The Practice of Christian Graces, Part 4 – Part 5
A brief Paraphrase of the LORDS PRAYER To be used as a Prayer.
[Our FATHER which art in Heaven.]
O Lord, who dwellest in the highest heavens, thou art the Author of our being, thou hast also begotten us again unto a lively hope, and carryest towards us the tenderness and bowels of a most compassionate father, O make us to render to thee the love and obedience of children; and that we may resemble thee our father in heaven (that place of true delight and purity) give us a holy disdain of all the deceitful pleasures and foul pollutions of this world, and so raise up our minds that we may alwayes have our conversation in heaven, from whence we look for our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ.
[1. Hallowed be thy Name.]
Strike such an awe into all our hearts, that we may humbly reverence thee in thy Name, which is great, wonderful, and holy, and carry such a sacred respect to all things that relate to thee and thy worship, as may express our reverence of thy great Majesty: Let all the people praise thee, O God, let all the people praise thee.
[2. Thy Kingdome Come.]
Establish thy throne and rule for ever in our souls, and by the power of thy grace subdue all those rebellious corruptions that exalt themselves against thee, they are those enemies of thine which would not that thou shouldst reign over them, O let them be brought forth and slain before thee, and make us such faithful subjects of this thy Kingdome of Grace, that we may be capable of thy kingdome of glory, and then Lord Jesus come quickly.
[3. Thy Will be done in earth, &c.]
Enable us by thy grace cheerfully to suffer thy will in all thy inflictions, and readily to perform it in all thy commands, give us of that heavenly zeal to thy service, wherewith the blessed Angels of thy presence are inspired, that we may obey thee with the like fervor and alacrity, and that following them in their obedience, we may be joyned with them to sing eternal praises in thy Kingdome to God, and to the Lamb for ever.
[4. Give us this day our daily bread.]
Give us that continual supply of thy grace, which may sustein and nourish our souls unto eternal life. And be thou pleased also to provide for our bodies all those things which thou seest fit for their support, through this our earthly pilgrimage, and make us cheerfully to rest on thee for them, first seeking thy Kingdome and the righteousness thereof, and then not doubting but all these things shall be added unto us.
[5. Forgive us our Trespasses as we forgive them, &c.]
Heal our souls, O Lord, for we have sinned against thee, let thy tender mercies abound towards us, in the forgiveness of all our offences; And grant O Lord, that we may never forfeit this pardon of thine, by denying ours to our brethren, but give us those bowels of compassion to others which we stand in so much greater need of from thee, that we may forgive as fully and finally upon Christs Command, as we desire to be forgiven, for his merits and intercession.
[6. Lead us not into Temptation but deliver, &c.]
O Lord, we have no strength against those multitudes of temptations that daily assalt us, onelyonly our eyes are upon thee, O be thou pleased either to restrain them or assist us, and in thy faithfulness suffer us not to be tempted above that we are able, but in all our temptations make us a way to escape that we be not overcome by them, but may when thou shalt call us to it, resist even unto blood▪ striving against sin, that being faithful unto death, thou mayest give us the crown of life.
[For thine is the Kingdome, the Power, &c.]
Hear us and graciously answer our petitions for thou art the great King over all the earth whose Power is infinite and artable to do for us above all that we can ask or think, and to whom belongeth the Glory of all that good thou workest in us or for us. Therefore blessing, honour, glory and power be unto him, that sitteth upon the throne, to our God, for ever and ever. Amen.
PIOUS EJACULATIONS Taken out of the Book of PSALMS.
For PARDON of SIN.
HAve mercy on me, O God, after thy great goodness, according to the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences.
Wash me throughly from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sin.
Turn thy face from my sins, and put out all my misdeeds.
My misdeeds prevail against me, O be thou merciful unto my sins.
Enter not into judgment with thy servant, for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
For thy names sake, O Lord, be merciful unto my sin, for it is great.
Turn thee O Lord and deliver my soul, O save me for thy mercies sake.
For GRACE.
TEach me to do the thing that pleaseth thee, for thou art my God.
Teach me thy way O Lord, and I will walk in thy truth, O knit my heart to thee, that I may fear thy name.
Make me a clean heart O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
O let my heart be found in thy statutes, that I be not ashamed.
Incline my heart unto thy Testimonies, and not to covetousnesse.
Turn away mine eyes, least they behold vanity, and quicken thou me in thy way.
I am a stranger upon earth, O hide not thy Commandments from me.
Lord teach me to number my dayes, that I may apply my heart unto Wisdome.
For the LIGHT of Gods COUNTENANCE:
LOrd, why abhorrest thou my soul, and hidest thy face from me, O hide not thou thy face from me, nor cast thy servant away in displeasure.
Thy loving kindnesse is better then life it self.
Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon me.
Comfort the Soul of thy servant, for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my Soul.
THANKSGIVING.
I Will alwayes give thanks unto the Lord, his praise shall ever be in my mouth.
Thou art my God, and I will thank thee, thou art my God and I will praise thee.
I will sing unto the Lord, as long as I live, I will praise my God whilest I have my being.
Praised be God which hath not cast out my prayer, nor turned his mercy from me.
Blessed be the Lord God, even the God of Israel, which onelyonly doth wondrous things.
And blessed be the Name of his Majesty for ever, and all the earth shall be filled with his Majesty; Amen, Amen.
For DELIVERANCE from TROUBLE.
BE merciful unto me, O Lord, be merciful unto me, for my Soul trusteth in thee, and under the shadow of thy wings shall be my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.
Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies, for I flye unto thee to hide me.
O keep my Soul, and deliver me, let me not be confounded, for I have put my trust in thee.
Mine eyes are ever looking unto the Lord, for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me, for I am desolate and in misery.
The sorrowes of my heart are enlarged, O bring thou me out of my troubles.
For the CHURCH.
O Be favourable and gracious unto Sion, build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
O God, wherefore art thou absent from us so long? Why is thy wrath so hot against the sheep of thy pasture?
O think upon thy Congregation, whom thou hast purchased and Redeemed of old.
Look upon the Tribe of thine Inheritance, and Mount Sion where thou hast dwelt.
It is time for thee, Lord, to lay to thy hand, for they have destroyed thy Law.
Arise, O God, and maintain thine own cause.
Deliver Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.