Walls of Jerusalem Save me O God for thy Name sake and avenge me in thy strength hear my Prayers O God and hearken unto the words of my Mouth behold God is my helper the Lord is with them that uphold my Soul O Lord God Eternal Judge of Men and Angels whose property is always to have mercy and to forgive have mercy upon me who confess my sins unto thee to be so great and many that were not thy mercy infinite I might despair of having my unrighteousness forgiven or misery covered O dear God preserve me from the great Plague that remains for the ungodly and let thy mercy embrace me on every side impute not unto me the sins I have multiplied against thee and against all the World for I have been like to a Horse and Mule without understanding bruitish in my passion sensual in my affections of unbridled heats and distemperatures but thy Mercy is as infinite as thy self O let not thy hand be heavy upon me but forgive the wickedness of my sin and compass me about with songs of deliverance then shall I be glad and rejoyce in thee O Lord who art become my mighty Saviour and most merciful Redeemer Jesu Amen The Collect. ALmighty God give me Grace that I cast away the work of darkness and put upon me the Armour of Light now in the time of this mortal life in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility that in the last day when he shall come to judge both the quick and the dead we may rise in the Life Immortal through him who liveth and Reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost now and for ever Amen A Prayer that we may despise perishing riches and put our trust in God only HEar my Prayer O God and hide not thy self from my petition take heed unto me and hear me how I mourn in my Prayer and am vexed as for me I will call upon God and the Lord shall save me O cast thy burden upon the Lord and he shall nourish thee and shall not suffer the Righteous to fall for ever whensoever I call upon thee then shall mine enemies be put to flight this I know for God is on my side in Gods word will I rejoyce in the Lord's word will I comfort me yea in God have I put my trust I will not be afraid what Man can do unto me be merciful unto me O God be merciful unto me for my Soul trusteth in thee and under the shadow of thy Wing shall be my refuge until this Tyranny be overpast deliver me from mine enemies O God defend me from them that rise up against me deliver me from wicked doers and save me from blood thirsty Men my strength I will ascribe unto thee for thou art the God of my Refuge God sheweth me his goodness plenteously and God will let me see my desire upon mine enemy unto thee O God of my strength will I sing for thou O God art my Refuge and my merciful God O be thou my help in trouble for vain is the help of Man Hear my crying O God and give ear unto my Prayer he truly is my health and my Salvation he is my defence so that I shall not greatly fall in God is my strength and my glory the Rock of my Might in God is my trust O put your trust in him alway ye people pour out your hearts before him for God is my hope Hear my voice O God in my Prayer preserve my Life for fear of the Enemy Turn me from the gathering together of the froward and from the insurrection of wicked doers if I encline unto wickedness with my heart the Lord will not hear me O God be merciful unto me and bless me and shew me the light of thy countenance and be merciful unto me Hear me O my God in the multitude of thy mercy even in the truth of thy salvation Hear me O Lord for thy loving kindness is comfortable turn thee unto me according to the multitude of thy mercies O Lord Jesus thou only Redeemer of Souls who by thy death and passion deliveredst me from the place of Hell give me grace to put my whole trust in thee and in the riches of thy Mercy and loving kindness always remembring my end the vanity and shortness of my Life and the certainty of my departure O teach me to dispise the World and worldly things and to lay my treasure up in Heaven by Charity and actions of Religion that while I live here I may have my Conversation in Heaven by love by hope and by desire that my beauty shall consume in the Sepulchre out of my Earthly dwellings I may be received into Everlasting habitations always to enjoy thee who livest and Reignest Eternal God World without end Amen The Collect. O Lord God who seest that I 〈◊〉 not my trust in any thing that I do mercifully grant that by thy power I may be defended against all adversity through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen Another Collect. O Lord who hast taught me that all my doings without Charity is nothing worth send thy holy Ghost and pour it into my heart that most excellent gift of Charity the very bond of peace and all vertue without which whosoever liveth is counted dead before thee grant this for thine only Son Jesus Christ sake Amen A Prayer for pardon of sins and restitution of God's favour HIde not thy face from thy servant for I am in trouble O haste thee O God to deliver me Make haste to deliver me O Lord. Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul. Let them be turned backward and put to confusion that wish me evil Let all those that seek thee be joyful and glad in thee and let all those that delight in thy salvation say alway The Lord be praised for me I am poor and in misery haste thee unto me O my God thou art my helper and my Redeemer O Lord make no long tarrying in thee O Lord have I put my trust let me never be put to confusion but help me and deliver me in thy Righteousness incline thine Ear unto me and save me be thou my strong hold whereunto I may alway resort thou hast promised to help me for thou art my house of defence and my Castle deliver me O my God out of the hand of ungodly men out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man for thou O God art the thing that I long for for thou art my hope even from my youth through thee have I been holpen up ever since I was born thou art he that took me out of my Mother's womb my praise shall be alwaies of thee O let my mouth be filled with thy praise that I may sing of thy glory and honour all the day long O cast me not away in the time of age Forsake me not when my strength faileth me Go not far from me O my God O God haste thee to
until he seeth his desire upon his enemies therefore not unto us O Lord not unto us but give the praise unto thy Name for thy loving mercy for thy Truth sake as for our God he is in Heaven he hath done whatsoever pleased him Gracious is the Lord and righteous yea our God is merciful O blessed Jesu who didst descend from Heaven into the womb of the blessed Virgin like Rain into a fleece of wooll thou that punishest the wrong doer and defendest the Children of the poor and them that have no helper have mercy upon thy Church be pleased by her Ministry to extend thy blessing upon thy dominion from the one Sea to the other even to the worlds end that all the Kings of the earth may fall down before thee and all Nations may do thee service Make thy righteous people to flourish and subdue their enemies under them deliver them from falshood and wrong that they may be blessed with abundance of grace and be satisfied with thy righteousness and salvation through thy mercies O blessed Saviour and Redemer Jesu Amen The Collect. THE Lord of all power and might who art the Author and giver of all good things graft in my heart the love of thy Name increase in me true Religion inrich me with all goodness and of thy great mercy keep me in the same through Jesus my Lord. Amen A Prayer that we may have our portion in God and not in the good things of the men of this world O Lord God who art loving unto all thy people even unto such as are of a clean heart give me a heart humble and merciful that I may never be holden with pride nor overwhelmed with cruelty and sanctifie my words and lips that I may never blaspheme thy holy Name nor my talking be ever against thee or thy honour O God most highest give unto me such religious and mortified affections that I may never thirst after temporal advantages and prosperity of the world Set not my feet in slippery places lest I be suddenly cast down and have my portion in the lot of the wicked who perish and come to a fearful end Guide me with thy counsel that I holding me fast by thee and putting my trust in thee O God thou mightest be the strength of my heart the hope of my soul and the ground of all the confidence and content in this life and after this life is ended thou mayest receive me with glory and be my portion for ever through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen A Prayer that we may fear God's Judgments and be freed from the terrours of men and a Motive to move thereunto THE Lord preserveth the simple I was in misery and he helped me for his merciful kindness is ever more and more towards me and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever Praise the Lord O give thanks unto the Lord for he is gracious because his mercy endureth for ever I called upon the Lord in trouble and he heard me The Lord is on my side I will not fear what man can do unto me The Lord taketh my part with them that help me therefore I shall see my desire upon mine enemies It is better to trust in the Lord than to put any confidence in Princes The Lord is my strength and my song he is become my salvation The Lord hath chastened and corrected me but he hath not given me over unto death Help me now O Lord send me now prosperity Thou art my God I will praise thee Thou chargest that I should diligently keep thy Commandments O that my waies were made so direct that I might keep thy Statutes so shall I not be confounded while I have respect unto thy Commandments I will keep thy Testimonies O forsake me not utterly Blessed art thou O Lord teach me thy Statutes I have had as great delight in the waies of thy Testimonies as in all manner of riches My delight shall be in thy Statutes and I will not forget thy Word therefore O Lord do well unto thy servant that I may live and keep thy Word Open thou mine eyes that I may see the wonders of thy Law Turn not from me neither rebuke me for I have kept thy Statutes My soul melteth away for very heaviness O comfort thou me according to thy Word Take from me the way of lying and cause thou me to make much of thy Law I have chosen the way of Truth and thy Judgments have laid before me I have stuck unto thy Testimonies O Lord confound me not O Lord God whose dwelling is in the Heaven and thy Name is great in all the world plant the dread and reverence of thee and thy power in my heart Let threatnings and thy Judgments which are heard from Heaven and executed upon disobedient and gainsaying people make me to tremble at the remembrance of my sins and in consideration of my weaknesses and demerits and let thy mercies and the remembrance of thy infinite loving kindnesses make my heart still full of eavenness and tranquility that I may not fear the fierceness of man or the wrath of those spirits thou can refrain lest I be disturbed in my duty towards thee that I never offend against thee but may pass from fear to love from apprehensions of thy wrath to the sense and comforts of thy mercies through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen The Collect. O God whose never failing providence ordereth all things both in Heaven and Earth I humbly beseech thee to put away from me all hurtful things to give me those things that be profitable for me through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen A Prayer that God may remove from me all fearfulness and doubt of his favour and mercy TEach me O Lord the way of thy Statutes and I shall keep it unto the end Give me understanding and I shall keep thy Law yea I shall keep it with my whole heart Make me to go in the path of thy Commandments for therein is my delight Incline my heart to thy Testimonies and not to covetousness O turn away mine eyes lest they behold vanities and quicken thou me in thy way O stablish thy Word in thy servant that I may fear thee Take away the rebuke that I am afraid of for thy Judgments are good Behold my delight is in thy Commandments O quicken me in thy Righteousness O take not the word of thy Truth utterly out of my mouth for my hope is in thy Judgments so shall I alway keep thy Law yea for ever and ever O think upon thy servant as concerning thy Word wherein thou hast caused me to put my trust the same is my comfort in my trouble for thy Word hath quickened me O turn me into true understanding and knowledge for I have believed thy Commandments Before I was troubled I went wrong but now I have kept thy Word Thou art good and gracious O teach me thy Statutes It is good for me that I have been in trouble that
wickedness in me and lead me in the way everlasting Try me O Lord and seek the ground of my heart Prove me and examine my thoughts seeing there is nothing unknown unto thee O my God let not mine heart be inclined to any evil thing Let me not be occupied in any ungodly words with the men that work wickedness lest I eat of such things as please them but let mine eyes look unto thee O Lord God in thee is my trust O cast not out my soul. Keep me from the snare that they have laid for me and from the traps of wicked doers O Lord God from whom cometh my salvation thou art my defence and strength my health and my glory give me thy grace that I may put my trust in thee alway and that I pour out my heart before thee in all my troubles that I may wait upon thee for the performance of all my expectation in all my longings and desires Be thou my defence uphold me that I may not fall into those great sins that lay waste my conscience or into such miseries as make me without hope or remedy the miseries of dispair obstinate malice or the woes of sad eternity Teach me to dispise Riches to disclaim all trust in the creatures not to delight in lies or vanities not to multiply wrongs and robbery that when thou shalt come with power and great glory to reward every man according to his works thou mayest be merciful unto me pardoning my sins and accepting me to life eternal through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen The Collect. O God the strength of all them that put their trust in thee mercifully accept my praise and because through the weakness of my mortal nature I can do no good thing without thee grant me the help of thy grace that in keeping of thy Commandments I may please thee both in will and deed through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen Another Collect. O Lord who never failest to help and govern them whom thou dost bring up in thy stedfast fear and love keep me I beseech thee under the protection of thy good providence and make me to have a perpetual love to thy holy Name through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen A Prayer for Spiritual Blessings and for fruitfulness of the Earth O Thou strength of my health thou hast covered my head in the day of Battle O Lord God consider my complaint for I am brought very low O deliver me from my persecutors for they are too strong for me Hear my prayers O Lord consider my desire hearken unto me for thy Truth and Righteousness sake Hear me O Lord and that soon for my Spirit waxeth faint hide not thy Face from me lest I be like to them that go down to the pit deliver me O Lord from mine enemies for I fly unto thee to hide me teach me to do the thing that pleaseth thee for thou art my God let thy loving Spirit O Lord lead me in the way of Righteousness quicken me O Lord for thy name sake and for thy righteousness sake bring my Soul out of trouble and of thy goodness slay mine enemies and destroy all them that vex my Soul for I am thy Servant The Lord is Righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works the Lord is gracious and mercful long suffering and of great goodness in all his ways holy in all his works the Lord is gracious and merciful long suffering and of great goodness the Lord upholdeth all such as fall and lifteth up all those that be down O God the hope of all the ends of the Earth and of them that remain in the broad Sea be thou merciful unto my sins and let not my misdeeds prevail against me so as to make me habitually sinful or endlesly miserable but give me the blessings of thy chosen let me receive the influences of thy Grace and Benediction by the participation of thy Word and Sacrament in thy holy Temple and as thou embracest me with thy hand shewing wonderful things in thy Righteousness and Salvation so let thy right hand be under my head and give me such a portion of Temporal blessings as shall be necessary for me make the Earth plenteous and bless the encrease of it crown the year with goodness and let the Clouds drop fatness that the Valleys standing thick with Corn may laugh and sing thy praises and that we being refreshed with the multitude of thy blessings may praise thee in Sion and at last be satisfied with the pleasures of thy House in the Celestial Jerusalem where thou livest and reignest one God World without end Amen A Collect. O Lord I beseech thee mercifully to hear me and grant that I to whom thou hast given an hearty desire to pray may through thy mighty Aid be defended and comforted in all dangers and miseries through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Another Collect. O God the Protector of all them that trust in thee mercifully accept my prayers and grant my request O my God without thee nothing is strong nothing is holy increase and multiply upon me thy blessing that thou being my Ruler and Guide I may pass through things temporal that I lose not things eternal grant this O heavenly Father for Jesus Christ his sake my only Lord and Saviour Amen A Prayer to God for all Faithfull People for a blessing and deliverance from our Enemies MAke me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me O Lord my God give me the spirit of grace and wisdom Hear my prayers and let my cry come unto thee O Lord answer my expectations for Christ's sake and turn away thy face from my sins and blot out all my offences O Lord my God remember me according to the multitude of thy mercies do away all my offences according to the favour thou bearest to thy people O visit me with thy salvation I have sinned with my Forefathers I have done amiss I have done wickedly woe am I that I have gone astray from thee Great is my grief that have lead my life in sin Woe is me that I have forsaken thee and liv'd after my own thoughts and fantasie and not as thou wouldest but have run from sin to sin following the desires of my own corrupt heart and not as thou wouldest yet force me to repent of my evil therefore O Lord deal not with me according to my sins neither reward me after mine iniquities for thy mercy is greater than the Heavens and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds O deliver me from my bosom sin O help me against the enemy for vain is the help of man but deal thou with me O Lord my God according to thy Name for sweet is thy mercy O deliver me for I am helpless and poor for my heart is wounded within me help O Lord my God oh save me according to thy mercies O look upon me and be merciful unto me as thou usest to be unto those that love thy
I might learn thy Statutes O let thy loving mercies come unto me that I may live for thy Law is my delight O let my heart be sound in thy Statutes that I be not ashamed O quicken me after thy loving kindness so shall I keep the Testimony of thy mouth If my delight had not been in thy Law I should have perished in my trouble I will never forget thy Commandments for with them thou hast quickened me I am thine O save me for thy mercies sake for I have sought thy Commandment The ungodly laid wait for me to destroy me but I will consider thy Testimonies I desire to refrain my feet from every evil way that I may keep thy Word I am troubled above measure quicken me O Lord according to thy Word and deliver me for thy mercy sake O God who dost wonders and hast declared thy power amongst all people let the observation of thy mercies and loving kindnesses make deep impression in my heart and memory that when I am in heaviness I may remember the years of thy right hand and call to mind the wonders of old time although thou sometime withdrawest the brightness of thy countenance from me and shuttest up thy loving kindness in sore displeasure yet the experience of thy old mercies which never fail may sustain mine infirmities and the expectation of thy loving kindnesses may cure all my impatience till in thy due time the sense of thy favours may actually relieve all my distresses and thy right hand lead me like a sheep into the folds of eternal rest and security through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen The Collect. GRant unto me O Lord I humbly beseech thee the Spirit to think and do all such things as be rightful that I who cannot do any thing that is good without thee may be enabled to live according to thy Will through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen A Prayer for God's free mercy in the the pardon of my sins and a prayer for the continuance and the increase of his mercies to me LET the free-will offering of my mouth please thee O Lord and teach me thy Judgments I have applied my heart to fulfill thy Statutes alwaies even unto the end Thou art my defence and my shield and my trust is in thy Word O stablish me according to thy Word that I may live and let me not be disappointed of my hope Hold thou me up and I shall be safe yea my delight shall ever in thy Statutes I desire with my whole heart to do the thing that is lawful and right O give me not over unto my oppressors O make thou thy servant to delight in that which is good that they which hate me do me no wrong O deal with thy servants according to thy loving kindness and teach me thy Statutes I am thy servant O grant me understanding that I may know thy Testimonies it is time for thee Lord to lay too thy hand for they have destroyed thy Law therefore hold I straight all thy Commandments for all false waies I utterly abhor O look upon me and be merciful unto me as thou usest to do unto those that love thy Name O most gracious God who art reconciled unto me in my Saviour Jesus having for his sake forgiven the offences of thy people and covered all their sins with the Robe of his most immaculate sanctity and Righteousness Let thy grace convert and quicken me that I may rejoyce in thee and thy salvation in faith of thy promises in the hope of actual communication and of thy mercy to me and in love to thee for so a great blessing and redemption and when thou hast spoken peace to my soul and reconciled me to thy self in the blood of thy Son give me the grace of perseverance that I may never turn again to folly but may follow mercy and truth all my daies and at last be satisfied with thy Righteousness and peace eternal through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen The Collect. LET thy merciful ears O Lord be open to the Prayers of thy humble servant and that he may obtain his petitions make me to ask such things as shall please thee through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen A Prayer for sanctity and preservation ORder my steps in thy Word O Lord so that no wickedness have dominion over me Deliver me from the deceitful dealings of men so shall I keep thy Commandments Shew the light of thy countenance upon thy servant and teach me thy Statutes Righteous art thou O Lord and true in thy Judgments Trouble and heaviness have taken hold upon me yet my delight is in thy Commandments Except the Lord build the house their labour is but lost that build it Except the Lord keep the City the watchman watcheth but in vain I looked for the Lord my soul doth wait for him in his Word is my trust O Israel trust in the Lord for with the Lord there is mercy and with him is plenteous redemption for he shall deliver Israel from all his sins Behold how good and joyfull a thing it is to dwell together in unity thy Name O Lord endureth for ever so doth thy memorial O Lord from one generation to another For the Lord will avenge his people and be gracious to his servants O Lord God good and gracious and of great mercy unto all them that call upon thee give ear unto my prayers and ponder the voice of my humble desire whenever I call upon thee in my trouble Let the soul of thy servant be refreshed with thy comforts and defend me from the congregations of proud and naughty men Turn thee unto me with mercy give thy strength unto me teach me thy Law make me to walk in thy Truth give me the fear of thy Name and knit my heart unto thee with the indissoluble bands of charity and obedience that my soul being saved from the neathermost hell I may worship in spirit and truth which thou hast manifested unto me in my deliverance and redemption through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen The Collect. O Lord who declarest thy Almighty Power most chiefly in shewing mercy and pity mercifully grant unto me such a measure of thy grace that I running the waies of thy Commandments may obtain thy gracious promises and be made partaker of thy heavenly treasure through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen A Prayer in time of Sickness and in danger of Death THE Lord is loving unto every man and his mercy is over all his works The eyes of all wait upon thee O Lord and thou givest them their meat in due season Thou openest thy hand and fillest all things living with plentiousness The Lord is righteous in all his waies and holy in all his works The Lord is nigh unto all that call upon him yea all such as call upon him faithfully He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him he will hear their cry and will help them The Lord will preserve all them that love him but
presence is glory and worship Fill my lips and soul with great devotion and reverence towards thee my God Make me to love thy Goodness to adore thy Omnipotency to reverence thy Justice to fear thy Majesty to tremble at thy Omniscience and Omnipresence and to contemplate with the greatest zeal and affections all those glories which thou communicatest to the Sons of men in the revelations of the Gospel of thy Creatour and of thy miracles that I may tell of thy greatness and declare thy salvation from day to day and when thou comest with Righteousness to judg the Earth and all people with thy truth I may rejoyce in thee everlastingly and sing eternally Hallelujah to thee in thy Sanctuary grant this for Jesus Christ his sake my Lord and only Saviour Amen The Collect. O Lord I beseech thee grant thy grace to withstand the temptations of the world the flesh and the Devil and with pure hearts and minds to follow thee the only God through Jesus Christ our only Lord and Saviour Amen A Prayer for Mercy and Salvation O Lord our King Lord of the whole Earth have mercy upon me and sanctifie me with thy grace that I may hate every thing that is evil that I may love thee give thanks unto thy Name and rejoyce in the remembrance of thy holiness that in the day of Judgment and great terrours when thou shalt sit in thy seat supported with Righteousness and Judgment and a fire shall go forth from thy presence to burn up thine enemies on every side thou mayest preserve my soul in safety from the hands of mine enemies and a light may spring up unto me to preserve me from eternal darkness and the want of the light of thy countenance through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen The Collect. O Lord God for as much as without thee I am not able to please thee mercifully grant that thy holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule my heart through Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour Amen A Thanksgiving for the Redemption of mankind by Jesus Christ. O Most powerful Jesus who with thine own Right hand and with thy holy Arm hast begotten to thy self on our behalf the victory over sin hell and the grave remember this thy mercy and truth which thou hast promised to all that believe in thee give me pardon of all my sins sealed unto me by the testimony of the Holy Spirit and a good conscience and grant that I may by thy strength fight against my ghostly enemies and by thy power may overcome them that I may rejoyce in a holy peace and sing and give thanks for my victory and my Crown extend this mercy and enlarge the effect of thy great Victories to the Heathen that all the ends of the world may sing a new song unto thee and see the salvation of God that when thou comest to judge the Earth we may find mercy and be joyful together before thee in the fruition of a blessed Eternity through thy mercies O blessed Saviour and Redeemer Jesu Amen The Collect. O Almighty and most merciful Lord God of thy bountiful goodness and mercy keep me I beseech thee from all things that may hurt me that I being ready both in body and soul may accomplish those things that thou wouldest have done through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen A Psalm of Praise to God for his Mercy and Truth The Prayer O Lord our God Who hast created us out of nothing and hast redeemed us from misery and death when we were thy enemies shewing great expresses of thy loving kindnesses when we were vessels of wrath and inheritours of perdition revealing thy Truth unto us in the Sermons of the Gospel teach us to walk as thou hast commanded us to believe as thou hast taught that we may inherit what thou hast promised us for thou art the way the truth and the life We are thy people and the sheep of thy Pasture thou art our guide and our defence let thy grace teach us to serve thee and thy holy Spirit assist and promote our endeavours with the blessing of gladness and chearfulness of spirit that we may love to speak good of thy Name and at last go to the Courts of thy Temple with praise and a song in our mouths to thy honour and eternal glory whose Mercy and Truth is everlasting and revealed unto the Church in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen The Collect. LOrd I pray thee that thy grace may alwaies prevent and follow us all the daies of our life make us continually be given to all good works through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer for a holy Life O Lord God of eternal purity who who art of pure eyes and canst behold no iniquity or impurity enlighten my understanding that I may have knowledge in the way of godliness make my path straight and my heart perfect take from me the sins of unfaithfulness correct and mortify in me all froward and peevish dispositions let me love the society of the Saints and hate the fellowship of the wicked that I may not be destroyed with the ungodly nor be rooted out from the City of the Lord nor banished from the sweetness of thy presence for with thee is light and health and salvation to thy Name be all honour and glory and praise ascribed world without end Amen The Collect. ALmighty and Everlasting God give unto me the increase of Faith Hope and Charity that I may obtain that which thou dost promise make me to love that which thou dost command through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen A Prayer for Comfort in sadness of spirit in Sickness or in any other affliction O Eternal God who endurcst for ever and thy remembrance throughout all generations have mercy upon me according to the infinite treasures of thy loving kindness hear the voice of my groaning for thy indignation and thy wrath lieth hard upon me and my sins have put an edge upon thy sword and a thorn upon my wounded conscience O hold up the reins of my soul repair the breaches of my comfort and my hope and let thy glory now appear for that shines brightly in the beams of thy mercy and when thou turnest unto the prayer of the poor destituted it becomes an eternal monument and a record of thy honour and all generations which shall be born shall praise thee Look down O Lord from thy Sanctuary hear the mourning of me and all distressed people send me life and health so long as it may be a blessing and not shorten my daies in wrath but give me grace so to spend all my time in the work of repentance and holiness that when my years fail and my change is come I may be translated to the new Heaven which shall never perish nor wax old there to continue and stand fast in thy sight for ever through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen The Collect. O Lord I beseech thee absolve thy people from their offences that
of thy blood to perish O Spirit of grace I have by my horrid impieties done despight unto thee yet O blessed Comforter though I have offended thee and often grieved thy Holy Spirit be thou pleased to succour and relieve me and say unto my soul I am thy salvation Mine eyes look unto thee O Lord in thee is my trust O cast not out my soul. O Lord in thee have I trusted let me never be confounded O blessed Lord who scourgest every Son whom thou receivest let me not be weary of thy correction but give me such a perfect submission to thee the Father of spirits that this chastisement may be for my profit that I may thereby be partaker of thy holiness O thou Captain of my salvation who wert made perfect by sufferings sanctifie to me all the pains of body all the terrours of mind which thou shalt permit to fall upon me Lord my sins have deserved eternal torments make me cheerfully and thankfully to bear my present pains chasten me as thou pleasest here that I may not be condemned with the world Lord the waters are come in even unto my soul O let thy Spirit move upon the waters and make them like the Pool of Bethesda that they may cure whatsoever spiritual disease thou discernest in me O Christ who first sufferedst many and grievous things and then enteredst into thy grave make me so to suffer with thee that I may also be glorified with thee O dear Jesus who humblest thy self to the death of the Cross for me let that death of thine sweeten the bitterness of mine When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all Believers I believe that thou shalt come to be my Judge I pray thee therefore help thy servant whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood make me to be numbred with Saints in glory everlasting Thou art the Resurrection and the Life he that believeth in thee though he were dead yet shall he live Lord I believe help thou my unbelief My flesh and my heart faileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ which is far better Lord I groan earnestly desiring to be cloathed upon with that house from Heaven I desire to put off this Tabernacle O be pleased to receive me into everlasting habitations bring my soul out of prison that I may give thanks unto thy Name Lord I am here to wrestle not only with flesh and blood but with principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness O take me from these tents of Kedar into the heavenly Jerusalem where Satan shall be utterly trodden under foot I cannot here attend one minute to thy service without distractions O take me up to stand before thy Throne where I shall serve thee day and night I am in heaviness through many tribulations O receive me into that place of rest where all tears shall be wiped away from my eyes where there shall be no more death nor sorrow nor crying nor pain I am here in the state of banishment and absence from the Lord. O take me where I shall for ever behold thy face and follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth I have fought a good fight I have finished my course I have kept the faith henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of glory O blessed Jesu who hast loved me and washed me from my sins in thine own blood receive my soul. Into thine hands I commend my Spirit for thou hast redeemed me O Lord thou God of Truth come Lord Jesus come quickly Amen A Prayer for the Morning O Most mighty and gracious God full of incomprehensible Power and Majesty whose glory the very Heaven of Heavens is not able to contain look down from Heaven upon me thy unworthy servant who here prostrate my self at the footstool of thy Throne of grace not as I am in my self but look upon me O Father through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ thy beloved Son in whom thou art well pleased for of my self I am not able to stand in thy presence or to speak with my unclean lips to so holy a God as thou art for thou knowest that in sin I was conceived and born and that I have lived ever since in iniquity so that I have broken all thy holy Laws and Commandments by sinful motions unclean thoughts evil words and wicked works omitting many of those duties of piety which thou requirest for thy service and committing many of those vices which thou under the penalty of thy displeasure hast forbidden here thou mayest confess to God thy secret sins which most burden thy conscience with the circumstances of the time place person and the manner how it is committed saying but more especially I do here with grief of heart confess unto thee for these my sins O Lord I stand guilty of thy curse with all the miseries of this life and the life to come namely everlasting torment in Hell fire when this wretched life is ended If thou shouldest deal with me according to my deserts yea Lord I confess thy goodness which endureth for ever is the cause I have not been long ago consumed and confounded but with thee O Lord there is mercy and plenteous redemption in the multitude therefore of thy mercies and confidence in Christs merits I intreat thy Divine Majesty that thou wouldest not enter into judgment with thy servant neither be extream to mark what I have hitherto done amiss for if thou dost then no flesh can be justified in thy sight nor any living stand in thy presence but be thou merciful unto me and wash away all the uncleanness of my sins in the merits of that precious blood which Jesus Christ hath shed for me and seeing that he hath born the burden of that curse which was due for my transgression O Lord deliver me from my sins and from all those Judgments which hang over my head as due unto me for them and separate them as far from thy presence as the East is from the West bury them in the burial of Christ that they may never rise up in this world to shame me nor in the world to come to condemn me And I beseech thee O Lord not only to wash away my sins with the blood of thy Immaculate Lamb but also to purge my heart by thy Holy Spirit from the dross of my natural corruptions that I may feel thy Spirit more and more killing my sins in the power and practice thereof so that I may with more freedom of mind and liberty of will serve thee the ever living God in Righteousness and true Holiness this day and give me grace that by the direction and assistance of thy Holy Spirit I may persevere to be thy faithful and unfeigned servant unto my lifes end and when this mortal life is ended I may be made partaker of immortality and everlasting
Pit I humbly also beg mercy for my Child grant a comely body and an understanding soul life and an opportunity of Baptism and thy grace from the cradle to his grave that it may increase the number of Saints in that holy fellowship of Saints and Angels where thou raignest and livest Eternal God world without end Amen Before a Journey O Lord who didst lead thy servants Abraham and Jacob thy people Israel thy servant Tobias and wise men of the East in their several Journies by thy providence by thy Ministry of Angels by a Pillar of Fire and by the guidance of a Star vouchsafe to preserve us thy servants in the way that we are now to go be O Lord a guide unto us in our preparation a shadow in the day and covering by night a rest to our weariness and a staff to our weakness a portion in adversity a protection from danger that by thy assistance we may perform our Journey safely to thy honour to our own comfort and last bring us to the everlasting Rest of our heavenly Country through him who is the way the truth and the life our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen For Afflicted persons O Lord God merciful and gracious Father whose compassion extends to all that are in misery and need that takest delight in relieving the distresses of the afflicted give refreshment to all the comfortless provide for the poor give ease to all them that are tormented with sharp pains health to the diseased liberty and redemption to the captives chearfulness of spirit to all them that are in great desolation Lord let thy Spirit confirm all them that are strong strengthen all them that are weak and speak peace to the afflicted conscience that the light of thy countenance being restored to them they may rejoyce in thy salvation and sing praises unto thy Name who hast delivered their souls from death their eyes from tears and their feet from falling grant this for the honour of thy mercy and the glory of thy Name through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer against Temptations O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ thy Name is great thy Essence infinite thy Goodness is Eternal and thy Power hath no limit thou art the God and Father of all blessed for ever more look down in mercy and compassion from thy dwelling hear my prayers and supplications and deliver me from all temptations of the world the flesh and the Devil take not thy grace from me let me never want thy help in my need nor thy comfort in the day of my danger or calamity never try me beyond my strength nor afflict me beyond my patience nor smite me but with a fatherly Rod I have no strength of my own thou art my confidence my Rock and my strong salvation save me O God from the miseries of this world and never let me suffer the calamities of the next rescue me from the evils I have deserved and preserve me from the punishment of this world that living before thee with a clean heart and undefiled body and a sanctified spirit I may at the day of Judgment be presented pure and spotless by the blood of the Lamb that I may sing eternal Hallelujahs in heavenly places to the honour of God our Saviour who hath redeemed our souls from death our eyes from tears and our feet from falling grant this in the riches of thy mercy through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A General Confesson ALmighty God I a miserable sinner do humbly confess that I am truly sorrowful for my many and great my innumerable and intollerable crimes of which my conscience does accuse me by night and by day and by which I have provoked thy severest wrath and indignation against me I have broken all thy Righteous Laws and Commandments by word or deed by vain thoughts or sinful desires I have sinned against thee in all my Relations and capacities in all places and at all times I can neither reckon their number nor bear their burden nor suffer thine anger which I have deserved but thou O Lord God art merciful and gracious have mercy upon me pardon me for all the evil I have done judge me not for all the good I have omitted take not thy favour from me but delight thou to sanctifie and save me and work in me to will and to do of thy good pleasure all my duty which thou O Lord requirest of me that being sanctified by thy Spirit delivered from my sins I may serve thee in a religious and holy conversation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer used by His late Majesty in the time of his trouble and restraint O Most glorious Lord God Father Son and Holy Ghost I here humbly adore thy most sacred Majesty and I bless and magnifie thy Name for that thou hast been pleased so often and strangely to deliver me from the striving of my people Father forgive them who have thus risen up against me and do thou yet turn their hearts both unto thee and unto me and do thou afford me help that I being firmly established in the Throne thou hast placed me in may defend thy Church committed to my care and keep all this thine and my people in truth and peace through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer for pardon of Sin ALmighty and most merciful Father look down upon me thy unworthy servant who here prostrate my self at the footstool of thy Throne of Grace yea look upon me O Father through the mediation and in the merits of Jesus Christ in whom only thou art well pleased for of my self I am not worthy to stand before thee or to speak with my unclean lips unto thee most holy and eternal God for as in sin I was conceived and born so likewise I have broken all thy holy Laws and Commandments by my sinful motions unclean thoughts evil words and wicked works omitting my duties I ought to do and committing many vices which thou hast forbidden under pain of death of thy heavy displeasure As for my sins O Lord they are innumerable wherefore I stand here liable to all the miseries of this life and everlasting torment in that to come if thou shouldest deal with me according to my deserts I confess Lord that it is thy mercy which endureth for ever and thy compassion which never fails which is the cause I have not been long ago consumed but with thee there is mercy and plenteous redemption in the multitude therefore of thy mercies and by the merits of Jesus Christ I intreat thy Divine Majesty that thou wilt not enter into judgment with thy servant nor be extream to mark what is done amiss but be thou merciful unto me and wash away all my sins and transgressions with that precious blood that my Saviour shed for me and I beseech thee O Lord not only to wash away all my sins but also to purge my heart by thy holy Spirit from the dross
Scala Sancta OR THE EXALTATION OF THE Soul Being a Train of Pious Thoughts Compleating the whole duty of Man or DEVOTIONS COMPILED by R.A. Gent. in his solitudes London Printed by T. Snawden for Gabr Kunholt and are to be sold at his shop at the post-office over against the Muse at the sign of the King's-head 1678. Scala Sancta OR THE EXALTATION OF THE SOUL Being a Train of Pious Thoughts Compleating The whole Duty of Man OR DEVOTIONS compiled By R. A. Gent. in his Solitudes Non bove mactatô coelestia numina gaudent Sed quae praestanda est sine teste fide LONDON Printed by T. Snowden for Gabr. Kunholt and are to be sold at his shop at the Post-Office over against the Muse at the Sign of the King's-Head 1678. Licensed William Jane Nov. 19. 1677. TO THE READER WEre Man self-sufficient and independent thoughts of this nature would be impertinent and unseasonable but seeing there are hopes and fears blessings and curses scattered in this vail of misery and laid up in heaps against the time of the revelation of the Righteous Judgment of God how stupid and forlorn must that soul be which lives without God in the would though a spacious curtain be drawn over the globe of this Earth though we cannot perceive the regular motions of the several wheels of Providence yet in all Estates flourishing or decaying we ought to confide in and depend upon his goodness and power and wisdom who is the fountain of all Beings and the Great Governour of the World under whose conduct the good man is safe and to the Throne of whose Grace there may be a fair access if our prayers are managed aright in which way I leave thee and if these following papers can assist thee bless God for the occasion which is the End of the Author's Hope in this undertaking Farewell To the Honourable Mary Mountague Wife to the Right Honourable Lord cheif Baron Madam SEeing it is the heart which God alone accepts as a Sacrifice of retribution I humbly crave you would be pleased to take a view of the counterpart of my Soul wherein is set down the joyful correspondency it has had with Heaven and the rather because joy and immortality our entrance into the Blessed Mansions above is the common interest and design of all who appeal to Heaven in the name of Christ I know your Closet is plentifully stor'd with holy Ejaculations that Sacred perfume which sweetens the very breath of the Soul and is more acceptable to God than costly odours the scent of Myrrh and Frankincense yet these Papers possibly may find entertainment because they are pen'd by one whose Soul has been many years travelling that way and therefore chiefly endeavours to speak the dialect Language of that Kingdom no friendship is so strong as that which is contracted by Travellers in this journey and though I have the honour to have the same blood of R. A's running in my veins yet I esteem my self more happy in the beginnings of our Christian allyance and eternal duration of it when we shall pass from this state of grace to that of glory How glorious must your entrance be into the Holy Land for Persons placed in so high a station by holy example command their attendants when you enter into the land of promise your numerous train must follow in which retinue to be admitted is the humble and hearty Prayer of Madam Your Ladyships most humble Servant and Relation R. A. THE PREFACE I Chose the Psalms of David for the Platform of my Devotions because nothing can be supposed more acceptable to God in duties of this nature than to follow his steps who was a man after God's own heart The Original is so well penned so full and lofty in its expressions that Cowley when he gave his censure of the Translators says that Shimei hardly reviled David more than some of them have done However I reckon not my self concerned in that charge seeing I follow the best Translation our Language bears Were this Book of Psalms duly weighed and considered men might find materials for their addresses to Heaven fitted for all states and conditions as if it were a mirrour of the Passages of Humane Life and comprehended all the desires and offices of a good man Though David's Composures were elegant and harmonious in their native dress yet 't was not the Instrument but the strings of his heart made the sweetest melody Nothing is more charming than a soul so well tuned so well skill'd in all the parts of Divine musick Thus we joyn consort with the harmony of the sphears we may be assured that the Eccho is rebounded with the exultation and Hallelujahs of Heaven it self CHOICE MEDITATIONS Out of the PSALMIST SErve the Lord with fear and rejoyce unto him with reverence 2.11 But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself the Lord will hear me when I call upon him 4.3 Offer the sacrifices of Righteousness and put your trust in the Lord v. 5. For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness neither shall evil dwell with thee 5.4 For thou Lord wilt bless the Righteous with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield 12. God judgeth the Righteous and God is angry with the Wicked every day If he turn not he will whet his Sword he hath bent his Bow and made it ready 7.11 12. The Wicked shall be turned into Hell and all the Nations that forget God For the Needy shall not alway be forgotten the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever 9.17 18. The Lord tryeth the Righteous but the Wicked and him that loveth violence his Soul hateth For the Righteous Lord loveth Righteousness his countenance doth behold the upright 11.56.7 For the oppression of the poor for the sighing of the needy now will I arise saith the Lord I will set him in safety from him that pusseth at him The words of the Lord are pure words as silver tryed in a furnace of Earth purified seven times in the fire 12.5 6. The Lord looked down from Heaven upon the children of Men to see if there were any that would understand and seek after God 14.2 Lord who shall abide in thy Tabernacle who shall dwell in thy holy Hill He that walketh uprightly and worketh Righteousness and speaketh the Truth in his Heart 15.1 2. In whose eyes a vise person is contemned but he honoureth them that fear the Lord he that sweareth to his neighbour and disappointeth him not Thou wilt shew me the path of Life in thy presence is the fulness of joy at thy right hand there is pleasure for evermore 16.11 I will call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised so shall I be safe from mine enemies 18.3 I was upright before him and I kept my self from mine iniquity therefore the Lord hath recompenced me according to my Righteousness and according to the cleanness
of the Mighty he judgeth among the Gods Defend the Poor and Fatherless do Justice to the Afflicted and Needy Deliver the Poor and Needy out of the hand of the Wicked 82.1 3 4. Thou hast forgiven the Iniquity of thy People thou hast covered all their Sins Thou hast taken away all thy Wrath thou hast turned thy self from thy fierce anger Turn us O God of our Salvation and cause thine anger to cease from us 85.2 3 4. Yea the Lord shall give that which is good and our Land shall give her increase vers 12. For thou O Lord art good and ready to forgive and plentious in Mercy unto all them that call upon thee In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee for thou wilt answer me For great is thy mercy towards me for thou hast delivered my Soul from the lowest Hell For thou O Lord art a God full of compassion and gracious long suffering and plentious in mercy and truth 86.5 7 13 15. Thy Wrath lyeth hard upon me and thou hast afflicted me with all thy Waves and Stormes But unto thee have I cryed O Lord in the morning shall my Prayer prevent thee 88.7 13. Thou rulest the raging of the Sea when the Waves thereof arise thou stillest them The Heavens are thine the Earth also is thine as for the World and the fullness thereof thou hast founded them For the Lord is our defence and the holy One of Israel is our King His Seed also will he make to endure for ever and his Throne as the days of Heaven If his Children forsake my Law and walk in my Judgments If they will break my Statutes and keep not my Commandments Then will I visit their Transgressions with the Rod and their Iniquities with stripes Nevertheless my loving kindness will I not utterly take from him nor suffer my faithfulness to fail My Covenant will I not break nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not fail David His Seed shall endure for ever and his Throne as the Sun before me How long Lord wilt thou hide thy self for ever shall thy Wrath burn like fire 89.9 11 18 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 46. O satisfie us early with thy mercy that we may rejoyce and be glad all our days Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us and the year wherein we have seen evil 90 14 15. Only with thine Eyes thou shalt behold and see the reward of the Wicked There shall no evil befal thee neither any Plague come neer thy dwelling He shall give his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways They shall bear thee up in their hands lest thou dash thy Foot against a Stone He shall call upon me and I will answer him I will be with him in trouble I will deliver him and honour him With long Life will I satisfie him and shew him my Salvation 91.8 10 11 12 15 16. Lord how long how long shall the Wicked triumph The Lord knoweth the thoughts of Man they are but vain Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest O Lord and teachest him out of thy Law For the Lord will not cast off his People neither will he cast off his Inheritance When I said my Foot slipped thy mercy O Lord held me up In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my Soul My Lord is my defence and my God is the Rock of my refuge 94.3 11 12 14 18 19 22. Come let us worship and bow down let us kneel before the Lord our Maker 95.6 Rejoyce in the Lord O ye Righteous and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness 97.12 Let them praise thy great and terrible Name for it is holy 99.3 I will behave my self wisely with a perfect heart O when wilt thou come unto me I will walk within my House with a perfect heart A froward heart shall depart from me I will not know a wicked person Whoso privily slandreth his Neighbour him will I destroy him that hath a high look and a proud heart I will not suffer my Eyes shall be upon the faithful in the Land they shall dwell with me He that walketh in a perfect way he shall be my Servant He that worketh deceit shall not dwell in my House He that telleth Lies shall not tarry in my sight I will early destroy all the wicked of the Land that may cut off all the wicked doers from the City of the Lord 101.2 4 5 6 7 8. For he hath looked down from the height of his Sanctuary from Heaven did the Lord behold the Earth To hear the groaning of the Prisoners to loose those that are appointed to death 102.19 20. Bless the Lord O my Soul and all that is with me bless his holy Name Bless the Lord O my Soul and forget not all his benefits Who forgiveth all their iniquity who healeth all thy Diseases For as the Heaven is above all the Earth so great is his mercy towards them that fear him The Lord is gracious and merciful slow to anger and plenteous in mercy He will not alway chide neither will he keep his anger for ever He hath not dealt with us after our Sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquity As far as the East is from the West so far hath he set our Sins from us Like as the Father pitieth his Children so the Lord pitieth them that fear him For he knoweth our frame he remembreth we are dust 103.1 2 3 8 9 10 11 12 13 14. As to the Seas thou hast set bounds that they pass not over that they turn not again to cover the Earth O Lord how manifold are thy Works in wisdom hast thou made them all the Earth is full of thy riches So is this great and wide Sea wherein are things creeping innumerable both small and great Beasts 104.9 24 25. Glory ye in his holy Name Let the Heart of them rejoyce that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord and his strength seek his face evermore Remember his marvellous works that he hath done his wonders and the judgments of his mouth He is the Lord our God his judgments are in all the world And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a Law and unto Israel for an everlasting Covenant Saying unto thee will I give the Land of Canaan the lot of your inheritance He suffered no man to do them wrong yea he reproved Kings for their sakes Saying touch not my Anointed and do my Prophets no harm Moreover he called for a Famine upon the Land he brake the whole Staff of Bread He sent a man before them even Joseph who was sold for a Servant Whose feet they hurt with fetters he was laid in Iron Until that time the Word came the Word of the Lord tryed him The King came and loosed him even the Ruler of the People and let him go free Israel also came
out of Aegypt and Jacob sojourned in the Land of Ham. He turned their Water into Bloud and slew their Fish Their Land brought forth Frogs in abundance in the Chamber of their King He spake and there came divers sorts of Flies and Lice in all their Coasts He opened their Rocks and the Water gushed out they ran in the dry places like a River 105.3 4 5 7 10 11 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 23 29 30 31 41. Our Fathers understood not thy wonders in Aegypt neither remembred the great multitude of thy Mercies but provoked him at the Sea even at the Red-Sea He rebuked the Red-sea also and it was dryed up so led them through the depths as through the Wilderness And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them and redeemed them from the hand of the Enemy The waves covered their Enemies there was none of them left And a Fire was kindled in their company the flame burnt up the Wicked Therefore he said he would destroy them had not Moses stood before them in the breach to turn away his Wrath lest he should destroy them Yea they dispised that pleasant Land they believed not his Word But murmured in their Tents and hearkned not unto the voice of the Lord. Therefore he lifted up his hand against them to over-throw them in the Wilderness Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions and the Plague barke in upon them Then stood up Phineas and so the Plague ceased They angred him also at the Waters of strife so that it went ill with Moses for their sake They served their Idols which were a snare unto them And shed innocent Bloud even the bloud of their Sons and of their Daughters whom they Sacrificed unto the Idols of Canaan and the Land was polluted with Bloud Thus were they defiled with their own Works and went a Whoring with their own inventions Therefore was the Wrath of God kindled against his People insomuch that he abhorred his own Inheritance Nevertheless he regarded their affliction when he heard their cry And he remembred them for his Covenant and repented him according to the multitude of his Mercies He made them also to be pitied of them that carryed them away Captive 106.7 9 10 18 23 24 25 26 29 30 32 36 38 39 44 45 46. Blessed are they that keep Judgment and he that doth Righteousness at all times 106.3 They hunger and thirst their Soul fainteth in them Then they cryed unto the Lord in their trouble and he delivered them out of their distresses O that Man would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness and for his wonderful Works to the Children of Men. For he satisfieth the longing soul and filleth the hungry soul with goodness Then they cryed unto the Lord in their trouble and he saved them out of their distress Fools because of their Transgressions and because of their Iniquities are afflicted And a fruitful Land is turned into barrenness for the wickedness of them that dwell therein He turneth the Wilderness into a standing Water and dry ground into Water-springs The Righteous shall see it and rejoyce and all Iniquity shall stop her mouth Whoso is wise and will observe those things shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord 107.5 6 8 9 13 14 17 33 35 42 43. For thy Mercy is greater than the Heavens and thy Truth reacheth unto the Clouds O help us against the Enemy for vain is the help of Man Through God we shall do great Acts for vain is the help of Man 108.4 12.13 I will give thanks unto the Lord with my whole heart secretly among the Faithful and in the Congregation His work is worthy to be praised and in honour and his Righteousness endureth for ever The merciful and gracious Lord hath so done his marvelous works that they ought to be had in remembrance The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom a good understanding have all they that do his Commandments his praise endureth for ever 111.1 3 4 10. Blessed is the Man that feareth the Lord he hath great delight in his Commandments Riches and plenteousness shall be in his House and his Righteousness endureth for ever Unto the godly there ariseth Light in the Darkness he is Merciful Loving and Righteous A good man is merciful and lendeth and will guide his Words with discretion he will not be afraid of any evil tyding His heart standeth fast and believeth in the Lord. His heart is Established and will not shrink until he seeth his desire upon his Enemies He hath dispersed and given to the Poor and his Righteousness remaineth for ever His Horn shall be exalted with Honour 121.1 3 4 5 7 8 9. He maketh the Barren Woman to keep house and to be a joyful Mother of Children 113.8 vers Tremble thou Earth at the presence of the Lord at the presence of the God of Jacob 114.7 As for our God he is in Heaven he hath done whatsoever pleased him but thou House of Israel put thou thy trust in the Lord he is their helper and defence ye that fear the Lord he is their helper and defender he shall preserve them that fear the Lord both small and great 115.3 9 11 13. The Lord hath enclined his Ear unto me therefore will I call upon him as long as I live I shall find trouble and heaviness and I shall call upon the Name of the Lord. O Lord I beseech thee deliver my Soul Gracious is the Lord and righteous yea our God is merciful the Lord preserveth the simple I was in misery and he helped me I will offer unto thee the sacrifice of Thanksgiving and call upon the Name of the Lord 116.4 5 6 15. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put any confidence in Man it is better to trust in the Lord than to put any confidence in Princes the Lord is on my side I will not fear what Man can do unto me thou art my God I will praise thee thou art my God I will thank thee O give thanks unto the Lord for he is gracious and his Mercy endureth for ever 118.6 8 9 28 29. thou hast charged that we should diligently keep thy Commandements wherewithal shall a young Man cleanse his way even by ruling himself after thy word teach me O Lord the way of thy Statutes and I shall keep it unto the end O give me understanding and I shall keep thy Law yea I shall keep it with my whole heart O turn away my eyes lest they behold vanities and quicken thou me in thy way O establish thy word in thy Servant that I may fear thee O think upon thy Servant as concerning thy word wherein thou hast caused me to put my trust the same is my comfort in my trouble for thy word hath quickned me O Lord thou hast dealt graciously according to thy word before I was troubled I went wrong but now I have kept thy word thou
art good and gracious O teach me thy Statutes O let my heart be sound in thy Statutes that I be not ashamed quicken me after thy loving kindness and so shall I keep the Testimonies of thy mouth O how sweet are thy words unto my Taste yea sweeter than Honey unto my Mouth through thy Commandments I get understanding therefore I hate all wicked ways let the free-will offerings of my mouth please thee O Lord teach me thy Judgements O establish me according to thy word that I may live and let me not be disappointed of my hope hold thou me up and I shall be safe yea my delight shall ever be in thy Statutes O deal with thy Servant according to thy loving Mercy and teach me thy Statutes order my steps in thy word so shall no wickedness have Dominion over me O deliver me from the wrongful dealing of Men so shall I keep thy Commandments Righteous art thou O Lord and true in thy Judgement I call with my whole heart O Lord hear me I will keep thy Statutes Early in the Morning O Lord do I cry unto thee for in thy Word is my trust hear my voice O Lord according to thy loving kindness quicken me as thou art wont Psalm 119. O consider my Adversary and deliver me for I do not forget thy Law I am as glad of thy word as one that findeth great spoils great is the grace that they have which love thy Law and they are not offended at it I have kept thy Commandments and Testimonies for they are not offended at it O let my Soul live and it shall praise thee and thy Judgements shall help me I have gone astray like a Sheep that is lost O seek thy Servant for I do not forget thy Commandment when I was in trouble I called upon the Lord and he heard me my help cometh even from the Lord which hath made Heaven and Earth the Lord shall preserve my going out and my coming in from this time forth and for evermore 120.1.121.2 8. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes O thou that dwellest in the Heavens 123.1 They that put their trust in the Lord shall be even as Mount Sion which may not be removed but standeth fast for ever the Hill standeth about Jerusalem even so standeth the Lord round about his people from this time forth and for evermore 125.1 2. If thou O Lord be extreme to mark what is done amiss O Lord who may abide it there is mercy with thee therefore shalt thou be feared O Israel trust in the Lord for with the Lord there is mercy and with him is plenteous Redemption and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins 130.3 4 7 8. the Lord hath made a faithful oath unto David and he shall not shrink from it if they will keep my Covenant and my Testimony that I shall learn them their Children also shall sit upon thy seat for evermore 132.11 13. Behold how good and pleasant a thing it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity for the Lord promises his blessing and life for evermore 133.1 4. Lift up your hand in the Sanctuary and praise the Lord 134.3 whatsoever the Lord pleased that did he in Heaven and in Earth in the Sea and in all deep places thy Name O Lord endureth for ever so doth thy Memorial O Lord from one Generation to another for the Lord will avenge his people and be gracious unto his Servants 135.6 16 14. O give thanks unto the Lord for he is gracious and his mercy endureth for ever 136.1 O Lord thou hast searched me out and known me thou knowest my down-sitting and my up-rising thou understandest my thoughts long before thou art about my path and about my bed and spyest out all my ways for loe there is not a word in my Tongue but thou O Lord knowest it altogether try me O Lord and seek the ground of my heart prove me and examine my thoughts look well if there be any way of Wickedness in me and lead me in the way everlasting 139.1 2 3 23 24. O Lord God thou strength of my health thou hast covered my head in the day of battle sure I am the Lord will avenge the poor and maintain the cause of the helpless the Righteous also shall give thanks unto thy Name and the Just shall continue in thy sight 140.7 12 13. Lord I call upon thee haste thee unto me and consider my voice when I cry unto thee O let not my heart be enclined to any evil thing let me not be occupied in any ungodly work with the Men that work wickedness lest I eat of such things as please them 141.1 4. I poured out my complaint before him and shewed him of my trouble when my Spirit was in heaviness thou knewest my path in the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me 142.2 3. Hear my Prayer O Lord and consider my desire hearken unto me O Lord for thy Truth and Righteousness sake teach me to do the thing that is right for thou art my God let thy loving Spirit lead me forth into the Land of Righteousness 143.1 10. The Lord is loving unto every Man and his mercy is over all his works great is the Lord and marvellous worthy to be praised there is no end of his greatness the Lord upholdeth all such as fall and lifteth up all those that be down the eyes of all wait upon thee O Lord and thou givest them Meat in due season thou openest thine hand and fillest all things living with plenteousness the Lord is Righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works the Lord is nigh unto all that call upon him yea all such as call upon him faithfully he will fulfill the desire of them that fear him he also will hear them and will help them 145.3 9 14 15 16 17 18 19. O praise the Lord for it is a good thing to sing praise unto our God yea a joyful and a pleasant thing it is to be thankful he healeth those that are broken in heart and giveth Medicine to heal their sickness he telleth the number of the Stars and calleth them all by their Names great is our Lord and great is his power yea his Wisdom is infinite which giveth fodder to the Cattle and feedeth the young Ravens that call upon him but the Lords delight is in them that put their trust in his mercy 147.1 3 4 5 9 11. For the Lord hath pleasure in his people and helpeth the meek hearted 149.4 O praise God in his Holiness praise him in the Firmament of his Power Praise him in his noble Acts praise him according to his excellent greatness let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord 150.1 2 6. O Lord let the Words of my Mouth and the Meditations of my Heart be now and evermore acceptable in thy sight O Lord my strength and my Redeemer A Prayer for the Morning HEar me when I
call O God of my Salvation for thou hast set me at liberty when I was in trouble have mercy upon me and hearken to my Prayers Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon me ponder my Words O Lord O Lord consider my Meditations O hearken thou unto the words of my calling my King and my God for unto thee will I make my Prayer my Voice shalt thou hear betimes in the Morning O Lord early in the morning will I direct my Prayer unto thee and will look up for thou art the God that hast no pleasure in Wickedness neither shall any evil dwell with thee Lead me O Lord in thy Righteousness because of my Enemies make my way plain before my face Let all them that put their trust in thee rejoyce they shall ever be giving of thanks because thou defendest them they that love thy Name shall be joyful in thee O Lord rebuke me not in thine Indignation neither chasten me in thy heavy displeasure Have mercy upon me O Lord for I am weak O Lord heal me for my bones are vexed my soul also is sore troubled how long wilt thou punish me turn thee O Lord and deliver my Soul and save me for thy mercies sake my Beauty is gone for very trouble and worn away because of all mine Enemies The Lord hath heard my Petition the Lord will receive my Prayer O let the wickedness of the Ungodly come to an end but guide thou the Just my help cometh of God which preserveth them that are true of heart I will give thanks unto the Lord according to his Righteousness and will pray in the Name of the Lord the most High have mercy upon me O Lord consider the trouble which I suffer of them that hate me thou that liftest me up from the gates of death Why standest thou so far off O Lord and hidest thy face in the needful time of trouble Arise O Lord God lift up thine head forget not the poor How long wilt thou forget me O Lord for ever How long wilt thou hide thy face from me Hearken unto my voice O Lord when I cry unto thee have mercy upon me and hear me O hide not thou thy face from me nor cast thy Servant away in displeasure thou hast been my succour leave me nor neither forsake me O God of my Salvation O Son of Righteousness who comest from the bosom of thy Father the Fountain of Glory and Light to enlighten the darkness of the World I praise thy Name for that thou hast preserved me from the dangers of this Night and continued still the opportunities of serving thee and advanceing my hopes of a blessed Eternity Let thy mercy shine brightly and dissipate the Clouds and Darkness of my Spirit and Understanding rectifie my Affections and purifie my Will and all my Actions that whatsoever I shall do or suffer this day or in my whole Life my Word and purposes and thoughts may be Sanctified and acceptable to thy Divine Majesty And all this I beg for thy mercies sake Amen A Collect. ALmighty and everlasting God who dost govern all things both in Heaven and in Earth mercifully hear the Supplications of thy Servant and grant me thy Grace all the days of my Life and Peace through Jesus Christ my only Lord and Saviour Amen The Second Collect. ALmighty and Everlasting God mercifully look upon mine Infirmities and in all my dangers and necessities stretch forth thy right hand to help and defend me through Jesus Christ my Lord Amen A Prayer for a penitent Person for Remission of his sins HOw long shall I seek Counsel in my Soul and be so vexed in my heart how long shall my Enemies triumph over me consider and hear me O Lord my God lighten my eyes that I sleep not in Death least mine Enemies say we have prevailed against him If I be cast down they that trouble me will rejoyce at me but my trust is in thy Mercy and my Heart is joyful in thy Salvation I will sing of the Lord because he hath dealt so lovingly with me yea I will praise the Lord most high Preserve me O God for in thee have I put my trust O hold up my going in thy path that my footstep slides not I have called upon thee O God for thou shalt hear me incline thine Ears unto me and hearken unto my words shew thy marvellous loving kindness unto me thou that art the Saviour of them that put their trust in thee from such that resist thy right hand keep me as the Apple of thy Eye hide me under the shadow of thy wing from the ungodly that trouble me mine enemies compass me round about to take away my Soul disappoint him and cast him down deliver my Soul from the ungodly which is a Sword of thine I will call upon the Lord which is worthy to be praised so shall I be safe from mine enemies in my trouble I will call upon the Lord and complain unto my God so shall he hear my voice out of his holy Temple my complaint shall come before him it shall enter even into his Ear the Lord shall reward me after my Righteous dealing and according to the cleanness of my hand shall he recompence me but Lord deal not with me according to my sins neither reward me after mine Iniquities who can tell how oft he offendeth O cleanse thou me from my secret sins keep thy Servant also from presumptuous sins lest they get the Dominion over me so shall I be undefiled and innocent from the great offence save Lord and hear me O King of Heaven when I call upon thee the Lord is my Shepherd therefore shall I lack nothing but be not thou far from me O Lord thou art my succour haste thee to help me unto thee O Lord will I lift up my Soul my God I have put my trust in thee let me not be confounded neither let mine enemies triumph over me shew me thy ways O Lord and teach me thy paths lead me forth in thy Truth and learn me for thou art the God of my Salvation in thee hath been my hope all the day long call to remembrance O Lord thy tender mercy and thy loving kindness which hath been ever of old O remember not the sins and offences of my youth but according to thy mercy think upon me O Lord for thy goodness for thy Name sake O Lord be merciful to my sin for it is great turn thee unto me and have mercy upon me for I am desolate and in misery the sorrows of my heart is enlarged O bring thou me out of my trouble look upon my adversity and misery and forgive me all my sins consider mine enemies how many they are that bear a tyrannous heart against me O keep my Soul and deliver me let me not be surrounded for I have put my trust in thee let perfect and righteous dealing wait upon me for my hope hath been in thee deliver
Israel O God out of all his troubles be thou my Judge O Lord for I have walked innocently my trust hath been also in the Lord therefore shall I not fall examine me O Lord and prove me try out my Reins and Heart for thy loving kindness is always before mine eyes and I will walk in thy Truth But as for me I will walk innocently O Lord deliver me and be merciful unto me hearken unto my voice O Lord when I call unto thee have mercy upon me and hear me my heart hath talked of thee seek ye my face thy face Lord will I seek O hide not thou thy face from me nor cast away thy Servant in displeasure thou hast been my succour leave me not nor forsake me O God of my Salvation teach me thy way O Lord and lead me in the right way because of mine enemies Hear the voice of mine humble petitions when I cry unto thee when I hold up mine hand towards thy mercy Seat of thy Holy Temple O pluck me not away neither destroy me with the ungodly and wicked doers which speak friendly to their Neighbours but imagine mischief in their hearts Save thy people and give thy blessing to thine Inheritance feed them and set them up for ever I will magnifie thee O Lord for thou hast set me up and made my foes to triumph over me O Lord my God I cry unto thee and thou hast healed me Hear O Lord and have mercy upon me Lord be thou my helper O most merciful God whose property is always to have Mercy and to forgive behold with the eyes of thy pity and compassion the state of thy humble Servant made most miserable by reason of my sins hear the voice of my weeping pity my groaning strengthen me for I am weak for my bones are vexed and deliver my Soul from Death that being saved from the bottomless pit I may give thanks to thy Holy Name O turn from the severity of thy displeasure and visit me with thy mercy and salvation for all my sins procure great sorrow and contrition and in my sickness let thy comfort sustain me through Jesus Christ my Lord Amen The Collect. O God who knowest me to be set in so many great dangers that by reason of the Frailty of Man I cannot always stand upright grant to me such strength and protection that may support me in all dangers and carry me through all Temptations through Jesus Christ my only Lord and Saviour Amen Another ALmighty and Everlasting God who hatest nothing that thou hast made and dost forgive the sins of all them that be penitent create and make in me a new and contrite Heart that I may worthily lamenting my sins and acknowledging my wretchedness obtain of thee the God of all mercy perfect remission and forgiveness through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen A Confession of sins and a Prayer for pardon IN thee O Lord have I put my trust let me never be put to confusion deliver me in thy Righteousness bow down thine Ear to hear me make haste to deliver me be thou my strong Rock and the house of Defence that thou mayest save me for thou art my strong Rock and Castle be thou also my guide and hear me for thy mercy sake draw me out of the Net that they have privily laid for me for thou art my strength into thy hand I commend my Spirit for thou hast redeemed me O Lord thou God of truth have mercy upon me O Lord for I am in trouble mine eyes are consumed for very heaviness yea my soul and my body for my life waxeth old with heaviness and my years with mourning my strength failed me because of mine iniquity and my bones but my hope hath been in thee O Lord I have said thou art my God shew thy Servant the light of thy countenance and save me for thy mercies sake I will give thanks unto thee O Lord his Prayers shall ever be in my Mouth O continue forth thy loving kindness unto them that fear thee and thy Righteousness unto them that are true of Heart put me not to rebuke O Lord in thine anger neither chasten me in thy heavy displeasure for thine Arrows stick fast in me and thine hand presseth me sore forsake me not O Lord my God be not thou far from me haste thee to help me O Lord God of my Salvation take away thy Plague from me for I am consumed by the means of pain Hear my Prayers O Lord and with thine Ears consider my calling hold not thy peace at my tears O Lord spare me for thy mercy sake that I may recover my strength before I go hence and be no more seen withhold not thou thy mercy from me save me for thy Mercy sake let thy loving kindness and thy truth alway preserve me O Lord let it be thy pleasure to deliver me make haste O Lord to help me let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my Soul to destroy it let them be driven backward and put to rebuke that wish me evil let all those that seek thee be joyful and glad in thee and let such as love thy Salvation say alway the Lord be praised thou art my helper and my Redeemer make no long tarrying O my God O Lord be merciful unto me heal my Soul for I have sinned against thee be merciful unto me O Lord raise thou me again because my trust is in thy mercy by this I know thou favourest me that my enemies do not triumph over me like as the Hart desireth the Water-brooks so longeth my Soul after thee O God my Soul is a thirst for God yea even for the living God when I shall come and appear before the presence of God God is my hope and my strength a very present help in trouble the Lord of Hosts is with me the God of Jacob is my refuge call upon me in time of trouble so will I hear and thou shalt praise me O Lord open thou my Lips that my Mouth may set forth thy praise Have mercy upon me O God after thy great goodness according to the multitude of thy mercy do away mine offences wash me throughly from my wickedness and make me clean from my sins for I acknowledge my fault and my sin is ever before me against thee only have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight that thou mightest be justified in thy saying and clear when thou judgest thou shalt purge me with Hysop and I shall be clean thou shalt wash me and I shall be whiter than Snow thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoyce O give me the comfort of thy help again and establish me with thy free Spirit make me a clean Heart O God and renew a right Spirit within me cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holy Spirit from me O be favourable and gracious unto Sion and build thou the
help me Forsake me not O my God when I am gray-headed until I have shewn thy strength unto this generation and thy power to all them that are yet for to come What great trouble and adversity hast thou shewed me and yet didst thou turn and refresh me yea and broughtest me from the depth of the Earth again O let not the simple go away ashamed but let the poor and needy give praise unto thy name O remember not my old sins but have mercy upon me and that right soon for I am come to great misery help me O God of my salvation for the glory of thy Name O deliver me and be merciful unto my sins for thy Names sake Turn us O God of our salvation Shew the light of thy countenance and we shall be whole O God of Hosts how long wilt thou be angry with thy people that pray O most merciful God who art great and the multitudes of thy mercies are innumerable Have mercy upon me for my sins are before me presented by the continual accusations of a troubled conscience I have sinned against thee and done evil in thy sight and yet because thou art the God of mercy and fountain of eternal life delighting in the conversion and salvation of a sinner I present unto thee the sacrifice of a troubled spirit of a broken and a contrite heart beseeching thee to let the dew of thy favour and the fire of thy love wash away my sins and purifie my soul. Make me a clean heart O God and pure hands though my sins be as scarlet yet make them like wooll though they be as purple yet make them as white as snow Restore the voice of joy and gladness unto me Let me not be ever separated from the sweet refreshings of thy favour and presence but give me the comforts of thy help again and let thy free Spirit loose me from the bondage of sin and stablish me in the freedom and liberty of the Sons of God so shall I sing of thy Righteousness and my Lips shall give thee praise in the Congregations of thy Redeemed ones now henceforth and for ever-more Amen The Collect. ALmighty and everlasting God who hatest nothing that thou hast made and doest forgive the Sins of all them that be penitent create and make in me a new and contrite Heart that I may worthily lament my Sins and acknowledge my Wickedness that I may obtain of thee the God of all comfort perfect Remission and forgiveness through Jesus Christ my Lord Amen Another Collect. ALmighty God who through thy only Son Jesus Christ hast overcome Death and opened unto us the Gate of Everlasting Life I humbly beseech thee that as by thy special grace preventing us thou doest put in our Minds good desires so by thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect through Jesus Christ our Lord who Liveth and Reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever one God world without end Amen A Prayer that we may trust in God only in all our trouble TUrn again thou God of Hosts look down from Heaven behold and visit thy Servant O Lord God of Hosts hear my Prayers hearken O God of Jacob behold O God my defender and look upon the face of thine Anointed O Lord God of Hosts blessed is the Man that putteth his Trust in thee Turn thou me O God of my Saviour and let thine Anger cease from me Shew me thy mercy O Lord and grant me thy Salvation Bow down thine ear O Lord and hear me for I am poor and in misery Preserve thou my Soul for I am thy Servant my God save him that putteth his trust in thee Be merciful unto me O Lord for I will daily call upon thee comfort the Soul of thy Servant for unto thee O Lord do I lift up my Soul for thou O Lord art my Defender and thou art good and gracious and of great mercy to all them that Call upon thee give ear O Lord unto my Prayer and ponder the voice of my humble desires in the time of trouble will I call upon thee for thou hearest me for thou art good and doest wonderful things thou art God alone teach me thy way O Lord for I will walk in thy Truth O knit my Heart unto thee that I may fear thy Name I will thank thee O Lord my God with my whole heart and will praise thy Name for evermore for great is thy Mercy towards me for thou hast delivered my Soul from the neathermost Hell and thou Lord God art full of mercy and compassion long-suffering and of great goodness and Truth O turn thee unto me and have mercy upon me give thy strength unto thy Servant and help the Son of thine Handmaid Shew some good Token upon me for good that they which hate me may see it and be ashamed because thou Lord hast helpen and confirmed me O Lord God of my Salvation I have lamented Day and Night before thee O let my Prayer enter into thy presence Encline thine Ear unto my Calling for my soul is full of Trouble and my Life draweth nigh unto Hell thine Indignation lyeth hard upon me and thy hand presseth me sore Unto thee O Lord do I cry and early shall my Prayer come before thee O Lord why oppressest thou my Soul and hidest thy face from me I am in misery like unto him that is at the point of Death Even from my youth up thy Terrours have I suffered with a troubled Mind O Lord God of Hosts who is like unto thee Thy Truth most mighty God is on every side for the Lord is on my side The Lord God of Israel is my Defence the holy One of Israel is my King O Lord where is thy old loving kindness which thou swarest unto David thy Servant in thy Truth Remember Lord the Rebuke that I thy Servant have and how I do bear in my bosom the Rebuke of many People O Lord thou hast been our Refuge from one Generation to another O teach me to number my daies that I may apply my Heart unto Wisdom O turn thee again O Lord at the last and be gracious unto thy Servant Satisfie me with thy mercy that soon so shall I rejoyce at thy mercy and be glad all the days of my Life O comfort thou me again after the time wherein thou hast plagued me and for the years wherein I have suffered Adversity Shew thy Servants thy Work and their Children thy Glory for the Lord promised his Blessing and Life for ever more When I called upon thee thou holdest me and enduest my Soul with much strength O Lord thou hast searched me out and known me thou knowest my down-sitting and mine up-rising thou understandest my thoughts long before thou art about my path and about my bed and espiest out all my waies for loe there is not a word in my tongue but thou O Lord knowest it altogether Look well O Lord if there be any waies of
A Prayer for a Penitent Sinner O Lord withdraw not thou thy loving mercies from me Let thy loving kindness O Lord and thy truth alway preserve me O Lord let it be thy pleasure to deliver me from all my fear Make haste O Lord to help me As for me I am poor and needy but the Lord careth for me Thou art my Helper and Redeemer make no long tarrying O my God Hearken to my voice O Lord when I cry unto thee have mercy upon me and hear me O hide not thou thy face from me and cast not away thy servant in displeasure Thou hast been my succour leave me not neither forsake me O God of my salvation Consider my complaint O Lord for I am brought very low O deliver me from my persecutors for they are too strong for me Hear my prayer O Lord consider my desire hearken unto me for thy Truth and Righteousness sake and enter not into judgment with thy servant for in thy sight no man living can be justified Hear me O Lord and that soon for my spirit waxeth faint Hide not thy face from me lest I be like to them that go down to the pit O let me hear thy loving kindness betimes in the morning for in thee is my trust Shew thou me the way that I should walk in for I lift up my heart unto thee Deliver me O Lord from mine enemies for I fly unto thee to hide me Teach me to do the thing that pleaseth thee for thou art my God O let thy Spirit lead me forth into the Land of Righteousness Quicken me O Lord for thy Names sake and for thy Righteousness sake bring my soul out of trouble O my God and all for Jesus Christ his sake my blessed Lord and Saviour Amen A Commemoration of God's frequent pardons and mercies to the penitent O Lord God full of mercy and pity who didst many times deliver thy people from their adversity when thou for their rebellion against thee and their inventions hadst given them into the hands of the Heathen Remember me O Lord according to the favour thou bearest unto thy people and visit me with thy salvation And though I have done amiss and dealt wickedly against thee and thy Covenant yet be pleased to help me for thy Name sake Make thy power to be known in the mighty deliverance and redemption of me from so many dangers and miseries wherewith thou hast delivered me Give me grace to believe thy word to obey thy counsel and to walk in thy Laws to relinquish my own sinful and vain desire to obey my Governours Ecclesiastical and Civil that I may not have the lot of Dathan and Abyram but at last may receive my portion in thine inheritance which thou hast prepared for thy chosen people giving thee thanks with thine inheritance for that thou hast turned from me thy wrathful indignation pittying me and saving me according to the multitude of thy mercies thy Name be blessed O Lord God everlastingly and world without end through Jesus Christ my Lord Amen A Prayer for Victory against our Enemies O Lord God whose mercy is greater than the Heavens and thy glory above all the Earth be thou exalted in thine own strength and magnify thy power and thy mercy in defending me and thy holy Church against all our enemies temporal and spiritual Forsake me not O God my strength and my defence for vain is the help of man Do thou strengthen me and go along with me and stand by me in the day of battel that I being defended and armed by thee may do acts great and good fighting thy battel and putting my confidence in thy Righteousness only and thy salvation through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen A Prayer for the Fear of the Lord for Gravity and the blessing of the Righteous O Lord God who art to be feared in the generations of the world teach me the fear of thy Name that I may fear to offend thee and that delighting in thy Commandments I may serve thee without fear of my enemies in holiness and righteousness all my daies Let thy Light arise upon the darkness of my understanding Let thy mercies and gentleness turn all the thoughts of unmercifulness in me and make me charitable of tender bowels earning with pity over the need of the poor Teach me to guide my words with discretion Make me never to be moved from my purposes of holy living Stablish my heart in thy love that in the day of restitution of all things thou mayest give the portion of the charitable the rewards of thy Right hand and when the wicked shall gnash with their teeth and consume away in a sad Eternity I may be satisfied with the Riches and plentiousness of thy house for ever through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen A Prayer against my Adversaries and for Confidence in the True God O Lord God at whose presence the Earth trembles who worketh salvation and deliverance for thy Church in Ages thou hast done whatsoever pleaseth thee in Heaven and in Earth give me thy grace that in all my troubles I make thee my succour and defence and put my whole trust in thee only that I receiving thy mercies and the satisfaction of all my hopes from thy plentiousness and loving kindness I may give praise unto thy Name never ascribing unto my self any honour or the glory or thanks of any good action or prosperous success but to thee who art the Author and giver of all good things preserve me from all evil of soul and body from vain imaginations and making any thing to be my confidence besides thee my God that so thou mayest be mindful of me and bless me in all my waies and actions and when I die and go down into silence I may have my portion among the blessed of the Lord in the inheritance of thy Kingdom through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen A Prayer O Thou Almighty Goodness the Father of the Fatherless the portion of the poor and protector of strangers cast thy gracious eyes upon a miserable sinner who with humility implores thy mercy When I look on my self I dare scarce be so bold as to lift up mine eyes unto thee When I think in what condition I am and what I have done it so confounds me that I can hardly think of any thing else it is the greatness of my misery alone that constrains me to the presumption of prostrating my self at thy feet the weight of which presseth me so much that it hath left me no more power than to expose my self before thee as an admirer of thy wondrous charity O my sins are wondrous great in which all comfort forsakes my soul. O thy terrours have consumed me how dreadful are they O the affliction and torment I endure what tongue can express it my soul is parch'd and dried up my spirits are consumed by the heat of thy displeasure may I not now beg one drop of comfort from thee O my God my
my mind that I may know thee and let me not be barren or unfruitful in that knowledge Lord work in my heart a true faith a purifying hope and an unfeigned love towards thee Give me a full trust in thee zeal for thee reverence in all things that relate to thee Make me fearfull to offend thee thankful for thy mercies humble under thy corrections devout in thy service sorrowful for my sins grant that in all things I may behave my self so as befits a creature to his Creator a servant to his Lord enable me likewise to perform that duty I owe to my self Give me that meekness humility and contentedness whereby I may alwaies possess my soul in patience and thankfulness Make me diligent in all my duties watchful in all temptations perfect pure and temperate and so moderate in all my most lawful enjoyments that they never may become a snare to me Make me also O Lord to be so affected towards my neighbour that I never transgress that Royal Law of thine of loving him as my self Grant me exactly to perform to all a part of Justice yielding to all whatsoever by any kind of right is their due Give me such bowels of mercy and compassion that I may never fail to do all acts of charity to all men whether friends or enemies according to thy command and example Finally I beseech thee O Lord to sanctifie me within and without that my whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory for ever Amen Intercession O Blessed Lord whose mercy is over all thy works I beseech thee to have mercy upon all men and grant that the precious Ransom which was paid by thy Son for all may be effectual for the saving of all Give thy enlightening grace to those that are in darkness and thy converting grace to those that are in sin Look with thy tenderest compassion upon the Universal Church O be favourable and gracious unto Sion build thou the walls of Jerusalem unite all those that profess thy Name to thee by purity and holiness and to each other by brotherly kindness Have mercy on this desolate Church and sinful Nation Thou movedst the Land and divided it heal the sores thereof for it shaketh make us so truly to repent of those sins which have provoked thy Judgments that thou also mayest turn and repent and leave a blessing behind thee Bless those whom thou hast appointed our Governours whether in Church or State so rule their hearts and strengthen their hands that they may want neither will nor power to punish wickedness and vice and to maintain God's true Religion and Verity Have pity O Lord on all that are in affliction be a Father to the Fatherless and plead the Cause of the Widow comfort the feeble minded support the weak relieve the needy defend the oppressed and administer to every one according to their several necessities Let thy blessing rest upon all that are near and dear unto me and grant them whatsoever is needful and necessary both for their souls and for their bodies here name thy dearest Relations Reward all those that have done me or them good pardon all those that have done or wish us evil work in me and them all that good which may make us acceptable in thy sight Jesus Christ. Amen For Preservation O Merciful God by whose bounty and love it is that I have this day added to my life I beseech thee so to guide me in it by thy grace that I may do nothing which may dishonour thee or wound my own soul but that I may diligently apply my own soul to do all such good works as thou hast prepared for me And Lord I beseech thee give thy Angels charge over me to keep me in all my waies that no evil happen unto nor any plague come nigh my dwelling but that I and mine may be safe under thy protection through Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour Amen O Lord pardon the wandrings and coldness of these Petitions and deal with me not according either to my prayers or deserts but according to my needs and thine own rich mercy in Jesus Christ in whose blessed Name and words I conclude these my imperfect prayers saying Our Father c. Prayers for Night O Holy blessed and glorious Trinity Three Persons and One God have mercy upon me a miserable sinner Lord I know not what to pray for as I ought O let thy holy Spirit help mine infirmities and enable me to offer up a spiritual Sacrifice acceptable unto thee by Jesus Christ. A Confession O Most holy Lord God who art of purer eyes than to behold iniquity how shall I an abominable wretch appear before thee who am nothing but pollution I am defiled in my very nature have a backwardness to all good and a readiness to all evil but I have defiled my self much worse by my own actual sins and wicked customs I have transgressed my duty to thee my neighbour and my self and that both in thought word and deed by doing those things thou hast expresly forbidden and neglecting to do those things thou hast commanded me and this not onely through ignorance and frailty but knowingly and wilfully against the motion of thy Spirit and the checks of mine own conscience to the contrary and to make all these out of measure sinful I have gone on in a daily course of repeating these provocations against thee notwithstanding all thy calls to and my own purposes and endeavours of amendment yea this very day I have not ceased to add new sins to my former guilt here name the particulars and now O Lord what shall I say or how shall I open my mouth seeing I have done these things I know that the wages of sin is death but O thou who willest not the death of a sinner have mercy upon me work in me I beseech thee a sincere contrition and perfect hatred of all my sins let me daily confess them but yet not as duly renew them and grant O Lord that from this instant I may give a bill of divorce to all my most beloved lusts and then be thou pleased to marry me to thy self in Truth in Righteousness and true Holiness all the daies of my life and for all my sins past O Lord receive a Reconciliation accept of that Ransom thy blessed Son hath paid for me and for his sake whom thou hast set forth as a propitiation pardon all my offences and receive me to thy favour and when thou hast thus spoken peace to my soul Lord keep me that I turn not any more to folly but stablish me with thy grace that no temptation of the World the Devil or my own Flesh may ever draw me to offend thee that being made free from sin and becoming a Servant unto God I may have my fruit unto holiness and in the
end everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen A Thanksgiving O Thou Father of mercy who art kind even to the unthankful I acknowledge my self to have abundantly experimented that gracious property of thine for notwithstanding my daily provocations against thee thou still heapest mercy and loving kindness upon me all my contemnings and despisings thy spiritual favours hath not yet made thee withdraw them but yet in the riches of thy goodness thou still continuest to me the offers of thy grace and life in thy Son and all my abuses of thy temporal blessings thou hast not punished with an utter depravation of them but still art pleased to afford me a liberal portion of them the sins of this day thou hast not repayed as justly thou mightest by sweeping me away with a swift destruction but hast spared me and preserved me according to the greatness of thy mercy here mention the particular mercies of this day What shall I render unto the Lord for all these benefits he hath done unto me Lord let this goodness of thine lead me to hearty repentance and grant that I may not only offer thee thanks and praise but may also order my conversation aright that so I may at the last see the salvation of God through Jesus Christ. Amen Here use the Prayer for grace and that Intercession appointed for the morning For Preservation O Blessed Lord keeper of Israel that neither slumberest nor sleepest be pleased in thy mercy to watch over me this night keep me by thy grace from the works of darkness and defend me by thy power from all dangers grant me moderate rest and sleep such as may fit me for the duties of the next day following and Lord make me ever mindful of that time when I shall lie down in the dust and I know neither the day nor the hour of my Master's coming grant me grace that I may alwaies fear thee and that I may never live in such a state as I shall fear to die but that whether I live I may live unto the Lord or whether I die I may die unto the Lord so that living and dying I may be thine through Jesus Christ. Amen Let thy Bed put thee in mind of thy grave and when thou lyest down say O Blessed Saviour who by thy precious death and burial didst take the sting of death and the power of the grave grant me the joyful fruits of that victory and be thou to me in life and death advantage I will lay me down in peace and take my rest for it is thou O Lord only that makest me dwell in safety into thy hands I commend my spirit for thou hast redeemed it O Lord thou God of Truth Collects for several Graces For Faith O Blessed Lord seeing without Faith it is impossible to please thee let thy Spirit I beseech thee work in me such a Faith as may be acceptable in thy sight even such as worketh by Love O let me not rest in a dead ineffectual Faith but grant that it may be such as may shew it self by my works that it may be that victorious Faith which may enable me to overcome the world and conform me to the Image of that Christ on whom I believe that so at the last I may receive the end of my Faith even the salvation of my soul by the same Jesus Christ. Amen For the Love of God O Holy and gracious Lord who art infinitely excellent in thy self and infinitely bountiful and compassionate towards me I beseech thee suffer not my heart to be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin but let the offers of thy Love make deep impressions on my soul. Lord thou art pleased to require my heart and thou only hast right to it O let me not be so sacriligiously unjust as to alienate any part of it but enable me to render it up whole and entire to thee but O my God thou seest it already usurped the world with its vanities hath seized it and like a strong man armed keeps possession O thou who art stronger come upon him and take this unworthy heart of mine as thine own spoil refine it with that purifying fire of thy Love that it may be a fit habitation for thy Spirit Lord if thou seest it be pleased to make me taste of those Joyes those ravishments of thy Love wherewith thy soul hath been so transported But if in this I know not what I ask if I may not chuse my place in thy Kingdom yet O Lord deny me not to drink of thy Cup let me have such a sincerity and degree of Love as may make me endure any thing for thy sake such a perfect Love as may cast out all fear and all sloth too that nothing may seem to me grievous to suffer or too difficult to do in obedience to thee that so expressing my love by keeping thy Commandments I may by thy mercy at last obtain that Crown of Glory which thou hast promised to those that love thee through Jesus Christ. Amen For Devotion in Prayer O Most gracious Lord God who not only permittest us miserable sinners and needy creatures to present our petitions to thee grant I beseech thee that the frequency of my prayer may be somewhat proportionable to those continual needs I have of thy mercy Lord I confess it is the greatest honour and greatest advantage thus to be allowed access to thee yet sottish and stupid is my prophane heart that it shuns or frustrates the opportunities of it My soul O Lord is possest with a spirit of infirmity it is bowed together and can in no wise lift up it self to thee O be thou pleased to cure this sad this miserable disease to raise and enliven this earthly drowsy heart that it may freely mount towards thee that I may set a true value on this most valuable priviledge and take delight in my approaching to thee and that my approaches may be with a reverence some way answerable to that awful Majesty I come before with an importunity and earnestness answerable to those pressing wants I have to be supplied and with such a fixed attention of mind as no wandring thoughts may interrupt that I may no more incur the guilt of drawing near to thee with my lips when my heart is far from thee or my prayers turned into sin but may so ask that I may receive seek that I may find knock that it may be open unto me that from praying to thee here I may be translated to the praising thee eternally in thy glory through the merits and intercession of Jesus Christ. Amen For the Fear of God O Most glorious Majesty who only art High and to be feared possess my soul with a holy awe and reverence of thee that I may give thee the honour due to thy Name and may bear such a respect to all things which relate to thee that I may never prophane any holy thing or sacriligiously invade what thou hast set
apart to thy self And O Lord since thou art a God that wilt not clear the guilty let the dread of thy Justice make me tremble to provoke thee in any thing O let me not so mis-place my fear as to be afraid of a man that shall die and of the Son of Man who shall be made as grass and forget the Lord my Maker but replenish my soul with the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom which may be as a bridle to all my brutish appetites and keep me in a constant conformity to thy holy Will Hear me O Lord I beseech thee and put this fear in my heart that I may not depart from thee but may with fear and trembling work out my own salvation through Jesus Christ. Amen For Thankfulness O Most gracious and bountiful Lord who fillest all things with goodness and expectest no other return but praise and thanksgiving let me O Lord never defraud thee of that so easie tribute but let my heart be ever filled with a sense and my mouth with the acknowledgment of thy mercies It is a joyful and pleasant thing to be thankful O suffer me not I beseech thee to lose my part in that Divine pleasure but grant that as I daily receive blessings from thee so I may daily from an affectionate and devout heart offer up thanks to thee and grant that not only my lips but my life may shew forth thy praise by consecrating my self to thy service and walking in holiness and righteousness before thee all the daies of my life through Jesus Christ my Lord and blessed Saviour Amen For Chastity O Holy and Immortal Jesus whose first descent was into the Virgins Womb and who didst love to inhabit only in pure and Virgins hearts I beseech thee send thy Spirit of purity to cleanse me from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit My body O Lord is the Temple of the Holy Ghost O let me never pollute that Temple with any uncleanness and because out of the heart proceed the things that defile the man Lord grant me to keep my heart with all diligence that no impure or foul thoughts be harboured there but enable me I beseech thee to keep both soul and body pure and undefiled that so I may glorifie thee here both in body and soul and spirit and be glorified in both with Christ hereafter Amen For Contentedness O Merciful God thy Wisdom is infinite to chuse and thy Love forward to dispence good things to us O let me alwaies fully and entirely resign my self to thy disposals have no desire of my own but a perfect satisfaction in thy chusings for me that so in whatsoever state I am I may be therein content Lord grant I may never look with murmuring on my own condition nor with envy on other mens and to that end I beseech thee purge my heart of all covetous desires and affections O let me never yield any corner of my soul to Mammon but give me such a contempt of these fading riches that whether they decrease or increase I may never set my heart upon them but that all my care may be to be rich towards God to lay up my treasure in Heaven that I may so set my affections on things above that when Christ who is my life shall appear I may also appear with him in glory grant this O Lord for the merit of the same Jesus Christ. Amen For Perseverance O Eternal and unchangeable Lord God who art the same yesterday to day and for ever be thou pleased to communicate some rayes of that excellency some degree of that stability to me thy wretched creature who am light and unconstant turned about with every blast My understanding is very deceivable O stablish it with thy truth keep it from the snares of seducing spirits that I may not be lead away with the errours of the wicked and fall from mine own stedfastness My will also O Lord is irresolute and wavering and doth not cleave stedfastly unto God My goodness is but as a morning cloud and as the early dew it passeth away O strengthen and confirm me and whatsoever good thou hast wrought in me be pleased to accomplish it and perform it until the day of Christ. Lord thou seest my weakness and knowest the number and strength of those temptations I am to struggle with O leave me not to my self but cover thou my head in the day of battel and in all spiritual combats make me more than Conquerour through him that loved me O let no terrours or flatteries either of the world or my own flesh ever draw me from my obedience to thee but grant that I may continue stedfast unmoveable alwaies abounding in the work of the Lord by patient continuance in well doing seeking and at last obtain glory through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer before the Receiving of the Blessed Sacrament O Most merciful God who hast in thy great goodness prepared this Spiritual Feast for sick and famished souls make my desires and longings after it answerable to my needs of it I have with the Prodigal wasted that portion of grace thou bestowedst upon me therefore do infinitely want a supply out of this Treasury but O Lord how shall such a wretch as I dare to approach this holy Table I am a Dog how shall I presume to take the Childrens bread or how shall this spiritual Manna this food of Angels be given to one who hath chosen to feed on husks with Swine nay to one who hath already so often trampled these precious things under foot either carelesly neglecting or unworthily refusing those holy precious Mysteries O Lord my horrible guiltiness makes me tremble to come and makes me not dare to keep away for where O Lord shall my polluted soul be washed if not in this fountain which thou hast opened for sin and for uncleanness hitherto therefore I come and thou hast promised that him that cometh to thee thou wilt in no wise cast out This is O Lord the Blood of the New Testament grant to me so to receive it that it may be to me for remission of sins and though I have so often and so wickedly broken my part of that Covenant whereof this Sacrament is a seal yet be thou graciously pleased to make thine good to be merciful to my unrighteousness and to remember my sins and my iniquities no more and not only so but to put thy Laws in my heart and to write them in my mind and by the power of thy grace dispose my soul to such a sincere and constant obedience that I may never again provoke thee Lord grant that in these holy Mysteries I may not only commemorate but effectually receive my blessed Saviour and all the benefits of his passion and to that end give me such a preparation of soul as may qualifie me for it Give me a deep sense of my sins and unworthiness that being weary and heavy laden I
will be at last O Lord hear me and as thou hast in much mercy afforded me time so grant me all grace to work out my salvation to provide Oil in my Lamp that when the Bridegroom cometh I may go in with him to the marriage grant this I beseech thee for thy dear Sons sake Amen A Prayer at the approach of Death O Eternal and everlasting God who breathed into man the breath of life and when thou takest away that breath he dies and is turned again into dust look with compassion on me thy poor creature who am now drawing near the gates of death and which is infinitely terrible the Bar of Judgment Lord my own heart condemns me and thou art infinitely greater than my heart and thou knowest all things the sins I remember fill me with horrour There are also multitudes of other sins which I either observed not at all times or have since carelesly forgotten which are all present with thee Thou settest my misdeeds before thee and my secret sins in the sight of thy countenance and what a mountainous heap those eminent provocations of so many years arise to how long shall so ungodly a sinner stand in thy Judgment or such a sinner in the Congregation of the Righteous And to add more terrour my very countenance and repentance I fear will not abide thy tryal my frequent relapses heretofore have sufficiently witnessed the insincerity of my heart and best resolutions and then O Lord what can secure me that my present dislikes of my sins are not rather the effects of my amazing danger than of any real change And O Lord I know thou art not nor wilt accept of any thing that is not sincere O Lord when I consider this fearfulness and trembling comes upon me and a horrible dread overwhelms me my flesh trembleth for fear of thee and my heart is wounded within me But O Lord who wills not the death of a sinner be merciful unto me One deep calleth upon another the depth of my misery upon the depth of thy mercy Lord save me now or I perish eternally O thou who willest not that any should perish but that all should come to repentance such as thou wilt accept who tryest the heart create in me O God a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me O Lord one day with thee is better than a thousand elsewhere O let thy mighty Spirit work in me now in this my last day whatsoever thou seest wanting to fit me for mercy and acceptation Give me a perfect and an entire hatred of all my sins and enable me to present thee with a sacrifice of a broken and a contrite heart which thou hast promised not to despise that by this I may be made capable of that atonement which thy dear Son hath by the more excellent oblation of himself made for all repenting sinners he is the Propitiation for our sins he was wounded for our transgressions he was bruised for our iniquities the chastisements of our peace was upon him O heal me by these stripes and let the cry of his blood cry down the clamour of my sins I am indeed the child of wrath but he is the Son of thy Love for his sake spare me O Lord spare thy poor creature whom he hath redeemed with his most precious blood and be not angry with me for ever O let not thy vengeance pursue me to this City of Refuge my soul hangeth upon him Oh let me not perish with a Jesus with a Saviour in my arms but by his agony and bloody sweat by his Cross and Passion by all that he did and suffered for sinners good Lord deliver me deliver me I beseech thee from the wages of sin thy wrath and everlasting damnation in the time of my tribulation in the hour of death and in the day of judgment Hear me O Lord hear me and do not repay me for my former neglects of thy calls by refusing to answer me in this time of my greatest need Lord there 's but a step between me and death but seal my pardon before I go hence and be no more seen Thy loving-kindness is better than life it self Oh let me have that in exchange and I shall most gladly lay down this mortal life O Lord thou knowest all my desire and my groaning is not hid from thee deal thou with me O Lord according to thy Name for sweet is thy mercy take away the sting of death the guilt of my sins and then though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil I will lay me down in peace and Lord when I awake let me be satisfied with thy presence in thy glory grant this merciful God for his sake who is both the Mediator and Redeemer of sinners even Jesus Christ. Amen PUT me not to rebuke O Lord in thine anger neither chasten me in thy heavy displeasure There is no health in my flesh because of thy displeasure neither is there any rest in my soul by reason of my sins for my wickedness is gone over my head and are a sore burthen too heavy for me to bear My wounds stink and corrupt through my foolishness therefore is my spirit vexed within me and my heart within me is desolate My sins have taken such hold upon me that I go in mourning all the day long yea they are more in number than the hairs of my head and my heart hath failed me but thou O Lord God art full of compassion and mercy long-suffering plenteous in goodness and truth turn thee unto me and have mercy upon me for I am desolate and in misery If thou Lord shouldest be extream to mark what is done amiss O Lord who may abide it O remember not the sins of my youth and my offence but according to thy mercy think upon me for thy goodness look upon my adversity and misery and forgive me all my sins Hide not thy face from thy servant for I am in trouble O haste thee and hear me out of the deep do I call unto thee O Lord hear my voice Turn thee O Lord and deliver my soul O save me for thy mercy sake O go not far from me for trouble is hard at hand and there is none to help me I stretch forth my hand unto thee my soul gaspeth unto thee as a thirsty land draw nigh unto my soul and save it O deliver me because of mine enemies for my soul is full of trouble and my life draweth nigh unto hell Save me from the Lions mouth Hear me from among the horns of the Unicorns O set me upon the Rock that is higher than I for thou art my hope and a strong Tower for me against the enemy Why art thou so heavy O my soul and why art thou so disquieted within me put thy trust in God for I will yet give him thanks for the help of his countenance The Lord shall make good his loving kindness towards me
yea thy mercy O Lord endureth for ever despise not then the work of thine own hands O God thou art my God early will I seek thee My soul thirsteth for thee my flesh also longeth after thee in a barren and a dry Land where no water is Like as the Hart desireth the water-brooks so longeth my soul after thee O my God My soul is athirst for God even for the Living God When shall I come and appear before the presence of God How amiable are thy dwellings O Lord God of Hosts my soul hath a desire a longing to enter into the Courts of the Lord. My flesh and my heart rejoyceth in the Living God O that I had wings like a Dove for then would I flee away and be at rest O send out thy Light and thy Truth that they may lead me and bring me to thy Hill and to thy dwelling for one day in thy Court is better than a thousand elsewhere I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of the Lord than to dwell in the tents of wickedness I should utterly have fainted but that I believed verily to have seen the goodness of the Lord in the Land of the Living Thou art my Helper and my Redeemer O Lord make no long tarrying A Prayer at the Receiving of the Communion O Lord I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee for my iniquities are increased over my head and my trespass is grown even unto Heaven I have wrought all these great provocations and that in the most provoking manner they have not been only single but repeated acts of sin for O Lord of all this black Catalogue of sin which I have now brought before thee how few are there which I have not often committed nay which are not become even habitual and accustomary to me and to this frequency I had added both a greediness and obstinacy in sinning turned into my course as a horse rusheth into the battel doing evil with both hands earnestly yea hating to be reformed and casting thy words behind me quenching the Spirit within me which testified against me to turn me from my evil waies frustrating all those outward means whether of judgment or of mercy which thou hast used to draw me to thy self Nay O Lord even my Repentances may be numbred amongst my greatest sins they have sometimes been feigned and hypocritical alwaies so slight and ineffectual they have brought forth no fruit to amendment of life but I have added the breach of resolutions and vows to all my former guilt Thus O Lord I am become out of measure sinful and since I have thus chosen death the lake and brimstone this O Lord is in justice to be the portion of my Cup to me belongs nothing but shame and confusion of face eternally but to thee O Lord God belongeth mercy redemption and forgiveness Though I have rebelled against thee O remember not my sins and offences but according to thy mercy think upon me O Lord for thy goodness Thou sendest thy Son to seek and to save that which was lost behold O Lord I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost O seek thy servant and bring me back to the Shepherd and Bishop of my soul. Let thy Spirit work in me a hearty sense and detestation of all my abominations and true contrition of heart which thou hast promised not to despise and then be thou pleased to look on me to take away all my iniquity and receive me graciously and for his sake who hath nothing amiss be reconciled unto me wash away the guilt of my sin in his blood and subdue the power of them by his grace and grant O Lord that I may from this hour bid a final adiew unto all ungodliness and worldly lusts never once more cast a look towards Sodom or long after the flesh pots of Egypt but consecrate my self entirely unto thee to serve thee in Righteousness and true Holiness all the daies of my life reckoning my self to be dead indeed unto sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord and blessed Saviour Amen The 51 Psalm is fit to be read upon this Occasion Ejaculations O Lord of whom may I seek for succour but of thee who for my sins art justly displeased yet O Lord God most holy O Lord most mighty O holy and most merciful Saviour deliver me not at my last hour into the bitter pains of eternal death Thou knowest Lord the secrets of my heart shut not thy merciful eyes upon my prayer but hear me O Lord most holy O God most mighty O holy and most merciful Saviour thou most worthy Judge Eternal suffer me not at my last hour for any pains of death to fall from the Father I have sinned against Heaven and before thee and am not worthy to be called thy child yet O Lord do not thou cast off the bowels and compassion of a Father but even as a Father pittieth his own children so be thou merciful unto me Lord the Prince of this world cometh oh let him have nothing in me but as he accuseth do thou absolve he laies many grievous things to my charge which he can too well prove I have nothing to say for my self do thou answer for me O Lord my God O Lord I am cloathed with filthy garments and Satan stands at my right hand to resist me O be thou pleased to rebuke him and pluck me as a brand out of the fire Cause mine iniquity to pass from me and cloath me with the Righteousness of thy Son Behold O Lord the Devil is coming towards me having great wrath because he knoweth that he hath but a short time O save and deliver me lest he devour my soul like a Lion and tear it in pieces while there is none to help O my God I know no unclean thing can enter into thy Kingdom and I am nothing but pollution My very Righteousnesses are as filthy raggs O wash me and make me white in the blood of the Lamb that so I may be fit to stand before thy Throne Lord the snares of death compass me about O let not the pains of Hell also take hold upon me but though I find trouble and heaviness O Lord I beseech thee deliver my soul. O dear Jesus who hast bought me with the precious price of thine own blood challenge now thy purchase and let not the malice of Hell pluck me out of thine hand O blessed High Priest who art able to save them to the uttermost who come unto God by thee save me I beseech thee who have no hope but by thy merit and intercession O God I confess I have defaced that Image of thine thou didst imprint upon my soul yet oh thou faithful Creator have pity on thy creature O Jesu I have by many and grievous sins crucified thee afresh yet thou who prayest for thy persecutors intercede for me also and suffer me not O my Redeemer my soul the price
into any gross sins especially those whereunto our natures are most prone set a watch before the door of our lips that we offend not thy Divine Majesty by any rash or false oaths or by any leud or lying speeches give unto us patient minds pure and chast hearts and all other graces of thy Spirit which thou knowest to be needful for us that we may be the better enabled to serve thee in holiness and righteousness all the daies of our life and seeing that all mens labours are in vain without thy blessing bless every one of us in our several places and callings direct thou the works of our hands upon us even prosper thou our handy-works for except thou guide us with thy grace our endeavours can have no good success and provide for us all things which thou O Father knowest to be needful for every one of us in our souls and bodies this day and grant that we may pass through the pilgrimage of this short life that our hearts being not settled upon any transitory things which we meet with in the way our souls may every day be more and more ravished with the love of our home and thine everlasting Kingdom Defend likewise O Lord thy universal Church and every particular member thereof especially we beseech thee to continue the peace and tranquility of these Churches and Kingdoms wherein we live preserve from all evil and dangers our most gracious King Charles endue his Royal heart with more and more grace wisdom and understanding and grant that his daies may be long prosperous and happy Bless our gracious Queen Katherine James Duke of York and all the Royal Family multiply their daies with bliss and felicity and afterwards crown them with everlasting joy and glory Bless all our Ministers and Magistrates with all graces needful for their places govern thou them that they may govern us in peace godliness and true Religion and of thy mercy O Lord comfort all our Brethren that are distressed sick or comfortless especially those who are afflicted either with an evil conscience because they have sinned against thy Word or for a good conscience because they will not sin against the Truth make the first to know that not one drop of the blood of Christ was a drop of vengeance but all drops of grace powerful to procure pardon upon repentance for the greatest sins of the chiefest sinners in the world and for the other let not O Lord thy long sufferance either too much discourage them or too much incourage their enemies but grant them patience in suffering and a gracious and speedy deliverance which may stand best with thy glory and their comfort and give every one of us grace to be alwaies mindful of his last end and to be alwaies prepared with faith and repentance as with a weding garment against the time thou shalt call for us out of this sinful world and that in the mean while we may in all things and above all things seek thy glory that when this mortal life is ended we may then be made partakers of Immortality and Life eternal in thy heavenly Kingdom these and all other graces and blessings which thou O heavenly Father seest to be necessary for us and for thy whole Church we humbly beg and crave at thy hands concluding this our imperfect prayer in that most perfect form of prayer which Christ himself hath taught us saying Our Father which art in Heaven c. Evening Prayer for a Family O Eternal God and most merciful Father we thine unworthy servants here assembled do cast down our selves at the foosttool of thy grace acknowledging our selves that we inherit our Fathers corruption in thought word and deed transgressing thy holy Commandments so that in us naturally there dwelleth nothing that is good for our hearts are full of secret pride anger impatience dissembling lying lust vanity prophaneness distrust too much love of our selves too little love of thee and thy Kingdom but full of enmity and void of love patience and every spiritual grace if thou therefore shouldest enter into judgment with us and search out our natural corruptions and observe all the cursed fruit and effects that we have derived from thence Satan might justly challenge us for his own and we could not expect any from thy Majesty but thy wrath and our condemnation which we have long ago deserved But good Father for Jesus Christ his sake who is thy dear Son in whom only thou art well pleased and for the merits of that bitter death and passion which we believe he hath suffered for us have mercy upon us and free us from the shame and confusion which is due unto us for them that they may never seize upon us to our confusion in this life or to condemnation in the world which is to come And for as much as thou hast created us to serve thee as all other creatures to serve us so we humbly beseech thee inspire thy Holy Spirit into our hearts that by his illumination and effectual working we may have the inward sight and feeling of our sins and natural corruptions and that we may not be blinded in them through custom as the Reprobate are but that we may more and more loath them and be heartily grieved for them endeavouring by the use of all good means to overcome them and get out of them O let us feel the power of Christ's death killing sin in our mortal bodies and the vertue of his Resurrection raising up our souls to newness of life convert our hearts subdue our affections regenerate our minds purifie our natures and suffer us not to be drowned in the streams of those filthy vices and sinful pleasures wherewith thousands are carried headlong to eternal destruction but daily frame us more and more to the likeness of thy Son Jesus Christ that in Righteousness and true Holiness we may so serve and glorifie thee that living in thy fear and dying in thy favour we may in thy appointed time attain to the blessed Resurrection of the Just unto eternal life in the mean while O Lord increase our faith in the sweet promises of the Gospel and our repentance from dead works the assurance of our hopes in thy promises our fear of thy Name the hatred of all our sins and our love unto thy children especially whom we see to stand in need of our help and comfort that so by the fruit of piety and a righteous life we may be assured that thy Holy Spirit doth dwell in us and that we are thy children by grace and adoption and grant us good Father the continuance of health peace and maintenance and all other outward good things so far forth as thy Divine Wisdom shall think meet to be requisite and necessary for every one And here O Lord according to our bounden duty we confess that thou hast been exceeding merciful unto us all in things of this life but infinitely more merciful in the things of