The exercise of true spirituall deuotion Consisting of diuers holy meditations and prayers; seruing for the inflaming of mens benummed affections; the quickening and increase of sauing grace; and the better ordering of the whole course of the life of a Christian, in a manner acceptable to God, profitable vnto others, and comfortable vnto his own soule. The first part.

The folly of the wicked to be wondered at.

I Maruell much, when I reade how the Israelits be∣ing

in the way to Canaan (a type of heauen for the good∣nesse and pleasantnesse of it) desired so oft, and so earnest∣ly to returne againe into E∣gypt (a figure of hell it selfe) where they had been so hard∣ly intreated, yea so cruelly and vnmercifully handled: But much more do I maruell, & can neuer sufficientlie won∣der at those, who when the Lord offers to bring them out of the house of that spirituall bondage, and not onely to free them from the power of darknesse, and the tyrannie of sinne and Sathan, but also by the light of his word & spi∣rit, to leade and conduct them safely into that heauenly Ca∣naan, which floweth with the milk & honie of his rich and plentifull graces, euen the

inheritance of his chosen, the place where his honour dwel∣leth; desire rather notwith∣standing, still to be vnder the hands of their cruel taske-ma∣sters, in the kilnes among the bricks, and in the yron fornace, and to indure the most seruile, and the most wofull and wretched thral∣dome and slauery, that euer was or can be possibly, that so they may fill themselues with the Onions and Garlike of Egypt. Lord, let the coūsell of the wicked be farre from me: suffer not thy seruant to de∣light in the waies of such a foolish generatiō, who know not thee, nor regard y^t which should be their happines. But let me euer praise thee with ioyfulnesse, that thou hast deliuered my soule out of

the hands of my cruell and deadly enemies, and brought me from the house of bon∣dage, the kingdome of dark∣nesse and death it selfe, into y^e wayes which leade vnto thy heauenly and glorious king∣dome. And although I am for a while, to wander in the wildernesse of this world, and here to indure much hardnes, and to passe thorow many difficulties and troubles, be∣fore I can enter into the land of promise, yet let me neuer faint or be discouraged; much lesse be so euill disposed, as to repine, or murmure at any time against thee, and desire to returne to the sinfull cour∣ses of the world, or linger af∣ter these earthly vanities, but goe forward according vnto thy direction, with faith,

hope, and patience, looking continually for the perfor∣mance of thy gratious pro∣mise, that so at length I may enter into thy rest, and liue & raigne with thee eternally.