A Consolatory Letter, humbly Addressed to Her Royal Highness the Princess Anne of Denmark, upon the much lamented Death of His Most Illustrious Highness William Duke of Gloucester, August 2. 1700.  
MAY it Please Your Highness to forgive this Address( to Your Royalty) could Your Highness see the Glories the Duke now enjoys, You would be content to abate of your own Satisfaction for His Advance; God saw Him fit for Happiness; His Great Majesty has taken him to fill up the Place of a Seraphin in His own Court; earthly Courts are mean compared to to that of Heaven; the Soul is so glorious a Creature, that we cannot yet know its Happiness; the Nation has lost their Hopes; but God can supply the Duke's Wisdom from a new Off-spring, from the Original; Your Highness; or if not we must submit that deserved Punishment: How sudden soever the Surprise was to Mortals, certainly 'twas Kindness in God to the Duke, to take him to be one of the Ravishing Companions with Angels; May it Please Your Highness to abate of your deep Sorrow, and contemplate on the Joys your Son does now possess. 'Tis not unlike, but that Your Highness would have been content to have partend with him a little for his greater Advance; since God is pleased this way to dignify him, 'tis to be supposed, that Your Highness is willing to yield to the Divine Will, nothing can be amiss that God is pleased with, or sees good to do; Who can produce good out of that which we fear and feel to be evil? God is pleased with us when we submit to his Divine Pleasure; Could we see the Felicity that good Souls are now in, we should immediately wish ourselves to be of their Company: The Soul of Man is the noblest of all God's Creatures; the Angels rejoice at the reception of every holy Soul into the Bosom of their Maker; the Advantage was his, the Loss is only ours( O that Your Highness's inward Purity, Brightness and honour, wou●d be graciously pleased to forgive your offending Vassal) great is the Tenderness the late Melancholy Solemnity universally inspired, the Shortness of that precious Life may be recompensed by an Immortal Memory; his Mind though young, conceived generous and noble Things; Silence is his highest panegyric.  
Leave I crave, to add a Word or Two for the Encouragement of Proficients, and such as delight in the Exercise of Wisdom and Virtue, a comfortable Study. Science, without other Courtship than its own Merit, ought to be an especial Favourite of the Soul; and chiefly to be valued by the most eminent of Men; a Motive of such high Importance, that it caused the Great Alexander to declare, That he had rather be a Prince of Science, than Commander of the vast Dominions possessed by him: Princes of superlative Esteem, have to their Glory promoted the Excellencies of Science, and are accordingly conspicuous in Records of famed: If they have been Illustrious in their Sphere( the Court;) they have not judged themselves greater under a Canopy of State, than when their Grandeur has Flourished with the Encouragement and Growth of the Art of Knowledge; Aristotle, the Tutor of the Great Alexander, though famous for Learning, his Name nor Works had never been so far, diffused in the World, if his Pupil had not countenanced, encouraged, and assisted him by his Power. The next great Example was Julius Caesar; who is mentioned by Plutarch, as a Parallel in Valour and warlike Conquests, to the mighty Alexander; but far surpassing the Conduct of his Arms, and Counsels of State; as to the perpetual Memorial of his Glory and Erudite Accomplishments, Men famous in Mathematical Science, were authorised by him to amend the then erroneous Computation of the Sun's Annual Revolution, to which at this Day, in the Julian Year, we own our Calendar, and the Month of July dedicated to his everlasting Renown, in the Year that was rectified by his Imperial Command: A Work transcending the greatest of his Earthly famed, as to the height of the Sun, the sovereign of Light; his Name is exalted in Story, for his sovereign Dignity and vast Ingenuity of Mind; he was signally accomplished to patronise so sublime a Performance: His Skill was admirable, his Vigilancy and Experience employed to advance the Glory of God; Man is endowed with Gifts of the Mind, above all other animated Creatures; so, the Grace of God and Diligence in Religion, do by its Excellency highly advance the useful Speculations and Comprehensions of one Man superior to another; Diligence and Sincerity in Religion, is the Queen of Virtue; It directs to the highest achievements, of which, none can exceed the love of Truth, for that is the Guide and Director of all the Virtues; it gives us a Prospect into the future World, and encourages Man to live worthy of obtaining the Virtues that shall give him a Title to be Heir of the invisible World: Your Majesty is a leading Example, and an especial Encourager of such parts of useful Knowledge( i.e. e. true Devotion and Piety) as may embellish the Mind of Man, and erect it to its proper End, the subduing of 'vice, and the love of Virtue; when a Man is arrived at Truth, his judgement will be refined, and he will be able to direct his Choice, and be a Leader of others in the way of Life; being yourself divinely taught, you are a Light and a Guide to every teachable Genius, to love Truth and Religion above all other Sciences, does advance the Elevation of the Eyes and Heart, in order to the Divine Contemplation of the wonderful Movements and Beings of the Celestial Orbs, but above all to adore the God that made them; God has made us perceptible, and we see and admire him in all his Works; Science exalts our Intellects, and directs Man to his proper End, which is the Care of his Carriage in order to his future State; nothing is more commendable than the due Exercise of the human Mind; in such requisite Contemplations, as most effectually conduce to the Improvement of the Understanding, in things of special Importance, we exist in a World whose Structure is admirable, no less to our Speculation, than how we came to have a Being in it; or are originally ensouled above other Creatures: God has infused into us a Love of Goodness, if we improve the good Motions he has put into us; our Hearts will quickly be enflamed with Divine Love, and replenished with certain Beams of Glory and Divine Illumination; our Understanding will be elevated, and we shall proceed from Virtue to Virtue, till we arrive to a good Proficiency in the School of Wisdom; a Soul disgusted with the World, meets with true Repose in God; Death that despoils the living of their Pomp, will cloath every holy Soul with new Honours and fresh Glories, to them that by the Exercise and practise of Wisdom have gained a habit of Devotion, and refers all their Virtues to the Glory of God; and he that does not this, is a false Virtuoso. But true Virtue raises and strengtheners Mens Hearts, and makes them despise Death and Danger, when it is for an honourable End; and where the Glory of God calls and engages them to it; before whose Presence universal Nature trembles; to him therefore let us direct our Thoughts, and all the Faculties of our Minds and Bodies, as being confident of his Goodness and Acceptance; all Help and Assistances is to be found in him; every Good is to be found in God; O great Majesty; Let me perfectly possess thee, for thou art to me instead of every thing besides; the World has taken from me all it gave but nothing can rob me of thy Presence; Why should I so bitterly bewail the Loss of those that Death deprives me of? they were not mine but God's, h● hath exalted them beyond all earthly Honour; Go lent them me, but has now resumed them to himself; their now Felicity is beyond Expression; Wh● should I be uneasy on their behalf, seeing they ar●●●essed beyond Expression or present Conception I will not renew my Sorrows with over-much anxlousness concerning them, they are in rest and full Felicity; I will divinely prepare to be so too; but I may not renew your Sorrow, or provoke your Passion by a panegyric on our Deceased Friends, but rather ruminate upon the Felicity we aspire after, by keeping an Inoffensive Conscience; we will not therefore gain Knowledge, or Wealth, or any Felicity whatsoever, by the loss of Innocency, O thou Source of all created Light, Penetrate to the inmost of my Heart, with one of thy Rays that may prevent my Fall; Purify and make me glad in thee; Enlighten and quicken my Soul and all its Faculties, and unite them to thyself, that by thy Grace, I may renew my Conference with thee, and daily receive Comfort from thee: Commerce with thee is better than Life; my Soul shall praise thee, Possess my Soul with a full hope of Glory, and of Felicity that will never end, or wear out; leave no place in me for any vain Imagination; let my Conceptions be only of thy Majesty and Beauty; let no mortal Law rule over the Law of my Understanding: I desire to serve thee with a Love all pure, let me once arrive to the solid Joy of thy glorious self; satisfy my Thirst after Righteousness, with the Blessing of a righteous Conversation. My Soul longeth after thy Courts, O when shall I see thy unveiled Felicity? Impart to me some of thy glorious Rays, give me an habitual Thought of Thee, be Thou always in my Mind and Intentions, I will frequently think on my Saviour's Death and Sepulchre, who for my sake entered the Chambers of Death. Let every Occurrence advance me one step nearer Heaven; O that I could acceptably meditate on thee, guard me from all evil, spread in my Soul the Divine Rays of thy Grace; in all thy Works let me see thy Divinity shine forth, let all my Actions be Works worthy of Imitation. God alone is my Treasure and true Riches, the Delight of mine Eyes, and the Joy of my Soul; Suffer me never to do any thing unworthy of Piety. May all Men aspire after those who are placed with God, and inherit the Glory which is there, and in particular, the Prince the Nation have been lamenting; who is gone from hence to exchange for more sublime Glory, the Wisdom of Heaven excels all other Wisdom; Great Princess, May the Hand of God led you in all your Counsels and Enterprizes; May your Wisdom be admired above your Power, and your Power out-shine your wisdom, but your Piety over balance both; May Your mighty Highness each Day become more divine in excelling in the Love of Christ, that the happy People under your Conduct, may become a shining Nation: May God ensure your Security and Sofety, and you be ever watchful for the Good of Christendom; the Value of Souls is countless, the Soul is a Jewel beyond prise, till we begin to reckon the Value our Lord paid, to rescue it from endless Thraldom; Learn we; from your Example; to supplicate God for its Safety, that we may lay hold on the Terms of Salvation, pointed out to us by the Gospel. Your Royal Piety is a leading Star, an Ornament to Religion. May it not offend Your Majesty that I presume, nameless, unmark'd, unknown, sunk by Birth and Fate, and lower yet by unequal Fortune's Weight.  

LOrd be merciful to all who are true Parts and Members of the one true catholic and apostolic Church, and on all those which differ from the ancient Truth; make us all one Sheep sold under our great shepherd and Bishop Christ Jesus, that we may all give thee due Honour and Praise, according to the Excellency of thy great Majesty; O complete that Promise of giving by Son the Heathen for his Heritage, and the utmost Parts of the Earth for his Pessessions, that we may all be gathered under thy sure Mercies, and when time shall fail, be admitted to behold thy Face in Glory; these Mercies we beg for the Merits of our dear Redeemer, to whom with thee O Father, and the glorious Spirit, be all Honour and Glory, World without End,  
Amen.    

To the Judicious Reader.  
THE Reader may here find hard Arguments delivered in soft Words; the End at which it aims, will compensate for the defect of style and Method; which invites to pursue as our chief End, invisible Bliss, attainable by all that pursue it with an eager and thirsty Mind; the Thought of living for ever, is such a Motive as is able to make a Man defy all Difficulties, so far as to be inflamed the more by the Apprehension of them, and to stick at nothing but flat Impossibilities; but this cannot be objected by a wise Man in the case, it may be difficult or uneasy to our present Delights and Pleasures; it is plain in experience, that many Men have undergone greater Hardships, than any the Gospel requires, either to demonstrate their love, or to pursue their Passion, in compliance with their Fears, or for the sake of their Interests, for self-security or Reverence of some Person, and always for Preservation; now whatsoever may be done upon these inconsiderable Grounds, most certainly cannot be impossible, when eternal Life is at stake; Hope is the great Wager of him that runs, and cannot be obtained upon any other Terms; Hope, and Assurance of arriving at our desired End, must needs make the Yoke of Christ comparatively easy; let each Man then frame himself by the Rule of God's Word, that he may be capable of the Inheritance prepared for all the Lovers of God, the best that a wicked Man can hope for, is to rot in his Grave, and be everlastingly forgotten( and besides this suffer eternal Fire) but those that live by the Rule of the Gospel, shall undoubtedly be raised out of the Dust, and out-live the very Heavens in unspeakable and endless Felicity; for God is a necessary Being, and must live for ever, as the following Tract asserts; he made all things by his Power out of nothing, and by the same Power, will raise the Dead again out of the Dust; this is the great Promise of the Gospel of which we have Assurance, Acts 14. 31. and after this Assurance, who can complain of Difficulty, considering the Joys in view hoped for, considering also the Assistance the Gospel affords us, towards the performing the Duties required; to which we may add, that Christianity is now become the Religion of our English Empire, and is defended and encouraged by it; God also communicates to us his holy Spirit, which co-operates with us to qualify us for the glorious Rewards before us, by spiritual Worship, purity of Heart, universal Charity; the Divine Power will co-operate with us to discharge these, and this being our happy Case, how can there by any such thing as Impossibility, nor scarcely so much as Difficulty, for what can be impossible to Almighty Power, or who can complain of burden that hath such an Helper; we have the Benefit of common Providence to uphold and strengthen our Minds, and the Effects of special Providence in removing Obstacles, and making our way easy, by the vital Power and Efficacy of the Divine Spirit, by which our Minds are daily more enlightened, to see the Excellency of this Undertaking; and our Will is confirmed in the Choice of this Resolution, and our Affections quickened in the pursuit and execution of this Choice, and our Hearts exceedingly cheered in the whole enterprise with unspeakable Joy, and with the admirable and ravishing Prospect of the Glory that shall attend and crown our Performances, which we shall receive, when the whole Seminary of the Church Triumphant, shall be gathered in one vast Body, in the future World; which is an Encouragement to assemble ourselves in the present Representative and Seminary of this Church, which is now Militant; and it is ridiculous to object Difficulty against this glorious Institution; the Design of the following Pages are noble and generous, namely, to heighten and confirm our Belief of the Glories to come, in reserve for all that will diligently seek to attain them; we demonstrate that the strictest Virtues are consistent with the greatest Prudence and Civility; we Essay to raise the dejected and depressed Spirit of Piety in the World. Great is the Importance of Religion and Virtue. Here the Foundation Religion is preached into, and particularly, that great point concerning a judgement to come, is substantially proved; and the Wisdom of making Religion as well the Subject of social Communication, as of retired Meditation; here is warm and sensible Discourse of another World, and of the necessary Preparations for it, whereby a Man's Heart may be inflamed with Devotion, which if neglected, cannot be but with very ingrateful Returns to the Divine Bounty; which have made liberal and ample provisions for the Delight and Contentment of all Men, whereby the Divine Majesty have obliged us to Obedience, and would have all Men fix and improve their Minds to Subjects suitable to their Capacities, that they may fill up the vacant spaces of their time, with delightful and profitable Entertainments for the Good of their Souls, that they give no occasion of Scandal by any misbecoming Action; that the Accent of the Speech be not fierce nor violent, but Candour sh●w good Example unto all, throughout the whole Demeanour of their Life, that they may not be over positive and decretal in their Assertions, nor define with too great Confidence; they are not Privy-Counsellers of Heaven, nor are their Definitions and Determinations always true; some Men can talk well, and set a good Face upon that which they have no comfortable Sense of, and no Wonder if such M●ns Courage fail them when they have most use for it, for it is not imaginable that it should be easy to brazen it out against Death, but this is no more reproach to true Faith in God, and hopes of fature Bliss, than it is to generous Courage and Valour; it is easy to brag and ●a●our when no Danger is near, but it requires real Bravery to stand to it, when a Man is briskly encountered; there are Men that dare to be virtuous in a lewd Age, and evil Company, and hath the Courage to confront the whole World with their Example; there are Men that can want without repining, and be liberal without upbraiding; that can bear Prosperity without being lifted up, and Adversity without being dejected, which show them to be brave and worthy Persons; neither will they be discomposed at the rude Assaults of Death; which if they were, it might not blemish their Faith nor Virtue, in regard that naturally all Men have a Love of Life, and an Abhorrence of Death; and from hence may proceed some sudden Reluctances, because it is neither in the power of Reason, nor in the Office of Religion, utterly to exterminate and extinguish these first Motions, but to subdue and govern them; so that a Man may after some Conflict pursue the choice of his Mind, notwithstanding them; a violent Disease or Pain, or any of those forerunners of Death, do ordinarily enfeeble the Operations of the Mind, as well as the Body; and sometimes disorder their Reason, that it is hard to pronounce of their Courage at that time, by the Combat they then maintain; but when we see a Man in his full Strength, voluntarily and understandingly do any noble Exploit, this hath certainly Bravery and Self denial in it, Contempt of Life and the World; and is a greater Argument of Hopes in the other World, than can be drawn from the Contingencies in the very Agony of Death: Upon which Thought, a Man that has been could and indifferent in Religion, may on the sudden be inflamed and enamoured with the bright Idea of it; it is the last and ultimate Revelation of the Divine Will, and is exact and perfect; it repeals no Law of Nature or Reason, it derogates from no Rule of Piety, Gratltude, Civility or Humanity, but adds to them and improves them: The Christian Institution is a dig●st of all that is grave, decent, prudent, virtuous, or praise-worthy; it enjoins a most excellent and spiritual Worship, such as must be accompanied with refined Purity of Heart and Life, it raises and improves the State of Mankind, it inflames the Mind to the Love of God, and encourages our Endeavours proportionably, it gives Assurance by Faith in Jesus, of attaining the glorious Design of overcoming ourselves, our Passions and Vices; the Books of the Scripture contain a very admirable Institution, all the noble Actions that have been done in the World, have taken their Rise from the Doctrine of these Books; they are a certain way of Information of what God requires and expects from us, and we may justly expect Satisfaction from them, how to acquire everlasting Life; where we understand them not aright, God will supply the Defect, by applying himself to the inward Sentiments of our Souls, by, the secret Operations of his holy Spirit, whereby he instills his Mind into Mens Hearts.  
God speaks to Men in his Word, the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any Two-edged Sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder both Soul and Spirit, this is a Discerner of the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart, this Word will certainly serve to the Purpose to which it was ordained, God's Honour is as secure as his Happiness; it is the unbelieving only that will suffer; let not the wicked give themselves the vain Pleasure( if they will not be persuaded by the Gospel) to think to bring it in Disrepute, or disappoint its Author; for God is able to defend his own Honour, and to crush in sunder those that 
* For the subtlety Men use when they endeavour to disprove the great Truths of the Gospel are necessary Assertions of it, for nothing but a thinking Mind could use that subtlety, for it is impossible that Matter and Chance should forge and polish such subtle Notions.  oppose it, and go on in their old unchristian Course; they are glad to know how to make Exceptions and object, and resolved are they not to obey, they will not be fully p●rswaded it seems, should they see all the Dead arise, or the whole Host of Heaven come down, so little Fairh has our Lord found; at his Death he left not much, and he makes it a Question after, whether at his Return he shall find any; any proportionably to the clearness of the Messages of the Gospel, and to the Greatness and Dignity of its Power; yet however the Revelation is not disparaged, but verified by it; we are not surprised to sinned, that there are such who neglect or contradict, these are those of whom we have been forewarned, that they will not be persuaded to save their own Souls from endless and everlasting Misery, though the Notice how to do it through the Mercy of God, is so plain and evident, that reasonably and in Duty they cannot demand more, however more will not be granted; if the Convictions and Evidences God has afforded us, will not have a good Effect upon us, no other shall now be given; no other shall be sent from the Dead for our Conviction, till we ourselves do rise to judgement: If we will not believe Moses and the Prophets, we are past Remedy, the Book is sealed, as the gulf below is fixed: And those that will not be prevailed upon by this Method, they will not, they shall not have any other extended to them, the Son of God and his Apostles have pleaded to them, there will be no further Endeavour to persuade them: If the Gospel be hide, it is hide to those that are lost, take we heed how we despise the Admonition of Him that is risen from the Dead, and now speaks from Heaven, our Maker, our Redeemer, and our Judge, this Life is the time to hear the Directions of God, and to comply with his Wisdom for our Salvation; in the great Day of Audience we shall be called to hear his Sentence, and to confess his Justice; and then a knowing Age will be the most improper to pled Ignorance, who amongst us will dare to say he wanted Notice? the persuaded and the unperswaded will then have their different Portions, and be set at a wide distance, and we shall be either comforted or tormented, when the wise and the unwise, small and great shall stand before God to give an Account of themselves to him; when the judgement will be set, and the Books shall be opened, and the dead shall be judged out of those Books, Revel. 21. 27. Our Saviour the Brightness of God's Glory, has himself brought down from Heaven Information to us, infinitely surpassing what was spoken to the Fathers by Moses and the Proplsets, has laid open to us the World to come, and given a free Prospect of the Two different States; here the sceptic may receive Advice, and the Man of Pleasures learn to use them lawfully, and the Man of Business allot some Time that may prove seasonable for the Worship of God and religious Retirement, and have regard to all the Commands of God, which tend to original Justice and Righteousness, both to God and to our Neighbour, which is a true Knowledge of God in our Minds, and a Power and Inclination, and a Desire in our Will and Heart, and in all our Parts to obey God, that we never cover nor bury the Truth, but declare it to the Honour and Praise of God; and for the inward Benefit and Satisfaction of Men, we are bound to honour such as have been Instruments of God's Blessings to us, yet so as to praise God in them, and them in God; such as have been burning and shining Lights in the Church, famous in their Generation for Piety and Virtue; of these the People ought to speak of their Wisdom, and the Congregation of their Praise, Eccles. 4. 1. 2. 44. since our Requital cannot reach up to God, our glorious Head; we bestow our Ointment, our Gifts and Endeavours upon his Feet, his poor Members here below.  
Conscience is not to be totally drowned in Drink, nor the Clamour thereof to be deadened by the Noise of Huzza's, the Mirth of a Debauch, as it is straitned and artificial, so it cannot last long; it is at the best but like the Effects of a strong Cordial, which may serve to rally the Spirits for some present Encounter, but when they are spent in the Conflict, they fall and flag again quickly after, or like those mighty Efforts, which we may observe some Persons to make in a Convulsion, the Result of which will be, that such a Man shall become so much less than himself after the Fit, as he was more than himself whilst it was upon him, for any Man shall find, that whensoever the Spirits are extraordinarily exhilarated and dilated, they thereby become so thin and volatiley that they easily exhale and vanish, and so a Man becomes far more melancholy and lumpish after than he was before, but in intellectual Delights and Entertainments, a Man may be merry and wise together, and so have no Dread upon his Spirits to pall the present Enjoyments, for religious Pleasures are without Fear or Danger, they afford a still and sedate Delight, which refreshes the Heart more than dilate the Countenance, and gently raise and strengthen the Spirits, but do not in any Measure exhaust them, a wise Man will therefore restrain himself in the use of bodily Pleasures, and fly as much as may be without Prejudice to those in Authority, public Employments, as a Derogation to Wisdom, and a Disturber of Peace and Quietness, avoiding all distractive Cares, which may interrupt our spiritual Peace and Quietness, or impede us in our heavenly Race, irreligious Practices do naturally produce irreligious Opinions, and the Disbelief of the supreme Peing, proceeds from a vicious practise.  
Conscience before 'tis seared or hardened, will startle at Wickedness, but when Men are arrived at that height, that they can deny all first Principles they are then without a Miracle, beyond all possibility of Conviction, for still demanding Proof after Proof, they must reel on to Eternity without Satisfaction, such contradicting Animals put themselves in a condition past Conviction, 'tis hard to find a Worthy that will take so long a Journey, or so fruitless a Trouble that will attempt to win them to Reason, since they are found to be condemned to Diffidence, such is the Face of a sceptic as it is drawn by his own Hand, he has made himself Proof against Conviction, he is a perverse sort of Creature resolved to contradict, he is instructed in all the studied Modes of Foolery, Scepticism according to their own Definition, in its Effect, is Freedom from Assent, they have an exact Method to be true to their Folly, which may be exposed, but to endeavour to bring him to Sense or Reason, is a wild Design, all Advice to him is false and visionary: He that would establish the true Belief of the Deity, is certain to have the sceptic for his Enemy, he being no less so to all revealed Religion, which derives it Authority from the supreme Lawgiver, which is the Being of Beings that bestows all Good, he that first moved Matter, is the free Agent and Giver of all things, and can carry one, or cease his Operations as he pleases, and will to the end of Time govern and direct, he orderly by Method preserves the Frame he at first raised, he is an allwise Director, discovering Rules, how Man may be endlessly happy.  
True Virtue fills the Consciences with profound Peace and heavenly Light, it raises and strengtheners Mens Hearts, and makes them run to Death, despise Dangers, and spare nothing where the Glory of God engages them, he that refers not all his Virtues to the Glory of God, is a false Virtuoso, but a Man that hath a true Taste of Virtue, will always be forming his Mind by the Laws of Wisdom, and spend all his time in Improvement, furnishing himself with useful Knowledge and Virtue, which is cheering and delightful to the Mind. Knowledge enlarges the Soul, and adds Lustre to it, as pollishing does to a Jewel, the latter sullies and dims it, and makes it ugly, Knowledge elevates the Mind, Ignorance depresses it, Knowledge tends to refine it from the Dregs of Sensuality, Ignorance leaves it polluted Knowledge improves its Powers, increases its Liberty and Freedom, the Knowledge of God is an inestimable thing.  
Most powerful and merciful Lord God, hasten the Day of thy Elect, when all shall rise from the dead and give an Account for their Works, in the time being, forgive my Impatient Wishes, humble the Pride of the World, and the Enemies of thy sacred Truth, and accept my Hearty Thanks for thy Assistance in this Work, which I wholly attribute to thy Grace, and humbly dedicate to thy Honour. Let all earthly Magistrates consider, that when they have done judging others, they shall be judged themselves, and nothing shall be able to oppose the Decrees of thy infinite Wisdom, who hast made the Soul of Man of a refined alloy: Make every Man thankful, wise and faithful: Let us in every thing see thy Wisdom and Goodness: For every Rarity which thou hast made, is a Benefit to all, the holy Angels which have neither Ears nor Eyes, nor Tongues, nor Hands, are yet sensible Beings, and feel the Delights of all the World, and hear the Harmonies which not only Earth but Heaven maketh, the Melody of Kingdoms, the Joy of all Ages: These are all Objects of their Joy, they sing thy Praises for our sakes, while we are delighted by being made thy Gifts; a wise Man is the Joy and Blessing to all the Creatures, an Object of Delight to God himself, for the Nobility of the Soul, which is of Divine Extraction, capable of excellent enjoyments, even of admiring the Glory and Goodness of God, wonderful are the Riches of his manifold Wisdom; Oh let me see thy Splendour, and enjoy thy Divine Influences. I am transported with the Excellency of thy Love, thou art to me a shining Light, an exceeding Joy; thou hast given me thyself in all the Blessings I possess, I love the Happiness of all, I rejoice in their Joy, and delight in their Glory; thy Wisdom enricheth every Gift, thy Love is eternal, thy Goodness infinite, thy Bounty omnipresent, thou hast made Man in Thought and Action, an endless Treasure, in every thing thou overflowest infinitely to all, art infinite in Goodness in all thy ways, infinitely communicative of all thy Goodness; thou art divine, wise, blessed, holy, heavenly, glorious; I admire, I infinitely admire thy Riches and Wisdom; elevate my Soul to a greater Knowledge of thee; make me more acquainted with the Treasure of thy Wisdom; let no earthly Enjoyment encroach upon my Desire; transform me to the Imitation of thy Wisdom; thou exaltest those that are busy in thy Delight, thy Goodness reaches to every Soul in Heaven and Earth; teach us by Wisdom, Goodness and Love, to imitate thy Sweetness, and to enjoy all things as thou enjoyedst them; O thou that art the Light of the World, be infinitely profitable to us: The Light of Life to quicken our Sense, the Joy of Love to inflame us with Goodness, the Light of Knowledge, to make us see and understand divine things, the Joy and Treasure of our Souls; Jesus is the Purchaser of all our Glory; thy Affections here upon Earth were present with all Families, Kingdoms and Ages; let us with open Face behold as in a Glass, the Glory of the Lord, be transformed into the same Image! From Glory to Glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord, open to me the Gate of Wonder, Liberty, Difficulty, and also the Gate of Glory, Triumph, invincible Peace, unchangeable Goodness, Beauty and Delight; O Immortal sovereign, let my Love be divine, invincible towards thee and all that resemble thy Divine Likeness: Cause me to seek the things that are above, and to disvalue earthly things; let me sacrifice my Mind to thee, by the renewing of the Spirit, let me offer to thee also my Body by a Chain of good Works, purify my Body and Mind, and accept them in the Son of thy Love.  

LOrd prepare me for eternal Felicity, unlock the Mysteries of thy Divine Word unto me, that I may see the Treasure of Salvation; Learn how to please thee acceptably, and wisely understand the Certainty of Death, and be fully assured of a joyful Resurrection.  

Ascend my Soul, mount up on Eagles Wings;  
And get above these sublunary things:  
Make hast, and fly unto that lofty Hill;  
Where God abides with Saints and Angels still.     

Some Deductions drawn from the First Eighth, 11, 15, 28 and 29 Articles of the Church of England.  

Article the First, Of the Holy Trinity.  
THere is but one living and true God everlasting, without Body, Parts or Passions; of infinite Power, Wisdom and Goodness, the Maker and Preserver of all things both visible and invisible; and in Unity, of this Godhead there be Three Persons, of one Substance Power, and Eternity, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.   

Article the Eighth. Of the Three Creeds.  
THE Three Creeds, Nicene( or Constantinopolitan) Creed and that which is commonly called the Apostles Creed, ought thoroughly to be received and believed; for they may be proved by most certain Warran's of Holy Scripture.  
Our Saviour was without Sin, both in his Flesh and Spirit, and we are accounted righteous only for his Merits, Article 15. and 11. The Body of Christ is given, taken, and eaten in the Supper, only after an heavenly and spiritual manner, and the means whereby the Body of Christ is received and eaten in the Supper is Faith, Transubstantiation( or the change of Substance of Bread and Wine) in the Supper of the Lord, cannot be proved by holy Writ: But it is repugnant to the plain Words of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a Sacrament, and hath given occasion to many Superstitions; Article 28.   

Article the 29th. Of the wicked which eat not the Body of Christ, in the use of the Lord's Supper.  
THE Wicked and such as are voided of a lively Faith, although they do carnally and visibly press with their Teeth( as St. Augustine saith) the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ: Yet in no wise are they Partakers of Christ, but rather to their Condemnation do eat and drink the sign or Sacrament of so great a thing.    

Divine Meditations and Prayers, methodical and useful for the opening the Understanding and quickening Devotion, and instructing the Mind, and for the provoking Zeal for the Glory, Love, and Fear of God, and the Good of all Christians.  

O Most powerful Creator, speak Peace to my Conscience, rebuk the Tempter, and raise me up to Newness of Life, crown the Queen's Majesty with all Royal Graces, make her wise as an Angel of God, bless the Nobles, Peers, and Judges of these Realms, with Wisdom from above, that they may rule as in thy Fear, by the Rule of thy Word; Look down in Mercy upon all the Children of Affliction, shine upon them with the favourable Beauty of thy Grace, prepare them for divine Pleasures, in that glorious Place where eternal Comforts do flow. Enlighten all the desolate, with the Comfort of thy Sacred Spirit; O thou who art rich in Goodness, and thy Arms are open to receive thy poor Servants, receive to thy Protection all the afflicted, that draw near to thee, by true and sincere Repentance; Enter O Lord the Gates of my Heart, put a Watch over the Door of my Lips, that I speak not unadvisedly with my Tongue; let my Glory awake early in the Morning to bring Praises unto thee. Let the Ark of thy Presence rest within me, let no Sin reign in my Body, make me acceptably to praise and adore the Holy Trinity;  

While I O Lord exalted by thy Hand,  
Above the Skies in Glory seem to stand;  
The Skies being made to serve me, as they do,  
While I thy Glories in thy Goodness view.  
To be in Glory higher than the Skies,  
Is greater Bliss, than 'tis in Place to rise  
Above the Stars: more blessed and divine.  
To live and see; than like the Sun to shine.  
O what Profoundness in my Body lies;  
For whom the Earth was made, the Seas, the Skies;  
So greatly high our human Bodies are,  
That Angels scarcely may with them compare.  
In all the heights of Glory seated, they,  
Above the Sun in thine eternal Day;  
Are seen to shine, with greater Gifts adorned  
Than Gold with Light, or Flesh with Life suborned;  
Suns are but Servants! Skies beneath their Feet,  
The Stars but Stones, Moons but to serve them meet.  
Beyond all heights above the World they reign,  
In thy great Throne ordained to remain.  
All Tropes are Clouds, Truth doth itself excel,  
What ever Heights, hyperboles can tell.    

LOrd enlighten my Understanding with the Comforts of thy Holy Spirit; make me constant in thy Fear; patient in Sufferings, and so establish my Heart, that no evil Tidings make me afraid. Let the Flames of Affliction render my Faith more pure, my Life more holy, and my Zeal more sincere and earnest; so direct me by thy Spirit, that I may at all times keep thy Commandments; enable me to walk before thee at liberty, with a pure Mind; moisten with heavenly Consolation all distressed Souls, that they may bring forth much Fruit; let Religion again recover its ancient Lustre, double the Portion of thy Spirit on our Magistrates, that they may be just and rule in thy Fear, prosper thy Word of Grace, in the Mouths of thy Ministers; let the Doctrine of the Gospel run and be glorious; cause thy truth to shine gloriously; comfort all that mourn, let the Spirit of Glory rest on all those that suffer for the sake of Christ; Lord add Grace to their Hearts, that they may be able to endure, and to improve in all Goodness; Establish thy Law in all our Hearts, that we may sin no more; let thy Benedictions influence all my Undertakings, to direct us in the Ways of Light and Life; O Infinite God Center of my Soul, convert me powerfully to thee, that in thee I may find rest; my Heart is unquiet till it be united unto thee my God, thou hast given me a Body, wherein the Glory of thy Power shineth, fearfully and wonderfully made, give me a thankful Heart to admire all thy Works of Wonder; I adore thee for bestowing on me the Glory of Speech; Oh enable me to praise and celebrate thee, for all thy Mercies, for all the Beauties of Heaven and Earth; for the Melody of Sounds and sweet Odours of thy Dwelling-place; for the delectable Pleasures that gratify my Sense; for the comfortable Light of Scripture and History, the Light of Heaven brought in by the Eye; I adore thy Goodness, who hast made me a living Inhabitant of the Centre of this great World.   

O Lord make us learn to wave even our own Right, for the Love of Peace, and to win others to be obedient to thee, by our Example. that our Zeal being discreet and mildred, thou mayst be glorified by these, and those that were scattered brought home to thee, for which cause we beseech thee, not to suffer us to censure others, at whose Condition and State we can but guess, seeing we hardly know our own Follies, that we plunge not ourselves into eternal ruin, nor affright from us thy holy Angels, whom thou hast appointed to be our Keepers, lest we come by our own Vileness to perish, and so contradict thy holy Will, who wouldest have none to be so unhappy, to which End thou hast given thy Ministry a supreme Power. In subjection to thyself, to bless in thy Name, even those that have formerly transgressed thy divine Law, upon their Return to thee; O make us all with Humility and Fear come with humble Reverence to thee, for thou hast said, that he that comes to thee, thou wilt in no wise cast out, O make us all come to thee, with that reverential Fear, that may produce in our Souls a most firm hope in thy promises of our Accepance, grant us these Favours for thy Goodness sake.  
Amen.   

O Lord we beseech thee to renew to us thy tender Mercies, which have been ever of old, and teach us the true way to thy heavenly Kingdom, that we may not miss of finding thee, O thou our all enlightening Sun, who hast promised to enlighten our Understandings, and illuminate our Wills, and make us conformable to thy heavenly Oracles; by being wary and reserved, chast and pure, holy and resigned to thy heavenly Pleasure in all things, that thou mayst teach us how to treat with every one according to their Quality, not scorning our Inferiors, nor indiscrectly exalting them; but humbling our own Souls in every respect before thy great Majesty, that thou in thy due time mayst exalt us, that by our Service, and thy Mercy and Acceptance, we may gain the Wages of Eternity; that we may for ever with our whole Strength love and adore thee; yet still sincerely confessing, that I am an unprofitable Servant, yet depending upon thee always to relieve my Wants, and beseeching thee, that I may not forget to give thee to the utmost of my Power thy due Glory; O enable me these things faithfully to do, for thy Mercy's sake.  
Amen.   

O Lord enable me first and above all to do thy will, that I may taste by experience, the sweetness of thy Truth, and gain Courage to profess it even to Death; I beg thee to check our wild Passions, that they may not disturb our Fancies, nor hinder free Reason from settling in our Minds; take away all wilful Prejudice, that where Truth prevails, we may yield to the Arguments of others, as ingeniously as we would they should yield to us, when we have Truth on our side, that we may be delivered from the rude Contempt of others, and from an arrogant Conceit of ourselves, from blind Injustice of abusing Reason, that we may not gratify Passion, nor give ourselves up to bold profaneness, as those who wrest the sacred Scripture to defend their opiniated Errors, from the Guilt of which we beseech thee to deliver us, that our Souls may truly thirst after thee O glorified Jesus, and we may be admitted to drink freely of thy heavenly Sweetness, and grant that the Streams we gather here, may break forth and overflow into Rivers of living Water.  
Amen.   

O good Jesus, the supreme Judge of Mercy, I beseech thee to give me true Repentance, and to that add thy gracious Pardon and powerfully save us, which we hope thou wilt do, because thou hast deferred our Punishment, in hopes of our Amendment, which comforts our fears because we hope thou wilt, absolve our Sins, O suffer not our Hope to be frustrated, but graciously accomplish and fulfil our Hopes and Desires, for thy Mercy, Compassion, and Goodness sake.  
Amen.   

O Thou bright and glorious Light of the World, Illuminate our Souls that we may sincerely follow thee, and at last clearly behold thee in the Light of thy Glory; but in the mean time, cause me firmly to believe thee, and yet still more eagerly desire thee, to which Desire we humbly beseech thee graciously to answer, and to come immediately to dwell in our Souls, and there for ever love to inhabit. O my dear Lord, clear our Understandings, which are now dark and low, because our Conceptions of thee are alas too dull and earthly; but blessed be thy Name, that thou hast now raised our Nature to believe thee, whose Words are mysterious and sublime, wherefore all thy Ways infinitely transcend our dull Capacities; blessed be thy Majesty for those little Glimpses thou hast given us of thy Greatness; O Lord be pleased graciously to give us further Discoveries of thee, that we may delight more in thee, that thou mayst be gracious and merciful to us, and deliver us out of all our Troubles and Destress, for thy Mercies sake.  
Amen.   

THy Service O Lord is the only true Liberty my Soul seeks after, and by thy Grace to command our own Passions, is to be free indeed; O therefore sand thy divine Light into our Souls, and graciously govern our stubborn Nature, that we may not ignorantly mistake thee, nor wilfully offend thee; left-thou shouldst give us up to the Simplicities of our own Follies, that will increase still our irregular Appetite, and cause us to entangle ourselves with sensual follies, which when we see by true Reason, our Souls abhor, detest and resolve to forsake; O enable us by the Power of thy Grace, to please thee for thy Mercies sake.  
Amen.   

WE need not go to inquire of thy councils O Lord, to find the cause of our Calamities; alas, our own Ingratitude is to plain a Reason, and our great and many Sins to visible a Cause; we are born most miserable, and our Miscarriages have increased our Darkness, but we hope thou wilt in Pity relieve us for thy Glories sake, that the Works of thy Mercies may be manifested in us, because thou declarest thy Power most chiefly in showing Mercy, wherefore we trust thou wilt cleanse us from all our corrupt Affections, that we may see and love thy Truth and Excellency, not daring to dispute when we find ourselves convicted, nor fear openly to own our Faith, when we are called to confess it; O enable us to be victorious even to Death, hoping thou wilt give us a Crown of Life, that we may joyfully sing Hallelujah with thee to the end of Eternity, O grant we may for thy Mercy's sake.  
Amen.   

O Lord keep us from such evil Intentions, as to cavil at some Circumstances, and deny the Substance of thy most sublime Truth; and open the Eyes of our blind Minds, that we may discern, embrace and love thy Excellencies, and make us think ourselves blind enough to need the Guidance of the Wise; or be indeed wise enough to guide ourselves, that we may enter by thee the Door of Life, and seed our Souls on thy Divine Joys for ever. O Lord deliver us from increasing our Guilt by sinning against our Knowledge, and from hoping that our Ignorance will excuse our Guilt, because in us there is most strange perverseness of Nature, but in thee O God wonderful Goodness; O therefore let us participate of thy Goodness, and then call us after thee, who art gone before to prepare blissful Mansions for us, make us worthy to follow thee, that we may for ever be happy with thee, in those blissful Mansions above, to be filled with the Sweetness of thy Excellencies, and praise thee for ever and ever.  
Amen.   

O Lord, I know that the Applause of Men is but a vain Breath, and not worth regarding, much less the courting; therefore I will not seek for that, but my search shall be how to be truly worthy of thy Favours: For some Men can as easily dissemble their Praises, as others can counterfeit they deserve them; therefore by thy Grace I will neither covet nor value them, but diligently seek to please thee, O thou my Sovereign King, for thou only will I seek to be my Souls Director for ever, that I may always converse with a modest Calmness, and not passionately pursue things that deserve not our Notice, much less our Search; that thou mayst fortify me with thy all-reviving Strength, to overcome all Lets and hindrances that are in my Way to Heaven, that I may become like thee in Will and Desire, and obtain that thou hast moved me to desire, the pure rob of Christ's, Righteousness; and by thy Strength, never to defile this glorious Garment, but diligently adorn it by a holy Life; O enable me to persevere in Piety for thy Goodness sake.  
Amen.   

O Lord deliver us from every least Degree of uncharitably provoking our Neighbour, that we embitter not our Lives with mutual Animosities, nor make voided our Piety by obstinate Willfullness, but cause us to obey the Rules of our wise Redeemer, that we may escape the Miseries that would spring from our Follies; O therefore suffer us not to set our Hearts upon any one sensual Pleasure, nor embroil our Memories with impure Thoughts, lest I should incur to myself thy Indignity, or force thee to shower upon me thy Wrath, which I most hearty desire thee to divert and turn away for thy great Goodness sake.  
Amen.   

O Almighty Creator, fill my Soul with some Beam of thy Excellency, who earnestly gaspeth after it, by the effectual Working of thy Grace in my Soul, O withdraw it not from me for thy great Goodness sake.  
Amen.   

O Lord relieve us, and give us of thy Strength, that we may constantly walk in the way of Life, by infusing thy Love into our Hearts, and causing us to hold it fast for ever; that we may not loose ourselves by neglecting thy Grace, for as thou hast bountifully relieved our Wants, suffer us not to forget to give thee Thanks, who renewest daily thy Mercies and Blessings to us, therefore make our Zeal for the Honour of thy Name, be discreet and mildred, that we may have Peace O Lord with thee, and with all the World; esteeming greatly the Life of Innocency, and to converse in the World with a plain and candid Sincerity; laying open to thee all my Difficulties; beseeching thee to instruct my Doubts, and supply my Defects, that I may bear with Patience, and Contentedness, and Thankfulness, all my unsuccessful Business and Endeavours, that I may discern, love, and admire the Beauty of thy Truth, and the Praise of thy Name, which is great, wonderful and holy; therefore to thee be Glory and Praise World without End.  
Amen.   

O Lord remember thy ancient Promises, and powerfully urge them in favour of us Sinners, and heal us O thou heavenly Physician, whose Mercy both cures the Sick, and pardons the Penitent; and never fails to relieve with a generous Bounty, those who depend upon thee, therefore we will not pursue an empty famed, but a Credit that may benefit others, that all may rise from the Death of Infidelity, to a Life of true Grace, to serve thee faithfully and truly with great Joy and Delight of Soul, and great Application of Spirit.  
Amen.   

O Lord be pleased to check our wild Passions, that they may not disturb our Fancies, nor hinder free Reason from prevailing upon our Minds, but we may taste by experience the sweetness of thy Truth, that thou mayest move from my Heart all wilful Prejudices, that we may yield to the Arguments of Truth and love it with clean Affections; that we may sweetly contemplate the Love of thy blessed Mercies to us, who hast filled us with a Desire of the Gifts of the Spirit, and to be clothed with the real Substance of substantial Virtue, begging that we may not deat on the perishable Trifles of this vain World, but be studious to glorify thee with all our feeble Power, never more resisting the charming sweetness of thy all-reviving Voice, but always adhering to thy blessed Commands, may become pleasing to thee and accepted of thee, that thou mayst put on us the rob of Justice, and espouse us with the Ring of thy Love, and fill us with the Pleasure of thy Spirit.  
Amen.   

O Our Sovereign King, rule and command in us for ever, and so dispose all our unruly Motions, that they may conspire to set up thy Government, striving earnestly to practise all thy wise Precepts, instantly answering thy Will with a quick Obedience, that thou mayst bless my small Endeavours with a great increase, and cause the Relief we need to be conducive to our good, that we may give Glory to him, from whom all good things come, who causes us in the midst of Contradictions to trust in him, that we may still go on and perfect what we have begun, not doubting that our gracious Lord will defend and provide for us, helping us to correct at first those sudden heats of Anger, which would discompose us if they were not subdued, therefore subdue them, that they may not ruin our Souls, nor dishonour thee, nor scandalise our weak Brethren.  
Amen.   

O Thou great Physician of Souls, heal us, for our Souls need healing, and let nothing but thy Love find any Place in us, that our Lives may become one continual Prayer, quicken us with a ready Diligence to avoid every least occasion of Evil, and to embrace every opportunity of Good, that always being guided by a cautious Prudence, we may repair our lost Innocence, and past Negligence, by our present and most hearty Repentance and future Watchfullness, that thy Grace may enable us to follow thee in the Regeneration, that thou mayst accept us in the general Day of Mercy, Amen.   

O Lord writ all thy Holy Truths in our Souls, and Print thy Love in the Centre of them; and there let it sit sovereign governor, and absolutely dispose all our Interests, let it command my Tongue to confess thee, that no Fear of Danger may cause me to deny thee, nor any Derision of Man cause me to lessen my vigorous Diligence in thy Service, that by thy Grace I may overcome all Difficulties, and know how to manage myself wisely in every Affair, to thy great Glory and my immortal Good, that I may valiantly without Fear, forsake all that prejudices me in my Way to this Happiness, depending wholly upon the Fidelity of my sovereign Lord, that after this Life I may be worthy to praise him incessantly World without End.  
Amen.   

O Jesus, thou hast abundantly done for us all the kind Offices of a faithful Pastor, for thou hast laid down thy Life to redeem us, and taken it again for our everlasting Comfort, and hast exalted our Nature by raising thyself from the Dead, and placing thyself at the Right Hand of thy Father in Glory, by whose kind Intercession we also were reconciled to thy Father, and by whose Merits our Necessities are freely supplied, and our feeble Hearts supported, our Friends blessed, and our Enemies vanquished and subdued, because whatsoever he did was for our Good, therefore I will hearty strive to magnify and adore him with all my feeble Power and Might, for he is worthy of all Admiration, therefore to him be Glory and Praise World without End.  
Amen.   

HOW beautiful O Lord are the Feet of thy holy Messengers, who brings us Peace and Reconcilement with thee, teaching us the Way to eternal Happiness, who by their pious Offices help us in our Way thither; O teach us in Love and Gratitude freely to supply them with temporal Necessaries, as a Token that we hearty embrace their Doctrine, and rejoice in the glad Tidings thereof, showing all the World by our pious Conversation, that we believe the Gospel, and rejoice in the Publication of it, passionately wishing that all the World would obey it, by living by the Rule of it; O give them Grace to square their Lives by this blessed Rule for thy Goodness sake.  
Amen.   

O Lord teach me to triumph over my own Passions, that thy holy Comforts may ravish my Heart, so strengthen me that I may triumph over my Enemies, that I may live so inoffensively, that my Name may be enrolled in Heaven, and I may immediately run to thee who so kindly invitest me, because thy Burden is light, and thy Yoke most easy, thou refreshest the Labours of all that approach thee, with reverential Fear and humble Love, make me worthily approach thee in due manner, and then be pleased favourably to accept me for thy Mercy sake.  
Amen.   

O Lord I am deeply sensible that it is not the Name and Dignity that any one bears, can entitle him to Heaven, but the real Disposition of the Soul to do good, neither is it the Affections of our Friends and Kindred, that can excuse and satisfy our Duty, but our Exercise of Love to thee, and to all for thy sake, even to all that need our Assistance: O give us all tender and compassionate Hearts, to assist, relieve and comfort all that lies within the compass of our Power, for thy sake, and to thy Glory, and their present Comfort, in order to their future Good.  
Amen.   

O Lord prevent us from being perplexed with unnecessary Cares, that our Minds be not distracted with a multitude of trifling Provisions, but let us seek chiefly the one thing necessary, that choosing that best Part, we may for ever be happy, that we may not at any time be disturbed with our own Disquiet, but he sweetly filled with Peace, contemplating thy great and infinite Mercies, that our Love of thee, and those holy Joys thou hast prepared for us may be greatly increased, that our Lips may still repeat thy Praises with fresh Devotion, that thou mayst continue to us the Multitudè of thy Mercies, and we may still more and more admire and adore thee for them, with all our Souls Might and Strength, that thou mayst graciously accept us for thy Mercies sake.  
Amen.   

O Lord suffer us not to give over praying, till thou art graciously pleased to regard and answer us, teach us for what we ought to pray, & give us only those things that are fit for us to receive, for we know that it is in Mercy that thou deniest us many things we are apt to desire, therefore now we beg to be guided by thee in all things according to thy blessed & all-knowing Wisdom, and good Pleasure, wherefore if I have but little in this World, give me Grace to be humble and industrious, seeking( above all) the pleasure of the celestial World where we shall not want for Honour, Wealth, nor real Love; O fill us with thy heavenly Love, that we may in some Measure be fit for that kingly and bleffed City, and be of that happy Number that admires thee eternally.   

O Lord grant that I may never value the fair Appearance in the Eyes of others, before the real Substance of Virtue, nor more affect some petty Devotions than the Fundamental Laws of Justice and Charity, nor yet be so foolish as to place any Felicity in the vain Esteem and Glory of the World, nor be so boldly profane as to affront my Maker by an impious and lewd Life, lest Religion thus abused, should prove to my Ruin, for Pride must be humbled, and hypocrisy confounded, but from the Guilt of these I beseech thee to deliver me for thy Mercy and Compassion sake.  
Amen.   

O Lord we know thy Power is irresistible, and thou hast also promised, that it shall defend us, therefore will we not fear what Man can do against us, seeing the only thing we desire is to be rich towards thee, for Wealth consisteth not in abundance of Possessions, but in thy Favours, therefore let me learn that vain and uncertain are the Projects of this World, and very dangerous are the best Enjoyments of this Life: I hearty and humbly beg Grace, that I may first and above all, seek earnestly the Treasure of Heaven, for I desire no Treasure but that which is with thee, O admit me to be an humble Sharer of that Felicity, for thy Mercy sake.  
Amen.   

O Lord I beseech thee to inflame our Souls with the Fervour of thy Love, that we may earnestly desire for ever to dwell in thy Presence, delighting ourselves with the blessed Exercise of Prayer and Praise, that thou mayst bestow on us the full Streams of thy generous Mercy, who needs nothing to move it but the sight of our Miseries, O therefore remember thy ancient Mercies and pity me, and suffer not my Faith to be weakened by the many Divisions and Distractions that are in the World, lest my Charity should grow could through the Weakness of my Faith, or my Hope be made faint through the Indisposition of both, but fill me with heroic Virtue and Courage, that may cause me to be truly wise to Salvation, and thy Wisdom may be so powerful as to cause me to confute the Power and Malice of my Adversaries, that I may serve thee with a free Will and ready Mind, to the utmost of my Strength and Power, to my last Breath.  
Amen.   

O Lord grant that whatsoever my Enemies have done through Malice, in Scorn and Derision of me, thy Pity may turn and repeat to my Honour and Advantage, but let not my Enemies be punished with an impenitent Death, but give them true Repentance, and deliver them from the Malice and Dominion of the Enemy of their Souls, suffer them not to provoke thee to Anger any more, but give them Grace to please thee both in Will and dead, that their Souls may be eternally saved, for thy Mercy and Compassion sake.  
Amen.   

O Lord comfort us and our Enemies, when the Hour of Death approaches either to them or us, and graciously repeat to them, and us, at each of our Departure, thy sweet and heavenly Consolations, this Day shall ye be with me in paradise, & let the Thoughts of our own Departure melt our Hearts into tender affectionate Wishes and Prayers, for those who are at all times near the Approaches of Death: O be present with them then with thy sweet reviving Comforts, and suffer them not for any Pains of Death, or Anguish of Sickness to fall from thee, but in their Weakness be thou strong to enable them to overcome all Temptations, that by thy Mercy their Souls may become precious in thy Sight, and thy holy Angels may bear them into thy Presence, to admire and praise thee for ever and ever.  
Amen.   

O Lord prevent us with thy special Grace, and put into our Minds good Desires, that by thy continual Help, we may bring the same to good Effect, through the Merits and Satisfaction of Jesus our Dear Redeemer.  
Amen.   

O The strange Efficacy of heroic Virtue, that were the Lives of eminent Believers truly and exactly good, their Example alone through the Mercy of God, would convert the World, for this would efficaciously reprove the Vices of the great, and meekly instruct the Ignorance of the People, and earnestly exhort every one to repent, then would none resist the Sweetness of the blessed Jesus's Voice, who spreads forth his Wings, though Multitudes refuse to be gathered unto him; Pardon, O our dear Redeemer, our strange Ingratitude, and leave us not desolate to be ruined by our Follies, suffer us not to be so dismal, as to enure ourselves any longer to sin, lest one Enormity prove the Punishment of another, and our own Folly bring us to eternal Ruin, but this be pleased to prevent for thy Mercy and Pity sake.  
Amen.   

O Lord make me as humble in my own Eyes, as I am werthless in thine, O suffer me not proudly to prefor myself before others, nor enviously murmur, that they are preferred before me, that I may not be frustrated of my Hope, in the Resurrection of the just, but give me Grace so to walk, that in that great Day I may be worthy of thy Acceptance, and with great Comfort, hear that blessed Sentence of Well done good and faithful Servant, enter thou into thy Masters Joy. O grant me to be worthy of this great Blessing and Favour, for thy Mercy and Compassion sake.  
Amen.   

O Love of Loves, that is most generous and pure, aiming chiefly at the Happiness of thy Servants, O my dear Jesus let nothing divert me from embracing and obeying the Dictates of thy blessed Love, that I may by no means aspire too high, nor lazily sit down in a sluggish Life, but with a faithful Prudence take measure of myself, and trust in thee my dear Lord; to bless and prosper my Endeavours, for I know most assuredly that thy Grace is sufficient to make me victorious, and thy Glories all-sufficient to repair all my Losses, though I am too weak to overcome my Enemies, and too imperfect to delight in Affliction, yet by thy Help and Assistance, I will endeavour patiently to bear all Crosses and Afflictions, that shall befall me, hoping thou wilt cause them to work together for my Good, that thereby I may more earnestly strive to glorify thee in all things, O assist me in so doing for thy Goodness and Pity sake.  
Amen.   

O Lord I hearty desire to mourn over my Sins with true Contrition, and to be revenged on my Follies with a Life of Severity, that I may be worthy to put on the rob of Justice, and to re-espouse my dearest Lord with a Ring of Love, and feast him with the solid Joy of a pure Heart: Oh be pleased to accept me, and cause me never to forget thy former Mercies, but magnify thee at the Return and the Remembrance of them, with all the Powers of my Soul, that when this my House of day shall fall into the Dust, my Soul may be received into the Tabernacle of everlasting Joy and Felicity to praise and admire the King of Glory, for ever and ever.  
Amen.   

O Lord quicken me with a ready Diligence to avoid every the least occasion of Sin, and embrace every Opportunity of thy Service, that we being enured by thy Love, may always delight therein, that we wisely choosing by thy Directions, may be always exercised in heavenly Business, till it shall please thee to advance us thither, to admire and adore thee for ever.  
Amen.   

O Lord suffer me not to seek undue Redresses, in the Troubles incident to my Condition, nor vainly amuse myself with Desires of Change, but earnestly beseech thee to remove from me all Impediments to the Kingdom of Heaven, that thy bright Glory may crown me for ever with lasting Honour, in that durable and most pleasant Kingdom, where I beseech thee to advance me to admire and adore thee for ever.  
Amen.   

O Lord suffer me not to be any more so slow to begin my Prayers, nor so swiftly without heed run them over, nor so coldly propose to thee my Wants, nor so quickly weary in renewing my Petitions, but O my dear Lord, cause my Life to be one continual Prayer, that in every Step I tread, I may grow strong in the Power of thy Grace, and of thy Spirit, and pursue the eager Designs of enjoying thy bright Glory, grant this for thy Mercy sake.  
Amen.   

O Lord suffer me not to be of so impure a Spirit, as to desire the Revenge of my Enemies, but let them and me become thy Friends, that I may be thy faithful and devout Servant, that we may all be enured to wear thy Yoke, striving to be Imitators of thy own Meekness and Innocency, that we may all avoid the Temptations of this Life, by a cautious Prudence, and repair our lost Innocence by a hearty and a deep Repentance, that we may all be true Lovers of thee, by fullfilling thy Law, by walking in the Rule of heroic Virtue, not setting our Hearts upon any thing but thee, because if we love any thing above thee, it is impossible to be eternally happy: Therefore O Lord remove from us all impure Loves, that we may love thee with our full Souls, Might, and Strength, O grant that we may speedily do so, for thy Mercy and Compassion sake.  
Amen.   

O Thou of infinite Bounty, give me of thy all-sufficient Grace, that it may direct me to the true Way to Glory, that I may not lose my Day in Idleness, nor distracted my Diligence with repining at the Abundance of others, since thou art our absolute Lord, and givest to all as thou in Mercy pleasest: O give me Grace to look upon my present Condition, as thy immediate Appointment, and be hearty thankful to thee for it, unless my Ingratitude should render me unworthy of future Favours; but of this Crime suffer me never to be guilty for thy great Names sake.  
Amen.   

O Lord heal all our Infirmities for thy Mercy sake, and invigorate our Souls with thy divine Grace, that in all our Actions, our chief Aim may be to thy Glory, for which we pray thee to quicken our Faith, and strengthen our Hope, and increase our Charity, and so order and guide our Steps, that in all things we may behave ourselves like good Christians, that if ill Men persecute us, we may prudently avoid them, and if our Friends reject us, we may go quietly from them, that whatsoever befalls us we may never study Revenge, but evercome our Enemies evil, by our good Actions, that so by the practise of heroic Prudence, we may win many to thy Obedience, that obeying thee in Heart and Mind, we all may be admitted to dwell with thee eternally to adore and praise thee forever.  
Amen.   

O Lord when we are approaching thy Service, let us go with unusual Swiftness, that we may find ourselves overwhelmed and swallowed up with Joy therein, that we may be worthy to be exalted to wear a Crown of Glory, even that Crown which thou hast promised to the Perseverers in Virtue; O enable me worthily to persevere therein, to thy Honour and my immortal Good.   

O Lord who dost govern all things both in Heaven and Earth, mercifully hear the Supplications of thy People, graciously look upon our Infirmities, and in all our Dangers and Necessities, stretch forth thy Right Hand, to help, defend and comfort us with the Blessings of Health, Peace and Plenty all the Days of our Lives, through the Merits of Jesus Christ our Lord.  
Amen.   

O Lord give me Grace to watch and study the Felicity of others, while I enjoy the Sweetness of a private Life, that thou mayst not give me over to so vile Affections, as to repined at those who are advanced above me, but I may in all things content myself with whatever thou allowest me, that thou mayst invite thyself to be my Guest, and I may carefully prepare for thee a Lodging in my Soul by the help of thy assisting and prevailing Grace, which I beg thee not to suffer me to be destitute of, for thy Mercy sake.  
Amen.   

O Lord suffer me not to be discouraged at the Multitude of my Infirmities, give me Grace to strive against all my natural Corruptions, by earnestly correcting them by the divine Aids of thy Grace, and the Arts of the wise Methods thou hast prescribed us, that thou mayst invite thyself to be our Guest, and come and lodge with me, and for ever there inhabit: Cloath my Soul with the bright Beams of thy Light, and illuminate the whole Frame of my Affections, my Understanding, my Mind and my Will; that I may gladly rejoice in thy Service, with my whole Heart and Soul.  
Amen.   

O Lord deliver me from thinking my Sins can be redeemed by Alms, or my Trespasses satisfied by a generous Restitution, or an Intention to for sake them; for I know it is not that which can expiate for my Guilt, but the Merits of my dearest Lord alone, who do require in me a through Reformation, with new Obedience to which I will add my earnest Care, that it may be my chief Study and practise, that I may please thee both in Will and dead, to the utmost of my Power, through thy blessed Assistance, which I beg thee not to suffer me to be destitute of, for thy Goodness sake.  
Amen.   

O my dear Lord, permit not any loose Companions to divert me from thee, neither let the Noise of the World drown my Prayers, but let me lay hold on every good Opportunity to serve thee, that I may become thy Child by Adoption and Grace, and may be truly regenerate, and daily renewed by thy Holy Spirit, that all 'vice may be mortified and killed in me, and by the Power of thy Grace. I may gain the Victory over all Temptations, that passing through this World with Courage and Constancy, I may have a joyful Reception in the other, and with Chors of Saints and Angels adore thee for ever.  
Amen.   

O Lord suffer me not to envy the good Works of others, nor seek Pretences to undervalue their Merit, but give me Grace to honour and value them, because thou hast bestowed on them the true Circumcision of the Spirit, and caused them to walk by the Rule of Life, O give me Grace also to imitate them, for the Merits of Jesus my dear Lord and Master.  
Amen.   

O Lord let the precious Odours of the Saints still embalm thy holy and most sacred Name, and spread their sweet Perfume over all the World, that by their Example, the present Age may still go on, and thoroughly perfect that Good which thou hast begun in them: O therefore always defend, and at length reward them: For Jesus sake, Cast the bright Beams of thy heavenly Light upon the whole Church Militant, that it may be more and more enlightened by the Doctrine of the Gospel, that every Person may walk in the light of everlasting Life, and gain the Victory over all their Vices, by Virtue of the true Circumcision of thy holy Spirit, and thereby both perceive and know what things they ought to do; and have Grace and Power faithfully to do the same, through the Merits and Satisfaction of Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with the Father and the Blessed Spirit, be all Honour and Glory, World without End.   

blushy O my Soul at the Thoughts of Pride, and be confounded at thy vain curiosity, lest thy Lord dazzle with Brightness thy impure Eyes, that have so often beholded Vanity and Folly; but now I desire to recollect my Thoughts, and become a new Creature, beseeching thee to keep me continually in thy true Religion, that I leaning only upon the hope of thy heavenly Grace, may evermore be defended by thy mighty Power, from all Evils that might happen to the Body, and from all Assaults that might molest or hurt the Soul, through the Merits and Satisfaction of Jesus our dear Redeemer.   

O Lord consecrate my Heart entirely to thy Service, and thoroughly purge me from all Impurity, that thou mayest enter into my Soul, and there for ever abide, and I may be in some Degree worthy to glorify thee, and that I may be so, suffer me no longer to be affencted to the World, that I may not be subject to the Prince of Darkness, which thou hast for us overcome; O therefore suffer us not to bring ourselves into his Bondage, but give ourselves up to be guided by thy gracious Conduct, for this is my Hearts Desire, and my Souls Request; therefore stretch forth the Right Hand of thy Majesty, to be my Defence against all the hostile Assaults of my Enemy, for Jesus Christ his sake.  
Amen.   

The Two following Prayers are Preparatory for the Holy Sacrament.  
O Lord let us never resist thy Grace, lest thou shouldst take it from us, but let us desire to partake of the Pleasures of a virtuous Life, that we may always feed upon the Pleasures of a good Conscience, for that with thy Comforts is the continual ' Feasts that we desire to feed on, that is a most heavenly and blessed Banquet; by this together with Faith, thou makest thy Son himself to be our delicious Entertainment, O so prevent us, that we may never disregard or neglect to admire this great Mercy, for Jesus Christ his sake.  
Amen.   

O Most amiable Jesus, my Lord and my God have Mercy upon me, be my Comfort thou Refuge of Sinners, and grant that the Holy Sacrament which I intend devoutly to receive, may be to the Remission of all my Sins, and the strengthening of my Soul in good Resolutions, the perfect purging away all my Faults, the banishing all impure Thoughts, and the begetting good Desires in me, that I may plentifully bring forth the Fruits of Life.  
Amen.   

O Lord soften our Hearts, that we may turn to thee and be healed, that thou mayst not give us over for Reprobates, nor to a reprobate Sense, but make our Faith quick and active, that we may sacrifice all the Faculties of our noble Souls to thee, that thou mayst purify our Intentions sincerely to seek thee, that we may in thy due time find everlasting Rest to our Souls, adoring thy Wisdom where we do not understand, and loving thy Goodness, which we have long time experienced, striving earnestly to be worthy of thy continuing it to us, O grant that we may be so, for thy Mercy sake.   

O Lord I wholly rely on thee, therefore I beseech thee to sand me speedy Comfort, and turn all my Affronts and Afflictions into present Refreshments, and make me Partaker of thy merciful Clemency, that I may be filled with thy admirable Meekness, and continue no longer so strange and ingrateful, nor study to escape thy pressing Arguments, nor shift off the Truth when I see it convinces me, nor any longer debase my Reason, but endeavour to bring my Desires and my Mind to svit with thy Will and my present Condition, that by thy Grace, I may have such Strength of Mind, that I may by thy Assistance overcome all Difficulties, that we may carefully do all that is fit to be done in order to our everlasting Good, & grant that we which know thee now by Faith, may after this Life have the Fruition of thy glorious Godhead, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  
Amen   

O Lord I beseech thee favourably to hear the Prayers of thy People, that we who are justly punished for our Offences, may be mercifully relieved by thy Goodness, and by thy Power be defended from all Adversity of Body and Soul; thou seest that we put not our trust in any thing that we do, but depend only upon the Hope of thy heavenly Grace; O increase those heavenly Graces in us, for Jesus Christ his sake.  
Amen.   

O Lord reprove in all People the Sins of the Spirit, and give them of thy Strength, that they may become easy to repent, and suffer them no longer to refuse to be obedient to the gracious Motions of thy Blessed Spirit, that the corruption of their Nature may be subdued, and they persevere in Virtue, and discern the Season of Grace, and no more follow the Dictates of their own perverse Minds, that thy speedy Mercy may give them all spiritual and temporal Good, with a speedy Supply of whatsoever is wanting to them, that by the Virtue of thy Grace, they may immediately imitate thy ancient followers, and not conceal, but publish thy Mercies with all their Might, and use all means possible for the Improvement of their Minds, straining all their Powers to move thee to pity them, that by thy comfortable Relief, they may in some Degree be worthy to admire thee for ever.  
Amen.   

O Lord by thy Wisdom confounded the Malice of Men, and the Conspiracies of Hypocrites, whose Deceitfulness tends to the Ruin of others, and the Dishonour of thee; but most of all to the Destruction of their own Souls; O therefore reprove them in time, that they may repent in Season, before the Day of Grace is past, and be brought to submit obediently to thy Truth, and resign and capacitate their Understandings, to be truly submissive and obedient to the wise Dictates of thy blessed and most heavenly Pleasure, and cause them to sacrifice all their noble Faculties to thee, and kindle in their Hearts an earnest Desire of thy Presence, and a firm reliance on thy holy Protection, that when they are in the greatest Danger, thy merciful Hand mayest save them; O grant them these Favours for thy Goodness sake.  
Amen.   

O Lord convert the World, and make them worthy to be hereafter as the holy Angels, perfectly knowing thee, and fervently loving, and admiring, and adoring thee, that thy Knowledge or Joys may not be restrained to a few petty Instances, but let them and us possess the true Obieck of our Love and Knowledge, grant this for thy great Majesty sake. O our dearest Lord, who fillest Heaven and Earth with thy Power and Mercy, Wisdom and Clemency, therefore to thee be Glory and Praise, World without End.  
Amen.   

O Holy Jesus, how incomparable didst thou argue to confute those that erred, and patiently forbearest to say they had erred, till thou hadst confuted them, and after all with unprovoking Words reprovest them and dismissest them, and all this thou didst for a Method to teach us Charity, by the Art of practising those things thou taughtest, O teach us this thy wise Method to solid Virtue, that we may be directed by the Assistance of the Holy Ghost, and secured from falling by the Presence of the Holy Jesus, of whom we hope to be endowed with Power to overcome all Difficulties by the Help of thy preventing and assisting Grace, by which we beseech thee to put into our Minds good Desires, that by thy continued Mercy, we may bring the same to good Effect, through thy Merits and Satisfaction O Blessed Jesus, to whom with the Father and the Eternal Spirit, be all Honour and Glory, World without End.  
Amen.   

O Lord endow me with Power from above, to do whatsoever is well pleasing in thy Sight, in the Multitude of thy gracious Mercy, Regard and accept my little Performance; tho' it be weak and imperfect, yet I beg thee to make it sincere for thy Mercy sake. Prepare my Heart to receive and believe thy Word, that I may be worthy that it may have an abiding Place in me, that I may be blessed with the true Felicity of serving thee, and with that Freedom of overcoming and commanding my own Passions, that our Understandings may be no longer so dark and low, but hearty bless and praise thee, for raising our Nature to believe in thee, and in thy Word which is most mysterious and sublime, and infinitely transcends our dull Capacities; yet so it pleaseth thee to illuminate our Souls, imprinting in them a Desire to obey thy Will, who art the Judge of Mercy; therefore grant that at length we may behold thee in the Light of thy Glory.   

O Lord make the Poor so sincere, that their Service and small Offerings may be preferred equal to those that are rich in Grace and good Works; give us all Grace, that we may not puzzle our Thoughts with more Curiosities than may conduce to our Improvement, nor be so blindly unjust as to abuse our own Reason, nor be so rude as to contemn others, nor to have arrogant Thoughts of ourselves, but may think humbly and meekly of ourselves, as knowing ourselves truly unworthy; yet firmly trusting in thy kind Acceptance, through the Satisfaction of our great Master Jesus, to whom with thee O Father and the Holy Spirit be all Honour and Glory; World without End.  
Amen.   

O Lord give us Grace to fly to thy Mercy; that we may escape the Severity of thy Justice, by which I beseech thee to deliver me from severe Extremities here, and from eternal Vengeance hereafter; show me that am in Error the Light of thy Truth, and give me thy assisting Power, that I may return into the Way of Righteousness, that I may be admitted to the Fellowship of thy Heavenly Kingdom, by eschewing those things that are contrary to my Profession, and following all such good things as are agreeable to the same, that I may lean only upon the help of thy heavenly Grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  
Amen.   

O Lord suffer not my Weakness to be over much oppressed with too heavy Afflictions, lest I sink under the too heavy oppressing Load of them, but submit in all things to thy Blessed Will, and not presume to grow impatient when we are  told our Faults, or what displeaseth us, neither to be so unhappy as to think ourselves better than others, since we know not what thy Mercy O God may esteem them, or to what Divine Honour advance them, nor what thy Justice may do with us, but devoutly beg Mercy for them and us, that we all may be accepted of thee; O make us worthy to ask this of thee, and with speed answer our Petition for the Glory of thy great Name.  
Amen.   

O Lord grant that from our own Experience, we may learn to rely on thy Divine Providence; for every one of us sees from the Variety of Accidents, the great and pressing need of thy Assistance, for 'tis not our Treasure that can make us either rich or happy without thy Blessing; nor our own Arm nor the Assistance of Friends that can defend us, without thy extraordinary Protection, therefore we beg it of thee, O deny it not for thy Mercy sake.  
Amen.   

A Prayer for the Pastors of the Church.  
sanctify O Lord the Pastors of thy Church, and make us duly to respect them as the Preservers of Religion; Illuminate their Understandings with the Light of Knowledge, and inflame their Wills with the Brightness of thy Love, that their Lives may shine before us, and we by our Obedience may follow them, that their Example and our Obedience may bring us to thy Glory; O Lord accomplish thy merciful Benignity towards us, and let thy heavenly Grace govern every Creature, and bring every one to the true way to Beatitude, that nothing may disturb our Peace nor ruin our Innocency, but we may publish thy Power in every place, and by thy Strength we may conquer all our Passions, and follow thee in all things, the great Example of our Peace and Meekness, who wilt pity our Frailty and not take Advantage of our Weakness, therefore Glory be to thee for ever.   

O Lord enure us betimes to break off our Affections to this World, and to place them on thee, and thy Joys above, to which blessed Place thou hast so sweetly invited all that truly obey thee, O how ravishing is this gracious Invitation, and how full of reviving Comfort is that blessed Palace, which is prepared for the Just, O make us exactly righteous that we may be in the number of those whom thou wilt impute eternally blessed, when thou O blessed Judge wilt endearingly proclaim to all the World, the Virtues of the wise and prudent, O make us prudently wise to Salvation for thy Mercy and Pity sake.  
Amen.   

O Lord suffer not my Patience to be tempted above my strength, but give me of thy all-meriting Power to overcome all Obstacles in my way to Heaven, deliver me from all deceitfulness, that my Faith may not be eclipsed, but I may be delivered from slumbering in a Life of Carelessness and Indevotion, let us watch in the Day of our Strength against every evil Way, that we may not be snared in a Course of Wickedness or Impenitence, but may be mercifully delivered from all Sin and Danger by thy speedy Grace, that no Snare fall upon us unawares, but having faithfully cultivated our Souls by thy Grace from all that is evil, we may be accepted by thee, and received to admire and praise thee for ever.   

A Prayer for the Queen's Majesty, and other inferior Magistrates.  
O Lord keep our gracious Princess from being eclipsed with evil, or oppressed by Enemies, and with Her, bless all inferior Magistrates under Her; that she and they may perform their several Offices to thy Glory, and their own immortal Good; that when they depart this Life, their Souls may be eternally happy, with thee O our dear Lord for ever.  
Amen.   

O Lord give us of thy Strength to watch in our declining Years, against all the many Snares of Satan, that our decrepid Age may not be overcome nor circumvented by his subtlety and Craft, nor we be so foolish as to aspire after things prejudicial to our Souls, but consider that Honour is vain, and Authority troublesone; therefore we will seek chiefly and above all, to aspire after the Glories of Heaven, accounting every thing trivial and troublesone, that is a Let or hindrance to our happy Arrival thither, because we desire passionately to be favourites to our dear and only Lord, to whom be all Honour and Glory World without End.  
Amen.   

O Bright and Glorious Scene, the Son of God great in Majesty, enfold us within the Arms of thy Mercy, and prepare us for that glorious Kingdom, which thou hast mercifully prepared for us, before the World was. O how are our Hearts ravished at the Thoughts of our Arrival thither, all thy Counsels are sweet and easy: O give us Grace gladly to receive and obey them, that we may always walk by thy Directions which are clear and safe, O guide us still to follow them, that we may not fail of being brought to the Blessed Mansions above, to enjoy thy blessed Presence for ever.  
Amen.   

O Lord have Mercy upon those, that have shewed no Mercy to others; O how will their Faces be covered with Confusion, when their base Ingratitude will be published to all the World; O Lord reserve some Pity for them, by smiting their Hearts in this Life, before they go hence, in order to their through Conversion; suffer them not to go on in their evil Dealings, lest they perish for ever, but over power them with thy Grace, that they may not be the Ruin of their own Souls, therefore cause them to be thoroughly converted to thyself, that thou mayst include them in the Number of those whom thou shalt impute blessed, that thou mayst sweetly invite them to live and reign in the blessed Mansions above, for ever; O grant them these Mercies and Favours for thy Goodness and Pity sake Amen.   

O Merciful Lord, wash me thoroughly from my Wickedness, and wipe away all my Iniquities, and say to my stubborn Soul, be humble and I will be thy Comforter, wherefore I will not despair of thy Grace, but with a prudent Fear suspect myself, and with an humble Confidence rely on thee, whose endearing Wisdom has devised an infinite and all-sufficient Remedy for all my Offences and willeth that every Creature that thou hast made, be improved to Perfection, therefore I will remain no longer incorrigible, but banish and depart from all my Sins, that the holy Ambition of being happy in Heaven, may extinguish all immoderate Esteem of the glossy Braveries of things below, and aspire in earnest after things above, that we may not affect any thing in comparison with thyself, that no mutual Animosities amongst us, may at any time dishonour our Religion, nor cause us to derogate from that excellent Virtue, which thyself hast chosen to be the Badge of a Christian, nor our Faith ever fail, but grow and increase to fill us with Charity and all other Graces anticedent to Glory, grant this for Jesus Christ his sake Amen.   

O Lord infuse thy Holy Spirit into my Soul, and mercifully govern all my Faculties with thy heavenly Grace, that by my Love to thee I may obey thee, and by thy Love be made uncessantly to admire and adore thee, whose clear and perfect Vision is my only Felicity, wherefore I long and desire passionately to be with thee, O increase these Desires in me, till thou shalt be pleased to change these Desires to perfect and unveiled Vision, and Fruition in the Kingdom of Glory Amen.   

O Thou who seest and notest the first Motions of our Hearts, and grantest to us( sometimes) our Request when we are but going to ask; and showerst down upon us the Multitude of thy Blessings, when we in Slumber and Inobservance takes no notice of them, and comes to us in our great Oppressions to cheer our Hearts, staying with us and affording us his Presence, even when we are unmindful of it, and unthankful to him for it, and when he is pleased to withdraw and retire from us, he is pleased to sand us his Holy Spirit, to supply his Absence, therefore to him be Glory and Praise for ever and ever Amen.   

O Holy Jesus, who didst all things for our Experience, and wheresoever thou wentest, 'twas for our Advantage; make us firmly resolve to amend our vile Course, that all thy holy Actions may not be lost upon us, nor prove invain to us, and suffer us never to forget our good Purposes and holy Resolutions, but by thy Grace enable us to renew our good Purposes and Intentions, and bitterly bewail our Sins and Infirmities, and at length gain the Victory over them, that we may gain thy blessed Favour, and continue in it for ever Amen.   

O Lord let us not grudge that the World frowns on us, but with serious Thoughts consider that it did not smile on thee; who mad'st it, and yet dost uphold it and all things in it; O give me Courage and Fortitude to resist all that would oppose me in my heavenly Race; but yet O my dear Lord, expose me not to great Temptations, lest my Strength fail, and I cannot be able to overcome; neither suffer me to be strike where my Weakness lies, but give me of thy Strength to be overcome by thy Grace, that I may win the Crown of Life.   

O Lord suffer me not to be so monstruously ingrateful, as to forget the great Mercy thou hast, and daily dost bestow on me; lest I cause thee to withdraw them from me, but cure thou my Ignorance and supply my Necessities, and let no Grain of Ingratitude abide in me, but chase it from me for thy Mercy sake Amen.   

O Make me truly thankful to thee, for all thy Favours bestowed upon me, in giving me Health, Food and raiment, and Friends; and for placing in me a hearty Desire of being eternally happy, and that not without the true means an innocent and a blameless Life: To this add true Devotion, and cleanse me thoroughly from all my Sins, by the Merits of the precious Blood of thy dear Son, that I being cleansed from all my Sins, and made passionately devout, may with meek and silent Patience, expect thy second appearing in Glory Amen.   

O Thou whose Love surpasseth Mans Understanding, and causedst thee to be numbered amongst the Transgressors, that we might be numbered among the Saints, and drink of the pure Streams which flow from thy Fathers Kingly Throne. Suffer us not to be Abusers of thy Favours, lest we are deservedly forsaken by thee; wherefore we beg Constancy to please thee, to the end, that by thy Mercies we may walk cheerfully and constantly in the way of Life, that thou mayst relieve and comfort us, and support us to continue in thy heavenly Ways, that we may taste of thy heavenly Treasure in this Life, and behold thy glorious Beauty in the other Amen.   

O Lord depart not from me, for without thee I faint and die, neither let me depart from thee by Sin, lest I die eternally; but while we continue in this World, keep us in thy Favour, that in the other World we may dwell with thee for ever: Preserve me O Lord from all Danger, by thy Holy Grace, and when thou art pleased to call me hence, translate me to heavenly Glory, that I may for ever seed on that comfortable Love, which begun before thee World was, & will continue when it shall be reduced to nothing; let this Love of thine, confirm and increase in me all good Works, that I may plentifully bring forth good Fruits, to the Honour and Glory of thy great Name, through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen.  

O Lord fill my Soul with the eternal due of thy holy Spirit,  
That both my Body and Soul may eternal Life inherit.    

PRepare thyself O my Soul seriously to consider the strangest and truest Tragedy that ever drew Tears from the sad Spectators Eyes; even thy dearest Lord! after his entering the fatal Garden, where he continued all Night in Prayer, sweeting Water and Blood, afterwards nailed to the across, where he hung Three long Hours, and all for thy sake, that no Torments might touch thee; therefore trace and follow him through all the Stages of his Misery, and leave him not till thou seest him ascend up into his Glory, that as he suffered, so his Mercy may find Pardon for thee, not leaving thy drowsy Nature to itself, but endeavour to make it watchful, that his Majesty may visit it with his holy Grace, and quicken it with his blessed Spirit, and keep it waking constantly with his blessed Presence, that it never more consent to dishonour thee by Sin, but may glorify thee in every Action of Life, always delighting to be conversant with thee, that thou mayest delight to be present with me to my Lives end, and then gather me to my Fathers, full of good Works, to remain with thee for ever Amen.   

O Lord give me Grace constantly to renew my entire Submission to thy gracious Will, that I may renew the generous Charity of my great Master Jesus, and his free Submission, together with his incomparable Meekness, that no fair Pretence may tempt me to offend thee, but let me remember that horrid Fact, Christs Crucifixion, the Cause of which I deeply lament, let me not have Cause to endeavour to hid myself from thee, when I ought with all Reverence and Submission to adore thee, O aimable Meekness, that my Soul may be clothed with the Robes of Justice and Righteousness, and both Body and Soul be made fit for thy heavenly Kingdom, and admitted to enjoy perpetual Pleasure with thee for ever and ever.   

O Lord thou needest not our weak Aid to bring about thy ends, for thou with the Word of thy Power, canst command all created things to obey thee, wherefore no thing can conquer thee, but thine own invincible Goodness; and this indeed brought the Holy Jesus captive to the Hands of his Enemies, and caused him to submit even to Death for our sakes, that we might not remain in Death; but be Conquerors with him over Sin and Death, and be thought worthy to be admitted to eternal Life, grant this O Lord for thy Bounty and Compassion sake Amen.   

O Thou the alone and alwise Goodness, choose for me what is well pleasing in thy Sight, that I may not be peremptory; nor incorrigible under any Affliction thou shalt please to lay upon me; but wisely resign myself to thy wise Providence, to be wholly guided thereby, that I may partake of thy admirable Meekness and Clemency, my Thoughts being firmly fixed on my future Hopes; reprove whatsoever is amiss in me, and teach me true Perfection, and cause me to hope with eagerness for thy Glories, that I may possess them with Gladness Amen.   

O Lord grant that my Affictions may be sanctified to me, that they may be the Cause of the Increase of Virtue, and a Way that leads to an eternal Crown; but suffer them not to be a woeful Beginning of never-ending Miseries, but make me live so uprightly that I may proclaim the Greatness of thy Power and Mercy to Eternity, and I may praise thy aimable Power and Goodness with all the Chors above a numberless Number of Ages Amen.   

O Lord break through my Deafness, that I may hear thy Voice, and fear thy Power, and most readily obey thy Will, that I openly confessing my Sins, may gladly and readily declare thy infinite and inexhaustible Mercies, which by happy Experience I have found so long comfort me; proceeding alone from thee the only Author of all Good, and the Beginning and End of all our Hope, therefore to thee be Glory and Praise, World without End Amen.   

O Thou chast Spouse of Souls, quicken our Hearts with thy divine Charity, that all our Powers may unite to seek thee, and with a swift and fervent Constancy persevere, till we find thee, that we may win the rich Crown at the End of our Race; quicken therefore our Affections after thee, and suffer us not to remain so dull seeing we are pursuing the Glories of Heaven, therefore let us not be soon weary, nor easily diverted from this happy Search, but let us nimbly move, seeing the Reward of thy Love is great, who hast faithfully promised that we shall reap the rich Comforts thereof; O hasten the coming of that happy time, for thy Mercy sake Amen.   

O Lord bestow on me a zealous and an active Spirit, that I may be quick of Apprehension to do thy Will, and ardent in Affections after the full Enjoyment of thee, O fill us all with Solidity of Soul and Mind, to do in all things what is well pleasing in thy sight, through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen.    

I have divided the following Pages into Twenty Eight Chapters.