How a Private Man Must Begin the Morning with Piety
LEWIS BAYLY
THE PRACTICE OF PIETY
HOW A PRIVATE MAN MUST BEGIN THE MORNING WITH
PIETY.
As soon as ever thou awakest in the morning, keep the door of thy heart fast shut, that no earthly thought may enter, before that God come in first; and let him, before all others, have the first place there. So all evil thoughts either will not dare to come in, or shall the easier be kept out; and the heart will more savour of piety and godliness all the day after; but if thy heart be not, at thy first waking, filled with some meditations of God and his word, and dressed, like the lamp in the tabernacle (Exod. xxvii. 20, 21), every morning and evening, with the oil-olive of God's word, and perfumed with the sweet incense of prayer (Exod. xxx. 6, 7), Satan will attempt to fill it with worldly cares or fleshly desires, so that it will grow unfit for the service of God all the day after, sending forth nothing but the stench of corrupt and lying words, and of rash and blasphemous thoughts.
Begin, therefore, every day's work with God's word and prayer; and offer up to God upon the altar of a contrite heart, the groans of thy spirit, and the calves of thy lips, as thy morning sacrifice, and the first fruits of the day (Psal. li. 17; Rom. viii. 22; Hos. xiii. 2; Psal. cxxx. 6;) and as soon as thou awakest say to him thus:
My soul waiteth on thee, O Lord, more than the morning watch watcheth for the morning! O God, therefore be merciful unto me, and bless me, and cause thy face to shine upon me! Fill me with thy mercy this morning, so shall I rejoice and be glad all my days.
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Meditations for the Morning Meditations for the Morning.
1. Almighty God can, in the resurrection, as easily raise up thy body out of the grave, from the sleep of death, as he hath this morning wakened thee in thy bed, out of the sleep of nature. At the dawning of which resurrection day,
Christ shall come to be glorified in his saints; and every one of the bodies of the thousands of his saints, being fashioned like unto his glorious body, shall shine as bright as the sun (2 Thess. i. 10; Jude, ver. 14; Phil. iii. 21; Luke ix.
31;) all the angels shining likewise in their glory; the body of Christ surpassing them all in splendour and glory; and the Godhead excelling it. If the rising of one sun make the morning sky so glorious, what a bright shining and glorious morning will that be, when so many thousand thousands of bodies, far brighter than the sun, shall appear and accompany Christ as his glorious train, coming to keep his general session of righteousness, and to judge the wicked angels, and all ungodly men (Acts xvii. 31; 1 Cor. vi. 3; Jude, ver. 15;) and let not any transitory profit, pleasure, or vain glory of this day, cause thee to lose thy part and portion of the eternal bliss and glory of that day, which is properly termed the resurrection of the just (Luke xiv. 14.) Beasts have bodily eyes to see the ordinary light of the day: but endeavour thou with the eyes of faith, to foresee the glorious light of that day.
2. Thou knowest not how near, the evil spirit which night and day, like a roaring lion, walketh about seeking to devour thee (1 Pet. v. 8; Job i. 7) was to thee while thou wast asleep and not able to help thyself; and thou knowest not what mischief he would have done to thee, had not God hedged thee and thine with his ever-waking Providence, and guarded thee with his holy and blessed angels (Job i. 10; Psal. cxxi. 4; Psalm 34:7; Gen. xxxii. 1, 2; 2 Kings vi. 16.)
3. If thou hearest the cock crow, remember Peter, to imitate him (Luke xxii.
61, 62;) and call to mind that cock-crowing sound of the last trumpet, which shall waken thee from the dead. And consider in what case thou wert, if it sounded now, and become such as thou wouldst then wish to be; lest at that day thou shouldst wish that thou hadst never seen this; yea, curse the day of thy natural birth, for want of being new-born by spiritual grace (Jer. xx. 14; Job iii. 1; Tit. iii. 5.) When the cock crows the thief despairs of his hope, and gives over his night's enterprise: so the devil ceases to tempt, or attempt any further, when he hears the devout soul wakening herself with morning prayer.
4. Remember that Almighty God is about thy bed, and seeth thy down-lying, and thy up-rising; under-standeth thy thoughts, and is acquainted with all thy ways (Psal. cxxxix. 2, 3.) Remember likewise that his holy angels, who guarded and watched over thee all night, do also behold how thou wakest and risest
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(Gen. xxxi. 55; xxxii. 1, 2.) Do all things, therefore, as in the awful presence of God, and in the sight of his holy angels (Psal. xci. 5, 11; Acts xii. 11.)
5. As thou art putting on thine apparel, remember that they were first given as coverings of shame, being the effects of sin; and that they are made but of the offals of dead beasts. Therefore, whether thou respect the stuff, or the first institution, thou hast so little cause to be proud of them, that thou hast great cause to be humbled at the sight and wearing of them, seeing the richest apparel are but fine covers of shame. Meditate rather, that as thine apparel serves to cover thy shame, and to fence thy body from cold, so thou shouldst be as careful to cover thy soul with that wedding garment which is the righteousness of Christ (because apprehended by our faith), called the righteousness of the saints (Matt. xxii. 11; Rom. xiii. 14; 1 Cor. i. 30;
Philippians 3:9; Revelation 19:8; Ephesians 4:24;) lest, while we are richly apparelled in the sight of men, we be not found to walk naked (so that all our filthiness be seen) in the sight of God (Rev. xvi. 15.) But that with his righteousness, as with a robe, we may cover ourselves from perpetual shame; and shield our souls from that fiery cold that will procure eternal weeping, and gnashing of teeth (Matt. xxii. 13.) And withal consider how blessed a people were our nation, if every silken suit did cover a sanctified soul. And yet a man would think, that on whom God bestowed most of these outward blessings, of them he should receive greatest inward thanks (Luke xii. 48.) But if it prove otherwise, their reckoning will prove the heavier in the day of their accounts.
6. Consider how God's mercy is renewed unto thee every morning, in giving thee, as it were, a new life Lam. iii. 23; Psal. xix. 5), and in causing the sun, after his incessant race, to rise again to give thee light. Let not, then, this glorious light burn in vain; but prevent rather (as oft as thou canst) the sun rising to give God thanks (Luke xii. 48;) and kneeling down at thy bedside, salute him at the day-spring with some devout antelucanum or morning soliloquy: containing an humble confession of thy sins, seeking the pardon of all thy faults, a thanksgiving for all his benefits, and a craving of his gracious protection to his church, thyself, and all that belong to thee.
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BRIEF DIRECTIONS HOW TO READ THE HOLY
SCRIPTURES ONCE EVERY YEAR OVER, WITH EASE,
PROFIT, AND REVERENCE.
But forasmuch, that as faith is the soul, so reading and meditating on the word of God, are the parent's of prayer, therefore, before thou prayest in the morning, first read a chapter in the word of God; then meditate awhile with thyself, how many excellent things thou canst remember out of it.
As—First, what good counsels or exhortations to good works and to holy life.
Secondly, what threatenings of judgments against such and such a sin; and what fearful examples of God's punishment or vengeance upon such and such sinners.
Thirdly, what blessings God promiseth to patience, chastity, mercy, alms-deeds, zeal in his service, charity, faith and trust in God, and such like
Christian virtues.
Fourthly, what gracious deliverance God hath wrought, and what special blessings he hath bestowed upon them who were his true and zealous servants.
Fifthly, apply these things to thine own heart, and read not these chapters as matter of historical discourse, but as if they were so many letters or epistles sent down from God out of heaven to thee; for whatsoever is written, is written for our learning (Rom. xv. 4.) Sixthly, read them, therefore, with that reverence as if God himself stood by, and spake these words to thee, to excite thee to those virtues, to dissuade thee from those vices: assuring thyself that if such sins (as thou readest there) be found in thee, without repentance, the like plagues will fall upon thee; but if thou dost practise the like piety and virtuous deeds, the like blessings shall come to thee and thine.
In a word; apply all that thou readest in holy Scripture, to one of these two heads chiefly; either to confirm thy faith, or to increase thy repentance: for, as sustine et abstine, bear and forbear, was the epitome of a good philosopher's life;42 so crede et resipisce, believe and repent, is the whole sum of a true
Christian's profession, One chapter thus read with understanding, and meditated with application, will better feed and comfort thy soul than five read and run over without marking their scope or sense, or making any use of them to thine ownself. If in this manner thou shalt read three chapters every day—one in the morning, another at noon, and the third at night (reading so many psalms instead of a chapter), thou shall read overall the canonical scriptures in a year, except six chapters, which thou mayest add to the duties of the last day of the year.43 The reading of the Bible in order, will help thee
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better to understand both the history and scope of the holy Scripture. And as for the Apocrypha, being but penned by man's spirit, thou mayest read them at thy pleasure; but believe, them so far only as they agree with the canonical
Scripture, which is edited by the Holy Ghost.
But it may be thou wilt say, that thy business will not permit thee so much time, as to read every morning a chapter, &c. O man, remember that thy life is but short, and that all this business is but for the use of this short life; but salvation or damnation is everlasting! Rise up, therefore, every morning by so much time the earlier: defraud thy foggy flesh of so much sleep; but rob not thy soul of her food, nor God of his service; and serve the Almighty duly whilst thou hast time and health.
Having thus read thy chapter, as thou art about to pray, remember that God is a God of holiness (Exod. xxvi. 36;) whereof he warns us by repeating so often, "Be ye holy, for I am holy." (Levit. xxi. 44; xix. 2; xx. 7.) And when he devoured with a sudden fire Nadab and Abihu, for offering to him incense with strange fire (Lev. x. 2),—like these now a-days, who offer prayers from hearts fraught with the fire of lust and malice,—would give no other reason of his judgment but this, "I will be sanctified in them that come near me." (Lev. x. 3.)
As if he should have said, If I cannot be sanctified by them who are my servants, in serving me with that holiness that they should, I will be sanctified on them, by confounding them with my just judgments, which their lewdness deserves. God cannot abide any wilful uncleanness or sin in them who serve him: "For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp to deliver thee, and to give thee thine enemies before thee: therefore the host shall be holy."
(Deut. xxiii. 13, 4.) Zophar in Job saith, "If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hand towards God to pray; if iniquity be in thy hand, put it far away, and let no wickedness dwell in thy tabernacle." (Job xi. 13, 14.) For, as Esai saith, "If there be any uncleanness in our hands" (that is, any sin whereof we have not repented) "though we stretch out our hands unto him, and. make many prayers, the Lord will hide his eyes from us, and will not hear our prayers."
(Isai. i. 15.) Therefore, before thou prayest, let God see that thy heart is sorrowful for thy sin, and that thy mind is resolved (through the assistance of his grace) to amend thy faults. And then, having washed thyself, and adorned thy body with apparel which beseemeth thy calling, and the image of God, which thou bearest, shut thy chamber-door, and kneel down at thy bedside, or some other convenient place; and in reverent manner lifting up thy heart, together with thy hands and eyes, as in the presence of God who seeth the inward intention of thy soul, offer up to God from the altar of a contrite heart, thy prayer, as a morning sacrifice, through the mediation of Christ, in these or the like words:—
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42 Epicteti dict.
43In the canonical books of the Old Testament there are 931 chapters: but distributing the 150 Psalms into 60 parts, thou shalt find but 841; which being added to 260, the number of the chapters in the New Testament, will amount to 1101; dividing which by three into 365, the number of the days of the year, there will remain but six, which thou mayest dispose of as is prescribed.
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A Prayer for the Morning.
A Prayer for the Morning.
O most mighty and glorious God! full of incomprehensible power and majesty; whose glory the very heaven of heavens is not able to contain! Look down from heaven upon me, thine unworthy servant, who here prostrate myself at the footstool of thy throne of grace. But look upon me, O Father, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, thy beloved Son, in whom only thou art well pleased! For of myself, I am not worthy to stand in thy presence, or to speak with mine unclean lips to so holy a God as thou art. For thou knowest that in sin I was conceived and born, and that I have lived ever since in iniquity: so that I have broken all thy holy commandments by sinful motions, unclean thoughts, evil words, and wicked works; omitting many of those duties which thou requirest for thy service, and committing many of those vices which thou, under the penalty of thy displeasure, hast forbidden.
[Here thou mayest confess to God thy secret sins, which do most burthen thy conscience, saying, But more especially, O Lord, I do here with grief of heart confess unto thee, &c.] And for these my sins, O Lord, I stand here guilty of thy curse, with all the miseries of this life, and everlasting torments in hell-fire, when this wretched life is ended, if thou shouldst deal with me according to my deserts. Yea, Lord,
I confess, that it is thy mercy which endureth for ever, and thy compassion which never fails, that is the cause that I have not been long ago consumed.
But with thee, O Lord, there is mercy, and plenteous redemption. In the multitude, therefore, of thy mercy, and confidence in Christ's merits, I entreat thy divine Majesty that thou wouldst not enter into judgment with thy servant, neither be extreme to mark what I have hitherto done amiss: for if thou dost, then no flesh can be justified in thy sight, nor any living stand in thy presence.
But be thou merciful unto me, and wash away all the uncleanness of my sin, with the merits of that precious blood which Jesus Christ hath shed for me.
And seeing that he hath borne the burthen of that curse which was due to my transgressions, O Lord deliver me from my sins, and from all those judgments which hang over my head, as due unto me for them, and separate them as far from thy presence as the east is from the west! bury them in the burial of Christ, that they may never have power to rise up against me, to shame me in this life, or to condemn me in the world which is to come. And I beseech thee,
O Lord, not only to wash away my sins with the blood of thine immaculate Lamb, but also to purge my heart, by thy Holy Spirit, from the dross of my natural corruption; that I may feel thy Spirit more and more killing my sin, in the power and practice thereof, so that this day I may with more freedom of mind and liberty of will serve thee, the everlasting God, in righteousness and holiness. And give me grace, that by the direction and assistance of the same
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Holy Spirit, I may persevere to be thy faithful and unfeigned servant to my life's end; that when this mortal life is ended, I may be made a partaker of immortality and everlasting happiness in thy heavenly kingdom. In the meantime, O Lord, whilst it is thy blessed will and pleasure that I may continue" to spend and end that small number and remnant of days which thou hast appointed for me to live in this vale of misery, teach me so to number my days that I may apply my heart unto wisdom: and as thou dost add days unto my life, so, good Lord, I beseech thee, add repentance and amendment to my days, that as I grow in years, so I may increase in grace and favour with thee and all thy people. And to this end, give unto me a supply of all those graces which thou knowest to be wanting in me, and necessary for me, with an increase of all those good gifts wherewith thou hast already endowed me; that so I may be the better enabled to lead such a godly life, and honest conversation, as that thy name may thereby be glorified, others may take good example by me, and my soul may more cheerfully feed on the peace of a good conscience, and be more replenished with the joy of the Holy Ghost. And here,
O Lord, according to my bounden duty, I give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all those blessings which of thy goodness thou hast bestowed upon me. And namely, for that thou hast of thy free love, according to thine eternal purpose, elected me, before the foundation of the world was laid, unto salvation in Jesus Christ;—for that thou hast created me after thine own image, and hast begun to restore that in me which was lost in our first parents;—for that thou hast effectually called me, by the working of thy Spirit, in the preaching of the gospel, and the receiving of the sacraments, to the knowledge of thy saving grace, and obedience to thy blessed will;—for that thou hast bought and redeemed me, with the blood of thine only-begotten Son, from the torments of hell, and thrall of Satan;—for that thou hast, by faith in Christ, freely justified me, who am by nature the child of wrath;—for that thou hast in good measure sanctified me by thy Holy Spirit, and given me so large a time to repent, together with the means of repentance. I thank thee likewise, good
Lord, for my life, health, wealth, food, raiment, peace, prosperity, and plenty; and for that thou hast preserved me this night from all perils and dangers of body and soul, and hast brought me safe to the beginning of this day. And as thou hast now wakened my body from sleep, so, I beseech thee, waken my soul from sin, and carnal security; and as thou hast caused the light of the day to shine in my bodily eyes, so, good Lord, cause the light of thy Word and Holy
Spirit to illuminate my heart; and give me grace, as one of thy children of light, to walk in all holy obedience before thy face this day; and that I may endeavour to keep faith and a clear conscience towards thee, and towards all men, in all my thoughts, words, and dealings. And so, good Lord, bless all my studies and actions which I shall take in hand this day, as that they may tend to thy glory, the good of others, and the comfort of my own soul and conscience in that day
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when I shall make my final account to thee. O my God, keep thy servant, that I do no evil to any man this day; and let it be thy blessed will not to suffer the devil nor his wicked angels, nor any of his evil members, or my malicious enemies, to have any power to do me hurt or violence. But let the eye of thy holy Providence watch over me for good and not for evil; and command thy holy angels to pitch their tents round about me, for my defence and safety in my going out and coming in, as thou hast promised they should do about them that fear thy name. Into thy hands, O Father, I do here commend my soul and body, my actions, and all that ever I have, to be guided, defended, and protected by thee; being assured, that whatsoever thou takest into thy custody cannot perish, nor suffer any hurt or harm. And if I at any time this day shall through frailty forget thee, yet, Lord, I beseech thee, do thou in mercy remember me. And I pray not unto thee, O Father, for myself alone; but I beseech thee also be merciful unto thy whole church, and chosen people, wheresoever they live upon the face of the earth. Defend them from the rage and tyranny of the devil, the world, and antichrist. Give thy gospel a free and a joyful passage through the world, for the conversion of those who belong to thine election and kingdom.
Bless the churches and kingdoms wherein we live with the continuance of peace, justice, and true religion. Bless our sovereign the Queen, and all the royal family, Increase in them all heroical gifts and spiritual graces which may make them fit for those places for which thou hast ordained them. Direct all the nobility, ministers, and magistrates of this church and commonwealth, to govern the people in true religion, justice, obedience, and tranquillity. Be merciful unto all the brethren which fear thee, and call upon thy name. And comfort as many among them as are sick and comfortless in body or mind; especially be favourable to all such as suffer any trouble or persecution for the testimony of thy truth, and holy gospel; and give them a gracious deliverance out of all their troubles, which way it shall seem best to thy wisdom, for the glory of thy name, the further enlarging of the truth, and the more ample increase of their own comfort and consolation. Hasten thy coming, O blessed
Saviour, and end these sinful days; and give me grace, that like a wise virgin I maybe prepared with oil in my lamp to meet thee, the blessed bridegroom, at thy coming, whether it be by the day of death, or of judgment; and then, Lord
Jesus, come when thou wilt, even Lord Jesus come quickly. These, and all other graces which thou knowest needful and necessary for me, this day and evermore, I humbly beg and crave at thy hands, O Father, giving thee thy glory, in that form of prayer, which Christ himself hath taught me to say unto thee:
"Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name," &c.
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Meditations to Stir Us Up to Morning Prayer.
Meditations to stir us up to Morning Prayer.
1. If, when thou art about to pray, Satan shall suggest that thy prayers are too long, and that therefore it were better either to omit prayers, or else to cut them shorter, meditate that prayer is thy spiritual sacrifice, wherewith God is well pleased (Heb. xiii. 15, 16;) and therefore it is so displeasing to the devil, and so irksome to the flesh. Bend therefore thy affections (will they, nill they) to so holy an exercise; assuring thyself, that it doth by so much the more please God, by how much the more it is unpleasing to thy flesh.
2. Forget not that the Holy Ghost puts it down as a special note of reprobates, "They call not upon the Lord, they call not upon God." (Psal. xiv. 4; liii. 4.) And when Eliphaz supposed that Job had cast off the fear of God, and that God had cast Job out of his favour, he chargeth him that he restrained prayer before God (Job xv. 4;) making that a sure note of the one, and a sufficient cause of the other. On the other side, that God has promised that "whosoever shall call on his name shall be saved." (Rom. x. 13.) It is certain that he who makes no conscience of the duty of prayer, has no grace of the Holy Spirit in him, for the spirit of grace and of prayer are one (Zech. xii. 10:) and therefore grace and prayer go together. But he that can from a penitent heart morning and evening pray to God, it is sure that he has his measure of grace in this world, and he shall have his portion of glory in the life which is to come.
3. Remember, that as loathing of meat, and painfulness of speaking, are two symptoms of a sick body; so irksomeness of praying when thou talkest with God, and carelessness in hearing, when God, by his word, speaks unto thee, are two sure signs of a sick soul.
4. Call to mind the zealous devotions of the Christians in the primitive church, who spent many whole nights and vigils in watching and praying for the forgiveness of their sins, and that they might be found ready at the coming of Christ; and that David was not content to pray at morning, at evening, and at noon (Psal. lv. 16, 17), but he would also rise up at midnight to pray unto
God (Psal. cxix. 62.) And if Christ did chide his disciples, because they would not watch with him one hour in praying {Matt. xxvi. 40), what chiding dost thou deserve, who thinkest it too long to continue in prayer but one quarter of an hour? If thou hast spent divers hours at a vain ball or play; yea whole days and nights in carding and dicing, to please thy flesh, be ashamed to think that praying for a quarter of an hour is too long an exercise for the service of God.
5. Consider, that if the papists, in their blind superstition, do in an unknown, and therefore unedifying tongue, fit only for the children of mystical Babylon
(1 Cor. xiv. 14; Gen. xi. 79; Rev. xvii. 5), mutter over upon their beads every
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morning and evening so many scores of ave-maries, paternosters, and idolatrous prayers, how shall they, in their superstitious devotion, rise up in judgment against thee, professing thyself to be a true worshipper of Christ? If that thou thinkest these prayers too long a task, being shorter for quantity than theirs, but far more profitable for quality, tending only to God's glory, and thy good; and so compiled of Scripture phrase, as that thou mayest speak to God, as well in his own holy words, as in thine own native language: be ashamed that papists, in their superstitious worshipping of creatures, should show themselves more devout than thou in the sincere worshipping of the true and only God (John xvii. 3.) And indeed a prayer in private devotion should be one continued speech, rather than many broken fragments.
6. Lastly, when such thoughts come into thy head, either to keep thee from prayer, or to distract thee in praying, remember that those are the fowls which the evil one sends to devour the good seed, and the carcases of thy spiritual sacrifices; but endeavour with Abraham, to drive them away (Gen. xv. 11.) Yet notwithstanding, if thou perceivest at times, that thy spirits are dull, and thy mind not apt for prayer and holy devotion, strive not too much for that time, but humbling thyself at the sense of thine infirmity and dulness, knowing that God accepteth the willing mind, though it be oppressed with the heaviness of the flesh (Matt. xxvi. 41; 2 Cor. viii. 12), endeavour the next time to recompense this dulness, by redoubling thy zeal, and for the time present, commend thy soul to God in this, or the like short prayer:—
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Another Short Morning Prayer.
Another short Morning Prayer.
O most gracious God, and merciful Father! I thine unworthy servant do here acknowledge that as I have been born in sin, so I have lived in iniquity, and broken every one of thy commandments, in thought, word, and deed; following the desires of mine own will, and lusts of my flesh, not caring to be governed by thy holy word and Spirit; and therefore I have justly deserved all shame and misery in this life, and everlasting condemnation in hell-fire, if thou shouldst but deal with me according to thy justice, and my desert. Wherefore, O heavenly Father, I beseech thee, for thy Son Jesus Christ's sake, and for the merits of that bitter death and bloody passion which I believe that he hath suffered for me, that thou wouldst pardon and forgive me all my sins, and deliver me from the shame and vengeance which is due to me for them. And send thy Holy Spirit into my heart, which may assure me that thou art my
Father, and that I am thy child, and that thou lovest me with an unchangeable love; and let the same good Spirit lead me in thy truth, and crucify in me more and more all worldly and carnal lusts, that my sins may more and more die in me, and that I may serve thee in unfeigned righteousness and holiness this day, and all the days of my life; that when this mortal life is ended, I may, through thy mercy in Christ, be made a partaker of everlasting glory in thy heavenly kingdom. And here, O Lord, from the bottom of my heart, I thank thee for all thy blessings, which thou hast bestowed upon my soul and body; for electing me in thy love, redeeming me by thy Son, sanctifying me by thy
Spirit, and preserving me from my youth up, until this present day and hour, by thy most gracious providence.
I thank thee more especially, for that thou hast defended me this night from all perils and dangers, and hast brought me safe to the beginning of this day.
And now, good Lord, I beseech thee, keep me this day from all evil that may hurt me, and from falling into any gross sin that should offend thee. Set thy fear before my eyes, and let thy Spirit so rule my heart, that all that I shall think, do, or speak this day, may tend to thy glory, the good of others, and the peace of mine own conscience. And to this end I commend myself, and all my ways and actions, together with all that belong to me, unto thy gracious direction and protection; praying thee to keep both them and me from all evil, and to give a blessing to all our honest labours and endeavours. Defend thy whole church from the tyranny of the world, and of Antichrist. Preserve our
Queen from all conspiracies and treasons: grant her a long and prosperous reign over us. Bless the rest of the royal family; endow them with thy grace, and defend them from all evil. Bless all our ministers and magistrates with those graces and gifts which thou knowest necessary for their places. Be favourable to all that fear thee, and tremble at thy judgments. Comfort all
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those that are sick and comfortless. Lord, keep me in a continual readiness, by faith and repentance, for my last end, that whether I live or die, I may be found thine own, to thine eternal glory, and mine everlasting salvation, through Jesus
Christ my only Saviour: In whose blessed name I beg these mercies at thy hands, and give unto thee thy praise and glory, in that prayer which he has sanctified with his own lips:—"Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name," &c.
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Farther Meditations to Stir Up to Prayer in the Morning.
Farther Meditations to stir up to Prayer in the Morning.
Think not any business or haste, though never so great, a sufficient excuse to omit prayer in the morning: But meditate—
1. That the greater thy business is, by so much the more need thou hast to pray for God's good speed and blessing upon it, seeing it is certain that nothing can prosper without his blessing.
2. That many a man, when he thought himself surest, has been soonest crossed; so mayest thou.
3. That many a man has gone out of his door, and never come in again: many a man who rose well and lively in the morning, has been seen a dead man ere night.44 So may it befall thee: And if thou be so careful, before thou goest abroad, to eat and drink, to fence thy body from ill airs, how much more careful shouldst thou be to pray to preserve thy soul from evil temptations?
4. That the time spent in prayer never hinders, but furthers and prospers a man's journey and business.
5. That in going abroad into the world, thou goest into a forest full of unknown dangers, where thou shalt meet many briers to tear thy good name, many snares to trap thy life, and many hunters to devour thy soul; it is a field of pleasant grass, but full of poisonous serpents: adventure not, therefore, to go naked amongst these briers, till thou hast prayed Christ to clothe thee with his righteousness; nor to pass through these snares and ambushments, till thou hast prayed for God's providence to be thy guide; nor to walk barefoot through this snaky field, till having thy feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, thou hast prayed to have still the brazen serpent in the eyes of thy faith; that so if thou comest not home holier, thou mayest be sure not to return worse than when thou wentest out of thy door.
Therefore, though thy haste be never so much, or thy business never so great, yet go not about it, nor out of thy doors, till thou hast at least used this or the like short prayer:— 44Quem dies vidit veniens superbum: hunc dies videt fugiens jacentem.—Senec. Nescis quid vesper serus vehat.—Varro.