so much our Deliverance exceeds the which was a Type and faint shadow of thâ— And therefore we being delivered ut of Hands of our Enemies must serve him wâ—â— out fear in Holiness and Righteousness beâ—â— him all the Days of our Life Commandment I. THE First Commandment requireâ— That we have the only true God a none other for our God and that 〈◊〉 worship and glorifie hima ccordingly Tâ—â— we acquaint our selves with him thâ— frequently of him love and highly Esteâ—â— him delight rest satisfied in him oâ—mit all unto him trust and depend uâ— him place our whole Happiness in 〈◊〉 looking upon all things as nothing wâ— out him honour and adore fear and verence him yield all Praises and Thaâ— Obedience and Submission unto him 〈◊〉 and acnoweldge him be zealous for hâ—â— walk humbly with him be carefull in things to please him and sorrowfull wâ—â— in any thing he is by our selves or othâ—â— offended II. The Second forbids us worshipping or giving any Religious Adoration to any Creature in Heaven Earth or Water which particular Places are named besides which there are none other or the true God In or before or by any Representation Likeness or Image who being infinite and invisible is not to be represented by any visible thing (w) Deut. 4.12 15 c. Isa 44.10 c. Rom. 1.23 and enjoyns the serving him by such means and in such a manner as is agreeable to his Nature and Word And this because he is our Soveraign and Proprietor tender of his own Worship will severely punish Idoâ—aters and their Posterity as those that hate him and be mercifull to true Worshippers as those that love him to many Generations III. The Third forbids us thinking or speaking prophanely vainly slightly of him careless irreverent Attendance upon him in his Worship unadvisedly crying O Lord or O God! c. without a due sence of him Cursing our selves or others Swearing by any Creature or by himself except before a Magistrate in weighty and true Cases which cannot otherwise be determined And requires of us a Holy and Reverent Respect unto and Use of his Name Attributes Ordinances Word Works all things whereby he makes himself known And this because the great Soveraign is most highly provoked by Prophaneness and Contempt of him and will deal with those that are guilty of it accordingly IV. The Fourth requires us with those under our Charge to consecrate keep Holy the Sabbath-Day That we bear it in mind to fit our selves for it Rest from those Works which are properly called Ours Set our selves apart for the Duties of it Spend it not in Idleness Worldly Recreations or Imployments except of necessity and mercy but in the publick and private Worship and Service of God in Prayer Hearing Reading the Word Religious Meditation and Discourse accounting the Sabbath the holy of the Lord honourable and honouring him therein (x) Isa 58.13 And this from 1. the Equity of it God's allowing us sâ—â— days of seven for our own warrantable Imployments and reserving but one for Himself 2. His challenging a special Propriety in it setting it apart from common to holy Uses so it 's Theft and Sacriledge to alienate it to any others than he allows 3. His own Example resting on it not from doing good or preserving what he had made but from creating any more diversities or kinds of Creatures And 4. from that Blessing he hath put upon it in advancing preferring inriching that Day above the rest in choosing ordaining setting it apart sanctifying it to be a Time for his Service and a means of Blessing to us in sanctifying it Which is not upon the Seventh but First Day of the Week from the Resurrection of Christ on that Day the Practice of the Apostles Primitive Christians and Church of God in all Ages since together with the Command of our Rulers in Church and State V. The Fifth requireth under the sweet Relation between Parents and Children the preserving the Honour and performing the Duties belonging to every one in their several Places Stations and Relations That Inferiors reverence and obey their Superiors that Superiors carry themselves worthily towards and be carefull of those under them that Equals render due Respect towards each other More particularly as to our Superiors in Family Church and State that we pray for them honour and reverence them chearfully submit to and obey them not envy or grudge the Preheminence God hath given them that we do not neglect or despise them for their wants or weaknesses but rather support assist them cast a covering of love over them stand up and plead for them against those that abuse disparage or speak evil of them To which obedience prosperity and length of days as God sees good is promis'd in the Old Testament and not reversed but rather confirmed in the New (y) Ep. 6.2 3. VI. The Sixth condemneth any hurt done threatned or intended to our own or other's Soul or Body Forbiddeth our being actually guilty of or of whatsoever tendeth to our own or others death Together with all sinfull Anger Strife Malice Hatred Revenge denying necessary means for preservation of life but not lawfull War necessary Defence or the Execution of publick Justice And requireth our Endeavours to â—ender all men's lives as safe and comfortable as we can VII The Seventh forbiddeth all Impurities and fleshly Pollutions in Thought Word and Deed unchastity in Mind Speech Behaviour And withall enjoyneth the shunning and avoiding all Occasions Provocations Temptations thereunto as to our selves or others VIII The Eighth forbiddeth all defrauding over-reaching dishonest Actions or whatsoever Abuses unjustly lessens or hinders our own or others Estate and requireth the lawfull procuring and furthering of the same IX The Ninth forbiddeth all false or evil speaking or surmising lying slandering back-biting dissembling reviling tale-bearing detracting from or prejudicing another's Esteem or good Name And requireth our defending preserving promoting advancing the same X. The Tenth forbiddeth dissatisfaction with our own Estate envying repining at desiring of any thing that is another's And requireth a full Contentment with our Enjoyments furthering of and rejoycing in our Neighbours The Lord's Prayer SO called from the Author our Lord Jesus Christ It 's a compleat Directory and Summary of all Prayer And contains 1 A Preface of Compellation the Person we pray to not Saints or Angels but God described by our common Interest in him our Relation to him his Habitation 2 Six Petitions The three first more especially respect God's Glory Advancement of his Kingdom Obedience to his Will which must be first sought The three last our own and others Temporal and Spiritual good 3 A Doxology or Conclusion for Confirmation containing Praise and Thanksgiving and Arguments for our Petitions for Thine is the King dom which we desire to come thy Power alone can effect these things the grant of them tends unto and will end in thy Glory Our Father Implies We ought to call
Thee Reform my life that I may serve Thee and be saved by thee Cleanse me from my secret Sins and let no Presumptuous Sins have Dominion over me Wean me from the world let my Heart my Treasure my Conversation be in Heaven Turn away mine Eyes from beholding Vanity Set a watch O Lord before my Mouth and keep the Door of my Lips that I offend not with my Tongue Let me delight in that which is Good eschew and abhor that which is Evil set thee always before me that I may not dare to Sin against Thee Make me peaceable and contented in my self useful and beneficial to others well-pleasing and acceptable unto Thee Mind me frequently of my latter end while I live let me live unto thee when I die let me die unto thee living and dying let me be thine Be very merciful to all Mankind especially those that are called Christians Inlarge and Bless thy Holy Catholick Church with more abundant Peace Purity and Concord Pardon the Crying Sins of these three Nations let us search and try our ways and turn unto thee our God make us a People peculiar to thy self zealous of good works Bless our Soveraign with all our Magistrates and Ministers let them discharge their Duty as those that must give an account Be with me this Day and all my Days where-ever I am and whatsoever I am doing let me awefully Remember God made me God preserves me God redeemed me God sees me and God will Judge me Never leave me nor forsake me Guide and direct me by thy Counsel Assist me by thy Holy Spirit Prosper me in all my ways and at last Receive me unto Glory through Jesus Christ in whose Holy Name and Words I further Pray Our Father c. Evening Prayer MOst Holy and ever Blessed Lord God Thou hast Commanded me to Pray and so it is my great Duty and hast stiled thy self a God hearing Prayers and so it is my great Privilege In Obedience to thy Command and in Confidence of thy Promises I desire in all Humility and holy Confidence to wait upon thee at this Time in and through my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for his sake beseeching thee for Mercy and Grace Mercy for the Pardon of my Sins without which I am of all Creatures most miserable and Grace for the sanctifying of my Nature and amendment of my life Search me O Lord and Try me and whatsoever is displeasing in me unto thee remove it thence and lead me in the way everlasting Let me value and mind the things that are not seen more than the things that are seen because the things that are seen are Temporal and those that are not seen are Eternal Incline my Heart unto thy Testimonies and not to any Evil way Let not the Pleasures nor Troubles of this world allure or hinder me from serving thee with Chearfulness and Delight Prepare me for every Condition for every Change especially for my great and last Change give me Grace so to live that I may be neither asham'd to live nor afraid nor unfit to die that when thou shalt Call me hence thou may'st Receive me unto the Eternal Enjoyment of thy self in Heaven Be very Gracious and Merciful to all Mankind to all Jews Turks Pagans and Infidels bring them to the Knowledge and Obedience of the Truth Bless Prosper and Protect thy Church and every Member of it be with it unto the End of the World and let not the Gates of Hell prevail against it Reform whatsoever thou seest amiss in the Belief and Lives of Christians especially in these Three Nations Continue unto us Peace with the Gospel of Peace for thy Name sake Bless our Soveraign and all in Authority with Holiness here and Happiness hereafter Let all his Subjects live under him quiet and peaceable Lives in all Godliness and Honesty I et the Ministers of thy Gospel Preach both by their Lives and Doctrine and daily turn many unto Righteousness Let none of my Relations be Strangers unto thy self nor any of thine Afflicted Servants be forgotten by Thee Relieve them according to their several Necessities and the Riches of thy Grace in thy Son I Praise Thee for what thou hast afforded me Thy good Creatures thy Blessing with them thy Provision for me and preservation of me this Day and all my Days Let me lie me down and take my Rest and Sleep because thou Lord makest me to dwell in safety Whether I sleep or wake live or die let me be found thine own to thine Eternal Glory and my Everlasting Salvation through Jesus Christ who hath taught me when I pray to say Our Father which art in Heaven c. Grace before Meat BLess and Sanctifie most Merciful Father These thy good Creatures to my use and me unto thy Service give them strength to nourish me and me grace to serve Thee through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen Grace after Meat BLessed be thy Holy Name O Lord for all thy Mercies for these thy good Creatures make them healthful for my nourishment and me thankful for all thy Mercies Inable me by them to live to thy praise through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen How to spend the Lord's Day REmember the Lord's Day before it come so as to prepare for it by suitable Meditations Go seasonably to your Rest to prevent heaviness or drowziness Prudently dispose and dispatch your Earthly Affairs that they may be off your hands and out of your mind as much as possible on that Day that so your Heart may be more free and fit for the Duties of it Seek Remission for the Miscarriages of the Week past that you may not come with guilt or trouble upon your Consciences before the Lord. Think not your worldly Business more worthy of your Early Rising than your spiritual Imployment Let your first Thoughts be not only Holy but suitable to the Day With gladness consider how Early your Redeemer arose what a Day of Mercy you are awoke to to wait upon God for Receiving and Exercising of Grace in order to Glory to Cast off the Distracting Thoughts and Businesses of the World and what a Happy opportunity of Good is put into your Hands to get more in one Day than this World can afford you in all your lives Spend it as a Day of Thanksgiving for the greatest Mercies Therefore let the manner of it and the frame of your Hearts be holy Joy Gratitude and Love stirred up by the exercise of Faith and Hope Inlarge your Personal Devotions on this Day and let not Secret Prayer be slubbered over slightly but performed with Seriousness Reverence Alacrity and sutable to the nature and end of the Day Go to the solemn Assembly with Joy and Gladness as to the receiving of a great Blessing with desires after and hope to speed not with unwillingness as to an unpleasant Task and Burden as Carnal Hearts that love not God his Grace or Service are weary of all they do and glad when it
Burdensom Prepare for the worst If it come the labour 's well bestow'd if not well lost Think not every day will be a wedding-day In Matrimony God marries Comforts and Crosses together as well as Man and Wife such shall have trouble in the flesh (o) 1 Cor. 7.28 Study to please not to be pleased then all the fault you find will be with your selves Let all your strife be which shall love and please God and one another most and upon any difference who shall first seek for Reconciliation Construe words and Actions in the best sence Stifle little things Abstain from whatsoever is found contrary to each other A Prudent observation of each others Tempers and forbearance of what may provoke will prevent many fallings out Think not much less do any thing that may tend to lessen but whatsoever may knit what God hath Tied with his own Hand If Passion arise in one let the other be silent If Satan hath sown Discord sleep not until the Tares be plucked up Two Cholerick Persons living together many years were never heard to fall out because said one of them being asked when one was angry t'other had the wisdom to forbear Cross not each other in the spring Tide of Passion but stay till ebbing Water then mildly argue it and that not so much to condemn one another as to acquit your self we are more Tractable in Cold than Hot Blood it portends Ill luck when two Fire-Balls meet Be helpfull to each other's Health Comfort and Advantage as to your Bodies Estate good Names Souls Bear one anothers Burdens Personal and Domestical Discover not but bear with one anothers Infirmities yet so as to quicken one anothers Graces and not to suffer Sin upon you Share in each others Joys and Sorrows Jointly endeavour to make the Weight of the Family the more tolerable the Load is lightned by carrying it evenly equally Speak one to not one of another It ought to be so amongst Christians much more York-fellows Debate it between your selves not before your Families or Strangers 'T is a lessening of your selves when standers-by take notice of your Grievances Dissents between Man and Wife are uncomely Differences intolerable I would suffer much before I would make my Complaint to another They are ill Birds that defile their own Nests In case of Correction or Rebuking any of the Family though there be an Errour in the Application let not one Yoke fellow contradict the other before the offending Party but debate the Mistake when you are alone least you abate due Fear and Reverence and teach others to despise your Discipline and your selves 'T is not safe for one Yoke-fellow to receive an Appeal from any of the Family nor to take the Rod out of the other's hand Improve your Conjugal Converse for Spiritual Ends. Let not the Body Rob the Soul nor the Elder serve the Younger Redeem the Time that you may bless God you ever met and not as too many do Curse one another for silently advancing each others Ruine So when the Land-flood of youthfull violent Affections is dried up the Fountain of Spiritual Love will still run with a more sober and moderate but more constant and lasting stream Season your Natural Society with Spiritual Communion in secret serving God and you 'll avoid the Surfeit of Society which choaketh Love Reckon your selves one anothers more than your own and the Lord 's more than one anothers Let your Fellowship together be such as you both in it may have Fellowship with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ whose Image and Superscription this Relation bears Be holy in all manner of Conversation Possess your Vessels in Sanctification and Honour Defile not the Marriage-Bed Be not drunk with your own Wine All things are sanctified by the Word and Prayer Be much in Prayer for and with one another you will then blame your selves not one another and be ashamed to jar considering you must shame your selves before God for it As to Children pray not only for due Parts Proportion and safe Delivery but Children sanctified that your Families may be the Enlargement of Christ's Kingdom and of the Houshold of Faith As God encreases your Relations enlarge your Requests for every one in particular Those Petitions will not suffice when you are many that did when you were one Make God's House as yours and yours as God's Join with Elkanah and Hannah in giving up your Children to God's Service and in going together to sacrifice (p) 1 Sa. 1.21.28 Account that the greatest Riches not which you lay up for your selves or yours but out for God He is mercifull and lendeth and his Seed is Blessed (q) Ps 37.26 Their Prayer O Thou that art the great Creator and wise Disposer of us and all things in Heaven and Earth who hast ordained Marriage for our good and made us two one Flesh We give thee all humble and hearty Thanks for preserving us in our single State so innocent and chast so free from Shame and Reproach For conducting us through the Temptations of this Life so mercifully so wisely for keeping us from the effects of thy Wrath and our own Infirmities O forgive whatsoever might cause thee to Imbitter this state unto us and accept us in the Beloved Indue us with a Spirit of Love of Kindness of Condescension and prevent whatsoever might Disturb our Happy Union Let our chief love and delight be grounded upon the Hopes we have of being Heirs together of the grace of Life Let us walk Hand in Hand to our Father's House in a chearful and faithful discharge of our respective Duties to each other and those Committed to us and be still provoking one another to Love and to good Works That after Death which shall e're long separate us for a little while we may with Comfort meet together where they neither Marry nor are given in Marriage but are as the Angels perpetually praising thee for all the Instances of thy Kindness and Endless Love Through Jesus Christ to whom with thy Blessed Majesty and Holy Spirit be all Honour Glory and Praise now and evermore Amen Another WE come unto thee most gracious God and merciful Father who in Infinite Wisdom and Goodness hast brought and united us together and do prostrate our Souls before thee in all Humility under a deep sense of our unworthiness and unbecoming Demeanure in thy sight O Pardon it unto us that we have liv'd no more to the great Ends of our coming into the World and into this state which thou Institutedst in Innocency Let it not be a state of Temptation or Sorrow by occasion of our Sins and Infirmities but of Holiness and Comfort as thou intendedst it to all that love and fear Thee Allay in us all sensual Bruitish love Purifie and sanctifie our Affections that we may not Dishonour or Pollute the Bed thou hast called Undefiled But use it so as Carnal Lust may be slacked and subdued not provoked
possible Praise that though I have deserved nothing but Trouble and Affliction thou hast been so careful of me so good unto me all my dayes In particular as to the Choice thou hast made for me O Pardon the Vanity the Follies the Errors the Miscarriages of my younger and riper years and punish them not upon me with those extream Troubles Disquiets Dissatisfactions those find in this state who have provoked thee Give me Prudence and Discretion to know and do my Duty with a chearful Heart and willing Mind Let it be my study and delight to please Thee and Him thou hast set over me To bear with his Infirmities To Help and do Him good all his days Free us from all peevishness sinful passions mistakes causless Jealousies and endue us with such meek quiet chast Dispositions as may encrease each others Joy and lighten each others Sorrows That in all the Changes and Alterations of our Condition we may preserve a sincere love unto Thee and one another Make us always mindful of the sacred Vow and Covenant wherein we stand engaged to Thee and each other and to stir up one another to the love of Thee and our Neighbour That in the sence of a good Conversation we may leave the world under well grounded hopes of dwelling together with Thee in Heaven Through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour the Head and Husband of his Church to whom with thy Blessed Majesty and Holy Spirit be all Honour Glory and Praise now and for ever Amen For Safe Child-bearing MOst great and only wise God who sanctifiedst Marriage in Innocency for the Propagation of Mankind If it be thy good Pleasure make me Partaker of that Blessing Prevent a Barren a miscarrying Womb and dry Breasts Make me a Joyful Mother of Children That I may serve Thee in increasing and bringing up thy Faithful ones Deny not due Parts Senses Reason and Comfortable use of the same in thy own due Time Mitigate and Asswage the sharpness of that Curse and inevitable pain upon my Sex for the Offence of our first Parents Be not far from me when Trouble is nigh O Lord make hast to help me Give me Patience Submission Resignation to thy Will a seasonable easie safe Delivery Keep me from all sad Accidents and Passions from all Undecency of Deportment and unquietness of Spirit Impatience or Distrust from doing any thing sinful or feeling any thing intolerable Give me the expected fruit of my Womb and a thankful Heart to Consecrate it and my self to thy Service Punish us not in or by it nor it for our Sins assure us of the Pardon of them Increase my Faith support and strengthen me by thy Holy Spirit vanquish my Fears and Sorrows But I wholly submit all unto thy Holy Will and Pleasure whose Wisdom is Infinite whose Counsel is secret and knows what 's best for me and hast promised all Things shall work together for my good However thou dealest with me Give me not up to a Barren unfruitful heart Beget Preserve Encrease Confirm in me good Purposes and Resolutions Let them not prove Abortive but bring forth continually the fruit of good Living Give me Contentment in every Condition and Grace to Discharge the Duties I am or shall be called unto to my own and others Comfort the Credit of Religion the Praise of thy great Name thorough Jesus Christ Amen Thanksgiving after Deliverance ALL possible Thanks and Praise be given unto thee most gracious God and Heavenly Father for all the Instances of thy Goodness unto me all my Days Particularly for not turning away my Prayer nor thy Mercy from me for supporting me in the time of my Distress and Extremity when I might have perished in it O Sanctifie this great Deliverance that it may be in Love and Mercy unto me Keep me from all evil and further Danger of Childbed Give me a quiet Spirit increase of Strength a healthful Body ability for my Duty stedfast Confidence in thee a lively and lasting sence of thy Mercy a thankful Heart inlarged Affections to Praise thee to be joyful in thee to speak good of thee chearfully to serve thee all my Days Let this Experience of thy Power Mercy and Goodness learn me for ever to Trust in thee to rely cast all my Burden upon thee in a sincere observance of thy Holy Commandments Let me be as solicitous to glorifie thee for delivering of me as I was in calling upon thee for it That this great Mercy may not be in vain unto me but a fore-runner of my Deliverance from the pit of Eternal Destruction through my Lord and Saviour who was Born and Suffered the pains of Death for me to whom be Glory Honour and Praise now and ever Amen Parents Duties BE deeply sensible of the miserable state your Children have derived from you and of the gracious Terms offered by God for your and their Salvation Resign and Dedicate them to Him and Solemnize the same by Baptizing of them Nothing but the want of Milk or Ability excuses the Mother from Nursing them upon her own Breast (w) Ce. 21.7 1 Sa. 1.24 Ps 22.9 Lu. 11.27 The neglect of which is a great wrong to the Child who too often inherits the Diseases Humours and Dispositions of the Nurse and occasions less love to her who ought to have done it Lay not too much stress on the forward beginnings of wit and memory which often fail in their Age of all their Childhood promis'd But we can never hope too much of the timely Blossoms of Grace whose spring is perpetual and whose Harvest begins with our End Check the first appearings and buddings forth of Sin in them and encourage all good beginnings of Virtue when they are able to learn any thing it 's high time to reach them that which is good Stop their little Undecencies keep them from the Confines of Evil. Train them up to those things which are Immediate Dispositions of Virtue and Religion As Meekness Gentleness Patience Modesty Diligence Pity Compassion Mercifulness Government of their Tongue and Passions Silence Sobriety Comly speech to speak the Truth at all times which are great Preservatives against Impudence Unchastity Idleness Malice Hatred Revenge Oppression Injustice and all kind of Vices when we see a Child strike a Servant rudely jear the poor or silly Person Cheat his Play-fellow talk light Things little Boldnesses wrangling and lying for Trifles c. we encourage laugh at and are delighted with his wanton Wit and Confidence please our selves to see him displease God not considering these beginnings are growing up to Impudence and Revenge Injurious Actions false Witness Perjuries Tyranny Treason Education even alters Nature and moulds a Man a-new Instill Goodness betimes into them as they are capable Learn them and see they understand the Creed the Lord's Prayer the Ten Commandments and all the Principles of the Christian Religion in a familiar way according to their Capacities Teach them to Pray constantly and
Temper and hainousness of the Crime Forgive them often in things not sinful Take not notice of every small Offence Passion makes Severity look like Revenge Reforms not but provokes and exasperates Be rather lov'd than fear'd a Master than a Tyrant a Lion in thy Family Let your Dominion be that of the Soul over the Body not for its hurt but help advantage edification guidance and instruction Reward allure them praise them openly reprehend them secretly Be chearful and pleasant with them that they may love not avoid or be weary of your Company Have a great care of your Carriage Nothing will please from one whose Person is distasted Give them good Example by a Prudent Pious Honest unblameable Conversation which much tends to the bettering of them and maintaining your Respect Esteem Authority over them Betray not your Natural weaknesses by Passion or Imprudent words and deeds Command your selves if you expect they should obey you Suffer not that in your selves which you discountenance in Them Conscience of our own Crimes Choaks the Accuser and not like to amend the Offender An Inferior cannot but stoop in Heart to that Superior in whom God's Image appears The heaviest work is made light by seasonable enjoyning it As much as possible settle a constant order in your Family and of your Business that every ordinary work may know its Time and Confusion and Distraction may not shut out or hinder Godliness which is much furthered and made easie by skill and foresight Be in your Family as a Prophet to Teach and Instruct them as a King to govern and take care of them as a Priest to offer up the daily Sacrifice of Prayer and Thanksgiving with and for them Always Remembring who hath committed them to your Charge and that at your Hands it will be Required His Morning Prayer with his Family MOst Holy and Infinitely glorious Lord God who art in thy self a Consuming Fire but in thy Son a Reconciled Father We desire in all Humility to Prostrate our Souls before thee acknowledging our selves far less than the least of all thy Mercies unworthy to breath in thy Air to tread upon thy Earth to lift up our eyes to Heaven to have any thing to do with thee in a way of Grace and Mercy Thou hast nourished and brought us up and we have Rebelled against thee Requited thee Evil for Good and Hatred for thy good will It 's a wonder of thy Patience and Forbearance that we are alive before thee Praying unto thee and Praising of thee and not spending a sad Eternity in that place of Torment from whence there is no Redemption O glorifie thy Mercy in the Pardoning and Saving of us and not thy Justice in our Destruction Justifie us freely by thy Grace through the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ and sanctifie us by thy Holy Spirit Let the time past of our lives be too too much that we have been so Careless in serving thee and saving our Souls for the Time to come let us work out our Salvation with fear and trembling and give all diligence to make our Calling and Election sure And in our several Relations and Places give us Grace to behave our selves as becomes thy Children and Servants with Care and Conscience and Soberness of Mind as having thy Law writ upon our Hearts and thy fear always before our Eyes and a sence of thine Omniscience and Omnipresence that thine Eye runs too and fro through the whole Earth that thou art the Witness and wilt be the Judge of all our Thoughts Words and Actions And seeing thou hast been pleased to Encourage us to our Duty by many great and precious Promises let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of Flesh and Spirit perfecting Holiness in thy fear Let this be our great Care notwithstanding all Temptations that we never leave thee nor forsake thee and this our great Comfort in all Conditions that thou hast said thou wilt never leave us nor forsake us Let us not be weary of well-doing knowing in due season we shall reap if we faint not Let the End of our Dayes be often at the End of our Thoughts Give us Grace so to live now as we shall wish we had done when we come to Die that then we may be able to Reflect upon a well-spent life and on good Grounds to resign up our Souls into thy Hands as into the hands of a Faithful Creator and Merciful Redeemer Remember all Mankind in much Mercy Send thy Gospel where it is not Preached make it very successful where it is Pardon our Crying Sins in these Three Nations Reform our wicked Lives Continue our forfeited Mercies prevent our deserved Judgments Let our Soveraign and all our Magistrates be Terrors to Evil Doers Incouragers of those that do well Make the Ministers of thy Gospel faithful painful religious their labours successful Let all our Relations be related to thy self and all thine afflicted Servants relieved by thee according to the multitude of thy tender Mercies We Praise thee for our last Night's Preservation and Refreshment and for all the Instances of thy Goodness to us all our Dayes Go along with us this Day Bless us in all our ways preserve us from all Evil especially from the Evil of Sin Work in us a greater Care of pleasing and fear of offending thee that living this Day and all our Dayes in thy fear we may dye in thy favour thorough thy Son who hath taught us when we Pray to say Our Father c. His Evening Prayer with his Family ETernally Blessed and Infinitely glorious Lord God the great and terrible Majesty of Heaven and Earth at whose Dreadful Appearance all Impenitent Sinners shall e'er long in vain call to the Rocks and the Mountains to cover them for fear of thy Wrath and for the glory of thy Power So often as we come into thy Presence we have abundant Cause to be covered with Shame and Confusion of face for the vileness and sinfulness of our Natures Hearts and Lives We are by Nature Children of Wrath and by our Lives Children of Disobedience have broken all thy Holy Laws in Thought Word or Deed so that it were Righteous with thee to make us miserable in this World and that which is to come But O deal not with us according to the multitude and hainousness of our Provocations but according to the multitude and tenderness of thine own Compassions for thy Goodness sake Remember us O Lord. And for the Time to come make us to amend our Lives according to thy Word Enlighten our dark Understandings subdue our Wills and Affections wholly to thy self Let us know and do the things that belong to our Peace before they be hid from our Eyes Let us chearfully perform what thou requirest of us and patiently bear what at any time thou shalt lay upon us Be stedfast and unmoveable always abounding in the Work of the Lord for as much as we know our labour shall not
is over Think how Damned Souls would Hear and Pray if they might with you be tryed again and how unfit unbecoming a Careless a Drowzy Body dull Affections dead Services are for the living God Compose your selves with all Reverence as considering with whom you have to do and for what Beware of a wandring Eye and Mind or slighting what you Hear Be seriously imploy'd all the Time And while others are quarrelling with the Imperfections of the Speaker or Congregation be laying up the Word in your Heart Be Reverent Solemn and Serious in every Duty be sure your Heart be in them In Confession Humiliation Petition Thanksgiving Singing when the Word is Read or Preacht whether Commands Promises Threatnings Calls Invitations be answerably Affected with them as if you heard God speaking from Heaven Haste not away while the Minister is pronouncing the Blessing but hope desire and believe it shall Descend upon you Leave not the Assembly until you have lift up your Heart for Pardon and a Blessing upon the Ordinance to your self and all present In these or the like words A short Prayer I Adore and Magnifie thee O merciful Father for this opportunity of hearing from and waiting upon thee O pardon whatever thou hast seen amiss in us and let the Fruit of it be unto Holiness and the end Everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen After your Attendance in Publick with that Concern and seriousness the work requires and deserves let not your self loose the rest of the Day to secular Diversions and Concerns and thereby choke and stifle those good Instructions and devout Affections that have been raised and excited in you Let your Diet be moderate lest it make you drowzy and your Hearts Heavenly at it your Discourse savoury seasoned with Grace suitable to the Company and the Day in the chearful Remembrance of the love of your Redeemer the special work of the Day being to Celebrate the Memorial of his Resurrection and the whole work of our Redemption by him we ought to speak as much as possible of it under a sence of our Natural misery and in stirring up lively Apprehensions of Infinite Condescending Goodness in the special exercise of Faith and Love and Joyful Praises Having spent as much of the Day as you can in Publick Worship and in Reading the Word and ruminating upon it Review the Duties Mercies and Miscarriages of the Day Call over what you have Heard and Read and urge it upon your Heart Beg the Divine Blessing and Assistance for the Advantage and Improvement of it and Pardon for your failings Bless God for any Enlargement or Good received Recommend your self unto him for the Ensuing Night and let your last Thoughts be in the thankful joyful sence of the Mercies you have and hope for and the goodness of God in your Mediator Confidently trust your self and yours in his Hand longing for your nearer approach unto him and full Enjoyment of him in Glory Morning Prayer on the Lord's Day MOst Holy and Infinitely glorious Lord God Thou art greatly to be feared in the Assembly of thy Saints and to be had in Reverence by all that draw nigh unto Thee It 's an Infinite Condescention in thy Majesty to suffer such a despicable Worm as I am to come before Thee to wait upon Thee to speak unto Thee to have any thing to do with Thee in a way of Grace and Mercy Had'st thou dealt with me according to my Deserts and Rewarded me after mine Iniquities I had been long ago in that place of Torment where Prayer and the means of Grace could do me no good at all O Pardon my abuse of thy Mercies mispending my Time Prophaning thy Sabbaths Polluting thine Ordinances the unworthy Returns I have made unto Thee for all thy Benefits which might justly cause thee to withdraw thy self from me and thy Blessing from thine Ordinances Make me truly sensible of the worth of the Opportunity thou this Day puts into my hand for the good of my Immortal Soul let it not be as a prize put into the hand of a Fool that hath no heart to use it Help me to make a wise a right Improvement of the same for the Glory of Thy Name and for the preparing my self for my Eternal Rest Let my Thoughts this Day be much upon it and upon that wonderful love in my Redemption Take away my Heart of Stone that 's so insensible of my own Vileness and thy abundant Goodness and give me a Heart of Flesh write thy Laws upon it put thy Fear within me that I may never depart from Thee Let not thy Sabbaths nor thine Ordinances be continued in vain unto me but let me grow in Grace under all the means of Grace I enjoy The older I grow the better let me be the nearer I come to my end let me be the fitter for thy self Let me love the Habitation of thy House and the place where thine Honour Dwelleth and Esteem one Day in thy Courts better than a Thousand elsewhere and that I had rather be a Door-keeper in the House of my God than to dwell in the Tents of Wickedness Let it be my Meat and Drink the Joy and Rejoycing of my Soul to do thy Will and to be Imployed in thy Service Visit the dark Corners of the Earth with the light of thy glorious Gospel and let all that enjoy it walk worthy of it Make our Soveraign and all our Superiors thy faithful Subjects and Servants Let thy Priests be Cloathed with Righteousness and thy Saints shout for Joy Be in all our Solemn Assemblies Accompany thine own Institutions with thine own Blessing Make thy Word in the mouths of thy Ministers very effectual for turning many unto Righteousness Be with me this Day let my Confessions of Sin Increase my Hatred against it my Praises and Thanksgivings be the Inward sense of my Soul Let my Conversing with Heavenly things have an Influence upon me for the bettering of me Go along with me into the Assembly of thy Servants unite and compose my Thoughts in thy Presence let me attend upon thee without Distraction Let me Consider thou hast an Eye upon me at all Times especially when I draw nigh unto Thee in the way of thy Worship Let me Pray unto Thee in Spirit and Truth because thou art a Spirit and requirest so to be worshipped Give me a Hearing Ear a seeing Eye an understanding Heart Let me hear thy Word as thy Word as that Word by which I shall be Judged and which is able to save my Soul by believing and obeying of it through Jesus Christ in whose Holy Name and Words I further Pray Our Father which art in Heaven c. Evening Prayer on the Lord's Day MOst great and Infinitely glorious Lord God who hast Exalted thy self far above the Heavens and above the Praises and Apprehensions of the best of thy Creatures Unto thee be all possible Praise Honour and Glory for what thou art in thy self
and unto all thy Creatures for thy Infinite Wisdom Power and Goodness so apparent in Creating Preserving of Providing for them That the Heavens Declare thy Glory and the Firmaments shew thy Handywork that the Eyes of all wait upon Thee and that thou openest thy hand and fillest them with Good that thou hast not left thy self without witness where thy Gospel is not Preached in that thou doest them good and sendest them Rain from Heaven and fruitful Seasons and fills their Hearts with Food and Gladness But what shall I render unto thee for thy unspeakable goodness to Mankind not only in making us capable of serving and enjoying thee but in providing for us a Saviour to Reconcile and Renew us when we had forfeited thy favour which was our Happiness and lost thine Image which was our Excellency and Glory That so many have enjoy'd thy Gospel and been translated out of the Kingdom of Satan into the Kingdom of thy Dear Son That I live in a place where thy Gospel is Preached the way to Heaven so clearly Revealed where I have so many opportunities of hearing from thee of waiting upon thee that this Day I have enjoyed the means of being Happy with Thee for ever O accompany the same with thy Blessing to that End Let me live the Sermons that I hear the Ordinances I enjoy the Duties I am Imployed in Let my Thoughts be much upon that Happy state where I shall offend thee and my self no more but Reap my Redeemer's Purchase for those that sincerely serve Thee Look in much Mercy upon all Mankind Say Behold me Behold me to the People that have not known thee that have not call'd upon thy Name Let all the Ends of the Earth see the Salvation of our God Encrease the number of true Believers daily add to thy Church such as shall be saved Forgive the crying Sins of these Three Nations turn us unto thee by a speedy and unfeigned Repentance and Reformation that Iniquity may not be our Ruine Compose our Differences make up our Breaches heal our Divisions Endue our Severaign with all necessary qualifications for his present and future Happiness Let none of our Magistrates bear the Sword in vain but be faithful to that Trust committed to them Remove not thy Candlestick let not our Teachers be driven into Corners let their Doctrine be pure and their Lives exemplary for the good of Souls accompany their Endeavours with thy Blessing Bring unto my Remembrance that part of thy Word I have Read or Heard this Day let me hide it in my heart that I may not dare to Sin against thee As I am one day nearer my End let me be so much nearer keeping an Eternal Sabbath with thee in Heaven Smell a sweet savour from the sincere services of thy Servants Return gracious Answers to their Prayers Pardon what thou hast seen amiss in me and them this Day through Jesus Christ who hath taught us to Pray Our Father c. Directions as to Prayer STir up in your Souls the most lively Apprehensions Reverence Faith and Love as to him before whom you are going to Appear and upon what terms he is engaged and hath resolved to Answer or deny you Be throughly sensible of your Sins and wants and of the worth of those Mercies you are going to ask Come always in the Humility that becomes a worthless Condemned Sinner and in the belief and boldness that becomes a Son a Member of Christ Disclaim all worthiness of your own but be as Confident in every lawful Request as if you saw your Crucified Mediator interceding for you with his and your Father Pray with Understanding Attention Abhorrence of your Sins a deep sence of your Necessities a holy Confidence of Assistance and Audience through your Redeemer God's merciful Nature and gracious Promises with holy and lively Affections with Charity a Heart filled with good will to all your very Enemies with uprightness and sincerity Beware you love not Sin but resolve to leave it when you Pray against it that you truely Desire and Endeavour for the Grace and Mercy you ask and ask not for that you would not have Keep your Heart all the while in a reverent serious fervent frame as if God's Glory was visible to your Bodily Eye Suffer it not to wander grow Remiss Cold Formal It 's said of Luther that he used such Reverence and Humility as in the presence of Almighty God but such fervency and Faith as if he had been talking with his Friend he that asks with a doubting listless mind begs for nothing but to be denied Make your Prayers your Rule all your Duties are there set down what you are bound to do for the doing whereof you beg the Divine assistance God loves to Bless and Reward Industry but not to support Idleness As we must ask of God what we need so we must labour for all we ask by the Use and Improvement of what we have He that would Pray with Effect must live with Care and Piety Directions as to Reading and Hearing the Word AWefully Remember that the Scriptures are the Word of God full of many gratious Promises Encouragements and Supports the Doctrine of unseen things and of the greatest Mercies the Rule by which you must live and be Judged Therefore Read and Meditate upon it with Humility Reverence Love and great Delight Submission and a full Resolution to obey it If â—ny thing seem Difficult or Improbable â—uestion not suspect not it but your own â—gnorance and Understanding and Pray â—hat the Spirit which Indited it may expound 〈◊〉 to you Before you go to Hear Pray for the Minister the Congregation and your selves for the Divine Assistance and Blessing Lay side all worldly Cares and Thoughts all â—thiness and superfluity of naughtiness and receive with Meekness the Ingrafted Word which is able to save your Souls Come not with an Irreverent Careless unbelieving Heart as if it were a light matter that â—ittle concern'd you but with Faith Love and Reverence with a deep an â—wakened sence of its unspeakable weight â—ecessity Consequence and Concernment to you Come on purpose to get Direction and Strength against your particular failing Hear with Attentive willing humble Honest Teachable Hearts and Applicatioâ— of it to your selves with a design to Profiâ— with Resolution to obey all that shall bâ— Commanded you of God As new boâ—â— Babes desire the sincere Milk of the Word that you may grow thereby Despise it no in the plainness of it Hear not to Censure or Cavil but to be taught and Ruled Suâ—fer not vain Thoughts or drowzy careles Negligence to hinder your Attention Chieâ—ly mark the drift and design of the Discoursâ— and those things that are of the greate weight and concernment to your selves When you come Home Meditate oâ— what you have heard Lament a stupiâ— careless unbelieving Heart Pray over an endeavour to practise what you have learn Reason and Plead with your own Heart and let