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.

8. A Prayer for Dying without Fear.

O! Almighty, and most merciful Father, perfect thy Strength in my Weakness, and support thy Frail, and most unworthy Servant, in this last and greatest Service, which I have now to pay thee, of laying down my Life, and leaving all that is dear unto me in this World, for thy Cause.

Oh! let not me dishonour the Cause and Truths, for which I suffer, by shewing any mis-becoming Fears, or unwillingness to suffer. 'Tis not my mistrust of the Righteousness of this Cause, O! my God; but the Con∣science of my other Sins, and of the common Errors of my Life, from the Rule of thy Holy Command∣ments, which makes me at all afraid to appear at thy Righteous Bar. But cleanse thou me from all my Sins, by the Blood of my dearest Lord, and then I may meet Death with an humble Confidence, and Triumph over it.

I know, O! blessed Lord, that when Sin and Guilt, which are the Sting of Death, are taken out; there

is still an aversion in Nature, which is common to us all, against this Change, and which found place in our Blessed Lord himself.* 1.1 But let the Influences of thy Grace, though not wholly purge off this averseness, yet subdue and over rule it in my Spirit. Possess my Mind more with the Righteousness of the Cause, for which I dye, and with the Blessed∣ness of coming to live with thee for ever after I am dead; than with the pains of Death it self. And whatever Terror it would otherwise strike into me, let it arm my Spirit, and sweeten all, to think that I die for thee, and that I die to be received into thine Eternal Mercy.

Lord! perfect and accept my Re∣pentance, and pardon all my Sins, and give me Patience, and Presence of Mind to the last. Let me die like a Christian, with Faith and Charity, willingly giving up my Life for a Te∣stimony to thy ways, and pouring out my Soul in Devotion towards thee, and in Prayers for my persecutors; till from my Body, it shall pass into the Arms of thy Mercy, and there

be comfortably received by thee, thro' the Merits and Mediation of my only Saviour and Redeemer Je∣sus Christ. Amen.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mat. 26. 39.