true in heart, he who loveth q Psal. 51. 6 truth in the inward affections, will give unto thee an ample commendation: Behold r I●hn. 1. 47 a true Israelite, he will give to thee a great recompense, his s Revel 22.12 reward is with him, he without doubt will increase t Col. 2. 19 thee with the increassing of GOD, he will make thy good works u Revel. 2. 19 moe at the last then at the first: He will augment his benefits, and multiply his gifts, if so be that with the true believers, th●u have singleness x Act. 2. 46 of heart: as that poor penitent thief, at the beginning (I think) had but a mean measure of knowledged, faith, charity, and repentance, yet having sincerity, all these graces i●cres●d he was accepted, and with CHRIST shortly after was r●ceaned in y Luk. 23. 43 Paradise: So it will be with all GOD'S sincere servants, although they have but small beginnings, yet the mcrease of their graces will be plentiful and copious, they shall surely grow z 2 Pet. 3. 18 in grace, and in the knowledge of our LORD and Saviour JESUS. last: If thou be much troubled because of these manifold impediments, Comforts against man● 〈◊〉 which do hinder thee from this holy exercise: thou hast sin, thou hast Satan, thou hast the world, thou hast thy corruption, and many crosses and great tribulation: I reply shortly, if CHRIST ●ee a Rev●. ●. 31 on thy side, who can be against thee? 1 In regard of thy transgfessions troubling thee, thou hast an b 1 john. 2. 1 Advocate with the Father JESUS CHRIST the just: 2. I regard of thy enemies, thou hast a Chi●tane; even, CHRIST the Captain c Iosh. 5. 14 of the LORDS host. 3. In regard of thyself, of thy own weakness, and of thy own uncleannesle, thou hast also a good guider and governor, to help thee, and direct thee continually in all distresses and difficulties. CHRIST JESUS is of all the Christ is the best Advocate for seven reasons. best Advocate in seven respects, of his Wisdom, Power, Holiness, Fidelity, Diligence, Love & happy success. First: He is a most wise Advocate, Of his wisdom for d Colos. 2. 3 in him are hid all the treasurs of Wisdom and knowledge, seeing in him e Col. 2. 9 dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. We read that of Anaximen●s, that he prudently procured the peace and safety of the people, Pausa●ias. lib, 1. 6 Lampsaceni, for when Alexander the Great was highly offended against them, and had threatened their utter ruin and destruction, and because they were favourers and protectors of the Persians, against him: the people being perplexed by fear and darg●●, did send this Anaximenes to the Conqueror, to make request for them: the King knowing the cause of his coming, did swear solemnly by his great Oath, that whatsoever he required, he would do the contrary. Then wisely replied the Philosopher: My petition is that thou O King wouldst kill the men of my City, sell the women and children; burn the Churches, destroy the City, and overthrow the same utterly: Alexander Veniam dedit Lampsacenis invitus having nothing then to say, unwillingly pardoned that people. But our Advocate is f 1 Tim 1. 17 only wise: He may declare g Amos 4. 13 unto man what is his thought; all creatures are but fools, in comparison with Him who of h 1 Cor. 1. 50 GOD is made unto us wisdom, to teach us true knowledge and discretion. Secondly: CHRIST is an Advocate of greatest strength and Of his power. power, for to i Math. 28. 18 him all power is given, both in Heaven and earth: Thus in him thou mayest have great cause of gladness and rejoicing: As a certain old Soldier Macrobius lib. 2. Satut. cap. ● being accused, and so in danger was well hear●ened, when he got Augustus Caesar a mighty Monarch to be his Advocate, for so without doubt he was absolved and altogether delivered. So thou albeit thou have the Devil, the k Revel. 1●. 10 accuser of the Brethren, to challenge thee, and accuse thee: Yet, having the most mighty Monarch, JESUS; whose l Dan. 7. 14 Dominion is an everlasting Dominion, whose Kingdom is eternal, and ●ever shall be destroyed; who m Math. 9 6 hath authority in earth to forgive sins; (who may easily rebuke and con●ound Satan,) having him I say, to be thy Advocate, and intercessor, who n Rom. 2.33.34 shall lay any thing to thy charge? it is GOD who justifieth, who shall condemn, it is Christ who (by his own mighty power) is risen again, who also at th● right hand of GOD maketh request for thee. Thirdly: CHRIST is most holy In respect of his holiness. a●d righteous, one Advocate appeareth o john. 3. 5 that he may take away our sins, in him is no sin: neither p 1 Pet. 2. 22 was their guile found in his mouth. It is written of St. james q Gal. 1. 19 the LORDS brother, that he was holy, for his knees by oft sitting on them to pray; did lose all sense of feeling, also that he was righteous, because for the excellency Clemen Alex and●rinus & Eus●bius lib 2 cap. 1 Epipha. of his righteousness, he was called Just, that he was so beloved of GOD, that in a burning drought when men and beasts with the v●hemenci● of heat were troubled, when trees, corns, and grass were withered, that by his prayer and supplication, he brought abundance of rain from Heaven, yet he as Helias ● was a man subject to the like passions as we are, he wanted not his infirmities. he was guilty of original and actual sin. But JESUS CHRIST he is an Advocate, holy, s Heb. 7 25 harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the Heavens: He t Isaiah 53. 9 who did no wickedness, neither was deceit in his mouth: He that beloved u Math. 3. 17 Son, in whom GOD is well pleased, by his mediation, & effectual intercession, will bring unto thee his dew x Isaiah 26. 19 of grace, as the dew of herbs, whereby thy withered heart shall be watered, thy dry heart and barren shall be refreshed, and bettered; and thou shall be GOD'S y 1 Cor. 3.9 husbandry, to bring forth fruit plentifully, whereof thou mayest be comforted continually. Fourthly: He is such an Advocate, In respect of his fidelity which z Psal. 146. 6 keepeth his fidelity for ever: He who a john 14. 6 is truth itself, is most unlike that false Ovid. lib. 3. & Stephan. and unfaithful Ulysses, who did feign himself to be a friend, and an Advocate to worthy Palamedes, but he filthily deceived and destroyed him: but he who is Amen, b Revel. 3. 14 the true and faithful witness, is also a true and faithful Advocate, on him thou may rely with sure hope and confidence. Fiftly: CHRIST is a most diligent Advocate: for if Satan day In respect of his diligence. and c Revel. 1● 10 night accuse thee before GOD: He d Hebr. 10. 12 who sitteth at the right hand of his Father for ever, will continually day and night descend thee, and make request for thee. Sixtly: CHRIST is a most loving In regard of his love. Advocate, who e Isaiah. 53. ● hath borne thy sins, who hath carried thy sorrows, who was wounded for thy transgressions. As the Patriarch judah in tender love and affection offered himself to f Genes. 44.33 be a servant for his brother Benjamin, while with joseph he was interceding for him: so CHRIST g Philip. 2. 7 made himself of no reputation, and took on him the form a servant, and in his unspeakable love, for thy sake became obedient unto the death of the cross, that he might be thy most affectioned Advocate. If Pylades so pleaded for his dear Cice●o de amicitia. friend Orestes, that for the favour he carried towards him before King Thoas, he was willingly content to lose his life, and die for him: much more will CHRIST, who calleth h john 15. 15 thee his friend, plead more lovingly for thee in respect he hath i john 10. 15 laid down his life for thee. last: CHRIST is a most happy Advocate, for the cause In respect of the good success. was never lost which he maintaineth, that person never perished whom he defendeth: That woman k john 8. 12 taken in the act of adultery was accused, but not condemned, CHRIST being her Advocate: who as he most sufficiently and perfectly performeth his own part; so he giveth strength and grace to his Client to behave himself dutifully. Albeit Cicero Plutarch. in vita Ciceron. in the defence of Milo, by his wiledome and eloquence so moved, and persuaded the judges, that they were of purpose to absolve him, but he could not cause his Client to behave himself humbly, and therefore because of his proud car●age, and for his arrogancy he was condemned, and banished: Yet CHRIST being thy Advocate by his Spirit, will so move and persuade thee, that thou shall continually, and most willingly, do that which the l Mich. 6. 8 LORD requireth of thee: even, to do justly, to love mercy to humble thyself greatly, that thou may walk with thy GOD worthily, he will bestow grace m Heb. 12. 28 upon thee, whereby thou mayest serve GOD, that thou may please him with reverence and fear, for ever and ever. Secondly: If thou be terrified, in respect of thine adversaries fight Christ is thy Chieftain to pres●rue thee. against thee, thou mayest be of good comfort, because thou hast a strong Captain, and most valiant, and expert Chieftain: even that Lion, n Revel. 5. 5 which is the of tribe of ●udah, to support and help thee. Philip did say, that an army of Hearts, having a Lion their governor, Stobaeus sermone 52. is better than an army of Lions having a Hart their commander, albeit thou of thyself be weak and timorous: ●et thy Captain and defender, is most courageous and valorous. As joshua disconfited mighty Kings his enemies, and made his people come o Iosh. 10. 24 near, and set their feet upon their necks: so CHRIST shall p Rom. 16. 20 trod Satan and all enemies under thy feet shortly, and give unto thee a most notable and glorious victory. Thirdly: If thou be dismayed, because of th●●e own weakness, Christ is thy good guide. of thy sleepiness: of thy own uncleanness, and of thine own poverty and indigence, yet rejoice q 1 Thess. 5. 16 continually: hope r Psal 27. 14 in the Lord be strong and he shall comfort thine heart: for CHRIST shall be thy governor and Master, s Isaiah ●5. 4 he will show thee the path of life, and lead t Psal. 16. 11 thee in the right way wherein thou shouldst walk, and furnish thee with all necessary good things. CHRIST JESUS a most blessed guide, is not like jehonam, the son of Carcah, who guided the people from judea into Egypt, where they u jerem. 44.27 were consumed by the sword, and by the famine until they were utterly destroyed. Neither is he like Arimenes an Arabian Prince, who circumveined Plutarch. in vita Crassis. Crassus, and brought him to desert wilderness, and sinking sands, where many of his army were destroyed, and his own son killed. Nor yet like a more guileful guide Andromachus, who led him to watery ground and marrishes, Ibidem. where he was compelled to render himself to the will of his enemy, and then was slain pitifully. But JESUS he is a most true and loving guide, who will lead thee x Psal. 23. 2 by still waters, and make thee rest in green pastures: He will strengthen thee in weakness, preserve thee in dangers, comfort thee in miseries, furnish thee in necessities: he surely will bring thee with jacob from y Genes. 31. 1 Sechem, a place of perplexity: to Bethel, a place of peace and safety: he will bring thee speedily from z Exod. 15. 27 Marah, a station of bitterness, unto Elim where are twelve fountains of water,: he certainly will bring thee from Egypt, a place of slavery to Canaan, a country of plenty and liberty: he will turn thy shame to honour, thy pain to pleasure, thy sorrow to gladness, thy misery to happiness: he will make a Rom. 8. 28 all things work together for thy best. If b Isaiah 44.7 for a little while he hath forsaken thee, with great compassion will he gather: if for a little season, for a moment he hath hid his face from thee: Yet with everlasting mercy will he have commiseration on thee: If c john 16. 33 in this world thou hast affliction, content thyself with thy portion, and persuade thyself, that in CHRIST in due time thou shall have peace, and endless consolation. But now let us come to speak of the causes of prayer, of the necessity thereof, of the profit of prayer, of the dignity thereof, of some circumstances, of the signs of prayer, and of the force and efficacy thereof, and that briefly and plainly, as GOD of his good grace shall assist us, by his Holy SPIRIT. OF THE CAUSES OF PRAYER. The thirtenth Chapter. surely thou hast many causes of fervent prayer: 1. If thou look to GOD Seven causes of fervent prayer. thy Father, If thou look to ●●sus CHRIST thy Saviour, if thou look to the holy Spirit thy sanctifier. 2 If thou look to the Devil, a liar ᵃ and a john ●. 44 murderer. 3. If thou consider other Christians, for whom thou shouldest pray, and whose good example it becometh thee to follow. 4. If thou consider the wicked, whom thou shouldest eshew. 5. If thou take heed to thy own self, to thy necessity and misery. 6. If thou bebold the worldly vanity, pollution, danger and impiety. 7. If thou shall remember the necessity, utility, dignity, and efficacy of prayer, in the Chapters following▪ all are causes of sufficient force, to move this holy duty, chief considering thy Christian calling. First: The Great and glorious GOD, thy loving Father: he GOD'S command who is thy Father, Master, and King. commandeth thee to b Psal. 50. 15 call upon Him in the day of thy trouble, Now seeing joseph c Genes. 38.14 obeyed his earthly father: thou hast great reason to obey thy Heavenly Father, who is also a most righteous and gracious d Malach. 1.6 Master. If Absoloms e 2 Sam. 13.29 servants obeyed him, an evil Master, in an unlawful and wicked action: fare rather art thou oblished, to obtemperate thy good Master in a lawful dead. Absolom commanded that his brother Amnon should be slaire; GOD commandeth this service, that thy soul may be saved, and therefore absolutely aught to be obeyed: Seeing, moreover he is King Almighty, who e Math. 10.28 is able to destroy both soul and body in hell eternally: and to give thee a great reward for thy obedience and loyalty; when King David but desired to drink of the water of the well of Bethlem, three f 1 Sam. 25.15 of his subjects broke through the host of the Philistines, and brought unto him that water longed for: thus they ventured their lives for David's sake and for his pleasure: And shouldest not thou much more willingly hazard thy life, to give unto GOD obedience, to do his Majesty acceptable service? Who God's promise maketh also unto thee most sweet and comfortable promises, to deliver g Psal. 50. 1● thee, to h Psal. 91. 1● glorify thee, to satisfy thee with long life, and to show thee his salvation He perfectly performed his promise given of a Kingdom, not only to i 2 Sam. 5. ● David whom he loved, but also to k 1 King. 11. 3● jeroboam, an idolator whom he hated, l Iosh. 23. 14 all his promises shall in due time undoubtedly come to pass, nothing shall fail thereof: So he promiseth if thou pray m jerem 29.12 to him, to hear thee, if thou seek him, to be found of thee. Again when thou considerest CHRIST JESUS thy Saviour, thou shall confess that thou hast good CHRIST'S example. cause of prayer: Consider thy redeemer remaining in this earth, he n Math. 14.23 went up into a mountain alone to pray for a long-space of time, In o Heb. 5. 7 the days of his flesh, he offered up prayers and supplications, with str●ng crying and tears. Quòd si ille orabat qui sine pecato crat, quantò magis peccatores oportet orare? If he prayed who was without sin, how much more behoveth it sinners for to pray? His precept also and promises, Christ his precept and promise is cause of prayer. may cause thee to call upon GOD: Ask p Math 7. 7 (saith He) and it shall be given you, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you. Moreover, he q Heb. 9 24 is entered into Heaven himself, to appear CHRIST'S intercession. now in the sight of GOD for thee, to make continual request and intercession for thee: Hast not thou great reason to make request for thy own self? When the r Levit. 16. 17 high Priest went into the holy place, to make atonement, than the whole multitude of the people stood without, in s Luke. 1. 10 prayer while the incense was in burning. Seeing therefore thou hast t Hebr. 4. 14 a great high Priest, which hath entered into Heaven, even JESUS the Son of GOD, who now is at the u Ephes. 1. 20 right hand of the FATHER; to make request and intercession for thee, to procure thy peace and reconciliation: hast thou not who are without in this earth great reason, to continue thyself in earnest prayer and supplication, to the end thou mayest obtain eternal salvation? Furthermore: If thou desirest The desire of the growth of the graces of Spirit a cause of prayer. an increase of the graces of the holy Spirit, that they may the more abundantly be bestowed upon thee thou hast cause to pray for the same more earnestly, for thy Heavenly Father x Luke 11. 13 will give the holy Ghost (a greater measure of his gifts) to thee that desireth him: for the same Spirit is both the cause and effect of our prayer Scultet. cap. 3 de precatione. and petitions. Secondly: If thou take heed Cause of prayer, Satan's power. to the Devil, thy mortal enemy, thou will pray to GOD most fervently: he thy deadly adversary, y 1 Pet. 5. 8 like a roaring Lion, walketh about seeking to devore thee: He is stronger than z 1 Sam. 17.4 Goliath desirous to destroy with fiery a Ephes. 6. 16 darts. 2. He is much more crafty than b 2 Sam. 16.23 Achitophel, by his wicked counsel and machinations, plotting to surprise thee. 3. He is more false than c jerem. 41. 6 Ishmael, promising to pleasure thee, but will punish thee for ever. 4. He is more cruel than Herod, who slew d Math. 2. 16 the male children, that were in Bethlehem, but he would kill body and soul eternally. 5. Satan is more malicious than e Esther 3. 6 Haman, who purposed to put to death Mordecay, and all the people of his country. So desireth the Devil to destroy thee, and all thy offspring and posterity. 6. Satan is much more treacherous than Saul, who albeit he f 1 Sam. 18.29 & verse 21 became always David's enemy, yet in appearance of love and familiarity, he gave his daughter to him in marriage, for to be a suare to him: So Satan although he would give the whole world to thee, and although he spoke to thee the truth and verity; yet it is ever his mind to hurt thee, to ensnare thee; and altogether to overthrow thee. 7. He is restless, and g job. 1.7 never ceaseth, but with shameless impudency, with continual celerity and agility he accuseth thee, he pursueth thee, for thy perdition, and endless torment and destruction. Seeing then such is the strength, craft, cruelty, deceit, maliciousness: The estate of the Church is a cause of prayer. treachery, and vigilancy of thy spiritual enemy: thou hast great cause to pray most earnestly and uncessantly. Thirdly, if thou consider other Christians of the family i Galat. 6. 10 of faith, thou knowing some, yea too many molested and vexed on every side with k Zach. 1. 14 the four horns of persecution, thou then shouldest be sorry l Nehem. 1. 4 for joseph's affliction: and with Nehemiah fast and pray for the reproach and misery of Jerusalem. Certainly, seeing thou art a member of Christ's body, the Church militant, it is thy duty to m Psal. 1●2. 6 pray for the peace of Jerusalem, when thou shalt see the graces of GOD multiplied upon thy brethren, and them walking n Ephes. ●. 1 worthy of their Christian calling, and living an holy life: and godly conversation, thou shouldest ask of GOD, that thou thyself may become an earnest imitator of t●e●r good courses and true religion, that GOD always may be more and more glorified, his kingdom enlarged, Satan and his power confounded, and thyself surely perserved, yea that the whole p Ephes. 5. 23 spirit, soul and body of all Saints may be kept blameless until the coming of our Lord JESUS CHRIST. Fourthly, when thou shall behold The wickedness of the world is a cause of Prayer. the multitude of the wicked and sinners: if David's q Psal. 119 130 eyes gushed out with rivers of water, because they transgressed God's commandment, and did not keep his holy Law, than thou hast cause to pour forth thy prayers, when thou seest sinners continually offending God. 2. When thou perceivest them desirous to defile and destroy thyself thou, hast reason to beseech GOD to r Act. 2. 40 save thee from the froward generation. 3. When thou seest them walking in the s Math. 7. 13 broad way, and working their own destructions without remorse of conscience, being t Ephes. 4. 19 past all feeling: thou hast cause with pity and commiseration to pray for their amendment, conversion and eternal salvation, that their soul u job. 33. 30 may be preserved from the pit, and they illuminated in the light of the living, that they x Psal. 106. 5 may see the felicity of his chosen, and glory with his inheritance. Fifthly, y Act. 20. 28 take heed to thyself, Consider thyself. and have a respect to thy own safeguard and happiness, if thou fear spiritual deadness, thou hast cause to beseech GOD to quicken thee according to his loving kindness, if thou knowest thyself to be z Revel. 3. 17 blind and ignorant, thou hast reason to entreat God to open a Ephes. 5. 18 the eyes of thy understanding, and b Psal. 146. 8 to give sight to thee, who art blind: if thou think thyself that thou art weak c Rom. 14. 1 in faith, then call upon GOD to increase the same, if thou judge thyself d job. 39 37 vile and filthy, pray to God to wash e Psal. 51.2 thee throughly, and to cleanse thee from all thy iniquity: if thou be prosane, poor e Revel. 3. 17 naked, diseased, and in deformity, hast thou not very great need to pray for holiness, riches, the white raiment of Christ's righteousness, health, and that thou mayest ever appear before the LORD in holy beauty; Thou hast just cause truly to send up thy supplications uncessantly, if thou shalt arightly consider of thy danger and j●opardie: thou remainest in as great danger spiritually, as Isaac, Daniel, and Peter were into bodily. The Patriarch Isaac being young, was f Genes. 22. 9 bound to the Altar, under him was the wood to be fire, above his head the knife of his father to kill him, no person was near him to deliver him: without question he was then praying to God & making earnest supplication. But thou by nature art bound and holden by g Prov. 5. 22 the cords of thy own sin, under thee is that everlasting fire, g Isa. 66. 24 which never shall be quenched to torment thee, above thy head is the sharp h Ezech. 21. 9 sword of GOD'S justice ready to kill thee, if thou look about thee, there is none near thee to i Isaiah. 63. 5 help thee, thine own arm cannot save thee: thou then in such peril hast cause to cry unto GOD most instantly that it would please his goodness to deliver thee. And as Daniel when he was in danger in k Dan. 6. 16 the den of Lions, did pray earnestly unto GOD, by whom he was preserved, and his accusers punished: ●o thou who may protest with the Prophet, saying, l Psal. 57 4 My soul is among Lions, seeing thou art in danger to be devoured continually, hast thou not great cause to pray fervently, LORD, deliver m Psal. 35. 17 my desolate soul from the Lions, which would cruelly destroy me. Though thou art like n Math. 14. 30 Peter walking on the water, when he saw a mighty wind, he was afraid, and as he began to sink, he cried Master, save me: thou art now come unto o Psal. 69. 2 deep waters, the streams run over thee, thou art in danger of spiritual drowning: thou art sinking in the sea of sin: thou will perish certainly, both soul and body; unless thou cry, and pray timously, that thy Master would be pleased to save thee. Sixtly: If thou think wisely of The world is a cause of payer. the world's vanity, that all in this earth, Vanity p Eccles. 1. 2 of vanities▪ (sayeth the Preacher) vanity of vanities, all is vanity: thou hast occasion to pray earnestly, that thou be not bewitched with the vain pleasures and allurements of the same, that thou love q joh. 2. 15.16 not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him: for all that is in the world (as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of the life) is not of the Father; but of the world which passeth away, and destroyeth most fearfully and certainly. Thou hast most just cause, to crave of GOD, that thou be not filthily defiled nor polluted by the filthiness thereof, seeing it is pure religion, q jam. 1. 27 and undefiled before GOD, to keep thyself unspotted of the world: And that thou r Philip. 2. 15 may be blameless and pure, and the son of GOD, without rebuke into the mids of a naughty, and crooked nation, amongst whom thou mayest shine as a light in the world. last: The necessity, dignity, and utility of prayer: and that thou may walk s Ephes. 4. 1 worthy of the vocation whereunto thou art called, may forcibly move thee to perpetual practising of this holy duty. OF THE NECESSITY OF PRAYER. The fourteenth Chapter. GReat indeed and unspeakable is the necessity of Prayer, which by some comparisons will clearly appear, and become manifest. As the Samarit●nes had need Prayer compared to a bucket. of a bucket, or some other vessel, to draw a john. 4. 11 water out of jacob's deep Well; so all Christians have need of prayer, to bring to them the living water of refreshing grace, from that b john. 13. 1 fountain odened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness. As a ladder is necessare for one that would clim●e over a wall, or that c Math. 5. 30 would assault to take a To an ladder. sort: so is prayer requisite for every one, who desireth to ascend to Heaven, by it one will take hold on the true ladder, by whom he may have access to the Father. Thirdly: They that d Genes 28.12 go down to the sea in ships, and occupy by great waters, doth soon know To an anchor. how needful an anchor is to a ship; so as needful is prayer to the soul. The most sure anchor in the Anchora ●utissima in tempe●tatibus fortunae est precatio, quae defigitur sursum in Coelo, v● ancho●a figitur deorsum in fundo maris. tempests of estate, is Prayer, which is fixed above in Heaven, as a material anchor is cast downward in the ground of the Sea: it will work hope, which ᵉ is an anchor to the soul, both sure and steadfast, and it entereth into that which is within the veil. Fourthly: A Messinger is sometimes f Psal▪ 107. 23 very needful and requisite, To an Messinger. So e Genes. 32. 3 ●aacob had need of them ●o send to his Brother Esa●, when he desired reconciliation with him: So the g Iosh. 10. 6 men of Gibeon had need of a messenger to send to joshua, for their preservation from the Amorits fight against them: The people also of jabish Gilead, when Nahash the Ammonite besieged 1 Sam. 11. 3 them, and would accept of no other condition, but to pluck out their right eyes, they had need of messengers to send to all the coasts of Israel for their deliverance, from that hurt and shame. Thus, that distressed Adherball, a unfortunate King of Numidia, Multa pollicendo. being besieged in his City Cirta by his malicious and unnatural Brother Ingurtha, with many promises did require two messengers to declare his perplexed estate to the Senate of Rome, and yet received Sallust. in bello Iugur●●ino. no relief, nor comfort for all his care and request. But thou Christian Reader hath as great necessity of Prayer, which is a a most faithful and diligent messenger, if thou desirest reconciliation, with thy good elder Brother JESUS CHRIST; if thou require preservation from innumerable sins; if thou seekest deliverance from the Devil, thy mortal enemy, if thou wishest victory over thy own inbred corruption: let thy earnest request be a special messenger to thy Heavenly Father, from whom every i jam. 1 17 perfect gift cometh. Fifthly: As a Chariot is requisite for a long journey, Candaces k Act. 8. 27 her To a Chariot. chief governor had need of one wh● he came from Ethiopia to jerusalem to worship: And for a tempestuous season, that l 1 King. 14. 44 the rain stay not: a chariot is also requisite. So in thy journey towards the Kingdom of Heaven; to ˡ the celestial jerusalem, prayer is most requisite and necessary, as a chariot to carry thee. As Elijah m 2 King 2. 11 was taken up to Heaven bodily, in n Eccles. 48. 9 a chariot of fiery Horses; so thou spiritually by fervent prayer, and holy meditation in thy soul, will ascend unto the City of the living LORD. Sixtly: As the sling o 1 Sam. 17.50 and stone were needful to David to smite To Armour. and overcome Goliath his enemy: so is prayer needful for thee, that thou may resist p jam. 4. 7 the Devil and he will flee from thee. It is the most excellent peace of the q Ephes. 6. 13 whole Armour of GOD, that thou may be able to resist in the evil day, seeing it is both offensive and defensive, for destruction of the adversary, and for thy own preservation, because it is grounded upon the word of GOD, which is the r Ephes. 6. 17 sword of the spirit, it is most offensive, and because it proceedeth from true faith, it is a shield s Ephes. 6. 16 wherewith thou may quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, it is most defensive and so most necessary and expedient. Seventhly: As a key is needful for To a door. opening of a shutdoor●: so is prayer necessary for the opening the shut door of thine heart, for opening of s Act. 14. 27 the door of faith unto thee, and for opening t Coloss▪ 4 3 the door of utterance unto thee: yea, for opening of the O●atio ●●st● est cl●●●s Coeli. Augu●t. door of Heaven unto thee, that thou u Ephes. 2. 18 may have entrance unto thine holy and Heavenly Father, to remain with him in eternal glory and felicity. Eightly: In the mean time of To Samson his hair. thy warfare and pilgrimage he●re upon this earth, as sampson's consecrated x judg. 16. 17 hair was most needful for him, for victory, liberty, safety; for his honour and dignity: while he did keep his hair he was victorious, true, sound, and honourable: but when he was shaved, and wanted the hair of his consecration, he became weak, & so was soon overcome: he was a bou●d slave; he was blinded, he was by them disgraced and mocked. Even so true prayer is as necessary for thee, for by it thou shall be strong, victorious, and more y Rom. ●. 37 than a Conqueror: thou shall be fr●e as a puissant King: thou shall be safe and sound, glorious, and honourable before GOD, and all people. Ninthlie: If raiment be needful To many necessare things. to clothe thee: if food be necessare to sustain thee: if water be requisite to wash thee: if gold and pearl be fit to adorn thee: if thou have need of balm and salve to heal thee: if thou have need of good company to comfort, and give contentment unto thee, then fervent prayer is more necessare and requisite for thee: for to the help thereof thou shall receive spiritual food, even the bread y john 6. 4 of life, the body and blood of CHRIST, that meat which endureth to eternal life: thou shall get that white z Revel. 3. 18 raiment of Christ's righteousness to clothe thee, that thy filthy nakedness shall not be seen: thou shall get the water a Zach. 13. ● of the fountain of David, to purge thee from pollution and uncleanness: thou shall obtain fine b Revel. 3. 18 gold to enrich thee, that ring x Luke 15. 22 and pearls to decore thee: thou shall get good and sufficient salve, healing balm, better than the balm of Gilead to cure thee: thou shall have the company of holy y Psal. 54.7 Angels to keep thee, to comfort and content thee in all thy crosses and calamity, to carry z Luke 16. ●2 thy soul to Abraham's bosom, and to everlasting felicity. 10. If natural life be necessare, so is prayer more necessare, whereby Prayer is necessary as life. natural life is prolonged, and spiritual: yea, eternal ly●e is obtained. Holy Daniel albeit he had determined a Dan. 1. 8 in his heart, that he would not defile himself with the portion of the King's meat: yet he was throughly resolved; even with the peril of his ly●e, to pray to his GOD continually and openly. No decree, no statute, no prohibition, no punishment could detain b Dan. 6.10 him from that holy duty: but no commandment, no exhortation, no commodity, nor example can move to send up prayers to his glorious Majesty. If thou pray, GOD Almighty will keep his promise assuredly: And c john 2. 25 this is his promise that he hath promised thee, even that eternal life. last: If the holy Spirit, (without Prayer is necessary for the holy Spirit. the which none can d john 3. 5 be borne again and renewed, none can be instructed, none e Rom. 1. 5 sanctified, none can be f john 14. 16 comforted, confirmed, nor glorified) if I say this sanctifying Spirit be necessary, so also is prayer, seeing our g Luke 11. 13 Heavenly Father will give the holy Ghost to them that desire him. But if thou shall say, that prayer is not so needful, because many evil doers have gotten good gifts, and have not prayed arightly for the same, as Cain h Genes. 4 8 a vagabond and runagate received strength: Esau i Hebr. 12. 16 a profane person, his father's k Genes. 25. 2● favour: Naball a foolish man received l ● Sam. 25. 36 riches: traitorous Achitophel m 2 Sam. 16.23 worldly wisdom: wicked n Esther. 3. 1 Haman worldly honour: cruel jezabel o 2 King 9 30 was fair and beautiful: wretched p Luke 9 ● ludas had learning: yea, the gift of preaching: and proud q Exod. 1. ● Phara●h received an earthly Kingdom, that these cursed caitiffs did not pray, nor call upon the name of the LORD. I answer, albeit GOD r Math. 5. 45 maketh his sun to arise both on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and : yet these be commoun and earthly benefits, temporary gifts: these will be but as s Rom. 12.20 coals of fire upon their heads, and aggravate their just condemnation: but the godly, who call upon the LORD conscientiously, they receive true grace, spiritual, Heavenly, and eternal blessings, unto their everlasting salvation. OF THE PROFIT OF TRUE PRAYER. The fifteenth Chapter. ALbeit the Atheist (whose candle shall be put out, who shall be as stubble before the wind, as chaafe which the storm carrieth away: or as a Isaiah 1. 31 tow before the fire) will thus foolishly say, Who b job. 21. 15 is the Almighty that I should serve him? and what profit shall I have, if I pray unto him? Yet let the faithful Christian certainly be persuaded that as godliness c 1 Tim. 6. 6 is great gain; so is prayer, which procureth godliness, Prayer is profitable for keeping of good. it must be great gain. Vtilitas (as the natural Philosopher sayeth wisely) est praesentium bonorum conservatio, aut absentium Arist. Rhetor. ad A●exan. comparatio, aut malorum instantium propulsio, aut futurorum incommodorum inhibitio: & hoc dividitur in corpus, animam, & res ●ternas: that is to say, This is utility, the keeping of good things which are present, the acquiring of good things which are absent: or the holding off, and propulsion of evil things, which are near and instant, or the staying and inhibition of hurts and detriments to come: and this is divided to the body, soul, and eternal things. Prayer then is profitable for preserving true light, and saving knowledge in thy mind, lest the devil blindfold thee, and pluck out the eyes of thy soul, that thou mayest have d 2 Tim. 2. 7 understanding in all things, necessary and expedient, for keeping holiness in thine affection, and in thy conversation: for preserving of health, strength, riches, good name, children, and posterity, for keeping of all public and private good. Secondly: Invocation, or calling upon GOD is most commodious, Prayer is profitable for purchasing good. for purchasing of good things that are lost or absent. If therefore thou e Revel. 2. 4 hast lost thy first love, and hast lost that sweet familiarity and acquaintance, which sometimes most comfortably thou hast had with thy GOD: if thou hast lost his precious presence, his gracious favour, his sanctifying Spirit, peace of conscience, health of body, worldly honour, earthly wealth, dear friends, loving children, or what ever is beloved of thee. True prayer is most profitable to recover all, that GOD may lift up f Psal. 4. 6 the light of his countenance upon thee, that he may vouchsafe his love and favour upon thee; that again thou mayest renew thy acquaintance, g job. 22. 25 and make friendship with thy GOD, that thou mayest love h Deut. 6.5 him with all thine heart, soul, strength, and mind: that thou mayest find the LORD always i 2 Chron 15.2 with thee, and thou with him: that GOD may create k Psal. 51. 10 a clcane heart, and renew a right spirit within thee, that all good things lost may be restored unto thee: that the LORD l Ilb 42. 12 may bless thy last days more than the first, that thou ma●est receive whatsoever good thou requirest for this life, or the life to come. Thirdly: Prayer is profitable, for removing of punishment already Prayer is profitable fo●●em●ving of present 〈◊〉. ●●s. in●●i●ted, whither they be commoun judgements, as sword, ●● fam●●e pestilence; or particular judgements m 1 King. ●. 37 and corrections for sickness, ●anishment, want, and distress. Consider the example of David, Hez●ki●h, Manasse, Samson, and others. Fourthly: Prayer is profitable for averting plagues that are threatened P●●yer is profitable for averting of punishments threatened. and denunced: A plain proof hereof in the Ninivits, when they did n Io●. 3.8 cry unto GOD mightily: the LORD inclined his ear mercifully, and delivered them from that destruction which was denounced. Again, an other man speaketh pertinently to this purpose, that Vtilitas in continuá rei bo●ae possessione consistit. utility consisteth in a continual possession of a good thing. Then prayer is most profitable, for by the help thereof, the blessed GOD shall be thy o Psal. 16.5 portion, thy lot, thine inheritance, a●d perpetual possession, thy everlasting habitation p Psal 90. 1 from generation to generation: all things, whether q 1 C●r. 3. 22 th●y be things present, or things to come, shall be th●ne, and thou Christ's, and Christ Gods, thou shall surely have a continual possession of GOD himself, and r Rom. 8. 28 all things shall work together for thy best. True prayer assuredly is profitable, for people of all age, ●exe, estate, and condition at all times for ever: m●st profitable for young s Genes 25 63 Isaak, ●or old t Luke 2. 29 Sim●on, for n 1 Sam. 1. 10 Hanna, a woman, as for E●canah her husband, for rich King x 1 King. 8● 23 Aequ● pauperibus prodest l●cupletib●s aequè: Aequè neglectu●● pueris; senibusque nocebat. Solomon, as for poor Lazarus, in time of health, and in time of sickness, during life-time and at thy dying day. For if thou pray dutifully, if thou hear GOD'S word ●●●gently, than y Isaiah 48. 17 the LORD will teach thee to profit, ●●a 〈◊〉 ●●●e by the way thou sho●●●●● 〈◊〉. If the Apo●●'e 〈◊〉 john Mark, to be brought to him, because he wa● pro●●●● z 2 Tim. 4. 11 unto him to minister, th●● sho●'dest desire that thou may be continually p●●●e to 〈◊〉, which is most 〈◊〉 to minister unto 〈◊〉 necessity's, to m●●●rat all thine affairs, to ma●e thee happy h●ere and for eve●, Amen. OF THE DIGNITY OF PRAYER. The sixteenth Chapter. FAithfull and ●ervent prayer (persuade thyself) will bring to thee, 1. True honour and dignity. 2. Nobility and generosity. 3. A sure Kingdom and royal. 4. A happy marriage and a blessed matrimony. First: By true prayer, as thou will be delivered from the slavery of Satan and iniquity, that from henceforth a Rom. 6. 6 thou shouldest not serve sin, nor thy corrupt lusts and affections, nor thy ●ilthie rotten b Titus 3. 3 pleasures; so thou shall attain true liberty, thou shall be c john ●. 36 made free indeed, and Abraham's spiritual child: Thou shall be honourable, preferred to see a citizen d Ephes. 2.19 with the Saints, and of the household of GOD: yea, certainly, thou shall be advanced to such dignity, that thou shall become the LORDS secretary: The e Psal. 25.14 secret of the LORD shall be revealed to thee that fear him, and doth pray to his Majesty; he will show f job. 11.6 thee the secreets of wisdom, and of thine own salvation. As the poor penitent g Luke 23.42 thief, praying to CHRIST, had more honour and understanding, and a better judgement in matters concerning GOD'S Kingdom, than the whole body of the jews, than the learned Scribes and Pharisees, to his everlasting joy and consolation; so thou by praying diligently shall get honour and dignity, a●d ha●e comfortable knowledge of the LORDS mysteries, and so shall have more h Psal. 199.99 understanding than the Ancient, than teachers: yea, in some measure thou shall be like holy Daniel, he prayed, the i Dan. 2. 19 secret to him was reveiled, he k Dan. 2. 48 is made a great man, and honoured: so I say, thou calling upon GOD arightly, shall become the LORDS secretary, and exalted to l 2 Tim. 1. 10 immortality of true honour and dignity. Secondly: Albeit by nature, corruption Prayer bringeth nobility. m john 17. 14 be thy father, and the wo●me thy mother, and which is worse in respect of sin, thou hast Satan to n john 8. 44 be thy father when thou dost his lusts, yet by fervent prayer thou shall have GOD to be thy father; thou shall be borne o john 1. 13 not of blood, but of GOD: CHRIST will p Hebr. 2. 11 not be ashamed to call thee his brother: thou shall be truly and continually noble: for supplication, a true token of religion, and Christianity ever yields the best reputation and nobility, Generosa Christi secta nobilitat viros Cui quisquis servit, ille verè est nobilis Prudentius. The generous race of CHRIST nobilitateth men, whoever serveth him is truly noble, what ever their condition be in this world. Is not Piety the mother of prayer of greater power to nobilitate than Philosophy? Now this is the testimony of Seneca, that Platonem non Seneca Epist. 44. ad Lucull. accepit nobilem Philosophia, sed fecit, Philosophy received not Plato a noble man, but made him one. Also Anacharsis of admirable wisdom, when by reproach he Stobaeus sermon. 84. was named a Scythian, he thus answered, I am so by birth and by kind; but not so in my conditions, manners, and engine: he would show that true nobility proceeded not from parentage, but from virtue and industry, but much rather is of verity, that it cometh by true prayer and piety. Thirdly: Prayer will make a By prayer thou will receive a Kingdom. King q Revel. 1. 9 unto GOD. Abraham was reputed, and called a r Genes. 2●. 6 Prince amongst strangers: not for his land, nor ample possession; but for his godliness and devotion. Thus King JAMES of blessed memory, present in the Church Patric. Scharpius in Epist. dedica●. ad illustrissimum Regem. general assembly, protested publicly, most worthily and wisely, that he had fare rather be a Christian calling upon GOD, than an earthly King and no Christian: his Majesty knew well that he received a better, and a surer Kingdom by holiness and invocation, than by heritage or succession. So by holy praying thou will come to the perpetual possession of an Heavenly Kingdom, s Heb. 12. 28 which no ways can be shaken: it is an t 1 Pet. 1. 4 inheritance immortal and undefiled, it fadeth not, it is reserved in the Heavens for thee, and so well kept, and thou shall be well preserved for the same: thou shall not u john. 10. 28 perish: None shall pluck thee out of CHRIST'S hand, he will give unto thee eternal life. Fourthly: By prayer thou shall By prayer CHRIST shall be thine husband. be blessed with an honourable marriage, as Isaaks x Genes. 24. 12 marriage was comfortable, which was begun, continued, and ended by prayer: so thou by calling upon GOD shall get CRRIST to be thy husband, who will make y Ephes. 5▪ 27 thee unto himself a glorious spouse, holy, and without blame; who will marry thee z Hos. 2. 19 unto himself for ever in righteousness, judgement, mercy, compassion and faithfulness, who will continually remember a jerem. 2. 2 thee with the kindness of thy youth, and the love of thy marriage. Wise Mordecai (without controversy) esteemed the marriage of b Esther 2. 17 Esther with Ahasuerus both honourable, comfortable, and profitable: may not thou (if thou be a considerate Christian) esteem thy marriage with CHRIST JESUS the King of Glory, to be much more profitable and honourable: yea, he will set a fair diadem upon thi●e head, and c Reve●. 2. 10 give to thee the crown of life, and make thee partaker of his Heavenly blessings for ever. This marriage and happy conjunction, hath sweetness, steadfastness, & continual durance without separation: thou will delight d Psalm. 37.4 thyself in the LORD; if his promises e Psal. 119. 10● be sweet to thee as honey to thy mouth, his presence who is thy husband, will be most pleasant also unto thee. This honour will be also durable, for seeing CHRIST f Philip. 1. 21 is the advantage both in life and death, he will be thine husband, honour and happiness, both in life and death continually. The due consideration of true prayer, should encourage thee to the fervent and frequent practice thereof, notwithstanding it be a Magnum iter ascendo, sed dat mihi gloria vires. Propert. lib 4 Et in immensum gloria calcar habet. Ovid. lib. 1 de Ponto. work of difficulty: It is I say a fare journey to go up to Heaven, etc. as hath been before declared more particulary, yet let this profit and glory be a mean to strengthen thee; when thou art weak, and a spur to urge thee when thou art weary. Worldly men by the instinct of nature, know this to be of truth and verity: But now let us consider of the force and efficacy of true Prayer. OF THE FORCE OF PRAYER. The sevententh Chapter. GReat and wonderful is the force of Prayer: the effects thereof, and the fruits are innumerable, and unspeakable: This strength may be known in some manner, by these comparisons of wine, of an horn, and of the word. First: Wine is of great force, it a job. 32. 19 will make new bottles to burst, ●rayer strong as wine. it b Psal. 104. 15 maketh glad the heart of man: Wine hath a purging c Luke 10. ●4 and healing power, to cleanse and cure filthy wounds: This was the sentence of the wise man, How d 1 Esdr. 3. 18 strong is wine, it turneth every thought into joy and gladness, so that one remembereth▪ no manner of sorrow, nor debt. It hath also (as experience proveth) a refreshing power, which causeth one e Isaiah 55. 1 that thirsteth to buy it. But prayer is of fare greater strength, it will break f Psal. 107. 14 bands asunder: it will bring an g Act. 16. 26 earthquake, and make the foundation of a heavy house to shake. Prayer will bring gladness and comfort to h 1 Sam. 1. 1● Hannah: when her husband can not comfort her, she pouring out her soul before the LORD, looked no more sad; but exceedingly rejoiced. It hath a purging and curing power, to heal all the wounds, and i Psal. 103. 3 infirmities of the soul: it will not only bring to thee forgetfulness; but also forgiveness of debt, which is true blessedness: for Blessed k Psal. 32. 1 is he whose wickedness is forgiven, and whose sin is covered: it will bring refreshment to thy thirsty and sorrowful soul, to thy great joy and everlasting contentment. Secondly: Prayer ●ay be compared to an horn: as the royal Prayer compared to an horn. Prophet prayed, so he protested, saying, Thou l Psal. 92. 10 shall exalt mine horn, like the Unicorns: Naturalists writ of the Unicorn's horn, that it hath three properties. Read B. Couper of Gall●way upon the fift chapped. of the Revelation 1. That of all others it is the most strong, firm and . 2 That it is most beautiful and pleasant. 3▪ That it is most profitable, as being a soveraigue preservative against all poison. So prayer will procure to the inward strength, and true fortitude, that thou shall m Ephes. 6.11 be able to stand against the assaults of the Devil, thou shall overcome the world, a●d prevail against thy enemy, and subdue sin, and all thy iniquities: so it will bring beauty to thee, that thou shall be very pleasant, and n C●●tic. 4. 1 fair, and o Psal. 45. 13 all glorious o Psal. 45. 13 within, and it will bring unspeakable profit to thee as hath been declared to thee already. Thirdly: As the word of GOD Prayer is powerful as the Word. is of admirable force and power: So is fervent prayer grounded upon the Word, very operative and powerful. The Word of the LORD is like a p jer. 23. 29 fire which burneth, and like an hammer which breaketh the stone. The q Heb. 4. 1● Word of GOD is lively, and mighty in operation, and sharper than a two edged sword, and entereth thorough, even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. So prayer is forcible as a fire, to burn and consume away the dross of thy sin: it is powerful to break and bruise thy r Ezech. 11.19 stony hard heart. It is like a sword, wherewith (with CHRIST) thou shall prevail against thy enemies, as the sword s jud. 7. 20 of GIDEON was powerful to destroy the Midianits, and to preserve himself and the israelites, so is prayer very powerful for thy preservation, for thy adversaries destruction. We read that in the Battle at Pyd●a▪ Mar. Cato Son to Read the consent of ●me. great Cato, fight valiantly, he lossed his sword, that fell out of his hand suddenly, amongst his enemies, which he took so grievously, that coming to his companions, he prayed them to help him that he might recover his sword; protesting he thought it greater honour for him to die there Pr●●er is more to be regarded than a matrial sword. and to loss his life, than living to want his sword, whereupon a number of his faithful friends assisting him by their courage and valour, did so scatter the enemies, that the sword of Cato was found again to his great joy, and contentment: Now if that man made such an account of an earthly, or material sword: how should a Christian esteem of prayer, a Heavenly and spiritual weapon, by the help and virtue thereof, thou will attain to honour, happiness and eternal salvation. The great efficacy and strength The force of prayer in divers respects. of prayer, is most clear and evident, in regard of the effects thereof. 1. In respect of creatures without sense or feeling, the speedy Sun t Iosh. 10. 12 did stand still and stay his swift motion, by the power of the prayer of joshua. The swelling sea was u Exod. 14. 21 divided and made dry land by the cry of Moses: The x Numb. 16.31 ground clavae asunder, and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up Korah, and his family, by the request of that same holy man: y 1 Sam. 7. 10 a great thunder scattered and smote the Philistimes, by the force of Samuel his supplication: The rain z jam. 5. 17 was restrained from the earth for three years and six months, Then he a 1 King. 18.45 prayed again, and the Heavens gave rain, & the earth brought forth her fruit. Secondly: In respect of creatures without reason and understanding: Prayer prevailed against the teeth of b Deut 6 22 Lions, the sting of c Numb. 21. 9 Serpents, the venom of a d Act. 28. 5 Viper, the multitude and swarms e Exod. 8. 21 of flies, frogs and lice, as may be seen in the sacred story. Thirdly: In respect of men, whither cruel as Esau, crafty as Achitophel, haughty as Haman, many as the f Isa. 38. 36 host and army of Senacherib. Fourthly: In respect of the most wicked spirit and powerful, which goeth g Math. 17. 21 not out of one but by prayer, and fasting. Fifthly: In respect of good Angels, when devout Cornelius h Act. 10. 30 prayed, an holy Angel from Heaven was sent to him for his instruction, direction, and eternal salvation. Sixthly: In respect of the holy Ghost, as when CHRIST i Luke. 3. 21 did pray, the Heaven was opened and the holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him: So when a Christian prayeth fervently, the blessed Spirit will come unto him inwardly, will assist him comfortably, and direct him continually: As when the faithful Apostles were k Act. 3. 4 all with one accord in one place, undoubtedly praying to GOD, they were all filled with the holy Ghost, and were fitted for their public charge and holy ministration: So when the true Christian shall call upon GOD a●rightly, the good Spirit will come● possess him assuredly, and more enable him for his holy calling and function. Seventhly: Most principally, In this may be known the virtue and efficacy of prayer, since it (in some manner) prevaileth with the Almighty himself, as it overcommeth our adversary against his will: So it is powerful with GOD with his will: thus Israel l Gen. 32 28 by prayer had power with GOD, and obtained his special blessing: Thus also the Omnipotent the Creator, sayeth to his servant, Let m Exod. 32. 10 me alone: as if by his prayer he might have constrained him, and have gotten victory over the Almighty. Nobile vincendi genus est, mala vincere posse, Prosper in Epigram. Nobilius multo vincere posse DEUM. It is an honourable kind of victory to vanquish evil, but much honourable to be of power as to prevail with GOD. Moreover: The power of The power of prayer is good for others. prayer extendeth itself for the good of others, albeit fare distant: Nehemiah n Nehem. 1. 6 in Shushan in the palace of Artazerxes, when he prayed day and night, for the children of Israel and inhabitants of jerusalem; th●n the wall of the City is builded, the people of GOD are comforted, the poor are relieved, their knowledge by reading of the Law is increased, and an act or ordinance to serve GOD is established. The prayer of the faithful is powerful, for the safety of such who are in their society and company: As when St. Paul prayed in that great and long danger, the LORD o Act. 27. 24 saved all that were in the Ship with him, there was no loss of any man's life amongst them. The prayer of a master is power full, to bring a benefit to the servant; so by the supplication of the p Math. ●. 13 Centurion, his servant is healed of his grievous pain of the palsy. By the prayer of the q Math 15.28 mother, the daughter is delivered from a devil, by whom she was vexed. The prayer of r Mark. 9 24 the father is profitable and powerful for his son possessed by a dumb spirit. By the force and efficacy of the prayer of a pious Preacher people are preserved, by the power of Stevens s Act. 7▪ 60 prayer, many were saved, yea, Paul is converted, as August. Si Stephanus non orass●t, Ecclesia Paulum non haberet. is thought by the learned. Finally: the power of true prayer is forcible for the profit of others: how will it redound to thine own utility and commodity? First: for the gifts of the mind: by it thou shall receive faith, and obedience with t Genes. 12. 8 Abraham: wisdom u 1 King. 3.12 and understanding with Solomon: love and patience x job. 1. 20 with job: victory, & y Psal. 18. 43 glory with David: repentance z 2 Chron. 3.15 and newness of life with Manasseth. Secondly: Prayer is powerful for the gifts of the body: Samson a jude. 16. 28 obtained strength: David b Psal. 18. 33 agility and nimbleness: Hezekiah c Isaiah. ●8. 5 health, and delivery from his sickness. Thirdly: For the gifts of fortoun: (as they are called) thou by the virtue of prayer shall receive food, ●a●ment, and riches, necessary with d Genes. 32.10 jaakob: A happy marriage and hopeful succession with d Genes. 25.21 Isaak: Also a good name, honour, and preferment with e Esther. 8. 2 Mordecai: a holy life, and a happy death with Moses, f Deut. 34. 6 whom the LORD himself buried in an unknown sepulchre: Yet in this particular point, take heed to The testimony of father's concerning the force of prayer. the testimony of wise, and godly fathers, what they say of the sure effects of powerful prayer. Precatio est oranti subsidium, DEO sacrificium, daemonibus flagellum. Prayer is an help to the August. supplicant, a sacrifice to GOD, a scourge to the devils. Per orationem ira DEI suspenditur, venia procuratur, paena refugitur, & praemiorum largitas impetratur. Cassiodor. By prayer the wrath of GOD is continued, pardon is procured, and a large reward is obtained. Oratio serenat cor, abstrahit à terrenis, mundat ● vitiis, sublevat Idem. ad coelestia; cor capacius, & dignius ad accipienda bona spiritualia. Prayer appeaseth the heart, it pulleth back from earthly things, it cleanseth from vice, and lifteth up to Heavenly things, and maketh the heart more capable and worthy to receive spiritual blessing. Thus undoubtedly many are the good effects, and great is the strength of earnest and hearty prayer. But if the sincere servant of CHRIST shall say or think with An objection answered. himself, that he hath prayed frequently, and incalled upon the Name of the LORD fervently, and yet in his sense, by all appearance The Lord either granteth, or denyeth, or delayeth the petitions of his servants. that his prayers have been fruitless and effectless, and that in his own judgement GOD hath misregarded him, and all his supplication: that he d●th hide his face, and close his eyes, and stop his ears; and will have no respect to him nor to his petitions. This is answered, that when the Almighty doth not perform the request of his servant, nor grant his petition immediately, that then God either delayeth the same, or denyeth the same: this followeth of necessity after serious invocation, there is either a yielding, or a denying, or a delaying of the petition. Now truth it is, that the LORD will sometimes delay the request of his own chosen, so he did to David, complaining, How g Psal. 13. 1 long will thou forget me O LORD for ever? How long will thou hide thy face from me: And thus GOD deferreth their petitions for five causes: First for their instruction, to teach them to pray diligently, and a rightly: to double and reiterate their requests the more v●hemently. As the mothers in the isles called Baleares, did teach their children Similit. by this mean to be very perfect, & cunning in casting of stones out of slings; they placed food every morning upon some high Lycophron. place before their hungry children, which the young ones might not touch nor taste, until they had casten the same down with a stone; this the mother did not of Florus lib. 3 cap. 8 purpose to defraud their own bairnes of sustenance, but to make them diligent and skilful in that exercise: So the Almighty at some times delayeth the desires of his children, not that he is of intention Stephanus. to frustrate them of things necessary, but to teach them to pray more fervently, frequently, and in a manner most accuratly. Secondly, To make one to know GOD'S gifts, that he may love the same, so when Hanna, questionless, had oftentimes entreated the LORD (who h Genes. 30.22 openeth the womb) to cure her barrenness, and to give her a son, when she received Samuel with thankfulness, she acknowledged the same and loved Samuel and praised GOD the giver in her notable i 1. Sam. 2. 1 song. Thirdly: The LORD will delay thy petitions, that thou may keep his benefits with great care and watchfulness: An Ancient showeth the reason, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Basilius in Ascetic. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: All which one possesseth with great travel and industry, he studieth to keep the same diligently. Fourthly: For trial of thy faith, hope, love, patience, and constancy: Thus holy JOB was exercised, when seriously, and continually he had prayed. last: For imitation, that thou mayest be content to follow other holy Saints. Did not David pray many times, to be delivered from the fury of Saul, persecuting him? Did not k 1 King 18.43 Helias send his servant seven times to look toward the way of the sea, while rain did come upon the earth? Did not St Paul l 2 Cor. 12. 8 thrice beseech the LORD, that the messenger of Satan, buffeting him, might departed from him? GOD delayeth thy petitions, that thou mayed be well content to follow his best beloved servants. Yet thou mayest be persuaded of this saying of the Father, Deus quod conc●ssurus est, si differt, non August. a●fert: quod promisit, est fixum; fallere non potest, habet unde faciat: GOD which he is to grant, if he delay it, he will not take it away: it is sure which he hath promised, he cannot deceine, he hath whereof he may do. Again, If the LORD shall deny the requests of his own servants, and give them a refusal; then they may be assured, that their prayer is neither agreeable to his holy will and good pleasure, nor yet profitable to themselves, for their eternal salvation, and so it is a great benefit, and a good d●●d, done by GOD to them, when things hurtful are refused. If a young ignorant babe would desire of his father a sharp knife that would wound him, or an hot candle that would burn him, yet his loving and wise father would not give the same, that would bring hurt and pain to him: We as Similit. ignorant babes often ask of GOD things, which we suppose to be pleasant and profitable: But our wi●e and loving Father, m Psal. 103. 3 having great compassion on us, knowing that they would be noisome and pernicious to us, in wisdom and mercy denyeth the same. According to the judgement of an Ancient, these are the causes, wherefore thy requests are not ever granted; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Basilius in Ascetic. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: Often (thou will say) I have asked, and have not obtained: it is of truth, because thou hast prayed wickedly, or insufficiently, or inconstantlie, or unprofitably, which were not expedient for thee. And surely it is of verity, Deus dabit quod petimus, aut quod Benharelus Serm. 5. in quadrag. n●verit esse utilius, GOD will give us these things which we seek, or which he knoweth to be more profitable for us. An other Ancient sayeth, Saepè multos DEUS Isidorus lib. 3. de summo bono. non exaudit ad voluntatem, ut exaudiat ad salutem: Often times the LORD heareth many, not according to their will, that he may hear them to their salvation. Again it is said, Mal● usurus August. eo quod vult accipere, DEO potius miserante non accipit: who is to use wickedly that which he would have, he receaveth it not, GOD rather having pity upon him. And therefore think never that thy earnest prayers shall lack force and be fruitless: albeit the LORD condescend not to grant thy earthly petition, yet try; and n Mal. 3. 10 prove thy GOD, who will open the windows of heaven unto thee, & pour thee out a blessing without measure. A Christian Poet writeth very pertinently for this purpose in these most worthy verses, Cùm DEUS effectum precibus non praestat iniquis: Multum concedit; quod nocitura negat. Prosper. Errantes voto, non vult delinquere facto: Iratus sineret. quod prohibet placidus. Discat felici, supplex gaudere repulso, Incipiatque animo pellere quod voluit. That is: When GOD giveth not an effect to thy wrongful prayers, he granteth mu●h, because he denyeth hurtful things. He willeth not these who go astray in there wish, to do a fault by fact: being a●gry he would suffer, which being pacified he prohibiteth. Let the supplicant learn to rejoice by an happy refusal: and let him begin to put out of mind which he desired. Thus of the force of prayer, let us consider of some necessary circumstances. OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF PRAYER. The eighteenth Chapter. COncerning some circumstances of prayer, we will speak of sour: namely, of the Circumstances of persons. persons, place, time, and gesture. First: Persons praying comfortably, are the members of the body of CHRIST, his holy a Heb. 3. 1 brethren, partakers of that Heavenly vocation; Saints b 1 Cor. 1. 2 by calling, who are under the covenant of grace, with whom GOD c Ezech. 37.26 maketh an everlasting covenant of peace: in whom d Rom. 8. 11 the spirit of the LORD dwelleth; for e Rom. 8. 26 whom the spirit itself maketh request, with sighs which can not be expressed; the chosen of the Church militant, chief, in time of their trouble and ●ff●ction: they will f Hos. 5. 15 seek then the LORD diligently, with hum●itie, and with devotion: ●n trouble g Isaiah 26. 16 they will visit GOD they will pour out a prayer when his chastning is upon them: The Godly 〈◊〉 can pray a●ghtly; but the wicked, unfaithful, and reprobat●s, without h Ephes. 2. 12 CHRIST, aliens from the commoun-wealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, which have no hope, Atheists in this world, false Hypocrites: what ever be their profession, if they be of conversation, howsoever they do appear to be honourable, wealthy or happy, yet they can not pray to GOD dutifully, neither praise his holy Name worthily. Secondly: Thou i Math. 4. 10 shall worship the LORD thy GOD, and him ONLY thou shall serve: Call upon k Psal 50. 1● me (saith the LORD) in the day of thy trouble, so will I delyver thee, and thou shall glorify me: The Almighty GOD who is alsufficient, is only to be adored and invocated. It thou knowest any of such knowledge, and wisdom, of such strength and perfection, of of such love and affection, of such mercy and compassion, of such truth and fidelity, of such remembrance, of such presence, of such steadfastness, and constancy, than thou mayest call upon him conscientiously: Now most sure it is: That l 1 Tim. 1. 17 GOD is only wise, he knoweth m Psal. 139.2 thy sitting and thy rising (all thy necessity's) he understandeth thy thoughts a fare off. Secondly: GOD is Omnipotent, most strong, his n Math. 6. 15 is the Kingdom, and the power and the glory for ever. Thou o Psal. 135. 5 may know that GOD is great, and that the LORD is above all gods: Whatsoever pleased the LORD, that did he in Heaven and in Earth, in the Sea and in all the depths. 3. He is of greatest kindness and affection, that GOD p john. ●. 16 so l●ued thee, that he hath given his only begotten Son for thee, that thou believing in Him shouldest not perish, but have life everlasting. q Rom. 8. 32 He spared not his own Son, but gave him for thee to death, that thou mightest live an happy and everlasting life. Fourthly: GOD is of greatest pity and commiseration: As r Psal 102. 13 a father hath compassion on his children, so hath the LORD compassion on them that fear him: CHRIST himself (not his Disciples) s Math. 15.32 had compassion on the multitude remaining three days with him, and he did give food to them: Christ himself had t Luke. 7. 13 compassion on the Widow of Naim, and restored to life her d●ad ●onne. If a Heathen man Xenocrates pitied and pre●eru●d a bird, a Aelian. lib. 13 de varia. Histor, Sparrow pursued, that came flying to him, much more will our blessed GOD pity and preserve all who resort to him and call upon his blessed Name. Fifthly: The LORD 〈◊〉 most true to perform a● hi●●●●mises, he u Psal. 146. 6 keepeth his fidelity for ever. If x 1 King 1. 30 David did faithfully keep his promise to Bath●●h●ba, 〈…〉 bestowed a kingdoms 〈…〉 ●on Solomon, much more 〈…〉 Omnipotent and 〈…〉 GOD, gi●e y Luke. 12. 32 unto his little ●l●●k● 〈◊〉 everlasting Kingdom. Sixtly: GOD ha●h a z Mal. 3. 16 〈◊〉 of remembrance written 〈◊〉 him: albeit a a Isa. 49. 15 Woman would for●●● her child (which indeed is 〈◊〉 ●rall,) yet the LORD will 〈◊〉 forget his own, for that were altogether impossi●●●: 〈◊〉 his b Psal. 34. 15 eyes are ever looking upon them ●is ears are open to their cry, 〈◊〉 doth grave them upon the p●lm● of his hands, and doth set c Cant. 8. 6 them as a seal upon his heart, and a signet upon his arm. We read that King Cyrus was of a good memory, who Plini. Hist. nature. lib. 7. cap. 24. did call all his Soldiers by their proper names: But he was no thing in respect of GOD, who counteth d Psal. 147. 4 the number of the stars, and calleth them by their names. Seventhly: The LORD is always present with his own, to help them, and hold e Psal. 73. 23 them by their right hand, though f Psal. 27. 10 their father and mother should forsake them, Yet the g Heb. 13. 5 LORD will never ●aile them nor forsake them. Last: Our GOD is most constant, For h Ioh●. 13.1 as much as he loved his own which were in the world, unto the end he loved them: With i jam. 1. 17 him there is no variableness, neither shadowing by turning: The k Mal. 3. 6 LORD changeth not, and therefore the sons of jaakob are not consumed. It is written to the praise of that Roman Fabricius, that the Idenius & Valer. Sun would sooner leave his natural course, than he would forsake his honesty: But it may be more truly spoken of our blessed GOD, that the Sun will sooner change h●s course, than GOD will change his mercy which is constant and everlasting. Thou shouldest only therefore pray to GOD, and call upon him, for thou may do so with j●●: true faith, and a sure hope and persuasion to be heard and regarded, and rewarded. Our Saviour thus promitteth by affirmation: l john. 16.23 Verily verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my Name, he will give it you: Observe the certainty, and generality of that gracious promise. No Angel in Heaven, no Saint upon Earth, no glorified soul is to be adored, n●r invocated, for why should any with the reprobate serve m Rom. 12. 5 the creature, forsaking the CREATOR, who is blessed for ever. Concerning the place of prayer, thou mayest well follow the Circumstance of place. rule of the Apostle: Saying, n ●im. 2, 8 I will that the men pray every where, lifting up pure hands without wrath or doubting. A place is either private or public, and so are prayers, either private or public, any place was and is ever free for a supplicant. The examples of CHRIST and of good men, confirm this, for Isaak o Genes 24. 6● prayedin the field, jaakob in p Genes 49. 18 his bed, Moses q axed. 15. 25 prayed in the Wilderness, joshua r Iosh. 5. 14 ne●re jericho, Elias s 1 King 18. 20 prayed upon the mountain, Hezekias t ● King 20. 3 in his ch●●nb●r, The Prophet I●r●mi● u Lam. 3. 55 in the low dungeon, jonas x jon. 2. 1 in the ●ishes belly, Daniel y Dan. 6 11 in Babylon, CHRIST prayed z Luk. 23. ●4 upon the Cross, The Disciples a Math. 8. 25 in a ship, Peter b Act. 10. 9 upon the house: and truly according to our Master's direction; thou c Math. 6. 6 may enter into thy chamber, and s●utte thy door, and pray unto thy Father, wh●ch is in secret, and thy Father which seethe in secret, shall reward thee openly. August. speaketh pertinently to this purpose, In oratione non quaeritur August. locus quantum sensus, Hi●remias confortatur in carcere, Daniel inter Leones ●xultat, tres pueri in furnace tripudiant, job nudus in sterquilinio triumphant, Paradisum de cruse latro invenit, non est locus, ubi non sit Deus. In prayer the place, is not so much sought, as the sense of feeling, jeremy is comforted in the prison, Daniel amongst the Lions rejoiceth, the three Children do d●nce in the fiery furnace, naked job triumpheth in the dung hill, the Thief upon the cross findeth Paradise, There is no place where GOD is not. Yet notwithstanding thou oughtest with the two great Apostles, Peter and john resort into the d Act. 3. 1 temple, which is called by our Saviour, the e Luke. 19 46 house of prayer, and there publicly, in the assembly of the godly, call upon GOD dutifully. This is the fittest place where thou mayest pacify GOD'S ' anger, to obtain his special favour, and to receive benefits from his merciful hands. As that Roman. M. Coriolanus, in time of his trouble and distress, Plutarch in vita Coriolia. being of purpose to seek the friendship, a●d to gain the kindness of Tullus Amphidius, his great enemy, a noble man amongst the people Volsci, Coriolanus, went to Autrum, and entered into Amphidius house, and there a supplicant did mitigat his wrath, did receive relief, and protection. So let every Christian, who by nature is an enemy to the Almighty: if he be resolved to seek reconciliation with GOD, let him go to the LORDS own house, and there to beg his favour, and blessing, with earnestness, with all humility and submission, that he may receive mercy, grace and consolation. Not thinking that the Church will make his prayers more holy and acceptable, but that in such a place, he shall have fit occasion and more motive of servant supplication. As also that the conjunct prayers of the faithful, in a sweet harmony sent up to our Heavenly Father, will be more powerful and effectual to procure a blessing: For, if f Math 18. 19 two (sayeth our Saviour) agree upon earth any thing, whatsoever they desire, it shall be given them of my Father which is in Heaven. And an Ancient saith, Non aeque exoras, cum solus Dominum obsecras, atque cum fratribus tuis: ●st enim in hoc plus aliquid, videlicet, concordia, conspiratio, copula amoris, & charitatis: Thou dost not alike obtain thy desire, when alone thou prayest the LORD, as with thy brethren, for in this there is some more, namely, concord, conspiration, a conjunction of love and charity. Quod quis apud seipsum precatus accipere non poterit, ho● cum multitudine precatus accipiet. Quare? quia etiam si non propria virtus tamen concordia multum potest. That which one within himself praying, could not obtain praying with a multitude, he shall receive the same, wherefore because albeit his proper virtue availeth not, yet concord availeth much. Thus in the days of M. Aurelius, when the whole Roman army was in great danger and extreme necessity through thirst Vide histor. Magdeburg. and scarcity of water, the Christian Soldiers with one consent instantly praying, so prevailed with GOD, that he sent incontinently sufficient rain for the refreshment of their company, and fireflaughts for the destruction of the adversary: The Emperor perceived this clearly, and did write the same to the senate immediately. St. Jerome compareth this conjunct praying of the LORDS congregation to an thunderclap of great noise, and Basill to the roaring of the sea, of a loud sound. Thirdly, touching the time of Circumstance of tyme. prayer, let us hearken the holy Scripture: Christians ought g Luke 18. 1 always to pray, and not to wax faint, pray h 1 Thess. 5 17 continually, continue in i Rom. 12. 12 prayer: again continue k Colos 4. 2 in prayer, and watch in the same: furthermore, in l Philip. 4. 6 all things let your request be showed unto GOD in prayer and supplication. More particularly, let it be thy first care with David m Psal. 5. 4 in the morning to direct thy prayer unto GOD, and to wait upon his blessed Majesty: to n Psal. 57 9 awake right early to pray and to praise GOD dutifully: Evening o Psal. 55. 17 and morning, and at mid time of day, to make a noise. As under the Law, GOD commanded his people to p Exod. 28. 38 present upon his Altar a continual offering, and to offer a daily, morning and evening sacrifice, a lamb of a Pray in the night. year old: So the LORDS servants in the new Testament should at the least, send up their morning and evening sacrifice of prayer, yea, in the night time, they will call upon the LORD fervently, and protest with the Prophet, With n Isaiah 26. 9 my soul have I desired thee in the night, and with my spirit within me, will I seek thee in the morning. And with King DAVID, My o Psal. 63. 6 soul shall be satisfied with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips, when I remember thee on my bed, and when I think upon thee in the night watches. Again, p Psal. 11●. 62 At midnight will I arise and give thankes (and to pray) to GOD, because of his righteous judgement. But in this place thou must be advertised. that the error and heresy The Euchites condemned. of the Euchites, (who thought that we should do no other thing at all, neither exercise any calling but pray ever, neglecting all other labour,) is to be eshewed. Let it be thy chief care and indevoure with Enoch q to walk with GOD, to live conscientiously and godly, with Abraham r Genes. 5. 22 to walk before GOD, to live uprightly, and with David s Genes. 17. 1 to set the LORD always before thee, and that t Philip. 1. 27 thy conversation be always as it becometh the Gospel of CHRIST JESUS. Fourthly: As for thy gesture, and behaviour, in time of prayer, The circumstance of gesture. it is free to thee, in thy own option and power, so it be with decency and reverence, thou may prostrate thyself and fall down upon thy face: So did Moses u Numb. 16.22 and A●ron, when they did pray for the safety of the congregation of Israel. So did joshua, x Iosh. 5. 14 when CHRIST told him, that he was come as a Captain of the LORDS Host. So our Saviour, y Math. 26. 39 when his soul was heavy in His great agony. Thou may stand up upon thy ●eete, thus did the servant z Genes. 24.15 of Abraham: Thus did CHRIST a Ioh● 11 41 also, this likeways did the b Luke 18.3 Publican in the Temple. Thou may●st hum●le thyself, and bow thy knees, as c 1 King. 8. 54 Solomon, as d Act. 7. 6 Steven the Martyr: as St. e Act. 26 ●6 Paul: as the f Mark. 1. 40 Leper, as our blessed g Luke 22. 41 advocate and Redeemer. Thou mayest lift up thine eyes to Heaven, as h Psal. 121. 1 & passim. David in many places, as CHRIST i Math. 14. 1● & alibi. Himself the pattern of all godliness: And albeit some were of such a foolish opinion, that kneeling in time of devotion, was and is only unlawful, and that standing in that service is only acceptable: Yet Agnoclytae. Damascen. de haeresia. thou will be soon persuaded, (if thou be truly informed) that a k Psal. 51.17 contrite spirit a broken (and a upright heart) shall never be despised, whatsoever thy behaviour be before GOD, who is the searcher of all hearts. OF THE SIGNS OF PRAYER. The Ninetenth Chapter. BEcause a great number of people is thus miserably deceived, who do imagine in their own conceit that they pray to GOD dutifully, and acceptably, when as notwithstanding, seeing they a Prover. 28.9 turn away their ear from hearing of the Law, their prayer is abominable: Therefore in the last place, let us briefly consider some sure signs, and true tokens, whereby a Christian may know assuredly, if he prayeth to GOD arightlie, I reckon five of them principally. First: Heavenly wisdom and Wisdom. discretion, for if (according to salomon's saying) He b Prover. 13.20 that walketh with wise men, shall be wise; much more he that often walketh, and talketh with the most wise GOD, shall attain to true wisdom and understanding: c Psal. 14. 1. 4 The fool, who hath said in his heart, there is no GOD, can not call upon GOD, but doth abominable works, who continueth in foolishness, and wickedness, doth not pray fervently, but shall come to wretchedness and misery. Secondly: Holiness and sanctification, Sanctification. is a most sure note, and character of one that frequently giveth himself to earnest prayer and invocation. For as Moses d Exod. 34.25 his face did shine bright, when he was conversant with GOD forty days upon the mount; so a devote Christian oftentimes conferring with GOD by prayer and earnest meditation, will surely be endued with holiness and sanctification: His e Math. 5. 16 light shall so shine before men, that they may see his good works, and glorify their Father in Heaven. If one with Ahab f 1 King. 16.33 shall proceed to provocke the LORD, or lewdness of life, or continue to be a profane g Heb. 11. 16 person as Esau, he useth not the exercise of true prayer and invocation, Thirdly: Humility and submission, is a sure sign of prayer, Humility. and supplication: For h Isaiah 57 15 GOD who is high and excellent, and that inhabiteth eternity, who dwelleth in the high and holy place, he dwelleth also with him who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to give life, light, humility, and all good blessings. Abraham praying to the LORD was humble▪ and called himself but dust i Genes. 18. 27 and ashes. All who are proud in heart, are abomination to the LORD, they are fare from GOD, their ●ride k Prover. 16.18 goeth before their destruction. Fourthly: Mercy and compassion is an evident of prayer, if thou Mercy. hast gotten mercy from GOD, thou will be pitiful to thy brethren, And there l ●am. 2.13 shall be judgement merciless to him who showeth no mercy nor compassion. last: Thou shall have some Comfort. joy and consolation in time of trouble and affliction: David who did delight in prayer, when m 1 Sam. 30 he was in great sorrow, his people intending to stone him; yet David comforted himself in the LORD his GOD. In the last days when GOD will show wonders in Heaven above, Act. 2. 19 and tokens in the earth beneath, blood and fire, and vapour of smoke: The Sun being turned into darkness, and the Moon in blood: It shall be, that whosoever shall call upon the Name of the LORD shall be saved. FINIS. Faults escaped. PAge 4. Line 6. qua reed qu●. pag, 5. lin. 24. he re●● but. pag 7 lin. 24 committed, read concealed ibid. 〈◊〉 contained read continued. pag. 7. lin. 27. it lacketh appearance. pag. 8. lin. 1. her, read his pag. 9 lin. 20 Sara, read Saul. pag. 10 lin▪ 25. it, read the rich. Crows, read Cranes▪ pag. 25. lin 17. his, it lacketh God. pag. 27. lin. 15. when, read whom. pag. 27. lin. 27. trespassion, read transgression. pag 28. lin. 9 our, read thy. pag. 37. lin. 20. Christian, read chieftain. pag. 38. lin. 5. thou, read they. pag. 73. lin. 21. proved, read reproved. pag 79 lin. 14. ou● read my. pag. 107. lin. 6. Spargastes, read Spargapises. pag. 109 lin. 15. swore, read snore. pag 115. lin 24: delight, rea●● dealt pag. 116. lin. 13. godly, read bodily. pag. 122 lin. 〈◊〉 their, read these. ibid. lin. 20, all read as. pag. 123. lin. 14. discerdia, read discrimina. pag. 144. lin. 1. worthy, read worldly. p. 164. l. 2. promises, read premises. p. 165▪ l. 1●. convert, read convoy. p. 1●7 l. 22 that, read thankes p. 196. l. 25. laws, read lawer. p. 207 l. 10. giveth, read getteth. p. 208 l. 12. prayed, read served. p 234. l 25. enteating, read entraitted. p. 240. l. 17. sin, read shame. p 259 l 5. behoved, read behaved. p. 288. l. 25. saith, read with. p. 290. l. 1. Attolus, read Attalus p. 309. l. 23. scarcely, read scarcity. p. 353. l. 25. boldly, read bodily. p. 354. l 3. taking read laking. p. 433. l. 10. repulso, read repulsa p. 443. l. 9 Autrum, read Antiu●.