adversity I run not headlong into such means as are ungodly neither in prosperity wax the prouder but wait thy good pleasure in them both with thankfulness and evermore live in thee and by thee and in the end raign with thee in Heaven where thou â—ittest as author and giver of all thy Blessings Grant this O most merciful Father to whom with thy Son and the Holy Ghost be all power and glory for ever Amen A Prayer to subdue our affections O Lord Mighty and Merciful who didst create Man in the beginning simple sincere and without spot of sin In which his integrity and innocency he then presented thine own Image which was pure and without spot of sin and yet such was man that he fell from thee by disobedience whereby he corrupted his ways and became â—ar unlike unto thee being defiled with all vanities wherein alas we all of us wallow the most with greediness wherefore most dear Father in JESUS Christ create in me new thoughts new affections shape in me true obedience that I may mortifie and kill all sin and vain inclinations which rise up against Thee let sin no longer bear rule in me O Lord but let thy grace more and more abound that all that I do think speak or do may bâ— favouring more of the desire of Heaven and Heavenly things than of earthly and carnal desires that so I may be approved not only before men to be as ought but to thee to be as Thou requirest to whom O Lord be all honour and glory for ever Amen A Prayer for the Kings Majesty O Lord Almighty the Governour Preserver and continual Protector of Princes to whose beck and will all Kingdoms of the Earth are subject look in mercy and favour O Lord I beseech thee upon the state of thy servant our dear Soverign Lord King Charles and his Royal issue be thou unto him and them a safe refuge in all time of danger and let thy holy Spirt be unto him a continual guide in all his acts and procedings direct him to comfort defend and support us and either to bring our enemies to a perfect peace in embracing the Truth with us or confound their power and devices for ever An Evening Prayer O Heavenly Father and eternal GOD I honour thee I praise thee I yield thee most hearty thanks for all thy benefits and at this time especially O Lord because thou hast patiently and attentively heard my petitions and hast given me soberness and humbleness of mind to utter the same without any interruption I bless Thee my everlasting GOD and with all my heart give thee thanks for that not only thou hast saved me this day from death from hurts and from all perils from my cradle but hast defended both my soul and body from all Misfortunes and Dangers Therefore my soul magnifieth the Lord and my spirit rejoyceth in God my Saviour for he hath looked upon the afflictions of his servants and now among all other thy goodness O Lord hear O Lord forgive hearken O God for thy Name sake for it is called upon by me O GOD of Heaven and earth in the evening do I call upon thee that remitting my sins Thou wouldst receive me into thy Protection keep me this Night that the Devil have no power over me for Thou O Lord art my everlasting Protector for behold whether I sleep or wake whether I live or die I am always thine let thy mercy follow me O Lord all the days of my life that I may dwell in thy house and praise thee and that I may in acknowledging thy greatness confess my sinful and wretched weakness And visit me O Lord and drive from me all the assaults of mine enemies both bodily and ghostly and let thy holy Angel be with me and keep me this night and evermore by thy grace and ever let thy blessing be upon me this night and for evermore Amen Prayers for Wednesday Morning O Lord my God and Father blessed be thy name for ever dispose my heart and open my lips c. A Psalm 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 unto me make hast to deliver me Into thy hands I commend my Spirt for thou hast redeemed me O Lord thou God of truth I have hated them that hold superstitious vanities and my trust hath been in the Lord. I will be glad and rejoyce in thy mercy for thou hast considered my trouble and hast known my soul in adversity Shew thy servant the light of thy countenance and save me for thy mercies sake O how plentiful is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee and that thou hast prepared for them that put their trust in thee Wherefore I will confess my wickedness and be sorry for my sin I will take heed unto my ways that I offend not in my tongue Therefore withdraw not thou thy mercy from me O Lord but let thy loving kindness and thy truth always preserve me For my soul is a-thirst for God yea God yea even for the living God when shall I come to appear before the presence of God Yea as the Hart desireth the water-brooks so longeth my soul after thee O God Wherefore send out thy light and thy truth that they may lead me and bring me to thy holy hill and to thy dwelling Why art thou so heavy O my soul and why art thou so disquieted within me O put thy trust in God for I will yet give Him thanks who is the help of my countenance and my God Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the holy Ghost c. A Morning Prayer O Most merciful and loving Father I thank thee for the sweet sleep and comfortable rest that thou hast given me this night and forasmuch as thou hast commanded by thy holy Word that no man should be idle but always occupied in godly and virtuous exercises every man according to his calling I most humbly beseech thee O Lord that thine eyes may attend upon me that thy grace may daily defend me in danger succour cherish and comfort me in all my needs and distress and govern all my counsels studies and labours in such wise that I may spend this day according to thy blessed will and the discharge of mine own conscience in thee that warily avoiding all things that may displease thee and setting always before mine eyes thy fear I may thy grace assisting me and thy holy spirit guiding me work that which is acceptable before thy divine Majesty unto thy praise and glory for ever Amen A fruitful Confession to GOD for sins commited O Gracious GOD have mercy upon me have mercy upon me look favourably upon me incline thine ears towards me and hide not thy Face now my soul is troubled O Almighty GOD from whose Sight there is no covert and against whose power there is neither resistance
vexed with any kind of sickness or disease which is another of thy calling of us and an especial warning that we must die yea and when I am at my daily business or when I eat or drink when I am in my best temperature and health at all times and in all places give me grace to think that Death standeth at my Elbows always ready to strike me and that I sleep not in sin and security and the time suddenly come of my departure and so be taken unprovided and perish without repentance O Lord such is the blindness of our nature that we think this World a continual being for us covet even with greediness to see many days where we heap sin upon sin to the over-burdening of our poor Souls seldom or not at all thinking to die but grant my most sweet Lord that as I desire to live so I may have a greater desire to live well that I may make a happy end abandoning the fear of death that the cogitation thereof may dwell in peace within the mansion of my heart and when it shall approach near unto me I fly not from it but that I may go forth with joy to meet it considering that it is a means to end my woes and to begin my joys it is the finishing of sorrow and the entrance into bliss where is nothing but joys unspeakable and contrary here on Earth nothing but care and woe which moved thy servant Job to call his life a warfare where is nothing but conflicts between the flesh and the spirit daily increase of sin and continual care of vanity O God give me a careful heart to love thee whilst I live here give me continual fear unfeigned zeal perfect faith and godly care to do good unto all men and earnest desire to come unto thee who art the end of all trouble and labour the beginning of bliss the end of death and the beginning of life whereunto sweet Lord grant that with unfeigned desire I may faithfully endeavour my self to come where thy Son is gone before to direct us the way and making all those that thou findest with the lamp of true faith burning in their hearts partakers of the Everlasting joys thereof in number of whom O sweet Lord accept me here and cleanse me from all my sins that I may appear among them in the World to come through the same thy Son Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour to whom be all praise and glory for ever and ever Amen A Prayer to Jesus Christ for Heavenly Comfort O Jesus grant I beseech thee I may rest and repose my self in thee before any Creature before all honour power dignity and consolation over and above all hope and promise yea and above all the hoast of Heaven O when shall it be fully granted unto me that I shall for sake my self and see how sweet and pleasant thou art O Lord my God! O Jesus the brightness of Eternal glory the comfort of the wandring Soul my mouth is bent towards thee without speaking and silently speaketh unto thee How long will my Lord my God withdraw himself from coming unto me come unto me thy servant comfort me O Lord thrust forth thy helping hand O God and deliver me for without thee there can be no restful day nor quiet hour thou art my joy thou art my comfort and without thee I am comfortless O Jesus infinite in pity infinite in power infinite also both in thy rewards and in thy revenge I am weak but willing with my Soul to love thee with my flesh to fear thee with my mind to honour thee with my mouth to praise thee and with my whole heart to serve thee but alas I am so clogged with corruption I am so drowned in flesh and blood that I scarce either dare or can list up my head and look unto thee and yet why should I be ashamed when thou dost invite me Why should I be faint when thou dost not only encourage but also inable me or at the least accept my weak endeavours Strive then O thou very bowels of my Soul strive with all your strength to raise up your thoughts out of this mire of mortality wherein they stick and out of these waves of fleshly affections wherein they float advance thy self O my Soul towards thy Oreator frame thy affections to love him for his goodness to honour him for his greatness to rejoice in him for his merits to pray unto him for his mercies which daily thou dost need and by needing dost crave and by craving dost obtain if not according to thy desires yet very far above thy deserts wherefore blessed be thou O Lord my God which hast done this goodness unto me thy Servant What can I say more unto thee O Lord but humble my self in thy sight and be always mindful of mine iniquity and unworthiness for of all the wonderful things in Heaven and Earth there is none like unto thee O Lord. Thy works are excellent thy judgments are upright and by thy providence all things are grounded O Father of wisdom laud and praise be unto thee my mouth my Soul and all the powers of my heart shall praise thee without ceasing O my God both now and for ever Amen A fruitful Prayer at the end of Prayer O Most righteous God for thy great mercies sake hearken to these my Prayers which I have now made unto thee and consider Lord the desires and thoughts of my heart in thy mercy and let mine unfeigned Prayers enter into thine Ears hear O Lord for I am destitute of thy help take care for my Soul save me thy unworthy servant which wholly trusteth in thee have mercy O Lord have mercy upon me for I will never cease crying unto thee for thy help and mercy In the day time will I call on thee and in the night my cry shall not be hid from thee O thou God of the Heavens and maker of all Creatures hear me a most wretched Creature calling on thee and take away from me all my sins and make stedfast my faith and confidence in thee and in thy promises that I putting my trust in them may have as thou hast promised Everlasting Life through the merits of thy Son Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour to whom be all praise and glory for ever and ever World without end Amen An Evening Prayer O Eternal God Omnipotent and merciful Father I prostrate my self before thy Throne beseeching thee in the Name of thy Son Jesus Christ to blot out all my transgressions by which I have offended thy Divine Majesty this Day forgive Lord all the sins which from my youth I have done and be merciful unto me guide me with thy wisdom that when I walk I may go with me when I sleep it may keep me and when I awake I may talk thereof O Lord be thou my Watchman and protector this night that troubles and vain cogitations do not invade me neither the fear of
11. Thou shalt purge me with Hyssop and I shall be clean thou shalt wash me and I shall be whiter than snow 12. Make me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me 13. O remember not the sins and offences of my youth but according to thy mercy think thou upon me O Lord for thy goodness 14. For thy Name sake O Lord be merciful unto my sin for it is great 15. Turn thee unto me and have mercy upon me for I am destitute and in misery 16. Remember not O Lord mine iniquities nor the iniquities of my fore-fathers neither take thou vengeance of my sins but spare me good Lord whom thou hast redeemed with thy pretious blood and be not angry with me for ever 17. Blessed is he whose unrighteousness is forgiven and whose sin is covered 18. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth no sin and in whose spirit there is no guile 19. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart and will save such as be of an humble Spirit 20. O taste and see how gracious the Lord is blessed is the man that putteth his trust in him 21. O Lord thou hast dealt graciously with thy servant according to thy word Glory be to c. O Most gracious Lord God I beseech thee help thy servant whom of thy mercy thou hast created repair the ruins of my soul inlarge the frame of my understanding thereof cleanse it from all filthy corruption and garnish it with all heavenly graces that it may be both conveniently fit and furnished to receive thee that thou mayst make thy entry and possess that which is thy own both by creation and redemption and merits of thy passion through Jesus Christ Amen Before the receiving Ex Liturg. GRant O most merciful Father I beseech thee that I receiving these thy Creatures of Bread and Wine according to the holy institution of our Saviour Jesus Christ in remembrance of his death and passion may be partaker of his blessed Body and Blood and that my sinful body may be made clean by his Body and my sinful soul washt through his most precious Blood which was shed for the remission of all my sins through the same Jesus Christ Amen Immediately before the Receiving Matth. 8. 8. Lord I am not worthy thou shouldest come under my roof but speak the word only and my soul shall be healed II. O Lamb of God let me eat thy Flesh and drink thy Blood that I may live everlastingly by thee and cloath me with the wool of thy mercy that no winter or storm of sin do pinch my silly soul III. O blessed Jesus let the Blood that ran from thy blessed Heart wash my soul from all sin and iniquity and purchase me thy heavenly grace and benediction Amen Immediately after Receiving PRaise the Lord O my soul and all that is within me praise his holy name and forget not all his benefits which saveth thy life from destruction and crowneth thee with mercy and loving kindness Psal 103. I will give thanks unto the Lord for he is gratious and his mercy endureth for ever Psal 106. Alleluja Salvation and Glory and Honour and Power be unto the Lord our God Amen Revel 19. 1. Thanksgiving after the Receiving of the Blessed Sacrament Ex. Liturg. O Almighty and everlasting Lord God I thy most humble servant according to my bounden duty and service do render unto thy Fatherly goodness all possible praise and thanksgiving for that thou hast vouchsafed to feed me with the holy mystery and spiritual food of the precious Body and Blood of Jesus Christ thy Son and my Saviour assuring me thereby of thy grace and favour towards me and that I am a member incorporate in thy mystical body the blessed company of faithful people and also heir through hope of thy everlasting Kingdom by the merits of his most precious death and passion and grant me O Lord for the time to come the assistance of thy grace and heavenly benediction that I may continue in all such good works as thou hast prepared for me to walk in to the glory of thy Name and my everlasting comfort through Jesus Christ our Lord to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory world without end Amen A Psalm 1. PRaise the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me praise his holy name which saveth thy self from destruction and feedeth thee with the Bread of Heaven 2. I will always give thanks unto the Lord his praises shall ever be in my mouth 3. Thy merciful kindness is evermore towards us and thy truth O Lord is everlasting 4. Great is the Lord and marvellous to be praised there is no end of his greatness 5. He loveth Righteousness and Judgment the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. 6. Be glad O ye Righteous and rejoice in the Lord and be joyful all ye that are true of heart 7. I will give thanks unto thee with my whole heart I will speak of thy marvellous works 8. O praise the Lord with me and let us magnifie his holy name 9. Let my heart be filled with gladness and my mouth with praise that I may sing of thy glory and with the rest of thy Saints give honour to thy Majesty in the eternal fruition of thy presence through Christ 10. My mouth shall speak of the praise of the Lord and let all flesh give thanks unto his holy name for ever and ever Amen Vers Praise the Lord. Resp The Lord's name be praised O Almighty and eternal God what worthy praise can I give unto thee by whose goodness I was created by whose mercy I was redeemed by whose power I am preserved and by whose grace I hope to be glorified and for all other thy blessings and benefits which I enjoy both in soul and body and especially for feeding me this day with the precious body and blood of Jesus Christ I will therefore offer unto thee the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving and always praise thy holy Name beseeching thee to pour upon my heart the sweet streams of thy mercy conform my life confirm my faith and guide me by thy grace that thy servant may with strong assurance of thine infallible truth and promised mercy vanquish and subdue whatsoever rebelleth against thy blessed will keep holy my soul and body and let them not be defiled through delectation of sin but that my full delight and joy may be in thee and walk before thee in sincerity of heart and godly conversation that I may here on earth glorifie thy name and after this life with all thy faithful flock possess that everlasting inheritance which thy Son Christ Jesus hath purchased to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory world without end Amen John 5. 14. Behold thou art made whole sin no more lest a worse thing come unto thee 1 John 1. 17. If we walk in the light
beseech thee to have compassion on this thy servant who by thy visitation hath been sorely afflicted and by the same even brought to the termination of his days and end of his life be pleased good Lord to have mercy upon him acept of him as the work of thine own hand a Lamb of thy fold thy servant redeemed by Jesus Christ who is willing by thy appointment to leave this miserable World in full assurance of thy mercy in Jesus Christ for the remission of his sins guide him good Lord in this his last journey that he being quit of all the troubles of this transitory World may safely by thy power be conducted to the Haven of eternal happiness into the arms of thy unspeakable mercy to everlasting peace to perpetual joy and there to reign with all the company of Saints and Angels in eternal Bliss for evermore Good Lord we beseech thee by the abundance of thy goodness by the multitude of thy Mercies by the merits of thy Death and Passion by the glorious Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ have mercy upon him deliver him from the burthen of his sins the fear of Death and the power of Hell and give him a quiet and joyful departure and receive him in thy favour to the fulness of Joy in thine everlasting Kingdom to reign with thee world without end Amen Thanksgiving after Recovery O Lord my God and heavenly Father seeing it hath pleased thee of thy infinite mercies to with-hold my life from the pit of corruption and in good measure restored me again to my former health crowning me with mercy and loving kindness my soul and all that is within me shall praise thy holy Name I will praise thee O Lord with my whole heart and sing praise unto thy Name O thou most High for the health of my body I bless thee for it with my soul And good Lord give me also the health of my soul then shall I magnifie and praise thee for thy goodness with soul and body This gentle correction hath brought me nigher unto thee and upon thy forbearance I have promised amendment of life and that I may so do assist me with thy grace give me constancy and perseverance in good works and keep me from relapsing into those sins which induced thy former judgments and though the custom of sin take away the sense of sin and my infirmities being many yet good Lord forsake not my soul in any temptation neither suffer me to fall into such notorious sins again which I have truly repented me of but so guide me by thy grace in the small remainder of my days that I have to live in this World that my life may be ordered by thy governance and always do that which is righteous in thy sight through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Psal 116. I Am well pleased that the Lord hath heard the voice of my Prayer 2. That he hath inclined his ear unto me Therefore will I call upon him as long as I live 3. The snares of Death compassed me round about And the pains of Hell gat hold upon me 4. I shall find trouble and heaviness and I shall call upon the Name of the Lord O Lord I beseech thee deliver my soul 5. Gracious is the Lord and righteous yea our God is merciful 6. The Lord preserve the simple I was in misery and he helped me 7. Turn again then unto thy rest O my soul for the Lord hath rewarded thee 8. And why thou hast delivered my soul from death mine eyes from tears and my feet from falling 9. I will walk before the Lord in the Land of the living 10. I believed and therefore will I speak but I was sore troubled I said in my hast All men are lyers 11. What reward shall I give unto the Lord for all the benefits that he hath done unto me 12. I will receive the cup of salvation and call upon the Name of the Lord. 13. I will pay my vows now in the presence of all his people right dear in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints 14. Behold O Lord how that I am thy servant I am thy servant and the Son of thy handmaid thou hast broken my bonds in sunder 15. I will offer unto thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call upon the Name of the Lord. 16. I will pay my vows unto the Lord in the sight of all his people in the Courts of the Lords house even in the midst of thee O Jerusalem Praise the Lord. A Morning Prayer for a private Family O God the Father Creator and Maker of all things in Heaven and Earth O Christ the Redeemer of all Mankind and thou O blessed Spirit the Sanctisier of all the Elect have mercy upon us spare us most miserable sinners whom thou hast redeemed and be not angry with us for ever but hearken unto our Prayers receive our petitions and grant our requests for Jesus Christ his sake our only Lord and blessed Saviour We thy poor and unworthy servants in all humility of Soul and Body unfeigned acknowledgment of our bounden duty prostrate our selves before the Throne of thy mercy seat praising and magnifying thy Fatherly goodness for the abundance of thy blessings for the multitude of thy mercies continually heaped upon us beseeching thee for Christ his sake to be merciful to all our sins committed against thy divine Majesty upon the consideration of which we confess we are not worthy to appear in thy sight much less to ask a blessing at thy hands for by reason of our corrupt Nature in us derived from our first parents our inclination hath been prone to commit all manner of sin and wickedness against thy goodness thy Laws and Precepts we have broken both in thought word and deed out of our hearts proceed evil and wicked imaginations which defile the soul and the whole man is altogether abominable the eyes that now look up to thee for mercy have beheld vanity our tongues that now call upon thee have blasphemed thee our hands now lifted up to heaven have been lifted up against thee our feet have been willing to run to commit any mischief by the temptation of Satan our wills being continually averse to thy commandments the Law of sin is in our members repugnant to the Law of our mind making us altogether unworthy of the least of thy mercies and miserable that we are the numberless number of our sins have been multiplyed as the number of our sinful days have increased these things O Lord we have done to our shame and if thy mercy prevent not judgment to our utter destruction of soul and body we must acknowledge thou who art our Creator who hast made us by the precious death of Jesus Christ redeemed us and by thy holy Spirit sanctified us and many are the blessings and benefits which we enjoy both in soul and body therefore by the contrition of ouâ— hearts by the testimony of
thou wilt vouchsafe to grant me my petitions which at this time I have asked at thy hands so shall I serve thee here in the Kingdom of Grace and hereafter in thy Kingdom of Glory where I beseech thee O Lord that I may have a place to dwell with thee eternally which livest with God the Father and the Holy Ghost everlastingly to whom be praise and Glory for ever and ever Amen Prayers for Munday Night O Lord my God and Father blessed be thy Name for ever dispose my heart and open my lips c. A Psalm MY Song shall be of mercy and judgment Unto thee O Lord will I sing O let me have understanding in the way of Godliness When wilt thou come unto me I will walk in my house with a perfect heart I will take no wicked thing in hand I hate the sins of unfaithfulness there shall no such cleave unto me Hear my Prayer O Lord and let my crying come unto thee Hide not thy face from me in the time of my trouble incline thine Ears unto me when I call O hear me and that right soon My days are gone like a shadow and I am withered like grass But thou O Lord endurest for ever and thy remembrance throughout all Generations And I said O my God take me not away in the midst of mine age As for thy years they endure throughout all Generations Praise the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me praise his Holy Name Praise the Lord O my Soul and forget not all his benefits Which forgiveth all thy sin and healeth all thine infirmity Which saveth thy life from destruction and crowneth thee with mercy and loving kindness He will not always be chiding neither keepeth he his anger for ever For look how high the Heaven is in comparison of the earth so great is his mercy also towards them that fear him Glory be to the Father c. Confession to God the Father O Lord Almighty the God of our Father and Lord of Mercy which hast made Heaven and Earth with all their Ornaments which hast bound the Sea by the word of thy Commandment which hast shut up the deep and seal'd it by thy terrible and Glorious Name whom all do â—ear and tremble before thy Power for the Majesty of thy Glory cannot be born and thy angry threatnings towards sinners is â—mportable but thy merciful promises are unmeasurable and unsearchable for Thou art the Lord God most High above all the Earth long suffering and most merciful and sorry for the malice of men and thou O Lord according to thy great Goodness and of thine infinite Mercies hast appointed repentance unto sinners that they might be saved Therefore thou O Lord that art the God of the just hast not appointed repentance to those which stand to justify themselves in thy sight but thou hast appointed repentance unto me that am a sinner for I have sinned O Lord I have sinned above the number of the sands of the Sea my transgressions O Lord my transgressions are multiplied and are exceeding many so as I am not worthy to behold or lift up mine eyes unto the Heavens for the multitude of my unrighteousness I have provoked thine anger O Lord and done evil before thee in committing abominations and multiplying of offences Now therefore I bow the knees of my heart beseeching thee for Grace I have sinned O Lord I have sinned and I acknowledge my wickedness desiring thee by Prayer to forgive me O Lord forgive me destroy me not with mine iniquities neither do thou always remember mine evils to punish them but save me that am unworthy according to thy great mercies And I most humbly beseech thee O Lord not to suffer my soul to perish which Thou hast bought so dearly with thy most precious Blood make me poor in Spirit and low of Heart submitting me wholly into thy hands so as my desire and my delight may be always to thy will and pleasure which is always good and godly and grant my poor soul rest in thee for thou hast said They shall never be confounded that put their trust in thee which trust good Lord grant me never to forsake for any vain trust temptation or tribulation that may happen to vex my soul but grant me thy holy Spirit to comfort and defend me from all things that should procure thy displeasure Thou that art in Trinity one God and Lord over all give ear to my Prayer and pardon all my sins so shall I praise thee for ever and ever all the days of my life through Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour to whom be glory for ever Amen A Prayer to Jesus Christ O Jesus thou Son of God have mercy upon me and forgive the great offences which I have done in the sight of thee this day and give me grace O Lord for the love of thee to despise sin and worldly vanity O Jesus help me to overcome the temptations of sin and the maâ—ice of my spiritual enemy and strengthen my soul and body to exercise the works of virtue whereby I may come to thy everlasting joy and felicity Grant me a â—ast purpose O merciful Jesus to amend my life and to remove the sins of my youth far from me Jesus lighten me with Ghostly Wisdom for to know thy goodness and those things which are most acceptable unto thee and give me grace to give good and profitable example that none may be hurt by me make me to proceed from virtue to virtue until I be grown a perfect man in thee Let me not return to those sins which by my confession have accused me and with sorrow have oppressed me The horrible sentence of endless death the terrible judgment of damnation thy wrath ire and indignation merciful Lord let never fall upon me Jesus give me grace to fly evil company and when I come among them I beseech thee to preserve me that no occasion of sin overcome me keep my mouth O Lord from slanderous speaking lying false witness bearing cursing swearing uncharitable chiding dissolute laughing and words of vanity O sweet Jesus make me perseverant in the blessed service of Thee in holy Exercises and vertuous Meditations Lord keep my Soul and Body and make me to slay all sinful delectation and patiently to suffer injuries and rebukes in following thine own most Holy and blessed Example Provide good Lord that life for me which thou knowest most for thine honour and my comfortable stay in thee Jesus grant me specially in the time of Prayer to fix my mind on thee and thou to remember my wretchedness The blood that ran from thy blessed heart wash my soul from all sin and iniquity and purchase to me thy grace faithfaithfully to serve thee O my Lord God my might my life my light lead me and feed me in this mortality and at the hour of death when I shall be accused before thee have mercy upon me break my froward heart and make
Mercy thy Divine Truth I magnifie for that of thy fatherly goodness thou hast graciously heard me at this time giving me a penitent heart modesty to utter the same Therefore will I praise thee for this and all other thy goodness this evening and going to rest I will give thee thanks because thou hast kept me this day of thine only Mercy without any merit of mine from all danger both in soul and body O Christ and King of Glory I beseech thee bless and defend me this night let my rest be in thee and grant me thy grace that neither much sleep overwhelm me nor Satan invade me nor the flesh betray me unto him Let mine eyes sleep but let my heart wake O Lord lighten mine eyes that I sleep not in death lest the subtil tempter overtake me and I sleep a continual and perpetual sleep and awake no more For thou art my everlasting helper Keep me as the apple of thine eye hide me under the shadow of thy sacred wings O LORD that neither ugly visions nor horrible dreams nor sights nor monstrous apparitions trouble me in the dark In thy name O JESUS will I go to rest this night give sleep unto mine eyes and slumber to mine eye-lids compass me about and raise me again to the joyful sight of to-morrow light and after this my miserable life bring me to the beholding of eternal happiness that in thy light I may see light and evermore praise thee for ever Amen Prayers for Tuesday Morning O Lord my God and heavenly Father blessed be thy Name for ever Dispose my heart open my lips and give me thy holy Spirit c. A Psalm O God my heart is ready my heart is ready O Lord I will sing and give praise with the best member I have I will sing and give thanks unto thee Lord among the People and I will sing Praises unto thee among the Nations For thy Mercies are greater than the Heavens and thy truth reacheth unto the Clouds Set up thy self therefore O GOD above the Heavens and thy Glory above all the Earth That thy beloved may be delivered Let thy right hand save me and hear thou me O help me against mine enemy for vain is the help of man Through God I shall do great acts and it is he that shall tread down mine enemies And deal thou with me O Lord God according to thy Name for sweet is thy mercy Then will I give thanks unto thee O Lord with my whole heart secretly among the Faithful and in the Congregation The works of the Lord are great sought out of all them that have pleasure therein His work is worthy to be praised and had in honour and his righteousness endureth for ever The merciful and gracious Lord hath so done his marvellous works that they ought to be had in remembrance The works of his hands are verity and judgment all his Commandments are true He sent Redemption unto his people he hath commanded his Covenant for ever holy and reverent is his Name The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom a good understanding have all they that do thereafter the praise of it endureth for ever Glory be to c. A Morning Prayer BLessed be my Lord God which doth wondrous things and blessed be the Name of his Majesty for evermore which hath set the Sun to lighten the day and ordained the Moon and the Stars to govern the night O most high God which by thy unspeakable wisdom hast distinguished the day from the night and hast so decreed that while the World shall last this course of times and days shall never have end so that man in the night may rest and in the day labour until the evening for these and all other thy benefits I praise thy Name and give thanks unto thee for thy great Glory O God the guider of my life forsake me not turn from me the filthinâ—ss of desire remove from my heart all concupiscence and take from thy servant too over-bold a stomach suffer me not to run beadlong into riotousness let not unlawful love overcome me and give not thy servant over into an impudent mind Turn mine eyes that they behold no vanity strengthen me in thy way and grant that mine offences in this World overcome me not And I beseech thee O Lord with a most aâ—dent affection that this day and ever thou wilt keep me and all mine and that thou wilt be unto me a mighty Protector firmament of strength a covering against heat a shadow at Noon-tide a defence from falling an assister from offending a comforter of my Soul a lightner of my mind a giver of health and happiness in Christ JESUS my Lord and Saviour to whom be all glory honour and power for ever and ever Amen A Confession to GOD. O LORD I am unworthy thy Comfort or any spiritual consolation by reason of my sins that which I deserve is punishment because I have so often offended thee and in so many things so grievously sinned And yet O gracious and merciful GOD who wilt not that thy works should perish to declare the richness of thy goodness upon the vessels of thy mercy far beyond the manner of men But what have I done O Lord that thou shouldst impart upon me any spiritual comfort at all truly I have done no good but always have been prone unto sin and slow to repent and this is so true if I should deny it that thou wilt find me guilty and no man durst stand up to excuse me and therefore O most dear Father I do confess that I am worthy all reproach and contempt and most unworthy to live among thy Sons and Servants yea and because it is true I will yet confess against my wickedness that so the sooner I may obtain mercy at thy hands But what shall I wretch that I am say being full of all manner of shame and infamy What shall I say Nothing but this I have sinned Lord I have sinned take mercy upon me forgive me suffer me yet a while to bewail my wretchedness before I pass over into the Land of promise covered with the shadow of death for what dost thou else of a guilty and miserable man require but that he afflict and humble himself for his sins from a true repentance and humbling of the mind ariseth hope of Pardon the troubled conscience is relieved the favour of God which was lost is recovered and man is preserved from the vengeance to come and with a holy kiss both God and the sorrowful soul do meet together With the which work of true repentance endue me Good Lord that I may do thy sacred Will in this life and in the end enjoy everlasting happiness in the World to come through Jesus Christ my Saviour to whom be all glory power and might for ever and ever Amen A Prayer for true Repentance to be purged of sin O Lord my God what do I daily but wander in the field
provided for me all things necessary for which thine inestimable love I cannot sufficiently praise thee O Lord forgive mine offences which this day 〈◊〉 have committed and done against thy Almighty Majesty pardon them O God for Jesus Christ his sake and vouchsafe me thy grace to amend my life and to return â—nfeignedly to the serving of thee And â—orasmuch as I cannot continue without â—hy continual protection vouchsafe to exâ—end the same unto me thy wretched creaâ—ure this night that I may quietly take my rest which thou hast appointed for â—he refreshing of my wearied and weak â—ody And further I beseech thee O Lord to guard and defend me that nothing hurt me keep me also good Lord from sudden and unprovided death and preserve me by the watch of thy holy Angel that I may take my rest this night in thee until the morning and then give my self to the fulfilling of my duty and the discharge of my vocation and the doing of thy will unto my lives end for which thy favour I humbly beseech thee and for all things else necessary for me and for all other whom thou hast commanded us to pray for and namely for all such as are in any kind of affliction in body or mind for the testimony of thy truth that thou wilt strengthen them and thy whole Church in pure Religion and here O Lord I beseech thee to embrace me with the arms of thy mercy vouchsafe to receive me into the bosom of thy love shadow me with thy wings that I may safely take my rest in thee this night in the Name of thy Son Jesus Christ in whose Name I refer me wholly to thy loving protection beseeching thee that when this life shall end my last sleep being come I may take my everlasting rest with thee in thy eternal Kingdom for the which Kingdom I do heartily beseech thee of thine inestimable goodness both of my self and all other thy dear servants that we may attain the same for the glory of thy holy Name and our endless comfort through the merits of thy dearly beloved Son our Lord and only Saviour Jesus Christ Amen Prayers for Friday Morning O Lord God and heavenly Father blessed be thy Name for ever Dispose my heart open my lips and give me thy holy Spirit c. A Psalm MY soul truly waiteth still upon God for of him cometh my salvation In God is my help and my glory the rock of my might and in God is my trust I called upon him with my mouth and gave him praise with my tongue For thou O Lord God art the thing that I long for thou art my hope even from my youth Through thee have I been holpen up even since I was born thou art he that took me out of my mothers womb my praise shall be always of thee Wherefore praised be God which hath not cast out my prayer nor turned his mercy from me O let my mouth be filled with thy praise that I may sing of thy glory and honour all the day long Cast me not away in time of age forsake me not when my strength faileth me My mouth shall daily speak of thy righteousness and salvation for I know no end thereof I will go forth in the strength of the Lord God and will make mention of thy righteousness only For thou O God hast taught me from my youth up until now therefore will I tell of thy wondrous works Thy righteousness O God is very high and great things are they that thou hast done O God who is like unto thee O what troubles and adversities hast thou shewed me and yet didst thou turn and refresh me yea broughtest me from the depth of the earth again Therefore will I praise thee and thy faithfulness O God which art the holy One of Israel My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long for there is no end thereof Glory c. A Morning Prayer O Lord the glorious face of the Sun which sheweth it self and casteth its beams over the whole world I take it for an argument and earnest peny of thy good will toward thy children in the number of whom I account my self though chief of sinners and not worthy to loose the latchet of thy shooe for if we enjoy such a benefit in this strange country together with thine enemies then what joyous sights what store of thy goodness shall we reap in our natural country the blisful Land of Canaan where we shall not see this worldly Sun but thee even thee good Lord face to face the Son of thy glory and only Star of Majesty Such joys O Lord shall we have in the beholding of thee as neither the eye hath seen nor ear hath heard nor heart ever conceived such joys I say as pass the reach not only of man but also of Angels to esteem blessed are the door-keepers of this house of joy where thou O Lord the Son of righteousness dost most clearly spread forth the beams of thy divine power Oh how long shall I live in this prison how long shall I journey in this body of sin wherefore O God of comfort and Father of mercy I do not doubt but that as I wander in this field of vanity so thou wilt recal me by the light of thy Gospel to thine house there to dwell and reign for ever Amen An humble Confession to Almighty God O Most mighty God and merciful Father I present my self before thy Majesty defiled with the filthiness of many and most grievous sins whereof I do confess I am not able to answer thee one of a thousand if thou O Lord shouldest enter into judgment with me for in sin was I born and therefore am guilty of original corruption and in sin have I lived and continued and therefore stand guilty of actual transgression which hath broken forth upon me in thought word and deed from time to time continually even unto this present hour wherefore I humbly crave thy mercy and the grace of forgiveness in Jesus Christ for therein I confess O Lord standeth the only hope of my comfort and salvation And forasmuch as it hath pleased thee to give thine own Son to be a slain sacrifie for our sins and to offer the grace of reconciliation by preaching the Gospel to all them that repent and believe the same good Lord I beseech thee vouchsafe to make me of that blessed number work true repentance in my heart increase my faith and give me grace to bring forth the fruits thereof that so it may appear that I have not received thy grace in vain and for this purpose good Lord I beseech thee bless the Ministers of thy Word and give them grace to speak it as it ought to be spoken and give thy people grace to hear it attentively to believe it stedfastly and to follow it obediently that so serving thee faithfully in this life we may live and reign with thee for ever in the life to
shall this snake of conscience sting me to death What good Lord is the stream of thy mercy stopped are the rivers of thy grace dryed up dost thou not call me saying Come unto me Yea good Lord and therefore despair I will not it is not thy will that any sinner should perish and thou hast not only said but sworn it that thou wilt not the death of a sinner but rather his conversion and life Behold therefore dear Father I come unto thee being a grievous offender in hope of pardon in the Name of thy Son who by his own testimony came into this world to save sinners he was content to blot out that obligation which Satan had against me by the floud of his most precious blood which issued out of his glorious side In this pool he hath washed away the leprosie of sin were it never so desperate O Lord and gracious God I have wasted my days in vanity I have from time to time trodden under my feet the pearls of Christian profession even from the womb have I been a rebellious traitor to thy Majesty a friend to this world to godliness an enemy But now O Lord I cry unto thee forgive me forgive me Now I come unto thee therefore cover me with the wings of thy mercy that I perish not good Lord accept thy Sons merits for a satisfaction for my sins drown them in the stream of thy mercy and cast them behind thee for ever good Lord I beseech thee Oh sweet Lord look upon me with thy most precious and piteous eye lest that be destroyed which thou of thy great goodness hast made and Christ thy Son of inestimable love and infinite charity hath redeemed through his bitter passion This is the total sum unto thee of all my suit O Lord mercy mercy O Father of mercy mercy is the thing that I beg have mercy and pity upon me be thou my shepherd to defend me my Castle of defence to save me against the power of the Devil thou hast store of mercy for them that ask it Therefore O Lord for the wounds of thy dear Son have mercy upon me let not sin sting me to death but lay to my fore soul the salve of thy mercy grant this O dear Father of thy merciful compassion to whom be all glory for ever and for ever world without end Amen A fruitful Prayer to God the Father O Lord my God wherein is my hope fixed in this life or what is my greatest comfort of all things that are any where under the cope of heaven but only thou my Lord and God whose mercy is infinite when was it with me well if thou wert absent or ill if thou wert present doubtless I would rather chuse to be poor for thee than rich without thee and rather to be with thee a pilgrim on earth than without thee to possess Heaven where thou art there is joy and peace of conscience where thou art not there is woe and destruction thou alone art the thing I desire and there is none can assist me in my troubles but thou alone O God thou art my hope thou art my confidence thou art my comforter in all things most faithfully all men seek their own but thou desirest nought but my welfare and turnest all things for me to good therefore in thee my Lord and God I place all my confidence on thee I do lay all my calamities and troubles for without thee whatsoever I behold is as frail and transitory For neither can friends profit nor strong men help nor wise men counsel well nor learned books comfort nor riches save nor secret place hide unless thou be present to help strengthen comfort instruct and keep for whatsoever seems to belong to the attainment of peace and felicity without thee is nothing and bringeth indeed no felicity at all so that thou art the chiefest end and perfection of life and that in thee to trust above all things is the chiefest comfort of thy servant O my God and Father of mercy bless make my soul holy with celestial happiness that it may be thy sacred habitation and temple purged from all filthiness O Lord according to the greatness of thy mercy look upon me and hear the supplications of thy poor servant living far off a banished man in a savage country Protect and keep the soul of thy servant among so many dangers of this mortal life and bring me by the conduction of thy savour into the country of eternal glory through Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour to whom be all honour power and glory for ever and ever Amen Prayers for Friday Night O Lord my God and Father blessed be thy Name for ever Dispose my heart open my lips and give c. A Psalm WIth my whole heart have I sought thee O let me not go wrong out of thy commandments Make me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holy Spirit from me O give me the comfort of thy help again and stablish me with thy free Spirit Stablish thy word in thy servant that I may fear thee and turn away mine eyes lest they behold vanity and quicken thou me in thy way So shall I always keep thy law yea for ever and ever Yea at midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments O let thy merciful kindness be my comfort according to thy word unto thy servant And let thy loving mercies come unto me that I may live for thy law is my delight My soul hath longed for thy salvation and I have a good hope because of thy word O how sweet are thy words unto my throat yea sweeter than honey unto my mouth Through thy commandments I get understanding therefore I hate all wicked ways Order my steps in thy word so shall no wickedness have dominion over me O let my soul live and it shall praise thee and thy judgments shall help me I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost O seek thy servant that I do not forget thy commandments Glory be to the Father c. A Prayer for the suppressing of corrupt affections O My God and most loving Father I do acknowledge that I have most highly offended thy sacred Majesty by my gross and most filthy life and have provoked thee to anger by my abominable wickedness wherefore O Lord be merciful unto me and pardon me this great wickedness look not upon me good Father with the eyes of Justice neither do thou draw against me the sword of Judgment for then how shall I that am but dust and ashes stand in thy sight when thy wrathful indignation cometh forth as a whirlwind and thy heavy displeasure as a mighty tempest seeing the earth trembleth the depths are discovered and the very Heavens are shaken when thou art angry Exercise not therefore good Lord thy fury against me that am but as chaff before
Death overwhelm me nor my sleep in the night alter my thoughts and understanding when I should take rest but grant me a good and quiet sleep going unto my Bed which representeth my Grave that rising in the Morning to render due praise and thanks unto thee my Protector I may likewise at the Day of Judgment rise as one of thy chosen Children upon thy right hand into Heaven where I may sing praises unto thy holy and blessed Name for ever Prayers for Saturday Morning O Lord my God and Father blessed be thy Name for ever Dispose my heart open my lips and give me thy holy Spirit c. A Psalm WHom have 〈◊〉 in Heaven but thee O Lord and there is none upon Earth that I desire in comparison of thee My flesh and my heart faileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever For 〈◊〉 they that forsake thee shall perish and thou wilt destroy them that commit fornication against thee But it is good for me to hold me fast by God and to put my trust in my Lord God and to speak of all his works For God is King of old the help that is done upon Earth he doth it himself Wherefore I will cry unto God with my Voice even unto God will I cry with my voice and he shall hearken unto me When I am in heaviness I will think upon God when my heart is vexed I will complain I have considered the days of old and the years that are past I call to remembrance my Song and in the night I commune with mine own heart and search out my spirits Will the Lord absent himself for ever and will he be no more intreated Is his mercy clean gone for ever and is his promise come utterly to an end for evermore Hath God forgotten to be gracious and will he shut up his loving kindness in displeasure And I sald it is mine own infirmity but I will remember the years of the most High I will remember the works of the Lord and call to mind the wonders of old time I will think of all thy works and my thinking shall be of thy doings Glory c. A Morning Prayer O Almighty Protector and Keeper both of the Souls and Bodies of the faithful I yield thee humble and hearty thanks for defending me and saving me this night past and all the rest of my life hitherto from sudden death and from all other perils and dangers whereunto my Soul and weak Body are subject to fall and wherewith I am so beset that had I not been preserved by thee it could not otherwise have been but my body had perished and my Soul been carried into everlasting perdition But most sweet Lord my succour and defence who hath continual regard of the safety of thy servants and never suffer est them to be overcome with any kind of danger vouchsafe to forgive me whatsoever I have committed and done against thy Divine Majesty either sleeping or waking this night or at any time secretly or openly heretofore by reason of the corruption which remaineth in me and grant that as I have by thy protection passed this night so I may enjoy at thy merciful hands whatsoever thy Fatherly Providence shall think meet and convenient for me and so in hope of thy loving kindness and mercy go forward this day and all my life in perfect love unfeigned zeal and continual obedience to thy most blessed will that so continuing unto the end I may receive the reward of thy Coelestial Kingdom which thy Son Jesus hath purchased for all true Believers in thee in number of whom sweet Lord for the mercies of him thy Son make me that I with them and they with me may continually sing laud and praise unto the Trinity eternally Amen A Confession to God for sin MOst gracious God and loving Father in Jesus Christ I confess mine unrighteousness which maketh me unworthy to come before thee not only in regard of mine original corruption which I traduced from disobedient Adam but in regard of my continual sins and actual evils which I daily commit against thee whereby I cannot but be offensive unto thee and ever loathsome in thy sacred Eyes but alas such is mine estate that being considered as it is in and of my self that I can bring forth no better fruits than the Tree of Adam's disobedience whose roots as they are sin so bear they sin in me and consequently procure death and destruction but dear Father as by Adam sin entred and took hold of himself and of all his Posterity so by thy Son Jesus Christ we are all justified by our adoption into his righteousness of thy free love if we take hold of thy promises in him and become obedient unto thee and therefore dear Father howsoever our corruptions as they are in us of our selves have bewrapped us in bondage to sin and death so let thy Sons merits be unto us a sufficient ransom for our Everlasting liberty not only to come freely to the Throne of grace but in the end to obtain the joys eternally with him in Heaven who liveth and raigneth with thee and the holy Spirit for ever World without end Amen A Prayer for the true worship of God O Most gracious God and loving Father establish my heart and mind in the true Worship of thy Divine Majesty make me to believe thy holy and sacred Gospel wherein I am daily and hourly instructed to love fear honour and obey thee to hate sin and iniquity to renounce all superstitious Ceremonies whereby thy worship is defaced thy glory prophaned and thy honour greatly diminished Give me grace to hate sin and to renounce the vanities and wanton pleasures of this wicked World and finally give me power from above to withstand Satan the Prince of darkness and all his damnable Ministers who by divers temptations provokes and allures us from godly purity and perfect integrity which passeth only from Christ Jesus to us who is the fulness of our perfection and holiness to all kind of evil impiety and uncleanness by means whereof thy glory is greatly prophaned and of a set purpose contemned make me O Lord I beseech thee by the power of a fruitful faith to resist and bridle the conconcupiscence of my flesh in such sort that my Soul may triumph with Victory and continue constant in worshiping thee from whom passeth the fulness of my joy prepare my heart and mind to spread forth the glory of thy Name keep my tongue from all filthy talk and uncomely gesture lest by the exercises of such sin I contemn thy worship and provoke thee to displeasure against me set thou a watch before the gates of my mouth that my lips may by grace be made open to sound forth thy praise and glory be merciful to mine offences think thou not on my unrighteousness but open thy clemency forgive thou freely and pardon graciously all my sins make me faithful in Christ Jesus
into the place of everlasting torment But O Lord with thee there is mercy that thou mightest be feared thou art a God of all comfort and consolation a merciful loving and gracious Father ready and willing to hear all penitent sinners that in heart are sorrowful for their sins In the Name therefore of Jesus Christ my blessed Redeemer I humbly prostrate my self before the Throne of thy Mercy seat accompanied with no other hope than such as proceeds from the richness of thy mercy that for his only sake thou wilt have compassion upon me for in humility of spirit and contrition of heart I submit my self to thy goodness beseeching thee not to let my sins be a cloud between my Prayer and thy pity thy goodness and my distress but forgive and forget all my transgressions all my mis-doings let them be sins of what condition soever whether sins of my youth or sins of my age sins of my body or sins of my soul secret and open sins notorious and presumptuous sins sins of pride envy hatred malice c. Good Lord remit them all and of thy great goodness grant me perfect remission and absolution for the same for which the Prophet David Out of the depth of my misery I cry unto thee for the depth of thy mercy O Lord hear my petitions and consider my tears the contrition of my heart and the sorrow of my soul and in the merits of his blood that was so plentifully shed on the Cross for penitent sinners wash away the multitude of my transgressions that my soul by thy mercy being cleansed from the stain of sin I may be found a worthy partaker of this great mystery And now O Lord that I am about to receive the blessed Sacrament of the body and blood of Jesus Christ how shall I that am so great a sinner dust and ashes dare to presume to approach thy Table The Heavens in thy sight being not clear and the pillars of the Earth shake at thy presence What then shall become of me miserable that I am Yea Lord thou hast provided a special means and in thy Gospel left us a command Come unto me all ye c. Which command I obey and in confident assurance of thy promise in Christ Jesus I trust thou wilt have mercy upon me in the easing and refreshing of my soul that is wearied with the burthen of my intolerable sins Wash me throughly from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sin and renew a right spirit within me And of thy gracious goodness direct me in this great action with a reverend and awful fear of thy Majesty that all the faculties of my soul and body may be intent rightly to apprehend and joyfully to receive this eternal food this bread of life this heavenly and wonderful mystery and that by thy grace I may obtain the vertue fruit and benefits of the death and passion of my Saviour and by the same the remission of all my sins and everlasting salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer before the receiving of the Communion O Most holy and heavenly God and Father which by the immortal seed of thy Word hast begotten us to be thy children and with the same as with milk dost nourish us purely as new born babes as also with the divine mysteries of thy holy Sacraments as by a visible word dost confirm and strengthen us in faith righteousness and having so adopted us into thy family continually feedest and nourishest us unto eternal life we humbly beseech thee so to prepare our souls to the due receiving thereof worthily that we may thereby effectually feel taste and feed on thy Son Jesus Christ the true Manna and Bread that came down from Heaven that we may by him have eternal life pardon O Lord pardon our unpreparedness in coming to the participation of so holy and divine Mysteries Make thy Word and Sacraments always so powerful and effectual in our ears and hearts that we may thereby be sanctified and renewed unto all holy obedience unto thy will in the mortification of our sinful corruptions and renewing of thy perfect Image in us unto holiness righteousness sobriety truth knowledge faith and temperance through his most power ful and glorious Resurrection Stablish our Conscience in the assurance of our salvation by the remission of our sins in the blood of thy Son which was shed for us on the Altar of the Cross as a Sacrifice of expiation to cleanse away all sin O Lord seal and confirm this Covenant of Grace in our hearts by these holy Sacraments pledges of thy grace and love towards us that at no time we may stagger at thy promises nor fall away from hope and confidence in thee but being hereby incorporated into one Body we may partake of one Spirit and grow in love one towards another as members of the same mystical Body that we may forgive one another as thou hast forgiven us O Lord make us ever thankful for thy manifold and great mercies in providing unto us such means and helps of our salvation and grant that we may not put any confidence in external actions and exercises thereof in any hope to be justified thereby but that we may thereby exalt our minds to heavenly and spiritual contemplations and by faith be firmly united to thee our Head in Heaven to be made one with thee and thou with us and howsoever heretofore we have transgressed and defiled our selves as well with our natural impurities and actual impieties henceforth being now wash'd and purified in the blood of the Lamb which was sacrificed for us we may have our conversation in Heaven and being new creatures in Christ may have new thoughts desires and delights far from the lusts of our former ignorance and may live ever unto him and with him who sitteth at thy right hand our Redeemer and Advocate and shall return to be our Judge to justifie and acquit us before thee to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all praise c. A Psalm 1. AS the Hart panteth after the water-brooks so panteth my soul after thee O God 2. O let thy merciful kindness be my comfort according to thy Word unto thy Servant 3. Help me O God of my salvation for the glory of thy Name O deliver me and be merciful unto my sin for thy Name 's sake 4. O remember not my old sins but have mercy upon me and that soon for I am come to great misery 5. Consider and hear me O Lord my God for my trust is in thy mercy 6. Turn thy face from my sins and put out all my mis-deeds 7. Have mercy upon me O God after thy great goodness according to the multitude of thy mercies do away my offences 8. Wash me throughly from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sin For I acknowledge my faults and my sin is ever before me 10. Behold I was shapen in wickedness and in sin hath my mother conceived me
that but hast herein also fully exprest thy most holy and blessed Will whatsoever is necessary for the Salvation of Mankind to be known to bring him to life everlasting Give me grace most merciful Father that for so high a treasure left among us I may be thankful reverently embrace accept and esteem of the same as the most precious jewel in Earth and be therein confirmed most strongly that all things therein contained be most undoubtedly true not by any mortal Man but by the most Holy Spirit in Man penned and written to the comfort and behoof of Man And that I may most humbly lowly and with most high Reverence submit my self thereunto as becometh thy eternal Majesty and the Word proceeding from thy most blessed mouth that I may with reverence and obedience read hear and occupy my self in the same to the comfort of my soul and the increase of thy Glory Lighten my understanding most dear Father with thy most holy Spirit that I may learn clearly conceive and understand the things therein contained which no mortal man can conceive save those that have learned of thee and whom thou by thy holy Spirit dost lighten and instruct Guide me dear Father with thy most holy Spirit that having the true understanding of the mysteries therein contained I may be fully established and confirmed in the true knowledge of thee my dear Father and of thy beloved Son my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and in conscience throughly perswaded that I have my full perfect salvation and life everlasting in him and through his atonement made by his death and passion That I do not vainly abuse the knowledge of thy most sacred word to satisfie vain curiosity or brag of knowledge but only to the relieving of my hungry and wounded conscience to the loosing of my fettered soul and the appeasing of my sorrowful heart that I may to the end of my life walk in sincerity before thee my heavenly Father in the comforts of thy dear Son my Saviour upholden still by the merciful power of the holy Ghost to thine everlasting praise and glory for ever Amen A Confession to God the Father O Lord my God I confess unto Thee that my heart is unclean that I am of polluted lips wallowing in the dung and stinking in the rottenness of mine own sin so that I may justly tremble to appear before thy glorious presence much more to present unto thee thy pure praises out of my defiled mouth but who except thou O Lord can make me clean and what is pure which thou hast not purged Therefore O Father of life O Lord of Light with all the Forces of my Soul I do beseech thee to help me thy servant whom of thy mercy thou hast created cleanse my filthiness lighten my darkness inflame my coldness quicken my dulness awake my drowsiness revive my deadness repair the ruins of my Soul enlarge the frame of the understanding thereof cleanse it from all earthly corruption garnish it with thy heavenly graces that it may be conveniently both sit and furnished to receive Thee that thou maist make thine entry possess that which is thine own both by Creation and also by Redemption and that as thou art exalted above all Creatures so above all creatures I may honour thee and praise thee not with that affection wherewith my weakness is able either to do or to desire but with that perfection wherewith in duty I should and wherewith thy Saints and Angels indeed do for what worthy praise can I give unto thee by whose goodness I was created by whose mercy I was redeemed by whose power I am preserved and by whose grace I look to be glorified when I was not thou didst make me when I was lost and forlorn thou camest down and tookest mortality upon thee to redeem me these and many other benefits have I received some in hand and some in hope although through my own sinful demeanour I have almost both let go my hold and lost my hope therefore O Lord I most humbly beseech thee save thy servant save one of thy Members though poor and feeble save I say a part of thy self be as great in pardoning those that are submitted unto thee as in punishing those that are rebellious pour upon my heart the sweet streams of thy mercies confirm my life settle my faith settle me in a right and upright course and continue me in the same even unto the end grant this O Father through thy dear Son Jesus Christ to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory for ever and ever Amen A Devout Prayer to Jesus Christ O Most sweet Saviour and merciful Redeemer Jesus Christ the Son of God who although thou art High yet art thou most humble and as thou art Omnipotent so art thou most meek and as thou art most Mighty so art thou most merciful to thee O Christ the giver of all Felicity the Father of Heaven hath given all Power both in Heaven and in Earth Thou art the true Pastor of our Souls thou art our Messias thou casteth off none that sue unto thee but as thou hast taken away the hand-writing that was against us and hast fastned it to the Cross so art thou ready to impart the merits of thy Passion to all such as write true repentance of their sins call upon thee faithfully wherefore my sweet Saviour I most faithfully unfeignedly acknowledge the benefits that thou hast bestow'd upon me stedfastly believe that thou being an immaculate Lamb in whose mouth was never found guile didst suffer most cruel torments at the hands of sinners for the love of us most wretched sinners for the which cause I most heartily beseech thee and most humbly pray thee to accept me into the number of them whom thou wilt receive to mercy and favour and although I of my self be most unworthy thereof yet thy merits can make me worthy to them I fly craving that I may be so armed and defended by them that I may subdue the World the Flesh the Devil even as thou hast gloriously conquered Sin Death and Hell Thou seest O my Saviour how I am daily and hourly beset with these three enemies and so hardly besieged of them that without thy help I can by no means escape but that I must needs be a prey unto one of them strengthen me therefore O Lord that neither the one with carnal Lust neither the other with delectable pleasures nor Satan with all his craft and subtil devices get the dominion over me thou hast bought me thou hast paid for me save keep and defend me be always ready at the voice of my crying pour into me thy grace patiently to abide thy divine pleasure in all things make me both at this present and all the days of my life to have in my mind and profoundly to root in my heart the mysteries of thy painful passion and so to be filled with remembrance thereof
may see the mysteries of thy profound and excellent truth increase O Lord all holy desires in me to attain the knowledge of thy will let my whole delight be in it to meditate therein day and night that it may be more precious unto me than Gold and Silver many times fined Further howsoever thy graces and gifts O Lord are to be acknowledged in men yet because thy good pleasure is so that all men should carry the scars of ignorance and infirmity draw in my whole delight I beseech thee and kindle all my affections to the love of thy Law and Testimonies and to those Scriptures that were written and indited by thine own self and thy spirit for those good Lord contain thy whole will in that everlasting Covenant that thou hast stricken with thy Saints This O Lord is that well spring of wisdom and grace that shall make us wise before thee howsoever the world condemn it of madness and folly Teach thou me O Lord and I shall be taught open thou mine eyes that I may see the excellent things of thy Law reform my heart that self-love and vain-glory may be quite vanquished and slain in me that I may only set before mine eyes thy glory O gracious God spoil this power of Satan in me that by thy means thy good gifts of knowledge and wisdom be not abused against thee thy Gospel and Glory that I be not carried through emulation spite or envy of any mans credit or gifts to set my self against thy truth but give me true humility that above all things I may rejoyce in the advancement and praise of thy Name whether it be with my honour or shame with my peace or trouble with good report or evil report I know O Lord that true wisdom is from thee alone and that thou hast so ordained thy servants in so gracious a dispensation of thy gifts that they who have the greatest need of theirs that are the least the greatest Master-builders of them that are but labourers basket-bearers in thy Church The unity of thy Spirit and the bond of Peace knit us fast together and hold us in to reverence each other and to be at one in thy work O knit our hearts together that we may all seek thee to thy eternal Praise to whom only belongeth Renown Glory and Honour for ever c. A fruitful Prayer to God ALmighty and Eternal God my Creator and lover I praise adore and bless Thee for that in my offences and ungratefulness thou hast so mencifully and leisurably forborn and suffered me to live even to this hour whereunto thou by thy benefits hast brought me giving anto me thy wretched servant life and necessaries thereunto belonging appointing Angels to be my keepers O my good God who knoweth whether till evening my life shall be prolonged or what death is appointed for me O merciful God and Heavenly Father grant that I may with hearty repentance truly repent my sins and inwardly bewail that ever I offended thy Godly Majesty suffer not my soul to depart this body before it be through thy mercy perfectly reconciled unto thee by grace bedeck'd with thy merits and vertues O merciful Saviour if these things I desire stand with thy Pleasure and Will grant them I beseech thee although I be not worthy to be heard And in thy mercy grant that by the merits of thy passion I may be purged from all my sins and that at the hour of my death I may be stricken with true and vehement contrition and being knit with thee in perfect charity I may immediately fleet unto thee my sweet Redeemer safely from all damnation desiring this one thing at thy hands that thou wilt remember my fragility unworthiness unstableness and miseries together with thine own goodness and most charitable mercy praying thee never to forsake me or leave me but that thou wilt always possess and govern me according to thy will to whom be all glory for ever and ever Amen A Prayer to be restored to Gods Favour O Almighty and everlasting God and Father which hast made Heaven and Earth and all things therein contained O incomprehensible unity O always to be worshipped most blessed Trinity I humbly beseech thee and pray thee by the assumption and crucified humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ that thou wouldest drive from me all kind of wickedness and sin creating in me a clean heart and a right spirit O Lord Jesus I beseech thy goodness for the exceeding great love which drew thee out of thy fathers bosom in the womb of thy holy Virgin and for the assumption of mans nature wherein it pleased thee to save me and to deliver me from eternal death That thou wouldst draw me out of my self unto thee my Lord God And grant that this my love may recover again to me thy grace to increase and make perfect in me that which is wanting to raise up in me that is fallen to restore to me that which I have lost and to quicken in me that which is dead and should live That so I may become conformable unto thee in all my life and conversation Thou dwelling in me and I in thee my heart being suppled with thy grace and settled in thy Faith for ever O my God loose and set at liberty my Spirit from all inferiour things govern my Soul and so work that both in soul and body I may be holy and live to thy Glory world without end Amen A Prayer to Christ to rest in his Love O My most loving Saviour I have chosen thee I wish and look for thee I run to meet thee I do renounce all things that are not of thee whatsoever thou wilt I will and whatsoever thou wilt not I forsake utterly detest in my heart and whatsoever shall hereafter happen unto me contrary to this present choice of my mind not to impute the same unto me but according to this choice of my soul judge me For all things which I ought not to do I utterly forsake them and if at any time hereafter I shall chance by any sinister occasion to agree to any thing that may be a cause to withdraw thy mercy from me I do now at this present hour utterly detest them And here O my sweet Saviour and Redeemer if it please thee or stand with thy Glory grant I beseeeh thee in this my present life that I may be delivered and preserved from all offences wherein I have offended and from all the pains whereunto deservedly I ought to come after my death and that thou wilt with the hands of thy mercy immediately after this life receive my soul into everlasting joy and felicity there to raign with thee for ever Amen A Prayer to God to grant our Petitions O Christ which art the strength of the weak the salvation of all believers and an aider of the oppressed yea our life and safe-guard in the peril of death I beseech thee that pitying mine Afflictions
down from Heaven where it attendeth about thy fear and replenish my heart with the knowledge of it that I may perfectly know what thy divine will and pleasure is in all things and that I may always direct my ways by rule thereof loving thee and above all things continuing most thankful for all thy Fatherly benefits bestowed and conferred upon me and that prosperity overcome not nor in adversity I be foolishly moved to seek remedy elsewhere than at thy hands only who art my God and who hast promised to give wisdom to all them that unfeignedly ask it O Lord hear my prayer and let my cry come unto thee give perfect wisdom whereby I may truly discern the difference between the Heavenly revelation which is wisdom from above and vain cogitations of worldly wits considering that the one in all things as well in adversity as prosperity continueth most constant stable patient and firm whereas contrariwise the other seeketh with more diligence to avoid the afflictions troubles and calamities which thou Iayest upon thy children but most sweet LORD and Heavenly Comforter grant that it may be far from my heart to think that any thing cometh to pass otherwise than by thy Almighty providence who willeth nothing nor doest any thing but what is most expedient and necessary for the use of the bodies and souls of thy servants which we cannot rightly conceive without this especial gift of thine wherewith for thy Son Jesus Christ's sake endue me that I be not led by fond conceit or deceive my self with worldly experience but governing my self according to thy will and measuring all my actions words and thoughts by the right rule of knowledge in the end I may be found in the number of those discreet Virgins who had their Lamps continually burning and not in the number of those that were taken unprovided that the coming of thy Son Jesus Christ be not terrible unto me but most acceptable and joyful that in the end I may have free entrance into that most glorious Kingdom which thy Son JESUS Christ hath purchased with his blood for all true Believers in him to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost be all glory for ever Amen A Prayer for the true Worship of GOD. O Most gracious God and loving Father establish my heart and mind in the true Worship of thy divine Majesty Make me to believe thy Holy and Sacred Gospel wherein I am daily and hourly instructed to love fear honour and obey thee to renounce all superstitious ceremonies whereby thy Worship is defaced thy Glory prophaned and thine Honour greatly diminished give me thy grace to hate sin and iniquity and to renounce and forsake the vanities and wanton pleasures of this wicked and sinful world Arm me I beseech thee to mortifie and bring under the rebellious appetites and strange lusts of the flesh and finally give me power from above to withstand Satan the Prince of darkness and all his damnable ministers who by divers temptations provokes and allures us from Godly purity and perfect integrity which passeth only from Christ Jesus to us who is the fulness of our perfection and holiness to all kind of evil impiety and uncleanness by means whereof thy Worship is greatly prophaned and of a set purpose contemned make me O LORD I beseech thee by the power of a fruitful faith to resist and bridle the concupiscnce of my flesh in such sort that my soul may triumph with victory and continue constant in worshipping thee prepare my heart and mind to spread forth the glory of thy Name keep my tongue from all filthy talk and uncomely gestures lest by the exercise of sin I contemn thy Worship and provoke thee to displeasure against me set thou a watch before the gates of my mouth that my lips by grace may be always made open to sound forth thy praise be merciful to mine offences think thou not on mine unrighteousness but of thy clemency forgive thou freely and pardon graciously all my sins make me faithful in Christ JESUS shorten these dangerous days of iniquity increase the number of thy chosen and peculiar Saints hasten thy coming O Saviour Christ that I with the fellowship of thy Saints heavenly Angels and the blessed company of Martyrs may celebrate thy praise and worship thee in thy glorious Kingdom before thy Father my GOD and the holy Ghost to whom be praise and glory for ever Amen A Prayer for Charity O Infinite Charity thou Son of GOD to whom the Father hath surrendred all power in Heaven and earth I have offended thee and endangered my soul desperately for Charity O Charity thou shalt judge the world in equity and I have not Charity abiding within me I love for gain I hate mine enemies I pray not for them that curse me and speak evil of me I have of thy benefits and yet I spare nothing for them that have need O eternal Charity I have hereby incurred the peril of thy just judgment Whereof O heavenly Charity have mercy upon me and quit me from a replying conscience and the court of the Devil for else will mine own life exclaim against me and crave damnation of my uncharitable conversion O Lord my sweet Saviour I beseech thee for thy bloody sweat in the bottomless pit of thy mercy to drown all my transgressions adopt me thy Brother and give me thy holy Spirits testimony as a gage and earnest of mine adoption and election that being free from sin I may serve thee with a free conscience in hope of an unwavering faith in mercy Amen A Prayer for the feeling of GOD's Favour and Grace O My LORD GOD and dear Father I here crave thy assistance and grace that feel all things to work in me contrary to thy will for blind is my mind crooked is my will and perverse concupiscence is in me as a spring and stinking puddle faint is my faith my sinful life increasing and my sins still abounding so as from offending thee O Lord I cannot cease neither day nor night and my sins are heavy upon me pressing me down even to Hell such is the weight thereof moreover when I prepare my self to amendment of life and think stedfastly to serve and please thee even soon after doth my corrupt nature offend and displease thy divine Majesty so that I am prone and ready to run headlong into all kind of sin and wickedness such is my strength such is my force and weakness in performing those things which thou requirest at my hands by reason whereof I am moved to doubt of thy goodness towards me unless thou of thy mercy and pity send thine aid from above and pour into me thy most healthful grace that I may most assuredly and faithfully trust in the merits of my Saviour Jesus Christ which is of far greater force vertue and effect in preserving me than all my sins and offences are in condemning and casting me away wherefore O Father as thou requirest thus
the wind and as stubble against a flaming fire Though I have sinned grievously in thy sight preferring my wicked desires before thy holy Commandments esteeming the pleasure of a moment before eternal and everlasting joys yet am I bold O merciful Father to prostrate my self before the Throne of thy Majesty heartily to beseech and humbly to intreat thee that thou wilt not deal with me according to my deserts for I have none in heaven to fly unto but thee nor in the earth of whom I may receive any comfort but at thy fatherly hands which are stretched out day and night to receive all that by earnest repentance turn unto thee and to refresh their distressed consciences wherefore O Lord in the multitude of thy mercies I approach unto thee desiring thee to look down from the height of thy sanctuary upon me poor and wretched sinner and to wipe away mine offences and to blot out my misdeeds especially all those my ungracious unclean and ungodly acts that they may not come up in remembrance with thee nor be imputed to me for ever For thy Sons sake O Lord in whom thou art well pleased and in whom thou wast fully satisfied upon the Cross for my sins grant me free pardon and remission in that I have so foolishly by my exceeding frailty committed against thee but quicken thou me O Lord that art the fountain of life and call thou out of heaven thy dwelling place that my wandring soul may hear the voice of her shepherd and follow thee wheresoever thou leadest O give me thy helping hand and by thy Spirit cast down subdue and mortifie my raging â—usts and affections let me not any longer be occupied in ungodliness lest mine enemies triumph over me pluck up O my good Father these roots of bitterness that no unsavoury fruit may come of the Tree which thou of thine own hand hast planted I desire I look I call I cry for thy assistance that I may conquer and subdue all the sinful and unruly motions of my heart O blessed Saviour that hast granted so many petitions upon earth to them that were careful for the body fulfil 〈◊〉 pray thee this my desire mortifie good Father in me the old body of sin and give unto me a new body purged from these works to serve thee the living God â—enew my spirit daily that I may cast away these works of darkness why should my body made by thy hands and my soul framed according to thy Image be given over as a prey into the hands of Satan Deliver me O Lord from the snare of the hunter and preserve me from the hand of mine enemy who lieth in wait for my spiritual life and laboureth for my everlasting destruction To thee I fly O Lord for succour hide me therefore under the shadow of thy hand that none of the fiery darts of Satan take hold on me And so good Lord to conclude for the love thou bearest unto mankind for thy Sons sake Jesus Christ who hath taken our nature upon him grant that I may not be tempted above my strength but that in all temptations I may fly unto thee as mine only comfort and salvation and that thou wilt of thy mercy and goodness give me grace and desire to withstand all the motions of my sinful flesh and affections which word of thine I beseech thee O Lord to perfect and fully accomplish in me that I may do all things pleasing in thy sight for ever Amen A Prayer for redress of a sinful life O Most merciful God and dear Father grant that with heart I desire thee with desiring seek thee in seeking find thee in finding that I love thee and by loving thee that I turn not again to my former sins which thou hast redeemed give me O Lord a repentant heart and a contrite spirit quench in me O King of glory the lust of my flesh and kindle in me the â—ire of thy love O my Redeemer take from me the spirit of pride and most favourably enrich me with the measure of humility remove from me O my Saviour the fury of anger and graciously arm me with the shield of patience O my Creator root out of me all rancour and endue me with a chearful and meek heart and bestow upon me a perfect faith right hope and constant love preserve me from all vanity inconstancy of mind wavering of heart scoffing of tongue wicked slandering from the vice of hypocrisie the poyson of flattery contempt of the poor oppression of the weak from greedy avarice cankered envy and deadly blasphemy root out of me O my Lord and Maker rash boldness contumacy frowardness negligence idleness blindness of heart obstinacy of mind savage conditions contempt of that good is rigour towards my neighbour O my God and merciful Father I beseech thee in Jesus Christ to bless me with the works of mercy and zeal of godliness to suffer with the afflicted to minister to the needy to counsel them that go astray to comfort the sorrowful to pardon them that trespass against me to love them that hate me to render good for evil to imitate the good to beware of the evil and to embrace vertue to guard the door of my mouth to watch the enemies that compass my lips to despise worldly things and earnestly to thirst after the Heavenly through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour to whom be all honour and glory for ever Amen A Prayer for continual remembrance of our end O God the only giver of life and the maintainer and preserver thereof and the life after death grant me true consideration that this body of mine is builded upon an earthly foundation and framed of the substance of dust and clay which is not durable the glory whereof vanisheth like the flower of the field which is soon cut down and withered the body is the mansion or rather the prison of the soul and the same so frail weak and feeble subiect to so many causes that procure the dissolution of body and soul that death often happeneth when we think least thereon wherefore grant O God of my life that I may have such continual care foresight and diligent respect unto the direction of my doings cogitation and words as I load not my poor Soul so much with the burthen of sensless security sin and iniquity that the body being suddenly intangled with the snares of death be carried where there is no rest nor joy but continual mourning and anguish of mind O my most loving Father lighten mine Eyes that I sleep not in sin nor wander in darkness according to the will of the flesh but make me always willing to come unto thee even with desire when it pleaseth thee to call me let not me as it were draw backward when thou invitest me to the sweet banquet of thy Heavenly Kingdom as by thy Word and Gospel preached and revealed unto us which is an especial calling of us and when I feel my self grieved or
for Jesus Christ's sake to deal with me and them according to thy mercy and loving kindness and not after our deserts be thou merciful unto me and evermore mightily defend me unto my lives end conducting me uprightly in all my ways for the glory of thy holy Name to whom with thy Son and the Holy Ghost be all honour power and glory for ever and ever Amen A Prayer for the opening of the eyes of our understanding O Sweet Jesus lighten me with the brightness of eternal light and drive all darkness as it were from the mansion house of my soul suppress the wandring thoughts and break in pieces these violent temptations fight thou my God for my defence and vanquish those evil beasts to wit the intieing desires of the flesh that by thy power I may get peace and sing out thy praises in the holy Court of my soul send thy light and truth which may lighten the earth for I am rude earth good for nought until thou enlighten me pour out thy favour from above and replenish my soul with thy heavenly grace O Lord lift up my mind which is pressed down through the weight of sin and stir up the same wholly to the desire of heavenly and celestial things that having tasted the sweetness of supernatural happiness it may greatly grieve me even to think of this world take me O Lord or rather pluck me from all momentany pleasures of earthly and vain things and joyn me unto thee by an indissoluble band of good will for thou alone dost suffice thy friend and without thee all things are vain and of no price in my heart to whom O my Lord God be all glory for ever Amen A Godly Meditation or Prayer O Lord my God I altogether unhappy and comfortless have grievously offended thee how often have I trespassed against thee and how often have I deserved thy displeasure and yet how seldom hast thou punished me how often hast thou been good and merciful unto me how often have I promised and vowed amendment and how little and seldom have I performed it I dare not lift up mine eyes towards heaven because I have sinned against it and in earth I cannot look for refuge because I have been a slanderer and a shame unto it what then shall I despair no for God is merciful and a good Saviour he doth visit them that live in darkness and is a chearful light to them that sit in the shadow of death he willeth us to forgive our brother though he offend seven times yea and infinitely and is more merciful than any man can be return thee therefore unto thy Lord God pray unto him humbly for grace and continue thee to bewail thy sins past because he that loveth thee provoketh thee daily with his gifts to love him and will not leave till he have made perfect his work begun and brought his mercy to full effect in thee what natural cause beginneth his work and leaveth it in the half way imperfect and as by natural order and right course things do proced and increase by little and little from the less to the more even so doth God first dispose us to his mercy and then increasing his goodness daily bestoweth on us in the end the treasure of his grace the inheritance of everlasting joys yea very love worketh in natural causes to bring forth their effects to perfection which if it be so in creatures what will the Creator do which is love it self and infinite goodness he will withdraw thee from thy sins and make thee clean and pure and finally bless thee with eternal life O Lord I come unto thee humbly waiting for thy mercy thou art my hope and help according to thy great goodness and mercy in Jesus Christ have mercy on me now and for evermore Amen A Prayer for perseverance in Prayer O Lord my God according to thy Commandment in mine afflictions and necessities I seek to thee for succour by continual Prayer and calling upon thy Name therefore most dear Father strengthen me by thy holy spirit that I may still persevere in Prayer and with longing desires patiently wait for thee O Lord being assured that although it appear not as yet thou art always present with me and heardest my complaint and wilt when thou seest thy time declare thy self manifestly in renewing my heart with spiritual joy stir up O Lord I beseech thee my sluggish nature to call upon thee continually appointing thee neither the time nor the means of my deliverance but leaving all to thy good will and pleasure I may in the mean time never cease by continual Prayer to call for thy merciful deliverance and when thou shalt mercifully take upon thee to deliver me I may then fully with my whole heart acknowledge thy goodness towards me and that it never slip out of my heart but that I may continue thankful for the same all the days of my life whereby thy glory in me may be declared and my soul relieved though Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour Amen An Evening Prayer O My Lord God and merciful Father I humbly beseech thee in Jesus Christ that thou wilt vouchsafe to hide and bury all my sins and transgressions whatsoever from my infancy unto this present time I have committed and done against thy divine Majesty O Lord be thou my light in darkness then shall my light be as clear as the day O heavenly Father bless me O blessed Son keep me O Holy Ghost three Persons and one God deliver me this night from all sin and evill that may be hurtful to my soul and body that so with confidence to thee I may lay me down to rest and none make me afraid because thou art my Protector O holy Spirit at my last gasp be thou my light yea when my strength faileth my sight departeth mine ears wax deaf and my mouth dumb and when all my senses for sake me then give me some sense of eternal life that I may taste in this mortal body the beginning of thine everlasting comfort and at my departure out of this world I may behold by faith thy divine presence and so sleep quietly to eternal life through Jesus Christ thine only Son my Saviour to whom be all honour and glory for ever Amen Short Directions before the Receiving of Christ's Holy Sacrament His Blessed Body and Blood SAcraments should of all men be admired and honoured not so much respecting the service which we do unto God in receiving them as the dignity of the sacred and secret gift we thereby receive from God They are the visible signs of invisible graces which indeed is the very end these heavenly Mysteries were instituted for They are the powerful instruments of God to eternal life for as our natural life consisteth of the union of the body and soul so our life supernatural in the union of the soul with God His flesh is meat his blood is drink not by surmised imagination but truly