The Whole Duty of Prayer, Part 1 · Subpart 6
Meditations for Thursday.
LOrd Teach me of what Spirit I am, or should be; even of that which descended upon thy Son in the likeness of a Dove, without gall: By this Spirit mortifie in me the Lusts and affections of the Flesh, such as envy, wrath, and revenge; by the still small voice, in which thou discoursest with Elias, let me ob…erve, that thou art not in the fire of my rage, nor in the storm of my Passion, but in the soft gale of Grace. Thou, didst on this day replenish the Sea, and Rivers with Fish, and the Ayr with Fowls, in Shapes admirably various, and in number almost infinite; stir me up by this Consideration, to admire thy power; and Wisdom in thus enriching this vast and seeming solitude.
BLESSED Lord, who this day madest the Waters fruitful, let thy Spirit move upon the waters of my Tears that they may abound in the fruits of Repentance, and be blessed in the encrease of Spiritual Consolation. This day thou Commandest the Fowls to fly through the Ayre, lift up my Soul from ths Earth, with the wings of Faith and hope, that She may mount up, towards Heaven…: Make me light and cheerful, after my heavy Sorrows and afflictions, and though I have been, as if I had layen among the Pots, yet I may be by the Grace of thy Spirit, like that Dove, whose wings are Silver, and her feathers like Gold.
FOR my light and momentary Afflictions are no way worthy the Glory that shall be revealed unto me hereafter: And for the present, what are Afflictions, or Crosses, or Persecutions, but the common lot of thy Children, when I am thus chastned, I am Judged of thee, that I may not be Condemned of the World. How can I ever forget thee, who rememberest me at all times, and in all places;
Amen.
A Prayer for Thursday Morning.
O LORD God, who dwellest in that light which no mortal Eye can approach; yet beholdest in MercieMercy the Sons and Daughters of Men; thou makest the outgoings of the Morning full of thy Glory, and causest the Sun to shine upon the just and the unjust, mercifully chasing away the darkness of the Night and shadow of Death: I praise thy holy Name that thou hast vouchsafed me to pass this Night in rest and quietness, and hast brought me safe to the beginning of this day.
I HUMBLY beseech thee, by the holy incarnation, and blessed Nativity of thy Son Jesus Christ, the thrice happy day Star that appeared to the World, let thy Mercy this day rest upon me, and the bright beames of thy heavenly light shine forth in the dark corners of my heart, that I may not be transported either through the Corruption of my Nature or the power of darkness to spend this day after my own perverse will and pleasure, but carefully perform thy holy will, willingly, speedily, and constantly.
INCREASE in me, O Lord, the gift of faith, and hope, that I may believe thee, and relie on thy merciful▪ promises made unto me, in Christ Jesus bless my Body and Soul, that no evil happen to them, and preserve my memory and senses that they pass not the limits of reason and understanding: Enlighten my mind, O Lord, to look upon good things, inflame my heart with the love of them, and conduct me with thy Grace, that as thou hast raised my Body from sleep so my Soul may daily be raised from Sin, and Soul, and Body, and Spirit, may be renewed in Righteousness to serve thee, the Living God for evermore.
Amen.
A Prayer for Thursday Night.
O Lord God, great in Mercy, and constant in truth; I acknowledge, and do here in all humility offer unto thy Divine Majesty my duty of praise, and thanksgiving for all thy manifold Graces and benefits bestowed upon me; and though I am unable to recount them; and much unworthy to be a partaker of them, yet in full assurance of thine unspeakable love, I presume to come unto thee, and now again commit to thy almighty protection this night, my Soul, and Body, with all its Faculties; beseeching thee to keep them day and night, blameless and undefiled, against the day of thy coming.
LORD, pardon, and forgive, whatever Sins I have wretchedly effected, or wickedly imagined against thee, or my Neighbour: O lay not the faults and frailties of my Youth unto my charge, but forget, O Lord, and forgive, and cancel the hand writing that is upon the wall, which will be ready to witness against me; strike my Heart with an awe of thy fear, that I may labour to escape thy threatnings, and give me the comfort once more of thy Salvation.
GRANT, O Lord that I may this night quietly rest under the shadow of thy Wings, free from fears, dangers, and Spiritual darkness; and when the dark end of this mortal life is approached, grant me, O Lord a vigilant Heart, freely disposed to abandon all transitory things, and depart hence in the Peace of a good Conscience, into thine everlasting rest, through Jesus Christ, my Lord, and Saviour.
Amen.