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ALmighty and most merciful Fa∣ther; by whom we were made, and in whom we live, move, and have our being: to whose tender compassions we owe our safety the day past, together with all the com∣forts of this present life, and the hopes of that which is to come. We praise and laud thee, O Lord, the Creator and Governor of the world.
We ascribe all Greatness, Might, Ma∣jesty, Wisdom, Riches and Bounty to thee; whom all the host of hea∣ven continually admires and ac∣knowledges with the most joyful re∣verence. We bow our selves like∣wise before thee, and worship thee, in an humble sense that we are no∣thing in compare with thee, and have nothing but what we receive from thee. Ʋnto thee do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks, O God, our exceeding joy, who daily pourest thy benefits upon us. Blessed be thy great goodness, for our continued health, for our food and raiment, our peace and safety, the society of our friends, the love of our neighbours, and the success of our honest labours: But above all things, for sending Jesus Christ into the world to dwell among us, to dye for us, and to direct us in the way to immortal life. We thank thee that we feel in our hearts any
motion towards thee, and that we have made the least progress in those paths of life. O Lord, we present our selves here before thee to be inspired with such a vigorous and full sense of thy love, as may move us more powerfully towards thee; and put us forward with a greater ear∣nestness, zeal and diligence in all our duty. There is nothing in hea∣ven or earth that we can desire, but to be beloved of thee; who pos∣sessest both, and art able to make thy friends as great and happy as thou pleasest. Assist us therefore still by thy grace to the recovery of such a lively Image of thee in all righteousness, purity, mercy, faith∣fulness and truth; that we may know thou lovest us. O that Jesus, the hope of glory, may be formed in us, in all humility, meekness, pa∣tience, contentedness, peaceableness, and absolute surrender of our souls and bodies to thy holy will and pleasure: That we may no longer live,
but Christ may live in us, and the life we lead in the flesh may be by the faith of thy Son, O God, who loved us, and gave himself for us. The remem∣brance of that love is most dear and precious to us. We cannot often enough make mention of so great kindness, as his making himself freely an offering for our sins. It moves us, again to offer up our selves sincerely to thee, to do thy will, O God, as our blessed Lord and Master did. We repose also an intire con∣fidence in thee, and still trust our selves with thee, who hast not spared thine own Son, but given him up for us all. We will humbly and reverently accept of whatsoever thou sendest us; and in every thing give thanks, which is thy will concern∣ing us in Christ Jesus. We hope thou wilt never leave us, nor forsake us: but conduct us safe through all va∣rieties and changes of our condition
here, in an unchangeable love to thee, and an holy composure and tranquillity of mind in thy love to us, till we come to live with thee, and enjoy thee for ever.
And now that we are going to lay our selves down to sleep, take us into thy gracious protection; and settle our spirits in such quiet and delightful thoughts of Jesus, that we may be willing to leave this world and go to him: Who dyed for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
To his blessing we commend all mankind, of whatsoever rank and condition they be; high and low, rich and poor: that they may all be so happy as to do their several du∣ties carefully, and to enjoy con∣tentedly whatsoever is needful for them. We leave all we have with thee, especially our friends and those who are dear unto us; desiring that when we are dead and gone, they
may lift up their souls in this man∣ner unto thee, and teach those that come after to praise, love and obey thee: and that, if we awake again in the morning, our mouths may likewise praise thee again with joy∣ful lips, and we may still offer our selves, a more acceptable sacrifice to thee through Christ Jesus. In whose words we beseech thee to hear us, according to the fullest sence and in∣tention of them.
Our Father, &c.
Psal. 75.1. Psal. 43.4. 68.19.
Gal. 2.20.
Rom. 8.32.
1 Thess. 5.18.
1 Thess. 5.10.