THE EXERCISE OF PRAYER OR A Help to Devotion BEING A SUPPLEMENT TO THE Happy Ascetick OR Best Exercise Containing Prayers and Devotions suitable to the respective EXERCISES With Additional PRAYERS for several Occasions By ANTH. HORNICK D. D. â—ONDON Printed for Mark Pardoâ— at the Black Raven over against Bedford-house in the Strand 1685. THE PREFACE TO THE READER THe Book-seller being upon Printing a second Edition of the HAPPY ASCETICK or BEST EXERCISE I thought it might not be amiss in order to make those Exercises more effectual to adde some Prayers and Aspirations whereby Souls enamour'd with those pleasing Severities might be enabled to arrive to a greater facility in the practice of them I intended at first to adde them to the Book but the Devotions swelling under my hand I was upon second thoughts prevailed with to let them come forth in a Treatise by it self Though the Age we live in be full of dangerous Diseases and Impiety be mounted up to a very great height yet in the midst of this crooked and perverse Generation there are persons and those of the Church of England too who seem ambitious to emulate the Holiness of Martyrs and the Sanctity of the Primitive Christians and as we have reason to bless God who lets such Wheat thrive in the large spot of ground that is over-run with Weeds so it is but necessary we should upon all occasions strengthen and help their Faith who like Lot in Sodom do not onely preserve their innocence but by a secret Fire working in their Hearts rise to more than ordinary fervours As in all other Sciences there are young beginners as well as persons who are arrived to perfection so it is in Religion There are Children in Grace as well as Young men and Fathers and as no man can be so weak as to imagine that I design these Helps for the greater Proficients in goodness so without my telling him the Reader may guess that these Crutches are intended for the weaker Christians who if they receive any benesit by them I have my wish To assist such I was willing to let these Devotions come abroad not for the goodness of the composure but to put more Oyl to those Lamps which already shine before men that they may go on like the Sun unto a perfect day and preserve their brightness till the coming of the Bridegroom and be ready against a cry is made at midnight Behold the Bride groom comes go ye out to meet him BOOKS Printed for and sold by Mark Pardoe at the sign of the Black Raven over against Bedford-house in the Strand THe Happy Ascetick or the best Exercise to which is added a Letter to a Person of Quality concerning the holy Lives of the Primitive Christians by Anthony Horneck D. D. in Octavo Delight and Judgement or a Prospect of the great day of Judgement and its Power to damp and imbitter Sensual Delights Sports and Recreations By Anthony Horneck D. D. in Octavo A Sermon preached before the King on the Fifth of November By George Hooper D. D. in Quarto A Sormon preached before the Lord Mayor on the 30th of October By George Hooper D. D. in Quarto Another Essay in Political Arithmetick concerning the Growth of the City of London with the Measures Periods Causes and Consequences there of 1682. By Sir William Petty Fellow of the Royal Society In Octavo Observations upon the Dublin Bills of Mortality and the State of that City By Sir William Petty Fellow of the Royal Society in Octavo Novels of Queen Elizabeth Queen of England containing the History of Queen Ann of Bullen of Bassa Solyman and the Princes Eronima in two Parts in Twelves Observations on Fevers und Febrifuges Twelves The Plain mans way to Worship and Practice In Twelves Becheri Minera Arienaria In 4. de Nova Temporis 4. THE EXERCISE OF PRAYER A Prayer relating to Exercise 1. which is to Pray without ceasing O God Gracious and Merciful who givest power to the Weak and strength to the Feeble who knowest the backwardness of my Heart and the unwillingness of my Soul to Spiritual Duties who understandest all my Wants and art acquainted with all my Weaknesses behold how loth my Soul is to have her conversation in Heaven and what excuses my Flesh makes to hinder my mind from frequent addresses to thy Mercy-seat I entreat thee to apply thy healing Hand to my sickly Soul and to fill it with Spiritual desires Oh give me a praying Spirit and let my Soul follow hard after thee Teach me to make a Spiritual use of every thing and instruct me to see the Creator in the Creature Lord free my Spirit from the bondage of the Flesh that it may mount up cheerfully to thy Throne upon all occasions Direct my Mind to look up in all my Actions and let me take notice of the Operations of thy Hand in all occurrences whatsoever Let thy good Spirit help my infirmities and when I know not what to say my dearest Lord suggest unto me how to fill my Mouth with Arguments Acquaint me with the art of Extracting good out of every thing O that I had that Spiritual temper which might incline me to think of God whenever I behold the works of Creation and Providence How sweet is it to walk with God! O let no company be so pleasing to me as thine Make me desirous to embrace all opportunities to reflect on thy Perfections and Excellencies Thou hast both commanded and promised spiritual Wisdom O bestow upon me that excellent gift that I may know how to glorifie thee in this world and arrive at last to that glory which thou hast promised to them that overcome and continue faithful unto death through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer relating to Exercise 2. which is Every Morning to resolve to tie our selves that day to certain Rules of Living OThou who dwellest in the Heavens and yet humblest thy self to behold the ways of the Children of men Thou hast been graciously pleased to reveal thy Will to me and given me Rules to walk by Rules which if a man follows he shall live for ever How sweet are thy Testimonies They enlighten the Eyes and give understanding to the Simple How glorious is that Soul in thy sight that makes thy Will a Lanthorn to her Feet and a Light unto her Paths Lord in these pleasant Paths I desire to walk there is nothing like them They end in peace I read of those who have found it so they could not be mistaken Thy Spirit inflamed their Souls They have ventured their lives to attain unto it O the Serenity O the Calmness of mind O the inward Joy they found by walking in the Paths of Righteousness Why should not I take of this Tree of Life as well as they and live This O Lord I often think of and see great loveliness in all this But my Will is weak my Resolutions faint When I resolve I meet with Waves and
strong in the behalf of those whose Heart is upright before thee I have deserved that no eye should pity me because I have not used my sight with that Moderation Modesty Decency and Piety thou justly requirest of me I have had Eyes and have not seen those things I should have taken notice of it were just with thee to strike me blind and to deprive me of that mercy which I have so often turned into wantonness I have stared upon objects that have inflamed my Lusts irritated my Passions and kindled Hell fire in my Breast Ah! what impure what disorderly thoughts have I let in through these windows Wonder O my Soul that Vengeance hath not pulled them out or that darkness hath not yet seized on them What discontent what mistrust of thy Providence what Pride what Envy what Malice what Revenge hath crept into my Soul through these Glasses How ill a use have I made of the gift of God! How have I dishonoured my Creator with these eyes How covetous how vain how sensual hath my sight of the riches and pleasures of the world made me O look upon me and have mercy on me Open thou mine eyes that I may see wondrous things out of thy Law O let nothing be so pleasant to mine eyes as thy marvellous works Teach me to see thee in thy Providence and in thy works of Grace and Nature O let me remember that where-ever I am I am before the eye of thy glory and let mine eyes be ever toward the Lord. If my right eye offend me let me pull it out Give me courage to turn away mine eyes from beholding Vanity when that Vanity would make me enamoured with the world Quicken the eyes of my mind that I may behold thy Power and Glory as I have seen it in the Sanctuary Shew me the danger of walking in the fight of mine Eyes and guide me by thine Eye Destroy in me all lofty looks and the Lust of the eye do thou remove far from me See O Lord and consider my wants and teach me to offer unto thee my reasonable service Let my outward as well as inward man be thy servant O let me see and taste how sweet and how gracious thou art Thou hast given me my Eye-sight Cause me to see thy Salvation and let me see that I walk circumspectly as wise men and not as Fools redeeming the time because the days are evil Consider and hear me O Lord my God lighten mine eyes lest I sleep the sleep of death Keep me as the apple of thine eye hide me under the shadow of thy Wings Then shall I behold thy Face in righteousness I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness O glorious sight when I shall see thee as thou art how ravishing will that prospect be How transporting that Vision O let me not miss of it O let me not lose that charming spectacle I will look upon thee here I will behold thee in the blessings I enjoy I will see thee in thy Mercies and admire thee I will look to my self that I may not erre from thy Commandments I will look for the new Heavens and the new Earth wherein dwells righteousness I will look up and please my self with the thoughts of Mount Sion which fades not away I will look unto the Lord that I may be enlightened and my face may not be ashamed thorough Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer relating to Exercise 8. viz. To make good use of the Virtues Vices of our Neighbours MOst Merciful Father Creator of Heaven and Earth who hast given me a Soul apt to be led by Examples and hast set most excellent Patterns before me that I might follow their steps encline my Heart I beseech thee to consider the large provision thou hast made for my better part and let me not stand in mine own light and continue blind in the midst of so many shining and burning lights Arise O Lord and deliver me from the wicked from the men which are thy hand O Lord from the men of the world who have their portion in this Life and whose Bellies thou fillest with thy hid Treasure O let me see with other eyes than carnal men do see O raise my Mind and carry it up to the holy Mount to the Mount of God and from thence let me behold the portion of thy Children of those excellent souls that despise the world and labour for honour and immortality Discover to me the comforts and satisfactions they enjoy in thy Bosom and how thou makest them drink of the Rivers of thy pleasures Let their Faith encourage me to believe in hope against hope that as they are made perfect in love so I may be perfect too and may be one with thee even as thou and they are one I cannot have a better example than thy self O make me partaker of thy divine Nature Give me a holy ambition to be like thee Make me merciful as my Father in Heaven is merciful O let that mind be in me which was also in Christ Jesus O Jesu attract my Soul with thy beauty Teach me to tread in thy steps Let thy example be ever before me and where-ever I am let me do nothing unworthy of it If I follow thee I cannot erre Thou art the way the truth and the life Lord do thou appear very amiable to my Soul that this sight may constrain me to learn of thee Transcribe thy Graces on my Soul and Life that my Conversation may shew that I am thy Disciple indeed resolved to live and die and rise with thee to eternal Glory Give me the Spirit of St. Paul Give me the excellent temper of those Saints who through Faith subdued Kingdoms wrought Righteousness obtained Promises stopped the mouths of Lyons quenched the violence of the Fire out of weakness were made strong and were tortured not accepting deliverance that they might obtain a better resurrection O deny me not the same Spirit of Faith that at last I may obtain the end of my Faith the salvation of my Soul through Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer relating to Exercise 9. viz. To put a charitable interpretation upon what we see or hear O God who art infinitely compassionate and charitable Love it self and Goodness it self Ah! how selfish is my Heart To whom shall I complain but to thee who alone canst heal me Thou hast Balm thou hast Plaisters for all Sores Medicines for all Diseases Thy Store-house is full of Blessings How uncharitable are my Thoughts sometimes How censorious my Tongue How apt am I to think and speak ill of my Neighbour How doth my Blood boyl with revengeful desires when either a real or an imaginary injury is offered me O thou God of Peace O Father of mercy melt melt this stubborn Heart how loth is it to yield to thy injunctions I am encompassed with all the rays of Gods charity imaginable Thou bearest with me when I deserve punishment thou dealest not
Billows that dash my resolutions O thou whose power is infinite open thy Store-house and furnish me with Weapons to defend my self against all assaults from the world or the Devil O strengthen these feeble Knees Hold up these weary Hands I desire to follow thee let thy Spirit list me up and cause me to run Touch my Will with thy Scepter that it may bow to thy Commands Manifest thy Power in my weakness give me courage to purpose and to fulfil my purposes When I would flinch in my resolutions do thou support me When my Will would start back like a broken Bow come in with thy Salvation Endow me with power from on high through thee I shall do valiantly through thee I shall be able to overcome all difficulties O leave not my Soul in misery Send from above and take me draw me out of many Waters send out thine Arrows and scatter my vain Imaginations With thee I will run through a Troop by my God will I leap over Walls and Impediments Quicken me O Lord for thy Names sake and for thy Righteousness sake bring my Soul out of trouble Teach me to do thy will for thou art my God thy Spirit is good lead me into the Land of uprightness for thy mercies sake for Christ's sake Amen A Prayer relating to Exercise 3. viz. Every day to spend half an hour or some such time in thinking of good things O Thou whose Wisdom cannot by searching be found out who hast made me a rational creature and given me power to think of all thy wondrous Works What excellent Objects dost thou set before me Objects to delight and edifie my Soul O that my ways were directed to keep thy Statutes O that my Soul might ever dwell beside those still Waters O teach me the art of Meditation Give me a large and apprehensive Mind Awaken my slumbring Soul Encourage it to fix upon adequate objects My Soul is a Spirit O let it delight in things agreeable to its nature Since my Mind must be busie about something let it be employed in things that make for its everlasting Peace Oh! how fickle are my Thoughts how inconstant my Contemplations How soon and how easily is my Mind drawn away from spiritual things To thee I flee O hide me to save me Let my Treasure be in Heaven that my Heart may be there also O spiritualize my Affections that they may delight to be where thou art Let spiritual Objects become lovely amiable and charming in my eyes Did I love them I should think of them Were they dear and precious to me how could I forbear contemplating of them O let their beauty appear to me Take away the Veil from my Face which hinders me from seeing him that 's altogether lovely Encline my heart to thy Testimonies Anoint mine Eyes with Eye-falve that I may see greater loveliness in things that are not seen than in those which are seen My Understanding is dark O enlighten it Clarifie it with thy Beams Let me hate vain Thoughts but thy Law let me love O let me not grudge the time that I spend in Meditation Assure me that this is Balsom to my Soul and that by these means the lines will fall to me in pleasant places and I shall have a goodly Heritage The righteousness of thy Testimonies is everlasting O give me understanding and I shall live There is Beauty there is Satisfaction there is Life in spiritual Objects O let me find them sweeter than honey unto my taste Discover those riches to me that I may look upon them and despise the glittering Treasures of Egypt These are deceitful things These allure indeed but afford no lasting comfort O give me a fight of that Wealth which is not liable to Corruption I shall find it in the Mysteries of the Gospel Thou hast said the pure in Heart shall see God O purifie my Soul from fleshly Lusts which war against it that I may see and discern what thou hast laid up for them that fear thee and seeing it may long after an eternal fruition of the Light of thy Countenance through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer relating to Exercise 4. viz. To study deep Humility O Thou Lofty and Holy one who inhabitest Eternity and dwellest in the high and holy place with him also that is of an humble spirit Whether shall I go but to thee who hast the words of eternal life How shall I get this humble Spirit but by thy power and influence Ah! how proud is my Heart how loth am I to submit to thy will how loth to think ill of my self how loth to bear injuries how loth to converse with thy poor members How loth to be sensible of my errours How loth to acknowledge a fault And yet all this while I believe that thou beholdest the proud afar off and that nothing is more abominable in thy sight How apt am I to admire my self How apt to harbour high conceits of my endowments How apt to hunt after the praise of men And what is all this but Wind What is it but Smoak and Air and Vanity How suddenly do these things grow and how suddenly do they die again How sensual how carnal must that Soul be that minds such things How void of a sense of greater beauties how little affected how little touched with the honour that comes from God! How weak in Grace how feeble in Religion that hath not learned yet to leap over such Straws This is my case O Lord I am that weak that empty Soul and yet unwilling to confess that I am proud and vain and lifted up Pity me O my God make me sensible how far I am from the Kingdom of God till Humility brings me neerer Crush whatever proud Thoughts and Desires thou spyest in me O put me in mind of my Duty whenever any vain thoughts rise in my Soul Pull down in me all Imaginations that exalt themselves against Christ Jesus O let not my Heart be haughty nor mine Eyes lofty neither let me exercise my self in things too high for me Give me a sight of mine own vileness Let me not be cheated with false colours Let thy greatness overaw my Soul Let the example of my Saviour work upon me How shall I be his Disciple and think of my self above what I ought to think Let God arise and let all my vain Conceits of mine own worth be scattered What am I but a handful of Dust What am I but a Beggar and thy pensioner and who lives upon thy charity O let these thoughts subdue my Soul Make me as ambitious of an humble Spirit and lowly Mind as others are of the greatness and admiration of the world Humility will make me great and honourable in thy sight Let that honour content me let that priviledge satisfie my Soul O let a deep sense of my guilt humble me Then shall I with the Penitent Prodigal be welcome in my Fathers house and my Soul shall live
with me after my sins neither rewardest me after mine iniquities Even my best Actions thou mightest justly except against but thy Charity covers a multitude of faults How often do I provoke thee and yet thou shootest not thine Arrows at me I transgress thy Laws I affront thee I am an unprofitable Servant yet thou pitiest me and do'st not suffer thy displeasure to arise against me In the midst of my follies thou art kind not that thou approvest of them but that thou wouldest lead me to Repentance O let me think of this and let me love my Neighbour with a pure heart fervently spread thy Wings over me Form in me bowels of Mercy Come Charity thou lovely grace Come into my Garden my Spouse my Beloved O thou celestial Husbandman plant this wholesome Herb in my barren ground Pull up the Weeds that grow there Banish from me all sourness of Spirit Let all bitterness and wrath die in me Let all malice flee away from my Soul Rid me of that ill nature which lodges in me Let gentleness and meekness be the welcome guests in my Heart Make me peaceable and tractable easie to be intreated full of good works ready to forgive Let the Charity of the Lord Jesus be my guide and let me truly follow the Lamb whethersoever he goes O Jesu Can I after thy Charity to my Soul be unkind to others Can I be churlish morose and ill-natured when I remember how thou diedst for thy Enemies I believe thou intercedest for me in Heaven what favourable constructions must I suppose are put upon my Actions in that intercession When Satan accuses me in the presence of God and hath but too much reason for those Accusations thou pleadest thy Merits thy Wounds and thy Fathers Love Where my infirmities will bear excuses thou qualifiest them and sufferest not the Enemy to have his will of me O let thy great example be ever before me and when I would forget it represent it in lively colours to my Mind that I may be thy Disciple indeed and having lived in Love and Charity here may at last arrive in the Paradise of everlasting love Amen A Prayer relating to Exercise 10. viz. Conscientiously to discharge the duties of our several Callings Relations MOst glorious God! who hast fitted thy holy and wholesome Laws to my Wants and Necessities and in commanding me dost consult my interest and advantage more than thy profit and glory How am I bound to praise and magnifie thy bounty Thou hast taught me how to live and behave my self in all conditions and to make me a Souldier compleatly armed hast chalked out to me the particular steps I am to tread As these are part of the blessings of thy right hand so let my Soul admire them above those of thy left Whatever Estate I am in whatever Relation Calling Station I stand in give me Grace to adorn it with a suitable Conversation Teach me how to behave my self wisely in a perfect way O when wilt thou come unto me O let me remember that in the Calling thou hast placed me in thou hast called me to certain duties of which thou wilt take an account one day O convince me that I am not called to idleness but to labour in thy Vineyard When my carnal heart would baulk the work thou hast set me in the station I am in let thy good Spirit crush my unwillingness and manifest his power in my weakness I am backward to any thing that requires pains and circumspection but renew thou a right Spirit within me Be thou exalted Lord above the Heavens and thy glory above all the Earth If thou wilt but appear in my Soul every thing will yield and every rebellious Lust will bow to thy Majesty Nothing can resist thy Omnipotence and whatever desire in me hath been hitherto refractory and rebellious will be frighted at thy presence and either retire or become subject to thy power O prepare Mercy and Truth which may preserve me and my mouth shall sing of thy Righteousness O let me remember that every new relation brings a new obligation upon me and that if I regard not that obligation I am unfaithful to my God In every condition in every relation let me consider the duties incumbent upon me and make me zealous to discharge them Let not the example of others whose Consciences are seared tempt me to neglect them O tell my Soul that it 's better to have thy favour than the applause of men and teach me to act according to that rule that the peace of God may be upon me as it is upon the whole Israel of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer relating to Exercise 11. viz. To resist all sorts of Temptations O Lord of Hosts who is a strong Lord like unto thee or to thy faithfulness round about thee Thou rulest the raging of the Sea when the Waves thereof arise thou stillest them Thou seest what temptations I am encompassed with what Enemies surround me and how I am beset with Dangers Extend thy Mercy to me and send from above and take me Deliver me from my strong Enemy and from them which hate me Leave me not to the rage of Temptations neither give me up to the will of those that persecute my Soul I will arise O God and fight the good fight Teach me what Temptations are and give notice to my Soul when I am in danger I know O Lord all Places Callings and Employments bring Temptations with them How diligent how watchful ought I to be that I do not get a fall and that mine Enemy rejoyce not over me Yet I will not be afraid if thou art with me I may defie all that are against my Soul to destroy it For thou Lord wilt bless the righteous and with thy favour thou wilt compass him as with a Shield Up Lord and pluck thy Hand out of thy Bosom Enable me to put on the whole Armour of God Gird about me the Sword of the Spirit and with that let me recover the glory I have lost in Adam's Fall O God I will cry day and night unto thee give me Wisdom and Resolution to secure thy Favour I cannot secure it except I hate those that hate thee and am grieved with those that rise up against thee O Lord mine own Flesh and the World and Messengers from Hell are confederate against thee O teach my hands to war and my fingers to fight My Rock my Fortress my Deliverer my God my Strength in whom I will trust my Buckler and the Horn of my Salvation and my high Tower cover my head in the day of Battle Let mine eye see my desire on the temptations which annoy me Hear my voice out of thy Temple and let my cry come before thee even into thine Ears Arm me with Arguments suggest unto me Reasons whereby I may answer and resist the evil motions which would seduce my Soul Give me power to climb thy holy Hill
When I faint Lord support me when I grow weary furnish me with fresh motives to hold on when I would go back perswade me to press toward the mark when I fall let thy Angels bear me up in their hands O thou that hast done great things for me marvellous things on this side Heaven strengthen my Faith that I may endure temptation and being tried may receive the Crown of righteousness which thou hast promised to them that love thee through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer relating to Exercise 12. viz. To stand in awe of God when we are alone and no Creature sees us O Lord thou hast searched me and known me thou knowest my down-sitting and mine up-rising thou understandest my thoughts afar off thou compassest my Path and my lying down and art acquainted with all my ways I beseech thee overaw me with thy presence O that thou wert in all my thoughts O how sweet how delightful how glorious art thou Could I always think of thee how poor would the World and all things in it seem in mine eyes For truly thou art fairer than the Children of men and all the Excellencies and Perfections that are found in the Creature are most eminently concentred in thee for thou madest them thou maintainest them thou preservest them and thou art the Spring the Fountain from which all those lesser Rivers flow Thou art bright amiable charming to a miracle and in thee is all that Reason can wish and the Understanding can desire And did I look upon thee more I should be so delighted with thy Beauty that sin would be loathsome to me I sin against thee because I lose the sight of thee The eye of my understanding was given me on purpose to look upon thee O let me use it to that end When I am loth to look upon thee Lord press thou into my thoughts that I may not be able to shake off thy presence If I see thee I shall not dare to offend thee Who would offend so dear a friend if he look upon him When any sin would insinuate into my affections O call to me and say Thy God is here and that charming Name will withold me from those crooked ways I remember Lord when my flesh hath sometimes prevailed with me to transgress thy known Laws I have been forced to banish thee from my mind before I could act against thee Hence forward be thou ever with me Let no base objects intervene betwixt my sight and thy glorious self or if they do help me to look off and to return to my center Make strong impressions of thy omniscience and omnipresence upon my heart that no sensual object no pleasing Temptation no Deceit no Flattery may rob me of my integrity At the brightness of thy presence let all mine Enemies vanish and be thou my Conquerour my Triumph my Beauty and my Glory through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer relating to Exercise 13 viz. To do all things to Gods glory O God who is like unto thee glorious in Holiness fearful in Praises doing Wonders Thy glory is the end of all created Beings Thou art deckt with Beauty and Glory glorious is thy Name and to glorifie thee is not onely our duty but our glory and interest too O let my heart be toucht with a sense of thy glory O let me admire the glory of thy Kingdom If thou wouldest vouchsafe to display thy glory in my benighted Soul how should I despise this miserable world How should I scorn the lust of the Eye and the lust of the Flesh and the pride of Life I have talked of thy Glory but O how little have I almed at it in my actions What base and sinister ends and designs have I had even in my Devotions and religious Services O Father of mercy purifie my intentions rectifie my designs give me a right aim in all things I am sent into the world to advance thy Glory O let it not be said that I sought mine own glory How great is thy goodness that thou wilt employ so wretched a creature in promoting thy Glory who can'st live without me and be happy and glorious without me O glorifie my Soul that I may glorifie thee In all the Blessings in all the Mercies I enjoy let me give thee all the glory What have I that I have not received Why then should I glory as if I had not received it O let me study how I may do good in my Generation Let the Spirit of Glory and of Christ rest upon me O Father of Glory let me see what is the glory of thine inheritance Open thou my Lips O Lord and my Mouth shall shew forth thy Praise Guide me by thy Counsel here and hereafter receive me into glory O that this Heart of mine were more spirituallized It is carnal sensual taken with the gayeties of this life It admires thee not It doth not esteem thee above all Treasures and therefore I do not seek thy Glory as I ought to do Therefore I evade the Obligation and pretend that I have no Parts no Abilities to advance thy Glory in this present world O wretched Creature that I am Who shall deliver me from the Body of this Death Lord speak the word and deliver me from my self Assure me that the degrees of future Glory will be proportioned to the degrees of my advancing thy Glory here O let me abound in good Works and let doing good be my greatest delight for as much as I know my labour is not in vain in the Lord. It cannot be in vain Thou hast promised it and thou wilt do it I believe Lord help mine Unbelief thorough Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer relating to Exercise 14 viz. To stir up and exercise the Graces God hath given us O God thou art a strong Rock and a strong Habitation How excellent is thy loving kindness therefore the Children of men shall put their trust under the shadow of thy Wings O my God how have I contented my self with very low degrees of Vertue I have been afraid of doing too much for Heaven and satisfied my self too often with shadows of Goodness Thou art not wanting to us if we are not wanting to our selves Thou art ready to quicken us ready to enlighten us ready to succour us in all our distresses and necessities O thou that art a strong Tower to all them that run unto thee Take care of my immortal Soul if thou wilt charge thy self with her welfare I shall be safe I have been very slothful hitherto I have lost much time many opportunities many advantages of a Spiritual life I know I must grow on to a perfect man in Christ Jesus Thou doest not allow me to stand still Thou biddest me work like a man that knows what an endless Glory means O purifie me from all sin Lord Jesu give me the fervour of thy Spirit that I may bee filled with spiritual Wisdom and Understanding and for the glory
set before me may be content to do and suffer cheerfully whatever in thy Wisdom thou shalt think fit to charge me with Come Lord make a Reformation in this poor blind distressed miserable Soul my Faith is weak my Hope is weak my Love is weak my Charity is weak One word of thy mouth would put vigour and life into me The same Word that made the Sun shine out in the first Creation would make my Graces bright and that Sentence Let there be Light spoken to my Soul would change the dark Chaos into a Globe of light O make goodness habitual in my Soul O that it might be an everlasting inhabitant in me O that my Soul might become its proper Seat its Palace its Tabernacle from which it might never depart Ah! how inconstant is my Zeal Hot I am to day and cold to morrow Sometime I seem to lay force on the everlasting Kingdom a little while after I fall in love again with the world O destroy this weed of inconstancy in my Garden All this comes from the weakness of my Vertues Hence it is that I am not the same every where And I that am bold in one place to stand up for thy glory am a Coward in another Where is thy mighty Arm O Lord Where are thy Bowels Fill my languishing Soul with strength from above and with wisdom from above that I may encrease and abound more and more in love Perfect what thou hast begun in me Let Meekness and Humility and all the graces of the Holy Ghost become natural to me O that they were incorporated with my temper O that they were so riveted into my Soul that I might not be able to act contrary to them O that I might find as great a reluctancy when I am tempted to neglect them as formerly I found when thy Spirit commanded me to performe them O how sweet a frame do these Graces put the Soul into O that I could say that thus it is with me Sweet Jesu be not tired with taking pains with this miserable Soul Thou hast been prodigiously kind to me O be not weary of being farther gracious favourable O let me find by blessed experience that I grow in Grace and that thy Commandments are no longer grievous to me that every thing in thy service becomes more easie and that what formerly was a burden to me is now pure pleasure and delight to my Soul O my God gild my Soul once more with thy radiant Beams and establish my heart unblamable in Holiness at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen A Prayer relating to Exercise 15. viz. Every night before we go to bed to call our selves to an account for the Actions of the day O God who searchest the Heart and the Reins How deceitful is my Heart How many are the ways that lead to destruction How innumerable are the Wiles of the Devil yet by thy light they may all be discovered and their danger perceived and their ill intent laid open How small an Atome doth the bright light of the Sun make visible Therefore that light which thou vouchsafest to an humble mind must be supposed far more effectual to manifest all the Stratagems of the powers of darkness O my God make me willing to see the designs of my Spiritual Enemies against me that I may resist them oppose and overcome them My Heart is a Field where many Tares are mix'd with the wholesome Wheat If I search not how shall those Tares be rooted up If I examine not what can I expect but that like the Field of the slothful and like the Vineyard of the man void of Understanding it will be all grown over with Thorns and Nettles will cover the face thereof Shall I say a little sleep a little more slumber till my Poverty come on like an armed man O my God let my greatest care be that thou and my Soul be friends But how shall I know thou art my Friend except I examine my Soul and see what tokens of thy love I find there O let me not be afraid to know my Thoughts my Words my Actions my Inclinations If I know they are evil I may reform them If I find they are good I may rejoyce in them O teach me the art of searching my heart Let me not continue a stranger to my self Let it be a pleasure to me to take notice how I thrive in Grace Let me know my danger O keep me from wandring in the dark Let me see how I go astray that I may get into the right way again Convince me of the easiness and pleasantness of this task O let me not think it a burthen to my Soul I have dwelt too long in the Suburbs of Religion O perswade me to enter into the City which hath foundations Let the reward that is before me be a strong motive to me to put on the whole Armour of God O how sweet will it be to me to see thy assistances the incomes of thy Grace the influences of thy Spirit my progress in goodness the abatement of my sins the decay of my corruptions and my nearer approach to Heaven If I examine my heart all this will be made manifest to me for thou wilt teach me the way of life and in thy light I shall see light through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer relating to Exercise extraordinary 1. viz. To enter into solemn Vows and Promises O Blessed Jesu to whom I have so often promised Faithfulness and Allegiance and Obedience How justly mayest thou look upon me betwixt pity and anger as thou didst upon Peter when he had most shamefully denied thee And O that thy looks might have the same effect upon me that they had upon thy Apostle and I might weep bitterly For how light have I made of my most solemn Promises How have I sought to impose upon thee O my God! How have I evaded the obligations my resolutions have laid upon me and sometimes downright broke those Promises Ah treacherous creature that I am how can I expect thou shouldest perform thy Promises made to me when I am so careless of observing and performing of mine to thee Thou art of infinite patience therefore I am not yet destroyed Hence forward when I promise thee let thy Majesty Greatness Justice and Holiness prevail with me to break with thee no more O let me not think because thou art silent and doest not presently punish my perfidiousness that thou art altogether such a one as my self O instruct me that I may entertain greater thoughts of thee If I enter into a Vow at any time assist me powerfully with thy Spirit that I may act according to the word that is gone out of my Lips As I make thee my Judge and Witness in my Vows so let me remember that my Witness is omniscient and my Judge hath Magazines of Vengeance at command Let me undergo any inconvenience rather than be false to my Engagements O keep
me by thy Mighty Power that my heart may be treacherous no more O let me remember what Mercies I expect at thy hands and let me not forfeit my Right to thy Favour When I binde my Soul let me think that nothing can untie it but thy self O preserve in my mind a just sense of my Duty and of the necessity of pleasing thee Let me abhor every thought that would prompt me to violate this Sacred Bond. O let me look upon it as a most holy thing and let me dread all prophanation of it As I designe O Lord by these Vows to bring up my Will to thy Will so be thou entreated to second my designes and to keep my Soul that I yield not to Temptations of perfidiousness but may Triumph over my Corruptions and be more than a Conquerour thorough him that loved me the Lord Jesus Christ to whom with thee and the Holy Spirit be all Honour and Glory World without end Amen A Prayer relating to Exercise extraordinary 2. viz. To subdue the Body by Fasting O Holy and most Merciful Saviour who hast given us the best Religion the wholesomest Rules of living the most equitable Precepts that were ever given to the children of men while I admire thy Mercy I cannot but bewail mine own Misery While I wonder at thy goodness and tenderness to my Soul I cannot but deplore my backwardness to the stricter Duties of Christianity How loth am I to curb this Body How loth to bring my Flesh in subjection How apt am I to flatter my self that Heaven will come cheaper than at the price of Mortification O when will these vain Imaginations leave me When shall I get the temper of thy dearest Servants How slavishly do I serve thee How apt am I to make Bargains with thee and to limit my obedience I want that free that Princely Spirit that fervent love which may think nothing too good for Heaven Lord shew me the vanity of my over tenderness to this dying Body I am sensible that when I feed it high it teaches my Soul to rebel against thee O let me not be afraid of the Arguments it gives me to spare my self These are but pretences the designe is to preserve its own ease and quiet in Sin and Vanity Let me see through all these Cobwebs and perswade me to keep under my Body lest I become a cast away Let my Fasts have those good effects upon me which they have had upon thy Saints of old Let my Lusts dye my Corruptions decay my Vanities become odious to me Let Holiness become sweet the Light of thy Countenance pleasant and the Influences of thy Grace ravishing to my Soul Let my abstinence from Food work in me abstinence from evil Let it prove a means to make my Prayers fervent my Devotion quick my Mind clear my Affections lively that I may at last enjoy the Festivals of Angels and eat and drink with my blessed Master at his Table in his Kingdom then shall I fast from sin for ever then shall I fast from all Temptations Then shall I hunger no more after the meat that perisheth Then shall I thirst no more after the muddy Streams of sensual Satisfactions Then my hunger shall be refined into fruition my thirst exalted into Enjoyments such as Abana and Pharpar cannot give and the Rivers of Damascus and of Jordan too fall short of then I shall need no Provision for this Body Then my Flesh will long no more after forbidden fruit then I shall feed on thy love for ever that will be my Meat and Drink that will be better tome than all the Trees of a terrestrial Paradise that will nourish me more than Milk and Honey that will give me a more cheerful Countenance than the bloud of the Grape then I shall need to take care no more about what I shall eat or what I shall drink or wherewithal I shall be cloathed Righteousness will be my Garment then and Holiness everlasting Holiness my Robe of Glory Amen Amen A Prayer relating to Exercise extraordinary 3. viz. To use Watching or Abstinence from Sleep O God incomprehensible and glorious whose Providence watches over me day and night O Shepherd of Israel who neither slumberest nor sleepest and whose Eyes are always open for my good What hard thoughts have I had of thy service How unwieldy have I been under thy stricter Precepts How afraid have I been to hurt my self What pains have I taken for the World and how irk some have thy Precepts been to my Soul O let it suffice that I have so long followed mine own will and for the future let even thy severest Laws be my delight and comfort Thou hast given me thine onely Son to die for my sins and can I after this mercy think much of denying my self in mine ease for thy service O teach me to use moderation in all things and even in my sleep to express my self-denial I know O Lord that without the assistance of thy Spirit my Nature is slothful and my Temper backward to such mortifications To thee I come therefore with humble Desires with fervent Affections and with earnest Entreaties that thou wouldest conquer the Flesh in me and crush that Rebel by thy power Since I can use self-denial in sleep upon a Temporal account O let it not be said of me that upon a Spiritual account I could not watch O let my actions shew that thou art dearer to me than the World and that I love thee better than Father or Mother and my self too When all I have is thine how shall I not part with something that 's dear to me for thy sake O let me not lose my life while I seek to save it but be confident that if I lose my life for thy sake I shall finde it Thou art the Resurrection and the Life if I sincerely believe in thee though I were dead yet shall I live O let me live that I may praise thy Name and whether I live or whether I die let me live and die in the Lord Jesus Give me a sight of the Eternal watchfulness of Angels They sleep not They are never oppressed with drowsiness They sing Eternally and slumber not That 's the Company that 's the glorious Society I would fain be in O happy day O blessed time when I shall watch in thy House for ever When I shall watch in the Quire where nothing is known nothing is loved nothing is delighted in but God blessed for evermore O my God as the Eyes of Servants look unto the Hand of their Master and as the Eyes of a Maiden look unto the Hand of her Mistress so mine Eyes waite upon Thee O Lord until thou have mercy upon me and bring me into the Regions of eternal Brightness thorough Jesus Christ. Amen A Prayer relating to Exercise extraordinary 4. viz. To apply our selves to Self-Revenge O God to whom Vengeance belongs shew thy self My sins are mine Enemies my Corruptions the Foes
that persecute me O shew me thy Salvation My sensual Desires plead for tenderness and because they would not be displeased they suggest Motives and Reasons why I should spare my self They regard not what becomes of my Soul hereafter and so they can but enjoy present rest they think not of the Torments that will follow But my Soul sees how the Scene will change when God shall come to Judgment O my God I am in danger let me spare no cost no pains to be free from it Where gentler means will not free me from the Corruptions which do so easily beset me O let me not be afraid of using more violent remedies O that I were but more concerned about the Life to come O that I had more lively aprehensions of it O that I had that view of the Terrours of the Lord that my Soul might be convinced of the necessity of taking the Kingdom of Heaven by violence I am sensible of the hurt my Lusts and Passions have done me Fill my Soul O God with a holy rage against them that I may drive them out by force when softer Perswasions will do no good Had not I better endure some inconvenience here than be forced at last to make Tears my meat day and night to all Eternity O perswade me to lose all rather than the Joys set before me Shall I see thy Saints who had the clearest apprehensions of thy Will run and sweat and toil for a future Bliss and shall I imagine that laziness will procure that Kingdom O Lord leave me not Bid me rise and strive to apprehend that for which I am also apprehended of Christ Jesus I fight under the Banner of the best of Princes O let me so run that I may obtain and hear the voice of the Bridegroom Enter into thy Masters Joy This will recompence all If I arrive to this I shall be no loser by thy Service I have followed the World too long and have got nothing but vanity and vexation of Spirit It promised me much but my Soul is empty still If once I ascend into that City where all tears shall be wiped away where I shall not need the light of the Sun and Moon and Stars where God himself is the everlasting Light Whatever Troubles whatever Miseries I went through here they will all be forgotten they will all be swallowed up they will all be lost in that vast Ocean of Light and Glory O make me weary of this Wilderness I have wandred too long in this desert Heaven is my home Let that engross my Desires my Hopes my Expectations my Joy my Love my Affections I am a stranger upon Earth let me live like a stranger here Draw me draw me thou everlasting Magnet that I may cling to thee and neither Death nor Life neither Prosperity nor Adversity neither the Smiles nor the Frowns of the World may separate me from that Love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen Additional Prayers FOR Every Day of the WEEK Suited to the Exercise of Meditating Exercise Ordinary 3. A Prayer for Sunday-Morning relating to the Meditation on Sunday Exercise 3. O God! thou most sweet thou most lovely Object How little do those glorified Saints that enjoy thee in the other world regard our little pleasures and satisfactions here O that my Soul were with those Spirits of men made perfect I see nothing in this valley of Tears that 's worth desiring or breathing after The Beatitude to come is that I long for What are the glories of this World to that glory which e'erlong shall be revealed in us The magnificence of Triumphs the pomp of Princes the curiosity of Palaces the beauty of the Sun the brightness of the Moon the glistering of the Stars the variety of Flowers the fragrancy of Herbs what are all these to the Joys Glories at thy right hand for evermore One day in thy Courts above is sweeter than a thousand here There I shall behold the perfection of thy Essence the infinity of thy Nature the immensity of thy Grandeur the eternity of thy Duration the greatness of thy Majesty the stability of thy Throne the vast extent of thy Wisdom the abyss of thy Judgements the sweetness of thy Bounty the tenderness of thy Mercy the severity of thy Justice the latitude of thy Power the charms of thy Beauty and the lustre of thy Glory O what a ravishing sight will this be And shall I be afraid of encountring with Enemies that would keep me from seeing these wonderful objects These Enemies are already conquered The Lion of the Tribe of Judah hath already weakn'd their strength and power which makes my Victory more easie Therefore I will not despair O thou who hast promised that when the poor and needy want water thou the God of Israel wilt hear them Hear me from thy holy Heaven and encourage my Soul to force her way through all difficulties Give me lively apprehensions of that state For want of those lively apprehensions I work not I move not I press not forward I act not like a person in good earnest my endeavours are dull and my attempts feeble O write that bliss upon my mind engrave it on my Soul Let the beams of it warm my Spirit that no labour for Heaven may seem hard no Commandment grievous no exercise troublesome no industry tedious no pains too great no journey too long that I may not murmur that I may not complain of difficulties that I may not be weary that I may not faint in my mind It is not onely a glorious Garment not onely a magnificent House not onely a stately Palace that 's promised me but Glory it self and Magnificence it self and Splendor it self What if I must curb my Passions and break through my sinful Inclinations What if I must withdraw mine affections from the Creature and mortifie my Body What if I must submit my will to thy will and pardon the greatest injuries What if I must get habits of vertue give Law to my Tongue prescribe limits to my Thoughts put a restraint upon my foolish Desires in order to this Glory is not the promised Recompence encouragement enough O my God! thou art my Shield and exceeding great reward and shall I be afraid to serve thee Shall I tremble at the work thou settest me will not thy Wages be infinitely beyond my Labour How short will be my Task and how long my Rest How few will be the days I am to work in and how durable my Repose Shall I think Heaven too dear at the price thou hold'st it at O undeceive me pull down the vain conceits I have harboured shine powerfully upon my Soul that I may be insatiable in my desires after it and long to see thee who art Light it self and in thy Light may see light through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer for Sunday-Evening O Most happy most blessed and most glorious God! How can I reflect on the rest of this
me from henceforth even for ever and though I sow in Tears yet let me reap in Joy Be thou my Fortress and Deliverer and in the great danger watch over me for good and not for evil and enable me to tell my Friends what the Lord hath done for my Soul through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Thanksgiving after safe deliverance O God! How am I bound to praise thy great and glorious Name who hast not forsaken me when my Soul was in trouble Out of the depth have I cried unto thee and thou hast heard my voice and my supplication For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayst be found O Lord my God I cried unto thee and thou hast healed me Thou hast brought up my Soul from the Grave thou hast kept me alive that I should not go down to the Pit Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing thou hast put off my Sack-cloth and girded me with gladness to the end that my glory may sing praises to thee and not be silent O Lord my God I will give thanks unto thee and delight my self in the Lord for ever thorough Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer for one that intends a Single Life O Most gracious God who givest power to the weak and strength to the feeble thou knowest my purposes and seest my desires and art acquainted with my design of being married to none but thee O blessed Bridegroom of my Soul give me chast desires power to resist Temptations strength to subdue the motions of the Flesh. Dwell in me by thy Spirit Teach me to love thee passionately Let no other object engross my Affections Give me a spiritual Appetite Keep me unspotted in this sinful world Be thou my All my Riches my Pleasure my Delight my Crown my Glory through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer for one that is entring into a Married state O God who hast made Marriage an honourable thing and promised to bless those that marry in the Lord In thy name I am entring into another state of life Be merciful unto me O Lord rejoyce the Soul of thy Servant for unto thee O Lord do I lift up my Soul Direct me in all my actions Counsel me in what I am to do Encline my heart to fear thy Name Enrich her that is to be my Yoak-fellow with the choicest of thy favours Give us both hearts to rely and depend upon thee Let 's look up to thee in all our concerns Make our mutual love sincere and constant and let 's encourage one another to godliness Make us helpful one to another and in our lawful endeavours and enterprizes let 's see thy bountiful hand Make us both pleas'd with what thou shalt think fit to send upon us and contented in all conditions and with united force let 's press toward the mark of eternal glory through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer before a Journey O Thou who wast a Pillar of Cloud to thy People of old in the day and a Pillar of Fire by night watch over me in this Journey day and night Be thou my Guide my Star my Light my Director and bring me safe to the place I intend for Preserve me from all evil Protect me from all dangers let thine Angel be my Guardian and under the shadow of thy Wings let my refuge be that I may observe thy Statutes and keep thy Laws through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Thanksgiving after a safe return BLessed God whose works are honourable and glorious and who hast made thy wonderful works to be remembred give me leave to admire and to praise thy Providence which hath covered me with its Feathers and been my Shield and Buckler which hath kept me from the terrour by night and from the destruction that wasteth at noon day I cheerfully offer here unto thee the Sacrifice of righteousness and as I see the loving kindness of the Lord so enable me for the future to live in a thankful remembrance of thy goodness and let this and all thy other gracious Providences prevail with me to walk before thee with a perfect and upright heart through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer for one that is going to Sea O Thou who stillest the raging of the Sea so that the Waves thereof are still Thy Way is in the Sea and thy Path in the great Waters and thy Footsteps are not known O God! I am like to see thy Works and Wonders in the deep Be with me I beseech thee in my going out and in my coming in Spread thy wings over me and let me find by blessed experience that they who trust in thee shall never be confounded Prosper my Voyage and give success to my endeavours Let not the Deep swallow me up neither let the Flouds drown me Shine upon me day and night and with thy love cherish my fainting Spirits Let no evil examples have dominion over me Let thy fear be upon my Soul at all times and let nothing tempt me to depart from my integrity Let my Soul learn by thy Providences to keep close to thy Word and let that be my Comfort in all my Afflictions through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Thanksgiving when one is returned safely O God thou art the God that doest Wonders thou hast declared thy strength among the People Thou hast with thine arm redeem'd thy People the Sons of Jacob and Joseph I will praise thee for thy goodness and for thy wonderful Works to the Children of men I will exalt thee in the Congregation of the People and praise thee in the Assembly of the Elders I cried unto the Lord in my trouble and thou broughtest me out of my distresses Thou hath delivered me from the great Waters and my Life hath been precious in thy sight Recreate my Soul with the thoughts of thy mercy and while I am sailing through the boisterous Sea of this World let thy Word be a Lanthorn to my Feet and a Light to my Paths through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A short Prayer before Divine Service or Sermon O God I am come into the house where thy Honour dwelleth Overaw me with a sense of thy Presence that I may pray with understanding and like a person concern'd about the blessings I shall pray for Fix my Thoughts and Affections on thy sweet self and teach me to make intercessions with groans which cannot be uttered Let thy Word be sweet to me and give me a tractable Spirit that may cheerfully and willingly submit to the Yoak of the Lord Jesus Assist me in all my Duties and Devotions and let thy good Spirit direct and order them to thy Glory Make my Soul a gainer by these spiritual Exercises and let all the Congregation feel the power of thy influences that with one heart and one voice we may glorifie God in the day of Visitation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer after Divine Service