The immortality of the soulThe immortality of the soule

A PRAYER.

O Most high and ever-living and everlasting God, beyond all thoughts most high and mighty Lord God, which dwellest in pure brightness and excellent Majesty, all glorious in thy self, and hast no need of the glory of any of thy creatures, but they receive their glory and excellent parts from thee: What then are men or women in themselves before thee or the sons of men, that thou shouldst regard them, for they are weak and sinful? but thou, ô Lord! art holy and mighty, righteous, just and merciful, and giving unto mankind just and righteous laws which are good for themselves: and thou, ô merciful Lord God hast made merciful, temporal promises unto the sons of men, and keepest them sure and constant, in preserving, the whole World, in keeping it from firing and drowning in restraining the rage and fury of wicked men, and evil spirits that would destroy it, thy mercy is seen, ô Lord! also mightily in sending food and raiment sufficient for the whole World, fit for their habitation: so that if there be any want, it is commonly the cruelty or foolishness of man. In mercy, ô Lord! thou sendest Summer and Winter, day and night, Seed-time and Harvest, the ebbing flowing and of the Seas, the fish abiding and coming to several Countries in their season! thy mercy is seen, ô Lord! in blessing the fowls of the air, and the beasts of the field unto mankind, the corn, flowers, grass, ⟨image 12⟩herbs, with the fruits of the trees: so in mercy, ô Lord! thou sendest Gold, Silver, Brass, Iron, and all metals for the use and benefit of man: Silk from Worms, Wool from Sheep, Leather and Furs from beasts great and small, Diamonds and all kind of Pearls from Sea and Land: for the seating of mankind in their several degrees, not to puff them up with pride, to abuse their brethren, but rather to raise up their thoughts to praise their Creator, and to desire with humility the grace to serve God here in this world, that they may come to the glorious everlasting place, which God hath prepared for his people, ô Lord God! thou art our Creator, there is no good to be had but from thee and thy providence: we were nothing, ô Lord God, and thou madest us men and women, we fell from thee, and became worse then nothing: and thou ô holy and blessed Trinity tookst pity on us: