Life and an Eternal weight of Glory in the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ Amen Read the Psalms and Proper Lessons appointed for the day Friday Mornings Meditations On the Life of the Holy Jesus On the Incarnation of our Blessed Redeemer O Most Blessed Jesu who for the Redemption of the World Vouchsafest to be made Man by the ever Blessed Merits of thy Mysterious Incarnation grant me to become one Spirit with thee who became one Flesh with me Nativity II. Blessed Jesu who wast Born of a pure Virgin by the power of the Holy Ghost grant me by the same Almighty Power to possess a pure Virgin Soul in a pure and Chasse Temple of my Body and to be Fruitful in all good works to my lives end Circumcision III. Blessed Jesu who was Circumcised and made Obedient to the Law for Man grant unto me I humbly beseech thee the true Circumcision of the Spirit that my Heart and all my Members may be Mortified from all Carnal and worldly Lusts that I may in all things Obey thy Blessed Will Baptism IV. Blessed Jesu by the Merits of thy Holy Baptism wash me throughly from my Wickedness and Cleanse me from my Sins whereby I have Defiled those Sacramental Waters of my Baptism and perjuriously broken my Vows and Promises made therein Fasting V. Blessed Jesu who didst Fast Forty Days and Forty Nights Pardon and Forgive me all the manifold Acts of Rioting and excess I have been guilty of and give me Grace to use such Abstinence that my Flesh being subdued to the Spirit I may ever Obey thy Godly motions in Righteousness and true Holiness to thy Honour and Glory Temptation VI. Blessed Jesu who in thy Holy Fasting was Tempted by Satan and by thy Almighty Power didst Conquer him grant me by thy Blessed Spirit Devoutly to entertain the Holy Duties of Prayer and Fasting that by the Power of thy Victory over the Devil I may have Strength and Power of over Satan the World and the Flesh and continue thy Servant to my Lives End Doctrine and Example VII Blessed Jesu who in thy Prophetical Office didst Preach the Gospel and Heaâ— all manner of Sicknesses and Diseases among the People and by thy Doctrine and Example art the way and the Truth that leads unto Life Grant me to believe a right all thy Revelations to Obey all thy Commands to walk in thy Steps and to follow thee the Light of the World that I walk not in Darkness Christ Conspired against and Betrayed VIII Blessed Jâ—su whose precious Life was Conspired â—gain7s â— by Dis-believing Jâ—wes and wert Betrayed and Sold by one of thy own Disciples for a Vile Price Deliver me I Humbly Beseech thee from all the Conspiracies of my Ghostly and Bodily Enemies but especially from the Treachery of my own Heart and the Rebellion of my Flesh which for things of no Value betrays my Soul to its utter Ruin and Destruction His Agony in the Garden IX Blessed Jesu thy bitter Passion was in a Garden where thy Soul was sorrowful even unto Death Sanctifie O Lord all my Infirmities and Passions Comfort me in all my Troubles and Compose my my mind with such a frame of Spirit that I may be sensible with a Godly Sorrow of that Heavy Wrath and Curse for sin which thou sufferedst for me and all the World His Bloody Sweat X. Blessed Jesu who upon the Cold Earth didst Sweat Drops of Blood under the Load of our Sins and Apprehensions of thy ensuing Sufferings thou offerest up strong Crys and Tears unto him that is able to save O that my Heart might inwardly Bleed Tears of Compassion and Contrition and vent forth fervent and effectual Prayers with Tears of Devotion as to be heard in Heaven and healed of all my sinful Infirmities His Submission XI Blessed Jesu who didst submit with Patience unto the Will of thy Heavenly Father Endue me with the same Spirit of meekness and Patience submitting my self unto the Will of God in prosperity and adversity Health and Sickness Life and Death His Apprehension XII Blessed Jesu thou wast Apprehended and bound as a Malefactor but wert clearer than an Angel of Light O let not my Soul be Arrested by Infernal Fiends to Eternal Horrour in the other World but from the Eternal Malice of the Spirits of Darkness and from the Bonds and Chains of my Sins Good Lord Deliver me The PRAYER O Lord most Holy my sins are more in number than the Hairs of my Head and the weight of them Cries a loud to Heaven for Mercy I beseech thee O God the Father of Heaven thou great Creator and Preserver of Man despise not the Work of thine own Hands O God the Son that camest into the World to save Sinners Remember not my Offences neither seek thou Vengeance of my sins but good Lord spare me thy unworthy Servant whom thou hast Redeemed with thy most Precious Blood and be not Angry with me for ever O God the Holy Ghost that Despisest not a Broken and Contrite Heart let it pitty thee to see these thy Temples of my Soul and Body thus Ruined by sin and wickedness O Holy Blessed and Glorious Trinity Three Persons and One God have Mercy upon me a Miserable Sinner II. A Sinner and a grievous Sinner I am teach me O God to grieve that I am so give me a Broken and a Wounded Spirit for all my Transgressions Break this Stony Heart of mine yea take away this Heart of Stone from me and give me a Heart of Flesh that I may tremble at the Voice of thy Law and melt at the Sight of thy Judgments and Accuse and Condemn my self and be ready to joyn with thee to do Justice upon such a sinner as I am but least I should faint through the smart of the many fresh Bleeding Wounds which my sins have given my Soul Oh! do thou uphold me by thy Right Hand and pour into my Wounds that precious Balm of Gilead a true and a lively Faith in the ful satisfaction that thy Son hath made to thy Justice for the sins of the whole World and through his Cross and Passion through his most Precious Death and Burial through his Glorious Resurrection and Ascention I beseech thee be thou Reconciled unto me III. O Lord for his sake Pardon all that is past lay none of my sins to my Charge but Blot them all out of the Book of thy Remembrance Wash me O wash me throughly from my sins and cleanse me from my Vnrighteousness in the Blood of Jesus Christ Lord let his Blood that speaks better things than that of Abel cry lowder for mercy in thine Ears than do my sins for Vengeance be sprinkle my Polluted but Penitent Soul In the Blood of Jesus that thy wrath may pass over me and that the light of thy Countenance may shine upon me IV. SEAL unto my Soul the free Pardon and forgiveness of all my sins and say unto my Soul I am thy Salvation Oh! do thou
most Prone and Weak there I beg of thee to exalt thy Power in preserving me Here Name thy greatest Temptation IV. O let the Sufferings of my Crucified Saviour for my sins and the Solemn Vow I have have now made against them never slip from my Memory but let the remembrance of the one make me perform the other that I may never engage with those Lust which Nailed his Hands and Feet Pierced his Side and made his Soul sorrowful to Death But now having a new resigned my self to him I may serve him in Righteousness and Holiness all the days of my Life V. LORD support my Weakness in this warfare and be thou my Strength for I am not able to struggle with the least Temptations How often have I fainted in the Encounter How many Sabbaths have I profaned and how many Sacramental Vows have I broken And yet O Lord I carry about me the same deceitful Heart to betray me to the breach of this last Duty But O thou who art for eâ—eâ— uâ—changeable eâ—due me I 〈◊〉 beseech thee with such a stedfastness of mind that I may never swerve from thy Commandments but bring forth Fruits meet for Re pentance that I may arrive to Life Eternal through the Merits and Mediation of my Crucified Lord and Saviour Amen VI. Almighty God who hast promised to hear the Petitions of them that ask in thy Sons Name I beseech thee mercifully to incline thine Ears to me that have made now my Prayers and Supplications unto thee and grant that those things which I have faithfully asked according to thy Will may effectually be obtained to the relief of my Necessity and to the setting forth thy Glory through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen VII Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that I am able to ask or think according to the Power that worketh in me unto him be Glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all Ages World without End Amen The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the Sweet and Comfortable Felowship of his Holy and Blessed Spirit be with me and remain with me now and forever Amen Private Devotions and Divine Thoughts to be used every Day in the Week A Morning Prayer to be Used after the Ejaculations at Up Rising O Omnipetent and Everlasting God I Bless and Praise thy Holy Name for thy preservation of me this night past even to this present I beseech thee in all that I shall do this day presper thou the Work of my Hands O prosper thou my Hand-work II. Ill all that I shall think or say let the words of my Mouth and the Meditations of my Heart be such as may be ever acceptable in thy sight O Lord my Strength and my Redeemer that thou maiest for ever Vouchsafe to be with me both in and Death WHEREIN for the short time of my Life here give me Grace so to behave my self as in thy Presence Fearing nothing so much as thy displeasure hating and Sorrowing for nothing so much as my sins loving and rejoycing in nothing so much as in thee and thy Glory IV. and for the time of my Death I beseech thee in thy good Providence and Mercy so to Order it that I be not found either unproxided or unwilling to depart in that kind of Death and by that means which thou shalt appoint but so to be ever affected in Faith and Love as they that long to be delivered from this Body of sin into the Glorious Liberty of the Sons of God V. IN this hope I rest and into thy Blessed Protection and Mercy this day I commend my Soul and Body My Relations and Friends beseeching thee so to Sanctifie and Direct us in the ways of the Laws and in the works of thy Commandements and to give thine Angels such charge over us that through thy most Protection both here and ever we may be preserved in Body and Soul to serve thee the only true God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Our Father which art in Heaven c. A Hymn for the Morning LOrd I do now lift up my Eyes And leave my sluggish Bed But why I wake or why I rise Comes seldom in my Head Is it to Sweat and Toil for wealth Or sport my time away That thou preserv'st me still in Health And givest me this new day No no unskilful Soul not so Be not deceiv'd with Toys Thy Lord's Commands more wisely go And Aim at higher joys They bid us wake to seek new Grace And some fresh Virtue gain They call us up to mend our pace Till we the prize attain That Glorious prize for which all Run Who wisely spend their Breath Who when this weary Life is done Are sure of rest in Death Not such a rest as here we prove Disturb'd with cares and fear But endless joy and peace and Love Vnmixt with Grief and Tears Glory to thee O bounteous Lord Who giv'st to all things breath Glory to thee Eternal Word Who sav'st us by thy Death Glory O blessed Spirit to thee Who fill'st our Souls with love Glory to all the Mystick three Who Reign one God above Amen Ejaculations for the Day At your Apparelling say BLessed Jesu that the shame of my sinful Soul may not be seen Cloath it with thy spotless Robes of Righteousness and Adorn it with all the Ornaments of all manner of Grace and Vertues Amen When you are Apparelled O most aimable Jesu the true Spoufe of my Soul give me the Wedding Garment of Divine Love and perpetual Charity Amen Washing your Hands O Blessed Lord who so loved us as to Wash our Souls in thy pretious Blood Purifie I beseech thee my Heart and my Hands from all the spots and filth of sin Amen In Washing your Mouth O Divine Wisdom which proceedest out of the Mouth of thy Heavenly Father I humbly beseech thee with thy Grace to Purge my Lips from all Wicked and Vain words that my Mouth may never open but to thy praise and the improvement of others Amen In Washing your Eyes O thou Celestial Light who Illuminates every one that comes into the World enlighten the Eyes of my Soul that in all things I may perfectly see and perform thy blessed will and Pleasure Amen Beholding your Face in the Glass Say All Flesh is Grass and the Glory of it as the Flower of the Field which may quickly sade away and be no more seen Favour is deceitful and Beauty is vain but a Woman that feareth the Lord she shall be praised Going forth of thy House or Chamber say Shew me O Lord thy ways and teach me thy Paths Direct my steps according to thy word that no Injustice Rule over me make perfect my goings in thy Paths that my steps be not moved As you Travel or Walk by the way Blessed are those that are undefiled in the way and walk in the Law of the Lord. When the Clock strikes or you see the
THE Ladies Preparation To the Monthly SACRAMENT Consissing of Prayers Meditations and Ejaculations before at and after Receiving the Lords Supper After the Warning is given in the Church for the Celebration of the Holy Communion COMPOSED For the Private Use of a Devout Lady And at the Request of Friends made Publick LONDON Printed by W. B. for Simon Neale in the Long-Walk near Little Brittain 1691. Licensed February 10th 1691. THE WARNING On the Sunday Before the COMMUNION DEARLY Beloved on Sunday I and purpose through Gods Assistance to Administer to all such as shall be Religiously and Devoutly disposed the most Comfortable Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ to be by them received in Remembrance of his Meritorious Cross and Passion whereby alone we obtain Remission of our Sins and are made partakers of the Kingdom of Heaven c. A Soliloquy on the Warning BLESSED for ever be thy Name O Lord who pittying our Ignorance hast Revealed to us this Heavenly Mystery of thy pretious Body and Blood and foreseeing our weakness hast built our Faith on so firm a Certainty Justly O my God! Dost thou require our absolute assent to thy word since thou graciously providest such grounds to assure us Thy self with thine own blest Mouth hast taught it thy Apostles with their dearest Blod have confirmed it and thy Churches in all Ages have faithfully delivered it II. HOW Beautiful O Lord are the Feet of thy Holy Messengers Who brings us Peace and Reconcilement with thee who teaches us the way to Eternal happiness and by their pious Offices help us to go thither if they teach us Spiritual things 't is just we should give them Temporal make us O Lord entertain them as Workmen sent by thee with respect to their Persons and Obedience to their words and according to our power with a free supply of their necessities III. THUS does our gracious Lord send forth his Ministring Spirits to invite us to a Heavenly Banquet Their spiritual means Conveys our Prayers up to him and brings his Blessings down to us in all our ways they direct us and bear us in their Hands lest at any time we dash our Foot against a Stone When we labour they Assist us when we repose they implore for us the Divine Protection when we are tempted they Encourage us to stand fast and when we Conquer they Crown us with their Prayers and Praises When you first awake use these Ejaculations as a Key to Open the Morning LIghten mine Eyes O Lord that I Sleep not in Death Psal 13.3 IT is high time to Awake our of our Sleep of Sin for now since we have received the Light of the Gospel our Salvation is nearer then when we first Believed THE Night is now spent and the day is approached let me therefore cast off the works of Darkness and put on the Armour of Light GIVE me Grace O Lord to walk Honestly as in the day net in Rioting and Drunkenness not in Chambering and Wantonness not in Strife and Envying BUT put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not Provision for the Flesh to fulfil the Lusts thereof Rom. 13.11 12 13 14. At Up-rising IN the Name of the Father who hath Created me and of the Son who hath Redeemed me and of the Holy Ghost whh hath Sanctified me be Ascribed all Glory and Power BLESSED be the Holy and Undivided Trinity now and for Evermore Amen I laid me down and Slept and rose again for the Lord hath Sustained me Then Humbly on your Knees lift up thy Heart unto God and say HOLY Holy Holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come I Worship him that liveth for Ever and cast my Self before his Throne thou art worthy O Lord my God to receive Glory and Honour and Power for thou hast Created all things and for thy Wills-Sake they are and were Created II. INTO the Hands of thy Blessed Protection and unspeakable Mercy O Lord I this Day Commend my Soul and Body with all the Faculties Powers and Actions of them both beseeching thee to be Ever with me to direct Sanctifie and Govern me in the ways of thy Law and in the Works of thy Commandments that through thy most Mighty Protection both here and Ever I may be preserved in Body and Soul to serve thee the only true God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Then use the Morning Prayer c. Which is Annexed to these Devotions Meditations for Monday Morning COME My Soul let us begin our appointed Task and dilligently mind our own Employment Let us not lose one day in Idleness nor Distract our thoughts with Repining at the advantages of others God is our absolute Lord and may do with his own as he pleases If we began our Repentance late our delay was dangerous but we ought not to Despair If we have laboured long in his Service our Wages are safe but we must not presume on our own Endeavours II. THY Holy Mysteries O Lord I believe O help my unbelief Let not any difficulties make me doubt thy Truth nor too long a doubting provoke thy Wrath Every word of thine shall be fulfiled in their Season Sometime thou Visitest thy Children with the Chastisement of a Rod sometimes thou favourest them with the Smiles of Prosperity But all at last shall Co-operate to their Good III. NO matter at all for the Favour of Men happy are they who find Grace with God They shall Conceive in their Hearts the Blessed Jesus and bring him forth in their Holy Lives and Reign with him in his Kingdom and of his Kingdom there shall be no End Here we perhaps may weep for a time and be poor and Afflicted in this troublesome World But hereafter our Lord will Plant us about the Throne of his Father and make us sit down with him in his own Kingdom if we heartily Love him and keep his Commandments IV. GIVE me O Lord thy Holy Grace to Love with Charity the Defects of others perhaps mistaken by me and rely on thee for Defence of my self most sure of Relief if I wait thy Providence for thy Mercy forsakes not the Innocent for Ever Sometimes thou sufferest thy Servants to be tryed but wilt always at last either Deliver their Patience or Crown their Perseverance The PRAYER O Most Glorious Lord God in thy Son Jesus Christ my most Merciful and Loving Father I Miserable and Wretched Sinner Dust and Ashes do here in all Humility of Soul Prostrate my self before thy Glorious Majesty Humbly acknowledging and Confessing against my own Soul that I am laden with Iniquity and by my Sins have defiled myself defiled my Habitation defiled this good Land wherein I Sojourn II. O Lord Righteousness belongeth hnto thee but unto me Confusion of Face I have Sinned against thee and done amiss and dealt very wickedly and have added to the Number of my Fore Fathers Numberless Transgressions * Here Name the Particulars notwithstanding thou hast
multiplied thy Blessings upon me in many Prerogatives III. BVT to my shame O Lord I Confess that no Creature hath been so unthankful unto thee as I have been for instead of bringing forth the Fruits of Righteousness and Holiness I have turned all thy Blessings Graces and Mercies into Wantonness so that I have been a Provocation of thine Anger and of thy Fury from the day of my Birth even until this very moment IV. And though thou hast caled me to knowledge of the Faith in thee and thou hast Revealed unto me that inestimable Treasure of thy Love unto me in Christ Jesus yet notwithstanding I hade retained only the name but nothing of the Work of a Christian but have Dishonoured thee and Blasphemed thy Name but O Lord in the midst of Justice Remember Mercy call not to Remembrance my former Transgressions but Assist me by thy Grace to a speedy Repentance before I go hence and be no more seen Amen Read the Psalms and Proper Lessons for the Day Monday Evenings Meditations EVER O Lord thou beginst thy great Design with Prayer and thy Prayer with Retirement from the Distractions of the World thou callest whom thou pleasest and they come to thee thou choosest whom thou wil'st and freely bestowest on them thy precious Gifts 't is not of him that Wills nor of him that runs but of God that Vouchsafes to have Mercy Have Mercy O Lord and chase away those unclean Spirits that too often haunt my Fancy and walk up and down my weak Memory Chace them away least as they disturb my Peace they ruin my Innocence II. GIVE me O thou Author of all my Good a lively Faith in thee that I may believe thy Truth and hope thy Promises that I may Love thy goodness and continually Bless thee for all thy Mercies who camest into the World not to Judge the World but to save it Save me O glorious Son of Justice and with thy Heavenly Beams Illuminate my Heart that bringing my Works to the Light I may Learn to hate my own Darkness and Condemning my self Escape thy Judgment III. LORD in thy Hands are the Times and Seasons which thou kindly disposest in advantage of thy Servants that thy Favours may Encourage their Virtue and their Virtue encrease thy Favours Thou rewardest the Chastity of Virgins and the Fidelity of Wives thou Crownest the Holiness of Widdows and the perseverance of all who constantly love thee IV. GIVE me O Lord thy Holy Grace that my days may pass in Innocence and my Innocence sustain me in hope give me thy Holy Grace that my hope may encrease to Confidence and my Confidence be Establish'd in Peace and then in Peace dismiss thy Servant Lead me O thou Light of the World where thou usest to walk that my Eyes may happily see thee Shew me thy Blessed self O thou Glory of Heaven that my Soul may fast Embrace thee The PRAYER I. O Eternal God I have in a great measure deserved thy wrath I have Committed presumptuous Sins with a high Hand against thy Divine Majesty I have Crucified again the Lord of Life and have Trodden under Foot the Son of God I have counted the Blood of the Covenant which Sanctifies me an Vnholy thing and have done despight unto the Spirit of Grace II. INSTEAD of making head against those Temptations and Lusts that hourly be set me by Prayer calling to thee for thy Grace to Assist me against them and by Fasting and Austere Mortification by beating down my Body that I might not Conspire with Satan and my own Corraptions that betray me unto Sin I have Pamper'd the Flesh and suflered my self to be led Captive at the Will thereof III. I have not Subdued or Mortified the Works of the Flesh I have not endeavoured to cleanse my self from all Filthiness of Flesh and Spirit * Here Name the Particulars I have not made a Covenant with my Eyes neither have I kept the door of my Lips but as if thou hadst sent me into the World not to serve thee but to serve my own Lusts IV. I have been abominable in all my ways yea O Lord I have Committed too great Evils I have departed from thee the Ever-living God and leaving thee the Fountain of all Blessedness and Happiness in my Heart have set up the Creature I have set my Affections not on things above but on things below the Lust of the Flesh the Lust of the Eyes and the Pride of Life these have been the Gods that I have Served V. THVS have I sold my self to Commit wickedness I have made all the Members of my Body Instruments of Sin and all the faculties both of Soul and Body Weapons of Vnrighteousness to obey it in the Lusts thereof O Lord thou hast found Iniquity even in my Holy things I have been negligent in hearing of thy Word unprepared at the Receiving of thy Sacrament Indevout in my Prayer weary of their length and displeased at the return For these and all other negligences and Ignorances O Lord be Merciful to me a Sinner Amen Read the Psalms and Proper Lessons appointed for the Day Meditations for Tuesday Morning LORD make me Study how to follow thee and readily undertake any Labour to find thee not for the benefits thou sometimes givest me here but for the blessings thou wilt surely give me hereafter Strengthen my faith O Lord and graciously instruct me purifie my intention sincerely to seek thee II. LET me not so apply my mind O Lord to any trivial Observances that I begin to omit my more serious Duties let me not so attend to the inventions of Men that I grow to transgress the Commands of my God O guide me gracious Lord in thine own safe way and those solid exercises which really improve me and make my heart as well as lips draw nigh thee those blessed truths which thy self at first revealed and thy Holy Apostles hath fully confirm'd may those alone be my principal rule and every other Doctrine bow to them III. LORD how ungrateful are we compared to thy ancient Followers Thou chargest us to remember thy benefits and we forget them thou commandest us to Publish thy Mercies and we conceal them Behold O blessed Jesu I fall down at thy feet reach forth thy Hand and heal me that I may Glorifie thee the God of the Universe Too often have my Ears been Deaf to thy Voice and my Tongue Dumb to thy Praise too often have my Eyes been Blind to thy Directions and all my senses impediments to thy Service IV. We are often Wise in what imports us least and utterly ignorant of our greatest concern we can industrously argue what Weather it will be but strive not to discerne the seasons of Grace Forgive O Merciful Lord the perverseness of our nature and leave us not to our selves least we perish without bope O make us deeply Sigh in Compassion for the Sins of others and yet more deeply still in forrow for our own
they may come to thee receive them O Gracious Jesus and Teach their Hearts to believe what thine own Blest Mouth has so clearly taught them The PRAYER OH Most Glorious and most Power ful Lord God whose dwelling is above the Heavens in Light in Accessible and thine Eyes run to and fro to behold the things which are in Heaven and in Earth neither is there any thing which is not Naked and open unto thee for thine Eyes are Ten Thousand times brighter than the Sun beholding all the Ways of Men. II. LOOK upon me O Lord who am the unworthiest of all thy Servants thou hast made me a Member O Lord of that Mystical Body whereof thy Son Christ Jesus is the Head make me therefore sensible of the necessities of the Catholick Church I beseech thee to be merciful unto it and to every Member of the same wheresoever Dispersed howsoever Distressed or by Whomsoever Dispised throughout this Vniversal World III. Oh Lord call them that are yet Strangers and have not yet heard of thy Name reduce and bring home those that are gone astray and wander raise up all that are fallen and confirm and strengthen such as do stand bind up all that are Broken and heal all that are Bruised Vnite us all in soundness of Doctrine by the Spirit of Truth in holiness of Life by the Spirit of Sanctification and in Brotherly Compassion and Christian Affection by the Spirit of Love IV. O Lord I beseech thee to open the Bowels of thy Mercy and to pour out thy tenderest Compassion upon all such as mourn under the weight of their Afflictions many are the troubles of thy poor Servants and thou only knowest how to deliver them out of all their troubles whether therefore any be inwardly distressed in Soul Mind or Conscience or outwardly Afflicted in Body Estate or good Name I beseech thee give them speedy case out of their misery or Patience to endure what thou shalt be pleased to lay upon them V. I beseech thee to open the Eyes of those that lie on their Beds of Sickness Oh! thou that art the God of Health and sender of Sickness Sanctifie thy Visitation unto them make their Beds in their Sickness lay no more upon them than thou wilt give them strength and Patience to bear and if it may stand with thy Gracious Will grant that they may recover their former Health to do thee Service hereafter VI. BVT if thou that knowest what is best needful for them hast determined at this time to take any of them unto thy self O Lord I beseech thee to fit and prepare them for the hour of Death give them a true feeling of their sins and a lively apprehension of thy mercy in Christ Jesus that so surely Repenting of thee one and chearfully laying hold on the other they may with Confidence and Comfort resign up their Souls into the Hand of thee their most merciful Creator and Redeemer Amen Read the Psalms and Lessons for the Day Meditations for Thursday Evening PREPARE my Heart O God to receive thee whom my Soul loveth for thou hast the Words of Eternal Life Blessed O gracious Jesu be the sweetness of thy Spirit which so kindly invitest me to refresh my weariness I know and thine own sure word has told me If I Labour for thee here I shall rest with thee hereafter Lord make me follow thee wherever thou goest and strive and run to be first in thy Presence there I shall meet a Mercy that will regard and pity me there I shall find a goodness that will teach and relieve me II. WRITE all thy Holy Truths in my Soul O Lord and Print thy Love in the Center of them all there let it sit as Soveraign Governour and absolutely dispose of all my interests Let it command my Tongue to confess thee and no fear of Danger make me ever deny thee let it command all my Powers to serve thee and nothing but thy Love find place in my Heart III. O when shall I come to thy Holy Table to tast of thy most delicious Banquent to hear those Sweet and Ravishing Words He dwells in me and I in him sweet in excess to the Soul that loves and Tasts the joys of this heavenly Converse and feeds on the wonders of this admirable Union He dwells in me and I in Him O Blest and Glorious Words What can be said more full of Grace and Strength and Supernatural Mystery Here they alone are my Heaven on Earth and will hereafter be my Heaven in Heaven IV. To thee my great Creator I humbly Sacrifice the Noblest faculty thou hast given me to thee and to the Obedience of thy Truth I entirely Resign and Captivate my understanding Thy Words O Lord in thy Holy Sacrament are Spirit and Life unto me O make my Faith be quick and Active to thee in receiving so great a Salvation Shall I go back and forsake my God because he humbles himself to approach towards me Shall I refuse to Learn of my Master because his Lessons exalt me above my Nature The PRAYER O Lord I am too weak to serve thee in my Natural Power and not careful to improve the Aids of thy Spirit I am full of inconsideration and carelesness desirous to be accounted Holy of Men but careless of being so to thee my God I am unstedfast O Lord in all my ways * Here Name the Particulars but enable me to confess my Faith in despight of all the Oppositions of Satan to Publish thy Laws submit to thy dispensations and to Glorifie thy Holy Name by Holy living and dying II. BLESS me O Lord with all the Blessings and Assistance of thy Spirit and Providence let the Daily Sacrifice of Prayer and Eucharist in thy Church never cease but for ever be presented unto thee Vnited to the intercession of our Lord and for ever prevail for the obtaining to all her Sons and Daughters Grace and Blessing Pardon and Holiness Perservance and Glory Vnite my Heart and Tongue take away the Spirit of Error and Division from me that my Religion and Devotion may increase whereby thy Truth may be promoted and thy Name Glorified and me thy unworthy Servant Instructed and Comforted let thy Spirit Rule and all Interest Stoop and Obey Publish and Advance the Intorest of the Lord Jesus III. EXTEND thine Accustomâ—d goodness to all thy People to Old Men Prudence and Liberality to Young Men Obedience Temperance Health and Diligence to Merchants Justice and Faithfulness to Mechanicks and Artisans Truth and Honesty to all Married Pairs Faith and Holiness Charity and sweet Compliances to all Christian Women the Ornament of a meek and a quiet Spirit Chastity and Charity Patience and Obedience a Zeal of Duty and Religion IV. TO all that are Sick and Afflicted distressed in Conscience or Persecuted for it give Patience and Comfort a sincere Repentance and a perfect Resignation a love of God and a Perseverance in Duty proportionable Comfort in this
by thy Spirit assure my Spirit that I am thy Child and that thou art Reconciled unto me in the Blood of Jesus and to this end work into me a Detestation of all my former Wickedness help me in the Mortification of all my Vile and Corrupt Affections Crucifie in me the Old Man the whole Body of sin that I may Die unto Sin and live unto Righteousness and be made a fit Partaker at thy Holy Table Read Psal 22.40.54 1 Less Gen. 22. to v. 20. 2 Less St. John 18. Friday Evenings Meditations On the Passion and Death of the Holy Jesus His Arraignment and Condemnation BLESSED Jesu thou wast Seized and Led as an Innocent Lamb to the Slaughter thou wast Reviled falsly Accused and Unjustly Condemned by unjust Earthly Judges who was thy self the most just Judge of Heaven and Earth O Lord be not a Severe and Angry Judge when I shall stand before thy Tribunal but be thou my Mediator and Advocate to answer for me and I humbly beseech thee to Deliver from the Accusations of the Devil and his Angels from the Accusations of all those who have been Conscious of my many sinful Pollutions and from the Accusations of my own Conscience in the day of Judgment Spitted Vpon II. Blessed Jesu whose Face was fairer than the Children of Men â—â—d briâ—hter than the Sun in its 〈…〉 ory was Spit upon by f 〈…〉 and Ignominuos Persons Oh! turn thy Face away from my sins whereby I have Polluted my Soul and Prophaned thy Name But hide not thy Face from me who for my sins didst not turn thy Face from being Spit upon by the Barbarous Jews Buffeted III. Blessed Jesu who wast Cruelly Treated by the Soldiers with their Intolerable Rude Cuffs and hard Injurious Buffets Grant Lord that though I may feel yet let me not be Vanquished by the Buffets of Satan Forsaken of his Friends Blessed Jesu thou wast Content to be forsaken of all thy friends and dearest Disciples and to be left in the hands of Cruel Men who Thirsted after thy precious Blood O leave me not destitute of thy Divine Presence when I am Assaulted by my Ghostly Adversaries but be for ever with me and defend me from all their Malice and protect my Soul in all dangers Denied by Peter Blessed Jesu thou with infinite goodness and meekness lookedst back on St. Peter when he denied and forswore thee and by thy gracious look didst call him back both to himself and thee by true Repentance Oh look thus upon all Back-sliders from thee for their sincere Conversion and look upon me also and be merciful unto me Scourged Blessed Jesu thou was Whipped by a merciless Crue of Soldiers and thy Delicate skin was Torn and redoubled with their Lashes that the Blood Streamed down thy Innocent Sides but since O merciful Lord thou was wounded for my Transgressions and Bruised for mine Iniquities O let thy Chastisement procure my peace with Heaven and grant that by thy Stripes my Soul may be healed Crowned with Thorns Blessed Jesu thy Head was Crowned with Thorns and those beaten into thy Temple with much Rage and Fury Pardon O Lord all those sins my Eyes Ears and Tongue those Instruments of my Head have been guilty of Break not the Bruised Reed my broken Heart with the pressure of thy heavy Wrath but let thy Thorns the Fruits of the Curse which we Contracted and thou sustainedst deliver me from the Curse due for my sins Renouncing the World Blessed Jesu who art the King of Glory yet wast Content with a Cross for thy Throne a Wreath of Thorns for thy Crown and a Reed for thy Scepter thy Entertainment was Gaul and Vinegar and for thy Robes only a little Linnen to cover thy Nakedness O that I were so wise as from thy example to despise all the Guilded Glories and Vanities of this Life and to choose with Moses to suffer Affliction with the People of God than to enjoy the Pleasures of sin for a Season Bearing his Cross Blessed Jesu who did with Patience bear thy Cross till it sunck thy Body to the Earth O let me not sink under thy Cross nor shrink from it but rather chearfully to take it up whatever it be and carefully to under go all the Sacred Acts of true Repentance following thee O Lord who sufferedst for me leaving me an Example that I should follow thy steps Crucified Blessed Jesu who didst Hang on a Cursed Tree to Abolish the Curse contracted by Eating the Fruit of the Forbidden Tree thou wast numbred with the transgressors and Crucified among Thieves O draw my hard and Stony Heart unto thee and deliver me from that Curse which my sins have Contracted and rank me not among the Goats on the Left but among the Sheep on thy Right Hand in the great day of Judgment His Body Tormented Blessed Jesu all the parts Members of thy Body were stretched on the Cross thy blessed Arms and Leggs were by such violence distended that the Joynts were disparted the Veins burst the Sinews Crackt the Skin Rent the Flesh Tore and all the Bones Started a side thy Innocent Hands and Feet were Nailed for the sinful works of my Head Heart Hands and Feet but I beseech thee Nail them to thy Cross which were the cause of thy Crucifixion hide in thy Wounds who wast Wounded for my transgression and write those Wounds of thine in my Heart not with Ink but with thy Blood which was shed for me The Sufferings of his Soul Blessed Jesu the Sufferings of thy Soul was exceeding great being like melted Wax in the Furnace of God's Wrath for the sins of the World when the fulness of thy sufferings being accomplished thou Commendedst thy Spirit into the Hands of God Grant O Lord that I may Die unto sin and Live only unto thee and by thy bitter Cross and Passion Cleanse me from all Filthiness of Flesh and Spirit that I may perfect Holiness in thy Fear The PRAYER O Lord without thee I am not able to do any thing much less any thing that is good come therefore Oh thou Father of Lights dispel and scatter from my Soul the Foggy Mists of sins and Ignorance that in thy Light I may see Light come O thou Power of God and set up thy Throne in my Soul and sway thy Scepter there and bring into subjection every high thought and every high imagination that exalteth it self against thee Come O thou Wisdom of God and discover to my Soul the Folly of Sin the Vanity of the World and the deceitfulness of my own Heart II. TEACH me I humbly beseech thee to Eschew Evil and Cleave to that which is good Come O thou goodness of God and shed abroad the love of God in my Heart that I may love thee my God above all things and my Neighbour for thy sake Yea my very Enemies for Jesus Christ his sake and after his Example who Died for me while I was yet his Enemy fit me
Lord the Blindness of my understanding and Straighten the Crookedness of my Will and heal all the Infirmities of my weak Nature O do thou throughly Cure me that I sin no more but immediately take up my Heart which too long have Cleaved to this Earth and bear it after thee to walk from henceforth the ways of thy Commandments II. WHEN thou art present with me O thou Heavenly Spouse of my Soul When thou art pleased to stay and dwell in my Heart how strangely dost thou fill it with joy and sweetness Whatever happens I cannot be sad while thou art with me nor pleasant if thou leavest me infuse thy Holy Love into mine Heart O Lord and make me faithfully hold it fast for ever that I loose not my self by neglecting thy Grace but preserve them both to Eternal Life III. BUT alas How quickly am I weary of praying to my God how apt to give over my expectance from him Who yet as soon as he sees my necessities begins my relief and leaves nor off till he has perfectly finished it Let me not fear but believe and Obey and my Soul shall be safe why am I so impatient when any trouble befalls me and why do I disparage the extraordinary proceedings of God though I am Dead in sin and sorrow he can revive me and give me strength to walk in the ways of Life he will give me that Bread which came down from Heaven yea his own self which he gave for the Life of the World IV. BUT 't is not for Flesh and Blood to follow thee O thou great Exemplar of Sublime perfection 'T is not for Flesh and Blood to perform the Excellencies of an Evangelical Life but to the Almighty Grace of God nothing is impossible every exense is welcome to me every little difficulty is enough to divert me I am afraid of the hardship of Poverty I am in Love with my Kindred and Acquaintance and never can Nature alone overcome these difficulties but thou O Lord canst find a remedy and compose in me such a frame of Spirit whereby I may Vanquish all those thoughts which keep me from thy Glorious presence The PRAYER OEternal Lord God Infinite in thy Greatness Incomprehensible in thy Glory whose Pure and Just Eves cannot behold either Sin or Sinners with the least look of approbation be not offended with me thy unworthy Servant O Lord who art a Merciful and Reconciled Father to all such sinners as sincerely desire and endeavour to Repent and believe thy providence hath preserved me unto this moment to offer unto thy Majesty my Evening Sacrifice beseeching thee to make me a fit partaker at thy Holy Table II. I have been a foul and flat Idolator erecting the Idols of my own profit and pleasure in the Chappel and Closet of my Heart and then and there have fallen down upon the bended Knees of my Soul and worshiped them by regarding my lust more than the fulfiling thy Will in thy Word that Sacred Name of thine whereby I hope to be Saved I have taken in vain I have done that on thy day the Lord's Day which I can justifie or a Vouch on no day I have not given that Reverence and Respect to my Superiours I have broken all thy Commandements of the Second Table in my Demeanour towards my Neighbour and in my Deportment to my own Soul and Body III. O Lord I have been ashamed to confess my sins in the presence of the World but I have been Vile and bold and no whit ashamed to commit them when I knew full well that thee the great God of Heaven and Earth did at that instant behold me Oh! lend me thy Spirit effectually to admire thy Patience and â—ong-Suffering towards me who permits such a Prefane and Presumptuous sinner at this hour of my Life still to remain from everlasting Burnings IV. SVRELY Lord there are many in that Pit of Perdition whose sins against thee were never Aggavated with those high Circumstances O Lord I have no Varity of Reasons to move thee to Mercy I have no Exchange of Motives to perswade thee to Pitty but only the same over and over again for thy own sake for thy Names sake for thy Mercies sake for thy Son and my Saviour Christ Jesus his sake forgive my-Sins for they are great wash the Guilt and Filth of my sins away in his Blood and Lord for the time to come give me Grace to spend the remainder of my days to thy Glory In whose most powerful Name I sue unto thee for all that is comprehended in this my weeks preparation or whatever else for want of Memory I have Omitted in thy most perfect form of Prayer sayong Our Father c. Read the Psalms and Lessons for the Day Sunday Mornings Meditations at Home WELCOME Blest day unto my Heart but far more Welcome unto my Soul I have now put off the Old Man with his Affections and Lusts and I must now put on my Wedding Garment even the Lord Jesus Christ that I may be made wholly conformable to him in the Image of his mind that my Soul may be Clothed with his Righteousness and all its faculties proportioned and vested according to the perfect Pattern of Christs Life II. THIS is the day of the Holy Feast therefore my Soul lay aside all Cares and Impertinences of the World remember this day is appointed for thee a day of Traffique and Entercourse with Heaven O Lord therefore will I magnifie thy Holy Name and evermore adore thy goodness O What a happy opportunity my God hast thou given me of receiving the greatest favour I can receive in this World even the Body and Blood of my dearest Savour III. O Lamb of God thou hast used many Arts to save me when I was lost thou hast given thy Life to Redeem me when I was a Slave to Sin and Satan and thy Holy Spirit to Sanctifie me O now come Lord Jesus come quickly My Heart is desirons of thy Presence Thirsty for thy Grace and I am earnest to entertain thee not as a Guest but as an Inhabitant to dwell with me forever IV. LORD the place thou art Invited to is full of Passion and Prejudice Disobedient Lustful and Intemperate and full of sad Remembrances that I have often provoked to Jealousie and to Anger thee my God my dearest Saviour him that died for me him that Suffered Torments for me that is Infinitely good to me and infinitely good perfect in himself Lord I am as sure thou didst the great Work of Redemption for me all Mankind as that I am Alive This is my Hope the Strength of my Spirit my Joy and my Confidence Here I will dwell for I have a delight therein Here I will live and here I desire to Die V. LORD whither shall I go but to thee Thou hast the Words of Eternal Life as the Hart desireth the Water Brooks So longeth my Soul after thee O God my Soul is a Thirst for
hour of the day Our time passeth away like a Shadow and we bring our Years to an end as it were a Tale that is told But Lord so teach me to number my Days that I may apply my Heart unto true Wisdom As you Ascend any high place or go to Church Who shall Ascend into the Hill of the Lord or who shall rise up in his Holy place Even he that hath Clean Hands and a pure Heart and that hath not list up his mind unto Vanity nor sworn to deceive his Neighbour When you are on a high place say Thy Mercy O Lord reacheth unto the Heavens and thy faithfulness unto the Clouds Beholding pleasant Fields and Variety of Objects O Lord how manifold are thy Works In Wisdom hast thou formed them all the Earth is full of thy Riches thou openest thine hand and fillest all things living with plentiousness Vpon hearing or seeing any thing Extraordinary Blessed be the Lord God even the God of Israel which only doth wonderous things and blessed be the Name of his Majesty for ever and all the Earth shall be filled with his Majesty Amen Amen When you go to Read or Meditate Open thou mine Eyes O Lord that I may see the wondrous things of thy Law And grant that what ever I Read or Meditate may conduce to the full understanding of thy Will and my ready Obedience thereunto Being wearied therewith Lord let me not be weary in well-doing remembring that in due time I shall Reap if I faint not When you go about any worldly Employments Deliver me O Lord from every evil Work and stablish me in every good Word and Work When you are Discontented or Sad. Why art so full of heaviness O my Soul and why at thou so disquieted within me Put thy trust in God For I will yet give him thanks for the help help of his Countenance Cause thy Face O Lord to shine upon thy Servant O shew me the Light of thy Countenance and I shall be whole When you Hunger and Thirst Blessed are all they that Hunger and Thirst after Righteousness for they shall be filled with thy abundant goodness When you are asked an Alms and are able to give It is more blessed to give than to receive he that Soweth sparingly shall Reap sparingly and he which Soweth bountifully shall Reap bountifully When you hear any Person Evil spoken of Deliver me O Lord from Lving Lips and from a Deceitful Tongue Vpon sight of your Sins and mispending of 〈…〉 O remember not the Sins and Offences of my Youth or Riper Years but a cording to thy tender Mercy think thou upon me O Lord for thy goodness After thou hast Rehearsed the the Lords Prayer the Twelve Apostles Creed and the Ten Commandements Think upon these good Rules that are to be observed and practised and what sins are to be avoided The two Precepts of Charity or the Laws of Nature TO love God above all for his own sake To love all Men as our selves for Gods sake and to do unto others as we would they should do unto us Deut. 6.5.10.12 Matt. 7.12 The Sacraments of the Church The principal and truly so called as generally necessary to Salvation are two Baptism and the Lords Supper The three Teological Vertues Faith Hope and Charity 1 Cor. 13.13 The Four Cardinal Virtues Prudence Justice Fortitud and Temperance Three kinds of good Works Fasting Prayer and Alms Deeds Matt. 6. Pray and Labour for the Seven gists of the Holy Ghost 1. The Spirit of Wisdom 2. And understanding 3. The Spirit of Councel 4. And Ghostly Strength 5. The Spirit of Knowledge 6. And Piety 7. The Spirit of a Holy and Godly Fear Isa 11.2 To those add the Twelve Fruits of the Holy Ghost Love Joy Peace Patience Mercy Goodness Long-Suffering Meekness Faith Modesty Shame-Facedness Sobriety Gal. 5.22 Endeavour to perform these Seven Spiritual works of Mercy 1. To instruct the Ignorant Matt. 18.15 16 17. 2. To Correct offenders Jam. 5.12 3. To Gouncel the Doubtful Gal. 6.6 4. To comfort the Afflicted Prov. 27.9 5. To suffer Injuries with Patience Eccles 5.8 6. To forgive Offences and Wrongs Rom. 15.1 7. To Pray for others Mark 11.25 Likewise forget not these six Corporal Works of Mercy 1. To feed the Hungry and to give Drink to the Thirsty Mat. 15. 2. To Cloath the Naked Mat. 25. 3. To harbour the Stranger and Needy Tob. 1. 4. To visit the Sick Isa 58. 5. To Minister unto Prisoners and Captive Tob. 12. 6 To Bury the Dead Observe the eight Beatitudes Mat. 5. 1. Blessed are the Poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven 2. Blessed are they that Mourn for they shall be Comforted 3. Blessed are the Meek for they shall inherit the Earth 4. Bressed are they which do Hunger and Thirst after Righteousness for they shall be filled 5. Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain Mercy 6. Blessed are the pure in Heart for they shall see God 7. Blessed are the Peace-Makers for they shall be called the Children of God 8. Blessed are they which are Persecuted for Righteousness sake for theirs is the Kindom of Heaven Labour to avoid the Seven deadly sins as they are commonly so called 1. Pride Luk. 14.11 2. Covetousness Act. 20.35 3. Luxury 1 Cor. 16.15 4. Envy 1 Joh. 3.14 5. Gluttony Rom. 14.7 6. Anger Mat. 11.29 7. Sloth Jer. 48.10 Pray for the seven contrary Virtues 1. Humility 2. Liberality 3. Chastity 4. Gentleness 5. Temperance 6. Patience 7. Devout and Earnest serving of God and being dilligent Four Sins that Cry to Heaven for Vengeance 1. Wilful Murther 2. Carnal Sin against Nature 3. Oppression of the Poor 4. Defrauding Workmen of their Wages The Four last things to be remembred 1. Death 2. Judgment 3. Hell 4. Heaven Ejaculations when towards Bed-time I will not suffer mine Eyes to Sleep nor mine Eye-Lids to Slumber neither the Temples of my Head to take any rest until I find out a place for the Lord an habitation for the Mighty God of Jacob. A Prayer for the Evening O Almighty God my Glory and my hope my Lord and Master the Father of Mercy and God of all Comfort I present to thee the Sacrifice of a thankful Spirit in humble and joyful acknowledgment of those infinite favours by which thou hast this day and all the whole term of my life supported my state enriched my Spirit comforted my Sorrows relieved my necessities blessed and defended my Person instructed my Ignorance and promoted my Eternal Interest II. WHOM have I in Heaven but thee or whom on Earth have I desired or may desire in Comparison of thee whose Nature is Goodness whose Will is Power and whose Work is Pitty I humbly beseech thee to Pardon my sins Here Name the Particulars and accept of this Evening Sacrifice abate my Pride and remedy all my other imperfections Oh multiply thy Grace upon Humility and manifest thy Power in my infirmity plead thou