The Whole Duty of Prayer, Part 1 · Subpart 7
Meditations for Friday.
THIS day the first Man Adam, was made a living Soul, and Christ the second Adam, was made a quickening Spirit; this day he Sinned in a garden, and this day the Saviour of the World sorrowed in a Garden: he took upon this day, the fruit of the forbidden Tree, and thou, O Blessed redeemer wert hung▪ upon the accursed Tree; this day, Adam, was cast into a deep sleep, and his Wife Eve was formed of his rib, flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bone; likewise was the Son of God cast into a deadly sleep, and his Side was pierced with a Spear, from whence sprung out two blessed Sacraments, the water of regeneration, and the blood of Expiation and Sanctification.
THIS day our first parent borught the curse upon himself, and all his posterity; but thou, O God hast provided an everlasting Blessing for thy self, and all thy Members; thy Law, O God, is just, holy, and pure; but I am wicked, profane, and impure: That Medicine is for the most part the best, which the Patient least approves of, because it exasperates the pain for a time. Have I the less affection for the most holy Faith, because it restraineth my carnal Liberty, and abridgeth me of Worldly Contentments? Have not I a Law in my mind which opposeth the Law of my members? And is it not much better to Sow unto the Spirit, thereunto the flesh, which produces only Corruption?
IS it not as easie for thee, to raise me out of ashes, as at the first to raise me out of the dust? To send back my Spirit into my Body, as at the first to breath it in? I behold the Seed in the Earth, the plants in the Garden, dye before they spring forth: I see Wormes and insects, that spend the Winter season in a kind of death, yet revive in the Spring; I know, I am my self dead in sleep every▪ Night, but alive in the Morning: Why then should I call in question any one Article of my Belief, but humbly say, Lord, I believe help thou my unbelief.
A Prayer for Friday Morning.
O LORD God, maker and governour of all things both in Heaven, and Earth, I come unto thee, with a broken and a contrite Heart, lamenting my Sins, and seeking to find Comfort at thy merciful hands: Lord, thou knowest my grief, my anxity, and care, Oh let me feel thy comforts to refresh my Soul: Be with me this day in all my worldly affairs, and let thy holy Spirit evermore defend me and preserve my integrity, that I may be acknowledged thine at the last day.
I YEILD thee all laud and praise, for thy preservation of me this night past, and for safely bringing me to behold the glorious light of this day: Lord, excite my heart, that I may express my thankfulness, by my serviceable obedience, preserve and keep me from Sin, and all irregularities both of Soul and Body: Mortifie all my Corruptions and sensual Appetites, and purge me throughly from filthiness both of flesh and Spirit, that I may perfect holiness in thy fear.
STRENGTHEN me against all the vanities of the world, the lusts of the Flesh, the lusts of the Eyes, and the Pride of life; and give me Grace to employ this day, and the remainder of my Life, in all peace and purity, sanctity and sobriety, to thy Glory, the good Example of others; and finally, the Salvation of my own Soul. This, and whatsoever for want of memory I have omitted, I humbly beg in the Name of thy▪ dear Son, and my alone Saviour and Redeemer.
Amen.
A Prayer for Friday Night.
O GOD, thou camest into the World to save Sinners, behold me, I beseech thee, the vile… of them; but wash! oh! wash away all my sins in the Blood of thy Son, sanctifie my Nature, abolish my Corruptions; guide me here by thy Councel, and after that receive me into Glory: Keep me now, and ever, send me a quiet repose, and grant that lying down to rest, I may rise again in thy peace, and walk in thy fear, that so the succeeding day may learn me to grow Wise, and for ever Glorifie thy Holy Name.
INSPIRE me, O Lord, with the Spirit of sweet Consolation, and though sleep is the Image of Death, and my Bed as the Grave, yet suffer me not to perish suddenly, or unprepared, but watch over me for good, guide me now, and evermore, let no appalements disturb me, keep me from Fire, Storms, Tempests, Thieves, sudden Death and Danger; cause thine Angels to pitch their Tents round about me, my House and Habitation, and preserve all that is near and dear unto me. [Here name your particular Friends]
REMEMBER thy Church, and every Member of it, have pity on the poor afflicted Protestants in all parts beyond the Seas, who suffer for the Testimony of their Faith and a good Conscience; send them help from thy Holy place, and evermore mightily defend them; be unto them a Sun and a Shield, a Sun to Comfort, and a Shield to defend them to all Dangers and Tribulations; put a period unto all their afflictions, and in …hy good time vouchsafe them a happy Deliverance. Lord, receive them and me, and all that appertain unto me, this Night and for ever, into thy Gracious protection, through the Mediation of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.