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.

3. A Prayer for Faith.

O! Almighty and most Merciful Fa∣ther, who both seest, & sendest all these sufferings, which are come upon us from the Adversaries of thy Truth; give me Grace, to live by Faith in thee,

and not by fear of them; and in all my Actions under the same, to order my self as one who regardeth what thou promisest, and not what they threaten.

Though I converse in the midst of them, and they are full of rage; yet keep me ever mindful, O! Lord, that their Malice cannot hurt me, more than Satans Instruments could touch Job, till* 1.1 thou givest them leave. What∣soever they devise against me, it will come to nothing, till thy time, and * 1.2 my hour is come. So that however they threaten, I know I am secure, till thou callest me out to suffering. And since I shall suffer nothing from them, but at thy time, and under thy direction; in the midst of all this fear and dan∣ger, I rest my Soul, O! my God, upon thy care, and cheerfully resign my self to thy protection and good pleasure.

And if it seem good to thee to send some sufferings, thou, O! Merciful Father, wilt graciously suit my Try∣als to mine Infirmities. Thou wilt or∣der me no more, than by thy Grace, * 1.3 I shall be able to bear; and† 1.4 the remainder of wrath wilt thou restrain. If thou tryest me, it will‖ 1.5 be only for

a season. Thy Grace will take off their Violence, before it has driven me be∣yond mine Innocence;* 1.6 nor wilt thou suffer the Rod of the wicked to rest upon the back of the Righteous, till they are wearied out thereby, to put forth their hand unto Iniquity.

And when thou hast brought me in∣to my troubles, make me believe assu∣edly, O! my God, that thou wilt not leave me there. Tho' I am in no wise sufficient for them of my self,* 1.7 thy Grace shall be sufficient for me; for thy strength is made perfect in our weakness. Still as I need thee, O! Father, thou wilt be with me. Thou wilt strengthen me by thy succours, when my Burdens grow too heavy for me. Thou who sendest me tribulations, wilt send me comfort in them; and* 1.8 make my conso∣lations abound by Christ, as my sufferings abound for him. And make all the sor∣rows which I endure, to work for thy greater Glory, and my greater good, in thy due time.

And Oh! that in the mean while, I may look steadfastly from the Cross to the Crown, and be firm in the be∣lief and expectation, that they who

patiently* 1.9 suffer for Christ, shall be sure to reign with him.† 1.10 Set the joy be∣fore me, that for its sake, I may wil∣lingly endure the ••ross, and despise the shame. And hold my eyes fast on* 1.11 the exceeding weight of Glory, which shall Recompence our present Ignominy; and on the things eternal, wherewith thou wilt repair our Loss of Temporal, for our Lord Jesus Christs sake. Amen.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Job 1. 10, 11, 12.
• * 1.2

  Joh. 7. 10.
• * 1.3

  1 Cor. 10. 13.
• † 1.4

  Psal. 76. 10.
• ‖ 1.5

  •• Pet. i. 6.
• * 1.6

  Psal. 125. 3.
• * 1.7

  2 Cor. 12. 9.
• * 1.8

  2 Cor. 1. 4.
• * 1.9

  2 Tim. 2. 11, 12.
• † 1.10

  Heb. 12. 2.
• * 1.11

  2 Cor. 4. 17, 18.