in all my necessities and chiefly for all spirituall graces to my soule And as I trust thou wilt awake mee from the dulnesse of this nights sleep in safety to the morning light so dear Lord by thy holy Spirit daily quicken my soule from the deadnesse of sinne to newnesse of life and raise me up in mercie hereafter from the darknesse of death unto light and life eternall to live with thee my God for evermore Now gracious Lord receive mee with all that doth belong unto me into thy mercifull protection now and alwaies to keep and deliver us from all sinne and evill giving us this night quiet sleep health and rest if it be thy will and grant whether I sleep or wake live or dye I may be wholly thine and doe all to thy honour and glory that so both in life and death Christ may be to me an advantage through thy infinite mercie O my blessed Lord God Now I humbly pray thee so to inlighten the darknesse of my soul and understanding with thy grace that I may see clearly the right way to heavenly happinesse and by thy assistance follow hard after it untill I have attained to it and also for thy holy Names sake defend mee from all perills and dangers of this night either to my soule or body to me or any of mine for the love of thy only Son my deare Saviour Jesus Christ for whose sake grant me also the guard of thy holy and good Angells now and ever that they may pitch their tents about mee to preserve mee from all my enemies bodily and ghostly and commit mee Lord to the custody of thy blessed Spirit to keep me from falling into any sinne or evill and to guide my waies into the paths of truth and righteousnesse that I may live in thy holy feare and dye in thy faith and favour and good God grant that in the howre of my death and in the day of judgement thy dear Son and my sweet Jesus may bee my mercifull judge and Saviour to pardon and pasle by all my sinnes and cover them with his righteousnesse that after death I may bee received and accepted into thy grace and favour to live and remaine in joy and blisse eternally with thee my God Father Son and Holy Ghost Now O God who canst doe abundantly more then I can aske or thinke to thee be all praise honour and glory for ever and ever Amen 25. The conclusion for Thursday night in bed O Lord my God I thanke thee for all thy mercies vouchsafed unto mee this present day and formerly and now be pleased O Lord by thy holy Spirit to sanctifie me thy poor unworthy servant in soule body and spirit throughout to thy right faithfull and constant service all my daies and assist me with thy grace that I may daily confesse lament hate leave and amend all my former misdeeds and may become faithfully and unfainedly thine in all true obedience and sincere and perfect love toward thy Majesty both living and dying and for ever that through thy mercy and Christs merits I may be found blamelesse at the appearance of my Lord Jesus by whom I trust to obtaine to live in heaven with thee and to bee presented by my Saviour unto thy gracious acceptance in that great day of the Lord to remain with thee my God for ever Amen 26. A Prayer for Friday at first awaking to God the Son DEare Saviour Jesus have mercy upon mee a miserable sinner Thou immaculate Lambe of God that knewest no sinne but diedst for our transgressions and shed thine owne most pretious bloud to cleanse us from sinne I most humbly praise and magnifie thy holy Name for all thy mercies who hast done and suffered great and many things for mee but especially I blesse thee for those spirituall blessings thou hast bestowed upon me before I was borne and hitherto Now sweet Jesus who knowest my frailty I doe most humbly pray thee never to leave me to my self nor to my soules enemies neither while I live at my death nor in the great and dreadfull day of judgement when all things shall bee made manifest before thee and it will be wholly in thy power to save or to condemne then Lord Jesus looke in mercie on me as one of thine whom thou lovest to the end to pardon and cover all my sinnes and receive me into thy grace and favour for by thee only commeth my salvation and in thee O Lord is my whole trust Therefore vouchsafe Lord to continue thy goodnesse thy favour and thy loving kindnesse towards me this day and for ever in forgiving all my iniquities that I have committed in my whole life past and also my sinfull omission of those duties and good workes which thou hast commanded and I have wickedly neglected But I most humbly beseech thee my Saviour to indue mee thy most unworthy servant with thy grace and holy Spirit to direct my heart and all my waies aright before thee and preserve me at all times in the sincere and perfect love of thy divine Majesty and in thy feare and favour with unfaigned repentance and amendment of life that I may obtaine thy gracious pardon for all my offences and Lord give me true faith stedfast hope and perfect charity unto my liâ—â—â— end These great mercies I aske at thy gracious hands deare Jesus Christ who art my only Saviour Redeemer Mediator and Advocate to whom be all praise and glory for ever Amen 27. A morning Prayer for Friday to God the Sonne SWeet Saviour none can come to the Father but by thee and whosoever commeth unto thee thou castest not away but wilt raise him up at the last day unto eternall life Now deare Jesus thou blessed Son and innocent Lambe of God that takest away the sinnes of the sinnes of the world who graciously callest unto thee all heavy laden and penitent sinners that thou maiest ease and refresh them have pity on me and vouchsafe to sanctifie and cleanse my soule and body from all sinne and evill by thy holy Spirit and make mee pure and upright in thy sight and be pleased to protect and direct my heart and soule and all my waies before thee and to indue me with thy blessed Spirit to preserve mee from falling into any sin or offence towards thee but assist me with thy grace in all things I goe about to doe that I may doe that which may be most acceptable and best pleasing in thy fight Now Lord I confesse that I was conceived and borne in sinne and I am a miserable and wretched sinner above all others and unto whom should I come but to thee the Saviour of mankinde who camest into the world to save sinners by thy grace of whom I am chiefe O fountaine of mercy who didst vouchsafe to bee borne of the blessed and pure Virgin Mary to become man and tookest our wretched nature upon thee therein to suffer death to reassume us from eternall death sinne
most holy Name And grant me grace to spend the rest of my time to come more carefully and faithfully then I have formerly done to seeke serve feare love obey and please thee my Lord in all things as I ought to doe so that it may bee more then meat and drinke unto me to doe the will of thee my heavenly Father And I most humbly beseech thee O God the fountaine of mercy to forgive and pardon all my sinnes and offences past that I have committed against thee either in soule or body throughout my whole life Lord blot them out of thy remembrance with the most pretious bloud of thy deare Son my only Saviour Jesus Christ and grant through thy mercies and his merits and sufferings that my iniquities may never be imputed unto me But vouchsafe O God now and ever to keepe me thy poore servant as the apple of thine own eie from all sin and shame and hide mee under the shadow of thy wings from falling into any evill or danger this day especially O Lord preserve mee alwaies from the great wickednesse of committing any presumptuous sin before thee and from the fearfull sinne against the Holy Ghost which is unpardonable and from the dangerous sins of neglect towards thee hardnesse of heart senselesse security or falling into wicked despaire whereby I may prevent my soule of thy mercy in Christ for my salvation But good God direct thou my thoughts desires words and deeds to be ever agreeable to thy most holy will and obedient to all thy Commandements that I may henceforth live before thee with an upright heart daily studying and striving to serve and please thee in all things so long as I live that after death I may praise and magnifie thy Name in heaven among thy Saints and servants for ever and ever These great mercies O gracious God with all other thou knowest needfull for me either for this life or the life to come I further beg of thee in the name merits and mediation of thy deare Son and my sweet Jesus concluding in that perfect forme of prayer which hee hath taught us saying Our Father c. 12. A Prayer to God the Father for Munday night O Lord my God how excellent is thy name in all the world who hast done great workes and brought mighty things to passe ALmighty Lord and my heavenly Father in Christ most high and mighty God Creator possessor preserver and disposer of heaven and earth and all that is therein the fountaine of grace and mercy and Father of light from whom commeth all good and perfect gifts I most humbly pray thee of thy great goodnesse to give mee thy poore sinfull servant thy grace and holy Spirit to direct my heart and all my waies aright in thy sight and to guide me in the paths of truth and righteousnesse and Lord lead mee into that streight way and through that narrow gate which bringeth unto life eternall that so of thy infinite mercie through Christ I may enter in though most unworthy with them that obtaine grace to finde it and there to live with thee my God in joy and blisse for evermore And further I yeeld and render unto thee my Lord all humble and possible praise honour and thankes for all thy great and manifold mercies and benefits spirituall and temporall vouchsafed unto me thy most unworthy servant in soule and body from time to time and also for thy gracious preservation of me and mine and all other thy blessings bestowed upon me this day past and all my life hitherto Now good God for Christs sake I humbly pray thee to forgive and pardon all my sinnes and trespasses that I have committed before thee inwardly or outwardly in soul or body by thought desire word or deed this present day or any time of my life heretofore Mercifull Father wash away all my sinnes out of thy sight with the most pretious bloud of that All-sufficient sacrifice the innocent Lamb of God Jesus who was slaine for our transgressions hide all my sins in his wounds and bury them in his grave so as they may never bee able to rise in judgement against me either to accuse or to condemne mee But Lord make me of that blessed number whose sinnes thou wilt cover and whose iniquities thou wilt pardon And vouchsafe also to forgive my omission of all those good deeds I ought to have done and my sinfull neglect in the true performance of all duty and service that I owe unto thee especially my wicked negligence in calling upon thy holy Name and daily praising thee for all thy mercies and likewise I beg pardon for my often omitting or slightly performing this duty of praying unto thee as I ought now and at all times which Lord give me grace more carefully faithfully and devoutly to perform towards thee by the assistance of thy holy Spirit ever hereafter that so of thine infinite mercy thou maiest bâ—ing mee to that eternall Kingdome which thou hall prepared O God the Father before the world began for all that truly love and beleeve in thee to thy great praise and honour and my salvation iâ— Christ through thy mercy O blessed Lord God to whom be glory now and ever Amen 13. The conclusion for Munday to be said last or in bed O My God I most humbly commmend and commit my selfe both body and soule my children and grand-children my kindred friends and family and all that doth belong unto me here or else where with all my fellow members in thy whole Church into thy most gracious protection and preservation this night and alwaies Good God I beseech thee vouchsafe to blesse sanctifie and keep our soules and bodies in thy true faith feare and favour with safety this night and to our lives end Amen 14. A Prayer at first awaking for Tuesday to our Saviour Jesus Christ MY soule shall magnifie thee O Lord and my spirit rejoyceth in God my Saviour who hath done and suffered great and many things for me blessed be thy most holy Name for thy infinite benefits and blessings both spirituall and temporall bestowed upon mee thy unworthy sinfull servant from time to time And chiefly Gracious Lord for thy accomplishment of my redemption before I had any being who didst vouchsafe to come into the world amongst evill men and to be borne of a Virgin to take the shape and nature of man upon thee and in our flesh didst work and performe all righteousnesse to bee imputed unto us and also submitted thy selfe to suffer the most bitter and ignominious death of the Crosse to free us from that eternall death which our sinnes have deserved and also rose againe from the grave the third day to overcome sin death the grave hell and Sathan with all other things for us And so thou sweet Jesus art become our reconciliation redemption righteousnesse and justification with hope also through thee of salvation and glorification hereafter Of all which thy inestimable benefits I
which is most needfull even thy glory thy favour and thy blessed Kingdome and then Lord I know thou wilt supply all the defects of grace in my soule and heale all the infirmities of my body but chiefly vouchsafe daily to continue and increase all spirituall graces in my soule by thy mercy and mighty power O my blessed Lord God to which end O gracious Spirit give mee an upright and penitent heart an humble and lowly spirit a quiet recollected minde freed from the vanities and cares of this present world and the love of this vile life but Lord teach mee with Mary first and above all things to seek after thee my God thy Kingdome and the righteousnesse thereof so that I may have grace wholly to devote and dedicate my selfe my time and best endeavours unto thy true and faithfull service and daily study and strive to doe thy holy will in all things and seek thy glory here that so I may be partaker of thy heavenly Kingdome hereafter And deare Lord Holy Ghost inspire me with thy grace daily to heare and read thy holy and blessed word as I ought to do and that I may so imploy my time therein as to frame my life hereafter to thy glory and my soules good And grant mee graciously O God to chuse to speake and to walke in the waies of truth and righteousnesse and to set thy heavy judgements against sin continually before my face to deter and make mee daily to remember my owne last end and by thy assistance to prepare for it and to consider the end in all my actions before I doe them that I may never doe amisse and let me still remember thy all-seeing eyes are ever upon our waies that I may not displease or offend thee in any thing But Lord indue me with thy holy Spirit to direct my heart and all my waies aright before thee that so thou maiest witnesse to my spirit that I am the childe of God and ever continue unto mee that unspeakable comfort to give me the joyfull hope of my salvation through my Lord Jesus Christ unto my end and in my end especially establish me with thy free spirit to worke in my soul all saving graces that may make me acceptable in thy sight through my Lord Jesus Christ for whose sake I beseech thee further to extend thy goodnes towards me to forgive all my sinnes and offences that I have done before thee in my whole life past and preserve me in soul and body from all sin and evill either committing or falling on mee but deare Lord vouchsafe daily to supply and bestow upon me all the benefits and blessings necessary for this present life but chiefly be pleased to sanctifie my soule and body unto thy faithfull service and indue me with all saving graces for my salvation both in life and death that so I may bee able rightly and constantly to serve and please thee whilst I live here that also by thy gracious assistance I may obtaine a place hereafter to live with thee eternally O Holy Ghost and my blessed Lord God to whom be all thanks and praise for ever Amen 33. The conclusion for Saturday night in bed to the weeks Prayers for mornings and nights I Most humbly beseech thee my Lord God mercifully to loke upon me and my manifold infirmities and for Jesus my Saviours sake vouchsafe to forgive and pardon all my sinnes and grievous offences that I have committed in thy sight all the daies of my life past and in thy great mercy turne from me all those evils that my transgressions have justly deserved and Lord grant me thy preventing grace and fatherly providence to bee still with mee to preserve me at all times from falling into any sinne or evill either to offend thee my God or to hurt my owne soule And vouchsafe Lord so to direct and dispose the heart and waies of me thy most unworthy servant towards the right performance of all duties and services that I owe unto thee my God and the happy obtaining by my Lord Iesus of everlasting salvation to my owne selfe that amongst all the changes chances and adversities of this miserable mutable and mortall life I may ever be defended by thy ready helpe and favour from falling into sin shame harme or danger either in soule or body and may be directed and assisted by thy grace and providence to walke in the waies of righteousnesse and true holinesse before thee that thou my Lord Holy Ghost maiest guide me in all things I goe about to doe that which may be most serviceable acceptable and best pleasing in the sight of my Lord God to whom be all praise honour power and eternall glory for ever and ever Amen The end of the second Book BOOK III. Short Prayers which may belong to any the three Books when time serves not for longer devotions 1. A short Preface before other prayers or petitions O Lord Holy Ghost who best knowest my manifold infirmities have mercy and pity upon me and vouchsafe to prevent or to banish and drive away all evill hindrances and temptations that may withdraw my heart from God in the offering up of my prayers and humble petitions unto thy Majesty and be pleased Lord to sanctifie teach and assist me herein with thy holy Spirit and grace that I may rightly and faithfully performe this duty and service before thee to thy glory and my good and comfort of my soule through Christ Jesus Amen 2. A short thanksgiving at first sight of the morning light MY blessed Lord God I most humbly praise thee for thy gracious preservation of mee with quiet rest and health this night past and bringing me in safety to this light Lord blesse and sanctifie me this day and ever unto thy faithfull service and keep me alwaies in thy true faith feare favour and ready obedience and make me constantly and unfaignedly thine all my life time but in my death especially that when it pleaseth thee to call for me out of this miserable world thou maiest bring me to eternall salvation by thine own merits and meer mercy sweet Jesus I most humbly beseech thee So be it 3. A Prayer for helpe in present temptation in the time of prayer to our Lord Jesus who overcame and subdued the old tempter the subtile Serpent our everlasting enemy from whom God defend us OH my God heavenly Father who hast made and seest all hearts and knowest my great affection and fervent desire rightly to serve thee and my weaknesse and frailty in performance thereof have pity on my infirmities and assist me with thy grace And sweet Jesus my Saviour who didst suffer thy selfe to bee tempted by the Divell that thou mightest overcome the tempter and succour all those that are tempted to thee Lord I call and pray for helpe and defence against this malicious adversary O God the Holy Ghost indue me with thy blessed Spirit and power so to resist him that he may flye from me
in need and be liberall of my earthly vanishing wealth to relieve thy childrens necessities for thy sake that are dear unto thee who wert free of thy very bloud and sparedst not thine owne life to ransome them and me from utter destruction and so the loynes and bellies of the poore shall praise thee and blesse me in their comforts and thou maiest vouchsafe to receive and accept at my poore hands that small miâ—e of thankfulnesse and obedience towards thee my God from whose most gracious hand I have received many bountifull blessings and benefits throughout my whole life which let mee never forget gratefully to acknowledge while â— have breath and to praise thy holy Name 〈◊〉 â—ll thy mercies now and for evermore Amen dâ—â—re God Amen Thursday 4. A Prayer to the Trinity for spirituall graces MOst gracious Lord God who didst create man of the dust of the earth and knowest we are by nature the children of wrath and wholy inclined to evill for thou best understandest how unapt and unable I sinfull creature am to doe any good before thee much lesse to call upon thy great and glorious Name as I ought to doe yet thou in mercy hast appointed prayer to bee the chiefe meanes betwixt thy great Majesty and the unworthinesse of us thy poore sinfull servants wherby to declare our wants griefes and desires unto thee who art our only hope and helpe Therefore deare Lord indue me thy unworthy servant with thy true spirit of grace and prayer to teach mee how to pray as I ought that thereby I may have power and strength to withstand all evill temptations that seek to draw me from thy service and by thy assistance that I may be able so to resist the Divell that hee may flye from me in the performance of all duties towards thee and give mee grace with faith and fervency humility and true devotion to cry and pray daily and constantly unto thee for relief and distresse in all my troubles and wants and faithfully to call and relye upon thee for all thy blessings and benefits both spirituall and temporall to be bestowed on my soule and body as thou shalt thinke fittest that so I may render all thanks and magnifie thy Name as I am right bound to doe for all thy mercies and favours vouchsafed unto me the most unworthiest of all thy servants from time to time And I humbly pray thee O Lord to give me the blessed gift of true faith without which it is impossible for me to please thee my God but thereby I may lay hold and rightly apply unto my owne soule all the infinite benefits purchased by the bitter death and passion and precious bloud-shedding of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ that I may bring forth the fruits of righteousnesse and true holinesse before thee as becommeth that Saints and servants whereby I may glorifie thee and have assurance to my owne conscience that I am thine by constantly obeying thy will And also Lord grant me hearty and unfaigned repentance and true sorrow for all my sinnes originall and actuall in omitting the good I ought to do and committing the evill I should not doe against thee that so I may obtaine pardon of all my trespasses through the merits of Jesus Christ the righteous and let thy blessed Spirit produce in me amendment of my life all my time to come and assist mee with thy grace to shun and hate all approaches of evil and Lord shew me the way of life and turne my steps into the right paths that I may wallke in true obedience to all thy holy Commandements Now deare God of thy mercy give me the true feare of thy holy Name with assurance of thy gracious favour towards me and continuall joy and comfort in the Holy Ghost that I may strive alwaies to keep faith and a good conscience before thee towards all and indue me with grace will understanding and ability to do good workes to thy glory and bring comfort and profit to my soule in praying reading and hearing of thy most holy word at all times and most devout love towards thy Majesty with affection to all my brethren thy children servants and all the daies of my life to come by thy gracious assistance dear God Amen Friday 5. A Prayer for defence against our soules enemies in all temptations GOod Lord God who knowest the power and great malice of our spirituall enemies from whoÌ„ none can defend or deliver us but only thou O Lord whose power and strength is over and above all and if thou please to receive me into thy gracious protection who can hurt or plucke mee out of thy mercifull hands Therefore I most humbly beseech thee O God to defend me both in soule and body in life and death from all the temptations of my owne wretched nature within me the wicked inticements of this vaine world round about me with the malicious snares and evill temptations of the Divell that are ever at my backe ready to intrap me and draw my soul from thee my God and all goodnesse and to lead mee captive into all wickednesse sinne and evill to seperate me from thee all which like roaring Lions seeke to devoure and destroy me everlastingly But I most humbly pray unto thee O Lord who understandest my frailties to preserve and deliver me from all their assaults that they may never be able to prevaile over me to draw mee to sin against thee my God in any thing neither suffer them to prevent hinder disturbe or carry away my minde or possesse my vaine heart with wandring thoughts in the performance of any holy duty or service towards thy Majesty nor give them power to bring those harmes dangers or mischiefes upon me either in soule or body which they desire to doe But let thy blessed Spirit so fully possesse me and ever direct and assist mee in all my waies to doe all things in a right faithfull and acceptable manner before thee that so at all times thy Spirit may witnesse unto my spirit that I am thy childe and servant and of thy infinite mercy good Lord vouchsafe thou alwaies to say unto my soule especially at my death that thou art my God my helpe and my salvation for ever and by thy grace make my heart and soule to answer and performe unto thee againe that I am and will bee thy true faithfull and obedient servant unto my last breath for ever Amen Saturday 6. A Prayer for the true spirit of prayer or a meditation With a short prayer to Jesus our Saviour DEare Lord Holy Ghost the helper of our infirmities the preserver and sanctifier of mankinde I most humbly begge of thee to indue mee thy unworthy sinfull servant with thy true Spirit of grace and prayer that I may rightly performe that duty towards thee of calling upon thy holy Name and all other thy service this day and at all times with true and right devotion that so my petitions being humbly
deserved but convert thou me and I shall be changed make me turne unto thee in true contrition that thou maiest returne unto me in gracious compassion to forgive all mine iniquities remit my ungratefulnesse and remember my offences no more O wash and cleanse my sinfull soule in the pure bloud of that innocent Lambe that I may feele the vertue of his death to slay all sin in me and the power of his resurrection to raise me to newnesse of life in true obedience to all thy Commandements and with a child-like love feare to offend thee striving to please thee in all things that so I may obtaine favour and mercy in thy sight both for thy blessing in this life and eternall salvation after death through thy dear Son and my only Saviour Jesus Christ Amen 11. A short Prayer for night O God the fountaine of all goodnesse I humbly and thankfully acknowledge although I am altogether unworthy of the least of thy manifold mercies yet have I great experience of thy infinite goodnesse bounty and favour both towards my soule and body all my time past this day and alwaies preserving me from all the evills which sin and nature have made me subject unto with a gracious supply daily ever since I was born of all things needfull for this present life For all which I humbly bow the knee of my heart and soule unto thy glorious Majesty but especially for all thy graces furthering my salvation by Jesus Christ I blesse and praise thy most holy name yeelding all possible and hearty thanks for all thy benefits vouchsafed to mee the continuance whereof I humbly beg at thy gracious hands commending and committing my soule and body into thy mercifull protection this night and ever praying thee to preserve me therein from all perills sin or evill for thou Lord only keepest mee in safety now stretch out thy wings of grace and mercy over me that while sleep seizeth upon my body let not security oppresse my soule but so sanctifie all outward refreshings unto me as thereby I may bee the more fit and able to serve thee faithfully all my life to come that taking quiet rest because thou Lord sustainest me I may also when this life ceaseth lay downe my head in thy peace and be made partaker of thy glory through thy mercies and Christs merits with the assistance of the blessed Spirit To whom O Father Son and Holy Ghost be all praise power dominion and glory now and for ever Amen Continuing my prayers further as Christ hath taught us saying Our Father c. 12. A short Prayer in bed before sleep DEare Lord receive me this night and alwaies into thy gracious protection to give mee now health safety and rest if it be thy will And dear God when I shall enter into my long sleep of death vouchsafe to sanctifie and prepare my soule for eternall life by the assistance of thy grace and holy Spirit before thou call me away hence and grant me a happy and blessed departure out of this world that thou maiest receive me into thy favour and mercy to be with mee in my death that I may dye in the Lord and rest in peace and obtaine a blessed resurrection that so I may be accepted to live with thee to praise thy great and holy name for ever Amen 13. A Prayer before the receiving the Sacrament of the Lords Supper O Most sweet Saviour Jesus Christ and my deare Lord who art the author and finisher of my faith redemption and salvation the life and food of my soule I most miserable sinner presuming nothing at all on mine owne merits or worthinesse but trusting wholly in thy infinite mercy and goodnesse doe feare and tremble to appeare before thy Majesty or to come unto the table of this heavenly banquet But thou Lord Jesus who graciously callest me and all heavy laden sinners accept in mercy the will for the deed in that I am unworthy and ill prepared to presume into thy presence and vouchsafe me the assistance of thy divine Spirit I humbly beseech thee in this holy action that my duty and service therein may bee acceptable in thy sight And powre down thy heavenly blessing upon this thy holy Ordinance of thy Word and Sacraments that they may be effectuall to revive strengthen and supply in me all sanctifying and saving graces needfull to the due and right performance of this sacred duty in an acceptable manner whereby to enlighten my understanding with thy grace to the right knowledge of thee and thy truth and work in me a lively true faith wherewith I may lay hold and apply unto my sicke soule all the sweet and comfortable promises and benefits purchased by the bitter death of my sweet Saviour Indue me also with most unfeigned and hearty sorrow and repentance for all my great and grievous sins and offences committed against thee for all which I most humbly beg thy gracious pardon and grant me such perfect love and charity that I may sincerely with all due reverence and devotion love thee my God with all my heart soul and strength and may love my neighbour as my selfe yea my very enemies for Christs sake that so I may rightly receive this blessed Sacrament being prepared by thy grace as I ought to bee And let O Lord thy pretious bloud shed for me cleanse and wash away all my sins and the breaking of thy pretious body heale all the wounds of my corrupt soule that by the gracious operation of the Holy Ghost I may be inwardly and inseparably joyned to thee my head Christ that thou maiest supply all my weaknesse and defects in soule or body out of thy infinite fulnesse of grace and mercy that being cloathed with thy righteousnesse I may be accepted by thee and through thee and so be accounted worthy to be partaker of all thy merits that with the outward signe of bread and wine I may blessedly receive the true signified Christ with all his benefits and may have grace to hunger and thirst after the spirituall food of Christs body and bloud to nourish my soule unto eternall life and to make me become a new creature in holinesse of living with all true and humble thankfulnesse to thy glory and my everlasting salvation beseeching thee to accept my poor endeavours for perfect performance and reach forth thy helping hand from heaven to save me thy unworthy servant pardoning my sins and covering my imperfections with the pure innocencie of that immaculate Lambe Jesus my Saviour And so I humbly commend my selfe unto thy mercy who art able to doe abundantly above all that I can aske or thinke to thee be all honour power and praise for evermore Amen A short meditation direction or preparation before you presume to enter into the presence and sight of God to approach unto the heavenly banquet humbly desiring this or the like by prayer As thou drawest near unto the holy table pray earnestly in thy heart unto
usefull for those particular occasions whereto they are directed which I shall be very glad and joyfull if my children grand-children kindred friends or any good Christian that shall peruse them may make a good and right use of them to Gods glory And I doe most heartily and humbly pray that God will vouchsafe to heare in heaven and to receive accept and grant their just requests to his owne honour their comfort and my great happinesse who am a wel-wisher and true lover of their soules in the Lord. Eliz. Richardson THese Prâ—â—â—â—â— I composed for the instructions of my children grand-children after the example of my dear parents Sir Thomas Beaumont and his Lady of Stoughton in the County of Leicester who I thinke were as carefull and industrious to breed up their children which were living in the instruction and information of the Lord to serve and obey God as any parents could possibly be which made them take much paines with us more then is usuall by their endeavours to bring us to know and feare God and to keep his Commandements Which Solomon saith is the whole duty of man But when parents have done the best and all we can it is Gods grace and blessing that must perfect the worke which I humbly pray him to adde to accomplish my desire to their eternall happinesse An Exhortation concerning Prayer BEfore thou goest to pray consider seriously of these three things which are very necessary to fit and prepare thee the better for that holy and blessed exercise First ponder with thy selfe into whose presence wee come and to whom we presume to speak being before the great Majesty of God Almighty Secondly in what manner we pray and to what end our prayers tend which must chiefly respect the glory of God and his service and then out owne desires and necessities both for soule and body Thirdly weigh well what good or hurt what benefit or danger may ensue by the performing of this duty carefully or negligently 1. A short Petition to precede any other Prayers O Lord Holy Ghost who knowest my corrupt heart and the frailty of my soule which can performe no good but by thy grace Vouchsafe my Lord to sanctifie assist and teach me the unworthiest of thy servants by thy holy Spirit so to pray now and alwayes that my supplications may be faithfull and acceptable to my God to his glory and the comfort and good of my selfe both in soul and body for ever Amen 2. A Prayer to God the Holy Ghost for the true spirit of grace in prayer O God Holy Ghost the giver of all good gifts and graces give mee thy true Spirit Lord who art the comforter and sanctifier of thine Elect thou knowest my great and manifold infirmities and frailties all which I humbly pray thee in thy love and mercie to heale and helpe And Lord give me power strength and grace by thy assistance to resist and overcome all wicked assaults and temptations of the divell that seeke to draw me from God and goodnesse and lead mee to all evill but vouchsafe Lord I beseech thee still to be present with me in this holy exercise and indue thy poore servant with thy blessed Spirit and gift of prayer to call upon thy glorious Name faithfully and sincerely whereby my unworthy petitions though full of imperfections may be received and accepted by thee And Lord banish all wandring thoughts and wicked hindrances from my soule in the performance of this my bounden duty and service that I owe unto thee my God Father Son and Holy Ghost And be pleased Lord to assist mee now and ever with thy grace to worship thee at all times in spirit and truth as thou requirest and not to present a dead dull and corrupt offering unto my Lord of the lips without the heart or by joyning in my thoughts God and the world or mammon together which thou hatest and so make my prayers abominable to thy Majesty for thou hast made the heart who ought and must be served and honoured with it Therefore I humbly pray thee to inable me by thy assistance to offer unto thee my God a holy and living sacrifice of my selfe my prayers and praises daily in a right and acceptable manner not looking so much to the benefit and recompence of reward that shall bee received thereby from thy mercifull hands to my owne good but chiefly for the honour and glory of thy great Name whose I am and whom I am bound to serve and from whom I have already received so many great blessings and benefits both spirituall and temporall for which I render most humble and hearty thanks unto thy Majesty Now lastly deare Lord Holy Ghost I earnestly beg of thee daily to unite mee unto thy glorious head and only Saviour Jesus Christ that so I may performe with true faith good devotion humility and sincerity this and all other holy duties and services according to thy blessed will and word to thy glory and my great comfort now and for ever So be it 3. A short preface before any other Prayers for the Lords day ALmighty Lord God in whose glorious presence I am presuming to take thy sacred name into my sinfull mouth before thee Lord I most humbly prostrate my selfe thou seest the heart and knowest our wants before we aske yet hast thou commanded us to ask in thy Sons name promising for his sake to grant us all needfull blessings both for soule and body O Lord thou understandest my great weaknesse and disability who can doe no good but by thy assistance I now most humbly pray thee to keep all evill interruptions from my heart and soule and so to indue mee with thy true Spirit of grace and prayer in performing this duty and service to thy glorious Majesty that so all my supplications may now and at all times be right faithfull acceptable and pleasing unto thee and by thy great mercy also prevailing for my good and furtherance of my salvation through my only Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Amen 4. A Prayer for the Lords day at first awaking O Most glorious Lord God the high and gracious Creator of heaven and earth with all things therein Thou didst finish that mighty workin six dayes and rested the seventh commanding thy Church and people of the Jewes to keep holy the seventh day to thy due service and praise But our Lord Jesus having finished the redemption of mankinde by his crosse and passion and bitter sufferings didst bury that Sabbath in his grave upon that day and by thy Spirit didst guide thy Apostles and Christian Church to sanctifie and keep holy this first day of the weeke in perpetuall memory of his glorious resurrection and eternall rest from that labour and suffering for our redemption to thy due service and praise blessed be thy holy name therefore And now dear Lord for all my former neglects of my duty herein for Jesus his sake pardon my sinfull breaches of this and all
bury them in thy grave so as they may never be able to come in judgement against mee either to accuse or shame me in this world or to condemne and confound mee in the world to come for thy mercies sake sweet Jesus my Saviour But I most humbly beseech thee O Lord â—â— sanctifie and cleanse my heart and soule from all sinne and evill by thy holy Spirit that I may be upright in thy sight to reforme all my waies before thee and let thy grace and holy Spirit lead mee into the paths of truth and righteousnesse all my life that after death thou maiest of thy infinite mercy bring me to that everlasting inheritance of happinesse which thou hast so dearly purchased for us with thine owne bloud in whom is all my trust who art my only Saviour Mediator and Advocate for ever O God the Holy Ghost our comforter preserve and sanctifie thou my heart and soule that I may unfeignedly love thee truly feare thy holy Name and faithfully serve please and obey thee as I ought to doe now and all the daies of my life And vouchsafe O blessed Spirit to instruct and inlighten my soule and understanding with the true knowledge devout love and stedfast beliefe of thy sacred truth and keepe me therein for ever O Holy Ghost vouchsafe to make thy seat and dwelling in my soule and let thy holy Spirit take full possession of my heart and abide alwaies with mee to fill me with all saving graces whereby I may bee preserved from falling into any sinne or evill and bee inabled to doe all good that may be best pleasing unto thee and to performe all duty and service by thy assistance in an acceptable manner unto my gracious and Almighty God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost three Persons and one ever glorious Trinity to whom be rendred all praise honour power and thanks as is right due for ever and ever Amen 20. An evening Prayer to God the Holy Ghost for Wednesday O God the Holy Ghost blessed Spirit by whom we are sanctified and sealed unto the day of redemption and by whose holy operation we are joyned unto our blessed Lord and head Christ Jesus from whom let nothing in heaven or earth ever separate me And mercifull Lord I humbly pray thee cast me not in thy displeasure out of thy care and favour for my sinnes and withdraw not thy grace and holy Spirit from me neither forsake me nor leave me to my selfe who am wholly subject to all wickednesse But I most humbly beseech thee to creat in me a new a clean an upright a faithfull and perfect heart in thy sight to walke in all true holinesse before thee as thou requirest all my daies to come and good Lord daily renue thy grace and a right holy spirit within mee to sanctifie and cleanse my soule from sinne to preserve mee from falling into evill and to guide me into the waies of truth and righteousnesse Now dear Lord marke me thy poore servant for thine owne and prevent mee with thy grace that I never grieve despight or neglect thee my God in any thing neither to resist or quench the good motions of thy holy Spirit in my heart at any time but I most humbly pray and desire to bee led and directed in all things by thee who best knowest my frailties and infirmities that I can of my selfe neither will nor performe any good at all much lesse call upon thy holy Name as I ought all my best works and endeavours being full of imperfection and corruption but I humbly beseech thee good Lord to accept in me the will for thee deed the affection for the action and vouchsafe to heale and helpe my great disability to any goodnesse and teach and assist me rightly faithfully and constantly to pray unto thee my God now and at all times according to thy holy will and daily to call upon thy great Name in truth and sincerity And be pleased O Lord Holy Ghost to prepare assist and lift up my heart and soule towards thee and bend downe thine eare of mercy to heare me and vouchsafe thou blessed Lord to make request by thy grace in mee with such inward and faithfull devotion humility sighs and groans as cannot be expressed that so my supplications may bee acceptable to God my heavenly Father through the merits and sufferings of my dear Saviour Jesus and the holy working of thee O God the Holy Ghost my comforter who art the sanctifier and preserver both of my soule and body I humbly pray thee to inflame my heart and spirit with fervent zeale and unfeigned devotion to the true and constant performance of all duties and services that I owe unto thee my God And vouchsafe Lord by thy holy Spirit to infuse into my soule everlasting and devout love towards thy Majesty with Christian charity towards all my brethren thy children and servants And Lord put thou a right and stedfast hope into my heart that my trust in thee may never faile till I have attained to the eternall felicity which God the Father hath prepared and our blessed Saviour hath purchased and thou blessed Spirit by thy holy assistance wilt bring us unto to glorifie the Name of my God in heaven hereafter for ever Amen 21. The conclusion for Wednesday at night to the blessed Trinity MErcifull God heavenly Father blessed Son and Holy Ghost who hast appointed the night for all mortall creatures to take rest without which our weake natures cannot subsist I am now in health by thy gracious providence by thy favour and laid downe in my bed which representeth the grave and by thy mercie hope also to take quiet rest and sleepe that is the image of death from which I know not whether ever I shall awake againe to this worlds light for my life dependeth on thy good pleasure therefore I most humbly pray thee of thy infinite mercy O God to forgive all my sins past that I have committed against thee this present day or heretofore through the merits and sufferings of my Redeemer Jesus and vouchsafe heavenly Father to bee reconciled unto mee thy most guilty sinfull servant in and through thy dear and innocent Son who is my righteous Saviour And grant while I live here that in Christ I may hereafter live to thee and thy faithfull service and when I sleepe Lord let me safely rest by thy blessed preservation and by the assistance of thy holy Spirit that I may continue in thy true faith feare and favour with a good conscience unto my last breath that so if thou call me away this night or any other time in my sleep thou wilt in Christ pardon my sinnes and after death receive my soule to thy grace and mercy to remaine with thee for ever and may praise thee my God everlastingly Amen Amen 22. A Prayer for Thursday morning at first awaking to God the Father MY God I heartily praise thee for my present health rest and
Will praise the Lord because he is good for his mercy endureth for ever by whom we live move and have our being our maintenance safety and preservation Now glorious Trinity Father Son and Holy Ghost I humbly pray thee vouchsafe unto mee thy most unworthy servant such grace and favour to knit my heart and soule fast to theee so that my sinnes nor my soules enemies the wicked world my owne corrupt flesh nor the malice of the Divell may not be able to pluck mee out of thy mercifull and powerfull hands but Lord assist me with thine owne blessed Spirit that I may daily continue and increase in all sincere and perfect love and obedience towards thy Majesty and in thy feare and favour and all other saving graces to have a good conscience before thee with true faith stedfast hope and perfect charity unto my lifes end Amen 31. A Prayer unto the Trinity for Saturday morning O Lord our God how excellent is thy Name in all the world for thou hast laid the foundation of the earth and the heavens are the workes of thy hands and thou didst create and dost governe dispose and rule the whole world with all things therein according to thy good pleasure O most divine and adored Trinity Father Son and Holy Ghost three persons but one true eternall and everliving God to whom be all praise honour and glory as is right and due for ever Thou only by thy word and power didst make all things for thine owne glory especially mankinde after thine image in purity and holinesse to thine own service for by thy ptovidence and mercy commeth all good gifts and blessings unto us and also deliverances only from thee of those evills and dangers which sinne hath made us subject unto in falling from thee and our first integrity by the subtillty and malice of Sathan and our owne frailty yet of thine owne free grace thou didst elect a number by thee selected of thy chosen servants to inherit an eternall Kingdome with and through thy beloved Son whom thou didst ordain and send into the world at thine appointed time to be the redemption of all that beleeve in thee O God the Son our blessed Lord Jesus Christ it is written of thee that thou shouldest doe the will of God the Father who ordained thee to be our Redeemer and wert made of God unto us wisdome righteousnesse sanctification and salvation with glorification hereafter Now deare Jesus who hast paid our ransome even the all-sufficient and acceptable sacrifice of thine own pretious bloud to wash away our sins who was lifted upon the crosse between heaven and earth to make an attonement betwixt God and man his heavy wrath and our grievous offences and so thou art become our Priest to offer up thy innocent selfe to cleanse us from our sinnes who art our Prophet to instruct and teach us and direct our waies aright to shew us the path of life and make the way plaine before our faces and by thy example to beare our crosse patiently and follow thee that art the way the truth and the life to lead us to eternall salvation also thou art our King to protect defend and reigne over us in mercy truth and righteousnesse till thine enemies be made thy footstoole and all that hate thee be destroyed before thee for God hath put all things in subjection under his feet then shalt thou judge the whole world in righteousnesse and equity and wilt bring thy servants to that eternall inheritance which thou hast by thy merits and sufferings so dearly purchased for us who wert borne unto us to be the joy and comfort of all people and the glory and salvation of all that truly beleeve and trust in thee our Saviour O God Holy Ghost the giver worker and sealer of all graces unto us by thee we are called to the knowledge of God and his saving truth sanctified to the performance of his will and Commandements certified by the holy Spirit of our salvation in Christ Jesus and by thee applied unto us to bee regenerated and borne againe by thy holy operation from sin to grace to thy glory and our endlesse felicity And thy Spirit also witnesseth to our spirits that we are the children of God and heires with Christ of the Kingdome of heaven to the eternall comfort of all thy servants being by thee also united to our blessed Christ and sealed to the day of redemption and continually assisting us to all goodnesse Now great and glorious Lord God Father Son and Holy Ghost thou hast plentifully powred downe thy manifold mercies and favours upon us and multiplied exceedingly thy blessings and benefits spirituall and temporall towards us before we had being in the world since we were borne and after death thou hast laid up an eternall weight of glory for all those to possesse that truly beleeve in thee which give me grace to doe for none hath or ever can deserve them Oh the abundant mercy bounty and goodnesse of our gracious God towards mortall mankinde who can declare the height and depth of Gods unspeakable love or be sufficiently thankfull to him for such unexpressible benefits but with David we may say Lord What is man that thou art mindefull of him Or what shall we render to thee for all thy mercies having in us no good at all but what we receive from thy selfe therefore Lord adde this further grace unto thy former favours by the assistance of thine owne Spirit to make us thy unworthy servants able rightly faithfully and constantly to feare love honour serve obey and praise thy most glorious Name while we live and for ever and ever Amen 32. A Prayer to God the Holy Ghost for Saturday night O God Holy Ghost the giver of all graces and and my gracious sanctifier comforter and preserver thou knowest my infirmities my inclination to all evill and backwardnesse to any goodnesse vouchsafe Lord to sanctifie mee thy poore sinfull servant in soule body and spirit throughout to thy true feare intire love and right faithfull and constant service all my time to come And be pleased Lord by thy grace to enlighten my dull soule and understanding with the sound knowledge sincere love and stedfast beleefe of thy saving truth and keepe me ever constant therein And vouchsafe deare Lord to inrich me thy poore unworthy servant with the infinite treasure of that heavenly wisdome from above which waiteth about thy Throne that may teach me thy holy will and what is good and acceptable unto thee and inable me with grace to doe it that so I may discerne between good and evill and make me shunne and hate that which is evill and follow and cleave unto that which is good and to withdraw my love from this vaine world and fix my affections upon thee my God and on heavenly things that are above that my chiefe treasure may be settled there in heaven and my heart also and so I shall first seek to obtaine that
presented to thy great Majesty lowly and meekly on the knees of my heart body they may by thy mercifull assistance be lifted up and ascend by the wings of faith and devotion unto the highest heavens and there with confidence through my Saviour Jesus enter into the glorious eares and presence of Almighty God where all mercy grace and goodnesse aboundeth And then my supplications by thy favour may be heard and accepted by thee my God to prevaile and draw downe from thy mercifull hand all graces and blessings needfull upon me thy poore creature both in soule and body and so my unworthy sacrifice of due praise and thanks that I offer unto thee may be received and accepted by thee the Lord of all mercies who doth often take in good part even the will for the deed from thy fraile unworthy servants and then my poore prayers shall bring much joy and comfort to me and give glory to thee my Lord. To whom as of right belongs be all honour and praise for evermore Amen A short Prayer to our blessed Saviour Jesus to be joyned to the former prayers OH my deare Lord Jesus who didst in thy infinite mercy give thy innocent selfe to death for me a poore miserable sinner Lord by thy grace make me to dedicate and offer up my selfe a living sacrifice holy and acceptable unto thee in daily striving rightly and faithfully to serve and obey thee that I may be wholly thine and as thou hast bought me with an unvaluable treasure even thine owne most pretious bloud so sweet Jesus by thy holy Spirit unite me unseparably unto thee my blessed head and by thy assistance that I may become a new creature to hate and forsake all sinnes the vaine world and my wicked selfe and to be a true carefull and constant servant unto thee to feare love honour and glorifie thy great and heavenly Name who art the comfort and salvation of all that beleeve and trust in thee which Lord let me unfaignedly doe so long as I live 7. A Prayer to God the Lord of all grace and mercie containing seven humble petitions from a penitent sinner 1. For true faith 2. For the Holy Ghost 3. For wisdome 4. For the feare of God 5. For the love of God and charity to our neighbours 6. For repentance and true contrition of heart 7. And for the grace and right spirit of prayer O Most bountifull Lord God which giveth to all men liberally and reproacheth none if we aske in faith and waver not and our blessed Saviour maketh us a large promise saying Aske and yee shall receive seeke and you shall finde knock and it shall bee opened unto you And whatsoever you shall aske in my Name I will doe it if you beleeve when you pray that you shall have it for your heavenly Father if you aske in my name will give the Holy Ghost to them that desire him and wisdome to such as aske it of God and no good thing shall be wanting or with-held from them which feare the Lord and walke uprightly in his sight so that we may well say with David What is man that thou Lord art mindefull of him and dost visit him with thy mercie and crownest him with glory and honour Most mercifull Lord these thy gracious promises and great goodnesse towards mortall man imboldneth mee though a miserable sinner and most unworthy of thy favours now to offer up my supplications and become an humble suter to thy Majesty to begge these great blessings at thy hands who have justly deserved grievous punishments from thee for my offences But of thine owne meer mercie deare God who desirest not the death of a sinner but our repentance conversion and salvation and for thy best beloved Sons sake in whom thou wilt deny us nothing vouchsafe to incline thine ear to receive the humble petitions of me thy poore servant who presumeth to crave of thee the Father of mercie and the originall of all goodnesse from whom only commeth all good and perfect gifts the seven spirituall and heavenly graces wherewith to vanquish and banishus from the seven dangerous deadly sinnes which like Serpents slay and destroy so many soules the least sinne we commit being sufficient to condemne us for ever And now first Good God I humbly pray thee to bestow upon mee the blessed and most needfull gift of true faith without which it is impossible to please thee whereby I may stedfastly believe and trust in thy goodnesse and lay fast hold of all thy mercies and gracious promises especially upon the merits and sufferings of thy dear Son and my Saviour Jesus for my redemption and by thy grace rightly to apply them all to my salvation And grant I may with thy assistance bring forth such fruits of true holinesse and righteousnesse as may be most to thy glory and the peace and comfort of mine owne conscience And since I have begun to speake to thee O Lord who am but dust and ashes vouchsafe for Jesus sake further to give me the most excellent gift of the Holy Ghost to unite me inseparably to my blessed head and Saviour Christ and inspire my soule with all saving graces which may change all the evill in me to goodnesse darknesse to light vices to vertues and so wholy to cleanse and sanctifie my soule body and spirit throughout that I may be made perfect to every good worke and renewed and inabled to all obedience godlinesse and holinesse of life before thee and I also most humbly beseech thee O gracious God to inrich me thy poore unworthy servant with the unvaluable treasure of that heavenly wisdome from above which abideth about thy Throne to direct and reforme my heart and all my wayes aright in thy sight and to teach me thy holy will and what is good and acceptable unto thee and inable me with grace to doe it and likewise Lord indue me with the true understanding of thy holy Lawes that I may keepe them with my whole heart unto my end Now O my Lord we are taught by Solomon That the beginning of wisdome is the feare of the Lord and the knowledge of divine things true understanding therefore I doe most humbly intreat thee to knit my rebellious heart to the holy feare of thy glorious Name who only art to be feared with the due consideration of thy righteous and terrible judgements who canst cast both body and soul into hel let this detaine me from falling into any evill or offence towards thee and thereby also draw my sinfull soule unto thy faithfull service with true contrition for all my past transgressions against thee But especially good God be pleased to indue my poore soule with the infinite gift and blessing of thy sincere and perfect love of thy divine and heavenly Majesty who art the true and only good And O God grant that I may love and honour thee above and beyond all other things with all my heart all my soule all my strength
Sacrament joyne me an unworthy member unseparably unto thy blessed head Christ Jesus especially at this time grant that through thy holy working and assistance I may bee a happy partaker not only of the outward signes but also of the inward and inestimable graces bestowed upon our soules by the reall body broken and pretious bloud shed of our deare Saviour Jesus which was crucified for us to be the pretious food of our soules all which Lord rightly apply unto my soule with all other benefits thereby signified and assured unto us and through his righteousnesse and merits that I may be reconciled and accepted by God our heavenly Father to my eternall comfort and happinesse that so I may devoutly and everlastingly love and honour magnifie and admire the infinite mercy love and favour of God the Father our deare Saviour Jesus and of the Holy Ghost to whom be all praise and glory for ever Now Almighty God grant me thy poore servant grace to live in true faith ready obedience and continuall thankfullnesse all the rest of my daies here that I may live hereafter in heaven with thee in joy and blisse for evermore Amen 4. An humble thanksgiving after the receiving of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper I Yeeld unto thee my mercifull Lord God Father Son and Holy Ghost all humble and possible praise and thanks for all thy great benefits and loving favours vouchsafed unto me thy poor sinfull creature both spirituall and temporall all my life hitherto and deare Lord the fountaine of all mercie thou hast been exceeding good and gracious towards mee which I humbly acknowledge especially in vouchsafing so great and manifold blessings to me thy most unworthy servant in this thy present favour which thou hast been pleased to make me partaker of amongst thy children Now deare Lord make me ever truly thankfull with all my heart and soule unto thee for all thy mercies bestowed on mee who with shame and sorrow doe confesse I have deserved no good but all evill at thy hands by my manifold offences committed against thee therefore in all humility I doe beseech thee to cast all my sinnes and wickednesse out of thy sight and let them be no hindrance to thy grace and mercy towards me but Lord still continue and increase thy fatherly care and loving kindnesse both to my soule and body to prevent and preserve me from falling into any sin or evill and vouchsafe to bestow all spirituall graces on mee that may inable me to live a more holy and acceptable life before thee ever hereafter and seale thou my pardon for all my sinnes past for Christ Jesus sake who dyed for me and with his owne unvaluable bloud paid my ransome and fully satisfied thy great and just wrath against me But gracious God how unspeakable is thy goodnesse and infinite favour towards mankinde that instead of powring down punishments upon us for our great offences against thee thou didst thy selfe in thy tender love ordaine the meanes for our redemption justification and eternall salvation through Christ thine owne deare Son praised be thy glorious Name for ever and chiefly at this time I magnifie thee sweet Jesus the mirrour of mercy who before thou hadst finished the great worke of our redemption didst also institute the blessed Sacrament of thy holy Supper that inestimable benefit to all thy servants which rightly receive the same it being a pledge of thy love a remembrance of thy mercy a renuing of grace in us a testimony of thy favours a confirmation of our faith a uniting of us by thy Holy Ghost to our blessed Lord and head Christ Jesus and all our fellow members in perfect charity one towards another with assurance thereby of the pardon of all our sinnes and eternall salvation to our soules the great benefit thereof is beyond my expression of which this day thou hast graciously vouchsafed to make mee though unworthy of my selfe yet by thy favour a happy partaker Now deare Lord enlarge thy goodnesse further toward me thy poor servant to give me daily the spirituall gifts of sound repentance encrease of true faith to beleeve all thy gracious promises with grace rightly to apply them to my owne soule and all the infinite benefits which thou my deare Saviour hast purchased for me that so this Sacrament may worke those good effects in me which thou hast therein offered unto us and that I may by thy assistance bring forth the fruits of righteousnesse obedience and true holinesse of life all the rest of my daies and to make such thankfull and constant acknowledgement and right use of all thy mercies as I may glorifie thy blessed Name reforme my waies and frame my heart in all things to be faithfully and constantly thine and then I know that thou wilt ever be my gracious God to thy honour and my endlesse felicity through my Lord Jesus Christ the righteous Amen 1. A meditation concerning death O Lord God Holy Ghost our sanctifier preserver and comforter who best knowes my corrupt nature that cannot of my selfe performe any true service towards God being inclined to all evill and unapt to any goodnesse I humbly beseecb thee that understandest my manifold infirmities be pleased to indue me with all saving graces in the performance of all holy duties towards God And I humbly pray thee sweet Jesus to call and draw me daily unto thee and vouchsafe Lord by thy holy Spirit to possesse my heart and soule to make mee wholly and constantly thine truly to feare and love thee to serve and obey thee in all things that so thou in thy infinite mercy maiest never leave me but be my gracious Lord and mercifull God for ever And I humbly pray thee Lord Holy Ghost to sanctifie and assist me thy poore sinfull servant with all spirituall graces for my salvation in Christ both living and dying that I may strive to become what I ought to be and to doe thy holy will in all things while I live Now O good God Father Son and Holy Ghost thou knowest that many and evill have been my daies in this world and by thy providence I have attained to a great age but have not performed the ends for which I came into the world who being made only to serve God in holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of our lives to his glory and our salvation which is the chief thing needfull but alas for the most part it is the least regarded or thought upon where I confesse with sorrow that I have been too much neglectfull having sometimes been drawne by the cares and troubles of this life which necessity brought upon me to set my heart ever carefully upon earthly things and likewise too often have I been carried away with the vanity of my owne heart in following after the preferments or vanity of my owne heart in following after the preferments or delighting in the pleasures of this vile world all which perish in the using by which delusions
let thy right hand uphold and sustaine me to preserve me from all my spirituall enemies that wait to destroy my soule But thou my Lord art sufficient for me O Lord vouchsafe me thy grace to direct my heart and words towards thee and by thy ready helpe to assist me in all things and at all times that in thy mercie at the last thou maiest finish all thy favour in mee which is the accomplishment of my faith and hope in thee And Lord grant that I may willingly and readily come unto thee when thou callest and vouchsafe O blessed Spirit Holy Ghost to fit and prepare me by unfeigned repentance to obtaine remission of all my sinnes that I have done before thee with true faith to lay hold of all the mercies of my God in Christ and with stedfast hope to rest on all thy gracious promises O Lord who never failest those that trust in thee Now Lord give me strength and patience to wait thy good leasure and pleasure untill thou have pity and compassion on me either to recover and restore my health here if it be thy will that I may live and glorifie thee longer in this life or else that thou wilt please to receive and prepare me for thy selfe and give me all saving graces for thine own mercifull acceptance when thou pleasest to call and take me to thee out of this wretched world that so my faith and sure trust in thee may never faile unto my last breath Now lastly Lord grant that as the outward man the body decayeth and groweth weaker so the inward part the soule may by thy gracious assistance grow together in faith and confidence towards thee with full assurance of thy Spirit within me of thy favour to me for my eternall salvation Then come Lord Iesus when thou pleasest for into thy hands I humbly commend my spirit that when this life shall leave me thy grace and mercy may receive mee into that endlesse happinesse in heaven which my Lord and only Saviour hath purchased for me that I may praise God everlastingly Amen 6. My Prayer of thanksgiving after my long and great fit of sicknesse which begun on Twelfth day at night and held me till Whitsontide This may serve upon any other occasion MOst gracious Lord God I blesse and praise thy great and holy Name for all thy blessings and benefits both spirituall and temporall vouchsafed to my soule and body but especially I magnifie thy glorious Majesty for all those spirituall graces thou hast bestowed upon my soule before I was borne and hitherto which I beseech thee of thy mercie daily to continue and increase towards me Now deare Lord make me thy unworthy servant ever truly thankfull to thee for all thy goodnesse extended towards me and grant me grace to make such right use of all thy mercies as may be most to thy glory and my salvation in Christ But now O Lord that art my God I must at this time render thee humble thanks in particular and not forget to acknowledge thy benefits and to praise thy holy Name for all thy mercies shewed unto me for in my late and long sicknes thou hast heard my groanes and taken pity on me and released me from all my paine and griefs for thou dost visit my transgressions with favour not in wrath and hast alwaies been my stay and comfort from my youth and thou art my deliverance and ready helpe in all my adversities thou didst bring me downe for my sinnes almost to the grave and hast in mercy lifted me up again from the gates of death and restored me to health who healest all my infirmities pardonest all my iniquities and givest me present supply in all my necessities blessed be thy glorious Name for ever Now O God as thou art pleased to prolong my dayes on earth so especially I humbly pray thee daily to increase all saving graces in mee for thy true and faithfull service and vouchsafe alwaies to continue all thy goodnesse and mercies towards me that I may truly feare perfectly love and carefully obey thee in all things and by the assistance of thy holy Spirit make me to become and ever to continue to bee more and more thy unfeigned servant And now I am aged and fit to leave the world when thou pleasest yet while I am in it Lord make me continually to grow from grace to grace unto the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ with faith in him rightly to please and praise thee so long as I live And gracious Lord vouchsafe never to withdraw thy grace and favour from me untill thou hast finished thy greatest worke of mercy and the height of my hopes and happinesse which is the salvation of my poor soule through thine owne deare Sonne and my only Saviour Jesus Christ and when it shall please thee to call me away to thy selfe out of this vaine world be pleased to give me a happy and blessed departure to dye in my Lord Jesus and in thy true faith and favour that thou having pardoned all my sins and passing by my unworthinesse in Christ thou maiest after death receive and accept mee poore sinner into thy grace and favour though thy dearly beloved Sonne in whom only thou art pleased who is my righteousnesse Lord and my Redeemer and so when I have left this life I shall rest in peace and safety sleep in Christ and bee raised by him hereafter to great glory amongst his servants and may obtaine favour to be accepted into the society of holy Angels and blessed Saints and admitted into the glorious presence of Almighty God there to praise and magnifie his Name for ever and ever Amen 7. My conclusion A Prayer to my blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ OH my deare Lord Jesus I most humbly begge for thy love and mercies sake to pardon all my sinnes past that thou maiest looke downe in pity and compassion on me to heare the prayer of thy unworthy sinfull servant who doth earnesty intreat thee to vouchsafe me thy gracious and continuall helpe protection and direction in all my weake endeavours wants and troubles that so all my desires wayes and actions being begun continued and ended in thee I may bee able rightly and faithfully to serve and please thee at all times really to love and honour thee above all things truly and carefully to feare and obey thee according to thine owne will confidently to relye upon thee and willingly to submit to thy pleasure in all my crosses and calamities and constantly to praise and magnifie thy most worthy and holy Name for thy great and manifold blessings and benefits bestowed upon me of thy meer grace and mercy O my blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who art the author and finisher of my good and finally of my eternall salvation to thee be all praise honour and glory for ever and ever Amen 8. Another short Prayer O Lord my God have pity upon me that am a most miserable sinner and full of frailty unapt and unable to doe any good I earnestly desire rightly to serve thee but without thy grace and help I cannot doe it a fit subject for thy great mercy Dear Iesus pardon all my sinnes past and give me grace henceforth to become a new creature in thee daily to attend thy service constantly and to performe all holy duties which Iowe unto thee faithfully and to shun and resist all sinfull neglects towards thee carefully that so while I live I may duly feare and obey thee rightly and truly to love and praise thee here and for ever Amen FINIS