cannot but bring it with a wicked mind k Prov. 21. 27. beside whereas a domestick Minister should by his good example and converse promote holiness and sobriety in those of the Houshold if he be himself vitious and disorderly they will be the more embolden'd to be such too or at least the Duties of Religion wherein he is concern'd will be the less regarded on his account It must therefore be remembred by all Heads of Families that having a spiritual as well as secular Government and the charge of their Houshold as consisting of Christians as well as Men it behoveth them to acquit themselves herein by taking care for Religion and Divine Worship and also that God may be so serv'd as shall be best to his honour and good liking and for the Spiritual benefit of their Families which doth mind us to add in the next place that VII The practice of Devotion in the houses of Christians as it is highly becoming their holy profession so it is a very great furtherance to their leading lives agreeable thereunto Our Religion is that general and high Calling in Christ Jesus * Phil. 3. 14. which all profess and they will grant 't is their chief business to serve God and that it ought to be their greatest care to obey and honour him by a sober righteous and godly life but if Religion be our chief Calling can it suffice to exercise the same one day in the Week Is it not rather reasonable that they be daily employ'd in it and not that their whole time should be ingross'd by worldly Callings if the Service of God be indeed their greatest business shall it not be minded every day as well as their others which are about the things of this World and is it not fit that God should be constantly serv'd by them in their houses at home and not only in the Church now and then when they cannot easily avoid it for fear of publick censure since men cannot chuse but own it should be their principal care to lead a good life well-pleasing to God without whose favour it can never be well with them they must thence think it needful that they be often exercis'd in those religious Duties which are the proper and likely means for the begetting and encrease of holiness That Family Devotions including Prayer and the Reading of the holy Scriptures are really such there needs little trouble to evince To be much conversant in Prayer doth greatly conduce to make men good because hereby there are renewed impressions made of that great and holy God to whom we pray and it leaves in the Soul awful apprehensions of him beside that it is one necessary part of Prayer to beg the Grace of God which he is ready to bestow on all who ask it of him But the holy Scripture is the most apt and efficacious means of promoting holiness being written by Gods special direction for that very purpose For it is given by inspiration and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness l 2 Tim. 3. 15 16. it is a sanctifying word as is imply'd in that Petition of our Saviour for them by whom the New Testament was to be set forth to the World Sanctifie them through thy truth thy word is truth m Joh. 17. 17. and it is able to make a man wise unto Salvation as saith the blessed Apostle n 2 Tim. 3. 15. how these sacred Writings have their happy energy it is not hard to assign One account of it is that they make known unto us those Principles of Faith which are the fundamental reasons of practical Religion and strong enforcements to it as the being of a God and his glorious Attributes of Holiness Goodness Omniscience Power Justice the Creation of the World by him and his Providential Government of it our Redemption by Christ the immortality of our souls and the future retribution in the World to come likewise in the Scripture is the Law of God which doth plainly declare both the Duties we are to perform whether toward God our Brethren or our Selves as also the sins of all sorts to be avoided by us which is done so fully that it is thereby a complete rule of action For the Law of God is perfect o Psal 19. 7. and the Apostle teacheth that the holy Scriptures are sufficient to make the man of God perfect throughly furnish'd to every good work p 2 Tim 3. 17. also because in the word of God 't is so clearly shewn what we are to do and what not hence it follows that by it men are reproved and convinc'd of sin and thereby dispos'd to repentance and amendment of life it's convincing power is with much Emphasis thus express'd by the Apostle For the word of God is quick and powerful and sharper then any two-edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joynts and marrow and is a discerner of thoughts and intents of the hearts q Heb. 4. 12. and by means hereof it reduceth men from the errours of their ways For the Law of God converteth the soul Psal 19. 7. and 't is prescribed to the young man as that which would be most effectual to reclaim him from the disorders of that vain Age. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way even by taking heed thereto according to thy word Psal 119. 9. How St. Austine that eminent Father was rescu'd from his former ill course of life on his reading the last Verses of the thirteenth to the Romans himself hath attested to the World r Confes l. 8. c. 12. Again the Scriptures do make known those severe punishments both temporal and eternal which shall be the portion of evil doers and they do also represent the many and great rewards of a good Conversation some whereof to be enjoy'd in this life but the greatest of all which is set forth with highest expressions is a Kingdom of endless Glory prepared in Heaven Now the Principle of Self-love and a desire of happiness being natural to all men it cannot be but these divine Writings should on this account have a potent influence for delivering men from sin and engaging them to Vertue and Holiness Of such admirable use are the sacred Books for rectifying the minds and governing the Lives of men and so well fitted are they for this excellent purpose and we wonder that the good Father lately nam'd did esteem them so highly and so much delight in the reading of them for after his Conversion Cicero of whom he had been extremely fond before became vile to him and he could think no Book comparable to the Bible as he hath Written of himself f Ibid. l. 3. cap. 5. lib. 7. cap. 20. 21. But it must be still understood that whatever efficacy the Scripture hath 't is but in subordination to the Grace of God It being the Sword of
to walk as becomes the Gospel having a Conscience void of offence both towards God and towards Men that as he who hath called me is holy so I may be holy in all manner of conversation Take off my affections from earthly things which are vain and perishing and set them on the things above in which alone my true happiness doth consist fit me by suitable grace for every dispensation of thy Providence that I may know how to want and how to abound how to mourn or rejoyce how to be in sickness or in health and in every condition to be therewith content let thy Fatherly wisdom cause all things to work together for good unto me and that the several occurrences of the present life may help me forward in my Christian course towards the attainment of eternal Salvation And because my nature is frail my life uncertain and I know not how soon I shall be taken from the land of the living help me seriously to consider my latter end to be still preparing for death and by numbring my dayes to apply mine heart to sound wisdom that when I shall put off this earthly Tabernacle I may be admitted into an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens O God who art the Creatour of mankind and didst send thine own Son that the World through him might be saved extend thy goodness to all the kindreds of the earth causing the light of thy glorious Gospel to shine upon them that their feet may be guided into the way of peace and everlasting happiness let all Nations become subject to the Kingdom of thy Christ and the number of thine Elect be filled up that the glory of thy Salvation may be revealed Accept O Lord my evening oblation of Praise and Thanksgiving for all thy rich Mercies vouchsafed to me I bless thee for my being since by thee I have been fearfully and wonderfully made for thy preservation of me to this moment and for all the accommodations and comforts of the present life But above all I magnifie and adore thine inestimable goodness in making known unto me the way of salvation and happiness by Jesus Christ in continuing to me the seasons of Grace and of waiting upon thee in thine holy Ordinances help me to make such a good and pious use of all thy benefits as may be for thy glory and for mine own eternal welfare And since thy wise Providence hath ordain'd that the Night should succeed the Day as a time of rest and refreshment I pray thee that this Night may be so to me thy Servant grant me to be safe and secure under thy protection from all the terrours and perils of darkness and to awake the next morning in health and safety O Lord hear my Prayer and let thy presence and loving-kindness alwaies be with me to the end of my life for the sake of thine only begotten Son my alone Saviour to whom with thy divine Majesty and the holy Ghost be all honour and glory World without End Amen Thy Grace O Lord Jesus Christ thy Love O Heavenly Father thy Fellowship and Communion O holy and blessed Spirit be with me henceforth and for evermore Amen A Psalm and Prayer to be us'd by a Person who is under Sickness O Lord rebuke me not in thy In sickness wrath neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure Have mercy upon me O Lord for I am weak O Lord heal me for my bones are vexed My soul is also sore vexed but thou Lord how long Return O Lord deliver my soul O save me for thy mercies sake For in death there is no remembrance of thee in the grave who shall give thee thanks Have mercy upon me O God according to thy loving kindness according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions Wash me throughly from mine inquity and cleanse me from my sin Why art thou cast down ô my soul and why art thou disquieted within me hope thou in God for I shall yet praise him who is the health of my countenance and my God Yea though I walk thorow the Valley of the shadow of death yet will I fear no evil for thou art with me thy rod and thy staff comfort me O Lord my times are in thy hand deliver me from the hand of mine enemies Let my soul live and it shall praise thee and let thy judgments help me Whom have I in heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee My flesh and my heart faileth me but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever ALmighty God and most merciful Father thou art the Author of my being and as my life my health and strength are from thee so they are and ought to be at thy dispose and I do humbly confess that because of my sinfulness and disobedience 't is just with thee to afflict me with sickness and pain yea and to cut me off from the Land of the Living O Lord I bear about me a body of Sin and Death and am liable to the penalties of that first transgression for by one man Sin entered into the World and Death by Sin Likewise the practice of my life hath been very evil and my sins still repeated from day to day I have not made it my chief business to serve and glorifie thee which is the end of my Creation nor hath the time of my life and health been employ'd as it ought in doing and receiving good The faculties of my Soul and Members of my Body have been made the instruments of Sin I have not been duly thankful for thy manifold Mercies nor made a right use of them and I have too much despis'd thy goodness and forbearance which should have lead me to repentance I do therefore acknowledg the justice of thy dealings for why should a man complain of the punishment of his sins But O thou Father of Mercies who delightest not in the death of a sinner be favourable unto me Enter not into judgment with thy servant neither let thine anger wax hot against me but forgive my Sin and deliver me for in thee do I trust I know O Lord that afflictions rise not from the Dust but are of thy sending and I do desire to hear the voice of thy Rod and to turn to him that smiteth I do with hearty repentance humble my self at thy footstool lamenting all the errours of my former life and I do give up my Soul and Body to thy Will and Governance resolving and promising by thy Grace to live and act hereafter in all holy obedience to thee and thy righteous commands O deal not with me after mine iniquities nor punish me as I have deserved but remember the sufferings of thy Son who himself bore our sicknesses and the punishment due to us in his own death I believe in him as my alone Saviour my trust is in his Merits and I do humbly beg for his sake that thou wouldst be reconcil'd unto me that thou wouldest heal my Body and comfort my Soul O God who art the preserver of men who hast declared in thy word that thou art nigh unto such as pray unto thee and hast promised to deliver when call'd upon in the day of trouble be thou pleas'd to bow down thine ear and extend thy compassion in removing the distemper under which I now labour do thou who art the great Physitian prescribe and bless the means that may be for my recovery and restore me again if it be thy blessed Will to a state of health and strength then will I praise thee with a thankful heart and will serve thee faithfully all my daies But I do humbly submit my self to thy good pleasure and not my will but thine be done Though thou visit with thy Rod yet take not thy loving kindness from me and while my body shall be afflicted be thou pleas'd to strengthen and support my Soul with thy Grace and inward consolation help me with chearfulness and Christian patience to bear thy chastisement with a firm and constant faith to trust in thee and thy pretious promises Grant that this present visitation may be sanctifi'd to my spiritual benefit and through thy wise ordering in the issue turn to my real advantage and that I may by experience know that in very faithfulness thou hast afflicted me Let this thy fatherly correction teach me to be more dutiful and obedient and grant that by considering the vanity and uncertainty of health of life and worldly enjoyments I may be the more careful to set my affections on things above and to breath after that immortal life of perfect bliss which thy Gospel hath promis'd And grant O Lord that whether in health or sickness in prosperity or affliction I may still honour and serve thee that whether I live I may live unto thee and whether I die I may die unto thee that whether I live or die I may be thine And so an entrance may be ministred to me into the everlasting Kingdom of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ In whose Name and Merits I do earnestly recommend unto thee my present condition and all my Concern both of Soul and Body praying further in his Words Our Father c. Thy Grace O Lord Jesus Christ my Redeemer thy Love O Heavenly Father thy Consolation O blessed Spirit of Grace be with me and all thy People henceforth and for evermore Amen FINIS
especially that of an eternal and glorious 〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 life 〈…〉 Childhood know 〈…〉 Scriptures shall however neglect the worship of God it will be an impiety void of all excuse and for such it will be more intollerable at the last day than for rude Scythians and Americans It might in reason indeed be thought unnecessary that Persons bred up in the Church of Christ especially in such a part of it as ours where the Bible is vulgarly known and practical Religion so clearly taught should be call'd upon to pay their tribute of service to the Almighty But however we may unhappily observe how innate depravity and the immorality of mens lives do alienate them from God and his Worship there are too many every where who live by Sense more than by Faith or Reason And because God is not present to their outward sight as were the Idols of the Heathen he is also absent from their thoughts and they are not apprehensive 't is of any great concern to them that they attend upon him in the Duties of his Service But the more easie and common impiety in this kind is the neglect of those Devotions which should be in private Families and in the retirements of particular persons apart For securing the publick Worship of God the National Government hath been very Zealous there being penal Laws for bringing men to it and they find themselves oblig'd to frequent the Ordinances of our Religion not only by the fear of God but also by that of the Magistrate who beareth not the sword in vain And for the solemn service of God in Parochial Assemblies 't is abundantly provided in our Liturgy wherein are pious forms for all publick occasions compos'd at first by the renown'd Reformers of this Church and Kingdom Men who hazarded their lives and some of them lost them too for the Name of the Lord Jesus and in defence of his Truth and Gospel To these great Worthies the Souls of this Nation are more endebted under God than words can express and their Memories as well as their Reformation should be for ever precious to us But though the publick exercise of Religion be so well cared for yet there are not the like furtherances of private Devotion by the commands of God indeed and by all the reasons of Divine Worship Domestick Piety is no less requir'd than that of the Temple But yet it is not inforc'd by any humane Laws nor hath the Church thought fit to recommend any Forms of Devotion either for Closet or Family that the Prayers in our Liturgy are not prescribed with respect to private Houses so as to be obliging there is declar'd by Dr. Hammond and he doth not only approve of other Forms to be us'd in Families but also that it may be in Visitation of the sick though there be an Office in the book of Common Prayer for that occasion And it hath been thought by some having as high an esteem for the Liturgy as others that considering the general temper of men it would much abate their veneration of the publick service and make them more slack and regardless in their attendance at the Church if the Devotions there were no other than what they have every day in their own Houses But whether so 〈…〉 no doubt that 〈…〉 which injoyn religious Duties together with the Sanction of Penalties annex'd to them do only respect the publick places of Worship So that elsewhere men are left to the alone obligations of Religion and their own Conscience And 't is the less to be wonder'd that this so considerable a part of Christian Piety is no more practic'd The neglects of holy Duties in Families may be too well known and those others more private may be also presum'd without any breach of charity But 't is much to be lamented that any instructed in the Discipline of the Gospel should think it enough to Worship the glorious God their Creator one day in the Week and content themselves with so much only of Religion as the Laws of their Country do force from them Now if we enquire how this may come to pass beside the sinful corruption of men and their aversation thereupon from the exercises of Piety it may be thought generally to proceed either from this that they do not sufficiently know or at least are so stupid as not to consider their Obligation in Conscience to the Duties they thus omit and how much their own interest is concern'd in the due performance of them or else in some it may doubtless be from a want of assistance to their Devotion while destitute of suitable compos'd Prayers in which they should address themselves to God Both which probable causes of so great irreligion the Author was willing to remove The former of them by his following Perswasives and the atter by some composures for Domestick Devotion thereunto subjoin'd In the Perswasives he hath not undertaken any exact discourse concerning Devotion as to the nature of it it 's several parts and the manner of due performance much less to entertain the Reader with an elaborate flourish of words but his design is only to inforce the Practise of this great Duty by a Summary of Arguments which seem'd most material and to do it with such plainess as might render them more apt to convince and affect those of meanest capacity And the Prayers here offer'd by him to the use of well dispos'd Christians are but a few being only for ordinary occasions excepting those in case of Sickness In all of them he he hath chosen still to take in what he thought pertinent and necessary rather than boast his own invention in an affected variety Hoping his good intention herein will attone for any lesser failings that may occur to the Critical he doth send them abroad with this one short Prayer more that by the Divine blessing they may prove really useful to the furtherance and help of Christian Devotion and for promoting the service and honour of the Great God of whom and to whom are all things Amen ERRATA PAge 7. l. 16. read Subsisteret P. 11. Marg. r. Just Mart. P. 34. l. 27. put VI. for 6. P. 40. l. 9. r. by God P. 43. l. 25. r. effected P. 47. l. 3. r. doth P. 73. l. 26. r. there the. P. 85. l. 16. r. much the. P. 88. marg r Ascet P. 93. l. 7. r. do thou P. 94. l. 24. r. and hasty P. 104. l. 17. dele thy P. 107. l. 15. r. thee my P. 108. l. 6. r. imploying P. 133 l. 14. r. attone P. 139. l. 12. dele happy P. 136. l. 6. r. pity P. 198. l. 3. r. or any l. 23. r. adapt P. 169. l. 9. dele all l. 25 r. intention P. 205. l. 28 29. r. supposed P. 206. l. 26. dele not P. 208. l. 7. r. corners P. 229. l. 28. r hath P. 251. l. 10. r. in my A PERSUASIVE TO PRAYER A PERSUASIVE TO PRAYER PRayer is a Duty of
thanksgiving to God and he doth propose it as a good means for restraining men from abuse of the Creatures by intemperate Eating or Drinking and also for procuring the blessing of God on both Soul and Body k Ad Pop. Antioch Homil. 89. We read in particular of the good Emperour Theodosius Junior that he would never eat or drink nor taste so much as a Fig or any other Fruit until he had first given thanks to the great Creatour l Soz. in praefat ad Hist Eccl. And when the Duty of Prayer was thus perform'd by them they did also usually read the holy Scriptures and Sing to the praise of God in pious Hymns by their frequent use of the Scriptures they knew how excellent and beneficial they were and did therefore value them accordingly for when in the Reign of Dioclesian there came forth an imperial Edict requiring that these sacred Volumes should be brought from their houses and given up for the Flames there were vast numbers of them who chose to suffer exquisite Torments and Death it self rather then they would be Traditores or such as would Sacrifice their Bibles to save themselves m Baron Ann. 302. The singing of Psalms was a great part of their Devotion and therefore Pliny in his account of the Christians to Trajan doth mention it as that wherein the Religious service of their Assemblies did chiefly consist that they did Carmen Christo quasi Deo canere secum invicem n Plin. l. 10. Epist 97. and it is related of the same Theodosius we mention'd before that he and his Sisters did use to sing devout Hymns very early in the morning with alternate voices o Soc. Hist Eccles l. 7. cap. 22. How in the houses of the ancient Christians the Duties of Prayer reading of the Scriptures and singing of Psalms were intermix'd with the refreshments of their ordinary Meals these passages do shew Non priùs discumbitur quà m oratio ad Deum praegustetur c. They never sit down to eat untill they have first tasted of Prayer after they have done eating one is called forth to sing to the praise of God as he is best able whether out of the holy Scriptures or else some Psalm of his own by this it is to be try'd how he hath drank likewise their Meal is concluded with Prayer So Tertullian of the Christians in his time p Apol. cap. 39. The whole life of a Christian is an holy Festival his Sacrifices are Prayers and Praises and Reading of the Scriptures before Meat Psalms also and Hymns at the time of eating thus Clemens of Alexandria q Strom. 7. Nor let the time of eating be void of heavenly grace let your temperate entertainment sound forth Psalms and since thou hast a good memory and musical Voice do then begin this duty after the usual manner they are the words of St. Cyprian r Ad Donat And moreover good care was taken by the Parents and Governours of Families in these elder times that the persons belonging to them might be religiously instructed and dispos'd to holy living as shall be made appear under our next consideration But the places which concern the Piety of the Ancient Christians at their times of eating I have the rather cited that they may be for instruction to us of the present Age. When we consider how religious their entertainments then were and that they serv'd for the nourishment of the Soul no less than the Body it may let us see how much we are degenerated from the pristine Sanctity and doth at once both reprove and shame the irreligion of our days in which it is too common with many who are called Christians to take their Meals no otherwise than the bruit Beasts do theirs save that they are less temperate than these they sit down at their Tables and rise again without looking up to Heaven without any acknowledgment or thanksgiving to him whose Creatures they all are by which they are sustain'd and whose Providence doth cater for them from day to day it must needs look ill and scandalous that after persons have at a long sitting been filling themselves from the bounty of the Creatour with the plentiful varieties of Earth Air and Water yet if they return him any thanks at all it is mostly done in such a superficial and lofty manner as if it were but a little inconsiderable Mode to be perform'd only for Fashions sake And at the entertainments of our times how often is it that instead of calling upon the name of God men prophane it by wicked Oaths instead of the Scriptures read the ears of the Company are taken up with loose and filthy Communication instead of holy Psalms they are made first merry and then mad with excess of liquors Such impieties cannot be allow'd in Families where the Governours of them are really good nor will they consist with that holy Discipline for which we are now pleading they are contrary to the ancient Practice of good Christians and much more to the Precepts of that holy Religion which we all profess Lastly the most pressing consideration and that which all Masters of Families should lay to heart is still behind it is that in this Duty of domestick Devotion the Eternal welfare of Souls is greatly concern'd for frequency in Prayer and reading of the Scriptures being so requisite as it is for the maintenance of holiness and a good life where these are neglected how can it be expected that persons will live as becometh the Gospel and as 't is requir'd of all whom God will admit into that holy Place which no unclean thing can enter ſ Rev. 21. 27. and where without holiness no man shall see his face t Heb. 12. 14. Is it not rather likely that in houses where the name of God is not call'd upon nor his Word read throughout the Week the Inhabitants will be Heathenish and wicked not having God in all their thoughts much less any fear of him or his Laws before their Eyes And what must become of such in the other World none can be ignorant that is acquainted with the Bible Now it cannot be doubted but Masters of Families are oblig'd in Conscience to seek the Spiritual good and future happiness of those under their Government if they provide not for them as to the necessaries of this temporal Life they have in St. Paul's account deny'd the Faith are worse than Infidels u 1 Tim. 5. 8. What Censure then shall they be thought to incurr if they altogether neglect their more noble part and take no care of them as to the things that concern their eternal good in the Life to come The holy Father of the faithful was highly favour'd by God as one who would endeavour that his Children and Houshold might fear the Lord and keep his way w Gen. 18. 19. holy Job was very careful that sin might not abide on those of his
and establish thou the work of our hands upon us yea the work of our hands establish thou it Forsake me not O Lord O my God be not far from me Teach me to do thy Will for thou art my God thy Spirit is good lead me into the Land of uprightness O Most great and glorious God the whole World is the work of thine hands and thou governest all things both in Heaven and Earth We do here admire and adore thy Wisdom Power and Goodness which are so visible and illustrious in all the great Works of Creation and Providence and we do humbly acknowledge our dependence upon thee who art the Author of our Life and the support of our Being by thee we have have been preserved and nourished ever since we were born and 't is of thy care and kindness that we are still sustained from morning to evening and from evening to morning When we consider the frailty of our nature and the many provocations of our life we see great reason to confess that 't is of thy mercy we are not consumed Grant O Lord that thy long suffering and goodness may lead us to repentance and as thy mercies are new to us every morning so we may renew our serious purposes of walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our dayes Remember not against us the errours of our former life neither punish us as we have deserved but through the redemption of thy beloved Son grant us pardon and reconciliation and make us partakers of all those rich benefits which he hath purchased And let the grace of God which hath brought Salvation teach us to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts to live in the pious fear of thee and in faithful obedience to thy holy Laws But because of our selves we cannot stand upright let thy Grace be always sufficient for us strengthen us with all Spiritual Might in the inner man that neither our own corrupt affections nor yet the snares and temptations of the World may ever cause us to depart from thee but grant that the Principles of faith and holiness being firmly rooted in us we may be always stedfast and immoveable in our Christian Practice suffer us not to be too much in love with the things of this World nor to lay up our treasure here on Earth but grant that our affections may be chiefly set on things above and our treasure laid up in Heaven where it will never perish nor be taken from us while we are busie about many things that concern this present life help us still to remember the one thing necessary making it our greatest care to provide for our eternal State in the life hereafter As long as thou shalt continue our abode in this World let thy good Providence watch over our persons and supply all our wants help us to be thankful in prosperity patient in affliction and in every condition to be therewith content and do thou so order and govern the several events and passages of our life that they may all help us forward in our way to Heaven O Lord defend and preserve thy Church Universal enlarge its borders and purge it more and more from all Errour and Corruption bless this Land of our Nativity with Peace and Unity with the continuance of thy Truth and Gospel the encrease of righteousness and all Christian vertues Bless the King's Majesty with sound wisdom and all princely endowments that his Reign may be prosperous and the People happy under him be favourable to all our Friends and Relations bestowing upon them all those good things that may be for their comfort in this life and their eternal happiness in that to come Extend thy pity to such as labour under any trouble or distress give them strength to bear their affliction and in thy due time an happy deliverance We do also present unto thee our sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving for thy care over us the night past that our bodies have been refreshed with sleep and our life continued to another day as thou doest afford us a longer time in the land of the living so lengthen out thy favour and loving kindness by which alone our life can be safe and comfortable to us and teach us so to number our daies that we may apply our hearts to heavenly wisdom to make a right use of our time by doing good works while it is day because the night is coming in which none can work O Lord let thy good Providence and heavenly Grace be present with us and watching over us throughout this day to secure us from dangers and every unhappy accident to preserve us from evil actions and to assist us in those that be good make our way prosperous in every business and undertaking and guide us always by thy Counsels till we shall come to thine everlasting Kingdom Through thy rich mercy in our blessed Sunday Morning Saviour Jesus Christ in whose name and merits we offer up these our Petitions and conclude them in his own words Our Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy Name thy Kingdom come thy Will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our Trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for thine is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory for ever and ever Amen Thy grace O Lord Jesus Christ thy love O heavenly Father thy Fellowship and Communion O holy and blessed Spirit be with us all this day and for ever A Psalm and Prayer for the Morning on the Lords day BY the Word of the Lord were the Heavens made and all the Host of them by the breath of his mouth He gathereth all the waters of the Sea together as a heap he layeth up the deep in Storehouses Let all the earth fear the Lord and all the Inhabitants of the World stand in awe of him For he spoke and it was done he commanded and it stood fast Know ye that the Lord he is good it is he that hath made us and not we our selves we are his People and the Sheep of his Pasture Enter into his Gates with Thanksgiving and into his Courts with Praise be thankful unto him and bless his Name They that trust in their Wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches None of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to God a ransom for him But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave for he shall receive me I have set the Lord always before me because he is at my right hand I shall not be moved Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoiceth my flesh also shall rest in hope For thou wilt not leave my soul in Hell neither wilt thou suffer thine holy one to see corruption O how amiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord of Hosts My soul longeth even fainteth for the
harm but that we may be constant and steddy in our Faith and Duty and by a continuance of well doing may attain that life Eternal and Crown of Glory which thou hast promis'd Bless thy Church throughout the World that it may flourish in truth and holiness and remain safe from all persecuting Powers Be thou favourable to this Church and Kingdom to which we belong continue thy Gospel to us and grant that Piety Justice and whatever is is requisite to make us a good and happy people may encrease and abound We implore thy pity for all in any trouble or calamity whether of Soul or Body that thou wouldst please to afford them thy comfort and seasonable relief And we likewise beg thy favour and special kindness for all our friends that thou wouldst bestow thy blessings upon them both for life and godliness Accept O Lord our return of thanks for thy goodness continued to us the day past that thou doest still supply us with accommodations for the support and comfort of our lives that thou hast preserved us from many evils which if left to our selves we should have fallen into and that we are still alive whereas so many others have been this day cut off from the land of the living we bless thee for sparing us so long and granting us so large a time for making our calling and election sure help us to improve thy long-suffering and the day of Grace by working out our own salvation That when ever thou shalt call us hence we may be ready and prepar'd to enter into the joy of our Lord. We commend our persons and all belonging to us to thy care and protection this night defend us from our ghostly enemies and let no evil come nigh our dwelling grant us a quiet and comfortable repose and that we may awake in safety the next morning dispos'd both in body and mind for thy service Hear us O merciful Father and fulfil our desires for the sake of our blessed Saviour who sitteth at thy right hand in whose words we continue to pray unto thee Our Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy Name thy Kingdom come thy Will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our Trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for thine is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory for ever and ever Amen Thy Grace O Lord Jesus Christ thy Love O heavenly Father thy Fellowship and Communion O holy and blessed Spirit be with us and abide with us henceforth and for ever A Psalm and Prayer for the Evening Sunday Evening on the Lords day O Lord how manifold are thy works in wisdom hast thou made them all the earth is full of thy riches When I consider thy Heavens the work of thy fingers the Moon and the Stars which thou hast ordained What is man that thou art mindful of him and the Son of man that thou visitest him For thou hast made him little lower than the Angels and hast crowned him with glory and honor Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thine hands thou hast put all things under his feet Why do the heathen rage and the people imagin a vain thing The Kings of the earth set themselves and the Princes take Counsel together against the Lord and against his anointed Let us break his bands asunder and cast away their cords from us He that sitteth in the Heavens shall laugh the Lord shall have them in derision Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath and vex them in his sore displeasure Yea I have set my King upon my holy hill of Sion I will declare the decree the Lord hath said unto me thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee Ask of me and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost part of the earth for thy possession The Lord hath sent redemption unto his people he hath commanded his covenant for ever holy and reverend is his name He hath shewed his word unto Jacob his Statutes and his judgments unto Israel He hath not dealt so with any nation and for his judgments they have not known them praise ye the Lord. ALmighty and most glorious God we acknowledge thy great grace and favour in permitting us to wait upon thee from time to time with our devotion and supplications thou art most perfect and happy in thy self not needing any service of ours and yet thou art pleased to invite and command us to come unto thee thou art the high and lofty one the Maker and Governour of all the World and yet doest condescend to receive the addresses of us thy Creatures who are vile dust and ashes We must confess O Lord that our righteousness doth not extend to thee nor can our religious performances deserve thine acceptance for there is iniquity in our most holy things we do not attend upon thee with that humility and reverence with that faith and servency which thou mayest justly require When we draw near unto thee with our lips our hearts are often far from thee we present our bodies before thee when the thoughts and affections of our souls are running after vanity And since our best Duties are so liable to thy displeasure how much more the ordinary and common actions of our life and how can we stand before thy justice if thou shouldst call us to a strict account for all our careless omissions of Duties by thee required and our many commissions of what thy Law hath expresly forbidden If thou shouldst be extreme to mark what is done amiss O Lord who could abide it but thou art a God full of compassion and plenteous in mercy and thou hast given thine own Son to be our Mediator though we have no righteousness or oblation of our own that can procure thy favour yet be thou gracious to us for the sake of him who is the Lord our righteousness and for the merit of his most perfect Sacrifice which he made for us when he offered up himself a Lamb without spot or blemish let the blood of Christ cleanse us from all unrighteousness and purge our conscience from dead works to serve the living God And that we may from henceforth walk as the redeemed of the Lord unto all well-pleasing give unto us thy grace and holy Spirit for the mortification of sin and the sanctifying of us throughout in Soul Spirit and in Body grant that our hearts and lives may be conform'd to thy heavenly Will and the Precepts of thine holy Gospel that we may fear thee at all times and love thee above all things and serve thee with our chiefest care and endeavour let not the love of any worldly good or the fear of any temporal evil cause us to turn aside from thee into any sinful practice but grant that we may still account it our
prefer a solitary life and of Plato it is observ'd that avoiding the City he fixed his Academy at some distance in the Country But retirement hath been most of all approved as a good help to Piety and the duties of it by some Christian Writers much hath been spoken in the praise thereof on this account q Basil in Epist ad Chilonem Hieron ad Heliodor l. 2. cont Jovin August ad frat in Eremo especially by St. Basil and Hierom who were themselves addicted to that course of life in the constitutions of Justinian it is said A solitary life with the contemplation that doth accompany it is a sacred thing which of its own nature doth lead the soul to God nor is it only advantageous to those who practise it but is also of known benefit to others by reason of its holiness and devotion toward God r Novel Const 133. By Eusebius out of Philo's book de vitâ contemplativâ it is reported of certain Asceticks so have they been call'd who professed a more strict and sedulous exercise of Piety living in several parts of Aegypt that forsaking worldly employments and the ordinary places of habitation they abode solitary practising abstinence divine contemplation and devotion ſ Euseb Eccle. Hist l. 2. c. 17. these he would have to be Christians but is therein corrected by Scaliger who thinks they were of that Sect among the Jews called Essenes and for that he is himself reprov'd by Valesius who doth suppose them of the Jewish religion though some passages in the account given of them will not allow them to be Essenes But however it is sufficiently known that Christians too have us'd retirement to the same religious purpose in the times of Persecution under the Heathen Emperours great multitudes of them being forc'd to quit their Dwellings made the Desarts their refuge where they improv'd Necessity into a Vertue by employing their solitudes in Fasting Prayer Meditation and Reading the Scriptures so that in some time this way of living became a matter of choice and was advanc'd into an holy institution Paul of Thebais was the first example of note that recommended the same of whom 't is related that he lived solitary for near an hundred years likewise one Anthony an Aegyptian did set it up in his own Country and Hilarion did the like in Syria and Palestine It must be granted that this at length corrupted into Superstition Idleness and an empty name and we cannot think it any real service to religion to persuade men as some have done wholly to abandon humane Society since they cannot do it without laying aside many important duties both for the service of God and the good of Mankind yet for some time and on some special occasion of a mans life it may be of necessary use to retire from the World and the affairs of it it was so thought by a great and wise Prince in the last Age. I mean Charles the fifth who having taken up an apprehension of his own death approaching from the appearance of a Comet soon after resign'd his Empire and Kingdoms and retir'd into a small Village that he might without interruption attend the great business of Religion in order to another World t Hen. Spondan Anno 1556. But by some it is said that this serious temper of mind in the Emperour was occasion'd partly by the unfortunate turn and ill success of his affairs after so much of Victory and Glory formerly enjoy'd by him and partly by the prevalence and growth of the Protestant interest after all his endeavours to suppress it from the former he had a deep conviction concerning the vanity of sublunary things and therefore resolv'd to take off his affections and himself from the World and to provide for his lasting security elsewhere and the latter suggested to him that the Religion he had hitherto so much oppos'd was own'd and assisted from Heaven and therefore it was not safe to be any longer concern'd against it and it is suppos'd that in his latter days * See Dr. Burnet Hist Refor r. 21. part p. 214. of retirement when he had leasure throughly to consider and no worldly interest to be a wrong biass he fell into a good liking of the Reformation and dy'd a real Convert to it Now whatever there is in privacy by which it doth contribute to Piety and our better service of God may alwaies be found in the close retirement of secret devotion a man is then separate from the World from all company and business may freely converse with God and his own Soul may for his spiritual benefit contemplate the Word of God and all his wondrous Works the things that have been that are and which shall be hereafter and while thus taken up it may be truly said of him That he is never less alone then when alone 'T is almost peculiar to single devotion that it doth admit the useful Duty of holy Meditation which cannot so well be exercis'd when we join in publick and whatever the Duty be wherein we are privately engag'd we can more easily be serious and intent in it then amidst the usual occasions of diverting the mind which are in places where many assemble And as privacy is thus helpful to our being more heavenly and devout so in the single exercise of Piety there is this other advantage that whereas in publick devotion we are confin'd to such Prayers as are intended for general use and therefore cannot reach every particular case the Christian when praying alone can with freedom lay open his wants and desires he is not then bound up to words nor things but may chuse the matter of Prayer and speak for himself as his own heart shall suggest and his present condition require for though Forms of private devotion are very expedient and indeed necessary for the greatest part of Christians yet as a late reverend Divine of our Church hath said u Dr. Tully in Precat Domin Expos None is so oblig d to them but that if able to do it he may supplicate to God from his own present conceptions And before him the learned Hammond to the same purpose In the Closet saith he it is not suggested by our Church but that every one may ask his own wants in what form of words he shall think fit w Dr. Ham. Pract. Cat. and truly all who know how to express their minds to men may be suppos'd capable of doing the like in private to God too wherever there shall be need so as to be accepted by him for he doth not so much regard the Artifice of our words as the disposition of our hearts when we speak to him We have before observ'd that holy men in Scripture did use to pray pro re natâ according to their present occasion and to the instances already given we may add that of St. Paul 2 Cor. 12. 8. and also that of our Saviour himself
Mat. 26. 39. When we read the holy Spirit doth help our infirmities directing us to things we ought to pray for * Rom. 8. 26. and when our own Church doth teach us to desire of God that he would make us to ask such things as shall please him y Collect for 10th Sund. aft Trin. it doth suppose our chusing Petitions in Prayer and that we may not err in that choice which will not be understood of stated Prayers and must therefore refer to the private and occasional supplications of which we now speak and unless we sometimes make use of such we shall be extremely defective in our devotion both as to our duty toward God and our regard to the good of our selves and others for how else can we in a suitable manner offer up praise and thanksgiving or deprecate evils and beg mercies according to our own and the needs of other Christians as on many particular occasions we ought to do it being impossible that these should be fully provided for by any forms composed for private use and much less will the publick Prayers descend to them V. If a man serve God in private it is one good evidence of his being sound and sincere in Religion for those who are void of all true Piety who are but Hypocrites or Atheists may and often do outwardly join with others in the acts of publick Worship though from no better inducements than that they may comply with the custom of the place or to please others on whom they depend or that they may gain to themselves a good reputation as some in our Saviour's time who were not real in their Piety for he calls them Hypocrites and yet would pray standing in the Synagogues and in the corner of the Streets to be the more observ'd by others and from this occasion that his own followers might not rest in an outward shew of religion but be sincere and truly pious in the duties of it he injoin'd them the practice of private devotion as it follows in the same place z Mat. 6. 5 6. for acts of Piety when in secret cannot likely proceed from Worldly Motives but do rather suppose a Soul really affected with a sense of God and Religion That a true Christian Faith is more eminently impli'd in secret Prayer the holy Father St. Cyprian hath intimated in these words He hath commanded us to pray privately in secret and retir'd Places in our very Chambers because it is more agreeable to Faith that we apprehend God to be every where present to hear all men and by the fulness of his divine Majesty to penetrate into all secret and hidden things a Cypr. lib. de Orat. Domin Though it be accountable enough why bad men may frequent the devotions of Christian Assemblies yet why any should adore and supplicate by himself alone when none else can take notice of it 't is not easie to assign any other reason than that he hath an inward reverence of an infinite God as of one who ought to be served and who is able in all things to do him good after St. Paul had been stricken blind by that light from heaven which shone on him in the way when he was first call'd to the Christian Faith he having in devout Prayer evidenc'd a true conversion Ananias is immediately commission'd by God to go to him that by the laying on of his hands he might receive his sight and also the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost to qualifie him for the office of an Apostle b Act 9. 11 17. Arise saith God and go into the street which is called strait and enquire in the house of Judas for one Saul of Tarsus for behold he prayeth If therefore we would avoid the sin and danger of being formal Professours and Hypocrites and would approve our selves to God and our own Conscience as real and sincere in the Religion to which we pretend we are concern'd not to acquiesce in outward and visible Duties but to be also conversant in those others of private Devotion which as it is an evidence of true Holiness so will it be a very good means to cherish and preserve it in us For VI. By the constant exercise of Religious Duties in private the life and power of Godliness is very much maintain'd and 't is of excellent use to secure men in the fear of God and a steddy obedience to him for since the acts of Piety whereof none but God is Witness must be thought to proceed from Conscience and to be a compliance with its Dictates it may easily be presum'd that while men are conscientious in performing this so pious a Duty they will be alike dispos'd as to other parts of Christian holiness and not venture on any gross and deliberate sins but carefully avoid all temptations to them beside a frequent exercise of private Devotion must needs beget a serious and heavenly temper of mind and leave such holy impressions as will restrain corrupt motions and fortifie the Soul against the daily assaults of Sin and Satan Moreover it being a part of this private Devotion to read the holy Scriptures the Christian will thereby be still put in mind both of the Duties which God requires and the Sins which he hath forbidden as also of the great and precious promises belonging to the former and the severe threatnings denounc'd against the latter And it must needs have the like effect as including holy Meditation of God as Creatour Lord and Judge of Mankind as infinite in Holiness Knowledg Justice Power and the Author of all the good we have or do hope to enjoy of our selves as Beings dependent sinful frail and as having immortal Souls which shall be for ever happy or miserable in another World according to our good or ill conversation in this these and such like thoughts are apt to beget good resolutions and make men circumspect and holy in all their ways And there is this further that by such attendance on God and Prayer to him we engage him to have a particular care of us to give us his Spirit for our guide and support and to strengthen us with all might in the inner man that we may be preserved holy and blameless unto his heavenly Kingdom * 1. Thes 5. 23. 2 Tim. 4. 18. On these accounts St. Chrysostome hath pronounc'd it impossible that the man who is constant in his Devotion should lead a sinful life * Ad Pop. Antioch Hom. 89. VII This Duty of private Devotion is the greatest comfort and surest refuge of a Christian amidst all the fears and hazards all the troubles and calamities of this present state and he can by no means subsist without it 't is a remedy still at hand on all occasions and whenever he finds himself oppress'd either by passions within or sufferings from without he can ease his Soul by pouring out his complaints as David was wont to do c Psa 55.
and all other perfections and thy Works have been wonderful and gracious towards the Sons of Men. But what is Man that thou art mindful of him and what am I vile Creature that I should be admitted to thy Throne of Grace O Lord I am but Dust and Ashes and therefore unworthy thou shouldst have any regard unto me I am a polluted Sinner and therefore unfit for thy presence or any testimony of thy favour the frame and disposition of my heart is to sin and folly and the practice of my life have been always disobedient and provoking to this very day I desire therefore with shame and hearty repentance to humble my self begging thy merciful pardon of all my sins past through the Merits of Christ and the assistance of thy special Grace for the future whereby I may be enabled to lead a sober righteous and godly life Since I am thy Creature who hast made all things for thy self and thine own glory let it be my chief care to serve thee and whether I eat or drink or whatever I do to do all in thy fear and to the honour of thy great Name as I have been bought with a price even the precious blood of thy dear Son so grant I may glorifie thee both in my body and soul which are thine and whatever power or opportunities thou dost vouchsafe unto me help me to employ the same in doing good and discharging my Duty both toward thee and toward men that I may not be barren or unfruitful but always abounding in the Work of the Lord and for the greater usefulness and comfort of my life be thou pleas'd to continue to me my understanding and senses together with health and soundness of body and let my Members and Faculties be always instruments of righteousness unto holiness O stablish my heart by thy Grace that I may be constant in thy Faith and Fear in sincere obedience to thy holy commands and so after a patient continuance in well-doing may receive the promis'd reward of eternal life O Lord I do thankfully acknowledge the continual Mercies of thy good Providence by which I have been preserv'd and cherish'd hitherto I bless thee for the protection and refreshment of the night past and that thou hast prolonged my life to another day be thou pleas'd to guide and defend me throughout the same bless and prosper my endeavours in every lawful undertaking and suffer me not to fall into any danger or unhappy accident Above all do thou preserve me from sin and the temptations to it and let neither the World the Flesh nor the Devil draw me aside from thee into any wicked practice but grant that I may still walk on in the way of righteousness without turning from it into those sinful paths that lead down to the Chambers of death Bless thy people throughout the World and send thy comfort and deliverance to all who are in any distress or affliction of body or mind Preserve this Church and Kingdom to which I belong and make us happy in Truth Righteousness and Peace do good to all my friends and if I have any Enemies forgive them and turn their hearts O Lord pardon the defects of this my devotion accept my person and hear my Prayer through the Righteousness and Intercession of thy blessed Son my alone Saviour In whose own Words I further call upon thee Our Father c. Thy Grace O Lord Jesus Christ thy Love O heavenly Father thy Communion O blessed Spirit be with me this day and for evermore Amer. Another Prayer for the Morning CAuse me O Lord to hear thy loving kindness in the Morning for in thee do I trust Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk for I lift up my soul unto thee Order my steps in thy Word and let not any iniquity have dominion over me O Lord my God who art the Author of my being and the giver of all the good things which I have at any time receiv'd I do here offer up my bounden Duty of Worship and Praise and I do present my Soul and Body to be consecreated unto thee and thy Service despise not I pray thee the Work of thine own hands but though I am vile and unworthy by reason of Sin yet according to thy rich Mercy and for the worthiness of thy beloved Son be thou pleas'd to overlook whatever is amiss in me and to receive me graciously as one of thine adopted Children That I may be qualify'd for thy love and favour make me conformable to thy divine Image in righteousness and true holiness do thou govern my will and affections that I may chuse the good and refuse the evil that I may love what thou doest command and hate whatever thou hast forbidden O Lord who knowest my ignorance and folly instruct me how to demean my self in all the affairs and passages of my life thou who seest my weakness strengthen me by thy Grace that I may be able to resist all evil motions and temptations to Sin and to perform all the Duties of my Christian obedience suffer me not to err from thy Commandements but let the direction of thy Word and Spirit be as a voice behind me shewing the way wherein I should walk when I am turning to the right hand or to the left confirm my Soul in thy true Religion and the holy fear of thy great Name make me steadfast and immoveable in thy Service that being faithful unto the death I may at length receive that Crown of everlasting Life which thou hast promis'd Be thou pleas'd to bless me in my body with health and strength in my Soul with encrease of divine Knowledg of true Piety and all saving Vertues and give me such a measure of temporal good things as may best contribute to my real happiness I yield thee humble thanks that I have been preserv'd and refresh'd the Night past that I am kept alive to this Morning as thou hast brought me out of the shades of Night so help me to cast off the sinful works of darkness and to walk as becometh a Child of Light let thy presence be with me and thy blessing upon me in the day following give thine Angels charge to keep me in all my ways that I fall not into any disaster and let thy Grace be sufficient for me that I be not exercis'd in any evil work but grant me to abide in perfect safety and to be still holy and upright before thee to the end of this day and of my whole life through my blessed Saviour Jesus Christ in whose holy Name and Words I continue to pray unto thee Our Father c. Thy Grace O Lord Jesus Christ thy Love O Heavenly Father thy Communion O blessed Spirit be with me this Day and for evermore Amen A Psalm and Prayer for the Morning on the Lords day I Laid me down and slept I awaked Sunday Morning for the Lord sustained me O God thou art my God early
and being and 't is of thy great Mercy I am not consumed thy goodness hath been my support and comfort ever since I was born I do therefore prostrate my self with humble adoration submitting my soul and body to thy divine Majesty and offering up my thankful acknowledgments of all thy Mercies and Benefits conferr'd upon me I bless thee for my redemption by Christ and all the means of Grace and Salvation for the comforts of this present life and all my temporal enjoyments I thank thee for that kind Providence which hath watched over me this day that thou hast continued my life and preserv'd my person from those many evils to which I am alwaies expos'd O Lord I am less than the least of all the Mercies I have received at thine hands for my sins have been very many and exceeding great I have broken thy righteous Laws both by neglecting what thou hast commanded and by doing what thou hast strictly forbidden and my practice hath been very unsuitable to the rich Grace and holy Precepts of thy excellent Gospel so that I have justly deserv'd thy wrathful displeasure and the severities of thy justice But thou art a God plenteous in Mercy ready to forgive and thou hast given thine own Son to be a propitiation for Sin O Lord I come unto thee in his Name most humbly beseeching thee that through his Merits the Transgressions of my life may be all blotted out and my person freely justifi'd from all unrighteousness More particularly I beg the pardon of whatever Sins I have fallen into the day past whether in thought word or deed O merciful Father be thou perfectly reconcil'd unto me this Evening And be thou pleas'd to deliver me more and more from the power and dominion of sin that I may be the servant of righteousness and live in constant obedience to thee and thy commands strengthen me by thy Grace against the corruptions within me and all temptations from without and keep me by thy mighty power through Faith unto Salvation Bless thy Church and People throughout the World and let the Kingdom of thy Son be daily enlarg'd Be propitious to this Church and Nation pardon our great sins and avert the judgments we have deserv'd keep us in peace and safety and let truth and holiness still flourish among us Shew thy favour to all my friends to such as have done me any good or do wish me well bestowing on them all the blessings that pertain both to life and godliness Have pity on all who are in any distress or tribulation giving to them thy speedy comfort and relief and be thou a present help in the needful time of trouble to all who cry unto thee finally I commend my self to thy Fatherly care this Night humbly praying that thy watchful Providence may be my guard and defence grant unto me a quiet and comfortable rest that my frail nature being refresh'd thereby I may awake the next Morning the better fitted for the Duties of another day Hear me O Father of Mercies and do for me above what I can ask or think through the Merits of my blessed Redeemer To whom with thy self and the holy Ghost be all Glory Dominion and Praise World without End Amen Sunday Evening Thy Grace O Lord Jesus Christ thy Love O heavenly Father thy Fellowship and Communion O holy and blessed Spirit be with me all thine and mine henceforth for evermore Amen A Psalm and Prayer for the Evening of the Lords day IT is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord to sing praises unto thy name O most high To shew forth thy loving kindness in the morning and thy faithfulness every night The earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof the World and they that dwell therein Thy hands have made me and fashion'd me give me understanding that I may learn thy commandements All thy works shall praise thee O Lord and thy Saints shall bless thee They shall speak of the glory of thy Kingdom and talk of thy Power My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee and my soul which thou hast redeemed I was glad when they said unto me Let us go into the house of the Lord. One day in thy Courts is better than a thousand How sweet is thy Word unto my tast yea sweeter then hony to my mouth Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee I will delight my self in thy Statutes and I will not forget thy Word I will bless the Lord who hath given me Counsel my Reins also shall instruct me in the night season Into thine hands I commit my spirit for thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of truth O Most glorious God the mighty Creatour and wise Governour of all things the heaven is thine the earth also is thine with all that in them is and thou canst do whatsoever thou pleasest in all places of thy dominion wherefore unto thee alone it doth appertain to receive honour and worship and service from the Sons of men I do thankfully acknowledge it is a very great favour and priviledge that I am so often admitted into thy presence and have this liberty granted of presenting my supplications unto thee who art a God hearing Prayer for what am I vile Dust and Ashes that I should take upon me to speak unto the Lord or how can I expect to find any acceptance with thee who have so greatly offended thine holy Majesty by my repeated transgressions O Lord my very righteousness is as filthy rags and my best performances are sinful and poluted I have waited upon thee this day in the duties of thy Worship but it hath been with much weakness and distraction my thoughts and affections have not been heavenly and devout nor have I honour'd thee as I ought on the day consecrated to thee and thy service But O God who art gracious and merciful slow to anger and of great kindness be thou pleas'd to overlook whatever hath been amiss in my life and actions from my Nativity to this moment grant me an interest in the Merits and Redemption of the Lord Christ and let his precious blood cleanse me from all unrighteousness pardon the defects of my obedience and of all my religious duties through his most perfect Sacrifice who hath taken away Sin by the Oblation of himself once for all Add thy blessing to all the opportunities and means of Grace vouchsaf'd to me and cause thy Word to abide in me that it may be as good seed taking deep root and bringing forth abundantly the fruits of righteousness Grant O Lord that as I have been created by thee so I may make it my chief business to honor and serve thee both in soul and body and as Christ died for my Sins and rose again for my Justification so I may crucifie the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof and rise daily from the death of sin to a life of holiness Enable me