A Guide to Godliness

§. Sect. 3 Their objection answered, who pretend that they have outgone many others.

Furthermore, being deluded with the flesh, we are ready to object, that though we have not attained to that perfection which were to be desired, yet we are forward enough in the course of Christianity, seeing we have outrunne many others, although there are many also who are far before us. For answer whereof we are to know, that he who thinketh that he hath proceeded far enough, hath not as yet set one foot forward in the Christian Race; and though we had made some good progress, yet if we now stand still, and do not continue running till we come to the goal, we shall never obtain the Garland. And therefore, imitating runners who strive for a prize, we must not look so much to those whom we have outrunne, as to those that are still before us, that we may overtake, and get before them to the mark; seeing if we stand still, and rest in that which we have already done, he that is furthest behind, & yet continueth running, will soon overtake us, & get the Garland from us. We must not please our selves in our good proceedings, and run no more; for in the ways of Christianity, he that goeth not forward, goeth backward; and when we cease to be better, we begin to be worse; neither must we look how far we have proceeded, but how much of the Race remaineth still vnrunne, and how far we are yet from the Goale of perfection: And with the Apostle, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to those things which are before, we must press towards the mark, for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. He that is ambitious, is not pleased with his present honors, because he is preferred before many others: but if there be yet any above him, he is not quiet in his mind, till he have matched or exceeded him. O then, why should we be so sluggish about spiritual and heavenly preferments, which are incomparably of greater worth and excellency? why should we not be as religiously ambitious in aspiring, even unto the highest degrees of heavenly glory and happiness, which is permanent and everlasting; as in striving after worldly honors, which are contemptible in their worth, and momentary and mutable in their continuance; seeing man that is in honor, abideth not, but is like the beasts that perish, as the Psalmist speaketh?

§. Sect. 4 Their objection answered, who affirm that Ministers only are bound to the strict performance of religious duties.

Moreover, the flesh is ready to object, that howsoever this strict performance of Christian duties be required of Ministers, who have more knowledge, and many helps which many others want, and also fewer lets and distractions, having by reason of their small employments about worldly things, little else to do, then to attend unto spiritual exercises; yet those who are of the common sort of people, as Trades-men, Artificers, and Husbandmen, cannot by the same reason be so strictly tied to religious duties, seeing they are simple, ignorant, and unlettered, and have much more business and employment in the works of their calling. To which I answer first, that though Ministers be tied to exercise themselves, above all others, in those personal duties which belong to their special calling, as reading, Meditation, and study in the Scriptures, and other religious duties, which are more proper and peculiar unto them: yet the general duties of Christianity, as Prayer, Thanksgiuing, receiving the Sacrament, watchfulness, and such like, do lie out in common, both to them and all other men that are true members of the Church. In regard whereof, there is no distinction or difference between one and another, seeing our Savior Christ having with his precious Blood washed us all from our sins, hath made us all alike, Kings and Priests, unto God and his Father. Neither hath he selected some only from among the rest, unto whom he hath appropriated the religious duties of God's service, but hath made us altogether indifferently, a chosen generation, a royal Priesthood, an holy Nation, a peculiar people, that we should show forth the praises of him, who hath called us out of darkness into this marvelous light, and to offer up spiritual sacrifice, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. And howsoever the public performance of these religious duties, doeth more peculiarly belong unto them, in respect of their public calling in the Church, yet private devotions, and the duties of God's service and a godly life, belong indifferently unto all, without exception or exemption of any person. Neither are the admonitions and exhortations unto these duties in the Scriptures directed only unto Ministers, as that they should keep the spiritual watch, examine themselves, put on the Christian Armor, pray continually, and in all things give thanks, but unto the whole Church and people of God. Secondly, howsoever God's Ministers ought to shine as lights in the world, to be good examples unto their flocks, over which God hath made them overseers, to be guides unto the rest of the faithful, that they may lead and direct them in the ways of godliness, and to be Captains of the Lord's Armies, to go out and in before them; yet it is to this end, that the people should walk in their light, and no longer sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, that they should imitate their holy example, and propound them as good patterns and precedents for their imitation; that they should follow their guides, be directed by them, and tread in their footsteps, so long as they go before them in the ways of truth and godliness; and finally, that they should march after their spiritual Captains and Leaders, and join with them, in fighting against the enemies of their salvation. For it were as good for them to want these burning and shining Lights, if they sit idly still and do nothing; to have no such examples, if they never imitate them; to be without guides, if they will not follow them; and these Captains and Leaders, if they let them sustain alone the brunt of the battle, and not like faithful Soldiers, join common forces against common enemies. Thirdly, I answer, that if the special employments of our particular callings, might make us dispence with the general duties of Christianity and God's service; the Ministers calling, if we faithfully walk in it, and diligently perform our duties, hath as much business and employment, and not many fewer or less distractions from private religious duties, then those which are of other professions: As besides his private studies, Reading and Meditation, unto which he must seriously attend, that he may prepare and fit himself for the public service of the Church, and the government of his own family, he must also watch over his flock, visit the sick, strengthen the weak, comfort the afflicted, privately admonish those that err and go out of the way, exhort those that are sluggish, and rebuke those who willfully offend, and continue in their sins. All which, if they be performed with that conscionable care which they ought, will leave them as little time as other men for their private devotions, although under this pretence they must not be neglected. Finally, though more be required of God's Ministers in respect of degree, seeing where the Lord bestoweth a greater measure of his gifts and graces, there he requireth that they should in a greater measure bring forth the fruits of holy obedience; yet the same duties are to be performed of all Christians, according to the proportion of their grace received, and both alike are tied to yield unto God, their common Master, religious service, although those who exceed in knowledge and other gifts, are bound to do them in more perfection. And howsoever a greater measure of knowledge is required of the Minister then the people, because his lips must preserve it, as in a common Treasury, that they may have recourse unto him for the supplying of their wants; yet as all men must live by their own faith, so also they must walk by their own sight, and have such a measure of knowledge and illumination of the Spirit, as may be sufficient to direct them in all Christian and religious duties. For their souls being alike precious unto them, as theirs are who are called to the Ministry, and the way and means the same which bring both to eternal life and happiness, it behooveth them both alike to labor after this common salvation, in the performance of the same Religious duties, which are also required of both as common unto them.

§. Sect. 5 Their objection answered, who pretend the want of means.

But here again they are ready to object, that if they had such means of knowledge, and other saving graces as others enjoy, and such helps and furtherances in the duties of a godly life as many abound with; then with some reason they were to be blamed, if they did neglect them. But alas, they are under some ignorant or idle minister, which cannot or will not instruct them, or such unconscionable guides, as shine not in the light of a good example, but rather lay stumbling stones of offense before them, by their enormious and scandalous lives, and neglecting all good duties themselves, do dis-hearten and discountenance them who are careful to perform them, rather then any ways encourage them, either by their words or actions. In which regard they think that they may be excused, if they be not so zealous and forward in performing the Religious duties of God's service and of a godly life. To which I have in part before answered, namely, that if this be our case, first we must use all good means to move them to their duty, & especially that we pour forth our hearty prayers unto God for our Pastors and Ministers, entreating him that he will enlighten their minds, and sanctify their hearts and affections, and so make them as able, as willing to perform those high and holy duties unto which they are called. And secondly, if the courses which they still hold, afford us no better hopes; then accounting the glorifying of God in the eternal salvation of our souls, that one thing necessary, which is far to be preferred before all earthly commodities, we must labor to place our selves under such Pastors and Teachers, as will carefully and conscionably break unto us the bread of life, and shine before us, not only in the light of doctrine, but also of an holy life & conversation. In the mean time, these outward wants must not make us neglect the Religious duties of a godly life; or if they do, they cannot be sufficient to excuse our negligence, which doth not so much proceed from the want of external means, or those discouragements which are without us, as from the secret corruptions that lie lurking within us. Which if they were thoroughly mortified, and our hearts inflamed with fervent zeal and true devotion, we would not be moved by these public defects and discouragements, to neglect the private duties of God's service; yea, rather we would use them with more diligence, as being, through want of the other, pressed upon us with a greater necessity. For he that hath no friends or parents to look unto him, or such as greatly care not whether he feed upon wholesome food, or famish for want of bread, findeth that he is the more bound hereby to provide for himself. Whereas contrariwise, these corruptions which make us neglect the duties of God's service, still remaining in us, and quenching in our hearts all zeal and devotion, would make us alike cold and negligent in our private exercises of Religion, although the public means which we enjoyed were never so excellent. Of the former, we have an example in David, who when he lived in the barren wilderness, had his soul so watered with the dew of God's grace, that it never brought forth more & better fruits of holiness; and so inflamed with the fire of God's Spirit, that he was never more devout in religious exercises, nor more zealous in the private duties of God's service, though being banished and exiled from the Tabernacle and the public place of God's worship, he was withal deprived of the ordinary means of his salvation. And the like we see in the example of the persecuted Martyrs, who never were more fervent in their private devotions, then when they durst not show themselves in open assemblies, but hid their heads frō their pursuers in secret corners and solitary places. And of many others in our own times, who being necessarily debarred of all public helps, & discountenanced & discouraged in their godly courses, by those which should be their guides and leaders, yet being inwardly furnished with saving graces, do outwardly exercise them in all religious & holy duties. For howsoever the public Ministry is the ordinary means to begin, as also to preserve and increase God's graces in us, and to give unto us not only birth and spiritual life, but also growth and strength, whereby we are enabled unto all duties of a godly life; so that whosoever neglect it, when they may have it, can never look to thrive in grace, or to have any ability to serve God in any acceptable manner, because they despise his holy Ordinances, fancying unto themselves alife which needeth no nourishment; yet we must hold it to be but a means and instrument, whereby God, who is the supreme cause & chief Agent, is pleased ordinarily to work, but yet when he depriveth us of them, can effect his own good work of grace and sanctification, either without them, or when they are weak and insufficient, as well as with them, and when they are most excellent & in greatest plenty. Of the other we have an example in Judas, who being full of inward corruption, could not thrive, no, not under Christ's own Ministry, and Demas, Ananias and Sapphira under the Ministry of the Apostles, who performed no acceptable service unto God by all these helps, because their hearts were not sincere & upright, but still remained carnal & defiled with worldly love. Yea, we may have experience of it in many unthriving Christians of these times, who though they live under a most powerful and excellent Ministry, & abound in all the spiritual means of grace and salvation, yet remain as worldly and carnal, as averse and backward unto all duties of a godly life, as those who are utterly destitute of them.

§. Sect. 6 Their objection answered, who pretend, that it is not safe to be more forward then other men.

Finally, men misled by carnal corruption, are ready to excuse thenselves, for not entering into the course of Christianity, though their judgments are convinced of this truth, that it is above all others most excellent, profitable and necessary, by objecting, that it is neither good nor safe to make greater profession then other men, or to be more strict in our lives, then ordinary Christians; because we are not sure that we shall be able to hold out in our sincerity, and holy practice, and if we should relapse, our latter end would be worse then our beginning. Neither can we tell, in respect of human frailty, whether we may not fall into some grievous and heinous sins, or at least such as are contrary to our strict profession; which if we do, our faults will be more observed in us, though they would be little regarded in ordinary men, and more bitterly censured and condemned; yea, we our selves shall be a wonderment to all that know us, and both shame our selves and our profession. To which I answer, first, that none can make any greater profession of strict performing all Christian duties, then that which we all make at our Baptism, when we enter into covenant with God, that we will renounce the service of sin and Satan, the world and our own sinful lusts, and betake our selves wholly to the service of God, in all duties of holiness and righteousness. Which if we do not all still make, and renew upon all occasions, what do we but disgrace our selves, by casting off our Lord's livery, denying and renouncing our promise and profession, and returning into the ancient servitude of sin and Satan? Yea, what do we else but daily play the hypocrites, when as praying that we may do God's will in earth, in that purity and perfection, which the Saints and holy Angels do it in heaven, and that we may serve God in holiness, righteousness and sobriety all the days of our lives, we are notwithstanding so far from desiring, or going about it, that we are ashamed to profess that we have any such meaning? Secondly, I answer, that we are all bound, one as well as another, to make this profession of holiness and sincerity; neither is it left unto us as a thing arbitrary, and at our own choice, but expressly commanded and enjoined, that we should glorify God, by professing our selves his servants, and living according to this profession, which none refuseth to do, but such as are destitute of a lively Faith, whereby we are assured, that God is in Christ our gracious Lord and Father, and we his servants and people; for as with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, so with the mouth confession is made unto salvation; According to that of David, I believed, therefore have I spoken. Thirdly, I answer, that fear of falling away, or of being overtaken with some gross sins, must not hinder our profession and practice of piety; but rather this profession and practice must therefore be undertaken, that we may hereby be moved more carefully to use all good means of persevering in all grace and godliness, and to observe our ways with greater diligence, and make straight steps unto our feet, that we do not slip, nor halt, nor turn aside out of the way. And if we with these minds take upon us the profession of Christianity, and endeavor to bring forth the fruits of it in our holy practice, the Lord, who hath begun this good work in us, will also finish it; he will uphold us that we shall not greatly fall; or if we do, yet he will not suffer us to lie still and perish, but will so assist us with his grace and holy Spirit, that we shall rise again by unfeigned repentance. In the mean time no man hath just cause to wonder, if we fall through infirmity, though it be into some greater sins then many commit, who make little or no profession at all; if either he consider human frailty common to all, the relics of corruption remaining still in us after regeneration, and the combat which thence ariseth between the flesh and the Spirit; that, sometime prevailing, and this again getteth the upper hand; the malice of the devil, who most fiercely assaulteth with his temptations, those who have renounced his service, and in whom the Image of God most clearly shineth; or else the examples of the Saints in former ages, who have been subject to like frailties and infirmities, though they were just and upright in all their ways, and men in their ordinary and common carriage, according to God's own heart, and have been sometimes, though rarely, overtaken with gross sins, as Noah, Lot, David, Peter and the rest. And therefore it is no marvel if we, likewise have our slips and falls, yea rather, it is a great wonder, if we, who come so far short of them in grace and obedience, should stand in such slippery places where they have fallen, and be supported so with God's grace and holy Spirit, notwithstanding our greater frailty and weakness, that we may challenge all the world to accuse us of any gross sin. If indeed he who hath professed himself the child of God, and approved himself to be so, by his son-like obedience, should, like the wicked, make sin his way and trade, defend it when he is reproved, and continue in it without repentance, this were a matter of deserved wonder; but not so, if walking constantly in the ways of Godliness, they sometimes slip & get a fall, especially when they plainly show by their sorrow ensuing, that they are not pleased with their sin, but having done the evil which they hated in the inner man, do not continue in it, but rise out of it by unfeigned repentance. But suppose for all this, that professing sincerity, we shall be wondered at of the world, if we hap to fall into any open and scandalous sin; It is not better that with the godly we should be wondered at for doing evil, then that with wicked men our good actions should cause wonder. For though it be our shame to sin, and thereby to expose our selves to wonderment; yet this wondering it self, is rather a grace then a blemish unto us; seeing men wonder not at matters common and ordinary, but at such only as rarely happen. We wonder not at profane rakehells, when they break their word, lie, swear & deal unjustly; but to see one that is reputed just and honest to do thus at any time, doth make all that know them, to marvel at it; & the reason is, because it is common and ordinary in the one, but very rare and a thing seldom or never before seen in the other. And yet there is no man that is not graceless & desperate, who would not rather choose so to carry himself, as that he may be reputed an honest man, though his faults are more observed & wondered at, then so as to gain the reproach of a wicked person, although their faults being ordinary, are little observed and less marvelled at. Though every man wonder, when he seeth a botching piece of work to come out of the hands of a cunning and curious artizan, and maruaileth nothing at all, if he should see such an one or worse come out of the hands of a bungler; yet everyone desireth rather to be a skillful workman, and to be so reputed, then a bungling botcher. And though a spot be sooner seen in a beautiful face, then in one foul and deformed; or a blot and stain in a fine piece of Lawne or Cambricke, then in some common rag, or coorse canuas; and a faithful servant be more wondered at, that is taken halting in some deceitful action, then when a false fellow doth so, that maketh deceitful dealing his usual trade; yet everyone preferreth beauty with some blemish, before foulness and deformity; fine cloth, though a little spotted, before filthy & worn-out rags; and a faithful servant with his seldom slips, before a dishonest fellow, whose worst dealing raiseth no wonder, because being his ordinary custom, no man that knoweth him, expecteth better fruits from such a bramble: And so, though our profession of godliness, and endeavor to bring forth ordinary fruits of it in an holy conversation, should more expose us to be wondered at, when we fall through human frailty and infirmity; yet this should not hinder us from entering into this Christian course, seeing it is a means to make us stand more upon our credit, to restrain us from all sin, whereby we might blemish it, and to keep with David a careful watch over our selves, that our hearts being found in God's Statutes, there may be no cause why we should be ashamed. And howsoever, when we are overtaken, our faults are more observed and marvelled at, yet though our sin shameth us, this wonder at it, is rather our praise and commendation. And when we are at the worst, yet our state is better, and we preferred in God's estimate and in the opinion of all that fear him, before those who never took upon them the profession of piety, nor cared to bring forth any fruits of it in a godly life, though their faults are little observed or regarded, and not (like the others) matter of table-talk, because no man thinketh them to be any news.

§. Sect. 7 That the duties of a godly life must not be delayed.

The last objection which the flesh maketh, is, that it is yet too soon to enter into this strict course of a godly life; seeing howsoever it may be necessary in due time and place to do it, yet the present time of our youth and strength is not fit for such austerity. It cannot be denied, but that God must be religiously served, but all in good time; we have the day before us, and shall have leisure enough to serve our selves and God too. After we have better settled our worldly estate, and attained unto such a proportion of wealth for our own maintenance and those that belong unto us, or have delighted our selves with such and such pleasures, then it will be more seasonable to sequester our selves from the world, and to betake our selves unto our devotions. And thus, when the flesh cannot any longer hide from us the profit and necessity of leading a godly life, then it moveth us to make delays, and to poast it off from time to time, till at last we be prevented with unexpected death, and so perish in our sins. Of this Augustine propoundeth himself as an example: As no man (saith he) is so sluggish, that will in his judgment prefer perpetual sleeping before waking, and going about his business, but yet when sloth hath seized upon his members, deferreth to shake it off, though it be high time that he should rise: so I thought it better to yield myself rather to thy love, then mine own lust; but that pleased and overcame me; this liked me and held me captive. For I had nothing to answer, when thou saidst unto me; Arise, thou that sleepest, & stand up from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light, being convinced with the truth, but only the words of the slothful and sleepy: Anon, behold by and by, let me alone yet a little. But a little and a little exceeded all measure: and, Let me alone a little, grew out to a great length. For the answering of which objection, let us know, that the service of God in the duties of a godly life, is a matter of greatest moment, profit and necessity; and therefore that it is great folly to put it off with delays, seeing all our life is too little for it. For if God is so bountiful and rich in mercy, that he is content to reward our temporary and momentary service, with the eternal wages of heavenly happiness, how ungrateful are we, if we think that the short time of our lives is too much to be spent in his service, who will reward our soon ending works, with everlasting wages? Let us consider, that seeing the service of God is of greatest worth and excellency, most profitable and only necessary; it is therefore ridiculous folly, not to give it precedency and the first place, but to prefer before it every base trifle; yea, things not only of no value, but also such as are hurtful and pernicious, as the service of Satan, the world, and our own lusts, for the contemptible wages of earthly vanities. Let us remember, that we have only the time present for our employment: for the time past is irrevocable, and the time to come uncertain, which if we promise unto our selves, we encroach upon God's right, seeing he hath given unto us no promise of it, and sin presumptuously, by taking upon us to dispose of that which is only in the hand of God. That now is the acceptable time and day of salvation, and we do not know whether it will last till tomorrow, which if it be once past, can never be recovered. And therefore whilst it is called today, let us hearken unto his voice, calling us to repentance, and inviting us to serve him, and not harden our hearts: Let us seek the Lord whilst he may be found, and call upon him whilst he is nigh; for if he depart in displeasure, we may long seek him with the Spouse in the Canticles, ere we shall find him. Let us consider, that the leading of a godly life is necessary to salvation, for that time which remaineth after our calling. For as the Apostle saith, Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. And what madness then is it, to cast a thing of such moment upon all uncertainties? for it is uncertain whether thou shalt live one day longer; if thou livest, uncertain whether thou shalt have the means whereby thou mayest be enabled for God's service, and uncertain if thou hast them, whether God will give thee will to use them, or power to profit by them, for the obtaining of spiritual life and strength, whereby thou mayest be enabled to serve him, seeing he may justly refuse to be served by thee in thy decrepit age, when thou hast no strength to serve the devil, the world, and thine own lusts, because thou hast refused to do it in thy flourishing youth, and chief strength. To which purpose one saith, When the wicked man will, he cannot, because when he could, he would not: and so by an ill will, he loseth the power of well-doing. But thou wilt object, as he of whom Chrysostom speaketh; That God hath given many this privilege, to confess him in old age. To which I answer with him: What then? will he therefore give it thee? Thou wilt say, Perhaps he will? Why sayest thou perhaps? Doth it but sometime happen? Consider, that the matter in deliberation, is the salvation or damnation of thy soul. And therefore think with thyself of the contrary, and say; But what if God will not give it? Doest thou yet say, And what if he will give it? God grant he may. But sure for all that, to lay hold on the time present, is both more certain and more profitable. For if thou now beginnest, thou art sure to get all that thou desirest, whether God grant or deny the former privilege; whereas if thou delayest, even for this, oftentimes thou shalt not receive it. When thou goest to the wars, thou doest not say, There is no need for me to dispose of mine estate; perhaps I shall return. Neither doest thou say, when thou doest deliberate of marriage; I will choose a poor wife; for many in so doing have grown rich beyond all hope. And going about to build an house, thou doest not say, I will lay a rotten foundation; for many houses have stood, though their foundations have been weak. And yet when thou hast to deal about the salvation of thy soul, thou layest hold on things more rotten, and puttest all upon uncertainties, saying, It often happeneth, it sometimes cometh to pass. It is indeed uncertain, wilt thou say, but I trust to God's mercy, for he is gracious. This I know and acknowledge; but know this also, that this merciful God hath suddenly taken away, when they least expected it, such as thou art, who have posted him off with vain delays. And what though much time be granted thee? how art thou sure that thou shalt amend and become better, &c? For how doest thou think that God will then assist thee, seeing thou hast so often refused his help, when he hath graciously offered it? or how canst thou hope of any ability without it? Now thou canst not walk in the ways of godliness; and how wilt thou be able to do it hereafter, when thou art more inthralled unto Satan, more loaded with the intolerable weight of thy multiplied sins, more clogged and hampered, fettered and hindered with the strong chains of thy corruptions, which are grown habitual, and have doubled their force with long custom? Finally, when as thou art more impotent to shake them off, and mortify them, by reason of the infirmities of old age? Yet say, thou couldest then serve God in all Christian duties: yet how much time in the mean while hast thou mis-spent, not only without gain, but to thy incomparable loss, which if it had been employed in God's service, would have added much inestimable riches to the everlasting recompense of heavenly rewards? And therefore when as God requireth at our hands that present service which is due unto him, let us not put him off, like banquerupts and ill debtors, with words and promises, that we will pay all hereafter, seeing the longer we live, the more we spend on the stock, and less able we shall be to make satisfaction. But seeing he requireth present and constant service, not because he needeth it, but that he may take occasion thereby of crowning our works with richer rewards; let us not be so great enemies to our own preferment, as by deferring and scanting our work, to cause the Lord to abate our wages; but laying aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, let us (as the Apostle exhorteth) run with patience the race which is set before us.

§. Sect. 8 The Conclusion of the whole Treatise.

And thus have I, through the gracious assistance of God's holy Spirit, finished this long work, for which his blessed Name be praised and magnified; And have not only described the godly life, in all the parts and branches thereof, and the special duties required unto it, but also the means both public and private, whereby we may be enabled, and the arguments and reasons whereby we may be moved and persuaded to perform them, and likewise have shown the greatest and most usual lets and impediments, whereby men are commonly hindered from entering into, and proceeding in the ways of godliness, and how also we may remove and overcome them. And now nothing remaineth, but that I entreat thee (Christian Reader) by the mercies of God, and as thou tendrest his glory, and the eternal salvation of thine own soul, that thou wilt resolve and endeavor to walk in this alone way that leadeth to heavenly happiness, now that he hath so plainly discovered it unto thee. For much better were it for thee never to have known the way of truth and godliness, then after thou knowest it, not to walk in it; seeing the servant that knoweth his Masters will, and doth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes. Heretofore thy ignorance might somewhat extenuate thy sin, and neglect of God's service in the duties of a godly life, and mitigate also thy punishment, because thou mightest pretend thy willingness to walk in this way, but that thou diddest want a guide to go before thee: But now this pretence is taken away, and thou quite left without all excuse. For what can the Lord by his Ministers do more for the salvation of thy precious soul, then to show thee the way that leadeth to eternal blessedness, and to teach thee how thou mayest walk in it; to make known unto thee what thou must do that thou mayest be saved, and the means also whereby thou mayest be enabled to do it? to exhort and persuade thee, by effectual reasons, to use these means, that so thou mayest walk in this way, and to teach thee how to remove all those impediments which might otherwise hinder and discourage thee in thy course? O let not therefore his so great grace be unto thee, not only in vain, but also to thy loss. Let nor, O let not these my poor, yet painful labors, which I have undertaken with cheerfulness, proceeded in with comfort, and finished with joy, that I might glorify God in thy salvation, rise up as a witness against thee at that great Day, because thou hast only read them, and after cast them into some corner, without further use. If thou knowest these things, blessed art thou, if thou doest them. And happy, yea thrice happy shall I think myself, if being furthered by my poor means in the ways of salvation, thou mayest be my crown and my rejoicing. Frustrate not (I beseech thee) the main end of my painful labors, so much desired, so often and earnestly begged, and defraud me not of my hope and joy, and therewith thyself also of thine own salvation. It is not my writing, nor thy reading, that can save our souls in that great Day of the Lord, but the holy practice of those duties which I teach, and thou learnest, in the whole course of our lives and conversations, which because we are unable to perform in our own strength, but it is the Lord only which enableth us, both to will, and to do, let us (I entreat thee) pray one for another, desiring of the Lord, that we may not only be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, but also that in this light we may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness. And that we may not only be perfect, and thoroughly furnished unto all good works; but also that we may be steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as we know, that our labor is not vain in the Lord. But man knoweth not his own ways, neither is it in man that walketh, to direct his steps; and how much less is he able in his own strength to be a guide unto others, or by his most powerful persuasions to move them to accompany him in the ways of godliness? O thou therefore who art the Author of light and life, and the rich Fountain of all grace and glory, as thou hast graciously enlightened my mind with the knowledge of thy will, and enabled me also to reveal it unto others, so inflame mine heart with the beauty and brightness of it, that I may love and embrace it; kindle in me, more and more, holy desires; confirm my resolutions, and strengthen all my good endeavors, that as I have taught thy ways unto others, so I myself may walk constantly in them, that so I may shine before them, both in the light of doctrine, and also of a good and holy example, in the whole course of my life and conversation. Join also, I humbly beseech thee, with these my poor labors, which I have wholly devoted to thy glory, and the good of my brethren, the inward assistance of thy grace and holy Spirit, and thereby add such power and efficacy, virtue and vigor unto them, that they may not only reveal the way of salvation to the understanding of the Christian Readers, but may also effectually move and persuade them to walk in it sincerely and uprightly, constantly and continually, unto the very end of their lives; to the glory of thy great Name, and the comfort and salvation of all our souls, through thine only Son, and our blessed Savior Jesus Christ: to whom with thee and thy most holy Spirit, three persons, and one only true God, most wise, glorious, gracious and blessed, be ascribed of us, and thy whole Church, all glory, and praise, might, Majesty and dominion, both now and evermore. Amen.

A private Prayer for the Morning.

O Lord our God, most glorious in majesty, and omnipotent in power, who fillest heaven and earth with thy presence, and yet in a more special manner vouchsafest to dwell with those who are of a broken heart and contrite spirit, to hear and help them in all their necessities; I thy poor humble servant, in the mediation of Jesus Christ, do make bold to approach into thy glorious and dreadful presence, that I may lay open before thee my wretched estate and condition, by reason of my manifold and grievous sins, and those fearful punishments, both temporal and eternal, unto which by their guilt they have most justly obliged me. For though thou diddest create me holy and righteous, according unto thine own Image, yet I have fallen from that state of innocence and blessedness, in the loins of my first father Adam, and by being guilty of his sin, am become also liable to his punishment. And as I am partaker of his sin by imputation, as being one of his taynted posterity, so also of the corruption of his nature by propagation, the which like a fretting leprosy, or running canker, hath wholly overspread all the powers and parts of my soul and body, utterly disabling them unto all duties of thy service, and making them the ready instruments of sin and Satan. And whereas in their creation they were fit habitations for thine own Majesty to dwell in by thy Spirit, through this natural corruption they became cages of unclean birds, yea, noisome sinks, exhaling and breathing out the loathsome sent, and poisonous vapors of carnal concupiscence and filthy lusts. Mine understanding is so darkened with ignorance, that it is naturally unacquainted with thy will and ways, and though it be wise to evil, yet unto that which is good, I have no knowledge; my carnal reason and wisdom is enmity against thee, and understandeth not the things of thy Spirit, but so foolish it is, that it judgeth them foolishness. My judgment is so corrupted, that it hath no spiritual discerning, being ready to mistake evil for good, falsehood for truth, and wrong for right. My conscience is either seared or superstitious, either senseless of sin, or scared with shadows; my mind and imaginations are only and continually evil, roving wholly after earthly things, and never minding spiritual and heavenly. My memory is become a storehouse of iniquity, with which it is so fully fraughted, that there is no room for good instructions and the rich treasures of thy saving Truth. My will is so corrupted, that it standeth in flat opposition to thine holy will, approving and choosing that which thou dislikest and condemnest, and refusing and abhorring that which thou likest and commandest. My heart is wholly turned from thee, and cleaveth to world and earthly vanities, and is full of infidelity, security and impenitency, hardened in sin, and vnflexible to all good. Mine affections are wholly corrupted and disordred, loving, fearing and trusting in the creature more then in the Creator; and all the members and parts of my body are sluggish and slothful unto all duties of thy service, but the apt and ready instruments of my sinful soul for the acting of all manner of wickedness. From which cursed fountain of original corruption, have plentifully flowed those poisonous streams of actual transgressions, whereby I have violated & broken thy whole Law in thought, word and deed. For instead of doing thy Law, I have wholly transgressed it; instead of observing the duties commanded, I have committed the vices forbidden; instead of continuing in obedience, I have continually disobeyed it, from my tender infancy to this present day. A great part of my time I have lien stark dead in trespasses and sins, not being able to think a good thought, or entertain a good desire, because both my mind and will were enslaued unto Satan in the chains of sin. And all this while my ears were deaf, mine eyes blinded, and my heart without understanding, so as I could neither hear, see, nor discern the things which concerned thy glory and mine own salvation, but utterly neglected thy many and gracious calls inviting me to thy service. Yea, Lord, since the time that thou hast, through thy mighty power, and of thy mere grace, quickened and raised me from this death of sin, how have I, like Lazarus, come out of the grave bound hand and foot, and still so fettred and hampred with the relics of my corruptions, that I walk slowly and lamely in the ways of thy Commandments, oftentimes neglecting, upon every slight occasion, the duties of holiness and righteousness, and oftentimes performing them with such weakness and imperfection, as it is hard to say whether they were not better undone, then so done? O how often do I forget even the main end for which I live, namely, that by glorifying thee I may live eternally; and as though I were a citizen of the earth, how have I my conversation here, spending my thoughts and strength about worldly vanities which profit not, and not so much as minding spiritual and heavenly things! How slowly (alas) do I come to the duties of thy service, who art so infinitely bountiful in thy rewards! How coldly & carelessly, how dully & drowzily, how irreverently and negligently do I perform them! How soon am I weary of these holy exercises, and desire to return to my worldly employments! How little sweetness doth my aguish taste feel in thy love, though it be better then wine, and in feeding upon thy spiritual delicacies in thy banqueting-house, thy Word and Sacraments? How little delight have I had in thy Sanctuary and Sabbaths, and how have I consecrated the least part of them as an holy Rest unto thee, and misspent the greatest part in thinking mine own thoughts, in thinking mine own words, and doing mine own works? How much and often have I abused thine holy ordinances, through my worldliness and profaneness, and after that I have long enjoyed them, how little have I profited by them? Mine heart is still full of gross infidelity, which is the cause that I am not much raised and comforted with thy sweet promises, nor dejected and humbled with thy terrible threatenings. It is full of impenitency, being unapt to mourn for sins past, or to resolve upon amendment for the time to come. It is full of carnal security, making me to apprehend no danger, when as I walk in the midst of pernicious snares, which are in every place laid in my way by my spiritual enemies, and to put the evil day far from me, when as pulling it on with my sins, it approacheth near, and is ready to seize upon me. It is much hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, custom in sinning depriving me of the sense of it. There is much spiritual pride that lieth lurking in it, which maketh me ready to arrogate the good things I have not, to ouerweene those I have, and to attribute the praise of both unto myself, and so to rob thee of the glory of thine own gifts. Hypocrisy also still hangeth upon me, being ready, like a sly thief, to steal in, when I open the door of mine heart, to let in any grace or religious duty. I am still tainted and poisoned with carnal self-love, which maketh me oftentimes to incur spiritual hurt and damage, whilst I labor over-eagerly after worldly good, and earthly advantage. Yea as hereby I am made apt to neglect my soul, for the seeming and present good of my body, defrauding it of all dues that belong unto it; so likewise the duties of righteousness and love which I owe to my neighbors, when as they are in my partial affection over-balanced with some worldly profit, pleasure or preferment. O that my head were a fountain of tears, that I might wash my defiled body and soul in the floods of unfeigned sorrow! O that I could mourn for my sins, as a man mourneth for his only son, and be sorry for them, as a man is sorry for the death of his first-borne! O that I could look upon him whom I have pierced with bitter grief, and be thoroughly displeased with myself, because I have by my sins so much displeased thee, who hast been ever unto me so gracious a God, and so loving a Father! O that thou wouldest come down and strike my rocky heart, that out of it might flow wholesome streams of repentance! But alas, the filthy stains and deep die of my sins cannot be washed clean with these waters. It is only that Fountain which thou hast opened to the house of David, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness, that is sufficient to purge me from my ingrained filthiness. It is those bloody streams alone which so plentifully flowed out of my crucified Savior, that can cleanse me from all my sins. And therefore (O Lord) for thy mercies sake, and for thy Christ's sake, wash my leprous body and soul in the streams of this thy Jordan. Yea (Lord) seeing they are so deeply stained with the double double die of imputed and inherent, original and actual sins, that no slight and ordinary washing can purify and restore them to their created cleanness, multiply thy washings; drench and dive me thoroughly in the streams of this living Fountain, that being cleansed from my Scarlet and Crimson sins, both in respect of their guilt and punishment, I may become as white as Snow, and that no spot remaining of spiritual defilement, I may be justified when thou judgest, and stand righteous in thy sight. And together with the stain of sin, take away also the sting of conscience, and work in it sound and secure peace, by persuading me, by the infallible testimony of thy Spirit, that my sins are remitted, I reconciled through the death and satisfaction of thy Son, and that, of the child of wrath, and heir of perdition, I am now become thine own child by adoption and grace. And to this end let me find and feel it in me, not only the Spirit of Adoption persuading me of thy fatherly love, and sealing me up unto the Day of my Redemption, but also the Spirit of Sanctification, mortifying in me all my sinful corruptions, by applying unto me the virtue of Christ's death, and quickening me in the inner man, unto holiness and newness of life, by the power and efficacy of his Resurrection. Let me put off, concerning the former conversation, the old man, which is corrupt, according to the deceitful lusts; and being renewed in the spirit of my mind, let me put on the new man, which, after thine own glorious Image, is created in righteousness and true holiness. Let me continually keep a narrow watch over myself, that I be not again entangled in the snares of the devil, nor circumvented and misled through the deceitfulness of my corrupt flesh, but being freed from sin, let me now become the servant of righteousness. Let me make conscience of all my ways, and shun not only open and notorious, but also secret sins, yea, all the occasions of evil, and hate even the garment which is spotted of the flesh. Let me put on daily the whole armor of God, that being weak in myself, I may be strong in thee, and in the power of thy might, and be enabled to withstand the wiles of the devil, and resist all temptations in the evil Day; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance. Weane mine heart and affections more and more from the love of the world and earthly vanities, and being a pilgrim on earth, let my conversation be in heaven, from whence I expect a Savior and Redeemer. Begin, and work in me all spiritual gifts and saving graces which yet are wanting, and daily increase and confirm those that are begun; and let me daily bring forth the fruits of them all, throughout my whole life and conversation in new obedience, laboring to perform unto thee faithful service in all my thoughts, words and deeds. Let me delight in the ways of thy Commandments, and perform all the duties of holiness, righteousness and sobriety, with all cheerfulness and inward joy. Let me daily seek thy face and favor above all things, and rejoice in nothing so much, as in the assurance of thy love, and when the light of thy countenance shineth upon me. Remooue out of my way, all lets and impediments, which might hinder me in my Christian course, or so assist me with thy grace, that I may overcome them. Stablish me with thy free Spirit, that I may not only begin well, but also continue in all grace and goodness unto the very end of my life, and let me be steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord. And with these my prayers and supplications, I do also join my praises and thanksgiving, lauding and magnifying thy great and glorious Name, for thine inestimable love, and the fruits and testimonies thereof shown unto me, even from before all beginnings unto this present day. For that thou hast, of thy free grace, chosen me to life and salvation, created me after thine own similitude and likeness, in wisdom, holiness and righteousness, redeemed me at so dear a price, out of the miserable bondage of my spiritual enemies, effectually called me, by the sound of the Gospel, to the knowledge of thy truth, united me unto Christ by thy Spirit and a lively faith, and made me partaker of all his benefits; for my justification by his righteousness and obedience, and for some degrees of sanctification begun in me, whereby thou hast subdued the power of sin, that though it dwelleth, yet it doth not reign in me, and hast wrought in me some desire, resolution and endeavor to serve and please thee. For that thou hast watched over me with thy providence, in the whole course of my life, and namely, this night past, and hast thereby preserved me from all perils; from the terrors of the night, and the malice of mine enemies, and hast refreshed me with quiet rest, and now raised me up in the strength thereof to do thee service. O Lord, enlarge my heart, that I may duly consider of thy manifold and rich mercies, and be thoroughly inflamed with the apprehension of thy love. What am I (my God) that thou shouldest be thus gracious unto me, who am altogether less then the least of thy mercies, yea worthy of thy greatest punishments! O that I could love and praise thee according to thy bounty and goodness! And being so poor, that I have nothing to repay; and thou so rich, that thou neither needest, nor requirest anything else; O that I could ever remain a grateful debtor, having mine heart filled with thankfulness, and my mouth with thanksgiving! And now (Lord) I further beseech thee, to continue still my God and guide, to direct, lead and uphold me in all the ways of holiness and righteousness. Take me into thy gracious protection this day and ever, and watch so over me with thy all-ruling providence, that I may be preserved safe from all enemies, worldly and spiritual, and from those manifold dangers which incompasse me on every side. Give me grace so to spend this day, that some glory may redound unto thee by my service, some profit and benefit unto those with whom I live, and some further assurance unto myself (from the increase of saving graces discerned in me, and spiritual strength in all good duties) of my salvation and eternal happiness. Order and govern all my thoughts, that they may be religious and honest; my speeches, that they may be wise, and seasoned with grace, and all my works and actions for the well performing both of the general duties of Christianity, and the special duties of my calling, blessing so all my labors, that I may be cheered and comforted in them by my prosperous success in all my good endeavors. Supply unto me all temporal blessings, and the necessary comforts of this life, and let me live at thy finding, and receive whatsoever I enjoy, as the gifts of thine own hand, and pledges of thy love, that I may return the praise which is due unto thee for them, and use them as helps to further me in all duties of thy service. Finally, I beseech thee, good Lord, to vouchsafe these and all other benefits, not only unto me, but also to thy whole Church and every particular member thereof, especially to this in which I live. Multiply thy favors upon our Sovereign Lord the King, our noble Prince, the Prince Electour Palatine, and the Lady Elizabeth his wife, with their issue; upon the honorable Lord's of the Privy Council, the Magistrates and Ministers of thy Word and Sacraments, the afflicted members of Jesus Christ, my friends and benefactors, kindred and acquaintance, and especially upon this whole family; giving unto us all grace, that we may keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; and so join together with our hearts and minds in all duties of thy service, as that we may jointly inherit that eternal happiness of thy Kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom with thee and thine holy Spirit, be rendered all glory and praise, might, Majesty, and Dominion, both now and evermore. Amen.

Another private Prayer for the Morning.

O Almighty and eternal God, our most gracious and loving Father in Jesus Christ, I thy poor sinful servant, being in myself utterly unworthy to appear in thy glorious presence, do yet in the Name and mediation of Jesus Christ, offer unto thee my prayers and supplications, in obedience to thy Commandments, and in some assurance of thy gracious promises; rendering unto thee from the bottom of mine heart, all humble and hearty thanks, for thy manifold mercies and abundant blessings multiplied upon me, both in respect of spiritual and heavenly privileges, which concern my everlasting salvation, and of temporal and earthly benefits appertaining to the good of this life, and my present estate in this place of my Pilgrimage. For that thou hast freely loved me from all eternity, and of thy mere grace hast chosen me unto life and glory, without any respect of my works or worthiness. For creating me according to thine own Image, and redeeming me out of the estate of sin and death. For calling me effectually by thy Word and Spirit, and making me a servant of thine own family, and a member of Jesus Christ, whereby thou hast given me just title unto him and all his benefits. For making with me the Covenant of grace, adopting me in him to be thy child, unto a lively hope of my heavenly inheritance. For justifying me in his righteousness imputed unto me, and applied by a lively faith; and sanctifying me with thy Spirit, giving me some power over my corruptions, and some desire and endeavor to serve and please thee in the duties of a godly life. For watching over me with thy providence ever since I had my being and birth, shielding me from dangers, delivering me out of manifold evils, and providing for me all things necessary both for my soul and body. For preserving me this night past from all perils, giving unto me quiet rest, and bringing me in safety to see the light, adding yet another day to my life, that therein I may do thee service, and use all good means for the furthering and assuring of my salvation. O Lord, give me a true sense and feeling of thy love, that I may love thee again, and a lively apprehension and taste of thy rich mercy and goodness, that mine heart and voice may return unto thee the praises that are due. Yea, so much the more, O Lord, increase my thankfulness, by how much the less worthy I am of the least of thy mercies, by reason of my manifold and grievous sins. For I confess unfeignedly that miserable estate in which I am by nature; both in respect of my original corruption in which I was conceived and borne, whereby all the powers and faculties of my body and soul have been wholly defiled, and utterly disabled unto all duties of thy service, for which I was created; and that I have made myself much more miserable, by adding hereunto actual transgressions, whereby I have broken all and every of thy Commandments, in thought, word, and deed, both by omitting the duties which thou hast commanded, and committing the contrary vices and sins which thou hast forbidden; the which, as they are for the quality of them heinous, so do they in number exceed the hairs of mine head and the stars of heaven. Yea, Lord, I have not only thus sinned against thee in the days of my ignorance, when as I neither had any knowledge of thee and of thy will, nor so much as any desire to serve and please thee, but even since the time that thou hast called me to the knowledge of thy Truth, and by the good motions of thy Spirit, hast persuaded me to embrace, profess, and practice it; since thou hast allured me by thy gracious promises to serve thee, and hast encouraged me hereunto by innumerable blessings, and large testimonies of thy favor, I have often sinned against thee through frailty and infirmity, and not seldom against my knowledge and conscience. Oftentimes I have neglected thy service, to serve in the mean while mine own sinful lusts; and when I have undertaken it, I have performed it oftentimes after a cold and formal manner, with much weakness and weariness, vnchearefulnesse, and deadness of heart and spirit. By all which my sins thus multiplied against thee, I have justly deserved to be deprived of all thy blessings and benefits, and to be overwhelmed with all those fearful punishments threatened in the Law, respecting both this life and the life to come. O Lord my God, affect my heart with unfeigned sorrow in the sight and sense of this my sin and misery. And as it is a burden too heavy for me to bear, so let me have such a feeling of it, that I may hunger after the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and apply it unto me by a lively faith; and so make good the Covenant of grace, which thou hast made with me: one special branch whereof is this, that thou wilt remember my sins no more. I confess that I have offended thy Justice, but my Savior Christ hath satisfied it, by paying my debt to the uttermost farthing: accept therefore of his satisfaction, and impute not unto me that debt which he hath discharged. I have deserved eternal death and condemnation: but he was condemned, that I might be acquitted, and hath suffered the bitter death of the Cross, and thine anger due unto my sins, that I might be freed from death and thy displeasure: and therefore, O Lord, I beseech thee for his sake, to take away the guilt and punishment of all my sins, that they may never be imputed unto me in this life, nor in the life to come. And being thus justified by faith, and at peace with thee, let me also obtain peace of conscience, in the assurance of the remission of my sins, and thy love and favor in Jesus Christ. Give unto me thine holy Spirit, and thereby seal me up unto the day of my Redemption, and make me thine own Child by adoption and grace. Let me approve myself to be thy Child, by resembling thee my heavenly Father in holiness and righteousness; by hating and forsaking all that is evil, and by loving and embracing all that is good. Sanctify me throughout in my soul and body, and let me not only make an holy profession with my mouth, but let it proceed from my heart, and be expressed in the whole course of my life. Encourage me in this work against all difficulties, by assuring me that thou wilt bring it to good effect, and let me apply unto myself thy gracious promises, which assure me as well of my sanctification and victory over my corruptions, as of my justification and freedom from the guilt and punishment of my sins. Let me set continually before me thy Law, as the rule of my life, and labor to conform my obedience in all things thereunto, denying ungodliness and all worldly lusts, and living holily and religiously, in respect of thee; righteously and charitably, in respect of my neighbors; and temperately and soberly, in respect of mine own person. Let me labor to observe thy whole Law, in forsaking all sin; especially that which is most sweet and pleasing to my corrupt flesh, and in embracing all virtues and Christian duties which thou hast commanded, especially those unto which my nature is most averse. Let me not content myself with such an hypocritical holiness as is destitute of righteousness, nor with such a merely moral righteousness as is without holiness; but let me approve my piety to be sincere, by my justice, charity, and mercy, and let these be sanctified by my true godliness and religious devotion. Let me not stand at a stay, contenting myself with that small measure of sanctification which is begun in me, but let me daily strive in the use of all good means, whereby I may attain unto more perfection, and so sanctify them unto me by thy holy Spirit, that they may be effectual to perfect that good work which thou hast begun. Inrich me more and more with all sanctifying and saving graces, with the knowledge of thee and thy will, a lively faith in Jesus Christ, unfeigned repentance for my sins, firm affiance and confidence in thee, fervent love of thee and my neighbors, yea, even mine enemies for thy sake. Inflame mine heart with an ardent zeal of thy glory, replenish it with thy fear, that it may never depart from thee. Strengthen mine hope, in the assured expectation of all thy gracious promises, especially those which concern my everlasting happiness; give me patience in all my troubles, thankfulness for all thy benefits, peace of conscience, spiritual joy in the assurance of thy love, and the grace of perseverance in the profession and practice of thy true Religion unto the end. Remoue all stumbling blocks of offense out of my way; comfort me against all discouragements, and arm me against all the temptations of my spiritual enemies, that they may never prevail against me. Take me into thy gracious protection this day and ever, preserve me with thy providence from all dangers, uphold me with thy Spirit, that I fall not into sin. Direct me with thy Wisdom, and strengthen me with thy power in all my thoughts, words and works, that they may be acceptable in thy sight. Bless and assist me in the general duties of Christianity, and in the special duties of my calling, that they may have good success, and wholly tend to the advancement of thy glory, the edification of my brethren, and mine own spiritual and everlasting good. Bless thy whole Church and every member thereof, especially this in which I live, with all the Magistrates, Ministers and people, this Family, and all to whom I am bound in any special bond of duty, beseeching thee to give unto us all, according to our several necessities, all those gifts and graces which thou in thy wisdom knowest needful, even for Jesus Christ his sake: to whom with thee and thy holy Spirit, I ascribe all glory and praise, power and dominion, both now and for evermore. Amen.

A Prayer for the Family in the Morning.

O Lord our God, who by thine infinite wisdom and power hast created all things in heaven and earth, and by thy gracious and all-ruling providence dost continually sustain and preserve them, we thine humble and unworthy servants, do here, in the mediation of Jesus Christ, prostrate our selves before the Throne of Grace, acknowledging that unto thee belongeth all glory and praise, but unto us shame and confusion of face; for whereas thou diddest create us, according to thine own Image, in wisdom, holiness and righteousness, we have fallen in the loins of our first parents, from this blessed estate, by transgressing of thy Commandment, and thereby have defaced thy glorious Image in us, deprived our selves of all happiness, and become liable unto death of body and soul. Yea, we have derived from our first parents, not only the guilt of their sin, but also the corruption of their nature, which hath so overspread all the powers and parts of our souls and bodies, that they are utterly impotent and insufficient to perform any duties of thy service, for which end they were created; but most forward and cheerful in the service of sin and Satan. From which root of original sin, we have brought forth those cursed fruits of actual transgressions, which we have multiplied against thy Majesty, by breaking all and every of thy Commandments in thought, word and deed, even from the beginning of our days to this present time. Many have been our secret sins, of which, thou alone and our own consciences have been witnesses; and many have we committed in the view of the world, to the dishonor of thy blessed Name, and slander of our Christian profession. Many have been our sins of ignorance, the which unto us are inexcusable, because thou hast revealed thyself and thy will so clearly unto us; and many likewise have been our sins against knowledge and conscience, and the good motions of thy holy Spirit. Oftentimes have we sinned through frailty, being surprised upon the sudden, with the violent and subtle temptations of our spiritual enemies; and oftentimes willfully, advisedly and deliberately, after many vows and promises of repentance and amendment. We have sinned against thee before our conversion, when as Satan's throne being set up in our hearts, we performed unto him in all things cheerful obedience, and suffered sin to reign and rule in us, without any gainsaying or resistance; and since we have been called to the knowledge of thy Truth, though we have submitted our selves as subjects of thy Kingdom, to be governed by thy Word and Spirit, yet have we much failed in yielding that obedience which is due unto thee, being so led captive by our corruptions, that we could neither do the good we would, nor leave undone the evil we would not; and though by thy holy Spirit, we have cast Satan out of his Throne, and vanquished the flesh with the lusts thereof, so as they could not reign over us, as in former times, yet these enemies of our salvation do still fight against our souls, and being not quite cast out, are as thorns in our sides, and as pricks in our eyes, disturbing continually our peace, wounding our consciences, and leading us captive unto sin. And hereof it is, that we have so often, and upon such slight occasions utterly neglected the duties of thy service, and when we have set our selves about them, have done them so coldly and carelessly, and discovered therein so many wants and weaknesses, imperfections and corruptions, that if thou shouldest deal with us according to thy righteous Judgment, even the best duties that ever we performed, could not escape unpunished. O Lord our God, make us truly apprehensive of our sin and misery, that we may humble our selves under thy mighty hand, and turn unto thee by unfeigned repentance, and not only bewail our sins past with unfeigned sorrow, but amend our lives for the time to come; and so accept of us in thy Best-beloved, and whilst we are returning unto thee, meet us in the way, and like a tender Father embrace us in the arms of thy mercy. Do away all our sins, and blot out all our iniquities; and so wash and purge our defiled souls and bodies in the precious blood of thine innocent Son, from the guilt and punishment of all our sins, that they may never be laid to our charge, neither in this world, nor in the world to come. Yea, Lord, let us not only have the benefit of thy grace in thy free pardon, but also the comfort and peace of it, by having it sealed through the inward testimony of thy Spirit in our hearts and consciences; and for our better assurance, let us find and feel the power and efficacy of Christ's death and Resurrection thereby applied unto us, as effectual for our Sanctification, as for our Justification, and for our freedom from the corruption of sin, that it may have no longer dominion over us, and spiritual renewing unto newness of life, as well as from the guilt and punishment. It is enough, Lord, and too much, that Satan and sin have thus far prevailed, not only for the bringing of us into the state of death and condemnation, but also for the condemning and crucifying of the Lord of life, the nailing of his innocent body to the Cross, and the shedding of his precious blood. Now (Lord) reward them as they have deserved, and pay them double into their bosom. Break the head of the old Serpent, that though he hiss against us with his temptations, yet he may not hurt us; nail our body of sin unto the Cross of Christ, and by virtue of his death, crucify our flesh and the lusts thereof, that they may no longer have dominion over us, but may like slaves be held in perpetual subjection to our spiritual part. Yea, subdue the power of sin in all the faculties and parts of our souls and bodies. Mortify the corruption of our minds and understandings, the wisdom of the flesh, and errors of our judgments, our foolish phantasies and conceits, our earthly mindedness, and all vain and wicked thoughts, that we may check sin in the first motions, and kill this viperous brood, before they come to growth & strength. Mortify the frowardness, and perverseness of our wills, the corruption of our hearts and affections, especially our self-love and love of the world, unjust anger, and desire of revenge, carnal concupiscence and uncleanness, intemperance, ambition, pride, covetousness and voluptuousness. Let us hold our eyes and ears, our tongues and taste, and all other our senses under covenant, and make all vain and wicked sights, all rotten and unsavory speeches, all intemperance and insobriety odious and loathsome unto us. Quicken us in the innerman, and frame us in all holy obedience unto thy heavenly will; make us such as thou wouldest have us to be, and renew thine own Image in us, in wisdom, holiness and righteousness, and let us no more defile and deface it with our corruptions. Let us submit our selves in all things to be guided by thy good Spirit, and yield cheerful obedience unto all the motions thereof, not grieving it by checking and quenching them, or putting them off by delays to another time. Let us serve thee in holiness, righteousness and sobriety, not deviding those things which thou hast conjoined; and not by fits and flashes, but constantly and continually throughout the whole course of our lives. Inrich us plentifully with all the gifts and graces of thy sanctifying Spirit, as Faith, Hope, Humility, Patience and the rest; yea, let us daily thrive in Spiritual strength, and not stand at a stay, but grow up towards perfection, from child-hood to a ripe age in Jesus Christ. And with these our prayers and suites, we do with like humble heartiness join thy praises and our thanksgiving, for thy manifold blessings and benefits, respecting our souls, bodies or estates. For thine undeserved love, whereby thou hast of thy free and mere grace elected, created, redeemed, called, justified, sanctified and preserved us unto an heavenly inheritance, and hope of a better life. For our present peace and prosperity, health, food, apparel, sufficiency of all temporal benefits, and contentedness in them, and especially for causing us so long to enjoy the Light of thy Gospel with such liberty and safety. For preserving us from all dangers this night past, and this day hitherto, and enabling us by our rest, and other comforts of this life, to do thee service. O Lord, we praise and magnify thee for these and all other thy mercies, and are sorry and ashamed, that we can be no more thankful, having nothing else to return unto thee for all thy benefits. And now, Lord, seeing in thee we live, move, and have our being, we beseech thee to continue thy grace and favor still unto us in the whole course of our lives, and namely, this day receive us into thy keeping, watch over us with thy providence, and preserve us with thy grace and power from all dangers, both spiritual and temporal, and from all evils both of sin and punishment. Let us set our selves wholly to seek and serve thee, and propound thy glory unto our selves, as the main end of all our thoughts, words and actions, and so direct and order them by thy holy Spirit, that they may upon all occasions further and advance it. And for as much as if thou dost not build the house, we shall but labor in vain to build it, O Lord, bless us all in the duties of our several places and callings, that they may tend to the joint good of the whole Family, and everyone of us in particular, that finding thy blessing upon the works of our hands, we may with more courage and comfort be faithful and painful in them. Set thy fear always before us, and let us carry our selves in all our courses carefully and conscionably, as in thy sight and presence, that whatsoever we do, or take in hand, may be acceptable unto thee. Bless together with us thy whole Church, this especially in which we live, our gracious King, and Noble Prince, the Prince and Princesse Palatine, with all their issue, the Council, Magistrates, Ministers, and the whole people of this Land, the afflicted members of Jesus Christ, and this whole Family, with all other our friends, kindred and acquaintance; beseeching thee to vouchsafe unto us all, and to everyone of us in our several places and callings, all things necessary for our present comfort and future happiness, even for Jesus Christ his sake; in whose Name and words we conclude our prayers, saying as he hath taught us; Our Father, which art in heaven, &c.

Another Prayer for the Family in the Morning.

O Lord our God, who art in thine own nature glorious and full of majesty, infinite in goodness, wisdom, power, bounty, truth, and all perfection, most just in all thy ways, and holy in all thy works, and our most gracious Father in Jesus Christ, we thine unworthy servants, finding and feeling our selves loaded with the unsupportable weight of our manifold and grievous sins, do come unto thee for ease, and being sick in sin, even unto the death, do flee unto thee the alone Physician of our souls, that we may be eased and cured, and do here lay open before thee our miserable estate and condition, that thou mayest magnify thy mercies in our recovery. We confess our hereditary diseases, and that original leprosy of our bodies and souls, whereby they were infected and corrupted, even in our first conception, and so disabled unto thy service, that we cannot of our selves think a good thought, nor so much as entertain into our hearts a desire to come out of the miserable thralldom of sin and Satan. Our wisdom is enmity against thee, and we are not capable of that knowledge which thy Spirit revealeth. All the imaginations of the thoughts of our hearts are only evil, and that continually; our consciences are loaded with dead works; our wills crooked and rebellious, still resisting all good motions of thy Spirit; our hearts hardened through the deceitfulness of sin; our affections, desires and passions so disordred and poisoned with natural corruption, that they are become filthy and loathsome sinckes of sin; and all the members of our bodies, the ready instruments of our defiled souls for the acting of all abominable wickedness. So that being, through his natural corruption, a sinful generation and viprous brood, we have justly deserved, that thou shouldest reject and pursue us with thy wrath, though we were free from all other sins, saving those alone whereof we were guilty as soon as we were borne. And yet (alas) we have not stayed here, but have added unto this our original sin, innumerable numbers of actual transgressions, by breaking thy whole Law, and every Commandment thereof, in thought, word and deed, both in the omission of all duties therein required, and in the commission of the vices and sins therein forbidden; whereby we have made our selves liable to the fearful curse thereof, and to all the plagues & punishments of this life, and the life to come. Neither is there any power in us to help our selves out of this misery, being as unable to renew our nature, as the Blackamore to change his skin, or the Leopard his spots. Yea, when by thy Spirit we are regenerate, and have some desires and endeavors to serve and please thee, we are utterly unable to satisfy thy Justice for the least of our sins past, seeing, if thou lookest upon us with thy pure eyes, our best righteousness will appear like a polluted cloth, so mingled with our imperfections, and stained with our corruptions, that it cannot challenge any other reward as its due, but thy displeasure and everlasting death. O Lord, we humbly beseech thee, let us not securely rest and please our selves in this our woeful condition, but having a lively sense and feeling of our sin and misery, let us labor above all things to be freed from it. And seeing there is no name in heaven or earth, whereby we may be saved, but by Jesus Christ alone, thine only Son and blessed Redeemer, whom thou hast purposely sent into the world to save sinners; O Lord, let us renounce our selves and all creatures in heaven and earth, as being utterly insufficient to satisfy thy Justice, and save our souls, and let us rest upon him alone, hungering and thirsting after his righteousness, and desiring above all things that we may be found in him. And for his sake we humbly beseech thee to magnify thy mercies in the free forgiveness of all our sins: and as they in their weight and number do exceedingly abound, so let thy grace abound much more in their forgiveness. Enter not into judgment with thy servants; for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. We are not able to answer unto thy Justice one of a thousand, but Christ our surety hath paid our debt, and now as our Advocate pleadeth for us, that by him thou hast thy due, and that thy Justice shall sustain no loss in setting us free, seeing he hath made full satisfaction for us. Hear him then, dear God, thus pleading for us; Hear us, holy Father, in his mediation pleading for our selves; forgive us all our debts, and cancel the hand-writing by which we were obliged, that it may never be produced in judgment against us. Contrariwise, we beseech thee, write the new covenant of grace, not in tables of stone, but in the fleshy tables of our hearts, and not only enrole the great Charter of our peace in the volume of the Book, containing in it the glad tidings of the Gospel, but engross and ingraue it in the book of our consciences, by the finger of thy Spirit, that we may with inestimable joy daily peruse it, when we have it in our own custody. And not only work in us this peace, in our assured freedom from the guilt of all our sins, but also inward and outward purity in our souls and bodies, by bathing and washing them in the blood of Christ from all sinful corruption: And sanctify us throughout, that our whole spirit, and soul, and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: make us in him more then conquerors over all the enemies of our salvation, and spiritual Kings reigning especially over our corruptions, that they may not by their might and malice disturb our peace. Reuiue us more and more with the Spirit of Grace and power; that we may walk with cheerfulness in the ways of thy commandments, performing throughout the whole course of our lives, all Christian duties of holiness, righteousness and sobriety. Indue us plentifully with all sanctifying and saving graces, and let us bring forth the fruits of them all in our new obedience, with all sincerity & uprightness of heart. Open our blind eyes, that we may see the wonderful things of thy law; increase our faith, that the gates of hell may not prevail against it; preserve us from carnal security and hardness of heart; and as we daily renew our sins, so let us daily renew our repentance and sorrow for them. Confirme our affiance in the assurance of thy power and love, strengthen our hope, work our hearts to thy fear, inflame them with thy love, and with fervent zeal of thy glory; give us humility, patience, and spiritual rejoicing in the assurance of thy favor, even in our afflictions and tribulations. Make us zealous of good works, that we may approve our faith by the fruits of it, and let us never be weary of well-doing. Arm us against all the assaults of our spiritual enemies, against the fear of death and judgment; to which end let us keep always our accounts even, that we may not be loath to be called to a reckoning. Prepare us for the days of affliction and persecution, that we may be ready with wisdom, constancy and courage, not only to do, but also suffer all things for thy sake. Accept, with these our suits and prayers, our praises and thanksgiving for thy manifold blessings and benefits, both corporal, spiritual and eternal; for thy inestimable love, and that singular pledge thereof, thy dear and only Son, whom thou hast given unto us to work that great work of our Redemption; for our being, and well-being, all thy graces in this life, and assured hope of glory and happiness in the life to come. For our continual preservation in the whole course of our lives, this night past, and this day hitherto; for our quiet rest, and all other comforts of this life. For all which, and all other thy mercies, thy blessed name be praised and magnified. We beseech thee (good Lord) continue thy mercy and love towards us in the whole course of our lives; and namely, in the residue of this day watch over us with thy gracious providence, and thereby preserve us from all sin and danger, and so rule all our thoughts, words and deeds, that being holy and righteous, they may be acceptable in thy sight. Let us so spend this day in thy fear, as though it were the last day of our lives; and let us, with all care and watchfulness, so arm our selves against all the temptations of our spiritual enemies, as that they may not prevail against us to make us slothful in thy service. Finally, give unto us all things necessary for our souls and bodies, and so sanctify all thy blessings to our use, that they may be helps and furtherances unto us in seeking thy glory, and our own salvation. Vouchsafe these, and all other blessings, not only unto us, but also to thy whole Church, and every member thereof, as if particularly we had named them, and so join us in the holy communion of grace, as that we may forever enjoy the communion and fellowship of thy blessed Saints and Angels in the Kingdom of glory. Hear us, and help us, O God of our salvation, in all these our suits, for thy Son and our Savior Jesus Christ his sake; to whom with thee and thy holy Spirit, one true and everlasting God, we ascribe the glory and praise of all goodness and perfection both now and evermore. Amen.

A Prayer for the Family in the Euening.

O Lord our God, most high and holy, most dreadful and glorious in thy might and Majesty unto all creatures, terrible and like a consuming fire unto all impenitent sinners; but a most gracious and loving Father unto all those, who are reconciled unto thee in Jesus Christ. Thou hast commanded us to call upon thee in all our necessities, and hast encouraged us hereunto by thy most gracious and free promise, that where two or three are gathered together in the name of thy Son, there thou wilt be present amongst them by thy holy Spirit, to hear their suits, and relieve their wants. In obedience to which Commandment, and in some assurance of thy gracious promise, we thy poor and unworthy servants, do here, in the mediation of Jesus Christ, humbly prostrate our selves before thy Throne of grace and mercy, acknowledging our selves guilty of innumerable sins, and thereby liable to as many fearful punishments; but yet in the merits of thy Son, and in the truth of thy promises, pleading for pardon and forgiveness. We confess unto thee, that we were conceived and borne in sin, having all the faculties and powers of our souls and bodies so wholly defiled with original corruption, that we are utterly disabled for thy service, and prone unto all manner of wickedness; and have, in the whole course of our lives, multiplied against thee our actual transgressions, by breaking thy whole Law, and every Commandment thereof, in thought, word, and deed. We are naturally full of ignorance and blindness of mind, neither knowing thee, nor thy truth, and after that thou hast caused the light of the Gospel to shine unto us for many years, our minds are still full of darkness. We content our selves with a small measure of knowledge, and continue children in understanding, when we should be of ripe age, not striving after more perfection; neither according to the measure of our means, are we rich in knowledge, and in the fruits of new obedience. We are full of infidelity and doubting, and negligent in the use of the means, whereby our faith should be confirmed and strengthened; and are full also of impenitency, security and hardness of heart, and do both seldom and slightly bewail our sins past, and but weakly and vnconstantly resolve and endeavor to amend our lives for the time to come. We are ready to trust in the creature, more then in thee the Creator, and cannot, as we ought, rest upon thy power and promises in the absence of inferior means. We are apt to forget thee, when thou most rememberest us, and the more that we abound with thy blessings, the less mindful we are of thee from whom we have received them. We have loved the world and earthly things, more then thee and heavenly excellencies, and have preferred the pleasures of sin, before thy love and favor, being ready to hazard these, rather then to forgo them. We are full of self-love, and have been moved hereby to sow unto the flesh, of which we can reap nothing but sin and punishment; and have set our hearts so much upon carnal vanities, that they easily draw them away from thee. We do not patiently and constantly hope and wait for the accomplishment of thy promises, though we have great experience of thy power, truth and goodness towards us. We are cold or luke-warm in our zeal, and have not with any fervency advanced the means of thy glory, nor removed the impediments whereby it is hindered. Our rejoicing is more in the flesh then in the Spirit; in worldly things and the pleasures of sin, more then in thee the Fountain of all true joy; in the fruition of thy present favors, and expectation of heavenly happiness. We are ungrateful unto thee for thy manifold benefits, and oftentimes when we praise thee, it is with our lips only, and not with inward joy and cheerfulness of our hearts. We do not approve our love and thankfulness unto thee by our fruits of obedience; but have been negligent in the duties of holiness and righteousness, that we might give glory to thy holy Name, and all we do, is maimed and imperfect, full of wants and weaknesses, and stained with many corruptions. We are ready to murmur and repine in our least afflictions, and do not bear thy fatherly corrections with patience and thankfulness, being more sensible of the smart, then of our sins which have caused it; and looking more to the rod, then unto thy hand, which thereby chastizest us for our amendment. We do not fear to displease thee by our sins, nor avoid thine anger as the greatest evil; or if we do fear thee at all, it is not so much for thy mercies, as to avoid thy Judgments. We have not adorned our selves with humility and meekness, in the sight and sense of our own vileness and unworthiness; but are full of spiritual pride, arrogating unto our selves those gifts we have not, and overweening those we have, or ascribing the praise of them unto our selves, which is only due to thee. We are negligent in the duties of thy service, and do not perform them in Spirit and truth, but either neglect them upon every slight occasion, or do them without due preparation, coldly and formally, without any fervency of zeal, respecting thy glory, or our spiritual good. We have often taken thy holy Name in vain, and abused thine holy ordinances, and profaned thy Sabbaths, not doing thy will only on thy holy Day, but speaking our own words, walking in our own ways, and seeking our own carnal delights. We have also neglected the duties of righteousness, charity and mercy towards our neighbors, and of temperance and sobriety towards our selves. By all which, and many other our sins, we have made our selves subject to thy wrath and the curse of the Law, and have justly deserved to be deprived of all testimonies of thy love, and to be overwhelmed with all thy judgments and punishments, both in this life, and the life to come. O Lord our God, affect our hearts with son-like sorrow, because we have so much and often displeased thee our gracious Father; and let us be grieved in our souls, that we are so little grieved for our sins, whereby we have pierced our Savior, and grieved thy good Spirit dwelling in us. And further, we beseech thee, in the multitude of thy mercies, to remit and forgive all our sins, and wash us clean from the guilt and punishment of them all, that they may neither deprive us of thy love and manifold blessings temporal and eternal, nor expose us to thy wrath and fearful punishments. And not only remit our sins, and heal our souls, but speak comfortably to our consciences, by the secret voice of thy Spirit, as once thy Son did to the sick of the palsy, Sons, be of good comfort, your sins are forgiven you. Strengthen our weak faith in the assurance of thy love, and the remission of our sins, and let us labor earnestly in the use of all good means, whereby it may be more and more increased and confirmed, that so without wavering and doubting we may apply Christ unto us with all his benefits, and thy gracious promises made in him. Let us not weaken and wound it with sins committed against our knowledge and consciences, but nourish it by bringing forth the fruits of obedience in a godly life. Assure us that we are thy children by adoption and grace, and heirs of that heavenly inheritance reserved for thy Saints, and let us approve our selves to be so, by demeaning our selves in all things as it beseemeth thy Sons. Let us love, reverence, and obey thee our heavenly Father, and think all too little which we can do or suffer for thy sake, that thereby we may express our love towards thee. Let us, above all things, be zealous of thy glory, rejoicing when it is magnified, and grieving when it is neglected either by our selves or others. Let us not hazard our heavenly inheritance, by willful sinning for the gaining of the whole world, but let us labor to make our calling and election sure, and work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Give unto us peace of a good conscience, and replenish our hearts with spiritual joy in the assurance of thy favor. Let us undoubtedly expect the performance of all thy gracious promises made in Christ, even when thou seemest to delay them, especially that main promise of everlasting life and happiness; and having this hope, let us daily purge our selves, as he also is pure. But especially give us grace, that we may bring forth the fruits of our faith, in true, hearty, and unfeigned repentance; bewailing our sins past, hating our present corruptions which still hang upon us, and both purposing and seriously endeavoring to leave and forsake our sins, and to serve thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives. Let us not defer our repentance from day today, but seeing the necessity thereof unto salvation, let us lay hold of the acceptable time, and whilst it is called today, let us not harden our hearts, but turn unto thee with all our souls. Let us, as we daily renew our sins, renew also our faith and repentance, and have an earnest and serious study of pleasing thee in all things. Let us not content our selves with a small measure of repentance, seeing our sins are many and grievous, but let us aspire to the highest perfection, hating sin with a perfect hatred, and bewailing it with bitter grief. Finally, let us constantly persevere in the practice of repentance, and having begun in it, let us continue it to the very end of our lives. And as we beg these benefits at thy hands, so we yield unto thee most humble and hearty thanks, for all thy mercies and favors vouchsafed unto us, especially for all thy spiritual graces concerning eternal life, and above all, for that inestimable pledge of thy love, thy dear and only Son, whom thou hast given to the death, that he might free us from all our spiritual enemies, and purchase for us everlasting happiness. We praise thee, for that thou hast watched over us with thy gracious providence, in the whole course of our lives, and namely, this day past, preserving us from all dangers, and furnishing us with all necessaries, and blessing us in all our labors and endeavors. We beseech thee, holy Father, to continue with our thankfulness, thy love towards us and care over us. Take us this night into thy gracious protection, and watch over us with thy providence, waking and sleeping, and thereby preserve us from all perils and dangers, and from the malice and fury of all our enemies spiritual and temporal, especially of that raging and roaring Lyon, the devil, who seeketh all advantages to work our destruction. Let us not sleep, like others, the sleep of sin, which bringeth death, but let us still keep the spiritual watch, that we may always be prepared for the day of death and Judgment, and have our accounts continually in readiness, that when we are called to a reckoning, we may with comfort appear before our Judge. Preserue us in the dark from the works of darkness, and let us day and night behave our selves as in thy sight and presence, making no less conscience of secret sins, then of those which are open and manifest. Let us, whilst our bodies rest, have our minds exercised with holy and heavenly Meditations, and let them be so seasoned with thy grace, and guided by thy good Spirit, that they may not in our sleep give way to sinful thoughts and vain imaginations. Give unto us such quiet and moderate rest, that our bodies may thereby be refreshed, and their decayed strength repaired; and so bless and sanctify our sleep unto us, that it may be a means of preserving our health, and of making us more fit for all duties of thy service. Hear us, gracious God, in all these our suites, and vouchsafe these and all other blessings which in thy wisdom thou knowest needful, not only unto us, but also to all thy children and servants, and especially such as be of this Church, the Magistrates, Ministers, and whole people, even for Jesus Christ his sake; In whose Name and words we conclude our prayers, as he himself hath taught us, saying, Our Father, which art in heaven, &c.

Another Prayer for the Family in the Euening.

O Immortal, invisible, and only true God, most wise, mighty, just, and merciful, holy and infinite in all perfection, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in him our most gracious and loving Father: Thou hast in thy Word invited sinners to come unto thee, promising that if we confess and forsake our sins, we shall find mercy; if we lay them open, thou wilt hide them; and if we acknowledge and bewail them, thou wilt show thyself faithful and righteous in forgiving them: we thy unworthy servants, being loaden with sin and misery, do here humble our selves before thee, and in the mediation of Jesus Christ, prostrate our selves before the Throne of grace, suing unto thee for mercy and forgiveness. We confess unto thee, holy Father, that we are by nature dead in trespasses and sins, and the children of wrath as well as others, loaded with the guilt, both of that corruption in which we were conceived, and of innumerable actual transgressions, whereby we have violated thy whole Law, and so made our selves subject to the curse thereof, and everlasting death of body and soul. The which our sin and misery is much aggravated, in that we have long lived without any sense of it, or any desire to be freed from it, but took all our delight in displeasing thy Majesty, and in performing cheerful service unto sin and Satan. Yea, Lord, after that thou of thy free grace hast given us a sight of our misery, and hast pulled us out of this wretched thralldom, working in us some desires, resolutions, and endeavors to serve and please thee, we confess that the relics of sin do still remain in us in great strength; and howsoever the old man and body of sin, have by thy holy Spirit received their deadly wound, yet have they in them such life and strength, and are so animated and revived with the suggestions of our old adversary the devil, breathing (as it were) a new life into them, that they do still much vex and trouble us, making continual war against our souls, and oftentimes leading them captive unto sin. Much blindness and vanity do still remain in our minds, so that we have but a dim sight of thee, and thy will and ways. Our memories are weak and slippery, and, like riuen vessels, let the precious liquor of the Word of life and grace run out, as soon as it is put into them. Our consciences are defiled and impure, loaded with the guilt of sin, and yet oftentimes senseless of their burden. Our judgments are full of error and ignorance, and very weak in spiritual discerning. Our wills perverse and obstinate in evil, and very averse and awke to good things, and do not incline to the doing of thy will with cheerfulness and delight. Our hearts remain still hard and full of carnal security, intractable and inflexible, and do not relent and melt, either with thy mercies or judgments. We are still assaulted with much doubting and infidelity, and our faith is often shaken with dangerous temptations. Our repentance is weak, and full of wants; our sorrow for sin slight, and soon over, and our resolutions and endeavors to amend, subject to much inconstancy, and broken off with every small impediment. There is much poison of corruption still remaining in our affections, which draweth us from thee, when we sell our selves to seek and serve thee, unto the world, and earthly things. We are still full of carnal self-love and love of the world, which quencheth and cooleth in us the love of thee, and of spiritual and heavenly things; our affiance in thee is weak, and after much experience of thy power and sufficiency, goodness and truth, we can hardly trust thee, unless we have inferior means and helps, as pawns in our hands, and we are too too prone to rely upon the creatures, and our own policies and strength; our hopes are faint and wavering, one while inclining towards presumption, and soon after forsaking us, endanger us to despair. We oftentimes fear men, and neglect thee, and hazard thy love, to avoid their displeasure. Our zeal is lukewarm, in seeking thy glory, and our devotion cold in holy duties. There still remaineth in us, much pride, hypocrisy, impatiency, unjust anger, covetousness, voluptuousness, and all other sinful lusts, which continually fight and strive against the good motions of thy holy Spirit, and oftentimes overcome, and quench them. And notwithstanding that the flesh and the corrupt lusts thereof do still remain so strong in us, yet we acknowledge to our shame, that we are careless and negligent in fighting against them, and in using those good means whereby we might be enabled to subdue them, and to purge our hearts from these carnal corruptions: whereof it is, that residing in us in great vigor and strength, they disable us in doing the good we would, and make us to do the evil we would not, oftentimes wholly hinder us from the duties of thy service, and oftentimes so disturb and distract us in them, that we perform them with much weakness & weariness, with great dullness and deadness of heart and spirit; and whilst we are delighted in thy Law in the inner man, this Law of our members rebelling against the law of our minds, leadeth us captive to the law of sin. O wretched men that we are, who shall deliver us from the body of this death! Gracious God, we beseech thee, give us more and more a lively sense and feeling of these our wants and imperfections, frailties and corruption, that we may wholly deny and disclaim our selves and our own righteousness in the work of our justification and salvation, to the end that we may entirely rest upon thine infinite mercies and the all-sufficient merits and perfect obedience of Jesus Christ. For whose sake we most humbly beseech thee to pardon graciously all our wants and weaknesses, covering our imperfections with his most perfect righteousness, & washing away all our sinful corruptions in his most precious blood. Yea, Lord, forgive and forget for his sake not only our errors and infirmities, but also those manifold and grievous sins, which we have committed against thee in the whole course of our lives, whether in the days of our ignorance, or since we attained the knowledge of thy truth: wash them all away in the blood of Christ, and heal our souls with that sovereign salve of sin, which is as sufficient to cure deep and deadly wounds, as small sores and slight scratches. Yea, Lord, not only remit and forgive us all our sins, but let us also have comfort and peace in our consciences in the assurance of our pardon, through the infallible testimony of thy holy Spirit; and thereby sanctify us throughout, that we may devote and consecrate both our souls and bodies wholly to thy worship and service. Mortify our corrupt flesh with the lusts thereof, and let them have no longer dominion in us. Yea, holy Father, not only lop the branches of our corruptions, but pull them up by the very root, and not only wound and weaken the Old man and body of sin, but kill and crucify, destroy and abolish it in thy good time, that no relics of it may remain in us, to disturb our peace, and distract us in thy service. Quicken us with the Spiritual life of grace, that being made strong and vigorous, we may courageously overcome all lets and difficulties, which oppose us in our Christian course, and may perform unto thee all duties of piety, righteousness and sobriety all the days of our lives, with all cheerfulness and delight. Let thy Spirit dwelling in us, replenish our hearts and souls with all sanctifying and saving graces. Inlighten our minds with a sound, saving and experimental knowledge of thee and thy Truth, and let us draw whatsoever we know into use and practice. Take away from us our natural doubting and infidelity, and work in us a true, lively and justifying faith, that we may apply unto us all thy gracious promises made in Christ, and rest only upon his merits and thy mercies, for our justification and salvation. Give us hearty and unfeigned repentance for our sins, that, we may not only bewail them with godly grief, but also leave and forsake them, and serve thee in holiness and newness of life. Confirme our affiance in thee, and let us firmly resolve, that though thou shouldest kill us, yet we will still trust in thee. Let us confidently expect the performance of all thy gracious promises with a lively hope, and still wait upon thee when thou seemest to defer thy help. Let us have a sensible feeling of thy love, shed abroad in our hearts by thy holy Spirit, that being inflamed thereby, we may love thee again with all our souls and strength, and all others in and for thee. Let this fire of holy love show, and approve it self by the flame and heat of godly zeal, in seeking thy glory in and above all things, fervently, yet wisely and discreetly, opposing whatsoever hindereth it, and furthering all the means whereby it is furthered. Work thy fear in our hearts, and let us stand in awe of thee, not only for thy Judgments, but also for thy mercies, abhorring nothing more then thy displeasure, who hast ever been unto us so gracious and good a Father. Give us grace to yield unto thee all son-like and true obedience, both by doing that which thou enioynest, and suffering that which thou imposest. Adorn us with meekness and humility, and let us be base in our own eyes, that we may be precious in thy sight. Replenish our hearts with Spiritual joy in the assurance of thy love and our salvation, that nothing may dant or damp it; and stablish us with thy free Spirit, that we may never fall from thee, but may persevere in the profession and practice of true godliness, till death summoneth us to Judgment. Let us be just towards all, and merciful towards the poor and afflicted, still abounding in all good works, and make us temperate, sober and thankful in the use of all thy blessings, that they may further, and not hinder us in all Christian duties. And as we implore thy goodness for those things which we want, so with thankful hearts and voices, we praise & magnify thy great and glorious Name for all thy mercies and favors vouchsafed unto us, respecting either this life or the life to come. And namely, for preserving our lives, and blessing our labors; for relieving our wants, and defending us from danger this day past. We beseech thee unto the multitude of thy other graces, add this with the rest, that we may make right use of them, for the stirring up of our thankfulness, and inflaming of our hearts with thy love. O Lord, be still gracious unto us, and now receive our bodies and souls into thy hand this night, that they may be safe in thy keeping from all evil both of sin and punishment; and as we cease from the works of our callings, so much more let us rest from all works of darkness, with a full purpose never again to undertake them. Give us comfortable and quiet sleep, that our spirits being thereby refreshed, and our strength renewed, we may be the fitter to serve thee in the general duties of Christianity, and the special duties of our callings. Let not our sleep break off our spiritual watch, but let us still be in readiness for the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ. When we wake, let us wake with thee, lifting up our hearts and souls in holy and heavenly Meditations, and praising thee for all thy goodness. Together with us, bless thy whole Church, this in which we live, our sovereign Lord and King, our Noble Prince, the Prince and Princesse Palatine, the Council, Magistrates, and Ministers, those which are afflicted, and thy whole people, beseeching thee in our several places, to give us whatsoever thou knowest needful for us, for Jesus Christ's sake: to whom with thee and thy holy Spirit, we ascribe all glory and praise both now and evermore. Amen.

A Prayer for the Lord's Day in the Morning.

O Lord our God, glorious in Majesty, omnipotent in power, infinite in all goodness & perfection, and our most gracious Father in Jesus Christ, who hast created all things of nothing for thine own glory, and man especially for thine own service; the which he is bound to perform both by the right of creation, wherein thou hast vouchsafed unto him his being; & of Redemption, whereby thou hast given unto him his well-being, by restoring him to that estate of blessedness which he had lost by his sins. But yet in a more especial manner ought this service to be performed on thine own peculiar Day, which thou hast appropriated to thy worship, & consecrated to an holy rest, both by thy commandment, and also thine own example. We thine unprofitable servants, and utterly unworthy of these high and holy privileges, do here present our selves before thee, desiring, and in some poor measure endeavoring to sanctify this Day of rest, and to glorify thee by performing, as we are able, such duties of thy service as thou requirest. Howbeit, we must needs acknowledge, to thy glory & our own shame, that we have utterly disabled our selves unto them by our manifold & grievous sins. For through our natural corruption, thy Sabbaths, which should be our delight, are become tedious & unpleasant; thy service, which should be our meat and drink, and even the very life of our life, and joy of our hearts, is become so loathsome and distasteful to our carnal appetite, that either we utterly neglect it, or else perform it after a cold and careless manner, with much dullness, drowzines, and irksome weariness. Our wisdom is enmity against thee, & our understandings dull in conceiving spiritual things, our thoughts & imaginations so wholly carried away with earthly vanities, that when they should be wholly intent unto spiritual exercises, they roue and wander after worldly trifles. Our consciences are so loaded with dead works & the guilt of our sins, that they weaken our faith in applying thy promises, and deprive us of that confidence and comfort which we should otherwise have in our praying and hearing. Our memories are like riuen vessels, which suffer the precious liquor of thy Word to run out without use or profit. Our wills are so stubborn and rebellious, that we cannot submit to thine holy Ordinances, but resist both the outward ministry of thy Word, and the inward motions of thy holy Spirit. Our hearts are so hardened with the deceitfulness of sin, that they are not easily mollified with thy sweet promises and gracious benefits, nor terrified and broken with thy threatenings and righteous Judgments. Our affections are so wholly corrupted and disordred, that they are wholly set upon worldly things; and little love and delight in thee and thy saving truth, in thy service and Sabbaths, do we feel in our dead hearts, in comparison of that fervor of affection, which we sensibly perceive in the pleasures of sin, and worldly delights. And with this corruption of our sinful souls, our bodies likewise are so tainted and infected, that they are altogether indisposed unto thy service, and exceeding dead and lumpish in the performance of all holy and Religious duties. From which total corruption of our natures, have issued and sprung those innumerable numbers of actual transgressions, whereby we have broken thy whole Law, and every Commandment thereof in thought, word and deed. But especially we acknowledge our fearful neglect of the duties of thy service, and our weak & imperfect performances, when we have undertaken them; our profanation of thy Sabbaths, and abuse of thine holy Ordinances; our little profiting by those plentiful means of our salvation, which for a long time thou hast graciously afforded us, either for the increasing of saving knowledge, the strengthening of our faith, or bringing forth fruits of new obedience; our want of faith and fervency of spirit in calling upon thy Name; our want of reverence and attention in hearing thy Word; our many distractions and wandering thoughts; our want of care to treasure it up in our hearts, and of conscience to make an holy use of it in our lives and conversations. By all which and innumerable other sins, we acknowledge (good Lord) that we have justly deserved to be deprived of all means of our salvation, and that thou shouldest take away from us the food of our souls, and cause them to perish through Spiritual famine; or that thou shouldest turn our meat into poison, and make it to become the savor of death to our deeper condemnation, which in it own nature is the savor of life unto life, and thine own strong power unto salvation. But we beseech thee (good Lord) for thy Sons sake, to be gracious unto us in the free pardon of these and all other our sins; and seeing he hath fully satisfied thy Justice, by that all-sufficient sacrifice, which he hath once offered upon his Cross, be reconciled unto us in him, and cleanse us thoroughly from the guilt and punishment of all our sins, that they may not be as a wall of separation to stop from us thy blessings, nor as strong chains to pull down upon us thy judgments and punishments, either in this world, or in the world to come. And being thus freed from all our sins, let us devote our selves wholly to thy service: which that we may perform with greater cheerfulness and diligence, let us have the comfortable assurance of this thy mercy in the remission of our sins, sealed in our hearts by thy good Spirit, witnessing unto us that we are thy children by adoption and grace. And thereby not only seal us up unto the Day of our Redemption, but also sanctify us throughout in our bodies and souls, by the mortification of the flesh, and our spiritual quickening in the inner man, that we may, in the whole course of our lives, serve and please thee. But in a more especial manner we beseech thee (good Lord) to sanctify us, that we may sanctify this thy Sabbath; and assist us by thy grace and holy Spirit, that we may so perform the religious duties of thy service, as that we may be made more holy, and enabled unto the leading of such a Christian life as may be acceptable in thy sight. Take away from us the corruption of our natures, whereby we are made backward and untoward to the duties of thy service, and make us willing to sequester our selves from all worldly affairs, that we may wholly be employed in them. Let us rejoice in thy Sabbaths, as being the time of our spiritual refection, and the market of our souls, and let us not rest in a formal keeping of them, but perform the duties required in them, with all care and good conscience, not only in the outward man, but with our hearts and souls, in spirit and truth. Free us from carnal weariness, as thinking the time long till they be past: but knowing that time to be best spent which is employed in thy service, let us take most comfort and contentment in it. Inable us (good Lord) by private preparation to fit our selves for thy public service, meditating on our wants, that we may use all good means whereby they may be supplied, and on our special sins & corruptions, that we may get spiritual strength against them, and imploring the assistance of thy good Spirit, that we may be enabled thereby to perform, in an holy manner, all duties which thou requirest. Let us keep an holy Rest unto thee, and abstain not only from the ordinary works of our callings and worldly affairs, but also from all carnal pleasures and sensual delights. Suffer not our thoughts to be taken up with worldly or wicked cogitations, but let our minds be exercised in spiritual and heavenly meditations. Set a watch before our mouths, that we may not, on thine holy Day, speak our own words, nor utter any idle, vain, worldly or wicked speeches; but let our tongues speak to thy praise, and be exercised in holy & religious conferences, tending to the mutual edification one of another. Let us not content our selves with a mere cessation from our labors, but refer this Rest to holiness, as the main end thereof, without which the outward rest is but vain; and with the external, let us join the internal rest from sin, exercising our selves in repentance from dead works. Make us careful in using all good means which thou hast ordained for the sanctifying of thy Day, both publicly and privately, and let us, with one heart and voice, join with the rest of the Congregation in all the parts of thy service. Inable all thy Ministers in all places, and him especially to whose charge thou hast committed us, that they may break unto us the Bread of life, and rightly divide thy Word for our spiritual nourishment. Furnish them with all gifts and graces necessary for their high calling, and let them deliver thy truth as in thy presence, faithfully and powerfully, truly and sincerely, and so assist them with the inward working of thine holy Spirit, that thy Word may be effectual for the conversion, edification and salvation of their hearers. Inable us by the same Spirit, to call upon thee with faith & fervency, and with all love and thankfulness to praise thee for all thy blessings vouchsafed unto us. Let us with all due reverence & attention hear thy Word, lay it up in our harts and memories, and bring forth the fruits of it in our lives and conversations. Give us grace also (O Lord) to sanctify thy Sabbaths privately, by performing by our selves, and in our own families, those private duties which are specially required on this thy Day. Let us meditate on thy Word after we have heard it, and apply it unto our selves for our own use. Let us meditate on thy marvelous works of Creation, Preseruation and Redemption; but especially on the death and Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, that they may be effectual to mortify our sins, and to quicken us unto newness of life. Let us spend our time in religious exercises, and in the works of charity & mercy, as being those sacrifices wherein thou most delightest; but especially in those spiritual duties which tend to the salvation of our own and others souls, taking care not only to sanctify thine holy Day our selves, but, as much as in us lieth, that it may be sanctified by all those who any ways belong to our charge. Accept of our praise and thanksgiving for all thy blessings and benefits, both spiritual and temporal, which thou hast multiplied upon us, and continue them unto us this day and ever, preserving us from all perils, and furnishing us with all necessaries, that we may be the fitter with all cheerfulness to do thee service: And vouchsafe all these blessings which we have craved for our selves, with all other things which in thy wisdom thou seest needful, unto every true member of thy Church, &c. even for Jesus Christ his sake, to whom with thee & thine holy Spirit, we ascribe all praise and glory, power and dominion, both now, and for evermore. Amen.

A Prayer for the Euening of the Lord's Day.

O Eternal God, who art glorious in Majesty and power, and of infinite goodness and mercy unto all those who are reconciled unto thee in thy Son; we thine unworthy servants, having nothing else to return unto thee for the innumerable testimonies of thy love, which with a bountiful hand thou hast multiplied upon us, do here offer unto thee the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving for all thy blessings and benefits, which either respect our souls or bodies; this life, or the life to come. More especially, we laud and magnify thy great and glorious Name, for that thou hast loved us from all eternity, and of thy mere grace, without any respect of our worthiness, hast made us vessels of grace by thy free election, created us according to thine own Image, redeemed us out of the hands of all our spiritual enemies, by giving thy dearly beloved Son to die for us, when as we were strangers and enemies; for calling us by thy Word and Spirit, to the saving knowledge, and effectual participation of him and all his benefits; for our justification by his obedience, our sanctification by thy Spirit, and for that assurance which thou hast given us of a better life in the world to come. For all temporal benefits, as health, wealth, peace, plenty, preservation from dangers, and protection from all our enemies, both worldly and spiritual. And especially, we praise and glorify thee, for vouchsafing unto us, in such a gracious manner, the means of our salvation; for our blessed opportunities and liberties, with peace and safety in sanctifying thy Sabbaths, publicly and privately, by hearing thy Word, and calling upon thy Name, and performing other duties of thy service, that thereby we may glorify thee, and make our own calling and election sure; and for giving unto us hearts, wherein, by thy Spirit, thou hast wrought some poor desires and endeavors, to make use of these thy benefits, for the enriching of our souls with all spiritual graces, as at other times heretofore, so namely, this day past. O that our souls could be ravished with the sweet apprehension of such inestimable blessings! O that we could exceed all others in love and thankfulness, as far as we exceed them in these high and holy privileges, and were able to express them in our careful and conscionable endeavors to glorify and please thee in all things, who hast been so gracious and good unto us! But alas, how unworthy have we made our selves of the least of these thy benefits, by our manifold and grievous sins; both our original corruption, which having over-spread all the powers and parts of our souls and bodies, hath utterly disabled them unto all duties of thy service; and our manifold actual transgressions, which in number and weight exceed all things but thy mercies, which are above all thy works, and the merits and satisfaction of thy Son, which are of infinite worth and value? More especially, we humbly acknowledge our fearful abuse of those great privileges and means of our salvation, which for a long time thou hast graciously granted unto us. For not only have we, in the days of our ignorance, utterly neglected all duties of thy service, spending our whole strength in the miserable slavery of sin and Satan, and profaned and mis-spent thy Sabbaths, in pleasing our carnal lusts, and performing the works of darkness, in greater measure, and worse manner then any other days besides; but even since we have been called to the knowledge of thy truth, and have consecrated our selves to thy service, we have either upon slight occasions neglected those holy duties of thy public and private worship, or performed them with many wants and weaknesses, discovering unto thee who searchest the heart, many imperfections and great corruptions. For we have not remembered thy Sabbaths, nor with fervent desires longed after thine holy Day. We have not delighted in them, nor consecrated them unto thee as an holy Rest; but though the spirit hath been willing, yet the flesh hath been weak, and soon tired with spiritual exercises. We have been much defective in our zeal and devotion, and have been too too cold and formal in religious duties, and have not performed them with that care and conscience, nor have served thee with our hearts and souls, in spirit and truth, in that degree which thou requirest; but externally and with the outward man, having in the mean while our minds and hearts carried away with many distractions and worldly imaginations. Our cogitations have not been takē wholly up with spiritual and heavenly things, but we have suffered them to roue & wander after earthly trifles. Our tongues have not, in that measure as they ought, been exercised in setting forth thy praise, nor in such holy and religious conferences as tend to the edification one of another: but we have spoken our own words on thine holy Day, and many of our speeches have been idle and vain, worldly and unsavory. We have not, as we ought, privately prepared and fitted our selves for thy public service, by prayer and meditation, & by renewing our faith and repentance; but have come into thy glorious presence without due fear and reverence, having our hearts clogged and choked with many corruptions, which have disabled them to the duties of thy service, and have made them like vnfallowed and vnweeded grounds, unfit to receive the seed of thy Word. We have not called upon thy Name with faith and fervency of spirit, nor given thanks unto thee for all thy benefits, with such cheerfulness as became us. We have not, with due reverence and attention, heard thy holy Word, nor laid it up in our memories, nor applied it to our hearts and consciences, nor made an holy use of it, by putting it in practice in our lives and conversations. We have not meditated, as we ought, on thy Word which we have heard, nor on thy marvelous works of Creation, Preseruation & Redemption, nor diligently read and studied in thy holy Book, nor exercised our selves in the works of mercy and Christian charity towards our brethren, in that manner and measure which thou requirest, especially in those spiritual duties which tend to the mutual edification of one another. In which, and many other kinds, as we have often offended heretofore, so we cannot excuse our selves of many imperfections and corruptions which we have shown this day past, in all the duties of thy service which we have performed unto thee. But seeing we do acknowledge our wants and weaknesses, and do bewail them with unfeigned sorrow, we beseech thee (dear God) accept of us in Jesus Christ, according to thy gracious promises, covering all our imperfections with his most perfect obedience, and washing away our corruptions in that pure Fountain of his precious blood. In him accept of our poor desires and endeavors to do thee service; seeing what is wanting in us, is abundantly supplied by his absolute and all-sufficient righteousness, which is made ours by faith. And that we may, for the time to come, perform service unto thee with more diligence and cheerfulness, let thy Spirit witness unto our spirit, that thou hast forgiven all our sins past, passed by and covered all our infirmities and frailties, and doest graciously accept of us in thy Best-beloved. And with the same thine holy Spirit, prosper and perfect thine own good work of grace and sanctification which thou hast begun in us. Thou seest (Lord) how we are hampered and fettered in the chains of our corruptions, which so distract and hinder us in all holy duties, that we perform them with much discouragement, and little joy. Help us, O God of our salvation, and break in sunder these chains of sin, that being set at liberty, we may, with all alacrity and delight, run the way of thy Commandments, and esteem it our meat and drink to do thy will. To this end assist us (good Lord) by thine holy Spirit, & thereby sanctify unto us thine holy Ordinances and means of our salvation, that they may be effectual for the effecting & perfecting of thine own good work of grace and sanctification in us. Apply unto us powerfully thy Word, which either this day, or any other time we have heard, that it may enlighten our minds with saving knowledge; sanctify our hearts and affections, that they may be more and more weaned from the love of the world & earthly vanities, and fixed upon spiritual & heavenly things, and may be effectual for the reforming of our lives and conversations, and the strengthening of us unto all duties of a godly life; that so being not only hearers of thy Word, but also doers of it, we may be assured of eternal blessedness. Let us walk worthy our high and holy calling, and in all things adorn our Christian profession, that by our holy and unblameable lives we may gain others to thy Kingdom. Let us exceed all others as much in spiritual graces, and in bringing forth the fruits of new obedience, as we are preferred before them, through thy free grace in outward privileges, and in the gracious means of our salvation; and as thou doest continually sow in our hearts the seed of thy Word, and water it with the dew of thine holy Spirit, so let us answerably grow in grace from one measure to another, till we come to a perfect age in Jesus Christ. Do not only pardon graciously all our wants and weaknesses, which either this day or heretofore we have shown in the duties of thy worship & service, but enable us for the time to come to perform them daily with more & more perfection; and grant that we may so sanctify thy Sabbaths here upon earth, as that we may be assured that we shall keep an eternal Sabbath with thee in thy glorious Kingdom. Finally, we beseech thee for thy Christ his sake, to take us this night & ever into thy gracious protection, & thereby preserve us from all perils, and from the malice of all our enemies spiritual and temporal. Leave us not now unto our selves, but still assist us with thy grace & holy Spirit, that we may perform the duties of thy Sabbaths, which yet remain in some good & acceptable manner. Season our hearts with those holy instructions and comforts, which thou hast imparted unto us this day past, & make them faithful treasuries of these precious Jewels. Let our minds, whilst we are waking, be so wholly taken up with heavenly Meditations, that even our dreams may savor of them, & in our deepest sleep, let our minds and souls watch & wait upon thee. Thou hast sown good seed in our hearts: O let not the enemy steal it away, nor whilst we sleep, sow in them the malicious tares of evil and vain thoughts and imaginations, and so hinder the growth thereof. Give us quiet & moderate rest, for the better refreshing of our bodies & minds, that so tomorrow we may be enabled to perform such faithful service unto thee in the general duties of Christianity, & the special duties of our callings, as may tend to thy glory and the everlasting salvation of our own souls. And together with us, bless thy whole Church and every member thereof, &c. And vouchsafe both to them & us, these and all other blessings which in thy wisdom thou knowest needful, even for Jesus Christ his sake: to whom with thee & thy blessed Spirit, we acknowledge to be due, & frō our hearts desire to give all glory and praise, both now & evermore. Amen.

A Prayer before receiving the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

O Lord our God, who art infinite in goodness, grace, and mercy; most true in all thy promises, and most just and powerful in performance; thou hast, when we were strangers and enemies, subject to the curse of the Law, and liable to thy wrath, by reason of our manifold and grievous sins, and utterly unable to free our selves out of the state of death and condemnation, given unto us thine only and dear Son, to work the great work of our Redemption, by his perfect satisfaction, death, and obedience. By whom, thy Justice being fully satisfied, and thy wrath appeased, thou hast made with us in him thy Covenant of grace, wherein thou hast promised the free pardon of our sins, and the salvation of our souls, grace in this life, and glory and happiness in the life to come, upon the alone condition of faith, laying hold upon Christ and his righteousness, and bringing forth the fruits thereof in hearty repentance and amendment of life. The which, though it be in it self of most infallible truth, yet having respect to our weakness, doubting, and infidelity, thou hast been graciously pleased to confirm it unto us, by adding thereunto thy Seals, the Sacraments. So that nothing hath been wanting on thy part, either for the perfecting the great work of our Redemption, or the effectual applying of it unto us for our use and benefit. But (O Lord) we humbly confess, that as we have shamefully broken the Covenant of works, by failing in the condition of perfect obedience; and have made void thy promises of life and happiness, by our grievous and innumerable sins, both original and actual; so also, as much as in us lieth, we have deprived our selves of the benefits which thou offerest unto us in the new Covenant of grace in Jesus Christ, by our manifold failings, wants, and imperfections in performing our promises made unto thee, if thou shouldest look to the perfection of our graces and outward actions, and not unto the inward truth and sincerity of our hearts. For we have not thoroughly acquainted our selves with the knowledge of thy saving truth, concerning this great mystery of our salvation, nor searched and examined these spiritual Evidences, for the clear understanding of them; and much less for the bringing of them home to our hearts and consciences, that in them we might have sound peace and comfort in the assurance of thy love and our own salvation. Our faith hath been exceeding weak in apprehending and applying Christ and thy gracious promises made in him; and we too too negligent in using those blessed means which thou hast graciously afforded us, for the strengthening of it. For we have not only been exceeding negligent in hearing, reading, and meditating in thy Word, the great Charter of our peace, which containeth in it all our spiritual and heavenly privileges; but also in making right use of thy Seals, the Sacraments, annexed unto it, especially this of our Lord's Supper, which thou hast ordained for the spiritual food of our souls, to nourish them unto everlasting life. We have not highly esteemed of this holy banquet, but have often pretended excuses, and absented our selves, when as thou hast graciously invited us unto it. We have not hungered and thirsted after this heavenly Manna and waters of life; but with cloyed appetites have carelessly neglected them, when as they have been set before us. And when we have presented our selves at this holy feast, we have come to thy Table, after a cold, careless and formal manner, without all due preparation, and have performed this holy action with profane and unwashen hands, more for custom then for conscience sake. We have come in much ignorance of thee and thy truth, thy gracious Covenant, and the Seals annexed unto it; and that little knowledge we have had, hath been more in our heads, then in our hearts and affections, in idle speculation, then in use and practice. We have not rightly discerned the body of our Lord, nor put that difference which we ought, between these elements consecrated to this holy service, and those which are for common use. We have not duly considered, as became us, the relation between the signs and the things signified, but have too much stuck in the outward elements and actions, not looking to the spiritual graces signified and sealed by them. We have not approved our selves as worthy guests, by renewing carefully and conscionably our faith and repentance, but have presented our selves before thee with much infidelity and great impenitence; though, since our last coming to thine holy Table, we have often renewed our sins; neither have we brought forth such plentiful fruits of charity towards our brethren for thy sake, as thou requirest, and as it becometh the true members of Jesus Christ, either by liberal giving unto those that want, or free forgiving those who have offended us. We have not shown our Saviors death in this holy action, nor thankfully remembered the great work of our Redemption, by his precious death and blood-shed. And though we have professed our selves thy servants by wearing thy livery, yet we have not endeavored to walk worthy this high calling, by glorifying thee our Lord and Master. O Lord our God, shame and confusion covereth our faces, not only in the sight and sense of our manifold and grievous sins, both original and actual, but also of our great imperfections and corruptions, which we show in the best duties of thy worship and service. We confess, holy Father, that if thou shouldest enter into judgment with us, and deal with us according to our deserts, thou mightest justly make void thy Covenant with us, deprive us of these means of our salvation, or else make them ineffectual and of no use unto us whilst we enjoy them. But seeing we are heartily sorry for our sins, and not only unfeignedly bewail our imperfections, but also desire and labor after more perfection, promising for the time to come, that we will more carefully use all good means, whereby we may be enabled to perform all duties of thy service in a more perfect manner; Good Lord, we most humbly beseech thee, for Jesus Christ his sake, to pardon graciously all our wants and weaknesses, to accept, according to thy gracious promises, our will, for the deed; our poor endeavors, for perfect performance, and to cover all our imperfections, with Christ's perfect righteousness and obedience, and to wash away all our corruptions in his most precious Blood. And seeing we do now again intend to perform the holy duties of thy service, in hearing thy Word, Prayer, and receiving of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper: Good Lord, we earnestly beseech thee, for thy Sons sake, to assist us so with thy grace and holy Spirit, as that we may perform these actions of thy service, in some good and acceptable manner, for the advancement of thy glory, the comfort of our souls, and the furthering and assuring of our own salvation. More especially, we-entreat thee to enable us with thy grace, that we may be duly prepared, and come as worthy guests to thy Table. Give us a lively sight and sense of our sins and imperfections, wants and weaknesses, and let us hunger and thirst after Christ and his righteousness; and after the spiritual food of his Body and Blood, for the nourishment of our souls unto eternal life. Let us not coldly and formally perform this high and holy duty, but bend all the powers of our souls to the doing of it, in some such manner as may be acceptable in thy sight. Inlighten our minds more and more with the saving knowledge of thee and thy truth, and especially of the great work of our Redemption, and thine infinite love shining in it, of the Covenant of grace, and Seals annexed unto it; and let not this knowledge reside only in our understandings, but let it also descend into our hearts, that it may be profitable for their sanctification. Inable us rightly to discern our Lord's Body, and feelingly to understand the relation between the Signs and the things signified, applying both unto our selves in their right use. To this end indue us with a true and lively faith, that we may not only receive the outward Elements, but also may inwardly feed upon the precious Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that thereby we may be enriched with all saving graces, strengthened unto all good duties, and nourished unto everlasting life. Inable us also to bring forth the fruits of this faith in unfeigned repentance, bewailing our sins past, hating those corruptions which still hang upon us, and resolving to leave them for the time to come, and to serve thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives. And as we have daily renewed our sins, so give us now grace, that we may renew our faith and repentance, bathing our souls and bodies afresh, even in the Fountain of Christ's precious Blood, and in the tears of unfeigned sorrow, mourning with bitter grief, because we have pierced him with our sins, and caused the Lord of life to be put unto a shameful death. Inflame our hearts with most fervent love towards thee and our neighbors, yea, even our enemies for thy sake, and lincke our hearts together in an holy Communion, as it becometh the true members of Jesus Christ. Let us also approve our love to be sound and sincere, by the fruits of it, and especially, by forgiving and forgetting all our wrongs and injuries, as heartily as we desire to be forgiven of thee, and by performing all works of mercy and Christian charity, towards all those who need our help; not only by comforting and refreshing their bodies, but also by performing all Christian duties for the eternal salvation of their souls. And being thus prepared, let us, when we come to thy Table, perform that duty of thy service in some good and acceptable manner, with all reverence, faith and inward fervency and devotion. Let us with the outward signs receive the things signified, Jesus Christ and all his benefits; that being more and more united unto him, we may receive from him the Spiritual life of Grace, and those holy virtues of his divine nature, that we may grow up in him unto a perfect man. Let us bring with us the hand and mouth of faith; and let it be more and more strengthened in the assurance of all thy gracious promises, by these seals of thy covenant communicated unto us. Make us partakers of Christ's merits, by imputation of his nature and essence by conjunction, and of his power and efficacy by thy holy Spirit; and let us show his death till he come, gratefully remembering this great work of our Redemption by his blood, that we may be thankful, and praise thee the blessed Trinity in unity, all the days of our lives. Finally, as we do by these means profess our selves thy servants in taking upon us thy livery and cognizance, so give us grace, that we may constantly strive and endeavor to walk worthy this high calling, and to glorify thee in the duties of holiness and righteousness, whilst we have any breath or being. Hear us and help us, O God of our salvation, and answer us graciusly in these our suits and petitions, for Jesus Christ his sake; to whom with thee and thine holy Spirit, be rendered of us and thy whole Church, all glory and praise, power and dominion, both now and evermore. Amen.

A thanksgiving after the receiving of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

O Lord our God, most glorious and most gracious, infinite in bounty and goodness unto all thy children and servants in Jesus Christ, we do here offer unto thee the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, and do laud and magnify thy great and glorious Name, for all thy mercies and favors vouchsafed unto us; especially because thou hast loved us with an everlasting love, yea so loved us, that thou hast, of thy mere grace and free good will, even when we were strangers and enemies, given unto us thy Best-beloved and only Son, to work the great work of our Redemption, and by his death and precious blood-shed to deliver us out of the hands of all our spiritual enemies, and to free us from everlasting death and condemnation, that we might be heirs through him of eternal glory and happiness in thy Kingdom. We praise thee also for the free covenant of grace and salvation which thou hast made with us in him, whereby thou hast assured us of the remission of our sins, our reconciliation with thee, and of endless happiness in the life to come; and for confirming this covenant unto us, by annexing thereunto the seals thy Sacraments, that thereby our weak faith might be strengthened and increased, and we more and more freed from doubting and incredulity. We thank thee (holy Father) for renewing this thy covenant with us this day, and for confirming our union with Jesus Christ our head, and one with another, by giving unto us his precious body and blood, as the Spiritual food of our souls, whereby they are nourished unto everlasting life. O Lord our God, it is thy great mercy, that thou nourishest our mortal bodies with food that perisheth, but how wonderful is this thy bounty and goodness, in that thou feedest our souls with this bread of Life that came down from heaven, and with this food that endureth to life eternal! If thou shouldest permit us but to gather up the crumbs that fall from thy Table, we must needs acknowledge, that it were a favor far above our deserts; O then how should we admire and magnify thy mercy and bounty, in vouchsafing such vile and unworthy wretches, this high and holy privilege, to be feasted at thine own Table, not with ordinary cheare, but with such spiritual and divine delicacies, even the precious body and blood of thine only dear Son, whereby he becometh one with us, and we with him, even as thou, holy Father, and he are one, in that holy and happy union. O that our narrow hearts were enlarged, that we might in some measure apprehend this thine infinite and incomprehensible goodness! O that being cold in themselves, they were warmed and inflamed with the fire and flame of this divine love; that with the lively sense and feeling of it, we might be moved to return love for love, and express it by our fervent zeal and endeavor in all things, to please and glorify thee throughout the whole course of our lives and conversations! Which because it is not in our own power, O thou the rich fountain of all grace and goodness, inspire and inflame our cold and frozen hearts with the beams of thy love, shed abroad in them by thine holy Spirit, that we may love thee with unfeigned love, and contemning all things in comparison of thee, may long and labor after nothing so much, as to enjoy thee in this life by grace, and the presence of thy blessed Spirit, and by full and perfect vision and fruition in the life to come. To this end, gracious God, bless unto us thine holy Ordinances and means of our salvation, and by the inward assistance of thy good Spirit, make them powerful and effectual to the attaining of those ends, for which thou hast given, and we received them. Let us find hereby our union with Christ strengthened and confirmed, by feeling the Spiritual life and sap of grace derived unto us, and increased in us, from this root of righteousness, not only for our further assurance of our justification, but also for the perfecting of our sanctification, and the strengthening of us unto all Christian duties of a godly life. Let us by this Spiritual food of our souls, find our selves nourished and enriched with all saving graces, especially let us feel our weak faith confirmed and increased, that we may, without wavering, be persuaded of all thy gracious promises made unto us, and effectually apply unto our selves Jesus Christ and all his benefits, seeing thou hast not only offered them in thy Word and covenant of grace, but also sealed, and thereby fully assured them unto us by thy seals the Sacraments. Give us grace, that we may approve this faith to be true and lively, by bringing forth plentiful fruits of it in repentance and newness of life; bewailing our sins, because they have pierced our Savior; and fearing to offend thee for the time to come, seeing thine exact Justice would not suffer them to go unpunished, when thine only and dear Son did bear them upon his Cross. Let us not by sin, hazard our souls again to death for the wages of worldly vanities, seeing to redeem us from them, our Savior and surety paid unto thy Justice the inestimable price of his precious blood; but being freed from sin, let us become his servants that hath redeemed us, serving him in the duties of holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives. And as we have professed our selves to be of thy Family, by taking upon us and wearing thy livery, so let us adorn our profession, and glorify thee our Lord and Master, by having the light of our Christian conversation shining before all men; in all things behaving our selves as it becometh thy children and servants. Let us have our Lord's death in remembrance, until he come; not only that it may stir us up to unfeigned thankfulness unto thee, for giving thy Son, and to him, for giving himself unto us and for us, but also that it may be as a shield of proof, to arm us against all our spiritual enemies, thy wrath, the curse of the law, Satan, death, sin and condemnation, that they may never prevail against us. Let us also, as we have in this holy communion professed our selves members of the same body, approve our selves to be indeed so, by performing all duties of love towards one another, both in relieving those that want, and forgiving those who have offended us. Finally, we beseech thee (dear Father) to enable us by thy grace and holy Spirit, that we may perform our vows and promises which we have made unto thee, especially in the time of preparation before we came to thy Table; and seeing in the sense and feeling of our wants and weaknesses in thy Spiritual graces, required to the worthy receiving of the Sacrament, as knowledge, faith, repentance and charity, we were displeased with our selves, and promised that we would endeavor to have them increased and strengthened for the time to come; good Lord, we beseech thee, give us grace to perform what we have promised, and to labor carefully and conscionably in the use of all good means, for the enriching of our souls with these and all other saving graces of thy sanctifying Spirit, that so also we may bring forth the fruits of them in our godly and Christian lives, to the glory of thy blessed Name, and the comfort and salvation of our bodies and souls, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer for the Sick.

MOst glorious and mighty God, who are righteous in all thy ways, and holy in all thy works; most just in all thy Judgments, and infinitely gracious, and merciful towards thy children in Jesus Christ, even in thy chastizements and Fatherly corrections; who art the Author of health and sickness, and hast in thy hand the issues of life & death. For as much as thou hast commanded us to call upon thee, as at all times, so especially in the time of trouble and affliction, and hast encouraged us hereunto by thy most gracious promise, that thou wilt hear and help us, that being delivered, we may glorify thee. We thy poor humble servants, in obedience unto this thy Commandment, and in confidence of this thy promise, do here in the Name and mediation of Jesus Christ, humbly prostrate our selves before thee, acknowledging and bewailing our manifold and grievous sins. For we were not only conceived and borne in sin, and thereby so defiled in all the powers and parts of our souls and bodies, that we have been disabled unto all good duties, and made prone to all wickedness; but we have also from this bitter root of original corruption, brought forth continually those cursed fruits of actual transgressions, by breaking all and every of thy Commandments in thought, word and deed, from the beginning of our lives, unto this present hour: And that not only in the days of our ignorance, whilst we continued the vassals of Satan, and when as sin reigned and ruled in us, and we performed unto it voluntary and cheerful obedience, as unto our King and Sovereign; but even since thou hast graciously called us out of the kingdom of darkness, and hast wrought in our hearts some desires to serve thee: we have often rebelled against thee, and for the base hire of worldly trifles, have been allured to commit many sins, not only through frailty and infirmity, but even against our knowledge and consciences; contrary to our general vow in Baptism, and many special promises which we have made unto thee upon sundry occasions. And although thou hast given unto us our Being, and preserved us in it by thy special and good providence, and hast redeemed us by the death of thy dear Son, out of the hands of all our spiritual enemies, that we might worship and serve thee, in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives; yet, Lord, we humbly confess, that we have been too too forgetful of these inestimable mercies, neglected the duties of thy service, and spent the greatest part of our lives in pursuing worldly vanities. These, these (dear Father) have been for the most part the subject of our thoughts, the object of our desires, and the chief marks, at which we have aimed in our most earnest endeavors. And so have we in our understandings minded earthly things, in our hearts affected them with such longing desires, and with all our strength pursued them in all our works and actions, as though we had no better hopes, and had forgotten that we are pilgrims on earth, and Citizens of heaven. As for the duties of thy service, we have often, through this eager pursuit of worldly vanities, forgotten and neglected them; and often have performed them with much coldness and formality, weakness and weariness, dullness and drowsiness of heart and spirit, whilst our minds and affections have been distracted and carried away, and our devotion and zeal cooled and quenched, by our over-much minding and loving of earthly things. And though thou hast allured us to perform unto thee more sincere and cheerful service, by promising to give us the rich wages, and free reward of heavenly happiness; yea for the present hast encouraged us hereunto, by multiplying upon us many temporal blessings; as health, strength, peace, plenty, food, apparel, and such like: yet we have abused these benefits, by taking occasion thereby to go on in our sins with greater security, and have been made by them more negligent in thy service. And therefore (O Lord) it were just with thee, if thou shouldest deprive us of them all, turning our strength into weakness, our health into sickness, and all our peace and comfort into tortures of body, and troubles of mind. But (dear Father) deal with us, not according to our deserts, but according to thy wonted mercies in Jesus Christ. And seeing the end of thy chastisements is not destruction, but salvation; not to punish our sins, for which thy Son hath fully satisfied thy Justice by his all-sufficient sufferings; but to bring us to repentance: we most humbly beseech thee, to give unto us a true sight and sense of them, unfeigned sorrow, and a perfect hatred of them, and a full resolution to leave and forsake them for the time to come, and to serve thee in the contrary duties of holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives. And thus returning unto thee by unfeigned repentance (O Lord) we beseech thee turn unto us, and be reconciled unto us in Jesus Christ. Forget and forgive our manifold and grievous sins, whether of omission or commission; of frailty and infirmity: or those which we have wittingly and willingly fallen into; and wash them all away in the blood of thy Son, that they may never be imputed unto us, either in this world, or in the world to come. Seal also our pardon unto us in our hearts and consciences, by the gracious testimony of thy holy Spirit, and thereby sanctify us thorough-out in our souls and bodies, that being freed from the guilt, punishment, and corruption of all our sins, we may be found unblameable and without spot in the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Replenish our empty souls with all sanctifying and saving graces, and strengthen us unto the performance of all Christian and holy duties, with all zeal, cheerfulness and uprightness of heart. More especially, we humbly entreat thee to extend thy grace and favor unto this thy sick servant, and sanctify this thy fatherly chastisement unto him, that it may be an effectual means of increasing his sanctification, and furthering his eternal salvation. And seeing by sickness, thou puttest us in mind of our approaching end, and by death, summonest us to appear before thee in Judgment: O Lord, give him grace, to prepare himself against the day of death, that he may be ready to render up his accounts, when thou shalt call him to give up his reckoning, and so with joy and cheerfulness may commend his soul and body unto thee, as into the hands of a faithful Savior, who wilt crown them both with joy and glory. Let him continually endeavor to suppress the power of death, and to take away the sting of it, by mortifying the flesh, and the lusts thereof. Give him grace to renew his covenant with thee, by renewing the condition of it, which is, embracing thy promises by a lively faith, and bringing forth the fruits thereof by unfeigned repentance. Let him confess his sins, bewail and forsake them, resolving to amend his life, if thou shalt prolong his days. Comfort him with the comforts of thy Spirit, and as his bodily griefs abound, so let thy consolations abound and exceed them. Give him patience to endure what thou inflictest, and tempt him not above his power, but either lessen his griefs, or increase his strength. Moderate and mitigate his bodily pains, with the inward feelings of thy love, peace of conscience, and joy in the holy Ghost. If it will stand with thy glory, and his salvation, prolong his days, and restore his health, that he may yet again praise thee, as for all thy mercies, so especially for his recovery; and bless unto him all means of physic and diet, which are fit for this purpose. And being raised from his bed of sickness, give unto him a right use both of thy fatherly chastisements, and of thy gracious deliverance; that by the one, he may be moved to fear thee, and to hate sin, having tasted the bitter fruits of it; and by the other, to love and glorify thee, who hast heard his prayer in the day of his tribulation, and by them both, to serve thee with greater zeal, and with more earnest endeavor then ever heretofore. Hear us, dear Father, and answer us graciously in these our suits, even for Jesus Christ his sake; to whom with thee and the holy Spirit, we acknowledge to be due, and desire to give all glory, praise and thanksgiving, both now and for evermore. Amen.

A Prayer for Children.

O Almighty God, and my most gracious Father in Jesus Christ, I humbly confess, that I am a most wretched sinner, and altogether unworthy to be in the Covenant of grace and salvation: For I was not only conceived and borne in sin and corruption, whereby thy glorious Image was defaced in me; but I have added thereunto many actual sins, by breaking thy Commandments, in thought, word and deed; whereby I have deserved thy just anger in this life, and eternal death in the world to come. But seeing thou hast vouchsafed to receive me into thy Covenant, of thy free mercy, giving me the sign thereof, the Sacrament of Baptism; and hast sent thy Son Jesus Christ to die for, and by his death to redeem the young as well as the old; I beseech thee, for his sake, to pardon all my sins, and to wash them all away in his most precious blood; to receive me into thy love and favor, and to make me thine own child by adoption and grace. Give me thine holy Spirit to sanctify, rule and govern me; that according to my age and small ability, I may labor to serve thee. Make me daily to increase in grace, as I increase in years; enlighten my mind with the knowledge of thee, and my Savior Christ and his truth. Sow in me the seeds of faith, and let it show it self as soon as I am capable thereof, in repentance and true obedience. Make me loving, dutiful and awful to my Parents and Governors, and let me learn by obeying them in my tender youth, to obey thee in my riper age. Give me grace to hearken to their good admonitions and instructions, and to profit and amend by their reproofs and chastisements. Make me humble, courteous and meek, modest and sober, diligent to please in all good things, and virtuous in my whole course of life, that so I may increase in favor with thee and all good men. And as I beg these benefits at thy hands, so I yield unto thee all humble and hearty thanks and praise, for all benefits, both spiritual and temporal vouchsafed unto me; and namely, for that it hath pleased thee to give me quiet rest and sleep this night past, and hast safely preserved me from all perils and dangers to which my frail life is daily subject. Continue (O Lord) thy love and favor towards me forever; and especially this day take me into thy fatherly protection; preserve me from sin and peril, and grant, that being diligent and industrious in learning such good things as are taught me, I may increase in knowledge, and profit by instruction, in such virtues and good qualities, as are fit for me. O Lord, bless and preserve my father and mother, my brethren and sisters, with all other my kindred and friends, together with thy whole Church: and grant that we may live in thy favor, die in thy faith, and after death inherit the joys of thine everlasting Kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord: to whom with thee and thy holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, both now, and for evermore.

THE FIRST BOOKE.