The sinners guyde A vvorke contayning the whole regiment of a Christian life, deuided into two bookes: vvherein sinners are reclaimed from the by-path of vice and destruction, and brought vnto the high-way of euerlasting happinesse. Compiled in the Spanish tongue, by the learned and reuerend diuine, F. Lewes of Granada. Since translated into Latine, Italian, and French. And nowe perused, and digested into English, by Francis Meres, Maister of Artes, and student in diuinitie.

Of the ninth priuiledge of Vertue: that God heareth the prayers of the righteous, and reiecteth the prayers of the wicked. CHAP. XXI.

THey that embrace and seeke after Vertue, haue yet another priuiledge, besides those, which he∣therto we haue spoken of, that is, that their pray∣ers are heard of God: and this vnto them is a notable and an excellent comfort, and a singuler helpe in all their necessities,* 1.1 and miseries of this life. For the vn∣derstanding of this priuiledge we must know, that there haue

beene two vniuersall deluges and drownings of this world; the one materiall, the other spirituall; and they both had one cause, that is,* 1.2 sin. The materiall deluge, that was in the time of Noah, left nothing aliue in the worlde, but those that were in the Arke: for the waters couered all things, so that the Sea deuou∣red the earth with all the labours and riches of men. But there was another flood before that, much greater then this: for it did not onely hurt and endamage the men of that age, but it brought deadly destruction to all the men of the ages past, pre∣sent, and to come: neyther did it onely hurt their bodies, but al∣so theyr soules; for it spoyled them of all the riches of grace, which the world had receaued, by the meanes of him that was first formed. And in this miserable estate all things as yet con∣tinue, as we may see in euery creature, which newly commeth into this world, being naked and disfurnished of all the goods as well of the soule, as of the body.

From this first deluge all those miseries, beggeries, and cala∣mities are deriued, to which mans life is subiect, which are so many and so great, that learned Wryters, and graue Doctors of the Church, haue written large and copious volumes of this matter: Philosophers also very learned, on the one part consi∣dering the dignity of man aboue all other lyuing creatures, and on the other vnto what great miseries and vices he was subiect, they could not wonder sufficiently at it, seeing so great disorder and misgouernment in the world: for they vnderstoode not the cause, which was sinne. For they did note and marke, that onely man, amongst so many liuing creatures enioying so many thousand kindes of pleasures, and desires of the flesh, was vexed with couetousnes, ambition, and insatiable desire to liue, neither with these bonds his misery to be limitted, but that hee must thinke of his death and buriall, and what shall become of him after death.* 1.3 There is not any liuing creature that hath a nature more fraile, or inflamed with greater gurmandize or couetous∣nes, neyther that feareth more vainely, or more rageth through anger. They did also see that other lyuing creatures did passe the greater part of their life, without sicknesses and infirmity, without the helpe of Phisitions; and that all necessaries were prouided for them, without their labour or industry. But on

the contrary part, they did see that miserable man was exposed and layd open to a thousand infirmities, mischaunces, necessi∣ties, and greefes, as well of soule as of body, both for himselfe, and for his friends. That which is past, greeueth him; that which is present, afflicteth him; that which is to come, terrifieth him; and that oftentimes he laboureth and taketh paynes all his life long, for a morsell of bread, and a mouth full of water, to su∣staine himselfe with all. Neyther can I so soone make an ende to speake of these miseries of mans life, of which blessed Iob sayth:* 1.4 The life of man is a warfare vpon earth, and his dayes as the dayes of an hireling.

This same thing with so great tediousnes afflicted those aun∣tient vvise-men, that there be some found amongst them, who feared not to say, that they doubted, whether Nature was a mo∣ther vnto vs, or not much rather a stepdame, which hath expo∣sed vs to so great miseries.* 1.5 Another sayd: That it is the best for man neuer to haue beene borne, and the next, soone after to dye. Neyther erred he, that sayd; That many would not haue desired life, if they had made tryall of it before. If therfore our life be thus deformed through sinne, and our chiefest renowne and principall good lost through this deluge, what remedy hath he left for man, who so grieuously hath punished mankinde? Tell me,* 1.6 what remedy hath a lame and a weake sickly man, who sayling vpon the Sea, looseth at one mischance all his riches? I know what thou wilt say vnto me, If hee haue not whereon to liue, sayst thou, neyther hath ability to traffique by reason of his infirmity, it followeth of necessity that he must begge. Goe to then,* 1.7 if man in that vniuersall deluge, lost what so euer he had, and scarcely escaped the danger poore and naked; what other remedy is left vnto him, then that like a most needy begger, he call and cry at the gates of the Lord? This King Iehosophat teacheth plainely,* 1.8 when he sayth: Lord, when wee are ignorant what we ought to doe, we haue onely this remedy, that we may lift vp our eyes towards thee.* 1.9 To this agreeth King Hezechias. From day to night, sayth he, wilt thou make an ende of me? Like a young Swallow so did I chatter, I did mourne as a Doue. As if he should haue sayd: I am so poore, and I doe so depend of thy mercy and prouidence, that not one day I am assured of my lyfe:

Therefore all my exercise shall be, alwaies to mourne, grone, & poure out my sighes before thee as a Doue, and I will call and cry out vnto thee, as a young Swallow doth vnto her Dam. So this holy man spake, although he was a most mighty King. Also his Father Dauid beeing much greater then bee, neuerthelesse in all his neede he ranne to this sanctuarie, & with the same spi∣rit, and same intent,* 1.10 saith; I cryed vnto the Lorde with my voyce: with my voyce I prayed vnto the Lord, I poured out my meditation before him, & declared mine affliction in his presence. That is, when I cast mine eyes about looking heere and there, I see all passa∣ges stopt, and the gates of hope shutte against mee; therefore, when as mans helpe doth faile me, by prayer I desire heauenlie ayde, which God hath left vnto me, as the onely refuge & stay in all my troubles and dangers.

Perhaps thou wilt aske me, whether this remedy be safe, and vniuersall for all the necessities of our life.* 1.11 Vnto this (seeing that it dependeth of the Diuine will onelie) none els can answer but those, whom God in this matter hath chosen to be his Secreta∣ries, as are the Apostles & Prophets, amongst whom one saith: There is no other Nation so great,* 1.12 vnto whom the Gods come so neere vnto them, as the Lord our God is neere vnto vs, in all that wee call vnto him for. These be the wordes of God himselfe, although they be vttered by the mouth of a man, which ought to haue greater credite with vs, and to make vs in this matter more se∣cure, then all the testimonies of the world: that is, when wee pray, although we see no body, who answereth vs, yet we speak not to the walls, neither doe we scatter our words in the winde, but God himselfe is present, who heareth and helpeth vs pray∣ing, pittying our neede and preparing remedie for vs, if so that remedy be con••enient and necessary. What therefore can be a greater comfort to one praying, then to haue an earnest and a pledge so certaine of the Diuine assistance? But if this be suffi∣cient to comfort and to confirme vs in prayer, how much more shall those things confirme vs, which Christ himselfe speaketh, and that pledge which wee haue of our labour, as hee himselfe saith in the Gospell:* 1.13 Aske and it shall be giuen you, seeke, and yee shall finde: knocke and it shall be opened vnto you. What pawne can we haue more precious, or more certaine then this? Who can

call these wordes into doubt or question? who by this comfort will not be refreshed and encouraged in all his prayers? vvhom will not this royall charter content & satisfie? This is one of the greatest and chiefest priuiledges, which attend vpon the louers of vertue in thys, that is, to knowe that these great and assured promises are especially made for them. For it is one of the ex∣cellentest graces, that our Lord bestoweth vpon them for the paiment of their obedience, that he alwaies is present with them praying, and that hee heareth all their prayers. Dauid assureth this vnto vs,* 1.14 when hee saith; The eyes of the Lorde are vpon the righteous, and his eares are open vnto theyr cry. And the Lord pro∣miseth the same thing by Esay;* 1.15 Then shalt thou call, sayth he, and the Lord shall aunswer: thou shalt cry, and hee shall say, Heere I am. Not onely when they cry, but before they shall cry, the holy Prophet promiseth, that the Lord shall heare them. Thys pro∣mise moreouer hath great force to obtaine other promises, as Christ himselfe sayth in Iohn: If ye abide in me, and my words a∣bide in you,* 1.16 aske what ye will, and it shall be doone vnto you. But be∣cause the greatnes of this promise did seeme to exceede all hu∣mane credit, he repeateth the same thing the second time, and that with greater asseueration,* 1.17 saying: Verily, verily, I say vnto you, whatsoeuer ye shall ask •• the Father in my Name, hee will giue it you. What greater grace or fauour can bee showed? What greater riches giuen? or what greater domination? Aske what you wil, saith he, and it shall be giuen vnto you. O word worthy of such a promiser: who could promise this that is not God? What power could extend it selfe to things so hard and magnificent, but the power of God alone?

* 1.18 This after some manner, maketh man the Lorde of all, thys deliuereth vnto him the key of the Diuine treasuries. All other gifts, and Diuine graces haue the•• lymits, in which they are cir∣cumscribed. But thys amongst the rest, as a royall gift of the in∣finite Lord, hath the nature of his infinitenes, that it is neyther determined with these, or those limits: but it is said, all whatsoe∣uer ye wil, so that it be conducent to your saluation. And if men were iust prisers and esteemers of things, how greatly were they to esteeme this promise? Of what great woorth would a man make it, if he had found this fauour with some King, who would

giue vnto him, whatsoeuer he should aske? If an earthly King would be in such price with thee, shall not this heauenly King be in greater? But if thou shalt esteeme these to bee naked words, and that the effect and fruite dooth not follow the pro∣mise, looke into the liues of the Saints, and consider what they haue done onely by prayer. How great things did Moses in E∣gipt, and in all that iourney through the wildernes,* 1.19 onelie by prayer? What great things did Elias and Elizeus effect & bring to passe, onely by prayer? What great miracles did the Apo∣stles by prayer onely? With this Armour did the Saints fight: with this they haue ouerthrowne the power of deuils; by thys they haue triumphed ouer the world: by this they haue excee∣ded nature: by this they haue mittigated & quenched the heat of fire: to conclude, by this they haue pacified the wrath of the Lord, and haue obtayned whatsoeuer they would.

This therefore is the rewarde promised to the obedience of the righteous, that seeing they are so faithfull & obedient to the voyce of the Lord, he semblably dealeth with them; & because they answere vnto his voyce, when hee calleth and cryeth vnto thē, it is meete that he should remunerate them after the same manner. Hence it is that Salomon saith, That an obedient man doth speake of victory;* 1.20 for it is meete, that God should doe the will of man, when man doth the will of God.

Hetherto of the prayer of the righteous. But contrarily spea∣keth the Lord of the prayer of the wicked;* 1.21 When you shal stretch out your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: and though you make many prayers,* 1.22 I will not heare. And by Ieremie the Lorde dooth threaten them, saying: And in the time of theyr trouble, they vvill say: Arise and helpe vs. But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? Let them arise, if they can helpe thee in the time of thy trou∣ble.* 1.23 In the booke of Iob also it is written; For what hope hath the hypocrite, whē he hath heaped vp riches, if God take away his soule? Will God heare his cry when trouble commeth vpon him? And also Saint Iohn in his Canonicall Epistle dooth subscribe vnto thys; Beloued,* 1.24 saith he, if our hart condemne vs not, then haue wee bold∣nes toward God. And whatsoeuer we aske, we receiue of him, because we keepe his commaundements, and doe those things which are plea∣sing in his sight. Not vnlike to this, is that of the Psalmographer,

If I regard wickedness in mine hart,* 1.25 the Lord will not heare mee. But God hath heard me, and considered the voyce of my prayer: because I haue not dealt wickedly.

A thousand such like authorities may be brought out of the holy Scriptures, of which may be easily gathered the difference, which is betweene the prayers of the righteous, and of the wic∣ked, and by consequent, how farre the one part excelleth the o∣ther, when as the one is heard, and dealt with all as sonnes, the other reiected as enemies. For when they doe not ioyne good works to theyr prayers, neither that deuotion & feruour of spi∣rit, neither that charitie and humilitie, which is required: it is no maruell, if they be not heard. For the petition, as Ciprian sayth, is not forcible, when the prayer is barren.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A double deluge.
• * 1.2

  Gen. 7.
• * 1.3

  Mā is more miserable then any lyuing crea∣ture.
• * 1.4

  Iob, 7.
• * 1.5

  A saying of Silenus ta∣ken captiue of Mydas. Ouid in the 11, book of his Me••a.
• * 1.6

  A simily.
• * 1.7

  Prayer the onely re∣medy of man.
• * 1.8

  2, Chro. 20.
• * 1.9

  •• say, 38.
• * 1.10

  Psalm, 142,
• * 1.11

  How sure a remedy our prayer is.
• * 1.12

  Deut, 4,
• * 1.13

  Math, 7,
• * 1.14

  Psalm, 34,
• * 1.15

  Esay, 58,
• * 1.16

  Iohn, 15,
• * 1.17

  Iohn, 16,
• * 1.18

  How farre prayer ex∣tendeth it selfe.
• * 1.19

  What great things the Saints haue doone by prayer.
• * 1.20

  Prou, 12,
• * 1.21

  Esay, 1,
• * 1.22

  Ierem, 2,
• * 1.23

  Iob, 27,
• * 1.24

  1, Iohn, 3,
• * 1.25

  Psalm, 66,