The Practice of Piety, Treatise · Part 7
A Prayer for the Morning.
O Most mighty and glorious God, full of incomprehensible Power and Majesty, whose glory the very heaven of heavens is not able to contain:1 Kin. 8. 27. look down from heaven upon me, thine unworthy servant, who here prostrate my self at the aPsal. 132. 7.footstool of thy bHeb. 4. 16. Dan. 9. 18.Throne of Grace. But look upon me, O Father, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, cMat. 3. 17.thy beloved Son, in whom only thou art well pleased. For, of my self, I am not worthy to stand in thy presence, or to speak with mine unclean aIsa. 6. 5.lips to so holy a God as thou art. For thou know'st that inbPsal. 51. 5. sin I was conceived and born, and that I have lived ever since in iniquity: so that I have broken all thy holy Commandments by sinful motions, unclean cGen. 6. 5.thoughts, Mat. 15. 19.evil words, Mat. 12. 34.and wickedPsal. 140. 1, 2. works dDan. 9. 10.omitting many of those duties of Piety which thou requirest for thy service, and committing many of those vices, which thou (under the penalty of thy displeasure)Dan. 9. 11. hast forbidden.Levit. 26. 14, &c.
[Here thou maist confess unto God thy secret sins, which do most burthen thy conscience: with the circumstances of the time, place, person and manner, how it was committed, saying, But more especially, O Lord, I do here, with grief of heart, confess unto thee, &c.]
And for these my sins,Deut. 27. 26. O Lord, I stand here guilty of thy curse, Dan. 9. 11.with all the miseries of this life,Gal. 3. 10. and everlasting torments in hell fire, Esd. 6. 13.when this wretched life is ended▪ if thou shouldest deal with me according to my deserts. Yea, Lord, I confess, that it is thy mercy which endureth for ever, Lam. 3. 22.and thy compassion which never fails, that is the cause that I have not been long ago consumed. But with thee, O Lord, Psal. 130 7.there is mercy and plenteous redemption. Psal. 5. 7.In the mutitude therefore of thy Mercy, Psal. 13. 5.and confidence in Christ's Merits, I intreat thy divine Majesty, that thou wouldst not enter into judgment Psal. 143. 2.with thy servant, neither be extreme to mark what I have hitherto done amiss: for if thou dost, then then can no flesh be justified in thy sight, nor any living stand in thy presence. But be thou merciful unto me,Ezek. 36. 25. and wash away all the uncleanness of my sin, 1 John 1, 9.with the merits of that precious blood, which Jesus Christ hath shed for me. And seeing that he hath born the burthen of that curse, Gal. 3. 13.which was due to my transgressions. O Lord, deliver me from my sins, and from all those judgments which hang over my head, as due unto me for them: and separate them as far Psal. 103. 12.from thy presence, as the East is from the West: bury them in the burial of Christ, that they may never have power to rise up againstCol. 2. 12, 13. me to shame me in this life, Eph. 2. 5. 6.or to condemn me in the world which is to come. And I beseech thee, O Lord, not only to wash away my sins with the blood of thine immaculate Lamb; John 1. 29.but also to purge my heart, by thy holy Spirit,Psal. 51. 7, 10. from the dross of my natural corruption:Gal. 4. 24, 25. that I may feel thy Spirit▪ more and more killing my sin in the power and practice thereof: so that I may with more freedom of mind, and liberty of will serve thee the everlasting God in righteousness Luke 1. 74, 75.and holiness this day. And give me grace, that by the direction and assistance of the same thy holy Spirit, I may presevere to be thy faithful and unfeigned servant untoMat. 24. 13. my life's end: that when this mortal life is ended, I may be made a partaker of immortality, and everlasting happiness in thy heavenly kingdom. In the mean time, O Lord, whilst it is thy blessed will and pleasure, that I may continue to spend, and end that small number and remnant of days, which thou hast appointed for me to live in this vale of misery:Psal. 90. 12. Teach me so to number my days, that I may apply my heart unto wisdom: and as thou dost add days unto my life; so, good Lord, I beseech thee, add repentance and amendment to my days, that as I grow in years, so may I increase in grace, and favour with thee, and all thy people. And to this end, give unto me a supply of all those graces which thou knowest to be wanting in me, and necessary for me with an increase of all those good gifts, wherewith thou hast already endowed me; that so I may be the better enabled to lead such a godly life, and honest conversation, as that thy Name may thereby be glorified, others may take good example by me, and my soul may more chearfully feed on the peace of a good conscience, Rom. 14. 17.and be more replenished with the joy of the Holy Ghost. And hear, O Lord, according to my bounded duty, I give thee most humble and hearty thanks, for all those Bessings which of thy goodness thou hast bestowed upon me. And namely, for that thou hast of thy free love, according to thine eternal purpose, Eph. 1. 4.elected me before the foundation of the world was laid,Mat. 23. 34. unto salvation in Jesus Christ: for that thou hast created me after thine own Image, Gen. 9. 6.and hast begun to restore that in me,Eph. 4. 24. which was lost in our first Parents:Col. 3. 10. for that thou hast effectually called me by the working of thy Spirit, Rom. 8. 28.in the preaching of the Gospel, and receiving of the Sacrament, Mat. 22. 3.to the knowledge of thy saving grace and c1 Pet. 2. 18▪ 19.obedience of thy blessed will for that thou hast bought and redeemed me with the blood of thine only begotten Son, Rev. 5. 9.from the torments of Hell, amd thrall of Satan; for that thou hast by faith in dRom. 3. 28Christ freely justified me,Gal. 2. 16. who am by nature the Child of wrath: Eph. 1. 3.for that thou hast in good measure 1 Cor. 6. 11.sanctified me by thy holy Spirit, and given me so large a time to repent,1 Pet. 1. 2. together with the means of repentance.2 Pet. 3. 9. I thank thee likewise, good Lord, for my life, health, wealth, food, raiment, peace, prosperity and plenty: and for that thou hast preserved me this night from all perils and dangers of body and soul, and hast brought me lafe to the beginning of this day. And as thou hast now wakned my body from sleep; so I beseech thee waken my soul from sin, and carnal security: and as thou hast caused the light of the day to shine in my bodily eyes; so good Lord, cause the light of thy Word and holy Spirit, Eph. 5. 13.to illuminate my heart: and give me grace, as one of thy children of light, Luke 16. 8.to walk in all holy obedience before thy face this day:Phil. 2. 15. and that I may endeavour to keep faith and a clear conscience towards thee, Act. 24. 16.and towards all men, in all my thoughts words and dealings. And so, good Lord, bless all my studies and actions, which I shall take in hand this day; as that they may tend to thy glory, the good of others, and the comfort of mine own Soul and Conscience in that day, when I shall make my final accounts unto thee for them. Oh my God, keep thy servant, that I do no evil unto any man this day: and let it be thy blessed will,Zach. 3. 2. not to suffer the Devil, nor his wicked Angels, nor any of his evil Members, or any malicious enemies, to have any power to do me any hurt or violence. But let the eye of thy holy providence watch over me for good and not for evil: and command thy holy Angels to pitch their Tents Psal. 34. 7.round about me, for my defence and safety, in me going out,Psal. 91. 11. and coming in, as thou hast promised they should do about themPsal. 31. 5. that fear thy Name. For,Luk. 23. 46. into thy hands O Father, I do here commend my soul, and body, my actions, and all that ever I have, to be guided, defended, and protected by thee: being assured, that whatsoever thou takest into thy custody cannot perish, nor suffer any hurt or harm. And if I at any time this day, shall through frailty forget thee; yet Lord, I beseech thee, do thou in mercy remember me. Neh. 13. 31.And I pray not unto thee, O Father, for my self alone, but I beseech thee also be merciful unto thy whole Church, and chosen people, wheresoever they live upon the face of the earth. Defend them from the Rage and Tyranny of the Devil, the World and Antichrist. Give thy Gospel a free and a joyful passage through the world, for the conversion of those who belong to thine Election and Kingdom.
Bless the Churches and Kingdoms (whereinPsa. 51. 18, 19 we live) with the continuance of Peace, Isa. 39. 8.Justice, Psal. 72 15.and true Religion. Defend the King's Majesty from all his Enemies,1 Tim. 2. 2. and grant him a long life in health, and all happiness to reign over us. Bless our gracious Queen Mary, Prince Charles, the Lady Mary, the Lady Elizabeth and her Princely Issue. Increase in them all heroical gifts, and spiritual graces, 1 Tim. 2. 2.which may make them fit for those places, for which thou hast ordained them. Direct all the Nobility, Bishops, Ministers, and Magistrates of this Church and Common-wealth, to govern the Commons in true religion, justice, obedience, and tranquility. Be merciful unto all the Brethren which fear thee, and call upon thy name; and comfort as many among them as are sick, Jam. 5. 15.and comfortless in body, or mind: especially be favourable to all such as suffer any trouble or persecution for the testimony of thy truth,Heb. 11. 36. and holy Gospel: And give them a gracious deliverance 1. Cor. 10. 13.out of all their troubles,2 Tim. 2. 9. which way it shall seem best to thy Wisdom; for the glory of thy Name, the further enlarging of the truth, 2 Corinth. 1. 6, &c.and the more ample increase of their own Comfort and Consolation. Hasten thy coming, O blessed Saviour, and end these sinful days. And give me grace, that like a wife Virgin, I may be prepared with oil in my Lamp, Mat. 25. 1, 2, &c.to meet thee the sweet Bridegroom of my Soul at thy coming; whether it be by the day of Death, or of Judgment: and then, Lord Jesus, come when thou wilt;Rev. 22. 20. even Lord Jesus come quickly. These and all other graces which thou knowest needful and necessary for me, this day and evermore, I humbly beg and crave at thy hands, O Father: giving thee thy glory, in that form of Prayer, which Christ himself hath taught me to say unto thee. Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, &c.
Meditations to stir us up to Morning Prayer.
IF when thou art about to pray, Satan shall suggest that thy Prayers are too long, and that therefore it were better either to omit Prayers, or else to cut them shorter: meditate, that Prayer is thy spiritual sacrifice, Heb. 13. 15, 16.wherewith God is well pleased; and therefore it is so displeasing to the Devil, and so irksome to thy Flesh. Bend therefore thy Affections (will they, nill thy) to so holy an exercise; assuring thy self, that it doth by so much the more please God, by how much the more it is unpleasing to thy flesh.
2. Forget not how the Holy Ghost puts at down as a special note of reprobates: they call not upon the Lord, Psalm 14. 4.they call not upon God. Psal. 53. 4.And when Eliphaz supposed that Job had cast off the fear of God, Job 15. 4.and tha… God had cast Job out of his favour, he chargeth him that he restrained prayer … God: making that a sure none of the … and a sufficient cause of the other. On the other side, that God hath promised, that whosoever shall call on his name shall be saved. Rom. 10. 13.It is certain, that he who maketh no conscience of the duty of Prayer, hath no grace of the holy Spirit in him. For the spirit of grace and of prayer, are one: And therefore Grace and Prayer go together.Zach. 12. 10. But he that can from a penitent heart (morning and evening) pray unto God, it is sure, that he hath his measure of grace in this world; and he shall have his portion of glory in the life which is to come.
3. Remember, that as loathing of meat and painfulness of speaking, are two symptoms of a sick body: So irkesomness of praying when thou talkest with God, and carelesness in hearing, when God, by his Word, speaks unto thee, are two sure signs of a sick Soul.
4. Call to mind the zealous devotions of the Christians in the Primitive Church, who spent many whole nights and vigils in watching and praying for the forgiveness of their sins; and that they might be found ready at the coming of Christ. And how that David was not concentaPsalm 55. 16, 17. to pray at Morning, at Evening, and at Noon, but he would alsobPsal. 119. 62. rise up at midnight to pray unto God. And if Christ did chide his Disciples, because they would notcMat 26. 40. watch with him one hour in praying, what chiding dost thou deserve, who thinkest it too long to continue in prayer but one quarter of an hour? If thou hast spent divers hours in seeing a vain Mask; or Play; yea, whole days and nights in carding and dicing, to please thy flesh; be ashamed to think a Prayer of a quarter of an hour long, to be too long an exercise for the service of God.
5. Consider, that if the Papists in their blind superstition, do in an unknown, and therefore*1 Cor. 14. 14. unedifying Tongue (fit only for the Children ofbGen. 11. 79. Rev. 17. 5. mystical Babylon) mutter over upon theircA superstition. Beads, every morning and evening, so many scores of Ave-Maries, Pater-Nosters, and idolatrous prayers:Qui filo insertis numerant sua murmura baccis. Mant. Alphons. lib. 4. how shall they in their superstitious devotion, rise up in judgment against thee, professing thy self to be a true worshipper of Christ? If that thou thinkest these Prayers to be too long a task, being shorter for quantity than theirs, but far more profitable for quality, tending only to God's glory, and thy good; and so compiled of Scripture phrase, as that thou may'st speak to God, as well in his own holy words, as in thine own native language. Be ashamed, that Papists in their superstitious worshipping of creatures, should shew themselves more devout than thou, in the sincere worshipping of the true and dJoh. 17. 3.only God. And indeed, a prayer in private devotion, should be one eVox continuata, non concila & rupta ut battologia vitetur. Perkins de unic. ration. conc. c. 10.continued speech, rather than many broken fragments.
6. Lastly, When such thoughts come into thy head, either to keep thee from prayer, or to distract thee in praying: remember that those are thefMat. 13. 4, 19. Fowls which the evil one sends to devour the good seed, and the carcases of thy spiritual Sacrifices: but endeavour, withgGen. 25. 11. Abraham to drive them away. Yet notwithstanding, if thou perceivest at some times, that thy spirits are dull, and thy mind not apt for Prayer, and holy devotion: strive not too much for that time; but humbling thy self at the sense of thine infirmity and dulness, knowing that God accepteth the hMat 26. 31.willing mind (tho' it be oppressed with the heaviness of the flesh) endeavour the next time,2 Cor. 8. 12 to recompence this dulness, by redoubling the zeal, and for the time present, commend thy soul to God in this or the like short Prayer.
Another shorter Morning Prayer.
O Most gracious God, and merciful Father, I thine unworthy Servant do here acknowledge, that as I have been born in sin, so I have lived in iniquity, and broken every one of thy Commandments, in thought, word and deed, following the desires of mine own will, and lusts of my flesh, not caring to be governed by thy holy Word and Spirit: and therefore I have justly deserved all shame and misery in this life, and everlasting condemnation in hell-fire, if thou shouldest but deal with me according to thy Justice, and my desert. Wherefore, O heavenly Father, I beseech thee, (for thy Son Jesus Christ his sake, and for the Merits of that bitter Death, and bloody Passion, which I believe that he hath suffered for me) that thou wouldest pardon, and forgive unto me all my sins, and deliver me from the shame and vengeance, which is due to me for them: And send thy Holy Spirit into my heart, which may assure me that thou art my Father, and that I am thy Child, and that thou lovest me with an unchangeable love; and let the same thy good Spirit lead me in thy truth, and crucifie in me more and more, all worldly and carnal lusts, that my sins may more and more die in me; and that I may serve thee in unfeigned righteousness and holiness this day, and all the days of my life: That when this mortal life is ended, I may (through thy mercy in CHRIST) be made partaker of everlasting glory in thy heavenly Kingdom. And here, O Lord, from the bottom of my heart I thank thee for all thy blessings which thou hast bestowed upon my soul and body, for electing me in thy love, redeeming me by thy Son, sanctifying me by thy Spirit, and, preserving me from my youth up, until this present day and hour, by thy most gracious providence.
I tha…k thee more especially for that thou hast defended me this night from all perils and dangers, and hast brought me safe to the beginning of this day. And now (good Lord) I beseech thee, keep me this day from all evil, that may hurt me, and from falli…g into any gross sin that should offend thee. Set thy fear before mine eyes, and let thy spirit so rule my heart, that all that I shall think, do or speak this day, may tend to thy glory, the good of others, and the peace of mine own conscience. And to this end I commend my self, and all my ways and actions, together with all that do belong unto me, unto thy gracious direction and protection; praying thee to keep both them and me from all evil: and to give a blessing to all our honest labours and endeavours. Defend thy whole Church from the tyranny of the world, and of Antichrist: Preserve our gracious King from all conspiracies and treasons: grant him a long and prosperous reign over us. Bless our gracious Queen Mary, Prince Charles, the Lady Ma…, the Lady Elizabeth and her Princely …sue: endue them with thy grace, and defend them from all evil. Bless all our Ministers and Magistrates, with those graces and gifts, which thou knowest necessary for their places. Be favourable to all that fear thee, and tremble at thy judgments: comfort all those that are sick and comfortless. Lord, keep me in a continual readiness, by faith and repentance, …or my last end: that whether I live or die, I may be found thine own, to thine eternal glory, and mine everlasting salvation, through Jesus Christ my only Saviour. In whose blessed name I beg these mercies at thy hands, and give unto thee thy praise and glory, in that pra…er, which he hath sanctifyed with his own lips, saving, Our Father which art in Heaven, hall…d be thy Name, &c.
Further Meditations, to stir us up to Prayer in the Morning.
THink not any business or haste (though never so great) a sufficient excuse to omit prayer in the Morning, but meditate:
1. That the greater thy business is, by so much the more need thou hast to pray for God's good speed and blessing thereon: seeing it is certain, that nothing can prosper without his blessing.
2. That many a Man, when he thought himself surest, hath been soonest crossed, so maist thou.
3. That many a Man hath gone out of his door, and never come in again.Quem dies vidit veniens superbum: Hunc dies vidit fugiens jacentem. Senec. Nescis quid vesper serus vel…t. Varro. Many a Man who rose well and lively in the morning, hath been seen a dead Man ere night. So may it befal thee: and if thou be so careful, before thou goest abroad, to drink, to fence thy body from ill airs; how much more careful shouldest thou be to pray, to preserve thy soul from evil temptations?
4. That the time spent in prayer never hindreth, but furthereth and prospereth a Man's journey and business.
5. That in going abroad into the world, thou goest into a Forest full of unknown dangers, where thou shalt meet many briars, to tear thy good name; many snares, to crap thy life; and my hunters, to devour thy Soul. It is a Field of pleasant Grass, but full of poisonous Serpents. Adventure not therefore to go naked amongst these briars, till thou hast prayed Christ to clothe thee with his righteousness: nor to pass thorow these snares and ambushments, till thou hast prayed for God's providence to be thy guide: nor to walk barefoot through this snaky field, till having thy feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace, thou hast prayed to have still the brazen Serpent in the eyes of thy faith; that so if thou comest not home holier, thou maist be sure not to return worser than when thou wentest out of door.
Therefore tho' thy haste be never so much, or thy business never so great; yet go not about it, nor out of thy doors, till thou hast at least used this, or the like short Prayer.
A brief Prayer for the Morning.
O Merciful Father, for Jesus Christ his sake, I beseech thee, forgive me all my known and secret sins, which in thought, word or deed, I have committed against thy Divine Majesty, and deliver me from all those judgments, which are due unto me for them: and sanctifie my heart with thy holy Spirit, that I may henceforth lead a more godly and religious life. And hear (O Lord) I praise thy holy name, for that thou hast refreshed me this night with moderate sleep and rest. I beseech thee likewise defend m… this day from all perils and dangers of body and soul. And to this end I commend my self, and all my actions un…o thy blessed protection and government: beseeching thee, that whether I live or die, I may live and die to thy glory, and the salvation of my poor soul, which thou hast bought with thy precious Blood. Bless me therefore, O Lord, in my going out, and coming in; and grant that whatsoever I shall think, speak, or take in hand this day, may tend to the glory of thy name, the good of others, and the comfort of mine own conscience, when I shall come to make before thee my last accounts. Grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ thy Son's sake: In whose blessed Name I give thee thy glory, and beg at thy hands all other graces which thou seest to be needful for me, this day and ever, in that prayer which Christ himself hath taught me, saying: Our Father, &c.