Certain devout prayers of Mr. Bolton upon solemn occasions. PublishedCertaine devout prayers of Mr. Bolton upon solemne occasions. Published

O Eternal GOD, most mighty and most fearful, which dwellest in the highest Heavens, and with thy wise providence directest all things •o an excellent end; Thou which art to the wicked and rebellious wretches a terrible Judge and consuming fire; but to the humble and repentant sinners a strong tower of ⟨p. 55⟩defence, and their everlasting reward. We the unworthiest of all thy creatures, though the most noble by Creation; for they in their kinds and several conditions do thee honour and service, but we whom thou hast placed in this world for a more excellent glorifying of thee, have not only made our selves more vile then the basest creatures, and more senseless in thy service then the beasts that perish, but have even conspired with Hell, Satan and all ⟨p. 56⟩the powers of darkness to blaspheme and dishonour thy great Name, to profane thy Sabbaths, to break all thy holy Laws and Commandments. We O LORD thus wretched and unworthy are here ashamed and confounded in thy presence, for our iniquities are increased over our heads and our trespasses are grown up unto the heaven, and so grievous are they that if thou shouldest require but the least of them at our hands, Satan would challenge us for his, and ⟨p. 57⟩we should never see thy face again, nor the Heavens, nor the Earth, nor all the goodness which thou hast prepared for man. The thoughts of our hearts rise up in judgement against us; for whereas they should be meditating of thy mercies and goodness, of honouring thee in our vocations, whereas they should be knit fast unto thy blessed Word, O LORD, they are for the most part idle, wicked, enticing, and full of the corruption of our raging concupiscence. ⟨p. 58⟩The vanity of our talk condemneth us, for whereas our words should be spent in defending thy honour and truth, in reprehending the horrible sins of those amongst whom we live, in giving grace to those that hear us, they are for the most part full of profaneness, worldliness and lying. The wickedness of our deeds cry continually for vengeance and curses upon us; for besides our many and gross sins, even our best actions are fearfully infected with ⟨p. 59⟩