the ends of the world In them hath he set a Tabernacle for the Sun which cometh forth as a Bridegroom out of his Chamber and rejoiceth as a giant to run his course It goeth forth from the uttermost part of the Heaven and runneth about unto the end of it again and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof The Law of the Lord is an undefiled Law converting the Soul the Testimony of the Lord is sure and giveth wisdom unto the simple The Statutes of the Lord are right and rejoice the heart the Commandment of the Lord is pure and giveth light unto the Eyes The fear of the Lord is clean and endureth for ever the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether More to be desired are they than gold yea than much fine gold sweeter also than honey and the honey-comb Moreover by them is thy servant taught and in keeping of them there is great reward Who can tell how oft he offendeth O cleanse thou me from my secret faults Keep thy servant also from presumptuous sins lest they get the dominion over me so shall I be undefiled and innocent from the great offence Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be always acceptable in thy sight O Lord my strength and my redeemer Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. A Prayer for Wednesday Morning For Repentance O Eternal God before whom all Creatures both in Heaven and Earth do bow fear and tremble I a most wretched and miserable Creature dejected with the weighty burthen of my Sins fly unto thee for Succour Plant in my heart the Fear of thy Name and in my body the purity and cleanness of Charity and let them abide there for ever Cleanse me from all my secret Sins and preserve me from presumptuous and great Offences Touch my heart O God with true Repentance that thy Judgments present and imminent may be prevented and removed and the overflowing silver stream and current of thy Mercies be never at an end II. Be gracious to my Relations in the flesh my Friends in the spirit with all those to whom I am any way bounden or desire to be commended unto thee in my Prayers and Supplications Expel O Lord and cast out of my heart all evil Imagination Hatred Malice and all Uncharitableness and whatsoever is contrary to thy holy Commandments III. I praise thy holy Name for thy preservation of me this Night past for the Gifts and Graces of thy Blessed Spirit as Faith in thy Promises Hope of a better Life when this is ended and strength against all the temptations of Satan all which have proceeded from the Fountain of thy Mercy As thou hast of thy Providence kept me ever since I was born and in Mercy preserved me the beginning of this Week so to my Comfort grant me the continuance of the same through Jesus Christ my only Redeemer and Advocate Amen A Prayer for Wednesday Noon For God's particular Care of us O Almighty God I cry unto thee for Mercy by reason my Sins cry against me for Justice all the day long will I lift up my Heart unto thee shut not thine Ear O Lord but hear my complaint and that right soon Let me in all things see that I am upheld by thee Let me perceive it is thy Work by the Health of my Body and Peace of my Conscience in the Gift of my Mind the Credit of my Name and the Work of my Calling II. But alas can there be greater Mercies O Lord than thou hast already expressed towards me for whilst I have enjoyed all thy Mercies others have lived in penury and want in ignorance profaneness and without thee in the World III. What can I render unto the Lord for all his Mercies towards me Let me not pledge Joseph's Botler in his Cup of Oblivion but David rather in his Cup of Salvation and if my single heart be too barren of thankfulness let me borrow a magnificat O my Soul to magnifie Thee O Lord and let my Spirit rejoyce in thee O God my Saviour What shall I say unto thee O thou Redeemer of all Mankind I will praise thy holy Name For evermore inspire me with thy Spirit convert me from Evil confirm me in all Goodness and bring me at last unto thy heavenly Kingdom Amen A Prayer for Wednesday Night For deliverance from Sin MOST merciful God I beseech thee to open the Eyes of my understanding that I may come to a particular knowledge of my secret Sins especially those I am most inclined to Soften my hard and flinty heart that I may sigh and groan under tâ—â— weight of my most pressing sins and acknowledge them a Burthen too heavy for me to bear II. Stir up in me all dull and dead Affections that I may hunger and thirst after thee the well-spring of Life Forgive me all my misdemeanours of this day past make me to remember that Sin is filthy and loathsome even in the greatest pleasure and act thereof teach me to keep a continual watch over my inward and outward Man whereby I may be afraid to commit the least Sin that so I may walk according to thy holy will in all things III. Give me this Night sweet and comfortable rest and fit me O Lord for the duties and service of the next day Turn from me O Lord those judgments which my sins have justly deserved and renew those hopes which thou hast been pleased to frustrate crown me with those blessings which thou hast promised to all these that fear thy Name so that at the last I may attain everlasting Happiness and live with thee in perpetual peace and safety for evermore Amen Meditations for Thursday O Sing unto the Lord a new song for he hath done marvellous things With his own right hand and with his holy arm hath he gotten himself the victory The Lord declared his Salvation his Râ—ghteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the Heathen He hath remembred his Mercy and Truth towards the House of Israel and all the ends of the world have seen the salvation of our God Shew your selves joyful unto the Lord all ye lands sing rejoice and give thanks Praise the Lord upon the harp sing to the harp with a Psalm of Thanksgiving With trumpets also and shawms O shew your selves joyful before the Lord the King Let the Sea make a noise and all that therein is the round world and they that dwell therein Let the floods clap their hands and let the hills be joyful together before the Lord for he is come to judge the earth With righteousness shall he judge the world and the people with equity Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. A Prayer for Thursday Morning A Sacrifice of Praise O Most glorious and powerful Lord God who with thy holy arm hath gotten for me the Victory over Sin Hell and
THE Devout Companion Containing PRAYERS AND MEDITATIONS FOR Every Day in the Week AND FOR Several Occasions Ordinary and Extraordinary Psal 55. 17. Evening and Morning and at Noon will I pray and cry aloud and he shall hear my Voice The Twelfth Edition LONDON 〈…〉 Henry Rhodes at the 〈…〉 he corner of Brile 〈…〉 1699. TO THE Truly Honoured The LADY J. C. MADAM AT Your Request these ensuing Prayers and Meditations were composed which I here present to Your view not that You want my weak Instructions for You are known to be so good a Proficient in God's School and have more of this Heavenly Language by Heart than I can instruct you by Precept The Meditations I have taken from the Psalms of that sweet singer of Israel the Royal Prophet and this Key opens not only the Kingdom of Grace but the Kingdom of Heaven too it being an exact Composure of all Christian Vertues No Worshipping can be more true or more spiritual than the Psalter said with a pure Mind and a hearty Devotion For David was God's Instrumeâ—t to the Church teaching and admonishing as our Duty is to each other in Psalms and Hymns and spiritual Songs making melody to the Lord. In your Voyage to the Almighty You might have I doubt not a better Card or Compass to sail by than this Form of Prayer which I prescribe yet I beseech You encourage others by Your pious Example to feed upon this Milk for Babes those which are weak by tasting of it your Self So recommending it to Your Pious Acceptation wishing You all Happiness that this Earthly Paradise can afford whist You remain upon Earth and at the last a Crown of Immorral Glory in the highest Heavens is the earnest desire of Madam Your humble and faithful Servant in Christ Jesus E. S. THE Devout Companion Containing MEDITATIONS AND PRAYERS For every Day in the Week c. A Preparatory Prayer against wandring Thoughts and vain Imaginations Thrice Holy Blessed and Glorious Trinity Three Persons and One God have mercy upon me a miserable Sinner O Almighty God the only Giver and Bestower of all good things and without whose special Favour and Grace no Man hath Power to perform any spiritual Duty as he ought to do O Lord I know not what to pray for as I ought O let thy Spirit help my Infirmities and enable me to offer up a spiritual Sacrifice acceptable to thee by Jesus Christ II. Make me to remember into whose Presence I am come and with whom I have to do even with a God of infinâ—te Majesty before whom the Cherubims veil their Faces as being astonished at the Presence of so great a God as thou art How dare I then a moâ—t vile and sinful Creature who am but Dust and Ashes presume to appear at this time before thee who have drunk Iniquity like Water breaking so often thy holy Laws and Commandments by committing those things thou forbiddest and leaving undone those good things thou commandest III. But I come unto thee O Lord in the name of thy dear Son Jesus Christ the Righteous who hath redeemed me with his most precious Blood O then look upon me in him and for the merits of his Sufferings pardon all my Sins and blot out my Offences Strike an awful reverence in my Soul that I may continually keep a watch over my Thoughts Words and Actions least my Presumption and want of due Reverence unto thy Deity should turn my Prayers into Sin IV. Give me a lively apprehension of all my wants and necessities and a right Understanding both of those Blessings which I have received from thee and of those great Mercies which thou hast promised to bestow on them that ask thee that so I may be endued with Expressions both for Prayer and Thankfulness and may become able by the assistance of thy Grace to pour out my Soul continually before thee Support me with Faith that I may come with a good assurance to thy Throne of Grace to offer up my earnest Supplications unto thee and let me not go away from thy presence without a Blessing V. Grant Lord that this holy Exercise of Prayer may prove a delight to me O make me constant and diligent in the use of it remembring the speedy access the Prayers of the Faithful have in thy Presence and what a great Privilege it is for poor Mortals to unfold their Wants and lay open their Desires and Griefs before thee VI. Ever O Lord let the end of my Prayers be to thy Glory always exercising a Conscience void of Offence by offering up my Thanksgivings for Mercies received as I shall be earnest in suing for those Gifts and Graces I stand in need of Grant this O heavenly Father for the sake of thy dear Son my only Saviour and Redeemer Amen Meditations for Sunday THis is the Day which the Lord hath made a Day of Rest to our Bodies and for the Benefit of our Souls O let us rejoice and be glad in it all the Days of our L 〈…〉 leaving off our worldly Thoughts and Employments and be â—eeking after our future Happiness II. Great iâ— the Lord and great is the Honour of this day above all others The Jews kept Holy the Seventh Day and we Christians the Sunday or Lord's Day They in their Sabbath were especially to remember the Creation of the World but we in ours the Resurrection of Christ who hath made a way for us into that better worâ—d which we expect hereafter III. This convinceth the Folly of the Jews who are so superstitious in observing the Ceremony of Rest as that they think they ought not to prepare any Food for their bodily sustenance on the Sabbath-Day neither do any work tho' it be for the Resection of Life it self But God in the Institution of the Sâ—bbath so rested whose Example we ought to imitate as that he ce 〈…〉 not in â—â—sting from doing good but in câ—â—sing to Create he continued to Preserve of which our Saviour saith My Father worketh hitherto and I work IV. This Day is set apart to be employed in the Worship and Service of God First more solemnly and publickly in the House of God from whence none ought to absent himself unless sickness or some extraordinary occasion prevent him Secondly at home privately praying with your Family or in your Closet exercising those other Duties of Reading and Meditation V. O Praise the Lord then O my Soul and enter into Contemplation with thy self upon all his Mercies Consider what a great Benefit it is to thee that there is such a set time weekly for thy spiritual Relief and Comfort cast off all worldly Business then and freely embrace this joyful Day of harvest whereby we may lay up in store for the whole Week nay even for our whole Lives VI. This day furnishes us with that Golden Rule by which we may square all our Actions and at last attain to the perfection of him whom the Royal Psalmist makes
mention of to be a pattern of true Goodness and tells you The Lord ordereth a good Man's going and maketh his way acceptable to himself Though he fall he shall not be cast away for the Lord upholdeth him with his Hand VII The Law of God is in his Heart and his goings shall not slide O send out thy Light and thy Truth that they may lead me 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 upon the Harp will I give Thanks unto thee O God my God We wait for thy Loving-kindness O God in the midst of thy Temple A Morning Prayer for Sunday For the Worship of God MOst mighty and gracious God which hast brought me out of the Night's Darkness into the marvellous Light of thy Truth to see the Light of thy Love that I may rejoice in the Day of my Visitation and Salvation whereby the Day-spring from on high hath visited me and in the Day of Salvation thou wilt succour me II. This Day make me hear thy Voice and not harden my Heart through unbelief or deceitfulness of Sin but that by Faith I may enter into thy promised Rest Give Grace unto me O Lord and to all People to walk circumspectly and diligently to do such good Works wherewith thou may'st be well pleased so that walking in thy Ways and according to thy Commandments I may work out my own Salvation with fear and trembling that as my Body draws nearer the Grave my Soul may approach the nearer Heaven III. O Lord I beseech thee to be merciful unto me and as of thy goodness thou givest me time to Repent so of thine infinite Mercy give me such a true holy and perfect Repentance never to be repented of And grant O Lord that I may unfeignedly Resolve and effectually Labour to amend my Life this Day even to my Life's end that so I may never be tempted above what I am able to bear IV. I am beginning the Week but alas I begin not to be reâ—ormed in my Life and Conversation but the more Weeks pass over my Head the greater burthen of Sin I take upon my Back and do the more defile my Conscienâ—e Day by Day I run on in my Wickedness and never say to my self What have I done If I should at this Week's end cast up the Account of my good Deeds how few Lines alas would they contain V. O Lord I beseech thee pardon and forgive me all my Sins remove them out of thy presence as far distant as the East is from the West Accept of me in the Death and Passion of thy Son Jesus Christ that wherâ— I shall come into thy Temple to compass thine Altar my Prayers may come up before thee as Incense and the lifting up of my Hands as an Evening Sacrifice VI. And as I desire that thou wouldst hear me calling upon thee in my Prayers so give me Grace to hear thee calling upon me in thy Word It is the word of Truth Wisdom Righteousness and Reconciliation which is able to save my Soul in the Day of the Lord Jesus grant therefore that I may hear it with Reverence receive it with Meekness and mingle it with Faith that it may accomplish in me that good Work for which thou hast sent it VII I know not alas how to Worship thee as I ought my Sins have made a Wall of separation betwixt-thee and me so that neither my Prayers can ascend up unto thee as they should nor thy Graces descend upon me as I would desire them O break I beseech thee this partition-Wall slide thou down into the secret Habitation of my Heart by thy mighty Power and strengthen every privy Corner of that neglected House by the brightness of thy Illumination feed thou every secret part both of my Mind and Body keep me from Sin and let me serve thee this Day in thy Sanctuary VIII Bless those Messengers oâ— thine O Lord that break untâ— me the Bread of Life As thoâ— hast placed them like Beacons oâ— thy holy Hill the Church givâ— them Grace with the five Wisâ— Virgins that their Light may never go forth but still shine brightly to arm us thy People against the Invasion of that Enemy of Mankind the Devil and his Army that Day and Night seek to devour us IX Let me spend the rest of my uncertain Life in a renewed Repentance for my Sins past and an holy Resolution to serve thee for the time to come Grant O Lord these and all other Graces meet for me for thy Son's sake my only Lord and Saviour To whom with Thee and the Holy Ghost be all Praise and Glory for evermore Amen A Prayer at our Entrance into the Church O Almighty God who dwellest in that Light which no mortal is able to approach unto yet art present with us in this thy sacred House O Lord my God my only Comfort and Riches what am I that I dare speak unto thee I am thy poor Servant teach me to climb and ascend up unto thee by Invocation and Prayer II. Make this Religious Place as thine Ark and let thy Dove thy holy Spirit enter in at these windows let a good measure of thy word and an effectual preaching thereof be evermore preserved and distributed in this place let no evil Leprosie ever enter into these Walls nor the hand of Sacrilege ever fall upon them III. The Harvest is great but the Labourers are few send forth I beseech thee more into thy Vineyard and endue them with such Wisdom as becometh thy holy Gospel Open unto them the Door of Utterance and unto me the Gate of Understanding that they may faithfully dispend thy Mysteries and I fervently embrace the same to thy Glory and the Salvation of my Soul through Jesus Christ my only Lord and Saviour Amen A Prayer for Sunday Noon For Perseverance O God most gracious and merciful who hatest noâ—hing that thou hast made but â—rt willing that all should parâ—ake of thy Coelestial Love I â—ave this day visited thy House â—he Place where thine Honour dwelleth grant I beseech thee that I may still persevere and press forward in that holy Duty of serving thee all the Days of my Life II. Vouchsafe to me O Lord I beseech thee thy Heavenly Grace that I may avoid the precipices of Sin which lead to destruction and endeavour to serve thee in Holiness and Righteousness all the Days of my Life Grant that in thy Light I may see Light and as I have begun this Day in praising and lauding thy holy Name so let it end to thy Glory To whom be ascribed all Honour Power and Glory both now and for evermore Amen A Prayer for the Afternoon after Sermon A Thanksgiving for the Word preached O Lord most Holy whose Truth endureth from everlasting to everlasting Thou hast been merciful and gracious to me and hast filled me which am
hungry with good things and none of thy Servants dost thou send empty away from thy holy Sanctuary Plant thy Fear in my Heart give me Wisdom and good Understanding and make me to have pleasure in thee and all thy works that â—beying the Precepts of thy hoâ—y Gospel and performing the Conditions of thy Covenant which thou hast established for â—ver in Truth and Equity in Verity and Judgment I may â—orthily praise and adore thy â—oly Name among the Faithful â— this Life and in the Congreâ—ation of Saints in the Life to â—ome through thy Mercies O â—lessed Jesu to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost be â—ll Honour and Glory now and or ever Amen A Prayer for Sunday Evening For Pardon of Sin O Almighty God I acknowledge and confess those many weaknesses and imperâ—ections I am guilty of in my performance of the Dutiâ— of this Day I have called up on thee for the pardon and foâ—giveness of my Sins I havâ— heard thy holy Word but yâ— find my self a very unprofitâ—ble Servant So that O Lord though I have done thy Worâ— I have done it so negligently that I may rather expect thâ— fire of thy Anger than a Bleâ—sing from thee II. But if thou O God should be extream to mark what done amiss O Lord who caâ— abide it or stand before thâ— when thou art angry Remember that I am but dust and asheâ— and the work of thine owâ— hands Pardon I beseech theâ— and pass by all my Sins Neglâ—gences and Ignorances looâ— not upon the weakness of mâ— Flesh but upon the willingness â—f my Spirit and so cover all â—y imperfections with the â—erfect and absolute obedience â—f thy dear Son that those Saâ—rifices offered up by me this day â—ay be by thee accepted in â—nd for that Sacrifice which Christ Jesus offered upon the Cross once for me III. And as I earnestly desire that my Sacrifices may be pleasing and acceptable to thee so let thine Ordinances be profitable to me And as thou hast this day sown â—n my heart the precious seed of thy Word so let neither the Fowls of the Air devour it nor the Cares of the World choak â—it but let the former and the â—atter Rain of thy blessing come often upon it that it may bring forth in me the Fruits of true Repentance and hearty amenâ—ment of Life Pardon my mâ—nifold Sins by which I havâ— provoked thee this very day IV. Be thou unto me a mercifuâ— God in despite of the Snare and Delusions which Sin lays iâ— the way for my Destruction and keep me under the shadow of thy Wings in perpetuaâ— Peace and Safety Bless me thiâ— Night sleeping or waking givâ— thine Angels charge over me that at whatsoever hour thou callest me I may like a faithful Soldier stand ready prepared to encounter Death and to follow the Lamb wheresoever he goeth Grant these things O blessed Father for thy Son Jesus Christ his sake my only Saviour and Redeemer Amen Meditations for Monday Out of the Psalms For a holy Life MY song shall be of mercy and judgment unto thee O â—ord will I sing Let me have unâ—erstanding in the way of godliness When wilt thou come unto me â— will walk iâ— my house with a perâ—ect heart I will take no wicked â—hing I hate the Sins of unfaithâ—ulness there shall no such cleave â—nto me A froward heart shall depart â—rom me I will not know a wickâ—d Person Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour him will I destroy Whoso hath also a proud look and high stomach I will not suffer him There shâ—ll no deceitful person dwell in my house he that telleth â—yes shall not tarry in my sight I shall sâ—on destroy all the ungodly that are in the Land that may root out all wicked doe from the City of the Lord. Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. A Prayer for Monday Morning For a Holy Life O God most Holy and Righteous who shewest Mercy unto thousands and hatesâ— nothing thy own hands havâ— made who fillest me with thy loving kindness every Morning and keepest me in Peace and Safety in the Night season II. I confess O Lord that I am altogether Vanity a shadow of Death a dark Dungeon a barren and empty Ground where no Water is but deluges of Wrath and Confusion But O Lord I abhor my self and repent before thee in dust and ashes and as Sins of Infirmity have thrown me down raise me up again I beseech thee by the Gift of Penitence that I may lead a holy Life with all Humility Truth and Justice Godliness and Honesty in this present World III. I bless thy holy Name for thy Care and Protection over me this Night that thou hast safely brought me to the beginning of this day delivering me from the shadow of Death O Lord continue thy wonted goodness towards me this Day and grant that all my Prayers Words Works and Actions may begin and end in thy Glory IV. Keep me O Lord I beseech thee this day without sin and so replenish me with thy Favour and Grace that my heart may rejoyce and delight in thy praises Deliver me O Lord from lying Lips and from a deceitful Tongue keep me from the Snare of the Hunter and from the noisom and infectious Pestilence from deadly Vexation mortal Sickness and sudden Death V. Protect me in the day of my Trouble give me a contented Mind which may remain unto me a continual Feast in whatsoever changes or chances may befall me in this transitory Life Grant that I may yield up my self to thy good Pleasure in all things and be obedient unto those holy Commandments which thou hast appointed for my Rule and Guide So that at the last I may find that in keeping thy Holy Laws there is great Reward Grant this O heavenly Father for thy Son's sake my only Redeemer Amen A Prayer for Monday Noon For Forgiveness of Sins O God the searcher of all hearts and from whom no secrets are hid but are laid open to thine all-seeing Eye I here acknowledge my Sins unto thee and mine Iniquities which are many in number I come unto thee O Lord who art the fountain of all goodness and forgivest all those that with hearty Repentance come unto thee Pardon and remit all those Sins which this day I have committed against thy Divine Majesty Purge me with Hyssop and I shall be clean wash me and I shall be whiter than Snow Let the dew of thy Favour and the fire of thy Love blot out all my Sins and purifie my Soul II. Create in me a clean Heart and renew a right Spirit within me Let me not be for ever separated from the sweet refreshings of thy Favourand presence but give me the comfort of thy help again and let thy free Spirit loose me from the bondage of Sin and establish me in the freedom and liberty of the Sons of God So shall I praise thy Name
Friday Morning A Confession of Sins O Most mighty and merciful God I presume to present my self this Morning before thy Divine Majesty to offer up unto thee this my early sacrifice but in the performance of it I make known my unworthiness and disclose my Weakness and exceedingly discover my imperfections and wretchedness II. For alas I draw near unto thee with my lips but my heart is far from thee I call upon thee with my tongue but my soul at the same time commits wickedness against thee My righteousness comes short of the Scribes and Pharisees and are but as filthy Rags my holiness but as a morning Dew yea all my actions of Devotion if weighed in thy Balance are but abomination in thy sight From the soal of the Foot unto the crown of the Head I am altogether polluted and unclean yea nothing to be found in me but wounds and putrefied sores imprinted and stamped into my soul and flesh by the custom of my Sin â— My Eyes are full of Vanity my Ears full of â—niquity my Hands of Impurity my Will perverse to that which is Good my Remembrance affable â—nd pleasing to that which is Evil my Understanding is darkned my Conscience seared my Head full of mischief my feet swift to shed blood Destruction and Wickedness are in all my ways and the way of Peace have I not known IV. Since then O Lord that my Sins are so great and grievous against thy Law and against thy Gospel if thou shouldest be so extream as to mark against me what I have done amiss who is able to abide it If thou shouldst call me suddenly to a strict account how should I shew my Face If I deny waht is laid to my charge my Conscience will accuse me If I forswear the dumb and senseless Creatures will bear witness against me V. Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is no Friend in the Earth beneath which I have in comparison of thee no other Mediator amongst Men and Angels but even thine only begotten Son Christ Jesus in whom only thou art well pleased by the virtue of whose Death and Passion and the remembrance of whose precious blood which trickled down from his side wash me from my sins and besprinkle my polluted Heart from an evil Conscience VI. And I beseech thee O Lord not only to wash away my sins with the blood of thine immaculate Lamb but also to purge my heart by thine only Spirit from the dross of my natural Corruptions that I may feel thy Spirit more and more killing Sin in the power practice thereof so that I may with more freedom of mind and liberty of will serve thee the ever living God in Righteousness and Holiness this Day and all the days of my Life for evermore Amen A Prayer for Friday Noon For God's Direction O Lord most holy I beseech thee to direct all my ways correct my wanderings and erect my wild and worldly Thoughts unto thee the God of my Salvation Learn me that divine Art of living in thy Fear to labour in thy Service and evermore run swiftly in the ways of thy Commandments Direct my Thoughts Words and Works preserve and bless me in my going out and coming in and grant that whatsoever my heart shall think my tongue utter or my hands exercise this day may tend to the glory of thy holy Name the good of others and the comfort of my own Conscience II. End these sinful days O blessed Redeemer and hasten thy coming and give me Grace to stand ready prepared to meet thee who art the sweet Bridegroom of my Soul that at thy coming whether it be by the hour of Death or at the day of Judgment I may joyfully pronounce those blessed words of Come Lord Jesus come quickly III. Deliver me O Lord from all those heavy Judgments which hang over my head as due unto me for my Transgressions separate them as far from thy presence in distance as the East is from the West bury them all in thy Grave that they neither rise to shame me in this Life nor condemn me in the World to come To whom be ascribed for thine infinite Mercy all Honour Praise and Glory from this time forth and for evermore Amen A Prayer for Friday Night Against carnal Security O Merciful Father I here prostrate my self in all humility and reverence of heart and mind beseeching thee to guide and protect me this Night with thy blessed Spirit and though my sinful flesh shall slumber and sleep yet grant that my Soul may continually â—e vigilant II. Let not the Enemy come upon me unawares and find me slumbering or sleeping as rocked in the Cradle of carnal Security lest I being unarm'd and destitute of thy favour and help he enter into the House of my sinful Body and their takes possession of my leprous Soul and endanger both to be thrown into the Lake which burneth with Fire and Brimstone III. Make me to consider that my Bed is but a pattern of the Grave and that when I lay my self down in it I cannot rise up unless thy heavenly Providence enables me Teach me to acknowledge that sleep is the very Figure and Image of Death to whose stroak at thy appointed time I must submit and resign my self endue me with Love and Charity to all Men let my Lamp O Lord be filled with fresh Oil that whensoever thy Messenger Death approaches and knocks at the Gate of this mortal Body I may at his Summons in the day of the Resurrection of the Dead be ready to attend on thee my Bride with my Lamp burning IV. Let me be ever mindful of the great and last day wherein I must render an account of every idle thought word and work and grant I may be prepared with Faith and Repentance as with a Wedding-Garment against the time that thou O Lord shalt call for me out of this sinful World In the mean time let me fly from Sin as from a Serpent and from unrighteousness as from a Cockatrice and above all things seek thy Glory and when this mortal Life is ended I may be made partaker of Immortality and Life Eternal in thy most blessed and glorious Kingdom V. Let thy Mercy and Loving-kindness follow me O Lord all the days of my Life that I may dwell in thy House and evermore praise thy holy Name grant that I may in the acknowledgment of thy greatness confess my own unworthiness and visit me O Lord by driving from me all the Assaults of my Enemies both ghostly and bodily VI. Let thy holy Angel be with me to keep me this Night and evermore fit me for the duties of the next day if it be thy heavenly will to spare me this Night this O Lord I beg at thy merciful Hands through the Merits and Mediation of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost now and for ever Amen Meditations for Saturday I Will cry
proceed in my Service that the Glass of my Time may run out with Pleasure and I in the end shall be made Free of that City of thine the New Jerusalem where I may rest for evermore Amen The Maid's Prayer O Holy Lord God let thine Handmaid speak in thine Audience and hearken unto her when she calleth upon thee though I know not how to ask aright yet teach me the knowledge of thee and how to beg those things that are requisite and necessary for me Inlighten my Soul with thy divine Inspiration that I may see and do those things that appertain unto Godliness Let me keep my honest Reputation in the Eye of the World knowing that a good Name is better than precious Ointment But especially in thy sight let me be pure honest and undefiled so shall I not be ashamed in the great Day of Account Defend me from Sin Satan and the Poison of evil Tongues assist me with thy directing hand that the labours which this day I am to undertake may prosper grant me Grace to love honour and serve thee in Holiness and Righteousness all my days that I may glorifie thy holy Name through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer for one afflicted in Mind O Eternal Lord God who art fearful in Praises doing Wonders I tremble and am even at Death's Door for alas I am the vilest of all Sinners my Conscience is so clogged with Evil that I cannot look up my Wickednesses have gone over my Head and are as a burthen too heavy for me to bear my Spirit is sorrowful my Heart is heavy my words are stopp'd with Sighs and my Plaints watred with Tears O Lord what shall I desire of thee that deserve nothing at thy Hand What can I hope for that am even hopeless My Conscience is restless and my Ungodliness fettereth me and even all my unrighteous Actions cry out for Vengeance against me my Spirit is overwhelmed and weary of this Bondage and I have bid my life farewell II. O but let thy Majesty O Lord yet appear in thy Mercy forgive my Sin the unhappy ground of all this woe Where my misery hath thus abounded there let thy Mercy much more abound I dare not add this grievous Sin unto my other Sins to despair of thy Mercy What were more Sacrilegious for thou art a skilful Physician and canst cure all my Infirmities thou art a merciful God and canst forgive all my Sins To thee do I fly for refuge which art the Land of Safety to thee do I lift up my Hands and my Heart and to thee do I pray desiring thy Mercy Let the power of thy Son's Death and Passion defeat all the Devices of the Devil against me III. Instruct me in thy heavenly Wisdom lead me in thy Truth in this dangerous Sea of Discontentment and Affliction keep me from shipwrack and bring me safe to the Land of Peace-Strengthen my Faith sanctifie all those good means unto me wherein I seek relief as Prayer Conference Reading and hearing thy holy Word Mitigate my Perplexities grant me Patience heal my Imperfections Thou that wilt not break a bruised Reed spare and have Mercy upon me Thou that delightest not in the death of a Sinner receive me Though my Heart condemns me yet do thou release me O Lord hear O Lord forgive O Lord defer not but even now speak peace unto me say unto my Soul I am thy Salvation to whom be ascribed all Honour and Glory World without end Amen A Thanksgiving for God's sending his Son to save Mankind O Almighty and most merciful Lord God we might utterly despair and be cast down considering our manifold Sins and infinite Offences had not thy Word been made Flesh and dwelt among us but now we dare not despair for if when we were Enemies we were reconciled unto thee by the Death of thy Son how much more being reconciled are we saved by his Life All our hope and all our confidence is reposed in that precious Blood which was shed for us and for our Salvation II. O how greatly are we wretches bound to fear thee to love thee to bless and praise thee to honour thee and to glorifie thee seeing we are redeemed at such a price saved with such a gift cherished with so many promises and blessings of the same even thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ Stablish O God that which thou hast wrought in us finish what thou hast begun that we may be able to come into the fulness of thy Mercy make us through thy holy Spirit to understand and through thy Son to discern and with due honour and reverence this high Mystery of Godliness which is how God was manifest in the Flesh justified in the Spirit seen of Angels preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the World and received up into Glory where we doubt not but we shall Reign with him for evermore Amen The Prayer of a Woman with Child O God the Creator and Redeemer of all Mankind Comforter of all that call upon thee and the only deliverer of such as are in danger be merciful I beseech thee and look down in mercy from thy throne upon me thine Handmaid and upon the Fruit of my Womb behold I seek and sue unto thee for a Blessing at this time my Sin is great my Danger at hand not small my Pains to come will be grievous and my Life is now most uncertain II. Assure me I beseech thee of the forgiveness of all my Sins mitigate my Fear and asswage my Sorrows strengthen me with the refreshing of thy Spirit confirm me in the Faith of my Saviour and bless all good means appointed for my Comfort that in due time I may be a joyful Mother and see the Fruit of my Body safe sound and perfect without blemish or deformity III. O Lord I know not how soon my Travail will overtake me when I must encounter with Life or Death one drop of thy Mercy hath sovereign power to cure all the Wounds of those Sorrows Shed therefore O holy Father that drop of Grace upon me in that minute when I am to encounter with so stern an Adversary Strengthen me with Patience preserve me that I perish not and bless the work of my Midwife IV. Let not the Child yet unborn the Babe in my Womb be punished for mine Offences but give it growth form and what thou seest in thy good pleasure to be fit and necessary for it and when the time is come that thou wilt call it out of this close house of flesh where it now inhabiteth to dwell in the open World sanctifie thy Creature make it by Baptism a Member of thy Church a Lamb of thy Flock and direct it in the ways of thy Commandments to its Life's End Amen The Midwife's Prayer MOst gracious God who alone hast the power to produce Children from the Womb and bring them into the light of this World I thy most unworthy Servant whom thou hast appointed for this
Pyrates and Robbers preserve us from Lightning Tempest and Captivity hold the Winds in thy right hand and the Waves in thy left keep us from Thunder whose fearful Crack may rend us in pieces save us in the bitterness of Frost Hail Ice Snow or Whirlwind let us be prepared for Death and meditate upon those things that concern our better Life II. Send us the Prayers of those that are upon Land and bless all our Friends that are now parted from us Save our Souls from the great Leviathan whose Jaws are ready to devour us Make good our Provision for Bodily Sustenance as well as Furniture for our Ships Let thy Peace be amongst us save us succour and defend us O Lord thou Anchor of our Hope for thy Glory and for thy Name 's sake to whom be Praise and Glory World without end Amen A Thanksgiving for a safe arrival upon the Land after a Storm O Almighty God who hast now delivered me out of the Prison of the raging Sea and brought me to a Port of rest O make me truly thankful unto thee for this thy favour and mercy and in thy due time lead me also from out of the troublesome Sea of this World unto the longed for Haven and eternal Bliss and Happiness Thou hast brought me out of a great deal of danger which I was liable to whilst I was amongst the boisterous Waves and foaming Billows of the Waters I am subject O Lord every hour to as many Perils being now at Land how secure so ever I may think my self to be my feet are still slipping into the Grave I beseech thee to uphold me to save preserve and keep me that I may still glorifie thee the God of my Salvation II. Give me Wisdom Sobriety and Temperance when I now come amongst my old Lovers Friends Cause me to make a right use of those things which I have observed and beheld in Foreign Parts free my Soul and Conscience from any stain of Corruption and Infection which may hurt or destroy me keep me in all my ways send me Health and all things necessary for this Life that having passed the Waves of this troublesome World I may at last safely arrive at the harbour of everlasting rest through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer for Rain BLessed Lord who commandest the former and the latter Rain who in the time of Elias didst so shut up the Flood-gates of Heaven that it rained not on the Earth for the space of Three Years and six Months and yet when he prayed the Heaven gave Rain and the Earth brought forth her Fruit behold us thy People who mourn for want of moisture the Rivers of Waters are dried up and the Trees of the Field are withered send now we beseech thee a gracious Rain upon thine Inheritance and refresh it now it is weary make the Springs as Milk to moisten and to water the Valleys so shall the Earth bring forth her increase our Land have a plentiful supply and our Garners be furnished with store our Baskets shall be replenished our Cattle increased and thy holy Name for ever magnified II. We do confess and acknowledge O Lord that our Sins call for nothing but death and destruction and considering our deservings we cannot expect any blessing at thy hands Pardon we beseech thee what is past give us Obedience and Grace to do thy Will for the time to come and to satisfie the lawful desires of us thy Servants that we may not be wanting of our Food and daily Bread but may be pâ—rtakers of thy heavenly Blessings and wait upon thee for our Meat in due season Oppress us not with too much Poverty O Lord neither puff us up with too much Plenty but give us a competent store of things necessary for this life and grace to use them soberly to thy glory and our comfort through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer for fair Weather O Lord God who feedest with thy blessing every living thing and satisfiest the lawful desires of thy Servants with thy bountiful Goodness we wretched Sinners unworthy of the least of thy Benefits humbly beseech thee that thine Anger may cease which is threatned against us by this Rain and Tempest Defend us from those Evils which we are now likely to suffer make our Habitations like the Land of Goshen in the times of the Plagues of Aegypt Cause not the Waters O God thus to swell let not thy thunder go forth against us II. Preserve our Bodies Houses and Goods keep us from Deluge and Inundation and shew us some speedy token of Peace Send us a Remedy in this our presâ—nt misery turn our Dearth into Cheapness and our Scarcity into Plenty Give a blessing to that which we shall reap bless our store furnish us wherewithal to relieve others let not thy hand be shortned at this time but rebuke the Wind and Storm that we may have a pleasant Calm III. At thy Word O Lord the Mountains smoak the Heavens tremble and the Earth quakes at thine Anger the Sea roareth and makes a noise and the fearful Depths are broken down and troubled thou commandest the Clouds and they obey O shut them up for a time and let thy punishing Angel be no more seen Hear us O Lord in these our Prayers that with joyful and thankful Hearts we may sing Praises unto thee who rulest all things world without end Amen A Prayer of a Child before he goes to School ALmighty God who has promised that out of the mouths of Babes and Sucklings thou wilt have thy Wonders expressed behold I am a Child and cannot speak unto thee or call upon thee as I should but open thou my Lips that my Mouth may shew forth thy Praise Pour into my Lips the Waters of the Well of Life that I may learn those things that may lead me unto the knowledge of thy holy Laws II. Let me remember thee my Creator in the days of my youth while the evil days come not Teach me O Lord how to lead my life according to the Rule of Godliness Make me obedient to my Parents dutiful to my Teachers proud towards no man but rightly affectioned towards all People Add unto me length of Days supply me with vertues guide my feet in thy ways direct my mind sanctifie my stuâ—ies govern all my actions preserve my Body in health my Soul from uncleanness take from me all dulness and incapacity that may hinder my growth in knowledge and bring me to life everlasting through Jesus Christ my only Lord and Saviour Amen A Prayer in time of War O Eternal God who rulest and beholdest all the World and hast many times miraculously preserved defended us we beseech thee to shew thy power in these needful and perillous times whilst there is nothing but Wars and rumours of Wars amongst us Save us O Lord our God from our Enemies and put them to shame that hate us turn the weapons of our Adversaries and their
the Grave I praise thee O Lord from the very bottom of my heart for all thy love and boundless mercy and kindness for thy holy Incarnation Passion Resurrection and Ascention into Heaven and sitting at the right hand of God the Father where thou makest Intercession for me II. In thy merits I beseech thee to look upon me thou art that living Sacrifice that was offered up for me and in thy Name do I offer up unto thee this my morning Sacrifice evermore praising thee and magnifying thy holy Name Mortifie in me all fleshly Corruptions quicken me in the inner Man By the power of thy death let me die unto Sin and by the power of thy Resurrection let me rise to Righteousness and newness of Life Let the one as an antidote expel the poison of Ungodlyness and the other as a restorative excite me to Holiness III. Enlighten my Understanding that I may know thy Will reform my Life that I may do all things aright and to discern Good and Evil. Teach me to fear thy Name to neglect all things in regard of thee to be grieved at my own and others Sins but rejoyce exceedingly whensoever I can please thee Let me this Day labour that whatsoever I do may be pleasing in thy sight as I am thy Servant let me depend upon thee and as I am a Christian walk worthy of my Vocation and Calling IV. Be gracious and favourable unto the whole Church and bless every particular Member thereof be good to the light of our Eyes the breath of our Nostrils thy Solomon our gracious King bless thine own Tribe the Tribe of Levi the Nobility Gentry and Commonalty and let thy Peace rest upon those that pray for our Peace wheresoever dispersed over the Face of the whole Earth Lord keep me the remaining part of this Day in thy Truth and give me Peace and true Faith in thee now and for evermore Amen A Prayer for Thursday Noon For God's Blessing on our Endeavours O Eternal and most gracious God who though thou art ever infinite yet enlargest thy self by the number of our Prayers and takest our often Petitions to thee to be an addition to thy Glory so great is thy Humility toward poor Mortals I most humbly beseech thee O Lord that thine Eyes may continually attend upon me and thy Grace daily defend me from all danger succour cherish and comfort me in my Necessities and govern all my counsels Studies and Labours so that I may spend this Day according to thy blessed Will and the discharge of my own Conscience that warily avoiding all things that may displease thee and setting always before my Eyes thy Fear I may by the assistance of thy heavenly Grace and the guidance of thy holy Spirit work that which is acceptable and pleasing unto thee unto thy Praise and Glory for ever Amen A Prayer for Thursday Night For Deliverance from Sudden Death O Lord most holy the giver of all good things and the protector of all those that love thee I give thee most humble and hearty thanks nor only for thy preservation of me this day but all my life O Lord forgive me the Offences I have committed against thee this Day blot out all my sins with the blood of thy dear Son â—esus Christ and I beseech thee for his sake remember them no more II. Vouchsafe O Lord to extend thine accustomed goodness and protection over me this Night that I may peaceably and quietly take my rest which thou hast appointed for the refreshing of my wearied and weak body and I beseech thee to defend me that nothing hurt me keep me also good Lord from sudden and unprovided Death and preserve me by the guard of thy holy Angels that I may enjoy my rest this Night in thee until the Morning and then give my self to the fulfilling of my Duty the discharge of my Employment and the working of thy will unto my life's end III. In whose Name I referr my self wholly to the Almighty Protection even in the Name of thy blessed Son Jesus Christ the Righteous beseeching thee that when this Life shall have an end and my last sleep being come I may take my everlasting Rest with thee in thy heavenly Kingdom for the which Kingdom I do heartily beseech thee of thine inestimable goodness to fit and prepare me and all other thy Servants to the attainment of the same for the glory of thy holy Name and the everlasting comfort of our own Souls Amen Meditations for Friday THe Lord even the most mighty God hath spoken and called the world from the rising up of the Sun unto the going down thereof Out of Sâ—on hath God appeared in perfect beauty Our God shall comâ— and shall not keep silence there shâ—ll go before him a consuming firâ— and a mighty tempest shall be stirred up round about him He shall call the Heaven from above and the Earth that he mâ—y judge his People Gather my Saints together unto me those that have made a Covenant with me with Sacrifice And the Heavens shâ—ll declare his Righteousness for God is Judge himself Hear O my People and I will speak I my self will testifie against thee O Israel for I am God even thy God I will not reprove thee because of thy Sacrifices or for thy Burnt-offerings because they were not always before me I will take no Bullock out of thine house nor He-goats out of thy fold For all the Beasts of the Forest are mine and so are the Cattle upon a thousand hills I know all the Fowls upon the mountains and the wild Beasts of the field are in my sight If I be hungry I will not tell thee for the whole world is mine and all that is therein Thinkest thou that I will eat Bulls flesh and drink the blood of Goats Offer unto God thanksgiving and pay thy vows unto the most highest And call upon me in the time of trouble so will I hear thee and thou shalt praise me But unto the ungodly said God why dost thou preach my Laws and takest my Covenant in thy mouth Whereas thou hatest to be reformed and hast cast my Words behind thee When thou sawest a thief thou consentedst unto him and hâ—st been partaker with the Adulterers Thou hast let thy mouth speak wickedness and with thy tongue thou hast set forth deceit Thou satest and spakest against thy Brother yea and hast slandered thine own Mother's Son These things hast thou done and I held my tongue and thou thoughtest wickedly that I am even such a one as they self but I will reprove thee and set before thee the things that thou hast done O consider this ye that forgâ—t God lest I pluck you away and there be none to deliver you Whoso offereth me thanks and praise he honoureth me and to him that ordereth his conversatition aright will I shew the salvation of God Glory be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. A Prayer for