The Practice of Piety

And here. O Lord, according to our bounden duty▪ we confess that thou hast been exceeding merciful unto us all, in things of this life: but infinitely more merciful in the things of a better life: and therefore we do here from our very souls render unto thee all humble and hearty thanks for all thy blessings and benefits bestowed upon our souls & bodies: acknowledging thee to be that Father of lights, from whom we have received all these good and perfect gifts;¹ and unto thee alone for them, we ascribe to be due, ⟨p. 475⟩all glory, honour, and praise, both now and evermore. But more especially, we praise thy divine majesty, for that thou hast defended us this day from all perils and dangers: so that none of those judgements (which our sins have deserved) have fallen upon any one of us. Good Lord, forgive us the sins, which this day we have committed against thy divine Majesty, and our Brethren: and for Christ his sake, be reconciled unto us for them. And we beseech thee likewise of the same thine infinite goodness and mercy, to defend and protect us,² and all that belong unto us, this night, from all danger of fire, robbery, terrors ⟨p. 476⟩of evil Angels, or any other fear or peril, which for our sins might justly fall upon us. And that we may be safe under the shadow of thy wings;³ we here commend our bodies and souls and all that we have, unto thine Almighty protection. Lord bless and defend both us and them from all evil. And whilst we sleep do thou, O Father, who never slumberest nor sleepest, watch over thy children, and give a charge to thy holy Angels, ⁴to pitch their tents round about our house and dwelling, to guard us from all dangers. That sleeping with thee we may in the next morning be wakened by thee; and so being refreshed with ⟨p. 477⟩