Practical meditations upon the four last things viz. I. Death, II. Judgment, III. Hell, IV. Heaven / by R. Sherlock ...

The Prayer.

LOok graciously upon me, O Lord, I be∣seech thee, in the time of my approach∣ing dissolution: and the more the outward man decayeth, strengthen me so much the more continually by thy Grace and Holy Spirit in the inner man: give me unfeigned repentance for all the errors of my life past, and a stedfast Faith in thy Son Jesus, that my sins may be done away by thy mercy, and my pardon sealed in Heaven, before I go hence and be no more seen.

II.

IN the midst of life we be in death: of whom may we seek for succour but of thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased?

Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty, O holy and most merciful Saviour, deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal Death.

Thou knowest Lord the secrets of our hearts: shut not up thy merciful ears to our Prayers, but spare us. O Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and most merciful Saviour, thou most worthy Judge eternal, suffer us not at our last hour for any pains of Death to fall from thee.

III.

IN my last hour, O Lord, I humbly beg thy protection from the busie suggesti∣ons and direful insultings of my grand ene∣mies, the Devil and his Angels: Oh let not then my Faith fail, or my Hope wither, or my Charity wax cold with the waining flesh: but when all my joynts shall tremble by the batteries of death, mine eyes be darkned, and my tongue falter, then, O then let my heart be enlarged towards my God, waiting upon thee, longing for thee, and incessantly praying, shew me thy mercy, O Lord, and grant me thy Salvation.