A Companion for the Penitent, Part 3
AN OFFICE FOR One troubled in Mind.
SCRIPTURES.
Psalm 103. v. 8 to 19,
Ezek. 18. v. 21. to the end
Luke 15.
Psal. 130.
Ezek. 33. v. 11. to v. 20.
1. For Profession of Trouble.
I Am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me. Psal. 119. 22.
Mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up: they are more than the hairs of my head, therefore my heart faileth me. Psalm, 40. 12.
Thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth. Job. 13. 26.
Lord, why castest thou off my Soul? why hidest thou thy face from me?
The Arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poyson whereof drinketh up my spirit: The terrors of God do set themselves in array against me. Job, 6. 4.
Thy fierce wrath goeth over me, thy terrors have cut me off.
While I suffer thy terrors, I am distracted. Psal. 88. 14, 15, 16.
2. Grounds of Comfort.
1. From the Mercifulness of God.
WILT thou break a leaf driven to and fro? and wilt thou pursue the dry stubble? Job 13. 25.
Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?
Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?
Hath God forgotten to be gracious? has he in anger shut up his tender Mercies?
And I said, this is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.
I will remember the works of the Lord, surely I will remember thy wonders of old. Psal. 77. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.
Thou hast always been a God forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Ex. 34. 6, 7.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, he will not always chide, neither will he keep his anger for ever. Psal. 103. 8. 9.
Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity? He retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. Mat. 7. 18.
2. From Promises to the Penitent.
WHen the wicked Man turneth away from his Wickedness, that he hath Commited, and doth that which is Lawful and Right, he shall save his Soul alive.
Because he considereth, and turneth away from his Transgressions that he hath Committed, he shall surely live, he shall not Dye.
Repent therefore, and turn your selves from all your Transgressions, so Iniquity shall not be your Ruine. Ezek. 18. 27, 28, 30.
As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the Death of the Wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn ye, turn ye from your evil wayes, for why will you Dye? Ezek. 33. 11.
Go, and sin no more, then will not I condemn thee. Jo. 8. 11.
Come unto me all ye that Labour, and are heavy Laden, and I will give you Rest. Mat. 11. 28.
This is a faithfull saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the World to save Sinners, of whom I am Chief. 1 Tim. 1. 15.
If any Man Sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous, and he is the Propitiation for our Sins. 1 Jo. 2. 1, 2.
The Blood of Jesus Christ his Son, cleanseth us from all Sin. 1 Jo. 1. 7.
There is therefore now no Condemnation, to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom. 8. 1.
3. From the Compassionateness of our High Priest.
THe Lord Pityeth those that fear him, like as a Father Pityeth his own Children.
For be knows our Infirmityes, he remembreth that we are Dust. Psal. 103, 13, 14.
We have not an High Priest; which cannot be touched with the feeling of our Infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without Sin. Heb. 4. 15.
He was made like unto his Brethren, that he might be a Merciful and Faithful High Priest.
For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are Tempted. Heb. 2. 17, 18.
He can have compassion on (or reasonably bear as in the Margin, with) the Ignorant and those that are out of the way. Heb. 5. 2.
He will not break the bruised Reed, nor quench the Smoaking Flax. Isa. 42. 3.
3. The acceptableness of an Humble Spirit.
THe humble Publican stood afar off, would not so much as lift up his Eyes to Heaven, but smote upon his Breast, saying, God be mercyful to me a Sinner.
I tell you this Man went down to his House justified; rather than the other: for every one that Exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that Humbleth himself, shall be Exalted. Luke. 18. 13, 14.
To this Man will I look, even to him that is Poor, and of a Contrite Spirit, and Trembleth at my word Isa. 66. 2.
I dwell with him, that is of a Con…rite and humble Spirit, to revive the Spirit of the humble, and to revive the Heart of the Contri…e ones. Isa. 57. 15.
He healeth the Broken in Heart, and bindeth up their Wounds. Psal. 147. 3.
4. Of Peace, and Hope, and Joy in God.
PEace I leave with you, my Peace I give unto you. John. 14. 27.
These things have I spoken unto you, that in me you might have Peace. John. …6. 33.
Herein is our Love made Perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment.
Perfect Love casteth out fear, because …ear hath Torment. 1 Jo. 4. 17, 18.
Let all those that seek thce, rejoyce and be glad in thee. Psal. 40. 16.
The fruit of the Spirit, is Joy, Peace, Gal. 5. 22.
The Kingdom of God is Righteousness, and Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghost. Rom. 14. 17.
Finally, my Brethren, rejoyce in the Lord. Phil. 3. 1.
Rejoyce in the Lord always, and again I say Rejoyce.
In every thing, by Prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God.
And the Peace of God, which Passeth all understanding, shall keep your Hearts and Minds through Christ Jesus Phil. 4. 6. 7.
Now the God of hope, fill you with all Joy, and Peace in Believing, that ye may abound in Hope, through the Power of the Holy Ghost. Rom. 15. 13.
Shew the same Diligence every one of you, to the full Assurance of Hope unto the end.
Which Hope, have as an Anchor of the Soul, both sure and Stedfast. Heb. 6. 11. 19.
Rejoyce in Hope. Rom. 12. 12.
Be sober, and Hope to the End. 1 Pet. 1. 13.
Love his appearing. 2 Tim. 4. 8.
Looking for, and hastening unto the comeing of the Day of God. 2. Pet. 3. 12.
Come Lord Jesus, come quickly. Rev. 22. 20.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, &c.
As it was in the Begining, &c.
5. An Hymn of Thanksgiving, after one is Delivered from Trouble of Mind.
The bruised Reed, O! Lord, thou haste not broke, nor quenched the smoaking Flax, Mat. 12. 20.
Thou hast restored unto me the Joy of of thy Salvation, and upheld me with thy free Spirit.
Thou hast made me to hear of Joy and Gladness, that the Bones which thou hadst broken Rejoyce. Psal. 51. 8. 12.
I said I will confess my Transgresions unto the Lord, and thou forgavest the Iniquity of my Sin.
For this shall every one that is Godly, pray unto thee in a Time when thou mayest be found. Psal. 32. 5. 6.
Depart from me all ye Workers of Iniquity; for the Lord hath heard the Voyce of my weeping.
The Lord hath heard my supplication, the Lord will recieve my Prayer. Psal. 6. 8. 9.
He will regard the Prayer of the destitute, and not despise their Prayer.
And this shall be written from the Generation to come; and the People which shall be created shall Praise the Lord. Psal. 102. 17, 18.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, World without end
Amen.
PRAYERS.
1. A general Prayer for one troubled in mind.
O! Righteous Lord, thy Justice hath brought me to reap the bitter fruits of my own evil ways, and *Job. 13. 26.to possess mine iniquities. My sins at length have taken hold upon me, and thou writest bitter things against me, and thy †Psal. 88. 15. 16.fierce wrath goeth over me. Thy Terrors do even distract my thoughts, my Spirit is quite broken within me by reason thereof, †Psal. 40. 12.and my Heart faileth me.
But, O! Gracious God, tho I be troubled and cast down, let me not fall, I humbly intreat thee, into utter despair. Whilst I live, let me not forgoe the hopes of thy Mercy, nor the care of my own Returne to my Duty. When I groan under my Burdens, make me to flee unto thee for ease. When I am terrified with my former Sins, let me make haste to forsake the same, and labour diligently to set my Soul safe by new Obedience. When I am struck with the sting of my own Guilts, enable, me O! Jesu, to look up to thy Cross, and to the merits thereof, and to rest my Heart upon the same by true Repentance. When I am most mistrustful of my self, let me not mistrust thee, nor call in Question any Comfortable Promises of thy free Grace and Mercy.
O! Father, let thy smiteing reclaim and amend me, and then let thy comforts revive me. Let thy Dear Sons most Pretious Blood Expiate all my Sins, and let his Grace cure them. And instead of these most just and deserved Terrors, wherewith thou now takest Vengeance for the same; Lord, let me have thy Mercy to forgive my Sins, and cause me to hear the Voice of Peace, to quiet and Comfort my amazed Conscience, for my only Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ's sake, Amen.
A Prayer for the same, out of the Office of the Visitation of the Sick.
O! Blessed Lord, the Father of Mercys, and the God of all Comforts, I beseech thee look down in pity, and compassion upon me thy afflicted Servant. Thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess my former in iquities thy wrath lyeth hard upon me, and my Soul is full of Trouble. But O! merciful God, who hast written thy Holy word for our Learning that we through Patience and Comfort of thy Holy Scriptures might have hope; give me a right understanding of my Self, and of thy Threats and Promises, that I may neither cast away my Confidence in thee, nor place it any where but in thee. Give me Strength against all my Temptations, and Heal all my Distempers. Break not the bruised Reed, nor quench the smoaking Flax. Shut not up thy tender Mercys in Displeasure; but make me to hear of joy and gladness, that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoyce. Deliver me from fear of the Enemy, and lift up the light of thy Countenance upon me, and give me Peace through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Collect for 21. Sunday after Trinity.
GRant, I beseech thee, Merciful Lord, to me and all thy faithfull People, Pardon and Peace, that we may be cleansed from all our Sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind, through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.
Prayers for Particular Graces.
1. Prayers for a sense of Sins, without Despair of Mercy to Pardon them, or of Grace to cure them.
I.
O! Almighty Lord, make me truly, and deeply humble for my sins, and fully sensible of my own Vileness. Never suffer me so far to loose my fears, as to grow conceited of my self, or Careless of my Duty; nor so far to presume upon thy Mercy and Pardon, when I truly repent of the same, as to cast off a true Dread and Terror of thy Justice, if I should revolt and return to them again.
But deliver me, O! my God, from all such abjectness, as, instead of setting me further off from my Sins, is fit only to keep me a surer Prisoner under them. And whilst I retain so much fear and lowlyness, as will keep up holy care and watchfulness; grant that I may retain so much hope too, as will encourage and strengthen Holy Endeavours, and afford Peace.
And therefore, O! my Dear Lord, when I think the worst of my self, let me not proceed to a Beleif, that I am past all bounds, of being pardoned by thy Mercy, or of being made better by thy Grace. Let me not once imagine when I am fallen, either that it is in vain for me to endeavour to rise again; or, if by thy help I should rise, that there is no hope of my being forgiven.
But when I am most jealous of my self, let me be confident of thee. And together with an humble sense and fear of my Sins, enable me to keep up a sure hope of thy Promises, and a strict care of my own Repentance, and a Comfortable Persuasion of thy Gracious acceptance thereof, for our Lord Jesus Christs sake Amen.
II.
KEEP me always sensible, O! God, that as thou art most justly angred at my Sins; so thou art most easy to be appeased, and reconciled by my true Repentance. And that thou art not more offended with me, whilst I lye down in my folly; than thou wilt be delighted with me, when with the Penitent Prodigal, I shall have come to my self, and returned to my Duty. Let me never forget, that †Luk. 15. 7.there is joy in Heaven over every Sinner that Repenteth; and that whensoever a Sinner turneth away from his iniquity, he shall be sure to find mercy with thee, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.
2. A Prayer for Hopes of Mercy, and of Grace, to encourage Repentance.
MY Heart, O! almighty Lord, is full of trouble, and ought to be so whilst it is fond of sin. But let not my sorrow settle into a neglect of cure, nor my fear grow up into Despair. When I think ill of my self, let me not fall, O! most Gracious Father, to think ill of thee: and after I have grievously affronted thy. Majesty, as I have alass! thro all the course of my life, let me not come now at last to affront and exclude thy Mercy.
My Sins, O! Lord, are many, and great. But my sweet Saviours Merits, and thy Mercys, are infinitely greater. And the Guilt thereof is not too great for thy Mercy to Pardon; nor my proneness to repeat the same, too great for thy Grace to overcome. And therefore, O! Dear God, tho by my former evil life, I have thrown off my Innocence; give me not up therewith, to throw away the thoughts of my own Repentance, nor the hopes of thy Gracious acceptance. Let me not shut that Gate of Mercy upon my self by Despair, which thou hast set open for every truly contrite Sinner; nor neglect by true Repentance to enter in at the same.
†Psal. 130 4.There is mercy with thee, O God! that thou mayest be appeased: And therefore there shall be Repentance with me, and in hopes of thy mercy thou shalt be feared. Tho I have falen, yet, by thy Grace I will not rest under my fall; nor despair of thy Mercy when I am risen; nor of strength by thy Grace, to rise up again. But setting my heart to fear thee, I desire to rest my Soul on the sure hopes of thy Spirit, to perfect my sincere Endeavours, and on the sure Hopes of thy Mercy to Pardon mine Offences, for the merits of thy dear Son, and my only Saviour and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, Amen.
3 A Prayer setting forth the Grounds of Hope thereof.
O! Father of Mercys, be thou my support and stay under all this heavyness and Dejection of my Spirit. And let not thy Mercy, or my Faith fail me, when all things else do.
Tho at present thou art angry with me: yet, O Lord! †Mic. 7. 18.thou retainest not anger for ever, because thou delightest in Mercy. Oh! res…ine thy beloved property towards me, and laying aside thy fierce wrath, shew Pity on me.
Tho I am a wicked, and a wretched Creature, yet, thou art a Mercyful God. †Ex. 34. 6. 7.Thou art a God forgiving Iniquity, forgive that which lyes so heavy upon me. † Thou art *1 Tim. 1. 15.the Saviour of Sinners, save me who am a most Greivous Sinner, and let me not Perish in my Sins.
Thy Mercyes, O! Gracious Father, have been wonderful towards the greatest offenders; such as thy servant David, who was guilty of Adultery and Murther; and Peter, who forsware himself, and denyed his … after; and Saul, who Persecuted and made havock of the Church; yea, and even those wicked Jews, who murdered and Crucyfied the Son of God himself: and they were never shut against any Sinners, who turned to thee with true Repentance. Oh! then let not me despair of that Pardon, which was never yet deny'd to any truly contrite heart in my condition. Let not me imagine, that thou, who art insinite in mercys, hast less mercy in store when I need, than thou hadst for the needs of others. Or that thou, who art a tender Father towards all, and †1 … …. ….Judgest without respect of persons, wilt deny that mercy to my true repentance, which, according to thy gracious Promises, thou didst extend to theirs.
I know, O! God, that I have deserved the severest Punishments. But thy mercy dealeth not with us according to our Deserts. And as my sins have deserved Punishment; So thou, O! Blessed Jesus, hast deserved my Pardon of the same.
Thou *1 10. 2. 2.art the Propitiation for our sins: And thy †1 10. 1. 7.Blood cleanseth us from all sin. Oh! let me not mistrust the sufficiency of thy Sacrifice, to atone for all mine Offences, which expiates the Sins of the whole World. *1 10. 2. 1.If any Man sin, thou art his Advocate with the Father: And let not me imagine that thou canst ever move in vain; or, that whilst thou art ready, yea, sure to intercede in the cause of every other contrite Sinner, thou wilt be silent, and sit still in mine.
Holy Father, have mercy on me. Sweet Jesu, cleanse and save me. Wash away the stain of my Sins, and speak peace to my affrighted conscience, and revive and comfort up my broken Heart: that I may live a monument of thy mercy, and a comfort to poor Penitents and Broken Spirits, who shall hereafter he upheld thereby, and hope for like mercy in their Dejection, as thou shalt have graciously shewed to me in mine, for my Blessed Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christs sake,
Amen.
4 Prayers for Mercy and †For clearer Information about these Favourable allowances, the Devout Petitioner may consult the Practical Believer: or the Articles of the Apostles Creed, drawn cut to form a true Christians Heart and Practice. Part. 2. Chap. 4. And the Measures of Christian Obedience. Parts the 4th. and 5th.favourable allowances, in trying our Services.
I.
BE not extream, O Lord, in marking what I have done amiss, nor deal Strictly and Rigorously with me; but Judge of all my ways with mercy. Thou *Psal, 103. 140knowest our frame, and considerest how weak and frail it is: Oh! make gracious allowances for all the Pityable frailtyes, and forgetfullness thereof.
In pleading my Cause, O Blessed Jesu, shew thy self †Heb. 2, 17. and c. 4. 15. and c. …. 2,a mercyfull High Priest, who canst bear in reason with our Ignorance, and Errors, and canst be touch'd with the secling of our ins…mitys. Stand not upon Rigours in discussing my poor Services, nor reject any good beginnings of thy Grace in my returning Heart. †Isa. 42. 3.Quench not the smoaking Flax, but by the gentle breathings of thy Holy Spirit, quicken it into a pure flame: Nor break the bruised Reed, but in tender care and pity bind it up.
Examine all my ways, and weaknesses, Oh! my God, with the indulgent and compassionate abatements of a Father. Judge me, O! Lord, with the mercy and gentleness of a Saviour. Try me with the favour of one that dyed for me, and seeks at any rate, if it may be done justly and reasonably, to save, not to condemn me.
Be such a Judge, O! blessed Jesu, as will not strain things to my prejudice, but that seeks, as far as it may be done with any fairness, to make the best of my Cause. A Judge, that is ready to make the most of my well meant and sincere Services, and to supply their wants and imperfections, by a gracious acceptance. And to make the least of my Errors and Miscarriages, admitting, and makeing the uttermost of any thing, which can with truth and reason be offered, in abatement, or excuse thereof.
Judge me, O! merciful God, with such condescentions of Love and Mercy, and with such mixtures of favour and equity, as may give poor Sinners, who know they labour under manifold defects and frailties, cause to hope in thee, and comfort to appear before thee. With such, as may make them look up to thee with Peace and Joy, and long †2 Pet. 3. 12. Rev. 22. 20for thy coming; and support them under all the Trvals and Sorrows of this troublesome World, with a comfortable confidence of being received at last into thine everlasting Kingdom, through the Merits and Mediation of Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.
II.
LORD, tho I am still offending thee, yet I dearly love thee. I can never take pleasure in my self, but when I think I have pleased thee. Nay, I hate my self for it, as often as I find that I have offended thee. And I bear thee a Childs obedient Regard and Reverence, tho alass! with too much of the alloy and mixture of a Childs folly and forgetfullness.
Look upon mine offences therefore, I humbly intreat thee, O! Father, as the offences of one who loves thee above all things. Look upon them as the slips of one, whose Heart nevertheless is bent upon thy fear, and devoted to thy Service. But who pays thee this Service under a load of Humane Infirmitys, and much frailty of the flesh. Who at one time is drowsie, at another unwary; who is forgetful in many things, and hasty and inconsiderate in more; who naturally grows weary and remiss, when tryals return often, or continue long; and whose unconstant Temper is too often dull and listless, when it needs to be most active and vigorous; and supine and inadvertent, when it should be most circumspect, and stand most strictly upon its Guard.
But through all this Cloud of mine infirmities, be thou pleased, O! Gracious Lord, to look to my Love and Devotedness to thy Laws: and mercifully accept my Love, and pity my weaknesses. Oh! thou who madest me; Consider, and Pity my frailty, Oh! thou who †Heb. 4. 15.hast bore our infirmities, tho without sin, in thy self, have compassion on them in me. Bear with them, O! Lord, as with the failures and forgetfulnesses of a sincerely affectionate and devoted, tho of a very frail and heedless Servant. Bear with them, O! Father, as with the Errors and Oversights, of a loving and dutiful, tho of a very weak, and frail, and simple Child. And let me have thy Grace to help and guard me against them, as well as thy mercy to pity and pardon them, for my dearest Lord and Saviour Jesus Christs sake,
Amen.
5. A Prayer for a Clear and settled Judgement of our Selves, and of what may establish us in Peace.
O! God, the giver of all wise thoughts, and the light of those that sit in darkness, send forth the light of thy Spirit into my Heart, and scatter those Clouds of Fears and Ignorance, which have been gathering, and settling themselves upon it. Rid me of all confusedness of thoughts; and clear up my mind with just and due apprehensions, both of thee, and of my self. And fix and stablish me, O! Lord, in right Judgements, that when by thy Grace, I am once well resolved in things belonging to my peace, I may not be soon shaken in mind, or easily removed from the same, by any returns of ill grounded and distempered fears, and melancholly suggestions.
Remove from me, if it may please thee, O! Merciful Father, any disorders of a distempered Body, that make me unstable in those just persuasions of thy Grace and Mercy, which should do me good; or that do any otherways cast a Mist before my troubled Spirit. Suffer not my fears for my sins, to encrease so far, as instead of being a help to carry me out of them, to prove a snare to detain me in them, and to hinder me from putting forth my self to do my duty, by holding me under an unprofitable sorrow, and tempting me to despair of mercy.
Lord, fill me plenteously with all those Graces of thy holy Spirit, which must recommend my Soul to thee: and with such comforts of the same, as may sweeten Religion to me, and carry me, instead of spending my self in fruitless complaints, to put forth real endeavours of doing thee Honour and Service, and to lay out my self in ways of thy Glory and of mine own everlasting peace, through Jesus Christ my Lord,
Amen.
6. A Prayer for Recommendation of our Humble fears, to Gods merciful acceptance.
BUT †Psal. 50. 3.tho I am afraid, yet, O! my God, I trust in thee. My fears and mistrusts are only of my self, and of the worthlessness and unacceptableness of mine own Services, or of the insufficiency, or insincerity of my own Repentance; but are not at all a mistrust of thy Promises, or of the certainty of thy mercy towards all true Penitent Sinners.
And let not this lowliness in mine own Eyes, O! Merciful Lord, hinder me from being acceptable in thine. Look graciously upon me, as thou didst upon the poor Publican, tho †Luk. 18. 13. 14.I stand afar off, and dare only call for mercy at a distance, and not lift up so much as my Eyes to Heaven. †Isa. 66. 2. &c. 57. 15.Look upon me, who have a contrite Heart, and despise it not; who am Poor and Tremble at thy word, and according to thy Promise, dwel… with me, and receive my Spirit.
Lord, *Jam. 4. 10.I humble my self before thee, do thou take me up. I humble my self justly, but do thou take me up in mercy. And all my comforts, will I ever most thankfully ascribe to the praise of thy free bounty and Grace, through the merits of my blessed Saviour and Redeemer, Jesus Christ,
Amen.
7. Prayers for Peace, and Hope, and Joyn in God.
I.
O! Blessed Lord, grant that I may both do thy holy will, and take delight in doing it; and have the Comfort, as well as the Guidance of thy Grace. Grant me even now to taste the pleasures, as well as hereafter to reap the Profits of thy Service, that I may both go on therein more cheerfully my self, and may also recommend the same unto others, by shewing a comfortable and joyful spirit in Performance thereof.
O! that no hard or unjust thoughts of thee, may embitter Religion to me. O! that no mistrusts of thy merciful acceptance, may either discourage the course of my sincere obedience, or deprive me of the comforts of the same. Whilst I am labouring sincerely to serve thee, give me the comfort of hope, that thou dost accept me, and let me find the ways of †Pro. 3. 17. Ps. 119. 156. Ps. 33. 37.of righteousness to be ways of Peace, both now and in the end, through Jesus Christ my Lord.
Amen.
II.
Lord, let thy Holy spirit work in me *Gal. 5. 22.Joy and Peace, together with Faith and Righteousness, and other of its blessed fruits. Set up †Rom. 14. 17.thy Kingdom in my heart, as in righteousness, so in Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost. Teach me *Phil. 3. 1. c. 4. 4. 7.to joyce in the Lord; Yea, to rejoyce in him always. Let perfect love, when it increaseth Obedience and chearful Reverence, †Jo. 4. 17.cast out all tormenting fears: and let the Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep my heart and mind, Yea, keep it so sure, that doubtfullness or dispair may never be able to possess themselves thereof any more.
Make my heart to hope in God; yea, *Rom. 15 13.to abound in hope through the Rower of the Holy Ghost. To †Heb. 6. 11. 19.give diligence to the full assurance of hope, and that even to the end. O! that I may have this comfortable hope of thy mercies, as an anchor of the Soul, both sure and steadfast, and may never be driven from the same, by any Storms, or troubles of this World.
Yea, grant O! Lord, that I may *Rom. 12. 12.rejoyce in hope, and †Rom. 15 13.be filled with all joy and peace in believing. That I may 2 Tim. 4. 8. 2 Pet. 3. 12look for thy glorious appearance, and love it, and with desire haste it on. And that in all my Tryals here, I may bear up my self with the comfortable expectation of the same, till at length thou shalt mercifully accomplish my Hope, and turn it into a blessed and everlasting fruition and enjoyment, for my dearest Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
The Person in trouble, may likewise use the Prayers in the Office for Penitents, intituled, A Profession of the fruits of Repentance, and the conditions of forgiveness, p. 29 for the quieting of his mind. And the two Prayers following, for Pardon of Sins, and for Peace of mind and comfort upon the same, as he sees cause.
8. A Prayer against perplexing Doubts and Scruples.
O! Merciful Lord, keep me under such an Holy Fear, as will make me careful not to trust in false ways, nor to swerve from my Duty when I know it. But remove from me perplexing doubts, and unresolvedness about the same, which will either hinder me from doing it at all, or make me do it heavily and with a troubled mind. Let not me indulge them, as true tenderness of spirit, and fruits of thy Grace; but labour against them, as my spiritual diseases, or as Satans Temptations.
Lord, let not me be still disputing what thy holy will is, when I should be doing it; or endlesly doubtful and disturbed to find thy ways, when I should be walking in them; and ever irresolute and still scrupulously deliberating, when I am called out to action
Let me not want knowledge of my duty, so as to disobey thee blindly and securely: Nor true tenderness of Conscience, so as to venture on some things which really offend thee, without remorse, because they seem little to my carnal and corrupt thoughts, or are little accounted of by others.
But after once I have been duely instructed therein, and am tenderly sensible of the same, cause me to be fixed and firmly settled in what I know, and to give up my selfe afterwards chearfully to perform it; not scrupulously to debate a new, and endlesly examine on every occasion, whether I may safely and acceptably do it or no.
O! My God, let faith and knowledge direct my steps, and let Joy and Peace accompany them. Whatever else thou leavest me ignorant of, let me be clear and well resolved about thy ways, and careful with all uprightness to walk therein. Let me not miss here of finding and doing my duty, nor at last of thy eternal mercy, through Jesus Christ my Lord.
Amen.
9. A Prayer, against Prophane mistrust of Divine Truths, and Blasphemous Thoughts.
O! Most gracious God, who by the Power of thy Spirit, art only able to cure the sickness, and to overcome the unruliness of mine; Protect me, I humbly and earnestly intreat thee, against all Prophane Doubts and Mistrusts of thy truths, and against all Blasphemous Thoughts and suggestions about Divine things, which either mine own melancholly fancy, or the busie and wicked adversary, are ready to represent and suggest to me.
Never suffer them, O! God, to stagger or weaken my Faith, nor to hinder or clog my Practice, nor, if thou pleasest, by their wearisom conflicts, to be a pain and burden to my Life. Preserve me, not only from the sin, but, if it may seem good to thy Fatherly Wisdom, from the temptation too, and from the trouble and sorrow of them.
But if it be thy blessed will, to continue these prophane and terrifying thoughts for my Tryal and Humiliation; Lord, make me sensible, and comfort my disturbed Heart with the sense thereof, that it will not be imputed as a sin to me to be tempted therewith, but to yield to the Temptation. And that in thy sight, I am not guilty of the same, whilst I neither believe them, nor give place to them; not altering or abateing, either my Faith, or my Practice thereupon. And that they are the enemies sin, who, to try and tempt me, studiously and wickedly suggests them; not mine, who instead of hearkning thereto and complying therewith, immediately resist them as soon as I perceive them, and cast them out with horror and indignation.
And Oh! that during this tryal, I may learn to depend intirely upon thee without whom I can do nothing. That as often as these prophane thoughts are thrown into my mind, I may find Grace to overcome them, and without the least allowance or delay, to throw them out again. And that I may learn to bear with my self, and to shew Patience under them, as under every other affliction and tryal of thy ordering. Trusting to thy Grace to assist me, and to thy mercy to accept me, whilst I am humbly labouring under the same; and to thy goodness to rid me of them in thy due time, for my Dear Lord and only Saviour Jesus Christ's sake.
Amen.
10. A thanksgiving, for satisfaction and comfort, after one has been troubled in Mind.
O! Merciful Lord, thou hast caused the light to shine out in the midst of darkness, and given me order and clearness, for my former confusedness of thoughts, and setled my trembling and troubled spirit in rest and Peace. Thy Grace has comfortably resolved and enlightned me about thy ways, and set me free from my entangling scruples, and rid me of my dejecting and disquieting fears, by comfortable hopes of thy free mercies in Christ Jesus.
Blessed be thy love, O! Gracious Father, for sending me such seasonable helps and suitable instructors, who by clear representations of things, have happily removed my fears and ignorance. And blessed be thy Grace, for opening my Heart and Eyes, and enlightening and quieting my spirit, by their means. But above all, blessed be thy goodness, for giving us such sweet promises of favour and mercy in Jesus Christ, as may give poor sinners ease of Heart, and humble confidence in thee.
And, Oh! Do thou, who hast now most graciously spoken peace unto my Soul, maintain and keep up clear knowledge, and unswerving righteousness in the same, that it relaps not into guilt and fear, nor be clogg'd and disquieted by doubts and scruples any more. Make me satisfied and settled in a right understanding of all good things, and careful in the observance of them. And let not any busie workings of the Adversary, or of my own melancholly, make me unnecessarily mistrustful, or suspicious, or unduely jealous, either of thee, or of my self. Let me not be fickle and soon alterd, in my Perswasions of thy Love, or in my purposes of thy Service. But fix my heart in thoughts of righteousness, and in the blessings and comforts of Joy and Peace, for our Lord Jesus Christ's sake.
Amen.