soul thy Remission Favour and Approbation and make me welcome at thy feast For thy flesh is meat indeed and thy blood is drink indeed the sufficient and onely expiation of all humane guilt O holy Jesus An offering of a free heart will I give thee and praise thy name O Lord. Psal. 54.6 The Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost and to make superabundant amends for the faults of the first transgressour Luk. 19.10 Rom. 5.12 c. V At the Consecration HOly things for holy men S. Basil. O Lord Jesus Christ who sittest at the right hand of the Father and art here invisibly with us sanctifie these thy gifts of Bread and Wine and us thy humble servants and make us from this institution partakers of pardon and peace and good hope of Eternal life and all other benefits of thy Incarnation Passion Death Resurrection Ascension Intercession second Advent and Judgement which we now ponder and contemplate with reverence and faith and joy and thanksgiving by the grace and succour of the holy Ghost our Patron and Comforter Amen Behold the servant of the Lord be it unto me according to thy word in which thou hast caused me to hope Holy Jesus say but the word and I shall be clean Mâ—tt 8.8 say buâ— the word and I shall be meet and ready for thy most Divine gift for thy self By the grace of Jesus Christ we all hope to be saved to be eternally happy Hallelujah Acts. 15.11 Heavenly Father Almighty God who alone workest wonders Lord most Holy into a clean charitable devout humble and grateful heart let me now receive through faith the pure and blessed Body of my most gracious Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for the remission of all my sins and the attaining everlasting life Amen Amen Amen Holy Holy Holy Lord God of hosts heaven and earth and this place are full of thy Glory Glory be to thee O Lord most high Have mercy upon me O Lord thou son of David I know it is not meet to take the childrens bread and to cast it unto dogs Yet Lord the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their mastâ—rs tablâ— Maâ—th 15.22 26 27. AT RECEIVING THE BREAD CHAP. XII I. LOrd I am not worthy thou shouldest come under my roof Matth. 8.8 I fear I tremble by reason of my sinfulness and of the unsupportable Brightness of thy Majesty O Saviour and Judge Eternal Lord have mercy upon me a most miserable sinner Amen Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna to the son of David Good will towards men peace on earth Hosanna in the highest Matth. 21.9 Stand open now O my soul stand open ye everlasting doors and let the King of glory enter in Let the Lord mighty to save Jesus the king of glory enter in II. Feed on him by faith c. Amen I feed on him I remember his Sufferings and bloody Sweat I meditate on his Cross and dying Exclamations I believe I most humbly and heartily embrace this invaluable and most miraculous Redemption this great mystery of Godliness God manifested in the flesh justifyed in the spirit by divers wonderful works and holy sermons seen and worshipped by the angels believed on throughout the world and received up into Eternal glory 1 Tim. 3.16 Thou art O Christ the everlasting Son of God thou art indeed the Saviour of the world thou art the king of Glory Ioh 1.49 c. 4.42 c. 10.11 27. Acts 8.37 Surely thou hast born our griefs and carried our sorrows thou wast wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was laid upon thee and by thy stripes we are healed Isaiah 53.4 This man receiveth sinners Luke 15.2 Zaccheus Mary Magdalene the crucified thief the persecuting Saul these and millions of millions more upon their sorrow faith and repentance And let me receive now at this holy Altar Almighty Saviour that most blessed sentence Son or Daughter thy sins which are many are forgiven thee and thy faith hath saved thee go in peace Luk. 7.47 48 50. c. 5.20 Go to my brethren behold the early compassion of the revived Jesus and say unto them I ascend unto my Father and your Father and to my God and your God. Ioh. 20.16 I know that my Redeemer liveth and I shall see him at the latter day behold here is the pledge of his coming again I shall see him for my self and I trust to kiss his glorious feet I know that imaculate high priest is entred with the atonement into the holiest III. Lo here is grace here infinite goodness and mercy This is the beauty of holiness and the glorious presence of the Redeemer this is the gate of heaven O happy day the glory of my life Now I am well now I live now I rejoyce with thee O triumphant Jesus O bliss everlasting my content my devotion my affection my soul is fixt on thee there let it ever rest Amen The Lord is my strength and my song and is become my salvation This is the Lords doing and it is marvellous in our eyes This is my God and I will glorifie him the God of my Father and I will exalt him Exod. c. 15.2 O let the serious thoughts of thy passion intercession kingdom and reward enter all my actions and regulate my whole life which upon such observance will surely become pious prudent and cheerful Amen dearest Jesus IV. Most gracious God we humbly beseech thee that we together with all thy saints who have pleased thee from the beginning of the world may be partakers of those everlasting Blessings which thou hast prepared for all that love thee and continue faithful unto death through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Lord now send prosperity Bless thy people and extoll them for ever Bless now the king the Royal Family and all in civil office Inspire and bless the Bishops Priests and Deacons who administer thy holy mysteries and by thy sole command and authority do absolve and bless and feed thy chosen people Now sanctify reward and prosper my kindred and friends my superiors and benefactors as c. whom at his happy Eucharist and golden hour I commemorate with eulogy joy and gratitude If there be any consolation in Christ any peace in the Divine favour any happiness and glory in heaven by the throne of Eternity if any goodness in the Ocean of grace and beneficence Requite them O God a thousand fold for all their kindness and bounty and affection towards me Amen for the infinite deserts of thy beloved Son our Lord. All thanks to thee O Jesus king of heaven and earth for defending and blessing this Apostolick Church where we now communicate the most unworthy of all her children What shall I render unto the Lord for all the benefits he hath done unto me eâ—pecially for snatching me from the fire of hell and making me an heir of everlasting happiness in his presence I
Faithful Preserver of men XIII Medicine Blessed Jesus who during thy three years Preaching didst very often heal both the Bodies and Souls of thy Lowly and Believing Supplicants Bless this Medicine to the Relief of tâ—y devoted Servant Amen XIV Age. Cast me not away in the time of Old Age O Lord forsake me not when my strength faileth me The hoary head is a crown of glory especially if it be found in the way of Righteousness XV. Iourneying O God the God of Abraham the Fear of Isaac and the Mighty One of Jacob the Defense and direction of the Isrâ—elites in the wilderness and the light of â—he wise gentiles in their travail towards the infant Jesus O Gracious Creator and Preserver of men Guide me Guard me and succeed and bless me in this journey through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen XVI Passing by a Church O let the heart of them rejoyce that seek the Lord Amen for Christs sake XVII Mortality With faith and humility I will wait till my change cometh Behold man is a thing of nought Blessed be our meâ—ciful Father for this space of repentance and renovation XVIII Executions O crucified Saviour have pity on thy relenting servants and remember them in thy Kingdom Amen Bloud-thirsty and deceitfull men live not out half their days XIX Conflagration O deliver us all from the unquenchable fire and the neverdying worm most merciful Lord. Amen XX. Inundation The Lord sitteth above the water-flood the Lord remaineth a King for ever the Lord ruleth the raging of the sea and the madness of the people the Lord drowned the old world for their impiety and debauch and hath reserved this for fire Just and righteous are thy judgements XXI Earthquake I seek a city that hath foundations a Kingdom that cannot be moved Preserve us evermore from the crime and punishment of Corah deliver us Good Lord from sudden death XXII Thunder and tempest The voice of the Lord is a glorious voice and the rest of Psal. 29. XXIII Rain God hath not left himself without witness both to Jews and Gentiles giving us rains and fruitful seasons and filling our hearts with gladness XXIV Sunshine This one lamp illustrates and beautifies moves and quickens the whole world How great then is the power how bright the glory of the Creatour XXV Starlight Such is the footstool of the great King. XXVI Clockstriking So much nearer eternity The next minute and all my remaining time I entirely dedicate to thy glory O Lord most merciful That past hour and so many years of my evil life will never return again but must all be accounted for at Chrisâ—s tribuâ—al XXVII â—ospital or prison I was in prison â—aith our gracious Saviour and ye visited me naked and ye cloathed me Come thâ—refore ye blessed of my Father receive the Kingdom prepared for you XXVIII Deformity Nothing is so monstrous and deformed to the Divine eye as a proud and impenitent sinner XXIX Fair sight Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither hath it entred into the heart of man to conceive the good things which God hath prepared for them that love and serve him XXX Rare piece of art Lord how excellent is the reason thou hast given us What cannot wit and diligence effect be the matter secular or sacred XXXI Singing birds hunting dogs variety of nests c. Blessed be God for the docility and sagacity of the beasts that perish which condemn dull and sensual men XXXII Passing by the Blind deaf lame foolish or ragged Blessed be thy name O Father Eternall for the sight the hearing the limbs the reason and the goods thou hast given and preserved to me make them all I earnestly beseech thee the instruments of thy glory and of my salvation through Jesus Christ Amen I heartily pity these my brethren XXXIII In the midst of my business and study I will often use such breife Lauds and Prayers as these God is all Blessed be God. Lord help me Lord have mercy upon me Halleluiah Eternity hastens I trust in the living God. Blessed be God my Saviour I adore thee Father eternal The Lord is my strength and my worship I am a vile sinner All is weak and vain on this side heaven Deliver me O Lord from the Tempter I am a Christian. I am a Priest oh Favour oh Duty God is here THE LARGER OFFICE AT RISING When my Affairs will permit CHAP. IX I. Sunday BLessed be the Almighty most Holy most Gracious and Glorious Trinity now and for evermore Thou O Lord art my Defender thou art my Worship and the Lifter up of my head I laid me down and slept and rose up again for the Lord sustained me Psal. 3.3 5. O Lord our Governour how excellent is thy Name in all the world Psal. 8. Thou openest the eyes of the Creation every Morning Hallelujah Defend thy servant this day and lead me O God in the Way Everlasting for unto thee do I lift up my soul. Psal. 143.8 9. O Father Eternal who causedst the Light to shine out of Darkness on the first day of the world shine also into this heart with the Glorious Light of Divine Knowledge by Jesus Christ. Amen 2 Cor. 4.6 Or I will stand up and bless the Lord our God for ever and ever And blessed be thy Glorious Name which is exalted above all Blessing and Praise Thou even thou art Lord alone Thou hast made Heaven the heaven of heavens with all their hosts the Earth and all things that are therein the Sea and all that is therein the Angels and all the invisible world And thou preservest them all and the host of heaven worshippeth thee Nehem. 9.5 6. And at thy Footstool thy poor and unworthy servant falleth down and Adoreth thee with humble Awe and Devotion through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen The Day is thine the Night is thine Eternity is thine and I am thine O holy Father Thou hast lightned mine eyes that I should not sleep in death wherefore with this new body soul and spirit I thank thee I worship thee O grant me the Light everlasting For in thy presence there is Light and at thy right hand is Joy at thy right hand is my dear Saviour and Advocate for evermore The Lord is risen the Lord is risen indeed Luke 24.34 Raise me likewise most gracious Father this day to a new and heavenly Life I seek I affect the things that are above that are Eternal Rom. 6.5 I opâ—n my breast this morning to the Gifts and Graces of the Holy Ghost who once miraculously inflamed the heads and hearts of the blessed Apostles Acts c. 2. and also abides a certain and powerful Helper and Comforter and Patron to all the Meek and Faithful unto the worlds end Or Blessed Jesus very God of very God by whom all things were made thou didst take upon thee this Nature which I and my consorts in humanity have so grievously abused and didst endure the shame and torment of a Crucifixion
When I awake I am alwayes with thee thanking and praising and adoring thy Majesty who continually keepest the world from returning to nothing from whence thou first mad'st it Unto thee lift I up mine eyes O thou that dwellest in the heavens with the affection and reverence of a child with the fear and solicitude of a servant Psal. 123.1 2. Holy holy holy Lord God Omnipotent which was and is and is to come glory and honour and worship be to thee world without end Amen Rev. 4.8 Keep thy servant by thy grace O Lord that Hypocrisy Pride Envy Anger Gluttony Covetousness or Sloth or any other grievous sin may never have the dominion over me and become habitual and customary to me and ever keep me O Lord most holy from Fornication Drunkenness Theft and Dishonesty Idolatry Manslaughter Cursing Swearing and Lying Extortion and Oppression and all other scandalous and heinous actions and practices But engraft in my heart the contrary fruits of thy holy Spirit Piety Humility and Mildness Faithfulness and Honesty Modesty Temperance and Chastity Content and Quietness Compassion Charity and Liberality Prudence Care and Diligence and let this be my habit my custom and my life for Jesus Christ his sake Amen V. Thursday THe Lord is my strength and my praise There is none holy as the Lord neither is there any rock like our God. The Lord killeth and maketh alive he bringeth down to the bed and to the grave and bringeth up He keepeth the feet of his saints and exalteth the horn of his anointed Hallelujah My heart rejoyceth in his salvation 1 Sam c. 2. Thou art my hope in the land of the living thou art the hope of all the ends of the earth and of them that dwell in broad sea yea thou O God art my hope and joy to all eternity Amen Psal. 141.4 The Providence of the Father almighty guide me the Wisdom of his eternal Son enlighten me and the Power of his holy Spirit quicken me Amen What now shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits â—or my Birth my Education my Baptism Catechism and Confirmation What for the blessed Eucharist for the Sermons and the Prayers of this Church What for Sundry Deliverances and special Blessings through so many years of living Yea what shall I render unto thee holy JESUS for thy expiatory Blood for thy grand Example for the Mission of the Holy Ghost with various and unexpressible Grace and for the reserve of everlasting Blessedness O Lord what shall I render unto thee Take O take again most merciful Lord these Gifts together this Soul and Body and their abilities which I now kneeling humbly and faithfully offer to thy everadored Divinity O despise not but take again the works of thy own hands and receive all into the bosom of perpetual happiness Amen Hallelujah Or Is not this to be my last day and then Eternity O prepare me for thy self holy JESUS I know not the day nor the hour of thy Judgment Matth. 24.30 Or receive to thee in peace or visit this dearly purchased soul this piece of Immortality drencâ—t in thy Blood. Yea come quickly Lord Jesus Amen I will magnifie thee O God my King and praise thy name for ever and ever Every day will I give thanks to thee and bless thy name for ever and ever Great is the Lord and marvelous worthy to be praised There is no end of his Greatness no end of his Mercy Hallelujah Psal. 145.1 23. c. Grant me I humbly beseech thee Almighty and most merciâ—ul Father a quiet Mind and a â—ound Body a good Report and a liberal Conversation in all Piety Prudence Charity Honesty and Chastity and at last if I may not be a Martâ—r for thy Truth grant me a mild Death and happy Immortality for Christ Jesus his sake the Source of all Blessings as well visible and secular as invisible inconceivable and everlasting Amen Christ is ascended up on high hath led captivity captive and given gifts unto men that God might dwell amongst us Set up thy self O JESUS above all the heavens and thy Glory above the earth I now worship thee with all humility and affection as thy Apostles did when thou departedst from mount Olivet to the Joy of supercâ—lestial Glory The fowls of the air are thine O bountiful Creatour and the fishes of the sea and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the sea and thou feedest them and multipliest them Wherefore I will seek the kingdom of God before food and rayment For our heavenly Father knoweth that we have need of these things Matth. 6.25 VI. Friday I Awakt and lookt up and my sleep was sweet unto me Blessed be the Lord our God the God of our fathers who satisifieth the weary soul and replenisheth every sorrowful heart who converteth the shadow of death into the morning and daily renews the face of the earth and maketh the evening and the morning alternately to praise him Ier. 31.25 26. Psal. 104.30 and 65.9 Who holdeth our soul in life and suffereth not our feet to slip who ruleth with his power for ever Hallelujah On this day O crucified Saviour have mercy on me and all mankind Amen I will walk this day God being my helper soberly chastly decently humbly and in diligence and content as a child of light and of God. Sufficient to the day is the evil and trouble of it I fully trust in the perpetual Grace of my heavenly Father through his Eternal Son. Amen Or I have remembred thy name O Lord in the night and have kept thy law Psal. 119.55 Our help standeth in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth Psal. 124.8 O Lord God of hosts blessed is the man who putteth his trust in thee yea blessed is the man to whom thou imputest no sin Psal. 84.13 All the world doth worship thee sing of thee and praise thy name which is great wonderful gracious and holy Hallelujah Praise the Lord O my soul. O Father Eternal Almighty God Lord and Possessor of infinite perfection Majesty and mercy Maker and Upholder of all things visible and invisible O blessed Jesus Lamb of God Son of the Father who hast loved us and dyed on the cross for us O most holy Spirit founder and fountain of light and knowledge of vertue and grace of liâ—e peace and bliss everlasting with utmost humility intention of mind and affection I adore and glorifie thee All power and riches and wisdom and salvation and glory and honour and blessing be to the eternal Trinity now and for ever Amen Hosanna in the highest Hosanna I bless thee O Lord Almighty that thou hast made the world out of nothing and created me and all mankind after thy own image and hast set us over the works of thy hands and given thy holy angels charge of us to keep us in all thy ways and that after the early loss of paradise c. many and late transgressions and presumtions thou yet openest
the door of repentance and life to us all allowing us all means of emendation and conversion the admirable treasure of the divine Scriptures the wonderful benefits of the holy Sacraments innumerable patterns of good living and dying and together with all the comforts of this visible world rejoyce and honour with his hope of everlasting felicity through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen VII Saturday THe heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament sheweth his handy work One day telleth another and one night certifyeth another of the great power and bounty of the Creatour blessed for ever There is neither speech nor language but their voices are heard amongst them Their sound is gone out to all lands and their words to the worlds end Psal. 19. The Lord giveth food to all flesh and feedeth the young ravens that call upon him The Lord cloatheth the grass of the field and bringeth forth herbs for the use of man and beast The Lord helpeth them to right that suffer wrong and looseth men out of prison The Lord giveth sight to the blind and to the seeing The Lord helpeth them that are fallen and raiseth the dead He cureth the broken hearted and giveth medicine to heal the sick The Lord caâ—eth for the righteous and humble but scorneth and debaseth the proud The Lord is nigh unto all that call upon him that call upon him faithfully My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord and let all the world above and below give thanks unto his holy name for ever and ever Amen Tread firmly O disciple of Christ in the footsteps of thy meek and holy master for these lead still upwards unto supercelestial and endless glory Interpose O blessed Jesus thy passions cross and death between the Divine Justice and this poor soul both now and in the hour of death and in the day of judgment Grant O Lord to the living mercy and grace to the faithful departed a joyful resurrection To thy Catholick Church peace and concord truth and righteousness and to me and all sinners repentance and pardon and life everlasting Amen Or By thy bloody Sweat thy Thorny Crown and Scourges thy pierced Hands and Feet the fountain of Bloud and water opened in thy precious side by thy dying groans and acclamations thy prayers and benedictions be merciful unto me a vile sinner spare me and bless me O my crucified Love. Amen THE LARGER OFFICE GOING TO BED CHAP. X. I. Sunday I Will lay me down in peace and take my rest for it is thou Lord onely that makest me dwell in safety Psal. 4.9 Whom have I in heaven but thee O Lord and what is there on earth that I desire in comparison of thee Thou art about my path and my bed and spiest out all my ways Psal. 139.2 Have mercy upon me and all mine this night O blessed Jesus who didst die and revive for us that whether we wake or sleep we should live together with thee Hallelujah 1 Thess. 5.10 Or From morning to night I will bless the Lord. Now to him who is able to keep me and all his servants from falling and to present us at length pardoned and faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding great joy to the only wiseGod our Saviour and Defender be glory and majesty dominion power and praise both now and for ever Amen My trust is in the tender mercy of God for ever and ever Psalm 52.9 Let me and all mine yea let me and all thine O holy Father now sleep in peace and wake in Christ begin the next return of reason with heavenly Meditation Amen Or To Gods gracious Protection I most humbly commit my self my family and friends and all the faithful and all the afflicted The Lord bless us and keep us The Lord make his face to shine upon us and be gracious unto us The Lord lift up his countenance upon us and give us peace both now and evermore Amen by the merits and intercession of Jesus our onely Saviour and Advocate BENEDICTIO II. Munday IN the Name of God I will lay me down to rest The almighty Lord be now and evermore my Defence against all perils both of Sleep and Death Amen for Jesus his sake Thou art worthy O Lord to receive Glory Honour and Power for thou hast created all things and for thy Wills sake they were created and are preserved Blessed be thy name world without end Amen Or Great Ruler of the day and night Upon our darkness cast thy Light With safe and kind Repose allay The Care and Trouble of the day That when thou shalt unclose my eyes Healthful and pure I may arise Fit for the morning Sacrifice Or O praise the Lord ye Angels of his that excell in strength that are always waking and always active O praise the Lord all ye his Hosts ye Spirits and Souls of the Righteous ye servants of his that do his pleasure O speak good of the Lord all ye works of his in all places of his dominion Praise thou the Lord O my soul and in praising turn thee to thy rest The glorious Majesty of the Lord endureth for ever the Lord shall rejoyce in his works Amen Psal. 103. III. Tuesday THis night and the days and nights of my appointed time defend O Lord protect spare deliver and bless thy servant who putteth his trust in thee through Jesus Christ. Amen I will remember thee upon my bed and think upon thee when I am waking Because thou hast been my helper therefore under the shadow of thy wings will I rejoyce my soul hangeth upon thee and thy right hand upholdeth me Thy loving Kindness is better then life better then all the glories and pleasures of the whole world Let me now rest O benign Saviour where thy beloved Disciple did that my sleep may be sweet that my dreaming may be of thee of thy Redemption and of thy glorious mansions Or my flesh shall rest in hope that thou Lord wilt raise me both from the Bed and from the Grave and wilt shew me the paths of Life both temporal and eternal for the sake of thy wellbeloved Son whom thou sufferedst to die for the world but not to see corruption Amen Just and righteous are thy ways O Lord who will not fear and serve thee Let us rejoyce and be exceeding glad and secure for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth Rev. 19.5.6 Every where and at all times will I think upon my mortal and sinful life and upon thy continual and great Mercys In thee O Lord have I put my trust that I be not confounded though altogether unworthy of thy eye and regard In thee only I confide Amen with great ardor and expectation O God leave not my soul destitute IV. Wednesday THe Lord is my shepherd therefore can I lack nothing Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death and sleep is that valley I will fear no evil for thou art with me thy rod and thy staff comfort
and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you And lo I am with you always even unto the end of the world Amen Matth. 28.18 The doctrine attested when needful by sundry miraculous works the discipline the sacraments the preservation the piety the zeal and the patience of thy Catholick Church hath indeed sufficiently demonstrated thy gracious presence O Saviour And he lift up his hands and blessed them and while he blessed them he was parted from them and carried up into heaven And they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy And were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen Luke 24.50 AT HOME AFTER THE COMMUNION CHAP. XIV I. IT is finished Blessed Sacrament the Bread of Heaven and the Cup of Salvation the Feast of God the Taste of Eternal Bliss and the Strength Comfort and Life of my Soul. This hath united me to all the Faithful on Earth and to all the Blessed in Heaven This hath joyned me in Affection and Gratitude in Interest and Inheritance unto thee most blessed Jesus the head and defence the ruler and Saviour of the Church the first fruits and security of the resurrection and glory and immortality of this nature Now Lord whether I live oâ— die I trust I am thine I verily believe to see the goodness of the Lord in the region of the blessed through infinite mercy and indulgence Psal. 27.13 O keep me ever Dear Jesus in this good condition by constant and cheerful obedience and observance of all Christian duties by an awful reverence of the Divine name and presence by imitating the best examples living or dead and most especially by following thy meek and immaculate life thy pure and heavenly doctrine and admonitions by caution and frequent meditation by daily examination and prayers and by all other means of a pious and innocent life O Lord I thank thee I bless thee I glorifie thee because by this sacrament thou hast confirmed me in the Catholick faith in reverence duty and love to thy Eternal Majesty in charity towards all mankind friends or enemies in meekness pity humility patience contentedness industry sobriety chastity honesty and integrity And hast thereby given me new and lively hopes of endless felicity both in soul and body against all the malice and attempts of men or devils and against the terrors of death and my sinful life past So great is thy mercy to me for the merits of Jesus Christ thy eternal Son my everlasting Saviour and advocate my Lord and king II. O Stupendous Grace and Piety of the Eternal that I should be I fear I tremble â—o say it the work of Gods hands the image of his wisdom and power the price of Christs blood the temple of the holy Ghost a part of the Catholick and perpetual Church and an heir of immortal glory What now ought my life to be if this be my portion and my priviledge Holy Father let the intercession of Jesus that poured out his tears and sweat and precious blood for us be nigh unto thee day and night that thou mayest have mercy upon us and bless us and prevent our falling from so great salvation Amen Dearest Saviour I desire still to râ—â—lect and meditate on thy humble life thy birâ—h circumcision presentation in the Temple domestick Obedience Baptism Fasting Temptations Hunger Thirst Uncertain abode Travails Watching Prayers Sermons Miracles Dangers Abuses Tortures Bloodshedding and review the â—hole map of thy condescensions griefs and compassions from the Manger to the Cross until I become my self averse separated and cruciâ—yed and dead to the world Amen III. 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 Who forgiveth all thy sins and healeth all thine infirmities who saveth thy soul from destruction and crowneth thee with mercy and loving kindness The merciful and gracious Lord hath so done his marvellous works of Creation Providence and Redemption that they ought to be had in perpetual remembrance Thou art my God and I will thank thee thou art my God and I will praise thee All the works of the Lord are verity and judgment He hath sent redemption unto his people he hath commanded his covenant for ever Holy and Reverend is his name Thus long have I lived upon thy bounty thus and thus c. hast thou nourished protected delivered and advanced me and now O Father thou confirmest to me the expectation of everlasting life in thy heavenly kingdom Wherefore I give thanks unto thee with my whole heart Glory Worship Obedience and Praise to God the Father Almighty and most beneficent that sitteth on the Eternal throne and to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world and to the most holy Spirit the Lord of life and peace for ever and ever O give thanks unto the Lord for he is gracious I have tasted that he is gracious and his mercy endureth for ever Hallelujah Salvation is of the Lord again Hallelujah Blessed be God for his unspeakable gift Lord hasten the glory of the General Resurrection Amen So come Lord Jesus Into thy hands thy pierced hands O Lord I commend my spirit PREPARATION FOR DEATH AND ETERNITY· CHAP. XV. Forgivenesss and Charity I. HAving lately perused CHAP. VI. of this Booke and also received the Holy Communion in this Apostolick Church I am the more ready and willing to set my self in order to depart this world for the vision of Christ humbly commiting the time and manner of my Dissolution to the Providence of God which hath hitherto defended and sustained me II. Wherefore I freely and fully forgive all that have in any sort wronged and injured me as I desire that God most just and omniscient should now for Christs sake forgive me Amen And I humbly beseech God to forgive them those wrongs and all other their sins Amen I farther desire that it may be certified to them namely to c. that I do remit and release to them all satisfaction and amends in word or deed onely entreating their prayers for me that my humiliation and repentance may be accepted in heaven Yea I wish I could shew more indulgence and forgiveness towards men who need and implore so much of God for my innumerable and most ungrateful offences against his Eternal Majesty III. I likewise humbly and heartily beg pardon and forgiveness of all those whom I have wronged in any manner particularly of c. and do earnestly desire that this my request be signified to them Furthermore forasmuch as slander and fraud and the like scandalous sins are not remitted before God without all possible restitution I am most willing and ready to my utmost power to restore and repay whatever I have couzened and defrauded without delay and without deceit I
through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1. Cor. 15.55 56 57. I will run with patience the race that is set before me for the crown of indefectible glory which it leads to looking unto a great cloud of witnesses of godly fortitude and constancy yea rather looking unto the meek Jesus the author and finishâ—r of our faith our hope and our resolution Hebr. 12.1 2. Thee onely do I fear O heavenly Father and in thee only do I trust Thy mercy is as ready as thy power and thy power maketh and maintaineth all things I will ever hope in thy mercy through Jesus Christ for I know no end thereof Amen Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth Hebr. 12.6 It is good for me that I have been afflicted I know O Lord that thy judgements are right and that thou of very faithfulness hast caused me to be troubled Before I was afflicted I went astray but now thy law is my delight and my attention O let my heart be sound in thy statutes that I be no more ashamed Psal. 119.67 71 75 80. Behold here I am let him do to me as seemeth good unto him 2 Sam. 15.26 O my Father not as I will but as thou wilt for his sake who for the life of the world once prayed thus unto thee with great affection tears and innocence Amen Matth. 26.39 My cup is not so bitter I am not yet come to the cross O Lord God of hosts blessed is the man that confideth in thee Psal. 84.13 The Profession of the Catholick Faith. CHAP. XIX I. AS I have often God giving me the grace and opportâ—nity professed and recited the sum of a Christian mans belief contained in the Apostles Creed and in the Nicene Creed in the Liturgy of the Church so now at my wished departure from this world I renew the same Confession and recognition desiring that heaven and earth might now hear me as I hope they will at the happy day of the Resurrection cheerfully thankfully and sincerely declaring II. I Believe in God the Father Almighty maker of heaven and earth I acknowledge fear and adore one God spiritual invisible eternal most holy Almighty and omnipotent distinguished into three glorious persons the Father and the Son and the holy Ghost I will always own and to utmost peril assert the infinite power and justice and mercy of God the Father who made the world out of nothing and every moment upholds and governs it by his gracious providence and in this Systeme hath made sustained and blessed me by wonderful favour And I believe in Iesus Christ his only begotten Son our Lord who was conceived by the holy Ghost O inestimable mercy and most astonishing mystery born wiâ—hout sin of the Virgin Mary suffered under Pontius Pilate a plenary sacrifice and expiation for the sins of the world was crucified with exquisite torment and anguish dead and buried to teach us profound humility and self denyal and martyrdom and to take away the sting and terrour of death He descended into hell The third day he rose again from the dead to justify all the faithful and to invite them to a new and noble and heavenly life He ascended into heaven where I long to see thee and to kiss thy seet most blâ—ssed Saviour Wash my soul first in thy bloud cleanse it from thy pierced side that it may be fitted and prepared for that most holy and sublime mansion And sittteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty a most merciful and benign mediatour From whence he shall come with astonishing glory and pomp to juage me and all the quick and dead O judge impartial and Almighty I fear thee I prepare for thy advent I prejudge and condemn my self for the corruptions of my life I fly to thy cross I hide me in thy wounds My faith embraceth thy salvation Lord pardon me and receive me into thy favour I believe in the holy Ghost the efficacious and invisible guide and patron of all humble souls and the author of wisdom compunction holiness and constancy I believe and own the holy Catholick Church the choice and inheritance and the care and love of God called from all nations of the world into one faith and one hope wherein I have a part by infinite grace I believe the Communion of saints I hasten to the Church triumphant I believe the remission of sins by thy merits O holy Jesus the sure hope and comfort of the living and of the dying I believe the resurrection of the body of this diseased earthy painfull decaying body I know that my Redeemer liveth and that at the last day after death and corruption this very flesh shall stand up spiritual illustrious and immoral by the power and the example of Christs rising and be rapt up to meet him in the clouds Iob. c. 19. and 1 Thes. 4 7. Blessed ever-blessed be the glorious and glorifying JESUS Finally I believe the life everlasting even for me who am unworthy of another secular and incumbred life worthy of perpetual misery and firy indignation altogether unworthy of the vision of God and unchangeable felicity But thy grace is like thy self O Lord infinite and incomprehensible I receive it with all lowliness and confusion I humble my self to the dust for this unvaluable mercy Father fit me for thy promise and bounty Amen Amen III. I Heartily bless God that I was so early baptized into this faith I glorifie him that by his own support in frequenting the offices of the church I have so long lived in a firm profession of this saving doctrine And now God preserving me from the snare of the devil I resolve and I rejoyce to die in the same belief Moreover I humbly beseech the Church the pillar and ensign of truth and all my friends to pray for me that my faith fail not especially at the hour and agony of dâ—ath and also to implore Gods forgiveness as for the rest of my sins so especially if through the violence of my disâ—ase or pain I shall then speak unadvisedly and against the intention of a sober and Christian mind for the sake of the wounded and crucified Saviour Amen O my friends live better then I have done No service no care no vigor and zeal can any ways answer the bounty of Almighty God who nourisheth us upon his earth enlightens us from his heavens and concludes our mortality with everlasting life satisfaction and glory O love the Lord by whom you brâ—ath love the Lord that sent Jesus Christ into the world to save sinners IV. I Lay hold on this occasion to declare freely before Gods minister and my friends the more remarkable passages of my life from my birth to this hour that they may glorifie God for his many benefits and extraordinary indulgence to me a most unprofitable and ungrateful servant and may also beware themselves of the errors and offences which have disgraced and polluted my conversation and
likewise if I have done any thing worthy and laudable that it may sink down into their hearts and be followed by them and all the church to the greater honour of Christ whose purchase and pity we are Amen V. ALmighty and most merciful Author and Father I bless thee I glorifie the with all holy angels and happy souls for thy six days Creation for the light shining out of Chaos and darkness and the Chaos made out of nothing for the heavens and waters the earth and plants the sun and moon the fish and fowl for the beasts of the earth but especially for Adam the origine of humanity the archive of reason and piety the admirable and admiring possessour of the recent and impolluted world I praise thee for thy holy Sabbath the image and notice of solemn devotion on earth and also of everlasting rest in heaven to all the workers of righteousness I bless thee for conserving the world for so many thousand years in the same estate and order for delivering and defending thy faithful people in all ages with or without natural means and for overruling the counsels and attempts of potentates unto thy own greater glory I praise thee I adore thee for recovering lapsed Adam and his tainted posterity by the early promise and opportune advent of the alsufficient Saviour Jesus Christ. I bless thee for the Holy Bible the richest treasure upon earth I thank thee for setting me down in the world in this age of great knowledge both humane and divine I praise thee for all the wisdom and invention prudence and vertue magnificence good works and piety of all that ever lived in the world I praise thee for the noble and numberless host of guardian angels wise and powerful prophets and apostles and evangelists valiant martyrs and confessors pious kings and priests and benefactors and for the humble and holy men of all times our â—imitation and comfort and glory O let me die the death of the righteous and let my last end be like his Amen for Christs sake Desire of Absolution and of my Change. CHAP. XIX I. VOuchsafe me O Lord the power and occasion of doing some good after all the evil I have committed and the scandals I have given before I go hence and be no more seen But chiefly grant me a good end of this vain and troublesome life and at length a glorious resurrection through Jesus Christ Amen We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved and I perceive my frame now loosning and falling we have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens And this we groan earnestly desiring to be cloathed upon with our house which is from heaven We groan being burdened with disease and sin and sorrow and vanity and flesh to be cloathed upon with a immarcescible vest of purity and glory that mortality may be swallowed up of endless life and we be no longer absent from the Lord. Amen Cor. c. 5.1 4. I am now ready to be offered the time of my departure is at hand I have fougâ—t a good fight O words of gold O happy exite of Christian zeal and fidelity I have finished my course I have kept the faith Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of rightâ—ousness which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day and not to me onely but to all them also that love his appearing 2 Tim. c. 4.7 II. COme now O holy Priest servant of the most high God direct and amend my confessions dissolve my doubts especially c. Pray for me pray earnestly for me particularly concerning c. the more grievous lapses and blots of my life Help forward Divine man my repentance compassionate and concur with my tears Then preach to me the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ and open the vail of infinite mercy to my tender and trembling soul. I have Forgiven all the world I have made Restitution to my utmost power of all injuries and scandals done by me and am very sorry that I cannot make greater amends quadruple amends for all wrongs I have renounced and abominated all my evil practices with contrition and shame I have thrown my self entirely upon the mercy of God in Jesus Christ. I have recited the Creed with sincerity resolution and thankfulness I verily believe that God who gave me this mortal life together with numberlesâ— blessings is now as ready to grant me everlasting happiness through the alone merits of Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour Come therefore O holy Priest my esteem and reverence Come happy guide of my flitting soul use I humbly beseech thee the authority and office which our blessâ—d Lord hath given thee And pronounce over this lowly cleansed and renewâ—d creature by Godâ— command and in his name and through his power alone the sentence that I ardently long for the words worthy oâ— all acceptation worthy the ministry of an angel The Lord hear the Lord bless the Lord Absolve the Lord Ratifie THE PRIEST OVâ— Lord Iesus Christ who hath lâ—st power to his Church to absoâ—ve all sinners who truly repent and believe in him of his great mâ—rcy â—orgive thee thine offences And by his authority committed to me I absolve thee fâ—om all thy sins In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Amen Amen in heaven Amen Amen Hosanna in the highest I take this Remission with utmost humility I believe it ratifyed by thee most gracious Father the onely Author and source of pardon and peace I give thanks unto thee most affectionate thanks unto thy Eternal Majesty for this inestimable mercy and I long to expire in thanksgiving Henceforth to me to live is Christ to die is gain Phil. 1.21 III. I Humbly thank thee holy Priest for this great reverend and charitable Office. God prosper thee and the whole Clergy and all his faithful people upon earth who are of the same body and interest with the blessed in heaven Amen IV. BLessed blessed indeed is he whose unrighteousness is forgiven and whose sin is covered Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth no sin and in whose spirit there is no guile Psal. 32.1 2. Lord now leâ—test thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word I desire no more of earth of sinful earth I loâ—g for thee onely O God My soul pantetâ— after thee my departing soul is a thirst for the living God. O gather it I most humbly beseech thee by the love and deserts of Jesus clean and spotless into rest and glory everlasting Amen Come Lord Jesus come quickly Jesus receive my spirit I am now going to an estate perfectly new new heavens new time new life and new glories The change is unconceivably great amazing and unalâ—erable Nothing is like it here below but Divine contemplations and the ardors of the Eucharist Look O look Gracious God upon the face of thy perishing child and make the separation