zeale true faith humility and repentance Sweet Lord make me heartily thankfull unto thee for all thy blessings and let all my petitions tend to thy glory so as I may finde favour with thee that thou wilt be graciously pleased to heare and accept of me and my prayers that they may enter into thy presence and obtaine pardon of all my sins past with grace to frame my life in true obedience to all thy Commandements the rest of my daies to come that so my last end may be happy and after death I may enjoy the felicity to live with thee my Lord for evermore through the merits and passion of my only Saviour Jesus Christ So be it 4. A confession of sins with a prayer for remission taken partly out of the prayer of Manasses ALmighty Lord God of our fathers who hast made heaven and earth with all the ornaments thereof who hast bound the sea by the word of thy commandement whose terrible and glorious Name all men doe feare and tremble before thy powerfull judgements for the displeasure of thy great Majesty cannot be borne and thy angry threatnings against sinners is importable and who can stand in thy presence when thou art offended But yet O Lord thy mercifull promises to penitent sinners are unmeasureable and unspeakable for thou art the most gracious Lord full of mercy and great compassion and of long suffering that desires not the death of a sinner but that he should repent and live who of thy great goodnesse hast promised to give repentance and forgivenesse to them that sinne against thee that they may be saved Now thou therefore most dear Lord who camest not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance of whom I am the chiefe thou of thy infinite mercy I trust hast appointed repentance and remission unto me whose sins are in number above the sands of the sea or the haires of my head I have committed much evill and have omitted to doe the good I ought for I have neglected all my duty and service towards thee and am not worthy to be called thy servant nor to behold the height of heaven or to looke up unto the place where thine honour dwelleth for the multitude of mine iniquities have bowed me downe and as a weighty burden are too heavy for me I am depressed with the load of my sinnes and oppressed with the feare of due punishment for them for I have justly provoked thy wrath O God and multiplied my transgressions before thee I have not done thy will neither thy holy Commandements have I obeyed Now therefore O my Redeemer to thee I humbly bow the knee of my heart imploring thy mercy and beseeching thee of grace I will confesse my sins against my selfe and will not hide my unrighteousnesse from thee I have sinned O Lord I have grievously sinned I acknowledge my manifold offences for which I have nothing to answer but like the Publican Lord be mercifull unto me a miserable sinner Wherefore I most humbly intreat thee to forgive me my sweet Saviour forgive me and destroy me not with mine iniquities be not angry with me for ever neither condemne me in thy displeasure to the lower part of the earth and reserve not evill for me hereafter But deare Father make me of that blessed number to whom thou imputest not their faults and whose sinnes by my Saviours righteousnesse are covered for thou art the God of the just and the God of them that will repent and in poore me thou wilt shew all thy goodnesse and pity for thou wilt pardon and save me that am so vilde and unworthy even of thine owne great grace and mercy Therefore I will turn my steps into thy waies and will seeke thy will and obey thee with my whole heart I will praise thee all the daies of my life and for ever And let the heavens and the earth praise thy eternall Majesty for thine is all glory for ever Amen 5. A Prayer for the Lords day before we goe to Church O Eternall God most high Creator preserver and disposer of all things to thee is due all praise honour and worship for thou art our gracious Lord the only author of all our good by whom we live move and have our being O with what humble reverence and devotion ought we to prepare our ears and hearts to hear receive and performe any thing which concerneth thy most sacred Majesty and even to take heed unto our feet when we enter into the house of God that our waies may not offend thee Neither ought we to presume to take thy holy Name into our mouths except we endeavoured our selves to be reformed by thy lawes Thou O God art Lord God of Sabbath and hast inobled this day by the glorious resurrection of thy Son our Lord Jesus and by the guidance of the Holy Ghost in thy blessed Apostles and Catholicke Church hast ordained it for thy publicke service honour and worship so make me to serve thee therein with due feare and reverence I most humbly beseech thee to sanctifie my heart and soule to the true performance of thy blessed will in rightly observing the same and leave me not unto my owne weaknesse and disability who can of my selfe neither thinke well nor doe any thing that is good for all my strength and righteousnesse is in Christ my Redeemer Assist me therefore sweet Saviour with thy Spirit of grace to cease from sin and all worldly workes or earthly cogitations this day that may withdraw me from thy fear and service And give me an attentive eare to hearken diligently to thy divine word Open my heart as thou didst the heart of Lydia that with true understanding I may receive and faithfully keep the same with a conscionable care to practise what I shall learne thereby devoutly calling upon thy most holy Name and using due reverence in all my actions before thee And good Lord blesse thy servant whom thou hast appointed this day to instruct and direct us in thy word and will open to him the doore of utterance and give him the true understanding of thy holy word that according to thy gracious pleasure all may be saved that come unto the knowledge of thy truth and that he may be faithfull in thy service rightly to dispose thy divine mysteries and to teach in faith and verity And grant that I may heare with due attention and resolve to follow and practice all good instructions with true intention to thy glory and the furtherance of my salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen 6. An entrance to Prayer O God of mercy thou wilt not the death of a sinner but rather that he should turne from his wicked waies and live Vouchsafe to knit deare Lord my soule unto thee that I may truly fear thee and unfeignedly love thee dedicating my selfe unto thy service and setting mine affections and desires in all true obedience to seeke above all things thy glory thy Kingdome and thy
bury them in thy grave so as they may never be able to come in judgement against mee either to accuse or shame me in this world or to condemne and confound mee in the world to come for thy mercies sake sweet Jesus my Saviour But I most humbly beseech thee O Lord â—â— sanctifie and cleanse my heart and soule from all sinne and evill by thy holy Spirit that I may be upright in thy sight to reforme all my waies before thee and let thy grace and holy Spirit lead mee into the paths of truth and righteousnesse all my life that after death thou maiest of thy infinite mercy bring me to that everlasting inheritance of happinesse which thou hast so dearly purchased for us with thine owne bloud in whom is all my trust who art my only Saviour Mediator and Advocate for ever O God the Holy Ghost our comforter preserve and sanctifie thou my heart and soule that I may unfeignedly love thee truly feare thy holy Name and faithfully serve please and obey thee as I ought to doe now and all the daies of my life And vouchsafe O blessed Spirit to instruct and inlighten my soule and understanding with the true knowledge devout love and stedfast beliefe of thy sacred truth and keepe me therein for ever O Holy Ghost vouchsafe to make thy seat and dwelling in my soule and let thy holy Spirit take full possession of my heart and abide alwaies with mee to fill me with all saving graces whereby I may bee preserved from falling into any sinne or evill and bee inabled to doe all good that may be best pleasing unto thee and to performe all duty and service by thy assistance in an acceptable manner unto my gracious and Almighty God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost three Persons and one ever glorious Trinity to whom be rendred all praise honour power and thanks as is right due for ever and ever Amen 20. An evening Prayer to God the Holy Ghost for Wednesday O God the Holy Ghost blessed Spirit by whom we are sanctified and sealed unto the day of redemption and by whose holy operation we are joyned unto our blessed Lord and head Christ Jesus from whom let nothing in heaven or earth ever separate me And mercifull Lord I humbly pray thee cast me not in thy displeasure out of thy care and favour for my sinnes and withdraw not thy grace and holy Spirit from me neither forsake me nor leave me to my selfe who am wholly subject to all wickednesse But I most humbly beseech thee to creat in me a new a clean an upright a faithfull and perfect heart in thy sight to walke in all true holinesse before thee as thou requirest all my daies to come and good Lord daily renue thy grace and a right holy spirit within mee to sanctifie and cleanse my soule from sinne to preserve mee from falling into evill and to guide me into the waies of truth and righteousnesse Now dear Lord marke me thy poore servant for thine owne and prevent mee with thy grace that I never grieve despight or neglect thee my God in any thing neither to resist or quench the good motions of thy holy Spirit in my heart at any time but I most humbly pray and desire to bee led and directed in all things by thee who best knowest my frailties and infirmities that I can of my selfe neither will nor performe any good at all much lesse call upon thy holy Name as I ought all my best works and endeavours being full of imperfection and corruption but I humbly beseech thee good Lord to accept in me the will for thee deed the affection for the action and vouchsafe to heale and helpe my great disability to any goodnesse and teach and assist me rightly faithfully and constantly to pray unto thee my God now and at all times according to thy holy will and daily to call upon thy great Name in truth and sincerity And be pleased O Lord Holy Ghost to prepare assist and lift up my heart and soule towards thee and bend downe thine eare of mercy to heare me and vouchsafe thou blessed Lord to make request by thy grace in mee with such inward and faithfull devotion humility sighs and groans as cannot be expressed that so my supplications may bee acceptable to God my heavenly Father through the merits and sufferings of my dear Saviour Jesus and the holy working of thee O God the Holy Ghost my comforter who art the sanctifier and preserver both of my soule and body I humbly pray thee to inflame my heart and spirit with fervent zeale and unfeigned devotion to the true and constant performance of all duties and services that I owe unto thee my God And vouchsafe Lord by thy holy Spirit to infuse into my soule everlasting and devout love towards thy Majesty with Christian charity towards all my brethren thy children and servants And Lord put thou a right and stedfast hope into my heart that my trust in thee may never faile till I have attained to the eternall felicity which God the Father hath prepared and our blessed Saviour hath purchased and thou blessed Spirit by thy holy assistance wilt bring us unto to glorifie the Name of my God in heaven hereafter for ever Amen 21. The conclusion for Wednesday at night to the blessed Trinity MErcifull God heavenly Father blessed Son and Holy Ghost who hast appointed the night for all mortall creatures to take rest without which our weake natures cannot subsist I am now in health by thy gracious providence by thy favour and laid downe in my bed which representeth the grave and by thy mercie hope also to take quiet rest and sleepe that is the image of death from which I know not whether ever I shall awake againe to this worlds light for my life dependeth on thy good pleasure therefore I most humbly pray thee of thy infinite mercy O God to forgive all my sins past that I have committed against thee this present day or heretofore through the merits and sufferings of my Redeemer Jesus and vouchsafe heavenly Father to bee reconciled unto mee thy most guilty sinfull servant in and through thy dear and innocent Son who is my righteous Saviour And grant while I live here that in Christ I may hereafter live to thee and thy faithfull service and when I sleepe Lord let me safely rest by thy blessed preservation and by the assistance of thy holy Spirit that I may continue in thy true faith feare and favour with a good conscience unto my last breath that so if thou call me away this night or any other time in my sleep thou wilt in Christ pardon my sinnes and after death receive my soule to thy grace and mercy to remaine with thee for ever and may praise thee my God everlastingly Amen Amen 22. A Prayer for Thursday morning at first awaking to God the Father MY God I heartily praise thee for my present health rest and
other thy holy Commandements heretofore and vouchsafe O God alwaies to knit my straying heart to the true feare of thy great name to keep me from offending thee and fill my soul with the infinite love of thy divine Majesty that I may daily strive to lead the rest of my life in all obedience to thy holy will And Lord vouchsafe to inspire me thy most unworthy servant I humbly pray thee with thy blessed Spirit that I may withdraw my minde this blessed day from all worldly cogitations thinking my owne thoughts speaking my owne words doing my daily works or going my owne waies but assist me with thy grace that I may apply my heart and soule wholly to meditate of thy wonderfull works and manifold mercies with thankfulnesse and to attend thy service either publique or private with care and faithfulnesse and to obey all thy Commandements henceforth with diligence and constantly serving thee all my life to come that so I may praise and glorifie thee and thou maiest pardon my sins and save my poore soule through thy great and unmerited mercie in Jesus Christ my Lord and only Redeemer Amen 5. A Prayer for the Lords day in the morning before going to Church My soule praise thou the Lord and all that is within me praise his holy name who is most worthy of all honour and glory ALmighty God our heavenly Father in Jesus Christ thy beloved Son who of thy infinite goodnesse by thy great power and divine word didst in six dayes create heaven and earth the sea and the whole world with all things therein and resting the seventh day didst blesse and hallow it commanding all thy people in purity after thine owne image to keep the same holy to thy due honour and praise having also given us six dayes for our owne occasions and after this great and unexpressible worke thou didst also in thy appointed time accomplish by thy beloved Son Jesus that happy redemption of mankinde who were lost by sin and fallen from thee which unspeakable mercie and benefit was as upon this first day of the week consummated by the miraculous blessed resurrection of our Saviour which wee Christians now keep in commemoration of these thy infinite benefits that according to thine appointment thy servants may rest this holy Lords day from all worldly affaires to thy honour and glory blessed and praised now and for ever bee thy glorious Name for these thy marvellous workes Therefore I most humbly beseech thee O Lord of thy great mercie by thy Spirit of grace to sanctifie mee thy most unworthy servant both in soule and body that I may at all times but especially this Lords day and upon all other daies consecrated by thy Church to the memory of any of thy blessings benefits and deliverances wholly devote my selfe to thy true feare holy devotion and faithfull service in performance of thy blessed will and commandement And so thy worthy name may be glorified my salvation furthered and thy favour and blessing rest alwaies upon me and mine And likewise I most humbly pray thee O God for thy Son Jesus sake to forgive all my sins done in my whole life past in breaking this and all other thy divine Laws that through the death and bitter passion of my deare and innocent Saviour which hee suffered to redeem us thou wilt vouchsafe to be reconciled unto me thy guilty and sinfull creature that as this is a day of rest to thy due praise so by thy marcy it may bee a happy day of joy and peace to my poore soule and conscience through my only Lord and blessed Saviour Jesus Christ Amen Amen 6. A Prayer to be said at the Church as soone as we are come into our seat O Lord our God who art here present amongst us thou seest and understandest all things and knowest my heart prepare sanctifie and assist my heart and soule with thy grace so to behave my selfe both outwardly and inwardly as in the presence of thy glorious Majesty in this thy blessed house of prayer and hearing thy word with such due reverence feare humility true faith and devotion as may be best pleasing and acceptable unto thee and most profitable and available for the good of mine owne soule O God indue thy servant the Preacher with thy holy Spirit to teach thy saving truth rightly and sincerely that it may be powerfull to our edification and effectuall to the beating downe and banishing of all sins from our soules and the encrease of faith and grace in us that heare him to thy glory and the furthering of our salvations through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen 7. Another shorter Prayer to the same purpose GOod Lord that knowest my infirmities prevent and remove all sin and evill hindrances and impediments of drousâ—nesse and wandring thoughts from me fraile sinfull creature and open my ears and heart like Lidiees to attend and marke diligently what is taught out of thy most sacred word Inlighten Lord my understanding to conceive rightly what I heare and keep my mind wholly intentive upon thy faithfull service in hearing thy holy word with true devotion before thee and make my memory retentive of all the good instructions that I learne and give me grace carefully and conscionably to practice them throughout my whole life to the honour of thy great name the performance of thy most holy will the amendment of all my faults and finally the salvation of mee thy poore servant through my Saviour Jesus Christs merits and mercies Amen 8. A Prayer after the Sermon is ended before we go out of the Church MOst Gracious Lord God I humbly beseech thee to pardon all my sinfull neglects defects and want of due preparation or any infirmities that have overtaken mee in the performance of my duty towards thee in this thy house and blessed exercise of Prayer and hearing of thy divine Word And let me not depart out of this holy place without thy blessing whereby my knowledge faith holinesse and comfort in thee may be daily increased in me And Lord adde thy grace to what I have now heard that by thy gracious assistance it may bring forth plentifull fruit in me to the reformation of my life and conversation in avoiding all evill and doing all good which may be serviceable and acceptable to thy Majesty and best pleasing in thy sight through Jesus Christ my only Saviour Amen A Prayer for the Lords day at night of three Petitions FIrst thankfulnesse for benefits already received with prayer for the continuance of all Gods mercies Secondly for repentance true faith remission of sins and amendment of life Lastly so to live and dye unto God here that after death we may live with him in heaven for ever 9. The Prayer MY soule praise thou the Lord and forget not all his benefits which forgiveth all thine iniquities and healeth all thine infirmities which redeemeth thy life from death and crowneth thee in mercy and compassion who provided a ransome
humbly pray thee O Lord my Saviour of thy infinite mercy both in this world and after this life is ended to make me thy poor unworthy servant a happy partaker amongst thy Saints and servants that I may live hereafter with thee and them to praise and glorifie thy Name my deare Jesus for ever Amen 15. A Prayer for Tuesday morning to God the Son our Redeemer I Know that my Redeemer liveth and shall stand the last day upon the earth to judge the world in righteousnesse and all the people with equity O sweet Iesus Christ who art my Lord and perfect Saviour the beloved Son of God the blessed Redeemer of the world the only searcher of mans heart before whom all things are manifest all desires knowne and from thee no secrets can be hid Lord cleanse and reforme the thoughts of my wicked corrupt heart by the inspiration of thy most holy Spirit to purge my heart soul and conscience from all sin evill and dead works rightly and faithfully to feare and serve thee the true and living Lord that I may unfainedly love thee and constantly praise and magnifie thy holy and blessed Name all the daies of my life and for ever Now Gracious Iesus grant that the words of my mouth and the thoughts and meditations of my heart in these and all other prayers and petitions that I make unto thy Majesty may bee alwaies guided by thy blessed Spirit and that all my waies and actions be directed according to thy holy word and so by thy merciful assistance all things I goe about shall be ever right and acceptable in thy sight O Lord God of truth that art my strength and my Redeemer And deare Saviour who knowest the infinite corruption of my wretched nature and my unaptnesse to all goodnesse vouchsafe to draw and knit my heart and soule to thy true feare and faithfull service and suffer no worldly respects regard of persons nor any pleasures to withdraw my minde or hinder my soule from the true performance of my daily duties and service towards thee my God with due observance of thy great Majestie faithfully devoutly and constantly serving thee and calling on thy holy name now and at all times and daily worshipping thee in spirit and truth as thy selfe hast commanded And be thou pleased dear Lord by thy grace to guide and direct my heart soule and body with all my desires waies and workes according to thy owne good will and pleasure for I humbly commend and commit my selfe my children and grand-children with all belonging to mee and all things that any way concerneth me to thy most gracious protection direction and disposing now and ever And I humbly pray thee O my sweet Iesus so to prevent me with thy holy Spirit that I bee led into no temptation this day by the divell or his evill agents the vaine world or my owne corrupt flesh neither suffer any sinfull thoughts to possesse my soule but assist me I beseech thee to set a watch over my heart and waies and before my mouth and set a seale of grace and wisdome over my soul and upon my lips that I offend not with my tongue or in my actions either against thee my God my neighbour or my owne soule but Lord make my heart cleane and upright before thee and keep me from falling into my former sins againe but indue me with grace so to number my daies that I may apply my heart to wisdome and goodnesse and daily endeavour and strive to lead a new and godly life in thy sight and make me firme stedfast and constant in thy right Church saving truth and true faith unto my lives end to live and die therein but if I hold any errors contrary to thy will and word O Lord speedily convert my soule unto thee and shew me the paths of life and teach me thy truth and suffer me not to slide from it but so long as I live here constantly to set my whole heart soule and delight to seek to serve to love and to fear thee my Lord in all true obedience humility repentance and purity with stedfast faith in thee and true holinesse of living as is required of thy children and servants through the assistance of thy blessed Spirit and the blessing of thy heavenly Father who liveth and reigneth with thee three Persons and one true eternall God blessed for ever Amen Concluding my humble petition with that perfect prayer which Christ our advocate hath sanctified and taught us saying Our Father c. 16. A Prayer for Tuesday at night to our blessed Saviour for my selfe and children O Sweet Iesus Christ that art both God and man my blessed Saviour Redeemer and Mediator who understandest all things and seest what we want before we aske and knowest best what is in miserable mortall man that is made of earth how corrupt my nature and substance is how many and great my frailties and infirmities are and how subject I am to fall into all manner of evill both in soule and body if thy grace uphold me not therefore I most humbly beseech thee O Lord to receive me and mine now and ever into thy provident and gracious care to protect and direct us in all our waies to doe thy blessed will and to live in all thy holy feare to save and guide us waking from all sinne and shame and to keep and defend us sleeping from all perills and dangers either of soule or body that so by thy mercie we may rest in peace and safety this night and also awake in thy grace and favour and doe all things to thy honour and glory and may live and dye thy true and faithfull servants and after death vouchsafe dear Lord by thy merits and sufferings to give us eternall life with thee in heaven which thou hast dearly purchased for us Now sweet Jesus vouchsafe to indue and assist mee with thy grace and holy Spirit that I may be able rightly faithfully and confidently as I ought to doe to cry and pray unto thee my God for grace and mercie that I may finde favour in thy sight and that my trust in thee may never cease that so I may obtaine true contrition for all my offences and pardon for my sins past with all saving graces for my salvation both in life and death and assured hope of everlasting life when this is ended through thy pretious death and bitter passion sweet Iesus my Saviour Now good Lord indue me with grace to fit and prepare my soule as I ought before my day of death approacheth that I be not taken unprovided but assist me with thy blessed Spirit to worke in my heart a true and lively faith to lay fast hold upon all thy mercies merits and gracious promises and rightly to apply them to my owne soule And further give mee I humbly pray thee unfaigned repentance and remission of all my sinnes with other needfull graces for the performing of all holy duties to thy Majestie
that so I may be inabled rightly and faithfully to serve and please thee while I live here and also make me carefully to fit and prepare my soule for thy mercifull acceptance before thou call me to thy selfe out of this vale of misery and give mee grace daily to die unto this world and forsake it while I am in it that I may live more and more in true holinesse and righteousnesse before thee and so I shall obtain blessednesse here to be directed by thee in all things and to have thy protection over me to die happily in thee and live eternally with thee who art my only Saviour and Redeemer Iesus Christ the righteous to whom be all glory for ever and ever So be it 17. The conclusion for Tuesday to be said at night or in bed to the Son for my selfe and children MY sweet Iesus by thy grace and holy Name keep mee thy poore servant and all mine from all sinne and shame and by thy bitter death and passion save us from thy great wrath and endlesse damnation and by thy powerfull resurrection raise us daily from sin to grace and newnesse of life and by thy glorious ascention draw me thy unworthy servant continually to heaven after thee by a holy life and godly conversation and of thy great mercie after death reserve me to be where thou art and make me partaker of thy everlasting salvation and in all my troubles sorrows and distresse doe thou my griefes redresse and be my blessed consolation and vouchsafe to receive me this night and alwaies into thy mercifull preservation for now I will lay me downe in peace and also rest and sleep because thou Lord dost only mee sustaine and wilt in safety keep for on thee alone I wholly doe depend who art all my hope helpe comfort and confidence sweet Iesus my Saviour Amen 18. A Prayer for Wednesday to the glorious Trinity at first awaking GReat is our God and worthy to be praised I will speake of all thy marvellous workes for thou hast done great things and holy is thy Name To thee O God heavenly Father our gracious Creator of all things with God the Son that blessed Redeemer of mankinde and God the Holy Ghost the sanctifier of thine elect unto thee O Lord three Persons one true and everliving God be given and rendred as is due by mee and all other thy children and servants all humble and possible praise and thanks now and ever For I thy most unworthy servant doe humbly and thankfully acknowledge that I finde thy blessings and benefits both spirituall and temporall sleeping and waking daily and howrely to be renued towards me for which I blesse and magnifie thy holy Name especially for those spirituall graces thou hast vouchsafed unto my soule from time to time before I had any being for my election by the whole Trinity and my creation by God the Father which thou didst fully performe in thine owne innocent person but chiefly in that infinite love token unto mankinde of God the Father in ordaining and sending thy deare Son out of thy bosome into the world and thou O Christ in comming amongst wicked men to put thy selfe into their cruell hands for our redemption and so become our righteousnesse justification and salvation which thou hast dearly purchased for us with thy own bloud And since I was borne O blessed Spirit for my continuall preservation and daily supply of all needfull blessings for my soule and body especially for my vocation and calling to the right knowledge of God and his saving truth with some measure of true faith sanctification and regeneration from sinne to grace all wrought in mee by the holy operation of thee Lord Holy Ghost by whom also we are united unto our Lord and head Christ Jesus from whom Lord let me never be separated Now vouchsafe O God still to continue all thy mercies towards me and chiefly in giving me daily a supply and increase of all heavenly gifts and spirituall graces whereby I may be able rightly faithfully and constantly to feare and love to seek serve and please thee my God in all things as I ought to doe that so I may obtaine thy grace and favour by thy assistance to live a holy life here according to thy will that thou of thy infinite mercie Almighty God and glorious Trinity maiest make me partaker of thy heavenly Kingdome of glory hereafter Amen 19. A Prayer to the Trinity for Wednesday morning O God the Father of heaven the gracious Creator of all things the righteous judge that searcheth the heart and trieth the children of men and beholdeth all our waies and knowest my substance is but dust flesh and bloud and my nature as it is corrupted by sin is of it selfe earthly sensuall and divelish and can merit nothing from thee O Lord but condemnation Deare God the originall of all goodnesse I most humbly beseech thee to have mercy upon mee miserable sinner and enter not into judgement with thy poore servant for no flesh living is righteous before thee neither reward me after my wickednesse for I am a wretched and most sinfull creature and have done exceeding much evill in thy sight but I humbly pray thee O God for thy dear Son and my Saviours sake to withdraw thy great wrath and heavy displeasure from mee which my sinnes have justly deserved and if it be thy will Lord release my present afflictions which now and long have lain upon me and vouchsafe also to prevent and remove those weighty judgements that hang over my head for my iniquities that by thy unspeakable mercies I may escape them yet if thou please further to visit mee with fatherly chastisements for the amendment of my faults Lord give me wisdome and patience to beare all things as I ought to doe without offence towards thee and by thy grace to make the best and rightest use of all thou sendest so as in the end they may turne to thy glory and the furtherance of my salvation in Christ my Lord. O God the Son Redeemer of mankinde who didst vouchsafe to bee borne of a woman to become man for our redemption and camest into the world to seek and save all those that were lost by sin that they might live by faith in thee which Lord grant unto me sweet Jesus my Saviour and have mercie upon me a wicked sinner to forgive and pardon all my sinnes and offences that I have done before thee all my life past in thought word and deed and impute not my iniquities unto me neither destroy mee with my transgressions nor let thy heavy displeasure reserve evill for me hereafter but deare Lord of thy great goodnesse grant me thy poore servant true faith and unfeigned repentance with thy gracious remission of all my trespasses and wash my sinnes out of thy sight with thine owne most pretious and innocent bloud which thou didst so freely shed for our redemption naile all my offences upon thy crosse and
which we ought to give him continuall thanks Secondly the infinitenesse of our grievous sins Our mâ—â—◠◠〈…〉 neâ—â—ssiâ—iâ—â— for which we must of necessity daily aske mercy and pardon from him Thirdly our owne manifold miseries and infirmities for which we are constrained to seek reliefe and remedy The first of thâ—se David considered saying What shall I render unto the Lord for all Psal 116. 12 13. his benefits towards me I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name 9. 1. of the Lord I will praise him with my whole heart all the daies of my life All his Psalmes are full of thanksgiving To the second Christ inviteth us saying Come unto me all ye that are weary and Matth. 11. 28. heavy laden and I will ease you If any man sin we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the just He is the 1 Jo. 2. 1. 2. 1. reconciliation for the sins of the whole 9. world And if wee acknowledge our sinnes he is faithfull and just to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousnesse For the third wee are incouraged by God himselfe saying Call upon me in the day of trouble so will I deliver Psal 50. 15. Isay Matth. 8. 17. thee and thou shalt glorifie me for he will have mercy upon us and heal all our infirmities and when wee are in misery he saveth and delivereth us Now for the performance of our duty in thanksgiving the blotting out of all our offences and the release of our miseries with the continuance of Gods grace and favour in all things the chiefe and only way to find and obtain all is rightly to seek and truly to serve the Lord by prayer who is the author and fountain of all goodnes grace and mercy Every good gift comming from above even from him that freely saith Aske and yee shall receive seek and yee shall finde knock and it shall be opened unto you for hee that is Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him in truth and the prayer of the faithfull avails much if it be fervent for faithfull and devout prayer is a continuall intercourse and communion betwixt the Lord and us and it is like Jacobs ladder by which our prayers make our wants ascend unto God and his mercie descend downe upon us for with the heart man believeth unto righteousnesse and with the mouth we confesse unto salvation but take heed in sending up thy desires prefer the good of the Col. 3. 2. soule before the pleasures or content of thy body and set thy affections on things that are above First seeke the Kingdome Mat. 6. 33. of God and his righteousnesse and all other wants shall be supplied by his mercie according to his will and our necessities And when thou enterest into the house of God take heed thou offer not unto him the sacrifice of fooles but before thou prayest prepare thy self Col. 3. 2. Eccles 4. 17. 18. 22. thy heart and tongue as David did lest thou tempt God to displeasure Be not rash with thy mouth nor let thy heart be hasty to utter a thing before God But ere thou presume to present thy self Psal 108. 1. or service unto the Lord meditate upon these three things First of the reverence we owe to the great Majesty of God Psal 104. in whose presence we are and to whom we must speake this brings humility and lowlinesse of spirit which makes us acceptable unto him Secondly of our knowledge and beliefe of the Lords Esay 65. 24. Job 15. 16 sweet and gracious promises which causeth boldnesse to come unto him with sure confidence of being heard Thirdly of our unworthinesse and what apprehension we have of our owne wants and miseries and the great necessity of Gods helpe and mercy to relieve us This makes us to know and hate our selves and to love and honour God in whom is all our help hope and happinesse therefore with devout reverence zeal humility and true faith flye unto his mercy and cease not to call often as David did seven times a day upon the holy Name of the Lord Psal 119. 164. by whom we shall bee saved Rom. 10. 13. 1. A preparation to Prayer O Everlasting fountaine of all goodnesse and well-spring of grace without whose speciall assistance we are altogether unapt and unable to performe any duty or service that may be acceptable unto thee Vouchsafe therefore deare Lord to helpe mine infirmities who cannot of my selfe pray as I ought but let thy holy Spirit direct and teach me truly to call upon thy divine Name with a penitent and faithfull heart an humble contrite and lowly spirit a quiet observant and recollected minde freed from the vanities and cares of this vilde world or the love of this present life so as I may dedicate my selfe wholly unto thee a living sacrifice faithfully and devoutly to serve thee now and all the daies of my life O Lord make mee to lift up innocent hands with a pure heart and guide thou my lips with wisdome and set a watch of grace before my mouth that my tongue may not offend thee at any time but duly praise thy glorious Name now and for ever Amen 2. A Prayer to the Holy Ghost O Gracious Lord Holy Ghost I humbly beseech thee to fit and prepare my heart and to direct and assist me in the right and true performance of this duty and service now of prayer towards my God Thou understandest my disability of my selfe to any goodnesse neither know I how to pray as I ought except thy holy Spirit teach me Therefore I earnestly and humbly pray thee to give mee thy grace and true spirit of prayer that so I may now and at all times offer up my petitions and praises in calling upon thy great and glorious Name in a right faithfull and acceptable manner to the glory of God and the good and comfort of me thy poor servant in soul and body with the furtherance of my salvation through Jesus Christ my blessed and only Saviour Amen 3. A Preface to any Prayer O My Lord in all humility I come unto thee the giver of all grace thou knowest my unaptnesse to any goodnesse thou hast given me an earnest desire to please thee make perfect thine owne good worke and grant me a ready will and ability to performe my humble duty herein aright that so I may sincerely and intirely love fear and honour thee above all and most carefully obey thy blessed will in all things Good Father let thy manifold mercies cover my infinite offences from thy All-seeing eyes and by thy grace cast all vaine thoughts and sinfull hindrances out of my soule that thy sacred Spirit may direct my spirit to pray with due reverence to thy Majesty confidence in thy mercy with sure trust in thy promises and feare of thy judgements And that I may offer up all my supplications unto thee with unfeigned
Christ THat he will draw near by grace unto Knowledge of God and our selves thy soul to strengthen thee with knowledge true faith unfeigned repentance and perfect charity that thou maiest rightly reverently and faithfully receive this holy Sacrament to Gods Ps 14. 22. 1 Jo 1. 8. glory and thine owne comfort and salvation Now when thou commest to communicate and receive this blessed Col. 3. 2. Rom. 12. 1. 2. 1. 15. Sacrament of the Lords Supper First banish all vaine and earthly thoughts and recollect thy heart to the serious meditations of that which is the life of the 1 Tim. 2. 4 Humility 1 Pet. 5. 6. 1 Jo. 2. 2. 4. 14. Sacrament even the death of thy Saviour and humbly and devoutly present thy selfe and service to the Redeemer of thy soule and Lord of the feast the only saviour of mankinde Jesus Christ our righteous Lord. Then apply thy minde to these contemplations First remember with great reverence the infinite Majesty of God his mercy True repentance 1 Jo. 9. Prov. 28. 13. goodnesse and justice in whose presence we are Secondly consider thine owne vilenesse misery and unworthinesse being wholly corrupt both in soul and body Thirdly confesse all thy sins True faith 1 Pet. 1. 18. 19 21. 2. 14. 1. 3. 21. plainly for in hiding our sins this work will not prosper but with most hearty and unfeigned sorrow in all humility cast thy self at Jesus feet earnestly begging for pardon with hatred to all sin and purpose of amendment For who 1 Pet. 3. 22 Heb. 12. 24. 1 Jo. 2. 3. so confesseth and forsaketh their sins shall finde mercy Fourthly trie and acknowledge thy faith and stedfast beliefe in Christ Jesus the blessed Son of God the Creator to be the only Saviour 1 Tim. 21 5. Jam. 1. 17. and Redeemer of the world who dyed for thy sins and rose againe for thy justification and is ascended up to heaven for thy salvation where sitting at Gods right hand he maketh intercession for 1 Tim. 21 5. thee and powreth downe all graces and blessings upon thee who giveth himself with all his merits unto thee in this Sacrament covering all thy offences with Jam. 1. 17. his perfect obedience So making thee righteous and leaving thee a pledge and Sanctification 1 Jo. 17. 19. Heb. 13. 12. seale of thy future and eternall happinesse this his holy institution which the divine word hath sanctified to that end and purpose Now call to minde the exceeding love of God and Christ towards thee the one in sending his only deare Sonne to become man and suffer death The fifth in giving his most pretious body and bloud to bee crucified Gods love to us and shed upon the crosse to satisfie the just wrath of God due for thy sins of which this bread broken wine powred out that we see is a remembrance which we ought often to celebrate and set our hearts and soules duly and truly Our love to God to love and honour this gracious God and Lord who hath loved us first and done such great things as to give himself for us 6. Ponder well in thine heart 1 Ja. 4. 9. 10. all the divine mysteries of this holy Sacrament to which heavenly banquet Jesus thy Saviour now inviteth thee taking away thine hatefull iniquities and Jam. 2. 8. cloathing thee with his innocencie so Jo. 15. 12. Charity to our neighbours 1 Jo. 4. 21. to make thee acceptable in the sight of God the Father and by the gracious operation of the Holy Ghost joyning thee unto himselfe as thy head and all of us in true love one to another as members of one body to walke in newnesse of life the rest of our dayes 7. And Amendment 1 Jo. 33. 10. 1 Pet. 4. 2. lastly forget not to be ever truly thankfull for these inestimable benefits of God the Father of the blessed Trinity and of Jesus Christ our Lord towards us who hath laid downe his own life to redeem us such vile and miserable sinners all which the Holy Ghost applieth unto us Thankfulnesse 1 Jo. 5. 7. Eph. 5. 20. 1 Thess 5. 18. Infinite mercies we are never able sufficiently to acknowledge and admire Prepare not thy belly but thy soule believe and thou hast eaten this saith St. Augustine 14. A thanksgiving after the holy communion of the Lords Supper OH blessed and praised for ever be the Name of the Lord my God who hath done great and many things for me and holy is thy gracious and glorious name and let thy mercy and thy truth O Lord never forsake me but vouchsafe to continue thy goodnesse and loving kindnesse towards me for ever and say unto my soule thou art my God my helpe and my salvation for evermore And now especially O Lord as I am infinitely bound I render unto thy divine Majesty all humble and possible praise and thanks for this present and particular favour shewed unto me thy unworthy servant in feeding my soule to eternall lfe with the most pretious food of thine owne sacred body and bloud blotting out all my sinnes and sanctifying mee by thy holy Spirit imputing to me thy righteousnesse and admitting mee so unworthy to be a happy partaker of this blessed Sacrament The benefit whereof is unspeakable and the mercy therein unexpressable only I admire thy goodnesse towards mankind and magnifie thy great mercy beseeching thee my God as thou hast vouchsafed to accept mee at this holy Table so good Lord let mee not depart without a blessing but be pleased to receive me into thy gracious care and favour that I may live and die therein and give mee grace to spend the rest of my time in a carefull reformation of all evills past a diligent performance of thy most holy will in all things and true obedience to all thy Commandements with a faithfull and right application of all thy mercies and merits so that I may feele thy bitter passion O Lord sweet unto my soule and by the assistance of thy Spirit bring forth the fruits of amendment of life and most hearty thankfulnesse all my daies that at the end of this life I may obtaine a blessed roome in the Kingdome of glory there to praise thy holy name for evermore Amen 15. A short Prayer for conclusion to any prayer O God the Father blesse and governe my soule and body in all things to thy service O Lord the Sonne my Saviour Jesus protect me and direct me at all times to doe thy will O holy Ghost blessed Spirit preserve mee from falling into any sinne or evill but instruct sanctifie and lead me into the waies of truth and righteousnesse that I may live in thy feare and dye in thy favour and may continue in thy right Church and true faith unto my end So that in the houre of my death and in the dreadfull day of judgement I may finde grace in thy sight that thou
usefull for those particular occasions whereto they are directed which I shall be very glad and joyfull if my children grand-children kindred friends or any good Christian that shall peruse them may make a good and right use of them to Gods glory And I doe most heartily and humbly pray that God will vouchsafe to heare in heaven and to receive accept and grant their just requests to his owne honour their comfort and my great happinesse who am a wel-wisher and true lover of their soules in the Lord. Eliz. Richardson THese Prâ—â—â—â—â— I composed for the instructions of my children grand-children after the example of my dear parents Sir Thomas Beaumont and his Lady of Stoughton in the County of Leicester who I thinke were as carefull and industrious to breed up their children which were living in the instruction and information of the Lord to serve and obey God as any parents could possibly be which made them take much paines with us more then is usuall by their endeavours to bring us to know and feare God and to keep his Commandements Which Solomon saith is the whole duty of man But when parents have done the best and all we can it is Gods grace and blessing that must perfect the worke which I humbly pray him to adde to accomplish my desire to their eternall happinesse An Exhortation concerning Prayer BEfore thou goest to pray consider seriously of these three things which are very necessary to fit and prepare thee the better for that holy and blessed exercise First ponder with thy selfe into whose presence wee come and to whom we presume to speak being before the great Majesty of God Almighty Secondly in what manner we pray and to what end our prayers tend which must chiefly respect the glory of God and his service and then out owne desires and necessities both for soule and body Thirdly weigh well what good or hurt what benefit or danger may ensue by the performing of this duty carefully or negligently 1. A short Petition to precede any other Prayers O Lord Holy Ghost who knowest my corrupt heart and the frailty of my soule which can performe no good but by thy grace Vouchsafe my Lord to sanctifie assist and teach me the unworthiest of thy servants by thy holy Spirit so to pray now and alwayes that my supplications may be faithfull and acceptable to my God to his glory and the comfort and good of my selfe both in soul and body for ever Amen 2. A Prayer to God the Holy Ghost for the true spirit of grace in prayer O God Holy Ghost the giver of all good gifts and graces give mee thy true Spirit Lord who art the comforter and sanctifier of thine Elect thou knowest my great and manifold infirmities and frailties all which I humbly pray thee in thy love and mercie to heale and helpe And Lord give me power strength and grace by thy assistance to resist and overcome all wicked assaults and temptations of the divell that seeke to draw me from God and goodnesse and lead mee to all evill but vouchsafe Lord I beseech thee still to be present with me in this holy exercise and indue thy poore servant with thy blessed Spirit and gift of prayer to call upon thy glorious Name faithfully and sincerely whereby my unworthy petitions though full of imperfections may be received and accepted by thee And Lord banish all wandring thoughts and wicked hindrances from my soule in the performance of this my bounden duty and service that I owe unto thee my God Father Son and Holy Ghost And be pleased Lord to assist mee now and ever with thy grace to worship thee at all times in spirit and truth as thou requirest and not to present a dead dull and corrupt offering unto my Lord of the lips without the heart or by joyning in my thoughts God and the world or mammon together which thou hatest and so make my prayers abominable to thy Majesty for thou hast made the heart who ought and must be served and honoured with it Therefore I humbly pray thee to inable me by thy assistance to offer unto thee my God a holy and living sacrifice of my selfe my prayers and praises daily in a right and acceptable manner not looking so much to the benefit and recompence of reward that shall bee received thereby from thy mercifull hands to my owne good but chiefly for the honour and glory of thy great Name whose I am and whom I am bound to serve and from whom I have already received so many great blessings and benefits both spirituall and temporall for which I render most humble and hearty thanks unto thy Majesty Now lastly deare Lord Holy Ghost I earnestly beg of thee daily to unite mee unto thy glorious head and only Saviour Jesus Christ that so I may performe with true faith good devotion humility and sincerity this and all other holy duties and services according to thy blessed will and word to thy glory and my great comfort now and for ever So be it 3. A short preface before any other Prayers for the Lords day ALmighty Lord God in whose glorious presence I am presuming to take thy sacred name into my sinfull mouth before thee Lord I most humbly prostrate my selfe thou seest the heart and knowest our wants before we aske yet hast thou commanded us to ask in thy Sons name promising for his sake to grant us all needfull blessings both for soule and body O Lord thou understandest my great weaknesse and disability who can doe no good but by thy assistance I now most humbly pray thee to keep all evill interruptions from my heart and soule and so to indue mee with thy true Spirit of grace and prayer in performing this duty and service to thy glorious Majesty that so all my supplications may now and at all times be right faithfull acceptable and pleasing unto thee and by thy great mercy also prevailing for my good and furtherance of my salvation through my only Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Amen 4. A Prayer for the Lords day at first awaking O Most glorious Lord God the high and gracious Creator of heaven and earth with all things therein Thou didst finish that mighty workin six dayes and rested the seventh commanding thy Church and people of the Jewes to keep holy the seventh day to thy due service and praise But our Lord Jesus having finished the redemption of mankinde by his crosse and passion and bitter sufferings didst bury that Sabbath in his grave upon that day and by thy Spirit didst guide thy Apostles and Christian Church to sanctifie and keep holy this first day of the weeke in perpetuall memory of his glorious resurrection and eternall rest from that labour and suffering for our redemption to thy due service and praise blessed be thy holy name therefore And now dear Lord for all my former neglects of my duty herein for Jesus his sake pardon my sinfull breaches of this and all
most holy Name And grant me grace to spend the rest of my time to come more carefully and faithfully then I have formerly done to seeke serve feare love obey and please thee my Lord in all things as I ought to doe so that it may bee more then meat and drinke unto me to doe the will of thee my heavenly Father And I most humbly beseech thee O God the fountaine of mercy to forgive and pardon all my sinnes and offences past that I have committed against thee either in soule or body throughout my whole life Lord blot them out of thy remembrance with the most pretious bloud of thy deare Son my only Saviour Jesus Christ and grant through thy mercies and his merits and sufferings that my iniquities may never be imputed unto me But vouchsafe O God now and ever to keepe me thy poore servant as the apple of thine own eie from all sin and shame and hide mee under the shadow of thy wings from falling into any evill or danger this day especially O Lord preserve mee alwaies from the great wickednesse of committing any presumptuous sin before thee and from the fearfull sinne against the Holy Ghost which is unpardonable and from the dangerous sins of neglect towards thee hardnesse of heart senselesse security or falling into wicked despaire whereby I may prevent my soule of thy mercy in Christ for my salvation But good God direct thou my thoughts desires words and deeds to be ever agreeable to thy most holy will and obedient to all thy Commandements that I may henceforth live before thee with an upright heart daily studying and striving to serve and please thee in all things so long as I live that after death I may praise and magnifie thy Name in heaven among thy Saints and servants for ever and ever These great mercies O gracious God with all other thou knowest needfull for me either for this life or the life to come I further beg of thee in the name merits and mediation of thy deare Son and my sweet Jesus concluding in that perfect forme of prayer which hee hath taught us saying Our Father c. 12. A Prayer to God the Father for Munday night O Lord my God how excellent is thy name in all the world who hast done great workes and brought mighty things to passe ALmighty Lord and my heavenly Father in Christ most high and mighty God Creator possessor preserver and disposer of heaven and earth and all that is therein the fountaine of grace and mercy and Father of light from whom commeth all good and perfect gifts I most humbly pray thee of thy great goodnesse to give mee thy poore sinfull servant thy grace and holy Spirit to direct my heart and all my waies aright in thy sight and to guide me in the paths of truth and righteousnesse and Lord lead mee into that streight way and through that narrow gate which bringeth unto life eternall that so of thy infinite mercie through Christ I may enter in though most unworthy with them that obtaine grace to finde it and there to live with thee my God in joy and blisse for evermore And further I yeeld and render unto thee my Lord all humble and possible praise honour and thankes for all thy great and manifold mercies and benefits spirituall and temporall vouchsafed unto me thy most unworthy servant in soule and body from time to time and also for thy gracious preservation of me and mine and all other thy blessings bestowed upon me this day past and all my life hitherto Now good God for Christs sake I humbly pray thee to forgive and pardon all my sinnes and trespasses that I have committed before thee inwardly or outwardly in soul or body by thought desire word or deed this present day or any time of my life heretofore Mercifull Father wash away all my sinnes out of thy sight with the most pretious bloud of that All-sufficient sacrifice the innocent Lamb of God Jesus who was slaine for our transgressions hide all my sins in his wounds and bury them in his grave so as they may never bee able to rise in judgement against me either to accuse or to condemne mee But Lord make me of that blessed number whose sinnes thou wilt cover and whose iniquities thou wilt pardon And vouchsafe also to forgive my omission of all those good deeds I ought to have done and my sinfull neglect in the true performance of all duty and service that I owe unto thee especially my wicked negligence in calling upon thy holy Name and daily praising thee for all thy mercies and likewise I beg pardon for my often omitting or slightly performing this duty of praying unto thee as I ought now and at all times which Lord give me grace more carefully faithfully and devoutly to perform towards thee by the assistance of thy holy Spirit ever hereafter that so of thine infinite mercy thou maiest bâ—ing mee to that eternall Kingdome which thou hall prepared O God the Father before the world began for all that truly love and beleeve in thee to thy great praise and honour and my salvation iâ— Christ through thy mercy O blessed Lord God to whom be glory now and ever Amen 13. The conclusion for Munday to be said last or in bed O My God I most humbly commmend and commit my selfe both body and soule my children and grand-children my kindred friends and family and all that doth belong unto me here or else where with all my fellow members in thy whole Church into thy most gracious protection and preservation this night and alwaies Good God I beseech thee vouchsafe to blesse sanctifie and keep our soules and bodies in thy true faith feare and favour with safety this night and to our lives end Amen 14. A Prayer at first awaking for Tuesday to our Saviour Jesus Christ MY soule shall magnifie thee O Lord and my spirit rejoyceth in God my Saviour who hath done and suffered great and many things for me blessed be thy most holy Name for thy infinite benefits and blessings both spirituall and temporall bestowed upon mee thy unworthy sinfull servant from time to time And chiefly Gracious Lord for thy accomplishment of my redemption before I had any being who didst vouchsafe to come into the world amongst evill men and to be borne of a Virgin to take the shape and nature of man upon thee and in our flesh didst work and performe all righteousnesse to bee imputed unto us and also submitted thy selfe to suffer the most bitter and ignominious death of the Crosse to free us from that eternall death which our sinnes have deserved and also rose againe from the grave the third day to overcome sin death the grave hell and Sathan with all other things for us And so thou sweet Jesus art become our reconciliation redemption righteousnesse and justification with hope also through thee of salvation and glorification hereafter Of all which thy inestimable benefits I
Will praise the Lord because he is good for his mercy endureth for ever by whom we live move and have our being our maintenance safety and preservation Now glorious Trinity Father Son and Holy Ghost I humbly pray thee vouchsafe unto mee thy most unworthy servant such grace and favour to knit my heart and soule fast to theee so that my sinnes nor my soules enemies the wicked world my owne corrupt flesh nor the malice of the Divell may not be able to pluck mee out of thy mercifull and powerfull hands but Lord assist me with thine owne blessed Spirit that I may daily continue and increase in all sincere and perfect love and obedience towards thy Majesty and in thy feare and favour and all other saving graces to have a good conscience before thee with true faith stedfast hope and perfect charity unto my lifes end Amen 31. A Prayer unto the Trinity for Saturday morning O Lord our God how excellent is thy Name in all the world for thou hast laid the foundation of the earth and the heavens are the workes of thy hands and thou didst create and dost governe dispose and rule the whole world with all things therein according to thy good pleasure O most divine and adored Trinity Father Son and Holy Ghost three persons but one true eternall and everliving God to whom be all praise honour and glory as is right and due for ever Thou only by thy word and power didst make all things for thine owne glory especially mankinde after thine image in purity and holinesse to thine own service for by thy ptovidence and mercy commeth all good gifts and blessings unto us and also deliverances only from thee of those evills and dangers which sinne hath made us subject unto in falling from thee and our first integrity by the subtillty and malice of Sathan and our owne frailty yet of thine owne free grace thou didst elect a number by thee selected of thy chosen servants to inherit an eternall Kingdome with and through thy beloved Son whom thou didst ordain and send into the world at thine appointed time to be the redemption of all that beleeve in thee O God the Son our blessed Lord Jesus Christ it is written of thee that thou shouldest doe the will of God the Father who ordained thee to be our Redeemer and wert made of God unto us wisdome righteousnesse sanctification and salvation with glorification hereafter Now deare Jesus who hast paid our ransome even the all-sufficient and acceptable sacrifice of thine own pretious bloud to wash away our sins who was lifted upon the crosse between heaven and earth to make an attonement betwixt God and man his heavy wrath and our grievous offences and so thou art become our Priest to offer up thy innocent selfe to cleanse us from our sinnes who art our Prophet to instruct and teach us and direct our waies aright to shew us the path of life and make the way plaine before our faces and by thy example to beare our crosse patiently and follow thee that art the way the truth and the life to lead us to eternall salvation also thou art our King to protect defend and reigne over us in mercy truth and righteousnesse till thine enemies be made thy footstoole and all that hate thee be destroyed before thee for God hath put all things in subjection under his feet then shalt thou judge the whole world in righteousnesse and equity and wilt bring thy servants to that eternall inheritance which thou hast by thy merits and sufferings so dearly purchased for us who wert borne unto us to be the joy and comfort of all people and the glory and salvation of all that truly beleeve and trust in thee our Saviour O God Holy Ghost the giver worker and sealer of all graces unto us by thee we are called to the knowledge of God and his saving truth sanctified to the performance of his will and Commandements certified by the holy Spirit of our salvation in Christ Jesus and by thee applied unto us to bee regenerated and borne againe by thy holy operation from sin to grace to thy glory and our endlesse felicity And thy Spirit also witnesseth to our spirits that we are the children of God and heires with Christ of the Kingdome of heaven to the eternall comfort of all thy servants being by thee also united to our blessed Christ and sealed to the day of redemption and continually assisting us to all goodnesse Now great and glorious Lord God Father Son and Holy Ghost thou hast plentifully powred downe thy manifold mercies and favours upon us and multiplied exceedingly thy blessings and benefits spirituall and temporall towards us before we had being in the world since we were borne and after death thou hast laid up an eternall weight of glory for all those to possesse that truly beleeve in thee which give me grace to doe for none hath or ever can deserve them Oh the abundant mercy bounty and goodnesse of our gracious God towards mortall mankinde who can declare the height and depth of Gods unspeakable love or be sufficiently thankfull to him for such unexpressible benefits but with David we may say Lord What is man that thou art mindefull of him Or what shall we render to thee for all thy mercies having in us no good at all but what we receive from thy selfe therefore Lord adde this further grace unto thy former favours by the assistance of thine owne Spirit to make us thy unworthy servants able rightly faithfully and constantly to feare love honour serve obey and praise thy most glorious Name while we live and for ever and ever Amen 32. A Prayer to God the Holy Ghost for Saturday night O God Holy Ghost the giver of all graces and and my gracious sanctifier comforter and preserver thou knowest my infirmities my inclination to all evill and backwardnesse to any goodnesse vouchsafe Lord to sanctifie mee thy poore sinfull servant in soule body and spirit throughout to thy true feare intire love and right faithfull and constant service all my time to come And be pleased Lord by thy grace to enlighten my dull soule and understanding with the sound knowledge sincere love and stedfast beleefe of thy saving truth and keepe me ever constant therein And vouchsafe deare Lord to inrich me thy poore unworthy servant with the infinite treasure of that heavenly wisdome from above which waiteth about thy Throne that may teach me thy holy will and what is good and acceptable unto thee and inable me with grace to doe it that so I may discerne between good and evill and make me shunne and hate that which is evill and follow and cleave unto that which is good and to withdraw my love from this vaine world and fix my affections upon thee my God and on heavenly things that are above that my chiefe treasure may be settled there in heaven and my heart also and so I shall first seek to obtaine that
Mary that better part which may never be taken from mee chiefly to serve and follow thee that so I may turne this freedome from the bond of mariage only the more to thy service and may become thy bond woman to serve and praise thee day and night like Hanna so long as I live And Lord assist me with thy grace to obey thee in all things according to thy holy will daily endeavouring to work out my salvation with feare and trembling and continually striving by a godly life and holy conversation to make my calling and election sure which is one of the chiefest things needfull Now deare God make me to change and far exceed the fervent affection and carefull observance I have lived in towards my husband into a holy feare with devout and sincere love of thy Majesty and service and due watchfulnesse over my selfe that I displease not thee my God in any thing And good God by thy holy Spirit withdraw my heart from the covetous seeking desiring and longing after the vanities riches delights preferments or vaine pleasures of this wicked deceitfull world but instead of my former care and troubles in worldly businesses to please my husband and for the good of my children let me now bend my minde and wholly set my heart and soule to seeke after thee my good God thy glory thy Kingdome and the righteousnesse thereof that so I may walke before thee all the rest of my daies with an upright faithfull and perfect heart in thy sight Lastly indue mee with true thankfulnesse to thy gracious Majesty for all thy manifold mercies vouchsafed unto me Lord give me grace to use those benefits thou bestowest on me conscionably as may be best pleasing unto thee and to imploy all I have to thy glory the relievement of thy truest servants and my owne comfort especially the good of my soule in performing my duty towards thee in striving to doe all the good I can while I have time for I desire so to use and receive thy blessings here as I may be also received into the place of eternall blessednesse hereafter through Jesus Christ my Lord. Finally I most humbly beg that thou wilt vouchsafe to be a loving and gracious Father in thy care and comfort to me and all mine and let thy mercie blessing and favour rest alwaies upon me my children and grand-children kindred and friends with all that thou hast given thy poore servant who doth in all humility commend and commit my selfe my waies and workes wholy to thy most blessed protection and direction to dispose according to thy good pleasure that so I may doe all things to thy glory here and by thy mercy be a happy partaker of thy eternall Kingdome of glory hereafter through Jesus Christ my Lord Amen 2. A Prayer to the God of mercy in time of affliction O Most gracious Lord God the originall of all goodnesse and fountaine of mercie thou hast commanded thy poore servants to call upon thee in the day of trouble that thou maiest deliver us and we may glorifie thee great are the troubles of thy children but thou deliverest them out of all thine eyes O Lord are upon thy servants and thine eares are open to their cry for thou art near unto all that call upon thee in truth and wilt save such as bee afflicted in spirit the sorrows of my heart are increased Lord draw me out of my troubles the poore crieth and the Lord heareth he prepareth their hearts and bendeth his eares to them and delivereth them out of all their feare and care for the hope afflicted shall not perish before thee for ever The Lord also will be a refuge in due time even in affliction and they that know thy Name will trust in thee for thou wilt not faile them that seek thee have mercy upon me O Lord consider my troubles which I suffer of them that hate me without cause thou hast been my defence and hast lifted me up from the gates of death O Lord my God in thee I put my trust save me from them that persecute mee and deliver me in thy good time But dear God I most humbly confesse that my sinnes are so many and grievous as they have deserved farre greater punishment then I am able to beare and I can hope for no helpe or release but from thine owne goodnesse who art my only hope and sure refuge for thou hast mercy on whom thou wilt have mercy and takest compassion on whom thou pleasest but I acknowledge that my sufferings are not answerable to my sinnes for thou hast corrected me with favour not in rigor therefore if thou shouldest kill me yet will I trust in thee for thy mercy exceedeth all thy workes and under the shadow of thy wings will I rest in confidence till all my afflictions be overpassed Yet Lord if it seem good unto thee to continue these heavy troubles and visitations that now lye sore on me I humbly pray thee to sanctifie all my afflictions unto me thy poore servant which I hope are but fatherly chastisements for the amendment of my faults and not the fearfull judgements and ensignes of thy wrathfull displeasure from which Lord for thy Sonnes sake preserve me â—â—y poore sinfull creature and lay no more upon me then thou wilt make me able to undergoe as I ought to doe saying with Ely It is the Lord let him do what he pleaseth and make me to consider like Job that naked I came into the world and naked I shall returne the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken praised be his name for ever but thou Lord art my stength and my stay in all distractions I further humbly beseech thee to give me grace and patience in all things and at all times to keep my selfe from any offence towards thee by repining at thy just and favourable corrections for my transgressions but grant that I may as Christ hath taught us meekly and humbly submit my selfe to thy most righteous and blessed will that so I may by thy assistance make the best and right use of whatsoever thou sendest that all may be to the best for thy honour and turne to my good when thou art pleased to give a happy issue to this temptation and in thy good time to ease and deliver me out of these great adversities to thy glory But I know that the afflictions of this present world are not worthy of the glory that shall bee revealed to us hereafter yet I humbly desire if it so please thee that I may live the rest of my daies in peace and quiet constantly to attend thy service and seek after my owne salvation Lord be mercifull to this whole Kingdome now in very great distraction distresse and misery and also to all my fellow members in thy whole Church universall wheresoever any of us are afflicted inwardly or outwardly in body or minde grant us either speedy delivery or else grace to performe thy good pleasure and with