zeale true faith humility and repentance Sweet Lord make me heartily thankfull unto thee for all thy blessings and let all my petitions tend to thy glory so as I may finde favour with thee that thou wilt be graciously pleased to heare and accept of me and my prayers that they may enter into thy presence and obtaine pardon of all my sins past with grace to frame my life in true obedience to all thy Commandements the rest of my daies to come that so my last end may be happy and after death I may enjoy the felicity to live with thee my Lord for evermore through the merits and passion of my only Saviour Jesus Christ So be it 4. A confession of sins with a prayer for remission taken partly out of the prayer of Manasses ALmighty Lord God of our fathers who hast made heaven and earth with all the ornaments thereof who hast bound the sea by the word of thy commandement whose terrible and glorious Name all men doe feare and tremble before thy powerfull judgements for the displeasure of thy great Majesty cannot be borne and thy angry threatnings against sinners is importable and who can stand in thy presence when thou art offended But yet O Lord thy mercifull promises to penitent sinners are unmeasureable and unspeakable for thou art the most gracious Lord full of mercy and great compassion and of long suffering that desires not the death of a sinner but that he should repent and live who of thy great goodnesse hast promised to give repentance and forgivenesse to them that sinne against thee that they may be saved Now thou therefore most dear Lord who camest not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance of whom I am the chiefe thou of thy infinite mercy I trust hast appointed repentance and remission unto me whose sins are in number above the sands of the sea or the haires of my head I have committed much evill and have omitted to doe the good I ought for I have neglected all my duty and service towards thee and am not worthy to be called thy servant nor to behold the height of heaven or to looke up unto the place where thine honour dwelleth for the multitude of mine iniquities have bowed me downe and as a weighty burden are too heavy for me I am depressed with the load of my sinnes and oppressed with the feare of due punishment for them for I have justly provoked thy wrath O God and multiplied my transgressions before thee I have not done thy will neither thy holy Commandements have I obeyed Now therefore O my Redeemer to thee I humbly bow the knee of my heart imploring thy mercy and beseeching thee of grace I will confesse my sins against my selfe and will not hide my unrighteousnesse from thee I have sinned O Lord I have grievously sinned I acknowledge my manifold offences for which I have nothing to answer but like the Publican Lord be mercifull unto me a miserable sinner Wherefore I most humbly intreat thee to forgive me my sweet Saviour forgive me and destroy me not with mine iniquities be not angry with me for ever neither condemne me in thy displeasure to the lower part of the earth and reserve not evill for me hereafter But deare Father make me of that blessed number to whom thou imputest not their faults and whose sinnes by my Saviours righteousnesse are covered for thou art the God of the just and the God of them that will repent and in poore me thou wilt shew all thy goodnesse and pity for thou wilt pardon and save me that am so vilde and unworthy even of thine owne great grace and mercy Therefore I will turn my steps into thy waies and will seeke thy will and obey thee with my whole heart I will praise thee all the daies of my life and for ever And let the heavens and the earth praise thy eternall Majesty for thine is all glory for ever Amen 5. A Prayer for the Lords day before we goe to Church O Eternall God most high Creator preserver and disposer of all things to thee is due all praise honour and worship for thou art our gracious Lord the only author of all our good by whom we live move and have our being O with what humble reverence and devotion ought we to prepare our ears and hearts to hear receive and performe any thing which concerneth thy most sacred Majesty and even to take heed unto our feet when we enter into the house of God that our waies may not offend thee Neither ought we to presume to take thy holy Name into our mouths except we endeavoured our selves to be reformed by thy lawes Thou O God art Lord God of Sabbath and hast inobled this day by the glorious resurrection of thy Son our Lord Jesus and by the guidance of the Holy Ghost in thy blessed Apostles and Catholicke Church hast ordained it for thy publicke service honour and worship so make me to serve thee therein with due feare and reverence I most humbly beseech thee to sanctifie my heart and soule to the true performance of thy blessed will in rightly observing the same and leave me not unto my owne weaknesse and disability who can of my selfe neither thinke well nor doe any thing that is good for all my strength and righteousnesse is in Christ my Redeemer Assist me therefore sweet Saviour with thy Spirit of grace to cease from sin and all worldly workes or earthly cogitations this day that may withdraw me from thy fear and service And give me an attentive eare to hearken diligently to thy divine word Open my heart as thou didst the heart of Lydia that with true understanding I may receive and faithfully keep the same with a conscionable care to practise what I shall learne thereby devoutly calling upon thy most holy Name and using due reverence in all my actions before thee And good Lord blesse thy servant whom thou hast appointed this day to instruct and direct us in thy word and will open to him the doore of utterance and give him the true understanding of thy holy word that according to thy gracious pleasure all may be saved that come unto the knowledge of thy truth and that he may be faithfull in thy service rightly to dispose thy divine mysteries and to teach in faith and verity And grant that I may heare with due attention and resolve to follow and practice all good instructions with true intention to thy glory and the furtherance of my salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen 6. An entrance to Prayer O God of mercy thou wilt not the death of a sinner but rather that he should turne from his wicked waies and live Vouchsafe to knit deare Lord my soule unto thee that I may truly fear thee and unfeignedly love thee dedicating my selfe unto thy service and setting mine affections and desires in all true obedience to seeke above all things thy glory thy Kingdome and thy
deserved but convert thou me and I shall be changed make me turne unto thee in true contrition that thou maiest returne unto me in gracious compassion to forgive all mine iniquities remit my ungratefulnesse and remember my offences no more O wash and cleanse my sinfull soule in the pure bloud of that innocent Lambe that I may feele the vertue of his death to slay all sin in me and the power of his resurrection to raise me to newnesse of life in true obedience to all thy Commandements and with a child-like love feare to offend thee striving to please thee in all things that so I may obtaine favour and mercy in thy sight both for thy blessing in this life and eternall salvation after death through thy dear Son and my only Saviour Jesus Christ Amen 11. A short Prayer for night O God the fountaine of all goodnesse I humbly and thankfully acknowledge although I am altogether unworthy of the least of thy manifold mercies yet have I great experience of thy infinite goodnesse bounty and favour both towards my soule and body all my time past this day and alwaies preserving me from all the evills which sin and nature have made me subject unto with a gracious supply daily ever since I was born of all things needfull for this present life For all which I humbly bow the knee of my heart and soule unto thy glorious Majesty but especially for all thy graces furthering my salvation by Jesus Christ I blesse and praise thy most holy name yeelding all possible and hearty thanks for all thy benefits vouchsafed to mee the continuance whereof I humbly beg at thy gracious hands commending and committing my soule and body into thy mercifull protection this night and ever praying thee to preserve me therein from all perills sin or evill for thou Lord only keepest mee in safety now stretch out thy wings of grace and mercy over me that while sleep seizeth upon my body let not security oppresse my soule but so sanctifie all outward refreshings unto me as thereby I may bee the more fit and able to serve thee faithfully all my life to come that taking quiet rest because thou Lord sustainest me I may also when this life ceaseth lay downe my head in thy peace and be made partaker of thy glory through thy mercies and Christs merits with the assistance of the blessed Spirit To whom O Father Son and Holy Ghost be all praise power dominion and glory now and for ever Amen Continuing my prayers further as Christ hath taught us saying Our Father c. 12. A short Prayer in bed before sleep DEare Lord receive me this night and alwaies into thy gracious protection to give mee now health safety and rest if it be thy will And dear God when I shall enter into my long sleep of death vouchsafe to sanctifie and prepare my soule for eternall life by the assistance of thy grace and holy Spirit before thou call me away hence and grant me a happy and blessed departure out of this world that thou maiest receive me into thy favour and mercy to be with mee in my death that I may dye in the Lord and rest in peace and obtaine a blessed resurrection that so I may be accepted to live with thee to praise thy great and holy name for ever Amen 13. A Prayer before the receiving the Sacrament of the Lords Supper O Most sweet Saviour Jesus Christ and my deare Lord who art the author and finisher of my faith redemption and salvation the life and food of my soule I most miserable sinner presuming nothing at all on mine owne merits or worthinesse but trusting wholly in thy infinite mercy and goodnesse doe feare and tremble to appeare before thy Majesty or to come unto the table of this heavenly banquet But thou Lord Jesus who graciously callest me and all heavy laden sinners accept in mercy the will for the deed in that I am unworthy and ill prepared to presume into thy presence and vouchsafe me the assistance of thy divine Spirit I humbly beseech thee in this holy action that my duty and service therein may bee acceptable in thy sight And powre down thy heavenly blessing upon this thy holy Ordinance of thy Word and Sacraments that they may be effectuall to revive strengthen and supply in me all sanctifying and saving graces needfull to the due and right performance of this sacred duty in an acceptable manner whereby to enlighten my understanding with thy grace to the right knowledge of thee and thy truth and work in me a lively true faith wherewith I may lay hold and apply unto my sicke soule all the sweet and comfortable promises and benefits purchased by the bitter death of my sweet Saviour Indue me also with most unfeigned and hearty sorrow and repentance for all my great and grievous sins and offences committed against thee for all which I most humbly beg thy gracious pardon and grant me such perfect love and charity that I may sincerely with all due reverence and devotion love thee my God with all my heart soul and strength and may love my neighbour as my selfe yea my very enemies for Christs sake that so I may rightly receive this blessed Sacrament being prepared by thy grace as I ought to bee And let O Lord thy pretious bloud shed for me cleanse and wash away all my sins and the breaking of thy pretious body heale all the wounds of my corrupt soule that by the gracious operation of the Holy Ghost I may be inwardly and inseparably joyned to thee my head Christ that thou maiest supply all my weaknesse and defects in soule or body out of thy infinite fulnesse of grace and mercy that being cloathed with thy righteousnesse I may be accepted by thee and through thee and so be accounted worthy to be partaker of all thy merits that with the outward signe of bread and wine I may blessedly receive the true signified Christ with all his benefits and may have grace to hunger and thirst after the spirituall food of Christs body and bloud to nourish my soule unto eternall life and to make me become a new creature in holinesse of living with all true and humble thankfulnesse to thy glory and my everlasting salvation beseeching thee to accept my poor endeavours for perfect performance and reach forth thy helping hand from heaven to save me thy unworthy servant pardoning my sins and covering my imperfections with the pure innocencie of that immaculate Lambe Jesus my Saviour And so I humbly commend my selfe unto thy mercy who art able to doe abundantly above all that I can aske or thinke to thee be all honour power and praise for evermore Amen A short meditation direction or preparation before you presume to enter into the presence and sight of God to approach unto the heavenly banquet humbly desiring this or the like by prayer As thou drawest near unto the holy table pray earnestly in thy heart unto
maiest pardon and passe by my sins and receive me to mercy through Jesus Christ that I may live with thee my God for evermore Amen 16. A Prayer for the Lords day in the afternoone when you are from Church being seven humble petitions from a poor sinner to our Saviour Jesus Christ the Lord and fountain of mercy prescribed and allowed by sacred Scripture MOst great and gracious Lord and 1. Remission of sins and amendment of life Luke 18. 13. Rom. 6. 6. my only Saviour Jesus Christ whom the Angels doe admire all the Saints doe magnifie and at thy name O Jesus doth every knee bow in heaven and earth I most humbly beseech thee to have mercy on me that presume to speake unto thee who am but dust and ashes yet Lord I beg of thee to forgive all my grievous and manifold offences and cast all my sins out of thy sight and not only to pardon all my past misdeeds but also by thy mighty power and spirit to slay all sin in me for the time to come And of thy gracious favour vouchsafe while I live in this world to make mee a blessed partaker in the first resurrection 2. To rise from sin Rev. 20. in this life to arise here from remaining or lying dead in sin and so the second death shall have no power to hurt me but by thy 3. In death Rev. 14. 13 21. 3. 4. Luke 22. 32. 36. grace and assistance I may become a new creature in all holinesse of life before thee that I may daily bee raised from sin by thy holy Spirit to a new life of grace in Christ But when the appointed time of my death doth approach sweet Jesus leave me not but keep and deliver mee from that great houre of temptation when Sathan will sift mee and seeke my destruction then deare Lord pray for me that my faith may never faile neither let my soules enemies prevaile over mee but make thy poore servant one of those blessed that shall die in thee O Lord whose tears God will wipe from their eyes and they shall rest from their labours and their workes follow them Now good Iesus grant also in the last day and houre of death 4 The first judgemēt Mat. 25. 34. 41. when I shall come to my first account before the Throne of God and the dreadfull Majesty of the Father O my Saviour appeare with mee that by thy gracious mediation I may finde favour in his sight and through thee obtaine to bee received into the society of thy Saints and servants and also by thy infinite mercy and bitter passion that I may in and through thee have my sins covered and pardoned and may be accounted worthy to escape thy just and great wrath which my iniquities have deserved and say alwaies unto my soule thou art my God and my salvation for ever And so I miserable sinner through thy merits sufferings and unspeakable mercy may be made able to stand before thee the blessed Son of God and man at my appearance in thy glorious and awfull presence when thou commest to judge the world and hast full power to save or to condemne us then looke Saviour on me as one of thine And sweet 5. At the last judgement 6. Is after death Rev. 8. 20. 15. Saviour I further beseech thee by thine owne former and free election and meer grace towards me vouchsafe in the dreadfull time of thy great visitation that my poore name may be found written in heaven in the booke of life so as sin nor Sathan may not bee able to blot mee out but that thou gracious Iesus wilt be pleased to acknowledge me thy most unworthy servant to be thine before God and all his holy Angells Now lastly Lord by thy great goodnesse and The 7th For eternall life John 17. 22. 24. Ps 16. 11. Conclusion mercy that I may be received into thy grace and favour and so accepted as to injoy that most happy place and heavenly inheritance of everlasting glory which thou our Iesus hast dearly purchased for us that where he my blessed Saviour is I may live with him who loved me so much as to die for me and through him being admitted into the glorious presence of God which is the fulnesse of joy at whose right hand are pleasures for evermore I shall there eternally serve praise and magnifie his most holy name who liveth for ever and ever Amen 17. A Prayer to the Trinity for direction and acceptance from God of all our prayers MOst glorious God and our heavenly Father in Christ I most humbly pray thee for his sake to heare and accept mee and my supplications that I offer up unto thy Majesty in the name of thy beloved Son And I beseech thee sweet Iesus in thy love and mercie which made thee become our Redeemer vouchsafe also to be my gracious advocate and to direct and receive my petitions and present them to the Father for by and through thee only I must obtaine acceptance Now further I beg of thee Lord Holy Ghost who best can teach us to pray as we ought to take compassion on my frailties and infirmities to heale and helpe them and be pleased to sanctifie and assist my heart and soule to performe this duty and service at all times rightly faithfully and constantly to Gods glory and mine owne comfort and furtherance of my eternall salvation in Christ my Saviour Amen 18. Another Prayer for the afternoon for many severall blessings OH most dear Lord who knowest my manifold infirmities and innumerable miseries In mercy let thy gracious care and holy hand bee over me now and ever to guide me into thy right paths that I may walke in the wayes of thy Commandements and keepe them with my whole heart unto my end And vouchsafe good God to clense and change the thoughts of my corrup heart from vaine and idle imaginations to good and godly meditations which may produce ◠me by thy assistance holy actions agreeable to thy most blessed will and by thy spirit let my affections be reformed and my love withdrawne from the vanities of this vile world and may bee fixed on heavenly things above that there may be my heart and only joy where my Lord Christ sits in glory at the right hand of his Father and so I may with blessed Mary chuse the better part to forsake all the world and my selfe also to follow and heare Iesus and first and chiefly so to seek as to obtaine that which is most needfull even thy glory O God thy Kingdome and the righteousnesse thereof and leave all other things to be bestowed on me as shall seem best unto thee And Lord grant that my understanding may be inlightned to discerne imbrace and practice the holy workes of thy blessed Spirit and that my memory may be strengthned to retaine and make right use of all the good instruction that I heare or read according to thy will and make
humbly pray thee O Lord my Saviour of thy infinite mercy both in this world and after this life is ended to make me thy poor unworthy servant a happy partaker amongst thy Saints and servants that I may live hereafter with thee and them to praise and glorifie thy Name my deare Jesus for ever Amen 15. A Prayer for Tuesday morning to God the Son our Redeemer I Know that my Redeemer liveth and shall stand the last day upon the earth to judge the world in righteousnesse and all the people with equity O sweet Iesus Christ who art my Lord and perfect Saviour the beloved Son of God the blessed Redeemer of the world the only searcher of mans heart before whom all things are manifest all desires knowne and from thee no secrets can be hid Lord cleanse and reforme the thoughts of my wicked corrupt heart by the inspiration of thy most holy Spirit to purge my heart soul and conscience from all sin evill and dead works rightly and faithfully to feare and serve thee the true and living Lord that I may unfainedly love thee and constantly praise and magnifie thy holy and blessed Name all the daies of my life and for ever Now Gracious Iesus grant that the words of my mouth and the thoughts and meditations of my heart in these and all other prayers and petitions that I make unto thy Majesty may bee alwaies guided by thy blessed Spirit and that all my waies and actions be directed according to thy holy word and so by thy merciful assistance all things I goe about shall be ever right and acceptable in thy sight O Lord God of truth that art my strength and my Redeemer And deare Saviour who knowest the infinite corruption of my wretched nature and my unaptnesse to all goodnesse vouchsafe to draw and knit my heart and soule to thy true feare and faithfull service and suffer no worldly respects regard of persons nor any pleasures to withdraw my minde or hinder my soule from the true performance of my daily duties and service towards thee my God with due observance of thy great Majestie faithfully devoutly and constantly serving thee and calling on thy holy name now and at all times and daily worshipping thee in spirit and truth as thy selfe hast commanded And be thou pleased dear Lord by thy grace to guide and direct my heart soule and body with all my desires waies and workes according to thy owne good will and pleasure for I humbly commend and commit my selfe my children and grand-children with all belonging to mee and all things that any way concerneth me to thy most gracious protection direction and disposing now and ever And I humbly pray thee O my sweet Iesus so to prevent me with thy holy Spirit that I bee led into no temptation this day by the divell or his evill agents the vaine world or my owne corrupt flesh neither suffer any sinfull thoughts to possesse my soule but assist me I beseech thee to set a watch over my heart and waies and before my mouth and set a seale of grace and wisdome over my soul and upon my lips that I offend not with my tongue or in my actions either against thee my God my neighbour or my owne soule but Lord make my heart cleane and upright before thee and keep me from falling into my former sins againe but indue me with grace so to number my daies that I may apply my heart to wisdome and goodnesse and daily endeavour and strive to lead a new and godly life in thy sight and make me firme stedfast and constant in thy right Church saving truth and true faith unto my lives end to live and die therein but if I hold any errors contrary to thy will and word O Lord speedily convert my soule unto thee and shew me the paths of life and teach me thy truth and suffer me not to slide from it but so long as I live here constantly to set my whole heart soule and delight to seek to serve to love and to fear thee my Lord in all true obedience humility repentance and purity with stedfast faith in thee and true holinesse of living as is required of thy children and servants through the assistance of thy blessed Spirit and the blessing of thy heavenly Father who liveth and reigneth with thee three Persons and one true eternall God blessed for ever Amen Concluding my humble petition with that perfect prayer which Christ our advocate hath sanctified and taught us saying Our Father c. 16. A Prayer for Tuesday at night to our blessed Saviour for my selfe and children O Sweet Iesus Christ that art both God and man my blessed Saviour Redeemer and Mediator who understandest all things and seest what we want before we aske and knowest best what is in miserable mortall man that is made of earth how corrupt my nature and substance is how many and great my frailties and infirmities are and how subject I am to fall into all manner of evill both in soule and body if thy grace uphold me not therefore I most humbly beseech thee O Lord to receive me and mine now and ever into thy provident and gracious care to protect and direct us in all our waies to doe thy blessed will and to live in all thy holy feare to save and guide us waking from all sinne and shame and to keep and defend us sleeping from all perills and dangers either of soule or body that so by thy mercie we may rest in peace and safety this night and also awake in thy grace and favour and doe all things to thy honour and glory and may live and dye thy true and faithfull servants and after death vouchsafe dear Lord by thy merits and sufferings to give us eternall life with thee in heaven which thou hast dearly purchased for us Now sweet Jesus vouchsafe to indue and assist mee with thy grace and holy Spirit that I may be able rightly faithfully and confidently as I ought to doe to cry and pray unto thee my God for grace and mercie that I may finde favour in thy sight and that my trust in thee may never cease that so I may obtaine true contrition for all my offences and pardon for my sins past with all saving graces for my salvation both in life and death and assured hope of everlasting life when this is ended through thy pretious death and bitter passion sweet Iesus my Saviour Now good Lord indue me with grace to fit and prepare my soule as I ought before my day of death approacheth that I be not taken unprovided but assist me with thy blessed Spirit to worke in my heart a true and lively faith to lay fast hold upon all thy mercies merits and gracious promises and rightly to apply them to my owne soule And further give mee I humbly pray thee unfaigned repentance and remission of all my sinnes with other needfull graces for the performing of all holy duties to thy Majestie
that so I may be inabled rightly and faithfully to serve and please thee while I live here and also make me carefully to fit and prepare my soule for thy mercifull acceptance before thou call me to thy selfe out of this vale of misery and give mee grace daily to die unto this world and forsake it while I am in it that I may live more and more in true holinesse and righteousnesse before thee and so I shall obtain blessednesse here to be directed by thee in all things and to have thy protection over me to die happily in thee and live eternally with thee who art my only Saviour and Redeemer Iesus Christ the righteous to whom be all glory for ever and ever So be it 17. The conclusion for Tuesday to be said at night or in bed to the Son for my selfe and children MY sweet Iesus by thy grace and holy Name keep mee thy poore servant and all mine from all sinne and shame and by thy bitter death and passion save us from thy great wrath and endlesse damnation and by thy powerfull resurrection raise us daily from sin to grace and newnesse of life and by thy glorious ascention draw me thy unworthy servant continually to heaven after thee by a holy life and godly conversation and of thy great mercie after death reserve me to be where thou art and make me partaker of thy everlasting salvation and in all my troubles sorrows and distresse doe thou my griefes redresse and be my blessed consolation and vouchsafe to receive me this night and alwaies into thy mercifull preservation for now I will lay me downe in peace and also rest and sleep because thou Lord dost only mee sustaine and wilt in safety keep for on thee alone I wholly doe depend who art all my hope helpe comfort and confidence sweet Iesus my Saviour Amen 18. A Prayer for Wednesday to the glorious Trinity at first awaking GReat is our God and worthy to be praised I will speake of all thy marvellous workes for thou hast done great things and holy is thy Name To thee O God heavenly Father our gracious Creator of all things with God the Son that blessed Redeemer of mankinde and God the Holy Ghost the sanctifier of thine elect unto thee O Lord three Persons one true and everliving God be given and rendred as is due by mee and all other thy children and servants all humble and possible praise and thanks now and ever For I thy most unworthy servant doe humbly and thankfully acknowledge that I finde thy blessings and benefits both spirituall and temporall sleeping and waking daily and howrely to be renued towards me for which I blesse and magnifie thy holy Name especially for those spirituall graces thou hast vouchsafed unto my soule from time to time before I had any being for my election by the whole Trinity and my creation by God the Father which thou didst fully performe in thine owne innocent person but chiefly in that infinite love token unto mankinde of God the Father in ordaining and sending thy deare Son out of thy bosome into the world and thou O Christ in comming amongst wicked men to put thy selfe into their cruell hands for our redemption and so become our righteousnesse justification and salvation which thou hast dearly purchased for us with thy own bloud And since I was borne O blessed Spirit for my continuall preservation and daily supply of all needfull blessings for my soule and body especially for my vocation and calling to the right knowledge of God and his saving truth with some measure of true faith sanctification and regeneration from sinne to grace all wrought in mee by the holy operation of thee Lord Holy Ghost by whom also we are united unto our Lord and head Christ Jesus from whom Lord let me never be separated Now vouchsafe O God still to continue all thy mercies towards me and chiefly in giving me daily a supply and increase of all heavenly gifts and spirituall graces whereby I may be able rightly faithfully and constantly to feare and love to seek serve and please thee my God in all things as I ought to doe that so I may obtaine thy grace and favour by thy assistance to live a holy life here according to thy will that thou of thy infinite mercie Almighty God and glorious Trinity maiest make me partaker of thy heavenly Kingdome of glory hereafter Amen 19. A Prayer to the Trinity for Wednesday morning O God the Father of heaven the gracious Creator of all things the righteous judge that searcheth the heart and trieth the children of men and beholdeth all our waies and knowest my substance is but dust flesh and bloud and my nature as it is corrupted by sin is of it selfe earthly sensuall and divelish and can merit nothing from thee O Lord but condemnation Deare God the originall of all goodnesse I most humbly beseech thee to have mercy upon mee miserable sinner and enter not into judgement with thy poore servant for no flesh living is righteous before thee neither reward me after my wickednesse for I am a wretched and most sinfull creature and have done exceeding much evill in thy sight but I humbly pray thee O God for thy dear Son and my Saviours sake to withdraw thy great wrath and heavy displeasure from mee which my sinnes have justly deserved and if it be thy will Lord release my present afflictions which now and long have lain upon me and vouchsafe also to prevent and remove those weighty judgements that hang over my head for my iniquities that by thy unspeakable mercies I may escape them yet if thou please further to visit mee with fatherly chastisements for the amendment of my faults Lord give me wisdome and patience to beare all things as I ought to doe without offence towards thee and by thy grace to make the best and rightest use of all thou sendest so as in the end they may turne to thy glory and the furtherance of my salvation in Christ my Lord. O God the Son Redeemer of mankinde who didst vouchsafe to bee borne of a woman to become man for our redemption and camest into the world to seek and save all those that were lost by sin that they might live by faith in thee which Lord grant unto me sweet Jesus my Saviour and have mercie upon me a wicked sinner to forgive and pardon all my sinnes and offences that I have done before thee all my life past in thought word and deed and impute not my iniquities unto me neither destroy mee with my transgressions nor let thy heavy displeasure reserve evill for me hereafter but deare Lord of thy great goodnesse grant me thy poore servant true faith and unfeigned repentance with thy gracious remission of all my trespasses and wash my sinnes out of thy sight with thine owne most pretious and innocent bloud which thou didst so freely shed for our redemption naile all my offences upon thy crosse and
bury them in thy grave so as they may never be able to come in judgement against mee either to accuse or shame me in this world or to condemne and confound mee in the world to come for thy mercies sake sweet Jesus my Saviour But I most humbly beseech thee O Lord â—â— sanctifie and cleanse my heart and soule from all sinne and evill by thy holy Spirit that I may be upright in thy sight to reforme all my waies before thee and let thy grace and holy Spirit lead mee into the paths of truth and righteousnesse all my life that after death thou maiest of thy infinite mercy bring me to that everlasting inheritance of happinesse which thou hast so dearly purchased for us with thine owne bloud in whom is all my trust who art my only Saviour Mediator and Advocate for ever O God the Holy Ghost our comforter preserve and sanctifie thou my heart and soule that I may unfeignedly love thee truly feare thy holy Name and faithfully serve please and obey thee as I ought to doe now and all the daies of my life And vouchsafe O blessed Spirit to instruct and inlighten my soule and understanding with the true knowledge devout love and stedfast beliefe of thy sacred truth and keepe me therein for ever O Holy Ghost vouchsafe to make thy seat and dwelling in my soule and let thy holy Spirit take full possession of my heart and abide alwaies with mee to fill me with all saving graces whereby I may bee preserved from falling into any sinne or evill and bee inabled to doe all good that may be best pleasing unto thee and to performe all duty and service by thy assistance in an acceptable manner unto my gracious and Almighty God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost three Persons and one ever glorious Trinity to whom be rendred all praise honour power and thanks as is right due for ever and ever Amen 20. An evening Prayer to God the Holy Ghost for Wednesday O God the Holy Ghost blessed Spirit by whom we are sanctified and sealed unto the day of redemption and by whose holy operation we are joyned unto our blessed Lord and head Christ Jesus from whom let nothing in heaven or earth ever separate me And mercifull Lord I humbly pray thee cast me not in thy displeasure out of thy care and favour for my sinnes and withdraw not thy grace and holy Spirit from me neither forsake me nor leave me to my selfe who am wholly subject to all wickednesse But I most humbly beseech thee to creat in me a new a clean an upright a faithfull and perfect heart in thy sight to walke in all true holinesse before thee as thou requirest all my daies to come and good Lord daily renue thy grace and a right holy spirit within mee to sanctifie and cleanse my soule from sinne to preserve mee from falling into evill and to guide me into the waies of truth and righteousnesse Now dear Lord marke me thy poore servant for thine owne and prevent mee with thy grace that I never grieve despight or neglect thee my God in any thing neither to resist or quench the good motions of thy holy Spirit in my heart at any time but I most humbly pray and desire to bee led and directed in all things by thee who best knowest my frailties and infirmities that I can of my selfe neither will nor performe any good at all much lesse call upon thy holy Name as I ought all my best works and endeavours being full of imperfection and corruption but I humbly beseech thee good Lord to accept in me the will for thee deed the affection for the action and vouchsafe to heale and helpe my great disability to any goodnesse and teach and assist me rightly faithfully and constantly to pray unto thee my God now and at all times according to thy holy will and daily to call upon thy great Name in truth and sincerity And be pleased O Lord Holy Ghost to prepare assist and lift up my heart and soule towards thee and bend downe thine eare of mercy to heare me and vouchsafe thou blessed Lord to make request by thy grace in mee with such inward and faithfull devotion humility sighs and groans as cannot be expressed that so my supplications may bee acceptable to God my heavenly Father through the merits and sufferings of my dear Saviour Jesus and the holy working of thee O God the Holy Ghost my comforter who art the sanctifier and preserver both of my soule and body I humbly pray thee to inflame my heart and spirit with fervent zeale and unfeigned devotion to the true and constant performance of all duties and services that I owe unto thee my God And vouchsafe Lord by thy holy Spirit to infuse into my soule everlasting and devout love towards thy Majesty with Christian charity towards all my brethren thy children and servants And Lord put thou a right and stedfast hope into my heart that my trust in thee may never faile till I have attained to the eternall felicity which God the Father hath prepared and our blessed Saviour hath purchased and thou blessed Spirit by thy holy assistance wilt bring us unto to glorifie the Name of my God in heaven hereafter for ever Amen 21. The conclusion for Wednesday at night to the blessed Trinity MErcifull God heavenly Father blessed Son and Holy Ghost who hast appointed the night for all mortall creatures to take rest without which our weake natures cannot subsist I am now in health by thy gracious providence by thy favour and laid downe in my bed which representeth the grave and by thy mercie hope also to take quiet rest and sleepe that is the image of death from which I know not whether ever I shall awake againe to this worlds light for my life dependeth on thy good pleasure therefore I most humbly pray thee of thy infinite mercy O God to forgive all my sins past that I have committed against thee this present day or heretofore through the merits and sufferings of my Redeemer Jesus and vouchsafe heavenly Father to bee reconciled unto mee thy most guilty sinfull servant in and through thy dear and innocent Son who is my righteous Saviour And grant while I live here that in Christ I may hereafter live to thee and thy faithfull service and when I sleepe Lord let me safely rest by thy blessed preservation and by the assistance of thy holy Spirit that I may continue in thy true faith feare and favour with a good conscience unto my last breath that so if thou call me away this night or any other time in my sleep thou wilt in Christ pardon my sinnes and after death receive my soule to thy grace and mercy to remaine with thee for ever and may praise thee my God everlastingly Amen Amen 22. A Prayer for Thursday morning at first awaking to God the Father MY God I heartily praise thee for my present health rest and
in all my necessities and chiefly for all spirituall graces to my soule And as I trust thou wilt awake mee from the dulnesse of this nights sleep in safety to the morning light so dear Lord by thy holy Spirit daily quicken my soule from the deadnesse of sinne to newnesse of life and raise me up in mercie hereafter from the darknesse of death unto light and life eternall to live with thee my God for evermore Now gracious Lord receive mee with all that doth belong unto me into thy mercifull protection now and alwaies to keep and deliver us from all sinne and evill giving us this night quiet sleep health and rest if it be thy will and grant whether I sleep or wake live or dye I may be wholly thine and doe all to thy honour and glory that so both in life and death Christ may be to me an advantage through thy infinite mercie O my blessed Lord God Now I humbly pray thee so to inlighten the darknesse of my soul and understanding with thy grace that I may see clearly the right way to heavenly happinesse and by thy assistance follow hard after it untill I have attained to it and also for thy holy Names sake defend mee from all perills and dangers of this night either to my soule or body to me or any of mine for the love of thy only Son my deare Saviour Jesus Christ for whose sake grant me also the guard of thy holy and good Angells now and ever that they may pitch their tents about mee to preserve mee from all my enemies bodily and ghostly and commit mee Lord to the custody of thy blessed Spirit to keep me from falling into any sinne or evill and to guide my waies into the paths of truth and righteousnesse that I may live in thy holy feare and dye in thy faith and favour and good God grant that in the howre of my death and in the day of judgement thy dear Son and my sweet Jesus may bee my mercifull judge and Saviour to pardon and pasle by all my sinnes and cover them with his righteousnesse that after death I may bee received and accepted into thy grace and favour to live and remaine in joy and blisse eternally with thee my God Father Son and Holy Ghost Now O God who canst doe abundantly more then I can aske or thinke to thee be all praise honour and glory for ever and ever Amen 25. The conclusion for Thursday night in bed O Lord my God I thanke thee for all thy mercies vouchsafed unto mee this present day and formerly and now be pleased O Lord by thy holy Spirit to sanctifie me thy poor unworthy servant in soule body and spirit throughout to thy right faithfull and constant service all my daies and assist me with thy grace that I may daily confesse lament hate leave and amend all my former misdeeds and may become faithfully and unfainedly thine in all true obedience and sincere and perfect love toward thy Majesty both living and dying and for ever that through thy mercy and Christs merits I may be found blamelesse at the appearance of my Lord Jesus by whom I trust to obtaine to live in heaven with thee and to bee presented by my Saviour unto thy gracious acceptance in that great day of the Lord to remain with thee my God for ever Amen 26. A Prayer for Friday at first awaking to God the Son DEare Saviour Jesus have mercy upon mee a miserable sinner Thou immaculate Lambe of God that knewest no sinne but diedst for our transgressions and shed thine owne most pretious bloud to cleanse us from sinne I most humbly praise and magnifie thy holy Name for all thy mercies who hast done and suffered great and many things for mee but especially I blesse thee for those spirituall blessings thou hast bestowed upon me before I was borne and hitherto Now sweet Jesus who knowest my frailty I doe most humbly pray thee never to leave me to my self nor to my soules enemies neither while I live at my death nor in the great and dreadfull day of judgement when all things shall bee made manifest before thee and it will be wholly in thy power to save or to condemne then Lord Jesus looke in mercie on me as one of thine whom thou lovest to the end to pardon and cover all my sinnes and receive me into thy grace and favour for by thee only commeth my salvation and in thee O Lord is my whole trust Therefore vouchsafe Lord to continue thy goodnesse thy favour and thy loving kindnesse towards me this day and for ever in forgiving all my iniquities that I have committed in my whole life past and also my sinfull omission of those duties and good workes which thou hast commanded and I have wickedly neglected But I most humbly beseech thee my Saviour to indue mee thy most unworthy servant with thy grace and holy Spirit to direct my heart and all my waies aright before thee and preserve me at all times in the sincere and perfect love of thy divine Majesty and in thy feare and favour with unfaigned repentance and amendment of life that I may obtaine thy gracious pardon for all my offences and Lord give me true faith stedfast hope and perfect charity unto my liâ—â—â— end These great mercies I aske at thy gracious hands deare Jesus Christ who art my only Saviour Redeemer Mediator and Advocate to whom be all praise and glory for ever Amen 27. A morning Prayer for Friday to God the Sonne SWeet Saviour none can come to the Father but by thee and whosoever commeth unto thee thou castest not away but wilt raise him up at the last day unto eternall life Now deare Jesus thou blessed Son and innocent Lambe of God that takest away the sinnes of the sinnes of the world who graciously callest unto thee all heavy laden and penitent sinners that thou maiest ease and refresh them have pity on me and vouchsafe to sanctifie and cleanse my soule and body from all sinne and evill by thy holy Spirit and make mee pure and upright in thy sight and be pleased to protect and direct my heart and soule and all my waies before thee and to indue me with thy blessed Spirit to preserve mee from falling into any sin or offence towards thee but assist me with thy grace in all things I goe about to doe that I may doe that which may be most acceptable and best pleasing in thy fight Now Lord I confesse that I was conceived and borne in sinne and I am a miserable and wretched sinner above all others and unto whom should I come but to thee the Saviour of mankinde who camest into the world to save sinners by thy grace of whom I am chiefe O fountaine of mercy who didst vouchsafe to bee borne of the blessed and pure Virgin Mary to become man and tookest our wretched nature upon thee therein to suffer death to reassume us from eternall death sinne
which is most needfull even thy glory thy favour and thy blessed Kingdome and then Lord I know thou wilt supply all the defects of grace in my soule and heale all the infirmities of my body but chiefly vouchsafe daily to continue and increase all spirituall graces in my soule by thy mercy and mighty power O my blessed Lord God to which end O gracious Spirit give mee an upright and penitent heart an humble and lowly spirit a quiet recollected minde freed from the vanities and cares of this present world and the love of this vile life but Lord teach mee with Mary first and above all things to seek after thee my God thy Kingdome and the righteousnesse thereof so that I may have grace wholly to devote and dedicate my selfe my time and best endeavours unto thy true and faithfull service and daily study and strive to doe thy holy will in all things and seek thy glory here that so I may be partaker of thy heavenly Kingdome hereafter And deare Lord Holy Ghost inspire me with thy grace daily to heare and read thy holy and blessed word as I ought to do and that I may so imploy my time therein as to frame my life hereafter to thy glory and my soules good And grant mee graciously O God to chuse to speake and to walke in the waies of truth and righteousnesse and to set thy heavy judgements against sin continually before my face to deter and make mee daily to remember my owne last end and by thy assistance to prepare for it and to consider the end in all my actions before I doe them that I may never doe amisse and let me still remember thy all-seeing eyes are ever upon our waies that I may not displease or offend thee in any thing But Lord indue me with thy holy Spirit to direct my heart and all my waies aright before thee that so thou maiest witnesse to my spirit that I am the childe of God and ever continue unto mee that unspeakable comfort to give me the joyfull hope of my salvation through my Lord Jesus Christ unto my end and in my end especially establish me with thy free spirit to worke in my soul all saving graces that may make me acceptable in thy sight through my Lord Jesus Christ for whose sake I beseech thee further to extend thy goodnes towards me to forgive all my sinnes and offences that I have done before thee in my whole life past and preserve me in soul and body from all sin and evill either committing or falling on mee but deare Lord vouchsafe daily to supply and bestow upon me all the benefits and blessings necessary for this present life but chiefly be pleased to sanctifie my soule and body unto thy faithfull service and indue me with all saving graces for my salvation both in life and death that so I may bee able rightly and constantly to serve and please thee whilst I live here that also by thy gracious assistance I may obtaine a place hereafter to live with thee eternally O Holy Ghost and my blessed Lord God to whom be all thanks and praise for ever Amen 33. The conclusion for Saturday night in bed to the weeks Prayers for mornings and nights I Most humbly beseech thee my Lord God mercifully to loke upon me and my manifold infirmities and for Jesus my Saviours sake vouchsafe to forgive and pardon all my sinnes and grievous offences that I have committed in thy sight all the daies of my life past and in thy great mercy turne from me all those evils that my transgressions have justly deserved and Lord grant me thy preventing grace and fatherly providence to bee still with mee to preserve me at all times from falling into any sinne or evill either to offend thee my God or to hurt my owne soule And vouchsafe Lord so to direct and dispose the heart and waies of me thy most unworthy servant towards the right performance of all duties and services that I owe unto thee my God and the happy obtaining by my Lord Iesus of everlasting salvation to my owne selfe that amongst all the changes chances and adversities of this miserable mutable and mortall life I may ever be defended by thy ready helpe and favour from falling into sin shame harme or danger either in soule or body and may be directed and assisted by thy grace and providence to walke in the waies of righteousnesse and true holinesse before thee that thou my Lord Holy Ghost maiest guide me in all things I goe about to doe that which may be most serviceable acceptable and best pleasing in the sight of my Lord God to whom be all praise honour power and eternall glory for ever and ever Amen The end of the second Book BOOK III. Short Prayers which may belong to any the three Books when time serves not for longer devotions 1. A short Preface before other prayers or petitions O Lord Holy Ghost who best knowest my manifold infirmities have mercy and pity upon me and vouchsafe to prevent or to banish and drive away all evill hindrances and temptations that may withdraw my heart from God in the offering up of my prayers and humble petitions unto thy Majesty and be pleased Lord to sanctifie teach and assist me herein with thy holy Spirit and grace that I may rightly and faithfully performe this duty and service before thee to thy glory and my good and comfort of my soule through Christ Jesus Amen 2. A short thanksgiving at first sight of the morning light MY blessed Lord God I most humbly praise thee for thy gracious preservation of mee with quiet rest and health this night past and bringing me in safety to this light Lord blesse and sanctifie me this day and ever unto thy faithfull service and keep me alwaies in thy true faith feare favour and ready obedience and make me constantly and unfaignedly thine all my life time but in my death especially that when it pleaseth thee to call for me out of this miserable world thou maiest bring me to eternall salvation by thine own merits and meer mercy sweet Jesus I most humbly beseech thee So be it 3. A Prayer for helpe in present temptation in the time of prayer to our Lord Jesus who overcame and subdued the old tempter the subtile Serpent our everlasting enemy from whom God defend us OH my God heavenly Father who hast made and seest all hearts and knowest my great affection and fervent desire rightly to serve thee and my weaknesse and frailty in performance thereof have pity on my infirmities and assist me with thy grace And sweet Jesus my Saviour who didst suffer thy selfe to bee tempted by the Divell that thou mightest overcome the tempter and succour all those that are tempted to thee Lord I call and pray for helpe and defence against this malicious adversary O God the Holy Ghost indue me with thy blessed Spirit and power so to resist him that he may flye from me
and deceits that old subtill serpent Sathan that first wrought our ruine he now steals away our time and hearts only to make us lose our souls also But deare Lord though I have too long gone astray yet while I am going towards my God Lord let it be thy worke of grace and mercie to make me see and understand when I am out of the right way before I goe too far to fall into irrecoverable danger from which I cannot returne Oh shew me the paths of life and lead mee into the true way to heaven that I may first turne to thee in true faith with a contrite spirit and a broken heart for my lost time past which I have mispent that so I may obtaine pardon for all my sinnes formerly committed before thee and then I know thou wilt receive me as one of thine and in mercie bring me to thy salvation Now Lord although our times are only knowne to thee yet I cannot have long to live for the life of man is but short and old age laden with infirmities and sicknesse is a sure messenger and forerunner of death and then draweth near the first appearance when my breath ceaseth of my poore soule before the tribunall seat of thy great Majesty O God and before all thy holy Angels there to bee called to give an account of all my life and time mispent Alas how can I answer one thing of a thousand now what should I doe if I had not there in heaven an All-sufficient Saviour who is also my blessed advocate to mediate for me in whom is all my trust comfort and confidence therefore gracious Lord Jesus helpe me now while I am here and assist me to make my peace as thou dost advise while I am in the way before the grim and cruell Sergeants of sicknesse and death lay hold upon me to prevent me of the freedome and ability of my senses and spirit being aided with thy power strength and grace by unfaigned repentance and true faith to obtaine through Christ my release and pardon of those grievous debts and trespasses that I stand guilty of before God which I am no waies able to satisfie but only by thee my Saviour Jesus or else I shall be throwne into that dreadfull dungeon from whence there is no escaping Therefore now I doe most humbly beg and pray thee that I may finde such favour in thy sight knowing my owne disabilities that thou Lord wouldest knit and prepare my heart and soule for thine owne mercifull acceptance before thou call and ceise upon me by death to take me out of this life and make me continually mindfull of my last end while I live in health and of that strict reckoning which then I must make unto thee the great God of heaven and earth who seeth and knoweth all things of all my life past even to my very words And let me still remember that thou Lord searchest the hearts and triest the reines and beholdest all our waies and will bring each worke to judgement with every secret thing whether it be good or evill Therefore I most humbly beseech thee while I am in this world give me the grace of daily and unfaigned repentance for all my sinnes past with care to amend all my former faults in the rest of my life and narrowly to examine my own heart soule and conscience of all the evills I have done before thee hating and severely judging and condemning my selfe for them that so I may escape thy great wrath and not be judged and condemned by thee O Lord in thy heavy displeasure which I am not able to beare for who can stand in the sight of thy great Majesty when thou art angry Therefore gracious God let me here obtain thy mercifull pardon for all my offences past with grace to reforme my former misdeeds and by thy blessed assistance become a new creature all my daies that so I may gaine a blessed end through my Saviour to dye in him and make my peace with God here before I goe hence and be no more To which purpose I humbly pray thee while I live to make me a true and faithfull member of thy right Church Kingdom of grace here to professe and practice true Religion and all holinesse of life to my last end but chiefly Lord give me a blessed part in the first resurrection that I may not lye dead in trespasses and sinnes but may by thy holy Spirit be daily raised from the grave of sinne and enabled to live the life of grace that so the second death may have no power to hurt me and at the last when it shall please thee to appoint a stop to my daies and to set a period unto my time grant that my death be neither suddaine nor unexpected neither my paines violent whereby I should be unable faithfully earnestly and constantly to cry unto thee my God and call upon thy holy Name for reliefe and comfort in that great and dreadfull day and time of death and danger when my soules enemies will seek my utter destruction then Lord depart not from me but pray that my faith in thee faile not and strengthen my weaknesse by thy power and supply my soule with all saving graces and defend me from the malice and subtill temptation of my spirituall adversaries that they may never be able to prevaile against me in any thing But I humbly pray thee sweet Saviour to grant that in the day of thy great visitation my poore name through thy unspeakable goodnesse may be then found written in thy blessed booke of life so that my sinnes nor my soules enemies may not be able to blot it out but that by thy infinite mercy and favour sweet Jesus unto me I may then be accounted in thee worthy to escape thy just wrath and by thy power and clemency who didst vouchsafe to be borne of a woman and shalt bee judge of the whole world grant through thy mercies merits and manifold sufferings that I poore sinfull creature may be made able to stand before thee the blessed Son of God and man in that great and dreadfull day of judgement when all our secret wickednesses shall be made manifest and thou Lord to whom all judgement is given by the Father art to give our finall sentence Oh then dear Jesus in whom only I trust receive me into thy gracious favour as one of thine that my sinnes may be covered with thy righteousnesse that so I may be preserved from thy wrath and that wofull doom Go ye cursed into hell fire appointed for the Divell and his Angells but Lord in the fulnesse of thy mercy make me one of that happy chosen number to whom that joyfull call shall belong Come ye blessed of my Father inherit and enter into that Kingdome which he hath prepared for you before the beginning of the world and also thou our Saviour hast purchased for us then Lord in thy infinite love grant me a part in that
everlasting happinesse to live with thee and glorifie thee there for ever and ever Amen 2. A Prayer to live blessedly and dye happily OH gracious Lord God who didst create all things by thy omnipotent power and lastly made mankinde thou best knowest the frailties and corruption of our wretched nature which we inherit from our first parents whose substance was but earth and we are of our selves inclined onely to earthly and evill things and such is the condition of mortall man that all that are borne must dye and returne to dust from whence they came but the spirit returnes to thee O God that gave it to receive either joy or blisse with thee for ever or else eternall banishment from thee who art the only good therefore I doe most humbly beseech thee deare Lord to looke mercifully upon me to helpe my manifold infirmities and daily to prevent and keep me from falling into any sinne or evill to offend thee But especially in the time of my death dear Lord be mercifull unto me a most miserable sinner to forgive all my sinnes and offences past that I have committed against thee my God my brethren or my owne soule and grant through the merits and many sufferings of thy beloved Son and my only Saviour Jesus that they may never bee imputed unto me thy poor servant but vouchsafe good God in thy manifold mercies to indue mee thy most unworthy suppliant with all saving graces leading to my salvation both in life and death for we daily see by example how suddainly death may surprise us when we least expect it therefore while this life is in being and I am going on in the way of all flesh which can be of no long continuance Lord teach and assist mee to make my peace for my offences with thee my God while I am here who else wilt take an account of me in a dreadfull place and art able if thy wrath be not pacified to cast me into hell fire from which there is no redemption therefore have mercy on me sweet Jesus that I may by thy helpe grace and assistance rightly fit and prepare my self for thy acceptance before sicknesse lay hold on me for when death seiseth it will carry mee immediately before the judgement seat of thy great Majesty Oh there let me finde thee deare Jesus to be my gracious Saviour and Advocate and so I shall obtaine mercy and favour and by thy sufferings my offences pardoned and Gods severe justice satisfied And thus in thee and through thee only my blessed Redeemer Iesus Christ I shall be received to grace and mercy and made partaker of eternall life and remaine with Almighty God in whose presence is the fulnesse of joy and at his right hand there are pleasures for evermore which Lord make me partaker of there to glorifie the Name of Almighty God Father Son and Holy Ghost for ever Amen 3. A Prayer to be prepared for a happy death and to gaine a joyfull resurrection MOst glorious Lord God who didst make all things thou well understandest that we poor creatures how highly soever we are conceited of our selves are but dust and ashes and must returne to earth from whence we came our lives and times are in thy hand and power and what thou hast appointed we cannot change and all things to our selves are most uncertaine for when thou with just rebuke dost chastise man for iniquity thou makest his strength and beauty to consume away like a flower of the field that withereth and falleth for when thou callest man cannot retaine the spirit nor adde one houre to his time but it returnes to thee that gave it and hee goeth downe to the grave from which he shall not returne againe till this world is at an end Therefore deare Lord I now most humbly beseech thee for thy beloved sonnes sake who hath satisfied thy just wrath by his infinite and innocent sufferings and redeemed me from sin and Sathan by his death Lord forgive and pardon me all my sinnes and offences past either in soule or body that I have committed against thee ever since I came into this miserable world which I confesse are innumerable more then the haires of my head or the sand upon the Sea shoare but vouchsafe O mercifull God to be reconciled unto mee a wicked sinner in thy deare and righteous Son Christ Iesus my only Saviour who hath paid my ransome with his owne pretious bloud wherewith oh God of mercie blot my debt to thee by sinne out of thy sight and also he did fulfill all righteousnesse for me who is now my blessed Mediator in heaven to impute all this unto mee Therefore deare Lord Holy Ghost by thy gracious and holy Spirit joyne and unite me unto my Lord and head Christ never to be separated from him while I live here and when I goe from hence carry me to be where he is and give mee grace and faith in and through him to make my peace while I am in the way and passage of this life and while I have breath to call upon thee before I am laid into the darke dungeon of the earth when the wormes shall eat my corrupt flesh yet I trust and doe believe through him that hath overcome death the grave and hell for me that at the blessed resurrection of thy children and servants that my corruption shall put on incorruption and I shall see my blessed Lord and Saviour with these my eyes who did redeeme me and shall be my mercifull judge to save me therefore I have sure confidence in his favour and under the wings of his mercie shall I rest in safety Now I humbly pray thee O God the Holy Ghost to sanctifie fit prepare and assist my heart and soule with thy Spirit to fill me with all saving graces for my salvation while I live to enable me to call pray and strive to please thee here in all things but especially Lord at my death stand by me and pray for me that my faith faile not fit and prepare me for thy gracious acceptance before thou call and seise upon me to take me out of this present life and make me alwaies mindefull both in health and sicknesse of my owne last end and then of my appearance before thee to make answer before the great God of Heaven Earth from whom nothing can bee hid of all my life and deeds past even to my very words for thou art only and above all to be feared who canst both save and kill and cast both soule and body into utter perdition in hell Therefore Lord vouchsafe to assist me with thy grace to worke in me all things which may make me acceptable unto thee before the day of my departure that when it doth approach it may not bee fearfull and terrible but happy and comfortable unto me in Christ Jesus my Lord that through him my last day may be my best and most welcome to my soule that I may then call and
and soule to seek after thee and thy Kingdome with the righteousnesse thereof and then I shall obtain the end of my faith and hope even thy glory and my owne salvation through thee only dear Jesus my blessed Lord and alone Saviour To whom with God the Father and the Holy Ghost three Persons one eternall God and glorious Trinity be rendred as is due all praise honour and glory for ever and ever Amen 20. The conclusion to this booke A short Prayer so to performe our duties here towards God that we may obtaine heaven hereafter OH most mercifull Lord God thou knowest my unaptnesse to any good I humbly pray thee to give me thy poor unworthy servant grace so truly to feare thee as not to offend thee so constantly to beleeve in thee and confidently to relye upon all thy gracious promises in all my troubles and necessities and so entirely and sincerely to love and honour thee above all things that nothing in this world may withdraw my minde from thee nor any vaine hopes or earthly desires make mee neglect my service to thee but that I may daily study and strive rightly and carefully to obey thee my Lord at all times diligently to seek thee and know thy will and faithfully to serve and please thee as I ought to doe as long as I live For thou O God the Father lovedst us first and sent thy deare Son out of thy bosome to redeeme us and our sweet Saviour Jesus in his love gave himselfe and laid downe his owne life to save us from eternall death greater love cannot bee found then for one to dye for a friend but thou Lord diedst for thine enemies much more having now reconciled us to the father and to thy selfe I trust being united to thee also by the Holy Ghost by sanctification and true faith wrought in me by that blessed Spirit I shall obtaine mercy through the merits and sufferings of my deare Jesus to live with thee in heaven hereafter to glorifie the great Name of God the eternall Father Son and Holy Ghost to whom bee all praise and honour for ever and let heaven and earth Saints and Angells and all creatures give glory to him for evermore Amen Here is one Prayer more which I joyne to these because it concerned one of my daughters to whom this Booke belonged though it was lately penned upon a very strange accident 21. A thanksgiving to Almighty God for his most mercifull preservation of my noble kinswoman the Lady Eliz. Feelding and of my owne daughter the Lady Eliz. Cornwalleis from drowning under the Bridge and was long under water and one worthy Gentlewoman in the company could not bee recovered This may serve upon any such fearfull accident MOst Mighty God Creator of heaven and earth and the only disposer of all things therein thou art the defender and protecter of all thy children and servants and the gracious preserver of all those that depend upon thee thy power ruleth both by sea and land and thy all-guiding providence directeth all things in the world according to thy own high will and good pleasure and for the good of all them that trust in thee Whereof thou hast given many and mee the unworthiest of thy servants an especiall testimony of thy infinite mercy towards my deare daughter and kinswoman in that great and miraculous deliverance lately of them in the dreadfull danger of sudden death by drowning in the Thames for thou didst mercifully provide and take care to save their lives when they were past sense to take care of themselves or to call upon thee for helpe yet beyond all hope thou didst bring them backe from the gates of death praised for ever be thy most glorious Name and let neither us nor any of our generation forget this thy great mercy Now Lord make us duly to acknowledge all thy benefits and let us not passe them out of our mindes without true thankfulnesse for all thy favours continually vouchsafed unto us undeserved for all which we poor creatures have nothing to returne to thee but devout love faithfull service and carefull obedience with the humble sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving which by thy assistance I will performe towards thee with a gratefull heart so long as I live and for ever Amen 22. A Petition of the Author for herselfe O Lord as Paul said he would readily performe the duty in his charge that lay upon him lest while he preached to save others himself should become a cast-away so dearest Lord I having taken pains to compose many Prayers for the use of others under my care to further them in the constant performance of this duty of prayer which being rightly used will draw many blessings from thee Almighty God I most humbly beseech thee to heare and receive their supplications that call upon thee by these Prayers So Gracious Lord suffer not me to neglect my duty and daily service herein towards thy Majesty but make me carefully rightly and reverently to offer up due praises and prayers daily unto thee in a faithfull and acceptable manner all the daies of my life And give me thy poor servant the assistance of thy grace and holy Spirit to reform all my waies before thee to suppresse and overcome the corruption of my heart the vanity of my mind and to forsake and abandon the love of this vile world with all the deceitfull vanities thereof and to cast off those great superfluous cares and desires after the things of this mutable life which passe away like a shadow or dream Wise Solomon that had the plenty and triall of all things under the Sun tells us what it will prove only vanity of vanities and vexation of spirit Wherefore let me learne with Paul in what estate soever I am therewith to be content and to submit with humble patience to thy pleasure in all things thou sendest who knowest what is best and fittest for me and keep me for repining and despairing in thy chastisements for thou canst heale as well as wound when thou pleasest Therefore I will dedicate my heart and soule and all my endeavours unto thy faithfull service striving to make my calling and election sure by looking after thee my God thy Kingdome and thy righteousnesse which is the only thing needfull This grace grant unto mee O God for Jesus Christs sake Amen The end of the first Book BOOK II. THis Book I began to write at my house at Barking in Essex where I retired my selfe in solitarinesse after the death of my worthy and dear husband Sir Thomas Richardson Knight Lord chiefe Justice of the Kings Bench who dyed at Candlemas 1634. Where shortly after I finished these Prayers following for my owne private use being the fittest imployment for my time who was then in so much heavinesse I call this Book a weekly exercise of Prayer either for a private person or in their owne family To which there are added some other necessary Prayers very
for thee before thou hadst being to understand thine owne wretched estate Oh my Lord God! how good and gracious hast thou ever been in all thy mercies both spirituall and temporall towards me the least and unworthiest of thy servants before I was borne and ever since from time to time Now Lord I humbly pray thee in the same love and favour from which I have hitherto received so many and great benefits vouchsafe thou alwaies to continue thy blessings unto me especially in daily renewing all spirituall graces in my soule for the true performance of all holy duties and service in a right and acceptable manner towards thy Majesty and Lord make my humble thankfulnesse unto thee appeare in my true obedience of thee in all things that I may duly praise and glorifie thy name for ever Now deare God let not thy mercy in prolonging my daies encrease the number of my sinnes and so to heap up wrath unto my selfe against the day of wrath by drawing upon me due punishments for my offences but mercifull God adde thou grace unto my daies and for Jesus sake forgive all my sinnes past that I have done before thee in my whole life time especially in my many breaches of this holy and blessed Lords day which we keep in remembrance of our Saviours resurrection with all my neglects and defects in the performance of my duties towards thee this present day and heretofore according to thy Commandements And grant O God through thy mercies and my Saviours merits that my iniquities may never bee imputed unto mee but Lord let thy goodnesse patience and long sufferings lead me to daily and unfaigned repentance and give me true faith in all thy gracious promises and by the assistance of thy holy Spirit to bring forth amendment of all my former faults with true obedience unto thy blessed will and holinesse of living all my life to come That so I may obtaine grace and favour in thy sight to prevent and keep mee hereafter from all sin and evil or offending thee my God in thought word and deed and direct thou my waies right before thee in all godlinesse and uprightnesse of heart that I may be enabled through my Lord Jesus Christ to doe every good worke and by thy grace to live here according to all thy Commandements and when thou pleasest to call for mee â—ut of this wicked world unto thy selfe Lord assist me with thy spirit and grace to make a blessed end and to die in thee my Lord and so I shall finde mercie through the merits of my Saviour Jesus after death to be accepted and received into the Kingdome of heaven and through Christ my Saviour may bee admitted into thy glorious presence O God where is the fulnesse of joy and at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore of which Lord make me a happy partaker when this life is ended Amen Amen 10. A Prayer for Munday to God the Father at first awaking I Will praise thee with my whole heart for thou hast dealt lovingly with mee Blessed and praised now and ever be thy most glorious Name O my God heavenly Father for all thy great and manifold mercies and blessings both spirituall and temporall in soule and body vouchsafed unto mee thy most unworthy and sinfull servant before I was borne and hitherto this last night and all my life past for thy favours have ever been right good and gracious towards mee having done great and many things for mee praysed be thy most holy Name who hast been my only stay succour helpe and comfort in this world and thy infinite mercy in Ghrist is all my hope and confidence for the life to come Now Gracious Lord who hast been my good God and guide from my youth have pity upon my infirmities and for Jesus sake forgive all my sinnes that I have committed before thee in my whole life past and let thy mercy and truth never leave me nor forsake me neither in life in death nor in the last judgement but be pleased by thy Spirit to say alwaies unto my soule especially at my death thou art my God and my salvation for in thee will I trust so long as I live and for ever So be it A short supplication before the weekly Prayers 11. A morning Prayer for Munday to God the Father HEare me when I call upon thee O God of my righteousnesse have mercy upon mee and hearken unto my prayer Most Gracious Lord God and my heavenly Father in Christ Jesus my Saviour thou knowest my great and grievous infirmities that I can of my selfe neither will nor performe any good nor think a good thought but by thy grace therefore I most humbly pray thee to indue mee thy poore unworthy servant with thy holy Spirit whereby these and all other my prayers and petitions that I presume to offer unto thy Majesty may by thy assistance be made in a right manner and in an acceptable time when thou wilt please to be found of me and graciously to heare and receive me and my supplications And now vouchsafe dear God to sanctifie prepare and assist my heart and soule with thy true Spirit of grace and prayer to drive away all vaine and wandring thoughts sluggish dulnesse and all evill temptations out of my minde and knit my heart and soule to the true feare of thy great Name and to the devout love of thy divine Majesty and teach mee with all due reverence and such true humility and devotion as is fit to appear in thy sacred presence that I may rightly faithfully and humbly now and at all times call upon thy holy Name as I ought to doe and daily pray unto thee O my blessed Lord God who hast awaked mee in health and safety to this daies light which I most thankfully acknowledge with all other thy blessings and benefits both spirituall and temporall bestowed on me thy sinfull servant from time to time beseeching thee of thy infinite mercy alwaies to continue them unto me And as thy gracious providence hath brought me to begin this new day so Lord by thy power defend me therein from falling into any sin or evill to offend thee but give me grace at this present to performe and ever continue to lead a new a holy and an upright life in thy sight all the rest of my daies to come to frame my heart and reforme my waies in all true obedience hereafter to thy most holy will and Commandements And further I humbly praise thy glorious Name for thy gracious preservation of me and mine and all other thy benefits vouchsafed me the last night and all my life past unto this instant houre having hitherto given me health maintenance and safety which I pray thee whilst I live still to vouchsafe me and make me truly thankfull to thee for all thy mercies and let thy benefits never slip out of my minde but that I may daily and duly acknowledge them to the true praise of thy
the grave hell and Sathan and didst willingly lay down thine owne life for us which no man could take from thee that wee might live by faith through thee and also thou hadst power to take it up againe and didst rise from the grave the third day for our justification and to vanish all our spirituall enemies and lastly thou our Lord didst gloriously ascend into heaven there to take possession and make intercession for us unto thy heavenly Father with whom thou dost reigne in heaven for ever whither thou dost graciously and daily draw to thee all those that truly beleeve in thee there to live hereafter with thee of which number deare Lord in the fulnesse of thy mercies make me one Now I further humbly pray thee sweet Jesus the Saviour of all that trust in thee that thou wilt have mercy on mee to forgive and pardon all my sinnes and offences past and present both originall and actuall of omission and commission of infirmity or presumption whatsoever I stand guilty of before theee and even those secret sinnes that none but thy All-seeing eyes and my owne conscience can testifie against mee which is more then a thousand witnesses I humbly pray thee to cast them all behinde thy backe into the pit of oblivion never to come in remembrance with thee and wash all my faults out of thy sight with that blessed streame of thine owne most pretious bloud which thou didst so plentifully shed for us in thy most bitter passion O blessed Lord let not all these thy mercies and benefits which thou hast done and purchased for mankinde be fruitlesse or in vaine towards mee thy poore unworthy servant whose confidence is only in thee that thou wilt make mee a happy partaker of all thy great benefits and favours And sweet Iesus grant through thy mercies merits and infinit sufferings that my transgressions may never bee laid to my charge for there is no other name under heaven but thine only blessed Iesus our righteous Lord by which we can be saved To thee bee rendred as is due all honour praise thanks and glory for ever and ever Concluding my petition with that perfect Prayer which thy selfe hast taught us saying Our Father which art in heaven c. 28. A Prayer for Friday night to God the Sonne our blessed Saviour I Will love thee dearly O Lord my strength for thou art my helper my refuge and the lifter up of my head and I will praise thy name so long as I have breath O Lord Christ by whom was fulfilled the Law and the Prophets and in thee all the promises of God are Yea and Amen to the glory of God the Father and the comfort of all thy servants thou art that pure and innocent Lambe of God that was killed and is alive to thee was given all power honour and glory who liveth and raigneth for ever in heaven and earth of whose Kingdome there is no end to thee Lord bee all possible praise and thanks for ever This is my only Lord and blessed Saviour Jesus Christ the righteous who died for our sinnes and rose againe for our justification and art our Advocate in heaven so that whatsoever we shall ask the Father in thy name according to thy will if we beleeve we shall obtaine it for thy sake who art the beloved Son of God in whom only hee is well pleased My deare God have mercy upon me a most grievous sinner to pardon all my offences past in soule or body of ignorance or wilfulnesse of frailty neglect contempt or wicked stubbornesse bury them all sweet Jesus in thy grave and cleanse them from before thine eyes with thy most pretious bloud which thou didst of thine owne accord and infinite love shed for us to free us from eternall death which by our sinnes are due therefore gracious Lord grant through thy merits and manifold sufferings that my iniquities may never be able to appeare before thee against me either to accuse or condemne me neither in this life at my death nor in the great and last judgement but in that dreadfull day Lord by all thy mercies I beseech thee shew thy self my loving Saviour to passe by cover all my misdeeds with thy righteousnesse that so I may escape thy just wrath which my transgressions have deserved Now deare Iesus while I live here make me thy unworthy servant wholly thine to be thy faithfull and constant disciple and so to love thee as to keep thy Commandements which are not grievous but in obeying them there is great reward and let me so follow thee here as to bee lowly and meek to forsake my selfe and the world and to take up all my crosses with patience and strive to goe after thy steps though I be farre unable to drinke of that heavy and bitter cup of Gods wrath of which thou so deeply tastedst who art the propitiation for our sinnes to deliver us from that fearfull condemnation due unto us my offences Lord I confesse did adde unto that weighty burden of Gods heavy displeasure and our grievous sinnes which thou didst beare upon the crosse for all true beleevers who shall passe from death to life eternall which thy sufferings O Christ hath purchased for us whereby I the unworthiest of thy servants doe also hope to follow thee hereafter from the grave to heaven at the resurrection of the just that according to thy will declared before thy death all that are thine shall bee with thee even where thou art to enjoy all blisse and happinesse in thine owne love by thy unmerited mercies we shall bee made partakers with thee of thy heavenly Kingdome of glory there to serve and praise thy glorious Name who art most worthy world without end Amen 29. The conclusion for Friday night LOrd Iesus vouchsafe to receive me this night into thy gracious protection both in life and death And deare Lord I humbly pray thee to inlighten me with thy grace rightly and faithfully to serve and obey thee in all true devotion and with due submission to thy holy will in all things so long as I live and now Lord I am in health laid downe in my bed by thy loving permission hoping to take quiet rest and sleep which I beseech thee to give me and also I trust by thy mercie to a wake in thy grace and favour to the morning light againe because thou gracious Lord dost only me sustaine and wilt in safety thy poore servant keep who doe most humbly commend and commit my selfe my soule and body my children and grand-children and all I have to thee from whom I have received all the good I doe enjoy for thou hast shewed great mercies unto me for which I blesse and praise thy holy Name beseeching thee to give me grace never to forget thy benefits but to continue Lord thy true and faithfull servant unto my death and for ever Amen 30. A Prayer to the blessed Trinity at first waking for Saturday morning I
pray and say with confidence Come Lord Jesus come quickly for into thy hands I most humbly commend my spirit for thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of truth and vouchsafe thou even to my last breath alwaies to say unto my soule thou art my God and my salvation for ever Amen 4. A Prayer in sicknesse with expectation of death OH heavenly Father who hast been my gracious God before I had being and my mercifull guide from my youth be pleased especially now at the houre and point of my death which I shall shortly expect to be mercifull O God unto me a miserable sinner to pardon for Jesus sake all my sinnes and iniquities that I have committed formerly and vouchsafe to heale and save my wretched soule that hath infinitly offended thee and strengthen my weaknesse with thy power and supply all graces wanting in me by thy mercie and defend me from all my spirituall adversaries who will endeavour my destruction if they can but let them not prevaile against me and Lord Jesus be not farre from me neither forsake me in a time when so much trouble and danger is about me but in the multitude of thy mercy Lord pray for mee that my faith faile not and stretch forth thy hand to save me as thou didst to Peter lest I perish Now O God give me such sound and unfaigned repentance as may obtaine from thee remission of all my sinnes with true faith to lay hold of all thy gracious promises and a right and a stedfast hope in all thy mercies but chiefly indue me with devout and perfect love toward thy Majesty which may make me faithfully and constantly thine to serve and obey thy holy will in all things with Christian charity towards all my brethren but Lord if it be thy will give mee knowledge of my death when it is neare that I may faithfully pray unto thee and call on thy most blessed Name with my last breath and may joyfully and willingly yeeld up and commend my spirit backe to thee my Lord who gave it unto me And deare Lord prevent and remove all evill hindrances in my way to heavenly happinesse that through Christ Jesus my Saviour I may bee received amongst thy children and servants and admitted into the presence of thy Majesty O heavenly Father there to enjoy eternall felicity with thee in heaven when this life is ended by death But if thou shouldest please at this time to continue and prolong my daies upon earth Lord so long as I live teach me by thy grace so to number my daies that I may apply my heart to wisdome and godlinesse and holinesse of life seeking to redeem my lost time past which I have mispent by daily repentance and amendment of life striving to make my calling and election sure by a holy and good conversation the rest of my time to come that by thy mercy and merits of my Saviour Jesus I may be freed of my trespasses and heavy account with thee before I dye and may escape thy just and great wrath which is due for my manifold transgressions Now Lord Jesus I willingly submit my selfe to thy good pleasure to dispose of me as thou seest best but I most humbly beg of thee when my last and appointed hour is come that I shall enter into my long sleep of death and goe to lye downe in the dust deare Lord give me a happy departure out of this life that I may dye in thee O Lord to rest in peace and safety and may be raised up by thee at the last day to grace and glory that thou receiving mee into thy mercy and favour I may live and remain with thee in eternall happinesse to glorifie thy blessed Name and sing hallelujah amongst thy Saints for ever and ever Amen 5. A Prayer unto the Lord of mercy in the time of sicknesse to be fitted for death and assisted in that dreadfull houre against all temptations to gaine a blessed passage out of this world at Gods appointed time O Great and mercifull God who reignest and disposest of all things in heaven and in the whole world as it pleaseth thee and understandest all the passage here below on earth be it never so secret and by thy mercie and power dost work all things to the best for those that love and depend upon thee for thou art full of goodnesse patience and long-suffering towards us poore weak and fraile creatures and thy abounding mercy doth exceed all other thy great workes in pardoning sinners but beyond all other thy favours towards us thy infinite love to mankinde did most appeare in sending thine owne dear Son into the world to save sinners by thy grace that all that beleeve in him might be saved without which thy mercie what hope comfort or helpe were there left unto us miserable sinfull creatures for the just man falleth seven times a day but the wicked much more and if the righteous scarcely be saved where shall the ungodly and sinner appear such as I am Therefore I come and cry and pray unto thee who only canst relieve me in all humility contrition and confession of my manifold transgressions and in the blessed Name of thy dear beloved Son my only Saviour I do beg and beseech thee O Father full of compassion not to enter into judgement with me nor to remember what I have done amisse but to consider what thy Christ hath done and suffered for mee and looking on mee through him have mercy and pity upon me a most grievous sinner I know too well how justly thou maiest condemne me but Lord to save a poore sinner by thy grace is farre greater honour and glory unto thee And gracious God who of thine owne meer mercy didst give us thy most deare Son to be our reconciliation and redemption whē we were thine enemies much more being reconciled and having performed all things for us thou canst deny us no good thing that wee aske in his beloved Name Therefore O God for Christ innocent sake vouchsafe to be reconciled unto me thy most unworthy sinfull servant and cast all my offences into his grave where my Saviour paid the last part of my ransome and by his power rising againe the third day from death he conquered and overcame all my soules enemies sin death hell and Sathan and deare Lord with his pretious bloudshed upon the crosse wash my soule cleane before it appeare in thy presence and take away all my iniquities out of thy sight never to come in remembrance before thee so that Christ may be unto me both in life and death an advantage And now most deare God my life and time here is only in thy hand and pleasure and thou hast cast me upon the bed of sicknesse from which I know not whether I shall recover or rise any more while I live in this world therefore I most humbly pray thee sweet Jesus never to leave or forsake me but stand thou alwaies in mercy by me and
preservation this night and formerly and safe approach by thy providence to this light I humbly beseech thee vouchsafe this day and alwaies to bee my present helpe in all dangers and my mercifull God to pardon all my sinnes and wickednesse that I have done heretofore and to prevent and to protect mee by thy grace and favour from falling into any sin or evill to offend thee hereafter and direct me by thy holy Spirit in all things I goe about to doe that which is acceptable in thy sight through Christ and to the best for my owne soule Deare Lord give me thy sinfull servant thy grace whereby I may be able rightly and faithfully to seeke serve and please thee my God as I ought to doe this day and at all times throughout my whole life These great blessings I beg of thee O God the Father by thy gracious assistance in and through and for the sake of thine owne deare Sonne and my only Saviour Jesus Christ the righteous So bee it 23. A Prayer for Thursday morning to God the Father MOst mighty God and my mercifull Father the giver of all good gifts grant mee thy grace and the light of thy countenance to guide mee this day and ever to walke in thy paths of truth and righteousnesse all my life and to runne in the way of thy Commandements unto my end for thy beloved Sonne hath taught us before all things to seek that which is most needfull even the Kingdome of God and the rightousnesse thereof and then our heavenly Father will supply all things else which he knoweth to be necessary for us Good Lord make me with Mary to choose the better part to seek heare and follow our Saviour Jesus and let that never bee taken from mee thy poore servant To which end I humbly pray thee O God to weane and withdraw my heart and soule from the cares love or liking of this vilde world and all the vanities thereof all which like a dream and shadow fade away And Lord drive all wicked thoughts out of my minde and banish covetous desires the root of all evill from my heart and make me ever consider what it would advantage me if I could win the whole world and should lose my owne soule Therefore I beseech thee O Lord by thy holy Spirit to settle my heart and soul my desires affections and delight only upon thee my God thy glory thy Kingdome thy righteousnesse and make me to account all earthly things but drosse and dirt so that I may win Christ and attaine to the excellent knowledge of Jesus my Saviour who is the Lord of life him chiefly O God let me finde and obtaine to be mine with whom I shall have all other good things by thy infinite mercie I beseech thee that so I may be able rightly and faithfully to serve and please thee as I ought while I live heare that after death thou of thy unspeakable goodnesse maiest make mee partaker of thy heavenly Kingdome of glory And now deare God vouchsafe unto me thy most unworthy servant the grace of daily and unfeigned sorrow and repentance for all my sins with a sound sense and feeling of them in a contrite spirit with care to reforme all my former faults in the rest of my life and make me strictly to examine my owne heart soule knowledge and conscience of all the evills I have done before thee and severely to judge hate and condemne my selfe for them that so I may escape thy great wrath and may not bee judged and condemned by thee in thy heavy displeasure which I am not able to beare for who can stand in the sight of thy great Majesty when thou art angry therefore I most humbly pray thee good God in the multitude of thy mercies to forgive and grant me thy grace and pardon of all my sins and offences past that I am guilty of for thy beloved Sonnes sake that so my iniquities may never be imputed unto me but Lord give me true faith to lay fast hold upon thy mercies and all thy gracious promises and the merits and sufferings of Ghrist with grace rightly to apply them to my owne salvation through Jesus my Saviour that so I may be quit through him and freed of my account with thee before I die and grant that I may daily die unto the world and hate all the vaine pressures thereof and may live more and more unto thee in all righteousnesse and true holinesse of living before thee as becommeth thy Saints that so when thy appointed time is come for me to enter into my long sleep of death that thou wilt be pleased by thy holy Spirit to fit and prepare me and to give me a happy and blessed departure out of this life to die in the Lord that I may rest in peace and safety and be raised up by my Saviour to grace and glory that thou pardoning all my sinnes and receiving me to mercie thou maiest wipe all teares from mine eies and remove all sorrow from my soule and for Jesus sake to admit me into thy glorious presence and there to enjoy eternall felicitie and be a happy member of thy blessed Church triumphant to praise thee there for evermore Amen And the blessing of God Almighty the eternall Father the beloved Son and the Holy Ghost be ever with mee to sanctifie blesse and preserve my soule and body in thy feare and favour and true faith stedfast hope and perfect charity unto my lifes end Amen 24. A Prayer to God the Father for Thursday night HAve mercy upon me O Lord and hearken unto my prayer for I know thou Lord wilt blesse the righteous and with thy favour wilt compasse him as with a shield Lord thou lovest not wickednesse neither shall evill dwell with thee thou shalt destroy them that speake lies for thou abhorrest all them that worke iniquity yet thou desirest not the death of a sinner but that he should returne and live therefore deare Lord deliver my soule and save me in thy manifold mercies for I have grievously sinned before thee and my iniquities are gone over my head into thy presence and are too heavy for mee to beare But I most humbly beseech thee for thy beloved Son Jesus sake to give me unfaigned sorrow and repentance for all my sinnes past which are great and many and grant me thy gracious pardon and remission for all my offences committed this day or heretofore against thee and Lord indue me with true faith to lay hold of all thy mercies and my Saviours merits and sufferings with grace to amend reforme my life according to thy most holy word and Commandements all the rest of my daies to come to which end Lord give me a soft a penitent upright and contrite heart with a tender conscience and a true and sound sense and feeling of all my sinnes infirmities and spirituall wants with grace earnestly and faithfully to cry and pray unto thee for mercie and reliefe