A day-starre for darke-wandring soules shewing the light, by a Christian controuersie: or briefely and plainely setting forth the mysterie of our saluation. Diuided into principles, obiections, and answeres. By Richard Niccolls, th'elder, of the Inner Temple London, Gent. deceased. Published for the generall benefit of all those who heartily, and with a true path desire their owne saluation: by I.C.

A deuout Prayer, for all Christians, and all times.

O LORD, vvhich hast vouchsafed of thy vn∣speakeable goodnesse, to make and ordaine me thy creature, to liue in this transitorie life, giuing me a reasonable Soule, by which I know thee, my Lord and my God. O most blessed Lord, I wretched sinner con∣fesse my wicked and abhominable sins, I humbly aske of thee mercy and forgiuenes for the same: grant mee thy strength to stand sure in faith, thy knowledge to worke thy blessed will, thy power to resist all errours and wicked imaginations: thy wisedome to know the truth,

giue me thy help, I humbly beseech thee, that thy holy Spirit may guide me, and all the thoughts and desires of my hart, for the thoughts of men are miserable, and their deedes vn∣certaine: comfort therefore my soule, let it walke in thy Lawes and wayes, and worke thy will; suffer no worldly perswasions to take place or roote in my heart, but by thy ho∣ly Spirit, so direct my wayes and works, that they may be acceptable in the sight. Suffer not my soule to perish, whom thou hast so dearely bought, but for thy mercies sake haue mercy vpon mee, make me poore in spirit, low in heart, content with my calling, and let my Soule rest in thee, let mee loue thee as a Father, a Forgiuer, a Sauiour, and scare thee as a Lord a Iudge, a Re∣uenger. O Father, put from me my sinne and wickednesse, make me to walke in the way of thy Commande∣ments; let me reuerently feare thee and stand in awe of thy iudgements.

Let me loue thee as a Sauiour, ho∣nour thee as a father, reuerence thee as a Lord, and feare thee as a Iudge. Grant me grace to set thy feare be∣fore mee, to stand in awe of thee, and of thy Iudgements, that I doe no∣thing to prouoke thy heauy displea∣sure against me, that I may walke in thy feare and holy ordinances, and imbrance those vertues that shall eui∣dently declare my faithful loue, true honour, vnsained repentance, and humble feare toward thee. Haue mercy, pittie and compassion vpon mee most miserable sinner, for my offences are horrible, great, and grieuous, but I appeale to thy mer∣cies which is aboue thy workes: O let me liue with thee eternally, and not dye though I haue deserued it: make me a vessell of thy grace and mercy, that I may praise thy name: let not my sins souer me from thee, but let me magnifie thy power and mercy. O gracious God, giue mee true, hearty, earnest, and vnsained

Repentance, that I may from the very bottome of my heart conti∣nually lament my manifold sinnes and transgressions, my vnthankful∣nesse towards thee for all thy mer∣cifull benefits abundantly bestowed vpon mee; Alas that euer I became so wicked and vnkinde a Creature, to displease so good a Lord, so lo∣uing and mercifull a Father: O for∣giue me for thy most deare mercies sake; forgiue mee all my sinnes that euer I haue committed against thee, let me neuer more offend thee, but alwayes gladly serue thee in righte∣ousnesse and holinesse all the dayes of my life, gouerne and guide my heart in thy true faith, feare, and loue, that in all my thoughts, words, and deedes, I may glorifie thy holy Name: to whom be all glory, praise, power, and dominion, now and euermore.

Amen.

FINIS.