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O Lord my God and Father, blessed be thy name for ever: dispose my heart, and ••pen my lips, &c.
O LORD my GOD, thou hast searched me out, and known me, thou knowest my downsitting, and ••y uprising; thou understandest my thoughts long before.
Thou art about my path, and about my ••ed, and spyest out all my ways.
For lo, there is not a word in my tongue, but thou, O Lord, knowest it al∣together.
My reins are thine, thou hast cover'd me in my mothers womb.
I will give thanks unto thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvel∣lous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well.
My bones are not hid from thee, though I be made secretly, and fashioned beneath in the earth.
Thine eyes did see my substance, yet be∣ing unperfect; and in thy book were all my members written.
Which day by day were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
O how dear are thy counsels unto me, O God, O how great is the summ of them!
O enter not into judgment with thy ser∣vant, for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the ungodly; preserve me from wicked men, which are purposed to overthrow my goings.
Let my prayer be set forth in thy sight as the incense; and the lifting up of my hands be an evening Sacrifice.
Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth, and keep the door of my lips.
O let not my heart be inclined to any evil thing, let me not be occupied in un∣godliness with the men that work wicked∣ness, lest I do such things as please them.
But teach me to do the thing that plea∣seth thee, for thou art my God, let thy loving Spirit lead me forth into the land of righteousness.
O Righteous God, and merciful Fa∣ther who art so pure and clean, that no corruption resteth in thy sight; and ••ith there is required in all men the sincere and inward zeal of the soul, and an abso∣lute killing of the motions of the flesh, and mortifying of all carnal affection: look favourably upon me, O LORD, in whom doth dwell an innumerable troop of foolish fantasies, and an heap of sinful affections: I find and feel, O LORD, that though many times to will be pre∣sent with me, yet to perform is not in my power; sin doth prevail, and death through sin swalloweth me up, so that I rest in darkness of sin, by giving scope unto mine own perverse will; and such
is my miserable estate, that being thus of my self, flesh and blood slattereth it self, and concludeth that whatsoever I purpose in an evil desire, so that it break not forth into open gross wickedness, that I am ho∣ly enough, that I am as sincere as is requi∣site, and that I stand too fearful of thy judgment. When thou knowest, O Lord, that all and every the least conceit of sin, breaking into action, in what covert mea∣sure, or mean degree soever, it by and by endangereth my soul, and deserveth sud∣den judgment; and therefore let it please thee, O Father, that as thy dear Son, through thy surpassing love, hath recon∣ciled all such unto thy favour again, that are truly penitent, so let thy holy Spirit continually work to the taming of my un∣bridled flesh; and let me, by the same Spi∣rit, come to a true mortification of all the evils that rise up in me; So shall I deny and forsake my self, and follow thee; so shall I leave my self, and come to thee; hate my self, and love thee; conquer my self, and serve thee.
And here thou ••eest, O my dear Father, that I am most weak, and without the con∣tinual working of thy grace, I cannot in any measure suppress my desires, but that they rather the more strongly rise in me: I
cannot deny my self, but I rather deny the working of thy grace in me; I do not only not mortifie my sins, but sin rather revi∣veth and becometh strong in me, in as much as it bringth forth fruit, not unto life, but unto death: therefore I beseech thee, O heavenly Father, to sanctifie me that I de∣file not my self with the filthiness of the flesh, nor fleshly things, howsoever they may seem to please me: let me not be de∣ceived with the pleasing judgments of worldly men, who affirm sin to be no sin, darkness to be light, and light to be dark∣ness, Atheism to be Religion, and sanctity to be sin. O dear Father, many are the E∣normities that rise up in us, and defended not only as things tolerable, but as things laudable: wherefore I beseech thee to mortifie these evils, and let me no longer be sotted with the filthy fashions of this world: extinguish the flames of carnal desires, repress the rageing lusts of the flesh: and grant that I may with shame, and with due watchfulness avoid all things that have but the appearance of evil; but being thus inwardly subdued, I may make outward profession, that whatso∣ever I do, it may be simply grounded upon a good conscience: and let me still retain this in memory, O Lord, that I cannot
follow mine own will and thy word, that I cannot impart my affections to the deed of the flesh, and the works of the Spirit, that I cannot walk in darkness and light, in the way of death, and in the way of life: wherefore, O most dear Father di∣rect me in my whole life, and separate me from the World, and worldly things; and let me dwell with thee in all Godly meditations and contemplations, and let me use the things of this world as I used them not: and being thus truly mortified in the body, and quickned in the spirit, I may look in continual watchfulness for the dissolution of this my mortal body, that my soul may ascend, and in the end, both soul and body may for ever more enjoy the eternal joys of Heaven.
O Most merciful GOD, greatly have I sinned, and alas am guilty of many crimes: therefore unto thee do I cry, O most holy Father and eternal God, keep me in thy Name, that in Temptations and ex∣tremities I never faint in courage; Mo∣derate and mitigate my vexations, let them come to a joyful end, that I fall not into the
most heinous sin of incredulity and de∣spair. O Christ JESUS, Saviour of the world, whose mercy cometh unto us like a stream, who art my eternal happiness, I do from the botto mof my heart beseech thee, to increase, establish, hope, and strengthen patience within me; for this certainly is true, that one little drop of thy sacred Blood shed for us is of more power to save us, than all our enormous sins to condemn us: wherefore, O sweet Saviour, look upon me with the eyes of mercy, as thou lookedst back upon Peter in the Hall of the High-Priests Palace, after he had both renounced thee, and cursed himself: O God the holy Ghost be thou present with me in mine extream need, when the De∣vill will accuse me, and my conscience bear witness against me; when I shall be environed with horrible danger and temp∣tations, and all things set themselves a∣gainst me.
Strengthen my heart at that time, O com∣fortable Spirit, with the Zeal of thy Testi∣mony, that undoubtedly I may believe the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the flesh, and everlasting life, which shall be given to all believers. O blessed Trinity, and eternal God of one essence, give grace that in every combate, especilly at the point
of death, being mindful of thy Covenant made with me in Baptism, and of thy most comfortable promise annexed; which is, that all that believe and are baptised shall be saved, I may never doubt either of thy merciful good will towards me or of the free remission and forgiveness of my sins; but by often remembrance of this Sign and Covenant, I may daily more and more be confirmed in faith and hope of eternal happiness: and here, O holy Trinity, lift up my sorrowful heart, and pour upon me the wholsome comfort of thy Heaven∣ly bliss, and at the point of death refresh me with the sweet light of thy chearful countenance; that with exceeding joy I may desire to depart, and come to thy heavenly house, where Thou livest and reignest as my eternal GOD and Father, for ever and ever.
O Omnipotent and eternal GOD, and Father, which comfortest such as be sorrowful, and who givest all good gifts, thou of thy free favour and love, hast willed us in all our affairs and necessities, and as often as we stand in need of any of
thy blessings, or feel our selves burdened with any kind of tribulation or affliction either of body or mind, to call upon thee in the Name of thy Son Jesus Christ, and thou wilt grant what we want; most hum∣bly I beseech thee, to send down upon my dark understanding, the bright beams of thy most holy Spirit, to lighten me, and to direct me in all my supplications and prayers; and especially at this time, O Lord, for that thou knowest my weak∣ness and ignorance to be such, as I am al∣together unable to frame my requests ac∣cording to thy will, or to seek that which is for mine own souls health; wherefore I most humbly beseech thee, O Lord, in the Name of him thy Son, to address and prepare my heart to the true understand∣ing, and unfeigned calling on thy Name for such things as thy wisdom shall think most expedient for me, both to the obtain∣ing of thy heavenly Kingdom, which is before all things to be sought for, and for temporal blessings best known to thee; which in respect of my ignorance, my dulness, my corruption, my weakness, and the guilt of mine own conscience, I cannot crave in such due and faithful manner as I ought; and therefore, most dear Father, I here beseech thee in the
Name of thy Son Christ, that thou wilt ai•• me with thy holy Spirit in my prayers; that being of my self dull, I may be made Zealous; and whereas I am of my self cold, I may be thereby made fervent and faithful, that my Prayers be not as a smoke which vanisheth, or as the wind which passeth away, being only in the lips, and not firm in the heart; let it be effectual and an acceptable sacrifice, sweet and plea∣sing in thy sight; and that nothing pass the bounds of thy unfeigned lips, that which may beseem a single heart, always sounding thine honour, and setting forth of thy most glorious praise: let thy ho∣ly Spirit, O Lord, come unto me; let it continue with me, work, and prevail ef∣fectually in me, unto the end; that I may both at this time begin, and for evermore continue as thou will est I should, namely in Faith; that I fall not into any tempta∣tion, in hope that I may constantly look for, and faithfully attain unto perfect un∣derstanding of thy will, and ableness in all things to fulfil the same; make me al∣so, good Lord, fervent in love, that I may freely and unfeignedly, even from my very heart, forgive and forgot all injuries, wrongs, and evil doings, of such as by any means have offended me, with hearty
prayer for their amendment, that I ap∣proaching unto the Throne of thy mercy, in a pure and single heart, may heartily, as well for all others, as for my self, for things necessary both for my soul and bo∣dy, make my humble petitions unto thee, and in thy good time, tast that most sweet fruit of my humble desires, according un∣to thy will; so shall I shew forth thy praise, and give glory to thy Name for ever and ever, world without end.
O LORD, there is no Victory without Fighting, nor any Crown without Victory; give me therefore power, O Lord, that fighting valiantly, I may be crowned gloriously in Heaven with thee to live for ever: minister strength unto me, that I may over-master mine ene∣mies, and give me the spirit of pati∣ence, that continuing unto the end, I may be found and taken as a faithful Soul∣dier of thy Son Jesus Christ, and so be blessed: let me not faint in fear, but let me fight in a lively saith, which over-match∣eth all the whole world; plant me a natu∣ral branch, by the power of thy holy Word in the Vine Jesus, and make me able
to endure every crack: let no canker of sin, eat me, let no worm of a guilty con∣science gnaw me, let no blast of the world overcome me; but stay me up with thy mighty hand, and be ever at my elbow, that I may be crowned though I be crossed, and saved, though now soused in extream mi∣sery; in this is all my hope: for surely of my self I am but a vapour, a worm; I am born of a woman in sin, a sinful child by nature, and to my power wage battel with Satan against my self, to my utter undo∣ing, O Lord, unless thou regenerate me, and assist me with thy Spirit, always to resist him; which do, O gracious God, I beseech thee for thy great mercy, to whom be all power and glory for ever.
O GOD, in whose hands consisteth the life of all mankind, for thy Son Christ's sake, vouchsafe to give me grace to set before mine eyes, as a most certain mark, whereto this frail body of mine must tend it self, the Image of that which is to the faithful the end of pain, and the begin∣ing of pleasure; the end of misery, and the beginning of bliss: but to the secure
and careless, the end of their pleasures, and beginning of eternal pains. And vouchsafe, good LORD, that I may have an earn∣est desire of serving thee, and leading my life according unto thy will, that whenso∣ever it shall please thee to call me out of this life, I be not through fear stricken with doubt of condemnation, but even at the last gasp, through unfeigned Faith in Jesus Christ, may take and have taste of eter∣nal Salvation, that death be not bitter or terrible unto me; but rather when it cometh, I with joy receive the same in the Name of thy Son JESUS Christ. Bless me, good Lord, from the second death, the everlasting destruction both of body and soul, and justifie me in the death of thy Son that my Name may be registred in the Book of Life. O Lord comfort my guilty conscience with the everlasting light of thy bountiful savour, and let me have place among thy Saints in thy Hea∣venly Kingdom. LORD, for thy mercies sake, after this my bodily death, give me the fruition of thy presence, in the rich Palace of endless bliss: to whose merciful Protection I commend with all humility and reverence, my soul and body. Lord Jesus preserve me, Lord Jesus comfort me, Lord Jesus pray for me; for only
into thy hands that hast redeemed me, O Lord thou God of truth, I commend my soul both now and for ever:
O Most gracious and eternal GOD, thy years endure throughout all genera∣tions, and thy days are without end or beginning, but the days of Man are de∣termined, which he cannot overpass, and the number of his Months are foreknown unto thee: wherefore instruct me O LORD, that being always mindful of my mortality, I never promise unto my self many years, nor long life in this pil∣grimage of mine, so shall I not live secure∣ly, deferring my conversion to thee from day to day; nor yet put confidence in this frail and uncertain life, as that rich man spoken of in the Gospel: but give me grace, that in thy fear I may dayly pre∣pare my self to depart out of this prison; for nothing is more certain than death, though nothing more uncertain than the hour thereof: therefore I beseech thee O Lord, to let me have always before mine eyes an image and mediation of my de∣parture, the better to know the fleeting
and vanity of this srail and cumbersome life; that I may live to thee my God, be∣ing sound in faith, and strong in hope, looking with cheerfulness for the day of my departure, and the joyful appearing of thy Son Jesus Christ my Redeemer; and make me I beseech thee, O LORD, a faithful and wise servant, looking for the coming of my Lord, for that I know not when he will come, lest by a sudden hour of death being overtook, I being found unready; but contrariwise, by prudent watching in true conversion and repen∣tance, I may covet to be dissolved, and to be with CHRIST my Redeemer; and grant also, O LORD, that at the point of death, having escaped all hardness and temptations, I may triumph like a Conquereor, and behold the power and presence of thy holy Spirit; and let my last word be that which thy Son did utter upon the Altar of the Cross, saying, Father into thy hands I commend my spirit; and when my speech is taken from me, hear O God the groanings of my heart; and the hour of death being come, let thy servant depart in peace, through JESUS Christ my Lord and Saviour; to whom be all praise and glory, for ever and ever,
O Omnipotent GOD and Father, I have asked here at this time many things of thee, and yet not deserved any; I confess alas, that not only those things which I require be not due unto me, but in stead of them most grievous punish∣ments; yet O LORD, lay not my sins to my charge, for if thou shouldest, I were not able to abide or stand in thy sight, but O LORD, I most humbly be∣seech thee, that thou wilt forgive me all that is past; and grant that I may never hereafter offend in the same again: and vouchsafe I beseech thee of thy goodness O Lord, to direct, sanctifie, and keep my heart and body, my senses and doings, my talk and communication, in thy most holy Laws and Commandments; and that thy holy Angel may be with me, to direct my feet unto the way of peace, truth and health; that I may be whole, safe and free in thee, and by thee, both here and in the world to come. O Christ hear me, and save me, which livest and reignest with the Father and the holy Spirit; God in per∣fect unity; to whom be praise for ever, world without end.
O Heavenly Father, I with all humility and reverence of heart and mind, be∣seech thee this night, which thou hast or∣dained for man to rest in, that thou wilt guard and protect me with thy good guid∣ing Spirit; and albeit my sinful flesh shall slumber and sleep, yet grant that my soul may continually keep watch and ward; let not the enemy find me slumbering and sleeping, as careless in the cradle of sin∣ful security, lest that whilst I am unarm∣ed, that is, naked and destitute of thy help and favour, he enter in and break up the house of my sinful body; and make such havock and spoil, and that my in∣fected leprous soul, deformed by means of mine iniquity, and wounded with the dangerous darts of transgression, be thrown with the body of sin, unto the lake of destruction; make me still, O good Lord, to consider that the bed is the plain pat∣tern of the grave; make me to under∣stand, that when I am laid of my self; without thy Heavenly Providence, I can∣not be able to rise again; make me also to acknowledge that sleep is the very Figure of death, to whose stroke, at thy appoint∣ed
pleasure I must submit my self; endue me with love and charity to all men; let my lamp, O Lord, be garnished with oyl, that whensoever thy messenger death shall draw nigh, and knock at the gate of my body, I may at his summons in the day of the Resurrection of the dead, be ready to attend on thee my Bride with my burning lamp; that is with a stedfast faith, when as by Faith I shall be cloathed with a new: for my mortal body shall be then covered with immortality and the corruption of my sinful and rebellious flesh then changed to incorruption and perfect purity: thy righteousness shall be mine, thy merits shall make me perfect and holy, by vertue whereof, hell shall lose his victory, death shall lose his sting, my faith and hope shall have its end and reward; and I with thy Saints, continually dwell in love and cha∣rity with thee and my Heavenly Bride∣groom Christ Jesus; to whom with the Fa∣ther, and the holy Ghost, be ascribed all power and glory, for ever and ever. A∣men.