A poore mans rest founded vpon motiues, meditations, and prayers. Expressing to the inward man, true consolation. In all kindes and times of afflication. By Io. Norden.

A Motiue to the Prayer folow∣ing, against Enemies.

IT is the nature of carnall men to hate their Ene∣mies, and seeke all meanes possible to be re∣uenged of them: where∣in they offend the Ma∣iestie of God, and make him their enemy: for he hath said, Venge∣ance is mine, Rom. 12. 19. And therefore we must take heede, wee take not the office of God vpon vs, in taking reuenge of our E∣nemies, either by our owne sword, or by any sinister meanes, but to appeale vnto the Christian Magistrate, who beareth the Sword to right the wrongs done vnto his children. Wee must leaue the reuenge to whom it belongeth, and seeke to be, and

to continue at peace with God, without which no Creature can be at true peace with vs. And being reconciled to him in Christ, we shall not need to feare our ene∣mies, for he will make our Enemies to feare vs, as he made Esau to feare Iacob, Genes 35. 5. 6. If we walke in his comman∣dements, and obserue his Lawes, among many other blessings, We shall chase our Enemies, & they shall fall before vs, Leuit. 26. 7. 8. Deut. 11. 23. 25. & 28. 1. 7. And hee will deliuer our Enemies into our hands, if it be expedient, or our cause being heard before the Magistrate, hee will giue cen∣sure with vs, and make vs to reioyce ouer them, that would triumph ouer vs. And therefore in these crosses of Enemies, we must flye vnto God by prayer, as Dauid in many of his Psalmes sheweth himselfe to haue done, and especially in the 35. Psalm. If therefore thy cause be iust, and thou be vniustly pursued, feare not, for God will not faile thee, nor forsake thee.