Christs Prayer Expounded, Treatise 1 – Title page 3
A Chriſtian directed.
Queſtion.
I Sée that you remember much concerning Chriſts prayer, what muſt you obſerue in your Chriſtian practiſe?
An. As I am bounden to pray continually, ſo am I bounden to watch cō tinually, that neither by Sathans ſubtilitie, or the worlds vanitie, or mine owne ſecuritie, I be not ſurpriſed.
Queſt Why ought you thus to watch?
An. 1. Becauſe I walke in the preſence of God.
2. Becauſe I walke amongſt manie occaſions of ſinne.
3. Becauſe of my ſelfe I am ſhiftles to auoid them.
4. Becauſe I can go about no good thing, but either Sathan, or my laſts wilbe readie to moleſt me.
5. Becauſe manie excellent men, hauehave fallen verie greiuouſely, for want of watchfulnes.
6. If I can thus watch without ceaſing, I ſhall gette in each action the peace of a good conſcience which is the greateſt iewell in the world.
7. I ſhalbe readie for anie temptation, eſpecially for death and the day of iudgement.
8. I ſhall be ſure to doe no ſuch thing, whereof I can not giuegive an accoumpt to God.
9. I ſhall ſtoppe the mouthes of mine aduerſaries when they call in queſtion my righteous dealing.
10. I ſhall cauſe my religion to bee well ſpoken of, whylſt others obſerue my Godly conuerſation.
Queſt. What muſt you doe that you may thus watch?
An. 1. I muſt euer walke in faith, and to each part of Gods ſeruice, it is my duty to bring it with me.
2. I muſt hauehave Gods warrant with mee, without which faith is no faith.
3. I muſt ſée what calling I hauehave to each thing, without which a good thing may be ſin.
4. I muſt looke to my thoughts, my words, mine actions, my geſture, myne apparell, my diet, my recreations, my gettings, my ſpendings, and howe I may kéepe holie the Sabbath day.
Queſt. What rules hauehave you learned for your thoughts?
Anſ. 1. That I be careful to kéepe a more narow watch ouer my thoughts, words, and déedes, then heretofore I hauehave done, to doe them more waryly for Gods glorie, mine owne comfort and my bretherens benefit. 1. Cor. 6.20. 1. Pet. 1.15. Prouerb. 4.13.
2. That I cleanſe my heart from the very firſt motions of all ſinnefull thoughts, as of Luſt, Anger, Pride, Couetouſneſſe, Malice, Stubourneneſſe, euill Suſpition, as knowing that the leaſt ſinne deſerueth death, and doth depriue mée of parte of my comfort in my ſaluation. Ephe. 4.23.31 Math. 15.18.19. Col. 3.2.8.
3. That all my lawfull affections be moderate, and without exceſſe, and greater alwaies vponupon heauenly then earthly things. Col. 3.1.2. Phil. 3.20.
4. That I fulfill not my minde in all things, for then I ſhall often ſinne, let mee conſider therefore whether that be lawfull I deſire, and for the glory of God. Rom. 14.23.
5. That I beſtowe no more care, and thought on the world then I néeds muſt for the moderate maintayning of my ſelfe, & thoſe that belong to mée, left my thoughts be diſtracted too much frō heauenly thinges. 1. Tim. 6.8.9. Gen. 24.63.
6. That I ſuffer not my minde to be occupied with vnprofitable, curious, and vaine meditations; for which I cannot giuegive a ſufficient reaſon to God and man, if I were aſked. Pro. 6.14. Zach. 8.17.
7. That I thinke better of my brethren then of my ſelfe, and the more I excell in any thing, bée the more humble before God and man. Rom. 12.16. Phil. 2.3.
8. That I take ſome time eueryevery day, to meditate vponupon, and to mourne for the miſeries and iniquities of the age wherein I liue, and pray to God for remedie. Pſal. 69.9 10. Ezech. 9 4.
9. That I thinke often of the vanity of my life, vponupon my departure hence, dayly looking for my Sauiour in the Cloudes and wiſhing rather a good life, then a long. Pſalme. 90.9.10.15.
10. That I carefully meditate, and remember eueryevery good thinge I heare or learne, that I may readily practiſe it, when time & occaſion ſerues. Act. 17.18.
Queſt. What rules hauehave you learned for your wordes?
Anſw. 1. That I remember, ſuch as my ſpeech is, ſuch is my heart, & that both my heart, and mouth go together, but in holy manner. Epheſi. 4.29. Col. 4.6.
2. That my ſpéech bee gratious to the edification, good, and benefit of them, with whom I ſpeake, not to their euill and ſinning. Col. 4.6. Eph. 4.29. & 5.4.
5. That my ſpéech bée alwayes more and more earneſt, ioyfull, and comfortable, when I ſpeake of heauenly then earthly matters. Eph. 5.4. and 4.6. Pſal. 1.2.
4. That I remember I ſhall anſwere for eueryevery idle worde, which paſſeth out of my mouth, to God or to mā. Math. 12.36.
5. That multitude of wordes bée often ſinfull, let mee ſpeake therefore as fewe as I may, yea be rather ſilent then ſpeake vnprofitably. Prou. 17.27. & 10.19. Iam. 1.19.
6. That my wordes bee no greater, or more then my maſter deſerueth, nor beare a ſhewe of vice in mee or any exceſſiue affection. Pſa. 34.13. 1. Peter. 4.11.
7. That as I beleeue not all that is tolde mee, ſo I tell not all I heare, but tel the truth onelyonly though not al nor alwaies. Eccleſ. 3.7. Luke. 2.19. 1 Sam. 10.16. & 16.1.2.5.
8. That I delight not to ſpeake of others infirmities, eſpecially behinde their backes, and ſpeaking before them, ſpeake with griefe and wiſedome. Pſalm. 15.3. 2. Tim. 3.3. Mat. 18.15.
9. That I ſpeake not of GOD but with reuerence, knowing I am not worthy to take his name in my mouth. Leuit. 19.12. Rom. 9.5. Deut. 28.18.
10. That in praiſing I bee diſcret, in ſaluting courteous, in admonition brotherly. Prou. 27.2. 1. Sā. 10.4, Rom. 16.16.
Queſtion. What rules hauehave you learned for your actions towardes God?
Anſ. 1. That I vſe dayly prayer to God, eueryevery morning, and euening, that he would guide me and mine affaires, for his glory and mine owne comforte. Dan. 6.10. Pſa. 55.17.
2. That I regiſter vp all my ſinnes committed againſt him in eueryevery matter, and with griefe bewaile them at fitte time, crauing pardon and ſtrength againſt them. Pſalme. 51.3.
3. That eueryevery daye ſomething of Gods worde bée reade and meditated vponupon, that I may encreaſe in knowledge and in godlineſſe. Pſal. 1.2. Deut. 6.6.
4. That whatſoeuer I take in hand I firſt take counſell at Gods worde whether it be lawfull or no, bee it for my profit or pleaſure, and then that I do it with peace at leaſt in my heart. 2. Sam. 30.8.
5. That I giuegive thanks to God for eueryevery benefit that I hauehave receiued, and then dedicate the ſame for the promoting of his glory, and the good of his church. 1. Theſ. 5.10.
6. That I ſanctifie Gods Sabbath dayly, in vſing holy exerciſes of prayer, preaching, meditating, and ſacraments at the time. Exo. 20.8.
7. That any meanes God hath appointed for any matter bee nor more relied vponupon then God himſelfe, but he bée firſt prayed vntounto, for the proſperous vſe of them. 2. Chr. 16.12.
8. That I ſticke to God aſwell in aduerſity, as in proſperity, knowing the one to be as neceſſary forme as the other, yet let me pray for my neceſſities, be humble when I hauehave them, that I vſe them well, and that I looſe them not. Iam. 1.2.3
9. That I marke my profiting in religion, prepare my ſelfe to heare Gods word, attend when I am there, conferre, and meditate about it after, 1. Cor. 15.10. 1. Cor. 11.28.
10. That I louelove all things for Gods ſake, and God only for his owne: that I make God my friend, and nothing can bee mine enimie, and accoumpt all things vaine to ſerue God ſincerely. Philip. 3.8. Romans. 8.34.
Queſt. What rules hauehave you learned for actions towards your ſelfe?
Anſ. 1. That I refraine my eares from hearing, mine eies from ſéeing, my handes from doing, and eueryevery part of my ſoule and body, from fulfilling any thing vaine or wicked. Iob. 31.1. Pſal. 119.37.
2. That my meat, apparell and recreations be lawfull, néedefull and moderate. Luk. 21.34. Rō. 13.13. 1. Tim. 2.9. Tit. 2.3. 1. Tim. 5.23. 1. Cor. 10.31.
3. That withall care I redéeme the time, knowing I ſhal anſwer for eueryevery idle houre. Eph. 5.16. 1. Pet. 4 3.
4. That I bee as ſorrowfull for the good déedes that I hauehave omitted, as I am ioyfull for the good deedes I hauehave fulfilled. Rom. 7.8.9.
5. That my eſpeciall ſinnes and corruptions be inquired into, thought vponupon with griefe, whether they are weakened in me or remaine in their olde ſtrength, and that I reſiſt them withall faithfulneſſe, eueryevery day more and more, 1. Cor. 11.28.
6. That I remember with humility, all the good motions and actions God worketh in me, that they may bée pledges of my ſaluation, ſpurres to godlineſſe, and comforts againſt temptations. 2. Cor. 6.4.5. Rom. 7.15.
7. That I ſuffer not my ſelfe to bée pleaſed with mine vnprofitableneſſe, that is with vnfitnes or vnwillingnes to ſerue God. Rom. 12.11.
8. That I followe my lawfull calling ſo carefully for the good of Gods church, as féeling the trouble thereof, I be put in minde of my miſery by Adam, and be humbled thereby. Rom. 12 7. Gen. 3.10. Eccle. 1.13.
9. That I take reuenge of my ſelfe for my ſlipery ſinning, beating downe my body that I ſin not againe. 1. Cor. 9.27.
10. That I neuer make more ſhew of outward holines, then I hauehave inward in my heart. Eſay. 58.5.6.
Queſt. What rules do you learne for your actions towards others:
Anſ. 1. That I remember that what ſoeuer I hauehave that may bee vſed towards others, God hath beſtowed it on me for others benefit. Rom. 12.6. & 1.11.
2. That I coumpt it not ſufficient that my ſelfe ſerue God onelyonly, vnleſſe I cauſe all within my charge by all meanes to do the ſame. Gen. 14.14. & 18.19. Pſal. 101.1.2.3. & Ioſh. 24, 15. Eſter. 4.15.
3. That I conſider I am but Gods ſtewarde in all his benefits I hauehave, let me therefore imploy them wiſely to thoſe that néede, hartily, and in time. 1. Pet. 4.10.
4. That I behaue my ſelfe towards them ſo ſincerely that I may win the weak, comfort the ſtrong & make aſhamed the wicked. 1. Cor. 10.32. Col, 4.5
5. That as I receiue good in cōpany, ſo alwaies I do them ſome good to my power, Rom. 1.12. and 14.19.
6. That when I knowe others is ſinne, I mourne for it, and amend it if I may, by brotherly admonition. 1. Cor. 5.2. Math. 18.15. Leuit. 19.17.
7. That I reioyce and praiſe the Lord for any good thing the Lord ſendeth vntounto men, knowing that it is for mine and others Godlineſſe ſake, that God vpholds the worke. 1. Theſ. 5.18. Rom. 12.15. Luk. 1.58.
8. That I ſtriue not whether other ſhould do good to me, or I to them firſt, but that I benefit euen mine enimies, knowing my rewarde is with God. 1. Theſ. 5.15. Mat. 5.39. Rom. 12.20.
9. That I be carefull to vſe the good I can receiue by any man, knowing that I am but a member of the body, and ſtand in néede of other. Rom. 12.16. and 1.12.
10. That I carefully craue the prayers of other bretheren, and their prayers to God for the gifts I hauehave receiued, ſo I ſhall ſeale my fellowſhip in that body more effectually. Rom. 15.30. 2. Cor. 1.11.
11. Theſe holy exerciſes I muſt not make common for the time, or vſe them for faſhion ſake, but vſe them dayly.
Queſt. Séeing you hauehave precepts for your actions, what muſt you obſerue in your geſture and behauiour?
Anſw. For my geſture I muſt take héede. 1. That mine eies bee not haughty.
2. That my countenance bee not impudent.
3. That my face bee neither laughing nor lowring.
4. That mine handes be neither ſpred out nor cloeſd in.
5. That I bee not Apiſh in imitation.
6. That my gate be not too ſlowe nor ſwift.
7. That I giuegive place and reuerence to my betters.
8. That I ſit not before I am placed.
9. That I ſpeake not before I am aſked.
10. That I bee not ſolemne when I ought to be chéerefull, nor chéerefull when I ſhould bée ſorrowfull: but in duplicate page duplicate page all things behaue my ſelfe as the child of God.
Queſt. What rules are you to obſerue in apparell?
An. 1. For the matter, it muſt not be too good or too meane.
2. For the faſhion not too new or too old.
3. For the colour not too light or too ſadde.
4. For the wearing not too effeminate nor too ſordide, and in a word my apparell muſt be ſuch as argues ſobriety and holineſſe of minde, conſidering the ends of apparell, which are.
1. For neceſſitie that our bodies may be kept from the weather.
2. For honeſtie that our nakedneſſe may be couered.
3. For commoditie that we may labour in our callings.
4. For frugalitie according to our ſtate.
5. For diſtinction both of men from women, yong from old, magiſtrats frō ſubiects, the Clergie from the laitie, and the Rich from the Poore.
And in wearing of apparil I muſt not looke ſo much what I am able to doe, as what is fit for mee to be done, to imitate the moſt graue and ſober ſort of my ranke, and to kéepe my ſelfe rather vnderunder then aboue my degrée; which if I doe not, I doe but waſt Gods benefites, weare a badge of a proud heart, giuegive teſtimonie of idleneſſe, procure ſuſpition of leuitie by diuers faſhions: labour to confound degrées, and by the lightneſſe of mine apparell prouoke many not only to ſuſpect me of euil, but alſo by it to commit euill.
Queſt. What rules are you to obſerue in diet?
An. 1. That I ſit not downe before I pray.
2. That I riſe not before I giuegive thanks.
3. That I féede only to ſatiſfie honger.
4. That I cut not at the table of my betters before I am carued.
5. That I féede not of too manie diſhes.
6. That I deſire not too much dainty meates.
7. That my ſupper bee leſſe then my dinner.
8. That I beware of too much ſtrong drinke.
9. That I riſe with an appetite.
10. That in eating I remember the poore, and that this body which I féede ſhall be wormes meate.
Queſt. What rules muſt you obſerue for recreation?
Anſ. 1. That they be of good report, and of whoſe lawfulneſſe there is leaſt queſtion.
2. That I make not an occupation of them.
3. That I vſe them as recreations, not to trouble my body or minde.
4. That I ſtay not long at them.
5. That I looſe not much at any recreation.
6. That I vſe no ſuch recreations as I am aſhamed that good people ſhould ſée me.
7. I muſt not giuegive offence by abuſing my libertie to any man.
8. After exerciſe I muſt returne to my calling.
9. I muſt vſe ſuch exerciſes as are of little coſt, leaſt loſſe of time, and fit for me to vſe.
10. I muſt not then play when I ſhould bee at worke, nor bee merry in time of mourning.
Queſt. What rules are you to remember for getting riches.
Anſw. 1. That my calling bee ſuch an honeſt calling, as that I be not aſhamed of the very name thereof, as vſurers are to bee called vſurers.
2. That I get my wealth by honeſt labour.
3. That in buying and ſelling I defraud no man.
4. That I enrich not my ſelfe by the labour of the poore.
5. That to get, I leaue not Gods ſeruice.
6. That I lye not, nor forſweare my ſelfe.
7. That my weights, wares, and meaſures be good.
That I conſider that it is harde to bee rich and religious.
9. That I doe as I would be done to.
10. That I commend not my ſeruants for deceiuing any.
Queſt. What rules muſt you obſerue in ſpending?
Anſw. 1. That I ſpend not aboue mine eſtate.
2. That I ſpare not when I ought to ſpend.
3. That I buye not that which is néedleſſe for me.
4. That eſpecially I muſt giuegive to the godly.
5. That I hauehave a regarde to my kindered.
6. That I giuegive not too much to the rich.
7. That I obſerue times, places, and perſons in giuing and ſpending.
8. That I giuegive not to the poore with reproching them.
9. That I boaſt not too much of my liberalitie.
10. That I be not liberall of another mans purſe,
Queſt. What rules are you to obſerue for the ſanctifying of the Sabbath?
Anſw. 1. I muſt riſe early to ſanctifie my ſelfe, and all that belong to me, for Gods ſeruice that day.
2. I muſt kéepe it from morning til euening.
3. I muſt frequent the exerciſes of religion and bee preſent with all reuerence of praier and preaching.
4. I muſt not ſo goe from ſermon to ſermon, that I conter not of Gods word which I heare, eſpecially with ſuch as belong vntounto me.
5. I muſt meditate of al Gods mercies, eſpecially of ſuch are giuen me in Chriſt.
6. I muſt not make that day, a day of feaſting, ſporting, or viſiting, as the moſt do of friends abroad.
7. I muſt do no worke vponupon that day, which might hauehave béene done the day before, or may be don the day after.
8. I muſt labour to bee at Gods houſe with the firſt, that ſo I may bée partaker of the whole ſeruice.
9. I muſt viſite ſuch as are comfortles, if I know or imagine they ſtand in néed of mine helpe.
10. I muſt bee carefull to prouide ſomething, which I may diſtribute to the neceſſity of the ſaiutes.
Theſe rules muſt I obſerue leaſt it bée louely ſaid of mee, which was falſely ſaid of Chriſt, this man is not of God, for be kéepes not the ſabbath.
Queſt. Nowe as you hauehave learned theſe generall rules of pietie, come wée euen to particulars; ſay that you intend to be married, what rules muſt you vſe in chooſing a wife?
Anſ. I muſt looke 1. That ſhe be of good religion:
2. Of honeſt parentage.
3. Of good report.
4. Of ciuill cariage.
5. Of contenting perſonage.
6. A louer of godly company.
7. Of prouident circumſpection.
8. Of ſtayed yeares.
9. Of fewe wordes.
10. Of an honeſt nature.
Queſt. When you are maried what duties owe you to your wife?
Anſ. I owe vntounto her:
1. LoueLove to her perſon.
2. Chaſtity to her bed.
3. Maintainance to her eſtate.
4. Cohabitation to her content.
5. Patient forbearing of her infirmities
6. Admonition and commendation rather then correction.
7. inſtruction in piety.
8. Due beneuolence.
9. Kindnes to her kindred.
10. Cheriſhing in ſicknes.
Queſt. And what duties muſt you looke for from your wife?
Anſ. Theſe duties.
1. Reuerence as to her head.
2. Chaſtitie as to a parte of her body.
3. Prouidence in getting and ſpending.
4. Nourcing of her owne children.
5. Silence in kéeping ſecrets, without declaiming againſt eueryevery domeſticall vnkindneſſe?
6. Obedience to my lawfull commandements.
7. Cherefulnes of countenance, and ſpeach.
8. Diligent ſtaying at home in ſome honeſt calling.
9. Grauity in her domeſticall behauiour.
10. Sobriety in her apparel & geſture.
Qu. if God ſend you children what duties owe you to them?
Anſ. I am bounden to performe theſe duties. 1. To bring them vp in the feare of the Lord.
2. To looke that they may liue in ſome calling.
3. To fit their callings according to their natures.
4. To teach them ſuch ciuil behauiour as ſauours of piety.
5. To giuegive good example vntounto them in each thing.
6. To teach them at the leaſt to reade.
7. To correct them, doing amiſſe.
8. To commend them when they do well.
9. To apparell them rather comely then coſtly.
10. To denie them in many thinges their wills.
11. To leaue them all ſome fit portion of my goods.
12. And laſtly in due time to looke to their marriage.
Que. What duties are your children to performe to you, and your wife?
Anſ. They ought. 1. To obey vsus in things lawfull.
2. To reuerence vsus, as the authors of their being.
3. To acknowledge vsus, be we neuer ſo poore.
4. To endure our corrections patiently
5. To be content with our prouiſion for them.
6. To ſéeke all meanes by which they may pleaſe vsus.
7. To behaue themſelues ſo as they may credit vsus.
8. To be ſorrie when we are diſgraced.
9. To follow vsus in the practiſe of piety.
10. To ſtay till we prouide for them in marriage.
Queſt. Now if to wife and children, God ſend you ſeruaunts, what duties do you owe to them?
An. For my ſeruāts I muſt be careful
1. That they be fit to do ſuch buſines as I kepe them for.
2. That I impoſe not too much vponupon them.
3. That they neither play nor worke on the Lords day.
4 That they goe and come with me to and from the Church.
5. That I examine them of ſuch things as were taught.
An. 1. I owe vntounto him. 1. Reuerence as Gods angel.
2. Audience as Gods ambaſſador.
3. Obedience of Gods ſhepheard.
4. Maintenance as Gods labourer.
5. Countenance as Gods Miniſter.
6. Confeſſion as hee is a comforter.
7. LoueLove as he is mine inſtructor.
8. Feare as he is my father.
9. Patience as he is my corrector.
10. Praier as he is to breake to me the bread of life.
Queſt. I knowe by this my Miniſters duty, and my duty towards the Miniſter; but be it that I come to heare a ſermon, what rules can you giuegive mée for profitable hearinge?
Anſw. Surely theſe.
1. That you prepare for hearing.
2. That you be diligent in hearing.
3. That you bee carefull after hearing.
Queſt. What rules muſt I obſerue before?
Anſ. 1. That I leaue al wordly cares at home.
2. That I pray for the preacher, people, and my ſelfe.
3. That I make my ſelfe not vnfit by banqueting.
4. That I reade his text before I come, if he follow an ordinarie courſe.
5. That I come not with preiudice of the Miniſter.
6. That as I come, I conſider whither I goe.
7. That I carie my famuly with mée.
8. That I inuite others to come.
9. That I bring a minde deſirous to heare.
10. That I ſo come as I may heare the whole ſermon.
Queſt. What muſt you doe in hearing the word?
An. 1. I muſt ſettle my ſelfe to heare.
2. Mine eies muſt be bent vponupon the preacher onelyonly.
3. I muſt not offend the congregation by any noiſe.
4. I muſt reade nothing in the time of the ſermon vnleſſe I turne to places alleadged.
5. I muſt take héede I talke not with others.
6. I muſt remember I come to learne.
7. If the doctrine be good, neither voice, nor geſture muſt offend me.
8. I muſt reioyce moſt in mine owne teacher.
9. I muſt obſerue the preachers methods.
10. I muſt note that which moſt concernes me, and then thinke that he ſpeaks to, and of me.
11. I muſt not bee wearie, if the ſermon be longe.
12. I muſt write the ſermon if I can.
Queſt. What muſt you doe when you hauehave heard?
An. 1. I muſt not depart before all bee ended, nor before the adminiſtration of baptiſme, if there be any.
2. As I goe home I muſt thinke what I hauehave heard, and talke of it as I goe.
3. When I am come home I muſt conferre of the ſermō, and ſée that each of my famulie hauehave learned ſomwhat.
4. If I doubt of any thing I muſt aſke the preacher, or ſome other.
5. I muſt not immediatly after hearing goe about my priuate affaires.
6. If the ſermon bee ended before dinner or ſupper, the beſt table talke is of the ſermon.
7. I muſt not ſo much cenſure the miniſter, as ſée what good things I hauehave learned.
8. It is not enough to ſay it was a good ſermon, but I muſt know for what I commend it.
9. If any of my people hauehave beene negligentlie forgetfull, I muſt reproue them.
10. I muſt labour to turne Gods word into good works.
Queſt. Thus I ſée how you ſhal not take Gods word in vaine by hearing, tell mee how you may not take Gods name in vaine by ſwearing?
An. Here I muſt obſerue.
1. Gods commandement that I muſt not ſweare.
2. His curſe vponupon ſuch as hauehave blaſphemed.
3. If I lie little, I ſhal ſweare leſſe.
4. I muſt refraine pety othes.
5. I muſt labor to forbeare for a time.
6. I muſt binde my ſelfe from it.
7. I muſt conſider before I name God.
8. I muſt meditate of the Maieſtie, preſence, goodneſſe, and iuſtice of God.
9. I muſt get ſome to admoniſh me.
10. I muſt not be gréedie of gaine.
11. I muſt knowe that the more I ſweare, the leſſe I am beléeued in a truth.
12. I muſt auoide the companie of ſwearers.
13. I may note that there is neither profit, nor pleaſure in an oath.
14. It is an argument of an Atheiſt.
15. Men dare not abuſe ſhe name of a King.
16. I take it in ill part when my owne name is diſgraced.
17. I muſt take away all occaſions of ſwearing.
18. I muſt looke to the practiſes of beſt men.
19. I muſt reade, heare, meditate on Gods word.
20. I muſt giuegive an accoumpt of euerie idle word.
Now to the end that al men may think of their ende, and liue well, I hauehave inſerted here, in louelove to him, certaine propheticall verſes, found in the pocket of a moſt religious yong Gentleman, one Maiſter Henry Morrice, ſonne to M. Morrice Attourney of the court of Wardes, who thinking euer of ſodaine death, died ſuddenly in Milforde Lane, Sep. 12. 1604. at the age of 23 yeares.
Twiſe twelue yeares not fully tolde, a wearied breath
I hauehave exchanged for an happy death:
My courſe was ſhort, the longer is my reſt:
God takes them ſooneſt whom he loueth beſt▪
For he thats borne to day, and dyes to morrow,
Looſeth ſome daies of reſt, but moneths of ſorrow,
VVhy feare we death, that cures all ſickneſſes,
Author of reſt and end of all diſtreſſes?
Other misfortunes often come to grieue vsus, vsus.
Death ſtriks but once, & that ſtroke doth relieue vsus.
He that thus thought of death in lifes vncertē ty
Hath doubtles now a life that brings eternity.
Liue for to learne that die thou muſt.
And after come to iudgement iuſt.
A Communicant instructed.
AT LONDON Printed for William Cotten. 1606.