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AGaine God said, Let there be a Firmament in the mid∣dest of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the wa∣ters Gen. 1. 3. Then God made the Firmament, and separated the waters that were vnder the
Firmament from the waters that were aboue the Firmament, and it was so; and God called the Firmament Heauen, ver. 7. So the e∣uening and the morning were the 2. day. ver. 8.
Isa. 50. 6. I gaue my backe vnto the smiters, & my cheeks to the nippers: I hid not my face from shame & spitting, &c. Related in the Gospell, Mat. 27. 1, 2. When the morning was come, all the chiefe Priests and the Elders of the People tooke counsell against Iesus to put him to death.
For thine instructi∣on meditate
For thy comfort apply the
For thy corrction reproue thy
Quicken
HAue I not remem∣bred thee in my bed, and thought vpon thee when I was waking. Psal 63. 7.
Because thou hast beene my helper, therefore vnder the shadow of thy wings will I re∣ioyce. ver. 8.
My soule hangeth vpon thee, thy right hand hath vpholden me. ver. 9.
Saue me, O God, for the wa∣ters are come in, euen to my soule. Psal. 69. 1.
I stick fast in the deepe mire where no ground is: I am come into deepe waters, so that the flouds runne ouer me. ver. 2.
My misdeeds preuaile a∣gainst me; O be thou mercifull
vnto my sinnes. Psal. 65. 3.
Blessed is the man whom thou choosest and receiuest vnto thee, he shall dwell in thy Courts, and shall bee satisfied with the pleasures of thine House, euen of thy holy Temple. ver. 4.
Thou shalt shew vs wonder∣full things in thy righteous∣nesse, O God of our saluation, thou that art the hope of all the ends of the earth, and of them that remaine in the broad Sea. ver. 5.
Thou stillest the raging of the Sea, and the noise of the waues, and the madnesse of his people. ver. 7.
They that dwell in the vt∣termost parts of the earth shall bee afraid of thy tokens, thou that makest the our goings of the Morning and Euening to
praise thee. ver. 8.
Thou visitest the earth and blessest it; thou makest it very plenteous. ver. 9.
Thou waterest her furrowes, thou sendest raine into the lit∣tle Vallies thereof: thou makest it sofi with the drops of raine, and blessest the encrease of it. ver. 11.
Thou crownest thy yeeres with thy goodnesse, and thy clouds drop fatnesse. ver. 12.
They shall drop vpon the dwellings of the wildernesse, and the little hils shall reioyce on euery side ver. 13.
Hee gathereth the waters of the Sea together, and layeth vp the deepe as in a Treasure-house. Psal. 33. 7.
O praise the Lord of Hea∣uen: praise him in the height. Psal. 148. 1.
Praise him all ye Heauens, and ye waters that bee aboue the Heauens. ver. 4.
Praise the Lord vpon earth yee Dragons and all deepes. ver. 7.
Fire and Haile, Snow and vapours, wind and storme fulfilling his Word, ver. 8.
Sing vnto God, ò ye King∣domes of the earth: ô sing prai∣ses vnto the Lord, Psal. 68. 32.
Which sitteth in the Hea∣uens ouer all from the begin∣ning: loe he doth send out his voice; yea, and that a mighty voice. ver. 33.
Ascribe ye power vnto God: his worship and strength are in the Clouds. ver. 34.
The speci∣all motiues to humility set down in the Scrip∣tures are;
TAke my Yoake vpon you,* 1.1 and learne of me, that I am meeke and lowly in heart, and you shall finde rest to your soules, Mat. 11. 29.
Vnlesse yee become as one of these little ones yee cannot enter into the Kingdome of God, Mat. 18. 23.
Cast downe your selues before the Lord, and he will lift you vp, Iam. 4. 10.
Decke your selues inwardly with lowlinesse of minde, 1. Pet. 5. 5.
Humble your selues vnder the mighty hand of God, that he may raise you in due time, verse 6.
Who is like to the Lord our God that hath his dwelling,* 1.2 on high, and yet, humbleth himselfe to behold the things that are in heauen and in earth, Psal. 113. 5.
I am among you as hee that
ministreth,* 1.3 Luke 22. 17.
And he began to wash his Dis∣ciples feet, and to wipe them with the towell wherewith hee was girded, Iohn 13. 5.
He emptied himselfe, or made himselfe of no reputation, Phil. 2. 7.
He humbled himselfe, and be∣came obedient to death, euen the death of the Crosse, Phil. 2. 8.
I will speake vnto the Lord who am but dust and ashes,* 1.4 Gen. 18. 17.
I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies, and of all thy truth which thou hast shewed to thy seruant, Gen. 32. 10.
And he said,* 1.5 wherewith shall I saue Israel? Behold my Father is poore in Manasseth, and I am the least in my fathers house, Iude 6. 15.
Lord I am not high-minded, &c. Psal. 131. 1.
And Dauid said vnto Saul,* 1.6 who am I, and what is my life, and my
father's family in Israel that I shall bee sonne in Law to a King, 1. Sam. 18. 18.
And now,* 1.7 O Lord my God, thou hast made thy seruant King, in stead of Dauid my father; and I am but a little child, I know not how to goe in and out, 1. King. 3. 7.
Notwithstanding,* 1.8 Ezekiah humbled himselfe for the pride of his heart, both hee and the inha∣bitants of Ierusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord came not vp them, 2. Chron. 32. 20.
Then Iob arose and rent his Mantle,* 1.9 and shaued his head, and fell downe vpon the ground, and worshipped, Iob 1. 20.
O Lord God,* 1.10 righteousnesse belongeth to thee, but to vs con∣fusion of face at this day, Dan. 9. 7.
He that commeth after me is greater then I,* 1.11 whose shoo-latchet I am not worthy to vnloose, Math. 3. 11.
When hee was not farre from
the house, the Centurian sent vnto him,* 1.12 saying; Master trouble not thy selfe, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come vnder the roofe of my house, Luke 7. 6.
When Simon Peter saw it,* 1.13 hee fell downe on his knees, saying; Goe from me, Lord for I am a sin∣full man, Luke 5. 8.
The Publicane standing a farre off would not lift vp his eyes to heauen,* 1.14 but striking his breast said; Lord be mercifull to mee a sinner, Luke ••8. 15.
I am the least of the Apostles not worthy to be called an Apostle,* 1.15 &c. 1. Cor. 11. 9.
Iesus Christ came to saue sin∣ners, whereof I am chiefe, 1. Tim. 1. 15.
I am the Rose of the field,* 1.16 and the Lilly of the valleys, Cant. 2. 1.
I dwell in the high and holy place with him also that is of an humble & contrite heart, to reuiue the spirit of the humble, Is. 57. 15
To this man will I look, euen
to him that is poore, and of a con∣trite spirit, and trembleth at my word, Isa. 66. 2.
When pride commeth,* 1.17 then commeth shame: but with the lowly is wisedome, Prou. 11. 2.
Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and reuealed them vnto babes, Math. 11. 21.
Hee giueth more grace,* 1.18 where∣fore hee saith, God resisteth the proud, but giueth grace to the hum∣ble, Iam. 4. 6.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty;* 1.19 but before honour is humilitie Pro. 18. 1••.
Hee that humbleth, himselfe shall be exalted, Luke 14. 11.
He raiseth the poore out of the mire, and lifteth the needie out of the dunghill, Psal. 113. 7.
That he may set him with Prin∣ces, euen with the Princes of his people, verse 8.
Blessed are the poore in spirit▪ for theirs is the Kingdome of Heauen,* 1.20 Mat. 5. 3.
composed of
FAther Almighty, maker of hea∣uen and earth, who createdst the Euening and the Morning the second day as wel as the first, Con∣tinue, I beseech thee, vnto mee as well the comfortable rest of the Euening to refresh mee after my labour and trauaile, as the most needfull light of the Morning to manage my affaires and busi∣nesses. But especially perpetuatt vnto mee the repose of a quie•• conscience, and the cleare light of the Gospel; to guide my feete into the way of peace. This light con∣uinceth
the errours of my vnder∣standing, the deprauation of my will, the disorder of my affecti∣ons, the impurity of my thoghts, the vanity of my desires, the de∣ceitfulnesse of my heart, & the wic∣kednes of all my wayes. This light sheweth mee what I was in my birth, slime and filthinesse; what in my life, vanity and folly; and what in my death, stench & rot∣tennesse. This light discouereth vnto me that I haue nothing which I haue not receiued; that without Christ I can doe nothing; that in me (that is in my body) dwelleth no good; that I am not able of my selfe, as of my self; think a good thought: that I cannot desire to thinke, nor haue wil to desire; nor grace to will any good. My comforts are rare; my crosses frequent; my pleasures momentary; my paines permanent; my gifts small; my wants and infirmities great; my helpes weake; my assaults strong; my good deeds few, and
they tainted with imperfections, my sinnes infinite. Let these con∣siderations, O Lord, humble me in my selfe, that Christ may raise me, wound mee in my selfe, that Christ may heale me; burden mee in my selfe, that Christ may ease me; kill mee in my owne con∣ceits that Christ may quicken me; make mee most vile in mine own eyes that I may bee most deare and precious in his. O Lord which as vpon this day createdst the clouds to raine vpon the earth; showre downe thy graces abun∣dantly into my heart to mollifie it, that the seede of the Word may take deepe root downeward in hu∣mility, and spring vpward in hope, and spread abroad by charity, and fructifie in all kindes of good workes. Lord who this day sepa∣ratedst the waters from the wa∣ters, separate, I beseech thee, and distinguish betweene the waters of teares which I shed for my sinnes, and those others which I
shed for worldly crosses and ca∣lamities. Cast away the one, and put the the other into thy bottle. Lord who this day madest the heauens (or ayre) without which I cannot liue naturally, no not for a moment; infuse into my heart the Spirit of grace, with∣out which spiritually I cannot breathe in my prayers, nor sigh, nor so much as moue any facultie or part of soule or body vnto thee. As oft as I take in, or let out the aire which I breathe, let mee receiue in grace from thee, and breathe out praise vnto thee. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ, and the loue of God, and the fellowship of the holy Ghost be with me, 2. Cor. 13. vlt.
Heare me, O Lord, in the multitude of thy mer∣cies; euen in the truth of thy saluation, Psal. 69. 14.
Let not the water floods drowne mee, nor the deepe swallow me vp: and let not the pit shut her mouth vpon mee, verse 16.
Thou diddest diuide the sea through thy power, and brakest the heads of the Dragons in the waters, Psal. 74. 14.
Thou smoest the heads of Le∣uiathan in pieces, and gauest him to be meate for the people in the wildernesse, verse 15.
Thou broughtest out foun∣taines
and waters out of the hard Rocks; thou driedst vp mighty waters, verse 16.
Thou art the God that doth wonders, and hast declared thy power among the people, Psal. 77. 14.
The waters saw thee O God, the waters saw thee and were afraid, the depths also were troubled, verse 16.
The clouds powred out water; the aire thundered, and thine arrowes went abroad, verse 17.
The voice of thy thunder was heard round about; the lightnings shone vpon the ground; the earth was moued, verse 18.
Thou bringest forth clouds from the ends of the world, and sendest forth Lightnings with the raine, bringing the windes
out of his treasures, Psal. 135.
The springs of water were seene, and the foundations of the round world were discoue∣red at thy chiding, O Lord; at the blasting of the breath of thy displeasure, Psal. 18. 15.
Thy way is in the Sea, and thy pathes in the great wa∣ters, and thy footsteps are not knowne, Psal. 77. 19.
The speci∣all Argu∣ments to perswade meeknes, set downe in Scrip∣ture, are drawne from
PVt them in minde,* 1.21 &c. Tit. 3. 1.
That they be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekenesse to all men, verse 2.
If any man bee ouertaken in a fault, ye which are spirituall re∣store such a one in the spirit of meeknesse, Gal. 6. 1.
I beseech you that yee walke worthy of the vocation where∣with ye are called, with lowlinesse, and meeknesse, with long suffe∣ring, forbearing one another in loue, Ephes. 4. 2.
Put on therefore, as the Elect of God, holy and beloued, the bowels of mercy, kindnesse, hum∣blenesse of minde, meeknesse, long-suffering, Col. 3. 12.
Forbearing one another, for∣giuing one another; if any man haue a quarrell against any, euen as Christ forgaue you, so also doe ye, verse 13.
But thou, O man of God, flye these things, and follow after righteousnesse, godlinesse, faith, patience, meekenesse, 1. Tim. 6. 11.
Dearely beloued auenge not your selues, but rather giue place vnto wrath; For it is written, Ven∣geance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord, Rom. 12. 19.
Wherefore, my beloued Bre∣thren, let euery man bee swift to heare, slow to speake, and slow to wrath, Iam. 1. 19.
For the wrath of man wor∣keth not the righteousnesse of God, verse 20.
Look diligently, least any man faile of the grace of God; least a∣ny root of bitternesse spring vp and trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. Heb 12. 15.
Consider thy selfe,* 1.22 least thou also be tempted, Gal. 6. 1.
Let him among you that is without sinne, cast the first stone, Ioh. 8. 7.
Hee shall haue iudgement
without mercy that hath shewed no mercy;* 1.23 and mercy reioyceth a∣gainst iudgement, Iam. 3. 13.
And they heard the voice of the Lord in the coole of the day,* 1.24 walking in the garden, &c. Gen. 3. 8.
And after the earthquake there was a fire, but God was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice, verse 12. (in which voice God was)▪ And it was so when Eliah heard it. &c. verse 13.
Neuerthelesse, for thy great mercies sake, thou diddest not vtterly consume them, nor for∣sake them, for thou art a gracious and mercifull God, Nehem. 9. 31.
God said to Ionah, Doest thou well to be angry for thy Gourd? Ion. 4. 9.
Thou hast pitie on the Gourd for which thou hast not laboured, which came in a night, and peri∣shed in a night, verse 10.
And should not I spare Nine∣ueh that great Citie, wherein are
more then sixscore thousand per∣sons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left; and also much cattell, verse 11.
Tell the daughter of Soon Be∣hold the King commeth vnto thee,* 1.25 meeke, Mat. 21. 5.
He shall not striue nor crie; nei∣ther shall any man heare his voice in the streets, Mat. 1••. 19.
A bruised reede shall hee not breake, nor smoking flaxe shall hee not quench, verse 20.
I beseech you by the meeknesse and gentlenesse of Christ, 2. Cor. 10. 1.
The said,* 1.26 Lord wilt thou com∣mand that wee call for fire from heauen, &c. Luk. 9. 54.
But hee turned and rebuked them, and said, yee know not of what spirit yee are made, verse 55.
Loe the heauens were opened vnto him, and hee saw the Spirit descending like a Doue, and lighte∣ning vpon him, Math. 3. 16.
* 1.27 Now Moses was a very meeke
man aboue all the men that were vpon the face of the earth, Num. 12. 3.
Let him curse,* 1.28 seeing the Lord hath said vnto mee, Curse Dauid: who shall then say; wherefore hast thou done so? 2. Sam. 16. 10.
My soule is euen as a weaned child, Psal. 131. 3.
But I was like a Lambe,* 1.29 or an Oxe that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had deuised deuises against me, Ier. 11. 19.
Iesus said, it is not meet to take the childrens bread, and cast it to Dogs, Mar. 7. 27.
And shee said vnto him,* 1.30 Yes Lord; yet the dogges vnder the ta∣ble eate of the childrens crums, verse 28.
But wee were gentle among you;* 1.31 euen as a nurse cherisheth her children, 1. Thes. 2. 7.
Thy name is as an ointment powred out,* 1.32 Cant. 1.
The anointment which ye haue
receiued of him abideth in you, 1. Ioh. 2. 27.
I will giue them hearts of flesh. Ezek. 11. 19.
I send you as Lambes among wolues, Luke 10. 3.
Behold the Lambe of God, &c. Ioh. 1. 29.
Hee was led as a sheepe to the slaughter, and like a Lambe dumb before the shearer, so opened hee not his mouth, Acts 8. 32.
Be wise as Serpents, and inno∣cent as Doues, Mat 10. 16.
Learne that I am meeke,* 1.33 and ye shall finde rest vnto your soules, Math 11. 29.
The meeke shall prosper in the earth,* 1.34 and shall delight them∣selues in the aboundance of peace, Psal. 37. 11.
The Lord lifteth vp the meeke,* 1.35 Psal. 147. 6.
The meeke shall hee guide in iudgement,* 1.36 and the meeke will he teach his way, Psal. 25. 9.
Who is a wise man and indued
with knowledge among you, let him shew out of a good con∣uersation his workes in meekenesse of wisedome, Iam. 3. 13.
Receiue with meekenesse the word ingraffed in you, which is able to saue your soules, Iam. 1. 21.
The wisedome which is from aboue, is first pure, then peaceable, Iam. 3. 17.
And the fruits of righteous∣nesse are sowne in peace of them that make peace,* 1.37 verse 18.
Blessed are the meeke,* 1.38 for they shall inherit the earth, Mat. 5. 5.
O Lambe of God which takest a∣way the sinnes of the world, who as vpon this day wert led as a sheepe to the slaughter, and as a Lambe before thy Shearers, ope∣nedst not thy mouth; who gauest thy back to the smiters, and thy cheeks to the nippers, and thine armes to the binders, and thy face to the spitters; apply, I beseech thee, vnto mee these thy meeke suffe∣rings. Make that profitable to mee which thou enduredst for me. Let thy bonds, O meeke Re∣deemer
set me free; let thy si∣lence pleade for me, let thy spittle cure my blindnesse, let thy stripes heale me, let thy nakednesse cloth me, and let thy meekenesse in all discipline me. If thou who in the forme of God thoughtest it no rob∣bery to be equall with God, yet hum∣bledst thy selfe, & didst become obe∣dient to death, euen the death of the Crosse, shall not I meekely submit my necke to the yoke? If thou who art God didst empty thy selfe and become of no reputa∣tion, shall I that am but a worme of the earth fill my selfe, and swell with pride? If thou suff••∣redst blowes, shall not I an affront? If thou, the Beauty of Heauen, enduredst spitting vpon, shall not I endure the fome of a loose tongue? Shall I for a word of disgrace venter my owne life and assault the life of my brother? Doe I value the life of my body and soule so low, that I will pawne it for a toy, a triflle, a mocke, a
word? God forbid. Thy Law, O God, commandeth meekenesse; thine example (my Lord) per∣swades meekenesse; my condition requires meekenesse; my frame and temper (after a sort) prea∣cheth meekenesse. Why hast thou giuen me a soft skinne, but to pat∣terne in my body this vertue of the minde? Why hast thou gi∣uen me a tender heart, but to re¦ceiue deepe the impression of compassionate griefe? Why hast thou giuen me melting eyes but to weepe for mine owne infirmities, and my brethrens calamities? Why am I brought into the world disarmed, without any of∣fensiue Weapon, but to teach me that I should not fight with, nor hurt any? Thou, O Lord, hast created me a Lambe, shall I by rage and cruelty make my selfe a Tyger? Thou madest me as a soft rose of Sharon▪ and Lillie of the Vallie, shall I turne my selfe into a thorne and thistle? I
know Anger dis-figureth the bo∣dy, much more the soule. It hur∣teth and endangereth others, much more my selfe. It is very offensiue to man, much more to thee. Wherefore I beseech thee, let thy peace alwaies rule in my heart, and quell and subdue all my rebellious affections, especi∣ally this of wrath, the most vio∣lent and impetuous of all the rest. Weede out of my heart all accursed Thornes and Thistles, that the seedes of thy Word may bring forth the fruits of righ∣teousnesse, which are sowne in peace of them that loue peace. O let not the Sunne goe downe on thy wrath against me, or my wrath against my brethren, but grant that ha∣uing made my peace with thee, by faith in thy bloud, with my brethren by forgiuing them from my heart, and reconciling my selfe to them, I may lay me downe in peace and take my rest. And let thy hand, O Sauiour, which shall
protect mee this night from all perills and dangers, raise me the next morning to serue thee in my calling, and magnifie thy goodnesse for all thy mercies and fauours vouchsafed vnto me. So be it. Amen. I
BLessing, honour, glory, and power bee vnto him that sit∣teth vpon the Throne, and vn∣to the Lambe for euer and ouer, Amen. Reuel. 5. vlt.
Diuine pre∣cepts.
Holy exam∣ples.
Christ
Abraham.
Gedcon.
Dauid.
Salomon.
Ezekiah.
Iob.
Daniel.
Iohn Baptist
The Centu∣rian.
Peter.
The Publi∣cane.
Paul.
Promises to the humble of the fa∣uour with God.
Wisedome.
Sanctifying grace.
Preferment
Blessedness▪
God com∣mandeth meekenesse.
Our condi∣tion re∣quires it.
Examples of mecknes.
God the Father.
The Sonne.
The Spirit.
The Saints. Moses.
Dauid.
Ieremiah.
The woman of Canaan.
Saint Paul.
Resemblan∣ces in the creatures.
Meekenesse bringeth peace.
Wealth.
Honour.
Wisedome.
The fruits of the spirit.
Blessednesse