Life and Death Amen ALmighty God Father of all Mercies I thine unworthy Servant do give Thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy Goodness and Loving Kindness bestowed on me Above all for the Redemption of the World by our LORD JESVS CHRIST in Him for the means of Grace and for the Hope of Glory For all the Blessings of this Life for thy Creating and for thy Protection of me all my Days and particularly that this Day past thou hast preserved me in my Health and assisted me in my Devotions * or prospered me in my Affairs Give me I beseech Thee a due Sense of these thy Mercies and Grace and Power to express it by an Obedience to all thy Commandments Go on to preserve and take me into thy Protection this night Lighten my Darkness O Lord and by thy great Mercy Defend me from all Perils and Dangers of this night for the Love of thy only Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Subjoyne to these or the like your Ordinary Devotions the Two Collâ—cts for Preparation to the Holy Communion which are above-written as also the Cii Psalm Hear my Prayer O Lord c. Glory be to the Father c. Concluding all with the aforementioned Benediction THe Lord fulfill all the Desires and Petitions of thy Servant as may be most expedient for me The Lord bless me and keep me the Lord lift up the Light of his Countenance upon me and give me Peace both now and for evermore Amen AS you Vndress your self consider that the Time is coming when your Body must return Naked unto the Dust and both Soul and Body appear at God 's Tribunal to give an accompt of all Actions done in the Flesh In the mean time you must endeavour to cleanse it by Repentance that God who is of more pure Eyes then to behold Iniquity may behold and accept it As you enter into your Bed Say IN the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ who was Crucified upon his Cross and laid inâ—… his Grave for me I lay me down to rest He Bless me and keep me He save me and Raise me up again and bring me at last unto Life Eternal Amen As you betake your self to sleep Say I Will lay me down in Peace and take my rest for it is Thou Lord only that makest me dwell in safety Amen Have Mercy upon me O Lord Now and at the Hour of Death Amen Preserve me while I am Waking Defend me while I am Sleeping that my Soul may continually Watch for Thee and both Body and Soul may rest in thy Peace for ever Amen Should you in the Night-time lye Awake Say O Lord Thou hast proved and visited my Heart in the Night-Season thou hast tried me O Blessed Father purge me that thou mayest find no wickedness in me through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen LOrd give me Grace to make hast and not to prolong the time to keep thy Commandments that I may call my own ways to Remembrance and turn my Feet to thy Testimonies And then at Mid-night will I give Thee thanks because of thy Righteous Judgments O Lord my Strength and my Redeemer Amen In case you are not presently disposed to sleep devoutly Repeat the Lj. Psalm which to that purpose you must be careful to get by heart Have Mercy upon me O God c. Glory be to the Father c. HAving thus ordered your Penitential Devotions on the Fryday you have the less to do on the Saturday nothing but to guard your self more strictly against Temptations that they prevail not upon you to which purpose Be much in Reading the Scripture or some Good Book particularly The whole Duty of Man the Third Partition of it concerns the Lord's Supper which after Evening-Prayer read considerately over applying every Passage to your self as being some way or other concern'd in it PArt of this Day you may bestow in Offices of Charity As Visiting your sick Freinds or reconciling your self to any with whom you may have had any Difference as you shall find occasion or as you shall be directed by your Spiritual Guide On Sunday-Morning you rise by Six a Clock and subjoyn to your Morning-Prayers those Two Collects for Preparâ—tion above mentioned After this consider How you may with due Devotion comport your self at the Holy Altar and what are those particular Duties and Graces you are there to exercise You will find an account of them in the Third Partition of the Whole Duty of Man Then examine the State and Temper of your Heart whither it be Tender and affectionately disposed to Relentings for your Sins Purposes against them and a Resolution for a Holy Life To humble Reliances and trust on God in our Saviour's Bloud for Pardon To Spiritual Joy and Thankfulness To Good Will towards all men To Charity and Liberality and the like Otherwise have an Hearty Desire and use your utmost endeavour which will be accepted to bring it to such a Disposition If after all this be done you have any Spare-Minutes before Church or Chappel-Time you would do well to bestow them in Reading over the Communion-Service by which means you will be able with more Readiness and Devotion to go along with the Priest in the Publique Ministration of it About an Hour before you go forth Review â—he Accompt of your sins noted in your Paper 〈◊〉 your Heart go along with the Reading of them Sorrowing for them and Resolving against them After this humbly Kneel and Repeat the LI. Psalm Have Mercy upon me c. Glory be to the Father c. Then these following Collects or as many of them as you have Time for 1. O Blessed Jesu who didst take upon Thee our Nature and suffer Death upon the Cross for our Redemption and hast commanded us to continue the Memory of this thy precious Death till thy Coming again Oh! Let not the inestimable Benefits of it be frustrated by my manifold and grievous sins But inspire my Soul with those Graces which may qualifie me to Receive them tendered unto me in this Blessed Sacrament O Lord Thou seest that I have no power of my self to help my self Oh! Let the pittifulness of thy great Mercy loose me from the Chains of those sins wherewith I am tied and bound that being thus set at Liberty I may here with Chearfulness run the ways of thy Commandments and hereafter enter into thy Joy O Blessed Saviour and Redeemer Amen 2. Thou O God and Saviour knowest how vile I am and with what Eagerness I have pursued the Paths that lead unto Everlasting Death How often hath this Feast been prepared I lovingly Bidd and called thereto but have with frivolous Excuses absented my self Or if I have come I have brought such Troops of thy professed Enemies Vn-repented Sins along with me as if I came not to adore but to defie Thee not to Commemorate but to Renew thy Passion I am not worthy O Lord I am not worthy to come into thy
Officium Eucharisticum A PREPARATORY SERVICE To a DEVOUT and WORTHY RECEPTION OF THE LORDS SUPPER Designed for a person of Quality and now made Publick for Common Use St. Luke xxiv 36. He was known to them in Breaking of Bread London Printed by T. Milbouâ—… 〈◊〉 Christopher Wilkinson at the Bâ—… 〈◊〉 over against St. Dunstans ' Churâ—… 〈◊〉 street 1673. Good Reader THis little Manual of Directions and Prayers for the Holy Communion First designed for a Private use now shews it self in Publique on presumption it may help thee in thy Closet-retirements towards a Pious preparation thereto and a worthy Reception thereof I omit to Preface it because I cannot call it Mine 'T is a Collection and recommends it self unto thee cloathed in the Language not of any Private Conception of such the world is already full But of Primitive Liturgies of that of our Holy Church and some of the most Devout Fathers of it Bishop Andrâ—… Bishop Cosins and that Great and 〈◊〉 Man Arch-Bishop LAUD who 〈◊〉 a Patron and dyed a Martyr of 〈◊〉 The Authour who e're he 〈◊〉 curious or Sollicitous to think How it may go down with a sort of People whose unweildy zeal hath transported them under a pretence of Spuing out Popery to disrellish and traduce any thing that is Primitive But the Sober and Devout Christian who lives in the Communion of This Church He is secure of And that it may further thee in the Attainment of our Common Salvation is his sincere and hearty desire in return to which he beggs thee nothing but to Recommend him now and then in these thy Private Addresses to the Throne of Grace A Preparatory Office For the H. COMMUNION THe nearest and most solemn Intimacy and Communion we have with God in this World is exhibited to us in the Blessed Eucharist that is to say the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper wherein according to our Church-Catechism the Body and Bloud of Christ are verily and indeed taken and received by the Faithful and hence it is called by St. Paul 1 Cor. 10.16 The Communion of his Body and the Comâ—…nion of his Bloud so that by a duâ—… 〈◊〉 worthy Participation hereof we are reâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…corporated into Christ we dwell in Châ—… 〈◊〉 Christ in us we are made One wiâ—… 〈◊〉 and Christ with us In regard of 〈◊〉 liable Priviledge as well as the great danger which attends the contrary now especially we are to heed our selves in our Addresses to it being careful to perform all Devotional Acts of Worship and Piety which may conduce to a good acceptable Celebration of so Divine a Mystery St. Paul hath comprehended them all under this One Word and Duty of Examination 1 Cor. 11.28 which includes more than we can readily conceive I shall not inlarge upon those Graces of Faith Repentance and Charity about which it should be chiefly conversant but do immediately proceed to those Preparatory Acts of Devotion which should be exercised in order to a due Reception of this Blessed Sacrament I begin then as you should in this and all other Duties of Religion In the Name of God and Exhort that having received Notice from God's Priest of a Communion to be Celebrated the next Sunday you forthwith set your self to â—…is great Work of fitting your self for a right â—…cipation thereof Whatever you do let 〈◊〉 â—…er and anon be uppermost in your 〈◊〉 â—…ts that whole Week reflecting on your 〈◊〉 Estate and specially on that Time 〈◊〉 hath lent you from your last Reâ—… 〈◊〉 â—hat Graces you have Improved 〈◊〉 omitted What Sins committed And out of a hearty Resentment of them breath forth these or the like pious Ejaculations I have sinned What shall I do unto Thee O Thou Preserver of Man Lord I am not worthy to come under thy Roof But speak the Word onely and thy Servant shall be Healed Adding these two Collects to your Private Devotions both at Morning and Evening that whole Week ALmighty God who of thy tender Mercy didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer Death upon the Cross for our Redemption and didst institute and in thy Holy Gospel command us to continue a perpetual Memory of that his precious Death until his Coming again Hear me most merciful Saviour I most humbly beseech Thee and make my Groanings my Desires after this Holy Sacrament answerable to my needs of it But oh Lord How shall such a Wretch as I daâ—… to approach thy Holy Table I am a 〈◊〉 How shall I presume to take the Câ—… 〈◊〉 Bread I have often trampled those 〈◊〉 things under foot either carelesly neâ—… or unworthily receiving those Hâ—…â—…ries O Lord my horrible Guilâ—… 〈◊〉 me tremble to come and yet makes me not dare to stay away for Where shall this polluted Soul be washed but in this Fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness Hither then I come and Thou hast promised that him that cometh to Thee Thou wilt in no wise cast out Grant me therefore Gracious Lord so to eat the Flesh of thy Dear Son Jesus Christ and to drink his Bloud that my sinful Body may be made clean by his Body and my Soul washed through his most Precious Bloud Amen I Will not presume to come to thy Table O Merciful Lord trusting in my own Righteousness but in thy manifold and great Mercies declared unto Mankind in our Lord Jesus Christ for whose sake give me I pray Thee such a Preparation of Soul as may qualifie me for a worthy Approach thereunto To this end make me heartily sensible of my Sins and Unworthiness raise up my dull and earthy Mind from groveling here below and inspire 〈◊〉 with a Holy Zeal to seek those things that 〈◊〉 â—bove Let that infinite Love of Christ in 〈◊〉 for so wretched a Sinner inflame my 〈◊〉 â—nd kindle in me that Sacred fire of Love 〈◊〉 â—…ain and to all those whom He hath 〈◊〉 Command and Example to Love 〈◊〉 well as Friends and that for his sake Cloath me O Lord in the Wedding Garment and make me though of my self a most unworthy yet by thy Mercy an acceptable Guest at Thy Table that I may not eat or drink my own Damnation but Salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Having thus recommended your self unto God in your private Retirements I do earnestly exhort you to frequent the publique Prayers of the Church nothing but a charitable or some very urgent occasion can now or indeed should at any time excuse you and to attend them with all possible Devotion Heed your self this Week especially your Thoughts Words and Actions that they be not wicked nor vain or if at any time they should that you forthwith recall and check your self thus Lord have Mercy upon me Christ have Mercy upon me Lord have Mercy upon me I Said I will take heed to my ways that I offend not in my Tongue O God who knowest us to be set in the midst of so maâ—… and great Dangers that by reason
me to an Accompt for thaâ— and all other my sins c. From which Occasions you may easâ—…â—…ceive what remedies to use against it 1. To labour for a Grave and modest Carriage of my self considering my Age quality Degree c. 2. To avoid vain and light Persons or if that may not be done not heeding them or seriously rebuking them 3. To entertain all awful and Dreadful Apprehensions of the Great God who seeth what I doe and how I comport my self As also of the Holy Angels who may truly enough be Believed from the intimations of the Apostles St. John Revel viii and St. Paul 1 Cor. xi 10. to be present at Holy Mysterys To these may be added 4. Lifting up my Eyes to Heaven or fixing them on the Preist not in the least letting them loose on whatever objects may present themselves These I then Resolved to consider and practise and will therefore frequently Read them over Even soe Amen Lord Let thy Grace be â—…fficient for me Lead me not into Temptation 〈◊〉 Deliver me from evil Amen 〈◊〉 Kneeling down Pray for Devotion 〈◊〉 any other Grace the contrary sin 〈◊〉 you have now found your self guilty of and Resolved against You will find Prayers to this purpose at the latter-end of this Book As for Devotion Thus MOst Great God who hast not only permitted but invited us needy and miserable Creatures to present our Petitions to Thee Oh! let me set a true value on this most inestimable priviledge I come unto Thee O Lord as a Worm to my sovereigne Maker I come as an heinous offender to a just and severe judge Let I pray Thee my Addresses in thine House be with a Reverence someway answerable to thine awful Majesty Give me an hearty desire to pray and such a pure intention and sixedness of mind upon Thee that I may no more incur the Guilt of Drawing nigh unto Thee with my Lips when my heart is far from Thee But may so Ask that I may receive seek that I may find knock that it may be opened unto me that so from praying to Thee here I may be Translated to the Praising Thee Eternally in thy Glory hereafter through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen This exercise being finished about thre◠〈◊〉 the Clock the time appointed for the Evâ—… 〈◊〉 service At your Return from the Churc◠〈◊〉 Chappel if you have not fully satisfied yoâ—… own Conscience but require further Comfort or Counsell you are to goe to some Discreet and Learned Minister of Gods word especially to him under whose Ministry God hath placed you not being Curious or censorious in your choice as to this particular and open your Greif by Confession that so you may receive the benefit of Absolution together with Ghostly Counsel and advice to the quieting of your Conscience and the avoiding of all Scruple and Doubtfulness This being done as it ought to be with Submission and sobriety you may with Comfort Retire into your Closet and upon your Knees Say Our Father c Deliver us from evill Amen ALmighty God unto whom all hearts be open all desires known and from whom no secrets are hid cleanse the Thoughts of my heart by the Inspiration of thy Holy Spirit that I may perfectly love thee and worthily Magnifie thy Holy Name through Christ our Lord. Amen Then Read upon your Knees the Ten Commandments as they are set down in Our Communion Service 〈◊〉 Spake these Words c. after each Comâ—…dwent Say Lord have mercy upon me and Incline my heart to keep this Law Thou shalt not Covet c. Lord have mercy upon me and write all these thy Laws in my heart I beseech thee O Almighty Lord and everlasting God vouchsafe I beseech thee to direct Sanctifie and Govern both my Soul and Body in the ways of thy Laws and in the works of thy Commandments that through thy most mighty Protection both here and ever I may be preserved both in Body and Soul through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Amen Then stand up and heartily repeat your Creed I believe in God c. After which Kneel again and pray Almighty everlasting God heavenly Father I give thee humble thanks that thou hast vouchsafed to bring me to the knowledge of this faith in thee and do beseech thee that thou wouldst keep me stedfast in this faith and evermore defend me from all adversities who livest and reignest one God World without end Amen Lord have mercy upon me Christ have mercy upon me Lord have mercy upon me OH Christ Hear me and Remember now that Hour in which thou didst once Commend thy Blessed Spirit into the hands of thy heavenly Father when with a Torn Body and a Broken Heart thou didst shew forth the Bowels of thy mercy and Dye for us I beseech thee O thou Brightness and Image of God Assist me by this thy most precious Death that being Dead unto the world I may live only unto Thee and at the last hour of my Departure from this mortal Life I may Commend my Soul into thine hands and thou mayst receive me into life immortal there to Reign with thee for ever and ever Amen Grant me in the mean time Gracious Lord a pure intention of heart and a stedfast resolution to despise all vanity to fight the Battels of the Lord manfully against the world the flesh and the Devil to spend my time religiously and usefully to speak gracious words to walk always in thy presence to preserve my Soul and and Body in holiness fit for the habitation of the Spirit of God Amen 〈◊〉 Lord and my God Give me I beseech 〈◊〉 wise a sober a patient an understandâ—…â—…evout a religious a Couragious heart 〈◊〉 â—…temperate reins and thoughts a soul full of Devotion to doe thee Service and do thou make my services acceptable to thee while I live and my soul ready for thee when I Dye Amen O Lord Increase in me Faith and Devotion replenish my heart with all Goodness and of thy Great mercy keep me in the same Give me true humility in prosperity patience in adversity and continual joy in the Holy Ghost Amen O Lord Give me Spiritual wisdom that I may discern what is pleasing to thee and follow what belongs unto my Peace and let the knowledg and Peace of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord be my Guide and my portion all the Days of my life Amen O Lord make me humble to my Superiors and friendly to my Equals thankfull to my Benefactors loving to my Relations and Charitable to my Enemies to be Gentle and easily entreated slow to anger and readily admonished fully prepared and throughly furnished for every Good word and work Amen O Lord Give me a peaceable Spirit 〈◊〉 quiet life free from Debt and deadly Sin give me Grace to abstain from all appearance of evil and to doe nothing but what is of good report to confess Christ and his holy Religion by an holy and obedient life and
takest away the sins of the World Have mercy upon me Grant me Gracious Lord so to eat the Flesh of thy Son and to drink his Blood that my sinful Body may be made clean by his Body and my Soul washed through his most precious Blood Amen O Lord I am not worthy not fit that thou should'st come under the filthy Roofe of the house of my Soul because it is wholly desolate and ruinous neither hast thou with me a fit place where to lay thy head But as thou did'st vouchsafe to be laid in a Stable and Manger of unreasonable Beasts as thou did'st not disdain to be entertain'd even in the house of SIMON the Leper As thou did'st not reject the Harlot a sinner like unto me coming unto thee and touching thee As thou did'st not abhor her foul and prophane mouth Nor yet the Thief on the Cross confessing thee Even so vouchsafe to admit me also an overwor'n miserable and out of measure sinful Creature to the Receiving and Communicating of the most pure quick'ning and saving mysteries of thy most holy Body and precious Blood Amen O Lord God how I received the Body and Blood of my most blessed Saviour Jesus Christ the price of my Redemption is the very wonder of my Soul yet my most firm and constant belief upon the words of my Saviour At this time they are graciously rend'red to me and my Faith Lord make me a worthy Receiver and a Partaker of all the benefits of this B. Sacrament Amen Thou hast said that he that eateth thy Flesh and drinketh thy Blood hath Eternal Life Behold the Servant of the Lord be it unto me according to thy Word Whilst you eat it say By thy Crucified Body deliver me from this Body of Death After Receiving By thine Agony and Bloody sweat by thy Cross and Passion Good Lord deliver me I have sworn and am stedfastly purposed to keep thy Righteous Judgments O hold thou up my goings in thy Paths that my footsteps slip not At the Receiving of the Cup say What reward shall I give unto the Lord for all the benefits that he hath done unto me I will take the Cup of Salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. After you have Received it say O my God thou art true and holy O my Soul thou art blessed and happy Oh the depth of the Wisdom and Knowledg of God! how incomprehensible are his judgments and his ways past finding out Praise the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me praise his Holy Name who saveth thy Life from Destruction and feedeth thee with the Bread of Heaven Glory be to God on high and on Earth Peace good Will towards Men. I worshiâ— thee O Lord and I magnifie thy Name 〈◊〉 ever who hast vouchsafed to fill my Soul wiâ—… gladness and to seed me with the Heavenly Mysteries of Christ's sacred Body and Bloud humbly beseeching thee that from henceforth I may walk in good Works and serve thee in Holiness and Pureness of Living to the Honour of thy Name Amen MOst Blessed Redeemer I do truly believe that thy Body was crucified and thy Bloud was shed out of thy Body as verily as I have received this Bread and this Wine set apart from the Bread and that for the Remission of my sins as well as any others And I do also believe that with this Bread and Wine I have really and spiritually received thy precious Body and Bloud whereby my sins are fully washed away and my Soul purified and refresh'd This O Lord I believe help thou my Vnbelief Amen Whilst others are Communicating Meditate and Say HAppy are those Servants whom when their Lord cometh he shall find thus doing Know yee not that ye are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you If any one defile the Temple of God him will God destroy Behold thou art made whole sin no more lest a worse thing happen unto thee The hour cometh and now it is that the true Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth Be we followers of God as dear Children and walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself an Offering and a Sacrifice of a sweet savour unto God for us At the end of the Communion say To the King Eternal the Immortal Invisible and only Wife God the ever blessed Trinity be all honour and glory now and for evermore Amen Arising and making your Reverence towards the Altar you depart with a glad heart and a cheerful countenance preserve good thoughts in your mind yet be not sullen or morose but salute any of your Christian Brethren you meet with As soon as you come home retire into your Closet and bless God with these Collects of Thanksgiving ALmighty God the Fountain of all goodness from whom every good and perfect gift proceedeth and to whom all glory and honour should be returned I do desire most heartily to thank thee for that thou hast vouchsafed to feed me who have received these holy mysteries with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ and do'st assure me thereby of thy favour and goodness towards me and that I am a very member incorporate in the mystical Body of thy Son which is the blessed Company of all Faithful people and am also an Heir through hope of thine everlasting Kingdom by the merits of the most precious Death and Passion of thy dear Son Oh the height and depth of that unspeakable mercy of thine who art pleased to admit me a sinful wretch to have any part in those inestimable benefits which I have so often despis'd and trampled under foot I am not worthy O Lord of that daily Bread whiâ—h sustains the body but thou hast made me partaket of that living Bread which came down from Heaven which nourisheth the Soul and of which whosoever eateth shall live for ever O grant that my Soul may rellish this divine food with spiritual ravishments and love great as the flame of Cherubims and grant that what thou hast given me for the Remission of my sins may not by any fault become the increase of them that this holy Communion prove not unto me unto Judgment and Condemnation but may support and preserve me in every temptation rejoyce and quiet me in every trouble in lighten and strengthen me in every good word and work comfort and defend me in the hour of my death against all oppositions of the Spirits of darkness and further me in the attainment of everlasting Salvation through Jesus Christ Amen MOst holy God who art of purer eyes then to behold iniquity grant I pray thee that no unclean thing may be in me who have now Received Thee into my heart and soul but let this Blood of Christ who through the Eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to thee purge my Conscience from dead works to serve thee the living God give me grace that from
you must by no means fail to be present at In the mean time let no sinful thoughts possess your Soul no vain or idle Communication proceed out of your mouth but such as may tend to edifying Examine exhort incourage your Servants or those about you whom you have commanded or who purpose to Receive this B. Sacrament with you and be careful to avoid the Conversation of those who may probably tempt you to sin and vanity Returning from Church or Chappel about Twelve of the Clock Humble your self again before God and Pray Our Father c. Deliver us from evil Amen Then the xxxij Psalm Still upon your knees Blessed is he whose unrighteousness is forgiven and whose sin is covered c. Glory be to the Father c. Almighty and everlasting God who hatest nothing that thou hast made and dost forgive thâ—…s of all them that are penitent Create 〈◊〉 â—…e in me a new and contrite heart that I 〈◊〉 lamenting my sins and acknowledging 〈◊〉 â—…chedness may obtain of thee the God of all mercy perfect remission and forgiveness through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Almighty and most merciful Father who for my many and grievous Sins committed against thee since the last solemn time of my Humiliation and Repentance mightest most justly have cut me off in the midst of my days But in the multitude of thy mercies hast hitherto spared me Accept I most heartily beseech thee mine unfeigned sorrow for all my former transgressions and grant that I may never so presume of thy mercy as to despise the riches of thy goodness but that thy forbearance and long suffering may lead me to Repentance and amendment of my sinful life to thy honour and glory and my final Acquittance and Absolution at the last day through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen O Lord make clean my heart within me And take not thy Holy Spirit from me In the Name of God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost Amen I who am a wretched Sinner here personally appearing and prostrate unto the Majesty of the Great and dreadful God and in the presence of his Holy Angels having in remembrance the exceeding mercies of his great Goo◠〈◊〉 * Here Throw your self 〈◊〉 the Ground wards me as in manifold instances so especially in this that in the day of my Christ'ning I was so happily and holily Vowed and Dedicated unto God to be his Child and to live in his continual Service and that contrary to the profession which was then made in my name I have so many and sundry times so grievously violated my vows and profaned my sacred promises and employed my Soul to the service of the World the Flesh and the Devil At length recalling my self and with all lowliness and devotion casting my Soul and Body prostrate before the dreadful Throne of his Justice do acknowledg confess and yeild my self a miserable wretched Sinner guilty of that Death and Passion which Christ once suffered for me upon the tormenting Cross But turning my self to the Throne of his infinite mercy and with all my might and force from the very Deep of my heart detesting the iniquities of my fore-pass'd Life I most humbly beg and crave pardon for the same with an entire Absolution from all my sins eâ—… for the precious Death and Passion sake of 〈◊〉 Lord and Saviour unto whom I promise 〈◊〉 â—onfirm again I do avow and solemnly reâ—… 〈◊〉 sacred Profession of loyal service and 〈◊〉 which was made in my behalf unto him 〈◊〉 â—…ly Baptisme renouncing unfeignedly 〈◊〉 of this wicked World the lusts of the Flesh and the suggestions of the Devil and converting my self to my most gracious and merciful God I desire deliberate purpose and fully resolve to honour him serve him and obey him for ever hereafter giving and dedicating to him for this end the faculties of my Soul and the members of my Body to be his faithful loyal and obedient Subjects and Servants for ever without unsaying revoking or repenting me of this my holy and sacred promise or any part thereof And I most humbly beseech Almighty God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost to confirm me in this constant resolution of abandoning these my sins and living an holy Life and to accept of this my broken and contrite heart which he hath promised not to despise entirely desiring his Fatherly goodness that as he hath given me a will and desire to purpose so he would give me strength and grace to perform all holy actions through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen LOrd I pray thee that thy Grace may always prevent and follow me and make me continually to be given to all good worâ—… through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen LOrd I beseech thee grant thy Sâ—… Grace to withstand the temptatâ—… 〈◊〉 the World the Flesh the Devil an◠〈◊〉 pure bea rt and mind to follow thee the only true God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen O God whose nature and property is ever to have mercy and to forgive Receive my humble Petitions and though I be tied and bound with the chain of my sins yet let the pittifulness of thy great mercy loose me for the honour of Jesus Christ our Mediator and Advocate Amen O Saviour of the world save me who by thy Cross and Passion hast Redeemed me help me and save me I beseech Thee O God To the King Eternal the Immortal Invisible and only Wise God who is the ever Blessed and Adorable Trinity be all Honour and Glory now and for ever Amen Having thus ended your mid-day Devotions review your Catalogue of sins Fix on that sin you find your self mostly addicted to labour for a Godly sorrow and relentings of heart on the sight of it resolve against all future perpeâ—…tions of it carefully using all remedies which â—…y tend to suppress it To which purpose 〈◊〉 â—ine your self concerning those occasions 〈◊〉 â—…ucements which lead you to it and proâ—… â—…ell as you can against them noting in 〈◊〉 â—…k those Occasions and Remidies which reason or experience may prompt you to As for example Suppose your self guilty of Irreverence or want of Devotion in the service of God write down what doth commonly induce you to it what remedies are most proper to the cure of it Thus In the year 1673 March 28th being Good Friday or be it any other day I Fasted being to Receive the Communion the following Sunday and in the exercise of this holy Duty on Exammination I found my self much guilty of Irreverence in the worship of God anâ— discovered these Temptations to it Too much addicting my self to childish an light Deportments at all times and thereforâ— can hardly remit of them when I come intâ— Gods Presence 2. Listning too much to the vain Discource and observing the impertinent Actions of Others 3. Want of Consideration in whose Presencâ— I am to wit of the Great Majesty of Heaven of that God who if I doe not reperâ— will strictly call
presence much less to eat the Flesh of the Sacrificed Lamb For my sins O Blessed Jesu went along in Confederation with the High Priests in Treachery with Judas in Injustice with Pilate in Malice and Cruelty with the People Oh! what punishment then shall I be thought worthy of who have thus trampled under foot the Son of God and counted the Bloud of the Covenant an Unholy Thing Where shall I vile Wretch appear who have put my LORD to Death Who have crucified to my self the SON of GOD afresh and put thee to an open shame Where should I appear but before my Saviour who hath loved and dyed for me though I have hated and Murthered him Thy Bloud O Jesu is my only Refuge Oh! Let the Cry of it speak on my Behalf and may it speak better things than the Bloud of Abel Be merciful unto me O God be merciful unto me for my Soul trusteth in Thee and in the clefts of thy Wounds shall be my Refuge until thy Father's Indignation be overpast Oh Blessed Advocate and Mediatour Intercede for me with thy Father and ours thy God and ours and grant that by the Grace which thou hast found by the prerogative which thou hast deserved by the mercy which thou hast purchased for me as thou hast been partaker of my sufferings and Infirmities so I by thy Death and Resurrection and by thy infinite gracious Intercession may be made partaker of thy Holyness and thy glory even for thy own Merits sake Amen 3. O Lord who hast promised that if I open my mouth wide Thou wilt fill it I pray thee to open it and not my mouth only but my heart also Oh! Create in thy servant a great hunger and thirst after the things of thy Kingdom and the righteousness of it after all thy holy graces and all the holy ministerys of Grace that I may long for the Bread of Heaven thirst after the fountain of Salvation and as the Hart panteth after the water-Brooks so my soul may desire Thee O Lord Oh! Kindle such an holy flame in my Soul that it may consume all my sins and cursed affections that I may never again desile the place which thou hast chosen for thy Temple Thou diedst O Dear Jesu to redeem me from all iniquity Oh! let me not again sell my self to work wickedness I am a sinner a Greivous one not worthy to look up to heaven But be thou pleased to look down into the Dust and lift up a Sinner from the Dunghil Let me not perish in my folly or be consumed in thy heavy displeasure Give me time and Space to repent and give me powers of Grace that as by thy Holy Inspiration I doe Sincerely fixedly resolve on an intire Reformation So by thy mercifull Guidance I may faithfully perform the same Amen 4. O Thou Great Physitian of Souls Heal me of those many and foul Diseases which my Soul groans under Grant that I may now so Touch thee that every one of those loath-some issues may immediately stanch that these sicknesses may not be unto Death but to the Glory of thy mercy in pardoning to the glory of thy Grace in purifying so polluted a wretch Oh Christ hear me Inspire me with an holy Zeal to mortifie my sins support me with an Holy Hope confirm me with an excellent and unreproveable â—aith and inkindle in me a never failing â—…arity Let me judg my self that I be not judged by thee condemn my self that I be not condemned with the world But Receiving this Holy Sacrament with a penitent heart and a lively Faith I may partake the great benefits of it I may dwell in Christ and Christ in me I may be one with Christ and Christ with me The Lord be mercifull unto me and grant this for his own Bowells and Compassions sake Amen Then these Collects of Intercession MErcifull God who hast made all men and wouldst not the Death of a sinner but rather that he should Turn from his wickedness and live to which purpose Thou hast sent thy Son out of thy Bosome to suffer death upon the Cross for our Redemption look down in mercy and pity upon Poor Mankind whose portion is folly and misery shame and Death Bring all sinners to Repentance enlighten all that sit in darkness all Jewes Turks Infidels Hereticks and Schismaticks Take from them all blindness hardness of heart and contempt of thy word and Commandment so fetch them home blessed Lord unto thy fold that they may be saved among the remnant of the true Israelites and be made One Fold under one Shepherd Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen GRracious Lord I doe more especially humbly present to thy divine Majesty this Glorious sacrifice which thy blessed Son made upon the Cross in the behalf of all Christans throughout the World give unto them all O God a portion of all the good Prayers which are made in heaven and earth the Intercession of our Lord and the supplications of all thy servants Oh! Let us walk worthy of that Holy vocation wherewith we are called let us who name the name of Christ depart from iniquity and Unite us in the bonds of the Common Faith and an holy Charity that no interests or partialitys no sects or opinions may keep us any longer in darkness and division But that we may with one mind and one mouth Glorify thee the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Amen O Father of Mercys Be mercifull to this Miserably Divided Church in which we live according to all thy righteousness let thine anger be turned away from us let Religion and virtue season all sorts of men therein Forgive us all our sins Turn thee unto us and bless us that the world may say Blessed is this people whose God is the Lord Jehovah and Blessed are the solk whom he hath chosen to him to be his Inheritance Oh! Lord Hear and cause thy Face to shine upon this thy Sanctuary which is thus Sadly desolate for the Lords sake Amen O King of Kings and Lord of Lords give I Pray thee the Spirit of Government and Holiness to all Christian Kings Princes and Governors especially to thy Servant CHARLES our King Grant that his people may obey him and he may obey thee and live in honesty and peace justice and holy Religion being a Nursing Father to the Church an Advocate for the oppressed a Patron for the Widdows and a Sanctuary for the miserable and Fatherless that he may Raign with thee forever in the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ Amen O Thou Fountain of all Gooâ—ness be pleased to bless and protect our Gracious Queen CATHERINE JAMES Duke of York and all the Royal Family endue them with all Heavenly Graces answerable to their Births make them Instruments of thy Glory here and partakers of thy Glory hereafter Amen O God who alone doest great wonders Be Gracious unto all those who wait at thine Altar the Bishops and all the Clergy Open thou their Lips that their
henceforth I put off concerning my former Conversation the Old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful Lusts and be renewed in the spirit of my mind And that I put on the New Man which after thee is created in Righteousness and true Holiness to which purpose be pleased to watch over me for good to keep me both outwardly in my Body and inwardly in my Soul O God thou seest that I have no power of my self to help my self thou knowest me also to be set in the mid'st of so many and great dangers that by reason of the frailty of my Nature I cannot always stand upright grant to me such strength and protection as may support me in all dangers and carry me through all temptations through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen O Thou with whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning let thy holy Spirit direct me in all things let thy grace always prevent and follow me and preserve me against all assaults of my spiritual enemys especially of my own treacherous heart which is deceitful above all things wicked desperately wicked O Lord thou knowest it how often hath it betray'd me to the breach of thy holy Laws to the violation of all these Vows and Promises which I have made to thee How often have I turned my back in the day of battle O let me no more thus start aside like a broken bow but be stedfast unmoveable always abounding in the work of the Lord resisting the Devill that he may flee from me subduing my flesh and bringing it into subjection Crufying and overcoming the World And therefore let those solemn Vows which I have now made to forsake my sins never depart from my mind but let the remembranee of them excite me to fight manfully under thy Banner and continue thy faithful Servant and Souldier unto my Life's end Amen O Lord I do here humbly present unto thee my Soul and Body to be a living holy and reasonable Sacrifice unto thee I beseech thee sanctifie my Body that from a polluted Dunghil it may become the Temple of God Sanctify my Soul and receive it for thy dwelling place the seat of thy Spirit and an house of Prayer and Holy Meditations Sanctifie me throughout that both my Body Soul and Spirit may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to whom with thee O Father and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory world without end Amen THus have you closed your Communion-Devotions It only remains that you bestow the greatest part of the Afternoon in Reading Praying Meditating good Conferences and the like and when your Condition calls you to your usual Converses you are still to remember you have a great business which lies upon your hands which is the performance of those promises you have now made to God to which purpose frequently recollect them to mind and let the remembrance of them be your refuge against all temptations to your old sins whenever they assault you knowing what a grievous thing it is to break that Vow which you have seal'd in your Saviours Blood to have that Blood through which only you can have pardon to witness against you which God forbid To your Evening Prayers that Sunday night immediately before the Blessing subjoyn this Collect. O Blessed JESUS who hast this day made me a Partaker of thy blessed Body and Blood thy Mercy hath given it and my Faith hath received it into my Soul O let me ever feel the happy virtue and effects of it Put thy fear into my heart to keep those Vows and Promises which I have on this solemnity tendred unto thee in my mind that I may not sin against thee enrich me with all those graces which come from this precious Body and Blood and hereafter bring me to thy everlasting glory for thy merits and mercies sake Amen THus not to detain you longer I have recommended to you the aforesaid Devotions to be us'd on the Friday in every moneth which precedes a Communion especially the Fridays before the three solemn times which our Church hath Consecrated to this Blessed purpose Christmas Easter and Whit-Sunday supposing that your health and important occasions will permit it otherwise you are not tyed to the strictness of them though you are oblig'd to receive this Sacrament whensoever an opportunity offers it self To capacitate you for a worthy Communication thereof at all times I do lastly and heartily advise you to maintain a constant course of daily Prayers at Morning and Evening throughout the year every Night recalling the Actions of the past-day and repenting for the sins of it the practice whereof will fit you for the Communion at any time when 't is occasionally tendered to you I mean when you are suddenly call'd to Communicate with a dying person or come accidentally into a Congregation where 't is to be received and all fit Guests are invited to it in those cases you are by no means to turn your back upon it but bestowing that little time which is before you in Recollecting Repenting Exerting your Faith Love Thankfulness c. Omiting nothing of the strictness which is required in the Act of Receiving and performing afterwards to your power what you secretly promis'd receive it with the rest in the name of God beginning with the Prayers afore mentioned page 68. which are to be said whil'st the Priest is preparing to read the Sentences Almighty God who hast of thine infinite mercies vouchsaf'd c. But this I advise on supposal you carry about with you such an habitual preparation which is acquired by keeping a strict course of daily private Devotions otherwise you sin sadly However be careful to Communicate whenever you are solemnly invited to it i. e. every moneth or oftner and with due remembrance of him whose death you do hereby shew forth till he come God Almighty make you a worthy participant of his Body and Blood here that you may for ever enjoy Him hereafter Amen Collects for particular Graces For Faith ALmighty God whom without Faith it is impossible to please grant me I beseech thee so perfectly to believe in thy Son Jesus Christ that my Faith in thy sight may never be reproved and being called to the knowledg of thy Grace and Faith in thee and admitted into the fellowship of Christs Religion I may eschew those things which are contrary to my Profession and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen For Hope BLessed Lord who hast caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning grant that I may in such wise hear them read mark learn and inwardly digest them that by Patience and Comfort of thy Holy Word I may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ and that I may therefore purifie my self even as he is pure that when he shall appear again with power