The Whole Duty of Prayer, Part 1 · Subpart 4
Tuesdays▪ Meditations.
O LORD, who on this day madest dry Land, and firm ground to appear; dry up my Tears with the beams of thy Mercy, and give me firm ground of Comfort in thy Word: Thou who on this day Createdst all kind of Seeds, Sow in my heart the incorruptible Seed of thy Sacred writ, that I may thereby be regenerated to a lively, hope: And as on this day Createdst all kind of fruitful Trees, make me, like a good Tree, bring forth good Fruit here, that I may hereafter eat of the Tree of Life, in the midst of the Paradise of God.
LORD, let me enter into a serious Contemplation of the vanity of the World, and the deceitfulness of Riches; the shame of Pleasures, and folly of sports; the in constancy of honours, and danger of greatness, with the strickt account which one day must be given for all: perswade me by thy Spirit, that I have here no abiding City, but ought to seek for one hereafter: and that I am, but a stranger and Pilgrim on this side Heaven.
LET me desire Temporal blessings only for Spiritual ends: Wealth, that I may be Rich in good works; preferment, to advance the honour of the Gospel; Health, and Strength, the better to enable me to do thee service; and length of dayes, that I may Praise thee, in the Land of the Living: O Lord this day, thy Life was sought to be destroyed, seek thou mine, I beseech thee, to save it. This day thou wast anointed to thy death and burial, anoint me with thy Spirit to eternal Life. Save me from the hands of all mine Enemies, that I may serve thee without fear, in holiness, and Righteousness all the dayes of my Life.
Amen.
A Prayer for Tuesday Morning.
O LORD, what am I but Dust, and Ashes; and confess, I am utterly lost, having walked after the vanity of my mind, and lived in all manner of Wickedness; but O, if thou shouldst be extream to mark what is done amiss, O Lord, who were able to abide it? Enter not therefore into Judgment with thy Servant, for in thy sight shall no Flesh living be justified: Though my Sins have magnified themselves in infinite length, breadth, depth, and height, yet let thy Mercy, which passeth all understanding, far exceed them.
AND howsoever, by reason of my Sins, I have justly deserved to be not only deprived of thy blessings, but for ever deserted and forsaken, yet for his sake in whom thou art well pleased; cast me not away from thy presence of Grace here, or glory hereafter, but by the one, lead me to the other, by Holiness; bring me to Happiness. Behold, O Lord, how I am thy Servant, and the Son of thy Hand-maid; O grant me Grace, that I may live with thee for ever.
THOU hast redeemed me, O let me not fall into Captivity and Bondage unto Sin and Satan, but so confirm and strengthen me, that both in life and death, I may continue thine, and never draw back unto Perdition, or forsake thee, the ever-living God, or renounce my Saviour, who hath the Words of Eternal Life; and who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, but that both in Prosperity and Adversity, I may live in thy Fear, die in thy Favour, rest in thy Peace, and reign with thee in thy Glory.
Amen.
A Prayer for Tuesday Night.
O LORD, how often mightest thou cut me off in the midst of my Sins? but thine Eye hath spared me, thou hast given me space of amendment, and Grace to return unto thee, to seek thee whilst thou maist be found, and call upon thee whilst thou art near. O Lord, be not far from me, but draw near unto my Soul; make haste to deliver me, and help me. Thou hast promised to such as call upon thee, to be a present help in Trouble, to be their Shield and Buckler, their Castle and Fortress, and the Horn also of their Salvation.
AND now seeing thou hast brought the Night upon me, wherein thou hast ordained Man to take his rest, keep me, O Lord, as the Apple of thine Eye, save and defend me from Delusions; cause thine Angels to pitch their Tents round about me, and watch over my Soul and Body, that I may not commit any Sin either in Word or Deed, but persevere in Grace until the appearing of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ unto Judgment.
DELIVER me, I beseech thee, from sudden Death, Fears and Affrightments, Casualties by Fire, Water, or Tempestuous Weather, Disturbance by Thieves, or any other Dànger whatsoever; vouchsafe me peace of Conscience, and joy in the Holy Ghost; guide me here by thy Councel, and after that receive me to Glory; let my lying down in the Bed, put me in mind of my resting in the Grave, and my rising from thence, of my Resurrection, that both in Life and Death, I may continue thine, through Jesus. Christ.
Amen.