A companion for the persecuted, or, An office for those who suffer for righteousness containing particular prayers and devotions, for particular graces, and for their private or publick wants and occasions.

The Introduction.

Reader;

I Here present thee with Prayers and Devotions, fitted to sup∣port the spirits, and to direct and improve the virtues, of those who at any time, or in any place, are call'd out by the wisdom and goodness of God, to suffer for the cause of Truth and Righteous∣ness.

The Charitable helps and offers of this kind, are very needful, and will be very acceptable, to those who are actually labouring under the Cross, and bearing affliction for the blessed Jesus. And as for others, who think they have no need thereof for them∣selves; yet may they at all times find occasion enough, if they please, to pu•• up such Prayers for their persecuted

Brethren and Fellow-Members. For the Church of Christ, is still bearing his Cross in one part or other; and whilst in one place he is cherishing some with the comforts of Peace, he is elsewhere proving others of their Brethren with Tribulations. Nay, since these Tryals are common to men, and more especially to Chri∣stians, he who says at present that he is most free from them, knows not how soon the All-wise God may see fit to bring him under the same. And 'tis good to be fore-armed and provided for a sharp conflict, which we are lyable to be tryed withal; and the rather, because in the heat thereof, when these helps are most needed, they are usually hardest to be got, and 'tis not so easie then to put them into the hands of those, who want to be directed and assisted by them.

Indeed, by the bounty and indul∣gence of Almighty God, the true Disciples of Christ have here their intervals of rest and quietness, and are oft-times comforted and refresh∣ed with worldly peace, and the fa∣vour

of Princes. But when God gives them this outward ease, it is more than his Gospel promises. Their pro∣fession, is to be followers of a man of sorrows, and to look for Crosses and Persecutions in his service; and, when they come, to take them up, and bear them patiently after him. So that it must neither be contrary to their spi∣rit, nor expectations, to hear of suf∣ferings; & it should never be thought a service out of season, to instruct them how to bear them, and to fur∣nish them with such Prayers and pro∣per Reflexions, as may afford them both direction, and support therein.

The first care in this Case, is to see that their sufferings be for the Truths sake, or for a good Cause. Without this, the hopes of sufferers are but a Dream, and there is no true ground of comfort or support in them. If they suffer only for their own follies, or fancies, what reason has their blessed Lord to thank them, for being fanciful or foolish? Or, if they suffer for maintaining dangerous Errors, and for turning out of the way of Truth and Righteousness,

these are not things for him to re∣ward, but to punish. 'Tis only their suffering for some Doctrines, or Pre∣cepts of his, that can render them his Martyrs or Confessors: And when they take care to be found in that way, and suffer for hearkning unto him, he will support them whilst they suffer, and afterwards make them ample amends for the same.

But when they take care to be found in a Righteous Cause, they must be careful withal to honour him, and ap∣prove themselves, by all the parts and virtues of a Righteous and truly Chri∣stian Carriage. Their study then must be, to shew minds advanced above all earthly fears and desires, to support themselves with the comforts of Re∣ligion, & the belief of Gods Promises, to bear their Afflictions for Christ's sake with patience and thankfulness, to weary out their persecutors fury with their Religious constancy, to vanquish all their injuries by return∣ing prayers and kindnesses; and in all things, to evidence a spirit, that is full of love, and holy zeal, and humble confidence in God; but that

is not either to be corrupted by the ease and comforts, or shocked and bro∣ken by the threats or losses of this world. And by these and such like virtues, they will be made conform∣able to the image of their suffering Saviour, and perform a service most fragrant and pleasing unto him, and most honourable to Truth & a Righ∣teous Cause. For the world doth not afford a more glorious sight, than to see a Christian with Religious brave∣ry & constancy bearing Christs Cross, and by magnanimity and meekness, triumphing over all the powers of Er∣ror and unjust Violence.

These, indeed, are hard services. But as they have great difficulties, they will at last have glorious Re∣wards, and at present have great as∣sistances. The Almighty Spirit of God will support those, who seri∣ously and Religiously set themselves to suffer Christianly in his Cause: They will be set above themselves, and will be guarded and fortified a∣gainst human weakness, by the powers of the Divine Grace. And this, as they must humbly and firmly depend upon,

so must they constantly and earnest∣ly seek from him, by Prayers and Devotion.

In the following Offices, it has been my aim and study, to be as helpful to them as I can for this purpose. And therein, according as I was able, I have not only suggested the true com∣forts and supports; but directed their eye to the true spirit, duty, and car∣riage of Gospel-sufferers. And have taught them under the same, to ex∣press such resentments, and aspire after such raised affections, as may become those, who would honour God, and secure their own future happy re∣ward by their sufferings, and who count it a priviledge to be thought worthy by the Blessed Jesus to suffer in his Cause. And on this Account, this little Book may be put into the hands of the Persecuted, not only as a Form of Devotion, to be put up to God in holy and fervent Prayers; but likewise as a Treatise of Instru∣ction, to be read for the Knowledge of their Duty, and as a Guide to their Practice; since therein they have a draught and delineation of

that Spirit which they are to nurse up and shew forth, and of those habits and virtues wherein they are to dress up their souls at such times.

I have been very particular in the De∣votional provisions and supplies for these purposes, and have had regard both to private and publick necessities. Which pains, I hope will be acceptable to devout minds, who, when they are desirous to express their devotion on those particulars, will not be unfur∣nished with fitting Forms, and may at any time use more, or fewer there∣of, as their leisure permits, or as their needs require.

And to the Body of Prayers and Devotions, I have prefixed a Colle∣ction of select Scriptures, upon the several Duties, and most important needs and desires, of sufferers for Righteousness. And this I have done, for the sufferers guidance and instru∣ction, as well as for their devotion. For, besides the kindling and quick∣ning of devout affections, and the strengthening and supporting of their spirits amidst their Heavy Tryals, when they use them as sacred Hymns,

or as matter of their Religious Me∣ditations: These Texts will teach them the necessity, and help to shew them the Nature and Offices of all those respective Duties, which are as the salt to the sacrifice, without which their own Oblation of themselves would be insipid, and their Losses for Christ's sake would neither gain his fa∣vour and acceptance, nor effectually recommend and do Honour to his Cause. And both the Scriptures colle∣cted, and the Prayers composed for these ends, are as follows.

Notes

• Lev. 2. 13.
• Mar. 9. 49.