A Form of common prayer, to be used on Wednesday the 4th of February, 1673/4, within the cities of London and Westminster ... : and on Wednesday the 11th of Febr. next through the rest of the whole kingdom of England, Dominion of Wales, and town of Berwick upon Tweed : being the days of the general fast appointed by His Majesties proclamation, for imploring Gods blessing on His Majesty, and the present Parliament.

¶ Then followeth the Sermon; and after that shall be said.

LEt your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorifie your Father which is in heaven.

Lay not up for your selves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for your selves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.

Let us pray for the whole state of Christs Church militant here on earth.

ALmighty and everliving God, who by thy holy Apostle hast taught us to make prayers and supplications, and to give thanks for all men; We humbly beseech thee most merci∣fully (to accept our alms and oblations, and) to re∣ceive these our prayers, which we offer unto thy divine Majesty, beseeching thee to inspire continually the Vniversal Church with the spi∣rit of truth, unity and concord: and grant that all they that do confess thy holy Name, may agree in the truth of thy holy Word, and live in unity and godly love. We beseech thee also to save and defend all Christian Kings, Princes, and Governours, and especially thy servant CHARLES our King, that under him we may be godly and quietly governed. And grant unto his whole Council, & to all that are put in Au∣thority under him, that they may truly and in∣differently

minister justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of thy true Religion and vertue. Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all Bishops, and Cu∣rates, that they may both by their life and doctrine set forth thy true and lively Word, and rightly and duely administer thy holy Sacra∣ments. And to all thy people give thy heaven∣ly grace, and especially to this Congrega∣tion here present, that with meek heart and due reverence they may hear and receive thy holy Word, truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life. And we most humbly beseech thee of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all them who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity. And we also bless thy holy Name, for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear; be∣seeching thee to give us grace so to follow their good examples, that with them we may be par∣takers of thy heavenly kingdom. Grant this, O Father, for Iesus Christs sake our only Medi∣atour and Advocate. Amen.

Notes

• s. Matt. 5. 16.
• S. Matt. 6. 19, 20.
• If there be no alms or oblati∣ons, then shall the words (of accept∣ing our alms and oblatious) be left out un∣said.