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BY Ejaculations are un∣derstood such private Prayers, as when upon seeing, hearing, or thinking on any thing of ex∣traordinary concernment, we turne our selves immediately to God, and in short petiti∣ons, Praises, Wishes, or Thanksgivings, express our hearty devotions.
In such no set form can be prescribed, but the oc∣casion
it self will so frame the suit, that it will be pre∣valent, as it is piercing, and the defect of words made up with hearty affections.
Into such an Ejaculatory confession the Israelites brake out at the sight of fire from heaven to consume the Sacrifice of Elijah (which all the Baalites raving and lancing had failed to pro∣cure from their Idol) [The Lord he is the God, The Lord he is the God,] falling upon their faces at the utterance of it. So David upon report that politick Achitophel was turned Traytor against him, O Lord (saith he) I pray thee turn the counsel of Achitophel into foolishness. And what foolishness could bee more palpable, then in the wise
ording of his family to re∣serve a halter to hang him∣self?
King Asa had no time (when Zerah the Ethiopian fell upon him with a Million of men) but to betake him∣self only to this Ejaculation, O Lord it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power. Help us O Lord our God, for we rest on thee, and in thy name go we against this multi∣tude. Lord thou art our God, let not man prevail against thee. And was not the suc∣cesse as speedy in its kind, as the petition was pithy? For the Lord smote the Ethiopians before Asa and Judah to their utter overthrow.
Upon the short addresse of the Disciples to our Savi∣our
in a storm, [Master, ca∣rest thou not that we perish?] He arose and rebuked the winds, and said to the sea, Peace and bee still; and the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.] Sudden dan∣gers must have correspon∣dent remedies. And whence may they be hoped for, but from him that is alwayes present every where, and ex∣pects but our calling on him, that he may relieve us?
As you provide therefore (my Daughters) to have Hot-waters in a readinesse, or remedies appliable to sud∣den occasions, lest in the in∣terim before they can bee gotten, the party whom you wish best unto, want∣ing them, perish much
more should you have at hand and by heart, such passages of sacred Scriptures whereon to ground good wishes, and pious Ejaculati∣ons, which in infinite unex∣pected occurrences you shal occasion to make use of: such our Leiturgy hath so prick'd out for you, that you need go no further.
To instance in a few of the most obvious particulars. For raising up of a dejected or drooping soul, what may prove more animating then that we first meet with at the threshold of our Service? At what time soever a sinner doth repent him of his sinnes from the bottom of his heart, I will put all his wickednesse out of my remembrance, saith the Lord? What more effe∣ctual
to remove Gods judg∣ments for our manifold transgressions, then that of the lamenting Prophet? Cor∣rect us, O Lord, and yet in thy judgment, not in thy fury, lest we should be consumed & brought to nothing. A plainer directi∣on cannot be thought upon, for a straying sinner, then that of the hunger starved Prodigal, I will go to my Fa∣ther, and say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and against thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy Son. Your children, and your rudest servants are ac∣quainted from the Leiturgy, with these piercing Petiti∣ons, O Lord open thou our Lips, and our mouth shall shew forth thy praise. O God make speed to save us, O
Lord make haste to help us. O Lord shew thy mercy up∣on us, and grant us thy Sal∣vation. O Lord deale not with us after our sins neither reward us after our iniquities. From our enemies defend us O Christ, graciously look upon our affliction: with the like.
These are made familiar to them by often repetition, which those that term shreds and porrage, little think upon the short Ejaculation of Da∣vid, I have sinned against the Lord, that had presently this return, The Lord hath put a∣way thy sin, thou shalt not dy. Or that of the simple Publi∣can, God, be merciful to me a sinner; and the sequel of it, that he went down to his house, rather justified then
the vaunting Pharisee for all his eloquence. And this is an advantage in such short Ejaculations, that they are not so liable to distractions, as longer Prayers, and are more easie to be remembred of all, and ready to be used when space and place may not be had for longer pray∣ers.
To give a touch in some few particulars.
At our first awaking, in the morning, who may not with heart, and hands, and eyes lifted up to heaven, say, Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us? and welcome the appearance of the light with this or the like Ejaculation, God be merciful unto us, and blesse us, and shew us the light of thy countenance,
and be merciful unto us? In cloathing of our selves, how becoming would that be of the Apostle (which converted a holy Father) to be fitted to the occasion? The night is passed, and the day is at hand, Grant, O Lord) that I may cast off the works of darkness, and put on the Armor of Light, that I may walk ho∣nestly as in the day; not in rioting or drunkenness, not in chambering or wantonnesse, nor in strife or envying; but that I may put on my Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus, (more necessary to cover my souls nakedness, then appa∣rel is for my body) and not to make such provision for the flesh (as is commonly u∣sed) to fulfil the lusts there∣of.
In like manner, far be it from Superstition, when we wash, to pray, Wash me throughly from my wickednesse, and cleanse me from my sinne: for I ac∣knowledg my faults (O Lord) and my sin is ever before me.
At our going forth; Shew me the way that I should walk in, for I lift up my soul unto thee.
At the hearing of a Clock, or looking on a Watch, or a Dyal, Teach me, O Lord, to number my dayes, that I may apply my heart to Wis∣dom.
At the undertaking of a∣ny work of our vocation. The glorious majesty of the Lord our God be upon me; Prosper thou the works of
my hands, O prosper thou my handy work; which if wee cannot desire with a good conscience, a stop must be made, and the business not undertaken.
Last of all, upon our death-beds, old Jacobs Eja∣calation will be acceptable, and comfortable, O Lord, I have waited for thy salva∣tion. With old Simeons in the New Testament to bear it company, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, because mine eyes have seen thy Salvation, in know∣ing and depending upon him for my Redemption, my Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus. Whose praier in giving up the Ghost, must be ours at the last gasp, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit:
The happiest conclusion that all our Devotions can bring us unto. In the interim, we shall meet with in this vale of misery many passages to be lamented at, which how it may be performed, the next Title suggesteth.
1 Ki. 18.39
2 Sa. 17.23
2 Chr. 14.11, 12
Mark 4.38.
Ezek. 46.2.
Ezek. 8.21.
Jer. 10.24.
2 Sa. 12.13
Psalm 4.7.
Psal. 67.1.
Rom. 13.12
Psal. 51.2
Psalm 143
Psal. 9.12.
Ibid. v. 17
Gen. 49.18
Luk. 23.46