Meditations and Desires may be heavenly and that I may serve thee in holy Sunday Morning Duties with sincere Devotion grant that by a pious Celebration of this religious Rest on Earth I may be the better prepar'd for keeping an eternal Sabbath in thine heavenly Kingdom These things I humbly beg in the name of thy beloved Son my blessed Saviour concluding as he hath taught me Our Father c. Thy grace O Lord Jesus Christ thy Love O heavenly Father thy Fellowship and Communion O holy and blessed Spirit be with me this day and for evermore Amen PRAYERS FOR Particular Persons IN THE EVENING A Prayer before Reading the Scripture O Lord my God blessed be Evening thy Name for this great priviledge of waiting upon thee and that thou hast given me a willing heart to make use of the same 't is of thy Mercy that I am alive this Evening and not numbred among those many who have the day past perished from the Land of the Living I do acknowledge thy long-suffering and goodness and I will not give sleep to mine Eys nor slumber to mine Eyelids till I have render'd unto thee my bounden Duty of Worship and Praise be thou pleas'd to assist and accept my present Devotions teach me by thy holy Word to live according to thy Will and lead me by it in the way to everlasting Life through Jesus Christ my blessed Redeemer Amen A Prayer for the Evening LOrd I cry unto thee make hast unto me give ear unto my Voyce when I cry unto thee Let my Prayer be set before thee as incense and the lifting up of my hands as the Evening Sacrifice O Eternal God thy property it is that thou hearest Prayer and though thou art the high and lofty One yet art thou nigh unto all that call upon thee be thou pleas'd to bow down thine ear at this time to the Supplications of me thine unworthy Servant and let me find Grace and acceptance with thee while I Worship at thy Footstool I do here offer up my self a living Sacrifice and do humbly adore thy divine Majesty as the great Creatour and Governour of the whole World as the Authour of all that I am and of all that I do enjoy unto thee O Lord belong Honour and Service and Praise but unto me nothing but shame and punishment for I have offended the pure Eyes of thy holiness from day to day by repeated transgressions and as thou hast not ceased to do me good so have I been constant in the unhappy returns of unthankfulness and disobedience I have neither lov'd nor fear'd nor serv'd thee as I ought to have done and my sins are more then I am able to number I do therefore humble my self before thee with hearty repentance imploring thy gracious pardon through the Son of thy Love whom thou hast set forth to be a Propitiation for sin Be thou reconcil'd unto me for his sake and make me partaker of all those benefits which are the purchase of his redemption Impute not unto me the iniquities of the day past but forgive whatever I have therein thought or said or done amiss either against God or against man O Lord grant me thy favour speak peace to my Conscience and that I may no more return to folly be thou pleas'd to work in me both to will and to do the things by thee requir'd give me an hatred of sin and a love of holiness that I may abhor what is evil and cleave to that which is good incline mine heart unto thy Statutes and let not any iniquity have dominion over me O thou who knowest my sinful frailty and to how many Temptations my life is expos'd assist me by thine own Grace and strengthen me with all might in the inward man help me to crucisie the Flesh with the affections and lusts thereof to reject all the allurements of Sin and so to resist the Devil that he may flee from me Whatever temporal blessings I receive at thine hands grant me to use them aright with all thankfulness and sobriety and also to undergo with Christian patience any chastisement or affliction thou shalt please to lay upon me let every dispensation of thy Providence be sanctify'd to my spiritual good that nothing may ever separate me from thy love and favour for as much as this World passeth away and all the enjoyments of it are of short continuance suffer me not to set my heart or affections on any thing here below but raise them up to the things above to that glorious inheritance reserv'd in heaven which fadeth not away and since my days come to an end and I am still hastening on toward my great change help me to be alwaies preparing for it by doing good and working out my Salvation with fear and trembling that so death may not be terrible but a welcom passage to a life of glory Bless the Land of my Nativity grant us peace and plenty and let the truth and purity of Religion still continue and prevail among us Be thou a Friend and Patron to all my Friends and near Relations make them holy and prosperous in this World and for ever happy in the next Send thy consolation and succour to all who are in sorrow want sickness or any other affliction but especially to such as do suffer for the sake of righteousness and a good conscience Accept I pray thee my humble thanks for all thy Mercies for thy holy Scriptures and the means of Grace for all the good things pertaining to this life I bless thee for thy great kindness toward me the day past that I have escaped dangers that my life is continued to me together with thy wonted benefits both for the necessities and comfort of my present condition And since thou who hast made the Day for action and business hast also ordain'd the Night for a time of rest and repose be thou pleas'd to watch over me in lying down and to grant me the comfortable refreshment of a quiet sleep O Lord let thy Grace and Goodness never forsake me till I shall enter into thine everlasting rest in the highest Heavens through thy rich Mercy in Jesus Christ To whom with thy self and the holy Ghost be ascrib'd all Honour and Glory Worship and Praise World without End Amen Thy Grace O Lord Jesus Christ thy Love O heavenly Father thy comfortable Communion O holy Spirit of Grace be with me and thy whole Church henceforth and for ever Another Prayer for the Evening THe Lord will command his loving-kindness in the day time and in the night his Song shall be with me and my prayer unto the God of my life I will both lay me down in peace and sleep for thou Lord only makest me dwell in safety MOst gracious God the Maker of all things and the Giver of every good and perfect Gift thou deservest to be worshipp'd and serv'd to receive Thanksgiving and Praise from thee I have derived my life
St. Pauls account to be they who call upon the name of Christ and to be Christians are one and the same o 1 Cor. 1. 2. There being so much of piety and holiness in this one duty therefore 't is that God is so pleas'd with it for the Prayer of the righteous is his delight p Prov. 15. 8. And we may observe that when he had erected a Temple for his honour among the Jews though Sacrifices and other religious Offices were perform'd in it yet he was pleased to give it a name with respect to Prayer as the most eminent part of his service My house shall be called an house of Prayer for all people q Isa 56. 7. 3. Prayer is an excellent remedy to which we may have recourse in all the ills of our life and 't is a means proper and suitable whatever our condition or distress may be when encompass'd with dangers or overwhelm'd with grief persecuted by men or tempted by Satan When under disappointment losses or want When distemper'd in body or diseased in mind I say in these and other like cases we may by Prayer betake our selves to God who hath a Salve for every Sore who doth know how to deliver and is able to do it When the righteous do Cry unto him he heareth them and delivereth them out of all their troubles r Psal 34. 17. He will be a refuge for the oppressed a refuge in times of trouble and they who know his name will trust in him Å¿ Psal 9. 9 10. The name of the Lord is a strong Tower the righteous runneth into it and is safe t Prov. 18. 10. And therefore we are directed in Scripture to the use of Prayer when we are in any distress Call upon me in the day of trouble Psal 50. 15. Is any man among you afflicted Let him pray Jam. 5. 13. And it is prescrib'd in the Verse following as the best receipt for a sick man that the Elders of the City be sent for to pray over him 4. This exercise of Devotion is exceeding pleasant and delightsom It was so to David and therefore he said O how amiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord of hosts My Soul longeth yea even fainteth for the Courts of the Lord u Psal 84. 1 2. And 't is the welcom which God doth promise to them who shall come to his worship that he will make them joyfull in his house of prayer w Isa 56. 7. It must be confess'd that this holy duty is not so pleasing to all persons there being some to whom the service of God is an irksom drudgery and they quickly say What a weariness is it x M. l. 1. 13. But the minds of such men are earthly and sensual whence it is they savour nothing that is spiritual and while they continue no better dispos'd the entertainments of Heaven it self would not relish to them To other whose souls are purified and by the practices of Religion wrought into an heavenly and devout temper the Worship of God is not a burden but pleasure and they can experimentally say with the Psalmist One day in thy Courts is better than a thousand for it must needs delight any man of a right understanding to wait on the great Lord and Governour of the World to be imployed in the service of his Creator which is the very end of his being the chief business of his life and that which will be sure to turn to a good account it cannot chuse but be a great comfort and satisfaction to disburden our breasts and make our wants known to one who is so well able to relieve and it may well afford delight and contentment to be exercised in adoring and praising God since 't is the work and happiness of the blessed Angels and Saints above 5. The Duty of Prayer is greatly beneficial and if perform'd aright is a plentiful reward to it self for our God is not like the Idols of the Heathen which have ears and hear not z Psal 115. 6. But 't is his property that he heareth Prayer a Psa 65. 2. and when he heareth he sheweth mercy and giveth forth his benefits By the constant exercise of Devotion men hold an intercourse and holy commerce with Heaven and may thence enrich themselves with returns of blessings for all their needs they do engage him for their friend Who is the giver of every good and perfect gift b Jam 1. 1. 17. By this Key of Prayer they open to themselves the rich treasury of his goodness for it's prevalence with Almighty God is exceeding great we are assur'd by the Apostle that the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous man availeth much c Jam. 5. 16. There is an authority attributed to it by which it sways with God so in these words by the Prophet Ask me of things to come and concerning the works of mine hands command you me Isa 45. 11. and it is elsewhere intimated as if it did lay a kind of force on Heaven and over-power the hands of Omnipotence as when God speaketh thus to Moses Let me alone that mine anger may wax hot against them that I may consume them d Exod. 32. 10. and though God were so incens'd and dispos'd to take vengeance yet on the earnest intercession of that good man the people were spared These expressions must be understood indeed after the manner of men but however they do really import the great interest and efficacy of Prayer Which how it comes to be a duty of so great success and advantage as it is we may better understand when 6. We shall consider the particular encouragements we have for addressing ourselves to God in this holy duty as 1. That he is so able to help us in all things that we call upon him for being the Lord Almighty who doth whatsoever he pleaseth in the heaven above in the earth and waters beneath e Psal 135. 6. To whom all things are possible f Mat. 19. 26. And he can do for us exceeding abundantly above what we can ask or think g Eph. 3. 20. Wherefore he is a sure refuge and let our case seem never so difficult or desperate we may animate our devotion with that of the Angel to Sarah Is there any thing too hard for the Lord h Gen. 18. 34. and from hence we may also learn how much safer it is to seek unto God and relie on him then to place our confidence in any worldly succours which by daily experience are found insufficient and do especially fail us in our greatest concerns and when we most stand in need 2. The God to whom we pray hath a Goodness equal to his Power and is kindly dispos'd to shew mercy and do good the Scripture assures us that he is gracious and full of Compassion i Psal 111. â— 4. He is good ready to forgive plenteous in mercy unto all them that
will I seek thee my soul thirsteth for thee To see thy Power and thy Glory so as I have seen thee in thy Sanctuary Blessed is the man whom thou chusest and causest to approach unto thee that he may dwell in thy Courts we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house even of thy holy Temple The Heavens are thine the Earth also is thine as for the World and the fulness thereof thou hast founded them I will praise thee for I am fearfully and and wonderfully made marvellous are thy works and that my soul knoweth right well My substance was not hid from thee when I was made in secret and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth Thy Eyes did see my substance yet being imperfect and in thy book all my Members were written which in continuance were fashioned when as yet there was none of them Let Israel hope in the Lord for with the Lord there is mercy and with him is plenteous redemption And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities I will praise the Lord with my whole heart in the Assembly of the upright and in the Congregation The works of the Lord are great sought out of all them that have pleasure therein His Work is honourable and glorious and his righteousness endureth for ever He hath made his wonderful Works to be remembred the Lord is gracious and full of compassion I praise the Lord for thou art become my Salvation The Stone which the builders refused is become the head Stone of the Corner This is the Lords doing it is marvellous in our Eyes This is the day which the Lord hath made I will rejoice and be glad in it MOst gracious God blessed be thy name that thou hast brought me to a new day and to another Christian Sabbath That thou doest not only lengthen out my natural life but also the means and opportunities of Grace for obtaining the life eternal Thou alone art worthy to receive adoration and Praise from Men and Angels and 't is the greatest honour I am capable of to be employed in thy Service But I do acknowledge my self very unworthy to approach thy presence or to receive any token of thy favour for I am a polluted Sinner and my whole life hath been a continued disobedience against thee and thy righteous Laws I have neglected the good Duties by thee requir'd but have been very forward to do those evil things which thy Law hath forbidden And my sins are much the more hainous and provoking because committed against the light of thy Gospel the great obligations of thy Mercies and after Vows and Promises of better Obedience Wherefore I do here humble my self at thy Footstool lamenting all the Offences of my former life and earnestly begging thy gracious pardone O Lord I do condemn my self but be thou pleas'd to acquit me for the Merits and Mediation of thine own Son who hath fulfill'd all righteousness and made a perfect Atonement by the Sacrifice of himself And as I pray to be freed from the guilt of sin by Justification so I desire to be deliver'd from the Power and Dominion of it by thy sanctifying Grace Be thou pleas'd to mortifie in me all corrupt lusts and sinful affections and to renew me after thine own Image in righteousness and true holiness To this end bless unto me thine holy Ordinances make them effectual for my spiritual benefit and grant that in the religious Duties of this holy day I may sanctifie thee in my heart and make thee my fear and dread O Lord this is a day set apart for thine honour in remembrance of the Worlds Creation which thou didst complete in six days and of our redemption by Christ which was finished by his Resurrection I do therefore ascribe unto thee Praise Thanksgiving and Worship for this glorious Fabrick of Heaven and Earth and the whole variety of Creatures contain'd in them more especially for that excellent being thou hast given to man whom thou didst make after thine own likeness and advance to an eminence and dominion over the Works of thine hands I do with all humble reverence own and adore thee as the Author of mine own life and being yielding thee due thanks that thou hast placed me in the highest rank of thy Creatures that thou hast endow'd me with a reasonable soul and such noble faculties as do fit me for the Knowledge and Service of thy self and the happy enjoyment of thee for ever And prais'd be thy Name for thy great Mercy and rich Grace in sending thine only begotten Son from thine own bosom to redeem Mankind from Sin and Misery and to direct the World in the right way of Life and Salvation I bless thee for the manifestation of the Gospel by him Preached and for the great confirmation of it by his Resurrection from the dead let the light of this Heavenly Doctrine shine over all the Earth that so all the Kingdoms thereof may become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ Be propitious to that part of the World where thy Gospel is already planted let thy Church be reformed more and more from all corruptions both of Doctrine and Practice remove all the unhappy causes of discord and division that all who profess thy Name may agree in thy Truth and live in Unity and Godly Love More especially be thou gracious to this Church and Kingdom whereof I am a Member pardon our abuse of thy great Mercies and all other our provocations grant that the Inhabitants of the Land may turn from the evil of their ways unto the Lord their God that thou mayest rejoice over us to do us good give us outward peace and prosperity and continue thy Gospel and true Religion to us and the Posterities that shall come after us I beg thy kindness for all who are my particular friends or more nearly related to me that thou wouldest bless them in their persons and in all their concernments both of this life and of that which is to come And ô thou who art the Father of Mercy and God of all consolation shew thy tender pity to all who are under pain sickness want sorrow or any other calamity and wherever there be any that suffer persecution for the sake of righteousness or in defence of thy Truth and Gospel be thou near to them for their comfort and happy deliverance Have respect O God to the Prayers and Supplications of thy people which shall this day be offer'd up in the Christian Assemblies throughout the World assist and bless thy holy Word which shall be preached that men may be edified by it in sound Faith and real Godliness Be merciful O Lord to me thy Servant lift thou upon me the light of thy Countenance and let thy Grace be alwaies present with me grant that on this thy day I may not only abstain from worldly employments but also from all the works of Sin give me a spiritual temper of mind that my
and being and 't is of thy great Mercy I am not consumed thy goodness hath been my support and comfort ever since I was born I do therefore prostrate my self with humble adoration submitting my soul and body to thy divine Majesty and offering up my thankful acknowledgments of all thy Mercies and Benefits conferr'd upon me I bless thee for my redemption by Christ and all the means of Grace and Salvation for the comforts of this present life and all my temporal enjoyments I thank thee for that kind Providence which hath watched over me this day that thou hast continued my life and preserv'd my person from those many evils to which I am alwaies expos'd O Lord I am less than the least of all the Mercies I have received at thine hands for my sins have been very many and exceeding great I have broken thy righteous Laws both by neglecting what thou hast commanded and by doing what thou hast strictly forbidden and my practice hath been very unsuitable to the rich Grace and holy Precepts of thy excellent Gospel so that I have justly deserv'd thy wrathful displeasure and the severities of thy justice But thou art a God plenteous in Mercy ready to forgive and thou hast given thine own Son to be a propitiation for Sin O Lord I come unto thee in his Name most humbly beseeching thee that through his Merits the Transgressions of my life may be all blotted out and my person freely justifi'd from all unrighteousness More particularly I beg the pardon of whatever Sins I have fallen into the day past whether in thought word or deed O merciful Father be thou perfectly reconcil'd unto me this Evening And be thou pleas'd to deliver me more and more from the power and dominion of sin that I may be the servant of righteousness and live in constant obedience to thee and thy commands strengthen me by thy Grace against the corruptions within me and all temptations from without and keep me by thy mighty power through Faith unto Salvation Bless thy Church and People throughout the World and let the Kingdom of thy Son be daily enlarg'd Be propitious to this Church and Nation pardon our great sins and avert the judgments we have deserv'd keep us in peace and safety and let truth and holiness still flourish among us Shew thy favour to all my friends to such as have done me any good or do wish me well bestowing on them all the blessings that pertain both to life and godliness Have pity on all who are in any distress or tribulation giving to them thy speedy comfort and relief and be thou a present help in the needful time of trouble to all who cry unto thee finally I commend my self to thy Fatherly care this Night humbly praying that thy watchful Providence may be my guard and defence grant unto me a quiet and comfortable rest that my frail nature being refresh'd thereby I may awake the next Morning the better fitted for the Duties of another day Hear me O Father of Mercies and do for me above what I can ask or think through the Merits of my blessed Redeemer To whom with thy self and the holy Ghost be all Glory Dominion and Praise World without End Amen Sunday Evening Thy Grace O Lord Jesus Christ thy Love O heavenly Father thy Fellowship and Communion O holy and blessed Spirit be with me all thine and mine henceforth for evermore Amen A Psalm and Prayer for the Evening of the Lords day IT is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord to sing praises unto thy name O most high To shew forth thy loving kindness in the morning and thy faithfulness every night The earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof the World and they that dwell therein Thy hands have made me and fashion'd me give me understanding that I may learn thy commandements All thy works shall praise thee O Lord and thy Saints shall bless thee They shall speak of the glory of thy Kingdom and talk of thy Power My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee and my soul which thou hast redeemed I was glad when they said unto me Let us go into the house of the Lord. One day in thy Courts is better than a thousand How sweet is thy Word unto my tast yea sweeter then hony to my mouth Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee I will delight my self in thy Statutes and I will not forget thy Word I will bless the Lord who hath given me Counsel my Reins also shall instruct me in the night season Into thine hands I commit my spirit for thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of truth O Most glorious God the mighty Creatour and wise Governour of all things the heaven is thine the earth also is thine with all that in them is and thou canst do whatsoever thou pleasest in all places of thy dominion wherefore unto thee alone it doth appertain to receive honour and worship and service from the Sons of men I do thankfully acknowledge it is a very great favour and priviledge that I am so often admitted into thy presence and have this liberty granted of presenting my supplications unto thee who art a God hearing Prayer for what am I vile Dust and Ashes that I should take upon me to speak unto the Lord or how can I expect to find any acceptance with thee who have so greatly offended thine holy Majesty by my repeated transgressions O Lord my very righteousness is as filthy rags and my best performances are sinful and poluted I have waited upon thee this day in the duties of thy Worship but it hath been with much weakness and distraction my thoughts and affections have not been heavenly and devout nor have I honour'd thee as I ought on the day consecrated to thee and thy service But O God who art gracious and merciful slow to anger and of great kindness be thou pleas'd to overlook whatever hath been amiss in my life and actions from my Nativity to this moment grant me an interest in the Merits and Redemption of the Lord Christ and let his precious blood cleanse me from all unrighteousness pardon the defects of my obedience and of all my religious duties through his most perfect Sacrifice who hath taken away Sin by the Oblation of himself once for all Add thy blessing to all the opportunities and means of Grace vouchsaf'd to me and cause thy Word to abide in me that it may be as good seed taking deep root and bringing forth abundantly the fruits of righteousness Grant O Lord that as I have been created by thee so I may make it my chief business to honor and serve thee both in soul and body and as Christ died for my Sins and rose again for my Justification so I may crucifie the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof and rise daily from the death of sin to a life of holiness Enable me
especially that of an eternal and glorious 〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 life 〈…〉 Childhood know 〈…〉 Scriptures shall however neglect the worship of God it will be an impiety void of all excuse and for such it will be more intollerable at the last day than for rude Scythians and Americans It might in reason indeed be thought unnecessary that Persons bred up in the Church of Christ especially in such a part of it as ours where the Bible is vulgarly known and practical Religion so clearly taught should be call'd upon to pay their tribute of service to the Almighty But however we may unhappily observe how innate depravity and the immorality of mens lives do alienate them from God and his Worship there are too many every where who live by Sense more than by Faith or Reason And because God is not present to their outward sight as were the Idols of the Heathen he is also absent from their thoughts and they are not apprehensive 't is of any great concern to them that they attend upon him in the Duties of his Service But the more easie and common impiety in this kind is the neglect of those Devotions which should be in private Families and in the retirements of particular persons apart For securing the publick Worship of God the National Government hath been very Zealous there being penal Laws for bringing men to it and they find themselves oblig'd to frequent the Ordinances of our Religion not only by the fear of God but also by that of the Magistrate who beareth not the sword in vain And for the solemn service of God in Parochial Assemblies 't is abundantly provided in our Liturgy wherein are pious forms for all publick occasions compos'd at first by the renown'd Reformers of this Church and Kingdom Men who hazarded their lives and some of them lost them too for the Name of the Lord Jesus and in defence of his Truth and Gospel To these great Worthies the Souls of this Nation are more endebted under God than words can express and their Memories as well as their Reformation should be for ever precious to us But though the publick exercise of Religion be so well cared for yet there are not the like furtherances of private Devotion by the commands of God indeed and by all the reasons of Divine Worship Domestick Piety is no less requir'd than that of the Temple But yet it is not inforc'd by any humane Laws nor hath the Church thought fit to recommend any Forms of Devotion either for Closet or Family that the Prayers in our Liturgy are not prescribed with respect to private Houses so as to be obliging there is declar'd by Dr. Hammond and he doth not only approve of other Forms to be us'd in Families but also that it may be in Visitation of the sick though there be an Office in the book of Common Prayer for that occasion And it hath been thought by some having as high an esteem for the Liturgy as others that considering the general temper of men it would much abate their veneration of the publick service and make them more slack and regardless in their attendance at the Church if the Devotions there were no other than what they have every day in their own Houses But whether so 〈…〉 no doubt that 〈…〉 which injoyn religious Duties together with the Sanction of Penalties annex'd to them do only respect the publick places of Worship So that elsewhere men are left to the alone obligations of Religion and their own Conscience And 't is the less to be wonder'd that this so considerable a part of Christian Piety is no more practic'd The neglects of holy Duties in Families may be too well known and those others more private may be also presum'd without any breach of charity But 't is much to be lamented that any instructed in the Discipline of the Gospel should think it enough to Worship the glorious God their Creator one day in the Week and content themselves with so much only of Religion as the Laws of their Country do force from them Now if we enquire how this may come to pass beside the sinful corruption of men and their aversation thereupon from the exercises of Piety it may be thought generally to proceed either from this that they do not sufficiently know or at least are so stupid as not to consider their Obligation in Conscience to the Duties they thus omit and how much their own interest is concern'd in the due performance of them or else in some it may doubtless be from a want of assistance to their Devotion while destitute of suitable compos'd Prayers in which they should address themselves to God Both which probable causes of so great irreligion the Author was willing to remove The former of them by his following Perswasives and the atter by some composures for Domestick Devotion thereunto subjoin'd In the Perswasives he hath not undertaken any exact discourse concerning Devotion as to the nature of it it 's several parts and the manner of due performance much less to entertain the Reader with an elaborate flourish of words but his design is only to inforce the Practise of this great Duty by a Summary of Arguments which seem'd most material and to do it with such plainess as might render them more apt to convince and affect those of meanest capacity And the Prayers here offer'd by him to the use of well dispos'd Christians are but a few being only for ordinary occasions excepting those in case of Sickness In all of them he he hath chosen still to take in what he thought pertinent and necessary rather than boast his own invention in an affected variety Hoping his good intention herein will attone for any lesser failings that may occur to the Critical he doth send them abroad with this one short Prayer more that by the Divine blessing they may prove really useful to the furtherance and help of Christian Devotion and for promoting the service and honour of the Great God of whom and to whom are all things Amen ERRATA PAge 7. l. 16. read Subsisteret P. 11. Marg. r. Just Mart. P. 34. l. 27. put VI. for 6. P. 40. l. 9. r. by God P. 43. l. 25. r. effected P. 47. l. 3. r. doth P. 73. l. 26. r. there the. P. 85. l. 16. r. much the. P. 88. marg r Ascet P. 93. l. 7. r. do thou P. 94. l. 24. r. and hasty P. 104. l. 17. dele thy P. 107. l. 15. r. thee my P. 108. l. 6. r. imploying P. 133 l. 14. r. attone P. 139. l. 12. dele happy P. 136. l. 6. r. pity P. 198. l. 3. r. or any l. 23. r. adapt P. 169. l. 9. dele all l. 25 r. intention P. 205. l. 28 29. r. supposed P. 206. l. 26. dele not P. 208. l. 7. r. corners P. 229. l. 28. r hath P. 251. l. 10. r. in my A PERSUASIVE TO PRAYER A PERSUASIVE TO PRAYER PRayer is a Duty of
St. John hath transmitted to us one compleat Prayer of his which he used together with his Disciples a little before he was betray'd r John 17. Of the Apostles we read that being met soon after their Lord's ascension they all continued with one accord in Prayer and Supplication Act. 1. 14. Likewise when they were to fill up their number by chusing one into the room of Judas Å¿ Act. 1. 24. and when being assembled at another time the Holy-Ghost fell on them t Act. 2. 1. Again when they were together for the Election of the seven u Act. 6. 6. Thus auspiciously did these wise Master-builders of the Christian Church lay the foundation of their great Work in the humble duty of Prayer The Christians living in the succeeding times of Heathen Persecution were not asham'd nor afraid to worship their God and Saviour when it was most despis'd and frown'd upon by the then ruling Powers and they had Zeal enough to keep up their Religious Meetings though they did thereby run the greatest hazard of their Estates Liberty and Life it self They came together to one place to pray having one common Prayer and with one mind w Ignat. Epist ad Magnes When any new Converts were to be admitted into the Church the great Lesson was They were taught to fast and pray to call upon God for remission of Sins the whole Congregation also fasting and praying Then were they brought to a certain place where Water was c. and after they had been baptiz'd They were brought to the place of the Congregation whither the Brethren were assembled to make their common Prayers to God both for themselves and the baptized x Jus â—â—r Apol. 2. Looking up to Heaven saith Tertullian we pray with hands wide open because they are innocent bare-headed because we are not asham'd without a Monitor because our Prayers are from the heart y Tertul. Apol c. 30. And again We meet in an Assembly or Congregation that we may besiege God with our Prayers as with an Army such violence is pleasing to him z Ib. c. 2. 9 When the Persecutions were so hot and furious that they were not permitted to assemble openly they did then betake themselves to subterraneous Vaults to Fields and desert places and would rather want their sleep than the opportunities of their Devotion for they had their Coetus antelucani a Tertul. de Coron Mil. Assemblies before day their Nocturnae Convocationes b Idem ad Vxor lib. 2. Congregations in the night time And as 't was reported by one of their Persecutors who had made strict enquiry into their way of living They did use to meet together at appointed times before day and sing Hymns to the honour of Christ as God c Plin. l. 10. Epist 97. Moreover their frequency in this holy Exercise is very memorable for beside the morning and evening they had every day three other times of Devotion which being the same as before to the Jews were at the third the sixth and ninth hour or according to our division of the day at nine in the morning at noon and at three in the afternoon Their regard to these hours is supposed to be in imitation of the holy Apostles which is the account given of it by some of the Fathers d Tertul. lib. de Jejun c. 10. Cypr. de orat dom Hieron in Dan. c. 6. Basil in Ascetic for it was the third hour when they were all with one accord in one place Act. 2. 1. 15. at the sixth Peter went up upon the House-top to pray Act. 10. 9. and it was the ninth hour by St. Luke called the hour of Prayer when Peter and John went into the Temple Act. 3. 1. There is no doubt but the Apostles did herein comply with the custom of the Jews as they did in other cases to avoid offence and the better to gain them over to the Faith and from their example it got the rather into the practice of other Christians though without any real obligation on the Conscience for no hour of the day is in it self more acceptable to God than another nor is any preferr'd in the Apostolical Writings but 't is commanded indifferently that we pray at all times e Eph. 2. 18. And this much Tertullian hath declared when speaking of these hours he doth interpose that the observance of them should be Salva indifferentia f Tertul. de Jejun c. 10. with this caution or reserve that it be not thought any necessary duty And he subjoyns a good reason when he reckons it in the number of those things Quae carent Scripturae authoritate That have nothing from Scripture obliging us to them Wherefore we may not vindicate that extravagant honour given to certain Canonical hours as they are call'd both of day and night or the peremptory imposition of them as if they had some peculiar holiness in them or were prescrib'd by a divine Command which afterward obtain'd when Superstition had prevail'd in the Church Nor would we lead the pious Christian near the Confines of the Messalians otherwise called Euchitae an Enthusiastic sort of Heretics who misunderstanding some Texts of Scripture had the vanity to think that their whole time was to be spent in Prayer Whence they cast off all worldly Employments persuading others to do the like and did moreover reject the holy Sacraments and other duties of Religion as accounting Prayer alone sufficient to Salvation g Theod. Hist lib. 4. cap. 11. Aug. Haeres 57. But however the devout practice of the ancient Christians as before mention'd should teach us to be assiduous and frequent in this holy Exercise And though we cannot charge the Conscience with a religious regard to any particular hours because God himself hath not done it yet from the reasons of the Duty it self and from the Scripture Precepts that enjoyn its frequency we must in the general declare it a sinful omission in any Christian if he do not ordinarily twice every day at least worship God in Prayer beside other times of doing the same when usual opportunities or any special occasion shall call him to it In the Jewish Church the morning and evening Sacrifice were appointed by God himself h Exod. 29. 38 39. and hereby saith Calvin they were taught to begin and end the day with the invocation and worship of God i Calv. in cap. 3. Act. Apost Likewise the burning of Incense on the golden Altar was order'd to be at the same times k Exod. 30. 7 8. And surely these are also the fittest seasons for the Spiritual Oblations of our Christian Worship For since our whole time is made up of night and day it seems very meet and expedient whether we respect God or our selves that at the beginning and end of these we should present our Religious Service and Prayers to him in whom we still live and move
and have our being The morning is a fit time wherein to worship and praise God by whom we have been preserv'd and refreshed the night foregoing as also for desiring the guidance and protection of his Grace and Providence and his Blessings both on our selves and our undertakings the day following St. Cyprian doth exhort Christians to pray in the morning that the resurrection of Christ which was at that time may be then celebrated by them l Cypr. de erat Dom. The evening is a time no less convenient wherein to return our Adoration and Thanksgiving for the mercies of the day past to humble our selves for the Sins therein committed as likewise wherein to beg a comfortable sleep and security from all the perils of darkness in the night ensuing And the same holy Martyr doth recommend evening Prayer that so the Sun and Light of this World being withdrawn from us we may then desire the Spiritual Light and the coming of Christ whom he calls the true Sun m Ibid. We may also add that at these periods of our time we are most at liberty from worldly business and therefore the better dispos'd for Religious Duty For in the morning we are not as yet engag'd in the employments of the day and when even is come they are commonly over and laid aside So that our Devotion as thus timed is like to be performed in a manner more pleasing to God and without hindrance to us in respect of ordinary affairs And that we may be persuaded to the daily practice of this so great and necessary Duty we now proceed to alledge some Arguments which if duly considered will not fail of success I. We are oblig'd to it by God's command who hath always required that men should in this way of humble address honour him and seek his goodness It was impos'd on the Jews when they were bid To worship the Lord n Deut. 26. 10. and to serve him o Deut. 6. 13. 10. 20. and that Prayer was hereby enjoyn'd we have the authority of a great Jewish Doctor It is an affirmative Precept saith Maimonides that men pray to God every day for it is said Ye shall serve the Lord your God p Apud Lud. Cappel in c. 3. Act. Apost Likewise God calls for the same from all people Look unto me and be ye saved all ye ends of the earth Isa 45. 22. And the punishment of their neglect herein is expressed by Jeremiah Pour out thy fury upon the Heathen that know thee not and upon the Families that call not upon thy name Jer. 10. 25. But in the Gospel Prayer is more often and earnestly commanded Our Saviour enjoyn'd his Disciples to watch and pray q Mar. 13. 33. to watch and pray always r Luke 21. 36. He teacheth them that men ought always to pray and not to faint Å¿ Luke 18. 1. And for our direction and assistance in it he hath pleas'd to prescribe us a form compos'd by himself In the Apostolical Writings the same duty is very much urg'd We are exhorted to betake our selves to God in Prayer on all occasions In every thing by prayer and supplication let your Requests bee made known unto God Phil. 4. 6. To call upon him in every place wherever we happen to be I will therefore that men pray every where 1. Tim. 2. 8. To be constant and unwearied in the same for we must continue in Prayer t Col. 4. 2. and pray without ceasing u 1 Thes 5. 17. We must pray always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit and watch thereunto with all perseverance w Eph. 6. 18. Now Almighty God having thus clearly and so often declared his Royal will and command there is no room for debate whether we are to conform to it or no His just authority over us is so great that we cannot but own our selves oblig'd to obey in cases most difficult and troublesom And how then can we be excus'd should we refuse to do it where the duty requir'd is both easie in it self and also that on which our own interest doth very much depend For II. 'T is no small enforcement of this Divine Command that Prayer is also declared in Scripture as a condition on our part by which we become capable of receiving those good things whereof we stand in need Though God be infinitely good in himself and delights in being so to others yet we cannot think he will force his Blessings on such as care not to beg them at his hands No we often read it is quite otherwise for when God giveth good things 't is to them that ask him x Mat. 7. 11. To such only our Saviour hath given assurance that they shall receive y Luke 11. 10. John 16. 24. And he himself would not engage to effect any kindness for his Disciples by his own intercession unless they should also petition for it If saith he ye shall ask any thing in my name I will do it z John 14. 14. When God is said to be nigh unto his people 't is but In all things that they call upon him for a Deut. 4. 7. and if they seek him then he will be found b 2 Chron. 15. 2. Nor shall they find him neither unless they seek him with all their heart c Deut. 4. 29. Jer. 29. 13. If he promise to deliver in the time of trouble he requires to be first call'd upon d Psal 50. 15. If he deliver the Righteous 't is after they cry unto him e Psal 34. 17. That God doth suspend his giving forth his mercies to men on their Prayers for them is clearly express'd in that of St. James where he assigns their not praying for a cause or reason of their not receiving Ye have not because ye ask not f Jam. 4. 2. And this holy Duty is so indispensable in order to our obtaining the favours of Heaven that though God pass his word and make an express promise of bestowing any particular Mercies yet there is no actual performance until he be sought unto for the same Of this we find an instance in the Prophet by whom God had in absolute terms declared of many and good things he purposed to do for his people Israel and had confirm'd their belief thereof with this I the Lord have spoken it I will do it However after all it is subjoyn'd I will yet for this be enquir'd of by the house of Israel g Ezech. 36. 37. So that plainly Prayer is still one condition on which the promises of God are made and his beneficence to be expected by us If we fail in it there is little reason to hope he will bestow his benefits or send us any relief in our time of need III. The duty doth appear highly reasonable and expedient from the consideration of God who is the object of our Prayer as that he is infinitely
perfect and glorious the Creator of us and the whole World and Governour of all things both in Heaven and Earth our great Law-giver and most just Judge who will reward or punish according to our actions That he can save or destroy us make us miserable or happy h Jam. 4. 12. That he is the Author of all good and having all things at his dispose can do for us whatever we can need or desire I say considering the Almighty in all these several respects we cannot but be satisfied that he is to be honour'd and worship'd by us and doth highly deserve our service and adoration That we are greatly concern'd to humble our selves at his Footstool imploring his mercy to submit our persons to him and placing our whole trust in his power and goodness to beg at his hands a supply of all our wants IV. This holy performance will be thought very congruous and necessary on a due consideration of our selves for we are Beings entirely dependent on God we have been created by him and 't is by his power and providence that we daily subsist Whatever good things we enjoy whatever do administer to our life either as to the necessities or conveniencies thereof they are all his Creatures and by him provided for our use and benefit We are weak and frail exposed to dangers of all kinds in every place and every hour of our life nor have we foresight or power enough of our own to secure our selves Moreover we are guilty Sinners before God and so have forfeited his kindness and made our selves obnoxious to his wrath and severity There are in us corrupt inclinations to sin We are still encompassed with Temptations and the Devil is our malicious and subtile Adversary So that if left to our selves we cannot hope to be holy in this life nor happy in the next Now when we thus reflect 't is easie to understand how much we are oblig'd to honour and worship the Divine Majesty and to render to him our daily thanks and praise for all that we are or have how much it doth behove us to desire his constant care and protection recommending our selves to his watchful Providence We may quickly apprehend of what importance it is that with humiliation and hearty repentance we beg the pardon of our sins lest we fall under condemnation and eternal punishment and that we earnestly crave the assistance of Divine Grace whereby we may be able to overcome sin and all spiritual enemies and may be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation V. There is in Prayer it self enough to make it desirable and much valued by us 1. It is highly honourable for what greater honour then to be taken into an immediate attendance about the Almighty and to have converse with the supream Monarch of the world the great King of Kings and Lord of Lords in respect of whom the Potentates on Earth are of an account infinitely meaner then the vilest Begger if compar'd to them And what an high priviledge is it that poor mortals made up of Clay can be admitted to the Throne of this Glorious Majesty there to present their Petitions and to have his ear on all occasions Holy David was so apprehensive what an advancement it was to wait on God in his Worship that though he were a King he esteemed the meanest Office in the Temple well worth his ambition and would be content to be a Door keeper in Gods house i Psal 84. 10. rather then live in a state of distance and alienation from him The famous Constantine first Christian Emperour thought it much for his honour to be openly represented as in the posture of one at Prayer And therefore gave order that his own Effigies in the the Impresses of the publick Coyn should be so fashion'd As it was also over the Gates of his Palace in several places k Euseb Vit. Const lib. 4. c. 15. Certainly whosoever hath understanding enough to know God and himself and to compare the one with the other will see abundant reason for saying as the pious Father that he cannot but admire and wonder at the great love of God towards man for vouchsafing him so high an Honour as familiarly to speak unto himself by Prayers l Chrys de Orand Deum lib. 1. 2. It is a duty so material and comprehensive that it doth in a manner take in the Whole of our Religion our piety to God is largely contain'd in it since by Prayer we acknowledge and honour him as our Creator and Lord offering up our Souls and Bodies to his service We profess our subjection and rely upon him for all the good we desire We do hereby give particular honour to his Divine Attributes to his Omni-presence and infinite Knowledge in that we suppose him near at hand to take notice and hear our Petitions wheresoever we are to his Holiness and Justice by lamenting our sins and deprecating his deserved punishments To his Mercy and Goodness while we beg forgiveness and all the Blessings we stand in need of To his Power and Soveraignty in that we think him able to do for us in all the things we request of him and do commit our selves to his Care and Providence We ascribe to him the Glory of all the great and good things he hath done for us and all Mankind by our praise and thanksgiving Likewise we do herein perform our duty with respect to Christ as our blessed Redeemer in that renouncing all our own Righteousness we plead his alone merits for our pardon and acceptance and present all our supplications in his name and through his intercession There is moreover in Prayer an happy concurrence of our Christian Graces and a fruitful exercise of them Of Faith for whosoever cometh unto God believeth that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that seek him m Heb. 11. 6. Rom. 10. 14. He is perswaded of his power and readiness to help and doth confide in the truth of his word and promises Of Repentance in our humble confession of sin our profess'd sorrow for what we have done amiss and our petition for Grace to amend our lives Of Hope for t is by it we are encourag'd to pray and have a comfortable expectation of receiving the good things we pray for and our charity shews it self while we pray for others as well as our selves and do profess to forgive men their trespasses against us as we desire God to forgive ours And it belongs to our holy obedience that we implore the divine assistance and Gods holy Spirit for enabling us tomortify sin and to lead a sober righteous and Godly life And because the substance of Religion is thus compriz'd in Prayer hence it is sometimes us'd to signify a mans duty to God in general as when it is said Whosoever calleth upon the name of the Lord shall be saved n Joel 2. 32. Act. 2. 21. Rom. 10. 13. and in
A PERSWASIVE TO FAMILY DEVOTION IT was an excellent resolution of Joshua As for me and my house we will serve the Lord a Josh 24. 15. which that great General solemnly declar'd to all the Tribes of Israel letting them know that whether they would as he had exhorted them serve the Lord or no and although all of them should forsake his Worship or bestow the honour due to him on false Gods yet for his part he had fully purpos'd that he would adhere to Jehovah the only true God and honour him with his religious service nor would he only do it himself but also take care that his own house or family and all belonging to it should do the same and it is a laudable instance of like piety in the good King David when he saith I will walk in my house with a perfect heart b Psa 101. 2. professing thereby his serious intention as a domestick Governour to discharge his duty to God with all sincerity and exactness in the discipline and good order of his Houshold in which it must be chiefly impli'd he would take great care that Religion might be there had in due regard and God be faithfully honour'd by himself and by all about him These examples of Domestick piety in two such eminent persons may well challenge the esteem and imitation of all who are Heads and Masters of Families and as many as are in that relation are to be put in mind that if they would be indeed religious if they will serve the Lord and do it with a perfect heart 't is not enough that it be done by themselves only but moreover they are to see to it that the Duties of Religion be perform'd by all under their charge There are indeed many offices of Christian Oeconomicks to which the Governours of Families are oblig'd as to make necessary provision for those of the Houshold to give them a good example of sobriety and all vertue and to discharge their particular obligations to their several Relatives as they are Husbands Fathers and Masters but the principal Duty and of greatest consequence is that they take care to have family Devotion exercis'd in their houses by daily prayer and reading the holy Scriptures this is that which God doth especially require of them and wherein the good and welfare both of themselves and those living with them is most of all concern'd and beside the general considerations moving hereunto taken from the adorable nature of God from our dependance on him and the great importance of piety in order to happiness There are some others which do more particularly respect domestick Governours and their Families As I. The honour and service of God for which we were all born ought carefully to be promoted by every good Christian for God made us for himself c Prov. 16. 4. and we are commanded in whatever we do to seek his glory d 1 Cor. 10. 31. it therefore behoveth us to improve all advantages for this great end and since the Governours of Families as such are in a capacity for setting up the worship of God and have power over those who live under their Roof for causing this holy exercise to be attended by them not to do it must needs be reckon'd a most hainous omission If a Christian Magistrate should make no provision for having the Duties of Religion publickly celebrated by his Subjects in all Parts of his Dominion 't would be judged a very scandalous neglect and it might justly be doubted whether he were really what he profess'd to be Now if the Prince be thus oblig'd to use his power for the service of God and Religion how can we judge otherwise of lesser Governours and how shall it be thought that Masters of Families have any true Principles towards God or any regard to his honour while they take no care to have his worship perform'd within their private jurisdiction If I be a Father saith God where is my honour If I be a Master where is my fear e Mal. 1. 6. It cannot be thought that men believe they have a Father in Heaven while they care not to give evidence of their dutiful observance and veneration of him and are not at all concern'd that reverential regard be paid him by others nor can we suppose they really own any severe Master above while they are not afraid to neglect his service and the promotion of his honour which is the work he hath impos'd on them and that for which they were sent into the World Wherefore domestick Governours as they would be thought to have understanding enough to know whence they are and for what they were made as they would avoid the most disgraceful and odious censure of being reckoned atheistical are highly concern'd both for attesting the reality of their Faith and Religion and for answering the great design of their being to employ the authority they have in their own houses for Gods glory in ordering the duties of Religion to be there piously observ'd by all belonging to them II. They may also consider it is most just and reasonable that some portions of that time which God hath given them should be allotted to himself and his service as well as all the rest to their own occasions and that he from whom they hold their Lives and Estates should daily be own'd and honour'd by their adoration and thanksgiving as they expect from their Servants that they execute their commands and labour in the work they set them about from the beginning of the day to the end thereof so they must not think it much if the great Master of us all who is in heaven f Eph. 6. 9. Col. 4. 1. have some share of their service each Morning and Evening God hath been pleas'd to take great care that the Governours of Families shall receive the duty and observance of all about them by giving strict charge that their Wives be subject g Col. 3. 18. 1 Pet. 3. 1. their Children obedient h Eph. 6. 1 2. Col. 3. 20. and that their Servants fulfill their commands with fear singleness of heart and good will i Eph. 6. 5 6 7. Col. 3. 22. 1 Pet. 2. 18. and therefore 't is but reason and ingenuity that they make like return to God by using their authority and best endeavour that the same members of their Families pay their just honour and service to him and this they cannot better do then by obliging them to the acts of his worship and the daily exercises of devotion But against those Christians in whose Families the worship of God is neglected the Heathen may one day rise up in judgment for their Religion such as it was they did not confine to their Temples abroad but paid moreover a devout regard at home to the Lares and Penates which were their Houshold Gods and therefore usually called dii familiares and by Tertullian dii domestici k Tertul.
to have diligent and trusty Servants likewise the Reputation and good Credit of a Family is advanc'd and kept up by the sober and regular Lives of those who are Members of it but when they are such as want good and pious Principles rude Disorders and Scandals are wont to happen which occasion infamy and disesteem And when Irreligion prevails beside that it doth pull down the Curses of God it hath a natural causality for ruining the Family where it is for it usually draws after it Idleness Excess and all the chargeable Vices but the danger is greatest and the Event most fatal when through neglect of holy duties in any houshold the Children grow up in vanity and dissoluteness become averse to all business and industry for advancing their Fortunes in the World and falling into extravagant Follies they often waste the Patrimony left to them and the Families which had long flourished in riches and honour are hereby reduced to meanness and contempt so that while Parents take no heed to have their Children train'd up in Piety they run a very great hazard of losing all their provident care and labour in getting or encreasing their Estates but if they would have them and the rest of their Family to be such as they ought to be and thereby prevent all those ill consequences which they may otherwise expect the most proper and effectual means will be to keep up the practice of Devotion in their houses by reading the holy Scriptures and performing the great Duty of Prayer from day to day V. The publick Interest of Religion and the good of the whole Nation doth very much depend on the pious Government of Families for of these lesser Societies the greater one of the Common-wealth is made up and the same persons are Members of both and therefore if Masters of Families would exercise a religious Discipline and thereby promote holiness and sobriety in their respective houses it might then happily follow that the Kingdome would be generally good as when every one doth make clean before his own door the whole City is thereby cleans'd most certain it is that nothing can be so dangerous to any State and repugnant to all the ends of Government as the prevalence of Impiety and Vice nor is there any thing that doth more contribute to the growth of these then a neglect of Religion in private Families to this must be ascribed in great measure all the wicked disorders of the present Age for we cannot think that Prophaneness Drunkenness Whoredom Thefts Robberies and other enormities would so abound as they do if persons were religiously bred up and the people every where accustomed to pious performances in the houses where they live wherefore to the Laws of the Magistrate and the Preaching of the Minister the good care of the Housholder must also be added that Religion may thrive and the Kingdom become truly happy as Christianity had its Original in private houses for the Primitive Teachers did first propagate the Gospel and administer the Ordinances thereof a Act. 2. 42. 5. 42. 10. 48. 16. 15 33. 20. 20. so on the Piety of Families it doth still depend for it's continuance and preservation VI. As private Families are so many little Societies in the whole Civil State so in a Spiritual sense they are such with respect to the National Church and we find in Scripture that each house the Members whereof did agree in the true Faith and Worship was accounted for a Church and is often so call'd as the house of Priscilla and Aquila b Rom. 16. 5. 1 Cor. 16. 19. The house of Nymphas c Col. 4. 15. and Philemon d Philem. 2. Now as the Christian Prince because he is Head of the Common-wealth hath also the Power and Charge over the whole Church included in it so with some proportion the Domestick governour beside the authority over his Houshold in Secular concerns hath also in some sort a Spiritual rule as it is a kind of Church and it therefore belongs to him to maintain the honour and worship of God within his lesser Dominion In the more ancient times of the Jewish Church the Heads of Families had a sacerdotal power to offer Sacrifice and officiate in the Divine Worship for themselves and those belonging to them We read how careful the holy Patriarchs were to provide themselves Altars wherever they had their abode by building convenient places as Chappels wherein together with their Families they did offer both Sacrifices and Prayers unto God thus Noah Gen. 8. 29. Abraham Gen. 12. 7 8. and Chap. 13. 18. Isaac Gen. 26. 25. and Jacob Gen 33. 20. and Chap. 25. 7. and that these Edifices were for Prayer as well as Sacrifice doth appear from Gen. 12. 8. Where it is said And there he builded an Altar unto the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord this right of domestick Ministry from the Father of each Family did after his decease descend to his first born which say the Jews made Jacob being a pious good man so ambitious of the Birth-right e Gen. 25. 31. and because Esau did undervalue this sacred priviledge by selling it at so vile a rate he is justly censur'd by St. Paul as a prophane person f Heb. 12. 16. When by the modern Jews at this day the Passover is Celebrated in their houses the Pater-Familias or Master of the Family is instead of a Priest for the Shoulder of Lamb or Kid the unleavened Cakes the Herbs c. being ready and set before them he begins the Feast with a Prayer of Consecration and at several times afterward while that solemnity is a carrying on he bespeaketh God for himself and the rest of his Family there present in forms of thanksgiving also at the end thereof he putteth up another Prayer g Buxt Synag Jud. cap. 13. Now that ancient preheminence lately mention'd and the duty impli'd in it doth in some sense still remain even to us Christians and no Master of a Family among us how great soever must think it any diminution but rather an honour and priviledge personally to minister in offering up spiritual Sacrifice to the great God for the Master of a Family doth after a sort and in his measure perform the duty of an Ecclesiastick or Bishop in his house h August In Joan. tract 51. and surely he is bound to officiate himself or at least to take care that it be done by some other and all persons of Quality who take Chaplains into their Families may do well to consider which many have not done of what consequence it is that they be really pious and devout for how else can they expect that the Prayers they present for them shall be acceptable to God since he hath declar'd that the Sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to him i Prov. 15. 8. Joh. 9. 31. and that it is much the more so because such an one
thanksgiving to God and he doth propose it as a good means for restraining men from abuse of the Creatures by intemperate Eating or Drinking and also for procuring the blessing of God on both Soul and Body k Ad Pop. Antioch Homil. 89. We read in particular of the good Emperour Theodosius Junior that he would never eat or drink nor taste so much as a Fig or any other Fruit until he had first given thanks to the great Creatour l Soz. in praefat ad Hist Eccl. And when the Duty of Prayer was thus perform'd by them they did also usually read the holy Scriptures and Sing to the praise of God in pious Hymns by their frequent use of the Scriptures they knew how excellent and beneficial they were and did therefore value them accordingly for when in the Reign of Dioclesian there came forth an imperial Edict requiring that these sacred Volumes should be brought from their houses and given up for the Flames there were vast numbers of them who chose to suffer exquisite Torments and Death it self rather then they would be Traditores or such as would Sacrifice their Bibles to save themselves m Baron Ann. 302. The singing of Psalms was a great part of their Devotion and therefore Pliny in his account of the Christians to Trajan doth mention it as that wherein the Religious service of their Assemblies did chiefly consist that they did Carmen Christo quasi Deo canere secum invicem n Plin. l. 10. Epist 97. and it is related of the same Theodosius we mention'd before that he and his Sisters did use to sing devout Hymns very early in the morning with alternate voices o Soc. Hist Eccles l. 7. cap. 22. How in the houses of the ancient Christians the Duties of Prayer reading of the Scriptures and singing of Psalms were intermix'd with the refreshments of their ordinary Meals these passages do shew Non priùs discumbitur quà m oratio ad Deum praegustetur c. They never sit down to eat untill they have first tasted of Prayer after they have done eating one is called forth to sing to the praise of God as he is best able whether out of the holy Scriptures or else some Psalm of his own by this it is to be try'd how he hath drank likewise their Meal is concluded with Prayer So Tertullian of the Christians in his time p Apol. cap. 39. The whole life of a Christian is an holy Festival his Sacrifices are Prayers and Praises and Reading of the Scriptures before Meat Psalms also and Hymns at the time of eating thus Clemens of Alexandria q Strom. 7. Nor let the time of eating be void of heavenly grace let your temperate entertainment sound forth Psalms and since thou hast a good memory and musical Voice do then begin this duty after the usual manner they are the words of St. Cyprian r Ad Donat And moreover good care was taken by the Parents and Governours of Families in these elder times that the persons belonging to them might be religiously instructed and dispos'd to holy living as shall be made appear under our next consideration But the places which concern the Piety of the Ancient Christians at their times of eating I have the rather cited that they may be for instruction to us of the present Age. When we consider how religious their entertainments then were and that they serv'd for the nourishment of the Soul no less than the Body it may let us see how much we are degenerated from the pristine Sanctity and doth at once both reprove and shame the irreligion of our days in which it is too common with many who are called Christians to take their Meals no otherwise than the bruit Beasts do theirs save that they are less temperate than these they sit down at their Tables and rise again without looking up to Heaven without any acknowledgment or thanksgiving to him whose Creatures they all are by which they are sustain'd and whose Providence doth cater for them from day to day it must needs look ill and scandalous that after persons have at a long sitting been filling themselves from the bounty of the Creatour with the plentiful varieties of Earth Air and Water yet if they return him any thanks at all it is mostly done in such a superficial and lofty manner as if it were but a little inconsiderable Mode to be perform'd only for Fashions sake And at the entertainments of our times how often is it that instead of calling upon the name of God men prophane it by wicked Oaths instead of the Scriptures read the ears of the Company are taken up with loose and filthy Communication instead of holy Psalms they are made first merry and then mad with excess of liquors Such impieties cannot be allow'd in Families where the Governours of them are really good nor will they consist with that holy Discipline for which we are now pleading they are contrary to the ancient Practice of good Christians and much more to the Precepts of that holy Religion which we all profess Lastly the most pressing consideration and that which all Masters of Families should lay to heart is still behind it is that in this Duty of domestick Devotion the Eternal welfare of Souls is greatly concern'd for frequency in Prayer and reading of the Scriptures being so requisite as it is for the maintenance of holiness and a good life where these are neglected how can it be expected that persons will live as becometh the Gospel and as 't is requir'd of all whom God will admit into that holy Place which no unclean thing can enter ſ Rev. 21. 27. and where without holiness no man shall see his face t Heb. 12. 14. Is it not rather likely that in houses where the name of God is not call'd upon nor his Word read throughout the Week the Inhabitants will be Heathenish and wicked not having God in all their thoughts much less any fear of him or his Laws before their Eyes And what must become of such in the other World none can be ignorant that is acquainted with the Bible Now it cannot be doubted but Masters of Families are oblig'd in Conscience to seek the Spiritual good and future happiness of those under their Government if they provide not for them as to the necessaries of this temporal Life they have in St. Paul's account deny'd the Faith are worse than Infidels u 1 Tim. 5. 8. What Censure then shall they be thought to incurr if they altogether neglect their more noble part and take no care of them as to the things that concern their eternal good in the Life to come The holy Father of the faithful was highly favour'd by God as one who would endeavour that his Children and Houshold might fear the Lord and keep his way w Gen. 18. 19. holy Job was very careful that sin might not abide on those of his
to the present purpose that beside his extraordinary learning especially in his own profession and his admirable care and integrity in the Administration of his great Office he was a most pious and devout Christian and particularly was eminently so in his domestick relation he used constantly to worship God in his Family and the Duties of Religion there were always perform'd by himself if there were no Clergy-man present p Dr. Burnet in the life of Sr. Mat. Hale he took great care and omitted no endeavours toward the forming of his Children to the love and practice of Religion following them with repeated instructions which he not only deliver'd to them by word of thy mouth but that they might abide with them and still occur to their thoughts he did use to leave them in Writing giving charge that they should take Copies of them Some of his Written directions to his Children have come abroad into the World in which he did excellently prescribe concerning their due observation of the Lords day and how they were to demean themselves in the publick Duties of the Church also he doth therein enjoin them the Devotion of Prayer and reading the Scriptures in private and we find him there putting them in mind how It had been his practice to give them Line upon Line and Precept upon Precept for enabling them to steer and order their course of life through an evil and dangerous World Now the example of this wise and good man whose transcendent worth is yet fresh in our memory and his reputation so great throughout the Nation may I hope have some good influence to engage others in the same relation to a pious imitation of him as being really convinc'd like as he was of how great concern it is in reference to the future welfare of those under their care and government But if notwithstanding all Obligations to the contrary any Governors of Families should be so stupid and uncharitable as to have little regard for the spiritual good and safety of others related to them yet the love they bear toward themselves cannot suffer them to live in neglect of the important Duty we have been urging upon them for they must also consider that the state and welfare of their own souls are herein most of all concern'd Beside that the omission of Prayer and Reading the Scriptures must needs be prejudicial and of ill consequence to themselves as well as to the rest in their houses nor can they think well of their own condition to God-ward while they so much disregard his Worship and Service I say beside all this they cannot but think that the whole Sin and Guilt of this domestick Irreligion will be justly chargeable on them and they must expect that the impiety of those who are of their Families will be laid to their account as the Persons who might and ought to have prevented the same and if through want of pious Discipline and the exercises of Devotion their Children or others belonging to their charge shall become profane and wicked how will they be able to answer for it at the great and terrible day That they are so bound to consult and endeavour their good in the things which concern their future state as to be accountable to God the Judge of all for the neglect hereof they may understand from the pious and earnest advice in a Tract which goeth under St. Austin's name Written to a Friend and let each Master of a Family suppose it spoken to himself I beseech my Brother I beseech thee that thou teach in thy house to all under thy Government from the greatest to the least the Love of Holiness the Delights of the Heavenly Kingdom the Bitterness and Terrour of Hell that thou be solicitous and very careful for their Salvation because of all who are Subject to thee in thy Family thou shalt render an account do thou Teach Command Charge Perswade them that they beware of Pride Back-biting Drunkenness Fornication of Luxury Anger Perjury and Covetousness which is the Root of all Evils q De Salutar Docum c. 20. And whoever are Faithful and Conscientious herein being Zealous for Religion and for keeping up the Duties of it in their Houses implying their vigilant care that all under their domestick Authority may serve God and live like Christians they do truly approve themselves as good Servants to their great Lord and Master to him of whom the whole Family in Heaven and Earth is named r Eph. 3 15. and they shall not fail of being well rewarded by him for his kind favour shall be toward them his blessing on their Persons their Families and Estates and after they have a while devoutly serv'd him in these their Earthly dwellings he will Translate them to his own glorious Habitation they shall be admitted to be of his own Royal Houshold that they may adore and praise him for ever together with the glorifi'd Saints and blessed Angels in Heaven Where it will be some addition to their Joy to meet their Wives their Children and others of their Families whom by their good Example and pious Government they had helped forward in the way to that happy Place DEVOTIONS FOR THE USE OF FAMILIES FAMILY DEVOTIONS FOR THE MORNING A short Prayer before Reading the Scripture Oeternal God who art Morning the Lord of Heaven and Earth infinite in Holiness and of terrible Majesty to be honoured and had in reverence by all them that draw near unto thee We pray thee to beget in us awful thoughts and a pious temper of mind suitable to that great and holy God with whom we have to do that so our religious performance this Morning may find acceptance with thee help us O Lord to understand thy Will revealed in the Scripture and to receive the same with ready subjection as thou doest cause the Light of the day to arise upon us without so let thine Holy Word shine into our Souls that it may be a Light to our Feet and the guide of all our Actions till we shall come to the end of our Race and to the blessed Reward of all our holy Duties in thy Kingdom of Glory through thy Mercy in Jesus Christ our blessed Lord and Saviour A Psalm and Prayer for the Morning THe Heavens declare the Glory of God and the Firmament sheweth his handy work Day unto Day uttereth Speech and Night unto Night sheweth Knowledge Their line is gone out thorow all the Earth and their words to the end of the World in them hath he set a Tabernacle for the Sun Which is as a Bridegroom coming out of his Chamber and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a Race His going forth is from the end of Heaven and his Circuit unto the end of it and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof I will sing O God of thy Power yea I will sing aloud of thy Mercy in the Morning for thou hast been my Defence and
Refuge in the day of Trouble Vnto thee have I cry'd O Lord in the Morning shall my Prayer prevent thee The Lord is thy Keeper the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand The Sun shall not smile by day nor the Moon by night The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth and for ever Blessed is the man whose Delight is in the Law of the Lord and in his Law doth Meditate day and night And he shall be like a Tree planted by the Rivers of Waters that bringeth forth his fruit in his Season his leaf also shall not wither and whatsoever he doth shall prosper Lead me O Lord in thy righteousness because of mine Enemies make thy way straight before me O hold thou up my goings in thy paths that my footsteps slip not O Almighty God who art infinitely great and glorious the Creatour and Governour of the whole World thou deservest to be feared and Worshipp'd we desire therefore with humble Reverence to Adore thy Divine Majesty presenting our Souls and Bodies as a Morning Sacrifice and earnestly imploring thy favour and blessing without which we cannot be in safety for one day or moment of our Life O lift thou up the light of thy Countenance upon us which is much more desireable than that of the Sun and of greater value than all the Riches this World can afford We confess O Lord that we are guilty Sinners and so justly obnoxious to the frowns of thy displeasure and the severity of thy Justice In Sin we were conceived and brought forth in iniquity there are corrupt inclinations within us to Rebellion and Disobedience against thee and thy holy Commands and these have very much prevailed in the whole course of our Lives for from our Nativity to this present hour we have been still offending the pure Eyes of thy holiness by evil thoughts and inordinate desires by vain Words and irregular Actions We have neglected the Duties by thee enjoined and committed the sins which thou hast strictly forbidden But thou art a God gracious and merciful who delighteth not in the death of a sinner and thy Son is a Mediatour of Atonement and Reconciliation for all who come unto thee through him we do beseech thee therefore for his sake in whom thou art well pleased to pardon all our offences and justifie our persons and to receive us into thy love and favour as thine adopted Children That we may be capable of these great benefits be thou pleased to work in us an unfeigned repentance of all our sins past a lively Faith in the merits of thy Son and serious resolutions of leading a sober righteous and godly life let the power of thy Grace subdue and mortifie all corrupt lusts and the Principles of sin and do thou endue us with all the Vertues of Christian holiness that being sanctified throughout all the Faculties of our Souls and Members of our Bodies may become instruments of righteousness unto holiness in thy Service and for thy Honour Accept O Lord our humble thanks for all thy manifold Mercies both spiritual and temporal for thy care and protection of us the Night past that thou hast refreshed us with sleep and preserved us to the beginning of another day as thou dost lengthen out our life so continue to us thy loving kindness which is better than life it self let thy kind providence Watch over us this day to secure us from those many dangers and evil accidents to which we are always expos'd and grant us thy blessing and furtherance in our lawful Imployments But above all we beg the presence and assistance of thy special Grace to preserve us from sin and all the temptations to it that neither inbred corruption nor the snares of the World nor the suggestions of Satan may draw us aside from the way of righteousness but let a pious fear of thy great and holy name always possess our Souls And that we may be the more careful and circumspect in all our doings help us to bear in mind that we are still under thine all-seeing Eye to which all things are naked and open and that we must one day appear before thy just Tribunal to receive according to the things done in the Body whether good or evil let the consideration of the future punishments which thou hast threatned deter us from sin and the prospect of that glorious happiness which the Gospel doth promise encourage our obedience that having a fixed eye on the eternal recompence of reward we may despise the pleasures of sin which are but for a season O Lord bless thy Church purge it from all corruptions and cause thy Gosple to be known and embraced by all the Nations of the Earth more especially be favourable to thy Church and People of this Kingdome pardon our many and great provocations withold the Judgments we have deserved guide and protect our Soveraign Lord the King and prosper his Government that it may be happy both to himself and his Subjects Comfort and relieve all that labour under any affliction of body and mind give them patient submission to thy good pleasure and an happy deliverance out of all their troubles We implore thy special love and kindness to all who are our friends or more nearly related to us bless them in all their concernments both of body and soul make them good and prosperous here and eternally happy hereafter O Lord pardon the infirmities of this our devotion and grant thy favourable acceptance through the Merits and Intercession of thy blessed Son our alone Saviour Jesus Christ who hath taught us thus further to pray unto thee Our Father c. Thy Grace O Lord Jesus Christ thy Love O Heavenly Father thy Fellowship and Comunion O holy and blessed Spirit be with us and remain with us this day thenceforth and for ever Another Psalm and Prayer for the Morning MY heart is fixed O God my heart is fix'd I will sing and give praise Awake up my glory awake Psaltery and Harp I my self will awake right early I will praise thee O Lord among the people I will sing unto thee among the Nations For thy Mercy is great unto the Heavens and thy truth unto the Clouds The Lord is good unto all and his tender Mercies are over all his Works He holdeth our soul in life and suffereth not our foot to be moved I will extol thee my God O my King I will bless thy name for ever and ever Every day will I bless thee and I will praise thy name for ever and ever The day is thine the night also is thine thou hast prepared the light and the Sun Thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice O Lord thou art my God early will I seek thee There be many that say who will shew us any good Lord Lift thou up the light of thy Countenance upon us And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us
place where the truth and purity of thy Gospel is profess'd and taught where we have the freedom of worshipping thee according to thy Will and do enjoy the precious means of Grace and Salvation Good Lord help us to make a wise and Christian use of all thy blessings to improve all spiritual advantages for the good and happiness of our souls that having well employed the Talents committed to us we may at length be approved by thee as good and faithful servants and may enter into the joy of our Lord to which blessedness do thou in thy good time bring us all through thy mercy in Jesus Christ in whose name and mediation we beg thy gracious acceptance of our Persons and Prayers which we further recommend unto thee in his words Our Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy Name thy Kingdom come thy Will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for thine is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory for ever and ever Amen Thy grace O Lord Jesus Christ thy Love O heavenly Father thy Fellowship and Communion O holy and blessed Spirit be with us all evermore FAMILY DEVOTIONS FOR THE EVENING A short Prayer before Reading the Scripture ALmighty Creator and Evening most wise Governour of all the World thou art God and there is none beside thee and thou only art to be worshipp'd 't is of thy mercy and happy forbearance that we are yet alive and 't is the greatest happiness of our life that we can thus attend upon thee to hear thee speaking to us in thy written Word and to speak unto thee our selves by our Prayers and Supplications O Lord draw near to us with thy favourable mercies while we approach to thee in our humble duty have a gracious regard to this our evening Sacrifice and let thy good Spirit help our Infirmities since thou hast appointed the holy Scripture for a Rule of our Faith and a Law to all our actions grant that we may attend thereunto with godly reverence let thy word dwell richly in us and have a powerful influence on our hearts and lives that having obeyed thy Will here on earth we may receive the promise of eternal life in thine heavenly Kingdom through our Lord Jesus Christ to whom with thy self and the holy Ghost be all honour and glory world without end Amen A Psalm and Prayer for the Evening O Give thanks unto the Lord for he is good for his mercy endureth for ever To him that made great lights for his mercy endureth for ever The Sun to rule by day the Moon and Stars to rule by night for his mercy endureth for ever O Lord thou hast searched me and known me Thou compassest my path and my lying down and art acquainted with all my ways If I say surely the darkness shall cover me even the night shineth as the day the darkness and the light are both alike to thee I will say of the Lord he is my refuge my God in him will I trust He shall cover thee with his Feathers and under his Wings shalt thou trust his truth shall be thy shield and buckler Thou shalt not be afraid for the terrour by night and the arrow that flyeth by day Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness nor the destruction that walketh at noon day Return unto thy rest O my soul for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee O Almighty and most glorious God Creator of Heaven and Earth we acknowledge our dependance on thee for we are the work of thine hands and in thee we live move and have our being wherefore our souls and bodies which thou hast made and hitherto preserv'd we do humbly prostrate at thy Footstool ascribing unto thee honour and worship adoration and praise and with lowly subjection submitting our selves to thy most great and excellent Majesty 'T is thy wonderful condescension that thou doest permit vile dust and ashes to have freedome of access to thy Throne of grace that thou art pleased to invite and command us to present our supplications We are altogether unworthy to speak unto thee and by reason of our manifold sins do justly deserve thou shouldest reject both our persons and prayers for the thoughts and imaginations of our hearts the course and practice of our life have been exceeding evil and that continually We have obeyed the lusts of our depraved nature more than the precepts of thy sacred Word and have compli'd with the temptations of Satan rather then the motions of thy blessed Spirit thy Law which is holy just and good we have broken from day to day and also slighted and abus'd the riches of thy grace discover'd in the Gospel wherefore to us belongs nothing but shame and punishment but with thee there is mercy and with thy Son plenteous redemption we beseech thee therefore for thy mercies sake and for thy Sons sake whom thou hast made a Sacrifice for sin that thou wouldest blot out all our transgressions and remember our iniquities no more deal not with us after the strictness of thy Law but according to the gracious terms of the new Covenant in which thou doest promise pardon and reconciliation to all repenting Sinners We do here profess our deep sorrow and humiliation for all our sins past and our serious resolution to lead the future part of our life in holy obedience to thy Will and Commands But for as much as our sufficiency is of thee and of our selves alone we can do nothing that shall be good and acceptable in thy sight be thou pleas'd to supply our defects and strengthen our weakness let thine holy Spirit lead us into truth and assist us in every good Duty Write thy Law in our inward parts and put thy fear into our hearts that we may never depart from thee Prepare us O Lord for all events of thy providence that in every condition we may be therewith content and grant whatever things shall befal us in this World they may work together for good and be a furtherance to us in our service of thee and in our passage to eternal happiness And because thou hast commanded that Prayers and Intercessions be made for all men we beg thy mercy for the whole race of Mankind that the light of thy Gospel may shine upon all the Earth and every Nation thereof may partake of Christ and the benefits of his Redemption Bless thy Church Universal that it may flourish more and more in purity of truth and holiness and that the Gates of Hell may never prevail against it Vouchsafe thy special care and kindness to this Church and Kingdom to which we belong preserve the religion profess'd among us from errour and corruption let piety justice and sobriety encrease and abound that thou mayest delight in us to do us good for
he consign'd to hearing causes doing justice and other transactions of his Government and all the rest he spent in Prayer reading the Scriptures and holy Meditation he had usual times of Devotion by night as well as by day which he constantly observ'd and he would often leave all company and go to the Church by himself alone that he might there worship God he had a manual of devotion which he always carry'd about with him and on some leaves of Paper that were bound up with it for that purpose he wrote down several pious sentences out of the holy Scriptures which he us'd to read over for exciting his devotion and to promote piety in all his Subjects he began a translation of Davids Psalms into the English tongue though he did not live to finish the same r In vit Aelf per Aelf Coll. Alumn l. 3. p. 161. Bal. de Script Cen. 2. n. 26. Speed Hist. book 7. ch 36. But behold a greater than these for our Saviour himself was very frequent in this retir'd exercise of Devotion it was usual with him as we read in the Evangelists to withdraw himself from Company that he might pray alone ſ Mat. 14. 23. Mar. 1. 35. Luk. 5. 16. he did so thrice within a short space a little before the Jews laid hands on him t Mat. 29. 36 39 42 44. and he was one whole night at Prayer in the solitude of a Mountain u Luk. 6 12. this Practice of Christ is well enforc'd by St. Cyprian Neither hath our Lord by words only taught us to pray but also by his own deeds while praying frequently himself and making evident what we are to do by the testimony of his own example as it is written And he withdrew himself into the Wilderness and prayed and again he went out into a Mountain to pray who was without sin how much more doth it concern us to pray if he watching throughout a whole night prayed with continued supplications how much more ought we to watch by night in often repeating over our prayers * Cypr. de Orat. Dom. Nor may any pretend that these examples are above their imitation or that it may not be expected the ordinary sort of Christians should come up to this pitch of piety for we have further to add that to worship God in private Prayer hath been a common practice and that in all Religions Among the Jews there were composed forms for every mans private use and in these they did call upon God at certain hours every day which they were careful to observe wherever they happen'd to be or in what business soever they might be engag'd Architectus vel in culmine arboris insidens asino illicò descendat recitet When any usual time of Devotion should come If a man were working on the house or were in the top of a tree or on the back of his Ass in the way he was immediately to come down and rehearse his prayers and they had beside Ejaculations Prayers and Benedictions to be used on several occurrences When any one did behold a place where some Miracle had been shewn for the people of Israel or where Idolatry had been rooted out or a place in which there was then an Idol he was to put up a short prayer when any did see an Aethiopian a Dwarf one that was crooked or any way maimed he was to use a thanksgiving when seeing a fair tree or a beautiful face he was to give thanks saying blessed be God who is the author of all beauty in the Creature c. w See Dr. Lightfoot Hor. Heb. in cap. 6. Mat. Cornelius was but a Jewish Proselyte and not one of them neither who were Proselytes of Justice so as to be admitted a Member of that Church and to joyn with them in the holy place of the Temple but he was only a Proselyte of the Gates uncircumcis'd and not conforming save to the seven Precepts of Noah so that he was still reputed as a Gentile and had no enterance into the Temple nearer then the atrium Gentium immundorum the outer Court of the Gentiles and of the unclean and yet of him it is said that he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a devout man 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 constant in his prayers to God x Act. 10. 2 3 4. it was at the ninth hour one of the ordinary times of Prayer when being at his private Devotion the Angel from God appeared to him directing him unto the way of Salvation by Christ It will not seem much that this pious Duty hath been thus regarded by men of the true Religion when we consider that even Mahometans and Heathens have practis'd the same The Turks profess great strictness in Devotion as injoin'd them by Mahomet their pretended Prophet who in his Alcoran calleth Prayer The Pillar of Religion and the Key of Paradice and hath requir'd it to be perform'd five times every twenty four hours the first time allotted for it is between day breaking and the rising of the Sun the second at noon the third between Noon and the going down of the Sun the fourth at Sun-setting the fifth at an hour and half in the Night they allow nothing to hinder their observance of these no not the decree of the Sultan should he command them any thing to be done when 't is a time of Prayer and they think they may not be diverted or break off abruptly though an armed Enemy should be at their Camp or Gates nor if a fire should happen in the very Chamber where a person is praying how fixed and intent they would be thought to be in the acts of Devotion we learn from one who knew them well and doth thus relate of them The Turks with devout Ceremony and profound attention perform their holy Duties supposing that prayer is become fruitless which is interrupted by scratching of the Head rubbing the Hands or any other gesture not essential to Prayer y Busbeq Epist 3. They have indeed an ambitious affectation of being esteem'd devout and do betray their own hypocrisie and vain Glory in that they often chuse to recite their private Prayers in places where they may be seen and especially they love to do it where there are any Christians to take notice of them And as for the Heathen though benighted as they were in the darkness of ignorance and superstition yet they could see it to be both their duty and interest to make their particular addresses to those whom they esteem'd as Gods that this was customary among them doth appear by that of Plato where he saith The Gods did sometimes grant and at other times deny the petitions presented to them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 both privately and in publick z Plat. Alceb 2. and again in the same Dialogue using the same words he mentions one petition which the Lacedemonians did still offer up as well in their private as publick prayers
it is observed by Seneca that men were best pleas'd with the freedom of private Devotion his words are Men would be more sparing in making their Prayers if they were to be made openly so willing are we rather to pray secretly and within our selves even when our supplications are best a Sen. lib. 2. de Benef. cap. 1. and we find that this was not practis'd by such only as were more eminent in Vertue but also by the common sort and those of the worst complexion as doth appear by the sharp reflections both of Moralists and Poets on the foul disorders of which many were supposed guilty in their secret Prayers while presenting such Petitions to their Gods as they would not dare to utter in the hearing of men b Sen. de Benef. li. 6. cap. 38. and Epist 10. Plutarch de Defect Orat. as when the Votary would pray That such or such a person by whose death he was to gain an Estate might be taken out of the way c Pers Sat. 2. that he might be able to defraud others and yet seem honest and religious all the while that the night might hide his crimes and his deceits be always conceal'd from the notice of men d Hor. l. 1. Epist 16. We do also meet with the Precepts given by some of their Philosophers for directing men in their private Prayers as that of Socrates who taught That a man should only beg for himself good things in general leaving particulars to the Gods who alone could know what would he fit for him e Val. Max. lib. 7. c. 2. and 't is advice given in Plato that no man should be hasty in praying for any thing but diligently consider lest he should deceive himself in desiring things that be hurtful while he thinks them good f Plat. Alcebiad 2. It was the saying of Athenodorus sometime the Tutor of Tiberius that men should ask nothing of God in private but what they might pray for in the hearing of others g and Seneca doth advise that a man pray for a sound mind and first for the good health of his Soul afterward of Body g Sen. Epist 10. whereunto the Satyrist doth agree in his orandum ut mens sit sana in corpore sano and the same Moralist hath in that place subjoin'd this excellent rule in reference to private Prayer so live thou with men as one seen by God and so speak to God as if heard by men The same is delivered by Macrobius and he speaks of it as a known precept of Philosophy h Macroh 1. Saturn many instances do occur in Heathen Writers of persons represented making their particular Prayers for themselves as in Homer Virgil Lucian and others In one of Plato's Dialogues Socrates is brought in praying after this manner O Loving Pan and all ye Gods that inhabit this place grant to me that I may be beautified in my soul and whatever good things I possess without they may be a kind furtherance to those which I have within me that I may esteem the wise man alone to be truly rich and may attain so much of this kind of riches as none can bear or carry away but he that is good i Plat. in Phaedro And there is extant a Prayer of the Lyrick Poet from his own hand That Apollo whom he invokes would grant him to enjoy the good things he had acquir'd with health of body and a sound mind and that he might pass his old age with reputation and delight k Hor. car l. 1. Ode 31. It doth thus abundantly appear that the Gentile-Worshippers did privately and apart adore their Gods putting up Prayers to them and I have the longer insisted on it that it may shame the Christians out of their neglect herein who profess a Religion that prescribeth the strictest rules of Piety who are also clearly instructed out of the holy Scripture concerning their Duty to God and have singular inducements to the performance of it And since they who wanted all these advantages could yet esteem it their necessary duty to be singly devout as well as in company with others it must be a strange piece of irreligion in us if we think it too great trouble to wait on the living and true God with our private supplications and it will be altogether inexcusable should we confine our Worship of him to the Christian Assemblies as if it were not worth while to serve God but where we may be seen by men III. There are so many private concerns and accidental occurrences to each Christian as make it altogether necessary that he apply himself to God in secret prayer as when he is to confess or beg the pardon of any particular sin he hath unhappily fall'n into or to desire the removal of some present affliction on himself or belonging to him when he is to implore the assistance of divine Grace against some Temptation with which he is beset or the protection of divine Providence from an imminent danger whereof he is afraid when concern'd to crave the presence and blessing of God in any business or undertaking wherein he may be engag'd or to return him due thanks for some special mercy he hath lately receiv'd Now if the case be thus private and particular 't is requisite our Prayers should be so too which cannot be as it ought either with respect to God or our selves unless suitable to such like occasions whenever they shall happen And we find in Scripture how the Servants of God have us'd to adopt their devotion to their present exigence and the various circumstances of their condition as Jacob in that Prayer of his when under apprehension of violence from Esau his Brother l Gen. 32. 9. Hannah when being grieved at her barrenness she would obtain a Child from the Lord m 1 Sam. 1. 11. thus Hezekiah on notice of his speedy death from the Prophet n 2 King 20. 3. and David in his Penitential Psalm after his foul miscarriage in the matter of Vriah o Psal 51. likewise in several others of his Psalms wherein are Prayers and Praises on all particular occasions as the Titles of them do shew such are Psalm 18. 52. 54. 56. 57. 59. The like may be seen in the supplications of Ezra and Nehemiah p Ezra 9. 11. Neh. 1. 8 9 10 4 4. from hence then we may easily observe the great need and usefulness of private Prayer which will better appear when we consider IV. That privacy is in a special manner advantageous to devotion and the better exercise thereof it hath indeed been ever thought of greatest convenience to all those acts and employments that belong to the rational part and require the intentions of the mind whence many of the Philosophers of old chose to withdraw from places of concourse that they might more effectually give themselves up to Study and Contemplation particularly the Pythagoreans did for this end
prefer a solitary life and of Plato it is observ'd that avoiding the City he fixed his Academy at some distance in the Country But retirement hath been most of all approved as a good help to Piety and the duties of it by some Christian Writers much hath been spoken in the praise thereof on this account q Basil in Epist ad Chilonem Hieron ad Heliodor l. 2. cont Jovin August ad frat in Eremo especially by St. Basil and Hierom who were themselves addicted to that course of life in the constitutions of Justinian it is said A solitary life with the contemplation that doth accompany it is a sacred thing which of its own nature doth lead the soul to God nor is it only advantageous to those who practise it but is also of known benefit to others by reason of its holiness and devotion toward God r Novel Const 133. By Eusebius out of Philo's book de vitâ contemplativâ it is reported of certain Asceticks so have they been call'd who professed a more strict and sedulous exercise of Piety living in several parts of Aegypt that forsaking worldly employments and the ordinary places of habitation they abode solitary practising abstinence divine contemplation and devotion ſ Euseb Eccle. Hist l. 2. c. 17. these he would have to be Christians but is therein corrected by Scaliger who thinks they were of that Sect among the Jews called Essenes and for that he is himself reprov'd by Valesius who doth suppose them of the Jewish religion though some passages in the account given of them will not allow them to be Essenes But however it is sufficiently known that Christians too have us'd retirement to the same religious purpose in the times of Persecution under the Heathen Emperours great multitudes of them being forc'd to quit their Dwellings made the Desarts their refuge where they improv'd Necessity into a Vertue by employing their solitudes in Fasting Prayer Meditation and Reading the Scriptures so that in some time this way of living became a matter of choice and was advanc'd into an holy institution Paul of Thebais was the first example of note that recommended the same of whom 't is related that he lived solitary for near an hundred years likewise one Anthony an Aegyptian did set it up in his own Country and Hilarion did the like in Syria and Palestine It must be granted that this at length corrupted into Superstition Idleness and an empty name and we cannot think it any real service to religion to persuade men as some have done wholly to abandon humane Society since they cannot do it without laying aside many important duties both for the service of God and the good of Mankind yet for some time and on some special occasion of a mans life it may be of necessary use to retire from the World and the affairs of it it was so thought by a great and wise Prince in the last Age. I mean Charles the fifth who having taken up an apprehension of his own death approaching from the appearance of a Comet soon after resign'd his Empire and Kingdoms and retir'd into a small Village that he might without interruption attend the great business of Religion in order to another World t Hen. Spondan Anno 1556. But by some it is said that this serious temper of mind in the Emperour was occasion'd partly by the unfortunate turn and ill success of his affairs after so much of Victory and Glory formerly enjoy'd by him and partly by the prevalence and growth of the Protestant interest after all his endeavours to suppress it from the former he had a deep conviction concerning the vanity of sublunary things and therefore resolv'd to take off his affections and himself from the World and to provide for his lasting security elsewhere and the latter suggested to him that the Religion he had hitherto so much oppos'd was own'd and assisted from Heaven and therefore it was not safe to be any longer concern'd against it and it is suppos'd that in his latter days * See Dr. Burnet Hist Refor r. 21. part p. 214. of retirement when he had leasure throughly to consider and no worldly interest to be a wrong biass he fell into a good liking of the Reformation and dy'd a real Convert to it Now whatever there is in privacy by which it doth contribute to Piety and our better service of God may alwaies be found in the close retirement of secret devotion a man is then separate from the World from all company and business may freely converse with God and his own Soul may for his spiritual benefit contemplate the Word of God and all his wondrous Works the things that have been that are and which shall be hereafter and while thus taken up it may be truly said of him That he is never less alone then when alone 'T is almost peculiar to single devotion that it doth admit the useful Duty of holy Meditation which cannot so well be exercis'd when we join in publick and whatever the Duty be wherein we are privately engag'd we can more easily be serious and intent in it then amidst the usual occasions of diverting the mind which are in places where many assemble And as privacy is thus helpful to our being more heavenly and devout so in the single exercise of Piety there is this other advantage that whereas in publick devotion we are confin'd to such Prayers as are intended for general use and therefore cannot reach every particular case the Christian when praying alone can with freedom lay open his wants and desires he is not then bound up to words nor things but may chuse the matter of Prayer and speak for himself as his own heart shall suggest and his present condition require for though Forms of private devotion are very expedient and indeed necessary for the greatest part of Christians yet as a late reverend Divine of our Church hath said u Dr. Tully in Precat Domin Expos None is so oblig d to them but that if able to do it he may supplicate to God from his own present conceptions And before him the learned Hammond to the same purpose In the Closet saith he it is not suggested by our Church but that every one may ask his own wants in what form of words he shall think fit w Dr. Ham. Pract. Cat. and truly all who know how to express their minds to men may be suppos'd capable of doing the like in private to God too wherever there shall be need so as to be accepted by him for he doth not so much regard the Artifice of our words as the disposition of our hearts when we speak to him We have before observ'd that holy men in Scripture did use to pray pro re natâ according to their present occasion and to the instances already given we may add that of St. Paul 2 Cor. 12. 8. and also that of our Saviour himself
Mat. 26. 39. When we read the holy Spirit doth help our infirmities directing us to things we ought to pray for * Rom. 8. 26. and when our own Church doth teach us to desire of God that he would make us to ask such things as shall please him y Collect for 10th Sund. aft Trin. it doth suppose our chusing Petitions in Prayer and that we may not err in that choice which will not be understood of stated Prayers and must therefore refer to the private and occasional supplications of which we now speak and unless we sometimes make use of such we shall be extremely defective in our devotion both as to our duty toward God and our regard to the good of our selves and others for how else can we in a suitable manner offer up praise and thanksgiving or deprecate evils and beg mercies according to our own and the needs of other Christians as on many particular occasions we ought to do it being impossible that these should be fully provided for by any forms composed for private use and much less will the publick Prayers descend to them V. If a man serve God in private it is one good evidence of his being sound and sincere in Religion for those who are void of all true Piety who are but Hypocrites or Atheists may and often do outwardly join with others in the acts of publick Worship though from no better inducements than that they may comply with the custom of the place or to please others on whom they depend or that they may gain to themselves a good reputation as some in our Saviour's time who were not real in their Piety for he calls them Hypocrites and yet would pray standing in the Synagogues and in the corner of the Streets to be the more observ'd by others and from this occasion that his own followers might not rest in an outward shew of religion but be sincere and truly pious in the duties of it he injoin'd them the practice of private devotion as it follows in the same place z Mat. 6. 5 6. for acts of Piety when in secret cannot likely proceed from Worldly Motives but do rather suppose a Soul really affected with a sense of God and Religion That a true Christian Faith is more eminently impli'd in secret Prayer the holy Father St. Cyprian hath intimated in these words He hath commanded us to pray privately in secret and retir'd Places in our very Chambers because it is more agreeable to Faith that we apprehend God to be every where present to hear all men and by the fulness of his divine Majesty to penetrate into all secret and hidden things a Cypr. lib. de Orat. Domin Though it be accountable enough why bad men may frequent the devotions of Christian Assemblies yet why any should adore and supplicate by himself alone when none else can take notice of it 't is not easie to assign any other reason than that he hath an inward reverence of an infinite God as of one who ought to be served and who is able in all things to do him good after St. Paul had been stricken blind by that light from heaven which shone on him in the way when he was first call'd to the Christian Faith he having in devout Prayer evidenc'd a true conversion Ananias is immediately commission'd by God to go to him that by the laying on of his hands he might receive his sight and also the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost to qualifie him for the office of an Apostle b Act 9. 11 17. Arise saith God and go into the street which is called strait and enquire in the house of Judas for one Saul of Tarsus for behold he prayeth If therefore we would avoid the sin and danger of being formal Professours and Hypocrites and would approve our selves to God and our own Conscience as real and sincere in the Religion to which we pretend we are concern'd not to acquiesce in outward and visible Duties but to be also conversant in those others of private Devotion which as it is an evidence of true Holiness so will it be a very good means to cherish and preserve it in us For VI. By the constant exercise of Religious Duties in private the life and power of Godliness is very much maintain'd and 't is of excellent use to secure men in the fear of God and a steddy obedience to him for since the acts of Piety whereof none but God is Witness must be thought to proceed from Conscience and to be a compliance with its Dictates it may easily be presum'd that while men are conscientious in performing this so pious a Duty they will be alike dispos'd as to other parts of Christian holiness and not venture on any gross and deliberate sins but carefully avoid all temptations to them beside a frequent exercise of private Devotion must needs beget a serious and heavenly temper of mind and leave such holy impressions as will restrain corrupt motions and fortifie the Soul against the daily assaults of Sin and Satan Moreover it being a part of this private Devotion to read the holy Scriptures the Christian will thereby be still put in mind both of the Duties which God requires and the Sins which he hath forbidden as also of the great and precious promises belonging to the former and the severe threatnings denounc'd against the latter And it must needs have the like effect as including holy Meditation of God as Creatour Lord and Judge of Mankind as infinite in Holiness Knowledg Justice Power and the Author of all the good we have or do hope to enjoy of our selves as Beings dependent sinful frail and as having immortal Souls which shall be for ever happy or miserable in another World according to our good or ill conversation in this these and such like thoughts are apt to beget good resolutions and make men circumspect and holy in all their ways And there is this further that by such attendance on God and Prayer to him we engage him to have a particular care of us to give us his Spirit for our guide and support and to strengthen us with all might in the inner man that we may be preserved holy and blameless unto his heavenly Kingdom * 1. Thes 5. 23. 2 Tim. 4. 18. On these accounts St. Chrysostome hath pronounc'd it impossible that the man who is constant in his Devotion should lead a sinful life * Ad Pop. Antioch Hom. 89. VII This Duty of private Devotion is the greatest comfort and surest refuge of a Christian amidst all the fears and hazards all the troubles and calamities of this present state and he can by no means subsist without it 't is a remedy still at hand on all occasions and whenever he finds himself oppress'd either by passions within or sufferings from without he can ease his Soul by pouring out his complaints as David was wont to do c Psa 55.