The Whole Duty of Prayer, Title page 1 – Part 1
THE Whole Duty OF PRAYER, Containing DEVOTIONS FOR Every Day in the Week, AND FOR Several Occasions, Ordinary and Extraordinary. By the Author of The Whole Duty of Man. Necessary for all Families.
Psal. 65. 2.
O thou that hearest Prayers unto thee shall all flesh come.
London, Printed for I. P. and sold by Ric. Ianaway, in Queens-Head-Alley, in Pater-Noster-Row. 1692.
THE Preface.
I Need not Recommend this small Manual to the World, since it hears the Name of so Learned an Author, whose Works have given sufficient demonstration of his Worth and Excellency, and will to his lasting Honour be venerated in all Ages.
This Pattern of Piety hath lay concealed for many years, and was at first Dedicated to the service of an honourable Lady, in whose Cabinet it hath been choicely kept as one of her precious Iewels; it was never design'd for the Press, by reason the Reverend Authors Modesty should not be offended.
Upon her Bed of Mortality, she was pleased to honour me so far, as to commit it to my Care, with a particular Charge not to publish it; but one of her Mercenary Servants, by their vigilant Industry, had Plagiary-like, got a Transcript, and since this Pious and Honourable Persons Decease, did design it for the Press, being unwilling so much Injustice should be acted against so Worthy a Person, I was forced to Cancel my Obligation, and to hand with all speed the Original to be Printed, that I might prevent any Surreptitious Copy.
What Alterations I was forced to make, was leaving out the Praying for our Royal Ancestors, and placing in our Royal Soveraign Lord and Lady, King William and Queen Mary, &c. Some additional Prayers I thought proper to insert, as Thanksgiving for His Majesties Safe Return, and the Success of his Royal Navy and Armies, a Duty enjoyned on the Church in Publick, and ought to be the Duty of every Christian in Private. Lastly, I have added some few Graces which may be necessary for Minor Christians; I shall now conclude with the Words of St. Paul to Timothy, 2 Epistle, 2 Chapter, Verse the 7th. Consider what hath been said, and the Lord give thee Understanding in all things.
G. B.