A Preservative of Piety, Prayers
A Family-Prayer for the Morning.
FAther of Mercies, and God of all Comfort (a)2 Cor. 1.3.; All thy works praise thee, and thy Saints bless thee (b)Psal. 145.10.; of that number we that are here before thee desire to be, and therefore come into thy presence, to acknowledge that all the good we have cometh from thee; and therefore, that all our praises are due unto thee. Help us, we beseech thee, in an acceptable manner to pay this debt, and to perform this duty of Thanksgiving; wherein, in the first place, we wonder at the riches of thy free grace, whereby thou hast been pleased, from all Eternity, to elect and choose a company of the sons and daughters of men for thine own portion, fore-ordaining and appointing them to Grace here, and to everlasting Glory in Heaven (c)Ephes. 1.4.11.: And we bless thee exceedingly for any testimony we have, that we are in the number not only of the called, which are many, but of the chosen, which are few (d)Mat. 22.14.. We praise thee also for creating us after thine own Image, and giving us life and breath (e)Act. 17.25.: for, How could we have had an everlasting well-being hereafter, if we had not had a being here? But amongst, and above all, we give thee all possible thanks for that great and admirable work, of Redemption (f)Ephes. 1.7. 1 Pet. 1.18., wrought by the Lord Jesus Christ for the Salvation of Mankind, utterly lost and undone in and by the sin of our first Parents: whereupon it is come to pass, that whereas, at first, we were made righteous (g)Eccles. 7.29., now there is none righteous, no not one (h)Rom. 3.10., but our Understandings are full of darkness; our Consciences, of deadness and defilement; our Wills, of perversness; our Affections, of distemper; our Conversation, of disorder; yea, every way we carry about with us naturally abundant matter of condemnation, nor can Men or Angels help us; but, blessed be thy Name (O God) that thou hast been so pitiful and of so tender mercy, as to lay help upon. One that is mighty (i)Psal. 89.19., and that is able to save to the uttermost, those that come unto God by him (k)Heb. 7.25.. O How many be there, that neither have, nor hear of, this mercy? Great is thy goodness therefore, (which we do with all our hearts acknowledge) that we live in thy Church, and therein enjoy those lively Oracles and Ordinances, wherein, as, all other truths, necessary to Salvation, are made known unto us; so, more especially, the Doctrine, and benefit of the great work of Redemption, is fully revealed, and freely offered, and that with all powerful motives to perswade our hearts, to accept of that gracious offer for our own good; yet, considering, how many there are in the Church unto whom the Lord Jesus may say [I would, and ye would not] we cannot but reckon it a singular favour that any grace is bestowed on any of us by the means of grace vouchsafed unto us, and for any gratious change which thou hast wrought in us; for it is God that worketh in us both to will and to do, of his good pleasure (l)Phil. 2.13.. But, besides all these, our hearts are glad, our glory rejoyceth, and our tongues (that should be our glory, by setting forth thy glory) do, with all our hearts, praise thee for the unconceiveable glory and happiness reserved in Heaven for all those, who through the abundant mercy of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, are begotten again unto a lively hope through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (m)1 Pet. 1.3, 4., which assureth us that all is done and suffered which was necessary to keep us from being undone, and to recover us unto a state of perfect blessedness. Meanwhile, we confess unto thy praise (O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel) how good thou art unto us even in this present evil world, in that we have the benefit of our Understandings, Senses, and Members, (which divers want) and of Health, Liberty, credit, maintenance, success in business, recovery from sickness, vouchsafed to us above many other of thy dear Servants; We bless thee for preserving us in so many dangers, for removing so many of our fears, for granting so many of our desires, and for not granting what we have desired amiss. We praise thee for watching over us by thy good Providence from time to time; in particular, for the late mercy of the night past, and the new mercy of the present morning (n)Lament. 3.23., for we are less then all thy mercies, then a nights rest, or a mornings refreshing; yea, our sin, and unworthy walking before thee, is such, (which here we freely confess unto thee) as that it were just with thee, that all thy favours should be turned into frowns, and that thou shouldest do us hurt and consume us, after thou hast done us good (o)Josh. 24.20.. But with thee there is mercy that thou mayest be feared, Let us have occasion to fear thee, reverence thee, and admire thee; and to say [Who is a God like unto thee (p)Mic. 7.18.?], how incomparably good is our God? by pardoning the transgressions and continuing the comforts of such sinful and worthless creatures as we are? Let it ever repent us (O Lord) of our ill dealing with thee; but let it never repent thee of thy gratious dealing with us. This day, in special, let thy goodness towards us appear, in keeping us from any evil thing to which we shall be more inclined or more tempted; and in making us ready to, and able for, every good word and work, to which of our selves, we shall be more unable, indisposed, and unprepared; or wherein, by tentation, we shall be more hindred. Guide us (O Lord) in the right way, and therein Guard us: let us undertake no business, but, what thou approvest, and in that do thou bless and prosper us: especially, we humbly crave thy protection, all the day, in those works and wayes wherein there are more dangers, and hazards. Preserve us (we beseech thee) from vile and vain thoughts when we are alone (q)Jer. 4.14., from idle words when we are in company (r)Mat. 12.36., and from an empty carriage and unprofitable expence of time (s)Ephes. 5.15, 16., whether we be alone, or in company. And since thou hast appointed man to labour (t)Gen. 3.19., and the day, to labour in (u)Psal. 104.23.: Keep us (we pray thee) from idleness and neglect of our Callings; from infidelity, and depending on our labour and industry; from discontent, if we live hardly by it; and from intemperance, state-pride, covetousness, and worldly confidence (x)Psal. 62.10., if we thrive and prosper in it. Let all our dealings (through thy grace, O God, that art the God of all grace) be just and equal, without over-reaching (y)1 Thes 4 6.; and, as there shall be occasion, let us be charitable, according to our ability, without grudging (z)2 Cor. 9.7.; And be pleased to set and keep our hearts in so good a frame, that, notwithstanding our worldly occasions, We may be watchful to do, and ready to receive any spiritual good; and let our desire be to be in that company that will give occasion of both, with the shunning not only of wicked, but unprofitable Society. Enable us, we humbly pray thee, to adorn our Profession, by providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but in the sight of men (a)2 Cor. 8.21.. Let thy fear (O God, who art great and terrible) be upon our hearts, and before our eyes all the day long (b)Prov. 23.17., that so we may presume to do nothing which it will, or should, grieve us to think upon at night; Let there be cause rather to bless thee in the Evening, as for thy goodness toward us, so for some goodness in us, and that the day hath not passed without using our Talents so, as to bring in some advantage to our great Lord; mean-while, being here before thee, to confess how good thou art, every way, unto us, we would not go out of thy presence without praising thee our most merciful God, for ordaining such peace for us (c)Isa. 26.12., as that we may with safety both abide at home, and go abroad, about all our occasions. It is of thy great goodness, that we are not forced to go in by-ways for fear of violent men, but the high-wayes are freely occupyed, and we have cause to rehearse the righteous acts of the Lord towards the Inhabitants of his Villages (d)Judg. 5.7.11., who now dwell without fear, in such undefenced places. In special, we bless thee our gracious God for that Government whereby we enjoy this peace and liberty; humbly beseeching thee to settle still amongst us, and ever to preserve over us, a religious and righteous and rightful Magistracy for our present tranquillity and felicity. And ever to establish amongst us an able and faithful Ministry, for the saving of our souls and our everlasting happiness in the day of the Lord Jesus; for whom we bless thee; in whom we enjoy, and joy in thee (e)Rom. 5.11.; and to whom with thee, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, we acknowledged to be due, and desire from our souls to give all Glory, Majesty, Dominion and Power, now and evermore, Amen.
A Family-Prayer for the Evening.
O Most holy and most glorious Lord God, we poor and polluted creatures acknowledge our selves altogether unworthy to be admitted into thy presence so much as to confess our sins; yet since thou art pleased to offer thy self unto us in Jesus Christ under the name of a Father, assuring us, that If we confess our sins, thou art faithful and just to forgive us our sins (f)1 Joh. 1.9.; we are therefore bold, in him, to come before thee, confessing (O Father) that whereas, at first, we were made very good (g)Gen. 1.31. & v. 26., and very like God: Now, through our own fault and fall, every one of us is shapen in Iniquity, and in sin did our mother conceive us (h)Psal. 51.5.; And besides this corruption of nature (enough, of it self, to condemn us), Against Thee, Against thee only (i)Vers. 4.(for there is but one Law-giver (k)Jam. 4.12.,) have we sinned in the whole course of our lives. Justly, (O Lord) mayest thou draw up an heavy charge against us for our sins of omission (upon which our Saviour will pass his last Sentence (l)Mat. 25.41, 42, &c,) for we cannot but acknowledge that we have left, made light of (m)Mat. 22.5., and (like leaking vessels) let slip (n)Heb. 2.1., many Sermons; Our fruits (after much seed sowen) have been so few, that we deserve our stripes should be many (o)Luk. 12.47.; unto which this other evil is added, that we have often sleighted the Lords Supper, either by not caring to receive it, or by neglecting to prepare for it. We have idled away also, or profaned many Sabbaths; at least, we have gone heavily under the service of that day which we should call a delight (p)Isa. 58.13.: And whereas heart-searching is exceeding needful for the well-ordering of our hearts and lives, we confess, that many examinations of our hearts and wayes, for which thou hast hearkened (q)Jer. 8.6., we have neglected; yea, though this duty of Prayer (by our selves, and in our Families) be so needful, so beneficial, and such an al-sanctifying (r)1 Tim. 4.5.service, yet, for a long time, either we have been very careless and mindless of it, or else, careless and heartless in it; But besides all these omissions and neglects of duty, we do further confess, that we have committed much evil, and been guilty of much Rebellion against thy Majesty; yielding ordinarily unto Satans temptations (who never ceaseth to put fair colours upon the forbidden fruit); rushing (often) into evil company, and partaking with them in the unfruitful works of darkness; and, when we have been alone, sadly and securely satisfying the lusts of our evil and distempered hearts, especially, in the evils more pleasing and sutable to our sinful natures; In regard of all which, and all other our many and great transgressions, we deserve (O most just God) to be deprived of all thy blessings, and to be laden with thy judgements as we have laden thee with our sins. But whilest we are displeased with our selves for them, and it is in our hearts desire, not only to confess them, but forsake them, and turn to thee from them; We beseech thee (O Father of Mercies) in the Name, and for the merits of Jesus Christ, to be merciful to us sinners (s)Luk. 18.13., laying every one of our sins (for we are not able our selves to bear the least of them) upon that Lamb of God on whom the Lord hath laid the Iniquity of us all (t)Isa. 53.6., freeing us also (of thy free grace) from all those evils which are either on us, or due unto us for the same; And, that we may be hereof assured, Give us, we pray thee, that most excellent grace of Faith (without which the Word (of Promise and of Pardon) cannot profit (u)Heb. 4.2.,) that thereby receiving the forgiveness of our sins, our spirits may rejoyce in God our Saviour (x)Luk. 1.47. Matth. 9 2.…, which since we cannot do but in the Publicans way, who said, God be merciful to me a sinner, that is, in a way of repentance, therefore, do thou (O Lord) work, and (if any thing of godly sorrow be already wrought) do thou more and more work so upon our ever too-hard-hearts, as that we may remember our former evil wayes, and doings, that have not been good, and lothe our selves in our own sight for all our iniquities (y)Ezek. 36.31., Nor let us lothe our sins only, and our selves for them, but leave them also; and settle it in our hearts, after thou hast spoken peace to us, not to turn again to folly (z)Psal. 85.8.. And, because our own resolutions are soon altered, and by our own strength we cannot prevail (a)1 Sam. 2.9., therefore we beg of thee our God to whom power belongeth (b)Psal. 62.11.,) so much strength, as that, though sin while we a…e here, dwell within us, yet it may not have dominion over us: especially, let us be strong in the Lord, and the power of his might, for the subduing of our special sins, and those Goliahs that seem to set at defiance the whole Army of the Graces of God in us. Neither let it suffice us, to depart from evil, unless also we do good, and live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (c)Tit. 2.12.; And that this may be better done, Good Lord make us mindful of the use of all good means of a godly life, such as are the hearing of thy Word heedfully (d)Heb. 2.1., the receiving of thy holy Sacrament preparedly, the keeping of thy Sabbath conscionably, praying to thy Majesty often and earnestly, together with conversing with good company (as there shall be liberty and occasion); and a gaining of time to commune with our own hearts, and so to think on our wayes, as that we may turn our feet to Gods testimonies (e)Psal. 4.4. & 119 59: Thus, and every other good way (O our God), lead us by thy good Spirit into the land of uprightness (f)Ps. 143.10., and into a state of blessedness. And▪ because it is our duty to pray for thy Church, whereof we are members, as w…ll as for our selve…; yea, and our honour also (who art but dust and ashes) to be admitted so to do; therefore we beseech thee, Do well in thy good pleasure unto Sion, build thou the wals of Jerusalem (g)Psal. 51.18.; Make it the study of those that are thy people to be an holy people, as thou their God art an holy God (h)1 Pet. 1.15: Where thy Church hath rest, make them careful to walk before thee in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost (i)Act 9 31., that so their peace may be continued, or they prepared for trouble if their quiet state be altered; Where thy Church is in trouble, make them mindful of, and able for, that truly penitent humbling themselves before thee, and faithful seeking unto thee, whereby their peace and prosperity may be restored. Strengthen, in all parts, their hearts and hands, that stand in the just defence of Religion and Right. In special manner, we beseech thee, to have a gracious respect to this sinful Nation, (with the adjoyned Dominions). Enable with all eminent gifts, and especially sanctifie mo…e and more with saving grace the Kings most Excellent Majesty, our Supreme and most gracious Governour; and so pour forth thy Spirit upon all in higher Authority, that they may with all wisdom, diligence, faithfulness, and good success, manage the great affairs of State. Be pleas'd to establish, and ever to preserve, and stand by the two great Ordinances of Magistracy and Ministry, that by the preaching of the one, the power of the other, and thy blessing on both, Errour and Ungodliness may be restrained, truth and holiness may be promoted, and in that way all outward good things may be ministred. Bless (we humbly pray thee) outwardly (as thou seest meet), but especially spiritually, all that fear thy Name, (yea, have mercy on them, call them, and put thy fear into them, that yet fear thee not); In special, we desire thy favour in behalf of those to whom we have any relation, and whom we are desired or ought to pray for; more particularly this Family. In singular mercy, vouchsafe thy grace to any in it that yet want it, and encrease thy grace in those that have it. Extend thy compassion (O thou that art the Father of mercy) to those that be any way afflicted, with sickness, pain, poverty, injustice, reproach, restraint; And, (more especially,) to those that suffer, either in Conscience, or for Conscience; Give them all wisdom to see what thou intendest; grace to give thee what thou expectest; strength to bear what thou inflictest; and in thine own way and time make them glorious by deliverance (k)Psal. 149.4.. And now (O Lord) we return humble thanks unto thy Majesty for the mercies of this day, in regard of our souls, and bodies, and businesses; desiring that we may still make a good use of all our crosses. And so, craving pardon in Jesus Christ for the sins of this day, for which we are here before thee to judge our selves, we resign up our persons, and all we have, into thy gracious hands, beseeching thee so to watch over us this night, as that our souls may be kept from sin, our bodies from sickness, our goods from loss, and those decreasings that we deserve (l)Psal. 107.38.. And (withal) so to bless our Rest unto us, that we may awake with cheerfulness in the morning, well enabled for thy Service, and the duties of our Callings the day following; And all this for Jesus Christs sake, in whom we beseech thee to accept these our poor and weak Prayers, which we conclude with his absolutely perfect Prayer, saying (m)Luk. 11.2.as he hath taught us; Our Father which art in Heaven, &c.
A shorter Prayer for the Morning.
MOst gracious God, we do here humbly present our selves before thee, to offer unto thee the Sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips; and to give thanks unto thy Name (a)Heb, 13.15.for the rest of the night past, and the mercies of this morning; We confess, thou mightest justly have awakened us out of our sleep at mid-night (as thou didst the Egyptians) with a great cry; or else have made our sleep (as when thou smotest their first-born,) the sleep of death (b)Exod. 12.29.30.: but we have lien down in peace▪ and slept, because thou Lord only makest us dwell in safety (c)Psal 4 8..
Truly, the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is to the eyes to behold the Sun (d)Eccl. 11.7.; but, How excellent is thy loving kindness in causing the Sun of Righteousness to arise unto us with healing in his wings (e)Mal. 4.2.? Blessed be thy Name for giving the Lord Jesus to be a light to lighten us Gentiles, as well as to be the glory of thy people Israel (f)L…k. 2.32., And that we have together with him and not without him) all things also(g)Rom. 8.32.; We praise thee for the health of our bodies, the peace of our mindes; for our understanding, and all the powers of our Souls; for our sight and hearing, and all the parts of our bodies; for the liberty of our Persons, the blessings of our Estate, and all the comfort we enjoy in our Friends and Relations; Yea, for all those fatherly Corrections, whereby thou hast sought to drive our foolishness far from us (h)Prov. 22.15., and to make us mend our pace in the wayes of Wisdom (i)Rev. 3.19.: In special, we thank thee for any well-grounded hopes we have of a better life, and that Inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in Heaven for us, and for which also we are preserved (k)1 Pet. 1.… 4.
O Lord, We are less then the least of all thy mercies (l)Gen 32 10., and if thou lay upon us the heavyest of thy judgements, we have no right to complain (m)2 Sam. 19 28., being men of death, and such as have deserved everlasting condemnation; For we brought into the world with us a corrupt nature wherein is the seed of all sin (n)Job 14.4 Psal. 51.5., and by reason whereof in the whole course of our lives, we have neglected, or done negligently what thou requirest, and have (moreover) too too carelesly rusht into those evils both in thought, word, and deed, which thou forbiddest.
But since thou art a God that delightest in mercy (o)Mic. 7.18., and that hast been pleas'd out of thine infinite love to mankind, to lay upon thine only Son the iniquity of us all (p)Isa. 53.6.; We that are the sheep that have gone so far astray, come boldly unto the Throne of Grace in his Name, intreating thy Majesty, that by that Lamb of God that hath taken away the sins of the World (q)Joh. 1.29., our many and great sins, our day-sins and our night-sins may be so taken away, that if they be sought they may not be found (r)Jer. 50.20., being removed from us as far as the East is from the West (s)Psal 103.12., that so in all the sorrows of this world, we may joy in God (through our Lord Jesus Christ) by whom we have now received the atonement (t)Rom. 5.11..
Make us able (we pray thee) by thy grace, to prove that our sins are forgiven, because they are forsaken (u)Prov. 28.13., and that we have right to the promises of the Tree of Life, because we do thy Commandements (x)Revel 22.14., and walk sincerely in the duties of Christianity, and of our particular Callings, that thereby though we cannot procure, yet we may assure our happiness, and in that way of thine may come to be possessed of it (y)Jam. 1.25..
That we may the better perform the duties belonging to us in our several places, Help us (we beseech thee) to take heed both of Idleness and ill Company that are Enemies to Imployment. And if we do labour diligently, let us shew the power of godliness in not aiming at our own advantage and self-ends. Set our hearts (O God) in so good a frame as that we may follow our business, day by day, in obedience to thy Word, with respect to thy glory, and to the doing of good to those that we live amongst, and ought to be helpful unto. For these ends and purposes, we beg of thee (as of a God Al-sufficient) to preserve us from danger by thy Providence; to enable us for what we are to do by thy power; and to make all we do to thrive and prosper by thy blessing, without which it is in vain, to rise up early, to sit up late, and to eat the bread of sorrows (z)Psal. 127.2·.
Have a gracious respect (we humbly pray thee) unto all thine and ours, according to all thy wisdom and goodness, and according to all their need and occasions; Be pleas'd to look with special favour upon the Churches of the Saints in all places, especially in this and the neighbour-Nations. Herein, Pour forth thy choysest blessings on the head, and thy choisest graces into the heart of the Kings Majesty, with the rest of the Royal Family. Furnish those with ability and fidelity that are in Authority in the State, and that watch over the souls of thy people in the Church. As for our selves and all that are under authority, make us ever ready to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesars, and unto God the things that are Gods (a)Mat. 22.21..
Let thy fear (O Lord) be upon our hearts all the day long (b)Prov. 23.17., that walking conscionably as in thy presence, we may present our selves comfortably before thee in the Evening with the sense and feeling of thy grace in us, and goodness towards us in Jesus Christ, through whom we glory in thee (c)Rom 5.11., and to whom (with thee O Father, and the Eternal Spirit,) we acknowledge to be due, and desire to give all honour and glory now and evermore. Amen.
A shorter Prayer for the Evening.
MOst glorious God, and in Jesus Christ our most loving Fat…er, It is of thy great mercy that we have been preserved and followed with many fatherly favours this day, and that we are in so good a condition before thee to offer up this Evening Sacrifice unto thee. We must needs confess (and we come unto thee to confess) that thy gracious dealing with us is altogether undeserved, and that any evil that is, or shall come upon us in this world, is far less then we deserve; For, if we look to our beginnings, we that (at first) were made good and like our God, have by our sin (in our first Parents) forfeited and lost that holiness in which, and that happiness unto which we were created; so that thou mayest justly call us transgressors from the womb (a)Isa. 48.…., we having procured this unto our selves, that we are every one of us shapen in iniquity, and in sin did our mother conceive us b)Psal. 51.5.: And this corruption that over-spreads our natures, so declareth and disperseth it self also in our whole carriage, that as there is no day of our life wherein we do not many wayes partake in thy mercy, so no day passeth over our heads wherein we do not in many things provoke thy justice; In regard whereof, we do not more need our daily bread for our bodies and being, then a daily pardon of sin for our souls and for our well-being. And blessed be thy Name (O gracious God) w…o art so far from leaving us without hope of a pardon, that thou callest us unto thee, and teachest us to seek it from thee as from our heavenly Father; Unto thee therefore we come, acknowledging, O Father, that we have sinned against Heaven and against Thee, so that we are not worthy to be called thy children; But though we forget to be towardly children, yet do not thou forget to be a compassionate Father, but be pleased to come forth and meet us, and kiss us with the kisses of thy love (c)Luk. 15.20.. Declare thy self in Jesus Christ a God reconciled unto us, and that our sins and iniquities thou wilt remember no more (d)Jer. 31.34.; So shall we remember thy Loves more then Wine (e)Cant. 1.4., and thou shalt put gladness into our hearts more then can possibly be had from all worldly enjoyments (f)Psal 4.6, 7.; Nor do thou kiss us only, but clothe us (g)Luk. 15.22.: Take away our filthy garments, (which by our prodigality we have brought our selves unto), and clothe us with change of rayment (h)Zech. 3.4.; for, as our great desire is, that the righteousness of Christ (which is the righteousness of God) may be put upon us to shelter us from thy justice; so we beg also for the clothing of the new Man (i)Eph. 4 24., that we may be meet to partake in thy mercy, and may walk worthy of thee our Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work (k)Col. 1.10.: Give us, (we beseech thee), that Knowledge which is the Light of the Soul (l)Luk. 1.77, 79. 2 Cor. 4.6.; that Faith, which is the Life of the Soul (m)Gal. 2.20.; that Love, which is the Heat, and holy Fire of the Soul (n)Cant. 8 6.; that Holiness and Meekness which is the Beauty and Ornament of the Soul (o)Psal. 45.13. Prov. 31.30. 1 Pet 3 4, 5.: and that Hope which is the Anchor of the Soul (p)Heb. 6.19: And thus prepare us for that glorious place, whither our Fore-runner is for us entred (q)Heb. 6.20., and who hath given us assurance, that where He is, there shall also his servant be (r)Joh. 12.26..
Nor do we pray for our selves only, but (as in duty we are bound (s)Isa. 62.6, 7.,) for thy whole Church: Thy Church is thy Treasure (t)Exod. 19 5., Lord, where thy peculiar treasure is, there let thine heart and peculiar favour be also; Cast thine Eye of compassion on those therein that are under any special affliction; Yea, Look (O thou All-seeing, and All-pitying God) into all corners of the World, and shew thy self the God that comforteth those that are cast down (u)… Cor. 7, 6.. In special manner, Let the Eyes of the Lord our God be alwayes on this Land, and the adjoyning Kingdoms, from the beginning of the year even to the end of the year (x)Deut. 11.12..
Make our gracious King a glorious Defender of the Faith, Worship, Wayes, and Servants of Jesus Christ; Let the Spirit of wisdom and the fear of the Lord rest on those Eminent Persons of his Majesties Privy Council; ennoble with grace the whole Nobility. Give a Spirit of Government and of Godliness to all in Authority, that under his Majesty and his Magistracy we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty (y)1 Tim. 2.1, 2..
Let thy Ministers (O Lord) be clothed with righteousness, and (so) let thy Saints shout for joy (z)Psal. 132.9.. As for our selves and others that live under the light; Give us grace (we beseech thee) to live as lights in the world, holding forth the Word of Life (in our life), that so thy faithful Labourers may rejoyce in the day of Christ, that they have not run in vain, nor laboured in vain (a)Phil. 2.16..
Bless we pray thee all our Friends, and all we ought to pray for, (whether Friends or Enemies), especially bless those belonging to us with spiritual blessings in heavenly things; yea, minister to them and us, and all thine, all those good things of any kind, which we have, or should have, asked either for our selves or them (b)Eph. 3.20..
And now (O Lord), with humble thanks for the mercies of this day, we commend our selves and all we have into thy gracious hands, intreating thee to preserve us from the sins, and sorrows of the night, and to grant us that safe and quiet rest, whereby our bodies may be restored, and our spirits revived for the service of the day following; And that for Christs sake thine only Son, and our alone Mediator and Advocate: In whose Name therefore, and in the confidence of whose Intercession we come unto thee; and to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost, three Persons and one God, we render (as is most due) all Honour, Obedience, and Thanksgiving, now and evermore. Amen.
I shall only add two short Prayers for Children, whereby they may be trained up to this necessary duty, that so they may get much acquaintance with God (by beginning betimes) if they live longer, and may not be without all acquaintance with God and Godliness if they die sooner.
A Prayer for Children for the Morning.
MOst high and holy God, who hast set thy glory above the Heavens, and yet out of the mouths of little Children, yea, of Sucklings, hast ordained strong and powerful praise (a)Psal. 8.2. Matth. 21.16.; I bless and magnifie thy Name (which is so excellent); for that, out of thine unspeakable love, thou hast given to thy children and to their children (b)Act. 2.39., Jesus Christ, and together with him, all things (c)Rom. 8.32.; that I am born in thy Church (d)Psal. 87.5., that thou hast so provided for my bringing up, that I may know of a child the holy Scriptures, which are able to make me wise unto Salvation (e)2 Tim. 3.15., that by thee I have been holden up from the womb (f)Psal. 71.6., who have been no way able to look to my self; And in particular, for that thou hast kept me in safety this last night, and raised me up comfortably this morning; O Lord, I confess, I am a transgressor from the womb (g)Isa. 48.8., for who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one (h)Job 14.3, 4.: And, though I have lived but a while in the world, yet I have sinned much; so that it were just with thee, suddenly to seize upon me, and to take me out of this world before I am prepared for a better. But, Lord look upon me not as I am in my self, but in Jesus Christ, and in and through him, pardon me who am so sinful; Teach me who am so ignorant; Sanctifie me who am so corrupt; Make me to remember thee my Creator in the dayes of my youth (i)Eccl. 12.1.: Help me to hide thy Word in mine heart, that I may not sin against thee (k)Psal. 119.11. & v. 9., but may thereby, even while I am young, clense and amend my wayes; Order my steps in thy Word, that no iniquity may have dominion over me (l)Psal. 119.133.. And that I may not be wanting in any duty that thou requirest of me: Grant me thy grace, (O God), that I may be subject and obedient to my Parents and Governours; tractable to my Teachers, diligent in my business, humble and gentle in my behaviour, fearful to learn of any that which is evil, and careful to learn of all that which is good: Be pleased (O Lord) to strengthen and perfect my natural parts; but especially vouchsafe that as I grow in years, so I may grow in grace. Protect and bless me (I beseech thee) this day throughout, that in the evening I may praise thee for thy great goodness in Christ Jesus. To whom, with thee O Father, and God the Holy Ghost, be rendred all Glory, Dominion, and Service, now and evermore. Amen.
A Prayer for Children for the Evening.
O Most wise and gracious God, I acknowledge my self a simple and sinful Creature; I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my Mother conceive me (a)Psal. 51.5.: That foolishness which is bound in the heart of a child (b)Prov. 22.15., is fast bound in mine; and that corruption▪ which abides in all, abounds in me, which sadly shews it self in my backwardness and unwillingness in better things, and my self-will and earnestness to walk in the wayes of mine heart, and in the sight of mine eyes (c)Eccl. 11.9., though for all such things thou wilt bring me to judgement.
Notwithstanding all this; Be pleas'd (O blessed Father) to look upon me in thy Christ, as thy child; Unto me and into me, let every good and saving gift come down from the Father of lights (d)Jam. 1.17.; Give me so much understanding as to know my sin, and judge my self for it (e)1 Cor 11.31.; so much repentance as to feel my sin, and abhor my self for it (f)Job 42.6., and so much faith as to flie to Christ for pardon and power against it; Lord, Refuse not to give me that pardon (g)Luk. 7.47, 50.; Lord, deny not to give me that power (h)Psal. 119.133. Rom. 6.14..
Give me grace to know thee the God of my Fathers, and to serve thee with a perfect heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts; If I seek him, he will be found of me, but if I forsake him, he will cast me off for ever (i)1 Chr. 28.9..
Bless (O God) all thy people, especially those whom thou hast made neer unto me; more especially, my Parents and those that have the care of me; Make them wise, and willing, to do me good; and me humble and careful to receive it.
I praise thee (O thou that art the Keeper of Israel (k)Ps…l. 121.4, 5.,) for keeping me this day: Be pleas'd (O Lord, who doest neither slumber nor sleep) this night to watch over me, and to raise me, with health and strength, to do thee service the day following;
And all this for Jesus Christs sake thine only Son, and my alone Saviour, in whose Name I call upon thee as he hath taught me. Our Father which art in Heaven, &c.
FINIS.