with glorie and honor c. 1. Tim. 6.16 who only hath immortality and dwelleth in a light that none can attaine to c. and such like places To supply thee with words of promise consider Psa 50.15 Call vpon me c. so wil I deliuer thee c. Is 65.24 yea before they call I will answer and whiles they speake I will heare Iohn 14.13 Whatsoeuer you aske in my name that will I do and many such testimonies To bring thee to see thy own vilenesse ponder Iob 5.14 Man drinks iniquitie like water cha 25.4 Hee cannot bee cleane that is borne of a woman Psalme 51.5 I was borne in Iniquitie c. Romanes 7.18 I knowe that in my flesh dwelleth no good thing Gather account of thy particular sinnes as Iob did Chapter 9.3 View thy selfe often in the glass of the Law 1. A Morning Prayer for priuate Families MOst gratious GOD and louing FATHER in all humilitie of soule and vnfained acknowledgement of our bounden duty we present our selues heere before thy throne of maiestie and glory desiring in some measure to shew our thankfulnesse for the multitude of thy mercies heaped vpon vs thy most vnworthy seruants By thee at the first we were fearefully and wonderfully made thou coueredst vs in our mothers wombes thou gauest vs the shape of men women when it was free for thee to haue equalled vs vs vnto thy basest creatures since it hath pleased thée to preserue vs to watch ouer vs and to guard vs by thy prouidence to open thy hand and to replenish vs with good things to giue vs foode and rayment health libertie peace O Lord thy compassions faile not but they are renued euerie morning euen in this night past we haue receiued an apparant euidence of thy loue For whereas for the sinnes committed the day before thou mightest euen in the deade of sleepe haue taken our soules from vs and so suddenly haue brought vs to our account it hath been thy pleasure yet to spare vs and not onlie so but to refresh vs with quiet rest and to bring vs in safetie to the beginning of this day Grant O Lord wee pray thee that the ordinarie vse of these thy kindnesses may not make vs the lesse to esteem them but so affect our hearts with the apprehension of them that we may learne to admire thy mercy which dealest so gratiously with such vnthankfull persons as wee haue alwayes béene and may euen bind our selues to striue to shew all obedience duty to thee which dost so enlarge thy goodnes vnto vs. But chiefelie O Lord raise vp we beseech thee our hearts and our affections from these outward fauours the least of which notwithstanding is greater then the best of our deseruings and drawe vs to the serious consideration of those blessings which doe more directlie concerne a better life Make vs thankefully mindfull of the grace of election by which thou fréely chosest vs in Christ to be vessels of mercie before we were of thy sending thy sonne out of thine owne bosome being in thine owne forme to take on him the forme of a seruant and to become obedient vnto the death euen the death of the Crosse for our sakes of thy calling vs out of the kingdome of darknes by the power of the gospel preached of thy shining into our hearts by the enlightening of thy spirit of quickening vs when we were dead in trespasses and sinnes of thy begetting vs againe vnto a liuelie hope of the first fruites of the spirit and of that earnest of our inheritance which thou hast giuen vs of the dailie free vse and libertie of thy worde whereby that great mysterie of godlines yea euen thy whole counsell is cléerelie reuealed to vs. O Lord teach vs to consider what miserable creatures wee were in our selues what a fearefull case we had yet beene in if thou hadst left vs to our selues that so the veiw of these vnspeakable and vndeserued fauours may euen rauish our spirits and so possesse our hearts that we may constantly resolue henceforth to giue vppe our selues as a liuing sacrifice holie and acceptable vnto thee and to deuote all our powers both of soule and body to the glorie and honor of thy name And Lord enable vs hereunto we pray thée for we are not suffcient of our selues to thinke anie thing as of our selues we are naturally reprobate to euerie good worke Open therefore the eies of our mind that we may see what is good and what thou requirest of vs teach vs to make thy word our delight counsellor that by it we may be informed in thy paths put thy spirit within vs and cause vs to walke in thy statutes let our eares continually hear a word behind vs saying This is the way giue vs hearts of flesh yéelding pliable affections subdue the crookednes of our nature and bring it vnder the obedience of Christ And when thou hast entred vs into a good course vphold vs therein by thy alsufficient grace stablish vs in euerie worde and good worke fill vs with the fruites of righteousnesse let vs not be idle nor vnfruitfull-in our profession but graunt that wee may bee euen rich in good workes and so may adorne the doctrine of thée our Sauiour in all thinges making the aduersaries of thy truth ashamed when they shall haue nothing concerning vs to speake euill of And shield vs O Lord we earnestlie intreate thee against the malice and rage and fury of the diuel giue vs wisedome to discerne his policies and courage to resist euen his most fiery assaults make vs wise against the beguiling entisements of this sinfull world let vs not be caried awaie with the streame of these corrupt times harden our faces against the reproches enmities of euill men suffer vs not to bee wearyed nor to faint in our minds for any tribulations sanctifie vnto vs euerie affliction that it maie bee a meanes to purge out our corruptions Draw our mindes from the loue of this present world teach vs to vse it as if wee vsed it not graunt that wee may euer remember that wee haue heere no continuing citty that so we may séeke for that kingdome that cannot be shaken but is eternall in the heauens Cause vs to depend vpon thy prouidence and to cast our care and burden vpon thee assuring our selues that thou which hast giuen vs Christ canst not but with him giue vs all thinges also And Lord if at any time we fall by occasion into a fault as who are we that we should presume put vnder thy hand we beséech thée deliuer vs out of the mire that we sinke not let not sinne swallow vs vppe let it not grow strong vpon vs least wee perish Enable vs vnto diligence and faithfulnes in our seuerall callings teach vs to lift vppe our heartes to thee for a blessing vpon our indeuours and to remember that we are alwayes in thy presence that so we may studie to walke
suffer me not I beseech thee to satisfie my selfe with this that I haue once made some shew of humiliatiō and sorrow for my falles but graunt I may encrease in the performance of these duetyes and may euery day renue enlarge my repentance for particular slippes growing still into a deeper detestation of my sins and desiring with more and more earnestnesse and striuing to bee renewed in the Spirit of my mind that so being cleansed from all filthinesse both of the flesh and Spirit I may growe vppe vnto full holinesse in thy feare through Iesus Christ In whose name only I commend vnto thee my requests and for whose sake thou hast promised to deny nothing to thy seruants So be it * ⎠* 11. A Prayer in respect of death needful at all times but especially in sickenesse O God the God of the Spirits of all flesh and which hast the keyes of hell and of death thou hast prepared them both and thou rulest them both at thine owne pleasure I beséech thee bee mercifull to a poore trembling weak-hearted sinner and vouchsafe to preserue mee from the horror and extreamitie of dread into which I am euen now ready to fall When I consider O Lord how that I dwell in a house of clay my foundation being in the dust that I must erelong make my bed in the dark saying to corruptiō Thou art my Father and to the worme Thou art my Mother my Sister O how my belly trembleth what a kind of rottennesse cōmeth into my bones my spirit seeming to fayle me my heart within mee being filled with dismayednes Especially when I thinke vpon the iudgement that commeth after it the straitnesse of that account which I am instantly to be called to and vpon those euerlasting chaynes vnder darkenes in which the wicked are reserued vnto the last sessions I am then so euen ouerwhelmed with amazednesse that I séeme to my selfe for the present not to know where to find any true refreshing I am told by thy blessed and not-deceiuing word that the sting of death is mine owne sinne and with it I daily feele my selfe goared and galled and wounded so excéedingly that mée thinketh to mee poore wretch there can be no hope of recouery but death must néedes bée as a passage to leade mee into the bottomlesse prison of hell Rayse vp O Lord I beséech thée these my sad vnquiet thoughts teach mee how to ouercome these discouraging and killing perplexities the death may not be vnto me as a king of fear nor I as one of the wicked whose hope doeth perish with their breath the candle of whose comfort is put out when thou art pleased to take away their Soule Reuiue my memory that I may call to minde and cōfortably ponder those things which thy sacred word hath taught me namely how the nature of death is cleane altered to thy seruants the sting is plucked out it selfe is swallowed vp in victory To them the comming thereof shall be a time of discharge they shall by it bee fréed from sicknesses of body from anguishes of spirit from all possibilitie of sinning against their God from the tedious and discontenting societie of the vngodly their flesh shall rest in hope their graues shall bee vnto them as beds of ease being swéetened and seasoned by the buriall of their Sauiour the Angels shall giue attendance vpon their Soules to conuey thē into Abrahams Bosome to the fellowship of belieuers to the spirits of iust and perfit men so shall they bée with Christ which is best of all This O Lorde is the happinesse which cōmeth by death vnto thy chosen Oh what are all the most torturing sicknesses the bitter pangs and sorrowes of the graue vnto such a glorious exchange Who would feare corruption for a neuer sading crowne of righteousnesse What is a momentany yéelding of the body to consumption in the dust in comparison of the euerlasting preseruation of the Soule with assurance also that in the time appointed these vile bodyes shall by the mightie working of thy beloued Sonne be fashioned like vnto his owne glorious body and so both bodyes and soules bee for euer with him in his kingdome Teach mee O Lord effectually to apply these things to mine owne comfort that so this timorousnesse procéeding from the guilt of sinne may be turned into a chéerefull expectation and euen a longing for the day of my dissolution And lest I should beguile my owne Soule in laying clayme to that spirituall refreshing which belonges not to mee make mee to labour for those assured euidences and vndeceiuing fore-runners of a happy departure I know O Lorde that if I liue héere without conscience I shall surely dye without comfort Holinesse here is the way and path to future happinesse I must seeke to glorifie thee if I desire to be glorified with thée I must fight the good fight against sathā against the world against mine owne corruption I must faythfully fulfill my course and performe the seruice to which thou hast appointed me I must know thy trueth and keepe the faith in soundnes and sinceritie to the end otherwise it will bee in vaine to exspect a crowne of righteousnesse I must come to the first resurrection or else I shal neuer escape the second death Graunt mee therefore grace I humbly pray thee to serue thee in holinesse and righteousnesse all my dayes and to endeauour alwayes to haue a cléere conscience towards thee and towards men Kill my corruption in mee that I may bee euen dead to sinne but aliue to thee in Iesus Christ And because if I liue after the flesh taking thought for it to fulfill it I shall dye therefore I beséech thée to mortifie the deedes of the body by thy spirit that so I may haue my fruite in holinesse and my end eternall life Teach mee often to number my dayes and to consider the vncertaine certaintie of my ende that I may dye euen euery day still looking and still preparing for my change and making account that each day may bee the day of my dissolution Strengthen also my weake and faint faith make mee strong in thee and in the power of thy might seale me with the holy spirit of promise as with the earnest of my heauenly inheritance that so no anguish of sicknesse may discourage me no pang of death dismay mee no assault of sathan ouercome mee but that come death when it will or in what manner it shall please thee I may boldly through Christ commit my soule to thee as vnto a faithful creator Grant me this cōfortable blessing for his sake who dyed to free me frō death from him that had the power of death euen for Christ Iesus sake Amen 16. A Prayer more specially fitted to the state and occasions of a sicke person O Most mercifull and gratious God thou whose prouidence reacheth into the most withdrawne and solitarie places and which causest the beames of thy fauour
to shine euen vpon chiefe sinners vouchsafe to cast thy cōpassionate ey vpon thine afflicted creature whō thou hast laid vpon his bed of sicknes Iust O Lord it is with thee thus to chasten me nay if thou shouldest crush my body into many pieces and suddenly plunge mee into hell it were no more then my due desert What a stayned sinner am I by nature stript of al goodnes and easie to be wrought vnto any euen the vilest euill What a world of trespasses haue béene since committed by mee notwithstanding the greatnes of thy patience and the varietie of good meanes which thou hast vsed both to informe and to guide me vnto godlinesse I will not therefore O Lorde I dare not I cannot plead against thée It is my duety rather to magnifie thy mercy who art pleased so mildly so fatherly to correct me it being free to thy iustice to cut me off as an eare of Corne and to giue mée ouer to the prince of darknesse to leaue me for euer to that woefull kingdome of eternall miserie Vnworthy I am I most willingly confesse because of my former slackenes and coldnes in this duety of calling vpon thy Name to haue any small accesse into thy presence Yet seeing thou art wont euer more to respect the trueth of thine owne promise then the desert of those which pray vnto thee therefore I beseech thee which art pleased to call thy selfe The hearer of Prayers to hearken vnto the hearty and vnfained desire of my soule Sanctifie vnto mee O Lord this present sicknesse let it bee as thy schoole in which I may truely learne to know my selfe more effectually then heretofore Make me to consider seriously that al paine and griefe is but the fruite of sinne and that as all sicknesse naturally makes way for death so death in it self is the fore-runner of eternall condemnation Blesse this thought and this meditation so vnto mee that I may make it my first care now in this visitation to séeke peace and assurance of reconcilement with thy Maiestie To this ende giue mee a deepe touch and a sensible vnderstanding of my sinnes by past take from mee all guile of spirit all disposition to flatter or to sooth vppe my selfe or to lessen eyther the number or qualitie of mine iniquities Cause mee euen to breake and plough vppe my heart to search and to try my wayes that so out of the abundance of my féeling I may powre out a most plentifull and sincere confession before thee Let mee remember it to bée in vaine to séeke to hide that from thée which thou before whom all things are naked and open doest know more fully and more directly then my selfe and that the discouery and laying open of my sins is the next way to finde thy mercy in forgiuing them Adde withall that strength vnto my scant and smoking fayth that I may amidde the sight of mine owne transgressions lay holde vpon the merite and fulnes of my Sauior Make me hartily to disclaime all hope of help by my selfe or any other creature in Heauen or Earth whomsoeuer and to cast all my burthen vpon him who by himselfe hath purged sinne and whose death is an absolute and an alsufficient sacrifice for the guilt of all belieuers Oh that I may féele my selfe knit and vnited vnto him so shall I in and by him be presented blameles to thy Maiestie And because O Lord I am full of imperfections and there is in my nature much weaknes and a great deale of frowardnes and readines to repine and rebell against thy ordinance therefore furnish mee with necessary graces with all such giftes as thou knowest to be fitte for my present case Endue mée with patience to beare whatsoeuer it shall bee thy pleasure to lay vpon me and méekly to submit my selfe to thy most wise appointments Assure mee that thou which knowest whereof I am made and that I am but dust wilt not oppresse me with more then thou shalt giue me strength power to endure Let mee not desire life otherwise then for the further aduancement of thy glory Subdue in me all loue liking of this present world grant that the hope of the glorie which shal be shewed hereafter may be so strong within me that all things may seeme vile vnto mee in comparison thereof Make me comfortably capable of the aduise and counsell of my Christian friends which in their loue shall goe about to refresh my Soule Make mee able also to speake profitably and for good to those that belong vnto mee Put vpon mée and in mee charitable affections and thoughts to and concerning others being ready to satisfie where I haue fayled and to remit euen where I haue receiued the greatest wrong Prepare mee to my last conflict and strengthen me against sathans assaults that in despite of his malice yet I may still holde mee fast by thee and resolue though thou slay me yet to trust vpon thee And because such is thy great goodnesse to vs thy poore creatures sickenesse doth not alwayes exercise his full strength vpō our bodies therefore giue me I beséech thee that wisedome to make vse of euery breathing and of euery little time of ease which thou doest afforde mee that in it I may gather strength against the times of greater anguish Bring still into my minde those things which I haue frō time to time learned by thy word that thereby I may bée quickned and find comfort in my greatest neede And alwayes O Lorde as the time of departure shall approache so let my soule draw neerer vnto thee my heart powerfully crying when sicknesse shall take away the vse of my tongue Into thy hands I commend my Spirit Come Lord Iesu come quickly And when death hath parted my Soule from my body let thy Angels which do alwayes by thy appointment pitch their tents about thy seruants conuey it into that place of rest which the blood of thy Sonne hath prouided and purchased for thy chosen To which thy Sonne with thy selfe and thy blessed Spirit be prayse and thankesgiuing now euermore Amē 17. A direction for those who desire to performe the Christian duety of prayer on the behalfe of a sick friend or neighbor whom they come to visite WEe are vnworthy O Lorde to speake vnto thy Maiestie either for our selues or others yet this duty lying vpon vs by commaund hauing a promise of hearing annexed thereunto wee are bold in Iesus Christ to commend vnto thee the weake estate of this thy seruant All sicknes is from thee to thee belong the issues of death Thou killest and thou makest aliue thou bringest downe to the graue thou raysest vp to whom shall we go in this and other our necessities but onely vnto thee Wee could wish O gracious God the continuance of his Christian fellowship the lengthening and enlarging of his dayes but wee willingly subiect our wils to thy determining Thou Lord knowest what is the best
with thee and to approue our very thoughts vnto thee Giue vs a sober vse of thy creatures make vs readie to reach out our hands vnto the wants of others beget in vs a godlie iealousie ouer our selues that we may walke circumspectly taking heede to our selues in our eatings in our apparell in our companie in our recreations often considering our wayes and labouring quicklie after euerie error to turne our féete into thy testimonies And Lord cause vs to be earnestlie mindfull of the estate of thy whole Church blesse all kingdomes and states professing thy truth bee gratious especiallie to this our kingdome forgiue the crying sins of the times continue thy gospel disappoint the hope and expectation of all Papists let them perish as manie as haue euill will at Sion discouer Antichrist more and more enlarge the territories of thy church stablish thy kingdome of grace hasten the kingdome of glorie Heape thy blessings vppon our gratious King make him a further instrument of much good vnto thy chosen blesse his Quéen prosper the worke of thine owne handes begun in the young Prince shew mercy to the rest of the royall progenie Be gracious to the Councell to the Court the Nobles the Gentry of the Realme graunt that they may all ayme at the honouring of thee by whom they haue receiued honor amongst men Bee with the Magistracy Ministrie of the Realme make thy word to grow by the labours of those whome thou hast appointed to the seruice of thy church Containe the subiects in their due obedience to authority bring to nought all tumultuous rebellious practises comfort al thine afflicted seruants refresh them with a sweete feeling of thy fauour Giue vs compassionate harts and a fellow feeling of others miseries prepare vs vnto the daie of triall and keepe vs by thy mightie power through faith vnto saluation Graunt vs these good thinges for Christs sake in whose name wee commend our selues and our sutes vnto thee saying as he hath taught vs Our Father c. 2. An Euening Prayer for priuate Families O Lord our GOD most mercifull and gratious in Iesus christ among other thy mercies with which thou doest euen follow vs thy most vnthankfull seruants we acknowledge this to be none of the least that we haue this comfortable freedom of comming into thy presence there to poure out our soules before thee and to laie open our necessities vnto thee We praie thee teach vs to value this priuiledge according to the true worth thereof that wee may come together to the performance of this duty with glad hearts and cheerefull spirits reioycing in it that wee haue opportunitie giuen vs to testifie some part of that great dutie which in manie respects wee owe vnto thy maiestie And now Lorde being come before thee wee cannot but confesse the vilenesse of our estate wee were conceiued in sinne and in sin wee haue continued all our dayes wee haue euen drunke iniquitie like water wee haue drawne it after vs and tyed it vnto vs as with cartropes wickednesse hath beene swéet in our mouth we haue fauoured it and would not forsake it we haue euen made a mocke of sinne and it hath beene a pastime to vs to doe wickedly Thou hast often called vs but we haue still refused thou hast againe and againe stretched out thine hand but wee haue not regarded thou hast sought to reclayme vs but wee haue hardned our neckes as it were yron sinewes and haue hated to be reformed Thou hast waited to haue mercie vppon vs thy spirit hath striuen with vs thy verie bowels haue beene troubled for vs and how graciouslie hast thou called vpon vs by thy word saying Returne yee sonnes of Adam why will ye die Come vnto me and ye shall finde rest for your soules Yet we notwithstanding haue despised thy patience wee haue abused thy goodnes we haue turned thy graces into wantonnesse and haue giuen thee cause to heape vppon vs all those fearefull plagues and punishmentes which in the extreamitie of thy law are belonging to the wicked When we looke into our hearts we see nothing but a confused heape of grosse corruptions vanitie ignorance frowardnes vnteachablenes dulnes vnwillingnes and vnaptnes vnto good pronenesse readines to any manner of euill secure irreligious profane vncleane enuious couetous and gréedy thoughts peruerse and disordred affections all these as it were marching together to rebell against thee and leading vs captiue vnto sinne The verie wisedome of our flesh is death and the spirits of our minds are defiled when we look forth into our liues wee behold sinnes more in number then the haires of our head when wee take view of our selues in the glasse of thy Law we can see in our bodies and soules in our outward and inward man nothing but vglines and deformitie Yea the sinnes of this one daie are sufficient to bring downe vppon vs the eternall weight of thy displeasur How negligent haue we béen in our callings how haue we yeelded to our own vnbridled lusts in the vse of thy creatures how haue we cherished in our selues worldlie carnall and voluptuous thoughts howe many blessings haue we vnthankefully enioyed neuer thinking vpon thee which didst bestow them how haue wee misspent this pretious time which thou vouchsafest vs how manie good opportunities haue we let slip by which wee might haue edified our selues done good to others howe negligentlie haue wee kept our heartes by meanes whereof sathan hath got great vantage against vs how slenderlie haue wee bewailed the iniquities of the times howe poorelie haue wee striuen against our owne corruptions O LORD if thou shouldest straightlie marke our iniquities O Lord how shall wee stand where shall we appeare what shal become of vs what answere shall wee bee able to make thée to one of a thousand And yet most gratious God which is worst of all custome in euill hath bred such a hardnesse in vs and hath brought such a crust vpon our consciences that wee cannot be perswaded that thy wrath is so terrible or our sinne so greeuous or our estate so wofull as indeede it is Hence it commeth that we do not stand in such awe of thy maiestie as we should we doe not so tremble at thy iustice nor esteeme thy promises and mercies as we ought to doe wee beseech thée therefore to take the stony hearts out of our bodies and to put newe spirites into our bowels that wee maie with feeling and with a liuelie and sensible apprehension confesse our selues to bee as we are poore and wretched and miserable and blind naked such as in whom there is no goodnes such as to whom there is nothing due but shame and confusion of face for euer And héere Lord according to that measure of spirituall féeling which by thy grace wee haue attayned to wée doe vtterlie renounce our selues wee doe whollie disclaime all hope of help by our selues we account all that is in vs but as drosse and dung and
do most earnestlie entreate thee to looke vpon vs in thy sonne Iesus Christ accepting his death and his passiō as a sufficient absolute and compleate discharge for all our sinnes whatsoeuer O Lord let the chastisement of our peace be vpon him and let vs be healed with his stripes we haue no other name vnder heauen in which we can be saued and wee know that thou hast sealed him and sent him into the world to saue thy people from their sinnes wee beseech thée therefore for his sake to bee at peace with vs put away our transgressions like a cloud and our sins as a mist forgiue our iniquities and remember our offences nomore And withall seale vppe to our soules and consciences the feeling of this thy loue by the gracious testimonie of thy spirit that wee may know that there is peace in heauen for vs and that Christ is made of thee vnto vs Wisedome Righteousnesse Sanctification and Redemption and that nothing shall euer bee able to separate vs from thy loue in him We doe begge this at thy hands so much the rather because wée see the vanitie of all things in this world all things in it are subiect to vncertaintie they are all lighter then vanitie it selfe But thy loue in Christ is firme and perpetuall For with thee there is no shadow of change thy calling and gifts are without repentance and therefore wee pray thee settle vs in the assured perswasion of thy loue to the end that we may haue some comfortable vnderstanding that whatsoeuer do be fall vs here howsoeuer wée be tryed yet after all we shall lay downe our heads in thy peace and be made partakers of thy glory In the meane space so long as thou shalt bée pleased to respite the dayes of pilgrimage vpon this earth we pray thee doe not leaue vs to our selues neither forsake vs but giue vs as pledges of thy loue those Spirituall blessings in heauēly things wherwith thou art wont to furnish thy chosen that so wee may make our conuersation such as becommeth the Gospel wée may neuer discredit our profession or be a scandall and offence vnto others but rather by our holy cariage may prouoke and winne others vnto thee Helpe vs to this ende wée beséech thee against our manifold infirmities against those euils to which our natures doe most encline enable vs to shake off that sinne that hangeth so fast on strengthen vs to euery good holy duety make vs perfit in good works sanctifie vs throughout and kéepe our whole spirits soules and bodies blamelesse vnto the comming of Iesus Christ Make vs thankefull as becommeth vs for thy many fauours for that continuall preseruation which thou affordest vs for the comforts of this day both to our soules and bodies for thy enlarging our time and opportunitie to repent grant we pray thée that our thankefulnesse may not stand only in outward showes but that wée may be thankefull in déed and in trueth labouring to be dutiful vnto thee which art so mercifull vnto vs. And inasmuch as O Lord wée doe professe to beléeue the Communion of Saints therefore it becommeth vs to bée mindful of others in our Prayers besides our selues we are suters to thee on the behalfe of all thy people sparsed ouer the face of the earth thou O Lord art priuy to their seuerall wants thou art onely able to make a gracious supply we beséech thée for them as for our owne soules More particularly wee powre out our soules before thee for those Churches which amongst vs thou hast planted and vnited vnder one gouernement Our sinnes O Lorde chiefly our contempt of thy glorious Gospell doe deserue a curse euen that thou shouldst remooue our candlesticke and cleane put out the light of thy holy word and withall make vs a by word to the world by some extraordinarie iudgement But wée pray thee in Christ vouchsafe to reuerse those plagues which wee haue deserued continue those fauours which wee haue hitherto enioyed continue and enlarge the fréedome of thy word stablish the trueth of Religion amongst vs by a perpetuall decrée both for vs and for our posteritie after vs. To this end blesse all good means aboue others our Soueraigne and King enable him euery day more and more to the discharge of that great duety wherwith thou hast entrusted him lengthen his dayes prosper his Raigne defeate his enemies giue him and vs comfort in his Quéene and ioy in his posterity Encrease wisedome in his Councell faythfulnes in his seruants loyalty and true-heartednesse in his subiects Stir vp Magistrates and men in Authoritie to séeke the aduauncement of thy glorie and the wealth of thy people Make thy Ministers able and willing to publish the secret of the Gospell water their endeuours with the deaw of heauen that daily such as belong vnto life eternall may be added to the Church And seeing thou art pleased to exercise diuers of thy seruaunts with the crosse some with sicknesse of body some with perplexitie of spirit some with losse of goods some with restraint of libertie some in one kind some in another we pray thee to swéeten their afflictions and to season their sorrowes with the comfort of thy spirit furnish them with a measure of patience agréeing to the proportion of their trials and put an ende to their grieuaunces when thou shalt see it fit And O Lorde make vs ready for affliction teach vs to remember that wée must through many tribulations enter into thy blessed kingdome In our health make vs mindefull of sickenesse of death and of our last account that these things may not come vpon vs as a snare but that wée may bée prepared alwayes in some good measure to submit our selues vnto thy most wise and holy appointments And now O Lord our God wée pray thée to beare with the weakenesse and coldnesse of our Prayers Take vs this night into thy blessed tuition we know that thou doest neither slumber nor sléepe kéepe vs from euill kéepe vs from the malice of Sathan from securitie and carelesnesse from dulnesse and drowsines of spirit that if it shall bee thy pleasure to let vs liue vntill the morning we may become so much the fitter to serue thee in our seueral callings so as may bee most for the glory of thy great Name through Iesus Christ in whose Name wee commend our selues and our vnworthy Prayers vnto thee saying as he hath directed vs in the Gospel Our Father c. 3. A Morning Prayer for a priuate Person O Almightie Father the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ and in him my Father also how vnworthy and wretched a Creature were I if receiuing so many blessings frō thee I should not stirre vp my selfe to returne some thankefulnesse vnto thee for the same It is euen thou O Lorde which from my first being vntill now hast couered me vnder thy wings and vnder thy feathers I haue béene sure My body soule my health my strength my maintenāce whence
furtherance of my humiliation sorow cause me O Lord to search to try my wayes to call my selfe to a straite account that I may sée my sins in particular the vanitie of my heart my extreame deadnes securitie my pride hautines of spirit my backwardnesse to all good seruices my worldly-mindednesse my ambitious rising and crauing thoughts my want of charity mercy to others my miscariage in my place calling my idle vnbeséeming speaches my offensiue scandalous behauiour thus O Lord make me carefull to rip vp my heart and life that so I may set my sins in order before me may thereby become the more humble the more forward to cast down my selfe before thee to iudge my selfe that I may not be iudged of thee Yet withall most gratious God make me able in the middest of all this to reach out the hand of faith to lay hold vpō Iesus Christ whō thou hast ordained to be the recōciliatiō for my sins I know O Lord the vertue of his blood that it can make my sins though they were as crimsm yet to become as white as snowe O then I beséech thee couer my filthy nakednesse with his glorious righteousnesse cloth me with the garments of his Saluatiō that so therby I may be holy and vnblameable without fault in thy sight Speake peace vnto my Conscience by thy holy Spirit Say vnto my soule I am thy Saluation My fayth O Lorde is but weake and poore strengthen it I beséech thée and bring it forward by thy mighty working vnto more perfection Thou hast promised not to quench the smoking flaxe nor to breake the bruised réede beare then I pray thee with my scantnesse and helpe my vnbeliefe perfite the worke of thy owne hands performe it vntill the day of Iesus Christ My fayth is that I must liue by it is my victorie thou O Lord in mercy hast begun it cherish it I beséech thée together with all those graces which accompany saluation that they may bee in mee as a well of water springing vppe into euerlasting life And graunt that I may not be presumingly secure touching mine owne estate but may euer and anone bee proouing and examining my selfe whether I am in the fayth or no and that I may also study and striue to giue euidence of my fayth by shewing forth good works and by bringing foorth good fruite euen fruite worthy amendement of life I am compassed about with many weakenesses and as I haue found by the experience of this one day Sathan is full of malicious cunning to worke vpon all aduantages O Lorde strengthen mee to resist him giue mee holy wisedome to to discouer his sleights and grace to withstand his most sharpe assaults Arme mee also against the reproches and obloquies of the worlde I haue learned in thy word that if I serue thee in sinceritie my name shall bée put out as euill amongst men giue mée both care to cary my selfe out of the reach of iust exception and resolution also to sacrifice my credit estimation yea euen my life it selfe if néed be to thy glory Teach mee to learne of the author and finisher of my fayth to despise the shame and to endure the speaking against of sinners in respect of that eternall waight of ioy and glorie which is set before me And now Lorde with the bowing of my Soule I blesse thy name for this daies preseruation How many euils haue I escaped to which I was subiect by nature and to which I had made my selfe subiect through sin It is thou Lord onely which makest mee to dwell in safety Stretch out the wings of thy grace protectiō ouer me this night though sléepe seize vpon the eyes of my body yet let not securitie oppresse my soule kéepe mée from idle fancies from vaine dreames giue me a sober and sanctified vse of al outward refreshings that I may alwayes in all things ayme at this one thing namely how I may be the better fitted to serue thee faythfully in my place and calling and that for Christ Iesus his sake thy onely Sonne and through thy mercy my louing Sauiour Amen 5. A more particular Morning Prayer on the beginning of a Sabbath day MAnifold O Lorde are thy mercies thy goodnesse is infinite In euery particular which befalleth mee I haue aboundant experience of thy loue It is much most gratious God that I which haue so many wayes prouoked thee should bee let to liue to behold the light and comfort of the day But much more is it that hauing béene heretofore a profaner of thy holy day a barren and an hypocriticall professor of thy word a fruitlesse and an vnprofitable hearer I should yet enioy the blessed opportunitie of another Sabaoth How iustly mightst thou long since haue fatted vp my heart and giuen mee ouer vnto a reprobate mind taking from me the comfortable and happie freedome of going into thy house and of giuing attendance vpon the postes of thy doores O teach mee I pray theée to value thy mercy in this behalfe according to the true worth thereof Suffer me not slightly to entertaine either this or any other of thy fauours And as thou hast brought mee to the beginning of this holy rest so enable me I beséech thee to thee sanctifying it and to such a kind of spending the same as thou requirest Teach mee to remember that it is thine owne ordinance euen one of those vnchangeable lawes which thou wrotest with thine owne finger that this day should after a more speciall manner be diuerted deuoted to thy seruice that thou hast not therefore restrained outward imployments in our callings because idelenes pleaseth thee or because ease giuen vnto the flesh is a part of thy worship but that thou hast in thy infinite wisedome so appointed it that being fréed from all other encombrances we might wholy apply our selues eyther to the publique or priuate exercises of godlinesse Giue mee therefore grace I most humbly entreat thee that I may call thy Sabbaoth a delight to consecrate it as glorious vnto thee and that I may beware of doing mine owne waies or of séeking mine own will or of speaking vaine words and may euen bind my selfe to a serious and continued course of seruing thée in the practise of such dueties as belong to the hallowing of this day I know O Lord that herein I shall méet with many lets mine owne corrupt nature will repine thinke this a yoke and a burden that cannot be endured abroad in the world I shall sée many vaine fashions followed by great troupes making thy day a day of carnal pleasure I shall be derided and scorned if I refuse to doe as others doe I shal méet also with many cunning perswaders which will séeke by plausible reasons to draw mee from diligence and constancy in this course O Lorde I beséech thée euen with the bowing of my heart to make me strong against all
commend my selfe and my poore Prayers vnto thee in Christ Iesus thy beloued Sonne and my belieued sauiour Amen 11. A Prayer fitted to the losse of an especiall friend as a Father or Husband c. O Almightie Lord God whose glory is aboue the heauens and which hast thy dwelling on high but yet abasest thy selfe to behold the things in the earth be pleased euen for thy dearest Sonnes sake to cast down thy compassionate eye vpon my afflicted grieued case Comfort Lorde comfort I pray thee thy seruants soule suffer me not to be swallowed vp of discouragement Thou hast taken from mee the very staffe of mine estate one vpon whō in the ey of flesh blood al my cōfort did depend He is now gone the way of all flesh hath made his bed in the darke yet thou O Lord still liuest thou art alwayes the same thy yeares shal not fayle O rayse vp I beséech thée my languishing discouraged heart my drowping thoughts make mee to looke towards thee frō whom alone all comfort commeth Hast thou done this shall I controule it Is death thy messenger and shal I murmure at his comming Is my dearest friend whom I loued as mine own hart gathered vnto thee his appointed moneths being now expired shall I lament his happines Doest thou still hold me with thy hand euen cōpasse me about with thy gracious prouidence shall I distrust Is thy purpose and promise power to be my God the same yet that it was shall I be doubtfull as though I had made flesh mine arme or as if thou O alsufficient God wert tyed vnto outward meanes Must not I also ere it bee long make the graue my house lye down with others in the dust Is there not an assured hope that all the liue dye in the Lord Iesus shall bee ioyned together after death and at the last day bée caught vppe in the cloudes to méet the Iudge in the ayre and after that to bee euer with the Lord I most earnestly beséech the therefore O my most gratious God to moderate my passionate and vnrulely thoughts to bring my violent affections into a holy cōpasse Let me not be sorrowfull like those which haue no hope make me to reioyce on his behalfe whose pilgrimage is at end and whose Christian and holy cause doeth euen assure mee that thou hast receiued him into euerlasting habitations Teach me to haue a holy and prepared longing for the day of my dissolution And graunt me that grace and wisdome so to loue those whome both Nature and Religion bind me to respect that I may alwayes conforme and submit my affections to thy most wise and soueraigne disposings To bee without apprehension of such losses I know by thy word that it is impious to bée extreame without measure in passion is desperate Kéepe me I beséech thée in the meane that my sorrowes may bée tempered with comfort my heart may alwayes bee fixed surely vpon thee Afford mée both this and all other néedfull fauours in and for the merites of my alone Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen 12. A Prayer applyed to the state of a man inwardly perplext with the horror of sin with doubtings of Gods fauour with the tentations of sathan tending to despaire O Thou most pitifull God to those whō thou louest in Iesus Christ most tender Father neuer did there any poore chased Hart bray after the riuers of water so as my distressed and amazed Soule panteth after thee Oh that I had fayth to lay holde vpon that most swéet promise by which thou callest all that are weary and laden to come vnto thee Faine I would O Lord approche into thy gratious presence and happy séeme I to my selfe if I might taste though but as it were some crummes of thy rich mercy Mee thinketh that all thinges which I sée in the world and which the sonnes of men doe dote vpon so exceedingly are but dung and drosse in comparison of thy fauour Oh that I might be but one of the lowest of saints or as it were a seruitor or doore kéeper among thy holy ones Thus I sée thy mercy I admire it I prefer it in my choyse before the greatest treasure but whē I would apply it to my own particular case Oh what a world of discouragemēts do I méet with My sinnes doe take such holde vpon me that I am not able to looke vppe they are so many yea more in number then the hayres of my head that my heart doth euen fayle mee to consider them When I think how my Soule and Spirit is fraughted defiled euen with whole millions of profane hardened secure vicious worldly vnsanctified thoghts how many offers of grace I haue neglected how thy forbearance hath béene abused by mee how I haue béene a reproach and slaunder to thy Gospel how dead and lumpish and false-hearted I haue béene in thy seruice how barren in good workes and what little procéedings I haue made going rather backward then striuing vnto more perfection how I haue cōtented my selfe with shewes of godlinesse when I say I thinke vpon these and other my grosse and palpable enormities I cannot but vtterly condemne my self neither can I belieue that it is possible for so vile a wretch as I to bee admitted into thy fauour Sometimes I conceiue some litle hope and I séeme to my selfe to haue some taste of thy fauour and some kinde of assurance that I am deare vnto thée in thy Sonne but suddenly my comfort vanisheth my hope is ouerclouded with perplexed doubtings and I am well-neere swallowed vp with meere despaire Can any mortal man think I know the mind of God or if some holy person may be so farre graced as to vnderstand Gods purpose touching himselfe is it possible that so vile a creature as I shoulde come to such a high prerogatiue Can the Spirit of the Lord dwell in such a stinking and polluted soule as mine will hee vouchsafe to giue mee an assurance of Gods fauour Or if I might knowe nowe that I am in the state of grace what assuraunce can I haue that I shall so continue being beset with manie imperfections Thus O Lord mine owne thoughts oppresse mee and mine own soule doth plead the case against it selfe Neither is Sathan the auncient enemy of thine Elect wanting to adde affliction to my miserie Heeretofore his manner hath beene to incite and to prouoke mee vnto sinne by hyding and couering the vgly and most loathesome face thereof and to beare mee in hand that it was a verie easie thing to repent and that also thy fauour O Lorde might be procured by and by Now hee enlargeth my euils makes my sins to appeare before my conscience in most terrible and hideous shapes he telleth me that my hypocrisie is apparant that the guile of my heart is written in great letters and cannot bee denyed that it is now in vaine for mee to sue for grace
cōtinually euē so lōg as I haue my being Graunt that I may learne by this euidence of thy mercy and might for euer hereafter to depend vpon thee Quicken me vp to all holy dutyes that my thankefulnesse may appeare in my pure and Christian cariage Make me a kinde and carefull Mother willing to vnder-goe the paines and troubles of education let no nicenesse or curiositie hinder me frō those seruices to which both Nature Religion haue appointed mee Let mee also bee carefull heereafter when time shall require to season that which thou hast giuen mee with the knowledge of thee and of thy Sonne that my desire may manifestly appeare to bee set for the encreasing of thy kingdom Vouchsafe so to order my affections to bring them into obedience vnder thee that if it should bée thy pleasure either now or hereafter to take this infant from mee I may patiently submit my self to thy appointment And now O good God perfite in mee that strength which thou hast begun make me to growe in care to serue thée faithfully both in the duetyes of piety in other businesses of my place and calling that I may be a comfort to my husbād an example to my neighbours a grace to my profession a means of glory to thy Name through Iesus Christ my Lord and Sauiour Amen 21. A Prayer for those which are employed in the assistance helpe of a trauailing woman IT is not our diligence O Lord or paines which can do any thing without thy blessing our sins are sufficient to bring thy curse vpon whatsoeuer we vndertake Be pleased we pray thée to be reconciled to vs in the blood of thy Sonne Make vs to remēber that we are here in thy presence that all our thoughts words actions are open to thy sight prosper the busines for which wee are come together put far frō vs all supersticious cōceits idle fancies teach vs to séek help only frō thy grace Enable vs to speak comfortably to this pained woman that we may further her dependance vpon thy holy Maiestie and may be a means vnder thee of her true refreshing in her sharpest fits Furnish vs with skill and her with strength patiently to awaite the appointed time of her deliuerance knit al our hearts vnto thee that we may feare thy Name noting obseruing thy mercy and power in all thy works studying to giue thee prayse and glory for the same through Iesus Christ our only Lord Sauiour Amen 22. A Thankesgiuing after when God hath blessed their paines in the womans deliuerie O Lorde wee haue séene thy goodnes and haue receiued an apparant token of thy readines to heare the Prayers of those which call vpon thée and to succour those which flye vnto thee for thy helpe Thou hast giuen ease and deliuerance to the woman light and life to the infant ioy and gladnesse to vs all The glory and prayse is thine alone Fill our hearts with thankefulnesse make vs forward both now hereafter to prouoke and stirre vp one another thereunto And And let not our thankefulnes stand in words onely or outward shewes but cause it to appeare in our whole course that the obedience the sobrietie the modestie the vertue of our liues may witnes the thankfull féeling of our hearts Goe on in thy mercy wee pray thee both to the Mother and her babe continue encrease their strength so as may serue best for thy glory And as thou hast added one vnto the number of mankind shewing thy wonderful wisedome power both in the framing of him in the wombe in bringing him foorth into this light so in thy time adde him also to thy Church and beget him again vnto a liuely hope by the immortall séed of thy holy word deliuering him from the power of darkenesse in which by nature we are al into the glorious libertie of thy chosen And if it shall so séeme good to thee to lay any further triall eyther of sickenes or death vpon this thy seruant or vpon the fruite of her wombe prepare vs all to a patient and quiet bearing of thy hand and to a contented cōfortable resting vpon thy gracious prouidence assuring our selues that all things shall turne to the good and benefit of thy chosen Heare vs O Lord and accept vs and forgiuing the weakenes of our Prayers graunt vs all néedfull graces out of the rich store-house of thy bottomlesse bounty and that for Iesus Christ our gracious Redéemer Amen 23. A Prayer for a Souldier fighting for his Countrey or the confederates thereof O Lord it is thy glorie to bee called The Lord of hostes and it is thou alone from whom when men haue made their most politicke and puissant preparations the victorie must be looked for Drawe my heart I beséech thee from all relying vpon my own valor or vpon the strength of the battaile in which I stand and teach me to looke vpward and to waite and trust onely vpon thee Thou giuest conquest and thou giuest courage thou deliuerest from the perill of the sword or else makest death a meanes of happinesse to thy seruants Forgiue my sinnes I pray thee and assure mee of pardon by the witnesse of thy spirit that the guilt thereof make not my heart to tremble in me and to behold death as a messenger to conuey me into hell If thou O Lord bée on my side peace being made betwixt thée and my Soule through Christ what can bee against mee what hazard can befall my Soule Nothing shall be able to depriue mee of thy loue Let not spoyle or blood or mine owne aduancement be the ends of mine attempts but make me to ayme onely at thy glory in the defence of thy trueth and in the good and safety of the State wherein I liue The issue of all things to thee O Lorde is knowen but to man it is hidden prepare me therefore indifferently to whatsoeuer shall befall me If I dye giue mee comfort in my last breathing and take my Soule into thy gracious hands If I bee taken captiue giue mee patience giue mee wisedome and godly courage to doe nothing contrary to the honour of my countrey or preiudiciall to the profession of a faithful Christian If I returne with life and victorie make me thankefull kéepe mee from taking frō thee any part of thy glory Preserue mee from those riotous lasciuious and blaspheming courses which are the vsuall fruits of good successe Let me not thinke deuotion to be an enemie to resolution or that a religious feare of thy Maiestie doeth abate the spirit that should bee in a Souldier but settle me in this that the assurance of a lawfull cause the hope and confidence of a better life by the merites of Christ the care to please thee and to depend vpō thy power are the onely true grounds of valour which can giue a man boldnesse and life in the day of battaile Vouchsafe me these
our forgetting thee in the dayes of our plenty but chiefly our loathing of that spirituall Mannah that heauenly diet of thy sacred Word prouided in thy abundant mercy for our Soules O make vs ashamed for these and other our monstrous sins besides those personall euils wherewith we are each of vs iustly to be charged Beget in vs a care to renounce and forsake our sinnes equall to our desire for the putting away of thy iudgements Forgiue vs in Iesus Christ and vouchsafe vs as a pledge of thy loue strength and grace to walke in a greater measure of obedience then heretofore And now O Lord teach vs to rely vpon thy prouiding and to know that when all things faile yet thy mercies are the same and thy power to help is not diminished Thou canst suddenly by meanes to mā vnknowen turne the greatest penury into plenty thou canst make a little to stretch farre and canst proportion our appetites to our store O make vs to depend on thee and to study more how to profite by thy hand then to haue thy rod remooued from vs. And when thou shalt shew thy selfe to haue heard our Prayers by sending greater plenty let vs not forget our present want but graunt that we may labour to bee thankefull and endeauour after a more sober vse of thy blessings then heretofore Heare vs in this and in all other our requests for Christes sake and for thine owne promise sake Amen * ⎠* 29. Another like applyed to the time of some great contagion WHither shall wee goe O Lorde in the day of our affliction but onely vnto thee Thou alone canst saue and out of thy hands none is able to giue deliuerāce Heauy at this time is thy hand vpon vs and fearefull is the disease with which thou hast afflicted vs Wee are afrayde one friend and neighbour of another and nothing is before vs but present death Scarsely can we looke foorth but we sée some one or other amongst vs caried away to the graue the mourners going about the streets Wée must needes confesse that though this he grieuous yet it is the smallest part of our desert It is iust with thee to smite vs with botches and scabs that cannot bee healed and to make the pestilence euen to cleaue vnto our loines and to swéep vs away from off the earth euen as a man swéepeth away doung till all bee gone For how haue we multiplied our iniquities before thee and to what a shamelesse and intolerable measure are our sinnes encreased Many warnings haue béene giuen by thy Ministers thou hast risen early and late and sent vnto vs by them yet wee haue made our hearts as an Adamant stone and haue put farre from vs the euill day perswading our selues that their sermons were but wind and that they did but commend vnto vs their own fancies Thus haue we encouraged our selues in euill and haue set thy iudgements at nought euery one turning to his owne course as the horse rusheth to the battell adding drunkennesse to thirst and falling away from thee more and more But O Lorde giue vs now at the last remorsefull and repentant hearts make vs as it were to smite vpon our thigh as a signe that wee see our wandrings and that we are ashamed of our sinnes Embolden vs in the name of Christ to come into thy presence and in all earnestnesse of spirit to cry vnto thee Take away our iniquities and receiue vs graciously Teach vs as well to feare sinne the cause of this wasting sickenesse as we doe the sicknesse it selfe which is the fruite of sinne Comfort vs according to the dayes that thou hast afflicted vs and let the swéet feeling of the gracious testimony of thy Spirit speaking peace vnto our soules preuaile against all other sadnes or cause of griefe or sorrow whatsoeuer Say O Lord vnto thy destroying Angel It is sufficient holde thy hand Or if it be thy pleasure to stretch thine hand yet further and to take vs away also O prepare vs to thine owne purpose endue vs with a holy patience to endure the vtmost triall and graunt that whatsoeuer befall our earthly tabernacles yet our soules may bee alwayes acceptable vnto thee and al for Christ Iesus sake who hath loued vs giuen himselfe to be a sacrifice of a swéet smelling sauor vnto thee Amen 30. A Meditation or Prayer necessary for a poore man TRueth it is O Lorde that to my mutinous repining nature want is of all things most distastful and pouertie is a burden euen intolerable Sometimes I am ready to call thy iustice in question who measurest out so large ouerflowing a portion vnto some and yet art so strait and sparing towards mee Sometimes do almost condemne Religion to be méerely vanity the louers whereof lye open to so great extremitie Otherwhiles my owne heart chargeth me with hypocrisie telling me that no man euer perished being an innocent and that if I did so feare thee as I should thou couldest not thus forsake mee And much adoe haue I to master my owne affections and to restraine my selfe from putting foorth my hand to wickednesse and from taking some strāge course for my own supply Thus O Lorde I am straitened thus I am euen haunted with whole troupes of vnquiet thoughtes all which by the continuance and enlargement of my owne scarcitie and by the vncompassionatenesse which I finde among the men of this yron age are rather multiplyed and encreased in mee then any way slaked or diminished But eternally blessed bee thy great Name which hast opened the gates of thy mercy giuen hope of hearing and of help to the basest and poorest amongst men Thou acceptest not the persons no not of Princes thou regardest not the rich sooner then the poore Behold therefore O louing Father in Iesus Christ to thee doe I cry to thy Mercy-seat doe I stretch out my féeble hands I haue learned O Lorde that miserie commeth not foorth of the dust neither doeth affliction spring out of the earth the pillars of the world are thine thou openest or shuttest thy hand at thine owne pleasure Thy wisedom also is infinite and thy iudgements are vnsearcheable who shall pleade with thee to aske thee a reason of thy wayes Let it bee inough for mee that it is thy pleasure thus to debase mee Am I not in thy hand as the clay in the potters If thou doe giue me a larger portion it is thy bounty if thou doe abridge me what haue I to complain or what challenge can I make to that which thou keepest from mée Teach mee I beséech thee not to look so much vpon this what others haue as to consider well how little I for my part doe deserue to haue If I doe but breath vpon the face of the earth if I had no house but the open ayre no garments but ragges no food but the bread and the water of affliction or the crummes that fal from some rich mans
Hereupon I thought with my selfe that as familiar Catechismes and plaine Treatises haue their vse being ioyned to the publique ministry to bring those which are yet but babes in Christ 1. Cor. 3.1 vnto knowledge so also some helpe in this kind might bee good to beget feeling and to be a guide to those which haue as yet but stammering and lisping tongues vntill they shall be able hauing tongues as fined siluer Pro. 10.20 plainly and distinctly to speake the lāguage of Canaan Isa 19.18 For this cause I gaue my booke no greater title thē A HELP to DEVOTION because I would not bee mistaken or thought to intend any thing els but onely to further their religious purpose who would faine learn to pray orderly and effectually vnto God And in this course I am sure that I am not without Examples Worthy Diuines haue in these latter times bestowed their paines this way M. Iohn Bradford M. Edw. Deering M. H. Smith M. R. Rogers pag. 421. of his 7. Treatises M. Brinsly in the second part of the True Watch and others whome I need not name I might mention others of other countreyes as M. Caluin in the end of his Cathechisme c. But the warrant of the Scripture is aboue all I will say nothing of those formes which wee finde appointed for publique vse in the Temple that which I endeauour to iustifie is the lawfulnesse of formes for priuate helpe I might tell thee of the words of Prayer which the Prophet bade the people to take vnto them and to say vnto the Lord Hos 14.3 of the forme which Habakkuk was wont to vse for the ignorances of the people Chap. 3.1 of the many Psalmes which are stiled Psalmes of instruction not onely because the matter was of vse to instruct Christians but also because the very mould it selfe might remaine as a helpe in Prayer for those who should at any time fall into the like occasion which the enditer of the particular Psalmes was exercised with These other things might I insist vpō But I finde a title giuen to one Psalme which shall be to mee in stead of many proofes Psal 102. It is this A Prayer of the afflicted when he shall bee in distresse and powre foorth his meditation before the Lord. Which Psalme thogh ayming perhaps at some more speciall afflictiō in which the seruants of God then were yet inasmuch as it is reported in the title to be for the general vse of an afflicted person as indeede it is excellent for such an occasion it seemeth to mee abundantly to satisfie all those who shall doubt of the conueniencie of such set directions Thus hauing acquainted thee with my whole intent and laboured least thou shouldest be forestalled by any mis-opinion to shew warrant for my doing I commend my endeauours to thee and thee to the Lord praying him to furnish thee with the spirit of supplication Zech. 12.10 that thou mayest bee so full of holy matter Iob 32.18 and so aboūding with gratious speach Col. 4.6 that thine ability to vtter thine owne feeling vnto God may bring much sweetnesse to thy Soule and no lesse comfort to others if thou bee at any time occasioned to speake in the name of others vnto his Maiestie Adding this withall that if thou ayme not at this grace but content thy selfe still to speake no other wordes but such as are put into thy mouth thou wrongest thy selfe greatly and all those who haue laboured to bring thee vnto more perfection Farewell Thine in the Lord Sam. Hieron A short Aduertisment touching Preparation before Praier In which is shewed 1. The necessitie of it 2. The manner of it THe necessitie of Preparation may appeare manie waies 1 By our sauiours platform in which the Petitions are not set downe abruptlie but a solemne preface is prefixed like a faire porch to a beautifull house to teach vs to frame our affections and set them in due order before we draw neere to speak vnto the Lord. 2 By expresse commandement Bee not rash with thy mouth nor let thine heart be hastie to vtter a thing before God Eccles 5.1 It is a dangerous thing to babble out vndigested vnaduised words in his eares 3 By example O GOD sayth Dauid mine heart is prepared so is my tongue c. Psal 108.1 It was the difference betwixt him and hypocrites that he washed his hands in innocencie before he would compasse the Altar Psal 26.6 4 By due proportion from outward things If a man goe before a Prince or man of authority he will thinke vpon his cariage he will set his tale in order and meditate what to say how much more then should we prepare when we come to speake to God who is higher then the Kinges of the Earth 2 The manner of Preparation stands in Praying Meditating 1 PRaying Meruaile not that I make Praying a preparatiue to praier A little eating prepareth a weake stomacke and setteth an edge vppon the appetite to eate more so in prayer Therefore Dauid before prayer praied Let my prayer be directed in thy sight as incense c. Set a watch O Lord before my mouth and keepe the doore of my lips Ps 141.2.3 A lifting vp of the soule to heauen with a desire of direction is a good preparatiue 2 Meditating vpon three things 1 GODS maiestie 2 GODS promises 3 Our owne vilenes The reason is this There are 3 thinges chiefelie requisite in prayer which are helped by this threefold meditation 1 Humilitie and lowlines of spirit begotten by the due consideration of Gods Maiestie 2 Confidence and assurance to be heard bredde by the knowledge of Gods promises 3 Feruencie of affection springing from the apprehension of our owne vileness That the maiestie of God must bee thought vpon is proued Eccles 5.1 Hee that speaks to God is bidden to remēber that God is in heauen That the promises must be muzed vppon appeares 2. Sam. 7.27 Thou hast reueiled vnto thy seruant c. Therefore hath thy seruant beene bold to pray c. Genesis 32.11.12 I pray thee deliuer me c. for thou sayedst I will surelie dooe thee good What courage can we haue to goe to the throne of grace without the warrant of promise That our owne vilenesse must bee remembred it is euident Gen. 32.10 I am lesse then the least of thy mercies Ezra 9.6 O my God I am ashamed and confounded to lift vp mine eyes c. for our iniquities are increased c. Thus then prepare thy self to pray Exercise thy thoughts before hand vpon these three things 1 what a presence full of maiestie thou must come into 2 what sweete promises he hath made to encourage thee 3 what neede thou hast to fly to his mercie This will furnish thee with humilitie tempered with cheerefulnes both whetted on quickened by the feeling of thy owne necessitie To helpe thy meditations of Gods maiesty remember Psal 104.1 O Lord my God thou art exceeding great thou art clothed
haue I these things but from thee The safety of this night the quiet rest wherwith I haue béene refreshed to whom can I ascribe it but onely vnto thee That I haue liued hitherto that I haue not béene swallowed vp with some suddaine iudgement that Sathan had not had his will vpon me that I know the way and the meanes vnto a better life that I am deliuered from the power of darknesse and translated into the kingdome of thy deare Sonne that I haue daily accesse into thy glorious presence whence are all these but from the freedome of thy grace If thou hadst giuen mée my desert I should haue perished long agoe it is from thy mercy alone that I am not consumed O Lord make mee ashamed of mine vnthankefulnesse wound my hart with the consideration of my owne dulnesse whom so many kindnesses haue not wrought vnto more obedience And vouchsafe I pray thee notwithstanding the smalnesse of my deseruing yet to looke graciously vpon this my morning sacrifice of prayse which I do here tender vnto thy Maiesty let not I beséech thée the scantnes and barrennes of my seruice make thee to turne away thine eyes and to haue no regarde vnto mine offering But as thou art wont to spare thy seruants euen as a man spareth his owne sonne that serueth him and in them to accept the will for the ful performance so be pleased to looke vpon mée in Iesus Christ and for his sake to remit my former vngratefulnesse and to strengthen me by thy grace for the time to come in some good measure to reforme the same And to the end O God that I may manifest the trueth of my desire to be thankefull I beséech thee to beget in me a holy care both this day and for euer to walke worthy of that calling wherevnto I am called to study to please thee with reuerence and with feare by a blamelesse pure and vnrebukeable conuersation to shine as a light amongst men I cannot I confesse doe this of my selfe I haue in mee the same corruption of nature which the most wicked hath I entreat thée therefore to worke in mee that which is pleasant in thy sight Giue me a cleane heart and a right spirit make mee to vnderstand aright the way of thy precepts direct me in the path of thy commandements knit my soule vnto thee and make it to cleaue vnto thy testimonies stay mee and stablish me that my foot-steps may not slide Crucifie my flesh with the affections and lustes mortifie my members which are on earth suppresse and subdue that law in my members which leades mee captiue vnto the law of sinne Graunt that I may sensibly féele the power of Christes death killing corruption in mee and the power of his resurrection raising mee vppe vnto newnesse of life Make mee to resolue to renounce euen my swéetest and best-pleasing sinnes and not to take libertie to my selfe to continue in any knowne vngodlinesse Let it bée inough that I haue hitherto giuen the raynes vnto mine owne lusts graunt that heereafter I may take no thought for the flesh to content it but may striue rather to curbe and to subdue it and to bring it vnder the yoke of due obedience And good Lorde encrease my fayth and better my féeling and apprehension of thy loue that I may with courage and chearefulnesse runne the race which is set before me Blesse mee also this day in the dutyes of my calling Idlenesse and godlinesse cannot agrée and it is thy will that in the sweate of my face I should eate my bread Preserue me from all fraudulent guilefull oppressing gréedy courses draw my affections from the loue of the world fixe my heart vpō the things which are aboue If things succéede according to my minde make mee thankefull to thée which hast giuen the blessing If any crosse come make mee patient and carefull to profit by euery chastizement And because the daily occasions of danger to my soule are infinite teach me to put on thy whole armor and to kéepe my heart with all diligence to furnish my selfe with holy meditations to make a couenant with mine eyes to kéepe my mouth with a bridle for the auoyding of all filthy communication to vse such words as may minister grace vnto the hearers to bée sober in diet wary in disports moderate in apparell choise in my company and euer to practise that cōtinuall feare which hath a promise of blessednesse Finally Lord so guide mee through the course of this whole day both in my priuate and more publique imployments that if I liue by thy sufferance vntill night I may haue much comfort in the taking notice of thy grace and goodnesse towards me and all this for Christ Iesus sake thy onely Sonne and my alone Sauiour Amen 4. An Euening Prayer for a priuate Person MOst mercifull God and gratious Father in Iesus Christ were it not that thou hast made a gratious promise in thy word that whatsoeuer is asked of thee in the name of thy Sonne shall bée bestowed I should not dare to presse into thy presence being guilty to my selfe of so many sinnes which I haue heaped vp in thy sight from the beginning of my dayes vntill this present I am by nature O Lorde the child of wrath a vassall of Sathan no better then a very firebrand of hell It is thy great mercy that I escaped the fury of thy wrath due vnto mée at the very instant of my birth in respect of that masse of corruptiō which I brought with mée from my my mothers wombe Neither haue I since I came to vnderstanding any whit amended or bettered my first estate but I haue added to it a numberlesse number of transgressions breaking euery of thy commandements by thought word and déede sinning in many things against knowledge against conscience and against that light which thou hast giuen me yea cleane against many vowes and promises of better obedience I haue no colour of excuse nothing haue I to plead in the defence of my many slips If I dispute with thée I must néedes lay my hand vpon my mouth and learne to abhorre my selfe in dust and ashes And Lord giue me I beséech thee a fleshy and melting heart that nothing may more affect mée or touch me more deepely then to sée my owne vilenesse and how disobedient and stubborne I haue béene towardes thee which hast euen heaped vpon mee so many fauours Make me ashamed of my barrennesse and vnfruitfulnesse in my profession who haue giuen thee iust cause to range mée among those hypocrites which make a shew of godlinesse but yet deny the power thereof Beget in me that godly sorow which causeth true repentāce neuer to be repented of that I may bee grieued in my very soule for my sins not so much because of the danger of hell that followeth as because I haue offended thee the loue of whose maiestie ought to bee a sufficient motiue to obedience And for the
these withdrawments Grant that I may more estéeme obedience to thee then either the coÌ„tenting of mine own sensual affections or the auoyding of reproche amoÌ„g profane persons or the satisfying of men be their pretenses what they may be I am taught O Lord I do belieue it that thy yoke is easie that thy coÌ„mandements are not grieuous I know that by a holy vse in these religious seruices I shall make them so familiar vnto me shall also find that excéeding swéetnes in them that I shal euen long for thy Sabaoth before it comes the time will séeme short vnto me that is so bestowed And for this day most louing Father I pray thee blesse vnto me the particular businesses thereof In praying giue me reuereÌ„ce to thy Maiestie sense of my own waÌ„ts fayth in thy promises fresh remembrance of thy former kindnesses charitable compassionate yéelding affections towards others In hearing vouchsafe mee an vnlocked an vnderstaÌ„ding heart a right iudgement meekenes of spirit liuelines of affectioÌ„ fastnes of memory In coÌ„municating at thy table bestow on me an huÌ„bled soule a hungring heart a coÌ„science purged from dead workes power of sweet meditation vpon the death of Christ In looking vpon the administration of Baptisme afforde mee mindfulnesse of mine owne vowe remorse for my often fayling in that solemne promise earnestnesse of desire for the good of the baptized ioy for the encrease of thy Church In singing take froÌ„ me all both dulnes and vanity make me to sing with a grace in my heart still striuing to lift vp my soule vnto thee Enlarge my heart towards others as occasion shall be offered that I may bee ready to giue to those that want forward in euery good work comfortable to the sicke tender hearted to those whom thou hast humbled apt to make peace where discord is Let all workes of mercy bee a delight vnto me and make mee carefulll not to stay till I am prouoked but to séeke occasions to doe good And when I am priuate O Lord sanctifie my thoughts that I may meditate in good things and may hide thy worde in my secret parts and may loue it and especially that I may shewe the fruite of it in all my conuersation Finally I humbly pray thee so to guide me both in publique and priuate dutyes that when it commeth to euening I may féele my knowledge to be encreased my fayth strengthened my soule conscience abundantly refreshed and all this for Christ Iesus his sake for thine owne Names sake Amen 6. Another Prayer something more speciall respecting the hearing of Gods word ETernall God most gratious and mercifull in Iesus Christ euery good giuing euery perfect gift coÌ„meth down from thee thou hast coÌ„manded that if any man lacke wisedome hee should aske of thee thou hast promised to deny nothing that is asked of thee in thy Sons name In obedience vnto this thy commaundement in assurance of thy readines to make good thy promise I doe héere cast downe my selfe before thee praying thee as at all other times so now especially to be good vnto mee I am now O Lord by thy gratious prouidence to bee a partaker of thy holy word the preaching whereof is the ordinary meanes appointed by thee to saue my Soule to draw me out of the power of sathaÌ„ vnto thine own selfe I for my part am vnworthy of so great a fauour as to bee admitted to heare it and I am euery way vnfit vnable to heare it with profit My heart is ful of blindnes ignorance my affections are froward and vntractable I am euen reprobate by nature vnto euery good duty I am dul of hearing slow of coÌ„ceit backward to entertaine but apt to let slippe any good instruction I beseech thee in Iesus Christ by the working of thy spirit to reforme within mee these corruptions Make me as a new borne babe to desire the sincere milke of thy most sacred word graunt that I may reioyce at it as one that findeth a great spoyle let it bee better vnto me theÌ„ thousands of gold and siluer Open my heart as thou didst the heart of Lydia that I may euen with a kinde of hunger and gréedinesse attend vnto the things which are deliuered cleare the eyes of my mind anoint them with that pretious salue of thy spirit that the scales of ignorance may fall from them and that I may sée the wonders of thy Law euen thy hid wisedome which my nature of it selfe is not able to discerne And because thou hast promised to guide the humble in thy way and to reueale thy secret to the méeke take from mee I pray thee a proud heart teach mée to become a foole in my selfe that I may bee wise in thee Suffer me not to measure the mysteries of thy kingdome by mine owne blind reason and corrupt affection but giue me grace to deny my selfe and to labour to bring mine owne thoughts into captiuity vnder Christ that I may not dare to oppose mine owne conceipts and fancies vnto the maiestie of thy trueth reuealed in thy word Giue vnto the Preacher a doore of vtterance that he may open his mouth boldly to publish the secret of thy Gospel Direct his tongue that he may speak vnto my coÌ„science that if there bee any close corruptioÌ„ lurking in me as Lord who can vnderstaÌ„d his faults the searching power of thy word may discouer it and rip it vp euen to the very bottome And vouchsafe vnto me that meeknesse of spirit and such calme and yéelding affections that I may not repine nor murmure at reproofe but may loue him rather that rebuketh and may take it as a speciall fauour froÌ„ thee that I am not suffered to go on in sin nor giuen ouer to mine own corruptions In euery point of holy doctrine taught me make me to remember who it is the speaketh by the mouth of man that I may receiue the worde as a message from thee whether it be comfort or reproofe or instructioÌ„ so may giue it the reuereÌ„ce that awful respect which is due vnto thy holy Oracâ—â—s And because O Lord as I am naturally forgetfull so the deuill watcheth to catch away the worde as soone as it is deliuered therefore I pray thee to stablish my memorie that I may hold fast thy blessed trueth and may alwayes haue it in store against the time of néed To this end make mée carefull in the vse of all good priuate meanes such as are Prayer meditation conference with others as occasion shall require Beget in mée a godly discretion that I may diligently search the Scriptures whether the things I heare are so and may try all things neither rashly reiecting nor suddenly belieuing whatsoeuer is deliuered And when I haue found thy trueth so stablish my heart that I may not wauer nor be caryed about with euery wind of doctrine but may continue in the things which I haue learned
there being no hope of mercy left for such offendours that it is to no purpose for mee to pray for as I can not pray as I should otherwise then in hypocrisie so neither if I could pray aright can there bee any accesse vnto the throne of grace for the requests of such a trespasser Notwithstanding O most gracious God euen in despite of his suggestions and amidst all those discouragements which mine own heart mustereth against mee I doe héere aduenture my selfe into thy most glorious presence If I shall find fauour in thine eyes shew me the light of thy countenance and I shall bee safe If thou say I haue no delight in thee behold héere I am do to me as séemeth good in thine owne eyes I knowe what thou hast spoken in thy worde namely that if I draw néere vnto thee thou wilt drawe néere vnto mee and that thou wilt fulfill the desires and accept the vnexpresseable grones and sighings of thy seruants Trueth it is O Lord I dare not say that I draw néere vnto thee as I should or that my desires are such as they ought to be or that I groane vnder my sinnes with such an effectuall and pearcing féeling as is fit All that I am able to doe and that in much weakenesse is to cry fayntly vnto thee Oh draw mee and I will runne after thee make mee to desire thy mercy in sinceritie bruise my heart that it may yeeld out many vndissembled sighings after thee Yet O Lorde though there bee in mee but such poor beginnings of grace suffer me not I beséech thee to cast away my confidence I am well assured that thou hast not forgotten the promise of not breaking the bruised réede nor putting out the smoking flaxe and of giuing a blessing vnto those which hunger after righteousnesse Is it possible O Lorde that thou shouldest leaue off to bee gracious and shut vppe thy tender mercies in displeasure Didst not thou send thy sonne into the world to dye euen for chiefe sinners Is it not true that wheÌ„ sinne abounds there thy grace abouÌ„deth much more Could I euer so much as trulie desire reconciliation with thâ—e vnlesse thou didst worke it in me Is not this request Lord helpe my vnbeliefe the very voyce of thy spirit within me Could I complaine of the hardnesse of my heart or sincerely lothe mine owne corruptions as being displeasing to thy maiestie if thine owne finger had not effected it Should I féele such a combate in my Soule such a tumult within me if thou hadst not truely begun to draw mee to thy selfe Would sathan so continually molest me and so egerly pursue me with variety of most malicious and sharpe assaults if I were still held captiue by him at his will Rayse me vppe therefore O Lord I pray thee refresh my deiected and cast downe soule perfit the work of grace which thou hast begun within mee make mee to heare of ioy and gladnes that the bones which thou hast broken may reioyce Thou hast set me as a marke vnto thy selfe thou hast written bitter things against mee and made mee to possesse my former iniquities thou hast hidden thy face from me and taken me for thine enemy coÌ„fort me now according to the dayes that thou hast afflicted me let mee behold thy face in righteousnesse and restore vnto me the ioy of thy saluation Rebuke sathan I most humbly beséech thee though thou please to buffet mee with his messengers yet let thy grace be sufficient for me and make thine owne power in reuiuing mee perfect and manifest by my weakenes which of it sell is ready to bee pressed downe with euery tentation Giue mee that holy wisedome not to belieue sathan no though he speake the trueth inasmuch as he is the father of lyes and neuer speaketh trueth but for a wicked purpose And O Lorde as thou encreasest my comfort so withall encrease my care that I may not fall from perplexitie to securitie but that I may alwayes keep my heart with all diligence proouing my fayth and searching my wayes and exercising my selfe vnto godlinesse Make mee a carefull and an vnderstanding hearer of thy word sith it is the word of life a quickening word a worde which doeth reioyce the heart and because except that be my delight I shall vtterly perish in mine afflictions Make mee circumspect to preuent sinne and fearefull ouer my selfe that sinne may not grow strong vpon me and graunt that I may study to preserue the peace of my conscience aboue all things taking héed of wounding it with presumptuous sinnes And O Lord stablish me with thy frée spirit that albeit sathan séeke to sift me to winnow me as wheat yet my faith may neuer fayle but may be as mouÌ„t ZioÌ„ which caÌ„not be remooued but remaineth for euermore Thus O my gracious God hauing through thy mercy peace in belieuing and ioy in thy holy spirit I shal finish my course in comfort which I pray thee graunt mee for his sake who is the Prince of peace euen Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holy Ghost bée all honour and glory now and for euer Amen 13. A Prayer then needfull when a man hath some speciall combate with some one or moe special sinnes against which hee desireth victory O Louing Father in Iesus Christ it hath pleased thee of thine abundant mercie to giue leaue to euery humbled distressed sinner to pour out his Soule before thee and thou hast bound thy selfe by a promise both to heare and to helpe all those which séeke thée with an vnfained heart The confident assuraÌ„ce hereof hath giueÌ„ me courage albeit most vnworthy to present my self here before thee to conceiue hope that thou wilt not send me empty away Wounded O Lord I am with mine owne hainous sins my vntamed flesh doth alwayes rebel lust against my spirit some good motions and purposes I sometimes haue but alas they are quickely quenched the law of my members so preuaileth that I cannot do the good which I would I haue in me I confesse the séed of euery sin my nature is apt to be wrought vnto any kind of euill But O God there are some principall corruptioÌ„s which do beare in me the greatest sway they do so euen raign in my mortal body that I am forced to obey them in the lusts therof The deuil also is ful of most malicious policie he still worketh vpoÌ„ all aduaÌ„tages out of al things almost taketh occasion to adde fuel to my wicked desires by pleasing delightful baites to lead them on vnto a hellish perfection The more I striue the stronger mee thinketh these corruptions grow which maketh me to feare the vtter quenching of thy gracrs the grieuing of thy holy spirit Hereby my Prayers are interrupted my meditations perplexed and robbed of their wonted swéetnesse my hearing and reading of thy word is made vnprofitable My fayth is encountred with grieuous doubtings because I cannot