seldome and so slightly meditate vpon thy kindnesse Let not our vnthankefulnesse turn away thy intended blessings from vs stablish his throne we beséech thée let his soule be bound in the būdle of life with thee cast out the soule of his enemies as out of the middle of a sling As thou hast preuented him with liberal blessings and set a crowne of pure gold vpon his head so let his glorie be great in thy saluation and make him glad with the ioy of thy countenance Go on to giue him thy iudgments that the righteous may flourish in his dayes and that hee may iudge the poore of the people and saue the children of the néedy subdue the oppressor Let him not wāt a man of his own line to sit vpon his seat but continue the kingdom in his posteritie vntil the time in which al earthly kingdomes must be determined And as thou hast made his Quéen like a fruitful vine on the sides of his house a ioyful mother of many royall plāts so we pray thée lay vpon her much dignitie and honor blesse thē both out of Zion so that they may see the wealth of Ierusalem all their dayes Let their children bee as chosen shafts in thy quiuer make thē as the plants growing vp in their youth and as the corner stones grauen after the similitude of a palace Chiefely we beseech thee to poure out a large measure of thy blessings vpon the young Prince Henrie enrich him with all princely vertues water him so with thy heauenly dew that knowledge of thy truth zeale for thy glorie loue to thy Church perfite hatred of Popish Idolatrie may in him growe vp with his years that so he may also in his appointed time become another Instrument vnder thee for the further enlargement of thy Gospel and the prosperitie and happinesse of these Realmes Alwayes afford thy gratious presence to those honorable Lords of his Maiesties Councill be◠thou the President at their Table direct their consultations sanctifie their policies order their purposes and guide all their courses to such conclusions as may bee most for thy glorie the honour of the King the peace of the State and the comfort of thy chosen Blesse all the Iudges Sages and Magistrates of the State make thē as hiding places frō the wind as a refuge for the tempest for the oppressed cause them euer to remember that they are thy Ministers for the peoples wealth that they execute not the iudgements of man but of the Lord that although thou hast honored them with thine own name calling them gods yet they shal die as men fall like others that so iudgement may not be turned into gal nor the fruite of righteousnes into wormewood but the iustice may be executed truly vprightly in the gates al things may be to the praise of them that do wel to the punishment of those that are workers of iniquitie Neither may we O Lord forget those whō thou hast put in the seruice of thy church to féed the flock which dependeth on them to rule thē to go in out before them to labour in the worde and in doctrine Thou O Christ art the chief shepheard bishop of our soules thou art the Lorde of the haruest build vp wee beséech thée the breaches of thy Church make the righteousnes thereof to breake foorth yet more as the light the saluation thereof as a burning lampe Continue the standing and encrease the number of those seeing watchmen whom thou hast placed vpon the walls of Ierusalem stirre them vp that they cease not day nor nor night working the worke with which thou hast entrusted them and faithfully dispensing that word of reconciliation which thou hast committed to them Kindle in thē the zeale of Samuel that they may say God forbid that we should sin against the Lorde cease praying for the people and shewing them the good the right way Make them with Paul to say Woe vnto vs if wee preach not the Gospell And be pleased also so to blesse their endeuours to prosper their labours by giuing them a doore of vtterance and by preseruing them from vnreasonable and euill men that they may from euery part of the Land bring many sheaues into thy barne and that dayly those that are ordained vnto life eternall may belieue And for a continuall supply and nurserie to thy Churches amongst vs blesse the Vniuersities and Schooles of learning let not those fountaines O Lord bee poysoned with any popish leauen but grant that the doctrine which is according to godlinesse being taught professed in them in sinceritie by the yong plāts there springing vp the decais of congregations abroad may be renued and euerie place may be furnished with a Pastor after thy owne heart which may féed the people with knowledge and with vnderstanding And Lorde restraine and reforme the gréedinesse of those which muzzle their mouthes which should tread out the corne and bring foorth the foode of life vnto thy people which respect not the Leuite but abridge the hire of the labourer and say one to another Let vs take to our possessiō the habitatiōs of God Throughout the Land and among all the inhabitants therof plant the true knowledge feare of thee loyalty to their soueraine obedience to all subordinate authoritie loue reuerence to their spiritual guides vnitie of affection mercie and compassion either to other And inasmuch as O Lorde wee haue continuall experience of the malice of the diuell in sowing the séedes of sedition and treason in mens hearts and in raysing vp the sonnes of Behal to ouercast if it might be the faire day of our peace with a cloud of hellish cōfusiō we pray thée without whom no enterprises canne bee established to make voyd their hopes to discouer their practises and as thou hast hitherto euen miraculously done to turne their deuises vpon their owne heads for their own confusion There come dayly out of that Pit of Rome many Locusts and frō that Sea there is sent among vs a continual spawne of new conspirators these encourage themselues in wicked purposes they commune together to lay snares mischiefe they imagine against the quiet of the Land It vexeth them to sée the thriuing of the Gospell and the grouth of thy truth and they do euen breath out threatnings and slaughters against the professors thereof Let not O Lord their imaginations prosper let their eyes fall out with looking for that day which they haue long desired Let thy hand euen thy right hand find thē out if they belong not vnto thée make them like a fierie ouen in the time of thine anger destroy their fruit from the earth and their séed frō the children of men put them apart and make ready the strings of thy bowe against their faces And as for vs O Lord suffer vs not to were wanton with the blessings of peace nor to forget to render to thée according to thy rewardes bestowed but grant that thy kindnesses may bind vs more strongly vnto thee that wee may resolue by thy grace to serue thee faithfully who with vs dealst so graciously that in for Christ Iesus sake thy son our Sauiour Amen FINIS A Table of the Prayers contained in this Booke A Morning prayer for priuate families pag. 1. An Euening praier for priuate families p. 15 A Morning prayer for a priuate person p. 35 An Euening prayer for a priuate person p. 44 A more particular Morning prayer for the sabaoth day p. 55 A prayer before the hearing of the word p. 64 A praier before the receiuing the Sacrament of the Lords Supper p. 72 A thankesgiuing after p. 78 A prayer for the afflicted in what kind soeuer p. 80 A prayer in respect of some losse as of Honor Goods c. p. 88 A prayer fitted to the losse of an especiall friend as Father Husband c. p. 95 A prayer applyed to the state of a man inwardly perplexed with the horror of sinne with doubtings of Gods fauour and with the tentations of satan tending to despaire p. 100 A prayer then needfull when a man hath some speciall combate with some one or moe speciall sins against which he desireth victorie p. 115 A prayer of humiliation and sorrow after some speciall sinne committed p. 120 A prayer in respect of death needfull at all times but especially in sickenesse p. 131 A prayer more specially fitted to the state and occasions of a sicke man p. 141 A direction for those who denie to perform the Christian dutie of praier for their sake whome they come to visite p. 152 A thanksgiuing for a sick man after recouerie p. 157 A prayer for a woman in her trauaile p. 161 A thāksgiuing after deliuerie p. 164 A prayer for those which are employed in the assistance of a trauailing womā p. 168 A thankesgiuing when God hath blessed their paines in the womans deliuerie p. 170 A prayer for a souldier fighting for his Countrey or the confederates thereof p. 173 A prayer for a man trauailing by Sea about his lawful businesse p. 178 A Prayer applyed to the state of a Malefactor condemned by law to die drawing to the time of executiō p. 184 A prayer rising out of the serious meditation of the last Iudgement p. 193 A prayer fitted to the time of warre p. 202 Another of like nature respecting the time of Dearth and Famine p. 207 Another like applyed to the time of some great contagion p. 215 A meditation or prayer for a poore man p. 220 Another of like nature for one whom God hath enriched with outward things p. 230 A prayer for the whole State 239
Hereupon I thought with my selfe that as familiar Catechismes and plaine Treatises haue their vse being ioyned to the publique ministry to bring those which are yet but babes in Christ 1. Cor. 3.1 vnto knowledge so also some helpe in this kind might bee good to beget feeling and to be a guide to those which haue as yet but stammering and lisping tongues vntill they shall be able hauing tongues as fined siluer Pro. 10.20 plainly and distinctly to speake the lāguage of Canaan Isa 19.18 For this cause I gaue my booke no greater title thē A HELP to DEVOTION because I would not bee mistaken or thought to intend any thing els but onely to further their religious purpose who would faine learn to pray orderly and effectually vnto God And in this course I am sure that I am not without Examples Worthy Diuines haue in these latter times bestowed their paines this way M. Iohn Bradford M. Edw. Deering M. H. Smith M. R. Rogers pag. 421. of his 7. Treatises M. Brinsly in the second part of the True Watch and others whome I need not name I might mention others of other countreyes as M. Caluin in the end of his Cathechisme c. But the warrant of the Scripture is aboue all I will say nothing of those formes which wee finde appointed for publique vse in the Temple that which I endeauour to iustifie is the lawfulnesse of formes for priuate helpe I might tell thee of the words of Prayer which the Prophet bade the people to take vnto them and to say vnto the Lord Hos 14.3 of the forme which Habakkuk was wont to vse for the ignorances of the people Chap. 3.1 of the many Psalmes which are stiled Psalmes of instruction not onely because the matter was of vse to instruct Christians but also because the very mould it selfe might remaine as a helpe in Prayer for those who should at any time fall into the like occasion which the enditer of the particular Psalmes was exercised with These other things might I insist vpō But I finde a title giuen to one Psalme which shall be to mee in stead of many proofes Psal 102. It is this A Prayer of the afflicted when he shall bee in distresse and powre foorth his meditation before the Lord. Which Psalme thogh ayming perhaps at some more speciall afflictiō in which the seruants of God then were yet inasmuch as it is reported in the title to be for the general vse of an afflicted person as indeede it is excellent for such an occasion it seemeth to mee abundantly to satisfie all those who shall doubt of the conueniencie of such set directions Thus hauing acquainted thee with my whole intent and laboured least thou shouldest be forestalled by any mis-opinion to shew warrant for my doing I commend my endeauours to thee and thee to the Lord praying him to furnish thee with the spirit of supplication Zech. 12.10 that thou mayest bee so full of holy matter Iob 32.18 and so aboūding with gratious speach Col. 4.6 that thine ability to vtter thine owne feeling vnto God may bring much sweetnesse to thy Soule and no lesse comfort to others if thou bee at any time occasioned to speake in the name of others vnto his Maiestie Adding this withall that if thou ayme not at this grace but content thy selfe still to speake no other wordes but such as are put into thy mouth thou wrongest thy selfe greatly and all those who haue laboured to bring thee vnto more perfection Farewell Thine in the Lord Sam. Hieron A short Aduertisment touching Preparation before Praier In which is shewed 1. The necessitie of it 2. The manner of it THe necessitie of Preparation may appeare manie waies 1 By our sauiours platform in which the Petitions are not set downe abruptlie but a solemne preface is prefixed like a faire porch to a beautifull house to teach vs to frame our affections and set them in due order before we draw neere to speak vnto the Lord. 2 By expresse commandement Bee not rash with thy mouth nor let thine heart be hastie to vtter a thing before God Eccles 5.1 It is a dangerous thing to babble out vndigested vnaduised words in his eares 3 By example O GOD sayth Dauid mine heart is prepared so is my tongue c. Psal 108.1 It was the difference betwixt him and hypocrites that he washed his hands in innocencie before he would compasse the Altar Psal 26.6 4 By due proportion from outward things If a man goe before a Prince or man of authority he will thinke vpon his cariage he will set his tale in order and meditate what to say how much more then should we prepare when we come to speake to God who is higher then the Kinges of the Earth 2 The manner of Preparation stands in Praying Meditating 1 PRaying Meruaile not that I make Praying a preparatiue to praier A little eating prepareth a weake stomacke and setteth an edge vppon the appetite to eate more so in prayer Therefore Dauid before prayer praied Let my prayer be directed in thy sight as incense c. Set a watch O Lord before my mouth and keepe the doore of my lips Ps 141.2.3 A lifting vp of the soule to heauen with a desire of direction is a good preparatiue 2 Meditating vpon three things 1 GODS maiestie 2 GODS promises 3 Our owne vilenes The reason is this There are 3 thinges chiefelie requisite in prayer which are helped by this threefold meditation 1 Humilitie and lowlines of spirit begotten by the due consideration of Gods Maiestie 2 Confidence and assurance to be heard bredde by the knowledge of Gods promises 3 Feruencie of affection springing from the apprehension of our owne vileness That the maiestie of God must bee thought vpon is proued Eccles 5.1 Hee that speaks to God is bidden to remēber that God is in heauen That the promises must be muzed vppon appeares 2. Sam. 7.27 Thou hast reueiled vnto thy seruant c. Therefore hath thy seruant beene bold to pray c. Genesis 32.11.12 I pray thee deliuer me c. for thou sayedst I will surelie dooe thee good What courage can we haue to goe to the throne of grace without the warrant of promise That our owne vilenesse must bee remembred it is euident Gen. 32.10 I am lesse then the least of thy mercies Ezra 9.6 O my God I am ashamed and confounded to lift vp mine eyes c. for our iniquities are increased c. Thus then prepare thy self to pray Exercise thy thoughts before hand vpon these three things 1 what a presence full of maiestie thou must come into 2 what sweete promises he hath made to encourage thee 3 what neede thou hast to fly to his mercie This will furnish thee with humilitie tempered with cheerefulnes both whetted on quickened by the feeling of thy owne necessitie To helpe thy meditations of Gods maiesty remember Psal 104.1 O Lord my God thou art exceeding great thou art clothed
with glorie and honor c. 1. Tim. 6.16 who only hath immortality and dwelleth in a light that none can attaine to c. and such like places To supply thee with words of promise consider Psa 50.15 Call vpon me c. so wil I deliuer thee c. Is 65.24 yea before they call I will answer and whiles they speake I will heare Iohn 14.13 Whatsoeuer you aske in my name that will I do and many such testimonies To bring thee to see thy own vilenesse ponder Iob 5.14 Man drinks iniquitie like water cha 25.4 Hee cannot bee cleane that is borne of a woman Psalme 51.5 I was borne in Iniquitie c. Romanes 7.18 I knowe that in my flesh dwelleth no good thing Gather account of thy particular sinnes as Iob did Chapter 9.3 View thy selfe often in the glass of the Law 1. A Morning Prayer for priuate Families MOst gratious GOD and louing FATHER in all humilitie of soule and vnfained acknowledgement of our bounden duty we present our selues heere before thy throne of maiestie and glory desiring in some measure to shew our thankfulnesse for the multitude of thy mercies heaped vpon vs thy most vnworthy seruants By thee at the first we were fearefully and wonderfully made thou coueredst vs in our mothers wombes thou gauest vs the shape of men women when it was free for thee to haue equalled vs vs vnto thy basest creatures since it hath pleased thée to preserue vs to watch ouer vs and to guard vs by thy prouidence to open thy hand and to replenish vs with good things to giue vs foode and rayment health libertie peace O Lord thy compassions faile not but they are renued euerie morning euen in this night past we haue receiued an apparant euidence of thy loue For whereas for the sinnes committed the day before thou mightest euen in the deade of sleepe haue taken our soules from vs and so suddenly haue brought vs to our account it hath been thy pleasure yet to spare vs and not onlie so but to refresh vs with quiet rest and to bring vs in safetie to the beginning of this day Grant O Lord wee pray thee that the ordinarie vse of these thy kindnesses may not make vs the lesse to esteem them but so affect our hearts with the apprehension of them that we may learne to admire thy mercy which dealest so gratiously with such vnthankfull persons as wee haue alwayes béene and may euen bind our selues to striue to shew all obedience duty to thee which dost so enlarge thy goodnes vnto vs. But chiefelie O Lord raise vp we beseech thee our hearts and our affections from these outward fauours the least of which notwithstanding is greater then the best of our deseruings and drawe vs to the serious consideration of those blessings which doe more directlie concerne a better life Make vs thankefully mindfull of the grace of election by which thou fréely chosest vs in Christ to be vessels of mercie before we were of thy sending thy sonne out of thine owne bosome being in thine owne forme to take on him the forme of a seruant and to become obedient vnto the death euen the death of the Crosse for our sakes of thy calling vs out of the kingdome of darknes by the power of the gospel preached of thy shining into our hearts by the enlightening of thy spirit of quickening vs when we were dead in trespasses and sinnes of thy begetting vs againe vnto a liuelie hope of the first fruites of the spirit and of that earnest of our inheritance which thou hast giuen vs of the dailie free vse and libertie of thy worde whereby that great mysterie of godlines yea euen thy whole counsell is cléerelie reuealed to vs. O Lord teach vs to consider what miserable creatures wee were in our selues what a fearefull case we had yet beene in if thou hadst left vs to our selues that so the veiw of these vnspeakable and vndeserued fauours may euen rauish our spirits and so possesse our hearts that we may constantly resolue henceforth to giue vppe our selues as a liuing sacrifice holie and acceptable vnto thee and to deuote all our powers both of soule and body to the glorie and honor of thy name And Lord enable vs hereunto we pray thée for we are not suffcient of our selues to thinke anie thing as of our selues we are naturally reprobate to euerie good worke Open therefore the eies of our mind that we may see what is good and what thou requirest of vs teach vs to make thy word our delight counsellor that by it we may be informed in thy paths put thy spirit within vs and cause vs to walke in thy statutes let our eares continually hear a word behind vs saying This is the way giue vs hearts of flesh yéelding pliable affections subdue the crookednes of our nature and bring it vnder the obedience of Christ And when thou hast entred vs into a good course vphold vs therein by thy alsufficient grace stablish vs in euerie worde and good worke fill vs with the fruites of righteousnesse let vs not be idle nor vnfruitfull-in our profession but graunt that wee may bee euen rich in good workes and so may adorne the doctrine of thée our Sauiour in all thinges making the aduersaries of thy truth ashamed when they shall haue nothing concerning vs to speake euill of And shield vs O Lord we earnestlie intreate thee against the malice and rage and fury of the diuel giue vs wisedome to discerne his policies and courage to resist euen his most fiery assaults make vs wise against the beguiling entisements of this sinfull world let vs not be caried awaie with the streame of these corrupt times harden our faces against the reproches enmities of euill men suffer vs not to bee wearyed nor to faint in our minds for any tribulations sanctifie vnto vs euerie affliction that it maie bee a meanes to purge out our corruptions Draw our mindes from the loue of this present world teach vs to vse it as if wee vsed it not graunt that wee may euer remember that wee haue heere no continuing citty that so we may séeke for that kingdome that cannot be shaken but is eternall in the heauens Cause vs to depend vpon thy prouidence and to cast our care and burden vpon thee assuring our selues that thou which hast giuen vs Christ canst not but with him giue vs all thinges also And Lord if at any time we fall by occasion into a fault as who are we that we should presume put vnder thy hand we beséech thée deliuer vs out of the mire that we sinke not let not sinne swallow vs vppe let it not grow strong vpon vs least wee perish Enable vs vnto diligence and faithfulnes in our seuerall callings teach vs to lift vppe our heartes to thee for a blessing vpon our indeuours and to remember that we are alwayes in thy presence that so we may studie to walke
haue I these things but from thee The safety of this night the quiet rest wherwith I haue béene refreshed to whom can I ascribe it but onely vnto thee That I haue liued hitherto that I haue not béene swallowed vp with some suddaine iudgement that Sathan had not had his will vpon me that I know the way and the meanes vnto a better life that I am deliuered from the power of darknesse and translated into the kingdome of thy deare Sonne that I haue daily accesse into thy glorious presence whence are all these but from the freedome of thy grace If thou hadst giuen mée my desert I should haue perished long agoe it is from thy mercy alone that I am not consumed O Lord make mee ashamed of mine vnthankefulnesse wound my hart with the consideration of my owne dulnesse whom so many kindnesses haue not wrought vnto more obedience And vouchsafe I pray thee notwithstanding the smalnesse of my deseruing yet to looke graciously vpon this my morning sacrifice of prayse which I do here tender vnto thy Maiesty let not I beséech thée the scantnes and barrennes of my seruice make thee to turne away thine eyes and to haue no regarde vnto mine offering But as thou art wont to spare thy seruants euen as a man spareth his owne sonne that serueth him and in them to accept the will for the ful performance so be pleased to looke vpon mée in Iesus Christ and for his sake to remit my former vngratefulnesse and to strengthen me by thy grace for the time to come in some good measure to reforme the same And to the end O God that I may manifest the trueth of my desire to be thankefull I beséech thee to beget in me a holy care both this day and for euer to walke worthy of that calling wherevnto I am called to study to please thee with reuerence and with feare by a blamelesse pure and vnrebukeable conuersation to shine as a light amongst men I cannot I confesse doe this of my selfe I haue in mee the same corruption of nature which the most wicked hath I entreat thée therefore to worke in mee that which is pleasant in thy sight Giue me a cleane heart and a right spirit make mee to vnderstand aright the way of thy precepts direct me in the path of thy commandements knit my soule vnto thee and make it to cleaue vnto thy testimonies stay mee and stablish me that my foot-steps may not slide Crucifie my flesh with the affections and lustes mortifie my members which are on earth suppresse and subdue that law in my members which leades mee captiue vnto the law of sinne Graunt that I may sensibly féele the power of Christes death killing corruption in mee and the power of his resurrection raising mee vppe vnto newnesse of life Make mee to resolue to renounce euen my swéetest and best-pleasing sinnes and not to take libertie to my selfe to continue in any knowne vngodlinesse Let it bée inough that I haue hitherto giuen the raynes vnto mine owne lusts graunt that heereafter I may take no thought for the flesh to content it but may striue rather to curbe and to subdue it and to bring it vnder the yoke of due obedience And good Lorde encrease my fayth and better my féeling and apprehension of thy loue that I may with courage and chearefulnesse runne the race which is set before me Blesse mee also this day in the dutyes of my calling Idlenesse and godlinesse cannot agrée and it is thy will that in the sweate of my face I should eate my bread Preserue me from all fraudulent guilefull oppressing gréedy courses draw my affections from the loue of the world fixe my heart vpō the things which are aboue If things succéede according to my minde make mee thankefull to thée which hast giuen the blessing If any crosse come make mee patient and carefull to profit by euery chastizement And because the daily occasions of danger to my soule are infinite teach me to put on thy whole armor and to kéepe my heart with all diligence to furnish my selfe with holy meditations to make a couenant with mine eyes to kéepe my mouth with a bridle for the auoyding of all filthy communication to vse such words as may minister grace vnto the hearers to bée sober in diet wary in disports moderate in apparell choise in my company and euer to practise that cōtinuall feare which hath a promise of blessednesse Finally Lord so guide mee through the course of this whole day both in my priuate and more publique imployments that if I liue by thy sufferance vntill night I may haue much comfort in the taking notice of thy grace and goodnesse towards me and all this for Christ Iesus sake thy onely Sonne and my alone Sauiour Amen 4. An Euening Prayer for a priuate Person MOst mercifull God and gratious Father in Iesus Christ were it not that thou hast made a gratious promise in thy word that whatsoeuer is asked of thee in the name of thy Sonne shall bée bestowed I should not dare to presse into thy presence being guilty to my selfe of so many sinnes which I haue heaped vp in thy sight from the beginning of my dayes vntill this present I am by nature O Lorde the child of wrath a vassall of Sathan no better then a very firebrand of hell It is thy great mercy that I escaped the fury of thy wrath due vnto mée at the very instant of my birth in respect of that masse of corruptiō which I brought with mée from my my mothers wombe Neither haue I since I came to vnderstanding any whit amended or bettered my first estate but I haue added to it a numberlesse number of transgressions breaking euery of thy commandements by thought word and déede sinning in many things against knowledge against conscience and against that light which thou hast giuen me yea cleane against many vowes and promises of better obedience I haue no colour of excuse nothing haue I to plead in the defence of my many slips If I dispute with thée I must néedes lay my hand vpon my mouth and learne to abhorre my selfe in dust and ashes And Lord giue me I beséech thee a fleshy and melting heart that nothing may more affect mée or touch me more deepely then to sée my owne vilenesse and how disobedient and stubborne I haue béene towardes thee which hast euen heaped vpon mee so many fauours Make me ashamed of my barrennesse and vnfruitfulnesse in my profession who haue giuen thee iust cause to range mée among those hypocrites which make a shew of godlinesse but yet deny the power thereof Beget in me that godly sorow which causeth true repentāce neuer to be repented of that I may bee grieued in my very soule for my sins not so much because of the danger of hell that followeth as because I haue offended thee the loue of whose maiestie ought to bee a sufficient motiue to obedience And for the
furtherance of my humiliation sorow cause me O Lord to search to try my wayes to call my selfe to a straite account that I may sée my sins in particular the vanitie of my heart my extreame deadnes securitie my pride hautines of spirit my backwardnesse to all good seruices my worldly-mindednesse my ambitious rising and crauing thoughts my want of charity mercy to others my miscariage in my place calling my idle vnbeséeming speaches my offensiue scandalous behauiour thus O Lord make me carefull to rip vp my heart and life that so I may set my sins in order before me may thereby become the more humble the more forward to cast down my selfe before thee to iudge my selfe that I may not be iudged of thee Yet withall most gratious God make me able in the middest of all this to reach out the hand of faith to lay hold vpō Iesus Christ whō thou hast ordained to be the recōciliatiō for my sins I know O Lord the vertue of his blood that it can make my sins though they were as crimsm yet to become as white as snowe O then I beséech thee couer my filthy nakednesse with his glorious righteousnesse cloth me with the garments of his Saluatiō that so therby I may be holy and vnblameable without fault in thy sight Speake peace vnto my Conscience by thy holy Spirit Say vnto my soule I am thy Saluation My fayth O Lorde is but weake and poore strengthen it I beséech thée and bring it forward by thy mighty working vnto more perfection Thou hast promised not to quench the smoking flaxe nor to breake the bruised réede beare then I pray thee with my scantnesse and helpe my vnbeliefe perfite the worke of thy owne hands performe it vntill the day of Iesus Christ My fayth is that I must liue by it is my victorie thou O Lord in mercy hast begun it cherish it I beséech thée together with all those graces which accompany saluation that they may bee in mee as a well of water springing vppe into euerlasting life And graunt that I may not be presumingly secure touching mine owne estate but may euer and anone bee proouing and examining my selfe whether I am in the fayth or no and that I may also study and striue to giue euidence of my fayth by shewing forth good works and by bringing foorth good fruite euen fruite worthy amendement of life I am compassed about with many weakenesses and as I haue found by the experience of this one day Sathan is full of malicious cunning to worke vpon all aduantages O Lorde strengthen mee to resist him giue mee holy wisedome to to discouer his sleights and grace to withstand his most sharpe assaults Arme mee also against the reproches and obloquies of the worlde I haue learned in thy word that if I serue thee in sinceritie my name shall bée put out as euill amongst men giue mée both care to cary my selfe out of the reach of iust exception and resolution also to sacrifice my credit estimation yea euen my life it selfe if néed be to thy glory Teach mee to learne of the author and finisher of my fayth to despise the shame and to endure the speaking against of sinners in respect of that eternall waight of ioy and glorie which is set before me And now Lorde with the bowing of my Soule I blesse thy name for this daies preseruation How many euils haue I escaped to which I was subiect by nature and to which I had made my selfe subiect through sin It is thou Lord onely which makest mee to dwell in safety Stretch out the wings of thy grace protectiō ouer me this night though sléepe seize vpon the eyes of my body yet let not securitie oppresse my soule kéepe mée from idle fancies from vaine dreames giue me a sober and sanctified vse of al outward refreshings that I may alwayes in all things ayme at this one thing namely how I may be the better fitted to serue thee faythfully in my place and calling and that for Christ Iesus his sake thy onely Sonne and through thy mercy my louing Sauiour Amen 5. A more particular Morning Prayer on the beginning of a Sabbath day MAnifold O Lorde are thy mercies thy goodnesse is infinite In euery particular which befalleth mee I haue aboundant experience of thy loue It is much most gratious God that I which haue so many wayes prouoked thee should bee let to liue to behold the light and comfort of the day But much more is it that hauing béene heretofore a profaner of thy holy day a barren and an hypocriticall professor of thy word a fruitlesse and an vnprofitable hearer I should yet enioy the blessed opportunitie of another Sabaoth How iustly mightst thou long since haue fatted vp my heart and giuen mee ouer vnto a reprobate mind taking from me the comfortable and happie freedome of going into thy house and of giuing attendance vpon the postes of thy doores O teach mee I pray theée to value thy mercy in this behalfe according to the true worth thereof Suffer me not slightly to entertaine either this or any other of thy fauours And as thou hast brought mee to the beginning of this holy rest so enable me I beséech thee to thee sanctifying it and to such a kind of spending the same as thou requirest Teach mee to remember that it is thine owne ordinance euen one of those vnchangeable lawes which thou wrotest with thine owne finger that this day should after a more speciall manner be diuerted deuoted to thy seruice that thou hast not therefore restrained outward imployments in our callings because idelenes pleaseth thee or because ease giuen vnto the flesh is a part of thy worship but that thou hast in thy infinite wisedome so appointed it that being fréed from all other encombrances we might wholy apply our selues eyther to the publique or priuate exercises of godlinesse Giue mee therefore grace I most humbly entreat thee that I may call thy Sabbaoth a delight to consecrate it as glorious vnto thee and that I may beware of doing mine owne waies or of séeking mine own will or of speaking vaine words and may euen bind my selfe to a serious and continued course of seruing thée in the practise of such dueties as belong to the hallowing of this day I know O Lord that herein I shall méet with many lets mine owne corrupt nature will repine thinke this a yoke and a burden that cannot be endured abroad in the world I shall sée many vaine fashions followed by great troupes making thy day a day of carnal pleasure I shall be derided and scorned if I refuse to doe as others doe I shal méet also with many cunning perswaders which will séeke by plausible reasons to draw mee from diligence and constancy in this course O Lorde I beséech thée euen with the bowing of my heart to make me strong against all
these withdrawments Grant that I may more estéeme obedience to thee then either the coÌ„tenting of mine own sensual affections or the auoyding of reproche amoÌ„g profane persons or the satisfying of men be their pretenses what they may be I am taught O Lord I do belieue it that thy yoke is easie that thy coÌ„mandements are not grieuous I know that by a holy vse in these religious seruices I shall make them so familiar vnto me shall also find that excéeding swéetnes in them that I shal euen long for thy Sabaoth before it comes the time will séeme short vnto me that is so bestowed And for this day most louing Father I pray thee blesse vnto me the particular businesses thereof In praying giue me reuereÌ„ce to thy Maiestie sense of my own waÌ„ts fayth in thy promises fresh remembrance of thy former kindnesses charitable compassionate yéelding affections towards others In hearing vouchsafe mee an vnlocked an vnderstaÌ„ding heart a right iudgement meekenes of spirit liuelines of affectioÌ„ fastnes of memory In coÌ„municating at thy table bestow on me an huÌ„bled soule a hungring heart a coÌ„science purged from dead workes power of sweet meditation vpon the death of Christ In looking vpon the administration of Baptisme afforde mee mindfulnesse of mine owne vowe remorse for my often fayling in that solemne promise earnestnesse of desire for the good of the baptized ioy for the encrease of thy Church In singing take froÌ„ me all both dulnes and vanity make me to sing with a grace in my heart still striuing to lift vp my soule vnto thee Enlarge my heart towards others as occasion shall be offered that I may bee ready to giue to those that want forward in euery good work comfortable to the sicke tender hearted to those whom thou hast humbled apt to make peace where discord is Let all workes of mercy bee a delight vnto me and make mee carefulll not to stay till I am prouoked but to séeke occasions to doe good And when I am priuate O Lord sanctifie my thoughts that I may meditate in good things and may hide thy worde in my secret parts and may loue it and especially that I may shewe the fruite of it in all my conuersation Finally I humbly pray thee so to guide me both in publique and priuate dutyes that when it commeth to euening I may féele my knowledge to be encreased my fayth strengthened my soule conscience abundantly refreshed and all this for Christ Iesus his sake for thine owne Names sake Amen 6. Another Prayer something more speciall respecting the hearing of Gods word ETernall God most gratious and mercifull in Iesus Christ euery good giuing euery perfect gift coÌ„meth down from thee thou hast coÌ„manded that if any man lacke wisedome hee should aske of thee thou hast promised to deny nothing that is asked of thee in thy Sons name In obedience vnto this thy commaundement in assurance of thy readines to make good thy promise I doe héere cast downe my selfe before thee praying thee as at all other times so now especially to be good vnto mee I am now O Lord by thy gratious prouidence to bee a partaker of thy holy word the preaching whereof is the ordinary meanes appointed by thee to saue my Soule to draw me out of the power of sathaÌ„ vnto thine own selfe I for my part am vnworthy of so great a fauour as to bee admitted to heare it and I am euery way vnfit vnable to heare it with profit My heart is ful of blindnes ignorance my affections are froward and vntractable I am euen reprobate by nature vnto euery good duty I am dul of hearing slow of coÌ„ceit backward to entertaine but apt to let slippe any good instruction I beseech thee in Iesus Christ by the working of thy spirit to reforme within mee these corruptions Make me as a new borne babe to desire the sincere milke of thy most sacred word graunt that I may reioyce at it as one that findeth a great spoyle let it bee better vnto me theÌ„ thousands of gold and siluer Open my heart as thou didst the heart of Lydia that I may euen with a kinde of hunger and gréedinesse attend vnto the things which are deliuered cleare the eyes of my mind anoint them with that pretious salue of thy spirit that the scales of ignorance may fall from them and that I may sée the wonders of thy Law euen thy hid wisedome which my nature of it selfe is not able to discerne And because thou hast promised to guide the humble in thy way and to reueale thy secret to the méeke take from mee I pray thee a proud heart teach mée to become a foole in my selfe that I may bee wise in thee Suffer me not to measure the mysteries of thy kingdome by mine owne blind reason and corrupt affection but giue me grace to deny my selfe and to labour to bring mine owne thoughts into captiuity vnder Christ that I may not dare to oppose mine owne conceipts and fancies vnto the maiestie of thy trueth reuealed in thy word Giue vnto the Preacher a doore of vtterance that he may open his mouth boldly to publish the secret of thy Gospel Direct his tongue that he may speak vnto my coÌ„science that if there bee any close corruptioÌ„ lurking in me as Lord who can vnderstaÌ„d his faults the searching power of thy word may discouer it and rip it vp euen to the very bottome And vouchsafe vnto me that meeknesse of spirit and such calme and yéelding affections that I may not repine nor murmure at reproofe but may loue him rather that rebuketh and may take it as a speciall fauour froÌ„ thee that I am not suffered to go on in sin nor giuen ouer to mine own corruptions In euery point of holy doctrine taught me make me to remember who it is the speaketh by the mouth of man that I may receiue the worde as a message from thee whether it be comfort or reproofe or instructioÌ„ so may giue it the reuereÌ„ce that awful respect which is due vnto thy holy Oracâ—â—s And because O Lord as I am naturally forgetfull so the deuill watcheth to catch away the worde as soone as it is deliuered therefore I pray thee to stablish my memorie that I may hold fast thy blessed trueth and may alwayes haue it in store against the time of néed To this end make mée carefull in the vse of all good priuate meanes such as are Prayer meditation conference with others as occasion shall require Beget in mée a godly discretion that I may diligently search the Scriptures whether the things I heare are so and may try all things neither rashly reiecting nor suddenly belieuing whatsoeuer is deliuered And when I haue found thy trueth so stablish my heart that I may not wauer nor be caryed about with euery wind of doctrine but may continue in the things which I haue learned
there being no hope of mercy left for such offendours that it is to no purpose for mee to pray for as I can not pray as I should otherwise then in hypocrisie so neither if I could pray aright can there bee any accesse vnto the throne of grace for the requests of such a trespasser Notwithstanding O most gracious God euen in despite of his suggestions and amidst all those discouragements which mine own heart mustereth against mee I doe héere aduenture my selfe into thy most glorious presence If I shall find fauour in thine eyes shew me the light of thy countenance and I shall bee safe If thou say I haue no delight in thee behold héere I am do to me as séemeth good in thine owne eyes I knowe what thou hast spoken in thy worde namely that if I draw néere vnto thee thou wilt drawe néere vnto mee and that thou wilt fulfill the desires and accept the vnexpresseable grones and sighings of thy seruants Trueth it is O Lord I dare not say that I draw néere vnto thee as I should or that my desires are such as they ought to be or that I groane vnder my sinnes with such an effectuall and pearcing féeling as is fit All that I am able to doe and that in much weakenesse is to cry fayntly vnto thee Oh draw mee and I will runne after thee make mee to desire thy mercy in sinceritie bruise my heart that it may yeeld out many vndissembled sighings after thee Yet O Lorde though there bee in mee but such poor beginnings of grace suffer me not I beséech thee to cast away my confidence I am well assured that thou hast not forgotten the promise of not breaking the bruised réede nor putting out the smoking flaxe and of giuing a blessing vnto those which hunger after righteousnesse Is it possible O Lorde that thou shouldest leaue off to bee gracious and shut vppe thy tender mercies in displeasure Didst not thou send thy sonne into the world to dye euen for chiefe sinners Is it not true that wheÌ„ sinne abounds there thy grace abouÌ„deth much more Could I euer so much as trulie desire reconciliation with thâ—e vnlesse thou didst worke it in me Is not this request Lord helpe my vnbeliefe the very voyce of thy spirit within me Could I complaine of the hardnesse of my heart or sincerely lothe mine owne corruptions as being displeasing to thy maiestie if thine owne finger had not effected it Should I féele such a combate in my Soule such a tumult within me if thou hadst not truely begun to draw mee to thy selfe Would sathan so continually molest me and so egerly pursue me with variety of most malicious and sharpe assaults if I were still held captiue by him at his will Rayse me vppe therefore O Lord I pray thee refresh my deiected and cast downe soule perfit the work of grace which thou hast begun within mee make mee to heare of ioy and gladnes that the bones which thou hast broken may reioyce Thou hast set me as a marke vnto thy selfe thou hast written bitter things against mee and made mee to possesse my former iniquities thou hast hidden thy face from me and taken me for thine enemy coÌ„fort me now according to the dayes that thou hast afflicted me let mee behold thy face in righteousnesse and restore vnto me the ioy of thy saluation Rebuke sathan I most humbly beséech thee though thou please to buffet mee with his messengers yet let thy grace be sufficient for me and make thine owne power in reuiuing mee perfect and manifest by my weakenes which of it sell is ready to bee pressed downe with euery tentation Giue mee that holy wisedome not to belieue sathan no though he speake the trueth inasmuch as he is the father of lyes and neuer speaketh trueth but for a wicked purpose And O Lorde as thou encreasest my comfort so withall encrease my care that I may not fall from perplexitie to securitie but that I may alwayes keep my heart with all diligence proouing my fayth and searching my wayes and exercising my selfe vnto godlinesse Make mee a carefull and an vnderstanding hearer of thy word sith it is the word of life a quickening word a worde which doeth reioyce the heart and because except that be my delight I shall vtterly perish in mine afflictions Make mee circumspect to preuent sinne and fearefull ouer my selfe that sinne may not grow strong vpon me and graunt that I may study to preserue the peace of my conscience aboue all things taking héed of wounding it with presumptuous sinnes And O Lord stablish me with thy frée spirit that albeit sathan séeke to sift me to winnow me as wheat yet my faith may neuer fayle but may be as mouÌ„t ZioÌ„ which caÌ„not be remooued but remaineth for euermore Thus O my gracious God hauing through thy mercy peace in belieuing and ioy in thy holy spirit I shal finish my course in comfort which I pray thee graunt mee for his sake who is the Prince of peace euen Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holy Ghost bée all honour and glory now and for euer Amen 13. A Prayer then needfull when a man hath some speciall combate with some one or moe special sinnes against which hee desireth victory O Louing Father in Iesus Christ it hath pleased thee of thine abundant mercie to giue leaue to euery humbled distressed sinner to pour out his Soule before thee and thou hast bound thy selfe by a promise both to heare and to helpe all those which séeke thée with an vnfained heart The confident assuraÌ„ce hereof hath giueÌ„ me courage albeit most vnworthy to present my self here before thee to conceiue hope that thou wilt not send me empty away Wounded O Lord I am with mine owne hainous sins my vntamed flesh doth alwayes rebel lust against my spirit some good motions and purposes I sometimes haue but alas they are quickely quenched the law of my members so preuaileth that I cannot do the good which I would I haue in me I confesse the séed of euery sin my nature is apt to be wrought vnto any kind of euill But O God there are some principall corruptioÌ„s which do beare in me the greatest sway they do so euen raign in my mortal body that I am forced to obey them in the lusts therof The deuil also is ful of most malicious policie he still worketh vpoÌ„ all aduaÌ„tages out of al things almost taketh occasion to adde fuel to my wicked desires by pleasing delightful baites to lead them on vnto a hellish perfection The more I striue the stronger mee thinketh these corruptions grow which maketh me to feare the vtter quenching of thy gracrs the grieuing of thy holy spirit Hereby my Prayers are interrupted my meditations perplexed and robbed of their wonted swéetnesse my hearing and reading of thy word is made vnprofitable My fayth is encountred with grieuous doubtings because I cannot
to shine euen vpon chiefe sinners vouchsafe to cast thy cōpassionate ey vpon thine afflicted creature whō thou hast laid vpon his bed of sicknes Iust O Lord it is with thee thus to chasten me nay if thou shouldest crush my body into many pieces and suddenly plunge mee into hell it were no more then my due desert What a stayned sinner am I by nature stript of al goodnes and easie to be wrought vnto any euen the vilest euill What a world of trespasses haue béene since committed by mee notwithstanding the greatnes of thy patience and the varietie of good meanes which thou hast vsed both to informe and to guide me vnto godlinesse I will not therefore O Lorde I dare not I cannot plead against thée It is my duety rather to magnifie thy mercy who art pleased so mildly so fatherly to correct me it being free to thy iustice to cut me off as an eare of Corne and to giue mée ouer to the prince of darknesse to leaue me for euer to that woefull kingdome of eternall miserie Vnworthy I am I most willingly confesse because of my former slackenes and coldnes in this duety of calling vpon thy Name to haue any small accesse into thy presence Yet seeing thou art wont euer more to respect the trueth of thine owne promise then the desert of those which pray vnto thee therefore I beseech thee which art pleased to call thy selfe The hearer of Prayers to hearken vnto the hearty and vnfained desire of my soule Sanctifie vnto mee O Lord this present sicknesse let it bee as thy schoole in which I may truely learne to know my selfe more effectually then heretofore Make me to consider seriously that al paine and griefe is but the fruite of sinne and that as all sicknesse naturally makes way for death so death in it self is the fore-runner of eternall condemnation Blesse this thought and this meditation so vnto mee that I may make it my first care now in this visitation to séeke peace and assurance of reconcilement with thy Maiestie To this ende giue mee a deepe touch and a sensible vnderstanding of my sinnes by past take from mee all guile of spirit all disposition to flatter or to sooth vppe my selfe or to lessen eyther the number or qualitie of mine iniquities Cause mee euen to breake and plough vppe my heart to search and to try my wayes that so out of the abundance of my féeling I may powre out a most plentifull and sincere confession before thee Let mee remember it to bée in vaine to séeke to hide that from thée which thou before whom all things are naked and open doest know more fully and more directly then my selfe and that the discouery and laying open of my sins is the next way to finde thy mercy in forgiuing them Adde withall that strength vnto my scant and smoking fayth that I may amidde the sight of mine owne transgressions lay holde vpon the merite and fulnes of my Sauior Make me hartily to disclaime all hope of help by my selfe or any other creature in Heauen or Earth whomsoeuer and to cast all my burthen vpon him who by himselfe hath purged sinne and whose death is an absolute and an alsufficient sacrifice for the guilt of all belieuers Oh that I may féele my selfe knit and vnited vnto him so shall I in and by him be presented blameles to thy Maiestie And because O Lord I am full of imperfections and there is in my nature much weaknes and a great deale of frowardnes and readines to repine and rebell against thy ordinance therefore furnish mee with necessary graces with all such giftes as thou knowest to be fitte for my present case Endue mée with patience to beare whatsoeuer it shall bee thy pleasure to lay vpon me and méekly to submit my selfe to thy most wise appointments Assure mee that thou which knowest whereof I am made and that I am but dust wilt not oppresse me with more then thou shalt giue me strength power to endure Let mee not desire life otherwise then for the further aduancement of thy glory Subdue in me all loue liking of this present world grant that the hope of the glorie which shal be shewed hereafter may be so strong within me that all things may seeme vile vnto mee in comparison thereof Make me comfortably capable of the aduise and counsell of my Christian friends which in their loue shall goe about to refresh my Soule Make mee able also to speake profitably and for good to those that belong vnto mee Put vpon mée and in mee charitable affections and thoughts to and concerning others being ready to satisfie where I haue fayled and to remit euen where I haue receiued the greatest wrong Prepare mee to my last conflict and strengthen me against sathans assaults that in despite of his malice yet I may still holde mee fast by thee and resolue though thou slay me yet to trust vpon thee And because such is thy great goodnesse to vs thy poore creatures sickenesse doth not alwayes exercise his full strength vpō our bodies therefore giue me I beséech thee that wisedome to make vse of euery breathing and of euery little time of ease which thou doest afforde mee that in it I may gather strength against the times of greater anguish Bring still into my minde those things which I haue frō time to time learned by thy word that thereby I may bée quickned and find comfort in my greatest neede And alwayes O Lorde as the time of departure shall approache so let my soule draw neerer vnto thee my heart powerfully crying when sicknesse shall take away the vse of my tongue Into thy hands I commend my Spirit Come Lord Iesu come quickly And when death hath parted my Soule from my body let thy Angels which do alwayes by thy appointment pitch their tents about thy seruants conuey it into that place of rest which the blood of thy Sonne hath prouided and purchased for thy chosen To which thy Sonne with thy selfe and thy blessed Spirit be prayse and thankesgiuing now euermore Amē 17. A direction for those who desire to performe the Christian duety of prayer on the behalfe of a sick friend or neighbor whom they come to visite WEe are vnworthy O Lorde to speake vnto thy Maiestie either for our selues or others yet this duty lying vpon vs by commaund hauing a promise of hearing annexed thereunto wee are bold in Iesus Christ to commend vnto thee the weake estate of this thy seruant All sicknes is from thee to thee belong the issues of death Thou killest and thou makest aliue thou bringest downe to the graue thou raysest vp to whom shall we go in this and other our necessities but onely vnto thee Wee could wish O gracious God the continuance of his Christian fellowship the lengthening and enlarging of his dayes but wee willingly subiect our wils to thy determining Thou Lord knowest what is the best
therunto make vs we beséech thée willingly and readily to subscribe to desire both his life our own onely so far forth as may be for his and our further good in the more diligēt zealous aduancement of thy glory Frame him also we pray thee vnto the like yéelding and so blesse vnto him this visitation that by it he may be more and more hūbled in the sight of his owne sinnes may encrease withall in an vnfayned and longing desire after Christ Enlighten his eyes that hee may know what is the hope of his calling what is the excéeding greatnes of thy mercy and power towards all belieuers Strengthen his faith that hee may with it vtterly renouncing himselfe lay fast holde vpon the merites of our onely Sauiour Protect him against sathan blunt the edge of his assaults that they may neuer wound him to despaire Remooue from him a dull spirit and all secure and hardned thoughts all worldly desires al lingring after the deceiuing swéetnesse of these earthly things Giue him patience to beare constancy to endure whatsoeuer it shal be thy pleasure to inflict Vouchsafe him comfort in conscience ioy in the spirit peace in belieuing together with a setled and wel grounded exspectation of eternall life and saluation by thy Sonne Graunt to vs tender and féeling hearts that both his sorrowes and the griefes of other of thy seruāts may be apprehended by vs as if they were our owne Let thy word of grace bee in our lips that we may be able to speak holily soundly and chéerefully to the comfort of his soule Teach vs in him and in this house of mourning to sée the ende of vs all and to lay it to our hearts that so wee may labour to bee prepared for our last departure All these graces both for him and for our selues we begge in all humilitie at thy mercifull hands in the name and worthines of thy beloued Sonne calling further on thee as hee hath taught vs in his word Our Father c. 18. A thankesgiuing for a sicke man if God be pleased to send recouery SVffer me not O Lord to be in the number of those who are forward to aske in the time of neede but carelesse to shew themselues thankefull when mercy is bestowed Make me as desirous to come vnto thee with this sacrifice of prayse as I was ready to beg ease and refreshing in the day of my great necessitie Thou hast chastened me O gratious God and corrected me but thou hast not giuen mee ouer vnto death I looked to haue beene cleane depriued of the residue of my yeares and thought I should haue séene man no more among the inhabitants of the world but it was thy pleasure to deliuer my Soule from the pit of corruptiō Oh what shal I render vnto thee for this and all other thy benefits towards mee Oh how and by what meanes shal I shew my selfe thankefull to thy Maiestie I haue nothing O Lord to render thee but the calues of my lips accept my seruice I beséech thée in Iesus Christ and let not the memory of this thy kindnesse dye within me but graunt that I may often recount thy mercy working there-with vpon mine owne heart and applying it as an effectuall motiue to obedience Make me euer mindfull of the vowes promises which I made in my sicknesse to serue thee more faithfully then heretofore that I may make conscience to performe them knowing that thou delightest not in fooles that by my neglect herein I shall lay my selfe open vnto a greater iudgement Teach me also to remember this that albeit thou hast now giuen me some little respite yet I must not deceiue my selfe in putting far off the day of my death but that I ought rather to vse my health strength to the better fitting and more effectuall preparing my selfe thereunto Together with the encrease of bodily and outward strength encrease in me strength of care to walk with thee and to approoue my selfe vnto thee in al holy cōuersation and godlinesse being more zealous in Religion more watchfull ouer my wayes more earnest in Prayer more feruent in Spirit more carefull to profite by thy Word more faithful in my place and calling then heretofore alwayes looking for the blessed hope and appearing of Iesus Christ my Sauiour to whom with thee the holy Ghost let my heart féelingly effectually giue all honour prayse might maiestie and dominion both now and for euer Amen 19. A Prayer for a woman in the time of her trauaile O Lord I now finde by experience the trueth certaintie of thy word the smart of that punishment which thou laidst vpon me being in the loynes of my Grād-mother Eue for my disobediēce towards thee Thou hast greatly encreased the sorowes of our sex our bearing of children is ful of paine Teach me by this to sée the desert of sinne and to grow into the hatred of that which hath brought into the world such store of miserie Giue mee true repentance pardon for my sinnes past that they may not stand at this time in this my néed betwixt me thy mercy Giue mee a comfortable féeling of thy loue in Christ which may swéeten all other pangs thogh neuer so violent or extreame Make mee still to lift vp my Soule vnto thee in my greatest anguish knowing that thou alone must giue a blessing to the ordinarie meanes for my safe deliuery Strengthen my weake body to the bearing of what sorrow soeuer by which it shall séeme good vnto thee to take triall of me Make mee to remember that howsoeuer it be with me yet I am alwayes in thy hād whose mercyes fayle not and which canst giue issue to the greatest paine And when thou hast safely giuen mee the exspected fruite of my wombe make mee with a thankefull heart to consecrate both it and the residue of my life to thy seruice through Iesus Christ my Sauiour and Redeemer Amen 20. A Thankesgiuing after deliuery BLessed bee thy great Name O my most deare louing Father for thy large mercy to me most weake sinfull woman Thou hast shewed thy power in my frailtie and thy louing kindnesse hath preuailed against my vnworthinesse Thou mightest for my sinnes haue left mee to perish in my great extremitie but thou hast compassed me about with ioyfull deliuerance Maruailous O Lord are thy workes infinite are thy mercyes and my Soule by present experience knoweth it well O my Soule prayse thou the Lord and all that is within mee praise his holy Name My Soule prayse thou the Lorde and forget not all his benefits hee hath heard thy Prayers hee hath looked vpon thy sorrowe hee hath forgiuen thine iniquities he hath healed thine infirmities hee hath redéemed thy life from the graue hée hath euen crowned thée with compassions Oh giue mee I beséech thee a thankefull heart not only now while the memorie sense of thy fauor is fresh before me but
table it were infinitely more then then my best desert A sinfull and vnthankefull wretch as I haue alwayes béene what can I say is due vnto mee but perpetuall shame When I iudge rightly of all things so farre am I from being able to say that thou hast wronged me or dealt too straightly with mee that I must rather stirre vp my selfe to magnifie thy mercie which hast not layde vpon mee the vtmost of thy wrath but hast giuen mee a time and an opportunity to repent Let these things I pray thée the soueraintie of thy power the depth of thy wisedome the foulenes of mine owne desert the kindnesse which notwithstanding some outward hardshippe thou hast vouchsafed to my soule moderate my violent affections curbe my raging and discontented thoughts bring my ranging passions into order that I may alwayes say It is the Lorde let him doe what seemeth him good This is my sorrow and I wil beare it Open my eyes withall that I may sée thy power who canst raise the needy from the dust and lift the poore out of the doung and make him families like a flocke of shéepe who canst commaund euen the very rauens to bring bread and flesh vnto thy seruaunts the Heauens to droppe downe foode the rocke of stone to yéeld streames of waters to refresh those whom thou art pleased to prouide for Shall I thinke thy power to be abated or is thy mercy lesse then it was wont to be Hast thou not made a promise neuer to forsake me Am I not alwayes with thée and doest thou not holde mee by my right hand Shal I imagine thee to be like the bird whom thou hast depriued of wisedom to whom thou hast giuen no part of vnderstanding who sheweth himselfe cruel vnto his young ones as they were not his or as if he had trauailed in vain No I am assured that though a woman should forget her child forbeare to haue compassion on the sonne of her wombe yet thou canst not forget those whom thou louest in thy sonne Thou knowest my wants thou art able to supply my wants thy loue will not suffer thee to leaue me destitute in that which thy wisedome knowes to bee conuenient for me Encrease my faith that I may depend yet more vpon thee make mee diligent in the place calling in which thou hast set mee frame my mind and my desires to that rate which thou hast allotted me kéep mee from vniust and vnlawfull courses from enuying the abundance which others doe enioy possesse mee with this perswasion that this my present state is the fittest for mee and that when it shall be good for mee to haue more thy hand shall instantly be enlarged toward me Stirre me vp to seeke thy kingdome and labour for the meat which endureth vnto life eternall Enrich my soule with spirituall blessings in heauenly things perswade my conscience of thy loue in Christ Iesus that the féeling thereof may make all things swéete vnto mee Cause me both to trust and to waite for thy saluation and in all things to striue to giue thee thy deserued glory and all this in and for thy Sonnes sake my onely Mediatour and Redeemer Amen * ⎠* 31. Another of like nature fit for one whom God hath enriched vvith outvvard things IT hath pleased thee O Lord out of the freedome of thy bountie to deale more largely with mee then with many of thy seruants and to furnish me with store of those outward blessings which others euery way as good by nature as my selfe doe not enioy My heart is fraughted with much corruption and though riches be in themselues a blessing yet without thy especiall grace they will bee vnto me an occasion of many euils Apt I shall be to lift vp my heart to pride my selfe in my own conceipt to trust vnto my welth to despise others to grow in loue with this present world to become cold and remisse in the best seruices to conclude that I am highly in thy fauour because thou hast enriched me These be the diseases which through the poison of our nature do rise by these outward hauings neither can I say that my heart is cleane from these corruptions Purge them out of mée I beseech thee by the fierie power of thy spirit Giue me pouertie of spirit and humblenesse of minde amid this outward fulnesse with which thou hast endued me Make mee to remember that the more I haue the greater shall bee mine account and the harder for me to be saued that by that meanes my wealth may be so far from puffing mee vp with secure presumtion that it may moue me the rather euen with fear and trembling to work out my saluation Cause me to think often vpon the wordes of my Sauiour that riches are deceitful and of a thorny nature choking the good séed of the word and making it to become vnfruitfull that so I may learne carefully to handle them and to vse them with great héedinesse and circumspection lest I should by them gal wound my conscience or bee pearced through with many sorrowes It is said O Lord that these high places of the world are slipperie places in which it is hard to go with a right foote to kéepe strait and euen steps Oh stir me vp to so much the more care to ponder my paths and to take diligent héed vnto my waies suffer me not to iustify my self to mine own soule or to make my self beléeue that I am as I ought to be because waters of a full cuppe are wrung vnto mee but teach me seriously to cōsider that as many of thy beloued seruants do feele the smart of pouerty so euen the most wicked and those which do rebelliously trangresse haue a large portion in this life liuing waxing olde and growing in wealth their goods oftentimes excéeding the very desires of their hearts Grant therefore that I may labour for some better more certain assurāce of thy grace not grounding my hope vpon my wealth but reioycing in this if the due consideration of the daunger and vanitie of abundance may worke by thy blessing to the abasing and humbling of my heart Oh let not mine eyes be dazled nor my hart bewitched with the glory and swéetnesse of these worldly treasures which may bée taken frō me or I from them euen in the twinkling of an eye drawe my affections to the loue of that durable riches and to that fruite of heauenly wisedome which is better then gold and the reuenues whereof do surpasse the siluer that my chiefe care may bee to haue a soule enriched and furnished with thy grace fulfilled with the knowledge of thy will in all wisedome and spirituall vnderstanding And because O Lord in hauing much I am but a steward vnder thee and a disposer of thy gifts enlarge my bowels towardes others make me rich fruitfull in good workes being a father to the poore and causing the hart of the widow to reioyce warming
the loynes of the naked with the fleece of my shéep not eating my morsels alone but dealing my bread to the hungrie and neuer hiding my self from mine owne flesh For why should I make gold my hope or wherefore should I striue to lade my selfe with this thicke clay still plotting to set my neast on high when al that I haue or can haue is in a moment turned into vanitie Quicken mee vppe therefore to good duties that the hearts of thy Saints may bee comforted by mee and that in the place where I liue I may by my forwardnesse draw on and prouoke others to all the offices of necessarie beneuolence Let the bowels of the néedie bee my treasurie and let it bee my desire care there to lay vp in store a good foundation for my self against the time to come not trusting to be crowned for the worth of my liberalitie for what can that be to a Weight of glory but assuring my self the the mercy shewed by me vnto others is a beam of the loue which shines frō thee vpon my soule Thus O Lord shall I by thy goodnesse haue the true vse of thy blessings together with a daily encrease of much matter of thankesgiuing for thy great goodnes to mee so vile and vnworthie and all for Christ and in his most glorious and holie name to whom with thee and thy spirit one true euerlasting and only wise God bee all praise and power might maiestie and dominion now and euermore Amen 32. A Prayer for the whole State EXtraordinarie O Lord haue thy fauours beene vnto this Kingdom when we recount our long cōtinued peace our victories our plentie our comfort by religious and prudent gouernors especially the glorious light of thy Gospell which hath shined amongst vs our fréedome from the miserable bondage of Romish and Antichristian tyrannie wee must needes say that thou hast not dealt so with euerie Nation Indeede the crie of our sinnes is great the verie heauens may blush to looke vpon vs and the earth is wearie to beare our grosse our shameles our presumptuous euils Thou thy selfe O patient God art pressed vnder vs as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaues Long hast thou waited for our repentance and often hast thou vrged vs by the Ministers of thy word to break off our sins and euen besought vs by them to bee reconciled vnto thee But wee haue hated to be reformed wee haue cast thy word behind vs thou hast stretched out thy hand and wee would not regarde wee haue despised and mocked thy messengers our hearts within vs haue beene fully set to do euill Mercie hath beene offered wee haue not esteemed it iudgement hath beene threatned wee haue not feared it the very triall of our countenances testifieth against vs wee declare our sinnes as Sodom wee hide them not all manner of foule enormities do march openly and confidently and without feare in our streets How iustly mightest thou powre out euen the vials of thy wrath vpō vs making vs to be a detestation and a curse and an astonishment and a reproch to other Nations forcing vs to wring out and to drinke the very dregs of that mixt wine of thy fierce terrible indignation If thou shouldest bring an vtter dissolution and desolatiō vpon our State making our enemies to ride ouer ouer our heades to clime aboue vs vp on hie and vs to come downe beneath belowe If thou shouldest take away from vs the Iudge and the Prophet the honourable and the Counseller and appoint children to bee our Princes If thou shouldest make heaps of our Cities and leaue our Townes without inhabitants If thou shouldst at once quench the light of thy blessed word and giue vs ouer to the seruice of dumbe idols and our soules to be swallowed vp in the darkenesse of popish ignorance and superstition if thou shouldest make vs by thy iudgements a prouerb and a spectacle to the whole world it were no other then wée haue deserued nay it is thy great mercie that these things and more heauie then these haue not already ouertaken vs. But O Lord bee mercifull to our sinnes for thy names sake O thou which art the God of grace looke graciously vpon vs in the Mediator of grace Christ Iesus Wee haue nothing to plead but his merite nothing can wash away the foulenesse of our sinnes but his most precious bloud Make wee pray thee our hearts to mourne within vs both for our owne personall sinnes and for al the abominations which are done in the midst of the Land Oh that we might turne vnto thee with al our heart with fasting with weeping and with sorrowing Oh that we could sée the thinges that belong vnto our peace and might euerie man turne from his euill way and from the wickednesse that is in his hand and make his wayes his workes good Let it be thy holy pleasure we hūbly beseech thée to continue and to enlarge thy wonted fauours towardes vs Stablish this our peaceable gouernement by a perpetuall and vnchangeable decree Compasse-in this Ilād with thy fauor as with a shield Let neuer thine and our aduersaries roare in the midst of thy congregation or sette vppe their banners as signes of victorie and conquest ouer vs. Aboue all O Lord vouchsafe the comfort of thy Gospell and the libertie of thy blessed truth Grant that that may still be faithfully soundly preached in our Churches Oh remooue not our cādlestick though our falling frō our first loue the uniuersall slaking of our zeal hath deserued it Lengthen out the vse of it we entreat thee euen so long as the Sun and Moone endureth that by it those that are yet vnborn and shal come out of our Loynes may bee guided and directed in the way of peace And to this end wée are most humble and instant suters to thy Maiestie euen to thee by whom Kings raigne and whose dominion and soueraintie reacheth ouer all that thou wouldest multiplie thy blessings vpon thy King euen thine annointed King Iames whose head thou hast lifted vp aboue others and into whose hands thou hast committed the raines of these vnited Kingdomes O Lorde when we remember the dayes by-past euen the dayes of our feare how that after the death of our late renowned Queen we looked for nothing but cōfusiō supposing that the times of our peace must needs haue died with her and haue euen beene buried in her graue and consider withall how thou then without any so much as drawing of a sword or colour of commotion placedst in her throne a King of the same royall bloud and of the same loue and affection to thy holy truth vnder whose shadow wee enioy all the accustomed comforts of our ancient peace we are like to them that dream we are euen strokē with astonishment so far haue all thinges gone beyond our hopes exceeded our exspectations O pardon our great vngratefulnesse that passe ouer thy mercies so superficially and do so
féele that strength and power of thy spirit which I would O Lord if thy mercy be not my stay I must néedes bee ouercome whom haue I in Heauen but thee whither shall I fly but to thy gracious assistance I beséech thee to haue compassion on me crucifie and kill these vnruly lusts abate the strength of these violent and wicked desires Weaken them I pray thee suffer them not to haue dominion ouer mee Let thy Spirit guide me and lead mee into the land of righteousnesse Or if it bee thy pleasure O Lord still to exercise me yet leaue me not destitute of thy grace but encrease it in mee that I may grow vnto a larger measure of sanctification Make me hereby the more feruent and frequent in Prayer the more strait to preuent all occasions leading vnto euill the more ielous ouer my wayes the more humble and vile in mine owne sight that so euen out of euill there may spring good vnto me that I may sée the fulfilling of that holy promise that all things worke together for the best vnto thy seruants Heare me I entreate thee in this and in all other my requests for Christ Iesus sake thy best beloued Sonne and the onely sauiour of thy chosen Amen 14. A Prayer of Humiliation and sorrow after some special sinne committed O My God I am ashamed and confounded to lift vp mine eyes vnto thee mine iniquities are encreased ouer my head and my trespasses are growne vp vnto the heauen I must néedes wonder at thy great forbearance that I am not euen swallowed vppe or swept away with some extraordinary iudgemēt And now O Lord especially hauing so grosly sinned against thee and done so great an euill in thy sight How haue I vile wretch that I am wounded my owne conscience How haue I laid my self open to the malice mischief of the diuel What a disgrace slander haue I broght vpon my profession What an offence scandal haue I giuen vnto others What a ioy will this be to the wicked that they haue now by me gotten something to speak euil of But aboue all O Lord how haue I dishonoured thee whose fauors haue bin so many so continuall towards me I know not with what names tearms to set out my sin sufficient to expres the hainous hideous nature thereof When I thinke vpon thy patience vpon the meanes of grace which thou hast afforded me vpon the light of knowledge which thou hast giuen me vpon the good motions as it were so many gracious aduertisements which thou hast from time to time stirred vp in me vpon the profession which I make vpon the sundry promises vowes of better obedience with which I haue tied my selfe vnto thy Maiestie vpon the diuers admonitions which by thy prouidence I knowe haue béene vsed to mee by thy seruaunts purposely to preuent and to stoppe this euil in me me thinketh I may call it rebellion which is as the sin of witchcraft or presumption in the highest degrée And yet O Lord I féele such a benummednesse to créepe vpon mée such a hardned crust to growe vpon my secret parts that albeit I sée my sinne and knowe it to be excéeding great neuerthelesse I cannot so bemone it so lament it so grieue for it so detest abhorre it as I should Smite O gracious God smite I beséech thée my flinty heart make it euen to melt within me at the sight of mine own transgressions Settle in it the godly sorrow which canseth repentance vnto saluatiō Humble my soule vnder thy mightie hand and suffer mee not to fréeze in the dregs of mine own corruptions Make mine head full of water and mine eyes a foūtaine of teares which may runne downe like a riuer day and night Oh let me take no rest nor suffer the apple of mine eye to cease cause mee to powre out my heart like water before thy face that I may by all meanes testifie the vnfayned griefe of my soule that I haue so displeased thee And grant O Lord that I may not sorrow so much because of hell and condemnation which I haue made to be due vnto me but that my chiefe vexation may bée to thinke how I haue abused thy mercy and requited thy exceeding loue with so foule a trespasse Withall O most gracious Father séeing there is mercy with thee and that thou hast no desire that the wicked should dye giue me leaue to become a sufer vnto thy grace not in mine owne name for what am I that I should presse into thy presence but in the name of thy dearest Sonne the alone Mediatour and the onely Peace-maker of his chosen I most hūbly beséech thee for his sake to haue mercy on me O Lord a plaister of his blood shall be a most soueraigne medicine to cure my running and rotten and festered sore His stripes wounds are of an healing nature no sope nor nitre of mine owne tempering can purge away my filthines onely his bloud hath that scouring force that it can make scarlet and crimson sinne as white as wooll Oh then I pray thee wash me throughly from mine iniquitie and according to the multitude of thy compassions cleanse me from my sin Turne thy face from mee and from my hatefull and enormous course and look vpon the perfite and vnspotted righteousnes of thy son Supply my emptienes out of his infinite fulnes the depth wherof cannot be fadomed nor the store thereof consumed Couer my vncleannesse with the rove of his holinesse euen with the garment of saluation with which thou deckest and tirest thine elect And albeit I am of all others which either haue béene are or shall be the most vnworthy yet vouchsafe to certifie my Soule of thy grace fauor by the secret teaching of thy holy Spirit make me to féele inwardly the ioy of thy saluation restore to mee that sweet taste of thy loue which I was wont to haue which I now haue robbed my selfe of by this my disobedience towards thee Let the apprehension of my sinne bee tempered with a cōfortable application of thy mercy that I may hold an euen course betwixt fearelesse security and faith-lesse despaire beholding at once both my vilenes to humble me the riches of thy grace to reuiue me And as an euidence of thy loue in this behalf strengthē me by thy grace to the making of the best vse of mine owne corruptiōs Grant that the thought of them may kill in me al pride of heart and may make me to abase my self and to become euen vile in my own sight Grāt me to be hereupō the more watchfull ouer my course the more diligent to auoyd all inducements inticements vnto these or the like euils the more apt to be taught the more willing to bee admonished the more forward to beg thy assistance the more charitably cōpassionate towards others rather pitying and bemoaning and praying for then censuring their infirmities And Lorde