A sinfull mans solace most sweete and comfortable, for the sicke and sorowful soule: contriued, into seuen seuerall daies conference, betweene Christ and a carelesse sinner. Wherin, euerie man, from the highest, to the lowest: from the richest, to the poorest: and aboue all, the sorowfull sinner: maye take such sweet repaste of resolution, to amendment of lyfe, and confirmation of fayth: that (in respect of the heauenlie solace, therin faithfully remembered:) all the pompes and pleasures of this wicked worlde, shall be plainely perceiued to be meere miserie. Writcen [sic], by Iohn Norden.

THE SVNDAYE, and last dayes Confe∣rence, betweene Solace and the sinfull Man:

VVherein Solace directeth him in pra∣yer, which is the principall and last work, belonging to the attainement of eternall life, by faith in Christ.

Solace.

WHat art thou so earely here this morning (oh man?) thou shewest thy selfe, now to bee very desirous of my solace, as it seemes by thy diligent attendaunce this morning.

The sinfull man.

Ye, Solace, loe I looke for thee, mine only comfort deare: Whose comfort now I find, in deed, proceede from heauens cleare. And therefore I attend on thee, mine only guide and stay: Whom thou doest call, I see cannot gad like a wretch astray.

Mine heart is set to secke the way (through thee) y^t guides to blisse: Whereby I shall at last possesse the ioye, that perfect is: Which I in heart by faith doe feele, though in this vale of woe: Where Sathās forces fell abound, and sinnes by custome growe. Which vale, I long to leaue in haste, to take my rest with thee: In heauens hye, where only ioye and nothing els can bee.

Solace.

THou doest well to bee wearied and greeued at the vewe of those abuses, and daylie offen∣ces which thou perceiuest in the world, to moue mine heauenly father to displeasure, (which in deede are many and greate) and to haue a lon∣ging desire, to leaue them and to giue them o∣uer, to the end thou mayst the more freely come vnto me. But thou must beware thou kicke not nor murmur against mine heauenly father,* 1.1 in respect of any miserie, temptation or trouble to befall thee here in this world, and to be dischar∣ged or vnburdened thereof, to wish for death, but referring thy cause vnto his omnipotent and mercifull prouidence, in heartie and faithfull prayers, through me. Waite his good pleasure,

arming thy self manfully to fight against Sa∣tan, and his wicked ministers:* 1.2 assuring thy self through an vndoubted faith, that whatsoeuer thou shalt aske my heauēly father in my name, he shall giue it thee: I am thy Mediatour, by whom thou shalt be sure to obteyne al thinges, both for body and soule. Aske therefore (I say) in my name: for I pray vnto mine heauenly fa∣ther for thee, for whose sake he shall giue thee al thinges, that thy ioye may be full.

The sinfull man.

Alas I knowe not how to aske, nor what true prayer is: I long to learne so sweete a meane, to bring my soule to blisse. Wherefore, declare to me in haste, how I must pray aright: Mine heart is set to seeke the thing, so pleasaunt in thy sight.

Solace.

TRue and faithfull prayer,* 1.3 is the principall seruice, wherewith God mine heauenly fa∣ther is honored and pleased: for that thereby is thy faith manifested, and which beareth witnes openly, that thou expectest all helpe, all releefe, all happinesse and welfare, to come from him a∣lone: acknowledging him thine onely defence, thine onely rocke, and sure refuge in the day of thy tribulation: who most louingly calleth thée

to come vnto him in thy necessitie. So y^t thou mayst be assured, that he is most readie and wil∣ling to hearken vnto thy petitions, & to graunt thy requestes.* 1.4 Call vpon me in the day of thy trouble, and I will deliuer thee. Which cal∣ling of thine, must be faithful, without hypocri∣sie: that is, it must bee vnfeyned and zealous e∣uen from thine heart, as a sure and certeine te∣stimonie, that thou accomptest him thine onely helper and defender, and that thou reposest thy trust onely in him, as the fountaine of all good, whatsoeuer, and from whence thy zealous and vnfeyned prayer, shall drawe (as from the head∣spring of al releefe) the pure water of continu∣all comfort: namely, in this worlde, all thinges which shalbe expedient and necessary, and in the ende,* 1.5 eternall saluation: wherein consisteth the whole care, which thou art in this life teyed vn∣to, and not so much to seeke the transitorie de∣fence of thy mortall body, nor thinges appertei∣ning therunto, as the preseruation of thy soule, which shall liue for euer and euer: wherein thou must beware that the affections which are naturally towardes the body, exceede not, nor blind thine vnderstanding in such sorte, as thou seeke for superfluous meanes for the preserua∣tion thereof,* 1.6 and neglect those things wherein the safetie of thy poore soule consisteth: which is the worship of mine heauenly father, attribu∣ting vnto him, both outwardly, in thy deedes,

and inwardly in thine heart, those dueties and preheminences, which by the prescript rule of his deuine worde, thou art bounde to yeeld and doe vnto him: the cheefest and most acceptable maner whereof, is this: zealous, hearty & faith∣full prayer, which thou must direct vnto him a∣lone, through mee his Sonne: by whom and by no other meanes, thou mayst freely come vnto him: reueyling thy necessities, opening thy wants, bewraying thy weakenesse, confessing thy sinnes, and yeelding al laude vnto his holie name, and all possible thankes and praises for his most bountifull louing kindnesse towardes thee:* 1.7 in which seuerall poyntes ought thy pra∣yers to consist: namely, in cōfessing thy sinnes: for he heareth not sinners: that is, such as haue no feeling of their owne corruption,* 1.8 and fall not to vnfeined repentaunce, and seeke not forgiue∣nesse of their sinnes, in mee: And therefore, a∣boue all things, seeke first attonement with my heauenly father: yea, and that whensoeuer thou goest about to aske any thing at his handes, thinke that thou art a sinner, and that the remis∣sion thereof in true repentaunce is promised in mee: to whom al the Prophetes beare witnesse,* 1.9 that through my name all that beleeue in mee,* 1.10 shall receiue the remission of their sinnes: By whom, being iustified by faith, thou hast peace with myne heauenly father. To whom, as thou art bound to make all thy pr••••ers: so must they

be made in and by me, by whom thou hast bold∣nesse, through faith to goe vnto him, euen to the seate of his grace:* 1.11 And hauing reconciliation and attonement with him through me, and free accesse vnto the throane of his Maiestie, in faith lay open thy necessities, assuring thy selfe, that whatsoeuer thou pray vnto him for,* 1.12 be it for spi∣rituall or temporall benefites in my name, he shall giue it thee: for I am the Mediatour and high Bishop that make continuall prayers for thee, and no man commeth vnto the father but by mee. And therefore, if thou abide in me, and my wordes abide in thee: aske what thou wilt, and it shalbe done for thee. Wherefore, it beho∣ueth thee duely to consider that I am onely the meane,* 1.13 wherby thy petitions are heard, and for whose sake they were graunted, and al the pro∣mises fulfilled.* 1.14 And that there is none other, neither Sainct nor Angell, or other, through whome, or for whose sake thou mayst looke for peace with God my heauenly father (whō thou hast offended) but my self alone, to whō were al the promises made, being heire of all thinges, & who am made vnto al the faithfull, wisedome & holines, sanctificatiō & redēption: & wherefore? namely, that whoso reioyceth, should reioyce in myne heauenly father through mee: and to at∣tribute euery good gift, and euery perfect gift vnto him, (from whom al goodnes proceedeth) and that with continual thanckesgiuing, which

is, the thirde principall point of this especiall worship and seruice of God, namely, vnfeined prayer: wherein, when thou hast referred thy selfe, and reueiled vnto him in my name, either the multitude of thy sinnes, and greeuous trās∣gressions: and feeling thy selfe through a liue∣ly faith, to be vnited vnto his grace and fauour again, or when thou hast declared vnto him thy corporall or spirituall wants, as of a competent liuing, of defence in daunger, tranquillitie of minde, peace with thy neighbors, successe in thy vocation, good health of body, or of any other thing necessarie for thy reliefe: and thou (accor∣ding to thy request) hast bene heard and comfor∣ted: It behooueth thee, not as a thanckles per∣son to runne on in petitiō only, but to acknow∣ledge the bountifull mercie of myne heauenly father, in forgiuing thy sinnes, and to yeeld him all possible thanckes for his protection, for his superaboundant louing kindnes, wherein hee hath releeued thee, defended thee, and preserued thee from those euils, wherein, without his ayd and outstretched arme thou couldest not but haue perished: and those mercies of his, not on∣ly to commend for a time, but continually, for that thou standest in a continuall present neede of his fauour: without the which, euerie day, euery howre, and euery moment, bringeth with it euils enough to ouerthrowe thee, yea, both body and soule: Wherefore, I say, it behooueth

thee,* 1.15 to the discharge of thy duety in this so pre∣cious a work, praier: first, to confesse thy sinnes, and to seeke attonement and peace with GOD myne heauenly father, through mee, in a liuely fayth. Secondly, to make thine humble praiers for corporall or spirituall necessaries: and for the gift of them, not to rest vnmindful or thank∣les, but yeelding vnfeyned thankes, not onely inwardly in heart:* 1.16 but shewing the same in the reformatiō of thy life, to the glory of his name: and to the end, that other men seeing such suc∣cesse in thy seruing of God, may bee the better allured to the like:* 1.17 and that all men may learne to acknowledge themselues releeued, mayn∣teined, defended and saued by mee, and by none other: without whome, no man cōmeth to mine heauenly father: and without whose mediation and intercession,* 1.18 (praiers) by whome, to whom, when, wherefore, and howsoeuer they be made, are not onely, not auaileable, but mere abomi∣nable. But hee that prayeth faithfully in my name, shall haue the experience and triall, that myne heauenly father regardeth the same, and that by comforting and duely releeuing them, whensoeuer they shall open their griefes and wants vnto him:* 1.19 who although hee vnderstand before what thou needest, and coulde releeue thee without asking: his will is: that thou shouldest approache vnto his throne of grace, in faithfull and zealous prayer: that when thou

art releeued, and hast obteined the things thou desiredst, thou shouldest acknowledge his good∣nes towards thee: and be the more assured, and rest in the more liuely and constant hope, of the continuance of his louing fauour and mercies towards thee, and for the same, to bee the more stirred vp to be thankfull. But thou saiest, thou knowest not howe to pray, or what to desire: the spirite shall then direct thee: namely,* 1.20 the holy ghost shall teach thee, hee shall healpe thine in∣firmitie: he shall make request for thee, and that with inward gronings and sighes of heart, in such wise, as the tongue can not expresse. The flesh is weake, and often keepeth downe that zealous and earnest outward shewe, which shal be a testimonie of a deuout and godly mind, but the spirit groning inwardly, lifteth vp the heart in such sort: as the verie sighes thereof are ac∣cepted with mine heauenly father, and knowne according to the desire thereof, although it bee not vttered in open words: And therefore thou must vnderstand, that it is not sufficient (to the discharging of this duetie of zealous prayer) to vtter many wordes,* 1.21 or to vse long and tedious circumstances in outwarde speach, vnlesse the heart (being guided and directed, by the spirit) inwardly groane, accompanying the tongue in the outward word: that so the heart and tongue being linked together, by vndoubted fayth, pre∣sent thy necessities, before myne heauenly fa∣ther,

in my name, and so make the same accep∣table: for the tongue is but the instrumentall meane or witnesse of the minde, whereby to set forth the goodnes of mine heauenly father to∣wards thee:* 1.22 So that vnlesse the heart which is the guide of the tongue, bee truely affected, the tongue must needes, either verie coldly, or cleane contrarie to Christian duetie, in that be∣halfe, or in outward shewe, glorious, as an hy∣pocrite, or els vtter nothing at all: so that the true worship, the faithfull seruice, and the ac∣ceptable sacrifice of prayer, consisteth in the vn∣feined zeale of the hearte, and not in the out∣ward worde. For hee that searcheth the heart, vnderstandeth the verie sighes of the spirit, and graunteth thy desires: such as are measured and limited, by the word of trueth, proceeding from the same spirit, and not those that proceede of the corrupt flesh, which longeth alwayes, con∣trarie to the spirit: and which seeketh to tye the will of mine heauenly father, to the vaine moti∣ons thereof: namely, in prefixing and setting downe meanes, the maner and time of help, and reliefe: as did the Priest, who had limited mine heauenly father a time for their deliuery, whom that godly woman Iudith,* 1.23 rebuked (as appea∣reth in the Historie) for his so tempting God. Thou must therefore waite his heauenly plea∣sure in pacience, not limiting or apointi••g ••im the meane, the way, the time or season, when or

how to defend thee, to releeue thee, to saue thee: but to commit thee wholy vnto his wil and pro∣uidēce, looking faithfully vpō him in patience, with continuall praiers, that he for my sake will graūt such successe vnto thy desires, as seemeth conuenient in y^e eyes of his wisdome, commend (I say) thy waies vnto his wisdom, and trust in him, & he wil bring it to passe for thy best: looke vpō the poore children of Israel,* 1.24 who being in∣uironed with daunger rounde about: the Sea was before thē, the Mountaines on each side of them, and Pharoah with an huge host pursuing and following them: in so much, as there was nothing but meere dispayre of their deliuerie: their daunger was such, that all mans deuises were vaine: policie was to no purpose, no coun∣sayle could auaile them: but see the wonderfull power and mercies of myne heauenly father: who beholding their imminent daunger, (at the prayers of Moses) made a way for them to escape: in which his prayers, he prefixed not the maner, the time, nor meane to be holpen: but en∣couraging the people to trust in God mine hea∣uenly fathers right hande, and neither to mur∣mure, to feare, or dispayre, but to referre them∣selues in faith vnto his will: who parted the red Sea in sunder, and led the people of Israell through, and deuoured their enemies with the same. Loe, thou seest that he helpeth when the helpe of a man is vayne,* 1.25 and when all hope of

helpe (in respect of men) is past, then is his po∣wer greatest, and his helpe neerest. Let this therefore learne thee, that whether the present daunger of enemies dismay thee, pouertie op∣presse thée, or any other necessitie or greefe anoy thee: dispayre not of helpe, betake thee vnto my heauenly father in my name:* 1.26 cōfesse thy sinnes, and shew him thy troubles: open thy necessities, and declare thy cause vnto him in most faithfull praier: not coldly, or weakely from thy lippes, but zealously and effectually from the heart, lif∣ting vp thy minde vnto the heauens: not suffe∣ring thy thoughtes to roue abroade after other helpes, but fixed onely with the eye of a true faith vpon mine heauenly fathers alone ayde, for my sake: and assure thy selfe, that in a tyme most conuenient and most acceptable, he shall defende thee, hee shall releeue thee, and hee shall helpe thee: as thou shalt say, that the right hand of y^e Lord hath wrought it for thee.* 1.27 Thou must therefore waite his ••easure, and with patience abide his good time, in all humilitie, and dueti∣ful obedience. As Dauid did, who being expul∣sed his Kingdome by his owne Sonne:* 1.28 in obe∣dience offered his prayers vnto mine heauenly father: saying. If I shall finde fauour in thy sight, oh Lord, thou wilt establish me againe in my Kingdome. But if thou shalt say vnto me. Thou doest not please me, I am ready to obeye thee, doe with mee what thou wilt.

See his humilitie, which (notwithstanding the heauie burthen of the rebellion of his owne Sonne,) he shewed in great patience, which in∣gendred that hope, that at the last (at the will of myne heauenly father) was answered, with the thing it desired.* 1.29 Such humilitie and obedience had Iob: who when all his children were taken away, his cattell destroyed, and howses and all his substaunce consumed, he betooke him vnto the Lorde: saying. Oh Lord, naked came I in∣to the worlde and naked shall I returne to earth againe, thou hast giuen and thou hast taken away, now blessed be thy name for e∣uermore: Who in his extreme miserie dispay∣red not, neither limited a time of his releefe, but referring himself vnto mine heauenly fathers wil, in perfect patience, was in the ende holpen and wonderfully releeued. Wherefore I say, thou mayst be assured of releefe in all thy neces∣sities, if thus thou betake thee in my name vnto myne heauenly fathers will. Looke vpon the three children in the hot Ouen,* 1.30 who choosing ra∣ther to dye then to commit Idolatrie: cryed out faithfully: saying. Our God whom we serue, can deliuer vs: But if he will not, knowe this oh King that we will not worship thy God. Which three childrē were in the Ouen and not consumed: mine heauenly father was readie to deliuer them: they did not indent and compoūd with him, that if hee would deliuer them, they

would defie the Image of Nabugodoazer, but referred themselues vnto his prouidēce, in true obedience. So, what daūger, necessitie, or trou∣ble soeuer thou hap to fall into, thou must with Dauid and these three children, submit thy self vnto mine heauenly fathers will, without ap∣pointing the maner or time to be releeued. And with Iob to say: the name of God be praised for euermore. Cast thy care vpon mine heauenly father in my name, he shall nourish thee, he shall defende thee, releeue and succour thee, and shall not suffer thee to be in perpetuall trouble. And therefore thou must pray in hope, and that al∣waies: not being wearie for that thou hast an ende of thy troubles, and releefe in thy necessi∣ties promised,* 1.31 when, in what maner, by what meanes, thou mayst not appoint: but whether he tarie long ere he helpe thee, or sende thee re∣leefe presently, it is for thy best. And therefore, in all thy prayers thou must ad this: if it be his will: for that he knoweth what is most conue∣nient for thee, what is for thy benefite, & where∣of thou art altogether ignoraunt. But reioyce alway: pray continually: in al things be thank∣full: for this is the will of God mine heauenly father, in me his Sonne, towards all men.

The sinfull man.

What are the thinges, for which I ought most specially to pray:

Instruct me, that from hence I may thy sacred will obey.

Solace.

IN deede,* 1.32 it behoueth thee to haue considera∣tion, what thou requirest at mine heauenly fathers handes: who although he will thee to come freely vnto him, and he will helpe thee, he doth not admit thee to come in such wise, as that thy petitions should vary from his worde: wherin he hath prescribed vnto thee, what thou shouldest aske: namely, whatsoeuer things are honest, whatsoeuer thinges are iust,* 1.33 whatsoeuer thinges apperteine vnto loue, whatsoeuer thin∣ges are godly, vertuous, and tending to y^e glo∣rie of his holy name. In these thinges, oughtest thou to be carefull, and for such things to make thy zealous and heartie prayers in my name, and thou shalt obteyne both corporall and spiri∣tuall thinges to thine vnspeakeable comforte.* 1.34 But thou must put a difference,* 1.35 betweene the thinges thou prayest for: namely, to aske spiri∣tuall thinges, as forgiuenesse of sinnes, and to be preserued from sinne and eternall death, for the gift of the holy Ghost, & for euerlasting life, without any condition, in a true faith: for I wil not the death of a sinner, but rather that he re∣••••rne and liue. And therefore, thou mayst take 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of reconciliation in me, and assure thy self of eternall life. In the same faith also (as thou

hast heard) thou mayst flye vnto him in my name,* 1.36 for all thy corporall necessities: but with this condition: namely, if it please him: And it is required of thee, that before thou enter into this so excellent and so precious a worke, thou, examine thy selfe, namely, whether hatred a∣gainst thy brother, malice, desire of reuenge, or any other vncharitable matter be depēding be∣tweene any other and thy selfe: If so, then be∣houeth it thee••, before thou approach vnto mine heauenly father, in requesting any thing, spiri∣tuall or temporall, to growe into a godly desire of vnitie, and from thine heart to forgiue what∣soeuer thou haue against any man, that myne heauenly father may forgiue thee.* 1.37 For knowe this, that if thou forgiue not those that haue of∣fended thee (be it neuer so highly) mine heauen∣ly father will not pardon thee of thine offences, which are many and great against him. But being in a charitable desire of other mens wel∣fare, as of thine owne, thou hast free accesse through mee, vnto myne heauenly Father, to whome thou mayst come boldly for things ap∣pertaynig both to body and soule: as thou art taught by these words. Our father which art in heauen hallowed be thy name: thy king∣dome come, thy will be done, in earth as it is in heauen. Giue vs this day our dayly bread: and forgiue vs our offences, as wee forgiue them that haue offended vs: And

lead vs not into temptation: But deliuer vs from euill. In which breefe forme of prayer, consisteth the whole summe, both of spirituall and corporall requestes. And whatsoeuer thou askest, it is comprehended within this praier, or otherwise, it is without any warrant, and there∣fore not to be graunted. And therefore, by this rule: it behooueth thee to guide all thy petiti∣ons: for in this forme of prayer are conteined things eternall, things spirituall and corporal, things present, & things to come: which things onely, ought to stirre vp thy dull mind, to faith∣full and heartie prayer.

The sinfull man.

Declare thou these thinges more at large, (good Solace) that I may: In faith be stirred vp in thee, for what, and when to pray.

Solace.

THen vnderstande, that by this forme before recited, thou art taught, not onely that pra∣yer is necessarie, and that it is commaunded as a principal seruice and worship of mine heauen∣ly father: but thou art directed to whom, and for what to pray. Thou must pray therefore, yea,* 1.38 a∣boue all thinges: to whom? to mine heauenly father: for what? especially for thinges tending to eternall saluation, and then for bodily neces∣saries: when? continually, least thou fall into

temptatiō. Thou must pray vnto mine heauen∣ly father: why? because he is God eternal, omni∣potent maker and creator of all things, the pre∣seruer, the defender, the saftie and life of all, and without whose deuine prouidence nothing can continue. Bu•• by whom, or by whose, or what meanes,* 1.39 doth he heare thee, and graunt thy re∣questes? only by me: and whatsoeuer thou shalt aske of him in my name, he shall giue it thee. And therefore, whensoeuer thou praiest, thou must be faithfully perswaded, that he is fatherly affected towards thee,* 1.40 and is become so fauou∣rable vnto thee, for my sake, that he both hea∣reth thee and will graunt thy requestes. And therefore oughtest thou to call him father: who for my sake, accepteth thee as his sonne, giuing thee whatsoeuer is necessarie for thee. And for that cause oughtest thou to be subiect and obe∣dient vnto his will in all thinges,* 1.41 and to pray for the setting forth, and sanctifying of his holy name: which is, to haue his word truely taught, louingly imbraced, diligently followed, & him to be worshipped according to the trueth there∣of in all thinges. And therefore, when thou in∣tendest to pray, either for good thinges to bee giuen thee, or euill things to be taken frō thee, thou must haue a principal regarde to the mag∣nifying of his holy name, and to the setting forth of his most worthie praises▪ for his mer∣cies, and goodnesse, with ardent desire, that his

holy name may be hallowed,* 1.42 and his kingdome come. That is, that his holy spirite would so di∣rect thee in all thy doinges, thoughtes and de∣sires, that thine heart varie not from his will, but bee so setled in the performaunce thereof in all thinges, that true humilitie, vnfeyned loue, vndoubted hope, and constaunt faith may begin in thee, that tranquilitie and peace of cōscience, which may assure thee, through me, to bee the heire of his euerlasting kingdome, to the ouer∣throwe of Sathans rule, and destruction of all his power, whereby he endeuoureth to leade all mankinde into vtter destruction. Pray there∣fore, that his kingdome may come:* 1.43 which is his holy spirite, which hee hath promised to powre out vppon those that earnestly desire it, which shall guide thee to the true seruice of mine hea∣uenly father here in this world: vntill such time as I shall appeare in the Clowdes to chaunge thy mortal body, and place it in that kingdome, wherein thou shalt remaine in blisse vnspeake∣able for euer.* 1.44 Thou must pray also that myne heauenly fathers will bee done in earth, as it is in heauen: that is, that not onely thy self, but all the people of the earth may doe that which in his worde is prescribed and commaunded to be done: and that there may bee such obedience, such loue, & such godly behauiour in this world, amōg men, as is required to be: that as the An∣gelles in heauen are obedient vnto his will and

cōmaundements, whereby he is glorified there: so he might be obeyed, to the magnifying of his name here in earth. And therfore art thou com∣maunded, faithfully to pray vnto him, that he would vouchsafe to gouerne all men: as Prin∣ces, Pastors and Teachers, Gouernours and Magistrates, that they may performe his will here in earth, as it is done in heauen: And that all men may execute their vocations truely, to the praise of his holy name. In which three for∣mer petitions thou hast to learne, that it beho∣ueth thee principally in thy praiers, to regarde the glorie of God mine heauenly father.

And now attend, and thou shalt perceiue, that as thou art commaunded in the former petiti∣ons, to haue respect onely vnto the honour of myne heauenly fathers name. So art thou also louingly called,* 1.45 to craue corporall blessings, namely, for such thinges as are necessarie and expedient for the maintenaunce of this life, by this petitiō. Giue vs this day our daily bread, which comprehendeth in it, not onely, request for bread: but for a competent liuing and good successe in thy vocation: namely, that hee will blesse it, and make thy trauayle prosperous, in such sort, as by the fruites thereof, thou mayst be able, without vnlawfull meanes to liue, and be rather helpefull then burdensome to others. Yea▪ thou hast warrant in this petition, to craue all things belonging to this life, not onely suf∣ficiencie

of foode and apparell:* 1.46 but also health of body, and other temporall benefites. The Prophet declareth in the Psalmes, that hungrie and thirstie soules, wandring in the wildernes, called vnto myne heauenly father, and were releeued, and sent away replenished. Yea,* 1.47 those rhat lye in prison: and in the shadowe of death, fast bound in miserie and iron, without all hope of healpe, calling vpon him, in hearty and faith∣full prayer, are heard, their prayers graunted, and they deliuered. Such also as are afflicted,* 1.48 and pining away with sicknesse and heaui∣nesse of heart, humbling themselues vnto him in prayer: are cured of their diseases. When thou art (therfore) in such or any other afflictiō, be it sicknesse, imprisonment, pouertie,* 1.49 daunger of enemies, or any other trouble whatsoeuer: referre thee to the cōsideration of this petition, and there shalt thou finde, that thou hast suffi∣cient warrant to flye vnto mine heauenly fa∣ther in my name in heartie prayer, for deliue∣raunce from thy distresse: who is nere vnto all them that cal vpon him, yea,* 1.50 to all that cal vpon him, in trueth, he will fulfill the desire of them that feare him, he will heare their prayers and saue them. In this petition (therefore) it beho∣ueth thee, and all, aswell the rich as the poore, to consider, that it is not great aboundaunce of riches, and store of all worldly thinges, nor the labour, industrie, and earnest diligence of their

vocations, but the onely blessing of mine hea∣uenly father: whereby their store is preserued, and the labour of their handes so prospered, as it serueth for the preseruation of their mortall liues. And therefore all men ought so to referre them selues, vnto mine heauenly fathers will (bee they poore or rich) in zealous and heartie prayer, as that, in the good successe both of their store and calling, they may referre the glorie vnto him,* 1.51 the aucthor of all their welfare: and whose blessing it is that maketh rich, and re∣leeueth the poore.

* 1.52Thou hast heard before, that it behoueth thee in all thy prayers, first to craue forgiuenesse of thy sinnes, and reconciliation with God myne heauenly father through mee. And in this for∣mer most excellent forme of prayer, which must be thy direction to all thy praiers, thou art war∣ranted, to aske for remission of thy sinnes: But vpon this condition: namely, that thou forgiue freely and from thine heart, all those that haue offended thee: Wherein thou hast then to consi∣der, that if thou come vnto mine heauenly fa∣ther, endewed (as before thou hast been taught) with especiall loue of him, and vnfeyned loue towardes all men, come freely and boldly vnto him in the name of mee, thy continuall Media∣tour, and craue in a true faith, that for my sake hee will forgiue thy sinnes, and receiue thee a∣gaine into his fauour: assuring thy selfe, that

hauing mee the high Bishop praying for thee,* 1.53 through whom, thou being iustified by faith, art at peace and at one with God mine heauenly father. Thinke therefore diligently vpon the forgiuenesse of thy sinnes, in me: and whensoe∣uer thine owne vnworthinesse, through feare, so cloyeth thy poore conscience, that thou thinke nothing but condemnation due vnto thee. Cast the eyes of thine heart, through a liuely faith, vppon my merites, (standing at no time vppon thine owne deseruinges) craue reconciliation and remission for my sake: assuring thy selfe to bee heard, and receiued into mine heauenly fa∣thers fauour againe.* 1.54 And beware thou stande not righteous in thine owne conceit: for if thou say thou haue no sinne, thou deceiuest thy selfe, and there is no trueth in thee: but if thou con∣fesse and acknowledge thy sinnes, I am faith∣full and righteous, remayning an Aduocate for thee vnto mine heauenly father, to obteine thee forgiuenesse, and to cleanse thee from all thine iniquitie. Now, whensoeuer thou approachest vnto mine heauenly father, in my name, for re∣mission of sinnes, call to minde that to the pro∣mise of forgiuenesse, is annexed this condition,* 1.55 that thou forgiue al others that haue trespassed against thee: wherein it behoueth thee to be cir∣cumspect and carefull, to weede out all malice, all hatred, dissention and hypocrisie out of thine heart: together with al other impediments that

may let thy free comming vnto mine heauenly father: namely, all sinne and iniquitie, truely repenting thee thereof, that thy conscience be∣ing made cleane, condemne thee not, but that thou mayst come boldly and freely vnto the Throane of grace, and in my name receiue whatsoeuer thou shalt aske.

And for that, that Sathan, the Prince of this world is so vigilant and diligent to drawe men into many noysome attempts, whereby they may decline from myne heauenly Father, and followe him: whereby vice may bee imbraced, and vertue forsaken:* 1.56 iniquitie set vp, and iustice and equitie suppressed: euill regarded, & good∣nes defaced. It behooueth thee, in all thy pray∣ers, to make mention of thy frailtie, with hum∣ble request vnto myne heauenly Father, in my name: that he will strengthen thee, against all assaultes of wicked Sathan: who seeketh by al meanes to ouerthrowe thee, whereof thou hast had sufficient experience of late: and in whose conflictes thou hast bene vtterly ouercome, had not I assisted thee: not only in the couetous de∣sires, and inordinate cares of this world, wher∣with he infecteth many, but in his most dange∣rous assault, wherein he sought to drowne thee in vtter dispayre: his pollicies are verie deceit∣full,* 1.57 his hatred to wards godlines so great: and his assaults so sharpe: as it behooueth thee to haue thy weapons prepared for defence, that

he batter not the walles of thy Soule, with the shot of sinne, and temptations to sinne: but that thou maist be able to withstand him, & to keepe him from entring into thy soule: and that is by no other meane, then by a true and an vndoub∣ted faith in mee, who haue already vanquished him, whereby thou shalt also resist him: but for asmuch as thine owne strength is mere weake∣nesse, thy force very frailtie: apt rather to yeeld, then able to withstande him: thou art willed to come for strength against his temptation, vnto mine heauenly father, by faithfull prayer, in my name: that those temptations wherewith he en∣deuoureth to draw thee into destruction: name∣ly, the thinges that may offende mine heauenly father: as contempt of his worde, Idolatrie, Couetousnesse, Drunkennesse, Malice, Enuie, Theft, dispaire in trouble, and to vse sinister and vnlawfull meanes in pouertie, or any kinde of vice ouercome thee not: but to bee preserued frō all thinges that are vngodly & daungerous to thy soule: for which (also) thou art willed to pray: namely, for deliueraunce from euill, in which word is comprehended, whatsoeuer may bee displeasaunt and offensiue vnto myne hea∣uenly father: from the tyrannie of Sathan, and from all miseries, both bodily and gho••i••y:* 1.58 not onely priuate, appertayning only vnto thy self, but for the whole Church: that she being deliue∣red from all calamities, thou mayst be partaker

of the blessinges powred vpon the same in this life: namely, the true knowledge of my Gospell and fruition thereof: and after this life inherite the Kingdome, prepared for the ••••ect of mine heauenly father from the beginning.

Nowe hast thou heard, what things thou must pray for: namely, things eternall, which are tending to the honouring of mine heauenly fathers name, who hath bene before all worlds, for spirituall things: which are those things, that tend to the saluation of thy soule: and for corporall things,* 1.59 which tend to the maintenāce of this present life. The consideration of which things ought to stirre thee vp to continuall and faithfull praier: wherein (as before is saide) it behooueth thee to waigh vnto whome thou praiest, and by whose meanes thy prayers are acceptable, and thy petitions graunted. Thou praiest vnto God myne heauenly father: who made and created thee, and all the worlde, thou hast accesse vnto him, through mee his Sonne: for whose sake, & by whose mediation, thy prai∣ers are heard:* 1.60 those prayers that are made by the spirit and vnderstanding, not vnaduisedly, or at aduenture, but in faith and trueth. And to the end, that thou maist bee assured, that it is mine heauenly father, onely, that both heareth thee and wil helpe thee, thou must reteine in thy continuall remembrance, how and in what ma∣ner he hath declared himself to be the only and

true God, and that not only in making thee, and all creatures els, whom by his mightie power hee likewise preserueth, but especially in sen∣ding mee his onely Sonne into the worlde,* 1.61 to take humaine nature vpon me, to be familiarlie conuersaunt with man on earth, to shewe myne heauenly fathers will, the Gospell of eternall trueth: his liuely and very perfect Image vnto men:* 1.62 to the ••••de that they should pray only vnto him, who hath reueiled himself by me, as appea∣reth by many and euident testimonies: wherby thou maist and oughtest daily and diligently to exercise thy faith, and therein,* 1.63 without waue∣ring to addresse thy self vnto the Throane of his grace in my name, of whom he gaue testimonie to bee his onely Sonne, and for whose sake, hee hath promised to giue thee all thinges, both cor∣porall and spiritual, which thou shalt faithfully pray for in my name, and bee assured to receiue the fruite of thy faithfull praier. But now, thou must beware, least (as before is sayd) thou bee founde vnthanckfull after the receiuing of the blessinges of my heauenly father, of what kinde soeuer they bee: For, thanksgiuing is an accep∣table worship vnto him: for that thereby he is acknowledged the giuer and disposer of those thinges that tend to thy benefite, and he that gi∣ueth him praise, glorifieth him. And this belon∣geth vnto the righteous and godly ones onely: as the Prophet witnesseth, saying: The voyce

of ioye and deliueraunce shall bee in the ta∣bernacles of the righteous:* 1.64 saying: the right hande of the Lorde hath done valiauntly. Thus must thou at all tims, for all thinges, and aboue al things, giue thankes, not only, for the comforte of the present benefite which thou re∣ceiuest at the handes of mine heauenly father, but also, for that thou hast receiued an assured token of his fauour: wherein, thou mayst peace∣ablie passe the whole course of thy life in ful as∣surance, that for my sake thou art at peace with him. For, if thou omit and neglect this due wor∣ship of thanksgiuing, when thou hast receiued any singuler benefite, or deliuerie frō any kind of daunger, or riddaunce from any calamitie, thou deemest mine heauenly father to bee the aucthor thereof,* 1.65 and attribute the meane of thy releefe to fortune: wherby thou dishonorest him, and quenchest that faith whereby thou oughtest to bee perswaded, that what good soeuer light vpon thee, he sendeth the same as a certeine to∣ken and pledge of his especiall fauour and loue towards thee.

The sinfull man.

Loe then I see that praier is, through thee, the meane to haue: What so I want, if that in faith, and trueth, the same I craue.

And that vnfained thankes, I must giue, for his passing loue: Wherein he doth vouchsafe releefe, from heauens high aboue.

Solace.

IT is euen so, looke therefore vnto the perfor∣mance thereof, accordingly, together with the residue of those dueties, which thou art bounde vnto, towards mine heauenly father: as also to∣wards thy neighbours. And beware least thou looke backe, and returne to thy former wicked∣nes, to thine olde vomit. Thou art nowe cured,* 1.66 sinne no more, least a worse thing happen vnto thee: I haue broken the bandes of Sathan, wherein thou wast fast tyed, thou art nowe at libertie: Bee watchfull therefore, and trust in myne heauenly father, pray continually, and of∣fer the sacrifice of prayse and thanckesgiuing: cease not to doe good: but refuse to doe euill. Walke all the daies of thy life in this narrowe way that tendeth to eternall life: and shunne the broad way that leadeth vnto death: wherein thou hast walkest in time past, but nowe being reclaymed, auoyde it: that this life once ended,* 1.67 thou maist without feare, in a cleare conscience appeare & enter into that blessed estate, wherin y^u shalt find nothing but such surpassing eternal ioy: and so sweete solace, as neither tongue can declare, the eare hath not heard, the eye seene,

neither can the hearte of man conceiue the sweetenesse thereof:* 1.68 wherein thou shalt liue for euer, and receiue such a beautiful Diademe and Crowne of glorie, at the hands of mine heauen∣ly father, as passeth all vnderstanding. Where∣fore, perseuere in the trueth here, imbrace it vn∣to the end, without fainting: take holde of the promises in faith, reioyce in mee. Let the foolish and momentarie pleasures of this worlde goe:* 1.69 esteeme them not, they are the baytes of Sa∣than, to allure thee to the broad way: but be wa∣rie, auoyde his entisements, wherewith he en∣deuoureth to drawe men into destruction, and such as obey him, shall haue no part of the pro∣mised, blessed inheritance: but haue their porti∣on in hell fire, to whome I will say, Depart from mee ye workers of iniquitie,* 1.70 into euer∣lasting torments, where shall bee weeping and gnashing of teeth. Looke therefore vnto thy selfe while thou hast an acceptable time: be sober and watchfull vnto the ende. Mine hea∣uenly Father blesse thee, and the holy Ghost guide thee to all goodnes for euermore, Amen.

The sinfull man.

AL thanks & praise oh Lord I doe in humble wise commende: To thee who doest such solace sweet vnto poore sinners sende.

Wherewith thou hast reuiued so, my sinfull soule from woe: That tongue cānot thy praises due, for want of wisedome showe. But yet as farre as heart and tōgue can giue, I yeeld to thee: Accept it Lord, though passing than∣kes thou doe deserue I see. For when I was in sinfull plight, in Sathans bands opprest: Thy tender Sonne came downe to mee to shewe the way to rest. My soule did harbor all that was vnto my soule annoye: But he hath fraught y^e same againe, with all surpassing ioye. My darknes he hath turnd to light, wherein I see the way That leades to life, & how to shunne what led me long astray. The pleasant shewes and fawning cheere of worldly wealth, I see, The fond delightes & peeuish toyes, did worke but ill for mee. Therewith I was puft vp aloft, with plumes of pride so hye:

That nothing did remaine for me, but iust desert to dye. For, sinne a thousand folde, I did within myne heart retaine: A burning zeale there was in me, to heape vp foolish gaine. My heart was led w^t deepe delight, myne eyes did gaze awrye: My truethles tongue within myne head, for greedie gaine did lye. No pittie or compassion was, within my careles breast: A thousand cares of worldly wealth my wicked heart possest. I thought not on an others woe, I passe not for his paine: I spared not to pinch the poore, to reape my selfe the gaine. And thus I liued long secure, in sinfull soyle a sleepe: Till Solace came and did awake me, out of slumber deepe. And set before my blinded eyes, the reckles race I runne: Which now I see I must forsake, or rest (for aye) vndone.

Wherfore all praise in heart I yeeld, oh Lord of Lords to thee: Unto thy Sonne, and holy Ghost, for thus receiuing mee.

Psal. 119.

Oh how sweete are thy wordes vnto my throate, yea, sweeter then honie vnto my mouth.

1. Cor. 15.

Death where is thy sting? hel where is thy victorie? the sting of death is sinne, and the strength of sinne is the law. But thankes be vnto God, who hath giuen vs victorie, tho∣rowe our Lord Iesus Christ.

Notes

• * 1.1

  We may not grudge or murmure, when we are in any trou∣ble.
• * 1.2

  we must arme our selues to fight against Sathan & his wicked mini∣sters. Iohn 16.21.
• * 1.3

  The chiefe seruice of God, is faith∣full praier.
• * 1.4

  Psal. 50.15. Our prayers must be faith∣full and vn∣fayned.
• * 1.5

  All our cares ought to con∣sist, in the ob∣teining of e∣ternall salua∣tion.
• * 1.6

  In respect of our soules, we should haue no care of the body.
• * 1.7

  Wherein our prayers must consist.
• * 1.8

  God heareth not sinners.
• * 1.9

  Act. 10.
• * 1.10

  Rom. 5.
• * 1.11

  Ephe. 3.
• * 1.12

  We must in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lay opē 〈◊〉〈◊〉 necessi∣••••••s before 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Christ.
• * 1.13

  Luke 11.
• * 1.14

  1 Cor. 20. W•• may not ••ooke to haue ••••ace with 〈◊〉〈◊〉, nor to obteine our 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the name, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the sake of any other then Christ onely. Heb. 1 2. 1 Cor. 1.30. Thanckesgi∣uing a princi∣•••••••• part of ••••ayer.
• * 1.15

  The first point of prai∣er, is confessiō of our sinnes, and to craue attonement for the same in Christ.
• * 1.16

  The second point, request for corporall or spirituall benefites.
• * 1.17

  The third, is thanckesgi∣uing.
• * 1.18

  None com∣meth vnto God, but through Christ.
• * 1.19

  Although God knowe what wee neede, we must pray, & why▪
• * 1.20

  Rom. 8.6.
• * 1.21

  The wordes of the mouth, without the lifting vp of the heart, is not auaile∣able in praier.
• * 1.22

  The hearte must be the guide of the tongue.
• * 1.23

  Iudith 8.13. Iudith repro∣ued the priest for limiting a time vnto God for the deliuerie of the people.
• * 1.24

  Psal. 36. The children of Israel deli∣uered out of their great daunger, by the prayers of Moyses.
• * 1.25

  God can help when mans helpe is vain.
• * 1.26

  In our neces∣sities, we must referre vs to God in praier
• * 1.27

  Wee must waite Gods good time in our deliuerie.
• * 1.28

  Dauids hu∣militie in his extremitie.
• * 1.29

  The humili∣tie of Iob in all his aduer∣sitie.
• * 1.30

  Dan. 3.
• * 1.31

  Luke 18.1. There is an end of our troubles pro∣mised vnto our prayers, but when or how we must refer to God. 1. Thes. 5.
• * 1.32

  We ought to consider that our Praiers be grounded vpon the word of God.
• * 1.33

  Phil. 4.8·
• * 1.34

  Ioh. 16.23.24.
• * 1.35

  We must put a differenc•• betweene corporal and spirituall things when we pray: and how.
• * 1.36

  Mark▪ 11.26.27 Before wee pray, we must put of all ha∣tred against our brother.
• * 1.37

  Luke. 11.12. The forme of Praier where∣vpon all our prayers must be grounded.
• * 1.38

  1. Tim. 2. we must pray▪ continually. Mat. 24.
• * 1.39

  Ioh 16.
• * 1.40

  we must pray for the hal∣lowing of Gods holy name.
• * 1.41

  In al our prai∣ers we must haue a care of the magni∣fying of his holy name.
• * 1.42

  we must pray that bis king∣dome may come.
• * 1.43

  Ioel▪ ••
• * 1.44

  We must pray that his will may be done.
• * 1.45

  We are per∣mitted to come vnto God throuh Christ for corporall blessings.
• * 1.46

  Psal. 107.6. Through praiers the hungrie are fedde.
• * 1.47

  Prisoners de∣liuered.
• * 1.48

  The sicke are healed.
• * 1.49

  In what dan∣ger soeuer we be in, wee haue warrant hereto, come in faith to God, and to be releeued.
• * 1.50

  Psal. 145 18.19. Aswell the rich as the ••oo••e ought to pray for dayly bread. Neither la∣bor nor store can helpe without Gods blessings.
• * 1.51

  Pro. 10.••2.
• * 1.52

  We must pray for forgiue∣nesse of sins vpon condi∣cion.
• * 1.53

  Rom. 5.
• * 1.54

  We may not accompt our selues righte∣ous in our owne con∣ceites. 1. ••o. 1.
• * 1.55

  We must haue regard to this condi∣tion.
• * 1.56

  We must craue strēgth of God to withstande temptations.
• * 1.57

  The chiefest weapon to withstand ••a∣than, is a true fayth.
• * 1.58

  We may not pray only for our selues, but for the whole Church.
• * 1.59

  What ought to stirre vs vp to prayer.
• * 1.60

  1. Cor. 14.
• * 1.61

  2. Cor. 4.4. Col. 1.15.
• * 1.62

  God hath re∣ueiled him∣selfe vnto vs in Christ.
• * 1.63

  We must a∣uoyde vn∣thanckfulnes.
• * 1.64

  Psal. 1.8.15. The Godly, onely prayse God.
• * 1.65

  He that is not thanckefull for the bene∣fites of God, denieth him to be the au∣thor of them.
• * 1.66

  When we be once reclai∣med, we must beware of turning to our olde ini∣quitie.
• * 1.67

  we must walk the narrowe way that lea∣death vnto life.
• * 1.68

  The reward of the righte∣ous.
• * 1.69

  The plea∣sures of this word, the baytes of Sa∣than.
• * 1.70

  The end of the wicked.