chief Rulers also many believed on him but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God Joh. 4.32 33. Q. Ought men to rejoyce in their bad actions because thâ—â— may be as frequently they are commended by men for such things A. No wo unto you when all men speak well of you for so did their Fathers to the false Prophets Luke 6.26 Q. Is not meekness which is a calmness and quietness of spirit a very honourable and commendable vertue A. Yes better is it to be of an humble spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud 〈…〉 that is slow to anger is better than the mighty 〈…〉 that ruleth his Spirit than he that taketh a City Prov. 16 19 32. Q. Is it not also a very advantagious vertue A. Yes blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth the meek will he guide in judgment Mat. 5.5 Q. Should not the noble pattern of Christ's meekness stir us up to the practice of this vertue A. Yes learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart Mat. 11.28 Q. Should not Christians bear reproaches patiently since the Lord of Glory suffered so meekly and unjustly from his own creatures A. Yes if when ye do well and suffer for it ye take it patiently this is acceptable with God for even hereunto were ye called because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example that we should follow his steps who when he was reviled reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously 1 Pet. 2.20 21 23. Q. Should we not then shun the company of an angry man A. Yes make no friendship with an angry man and with a luxurious man thou shalt not go lest thou learn his ways and get a snare to thy soul Prov. 22.24 25. Q. Is it not our duty to consider our ways and to take heed what we do A. Yes keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life put away from thee a froward mouth let thine eyes look straight before thee ponder the path of thy feet I said I will take heed to my ways that I sin not Prov. 4.23 24 25. Psal 39.1 Q. And should not every man examine his own estate that be may know whether he be in favour with God A. Yes examine your selves whether ye be in the faith prove your own selves know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates 2 Cor. 13.5 Q. How shall I know whether I be in favour with God A. Little children let no man deceive you he that doth righteousness is righteous and he that committeth sin is of the Devil 1 Joh. 3.7 8. Q. Is this a certain and safe rule to try our state by A. Yes in this the children of God are manifest and the children of the Devil whosoever doth not righteousness is not of God 1 Joh. 3.10 Q. Since this is the rule by which God will judg us in the great day ought we not now to make this the rule of judging our selves A. Yes be not deceived God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap for he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption but he that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting Gal. 6.7 8. Q. What are the works of the flesh which will bring condemnation on men if they continue in them Q. The works of the flesh are manifest which are these adultery fornication uncleanness lasciviousness idolatry witchcraft hatred variance emulations wrath strife seditions heresies envyings murders drunkenness revellings and such like they who do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God Gal. 5.19 20 21. Q. What are the works of the spirit against the doers of which there is no Law A. The fruit of the spirit is love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness faith meekness temperance against such there is no Law Gal. 5.22 23. Q. And is it certain that the end of such men shall be peace A. Yes mark the perfect man and behold the upright for the end of that man is peace Psal 37.37 Q. But will God punish sinners with everlasting torments if they turn from all the evil they have done and do that which is right A. No if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed and keep all my statutes and do that which is lawful and right he shall surely live he shall not die Ezek. 18.21 Q. And is this a good encouragement for sinners to forsake their wicked ways A. Yes if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness 1 Joh. 1.9 Q. But if the righteous man forsake his righteousness and commit iniquity will his former righteousness save him A. No when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness and committeth iniquity and doth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doth shall he live all his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned in his trespass that he hath trespassed and in his sin that he hath sinned in them shall he die Ezek. 18.24 Q. And should not this prevail with every man to stand fast and not to faint in well-doing A. Yes wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall for if any man draw back my soul shall have no pleasure in him 1 Cor. 10.12 Heb. 10.38 Sect. 2. Of Contentedness and the contraries to it viz. Murmuring Ambition Covetousness Envy and of Diligence with the danger of despising Grace Q. IS it not every man's duty to be well-pleased with thâ—t condition whatever it is that God hath placed him in A. Yes I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content I know both how to be abased and how to abound every-where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and to suffer need Phil. 4.11 12. Q. Is not murmuring and discontentment a sin most hateful to God A. Yes do all things without murmuring that ye may be blameless and harmless neither murmur ye as some of them also murmured and were destroyed of the destroyer but it is a joyful and pleasant thing to be thankful Phil. 2.14 1 Cor. 10.10 Q. Is not ambition which makes men always dislike their present condition a very odious and dangerous vice A. Yes and Human told his friends of the glory of his riches and the multitude of his children and how the King had advanced him above the Princes yet all this availeth me nothing so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the King's gate Esth 5.11 13. Q. Is not covetousness a very great sin since it keeps from contentment A. Yes let your conversation be without covetousness and be
them is most true A. Yes all these sayings are faithful and true for holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost Rev. 22.6 2 Pet. 1.21 Q. Do you then believe that the commands contained in the Scripture are most just A. Yes I esteem all these precepts concerning all things to be right Ps 119.128 Q. But will that belief save us if we do not what we are commanded A. No if we would enter into life we must keep the Commandments and if we do this we shall live For not the hearers of the Law are just before God but the doers of the Law shall be justified Mat. 19.17 Luke 10.28 Rom. 2.13 Q. Do you also believe that all those severe threatnings in the word will certainly be executed upon every impenitent sinner A. Yes but the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and whoremongers and forcerers and idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone these words are true and faithful Rev. 21.8.5 Q. Do you also believe that the promises of God are sure A. Yes I am fully perswaded that what he hath promised he is able to perform and faithful is he that hath promised Râ—m 4.21 Heb. 11.11 Q. But is it not a folly to believe that the promises belong to you how wickedly soever ye live A. Yes having therefore these promises let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 Q. And was it not to plant a good life among men that Christ who is the foundation of all the promises came into the World A. Yes for the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world Tit. 2.11 12. Q. Our Faith in the promises then can never profit us if we perform not the conditions of the promises A. No as the body without the spirit is dead so Faith if it have not works is dead also Jam. 2.26 Q. But is there no pleasing of God without Faith A. No without Faith it is impossible to please him for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him Heb. 11.6 Q. Is it not every mans duty to hope in God A. Yes it is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of God let Israel hope in the Lord for with the Lord there is mercy and with him is plenteous redemption Jam. 3.26 Psal 130.7 Q. But is it not presumption to hope for mercy while we continue in our sins A. Yes every man that hath this hope purifieth himself even as he is pure 1 Joh. 3.3 Q. What then will become of the hope of the hypocrite and the wicked A. The hope of the righteous shall be gladness but the expectation of the wicked shall perish and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost Prov. 10.28 Job 11.20 Q. But may not all that perform the conditions of the promises and who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before them be certain that their hope shall not be in vain A. Yes which hope we have as an anchor of the soul both sure and stedfast and which entreth into that within the vail Heb. 6.19 Q. Is it not every man's duty to love God and Christ A. Yes thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind this is the first and great Commandment and if any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be anathema maranatha Mat. 22.37 38. 1 Cor. 16.22 Q. Can we have true love to God when we keep not his Commandments A. No for this is the love of God that we keep his Commandments and he that saith I know him and keepeth not his Commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him 1 Joh. 5.3 and 2.4 Q. And will not those who have any true love to God desire to enjoy him in his Ordinances A. Yes how amiable are thy tabernacles O Lord of hosts my soul longeth yea even fainteth for the Courts of the Lord my heart and my flesh cryeth out for the Living God for a day in thy Courts is better than a thousand Psal 84.1 2 10. Q. Will it serve our turn to say we love God A. No let us not love in word neither in tongue but in deed and in truth 1 Joh. 3.18 Q. Is it the duty of every man to fear God A. Yes I will forewarn ye whom you shall fear fear him which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell yea I say unto you fear him Luke 12.5 Q. Can any be said truly to fear God that is not thereby with-held from sin A. No the fear of the Lord is to hate evil and he that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord Prov. 8.13 14.2 Q. Is it not a folly to fear men more than God A. Yes In God have I put my trust I will not be affraid what man can do unto me Psal 56.11 Q. And is not their state of life secure who have God on their side A. Yes The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear The Lord is the strength of my life of whom shall I be affraid Psal 27.1 Q. And will not God even restrain the wrath of their enemies A. Yes when a mans ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him Prov. 16.7 Q. Is it not the duty of every man to trust in God A. Yes Trust in him at all times ye people pour out your heart before him God is a refuge for us Psal 62.8 Q. Is it not our wisdom then in all dangers to trust in God A. Yes What time I am affraid I will trust in God for the Lord delivereth the souls of his servants and none of them that put their trust in him shall be destitute Psal 34.22 Q. But may none expect to meet with deliverance from God in trouble but those that fear him A. No the Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him and delivereth them but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil Psal 34.7 16. Q. May we not rely on the creatures for help A. No cursed is the man that trusteth in man and placeth his confidence in the arm of flesh Q. But may not a man commit the least sin for the saving of his possessions or his life A. No for what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul Mat. 17.29 Q. Is it not our duty to trust God for a supply of our wants also A. Yes behold the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him upon them that hope in
his mercy to deliver their souls from death and to feed them in time of famine Psal 33.18 19. Q. Should we then give up our selves to idleness and expect to be fed by miracles A. Upon no means for the command is If any will not work neither shall he eat 2 Thes 3.10 Q. But what if our condition be such that we are not able to work may we then cast our burden upon God A. Yes cast all your care upon him for he careth for you 1 Pet. 5.7 Q. But if we use the means and yet cannot have whereupon to live may we in this case trust in God A. Yes when the poor and needy seek for water and there is none and their tongue faileth for thirst I the Lord will hear them I will make the wilderness a pool of water and the dry land springs of water Isa 41.17 18. Q. Is it not then an extraordinary folly to distrust God A. Yes therefore I say unto you take no thought for your life what you shall eat or what you shall drink neither for your body what you shall put on behold the fowls of the air for they sow not neither do they reap nor gather into barns yet your heavenly Father feedeth them are ye not much better than they c. Mat. 6.25 26 Q. But I want grace and will God give me this if I ask it A. Yes if ye being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy spirit to them that ask him the Lord will give grace and glory and no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly Luke 11.13 Psal 74.11 Sect. 2. Of submission to God's will in respect of obedience of patience in suffering and of honour due to God in his house possessions his day and word Q. IS it not the duty of every man to give chearful obedience to the will of God A. Yes behold to obey is better than sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of rams therefore I will hear what God the Lord will speak and I will say the will of the Lord be done 1 Sam. 15.22 Psal 85.8 Acts 21.14 Q. What is that obedience that God requires of man A. He hath shewed thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God Miâ— 6.8 Q. Doth not God give up men to walk in their own counsel when they refuse to hearken to his will A. Yes but my people would not hearken to my voice and Israel would none of me so I gave them up unto their hearts lust and they walked in their own counsels Psal 81.11 12. Q. Is not a proud person very unfit to obey A. Yes the wicked through the pride of his countenance will not seek after God Psal 10.4 Q. But may not men have high conceits of their obedience to God's will A. No when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you say we are unprofitable servants we have done that which was our duty to do Luke 17.10 Q. Is it not the duty of every Christian to be patient under affliction A. Yes take my brethren the Prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord for an example of suffering affliction and of patience behold we count them happy which endure ye have heard of the patience of Job be also patient Jam. 5.10 11.8 Q. We should not then murmur or grudg at whatever he does A. No it is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good I was dumb I opened not my mouth because thou didst it 1 Sam. 3.18 Psal 39.9 Q. Is it not very unlike the act of a child to oppose his Fathers will A. Yes furthermore we have had Fathers of our flesh that corrected us and we gave them reverence shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of Spirits and live Heb. 12.9 Q. Is it not sin that bringeth affliction upon people A. Yes fools because of their transgression and because of their iniquities are afflicted Psal 107.17 Q. God doth not then willingly send afflictions A. No he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men Lam. 3.13 Q. Is it not a mercy to many that they have been corrected A. Yes it was good for me that I have been afflicted before I was afflicted I went astray but now have I kept thy words Ps 119.71.67 Q. Should we not study fruitfulness under corrections A. Yes the Lord's voice cryeth unto the City and the man of wisdom shall see thy name hear ye the rod and who hath appointed it Mic. 6.9 Q. Is it not the duty of every man to honour God A. Yes a Son honoureth his Father and a Servant his Master if then I be a Father where is mine honour and if I be a Master where is my fear saith the Lord of Hosts unto you Mal. 1.6 Q. Should we not then have the highest and most excellent esteem of him in our hearts A. Yes O Lord our Lord how excellent is thy name in all the earth thy righteousness O God is very high who hast done great things O God who is like unto thee Psal 8.9.71.19 Q. And should we not so far honour his house as to set it a-part wholly for his use A. Yes and Jesus went up to Jerusalem and found in the Temple those that sold Oxen and Sheep and Doves and the Changers of money sitting and he said unto them take these things hence make not my Fathers house an house of merchandize Joh. 2.14 16. Q. Should we not also be glad when we have the opportunity of going thither A. Yes I was glad when they said unto me let us go unto the house of the Lord Psal 122.1 Q. But should we not be very careful over our hearts and all our senses when we go to the house of God A. Yes keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God and be more ready to hear than to give the sacrifice of fools Eccl. 5.1 Q. Is it not our duty also to have such a respect to his peculiar possessions which are set a-part for the maintenance of those that attend his service as not to turn it to any other use A. Yes will a man rob God yet he have robbed me yet ye say wherein have we robbed thee in Tithes and Offerings ye are cursed with a curse Mal. 3.8 9. Q. Is it not just and necessary that something be allotted for the support and maintenance of those that attend the service of God A. Yes the labourer is worthy of his reward and if we have sown unto you spiritual things is it a great thing if we reap your carnal things 1 Cor. 9.11 1 Tim. 5.18 Q. But should the Ministers of the Gospel have support and maintenance as well as those who did wait at the Altar were partakers with the Altar A. Yes Do
Q. Is it not very necessary for a man to examine himself well before he approach the Table of the Lord A. Yes let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup 1 Cor. 11.28 Q. Is it not a dangerous thing to eat and drink unworthily and irreverently A. Yes for he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himself not discerning the Lord's body 1 Cor. 11.29 Q. Must we not therefore purge our selves from sin and all uncleanness of flesh and spirit before we come to eat and drink A. Yes purge out therefore the old leaven that ye may be a new lump as ye are unleavened for even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us therefore let us keep the feast not with old leaven neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and of truth 1 Cor. 5.7 8. Q. But must we let our soul be empty after it is thus purged from all manner of sins A. No as we must wash and make clean and put away the evil of our doings so we must learn to do well seek judgment relieve the oppressed judg the fatherless plead for the widow lest the unclean spirit return again and our last estate be worse than out first Isa 1.16 17. Luk. 11.26 Q. And will it not be dangerous to come to this feast if we want those spiritual graces which are the wedding-garment of the soul A. Yes and when the King came in to see the guests he saw there a man which had not on a wedding-garment and he said unto the servants bind him hand and foot and take him away and cast him into outer darkness where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth Matt. 22.11.13 Q. Should not that severe judgment make men afraid to approach without preparation A. Yes for who amongst us can dwell with everlasting burnings who amongst us can dwell with devouring sire Isa 33.14 Q. But is nâ—t life and happiness promised to the worthy Receivers A. Yes whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day for my flesh is meat indeed and my blood is drink indeed John 6.54 Sect. 4. Honour due to God's name Of Swearing Q. IS it not the duty of every man to honour the excellent name of the great and glorious God A. Yes O Lord our Lord how excellent is thy name in all the earth take not the name of God in vain Ps 8.1 Exod. 20.7 Q. Is not blasphemy or the speaking evil of God the highest degree of which is cursing a very heinous crime deserving the severest punishment A. Yes and he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord he shall surely be put to death and all the congregation shall certainly stone him Lev. 24.16 Q. Should not the Prefessors of the Gospel live up to the principles of their Religion that they may not give occasion to others to blaspheme the name of God A. Yes thou that sayest a man should not commit Adultery doest thou commit Adultery thou that makest thy boast of the Law through breaking of the Law dishonourest thou God for the name of God is blasphemed amongst the Gentiles through you Rom. 2.22 23 24. Q. Is it net the name of God only by which men ought to swear and that with reverence and fear A. Yes how shall I pardon thee for this thy children have forsaken me and swore by them that are no Gods Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God and serve him and shalt swear by his name Jer. 5.7 Deut. 6.13 Q. When you swear to the truth of that you know is false or to the truth of that wherein you are doubtful do you not commit the sin of perjury which God hates and will punish A. Yes ye shall not swear by my name falsly neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God These are the things that ye shall do speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour and love no false oath for this is a thing that I do hate and the curse shall enter into the house of him that sweareth falsly by my name and it shall remain in the midst of his house and shall consume it Lev. 19.12 Zech. 8.17 5.4 Q. Must not an oath be taken in the plain and common sense of the words and doth not he who sweareth and hath no real purpose of making good his vow sin exceedingly A. Yes who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord he that hath clean hands and a pure heart who hath not lift up his soul to vanity nor sworn deceitfully When thou vowest a vow unto God defer not to pay it for he hath no pleasure in fools pay that which thou hast vowed better is it that thou shouldst not vow than that thou shouldst vow and not pay Ps 24.4 Eccl. 5.4 Q. Doth not an oath in any thing not sinful being taken oblige to performance A. Yes he that sweareth to his own hurt and changeth not shall never be moved Ps 15.4 Q. Is it not then a great sin to violate oaths and vows if lawful A. Yes Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant when lo he had given his hand and hath done all these things he shall not escape therefore thus saith the Lord God As I live surely mine oath that he hath despised and my covenant that he hath broken even it I will recompence upon his own head Ezek. 17.18 19. Q. Is it not a very great sin for men to make a vow to God in their trouble and when they are delivered to forget to pay it A. Yes when thou vowest a vow to God defer not to pay it for he hath no pleasure in fools Better is it that thou shouldst not vow than that thou shouldst vow and not pay I will go into the house of God and pay my vows which my lips have uttered and my mouth hath spoken when I was in trouble Eccl. 5.4 5. Psal 66.13 14. Q. But does a vow upon the matter lawful cease to oblige to performance when the person himself is under subjection to another who protests against him when vowing A. Yes if a woman vow a vow unto the Lord and bind her self by a bond being in her Fathers house in her youth if her Father disallow her in the day that he heareth not any of her vows or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand and the Lord shall forgive her because her Father disallowed her Numb 30.3.5 Q. Since every oath we swear is the appealing to God to judg the truth of what we speak are not those vain and light oaths so usual in common discourse very sinful and a despising of God A. Yes I say unto you swear not at all neither by Heaven for it is God's throne nor by the Earth for it is his footstool therefore above all things my brethren swear not neither by
the Holy Ghost the Holy Catholick Church the Communion of Saints the Forgiveness of sins the Resurrection of the Body and the Life everlasting Amen Private Devotions laid down in Scripture-Expressions A Prayer for Morning and Evening Our father which art in heaven who ruleth over all the kingdoms of the earth who searcheth all hearts and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts who art of purer eyes than to behold evil and canst not look on iniquity I which am but dust and ashes nor worthy of the least of all thy mercies being abominable and filthy and a transgressor from the womb do now come and kneel before thee O Lord my maker to offer to thee the Sacrifice of thanksgiving and to call upon thy name O let thy good spirit help my infirmities and make intercession for me for I know not what I should pray for as I ought I confess my transgressions unto thee O Lord I have sinned against heaven and before thee and am no more worthy to be called thy son iniquities so prevail against me that when I would do good evil is present with me O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death here mention thy most prevailing corruptions O my God I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee my God for my iniquities are increased over my head and my trespass is grown up unto the heavens But Lord to whom shall I go thou hast the words of eternal life thou hast no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live and thou hast said him that cometh to thee thou wilt in no wise cast out O stablish this word unto thy servant who is now devoted to thy fear Remember not the sins of my youth nor my transgressions for thy names sake O Lord pardon mine iniquity for it is great order my steps in thy word and let not any iniquity have dominion over me create in me a clean heart O Lord â—â—d renew a right spirit within me that I may no longer live the rest of my time in the flesh to the lusts thereof but as he that hath called me is holy so I may be holy in all manner of conversation denying ungodliness and wordly lusts and living soberly righteously and godly in this present world Into thine hand I commit my spirit and body O lord God of truth o let integrity and uprightness preserve me instruct me and teach me in the way wherein I should go guide me with thine eye this day Lord preserve my going out and my coming in establish thou the work of my hands set a watch before my mouth and keep the door of my lips encline not my heart to any evil thing to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity but give thy Angels charge over me to keep me in all my ways at night say let the Angel of the Lord encamp round about me that I be not afraid for the terror by night the Lord that keepeth Israel who neither slumbreth nor sleepeth be my keeper In confidence of this I will both lay me down in peace and sleep for thou Lord only makest me dwell in safety Let the people praise thee O God let all the people praise thee that thy way may be known upon earth thy saving health among all Nations add to the Church daily such as should be saved give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death that the Kingdoms of this World may become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ O continue thy loving kindness unto them that know thee and thy uprightness to the upright in heart Be a strength to the poor and a strength to the needy in his distress Abundantly bless our provision and satisfy our poor with bread make Wars to cease unto the end of the Earth break the bow and cut the spear in sunder let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end but establish the just and thou who hast commanded that supplications prayers intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men for Kings and for all that are in authority I beseech thee be a sun and shield to our dread Soveraign Lord King Charles O prepare mercy and truth which may preserve him prolong the King's life and his years as many generations that judgment may run down as waters and righteousness as a mighty stream do good in thy good pleasure unto Sion let our Priests lips always keep knowledg that the people may only seek the Law at their mouths and many may be turned away from iniquity O let the work of the Lord prosper in their hands be gracious to my brethren and kinsmen according to the flesh here thou mayest name particular persons and grant that all men do the will of their Father which is in Heaven And now what shall I render unto thee O Lord for all thy benefits towards me Thou art he that took me out of the womb and hitherto hast made me dwell in safety Many O Lord my God are the wonderful works which thou hast done for me I will sing unto thee O Lord as long as I live I will sing praise unto my God while I have my being Blessed be the Lord God who only doth wondrous things and blessed be his glorious name for ever and let the whole earth be filled with his glory Amen Our Father which art c. Another O Blessed and Glorious God who art exalted above all blessing and praise Thou even thou art Lord alone and there is no Saviour beside thee Lord what is man that thou takest knowledg of him or the son of man that thou makest account of him I confess I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee my God for my iniquities are encreased over my head and my trespass is grown up into the heavens I have sinned what shall I do unto thee O thou preserver of men here mention thy particular sins if thou Lord shouldest mark iniquities o Lord who shâ—ll stand but there is forgiveness with thee that thou mayest be feared O Remember not against me former iniquities let thy tender mercies speedily prevent me Help me o God of my salvation for the glory of thy name purge away my sins for thy names sake cast down every imagination that exalteth it self against the knowledg of God and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ O grâ—nt that I may be renewed in the spirit of my mind that I put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness and that I no longer have any fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness And now what shall I render unto thee O Lord for all thy benefits towards me because thou hast commanded thy loving kindness in the day time therefore this night is my prayer unto thee O God of my life Lord be my keeper and
I shall not be afraid for the terror by night in the night therefore is my prayer now unto thee O God of my life preserve my going out and my coming in and grant that I order my conversation aright I desire also to pray for all men for Kings and for all that are in authority O prolong the King's life and his years as many generations prepare mercy and truth which may preserve him Let the people praise thee O God let all the people praise thee O let the earth be full of the knowledg of the Lord let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end but establish the just Be gracious to my brethren according to the flesh do thou O Lord for them exceeding abundantly above all that they ask or think Now unto him that is able to keep me from falling and to present me faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding ioy to the only wise God our Saviour be Glory and Majesty Dominion and Power both now and ever Amen A Prayer for children being a Paraphrase of the Lord's Prayer OUR Father which art in Heaven from whom every good gift and every perfect gift cometh in whom I live and move and have my being hallowed be thy name for all thy benefits towards me thou art he that took me out of the womb and hitherto hast made me dwell in safety thy mercies they are new every morning and daily thou loadeth me with benefits I will sing unto thee O Lord as long as I live I will sing praise to my God while I have my being Let thy Kingdom come O Lord that thy way may be known upon earth thy saving health among all Nations Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven O Lord shew me thy ways teach me thy paths lead me in thy truth and teach me to say not my will but thine be done Give me this day my daily bread feed me with food convenient for me and bless my provision help me to seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and I know my heavenly Father shall add these other things he knoweth I have need of Forgive me my sins O Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the World Remember not against me former iniquities purge away my sins for thy names sake O cleanse me from all filthiness of flesh and spirit let integrity and uprightness preserve me and grant that I may remember thee my Creator in the days of my youth Lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil be a shield and buckler unto me this day preserve my going out and my coming in give thy Angels charge over me to keep me in all my ways this night the Lord that keepeth Israel who neither slumbreth nor sleepeth be my keeper O hearken unto the voice of my cry my King and my God there is nothing too hard for thee for all that is in the Heaven and in the Eaath is thine thine O Lord is the greatness and glory and thou reignest over all In thine hand is majesty and might for thine is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory for ever Amen Collects for several occasions very useful in Private Devotion comprehending the chief Heads of Prayer laid down in the language of the Holy Scripture Head I. Confession of Sin I Confess my transgressions unto thee O Lord I acknowledg my sin I am a transgressor from the womb Behold I was shâ—pen in iniquity and in sin did my Mother conceive me When I would do good evil is present with me O my God I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee my God for my iniquities are encreased over my head and my trespass is grown up unto the Heavens I have forsaken thee the fountain of living waters and hewed out cisterns broken cisterns that can hold no water Light is come into the world and I have loved darkness rather than light I have sinned what shall I do unto thee O thou preserver of men I acknowledg my transgressions and my sin is ever before me Father I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight and am no more worthy to be called thy son O Lord to me belongeth confusion of face because I have sinned against thee Head II. For Pardon of Sin HAve mercy upon me O God according to thy loving-kindness according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions wash me throughly from mine iniquity and cleanse me from my sin For thy names sake O Lord pardon mine iniquity for it is great Remember not the sins of my youth nor my transgressions cleanse me from secret faults Heal me O God of my salvation for the glory of thy name and purge away my sins for thy names sake O remember not against me former iniquities enter not into judgment with thy servant for in thy sight shall no man living be justified But thou O Lord art a God full of compassion and gracious long-suffering and plenteous in mercy and truth O turn unto me and have mercy upon me O Lord hear O Lord forgive O Lord hearken and do defer not for thine own sake O my God Head III. Against the Power of Sin O Let not sin reign in my mortal body that I should obey it in the lusts thereof but grant that I may put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts and that I put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledg of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ O keep back thy servant from presumptuous sins let them not have dominion over me Head IV. For the Light of God's Countâ—nance GIve ear O Shepherd of Israel thou that dwellest between the Cherubims shine forth Turn me again O God and cause thy face to shine and I shall be saved make me to hear joy and gladness that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoyce Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation and uphold me with thy free spirit Hear me speedily O Lord my spirit faileth hide not thy face from me lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit Quicken me O Lord for thy names sake and cause me to hear thy loving-kindness for thy loving-kindness is better than life O turn unto me and have mercy upon me shew me a token for good and cause thy face to shine upon me How long wilt thou forget me O Lord for ever How long wilt thou hide thy face from me Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon me with-hold not thou thy tender mercies from me O Lord make thy face to shine upon thy servant and let the Lord be upon me Head V. For Grace and Spiritual good things SHew me thy ways O Lord teach me thy paths lead me in thy truth
and teach me for thou art the God of my salvation Order my steps in thy word and teach me thy statutes Thy hands have made me and fashioned me give me understanding that I may learn thy Commandments Thou art good and doest good teach me thy statutes encline mine heart unto thy testimonies and not to covetousness Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity I am a stranger in the earth hide not thy commandments from me Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me Take away the stony-heart and give me an heart of flesh that I may be renewed in the spirit of my mind and strengthned with might by thy spirit in the inward man O let the blood of Christ purge my conscience from dead works that I may serve the Living God Teach me thy way O Lord and I shall walk in thy truth unite my heart to fear thy name So teach me to number my days that I may apply my heart unto wisdom O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes Head VI. In times of Affliction I Know O Lord that thy judgments are right and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me thou art just in all that is brought upon me for thou hast done right but I have done wickedly But O contend not for ever be not always wroth lest the spirit should fail before thee and the soul which thou hast made Let I pray thee thy merciful kindness be for my comfort Turn thee unto me and have mercy upon me for I am desolate and afflicted the troubles of my heart are enlarged O bring thou me out of my distresses Look upon mine affliction and my pain and forgive all my sins with-hold not thou thy tender mercies from me O Lord let thy loving-kindness and thy truth continually preserve me for innumerable evils have compassed me about Be pleased O Lord to deliver me O Lord make hast to help me Behold O Lord for I am in distress my bowels are troubled mine heart is turned within me I weep mine eye mine eye runneth down with water because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me O Lord behold my affliction thou hast said thou dost not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men Remember I beseech thee that thou hast made me as the clay and wilt thou bring me unto dust again Are not my days few cease then and let me alone that I may take comfort a little before I go whence I shall not return even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death Head VII In the time of Sickness HAve mercy upon me O Lord for I am in trouble mine eye is consumed with grief my life is spent with sighing I am weary with my groaning all the night make I my bed to swim I water my couch with my tears my days are consumed like smoke and my bones are burnt as an hearth mine age is departed and is removed from me as a Shepherd's tent with pining sickness from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me O Lord I am oppressed undertake for me O my God take me not away in the midst of my days thy years are throughout all generations have mercy upon me O Lord for I am weak O Lord heal me Return O Lord deliver my soul O save me for thy mercies sake for in death there is no remembrance of thee in the grave who shall give thee thanks The grave cannot praise thee death cannot celebrate thee they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth what shall I say my times are in thy hand O save me for thy mercies sake Remove thy stroke away from me I am consumed by the blow of thine hand When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth surely every man is vanity Hear my prayer O Lord and give ear unto my cry hold not thy peace at my tears for I am a stranger with thee and a sojourner as all my Fathers were O spare me that I may recover strength before I go hence and be no more Head VIII A Thanksgiving for Recovery I will extol thee O Lord for thou hast lifted me up O Lord my God I cried unto thee and thou hast healed me O Lord thou hast brought up my soul from the grave thou hast kept me alive that I should not go down to the pit Bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name Bless the Lord O my soul and forget not all his benefits who forgiveth all thine iniquities who healeth all thy diseases who redeemeth thy life from destruction who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies O Lord what shall I say thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption the living the living he shall praise thee as I do this day Return unto thy rest O my soul for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee I love the Lord because he hath heard my voice and my supplications because he hath enclined his ear unto me therefore will I call upon him as long as I live The sorrows of death compassed me and the pains of hell gat hold upon me I found trouble and sorrow I said in the cutting off of my days I shall go to the gates of the grave I am deprived of the residue of my years I said I shall not see the Lord even the Lord in the Land of the living I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the earth But thou hast delivered my soul from death mine eyes from tears and my feet from falling thou hast loosed my bonds O Lord truly I am thy servant I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight O Lord my Strength and my Redeemer FINIS