The devout Christian instructed how to pray and give thanks to God, or, A book of devotions for families and for particular persons in most of the concerns of humane life / by the author of the Christian sacrifice.

A Prayer when one intends to live Vnmarried.

O Lord, the lover of souls; for whom they were made, and in whom alone they can be happy. There is none I have in heaven but thee,* 1.1 nor on

earth that I desire besides thee. Who art the perfection of wisdom, power and goodness; and the fountain of all the good that is in us. Thou art able to raise us, to what degree of wisdom, strength and goodness thou pleasest: and hast promised us thine assistance to make us like unto thee; and assured us we shall be immortal∣ly blessed, by a glorious participati∣on of thee. Thou drawest us so mightily, that we have no power to resist thee; when our minds turn themselves towards thee, and reflect upon thy most excellent Nature, which discovers it self, in all thy bounty to us, and the rest of thy crea∣tures. We cannot but love thee, when we think of thee; and when we love thee, we cannot but again think of thee, that we may have the pleasure still of loving thee more. O fix my mind, I beseech thee, in a more stedfast contemplation of thee, and of all thy gracious com∣munications to me, that I may

spend my days delightfully in a per∣petual meditation of thy mercies, which I have received in such a∣bundance from thee!

There is nothing I know more na∣tural and more easie, than to think of the kindnesses of those that love us; especially theirs to whom we bear a mutual love. O how great, how free and undeserved is thy love to us! What infinite reason is there that we should love thee, with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our strength? Inspire me, O God, with such a lively sense of thy goodness in my creation and ever since, both to my soul and to my bo∣dy, that I may ever preserve a sweet and grateful remembrance of it; and may feel it provoking me daily to commemorate thy loving kindness, with the most ardent love of thee, my most bountiful benefactor. O that I could love thee, in every thing that I see and enjoy! being led by it to the thoughs of thy admirable wis∣dom,

which astonishes us in the least of thy creatures; and of thy match∣less goodness, which hath provided such variety of pleasures for all our senses.

Possess me with a great and strong admiration of the excellency of wisdom; that I may be a lover of her beauty,* 1.2 and seek her out from my youth; desiring to marry her to my self. For thou the Lord of all things thy self lovest her: And therefore I purpose to take her to live with me; knowing that she will be a counseller of good things, and a com∣fort in cares and grief. But especially over-power my heart with a strong and lasting sense of thy exceeding a¦bundant kindness in Christ Jesus; in whom thou hast chose•• me,* 1.3 that I should be holy and without blame before thee in love. Let me never think of that, bu•• with such great transports of love▪ and joy, and thankfulness unto thee▪ as may make me then forget all o∣ther

things. And make me to under∣stand more and more how thy love in him hath abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence. That so I may be the more moved to admire it, and delight to meditate upon it, and be still searching into those trea∣sures of thy Wisdom, and unsearch∣able riches of thy Grace; till I come to be filled with all the fulness of thee, my God.* 1.4

Translate all my affections from these lower objects, to him that is fairer than the children of men:* 1.5 who loved me so much as to dye for me; who is risen again, and sits at thy right-hand in incomparable Majesty and Glory. Raise up my thoughts as high as that heavenly place where he is, and where I hope one day to be; equal to the Angels,* 1.6 who neither marry, nor are given in marriage. Help me to begin that happy state in separating my self fre∣quently from all this world, and

joyning with that blessed company above, in praising thee, and giving thanks unto thee, whose mercies are great and endure for ever. And when I am about any other imploy∣ment; help me chearfully to attend it; and with a willing mind to per∣form the duties belonging to it. Pos∣sess me with such an hatred of idle∣ness and sloth, that I may always be busied about some good or inno∣cent thing. Especially dispose me to exercise my self in works of mercy and charity; and to take all oppor∣tunites of doing good, to the bodies or souls of my Neighbours.

Indue me with prudence and dis∣cretion in the choice of my company and friends: and give me wisdom to improve their society to the best pur∣poses. Make my mind more hea∣venly: and when any thoughts con∣trary to my inclinations and resolu∣tions arise in me, turn them immedi∣ately to thy self, and my blessed Sa∣viour. Open my eyes to behold

the things that are not seen: And put out the splendor of all those things that dazzle our eyes here, by the appearance of a brighter and more glorious good. Which may raise my designs higher than this world; and make all my passions and affecti∣ons more equal and moderate; my discourse more profitable; my be∣haviour more humble, modest, and such as becometh Saints; and all my actions more conformable to thy will, and more exemplary to those whom I converse withal. The very God of peace sanctifie me wholly;* 1.7 and preserve my whole spirit, and soul, and body blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!

O that my love to any thing here may not turn into wantonness and folly; nor my joy and chearfulness, into lightness and vanity; nor my se∣riousness or sorrow, into melancholy and discontent; nor my just anger, into hatred and contention; nor in∣dustry in my business into careful∣ness,

distrust and earthliness of mind; nor my discretion and prudence, into craft, dissembling and deceit! Dis∣pose my heart that I may so mind heavenly things, as to be very hum∣ble and lowly in my own eyes; and be so humble and sensible of my own unworthiness and weakness, as to make my addresses to thee continu∣ally, with the greater earnestness, for thy merciful help and supply. Teach me so to pray and call upon thee, as to labour and strive my self; and so to labour and run, that I may obtain. Let faith in thy good pro∣vidence and precious promises be my comfort; and hope of thy glory make me rejoyce; and a great love to thee make me unwearied, and fill me with the consolations of the holy Ghost. O that my Religion may become my Nature; so that it may not be my burden or trouble: and help me so to look upon it as my du∣ty, as withal to account it my honour, priviledge and happiness.

O that I may never desire any thing but to be so pure as thou wouldst have me; and to enjoy those rewards of holiness, which thou canst and wilt bestow upon me. This is the summe of my desires; that whatsoever I do may please thee, and whatsoever thou dost may be pleasing to me. Lord, hear me and answer me graciously. And if I shall see any cause hereafter to change my condition, preserve in me ••n unchangeable love to thee above ••ll things. That still I may please ••hee▪ and be acceptable in thy sight: delighting my self in wisdom, and ••eposing my self with her;* 1.8 ••or her conversation hath ••o bitterness, and to live with her hath ••o sorrow, but mirth and joy. In which happiness, the Lord vouchsafe ••o keep me, whatever my condition ••e, for Jesus his sake. To whom with thee, O Father, and thy blessed ••pirit, be everlasting praises. Amen.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Psal. 73.25.
• * 1.2

  Wisd. 8.2,3,9.
• * 1.3

  Ephes. 1.4,8.
• * 1.4

  Ephes. 3.19.
• * 1.5

  Psal. 45.2.
• * 1.6

  Luk. 20.36.
• * 1.7

  1 Thess. 5.23.
• * 1.8

  Wisd. 8.16.