The penitent prisoner his character, carriage upon his commitment, letany, proper prayers, serious meditations, sighs, occasional ejaculations, devotion going to execution, and at the place of execution / by a friend to the souls in prison. Friend to the souls in prison. 1675 Approx. 17 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 8 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2007-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A54090 Wing P1236 ESTC R38008 17161679 ocm 17161679 106036 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A54090) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 106036) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1099:1) The penitent prisoner his character, carriage upon his commitment, letany, proper prayers, serious meditations, sighs, occasional ejaculations, devotion going to execution, and at the place of execution / by a friend to the souls in prison. Friend to the souls in prison. [2], 13 p. Printed for John Williams ..., London : 1675. Reproduction of original in the Cambridge University Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Prisoners -- England -- Prayer-books and devotions. 2006-12 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-12 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2007-01 Jonathan Blaney Sampled and proofread 2007-01 Jonathan Blaney Text and markup reviewed and edited 2007-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE Penitent Prisoner , HIS CHARACTER , Carriage upon his Commitment , LETANY , Proper Prayers , Serious Meditations , SIGHS , Occasional Ejaculations , Devotion going to Execution , and at the place of Execution . By a Friend to the Souls in Prison . LONDON , Printed for John Williams , at the Crown , in Cross Keys Court in Little Brittain , 1675. The Penitent Prisoner . HIS Character . HE is one , who although he confess himself to have been seduc't by his Lusts , and intic't by evil Company , yet being under restraint ( according to the merit of his Crime ) he makes a Pulpit of his Prison to Preach to him Repentance ; a Sermon of his shackles to teach him his Service ; He turns his Gaole into a Shop to traffick for Heaven ; and into an Exchange of all Devotions that may gain him Salvation . For being entred into Prison ( after he hath sometime look't about him , and sees nothing but thick walls , strong barrs , a dark room , and no way to escape , ) he begins thus to word it , For conviction he knows must go before Conversion . Lord ● where am I ? what have I done : ●ow hath the iniquity of my hands and heels hamper'd me ? How have I drunk down iniquity like water , drawn sin as with a Cart rope ! How like a wretch have I night and day tug'd at the Devils oare , grinded at his Mill , dig'd in his Mine , run on his errands , not only acted sin , but contrived it , sinned with a high hand , and haughty heart ! Oh the bitter fruit of those things whereof I am now ashamed ! What gravel in my stomach do I find that stollen bread to be now , which once went down so sweetly ! Into what a Labyrinth of misery hath the following of the motions of my vile Lusts led me ! How have I by my many and grievous sins , dishonour'd my God , sadded the Holy Angels , sham'd my Christian profession , damag'd my neighbour , wounded my own conscience , troubled my spirit , and given large earnest for my everlasting ruine ! Methinks I hear it said in my eares , as if spoken from the battlements of Heaven , Let no man oppress , or defraud his Brother , for the Lord is the avenger of all such , 1 Thes . 4. 6. So Rom. 1. 18. The wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness , and unrighteousness of men ; where then shall I appear , being in so sad , so miserable a Condition ? of whom may I seek for 〈◊〉 but of thee , O Lord , who for my sin art justly displeased ? yet O God most Holy , O Lord most mighty , O Holy and merciful Saviour , deliver me not into the bitter pains of eternal death ; Thou knowest , Lord , the secrets of my heart , shut not up thy merciful eares to my prayers , but spare me Lord , most Holy , O God most mighty , O Holy and merciful Saviour , thou most worthy judge eternal , suffer me not for any pains of death to fall from thee . Look upon the wounds in thy hands , and have mercy upon me the work of thy hands . O give me a praying , that thou maist afford me a pittying heart . His Letany . O God , the Father of Heaven have mercy upon me , Keep , and defend me from that roaring Lion , that goes about seeking whom he may devour . O God the Son , Redeemer of the World , have mercy upon me , Save , and deliver me from the wrath to come . O God the Holy Ghost , proce●●ing from the Father and the Son , have mercy upon me , strengthen and comfort me in this my present calamitous condition . O Holy , Blessed , and Glorious Trinity , three Persons , and one God , have mercy upon , me . Remember not , Lord , the sins of my youth , nor of my maturer growth , but spare me , Good Lord , spare thy poor creature ( not worthy to be called thy Servant ) and be not angry with me for ever . From sin , from the crafts and assaults of the Devil , and from thy wrath , and from everlasting damnation , Good Lord deliver me . From mispending the few moments I have to live , from hardness of heart , and contempt of good counsel , that shall be given me , Good Lord deliver me . In the time of this my present distress and Tribulation , in the hour of my approaching death , and in the day of Judgment , Good Lord deliver me . I a poor Prisoner , and sorrowful sinner , do beseech thee to hear me , O Lord , That it may please thee to give me thy Grace to condemn my self , that I may not be condemn'd , and to judge my self , that I may not be judged . That I may bring forth fruits worthy of Repentance . That I may take a Holy revenge on my self , judging my self not worthy of a mouthful of fresh aire , or a morsel of meat , who have abused thy good creatures as I have done . That I may not give sleep to my eyes , nor slumber to my eye lids , nor suffer the Temples of my head to take any rest , until I have unfeignedly endeavoured to make my peace with thee . That thou wouldst give me true Repentance , which may appear by my making restitution ( as much as in me lyes ) to those whom I have wronged . That thou wouldst forgive all my sins , of what nature and quality soever , and endow me with the grace of thy Holy spirit , to make a sanctified use of this sad Dispensation of thy providence . Son of God I beseech thee to hear me . O thou Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the World , have mercy upon me . O thou Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the World , Grant me thy peace . Lord have mercy upon me . Christ have mercy upon me . Lord have mercy upon me . Our Father which art in Heaven , &c. O Lord deal not with me after my sins . Neither reward me after my iniquities . O God , merciful Father , who despisest not the sighing of a contrite heart , nor the desire of such as be sorrowful , mercifully assist me in these my Prayers that I make unto thee in this my present trouble and adversity , and grant that I whose conscience by sin is accused , by thy merciful pardon may be absolv'd , through Jesus Christ my Lord and only Saviour . Amen . O God whose Nature and property is eve● to have mercy , and to forgive , receive m● humble petitions , and though I be tyed and bound with the chains of my sins ( Fetters worse than those of Iron that ar● upon me ) Yet let the pittifulness of th● great mercy loose me , for the honor of Jesus Christ his sake my Mediator and Advocate . Amen . His Sighs . O that my head were waters , and my eyes a Fountain of tears , that I might lament day and night , the sins that I have committed against so good , and so great a God , so often , and so hainously as I have done ! Oh wretched man that I am , who shall deliver me from this body of death ! I have sinned , what shall I do unto thee , O thou preserver of men ? O that as the Hart pants after the water Brooks , so my soul might pant after thee O God! O that I could be ten thousand times more contrite , and humble in heart than I am ! His Serious Meditation . Is any Gaol like the Dungeon of Hell ? Are any Keepers like Fiends ? Is there any burning like that fire ? Any biting like that Worm ? Any shame of face like to the confusion of face before men and Angels ? Can any loss on Earth equal the loss of Heaven ? Or Banishment from Friends , a Banishment from God and his Holy Angels ? To dwell in utter darkness where there is no light , amidst infinite torture , where there is no ease , and that to all eternity . Lord , this will be my portion without thy mercy . O Lord , have mercy upon me according to thy loving kindness , according to the multitude of thy tender Compassions blot out all my transgressions . Draw a red streak with the blood of my Redeemer over all the foul Characters of my sins : Especially , forgive ( here he mentions with utmost aggravation the sin or sins that most trouble his conscience . ) One deep calls upon another , the deep of my misery on the deep of thy mercy . O Lord , hear , and consider O Lord , and do it , for my spirit waxeth faint . His Occasional Ejaculations . When arraign'd at the Barr he thus piously ejaculates ; O the time when we shall all appear before the Judgment seat of Christ ! Upon the sight of a fire or flame of a Candle he thus words it : O who amongst us can dwell with devouring fire , who amongst us can dwell with everlasting burnings ! Upon the Jaylors Locking him in . He thinks on the dismalness of being shut out of Heaven , and into Hell. Upon hearing his leud Companions to Swear and Curse . Wo is me that I am constrain'd to dwell in this Hell upon Earth , and to have my Habitation among such vile persons . Upon the sight of that pittance of meat and drink allotted him . Lord , I am not worthy of the leas● crumb that falls from the table of thy bounty , being so great a rebel , as I have been to thee . Upon his being bound in the Cart. He thinks upon that evil Servant to whom it was said , Bind him hand and foot , and cast him into utter darkness . When he hears the passing Bell go for him . He thinks he hears the sound of the last Trump summoning him to arise and come to Judgment . His Devotion as he is going to Execution . O Saviour of the World save me , who by thy cross and precious blood hast redeemed me ▪ help me I beseech thee , O God. O let the sorrowful sighing of me a poor Prisoner come before thee , and by the greatness of thy power preserve thou me , who am going to die a shameful temporal death Lord , preserve me from that death which is eternal . O shew some token upon me for good that the Devil , who watcheth for my soul may see it , and be asham'd , because thou Lord hast holpen and comforted me . O thou that didst save the penitent Thief on the cross , have mercy upon me a miserable malefactor . O deliver me for I am helpless , and poor , and my heart is wounded within me . Though my flesh and my heart fail , yet be thou the strength of my heart , and my portion for ever . His Devotion at the Place of Execution . Lord be not far from me , now trouble is near at hand . Now , now Lord Jesus , save from eternal death my poor sinful soul which thou didst purchase with thy blood . O God make speed to save me . O Lord make haste to help me . Save me , dear Jesus , by thy merits , and take my trembling departing soul to thy mercy . Lord Jesus receive my Spirit , The Prayer of one committed to Prison for destroying her Child . O Almighty God , Father of mercy and God of all Consolation : have mercy upon me a grievous sinner ; who having not the fear of thee my God before my eyes , have made away with my Child ; O blessed Saviour , who when thou took'st upon thee to deliver man , did'st not abhor the Virgins womb , compassionate me , who have cruelly destroy'd the fruit of my womb : although for this I am afflicted on every side , yet suffer me not to be distrest , though in want of some of thy comforts , yet not of all ; though chastened , yet not forsaken ; though cast down , yet suffer me not utterly to perish . Sprinkle me with Hysop ▪ dip't in the blood of that immaculate Lamb Christ Jesus , and I shall be clean , wash me , and I shall be whiter than Snow . O let the blood of Jesus be heard above the cry of my crying sin , spare me good Lord spare me a sorrowful sinner and be no● angry with me for ever . Amen . The Prayer of one committed to Prison for Murther , and under the Sentence of Condemnation . ALmighty God , the aid of all that need , the helper of all that flee to thee for succour ; I the vilest of sinners , and the worst of men , for such have I made my self by my sins , do here passionately beseech thee to have mercy upon me a bloody sinner . O deliver me from blood-guiltiness , O God , thou God of my Salvation , so shall my Tongue sing aloud of thy Righteousness . The remembrance of this my sin is grievous unto me , the burthen of it is intolerable : Have mercy upon me O Lord , have mercy upon me , who repent with as lowly a Spirit , as ever I sinned with a high hand , Lord help my unrepentance . And when Justice shall lay my blood upon my own head , let the blood of Jesus Christ be on it too . Into thy hands I now commend my soul , into thy hands do thou then receive it , O blessed Jesus , be thou then a Jesus to me . Amen . FINIS .