A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the dutiesA guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties

A thanksgiving after the receiving of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper.

A thankesgiuing after the receiuing of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper.

O Lord our God, most glorious and most gracious, infinite in bounty and goodness unto all thy children and servants in Jesus Christ, we do here offer unto thee the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, and do laud and magnify thy great and glorious Name, for all thy mercies and favours vouchsafed unto us; especially because thou hast loved us with an everlasting love, yea so loved us, that thou hast, of thy mere grace and free good will, even when we were strangers and enemies, given unto us thy Best-beloved and only Son, to work the great work of our Redemption, and by his death and precious blood-shed to deliver us out of the hands of all our spiritual enemies, and to free us from everlasting death and condemnation, that we might be heirs through him of eternal glory and happiness in thy Kingdom. We praise thee also for the free covenant of grace and salvation which thou hast made with us in him, whereby thou hast assured us of the remission of our sins, our reconciliation with thee, and of endless happiness in the life to come; and for confirming this covenant unto us, by annexing thereunto the seals thy Sacraments, ⟨p. 924⟩that thereby our weak faith might be strengthened and increased, and we more and more freed from doubting and incredulity. We thank thee (holy Father) for renewing this thy covenant with us this day, and for confirming our union with Jesus Christ our head, and one with another, by giving unto us his precious body and blood, as the Spiritual food of our souls, whereby they are nourished unto everlasting life. O Lord our God, it is thy great mercy, that thou nourishest our mortal bodies with food that perisheth, but how wonderful is this thy bounty and goodness, in that thou feedest our souls with this bread of Life that came down from heaven, and with this food that endureth to life eternal! If thou shouldest permit us but to gather up the crumbs that fall from thy Table, we must needs acknowledge, that it were a favour far above our deserts;

O Lord our God, most glorious and most gracious, infinite in bountie and goodnesse vnto all thy children and seruants in Iesus Christ, we doe here offer vnto thee the sacrifice of prayse and thankesgiuing, and doe laud and magnifie thy great and glorious Name, for all thy mercies and fauours vouchsafed vnto vs; especially because thou hast loued vs with an euerlasting loue, yea so loued vs, that thou hast, of thy meere grace and free good will, euen when we were strangers and enemies, giuen vnto vs thy Best-beloued and onely Sonne, to worke the great worke of our Redemption, and by his death and precious blood-shed to deliuer vs out of the hands of all our spirituall enemies, and to free vs from euerlasting death and condemnation, that we might be heires through him of eternall glory and happinesse in thy Kingdome. We prayse thee also for the free couenant of grace and saluation which thou hast made with vs in him, whereby thou hast assured vs of the remission of our sinnes, our reconciliation with thee, and of endlesse happinesse in the life to come; and for confirming this couenant vnto vs, by annexing thereunto the seales thy Sacraments, ⟨p. 924⟩that thereby our weake faith might be strengthened and increased, and wee more and more freed from doubting and incredulity. We thanke thee (holy Father) for renewing this thy couenant with vs this day, and for confirming our vnion with Iesus Christ our head, and one with another, by giuing vnto vs his precious body and blood, as the Spirituall food of our soules, whereby they are nourished vnto euerlasting life. O Lord our God, it is thy great mercie, that thou nourishest our mortall bodies with food that perisheth, but how wonderfull is this thy bounty and goodnesse, in that thou feedest our soules with this bread of Life that came downe from heauen, and with this food that endureth to life eternall! If thou shouldest permit vs but to gather vp the crummes that fall from thy Table, we must needes acknowledge, that it were a fauour farre aboue our deserts;

O then how should we admire and magnify thy mercy and bounty, in vouchsafing such vile and unworthy wretches, this high and holy privilege, to be feasted at thine own Table, not with ordinary cheer, but with such spiritual and divine delicacies, even the precious body and blood of thine only dear Son, whereby he becometh one with us, and we with him, even as thou, holy Father, and he are one, in that holy and happy union. O that our narrow hearts were enlarged, that we might in some measure apprehend this thine infinite and incomprehensible goodness! O that being cold in themselves, they were warmed and inflamed with the fire and flame of this divine love; that with the lively sense and feeling of it, we might be moved to return love for love, and express it by our fervent zeal and endeavour in all things, to please and glorify thee throughout the whole course of our lives and conversations! Which because it is not in our own power, O thou the rich fountain of all grace and goodness, inspire and inflame our cold and frozen hearts with the beams of thy love, shed abroad in them by thine holy Spirit, that we may love thee with unfeigned love, and contemning all things in comparison of thee, may long and labour after nothing so much, as to enjoy thee in this life by grace, and the presence of thy blessed Spirit, and by full and perfect vision and fruition in the life to come. To this end, gracious God, bless unto us thine holy Ordinances and means of our salvation, and by the inward assistance of thy good Spirit, make them powerful and effectual to the attaining of those ends, for which thou hast given, and we received them. Let us find hereby our union with Christ strengthened and confirmed, by feeling the Spiritual life and sap of grace derived unto us, and increased in us, from this root of righteousness, not only for our further assurance of our justification, but also for the perfecting of our sanctification, and the strengthening of us unto all Christian duties of a godly life.

O then how should wee admire and magnifie thy mercie and bountie, in vouchsafing such vile and vnworthy wretches, this high and holy priuiledge, to be feasted at thine owne Table, not with ordinary cheare, but with such spirituall and diuine delicacies, euen the precious body and blood of thine onely deare Sonne, whereby he becommeth one with vs, and we with him, euen as thou, holy Father, and he are one, in that holy and happie vnion. O that our narrow hearts were inlarged, that we might in some measure apprehend this thine infinite and incomprehensible goodnesse! O that being cold in themselues, they were warmed and inflamed with the fire and flame of this diuine loue; that with the liuely sense and feeling of it, wee might be mooued to returne loue for loue, and expresse it by our feruent zeale and indeuour in all things, to please and glorifie thee throughout the whole course of our liues and conuersations! Which because it is not in our owne power, O thou the rich fountaine of all grace and goodnesse, inspire and inflame our cold and frozen hearts with the beames of thy loue, shed abroad in them by thine holy Spirit, that we may loue thee with vnfained loue, and contemning all things in comparison of thee, may long and labour after nothing so much, as to enioy thee in this life by grace, and the presence of thy blessed Spirit, and by full and perfect vision and fruition in the life to come. To this end, gracious God, blesse vnto vs thine holy Ordinances and meanes of our saluation, and by the inward assistance of thy good Spirit, make them powerfull and effectuall to the attayning of those ends, for which thou hast giuen, and wee receiued them. Let vs finde hereby our vnion with Christ strengthened and confirmed, by feeling the Spirituall life and sap of grace deriued vnto vs, and increased in vs, from this roote of righteousnesse, not onely for our further assurance of our iustification, but also for the perfecting of our sanctification, and the strengthening of vs vnto all Christian duties of a godly life.

Finally, we beseech thee (dear Father) to enable us by thy grace and holy Spirit, that we may perform our vows and promises which we have made unto thee, especially in the time of preparation before we came to thy Table; and seeing in the sense and feeling of our wants and weaknesses in thy Spiritual graces, required to the worthy receiving of the Sacrament, as knowledge, faith, repentance and charity, we were displeased with our selves, and promised that we would endeavour to have them increased and strengthened for the time to come; good Lord, we beseech thee, give us grace to perform what we have promised, and to labour carefully and conscionably in the use of all good means, for the enriching of our souls with these and all other saving graces of thy sanctifying Spirit, that so also we may bring forth the fruits of them in our godly and Christian lives, to the glory of thy blessed Name, and the comfort and salvation of our bodies and souls, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Finally, we beseech thee (deare Father) to enable vs by thy grace and holy Spirit, that we may performe our vowes and promises which we haue made vnto thee, especially in the time of preparation before wee came to thy Table; and seeing in the sense and feeling of our wants and weakenesses in thy Spirituall graces, required to the worthy receiuing of the Sacrament, as knowledge, faith, repentance and charity, wee were displeased with our selues, and promised that we would indeuour to haue them increased and strengthened for the time to come; good Lord, we beseech thee, giue vs grace to performe what we haue promised, and to labour carefully and conscionably in the vse of all good meanes, for the inriching of our soules with these and all other sauing graces of thy sanctifying Spirit, that so also wee may bring forth the fruits of them in our godly and Christian liues, to the glory of thy blessed Name, and the comfort and saluation of our bodies and soules, through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer for the Sick.

A Prayer for the Sicke.

Most glorious and mighty God, who are righteous in all thy ways, and holy in all thy works; most just in all thy Judgements, and infinitely gracious, and merciful towards thy children in Jesus Christ, even in thy chastisements and Fatherly corrections; who art the Author of health and sickness, and hast in thy hand the issues of life & death. For as much as thou hast commanded us to call upon thee, as at all times, so especially in the time of trouble and affliction, and hast encouraged us hereunto by thy most gracious promise, that thou wilt hear and help us, that being delivered, we may glorify thee. We thy poor humble servants, in obedience unto this thy Commandment, and in confidence of this thy promise, do here in the Name and mediation of Jesus Christ, humbly prostrate our selves before thee, acknowledging and bewailing our manifold and grievous sins. For we were not only conceived and borne in sin, and thereby so defiled in all the powers and parts of our souls and bodies, that we have been disabled unto all good duties, and made prone to all wickedness; but we have also from this bitter root of original corruption, brought forth continually those cursed fruits of actual transgressions, by breaking all and every of thy Commandments in thought, word and deed, from the beginning of our lives, unto this present hour: And that not only in the days of our ignorance, whilst we continued the vassals of Satan, and when as sin reigned and ruled in us, and we performed unto it voluntary and cheerful obedience, as unto our King and Sovereign; but even since thou hast graciously called us out of the kingdom of darkness, and hast wrought in our hearts some desires to serve thee: we have often rebelled against thee, and for the base hire of worldly trifles, have been allured to commit many sins, not only through frailty and infirmity, but even against our knowledge and consciences; contrary to our general vow in Baptism, and many special promises which we have made unto thee upon sundry occasions. And although thou hast given unto us our Being, and preserved us in it by thy special and good providence, and hast redeemed us by the death of thy dear Son, out of the hands of all our spiritual enemies, that we might worship and serve thee, in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives;

MOst glorious and mighty God, who are righteous in all thy wayes, and holy in all thy workes; most iust in all thy Iudgements, and infinitely gracious, and mercifull towards thy children in Iesus Christ, euen in thy chastizements and Fatherly corrections; who art the Author of health and sicknesse, and hast in thy hand the issues of life & death. For as much as thou hast commanded vs to call vpon thee, as at all times, so especially in the time of trouble and affliction, and hast encouraged vs hereunto by thy most gracious promise, that thou wilt heare and helpe vs, that being deliuered, we may glorifie thee. We thy poore humble seruants, in obedience vnto this thy Commandement, and in confidence of this thy promise, doe here in the Name and mediation of Iesus Christ, humbly prostrate our selues before thee, acknowledging and bewayling our manifold and grieuous sinnes. For we were not onely conceiued and borne in sinne, and thereby so defiled in all the powers and parts of our soules and bodies, that wee haue beene disabled vnto all good duties, and made prone to all wickednesse; but wee haue also from this bitter roote of originall corruption, brought forth continually those cursed fruits of actuall transgressions, by breaking all and euery of thy Commandements in thought, word and deede, from the beginning of our liues, vnto this present houre: And that not onely in the dayes of our ignorance, whilest we continued the vassals of Satan, and when as sinne raigned and ruled in vs, and wee performed vnto it voluntarie and cheerefull obedience, as vnto our King and Soueraigne; but euen since thou hast graciously called vs out of the kingdome of darkenesse, and hast wrought in our hearts some desires to serue thee: we haue often rebelled against thee, and for the base hire of worldly trifles, haue beene allured to commit many sinnes, not onely through frailty and infirmity, but euen against our knowledge and consciences; contrarie to our generall vow in Baptisme, and many speciall promises which wee haue made vnto thee vpon sundry occasions. And although thou hast giuen vnto vs our Beeing, and preserued vs in it by thy speciall and good prouidence, and hast redeemed vs by the death of thy deare Sonne, out of the hands of all our spirituall enemies, that wee might worship and serue thee, in holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of our liues;

yet, Lord, we humbly confess, that we have been too too forgetful of these inestimable mercies, neglected the duties of thy service, and spent the greatest part of our lives in pursuing worldly vanities. These, these (dear Father) have been for the most part the subject of our thoughts, the object of our desires, and the chief marks, at which we have aimed in our most earnest endeavours. And so have we in our understandings minded earthly things, in our hearts affected them with such longing desires, and with all our strength pursued them in all our ⟨p. 957⟩works and actions, as though we had no better hopes, and had forgotten that we are pilgrims on earth, and Citizens of heaven. As for the duties of thy service, we have often, through this eager pursuit of worldly vanities, forgotten and neglected them; and often have performed them with much coldness and formality, weakness and weariness, dullness and drowsiness of heart and spirit, whilst our minds and affections have been distracted and carried away, and our devotion and zeal cooled and quenched, by our over-much minding and loving of earthly things. And though thou hast allured us to perform unto thee more sincere and cheerful service, by promising to give us the rich wages, and free reward of heavenly happiness; yea for the present hast encouraged us hereunto, by multiplying upon us many temporal blessings; as health, strength, peace, plenty, food, apparel, and such like: yet we have abused these benefits, by taking occasion thereby to go on in our sins with greater security, and have been made by them more negligent in thy service. And therefore (O Lord) it were just with thee, if thou shouldest deprive us of them all, turning our strength into weakness, our health into sickness, and all our peace and comfort into tortures of body, and troubles of mind. But (dear Father) deal with us, not according to our deserts, but according to thy wonted mercies in Jesus Christ. And seeing the end of thy chastisements is not destruction, but salvation; not to punish our sins, for which thy Son hath fully satisfied thy Justice by his all-sufficient sufferings; but to bring us to repentance:

yet, Lord, wee humbly confesse, that wee haue beene too too forgetfull of these inestimable mercies, neglected the duties of thy seruice, and spent the greatest part of our liues in pursuing worldly vanities. These, these (deare Father) haue beene for the most part the subiect of our thoughts, the obiect of our desires, and the chiefe markes, at which we haue aymed in our most earnest indeuours. And so haue wee in our vnderstandings minded earthly things, in our hearts affected them with such longing desires, and with all our strength pursued them in all our

we most humbly beseech thee, to give unto us a true sight and sense of them, unfeigned sorrow, and a perfect hatred of them, and a full resolution to leave and forsake them for the time to come, and to serve thee in the contrary duties of holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives. And thus returning unto thee by unfeigned repentance (O Lord) we beseech thee turn unto us, and be reconciled unto us in Jesus Christ. Forget and forgive our manifold and grievous sins, whether of omission or commission; of frailty and infirmity: or those which we have wittingly and willingly fallen into; and wash them all away in the blood of thy Son, that they may never be imputed unto us, either in this world, or in the world to come. Seal also our pardon unto us in our hearts and consciences, by the gracious testimony of thy holy Spirit, and thereby sanctify us through-out in our souls and bodies, that being freed from the guilt, punishment, and corruption of all our sins, we may be found unblameable and without spot in the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Replenish our empty souls with all sanctifying and saving graces, and strengthen us unto the performance of all Christian and holy duties, with all zeal, cheerfulness and uprightness of heart. More especially, we humbly entreat thee to extend thy grace and favour unto this thy sick servant, and sanctify this thy fatherly chastisement unto him, that it may be an effectual means of increasing his sanctification, and furthering his eternal salvation. And seeing by sickness, thou puttest us in mind of our approaching end, and by death, summonest us to appear before thee in Judgement: O Lord, give him grace, to prepare himself against the day of death, that he may be ready to render up his accounts, when thou shalt call him to give up his reckoning, ⟨p. 958⟩and so with joy and cheerfulness may commend his soul and body unto thee, as into the hands of a faithful Saviour, who wilt crown them both with joy and glory. Let him continually endeavour to suppress the power of death, and to take away the sting of it, by mortifying the flesh, and the lusts thereof. Give him grace to renew his covenant with thee, by renewing the condition of it, which is, embracing thy promises by a lively faith, and bringing forth the fruits thereof by unfeigned repentance.

we most humbly beseech thee, to giue vnto vs a true sight and sense of them, vnfained sorrow, and a perfect hatred of them, and a full resolution to leaue and forsake them for the time to come, and to serue thee in the contrary duties of holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of our liues. And thus returning vnto thee by vnfained repentance (O Lord) we beseech thee turne vnto vs, and be reconciled vnto vs in Iesus Christ. Forget and forgiue our manifold and grieuous sinnes, whether of omission or commission; of frailty and infirmity: or those which wee haue wittingly and willingly falne into; and wash them all away in the blood of thy Son, that they may neuer be imputed vnto vs, either in this world, or in the world to come. Seale also our pardon vnto vs in our hearts and consciences, by the gracious testimony of thy holy Spirit, and thereby sanctifie vs thorow-out in our soules and bodies, that being freed from the guilt, punishment, and corruption of all our sinnes, we may be found vnblameable and without spot in the Day of our Lord Iesus Christ. Replenish our empty soules with all sanctifying and sauing graces, and strengthen vs vnto the performance of all Christian and holy duties, with all zeale, cheerfulnesse and vprightnesse of heart. More especially, we humbly intreat thee to extend thy grace and fauour vnto this thy sicke seruant, and sanctifie this thy fatherly chastisement vnto him, that it may be an effectuall meanes of increasing his sanctification, and furthering his eternall saluation. And seeing by sicknesse, thou puttest vs in mind of our approching end, and by death, summonest vs to appeare before thee in Iudgement: O Lord, giue him grace, to prepare himselfe against the day of death, that he may be ready to render vp his accounts, when thou shalt call him to giue vp his reckoning,

Let him confess his sins, bewail and forsake them, resolving to amend his life, if thou shalt prolong his days. Comfort him with the comforts of thy Spirit, and as his bodily griefs abound, so let thy consolations abound and exceed them. Give him patience to endure what thou inflictest, and tempt him not above his power, but either lessen his griefs, or increase his strength. Moderate and mitigate his bodily pains, with the inward feelings of thy love, peace of conscience, and joy in the holy Ghost. If it will stand with thy glory, and his salvation, prolong his days, and restore his health, that he may yet again praise thee, as for all thy mercies, so especially for his recovery; and bless unto him all means of physic and diet, which are fit for this purpose. And being raised from his bed of sickness, give unto him a right use both of thy fatherly chastisements, and of thy gracious deliverance; that by the one, he may be moved to fear thee, and to hate sin, having tasted the bitter fruits of it; and by the other, to love and glorify thee, who hast heard his prayer in the day of his tribulation, and by them both, to serve thee with greater zeal, and with more earnest endeavour then ever heretofore. Hear us, dear Father, and answer us graciously in these our suits, even for Jesus Christ his sake; to whom with thee and the holy Spirit, we acknowledge to be due, and desire to give all glory, praise and thanksgiving, both now and for evermore. Amen.

Let him confesse his sinnes, bewaile and forsake them, resoluing to amend his life, if thou shalt prolong his dayes. Comfort him with the comforts of thy Spirit, and as his bodily griefes abound, so let thy consolations abound and exceed them. Giue him patience to indure what thou inflictest, and tempt him not aboue his power, but either lessen his griefes, or increase his strength. Moderate and mitigate his bodily paines, with the inward feelings of thy loue, peace of conscience, and ioy in the holy Ghost. If it will stand with thy glory, and his saluation, prolong his dayes, and restore his health, that he may yet againe praise thee, as for all thy mercies, so especially for his recouery; and blesse vnto him all meanes of physick and dyet, which are fit for this purpose. And being raised from his bed of sicknesse, giue vnto him a right vse both of thy fatherly chastisements, and of thy gracious deliuerance; that by the one, he may be moued to feare thee, and to hate sinne, hauing tasted the bitter fruits of it; and by the other, to loue and glorifie thee, who hast heard his prayer in the day of his tribulation, and by them both, to serue thee with greater zeale, and with more earnest indeuour then euer heeretofore. Heare vs, deare Father, and answere vs graciously in these our suits, euen for Iesus Christ his sake; to whom with thee and the holy Spirit, wee acknowledge to be due, and desire to giue all glory, praise and thankesgiuing, both now and for euermore. Amen.

But if the sick party be a child, and so not capable of the outward and ordinary means of salvation, then pray for him after this manner:

But if the sicke party be a child, and so not capable of the outward and ordinary meanes of saluation, then pray for him after this manner:

More especially, we humbly entreat thee, to extend thy grace and favour unto this thy sick servant; and seeing thou art not only the God of the faithful, but also of their seed, and lovest and tenderest not only the sheep of Christ, but even the tender lambs; we earnestly beseech thee, make good thy gracious Covenant with this thy weak and sick servant. And because he is not capable of outward means, supply graciously the defect of them by thine holy Spirit. Unite him thereby unto Jesus Christ, that becoming a lively member of his body, he may be made partaker of his righteousness, death and obedience, for his justification, and so he may stand righteous in thy sight. Free him from the guilt and punishment of all his sins, and sanctify him in his soul and body, that either he may be fit to glorify thee on earth, or to be glorified by thee in heaven. If it be thy blessed will, restore him to his health and strength again, that he may live to be a comfort unto his friends, and a profitable instrument to set forth thy glory in the Church and Common-wealth; but if thou art purposed to put an ⟨p. 959⟩end to his days, so fit and prepare him for thy Kingdom, as that he may live with thee eternally in glory and immortality, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

MOre especially, we humbly intreat thee, to extend thy grace and fauour vnto this thy sick seruant; and seeing thou art not onely the God of the faithfull, but also of their seed, and louest and tendrest not onely the sheepe of Christ, but euen the tender lambes; wee earnestly beseech thee, make good thy gracious Couenant with this thy weake and sicke seruant. And because hee is not capable of outward meanes, supply graciously the defect of them by thine holy Spirit. Vnite him thereby vnto Iesus Christ, that becomming a liuely member of his body, he may be made partaker of his righteousnesse, death and obedience, for his iustification, and so hee may stand righteous in thy sight. Free him from the guilt and punishment of all his sinnes, and sanctifie him in his soule and body, that either he may bee fit to glorifie thee on earth, or to be glorified by thee in heauen. If it bee thy blessed will, restore him to his health and strength againe, that he may liue to be a comfort vnto his friends, and a profitable instrument to set foorth thy glory in the Church and Common-wealth; but if thou art purposed to put an ⟨p. 959⟩end to his dayes, so fit and prepare him for thy Kingdome, as that he may liue with thee eternally in glory and immortality, through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

If the party be irrecoverably sick, or ready to depart out of this world, then we may, in stead of praying for his restoring to health, make, in his behalf, these following petitions:

If the party be irrecouerably sicke, or ready to depart out of this world, then we may, in stead of praying for his restoring to health, make, in his behalfe, these following petitions:

And seeing (O Lord) thou hast smitten thy sick servant (as we conceive) irrecoverably, and doest now purpose to put an end unto the days of his pilgrimage; we most humbly beseech thee, to prepare him for thine own Kingdom. Wean his mind and affections from the world and earthly vanities, where he is but a stranger, and fix them wholly upon spiritual and heavenly things, as it becometh a Citizen of thy Kingdom. Let him earnestly desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, seeing that is best of all, and let him long after the vision and fruition of thee, in whose presence is fullness of joy for evermore. To this end (O Lord) reveal thy self unto him more clearly then ever heretofore, that seeing thy beauty, goodness and excellency, his heart may be thoroughly inflamed with thy love. Give him, even whilst he liveth, an entrance into thy Kingdom, not only by the assurance of faith and hope, but also by letting him have a lively taste of those heavenly joys, which thou hast prepared for him. Moderate his griefs and pains, that they may not hinder his soul from mounting aloft in divine contemplations; and secretly whisper unto his heart sweet comforts by thy Spirit, when as he is, through weakness, insensible of outward consolations. Inflame his heart with fervent love towards thee and his brethren; yea even his enemies for thy sake, that he may be assured, that his sins are forgiven of thee; because thou givest him grace to forgive all men. Strengthen him against the tentations of all his spiritual enemies, and manifest thy power in his weakness, by giving unto him a full and final victory over them. Frustrate the malice of Satan, defeat his policies, and confound his power, that he may not prevail against him in this last conflict. Arm him against the fear of thy wrath and severe justice, by assuring him that Christ hath appeased the one, and satisfied the other. Comfort him against the fear of death, by persuading him, that Christs death hath swallowed it in victory, pulled out the sting thereof, and made it harmless; yea exceeding profitable, as serving now for a passage to glory and happiness; and by strengthening him, to apply unto himself these consolations, by a lively faith. Wean his heart from worldly cares, that they may be no distractions to hinder him in his heavenly journey;

ANd seeing (O Lord) thou hast smitten thy sicke seruant (as wee conceiue) irrecouerably, and doest now purpose to put an end vnto the dayes of his pilgrimage; we most humbly beseech thee, to prepare him for thine owne Kingdome. Weane his mind and affections from the world and earthly vanities, where he is but a stranger, and fix them wholly vpon spirituall and heauenly things, as it becommeth a Citizen of thy Kingdome. Let him earnestly desire to bee dissolued and to be with Christ, seeing that is best of all, and let him long after the vision and fruition of thee, in whose presence is fulnesse of ioy for euermore. To this end (O Lord) reueale thy selfe vnto him more cleerly then euer heretofore, that seeing thy beauty, goodnesse and excellency, his heart may be thorowly inflamed with thy loue. Giue him, euen whilest hee liueth, an entrance into thy Kingdome, not onely by the assurance of faith and hope, but also by letting him haue a liuely taste of those heauenly ioyes, which thou hast prepared for him. Moderate his griefes and paines, that they may not hinder his soule from mounting aloft in diuine contemplations; and secretly whisper vnto his heart sweet comforts by thy Spirit, when as he is, through weaknesse, insensible of outward consolations. Inflame his heart with feruent loue towards thee and his brethren; yea euen his enemies for thy sake, that he may bee assured, that his sinnes are forgiuen of thee; because thou giuest him grace to forgiue all men. Strengthen him against the tentations of all his spirituall enemies, and manifest thy power in his weaknesse, by giuing vnto him a full and finall victory ouer them. Frustrate the malice of Satan, defeat his policies, and confound his power, that he may not preuaile against him in this last conflict. Arme him against the feare of thy wrath and seuere iustice, by assuring him that Christ hath appeased the one, and satisfied the other. Comfort him against the feare of death, by perswading him, that Christs death hath swallowed it in victory, pulled out the sting thereof, and made it harmelesse; yea exceeding profitable, as seruing now for a passage to glory and happinesse; and by strengthening him, to apply vnto himselfe these consolations, by a liuely faith. Weane his heart from worldly cares, that they may bee no distractions to hinder him in his heauenly iourney;

and let the assurance, and taste of immortal joys, take away all loathness to leave earthly comforts. Set a guard of thy blessed Angels about him, and let them serve as thy Messengers and Ministers, to convey his soul, as soon as it is separated from his body, into thy Kingdom, that it may be there crowned with glory and immortality. Finally, we beseech thee, give us all here present, an holy use of these examples of our mortality, that thereby our hearts ⟨p. 960⟩being weaned from the world, we may make it our chief business to prepare our selves against the day of death and Judgement, that so we may with joy and comfort appear before thee, when thou shalt be pleased to call us to give unto thee an account of our Stewardship. Hear us, we beseech thee, in these our suits and supplications, for thy Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ his sake; to whom with thee, and thy holy Spirit, be ascribed all glory and praise, power and dominion, both now and for evermore. Amen.

and let the assurance, and taste of immortall ioyes, take away all lothnesse to leaue earthly comforts. Set a guard of thy blessed Angels about him, and let them serue as thy Messengers and Ministers, to conuey his soule, as soone as it is separated from his body, into thy Kingdome, that it may bee there crowned with glory and immortality. Finally, wee beseech thee, giue vs all heere present, an holy vse of these examples of our mortality, that thereby our hearts ⟨p. 960⟩being weaned from the world, wee may make it our chiefe businesse to prepare our selues against the day of death and Iudgement, that so wee may with ioy and comfort appeare before thee, when thou shalt bee pleased to call vs to giue vnto thee an account of our Stewardship. Heare vs, we beseech thee, in these our suits and supplications, for thy Sonne, and our Sauiour, Iesus Christ his sake; to whom with thee, and thy holy Spirit, be ascribed all glory and praise, power and dominion, both now and for euermore. Amen.

A Prayer for Children.