The true interest of families, or, Directions how parents may be happy in their children, and children in their parents to which is annexed a discourse about the right way of improving our time / by a divine of the Church of England ; with a preface by A. Horneck.

SOME FORMS OF PRAYER WHICH Parents may teach their Chil∣dren according to their Age.

A Morning Prayer to be taught Children, when they begin to speak.

O Lord, I praise thee for all thy Mer∣cies, and for thy Care of me this Night. Watch over me this day. For∣give me all my sins, and make me thy Child for Jesus Christ his sake.

This Prayer may be used likewise at

Night, only changing that petition [watch over me this Day] into [watch over me this Night.]

When Children come to be four or five years old, the following Pray∣er may be used.

O Lord my God, what shall I ren∣der unto thee for all thy Mercies. I bless thee for giving me Life, and all things needful to keep me alive. But a∣bove all, I bless thee for sending Christ to dye for me, that he might wash me with his Blood, and make me fit for the Kingdom of Heaven. For his sake have mercy upon me, and forgive me all my sinful thoughts, words, and deed. Give me Grace to serve thee as I ought to do; that I may not do, nor say a naughty thing, lest thou be angry with me, and cast me into Hell fire. Lord bless and preserve my Father and Mo∣ther* 1.1 and all my Friends and Relations.

I praise thee, O God, for preserving of me this Night, watch over me this day; save me from every evil thing. Good Lord hear me, and grant me whatsoever thou knowest to be best for me, for Jesus Christ his

sake, in whose holy name and words, I pray, Our Father, &c.

This Prayer may be likewise used at Night, by changing only two words, and saying, instead of [preserving me this night] [preserving me this day;] and instead of [watch over me this day] [watch over me this night.]

A Morning Prayer for Children, when they come to twelve or fourteen years of Age; sooner or later, according to the ripe∣ness of their understanding.

LORD teach and assist me to wor∣ship thee as I ought to do, Lift up my heart unto thee.

What shall I render unto thee, O most gracious God, and most merciful Father, for all thy mercies to me, and to all the World? I bless thee for making me a rea∣sonable Creature, and for affording me all things which be needful to support my Life; I bless thee for my health, liberty, and safety; for my Food and Rayment; for the use of my Reason and Ʋnderstand∣ing,

and of my Senses; for thy corrections and deliverances; and for all the advan∣tages I have had by good Examples, and good Instructions: But chiefly, I praise and bless thee for the redemption of Mankind by the Lord Jesus Christ: That I was born within thy Church, where I was ear∣ly given to thee in Baptism; that I have had the benefit of Christian Education; that thou hast afforded me the means of Grace, and called me to the hope of Glo∣ry.

But notwithstanding thy goodness and love, I have gone astray from thee; I have not cared so much as I ought to have done, to know thee, and to do thy Will, but have done my own will in many things; and followed my own foolish and sinful inclinations: I have broken many of thy most Holy and Just Laws, in thought, word, and deed* 1.2, where∣by I have deserved thy Wrath and Curse.

Father of Mercies have mercy upon me, & forgive me all my sins for Jesus Christ his sake, who dyed for sinners. Give me a true and hearty Repentance for all mine Ini∣quities; that I may not wilfully break thy

Laws any more. Lord never leave me, nor forsake me. Hold up my goings in thy Paths, that my footsteps may not slide. Grant that henceforth I may love thee with all my heart, and may be afraid to sin against thee: Work in me a true Faith, and a lively hope; make me humble, meek, and patient, sober and temperate in all things, Charitable and compassio∣nate towards all that are in distress, true and faithful in my words, and sincere and upright in my Actions, well content and thankful in every condition of Life, and zealous for thy Glory. Grant that I may daily grow in Grace and spiritual Knowledge. Create in me a clean Heart, and renew a right Spirit wethin me, and cause me to walk in thy ways.

O Lord send thy Gospel through the World: pour our plentifully the Blessings of thy holy Spirit on all thy People: Bless and preserve our King and Queen. Guide our Judges and Magistrates: Sanctifie and assist the Ministers of the Gospel. Be with all my Friends and Relations, par∣ticularly bless and preserve my Father and Mother. Reward them for their care and kindness towards me: Make me a loving

and dutiful Child unto them.* 1.3 Comfort all that are in trouble, and sancti∣fie their afflictions to them.

I thank, thee, O Lord, for thy care of me this Night: Watch over over me this day. Bless and direct me in all I do or say. Keep me mindful that I am always in thy sight, that I may be in thy fear all the day long. Cause me to remember that I must shortly dye and come to judgment; that I may not mis∣pend my precious time, but employ it in a constant and chearful Obedience to thy holy and righteous Laws; that when this vain and short life is at an end, I may be made partaker of everlasting Life, through Jesus Christ our Lord; in whose Holy Name and words I pray, Our Father, &c.

This Prayer may serve likewise at Night, until you come to the last part, which begins with these words, [I thank thee, O Lord, for thy care of me this Night, &c.] instead thereof, you may say as follows, [I thank thee, O Lord, for thy care of me this

day; watch over me this Night, and grant me quiet repose; save me from every Evil thing, for the sake of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, in whose Ho∣ly Name and words, I conclude my imperfect Prayers, saying, Our Fa∣ther, &c.]

Notes

• * 1.1

  If there be Brothers and Sisters let them pray for them likewise.
• * 1.2

  Here they may make a particular Confession of their Sins.
• * 1.3

  If there be any Brothers or Sisters, he may pray for them, and for Grand∣father and Grandmo∣ther, if they be alive.