The Handmaid to Private Devotion, Part 2
The Preparation to Prayer.
PARAG. 1.
My heart is indighting of a good matter;Psal. 45. 1. 2. Psal. 39 3. my tongue is the penne of a ready writer, saith the Kingly Prophet, and againe, My heart was hot within mee, while I was musing the fire burned, then spake I with my tongue: If this sweete singer of Israel, first pricked the notes in his heart before he began to sing them; If he who was inspired by the holy Ghost, framed his Prayers, and Psalmes of thanksgiuing in his minde, before hee deliuered them by his tongue; ought not we who are as farre behinde him in his gifts, as we are below him in condition, much more meditate before we vtter any thing to the Lord? I speake not of pious …iaculations, which must needs be suddaine as their occasions are, and the motions of Gods Spirit within vsus; but of a set conceiued Prayer, wherein we ought not onelyonly well to ponder the matter, but euen weigh (if wee hauehave time) eueryevery word in the ballance, that they bee not found too light,Eccles. 6. 5. 2. and thereby our Prayers against sin, be turned into sinne. Bee not rash with thy mouth and let not thine heart be hasty to vtter any thing before God.Senec. Epist. Seneca obseruing how bold men made with God, and what strange petitions they blushed not to preferre vntounto him, gaue this sage aduise, So deale with men as if God saw thee, and so speake with God as if men heard thee. Pers. introrsum obmurmurat ôsi ebullet patruij preclarii sumis, & ôsi &c.For many men vent such vncharitable, enuious, and malitious matters, such confused, and vndigested stuffe, such impertinencies, inconsequencies, & absurdities, especially in their priuate extemporarie Prayers, as they would be ashamed that any man of quality or vnderstanding should ouer heare them. It would make a prophane man laugh, but a Religious man weepe to listen, and marke how sometimes they court Almighty God with idle complements; sometimes they cast vp Prayers with strong lines to heauen, hoping thereby to drawe downe a blessing from God; sometimes they expostulate with God in a sawcie, and sometimes pose him in a ridiculous manner. Sometimes they discourse profoundly in their Prayer, as if they meant in good earnest to teach Almighty God what hee ought to doe; Sometimes they are too tedious, cloying his eares with bablings; and vaine repetitions; and sometimes againe they are too briefe, curtayling their Orisens, and breaking off in the middest. One while they fly too high, and meddle with counsells of State; and another while they fall too low, and tell God a Homely houshould tale. If they heare a strange Phrase, or an affected straine of puf-past eloquence, this they cull out carefully, and insert into their garlands. Peter Moulin iustly taxeth a Fryar for styling Christ the Dolphin of heauen; and I thinke he as well deserueth blame who prayeth to God that he may march to heauen in perfect equipage, or come vntounto God, not with the soales of his foot, but the foot of his soule: who layeth open before God his manifold defections, infections, imperfections; his sinnes of an higher straine, and deeper staine; and commendeth to his gracious goodnesse al the Ministers of the Church by what titles soeuer they are signified, or dignified. GiueGive me leaue to tell these men in their owne language that this is playing, not Praying; and that in sending vp such prayers they burne not incense to God, but incense him rather: Or if they will not heare me, let the graue high-Priest among the ancient Romans Schoole them as he did a Vestall whom he obserued to be too curious,Sancte magis quam scite. and neate about her work, which was tending the holy fire. Vergin doe your work holily rather then handsomely; reuerently, rather then trimly. There are a sort of men in direct opposition to these, who affect a kinde of Rhetorike which weedeth out all flowers of Rhetorike. They can away with no Prayer, or meditation which fauours of the lumpe, though the oyle be sacred. Nothing pleaseth them in this kinde, but that which is spunne with an ouer course thread. Coursnes to them is strength; dulnes grauity; drinesse iudgement; leanenes health; and pack-staffe plainnesse the euidence (as they terme it) of the Spirit,Macies illis pro sanitate est, & iud…cij loco infirmitas cedit. and simplicity of the Gospell. Well may they claime kindred with the old Aegyptians, Qui…. instit. orator.who (as Herodotus, and Straboreport) temper morter with their hands, and kneade their dow with their feete. Right so these men in all other things like well of art and wit, where the matter is vile, and base; but in the deliuery of heauenly conceptions, vtterly abandon them. But they should hauehave considered better, that sharpnesse of wit, and true eloquence are gifts of God, and therefore best of all to bee employed in holy things, as gold and siluer are best bestowed in adorning Gods house, so it bee without superstition. Was not fine linnen, and blew silke, and Scarlet of as good▪ vse in the Arke as Camels haire? Is not the Queene brought into the spirituall Salomans chamber, in Vesture of gold wrought about with diuers colours? Was not the holy oyle, and precious oyntment made by Gods cōmandement according to the art of the Apothecary? Exod. 30. 25.Are there not in the Prophet Esay, the Psalmes of Dauid, and the Epistles of Saint Paul in the originall language, and other parts of Scripture more exquisite peeces of Artt, and streines of eloquence, then are to be found in any other writings whatsoeuer? If they are accursed who doe the worke of the Lord negligently, certainly the more diligence we vse, the more blessed our holy labours shall be. For my part, I am resolued with Dauid neuer to offer that to God which costeth mee nothing. foreignThere remaine yet in some places some of the base sect of the Patttalorochita, who place Religion in nosing their words, and speaking to God in a harsh, and vncouth sound, and pronuntiation. They will not cry, but howle, and bellow to him. But these are so few in number, and their error is so contemptible, that I hold it scarce fit the naming, and no way worthy the refuting. I would there were no more left of the sect of the Pharisees,Mat. 23. 14. who vnderunder colour of long Prayers … widowes houses; who persume their cons…ing, and corrupt dealing with the balme of G…lead; who make Religion, and Deuotion a stalking horse to their ambition, and auaritious purposes, and ends.
O mercifull God how is thy patience abused? How is thy Maiesty sleightned? How is thy worship prophaned? O what sinfull wretches are we, who need a large pardon, not onelyonly for our profane, and carnall, but euen for our holy, and spirituall exercises? Lord bee mercifull! shall I say to our si…nes? Nay euen to our best works which are not free from imperfections, Euen when we pray against sinne, wee sinne in Praying, both in respect of the forme, and manner, and end of Prayer.
Which that we may not doe; or not so frequently; or not so grieuously; let vsus prepare our selues before hand, with the admonition, …hyme, and Prayer ensuing.
THE TEXTS.
GOD is in heauen,Prayer must bee SHORT. and thou vponupon earth; therefore let thy words bee few. Eccles. 5. 2.
When we pray, vse not vaine repetitions as the heathen doe: for they thinke that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Mat 6. 7.
After this manner Pray yee.Conformable to the patterne, consisting of three parts. Humble cōfession. Verse 9.
He that couereth his sinnes shall not prosper, but who so confesseth, and forsaketh them shall hauehave mercy. Pro. 28. 13.
I said I will confesse my transgressions to the Lord,Wherein must be cō sidered. and thou forgauest the iniquity of my sin. Psal. 32. 5.God his terrible Name.
Feare this glorious, and dreadfull Name The Lord thy God. Deut. 28. 58.
Let them praise thy great, and terrible Name, for it is holy. Psal. 99. 3.
Holy, and reuerent is his name. Psal. 3. 9.
I am a great King saith the Lord of Hoasts, and my Name is dreadfull among the heathen. Mal.. 1. 14.
O Lord my God thou art become exceeding glorious; Glorious Maiesty.thou art clothed with Maiesty, and honour. Psal. 104. 1.
Thou deckest thy selfe with light as with a garment, and spreadest the heauens like a curtaine. Verse 2.
The glorious Maiesty of the Lord shall endure for euer. Verse 31.
Then a clowde couered the Tent of the Congregation, and the glory of the Lord, filled the Tabernacle. Exod. 40. 34.
The Chariots of God are twenty thousand, euen thousands of Angels, &c. Psal. 68. 17.
Who is the King of glory? Euen the Lord of Hosts, hee is the King of glory. Psal. 24. 10.
The Lord, euen the most Mighty God hath spoken, and called the world from the rising of the Sunne to the going downe of the same. Psal. 50. 1.
Blessed be his glorious Name for euer, and let all the earth bee filled with his Maiesty Amen, Amen. Psal. 72. 18.
Who onelyonly hath immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach vntounto. 1 Tim. 6. 18.
And Moses was not able to enter into the Tent of the Congregation, because the clowde aboade therein, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. Exo. 40. 35.
I will reprooue thee,His al-seeing eye. and set thy sinnes in order before thine eyes. Psal 50. 21.
O Lord thou hast searched me, and knowne me. Psal 139. 1.
Thou knowest my downe-sitting, and mine vp-rising; thou vnderstandest my thoughts long before. v. 2.
The wayes of man are before the eyes of the Lord and he pondereth all his doings. Pro 5. 21.
The eyes of the Lord are in eueryevery place, beholding the …uil, and the good. Pro. 15. 3.
If thou sayest, Behold we knew it not, doth not hee that pondereth the heart consider it, and he that keepeth thy soule, doth not he know it? Pro. 24. 12.
Mine eyes are vponupon all their waies, they are not hid from my face; neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes. Ier. 16. 17.
If our hearts condemne vsus, God is greater then our hearts, and knoweth all things. 1. Ioh. 3. 20.
Behold,Infinite purity and holinesse. euen to the Moone, and it shineth not; yea the Stars are not pure in his sight; how much lesse man that is a worme? Iob. 23. 9.
Thou art not a God that hast pleasure in wickednesse; neither shall euill dwell with thee. Ps. 5. 4.
Thou louest righteousnesse, and hatest iniquity, therefore God euen thy God, &c. Psal. 45. 7.
And one cryed to another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of Hosts. Isa. 6. 3.
Then the Moone shall be confounded, and the Sunne ashamed when the Lord of Hosts shall reigne in Mount Sion. Isa. 24. 23.
And they (the foure beasts full of eyes) rested not day and night,Strict iustice. saying, Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty. Reuel. 4. 8.
Doth not he that pondereth the heart consider? and he that keepeth thy soule, doth hee not know it? and shall not he render to eueryevery man according to his workes? Pro. 24. 12.
Reioyce ô young man in thy youth, and let thy heart cheere thee in the dayes of thy youth, &c. but know thou that for all these things God will bring thee to iudgement. Eccles. 11. 9.
Woe vntounto the wicked, it shall be ill with him for the reward of his hands shall be giuen him. Isa. 3. 11.
Thine eyes are open vponupon all the wayes of the sonnes of men, to giuegive eueryevery one according to his wayes, and according to the fruit of his doings. Ier. 32. 19.
I say vntounto you, that of eueryevery … word that men shall speake, they shall giuegive an accompt in the day of Iudgement. Mat. 12. 36.
Then thinkest thou this ô man that iudgest them which do such things, and dost the same, that thou shalt escape the Iudgement of God? Rom. 2. 3.
Thou treasurest vp vntounto thy selfe wrath against the day of wrath and reuelation of the righteous iudgeme… of God. Rom. …. 5.
Who will render to eueryevery one according to his deedes. Verse 6.
If yee call on the Father who without respect of persons iudgeth according to eueryevery mans worke, passe the time of your soiourning here in feare. 1 Peter 1. 17.
The time is come that iudgement must beginne at the House of God; and if it first beginne at vsus, what shall be the end of them that obey not the Gospell of God?
And if the righteous scarcely be saued, where shall the vngodly, and sinners appeare? Verse …8.
God spared not the Angels that sinned, but cast them downe into hell and deliuered them to chaines of darknes to be reserued vntounto Iudgement, &c. 2 Pet. 2. 4.
Serue the Lord with feare, Fierce w…ath against sinne, and sinners.and reioyce with trembling. Psal. 2. 11
Kisse the Sonne least he be angry, &c. Verse 12.
Thou euen thou art to be feared, and who may stand in thy sight when thou art angrie? Psal. 76. 7.
Then the earth shooke and trembled, the foundations also of the hills moued, and were shaken because hee was wrath. Psal. 18 7.
The Lyon hath roared, who will not feare? Amos 3. 8.
It is a fearefull thing to fall into the hands of the liuing God. Hebr. 10. 31.
I saw a great white Throne, and him that sate on it, from whose face the Earth and Heauen fled away, and there was found no place for them. Reuel 20. 11.
And they said to the Mountaines and Rocks fall on vsus, and hide vsus from the face of him that sitteth on the Throne, and from the wrath of the Lambe. Reuel. 6. 16.
Dust thou art.Man his vi…enesse. Gen. 3. 19.
Behold I hauehave taken vponupon me to speake vntounto the Lord who am but dust and ashes Gen. 18. 27.
VVhat is man that thou art mindfull of him, and the Sonne of man that thou visitest him? Psal. 8. 4.
Man is a worme, and the sonne of man is a worme.
Surely eueryevery man liuing is altogether vanity. Psal. 39. 11.
All nations before him are as nothing, and they are counted to him lesse then nothing, and vanity. Isa. 40. 17.
He knoweth our frame; hee remembreth that wee are but dust. Psal. 103. 14.
Man that is borne of a woman hath but few dayes,Wretchedness…. and is full of misery. Iob 14. 1.
Is not mans life a warfare vponupon earth? Are not his dayes also as the dayes of an hireling? Iob 7. 1.
O wretched man that I am, who shall deliuer mee from the body of this death? Rom. 7. 24.
EueryEvery imagination of the thoughts of mans heart are only euill continually. Sinfulnesse.Gen. 6. 5.
There is no man that sinneth not. 1 Kings 8. 46.
Who can bring a cleane thing out of an vncleane? Iob 14. 4.
They are altogether become filthy; there is none that doth good, no not one. Psalme 143.
Behold I was shapen in iniquity, and in sinne did my mother conceiue mee? Psal. 51. 5.
Who knoweth how oft hee offendeth? Cleanse thou me from my secret finnes. Psal. 19. 12.
If thou Lord shalt marke what is done amisse who may stand? Psal. 130. 3.
Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant, for in thy sight shall no man liuing bee iustified. Ps. 143. 2.
We are al as an vncleane thing, and all our righ…eousnesse is as filthy raggs. Isa. 64. 6.
Who can say I hauehave made my heart cleane, I am pure from my sinne? Pro. 20. 9.
For the Scripture hath concluded all vnderunder sinne. Gal. 3. 22.
In many things wee offend all. Iames 3. 2.
If we say that we hauehave no sinne we deceiue our selues, and there is no truth in vsus. 1. Iohn 1. 8.
Without me ye can do nothing. Wants and V…abilitie.Ioh. 15. 5.
Not that we are sufficient of our selues to thinke any thing as of our selues, but our sufficiency is of God. 2. Cor. 3. 5.
The Lord is nigh vntounto all them that call vponupon him;Consident inuocat…on wherein to be considered. yea all such as call vponupon him faithfully. Psal. 145. 18.
All things whatsoeuer ye shall aske in prayer beleeuing, ye shall receiue. Math. 21. 22.
Let him aske in faith, nothing wa…ering. Iames 1. 6.
Thou hast bene pretious in my sight,God his LoueLove. and I hauehave loued thee. Isa. 43. 4.
God so loued the world that he gaue his onelyonly begotten Son, that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish, but hauehave euerlasting life. Ioh. 3. 16.
As the Father hath loued mee, so I hauehave loued you. Ioh. 15. 9.
After that the kindnesse, and louelove of God our Sauiour towards man appeared, &c. Tit. 3. 4.
To him that loued vsus, and washed vsus from our sins in his owne bloud. Ren. 1. 5.
The Lord,Mercy and long-suffering. the Lord God mercifull, and gratious, long-suffering, abundant in goodnesse & truth. Exod. 34. 6.
The Lord your God is gracious, and mercifull, and will not turne away his face from you, if you returne to him. 2. Chro. 30. 9
For thy great mercies sake thou diddest not vtterly consume them, nor forsake them, for thou art a gracious and mercifull God. Nehe. 9. 31.
The Lord is mercifull, and gracious; slow to anger, and plentifull in mercy. Psal. 103. 8. ver. 11. 13. 17.
Who is a God like vntounto thee, that pard…neth iniquitie, and passeth by the transgressions of the remnant of his heritage; hee retaineth not his anger for euer, because he delighteth in merc…e. Micah 7. 18.
He will turne againe, he will hauehave compassion vponupon vsus: hee wil subdue our iniquities, and thou wilt cast all their sinnes into the depths of the sea. ver. 19.
Despisest thou the riches of his goodnesse, and forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodnesse of God leadeth to repentance. Rom. 2. 4.
God is not slacke as some men count slacknesse; but is long-suffering to vsus ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2. Pet. 3. 9.
The seed of the woman shall bruise thy head.Gratious promises. Gen. 3. 15.
He forgiueth all thine iniquities, and healeth all thy …iseases. Psal. 103. 3.
He will not alway chide, nor keepeth hee his anger for euer. ver. 9.
His anger endureth but for a moment, in his fauour is life; weeping may endure for a night, but ioy cometh in the morning. Psal. 30. 5.
They that sow in teares shall reape in ioy. Psal. 126. 5.
Though your sinnes be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wooll. Isa. 1. 18.
In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with euerlasting kindnesse will I hauehave mercy on thee saith the Lord thy redeemer. Isa. 54. 8.
If the wicked will turne from all his sinnes which he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do all that which is lawfull and right, he shall surely liue, he shall not d…o. Eze. 18. 21.
HaueHave I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die, saith the Lord God, & not that he should returne from his wayes and liue? ver. 23.
As I liue saith the Lord God I hauehave no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turne from his way and liue. Eze. 33, 11.
I will betroth thee vntounto me foreuer, yea I will betroth thee vntounto me in righteousnesse, & in iudgement, and in louing kindnesse, and in merciemercy. Hos. 2. 19.
A bruised reede shall hee not breake, and smoking flaxe shall he not quench. Math. 12. 20.
Come vntounto me all ye that labour, and are heauie laden, and I will giuegive you rest. Math 11. 28.
There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Iesus. Rom. 8. 1.
To him that is able to do exceeding abundantly aboue all that we aske or thinke,Omnipotent goodnesse. be glorie, &c. Ephes. 3. 20.
I am God all-sufficient, walke before me, and bee thou perfect. Genes. 17. 1.
Abraham being fully perswaded that what God had promised he was able to performe. Romanes 4. 21.
God is able to make all grace abound towards you, that you alwayes hauing sufficiencie in all things, may abound to eueryevery good worke. 2. Cor. 9. 8.
The same Lord ouer all is rich vntounto all that call vponupon him. Rom. 10. 12.
Thus it becometh vsus to fulfill all righteousnesse. Christ his perfect obedience.Math. 3. 15.
Which of you conui…ceth mee of sinne? Ioh. 18. 46.
As by one mans disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Rom. 5. 19.
He hath made him to be sinne for vsus who knew no sinne, that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him. 2. Cor. 5. 21.
He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sinne. Heb. 4. 15.
Such an high Priest became vsus who is holy, harmelesse, vndefiled, separate from sinners. Heb. 7. 26.
He did no sinne, neither was guile found in his mouth. 1. Pet. 2. 22.
With the Lord is mercy,Full satisfaction. and plenteous redemption. Psal. 130. 7.
The chastisement of our peace was vponupon him. Isa. 53. 5.
The Sonne of man came to giuegive his life a ransome for many. Math. 20. 28.
I lay downe my life for my sheepe. Ioh. 10. 15.
Feede the Church of God which he hath purchased with his owne bloud. Acts 20. 28.
He was deliuered for our offences, and was raised againe for our iustification. Rom. 4. 21.
Being iustified by his bloud wee shall bee saued from wrath through him. Rom. 5. 9.
Who gaue himselfe a ransome for all to be testified in due time. 1. Tim. 2. 6.
How much more shall the bloud of Christ, who through the eternall spirit offered himselfe without spot to God, purge our conscience from dead workes. Heb. 9. 14.
His owne selfe bare our sinnes in his owne body on the tree, that we being dead to sin should liue vntounto righteousnes, by whose stripes ye were healed. 1. Peter 2. 24.
The bloud of Iesus Christ cleanseth vsus from all sinne. 1. Ioh. 1. 7.
Thou wast slaine, and hast redeemed vsus to God by thy bloud. Reu. 5. 9.
Thou art a Priest for euer after the order of Melchizedek.Perpetuall intercession. Psal. 110. 4.
It is Christ that died; yea rather that is risen againe, who is euen at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for vsus. Rom. 8. 34.
There is one God, and one Mediator betweene God and man, the man Christ Iesus. 1. Tim. 2. 5.
He is able to saue them to the vttermost that come vntounto God by him, seeing he euer liueth to make intercession for them. Heb. 7. 21.
Christ is entred into heauen it selfe, now to appeare in the presence of God for vsus. Hebrewes 9. 24.
If any man sinne wee hauehave an aduocate with the Father Iesus Christ the righteous. 1. Ioh. 2. 1.
And he is the propitiation for our sinnes. ver. 2.
GiueGive thankes ô Israel to the Lord from the ground of the heart. Harty thanksgiuing.Psal. 68. 26.
It is a good thing to giuegive thanks to the Lord. Psal. 92. 1.
O giuegive thanks to the Lord, and call vponupon his Name. Psal. 105. 1.
I will giuegive thankes to the Lord with my whole heart secretly among the faithfull, and in the congregation. Psal. 111. 1.
He fell downe on his face at his feete, giuing him thanks. Luke 17. 16.
There are not found that returned to giuegive glory to God saue this stranger. ver. 18.
Giuing thankes alwayes for all things vntounto God and the Father. Ephes. 5. 20.
Whatsoeuer ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Iesus, giuing thanks to God and the Father, by him wee giuegive thankes to God alwayes. 1. Thes. 1. 2.
In eueryevery thing giuegive thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Iesus concerning you. 1. Thes. 5. 18.
What shall I render to the Loro for all his benefits? Whereinto be numbred God his benifits spirituall. Election.Psal. 116. 12. … Psal. 10. 7. 8. Psal. 116. 12.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royall Priest-hood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should shew forth the praises of him, who hath called you out of darknesse into his maruellous light. 1. Pet. 2. 9.
They that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithfull. Reu. 17. 14.
Ye hauehave not chosen me, but I hauehave chosen you. Ioh. 15. 16.
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect? Rom. 8. 33.
According as he hath chosen vsus in him, before the foundation of the world. Ephes. 1. 4.
God hath from the beginning chosen you to saluation through sanctification of the Spirit, &c. 2. Thes. 2. 13.
God created man in his owne image.Creation. Genes. 1. 27.
HaueHave dominion ouer the fish …f the sea, and the fowles of the …, and ouer eueryevery liuing thing that moueth vponupon the earth. ver. 28.
Thy hands hauehave made me, and fashioned me. Psal. 119. 73.
Thou hast fashioned me behind and before, and …yed thine hand vponupon me. Psal. 139. 4.
Thine eyes did see my substance yet being vnperfect, and in thy book all my members written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. Psal. 139. 16.
Thou art worthy ô Lord to receiue glory, and honour, and power, for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Reu. 4. 11.
Thou hast redeemed me ô Lord God of truth.Redemptiō. Psal. 31. 5.
Blessed be the Lord, for hee hath visited and redeemed his people. Luke 1. 68.
Being iustified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Iesus Christ. Rom. 3. 24.
Christ Iesus of God is made vntounto vsus wisdome, and righteousnesse, sanctification, and redemption. 1. Cor. 1. 30.
Christ hath redeemed vsus from the curse of the Law, being made a cur…e for vsus. …al. 3. 13.
In whom we hauehave redemption through his bloud the forgiuenes of sinnes, according to the riches of his grace. Ephes. 1. 6. Colos. 1. 14.
By his owne bloud he entered in once into the holy place hauing obtained eternall redemption for vsus. Heb. 9. 12.
Ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as siluer and gold from your vaine conuersation receiued by tradition from your fathers. 1. Pet. 1. 18.
But rather the pretious bloud of Christ as of a lambe without a blemish, and without spot. v. 19.
Thou wast slaine, and hast redeemed vsus to God by thy bloud out of eueryevery kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. Reu. 5. 9.
I will call them my people which were not my people,Vocation. and her beloued which was not beloued. Hos. 2. 23.
I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. Math. 9. 13.
Among whom also are yee the called of Iesus Christ. Rom. 1. 6.
Whom hee did predestinate, them he also called. Rom. 8. 30.
The gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Rom. 11. 29.
Walke worthy the vocation wherewith ye are called. Eph. 4. 1.
I presse toward the marke for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus. Phil. 3. 14.
God hath not called vsus to vn cleannesse, but to holines. 1. Thes. 4. 7.
Faithfull is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 1. Thes. 5. 24.
Zion shall be redeemed with iudgement,Iustification and her Courts with righteousnesse. Isa. 1. 27.
By his knowledge shall my righteous seruant iustifie many, for he shall beare their iniquities. Isa. 53. 11.
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiuen and sinne is couered. Psal. 32. 1.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not iniquitie, ver. 2.
It is one God which shall iustifie the circumcision by faith, and vncircumcision through faith. Rom. 3. 30.
To him that worketh not, but beleeueth on him that iustifieth the vngodly, his faith is counted for righteousnesse. Rom 4. 5.
Whom he hath called, them he also iustifieth. Rom. 8. 30.
Being iustified by faith we hauehave peace with God through our Lord Iesus Christ. Rom. 5. 1.
Much more being now iustified by his bloud wee shall be saued from wrath through him. ver. 9.
Being iustified by his grace, we shall be made heires according to the hope of eternall life. Tit. 3. 7.
Purge me with Hysope and I shall be cleane,Sanctification. wash me and I shall be whiter then snow. Psal. 51. 7.
I will purge away thy drosse, and take away all thy Tinn…. Isa. 1. 25.
For their sakes I sanctifie my selfe, that they also may be sanctified. Iohn 17. 19.
Being sanctified by the holy Ghost. Rom. 15. 16.
Such were some of you, but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, 1. Cor. 6. 11.
That he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, Eph. 5. 26.
For by one offering he hath perfected them for euer that are sanctified, Heb. 10. 14.
To them that are sanctified by God the Father, &c. Iude 1. 1.
I know that my redeemer liueth,Hope of glorificaetion. &c. Iob 19. 25.
Though after my skin wormes destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God, ver. 26.
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsell, and afterwards receiue me to glorie, Psal. 73. 24.
Father, I will that they also whom thou hast giuen me bee with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou hast giuen me, Ioh. 17. 24.
Come yee blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world, Math. 25. 34.
Feare not little flocke for it is your Fathers pleasure to giuegive you the kingdome, Luke 12. 32.
If so be we suffer with him we shall also bee glorified together with him, Rom. 8. 17.
The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glorie that shall be reuealed in vsus, ver. 18.
Whom he iustifieth them also he glorifieth, ver. 30.
Who shall change our vile bodie that it may be fashioned to his glorious body, Phil. 3. 21.
I hauehave fought a good fight, I hauehave finished my course, I hauehave kept the faith, 2. Tim. 4. 7.
Henceforth there is layed vp for me a crowne of righteousnes, which the Lord the righteous Iudge shall giuegive me at that day: and not to me onelyonly, but vntounto them also that louelove his appearing, ver. 8.
Blesse the Lord ô my soule,Temporall as and forget not all his benefits, Psal. 103. 2.
Which forgiueth all thy sinne, and healeth all thy diseases, Health.ver. 3.
O Lord thou hast brought vp my soule from the graue; thou hast kept me aliue, that I should not go downe to the pit, Psal. 30. 3.
The Lord killeth and maketh aliue, &c. 1. Sam. 2▪ 6.
It is God that girdeth me with strength, Strength.and maketh my way perfect, Psal. 18. 32.
He teacheth my hands to warre▪ so that a bow of steele is broken by mine armes, ver. 34.
Which satisfieth thy mouth with good things, and maketh thee young and lustie as an Eagle, Psal. 103. 5.
Come and let vsus returne vntounto the Lord, for he hath torne and he will heale vsus: he hath smitten and he will bind vsus vp, Hos. 6. 1.
I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, Wealth.and of all the truth which thou hast shewed vntounto thy seruant: for with my staffe I passed ouer this Iordan, and now I am become two bands, Genes. 32. 10.
Also the Lord gaue Iob twise as much as he had before, Iob 42. 10.
Charge the rich in this world that they bee not high minded, nor trust in vncertaine riches, but in the liuing God, who giueth vsus richly all things to enioy, 1. Ti. 6. 17.
Thou hast set me at libertie when I was in thrall,Libertie. Psal 4. 1.
Cornelius a iust man,Good name. and of good report, Acts 10. 22.
And these all hauing obtained a good report through faith receiued not the promises, Hebrewes 11. 39.
Oyntment and perfume reioyce the heart;Friends. so doth the sweetnes of a mans friend by heartie counsell, Prou. 27…9.
Then came to Iob all his brethren, and all his sisters; and all they that had bene of his acquaintance, &c. Iob 42. 11.
Thou Lord onelyonly makest mee dwell in safetie, Safetie.Psal. 4. 8.
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide vnderunder the shadow of the Almightie, Psal. 91. 1.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleepe. Psal. 121. 4.
The Lord shall preserue thee from all euill: he shall preserue thy soule.
A preparatorie Hymne collected out of diuerse Psalmes
where in the deuout soule desireth
Accessea.
Audienceb.
Assistancec.
Acceptanced.
a Thou sayest seeke ye my face, my heart said vntounto thee, thy face Lord will I seeke. Psal. 27. 8.
Hide not thy face farre from mee, nor put thy seruant away in anger. ver. 9.
Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy Spirit from me. Psal. 51. 11.
b Heare ô Lord when I crie vntounto thee; hauehave mercy also vponupon me and answer me. Psal. 27. 7.
Ponder my words ô Lord, consider my meditation. Psal. 5. 1.
My heart is enditing a good matter; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Psal. 45. 1.
c O Lord open thou my lips, and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. Psal. 51. 15.
Let my prayer bee set forth before thee as incense, and the lifting vp of my hands as an euening sacrifice. Psal. 141. 2.
Set a watch ô Lord before my mouth, and keepe the doore of my lips. ver. 3.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart bee acceptable in thy sight ô Lord my strength and my redeemer. Psal. 19. 14.
A preparatorie Prayer, wherein all the conditions requisite in Prayer are expressed and prayed for.
HEauenly Father, whose gift it is that I can aske any good gift at thy hands, without whose grace I cannot desire thy healthfull and sauing grace: Infuse into my heart the Spirit of supplication, that in an awfull reuerence of thy Maiestie, out of a true sence and feeling of my wants and infirmities, and a liuely faith in thy promises; I may with chearefulnesse of mind, and feruencie of Deuotion, and constant perseuerance lift vp a pure and plaine heart vntounto thee at all times: humbly intreating thy souereigne bountie for such things onelyonly as thou in thy eternall wisdome hast pre-ordained to giuegive; and calling vponupon thee in such order and manner as thou hast prescribed me to aske in that absolute patterne of all prayer set downe in the Gospell by my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ. In whose name, mediation, and words I crie Abba, Our Father which art in heauen, hallowed be thy Name, &c.