necessary Qualification if we would be pardoned (i) Mat. 6.14.15 Although we cannot forgive in the same measure and equality yet we must in the same likeness and quality i.e. freely fully truly as Imperfect Creatures as he doth perfectly as an Infinite merciful God 3 As an Encouragement to ask forgiveness from Him when he hath enabled us by his Grace to forgive others And as a Comfortable sign that we are forgiven (k) Mat. 5.7 7.2 Luk. 6.35 c. which none can have unless he find in himself a Disposition to forgive his Brother for else he Prays not for the Pardon but Retentment of his Sins and for the Vengeance due unto him for them that himself may be no otherwise forgiven i. e. not at all This shews that we are to be Importunate for a merciful loving spirit towards our Enemies and those that injure us and how beneficial they may be unto us unless we be greater Enemies to our selves than they In that they afford us the happy opportunity of doing that which assures us of Pardon by following the mercifulness and lenity of our Heavenly Father we shew our selves to be his Children (l) Mat. 5.44 c. And lead us not into Temptation Restrain 1 Satan and his Instruments from Tempting us by inward suggestions outward objects or perswasions 2 Us from running into Temptations Occasions Provocations to Sin or yielding to them or from such a Condition as may be a Temptation to us (m) Pr. 30 8 9. let us not be Tempted or assist us so as we may resist and overcome Leave us not to the Tempter nor to our selves Let nothing be a Temptation to us or no Temptation too hard for us withdraw not thy Help and Succour thy Grace and Spirit and tread down Satan and all our spiritual Enemies under our feet But deliver us from Evil. From whatsoever may be evil to us Deliver us from 1 The evil one Satan the grand Author of Evil from Tempting us or having his Power upon us 2 The Flesh our own Evil Hearts Sin and all the Consequences and Punishments of it 3 The Blandishments Allurements Inticements Evil Customs Examples and Corruptions of the World 4 From Tryals in our Minds Bodies Estates good Names c. or support us under Them Rescue us out of Sin and Danger who are neither able nor sufficiently willing to help our selves Free us from whatsoever is Evil within or about us Increase and perfect the work of Grace in us In thy due Time deliver us out of all our Troubles For thine is the Kingdom c. Therefore 1 grant us these things 2 we assure our selves that thou wilt not for any desert in our selves or others But Thine is the Kingdom Therefore we are assur'd thou art as a King concern'd to advance thy own Name Glorifie it in thy Church let thy Kingdom come to it Advance thy will in it Sustain us Thy subjects Pardon our Sins Protect us from all Evil. Thine is the Power To Exalt thine own Name To extend thy Kingdom over all to inable us to do thy Will To minister to our Necessities to keep us Faithful unto Thee to Preserve us from deserved Sufferings Thine is the Glory When Thy Name is Hallowed thy Kingdom the chief place of it Enlarged Herein art thou glorified when we obey thy Will when thou providest for thy Subjects when thou preservest and defendest Them from Disobedience and their Enemies It implies 1 There is but one Kingdom one Power one Glory worthy of deserving the Name 2 It 's no worthiness in our selves but the Honour of his Name that commendeth our Suits to him 3 The End of our Petitions why we would have them granted i.e. to have him glorified that his Kingdom Power and Glory may be advanced 4 How our Faith is strength'ned in the Hopes to obtain our Petitions i. e. because he cannot neglect the Glory of his Name the Honour of his Kingdom which so much depends upon the Performance of his Mercy towards his Servants that call upon him 5 A Special part of Worship and Service i.e. Thanksgiving whensoever we do or would receive any Benefit (n) 1 Tim. 1.17 now unto the King Eternal Immortal Invisible the only Wise God be Honour and Glory for ever and ever Amen So be it So let it be Or so it shall be A Testification of our hearty Assent Attentiveness Faith and Confidence Earnest Desire and full Assurance of the grant of whatsoever we ask according to his Will As I have made these Requests unto thee O Lord so I unfeignedly desire and believe the Performance of them in thine own good Time so far as shall stand with thy glory and my good and in full perswasion thereof I rest and say Amen The Mutual Duties of Husbands and Wives LEt the same mind be in you which was in Christ who in taking his Spouse looks not at outward adorning Nothing makes this Relation so Happy as true Religion the pleasantest strongest Tie leads to the observance of all good Duties mutual and personal Eases lightens all Crosses and Discontents sweetens sanctifies all Societies Companies Comforts Labour to see and love that in one another for the more you love one another the more you will love that and the more you love that the more you will love one another Happy that love wherein there can be no excess Look upon Marriage as an Ordinance not only for the Natural Comfort of Man and Wife but for the Spiritual good of one anothers Souls and for that End let the Husband make Christ the Example of his love to Her and the Wife the Church the pattern of her Obedience to Him Take one another as Adam took Eve immediately out of God's Hand 'T will make you Dutiful and Thankful He that loves the Giver will love the Gift Fix your Hearts in the good liking of each other notwithstanding any Deformity or Infirmity as the best most suitable and only fit match could be found for you in token of your Submission to God's Disposition Contentation with your Portion and truth of your Affection to each other You may lawfully think another a better Man or Woman but not a better yoke-fellow for that admits of a Desire of Change or upbraiding with past Matches you might have had which cannot stand with Love The Persian Lady at Cyrus Wedding being asked afterwards How she liked the Bridegroom answered I know not for I saw none there but my Husband Love seasons sweetens all Estates breaks off composes all Controversies over-rules all Affections makes good all Actions supplies what 's wanting in all other Duties makes Marriage Indeed i.e. a pleasant Combination of two in one Home Purse and Heart Love to God makes his Service pleasant as well as acceptable Love to Wife makes his Power not Lordly but Paternal Love to Husband makes subjection Delightful Love to Children makes it a play a pleasure to Tend them which others judge
Burdensom Prepare for the worst If it come the labour 's well bestow'd if not well lost Think not every day will be a wedding-day In Matrimony God marries Comforts and Crosses together as well as Man and Wife such shall have trouble in the flesh (o) 1 Cor. 7.28 Study to please not to be pleased then all the fault you find will be with your selves Let all your strife be which shall love and please God and one another most and upon any difference who shall first seek for Reconciliation Construe words and Actions in the best sence Stifle little things Abstain from whatsoever is found contrary to each other A Prudent observation of each others Tempers and forbearance of what may provoke will prevent many fallings out Think not much less do any thing that may tend to lessen but whatsoever may knit what God hath Tied with his own Hand If Passion arise in one let the other be silent If Satan hath sown Discord sleep not until the Tares be plucked up Two Cholerick Persons living together many years were never heard to fall out because said one of them being asked when one was angry t'other had the wisdom to forbear Cross not each other in the spring Tide of Passion but stay till ebbing Water then mildly argue it and that not so much to condemn one another as to acquit your self we are more Tractable in Cold than Hot Blood it portends Ill luck when two Fire-Balls meet Be helpfull to each other's Health Comfort and Advantage as to your Bodies Estate good Names Souls Bear one anothers Burdens Personal and Domestical Discover not but bear with one anothers Infirmities yet so as to quicken one anothers Graces and not to suffer Sin upon you Share in each others Joys and Sorrows Jointly endeavour to make the Weight of the Family the more tolerable the Load is lightned by carrying it evenly equally Speak one to not one of another It ought to be so amongst Christians much more York-fellows Debate it between your selves not before your Families or Strangers 'T is a lessening of your selves when standers-by take notice of your Grievances Dissents between Man and Wife are uncomely Differences intolerable I would suffer much before I would make my Complaint to another They are ill Birds that defile their own Nests In case of Correction or Rebuking any of the Family though there be an Errour in the Application let not one Yoke fellow contradict the other before the offending Party but debate the Mistake when you are alone least you abate due Fear and Reverence and teach others to despise your Discipline and your selves 'T is not safe for one Yoke-fellow to receive an Appeal from any of the Family nor to take the Rod out of the other's hand Improve your Conjugal Converse for Spiritual Ends. Let not the Body Rob the Soul nor the Elder serve the Younger Redeem the Time that you may bless God you ever met and not as too many do Curse one another for silently advancing each others Ruine So when the Land-flood of youthfull violent Affections is dried up the Fountain of Spiritual Love will still run with a more sober and moderate but more constant and lasting stream Season your Natural Society with Spiritual Communion in secret serving God and you 'll avoid the Surfeit of Society which choaketh Love Reckon your selves one anothers more than your own and the Lord 's more than one anothers Let your Fellowship together be such as you both in it may have Fellowship with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ whose Image and Superscription this Relation bears Be holy in all manner of Conversation Possess your Vessels in Sanctification and Honour Defile not the Marriage-Bed Be not drunk with your own Wine All things are sanctified by the Word and Prayer Be much in Prayer for and with one another you will then blame your selves not one another and be ashamed to jar considering you must shame your selves before God for it As to Children pray not only for due Parts Proportion and safe Delivery but Children sanctified that your Families may be the Enlargement of Christ's Kingdom and of the Houshold of Faith As God encreases your Relations enlarge your Requests for every one in particular Those Petitions will not suffice when you are many that did when you were one Make God's House as yours and yours as God's Join with Elkanah and Hannah in giving up your Children to God's Service and in going together to sacrifice (p) 1 Sa. 1.21.28 Account that the greatest Riches not which you lay up for your selves or yours but out for God He is mercifull and lendeth and his Seed is Blessed (q) Ps 37.26 Their Prayer O Thou that art the great Creator and wise Disposer of us and all things in Heaven and Earth who hast ordained Marriage for our good and made us two one Flesh We give thee all humble and hearty Thanks for preserving us in our single State so innocent and chast so free from Shame and Reproach For conducting us through the Temptations of this Life so mercifully so wisely for keeping us from the effects of thy Wrath and our own Infirmities O forgive whatsoever might cause thee to Imbitter this state unto us and accept us in the Beloved Indue us with a Spirit of Love of Kindness of Condescension and prevent whatsoever might Disturb our Happy Union Let our chief love and delight be grounded upon the Hopes we have of being Heirs together of the grace of Life Let us walk Hand in Hand to our Father's House in a chearful and faithful discharge of our respective Duties to each other and those Committed to us and be still provoking one another to Love and to good Works That after Death which shall e're long separate us for a little while we may with Comfort meet together where they neither Marry nor are given in Marriage but are as the Angels perpetually praising thee for all the Instances of thy Kindness and Endless Love Through Jesus Christ to whom with thy Blessed Majesty and Holy Spirit be all Honour Glory and Praise now and evermore Amen Another WE come unto thee most gracious God and merciful Father who in Infinite Wisdom and Goodness hast brought and united us together and do prostrate our Souls before thee in all Humility under a deep sense of our unworthiness and unbecoming Demeanure in thy sight O Pardon it unto us that we have liv'd no more to the great Ends of our coming into the World and into this state which thou Institutedst in Innocency Let it not be a state of Temptation or Sorrow by occasion of our Sins and Infirmities but of Holiness and Comfort as thou intendedst it to all that love and fear Thee Allay in us all sensual Bruitish love Purifie and sanctifie our Affections that we may not Dishonour or Pollute the Bed thou hast called Undefiled But use it so as Carnal Lust may be slacked and subdued not provoked
more Comfort than all the Mirth and Jollity of the Earth A Holy Life give more satisfaction than all the licentious Humours of this Jovial Age. When God shall give Relaxation and Rest to his troubled Saints When all their Burthens of Persecution Temptation and Sin shall be removed All their bodily Diseases and Infirmities end in perfect Vigour Agility Spirituality Incorruption and Glory All their Ignorances in a perfect Intuition and Vision of God All their Troubles of Conscience in perfect Peace All their Distempers of Sin in perfect Subjection to the Will of God All their exorbitant Affections in a regular and harmonious Motion towards the Supream good All their Distractions and deadness in Duty in a vigorous Activity and uninterrupted Exercise of Grace All Church-Divisions in perfect Union and Communion of Saints When they shall have no misgiving Thoughts no remaining Depravity in their Nature or new contracted Guilt to eclipse the Face of God or deject theirs and make their Countenance fall before him Nothing taken from them but their Prison their Chain their Clog their Shame their Sting their Poyson their Burden their Misery The Consideration of Judgment to come is enough sure to perswade us to a strict and diligent Care of our Lives and Actions to cast a damp upon all youthfull Dalliances and Solaces to check them in their eager pursuit of their most delicious Pleasures (y) Ec. 11.9 To make the Judge upon the Bench tremble at a few words of a Prisoner at the Bar (z) Act. 24.25 The Drunkard to let fall his Cups and the Busie Worldling to stand at gaze the Prophane Atheist to hide his Head and the sleepy Sot to start up into Anxious Wonder to hush the loud Companions into Silence and the merry Droll into a carefull Look No Sinner knows how soon he may be reduc'd to the very last opportunity of making his peace with God and brought into those straits that no wise considerate man would be in for all the World Into such a Condition as to have nothing to save him from perishing but a sudden Repentance to have but this Plank left which is a Thousand to one whether ever it will bring him safe to shore Now he apprehends himself in danger he is infinitely troubled for his neglecting Preparation for that which he could not for his life but believe would come He thinks and it 's to be fear'd very right it 's somewhat too late to set about it to little purpose to gird up his Loins when he can do no Service to light his Lamp when all his Oil is spent He 's afraid he shall have no time to do any thing considerable in this work that God will not accept of any thing he doth at such a time he vainly wishes for some of those Hours he was sick of hung upon his Hand he foolishly wasted and mis spent and nothing hinders him now from setting about the Work with all his Might but that â—â—e hath neglected it so long and that it 's â—ow too late But is it not better to preâ—ent the occasion of it To take away the ground of such vain Wishes such sad Complaints Why should we not resolvedly do that now which so many when they come to die heartily wish they had done The Foundation of our Peace and Comfort at Death must be laid in our youth and health living in a continual Expectation and Preparation for it doing all things in order to it getting a stock of habitual Grace and keeping our Souls in a vigorous vigilant Posture Let your loins be girded about and your lights Burning and ye your selves like unto men that wait for their Lord when he will return from the Wedding that when he cometh and knocketh they may open to him immediately Blessed are those Servants Luke 12.35 36 37. whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching A Prayer for a Comfortable Death To be added to our daily Devotions ALmighty Creator and most mercifull Redeemer who hast made me as the Clay and wilt bring me to Dust again Have Mercy upon me now and at the Hour of my Death By a Holy Conversation and habitual Performance of my Duty let me be always ready for it Let it not be unprovided or untimely having in it nothing extraordinary but an extraordinary Piety and the Manifestation of a great and miraculous Mercy Hide thy Face from my Sins and blot out all mine Iniquities Let me pass through the Valley of the shadow of Death with safety and a well-grounded Peace a meek and quiet Spirit and a Sence of thy Love and Mercy let me then fear no Evil because thou art with me thy Rod and thy Staff comforts me when my Flesh and my Heart faileth me be thou the strength of my Heart and my Portion for ever Give me a right use of â—â—y Sences and Understanding an unâ—â—gned Repentance a strong Faith and â—â—tience a firm Hope a sincere Love 〈◊〉 thee and all the World Be thou â—â—e Portion of all my Relations and â—â—iends and our exceeding great Reâ—â—rd When our Earthly House of this â—â—bernacle is dissolved let 's have a Builâ—â—g of God an House not made with â—â—nds Eternal in the Heavens while â—â—ive let me live unto thee when I 〈◊〉 let me die unto thee living or dyâ—â—â— let me be thine through Jesus Christ 〈◊〉 Lord. Amen Another O Judge of all the World and Father of Mercies In all Humility I â—strate my self before thee O Reâ—â—mber not against me the Sins of my â—â—th nor of my riper Years but acâ—â—â—ding to the Multitude of thy tender â—â—â—cies blot out all my Transgressions 〈◊〉 me not in a short life create to my 〈◊〉 Horror Amazement and Eternal Torment but be every day doing that which will be matter of Triumph and Rejoycing when I come to die All the days of my appointed Time let mâ— wait till my Change come Preservâ— me in thy Faith Fear and Love to my Life's End Cast me not away from thy Presence take not thy Holy Spirâ—â— from me Deliver me whom thou haâ— redeemed with thy most precious Blood from the Power and guilt of Sin from offending thee or others by an impatâ—â—ent uneasie Spirit from the Assaults 〈◊〉 Satan from an immoderate Fear 〈◊〉 Death from Eternal Damnation Thâ—â— when I have served thee in my Generâ—tion I may have an abundant Entranâ—â— into the Kingdom of our Lord and Savâ— our Jesus Christ to whom with thâ— Blessed Majesty and Holy Spirit be a Glory Honour and Praise now and eveâ— more Amen Another O Thou that art the Father of Mercies and God of all Consolation receive and keep me in thy Favour in the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Faith and Peace and in Righteousness of Life Make me always sensible of the shortness and uncertainty of my Life and of the suddainness and certainty of that Day when thou wilt bring every work into Judgment with every secret thing whether
increased or inflamed that thy self and others may see our Chast Conversation coupled with Fear Let us keep up the Honour and Ends of Marriage Be linked together in one common Care and live together in one Spirit to thy Glory the Edification and Benefit of others the real Comfort Advantage and Contentment of each other the Promoting and Advancing thy Kingdom that we may together enjoy thee Eternally through Jesus Christ Amen The Husband's Duty TO be the Head bespeaks not only your Dignity but Duty to study and design your Wife's Comfort and Welfare to be the Seat and Fountain of Reason Understanding and Discretion to her to excel her in Knowledge Patience Christian Courage and Resolution Chief in bearing Trials and Infirmities with all privacy love and mildness guiding directing reproving her Let love sweeten your Speech Carriage Actions and Advices to her Let not your Commands be unreasonable or imperious but lawfull managed with Meekness Gentleness Familiarity and Discretion that she may see as well Love and Reason as Relation binding her to Obedience Avoid all bitter Language or such as may argue disaffection which sinks deep into the Mind and is hardly obliterated with any after-excuse giving Cause to suspect 't was the Issue of a festered Heart and that a precipitated Passion did not produce but discover it In her Houshold-affairs if you interpose let it be rather by Advice and Assistance than Superiority Avoid Passion Frowardness Austerity and Reservedness towards her Stand by and for her on all Occasions Keep up her due Authority and Honour in the Family Chearfully and willingly not grudgingly or by constraint allow her Necessaries and Conveniences according to your Place and Ability Render her life as comfortable as may be She is thine own flesh so is to be nourished and cherished hath forsaken all for thy Love and is come under thy Roof for Protection Love and respect her as your Yoke-fellow not as a Slave or Servant The Woman was taken out of the Side near the Heart The Wife of thy Bosome to be valued as far more excellent than any other Member under the Head and almost equal to it Husbands love your Wives and be not bitter against them (r) Col. 3.19 Let her be as the loving Hind and pleasant Roe let her Breasts satisfie thee at all Times and be thou Ravished always with her Love (s) Pr. 5.18 19 His Prayer MOst gracious and merciful Father who hast been my God and Guide from my Birth and by thy disposing Providence brought me into this state Forgive whatsoever I have done or thought displeasing unto thee before and since my entrance into it Mortifie in me every Inordinate Affection and Desire Give me Grace still to Remember that those that have Wives should be as if they had none Let not my love unto her swallow up greater unto thy self Let me not prize the Spouse of my Bosom above the Bridegroom of my Soul Now I have Married a Wife let me give a Bill of Divorce to all other Lovers but true Goodness and make it appear thou hast given me a Help-meet not a hinderer therein now I have most need of it As her faithful head Indeed let me guide and instruct her see and speak to and for her nourish and cherish her love her not only as my self but as Christ the Church Bear her Burdens defend her in Danger cover her Infirmities sympathize with and Comfort her under Crosses that I may be better to her than Ten Sons that she may find all those Relations and far more she hath left to cleave unto me in me That when I am as I trust I shall e'er long be happy in Heaven my other part may not through my sin unworthiness or neglect be miserable on Earth But after we have enjoy'd the Comfort of a sweet Society here and been a Blessing to each other and all near unto us we may be translated to a place of perfect Love and Joy to all Eternity Through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen Another ALmighty God who of thy great Goodness hast given Man dominion over the Works of thine hands putting all things in Subjection under his feet and Man to be the Head of the Woman Furnish me with suitable Abilities for the place thou hast set me in Make me a Teacher and an Example of well doing Give me a right Judgment in all Things and a perfect Command over my Passions and Affections that I may not be amazed at Trifles nor discompos'd at every Contrariety of Accidents and Disappointments nor passionate for the things of this world nor discontented if thou should'st smite me in any part nor suffer any Undecency or violent Transport But may pass through all the Accidents of my life with meekness and a sober Spirit Patience and Charity Prudence and Holiness and with an even mind do my Duty in all things Comply with every variety of thy Providence be useful to and careful of mine ever approving my self to thee in a holy hearty obedient Piety and Devotion Wisdom and Humility Chastity Purity and a Holy Conversation Preserve me and mine from all Danger accept of us in and through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to whom with thy Blessed Majesty and Holy Spirit be all Glory Honour and Praise now and ever Amen The Wife's Duty GIve to your Husband due Honour sweetned with Love and Familiarity and expressed by an inward Esteem and outward Reverent Respect Speech and Carriage towards him in regard of his Superiority by Creation and God's Institution thy desire shall be to thy Husband and he shall Rule over thee (t) Gen. 3.16 Be voluntarily subject to his Will in all lawfull things as unto the Lord (v) Ep. 5.22 Col. 3.18 From which Nobleness of Birth Greatness of Portion Excellency of Parts cannot exempt A Son may have more wit than his Father and a Subject than his Prince yet both must obey They may advise perswade intreat not be sullen scornfull disdainfull scold reproach taunt or disobey The Place if not the Person is to be regarded Live in a chearfull Contentedness with your Condition Avoid tedious curious gaudy Dressing all lightness and immodesty in your Behaviour and Attire Affect not Vanity in Apparel or Curiosity in any thing about you Be willing and diligent in your proper part of the Care and Labour of the Family Be a constant meet Help both as to his Person Estate Houshold and Holy Education of Children Dispose not of his Estate without his Consent Consider not only whether the Work be good you lay it out upon but what power you have to do it Avoid an impatient murmuring unquiet Disposition and maintain a holy peaceable meek and quiet Temper which is in the sight of God of great Price Her Prayer IN all Humility of Soul and Body I Prostrate my self before thy Divine Majesty most gracious and merciful Father It 's of thy great goodness for which I render unto thee all
Service of Christ into the Communion of Saints Keep them from the Loss or Injury of any Sence or Member from every sad Accident from Evil Temptations or Examples prevailing upon them from being useless unprofitable or vitious that they prove not a Curse but a Blessing and Comfort to us and others and attain what thou hast promised to those that Honour and Obey thee and their Parents and not provoke thee to visit the Iniquity of their Fathers upon them Give us grace to carry our selves so as we may be able with Confidence so leave our Fatherless Children with thee and bid them trust in Thee O thou that hast sent forth thine Angels for Ministring Spirits to the Heirs of Salvation give them Charge over us and them for Preservation and Safety thorough Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Childrens Duties LOve and Honour your Parents in your Thoughts Speeches and Behaviour be they never so mean in the World or Understanding though you cannot as Rich Wise or Religious you must as Parents Think not contemptuously of them speak not dishonourably irreverently saucily to them or of them Deride not their failings or miscarriages but conceal lament cover them Bear with their Infirmities of Mind and Body when old Age makes them Troublesome to others let them not be so to you Carefully lay up all their wholsome Precepts Imitate them in all that 's good while they live and when they are dead Remember what Grief of Mind your Miscarriages will be to them and how much your Happiness will be theirs Make not their lives miserable by undoing your selves Bear with them when froward and twice Children as they did with you when you were theirs Murmur not but willingly and thankfully be instructed and reprehended by them Obey them in all lawfull things Chearfully submit to any labour they injoyn you or Correction they lay upon you Be content with their Allowance and Provision for you and disposal of you Marry not without their Consent Children are so much their Parents Goods and Possessions that they cannot without a kind of Theft give away themselves without their Approbation that have a Right in them If they be in want relieve and maintain them and that not as Servants or Inferiours but Superiours See they fare as well or better than our selves Though you got not your Riches by them you can never requite them for what you have received of them Pray and do what in you lies for their Health and Life Peace and Comfort Remember how much you owe them for all their Cares and Fears their Cost for you and pains with you Be far from those who imbrue their Souls in bloody Wishes for their Parent 's Death Though they wish them in Heaven it 's not so much that they may have Ease and Rest at their Journey 's End as because they must needs take Death in the way If long Life be promised as a Reward for honouring Parents such may expect untimely Death as a Punishment on the contrary Reverence Kindness and loving Respects to them never went unrecompensed even in this Life Their Prayer MOst Merciful and Heavenly Father who Invitest little Children to come unto Thee and lovest those that do O take me into the Arms of thy Mercy and Bless me who am dedicated to thee in Baptism Make me always mindful of my Vow and Promise to forsake the Devil and all his works to believe in thee and to serve thee to be Dutiful Obedient and Thankful to my Parents and Instructers Humble Reverent and Meek to my Superiors gentle sober and Temperate all my Dayes Keep and defend me from all Evil lead me into all Good Bless me and my Parents O my Heavenly Father The longer I live the better let me be Let me increase in Wisdom and Stature and favour with thee and men to the Glory of thy great Name the Delight of my Relations my own Happiness in this World and that which is to come thorough Jesus Christ in whose Holy Name and Words I further Pray Our Father which art in Heaven c. Another MOst Gracious and Merciful Father who madest preservest and providest all Necessaries for me Pardon whatever I have done amiss and grant I may do so no more Give me Grace to obey Thee and my Parents to be helpful and a Comfort to them Keep me from slighting of them Irreverence Undutifulness Disobedience to them Let me never forget or slightly Remember my many Bonds and Obligations of Duty Obedience and Thankfulness to them their Sorrows Pains and Care for me that I may never make their Hearts sad or bring down their grey hairs with Sorrow to the Grave Increase the Number of their Dayes and thy Graces in them to thy Glory in their Generation Watch over us for good all our Dayes through Jesus Christ who hath Taught me when I Pray to say Our Father which art in Heaven c. The Masters Duties LEt your first Care be to admit none into your Service but such as will serve God with you (y) Ps 101.4 c. A wicked Person is a dangerous Infection in a Family Disobedience is from Irreligion There can be no true Fidelity and Subjection but out of Conscience Keep your Servants from Evil Company and from being Temptations to one another Watch over them for their good Encourage the Obedient Rebuke convince admonish the Contrary so as their own Consciences may Condemn them without Bitterness Reviling Sharpness which oftner hardens than Reforms Defend and Protect them in doing their Duty Bear them not out in wronging any but right them when they are wronged Refuse not their just Apologies Hearken to and Redress their Grievances (z) Job 31.13 Deny not necessary wholsom sufficient Food and Rayment if the Contract be so Physick Lodging Wages Think not much of maintaining them when by Providence disabled from serving you Oppress them not with too much Labour Let your Commands be lawful feasable necessary convenient that they may Obey with chearfulness Your Reproofs and Admonitions short plain material prudent sober private seasonable familiar with good Advice according to their different Tempers when it 's most like to do good and to convince them of it with such winning Mildness and Concern as they may see you 're more ingag'd for their welfare than themselves Rule with Wisdom and Discretion Love Gentleness Tenderness not Rigour and Severity Looking on them not as Slaves but fellow Pilgrims fellow-Servants fellow-Christians and Brethren (a) Phil. 1. Knowing you have also a Master in Heaven (b) Ep. 6.9 Col. 4.1 An austere Master makes Eye-Servants his Person hated his Business neglected No Servant will do his Duty except out of Conscience or Love to his Master Fairness sweetens Advice and purchases Love without which there can be no true Fidelity and Respect Constraint is for Extremity when all other ways fail Let your Corrections be prudent moderate unpassionate joyn'd with Instruction proportionable to the Person 's
I have forfeited and yet enjoy and for the Time to Come suppress in me all inordinate Desires and Cares as to the things of this World all Repinings at or distrust of thy good Providence not doubting of thy Fatherly Affection to those that study in all sincerity to approve themselves unto thee Let me count all things as Loss and Dung in Comparison of the Excellency of the Knowledge and Service of thy blessed self Work my Evil unbelieving Heart to a stedfast Faith in thy faithful Promises that I shall want nothing that is good and that thou wilt never leave me nor forsake me Let me consider more how little I deserve than how little I have that nothing is due unto me but perpetual shame and misery that thou knowest and art able to supply my wants that thy love will not suffer thee to leave me destitute of what thy wisdom knows convenient for me Increase my dependancâ— on thee frame my Mind and Desires 〈◊〉 my Portion Keep me from envying â—thers abundance Inrich me with Coâ—tent with Spiritual Blessings and thâ— Enjoyment of thy self Let me so livâ— that I may have the continual Comforâ— and Satisfaction of a good Consciencâ— and of having thee always for my Frieâ—â— and Gracious Father in Jesus Christ whâ— hath taught me when I Pray to say Oâ— Father which art in Heaven c. Another WHat shall I Render unto thee most merciful Father for thâ— unspeakable Goodness unto me all mâ— days that though I have deserved Iâ—finitely worse than a life of Affliction and Misery to have lived in perpetuaâ— want pain and Torment spending all my days in Sighs and Lamentations thou do'st thus sweeten my passage thorough the world giving me Food and Rayment and Contentment with the same with the means and Comfortable â—opes of being for ever free from Labour Sorrow Care and every thing that is a Burden or uneasie O Pardon all my Sins and Sanctifie all thy Dispensations to me in order to a better life Amidst all â—he Hardships and Inconveniences I meet with here let me not be dejected or discouraged but have Respect to the Recompence of Reward laid up for those that Endure Make me Patient in all Afflictions unfeignedly thankful for all thy Mercies fully satisfied with my State and Condition Let thy word and ways be my Delight thy Power and Wisdom Care and Faithfulness Providence and Promises my stay Support and Comfort to submit unto thee and serve thee the Rejoycing of my Soul and Heaven my Resting place While others are joyning House to House and Cumbering themselves about many things let me be adding one Degree of Grace to another and making sure of that good part that shall never be taken away Conduct me safely through all the Troubles Changes and Temptations of this Life in a Holy Composure Tranquility and Contentedness of Mind in a chearful doing and suffering thy Will and after Receive me unto Glory through Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour in whose Holy Name and Words I further Pray unto thee saying Our Father c. Duties of the Sick THat worldly Matters may not Distract or Discompose you or break love amongst those you leave behind prudently settle your Estate betimes as may be most serviceable to him that lent it If you have fallen out with or wronged any in word oâ— deed be thoroughly reconciled to them and do all you can to make them satisfaction Labour to get the Benefit of Sicknessâ— speedily seriously and Impartially Examinâ— your state heart and life Recollect youâ— Particular Errors be deeply humbled foâ— them and firmly resolved in the strength oâ— God to live a Holy Life if you Recoverâ— Renew your Repentance for Sin and your believing thoughts of the love of God and of your Eternal Happiness Apply your Saviour's All-sufficient satisfaction and purchace for Returning Sinners to your own Souls Confidently cast it upon your merciful Father your Redeemer his Merits and Mediation without further Fear or Distrust He will not Condemn his Friends his Followers his own Flesh (p) Joh. 15.14.15 Nothing can reasonably make us doubt of Pardon but the Insincerity of our Repentance and Faith in Christ Tell Standers-by of the worthlessness vanity and deceitfulness of all worldly things and how miserable all men are that are not good Bear pains with a becoming Christian Patience Remember Passive obedience is that God now in special Calls you to in which you must Serve and Honour him in the Conclusion of your Labours 'T is a great Error of the Sick and Impotent to wish for Death as if they were utterly unserviceable to God it 's no small Service they may do him not only by their Prayers and Praises and secret love unto him but by being Examples of Faith and Patience Heavenly-mindedness and Joy in God to all about them To that End Consider what a vile Body is going to be dissolved that hath been so great an Enemy pressure and hinderance to your Soul which shall be so no more for ever and what a world a life you are leaving and entering upon How near you are off a perilsome dangerous troublesome Pilgrimage and at endless Ease and Rest Look upon it as a singular mercy that Death hath so suitable a Harbinger and Fore runner whose Messenger it is that comes for you even the wise Disposer of all things that loves you that never meant you harm in any thing he hath done unto you that hath provided for you a Saviour and Eternal Happiness and done so much to bring you thither Pray more earnestly and fervently than ever Stir up in your hearts the love of God and all Goodness with raised Expectations and longing Desires after the Felicity to which you are going even to your Dying Buried Raised Ascended Glorified Lord who is concerned interceding for you ready to receive you and what ground of Joy it must needs be to your departing Soul to think that your Head and Saviour is in Possession of the Kingdom you are passing unto Get right Apprehensions take away the disguise of Death Look not upon its formidable Appearance and pompous Solemnity attended with Groans Convulsions gastly Visage doleful Elogies black Obsequies only as a Debt due to Nature or a Punishment due to Sinners but as a Privilege granted to Believers as part of our Christian Charter an Enemy Conquered and made our Friend in what mild Phrases the Scripture mentions it an un-Cloathing a Departure a going to Rest an entering into our Master's Joy a sleeping in Jesus c. Did we really believe this methinks it should be as hard to perswade a Saint to live as a Sinner to die a Believer to keep on his Earthly Tabernacle as a wicked Man to put it off Ruminate upon those precious Promises and melting Expressions to the sincere He shall feed his Flock like a Shepheard he shall gather the Lambs with his Arm and carry them in his bosome and shall gently lead those that are with
it be Good or whether it be Evil. Lead me in thy way sanctifie and support me by thy Holy Spirit now and all my Days Bind up my Soul in the Bundle of Life Redeem me from Sin and Death and the Power of the Grave and bring me to thine everlasting Kingdom Let not any Neglect Temptation Pain or Passion discompose my Thoughts or Duty or hinder me from a well-grounded Confidence in thee Let neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor things to come separate me from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord who hath taught me when I pray to say Our Father c. FINIS ERRATA PAge 75. line 12. for our read your P. 85. l. 1. for hnd r. and. The CONTENTS OF the Scriptures Pag. 1 Of God Pag. 4 Of the Trinity Pag. 6 Of Creation Pag. 7 Of Providence Pag. 8 Of the Angels Pag. 9 Of Man by Creation Pag. 11 Of the Fall of Man Pag. 15 Of Man's Recovery Pag. 16 Of the Sacraments Pag. 19 Of Baptism Pag. 19 Of the Lord's Supper Pag. 173 Of the Creed Pag. 21 Of the Ten Commandments Pag. 28 Of the Lord's Prayer Pag. 35 Husbands and Wives Mutual Duties Pag. 46 Their Prayer Pag. 51 Husbands Duties Pag. 54 Their Prayer Pag. 56 Wives Duties Pag. 59 Their Prayer Pag. 60 Prayer for safe Child-bearing Pag. 62 Thanksgiving after Deliverance Pag. 64 Parents Duties Pag. 65 Their Prayer Pag. 71 Childrens Duties Pag. 74 Their Prayer Pag. 76 Masters Duties Pag. 78 Their Morning and Evening Prayer with their Families Pag. 81 Servants Duties Pag. 88 Their Prayer Pag. 91 Duties of the Aged Pag. 94 Their Prayer Pag. 96 Duties of the Young Pag. 99 Their Prayer Pag. 105 Duties of the Rich. Pag. 109 Their Prayer Pag. 115 Duties of the Poor Pag. 118 Their Prayer Pag. 122 Duties of the Sick Pag. 126 Support for the Sick Pag. 131 Prayers for the Sick Pag. 136 How to spend every Day well Pag. 143 Morning Prayer Pag. 152 Evening Prayer Pag. 154 Grace before and after Meat Pag. 157 How to spend the Lord's Day Pag. 158 Morning Prayer for the Lord's Day Pag. 162 Evening Prayer for the Lord's Day Pag. 166 Directions as to Prayer Pag. 169 Direction as to Reading and Hearing the Word Pag. 171 Directions as to the Lord's Supper Pag. 173 Duties Before At and After Receiving Pag. 174 A Prayer Before or At Receiving Pag. 177 Meditations and Prayers before we receive the Bread Pag. 180 When we receive the Bread Pag. 182 When we receive the Cup. Pag. 184 A Prayer after receiving Pag. 190 How to prepare for a comfortable Death Pag. 193 Prayers for a comfortable Death to be added to our daily Devotions Pag. 216 Some Books Printed for and Sold by W. 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