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

Now this first service which we are to offer unto God, consisteth in prayer and meditation, which are the two wings of our souls, whereby they soar aloft into heaven, and there enjoy the presence of God. The first duty is prayer, whereby lifting up our hearts unto God with more fervency then prolixity, we do in some short manner, render unto God praise and thanksgiving for our quiet rest, whereby our bodies are refreshed; for preserving us from all dangers of the night, both in our souls and bodies, especially from sinful dreams, and the tentations and assaults of Satan, who would easily have overcome and utterly destroyed us, had not God watched over and defended us by his power and providence. For letting us again enjoy the light, and granting us another day wherein we may do him further service, and so make our own calling and election sure. Unto which, with like brevity we are to adjoin the confession of our sins, especially of that night, if any such come to our knowledge and remembrance, and by reason of them, our great unworthiness of these favours and testimonies of Gods love, desiring the pardon of them, and the sanctification of the Spirit, whereby we may be more and more freed from them. And finally, we are to cast our selves ⟨p. 218⟩into the arms of his providence, commending our souls and bodies unto his protection and direction, and desiring to be so assisted with his grace and holy Spirit, that all the thoughts of our hearts, and words of our mouths, and the works of our hands, may the day following, and for ever be acceptable in his sight. And especially that he will so enlighten, rule, and assist us in our following meditations, that they may tend to his glory, and to our own comfort and salvation.