The Spirit of Prayer, Prayer – Directions and examples
Prayer.
OF what an eaſie quick acceſs,
My bleſſed Lord, art thou! how ſuddenly
May our requeſts thine eare invade!
To ſhew that ſtate diſlikes not eaſineſs.
If I but lift mine eyes, my ſuit is made:
Thou canſt no more not hear, then thou canſt die.
Of what ſupreme Almighty power
Is thy great arm, which ſpans the eaſt and weſt,
And tacks the centre to the ſphere!
By it do all things live their meaſur'd hour:
We cannot ask the thing which is not there,
Blaming the ſhallowneſs of our requeſt.
Of what unmeaſurable love
Art thou poſſeſt, who, when thou couldſt not die,
Wert fain to take our fleſh and curſe,
And for our ſakes in perſon ſin reprove;
That by deſtroying that which ty'd thy purſe,
Thou mightſt make way for liberalitie!
Since then, theſe three wait on thy Throne,
Eaſe, Power, and Love; I value Prayer ſo,
That were I to leave all but one,
Wealth, Fame, Endowments, Vertues, all ſhould go:
I and dear Prayer would together dwell,
And quickly gain for each Inch loſt, an Ell.
Herb. pag. 95.
Directions how to attain unto the gift of prayer, and readineſs of expreſſion in that duty.
ALthough ſpiritual Gifts are granted unto Hypocrites and unſound Profeſſors, as well as to ſincere Believers, yet according to the Apoſtle, we are earneſtly to covet them, 1 Cor. 12. ult. Even theſe more commune gifts are imparted by the Holy Ghoſt himſelf, and may be very profitable both to our ſelves and others. Neither ſhould it be the endeavour of Miniſters only to excel in gifts, but private Chriſtians are alſo to labour after them, and in a more private way to uſe them. The gift of prayer I am now to ſpeak of, and this no Chriſtian ſhould be without. Prayer is the Saints daily exerciſe, therefore they ſhould all be well skilled in the performance of this duty, not only as to the internal, but alſo external part of it.
As length of prayer is not to be affected (for God has a regard not to the length, but the life of it); ſo neither are we to affect a conſtant variety of expreſſion. If we uſe always the ſame form, we are in danger of formality; and if we always endeavour after new words, which we never before uſed, as 'tis a thouſand to one whether we ſhall ſpeak ſo properly; ſo 'tis to be feared that our prayers will be only the fruit of our phancy and invention, and no more. 'Tis good to be in the middle, between both extreams.
Many have exalted in this gift of prayer in theſe latter days, and I know that many are troubled through the want of it. Secret prayer upon this ſcore, partly, is much difcouraged, and prayer in the Family, hindred; wherefore, having diſcourſed at large concerning the duty of prayer, I thought it a piece of ſervice unto Souls, to direct them how this gift might be attained.
1. Be well Catechized and inſtructed in the principles of the Chriſtian Faith. You muſt know the only true God, and underſtand his Greatneſs, and Holineſs, and Power, and Mercy, and Grace, and Truth, with his other Attributes and Perfections which are diſcovered in his word. You muſt not be Strangers to your ſelves, but be acquainted with the fall of Man into ſin and miſery, and how you, as well as others, are by Nature the Children of wrath, and in danger of being loſt and undone for ever, except you Repent and Believe the Goſpel.
You muſt know the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, whom God has ſent, and underſtand the myſtery of Redemption & Salvation by him, and it ſhould be your endeavour ſtill to know more and more of the Lord, and of his will; and the more underſtanding you are, the more agreeable will your ſupplications be unto the word of God, and you will be the better furniſhed with matter for your prayers.
2. Take pains that your affections may be excited; the more warm your hearts are, your tongues will be the more like unto the Pen of a ready Writer. Let your affections be ſtirred by the neceſſity and value of the things you ask, and the infiniteneſs of thoſe evils which you pray againſt. Beſides, the God whom you direct your prayers to, is nigh, is ready to be found. Nothing is too hard for him, ſuch is the Almightineſs of his power; his tender mercyes are a vaſt multitude; he ſtands related and engaged to his people by a ſure and everlaſting Covenant.
3. Pray for the gift of utterance, for this very ability is from the Father of lights; but after 'tis obtained, you muſt beware,
1. Of Pride. Herod, after an elegant Oration, giving not glory to God, was ſtruck dead by an Angel, and eaten up of Worms; and if you are pufft up after enlargedneſs of expreſſion of prayer, you know not what way the diſpleaſure of God may break forth againſt you.
2. Deſpiſe not thoſe that want this utterance; your tongues poſſibly may be better hung, but their hearts may be in a far better frame than yours.
3. Envy not them that excel you in the gift of Prayer. Envy will grieve the ſpirit, and dead your ownhearts, & be a torment to you. If one member in the natural body do ſomething that is excellent, and be honoured, all the members, ſayes the Apoſtle, rejoyce with it, 1 Cor. 12. 26. And as it is in the Natural body, ſo it ſhould be in the Myſtical body of Chriſt. Since we are members of the ſame body, we ſhould rejoyce when any of our fellow-members do worthily; and count our ſelves honoured in their honour, and eſpecially be glad to ſee Chriſt lifted up, though upon others ſhoulders.
4. Let not any Carnal deſign be carryed on. If you aime at your own ends in your moſt enlarged prayers, and are ſecretly covetous and ſelfiſh, and impure; as this ſhews you are abominably Hypocritical, ſo 'tis the way to have either your gifts blaſted, or to have a curſe upon them, ſo that you ſhall only diſturb the Church of Chriſt, and do harm, not good by them.
4. Frequency in prayer, will bring you to a readineſs therein. As by writing, you learn to write; ſo by praying, you will learn to pray. Gifts are increaſed and augmented by the exerciſe of them, as grace it ſelf alſo, by being acted, grows more ſtrong.
5. Be well acquainted with Scripture expreſſions; that language is beſt to be uſed in Gods ears, which is the language of his own Spirit.
6. Let there be an order and method in prayer; for confuſedneſs, as it will be irkſome to others, with whom you joyn, ſo 'twil have a great tendency to dead and diſcourage your own hearts.
Here I ſhall ſpeak to all the parts of prayer, and furniſh you with expreſſions in reference to every one of them. Seven parts I have mentioned.
Compellation of God.
Acknowledgment of Sin.
Deprecation of puniſhment.
Petition for Grace and Mercy.
Interceſſion for others.
Imprecation againſt others.
Thankſgiving and Praiſe.
1. Begin prayer with Compellation, or naming of God; let his Attributes alſo be mentioned.
O Lord, thou art God alone, and there is none beſides Thee.
The God of the ſpirits of all fleſh, there is nothing too hard for thee.
The living God, the everlaſting King, who doſt what thou wilt in Heaven above, and in the Earth beneath.
The high and lofty one inhabiteth Eternity, whoſe name is Holy, who dwelleſt in the high and holy Place; and yet with him alſo that is of an humble Spirit, to revive the Spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the Contrite ones.
The God in whoſe hand our Breath is, and whoſe are all our Wayes.
Thou madeſt the Earth by thy Power, and haſt eſtabliſhed the World by thy Wiſdom, and ſtretched out the Heavens by thy Diſcretion.
Thou art very great, thou art cloathed with Honour and Majeſty, and covereſt thy ſelf with light as with a Garment: Thou only haſt immortality, and dwelleth in the light, that no man can approach unto.
To thee belongeth Power, and Glory, and Majeſty; for all that is in the Heaven and in the Earth, is Thine; thine is the Kingdom O Lord, and thou art exalted as Head above all.
Thou madeſt the Heavens and all their Hoſts, the Earth and all the things that are therein, the Seas and all that therein is, and thou preſerveſt them all, and the hoſt of Heaven Worſhippeth thee.
Thou art wiſe in Heart, and Mighty in Strength, who ever hardned himſelfe againſt thee, and proſpered?
A God glorious in holineſs, of Purer eyes then to behold evil with delight, and canſt not look upon iniquity with any approbation.
The Devils tremble before thee, and the Angels cover their Faces, and cry out, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hoſts, Heaven and Earth are full of the majeſty of thy Glory.
Thou art the Lord God merciful and gracious, long ſuffering, abundant in loving kindneſs, goodneſs and truth, keeping mercy for thouſands, forgiving iniquity, tranſgreſſion and ſin.
Thou delighteſt not in the death of ſinners, but hadſt rather they ſhould turn from their evil wayes and live.
The God and Father of Jeſus Chriſt, and in him the Father of Mercyes, the God of all Grace and Comfort.
A God ready to forgive, and plenteous in Mercy, unto all that call upon thee; thou heareſt Prayers, unto thee ſhall all fleſh come.
Thy eye is upon them that fear thee, and upon ſuch as hope in thy Mercy; a very preſent help in time of trouble.
Thy Mercy is in the Heavens, and thy Faithfulneſs reacheth unto the clouds.
As a Father pittyeth his Children, ſo thou pittyeſt them that fear thee.
Thou wilt not always chide, neither wilt thou keep thine anger for ever.
Thy mercy is from everlaſting to everlaſting, upon them that fear thee, and thy righteouſneſs unto childrens children.
Thou art the hope of Iſrael, and the Saviour of them in the time of trouble, thou keepeſt truth forever.
The heavens ſhall vaniſh away like Smoak, and Earth ſhall wax old like a Garment, but thy Salvation ſhall be for ever, and thy righteouſneſs ſhall not be aboliſhed.
Who is a God like unto thee that Pardoneſt Iniquity, and paſſeſt by the Tranſgreſſion of the remnant of thine heritage, thou wilt not always chide, neither wilt thou keep thine anger for ever, becauſe thou delighteſt in mercy: Thou wilt turn again, thou wilt have compaſſion upon us, thou wilt ſubdue our Iniquities, thou wilt caſt all our Sins into the depth of the Sea.
A God to whom vengeance belongs, who wilt reward them that hate thee, whoſe power, and whoſe wrath is againſt all that forſake thee.
A jealous God, who canſt not be deceived, who wilt not be mocked.
Thou wilt eaſe thee of thine adverſaries, and avenge thee on thy enemies.
Who can ſtand before thine indignation, who can abide in thy ſight when once thou art angry?
Can our hearts endure, or can our hands be ſtrong when thou ſhalt deal with us? let the potſherds ſtrive with the potſherds of the Earth; wo be to him that contendeth with his Maker.
Thou ſearcheſt the heart, and trieſt the reins, and haſt pleaſure in uprightneſs.
There is not any creature that is not manifeſt in thy ſight, but all things are open and naked unto the eyes of that God with whom we have to do.
Oh that thou wouldſt bow the heavens and come down, draw night to us while we draw nigh to thee.
Thou humbleſt thy ſelf to behold things don in Heaven, the heaven of heavens is not able to contain thee, and yet thou wilt dwell with Men.
Thou art nigh unto us in all that we call upon thee for. Let us find favour in thine eyes, ſuffer us not to ſeek thy face in vain.
Lord hear my voice, and let thine car be attentive unto the voice of my Supplication.
I have taken upon me, to ſpeak unto the Lord Jehovah, who am but duſt and aſhes: what is man that thou art mindful of him! whoſe dayes are as a ſhaddow, whoſe breath is in his noſtrils, and wherein is he to be accounted of?
Oh quicken us that we may call upon thy name, and have a gracious regard unto us, though we are prodigal children, unprofitable Servants of polluted lips and hearts uncircumciſed.
2. Confeſſion of Sin is to follow, by which God is honoured, our ſelves humbled and abaſed. Original corruption is thus to be acknowledged.
What is man that he ſhould be clean, or he that is born of a woman that he ſhould be righteous: thou mighteſt abhor the ſight of us, and we have infinite reaſon to loath and abhor our ſelves.
Thou madeſt man upright, but he hath ſought out many inventions.
We were at firſt planted a noble Vine, a right ſeed; but now our fruit is evil, the root bitter, our grapes are grapes of Sodom, and cluſtters of Gomorrah.
Our firſt Parents were created in thine Image, which does conſiſt in Righteouſneſs, and true Holineſs, but they were beguiled by the Serpent, and forſock the Lord, and we being in their Loyns, ſinned in them, and fell with them in their firſt tranſgreſſion.
Behold I am ſhapen in iniquity, and in ſin did my mother conceive me. We are born the children of VVrath, the ſons of Death, the heirs of Hell; and are dead in treſpaſſes and ſins.
There is a Law in our Members that warrs againſt the Law in our mindes, and is quite contrary unto the Law of God. And whenſoever we would or ſhould do good, evil is preſent with us.
Our carnal mindes are enmity againſt God, they are not ſubject to the Law of God, neither indeed can they be.
VVe are wiſe to do evil, but to do good we have no knowledge; the blindneſs that is in our minds does alienate us from the Life of God.
Our Conſciences are ſleepy and unfaithful: where is their tenderneſs and Authority? they ſeldom check us; and if they do, ſuch is our eagerneſs to ſin, we do not mind, but diſobey them.
Our hearts are the worſt part in us, they are deceitful above all things, and deſperately wicked, who can know them?
As a Fountain ſendeth forth water, ſo our hearts without intermiſſion are caſting forth their wickedneſs; from hence proceed thoſe evils that defile the man.
Our hearts are diſobedient, and unto every good work Reprobate; Mercies do not melt them, judgments do not break them; and Oh how little have all the means of Grace mended them?
There is ſo much of pride, of atheiſin, infidelity, impurity, earthlyneſs, hatred of the Lord and Holineſs, ſtubornneſs, obſtinacy by nature in our hearts; that we are not able to mention, or conceive the thouſandth part of it.
Oh what cauſe have we to be earneſt for that new heart, and that new ſpirit, which is promiſed in thy new, new Covenant!
We are all as an unclean thing, and all our Righteouſneſs are but filthy Raggs; the corruption of our natures defiles our very beſt Duties: Satan is not to be blamed ſo much for tempting, as our hearts for yeilding unto his Temptation.
The beſt of us, have as ſinful natures as the worſt of men.
Actual ſin is to be confeſſed after this manner.
VVho can tell how oft he has offended? who can underſtand his errours? O Lord I am aſhamed, and bluſh to lift up my face unto thee, for my iniquities are increaſed over my head, and my treſpaſs is grown up unto the Heavens.
VVho can number the Stars of the Sky, the ſands of the Sea, or the days of Eternity, or reckon up his ſins in order before thee.
I was an early ſinner, a tranſgreſſor from the VVomb, and have not left off ſinning to this very day.
I have broken thy Laws, though they are ſo holy, juſt, and good.
I have counted the yoak heavy, though thy Commandments are ſo far from being grievous, that they are more to be deſired than the fineſt Gold, and ſweeter than the Hony and the hony Comb.
How far have I been from loving the Lord with all my heart, with all my ſoul, with all my mind, with all my ſtrength? Nay, inſteed of this, I have been an hater of God; and ſecretly wiſhed there were no God to puniſh ſin, that I might have ſinned with greater freedom; I have been a lover of pleaſure more than a lover of God.
Be aſtoniſhed O ye Heavens at this, for I have committed two great evils; I have forſaken the Fountain of living waters, and have hewn out unto my ſelf Ciſterns, broken Ciſterns that can hold no water.
I have not worſhipped thee in Spirit and in Truth; without fear of thy jealouſie, I have mocked thee to thy Face.
I have been a meer Idolater, for I have idolized the world, and the things of the world, which are vanity, and have forgotten the alſufficient God, days without number.
I have taken thy Name in vain, and prophaned thy Sabboths which thou haſt ſo ſtrictly commanded I ſhould remember to keep holy.
I have wofully failed in my Duty to my Neighbour, though I ought and was bound to love him as my ſelf.
I have ſinned againſt the Goſpel it ſelf, though it contain the beſt tidings that ever were brought unto the ſons of men.
How ſhall I eſcape, who have neglected ſo great Salvation?
I have out-done the very Devils themſelves, they never rejected mercy, for 'twas never offered to them; they never refuſed a Saviour, for no Saviour was ever ſent to viſit and recover them.
Lord I have not believed as I ought the report of the Goſpel, though it be ſo faithful, and worthy of all acceptation.
How long have I lived without Chriſt, without Hope, and without God in the world.
Thou haſt out-bid all others, and haſt offered infinitely better things than the world can; thou haſt offered pardon, grace, nay glory, honour, and Immortality, and yet the offer has been deſpiſed.
I have been apt to count the Goſpel fooliſhneſs, though it be the wiſdom of God, and a Myſtery which the Angels admire and deſire to look into.
I have not hearkned to the Voyce of the great Prophet, I have not reverenced thy Son who has ſpoken to me; and therefore deſerve to be cut off from among thy people.
Thy Son, is a merciful and faithful high Prieſt in things pertaining to God, to make reconcilation for the ſins of the people; He has called upon me to come to him for reſt; but I would not come that I might have life.
His Righteouſneſs is a perfect and everlaſting Righteouſneſs, yet I have gon about to eſtabliſh my own righteouſneſs, and have not ſubmitted my ſelf to the righteouſneſs of God.
I have placed a carnal confidence in my own ſtrength, though it be but meer weakneſs; and relied upon my duties, though God might damn me for the beſt of them, if he ſhould be extream to mark whats amiſs in them.
The Lord Jeſus is incomparably the beſt maſter, but I have refuſed to obey; I have called him Lord, Lord, but have not don the things that he ſayes.
I have refuſed to take his Yoak upon me, though his yoak be an eaſie yoak, and his burthen ſo light a burthen; his ſervice I have not liked, though 'tis perfect freedom. I have broke his bands aſunder, and caſt away his cords from me.
I deſerve to be daſh'd in peices by his iron Rod, who refuſed to ſubmit unto the ſcepter of his word
I have been called to repent, and encouraged thereunto, but have remained impenitent; I have made my heart like an adamant ſtone, and refuſed to be aſhamed.
Sin was the cauſe of Chriſts ſufferings, it makes the whole creation groan; 'tis that which has murthered millions of Souls: 'tis the cauſe of all the horrour and deſpair, and ſorrows, and torment, which the damned undergo, and yet how light a matter have I eſteemed it? Ah! fool that I have been to make a mock of ſin, and count it a paſtime to do wickedly.
My ſins O Lord are highly aggravated.
Light is come into the world, but I have loved darkneſs more then light, becauſe my deeds are evil.
Thy will has been plainly told me, and I have known my duty, and yet have done the contrary, and deſerves to be beaten with many ſtripes.
I have had experience of the riches of thy goodneſs and forbearance, and long ſuffering, and yet all has not lead me to repentance.
When fair means prevailed not, thou haſt tried foul. But though then haſt ſmitten me, I have not grieved; thou haſt even conſumed me, but I have refuſed to receive correction: I have made my Face harder than a Rock, and have refuſed to return.
The Spirit has ſtriven with me, but like a ſtifnecked wretch I have reſiſted the holy Ghoſt, and thou mighteſt juſtly reſolve he ſhould ſtrive no more with me.
We judg O Lord, and condemn our ſelves in thy preſence.
Thou really and truly hateſt ſinne in us as well as others; Thou ſparedſt not the Angels that ſinned againſt thee. Thou ſparedſt not the Old World, but didſt bring the Floud upon them. Thou didſt turn the Cities of S…dom and Gomorrah to aſhes. Nay, thy Son himſelf was not ſpared, when ſin was laid to his charge. Oh what a wonder of mercy is it, that we are ſpared to this day.
We deſerve the ſoreſt of temporal Judgments.
Thou mighteſt appoint over us Terrour, Conſumption, and the burning-Ague; we have deſerved ſore ſickneſſes, and of long continuance, and to fall by the Arrow of the deadly Peſtilence.
Thou mighteſt make the Heaven as Iron, and the Earth as braſs, and curſe the Land, that it ſhall not yeeld her increaſe, and break the ſtaff of bread, whereby our lives are ſuſtained.
Thou mighteſt bring the Sword that ſhould avenge the quarrel of thy broken Covenant, and cauſe them that hate us, to rule over us.
We have deſerved ſpiritual Judgments, that the golden Candle ſtick ſhould be removed out of its place, that the light of the Goſpel ſhould be put out in obſcurity, and that the Sun of Righteouſneſs ſhould go down at Noon-day.
Thou mighteſt curſe ſuch barren Trees as we have been, and ſay, Never fruit grow on you more.
Thou mighteſt give us up to our own hearts luſts, and ſay, becauſe I would have purged thee, and thou waſt not purged, therefore thou ſhalt not be purged any more, until I cauſe my fury to reſt upon thee.
The very Vengeance of eternal fire is no more than our due. We have deſerved Hell, and one of the hotteſt places there. For Tyre and Sidon, Sodom and Gomorrah, had they heard what we have heard; had they enjoyed what we have enjoyed, would have repented long ago in ſackcloath and aſhes.
3. A third part of prayer is Deprecation of puniſhment. It highly concerns us to pray againſt the evils that we fear, and have merited by our ſins.
Lord enter not into Judgment with thy Servant, for in thy ſight ſhall no man living be juſtified.
If thou Lord ſhouldſt mark Iniquity, O Lord, who ſhould ſtand? but there is forgiveneſs with thee, and plenteous redemption that thou mayſt be feared.
Let not thy anger wax hot, let not thy jealouſy ſmoak againſt us.
We lye at thy foot, and lay down our weapons, and cry out for mercy.
The returning Prodigal was embraced by his Father; he rejoyced, ſaying, This my Son was dead, and is alive again; he was loſt, and is found. O let the arms of thy Love, O Lord, be open to embrace us, though we are not worthy to be called thy Children.
We pray againſt outward Calamities; and if theſe are brought upon us, let them be ſanctified, and then they may be reckoned among our choyceſt mercies.
But eſpecially we deprecate ſpiritual judgments. Do not puniſh ſin with ſin; do not ſay, let him that is filthy be filthy ſtill; let him that is unjuſt, be unjuſt ſtill; Ephraim is joyned to Idols, let him alone.
Do not give us up to blindneſs of mind, to hardneſs of heart, to a reprobate ſence, to ſtrong deluſions, to vile affections. Do not ſwear in thy wrath that we ſhall never enter into thy reſt.
O Lord leave us not, for woe unto us when thou ſhalt depart from us.
Do not abhor us O God, for as thy loving kindneſs is better than life, ſo thy diſpleaſure is more bitter than death it ſelf.
Oh deliver from future wrath, which is moſt of all intollerable!
How ſhall we dwell with devouring fire, how ſhall we be able to inhabit everlaſting burnings?
How ſhall we be able to ſtand before the Lord, when he ſhall be revealed with his mighty Angels in flaming fire, taking Vengeance on them that know not God, and diſobey the Goſpel; who ſhall be puniſhed with overlaſting deſtruction from the preſence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.
Oh Lord grant that we may find mercy of thee in that great approaching, when the wicked ſhall be turned into Hell, and all the Nations that forget God.
Thou that haſt the keyes of Hell, and of Death; Oh, unſting death, and ſuffer me not to fall down into that lake which burns with fire and brimſtone.
Let me never feel the gnawings of that Worm that dyes not, nor be tormented in that flame that never ſhall be quenched.
Oh be not angry, if I am importunate to have thy anger removed; an eternity of miſery is aſtoniſhing. Oh ſave me from everlaſting Damnation.
4. A fourth part of prayer, is Petition for Grace and Mercy.
Remember. O Lord, thy tender mercies, and thy loving kindneſſes, for they have been ever of old.
Have mercy upon me O God, according to thy loving kindneſs, and according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my tranſgreſſions. Waſh me thorowly from my Iniquities, and cleanſe me from my ſins. Take away all our Iniquities, and receive us graciouſly; heal our back-ſlidings, and love us freely, and let thy anger be turned away from us. Though we have made thee to ſerve with our ſins, and wearied thee with our Iniquities, yet according to the Word that thou haſt ſpoken, blot out our Tranſgreſſions for thy own ſake, and remember our ſins no more.
For thy name ſake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity, for it is great.
O Lord, behold the Lamb of God that takes away the ſins of the world.
All we, like Sheep, have gone aſtray; we have turned every one to his own way, but thou haſt laid on him the iniquities of us all.
He was wounded for our Tranſgreſſions; he was bruiſed for our Iniquities; the chaſtiſement of our peace was laid upon him. Oh that by his ſtripes we may be healed.
He poured out his Soul unto the death, and made interceſſion for the Tranſgreſſors. Oh let tranſgreſſors be received into favour.
Juſtify us freely by thy grace, through the Redemption of Jeſus Chriſt, whom thou haſt ſent forth to be a propitiation through Faith in his blood.
Our ſin has abounded, let thy grace much more abound.
Beg for Adoption
Oh that thou wouldſt become a God in Covenant with us, and a Reconciled Father to us, and let us be the Sons and Daughters of the Lord Almighty.
Let us be no more Strangers and Forraigners, but fellow-Citizens with the Saints, and of the houſhold of God.
Send forth the ſpirit of thy Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Deliver us from fear and bondage, and ſeal us up unto the day of Redemption. Say unto us, Souls I am your Salvation.
There be many that ſay, who will ſhew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy Countenance upon us.
Make me to hear joy and gladneſs, that the bones which thou haſt broken may rejoyce. Satisfy us early with thy mercy.
Let thy ſpirit bear witneſs with our ſpirits, that we are the Children, and not only Children, but Heirs, Heirs of God, joynt-Heirs with Chriſt unto the Inheritance that is undefiled, and will never fade away, reſerved in Heaven for us.
Intreat that Repentance unto life may be granted.
Oh take away the heart of ſtone, and give an heart of fleſh. Let thy goodneſs lead us to Repentance.
Let us not only have ſpace, but alſo grace to repent of the evils of our ways and doing… ▪ Cauſe us to remember them ſo, as to loath our ſelves, and turn to thee.
Turn thou us unto thee, O Lord, and ſo ſhall we be turned; draw us, and we ſhall run after thee.
Renew us in the ſpirit of our minds, and help us to put on that new man, which after God, is created in Righteouſneſs and true …olineſs.
Make our hearts juſt, after thy own heart, and let them be inclined to keep thy Teſtimonies.
Put thy laws into our minds, and write them in our hearts, and be to us a God, and make us a willing people in the day of thy power.
Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a right ſpirit within me.
Pray for Faith.
Faith is the gift of God; Oh let us obtain precious Faith from thee, which is much more to be valued then gold that periſhes.
Strengthen my aſſent unto every word that thou haſt ſpoken, that I may as firmly believe every threatning, every promiſe, every part of thy revealed will, as I believe when the Sun ſets, 'twill riſe again the next morning.
Let me tremble at thy threatnings, and not dare to venture upon any thing thou hateſt.
Let my heart ſtand in awe. of thy Word, and let it be my conſtant inquiry.
Lord, what wouldſt thou have me to do?
Open my heart, to give entertainment to the Lord of life and glory.
Oh that I may look unto Jeſus as the Iſraelites ſtung in the Wilderneſs, did unto the brazen Serpent; and looking, may be healed and ſaved.
Let me hear, and be taught of the Father, and come to Chriſt, and receive him to be a Prince and Saviour to me.
Oh that Chriſt may be truly precious to me, that I may count all things but loſs, that I may win the Lord Jeſus. Help me to value the exceeding riches of thy grace in thy kindneſs, through Chriſt Jeſus.
Be earneſt for Love and other graces of the ſpirit.
Let my faith work by love, and love conſtrain me to live unto thee.
Give me an heart to know thee more, and circumciſe my heart to love thee above all.
Whom have I in Heaven, but thee? and there is none on Earth that I deſire beſides thee.
Let not my heart run a Whoring from thee▪ thou art infinitely worthy of my ſtrongeſt love.
That I may love thee, let me know I am beloved of thee.
Ʋnite my heart to fear thy name. Oh that I may ſet thee alwayes before me, and have an awful ſence of thy power, and preſence, and holineſs and goodneſs upon my heart.
Never turn away from me O Lord to do me good, and put thy fear into my heart that I may not depart from thee.
Fire my heart with zeal for thy glory, let me ſtand up for God, in the midſt of a crooked and perverſe Generation, let me never live either to be a ſhame to the Goſpel, or aſhamed of the Goſpel.
Deliver me from lukewarmneſs in Religion, let me take heed of being neither hot nor c…ld, leaſt I provoke thee, to ſpew me out of thy mouth.
Make and keep me good, even in bad times, and becauſe others diſhonour thee without fear; let me be the more careful to do that which pleaſes thee.
Thou didſt preſerve Lot in Sodom, Noah in the old world, the Saints that were in Nero's houſhold. Oh help me to keep my ſelf unſpotted from the world, and let me chuſe rather to go to Heaven with a few, then to go in the broad way that leads to deſtruction, with the greateſt multitude.
Let my heart be ſound in thy ſtatutes, that I be not aſhamed.
Lord make me Sincere, and keep me Sincere, and without offence until th… day of Jeſus Chriſt.
Let me be upright before thee, and keep my ſelf from mine Iniquity.
Oh help me to lay aſide every weight, and the Sin that does ſo eaſily beſet me.
Let this be our rejoycing even the teſtimony of our Conſcience; that in ſimplicity and godly Sincerity not with fleſhly Wiſdom, but by the Grace of God we have had our Converſations in the World.
In all Eſtates, let us learn therewith to be contented: Let us conſider that Godlineſs with Contentment is great Gain.
Oh that we may know how to want, and how to abound; how to be ſick, and how to be well; how to Live, and how to Die. Let us be able to do, and ſuffer all things through Chriſt ſtrengthening of us.
Let our Converſations be as becomes the Goſpel; help us to follow thee as dear Children, to Live as the Redeemed of the Lord, and to glorifie thee in our Bodies and in our Spirits: For we are not our own, but are bought with a price. We profeſs Chriſt; let us depart from Iniquity, and walk even as he walked. Not contenting our ſelves with the Form of Godlineſs without the Power of Godlineſs.
Let us not profeſs to Know thee, and in Works deny thee; but make us Zealous of good Works, conſidering we are Created unto good Works, which God has before o…dained, that we ſhould walk in them.
Help us to do Juſtly, and to love Mercy, and to walk Humbly with God.
Cleanſe us from all Filthineſs both of the Fleſh and Spirit, and help us to perfect Holineſs in thy Fear.
Make us Conſciencious in all our Relations; and let it be our continual Exerciſe, to keep a Conſcience void of Offence towards God and towards Man.
Arme us againſt the Evil day; let us never faint in Adverſity, nor be diſcouraged from following God by Perſecution.
Let Christ and Truth be Dearer to us than our very Lives, and let us count it both Wiſdom and our Intereſt, to throw all our outward Enjoyments Over▪ board, rather than make Shipwrack of Faith and a good Conſcience.
Petitions in reference to the Word.
O let thy Word be a Light unto my Feet, and a Lamp unto my Path: When I go, let it lead me, when I ſleep, let it keep me, when I awake, let it talk with me.
Give me the ſeeing Eye, the hearing Ear, the underſtanding Heart: Make thy Word like Fire, and like a Hammer that breaketh the Rock in pieces.
Oh let thy Word he powerful to kill ſin, and to Convert the Soul unto thee.
Give the Preacher the Tongue of the Learned, and let him divide the Word aright; and let the Pleaſure of the Lord proſper in his hand.
Let Sinners be ſtartled and converted, and let Saints be edified and comforted, and built up by the Word of thy Grace.
Let thy Spirit accompany Propheſying, that dead Bones may live, and they who have Life, may have it more and more abundantly.
Make us Doers of thy Word, and not Hearers only, deceiving our ſelves.
Petitions in reference to the Sacrament.
We were given up to thee when Baptized in thy Name. Oh break our Hearts for our Ʋnfruitfulneſs, and help us now to be ſtedfaſt in thy Covenant.
We have been baptized with water; Oh that we may be waſhed, and ſanctified, and juſtified in the Name of the Lord Jeſus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Let the Ordinance of the Supper be earneſtly deſired; let not thy Table be Contemptible.
Oh that we may prize that Bread of God that comes down from Heav…n, and gives Life unto the World; let us not labour for the Me…t th…t periſheth.
Wherefore ſhould we ſpend our Money for that which is not Bread, and …u… Labour for that which cannot ſatisfie.
Let u… look u…to Chriſt whom we have peirced, and mo…rn. Let us …t…rnally fall out with Sin b…hol…ing it b…ſme…red wi…h the Bloud of Jeſus.
Help us to b…lieve that Chriſt was made ſin, and bear the Curſe that was due to us; and to conclude that the Lord Jeſus is as really given to us, as the outward Elements.
Make us eager to Receive whole Chriſt, and all his Benefits, and to give up our ſelves wholly, and immediately to him.
O thou God of all Grace, make us perfect, eſtabliſh, ſtrengthen, ſettle us, and cauſe us to cleave unto the Lord with full Purpoſe of Heart.
Let Sabbaths be prized and improved; lets rejoyce when they come, for then we have Opportunity to enter thy Sanctuary, and approach thy Table.
Petitions for Perſeverance.
Ʋphold me with thy free Spirit. Hold thou me up, and I ſhall be ſafe, ſo ſhall I have Reſpect unto thy Precepts continually.
Thou art the Author, be the Finiſher of my Faith: Fulfill all the good pleaſure of thy Goodneſs, and the work of Faith and power.
Thou giveſt Power to the Faint, and to them that have no Might, th…u …n… eaſeth Strength. Oh ſtrengthen me with ſtrength in my Soul that I may Run and not be weary, that I may Walk and not Faint.
Preſerve me by thy mighty Power through Faith unto Salvation.
Let us not be of them that draw back unto Perdition, but of them that Believe unto the Saving of the Soul.
O Lord, who art of Power to eſtabliſh us, keep us from Falling, and preſent us Faultleſs before the Preſence of this Glory, with exceeding Joy.
Petitions for Temporal Mercies.
Give us this day our Da…ly Bread: Give …e neither Poverty nor Riches; feed me with Food convenient for me.
Let not our Table be a Snare, and that which ſhould have been for our VVelfare, let it not become a Trap unto us.
O that thou wouldeſt Bleſs me indeed, and enlarge my Court, and that thy Hand may be with me, and that thou wouldeſt keep me from Evil, that it may not grieve me!
Make me in all my ways to Acknowledge thee, and do thou direct my Paths.
'Tis in vain to riſe up Early, to ſit up Late, and eat the Bread of …rrows.
Thy Bleſſings O Lord maketh Rich, and thou addeſt no Sorrow with it.
Be a Sun to Enlighten, a Shield to Defend me, and no good Thing with-hold from me.
Make thy Light to ſhine upon my Tabernacle, and ſet an Hedge about me, and cauſe the VVork of my Hands …o proſper; and let me have an Heart to Honour thee with the Subſtance thou haſt given me, and to make a Friend of the Mammon of Ʋarighteouſneſs.
Watch over me perpetually, and that none may hurt me, O Lord keep me nig…t and …ay.
Preſerve my going out and my comming in, lead me not into Temptation, but deliver me from evil, and eſpecially from ſin which is of …ll the greateſt.
Petitions in reference to Death.
Oh that we were wiſe to conſider our latter end. Teach us ſo to number our dayes that we may apply our hearts unto wiſedom.
All the dayes of our appointed time let us wait till our change comes: let us die dayly to ſin and to the world, and live to God through Chriſt Jeſus.
Help us to make ſure work for Eternity, living the life of the Righteous that we may alſo die the death of the Righteous.
Oh that we may paſs the time of our ſojourning here in fear, and as ſtrangers and pilgrims abſtain from fleſhly luſts which war againſt our Souls.
What is our life? 'tis even a vapour which appeareth for a little time and then vaniſheth away, let us not defer our beleiving and repentance, but while 'tis called to day, hear thy Voice, and not harden our hearts any longer.
Let death be ours as well as life, and let the ſting of death be taken out before we feel it. Deliver us from the fear of death, and ſuffer us not all our life time to be ſubjected unto bondage.
Put us in mind of our great account, for ſhortly we muſt be no longer ſtewards.
Let us act as thoſe that believe, God will bring every work into judgment, with every ſecret thing; whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Here we have no continuing City, therefore, let us mind that City that hath foundations whoſe builder and maker is God.
Let our Heart and Treaſure be above, let our Loyns be girded about, and our Lights burning, and our ſelves as thoſe that are watching and waiting for our Lords appearing.
Let the prize of the high calling be in our Eye, that we may preſs towards the mark, and more and more abound in the work of the Lord.
Let us groan to be clothed upon with our houſe which is from Heaven; deſiring nothing more than to be abſent from the body, and preſent with the Lord. And labour exceedingly that whether preſent or abſent, we may be accepted of him.
5. The fifth part of Prayer is Interceſſion for others. The Church is to be prayed for.
Save thy People, bleſs thine inheritance, rule them alſo, and lift them up for ever. Be a wall of fire round about Mount Sion, that it may ſtand faſt continually.
Preſerve that little Flock unto whom thoou haſt promiſed to give the kingdom.
Let thy delight be in Jeruſalem, grave her on the palms of thy Hands, let her walls be continually before thee, let her builders make haſt and cauſe her deſtroyers to depart from her.
Why doth thine anger ſmoke againſt the ſheep of thy Paſture? look down from Heaven the habitation of thy Holineſs and of thy Glory. Where is thy zeal and thy ſtrength, and the earning of thy bowels, and of thy mercies? are they reſtrained?
Awake, awake, put on ſtrength, O Arm of the Lord; Awake as in the ancient dayes in the generations of old. Art not thou he that haſt broken Rahab, and wounded the Dragon? Shew thy marvellous loving-kindneſs, O thou that ſaveſt by thy right hand, thoſe that put their truſt in thee, from them that riſe up againſt them.
Ʋnite thy people together, let them not bite and devour one another, but endeavour by all lowlineſs and meekneſs, longſuffering, and forbearing one another, in love to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace.
Let Truth ſhine forth, and miſtakes be diſcovered; Oh let the light of the moon be as the light of the Sun, and the light of the ſun ſevenfold as the light of ſeven dayes; and at laſt bind up the breach of thy people and heal the ſtroke of their wound.
Bring home Jews and Gentiles that belong to the election of thy Grace.
Make thy way known upon earth, and thy ſaving health among all Nations.
Raiſe up the Tabernacle of David which is fallen, and cloſe up the breaches thereof; and be gracious to the remnant of Joſeph, and let the kingdoms of the world, become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Chriſt.
Bring in thoſe ſheep that are not yet of thy fold, and cauſe them to hear the voice of the great Shephard.
As the mountains are round about Jeruſalem, ſo be thou round about thy people from henceforth and for ever. And let not the gates of Hell ever be able to prevail againſt them.
Petitions for the Nation in which we live.
Let Truth and Peace, be in England, Scotland, and Ireland. Let the Goſpel be continued, and be made effectual to the turning of many unto righteouſneſs. Let Souls fly as a Cloud to the Lord Jeſus; and as Doves to the Windowes.
Let judgments be all ſanctified, let not Sword, and Plague, and Fire, be all in vain; but oh let our uncircumciſed hearts be humbled, and help us to accept of the puniſhment of our iniquities, and to turn unto him that has been ſmiting us; that thou mayeſt ſend abundant plenty and proſperity.
Let the King, and our Rulers be bleſſed, and Favour Religion, and thy People, and under them let us live quiet and peaceable lifes in all godlineſs and honeſty.
Petitions for relations, and thoſe that are afflicted.
Oh that our brethren, and kindred, according to the fleſh, may have an intereſt in that love which thou beareſt to thy people.
'Tis terrible to think of Children or yoakfellowes, or brethren their miſcarrying to Eternity. Oh therefore give grace where there is none, and work more and more, where thou haſt already in ſome degree wrought it.
Sanctify outward affliction to all that are exerciſed thereby: let them know thou chaſtizeſt them becauſe thou loveſt them, and let it be their principal deſire, to be made partaker of thy Holineſs. Let them caſt all their burthens upon thee; and do thou ſuſtain them.
Let the Fatherleſs find mercy with thee, and make the widows heart to ſing for joy, becauſe their Maker is their Husband, the Lord of Hoſts is his Name.
Binde up the broken in heart, and heal the Wounds which ſin has made.
Do not contend for ever, neither be alwayes wrath, leſt the Spirit fail before thee.
Succour them that are tempted, and ſho ten the chain of the evil One.
Shine into the ſouls of them that refuſe to be comforted, that ſit in darkneſs and ſee no light, and are ready to ſay, will the Lord caſt off for ever; and will he be favourable no more?
Many are the afflictions of thy people O Lord, deliver them out of them all. Suffer none to be tempted above what they are able.
Petitions for them to uſe that are wounded in their Spirits.
How long wilt thou forgot me O Lord; forever? Oh do not ſtill hide away thy Face from me. Turn thee unto me and have mercy upon me, for I am deſolate and afflicted; the troubles of my heart are enlarged; O bring thou me out of my diſtreſſes.
Oh that my griefes were throughly weighed, and my calamities lay'd in the ballances together! for now they would be heavier then the ſand, therefore my words are ſwallowed up, for the arrowes of the almighty are within me, the poyſon whereof drinketh up my Spirits, the terrours of God do ſet themſelves in array againſt me. Oh do not caſt me quite away from thy preſence, but heal thoſe wounds which thou haſt made; and cauſe a calm where now the ſtorm is ſo exceeding dreadful.
I have ſinned, what ſhall I do unto thee; O thou preſerver of men? Oh do not ſet me as a mark againſt thee, do not make me a burthen to my ſelf.
Out of the depths, have I cryed unto thee; O Lord, all my deſire is before thee, and my groaning is not hid from thee.
Let not thy wrath ſtill lie hard upon me, do not afflict me with all thy waves.
Oh draw a weary and heavy laden Soul, to the Lord Jeſus, who alone can give reſt unto me.
Lord encourage my hope, and help one to believe. Chriſt was wounded that I might be healed, he was bound that I might be ſet at liberty, he was forſaken and deſerted that thou mighteſt return to me: He was exceeding ſorrowful even unto death, that I might partake of the joy of thy Salvation.
I fly not unto carnal means to divert, and remove my ſorrows; the pleaſures of the world, and the advantages of it, I perceive are empty and low things.
I mourn after God, I long for God, as the chaſed hart after the water brooks.
Oh ſatiate a weary Soul, and repleniſh a Sorrowful Soul, that will certainly ſink unleſſe thou ſupport, and dye away, unleſſe thou ſpeak comfort.
6. The Sixt part of Prayer is Imprecation againſt others.
Let the works of the Devil be deſtroyed, and the Kingdom of the prince of darkneſs be thrown down.
Why ſhould Satan lead captive at his pleaſure, the greater part of mankind, and command ſo great a multitude of thoſe Souls, that are capable of honouring and ſerving thee?
Haſt thou not ſpoyled principalities, and powers, and made a ſhow of them, openly triumphing over them? Oh let not conquered enemies inſult and prevail; but let the Prince of this world be judged and caſt out, and let Souls by thouſands and by millions be made free indeed.
Let Satans inſtruments have a rebuke given them, and let no weapon proſper that is formed againſt Zion.
We deſire not the woful day for thy enemies, but we intreat that their hands may not be able to perform their enterprize againſt thy people, and all their counſels may be carried headlong.
O Lord God to whom vengeance belongeth, O God to whom vengeance belongeth, ſhew thy ſelf, lift up thy ſelf, thou Judg of the earth render a reward to the proud. Lord how long ſhall the wicked, how long ſhall the wicked triumph? How long ſhall they utter and ſpeak hard things, and all the workers of Iniquity boaſt themſelves? They break in peices thy People, O Lord, and afflict thine heritage. The plowers plow upon thy peoples backs, and make long their furrows. O Thou that art the righteous Lord, break aſunder the cords of the ungodly.
Let great Babylon come into remembrance, and give that Scarlet-colour'd whore, who has been drunk with the blood of Saints, blood to drink, for ſhe is worthy. Her ſins have reached unto Heaven, Oh remember her iniquities. She ſayes in her heart, I ſit as a Queen, and am no widow, and ſhall ſee no ſorrow; therefore let her plagues come in one day; Death, and mourning, and famine; and let her be utterly burnt with fire; for thou art ſtrong O Lord that judgeſt her.
Let not Popery prevail, but all abhor that Religion which pleads for Idolatry, and that is ſo exceeding bloody.
Oh when ſhall that prophecy be fulfilled; Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul Spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird? When ſhall the heavens rejoyce over her, and the holy Apoſtles and Prophets, becauſe God hath avenged them upon her?
Let enemies to thy people become friends, both to thy people and their own ſelves; but if they are implacable, make them to know they are but men; and wherein they deal proudly, ſhew thy ſelf above them.
Ariſe O Lord, and plead thine own cauſe; and let all thy foes be made thy foot ſtool.
7. The laſt part of prayer is Thankſgiving and Praiſe.
Lord thou art infinitely exalted above all bleſſing and praiſe. Oh how great is thy goodneſs which thou haſt laid up for them that fear thee, which thou haſt wrought for them that truſt in Thee before the Sons of men!
How precious are thy Thoughts unto me, O God, how great is the ſum of them? If I ſhould count them, they are more in number than the Sand.
'Tis thou that haſt made us and not we our ſelves; our Bodies were curiouſly wrought by thee, and all our Members were written in thy Book, and thou haſt been the former of our Spirits.
Thou haſt given me a Tongue to ſpeak, and therefore it ſhall ſhew forth thy praiſe. Thou haſt given me a Soul capable of love and joy▪ therefore it ſhall love thee and rejoyce in thee.
Bleſs the Lord O my Soul, and all that is within me bleſs his holy Name; bleſs the Lord O my ſoul, and forget not all his benefits.
I have been caſt upon thee from the Womb, and have hung on thee ever ſince I hung upon the Breaſts.
How many unknown and paſſible and deſerved evils have I been preſerved from? How many undeſerved Mercyes have been ſhowred down upon me? Thou haſt been my Shepheard O Lord, ſo that I have wanted nothing all my days.
Many are blind that I meet withal, but I ſee; many are deaf, but I hear; many are dumb, but my Tongue can ſpeak; many have loſt their Limbs, but all my Bones have reaſon to ſay, who Lord is like unto thee? my Limbs are ſound, and Sences perfect; and I have the uſe of Reaſon when many are diſtracted, and raving in Bedlam.
I ſee not the hurtful Sword, neither do I hear the alarm of War; when others are terrified, and behold Garments roulled in Blood, and their Souls are wearied, becauſe of Murtherers.
Thou ſendeſt fruitful ſeaſons, and filleſt our hearts with Food and gladneſs: Thou Crowneſt the Year with thy goodneſs, and they Paths drop fatneſs.
We are leſs than the leaſt of Mercies, therefore thy goodneſs O Lord is the greatter, and more greatly to be admired.
Thankſgiving for ſpiritual Mercyes.
Oh the height, and length, and depth, and breadth, of the love of God, in ſending Chriſt into the World to be a Saviour.
Glory be to God in the higheſt, on Earth Peace, good will towards Men.
O Wonderful, that the Word ſhould be made Fleſh; that He who was in the form of God, and thought it no Robbery to be equal with God, ſhould take upon him the form of a Servant, and become obedient to Death, that we might not die and periſh for ever.
We bleſſe thee that our Ears do hear the joyful ſound of the Goſpel; and that the day-ſpring from on high hath viſited us, to guide our Feet into the way of Peace.
Thy Sabbaths, and thy Ordinances, and the means of Grace, are priviledges which we can never ſufficiently value.
Thou calleſt upon us to turn and Liv…, and ſome can ſay thou haſt made the Call effectual. We were ſometimes darkneſſe, but now are we light in the Lord; we were ſtrangers, but now Children; we were dead in treſpaſſes and ſins, but God who is rich in mercy, for the great love wherewith he loved us, hath quickned us together with Chriſt. Thou haſt caſt all our ſins behind thy back, and we may rejoyce indeed, becauſe our names are written in the book o… Life.
Thou haſt made a new Covenant with us, ordered in all things, and ſure, and all that we can deſire, or need, is here promiſed. The bleſſings of both Worlds thou haſt engaged to beſtow; and this covenant is more firm thon the Ordinances of the Heavens: The mountains ſhall depart, and the Hills be removed; the Heaven and the Earth ſhall paſſe away, but thy kindneſs ſhall not depar… from us, nor the Covenant of thy Peace be removed, but abide for evermore.
Thankſgiving for Eternal Mercies.
Thy Salvation is near O Lord; and he that ſhall come, will come; and will not tarry. Time is wearing away apace, and the Everlaſting Kingdom is at hand.
'Tis but a little while, and we ſhall be in thy preſence where there is fulneſs of joy and pleaſures for evermore.
Then our hope will be ſwallowed up in Fruition, and our Faith in ſeeing of thee Face to Face. We ſhall be made perfectly holy and compleatly happy; we ſhall ſin no more, we ſhall ſorrow no more, but be at reſt Eternally.
We ſhall be Crowned with Life and Righteouſneſs, and Reign with God in his Everlaſting Kingdom.
Bleſſed be the Lord who hath given us Everlaſting conſolation, and good hope through Grace of ſuch an Inheritance; where we ſhall to Eternity be admiring free Grace, and making Heaven Ring with Everlaſting Hallelujahs.
While I live, I will praiſe the Lord, and after Death I will begin to praiſe him in a better manner; and never, never, give over praiſing.
Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we either ask or think, according to the Power that worketh in us, Ʋnto Him be Glory in the Church by Chriſt Jeſus throughout all Ages, and World without End.
Amen.
FINIS.
End of the text · Nathanael Vincent, The Spirit of Prayer (1674)