feeble knees and support my weak hands and revive my deaded heart and so powerfully assist me with the spirit of strength that I may with confidence call upon thee with patience endure this trial with hope expect thy good pleasure with wisdom make use of this thy Visitation and with thankfulness ever praise thy goodness and mercy for my safe recovery if it may fland with thy will whereunto I submit and wholly resign now and for ever through Jesus Christ my blessed Lord and Saviour in whose most holy words I further pray Our Father A Thanksgiving after recovery O Lord God of my health and salvation who hast known my Soul in trouble and didst make my bed in my painful and dangerous sickness and hast now raised me out of it to stand before thee I offer now unto thee a sacrifice of praise because I emplyed not the saculties of my Soul and members of my body as I should have done thou didst bereave me of the strength and vigour and use of them for a season but now because thy compassion fails not thou hast returned them to me again wherefore I consecrate and devote them perpetually to thy sâ—rvice and as I am in the state of my body so by the power of thy renewing grace I will become in the estate of my Soul a new man My broken heart which thou hast healed shall now entirely love thee my feeble knees and weak bones which thou hast settled shall night and day bow to thee my weak hands which tâ—ou hast strengthned shall continually be lifted up unto thee I confess unto thee O Lord that in my health I often read and heard that worldly delights and comforts were vain and much like flags and bulrushes which men in danger of drowning câ—tch to bear them up but they sink doâ—â—â— under water with them yet did I not learn till I suffered till thy rod had imprinted it even in my flesh Now O Lord I beseech thee to knit my heart unto thee that I may fear thy name create in me a new heart renew a right spirit within me I asked life of thee thou gavest it me I now desire and crave thy Salvation O my God withhold it not make me to repent of my sins the cause of my sickness and to depend upon thee the giver of all good things and make me in the time of prosperity to think of adversity in health to think of sickness in sickness to think of death and at all times so to think of judgment that whither I wake or sleep eat or drink or whatsoever I do else I may ever have this voice sounding in mine ears Arise ye dead and come to judgment Give me grace O Lord to make this use of mine affliction past and to cleave and stick fast unto thee in all holiness for the time to come through my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in whose name and words I further pray Our Father c. The Prayer of the Sick now ready to depart this World ETernal and Omnipotent infinite incomprehensible God Lord of my life and determiner of my days my body now is returning into dust and my soul returning to thee that gavest it O Lord most holy O most mighty draw near unto me who make hast to come unto thee give me a clearer sight of thee by how much the nearer I am out of the dark prison of my body Give me also a quicker tast of the powers of the life to come that I may the more comfortably pass over these last troubles of this present life O Father of mercy and God of all consolation let not the guilt of my sâ—â—s or horror of thy judgments or Satans suggestions or the fear of death or terrors of hell drive me to desperation I confess that for my unmindfulness of thee and ungratefulness to thee all my life I deserve that thou shouldest utterly abandon and forsake me now at my death but thy thoughts are not like our thoughts nor thy affections like ours Dear Father shew thy strength in my greatest weakness confirm thy mercy to me in my greatest need apply thy comforts to me in this my last extremity asswage the pains of my body with spiritual Comforts and diminish the fear of death by the assured hope of a better life O let me that am now returning to dust and ashes speak but this once to my Lord and Maker with ill my heart soul and strength I beseech thee by all that my Saviour Jesus Christ hath done and Suffered for me I entreat thee to speak peace unto my soul at its departing and say unto it I am thyâ— Salvation Make my election sure by my true repentance fervent charity assured confidence constant patience and comfortable perseverance to the end and in the end Amen At the Hour of death WElcome blessed hour the period of my pilgrimage the term of my bondage the end of my cares the close of my sighs the bound of my tarvels the goal of my race and the heaven of my hopes I have fought a long fight in much weakness I have finished my course though in great faintness and the crown of my joy is that through the strength of thy grace I have kept the true faith and now I dye in it I willingly resign my flesh I despise the world and I defie the Devil who hath no part nor share in me And now what is my hope my hope Lord Jesus is even in thee for I know that thou my Redeemer livest and thou wilt immediately receive my soul and rayse up my body at the last day and I shall see thee in my flesh with these eyes and no other my heart â—ainteth my strength faileth my tongue faltereth Lord let thy spirit of comfort help mine insâ—â—mities and make Supplication for me with sighs and groans that cannot be uttered I submit my self wholly to thy will I commit my soul to thee as my faithful Redeemer who hast bought it with thy most precious bloud I profess to all the world I know no name under heaven by which I may be saved but thine my Jesus my Saviour I renounce all confidence in any merits save thine I thankfully acknowledg all thy blessings I unfainedly bewail all my sins I steadfastly believe all thy promises I heartily forgive all mine enemies I willingly leave all my friends I utterly loath all earthly comforts I entirely long for thy coming Come Lord Jesus come quickly Lord Jesus receive my spirit SACRED POEMS UPON SELECT SUBJECTS WITH Divine Meditations OF THE Vanity of Mans Life and the World And also of the Four Last Things Death Judgment Heaven and Hell With Graces Speaking to your selves in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs singing and making melody with your Heart to the Lord Eph. 5. 19. The Souls Breathing after Her Heavenly Country 1. JErusalem my happy home O that I were in thee Oh would my Woes were at an end thy joys that I might see
grace and goodness reduce them to the obedience of thy most holy will in the practise of all piety toward thee and charity towards all men And with us be gracious to thy whole Church bless thy servant Charles our gracious King and Governour bless our gracious Queen James Duke of York and all the Royal Family bless the Nobility the Magistracy and Ministery of this land of what quality or degree soever Be merciful to all that are under any affliction or tryal whatsoever be a Father to the fatherless a husband to the Widdow and a Comforter to the Comfortless in what streight or necessity soever they are support them and bring them out of it to thy Glory and their comfort Be merciful to all that we are bound to pray for bless our Relations Kindred and Friends and let them serve thee and live to thy Glory And now we desire to return all humble and hearty thanks to thy heavenly Majesty for all thy blessings continually showred down upon us In Creating us and Preserving us to this day in keeping us the day past from all dangers and casualties that we are continually subject to Continue O Lord we beseech thee this favour to us and let thy Angels pitch their Tents round about us this night to guard and defend us from all perils both of soul and body let our weak and wearied bodies be refreshed with seasonable and convenient rest and sleep that so we may be the more fit to discharge our duties both toward God and man the day following Grant these our weak Petitions and give us all other blessings that thou knowest we stand in need of and all we ask of thee in the blessed Name and Words of our dear Saviour and Redeemer further Praying Our Father c. A Prayer for a Family for Fryday Morning MOst Holy most Glorious and Eternal Lord God we thy poor and unworthy servants in all humility of soul and body and unfeigned acknowledgment of our duty prostrate our selves before the Throne of thy Mercy praising and magnifying thy fatherly goodness for the abundance of thy blessings and for the multitude of thy mercies heaped upon us beseeching thee for Christ his sake to be merciful to all our sins committed against thy divine Majesty upon the consideration of which we confess we are not worthy to appear in thy presence much less to ask a Blessing at thy hands for by reason of our corrupt nature in us derived from our first Parents our inclinations have been proâ—e to commit all manner of sin and wickedness against thy goodness thy laws and precepts we have broken both in thought word and deed out of our hearts proceed evil and wicked imaginations which defile the soul and the whole man is altogether abominable these things O Lord we confess to our shame and if thy mercy prevent not it will be our utter destruction of soul and body Yet O Lord thou aâ—t our Creator thou hast made us and thou hast sent thy dear Son Jesus Christ to die for us and thy holy Spirit to sanctifie us and many are the benefits and blessings which thou hast bestowed upon us and which by thy goodness we enjoy both of soul and body and therefore by the testimony of our own consciences we stand convicted and the thoughts of our great sins and transgressions do much astonish us what shall we say therefore or wherein shall we open ouâ— mouths who shall deliver us from the misery due unto us for our transgressions nothing can be expected in this life but mercy and confusion and in the world to come eternal condemnation But yet O Lord in obedience to thy command and in confident assurance of thy endless and unspeakable mercy promised in Jesus Christ to all sinners which come unto thee with sorrow in our hearts shame in our faces and in all humility of Spirit And we would appeal from thee a just Judg to thee a merciful Father from the throne of thy Justice to the seat of thy Mercy beseeching thee O Lord to have mercy upon us and to turn away thy face from all our sins and to blot out all our transgressions for the only Meritorious Death and Passion of Jesus Christ who so abundantly shed his Blood on the Cross to take away the sin of the World and be pleased now to reform our affections transform us out of sin into the glorious liberty of thy own children to live in newness of life in a holy conversation and continual obedience to thy divine Majesty And now we further intreat thee O Lord for a blessing upon thy Church Universal more especially we beseech thee to continue the peace and prosperity of these Churches wherein we live and every member thereof and in a more especial manner bless with the cheifest of thy blessings thine Annointed and our Soveraign Lord King Charles the Queens Majesty James Duke of York and the rest of the Royal Family bless the Lords of his Majesties most honourable privy Council the Reverend Clergy and all civil Magistrates bless all our kindred friends and acquaintance bless all O Lord from the highest to the lowest And since it hath pleased thee O Lord of thy Goodness to deliver us from the power of darkness and all dangers of the night past affording us quiet and comfortable rest bring us safe to the beginning of this day our souls and all that is within us shall praise thy holy Name We beseech thee to bless and defend us O Lord this day direct and protect us in it bless our going out and comming in let thy Spirit guide us in all our actions prosper all our labours and endeavours this day make us diligent and dutiful in our Callings that we may keep a good Conscience in all our dealings not any way to defraud any one knowing that one day we must give an account of all our words and deeds Lord hear us we beseech thee and accept of this our morning Sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving hear our prayers and grant our petitions that we have asked and all other blessings which thou in thy infinite wisdom knowest most necessary for us we ask at thy merciful hands in the Name and through the mediation of thy dear Son our blessed Redeemer Jesus Christ our Lord in whose most excellent form of Prayer we conclude our imperfect Petitions saying Our Father c. A Prayer for a Family for Fryday Evening MOst glorious and everlasting Lord God which inhabitest eternity and dwellest in that light which no mortal eye can attain unto the God in whom we live and move and have our being we thine unworthy servants do here in all lowliness and humility present our persons and Prayers before thy divine Majesty confessing and acknowledging that we were conceived in sins and brought forth in iniquity and as if that had been but a small matter we have heaped up our Actuall transgressions as the sand upon the sea-shore and as the stars
him for these thy great and unspeakable mercys we render thee most humble thanks from the bottom of our hearts beseeching thee still to continue thy gracious protection over him and to grant him a long and happy reign over us so we will give thee thanks for ever and will always be shewing forth thy praise from generation to generation through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen Vpon the Twenty Nineth of May the Day of his Majesties Birth and happy Return NO voice more soft then Thunder can express Our present joy our past heaviness None can the largeness of this Joy set out Unless at once he make three Kingdomes shout O therefore let us jointly all proclaim The praise of this great Act due to the Name Of Him by whom Kings Reign and Oh that we Could make our souls Wing'd with Devotion flee To God on High in Thankfulness and Praise Who without Blood has Crown'd our King with Bays Brought from three conquered Nations which he Holds in Subjection but to keep them free From the hard Yoke of Bondage which of late So gaul'd our necks whilest that we called a State Was nought but mad-men sitting at the Helm T was a great Bedlam which is now a Realm But those bad times are past this day we were Even rescu'd from the Sword without a War Without a War Great Charles his Kingdomes wone Thus strait when God Will hav 't the thing is done O may we thankful be and sing his praise Who for our Cypress now has given us Bayes May we give God and Caesar all their due And always Peace and Loyalty Pursue A Thanksgiving for the 29th of May being the day of his Majesties Birth and happy Return O Lord God who by thy divine providence and goodness didst this day bring into the world and didst this day also bring Back and restore unto us and to his own just and undoubted right our most gracious Soveraign Lord thy Servant KING CHARLES preserve his life establish his throne we beseech thee be unto him a helmet of salvation against the face of his enemies and a strong tower of defence in the time of trouble Let his reign be prospeâ—ous and his days many and let him so duly serve thee on earth that he may hereafter everlastingly reign with thee in heaven and let us thine unworthy servants make an oblation of our selves unto thee vowing all holy obedience in thought word and work unto thy divine Majesty promising in thee and for thee all loyall and dutiful Allegiance to thine anointed servant and to his heirs after him whom we beseech thee to bless with all encrease of grace honour and happiness And together with him bless the whole Royal Family with the dew of thy heavenly Spirit that they ever trusting in thy goodness protected by thy power and Crowned with thy gracious and endless favour may continue before thee in health peace joy and honour a long and happy life upon earth and after death obtain everlasting life and glory in the Kingdome of Heaven by the merits and mediation of Christ Jesus our Saviour who with the Father The â—Pestilence 〈◊〉 1665 and the holy Spirit liveth and reigneth for ever world without end Amen Vpon the Dreadful Pestilence in 1665. ON the great City of this Sinful Land London with Wealth and Folk abounding and With sin the cause of woe too God first pour'd The brim full Vial of his wrath and showr'd His ireful Judgments There his Angel drew The sword of Vengeance and that people slew At first by Tens which soon to Hundreds come Then Thousands weekly sent to their long home The frighted Citizens begin to fly From house and habitation lest they dye A wrathful day a dismal time wherein Thousands receive the wages of their sin Now might you see Red Crosses there great store And Lord have Mercy upon many a door The Knells of death continually do ring And that same doleful sound of Buryers Bring Your dead out Mortal ears with Terror Pierce And now a Cart becomes too many a Hearse Now might you see all faces blackness gather The son lamenting for his dying Father The wife for her deceased husband crying And parents mourning for their Children dying And some who did in stately houses dwell Now gladly creep into a Country Cell And others wandering up and down the Fields No Town or Village them admittance yeilds Thus from the Rod of God poor sinners fly Not from their Crimes for which they smart and dye Had you your selves forsaken when at home You need not thus about the countrey rome Had you fled from your sins before as fast You need not from the Plague have made such hast There have been three great Plagues in London within these sixty years and how much greater this last was then the former may appear by this Comparison In the year 1625. Buried of all Diseases 54265 Whereof of the Plague 35417 In the year 1636. Buried of all Diseases 23359 Whereof of the Plague 10400 In the year 1665. Buried of all Diseases 97301 Whereof of the Plague 68586 A Prayer in time of Pestilence OMnipotent Lord thou sin revenging God who for disobedience didst threaten thine own people Israel to smite them in the knees and in the legs with a sore botch that could not be healed be pleased O thou great offended Lord in the bowels of thy compassion to let thine anger cease and to bow down thine ear to thy sorrowful servants we turn unto thee our weeping eyes our dejected countenances our wringing hands our bended Knees our mournful voices and our groaning hearts O Merciful God behold our tears and view our countenances and look upon our hands and strengthen our Knees and hearken to our voices and comfort our hearts Give us a fight of our sins O Lord which have thus provoked thee to enter into Judgment with thy Servants and make us more to loath and tremble at our wickedness then at these Messengers of death wean us from the love of sin from the consideration both of thy displeasure and our own mortality and speak peace and health unto our souls which do every moment expect our dissolution to come O Lord thou art a God who canst not abide to behold unrighteousness look not therefore with thy wrathful eye upon us who are full of sin and pollution but look upon thy Son and his righteousness or if thou wilt look upon us first cloth us with the righteousness of that immaculate Lamb and so shalt thou see us with love and delight and we shall behold thee with unspeakable joy Seal unto our souls the remission of our offences and then make us willing to resigne our bodies to thy disposing yet we know O Lord if thou dost but Speak the word we shall be made whole if thou say'st the Plague shall not come near our habitations we then know we shall be safe if it be thy blessed will O Lord let us praise thee in the
Jacobs Ladder A MANVAL of DEVOTIONS By Jo. Hall B. D. London Printed for N. Crouch Jacobs Ladder OR THE DEVOUT SOULS Ascention to HEAVEN IN Prayers Thanksgivings and Praises In Four Parts viz. 1. Private Devotions for every day in the Week 2. Family Devotions for every day in the Week 3. Occasional Devotions 4. Sacred Poems Upon Select Subjects With Graces and Thanksgivings Illustrated with Sculptures By Jo. Hall B. D. The second Edition Enlarged London Printed for N. Crouch in Exchange-Ally in Cornhil 1676. To the Virtuous and Religious Gentlewoman Mrs. M. P. IT is not the excellency of the Gift but your Goodness that must render this small Manual acceptable to you of which having had so great experience I cannot doubt its continuance And knowing your devout Inclinations towards books of this nature I could not think of a more pleasing return for your many Favours than this Jacobs Ladder whereby your Soul may Ascend to Heaven and make known all your wants and by Faith accompanying your Prayers may receive answers to all your holy Desires and Petitions I doubt not but many have done Worthily yea much excelled in this kind but I have found though there are many Manuals of private Devotion yet there are very few for Families which Want I have heard complained of and therefore though I could not better employ my vacant hours than to make a Collection of some dayly Prayers that might be both plain and pertinent and indeed the Family-Devotions were my first design only I thought that to make it compleat and conformable to others of this nature it will be convenient to add some Private and Occasional Devotions together with some brief Meditations of the vanity of mans life and certainty of his death which we can never too much think of nor too soon prepare for If you or any other reap any benefit by it I have my desire If it be not well it is because I could not help it however I doubt not but you will accept the will for the deed because it is from Your devoted Servant Jo. Hall Preparations to Devotion PRemeditation is the preparation to Private Prayer Private to Publick Private and Publick to the hearing of the Word to Private and Publick Prayer together with the hearing of the Word to the worthy participation of the holy Sacrament For the Sacrament receives strength and vigour from the Word the Word preached from publick Prayer publick Prayer from private devotion and that from Premeditation and Pre-consideration of the nature of Devotion and the necessity of preparation it self to all holy duties in the immediate worship of God What Devotion is DEvotion is the hearts warmth or rather the life-blood of Religion It is a sacred bond knitting the Soul unto God It is a Spiritual Muscle moving only upward and lifting the heart eyes and hands continually to Heaven Whosoever desires to make a Divine Prayer must by Premeditation frame in his mind First the Form which must be 1. Short or conceived in as few words as may be 2. Conformable in all things to the Pattern the Lords prayer Secondly The Matter which consists of three parts 1. Humble Confession 2. Confident Invocation Petition or Supplication 3. Hearty Thanksgiving 1. In humble Confession set before thee 1. God his terrible name glorious Majesty All-seeing-Eye Infinite Purity strict Justice Fierce wrath against Sin 2. Man his vileness wretchedness sinfulness wants and inability 2. In the second part Invocation and Petition fix thy thoughts 1. On God his love to man his mercy and long suffering his gracious promises and his omnipotent goodness 2. On Christ his perfect obedience his plenary satisfaction his perpetual Intercession In the third which is hearty Thanksgiving recount Gods benefits 1. Spiritual as Election Creation Redemption Vocation Justification Sanctification and hope of Glorification 2. Temporal as Health Strength Wealth Liberty good Name Friends and Safety Some Texts of Scripture which may be orderly applyed to every one of the foregoing particulars When you pray use not vain Repetitions as the Heathen do for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking Matt. 6. 7. After this manner pray ye Mat. 6. 9. I said I will confess my Transgressions to the Lord and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin Psal. 32. 5. Let them praise thy great and terrible Name for it is holy Psal. 99. 3. Who is the King of glory even the Lord of Hosts he is the King of glory Psal. 24. 10. Mine eyes are upon all their ways they are not hid from my face neither is their Iniquity hid from my eyes Jer. 16. 17. And one cryed to another and said Holy Holy holy is the Lord of Hosts Isai. 6. 3. Who will render to every man according to his works Rom. 2. 6. Thou even thou art to be feared and who may stand in thy sight when thou art angry Psal. 76. 7. Surely every man is altogether vanity Psal. 39. 11. O wretched maâ— that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death Rom. 7. 24. We are all as an unclean thing and all our Righteousness is as filthy rags Isai. 64. 6. Without me ye can do nothing John 15. 5. All things whatsoever you shall ask in prayer believing you shall receive Mat. 21. 22. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believed in him should not perish but should have everlasting life John 3. 16. The Lord is merciful and Gracious slow to anger and plentiful in mercy Psal. 103. 8 11. Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest Mat. 11. 28. Though your sins are as scarlet they shall be as white as snow though they be red like Crimson they shall be as wool Isai. 1. 18. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy Psal. 126. 5. To him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above that we ask or think be glory c. Eph. 3. 20. Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood Rev. 5. 9. Christ is entred into Heaven now to appear in the presence of God for us Heb. 9. 24. Giving thanks always for all things to God and the Father Eph. 5. 20. What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits Psal. 116. 12. God hath from the beginning chosen you to Salvation through sanctification of the spirit c. 2 Thes. 2. 13. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me Psal. 119. 73. Blessed be the Lord for he hath visited and redeemed his people Luke 1. 68. I am not come to call the Righteous but sinners to repentance Mat. 9. 13. Being justified by his grace we shall be made Heirs according to the hope of eternal life Tit. 3. 7. Such were some of you but ye are washed ye are sanctified 1 Cor. 6. 11. Thou shalt guide me with thy Counsel and afterward receive me to Glory Psal. 73. 24. Bless the Lord
O my Soul and forget not all his benefits Psal. 103. 2. The Lord killeth and maketh alive he bringeth down to the grave and bringeth up 1 Sam. 2. 6. It is God that girdeth me with strength and maketh my way perfect Psal. 18. 32. Also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before Job ult Thou hast set me at liberty when I was in thrall Psal. 4. 1. And these all having obtained good report through Faith receive not the promise Heb. 11. 39. Ointment and Perfume rejoyce thy heart so doth the sweetness of a mans friend by hearty Counsel Thou Lord only makest me dwell in safety Psal. 4. 8. The Lord shall preserve thee from evil he shall preserve thy Soul Psal. 121. 7. A Preparatory Hymn Collected out of divers Psalms THou sayest seek ye my face my heart saith unto thee Thy face Lord will I seek Psal. 27. 8. Hide not thy face far from me nor put thy servant away in anger vers 9. Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holy spirit from me Psal. 51. 11. Hear O Lord when I cry unto thee have mercy also upon me and answer me Psal. 27. 7. Ponder my words O Lord consider my meditation Psal. 5. 1. My heart is inditing a good matter my tongue is the pen of a ready writer Psal. 45. 1. O Lord open thou my lips and my lips shall shew forth thy praise Psal. 51. 15. Let my prayer be set forth before thee as Incense and the lifting up of my hands as an Evenâ—â—â—â—â—â—rifice Psal. 141. 2. Set a watch O Lord â—efore my mouth and keep the door of my lips Psal. 141. 3. Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight O Lord my strength and my Redeemerâ— Psal. 19. 14. An Exhortation to stir up Christians to Prayer PRayer is of that force and virtue that it ties the ear of God to the tongue of man O it is an acceptable Incense to God always for how hath he always rewarded it and regarded it It never returned but with a blessing so that the Prayer be sent up out of a pure and upright heart mingled with Faith for we must ask in Faith and waver not as St. James saith By fervent Prayer the children of Israel were delivered from the Egyptian bondage as you may read That when they cryed unto the Lord he heard them and delivered them out of their Enemies hands Therefore let us continually pray unto God both Morning and Evening and let us call and cry unto him for a blessing upon us and desire him to preserve us and to remove his Judgments from us To which end I have thought good to frame this Manual of private Devotions for a help to those that may want them PRIVATE DEVOTIONS OR A COLLECTION OF Morning Evening PRAYERS For Private Persons For every day in the Week Evening and Morning and at Noon will I Pray and cry Aloud and he shall hear my voyce Psal. 55. 17. Private Devotions A Prayer for Sunday-Morning ALmighty God the blessed Creator and Finisher of the Salvation of Mankind who in memory of thy glorious Rest from both thy noble works hast blessed and sanctified a day of holy rest unto thy self sanctify me for it that laying aside my accustomed business and sequestring my thoughts from all worldly cares I may keep it and my self holy to thee by dedicating and devoting my self wholly to thy peculiar worship and immediate service and to the end that this my Religious service may be more acceptable to thee quicken me with thy Spirit that I may perform it with all allacrity and cheerfulness and may make thy Sabbath my delight Touch my Heart and Tongue with a coal from thy Altar that from the sweet Incense of my Meditations Hymns Prayers and Thanksgivings thou mayest smell a savour of Rest. O Prince of Peace sanctify thy rest unto me that I may find rest to my Soul from all temptations troubles and fears and may rest from my own works which are painful and sinful travels and may imploy this day all the powers and faculties of my Soul and Body in doing and considering thy works in adoring thy Majesty and admiring thy wisdom and acknowledging thy Power and embracing thy Love and magnifying thy goodness and rejoycing in thy Mercies and trembling at thy Judgments In visiting thy holy Temple and praising thee with thy Saints and offering up the Calves of my lips In diligently reading thy Scriptures attentively hearing thy Word â—everently celebrating thy Mysteries charitably relieving thy Members zealously practizing all holy duties both publick and private O let me this Whole day walk with thee as Enoch sometimes did and talk with thee as Moses did and seek thy Face as David did And grant that beholding thine Image in thy holy Word as in a clear and Christal Mirrour I may be changed â—to the same Image even from Glory to Glory Let this Sabbath put me in mind of thy Holy rest from thy works and assure me thereby of an Everlasting Sabbath in Heaven from my Works into which rest that I may enter stir up good desires in me raise my thoughts and affections to the things which are above renew me according to the Image of thy Son and frame my Life to a Heavenly conversation enlighten my understanding sanctify my will moderate my desires govern my affections mortifie my fleshly members destory the man of sin in me and deliver me from the Body of death work 〈◊〉 me a fear of thy power and a love of thy goodness and zeal of thy glory and thirst after thy grace and an earnest desire and constant resolution as much as in me lyeth to approve my self to thee in all things and frame all my actions to the rule of thy Word Hear me I beseech thee for thy Church and thy Church for me and Christ for us all saying Our Father c. A Prayer for Sunday Evening HOly Holy Holy Lord God Almighty which wast which art and which art to come Hollow my nature that I may Hollow thy Name As thou impartest thy goodness to me whereby I live and move in thee communicate to me some measure of thy Holiness that I may live and move to thee Let thy Spirit of grace possess my Body and Soul that the desires of my mind and thoughts of my heart and words of my lips may be holiness unto thee Sanctifie me that I may glorifie thee And first with Joy and Thankfulness I acknowledg it a special Testimony of thy love that thou hast given me liberty and meanes to keep a holy Sabbath unto thee to meet in thy House to offer up my Joynt-Prayers and thanksgiving with thy Holy congregation to confess my sin to profess my faith to lay open my wants to clear up my self by Singing the sweet Songs of Sion to hear thy Sacred Word read and Preached whereby my faith hath been strengthened in
hast said As surely as I live I desire not the death of a sinner but rather that he should Convert and Amend and Live Who hast also said Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver thee have mercy upon me for Jesus Christ his sake whom thou wouldest should be a peace-maker to the end that thou mightest shew thine exceeding great Wrath against sin and thine inestimable mercy towards Mankind sanctifie and illuminate my heart with thy holy Spirit O God the guide of my life forsake me not turn from me the filthiness of desire Turne mine Eyes away from beholding vanity strengthen me in thy wayes and grant that mine offences in this world overcome me not and I beseech thee O Lord with a most ardent affection that this day and ever thou wilt keep me and all mine and that thou wilt be unto me a Mighty Protector a firmament of strength a covering against heat a shadow at noon-tide a defence from falling an assister from offending a comforter of my soul an enlightner of my mind a giver of health and happiness in Christ Jesus my Lord and Saviour To whom be all glory honour and power for ever Amen Our Father c. A Prayer for Tuesday-Evening MOst mighty and most merciful Lord God by whose goodness I was created by whose Justice I am punished and by whose mercy I am saved I cast my self down before thee and lift up my hands unto thee at this present as my Evening-sacrifice but alas my conscience accuseth me the secret cogitations of my heart reprove me my fear checketh me the infinite number of my sins oppress me yea my miscarriages this day witness against me and exceedingly condemn me O Lord what am I that thou shouldest yet favour me and shew thy self so loving and bountiful a Father unto me why should'st thou so nourish me who am so unworthy a wretch with thy mercy and loving-kindness I know that it is for His sake in whom there is no guile and in whom there was found no evil that thou regardest me and imbracest me Pardon I beseech thee through Jesus Christ all my sins faults vices and offences and indue me with all holy vertues make me to live a godly life and to continue to the end in good works Take away all darkness from my mind that I may see thee by understanding thee and love thee by knowing thee And grant O Lord that I may so keep and govern and end my life that I may sleep in peace and rest in thee and so into thy hands I commend my self both soul and body this night and for ever Hide me I beseech thee under the shaddow of thy Wings that I may rest quietly void of all fear spiritual darkness danger and despair comfort me in all those things wherein I have been any way discouraged this day Preserve me to the end that sleep with rest and rest with quietness and quietness with everlastingness may receive me that having run the race of this life I may be made partaker of a better that so I may live and reign with thee for ever through Jesus Christ my Lord and only Saviour Amen Our Father c. A Prayer for Wednesday-Morning HOly Lord God the glorious face of the Sun which sheweth it self and casteth its beams over the whole World I take it for an argument and earnest of thy good will toward thy Children in the number of whom I account my self though the chief of Sinners and not worthy to loose the latchet of thy shooe for if we enjoy such benefits in this strange country together with thine Enemies then what joy and glory what excellent goodness shall we be made partakers of when we come to our heavenly country the blessed land of Canaan where we shall not see this earthly Sun but thou O Lord who art the Son of Righteousness will be continually before us And now O Lord I Praise thy blessed name for preserving me from the many dangers of the Night past and for bringing me safe to the beginning of this day As thou hast now wakened my Body from sleep so I beseech thee awaken my Soul from sin and carnal Security and as thou hast caused the Light of the day to shine in my bodily Eyes so good Lord cause the light of thy word and holy Spirit to illuminate my heart and give me grace as a Child of Light to walk in all holy obedience before thy face this day and grant me to endeavour to keep a good Conscience towards thee toward all men in all my thoughts words and dealings and to this end I commend my self and all my ways and actions together with all that do belong to me unto thy gracious direction and protection beseeching thee to keep both them and me from all evil and to give a blessing to my honest Labours and endeavours this day following and for evermore Amen Our Father c. A Prayer for Wednesday Evening O Most Mighty Lord God and most mercifull and loving Father in thy Son Jesus Christ I sinful Creature am bold to return unto thee all possible Praise and thanks for all thy great and manifold favours which thou in thy mercy hast from time to time vouchsafed unto me a sinful wretch who am full of sin and iniquity I beseech thee favourably to hear my imperfect prayers and to grant my requests and needful suits which I make unto thee at this time Forgive me I intreat thee good Father all the sins that I have committed from day to day against thy divine Majesty and suffer me not O Lord to offend thee any more hereafter that neither sin nor Satan nor any unruly passions may have dominion nor reign any longer in my mortal body for I confess I have herein done wickedly and have broken all thy commandments for which thou mightest in thy severe Justice punish me both in Soul and Body to eternal Death besides those sins which I have this day committed Forgive me O Lord all my sins past and blessed be thy name that thou hast kept me this day in my going out and in my returning home O Lord watch over me this night and be thou my defence and protection from all dangers casualties and troubles grant that I be not overcome with any fantasies and dreams or other Temptations but that I may fully set my mind upon thee love thee fear thee and rest in thee and thou O Lord waken me again in due time that I may behold the light of the next day to my comfort still preparing my heart and mind to thy service every day and my whole life time in truth and sincerity that when I have run the short race of this mortal life thou mayest be pleased to call me to be partaker of a better and so I may live and die and ever remain with thee in thy Heavenly Kingdom through Jesus Christ our only Lord and Saviour in whose name I beg all these
Christ is Rich though we be sinners he is Righteous though we be impure yet he is Pure and Holy for his sake therefore O Lord have mercy upon us and Write thy Law in our Hearts engrave it in our Minds we heartily beseech thee And let us this Morning of thy Holy Day wholly turn unto thee with all our Hearts Minds Thoughts Deeds and Meditations that we may joyn in Praises to thy holy Name for thy preservation of us the night past and refreshing us with sweet sleep and let us declare thy loving kindness in the Morning on thy Holy and Blessed Sabbath-Day for it is thy Will and Commandement that we should Sanctifie this thy Day unto thy Service and in Praise unto thee and offer up unto thee a morning Sacrifice of Praises and Thanksgiving and to hear what thy Spirit by the preaching of thy Word shall speak unto us thy Servants O let not our sins stand as a cloud to stop our Prayers from Ascending up unto thee or to keep back thy Grace from Descending by thy Word into our hearts that we may cease from the works of sin as well as from the works of our ordinary calling and that we may feel in our hearts the beginning of that Eternal Sabbath which brings unspeakable Joy and Glory and filling us with the Spirit of Prayer make us diligent and ready in the performance of thy will And take us O Lord into thy custody and governance for ever both our Souls and Bodies yea our Lives and all that ever we have so that our Lives may please thee and our Deaths may praise thee through Jesus Christ our Lord for whose sake we heartily Pray thee to grant these things thus asked and all other things necessary for soul and body and that not only to us but to all others also for whom thou wouldest we should pray Grant unto us all true hearty Repentance that we may turn from our evil ways that thou mayest turn from us the evils that we have so highly deserved And with us O Lord bless thy whole Church especially that part of it in these Kingdomes Be Gracious to thy servant and our Soveraign Lord King Charles Bless him in his Government and in his Royal Relations our Gracious Queen Katherine James Duke of York and all the Royal Family bless the Nobility Clergy Magistracy Gentry and the whole People of this Land be merciful to all our Kindsfolks and Families Neighbours and to all such as are any other way Related to us and we beseech thee to grant us all thy Blessings and thy holy Spirit to sanctifie us and to keep us this day and for Evermore from all Evil to thy Eternal Glory and our everlasting comfort through Jesus Christ our Lord and only Saviour in whose Blessed Name and Words we further Pray Our Father c. A Prayer for a Family for Sunday Evening O Eternal God our most loving and merciful Father in Jesus Christ it is thine own commandment that we should call upon thy name and it is thy gracious and merciful promise that where two or three are gathered together in thy name there thou wilt be present among them we thy poor and unworthy servants Dust and Ashes yet the Workmanship of thine own Hand are more bold to come before thee to offer unto thee this Evening sacrifice of Prayer and Thanksgiving O Lord we beseech thee to sanctifie unto us thy word which we have heard and read this day make it the seed of life unto our souls that it may fructifie grow and increase and get such strength by thy good providence that neither the burning heat of affliction or persecution cause it to wither but that as seed sown in good ground it may bring forth thirty sixty and a hundred fold as thy heavenly wisdom hath appointed And now O Lord being here before thee we cannot but acknowledg and confess ever from the bottom of our Hearts against our selves our own Unworthiness that we are greivous sinners Conceived in sin and born in iniquity whereof we have brought forth most vile fruits in our lives to the great dishonour of thy Name the utter dismaying of our own Consciences and the evil example of our Brethren by which we have deserved likewise thy wrath and heavy indignation to be poured upon us both in this life and that which is to come in such sort that no creature in heaven or earth is able to reconcile us again to thy Majesty but only thy Son Jesus Christ we intreat thee therefore O Lord to be merciful unto us and as we acknowledg our sins unto thee so be thou faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness wash us thorowly from our wickedness and cleanse us from our sins for we acknowledg O Lord against thee we have sinned and done evil in thy sight To thee therefore O Lord do we come to crave the pardon of our sins both â—or the guilt and punishment of the same that so they may not draw down upon us our deserved Judgment And good Lord we pray thee accept of our Thanksgiving unto thy Majesty for all thy mercies and blessings from time to time bestowed upon us for this life and for a better we praise thee for our Election Vocation Justification Sanctification continual Preservation and the assurance thou hast given us of a better Life when this is ended as also for all temporal blessings health peace and prosperity for thy goodness extended toward us for this day past that thou hast goâ— in and out before us and freed us from many dangers of soul and body and hast brought us with peace and comfort to the beginning of this night Lord Watch over us by thy Spitit and Presence give us a holy and sanctified use of our rest and sleep and fit us for the Duties of the next day especially O Lord fit us for that day which shall never give place to night And grant unto us all good things that thou in thy Wisdome knowest more expedient to give than we to ask and all we beg for Jesus Christ His sake in whose Name and Words we conclude these our imperfect Prayers saying as he hath taught us Our Father c. A Prayer for a Family for Munday Morning MOst Merciful and Gracious Lord God we do not present our selves here before thy Majesty trusting in our own merits or worthiness but in thy manifold Mercies which hast Promised to hear our Prayers and grant our Requests which we shall make unto thee in the Name of thy Dear Son Jesus Christ our Lord who hath also commanded us to assemble our selves together in his Name with full assurance that He will not only be amongst us but also be our Mediator and Advocate toward thy Majesty that we may obtain all things which shall seem expedient to thy blessed Will for our necessities Therefore we beseech thee most Merciful Father to turn thy loving Countenance
increase our faith confirm our hope inflame our Charity teach us to imitate the life of Christ the true pattern of perfect Obedience and only true rule of a Godly life Teach us Humility Patience Meekness Gentleness Chastity Temperance Teach us to contemn earthly things to deny our selves to overcome the world grant us consolation in adversity and true tranquillity of mind grant us victory in temptations and deliverance from the devils treacheries grant us in thine appointed time a blessed departure of this life and a blessâ—â— resurrection unto life everlâ—sting And we pray not for our selves alone but in obedience to thy Command we make our supplication unto thee for all men save and defend thy universal Church enlarge thou her borders propagate thy Kingdom Bless thy servant Charles our most gracious King and governour Bless together with him our gracious Q. Katharine James Duke of York and the rest of the Royal Family Bless we beseech thee the Lords of his Majestys most Honourable Privy Council the Nobles Judges Ministers and Magistrates of this Realm Be thou a Father to the Fatherless a Comforter to the Comfortless a Deliverer to the Captives a Physitian to the Sick Grant that the Sickness of their Bodies may be for the good of their souls Hear us likewise O Lord for the sake of Christ and accept our thanksgiving we thank thee for preserving us ever since we were born and for defending us this night from all perils and dangers for the quiet rest wherewith thou hast refreshed our bodies for thy mercy renewed unto us this morning let thy mercy be continued unto us this day let thy Spirit direct us in all our ways that we may walk before thee as Children of the light doing those things that are pleasing in thy sight Let the dew of thy blessing descend upon our labours for without thy blessing all our labour is in vain Prosper thou the works of our hands upon us and grant that we may so conscionably seek after things temporal in our callings that we do not finally lose the things which are eternal we are unworthy O Lord we confess to obtain any thing at thy hand either for our selves or any other even for the sinfulness of these our prayers But since thou hast promised to hear all those that call upon thee in thy sons name make good we beseech thee thy promise unto us now calling upon thee in thy Sons name and praying as he hath taught us in his holy Gospel Our Father c. A Prayer for a Family for Wednesday Evening MOst Glorious Lord God whose dwelling is in the highest heavens And yet beholdest the lowly and the humble upon earth we blush and are ashamed to lift up our eyes unto heaven because we have sinned against thee which dwellest in the heavens But look down we beseech thee from heaven thy dwelling place and behold the humility of thy servants here on earth which prostrate themselves at the foot-stool of thy mercy confessing their own guiltiness begging pardon for our sins we confess O Almighty Creator that thou madest us at the first after thine own Images thou cloathedst us with Innocency as with a Garment thou seatest us in Paradice a place of all delight and Pâ—easure But we have defaced thine Image we have cast off our first Covering we have thrust our selves out of that pleasant place we ran away from thee and were not obedient to thy Voice And we do still shut our Eyes O Lord that we might not see and we have refused to be ruled by thy Law The law of sin in our flesh doth dayly captâ—vate us The root of sin which lyeth hidden in us doth every day put forth new branches all the parts and faculties of our bodies and souls are as so many Instruments of unrighteousness to fight against thy Divine Majesty Our hearts imagine wicked things our mouths utter them and our hands put them in practise Thy Mercys are every day renewed unto us and our sins are every day multiplyed against thee in the day of health and prosperity we forget thee and we never think upon thee in the day of sickness and adversity Thy benefits heaped upon us do not allure us to obey thee neither do thy Judgments inflicted upon others make us afraid to offend thee what couldst thou have done O Lord more for us or what could we have done more against thee Thou didst send thy Son in the fulness of time to take our nature upon him to fulfil thy Law for us and to be Crucified for our sins but we have not followed the example of his Holy Life but have every day afresh Crucified him by our sins and now O Lord if we should become our own Judges we cannot but confess that we have deserved everlasting torments in Hell fire but there is mercy with thee O Lord therefore will we not despair our sins are many in number but thy mercys are without number the weight of our sins is great but the weight of thy Sons Cross was greater our sins press us down to hell but thy mercy in Christ Jesus raiseth us up by Satan we are accused but by Jesus Christ we are defended By our own Consciences we are condemned but by Jesus Christ we are absolved and pardoned in us there is nothing but Sin Death and Damnation in him there is treasured up for us Righteousness Life and Salvation we are poor Christ is our Riches we are naked he is our covering We are exposed to thy fury pursuing of us he is the buckler of our defence and our refuge he is the Rock of our Salvation and in him do we trust Guide us O Lord by thy holy Spirit to amend what is amiss in us increase all gifts and graces which thou hast already given and give unto us what thou best knowest to be wanting Be gracious and favourable to thy whole Church especially to that part of it among us Bless thy Servant and our soveraign Lord King Charles our gracious Queen Katharine and all the Royal Family we beseech thee also to be gracious to the Kings Council the Nobility the Magistracy the Ministry the Gentry the Commonalty Forget not O Lord all those that are under the Cross and affliction Cloth the Naked feed the Hungry visit the Sick deliver the Captives defend the Fatherless and Widow releive the Oppressed confirm and strengthen those that suffer Persecution for Righteousness sake cure those that are broken in heart speak peace unto their consciences that are tormented with the sence of their sins stand by those that are ready to depart out of this life and when the house of their earthly Tabernacle shall be destroyed then Lord receive their Souls And now O Lord we bless and praise thy Name for our Health Maintenance and Liberty for preserving us ever since we were born for blessing us in all that we have put our hands unto this day Let thy mercy still be continued unto
in the firmament for number we have broken thy Commandements we have prophaned thy Sabbaths we have dishonour thy name we have abused thy creatures we have neglected the day of our Visitation and turned thy grace into wantonness whereby we have most justly provoked thy wrath and everlasting displeasure we have wounded our own consciences weakned our assurance of salvation and greived thy good Spirit which sealeth us up unto the day of our redemption And now O Lord if thou shouldst deal with us after our deservings thou mightest pour upon us the deluge of thy wrath and sury to sweep us out of the land of the living into that place of torment prepared for the Devil and his Angels But thou hast revealed thy self to the sons of men to be the Lord the Lord Merciful and Gracious Long-suffering and of great Goodness who pardonest Sinnes and passest by the transgressions of thy people this is thy Name for ever and thy Memorial throughout all generations we beseech therefore for Jesus Christ his sake to be merciful unto us in the free pardon and forgiveness of all our sins that we have ever committed against thee Accept of his obedience for our disobedience of his righteousness for our unrighteousness of his Sufferings for all our sins wash them away in his blood nail them to his cross hide them in his wounds and bury them in his grave that they may never rise up for our confusion here or for our condemnation hereafter O Lord be unto us a Father of Mercy and a God of Consolation Speak peace unto our souls and consciences and say unto us that thou art the God of our salvation And give us grace for the time to come to dye dayly unto sin by vertue of thy sons death and to rise up to newness of life by the power of his resurrection wean our hearts and take off our affections from the things of this world which endure but for a season and raise them up unto those things which are at thy right hand for evermore enlighten the darkness of our understandings subdue the stubbornness of our wills rectify the disorder of our affections and bring into obedience whatsoever exalteth it self against thy will that at last we may become such as thou would'st have us to be Continue and enlarge thy blessings upon the Church and Land wherein we live upon the person and government of our King bless all the Royal Family together with his Majesties councel the Nobility Magistracy Clergy and Gentry of the land Be merciful to all those who are afflicted with any cross or calamity all our relations and acquaintance and all others whom we are bound to pray for O Lord accept our Thanksgiving this Evening for all the mercys and favours which thou hast afforded for our souls or bodies for this life or a better more especially that thou hast preserved us and our Family this day in health and happiness Now holy Father seeing the night is upon us and we are ready to take our rest in thy hands we commit our souls and bodies and all that we have beseeching thee who art the keeper of Israel that neither sleepest nor slumberest to take care of us for if thou protect us not Satan will devour us yea we shall sleep a prepetual sleep and never arise up to praise thee we praise thee therefore be good to us this night deâ—eâ—d us from danger refresh us with comfortable rest and raise us up to glorify thee in the duties of the day following that thou mayst still be our God and we may be thy people hear us and graciously answer us in these our requests and what else thou knowest needful and expedient for us and that for Jesus Christ his sake in whose most blessed name and words we conclude these our imperfect Prayers saying as he himself hath taughts us Our Father c. A Prayer for a Family for Saturday Morning GRacious Lord God thou art the great Creator of Heaven and Earth we confess our selves unworthy to come into thy presence or to speak a word before thee wretched sinful Creatures that we are full of all iniquity and uncleanness and who can make that clean which is taken out of an unclean thing the thoughts and imaginations of our hearts are evil and only evil and that continually Yet O Lord seeing thou hast commanded us to call upon thee and hast mercifully promised to be present with thy Children to hear their prayers and to grant their requests which they put up in faith unto thee O Lord this doth give us boldness to come before thee and in confidence of thy goodness that thou wilt make good the same promises unto us at this time we here offer up unto thee this morning Sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving humbly acknowledging and confessing from the bottom of our hearts our manifold transgressions and offences which we have continually multiplied against thee in thought word and deed from the beginning of our dayes unto this present time we acknowledge O Lord our Original corruption in the which we were at the first conceived and born and from which there hath sprung the most bitter and unsavoury fruit of sin apostacy and Rebellion to the great dishonour of thy Name and wounding of our poor souls and consciences and the evil example of others amongst whom we have lived by the which O God we confess that we have justly deserved that thy Wrath and indignation should be poured out upon us both in this life and in the life to come And therefore O God we come not here before thee in our own worthiness but in the worthiness and mediation of Jesus Christ beseeching thy gracious goodness for his sake to forgive all our offences our open sins our secret sins our sins of Presumption sins against Knowledg against Conscience against thee or against our Brethren either in our younger years or in the days of our knowledge as we must needs confess that in many things we offend all we beseech thee O Lord for Christ his sake to forgive the same unto us and perswade our Souls and Consciences more and more that thou art at peace with us and that all our sins are done away in the blood of thy Son And grant O Lord that by the assistance of thy Holy Spirit we may serve thee with more freedom of mind and liberty of will in Righteousness and true Holiness unto the end of our days And good Lord begin not only repentance and true conversion in us but of thy great mercy perfect the same O lead us forward more and more to perfection increase in us the saving knowledge of thee and of thy Son Jesus Christ. And now O Lord we magnify and praise thy Holy Name for thy Blessings and Mercies bestowed upon us both Spiritual and Temporal for our Health Peace Food Rayment and all the comforts of this life O Lord let us make a right use of them that we may not
have I broke my vows and my promises to hope for thy love or thy gracious pardon But Lord what shall I now do if yet I shall fall into a dispair of thy Mercies I should increase my disloyalâ—y and either deny or despise the power of thy Passion So great was thy love to the Church thy Spouse that thou gavest thy self to sanctifie and cleanse it by the washing of water by the Word My Soul O Christ is a member of thy Spouse be pleased O Jesus so to sanctifie and wash my soul that thou mayst present it to thy self without spot or wrinckle both holy and blamless O thou who hast opened a Funtain to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness do thou wash me throughly from mine iniquity cleanse me from my sir. And Lord as in mercy thou hast given me Chastity of body so give me likewise Chastity of mind and purity of soul suffer not either the flesh or the Devil by their wicked suggestions to seduce me to uncleaness And though I am but a weak and an earthen vessel yet be thou pleased to make me a chosen vessel a vessel of mercy cause me to keep my body holy and to possess it in sanctification and honour and not in the lust of concupiscence like the Gentiles which know thee not O be thou mâ— Father in the grace of Adoption be thou my Brother in thy pitty and compassion be thou my Husband in thy love affection be thou my Jesus in the salvation of my sinful Soul Arm me with constancy against all assaults of carnal imaginations give me modesty in my countenance decency in my apparel civility in my behaviour sobriety in my discourse and contentedness in my condition make me obedient to my Parents respective to my Superiors courteous to my Inferiors loving unto all Let not my adorning be outward of puting on of apparel but give me that wisdom which is from above to be as an ornament of grace unto my head and as chains abouâ— my neck preserve O Christ both my body and Soul in chastity and honour while I am here upon Earth as becometh a Virgin espoused to thy self and when my dust shall return to the earth as it was let my spirit return unto thy self who gavest it and to thee let it sing that new song with the Quire of Virgins before thy Throne for ever and ever Amen A Prayer of a Married Woman ALmighty Lord and everlasting Father who hast been pleased to vouchsafe me the blessings of this life and to give me my desires both in a husband and children be pleased to give me a Thankful heart for these thy Mercies it is thy goodness and not my merit that I have received from thee these blessings of thy bounty justly O justly mightest thou at once deprive me of these comforts because I have neglected my obedience to the one and my care of the other Humbly O my God I confess my failings and am sorry for mine offences Lord be gracious to me thy servant and let me testify my thankfulness in my industrious care to perform my duties Be thou still the Protector and the gracious Defender both of me and mine Bless him whom thou hast set over me and grant that he may dwell with me according to knowledg that so we being heirs together of the grace of life our prayers may not be hindred As thou hast made me a fruitful Vine by the Walls of his house so make me endeavour to be fruitful in good Works and increase in the Knowledg of thee my God Let those Olive branches about my Table be every one like a green Olive in the house of thee my God and trust in thy mercy for ever and ever make me to my Husband a prudent Wife as sent from thee that he may rejoyce with me the wife of his youth And to this purpose set a watch O Lord before my mouth and keep the door of my Lips make me a gracious Woman retaining Honour that I may be a Crown to my Husband and a wise Woman labouring to build up my house and family and a vertuous Woman fearing thee Hear me O my God and grant me my Petitions for the Worthyness of him who is our indulgent husband to his Spouse the Church even Jesus Christ my only Lord and Saviour in whose blessed Name and Words I further Pray Our Father c. The Prayer for a Woman with Child MOst Merciful and Gracious God who wilt not turn away thine Ear from those that call upon thee in sincerity and truth Look down with an Eye of pity and compassion upon thy unworthy servants I must confess my sins are very great and so is my danger which is at hand my paines to come will be grievous and my life is now most uncertain Assure me I beseech thee of the forgiveness of all my sins mitigate my fear and sorrows strengthen me with the comforts of thy Spirit confirm me in the Faith of my Saviour and bless all good means appointed for my comfort that in due time I may be a joyful Mother and see the fruit of my body safe sound and perfect without blemish or deformity O Lord I know not how soon my travel will steal on me when I must fight that battle of life and death one drop of thy mercy hath soveraign power to cure all the Wounds of those sorrows Shed therefore O holy Father that drop of grace upon me in that minute when I am to encounter with so stern an adversary strengthen me with patience bless me that I perish not bless the work of my Midwife let not the child yet unborn the babe in my Womb be punished for mine offences but give it growth give it flourishing and â—orm and wheâ— the time is come that thou wilt call it out of this close house of â—lesh where it now inhabiteth to dwell in the open world sanctifie thy creature make it by Baptisme a member of thy Church a Lamb of thy Flock and direct it in the wayes of godliness to its lives end and all through Jesus Christ our Lord in wâ—ose blessed Words I continue to Pray Our Father The Prayer of a Woman in the Time of her Travel O My Lord and my God my heavenly Father my merciful Jesus upon whom I depend in the midst of my Anguish hoping in thy wonted mercies Bow down thine Ear and harken to the cryes of a pained Woman unto thee O Lord do I cry thou art my refuge and my portion in the Land of the living Attend therefore unto my cry for I am brought very low Consider mine affliction and deliver me for I do not forget thy Law all my desire is before thee and my groaning is not hid from thee in thee I trust who art the living God who art the Saviour of all especially of them that believe I love thee O Lord my strength thou art my Rock and
2. Oh happy harbour of the Saints Oh sweet and pleasant Soil In thee no sorrows may be seen No Cross no Grief no Toil. 3. In thee no sickness ever is No Hurt no Ach no Sore There is no Death nor ugly Devil but life for evermore 4. No damp no mist is found in thee No Cloud nor darksome Night There every Star shines like the Sun There God himself gives Light 5. Thy Houses are of Ivory Thy windows Christal clear Thy Tiles are maide of beaten Gold Oh would that I were there 6. Thy Turrets and thy Pinacles With Carbuncles do shine Thy very streets are pav'd with Gold Exceeding pure and Fine 7. Within thy Gates can nothing Come Which is not passing Clean No Spiders Web no Dust no Dirt No Filth may there be Seen 8. Thy Saints are Crown 's with Glory great They see God face to face They still Triumph they still Rejoyce Most happy is their case 9. We that live here in Banishment continually do Moan We sigh we Sob we Weep we Wail continually we Groan 10. But there they in such pleasure Live and such delight alway That unto them a thousand Years doth seem but Yesterday 11. Thy Vineyards and thy Orchards are Most beautiful and Fair Full furnished with Trees about Exceeding Rich and Rare 12. Thy Gardens and thy gallant Walks Continually are Green There grows such sweet and pleasant Fruit As no where else is Seen 13. There 's Nectar and Ambrosia There 's Musk and Civet Sweet There 's many fine and dainty Drugs lie trodden under Feet 14. There 's Cinamon and Sugar too There Myrrh and Balm abound What tongue can tell or heart conceive The joys that there are found 15. Quite through the streets with silver streams The flood of Life doth flow Upon whose Banks on every side The Trees of Life do grow 16. The trees do evermore bear Fruit And evermore do spring There evermore do Angels sit And evermore do sing 17. There David stands with Harp in hand As Master or'e a Quire Ten thousand times that man is Blest that doth this Musick hear 18. Gods praises there are always sung with Harmony most sweet Old Zachary and Simeon Have not their songs to seek 19. Their Magdalen hath left her moan and cheerfully doth sing With blessed Saints whose Harmony In every street doth Ring 20. O Heavenly frame Jerusalem At length I hope to see Thy glorious Throne and in the same For evermore to be 21. O Heavnely City fair and bright when shall I come to thee When shall my sorrows have an end Thy Joys that I may see Upon the Passion 1. THus died the Prince of Life He That could not die even dyed for me My thoughtful heart Lord shall arise And ponder these deep Mysteries 2. What means his Death that knew no sin Or what my life who live therein Mine was the debt and Death my due Though thou wast pleas'd thy Son to sue 3. Thou Lord wast pleased on him to lay The debt and He the price to pay Thy Gospel-feasts though sweet to me Are the Emblems of His Agony 4. And Oh! how great his Sufferings were Who the Wrath of God man did bear The Father then forsakes the Son And creatures against their maker run 5. Judas betrays Disciples flee Whilst Jews and Romans Crucifie Hereat the Sun furls up his light And clothes the Earth in sable Night 6. The joyless Stars even seemed to say Israel had quenched the Lamp of day The stubborn Mountains they lament The Rocks they are asunder Rent 7. The Graves their sealed doors unclose The dead awakened also Rose The amazed Centurion mourning crys Oh! 't is the Son of God that Dyes 8. Thus these all labour to confess Thy Deity thy Righteousness Enough Dear Lord these offer me Supports for the utmost faith in thee The Souls Farwell 1. FArwel poor world I must be gone Thou art no home no rest for me I 'le take my staff and travel on Till I a better world may see 2. Why art thou loath my heart O why Do'st thou recoil within my Breast Greive not but say Farwel and fly Unto the Ark my Dove there 's Rest. 3. I come my Lord a Pilgrims pace Weary and weak I slowly move Longing but can't yet teach the place The gladsome place of rest above 4. I come my Lord the floods here rise These troubled Seas foam nought but mire My Dove back to my bosom flys Farwel poor world Heaven 's my desire 5. Stay stay said Earth whether fond one Here 's a fair World what wouldst thou have Fair World Oh no! thy beauties gone An heavenly Canaan Lord I crave 6. Thus th' ancient Travellers thus they Weary of earth sigh'd after thee They are gon before I may not stay Till I both thee and them may see 7. Put on my Soul put on with speed Though th' way be long the end is sweet Once more poor world Farwel indeed In leaving thee my Lord I meet Of Mans Life by the Right Honourable the Lord B. 1. THe World 's a Bubble and the life of Man Less then a Span In his Conception wretched from the Womb So to the Tomb. Curst in the Cradle and brought up to Years With cares and fears Who then to frail Mortality shall trust But Limns the Water or but Writes in dust 2. Yet since with sorrow here we live opprest What life is best Courts are but only Superficial Schools To dandle â—ools The Rural parts are turn'd into a den of savage men And where 's a City from all vice so free But may be termed the worst of all the three 3. Domestick cares afflict the husbands bed Or pains his head Those that live single take it for a Curse Or do things worse Some would have children those that have them moan Or wish them gon What is it then to have or Have no Wife But a single thraldome or a double strife Our affections still at home to please Is a disease To cross the Sea to any forreign soil Perils and Toyl Warrs with their noyse affright us when they cease W' are worse in peace What then remains but that we still should cry Not to be born or being born to die All Vanity but Virtue SWeet day so cool so calm so bright The Bridle of the Earth and Sky Sweet dews shall weep thy fall to Night For thou must Die Sweet Rose whose hew angry and Brave Bids the rash Gazer wipe his Eye Thy root is ever in its Grave And thou must Die Sweet Spring full of sweet Days and Roses A Box where sweets compacted lye My Musick shews you have your Closes And all must Die Only a sweet and virtuous Soul Like seasoned Timber never gives And when the whole World turns to Coal Then chiefly Lives The Vanity of mans Life WHat are poor men but quickned lumps of earth A feast for worms a bubble full of breath A looking-glass for grief a flash a minute
A painted tomb with putrefaction in it A map of death a burthen of a Song A winters dust a worm of five foot long Begot in sin in darkness nourisht born In sorrow naked shiftless and forlorn His first voice heard is crying for relief Alas he comes into a world of grief His first age is sinful his youth is vain His life 's a punishment his death 's a pain His life 's an hour of joy a world of sorrow His death 's a winters night that finds no morrow Mans life 's an hour-glass which being run Concludes that hour of joy and so is done 2. How poor a thing is man how vains his mind How strange how base and wavering like the wind How uncouth are his ways how full of danger How to himself is he himself a stranger His hearts corrupt and all his thoughts are vain His actions sinful his words prophane His wills deprav'd his senses are beguiled His reasons dark his members are defiled His hasty feet are swift and prone to ill His guilty hands are ever bent to kill His tongues a spunge of venom or of worse His practice is to swear his skill to curse His eyes are fire-balls of lustful fire And outward helps to inward foul desire His body is a well-erected station But full of folly corrupted passion 3. How slight a thing is man how frail briâ—le How seeming great is he how truly little Within the bosom of his holiest works Some hidden embers of old Adam lurks Which oftentimes in men of purest ways Burst out in flame and for a season blaze Lord teach our hearts and give our souls directions Subdue our passions curb our stout affections And in thy mercy grant this boon to me That I may die to sin and live to thee 4. Our life on earth is a like a thred of flax That all may touch and being toucht it cracks Death is a Kalender compos'd by fate Concerning all men never out of date His days Dominical are writ in blood She shews more bad days then she sheweth good She tells when days and months and terms expire Mesuring the lives of mortals by her squire Death is a Pursuvant with Eagles wings That knocks at poor mens doors and gates of Kings Worldling beware betimes death sculks behind thee And as she leaves thee so will Judgment find thee A Farewel to the World by the Honourable Sir H. W. FArewel ye gilded follies pleasing troubles Farewel ye honoured rags ye glorious bubbles Fames but a hollow Eccho gold pure clay Honour the darling but of one short day Beauty the eyes idol but a damask'd skin State but a golden prison to live in And torture free-born minds imbroydered trains Meerly but pagents for proud swelingveins And blood ally'd to greatness is alone Inherited not purchas'd not our own Fame honour beauty state train blood and birth Are but the fading blossoms of the earth 2. I would be great but that the Sun doth stil Level his rays against the rising hill I would be high but see the proudest oak Most subject to the rending thunderstroke I would be rich but see men too unkind Dig in the bowels of the richest mine I would be wise but that I often see The fox suspected whilst the ass goes free I would be fair but see the fair proud Like the bright Sun oft setting in a cloud I would be poor but see the humble grass Still trampled on by each unworthy Ass Rich hated wise suspected scorn'd if poor Great fear'd fair tempted high still envyed more I have wisht all but now I wish for neither Great high rich wise nor fair poor I le be rather 3. Would the world now adopt me for her heir Would beauties Queen entitle me the fair Fame speak me fortunes minion could Ivy Angels with India with a speaking eye Command bare heads bow'd knees strike Justice dumb As well as blind lame or give a tongue To stones by epitaphs be call'd great master In the loose rimes of every Poetaster Could I be more than any man that lives Great fair rich wise in all superlatives Yet I more freely would these gifts resign Than ever fortune would have made them mine And hold one minute of this holy leasure Beyond the riches of this empty pleasure 4. Welcome pure thoughts welcome ye silent groves These guests these courts my Soul most dearly loves Now the wing'd people of the sky shall sing My cheerful anthems to the glad somspring A pray'r book now shall be my looking-glass In which I will adore sweet vertues face Here dwell no hateful looks no palace cares No broken vows dwell here nor pale-fac'd fears Then here I le sit sigh my hot-loves folly And learn to affect an holy melancholly And if contentment be a stranger then I le nere look for it but in Heaven agen Conclusion BIrth is a brag Glory a blaze Honours earth 's pomp riches a gaze Fame is but a wind Beauty a flower Pleasure a dance the World a bower In Heaven with thee Lord let me be On earth my Heaven 's alone in thee Quatuor Novissima OR Meditations on the four Last Things Death Judgment Heaven and Hell Death CAn he be fair that withers at a blast Or he be strong that airy breath can cast Can he be wise that knows not how to live Or he be rich that nothing hath to give Can he be young that 's feeble weak wan So fair strong wise so rich so young is man So fair is man that death a parting blast Blast his fair flower makes him earth at last So strong is man that with a gaspingbreath He totters and bequeaths his strength to death So wise is man that if with death he strive His wisdom cannot teach him how to live So rich is man that all his debts being payd His wealths the winding sheet wherein he layd So young is man that broke with care and sorrow He 's old enough to day to die to morrow Why brag'st thou then thou worm of five foot long Tho' art neither fair nor strong Nor wise nor rich nor young Judgment The trumpet shall blow the dead awak'd shall rise And to the clouds shall turn their wondring eyes The Heavens shall ope the Bridegroom forth shall come To Judge the World and give the World her doom Joy to the Just to others endless smart To those the voice bids come to these depart Death Iudgment Heaven Hell Depart from life yet dying live for ever For ever dying be and yet dye never Depart like dogs with Devils take your lot Depart like Devils for I know you not Like doggs like Devils go go howl and bark Depart in darkness for your deeds were dark Let roaring be your musick and your food Be flesh of vipers your drink their blood Let fiends afflict you with reproach shame Depart depart into eternal flame If Hell the portion then of sinners be Lord give me
hell on earth Lord give me Heaven with thee Heaven When I consider New Jerusalem Wherein 's reserv'd my Crown my diadem O what a Heaven of bliss my Soul enjoyes On sudden rapt into that Heaven of Joyes Where troops of Powers Vertues Cherubins Angels Archangels Saints and Seraphins Are chaunting praises to their heavenly King Where Hallelujahs they for ever sing Where ioyes are full and pure not mixt with mourning All endless from which is no returning No theft no cruel murther harbours there No hoary-headed care no sudden fear No pinching want no griping fast oppression Nor Death the stipend of our first transgression But dearest friendship love lasting pleasure Still there abides without stint or measure Fulness of riches comfort sempiternal Excess without surfeting life eternall Hell Let Poets please to torture Tantalus Let griping Vultures gnaw Prometheus And let poor Ixiâ— turn his endless wheel Let Nerveâ—s toâ—ment with whips of steel They far come short t' express the pains of those That rage in hell enwrapt in endless woes Where time no end and Plagues find no exemption Where cries admit no help nor place Redemption Where fire lacks no flame the flame no heat To make their torments sharp plagues compleat Where wretched Souls to tortures bound shall be Serving a world of years and not be free Where nothings heard but yells and suddain cries Where fire never slacks nor worm ere dies But where this Hell is placed my muse stop there Lord shew me what it is but never where Of Death and Judgment Heaven Hell Who oft doth think must needs die well Short Graces and Thanksgivings before and after Meat Before Meat SAnctify O Lord unto us the use of these thy creatures of which by our sins we have made our selves and grant that the end of our eating and drinking may be to be better enabled to serve thee in our several places through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen After Meat ETernal thanks and praise be ascribed unto thee O blessed Lord which hast opened thy hand at this time and made us partakers of thy benefits Lord let us never cease to offer unto thee the Sacrafice of praise and thanksgiving through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Before Meat HUmble our souls before thee O Lord and cause us to see the Smalness of out desert even in respect of the least of thy mercies and bless these thy creatures to us at this time to the rejoycing of the soul of thy Servants through Jesus Christ. Amen After Meat We give thee most hearty thanks O Lord for thy bountiful Liberality to us at this time grant we may serve thee better in the enjoyment of these favours Amen Before Meat LOrd lift up our hearts to look unto thee for a blessing upon our meats that we may comfortably use thy creatures as pledges of thy favour through Jesus Christ. Amen After Meat LOrd accept our thanks for the mercy we have enjoyed in receiving these thy creatures for our bodily relief and let us also labour for the meat that perisheth not for the sake of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen Before Meat O Lord bless us and bless these thy good creatures to the nourishment of our bodies and grant that whether we eat or drink or whatever we do we may do all to the praise and glory of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen After Meat AS thou hast filled our bodies O Lord with thy good creatures far above our desert so be pleased to endue our souls with all Spiritual blessings in heavenly things through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen FINIS
toward us and impute not unto us our manifold sins and offences whereby we justly deserve thy Wrath and sharp punishment but rather receive us to thy Mercy for Jesus Christ his sake accepting his Death and Passion as a just recompence for all our offences in whom only thou art Pleased and through whom thou canst not be offended with us And seeing that of thy great Mercy we have quietly passed this night Grant O Heavenly Father that we may bestow this day wholly in thy Service so that all our thoughts words and deeds may redound to the Glory of thy Name and good examples to all men who seeing our good works may Glorifie thee our Heavenly Father And because thou hast commanded us to pray one for another we do not only make request O Lord for our selves and them that thou hast already called for the true understanding of thine heavenly Will but for all People and Nations of the World who as they know by thy wonderful Works that thou art God over all so they may be instructed by thine own Spirit to believe iâ— their only Saviour and Redeemer And the Lord be merciful to us and let not our sins and wickedness be a hinderance to thy Mercy We are now come before thee to bewail our sins and miscarriages heartily desiring thee to cause us to turn unto thee to seek and love thee that our hearts may cleave fast unto thee diligently following thee all the residue of our days and that thou wilt be pleased to guide us with thy holy Spirit that we may make Conscience of all that we do never accounting any sin little because thy Son died for the least Remove from our minds all Ignorance and Blindness making thy Word unto us as a Lanthorn unto our feet to guide ouâ— paths that we may find Christ our Saviour and Redeemer and by his rule be so directed that all ignorance in the Mysteries of our calling be done away and that we may learn thereby how to live and further good Lord settle every one of us in such a constant course of obedience to thee that we may serve thee as thy own Children ought to serve thee and not as the World the flesh and the Devil will have us Suffer us not O Lord to set our hearts upon things below but having Food and Rayment let us be therewith content and be thankful unâ—o thy Heavenly Majesty that thou O Lord our God mayst prosper all our labours and handy-Works These and all other blessings we beg of thee in the Name of Jesus Christ our blessed Lord and Saviour in whose blessed Name and Words we further Pray Our Father c. A Prayer for a Family for Munday Evening O Lord God Almighty and our Heavenly Father who art Everlasting and full of Pity we acknowledg and confess that we are not Worthy to lift up our Eyeâ— unto Heaven much less to presenâ— our selves before thy Majesty witâ— confidence that thou wilt hear ouâ— Prayers and grant our requests iâ— we consider our own deservings For our Consciences accuse us anâ— our Sins do Witness against usâ— we know that thou art an uprighâ— Judge which doth not justifie sinners and wicked Men but punishâ— est the Faults of all such as breaâ— thy Commandements yet moâ— Merciful Father since it hath pleased thee to Command us to call oâ— thee in all our Troubles and Adversities promising even then to help us when we feel our selves as it were Swallowed up of Death and Desparation we utterly renounce all worldly confidence and fly to thy Soveraign Bounty as our only stay and refuge beseeching thee not to call to Remembrance our manifold Sins and Wickedness whereby we continually provoke thy Wrath and Indignation against us Neither do thou lay to our charge our negligence nor our unthankfulness that we have not worthily esteemed nor in our lives sufficiently exprest the sweet comfort of the Gospel revealed unto us But do thou rather Accept the obedience and Death of thy Son Jesus Christ who by offering up himself a Sacrifice once for all hath made a sufficient recompence for all our sins Have mercy therefore upon us O Lord and forgive us our offences Teach us by thine holy Spirit that we may rightly weigh them and earnestly Repent for the same and so much the rather O Lord because that Reprobates and such as thou hast forsaken cannot praise thee nor call upon thy Name but the repenting Heart the sorrowful Mind the Conscience Oppressed Hungring and Thirsting for thy Grace shall ever set forth thy Praise and Glory And now O Lord though we are but Dust and Worms yet thou art our Creator and we are the work of thine Hands yea thou art our Father and we are thy Children thou art our Shepheard and we are thy Flock thou art our Redeemer and we are thy People whom thou hast bought thou art our God and we are thine Inheritance Correct us not therefore in thine Anger O Lord neither according to our deserts punish us but mercifully Chastice us with a Fatherly affection that all the World may know that if a sinner repent him of his sins from the bottom of his Heart thou wilt put away his wickedness out of thy Rememberance as thou hast promised by thy holy Prophets And for as much as it hath pleased thee to make the Night for Man to rest in as thou hast Ordained him the day to travel in Grant dear Father that we may so take our bodily rest that our Soul may continually watch for the time that our Lord Jesus Christ shall appear for our deliverance out of this mortal life and grant that we be not overcome this Night by any Fancies Dreams or other Temptations but that we may fully set our mind upon thee love thee fear thee and rest in thee and let not our sleep be excessive or overmuch after the inâ—atiable desires of our flesh but only sufficient to content our weak Nature that we may be the better disposed to live in all Godly Conversation to the Glory of thy holy Name and the profit of our brehrent through Jesus our Lord in whose Name we pray as he hath taught us saying Our Father c. A Prayer for a Family for Tuesday Morning MOst Mighty and most glorious Lord God who art of infinite Mercy who sittest upon thy Throne above Heaven and Earth are full of thy Glory we that are but Dust and Ashes unprofitable Servants presume to present our selves before thee this morning and beg such things as we have need of from thy Divine Majesty we have tasted of thy Favors this night past and for ever since we awaked we have tasted of thy Goodness Thou thoughtest of Saving us before we began to serve thee thou hadst an eye upon us when we were yet unborn and notwithstanding our unworthiness thou still receivest us thou givest us our dayly Bread and hourly Breath thou continuest and we hope wilt comfort us in Death and
wilt Crown us with Life in the World to come Why shouldest thou be so careful of us since we are so careless of thee surely O Lord in that thou affordest us health to our bodyes liberty to our persons prosperity to this Family in which we live we can give no reason but because thou art Merciful The Heavens are within a Spain the Earth within a Circle the Waters within thy fist mountains upon the ballance but what number or measure or bounds can we set to thy Goodness and Mercy O God O let the Ocean of this thy Mercy be a Partition between us and our sins betwixt thee and thy Judgments who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean but thou alone who justifiest the ungodly and quickenest the dead in sin Remove therefore from us O Lord whatsoever there is in us that displeaseth thee for thine Eyes do behold our manifold imperfections send thy Hand of Mercy we pray thee upon us and take away from us whatsoever there is within us which doth offend the Eyes of thy Goodness And as thou hast in great Mercy kept us this Night past from all Perils and Dangers of the same so we beseech thee keep us this day that the Son of Righteousness may Rule in our Hearts and that all the darkness that lurketh in them may be scattered to the comfort of our souls and that we may walk in the light as thy Children without danger of stumbling Prosper O Lord our labours and the works of our hands and grant that we may grow in Grace all our days until we come to Live and Reign with thee in thy Heavenly Kingdome And together with us bless O Lord thy Church Universal comfort all that Mourn in Sion give them Beauty for Ashes and the Oyl of gladness for the Spirit of Mourning and Heaviness Bless our Gracious King defend his Person uphold his Crown maintain his Government bless our gracious Q. Katharine James Duke of York and all the Royal Family bless the Nobility Magistrates Bishops and Ministers and let thy blessing be upon all of us in this houshold guide us in our wayes and lead us into thy Truth Bless all our Friends and Kindred all that are in any Affliction or Tribulation And do for them and us whatsoever thou knowest necessary for us for the Sake of Jesus Christ our only Saviour and Redeemer in whose Name and Words we beseech the saying Our Father c. A Prayer for a Family for Tuesday Evening HOly and Glorious Lord God what shall we reader unto thee for all thy Benefits because thou host inclined thine Ear unto us therefore will we call upon thee as long as we live from the rising of the Sun to the going down of the same let thy Name be praised among the infinite Riches of thy Mercies toward us we render thee abundant of praise and thanks for thy merciful preservation of us this day as well as all the times and days of our lives that thou hast bestowed upon us so many excellent blessings and mercys both Spiritual and corporal contrary to our deservings All these thy mercys call upon us that we should be thankful to thee for them and all our miseries call upon us that we should call upon thee for the continuance of thy mercies Cleanse our Souls therefore we beseech thee O Lord from whatsoever is offensive to thee and hurtful to us and give us what is necessary for us And now O Lord Watch over us this night give us comfortable and sweet sleep fit us for all services of the day following make our souls to watch for the comming of the Lord Jesus Christ let our beds put us in mind of our Graves and our rising from thence of our last Resurrection so that whether we wake or sleep we being thine may wait for thee O Heavenly Father so form these hearts of ours that we may ever delight to live according to thy Will and Ordinance in Holiness and Righteousness before thee all the days of our lives O Lord let us consider the time will come when the Trumpet shall and will sound the dead shall Rise and we even we all and every one of us shall assuredly stand before thy Judgment Seat with open and unfolded Consciences there to give an account of all our deeds whatsoever at which time all such as have believed in Christ and truly served thee in this life shall to their endless and unspeakable joy hear that comfortable saying of thine Come ye blessed of my Father Receive the Kingdome prepared for you before the beginning of the World but woe to all that live wicked sinful lives in that day they shall drink of the Wine of the Wrath of God and shall be Tormented in Fire and Brimstone for Evermore O Dear God and gracious Father keep us from this condition and knit our hearts fast unto thee and cause us now while we have time with the help of thy Grace not only to think rightly of these things but so to walk before thee in this present life as becometh thy people and Children O continue the Word of Truth evermore amongst us to comfort us and let the seed thereof take such fast root in our hearts that it may fructifie and bring forth fruit to thy Glory and our own good and comfort that we may be the more enabled thereby to walk in they fear in the midst of a wicked and perverse Generation Shower down thy blessings upon the Head and Heart of our gracious King and Queen and upon all the Royal Family Bless O Lord the Ministers Judges and Magistrates of this Land Bless all the people of all degrees and kinds Let thy blessing be upon our Relations Kindred and Freinds and upon all others whom we are bound to pray for in any affliction pain trouble sickness or any other distemper whatsoever Bless them all and bless us and ours and do more for us then we can express unto thee and all we beg in the Name and Words of our blessed Saviour and Redeemer saying Our Father c. A Prayer for a Family for Wednesday Morning MOst gracious Lord God and holy Father thine eyes are more pure than the Son and cannot behold any thing that is unclean the Cherubins and Seraphins cover their faces before thy glorious Majesty the heaven of heavens are not clean in thy sight How then shall earth sinful earth dust and ashes appear before thee we persume not O Lord to come before thy Tribunal to plead for our righteousness for all our righteousness is as filthy rags but we prostrate our selves with all humility of body and soul at thy mercy seat to make confession of our sins Hear Lord and have mercy on us and as thou hast Redeemed us by thy Son so we beseech thee to sanctifie us by thy holy Spirit Mortifie in us every day more and more all sinful lusts and affections and quicken us in all saving graces and vertues