thee nor presume to sinne vpon expectation of thy pardon what greater abuse of thy mercie than this can there be Rom. 2.4 thy mercy should lead mee from my sins vnto repentance not from repentance vnto sinne Lord with griefe of heart I doe mournfully confesse before thee that I haue too too much presumed in bold and wilful sinning against thee vpon hope of pardon from thee Lord humble me more and more for this my most dangerous sinne and offence and let it not bee mee but sinne in me whensoeuer I sin against thee LORD aboue all things saue me from an impudent and shamelesse soule saue mee from sinning against thee with so high an hand in so great a measure that my chiefest care being to master sinne in this life it may bee thy good will and pleasure to free mee from damnation in the world to come for Iesus Christ his sake Amen A Prayer against the Plague O Lord my God most mighty and glorious whereas thy gracious promise is Psal 91.4.7 to saue mee from plague and pestilence to hide mee vnder thy wings and to keep me safe vnder thy feathers thousands shall fall on my right hand and ten thousand on my left and no plague shall come neere my dwelling Lord for thy mercies sake saue me from this wrath of thine and euermore defend mee And heauenly Father I pray thee to this end purge my soule from the leprosie of sinne the cause of all thy iudgments present and to come this fearfull affliction neuer commeth but alwaies some or other sin procuring it foure great and grieuous plagues thou sentest against the house of Israel foure lamentable sinnes procuring the same as bellicheare Num. 11. Num. 16. Num. 25. 2 Sam. 24. contempt of thy Ministers fornicating and putting confidence in the arme of flesh for victorie O Lord preserue mee and this whole nation from these and al other transgressions that so iniquity may neuer be our destruction Thus I most humbly beseech thee saue me from sins iudgments in this life from euerlasting damnation in the world to come for Iesus sake Amen A Prayer against the Sword ALmighty and most merciful Father great are thy iudgments and fearefull thy punishments appointed for sinners yea for thine owne people if they sinne against thee though thou wilt in the Lord IESVS spare them in thine euerlasting loue from an euerlasting damnation yet if they bee bold to sinne thou wilt lash them with a temporary correction as thou didst threaten thine owne people Israel Ezek. 21.4 that thou wouldest draw thy Sword and cut off the righteous with the wicked O Lord I beseech thee saue me from this fearfull miserie let the sword of thy law pierce and humble mee that the sword of thy iudgments may neuer ouertake me I blesse thee O Lord God for peace in our borders wee haue no howling in our gates no complaining in our streets Psal 144.14 no leading into captiuity no defiling of Temple and City blessed are the people that are so happy are they that haue thee O Lord for their God O Lord God giue mee and the whole nation grace to repent with Nineve of all our sinnes Iâ—â— 3.10 that so wee may neuer bee deuoured by the sword but in peace if it bee meet for thy glory and the good of thy church we may passe to peace and glory euerlasting Amen A Prayer against Famine O Most mighty and most glorious Lord God I beseech thee saue me from miserie and destruction which iustly for my sinnes might come vpon me O Lord in particular I pray thee for thy mercies sake preserue me from famine and perishing by hunger that ruefull iudgment and of all deaths the most miserable vnder the Sun for none like staruing to death Lord grant I may daily dye vnto my sinnes that for them I may neuer in this terrible iudgment die how heauie is it to my soule the remembrance of that distressed woman 2 Kings 6.28 who in that famine of Samaria complained to her King That her neighbour shared with her in the eating of her child but she could not againe haue part with her neighbour a lamentable complaint a distresse most miserable O Lord of thy goodnes saue mee and this nation from the same And as we would be spared from these thy dismall iudgments so Lord grant wee may labor to be freed from our wicked and abominable transgressions wee haue abused thy creatures vnto vanity and thy comfortable mercies vnto riot and excesse it were iust with thee to fulfill that heauy sentence vpon vs Hee that hath not it shall bee taken away that which he hath he that hath not to a good and holy vse it shall bee taken away that which he hath O Lord haue mercy vpon mee and deliuer me from famine in this life and destruction in the next to come for Iesus Christ his sake Amen A Prayer for grace in generall O Eternall GOD and my most mercifull heauenly Father who art Author and finisher of my faith from whom euery good and perfect gift descendeth I most humbly intreat thee to sanctifie my soule with thy holy and heauenly grace especially with those excellent gifts of thy holy Spirit spoken of by thine holy Apostle Peter proper onely to thine elect and chosen as faith vertue knowledge patience temperance godlines brotherly kindnesse loue for if these things be in me and abound I shall neuer fall into the ditch of hell Lord let me not do mine own wil but giue mee alwaies to bee guided by the motions of thine holy Spirit into all truth let it bee my meat and drinke the obedience of thy word grant I may finde out that old and good way Ier. 6.16 the way of thy feare and grace that walking in it constantly and conscionably I may finde euerlasting peace and rest to my soule O Lord giue me to loath sinne as the greatest enemy of my soule for the wages of sinne is death but the gift of thee O my God is eternall life Rom. 6.23 through my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ If I bee not borne twice better it had beene for mee neuer to haue beene borne except I repent I perish Luke 13.3 Lord who shall dwell in thy holy Tabernacle euen hee that leadeth an incorrupt life for no vncleane thing shall enter into thy kingdome vnsanctified vnsaued and without holinesse I can neuer see thee O God therefore I beseech thine holy and heauenly maiesty to mortifie sinne in mine earthly members and to renew mee in soule and body giue me O my God a new minde new will new affections new thoughts new words new waies all new for he that is a member of the Lord Iesus is thus become a new creature O Lord euermore delight my soule with holinesse and let thy feare preserue mee alwaies from euill thus giue mee I pray thee to liue purely in some good measure in this life that I
may haue the surer hope of happines in heauen for blessed are the pure in heart they shall see thee O God Blesse me then good Father with the blessing of sanctity in this life and of euerlasting felicity in the life to come for the Lord Iesus Christ his sake Amen A Prayer for Knowledge MOst blessed and heauenly Father I confesse by nature I am a creature most miserable so blinded and darkened by sinne as I know not what may make for thy glory or the comfortable saluation of my poore soule the darkness of Aegypt was not so blacke so palpable as the blindnesse and darknesse of my soule O Lord my God my suit vnto thee is with blind Bartimeus that I may receiue my sight Marke 10.51 send mee Lord some or other good Ananias to vnscale mine eies that I may iudge and see the wonders of thy Law Acquaint me good Father by thy Law with my wofull sinnes thy fearefull curses due vnto mee for the same that so I may bee broken hearted for them and made capable of remission and saluation acquaint mee also with thy promise made vnto the hūbled in Iesus Christ for forgiuenesse for thou giuest grace to the humble acquaint mee also with the way of the regenerate affect my soule with holinesse that so I may come to saluation in the end this is life eternall to know thee thus and him whom thou hast sent euen Iesus Christ Iohn Make good vnto me that thy gracious promise Psal 25. thou wilt impart thy secrets to them that feare thee Lord discouer thy glory vnto me that I may answerably feare thy Name reueale thy will O Lord most plentifully vnto mee that I may strictly serue thee in holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of my life for Iesus sake Amen A Prayer for Humiliation MOst mighty and most glorious Lord God seeing that thine holy Word hath taught mee that the Lord Iesus came to saue none but sinners grieued sinners wounded sinners such sinners as would neuer sinne more and moreouer thou wilt look to none but to such as are of a contrite spirit Esay 66.2 and tremble at thy words O Lord Esay 66.2 breake mine heart for breaking thy commandements and smite my soule for sinning against thee grant I may bee ashamed of the filthinesse of my sinnes grieue for offending so louing a God by them and quake and tremble lest thou shouldst condēne me in thy strict iustice for them for euermore if my sinfull soule bee not thus rent thus tormented for my wicked sinnes in this life I cannot escape at the day of iudgement the damnation of hell better ten thousand times to haue my hell here than hereafter Lord therefore bruise my soule for all my vile transgressions and fearefull abhominations And leaue mee not good Lord I pray thee in these my soule afflictions affrightments but when thou hast sufficiently corrected mee then Lord turne again and reuiue mee Psal say vnto my soule thou art thou wilt bee my saluation for thou hast made this gracious promise that the laden shall bee eased and the wearied shall bee refreshed Lord heare then these my mournfull praiers and let these my groning cries come vp vnto thee for Iesus Christ his sake Amen A Prayer for Faith MOST deare and gracious God I humbly beseech thee to cut mee off from the stocke of corruption and sinne and that by sound humbling and to plant mee who art that heauenly husbandman by the power of thy blessed Spirit into that holy stocke the Lord Iesus and that by effectuall beleeuing Lord giue mee to liue by faith and not by flesh by grace and not by sinne for they that are in Christ Iesus walk not after the flesh Rom. 8.1 but after the Spirit Grant gracious God I may rest vpon thee in thy Son Christ for forgiuenesse of sin and for life euerlasting grant vpon this my deliuerance I may liue to the praise of thee my blessed Redeemer in holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of my life grant holy Father I may not onely by faith depend vpon all thy promises for this life and for heauen but likewise by the same faith labor to walke in the obedience of all thy commandements O Lord increase my faith for my heart is full of doubting thou O Lord art faithfull and true yea truth it selfe why should I then wauer My soule is weake through my remaining corruptions in obeying thy holy Word Lord strengthen mee my heart is faint and ready to sink vnder the least triall and affliction Lord for thy mercies support and comfort mee Giue me my deare God to beleeue beyond beleefe when I feele not to rest vpon thee for comfort as thy seruant Iob Iob. resolued Lord if thou killest me yet will I put my trust in thee Lord giue me by faith clearely to see my sinnes pardoned my life reformed my soule reconciled with thee and my name written in the booke of heauen Most louing Father I pray thee grant mee thy grace that I may deny my selfe that I may wholly rest vpon Christ Iesus and follow his heauenly commandements for life grant that my faith Iam. 2.26 may not bee a dead faith but a liuely walking working faith that is a dead and vaine faith that moueth not in the obedience of thy most holy commandements thus I pray thee guide me by thy good Spirit into all truth that thy power of grace possessing me in this life I may haue the better hope of eternall saluation in the life to come and that for the merits of the Lord Iesus Amen A Prayer for Obedience O Lord God most mighty most glorious I most humbly craue thy gracious and louing fauour that I may bee inabled by strength and power receiued from thee to walke in absolute obedience before thee Lord let mee not doe my will but thy will in all things Luke 7.8 as the Centurion said of his seruants He said to one goe and hee goeth to another come and he commeth to another doe this and hee doth it Lord grant me the like obedience and tractability to thy will in all things 1 Sam. 15.22 Lord giue me to vnderstand that obedience is better than sacrifice yea to obey is the best of all sacrifices let mee then obey thee in all thy commandements and submit vnto thee in all thy corrections not my will but thy will most willingly bee yeelded vnto in all things my Lord my God O Lord vouchsafe me sincerity in this my most bounden duty seruice that I may obey thee in one commandement as well as in another let mee with thy godly seruant Dauid Psal 119. euermore haue respect vnto all thy commandements O then that my waies were made so direct that I may neuer sinne more but in all things do thy righteous iudgments O let it bee my meat and drinke the obedience of thy will O that I could finde out the old
enlargement of thy kingdome all the world thorow in despight of Turke and Pope all malignant enemies of the same continue it where it is where it is not Lord of thy goodnes plant thy heauenly power though wee haue failed and grieuously offended yet correct vs thou in thy mercy and giue vs not ouer a prey vnto their teeth whose tender mercies are cruell downe with Dagon and set vp the glorious Gospell of Christ Iesus among the sonnes of men Now O Lord thy Church is heauily assaulted I beseech thee fight out al our battels and euermore defend vs let them not say There there so would we haue it neither let them say We haue deuoured them let them not mocke and vaunt Where is now their God they cry maliciously Downe with them Psal 137.7 down with them euen to the ground but Lord better than thy Church should bee extinguished the whole army of Sathan to bee confounded If it may bee Lord conuert the enemies of thy Church if that cannot bee Lord confound them Thus Lord I pray thee powerfully protect and graciously direct thy Church on earth and make it one day triumphant in heauen for Iesus sake alone in whom thou art well pleased Amen A Prayer for the conuersion of the Iew. MOst gracious and blessed heauenly Father there was a time wherein thou in thy mercy didst vouchsafe thy Law to Israel all other nations of the world depriued of the same and now is the time wherein they for their contempt of thy Sonne Iesus Christ are depriued of thy Gospell and the Gentiles of the world enlightened with the same and there will come a time wherein Iew and Gentile shall bee of one fold and faith and that is when the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled O Lord pitty the fall of thy first chosen and let not thine anger bee euer against them turne againe O God of Abraham Isaac and Iacob and visit them with thy saluation that are now scattered and a despised people ouer the face of the whole earth O Lord conuert them and bring them to the faith of the Lord Iesus dispell the mist of ignorance from their eies and let not such multitudes goe to perdition for Abraham thy seruants sake looke vpon the desolate progeny And seeing contempt and vnbeleefe cast them off Rom. 11.2 Lord giue vs to beleeue obey thy truth left wee also bee cast out and expelled if thou sparedst not the naturall Oliue how wilt thou spare the wilde branch Lord grant that Iew and Gentile may all the world thorow oyne in one faith and truth to thy glory and the saluation of innumerable soules in the LORD IESVS Amen A Morning Prayer for a family O Lord our GOD most mighty glorious and in mercy abundantly gracious wee thy seruants desire this morning and euermore to blesse thy holy and heauenly Name for all thy blessed mercies first and last afforded vs in the Lord Iesus In particular wee blesse thee for thy safe protection and prouidence ouer vs this last night past in keeping vs aliue of thy goodnesse and mercy to this houre day O Lord as we liue by thee giue vs all thy grace to liue vnto thee and to the praise of thy blessed Name And we intreat thy Maiesty to blesse vs this day and euermore to come Lord saue vs from bodily perils and that by the watch of thy good Angels saue vs especially O Lord from sinning against thee and that by the Power and residence of grace in our soules thus blesse vs in body and soule in this life that so wee may haue the surer hope of euerlasting saluation in the life to come And good Father grant that wee may labour and striue against all corruption and sin but most especially against those euils that haue most defiled our soules let vs flie all occasions of them and vse all holy helps against them and in the might and strength of thine all sufficient grace vouchsafe vs daily victory ouer them O that wee could say with thy feruant Paul I thanke my God 1 Cor. 15. concerning sinne I die daily And good Lord so bless vs with thy grace that we may cheerefully and constantly goe on in the performance of all such duties as thou hast appointed for vs to walk in grant that the concupiscence of the eie 1 Ioh. 2.16 the concupiscence of the flesh the pride of life may neuer corrupt and defile vs but let euermore our conuersations be holy and heauenly keepe vs also from idlenesse grant wee may bee alwaies sound exercised in the duties of our calling either generall or particular that when our Lord and Master commeth being found thus vigilant wee may enter with him into the ioy of the Lord. Thus gracious God giue vs to walke in holinesse and vprightnes before thee that so we may both saue our owne soules and those that are about vs for Iesus Christ his sake thy Sonne our Sauiour Amen An Euening Praier for a Family MOST deare and gracious Lord God wee thy humble seruants most earnestly desire thy mercy and compassion vpon vs in pardoning all our sins originall actuall and in giuing vs grace for the preuention of them in time to come and so sanctifie euery of vs that all our ends may be peace O Lord to this end giue vs we pray thee to bee broken in heart for breaking thy commandements smite our sinfull soules for offending thee that so wee may come within compasse of healing and refreshing for none but the laden can be eased and the wearied onely shall bee refreshed And good Father seeing thou hast promised saluation to the humble grant that by faith wee may comfortably rest vpon thy promise for mercy and forgiuenesse and also by power of the same faith liue vnto the praise of thee our Redeemer for euermore Vouchsafe O Lord vnto vs all those blessed graces of thy blessed Spirit onely proper to thine elect and chosen as knowledge vertue faith patience temperance godlines brotherly kindnesse loue if these things be in vs and abound wee shall neuer fall into the ditch of hell Lord turne out sinne and Sathan for wee confesse that wee are out of measure sinfull sinfull by thought sinfull by word sinfull by worke Lord bee merciful vnto vs thus miserable sinners and good Lord let thine holy Spirit make his residence in vs that in this new righteousnes wee shall labour and learne to doe in that wee may saue all our poore soules euerlastingly aliue O Lord blesse with vs thy Church vniuersall Lord saue it from ouerthrow and deliuer it from the present calamity more especially wee beseech thy mercies vpon this nation whereof wee are members this sinfull nation laden with transgression iniquity sinne Lord heale the sores of it pardon the sinnes of it giue it the repentance of Nineue from the Kings person to the begger amongst vs that so thy iudgements may be diuerted from vs. Lord herein wee pray thee blesse the principall Member ouer vs CHARLES by thy good prouidence King of great Britaine France and Ireland giue him a long and lasting life on earth and an euerlasting in heauen blesse our most noble and gracious Queene the Prince and Princesse Palatine and their Princely Issue blesse all the true hearted Nobility all the reuerend Clergie the ciuill Magistracy Gentry Commonalty all Schooles of learning the two Vniuersities all afflicted persons bodily or soulely tormented O Lord deliuer Israel from all their sinnes and sorrowes And good LORD blesse all that are deare and neare in nature vnto vs as father mother brother sister husband wife child LORD giue vs all thy grace in this life thy saluation for euer in heauen And for our selues againe we beseech thee this night to blesse vs in body in soule in basket and store within doores without Lord saue vs from theeues from windes from fire from all dangers and giue vs a sweet rest and comfortable sleepe and for our soules saue them good Lord from sinfull lusts and Sathans assaults that so we being preserued from sin and danger in this life we may not faile of thy mercifull saluation in the end and that for Iesus Christ his sake Amen FINIS
to preserue mee from vaine and vngodly society and let mee frequent euermore the company of thy saints temper mine affections moderate mine vnruly lust giue mee alwaies to consider that no drunkard shall inherit the kingdome of heauen Also that vnsober persons are vnable to resist the deuill but hee workes his will and pleasure vpon them preserue me then my God from this common capitall nationall euill Lord giue mee a wise and moderate vse of thy creatures let them not bee snares vnto me but refreshers of me not destroyers but supporters of me to thy glory and the eternall saluation of my poore soule in the Lord Iesus Amen A Prayer against murther ALmightie and most mercifull heauenly Father I thy poore seruant begge from thy throne of grace grace strength against all sinnes and transgressions whatsoeuer especially against those crying sins spoken of in thy word such as wil neuer leaue roaring in thine eares till thy iudgments bee â—hundred against the committers of them one wherof is murther a fearefull and diabolicall sinne for the deuill was a murtherer from the beginning Lord saue me from taking away the name or life of any man grant I may not harbour malice in mine heart 1 Iohn 3.15 for he that hateth his brother in his heart is a manslayer giue mee to looke vpon thy iudgments executed vpon such malefactors as Cain Ahab others that I may neuer offend in the same Lord giue mee loue patience meekenesse that I may in the moderation of my passions and affections preserue my soule from this griesly euill for Iesus Christ his sake Amen A Prayer against Hypocrisie O Most gracious merciful God thy holy word hath reuealed vnto mee thy heauie vengeance against such as are dissemblers with thee that deepe is their portion in hell therefore is it said Giue him his portion with hypocrites O my God I craue hereupon thy mercifull assistance that I may take heed of hypocrisie that I may walke in vprightnesse with thee that I may with Nathaniel John 1.47 be found a true Israelite in whom is no guile Lord grant in all good duties I may seeke thy glory and pleasure of thy will not mine own ends or glory of mine owne name O Lord saue mee from pride one maine cause of this foule and foolish sinne and giue mee sincerity for that man shall be aduanced to thy holy hill that speaketh the truth without hypocrisie and professeth it from the heart Lord let not the marks of this Pharisaical euill be fouÌ„d in me as pride malicious censuring and the like O Lord though my graces be small yet let them be true and then the gates of hel shal not preuaile against mee to this end I beseech thee vouchsafe mee a large and plentifull measure of humility that so I may in vprightnesse serue thee in this life and hereby bee sealed vp to thy glory euerlasting in that blessed life to come for Iesus Christ his sake my only Sauiour and Redeemer Amen A Prayer against Reuenge MOst louing and gracious GOD thy holy word hath taught mee Rom. 12.19 that vengeance is thine thou wilt repay all offered wrongs whatsoeuer whereupon I beseech thee O Lord in all abuses and oppressions giue mee patience and meekenesse of spirit Rom. 12.17 that I may not render euil for euil that I may not seeke maliciously to reuenge those that haue done wrong and iniury vnto me to doe good for good Publicanes can do the same to doe euill for euill that is an act of flesh and blood to doe euill for good is egregious vngodlines but to doe good against euill this is onely proper to the righteous when others curse let mee blesse let me pray when others persecute as the first Martyr in the Gospell prayed for them that stoned him Aâ—â—â— â— 6â— and my blessed Sauiour for those that mocked and killed him It is not possible but offences will come man is so vicious so malicious How often shall I then forgiue seuen times No Lord more than so seuenty times seuen Matth. 18.34 hee that would not forgiue his brother the pence his pounds yea talents were exacted from him to the vttermost farthing in prison If I cannot heartily forgiue my brother how shall I looke for forgiuenes of sinnes at thy hands Therfore deare God grant mee thy grace to conquer malicious and reuengefull thoughts and possesse mee with the spirit of meeknes and loue to my present peace to mine euerlasting saluation in and through my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen A Prayer against Theft O LORD and heauenly Father whereas thine expresse commandment is Exod. 20.15 that I shall not steale O Lord giue me thy fear that I may take heed that I oppresse not my brother by vniust and deceitfull dealing nor take away by violence that which is his but as I would be done vnto so let me euermore do for this is the Law and the Prophets Matth. 7.12 As I desire heartily thy grace to walke before thee in holinesse so also I beseech thee giue mee in all things to carry my selfe to my neighbour in righteousnes without shall be dogs murtherers theeues these wretched persons shall for euermore be expelled and excluded thy kingdome of glorie and who shall dwell in thy holy Hill Psal 15.3 euen he that hath not done euil to his neighbour as in body and name so in goods and estate A little that the righteous hath being well got is better than great riches of the vngodly gotten by fraud violence wrong Giue me to know that I must one day giue an account of my stewardship Luke 16.2 how I haue gotten my goods as well as how I haue spent them Therefore I beseech thee giue me thy feare and grace to preserue my soule from these worldly and wicked errors here and giue me euerlasting saluation when I die in the Lord Iesus that freely died for me Amen A Prayer against Swearing MOST Mighty most glorious and most mercifull Lord God great thou art in thy maiesty wondrous in thy power who is able to resist thy wrath O Lord euermore defend mee from taking thy great and mighty name in vaine Exod. 20.7 for thou wilt not hold him guiltlesse that taketh thy Name in vain Heauy are thy iudgements denounced against this sinne thy curse shall not depart from the house of the swearer Therefore my good God grant I may neuer bee found culpable of this sinne but giue me thy grace that I may serue thee in feare reioyce before thee in reuerence all the daies of my life Lord let mee neuer thinke or speake of thy great and holy Name but with all feare respect reuerence trembling Giue me also thy feare and grace that I may not endure thy Name to bee dishonoured of others but let it bee a Simeons Sword to pierce my soule Luke 2.35 and giue mee euermore to reprooue and condemne it Lord heare helpe and
haue mercy vpon thy poore seruant here and in heauen Amen A Prayer against Periury O Lord God to whoÌ„ vengeance belongeth thou great Iudge of heauen and earth to whom all secrets are knowen I most humbly pray thee that thy feare grace may so assist me that I may neuer swerue from the truth of thy Law thou hast charged mee not to beare false witnes against my neighbour Exod. 20.16 but to speake the truth impartially when I am thereunto called for Lord thou knowest all secrets though man cannot detect them therefore keepe mee from false swearing for as it is great wrong in iudgement so is it odious and abominable before thee for thine infinite wisdome is dishonoured and he that dishonoureth thee in this desperate impudent and damnable manner thou wilt dishonour and condemne him for euer Lord giue me an honest heart and faithfull soule that in all things I may carry my selfe vpright as in thy great and mightie presence now and for euermore Amen A Prayer against Security BLessed and euer-glorious LORD GOD I pray thee most humbly and earnestly in Christ Iesus to keep mee from that dangerous euill of security many are the enemies of my soule the deuill goeth vp and downe seeking whom he may deuoure the world by his allurements seeketh to ouerturne my soule carnall concupiscence and inbred corruption takes all aduantages to betray and ouerthrow mee I beseech thy Maiesty seeing my poore soule is thus dangerously assaulted giue mee all diligence and care to keepe my soule from sinning against thee O giue mee the watch of thy Spirit of grace to preuent these wofull enemies of my soule Matth. 26.41 let mee euer watch and pray and stand vpon my guard lest I fall into temptation let me be lesse carefull for the things of this life more carefull for thy glory and the eternall saluation of my soule that I glorifying thy great Name constantly in this life may in IESVS CHRIST bee euerlastingly glorified of thee in the life to come Amen A Prayer against Desperation O Lord my God most mighty and glorious I most humbly intreat thee to assist me in all assaults of Satan this enemy is strong I poore sinner weake I pray thee then helpe me against all his most desperate and dismall temptations I confesse my sins most odious most damnable yet vpon my true humiliation I am bold to rest vpon thy renowned mercies for forgiuenesse of them To whom wilt thou looke O blessed Lord God but to him that is of a contrite heart Esa 66.2 and trembleth at thy words therfore in the confidence of this thy promise mercy giue mee resolution against all feares and desperate harmes of my soule not to beleeue thy promise who art truth it selfe not to hope in thy performance who art most faithfull and iust it were to deny thy glorious Name it were heauy and fearefull sinning against thee I haue sinned Lord thou knowest too too much alreadie shall I now by despaire adde sinne to sinne O Lord God forbid it though my sinnes bee many yet thy mercies are more though they bee as red as crimson yet in the crimson Blood of Christ thy Sonne Esa 1.18 thou canst make them all as white as snow or wool O Lord my God who art so full of mercy as thou delightest not in the death of the greatest sinner Ezek. 18.32 but rather that hee may conuert and liue giue mee to breake mine heart for sinne but not to despaire of thy mercies for the forgiuenesse of my sinnes for thou giuest grace and saluation to the humble and the Lord Iesus came to call none but bleeding sinners to repentance In hope of which thy truth and mercy I make bold to rest vpon thee O Lord my God and Sauiour for present peace for euerlasting saluation Amen Amen A Prayer against Heresie O LORD and heauenly Father seeing there is but one truth one faith one way laid out for life which is the Lord Iesus Iohn 14.6 for he is the Way the Truth and the Life saue me O Lord from all by-paths and errors all false waies Psal grant with Dauid thy seruant I may vtterly abhorre especially I beseech thee keepe me that I drinke not of the cuppe of fornication which the Whore of Babylon holdeth in her hand wherewith the greatest part of the world is deceiued poisoned drunke a cup pleasing to flesh and blood Reuel 17.4 and therfore called A golden Cup yet within it is full of deadly poison and abomination Lord grant I may not bee misled in iudgment nor obstinate in defending errours against thy truth but giue mee an humble heart 1 Cor. 14.32 and let my spirit be euermore subiect to the iudgment of thy zealous Prophets O Lord giue mee to this end with the Boroans to examine all things Acts. and to conferre Scripture with Scripture that so I may neuer swerue from thy most pure holy and sacred Truth And giue mee my good Father courage and magnanimity to defend and vphold thy glorious Gospell against barking Papists and cauilling Atheists and all malicious opposers of the same to the losse and laying downe of my deâ—rest life and blood Thus grant me gracious God to stand for thy truth against al defacers of the same to my liues end Amen A Prayer against Lying MOST deare and gracious heaueÌ„ly father who art truth it selfe in whom no errour nor falcity can abide or dwell grant me of thy goodnesse that I may abhor that vaine and vile euill of lying let me euermore speake the truth with feare and care in a good conscience The iesting lye is meere vanity the officious lye or lye for profit or aduantage is grosse iniquity the malicious lye or lye to doe hurt is most pernicious and damnable impiety Good Lord keep me from all these abominations giue me to know that thine infinite wisdome and all-seeing knowledge is most grieuously dishonoured herein for Lord thou knowest all secrets nothing hidden from thine all-seeing eye though man may bee deceiued yet thy Maiesty can neuer bee deceiued A lye then is most foolish most odious Lord keepe me from this vanity now and for euermore Amen A Prayer against Sabbath-breaking O Eternall GOD Creator and gouernour of all things seeing thou hast put a principall charge vpon thy fourth commandement Exod. 20.8 Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day O my God grant me thy feare thy grace that that thy day may neuer bee neglected of mee Lord grant I may spend it in prayer publike priuate in hearing and reading of thy holy word in instructing my family Lord vouchsafe me so great a care so heauenly a desire as I may not therein speake mine owne words Esay 58.13 nor think mine owne thoughts and that I may make the exercise of that day my ioy my soules delight No one shall enter thy Sabbath rest of glory but hee that hath been strictly carefull to keepe
and excessiue delight of the same grant that no worldly honour pleasure profit may deceiue me but I beseech thee that thy lower blessings may be receiued of mee with a lower loue and thine heauenly graces thine eternall glories with the greatest glory and chiefest delight of my soule Lord for thy Christs sake heare mee herein Amen Amen A Praier against Pride MOst deare and gracious God I most humbly intreat thee so to assist mee with thy grace that I may euermore take heed of that first and worst sinne the sinne of the Deuill namely pride O Lord grant I may neuer be puffed vp in minde nor haue a scornfull eye for pride will haue a fearfull fall and high-mindednesse alwayes goeth before destruction Dan. 4.27 28. Nabuchadnezzar paid dearly for his vaine and foolish vaunting and that proud and boasting Pharisee went home condemned for his sinne Luk. 18.14 O Lord then giue mee power and strength against this wicked lust this base and senselesse sinne Let not O God of all goodnesse this euill appeare in mee by mine apparell speech looke gate or any other vnseemely behauiour for thou O God resistest the proud and giuest thy grace only to the humble Humble mee then I pray thee that I may in due time be euerlastingly exalted of thee in the Lord IESVS Amen A Prayer against Enuie O LORD GOD wheras thou hast taught me by thy blessed Apostle Rom. 12.15 to reioyce with them that reioyce I beseech thee saue and defend mee from that fearfull sinne of Enuy the sinne of Sathan for hee enuied the standing power of Adam the sinne of Cain Gen. 4.5 who vexed his soule at thy graces apparent in Abel O God of thy goodnesse saue mee from this sinne and wickednesse Grant most holy and heauenly Father that I may abound in loue towards my brethren and blesse thee as heartily for any mercie or blessing conferred vpon others as vpon mine owne soule As one member reioyceth in the glory and welfare of another so grant that I may proue my self a true member of Christ Iesus in delighting in the prosperity of thy Saints and seruants Lord keepe me from an hatefull soule and fulfill mine heart with loue to the glory of thy great name and euerlasting saluation of my poore soule in the merits of the Lord Iesus Amen A Prayer against Adultery MOst mighty and most mercifull Father for as much as thou hast shewen vnto me frō thy holy heauenly word that no vncleane thing shal enter into thy Kingdom and no adulterer shall inherit heauen 1 Cor. 6.9 such shall onely enter into thy glory as haue not defiled thēselues with women as Saint Iohn declareth in his Reuelations Good Father I pray thee purge my soul from all foule and fleshly lusts my body is the Temple of thy holy Spirit Lord let mee neuer defile it grant Lord that I may preserue and present it spotlesse to the comming of the Lord Iesus turne away mine eies that I behold not vanity Matth. 5.20 If mine eye offend mee Lord grant that I may pull it out better for me to go into that life with one eie than to goe with two eies into the darknesse and damnation of hell Giue mee O Lord the helpe of thy grace that I may conquer all beastly lusts all vnclean desires al polluted and polluting actions and be freed from them for the honor of thy name in the worthinesse of the Lord Iesus Amen A Prayer against Couetousnesse O Eternal euerliuing Lord God thou hast reuealed vnto me from thy blessed word Psal 10.3 that thou abhorrest the couetous and couetousnes is so foule an euill as it is called Spiritual Idolatry O LORD of thy mercy saue my soul from this vile and earthly sinne giue mee to take heed and beware of Couetousnesse for a mans life stands not in his wealth and abundance that man in the Gospel was rightly tearmed a foole for resting on his goods Luke 12.20 making them his God O Lord what greater folly can there bee than to leaue thee the fountaine of liuing waters and to trust in vaine and vncertaine riches for as the Psalmist tels me Psal 49.7 A man by his wealth cannot redeeme his brother so precious is the redemption of souls and their continuance for euer Therefore let my conuersation O Lord be without couetousnes for thou hast promised I will not faile thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13.5 Lord raise mine heart from earthly mindednesse and let my chiefe delight bee on heauen and heauenly things giue me this couetousnesse namely to couet after spiritual things and let all my delight bee in thy statutes that my life being holy and conuersation heauenly I may in the end obtaine the kingdome of heauen and life euerlasting through Iesus Christ mine onely Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer against hardnes of heart O Lord my God I most humbly beseech thee in the Lord Iesus to frame my soul according to thy will to bring mine heart to the obedience of thy holy and heauenly law in all things mollifie my stiffe and stubborne heart giue me a teachable and tractable spirit that I may euermore be guided by the motions of thy holy Spirit and counsell of thy heauenly word into all goodnesse Take away good Father the stoninesse of my heart for I feele much hardnesse in it and giue me an heart of flesh Ezek. 36.26 giue mee the spirit of good King IOSIAH 2 Chron. 34.27 whose heart melted within him at the reading of thy Law giue mee O Lord to tremble at my sinnes to mourne at thy iudgements to bee comforted by thy mercies in the merits of the LORD IESVS Create in me O Lord a new heart Psal 51.10 and renew a right spirit within mee turne me and I shall bee turned conuert me and then shall my soule be conuerted vnto thee Thy mercies now I aske Lord grant that I may haue thy sweet graces now I seeke grant Lord that I may finde at thy heauenly gates I knock Lord open vnto me the doore of saluation for Iesus Christ his sake Amen A Prayer against Drunkennesse MOst deare and gracious God I thine vnworthy seruant am bold vpon the multitude of thy mercies to present my selfe before thee earnestly crauing pardon for my sinnes and thy power and presence of grace for the preuention of them in time to come In particular O Lord I beseech thee that I may bee preserued from that swinish sinne of drunkennesse fearefull are thy woes denounced against the same many other most damnable transgressions alwaies wait vpon the same yea a legion of deuils attends the same as swearing adulterie quarrelling and the like Lord for thy mercies sake saue me from excesse whether I eat or drinke or whatsoeuer I doe else let mee doe all to the glory of thy blessed name And good Father giue me to shun all occasions of this sinne especially I pray thee
way which is the good way that walking constantly and conscionably in the same I may finde euerlasting rest and peace to my poore soule Lord thus sanctifie me in this life with thy holy feare that I may not faile of saluation in the world to come for thy loue in the Lord Iesus Amen A Prayer for Zeale MOst blessed and glorious heauenly Father my heart is grieued and much perplexed within mee because I finde my soule so dead so cold in all good duties which thou hast appointed mee to walk in O Lord quickē me and make me more zealous more feruent for the praise and glory of thy great and heauenly Name let I pray thee thy good pleasure be my chiefest glory and the constant seruice of thee the greatest delight of my soule O Lord my God grant I may neuer endure thy Name to bee dishonoured nor thy holy Law disgraced by my selfe or others but so affect my soule with thy feare care loue that I may euermore defend thee and support the glory of thy Name giue mee to bleede in heart and melt in soule at the great and grieuous euils of the time let mine eies gush out into riuers of water because men keepe not thy Law Psal 119. let euery euill beholden of me be as a goad in my side and as a thorne in mine eie grant good God I may most strictly walke before thee and so burne in zeale of thy law and glory that thy seruice and the obedience of thy will may bee more precious more delightfull vnto mee than the eternall saluation of my soule Thus Lord inflame my soule with thy loue feare grace that so my part and portion may be with thy Saints and Angels in ioy and glory euerlasting in and through my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen A Prayer for brotherly loue O Almighty and most mercifull Father for as much as thou hast shewen vnto me 1 Ioh. 4.16 that he that dwelleth in loue dwelleth in thee for thou art loue and by this shall all men know that we are thy disciples if we loue one another and againe If I cannot loue him whom I see daily how shall I perswade my self I loue thee 1 Ioh. 4.20 whō I neuer saw good Lord I beseech thee then to fill my soule with loue and to abound mee with charity and goodnesse toward my brethren as the members of the body cary themselues one to another so I pray thee giue mee grace to behaue my selfe to my brethren and fellow-members of the Lord Iesus one member despiseth not another grant then I may not be puffed vp one member enuieth not another grant I may not grudge at the prosperity of my brethren one member is helpefull to another grant Lord that I may doe all the good I can vnto others while I liue one member suffereth with another grant that I may weepe with them that weepe one member reuengeth not another Lord grant that I may beare offered wrongs iniuries and neuer seeke reuenge Thus I beseech thee possesse me with thy Spirit of loue for it is the ground and mother of all goodnesse yea the fulfilling of thy whole Law and without loue I am as sounding brasse and as a tinkling Cymball I am nothing 1 Cor. 13.1 Thus giue mee to resemble thy Maiesty in loue and kindnesse in this life that I may be admitted to that place of happinesse where loue shall neuer vanish away and that for thy loue in the Lord Iesus my most louing Sauiour and Redeemer Amen A Prayer for humility MOst holy and heauenly Lord God for as much as thou hast reuealed vnto mee from thy holy Word That thou resistest the proud 1 Pet. 5.5 giuest grace to the humble and none but the humble shall bee exalted O Lord my God endue me w th the spirit of humility grant I may be far from vain thoughts and proud lookes giue mee to learne of my blessed Sauiour Iesus Christ to bee humble and meeke so shall I finde rest to my soule the humbled Publicane went home exalted but the proud Pharisee condemned O Lord my God I cannot but confesse that I haue deserued shame and confusion for my sinnes done against thee yea the best of mine actions are so corrupted as I deserue no lesse than damnation for them yea when I haue done all that I can I am an vnprofitable seruant what cause holy Father then haue I to boast my selfe before thee If any good I doe it is not I but thy Spirit in mee for what haue I that I haue not receiued Giue mee then to bee glad of thy gifts of grace but not proud Act. 12.23 Not vnto mee O Lord not vnto me but vnto thy Name grant I may euermore giue the praise lest for mine arrogance I bee smitten as was Herod and the wormes and thy wrath consume mee Lord possess me with meeknesse and lowlines here that my portion may bee with thy Saints in glory euerlasting hereafter for thy Christs sake Amen A Praier for Patience MOST louing and gracious GOD seeing I am compassed about with so many miseries some from thy Maiesty as corrections some from Sathan as temptations some from wicked men as persecutions some from concupiscence as treacherous seductions I beseech thee therefore giue me patience in this sinfull and sorrowfull world let me possess my soule with patience Heb. 12.1 and run the race that is set before mee with comfort and patience Thus the Lord Iesus possessed himselfe in patience who when he was reuiled reuiled not again but praied for his persecutors and in his dying afflictions opened not his mouth thus thy seruants went quietly and gently thorow their sharpe afflictions as Iob Steuen Act. 7.60 and others Lord grant I may gently and meekly goe thorow whatsoeuer tribulation for the kingdome of heauen sake Grant I may not repine or murmure vnder the crosse whether it be want or imprisonment or sicknesse or banishment or death of friends or any other affliction Heb. 12.6 for whom thou louest thou wilt chasten and it is good for me to be in trouble for thereby I learne better to keep thy Law and as grace is the way of life so is crosse the companion of this way all that wil liue godly in Christ Iesus must suffer persecution I must bee contented to suffer with Christ and for Christ on earth if euer I would reigne with Christ in heauen Thus submitting my soule to thy wil pleasure in this life I shall haue the surer hope of admssion to life and saluation when I dye in the merits of the Lord Iesus thy Sonne my Sauiour Amen A Praier for Innocency O Eternal and euerliuing LORD GOD seeing I must one day rise to giue an account for all things done in my body I most humbly beseech thee therefore to giue me grace to endeuour with thine holy Apostle Paul alwaies to keepe a cleere conscience both toward thee and
man Lord giue mee to bee innocent from all manner of offence innocent to thee innocent to man Psal 37.38 O that I could keepe innocency and doe the thing that is right this would bring me peace at the last Lord grant I may wrong no man neither in body goods nor name grant I may say with Samuel 1 Sam. 12.3 whose Oxe haue I bribed whose Asse haue I taken whom haue I done wrong to giue mee to doe good to all hurt to none giue me to be wise as the Serpent but innocent as the Doue that liuing harmlesly in this world I may liue happily in the next for the merits sake of the Lord Iesus Amen A Praier for mercy and compassion O Lord my GOD most mighty and glorious seeing thou hast commanded mee to weepe with them that weepe Rom. 12.15 and being also the godly practise of my Sauiour for he wept ouer Ierusalem and lamented their destruction grant good Lord I may compassionate the present miseries of thy Church abroad that my heart may melt within me to see thy vine thus stroyed and thy Church thus trodden down by the enemies of thy truth O Lord Psal 80.14 betimes look downe from heauen and visite this vine though thou sufferest it to bee pruned Lord let it neuer bee extinguished I further intreat thee O my God that I may not only mourne ouer the afflictions of my brethren but likewise bee pricked in heart at the falls and sinnes of thy people and let not this my pitty bee in word and shew alone but in deed and in truth to pull them out of their impiety and succour them in their aduersitie to couer the naked to feed the hungry to visit the sicke and imprisoned Matth. 25. to comfort and releeue them if this pitty dwelleth not in me no piety can possesse mee Lord grant I may bee thus mercifull as thou my heauenly Father art mercifull giue mee with thy holy Apostle to cry out Who is afflicted and I mourne not Keepe me from mercilesnesse O Lord of thy goodnesse for iudgement shall bee ministred without mercie Iam. 2.13 to him that hath shewed no mercie Thus I pray thee vouchsafe me a tender heart for thy glory the good of the afflicted and the eternall saluation of my poore soule in the merits of the Lord Iesus Amen A Prayer for peace of Conscience O Almighty and most mercifull God I beseech thee to remoue from my soule all desperate feares all vile corruptions and giue me that great and heauenly blessing namely Prou. The peace of Conscience which passeth all vnderstanding which is a most comfortable and continuall feast And seeing this peace of conscience ariseth from thy reconcilement remission of sins and assurance of life euerlasting good Lord I pray thee be at peace with mee through the Lord Iesus let all my sins in the bloody passions of thy Sonne bee discharged and let my name be found written in the Booke of life And giue me further I beseech thee good Father to preserue this peace of conscience and that by auoiding all but especially knowen sinnes by doing euery duty vprightly though not perfectly and by renewing my humiliation repentance more throughly Lord grant I may not sinne against the light of conscience that I may neuer defile and wound my conscience by wilfull offending that faith and holinesse may dwell therein O helpe me good Lord Act. 4.16 thus to keepe a cleare conscience both toward thee and man Saue mee my God from a benummed conscience a desperate conscience an erroneous conscience a polluted conscience and giue me a pure conscience a peaceable conscience a good conscience that this may minister cōfort vnto me in the greatest afflictions strongest temptations at the houre of death at the day of iudgement and bee a sure seale to my soule of life and saluation euerlasting in the merits of the Lord Iesus Amen A Prayer for ioy in the holy Ghost MOST deare and gracious GOD for as much as thy diuine consolation is a sure marke and euidence of thy loue for life for thy blessed Apostle affirmeth Rom. 14.17 that thy kingdome standeth in righteousnes peace and ioy in the holy Ghost Lord of thy goodnesse fill mine heart with this thy heauenly ioy let it not be hidden vnto mee as it is vnto those that are lost but I pray thee shed abroad this thy loue in mine heart this sweet and heauenly ioy is thine owne wine laid vp in thine owne seller for thine owne spouse the wicked of the world shall neuer taste thereof This ioy the wise men found when they found the Lord Iesus Matth. 2.10 for they reioyced with an exceeding great ioy This ioy was in the blessed Virgin Luke 1.47 for her spirit reioyced in Christ her Sauiour So good Lord distill some sauing drops of this water of life into my thirsting soule Lord shew me this thy glory Psal 4 6. some craue worldly goods and riches doe imbrace but Lord grant mee thy countenance thy fauour and thy grace for thou thereby shalt make my heart more ioyfull and more glad than they that of their corne and wine full great increase haue had O Lord to this end increase my faith inflame my zeale better my obedience mortifie my corruptions sanctifie my affections that so I may euermore reioyce vnder the hope of saluation in the LORD IESVS yea here and in heauen for euer Amen A Prayer for increase of Grace MOst blessed and heauenly Father I read in thy holy word That thy Kingdome is like a graine of Mustard seede Luk. 13.19 a little seede yet in time it sendeth forth a mightie stalke that the birds of the aire may nestle therein thy Maiestie intimating therby the smalnesse of Grace at the first and the great increase by degrees in the hearts of thy children at last now good Father I pray thee increase thy graces in mee for I may say with that poore beleeuer in the Gospel Lord I beleeue but helpe mine vnbeleefe Lord giue mee to increase in faith in knowledge in obedience in all goodnesse that so I going on from strength to strength may in the end enioy thy face in Sion That tree that groweth not is dead if I grow not better and better and bring not forth more fruit in mine old age I cannot proue my selfe an impe of the Lord Iesus And as it fareth with the naturall birth so doth it also with the spirituall a child new born is weak and small yet in time it groweth to be a tall and strong man so the soule at first is weake and feeble in grace as smoake to fire as a bruised reed to a sturdie oake of Lebanon but in time the conuert groweth to be a perfect man in the Lord Iesus therefore my gracious GOD grant I may as a new borne babe 1 Pet. 2.2 desire the sincere milke of the word that I may grow thereby I