The English Catechism Explained, Prayers – Graces
A Prayer to bee vſed before the reading of Bookes of piety, or Inſtruction.
O God that art the Father of lights, enlighten my darkned vnderſtanding, that I may ſee into the wonders contained in the Law. Diſpell in me the darke and miſty clouds of ignorance, expell the louelove of darkeneſſe, and repell the rebellious law of ſin. Sanctifie my wit, that I may be apt to conceiue, ſtrengthen my memory, that I may be able to retaine, and rectifie my will, that I may obediently ſubmit my ſelf to thy good will in all things. Thou which art the great Maſter-builder of thine owne houſe, ſettle me as one of thy liuing ſtones vponupon the right foundation, Jeſus Chriſt; in whom I may daily grow vp, till that all the building coupled together groweth to an holy temple in the Lord. And this I craue in the name of thy deare Sonne, my moſt bleſſed Sauiour and redeemer. Amen.
A Prayer to bee vſed eueryevery Morning in a priuate Family.
MOſt gracious God, and mercifull Father, it is by thy good prouidence that wee are brought ſo ſafelie through the deadly dangers of another night to ſee the light of this day to our comfort, and much more hath thy goodneſſe extended it ſelfe towards vsus in that together with the light naturall, the bright beames of thy grace hauehave ſhone vponupon vsus in Ieſus Chriſt in our Election, Creation, Redemption, Sanctification, and Glorification. We hauehave nothing to preſent thy Maieſty withall for this vnſpeakable mercy only, as is our bounden duty, and thy commandement, we ſacrifice the calues of lipps by humble and hearty thankſgiuing. We cannot ſufficiently prize, nor worthily praiſe thy goodneſſe, being herein vnmeaſurable, that when wee are ſinfull, and rebellious againſt thee, and prouoke thee night and day, yet paſsing by all our ſinnes, as if thou ſaweſt them not thou ſtill wageſt vsus with new fauours, and bindeſt vsus with cords of louelove, when thou might ſtraine vponupon vsus ſnares, fire, and brimſtone, ſtorme, and tempeſt, the deſerued portion of ſuch wicked ones as we are. O ſtirre vp our dull hearts by this vndeſerued louelove, that we may inwardly relent for offending ſo good a God, and bee more affected with hearty louelove towards ſo louing a father, and wee humbly intreate thee for thy Chriſts ſake, to pardon our former groſſe ingratitude, and all other our ſinnes: Waſh vsus (O Lord) with his bloud, and wee ſhall bee cleane, purge vsus, and wee ſhall bee whiter then Snow. Remoue our ſinnes from vsus, as farre as the Eaſt is from the Weſt, caſt them behind thy backe into the bottome of the ſea, that they may neuer riſe vp in iudgement againſt vsus, to ſhame vsus here, or to condemne vsus hereafter. Worke in vsus true humiliation for all our ſinnes, let vsus caſt downe our ſelues vnderunder thy mighty hand, that thou maiſt lift vsus vp. A contrite heart is a ſacrifice vntounto thee, which thou wilt not deſpiſe; giuegive vsus this, that wee may offer it vntounto thee: open our eyes to ſee the precious body of our deare Sauiour wounded and bleeding, his heart heauy and ſorrowing, and his ſoule in bitter agony departing for our ſinnes, that wee may waile and weepe eueryevery family apart, ſeeing him whom wee hauehave pierced. And let vsus abhorre all ſinne for the time to come, as a new crucifying of the Lord of life, yea, our moſt priuat and deare ſinnes that we hauehave loued, as our liues. Let not the deceitfulneſſe of our hearts ſo farre miſleade vsus, as that wee ſhould willingly bee intangled with any one ſinne, ſeeing that he which keepeth the Law, and yet is faulty in one point, is guiltie of all. And becauſe we hauehave many enemies that labour to keepe vsus the bondſlaues of ſinne, put away ſecurity and careleſneſſe from vsus, let vsus alwayes watch and prepare to fight againſt them. Arme vsus with the whole armor of thy Spirit, the ſhield of Faith, the Breſt-plate of Righteouſnes, the Girdle of Verity, & with thy Word, the Sword of the Spirit: that howſoeuer we be aſſaulted, we may not be ouercome, but reſiſting the Deuill, put him to flight, and obtaine the Crowne, that eternall glory, which is ſet before vsus. Bleſſe, and ſanctifie vsus this day that we may ſerue thee better then heretofore we hauehave done. Inable vsus to the works of our Callings, both with bodily ſtrength and inward grace and direct vsus ſo, as that we may vndertake nothing but in thy feare. Let the cō tinuall remembrance of thy preſence be as a bit and a bridle to curbe vsus in from following our inordinate affections: that we being in all things ordered by thee, may enioy thy bleſſing to the proſpering of our indeauours, to the glory of thy name, and to our perpetuall incouragement in this holy ſeruice of praiſing and praying vntounto thee, Let all our bodily labours be ſeaſoned with ſpirituall meditations, though our works be earthly, let our hearts be heauenly, ſet vponupon things aboue where Chriſt Ieſus ſitteth at the right hand of God. If through thy bleſſing riches increaſe, let vsus not ſet our hearts thereon; if for our puniſhment they decreaſe, let vsus not be diſcouraged hereby. The more we hauehave, make vsus the more thankfull, and watchfull, that we be not deceiued: the leſſe we hauehave, make vsus the poorer in ſpirit, that we may inherite the kingdom of heauen. Grant theſe things vntounto vsus (O mercifull Father) and vntounto thy whole Church, and to eueryevery part and member therof, as all our and their caſes are particularly known vntounto thy heauenly wiſdome, farre beyond that which we are able to deſcribe, and that for the alone merits and worthineſſe of Ieſus Chriſt our moſt bleſſed Mediatour and Aduocate, in whoſe maine we further praiſe thee, and pray, as himſelfe hath taught vsus. Our Father, which art, &c.
A Prayer to bee vſed eueryevery Euening in a priuate familie.
O Lord, in whom wee liue, mooue and hauehave our being, wee deſire to offer vp our euening ſacrifice of praiſe vntounto thee for this day. But how ſhould wee come vntounto thee to bee heard and accepted, being of vncircumciſed lippes. So great, wee confeſſe, are our ſinnes, and ſuch is our vnworthineſſe by reaſon of them, as that, if we ſhould excuſe our ſelues, our conſciences would accuſe, & our owne hearts condemne vsus. Our nature is vile and rebellious, hindring vsus from the good which we ought to do, and inclining vsus to the euill which we ought to leaue vndone. Our vnderſtandings are darkened, our wils are crooked, our thoughts, vncleane, and our affections peruerſe, louing darkneſſe more then the light, becauſe our deeds are euill In our whole man we hauehave ſerued ſinne, our eares and eyes hauehave been as windowes to let in ſin, our mouthes hauehave bin fountaines of the ſalt water of ſin, our hands hauehave been hookes to pull vntounto vsus ſin, our feet hauehave been as wheeles running down along in the wayes of ſinne, and our breaſts hauehave been as cheſts faſt locking vp ſinne. Neither hauehave we ſought to be deliuered out of this bondage, but daily hauehave we thruſt our ſelues further into it, for ſo much as we hauehave not ſhunned, but rather ſought occaſions and prouocations vntounto ſinne. And through a daily cuſtom of ſinning, it is ſo come to paſſe, as that we are inſenſible and without feeling of the heauy weight & burthen of ſinne, it preſſeth not our hearts, it doth not inwardly grieue vsus, we cannot ſacrifice broken hearts and contrite ſpirits vntounto thee, therefore miſerable creatures that we are, who ſhall deliuer vsus from the body of this death? Wee hauehave none in heauen, O Lord but thee, neither hauehave wee any in earth but thee alone, and thou art our Father from euerlaſting. Good Father do thou therefore deliuer vsus, through thy al-ſufficient grace ſanctifie vsus, and through thy infinite mercy in Ieſus Chriſt, ſaue vsus from all our ſinnes. Turne vsus vntounto thee, ſo ſhal we be turned, turne the light of thy countenance towards vsus, ſo ſhall we be filled with ioy and gladneſſe, more then when corne, and wine, and oyle are increaſed. Inlighten our vnderſtandings to ſee more cleerly into thy will, rectifie our wils, that they may be in all things conformable to thy moſt holy will, ſanctifie our affections, that wee may louelove that which thou commandeſt, & hate that which thou forbiddeſt, ſtrengthen our memories, that we may reteine all good things; ſettle our iudgements, that we may not be wauering but firme in the truth, and diſpoſe vsus ſo altogether both in ſoule & body, as that in all our parts, powers, and faculties wee may ſerue thee in new obedience, as thoſe that are borne anew of the holy Ghoſt. Strengthen our weak faith, that we may certainely beleeue thy gracious promiſes of life and ſaluation, that being aſſured of theſe beſt things, and that thou haſt giuen thy deare Sonne Chriſt vntounto vsus, we may truſt in thee for all other things alſo. Inflame vsus with louelove of thy Maieſtie, who haſt done ſo great things for vsus: And becauſe wee cannot better expreſſe our louelove towards thee, then by the louelove of our neighbour, who is after thy image, worke in vsus the louelove of our neighbour, yea euen of thoſe that be our enemies and hate vsus. Send downe from heauen the fire of zeale for thy glory into vsus, ſo that with all earneſtneſſe we may ſeeke to aduance it, let vsus not eſteeme of our owne liues in regard of thy glory, knowing that ſuch as honour and glorifie thee, thou wilt honour them. GiueGive vsus ſinceritie, that in all things we may ſtand before thee, and be vpright. Caſt vsus down with true humility, that in Ieſus Chriſt thou maiſt lift vsus vp, make vsus poore in ſpirit, that thou maiſt inrich vsus with the heauenly inheritance. Temper vsus with patience in aduerſity, whatſoeuer thy holy hand ſhall at any time lay vponupon vsus. Teach vsus to be meek and gentle, according to the example of our Sauiour, that we may find reſt vntounto our ſoules. Make vsus temperate & ſober in the vſe of thy good creatures, holy as thou art holy, heauenly, as our hope is in heauen, innocent and harmeleſſe, in the midſt of this crooked generation, and fruitfull in all good works, to the glory of thy Name. Expell and driue out of vsus whatſoeuer is an enemy to thy ſauing graces, blindneſſe, and ignorance, infidelity and hardneſſe of heart, hatred and enuy, coole and luke-warme affections, hypocriſie and diſsimulation, pride and ambition, impatience and diſcontent, harſhnes and intemperance, prophaneneſſe and worldlineſſe, deceit and oppreſsion, with all other curſed fruits of the wicked fleſh, which hinder vsus that we cannot do thoſe things which we would, and as a violent ſtreame carry vsus captiue to the Law of ſinne. VntoUnto this we are altogether vnable of our ſelues, we know not what to doe, but our eyes are towards thee. Let the eyes of thy compaſsion be therefore opened vntounto vsus, behold our weakneſſe, and put to thy helping hand to ſupport vsus; draw vsus, and ſo ſhall we come vntounto thee. Sanctifie all meanes for our helpe & furtherance, thy Word, Sacraments, Prayer, Meditations, Conference, and the like; eſpecially let thy louelove renewed vponupon vsus this day, ſtirre vsus vp to ſuch an anſwerable meaſure of true thankfulneſſe, as that hereby we may be whetted, and hauehave ſuch a new edge ſet vponupon our deſires, as that we may goe through all hinderances, and with all readineſſe performe our dutie vntounto thee. And foraſmuch, as the night now approcheth, wherein we are to enter into our beds, as into our graues, and there is no power in vsus to riſe any more or to ſaue vsus from death and deſtruction: O bleſſed God, be thou our protector and Sauiour. Beſtow ſuch a competent meaſure of refreſhing by quiet ſleepe vponupon vsus, and ſo ſafegard and defend vsus, as that being preſerued ſafe by thy prouidence, and comforted by thy bleſsing, wee may riſe to morrow more able and willing to ſerue thee in our vocations. And theſe graces we craue as for our ſelues, ſo for thy whole Church, and for eueryevery part and member thereof, eſpecially for theſe Churches, vnderunder the gouernment of our Kings Maieſtie, for his royall perſon, and for all eſtates and degrees vnderunder him. Lord, look not vponupon the crying ſinnes of theſe miſerable times, bring vsus ſpeedily home vntounto thee by true repentance and amendment of life, and for thine owne glories ſake, ſtill let the true religion flouriſh amongſt vsus, & confound all plots and deuices to the contrary. Be pitifull to all our afflicted brethren, be mercifull to all our kindred, and more ſpeciall acquaintance, knitting vsus all together by the firmeſt band of the Chriſtian faith, til being thus coupled together we grow vp to a perfect temple in the Lord, and that onelyonly for the merits of Ieſus thy dearely beloued Sonne, and our infinitely louing Sauiour, and Redeemer. Amen.
A Prayer for the Sabbath, before publike meeting.
O Eternall God, who haſt commanded a double Sacrifice to bee offered euerie morning and euening vponupon the Sabbath day, we thy vnworthy ſeruants here humbled in thy preſence, in obedience to thy commandement, according to our boundē duty, deſire to offer this double Sacrifice of praier in thy houſe, the houſe of Prayer. And we account it no ſmall part of our happines, that we may thus freely, thus often, come into thy holy preſence, for in thy preſence is fulnes of ioy, and pleaſures for euermore. Bleſſed be thy name (O Lord) that wee are yet continued in the Land of the Liuing, and that with our life wee hauehave ſpirituall light, without which, our life were more terrible then death, and that when we hauehave abuſed and walked vnworthy of the light, louing darkeneſſe, and liuing therein, this glorious light is ſtil continued to enlighten our darkeneſſe, and to guide our feete in the way of peace. Good Lord ſanctifie vsus, and diſpoſe vsus now aright, ſeeing by thy prouidence we are this day to aſſemble and meet together in thy houſe, that the beames of this light may ſhine amongſt vsus. Forgiue vsus all our ſinnes, purge, and waſh vsus with the blood of Ieſus Chriſt, that euen as the Iſraelites being waſhed and ſanctified, ſaw thy glorie vponupon the mount, ſo we may be fit to come into the ſame preſence of glory. Diſpell in vsus the thicke clouds of natural dulneſſe, that ouer-ſpread the eye of our mind, ſo that the light, though moſt cleare, cannot breake forth vntounto vsus: remoue that hardneſſe of heart, which maketh vsus inſenſible, and without feeling, either of thy moſt grieuous threatnings, or of thy gracious promiſes: ſuppreſſe in vsus all inordinate affections of anger, malice, hatred, and enuy; emptie vsus of pride, worldlineſſe, vanity and prophaneneſſe, that as new borne babes we may deſire the ſincere milke of thy word, to grow thereby. Put into vsus due conſideration, that we may take heed to our feete when we enter into thy houſe, and not offer the Sacrifice of fooles. Thus diſpoſe vsus (O Lord) to thy publike ſeruice; and becauſe a little leauen leaueneth the whole lumpe, thy Sabbaths are defiled by vanity, and worldly imployment, euen when wee are gone from thy houſe, (mercifull Father) reſtraine vsus here-from, helpe vsus to conſecrate this day, as glorious vntounto thee: and to be ſober in eating and drinking, holy in conference, and talking, heauenly in meditation, ſeeking in all things the beſt edification of our ſelues and others. Open our hands to the neceſsities of our poore brethren, and our hearts to hauehave compaſsion vponupon ſuch as ſuffer, and be in miſery. That in all we may be to the praiſe of thy name, keeping a moſt holy reſt, and in thy good time come to reſt with thee in thy holy mountaine, when eueryevery day ſhall be a Sabbath, and time of vnſpeakable delight vntounto vsus for euer and euer, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord and Sauiour. Amen.
A Prayer for the Sabbath, after publike meting.
MOſt gracious God, the fountaine of all goodneſſe, wee deſire with thankfull hearts to acknowledge, that as at all times, ſo eſpecially this day, euen ſtreames of thy grace hauehave flowed vntounto vsus to refreſh vsus, when we were drie. Thou haſt led vsus to thy houſe, thou haſt ſet thy doore open vntounto vsus, thou haſt heard our prayers and ſupplications made for our ſelues, and for the reſt of thy Church Militant vponupon earth: ſuffer them not (O Lord) to returne empty vntounto vsus, though comming from polluted lips, and hearts full of many imperfections. Receiue them as ſweetned with the precious incenſe of thy Son our Sauiours paſsion, and perpetuall interceſsion. Thou haſt fed vsus there with Manna from heauen, by the miniſtry of thy holy word: thou haſt vouchſafed thy preſence vntounto vsus, filling vsus with ioy & gladnes, thou haſt giuen vsus to belieue, to abhor ſinne, and imbrace thy grace, though we are aſhamed of our inconſtancy, and too little profiting, in regard of the meanes of ſo long a time. O Lord, ſuffer not this to bee as an vntimely birth in vsus, or as the graſſe vponupon the houſe top, that neuer commeth to perfection, but worke in vsus conſtancy and perſeuerance, that where any grace is begun, it may be continued and perfited in the day of the Lord, and where it is not begun, it may be in thy good time. Open our eyes ſtill more and more to ſee thoſe things, that concerne the peace and welfare of our ſoules, that wee may folfow after them. GiueGive vsus grace to conſider the vanity of this world, and of all worldly things, and that the whole duty of man is to feare God and to keepe his commandements, and encline our hearts vntounto theſe, and not vntounto couetouſnes. Let vsus not be forgetfull hearers of thy Word, but carefull doers of thy will; let thy Word dwell plenteouſly in vsus, that as the Scepter of thy Kingdome it may ſway vsus; as immortall ſeed, it may fructifie in vsus; as a ſword, it may cut vp ſinne, and as a pillar of fire, it may guide vsus in the night of this world, till we come to the heauenly Canaan. Forgiue the infirmities of this day, our irreuerence in thy worſhip, our vanity, worldlines, and neglect of ſo precious time. Let not theſe things hinder, but that thy word may become the ſweete ſauour of life vntounto vsus, but that we may be made hereby fruitfull in all good works, to the honour of thy moſt bleſſed name, through Ieſus Chriſt our onelyonly Mediatour and Aduocate. Amen.
A Prayer to be vſed in the time of ſicknes.
MOſt gracious God, who onelyonly ſmiteſt, and art able to heale againe, breakeſt, and art able to binde vp againe, behold with the eye of compaſsion mee thy poore ſeruant, iuſtly broken & ſmitten with thy rod for my tranſgreſsions; behold, I ſay, how I lye at the gate of thy mercy, waiting till thy charitable hand bee ſtretched out to helpe, and comfort mee: I am a wretched ſinner, I confeſſe, O Lord, and whatſoeuer puniſhment thou doeſt inflict vponupon mee, I deſerue tenne thouſand times more at thy reuenging hands, if thou ſhouldſt enter into iudgement with me. In my proſperitie I hauehave waxed wanton, like a ful fed heifer, lifting vp my heele againſt thee; I hauehave giuen my ſtrength vntounto ſinne, and not vntounto thy ſeruice; and although thy word hath been ſounded in mine eares, threatning heauy puniſhments for my ſinnes, yet I flattered my ſelfe in my heart, ſaying, I ſhall neuer bee moued. But hauehave mercy vponupon mee, moſt mercifull Father, for Ieſus Chriſt his ſake, remember not theſe my abuſings of thy mercies againſt mee, but let there bee an healing of my tranſgreſsions and ſins. Open mine eyes to ſee how greatly I hauehave offended, in omitting duties commanded, in committing euils forbidden againſt thee, and againſt my brethren, that all my ſorrow may be turned into ſorrow for ſinne, that the iſſue hereof may bee repentance vntounto ſaluation, neuer to be repented of. And (good Father) bee pleaſed vponupon my vnfained humiliation, and turning vntounto thee, in mercy to turne vntounto me againe, ſpeaking peace vntounto my mourning ſoule, ſaying by thy ſpirit that I ſhall be comforted. And the cauſe of all miſery, ſinne, being remooued out of thy ſight, let my puniſhment be remoued alſo. Remember my frailty, O Lord, how that my ſtrength is not the ſtrength of ſtones, or of iron, that I be not tempted beyond that I ſhalbe inabled to beare. Temper my bitter cup with ſuch faith, patience, and wiſedome, as that I may wiſely, patiently, and with due ſubmiſſion drinke of the ſame, to thy glory, mine owne comfort, and the good example of others. When I am weakeſt, bee thou ſtrongeſt by thy grace in me, and let my prayers in the name of thy deare ſon preuaile, as the wreſtlings of Iacob, for a bleſsing in the middeſt of theſe grieuous troubles. Set the the glory of thy Saints before mine eyes alwaies, that I may the better beare theſe momentany afflictions, which are not to be compared vntounto that ineſtimable ioy. Make me ſtedfaſtly to behold the Lord Ieſus heauy vntounto the death, wounded, bleeding and dying an accurſed death, when hee was altogether without fault or blame, that I may not bee deſpairingly caſt downe, ſeeing that I ſuffer iuſtly for my ſins. GiueGive me a due conſideration of thy wonderfull louelove manifeſted in afflictions, to thy children, that I may reioyce in tribulation, ſeeing that I am puniſhed in this world for my amendement, that I may eſcape the intollerable iudgements of the world to come. Turne mine eyes downward, to ſee how thy holieſt ſeruants, Iob, Dauid and Daniel, with infinite others, hauehave more deeply taſted of this cup of aduerſitie, that I may not grieue to be ſorted with them, who are now in Paradiſe: with theſe & the like heauenly meditations ſo fill my mind, O Lord, that I may beare my infirmities. And deferre not, but make haſt to worke my deliuerance, according to thy promiſe to thoſe that truſt in thee. I beleeue, O Lord, helpe mine vnbeliefe, let it not hinder the working of this gracious work, the freeing me out of this griefe and miſery. Once againe let mee hauehave ſome reſpit from my paine that I may praiſe thee in the land of the liuing, & if through thy mercy I ſhall be reſtored to health and ſtrength, ſo ſanctifie this affliction, as that I may ſay, it is good for me that I hauehave been afflicted, for that I am hereby taught to keepe thy commandements. And here I doe promiſe and vow my ſelfe, O God vntounto thee, if thou ſhalt vouchſafe this mercy, a perpetuall ſacrifice in ſoule and body, to ſerue thee in new obedience for all time to come. If in thy diuine counſell thou haſt determined this to be the end of my fraile life here: O Lord into thy hands I commend my ſpirit, preſerue me to thy Kingdome, to the very laſt gaſpe; let not Sathan come neere vntounto me, ſet a guard of thy holy Angels about me, and ſo aſsiſt me with thy grace, that both in life and in death, vntounto the end and in the end, I may glorifie thee, that my troubles in my bed of ſickneſſe may end in perpetuall reſt in Abrahams boſome, and my grieuous pangs, in euerlaſting ioy, and heauenly ſinging to thee, O King, and to the Lambe that ſits vponupon the throne, who with the holy Ghoſt euer liues and reignes one God world without end. Amen.
Grace before Meat.
O Lord, bleſſe vntounto our vſe thy creatures at this time prouided for our ſuſtenance, that being preſerued hereby and comforted, we may doe thee more laudable ſeruice vntounto thy glory, who art the Author of all good vntounto vsus, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord. Amen.
Or this.
O God, who hath iuſtly curſed the earth, and all things therein for the ſinne of man, pardon our ſinnes, turne away thy curſe, and vouchſafe thy bleſsing vponupon theſe thy gifts, which we are now to receiue: that we vſing them with temperance and thankfulneſſe may obtaine by them refreſhing, and be enabled by them to thy ſeruice, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord. Amen.
Grace after Meat.
COntinuall praiſe be vntounto thee, O Lord, who doeſt continually prouide ſo graciouſly for the feeding of our feeble bodies. Leade vsus hereby to a taſt of our ſpirituall food; ſo that by the helpe of both wee may grow vp in thy ſeruice, both in body and ſoule, till at the laſt we attaine thy heauenly Kingdome, and be for euer glorified both in ſoule and body, through Chriſt our Lord. Amen.
Or this.
MErcifull Father, who neuer ceaſeſt to do good vntounto vsus, though wee neuer ceaſe offending thee, and now more eſpecially haſt renewed thy bounty in feeding vsus with thy bleſsings. Let not the common fruition of thy benefits make vsus commonly, or lightly to eſteeme of them, neither when wee are fed, let vsus wax wanton againſt thee, abuſing our ſtrength to the ſeruice of ſinne. But let thy perſeuerance in goodneſſe, worke in vsus perſeuerance in all dutiful obedience to our liues end, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord, Amen.
FINIS.
End of the text · John Mayer, The English Catechism Explained (1622)