Private devotions for several occasions, ordinary and extraordinary

Directions for the time of Sickness.

WHEN thou findest thy self visited with Sickness thou art immediately to re∣member that it is God, which with rebukes doth chasten man for sin. And therefore let thy first care be to find out what it is that provokes him to smite thee, and to that purpose Examine thine own heart, search diligently what guilts lie there, confess them humbly and penitently to God, and for the greater security renew thy Repentance for all the old sins of thy former life, beg most earn∣estly and importunately his mercy and pardon in Christ Jesus, and put on sincere and zealous reso∣lutions of forsaking every evil way for the rest of that time which God shall spare thee. And that thy own heart deceive thee not in this so weighty a business, it will be wisdome to send for some godly Divine, not only to assist thee with his prayers, but with his counsel also. And to that purpose open thy heart so freely to him that he may be able to judge whether thy Repentance be such as may give thee confidence to appear before Gods dreadful Tribunal, and that if it be not, he may help thee what he can towards the making it so. And when thou hast thus provided for thy better part, thy Soul, then consider thy Body also, and as the Wise man saith, Ecclus. 38. 12. Give place to the Physician, for the Lord hath created him: Ʋse such means as may be most likely to recover thy health, but always remember that the success

of them must come from God; and beware of Asa's sin, who sought to the Physicians, and not to the Lord, 2 Chro. 6. 12. Dispose also betimes of thy temporal affairs, by making thy Will, and set∣ting all things in such order as thou meanest fi∣nally to leave them in, and defer it not till thy sickness grow more violent, for then perhaps thou shalt not have such use of thy Reason as may fit thee for it, or if thou have, it wil be then much more seasonable to imploy thy thoughts on higher things, on the world thou art going to, rather then that thou art about to leave; we cannot carry the things of this world with us when we go hence, and it is not fit we should carry the thoughts of them. Therefore let those be early dispatched that they may not disturb thee at last.

A Prayer for a sick person.

O Merciful and Righteous Lord, the God of health and of sickness, of life and of death, I most unfeignedly acknowledge that my great abuse of those manie dayes of strength and welfare, which thou hast afforded me, hath most justly deserved thy present visitation. I desire, O Lord, humbly to accept of this pu∣nishment of mine iniquitie, and to bear the in∣dignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him. And, O thou merciful Father, who designest not the ruine but the amend∣ment of those whom thou scourgest, I beseech thee by thy grace so to sanctifie this correction

of thine to me, that this sickness of my bodie may be a means of health to my soul, make me diligent to search my heart, and do thou O Lord, enable me to discover everie accursed thing, how closely soever concealed there, that by the removal thereof, I may make way for the removal of this punishment. Heal my soul, O Lord, which hath sinned against thee, and then if it be thy blessed will, heal my bodie also, restore the voice of joy and health unto my dwelling, that I may live to praise thee, and to bring forth fruits of repentance. But if in thy wisdome thou hast otherwise disposed, if thou hast determined that this sickness shall be unto death, I beseech thee to fit and prepare me for it, give me that sincere and earnest re∣pentance, to which thou hast promised mercie and pardon; wean my heart from the world, and all its fading vanities, and make me to gasp and pant after those more excellent and du∣rable joys which are at thy right hand for ever. Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon me, and in all the pains of my bodie, in all the agonies of my spirit, let thy comforts refresh my soul, and enable me patiently to wait till my change come. And grant, O Lord, that when my earthly house of this Tabernacle is dissolved I may have a building of God, an house not made with hands eternal in the hea∣vens. And that for his sake who by his preci∣ous blood hath purchased it for me, even Jesus Christ.

A Thanks giving for Recovery.

O Gracious Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, in whose hand my time is, I praise and magnifie thee that thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption, and restored me to health again; it is thou alone, O Lord, that hast preserved my life from destruction, thou hast chastened and cor∣rected me, but thou hast not given me over unto death; O let this life which thou hast thus graci∣ously spared be wholly consecrated to thee. Behold, O Lord, I am by thy mercie made whole, O make me strictly careful to sin no more lest a worse thing come unto me. Lord, let not this reprieve thou hast now given me, make me secure, as thinking that my Lord de∣layeth his coming, but grant me I beseech thee to make a right use of this long suffering of thine, and so to imploy everie minute of that time thou shalt allow me, that when thou shalt appear I may have confidence and not be asha∣med before thee at thy coming. Lord I have found by this approach towards death, how dreadful a thing it is to be taken unprepared. O let it be a perpetual admonition to me to watch for my Masters coming. And when the pleasures of sin shall present themselves to en∣tice me, O make me to remember how bitter they will be at the last. O Lord hear me, and as thou hast in much mercie afforded me time, so grant me also grace to work out my own sal∣vation,

to provide oile in my lamp, that when the Bridegroom cometh I may go with him to the marriage. Grant this I beseech thee for thy dear Sons sake.

A Prayer at the approach of Death.

O Eternal and everliving God, who first breathedst into man the breath of life, and when thou takest away that breath he dies and is turned again to his dust, look with com∣passion on me thy poor crature who am now drawing near the gates of death, and which is infinitely more terrible, the bar of Judgement. Lord my own heart condemns me, and thou art infinitely greater then my heart, and knowest all things. The sins I know and remember, fill me with horrour; but there are also multitudes of others, which I either observed not at the time, or have since carelesly forgot, which are all present to thee. Thou settest my misdeeds before thee, and my secret sins in the light of thy countenance; and to what a mountainous heap must the minutely provocations of so ma∣nie years arise? How shall one so ungodly stand in thy Judgement, or such a sinner in the Congregation of the Righteous? And to adde yet more to my terrour, my verie repentance I fear will not abide the trial; my frequent re∣lapses heretofore have sufficiently witnessed the unsinceritie of my past resolutions. And then, O Lord, what can secure me that my present dislikes of my sins are not rather the

effects of my amazing danger then of any real change? And, O Lord, I know thou art not mocked, nor wilt accept of any thing that is not perfectly sincere. O Lord, when I consider this, fearfulness and trembling comes upon me, and an horrible dread overwhelmeth me, my flesh trembleth for fear of thee, and my heart is wounded within me. But, O Lord, one deep calleth upon another, the depth of my miserie upon the depth of thy mercie; Lord, save now or I perish eternally. O thou who willest not that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance, bring me, I beseech thee, though thus late, to a sincere Repentance, such as thou wilt accept, who triest the heart. Create in me, O God, a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me: Lord, one day is with thee as a thousand years, O let thy mightie spirit work in me now in this my last day, whatsoever thou seest wanting to fit me for thy mercie and acceptation. Give me a perfect and entire hatred of my sins, and enable me to pre∣sent thee with that sacrifice of a broken and contrite heart, which thou hast promised not to despise; that by this I may be made capable of that atonement which thy dear Son hath by the more excellent oblation of himself made for all repenting sinners. He is the propitiation for our sins, he was wounded for our trans∣gressions, he was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was o him, O heal me by his stripes, and let the cry of his blood drown the clamour of my sins. I am indeed a

childe of wrath, but he is the Son of thy love, for his sake spare me, O Lord, spare thy crea∣ture whom he hath redeemed with his most pre∣cious blood, and be not angrie with me for ever. In his wounds O Lord, I take Sanctuarie, O let not thy vengeance pursue me to this Citie of refuge: my soul hangeth upon him, O let me not perish with a Jesus, with a Saviour in my arms. But by his Agonie and bloodie sweat, by his Cross and Passion, by all that he did and suffered for sinners, good Lord deliver me; deliver me, I beseech thee, from the wa∣ges of my sins, thy wrath and everlasting dam∣nation, in this time of my tribulation, in the hour of death, and in the day of Judgement. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, and do not now repay my former neglects of thy calls, by re∣fusing to answer me in this time of my greatest need; Lord, there is but a step between me and death, O let not my sun go down upon thy wrath, but seal my pardon before I go hence and be no more seen. Thy loving kindness is better then the life it self, O let me have that in exchange, and I shall most gladly lay down this mortal life. Lord, thou knowest all my desire, and my groaning is not hid from thee; deal thou with me, O Lord, according to thy Name, for sweet is thy mercie; take away the sting of death, the guilt of my sins, and then though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil; I will lay me down in peace, and Lord when I awake up, let me be satisfied with thy presence in thy glorie. Grant this

merciful God for his sake who is both the Re∣deemer and Mediatour of sinners, even Jesus Christ.

PSALMS.

PƲT me not to rebuke, O Lord, in thine an∣ger, neither chasten me in thy heavie displea∣sure.

There is no health in my flesh because of thy displeasure, neither is there any rest in my bones by reason of my sins.

For my wickednesses have gone over my head, and are a sore burden too heavie for me to bear.

My wounds stinck and are corrupt through my foolishness.

Therefore is my spirit vexed within me and my heart within me is desolate.

My sins have taken such hold upon me that I am not able to look up, yea, they are more in num∣ber then the hairs of my head, and my heart hath failed me.

But thou, O Lord God, art full of compassion and mercy, long-suffering, plenteous in goodness and truth.

Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me, for I am desolate and in misery.

If thou Lord shouldst be extream to mark what is done amiss, O Lord, who may abide it?

O remember not the sins and offences of my youth, but according to thy mercy think thou upon me for thy goodness.

Look upon my adversity and misery, and for∣give me all my sin.

Hide not thy face from thy servant, for I am in trouble, O haste thee and hear me.

Out of the deep do I call unto thee, Lord hear my voice.

Turn thee, O Lord, and deliver my Soul, O save me for thy mercies sake.

O go not from me, for trouble is hard at hand, and there is none to help.

I stretch forth my hands unto thee, my Soul gas∣peth unto thee, as a thirsty land.

Draw nigh unto my soul and save it, O deliver me, because of my enemies.

For my Soul is full of trouble, and my life draweth nigh unto hell.

Save me from the Lions mouth, hear me from among the horns of the Ʋnicorns.

O set me up upon a rock that is higher then I, for thou art my hope, and a strong Tower for me against the enemy.

Why art thou so heavy, O my soul, and why art thou so disquieted within me?

Put thy trust in God for I will yet give him thanks for the help of his countenance.

The Lord shall make good his loving kindness towards me, yea, thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever, despise not then the work of thine own hands.

O GOD, thou art my God, early will I seek thee.

My Soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh also long∣eth after thee, in a barren and drie land where no water is.

Like as the heart desireth the water brooks, so longeth my Soul after thee O God.

My Soul is athirst for God, even for the li∣ving God, when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?

How amiable are thy dwellings, O Lord of Hosts!

My Soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the Courts of the Lord, my flesh and my heart rejoyce in the living God.

O that I had wings like a Dove, for then would I fly away and be at rest.

O send out thy light and thy truth, that they may lead me, and bring me unto thy holy Hill, and to thy dwelling.

For one day in thy Courts is better then a thou∣sand:

I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God, then to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

I should utterly have fainted, but that I belie∣ved verily to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Thou art my helper and my redeemer, O Lord, make no long tarrying.

EJACƲLATIONS.

O LORD, of whom may I seek for succour but of thee, who for my sins art justly displeased? Yet O Lord God most Holy, O Lord most Mighty, O Holy and most Merciful Saviour, deliver me not into the bitter pains of eternal death.

Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of my heart, shut not up thy merciful eyes to my pray∣er, but hear me, O Lord most Holy, O God most Mighty, O Holy and Merciful Saviour, thou most worthy Judge eternall, suffer me not at my last hour for any pains of death to fall from thee.

Father, I have sinned against heaven and be∣fore thee, and am not worthy to be called thy child, yet O Lord, do not thou cast off the bow∣els and compassions of a Father, but even as a father pitieth his own children, so be thou mer∣ciful unto me.

Lord, the prince of this world cometh, O let him have nothing in me, but as he accuseth, do thou absolve; he layes many and grievous things to my charge, which he can too well prove, I have nothing to say for my self, do thou answer for me, O Lord my God.

O Lord I am cloathed with filthy garments, and Satan stands at my right hand to resist me, O be thou pleased to rebuke him, and pluck me as a brand out of the fire, cause mine iniquities to pass from me, and cloath me with the righ∣teousness of thy Son.

Behold, O God, the Divel is coming towards me, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time, O save and de∣liver me lest he devour my soul like a Lion, and tear it in pieces while there is none to help.

O my God, I know that no unclean thing can enter into thy Kingdom, and I am nothing but pollution, my very righteousness are as filthy

rags, O wash me and make me white in the blood of the Lamb, that so I may be fit to stand before thy Throne.

Lord, the snares of death compass me round about▪ O let not the pains of hell also take hold upon me, but though I find trouble and heavi∣ness, yet O Lord I beseech thee deliver my soul.

O dear Jesus, who hast bought me with the precious price of thine own blood: challenge now thy purchase, and let not all the malice of Hell pluck me out of thy hand.

O blessed high Priest, who art able to save them to the utmost, who come unto God by thee, save me I beseech thee, who have no hope, but on thy merits and intercession,

O God I confess I have defaced that Image of thine, thou didst imprint upon my Soul, Yet O thou faithful Creator, have pity on thy crea∣ture.

O Jesu, I have by my many and grievous sins crucified thee afresh, yet thou who prayedst for thy persecutors, interceed for me also, and suf∣fer not, O my Redeemer, my soul (the price of thy blood (to perish.

O Spirit of grace, I have by my horrid impi∣eties done despight to thee, yet, O Blessed Comforter, though I have often grieved thee, be thou pleased to succour and relieve me, and say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.

Mine eyes look unto thee, O Lord, in thee is my trust, O cast not out my soul.

O Lord in the have I trusted, let me never be confounded.

O Blessed Lord, who scourgest every Son whom thou receivest, let me not be wea∣ry of thy correction, but give me such a perfect subjection to thee the Father of Spirits, that this chastisement may be for my profit, that I may thereby be partaker of thy holiness.

O thou Captain of my Salvation, who wert made perfect by sufferings, sanctifie to me all the pains of body, all the terrours of mind which thou shalt permit to fall upon me.

Lord, my fins have deserved eternal tor∣ments, make me chearfully and thankfully to bear my present pains, chasten me as thou plea∣sest here, that I may not be condemned with the world.

Lord, the waters are come in even unto my soul, O Let thy Spirit move upon these waters, and make them like the pool of Bethesda, that they may cure whatsoever spiritual disease thou discernest in me.

O Christ, who first sufferedst many and grie∣vous things, and then enteredst into thy glory, make me so to suffer with thee, that I may also be glorified with thee.

O dear Jesus, who humbledst thy self to the death of the Cross for me, let that death of thine sweeten the bitterness of mine.

When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst open the Kingdome of heaven to all believers.

I believe that thou shalt come to be my Judge.

I pray thee therefore help thy servant whom

thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood.

Make me to be numbred with thy Saints in glory everlasting.

Thou art the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in thee, though he were dead, yet shall he live: Lord, I believe, help thou my un∣belief.

My flesh, and my heart faileth, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ which is far better: Lord, I groan earnestly desi∣ring to be cloathed upon with that house from heaven.

I desire to put off this my tabernacle, O be pleased to receive me into everlasting habi∣tations.

Bring my soul out of prison that I may give thanks unto thy name.

Lord, I am here to wrestle not only with flesh and blood, but with principalities and powers, and spiritual wickedness, O take me from these tents of Kedar, into the heavenly Jerusalem, where Satan shall be utterly trodden under my feet.

I cannot here attend one minute to thy service, without distraction, O take me up to stand be∣fore thy Throne, where I shall serve thee day and night.

I am here in heaviness through many tribulati∣ons, O receive me into that place of rest, where all tears shall be wiped from my eyes, where

there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain.

I am here in a state of banishment and ab∣sence from the Lord, O take me where I shall for ever behold thy face, and follow the Lamb whither soever he goeth.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,

O Blessed Jesu, who hast loved me, and wash∣ed me from my sins in thine own blood, receive my soul.

Into thy hands I commend my Spirit, for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord thou God of truth, Come Lord Jesu, come quickly.