The Countess of Morton's daily exercise: or, A book of prayers, and rules how to spend the time in the service and pleasure of Almighty God.

After-Noon.

After-Noon retire you self a while, and use the Psalm, Lesson, Hymn, and Prayers following.

UNto thee I lift up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the Hea∣vens: my Soul waiteth still upon thee, that thou mayest bless me.

O hearken thou unto the voice of my calling, my King and my God; for unto thee do I make my Prayers.

Shew Thou me the way that I should walk in, and teach me to do the thing that pleaseth thee.

I will take heed to my ways, that I offend not in my tongue; and I will make a covenant with mine eyes, that they be∣hold not vanity.

O let not my foot∣steps erre from the path of thy Commandments.

But let my delight be in walking after the Pre∣cepts of thy Law.

Thy Law is an unde∣filed Law, converting the Soul, and giveth light unto the eyes.

Keep thy Servant from all presumptuous sins, that they may not get the dominion over me; and cleanse thou me from all my secret faults.

That so I may be ac∣ceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer.

Glory be to the Fa∣ther—

The Lesson.

IF sinners entice thee, do not thou consent unto them. These things doth the Lord abhor: A prood look and a lying tongue, an heart that de∣viseth wickedness and mischief, a false witness that speaketh not the truth, and whosoever soweth discord among o∣thers. In the multitude of words there will be sin. Keep innocency, and do the thing that is right, for that will bring a man

peace at the last. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus; and confess him to be the Lord, who was obedient to the Death of the Cross for the Redemption of Mankind, unto the Praise and Glory of God the Fa∣ther.

The Hymn.

WHO more can crave, Than God for me hath done, To free a Slave That gave his only Son? Bless'd be that Hour when he repair'd our loss

I never will Forget my Saviour's Cross.

The Prayers.

I.

O God, who knowest the frailties and in∣firmities of my weak na∣ture, and in the midst of how many Dangers I live, being continually subject to the deceits of the World, the Flesh, and the Devil, and having no Power of my self to help my self, mercifully look upon me: and because

I cannot continue in safe∣ty without thy Succour, preserve me evermore by thy help and Goodness, and keep me both out∣wardly in my Body, and inwardly in my Soul; that among the sundry and manifold Dangers of this World, my Heart may be set to attain ever∣lasting Salvation, and my Affections may surely there be fixed where true Joys are to be found, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

II.

O God the strength of all that trust in thee, mercifully accept these my humble Supplications and Prayers; and grant me the help of thy grace, that I may please Thee both in Will and Deed, and obtain thy Peace all the days of my Life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

III.

ALmighty and ever∣living God, I give Thee most humble thanks, for that Thou hast vouchsafed favou∣rably

to call me to the knowledge of thy Grace, and Faith in Thee. In∣crease this Knowledge, and confirm this Faith in me evermore. Give me the comfort of thy Holy Spirit, and multiply upon me thy manifold Gifts of Grace, the Spirit of Wis∣dom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Ghostly Strength, the Spirit of Knowledge and true Godliness; and ful∣fil me, O Lord, with the Spirit of thy holy Fear, through Christ our Lord.

Amen.