The practise of the faithfull containing many godly praiers both of morning and euening and other necessarie occasions. Whereunto are added diuers profitable and comfortable meditations necessarie to be remembered and practised of euery Christian. 1613 Approx. 175 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 137 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2005-12 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A14004 STC 24314 ESTC S102481 99838264 99838264 2637 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A14004) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 2637) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1086:12) The practise of the faithfull containing many godly praiers both of morning and euening and other necessarie occasions. Whereunto are added diuers profitable and comfortable meditations necessarie to be remembered and practised of euery Christian. Tuke, Thomas, d. 1657. [8], 250 [i.e. 256], [8] p. Printed by Io. Beale for Samuel Man and are to be sold in Pauls Church yard at the signe of the Ball, London : 1613. Edited by Thomas Tuke. Numerous mispaginations; pagination deduced from signature collation. Signatures: A-L¹² M⁴. Reproduction of the original in the Bodleian Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. 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Meditations -- Early works to 1800. 2005-06 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-06 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2005-07 Emma (Leeson) Huber Sampled and proofread 2005-07 Emma (Leeson) Huber Text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-10 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE PRACTISE of the faithfull : Containing many godly Praiers both for Morning : and Euening and other necessarie occasions . Whereunto are added diuers profitable and comfortable meditations necessarie to be remembred and practised of euery Christian . Coloss . 4. 2. Continue in Praier and watch in the same with thankesgiuing . LONDON , Printed by Io. Beale for Samuel Man and are to be sold in Pauls Church yard at the signe of the Ball. 1613. TO THE RIGHT WORshipfull , and vertuous Lady , the Lady Ioan Leuenthorpe . GOod Madame , this Booke of priuate prayer being brought vnto mee by a Friend to peruse , and being withall requested by him to write the Preamble to the booke with three or foure Prayers for certain particular vses , I yeelded to him , and haue made choyse of your Ladiship , on whom I might bestow it , being assured of your deuout affection , and kinde acceptance of these my labours , and endeauours , I goe not about to teach you that , you know not ; but rather put you in mind of what you know already , desiring nothing more then that your pious disposition might increase vnto the period of our time . Prayer ( saith S. Augustine ) is a Speach to God : when you read , God speakes to you : when you pray you speake with God ; a seruice it is of no small commoditie . For by it wee obtaine good things , and the remotion of euilles , by it our faith is exercised and increased , our loue is proued , our zeal is inflamed , Gods graces are augmented , his creatures sanctified , tentations vanquished , and the tempter banished . To this GOD hath giuē vs his precept , and made vs a promise : Christ hath also giuen vs a patterne , and his owne ensample : his Saints hath made it their practise , and we are dayly called vnto it , and now more then heretofore the iudgements of GOD hauing beene within these few yeeres very strangely inflicted vpon vs , by grieuous and long lasting pestilence , by inundation of waters , extremitie of cold & heat , of drought and moisture , vnusuall diseases , and outrageous windes , so as it may bee feared he hath some farther punishments yet remaining , except by our deuout and instant prayers , and sincere repentance he may be pacified . I suppose it therfore not vnmeet for euery one to stir vp himselfe , and one to excite another to this duty , so needfull & commodious . Accept therefore I pray you of these things , as written to this end ; so shall I count my labors ( if any ) wel rewarded , and my selfe contented . The God of Grace vouchsafe you his grace , whiles you liue on earth , and make you shine in immortall glorie with him in the heauen . Your Ladiships in all dutie THOMAS TVKE AN INTRODVCTION TO PRAIER . HE that would pray wel , must know ●hat he desires , and with What mind . To pray s●ruently for things vnlawfull , is a thing vnlawfull : and to pray col●ly for things lawfull will proue but a cold suite , & the colder the Suiter , the greater the sinner . One man praies going and knéeles not , another praies ●néeling and goes not : Yet both are heard , if their soules doe bend , if their mindes attend , and if they burne their incense vpon the right Altar . One praies and speakes not , another speakes and praies not . This mans voice though loud is not heard , because his praying is all in voice , aud nothing in vertue , in outward sound , & not with inward sense : the former is heard , yet speakes not : for though his mouth be shut , yet his heart is open : his heart talkes , though his tong be tied vp , that 's loud , though this below . One praies but kéepes no good order , yet gets his suit : another kéepes time and measure , & yet gaines nothing . This had the arte , but the other had the hart . The be●t minde is the best methode : and he praies orderly , that praies honestly . One iustified himselfe in his praier , and yet went away condemned : another condemned himselfe , and went away absolued . I wil condemne my selfe , that I may be iustified : I will not iustifie my selfe , lea●● I be condemned . And though I did build an hundred frée●chooles , a thousand hospitals , ten thousand colledges , and al this for the loue of my Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus , and in loue of christianity & christians for Christ his sake , yet would I write in the foundation of all those Buildings , God be mercifull vnto me a sinner . And though I will condemne my selfe , least I should bée condemned of my Iudge , yet will I not thinke I deserue to be iustified , because I will not iustifie my selfe , but I will still pray for fauour , least the opinion of merit should hinder me from mercy , and least whiles I look to be iustified for condemning mine owne iustice , I méete with the sharpenesse of Gods iustice , forgetting the iustice of Christ , & idolizing with a iustice of mine owne conceiued for condemning my selfe of iniustice . One praies for God , an other for goods , he obtains , for God is his goods : this is still poore and hauing : because goods are his God. One praies for God , and another for goods , and it may be neither are heard : because the former wants his heart , and the latter his head . He that would finde God , let him séeke God for God , and other things vnder God. God is found of one that sought him not , and an other séekes and craues him , but cannot finde him at the first . Why ? God will haue the former serue and praise him , and the other to séeke him still . Sometimes hée shewes vs the libertie of his grace , and sometimes he tries the strength of our faith , and the truth of our loue . One man praies long , an other is but briefe , and both obtaine alike : for God measures his gifts by his loue and not by the length of our praiers , by his owne benignitie , and not by our breuitie . One praies at length & loses for lacke of deuotion : another is but short , and yet receiueth : because his affection is ●arge & feruent . One being long in his praiers is counted briefe , while another being briefe is counted tedious : the former is long , but vehement : the latter is short and shallow , as cold , as briefe , tedious and too-long , because his praier is too-short for deuotion , without sense & soule . One is very violent and importunate , and another is not so earnest in appearance , and yet this second only is heard . Either for that the former knowes not Christ , or because his violence is rather from his strong sides , then true sense , or a labor of lip rather , than of loue ; or else perhaps caused by some horrid apprehension of hell , and not of loue to God , or godlinesse for God. Two men pray for the kingdome of God , one importunatly , the other remisly : the violent caries it away : the cold suiter goes away empty . For God loues the laborious , and contemnes the lazie : if men pray , as if they praied not : he also will heare , as if hée heard not : pray féelingly if thou wouldest be heard fauourably : & if thou woullest taste of Gods beneuofence , be thou sure to presse him with all violence . One praies chiefly for grace , and God giues him both grace and peace : another praies only for peace , and God giues him neither grace , nor peace : not peace , because hée wants grace to vse it : not grace , because peace is all the grace , hée cares for : not peace because hée will punish him for not begging or estéeming grace : and not grace , because he séekes not for it . One praies for Gods blessing vpon his meat , drinke , physicke and labor , and God heares him not : another prospers in these things without praier . What is the reason ? Is it in vaine to pray ? No , pray for a blessing , and leaue the euent to God. It is sometimes a blessing to want such a blessing . By this dealing God shewes hée is tied to no man by desert , hée shewes he will do with his owne what he list himselfe , hée will exercise thy faith & fortitude , perhaps he meanes to hasten thée to better fauors : and for the other , that respects not praier , and yet prospers , God doth it to allure him to him , or else ( it may bée ) to fatten him vp for the slaughter : in which case that prosperitie is very aduersitie , and that séeming blessing a true curse . One praieth conceiuing , an other reading : the one frames words to his mind , which is more easie : the other frames his minde to words , which is not so easie : yet both the one and the other praieth & obtaineth , if they pray with good vnderstanding , and godly affections . A man may pray without booke and misse , he may pray by a booke , and get : for he , that praies by heart without heart , does nothing , but talke : whereas he that praies by book with his heart , doth both reade and pray with deuotion . He reades a praier but praieth not , who reades without vnderstanding , or affection ● and ●● likewise speakes ▪ but praies not , that vtters wordes , and yet weies not , nor heartely wishes not the things , he speakes of . Two desire grace : one of them obtaines , the other gets it not . Is God partiall ? or respects he persons ? No , but one desires grace , and vseth the meanes and ordinances of grace , as the word and Sacraments . and obtaineth : another would haue grace , but cares not for these meanes , and is reiected . Some condemne the saying of one prayer often at one time : and so it may , if the hart repeat not as wel , as the tongue . But if there be an ingemination of affection , as well as of the supplication , it is not to be reproued . We can double our sinnes , why can wee not , why should wee not double our suites for the pardon of them ? One prayes weeping , another cannot shedds a teare : yet both may bee heard : for the sobbes and sighes of the soule are as sensible to Gods eare , as teares are to the eye : and the soule can shed teares , though the eyes be dry . As also the eye can water , when the soule is not wet . The best teares are the throbs of a broken and bléeding heart . Some imagine that they can make Powerfull prayers , thinking with their words and arguments to preuaile with God Almightie : wheras in truth , if any man bee heard , it is not for the swéetnesse of words , the variety of matter , the multiplicity of reasons , but through the intercession of Christ , who doth make God propitious to vs , and to accept our poore and humble prayers . If my prayers be heard , I will ascribe it to Gods dignation , and not to nay dignitie , to Gods benig●●ty , and not to my prayers excellencie , to his eare , and not to my tongue . Praying and wishing is not all one . He that wishes doth not alwaies expresse or define a person , from or of whom hee wisheth some good vnto himselfe : but he , that prayeth , prayeth to some body . But whether men wish , or pray for any grace , it is no signe of sauing grace , except the meanes of grace be loued : neither shall that grace be granted , whiles these meanes are neglected . Those meanes can do nothing without God : and God , to wit , ordinarily will doe nothing without them . Some are wide — mouth ed , but close-fisted : they wil promise much but performe little , part with nothing : but God is open handed and open hearted : his promises are performances , and his wordes workes . He is Verity , and cannot lye : hee is Vertue , and cannot faile : his power is able to make good his promise . Amongst men promises are often as weightlesse as the winde : some would performe , and cannot : some could , but wil not : but God both can , and will : his will is not larger then his power : but what God doth will , that God doth work : and whatsoeuer he is able to will , he is able to worke . It is pittie then but that hee should want , that may haue for asking . Hautinesse is abhominable in a Suiter , but humilitie pleaseth : yet all that talke of humilitie are not truely humble . Some are humble-proud , proud of humblenesse : but indéed he , that is proud of humilitie , doth want humilitie , and swels with insolencie . I would haue all men pray humbly : yet let no man thinke he deserues to bee heard for his humilitie : the opinion of such a merits wil stop the passage of mercie . Others forsooth will néeds be so humble , as that they will not goe only and alwaies to God directly , but with the craued aide of Saints departed . Truely I desire to bee humble : but I would not bee humbler then my God requireth : such humilitie is eyther pride of hart , or ignorance of head . I confesse I am not worthy of my selfe to present my selfe and my suites vnto so high a Maiestie : but his precept and promise doth embolden me : and what I want in my selfe , it is supplyed in my Sauiour : his merites doth co●er all my denierites . Some imagin they néed not pray for that , which they know they haue : yet our Sauiour bids vs pray dayly for our Bread. Thou hast bread now : thou maist be depriued of it by and by : or what if God deny it his word of blessing ? If he do , thy bread may be thy bane , it may rot , it may hurt , and not help . I will pray for bread , as though I wanted bread . Though I were very rich , yet would I pray as poore . Though I knew I had God , yet wold I stil seeke him , as if I had not found him . Though I were holy , and knew my selfe to be in the state of grace , yet would I pray that God would accept and sanctifie me , as though I were vn holy , and felt my selfe most miserable . There are some , that , because they haue beene grieuous and long sinners , doe thinke it is too late so● them , and that they are not worthy n●w to pray f●● mercy . Surely they think not wrong , if they respect their owne desert : yet would I haue them pray for ●arden , because Gods mercie is greater then their misery , and ●e will remit , if they will repent . I will n●t ●e ●eter●d from crauing mercy , though my merits are worthy nothing , but endlesse misery : I will pray for grace , thogh I haue beene too too gracelesse , because God is gracious and bids me pray , because Christ is pit●full and bids me Come , and because the Scripture saith , Hee that confesseth his sinne sand forsaketh them , shall find mercie . Some pray for remission , but care not for repentance : they desire a blessing , but yet absteuie not from that , which p●●ureth cursing . These pray in vaine , because their practise is vaine . For God heareth Saints , not Sinners , and granted his pardon to the penitent onely , and not to such , as perseuere impenitent . He therfore , that would obtaine pardon , let him abstaine from ssnne , which might deteine his pardon . He that would not that sinne should damne him , must not indure sinne to dominere with in him . Though this be true that no man is pardoned , because he is penitent , yet this is true that No man is pardoned but he , that is penitent . If thou wilt not mortifie sin , sinne shall mortifie thée : if thou wilt not dye to it , thou shalt dye for it . If thou wilt not that it should dye in thee , thou shalt dye in it . Some seeme to couet nothing more then a ioyfull resurrection after death : yet shall they not attaine to a ioyfull resurrection of their bodies after death , because they labour not the resurrection of the soul before death . There are two resurrections : the first of the ssoule from the sléepe of sinne in this life : the second of the body from the sleepe of death , in the life to come . Woe be vnto him , that riseth not t●ise : for if he rise but once , he shal rise but from death to death ▪ from sleepe to sorrow ; his body shall rise from the earth , and fall into hell . But hee , that riseth from the death of sinne in this world , shall bee raised vp to the life of happinesse in the world to come . I will therefore pray for a ioyfull resurrection of my body to glorie , and will not forget ( whiles I liue ) the resurrection of my soule to grace , as knowing that if I will not study to be gracious , I shall not attain to be glorious . I haue heard some desire to dye , and some desire to liue : neither durst I condemne the desires of either . I will desire to l●ue , till I haue learn'd to dye : I will desire to die when I haue learn'd to liue . For a bad death cannot follow a good life : and hee hath learn'd to dye , that hath learned well to liue . If I can gain Christ in my life , Christ will not loose mee at my death . If the loue of Christ liue in mee , whiles I liue , I cannot but liue in the loue of Christ , when I dye . There are many , that often pray they were in heaued , which yet I dare not say they shall go to heauen . For he , y ● praies for heauē and goes in the way to hel , shall not ascend whether he wisheth , but descend whether he walketh : hee shall gee , whether his féet doth lead him , & not whether his fooilsh fancie slatters him . There are some pray for death , yet cannot dye : others dye ; and would not . And God by crossing both doth punish both : For to the one nothing seemes swéeter then death , and to the other nothing seemes swéeter then life : to the one it séemeth death to liue , to the other the very thought of death is a verie death , accounting it the only heauen to liue alwaies vpon the earth . Some pray they may dye , and may dye to their cost , if they pray without care , and liue without conscience . If the heauinesse of crosses , and not the hope of a crowne , if the losse of libertie , and not the lothing of lust , if the sustaining of sorrowes , and not the wearisomenesse of sin , if the feeling of paines , and not the fellowship of Christ doth make a man desire to dye , his desire is naught , and his death not good . For those onely desire well , and dye well , that are mooued more with sinne then sickenesse , with heauenly comforts , then earthly crosses , with Christ , then with all calamities . Before thou pray to dye , first pray for the death of sinne , which is the sting of death : and when thou dost desire to die , let it be rather to be dis●nede●ed of thy sinnes , then of thy sorrowes , and to liue with Christ rather , then to be deliuered of thy crosses . I sée much hardnesse of hart amongst men , and but a little mercy . I suppose such persons impl●re not , pray not much for Gods mercy . For it cannot bée that any man should bée without mercie to his neighbour , who doth truly pray for Gods mercy to himselfe . There are in the world , which pray God to pardon them , yet will they not forgiue their neighbours . These are not men , but monsters , which would receiue mercie of God , but wil shew no mercie to men for God , which would haue God forgiue them , but will not forgiue others . Such cannot say the Lords Praier , but they pray to the Lord against themselues , & make their truest friend their greatest for . For wrath without pardon belongs to them , that wil not pardon . I will forgiue , and I will pray to be forgiuen . I would not that any man should néede my pardon : but if he doe desire it , God grant I may not denie it . The rich and the poore pray together , and both do obtain ; the rich being poore in spirit , and the poore being rich in faith . Thus would I bée poore , that I way be rich : thus would I be rich , least I should bée poore . The rich & the poore both pray , and neither are heard ; the rich , because he is poore in humilitie ; the poore , because he is rich in pride ; the rich because he hath no pity ; the poore , because he hath no patience ; the rich , because hée contemnes the poore , the poore because he enuies the rich . I will labor therefore to be rich in humilitie and poore in hautinesse : I wold be pitifull and patient , courteous and contented . There are many , that cry Lord help , whom the Lord wil not help . Hée that would haue help of God , let him not deny his helpe to Man : hée that would haue God help him , let him not forget to help himselfe . For God helpes the helpefull , such as are ready to helpe themselues , and others to . T is pitty but that thou shouldest lie and die in the ditch , that saiest Lord help , but will vse no meanes ( if thou maiest ) to helpe thy selfe . I will therefore pray for helpe , and yet vse the meanes of helpe , and pray that God would help me in those meanes of helpe , and blesse them to mée . There are many , which desire Christ might bée their Sauiour , which yet shall not be saued : because they would bée saued , but will not serue their Sauiour : they like his saluation , but they loue not his seruice : he may suffer , or do what he will for them , but they will neither suffer nor doe ought for him . His merits they pray for , but his lawes they care not for . Now hée will not bée their Sauiour , because they will not be his seruants : for hée will saue none but such , as will serue him . I will therefore suffer him to be my Lord , as I doe desire him to be my Sauiour . Two graces I desire of him , grace to serue him , & grace to be saued by him . Some neither fast nor pray , some fast and pray , some fast & pray not , some pray and fast not : but I would both fast and pray . Some thinke that th● place doth sanctifie praier : others thinke that praier doth sanctifie the place : I think that Christ doth sanctifie both , and that any place may serue to pray in , if the heart be prepaired : yet of the twaine , I doe thinke that the place is sanctified by praier rather , thē the praier by the place . I loue the Temple , yet in case my study , mine house , the field , the high-waies shall bée my Temple , and my chiefest care shall be to cary a Temple alwaies with me , in me . Some pray saying , some singing ▪ whether a man sing or say , it skils not , if he truly pray , and crosse not order . Some aske their parents blessing , but seriously think not of Gods blessing : others ask God blessing , but care not for their parents . But I will aske my father blessing , that I may haue Gods : and I will aske God blessing , that I may haue my fathers . I will aske my father blessing , that he may commend me to God : I wil aske God blessing , that he may commend me to my father . I will aske them both , because I would not be condemned of vndutifulnesse to either ; but especially God , because he is mine especiall father , and is able to blesse both mée and my father , me to my father , and my father to mée , and vs both to himselfe . Some are common and importunate beggers to Princes : but if they were as instant with god , I suppose they would not bée so great as good : and I thinke Princes would haue more gold in their coffers , & they also more grace in their hearts , though perhaps lesse goods in their houses . Some are deuoted to praier , and some to preaching : I loue them both well : I wil preach for praying , & pray for preaching . He that can not finde in his heart to come to the church to heare nothing but praier , by my consent he should not be suffered to come into the Church to heare nothing but preaching . Gods house is the house of preaching , and of praying to . There may wée speake to God , and heare him speake to vs. And as occasion serueth , I will goe thither either for both , or for either . And I hold him vnworthy to receiue a blessing with the people of God , that refuses to goe with them thither , though it bée not to heare a Sermon , but only to pray for his blessing . Some pray and worke not , and some worke and pray not : the one would séeme to be all for heauen , & the other is set wholly on the earth . But I will both worke and pray : for God hath made Munday as wel , as Sunday , and hath giuen me an earthly body as wel , as an heauenly soule . But yet this is not all ; I will sometimes pray , when I will not work : but I would neuer worke , but I will also pray , pray before my worke , and in my worke , and when I haue done my worke . I haue heard some extoll preaching , and others magnific praying . I doe magnifie them both , but am loath to compare them : I sée not how the one can wel stand without the other . This will say ; hée that is not fit to pray , is not fit to preach : and he that hath not a good care to héere , can not haue a good heart to pray : & he that hath no deuotion to pray , hée cannot haue a deuout affection to heare : for surely hée , that with a good will can speake vnto God , will also with a good will heare God speak vnto him : and hée , that hath an attentiue and obedient care for the voice of God , cannot want an honest and humble heart to poure out his praiers vnto God. In like manner also he , that is fit to bée Gods mouth to his people , is not vnfit to bée the peoples mouth vnto God : and hée that is vnfit for this , cannot but bée vnfit , for that . Some pray being halfe a sléepe , but Christ saith , Watch and pray . I thinke a man may do well to pray , when others sléep , and that a man in case may sléepe , when others pray . But certainely , he that praies sléepily , shall be heard sléepily . If thy heart be dead , Gods eare is deafe : his eare is much after our heart . I wil therefore watch , when I pray , and pray when I watch . One , when hée praies , cries a loud , another speakes very low . But both are loud enough , if their hearts be loud : but if their hearts open not , both are too low . Some pray for this , and some for that , but I will pray for God. For hée that hath God , wants nothing : but hée , that wants God , hath nothing . A man may giue so much , as that he may leaue himself nothing : but God , though hée giue neuer so much , is nothing the poorer . A man may perhaps turne away beggars , lest hee should begge himselfe : but God delightes in the number of beggars , if their behauiour be good , and can giue content to all without detriment vnto himselfe . I will therefore goe with my pitcher to this well , that can neuer bée drawne dry : I will borrow my light at this sunne , that cannot but continue : I wil begge of this King , whose Exchequer is neuer but full , & whose gates are alwaies open for any of his Subiects , that ●ue vnto him . There are some , that hearing the fourth commandement read vpon the Sabbath day , ▪ do pray that God would haue mercy vpon them , and incline their hearts to kéepe that law , which yet doe commonly transgresse that commandement , and profane the Sabbath day by glouzing and gaming , or by buying & selling ( themselues , or their Seruants ) euen in those few houres , that are appointed for the solemne and publike seruice of Almightie God. Of whom it may be said , they loue their owne gaine more , then Gods glorie , their own pleasures more , then his precepts , and that they are more fearefull of their own losse , then trustfull to his prouidence . But I will pray and practise to kéepe the Sabbath , because God doth bid me kéep it , and as knowing that he , that sets light by the Lords Sabbath on earth , shall not celebrate a Sabbath with the Lord in heauen , and that they , that make so small account of the assembiies of his Saints in this life , are vnworthy to liue in the assemblies of ●is Saints in the life to come . I would not haue men forget the Market-day for their bodies : and I would haue them likewise remember the Market-day for their Soules . Being sicke we pray for the health of our bodies : seeing then wee be sinfull , why should we not pray for the health of our soules . Because God hath giuen me a Soule and a Body , my prayer and and labour shall be that I may haue an healthy Soule in an healthy Bodie . Some mens prayers are abominable , some mens are accepted . The reason is this ; some men are out of fauour , therefore their suites are scorned : some men are in grace , therfore their prayers are heard . I had therefore rather bee in grace with God , then haue all the grace in the world without the grace of God. Some pray for an almes , which yet will giue no almes , they would receiue good , but they will doe no good , they would not be denyed in their own desires , but they will not sticke to crosse the desires and good déeds of others : but doubtlesse hée , that will giue no almes to man , is vnworthy to receiue an almes of God : he that can without pitty sée the wants of christians , deserues that his owne wants should be vnpittied of Christ . ●ee that crosseth the good desires and good déedes of others , deserues a crosse to his owne , and a curse to himselfe . I will therefore doe good , that I may find good : I will heare the cry of others , that I may be heard my selfe : I will not denie my good will to man , least God should deny his good will to me . I will not crosse men in their lawfull desires , least that God should deny me mine . Euery man wil pray for his friendes : but few for their enemies : yet he , that will not heartily pray for his enemies , ( as our Lord did , and Saint S●euen ) hee shall not be partaker of the prayer of our Sauiour , nor the praise of his Saintes . For Christ prayed onely for those , that should haue his Spirit : and those onely haue the spirit of Christ , which doe resemble Christ . And indéed it is iust that he , that will not pray for his enemies , should be debarr'd of Christ , who out of his loue did pray for his foes , & doth make thē his friends . The Psalmist saith , I● I incline vnto wickednes with my heart , the Lord will not heare me . For in déed Gods eare inclineth to vs , as our hart inclineth to him : and if we decline from him , and with our hearts incline to wickednes , we mooue him to decline from vs , and to incline to wrath . If we regard not him in our harts , why should hée lend vs his eares ? If we wil listen vn ▪ to that , which hee would haue vs loath , why should not he loath that , to which we would haue him listen ? I will therefore expell my sinnes , least God should repell my suites . I wil wash mine hands in innocencie , O Lord , and so will I goe to thine altar . Not to pray , or to contemne prayer is a certain signe of a wicked man. I will therefore prouoke my selfe to pray , that I may be assured that the Spirit of God is in me , and that the miscrie of the wicked belongs not to me , assuring my selfe that they , that wil not pray to God , make themselues a prey vnto the Diuell . It is a rule of wisedome , To serue the season , and wisely to bee followed of them , that delight in prayer . For there is a time , in which God is neere , and ready to bee found . Let vs therefore séeke him , whiles he may bee found , and call vpō him whiles he is near ; or otherwise we may call , and not be heard , wee may séeke him , and yet not find him . There is also a time ▪ in which a man may be better disposed to pray , then at an other : let vs therefore beware we loose it not , lest if we will not pray , when we may , we shall not be able , when we would . I haue heard some complaine of their dulnes , and bewaile their in disposition to pray : Let them but lengthen their complaint and lamentation , & strike their rockie hearts with a serious remembring of their owne miseries , and Gods mercies to them , and by the grace of God prayers shall gush out of their harts , as waters did out of the Rock . Neither despair , though thou feelst thy selfe as dead : for it is a true tokēn of the life of the spirit , to séel and lament the deadnesse of spirit . Some imagine , if God heare them not as soone as they desire , that he will not heare them at all , and that they are of no reckoning with him : in which they are iniurious to thēselues , and to God ; to themselues , because this fansie doth quench their feruencie , and hinder their perseuerance : and to God , who doth not alwaies hate , when hée makes as though he heares not . For by séeming to neglect vs , and by denying our suites at the first , he● wold rouze vp our spirits , he would try our patience , and exercise our saith , hee would shewe vs that not our merits , but his owne mercy moues him to heare vs , and finally he would instruct vs to make more account of his benefits , when they come . For commonly things lightly obtained , are lightly estéemed . Many men pray for things , that are hurtfull to them . I will therefore beg temporal blessings , as they may be blessings to mee : and whatsoeuer I pray for , I will submit my selfe to his wisedome , and desire him to heare me , not to my prayer , but to my profit : not as I thinke , but in what hee knowes to bee fitting for me . There are certaine men deuoted to their wicked lusts , that stick not sometimes to say that they care not , so they may haue halfe an houre before their death to repent them of their sinnes , and to pray to God for mercie . These men by their presuming of mercy are in great danger to féele the seueritie of iustice . They speake as if they had repentance in a string , as if they could pray when they listed , and as if they could haue God to heare them , when they would themselues . But I will repent and pray for mercy in my youth , least I should be reiected in mine age : I wil cry now , that I may bée heard now : I will not refuse to séeke him now , least I should not find him anon : I will sue vnto him for his grace , whiles I am like to liue , that I may not be refused , when I am like to die . I will die , whiles I liue , that I may liue when I am dead : and I wil pray whiles I may , least I cannot when I would . I will liue , whiles I liue , that I may not die when I die : I will sue for grace now , whiles it is offered , least for contemning grace now , I should bée denied grace hereafter . Because God hath set downe all things in an vnchangeable and eternall decrée , and hath determined from eternitie what gifts hee will giue vnto the sonnes of men , therefore some imagine that it is to little or no purpose for a man to pray . This is a profane , and foolish fansie ▪ ; profane , because it drawes a side the heart from dutie . For the rule of our obedience is not the secret decrées of God , but his reuealed pleasure . Now his will , which he hath disclosed to vs , is , that wée ought to pray vnto him , and that continually . I say again , it is a foolish fansie : for as God hath ordained the end , so hée hath appointed meanes vnto it : as hée hath ordained to giue men these and these gifts , so hée hath ordained & commanded that men should aske them . And if hée giue temporall things to any man , that is not deuout , pious , and vnderstanding , know that such things , which should haue béene for his good , doe make for his destruction by reason of his corruptions . But this is a certain truth , God giues nothing to any , which is a true blessing vnto him , but he giues him grace truly to desire it . I will therefore aske , least I should not receiue , I will séeke , least I shold not find , I wil knock , lest the gates of grace should not bée opened to me . I wil sincerely , instantly , and incessantly pray for glorie , that I may haue hope that God will vouchsafe me glorie . These things ( good Reader ) I haue written for thy profit , which I commend to thée , and thée to God , farewell in Christ . Trin-vni Deo gloria , Thine in Christ T. T. CERTAINE NECESSARIE Rules to be remembred of euerie Christian concerning Praier , viz. IF thou wouldest make such a praier as God may bée pleased to heare , thou must repent thée of thy sinnes , and so daily renue thy repentance as thou renuest thy sins , as Isay 1. 15. Dan. 9. 5. 6. 2. Before thou makest thy praier to almighty god , thou must bee or at least desire to bée reconciled to those , whom thou hast offended , as néede requireth Math. 5. 23. Mark. 11. 25. 3. Thou must prepare thy selfe both in heart and minde as one that is to speake familiarly vnto god Eccles . 5. 1. 4. Euery petition thou makest , must procéede from a liuely sence and féeling of thine owne wants , & of thy spirituall pouertie ; for otherwise no praier can bée powerfull and harty and consequently acceptable vnto God. 5. Thou must endeuor that thy praier do procéede from an earnest desire of that grace thou wantest , and this desire indéede before God is praier it selfe , Exod. 14. 15. Rom. 8. 26. 6. Thy praier must procéede from sauing and true iustifying Faith , because it is impossible that either thy person or thy praier or any other dutie thou performest , should bée pleasing vnto God without Faith Heb. 11. 6. 7. It must be grounded vpon Gods word , and not framed after the carnall opinion and fancie of thine owne braine as 1. Epist . Iohn 5. 14. 8. Thou must present thy praier to God alone , & to none other , for none else can héere all men , in all places , and at all times , but he only . 9. It must be presented to God in the name , merit and meditation of Christ alone , for we our selues are not worthy of any thing but shame and confusion , Coloss . 3. 17. Iohn 16 23. 10. Thy affections should be instant and perseuere in praier and that not only in the time of praier , but also afterward and till the thing asked bée granted Luke 18. 1. Esay 62. 7. 11. Euery praier should ordinarily haue in it , if it bée set and solemne , some thanks-giuing vnto God for his benefits both for soule and body Phil. 4. 6. 12. When praier is ended thou must haue a particular Faith whereby thou maiest depend vpon God for the granting of thy particular requests so far forth as god shall sée them fitting for thée Marke 11. 24. 13. Lastly , thou must labour to doe and practise that which thou praiest for , and not only to pray for blessings : but to vse all lawfull meanes whereby those blessings which thou askest may be obtained . 12. Briefe notes shewing the necessitie of Praier . BEause without praier wée cannot giue vnto God his due glory which belongs vnto him . 2. Wée can neither bée assured that we are Gods Children , nor that we haue right vnto any creature , before we make conscience to practise this dutie daily Rom. 8. 15. 16. 3. All things are sanctified vnto vs by the word and by praier , therefore without praier euery thing workes to our condemnation 1. Tim. 4. 5. 4. Without praier wée cannot looke to obtain any thing from God as a blessing , nor to turne away any euil from vs Math. 7. 7. 5. Wée are no better then earth-wormes and worldlings , and not fit to speake of any thing well without praier Rom. 8. 5. 6. The Lord our God commandes vs all to step into the breach with godly Moses , and by harty praier to stay his hands from being auenged of the iniquities raigning amongst vs , Ezek. 22. 30. 7. God requires a dayly and constant course of praier at our hands , which hath béene the practise of the Saints of God in all ages Iob. 1. 1. Psal . 1. 8. God doth daily bestow blessings vpon vs , therefore wée must daily serue him , Lament . 3. 23. Psal . 103. 2. 9. Because Satan is neuer wearie of tempting vs therefore wee should haue our loines girt and bee alwaies vpon our watch to resist him 1. Pet. 5. 8. 10. We haue not a daies warrant no not an houres certaintie of life , therefore wée are at no time to bée vnprepared , because wee know not the houre when our master commeth Math. 24. 42. 11. Wee are Pilgrimes and Trauellers in this World , and therefore wée must trauell each day home ward to our owne countrie Heb. 11. 10. 12. By our●calling wée are watchmen , Souldiers , &c. and therefore we must daily be exercised in this spiritual warefare as 2. Tim. 2. 6. FINIS . Set a watch O Lord before my mouth and keepe the doore of my lips Psal . 141. 3. Let the words of my mouth , and the meditation of my hart , he acceptable in thy sight , ô lord my strength , & my redeemer Psa . ●9 . 4. A GODLY AND necessarie Praier to be said at all times . O Eternall God , and in Iesus Christ our most mercifull and loning father , wee thy vnworthy and vnprofitable seruants , doe héere in thy sight fréely confesse , and acknowledge before thy Deuine Maiestie , that wée are most miserable and wretched sinners and grieuous transgressors of all thy holy Lawes and Commandements : that as wee were borne and bred in sinne and stained in the wombe , so haue wee continually since that time multiplied many actuall transgressions against thy Maiestie , both in thought , word , and déed , so that our sins are grown more in number , than the haires of our head , and heauier in waight , than the sands by the Sea shore : therefore , it is thy méere mercie long ere this they haue not pressed vs downe to the verie pit of Hel , thou only O Lord knowest our sinnes who knowest our hearts , nothing can bee hid from thy al-séeing eye thou knowest both what we haue béene & what wee are , yea our conscience doe accuse vs of many and greiuous euils , and thou being farre greater than our conscience , art able to lay much more vnto our charge : we appeale therefore from thy iustice to thy mercy , which is aboue all thy workes how much more aboue our sinnes , Intreating thée to looke vpon vs in the face and countenance of thy well pleased sonne Christ Iesus , for his sake O Lord we pray thée bee good and gratious to all our sinnes & iniquities past , of what nature or kind soeuer they be , whether of ignorance or of knowledge , of commission of euill or of omission of our duties , wash them all away in the blood of thy déere sonne , burie them in his graue , and lay such a waight of his righteousnesse vpon them , so as they may neuer bee able to rise vp against vs , either in this World to accuse vs , or in the World to come to condemne vs. And because O Lord our nature is so prone to commit sume , and that with grée dinesse , so that if thou shouldest euen at this instant , giue vs a frée pardon of all our sins , yet we confesse , such is the corruption of our weake flesh , that without the restraining grace of thy holy spirit , we should fall into the same sinnes againe or ●nto worse , therefore , wee humbly pray thée most gracious God not only to pardon that which is past , but also purge our present corruptions , and by the grace of thy good spirit preuent those that are to come : grāt good Lord that wee may thinke it more than sufficient that we haue spent the time past of our liues , according to the lusts of the flesh , and after our own desires and fancies , and may now euen resolue to dedicate the rest of our liues that yet remaineth to thy glorie , our owne comfort , and the good of our brethren , throgh Iesus Christ our Lord. In these our weake praiers O Lord , wee are not mindefull of our selues alone , but of thy whole Church dispearsed ouer the face of the earth farre and wide , blesse O Lord the principall member thereof , our dread Soueraigne , king Iames : Enrich his roiall heart with all grares necessary for so high a place , stablish his throne we beséech thée , and let his soule bee bound in the bundle of life with thée O God , blesse Quéene his wife , make her a helpe vnto him in the best things : blesse their Roiall Progenie , and grant that they may not want one of that line , to sit vpon this throne , so long as the Sun and Moone endures , Blesse all his Maiesties most honourable priuie Counsell , be thou present with them , and president ouer all their counsels , as may bee most for thy glorie , the honour of the King , the peace of the State , and the comfort of thy people . Blesse all the Iudges and magistrates of the land , Blesse the Ministers of thy Word and Sacraments . Thou that art the Lord of the haruest , thrust forth many faithfull and painefull Labourers that they may féed thy people with knowledge and vnderstanding , blesse O Lord all the afflicted members of thy Church , diseased either in body or minde or both , especially those that suffer for the testimonie of a good conscience . O Lord to whom all their cases and necessities are manifest , we beséech to make al their bed in their sicknesse , lay no more vpon them , than thou shalt make them able to beare , giue them the true sight & feeling of their sins , so farre as may lead them to true repentance , with harty sorrow for the same . And good father deale with them in mercy & not in iustice either to release them out of that present miserie wherein they are , either by life that they may glorifie thée in this World , or by faithfull departure that they may be gloriffed of thée in the world to come . These mercies most gracious God , and whatsoeuer else thou knowest in thy wisedome to bee better for vs than we our selues can ask , we beg them at thy hands not for our owne merits , for they are nothing , but for the merits of thy decre son Christ Iesus our Lord and sauiour in whose name & in whose words we conclude saying , Our father which art in Heauen , &c. Morning Prayer for priuate Families . MOst gracious God and mercifull Father , thou that art glorious in power and holines , we thy poore and miserable ▪ Creatures , being but dust and Ashes , do here humbly prostrate our selues and our sinfull soules , before the throne of thy Maiestie , Confessing and acknowledging from the bottom● of our hearts , that wee are most vile sinners , conceiued and borne in some , and that we are by nature nothing else but a ●●nye of all wickednesse , whese nature and propertie is to grow and encrease in sin , as we grow in yeares , and to war strong in wickednesse , euen as the powers of our mindes and bodies receiue strength : and although our cursed estate doth here in greatly appear , yet our sinne is made out of measure , sinfull , through the excéeding grace , which thou hast offered vnto vs. by thy Gospell of thy dear S●●me , whereby we are so farre from pro●iting , that of our selues without the grace of thy holy Spirit in our hearts , we should war worse and worse : wherefore wee beséech thée O Lord , as our s●nes haue magnified themselues in an infinite length , bredth , depth , and height : so let thy mercies which passe all vnderstanding outstrippe them , and howsoeuer by reason of our sinnes , wée haue iustly deserued to bée depriued , of all thy blessings in this life , and hereafter to haue our portion with the diuell and his Angels : yet O Lord God , wee pray thée remember that we are thy people , and shéep of thy pasture , whom thou host redéem'd with thy most precious bloud , despise not therefore O Lord the worke of thy hands : but for thy glories sake , and for thy blessed names sake spare vs , sparevs good Lord , according to thy vsuall dealing with those which in prayer haue had recourse vnto thée , and according to the old and vnchangeable Nature of a kinde , long suffering , and mercifull God. Thy mercie O Lord hath manifestly appeared vnto vs this night past , in that thou hast giuen vs quiet rest & sléep , for the refreshment of our weake bodies , whereas for our sinnes past committed the day before thou mightst iustly euen in our dead sléep haue taken our soules from vs , and so suddenly haue brought vs to our account , but it hath pleased thée to spare vs , and to giue vs a larger time of repentance : O Lord , as thou giuest vs space , so wee beséech thée giue vs also grace , to repent vs of our former euill wayes , and to turne vnto thée , and for as much as thou hast commanded in thy holy word , that no man should be idle , but euery one occupied in godly and vertuous exercises , according to their Callings : wee most humbly beseech thée , that thine eyes may attend vpon vs , dayly defend vs , cherish , comfort , gouerne , & counsell vs , in all our studies and labours , in such wise , that we may spend and bestow this day , and all the dayes of our liues , according to the blessed will , setting thée alwaies before our eyes , and liuing in thy feare , euer working that which may be fonnd acceptable in thy sight , through Iesus Christ our Lord , in whose name we end as hée hath taught vs saying . Our Father which art in heauen , &c. Euening Prayer for priuate Families . OAlmightie Lord God and in Iesus Christ our most mercifull and louing Father , we thy poore and vnworthy seruants , do here from the ground of our hearts , render vnto thy diuine Maiestie , in that poore measure wée are able all praise and thankes for all thy blessings & mercies , bestowed vpon vs from time to time , euer since we were born , vntill this present houre , especially O Lord we thank thée , for those inestimable blessings which concerne a better life , and our eternall happinesse , as our Election before the foundations of the world , our Creation into the world , our Redemption by the bloud of thy deare Sonne Christ Iesus , when wee were worse then nothing , our Sanctification by the holy Spirit , our Uocation from the world , our blessed hope of Glorification in the world to come . O Lord we confesse we haue not deserserued the least of all these thy blessings either temporall or spirituall , but haue rather giuen thée iust cause to depriue vs of euery one of them , by reason of our manifold sinnes , both Originall and Actuall , which we haue multiplied against thée from time to time , O Lord we confesse that our Conception , our birth , yea and our whole liues haue béene in sinne , liuing in the breach of all thy Commandements : our fathers and mothers were sinfull , deriuing it euen from our first parents , Adam and Eue , and so to vs , that as Adam purchased for vs his Children , none other inheritance , but the vnhappy entrance into sinne , and corruption , and we béeing in his loynes , and engrafted into this detestable stocke of sinne : we are sorie O Lord , that wee haue offended thée so willingly , and disobediently strayed from thy holy Lawes : yea , we do vnfainedly condemn our selues in thy presence , for euery one of our sins , purposing in our hearts by the grace of thy Holy Spirit , to forsake our former euill wayes , and to make more conscience of sinne , then euer we haue done heretofore . Now for as much as it hath pleased thée , to make the night for man to rest in , as thou hast ordained him the day to trauell in : grant deare father that wee may so take our bodily rest , that our soules may continually watch for the time that our Lord Iesus Christ shal appeare for our deliuerance out of this mortall life , in the meane season wée beséech thée grant that in our sléepe we be not ouercome by any fantasies , dreames , or other tentations , but that we may fully set our minds vpon thée , loue thée , feare thée , and rest in thée : and that our sléepe be not ●●cessiue or ouermuch , after the vnsatiable desire of the flesh , but onely sufficient to content our weake natures , that wee may be the better enabled the day following , to liue in all godly conuersation , in the discharge of our callings , to the glorie of thy holie name , and profit of our brethren , through Iesus Christ our Lord. Blesse with vs wee beséech thée , thy Children and Church in all places , poure downe thy blessings in especiall manner vpon the Kings most excellent Maiesty , the Quéene and her Royall Progeny , blesse all the Nobilitie , and Magistrates of the land . Blesse the Ministers and teachers of thy holy Word , Lord giue a blessing to their labours , that by their ministerie such may daily be woon vnto thee , as belong vnto thine Election of grace . Blesse and succour all the afflicted members of thy Church , wheresoeuer or howsoeuer distressed ; bée with them in all their sicknesse , lay no more vpon them then thou shalt make them able to beare , giue them the true sight and féeling of their sinnes , so far as may leade them to true repentance , a hartie sorrow for the same , howsoeuer it shall please thée to deale with them , let it bee in mercy , and not in iustice , knowing they are but flesh , and in thy good time send them a happy deliuerance out of their miserie , either by life or by death , as it shall séeme best t● thy maiestie . Lastly , as duty bindes vs , we commend vnto thy fatherly protection all our friends and kindred according to the flesh , whether they bee néere or deare vnto vs in affinitie , or consanguinity , and all whomsoeuer thou wouldest we should commend vnto thy maiesty , for them as for our selues wée beséech thee , continue thy mercies and goodnesse towards vs , euen for thy deare sonnes sake Iesus Christ our Lord and onely Sauiour , to whom with thee and the blessed Spirit our Comforter , be ascribed as is most due , all honour , and glorie , now and for euer . Amen . Another prayer for Morning . O Most mercifull God and heauenly father , we thy seruants doe hers humbly prostrat our selues before thy diuine maiesty acknowledging here in thy sight , our heinous offences committed against thée both in thought , word and worke , so that our sinnes are growne more in number then the haires of our heades , and if thou shouldest enter into Iudgement with vs , we could not be able to answere thée one of a thousand , they are so heinous , that the very least of them , being but conceiued in thought , is sufficient in iudgement to throw vs down to the lake that burneth with fire & brimstone , besides O Lord , wee are guilty before thy Maiestie of a huge masse of corruption , which we haue drawn from the loines of our first parents , which of it owne nature is inough to condemne vs , if thou shouldest deale with vs according to Iustice , though we had neuer committed actuall sin all the daies of our leues : Further O Lord wee are full of blindnes , and sencelesse securitie , running on headlong to destruction , and committing sinne after sinne , although not notorious to the world , yet horrible before thy pure eyes which seest all things : but O Lord wee dayly grone vnder the burden of our sinnes , inwardly lamenting our own folie . In Heauen , Earth , or Hell , we see none able to sustain thy wrath for them , but euen thy deare . Son Christ Iesus the Son of thy loue , who in mercy infinite , and in compassion endles , hath suffered and ouercome that endlesse punishment , which was due vnto vs for them . In him therfore most mercifull Father , and through him do we come vnto thee , beingful assured according to thy promise , that thou wilt accept and take that full recompence , which he our Sauiour hath made for vs , on his Crosse . In him therefore we see thine anger towards vs appeased , and thy wrath satisfied , and our debt payed . O Lord enlarge our hearts with thankefulnesse to thy Maiestie for the same , and make sinne to dye in vs more and more , that wee may hate , detest , and vtterly abhorre all sinne , in all men , but especially in our selues , and strongly ( through thy spirit ) set our selues in open war against all sinne and wickednesse , that we may not please our selues in the least sinne , but streightly examine sinne , by the strict Rules of thy holyword , we may alwaies walke not onely before the eyes of man , but circumspectly in this respect that we haue the eies of thy maiestie to take a view of our doings : we humbly thank thy maiesty for all thy mercies , bestowed vpon vs either for soule or bodie , amongst the rest , wee acknowledge this not to bee the least , that we haue quietly passed this night , and that thou hast giuen vs quiet rest and sléepe for the refreshment of our weake bodies , which without the same could not endure : grant we beseech thée , that we may bestowe this day and the residue of our life , wholly in thy seruice , wal king faithfully and conscionably in our callings wherin thou hast placed vs , O Lord blesse all our gouernours , whom thou hast set ouer vs in thy roome , in especiall manner showre downe thy blessings vpon the Kings Maiestie , blesse him both in body and soule with all graces necessarie for so high a calling , and make him long a Nursing Father in this Israell . Blesse our graciousquéen , make her a help vnto him in all good things : Blesse their Royall issue , graunt that they may dayly growe in fauour both with God and man , and make them loyall to his maiesty all the dayes of his life : blesse all the Nobilitie , the Magistrates , and Ministers of thy holy word , and graunt that euery one of vs from the highest to the lowest may walk faithfully in our places before thee all the daies of our liues , through Iesus Christ our Lord , to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost , bee all praise and glorie both now and euer . Amen . Another Euening Praier for priuate Families . O Eternall and euerliuing Lord God , and in Iesus Christ our louing Father , thou which hast giuen vs our bodies and soules , our health , our strength , our maintenance , whence haue wee all these things but from thée , thy fatherly protection ouer vs this day in our calling , to whom can we ascribe it but vnto thée , that wee haue liued hitherto , that wee haue not béene swallowed vp with some suddaine Iudgement , that Sathan had not his will vpon vs , that we know the way and the meanes to a better life , that we are deliuered from the power of darkenesse , and translated into the kingdome of thy deare Sonne , that we haue dayly accesse into thy glorious presence to offer vp our petitions vnto thée , and to make knowne our wants , whence are all these blessings O Lord , but from the fréedome of thy grace , we confesse O Lord , if thou hadst giuen vs our deserts , we should haue perished long agoe : therefore it is from thy mercy alone that we are not consumed . Now , if receiuing so many blessings from thee , wee should not stirre vp our selues to returne some thankefulnes to thy Maiestie for them , how wretched and miserable creatures should we be . O Lord wee pray thée make vs ashamed of our vnthankefulnesse , wound our hearts with the consideration of our owne dulnesse , whom so many fauours haue not wrought vnto more obedience , and vouchsafe wee humbly beséech thée not withstanding our small deseruings , to looke graciously vpon vs , and accept this our Euening sacrifice of praise , which wee doe here render vnto thy Maiestie , O Lord let not the skantnesse of our seruice , make thee turne away thine eyes from vs , but euen as thou art wont to spare thy seruants , as a man spareth his own sonne that serueth him , and in them to accept the will for the full performance ; so be pleased to looke vpon vs , in Iesus Christ , grant that we may sensibly feele the power of his death , killing sin & corruption in vs , and the power of his resurrection raising vs vp to newnes of life . Make vs resolue to renounce , euen our sweetest & best beloued sins , and not to take libertie to our selues , to continue in any knowne vngodlines , that we may think it more then sufficient that we haue hitherto giuen the raines to our ownlusts , therfore now to labour to stop & kill all sin in the beginning , before it come to the act , & resolue to bestow the rest of our liues according to thy blessed word . And because the night is at hand , which thou hast appointed for vs to rest in , he beséech thée to take vs into thy fatherly protection this night and euer : command the guard of thy holy Angels to pitch their tents about vs , & preserue vs both sléeping & waking , that we may be the better fitted and prepared the day following to goe on in our vocations & callings to thy glory , our own comforts , & the benefit of our brethren through Iesus Christ our Lord & Sauiour . In whose name we beg these mercies at thy hands & whatsoeuer else thou knowest to bee néedfull either for soule or body , better then we our selues can aske in that forme of prayer , which hée himselfe in his holy word hath taught vs saying , Our father which art in heauen , &c. Another Morning praier . MOst mercifull God and louing Father , we thy poore and vnprofitable seruants doe here humbly cast downe our selues and our sinfull soules , before the foot-stoole of thy maiestie , acknowledging and confessing that we are not worthy to approach into thy presence , much losse to haue any thing to do with thée in any part of thy most pure worship , and seruice , séeing wee haue liued and continued in the breath of thy holy commandements not only through negligence and infirmitie , but many times witingly and willingly , contrarie to our owne knowledge , and the holy motions of thy good spirit , to the wounding of our own soules and consciences & to the great dishonour of thy maiestis . O Lord we bes●ech thée regard vs not as wee are in our selues , but looke vpon vs in the countenance of thy sonne our Al-sufficient sauiour Christ Iesus , for his sake wee pray thée bee gratious and good to al our sinnes both in generall and particular , original or actuall , of ignorance , or of knowledge , of omission or commission , whereby wée haue offended thée , from the first houre of our conception , till this present time . Lord accept the death and passion of thy sonne , as a sufficient ransome for all our sins , burie them déeply in his graue , and cancell the book of thy wrath wherin they are written with his bloud , that they may neuer be laid to our charge either in this life present or in the next . Let thy blessed spirit seale the pardon of them all to the comfort of our cōsciences . Furnish vs we beséech thée with all néedefull graces , especially as Christians to walke worthy of Christ Iesus in holy conuersation : & vouchsafe to blesse al good means vnto vs which thou hast sanctified for our continuall groath in grace , and thy fears , especially thy holy word & the ministry therof , print déeply in our heartes all holesome instructions , which are deliuered and taught vs out of the same by thy ministers , good lord make vs thankefull euermore for al thy benefits bestowed vpon vs , chiefely for thy sonne Christ Iesus the fountaine of all good to vs and ours , as also for all those blessings that concerne this life present , as health , libertie , apparell & such like , for thy fatherly protection ouer vs , & bringing vs to the light of this present day : kéepe & defend vs we pray thée from all euill that may hurt vs , and from falling into any grosse sin , that may displease thée , set thy feare alwaies before our eies , that we may spēd this day , and all the daies of our liues , to thy glory & the peace of our owne consciences : for this day wée beséech thee giue a blessing to our endeuours in our calling , that wee may bee therein conscionably occupied , knowing that thou séeest euen the very secrets of our hearts , and that nothing can be done , be it neuer so secret without thy knowledge , these mercies and blessings we pray thée to grant vnto vs for Iesus Christs sake our Lord , Amen . Another Euening Praier . ETernall God and in Iesus Christ our most merciful father , thou which art the father of mercies , & the God of al consolations , we thy vnworthy seruants doe héere according to our bounden duties humble our selues before thy maiestie , and rendring in that poore measure we are able all praise and thankes for all thy mercies & blessings bestowed vpon vs from time to time , euer since we were borne vntill this present , for our election , creation , redemption , vocation , iustification , sanctification , preseruation , and the hope of our glorification herafter : as also for al those blessings that concern this life present , furnishing vs continually with all good things necessarie that wée stand in néede of . More especially , O Lord we thank thée , y ● thou hast preserued & defended vs this day , from al perils and dangers both of body and soule , wherinto many haue fallen , and wée might also , had we not béen guided by thy merciful prouidence . O Lord we confesse to the shame of our owne selues , that wee are not worthy of the least of all these thy mercies , but as we were conceiued and borne in sinne , so haue wée liued in iniquity and in the transgression of thy lawes , not regarding to be gouerned by the holy word , and therefore haue iustly deserued , that thou shouldest poure vpon vs all shame & misery in this life and eternall condemnation in the World to come : but O Lord we know that thou art a God full of mercy , stow to anger great compassion , and wilt not the death of a sinner , but rather that we should liue . In confidence of this thy mercie , we confesse before thy maiestie our manifold sinnes , in treating thée to pardon them all for the merits of Christ Iesus ; & séeing thou hast giuen vs so large a time of repentance , grant that we may now at length returne vnto thée in sinceritie of heart & contrition of spirit . And for this night present we beséech thée sanctific our rest vnto vs this night , that we may enioy the same as thy blessing , that thereby our wearied bodies being refreshed with moderate and quiet sléepe , wée may be the better enabled to walke before thée in our callings the day following , to thy glorie and our owne comforts , throgh Iesus Christ . Remember with vs , thy Church and children in all places , gather together thine elect , forgiue the crying sinnes of this land , make an end of these daies of sinne , and hasten the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ . Preserue thine annointed and our dread soueraign King , the Quéen and their roiall Progenie , defend and kéep them from plots and trecheries both abroad and at home . Let thy spirit of wisdome , of Councell , and of vpright iudgement rest vpon all the Lords of his maiesties honourable Priuie Councell , the Nobilitie and magistracie for the best good of this whole Land , Blesse y ● painfull preachers of thy holy word , giue good successe we pray thée to their studies and labours , for the winning of so many soules as thou hast ordained to eternal life ; comfort all thy afflicted that suffer vnder thy hand , and howsoeuer it shall please thée to deale with them , yet support them with patience & thankfullnesse to vndergoe whatsoeuer it shall please thée to lay vpon them , and when thou shalt sée it fit , send them deliuerance that either by life or by death Christ may be to them aduantage . Lastly we beséech thée good Lord to blesse all our kinsfolkes in the flesh and all others whom thou would est we should pray for , heare vs for them and them for vs , & Christ Iesus for vs all . In whose name we shut vp these our imperfect praiers in that perfect forme which he himselfe hath left vs , saying Our father &c. Morning Praier for a priuate person . MOst Glorious God and mercifull father , I thy most vnworthy creature , doe héere confesse before thy Diuine Maiestie , to thy glory , though it be to the shame and confusion of mine owne face , that I am not worthy to appeare before thée , much more vnworthy to offer vp my praiers vnto thée , with confidence that thou shouldest heare them and grant my requests by reason of my manifold sinnes and transgressions that I haue heaped vp against thy maiesty , ere since I was borne vntill this present day . And now O Lord being come before thée , I must néedes confesse the vilenesse of my estate . I was conceiued , bred & born in sinne , and in sinne haue I continued all my daies , I haue drunke Iniquitie like water , yea , I haue drawne it after me , and tied it vnto me as with great ropes , yea , I haue euē made a mock of sinne , and it hath béene a pastime vnto me to doe wickedly : Notwithstanding O Lord thou hast called vpon me , but still I haue refused , thou hast againe and againe stretched out thy hand , but I haue not regarded , thou hast sought to reclaime me , but I haue hated to be reformed ; thou hast often called vpon mee by thy blessed word , yet notwithstanding I haue despised thy patience and abused thy goodnesse ; so that I haue giuen thée iust cause to heap vpon me all thy seareful plagues and punishments which in the extremity of thy law do belong vnto the wicked . It is thy vnspeakeable mercy that thou didst not make my bed my graue , neuer to haue risen againe . but O Lord I know there is abundance of mercies with thée , that thou mayest be feared : and excéeding experience haue I had of thy goodnesse , long suffering , and patience towards me , therfore . I grow in hope still , that thou purposest me good & not euill , to saue me & not to destroy me : beséeching thée to accept the death of Christ as a full satisfaction for all my sm●●es , to wash them away in his blood , and to binds them in one bundle , & cast them behinde thy backe neuer to be remembred , I humbly thank thy maiesty for thy manifold mercies extended towards me , this night past & al y ● daies of my life for my quiet rest & sléep , my foode and raiment , my health , peace , and libertie , and the hope of a better life in the merits of thy deare sonne Christ Iesus , for all these thy mercies , O Lord I haue nothing to render vnto thée , but thine owne . If I could giue thée my bodie and soule , they might be saued by it , but thou wert neuer the richer for it , yea , euen since I rose I haue tasted many of thy blessings , and thou hast begun to serue me , before I haue begun to serue thée , I can shew no reason why thou shouldest bestow all these blessings vpon me more than others , but that thou art mercifull , and if thou shouldest draw all back againe from me , as iustly thou maiest , I haue nothing to say , but that thou art iust , and séeing O Lord I am now to enter into the affaires of this day , I beséech thée blesse me in the duties of my calling this day and euer for idlenesse and godlynesse , can not stand together , and it is thy pleasure that in the sweat of my face I should eat my bread , O Lord preserue me from all fraudulent and de●eitfull courses , draw my affections more and more from the loue of the World , & fix my heart vpon those things which are aboue , & if things succéed according to my mind by thy blessing vpon my labours , make me thankefull vnto thée , if any crosse come , make me patient and carefull to profit by euerie chastisement that it shall please thée to lay vpon me , knowing that howsoeuer they are greiuous for the present , yet in the end they will bring the quiet fruit of righteousnesse to al them that are thereby exercised ; which God grant for his Christs sake , to whom with the holy spirit bee all praise now and euer Amen . Euening Praier for a priuate Person . O Eternall God Father of our Lord Iesus Christ and in him my most mercifull father I humbly confesse before thy glorious presence , that I am altogether a lump of sinne , & a masse of corruption , and therfore haue for feited thy fauour and incurred thy high displeasure , both in thought , word and deede . My sins O Lord are more in number than the haires of my head : yea , farre more than I can possibly féele or know , and if I should goe about to reckon vp my particular offences , I know not where to begin or where to make an end . It is thou O Lord who knowest my sins , to whom the secrets of my heart are manifest , and nothing can be hid from thy sight : besides my consciense doth accuse me of many greiuous euils , and I daily feele by ful experience how fraile I am , how prone to euel and backward to all goodnesse , my minde , my heart and affections , and all the faculties both of soule and body , are ful of vanitie , profanenesse , dulnesse , deadnesse , & drow●inesse in matters of thy worship and seruice . But O déere father I haue learned from thy mouth , that thou art a God full of mercie , slow to wrath , and of great compassion and kindnesse towards all such as are heauy laden & groan vnder the burthen of their sinnes . O Lord extend thy great mercy towards mée poore sinner , and giue me a general pardon for al mine offences whatsoeuer , seale it to my conscience in the blood of thy déere son Christ Iesus , assuring me more and more of thy loue an fauour towards me , and that thou art a reconciled father vnto me in the same christ . O Lord I beséech thée principally giue me victorie ouer those sins , thou knowest my nature most prone to commit . Mortific in me whatsoeuer is carnall , and sanctiffe me by thy good spirit , and knit my heart vnthée for euer . Lord grant that I may take delight in the reading and hearing of thy holy word : that I may loue and reuerence all the faithfull Ministers of the gospell , giue O Lord a melting heart , that I may tremble at thy worde , let not my sinnes holde backe thy mercies from me , nor mine vnworthines stop the passage of thy grace . I most humbly thank thee for all thy blessings bestowed vpon me necessarie for this life , as food , raiment , health , peace , liberty , &c. which many of thy déere children doe want being notwithstanding bought with the pretious blood of Christ Iesus as well as I. Bi●t aboue all , deere Father , I praise thy name for the blessings of a better life , especially for thy holy worde and sacraments and all the good I enioy therby for the continuance of thy gospell , the worde of truth , the means of our saluation , for the death of thy son and all that happinesse I receiue thereby : O Lord open my blinde eies euery day more and more , to sée and consider of thy great and meruelous loue towards me in all these things , that by the dew consideration therof my heart may be drawne néerer vnto thee to loue thée much because thou hast giuen much : and as thou dost abound towards me in goodnesse , so grant that I may abound towards thée in obedience and thankfulnesse , and in these my weak and imperfect praiers O Lord I am not mindeful of my selfe alone , but of the whole estate of thy Church wheresoeuer , blesse all christian Kings and Princes , calling vpon thy name , especially our dread Soueraigne the Kings Maiestie , the Quéene , and their roial Progonie , Blesse all the nobilitie , the magistrates and ministers of the Land , that all their Councels and labours may begin at thy feare , and may be referred thy glory . Succour and comfort all those that are comfortlesse , sanctifie all their afflictions and troubles vnto them , that they may tend to thy glory , and their owne good . Finally , O Lord according to my bounden dutie I commend vnto thy Maiestie all my friends and acquaintance , beséeching thée for them , as for my selfe to blesse vs all , in our particular places , and grant that we may do those things which may bée to thy glorie and our comforts , through Iesus Christ our Lord. In whose name I end as he hath taught me saying , Our father which art in heauen , hallowed bee thy name . Thy kingdome come . Thy-will be done in earth as it is in heauen , &c. A Prayer for a priuate person necessarie at all times . ALmightie God and in Iesus Christ my most mercifull and louing Father , I doe here in thy presence acknowledge that I am of my selfe a most wretched and ▪ miserable sinner , both in respect of the corruptions of my heart , as also the transgression of my life : more particularly I doe acknowledge the infidelitie of my heart wherby I haue not yet learned to depend vpon thy prouidence for the things of this life , nor vpon thy mercie for the saluation of my soule : I confesse O Lord , the Atheisme and profanenesse both of my mind and heart , whereby all my thoughts and affections are estranged from thée , and so glewed to the things of this life , that I can take more ioy and delight in doing mine owne will , and in seruing mine owne lusts , then euer I would ●● in seruing and obeying thée . I acknowledge likewise the pride of mine own heart , whereby I doe eralt my selfe in the vanity of my own conceit aboue thy maiestie , and aboue my Brethren , whom thou hast made farre more excellent then my selfe , as also the security of the flesh , whereby I put away the day of wrath farre from mee , promising to me selfe fréedome from all thy curses and plagues , notwithstanding I walke in sinne and in the stubbornnes of mine owne heart , my hypocrisie wherby I am content my selfe onely with an outward name and profession of religion and holinesse before men , not regarding the truth and power of godlinesse : besides O Lord my life abounds in all Actuall transgressions against euery one of thy commandements , I haue liued in the abuse of thy mercies , and haue not béene drawne néerer vnto thee . In neglect of thy Iudgements and fatherly chastisements both vpon others and vpon my selfe , and haue not profited therby to true repentance , and reformation of life : yea O Lord I haue liued in the pro●anation of thy holy ordinances , thy Word , Sacraments , and this exercise of Prayer , neither preparing my selfe hereunto ●right , nor being conuersent therin , with that care . diligence and conscience as I ought , and therfore thou maist iustly depriue me of that fruit of edification I might haue reaped by the reuerent and religious vsing of these diuine Ordinances . Many other sins O Lord I haue committed , the least whereof if thou shouldest lay vnto my charge , I were neuer able to appeare in thy sight , or to answere thée one of a thousand . I beseech thee deale fauourably with me , as thou art w●nt to doe with thy children , that call vpon thy name , and séeke thee in the truth of their hearts . In the midst of Iudgement , I pray thée remember mercie ; open my blinde eyes that I may come to a particular knowledge of my sinnes : touch my hard and stony heart , that I may sigh and grone vnder the burthen of them , beeing heartily displeased with my selfe , because I haue dishonored thy name , stirre vp my heart also that I may hunger and thirst after Christ and his righteausnes , and after euery drop of his most precious bloud , in him alone to bee well pleased with me , and for his sake to pardon and forgiue me all my sinnes , wash them all away in his bloud , and my heart from the filthinesse and impuritie of them all , say vnto my soule , I am thy saluation , and let me féele thy good spirit perswading my conscience , by the inward testimonie of the same , that my sinnes are pardoned , that I stand discharged of them all before thy Iudgement seate , and séeing it is the lot of thy children to be tryed sundry waies , O Lord prepare mee to the dayes of tryall : Arme mee with spirituall patience to endure thy hand , that I may méekely , and contentedly submit my will , to thy good will and pleasure , howsoeuer it shall please thée to deale with me , onely teach mee to profit vnder thy rod of correction , and grant that I may learne thereby to deny my selfe , to forsake this world , the pleasures , profits , and preferments of the same : to make vile and base account of them , in respect of the heauenly things , destring to be dissolued and to be with Christ , that sinne and the corruption thereof , might bee abolished , and I may ●aue neere coniunction ●ith thy Maiestie in thine ●wne Kingdome : notwithstanding , so long as ●ho● pleasest to hold mee in this earthly Tabernacle , increase dayly more and more the graces of thy Holy Spirit in mee , as namely Faith , Repentance , Feare , Loue , Humilitie and a good Conscience , and all other graces whereby thine Image may be renued in me , that the longer I liue in this world , the neerer I may drawe to thy Kingdome , indeauouring to serue and please thée , in righteousnes and new obedience , all the dayes of my life . Be mercifull I beséech thée to all thine afflicted , whether with sicknesse vpon their beds , or distressed in conscience for sinnes , relieue them I beséech thée accorcording to their seueral necessities : strengthen them in their weakenes , sanctifie all thy corrections vnto them , and grant them a speedie issue in thine owne good time , as shall seeme best to thy godly wisedome . Be mercifull to all my friends in the flesh , and acquaintance in the Spirit : and all other for whom I am bound by any duty to pray for : granting vnto vs all a supply of all graces néedefull for our present state and callings , and eternall saluation of our ●oules : these mercies I beg ●t thy hands for Iesus Christs sake , in that prayer which he hath taught vs saying , Our Father , which art in heauen , &c. Morning Prayer for the Sabbath day , before hearing of the Word . O Most gracious God , and mercifull Father : wee thy vnworthy seruants , do here prostrate our selues , our bodies and selues , to offer vp to thy maiestie this morning sacrifice of praise and thanksgiuing , for all thy mercies and blessings bestowed vpon vs : we blesse thy name for the quiet rest , and comfortable sléepe this night passed , from all perils and dangers of the same : wee confesse O Lord , if thou shouldest deale with vs according to our deserts , thou mightest haue made our beds , our graues , and our sléepe our death : euen for the sins of this night past : O Lord we haue done more against thée this wéeke past then wee haue done for thée all the dayes of our life : yet notwithstanding O Lord , manifold are thy mercies towards vs still , and thy goodnes is infinite , in euery particular which befalleth vs we haue exceeding experience of thyloue . It is thy great mercy that wee which haue so many wayes prouoked thée , should be suffered to liue to behold the light & comfort of the day : but herein thy mercie is much more manifest that hauing béene heretofore profaners of thy Sabbaths , barren and hypocriticall professors of thy holy word : yea , fruitlesse and vnprofitable hearers of the same , that-we should yet enioy the blessed opportunitie of another Sabbath . O Lord wee confesse thou mightst iustly haue fatted vp our hearts , and giuen vs ouer to a Reprobate s●nce , and commanded the doores of thy Sanctuarie to be shutte vp against vs , and not to suffer vs to tread within thy Courts . O Lord , grant that we may rate & estéeme thy mercy towards vs in this kinde , according to the true valew thereof , and that wee may not carelessely forget this or any other of thy fauours , and as thou hast of thy mercie brought vs to the beginning of this holy Sabbath : so we humbly pray thée enable vs to sanctifie the same , as thou requirest , and our dutie bindes vs : Lord make vs to remember , that this is not any Commandement , or Ordinance of man , but that it is thine owne ordinance , and one of those lawes which thou wrotest with thine owne hand , namely , that this day should after a more speciall manner , be consecrated to thy seruice : Lord giue vs grace , that in this thy Sabbath wee may beware of doing our owne works ; or of séeking our own wils ▪ or of speaking vaine and idle words , that wee may seriously binde our selues to the performing of such duties , as doe belong to this day . O Lord we know that herein wee shall méete with many corruptions , in this holy seruice , our own corrupt nature and affections will thinke it a taske that can not bee endured : besides in the world wee shall haue many examples of the wicked to draw and entise vs frō our diligence and constancie in our godly course : but wée beseech thée from the bottome of our hearts , to strengthen vs , that these things preuaile not against vs , and grant that wee may more estéeme the performance of our duties to thy maiesty , then either the contenting of our owne corrupt natures , or wicked persons ; and séeing O Lord , we are now to heare thy holy word : we beséech thée poure downe thy blessings vpon our endeauours this day , in time of prayer , grant vs reuerence to thy Maiestie , faith in the promises of thy Sonne Christ Iesus , a liuely féeling of our owne wants , and a continuall remembrance of all thy former fauours , and mercies towards vs : and when we heare thée speaking vnto vs by the mouth of thy Ministers , bee pleased to giue vnto vs vnlocked and vnderstanding hearts , rectifie our Iudgements , sanctifie our affections , and strengthen our memories , that those holy instructions , which wee shall heare reuerently , and attentiuely , may of vs be practised faithfully and effectually in the whole course of our liues , through Iesus Christ our Lord : giue vnto the preacher O Lord a doore of vtterance , touch his tongue with a Cole from thine Altar , that he may deliuer the word of life boldly , that whatsoeuer corruption lies hid in our hearts , the power of thy holy word may search and discouer it to the very bottome : and grant that wee may not heare it as the word of a miserable mortal man , like vnto our selues , but as it is indéed the word of thee , the euerliuing God , who art able to saue and to destroy . And because Sathan a deadly enemie to mans saluation , readie to picke the séede of thy word which is sowne in our hearts : therefore wee pray thee O Lord , confound Sathan and all his workes , and be thou more mercifull in blessing thine owne ordinance vnto vs , then Sathan either is or can be possibly malicious to hinder the same : for this end and purpose wee beséech thée O Lord , to take out of our mindes all vaine and wandring thoughts , all couetous desires of the world , and whatsoeuer else thou knowest to be an enemie to the sauing hearing of thy holy word , that thy word may be vnto vs , not as our sinnes deserue it should , but as it is in it selfe thy power to our saluation , that it may bee as seede sowne in good ground , which bring forth in vs plentifull fruit , to thy glorie and our own comforts , through Iesus Christ our Lord and onely Sauiour , to whom with thée and the Holy Spirit , bee all praise and power , maiestie , and dominion : now and for euer . Amen . Euening Prayer on the Sabbath day . EUerlasting God , and in Iesus Christ our most mercifull and gracious Father : we thy poore seruants are here met together in the feare of thy maiestie , and in the confidence of thy mercy to offer vp our eueuing sacrifice of praise and thanksgiuing , for all thy mercies and blessings bestowed vpon vs , in most abundant manner : especially O Lord , for that thou hast not suffered vs to walke in darknesse , ignorance and blindnesse , but hast giuen vs thy most holy and blessed word , to be a lanthorne to our feete , and alight vnto our pathes , to eternall life . Wee render to thy maiestie from the ground of our harts , humble thanks for that portion of thy blessed word , which this day through thy mercy we haue béene made par takers off : wee confesse O Lord , that wee haue heard the same with manifold infirmities , and much weaknesse : neuerthelesse wee pray thée let thy power appeare in our weakenes , and vouchsafe to water with the dewe of grace , euery of these particular instructions , which this day or at any other time , we haue béen taught out of thy holy word , that they may be as seede sowne in good ground and may bring forth much fruit to thy glorie , and our owne comforts in this world , and the eternall saluation of our soules in the world to come . O Lord we confesse thou mightest iustly haue giuen vs ouer to a reprobate sence , for our negligence and carelessenes in matters of thy worship and seruice : yca , euen O Lord , our last behauiour in hearing of thy holy word , hath béene so farre short of that which wee ought to haue don● , that we haue deserued that thou shouldest make thy word a sauour of death vnto vs , and not a sauour of life : wee confesse O Lord , our knowledge is very small in comparison of the time , we haue enioyed the blessing of thy holy word , so plentifully preached among vs , and our practise is farre short of our knowledge , which makes our case the more miserable : but O Lord God seeing thou art so good vnto vs , in bringing vs to a view of our owne defects and wants , bee thou also mercifull in giuing vnto vs a heart to lament and to bee truely humbled before thy maiestie for them : wee beséech thée in Iesus Christ to bee a reconciled Father vnto vs , freely to pardon and remit all our sinnes , and grant that the word which hath beene sowne among vs this day , may take déepe roote in our hearts , that neither the scorching heate of persecution or affliction cause it to wither , nor the thornie cares of the world choake it , but that wee may dayly grow vp to these holy duties , till at length we come to a perfect age in Christ Iesus : and forasmuch as we are taught in thy holie word to make prayers and supplications for all men : we are not onely mindefull of our selues héere present , but of thy children and Church in al places . Blesse O Lord all those that thou hast set in authority ouer vs , especially thy seruant & our soueraigne the kings Maiestie , sanctifie his go●ernment , vnto vs. Blesse the Quée●e and there hopefull Progenie , the Nobilitie and Magistrates of the Land , grant that we may be godly & quietly gouerned vnder them . Blesse O Lord the faithfull Pastors and ministers , of thy holy word , to whom thou hast committed the dispensation therof & the charge of thy people , y t both in their life & doctrin , they may be found faithful , setting only before there eles , thy honour and glorie , and that by them , all poore shéepe , which wander & go astray may be brought home into thy fold : & o lord as féeling members of one body wherof Christ is head , we pray thée for all such as are afflicted with any crosse or tribulation , whether in body or minde or both , that it would please thée to giue them patience and constancie to endure thy holy hand so long as it shal please thée to exercise it vpon them , giue them strength of faith against all assalts of Satan whatsoeuer , giue them the pardon & remission of their sins , sealed vnto their constiences by the blood of thy déere sonne Christ Iesus : Be pleased O lord to deale with them in mercy and not in iustice , knowing they are but dust & ashes , & in thy good time release them out of that misery they are either by life that they may glorifie thée here , or by faithfull departure they may bee glorified of thée hereafter . These mercies and whatsoeuer else thou knowest necessary for vs we craue at ●hy hands in that forme of Praier which Christ hath taught vs in his Gospell . Our father &c. A Praier before the receiuing of the Lords Supper . MOst mercifull father , I thy vnworthy seruant , do héere render to thy Maiestie humble thankes , for that it hath pleased thée , notwithstanding al my former sins & vnworthinesse , to inuite me to this blessed banquet which thou hast ordained for the strengthning of my wea●e faith , and for the preseruation of the memorie of Christs death . O Lord I beséech thée giue me grace to put on the wedding garment , and séeing thou hast commanded that I should examine my selfe , grant that I may not presume to thrust my self into thy holy presence , without a due examination of mine owne estate , both how I haue liued , and also how I am prepared for so weightie a seruice : I desire to do it O Lord , help my desire : I promise to liue more holy than I haue done , giue me power I pray thée to performe my promise . O Lord I confesse I am by nature a childe of wrath as well as others , giue me a true and liuely faith , wherwith , as with a spirituall hand , I may be spiritually ioined vnto thée , that in this outward pledge , wherby it hath pleased thée to stoope to my sences , by visible signes of bread and wine , setting forth thereby inuisible graces , so grant good Lord I may wholly rest in thy death and passion , which is the matter of both thy Sacraments , cleanse mee O Lord that thou maiest enter into me , and maiest vouchsafe to take vp thy habitation within me , I know O Lord that I am most vnworthy of this excellent mercy : but it is thou that for thine own names sake , hast shewed vnto me this great saluation , not sparing thine only begotten son , whom when the fulnesse of time was come , thou diddest send into the World , made of a woman , that in him thou mightest receiue a full satisfaction for my sinnes , committed both in body and soule , remoue far from me O Lord all swelling , disdainefull and vncharitable affections , for this is a feast of loue , therefore to it a malicious and reuengeful heart cannot be a welcome guest , and when I present my self before thée at thy table O Lord I beséech thée restrain wy wandring and idle thoughts , and let them bée seriously fixed on that which is the Sacrament namely the death of my sauiour , quicken me vp to deuote and consecrate my self for euer , vnto his seruice , who hath vouchsafed himselfe to be a sacrifice for me , and grant that when I sée bread and wine on the table with my bodily eie , I may with the eie of my soule behold Christ on the Crosse , and when I looke vpon the wine powred out of the vessell , I may consider how Christs blood was powred out for my sinnes , and as I receiue this bread and wine into my stomack for bodily sustenance , so cause me I beséech thée to féede on the body and blood of our Lord and Sauiour Christ that it may be nourishment for my soule , Amen . A Praier after the Receiuing of the Lords Supper . O most louing and mercifull father , I cannot giue thée thankes worthy enough according to the desire of my minde , for the inestimable treasure of this heauenly foode , which thou hast now made me partataker of in this heauenly mysterie , to wit the true bread of heauen that euerlasting meat that abideth for eue●● thy blessed sonne pur Sauiour Christ Iesus in whom , I haue obtained , by the gift of this holy Communion , an earnest of an immortall inheritance , to come , O Lord let not this pretious blood of his be shed in vaine for me , but nourish my soule by his flesh , and more and more clense it by his blood : quicken me O Lord I beséech thée in this life , that in the body of his Church I may be partaker of all spirituall blessings through him , and as thou hast seperated me O Lord from the wicked , in this holy banquet , so kéep me I pray thée from their corruptions , that I be not as a dog that returneth to his vomit , and as a filthy swine that is washed to her wallowing in the mire : but good Lord grant that I may seusibly féele the death of Christ to be swéete vnto my soule , as I doe now these creatures of bread and wine , to afforde a pleasant taste and refreshing to my body , O heauenly Father let me not depart hence forgetful of thy kindnesse , but grant that I may euen now at this present time , euen resolue with mine owne soule to walke in a better course of holy obedience to thy Magesty , than heretofore , hauing respect vnto all thy Commandements : and as I haue béene this day put in minde of the benefit of Christs death ; so let mée euery day thinke often of his death , that thereby I may liue vnto righteousnesse , and learne to die vnto sinne , and grant that euer heereafter : I may so walke before thée that all men may sée that I am become a new creature ; thus endeuouriug to walke in this life according to thy will expressed in thy holy worde , I may heereafter enioy the ioies of thy kingdome in thy presence there to abide for euer & euer Amen . A P●aier before a man begins the workes of his calling . O Almightie and euerliuing God , séeing all iust and lawfull vocations and callings grounded vpon thy worde , are warranted for vs to liue in , and also hast commanded that no man should be idle ; giue me grace I humbly pray thée , that I may walke faithfully before thée as in thy holy presence , so that no deceit , cunning or guile take any hold of me , but that I may labour truly and diligently , as doing thine owne work . Good Lord I beséech thée so prosper and blesse my godly endeuours , that in Iesus Christ they may be a seale of thy fauour towards me , to maintaine me and mine , and that I may be also helpfull and beneficial vnto others , knowing it to be a better thing to giue than to receiue : and when it shall please thée O Lord by thy blessing vpon my labours , that my basket and my store is increased , grant that I may not ascribe to mine owne industry & pains , but to giue thée the praise of it , to whom it wholly belongeth . And good father grant that I may not set my heart vpon these outward things , but rather as riches encrease , so I may be more and more affraid of my selfe , least the cares of this World , and the deceitfulnesse of riches , choake in me the séedes of grace , & so steale my minde away from better things , & let me not I beséech thée so eagerly follow the duties of my calling , that I should abridge and skant my selfe of conuenient seasons for heauenly and spirituall exercises , but alwaies make me behold thy all séeing presence , in whose sight all things are naked , that so I may approue my selfe vnto thée by a streight & vpright cariage , and in so doing I shall imitate thy son Christ Iesus , who in the daies of his flesh humbled himselfe , to liue as a man vpon this earth , by following a painfull trade , and when the time was come that he was to publish himselfe to the World , he was neuer idle but went about doing good , yea , with that alacritie and chéerefulnesse , that it was his meat to do the will of his father that sent him . O Lord grant that I may follow his steps endeuouring to please thée in the whole course of my life through the same Iesus Christ our Lord and only Sauiour Amen . A Praier containing humble confession of Sinne , and desire of pardon . O Eternall God and mercifull father , infifinite in iustice and truth , taking vengance vpon all disobedient children , and yet abundant in goodnesse and mercy towards al such as vnfainedly feare thy name and return vnto thée in sincerity of heart and contrition of spirit , prostrating their soules before thée . I most vile and wretched sinner doe humbly beséech thée of thy infinite mercy to haue compassion vpon my sinnes , which are so grieuous and so vile and loathsome , as thy pure eies can not abide to looke vpon them , I confesse O Lord , that all my life hath béen in sinne , our fathers and mothers were sinnefull euen from the s●ock of our great grandfather Adam , whose blindnesse should haue béen our light , and whose sight was turned to our blindnesse and darkenesse , by the deceitfull entisements of that enemy of our saluation , that subtill serpent Satan , by whose baites our forefather being clothed with innocency and integretie and vnspeakable hapinesse , was moued by the desire of the knowledge of that which thou wouldest he should haue béene ignorant of , by breaking of which thy commandement , he with the woman which thou gauest to bee a help & comfort vnto him , were according to thy determinate will , cast out of Paradice , a place of ioy to a place of miserie , and labour . I beseech thee most gratious God , smite my hard and stonie heart , and make it euen to melt with in me , at the sight of my manifold transgressions : settle in it I pray thée that godly sorrow which causeth repentance , vnto saluation not to be repented of , humble my soule vnder thy mighty hand and suffer it not to fréeze in the dregs of mine owne corruptions . and make my head full of water , & mine eies a fountaine of teares , which may run down like a riuer day & night : and grant O Lord , that I may sorrow not so much because of hell and damnation which is due vnto me for my sinnes , but that my chiefest sorrow may be this , that I haue offended so good and gratious a God as thou art , in abusing thy mercies , and requiting thy excéeding loue with so greiuous sins , O Lord I am bold to come vnto thée at this time , not in my owne name , for who am I that I should dare to presse into thy presence , but in the name and mediation of thy déere and welbeloued son Christ Iesus . Let his death & passion be a full satisfaction for all my sinnes , wash me throughly in his blood from mine iniquities and clense me from my sinnes , let not thy hand of iustice destroy me , but giue me the comfort of thy help and stablish me with thy truth . Most gratious father , thou which art the father of mercies and the God of consolations , of thée I aske mercy and forgiuenesse of all my sinnes , thou wouldest that none should perish , but that all should be saued and come to the knowledge of thy truth : thou hast commanded me most gratious God in thy holy word to call and knock vnto thée , whereupon thou hast gratiousty promised so to finde , as to enter into me and to entertaine me . I beséech thée make good my promise vnto me at this time , and regard my teares my sighes and my groanes , which doe knock at the gate of thy mercies , I endeuour most gracious God and striue to do thy will , Lord make good thy promise I beséech thée in thy word and accept my desire , and howsoeuer vilde wretch that I am , euer since I Couenanted with thée to doe thée seruice , I haue either vngratiously forgotten , or vngratefully remembred all thy benefits , and haue not so estéemed thée for them , as I would haue done a mortall friend for a few common Curtesies , yet neuer the lesse haue mercy vpon me . I can not excuse my faults , and If I should , yet my consciense would condemne mée : for I had thy expresse word to stay me and mine owne conscience to bridle me , yea I would haue allowed those things which I did , if any other had done them but my selfe , now when my memorie is the handwriting of my debt , and my thoughts are willing w●●nesses against me , and mine owne knowledge condemneth me ; what remaineth but that I must néeds fall into thy hands , O Lord I beséech thée according to thy wonted mercy and old louing kindnesse , haue pity vpon me miserable sinner , and grant me a frée remission of all my sinnes and a perfect reconciliation with thée in Christ Iesus : this O Lord I earnestly craue at thy hands euen for the same Iesus Christ sake our Lord and sauiour Amen . A godly Prayer in time of sicknesse or at the point of Death . ALmightie God , and in Iesus Christ my most mercifull Father , I thy poore & wretched seruant , which doe here lye vnder thy hand , féeling thy punishment of the corruption and transgression that is in me , and in all flesh , euen this same sicknesse which at this time thou hast sent vnto mee , I doe here humble my selfe vnder thy hands , and acknowledge against my selfe my heinous sins and corruptions , so that I confesse that I haue not only deserued sicknes of body : yea , the separation of my soule from my body , but also the separation both of bodie and soule from thée and thy kingdome for euer : but good Father I humbly beseech thee looke vpon me in the righteousnesse of Christ Iesus , in whome thou hast loued mee before the foundations of the world were laid : & though sinne haue brought sicknes , and sicknes bee an vndoubted messenger of death , at the time thou hast appointed : yet grant good Lord , that I may be vndoubtedly perswaded in this , that death is swallowed vp in victorie , and that this death can no more hold me vnder , then it hath done Iesus Christ , into whom I am translated : therefore I beseech thée giue me a swéet féeling of my incorporation into Christ Iesus , in whose death though I dye , yet I shall liue , by y ● vertue of his resurrection eternally : O Lord , in this my sicknesse , giue me I beséech thée a déep touch and a sensible vnderstanding of my sinnes past , that I haue not vsed this temporall life which thou didst lend mee more to thy glorie , that I did not so watch for death , as that I was no better prepared for it , that I was no more diligent in my calling to seeke the aduancement of thy glory . Now O Lord I pray thee take from me all guile of Spirit , all disposition to flatter or to sooth vp my selfe , or to lessen either the number or the qualitie of my sinnes , cause mee euen to breake vp my hart , and to search and trie my waies , that so out of the abundance of my feeling , I may poure out a most plentifull and sincere confession before thee , knowing it to be in vaine to endeuour to hide that from thee , which thou ( before whom all things are naked ) doest know better then my selfe : yea such is thy mercie , that when I do lay my sinnes open , thou doest couer them : good Father I beseech thee , giue mee that minde , which a seeke man should haue , and increase my patience with my pain , & call to my mind all which I haue heard , or read , or felt , or meditated , to strengthen mee in this my visitation , that though I neuer taught any good while I liued : yet I may now instruct others how to die , and to beare patiently whatsoeuer thy holie hand shall lay vpon them . Apply vnto me al thy mercies and merites of Christ Iesus , as if he had died for me in particular , bee not farre from mee , I beseech thee when the enemie comes to tempt me , but when hee is most busie , then let thy good spirit be busiest also to defend me , and let my last houre be my best houre , and my last thoughtes and words the best that euer I did thinke or speake . Lord I know that I can not escape death , then why should I feare it : and if I must dye , why not now , if it so please thee ? for my chiefest happines is behind , and I can not haue it , vnles I go vnto it . I confesse O Lord my paines are great , but séeing I trauell to heauen , make mee patient I beseech thee to beare my paines , and when it shall please thee to call me out of this vaile of miserie , command thy holy Angels , I humbly pray thee to carrie my soule into the bosome of blessed A. braham , there to rest with thee in eternall glorie for euer and euer . Amen . A Prayer of thanks-giuing vnto God , for Deliuerance out of any Sicknesse . ALl honour and praise be giuen vnto thee , most gracious God , and mercisull Father , for all thy mercies and fauours , bestowed vpon mee , euen from my cradle to this present houre : for my Election , Creation , Redemption , Iustification , Sanctification , Preseruation , and that blessed hope of Glorification in the world to come . O Lord , thou hast loaded mee with thine abundant fauors , as if I had euer done thy will , although I neuer knew thée as I ought , loued thee as I should , obayed thee as thou commandedst , nor beene thankefull to thee as thou hast deserued : excéeding experience haue I had of thy goodnes many times , but neuer more then in my late sicknesse , wherewith thou didst visit mee . Lord grant that I be not in the number of those , who are forward to aske in time of trouble and affliction , but slacke and carelesse , to acknowledge their thankfulnes , when mercy is bestowed : like those Lepers , that when they were cleansed , returned not to giue God thanks for his mercy . O Lord , thou hast chastened me and corrected me : but herein appeares thy mercy , that thou hast not giuen mee ouer to death . I confesse , thou mightst iustly haue cut mee off & depriued mee of the rest of my yeares : but it was thy good pleasure to deliuer my soul from the pit of corruption . Imprint in my mind I beséech thée , the vowes & promises , which I made in my sicknesse of better obedience and seruice to thy maiestie , then heretofore , and grant that I may make conscience to performe them : and let me know that howsoeuer thou hast now giuen me some little respite and prolonged my daies : yet I must not de●eiue my selfe , in putting farre from my remembrance the day of my death , but that I may make a holy vse of this thy fatherly correcting me , and to expresse my thankefulnes in my life and conuersation , in walking godly before thee , and in preparing my selfe for my end , that I may finish my course with ioy , and bee ready to meete my Sauiour in the clouds , and to rest with him and his holy Angels for euer , and in his euerlasting kingdom of glorie . Ame● . A Prayer for a Sick man. MOst gracious God , and in Christ Iesus our mercifull Father : wée poore wretches gathered here before thee , doe truely and most freely confesse , that wee are most vile and miserable , vtterly vnworthy to speake vnto thee , or to receiue the least fauour from thee , by reason of our many and grieuous sinnes , our blindnes of minde , ignorances , negligences , peruersenes of heart , and vnseruiceablenesse in our liues : but with all we doe remember thy great loue , and mercifull promises made vnto them , that with ●enitent and humble spirits do sue vnto thée : wherfore wee are enboldned to approch vnto thy throne of grace , in the name of thy Son Christ Iesus , beseeching thée for his sake to forgiue vs all our sinnes originall and actuall : wash vs ( we pray thée ) in his bloud , and cloth vs with his righteousnes : giue vs grace to turne vnto thée with our hearts from all our sinnes , and inable vs by thy grace to serue thee in righteousnes & holines all the dayes of our liues . Take care ( we beséech thée ) of this thy Seruant , whom thou hast afflicted before our eyes : O Lord receiue him to thy grace , and assure him of thy glory : grant vnto him faith in thy promises , patience vnder thine hand , and hope of thy mercy : restore him ( if it be thy blessed will ) to his perfect health againe : and blesse all good meanes vnto it : if not , prepare him for death and for thy kingdome : comfort him with an assured hope of a ioyfull resurrection , and whensoeuer his soule shall depart from his body , grant that it may be presented without all sinne to thée , through Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour . Amen . A Prayer for a Woman with child . BLessed God , and gracious Father , I thy poore Handmaide doe héere humbly present my selfe before thy throne of Grace : beseeching thee to forgiue me all my manifold sins committed against thee : burie them in the death of my Sauiour , thy Son Christ Iesus : O Lord I beseech thee for his sake to accept of me and this poore worme inclosed in my wombe : vouchsafe to giue vs thy Sonne , and to sanctifie vs with thy Holy Spirit : grant me strength and patience , I humbly intreat thee , to indure and ouercome those paines , which for my sinnes are worthily imposed on me . Asswage them , O Lord , I pray thee , and vouchsafe mee a safe deliuerance with safetie to this child within me , if it may please thy Maiestie ; so will I dedicate my selfe , and that which thou shalt giue me , to the glorie of thine holy Name : O Lord , heare : O Lord , help : be thou my God , and my guide , my saluation , and my succour ; not for my merites , but for the honour of thy mercie , and the all sufficient merites of Iesus Christ , to whome with thee , and thy Holy Spirit , three persons , but one euer-liuing and euerlouing God , bee all honour and glorie , for euer and for euer . Amen . A Prayer for a Midwife by her selfe alone . O Lord my God , I beseech thee forgiue me my manifold sins and wickednes , accept of me , I beseech thée , in thy Sonne Iesus Christ : honour mee with all the graces of thy spirit ▪ grant me wisedoms , modesty , temperance , and a religious heart . Blesse mee in this calling , to which thou hast appointed mee : prosper me , I pray thee , in the thoughts of my heart , the words of my mouth , & the workes of mine hands . Be mercifull ( I most humbly beseech thée ) to all those women and children with whom I am to deale . Bee mercifull to this thy Seruant , that is now in trauel : O good Lord , comfort her , strengthen her , and grant her a seasonable and safe deliuerance : blesse her burthen , O Lord , and giue i● strength & life to be borne : so will I render praise and thanksgiuing vnto thee . Heare O Lord , and grant mee my hearts desire , for Christ Iesus his sake , mine onely Lord and Sauiour . Amen . A Thanksgiuing priuate for the safe deliuerance of a woman , to bee said by the Midwife , or some woman present at her Deliuerie . VVEE giue thee thankes ( most mercifull God ▪ ) for all thy mercies and fauours to vs , for Electing , Creating , Redeeming , Sanctifying , and Preseruing vs : for our health , peace , and libertie , for the worde and Gospell , and for preseruing both it and vs from that barbarous Powder-Treason of wicked Papists : and finally for the safe deliuerance of this thine Handmaide , and the birth of this Infant : wee beseech thee giue vs thankefull heartes vnto thee , and grant that by true thankefulnesse wee may consecrate our soules , our selues , and seruices vnto thee all the dayes of our life , endeauouring to leade a godly , quiet and vertuous life before thée in this world , that wee may liue for euer with thée in the world to come , through Iesus Christ our onely Lord and Sauiour . Amen . The Lord bee mercifull vnto vs , send health and strength vnto this thine Handmaide , Lord blesse this Childe , vouchsafe it life , that it may by Baptisme bee admitted into thine house , and haue interest in thy Couenant , the Lord keepe vs all , and honour vs with his grace in this life , and with immortall glorie in the life to come . Amen , A Prayer in time of Pestilence , or any other Contagious Sicknesse . MOst gracious and euerliuing god , whose Iudgements are vnsearchable , and workes past finding out , much lesse to bee comprehended within our weake & shallow braines , we can not wonder that we are afflicted with so many sorts of diseases , and extraordinarie visitations , for wee confesse that our sinnes haue prouoked thee not only to take vengeance vpon our bodies and those things that belong vnto vs for this life , but also euen that thou shouldest seperats both our bodies and soules from thee for euer to the e●ternall destruction of both : and howsoeuer this iudgement of the plague be grieuous vpon vs , yet it is the smallest part of our desert , and if thou shouldest make it cleaue fast to our loines , and euen sweep vs off from the face of the earth , as dung is swept away till all be gone , wee haue nothing to except against thee , but that thou art iust , for wee haue multiplyed our sinnes before thée , and haue pressed thee with the burden of them as a Cart is pressed with sheaues : so that neither wee nor our Fathers haue kept thy Commandements : and besides O Lord we must confesse thou hast iustly plagued vs , because wee haue abused and set at naught , thy manifold mercies , which thou hast shewed vnto vs for our conuersion , as the continuall admonitions giuen vnto vs by thy ministers , rising early and late , yet wee haue hardened our heartes as in the day of slaughter , and haue despised thy Prophets , and put farre from vs the euill day , thereby adding drunkennes to thirst : yet notwithstanding wee will returne vnto thée that hast smitten vs , for thou art the father of mercies and the God of forgiuenesses : O remember vs not according to our sins , but according to thy mercies , O Lord thinke vpon vs for thy goodnesse sake , cleare vs wee beseech thee , and make vs frée from the contagion and Leprosie of sinne , and then we shall bée fréed from the noysome infection of the Pestilence , so that it shall not hurt vs , teach vs O Lord to feare sinne as we feare the sicknesse it selfe , for it is the cause of this wasting sicknesse which is the fruit of sinne , but this good Father belongeth onely vnto thee ; for thou canst doe both the one and the other : therefore comfort vs wee pray thee according to the dayes that thou hast afflicted vs : turns vs vnto thée O Lord , and we shall be turned , conuert thou vs and we shall be conuerted : If wee humble our selues and meete thee with true faith , vnfained repentance , with hartie sorrow and teares , thy wrath shal cease , and then thou wilt call in againe thy messengers , commanding thine Angell to put vp the sword of vengeance into the ●heath , and shew mercie vpon vs , and if it bee thy good pleasure to stretch out thy hand stil , and chastise vs yet more for our Iniquities , giue vs wee pray thée grace and strength patiently to endure thy fatherly hand , to the vtmost tryall , and teach vs that whensoeuer wee are iudged by thée , we shall not be iudged with the world , and much better is it for vs to bee temporally corrected in this life , then eternally to ber tormented in the life to come : therefore O Lord , we choose rather to fall into thy hands , then in to the hands of men , because thy grace is great , and mercie is with thee that thou maist bee feared , laying fast hold of faith in Christ Iesus , who is theeuerlasting propitiation and perfect sacrifice for all our sins , & in whom alone thou art well pleased , to whom with thée & thy good spirit , bee all honour & glory now and for euermore . Amen . A Prayer for the Kings Maiestie & the whole State. OEternall God & gracious Father , who in thy eternall counsell , and inestimable wisedome , hast ordained Kings & Princes to be as Fathers & Nurses to thy church , and as thou hast giuen them high soueraignty , and speciall authority , so thou hast communicated vnto them thine own names and titles , both to put them in continuall remembrance that they are for thée , & for thy glory , and also vs thy subiects of that same continuall loue & obedience which we owe vnto thy Maiestie , that vnder them we may be godly and peaceably gouerned : & seeing y ● by thée Kings raigne , and thy soueraigne authority reacheth ouer all , wee beséech thée good Lord , shew thy mercy vpon al christian Kings & Princes , calling on thy name : especially wee pray thée multiply thy graces vpon thy seruant & our dread soueraigne , Iames by thy prouidence , King of great Britaine , France & Ireland , defender of the faith . As thou hast doubled his croune & lifted his head aboue others : so wee pray thée double & redouble thy graces and blessings vpon him both spirituall & temporall : make vs euermore truely thankfull we beséech thée for all thy preseruations of him from thine & his enemies : especially graunt that wee may neuer forget that inestimable deliuerance of his Maiestie & the whole state , from that more then barbarous and hellish plot of the gunpowder treason , kéepe him as the Apple of thine eye , & preserue his Royall person from al conspiracies and treasons both forraine & domesticall , and continue his gouernment ouer vs : and grant there may not want one of that stock to sit vpon this throne till thy son come to Iudgement . Blesse in like maner we beséech thée the Quéenes Maiesty , make her a helpe vnto him in al good things : powre downe thy blessings vpon there Royal progeny , and graunt that they may daily grow in grace & fauor both with God and man , & make them loyall to his maiesty all the daies of his life , alwaies afford thy gracious presence to the honorable lords of his Maiesties Counsell : be thou president ouer them at their table , & order their purposes , and direct all their consultations , as may make most for thy glory , the honour of the King , and the good of this land and commonwealth : giue thy blessing vpon all the Magistrates of the land and courts of Iustice : grant that they may drawe forth the sword of iustice , for the destruction of vice and wickednes , and for the maintenance of Gods true religion & vertue . Blesse O Lord the house of Aaron & Tribe of Leui , the ministers of thy word and Sacraments : and séeing these are thy Stewards which thou hast set ouer vs , to disperse thy misteries : good Lord giue vs grace , not to estéeme of them as mere mortall men like our selues , but as they are indéed the embassadors of thée , the euerliuing God , who art able to saue and to destroy ; and that they are not such as raigne ouer our faith , but as helpers of our ioy , which preach not themselues , but Iesus Christ our Lord and count themselues our seruāts for Iesus sake : furnish them liberally of thy rich treasure with all graces , fit for so excellent a work , & giue vs grace with our best endeauours to further y ● maintenance therof : to this end blesse al schooles of learning , especially both the Uniuersities of this land , that daily there may procéed such as may be profitable Instruments both for church & common welth , and in these our prayers we are not vnmindful of the afflictions of Ioseph , wee beseech thée send thy Spirit of comfort , to all the afflicted whatsoeuer whether in body or in mind or both : especially those that suffer for the testimony of a good conscience : wee beséech thée to stand by them in al their distresses , and bee thou more neere to defend them , then Sathan either is or possible can be to seduce & draw thē from thée : giue them patience to endure whatsoeuer it shal please thée to lay on them , harty and true repentance for all their sins , & an happy issue from their miseries , as shall séeme best to thy godly wisedome , either by life that they may glorifie thée in this world , or by faithfull departure they may be glorified of thee in the world to come , and that for Iesus Christs sake our Lord and only Sauior ; In whose name wee conclude these our weake prayers as he hath taught vs. Our Father which art in heauen , &c. A Praier containing the summe of the Lords Praier . OVr Father which art in Heauen . Most gratious Lord God , we thy children & seruants in thy only son Iesus Christ our sauiour , assured héere of by thy good spirit , do hartily desire thée as we are made , redéemed , & sanctified to praise thée , giue vs thy children grace to acknowledge thée the only true God and to worship thée in thought , word and déede : that so thy name by vs may be hallowed , teach vs which way we may most honour thee while we remaine héere , & to set our hearts wholly thereunto , kéep vs from taking any part of thy glory to our selues , and let vs account it our greatest honor to honor thée , and be euer afraid of dishonoring thée any way , & because we haue no power nor know the meanes of our selues to serue thée ; let thy kingdome come , giue vs thy word to be faithfully and painfully preached among vs , with thy holy spirit to worke inwardly in our hearts , faith , feare , hope , and loue , with al heauenly graces that we may become thy subiects & heires of thy kingdome ; send vs zelous gouernors & faithfull Preachers , that Satan , Antichrist , heresies , vice & scismes , may bee vtterly destroied , & our déere and pretious soules saued in the day of the Lord Iesus , which day wee pray thée to hasten ; in the meane season thy will bee done in earth as it is in heauē : make vs to forsake our selues & all worldly vanities , doing nothing but what thou cōmandest , and all that thou doest will vs to do it hartely , ioyfully , readily , faithfully , and with a constant heart , as thy Saints & Angels in Heauen performes it , and because our bodies craue necessary sustenance without which we cannot serue thée giue vs this day ourdaily b cad . We beféeth thée to blesse our daily labors to get sufficient maintenance and al necessaries , that we may be able to do thy will , Let neither care nor couetousnes oppresse vs , but wholly commit our selues to thy faithfull prouiding for vs , and good father forgiue vs our trespasses . Let not our sinnes either hinder or depriue vs of thy mercies , we confesse that wee haue grieuously sinned against thée , both originally & actually so as it is thy méere mercy the waight of them haue not pressed vs downe to the pit of hell , but thou art mercifull in Christ Iesus and for his sake we beseech thée pardon ●● as thou hast promised and perswade our consciences that we are forgiuen by giuing vs grace to forgiue them that trespass ▪ against vs , giue vs power to continue in all godly courses & lead vs not into temptation , but deliuer vs from euill , that neither in inward or outward temptation we may euer bee vanquished , but may euer ouercome , which wee desire ( O father of heauen ) . as thou hast all rule and power and maiest haue glorie and praise of hereafter , for euer & euer , and as we are bound in dutie for our election , creation , redemption , iustification , sanctification , for all earthly benefits , and spirituall comforts and the certaine hope of eternal glory , to which glorie O father bring vs & that for Christ Iesus sake our Lord and only sauiour Amen . A praier vpon the Articles of the Creede . O Heauenly father from whom all good gifts come , I pray thée in thy mercy through Christ Iesus my sauiour to grant me thy gratious gift of a sound iustifying faith which I neither haue nor can haue by nature , that I may beleeue in thee O God only , the father Almightie , maker of heauen and earth , and also in Iesus Christ thy only sonne and our Lord , which was conceiued by the holy Ghost , bo●ne of the Virgine Marie , suffered vnder Pontius Pilate , was crucified dead and buried , that descended into hell , and rose againe the third day , and ascended into heauen , and there si●te●h at the right hand of thee ( O God ) father Almightie , from whence hee shall come to iudge vs all both quick and dead : & that I may b● le●●e in the holy Ghost , and that there is a Catholick church a Communion of Saints , the forgiuenes of sins , and the resurrection of the body , and life euerlasting , that so I may be truely perswaded of thy fatherly prouidence ouer me , & what Christ hath done , that is for my deliuerance , & the holy ghost to be my comfort & assistance , being a member of the church , and making me effectually partaker of all the priuileges thereof to my endlesse ioy & happines , which O father giue vnto me I beséech thée for Christs sake . Amen . A Prayer vpon the ten Commandements . O Eternal Lord God I thy humble seruant , that do owe all dutifu●l obedience to thée and am made partaker of manifold benefits both for body & soule , which then by the bloud of Christ thy only son hast deliuered from that euerlasting bondage which by corruption of nature I was held in , & from euerlasting death which I was subiect vnto by daily breaking of thy cōmandements : I beséech thée giue me grace now and euer hereafter to haue none other Gods but thée : neither to make to my selfe any grauen Image , nor the likenes of any thing in heauen aboue or in the earth beneath , nor in y ● waters vnder the earth , to bow down to them to worship them . Nor that I take the name of thée my Lord God in vaine . Remembring to kéep holy the Sabath day , and to labour six daies doing all that I haue to do ; but in the seuenth day , which is the Sabath of thée O Lord my God : giue me grace to do no maner of work . And that I may honour my father and mother . Neuer to commit any murther , neither Adulterie . Nor to steale . Nor to beare false witnesse against my neighbor . Nor to couet my neighbours house , nor his wife , nor his seruant , nor his maide , nor his Oxe , nor his Asse , not any thing that is his , that so I may do alwaies my duty to thee , O God , al the daies of my life , beléeuing , fearing , worshipping , giuing thankes , & louing thée with all my heart , with all my mind , with all my soul , with al my strēgth , and louing my neighbour , friend or foe euen as my selfe , to doe to all men euen as I would they should doe to me ▪ to loue honour & succour my father & mother , to honour and obey the King , Quéene , Prince , & their ministers , to submit my selfe to all my gouernors , spirituall & temporall , to order my selfe to all my betters , lowly & reuerently , to hurt no body by word nor déede , to be true and ●ust in all my dealings , to beare no malice in my heart , to behaue my selfe in the whole course of my life , as thou maist be glorified , my duty discharged , my conscience comforted , my brethren woone or confirmed , and thye mouths of all the wicked stopped , which O father vouchsafe to grant me , for thy great goodnes sake , & thy beloued sonnes ●ake Iesus Christ our Lord , to whom with thée and the holy spirit , bee all praise and honour giuen by me & all thy Saints this time & for euermore . Amen . A Prayer containing the doctrine of the sacraments . O Most merciful father , thou hast giuen met not onely thy holy word to teach me faith & obedience , but also two Sacraments , outward signes and seales of inward graces , Christ & all his benefites . Giue mee wiledome O Lord , to acknowledge the benefite and thankfully vse the same , beséeching thée that as by baptisme I am receiued into the church , & by water outwardly am washed : so let it scale , the assurance of the purging of my soule from sin , by Christs bloud , and appeare outwardly by thy holy spirit , killing in mee corruption , and stirring me vp to holines of life , reioysing in my new-birth , and growing more & more therin dayly ; that so I may prepare my self in knowledge , in true repentance , hartie loue , and a sound faith , to come & bee partaker of the Lords supper , which is the other sacrament to nourish me vp in the same , where by the signes of bread broken , and wine poured out , taken and giuen , Christ my sauiour with his benefits is offered , that gaue his body & shed his blood for me . Now , O Lord , as by my hand I take the bread & wine , and with eating and digestion receiue also the strength to nourish my body : so I pray thee giue me faith , to apply Christ with his merites , that I may féele the vertue therof to nourish my soule , that I may not come vnprepared , least I eate & drinke 〈◊〉 owne damnation , in ●andling such holy mysteries : neither let mee contei●●e or neglect to be partaker when by the Church thou doest call me , but obediently & thankefully communicat with my breathren ▪ to strengthen my faith , encrease mutuall loue , shewing obedience & Gods mercy in Christs death , till hee come to iudge vs all at that great day , & that for Christs sake , our Lord and onely Sauiour . Amen . Prayer before meate . MOst gracious God , and mercifull father , from whom all good gifts procéed , we poore wretches beséech thée to sanctifie to our vses these thy good creatures which we shal receiue now of thy mercy : giue vs grace wee pray thee to vse them soberly & purely according to thy will , & grant y ● by these blessings which thou so largely bestowest vpon vs , wee may see thy loue towards vs , seeking likewise for that spirituall bread of thy word , which is the foode of our soules , that by the same we may be nourished to eternal life , throgh Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen . Thanksgiuing after meat . VVE confesse O Lord , it is of thy only goodnes & mercy that wee liue , moue , and haue our beeing in this life , and all things whereby our life is preserued comes from thy maiestie : good Lord wee beséech thée make vs thankefull for these & al other thy mercies both spirituall & temporall : and as thou hast now fed our bodies with corporall foode : so good Lord we pray thée nourish our souls with that heauenly Manna the food of eternall life , through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen . Another before meate . ALinightie God , which hast created meates & drinkes for mans sustenance , sanctifie them to the vse of thy children , without difference , that they may vse them for their health , & hast giuen strength to nourish our bodies to thy pleasure : make vs sober and thankfull partakers of thē , & graunt that the end of our eating & drinking may tend to enable vs to serue thée in our seuerall places through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen . Another after meate . VVE humbly pray thée most gracious God and mercifull to sanctifie these thy good creatures , which now of thy mercy we haue receiued at thy hands , that they may turne to the nourishment of our bodies where unto thou hast appointed them : and teach vs to remember that it is thou which to vs and to all thy creatures giuest food in due season , and therfore that we abuse not thy mercies , but in some good measure endeuour to walke worthie of them in the course of our liues : through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen . Another before meate . VVE magnifie thygreat name most gracious God , for all thy mercies bestowed vpon vs from our cradles , to this present , especially that thou hast giuen vs Christ Iesus , & with him al the blessings belonging to this life , and to that which is a far better : wee thank thée for all temporall blessings , these which wee are now about to receiue grant that our weak bodies being by them refreshed , we may much more séek for the foode of our soules , which abideth vnto eternall life , that so we labouring to do thy will commanded in thy word here in this life wee may hereafter enioy y ● ioies of thy kingdome in thy presence , there to abide for euer and euer . Amen . Another after meate . IT is thou O Lord , who hast elected , created , redéemed , iustified , sanctified preserued , and now at this present fed vs ; thy name be blessed & praised both now and for euer . God saue his church vniuersal the Kings Maiestie , the Quéen & their royall progeny , forgiue vs all our sins , comfort the afflicted , remoue thy iudgements farre from vs , send thy Gospell a frée passage , and grant vs & al the Israel of God , grace , mercy , faith , truth , & peace in thy Sonne Christ Iesus our Lord. Amen . Another before meate . ETernall God , which hast commanded vs in thy holy word , that whether we eate or drinke , or whatsoeuer we do , al should be done to the praise of thy name , and whereas any of thy creatures which we receiue , can not be auaileable to the nourishment of our bodies , except they bee sanctified by thy word & prayer : wee beséech thée blesse these thy good gifts , which now wee are about to receiue of thy bounteous liberalitie , that wee being by them strengthened , may be better enabled to procéed in the discharge of our seueral Callings , to thy glorie , and our owne comfort , through Iesus Christ . Amen . Another after meate . HUmble and hartie thanks be rendred vnto thée most gracious God , for all thy mercies , for the cōfortable refreshing which thou hast now vouchsafed vnto vs : we beséech thée forgiue vs our sinnes , which makes vs vnworthy of the least of thy mercies : pardon wee beséech thée our great vn thankfulnes , and let thy mercy to our bodies stir vp thankfulnes in our soules ; God preserue his Church , the Kings Maiesty , the Quéen , their progeny , these Realms , increase our faith , prosoer thy word & Gospell among vs , confound Satan and all the euemies of thy truth , and grant vs mercie and peace in Christ Iesus our Lord. Amen . Grace before meate . MOst gracious father , wee beséech thée forgiue vs all our sinnes , blesse these creatures vnto our vse , that they may be to our health , strength & comfort , through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen . Grace after meate . VVE giue thée thankes , most merciful father , for féeding vs at this time , and for al thy fauors of this life , and of the life to come : we beséech thée continue thy louing kindnesse still vnto vs. Lord saue thy Church , our King and his Realines , and giue thy Gospel an happy passage amongst vs , to thy glory , and our comfort , through Iesus Christ out Lord , and Sauiour . Amen . Godly Directions for the right Receiuing of the Lords Supper . 1 THere is required preparation as the commandement of the Apostle plainely shewes , which pertaines to al communicants without exception : Let euery man examine himself . 1 Cor. 11. 28. 2 Knowledge of y ● grounds of religion , especially of the vse of both Sacraments . 1. Cor. 11. . 26. 3 Faith , for al sacraments are seales of righteousnesse of Faith. Rom 4. 11. 4 Repentance , which stands in a heartie sorrow for sinnes committed in hatred and detestation of the same , & a resolued purpose of amendment and obedience for the time to come . 5 Charitie towards men ; for this Sacramentis a Communion , wherby all the receiuers iointly vnited together in loue , do participate of one and the same Christ . 6 When wee see two signes to be receiued , bread and wine , wee must call to minde that Christ is our perfect Sauior both bread & water of life . Heb. 7. 25. 7 When we beheld the bread and wine set apart by the Minister , and consecrated by repeating the promise and prayers made for that end , wee must call to minde that Christ was ordained by God , to bee our Mediatour and Sauiour . Ioh. 6. 27. Acts 2. 23 , 36. 8 When we sée the bread broken , and the wine powred out , we are to meditate of Christ seriously , who was crucified for vs , & broken by his sufferings wherby life and righteousnesse was performed vnto vs : Zach. 12. 10. 9 The giuing of Elements into the receiuers hands , signifies vnto vs that God doth truely and really giue Christ with his merites to euery beléeuing receiuer , which should put vs in mind of the vnspeakable loue of God towards vs. Rules to know true faith , by the fruits thereof . T●iue and sauing faith is a supernaturall gift of God , and a speciall perswasion wrought by the holy Ghost , in the hearts of those , that are effectually called concerning there reconciliation and saluation by Christ , this saith in whomsoeuer it is , it hath these effects . 1 To beléeue that the Scriptures contained in the old & new Tèstament ; are the very word of God , and so much as is néedfull to be beléeued vnto saluation , is contained therein : Iohn 5. 39. 2 There will bee an vnfained desire to be taught and instructed in the word of God , and to haue the vnderstanding thereof , and most to affect those meanes which are most effectual to that end and purpose . 3 There will be a continuall sorrow and griefe for thy ignorance and defectiue vnderstanding of the word of God , and no marnell ; for what can be more greiuous to the children of God , then not to know , or vnderstand , or not to remember the euidence of his owne euerlasting estate , & the will of his Master . 4 He will examine himselfe whether his reading or hearing the word , read or preached , his meditating conference and studie in it do norish his loue and delight , and beléefe in it Ps . 119. 92. 97. 5 Where true faith is , there will be a credite & authority giuen to the word of God aboue al traditions whatsoeuer , and a reiection of whatsoeuer he knoweth to bee opposite to the same word of God Ps . 119. 92. 113. 6 There will be a lightnesse & cheerefulnesse in the conscience when any thing is done agréeable to the word of God , and a trouble and heauinesse in the same when any thing is done contrary to the same word Psal . 119. 92. 7 There will be a hoping in the promises of God , an awfull feare of his threatnings a desiring of the blessings and an endeuour to avoid the curses contained in the word and an equall beléeuing the one as well as the other . 8 There will be a continuall thankes giuing vnto God for his inestimable blessings in reuealing his word vnto him , and vouch safing liberty and meanes to come to knowledge and vnderstanding of the same , whereby wée may see what a greeuous iudgement is on them from whom this word is hi● . 9 Lastly , the least measure of true f●●t● , that a man can haue is ●hen of an humble spirit , by reason of the smalenesse of his faith , he doth not yet féele the forgiuenesse of his sinnes and yet is perswaded that they are pardonable and therefore desireth y ● they should be pardo●ned , & with his whole hart praieth to God to pardon them . Esay 42. 3. Luke 17. 5. Christian directions necessarie to be practised in the course of our liues . FIrst & aboue all things sée that thou feare God and kéepe his commandements for this is the whole dutie of man Eccles . 12. 13. 2 Exercise your minde in meditating often on the works of God , as his creating & gouerning the world , his prospering and punishing the wicked , his blessing & correcting his children as séemeth best to his godly wisedome Ier. 12. 2. Math. 25. 31. 32. 3 Submit and humble your selfe for your sinnes , that the lord may raise you vp , for he that iudgeth himselfe aright shall neuer be iudged of the Lord , 1. Cor. 11. 31. 4 Loue all things for Gods sake , and God cheifly for his owne , and remember you make him your friend , whosoeuer be your enemy this you shall doe , if as an obedient childe , you liue alway in the eie of your heauenly father . 5 Neuer make mention of God or any word or work of his , but with feare and reuerence , nor of any man but with loue , vsing his name as you wold haue him to vse yours Deut. 28. 58. Math. 7. 12. 6 Let no more holinesse appeare outwardly then you haue inwardly in your heart which God seeth , and in which he desireth truth , neither please your selfe with your vnprofitablenes or vnwillingnes to perform that which is good . Ro. 12. 11. 7 Speake often to the praise of God , neuer or little of your self , because many words can not want iniquitie , therefore speake as few as you can , rather none , then vnprofitably . Pro. 17. 27. Iam. 1. 19. 8 ●re-patient vnder the correcting hand of God , because , 1. He doth it . 2. ●ee doth it for your good : 3. ●ee will moderate it , and supply strength , and in his due time will deliuer you out of it . Psal . 39. 9. 9 Stick fast to God as well in aduersitie as in prosperitie , the one being as necessarie as the other . If you haue necessaries , bee humbled for them , and vse them well , lest hee that gaue them take them away . Iam. 1. 2. 10 Take héed of performing holy duties for fashion sake , or without féeling and profit , for this is hypocrisie and profanenes . Heb. 3. 12. Esay 1. 11. 11 Whatsoeuer you take in hand , first take counsell by Gods word whether it be lawfull or not , be it for profit or pleasure . 2. Sa. 2. 1. 1. Sam. 30. 8. 12 When you awake frō sléep , awake with God , and before all things giue him your first fruits and calues of your lips . 1. Confession of sin : 2. Request of things necessary for bodie and soule . 3. Thankfulnes for mercies receiued , especially your last preseruation and rest . 13 Eschew as much as in you lies all occasions of sin , & wisely endeauor your selfe in subduing the least , that at length the greater may take no place . 14 Set your selfe carefully as in gods presence , that setting him at your right hand you may not fall . 1. Cor. 10. 32. 15 Use prayer as a doore to open morning , & a locke to shut euening , first preparing your heart to seek the Lord , and thinke in the morning that day may bee your last day , & when you goe to bed , you know not whether you shall rise , vnlesse it be to iudgement . 16 Waite vpon the Lord ▪ and hee will direct your way , become his seruant in obaying his will , for this is your truest libertie . Psal . 37. 34. 17 Thinke euermore your present estate and condition , to bee the best estate for you whatsoeuer it bee , because it is of the good prouidence of God. 18 Account of euery day as of the day of death , and therefore liue now euen as though you were now dying , and doe those good duties euery day , which you would doe if it were your last day . 19 When night comes before you lie down in bed , call to ●●●d how you haue spent the day passed , & think that day lost , wherein you haue not done some good . 20 Alwaies remember that the greatest work you haue to finish in this world is to die well , and to make a happy departure out of this world , for they which dye well , dye not to die , but to liue eternally . 29 Estéeme not of your selfe better then you are , for the more vile you are in your owne eyes the more glorious you are in y ● eyes of God , for he reiecteth the proud , & giueth grace to the humble . 1. Pct. 5. 5. 22 Redéeme the time past of your life with Repentance , and looke to the time present with diligence , and to the time to come with prouidence . Ephes . 5. 16. 23 Exercise your selfe in reading something of gods word daily , & doe not only serue God your self , but sée that al that are vnder your charge do the same . Dev. 6. 6 24 When you craue any blessings at the hands of God aske them in the name of Christ , for no man commeth vnto the Father but by him . Ioh. 14. 6. 25 In all your affaires before you attempt any thing , first aske counsell of God , whether it be lawfull to be done , and then you may doe it with a good conscience . 1. Sam. 30. 8. 26 Let your carriage in the world bee such as may shew your dislik of y ● world : for if any man loue y ● world , the loue of the father is not in him , because the loue of the world is enmitie with God. 1. Ioh. 2. 25 27 Arme your selfe continually against temptations , knowing them to bee your portion in this life , & learne from Christ and his Apostles to beare them patiently . 1. Thes . 4. 4. 5. 28 Be more afraid of secret sins thē of open shame , and be alwaies perswaded you are in the presence of God , and let all your actions be framed accordingly . Ier. 23. 24. Acts 17. 28. 29 In all your afflictions and miseries bee still perswaded that your punishment is farre lesse then your ●●●ne . 30 If Gods mercies abounds to wards you , merwell not , if he mixe them with some crosses , for God sends blessings with crosses , lest you should despaire , and crosses with blessings , lest you should presume . 31 Such ontward blessings which you can not haue , desire God , you may not be vexed for them , for if you gréedily couet such things , it is longer before you shall enjoy them , and more subiect to abuse them when you haue them . 32 When you would do any good or receiue any good , offer vp your endeuours in a sacrifice to God in Christ , beséeching God to giue his holy Spirit to sanctifie his owne sacrifice . 33 When God visites you with affliction kisse the todd● , and offer vp all to him , from whom you haue receiued your selfe , for the more you struggle vnder his hand , the worse it will be for you . 34 In all your actions remember that God takes notice not onely what you do , but whatsoeuer is done directly , or indirectly , all is done and gouerned by him . 35 In health prepare for death , for no man can assure himselfe to liue one houre . 36 Omit no opportunitie to heare the word , & bse all the meanes of your saluation , though you feele your selfe most vnwilling there vnto , for you knowe not when God will giue a blessing . 37 The more godly thou art , and the more graces and blessings are vpon thée , the more néed thou hast to pray , because Satan is then busiest against thée , and because thou art easily puffed vp with a conceited holines . 38 In prayer , desire God to giue thée grace to remember the bedroll of thy sinnes to humble thée , and the Catalogue of his mercies , truly to make thee thankefull . 39 Consent not to the least sin , for that is the way to fall in to many sins , and if you make no conscience of one sinne , you will not make conscience of many and great sinnes . 40 When thou prayest for any grace , & God granteth not thy desire , but often giues thée the contrarie : yet consider , God euer heares his children for their good , though not according to there desires . 41 Register vp thy sins especially those that haue most dishonoured God , and wounded thine owne conscience , set them often in thy sight , chiefely them when thou hast occasion to renew thy repentance that thy heart may be thereby humbled . 42 Labour to sée & feele thy spirituall pouerty , the want of grace in thy selfe , especially those inward corruptions of vnbeliefe , pride , selfe-loue , &c. 43 Endeuour to shewe thy self a member of Christ and a seruant of God , not only in the generall calling of a Christian , but also in thy particular calling , in which thou art placed . 44 Eramine the Scriptures diligently to sée what is sin , and what is not sin , in euery action , and so carrie in thy heart a constant purpose not to sinne , in any thing : for faith and the purpose of sinning can not stand together . 45 Striue to obey God in al his commandements , and let thine endeuour bee sutable to thy purpose , to doe nothing at any time against thy conscience rightly enformed by the word of God. 46 When thou fallest into any sinne , a great or little , against thy purpose and resolution , restnot in it , but spéedily recouer thy selfe by repentance , humble thy selfe , confesse thine offence , and by prayer intreat the Lord to pardon the same . 47 Make conscience of idle , vaine , vnhonest and vngodly thoughts , for these are the séedes and beginnings of actuall sinne , in word and déede , the want of this care is oftentimes fearefully punished . 48 Whatsoeuer good thing thou goest about , doe it not in a conceite of thine own worthines , but in humilitie , ascribing the power and praise thereof to God , lest hee curse thy best doings . 49 Use outward things as meate , drinke , apparell , in that manner and measure that they may further godlines , and may be as it were signes , in which thou maist exprsse , the hidden grace of thy heart . 50 Labour not to goe beyond any , vnlesse it be in good things , make conscience of thy word , and let it bee as a bond : deale iustly with all men , and in all companies , either do good or take good . Signes of Saluation in whomsoeuer they appeare . LOue to the children of God. 1. Iohn 3. 14. Delight in y ● word of God. Psal . 119. 111. Often and feruent prayer . Psal . 45. 18. To bee zealous of Gods glorie . Rom. 12. 11. Deniall of any ●uffi●●●●cy in our selues . 2. Cor. 3. 5. Patient bearing the crosse with profit and comfort . Ma● . 16. 24. Faithfulnes in our ●●● li●gs which God hath placed vs in . 1. Cor. 7. 20. Honest , iust , and con●●●onable dealing in ●●● our actions amongst m●n . 1. Cor. 10. 33. Assured faith in the promises of God. Acts 16. 31. Sinceritie of heart . Pro. 11. 20. The Spirit of Adoption . Rom. 8. 25. Sound regeneration and ●anctification . Rom. 8. 14. Inward peace . Rom. 5. ● . Groundednesse in the truth . Col. 1. 23. Continuance to the end . Mar. 24. 13. If these graces be in vs and abound , they wil make vs neither idle , nor vnfruitfull in the knowledge of our Lord Iesus Christ , that is , they will make vs sound and sincere professors of the Gospell . 2. Per. ● . 8. 7. Obseruations needfull to the reuerent reading , and hearing of the Word of GOD. 1 PReparation for the manner of reading it . Eccles . 4. 17. 2 Wisedome to vnderstand it . Iam. 1. 5. 1. Kin. 3. 9. 2. Chro. 1. 10. 3 Diligence to continue in it . 2. Ti. 3. 14. Act. 14. 22. 4 Meditation and conference for the better kéeping of the matter . Deu. 6. 6. Ioshua 1. 8. Psa . 1. 2. 5 Faith to beléeue tt . Heb. 4. 2. Iud. 20. 6 Obedience to practise it . 1. Sa. 15. 22. 23. Ier. 7. 23. Math. 7. 21. 7 Prayer for a ble●●ing vpon it . Mat. 21. 22. Marke 11. 24. Iam. 1. 5. FINIS . THE CONTENTS of this Booke . AN Introduction to Prayer . page 1 2 Certaine Rules concerning Prayer . pa. 49 3 Briefe notes shewing the necessitie of prayer . page 53 4 A godly and necessarie Prayer to be said at all times . pa. 59 5 A Morning prayer for priuate Families . pa. 68 6 Euening Prayer for priuate families . pa. 73 7 Another morning pray pag. 81 8 Another Euening prayer for priuate families . pa. 87 9 Another morning prayer . page 93 10 Another Euening Prayer . pag. 98 11 Morning prayer for a priuate person . pa. 104 12 Euening Prayer for a priuate person . pa. 110 13 A Prayer for a priuate person , necessary at all times . pa. 118 14 Morning Prayer for the Sabbath day before the hearing of the Word . pa. 127 15 Euening Prayer for the Sabbaoth day . pa. 136 16 A Prayer before the Receiuing of the Lords Supper . pa. 144 17 A Prayer after the Receiuing of the Lords Supper . pa. 149 18 A Prayer before a man begins the workes of his calling . pa. 135 19 A Prayer containing humble confession of sinne , and desire of pardon . page 159 20 A godly Prayer in time of sicknes or at the point of death . pa. 167 21 A Prayer of Thanksgiuing vnto God for Deliuerance out of any sicknes . pa. 173 22 A Prayer for a sicke man. pag. 176 23 A Prayer for a woman with Childe . pa. 180 24 A Prayer for a Midwife by her selfe alone . page . 182 25 A Thanksgiuing priuate for the safe deliuerance of a woman to be said by the Midwife or some woman present at her Deliuerie . page 184 26 A Prayer in time of Pestilence , or any other contagious sicknes . page 186 27 A Prayer for the Kings Maiestie & the whole state . page 192 28 A Prayer containing the summe of the Lords Prayer . pa. 199 29 A Prayer vpon the Articles of the Creed . page 204 30 A Prayer vpon the ten commandements . page 206 31 A Prayer containing the doctrine of the Sacraments . page 210 32 Prayer before meate . page 213 33 Thanksgiuing , after meate . page 214 34 Another before meat . page 215 35 Another after meate . page 216 36 Another before meat . page 217 37 Another after meate . page 218 38 Another before meat . page 219 39 Another after meate . page 220 40 Another before meat . page 221 41 Another after meate . pag. 222 42 Godly Directions for the right Receiuing of the Lords Supper . page 22● 43 Rules to know true Faith by the fruites thereof . pag. 226 44 Christian exercises necessary to be practised in the course of our liues . page 231 45 Signes of saluation in whomsoeuer they appeare . page 247 46 7. Obseruations needfull to the Reuerent reading and hearing of the word of God. page 249 FINIS . Faults escaped . IN the Epistle Dedicatorie : reade period of your timee . And pag. 31. l. 17. read I wil fast to pray , and pray to fast . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A14004-e200 Pro. 28. ● 4. Reu. 20 Psal ▪ 〈◊〉 ▪ ●al 26. ● . ●al . 14. ●● 21. ● 15 Psal . 105 Psal . 150. 1. Thes . 5.