happiness in thy heavenly Kingdom In the mean time O Lord whilst it is thy blessed will and pleasure that I may continue to spend and end that small number and remnant of my daies that I may apply my heart to wisdom and as thou dost add daies to my life so I beseech thee to add repentance and amendment to my sinful daies that as I grow in years I may grow in grace and favour with thee and all thy people and to this end give unto me a supply of all those graces which thou knowest to be wanting in me and necessary for me with an increase of all those good gifts wherewith thou hast already endowed me that so I may be the better enabled to lead such a godly life and an honest conversation as that thy Name may thereby be glorified others may take good example by me and my soul may cheerfully feed on the peace of a good conscience and be more replenished with the Joy of the Holy Ghost And here O Lord according to my bounden duty I give the most humble and hearty thanks for all those blessings which of thy goodness thou hast bestowed upon me and namely for that thou hast of thy free grace and love according to thine eternal purpose elected me before the foundation of the world was laid unto salvation in Jesus Christ For that thou hast created me in thine own Image and hast begun to restore that in me which was lost in our First Parents For that thou hast effectually called me by the working of thy Holy Spirit in the Preaching of the Gospel and the Receiving of thy Sacrament to the knowledge of thy saving grace and obedience to thy blessed Will For that thou hast bought and redeemed me with the blood of thy only begotten Son from the torment of Hell and thraldom of Satan For that thou hast by Faith in Christ freely justified me who am by nature the child of wrath For that thou hast in good measure justified me by thy Holy Spirit and given me so large a time to repent together with the means of Repentance I thank thee likewise good Lord for my life health wealth liberty food rayment peace prosperity and plenty and for that thou hast preserved me this night from all perils and dangers of soul and body and hast brought me safe to the beginning of this day and as thou hast now awakened my body from sleep so I beseech thee to awaken my body from sin and carnal security and as thou hast caused the light of the day to shine in our bodily eyes so good Lord cause the light of thy Word and Holy Spirit to illuminate my understanding and give me grace as one of thy children of light to walk in all holy obedience before thy face this day and all the daies and time of my whole life and that I may endeavour to keep faith and a good conscience towards God and towards all men in all my thoughts words and dealings and so good Lord bless all studies and actions which I shall take in hand this day as that they may tend to thy glory the good of others and the comfort of my own soul and conscience in that day when I shall make my final request unto thee for them O my God keep thy servant that I do not evil unto any man this day and let it be thy blessed will not to suffer the Devil nor his wicked Angels nor any of his evil members or my malicious enemies to have any power to do me any hurt or harm this day but let the eyes of thy holy providence watch over me for good and not for evil and command thy holy Angels to pitch their tents round about me for my defence and safety in my going out and my coming in as thou hast promised they should do about them that fear thy Name for into thy hands O Father I do here commend my soul and body my actions and all that ever I have to be guided and protected by thee being assured that whatsoever thou takest into thy custody cannot suffer or take any hurt or harm and if I at any time this day shall through frailty forget thee yet Lord I beseech thee do thou in mercy remember me And I pray not alone for my self unto thee O Father but I beseech thee also be merciful unto thy whole Church and chosen people wheresoever they live upon the face of the whole Earth defend them from the rage and tyranny of the Devil the World and Antichrist give thy Gospel a free and a joyful passage through the world for the conversion of those who belong to thine Election and Kingdom Bless the Church and Kingdoms wherein we live with the continuance of peace and true Religion and Justice Defend our gracious King Charles from all his enemies and grant him a long life in health and all happiness to raign over us Bless our gracious Queen Katherine James Duke of York and all the rest of the Royal Family increase in them all heroical and spiritual graces which may make them fit for those places for which thou ordainedst them direct all the Nobility Bishops and Magistrates of this Kingdom and Commonwealth govern thou them that they may govern the Commons in true Religion Justice Obedience and Tranquility Be merciful unto all the people that fear thee and call upon thy Name and comfort as many among them as lie sick or are comfortless in body or mind especially be favourable to all such as suffer any trouble or persecution for the testimony of the Truth and holy Gospel and give them a gracious deliverance out of all their troubles which way it shall seem best to thy wisdom for the glory of thy Name the farther inlarging of the Truth and the more ample increase of their comfort and consolation Hasten thy coming O blessed Saviour and end these sinful daies and give me grace that like a wise Virgin I may be prepared with Oil in my Lamp to meet thee the sweetest Bridegroom of my soul at thy coming whether it be by the day of death or the day of judgment and then Lord Jesus come quickly even Lord Jesus come when thou wilt these and all other graces which thou knowest to be needful and necessary both for my soul and my body this day and for ever I humbly beg and crave at thy hands O Father giving thee thy praise and glory in that absolute form of prayer which Christ himself hath taught me to say unto thee Our Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy Name c. Another Shorter Morning Prayer O Most gracious God and merciful Father I thine unworthy servant do acknowledge that as I have been born in sin so I have lived in iniquity and broken every one of thy commandments in thought word and deed following the desires of my own will and lusts of my flesh not caring to be governed by thy holy Word and Spirit therefore I have
ingenious and free from sordid ends or servile flattery a modest gravity in my deportment affability a fair courteous demeanour towards all men austerity in condemning my own sins sweetness in fraternal correction and reprehending others mature judgment a chast body and a clean soul patience in suffering deliberation in my words and actions good counsels in all my purposes make me just in performing promises and in all my duties sedulous in my calling profitable to the Commonwealth a true Son of the Church and of a disposition meek and charitable towards all men Amen O Lord let thy grace be so present with me that though my body sleep yet my soul may for ever be watchful that I sleep not in sin or pretermit any opportunity of doing thee service Let the remembrance of thy goodness and glory be first and last with me and so unite my heart unto thee with habitual charity that all my actions and sayings may be directed to thy glory and every motion and inclination either of soul or body may in some capacity or other receive a blessing from thee and do thee service that whether I sleep or wake travel or rest eat or drink live or die I may alwaies feel the light of thy countenance shining so upon me that my labours may be easie my rest blessed my food sanctified and my whole life spent with so much sanctity and peace that scaping from the darkness of this world I may at last come to the land of everlasting rest in thy light to behold light and glory through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity now and ever more Another Prayer for the Evening VIsit we beseech thee O Lord this habitation with thy mercy and us thy servants with thy salvation and repel far from us all the snares of the enemy Let thy holy Angels dwell here to keep us in peace and safety and thy blessing be upon us for ever through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen O Lord Jesus Christ the lively Image of thy Fathers mercy and glory the Saviour of all them that put their trust in thee we offer and present to thee all our strength and powers of our souls and body and whatsoever we are or have to be preserved governed and possest by thee preserve us from all vitious vain and proud cogitations unchast affections from all those things which thou hatest grant us thy holy charity that we may love thee above all the world that we may with all sincerity of intention and zealous affections seek thee alone and in thee alone take our rest inseparably joyning our selves unto thee who art worthy to be beloved and adored of all thy creatures with lowest prostration and highest affection now and for ever more Amen O Father of mercies and God of all comfort let thy blessing be upon us and upon all the members of thy holy Church all health and safety both of body and soul assist us against all our enemies visible and invisible now and for ever more send us a quiet night and a holy death in the actual communion of the Catholick Church and in thy charity through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Our Father which art in Heaven c. Now and in all dangers and afflictions of soul and body in the hour of death and in the day of Judgment save and deliver us O sweet Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Amen Short Prayers for several Occasions for the King O Lord our heavenly Father high and mighty King of Kings who in thy hands hast the heart of Kings and canst turn them as the Rivers of water send the light of thy countenance and abundance of blessings upon thy servant our Soveraign Lord King Charles make him as holy valiant and prosperous as King David wise and rich like Solomon zealous for the honour of thy Law and Temple as Josiah and give him all sorts of great assistances to enable him to serve thee to glorifie thy holy Name to protect thy Church to promote true Religion to overcome all his enemies to make glad all his people that he serving thee with all diligence and utmost of his endeavours his people may serve him with honour and obedience in thee and for thee according to thy blessed Word and Ordinance through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen For the Queen O God of Heaven Father of all mercies have mercy upon our most gracious Queen unite her unto thee with the hands of faith and love preserve her to her lives end in thy favour and make her instrumental of glory to thy Name of refreshment to the Church of Joy to the all faithful people of this Kingdom and crown her with an eternal weight of glory through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen For our Children O Father of Heaven God of all the creatures by whose providence mankind is increased I bless thy Name for bestowing on me that blessing of the righteous man the blessing of children Lord bless them with health with life and good understanding with fair opportunities and advantages of education society tutors and governours and above all with the graces of thy holy Spirit that they may live and be blessed under thy protection grow in grace and be in favour with God and man and at last make up the number of thine elect Children through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer of a Wife for her Husband O My God who hast graciously been pleased to call me to the holy state of Matrimony bless me in it with the grace of chastity with loyalty obedience and complacency to my husband and bless him with long life with healthful body with an understanding soul with abundance of thy graces which may make him to be and continue thy servant a true Son of the Church and a supporter and guide to his Wife a blessing and a comfort to his Children through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Of a Husband for his Wife O Merciful God who art a Father to us thy Children espouse to thy holy Church a Saviour and a Redeemer to all mankind have mercy upon thy Handmaid my Wife endow her with all the ornaments of thy heavenly grace make her to be holy and devout as Hester loving and amiable as Rachel fruitful as Leah that being filled with grace and benediction here she may be partaker of thy glory hereafter through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen For safety in Childbirth O Blessed Jesu Son of the Eternal God who according to thy humility wert born of a holy Maid who conceived thee without sin and brought thee forth without pain have mercy upon me thy humble servant and as by thy blessing I have conceived so grant that by thy favourable assistance I may be safely delivered Lord grant me patience and strength and confidence in thee and send thy holy Angel to be my Guardian in the hour of my travel O shut not up my soul with sinners nor my life with them that go down to the
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
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
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
despairing a sight of thy mercies and do thou O Lord for every one abundantly above what they can ask or or think Forgive my enemies persecutors and slanderers and turn their hearts Pour down thy blessings upon all my friends and benefactors all who have commended themselves to my prayers here thou mayest name particular persons and grant O most merciful Father that through this blood of the Cross we may be presented pure and unblameable and unreprovable in thy sight that so we may be admitted into that place of purity where no unclean thing can enter there to sing all eternal praises to Father Son and Holy Ghost forever Amen A Prayer in time of Affliction O Just and holy Lord who with rebukes dost chasten man for sin I desire unfeignedly to humble my self under thy mighty hand which now lies heavy upon me I heartily acknowledge O Lord that all I do all I can suffer is but the due reward of my deeds therefore in thy severest inflictions I must still say Righteous art thou O Lord righteous are thy Judgments but O Lord I beseech thee in Judgment remember mercy although my sins have enforced thee to strike yet consider my weakness and let not my stripes be more heavy or more lasting than thou seest proportionable for my soul Correct me but with the chastisement of a Father not with the wounds of an enemy and though thou take not off thy Rod yet take away thine anger Lord do not abhor my soul and cast not away thy servant in displeasure but pardon my sins I beseech thee and if yet in thy fatherly wisdom thou seest fit to prolong thy corrections thy blessed will be done I cast my self O Lord at thy feet do with me what thou pleasest try my as silver is tryed so that thou bring me out purified And Lord make me even my flesh also to subscribe to this Resignation that there be nothing in me that may rebel against thy hand but that I may suppress all repining thoughts and may cheerfully drink of this Cup how bitter soever thou art pleased to make it Lord let it prove medicinal and cure all the diseases of my soul that it may bring forth in me the peaceable fruit of Righteousness that so these light afflictions which are but for a moment may work for me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory through Jesus Christ. Amen A Thanksgiving for Deliverance O Blessed Lord who art gracious and merciful slow to anger and of great kindness and repentest of the evil I thankfully acknowledge before thee that thou hast not dealt with me after my sins nor rewarded me according to my iniquities my Rebellions O Lord deserve to be scourged with Scorpions and thou hast corrected them only with a fatherly Rod neither hast thou suffered me to lye long under that but hast given me a timely and gracious issue out of my late distresses O Lord I will be glad and rejoyce in thy mercy for thou hast considered my trouble and hast known my soul in adversity Thou hast smitten and thou hast healed me O let these various methods have their proper effects upon my soul that I who have felt the smart of thy chastisements may stand in awe and sin not and that I who have likewise tasted the sweet refreshings of thy mercy may have my heart ravished with it and knit to thee in the firmest bands of love and that by both I may be preserved in a constant entire obedience to thee all my daies through Jesus Christ. Amen A Prayer for a Sick Person O Merciful and righteous Lord the God of health and of sickness of life and of death I most unfeignedly acknowledge that my great abuse of those many daies of strength and welfare that thou hast afforded me hath most justly deserved thy present visitation I desire O Lord humbly to accept of the punishment of the Lord for my iniquity and to bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him And O thou merciful Father who designest not the ruine but the amendment of those whom thou scourgest I beseech thee by thy grace so to sanctifie this correction of thine to me that this sickness of my body may be a means of health to my soul. Make me diligent to search my heart and do thou O Lord discover every cursed thing how close soever concealed there that by the removal thereof I may make way for the removal of this punishment Heal my soul O Lord which hath sinned against thee and then if it be thy blessed will heal my body also Restore the voice of joy and health into my dwelling that I may live to praise thee and to bring forth fruit of Repentance but if in thy wisdom thou hast otherwise disposed if thou hast determined that this sickness shall be unto death I beseech thee to fit and prepare me for it Give me that sincere and earnest Repentance to which thou hast promised mercy and pardon Wean my heart from the world and its fading vanities and make me to gasp and pant after those more excellent and durable Joyes which are at thy right hand forever Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon me and in all the pains of my body in all the agonies of my spirit let thy comforts refresh my soul and enable me patiently to wait till my change come and grant O Lord that when my earthly Tabernacle is dissolved I may have a building not made with hands eternal in the Heavens and that for his sake who by his precious blood hath purchased it for me even Jesus Christ. Amen A Thanksgiving for Recovery O Most gracious Lord the God of the spirits of all flesh in whose hand my time is I praise and magnifie thee that thou hast in love to my soul delivered me from the pit of destruction and restored me to health again It is of thy mercy alone O Lord that thou hast preserved my life from destruction thou hast chastened and corrected me but thou hast not given me over unto death O let this life which thou hast thus graciously spared be wholly consecrated unto thee Behold O Lord I am by thy mercy made whole O make me strictly careful to sin no more lest a worse thing come unto me Let not this reprieve thou hast now given me make me secure as thinking my Lord delayeth his coming but grant me I beseech thee to make a right use of this long-suffering of thine and so to imploy every minute of that time thou hast allowed me that when thou shalt appear I may have confidence and not be ashamed before thee at thy coming Lord I have found by this approach towards death how dreadful a thing it is to be taken unprepared O let it be a perpetual admonition to me to watch for my Masters coming and when the pleasures of sin shall present themselves to entice me O make me to remember how bitter they
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
Name For I am weary of my groaning every night wash I my bed and water my Couch with my tears therefore haste thee to help me O Lord God of my salvation and they shall know how that this is thy hand and that thou Lord hast done it O Lord God my Helper and Redeemer have mercy upon me and all thy faithful people make haste and help us O God against all those that seek after our souls to do us mischief Make us to delight in thee to wait upon thy salvation to trust in thy mercies to rejoyce in thy excellencies and perfection that our feet being directed by thy guidance our weaknesses strengthened by thy power our sins pardoned by thy mercies and our souls justified by thy free grace we may alwaies give thee praise with the humble addresses of devotion and thanksgiving through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen The Collect. O God who hast prepared for them that love thee such good things as pass man's understanding pour into our hearts such love towards thee as pass man's understanding that we loving thee above all things may obtain thy promises which exceed all we can desire through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer for the continuance of God's Favour to me even to my old Age and longing for a happy departure O Lord God foolish men are plagued for their offences and because of their wickedness so when they cryed unto the Lord in their trouble he delivered them out of their dIstress O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness and declare the wonders that he doth for the children of men A fruitful Land maketh he barren for the wickedness of them that dwell therein yet he satisfies the empty soul and filleth the hungry soul with goodness such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death being fast bound in misery and Iron O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness and declare the wonders that he doth for the children of men O Lord how manifold are thy works in wisdom hast thou made them all The Earth is full of thy Riches O remember the marvellous works that he hath done his wonders and the judgments of his mouth O ye seed of Abraham his servant ye children of Jacob his chosen he hath been alway mindfull of his Covenant and Promise that he made to a thousand generations in the multitude of the sorrows that I had in my heart thy comforts have refreshâ—d my soul for the Lord is my Refuge and my God is the strength of my confidence The Lord is a great God and King above all Gods O ye that love the Lord see that ye hate the thing that is evil The Lord preserveth the souls of his Saints he delivereth them from the hand of the ungodly Rejoyce in the Lord O ye righteous and give thanks in remembrance of his holiness O let me have understanding in the waies of godliness A froward heart shall depart from me I will not know a wicked person Mine eyes look upon such as be faithful in the Land that they may dwell with me Whoso leadeth a godly life shall be my servant There shall no deceitful person dwell in my house He that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight I shall soon destroy all the ungodly that are in the Land that I may root out all wicked doers O Lord God deliver me from among the wicked and save me for thy mercy sake and let not my wicked sins prevail against me Hear my prayers O Lord and let my cry come unto thee O Lord God my house of defence and my Castle who by thy mercies and loving Spirit hast taught me in thy waies from my first years until now thou hast brought me to great honour even the honour of being a Christian the honour of Adoption to be thy child and heir of thy glorious promises co-heirs with thy Son Jesus Christ and hast comforted me on every side with a continual stream of thy mercies and refreshments Give me thy grace that I may love thee and long for thee above all the things in this world As thou hast holpen me up ever since I was born so let thy mercy go along with me all the daies of my life Cast me not off in the time of Age. Give me grace that I may never cast thee off or thy Laws from me Let not thy grace and the great strength I derive from thy thee forsake me when my natural strength fails me but let my spirit grow upon the advantages of the flesh and begin to receive the happiness of Eternity by an absolute conquest over the weak and decaying body that after I have by thine Aid passed through the great troubles and adversities thou shewest unto all thy children in the world I may lye down in thy Righteousness and with thy favour that when thou bringest me out of the deep of the earth again I may have a joyful resurrection to the society of Saints and Angels and the full fruition of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen The Collect. O God who hast prepared for all them that love thee such good things that pass man's understanding pour into my heart such love towards thee that I loving thee above all things may obtain the promises which exceed all that I can desire through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen A Prayer for obtaining of Christ's Kingdom HIde not thy face from me O Lord in the time of my trouble and encline thine ears unto me when I call O hear me and that right soon for thou art full of mercy and compassion long suffering and of great goodness thou art not alwaies chiding neither keepest thou thine anger for ever thou dost not deal with me after my sins nor rewardest thou me according to my wickedness for look how high the Heaven is in comparison of the Earth so far hast thou set my sins from thee yea like as a Father pitieth his own Children even so the Lord is merciful to them that fear him for he knoweth whereof we be made he remembreth we are but dust and the merciful goodness of the Lord endureth for ever and ever to them that fear him and his Righteousness to his Childrens Children even upon such as keep his Covenant and think upon his Commandments to do them Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord he hath great delight in his Commandments his seed shall be mighty upon earth the generation of the faithful shall be blessed riches and plentiousness shall be in his house his Righteousness endureth for ever Unto the godly there riseth up light in the darkness he is merciful loving and righteous A good man is merciful and lendeth and will guide his words with discretion for he shall never be moved and the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance for he will not be afraid of any evil tydings for his heart standeth fast and is stablished in the Lord and will not shrink
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
through thy bountiful goodness we may be delivered from the bondage of those sins which by our frailty we have committed grant this O heavenly Father for Jesus Christ his sake our blessed Lord and Saviour Amen A Thanksgiving to God for all his benefits and mercies O Most merciful God whose mercies are as high as the Heavens as many as the moments of eternity thou hast opened thy hand wide to me with thy blessing and the sweet effects of thy loving kindness Thou art pitiful as a Father tender as a Mother careful as a Guardian and exceeding merciful to all them that fear thee I pray thee to fill my soul with apprehension and impresses of thy unspeakable mercy that my thankfulness may be as great as my need of mercy is and let thy merciful loving-kindness endure for ever and ever upon thy poor servant that putteth his trust in thee Keep no anger in store for me Chide me not in thy displeasure Satisfie my mouth with good things Remove all my sins from me as far as the East is from the West Heal all my infirmities and save my life from destruction for all these are mercies that thou delightest it and because I cannot praise thee according to thy excellencies take my soul in thy due time into the land of everlasting praises that I may spend a whole Eternity in ascribing to thy name praise and honour and dominion grant this for Jesus Christ his sake my Lord and only Saviour Amen The Collect. ALmighty and everlasting God absolve thy people from their offences that through thy bountiful goodness we may be delivered from the bonds of those sins which by our frailty we have committed grant this heavenly Father for Jesus Christ his sake our blessed Lord and Saviour Amen A Thanksgiving for deliverance from misery and danger O Lord God gracious and good whose mercy endureth for ever in my trouble I cry unto thee for when my heart is brought down through heaviness there is none to help me up or to deliver me out of my distress but only thou O Lord I have sinned I have rebelled against thee and lightly regarded thy counsel I have walked and sate in darkness and in the shadow of death being fast bound in the captivity and misery of sin O bring thou me out of darkness and break my bonds in sunder Guide me through the desert of the world in which grows nothing but sadness and discontent still the tempest and smooth the floods of misery which are ready to overwhelm me and in thy due time bring me to eternal rest and to the Haven where I would fain be that in the Congregation of thy holy people I may praise thee for thy goodness and declare thy wonders that thou hast done for me in delivering me from sins misery and death and bringing me to a City to dwell in where there is life and light and joy eternal in the beholding the face of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen The Collect. GRant I beseech thee O merciful Lord to thy faithful people pardon and peace that they may be cleansed from all their sins and fear thee with a quiet mind through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer of Thanksgiving for all the mercies and salvation which are given us in Christ Jesus O Most gracious God and most merciful Father my strength and my salvation for thy mercy endureth for ever be thou on my side take part with them that help me and forsake me not in time of need let the voice of joy and health be in my dwelling and when thou chastenest and correctest me for my sins give me not over unto death but fix my faith and hopes upon the head stone in the corner even my Lord Jesus Christ that in all the assaults made against me by my ghostly enemies the right hand of the Lord may have the preheminence and bring mighty things to pass even victory and deliverance unto thy servants that I putting no confidence in the best of men may trust in thee O Lord till at last when thou openest the everlasting gates of righteousness I may enter in and give thee praise and thanks through Jesus Christ my Lord and only Saviour Amen The Collect. O God my Refuge and Strength who art the Author of all godliness be ready to hear the devout prayer of thy Church and grant that those things which we ask faithfully we may obtain effectually through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer that God would be pleased to pardon my many and great sins and direct me in the waies of Righteousness O Lord my Judge and my Redeemer hearken unto me for thy Truth and Righteousness sake and deliver me from the guilt of all my sins and from those great punishments which are due unto me for the same enter not into judgment with me for in thy sight no man can be justified by any worthiness of his own Endue my soul with a righteousness of a holy life living and working by charity Shew me the way that I should walk in Teach me to do whatsoever pleaseth thee Quicken my soul in the path of life and so continue the conduct of thy Spirit in me that it may never leave me till I be brought forth of this world into the Land of Righteousness to dwell with thee eternally through Jesus Christ my Lord and only Saviour Amen The Collect. O God my Refuge and Strength who art the Author of all godliness be ready I beseech thee to hear the devout prayer of thy Church and grant that those things which I ask faithfully I may obtain effectually through Jesus Christ my Lord and only Saviour Amen A Thanksgiving for the benefit of the holy Gospel particularly of the blessed Sacrament O Blessed Jesu whose Righteousness endureth for ever thy work is worthy to be praised and had in honour for that thou hast been merciful to us and hast given meat even the fruit of a blessed Sacrament unto them that fear thee that by the participation of thy holy Communion we should have thee in remembrance and ever be mindfull of thy Covenant plant in our hearts the fear of thy Name give us wisdom and good understanding make us to have pleasure in thee and all thy works that we obeying the precepts of thy holy Gospel and performing the conditions of thy Covenant which thou hast established for ever in truth and equity in verity and judgment we may worthily praise and adore thy reverend and holy Name among the faithful in this life and in the Congregation of thy Saints in the life to come through thy mercies O blessed Jesu to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost be honour and glory now and for ever more Amen The Collect. ALmighty and everlasting God who dost govern all things both in Heaven and in Earth mercifully hear the supplications of thy people and grant us thy grace all the daies of our life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
soul thirsteth for thee my flesh longeth for thee in a barren and dry ground I remember thy loving kindness of old time I can but wish at least to see thy power and thy glory as I have known thee in thy Sanctuary There is none in Heaven that I desire but thee nor on Earth besides thee My soul followeth hard after thee O when wilt thou come unto me O hide not thy face from thy servant lest I come to misery Hear me speedily for I am poor and needy Make haste unto me O my God thou art my helper and deliverer O Lord make no long tarrying I am come a great way from my friends and kindred and here is none to pity me O my God be not thou far from me Draw nigh unto my soul and redeem it I am poor and sorrowful let thy salvation set me up on high for thou who searchest the heart knowest that I set my heart only to seek thee I desire to leave all the world that I may find my happiness only in thee O heavenly Father with my whole heart I desire to do thy blessed will in all things yea thus far I acknowledge thou hast most gratefully conducted me Hitherto I have been highly favoured and wonderfully helped and preserved by thee and wilt thou now at last abandon me who desire at last to have abandoned all things else for thy sake Hast thou called me from mine own Country and from my Fathers house and now to be forsaken by thee O my God give me leave to plead for a soul that I thought was once dear unto thee Pity O pity an heart which thou hast made too great for all the world and cannot be satisfied with less than thee Canst thou see it die for want of one smile from thee yea canst thou let it die of love to thee for that hath brought me thus far to seek thee and wilt thou suffer it to die at thy feet canst thou endure to behold it in thine arms into which it now throws it self with all the force it hath shall it miscarry full of prayers and longings after thee shall it expire in cries and tears when it calls for mercy O where are thy bowels what is become of thine ancient loving kindness are they all forfeited by one offence against thee O my God I cannot think so hardly of thee I begin to live methinks because thou permittest these addresses to thee it inspires me with some hopes to find these holy breathings in me it rejoyces me much that I feel thee drawing my very heart after thee O take it I beseech thee take it quite away from me unto thy self shape it after thine own heart make it such as thou canst embrace it create in 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 Restore to me the joy of thy salvation and uphold me with thy free spirit and all this for Jesus Christ his sake Amen Ejaculations to be used at the Lord's Supper LOrd I am not worthy thou shouldest come under my roof I have sinned what shall I do unto thee O thou preserver of men Here recollect some of thy greatest sins If thou Lord shouldest be extream to mark what is done amiss O Lord who may abide it but with the Lord there is mercy and with him there is plentious redemption Behold O Lord thy Beloved Son in whom thou art well pleased Hearken to the cry of his blood which speaketh better things than that of Abel by his Agony and bloody Sweat by his Cross and Passion good Lord deliver us O Lamb of God which takest away the sins of the world grant us thy peace O Lamb of God which takest away the sins of the world have mercy upon me O Lord for thy mercy sake Amen Devotions for the Help and assistance of all Christian People in all occasions and necessities A Prayer against wandring Thoughts to be said at the beginning of our Devotions ALmighty God who hast commanded us to pray unto thee without ceasing and hast added many glorious promises for our encouragement let thy holy Spirit teach me how to pray Give me just apprehension of my want zeal of thy glory great resentments of thy mercies love of all spiritual employments that are pleasing unto thee and do thou help mine infirmities that the Devil may not abuse my fancy with illusions nor distract my mind with cares nor alienate my thoughts with impertinencies but give me a perfect mind great devotion a heart fixed upon thy Divine Beauties and an actual intention and perseverance in prayer that I may glorifie thy Name do unto thee true and laudable service and obtain relief for all my necessities hear me O King of Heaven when I call upon thee for thou hast promised mercy to them that pray in the Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen A Penitential Prayer a Form of Confession of sins to God to be said upon daies of publick or private Humiliation O Lord God of mercy and pardon give me a just remembrance and sad apprehension of my many and great sins Teach me to bewail them with as great indignation and bitterness as I have committed them with complacency and delight Let my prayers and my confession come unto thy presence and obtain a mercy for me and a pardon Let not thy Justice and thy severity so remember my sins as to forget thine own mercy and though I have committed that for which I have deserved to be condemned yet thou canst not lose that glorious Attribute whence flows comfort to us and hopes to be saved Spare me therefore O merciful God for to give pardon to a sinner that confesseth his sins and begs Remission it is not impossible to thy Power nor disproportionate to thy Justice nor unusual to thy Mercy and sweetest Clemency Blessed Jesu acknowledge in me whatsoever is thine and cleanse me from whatsoever is amiss Have pity on me now in the time of mercy and condemn me not when thou comest to judgment For what profit is there in my blood Thou delightest not in the death of a sinner but in his conversion there is joy in Heaven And when thou hast delivered me from my sins and saved my soul I shall praise and magnifie thy Name to all eternity mercy sweet Jesus mercy Lord have mercy upon us Christ have mercy upon us Lord have mercy upon us Our Father which art in Heaven c. I Am not worthy O Lord to look up to Heaven which is the Throne of thy Purity for my sins are more in number than the hairs of my head and my heart hath failed me Lord be merciful unto me a sinner I have not lived according to thy will but in the vanity of my own thoughts in idle sinful and impertinent language in foolish actions in blindness of heart in contempt of thy holy Word and Commandments I
Nation do cry for In mercy O Lord prevent the ruine thereof lest the Heathen should say where is now their God O Lord bless with the choicest of thy blessings our most gracious Soveraign Lord King Charles endue his Royal heart with grace wisdom and understanding cloathe his enemies with shame but upon his head let his Crown flourish and grant that his daies may be long prosperous vertuous and happy Bless our gracious Queen Katherine James Duke of York and all the rest of the Royal Family endue them with thy grace and defend them from all evil Bless all our Magistrates and Ministers with all those graces necessary for their places govern thou them that they may govern us in peace and godliness and true Religion O Lord in much mercy bless all my friends and my relations with all those blessings and benefits needful both for their souls and for their bodies O Lord be merciful to all those poor souls that are under any kind of want need or necessity or under any kind of affliction in much mercy be unto them a present help in trouble support them sustain and lay no more upon them than they shall be able to bear and send them a happy issue out of all their troubles O Lord God for thy mercies sake bestow a double portion of thy blessing upon those whom thou hast made nearest or dearest unto me O Lord pardon all their sins supply all their wants relieve all their necessities and reform whatsoever is amiss in them and give them grace to lead a new life and make them thy true and faithful servants preserve them and me this day from doing or receiving any hurt or harm preserve us from all evil especially from the evil of sin and the evil of punishment and from all sad accidents O Lord bless us this day in our going out and in our coming in bless and prosper us in whatsoever we go about to do let us have all our direction from thy will and the happy success from thy merciful hand and when this mortal life is ended O Lord for Christ Jesus his sake grant that we may enjoy Heaven and the Righteousness thereof and in the mean time grant unto every one of us thy loving countenance thy favour and thy grace and here I will praise and magnifie thy great and glorious Name for electing us in thy love for creating us after thine own Image and for redeeming us by thy dear Son and for sanctifying us by the grace of thy holy Spirit and for thy gracious preservation of us this night past Likewise I praise thee O Lord for our life health strength liberty food and rayment humbly beseeching thee O Lord to continue thy loving kindness towards us from time to time so long as it may be a blessing unto every one of us and our thankfulness towards thee for all thy goodness bestowed upon our souls and our bodies which exceeds our memories and our thanks and all for the sake of thy dear Son and our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen In whose Name I further call upon thee as he hath taught us saying Our Father which art in Heaven c. O Lord Jesus Christ Son of the Eternal God interpose thy holy Death thy Cross and Passion between thy Judgements and my soul now and in the hour of death granting unto me grace and mercy and unto all the faithful pardon and peace to the Church unity and amity and to all sinners repentance and amendment to all life and glory everlastingly who liveth and reigneth ever one God world without end Amen A Form of Thanksgiving with a particular enumeration of God's Blessing O Most glorious Lord God infinite in mercy full of compassion long suffering and of great goodness I adore and praise and glorifie thy holy Name worshipping thee with the lowliest devotions of my soul and body and give thee thanks for all the benefits thou hast done unto me for whatsoever I am or have or know or desire as I ought it is all from thee thou art the fountain of being and blessing of sanctity and pardon of life and glory Praise the Lord O my soul and all that that is within me praise his holy Name THou O God of thine infinite goodness hast created me out of nothing and hast given me a degree of essence next to Angels imprinting thine Image on me enduing me with reasonable faculties of will and understanding to know and chuse good and to refuse evil and hast put me into a capacity of a blessed immortality O praise the Lord with me and let us magnifie his Name together THou O God of thine infinite goodness hast created me out of nothing and hast given me grace to know thy will and hast fed and cloathed me hast raised me friends and blessest them hast preserved me in all dangers hast rescued me from the peril of the sword from the rage of pestilence from dangers of Lyers and Robbers from perishing in publick distemperatures and diseases epidemical from terrours and affrightments of the mighty from the delusions of the Devil and sad separation and from many imminent dangers thou hast been my guide in my journeys my refreshment in sadness my hope and my confidence in all my grief and desolations and a present help in trouble I will give thanks unto the Lord of Lords for his mercy endureth for ever BUT above all mercies it was not less than infinite love whereby thou lovedst me and all mankind when we were lost and dead and Rebels against thy Divine Majesty Thou gavest thine own begotten Son to seek us when we went astray to restore us to life when we were dead in trespasses and sin and to reconcile us to thy self by the merits and the atonement of an everlasting Covenant He is our God even the God of whom cometh our salvation God is the Lord by whom we scape death O Most glorious Spirit I will praise and magnifie thee for the inspiration of the Apostles and Prophets for thy providence and mercies in causing holy Scriptures to be written and preserving them from the corruptions of Hereticks from the violences of Pagans and enemies of the Cross of Christ. I will alwaies give thanks unto the Lord his praise shall ever be in my mouth I Bless thy Name for those holy Promises and Threatnings those Judgements and Mercies those holy Precepts and Admonitions which thou hast registred in Scripture and in Records and Monuments of the Church for all those graces and helps and comforts whereby thou promotest me in piety and in the waies of true Religion for baptismal and penitential grace for the opportunities and sweet refreshings of the Sacrament of the Eucharist for all the advantages thou hast given me of good society Tutors and Governours for the fears thou hast produced in me as deliveries and impediments of sins for all my hopes of pardon and expectation of the promises made by our Lord Jesus Christ to encourage me
like the high way which through hardness and want of true understanding receives not the seed till the evil one cometh and catcheth it away nor the stony ground which heareth with joy for a time but falleth away as soon as persecution ariseth for the Gospels sake nor like the thorny ground which by the cares of this world and deceitfulness of riches choaketh the Word which it heareth and maketh it altogether unfruitful but that like unto the good ground I may hear thy Word with an honest and a good heart understand it and keep it and bring forth fruit with patience in that measure that thy Divine Wisdom shall think meet for thy glory and mine everlasting comfort Open likewise I beseech thee O Lord the door of utterance unto thy faithful servant whom thou hast sent unto us to open our eyes that we may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God that we may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among them which are sanctified by Faith in Christ and give me grace to submit my self to his Ministry as well when he terrifieth me with judgments as when he comforteth me with thy mercies and that I may have him in a singular love for his works sake because he watcheth for my soul as he that must give an account for the same unto his Master and give me grace to behave my self in the holy Congregation with comeliness and reverence as in thy presence and in the sight of thy holy Angels Keep me from drowsiness and sleepiness and from all wandring thoughts and worldly imaginations sanctifie my memory that it may be apt to receive and firm to remember those good and profitable doctrines which shall be taught unto us out of thy Word and that through the assistance of thy holy Spirit I may put the same lessons in practice for my directions in prosperity for my consolation in misery for the amendment of my life and the glory of thy Name and that this day which godless and prophane persons spend in their own lusts and pleasures I as an obedient servant of thine may make my chief delight to consecrate it to thy honour and glory not doing my own waies nor seeking mine own will nor speaking a vain word but that ceasing from the works of sin as well as from the work of my ordinary calling I may through thy blessing feel in my heart the beginning of that eternal Sabbath which with unspeakable joy glory I shall celebrate with thy Saints and Angels to thy praise and worship in thy heavenly Kingdom for evermore all which I humbly beg and crave at thy hands in the Name and Mediation of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in that form of prayer which he hath taught me Our Father which art in Heaven c. A Private Evening Prayer for the Sabbath Day O Holy holy holy Lord God of Sabbath suffer me who am but dust and ashes to speak unto thy glorious Majesty I know that thou art a consuming fire I acknowledge that I am but wretched stubble my sins are in thy sight and Satan stands at my right hand to accuse me for them I come not to excuse but to judge my self worthy of all those judgments which thy justice might most justly inflict upon me a wretched creature for my sins and my transgressions the number of them is so great and the nature of them is so grievous that they make me seem vile in mine own eyes how much more loathsom in thy sight I confess they make me so far from being worthy to be called thy Son that I am altogether unworthy to have the name of thy meanest servant and if thou shouldest but recompence me according to my deserts the Earth as weary of such a sinful burden should open her mouth and swallow me up like one of Dathans Family into the bottomless pit of Hell for if thou didst not spare the natural branches those Angels of glorious excellency but hurledst them down from thy heavenly habitation in the pains of hellish darkness to be kept unto damnation when they sinned but once against thy Majesty and didst expel our first Parents out of Paradise when they did but transgress one of thy Laws Alas what a vengeance may I expect who have not offended in one sin only but heaping sin upon sin without any true Repentance drinking in iniquity as it were water ever pouring in but never pouring out any filthiness and transgressed all thy Laws and Commandments yea this present day thou hast straightly commanded me to keep holy to thy praise and worship I have not so religiously kept and observed nor prepared my soul in that holiness and chastity of heart as was fit to meet thy blessed Majesty in the holy Assembly of thy Saints I have not attended to the Preaching of thy Word nor to the administration of thy Sacrament with that humility reverence and devotion that I should for though I was present at those exercises in my body yet Lord I was overtaken with much drowsiness that when I was awake my mind was so distracted and carried away with vain and worldly thoughts that my soul seemed to be absent and out of the Church I have not so duly as I should meditated with my self nor conferred with my Family upon those good instructions which I have heard and received out of thy holy Word by the publick Minister for default whereof Satan hath stollen the most part of those instructions out of my heart and I wretched creature have forgotten them as though they had never been heard and my family doth not thrive in knowledge and satisfaction under my government as they should though I know that many of my poor Brethren live in want and necessity some in pain and comfortless yet I have not remembred to relieve the one with my alms nor the other with my consolations but have feasted my self and satisfied mine own lust I have spent most part of the day in idle talk vain sports and exercises yea Lord I have c. here confess what faults thou hast done that day by omission or commission and then fetching a deep sigh from thy heart and for all these my sins my conscience cries guilty thy Laws condemns me and I am in thy hand to receive the sentence and curse that is due to the wilful breach of so holy a Commandment but what if I am by the Law condemned yet Lord thy Gospel assures me that thy mercy is above all thy works and that thy grace transcends thy Law and thy goodness delights there to raign where sinners do most abound In the multitude of the mercies and merits of Jesus Christ my Saviour I beseech thee O Lord who despisest not the sighing of a contrite heart nor desirest the death of a penitent sinner to pardon and forgive unto me all these my sins and all the errours of that day and of my whole life and free my soul
of my natural corruption and as thou dost add daies to my life so good Lord I beseech thee to add repentance to my daies that when I have past this mortal life I may be partaker of thy heavenly Kingdom through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer and Confession in and for the time of Affliction ALmighty and most merciful Father it is only thy goodness that admits of my imperfect prayers and the knowledge that thy mercies are infinite which can give me any hope of thy acceptance or granting them for it is my bounden and necessary duty to confess my sins freely unto thee and of all men living I have need of and most reason so to do no man living hath been so much obliged by thee for that degree of knowledge which thou hast given me adding likewise the guilt of my transgression for it is through failing and imperfection that I have so many waies provoked thy gracious Majesty to wrath and indignation against me but with shame and grief I confess that I have done amiss and dealt wickedly that therein I followed the perswasion of worldly wisdom forsaking the dictates of a right informed conscience wherefore O Lord I have no excuse to make no hope left but in the multitude of thy mercies for I know my repentance is weak and my prayers are faulty grant therefore O most merciful Father so to strengthen my repentance and amend my prayers that thou mayest clear the way for thine own mercies to which O let thy Justice at last give place putting a speedy end to my deserved afflictions In the mean time give me patience to endure constancy against temptations and a discerning spirit to chuse what is best for thy glory and my comfort and the good of others grant this O most merciful Father for thy Son Jesus Christ his sake our only Saviour Amen A Prayer in time of Captivity O Powerful and Eternal God to whom nothing is so great that it may resist or so small that it is contemned look upon my miseries with the eye of mercy and let thy infinite power vouchsafe to limit out some proportion of deliverance unto me as to thee shall seem most convenient let not injury O Lord triumph over me and let my falls by thy hand be corrected and make not my unjust enemies the Ministers of thy Justice but yet my God if in thy wisdom this be the aptest castisement for my inexcusable transgressions if this ungrateful bondage be fittest for my over high desires if the pride of my not enough humble heart be to be thus broken O Lord I yield to thy Will chearfully embracing what sorrow thou wilt have me suffer only thus much let me crave of thee Let my craving O Lord be acceptable unto thee since it even proceeds from thee that by goodness which is thy self thou will suffer some beam of thy Majesty so to shine in my heart that I who acknowledge it my noblest title to be thy creature may still in my greatest affliction depend confidently on thee let calamity be the exercise but not the overthrow of my vertue O let not their prevailing power be to my destruction and if it be thy will that they more and more vex me with punishment yet O Lord never let their wickedness have such a hand but that I may still carry a pure mind and a stedfast resolution ever to serve thee without fear or presumption yet with that humble confidence which may best please thee so that at the last I may come to thy eternal Kingdom through the merits of thy Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen A Prayer to be said for the Sick by them that visit him O Merciful Father who art the Lord and giver of life to whom belongeth the issues of death we thy children here assembled do acknowledge that in respect of our manifold sins we are not worthy to ask any blessing for our selves at thy hands much less to become suiters to thy Divine Majesty in the behalf of others yet because thou hast promised that the prayers of the righteous shall avail much with thee in the obedience therefore of thy commandment and in confidence of thy gracious promise we are bold to become humble suiters to thy Divine Majesty in the behalf of this our dear Brother or Sister whom thou hast visited with the chastisement of thy own fatherly hand we could gladly wish the restauration of his health and a longer continuance of his life and Christian-fellowship amongst us but for as much as it appeareth as far as we can discern that thou hast appointed by this visitation to call for him out of this mortal life we submit our wills to thy blessed will and humbly entreat thee for Jesus Christ his sake and the merits of his bitter death and passion which he hath suffered for him that thou wouldest pardon and forgive unto him all his sins as well that wherein he was conceived and born as also the offences and transgressions which ever since to this day and hour he hath committed in thought word and deed against thy Divine Majesty cast them behind thy back remove them as far from thy presence as the East is from the West blot them out of the book of thy remembrance lay them not to his charge wash them away with the blood of Christ that they may never be more seen and deliver him from all the Judgments which are due unto him for all his sins that they may never trouble his conscience nor rise in judgment against his soul and impute unto him the Righteousness of Jesus Christ whereby he may appear righteous in thy sight and in his extremity at this time we beseech thee look down from Heaven upon him with those eyes of grace and compassion wherewith thou art wont to look upon thy children in their affliction and misery pity thy wounded servant like the good Samaritan for here is a sick soul that needeth the help of such a heavenly Physician O Lord increase his faith that he may believe that Christ died for him and that his blood cleanseth all his sins and either asswage his pain or else increase his patience to endure thy blessed will and pleasure in all things And good Lord lay no more upon him than thou wilt enable him to bear heave him up unto thy self with those sighs and groans that cannot be expressed make him now to see what is the hope of his calling and what is the exceeding greatness of thy mercy and power towards them that believe in thee and in his weakness O Lord shew thou thy strength defend him against the suggestions and temptations of the Devil who as in all his life-time will now in his weakness seek to assail him and to devour him oh save his soul and reprove Satan and command thy holy Angels to be about him and aid him and chase away all evil and malignant spirits far from him make him