THE Ladies Preparation To the Monthly SACRAMENT Consissing of Prayers Meditations and Ejaculations before at and after Receiving the Lords Supper After the Warning is given in the Church for the Celebration of the Holy Communion COMPOSED For the Private Use of a Devout Lady And at the Request of Friends made Publick LONDON Printed by W. B. for Simon Neale in the Long-Walk near Little Brittain 1691. Licensed February 10th 1691. THE WARNING On the Sunday Before the COMMUNION DEARLY Beloved on Sunday I and purpose through Gods Assistance to Administer to all such as shall be Religiously and Devoutly disposed the most Comfortable Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ to be by them received in Remembrance of his Meritorious Cross and Passion whereby alone we obtain Remission of our Sins and are made partakers of the Kingdom of Heaven c. A Soliloquy on the Warning BLESSED for ever be thy Name O Lord who pittying our Ignorance hast Revealed to us this Heavenly Mystery of thy pretious Body and Blood and foreseeing our weakness hast built our Faith on so firm a Certainty Justly O my God! Dost thou require our absolute assent to thy word since thou graciously providest such grounds to assure us Thy self with thine own blest Mouth hast taught it thy Apostles with their dearest Blod have confirmed it and thy Churches in all Ages have faithfully delivered it II. HOW Beautiful O Lord are the Feet of thy Holy Messengers Who brings us Peace and Reconcilement with thee who teaches us the way to Eternal happiness and by their pious Offices help us to go thither if they teach us Spiritual things 't is just we should give them Temporal make us O Lord entertain them as Workmen sent by thee with respect to their Persons and Obedience to their words and according to our power with a free supply of their necessities III. THUS does our gracious Lord send forth his Ministring Spirits to invite us to a Heavenly Banquet Their spiritual means Conveys our Prayers up to him and brings his Blessings down to us in all our ways they direct us and bear us in their Hands lest at any time we dash our Foot against a Stone When we labour they Assist us when we repose they implore for us the Divine Protection when we are tempted they Encourage us to stand fast and when we Conquer they Crown us with their Prayers and Praises When you first awake use these Ejaculations as a Key to Open the Morning LIghten mine Eyes O Lord that I Sleep not in Death Psal 13.3 IT is high time to Awake our of our Sleep of Sin for now since we have received the Light of the Gospel our Salvation is nearer then when we first Believed THE Night is now spent and the day is approached let me therefore cast off the works of Darkness and put on the Armour of Light GIVE me Grace O Lord to walk Honestly as in the day net in Rioting and Drunkenness not in Chambering and Wantonness not in Strife and Envying BUT put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not Provision for the Flesh to fulfil the Lusts thereof Rom. 13.11 12 13 14. At Up-rising IN the Name of the Father who hath Created me and of the Son who hath Redeemed me and of the Holy Ghost whh hath Sanctified me be Ascribed all Glory and Power BLESSED be the Holy and Undivided Trinity now and for Evermore Amen I laid me down and Slept and rose again for the Lord hath Sustained me Then Humbly on your Knees lift up thy Heart unto God and say HOLY Holy Holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come I Worship him that liveth for Ever and cast my Self before his Throne thou art worthy O Lord my God to receive Glory and Honour and Power for thou hast Created all things and for thy Wills-Sake they are and were Created II. INTO the Hands of thy Blessed Protection and unspeakable Mercy O Lord I this Day Commend my Soul and Body with all the Faculties Powers and Actions of them both beseeching thee to be Ever with me to direct Sanctifie and Govern me in the ways of thy Law and in the Works of thy Commandments that through thy most Mighty Protection both here and Ever I may be preserved in Body and Soul to serve thee the only true God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Then use the Morning Prayer c. Which is Annexed to these Devotions Meditations for Monday Morning COME My Soul let us begin our appointed Task and dilligently mind our own Employment Let us not lose one day in Idleness nor Distract our thoughts with Repining at the advantages of others God is our absolute Lord and may do with his own as he pleases If we began our Repentance late our delay was dangerous but we ought not to Despair If we have laboured long in his Service our Wages are safe but we must not presume on our own Endeavours II. THY Holy Mysteries O Lord I believe O help my unbelief Let not any difficulties make me doubt thy Truth nor too long a doubting provoke thy Wrath Every word of thine shall be fulfiled in their Season Sometime thou Visitest thy Children with the Chastisement of a Rod sometimes thou favourest them with the Smiles of Prosperity But all at last shall Co-operate to their Good III. NO matter at all for the Favour of Men happy are they who find Grace with God They shall Conceive in their Hearts the Blessed Jesus and bring him forth in their Holy Lives and Reign with him in his Kingdom and of his Kingdom there shall be no End Here we perhaps may weep for a time and be poor and Afflicted in this troublesome World But hereafter our Lord will Plant us about the Throne of his Father and make us sit down with him in his own Kingdom if we heartily Love him and keep his Commandments IV. GIVE me O Lord thy Holy Grace to Love with Charity the Defects of others perhaps mistaken by me and rely on thee for Defence of my self most sure of Relief if I wait thy Providence for thy Mercy forsakes not the Innocent for Ever Sometimes thou sufferest thy Servants to be tryed but wilt always at last either Deliver their Patience or Crown their Perseverance The PRAYER O Most Glorious Lord God in thy Son Jesus Christ my most Merciful and Loving Father I Miserable and Wretched Sinner Dust and Ashes do here in all Humility of Soul Prostrate my self before thy Glorious Majesty Humbly acknowledging and Confessing against my own Soul that I am laden with Iniquity and by my Sins have defiled myself defiled my Habitation defiled this good Land wherein I Sojourn II. O Lord Righteousness belongeth hnto thee but unto me Confusion of Face I have Sinned against thee and done amiss and dealt very wickedly and have added to the Number of my Fore Fathers Numberless Transgressions * Here Name the Particulars notwithstanding thou hast
Life and an Eternal weight of Glory in the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ Amen Read the Psalms and Proper Lessons appointed for the day Friday Mornings Meditations On the Life of the Holy Jesus On the Incarnation of our Blessed Redeemer O Most Blessed Jesu who for the Redemption of the World Vouchsafest to be made Man by the ever Blessed Merits of thy Mysterious Incarnation grant me to become one Spirit with thee who became one Flesh with me Nativity II. Blessed Jesu who wast Born of a pure Virgin by the power of the Holy Ghost grant me by the same Almighty Power to possess a pure Virgin Soul in a pure and Chasse Temple of my Body and to be Fruitful in all good works to my lives end Circumcision III. Blessed Jesu who was Circumcised and made Obedient to the Law for Man grant unto me I humbly beseech thee the true Circumcision of the Spirit that my Heart and all my Members may be Mortified from all Carnal and worldly Lusts that I may in all things Obey thy Blessed Will Baptism IV. Blessed Jesu by the Merits of thy Holy Baptism wash me throughly from my Wickedness and Cleanse me from my Sins whereby I have Defiled those Sacramental Waters of my Baptism and perjuriously broken my Vows and Promises made therein Fasting V. Blessed Jesu who didst Fast Forty Days and Forty Nights Pardon and Forgive me all the manifold Acts of Rioting and excess I have been guilty of and give me Grace to use such Abstinence that my Flesh being subdued to the Spirit I may ever Obey thy Godly motions in Righteousness and true Holiness to thy Honour and Glory Temptation VI. Blessed Jesu who in thy Holy Fasting was Tempted by Satan and by thy Almighty Power didst Conquer him grant me by thy Blessed Spirit Devoutly to entertain the Holy Duties of Prayer and Fasting that by the Power of thy Victory over the Devil I may have Strength and Power of over Satan the World and the Flesh and continue thy Servant to my Lives End Doctrine and Example VII Blessed Jesu who in thy Prophetical Office didst Preach the Gospel and Heaâ— all manner of Sicknesses and Diseases among the People and by thy Doctrine and Example art the way and the Truth that leads unto Life Grant me to believe a right all thy Revelations to Obey all thy Commands to walk in thy Steps and to follow thee the Light of the World that I walk not in Darkness Christ Conspired against and Betrayed VIII Blessed Jâ—su whose precious Life was Conspired â—gain7s â— by Dis-believing Jâ—wes and wert Betrayed and Sold by one of thy own Disciples for a Vile Price Deliver me I Humbly Beseech thee from all the Conspiracies of my Ghostly and Bodily Enemies but especially from the Treachery of my own Heart and the Rebellion of my Flesh which for things of no Value betrays my Soul to its utter Ruin and Destruction His Agony in the Garden IX Blessed Jesu thy bitter Passion was in a Garden where thy Soul was sorrowful even unto Death Sanctifie O Lord all my Infirmities and Passions Comfort me in all my Troubles and Compose my my mind with such a frame of Spirit that I may be sensible with a Godly Sorrow of that Heavy Wrath and Curse for sin which thou sufferedst for me and all the World His Bloody Sweat X. Blessed Jesu who upon the Cold Earth didst Sweat Drops of Blood under the Load of our Sins and Apprehensions of thy ensuing Sufferings thou offerest up strong Crys and Tears unto him that is able to save O that my Heart might inwardly Bleed Tears of Compassion and Contrition and vent forth fervent and effectual Prayers with Tears of Devotion as to be heard in Heaven and healed of all my sinful Infirmities His Submission XI Blessed Jesu who didst submit with Patience unto the Will of thy Heavenly Father Endue me with the same Spirit of meekness and Patience submitting my self unto the Will of God in prosperity and adversity Health and Sickness Life and Death His Apprehension XII Blessed Jesu thou wast Apprehended and bound as a Malefactor but wert clearer than an Angel of Light O let not my Soul be Arrested by Infernal Fiends to Eternal Horrour in the other World but from the Eternal Malice of the Spirits of Darkness and from the Bonds and Chains of my Sins Good Lord Deliver me The PRAYER O Lord most Holy my sins are more in number than the Hairs of my Head and the weight of them Cries a loud to Heaven for Mercy I beseech thee O God the Father of Heaven thou great Creator and Preserver of Man despise not the Work of thine own Hands O God the Son that camest into the World to save Sinners Remember not my Offences neither seek thou Vengeance of my sins but good Lord spare me thy unworthy Servant whom thou hast Redeemed with thy most Precious Blood and be not Angry with me for ever O God the Holy Ghost that Despisest not a Broken and Contrite Heart let it pitty thee to see these thy Temples of my Soul and Body thus Ruined by sin and wickedness O Holy Blessed and Glorious Trinity Three Persons and One God have Mercy upon me a Miserable Sinner II. A Sinner and a grievous Sinner I am teach me O God to grieve that I am so give me a Broken and a Wounded Spirit for all my Transgressions Break this Stony Heart of mine yea take away this Heart of Stone from me and give me a Heart of Flesh that I may tremble at the Voice of thy Law and melt at the Sight of thy Judgments and Accuse and Condemn my self and be ready to joyn with thee to do Justice upon such a sinner as I am but least I should faint through the smart of the many fresh Bleeding Wounds which my sins have given my Soul Oh! do thou uphold me by thy Right Hand and pour into my Wounds that precious Balm of Gilead a true and a lively Faith in the ful satisfaction that thy Son hath made to thy Justice for the sins of the whole World and through his Cross and Passion through his most Precious Death and Burial through his Glorious Resurrection and Ascention I beseech thee be thou Reconciled unto me III. O Lord for his sake Pardon all that is past lay none of my sins to my Charge but Blot them all out of the Book of thy Remembrance Wash me O wash me throughly from my sins and cleanse me from my Vnrighteousness in the Blood of Jesus Christ Lord let his Blood that speaks better things than that of Abel cry lowder for mercy in thine Ears than do my sins for Vengeance be sprinkle my Polluted but Penitent Soul In the Blood of Jesus that thy wrath may pass over me and that the light of thy Countenance may shine upon me IV. SEAL unto my Soul the free Pardon and forgiveness of all my sins and say unto my Soul I am thy Salvation Oh! do thou
most Prone and Weak there I beg of thee to exalt thy Power in preserving me Here Name thy greatest Temptation IV. O let the Sufferings of my Crucified Saviour for my sins and the Solemn Vow I have have now made against them never slip from my Memory but let the remembrance of the one make me perform the other that I may never engage with those Lust which Nailed his Hands and Feet Pierced his Side and made his Soul sorrowful to Death But now having a new resigned my self to him I may serve him in Righteousness and Holiness all the days of my Life V. LORD support my Weakness in this warfare and be thou my Strength for I am not able to struggle with the least Temptations How often have I fainted in the Encounter How many Sabbaths have I profaned and how many Sacramental Vows have I broken And yet O Lord I carry about me the same deceitful Heart to betray me to the breach of this last Duty But O thou who art for eâ—eâ— uâ—changeable eâ—due me I 〈◊〉 beseech thee with such a stedfastness of mind that I may never swerve from thy Commandments but bring forth Fruits meet for Re pentance that I may arrive to Life Eternal through the Merits and Mediation of my Crucified Lord and Saviour Amen VI. Almighty God who hast promised to hear the Petitions of them that ask in thy Sons Name I beseech thee mercifully to incline thine Ears to me that have made now my Prayers and Supplications unto thee and grant that those things which I have faithfully asked according to thy Will may effectually be obtained to the relief of my Necessity and to the setting forth thy Glory through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen VII Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that I am able to ask or think according to the Power that worketh in me unto him be Glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all Ages World without End Amen The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the Sweet and Comfortable Felowship of his Holy and Blessed Spirit be with me and remain with me now and forever Amen Private Devotions and Divine Thoughts to be used every Day in the Week A Morning Prayer to be Used after the Ejaculations at Up Rising O Omnipetent and Everlasting God I Bless and Praise thy Holy Name for thy preservation of me this night past even to this present I beseech thee in all that I shall do this day presper thou the Work of my Hands O prosper thou my Hand-work II. Ill all that I shall think or say let the words of my Mouth and the Meditations of my Heart be such as may be ever acceptable in thy sight O Lord my Strength and my Redeemer that thou maiest for ever Vouchsafe to be with me both in and Death WHEREIN for the short time of my Life here give me Grace so to behave my self as in thy Presence Fearing nothing so much as thy displeasure hating and Sorrowing for nothing so much as my sins loving and rejoycing in nothing so much as in thee and thy Glory IV. and for the time of my Death I beseech thee in thy good Providence and Mercy so to Order it that I be not found either unproxided or unwilling to depart in that kind of Death and by that means which thou shalt appoint but so to be ever affected in Faith and Love as they that long to be delivered from this Body of sin into the Glorious Liberty of the Sons of God V. IN this hope I rest and into thy Blessed Protection and Mercy this day I commend my Soul and Body My Relations and Friends beseeching thee so to Sanctifie and Direct us in the ways of the Laws and in the works of thy Commandements and to give thine Angels such charge over us that through thy most Protection both here and ever we may be preserved in Body and Soul to serve thee the only true God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Our Father which art in Heaven c. A Hymn for the Morning LOrd I do now lift up my Eyes And leave my sluggish Bed But why I wake or why I rise Comes seldom in my Head Is it to Sweat and Toil for wealth Or sport my time away That thou preserv'st me still in Health And givest me this new day No no unskilful Soul not so Be not deceiv'd with Toys Thy Lord's Commands more wisely go And Aim at higher joys They bid us wake to seek new Grace And some fresh Virtue gain They call us up to mend our pace Till we the prize attain That Glorious prize for which all Run Who wisely spend their Breath Who when this weary Life is done Are sure of rest in Death Not such a rest as here we prove Disturb'd with cares and fear But endless joy and peace and Love Vnmixt with Grief and Tears Glory to thee O bounteous Lord Who giv'st to all things breath Glory to thee Eternal Word Who sav'st us by thy Death Glory O blessed Spirit to thee Who fill'st our Souls with love Glory to all the Mystick three Who Reign one God above Amen Ejaculations for the Day At your Apparelling say BLessed Jesu that the shame of my sinful Soul may not be seen Cloath it with thy spotless Robes of Righteousness and Adorn it with all the Ornaments of all manner of Grace and Vertues Amen When you are Apparelled O most aimable Jesu the true Spoufe of my Soul give me the Wedding Garment of Divine Love and perpetual Charity Amen Washing your Hands O Blessed Lord who so loved us as to Wash our Souls in thy pretious Blood Purifie I beseech thee my Heart and my Hands from all the spots and filth of sin Amen In Washing your Mouth O Divine Wisdom which proceedest out of the Mouth of thy Heavenly Father I humbly beseech thee with thy Grace to Purge my Lips from all Wicked and Vain words that my Mouth may never open but to thy praise and the improvement of others Amen In Washing your Eyes O thou Celestial Light who Illuminates every one that comes into the World enlighten the Eyes of my Soul that in all things I may perfectly see and perform thy blessed will and Pleasure Amen Beholding your Face in the Glass Say All Flesh is Grass and the Glory of it as the Flower of the Field which may quickly sade away and be no more seen Favour is deceitful and Beauty is vain but a Woman that feareth the Lord she shall be praised Going forth of thy House or Chamber say Shew me O Lord thy ways and teach me thy Paths Direct my steps according to thy word that no Injustice Rule over me make perfect my goings in thy Paths that my steps be not moved As you Travel or Walk by the way Blessed are those that are undefiled in the way and walk in the Law of the Lord. When the Clock strikes or you see the
hour of the day Our time passeth away like a Shadow and we bring our Years to an end as it were a Tale that is told But Lord so teach me to number my Days that I may apply my Heart unto true Wisdom As you Ascend any high place or go to Church Who shall Ascend into the Hill of the Lord or who shall rise up in his Holy place Even he that hath Clean Hands and a pure Heart and that hath not list up his mind unto Vanity nor sworn to deceive his Neighbour When you are on a high place say Thy Mercy O Lord reacheth unto the Heavens and thy faithfulness unto the Clouds Beholding pleasant Fields and Variety of Objects O Lord how manifold are thy Works In Wisdom hast thou formed them all the Earth is full of thy Riches thou openest thine hand and fillest all things living with plentiousness Vpon hearing or seeing any thing Extraordinary Blessed be the Lord God even the God of Israel which only doth wonderous things and blessed be the Name of his Majesty for ever and all the Earth shall be filled with his Majesty Amen Amen When you go to Read or Meditate Open thou mine Eyes O Lord that I may see the wondrous things of thy Law And grant that what ever I Read or Meditate may conduce to the full understanding of thy Will and my ready Obedience thereunto Being wearied therewith Lord let me not be weary in well-doing remembring that in due time I shall Reap if I faint not When you go about any worldly Employments Deliver me O Lord from every evil Work and stablish me in every good Word and Work When you are Discontented or Sad. Why art so full of heaviness O my Soul and why at thou so disquieted within me Put thy trust in God For I will yet give him thanks for the help help of his Countenance Cause thy Face O Lord to shine upon thy Servant O shew me the Light of thy Countenance and I shall be whole When you Hunger and Thirst Blessed are all they that Hunger and Thirst after Righteousness for they shall be filled with thy abundant goodness When you are asked an Alms and are able to give It is more blessed to give than to receive he that Soweth sparingly shall Reap sparingly and he which Soweth bountifully shall Reap bountifully When you hear any Person Evil spoken of Deliver me O Lord from Lving Lips and from a Deceitful Tongue Vpon sight of your Sins and mispending of 〈…〉 O remember not the Sins and Offences of my Youth or Riper Years but a cording to thy tender Mercy think thou upon me O Lord for thy goodness After thou hast Rehearsed the the Lords Prayer the Twelve Apostles Creed and the Ten Commandements Think upon these good Rules that are to be observed and practised and what sins are to be avoided The two Precepts of Charity or the Laws of Nature TO love God above all for his own sake To love all Men as our selves for Gods sake and to do unto others as we would they should do unto us Deut. 6.5.10.12 Matt. 7.12 The Sacraments of the Church The principal and truly so called as generally necessary to Salvation are two Baptism and the Lords Supper The three Teological Vertues Faith Hope and Charity 1 Cor. 13.13 The Four Cardinal Virtues Prudence Justice Fortitud and Temperance Three kinds of good Works Fasting Prayer and Alms Deeds Matt. 6. Pray and Labour for the Seven gists of the Holy Ghost 1. The Spirit of Wisdom 2. And understanding 3. The Spirit of Councel 4. And Ghostly Strength 5. The Spirit of Knowledge 6. And Piety 7. The Spirit of a Holy and Godly Fear Isa 11.2 To those add the Twelve Fruits of the Holy Ghost Love Joy Peace Patience Mercy Goodness Long-Suffering Meekness Faith Modesty Shame-Facedness Sobriety Gal. 5.22 Endeavour to perform these Seven Spiritual works of Mercy 1. To instruct the Ignorant Matt. 18.15 16 17. 2. To Correct offenders Jam. 5.12 3. To Gouncel the Doubtful Gal. 6.6 4. To comfort the Afflicted Prov. 27.9 5. To suffer Injuries with Patience Eccles 5.8 6. To forgive Offences and Wrongs Rom. 15.1 7. To Pray for others Mark 11.25 Likewise forget not these six Corporal Works of Mercy 1. To feed the Hungry and to give Drink to the Thirsty Mat. 15. 2. To Cloath the Naked Mat. 25. 3. To harbour the Stranger and Needy Tob. 1. 4. To visit the Sick Isa 58. 5. To Minister unto Prisoners and Captive Tob. 12. 6 To Bury the Dead Observe the eight Beatitudes Mat. 5. 1. Blessed are the Poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven 2. Blessed are they that Mourn for they shall be Comforted 3. Blessed are the Meek for they shall inherit the Earth 4. Bressed are they which do Hunger and Thirst after Righteousness for they shall be filled 5. Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain Mercy 6. Blessed are the pure in Heart for they shall see God 7. Blessed are the Peace-Makers for they shall be called the Children of God 8. Blessed are they which are Persecuted for Righteousness sake for theirs is the Kindom of Heaven Labour to avoid the Seven deadly sins as they are commonly so called 1. Pride Luk. 14.11 2. Covetousness Act. 20.35 3. Luxury 1 Cor. 16.15 4. Envy 1 Joh. 3.14 5. Gluttony Rom. 14.7 6. Anger Mat. 11.29 7. Sloth Jer. 48.10 Pray for the seven contrary Virtues 1. Humility 2. Liberality 3. Chastity 4. Gentleness 5. Temperance 6. Patience 7. Devout and Earnest serving of God and being dilligent Four Sins that Cry to Heaven for Vengeance 1. Wilful Murther 2. Carnal Sin against Nature 3. Oppression of the Poor 4. Defrauding Workmen of their Wages The Four last things to be remembred 1. Death 2. Judgment 3. Hell 4. Heaven Ejaculations when towards Bed-time I will not suffer mine Eyes to Sleep nor mine Eye-Lids to Slumber neither the Temples of my Head to take any rest until I find out a place for the Lord an habitation for the Mighty God of Jacob. A Prayer for the Evening O Almighty God my Glory and my hope my Lord and Master the Father of Mercy and God of all Comfort I present to thee the Sacrifice of a thankful Spirit in humble and joyful acknowledgment of those infinite favours by which thou hast this day and all the whole term of my life supported my state enriched my Spirit comforted my Sorrows relieved my necessities blessed and defended my Person instructed my Ignorance and promoted my Eternal Interest II. WHOM have I in Heaven but thee or whom on Earth have I desired or may desire in Comparison of thee whose Nature is Goodness whose Will is Power and whose Work is Pitty I humbly beseech thee to Pardon my sins Here Name the Particulars and accept of this Evening Sacrifice abate my Pride and remedy all my other imperfections Oh multiply thy Grace upon Humility and manifest thy Power in my infirmity plead thou
multiplied thy Blessings upon me in many Prerogatives III. BVT to my shame O Lord I Confess that no Creature hath been so unthankful unto thee as I have been for instead of bringing forth the Fruits of Righteousness and Holiness I have turned all thy Blessings Graces and Mercies into Wantonness so that I have been a Provocation of thine Anger and of thy Fury from the day of my Birth even until this very moment IV. And though thou hast caled me to knowledge of the Faith in thee and thou hast Revealed unto me that inestimable Treasure of thy Love unto me in Christ Jesus yet notwithstanding I hade retained only the name but nothing of the Work of a Christian but have Dishonoured thee and Blasphemed thy Name but O Lord in the midst of Justice Remember Mercy call not to Remembrance my former Transgressions but Assist me by thy Grace to a speedy Repentance before I go hence and be no more seen Amen Read the Psalms and Proper Lessons for the Day Monday Evenings Meditations EVER O Lord thou beginst thy great Design with Prayer and thy Prayer with Retirement from the Distractions of the World thou callest whom thou pleasest and they come to thee thou choosest whom thou wil'st and freely bestowest on them thy precious Gifts 't is not of him that Wills nor of him that runs but of God that Vouchsafes to have Mercy Have Mercy O Lord and chase away those unclean Spirits that too often haunt my Fancy and walk up and down my weak Memory Chace them away least as they disturb my Peace they ruin my Innocence II. GIVE me O thou Author of all my Good a lively Faith in thee that I may believe thy Truth and hope thy Promises that I may Love thy goodness and continually Bless thee for all thy Mercies who camest into the World not to Judge the World but to save it Save me O glorious Son of Justice and with thy Heavenly Beams Illuminate my Heart that bringing my Works to the Light I may Learn to hate my own Darkness and Condemning my self Escape thy Judgment III. LORD in thy Hands are the Times and Seasons which thou kindly disposest in advantage of thy Servants that thy Favours may Encourage their Virtue and their Virtue encrease thy Favours Thou rewardest the Chastity of Virgins and the Fidelity of Wives thou Crownest the Holiness of Widdows and the perseverance of all who constantly love thee IV. GIVE me O Lord thy Holy Grace that my days may pass in Innocence and my Innocence sustain me in hope give me thy Holy Grace that my hope may encrease to Confidence and my Confidence be Establish'd in Peace and then in Peace dismiss thy Servant Lead me O thou Light of the World where thou usest to walk that my Eyes may happily see thee Shew me thy Blessed self O thou Glory of Heaven that my Soul may fast Embrace thee The PRAYER I. O Eternal God I have in a great measure deserved thy wrath I have Committed presumptuous Sins with a high Hand against thy Divine Majesty I have Crucified again the Lord of Life and have Trodden under Foot the Son of God I have counted the Blood of the Covenant which Sanctifies me an Vnholy thing and have done despight unto the Spirit of Grace II. INSTEAD of making head against those Temptations and Lusts that hourly be set me by Prayer calling to thee for thy Grace to Assist me against them and by Fasting and Austere Mortification by beating down my Body that I might not Conspire with Satan and my own Corraptions that betray me unto Sin I have Pamper'd the Flesh and suflered my self to be led Captive at the Will thereof III. I have not Subdued or Mortified the Works of the Flesh I have not endeavoured to cleanse my self from all Filthiness of Flesh and Spirit * Here Name the Particulars I have not made a Covenant with my Eyes neither have I kept the door of my Lips but as if thou hadst sent me into the World not to serve thee but to serve my own Lusts IV. I have been abominable in all my ways yea O Lord I have Committed too great Evils I have departed from thee the Ever-living God and leaving thee the Fountain of all Blessedness and Happiness in my Heart have set up the Creature I have set my Affections not on things above but on things below the Lust of the Flesh the Lust of the Eyes and the Pride of Life these have been the Gods that I have Served V. THVS have I sold my self to Commit wickedness I have made all the Members of my Body Instruments of Sin and all the faculties both of Soul and Body Weapons of Vnrighteousness to obey it in the Lusts thereof O Lord thou hast found Iniquity even in my Holy things I have been negligent in hearing of thy Word unprepared at the Receiving of thy Sacrament Indevout in my Prayer weary of their length and displeased at the return For these and all other negligences and Ignorances O Lord be Merciful to me a Sinner Amen Read the Psalms and Proper Lessons appointed for the Day Meditations for Tuesday Morning LORD make me Study how to follow thee and readily undertake any Labour to find thee not for the benefits thou sometimes givest me here but for the blessings thou wilt surely give me hereafter Strengthen my faith O Lord and graciously instruct me purifie my intention sincerely to seek thee II. LET me not so apply my mind O Lord to any trivial Observances that I begin to omit my more serious Duties let me not so attend to the inventions of Men that I grow to transgress the Commands of my God O guide me gracious Lord in thine own safe way and those solid exercises which really improve me and make my heart as well as lips draw nigh thee those blessed truths which thy self at first revealed and thy Holy Apostles hath fully confirm'd may those alone be my principal rule and every other Doctrine bow to them III. LORD how ungrateful are we compared to thy ancient Followers Thou chargest us to remember thy benefits and we forget them thou commandest us to Publish thy Mercies and we conceal them Behold O blessed Jesu I fall down at thy feet reach forth thy Hand and heal me that I may Glorifie thee the God of the Universe Too often have my Ears been Deaf to thy Voice and my Tongue Dumb to thy Praise too often have my Eyes been Blind to thy Directions and all my senses impediments to thy Service IV. We are often Wise in what imports us least and utterly ignorant of our greatest concern we can industrously argue what Weather it will be but strive not to discerne the seasons of Grace Forgive O Merciful Lord the perverseness of our nature and leave us not to our selves least we perish without bope O make us deeply Sigh in Compassion for the Sins of others and yet more deeply still in forrow for our own
Lord the Blindness of my understanding and Straighten the Crookedness of my Will and heal all the Infirmities of my weak Nature O do thou throughly Cure me that I sin no more but immediately take up my Heart which too long have Cleaved to this Earth and bear it after thee to walk from henceforth the ways of thy Commandments II. WHEN thou art present with me O thou Heavenly Spouse of my Soul When thou art pleased to stay and dwell in my Heart how strangely dost thou fill it with joy and sweetness Whatever happens I cannot be sad while thou art with me nor pleasant if thou leavest me infuse thy Holy Love into mine Heart O Lord and make me faithfully hold it fast for ever that I loose not my self by neglecting thy Grace but preserve them both to Eternal Life III. BUT alas How quickly am I weary of praying to my God how apt to give over my expectance from him Who yet as soon as he sees my necessities begins my relief and leaves nor off till he has perfectly finished it Let me not fear but believe and Obey and my Soul shall be safe why am I so impatient when any trouble befalls me and why do I disparage the extraordinary proceedings of God though I am Dead in sin and sorrow he can revive me and give me strength to walk in the ways of Life he will give me that Bread which came down from Heaven yea his own self which he gave for the Life of the World IV. BUT 't is not for Flesh and Blood to follow thee O thou great Exemplar of Sublime perfection 'T is not for Flesh and Blood to perform the Excellencies of an Evangelical Life but to the Almighty Grace of God nothing is impossible every exense is welcome to me every little difficulty is enough to divert me I am afraid of the hardship of Poverty I am in Love with my Kindred and Acquaintance and never can Nature alone overcome these difficulties but thou O Lord canst find a remedy and compose in me such a frame of Spirit whereby I may Vanquish all those thoughts which keep me from thy Glorious presence The PRAYER OEternal Lord God Infinite in thy Greatness Incomprehensible in thy Glory whose Pure and Just Eves cannot behold either Sin or Sinners with the least look of approbation be not offended with me thy unworthy Servant O Lord who art a Merciful and Reconciled Father to all such sinners as sincerely desire and endeavour to Repent and believe thy providence hath preserved me unto this moment to offer unto thy Majesty my Evening Sacrifice beseeching thee to make me a fit partaker at thy Holy Table II. I have been a foul and flat Idolator erecting the Idols of my own profit and pleasure in the Chappel and Closet of my Heart and then and there have fallen down upon the bended Knees of my Soul and worshiped them by regarding my lust more than the fulfiling thy Will in thy Word that Sacred Name of thine whereby I hope to be Saved I have taken in vain I have done that on thy day the Lord's Day which I can justifie or a Vouch on no day I have not given that Reverence and Respect to my Superiours I have broken all thy Commandements of the Second Table in my Demeanour towards my Neighbour and in my Deportment to my own Soul and Body III. O Lord I have been ashamed to confess my sins in the presence of the World but I have been Vile and bold and no whit ashamed to commit them when I knew full well that thee the great God of Heaven and Earth did at that instant behold me Oh! lend me thy Spirit effectually to admire thy Patience and â—ong-Suffering towards me who permits such a Prefane and Presumptuous sinner at this hour of my Life still to remain from everlasting Burnings IV. SVRELY Lord there are many in that Pit of Perdition whose sins against thee were never Aggavated with those high Circumstances O Lord I have no Varity of Reasons to move thee to Mercy I have no Exchange of Motives to perswade thee to Pitty but only the same over and over again for thy own sake for thy Names sake for thy Mercies sake for thy Son and my Saviour Christ Jesus his sake forgive my-Sins for they are great wash the Guilt and Filth of my sins away in his Blood and Lord for the time to come give me Grace to spend the remainder of my days to thy Glory In whose most powerful Name I sue unto thee for all that is comprehended in this my weeks preparation or whatever else for want of Memory I have Omitted in thy most perfect form of Prayer sayong Our Father c. Read the Psalms and Lessons for the Day Sunday Mornings Meditations at Home WELCOME Blest day unto my Heart but far more Welcome unto my Soul I have now put off the Old Man with his Affections and Lusts and I must now put on my Wedding Garment even the Lord Jesus Christ that I may be made wholly conformable to him in the Image of his mind that my Soul may be Clothed with his Righteousness and all its faculties proportioned and vested according to the perfect Pattern of Christs Life II. THIS is the day of the Holy Feast therefore my Soul lay aside all Cares and Impertinences of the World remember this day is appointed for thee a day of Traffique and Entercourse with Heaven O Lord therefore will I magnifie thy Holy Name and evermore adore thy goodness O What a happy opportunity my God hast thou given me of receiving the greatest favour I can receive in this World even the Body and Blood of my dearest Savour III. O Lamb of God thou hast used many Arts to save me when I was lost thou hast given thy Life to Redeem me when I was a Slave to Sin and Satan and thy Holy Spirit to Sanctifie me O now come Lord Jesus come quickly My Heart is desirons of thy Presence Thirsty for thy Grace and I am earnest to entertain thee not as a Guest but as an Inhabitant to dwell with me forever IV. LORD the place thou art Invited to is full of Passion and Prejudice Disobedient Lustful and Intemperate and full of sad Remembrances that I have often provoked to Jealousie and to Anger thee my God my dearest Saviour him that died for me him that Suffered Torments for me that is Infinitely good to me and infinitely good perfect in himself Lord I am as sure thou didst the great Work of Redemption for me all Mankind as that I am Alive This is my Hope the Strength of my Spirit my Joy and my Confidence Here I will dwell for I have a delight therein Here I will live and here I desire to Die V. LORD whither shall I go but to thee Thou hast the Words of Eternal Life as the Hart desireth the Water Brooks So longeth my Soul after thee O God my Soul is a Thirst for
God yea even for the Living God when shall I come and appear before the Presence of God O send out thy Light and thy Truth and bring me unto thy Holy Hill and to thy dwelling and that I may go unto the Altar of God even unto the God of my Joy and Gladness and with my Heart will I give thanks to thee O God my God A Prayer at Home before the Sacrament OBlessed Jesu 't is thy Blessed Body that my Soul longs for and to be satisfied with thy Pretious Blood for its Purification and Nourishment Vouchsafe Holy Jesus to enter this Day into the House of thy Servant that with Holy Zacheus I may within receive from thee that joyful Benediction this day is Salvation come to thine House II. THY Body O Blessed Jesu is my Food and thy Righteousness is my Robe thou art both the Priest and Sacrifice the Master of the Feast and the Feast it self my Souls Physitian the Light of my Eyes and the Purisier of my Stains O Enter now into my Heart and cast out from thence all Impurities even all the remains of the Old Man III. AND grant I may partake of this Holy Sacrament with much Reverence Holy Relish and great Effect receiving thence the Communication of thy Holy Body and Blood for the Establishment of an unreprovable Faith of an unfained Love for the fulness of Wisdom for the healing my Soul and preservation of my Body for the taking out the Sting of temporal Death and for the Assurance of a Holy Resurrection for the Ejection of all Evil from within me and the fulfiling all thy Righteous Commandements and to procure for me a Mercy and a fair Reception at the Day of Judgment IV. O God the Bread of Heaven and Life of the World I have sinned against Heaven and in thy Sight and am not worthy to be made partaker of thy most Holy Mysteries But Vouchsafe as a Merciful God to make me worthy by thy Grace that I may not receive thy Holy Body and Pretious Blood to my Condemnation but unto the Remission of my sins and Everlasting Life Amen Intercessions O God have Mercy upon poor Mankind enlighten all that sit in Darkness and in the Shadow of Death reveal thy Son and his saving Gospel to those Asiaticks Affricans and Americans that never heard of a Crucified Jesus add the fulness of the Gentiles to the Recollection of the Jewes that there may at length be one Sheepsold under that one good and great Sheepherd Christ Jesus II. BE merciful to this Church in which I am a Member and Cause thy Face evermore to Shine upon it Bless those whom thou hast Anointed over us our Soveraign Lord and Lady King William and Queen Mary grant that their People may Obey them and they may Obey thee and do all things to thy Honour and Glory III. BLESS Katherine the Queen Dowager her Royal Highness the Prineess Ann of Denmark with all the rest of the Royal Family endue them with Heavenly Graces make them happy Instruments of thy Glory here and partakers of thy Heavenly Kingdom hereafter IV. BLESS the Pastors of thy Church the Bishops and Clergy grant that by their sincere Preaching and Assiduous Prayers and Ministries they may Glorifie thee the great lover of Souls give unto the Ministers of Justice the Spirit of Government and Zeal Courage and Prudence to the Nobility Wisdom Valour and Religious Magnanimity Succour all in Affliction help them to Right that suffer Wrong be with those that are in Prison and preserve thou those that are appointed to Die V. BLESS my Relations Here Name them Assist them in their Wants and Necessities keep them in thy Fear and Favour unto their Lives end forgive my Enemies Persecutors and Slanderers and turn their Hearts Bless all those who do accompany me this day at thine Altar and for all others who meet in thy Name and Communicate in Remote Parts grant that through this Blood of Jesus we may all be Cleansed from our Sins and Purged from all our Iniquities VI. O leave us not as we have deserved to be left wrapt up in our own Confulions he thou more merciful to us than we have been unto ourselves Supply whatsoever is wanting in the Government Establish what remains Dissipate and Scatter Scandals Stop and Prevent all rising and growing Heresies make us all so far of one Heart and one Mind that we may joyntly set our selves to the rooting up of all Atheism Prophaneness Superstition Faction Heresie any thing which exalts it self against thy true and sincere Worship VII GIVE to the whole Land fair Seasons of the Year good Government Health and Plenty an excellent Religion undivided and undisturbed frequent Celebration of this thy Holy Ordinance through Christ our Lord. VIII AND now lift up your Head O ye Gate of my Soul and be ye lifted up O ye Everlasting Door of my Heart that the King of Glory may come in that he may come in at this time and take Possession of me and Dwell and Reign in me for ever Even so O Lord for the sake of the Son of thy Love in whom only I trust to be accepted and in whose Name and Words I call upon thee Our Father c. When you go forth of your Chamber or Closet I Will go into his Tabernacle and fall low on my Knees before his Foot-Stool the Lord preserve me in my going out and my coming in from this time forth and for evermore When you enter the Church which ought to be sometime before the Service begins O How Aimable are thy Dwellings thou Lord of Host I will come into thy Tabernacle and fall low on my Knees before thy Foot-Stool and will wait for thy loving kindness O God in the midst of thy Temple thy Testimonies O Lord are very sure and Holiness becometh thy House for ever When you cast your Eye on the Font and Pulpet Then recal to mind that Solemn Vow you openly took at your Initiation into the Church to forsake the Devil and all his Works the Pomps and Vanities of this Wicked World and all the sinful Lusts of the Flesh c. and let the other put thee in mind the many good Sermons thou hast heard from thence and the few thou hast practised Being seated turn to the Psalms and Lessons Epistle and Gospel for the Day that you may have them ready if there be any leasure time before Divine Service begins fall on your Knees and say Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come fit us all for thy Service Good Lord Pardon all here that prepares their Heart to seek thee Merciful Lord Graciously accept us all that come hither to present our selves our Souls and Bodies unto thee for Jesus Christ's sake that Vouchsafed to present himself Bodily in the Temple for us in great Love and Humility Then joyn with the Prayers of the Chuch and be Attentive to the Sermon When Sermon is
ended fall on your Knees and say O Lord by reason of my sins I am unworthy to appear in thy presence to offer up any Sacrifice unto thee grant Merciful Lord I beseech thee both to me and all thy faithful People Pardon and Peace that being Cleansed from all our sins we may serve thee with a quiet mind through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen When you go up to Communicate I will wash my Hands in Innocency and so will I go to thine Altar O send forth thy Light and thy Truth that they may lead me and bring me to thy Holy Hill and to thy dwelling When you Kneel before the Altar Thou art Worthy O Lord to receive Blessing Honour and Power but I am not worthy thou shouldest come under my Roof or that thy praise should come within my polluted Lips But Blessed Lord thou Vouchsafedst to enter the House of a Publican and to receive a Kiss of an unclean sinner O receive such a sinner as I am disdain not to enter under my Roof despise not my humble Addresses and Supplications O let thy Sacrifice be an expiation for all my sins and now forever Seal thy Pardon by thy precious Blood for all my offences and receive me Graciously When you cast in your Offering O Blessed Jesu who didst accept the Poor Widdows two Mites which she cast into the Treasury I beseech thee be graciously pleased to accept this Poor Offering from me the unworthiest of thy Servants Then dilligently harken to the Exhortation and seeing the Table spread and the Elements of Bread and Wine set thereon Meditate with thy self after this manner Meditations THIS O my Soul is the Table of the King of Kings and the Lord of Heaven and Earth it is a Feast where himself is present and all his Holy Angels those Glorious Spirits do behold love and wonder that the Son of God should become Food to the Souls of his Servants be astonished O my Soul at this great Mystery that he who is unchangeable should be broken in pieces and enter into the Body to support the Spirit and yet at the same time remain in Heaven while he Descends to thee upon Earth that he should Die for thee and then give himself to thee for ever to Redeem thee from sin and misery that he should become Man and make thee a partaker of the Divine Nature II. O Lord I am unworthy to come to thy Table but I come with as Thirsty a desire as the Chaced Hart which pants after the Water Brooks and with as Hungry an Appetite as a Poor half starved Creature to a full Table O Lord I am not worthy of the least Crum that falls from the Table of thy Ordinary Providence but I come in Obedience to thy Command O receive me as a poor Sinner laden with sin and let thy pretious Body and Blood which I am now ready to participate off Cleanse me from all sin and wickedness When the Minister says draw near with Faith and take this Holy Sacrament Lift up thy Heart in this Ejaculation O Lord I am unworthy of this Invitation to thy Holy Table but a sinner must not refuse thy call therefore in all Obedience and Humility I come Then joyn Humbly with the Minister in the Confession After the Absolution is Pronounced use this Ejaculation O Lord I beseech thee grant me a true Repentance and a lively Faith that I may receive all the Benefits of thy Death and Passion even the Confirming and Strengthning me in all goodness to my Lives end When that Comfortable saying of St. Paul is repeated that Christ came into the World to save Sinners Say with all Humility O Lord I am the greatest and chiefest of sinners but thou alone are the Propitiation for my sins After the Preface is ended Therefore with Angels and Arch-Angels c. Use this Ejaculation I will evermore praise thy Name O thou that dwellest in the Heavens from the rising up of the Sun until the going down of the same and will Laud and Magnifie thy Holy Name now and forever When the Prayer of Consecration is said and the Minister reads the Words of Christs Institution and you see him Order the Bread and the Wine repeat this O Lord thou hast provided two distinct Pledges of thy Love to us Poor sinners who had been utterly lost had not thy Almighty goodness found out a Remedy to Save us When thou seest the Bread broken and the Wine poured out Say Thus was thy Holy Body broken for my sins upon the Tree of shame and thy Side was Pierced with a Spear which gushed forth Blood thus wast thou Wounded for my Transgressions and Bruised for mine iniquities but by thy Stripes I am healed When the Minister Receives in both kinds O Lord Purifie and Cleanse my Heart by thy Holy and Blessed Spirit and prepare my Soul to Receive thee the great God of Heaven and Earth Come Holy Jesus and take Possession of my Soul Purifie it with thy pretious Blood and dwell therein for ever Amen Immediately before Receiving Grant me O Blessed Lord so to Eat the Flesh of thy dear Son Christ Jesus and to Drink his Blood that my sinful Body may be made Clean by his Body and my Polluted Soul washed through his most preâ—ious Blood II. O Lord Purifie my Heart and Mind Strengthen my Faith and encrease my Charity for though I am weak though I am unworthy though I am unprofitable yet I am thy Servant Lord hear my Prayers and let my Cry come unto thee III. O Lord thou hast said that he that Eateth thy Flesh and Drinketh thy Blood hath Eternal Life Behold the Servant of the Lord be it unto me according to thy Word When the Minister presents thee the Holy Bread say softly after him The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ which was given for me preserve my Body and Soul unto everlasting Life Here take the Bread with Reverance and proceede I take and Eat this in remembrance that Christ Died for me and will Feed on him in my Heart with Faith and Thanksgiving When you Eat the Bread say By thy Crucified Body Deliver me I humbly beseech thee from this Body of Sin and Death After the Bread O Blessed Jesu this Holy Bread which I thy most unworthy Servant have now Received is that Bread which came down from Heaven and giveth Life unto the World O that I may now feel its Virtue and Efficacy in Elevating up my Soul to Heaven and there to have my Conversation fixt whilst I remain on this sordid Earth that when I shall be taken from hence I may have my Consummation and Bliss in thy Celestial Mansions there to behold thy Face in Glory who art now the Food of my Soul in Grace O Lord my God and my Redeemer Amen Before Receiving the Cup. What reward shall I give unto the Lord for all the benefits he hath done unto me I will take the Cup of Salvation and call upon the Name
of the Lord I will pay my Vows now in the Presence of all his People When you receive the Cup of Blessing from the Minister say with all humility after him The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ which was shed for me preserve my Body and Soul unto everlasting life Here take the Cup with Reverence and proceed I Drink this in Remembrance that Christs Blood was shed for me and am thankful After the Cup. O let this most pretious Blood of thine Purge away the Filthiness of my Corrupt Heart and Purifie the Dross of my Guilty Conscience from all Luke-warm and Dead Works to serve thee the living God in Holiness and Righteousness all the days of my life Then Meditate O Lord may this Holy and Blessed Sacrament of thy most pretious Body and Blood which I though much unworthy by reason of my manifold sins have now received Seal unto my Soul both Pardon and Peace and that now being made whole I may sin no more II. O Lord most holy I do verily believe thy Body was Crucified and thy Hands and Feet Bored through and that thy Blood was shed out of thy Body and a Spear run into thy Blessed Side as really as I have Received this Bread and this Wine separately for the perfect Remission of all my sins and I believe that in the Receiving this Bread and Wine I have spiritually Received thy Body and Blood whereby my sins are wholly washed away and my sinful Soul refreshed and Purified O Lord this I believe O help my unbelief III. LORD now lettest thoâ— thy Servant depart in Peace according to the Word For mine Eyes have seen thy Salvation which thou hast prepared before the Face of all People To be a Light to Lighten the Gentiles and the Glory of thy People Israel Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the begining c. Meditations whilst others â—re a Communicating Blessed are they that dwell in thy House and are fed though it be with the Crums that fall from thy Table Happy are those Servants whom when their Lord cometh he shall find so doing Behold thou art whole sin no more least a worst thing happen unto thee As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord so walk ye in him Col. 2.6 Blessed be the Holy and Vndivided Trinity now and for ever more Amen When thou art going Home and seest an Object of Charity remember Psal 41.1 Blessed is the Man that provideth for the Sick and needy the Lord shall deliver him in the time of Trouble Sunday Evenings Meditations at Home after Receiving the Holy Sacrament O Lord when ever I enter thy Holy Temple let me leave behind me my Bargains and Business and carry nothing thither but Adoration for thy Majesty and Prayers for my necessities thou who didst open the Mouths of little Children to praise thee enable the weakness of me thy Servant to Obey thee Lord I am thy Temple and should be Consecrated intirely to thy Service Enter O Gracious Jesu into my Heart and throughly purge me from all impieties II. GOOD God! How tenderly dost thou Consult to preserve us Wretches How kindly resolve to send even thine own thine only thy Beloved Son to Redeem us This is our Lord 's doing and 't is marvelous in our Eyes But O! How did our graceless World entertain him then and how does it now Yet still he continues his Correspondence with us and daily comes to meet us on his Holy Altars he there Feasts our Souls with his Body and Blood and Chears our Hearts with his Holy Spirit III. O the indulgent Providence of our God! How many ways has he contrived to save us How many Messengers has he sent to instruct our Ignorance How many Embassador to reclaim us to our Duty What could an insinite Power and Goodness do that he has not done What could the Vilest Ingratitude do that we have not done often he sends a Blessing to invite our Love and we abuse it into Pride and Wantonness sometimes he sends a Cross to Check our Vanity and we turn it into Murmuring and Dis-Obedience IV. LORD Grant that I may persevere in Grace and with all humble Obedience learn how to carry my self in all my Necessities let me go to my God with Fear and Reverence let me Prostrate my self at his Sacred Feet and with an humble Confidence say to his Mercy Lord if thou wilt thou canst bring it to pass all I am concern'd to fear is my person is unworthy or the things I Petition for unfit to be granted else I securely may relie on thy Bounty and withthe least doubt say to thy Power that nothing to thee is Impossible As I have received Christ Jesus the Lord so will I walk in him Col. 2.6 A Prayer of Thanksgiving after Receiving of the Sacrament To be Used at Home O Thou Infinite Ocean of Mercy from whence flows all the benefits we receive and enjoy and to whome all Praise Glory and Honour is most due I desire with all the most highest Affections of a sincere Heart to Laud and Bless thee for those Transcendent Mercies and Blessings thou hast at this time and at all others bestowed upon me Here Name the Particular Mercies Lord what is Man even poor sinful Dust and Ashes that thou shouldest thus Regard him as to send thy welbeloved Son into the World to purchase his Redemption even with the Price of his own most Precious Blood but Lord what am I the vilest of sinners that I should partake in this Attonement whâ— have so often Trampled him under my Feet II. O the Riches and fulness of thee my Saviour who hast now admitted me to the renewing of that Covenant I entered into at my Baptism but have since by my own perverseness so often broken that I who am unworthy of the Daily Bread which I Eat to support the Body should participate of this Spiritual Bread which nourisheth the Soul to Eternal Life and that the God of Holiness should Condescend to so Vile a Wretch O Lord I beseech thee suffer me not for the time to come to turn thy Grace into Wantonness or make thy Mercy an Occasion of Carnal Security but let this wonderful loving kindness of thine win me to Obedience that since my Saviour hath Suffered and Dyed for me I may no longer live unto my self but to him O Lord thou hast now been pleased to enter my Heart O never let me permit any one Lust to Chase thee from it but as thou hast so dearly bought me with thy pretious Blood do I beseech thee still keep possession of me and suffer no unclean thing to take me out of thy keeping to this purpose be thou Graciously pleased to be Vigilant ever me and Prosect me from all my Ghostly Enemies but more especially deliver me from the Deceitfulness of my own Heart which is ever ready to yield it self a Prey And where thou perceivest I am either by Nature or Custom
my cause O Lord with thy Heavenly Father and be thou for ever my Mediator and Advocate III. AS thou hast ordained the day for Labour and the night for Rest I beseech thee to protect me this Night let the Eve of thy Providence watch over me and thy Holy Angels pitch their Tents about me that being safely delivered from danger and refreshed with moderate Sleep I may be enabled to perform my own employment and faithfully persevere in the duties of thy Service and so daily advance to new Victories over my Passions and more perfect observance of thy Commandments till having passed my days in thy fear I may end them in thy favour and rejoyce with thee for ever in thy heavenly Kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth ever one God World without end Amen A Hymn for the Evening NOw my Soul the day is gone Which in the Morn was thine Now its Glass no more shall run Its Sun no longer shine True alas the day is gone O were it only so Is it not lost as well as done Cast up thy Counts and know Are we so much nearer Heav'n As to the Grave we bow Has our sorrow made all ev'n And clear'd the Debts we owe From what Vice have we refrain'd To break the course of sin What new Virtue have we gain'd To make us rich within Time is well bestowed on those Who well their time bestow Whose main concern still forwards goes Whose hopes still riper grow Who when e're the Clocks proclaim Another hour is past Have an Art to set their aim And thoughts upon their last That their last and happiest hour Which brings them to their home Where they sing and bless the pow'r By which they thither come O my God of Life and Death The everlasting King Since thou givist to all their Breath May all thy Glory sing Glory Honour Pow'r and Praise To the Mysterious three As at first beginning was May now and ever be Amen As you undress your self say The time is now approaching when I must put off this Body of sinful Flesh as I do now these Garments which cover it grant O Lord that I may put off the Old Man which is Corrupt according to the deceitful Lusts and put on the New Man which after thee O God is Created in Righteousness and true Holiness As you enter into your Bed say In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ Crucified I lay me down to rest bless me O Lord defend and Govern me and after this short and miserable Pilgrimage bring me to everlasting happiness Amem A Prayer at setling to Sleep O Jesus Christ whose unwearied Eye neither slumbers nor sleeps but continually watches in defence of thy Servants receive me I beseech thee into thy Protection and grant that when my Body is a sleep my Soul may wake to thee and hereafter behold that Blessed and heavenly Life where thou with the Father and the Holy Ghost Art eternal Governour and where the Angels with the blessed Souls are Citizens for ever Amen When thou art in Bed and canst not sleep exercise thy self in this Meditation Sâ—and in awe and sin not Commune with your own Heart upon your Bed and be still I will lay me down in Peace and will take my rest For thou Lord only makest me to dwell in safety Have mercy upon me O Lord now and at the hour of Death II. O Lord preserve me while I am waking and defend me when I am sleeping that my Soul may continually watch for thee and both Body and Soul may rest in thy Peace for ever Amen The Holy and undivided Trinity be now and evermore my defence against all Perils and Dangers of this Night Amen FINIS