through Christ Iesus our blessed Lord and alone Sauiour In whose holy Name wee continue to call on thee and recommend our selues vnto thee in that perfect prayer which himselfe did teach vs saying Our Father which art in heauen c. A Grace or blessing before Meate GOod Lord forgiue vs all our sinnes that make vs vnworthy of any of thy blessings and remooue from vs all thy Iudgements which are vpon vs or due vnto vs for the same blesse and sanctifie vs euer for thy seruice and thy good creatures at this present for our vse giue them strength to nourish vs and giue vs grace for them and all thy mercies to bee thankefull to thee and to receiue them as tokens of thy loue towards vs through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A Thankesgiuing or Grace after meate O Lord wee giue thee humble thankes for all thy blessings bestowed vpon vs both for our soules and bodies in regard of this life present that to come and in particular for refreshing vs at this present with thy good creatures We beseech thee continue thy fauour vnto vs and keepe vs euer in thy feare Blesse thy whole Church this Land the King Queene and all the Royall Family our friends and all that are deare vnto vs. Grant thy Gospell a free and a fruitfull passage comfort all thine aflicted seruants and guide vs in the right way to euerlasting life through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer for a Family in the Euening O Lord God gracious and mercifull by whose watchfull prouidence wee thy poore and vnworthy seruants haue been this day preserued and with thy rich and vndeserued fauours many wayes comforted and blessed wee returne to render vnto thine holy Maiestie all humble and hearty thanks for these and all thy benefits and blessings out of the euer-flowing fountaine of thy loue towards vs in Iesus Christ aboundantly powred downe vpon vs. O Lord we doe confesse wee be not worthy of the least fauour nay hauing beene sinners from the wombe we deserue wrath and daily goe on to prouoke the eyes of thy Maiestie to displeasure by our manifold sinnes and sinfull corruption still vnto this day remaining in vs and oft-times euery day breaking out vpon vs to thy dishonour We acknowledge O good Lord our ignorance and much want of desire endeauour after the sauing knowledge of thy blessed will reuealed to vs in thy holy word and wee haue iust cause to bewaile the prophanenesse and stubborne pride and disobedience of our hearts which make vs daily to rebell against thy most righteous lawes both by leauing vndone the duties which thou enioynest and aduenturing vpon those euill courses which thou forbiddest yea O Lord our vile hypocrisie in our best seruices our wretched vnthankfulnesse for thy coÌ„tinuall blessings our murmuring impatience vnder thy fatherly chastisements and tryals our contempt and abuse of thy sacred Gospell our blaspheming of thy glorious and fearefull name and prophaning of thy blessed Sabbaths our selfe-love and high-mindednes our worldlinesse and wicked couetousnesse our wantonnesse voluptuousnesse and other vncleane and sinfull lusts our wrathfulnesse and maliciousnesse our vnmercifulnesse and impenitencie and hard-heartednes and earthly mindednes and a whole world of wickednesse notwithstanding all the meanes of grace vouchsafed still abounding in vs How doe they testifie against vs to our face and in thy sight that wee are most wretched and miserable sinners deseruing in thy iustice shouldst thou enter into iudgement with vs tenne thousand deaths and euen damnation in hell for euer Howbeit since we perceiue euen hereby that it is of thine owne free goodnesse and gracious mercy that we are not consumed because thy compassions faile not but are towards thine renewed euery morning and doe continue with them to the euening We are emboldned to looke vp to thee and in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ in whom alone thou art well pleased to beseech thee for his sake to forgiue vs all our sinnes to wash vs cleane in his bloud and to assure our conscience by the witnesse of thine holy Spirit of the full discharge and pardon of them all Mercifull Father wee most humbly pray thee for his sake to put them all euery one of them great and small out of thy sight and withall by thy blessed Spirit purge them more and more out of our hearts O Lord giue vs grace euery day more and more our selues to see them and the vilenesse of them and how base and filthy they make vs in thy sight and giue vs hearts to bee vnfainedly sorrie that wee haue by them offended thee our so gracious God and grieued thine holy Spirit whereby wee are sealed to the day of redemption Worke in vs an hatred and detestation of all sinnes whatsoeuer giue vs grace for the time to come to striue and labour against them those especially whervnto we are by age education complexion company or any other occasion most enclined as against the deadliest enemies of our soules Yea O Lord God graunt that for this purpose wee may carefully shunne all occasion of euill such as are idlenesse ill company prophanenesse wantonnesse and the like and may more conscionably entertaine and vse all good meanes of grace such as are the hearing reading and meditating in thy holy Word the often calling vpon thy holy name the keeping of thy holy Sabaths the receiuing of thy blessed Sacraments the ioyning our selues in familiarity and fellowship with thy faithfull children and the like that by thy blessing hereupon wee may encrease and grow together with our yeares and age in faith patience and humility in meekenesse temperance and sobriety in loue vnto thee and to thy truth and to other for thy sake in a contempt of this wretched world which will shortly leaue vs and a longing after the ioyes to bereuealed in thy Kingdome and all good fruites of thy sanctifying Spirit which may faâ—ther our reckoning and seale vp our saluation vnto the day of Christ Meane while wee continue our prayers most mercifull God for thy whole Church and all the rest of thy chosen children who are our fellow heires of future glory whersoeuer they be scattered especially all those who being in misery whether in their soules or bodies doe want thy more speciall comfort O Lord instruct them that yet are ignorant conuert those that are prophane raise vp the fallen strengthen them that stand and keepe vs that we neuer fall but that our end may bee better then our beginning and our workes better and more at the last then at the first Be gracious and good vnto all Christian Churches that professe thy Truth restore peace if it be thy blessed will in thy good time to them which are troubled and continue peace and the light of thy Gospell for euer vnto this wherein wee liue Blesse herein wee beseech thee our Gracious King and giue him an heart to feare thee and seeke thy glory to knowe thee and serue thee with a
in thy Statutes to keepe thy iudgements and to doe them Thus make me by thy good graces meet to receiue the benefit of thy gracious promises And by that good grace of thine doe thou more and more so enlighten mee and so sanctifie me as that I may know thee the God of my Fathers and serue thee with a perfect heart and a willing minde and that both in the duties of my generall and particular calling Graunt that for the time to come I may reade thy Word and marke it that I may heare thy word and keepe it that I may call vpon thy Name and bee watchfull in it that I may receiue thy Sacrament and prepare for it that I may keepe thy whole Sabbath and delight in it that when thou callest to Fasting I may come to it willingly and when thou requirest the Sacrifice of Thanksgiuing I may offer it freely Graunt that abstaining as a Pilgrime and Stranger from fleshly lusts I may daily bring forth the fruites of the Spirit striuing mainely to enter in at the narrow gate and being in the number of those violent ones that take the Kingdome of heauen by force For which purpose doe thou O Lord so preuaile with me as that the power of Religion may be seene in all the passages of my particular calling graunt that I may carrie my selfe faithfully in it and vse onely such lawfull and moderate Recreations as may bee helpfull vnto it and thy creatures so temperately as that I may not bee hindred at any time froÌ„ performing seruice to thee Thus let mee obserue the lesson that Grace teacheth carrying my selfe conscionably towards thy Maiesty and iustly and charitably towards my neighbour and in my conuersation so soberly and with Christian modesty that I may expect the comfort that Grace promiseth looking with all assurance for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Sauiour Iesus Christ In whom being assured while I endeauour to offer the Sacrifice of a contrite heart that thou wilt not despise mee I make bold euen as my own sins put me in mind which help to make vp that heape of sins which prouoke thee to punish thy whole Church to entreate thy fauour in the behalfe of thy Church and children Doe good in thy good pleasure vnto Zion and build thou the walls of Jerusalem Bee mercifull to thy Church in other parts Make them carefull to bee holy as thou their God art holy Where thou hast giuen prosperity continue their comforts where thou hast sent aduersity sanctifie their crosses make them gracious by their sufferings and in thine owne good time glorious by deliuerance But in speciall manner I beseech thee be gracious vnto thy Church within these his Maiesties Dominions and in particular to this our Land Aboue all things continue the light the purity and the power of thy Gospell amongst vs and giue vs grace to bring forth better fruit of it then we haue done that it may not be taken away from vs and giuen to another people Herein amongst and aboue the rest let all thy blessings be powred downe vpon the head of our gracious King Enrich him with all Princely gifts and sauing graces Preserue his life from destruction and crowne him with louing kindnesse and tender mercy Blesse together with him his royall Consort and let the Queene be all glorious within Blesse the Nobles with grace together with their greatnesse that they may be powerfull instruments of thy glory and thy Peoples good Blesse the Magistrates of this Land and make them zealous All thy Ministers likewise and make them faithfull that so by the power both of the word and sword wee may leade a quiet and a peaceable life in all godlinesse and honesty Be graciously good to all those to whom I am any way tyed either by the bond of nature or grace or loue or duty Sanctifie them by thy good Spirit Prosper them by thy good prouidence and graunt that they may first seeke thy Kingdome that so other things may bee cast vpon them Be mercifull especially vnto all that be afflicted in such sort as that in the end euery one of thine may say It is good for me that I haue beene afflicted yea so and so long afflicted Lastly O Lord I desire as duty bindeth me with all thankfulnes to acknowledge thy manifold great fauours Blessed especially be God and the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ for spirituall blessings in heauenly things and for giuing vnto such vnworthy wretches as I am Iesus Christ and together with him all things also euen all those outward blessings for which likewise O gracious and mercifull Father I desire to blesse thy Name to wit for the blessing of health the benefit of peace and liberty the comfort of friends that fatherly portion and fit allowance of outward things which it hath pleased thee out of thy wisedome and goodnesse to allot vnto me and for that contentednesse which together with it thou hast bestowed vpon mee O Lord I am lesse then the least of all thy mercies yea in stead of being thus blessed I deserue to bee euery way accursed But bee graciously pleased Father of Mercies to continue vnto mee these thy good blessings out of the same fauour of thine whereby thou didst at first sâ—nd them yea and to adde vnto them likewise what thou seest needfull for me that so enioying from thy good hand all prosperity and good content my heart may be lift vp in thy wayes so as to performe vnto thee all cheerefull and acceptable seruice Graunt this O most mercifull Father for Iesus Christes sake our alone Mediatour and Aduocate vnto whom with thee O Father thy blessed Spirit I humbly render and ascribe and desire to be giuen and ascribed all honour praise and glory power might dominion and Maiestie by mee and thy whole Church now and henceforth for euermore Amen PSAL. 119.130 The entrance into thy words sheweth light and giueth vnderstanding vnto the simple FINIS
Dauid and Daniel thrice a day yet at least Psal 55.17 Dan. 6.10 morning euening ordinarily to come before God on bended knees as well taught children to aske blessing Math. 6.11 and their daily bread of him our heauenly Father and moreouer often and still vpon more speciall occasions in secret Psal 62.8 to poure out their soules to God for such graces and blessings as they stand in neede of or to render humble thanks for his receiued fauours and benefits As helps to the weaker sort in which holy exercise and perhaps necessary In M. Hierons helpe to Deuotion and The Practise of Piety as Truckles are to young children to learne them to goe there want not many good wholsome formes of prayers already penned for seuerall purposes But knowledge in the word with a right vnderstanding of the Lords prayer and Psal 51. gotten into their heart to such as haue receiued of God the spirit of Grace and Prayer Zach. 12.10 will bee the best Schoolemaster to helpe their infirmities Rom. 8.26 and to teach them how to make suites to God no matter though in broken English so it bee with contrite and broken hearts according to the will of God so as he the searcher of the hearts Verse 27. may know and graciously accept them in Christ Iesus 3 Besides these there is one other duty of prayer which concerneth chiefely the gouernours of families of whatsoeuer estate or condition who would haue the commendations giuen Cornelius a Act. 10.2 of fearing God with all their housholds carefully to see performed in their families euery day morning and euening whereunto at times as their occasions callings may permit some b Deut. 6.7 reading in the word and c Col. 3.16 singing of Psalmes with Catechising and instructing of their children and seruants Act. 17.11 repetition of what they haue heard and such like holy exercises should be profitably adioyned especially on the Sabbath day For this as it will approue them a Gen. 18.19 children of Abraham and men of b Iosh 24.15 Ioshuah his godly resolution and make their houses rightly accounted as the faithfull ones by c 1 Cor. 16 19. Coloss 4.15 Saint Paul saluted as little Churches so will it not only free them from that execration made by the Prophet d Ior. 10.25 against such families as call not on Gods name but giue them farther hope of Gods blessing as sometimes c 2 Sā 6.11 on Obed Edoms house for the presence of the Arke vpon them and theirs and f Iob 5.24 Gods peace to rest and abide vpon their dwellings Which religious duty of family-prayer together with thanksgiuing or Grace alwayes at our meales by our Sauiours owne example Ioh. 6.11 1 Tim. 4.5 and his Apostles both prescript and president recommēded to vs howsoeuer either through ignorance it bee in Act. 27.35 many places vtterly vnknowne or out of prophanenesse or want of ability for performance it be wofully neglected in most families yet being a seruice so well pleasing vnto God and of such speciall consequence I cannot but heartily wish that it may be henceforward by all that would be held to feare God more conscionably practised yea euen among such ignorant ones and in such small poore families where through weaknesse and want of skill in any to reade they bee able to doe no more then kneele down with their folke and ioyne together in rehearsing the Lords prayer and praying God to blesse and keepe them and if they can get that also into their heads and hearts making vse of the 51. Psal before to that end proposed or of some other good forme of prayer The helpe to Deuotion The Practise of Piety such as those that are added in the end of our Bibles and booke of Common Prayer or which may bee found in other approued Anthors or if they want others these short formes which for Conclusion of these directions shall here bee annexed A short Morning Prayer for a Family O Most holy and glorious Lord God and in Christ Iesus our most gracious and mercifull Father as In thee we liue mooue and haue our being and from thee doe dayly receiue our well-being and all our good So is it meet and our bounden duty by humble suit vnto thy Maiestie and hearty thankesgiuing to acknowledge and professe the same vnto thy praise Wee therefore thine vnworthy seruants prostrating our selues here before thy foote-stoole doe render vnto thy Maiestie all hearty thanks and praise for all thy mercies and blessings continually bestowed vpon vs both in regard of our soules and bodies euer since we were born vntill this present and in particular we blesse and praise thy Fatherly goodnesse for safe keeping vs this night past by thy watchfull prouidence when wee could not keepe our selues refreshing vs comfortably with thy good blessing of sleep and raising vs vp againe in some measure of health and strength this day to doe thee seruice Now O Lord we beseech thee take vs into thy fauour and Fatherly protection and keepe vs continually in thy most holy feare Pardon graciously and forgiue vnto vs for Christ Jesus his sake all our sinnes past put them quite out of thy sight and purge them cleane out of our hearts and so sanctifie vs throughout with the grace of thy holy spirit that we may take no longer delight to walke after the lusts of our owne wicked hearts but may giue vp our selues hence-forward wholly in obedience to thy blessed will so doing in particular this present day the duties both of our generall speciall callings as that by thy blessing and prouidence being vpon vs wee may be preserued from all dangers that otherwise might befall vs and finde much comfort in thy seruice so as that at night wee may againe returne with reioycing and thankefull hearts to resigne and giue vp our selues both soules and bodies into thine hands Meanewhile and euer remember also we most humbly beseech thee most mercifull God and Father together with our selues thy whole Church on earth and all thine afflicted Children and in particular this Land and Christian Countrey wherein we liue Herein blesse the Kings most Excellent Maiestie together with the Queene and the Princes the whole Royall Family with the Nobles and all set in Authority and place of Charge or gouernment ouer vs either in the Church or Common-wealth Our priuate Friends also kindred and godly acquaintance who are by any bond more neere vnto vs or haue desired to be in our prayers remembred by vs. In speciall manner blesse O Lord this whole Family with all that belong thereto or are therein giuing vs all grace to liue in thy feare and to doe thee seruice so knowing our places and endeauoring with sincerity and singlenesse of heart to doe our duties that wee may bee for comfort each to other and all of vs in all things to thy glory