The Sum of Christianity, Prayer 2
Another Prayer to be used in the Family, Morning and Evening.
O Most merciful God, who according to the multitude of thy Mercies, doth so put away the Sins of those who truly repent, that thou remembrest them no more; open thine Eye of Mercy upon us unworthy Sinners, who most humbly confess, that we have gone astray from thy Holy Laws, by following too much the Devices and Desires of our own evil Hearts. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done, and there is no health in us; but thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us miserable Offenders. Spare thou them, O God, which confess their Faults; restore thou them that are Penitent, according to thy Promises declared unto Mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. For his Sake renew in us, most Loving Father, whatsoever hath been decayed by the Fraud and Malice of the Devil, or by our own Carnal Will and F…ailn…ss. Preserve and continue us in the Unity of the Church, and impute not unto us our Sins that are past, but strengthen us with thy Holy Spirit, and grant that we may ever hereafter live a Godly, Righteous and Sober Life, to the Honour and Glory of thy Holy Name.
We give thee most humble and hearty Thanks, O Father of all Mercies, for all thy Goodness and Loving-kindness to us, and to all Men; for our Creation and Preservation, and all the Blessings of this Life; but above all, for thine inestimable Love in the Redemption of the World by our Lord Jesus Christ; for all the means of Grace, and for the hope of Glory.
In the Morning thus.
Particularly, we bless thee for the comfortable Rest and Refreshment of this last Night, and for bringing us safely to the beginning of this Day. Defend us, we humbly beseech thee, by thy mighty Power, and grant that we fall into no Sin, neither run into any kind of Danger; but prosper our honest Labours, strengthen us against all Temptations, and let all our Doings be ordered by thy Governance, to do always that is righteous in thy sight.
In the Evening thus.
For thy gracious Providence over us this Day, for the Success thou hast given to our Labour, protecting us from many Dangers, preventing us in many Sins, and sparing us when we have Sinned. Preserve us, and all that thou hast given us, in safety this Night; lighten our Darkness and defend us from all Perils and Dangers; and grant us, we beseech thee, comfortable and innocent Rest and Sleep.
And give us, good Lord, that due sense of all thy Mercies, that our Hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we may shew forth thy Praise, not only with our Lips, but in our Lives, by giving up our selves to thy Service, and by walking b…fore thee in Holiness and Righteousness all our days.
We most humbly beseech thee, O Lord, for all sorts and conditions of Men, that thou wouldst be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all Nations. More especially, we pray for the good Estate of the Catholich Church, That it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians, may be led into the way of Truth, and hold the Faith in Unity of Spirit, in the Bond of Peace, and in Righteousness of Life. Defend all Christian Kings, Princes, and Governours, and especially thy Servant WILLIAM, our King; that under him we may live quiet and peaceable Lives in all Godliness and Honesty. Grant unto his whole Council, and to all that are put in Authority under him, that th y may truly and indifferently Minister Justice, to the punishment of Wickedness and Vice, and the maintenance of thy true Religion and Virtue. Give Grace to all Bishops and Pastors, that they may both by their Life and Doctrine set forth thy true and lively Word, and rightly and duly Administer thy Holy Sacraments. And to all thy People give thy heavenly Grace, and particularly to us here present, that we may always with meek Hearts and due Reverence, read, hear, believe, and obey thy Holy Word. Comfort and relieve all that are any way afflicted in Soul, Body or Estate. Give them patience under their Sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions: And whensoever it shall please thee to take any of us hence, take us unto thy Favour through the Merits of thy most dearly beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. In whose most blessed Name, and pe…fect Form of Words we further pray,
Our Father, &c.