The prisoners prayers. Or, An heauenly helpe to deuotion. Composed by H.Greenwood, preacher of the word of God Greenwood, Henry, b. 1544 or 5. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A02191 of text S119047 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 12335). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 99 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 106 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 A02191 STC 12335 ESTC S119047 99854254 99854254 19663 2240939088

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 Early English books online text creation partnership. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A02191) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 19663) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1102:03) The prisoners prayers. Or, An heauenly helpe to deuotion. Composed by H.Greenwood, preacher of the word of God Greenwood, Henry, b. 1544 or 5. [14], 196 p. Printed by I. H[aviland] for Henry Bell, London : 1628. Printer's name from STC. Reproduction of the original in the Cambridge University Library. eng Prayers -- Early works to 1800. eebo The prisoners prayers. Or, An heauenly helpe to deuotion. Composed by H.Greenwood, preacher of the word of God. Greenwood, Henry, 1628 212 17499 8 0 0 0 0 0 4.57 B The rate of 4.57 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 2013-12 Assigned for keying and markup 2014-01 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2014-02 Sampled and proofread 2014-02 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2014-03 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

THE PRISONERS PRAYERS . OR , An Heauenly helpe to DEVOTION .

Composed by H. Greenwood , Preacher of the Word of God .

1 THESS. 5.17 .

Pray continually .

LONDON Printed by I. H. for Henry Bell. 1628.

To the most Illustrious and right Vertuous Princesse , the Lady KATHERINE , Duchesse of Buckingham her grace , all honor and grace in this life , and eternall glorie in the life to come .

RIght Gracious Lady , the counsell of the holy Apostle is , Iam. 5.13 . That if any bee afflicted let him pray : I haue not onely in my long and great afflictions in some measure herein delightfully obeyed , but also composed some few yet comfortable praiers for the benefit of the Church of God .

Now considering with my selfe to whom I should commend the same , I thought vpon your Grace , as most worthy of the Dedication , both in regard of your late and happy call from darknesse to light , as also for your constant & conscionable maintenance of holy and wholesome praiers in your family , to the glory of the Almighty , and the daily supporting and refreshing of your owne soule .

Now that your Grace may grow and goe on in grace , and in the sauing knowledge of the Lord Iesus , let mee intreat you at your best leasure , to peruse this poore yet profitable present : the Lord giue you grace to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ Iesus made you free ; Gal. 5.1 . and bee not intangled againe with the yoke of bondage .

And as your Grace ( by Gods especiall mercy ) hath tasted of the true and heauenly refreshing , the Lord make you an happy and heauenly Instrument of the conuersion of many great Ones among vs , so shall you shine as a starre in the firmament of saluation : Thus Andrew drew on Peter , and Philip Nathaniel : thus doing , greater shall your reward be in heauen .

And because euery thing is sanctified by the Word and Prayer , 1 Tim. 4.5 . the Lord giue you grace to reuerence the one , and highly respect the other , that your soule may be preserued aliue in the righteousnesse of Christ Iesus , to life and glory euerlasting : Psal. 45.10 . If you thus forget your fathers house , then shall the heauenly King , and earthly too , take pleasure in your beauty .

The Psalmist setting forth the glory of that famous Ierusalem , speaketh thus , Psal. 87.3 . Glorious things are spoken of thee thou City of God : so ( without flattery I auerre it ) good things are spoken of thee , O thou hopefull and happy Daughter of God .

Great is the outward glory cast vpon your Grace , I pray God with all my heart , that the commendation of the Kings daughter may be yours , That you may bee found also all glorious within . Psal. 45.13 .

Now the Lords best blessings euermore attend you , and the Lord prosper the person of your dearest friend , the most Noble and Illustrious DVKE , with grace and honour , and all his lawfull attempts with good successe and victory , for Iesus Christ his sake . Amen .

Your Graces most humbly obseruant in the Lord Iesus , H. Greenewood . From his Majesties Prison of the Fleet , this 13 of Nouemb. 1627.
A Catalogue of the Praiers contained in this Booke , with a note of the Pages where they may bee found . A Praier against sinne and Sathan in generall . Page 1 A prayer against the worlds illusions . Page 5 A Prayer against Pride . Page 7 A Praier against Enuy Page 9 A Praier against Adultery . Page 12 A Praier against Couetousnesse . Page 15 A Praier against hardnesse of heart . Page 18 A Praier against Drunkennesse . Page 21 A prayer against Murther . Page 25 A Praier against Hypocrisie . Page 27 A Praier against Reuenge . Page 31 A Praier against Theft . Page 35 A Praier against Swearing . Page 38 A Praier against Periury . Page 41 A Praier against Security . Page 43 A Praier against Desperation . Page 46 A Praier against Heresie . Page 50 A Praier against Lying . Page 54 A Praier against Sabbath breaking . Page 56 A Praier against idle words . Page 60 A Praier against euill thoughts . Page 63 A Praier against disobedience to Parents . Page 67 A Praier against blasphemy against the holy Ghost . Page 69 A Praier against Presumption . Page 73 A Praier against the Plague . Page 77 A Praier against the Sword . Page 80 A Praier against Famine . Page 83 A Praier for grace in generall . Page 87 A Praier for knowledge . Page 92 A Praier for Humiliation . Page 96 A Praier for Faith . Page 99 A Praier for obedience . Page 105 A Praier for Zeale . Page 109 A Praier for brotherly loue . Page 112 A Praier for Humility . Page 116 A Praier for Patience . Page 120 A Praier for Innocency . Page 124 A Praier for mercy and compassion . Page 126 A Praier for peace of Conscience . Page 130 A Praier for ioy in the Holy Ghost . Page 134 A Praier for increase of Grace . Page 138 A Praier for perseuerance in Grace . Page 143 A Praier for preparation to the Sacrament . Page 147 A Praier for the Gospels continuance . Page 153 A Praier for preparation to Death . Page 156 A Praier for a woman in Child-birth . Page 160 A Praier after Child-birth . Page 164 A Praier for the Traueller by land . Page 167 A Praier for the Traueller by sea . Page 170 A Praier for the Church . Page 174 A Praier for the conuersion of the Iew. Page 179 A Morning Praier for a family . Page 183 An Euening Praier for a Family . Page 188
The Prisoners Prayers .
A Prayer against sin and Sathan in generall .

MOST blessed and glorious LORD GOD , I beseech thee of thine infinite mercies , be pitifully mercifull vnto mee , poore , miserable and most corrupted sinner : O Lord , cast out sinne and Sathan , let a greater than Sathan enter ( euen thine holy and good Spirit ) and binde that enemie of thy glory , my saluation , that he may preuaile no longer against mee .

Thus thou didst deale ( O my gracious God ) most mercifully with Mary Magdalene , ●uk. 8.2 . casting seuen Deuils out of her : Good Father , I confesse that seuenty times seuen doe grieue my poore and pensiue soule , for so many foule lusts , so many vncleane Deuils : Lord , in thy might and mercy , giue mee to preuaile against them . What will sinne afford mee , but shame in this world , and confusion in the world to come ?

Lord therfore strengthen mee against these corruptions and chiefest enemies of my soule : let mee be as willing euermore to put a Toad into my mouth , as to suffer a sinne to rest and reigne in my soule . O that my wayes were made so direct , that I might neuer sinne more . Lord heare my mournfull prayers , and let these my cries come vp vnto thee , for Iesus Christs sake , thy Sonne , my Sauiour .

Amen .
A Prayer against the worlds illusions .

MOst gracious and blessed heauenly Father , forasmuch as thou hast taught mee , that I must vse the world as not abusing it ; and seeing also I finde my selfe by nature too too prone and ready to set my delight on things below , and to giue more affection to things seene , than things vnseene : O Lord ( who art the only sanctifier of thine elect ) saue mee from immoderate loue , and excessiue delight of the same : grant that no worldly honour , pleasure , profit , may deceiue me , but I beseech thee that thy lower blessings may be receiued of mee with a lower loue , and thine heauenly graces , thine eternall glories , with the greatest glory , and chiefest delight of my soule . Lord for thy Christs sake heare mee herein . Amen ,

Amen .
A Praier against Pride .

MOst deare and gracious God , I most humbly intreat thee so to assist mee with thy grace , that I may euermore take heed of that first and worst sinne , the sinne of the Deuill , namely pride : O Lord grant I may neuer be puffed vp in minde , nor haue a scornfull eye ; for pride will haue a fearfull fall , and high-mindednesse alwayes goeth before destruction .

Dan. 4.27 , 28. Nabuchadnezzar paid dearly for his vaine and foolish vaunting : and that proud and boasting Pharisee went home condemned for his sinne : Luk. 18.14 . O Lord , then giue mee power and strength against this wicked lust , this base and senselesse sinne : Let not ( O God of all goodnesse ) this euill appeare in mee , by mine apparell , speech , looke , gate , or any other vnseemely behauiour : for thou ( O God ) resistest the proud , and giuest thy grace only to the humble : Humble mee then ( I pray thee ) that I may in due time be euerlastingly exalted of thee in the Lord IESVS .

Amen .
A Prayer against Enuie .

O LORD GOD , wheras thou hast taught me by thy blessed Apostle , Rom. 12.15 . to reioyce with them that reioyce ; I beseech thee saue and defend mee from that fearfull sinne of Enuy , the sinne of Sathan , for hee enuied the standing power of Adam : the sinne of Cain , Gen. 4.5 . who vexed his soule at thy graces apparent in Abel : O God , of thy goodnesse , saue mee from this sinne and wickednesse .

Grant ( most holy and heauenly Father ) that I may abound in loue towards my brethren , and blesse thee as heartily for any mercie or blessing conferred vpon others , as vpon mine owne soule : As one member reioyceth in the glory and welfare of another , so grant that I may proue my self a true member of Christ Iesus , in delighting in the prosperity of thy Saints and seruants .

Lord keepe me from an hatefull soule , and fulfill mine heart with loue , to the glory of thy great name , and euerlasting saluation of my poore soule , in the merits of the Lord Iesus .

Amen .
A Prayer against Adultery .

MOst mighty ▪ and most mercifull Father , for as much as thou hast shewen vnto me from thy holy & heauenly word , that no vncleane thing shal enter into thy Kingdom , and no adulterer shall inherit heauen , 1 Cor. 6.9 . such shall onely enter into thy glory as haue not defiled themselues with women , as Saint Iohn declareth in his Reuelations : Good Father ( I pray thee ) purge my soul from all foule and fleshly lusts : my body is the Temple of thy holy Spirit , Lord let mee neuer defile it : grant ( Lord ) that I may preserue and present it spotlesse to the comming of the Lord Iesus : turne away mine eies that I behold not vanity : Matth. 5.20 . If mine eye offend mee , Lord grant that I may pull it out : better for me to go into that life with one eie , than to goe with two eies into the darknesse and damnation of hell .

Giue mee ( O Lord ) the helpe of thy grace , that I may conquer all beastly lusts , all vnclean desires , al polluted and polluting actions , and be freed from them , for the honor of thy name , in the worthinesse of the Lord Iesus .

Amen .
A Prayer against Couetousnesse .

O Eternal & euerliuing Lord God , thou hast reuealed vnto me from thy blessed word , Psal. 10.3 . that thou abhorrest the couetous , and couetousnes is so foule an euill , as it is called , Spiritual Idolatry : O LORD of thy mercy saue my soul from this vile and earthly sinne , giue mee to take heed and beware of Couetousnesse , for a mans life stands not in his wealth and abundance : that man in the Gospel was rightly tearmed a foole for resting on his goods , Luke 12.20 . & making them his God : O Lord , what greater folly can there bee , than to leaue thee the fountaine of liuing waters , and to trust in vaine and vncertaine riches : for as the Psalmist tels me , Psal 49.7 . A man by his wealth cannot redeeme his brother , so precious is the redemption of souls , and their continuance for euer .

Therefore let my conuersation ( O Lord ) be without couetousnes , for thou hast promised , I will not faile thee nor forsake thee . Heb. 13.5 . Lord raise mine heart from earthly mindednesse , and let my chiefe delight bee on heauen and heauenly things ; giue me this couetousnesse , namely to couet after spiritual things , and let all my delight bee in thy statutes : that my life being holy and conuersation heauenly , I may in the end obtaine the kingdome of heauen , and life euerlasting , through Iesus Christ mine onely Lord and Sauiour .

Amen .
A Prayer against hardnes of heart .

O Lord my God , I most humbly beseech thee , in the Lord Iesus , to frame my soul according to thy will , to bring mine heart to the obedience of thy holy and heauenly law in all things : mollifie my stiffe and stubborne heart , giue me a teachable and tractable spirit , that I may euermore be guided by the motions of thy holy Spirit , and counsell of thy heauenly word into all goodnesse . Take away ( good Father ) the stoninesse of my heart ( for I feele much hardnesse in it ) and giue me an heart of flesh : Ezek. 36.26 . giue mee the spirit of good King IOSIAH , 2 Chron. 34.27 . whose heart melted within him at the reading of thy Law : giue mee ( O Lord ) to tremble at my sinnes , to mourne at thy iudgements , to bee comforted by thy mercies in the merits of the LORD IESVS . Create in me ( O Lord ) a new heart , Psal. 51.10 . and renew a right spirit within mee : turne me , and I shall bee turned ; conuert me , and then shall my soule be conuerted vnto thee .

Thy mercies now I aske , Lord grant that I may haue : thy sweet graces now I seeke , grant ( Lord ) that I may finde : at thy heauenly gates I knock , Lord open vnto me the doore of saluation , for Iesus Christ his sake .

Amen .
A Prayer against Drunkennesse .

MOst deare and gracious God , I thine vnworthy seruant , am bold vpon the multitude of thy mercies to present my selfe before thee , earnestly crauing pardon for my sinnes , and thy power and presence of grace , for the preuention of them in time to come .

In particular ( O Lord ) I beseech thee , that I may bee preserued from that swinish sinne of drunkennesse : fearefull are thy woes denounced against the same ; many other most damnable transgressions alwaies wait vpon the same ; yea , a legion of deuils attends the same , as swearing , adulterie , quarrelling , and the like : Lord for thy mercies sake , saue me from excesse : whether I eat or drinke , or whatsoeuer I doe else , let mee doe all to the glory of thy blessed name .

And ( good Father ) giue me to shun all occasions of this sinne ; especially , I pray thee , to preserue mee from vaine and vngodly society , and let mee frequent euermore the company of thy saints : temper mine affections , moderate mine vnruly lust : giue mee alwaies to consider , that no drunkard shall inherit the kingdome of heauen : Also that vnsober persons are vnable to resist the deuill , but hee workes his will and pleasure vpon them : preserue me then ( my God ) from this common , capitall , nationall euill : Lord giue mee a wise and moderate vse of thy creatures : let them not bee snares vnto me , but refreshers of me ; not destroyers , but supporters of me , to thy glory , and the eternall saluation of my poore soule in the Lord Iesus .

Amen .
A Prayer against murther .

ALmightie and most mercifull heauenly Father , I thy poore seruant begge from thy throne of grace , grace & strength against all sinnes and transgressions whatsoeuer ; especially , against those crying sins spoken of in thy word , such as wil neuer leaue roaring in thine eares , till thy iudgments bee ●hundred against the committers of them , one wherof is murther : a fearefull and diabolicall sinne , for the deuill was a murtherer from the beginning : Lord saue me from taking away the name or life of any man ; grant I may not harbour malice in mine heart , 1 Iohn 3.15 . for he that hateth his brother in his heart , is a manslayer : giue mee to looke vpon thy iudgments executed vpon such malefactors as Cain , Ahab , others , that I may neuer offend in the same : Lord giue mee loue , patience , meekenesse , that I may in the moderation of my passions and affections , preserue my soule from this griesly euill , for Iesus Christ his sake .

Amen .
A Prayer against Hypocrisie .

O Most gracious & merciful God , thy holy word hath reuealed vnto mee thy heauie vengeance against such as are dissemblers with thee , that deepe is their portion in hell , therefore is it said , Giue him his portion with hypocrites : O my God , I craue hereupon thy mercifull assistance , that I may take heed of hypocrisie , that I may walke in vprightnesse with thee , that I may with Nathaniel , John 1.47 . be found a true Israelite , in whom is no guile : Lord grant in all good duties , I may seeke thy glory , and pleasure of thy will , not mine own ends , or glory of mine owne name .

O Lord saue mee from pride , one maine cause of this foule and foolish sinne , and giue mee sincerity , for that man shall be aduanced to thy holy hill , that speaketh the truth ( without hypocrisie ) and professeth it from the heart .

Lord let not the marks of this Pharisaical euill be found in me , as pride , malicious censuring , and the like : O Lord , though my graces be small , yet let them be true , and then the gates of hel shal not preuaile against mee : to this end , I beseech thee , vouchsafe mee a large and plentifull measure of humility , that so I may in vprightnesse serue thee in this life , and hereby bee sealed vp to thy glory euerlasting in that blessed life to come , for Iesus Christ his sake , my only Sauiour and Redeemer .

Amen .
A Prayer against Reuenge .

MOst louing and gracious GOD , thy holy word hath taught mee , Rom. 12.19 . that vengeance is thine , thou wilt repay all offered wrongs whatsoeuer : whereupon I beseech thee , O Lord , in all abuses and oppressions , giue mee patience and meekenesse of spirit , Rom. 12.17 . that I may not render euil for euil , that I may not seeke maliciously to reuenge those that haue done wrong and iniury vnto me : to doe good for good , Publicanes can do the same : to doe euill for euill , that is an act of flesh and blood : to doe euill for good , is egregious vngodlines : but to doe good against euill , this is onely proper to the righteous : when others curse , let mee blesse ; let me pray when others persecute , as the first Martyr in the Gospell prayed for them that stoned him , A●●● ● . 6● . and my blessed Sauiour for those that mocked and killed him .

It is not possible but offences will come , man is so vicious , so malicious ; How often shall I then forgiue ? seuen times ? No Lord , more than so , seuenty times seuen : Matth. 18.34 hee that would not forgiue his brother the pence , his pounds , yea , talents were exacted from him to the vttermost farthing in prison : If I cannot heartily forgiue my brother , how shall I looke for forgiuenes of sinnes at thy hands ?

Therfore ( deare God ) grant mee thy grace to conquer malicious and reuengefull thoughts , and possesse mee with the spirit of meeknes and loue , to my present peace , to mine euerlasting saluation , in and through my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ .

Amen .
A Prayer against Theft .

O LORD and heauenly Father , whereas thine expresse commandment is , Exod. 20.15 . that I shall not steale , O Lord giue me thy fear , that I may take heed that I oppresse not my brother , by vniust and deceitfull dealing , nor take away by violence that which is his , but as I would be done vnto , so let me euermore do , for this is the Law and the Prophets : Matth. 7.12 . As I desire heartily thy grace to walke before thee in holinesse , so also I beseech thee , giue mee in all things to carry my selfe to my neighbour in righteousnes : without shall be dogs , murtherers , theeues , these wretched persons shall for euermore be expelled and excluded thy kingdome of glorie : and who shall dwell in thy holy Hill ? Psal. 15.3 . euen he that hath not done euil to his neighbour , as in body and name , so in goods and estate .

A little that the righteous hath , being well got , is better than great riches of the vngodly , gotten by fraud , violence , wrong : Giue me to know that I must one day giue an account of my stewardship , Luke 16.2 . how I haue gotten my goods , as well as how I haue spent them .

Therefore I beseech thee giue me thy feare and grace , to preserue my soule from these worldly and wicked errors here , and giue me euerlasting saluation when I die , in the Lord Iesus that freely died for me .

Amen .
A Prayer against Swearing .

MOST Mighty , most glorious , and most mercifull Lord God , great thou art in thy maiesty , wondrous in thy power , who is able to resist thy wrath ? O Lord euermore defend mee from taking thy great and mighty name in vaine , Exod. 20.7 . for thou wilt not hold him guiltlesse that taketh thy Name in vain : Heauy are thy iudgements denounced against this sinne : thy curse shall not depart from the house of the swearer : Therefore my good God , grant I may neuer bee found culpable of this sinne , but giue me thy grace that I may serue thee in feare , & reioyce before thee in reuerence all the daies of my life : Lord let mee neuer thinke or speake of thy great and holy Name , but with all feare , respect , reuerence , trembling .

Giue me also thy feare and grace , that I may not endure thy Name to bee dishonoured of others , but let it bee a Simeons Sword to pierce my soule , Luke 2.35 . and giue mee euermore to reprooue and condemne it .

Lord heare , helpe , and haue mercy vpon thy poore seruant , here and in heauen .

Amen .
A Prayer against Periury .

O Lord God , to whom vengeance belongeth , thou great Iudge of heauen and earth , to whom all secrets are knowen ; I most humbly pray thee that thy feare & grace may so assist me , that I may neuer swerue from the truth of thy Law : thou hast charged mee not to beare false witnes against my neighbour , Exod. 20.16 . but to speake the truth impartially when I am thereunto called , for Lord thou knowest all secrets , though man cannot detect them : therefore keepe mee from false swearing , for as it is great wrong in iudgement , so is it odious and abominable before thee , for thine infinite wisdome is dishonoured ; and he that dishonoureth thee in this desperate , impudent , and damnable manner , thou wilt dishonour and condemne him for euer .

Lord giue me an honest heart and faithfull soule , that in all things I may carry my selfe vpright , as in thy great and mightie presence , now and for euermore .

Amen .
A Prayer against Security .

BLessed and euer-glorious LORD GOD , I pray thee most humbly and earnestly in Christ Iesus , to keep mee from that dangerous euill of security : many are the enemies of my soule , the deuill goeth vp and downe , seeking whom he may deuoure : the world by his allurements seeketh to ouerturne my soule : carnall concupiscence , and inbred corruption takes all aduantages to betray and ouerthrow mee : I beseech thy Maiesty ( seeing my poore soule is thus dangerously assaulted ) giue mee all diligence and care to keepe my soule from sinning against thee : O giue mee the watch of thy Spirit of grace , to preuent these wofull enemies of my soule : Matth. 26.41 . let mee euer watch and pray , and stand vpon my guard , lest I fall into temptation : let me be lesse carefull for the things of this life , & more carefull for thy glory , and the eternall saluation of my soule : that I glorifying thy great Name constantly in this life , may in IESVS CHRIST bee euerlastingly glorified of thee in the life to come .

Amen .
A Prayer against Desperation .

O Lord my God most mighty and glorious , I most humbly intreat thee to assist me in all assaults of Satan : this enemy is strong , I poore sinner weake , I pray thee then helpe me against all his most desperate and dismall temptations : I confesse my sins most odious , most damnable , yet vpon my true humiliation , I am bold to rest vpon thy renowned mercies for forgiuenesse of them ; To whom wilt thou looke ( O blessed Lord God ) but to him that is of a contrite heart , Esa. 66.2 . and trembleth at thy words : therfore in the confidence of this thy promise & mercy , giue mee resolution against all feares , and desperate harmes of my soule : not to beleeue thy promise , who art truth it selfe , not to hope in thy performance , who art most faithfull and iust , it were to deny thy glorious Name , it were heauy and fearefull sinning against thee : I haue sinned ( Lord thou knowest ) too too much alreadie , shall I now by despaire adde sinne to sinne ? O Lord God forbid it : though my sinnes bee many , yet thy mercies are more ; though they bee as red as crimson , yet in the crimson Blood of Christ thy Sonne , Esa. 1.18 . thou canst make them all as white as snow or wool . O Lord my God , who art so full of mercy , as thou delightest not in the death of the greatest sinner , Ezek. 18.32 . but rather that hee may conuert and liue , giue mee to breake mine heart for sinne , but not to despaire of thy mercies for the forgiuenesse of my sinnes , for thou giuest grace and saluation to the humble , and the Lord Iesus came to call none but bleeding sinners to repentance : In hope of which thy truth and mercy , I make bold to rest vpon thee ( O Lord my God and Sauiour ) for present peace , for euerlasting saluation . Amen .

Amen .
A Prayer against Heresie .

O LORD and heauenly Father , seeing there is but one truth , one faith , one way laid out for life , which is the Lord Iesus , Iohn 14.6 . for he is the Way , the Truth , and the Life : saue me ( O Lord ) from all by-paths and errors , all false waies , Psal. grant ( with Dauid thy seruant ) I may vtterly abhorre : especially I beseech thee , keepe me that I drinke not of the cuppe of fornication , which the Whore of Babylon holdeth in her hand , wherewith the greatest part of the world is deceiued , poisoned , drunke : a cup pleasing to flesh and blood , Reuel. 17.4 . and therfore called , A golden Cup , yet within it is full of deadly poison and abomination .

Lord grant I may not bee misled in iudgment , nor obstinate in defending errours against thy truth , but giue mee an humble heart , 1 Cor. 14.32 . and let my spirit be euermore subiect to the iudgment of thy zealous Prophets : O Lord , giue mee to this end ( with the Boroans ) to examine all things , Acts. and to conferre Scripture with Scripture , that so I may neuer swerue from thy most pure , holy , and sacred Truth .

And giue mee ( my good Father ) courage and magnanimity to defend and vphold thy glorious Gospell , against barking Papists , and cauilling Atheists , and all malicious opposers of the same , to the losse and laying downe of my de●rest life and blood .

Thus grant me ( gracious God ) to stand for thy truth against al defacers of the same , to my liues end .

Amen .
A Prayer against Lying .

MOST deare and gracious heauenvly father , who art truth it selfe , in whom no errour nor falcity can abide or dwell , grant me ( of thy goodnesse ) that I may abhor that vaine and vile euill of lying , let me euermore speake the truth with feare and care in a good conscience .

The iesting lye is meere vanity ; the officious lye , or lye for profit or aduantage , is grosse iniquity : the malicious lye , or lye to doe hurt , is most pernicious and damnable impiety : Good Lord keep me from all these abominations , & giue me to know , that thine infinite wisdome , and all-seeing knowledge is most grieuously dishonoured herein : for ( Lord ) thou knowest all secrets , nothing hidden from thine all-seeing eye ; though man may bee deceiued , yet thy Maiesty can neuer bee deceiued : A lye then is most foolish , most odious ; Lord keepe me from this vanity , now and for euermore .

Amen .
A Prayer against Sabbath-breaking .

O Eternall GOD , Creator and gouernour of all things , seeing thou hast put a principall charge vpon thy fourth commandement , Exod. 20.8 . Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day : O my God , grant me thy feare , thy grace , that that thy day may neuer bee neglected of mee : Lord grant I may spend it in prayer publike , priuate , in hearing and reading of thy holy word , in instructing my family : Lord vouchsafe me so great a care , so heauenly a desire , as I may not therein speake mine owne words , Esay 58.13 . nor think mine owne thoughts , and that I may make the exercise of that day my ioy , my soules delight : No one shall enter thy Sabbath & rest of glory , but hee that hath been strictly carefull to keepe thy Sabbath on earth : Grant I may deale with no worldly thing on this thy day , that I may go to thy Temple , and returne to mine house , and make no other walke on this thy day , that I may not doe or looke vpon any vaine pastimes on this thy day .

And ( good Lord ) stirre vp mine heart to blesse thy Name , for so blessed and happie a day , wherein thine heauenly instructions are imparted to my soule : Did not this day shine in thine ordinance most graciously vpon me , all the daies of the weeke , yea all the daies of my life would bee dismall vnto me : Lord continue this thine holy day to the comming of the Lord Iesus in the clouds to iudgment , for thy mercies sake sweet LORD .

Amen .
A Prayer against Idle words .

MOst glorious and blessed heauenly Father , whereas thou hast shewen vnto mee from thy heauenly Word , Matth. 12.36 . That of euery idle word that men shall speake , account shall bee giuen at the day of iudgment : O GOD of thy great goodnesse and mercy , so possesse me with thy power of grace , that I may alwaies say with thy good and godly seruant Dauid , Psal. 39.1 . I will take heed vnto my waies that I offend not in my tongue .

Lord , if I speake , 1 Pet. 4.11 . giue mee that I may speak , as thy holy word prescribes mee , holily , profitably , to the glorification of thy great Name , the edification of the hearers , & consolation of mine owne soule .

Moderate ( I beseech thee ) the rudenesse and rashnes of my tongue ; it is but a little member , Iames 3.5 , 8. but ( Lord ) I confesse , a very hard thing for me to rule & tame : grant therefore I may set a watch ouermore before the doore of my lippes , Psal. 41.3 . that no vanity may bee vttered : the tongue ( in the originall ) signifieth glory ; Lord grant that I therby may glorifie thy great and godly name .

O Lord , giue me neuer to speake but holily , modestly , heauenly , that I may in the end for euer in heauen with the same my tongue sing a most ioyfull and glorious Halleluiah to thee ( O blessed Lord God ) and to the Lambe , the Lord Iesus , for euermore .

Amen .
A Prayer against euill Thoughts .

MY most holy and heauenly LORD GOD , I pray thee in and for the Lord Iesus , to reforme mine erroneous nature , and sanctifie my most sinful and polluted soule : Lord cleanse my heart within , and then the outside shall be cleane also : It is not ( O Lord ) that which goeth into man that defileth a man , Matth. 15.19 . but that which commeth out of man that defiles him ; for out of the heart commeth murther , adultery , and other vncleane euils : O my deare and blessed heauenly Father , purge the fountaine , and the riuer shal be cleane : purge mine heart from vaine and euil thoughts and lusts , then shall my mouth praise thee , and mine actions bee in some measure sutable to thy holy will : O Lord , P●ou. 4.23 . giue me to keep mine heart with all diligence , for therout commeth life : if I keepe it not with all diligence , thereout wil come death , that is , sinne , whose wages is death . Giue mee ( my blessed Sauiour ) to keepe a narrow watch ouer my thoughts , that no wicked thought , profane lust , or vngodly desire may nestle in my soule , Wisd. 1.9 . for inquisition shal be made for the very thoughts of the vngodly : Lord grant then that the thoughts of my heart may bee alwaies holy and heauenly , that so my soule being taken vp with holy meditations , and heauenly contemplations here , I may bee admitted to that most excellent glorie of heauen , purchased in the blood of the LORD IESVS : to whom with thee and thine holy Spirit , my soule in her best thoughts desire to render all glory in all reuerence now and for euermore .

Amen .
A Praier against disobedience to Parents .

O Almighty God , as thou hast promised long and happy life to those that honor their Father and Mother , Exod. 20.12 . so is it most certaine , that disobedient children shall not escape thy fearefull vindicts and iudgments : for hee that disobeyeth his father or mother , the Rauens of the vallies shall pick out his eies , and deuoured shal he be of the young Eagles . Prou. 30.17 .

O Lord , giue mee to consider , that I receiued from my Parents my being , my maintenance , mine education ; how then shall I sufficiently expresse my dutie vnto them ? better neuer beene borne , than to contemne or neglect them by whom I had my being : O good God blesse my parents , sanctifie them , giue them thy mercies in this life , thy saluation in the next , and me thy grace to doe vnto them all honour and helpe , while I liue . Amen .

A Praier against blasphemy against the Holy Ghost .

O Blessed and gracious God , thy mercy is to be mightily magnified , and euerlastingly extolled , for thy compassion to humbled and penitent sinners , for there is mercie and saluation with thee that thou maiest bee feared , Psal. 130.4 . and trusted to for life : yet notwithstanding , thou hast reuealed thine irreuocable Sentence against one sinne , and but one , that hee that committeth it , shal neuer bee pardoned , neither here nor at the day of iudgment , Matth. 12.32 . and that is , blasphemy against the HOLY GHOST , a sinne vnto death , vnto damnation , not to bee pardoned , not to bee praied for : Lord giue me thy grace , that I may carefully seeke to know it , and more carefully seeke to auoid it : when a man is enlightned to know thy truth , to professe thy truth , to giue good allowance of it , to reuerence & honor it , and then by the deuils strong temptations to fall off from the same , maliciously to oppose and persecute the same , and the professors of the same , to raile vpon it , and disgracefully blaspheme it , the conscience notwithstanding all this while conuincing him , this is that vnpardonable sinne , and it is impossible for this man to repent and bee saued : Good Lord grant that I may neuer be thus ouercome by Sathan , grant ( sweet Iesus ) I may take heed of the way of this fearfull offence and sinne : Lord giue mee grace that I may not bee vnreuerent to thy Word , that I may not mocke , but make much of sincere professors of the same , that euermore I may haue a trembling respect to thy Maiesty and ordinance , that so I may bee graciously preserued from this fearfull sinne here , and the damnation of it hereafter in hell for euermore .

Amen .
A Prayer against Presumption .

O MOST blessed Lord God , I cannot while I liue in this body of sinne , be freed from sinne and corruption , this world will afford me no perfection : therfore ( good Father ) seeing I cannot but sinne , grant me this fauour and compassion , that the sinnes which I daily do offend in , may be of infirmity , not of wilfulnesse , nor of maliciousnes , nor against the light of conscience ; especially ( with thy seruant Dauid ) I pray thee keepe mee from presumptuous sinnes , Psal. 19.13 . that they may not preuaile ouer me .

Gracious heauenly Father , let not mee boldly offend thee , vpon hope of mercie from thee , nor presume to sinne vpon expectation of thy pardon : what greater abuse of thy mercie than this can there be ? Rom. 2.4 . thy mercy should lead mee from my sins , vnto repentance , not from repentance vnto sinne .

Lord , with griefe of heart I doe mournfully confesse before thee , that I haue too too much presumed in bold and wilful sinning against thee , vpon hope of pardon from thee : Lord humble me more and more for this my most dangerous sinne and offence , and let it not bee mee , but sinne in me , whensoeuer I sin against thee .

LORD , aboue all things saue me from an impudent and shamelesse soule , saue mee from sinning against thee with so high an hand , in so great a measure : that my chiefest care being to master sinne in this life , it may bee thy good will and pleasure to free mee from damnation in the world to come , for Iesus Christ his sake . Amen .

A Prayer against the Plague .

O Lord my God , most mighty and glorious , whereas thy gracious promise is , Psal. 91.4.7 . to saue mee from plague and pestilence , to hide mee vnder thy wings , and to keep me safe vnder thy feathers , thousands shall fall on my right hand , and ten thousand on my left , and no plague shall come neere my dwelling : Lord for thy mercies sake saue me from this wrath of thine , and euermore defend mee .

And ( heauenly Father ) I pray thee to this end purge my soule from the leprosie of sinne , the cause of all thy iudgments present and to come ; this fearfull affliction neuer commeth , but alwaies some or other sin procuring it : foure great and grieuous plagues thou sentest against the house of Israel , foure lamentable sinnes procuring the same , as bellicheare , Num. 11. Num. 16. Num. 25. 2 Sam. 24. contempt of thy Ministers , fornicating , and putting confidence in the arme of flesh for victorie : O Lord preserue mee and this whole nation from these and al other transgressions , that so iniquity may neuer be our destruction .

Thus ( I most humbly beseech thee ) saue me from sins & iudgments in this life & from euerlasting damnation in the world to come , for Iesus sake .

Amen .
A Prayer against the Sword .

ALmighty and most merciful Father , great are thy iudgments , and fearefull thy punishments appointed for sinners , yea , for thine owne people , if they sinne against thee : though thou wilt in the Lord IESVS , spare them in thine euerlasting loue , from an euerlasting damnation , yet if they bee bold to sinne , thou wilt lash them with a temporary correction : as thou didst threaten thine owne people Israel , Ezek. 21.4 . that thou wouldest draw thy Sword , and cut off the righteous with the wicked : O Lord I beseech thee , saue me from this fearfull miserie , let the sword of thy law pierce and humble mee , that the sword of thy iudgments may neuer ouertake me .

I blesse thee ( O Lord God ) for peace in our borders , wee haue no howling in our gates , no complaining in our streets , Psal. 144.14 . no leading into captiuity , no defiling of Temple and City , blessed are the people that are so , happy are they that haue thee ( O Lord ) for their God .

O Lord God , giue mee and the whole nation grace to repent with Nineve of all our sinnes , I●● . 3.10 . that so wee may neuer bee deuoured by the sword , but in peace ( if it bee meet for thy glory , and the good of thy church ) we may passe to peace and glory euerlasting .

Amen .
A Prayer against Famine .

O Most mighty and most glorious Lord God , I beseech thee saue me from miserie and destruction , which iustly for my sinnes might come vpon me : O Lord in particular , I pray thee for thy mercies sake , preserue me from famine , and perishing by hunger , that ruefull iudgment , and of all deaths the most miserable vnder the Sun , for none like staruing to death : Lord grant I may daily dye vnto my sinnes , that for them I may neuer in this terrible iudgment die : how heauie is it to my soule the remembrance of that distressed woman , 2 Kings 6.28 . who in that famine of Samaria , complained to her King , That her neighbour shared with her in the eating of her child , but she could not againe haue part with her neighbour : a lamentable complaint , a distresse most miserable ; O Lord of thy goodnes saue mee and this nation from the same .

And as we would be spared from these thy dismall iudgments , so ( Lord ) grant wee may labor to be freed from our wicked and abominable transgressions : wee haue abused thy creatures vnto vanity , and thy comfortable mercies vnto riot and excesse : it were iust with thee to fulfill that heauy sentence vpon vs , Hee that hath not , it shall bee taken away that which he hath ; he that hath not to a good and holy vse , it shall bee taken away that which he hath .

O Lord haue mercy vpon mee , and deliuer me from famine in this life , and destruction in the next to come , for Iesus Christ his sake .

Amen .
A Prayer for grace in generall .

O Eternall GOD , and my most mercifull heauenly Father , who art Author and finisher of my faith , from whom euery good and perfect gift descendeth , I most humbly intreat thee to sanctifie my soule with thy holy and heauenly grace , especially with those excellent gifts of thy holy Spirit , spoken of by thine holy Apostle Peter , proper onely to thine elect and chosen : as faith , vertue , knowledge , patience , temperance , godlines , brotherly kindnesse , loue : for if these things be in me , and abound , I shall neuer fall into the ditch of hell .

Lord , let me not do mine own wil , but giue mee alwaies to bee guided by the motions of thine holy Spirit into all truth : let it bee my meat and drinke , the obedience of thy word : grant I may finde out that old and good way , Ier. 6.16 . the way of thy feare and grace , that walking in it constantly and conscionably , I may finde euerlasting peace and rest to my soule : O Lord giue me to loath sinne , as the greatest enemy of my soule , for the wages of sinne is death , but the gift of thee ( O my God ) is eternall life , Rom. 6.23 . through my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ .

If I bee not borne twice , better it had beene for mee neuer to haue beene borne : except I repent , I perish : Luke 13.3 . Lord , who shall dwell in thy holy Tabernacle ? euen hee that leadeth an incorrupt life , for no vncleane thing shall enter into thy kingdome , vnsanctified , vnsaued : and without holinesse I can neuer see thee , O God : therefore I beseech thine holy and heauenly maiesty , to mortifie sinne in mine earthly members , and to renew mee in soule and body : giue me ( O my God ) a new minde , new will , new affections , new thoughts , new words , new waies , all new , for he that is a member of the Lord Iesus , is thus become a new creature .

O Lord , euermore delight my soule with holinesse , and let thy feare preserue mee alwaies from euill : thus giue mee ( I pray thee ) to liue purely in some good measure in this life , that I may haue the surer hope of happines in heauen , for blessed are the pure in heart , they shall see thee O God .

Blesse me then ( good Father ) with the blessing of sanctity in this life , and of euerlasting felicity in the life to come , for the Lord Iesus Christ his sake .

Amen .
A Prayer for Knowledge .

MOst blessed and heauenly Father , I confesse by nature I am a creature most miserable , so blinded and darkened by sinne , as I know not what may make for thy glory , or the comfortable saluation of my poore soule : the darkness of Aegypt was not so blacke , so palpable as the blindnesse and darknesse of my soule : O Lord my God , my suit vnto thee is with blind Bartimeus that I may receiue my sight , Marke 10.51 . send mee ( Lord ) some or other good Ananias to vnscale mine eies that I may iudge and see the wonders of thy Law .

Acquaint me ( good Father ) by thy Law , with my wofull sinnes , thy fearefull curses due vnto mee for the same , that so I may bee broken hearted for them , and made capable of remission and saluation : acquaint mee also with thy promise made vnto the humbled in Iesus Christ for forgiuenesse , for thou giuest grace to the humble : acquaint mee also with the way of the regenerate , & affect my soule with holinesse , that so I may come to saluation in the end : this is life eternall to know thee thus , and him whom thou hast sent euen Iesus Christ . Iohn

Make good vnto me that thy gracious promise , Psal. 25. thou wilt impart thy secrets to them that feare thee : Lord discouer thy glory vnto me , that I may answerably feare thy Name : reueale thy will ( O Lord ) most plentifully vnto mee , that I may strictly serue thee in holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of my life , for Iesus sake .

Amen .
A Prayer for Humiliation .

MOst mighty and most glorious Lord God , seeing that thine holy Word hath taught mee , that the Lord Iesus came to saue none but sinners , grieued sinners , wounded sinners , such sinners as would neuer sinne more : and moreouer thou wilt look to none but to such as are of a contrite spirit , Esay 66.2 . and tremble at thy words : O Lord , Esay 66.2 . breake mine heart for breaking thy commandements , and smite my soule for sinning against thee : grant I may bee ashamed of the filthinesse of my sinnes , grieue for offending so louing a God by them , and quake and tremble , lest thou shouldst condemne me in thy strict iustice for them for euermore : if my sinfull soule bee not thus rent , thus tormented for my wicked sinnes in this life , I cannot escape at the day of iudgement the damnation of hell : better ten thousand times to haue my hell here , than hereafter : Lord therefore bruise my soule for all my vile transgressions , and fearefull abhominations .

And leaue mee not ( good Lord ) I pray thee , in these my soule afflictions & affrightments , but when thou hast sufficiently corrected mee , then ( Lord ) turne again and reuiue mee , Psal. say vnto my soule thou art , thou wilt bee my saluation : for thou hast made this gracious promise , that the laden shall bee eased , and the wearied shall bee refreshed : Lord heare then these my mournfull praiers , and let these my groning cries come vp vnto thee , for Iesus Christ his sake .

Amen .
A Prayer for Faith .

MOST deare and gracious God , I humbly beseech thee to cut mee off from the stocke of corruption and sinne , and that by sound humbling , and to plant mee ( who art that heauenly husbandman ) by the power of thy blessed Spirit , into that holy stocke the Lord Iesus , and that by effectuall beleeuing : Lord giue mee to liue by faith , and not by flesh ; by grace , and not by sinne , for they that are in Christ Iesus walk not after the flesh , Rom. 8.1 . but after the Spirit .

Grant ( gracious God ) I may rest vpon thee in thy Son Christ , for forgiuenesse of sin , and for life euerlasting : grant vpon this my deliuerance I may liue to the praise of thee my blessed Redeemer , in holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of my life : grant ( holy Father ) I may not onely by faith depend vpon all thy promises for this life , and for heauen , but likewise by the same faith labor to walke in the obedience of all thy commandements .

O Lord increase my faith , for my heart is full of doubting , thou ( O Lord ) art faithfull and true , yea , truth it selfe , why should I then wauer ? My soule is weake through my remaining corruptions in obeying thy holy Word , Lord strengthen mee : my heart is faint , and ready to sink vnder the least triall and affliction , Lord for thy mercies support and comfort mee .

Giue me ( my deare God ) to beleeue beyond beleefe , when I feele not , to rest vpon thee for comfort , as thy seruant Iob Iob. resolued , Lord if thou killest me yet will I put my trust in thee : Lord giue me by faith , clearely to see my sinnes pardoned , my life reformed , my soule reconciled with thee , and my name written in the booke of heauen .

Most louing Father , I pray thee grant mee thy grace , that I may deny my selfe , that I may wholly rest vpon Christ Iesus , and follow his heauenly commandements for life : grant that my faith Iam. 2.26 . may not bee a dead faith , but a liuely , walking , working faith : that is a dead and vaine faith that moueth not in the obedience of thy most holy commandements : thus ( I pray thee ) guide me by thy good Spirit into all truth , that thy power of grace possessing me in this life , I may haue the better hope of eternall saluation in the life to come , and that for the merits of the Lord Iesus .

Amen .
A Prayer for Obedience .

O Lord God most mighty , most glorious , I most humbly craue thy gracious and louing fauour , that I may bee inabled by strength and power receiued from thee , to walke in absolute obedience before thee : Lord let mee not doe my will , but thy will in all things : Luke 7.8 . as the Centurion said of his seruants , He said to one , goe , and hee goeth ; to another , come , and he commeth ; to another , doe this , and hee doth it : Lord grant me the like obedience and tractability to thy will in all things .

1 Sam. 15.22 . Lord giue me to vnderstand that obedience is better than sacrifice , yea , to obey is the best of all sacrifices : let mee then obey thee in all thy commandements , and submit vnto thee in all thy corrections : not my will , but thy will most willingly bee yeelded vnto in all things , my Lord , my God .

O Lord vouchsafe me sincerity in this my most bounden duty & seruice , that I may obey thee in one commandement as well as in another ; let mee with thy godly seruant Dauid , Psal. 119. euermore haue respect vnto all thy commandements : O then that my waies were made so direct , that I may neuer sinne more , but in all things do thy righteous iudgments : O let it bee my meat and drinke , the obedience of thy will : O that I could finde out the old way , which is the good way , that walking constantly , and conscionably in the same , I may finde euerlasting rest and peace to my poore soule : Lord , thus sanctifie me in this life with thy holy feare , that I may not faile of saluation in the world to come , for thy loue in the Lord Iesus .

Amen .
A Prayer for Zeale .

MOst blessed and glorious heauenly Father , my heart is grieued and much perplexed within mee , because I finde my soule so dead , so cold in all good duties which thou hast appointed mee to walk in . O Lord quicken me , and make me more zealous , more feruent for the praise and glory of thy great and heauenly Name : let ( I pray thee ) thy good pleasure be my chiefest glory , and the constant seruice of thee , the greatest delight of my soule .

O Lord my God , grant I may neuer endure thy Name to bee dishonoured , nor thy holy Law disgraced by my selfe or others , but so affect my soule with thy feare , care , loue , that I may , euermore defend thee , and support the glory of thy Name : giue mee to bleede in heart , and melt in soule at the great and grieuous euils of the time , let mine eies gush out into riuers of water , because men keepe not thy Law : Psal. 119. let euery euill beholden of me , be as a goad in my side , and as a thorne in mine eie : grant ( good God ) I may most strictly walke before thee , and so burne in zeale of thy law and glory , that thy seruice , and the obedience of thy will , may bee more precious , more delightfull vnto mee than the eternall saluation of my soule : Thus ( Lord ) inflame my soule with thy loue , feare , grace , that so my part and portion may be with thy Saints and Angels in ioy and glory euerlasting , in and through my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ .

Amen .
A Prayer for brotherly loue .

O Almighty and most mercifull Father , for as much as thou hast shewen vnto me , 1 Ioh. 4.16 . that he that dwelleth in loue , dwelleth in thee , for thou art loue , and by this shall all men know , that we are thy disciples , if we loue one another ; and againe , If I cannot loue him whom I see daily , how shall I perswade my self I loue thee , 1 Ioh. 4.20 . whom I neuer saw ? good Lord I beseech thee then to fill my soule with loue , and to abound mee with charity and goodnesse toward my brethren : as the members of the body cary themselues one to another , so ( I pray thee ) giue mee grace to behaue my selfe to my brethren , and fellow-members of the Lord Iesus : one member despiseth not another , grant then I may not be puffed vp : one member enuieth not another , grant I may not grudge at the prosperity of my brethren : one member is helpefull to another , grant ( Lord ) that I may doe all the good I can vnto others while I liue : one member suffereth with another , grant that I may weepe with them that weepe : one member reuengeth not another , Lord grant that I may beare offered wrongs & iniuries , and neuer seeke reuenge .

Thus ( I beseech thee ) possesse me with thy Spirit of loue , for it is the ground and mother of all goodnesse , yea , the fulfilling of thy whole Law , and without loue I am as sounding brasse , and as a tinkling Cymball , I am nothing : 1 Cor. 13.1 . Thus giue mee to resemble thy Maiesty in loue and kindnesse in this life , that I may be admitted to that place of happinesse , where loue shall neuer vanish away , and that for thy loue in the Lord Iesus , my most louing Sauiour and Redeemer . Amen .

A Prayer for humility .

MOst holy and heauenly Lord God , for as much as thou hast reuealed vnto mee from thy holy Word , That thou resistest the proud , 1 Pet. 5.5 . & giuest grace to the humble , and none but the humble shall bee exalted : O Lord my God , endue me with the spirit of humility , grant I may be far from vain thoughts and proud lookes , giue mee to learne of my blessed Sauiour Iesus Christ to bee humble and meeke , so shall I finde rest to my soule : the humbled Publicane went home exalted , but the proud Pharisee condemned .

O Lord my God , I cannot but confesse , that I haue deserued shame and confusion for my sinnes done against thee , yea , the best of mine actions are so corrupted , as I deserue no lesse than damnation for them , yea , when I haue done all that I can I am an vnprofitable seruant : what cause ( holy Father ) then haue I to boast my selfe before thee ? If any good I doe , it is not I , but thy Spirit in mee , for what haue I that I haue not receiued ? Giue mee then to bee glad of thy gifts of grace , but not proud : Act. 12.23 . Not vnto mee ( O Lord ) not vnto me , but vnto thy Name , grant I may euermore giue the praise , lest for mine arrogance I bee smitten as was Herod , and the wormes , and thy wrath consume mee .

Lord possess me with meeknesse and lowlines here , that my portion may bee with thy Saints in glory euerlasting hereafter , for thy Christs sake .

Amen .
A Praier for Patience .

MOST louing and gracious GOD , seeing I am compassed about with so many miseries , some from thy Maiesty as corrections , some from Sathan as temptations , some from wicked men as persecutions , & some from concupiscence as treacherous seductions : I beseech thee therefore giue me patience in this sinfull and sorrowfull world , let me possess my soule with patience , Heb. 12.1 . and run the race that is set before mee with comfort and patience . Thus the Lord Iesus possessed himselfe in patience , who when he was reuiled , reuiled not again , but praied for his persecutors , and in his dying afflictions opened not his mouth : thus thy seruants went quietly and gently thorow their sharpe afflictions , as Iob , Steuen , Act. 7.60 . and others : Lord grant I may gently and meekly goe thorow whatsoeuer tribulation for the kingdome of heauen sake .

Grant I may not repine or murmure vnder the crosse , whether it be want , or imprisonment , or sicknesse , or banishment , or death of friends , or any other affliction : Heb. 12.6 . for whom thou louest , thou wilt chasten , and it is good for me to be in trouble , for thereby I learne better to keep thy Law : and as grace is the way of life , so is crosse the companion of this way , all that wil liue godly in Christ Iesus , must suffer persecution : I must bee contented to suffer with Christ , and for Christ on earth , if euer I would reigne with Christ in heauen .

Thus submitting my soule to thy wil & pleasure in this life , I shall haue the surer hope of admssion to life and saluation when I dye , in the merits of the Lord Iesus , thy Sonne my Sauiour .

Amen .
A Praier for Innocency .

O Eternal and euerliuing LORD GOD , seeing I must one day rise to giue an account for all things done in my body , I most humbly beseech thee therefore , to giue me grace to endeuour with thine holy Apostle Paul , alwaies to keepe a cleere conscience , both toward thee and man : Lord giue mee to bee innocent from all manner of offence , innocent to thee , innocent to man : Psal. 37.38 . O that I could keepe innocency , and doe the thing that is right , this would bring me peace at the last .

Lord grant I may wrong no man , neither in body , goods , nor name : grant I may say with Samuel , 1 Sam. 12.3 . whose Oxe haue I bribed ? whose Asse haue I taken ? whom haue I done wrong to ? giue mee to doe good to all , hurt to none : giue me to be wise as the Serpent , but innocent as the Doue : that liuing harmlesly in this world , I may liue happily in the next , for the merits sake of the Lord Iesus .

Amen .
A Praier for mercy and compassion .

O Lord my GOD most mighty and glorious , seeing thou hast commanded mee to weepe with them that weepe , Rom. 12.15 . and being also the godly practise of my Sauiour , for he wept ouer Ierusalem , and lamented their destruction : grant ( good Lord ) I may compassionate the present miseries of thy Church abroad , that my heart may melt within me to see thy vine thus stroyed , and thy Church thus trodden down by the enemies of thy truth : O Lord , Psal. 80.14 . betimes look downe from heauen and visite this vine , though thou sufferest it to bee pruned , Lord let it neuer bee extinguished .

I further intreat thee ( O my God ) that I may not only mourne ouer the afflictions of my brethren , but likewise bee pricked in heart at the falls and sinnes of thy people : and let not this my pitty bee in word and shew alone , but in deed and in truth , to pull them out of their impiety , and succour them in their aduersitie , to couer the naked , to feed the hungry , to visit the sicke and imprisoned , Matth. 25. to comfort and releeue them : if this pitty dwelleth not in me , no piety can possesse mee : Lord grant I may bee thus mercifull as thou ( my heauenly Father ) art mercifull : giue mee with thy holy Apostle to cry out , Who is afflicted , and I mourne not ? Keepe me from mercilesnesse , O Lord of thy goodnesse , for iudgement shall bee ministred without mercie , Iam. 2.13 . to him that hath shewed no mercie : Thus I pray thee vouchsafe me a tender heart for thy glory , the good of the afflicted , and the eternall saluation of my poore soule , in the merits of the Lord Iesus .

Amen .
A Prayer for peace of Conscience .

O Almighty and most mercifull God , I beseech thee to remoue from my soule all desperate feares , all vile corruptions , and giue me that great and heauenly blessing , namely , Prou. The peace of Conscience which passeth all vnderstanding , which is a most comfortable and continuall feast .

And seeing this peace of conscience ariseth from thy reconcilement , remission of sins , and assurance of life euerlasting : good Lord , I pray thee , be at peace with mee through the Lord Iesus , let all my sins in the bloody passions of thy Sonne bee discharged , and let my name be found written in the Booke of life .

And giue me further ( I beseech thee good Father ) to preserue this peace of conscience , and that by auoiding all , but especially knowen sinnes , by doing euery duty vprightly , though not perfectly , and by renewing my humiliation & repentance more throughly : Lord grant I may not sinne against the light of conscience , that I may neuer defile and wound my conscience by wilfull offending , that faith and holinesse may dwell therein , O helpe me ( good Lord ) Act. 4.16 . thus to keepe a cleare conscience both toward thee and man : Saue mee ( my God ) from a benummed conscience , a desperate conscience , an erroneous conscience , a polluted conscience , and giue me a pure conscience , a peaceable conscience , a good conscience , that this may minister confort vnto me in the greatest afflictions , strongest temptations , at the houre of death , at the day of iudgement , and bee a sure seale to my soule of life and saluation euerlasting , in the merits of the Lord Iesus .

Amen .
A Prayer for ioy in the holy Ghost .

MOST deare and gracious GOD , for as much as thy diuine consolation is a sure marke and euidence of thy loue for life , for thy blessed Apostle affirmeth , Rom. 14.17 . that thy kingdome standeth in righteousnes , peace , and ioy in the holy Ghost : Lord of thy goodnesse , fill mine heart with this thy heauenly ioy , let it not be hidden vnto mee as it is vnto those that are lost , but ( I pray thee ) shed abroad this thy loue in mine heart : this sweet and heauenly ioy is thine owne wine , laid vp in thine owne seller , for thine owne spouse , the wicked of the world shall neuer taste thereof .

This ioy the wise men found when they found the Lord Iesus , Matth. 2.10 . for they reioyced with an exceeding great ioy : This ioy was in the blessed Virgin , Luke 1.47 . for her spirit reioyced in Christ her Sauiour : So ( good Lord ) distill some sauing drops of this water of life into my thirsting soule : Lord shew me this thy glory : Psal. 4 6. some craue worldly goods , and riches doe imbrace , but Lord grant mee thy countenance , thy fauour and thy grace ; for thou thereby shalt make my heart more ioyfull and more glad , than they that of their corne and wine full great increase haue had .

O Lord , to this end , increase my faith , inflame my zeale , better my obedience , mortifie my corruptions , sanctifie my affections , that so I may euermore reioyce vnder the hope of saluation , in the LORD IESVS , yea , here and in heauen for euer .

Amen .
A Prayer for increase of Grace .

MOst blessed and heauenly Father , I read in thy holy word That thy Kingdome is like a graine of Mustard seede , Luk. 13.19 . a little seede , yet in time it sendeth forth a mightie stalke , that the birds of the aire may nestle therein , thy Maiestie intimating therby the smalnesse of Grace at the first , and the great increase by degrees in the hearts of thy children at last : now ( good Father ) I pray thee , increase thy graces in mee ; for I may say with that poore beleeuer in the Gospel , Lord I beleeue , but helpe mine vnbeleefe : Lord giue mee to increase in faith , in knowledge , in obedience , in all goodnesse , that so I going on from strength to strength , may in the end enioy thy face in Sion .

That tree that groweth not , is dead ; if I grow not better and better , and bring not forth more fruit in mine old age , I cannot proue my selfe an impe of the Lord Iesus .

And as it fareth with the naturall birth , so doth it also with the spirituall , a child new born is weak and small , yet in time it groweth to be a tall and strong man ; so the soule at first is weake and feeble in grace , as smoake to fire , as a bruised reed to a sturdie oake of Lebanon , but in time the conuert groweth to be a perfect man in the Lord Iesus : therefore my gracious GOD , grant I may ( as a new borne babe ) 1 Pet. 2.2 . desire the sincere milke of the word , that I may grow thereby : I confesse with a heauy heart ( O Lord ) that I grow but poorely in the power and might of grace , Lord quicken mee , Lord abound thy graces in mee : Ioh. 6.12 . thou that madest bread grow , double thy graces in mee : as that oile increased , 2 King . 4.6 . Lord increase the oile of thy graces within mee : Ioh. 2.7 . as those water pots were filled , so fill my soule with thy goodnesse , euen vp to the brim , and let my cup runne ouer with thine euer-flowing mercies , that hereby I may bee made more able to serue thee in holinesse , and also more assured of euerlasting happinesse in Christ Iesus , to whom thou gauest the Spirit without measure , to whom with thee and thy holy Spirit bee all glorie returned , now and for euermore .

Amen .
A Prayer for perseuerance in Grace .

MY most deare & gracious GOD , many are the troubles of the righteous ; and those that truely profess thy feare & Name , haue man and deuill against them , for Cain wil hate Abel for good , and Ismael mock Isaac for God ; thus they persecuted the Lord Iesus , and the Prophets : O Lord , hereupon I pray thee giue mee magnanimity and courage , that nothing may draw me from thy law , thy loue , thy feare : grant I may hold the faith to the death , Reuel. 2.10 . that so I may haue a crowne of life , for hee that endureth to the end , Matth. 10.22 . the same shall be saued ; but reuolters , and back-sliders shall goe vnder the earth , and great shall be their torment in hell .

Giue me to look vpon the constancy and courage of thy holy Martyrs , who went as cheerefully to the flame , as to a delicate feast : my blessed Sauiour suffered ten thousand times more for mee than I can doe for him , therefore grant that I may lose my life , rather than thy loue , for hee that will saue his life shall lose it , and hee that loseth his life for thy Names sake , shall euerlastingly saue it : Come then torment , come torture , come what will come , come & welcome , nothing shal separate me from my Lord Iesus .

O Lord , giue me to this end to bee sincere in thy seruice , to be increased in thy graces , to be inflamed with the loue of thy Law , and zeale of thy glory , to consider the disgrace that is done to thy truth by reuolting , and the danger of back-sliding , and the incomparable glory laid vp in heauen for those that defend thy faith with their dearest blood , that so I may neuer bee daunted at whatsoeuer torment , but passe couragiously and cheerefully through the same to life and glory euerlasting in the might and merit of the Lord Iesus , thy Sonne my Sauiour .

Amen .
A Prayer for preparation to the Sacrament .

O Almighty and most gracious Lord God , great is thy mercy and rare is thy loue to mortal and miserable man , in that thou hast not onely giuen him thy Word to beget faith , but also the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of the Lord Iesus , to seal him to life and saluation : good Lord I pray thee so addresse my soule , and prepare my heart , that I may receiue the same thy holy and heauenly ordinance to my comfort , not condemnation , 1 Cor. 11.29 . for whosoeuer eateth and drinketh vnworthily , eateth & drinketh his own condemnation : therefore ( holy Father ) grant I may neuer come to this thy holy table without the wedding garment , without holy and due preparation : prepare then ( deare God ) my heart hereunto , especially in these six and seuerall Graces ;

First , I beseech thee grant that I may come with knowledge ; knowledge of my self , knowledge of my blessed Sauiour Iesus , knowledge of this most reuerend ordinance , and of the holy vse of the same , that I may graciously and wisely distinguish that bread Sacramentall , from bread at home , it prefiguring the Lord Iesus , that Bread of my soule that came from heauen .

Secondly , grant I may come with humiliation of soule , for the Lords breakings heale none but the broken heart , & contrite soule : If I cannot roar for my sinnes that killed the Lord Iesus , the roarings of the Lord Iesus cannot ease me .

Againe , prepare me by faith to rest vpon thy Son for mercy and forgiuenesse : If my heart be thus humbled for sin , what shall hinder me to beleeue ? for thy grace in Christ Iesus is giuen only to the humble ; therfore grant as my mouth eateth the bread , my soule by faith answerably may bee comforted by the merits of Christ Iesus .

Fourthly , I beseech thee to giue me sound repentance , to die to sinne , to liue to my blessed Redeemer , in holinesse and righteousness all the daies of my life .

Fiftly , giue mee a thankfull heart to thy sweet Maiesty for the redemption of my poore soule , in the merits of thy Sonne .

Lastly , giue me loue to my brethren , as thou hast pardoned my sins , so giue mee thy grace , that I may freely and heartily pardon those that haue offended me , and wish the holy Sacrament as effectuall vnto them as mine owne soule : Lord grant vnto me all these my requests for the honor of thy great name in the worthy merits of the Lord Iesus . Amen .

A Prayer for the Gospels continuance .

MOst holy & heauenly Lord God , of all thy mercies vouchsafed to thy Church on earth , none like that of thy word , therefore it is said by thine Apostle , shewing the prerogatiue of the Iew aboue the Gentile , that to them were committed the oracles Rom. 3.2 . of God , as though thy Law was the principall of thy blessings , their preferments : I pray thee then ( good Father ) continue thy Word & Sacraments vnto vs of this nation , and our posterities after vs , till Iesus come in the clouds to iudgement .

To this end Lord giue vs that wee may walk in the light , while the light thus clearely shineth vnto vs , Reuel. 2.5 . lest for our contempt and prophaneness thy candlestick be remoued from vs : whatsoeuer iudgement thou wilt please to afflict thy Church withall , Lord saue vs from the famine of thy Word : the famine of bread brings but a bodily death , but that of thy Word brings perpetuall destruction to body and soule .

O Lord also continue good and faithfull Pastors & Teachers of thy Flocke : grant a bright shining Lampe to euery candlesticke , and an able instructor to euery Congregation , that many hereby may bee drawen from darknes to light , from the power of sinne and Sathan , to the knowledge and saluation of thee , O God , for thy mercies sake in the Lord Iesus .

Amen .
A Prayer for preparation to Death .

O Lord God most mighty and glorious , seeing I am of a mortall condition , and the time of my death vncertaine , and as I am found in death , so shall I bee in iudgement , if in sin impenitent , condemned then for euer ; if vigilant in godlines , then imbraced to heauenly saluation : Good Lord grant I may prepare for this day , and so liue here , as I may liue with thee in heauen for euer : 1 Cor. 15.56 . Death is a Scorpion , and the sting of this Scorpion is sin : now if the sting of a scorpion be pulled out , it can doe no harme , therefore giue me the wisdome of thy Spirit , that I may pull out the sting of death , which is sin , then death shall not affright mee : for as death to the wicked is dismall , and packeth to hell , so to the godly it is amiable , and passeth their soules to heauen : grant then ( deare God ) that death may be to mee as to all thy Saints & seruants , the gate to life , the end of sinning and sorrowing , and the passage of my poore soule to life and glory euerlasting .

O Lord grant I may euer haue death in mine eie , that I may euermore desire it , abhor it neuer : that I may neuer doe any one act but that I durst doe if I were now dying , and called to thy strict tribunall to giue an account for it in my person : thus grant mee grace to liue in thy feare , and dye in thy fauour , and obtaine that blessednesse spoken of in the Reuelations , Reuel. 14.13 . Blessed are they that dye in the Lord : thus prepare me for the first death , and saue mee from the second , in the merits of the Lord Iesus .

Amen .
A Prayer for a woman in Child-birth .

MY most louing & gracious God , thy power is mighty , and thy goodnesse answerable , to them that feare thee : thou art so potent as thou canst doe more than euer thou wilt doe , from feare and danger thou canst and wilt deliuer all those that put their trust in thy mercy : thus thou sauedst Sydrach from the fire , Dan. 3.27 . and didst diuide the Sea to saue the house of Iacob from the host of Pharaoh : Exod. 14.28 . Lord I beseech thee , saue me from my present danger of Child-bearing , and bring mee safely through my present straight and miserie : thou ( O Lord ) that canst make hard things easie , shew now thy might and mercy vpon mee : Matth. 19.26 . that which is impossible with man , is easie with thee to bee accomplished .

I confess ( O my God ) that the woman was first in the transgression , and therefore this was her iudgment , that in sorrow should shee bring forth , yet notwithstanding euen through child-bearing she ( being truely humbled for her sinne ) shall bee saued , 1 Tim. 2.15 . if she continue in faith with holinesse .

Giue me ( O Lord ) to rest comfortably vpon thee for deliuerance : Lord grant I may cleaue vnto thee in the extreamitie of my paines : If I perish , Lord , I will perish in thy bosome : Lord , moderate my torments , remember Lord I am but dust , vnable to beare thy heauy displeasure for my sinne : lay no more vpon mee than thou wilt inable mee comfortably to beare : thus ( good Lord ) blesse me in my soule , in my body , in the fruit of my wombe , for Iesus Christs sake .

Amen .
A Prayer after Child-birth .

MY most deare & gracious God , whereas thou hast commanded me to call vpon thee in the day of trouble , and vpon deliuerance to glorifie thy Name : O Lord , according to my bounden duty , from the bottome of my heart , I desire to magnifie thy Name , for that thou hast thus graciously preserued mee from paine and peril of Child-birth : let me neuer ( O Lord ) forget this thine vnspeakable goodnesse and mercy , but let it lead mee into all obedience : as I liue yet by thee , giue mee grace to liue vnto thee , and the praise of thy great Name .

I thanke thee also ( gracious God ) for that thou hast made me a ioyfull mother of children : good Lord grant I may labour to bring them vp in thy holy feare , that as I am an instrument of their generation , which is sinfull and damnable , so make mee an happy instrument of their regeneration , without which neither I nor they can euer see thy Kingdome , O God .

And good Lord , I pray thee , grant that I may also submit vnto my husband in all due obedience , according to thy will : that I may be a comfort vnto him , liuing faithfully , louingly , chastly , and godlily with him , till death vs depart , that so thy blessing may bee vpon him , my selfe , my children , and family , from this time forth for euermore .

Amen .
A Prayer for the Traueller by land .

ALmighty GOD , by whose prouidence all things are directed , supported and preserued , I pray thee blesse mee in mine out-goings , and incommings , make ( I pray thee ) this my iourney prosperous vnto mee , keepe me from sinning and bad society , and that by the watch of grace , keepe mee also from all outward perills , from perill of theeues , peril by beasts , perill by lightning , Psal. 91.12 . and from dashing my foot at any time against a stone , and that by the watch of thy holy and heauenly Angels .

And ( good Father ) as thou didst goe with Iacob , and defend him in his long & perillous voyage to Laban , Cen. 35.3 . and didst bring him safely backe againe : so I pray thee preserue mee in this my iourney from all dangers bodily and ghostly , and bring mee safe home againe to my friends and family , for Iesus Christ his sake .

Amen .
A Praier for the traueller by Sea .

O Most mercifull & gracious heauenly Father , I beseech thee in this my dangerous voyage by Sea , to prosper & defend mee : Lord make it profitable and aduantageable vnto mee : to this end I pray thee , direct my course with safety , and giue mee fauourable and conuenient winds : defend mee from raging tempests , that they may not ouerturne mee : saue mee from all dangerous rocks and sands , that they may not despoile mee : keepe me safe also from piraticall and tyrannous enemies , that they may neuer preuaile against me .

To this end Lord giue me and my whole company , to bee constant and instant in praier with thee , to spend our houres in hearing and reading thy holy and heauenly Word , to flye and shun all euill : and when I come to the hauen where I would be , Lord giue mee to praise thee for my safe arriuall : and saue mee from the sins of the place and people whither I goe : and let me not bee corrupted or peruerted by them , but grant by my good counsel and holy conuersation , I may labour the conuersion of them : which mercy if thy Maiesty shall vouchsafe to grant , I shall more reioyce in heart than if I had won the whole world .

And good Lord , I pray thee , giue mee a safe and timely returne with credit , profit , comfort , that so I tasting of thy mercies in this life , I may not faile of saluation when I die , and that for Iesus Christs sake .

Amen .
A Prayer for the Church .

O Most glorious & mercifull Lord God , I pray thee for thy mercies sake behold from heauen thy Church and people : honor them Lord that honour thee , and confound them that rise vp against thee : great is our present misery , the earth and world throughout , good Lord saue thy seruants from the hands of all their enemies : thy Church is euery where despised and despighted , and trodden vnder foot of the wicked of the world , O Lord , sleepe not , but arise in thy power , and let all thine and our foes bee scattered .

Giue ( O Lord ) thy Gospell a free passage , for the enlargement of thy kingdome , all the world thorow , in despight of Turke and Pope , & all malignant enemies of the same : continue it where it is ; where it is not , Lord ( of thy goodnes ) plant thy heauenly power : though wee haue failed and grieuously offended , yet correct vs thou in thy mercy , and giue vs not ouer a prey vnto their teeth , whose tender mercies are cruell : downe with Dagon , and set vp the glorious Gospell of Christ Iesus among the sonnes of men .

Now ( O Lord ) thy Church is heauily assaulted , I beseech thee fight out al our battels , and euermore defend vs : let them not say , There , there , so would we haue it ; neither let them say , We haue deuoured them : let them not mocke and vaunt , Where is now their God ? they cry maliciously , Downe with them , Psal. 137.7 . down with them euen to the ground ; but Lord , better than thy Church should bee extinguished , the whole army of Sathan to bee confounded : If it may bee , Lord conuert the enemies of thy Church ; if that cannot bee , Lord confound them . Thus ( Lord ) I pray thee powerfully protect , and graciously direct thy Church on earth , and make it one day triumphant in heauen , for Iesus sake alone , in whom thou art well pleased .

Amen .
A Prayer for the conuersion of the Iew.

MOst gracious and blessed heauenly Father , there was a time wherein thou in thy mercy didst vouchsafe thy Law to Israel , all other nations of the world depriued of the same : and now is the time wherein they for their contempt of thy Sonne Iesus Christ are depriued of thy Gospell , and the Gentiles of the world enlightened with the same : and there will come a time wherein Iew and Gentile shall bee of one fold and faith , and that is , when the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled .

O Lord , pitty the fall of thy first chosen , and let not thine anger bee euer against them : turne againe ( O God of Abraham , Isaac , and Iacob ) and visit them with thy saluation , that are now scattered , and a despised people ouer the face of the whole earth : O Lord conuert them , and bring them to the faith of the Lord Iesus : dispell the mist of ignorance from their eies , and let not such multitudes goe to perdition : for Abraham thy seruants sake , looke vpon the desolate progeny .

And seeing contempt and vnbeleefe cast them off , Rom. 11.2 . Lord giue vs to beleeue & obey thy truth , left wee also bee cast out and expelled : if thou sparedst not the naturall Oliue , how wilt thou spare the wilde branch ?

Lord grant that Iew and Gentile may all the world thorow oyne in one faith and truth to thy glory and the saluation of innumerable soules in the LORD IESVS .

Amen .
A Morning Prayer for a family .

O Lord our GOD most mighty , glorious , and in mercy abundantly gracious , wee thy seruants desire this morning and euermore to blesse thy holy and heauenly Name , for all thy blessed mercies first and last afforded vs in the Lord Iesus : In particular , wee blesse thee for thy safe protection and prouidence ouer vs this last night past , in keeping vs aliue of thy goodnesse and mercy to this houre , & day : O Lord , as we liue by thee , giue vs all thy grace to liue vnto thee , and to the praise of thy blessed Name .

And we intreat thy Maiesty to blesse vs this day , and euermore to come : Lord saue vs from bodily perils , and that by the watch of thy good Angels : saue vs especially ( O Lord ) from sinning against thee , and that by the Power and residence of grace in our soules : thus blesse vs in body and soule in this life , that so wee may haue the surer hope of euerlasting saluation in the life to come .

And ( good Father ) grant that wee may labour and striue against all corruption and sin , but most especially against those euils that haue most defiled our soules , let vs flie all occasions of them , and vse all holy helps against them , and in the might and strength of thine all — sufficient grace , vouchsafe vs daily victory ouer them : O that wee could say with thy feruant Paul , I thanke my God , 1 Cor. 15. concerning sinne I die daily .

And ( good Lord ) so bless vs with thy grace , that we may cheerefully and constantly goe on in the performance of all such duties as thou hast appointed for vs to walk in : grant that the concupiscence of the eie , 1 Ioh. 2.16 . the concupiscence of the flesh , the pride of life may neuer corrupt and defile vs , but let euermore our conuersations be holy and heauenly : keepe vs also from idlenesse , grant wee may bee alwaies sound exercised in the duties of our calling , either generall or particular : that when our Lord and Master commeth ( being found thus vigilant ) wee may enter with him into the ioy of the Lord .

Thus ( gracious God ) giue vs to walke in holinesse and vprightnes before thee , that so we may both saue our owne soules , and those that are about vs , for Iesus Christ his sake , thy Sonne our Sauiour .

Amen .
An Euening Praier for a Family .

MOST deare and gracious Lord God , wee thy humble seruants most earnestly desire thy mercy and compassion vpon vs , in pardoning all our sins , originall , actuall , and in giuing vs grace for the preuention of them in time to come : and so sanctifie euery of vs , that all our ends may be peace .

O Lord , to this end giue vs ( we pray thee ) to bee broken in heart for breaking thy commandements , & smite our sinfull soules for offending thee , that so wee may come within compasse of healing and refreshing : for none but the laden can be eased , and the wearied onely shall bee refreshed .

And ( good Father ) seeing thou hast promised saluation to the humble , grant that by faith wee may comfortably rest vpon thy promise for mercy and forgiuenesse , and also by power of the same faith , liue vnto the praise of thee ( our Redeemer ) for euermore .

Vouchsafe ( O Lord ) vnto vs all those blessed graces of thy blessed Spirit , onely proper to thine elect and chosen , as knowledge , vertue , faith , patience , temperance , godlines , brotherly kindnesse , loue : if these things be in vs and abound , wee shall neuer fall into the ditch of hell .

Lord turne out sinne and Sathan , for wee confesse that wee are out of measure sinfull : sinfull by thought , sinfull by word , sinfull by worke , Lord bee merciful vnto vs thus miserable sinners : and ( good Lord ) let thine holy Spirit make his residence in vs , that in this new righteousnes wee shall labour and learne to doe , in that wee may saue all our poore soules euerlastingly aliue .

O Lord , blesse with vs thy Church vniuersall , Lord saue it from ouerthrow , and deliuer it from the present calamity : more especially wee beseech thy mercies vpon this nation whereof wee are members : this sinfull nation laden with transgression , iniquity , sinne ; Lord heale the sores of it , pardon the sinnes of it , giue it the repentance of Nineue , from the Kings person , to the begger amongst vs , that so thy iudgements may be diuerted from vs .

Lord herein ( wee pray thee ) blesse the principall Member ouer vs , CHARLES by thy good prouidence , King of great Britaine , France , and Ireland , giue him a long and lasting life on earth , and an euerlasting in heauen : blesse our most noble and gracious Queene : the Prince and Princesse Palatine , and their Princely Issue : blesse all the true hearted Nobility , all the reuerend Clergie , the ciuill Magistracy , Gentry , Commonalty , all Schooles of learning , the two Vniuersities , all afflicted persons , bodily or soulely tormented : O Lord , deliuer Israel from all their sinnes and sorrowes .

And good LORD , blesse all that are deare and neare in nature vnto vs , as father , mother , brother , sister , husband , wife , child ; LORD giue vs all thy grace in this life , thy saluation for euer in heauen .

And for our selues againe , we beseech thee this night to blesse vs , in body , in soule ; in basket and store , within doores , without : Lord saue vs from theeues , from windes , from fire , from all dangers , and giue vs a sweet rest and comfortable sleepe : and for our soules , saue them ( good Lord ) from sinfull lusts and Sathans assaults : that so we being preserued from sin and danger in this life , we may not faile of thy mercifull saluation in the end , and that for Iesus Christ his sake .

Amen .
FINIS .