The Urim of conscience to which the author has had recourse for plain answers, in his own particular case (as every man living ought to do in his) to four questions of great weight and importance, viz. 1. who and what art thou? 2. where hast thous been? 3. where art thou now going? 4. whither art thou going? : together with three select prayers for private families / by Sir Samuel Morland.

A MORNING-PRAYER FOR Sundays, Fasts and Festivals.

LET us now fall down, and kneel be∣fore the Lord our Maker.

Most Holy, Blessed, Glorious and incomprehensible Triniry, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Three Persons, and One God Almighty, Maker of all Things, and Judge of all Men, Have mercy upon us miserable Sinners; who are by Nature, Children of Disobedience, and by our actual Sins, eve∣ry Day and Hour of our Lives, liable to Divine Wrath and Vengeance.

Remember not, O Lord, the many Fol∣lies and Vanities of our Child-hood and Youth, nor the innumerable Transgressi∣ons of our riper Years, and how we have

always erred and strayed from the Ways of Truth and Righteousness, and trod in forbidden Paths, through the several Sta∣ges of our Lives, leaving undone those things which thou hast absolutely comman∣ded, and doing those things which thou hast exprelly forbidden; and many times drawing upon our selves the guilt of o∣ther Men's Sins, by our Encouragement, Connivance, or ill Examples, breaking the solemn Vows and Promises, either made for us by others, in Baptism, or by our selves, in Times of Danger or Sickness; unthankful for Mercies, and incorrigible under Judgments; rejecting the Motiors of thy blessed Spirit, and following the De∣vices, Desires, and vain Imaginations of our own Hearts, and so running the hazard of losing our precious and immor∣tal Souls, for the enjoyment of a few sin∣ful, and short-liv'd Pleasures.

Blessed LORD, we cannot but confess and acknowledge, with shame and confu∣sion of face, that it is a wonder of thy patience and forbearance, that we are yet alive, and that thou hast not cut us of in the midst of our Sins, and Doom'd us to dwell with everlasting Burnings, a∣mong

damned Souls and Spirits▪ But this is our hope, and humble confidence, that we have to do with the God and Father of Mercies, who takes no de∣light in the death of Sinners, but is slow to Anger, and ready to forgive all those who sincerely repent, and truely believe in our blessed Lord and Saviour CHRIST JESUS; for whose coming into the world to save lost Sinners, and to open the Kingdom of Heaven to all Believers, with Angels and Arch-Angels, and all the Com∣pany of Heaven, we laud and magnify thy great and holy NAME; as we likewise do for thy other Mercies and Favours, daily and hourly bestowed upon us.

We bless and praise Thee for giving us a▪ Being in the World, for that admira∣ble Frame and Structure of our Bodies, while we lay inclosed in our Mother's Wombs▪ for breathing into us the Breath of Life, and enduing us with reasonable Souls, after thine own Image and Like∣ness; for being Born where the Gospel of thy SON is openly preached, and professed, and not among Heathens, Turks, or Infidels,: For the unparallel'd Pattern of all Goodness, in the Life of the holy

JESUS, and for the pious Examples of the blessed Patriarchs, Prophets, Apost••••s and Martyrs who are gone before us, and with their own Blood have traced out for us, the true Way to Life and Hap∣piness; beseeching thee, that we following their good Examples, may, with them, be made partakers of Everlasting Life in the World to come.

We thank Thee, LORD of Heaven and Earth, for the wonderful Works of the Creation, of which we all enjoy our shares and proportions; for the Sun that shines by Day, and for the Moon and Stars That rule by Night, and by their regular Motions, and sweet Influences, serve for Signs and Seasons, Days, and Years; for the Clouds that give Rain, and drop Fatness upon our Fields and Pastures; and for the Springs that go up by the Mountains, and run down among the Vallies; for reserving to us the appointed Times of Harvest, and giving us the kind∣ly Fruits of the Earth in their due and pro∣per Seasons; for our Food and Raiment, and all the good things of this Life, and our ma∣nifold preservations from sundry D•••••••• and Dangers, ever since we hung upon

our Mother's Breasts; for protecting us this last Night from many calamitous Ac∣cidents, which in a Night might have befallen us, and bringing us safely to the light of another Day, and so giving us a longer time and space for Repen∣tance and Amendment of our Lives; most humbly beseeching Thee to continue these thy Mercies and Favours to us, and to keep us the remainder of this Day, and of our Lives, from all Things that may be hurtful either to our Spuls, or Bodies.

From all Evil and Mischief, from Sin, from the Grafts and Assaults of the Devil, from thy Wrath, and everlasting Damna∣tion, Good LORD deliver us.

From saying in our Hearts that there is no God, or openly denying the Divine Es∣sence, and glorious Attributes, (of which either the highest Presumption, or utmost Desperation, are the usual and woful Ef∣fects.) Let the visible things of the Crea∣tion, and the Restections of our own Con∣sciences, in our Solitudes, and private Re∣tirements, be sufficient to disswade and re∣strain us.

Against Idolatry, and having other Gods besides Thee, and from bowing down to, and Worshipping, either Idols made with hands, or those of our beloved Lusts, Lord strengthen us by thy Grace.

To keep us from taking the NAME of the LORD our GOD in vain, in our ordinary Discourses, or prophaning it with wicked Oaths, on bitter Curses: Let us remember that the same LORD hath assured all such Offenders, that he will in no wise hold them guiltless.

To observe religiously the Lord's Day, and all other Times solemnly set a part for Divine Worship and Service; not follow∣ing our own Ways, nor speaking our own Words, nor thinking our own Thoughts: Let thy good Spirit dispose and encline our hearts.

Let us never attempt to sow Discord and Divisions in the Church, or to offend our blessed Saviour's Little Ones, or any way to disturb the Communion of Saints, as knowing who hath told us, That it would be much better for us to be thrown into the midst of the Sea, with Mill-stones hung about our Necks, than to be guilty of such Offences.

Let us always be conscientiously care∣ful to Honour and Obey our Parents, and all others, under whose Rule and Govern∣ment thou hast placed us; behaving our¦selves with all humility and singleness of heart, not as Eye-servants or Men-pleasers. And whenever Pride and Vain-glory would puff us up, and make us become wise in our own Eyes, let the remembrance that we are but Dust and Ashes, and born like the wild Asses Colt, pull down our haughty Looks, and abate our swelling Thoughts.

From sinful Anger, and unbridled Pas∣sion, from provoking Language, and revi∣ling Speeches, from Envy, Hatred and Ma∣lice, and all the mischievous and fatal consequences, that may thereby happen, either to our selves, or others; LORD ever keep us by thy restraining Grace.

From Rioting and Drunkenness, from Chambering and Wantonness, from Adul∣tery, Fornication and Uncleanness, or living in any known Sin: Let the fear of thy Wrath, and the Vengeance of Eter∣nal Fire deterr us.

To wrong our Neighbours by open Violence, or by Secret and fraudulent Practises: Let it never enter into our Thoughts.

That we may never Slander, speak Evil of, or rashly censure others, or bear false Witness against them: Let us set a watch before our Mouths, and strictly guard the Doors of our Lips.

Let us be afraid of oppressing the Poor and Needy in the Gate, or ploughing in the field of the Fatherless, because their Redeemer is mighty; or of devouring Wi∣dow's Houses, lest the Stones out of the Walls should, one Day, be our Accusers, and the Beams out of the Timber make Answer, and testifie against us.

To covet our Neighbour's House, to covet our Neighbour's Wife, his Man-ser∣vant, his Maid-servant, his Ox, his Ass, or any thing that is his: Let no worldly Ad∣vantage, or carnal Delight be ever able to tempt or allure us.

From Thieves and Robbers, from the Hands of bloody Men and Murderers,

from Invasion of foreign Foes, from the Conspiracies of Domestick Enemies, and Treachery of false Friends; do Thou, O LORD, to whom alone all Hearts are open, all Designs known, and from whom no Secrets are hid, defend us by thy good Providence, confounding their Counsels, and bringing to nought their Devices.

From Plague, Pestilence and Famine, from bodily Torments, Tempests and Earth-quakes, and all the sad Accidents of Fire and Water, for thy Mercies sake, save and protect us.

Neither do we pray for our selves alone, but for the whole Race of Mankind, now liv∣ing upon, or working within the Bowels of the habitable Earth, or else floating up∣on the face of the deep Waters; and particu∣larly for the Church Militant, where-ever scattered or dispersed, that the Gates of Hell may never prevail against it: Look down with the Eye of pitty upon all, who in this transitory Life, are in Trouble, Sor∣row, Need, Sickness, or any other Ad∣versity, more especially upon those thy Servants, on whom thou hast laid thine afflicting Hand, either for a Tryal of their Patience, or a Punishment of their

Disobedience: Make them sensible that Affliction comes not forth of the Dust, neither doth Trouble spring out of the Ground, but that the Hand of the LORD hath done it, to whom alone belong the Issues of Life and Death, and who doth whatever pleaseth him in Heaven and in Earth, but never willingly asslicts or grieves the Children of Men, and then Why should we receive Good Things at the hands of the LORD, and not Evil things? And, Why should a living Man complain for the punish∣ment of his Sins. In the mean time be thou graciously pleased, who art the great Phy∣sician of Soul and Body, to mitigate their Pains, and to asswage their Griefs, and to lay no more upon Dust and Ashes, than thou enablest them to bear with Christian patience, and a lively Faith in the Merits and Mediation of JESUS CHRIST the Righteous, for the Remis∣sion of their Sins, and the Salvation of their Souls: That so thy Fatherly Chastisements may have their blessed Effects; and those thy Children may come out of the Fur∣nace of Affliction, like Gold and Silver that hath been tried in the fire, and purifi∣ed seven times.

Be merciful to these Kingdoms, and a∣vert those heavy Judgments, which we have done as much as in us lay, by our crying Sins and Provocations, to pull down upon our Heads.

Let the choicest of thy Blessings de∣scend upon the Head and Heart of Him, whom by thy especial Providence, thou hast placed in supream Authority over us; together with all His Royal Rela∣tions.

Give Grace and Wisdom to all the Se∣nators and great Counsellors in all their Debates and Consultations.

Clean Hands, and clear Consciences to the Judges and chief Magistrates, that so they may help the Fatherless, and hear the Cause of the Widow, and upon all occa∣sions, act in their several Places, without the least partiality, or respect of Persons.

Spiritual Gifts and Graces to the Mini∣sters of thy Word and Sacraments, how∣ever Dignified or Distinguished, that they may truly and faithfully feed the Flocks committed to their Charge.

Sobriety and Godliness to the Gover∣nors and Inhabitants of foreign Planta∣tions, that by their good Conversations and Examples, they may convert Pagans and Insidels to the Faith of JESUS, and turn many Souls to Righteousness.

The Dew and Blessing of Heaven to Schools and Universities, that out of those Seminaries and Nurseries may grow up Plants, that may be useful both to Church and State, in their several Capacities and Generations.

Health and Happiness here, and the Joys of Heaven hereafter to our Parents, Bre∣thren, Sisters, Kindred, or Christian Ac∣quaintance, and to all our Friends and Be∣nefactors, who have at any time gene∣rously and readily shewed us Kindness in our Distress, and when we truly stood in need of their Aid and Assistance.

A Spirit of Reformation to the whole Commonalty, within these Realms and Dominions, that so they may live in the true Faith and Fear of Thee our GOD, in humble Obedience to their Superiors, and in Brotherly Love and Charity one towards another.

Finally, we beseech Thee, to be pre∣sent with us, and all those who shall this day meet in any of the publick Assem∣blies, to assist at thy Divine Worship and Service. Let our Prayers come up before thee as Incense, and the lifting up of our hands as an acceptable Sacrifice. Touch, with a Cole from thine Altar, the Tongues of those who are to speak, that they may not spare, but cry aloud, and lift up their Voices like Trumpets, and shew the Peo∣ple of England their Transgressions, and tell every Congregation their Sins: And let us, and all their Hearers, receive the Word with meekness and pure Affections, laying it up in our Hearts, and bringing forth the fruit thereof in our future Lives and Conversations, All which (with what ever else thou knowest to be needful for us) we hum∣bly beg in the Name, and for the Sake of JESUS CHRIST the Righteous, con∣cluding these our imperfect Prayers with that absolute Form, which he himself, while he was yet upon Earth, taught his Disciples, saying.

Our Father which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy NAME, thy Kingdom come, thy Will be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven: Give us this Day our daily Bread, and for∣give us our Trespasses, as we forgive them that Trespass against us, and lead us not into Temptation, but deliver us from Evil, for thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, for ever and ever,

Amen.

FINIS.