A01982:365
A short catechismA short catechisme
A short catechism wherein are briefly laid down the fundamental principles of Christian religion. Needful to be known of all such as come to the Lords Table. Whereunto is added morning and evening prayer for a family.A short catechisme wherein are briefely laid downe the fundamentall principles of Christian religion. Needfull to be knowne of all such as come to the Lords Table. Whereunto is added morning and euening prayer for a family.
London: printed by Jo. Beale, 1616London: printed by Io. Beale, 1616
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Evening Prayer for a Family.
Euening Prayer for a Familie.
Merciful Father, Lord of heaven & earth, by thy good providence have we been safely kept this day, and all the days of our life heretofore. Many are the blessings which throughout the whole course of our life we have received from thee. It hath pleased thee to afford us sufficient means for the preservation of our life, health, and estate in this world, and also to bring us to eternal life: we praise thy holy name for them all: And now being about to go to our rest for this night, we commend ourselves, souls, bodies, goods, and all that belong to us, to thy safe keeping. O Lord accept us in thy beloved Son, and be reconciled unto us, pardon we beseech thee all the sins which this day, or at any time heretofore we have committed ⟨image 27⟩against thee: grant that we may put off the old man with all the corrupt lusts thereof, and that the nearer we approach unto our dissolution, and the glorious appearing of Christ unto judgement, the better we may be prepared thereunto. For this end (we most humbly and earnestly pray thee) our knowledge of thy holy will, strengthen our faith in thy gracious promises, establish our hope of eternal life, work in our harts such a sweet sense of thy love to us, as thereby we may be provoked to love thee again; and in and for thee to love our brethren, yea even our enemies. Give us grace daily to renew our repentance, and to bring forth fruits meet for repentance. Continue in us a true fear of thy great name, which may keep us from sinning against thee; and an holy zeal of thy glory, which may stir us up to honour thee. Season all other graces with honesty, ⟨image 27⟩and sincerity of heart, wherewith thou (O Lord, the searcher of hearts) art much delighted. So frame the disposition of our minds and hearts, as we may wholly resign our selves to thy guiding providence, and remain contented in our several places, patient under all crosses, thankful for all blessings, and constant in our Christian course, till we come to receive the Crown of glory, promised by thy divine Majesty to all that overcome. In particular, we beseech thee to bless us this night, and to take us into thy safe protection. O our God, who neither slumberest, nor sleepest, watch over us whether we wake or sleep. Keep us, and all that belong unto us safe from all dangers: