hungry with good things and none of thy Servants dost thou send empty away from thy holy Sanctuary Plant thy Fear in my Heart give me Wisdom and good Understanding and make me to have pleasure in thee and all thy works that â—beying the Precepts of thy hoâ—y Gospel and performing the Conditions of thy Covenant which thou hast established for â—ver in Truth and Equity in Verity and Judgment I may â—orthily praise and adore thy â—oly Name among the Faithful â— this Life and in the Congreâ—ation of Saints in the Life to â—ome through thy Mercies O â—lessed Jesu to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost be â—ll Honour and Glory now and or ever Amen A Prayer for Sunday Evening For Pardon of Sin O Almighty God I acknowledge and confess those many weaknesses and imperâ—ections I am guilty of in my performance of the Dutiâ— of this Day I have called up on thee for the pardon and foâ—giveness of my Sins I havâ— heard thy holy Word but yâ— find my self a very unprofitâ—ble Servant So that O Lord though I have done thy Worâ— I have done it so negligently that I may rather expect thâ— fire of thy Anger than a Bleâ—sing from thee II. But if thou O God should be extream to mark what done amiss O Lord who caâ— abide it or stand before thâ— when thou art angry Remember that I am but dust and asheâ— and the work of thine owâ— hands Pardon I beseech theâ— and pass by all my Sins Neglâ—gences and Ignorances looâ— not upon the weakness of mâ— Flesh but upon the willingness â—f my Spirit and so cover all â—y imperfections with the â—erfect and absolute obedience â—f thy dear Son that those Saâ—rifices offered up by me this day â—ay be by thee accepted in â—nd for that Sacrifice which Christ Jesus offered upon the Cross once for me III. And as I earnestly desire that my Sacrifices may be pleasing and acceptable to thee so let thine Ordinances be profitable to me And as thou hast this day sown â—n my heart the precious seed of thy Word so let neither the Fowls of the Air devour it nor the Cares of the World choak â—it but let the former and the â—atter Rain of thy blessing come often upon it that it may bring forth in me the Fruits of true Repentance and hearty amenâ—ment of Life Pardon my mâ—nifold Sins by which I havâ— provoked thee this very day IV. Be thou unto me a mercifuâ— God in despite of the Snare and Delusions which Sin lays iâ— the way for my Destruction and keep me under the shadow of thy Wings in perpetuaâ— Peace and Safety Bless me thiâ— Night sleeping or waking givâ— thine Angels charge over me that at whatsoever hour thou callest me I may like a faithful Soldier stand ready prepared to encounter Death and to follow the Lamb wheresoever he goeth Grant these things O blessed Father for thy Son Jesus Christ his sake my only Saviour and Redeemer Amen Meditations for Monday Out of the Psalms For a holy Life MY song shall be of mercy and judgment unto thee O â—ord will I sing Let me have unâ—erstanding in the way of godliness When wilt thou come unto me â— will walk iâ— my house with a perâ—ect heart I will take no wicked â—hing I hate the Sins of unfaithâ—ulness there shall no such cleave â—nto me A froward heart shall depart â—rom me I will not know a wickâ—d Person Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour him will I destroy Whoso hath also a proud look and high stomach I will not suffer him There shâ—ll no deceitful person dwell in my house he that telleth â—yes shall not tarry in my sight I shall sâ—on destroy all the ungodly that are in the Land that may root out all wicked doe from the City of the Lord. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. A Prayer for Monday Morning For a Holy Life O God most Holy and Righteous who shewest Mercy unto thousands and hatesâ— nothing thy own hands havâ— made who fillest me with thy loving kindness every Morning and keepest me in Peace and Safety in the Night season II. I confess O Lord that I am altogether Vanity a shadow of Death a dark Dungeon a barren and empty Ground where no Water is but deluges of Wrath and Confusion But O Lord I abhor my self and repent before thee in dust and ashes and as Sins of Infirmity have thrown me down raise me up again I beseech thee by the Gift of Penitence that I may lead a holy Life with all Humility Truth and Justice Godliness and Honesty in this present World III. I bless thy holy Name for thy Care and Protection over me this Night that thou hast safely brought me to the beginning of this day delivering me from the shadow of Death O Lord continue thy wonted goodness towards me this Day and grant that all my Prayers Words Works and Actions may begin and end in thy Glory IV. Keep me O Lord I beseech thee this day without sin and so replenish me with thy Favour and Grace that my heart may rejoyce and delight in thy praises Deliver me O Lord from lying Lips and from a deceitful Tongue keep me from the Snare of the Hunter and from the noisom and infectious Pestilence from deadly Vexation mortal Sickness and sudden Death V. Protect me in the day of my Trouble give me a contented Mind which may remain unto me a continual Feast in whatsoever changes or chances may befall me in this transitory Life Grant that I may yield up my self to thy good Pleasure in all things and be obedient unto those holy Commandments which thou hast appointed for my Rule and Guide So that at the last I may find that in keeping thy Holy Laws there is great Reward Grant this O heavenly Father for thy Son's sake my only Redeemer Amen A Prayer for Monday Noon For Forgiveness of Sins O God the searcher of all hearts and from whom no secrets are hid but are laid open to thine all-seeing Eye I here acknowledge my Sins unto thee and mine Iniquities which are many in number I come unto thee O Lord who art the fountain of all goodness and forgivest all those that with hearty Repentance come unto thee Pardon and remit all those Sins which this day I have committed against thy Divine Majesty Purge me with Hyssop and I shall be clean wash me and I shall be whiter than Snow Let the dew of thy Favour and the fire of thy Love blot out all my Sins and purifie my Soul II. Create in me a clean Heart and renew a right Spirit within me Let me not be for ever separated from the sweet refreshings of thy Favourand presence but give me the comfort of thy help again and let thy free Spirit loose me from the bondage of Sin and establish me in the freedom and liberty of the Sons of God So shall I praise thy Name
the Grave I praise thee O Lord from the very bottom of my heart for all thy love and boundless mercy and kindness for thy holy Incarnation Passion Resurrection and Ascention into Heaven and sitting at the right hand of God the Father where thou makest Intercession for me II. In thy merits I beseech thee to look upon me thou art that living Sacrifice that was offered up for me and in thy Name do I offer up unto thee this my morning Sacrifice evermore praising thee and magnifying thy holy Name Mortifie in me all fleshly Corruptions quicken me in the inner Man By the power of thy death let me die unto Sin and by the power of thy Resurrection let me rise to Righteousness and newness of Life Let the one as an antidote expel the poison of Ungodlyness and the other as a restorative excite me to Holiness III. Enlighten my Understanding that I may know thy Will reform my Life that I may do all things aright and to discern Good and Evil. Teach me to fear thy Name to neglect all things in regard of thee to be grieved at my own and others Sins but rejoyce exceedingly whensoever I can please thee Let me this Day labour that whatsoever I do may be pleasing in thy sight as I am thy Servant let me depend upon thee and as I am a Christian walk worthy of my Vocation and Calling IV. Be gracious and favourable unto the whole Church and bless every particular Member thereof be good to the light of our Eyes the breath of our Nostrils thy Solomon our gracious King bless thine own Tribe the Tribe of Levi the Nobility Gentry and Commonalty and let thy Peace rest upon those that pray for our Peace wheresoever dispersed over the Face of the whole Earth Lord keep me the remaining part of this Day in thy Truth and give me Peace and true Faith in thee now and for evermore Amen A Prayer for Thursday Noon For God's Blessing on our Endeavours O Eternal and most gracious God who though thou art ever infinite yet enlargest thy self by the number of our Prayers and takest our often Petitions to thee to be an addition to thy Glory so great is thy Humility toward poor Mortals I most humbly beseech thee O Lord that thine Eyes may continually attend upon me and thy Grace daily defend me from all danger succour cherish and comfort me in my Necessities and govern all my counsels Studies and Labours so that I may spend this Day according to thy blessed Will and the discharge of my own Conscience that warily avoiding all things that may displease thee and setting always before my Eyes thy Fear I may by the assistance of thy heavenly Grace and the guidance of thy holy Spirit work that which is acceptable and pleasing unto thee unto thy Praise and Glory for ever Amen A Prayer for Thursday Night For Deliverance from Sudden Death O Lord most holy the giver of all good things and the protector of all those that love thee I give thee most humble and hearty thanks nor only for thy preservation of me this day but all my life O Lord forgive me the Offences I have committed against thee this Day blot out all my sins with the blood of thy dear Son â—esus Christ and I beseech thee for his sake remember them no more II. Vouchsafe O Lord to extend thine accustomed goodness and protection over me this Night that I may peaceably and quietly take my rest which thou hast appointed for the refreshing of my wearied and weak body and I beseech thee to defend me that nothing hurt me keep me also good Lord from sudden and unprovided Death and preserve me by the guard of thy holy Angels that I may enjoy my rest this Night in thee until the Morning and then give my self to the fulfilling of my Duty the discharge of my Employment and the working of thy will unto my life's end III. In whose Name I referr my self wholly to the Almighty Protection even in the Name of thy blessed Son Jesus Christ the Righteous beseeching thee that when this Life shall have an end and my last sleep being come I may take my everlasting Rest with thee in thy heavenly Kingdom for the which Kingdom I do heartily beseech thee of thine inestimable goodness to fit and prepare me and all other thy Servants to the attainment of the same for the glory of thy holy Name and the everlasting comfort of our own Souls Amen Meditations for Friday THe Lord even the most mighty God hath spoken and called the world from the rising up of the Sun unto the going down thereof Out of Sâ—on hath God appeared in perfect beauty Our God shall comâ— and shall not keep silence there shâ—ll go before him a consuming firâ— and a mighty tempest shall be stirred up round about him He shall call the Heaven from above and the Earth that he mâ—y judge his People Gather my Saints together unto me those that have made a Covenant with me with Sacrifice And the Heavens shâ—ll declare his Righteousness for God is Judge himself Hear O my People and I will speak I my self will testifie against thee O Israel for I am God even thy God I will not reprove thee because of thy Sacrifices or for thy Burnt-offerings because they were not always before me I will take no Bullock out of thine house nor He-goats out of thy fold For all the Beasts of the Forest are mine and so are the Cattle upon a thousand hills I know all the Fowls upon the mountains and the wild Beasts of the field are in my sight If I be hungry I will not tell thee for the whole world is mine and all that is therein Thinkest thou that I will eat Bulls flesh and drink the blood of Goats Offer unto God thanksgiving and pay thy vows unto the most highest And call upon me in the time of trouble so will I hear thee and thou shalt praise me But unto the ungodly said God why dost thou preach my Laws and takest my Covenant in thy mouth Whereas thou hatest to be reformed and hast cast my Words behind thee When thou sawest a thief thou consentedst unto him and hâ—st been partaker with the Adulterers Thou hast let thy mouth speak wickedness and with thy tongue thou hast set forth deceit Thou satest and spakest against thy Brother yea and hast slandered thine own Mother's Son These things hast thou done and I held my tongue and thou thoughtest wickedly that I am even such a one as they self but I will reprove thee and set before thee the things that thou hast done O consider this ye that forgâ—t God lest I pluck you away and there be none to deliver you Whoso offereth me thanks and praise he honoureth me and to him that ordereth his conversatition aright will I shew the salvation of God Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. A Prayer for
Friday Morning A Confession of Sins O Most mighty and merciful God I presume to present my self this Morning before thy Divine Majesty to offer up unto thee this my early sacrifice but in the performance of it I make known my unworthiness and disclose my Weakness and exceedingly discover my imperfections and wretchedness II. For alas I draw near unto thee with my lips but my heart is far from thee I call upon thee with my tongue but my soul at the same time commits wickedness against thee My righteousness comes short of the Scribes and Pharisees and are but as filthy Rags my holiness but as a morning Dew yea all my actions of Devotion if weighed in thy Balance are but abomination in thy sight From the soal of the Foot unto the crown of the Head I am altogether polluted and unclean yea nothing to be found in me but wounds and putrefied sores imprinted and stamped into my soul and flesh by the custom of my Sin â— My Eyes are full of Vanity my Ears full of â—niquity my Hands of Impurity my Will perverse to that which is Good my Remembrance affable â—nd pleasing to that which is Evil my Understanding is darkned my Conscience seared my Head full of mischief my feet swift to shed blood Destruction and Wickedness are in all my ways and the way of Peace have I not known IV. Since then O Lord that my Sins are so great and grievous against thy Law and against thy Gospel if thou shouldest be so extream as to mark against me what I have done amiss who is able to abide it If thou shouldst call me suddenly to a strict account how should I shew my Face If I deny waht is laid to my charge my Conscience will accuse me If I forswear the dumb and senseless Creatures will bear witness against me V. Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is no Friend in the Earth beneath which I have in comparison of thee no other Mediator amongst Men and Angels but even thine only begotten Son Christ Jesus in whom only thou art well pleased by the virtue of whose Death and Passion and the remembrance of whose precious blood which trickled down from his side wash me from my sins and besprinkle my polluted Heart from an evil Conscience VI. And I beseech thee O Lord not only to wash away my sins with the blood of thine immaculate Lamb but also to purge my heart by thine only Spirit from the dross of my natural Corruptions that I may feel thy Spirit more and more killing Sin in the power practice thereof so that I may with more freedom of mind and liberty of will serve thee the ever living God in Righteousness and Holiness this Day and all the days of my Life for evermore Amen A Prayer for Friday Noon For God's Direction O Lord most holy I beseech thee to direct all my ways correct my wanderings and erect my wild and worldly Thoughts unto thee the God of my Salvation Learn me that divine Art of living in thy Fear to labour in thy Service and evermore run swiftly in the ways of thy Commandments Direct my Thoughts Words and Works preserve and bless me in my going out and coming in and grant that whatsoever my heart shall think my tongue utter or my hands exercise this day may tend to the glory of thy holy Name the good of others and the comfort of my own Conscience II. End these sinful days O blessed Redeemer and hasten thy coming and give me Grace to stand ready prepared to meet thee who art the sweet Bridegroom of my Soul that at thy coming whether it be by the hour of Death or at the day of Judgment I may joyfully pronounce those blessed words of Come Lord Jesus come quickly III. Deliver me O Lord from all those heavy Judgments which hang over my head as due unto me for my Transgressions separate them as far from thy presence in distance as the East is from the West bury them all in thy Grave that they neither rise to shame me in this Life nor condemn me in the World to come To whom be ascribed for thine infinite Mercy all Honour Praise and Glory from this time forth and for evermore Amen A Prayer for Friday Night Against carnal Security O Merciful Father I here prostrate my self in all humility and reverence of heart and mind beseeching thee to guide and protect me this Night with thy blessed Spirit and though my sinful flesh shall slumber and sleep yet grant that my Soul may continually â—e vigilant II. Let not the Enemy come upon me unawares and find me slumbering or sleeping as rocked in the Cradle of carnal Security lest I being unarm'd and destitute of thy favour and help he enter into the House of my sinful Body and their takes possession of my leprous Soul and endanger both to be thrown into the Lake which burneth with Fire and Brimstone III. Make me to consider that my Bed is but a pattern of the Grave and that when I lay my self down in it I cannot rise up unless thy heavenly Providence enables me Teach me to acknowledge that sleep is the very Figure and Image of Death to whose stroak at thy appointed time I must submit and resign my self endue me with Love and Charity to all Men let my Lamp O Lord be filled with fresh Oil that whensoever thy Messenger Death approaches and knocks at the Gate of this mortal Body I may at his Summons in the day of the Resurrection of the Dead be ready to attend on thee my Bride with my Lamp burning IV. Let me be ever mindful of the great and last day wherein I must render an account of every idle thought word and work and grant I may be prepared with Faith and Repentance as with a Wedding-Garment against the time that thou O Lord shalt call for me out of this sinful World In the mean time let me fly from Sin as from a Serpent and from unrighteousness as from a Cockatrice and above all things seek thy Glory and when this mortal Life is ended I may be made partaker of Immortality and Life Eternal in thy most blessed and glorious Kingdom V. Let thy Mercy and Loving-kindness follow me O Lord all the days of my Life that I may dwell in thy House and evermore praise thy holy Name grant that I may in the acknowledgment of thy greatness confess my own unworthiness and visit me O Lord by driving from me all the Assaults of my Enemies both ghostly and bodily VI. Let thy holy Angel be with me to keep me this Night and evermore fit me for the duties of the next day if it be thy heavenly will to spare me this Night this O Lord I beg at thy merciful Hands through the Merits and Mediation of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost now and for ever Amen Meditations for Saturday I Will cry
from us all Ignorance and Negligence and prevent all those things that thou knowest may hinder us in our Christian Calling or Employment Encrease our Faith Patience and Obedience and let thy Blessing be upon this whole Family guide us in thy Truth protect us in our Ways and all those whom thou hast made dear unto us whether they be present or absent IV. Give us Grace by thy Chastisements to fear thee more carefully and to grieve for our sins more heartily let our minds be set upon thee and give us such hearts as we may learn something of every thing and make a Spiritual use of all our Earthly Affairs here till we come to dwell with thee in the Kingdom of Glory V. Bless O Lord the universal Church with Truth Peace and Unity Soundness of Doctrine and holy Discipline Preserve our gracious Sovereign and all the Royal Family Bless his Majesty's most honourable Privy Council and all others in Authority with necessary Graces VI. Bless all Schools of Learning and good Education especially the two Universities of this Land Bless this City and Place wherein we live remove the Punishment due for the Sins thereof and give them a double portion of thy Grace to repent in time before the Destroyer enters again amongst them VII Bless all our Friends Relations or others for whom thou hast appointed us to make Prayers and Supplications strengthen them that lie upon their Beds of Sickness send them the comfort and help of thy Spirit that lie in anguish of Conscience for remorse of Sin and convert all those that go astray from thy Commandments teach us by their Examples to view our own Weakness and to walk more circumspectly for the time to come VIII Bless this Family with Grace and Peace that all of them from the highest to the lowest may know their several Duties and may rightly and duly practise the same in thy fear and unto thy glory through Jesus Christ our only Lord and Saviour Amen An Evening Prayer for a Private Family OEternal God the Father of Mercies and great Creator of Heaven and Earth we render thee humble and hearty Thanks for thy merciful Preservation of us this Day and all the whole course of our Lives that thou hast brought us safe through so many Dangers and Difficulties we might justly have fallen into had not thy Arm of Providence been stretched out to support us II. Morning and Evening thou takest care of us and heapest upon us so many Blessings and Benefits both Spiritual and Temporal yet we neither fear thee nor serve thee as we ought to do but thou art a God slow to anger and of great pity and art ready to forgive our manifold Sins which we from time to time have committed against thee III. Good Lord we beseech thee keep us evermore from day to day as thou hast done and make us constant in the profession of thy holy Name and the practise of thy Law that neither the Malice of Man nor Subtilty of Satan be able to make us turn away from thee Lord turn thy Face from our Sins even from those Sins wherein we have so much delighted take from us those hearts of Stone and give us hearts of Flesh and wash and cleanse our poluted Souls in the Blood of the Lord Jesus IV. Forgive us all that is past and grant us the assurance of that Forgiveness sealed up by the holy Spirit in our Consciences Oh kindle thy love more and more in our hearts that we may never depart from thee but attain unto a due thankfulness for thy benefits and a most unfeigned and earnest Repentance for all our Sins and Tranfgressions V. Suffer us not to close our Eyes till our Souls have reckoned and made even for all the Offences which not only this day but all the former minutes of our lives we have committed against thy divine Majesty Give thine Angels charge over us that at what hour soever thou callest us out of this Vale of Tears where we do but travail and toil all the day long we may not be found to be idle Loiterers in thy Harvest but good and acceptable Servants having Oil in our Lamps and on us the Robe of Righteousness and Wedding-Garment of Regeneration that we may be able to encounter Death the King of Terrors to meet our blessed Lord in the Clouds when he cometh to Judgment and to follow the Lamb wheresoever he goeth VI. Expel and remove far away from us all wicked Spirits and graciously protect us from our Persecutors which lay Snares to subdue us do thou O God assist us that we may peaceably sleep and rest in thee hide us in thy Tabernacle from the strife of all Men and keep us that we may fear no Evil. O thou that neither slumberest nor sleepest let thy Rod and Staff evermore comfort and defend us VII Let thy mighty Hand and stretched out Arm O Lord be still our Defence thy Mercy and Loving-kindness in thy beloved Son our Salvation thy true and holy Word our Instruction thy Grace and holy Spirit our Comfort and Consolation Let thy Mercy O God prevent and follow us all the days of our Lives that we may dwell in thy House of Defence in length of days praising thee evermore VIII Let thy Blessing be upon all of us within this Houshold guide us in our Ways and lead us into thy Truth Bless our Parents Kindred and Friends wheresoever dispersed and howsoever linked unto us Be a merciful Judge unto us and continually protect us from the snares of Satan the Old Serpent and finally conduct us into the society of Angels and of all Saints in thy holy Paradise to whom be ascribed as is most due to thee the Father Son and Holy Ghost one true gracious and everlasting God all Honour Power and Glory Might Majesty and Dominion now and for evermore Amen Meditations for the Sick O Lord rebuke me not in thine Indignation neither chasten me in thy heavy Displeasure Have mercy upon me O Lord for I am weak O Lord heal me for my Bones are vexed My Soul is also sore troubled But Lord how long wilt thou punish me Turn thee O Lord and deliver my Soul O save me for thy mercies sake For in death no Man remembreth thee and who will give thee thanks in the Pit I am weary of my groaning every night wash I my Bed and water my Couch with my Tears My Beauty is gone for very trouble and worn away because of all mine Enemies Away from me all ye that work Vanity for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping The Lord hath heard my Petition the Lord will receive my Prayer Hearken unto my voice O Lord when I cry unto thee have mercy upon me and hear me O hide not thou thy face from me nor cast thy Servant away in Displeasure Thou hast been my succour leave me not neither forsake me O God of my Salvation What profit is there in my blood
when I go down to the Pit Shall the dust give thanks unto thee or shall it declare thy truth Hear O Lord and have mercy upon me Lord be thou my helper Shew thy Servant the light of thy Countenance and save me for thy mercies sake Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. A Prayer in time of Sickness O Almighty and ever-living God in whose hands consists the life of all Mankind and who correctest every Son whom thou receivest mercifully I humble beseech thee to hear my voice and despise not the Prayer I make now unto thee in the time of trouble In the vexation of my Spirit and in the very anguish of my Soul I cry unto thee for mercy II. O thou that hast created and made me of nothing and hast redeemed me from the slavery of Sin Death and Hell by the most precious Blood of thy dear Son Jesus Christ which was spilt upon the Cross for my Sins Have mercy upon me Bow down thine all-hearing Ear unto my complaint and cast me not away in thy fierce anger III. My Sins cry aloud to Heaven for Vengeance and I have deserved thy wrath and heavy displeasure against me Thou hast cast me down upon the Bed of Sickness and I begin to fall as leaves beaten with a vehement wind yet thy Chastisments are less than my deservings but of thy mercy and goodness O Lord correct me not to death but to amendment of Life for thine own sake for thy holy Name 's sake for thy Son Christ Jesus sâ—ke be merciful unto my Sins for they are great IV. Spare thy Servant good Lord which confesseth his Sins unto thee pour the Oil of thy sanctifying Grace into my Heart and work thereby in me a true and immediate Repentance and restore me again to thy favour according to thy gracious Promise to humble Penitents let thy merciful Providence so guide and govern me in this affliction thou hast been pleased to lay upon me that I may never fall into utter darkness ignorance of thee or inconsideration of my self V. Let the faintness of my Spirit and the Condemnation of my self be overcome by thy irresistable Light thou that art the God of all consolation grant that I may be mindful of the great account I have to make at the day of Judgment and that I may bear in mind the reward which is due to the faithful the end of misery and the beginning of all happiness but to the secure and careless the beginning of eternal punishment VI. Strengthen my Faith accept my penitential Tears speak peace to my Soul and Conscience and say Thou art my Salvation then let thy holy Spirit descend into my Heart with this express My Grace is sufficient for thee then shall my Heart leap for joy and my Soul shall be exceeding glad desiring to be dissolved and be at peace that after this frail mortal Life is ended I may enjoy the eternal fruition of they heavenly Presence VII Suffer me not O Lord in this my trial to be possess'd with a fear of Condemnation or to despond of thy Promises but in sure considence of heart apply to my self the remission of all my Sins that at the last hour by Faith in Jesus Christ I may enjoy a tast of eternal Salvation Let not Death if thou art pleased to send it be terrible or bitter unto me but when it cometh I may rejoicingly receive the fame and having escaped the storm of Temptation and the dangers of Satan I may triumph like a Conqueror and behold the Power and Presence of thy holy Spirit VIII Let my last words be the same which thy Son did utter upon the Cross saying Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit and when my Speech is departed from me hear the groanings and sighs of my Heart and the desire of my Soul that at the last thy Servant may depart in Peace and reach those heavenly Mansions prepared for him My Soul O Lord heartily desireth to attain to that supernatural City whereof such glorious things are spoken IX Breathe inward Comforts to my Heart tho' my Body be going the way of all Flesh yet let my Soul go the way of all Saints Lord hear me and help me stand by me and save me and if thou hast determined to lay my Body into the Grave receive my Soul into thy Kingdom to rest in joy and peace for evermore through Jesus Christ Amen A Prayer to be said by those that visit the Sick O Most gracious God who hast Compassion upon all Men and hatest nothing that thou hast made mercifully we beseech thee to have Compassion on this thy Servant who by thy Visitation hath been sorely afflicted and by the same even brought to the end of his Days and period of his Life be pleased therefore good Lord to have Mercy upon him accept of him as the work of thine own Hands a Lamb of thy Fold thy Servant redeemed by Jesus Christ who is willing by thy appointment to leave this miserable World in full assurance of thy Mercy in Jesus Christ for the remission of his Sins II. Guide him good Lord in this his last Journey that he being quit of all the troubles of this transitory Life he may be safely conducted by thy power to the Heaven of Eternal Happiness into the Arms of boundless Mercy to everlasting Peace and perpetual Joys there to reign with all the Company of blessed Saints and Angels with thee in continual Bliss for evermore III. And gracious God we beseech thee by thy abundant Goodness by the multitude of thy tender Mercies and Compassions by the Merits of thy bitter Death and bloody Passion by thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension and by the Coming of thy holy blessed Spirit have mercy upon him deliver him from the burthen and guilt of his Sins from the fears and terrors of Death and from the fury and power of Hell IV. Lift thou up the light of thy Countenance upon him that in all the pains of his Body in all the agonies of his Spirit let thy Comforts refresh his Soul and enable him patiently to wait till his Change shall come And grant O Lord that when this earthly House and Tabernacle of his Body shall be dissolv'd he may have a Building of God an House not made with hands eternal in the Heavens and that for his sake who by his most precious Blood hath purchased Salvation for all those who truly believe in him even Jesus Christ our only Lord and Saviour Amen Meditations after Recovery Psal 116. 1. I Am well pleased that the Lord hath heard the voice of my Prayer 2. That he hath enclined his Ear unto me therefore will I call upon him as long as I live 3. The Snares of Death compassed me round about and the Pains of Hell got hold upon me 4. I shall find trouble and heaviness and I shall call upon the Name of the Lord O Lord I
proceed in my Service that the Glass of my Time may run out with Pleasure and I in the end shall be made Free of that City of thine the New Jerusalem where I may rest for evermore Amen The Maid's Prayer O Holy Lord God let thine Handmaid speak in thine Audience and hearken unto her when she calleth upon thee though I know not how to ask aright yet teach me the knowledge of thee and how to beg those things that are requisite and necessary for me Inlighten my Soul with thy divine Inspiration that I may see and do those things that appertain unto Godliness Let me keep my honest Reputation in the Eye of the World knowing that a good Name is better than precious Ointment But especially in thy sight let me be pure honest and undefiled so shall I not be ashamed in the great Day of Account Defend me from Sin Satan and the Poison of evil Tongues assist me with thy directing hand that the labours which this day I am to undertake may prosper grant me Grace to love honour and serve thee in Holiness and Righteousness all my days that I may glorifie thy holy Name through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer for one afflicted in Mind O Eternal Lord God who art fearful in Praises doing Wonders I tremble and am even at Death's Door for alas I am the vilest of all Sinners my Conscience is so clogged with Evil that I cannot look up my Wickednesses have gone over my Head and are as a burthen too heavy for me to bear my Spirit is sorrowful my Heart is heavy my words are stopp'd with Sighs and my Plaints watred with Tears O Lord what shall I desire of thee that deserve nothing at thy Hand What can I hope for that am even hopeless My Conscience is restless and my Ungodliness fettereth me and even all my unrighteous Actions cry out for Vengeance against me my Spirit is overwhelmed and weary of this Bondage and I have bid my life farewell II. O but let thy Majesty O Lord yet appear in thy Mercy forgive my Sin the unhappy ground of all this woe Where my misery hath thus abounded there let thy Mercy much more abound I dare not add this grievous Sin unto my other Sins to despair of thy Mercy What were more Sacrilegious for thou art a skilful Physician and canst cure all my Infirmities thou art a merciful God and canst forgive all my Sins To thee do I fly for refuge which art the Land of Safety to thee do I lift up my Hands and my Heart and to thee do I pray desiring thy Mercy Let the power of thy Son's Death and Passion defeat all the Devices of the Devil against me III. Instruct me in thy heavenly Wisdom lead me in thy Truth in this dangerous Sea of Discontentment and Affliction keep me from shipwrack and bring me safe to the Land of Peace-Strengthen my Faith sanctifie all those good means unto me wherein I seek relief as Prayer Conference Reading and hearing thy holy Word Mitigate my Perplexities grant me Patience heal my Imperfections Thou that wilt not break a bruised Reed spare and have Mercy upon me Thou that delightest not in the death of a Sinner receive me Though my Heart condemns me yet do thou release me O Lord hear O Lord forgive O Lord defer not but even now speak peace unto me say unto my Soul I am thy Salvation to whom be ascribed all Honour and Glory World without end Amen A Thanksgiving for God's sending his Son to save Mankind O Almighty and most merciful Lord God we might utterly despair and be cast down considering our manifold Sins and infinite Offences had not thy Word been made Flesh and dwelt among us but now we dare not despair for if when we were Enemies we were reconciled unto thee by the Death of thy Son how much more being reconciled are we saved by his Life All our hope and all our confidence is reposed in that precious Blood which was shed for us and for our Salvation II. O how greatly are we wretches bound to fear thee to love thee to bless and praise thee to honour thee and to glorifie thee seeing we are redeemed at such a price saved with such a gift cherished with so many promises and blessings of the same even thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ Stablish O God that which thou hast wrought in us finish what thou hast begun that we may be able to come into the fulness of thy Mercy make us through thy holy Spirit to understand and through thy Son to discern and with due honour and reverence this high Mystery of Godliness which is how God was manifest in the Flesh justified in the Spirit seen of Angels preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the World and received up into Glory where we doubt not but we shall Reign with him for evermore Amen The Prayer of a Woman with Child O God the Creator and Redeemer of all Mankind Comforter of all that call upon thee and the only deliverer of such as are in danger be merciful I beseech thee and look down in mercy from thy throne upon me thine Handmaid and upon the Fruit of my Womb behold I seek and sue unto thee for a Blessing at this time my Sin is great my Danger at hand not small my Pains to come will be grievous and my Life is now most uncertain II. Assure me I beseech thee of the forgiveness of all my Sins mitigate my Fear and asswage my Sorrows strengthen me with the refreshing 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 III. O Lord I know not how soon my Travail will overtake me when I must encounter with Life or Death one drop of thy Mercy hath sovereign 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 preserve me that I perish not and bless the work of my Midwife IV. Let not the Child yet unborn the Babe in my Womb be punished for mine Offences but give it growth form and what thou seest in thy good pleasure to be fit and necessary for it and when the time is come that thou wilt call it out of this close house of flesh where it now inhabiteth to dwell in the open World sanctifie thy Creature make it by Baptism a Member of thy Church a Lamb of thy Flock and direct it in the ways of thy Commandments to its Life's End Amen The Midwife's Prayer MOst gracious God who alone hast the power to produce Children from the Womb and bring them into the light of this World I thy most unworthy Servant whom thou hast appointed for this
Pyrates and Robbers preserve us from Lightning Tempest and Captivity hold the Winds in thy right hand and the Waves in thy left keep us from Thunder whose fearful Crack may rend us in pieces save us in the bitterness of Frost Hail Ice Snow or Whirlwind let us be prepared for Death and meditate upon those things that concern our better Life II. Send us the Prayers of those that are upon Land and bless all our Friends that are now parted from us Save our Souls from the great Leviathan whose Jaws are ready to devour us Make good our Provision for Bodily Sustenance as well as Furniture for our Ships Let thy Peace be amongst us save us succour and defend us O Lord thou Anchor of our Hope for thy Glory and for thy Name 's sake to whom be Praise and Glory World without end Amen A Thanksgiving for a safe arrival upon the Land after a Storm O Almighty God who hast now delivered me out of the Prison of the raging Sea and brought me to a Port of rest O make me truly thankful unto thee for this thy favour and mercy and in thy due time lead me also from out of the troublesome Sea of this World unto the longed for Haven and eternal Bliss and Happiness Thou hast brought me out of a great deal of danger which I was liable to whilst I was amongst the boisterous Waves and foaming Billows of the Waters I am subject O Lord every hour to as many Perils being now at Land how secure so ever I may think my self to be my feet are still slipping into the Grave I beseech thee to uphold me to save preserve and keep me that I may still glorifie thee the God of my Salvation II. Give me Wisdom Sobriety and Temperance when I now come amongst my old Lovers Friends Cause me to make a right use of those things which I have observed and beheld in Foreign Parts free my Soul and Conscience from any stain of Corruption and Infection which may hurt or destroy me keep me in all my ways send me Health and all things necessary for this Life that having passed the Waves of this troublesome World I may at last safely arrive at the harbour of everlasting rest through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer for Rain BLessed Lord who commandest the former and the latter Rain who in the time of Elias didst so shut up the Flood-gates of Heaven that it rained not on the Earth for the space of Three Years and six Months and yet when he prayed the Heaven gave Rain and the Earth brought forth her Fruit behold us thy People who mourn for want of moisture the Rivers of Waters are dried up and the Trees of the Field are withered send now we beseech thee a gracious Rain upon thine Inheritance and refresh it now it is weary make the Springs as Milk to moisten and to water the Valleys so shall the Earth bring forth her increase our Land have a plentiful supply and our Garners be furnished with store our Baskets shall be replenished our Cattle increased and thy holy Name for ever magnified II. We do confess and acknowledge O Lord that our Sins call for nothing but death and destruction and considering our deservings we cannot expect any blessing at thy hands Pardon we beseech thee what is past give us Obedience and Grace to do thy Will for the time to come and to satisfie the lawful desires of us thy Servants that we may not be wanting of our Food and daily Bread but may be pâ—rtakers of thy heavenly Blessings and wait upon thee for our Meat in due season Oppress us not with too much Poverty O Lord neither puff us up with too much Plenty but give us a competent store of things necessary for this life and grace to use them soberly to thy glory and our comfort through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer for fair Weather O Lord God who feedest with thy blessing every living thing and satisfiest the lawful desires of thy Servants with thy bountiful Goodness we wretched Sinners unworthy of the least of thy Benefits humbly beseech thee that thine Anger may cease which is threatned against us by this Rain and Tempest Defend us from those Evils which we are now likely to suffer make our Habitations like the Land of Goshen in the times of the Plagues of Aegypt Cause not the Waters O God thus to swell let not thy thunder go forth against us II. Preserve our Bodies Houses and Goods keep us from Deluge and Inundation and shew us some speedy token of Peace Send us a Remedy in this our presâ—nt misery turn our Dearth into Cheapness and our Scarcity into Plenty Give a blessing to that which we shall reap bless our store furnish us wherewithal to relieve others let not thy hand be shortned at this time but rebuke the Wind and Storm that we may have a pleasant Calm III. At thy Word O Lord the Mountains smoak the Heavens tremble and the Earth quakes at thine Anger the Sea roareth and makes a noise and the fearful Depths are broken down and troubled thou commandest the Clouds and they obey O shut them up for a time and let thy punishing Angel be no more seen Hear us O Lord in these our Prayers that with joyful and thankful Hearts we may sing Praises unto thee who rulest all things world without end Amen A Prayer of a Child before he goes to School ALmighty God who has promised that out of the mouths of Babes and Sucklings thou wilt have thy Wonders expressed behold I am a Child and cannot speak unto thee or call upon thee as I should but open thou my Lips that my Mouth may shew forth thy Praise Pour into my Lips the Waters of the Well of Life that I may learn those things that may lead me unto the knowledge of thy holy Laws II. Let me remember thee my Creator in the days of my youth while the evil days come not Teach me O Lord how to lead my life according to the Rule of Godliness Make me obedient to my Parents dutiful to my Teachers proud towards no man but rightly affectioned towards all People Add unto me length of Days supply me with vertues guide my feet in thy ways direct my mind sanctifie my stuâ—ies govern all my actions preserve my Body in health my Soul from uncleanness take from me all dulness and incapacity that may hinder my growth in knowledge and bring me to life everlasting through Jesus Christ my only Lord and Saviour Amen A Prayer in time of War O Eternal God who rulest and beholdest all the World and hast many times miraculously preserved defended us we beseech thee to shew thy power in these needful and perillous times whilst there is nothing but Wars and rumours of Wars amongst us Save us O Lord our God from our Enemies and put them to shame that hate us turn the weapons of our Adversaries and their
and evermore sing of thy Righteousness in the Congregation of thy redeemed ones now henceforth and for ever Amen A Prayer for Monday Night For Preservation O Lord most Holy I praise and magnifie thy holy Name for preserving of me this Day both in Soul and Body O thou who art Alpha and Omega bless and defend me with thy heavenly Grace this Night let my rest be in thee and grant that neither much sleep overwhelm me nor Satan invade me though my Eyes sleep yet O Lord keep my Heart waking lest the subtle Tempter overtake me and I sleep in perpetual silence Keep me in the arms of thy Providence give sleep to my Eyes and slumber unto my Eye-lids compass me about and raise me up again to the joyful sight of the â—ext Morning Light and aâ—ter this miserable Life is ended grant that in thy Light I may see Light for evermore Meditations for Tuesday For defence of our Innocencâ— and against the malice of our Enemies O Lord my God in thee have I put my trust Save me from all them that persâ—cute me and deliver me Lest he devour my Soul like a Lion and tear it in pieces while there is none to help O Lord my God if I have done any such thing oâ—â—f there be any wickedness in my hands If I have rewarded evil unto him that dâ—alâ— friendly with â—e yea I have delivered him that without any cause is mine Enemy Then let 〈◊〉 Enemy persâ—cute my Sâ—uâ— and take me Yea let him â—ead my life down upon the Earth and lâ—y mine honour in the dust Stand up O Lord in thy wrâ—th and lift up thy self because of the indignation of mine Enemies arise up fâ—r me in the judgment that thou hast commanded And so shâ—ll the Congregation of the people come about thee For their sakes therefore lift up thy selâ— again The Lord shall judge the people Give sentence with me O Lord according to my righteousnesâ— and accordâ—ng to the innocencâ— that is in me O let the wickedness of the ungodly come to an end but guide thou the just For the righteous God trieth the very heart and reins My Help cometh of God which preserveth them that are true of heart God is a righteous Judge strong and patient and God is provoked every day If a man will not turn he will whet his sword he hath bent his bow and made it ready He hath prepared for him the instruments of death he ordained his arrows against the persecutors Behold he travaileth with mischief he hath conceived sorrow and brought forth ungodliness He hath graven and digged up a pit and is fallen himself into the destruction that he made for others For his travail shall come upon his own head and his wickedness shall fall upon his own pate I will give thanks unto the Lord according to his righteousness and will praise the Name of the Lord the most High Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. A Prayer for Tuesday Morning For Protection from our Enemies O Almighty God who art a strong rock of defence to all those who trust in thee deliver me I beseech thee from those Mouths who like Lions roaring for their Prey seek to devour me Abate their Pride asswage their Malice and confound their Devices save me from the hands of all those who seek to do me evil and let their wickedness and Hellish contrivance come utterly to an end for evermore II. I magnifie thy holy Name for thy preservation of me this Night Grant that I may walk this Day according to thy heavenly will in all things not returning evil for good but on the contrary good for evil Disperse from me all clouds of Envy Hatred or Malice which seem to hover over me and though heaviness may endure for a Night yet O Lord let thy Joy and light of thy countenance appear in the Morning III. Give me Grace not to rejoice in any thing that displeaseth thee but evermore to delight in those things which are most pleasing to thee be they never so disagreeable to my desires Defend me O Lord from all shame and disgraces of this life mortifie all the corrupt affections that are in me and pardon the innumerable Sins which I have committed Bless preserve and keep me this Day by thy power from sin shame and all evil and so direct me by thy â—ace that all my thoughts words and works may please â—hee through the merits of Jesus Christ my only Lord and Saviour Amen A Prayer for Tuesday Noon For God's Grace and Favour O God most Holy who guidest and governest all those that trust in thee I beseech thee defend me daily cherish comfort govern and counsel me in all my enterprises so that I may employ this Day and all the days of my Life according to thy blessed will setting thee always before my eyes and aiming at thy Glory II. Let me earnestly seek and find thee O my hearts desire and let me hold thee fast whom my Soul loveth let me enjoy thee O my spiritual comfort in all my faculties even in my heart let me possess thee Be thou for ever present with me in all my undertakings let thy Favour refresh me and thy Grace which is sufficient for me support me though I walk through this valley and shadow of Death I may fear no Evil while thy rod and thy staff comfort me III. Convert and turn the hearts of those which seek to do me Evil and do hate me without a cause keep me from their anger which is fierce and from the wrath of them which are cruel and bring them down in their high imaginations lest they be too proud Grant that the remaining part of this Day I may walk in thy Fear so that at the last I may enter into thy Glory through the merits of Jesus Christ my only Saviour Amen A Prayer for Tuesday Night Of Thanksgiving for God's Mercies I Render thee most humble and hearty Thanks for thy Preservation of me this Day and relieving me according to my several Necessities Thou hast this Day past defended me from all Danger given me my daily Bread and hourly breath continue still I beseech thee thy undeserved Mercies towards me and accept this my Evening Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving II. Let not the meanness of my Devotion cause thee to turn away thine Eyes from me but according to thine accustomed kindness spare thy Servant good Lord and be not angry with him for ever Preserve me this Night O thou that preservest all the World and taking my natural repose I may through thy protection and ready help be defended both now and evermore Amen Meditations for Wednesday THe Heavens declare the glory of God and the Firmament sheweth his handy-work One day telleth another and one night certifieth another There is neither speech nor language but their voices are heard among them Their sound is gone out into all lands and their words unto
beseech thee deliver my Soul 5. Gracious is the Lord Righteous yea our God is merciful 6. The Lord preserveth the Simple I was in misery and he helped me 7. Turn again then unto thy rest O my Soul for the Lord hath rewarded thee 8. And why thou hast delivered my Soul from Death mine Eyes from Tears and my Feet from falling 9. I will walk before the Lord in the Land of the Living 10. I believed and therefore will I speak but I was sore troubled I said in my hast all Men are Lyars 11. What reward shall I give unto the Lord for all the Benefits that he hath done unto me 12. I will receive the Cup of Salvation and call upon the Name of the Lord. 13. I will pay my Vows now in the presence of all his People right dear in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints 14. Behold O Lord how that I am thy Servant I am thy Servant and the Son of thine Handmaid thou hast broken my Bonds in sunder 15. I will offer to thee the Sacrifice of Thanksgiving and will call upon the Name of the Lord. 16. I will pay my Vows unto the Lord in the sight of all his People in the Courts of the Lord's House even in the midst of thee O Jerusalem Praise the Lord. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. A Thanksgiving after Recovery O Holy and immortal God I Laud and Praise thy holy Name that thou hast been pleased to deliver me from the Jaws of Death and the Pit of Corruption and in some measure restored me again to my former Health crowning me with thy mercy and loving kindness my Soul and all that is within me shall magnifie thee I will praise thee O Lord with my whole Heart and will extol thee O thou that dwellest in the Heavens II. It is thou alone that hast preserved my life from destruction thou didst cast me down upon my Bed of Sickness and hast raised me up again by thy Almighty Power thou hast chastened and corrected me but not given me over unto Death My time is in thy hand O God thou art the God of the Spirits of all Flesh grant that this remnant of Life that thou hast thus graciously spared may be wholly dedicated to thy Service that I may walk before thee in newness and amendment of Life III. O thou that art the only Physician of Soul and Body thou hast once more permitted me to take up my Bed and walk O make me strictly careful as the watches of the Night to be vigilant over all my Thoughts Words and Actions that I may sin no more lest a worse thing happen unto me Let not this great mercy thou hast now given me make me supine and negligent and entertain those Thoughts that my Lord delayeth his coming but grant I beseech thee that I may make a right use of this thy Fatherly Chastisement and employ the remainder of my Life to thy Glory IV. I have found by experience of thine afflicting hand what a dreadful thing it is to be snatched away by the hands of Death without our accompts and unprepared O let it be a perpetual admonition to me to stand upon my Guard and to watch for my Master 's coming and whenever the Pleasures of Sin which endure but for a Season shall present themselves to entice and allure me make me to remember the bitterness of them at last Lord hear me and grant me grace to work out my own Salvation for thy dear Son's sake Amen A Prayer fit to be said at any time O Most glorious and powerful Lord God who createdst all things out of nothing and support'st the whole Universe by thy Providence I confess O Lord I was conceived in Original Sin now full of actual transgressions I was in the Womb a loathsome Substance I am in the World a Lump of Corruption and I shall be in the Grave a prey for Vermin II. But I know blessed Jesus thy Grace is sufficient for me thy Mercy can express it self in my Misery I know and confess O Lord that my Sins are exceeding many mighty and heinous yet thy Mercy is far greater for thou art infinite in mercy but I cannot be infinite in sinning and the Righteousness of Christ Jesus the Righteous is more prevalent for me than my own Unrighteousness can be against my self III. The Fountain of thy Mercy O God hath quenched the fire of thy Justice and graceless Man falling from Goodness is by thee repossessed of Greatness Wherefore I humbly beseech thee O Lord give me the Grace of continual Thankfulness strengthen my Weakness correct my Sinfulness direct my future Frailty and protect me against the Adversary kindle my Zeal enlighten my Understanding soften my stony Heart and save for ever my immortal Soul IV. And though my whole Life O Lord hath been impure and undefiled in thy sight yet through thy precious Blood and Passion by thine all-sufficient Sacrifice Obligation and Satisfaction revert my deserved Punishment and convert my passed Evils to present good and future joys in thine eternal and most glorious Kingdom V. Pardon good Lord my loss of Time my abuse of thy good Creatures my negligence in my lawful Employment my unthankfulness for thy Loving-kindness and whatsoever is wanting in my Person Practice Prayer or Thanksgiving make a supply of it in the Merits of thy Son Christ Jesus to whom with thee and thy blessed Spirit be all Praise and Glory now and evermore Amen Prayers for all Persons and Occasions A Prayer for the Church ALmighty and everlasting God who hast revealed thy Glory both to Jews and Gentiles in our Lord Jesus Christ extend thy hand of Providence and Mercy over all the World that thy Church may spread like a flourishing Vine and enlarge her Borders to the uttermost Parts of the Earth that all Nations partaking of the sweet refreshments of thy Gospel thy Name may be glorified the honour of our Lord Jesus advanced his Prophecies fulfilled and his Coming hastned II. Bless O Lord thy holy Catholick and Apostolick Church with all Blessings of Comfort Assistance and Preservation extirpate Heresies unite her Divisions give her Patience and Perseverance in the Faith and Confession of thy Name in despite of all Enmities Temptations and Disadvantages destroy all wicked Counsels intended or levied against her or any of her Children by the Devil or any of his accursed Instruments let the hands of thy Grace and Mercy lead her from this Vale of Misery to the triumphant Throne of her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Amen A Prayer for the King WE beseech thee O Lord to bless and preserve thy Servant William our most gracious King and Governour with the richest Blessings of thy Grace and Favour make him valiant and prosperous as King David wise and rich like Solomon be unto him a Helmet of Salvation against the Face of his Enemies and a strong Tower
Office to be a help and comfort to all those which are in Extremity and near the time of their Travail do in all humility prostrate my self before thee beseeching thee to vouchsafe me thy divine Assistance in these Performances II. Have Mercy upon me and bless me guide me and govern me in all my Actions prosper all my Undertakings grant that I may be as careful of the Poor as of the Rich that I may do good and not hurt save Life and not destroy it by my negligence help my Infirmities and Imperfections that I may neither be too timorious nor too rash in the performance of my Duty but grant me art and judgment in the happy finishing all my Operations III. Work in me an understanding and a tender Heart and whatsoever else is necessary in my undertakings and mercifully grant O Lord that whensoever my Duty calls me either by Night or Day I may be always prepared preserve and defend me from the infection of all contagious Diseases by thy most gracious Favour grant me a prosperous success that whatsoever I do may tend to thy Glory the comfort and help of all good Women committed to my charge and my own credit through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer to be said by those that are present with a Woman in Travail O Almighty God we are here assembled for the comfort of this Woman who travaileth in pain to be delivered of a Child Through the transgression of our first Parents she cannot be delivered but with great sorrow for thou hast laid thine heavy displeasure upon us sinful Women that in much sorrow shall we bring forth Children yet since thou hast given us Faith in thy Son give us all especially to this Woman thy Servant now in this Extremity patience mitigate her Pains prosper our Work bless our undertakings that by our help she may be delivered and forget her pains because a Child is born into the World IV. We pray unto thee for this Child in her Womb thou hast inrolled it in thy Book thou hast made it in thy Frame the Bones thereof are not hid from thee all the Members of it are written in thy Volume Thou didst visit it at the time of Life visit it now at the hour of Birth that thou maist receive glory by thy works and the Mother gladness in beholding her Infant after all her Sorrows Give her we beseech thee neither a monstrous a maimed nor a dead Birth but as thou hast blessed the Conception of this Infant so bring it with Perfection into the World Hear us O Lord and help this thy weak Servant visit her as thou didst Sarah comfort her as thou didst Rebecca and chear her as thou didst Leah forgive her all her sins and whether she be sure to live or die let her trust in thee and let thine Angels pitch their Tents about her now and for evermore Amen A Thanksgiving by those that are present after Delivery O Eternal God infinite in Mercies towards all thy Sons and Daughters in affliction we desire to praise and magnifie thy holy Name acknowledging thy Goodness to us and thy special favour to this Woman thy Servant We called upon thee and thou heard'st us we petitioned for thy Favour to thine Hand-maid and thou regardedst her we begg'd a Blessing for her Child thou hast blessed it and hast made her a joyful Mother We offer unto thee the Sacrifice of our Lips let our thankfulness ascend up unto thee like a sweet-smelling savour II. Continue thy loving kindness to this thy Servant keep her from all further peril and danger of Child-Bed give her strength to recover her weakness joy to forget her late sorrow and thankfulness that such a Child is come out of her Loins as one day shall inherit the Kingdom of Heaven Give thy Blessing to the Infant now born that it may in due time increase in Wisdom Stature and Favour with God and Man Baptize iâ— with Water and the Holy Ghost endue it with all heavenly Graces defend it against all Dangers provide for it in this mortal Life and crown it in the end with Life everlasting III. Bless us O Lord that are here met together to behold the glory of our Creation and the wonders of our Creator in this little Infant Let us in all Sobriety Chastity and Godliness walk before thee all the Days of our Lives Make us like fruitful Vines and our Children like Olive Branches round about our Tables Let our Husbands rejoice in us and make us careful to love them as thou hast commanded us that thy Kingdom may be increased the Bed undefiled and our Saviour Jesus Christ glorified to whom be praise for evermore Amen A Thanksgiving by the Woman after Delivery BLessed Lord God I yield thee all Honour Glory and Praise who hast now delivered me from the great pain and peril of Child-Birth who hast taken away my reproach and made me an Instrument to encrease thy Kingdom It is in thy power to strike death into my womb but thou hast given me a double life all mine anguishes thou hast sweetened with gladness Continue thy Mercies and Favours to me thy Servant that my lips may render thee hearty thanks II. Look upon this my Infant which thou hast given me preserve it in Health quicken it with Grace crown it with long Life that it may grow up to be a Servant in thine houshold Send the Father of it and me much Comfort by it that it may be a Staff to our Old Age Bless it with store of Friends in this World and be thou a chief Friend to it for evermore III. And for the better growth in Grace feed it with the Milk of thy holy Word defend it from all dangers ghostly and bodily Guard me and regard this my Birth that Satan rule not nor reign within us but deliver us still out of his Jaws as a Bird out of the snare of the Fowler let thy blessing O Lord be upon me and my Children and evermore keep and defend us Amen A Thanksgiving after a deliverance from any Calamity ALmighty and everlasting God who hast suffered thy Church so to be tempted with Afflictions that it is never free either from the Sword of Ishmael which is a reviling tongue or the Sword of Esau a persecuting hand having taught us all to drink of the same Cup our Master did so strengthen me with Patience direct me by thy Spirit and uphold me by Faith that all trouble may be as welcome to my Soul as afflicted Ruth was to the Field of Boaz. Though troubles are many and increase daily yet thou O Lord knowest how to deliver us out of all Heaviness may endure for a Night but joy will come in the Morning Doubtless there is a Reward for the Righteous and a Rod for the Wicked Let one Plague follow another as one Quail sings to another yet as the Viper leaped on St. Paul's Hand and immediately leaped off again so