The whole duty of man, laid down in a plain and familiar way, for the use of all, ... With Private devotions for several occasions. 1752
Allestree, Richard
» . 9 * 8 5 F what — © ak, Nc F< gee 1 — = . 3 —B Now « 2 5 "a OE a. — * — * R y * * — * Suxvay perhaps the next hour, the next minute, the + night of death may overtake them; what a madneſs is it then for them to defer one mo- ment to turn out of that path, which leads to certain deſtruction, and to put themſelves in that which will bring them to bliſs and glory? Yet fo are men bewitched and enchanted with the deceitfulneſs of fin, that no intreaty, no perſuaſion can prevail with them, to make this ſo reaſonable, ſo neceſſary a change; not but they acknowledge it needful to be done, but they are unwilling to do it yet; they would enjoy all the pleaſures of fin as long as they live, and then they hope at their death, or ſome little time before it, to do all the buſineſs of their ſouls. But, alas! Hea- ven is too high to be thus jumped into, the way to it is a long and leiſurely aſcent, which requires time to walk. The hazards of ſuch deferring are more largely ſpoken of in the Diſcourſe of Repentance. I ſhall not here repeat them, but defire the reader ſeriouſly to lay them to heart, and then ſurely he will think it ſeaſonable counſel that is given by the wiſe man, Ecclus. v. 7. Make no tarrying 1 fo turn to the Lord, and put not off from day PRIVATE DEVOTIONS |. N | | FOR | SEVERAL Occas1ons, | ORDINARY ; AND EXTRAORDINARY. F ee 5 . = q | LONDON: Printed * Jonx Evres, Wu ria and Joan Mou, and Thomas Pact; and Sold by the Bookſellers of London and W, eftminſter. M,pcc,Li.. " ' - F 7 F — ' 4 * w *. 0 * - % x «. * 9 * *  : * 8 | * ve. ; - p # * rs ” * , % ; - — * 4 3 — 3. * - * a , %. "i pack 1 N * id * * os . , th « * x” by 43 pony "ny * 7 1 * * 4. — ; 2 4 e 1 *. : * " + 4 _ * * 4 75. -. 1 4 4 n > , ”. » * : ? : % j ? 4 ö * i 7 4 1 on < {+ 0 * 4 ” 4 = 4 5 - = * ” ” © * as — * 0 * - - 2 % q 2 Chriſtian TEE Have, for the help of thy Devotions, 9 ap ee down ſome FoRMs of PRIVATE MW eggs PRAYER, hon ſeveral occaſions ; LS)? it be thought an omiſſion, that there are none for Families, T muſt anſiver for inyſelf, That is was not from any opinion, that God is not as well to be wor fed in the Family as the cloſet ; but becauſe the Providence of God and the Church hath al- ready furniſhed thee for that pu 1 infinitely * beyond what my utmoſt care could do; I mean in the PuBIIcX LiToURGY or CoMMoN PRAYER, which for all public addreſſes to God ( and ſuch are Family Prayers) are ſo excellent and uſeful, that we may ſay of it as David did of Goliah's ſword, I Sam, xxi. 9. There is none like it. STE TTT TE 558 DIRECTIONS for the MORNING. As FP as ever thou awakeſt in the Morning hft up thy bert ts God, in this or the = Prayer. from ſleep, ſo by thy grace awaken my bat from ſin; and make me ſo to walk be- fore thee this day, and all the reſt of my ORD, as ids haſt awaked my body lie, that when the laſt trumpet ſhall awake D d 2 me 9 0 Pꝛiivate Devotions. me out of my grave, I may riſe to the life immortal through Jeſus Chriſt. HE N thou haſt thus al ſuffer not (ith- out ſome urgent neceſſity ) 3 wordly thoughts to fill thy mind, till thou haſt alſo paid thy more ſolemn Jevotions to Almighty God; and therefore during the time thou art dreſſing thyſelf (which ſhould be no longer than common decency requires) | exerciſe thy mind in ſome ſpiritual thoughts : As | for example, confider to what temptations thy buſineſs or company that day are moſt like to lay thee open, and arm thyſelf with reſolutions againſt them: Or again, confider what occaſions of do- Ing ſervice 79 God, or good to thy neighbour, are that day moſt likely to preſent themſelves, and reſolve to embrace them ; and alſo contrive * thou mayſt improve them to the uttermoſt ; ; eſpecially it will be fit for thee to examine, ke | Ther there have any ſin eſcaped thee fince thy laſt night's examination. If after theſe confiderations any further leiſure remain, thou mayſt profita- bly employ it in meditating on the general Reſur- rection (whereof our rifing from our beds is a repreſentation) and of that dreadful Judgment which ſhall follow it: And then think with thy- fell in what preparation thou art for it; and reſolve to huſband carefully every minute of thy time toward the fitting thee for that great account, As ſoon as thou art ready, retire to ſome private place, and there offer up to God "1 morni 5 Leer; Nee 1 . and prayer. Prayers | mM en & = I6©5” 020 —— x * * 2 q - y — , - ” * : 405 br 1 De 1 - % Gg © w- * 5 8 3 | * "IDS [8 Prayers for the Mornin 8. A thy firſt kneeling down ſay, . _ Holy, blefled, and glorious Trinity; three Perſons, and one God; have mercy upon me a miſerable Sinner. 1993 I know not what to pray for as I L ought: O let thy Spirit help my infir- mities, and enable me to offer up a ſpiritual facrifice, acceptable to thee by Jeſus Chriſt, Ne A Thankſgiving. \ Gracious Lord, whoſe mercies endure N for ever, I thy unworthy ſervant, who ave ſo deeply taſted of them, deſire to ren- der thee the tribute of my humbleſt praiſes for them. In thee, O Lord, I live, and move, and have my being: Thou firſt madeſt me to be, and then, that I might not be miſerable, but happy, thou ſenteſt thy Son out of thy boſom to redeem me from the power of my ſins by his grace, and from the puniſhment of them by his blood, and by both to bring me to his glory. Thou haſt, by thy mercy, cauſed me to be born within thy peculiar fold, the Chriſtian Church, where I was early con- ſecrated to thee in baptiſm, and have been partaker of all thoſe ſpiritual Helps, which might aid me to perform that vow I there made to thee ; and when, by my own wilful- neſs or negligence, I have failed to do it, yet | * D d 3 thou an — s r be At Tho, ER ed 6, ;ↄ . ðͤ 7 ² ! äÄGA A ͤuWu è)— Ä ̃ is. ai. 2 —_ — Pzivate Devotions. | thou in thy manifold mercies haſt not forſaken | me, but hast graciouſly invited me to. repen- tance, afforded me all means both outward and inward for it, and with much patience haſt attended, and not cut me off in the acts of thoſe many damning fins I have committed, as I have moſt juſtly deſerved. It is, O Lord, thy reſtraiging grace alone by which I have been kept back from any the greateſt fins ; and it. is thy inciting and aſſiſting grace alone by which I have. been enabled to do any the leaſt good; therefore, not unto me, not unto me, but unto thy name be the praiſes : For theſe, and all other thy ſpiritual bleſſings, my ſoul 'doth magnify the Lord, and- all: that 1s within me praiſe his holy name. I likewiſe praiſe thee for thoſe many outward bleſſings I enjoy, as health, friends, food, and raiment, the comforts as well as the neceſſaries of this life ; for thoſe continual protections of thy hand, by which I and mine are kept from dangers ; and thoſe gracious deliverances thou haſt often afforded out of ſuch as have befal- len me : And for that mercy of thine, whereby thou haſt ſweetned and allayed thoſe troubles thou haſt not ſeen fit wholly to remove: For thy particular preſervation of me this night, and all others thy goodneſs towards me. Lord, grant that I may render thee not only the fruit of my lips, but the obedience of my life ; that ſo theſe bleſſings here may be an earneſt of thoſe richer bleſſings thou haſt prepared _ f N thoſe fi t. f 0 a 1 t | C i ; « ( | | | 2 * hdd _ w* $6 (0d kw | ww þ Eos U ⁵ ⁵ͤ³ ͤ eto ²˙·. od ed at. — $4 4 " REES 1 es — Pruyers for Morning. WE g 7 thoſe that love chee; and chat for his fe whom thou haſt made the Author of eternal falvation to all that obey him, even Jeſus Chriſt. ts „j Righteous Lord, who hateſt iniquity, I thy ſinful creature caſt myſelf at thy feet, acknowledging that I moſt juſtly deſerve to be utterly abhorred and forſaken by thee z for I have drank iniquity like water, gone on in a continual courſe of ſin and rebellion againſt thee, daily committing thoſe things thou forbiddeſt, and leaving undone thoſe things thou commandeſt: Mine heart, which ſhould be an habitation for thy Spirit, is be- come a cage of unclean birds, of foul and diſ- ordered affections: and out of this abundance of the heart my mouth ſpeaketh, my hands act: So that in thought, word, and deed, I continually tranſgreſs againſt thee. | Here men- tion the greateſt of thy fins.] Nay, O Lord, I have deſpiſed that goodneſs of thine which ſhould lead me to repentance, hardening my heart againſt all thoſe means thou haſt uſed for my amendment. And now, Lord, what — — can I expect from thee, but judgment and fiery indignation ? that is, indeed, the due reward of my ſins: But, O Lord, there is mercy with thee, that thou mayeſt be feared; O fit me for that mercy, by given me a deep and hearty repentance: And then, acco. ing D d 4 to I —— Pꝛivate Devotions. to thy goodneſs, let thine anger and thy 5 be turned away from me: Lock upon me in thy Son, my bleſſed Saviour, and for the merit of his . — pardon all my ſins: And, Lord, I beſeech thee, by the power of thy grace, ſo to renew and purify my heart, that 1 may become a new creature, utterly for- ſaking every evil way, and living in a conſtant fincere univerſal obedience to thee all the reſt of my days; that, behaving myſelf as a good and faithful ſervant, I may, by thy mercy, at the laſt be received into the joy of my Lord, Grant this, for Jeſus Chriſt his ſake. A Prayer for Grace. Moſt gracious God, -from whom every good and perfect gift cometh, I, wretch- ed creature, that am not able of myſelf fo much as to think a good thought, beſeech thee to work in me both to will and to do ac- cording to thy good pleaſure : Enlighten my mind, that I may know thee, and let me not be . barren or unfruitful in that knowledge: Lord, work in my heart a true faith, a pu- rifying hope, and an unfeigned love towards thee; Give me a full truſt on thee, zeal for thee, reverence of all things that relate to thee: Make me fearful to offend thee, thank- ful for thy mercies, humble under thy cor- rections, devout in thy ſervice, ſorrowful for my fins, and grant that in all things I may 8 ä behave 0 Prayers for Morning. | 409 = — — 7 behave my ſelf ſo, as befits a creature to his Creator, a ſervant to his Lord. Enable me likewiſe to perform that duty I owe to my- ſelf: Give me that meekneſs, humility, and contentedneſs, whereby I may always poſſeſs my ſoul in patience and thankfulneſs. Make me diligent in all my duties, watchful againſt all temptations, perfectly pure and tempe- rate, and ſo moderate in my moſt lawful en- joyments, that they may never become a ſnare to me. Make me alſo, O Lord, to be ſo af- feed towards my Neighbour, that I never tranſgreſs that royal law of thine, of loving him as myſelf. Grant me exactly to perform all parts of juſtice, yielding to all whatſoever by any kind of right becomes their due ; and give me ſuch bowels of mercy and compaſſion, that I may never fail to do all acts of cha- rity to all men, whether friends or enemies, according to thy command and example. Fi- nally, I beſeech thee, O Lord, to ſanctify me throughout, that my whole ſpirit and ſoul, and body may be preſerved blameleſs unto | the coming of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; to whom with thee and the, Holy Ghoſt, be all honour and glory for ever. Amen. Interceſſion. Bleſſed Lord, whoſe mercy is over all thy works; I beſeech thee to have mercy upon all men, and grant that the precious | _ ranſom, 1 . " . CIR . - | 2 — __w—_—v__” _— — Re — Pꝛiwate Devotions. ranſom, which was paid by thy Son for all, may be effectual to the ſaving of all. Give thy enlightening grace to thoſe that are in darkneſs, and thy converting grace to thoſe that are in ſin: Look with thy tendereſt com- paſſions upon the univerſal Church: O be favourable and gracious unto Sion, build thou the walls of Jeruſalem: Unite all thoſe, that 1 — thy name, to thee by purity and ho- lineſs, and to each other by brotherly love. Have mercy on this deſolate Church, and ſinful Nation; thou haſt moved the land, and divided it, heal the ſores thereof, for it ſhaketh, Make us fo truly to repent of thoſe fins which have provoked thy judgments, that thou alſo mayſt turn, and repent, and leave a bleſſing behind thee. Bleſs thoſe whom thou haſt appointed our governors, whether in Church or State: So rule their hearts, and ſtrengthen their hands, that they may neither want will nor power to puniſh wickedneſs and vice, and to maintain God's true religion and virtue. Have pity, O Lord, on all that are in afflict- tion; be a father to the fatherleſs; and plead the cauſe of the widow: Comfort the feeble- to their bodies or their ſouls; [Here name minded, ſupport the weak, heal the fick, re- lieve the needy, defend the oppreſſed, and adminiſter to every one according to their ſeveral neceſſities. Let thy bleſſings reſt upon all that are near and dear to me, and grant them whatſoever thou ſeeſt neceſſary, either thy dd of beds an. rr a F RY ——— «OO ®. E yg UT 1 9 1 Fore 3 — Prayers for Morning. 411 thy neareſt relations] Reward all thoſe that have done me good, and pardon all thoſe that have done or wiſhed me evil: and work in them and me all that good which may make us acceptable in thy ſight, through Jeſus Chriſt, 4 For Preſervation. Merciful God, by whoſe Bounty alone it is that I have this day added to my life, I beſeech thee ſo to guide me in it by thy grace, that I may do nothing. which. may diſhonour thee, or wound my own ſoul ; but that I may diligently apply my- ſelf to do all ſuch good works, as thou has prepared for me to walk in: And, Lord, I beſeech thee, give thy Angels charge over me, to keep me in all my ways, that no evil happen unto me, nor any plague come nigh my dwelling, but that I and mine may be ſafe under thy gracious Protection, through Jeſus Chriſt, imperfect prayers, ſaying, Our Father, &c. Lord, 'pardon the wandrings and cold- O neſs of theſe petitions, and deal with me not according either to my prayers or de- ſerts, but according to my needs, and thine own rich mercies in Jeſus Chriſt, in whoſe bleſſed name and words I conclude theſe my DIREC- = - roy « +4 * . * * 0 Pzivate Deustions PDIRECTIONs for NIGHT, AT Night, when it draws towards the time of reſi, bethink thyſelf how thou baft paſſed the day: Examine thine own heart har fin either of thought, word or deed thou haſt committed, what opportunity of doing good thou haſt omitted, and whatſoever thou nde: to accuſe thyſelf of, confeſs humbl and penttently to God; Renew thy purpoſes and pus 4; ons of amendment, and * pardon in Cbriſt; and this not ſligbtiy, and only as of courſe, but with all devout ear- 5 * and heartineſs, as thou woulaſt do, if thou wert ſure thy death were as near ap- preaching as thy fleep, which for ought thou 22 may be ſo indeed: And therefore thou ſhouldſt no more venture to ſleep unreconciled fo God, than thou would/t dare to die ſo. In the next place confider what ſpecial and ex- traordinary mercies thou baſt that day re- cerued ; as if \thou haſt. had any great del.- verance, either in thy inward man, from ſome dangerous temptation, or in thy outward, from any great and apparent danger, and offer to God thy hearty and devout praiſe for the ſame : Or, if nothing extraordinary have fo happened, and thou haſt been kept even from the approach of danger, thou hajt not the leſs but the greater cauſe to magnify God, who bath by bis protection ſo guarded thee, that nat _— —__ nada het r. — Prchers for Night. - = 1 * = #5 * 413. ö i not ſo much as the fear of evil hath aſſaulted thee. And therefore omit not to pay him the tribute of humble thankfulneſs, as well for his uſual and daily preſervations, as his more ex- traordinary deliverances. And above all, en- deavour ſtill by the confideration of his mercies to have thy heart the more cloſely knit to bim; remembering that every favour received from bam is a new engagement pon thee to love and obey =. - Prayers for Ni ight. O Holy, bleſſed, and glorious Trinity, three Perſons, and one God, have mercy upon me a miſerable ſinner. Lord, I know not what to pray for as I | ought, O let thy Spirit help my infirmities, and enable me to offer up a ſpiritual ſacrificę acceptable unto thee by Jeſus Chriſt, | A Confeſſion. | Moſt holy Lord God, who art ofa purer eyes 8 to behold iniquity, how ſhall I, abominable wretch, dare to appear before thee, who am nothing but pollution; I am defiled in my yery nature, having a backward- neſs to all good, and a readineſs to all evil: but I have defiled myſelf yet much worſe by my own actual fins and — cuſtoms: I have tranſgreſſed my duty to thee, my neigh- bour and my ſelf, and that both in thought, in word, and in deed, by doing thoſe things which thou haſt * forbidden, and by ne- 1 Pn vate Devotions. ” * * * 1 1 SE. 7 : neglecting to do thoſe things thou haſt com- manded me; and this not only through igno- Trance and frailty, but knowingly and willfully, againſt the motions of thy Spirit, and the checks of my own conſcience to the contrary. And to make all theſe out of meaſure ſinful, I have gone on in a daily courſe of repeating theſe provocations againſt thee, notwithſtand- ing all thy calls to, and my own purpoſes and vows of amendment ; yea, this very day I have not ceaſed to add new ſins to all my for- mer guilts: 2 name the particulars] And now, O Lore I open my mouth, feeing I have done theſe things? 1 know that the wages of theſe fins is death ; but, O thou, who willeſt not the death of a finner, have mercy upon me; work in me, I befeech thee, a fincere contrition and a perfect hatred of my ſins; and let me not daily confeſs, and yet as daily renew them: But grant, O Lord, that from this inſtant I may give'a bill of divorce to all my moſt be- loved luſts, and then be thou pleaſed to marry me to thyſelf in truth, in righteouſneſs, and holineſs. And for all my paſt fins, O Lord, receive a reconciliation ; accept of that ran- fon thy bleſſed Son hath paid for me, and for his ſake whom thou haſt ſet forth as a Propi- tiation, pardon all my offences, and receive me to thy favour : And when thou haſt thus ſpoken peace to my (6ul, Lord, keep me, that I turn not any more to folly ; but ſo eſtabliſh me with - 2. © S lag tt. 1 „what ſhall I fay, or how ſhall EE ns ron ones ent it. wed os fed 266 > > 2A. Be 1 we. 48 ty oo. FFF ⁰ Ä½)]˙Ü˙wt!̃ ͤ ß ̃ SE CTT a ̃ͤ—ͤ ̃7 um TT, rr ee a ans 6, * +;. FRO * ' Prayers for Night. Devil, or my own fleſh, may ever draw-me to offend thee ; that being made free from fin, and becoming a ſervant unto God, I may have 3 1 thy grace, that no temptation of the world, the by my fruit unto holineſs, and the end everlaſt- ang lite, through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord. A Thankſgiving. Thou Father of mercies, who art kind even tothe unthankful, I acknowledge myſelf to have abundantly experimented that gracious property of thine ; for notwithhſtand- ing my daily provocations againſt thee, thou ſtill heapeſt mercy and loving-kindneſs upon me. All my-contempts and deſpifings of thy une fayours have not yet made thee with- raw them; but in the riches of thy goodneſs and long- ſuffering, thou ſtill continueſt to me the offers of grace and life in thy Son. And all my abuſes of thy temporal bleflings thou haſt not . puniſhed with an utter deprivation of them, but ſtill art pleaſed to afford me a li- beral portion of them. The ſins of this day thou not repaid, as juſtly thou mighteſt, by ſweeping me away with a ſwift deſtruction, but haſt ſpared and preſerved me according to the greatneſs of thy mercy. ¶ Here mention the particular mercies of that day] what ſhall 1 render unto the Lord for all thoſe benefits he hath done unto me ? Lord, let this good- neſs of thine lead me to repentance ; and | b grant * grant that I may not only offer thee thanks and praiſe, but may alſo order my converſa- tion aright, that ſo I may at the laſt ſee the falvation of God, through Jeſus Chriſt. ' Interceſſion, appointed for the Morning. Fer Preſervation. 4 Bleſſed Lord, the Keeper of Mael, that neither ſlumbereſt nor ſleepeſt, be plea- ſed in thy mercy to watch over me this night: Keep me by thy grace from all works of darkneſs, and defend me by thy power from all dangers: Grant me moderate and refreſhing ſleep, ſuch as may fit me for the duties of the day following: And, Lord, make me ever mindful of that time when I ſhall lie down in the duſt: And, becauſe I know neither the day nor the hour of my Maſter's coming, grant me grace, that I may be al- ways ready, that I may never live in ſuch a Rate as I ſhall fear to die in; but that whe- ther I live, I may live unto the Lord, or whether I die, I may die unto the Lord; fo — that living and dying I may be thine, through Jeſus Chriſt. | . 1 Us the ſame concluding Prayer as in the 48 Directions for Night. 8 ICED —— 8 5 6 — ü 4 thou art putting © ff thy clothes, think | with thyſelf that the time approuches that thou muſt put off thy body alſo, and then thy foul muſt appear naked before God's Judgment's Seat; and therefore thou hadjt need be careful to make it ſo clean and pure, by repentance and holi- neſs, that be who will not look on iniquity, may graciouſly behold and accept it. Let thy bed put thee in mind of thy grave ; and when thou left down Jay, Bleſſed Saviour, who by thy precious death and burial didſt take away the ſting of death, and the power of the grave, grant me the joyful fruits of that thy victory, and be thou to me in life and death advantage. I will lay me down in peace and take my reſt ; for it is thou, Lord, only, that makeſt me to dwell in fafety. Into thy hands I commend my ſpirit ; for thou haſt redeemed it, O Lord, thou God of Truth. | — | | — 1 N the AncieEnT CHURCH there were bes fades morning and night, four other Times every day, which were called HouRs oF PRAYER; and the zeal of thoſe firſt Chriſtians vas ſuch, as made them conſtantly obſerved. Ir would be thought too great a ſtrictneſs now, in this lukewarn age, to enjuin the like E 8 Fre- *. > » a. 11. 10 2 Pyꝛivate Devotions. % overlaid wit 22 Yet I cannot but mention the exam- ple, a ſay, that for thoſe, who are not by very neceſſary buſineſs prevented, it will be but reaſo- able to imitate it, and make up in publick and private thoſe Foux TiMEs of PRAYER, be- | fades the Oprioxs already ſet down for MoRkx- ING and NIGHT ; and, that none may be to ſeek how to exerciſe their devotions at theſe times, J have added diverſe CoLlLEcTs for ſeveral Graces, whereof every man may uſe at each ſuch time of prayer ſo many as his zeal and leiſure ſhall point out to him; adding, if he pleaſe, one of the confeſſions appointed for Morning and Night, and never omitting the LoRD's PRAYER, But if any man's ſlate of hife be really ſo buſy, as will not allow him time for ſo long and ſo- lemn devotions ; yet certainly there is no man 9 bufineſs, but that he may find leiſure oftentimes in a day to ſay the Lokp's PRAYER alone, and therefore let him ufe that if he cannot more. But becauſe it is the cha- racter of a Chriſtian, Phil. iii. 20. That he hath his converſation in heaven; it is wy fit, that befides theſe ſet-times of Prayer, ſhould diverſe times in a day, by ſhort and ſud- den EJACULATIONS, dart up his ſoul thither, And for this yore of devotion no man can want leiſure; for it may be performed in the mi F buſineſs, the artificer at his work, the buſ= bandman at bis plough, may practiſe it. Now, as be cannot want time, ſo that he may not want matter for it, I bave thought it not unuſeful, * | POOP — — —— — — . nid — r ay 2 Collefts for ſeveral Graces. of that rich florehouſe, THE Book or PSALMS, to furniſh him with ſome texts, which may very fitly be uſed for this purpoſe, which being learned by heart, will always be ready at hand to em- ploy his devotion ; and the matter of them be- ing various, ſome for pardon of fin, ſome far grace, ſome for the light of God's countenance, ſome for the church, ſome for thankſgiving; &c. Every man may fit "oy according to the pre- ſent need and temper of his foul, I have given theſe, not as a full collection, but only as a taſte, by which the reader's appetite may be raiſed to ſearch after more in that book, and other parts of Holy Scripture. PCS FELSEINES Mo * COLLECTS for ſeveral GRACES, For Faith, Bleſſed Lord, whom without Faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe ; let thy Spirit, I beſeech thee, work in me ſuch a Faith, as may be acceptable in thy ſight, even ſuch as worketh by love. O let me not reſt in a dead ineffectual faith, but grant that it may be ſuch as may ſhew itſelf by my works, that it may be that victorious faith, which may enable me to overcome the world; and con- form me to the image of that Chriſt, on whom I believe; that ſo at the laſt I may re- IR E e 2 ceive 420 Pꝛivate Devotions. dceemer. ceive the end of my faith, even the ſalvation of my ſoul, by the ſame Jeſus Chriſt. ; For Hope. Lord, whoart the hope of all the ends of the earth, let me never be deſtitute of a well-grouned hope, nor yet poſſeſſed with a vain preſumption : ſuffer me not to think thou wilt either be reconciled to my fins, or reject my repentance ; but give me, I beſeech thee, ſuch a hope as may be anſwerable to the only ground of hope, thy promiſes, and ſuch as may both encourage and enable me to purify myſelf from all filthineſs both of fleſh and ſpirit ; that ſo it may indeed become to me an anchor of the ſoul both ſure and ſted- faſt, entering even within the vail, whither the fore-runner is for me entered, even Jeſus Chriſt, my High Prieſt, and bleſſed Re- For the Love of God. FAN Holy and Gracious Lord, who art infi- nitely excellent in thyſelf, and infi- nitely bountiful and compaſſionate towards me, I beſeech thee, ſuffer not my heart to be ſo hardened through the deceitfulneſs of fin, as to reſiſt ſuch charms of love, but let them make deep and laſting impreſſions on my ſoul. Lord, thou art pleated to require my heart, and thou only haſt a right to it; O let me not be ſo ſacrilegiouſly unjuſt, as to alienate any | part WOE MG 1 e Ns. Ae ot NS. 420 Collects for ſeveral Graces. 421 part of it, but enable me to render it up whole and entire to thee. But, O my God, thou ſeeſt it is already uſurped; the world with its. vanities hath ſeized it, and like a ſtrong man arm'd, keeps poſſeſſion. O thou, who art ſtronger, come upon him, and take this unworthy heart of mine as thine own ſpoil, refine it with that purifying fire of thy love, that it may be a fit habitation for thy Spirit. Lord, if thou ſee it fit, be pleaſed to let me taſte of thoſe joys, thoſe raviſhments of thy love, wherewith thy Saints have been ſo tranſ- ported. But if in this I know not what I aſk, if I may not chuſe my place in thy Kingdom, yet, O Lord, deny me not to drink of thy cup: Let me have ſuch a fincerity and degree of love, as may make me endure any thing for thy ſake; ſuch a perfect love, as may caſt out all fear and ſloth too, that nothing may ſeem to me too grievous to ſuffer, or too difficult to do, in obedience to thee; that ſo, expreſſing my love by keeping thy commandments, I may, by thy mercy, at laſt obtain that crown of life, which thou haſt promiſed to thoſe that love thee, through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord. For Sincerity. Holy Lord, who requireſt truth in the inward parts, Thumbly beſeech thee to | purge me from all hypocriſy and unfincerity.. The heart, O Lord, is deceitful above all things, . and * * P Paivate Devotions. : and my heart is deceitful above all hearts : O thou, who ſearcheſt the heart and reins, try me, and ſeek the ground of my heart, and | ſuffer not any accurſed thing to lurk within me; but purify me even with fire, ſo thou conſume my drofs. O Lord, I cannot deceive thee, but I may moſt eafily deceive myſelf. I beſeech thee, let me not reſt in any ſuch de- ceit, but bring me to a ſight and hatred of my moſt hidden corruptions, that I may not che- riſh any darling luſt, but make an utter deſtruc- tion of every Amalekite. O ſuffer me not to ſpeak peace to myſelf, when there is no peace; but grant I may judge of myſelf as thou judgeſt of me, that I may never be at peace with myſelf, till I am at perfect peace with thee, and, by purity of heart, be qualify'd to ſee thee in thy Kingdom, through Jeſus Chriſt, For Devotion in Prayer. Gracious Lord God, who not only per- mitteſt, but inviteſt us miſerable and | needy creatures to preſent our petitions to thee; grant, I beſeech thee, that the frequency of my prayer may be ſomewhat proportiona- ble to thoſe continual needs. I have of thy mercy, Lord, I confeſs it is the greateſt ho- nour, and greateſt advantage, thus to be al- lowed acceſs to thee; yet ſo ſottiſh and ſtupid is my profane heart, that it ſhuns or fruſ- trates the opportunities of it, My ſoul, 0 F Lord, — — Ciullects for ſeveral _—_ 4 de Lord, is poſſeſſed with a ſpirit of infirmity ; it - is bowed together, and can no wile lift u itſelf to thee. O be thou pleaſed to cure this fad, this miſerable diſeaſe, to inſpirit and enli- ven this earthly, droſſy heart, that it may freely mount towards thee ; that I may ſet a true va- lue on this moſt valuable ou” fou and take delight in approaching to thee ; and that my approaches may be with a reverence ſome wa anſwerable to that awful Majeſty I come be- fore; with an apportunity and earneſtneſs an- ſwerable to thoſe preſſing wants I have to be ſupplied ; and with ſuch a fixedneſs and atten- tion of mind, as no wandering thoughts may interrupt: that I may no more incur the guilt of drawing near to thee with my lips, when my heart is far from thee, or have my Prayers turned into fin ; but may ſo aſk, thatT may receive; ſeek, that I may find; knock, that it may be opened unto me; that from praying to thee here, I may be tranſlated to the praiſing theeeternally in thy glory, through the merits and intereeſſion of Jeſus Chriſt. For Humility. Thou high and lofty One, that inha- biteſt eternity, yet art pleaſed to dwell with the humble ſpirit, poor into my heart, I beſeech thee, that excellent grace of humi- lity, which may utterly work out all thoſe vain conceits I have of myſelf: Lord, con- Ee 4 vince P" i 424 — Pꝛivate Devoitons. 95 vince me powerfully of my own wretched- neſs ; make me to ſee that I am miſerable, and wy and blind, and naked, andnot only duſt, ut fin ; that fo, in all thy deſpenſations to- wards me, I may lay my hand upon my mouth, and heartily acknowledge that I am leſs than the leaſt of thy mercies, and greater than the oreateſt of thy judgments. And, O Lord, grant me not only to walk humbly with my God, but even with men alſo, that I may not only ſubmit myſelf to thy rebukes, but even to thoſe of my Fellow-Chriſtians, and with meekneſs receive and obey their admo- nitions. And make me ſo to behave myſelf towards all, that never do any thing through ſtrife and vain-glory ; and to that end grant that in lowlineſs of mind I may eſteem every other man better than myſelf, and be wil- ling that others ſhould eſteem them ſo alſo : that I neither nouriſh any high opinion of myſelf, nor covet one among others ; but, that deſpiſing the vain praiſe of men, I may ſeek that praiſe which cometh from thee , only: That ſo, inſtead of thoſe mean ſervile arts I have uſed to recommend me to the eſteem of men, I may now employ all my induſtry and care to improve myſelf to thee, who refiſteſt the proud, and giveſt grace to the humble. Grant this, O Lord, for his ſake, who humbled himſelf unto the death of the croſs, N Chriſt. For (92 * 11! ww ” ww CT Www MR" was pp %Y < -FEAY o0 %F „ Collects for ſeveral Graces 42 1 For the Fear of God. Glorious Majeſty, who only arthigh and to be feared, poſſeſs my ſoul with a holy awe and reverence of thee, that I may give thee the honour due unto thy Name, and may bear ſuch a reſpec to all things which relate to thee, that I may never profane any holy thing, or ſacrilegiouſly invade what thou haſt ſet apart to thyſelf. And, O Lord, ſince thou art a God that wilt not clear the guilty, let the dread of thy juſtice make me tremble to provoke thee in any thing. O let me not ſo miſplace my fear, as to be afraid of a man that ſhall die, and of the Son of Man, who ſhall be made as graſs, and forget the Lord my Maker; but repleniſh my ſoul with that fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wiſdom, which may be as a bridle to all my brutiſh appetites; and keep me in a conſtant _ conformity to thy holy will. Hear me, O Lord, I beſeech thee, and put this fear in my heart that I may not depart from thee; but may, with fear and trembling, work out my own falyation, through Jeſus Chriſt. For Truſt on God. \ Almighty Lord, who neyer faileſt them that truſt in thee, give me grace, I be- ſeech thee, in all my difficulties and diſtreſſes to have recourſe to thee, to reſt and depend on thee : Thou ſhalt keep Bi; O Lord, in per- tect 426 nm. ” . Ptvare Devotions. fe& peace, whoſe mind is ſtaid on this. O let me always reſt on this firm pillar, and never exchange it for the broken reeds of worldly ſuccours: Suffer not my heart to be over- charged with the cares of this life, taking thought what I ſhall eat or drink, or where- withal I ſhall be clothed ; but grant, that hav- ing by honeſt labour and induſtry done my part, I may chearfully commit myſelf to thy providence, | caſting all my care upon thee, and being careful for nothing, but to be of the number of thoſe whom thou ownefſt and careſt for, even ſuch as keep thy teſtimonies, and think upon thy commandments to do them; that ſeeking firſt thy kingdom, and the righteouſneſs thereof, all theſe outward things may be added unto me in ſuch a meaſure, as thy wiſdom knows beſt for me. Grant this, O Lord, for Jeſus Chriſt his fake. For Thankfulneſs. Moft gracious and bountiful Lord, who filleſt all things living with good, and expecteſt no other return, but praiſe and _ thankſgiving ; let me, O Lord, never de- fraud thee of that ſo eaſy tribute; but let my heart be ever filled with the ſenſe, and my mouth with the acknowledgment of thy mercies. It is a joyful and pleaſant thing to be thankful; O ſuffer me not, I beſeech thee, to loſe my part in that divine pleaſure : But grant, that as I daily receive bleſſings from | 1 thee, tears to waſh my of a ſe * Collets- for ſeveral Grace. 427 thee, ſo I may daily, from an affectionate and devout heart, offer up thanks to thee; and grant that not only my lips, but my life, may ſhew forth thy praiſe, by conſecrating myſelf to thy ſervice, and walking in holineſs and righteouſneſs before thee all the days of my life, through Jeſus Chriſt my Lord and bleſſed Saviour, | For Contrition. Holy Lord, who art a merciful embracer of true penitents, but yet a conſuming fire towards obſtinate ſinners, how ſhall I ap- proach thee, who have ſo many provoking fins to inflame thy wrath, and ſo little ſincere re- pentance to incline thy mercy! O be thou plea- {ed to ſoften and melt this hard obdurate heart of mine, that I may heartily bewail the Ini- Tong of my Life: ſtrike this rock, O Lord, at the waters may flow out, even floods of polluted conſcience, M drouſy ſoul hath too long ſlept ſecurely in fin ; Lord, awake it, though it be with thunder, and let me rather feel thy terrors, than not feel my fin. Thou ſenteſt thy bleſſed Son to heal the broken- hearted; but, Lord, what will that avail me, if my heart be whole? O break it, thatitmay be capable of this healing virtue; and grant, I beſeech thee, that having once taſted the bit- terneſs ef ſin, I may fly from it as from the face rpent, and bring forth fruits of repen- tance, in amendment of life, to the praiſe and | glory. 1 Pꝛivate Devotions. glory of thy grace, in Jeſus Chriſt our Bleſſed Redeemer. For Meekneſs. Blefled Jeſu, who waſt led. as a ſheep to the ſlaughter, let, I beſeech thee, that admirable example of meekneſs quench in me all ſparks of anger and revenge, and work in me ſuch a gentleneſs and calmneſs of ſpirit, as no provocations may ever be able to diſturb. Lord, grant I may be ſo far from offering the leaſt injury, that I may never return the great- eſt, any otherwiſe than with prayers and kind- neſs; that I, who have ſo many talents to be forgiven by thee, may never exact pence of my brethren; but that putting on bowels of mercy, meekneſs, long-ſuffering, thy peace may rule in my heart, and make it an accept- able habitation to thee who art the Prince of Peace; to whom with the Father and Holy Spirit be all honour and glory forever. For Chaſtity. Holy and immaculate Jeſus, whoſe fir deſcent wasinto the Virgin's womb, and who doſt ſtill love to inhabit only in pure and virgin hearts; I beſeech thee, ſend thy Spirit of purity to cleanſe me from all filthineſs both of fleſh and ſpirit. My body, O Lord, is the 'Temple of the Holy Ghoſt; O let me never llute that Temple with any uncleanneſs. And becauſe out of the heart proceed. the things 3 hog popes — fd © gu} ond þ ra —. Aa” K = A © fo _ + 44 ©, = OFF "Collects 'for | ſeveral Graces. 