THE Daily Office OF A CHRISTIAN BEING The DEVOTIONS Of the most Reverend Father in God Dr. WILLIAM LAUD Late Archbishop of Canterbury The Fourth EDITION Wherein several Catechetical Paraphrases and other very Excellent PRAYERS selected out of the Primitive Writers formerly publisht in Latine are now made English and the whole reduced to an exact Method for the Benefit of the DEVOUT London Printed for Matthew Gillyflower and William Hensman and are to be sold at their Shops in Westminster-hall 1683. William Laud Lord ArchBishop of Canterbury his grace Privy Councilor to King Charles y e â—â— THE Preface THere needs no more to recommend this Manual to the pious Reader than the Name of its great Author who was both so excellent a Judge of the Matter and Language of Devotion and so lively an Example of its use as made him in all parts qualified and furnished to direct others Yet most probably this H. Prelate designed them at first to serve onely for himself in his Retirements But however that they are exceedingly well fitted for all sorts of persons excepting here and there some peculiarities which may soon be noted and past over any one may discern that will but take the pains of a cursory perusal And the World has pretty well witnessed it having taken off three Editions or more so entirely that 't is extreamly difficult to meet with one single Copy of either though none of them were printed to the Advantage of the Writer nor well contrived for the Benefit of the devout Reader The first that came abroad contained onely the Officium Quotidianum or Daily Office with the addition of some few short Collects and wanted the richest part of this noble Treasure The second was printed at Oxford by Dr. Bayly from the Bishop's own hand-writing but it might have been wisht for the publick good that other measures had been taken both in regard of the Price and the Language and Order of the Book For the Character being large and fair made a fine shew indeed but perhaps hindered the speedy spreading of it by enhancing the purchase and making it too bulkie And many Prayers of most general and incomparable use being altogether in Latine were perfectly unserviceable to the Devotion of such who had learnt to pray onely in their Mother-Tongue and were Strangers to all others The Method no doubt was the same which he found in the Original but the whole being composed at several times on different Motives the Order could not be very natural nor very apposite for the ready finding of ordinary persons though the Bishops constant practice might have made it so familiar to himself that possibly he could with ease and without interruption dip on what place he pleased What other Editions of it are extant were printed after this Copy but seem to be stoln out in haste for filthy Lucre's sake most intolerably faulty and upon very bad Paper But none of all these being to be had care has been taken to oblige the World with a new Impression and at the same time to remedy all those Inconveniencies 1. The Book therefore now compleat and perfect is brought into such a compass as to be afforded at a very easie rate though the Paper be good and the Letter handsome 2. The Latine part which is very considerable especially the Paraphrases on the Lords Prayer and Creed c. and the Offices for the Sick are here faithfully rendered into English with much plainness and as nigh as could be in the Scriptures and Churches Language so that the meanest capacity may enjoy with good success what the most refin'd and searching have so justly admired That you may know the Translations each is markt thus* with a small Asterisk at the beginning 3. Some perhaps on sudden thoughts may judge it too bold an attempt to change the Order of the Book and indeed it would have been so if the Author himself had publisht it as a perfect Work But considering what was said before that 't was intended onely for himself in private and gathered occasionally in his reading or meditated with regard to emerging circumstances the Method could not be exact or accurate and therefore to alter it will be no injury to the Memory of this great and learned Man who in all likelihood would himself have done as much if he had liv'd and resolv'd to communicate it to the World So that the usefulness of our Vndertaking in this behalf must certainly outweigh the presumption of it Therefore immediately after the Daily Office we have set the Daily Examination of Conscience which is the proper place and then follow the other short Collects more naturally rankt lation and Method is as to its usefulness become almost a new Work We concluded it to be expedient to acquaint the good Reader with this modest Account of our Care and Pains and having done so 't is pity to detain him any longer May his honest Endeavours be successful in the practice of what we recommend to him as our own in the Enterprize And yet didst thou turn and refresh me Psal. 71. 18. O Come hither and hearken all ye that fear God and I will tell you what he hath done for my Soul Psal. 66. 16. The Lords Prayer Our Father Though offended yet a Father Which art in Heaven More eminently there but not there onely Hallowed In me by me upon me Be thy Name The name of a Father in us that we may become Sons of thee our Father Thy Kingdom come To destroy the Kingdom of Sin by which Death the Devil reign Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven By me that am but Earth as it is by thy holy Angels Give us this day Our Our own lawfully begotten Daily As the necessity of each day requires Bread The Spiritual Food of our Soul and also that of our body And forgive us our Trespasses as c. Forgive us our Talents who forgive others their Pence And lead us not into temptation Nor suffer us to enter into temptation when we are led away and ready to yield to it But deliver us from evil From that Author of evil that is without us the Devil and the World and from the Author of evil that is within us our own selves from the evil of sin by thy Grace and from the evil of punishment by thy mercy from all evil by thy Peace For thine is the Kingdom Absolute in it self The Power Independent on any other The Glory Shining round about all things in all things Thine And from thee and by thee and to thee in the glory salvation of thy Servants Amen OUr Father which art in Heaven 1. Hallowed be thy Name 2. Thy Kingdom come 3. Thy Will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven 4. Give us this day our dayly bread 5. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us 6. And lead us not into temptation 7.
But deliver us from evil For thine is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory for ever and ever Amen The Apostle's Creed divided into Articles 1. I Believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth 2. And in Jesus Christ his onely Son our Lord. 3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary 4. He suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried 5. He descended into Hell the third day he rose again from the dead 6. He ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty 7. From thence he shall come to judge the Quick and the Dead 8. I believe in the Holy Ghost 9. The Holy Catholick Church The Communion of Saints 10. The Forgiveness of Sins 11. The Resurrection of the Body 12. And the Life Everlasting Amen An Advertisement CONCERNING The Division of the Hours of PRAYER IT appeareth both by the Histories of the Jews and by plain Observations out of the New Testament that the space of the Day from the Morning to the Evening was solemnly divided into four equal parts which they called Hours to wit the First the Third the Sixth and the Ninth The First Hour comprehended the whole space from the Sun being risen about six of the clock in the Morning after our account till Nine or thereabouts The Third Hour began from thence and lasted till High-noon with us The Sixth from thence to our three of the clock after Noon The Ninth from that hour to the Vespers or Evensong about six in the evening or Sun-set And what was done in any part of these four spaces was indifferently taken and said to be done in that Hour whereunto every space of time was allotted In which respect St. Mark chap. 15. 25. saith It was the Third Hour when they crucified Christ and yet St. John chap. 19. 14. saith It was about the Sixth Hour before he was yet crucified Nor is there any contradiction at all between these two Evangelists St. Mark understanding the last part of the Third Hour which was now at the very end and St. John meaning that it was now near upon the beginning of the Sixth Hour which was immediately to follow the ending of the Third and the beginning of the Sixth being both one and the same point of time THE DAILY OFFICE OF A CHRISTIAN The Office for every day In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Amen O Lord I am risen up and fallen prostrate before thee Prevent me I beseech thee in all my doings with thy most gracious Favour and further me with thy continual Help that in all my Works begun continued and ended in thee I may glorifie thy holy Name and finally by thy mercy obtain Everlasting Life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen ALmighty God and most merciful Father all Merciful Mercy it self I have erred wittingly and strayed willingly nay run from thy ways more like an untamed Heifer than a lost or wandring Sheep I have followed too much even altogether the absurd devices and brutish desires of my own heart I have offended against nay been offended at thy holy most holy Laws I have left undone not done at all those things which I ought to have done And I have done done nothing else but those things which I ought not to have done And there is no health no hope of health in me But thou O Lord have mercy upon me miserable most miserable sinner the greatest sinner and most unthankful for so great Grace Spare me and them all O God which confess their faults Restore me and all them that be penitent that desire to be penitent that wish they were would be glad if they were so that fear they are not enough and are sorry they are no more For this is according to thy Promises most pretious most gracious most sweet Promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesu our Lord. Grant therefore O most merciful Father for his sake who is our Redeemer Advocate Author and Finisher of our Faith our Propitiation Righteousness and Justification that I and all Penitents may hereafter live a Godly Righteous and Sober Life to the Glory of thy holy Name and the Salvation of our own Souls Amen O Eternal God and merciful Father pardon I beseech thee all the Sins Omissions and Commissions Thoughts Words and Deeds by which I have provoked thee unto anger from the time of my Birth to this present moment That no one nor all of my sins together may ever be able to cry oftner or louder in thine Ears for Vengeance than the Cry of my Prayers may ascend up unto thee for Mercy and for Forgiveness and obtain that they sue for Particularly I humbly beseech thee forgive unto me my Great and my Clamorous sins such as are c. O Lord against Heaven and against Thee have I sinned and committed foul Trangressions in thy sight but I beseech thee wipe them all out of the Book of Remembrances which thou hast written through Jesus Christ our Lord and onely Saviour Amen GIve unto me O Lord I humbly beseech thee a wise a sober a patient an understanding a devout a religious a courageous Heart Chaste and temperate Reins and Thoughts A Soul full of Devotion to do thee service strength against all Temptations especially the Temptations of c. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen O Lord I give thee humble and hearty thanks increase my thankfulness I beseech thee for all Benefits and Blessings both Spiritual and Temporal which in the riches of thy great Mercy thou hast liberally poured down upon me but especially Spiritual Lord let me not live but to praise and magnifie Thee and thy glorious Name Particularly I give thee most unfeigned thanks for my preservation from the time of my Birth to this present moment for c. For bringing me safe to the beginning of this day in which and all the days of my life I beseech thee preserve me from sin and from danger in Soul and in Body that all my thoughts words and works may tend to the honour and glory of thy Name the good of thy Church the discharge of my Duty the salvation of my Soul in the day of my appearance and account to be made before thee through Jesus Christ our onely Saviour and Redeemer Amen O Eternal God and merciful Father I humbly beseech thee bless thy Holy Catholick Church wheresoever spread upon the face of the whole Earth Good Lord purge it from all Atheism Heresie Schism Superstition factious maintenance of Groundless Opinions that one Faith one Lord one Baptism may in all places be uniformly professed as thy Church is and can be but one And grant good Lord that I may be and continue a faithful living and a working Member under Christ the Head in that Church the Body all the days of my life and at the hour of my death through
Up Lord why sleepest thou Awake and be not absent from us for ever Wherefore hidest thou thy face and forgettest our miserie and trouble For our soul is brought low even unto the dust our bellie cleaves unto the ground Arise O Lord and help us and deliver us for thy mercies sake Amen In thee O Lord have I put my trust let me never be put to confusion deliver me in thy righteousness Bow down thine ear to me make haste to deliver me Be thou my strong rock and house of defence that thou mayest save me Be also my guide and lead me for thy Names sake Amen O God the enemie crieth so and the ungodly cometh on so fast that they threaten to overbear me they are minded to do me some mischief so maliciously are they set against me My heart is disquieted within me and the fear of death is fallen upon me Fearfulness and trembling and an horrible dread hath overwhelmed me And I said O that I had wings like a Dove that I might flie away and be at rest that I might make haste to escape the stormie wind and tempest But be thou my helper and I will magnifie thee O Lord my strength and my Redeemer Amen O be thou my help in trouble for vain is the help of man Amen Gracious Father the life of man is a warfare upon earth and the dangers which assault us are diversly pointed against us I humbly beseech thee be present with me in all the course and passages of my life but especially in the services of my Calling Suffer no malice to be able to hurt me no cunning to circumvent me no violence to oppress me no falshood to betray me That which I cannot foresee I beseech thee prevent That which I cannot withstand I beseech thee master That which I do not fear I beseech thee unmask and frustrate that being delivered from all danger both of soul and bodie I may praise thee the deliverer and see how happie a thing it is to make the Lord of Hosts my helper in the day of fear and trouble Especially O Lord bless and preserve me at this time from c. that I may glorifie thee for this deliverance also and be safe in the merits and the mercies of Jesus Christ my onely Lord and Saviour Amen O Lord thou hast fed me with the bread of affliction and given me plentie of tears to drink I am become a very strife to my neighbours and mine enemies laugh me to scorn But turn thee again thou God of Hosts shew me the light of thy countenance and I shall be whole Amen Help me O Lord my God O save me according to thy mercie and then the World shall know that this is thy hand and that thou Lord hast done it Amen Lord Jesus Amen If my delight had not been in thy Law I should have perished in my trouble O continue my delight Amen In Misery and Adversity LOrd turn thee unto me and have mercie upon me for I am desolate and in miserie The sorrows of my heart are inlarged O bring thou me out of my troubles Look upon mine adversitie and miserie and forgive me all my sins through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Hear my crying O God give ear unto my Prayer From the ends of the earth whither soever thou shalt cast me I will call upon thee when my heart is in heaviness O set me upon the Rock that is higher than I to be my hope and a strong tower against my oppressors Amen Save me O God for the waters are entred into my Soul I stick fast in the deep mire where no stay is I am come into deep waters and the streams run over me They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head and they which would destroy me causeless are mightie O let not these water-floods drown me neither let the deep swallow me up and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me Hear me O Lord for thy loving kindness is great turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies Hide not thy face from thy servant for I am in trouble but draw near unto my soul and redeem it for Jesus Christ his sake Amen My soul melteth away for very heaviness comfort thou me according to thy Word Amen O Lord trouble and heaviness have taken hold upon me patience good Lord that for all this my delight may be in thy Commandments Amen Against Reproach O Lord my sins have made me a rebuke to my neighbours and to be laughed to scorn of them that are round about me O suffer me not longer to be a by-word among the people My confusion is daily before me and the shame of my face hath covered me The voice of the slanderer and blasphemer hath overtaken me And though all this be come upon me suffer me not O Lord to forget thee or to behave my self frowardly in thy Covenant through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Destroy their tongues O Lord and divide them for I have seen crueltie and strife in the Citie But I will call upon thee O Lord and thou wilt save me Amen O Lord send down from heaven and save me from the reproof of them that would swallow me Send out thy mercie and truth for my soul is among Lions I lie among the children of men that are set on fire whose teeth are spears and arrows and their tongue a sharp sword O deliver me and I shall magnifie thy Name for ever Amen I am become a Monster to many but thou art my sure trust O be my Anchor for ever Amen O remember Lord the rebuke that thy servant hath and how I do bear in my bosom the rebukes of many people O remember me Amen Against Fraud and Deceit O Lord watch over thy servants for my familiar friends whom I trusted have laid wait for me Be thou merciful unto me O Lord and deliver me from them that even in this I may know thou favourest me that mine Enemies are not able to triumph against me Amen Exalt thy self O God above the heavens and thy glorie upon all the earth For men have laid a net for my steps they have pressed down my soul they have digged a pit before me Lord I desire not that they should fall into the midst of it themselves but I beseech thee keep me out and deliver me for thy mercie sake Amen Mine enemies lay wait for my soul and take counsel together They pursue me out of an opinion that thou O God hast forsaken me But go not far from me O God my God haste to help me Amen O Lord the proud have digged pits for me they persecute me falsly O be thou my help They had almost made an end of me upon earth yet suffer me not I beseech thee to depart from thy Commandments for Jesus Christ
Now that I am fallen into such sins as these who shall raise me up again O Lord thou art my God in thee is my trust be thou my Saviour according to the bowels of thy compassion and be merciful to me according to the greatness of thy mercie and reward me not according to my works but turn thy self to me and turn me to thee Forgive me all the sins that I have committed against thee and save me for thy mercies sake and where sin has abounded there let thy Grace abound much more so shall I praise and glorifie thee all the days of my life For thou art the God of those that repent and the Saviour of sinners Glorie be to thee through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen SUNDAY O Lord by thy mercie I am risen out of my Grave where I might have slept in death but that thou preservedst me Make it I beseech thee a Resurrection to Grace in this life and to Glorie in the life to come through Jesus Christ who merited both for us Amen This day by the Resurrection of thy Son our blessed Saviour was made Holy to us give me that Grace that I may keep it Holy to thee through Jesus Christ. Amen O send out thy Light and thy Truth that they may lead me and bring me unto thy holy Hill and to thy Dwelling that I may go unto the Altar of thee O my God even the God of my joy and gladness and give thanks unto thee Amen Almightie and everlasting God who governest all things both in Heaven and Earth mercifully hear my supplications for my self and all thy People and grant us thy peace all the days of our life even for Jesus Christ his sake Amen Almightie God I humbly beseech thee give me Grace to cast away the works of darknefs and to put on the Armour of Light now in the time of this mortal life in which thy Son Christ Jesus came to visit us in great humilitie that in the last day when he shall come again in his glorious Majestie to judge both the quick and the dead I with all thy faithful servants may rise up to the life immortal through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost now and for ever Amen Blessed God which hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning grant unto me and all Christians that we may in such wise hear read mark learn and inwardly digest them that by patience and comfort thereof we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen Lord I humbly beseech thee raise up thy power and come among us and with great might succour us that whereas by our sins we are sore let and hindered thy bountiful Grace and Mercie through the satisfaction of thy Son our Lord may speedily deliver us To whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glorie World without end Amen LOrd let thine Angels tarrie round about me and deliver me that I may taste and see how gracious thou my Lord art and how blessed the man is that trusteth in thee through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen I will wait for thy loving kindness O God in the midst of thy Temple and there will I praise thee Amen Lord let me behold thee in thy Sanctuarie and there see thy Power and Glorie For thy loving kindness is better than life therefore my lips shall praise thee Thus will I magnifie thee all my life and lift up my hands in thy Name O satisfie me with that Riches of Mercie which is in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen O how amiable are thy Dwellings thou Lord of Hosts My soul hath a desire and a longing to enter into the Courts of thee O Lord my heart and my flesh rejoyceth in thee O merciful God Amen Lord I humbly beseech thee to hear and accept my Prayers for my self and for thy people which call upon thee and grant that we may perfectly know what things we ought to do and also have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the same through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Almightie and everlasting God mercifully look upon all my infirmities and in all dangers and adversities stretch out thy right hand to help and defend me through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen God thou which knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers that for mans frailtie we cannot always stand upright Grant I most humbly beseech thee to me the health of bodie and Soul that all those things which I suffer for sin I may by thy help well pass and overcome through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen O Lord the Sun is at height for this day upon me but lift up the light of thy countenance and I shall be whole Make all darkness and spiritual shadows short upon me and shorter in me through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Who can tell how oft he offendeth O cleanse thou me from my secret sins keep me also O Lord from presumptuous sins lest they get the dominion over me And keep me innocent from the great offence I humbly beseech thee Amen Blessed are they that dwell in thy House they will be alway praising thee Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee in whose heart are thy ways Lord thus bless the heart of thy servant for Jesus Christ his sake Amen * O Most holy adorable and long-suffering Trinitie for thou art indeed long-suffering who bearest so long with those that divide thee O holy Trinitie who hast long since vouchsafed me the honour to be thy Worshipper and Proclaimer unfeigned O holy Trinitie whom every man must one day acknowledge either by illumination or by punishment I pray thee make and accept even those also to be thy Adorers who now blaspheme thee that not one even of the least of these may perish And this though on condition that I lose some part of thy favour for I dare not say what the Apostle does Grant this by and for the merits of Jesus Christ our Redeemer Amen ALmightie God who through thine onely begotten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome Death and opened to us the gate of Everlasting Life I humbly beseech thee that as by thy special Grace preventing me thou dost put into my mind good desires so by thy continual help I may bring the same to good effect through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen ALmightie God who hast given thine onely Son to die for our Sins and to rise again for our Justification give me Grace so to put away the leven of Malice and all Wickedness that I may always serve thee in pureness of living and in truth through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Almightie God who hast given thine onely Son to be unto us both a Sacrifice for sin and an Example of
heart have mercie upon me and grant me pardon through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Almightie God and most merciful Father give me I beseech thee that grace that I may duely examine the inmost of my heart and my most secret thoughts how I stand before thee Lord I confess all my sins and my unworthiness to present my self at thine Altar But thou canst forgive sin and give repentance do both gracious Father and then behold I am clean to come unto thee Lord make me a worthie Receiver of that for which I come Christ and remission of sin in Christ And that for his own mercie sake and thine Amen O Lord into a clean charitable and thankful heart give me Grace to receive the blessed Bodie and Bloud of thy Son my most blessed Saviour that it may more perfectly cleanse me from all dregs of sin that being made clean it may nourish me in Faith Hope Charitie and Obedience with all other fruits of spiritual life and growth in thee that in all the future course of my life I may shew my self such an ingrafted member into the Bodie of thy Son that I may never be drawn to do any thing that may dishonour his Name Grant this O Lord I beseech thee even for his merit and mercie sake Amen O Lord God hear my Prayers I come to thee in a stedfast Faith yet for the clearness of my Faith Lord enlighten it for the strength of my Faith Lord increase it And behold I quarrel not the words of thy Son my Saviour's blessed Institution I know his words are no gross unnatural conceit but they are spirit and life and supernatural While the World disputes I believe He hath promised me if I come worthily that I shall receive his most precious Bodie and Bloud with all the benefits of his Passion If I can receive it and retain it Lord make me able make me worthie I know I can no more die eternally than that Bodie and Bloud can die and be shed again My Saviour is willing in this tender of them both unto me Lord so wash and cleanse my Soul that I may now and at all times else come prepared by heartie Prayers and Devotion and be made worthie by thy Grace of this infinite Blessing the Pledge and Earnest of Eternal Life in the merits of the same Jesus Christ who gave his Bodie and Bloud for me Amen Almightie God unto whom all hearts be open all desires known and from whom no secrets are hid cleanse the thoughts of my heart by the inspiration of thy holy Spirit that I may perfectly love thee and worthily magnifie thy Name through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen * O God the Father of Heaven who hast delivered thy onely begotten Son to death for us O God the Son Redeemer of the World who by thy precious Bloud hast cleansed us from our sins O God the Holy Ghost the Comforter who by thy Grace dost visit and establish the hearts of thy Saints O most holy high eternal happie ever blessed Trinitie O good Father holy Son loving Spirit by whose operation we receive our Being by whose love we obtain Grace and in contemplation of whom we hope for Glorie whose Majestie is unspeakable whose Power is incomparable whose Goodness is inestimable O thou that art the Lord both of Quick and Dead I adore thee I call upon thee and with the utmost affection of my heart I bless thee now and for evermore Amen * O Lord Jesu grant us while we live Mercie and Grace guide us thy Servants by thy perpetual Light grant to thy Church Truth and Peace grant me a most wretched sinner Repentance and Forgiveness Amen * O Lord I pray thee correct those that are in errour convert the unbeliever increase the Faith of thy Church root out of it all Heresies discover and confound her secret designing Enemies and break in pieces those that are openly fierce violent and impenitent through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen * O merciful Father let my Benefactors obtain eternal Rewards in Heaven for the benefits which they have bestowed upon me on Earth I pray thee also that thou wouldest vouchsafe to bring me together with those whom I have prayed for or whom I am bound to pray for and together with all the People of God into thy Kingdom that there we may appear in Righteousness and be fully satisfied with thy Glorie through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen O Lord consider my Complaint for I am brought very low O Lord how long wilt thou be angrie with thy servant that prayeth O Lord give me Grace and Repentance and thou canst not be angrie with my Prayer O Lord I am thine save me and deliver me not into the will of mine enemies especially my ghostly Enemies O Lord I am thy servant thy unprofitable wastful servant yet thy servant O Lord set my accounts right before thee and pardon all my mis-spendings and misreckonings O Lord I am thy son thy most unkind prodigal run-away son yet thy son O Lord though I have not retained the love and dutie of a son yet do not thou cast off I humbly beg it the kindness and compassion of a Father O Lord in thy Grace I return to thee and though I have eaten draugh with all the unclean Swine in the World in my hungrie absence from thee yet now Lord upon my humble return to thee give me I beseech thee the Bread of Life the Bodie and Bloud of my Saviour into my soul that I may be satisfied in thee and never more run away from thee even for Jesus Christ his sake that gave himself for me Amen * O merciful God who hast made all men and hatest nothing that thou hast made nor wouldest the death of a sinner but rather that he should be converted and live have mercie upon all Jews Turks Infidels and Hereticks and take from them all ignorance hardness of heart and contempt of thy Word and so fetch them home blessed Lord to thy flock that they may be saved among the remnant of the true Israelites and be made one Fold under one Shepherd Jesus Christ our Lord who liveth and reigneth with thee and the holy Spirit one God World without end Amen * As I must one day appear and answer at thy dreadful Tribunal where there shall be no respect of persons so at this time ere the day of Judgment overtakes me I prostrate my self before thy holy Altar and being burdened by my own Conscience I lay open my evil thoughts and ungodly deeds before thee and thy glorious Angels I beseech thee O Lord regard my lowliness and forgive me all my sins which are more in number than the hairs of my head For what evil have I not design'd in my heart but many and most abominable things have I committed in very deed For I am guiltie O Lord of Envie Gluttonie c. All my Senses and all my Members have I polluted But
incomparable is the multitude of thy Bowels and unspeakable is the mercie of thy Goodness through which thou bearest with my sins Wherefore O King whom we can never praise enough O thou long-suffering Lord magnifie the wonders of thy mercie upon me a sinner discover in me the power of thy kindness shew forth the goodness of thy most merciful favour and receive me a Prodigal returning unto thee through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen O Lord God how I receive the Bodie and Bloud of my most blessed Saviour Jesus Christ the price of my Redemption is the very wonder of my soul yet my most firm and constant belief upon the words of my Saviour At this time they are graciously tender'd to me and my Faith Lord make me a worthie Receiver and be it unto me as he hath said Amen Lord I have received this Sacrament of the Bodie and Bloud of my dear Saviour His mercie hath given it and my faith received it into my soul. I humbly beseech thee speak mercie and peace unto my Conscience and enrich me with all those Graces which come from that precious Bodie and Bloud even till I be possessed of Eternal Life in Christ. Amen * O thou that sittest on high with the Father and art here invisibly present with us come and sanctifie these thy gifts here present and those also by whom and those for whom and the end for which they are offered up Amen MUNDAY POnder my words O Lord consider my Meditations O hearken unto the voice of my calling my King and my God for unto thee will I make my Prayer My voice shalt thou hear betimes O Lord early in the morning will I direct my Prayer unto thee and will look up But make me remember that thou art God and hast no pleasure in wickedness neither shall any evil dwell with thee Amen O Lord bless me and I will sing unto thee and praise thy Name and be telling of thy salvation from day to day Amen O Lord let Counsel preserve me and Understanding keep me Deliver me from the evil way and from the man that speaketh froward things and from all such as leave the ways of Righteousness to walk in the ways of Darkness even for Jesus Christ his sake Amen O Lord I know the way of man is not in himself It is not in man that walketh to direct his own steps Therefore O Lord I beseech thee make me know my way and direct my steps to thy honour and my own salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen BE not wroth with me O Lord but spare me and have mercie upon me for thou wilt be merciful unto thy creature O Lord I and my Fathers have all had the same sickness but because of us that are sineers thou shalt be called merciful through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen O Lord guide me here with thy Counsel and after that receive me into Glorie For whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon Earth that I desire in comparison of thee O Lord preserve me in those longings after thee Amen O God take from me the way of lying and cause me to make much of thy Law that I may chuse the way of Truth and lay thy Judgments before me that I may stick unto thy Testimonies and run the way of thy Commandments when thou hast set my heart at libertie Amen O God the strength of all them that trust in thee mercifully accept my Prayers and because the weakness of mans nature can do no good thing without thee grant me the help of thy Grace that in keeping of thy Commandments I may please thee both in will and in deed through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen O Lord thou art just and all thy ways are mercie and truth thou judgest truly for ever remember me and look upon me punish me not according to my sins or my ignorances or my Fathers which have sinned before thee deal not with me according to my sins but as seemeth best unto thee O Lord my strength and my salvation Amen Lord I acknowledge my wickedness and the iniquitie of my Fathers we have sinned against thee O Lord be merciful Amen Remember not Lord our offences nor the offences of our forefathers neither take thou vengeance of our sins spare us good Lord spare thy People whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious Bloud and be not angrie with us for ever Amen Lord I beseech thee mercifully to hear me And as thou hast given me an heartie desire to pray so grant that by thy mightie aid I may be defended both in soul and in bodie through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen O Lord I beseech thee accept the Prayers that I offer thee give what I ask forgive what I fear for thou through thy Christ art the onely hope of sinners and through him I hope for pardon of my sins Amen O Lord be gracious unto me and give me an heart to worship thee and to do thy Will and open my heart in thy Law and send me peace hear my Prayers and be reconciled to me and never forsake me in the time of trouble for Jesus Christ his sake Amen Remember me O Lord according to the favour that thou bearest unto thy People O visit me with thy salvation that I may see the felicitie of thy chosen and rejoyce in the gladness of thy People and give thanks with thine Inheritance Amen O God the Protector of all that trust in thee without whom nothing is strong nothing is holy increase and multiplie upon me thy mercie that thou being my Ruler and Guide I may so pass through things temporal that I finally lose not the things eternal Grant this O heavenly Father for Jesus Christ his sake Amen Grant O Lord that I may live in thy fear die in thy favour rest in thy peace rise in thy power raign in thy glorie for thy onely beloved Son's sake Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen HEar O Lord consider my complaint hearken unto my prayer that goeth not out of feigned lips and prevent me in mercie before the Evening of my days close up upon me even for Jesus Christ his sake Amen * O Lord I pray thee let not my weakness distract me but let my speech be of that alone in which the salvation of my soul consists and let me never break forth to that degree both of folly and wickedness as to wish to be a Judge of thy Omnipotence and of thy Sacraments and suffer me not to exalt my weak opinion above either the divine determination of thy Infinitie or that belief of thy Eternitie which has been revealed to me Amen * Lighten our darkness I beseech thee O Lord and by thy mercie keep off all the snares and dangers of this whole night from me and from all thy faithful from
suffer thou alone knowest Lord give me patience and courage and all Christian resolution to do thee service and grace to do it And let me not live longer than to honour thee through Jesus Christ. Amen For the Sick * O God by whose appointment the moments of our life run out I bessech thee receive my prayers for thy sick servants in whose behalf I most humbly beg the assistance of thy mercie that their health being restored to them they may return thanks to thee in thy holy Church through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen At the Visitation of the Sick * ARe you perswaded 1. That no sickness or cross comes to any one by chance or at all adventures 2. But that they come from God without whose providence no bodie is afflicted with diseases 3. And that God being most wise never will suffer any thing to befal us but when it is expedient to be so 4. And that this sickness or cross which God has now sent upon you is therefore expedient for you 5. And moreover that God has the assection of a Father towards us And that a Father whether he be indulgent to his Children or whether he correct them is a Father alike in both and that he does the latter with no less kindness nay perhaps with greater than he does the former 6. That for a long time he has bestowed good things upon you and though now he gives you evil things yet he would not have brought the evil upon you but onely to be the occasion of greater good that is that you may return to him 7. That 't is an effect of his gracious favour that notwithstanding you have so often rejected him yet he does not leave you so but does visit you at last and seek after you again Now if this be the Case submit your own Will in this matter to the Divine Will a Sacrifice which is of all others next to that of Christ himself the most acceptable unto God * Do you confess 1. That you have not lived so well as you ought nay that you lived ill and that you have often and grievously sinned 2. Is there any particular sin besides or above the rest or are there any sins that lie heavie upon your Conscience so that you need the benefit of a peculiar Absolution 3. Have you any scruple about those things which appertain to Faith or Religion 4. Do you call to mind the past years of your life in the bitterness of your soul 5. Would you wish to feel greater bitterness for them than you are now sensible of and would you be glad if you felt more and are you grieved that you feel no more 6. Do you desire to have your minde enlightned concerning those things which you are ignorant of or which you have forgotten that you may repent of them and does it also repent you that either you do not know them or have forgotten them 7. Do you purpose if you live to judge your self and to take vengeance upon your self for your offences 8. Do you purpose if you live to amend your life and to avoid both the means and the appearances of those sins which you have lived in 9. Do you solemnly promise thus much 10. And do you desire to be freely admonisht of this your promise Do you believe 1. Those matters that are contained in the Articles of the Christian Faith once delivered to the Saints 2. And that you cannot be sav'd unless you do believe them 3. Do you rejoyce and give heartie thanks to God for that you were born in this Faith that you have liv'd in it and that now you shall die in it 4. Do you your self desire and would you have us in your name humbly to beg of God that this Faith in him may not decay in you and especially that it may not fail when you are just at the point of death 5. Do you desire also that the fruit this of your Faith and chiefly of yourFaith in the death of Jesus Christ may not be lost at your death how much soever it may have been lost in your life-time 6. If your sense should fail or if your pain or weakness should bring you to that pass that any expressions should fall from you that are contrarie to Religion or its precepts would you have them be accounted as not spoken by you and do you renounce them as none of yours Do you forgive 1. Those that any manner of way have offended you as freely as you your self would be forgiven 2. And do you desire of God that he also would forgive them 3. And do you forgive them the satisfaction they are bound to make you upon account of those things wherein they have offended you whether in word or deed 4. Will you have thus much signified in your name to those that have offended you that you for your part have forgiven them all their injuries 5. Would you be readie to forgive them if they had done you more and greater mischiefs 6. Would you be glad if you had more enemies to forgive that so God might bestow on you a more plentiful remission of your own sins * 1. IF you your self have offended any others do you beg pardon of them likewise and desire that they may forgive you 2. Whom do you chiefly remember that you have offended and would you have thus much made known to them in your name 3. Forasmuch as no forgiveness is to be hop'd for of sins against the eighth or ninth Commandment of God's Law unless restitution be made are you readie to restore Goods to those whom you have wronged in their Estates and repair the credit of those whom you have injured in their good Name and that without fraud or delay 4. And now at last can you call to mind who these are The Apostles Creed paraphras'd * OLord I believe help thou my unbelief I believe that thou the Father Son and Holy Ghost art one God I believe That of thy unlimited goodness and power thou didst create the Heavens and the Earth That of thy unbounded love thou hast gathered together in one all things in Christ Who was made Flesh and was conceived Was born suffered was crucified Dead buried descended Rose again ascended sitteth Shall return shall reward I believe That by the power and operation of thy holy Spirit thou hast called thy Church out of all the world unto Holiness That in it we are made partakers of all good things and of forgiveness of sins That in it we expect the Resurrection of the Flesh and life everlasting * LOrd I believe O supply thou my want of Faith I believe The affectionate kindness of the Father The saving power of the Almightie The wisdom of the Creator in the preservation government and consummation of the world The great mysterie of Godliness that for us men and for our salvation God was manifested in the flesh even the Lord Jesus the Son of the Father the
And I now desire to depart this life in the Invocation and Confession of thy Name Lord I confess it and call upon it O come Lord Jesu Amen O Lord I have sinned 1. But I have not denied thee O never let the Enemie prevail with me to denie thee 2. But I believe O Lord increase my Faith and let me never be confounded 3. But I hope and what is my hope but in thee alone receive me O Lord according to thy Word and let me not be disappointed of my hope 4. But I have prepared and directed my heart to seek thee and though I am not purified according to the purification of the Sanctuarie yet O Lord Jesu quench not the smoaking flax nor break the bruised Reed 5. But I bear thy correction patiently and I hold my tongue because thou Lord hast done it 6. But I forgive those that have trespassed against me and thou hast promised forgiveness to him that forgives them 7. But I cast my self upon thee O withdraw not thy self from me and in no wise cast me out when I come unto thee 8. But I desire to depart confessing unto thee and calling on thy Name Wherefore not for my sake O Lord nor for any thing that belongs to me but for thine own sake for thy Names sake for the glorie of thy great Name and for thy Truths sake for thy many great and wonderful mercies sake for the sake of Christ the Mediator and of the Holy Ghost the Comforter receive me that am returned to my self and returning unto thee Amen And therefore O Lord my God I shew forth I offer I commemorate Between thee and me Christ the Priest the Lamb the Sacrifice Between me and Satan Christ a King a Lion a triumphant Conqueror Between me and sin Christ's Innocencie in his Life Between the punishment of me and my sins Christ's Satisfaction Passion and Bloud shedding Between me and my want of Righteousness Christ's Righteousness and unsinning Obedience Between me and my unworthiness to be rewarded Christ's Merits Between me and my want of sorrow for my sins Christ's Tears and bloudie sweat Between me and my want of fervencie in Prayer Christ's Intercession Between me and my own Conscience or the Accusation of Satan Christ the Advocate Between me and my Concupiscence Christ's Love Let it be acceptable unto thee O Lord for the same Christ's sake Amen O Lord I have sinned But I do not cover my sin I do not excuse it I willingly confess it I reflect on it in the bitterness of my soul. I abhor my self for the sins I have committed against thee O give me grace that I may judge and take vengeance on my felf that I may not depart this most miserable life without forgiveness O Lord I have not onely sinned but provoked thee with many and grievous sins yet I beseech thee remember that I am but flesh even a wind that passeth and cometh not again * And the mercie of my blessed Saviour can avail more towards the salvation of me a sinner than my iniquitie can do to my destruction Amen * O Lord Jesus in thee there was found no cause of death and yet didst thou suffer death for me I have deserved death give me grace O Lord that I may not fear to die and that I may be prepared for it Amen * O Lord Jesus for those bitter pains which thou didst endure on the Cross for me a most miserable Creature and especially at that hour when thy most pretious soul went forth from thy blessed body I beseech thee have mercy on my Soul when she takes her flight and bring her unto life eternal Amen Absolution OUr Lord Jesus Christ who hath lest power to his Church to Absolve all sinners which truly repent and believe in him of his great mercie forgive thee thine offences And by his Authoritie committed to me I Absolve thee from all thy sins In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Amen Consecrations Ordinations O Lord I am now at thy Altar at thy work keep me that I lay not my hands suddenly upon any man lest I be partaker of other mens sins but that I may keep my self pure in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Lord give me grace that as oft as they shall come in my way I may put them in remembrance whom I have ordained that they stir up the gift of God that is in them by the putting on of my hands through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Grant O Lord I beseech thee that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy Governance that thy Church may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Lord I beseech thee let thy continual mercie cleanse and defend thy Church And because it cannot continue in safetie without thy succour preserve it evermore by thy help and goodness through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Lord I beseech thee keep thy Houshold the Church in continual godliness that through thy protection it may be free from all adversities and devoutly given to serve thee in good works to the glorie of thy Name through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen For his Episcopal Charge * O God the Pastor and Governor of all thy faithful people look down in mercie upon me thy servant whom thou hast been pleased to appoint chief Pastor of the Church of Canterbury grant I most humbly beseech thee that I may profit those whom I am set over both by my Doctrine and my Example that I together with my Flock committed to my charge may come at last to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen * O my God my most merciful Father let thy grace work so in me that I may be truly humble in the refusal of every great Office and yet obedient to undertake it that I may be faithful in the possession and courageous in the administration of it that I may be watchsul in ruling them earnest in correcting them servent in loving them patient in bearing with them prudent in governing them That in behalf of those who are under my care I may wrastle with God when he has a Controversie with them and stand in the gap when he is angrie through the faith and merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour Amen O Lord as the rain cometh down from Heaven and returns not thither but waters the Earth and makes it bud and bring forth that it may give seed to the sower and bread to him that eateth So let thy Word be that goeth out of my mouth let it not return to me void but accomplish that which thou wilt and prosper in the thing whereto thou hast sent it that the people committed to my charge may go out with joy and be led forth in peace to thy freshest waters of comfort in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen O Son of God thou which takest away the
Earth in their season Our sins have deserved all this and more and we neither do nor can denie it We have now hither to go but to Mercie We have no way to that but by the All-sufficient merit of thy Son our blessed Saviour Lord for his merit and mercies sake look down upon us thy distressed servants command thine Angel to stay his hand and remember that in death we cannot praise thee nor give thanks in the Pit Go forth with our Armies when they go and make us remember that all our strength and deliverance is in thee Clear up the Heavens over us and take not from us the great plentie with which thou hast crowned the Earth but remember us O thou that feedest the Ravens when they call upon thee Lord we need all thy mercies to come upon us and thy mercies are altogether in Christ in whom and for whose sake we beg them of thee who livest and reignest in the unitie of the Spirit one God world without end Amen O eternal God and most merciful Father we humbly beseech thee be merciful unto us and be near to help us in all those extremities which our sins threaten to bring upon us Our Enemies are strengthened against us by our multiplied Rebellions against thee And we deserve to suffer whatever our Enemies threaten But there is mercie with thee that thou mayest be feared O Lord shew us this mercie and give us grace so to fear thee as that we may never be brought to fear or feel them And whensoever thou wilt correct us for our sins let us fall into thy hands and not into the hands of men Grant this for Jesus Christ his sake our onely Mediator and Redeemer Amen O eternal God and most gracious Father we have deserved whatsoever thy Law hath threatned against sinners Our contempt of thy Divine Worship is great and we hear thy Word but obey it not Forgive us O Lord forgive us these and all other our grievous sins Give us light in our Understanding readiness and obedience in our Will discretion in our Words and Actions true serious and loyal endeavours for the peace and speritie of Jerusalem the unitie and glorie of this Church and State that so we may love it and prosper in it and be full of grace in this life and filled with glorie in the life to come through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen O most merciful God we give thee praise and thanks for the wonderful ceasing of the late raging Pestilence in the chief Citie of this Kingdom and other places Lord shew us yet farther mercie and look upon all parts of this Land with tender compassion Keep back the destroying Angel that he enter not into places that are yet free nor make farther waste in those which are alreadie visited Comfort them that are sick preserve them that are sound receive them that die to mercie that living and dying they and we may continue thy faithful servants through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen O most gracious God and loving Father we have felt thy manifold mercies no Nation more and we have committed sins against thee few Nations greater Enter not into judgment with us O Lord but for Christ and his mercie sake pacifie thine anger and save us from the malice and crueltie of our Enemies They are our crying sins that have called them upon us Let it be an addition to thy wonted mercie to restrain their furie To this end Lord put thy bridle into their mouths and thy bit between their teeth Frustrate their designes and let them find no way in our Seas nor any path in our Flouds but scatter them with thy tempest and follow them with all thy storms that we being delivered by thy hand may bless and honour thy Name devoutly serving thee all our days through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen O Lord thou gracious Governour of all the Kingdoms of the Earth Look down we beseech thee in mercie upon this Realm and upon all other Reformed Churches Save and deliver us and them from the hands of all such as threaten our destruction Protect the person of our gracious Soveraign direct his Counsels go forth with his Armies be unto him and to us a wall of brass and a strong tower of defence against his and our Enemies that so we being safe through thy mercie may live to serve thee in thy Church and ever give thee praise and glorie through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen O eternal God and merciful Father all peace strength of Kingdoms is from thee and lineal Succession is thy great blessing both upon Princes and States the great means to preserve unitie and confirm strength We therefore give thee humble and heartie thanks as for all thy blessings so especially at this time for thy great mercie and loving kindness to our dread Soveraign his Royal Queen and this whole State in giving her Majestie hope of her long-desired Issue thereby filling their and our hearts with gladness Lord go along with thine own blessings to perfect them Be with her in soul and in bodie preserve her from all dangers Keep her safe to and in the hour of Travel that there may be strength to bring forth her Joy and our Hope And make her a joyful Mother of many Children to the glorie of thy great Name the happiness of his Majestie the securitie of this State and the flourishing of the Church and true Religion amongst us Grant this even for Jesus Christ his sake our onely Lord and Saviour Amen O eternal God and merciful Father since lineal Succession is under thee the great securitie of Kingdoms and the very life of Peace we therefore give thee most humble and heartie thanks for the great blessing which thou hast again begun to work for our gracious King CHARLES and this whole State in giving the Queens Majestie further hopes of a desired and happie Issue And as we give thee humble and heartie thanks for this so we pray thee to perfect this great blessing thus begun to preserve her from all dangers and to be with her by special assistance in the hour of Travel Lord make her a happie Mother of successful Children to the increase of thy glorie the comfort of his Majestie the joy of her own heart the safetie of the State and the preservation of the Church and true Religion among us Grant this even for Jesus Christ his sake our onely Saviour and Redeemer Amen O most merciful God and gracious Father thou hast given us the joy of our hearts the contentment of our souls for this life in blessing our dear and dread Soveraign and his vertuous Royal Queen with a hopeful Son and us with a Prince in thy just time and his to rule over us We give thy glorious Name most humble and heartie thanks for this Lord make us so thankful so obedient to thee for this great mercie that thy goodness may delight to increase it
I took of my self upon it And as for them and their like let them not have their desire O Lord let not their mischievous imaginations prosper against me nor their furie lay hold upon me lest they be too proud and lest I end my wearie days in miserie Yet forgive them O Lord for they know not why they did it And according to thy wonted mercie preserve me to serve thee and let the same watchful Protection which now defended me guard me through the remainder of my life And this for thine own goodness sake and the merits of my Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen O eternal God and merciful Father I humbly beseech thee look down upon me in this time of my great and grievous affliction Lord if it be thy blessed will make mine Innocencie appear and free both me and my Profession from all scandal thus raised on me And howsoever if thou be pleased to trie me to the uttermost I humbly beseech thee give me full patience proportionable comfort contentment with whatsoever thou sendest and an heart readie to die for thy Honour the Kings Happiness and this Churches Preservation And my zeal to these is all the sin humane frailty excepted which is yet known to me in this particular for which I thus suffer Lord look upon me in mercie and for the merits of Jesus Christ pardon all my sins many and great which have drawn down this Judgment upon me and then in all things do with me as seems best in thine own eyes and make me not onely patient under but thankful for whatsoever thou dost O Lord my strength and my Redeemer Amen O eternal God and merciful Father after long imprisonment I am now at last called to answer I most humbly beseech thee to strengthen me through this Tryal to preserve the patience with which thou hast hitherto to blessed me through this affliction Suffer no coarse language or other provocation to make me speak or do any thing that may mis-become my person mine age my calling or my present condition And Lord I beseech thee make me able to clear to the world that Innocencie which is in my heart concerning this Charge laid against me Grant this O Lord for Jesus Christ his sake Amen O merciful Lord I have had a long and a tedious Tryal and I give thee humble and heartie thanks for the wonderful strength that I have received from thee in the bearing up of my weakness Lord continue all thy mercies towards me for the storm gathers and grows black upon me and what it threatens is best known to thee After a long Tryal I am called to answer in the House of Commons and that not to Evidence but to one single man's report of Evidence and that made without Oath What this may produce in present or in future thou knowest also O Lord furnish me with patience and true Christian wisdom and courage to bear up against this drift and send not out thy storms to beat upon me also but look comfortably upon me to my end in and through the merits of Jesus Christ my Lord and onely Saviour Amen Prayers upon sundry Publick Occasions MOST gracious God we humbly beseech thee as for this Kingdom in general so especially for the High Court of Parliament under our most Religious and Gracious King at this time assembled that thou wouldest be pleased to bless and direct all their Consultations to the preservation of thy Glorie the good of thy Church the safetie honour and welfare of our Soveraign and his Kingdoms Lord look upon the humilitie and devotion with which they are come into thy Courts And they are come into thy House in assured confidence upon the merits and mercies of Christ our blessed Saviour that thou wilt not denie them the grace and favour which they beg of thee Therefore O Lord bless them with that wisdom which thou knowest necessarie to speed and bring great designes into action and to make the maturitie of his Majesties and their Counsels the happiness and the blessing of this Commonwealth These and all other necessaries for them for us and thy whole Church we humbly beg in the Name and Mediation of Jesus Christ our most blessed Lord and Saviour Amen O eternal God and our most gracious Father thou art the Lord of Hosts and the strength of all Nations is from thee If thou keepest not the Citie the Watchman waketh but in vain And no Victorie can wait upon the justest designes upon the wisest Counsels upon the strongest Armies if thou teach not their hands to war and their fingers to fight Thou art the steadie hope of all the ends of the Earth and of them which go and remain in the broad Sea Lord at this time we need thy more special Assistance both by Land and Sea and sor the mercie of Christ deny us neither Be with our Armies and the Armies of our Allies and Associates by Land be with our Navie at Sea Be not from the one nor from the other in power and in great mercie until thou hast brought them back with honour and a setled Peace Lord turn our Enemies sword into their own bosom for we sought Peace and ensued it and while we did so they did more than make themselves readie to battel We are thy servants truly and heartily sorrie for our sins Lord forgive them and then we will trust upon thee that thou wilt pour down all thy Blessings upon this and all other designes and actions of this State undertaken for thy glorie the honour of our most gracious King CHARLES and the peace and welfare of this Church and Commonwealth Grant this we humbly beseech thee for Jesus Christ his sake our onely Mediator and Advocate Amen Most gracious God we humbly beseech thee pardon and forgive all our many great and grievous transgressions We may not hope thou wilt take off thy punishments until thou hast forgiven our sins We may not think thou wilt forgive our sins until our humiliation and repentance come to ask forgiveness We have been too slow to come and now thou hast apparell'd thy Mercie in Justice to force us to thee Lord we believe but do thou increase our Faith our Devotion our Repentance and all Christian Vertues in us At this time the Vials of thy heavie displeasure drop down upon us and while we smart under one Judgement thou threatnest the rest The Pestilence spreads in our Streets and so as if it sought whom to devour No strength is able to stand against it and it threatens to make Families nay Cities desolate While the Pestilence eats up thy People we hear the sound of War and the Sword calleth for such as it would devour In the mean time the Heavens are black over us and the Clouds drop leanness and it will be Famine to swallow what the Pestilence and the Sword shall leave alive unless thou send more seasonable Weather to give the Fruits of the