A10945:1457
A10945:1457
Seven treatises containing such direction as is gathered out of the Holy Scriptures, leading and guiding to true happiness, both in this life, and in the life to come: and may be called the practise of Christianity. Profitable for all such as heartily desire the same: in the which, more particularly true Christians may learn how to lead a godly and comfortable life every day. Penned by Richard Rogers, preacher of the word of God at Wethersfield in Essex.Seuen treatises containing such direction as is gathered out of the Holie Scriptures, leading and guiding to true happines, both in this life, and in the life to come: and may be called the practise of Christianitie. Profitable for all such as heartily desire the same: in the which, more particularly true Christians may learne how to leade a godly and comfortable life euery day. Penned by Richard Rogers, preacher of the word of God at Wethersfield in Essex.
London: printed by Felix Kyngston for Thomas Man, 1603
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
I Thank thee, ô Lord, for my awaking with thee,1 and that with a willing and ready mind I entered into the day after, with calling upon thee (if thou diddest so) and for that I had liberty and opportunity thereto: and that afterward I went cheerfully to the duties of my calling, or supplied the omitting §Dthereof, some other way with a good conscience: and that I was wary in company and in solitariness, and in my prosperity, and under my chastisements that I might not offend; but that I did some good as I could: and that I had part in family exercises, and had care in my earthly dealings that I might not be made worldly by them: that I have taken any benefit by meditation and reading (if thou hast done so:) and now at the end of the day, that I look back how I have passed the day.
I Thanke thee, ô Lord, for my awaking with thee,1 and that with a willing and ready mind I entred into the day after, with calling vpon thee (if thou diddest so) and for that I had liberty and oportunity thereto: and that afterward I went chearfully to the duties of my calling, or supplied the omitting §Dthereof, some other way with a good conscience: and that I was wary in company and in solitarinesse, and in my prosperity, and vnder my chastisements that I might not offend; but that I did some good as I could: and that I had part in family exercises, and had care in my earthly dealings that I might not be made worldly by them: that I haue taken any benefit by meditation and reading (if thou hast done so:) and now at the end of the day, that I looke backe how I haue passed the day.
Thus, as these or any of them have been done of thee, call them to mind, as thou canst, and how they were done: and as they and such like are the chief actions to be done in the day; so proceed in giving thanks for doing §Ethem (or so far as thou hast) with thy mind seasoned with the graces, which should direct all the actions of thy life through the day: even these eight, thus:
Thus, as these or any of them haue bene done of thee, call them to mind, as thou canst, and how they were done: and as they and such like are the chiefe actions to be done in the day; so proceed in giuing thankes for doing §Ethem (or so farre as thou hast) with thy mind seasoned with the graces, which should direct all the actions of thy life through the day: euen these eight, thus:
I also thank thee (ô Lord) that in these actions and parts of my life, I have not done them in opinion of any goodness in me, but by thy grace: and have thereby humbled my self for my sins, and embraced pardon by faith: and by the same faith, have been holden from many sins, and kept in doing ⟨p. 404⟩many duties, as love, mercy, uprightness, and the works of my calling:§F and have had some consideration of my mortality, and looked for thy coming: [on the Sabbath, that I have attended to sanctify it in public and private exercises] and that I have held the peace which passeth understanding: and had thy kindness in remembrance thankfully, with some use of watching and praying: and now viewed the passing of this day in this poor manner: let experience bring hope of better doing this from day to day. (And if thine heart go with the mentioning of these, thou shalt find savour in them.) But seeing I have faulted and failed many ways, both in good doing, and the right manner of it: and in following the devices and desires of my heart too much (here if any particular action or corruption be remembered of thee, bewail §Git, accuse and judge thy self and renounce it, that thou mayest find mercy in that thy need:) I confess and renounce the same, praying for Christs sake to be pardoned; that I may lie down in peace.
I also thanke thee (ô Lord) that in these actions and parts of my life, I haue not done them in opinion of any goodnesse in me, but by thy grace: and haue thereby humbled my selfe for my sinnes, and imbraced pardon by faith: and by the same faith, haue bene holden from many sinnes, and kept in doing ⟨p. 404⟩many duties, as loue, mercy, vprightnesse, and the workes of my calling:
The second thing which I said I would add, was the use of this doctrine. For the use of the doctrine of this Treatise,1 Of daily guiding thy soul and life, it may be gathered out of that which hath been said of it; and out of this last pattern or example so far as thou seest nothing in it, which God approveth not. And that is in few words: that every day and through the day, thou wean and withdraw thine heart from any such noisome bait or provocation, as suffereth thee not to arise in the morning, to walk through the day,§H and to lie down at night in peace and safety under Gods protection: and every day, I still say, wishing thee to remember, that if thou beest negligent and careless but one day, that may fall on thee to vex thee long after, which should not else fall out in thy whole life. And that part of life which will not stand with this, let it, as deadly poison, be carefully avoided and rejected of thee.
The second thing which I sayd I would adde, was the vse of this doctrine. For the vse of the doctrine of this Treatise,1 Of daily guiding thy soule and life, it may be gathered out of that which hath bene sayd of it; and out of this last paterne or example so farre as thou seest nothing in it, which God approueth not. And that is in few words: that euery day and through the day, thou weane and withdraw thine heart from any such noisome baite or prouocation, as suffereth thee not to arise in the morning, to walke through the day,§H and to lie downe at night in peace and safety vnder Gods protection: and euerie day, I still say, wishing thee to remember, that if thou beest negligent and carelesse but one day, that may fall on thee to vexe thee long after, which should not else fall out in thy whole life. And that part of life which will not stand with this, let it, as deadly poyson, be carefully auoided and reiected of thee.
1O Lord God most mighty and merciful through Jesus Christ, let that §Kmind be in me which is in thy faithful people, and with the which thou delightest to be sought unto, sound and without hypocrisy, humble, meek, teachable to every good thing, fitly and readily disposed unto every good work: let me be framed this morning to the liking of the Christian course, as I have learned it out of thy word, and have tried that it is the only happy estate which here can be enjoyed. And with this mind let me ⟨p. 405⟩§Aenter into my meditation, thanksgiving, confession of sins and prayer. For whom have I in heaven (ô Lord) but thee? or whom do I desire on earth in comparison of thee? who doest whatsoever it pleaseth thee, and hast all creatures even the Devils subject to thee: who, as thou hast filled the whole earth with thy goodness; so particularly thy mercies are wonderful to me, and that my soul knoweth right well. And as in thy favour is life and happiness: so thou as one abounding in love and compassion, hast counselled, yea and commanded us for our own good to seek it, that we might be happy by it. And yet, lest we should be deceived with the delusions and baits of this world and set our delight on them, thou soundest this alarm in our ears §Bdaily, that all things in this world are transitory, vain and soon flitting away, and we our selves with them daily drawing unto our end. Thou hast caused this to be published in our hearing, that all flesh is grass, and the glory and beauty of it, as the flower of the field that fadeth: and that all things below the more they have been delighted in, the more deeply they shall sting and vex us when they forsake us. And lest we should judge and hope of our estate after the deceitful dreams of our own brain, as we are most easily inclined to do, thou hast lively set out our whole shape as in a glass, to be full of misery and cursedness, if we have not yet attained to know that we are thy sons and daughters, & that our names are written in the book of life. §CThese all and such like while I meditate upon, as also, that thou wouldest have us every day make our salvation more sure, & to be persuaded of thine unchangeable love; I wonder at them, and most of all to consider thine inestimable and unutterable kindness in them all.
This draweth from me (as there is exceeding great cause) unfeigned thanks, with joy unspeakable and glorious, especially for that I see, thou hast done all this for me, even the unworthiest of other: that for my sake thou gavest thy dear Son to death, that he might bring me to everlasting life: that to me among other, thou wouldest have the glad tidings of it to be brought and preached, to the end that I may know my self as surely to be one of thine, as if I were gathered up §Dto my fathers to enjoy thy presence most glorious already: that of me among the rest of thy chosen ones, thou hast an especial regard and care against all things that might hurt me, and wilt continue the same even to my lives end, when I shall fear neither trouble nor danger, neither Devil nor hell any more: that thou hast granted me to know it by faith, and in token thereof hast sanctified me and made me able to love goodness and loath evil in some measure: that thou hast wrought repentance in my heart, whereby I endeavour to forsake all known sins, and to please thee in all things: that thou hast given me a delight in thy word, whereas many find little savour in it: that thou turnest mine afflictions to my good, and teachest me the right §Eand sober use of my prosperity: that thou givest me access unto thy majesty by prayer, when I will and for whatsoever is needful: that I have liberty to use all other helps for the maintaining of a godly life: that I may rise up when I have fallen and offended thee, and return to thee again: that thou hast given me to strive against sin and Satan as a soldier of Christ, and makest me to find joy in the Christian life, and thy service to be perfect freedom. And yet for all this, that thou givest me hope of nearer communion ⟨p. 406⟩with thee: that thou assurest me, that through thy power I shall be enabled §Fto persevere in this christian course to my lives end, and that after it I shall be received into glory.
This draweth from me (as there is exceeding great cause) vnfeined thankes, with ioy vnspeakeable and glorious, especially for that I see, thou hast done all this for me, euen the vnworthiest of other: that for my sake thou gauest thy deare sonne to death, that he might bring me to euerlasting life: that to me among other, thou wouldest haue the glad tidings of it to be brought and preached, to the end that I may know my selfe as surely to be one of thine, as if I were gathered vp
And further, that thou hast not only bestowed these great privileges upon me, which are proper and peculiar to thine own children, but also hast in most gracious manner provided for the continuance of these unto me, and ministered abundantly unto me the good things of this life: as, to live under a most Christian and religious Prince and King defending and maintaining the Gospel against all Antichristian malice and tyranny and other adversary power, and the same truly and sincerely preached, and by whom our lives, liberties and livings are peaceably continued. I thankfully also acknowledge §Gthy great mercy for the fellowship which I have with thy good servants in living with them, and for that credit and favour which thou grantest me among them: also for convenient habitation, competency of thy outward blessing, good liking, contentation and agreement in marriage [or if ones state require it, out of it] for health and strength to walk in my particular calling, and the benefit of a lawful calling it self, for freedom from grievous pains and diseases; from suite and service, burden and bondage to Pope and tyrant and all other unreasonable ones: for blessing and success in my lawful affairs [other benefits mention, as thou shalt have cause.]
And further, that thou hast not onely bestowed these great priuiledges vpon me, which are proper and peculiar to thine owne children, but also hast in most gratious maner prouided for the continuance of these vnto me, and ministred abundantly vnto me the good things of this life: as, to liue vnder a most Christian and religious Prince and King defending and maintaining the Gospell against all Antichristian malice and tyranny and other aduersary power, and the same truly and sincerely preached, and by whom our liues, liberties and liuings are peaceably continued. I thankfully also acknowledge §Gthy great mercy for the fellowship which I haue with thy good seruants in liuing with them, and for that credite and fauour which thou grantest me among them: also for conuenient habitation, competencie of thy outward blessing, good liking, contentation and agreement in mariage [or if ones state require it, out of it] for health and strength to walke in my particular calling, and the benefit of a lawfull calling it selfe, for freedome from grieuous paines and diseases; from suite and seruice, burden and bondage to Pope and tyrant and all other vnreasonable ones: for blessing and successe in my lawfull affaires [other benefits mention, as thou shalt haue cause.]
These thy mercies with many other daily renewed upon me, both to the §Hcomfort of soul and body, do cause me (I say) to think my self infinitely beholding and bound to thy Majesty, and to say: ô Lord, what is man, that thou so delightest in him? and again: What shall I render unto thee for all thy kindness, which hath no end nor measure? This love therefore constraineth me (contrary to my corrupt nature) to be most willingly subject to thy will and holy government: this maketh thy commandments not to be to me, as sometime they were, burdensome and unwelcome, but sweet and pleasant: this causeth the strength of mine unruly lusts and unlawful desires to wane and be weakened in me, contrary to that which sometime I have found: and persuadeth me, that even my afflictions and the hardest parts §Iof my life are sent, not in thine anger and displeasure, but of favour and mercy; and that for my good thou doest of very faithfulness, cause me (when so ever I am chastised) to be corrected. And so, for thine afflicting of me also, I am and more learn, daily to be thankful. And the rather I see just cause hereof, because I am privy in mine own heart, how little cause I give of this tender handling, and most kind regarding of me: yea rather, I see causes innumerable, why I should be given up into a reprobate sense; and both be made an example unto others in this life, of misery; and after, be cast into endless woe.1 For besides mine original sin wherein I was conceived and borne, my whole life (before I was called to know thee to be my Saviour through §KChrist my redeemer) was nothing else but an utter departing from thee, and a dishonouring of thy name. In every commandment and branch thereof, I was rebellious, and disobedient to thee, and that as many times as I have hairs upon my head. And since thou hast washed me from my wickedness, and purged me from my sins, whereas I thought I should have roundly and readily liked and submitted my self to thy holy will, which is the rule of ⟨p. 407⟩§Arighteousness; yet I have felt, and do daily, that I am hindered much from that good course which I desire; not doing the good which I would most willingly, but oft times that which I allow not:
and yet besides this, I perceive, that there is much sin in me which I know not (as from time to time since my first believing in thee, I have by little and little espied and found out:) so that most justly I may say: Oh Lord, who can tell the manifold errors of this life, or how oft he offendeth thee? And as for the deceitfulness of sin, who is wise enough to discern it in many things? as when we shall be angry for a just cause; when we shall give our eye and heart liberty to please themselves in that which they desire; when we grow weak in faith, §Bwhiles we be about our lawful business; and such like: which because I feel my self to be encumbered with, and with many such, I do here as most unworthy in my self, acknowledge the same,1 and humbly sue unto thee (ô heavenly father) for thy dear sons sake Jesus Christ to pardon still my sins & corruption, who do confess, that I offend thee so oft in the day as I cannot express: & this morning to receive me graciously into thy favourable protection, that I may be satiate & replenished with thy loving kindness, so, that all the day after I may retain the savour of it; have my heart so sweetly seasoned with it, that I may find & feel all my actions as good things to proceed out of the good treasury of it: and not to be fleshly, rebellious & corrupt, as proceeding from §Ca root of bitterness. And as for the sin which is hidden from me, reveal and bring to light unto me, that I may be shamed and humbled thereby, and not abuse thy pardoning of me to bold licentiousness, making that a colour of evil in me: but let me pluck down all pride of my heart, and see my self daily, and so this day, more indebted to thy majesty, then otherwise I could possibly think my self to be; and to send up more oft and earnest prayers against the same. Thus (good Lord) let me sensibly feel this mornings work to be effectual through thy blessing, (even as it is thine own ordinance, that I should begin the day thus) that I may have my heart enlarged hereby, to do my other duties with more cheer and fruitfulness: and that I §Dbeing thus persuaded of thy favour, may also be assured that thou wilt be with me, to assist me and bless me in all the lawful works & actions which thou hast appointed me this day to do.
and yet besides this, I perceiue, that there is much sinne in me which I know not (as from time to time since my first beleeuing in thee, I haue by litle and litle espied and found out:) so that most iustly I may say: Oh Lord, who can tell the manifold errors of this life, or how oft he offendeth thee? And as for the deceiptfulnesse of sinne, who is wise inough to discerne it in many things? as when we shall be angry for a iust cause; when we shall giue our eye and heart liberty to please themselues in that which they desire; when we grow weake in faith,
And seeing thou hast appointed,1 that we should be occupied in some travel and work profitable to the commonwealth, which also may keep our selves from idleness, incline my heart to obey this thy commandment, not only for other causes, but chiefly because thou wilt have it so, and with cheerfulness that may shake off tediousness and untowardness, as far as of my frailty may be obtained. In the works of my calling let me keep my heart from all distemperature, disorder and rebellion, and contain my self from every evil way: in the good success §Ewhich thou givest, let me not be lifted up with lightness: in the contrary, not cast down with immoderate heaviness. Let me see good and sufficient cause of intermitting the same as oft as I cease from it,2 and let my mind be stable and well settled to follow thee, though the actions of the day be many and variable. In all companies let me frame my self this day, to be harmless and innocent at home: let me be wary against the common evils which are in families, as brawling, disagreeing with any, anger, uncharitableness, ⟨p. 408⟩reviling, provoking, or being provoked by others; but forbearing and §Fforgiving, if I have ought against any; so let me be free from foolish jesting, slandering of others, lying, unprofitable and needless talking: So abroad, let me not fashion my self after the evil example of the world in these or the like, but humbly carrying my self towards mine equals, giving honour to my betters; and making my self equal with those who are my inferiors, as knowing my self what I am. And not only so, but as I shall have opportunity, grant (good Lord) that I may do good by exhorting, teaching, comforting and admonishing, and offering my self to take good by receiving the same where I may, that thus I may leave no ill savour in any place; but with comfort,3 call to mind the companies that I have been in, and not with §Gan evil conscience. And that part of the day which I shall have free from the fore-mentioned duties to be alone, whether journeying, sitting, walking or lying, grant (most merciful father) that my heart may be weaned from vain cogitations and fond desires even the secretest: and that out of the good treasury of my heart, I may raise holy and profitable meditations;
oft musing of the heavenly things contained in thy word, namely, thy mercies, of mine own mortality, troubles, subjection to sin and Satan: and how I may order aright all my lawful affairs, and disgrace and bring in discredit with my heart all iniquity and the very appearance thereof. Let me aim at these things this day,1 as at a mark. And whereas (most merciful father) we §Hare wont to go to prayer, hearing, conferring, and reading of thy word with much unwillingness and untowardness; and to be sleepy and unreverent therein; grant, that I may be armed against these: and contrarily may stir up my self to cheerfulness and gladness when such times in the day come, seeing thou hast appointed them to be especial helps for my weakness; labouring, that my heart may be affected with them, and strength obtained thereby from Christ Jesus my head,2 to go forward in my several duties. Let me in all these and other actions this day, hold fast my confidence in thee, that thou hast a fatherly care over me, both in turning my afflictions (which it shall please thee to send) to my great good, and granting me many sweet §Iblessings for my further encouragement: that when I shall be persuaded, that they are both,3 from thee of a fatherly compassion and tender care, I may greatly be upholden and comforted. And whatsoever I shall have to deal in with any man, though I be not in presence with him, let me ever give that which is due to him, as far as I see it to appertain to me: especially in the commodities of this life, that none may have any just cause to complain of any injury done by me: neither may I have any wound of conscience at any time for such gain or substance, and the rather for that I am given too much to look after mine own right:4 and with this, let mercy and compassion be joined, that I may as thou hast enabled me, glad the hearts of such thy poor §Kservants, as whose necessities it most appertaineth to me to relieve. And so long as in thy fatherly wisdom thou hast purposed to grant me health and prosperity, let me use and enjoy the same with much thankfulness; and soberly, humbly and meekly carry my self in that estate, not thinking my self any thing better then such as want it: let me not disdain others, nor my self be drowned in idleness, sensuality and sottish ease;
but let me be so ⟨p. 409⟩§Amuch the more profitable in every good work whiles thou givest me so many helps thereto, then in afflictions I could be; that so I may serve thy majesty with a sound mind and body, so far as thou shalt see it expedient. And yet not promising to my self continuance of peace and prosperity, but to look for my change: to learn to be abased, and to want: and contentedly, thankfully and patiently to take up that cross which thou shalt allot unto me; receiving much comfort in the trial of my faith by thy chastising of me, and for that I know that in great mercy and love thou doest it. And (good Lord) keep from me heavy judgements which are above my strength: and when thou freest me from many troubles,1 let me in no wise §Btrouble my self with an evil conscience. And because I am occupied about many things in the day, and therefore am more ready (through the Devils malice and vigilancie, who seeketh all occasions against me) to be unsettled and brought out of frame, grant (most loving Father) that I may at such times remember, how I ought to have a stayed mind and constant, ever counting one thing to be necessary in the middest of all my business, dealings and variety of actions: and that is, that I may highly prize thy word, that so I may do thy will; seeing I have then most need of this grace of faithfulness and care, when the danger is greatest. And yet,2 if I should be overtaken with any forgetfulness, and unawares be prevented by Satan, slipping §Cinto any security, rashness, earthliness of mind, or such like blind-folding of me that I should be thereby unsettled, and this my course of holy walking be broken off; yet (good Lord) leave me not over-long in that danger: grant me to espy my fall and offence whatsoever it be, and not to hide it in any wise, but speedily to acknowledge it, that I may obtain mercy for it at thy hands, & so may return to thee again, because I have sufficiently seen and tried that it is no living, but worse then death,3 to have thee at any time against me. Lastly, I most humbly beseech thee, that I may so warily carry my self throughout this day in all that I go about, that I may not be unwilling to view my doings and what hath been done amiss, at evening, and reverently
and that I may be willing to see where I have failed, that I may the better know what badness doth still remain in me;1 that so I may have just occasion to humble my self and confess my sin to thee, and may make an end of all breaches, not lying down in any of them unrepented. Let me count this no burden nor toil to do it, (as the most of the world do, who thereby provide so many after-reckonings for themselves, that they cannot answer one among a thousand of them.) And by all my weaknesses, neglects of duty and out-strayings let me not be discouraged to leave off this daily looking to my ways, but to increase my care rather. §EAnd wherein so ever I shall see and find, that I have obtained grace in any good sort to be guided by the direction which thy word setteth before me, there I may be joyful and thankful that thou makest any part of my duty easy to me, which I know to have been far otherwise. And thus let me have good proof, that in all the carriage of my self and in every part of my life I am a stranger on earth, as my forefathers were; and lie down in peace at night, even as this morning, through thy goodness, I appear before thy ⟨p. 410⟩Majesty. And for the nourishing and preserving of this Christian liberty in §Fme, and that I may walk after this direction carefully, let my prayers be oft (as I may be able to offer them) and earnestly continued this day, and watchfulness adjoined thereto, as thou hast taught me: that although this manner of living be not regarded in the world, yet I having obtained of thy Majesty to make it my delight, and knowing the incredible gain that cometh by it, I may be resolute and throughly persuaded to make it my practise, not only this day, but every day hereafter wheresoever I shall become, or in what estate and condition soever I shall be. That by the faithful continuance of this Christian course, I may see my profiting daily in the denying of my self and little esteeming of this world, and so have good testimony that I §Glive by faith: and that when I shall be grey-headed, and wax old, I may have mine old age blessed unto me, and not full of tediousness and weariness, idleness and unprofitableness, waywardness, frowardness and such like annoyances, whiles I acquaint my self now with the renouncing and forsaking my will in these and such like:
1O Lord God most mighty and mercifull through Iesus Christ, let that §Kmind be in me which is in thy faithfull people, and with the which thou delightest to be sought vnto, sound and without hypocrisie, humble, meeke, teachable to euery good thing, fitly and readily disposed vnto euery good worke: let me be framed this morning to the liking of the Christian course, as I haue learned it out of thy word, and haue tried that it is the only happie estate which here can be inioyed. And with this mind let me ⟨p. 405⟩§Aenter into my meditation, thansgiuing, confession of sinnes and prayer. For whom haue I in heauen (ô Lord) but thee? or whom do I desire on earth in comparison of thee? who doest whatsoeuer it pleaseth thee, and hast all creatures euen the Diuels subiect to thee: who, as thou hast filled the whole earth with thy goodnesse; so particularly thy mercies are wonderfull to me, and that my soule knoweth right well. And as in thy fauour is life and happinesse: so thou as one abounding in loue and compassion, hast counselled, yea and commanded vs for our owne good to seeke it, that we might be happie by it. And yet, lest we should be deceiued with the delusions and baites of this world and set our delight on them, thou soundest this alarme in our eares §Bdaily, that all things in this world are transitorie, vaine and soone flitting away, and we our selues with them daily drawing vnto our end. Thou hast caused this to be published in our hearing, that all flesh is grasse, and the glory and beautie of it, as the flower of the field that fadeth: and that all things below the more they haue bene delighted in, the more deeply they shall sting and vexe vs when they forsake vs. And lest we should iudge and hope of our estate after the deceiptfull dreames of our owne braine, as we are most easily inclined to do, thou hast liuely set out our whole shape as in a glasse, to be full of miserie and cursednesse, if we haue not yet attained to know that we are thy sonnes and daughters, & that our names are written in the booke of life. §CThese all and such like while I meditate vpon, as also, that thou wouldest haue vs euery day make our saluation more sure, & to be perswaded of thine vnchangeable loue; I wonder at them, and most of all to consider thine inestimable and vnutterable kindnesse in them all.2
These thy mercies with many other daily renewed vpon me, both to the §Hcomfort of soule and body, do cause me (I say) to thinke my selfe infinitly beholding and bound to thy Maiestie, and to say: ô Lord, what is man, that thou so delightest in him? and againe: What shall I render vnto thee for all thy kindnesse, which hath no end nor measure? This loue therefore constraineth me (contrary to my corrupt nature) to be most willingly subiect to thy will and holy gouernement: this maketh thy commandements not to be to me, as sometime they were, burdensome and vnwelcome, but sweet and pleasant: this causeth the strength of mine vnruly lusts and vnlawfull desires to wanze and be weakened in me, contrary to that which sometime I haue found: and perswadeth me, that euen my afflictions and the hardest parts §Iof my life are sent, not in thine anger and displeasure, but of fauour and mercy; and that for my good thou doest of very faithfulnesse, cause me (when so euer I am chastised) to be corrected. And so, for thine afflicting of me also, I am and more learne, daily to be thankfull. And the rather I see iust cause hereof, because I am priuy in mine owne heart, how litle cause I giue of this tender handling, and most kind regarding of me: yea rather, I see causes innumerable, why I should be giuen vp into a reprobate sense; and both be made an example vnto others in this life, of miserie; and after, be cast into endlesse woe.1 For besides mine originall sinne wherein I was conceiued and borne, my whole life (before I was called to know thee to be my Sauiour through §KChrist my redeemer) was nothing else but an vtter departing from thee, and a dishonoring of thy name. In euery cōmandement and branch thereof, I was rebellious, and disobedient to thee, and that as many times as I haue haires vpon my head. And since thou hast washed me from my wickednesse, and purged me from my sinnes, whereas I thought I should haue roundly and readily liked and submitted my selfe to thy holy will, which is the rule of ⟨p. 407⟩§Arighteousnesse; yet I haue fealt, and do daily, that I am hindred much from that good course which I desire; not doing the good which I would most willingly, but oft times that which I allow not:
And seeing thou hast appointed,1 that we should be occupied in some trauell and worke profitable to the commonwealth, which also may keepe our selues from idlenesse, incline my heart to obey this thy commandement, not onely for other causes, but chiefly because thou wilt haue it so, and with chearfulnesse that may shake off tediousnesse and vntowardnesse, as farre as of my frailtie may be obtained. In the workes of my calling let me keepe my heart from all distemperature, disorder and rebellion, and containe my selfe from euerie euill way: in the good successe §Ewhich thou giuest, let me not be lifted vp with lightnesse: in the contrary, not cast downe with immoderate heauinesse. Let me see good and sufficient cause of intermitting the same as oft as I cease from it,2 and let my mind be stable and well setled to follow thee, though the actions of the day be many and variable. In all companies let me frame my selfe this day, to be harmelesse and innocent at home: let me be warie against the common euils which are in families, as brawling, disagreeing with any, anger, vncharitablenesse, ⟨p. 408⟩reuiling, prouoking, or being prouoked by others; but forbearing and §Fforgiuing, if I haue ought against any; so let me be free from foolish iesting, slandering of others, lying, vnprofitable and needlesse talking: So abroad, let me not fashion my selfe after the euill example of the world in these or the like, but humbly carying my selfe towards mine equals, giuing honor to my betters; and making my selfe equall with those who are my inferiours, as knowing my selfe what I am. And not onely so, but as I shall haue oportunitie, graunt (good Lord) that I may do good by exhorting, teaching, comforting and admonishing, and offering my selfe to take good by receiuing the same where I may, that thus I may leaue no ill sauour in any place; but with comfort,3 call to mind the companies that I haue bene in, and not with §Gan euill conscience. And that part of the day which I shall haue free from the fore-mentioned duties to be alone, whether iourneying, sitting, walking or lying, graunt (most mercifull father) that my heart may be weaned from vaine cogitations and fond desires euen the secretest: and that out of the good treasurie of my heart, I may raise holy and profitable meditations;
oft musing of the heauenly things contained in thy word, namely, thy mercies, of mine owne mortality, troubles, subiection to sinne and Sathan: and how I may order aright all my lawfull affaires, and disgrace and bring in discredite with my heart all iniquity and the very apparance thereof. Let me aime at these things this day,1 as at a marke. And whereas (most mercifull father) we §Hare wont to go to prayer, hearing, conferring, and reading of thy word with much vnwillingnesse and vntowardnesse; and to be sleepie and vnreuerent therein; graunt, that I may be armed against these: and contrarily may stirre vp my selfe to chearfulnesse and gladnesse when such times in the day come, seeing thou hast appointed them to be especiall helpes for my weaknesse; labouring, that my heart may be affected with them, and strength obtained thereby from Christ Iesus my head,2 to go forward in my seuerall duties. Let me in all these and other actions this day, hold fast my confidence in thee, that thou hast a fatherly care ouer me, both in turning my afflictions (which it shall please thee to send) to my great good, and granting me many sweete §Iblessings for my further incouragement: that when I shall be perswaded, that they are both,3 from thee of a fatherly cōpassion and tender care, I may greatly be vpholden and comforted. And whatsoeuer I shall haue to deale in with any man, though I be not in presence with him, let me euer giue that which is due to him, as farre as I see it to appertaine to me: especially in the commodities of this life, that none may haue any iust cause to complaine of any iniurie done by me: neither may I haue any wound of conscience at any time for such gaine or substance, and the rather for that I am giuen too much to looke after mine owne right:4 and with this, let mercy and compassion be ioyned, that I may as thou hast inabled me, glad the hearts of such thy poore §Kseruants, as whose necessities it most appertaineth to me to relieue. And so long as in thy fatherly wisedome thou hast purposed to grant me health and prosperitie, let me vse and inioy the same with much thankfulnesse; and soberly, humbly and meekly cary my selfe in that estate, not thinking my selfe any thing better then such as want it: let me not disdaine others, nor my selfe be drowned in idlenesse, sensualitie and sortish ease;
but let me be so ⟨p. 409⟩§Amuch the more profitable in euerie good worke whiles thou giuest me so many helpes thereto, then in afflictions I could be; that so I may serue thy maiestie with a sound mind and bodie, so farre as thou shalt see it expedient. And yet not promising to my selfe continuance of peace and prosperitie, but to looke for my chaunge: to learne to be abased, and to want: and contentedly, thankfully and patiently to take vp that crosse which thou shalt allot vnto me; receiuing much comfort in the triall of my faith by thy chastizing of me, and for that I know that in great mercie and loue thou doest it. And (good Lord) keepe from me heauie iudgements which are aboue my strength: and when thou freest me from manie troubles,1 let me in no wise §Btrouble my selfe with an euill conscience. And because I am occupied about many things in the day, and therefore am more readie (through the Diuels malice and vigilancie, who seeketh all occasions against me) to be vnsetled and brought out of frame, graunt (most louing Father) that I may at such times remember, how I ought to haue a stayed mind and constant, euer counting one thing to be necessarie in the middest of all my businesse, dealings and varietie of actions: and that is, that I may highly prize thy word, that so I may do thy will; seeing I haue then most need of this grace of faithfulnesse and care, when the danger is greatest. And yet,2 if I should be ouertaken with any forgetfulnesse, and vnawares be preuented by Sathan, slipping §Cinto any securitie, rashnesse, earthlinesse of mind, or such like blind-folding of me that I should be thereby vnsetled, and this my course of holy walking be broken off; yet (good Lord) leaue me not ouer-long in that danger: graunt me to espie my fall and offence whatsoeuer it be, and not to hide it in any wise, but speedily to acknowledge it, that I may obtaine mercie for it at thy hands, & so may returne to thee againe, because I haue sufficiētly seene and tried that it is no liuing, but worse then death,3 to haue thee at any time against me. Lastly, I most humbly beseech thee, that I may so warily cary my selfe throughout this day in all that I go about, that I may not be vnwilling to view my doings and what hath bene done amisse, at euening, and reuerently §Dlooke backe and examine how I haue spent it, and that by these rules whereby I haue prayed to be directed:
and that I may be willing to see where I haue failed, that I may the better know what badnes doth still remaine in me;1 that so I may haue iust occasion to humble my selfe and confesse my sinne to thee, and may make an end of all breaches, not lying downe in any of them vnrepented. Let me count this no burthen nor toile to do it, (as the most of the world do, who thereby prouide so many after-reckonings for themselues, that they cannot answer one among a thousand of them.) And by all my weaknesses, neglects of dutie and out-strayings let me not be discouraged to leaue off this daily looking to my waies, but to increase my care rather. §EAnd wherein so euer I shall see and find, that I haue obtained grace in any good sort to be guided by the direction which thy word setteth before me, there I may be ioyfull and thankfull that thou makest any part of my dutie easie to me, which I know to haue bene farre otherwise. And thus let me haue good proofe, that in all the cariage of my selfe and in euery part of my life I am a stranger on earth, as my forefathers were; and lie downe in peace at night, euen as this morning, through thy goodnesse, I appeare before thy ⟨p. 410⟩Maiestie. And for the nourishing and preseruing of this Christian libertie in §Fme, and that I may walke after this direction carefully, let my prayers be oft (as I may be able to offer them) and earnestly continued this day, and watchfulnesse adioyned thereto, as thou hast taught me: that although this manner of liuing be not regarded in the world, yet I hauing obtained of thy Maiestie to make it my delight, and knowing the incredible gaine that commeth by it, I may be resolute and throughly perswaded to make it my practise, not onely this day, but euerie day hereafter wheresoeuer I shall become, or in what estate and condition soeuer I shall be. That by the faithfull continuance of this Christian course, I may see my profiting daily in the denying of my selfe and litle esteeming of this world, and so haue good testimonie that I §Gliue by faith: and that when I shall be gray-headed, and waxe old, I may haue mine old age blessed vnto me, and not full of tediousnesse and wearinesse, idlenesse and vnprofitablenesse, waywardnesse, frowardnesse and such like annoyances, whiles I acquaint my selfe now with the renouncing and forsaking my will in these and such like: