Herbert's devotions, or, A companion for a Christian containing, meditations & prayers, fitted for all conditions, persons, times and places either for the church, closet, shop, chamber, or bed : being seasonable and usefull for these sad unsetled times.

His Overthrow in Sin, and Repentance for it.

1 AS it is glorious for a man, to overcome himselfe; so it is infamous, to be over∣come by himselfe: for, in that we vanquish sometimes, we see, we may doe it alwaies, were our hearts still the same, and our faith alike at all times. Then how disgracefull must it now be to me, since I am foyled by my selfe, whom before now I have often subdu'd? O God, I am asham'd; and could I find a place to hide my naked∣nes from thine all-seeing eye, I would runne into it. But there is none, unles it be the bleeding wounds of thy deare Son Jesus. There I will be, beseeching thee, my sweet Saviour, to hide me well from the most dreadfull lookes of thy angrie Father, till thou hast made my peace.

2. Who made man, knows what is in man; yet he tries us often, not to know us better; but that others see what we are, and we our selves know our owne strength. He hath tempted me this morning, and brought my patience to her triall by a loss, pain, or fall: and I not remembring how long I have sweetly en∣joy'd that thing, and what little right I had in it, more then those, who want it, have taken the losse of it, as a wrong done to me, repined

at Gods providence, yea curs'd his name: a far greater losse then the first; yet in mercie he doth give me these good motions, to make me see my fault. Lord, I thanke thee for thy goodnes, beg pardon for my sin, and grace against such occa∣sions.

3. This day I saw the world in his Pea∣cocks feathers, and I was so ravisht with that pompous shew, that I stood still to behold it, untill I was taken with both admiration and love. Then I perceiv'd, mine eyes were dim and weak to look heaven-ward, though cleere and strong to behold vanitie: yea I wonder how these thoughts come into my head, since my braines are so full of the things of this world. Doubtles they come from God, to call me back to him, and make me break my league with his and my sworne enemies. Lord, since thou call'st me, give me feet, my feet motion, my mo∣tion swiftnes, and my swiftnes acces to thee. Turn thy face from my present sin, and put out this misdeed, and let not such another shew make me commit the like offence.

4. O God, give me the comfort of thy help again, and stablish me with thy free spirit: for lo, Satan hath put me downe, the Serpent hath beguiled me, and I have eat of the forbidden fruit. I have broken thy lawes by _____ _____ and done wicked∣ly in thy sight. But now I doe repent, and with a

broken heart, weeping eyes, bashfull face earnestly crave, thou wilt vouchsafe to purge me with bysop, and wash me throughly from my wickednes, with the bloud of thy Lamb.

5. As the strength of our enemie commends our victorie; so his weaknes makes our over∣throw disgracefull. How infamous therefore is my present defeat; since by my flesh my sp'rit is overcome, a giant by a pygmie, and an ele∣phant by a flea? This base flesh in her fight with the spirit hath drawne it to fulfill her lust, in uncleannes, fornication, drunkennes, wrath, sloth or hatred, as easily as a great load-stone drawes a little needle. O Lord, for∣give me my faintnes, in yeelding to a foe so weake, and restore me what she hath ravished from me, that I may fight againe, and with thy help give her the foile.

6. I have receiv'd a frowne, an angrie word, a little wrong, or a light blow from my bro∣ther, which in meeknes I might have borne; yet in my rage I have made a quarrell, at which God hath (no doubt) been much displeas'd with me. Therefore I humble now my soule, and beg mercie of thee, O God, the Father of mercie. O save me for thy mercies sake, from my sins past, and prevent the future.

7. O that mine eyes could see the ouglie shape of sin, that so I should loath it! O that I could well consider, that sin hath made hell∣fire,

and thither drawne Angels and men! Is it not the sole murderer of the immo••tall soule? Is it not the sole cause of Gods hate towards his creatures? Why then have I done this? Why have I ly'd, sworne, cheated, stolne, or fought; since by such things I lose Gods grace, and draw his curse upon my head? Most glorious God, I have in that done as a man shapen in wickednes, and conceived in sin: but doe thou as a God, rich in mercie, abundant in good∣nes and truth, and forgiving iniquitie and trans∣gression and sin. Have mercie upon me O God after thy great goodnes; and according to the multitude of thy mercie wash away my grievous offence.

8. Repentance is a salve for the wounds of the soule, a remedie for her diseases, and the very key of heaven: a Jewell too precious to be in mans keeping. It is a gift of God, as all other good things: therefore we should not so sleight it, as to deferre it untill death; for then we may misse it. This very houre is my best time for repentance: the next may be not mine, or if it be, yet my repentance may be gone. It is a sorrow for sins past, and a pur∣pose of amendment. Can I have the first when I will; and use the second, when I die? No, no, my soule. To grieve heartily for thy sins, not onely because thou fear'st punishment; but rather out of love towards thy gracious God,

is a thing harder then men think: then to de∣lay amend••ent untill death, yea but till to morrow, is an argument of folie: for so it seemes, thou art not now readie to die, when yet in an instant thou maist die. O graciou•• Lord, let me never be so foolish, as to delay my con∣version: but grant, this day I heare thy voice, this minute I repent, and even now begin to lead a ver∣tuous life. So shall I not feare, when death comes, but be cheerfull at her approach. Grant this, O th•••• holie, blessed and glorious God.