A SUPPLY OF PRAYER For the Ships of this KINGDOM That want MINISTERS to Pray with them: AGREEABLE TO THE DIRECTORY Established by PARLIAMENT.  
Published by Authority.  
May 16: LONDON: Printed for john Field, and are to be sold at his house upon Addle-hill. 1645   

A Reason of this Work.  
WHereas there are thousands of ships belonging to this Kingdom, which have not Ministers with them to guide them in Prayer, and therefore either use the old Form of Common-Prayer, or no Prayer at all; The former whereof for many weighty Reasons hath been abolished, and the latter is likely to make them rather Heathens than Christians (the Lord's day being left without any mark of Piety or Devotion) Therefore, to avoid these Inconveniences, It hath been thought fit to frame some Prayers, agreeing with the Directory established by Parliament; It being hoped, that it will be no grief of heart to wise and full Christians, if the thirsty drink out of Cisterns, when themselves drink out of Fountains; But they will rather pity the wants of their needy Brethren, and out of Compassion imitate him who filleth the hungry with good things.  
These Prayers being enlivened and sent up by the Spirit in him that prayeth, may be lively Prayers and acceptable to him who is a Spirit, and accepts of service in Spirit and Truth. And, in truth, though Prayers come never so new, even from the Spirit, in one that is a guide in Prayer, if the Spirit do not quicken and enliven that Prayer in the Hearer that follows him, it is to him but a dead Form, and a very carcase of Prayer.   
The Company being assembled, they may thus begin with Prayer: 
O Lord, in all reverence and humility, we acknowledge thy incomprehensible Greatness and Majesty, in whose presence we do now in a special manner appear, and our own vileness and unworthiness, to approach so near thee; with our utter inability of out selves, to such a holy duty. And we humbly beseech thee for pardon, assistance, and acceptance, in the whole service now to be performed, and for a Blessing on the particular portions of thy Word now to be read, and all in the Name and Mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ; In whose name and words we pray unto thee farther, saying, 
 Our Father, etc.  After this, some Psalms and Chapters being read out of both Testaments (but none out of those Books which are commonly called Apocrypha) and a Psalm being sung, a Prayer may follow in this manner: 
O Great and gracious Lord, we acknowledge before thee our sinfulness, first, by reason of Original sin, which (besides the guilt of it, which makes us liable to eternal damnation) is the seed of all other sins, and hath depraved and poisoned all the faculties and powers of soul and body, and doth defile our best actions, and (were it not restrained, or our hearts renewed by Grace) would break forth into innumerable Transgressions, and the greatest Rebellions against the Lord, that ever were committed by the vilest of the sons of men. And next, we acknowledge the guilt of Actual sins, our own sins, the sins of Magistrates, of Ministers, and of the whole Nation, unto which we are many ways accessary; Which sins of ours receive many fearful aggravations, we having broken all the Commandments of the holy, just, and good Law of God, doing that which is forbidden, and leaving undone what is enjoined; and that not only out of ignorance and infirmity, but also more presumptuously, against the light of our minds, checks of our consciences, and motions of thy holy Spirit to the contrary, so that we have no cloak for our sins; yea we have not only despised the riches of God's goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering, which should lead us to Repentance, and Holiness; but have stood out against many invitations, and offers of Grace in the Gospel, not endeavouring as we ought, to receive Christ into our hearts by Faith, or to walk worthy of him in our lives. We bewail our blindness of mind, hardness of heart, unbelief, impenitency, security, luke warmness, barrenness, our not endeavouring after Mortification, and newness of life; nor after the exercise of Godliness in the power thereof; and that the best of us have not so steadfastly walked with God, kept our Garments so unspotted, nor been so zealous of thy glory, and the good of others as we ought, notwithstanding the manifold and great mercies of thee our God, the love of Christ, the light of the Gospel, and Reformation of Religion, our own Purposes, Promises, Vows, Solemn Covenants, and other special obligations to the contrary. We acknowledge and confess, that as we are convinced of our guilt, so out of a deep sense thereof, we judge ourselves unworthy of the smallest benefits, most worthy of thy fiercest wrath, and of all the curses of the Law, and heaviest judgements inflicted upon the most Rebellious sinners; and that thou mightest most justly take thy Kingdom and Gospel from us, plague us with all sorts of Spiritual and Temporal judgements in this life, and after cast us into utter darkness, in the Lake that burneth with Fire and Brimstone, where is weeping and gnashing of Teeth for evermore. Notwithstanding all which, we draw near to the Throne of Grace, encouraging ourselves, with hope of a gracious answer of our Prayers, in the Riches and All-sufficiency of that only one Oblation, the satisfaction and Intercession of the Lord Jesus Christ, at the right hand of his Father, and our Father; and in confidence of the exceeding great and precious promises of Mercy and Grace in the new Covenant, through the same Mediator thereof. And we pray thee, for his sake, to turn away thy heavy wrath and curse from us, which we are not able to avoid or bear; and humbly and earnestly beseech thee, out of thy free Grace and Mercy, to grant unto us the full Remission of all our sins, and that only for the bitter sufferings, and precious merits of that our only Saviour Jesus Christ. O that the Lord would vouchsafe to shed abroad his love in our hearts by the holy Ghost, to seal unto us by the same Spirit of Adoption, the full assurance of our Pardon and Reconciliation, That he would comfort all that mourn in Zion, speak peace to the wounded and troubled spirits, and bind up the broken hearted; And as for secure and presumptuous sinners, Lord open their eyes, convince their consciences, and turn them from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they also may receive forgiveness of sin, and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by Faith in Christ Jesus. With remission of sins through the blood of Christ, we pray thee also to give us Sanctification by his Spirit; Mortification of sin dwelling in us, and many times tyrannising over us; the quickening of our dead Spirits with the life of God in Christ; Grace to fit and enable us for all duties of conversation and callings towards God and Man; strength against temptations, the sanctified use of Blessings and Crosses, and perseverance in Faith and Obedience to our lives end, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   


A Prayer for the Church Universal, and our United Churches and Kingdoms.  
O Lord, who dost gather to thyself a Church out of all Nations, we beseech thee, to this end to Propagate thy Gospel and the Kingdom of Christ Jesus to all Nations, convert the Jews, fill up the fullness of the Gentiles, hasten the fall of Antichrist, and the second coming of our Lord; Grant deliverance to the distressed Churches abroad from the Tyranny of the Antichristian Faction, and from the cruel oppressions and blasphemies of the Turk: We pray thee send thy Blessing upon all the Reformed Churches, especially upon the Churches and Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, now more strictly, and Religiously united in the Solemn League and Covenant: We pray thee for our Plantations in the remote parts of the world, more particularly for that Church and Kingdom whereof we are Members, that therein God would establish Peace and Truth, the Purity of all his Ordinances, and the power of godliness; prevent and remove Heresy, Schism, Profaneness, Superstition, security, and unfruitfulness under the means of Grace; heal our rents and divisions, and preserve us from breach of our Solemn Covenant. We pray thee for all in Authority, especially for the King's Majesty, that God would make him rich in Blessings, both in his Person and Government; Establish his Throne in Religion and Righteousness, save him from evil Counsel, and make him a blessed and glorious Instrument for the conservation and propagation of the Gospel, for the encouragement and protection of them that do well, the terror of all that do evil, and the great good of the Church of Christ, and of these United Kingdoms. We pray thee convert the Queen, give a Religious Education to the Prince, and the rest of the Royal Seed; comfort the afflicted Queen of Bohemia, Sister to our Sovereign: We pray thee for the Restitution and Establishment of the illustrious Prince, The Elector Palatine of the Rhine, to all his Dominions and Dignities: Bless the High Court of Parliament, the Nobility, the subordinate Judges and Magistrates, the Gentry, and all the Commonalty: Bless all Pastors and Teachers, O Lord, fill them with thy spirit, and make them exemplarily holy, sober, just, peaceable, and gracious in their lives; sound, faithful, and powerful in their Ministry, and follow all their labours with abundance of success and blessing; And give unto all thy People, Pastors according to thy own heart: Bless the Universities, and all Schools, and Religious Seminaries of Church and Commonwealth, that they may flourish more and more in Learning and Piety. Pour out a blessing upon the Ministry of the Word, Sacraments, and Discipline; give thy mercy and consolation, to the afflicted under any inward or outward distress; Lord, give unto us seasonable Wether, and Fruitful Seasons: Lord, turn away thy Judgements, that we feel or fear, or are liable unto, whether Famine, Pestilence, Sword, or any other. With all outward means of salvation, be graciously pleased to pour out the spirit of Grace into our hearts, causing us to attain such a measure of the Excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord, and in him of the things which belong to our Peace, that we may account all things but as dung in comparison of him; and that we tasting the first fruits of the glory that is to be revealed, may long for a more full and perfect Communion with him, that where he is we may be also, and enjoy the fullness of those joys and pleasures which are at thy Right hand for evermore; and all this through the same Christ Jesus, our only Mediator and Advocate, Amen.  After this Prayer, a Psalm may be sung, and the conclusion may be with a Thanksgiving and Blessing.  

The Thanksgiving.  
WE give thee thanks, most gracious Father, the Fountain of every good and perfect gift, for all thy blessings, both Spiritual and Temporal; especially, for thy great love, in sending thy Son Christ Jesus unto us; for the Communication of thy holy spirit, for the light and liberty of thy glorious Gospel, and the rich heavenly blessings revealed therein, as namely, our Election, Vocation, Adoption, Justification, Sanctification, and hope of glory; for the admirable goodness of God in freeing the land from Antichristian darkness and Tyranny, and for all other Nationall deliverances: We bless thee for the Reformation of our Religion, our continual preservation, and for many other Temporal blessings. We pray thee for the continuance of all thy favours and blessings, and particularly of thy Gospel, and all the Ordinances thereof, in their purity, power, and liberty: We pray thee make thy word powerful, that it may abide in our hearts, and bring forth fruit in our live, and conversations. We beseech thee fit and prepare us for death, and judgement, and that we may watch for the coming of our Lord jesus Christ: We entreat thee forgive the iniquity of our holy things, and accept of our Spiritual sacrifices, through the merit and mediation of our great High Priest and Saviour, the Lord Christ Jesus, Amen.   

Prayer for a Blessing.  
THE Lord bless us, and keep us; the Lord make his face to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us; the Lord lift up his countenance upon us, and give us his Peace; And the very God of Peace, sanctify us wholly, that our whole spirit, soul, and body, may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord jesus Christ: And the grace of our Lord jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father, and the Communion of the Holy Ghost be with us all, Amen.   

A Prayer particularly fitted for those that travel upon the Seas.  
O Lord, who art the hope of the ends of the Earth, and of those that are upon the wide Sea, by whose Providence men go down to the Sea in Ships, and follow business in great Waters, we pray thee to take both Ship and persons under thy protection and preservation; and let a blessing come from thee upon our businesses and endeavours. And, Lord, though we by our sins have deserved rather curses than blessings, yet we pray thee to deal with us, not according to our sins and our own deservings, but according to thy infinite free mercy, and the merits of thy son Christ Jesus, which are of an infinite value. Behold us in him, we beseech thee, in whom thou art well pleased, and in him be well pleased with us. And, Lord, we pray thee that he may be unto us not only justification from the guile of sin, but sanctification to deliver us from the power and service of sin; that we may be partakers of his Holiness, without which no man shall see thee. And, Lord, while we are upon the Seas, cause us to take notice of thy great works, for thou hast made the Sea, and therein creatures innumerable, both small and great; And while we behold things created by thee, let our hearts be lifted up to thee who hast created them; to worship thee, to love thee, and to serve thee; by whom, and for whom all things were created. Keep us, Lord, from storms and tempests, and if they shall arise, let thy word come forth, and turn the storm into a calm, make the Waters still, and bring us in good season, to the Haven of our desires. In the mean time, preserve us also from Sea-thieves, Enemies, and other dangers to which our Voyages are subject; And, Lord, when thou shalt preserve us, and bring us home in safety, give us grace to be truly and really thankful to thee, and to express our Thankfulness in a holy life and conversation; that we may serve, and please thee, who preservest us. And let not thy often preservations of us, make us the less sensible of them, but rather the more thankful to thee for them; For, Lord we confess, such is the corruption of our nature, that when we often pass through dangers, and escape them, we take less notice of thy gracious providence and preservation in them; whereas we should be the more thankful to thee, the more thou multipliest thy favours upon us. But, Lord, yet very far be it from us, upon our returns to return to folly and sin, and that we, whom thou preservest, should offend thee by sinful courses, in stead of serving thee, and being thankful to thee; For, then mayest thou justly come upon us by thy judgements, in an hour which we think not on, and let in the Seas and other dangers upon us, to swallow us up and devour us, and after give us our portion in a Lake of Fire that burneth for evermore; But, Lord, we pray thee to guide us ever by thy grace, and not to leave us to ourselves and our own corruptions, but through all the passages of this our pilgrimage, both upon Sea and Land, lead us by thy good Spirit, and bring us at last to the true Haven of Blessedness and place of rest, which is above in thy presence, where is fullness of joy, and where are pleasures for evermore. Hear us, O Lord, and accept our persons and prayers, through thy beloved son Christ Jesus, who, sitting at thy right hand, makes intercession for us; to whom with the Almighty Father, and the most blessed and holy Spirit, be all honour, service and praise, from this time forth for evermore, Amen.   

A Prayer in a Storm.  
O Lord, we acknowledge, that by thy own Providence and will, this storm is now come upon us; for thy Word hath taught us, that thou commandest and raisest the stormy Winds which lift up the waves of the Sea, so that they mount up to the Heaven, and go down again to the Depths and the souls of men are melted because of trouble, and they are at their wits ends. And, Lord, we confess that we have sins enough to draw down all thy storms upon us, and to overwhelm us with all thy waves: But, Lord, we beseech thee to make our hearts to search themselves, as for all sins, so for those especially which may draw down this great Tempest upon us; and let us cast out these sins as the Mariners cast out Jonah, and let the wind and Sea cease from their raging. And, Lord, we pray thee that we may so cast them out, that we may never take them in again, lest greater storms overtake us; For we acknowledge, that where sin is, there must storms be expected; Storms and Tempests, Fire and Brimstone are the portion of sinners; grant us also such grace, that we may not only hate our sins and cast them out, because they are followed with storms and judgements; but because they are odious in themselves, being contrary to thy Righteous Law, and to thee who art the Fountain and Rule of Righteousness. And, Lord, let us also take thy Son Christ Jesus into our souls to sanctify them, and Reign in them, remembering also that Christ Jesus makes a Calm in the souls where he Reigns, for being justified by him, we have Peace with God; and he also when he was here below, being in the Ship, made a calm there also, and commanded the winds to be still: Lord, we pray thee, grant at this time both these calms unto us; for as thy Word told us, that when thou commandest, a storm ariseth, so it also showeth us, that when men cry to thee in their trouble, thou bringest them out of their distress, thou makest the storm a calm, and the waves of the Sea are still then are men glad because they be quiet, and thou bringest them to their desired Haven. Lord, we beseech thee, let it be now to thy servants according to this thy Word, and then let that also be done which justly followeth: Let us Praise the Lord for his goodness, and his wonderful works to the sons of men; Let us Exalt thee in the Congregation of the People, and Praise thee in the Assembly of the Elders: And if the Heathen Mariners which carried Jonah, being delivered from the storm, did fear the Lord exceedingly, and offered Sacrifice to the Lord, and made Vows; Let us much more who have the light of the Gospel in so great a measure beyond them, fear thee greatly, and offer to thee the Sacrifices of Praise, and make Vows of better Obedience: And, Lord, having made such Vows, assist us by thy grace that we may perform them; and cause us all our lives to carry with us, and in us, the same thoughts and resolutions of holiness and good Conversation, which we have when we are in a storm, and not obey thee worse after deliverances, than we resolved to do in dangers. And, Lord, how soever thou shalt please to dispose of us, we do here cast ourselves down under thy Mighty hand; We submit ourselves to thee, as the clay to the Potter, to do with us what is good in thy fight; for thou hast promised that all shall turn to good to those whom thou hast chosen: And hast further shown us, that neither life nor death can separate us from thy love that is in Christ Jesus; Let it be so unto thy servants, let thy love always be towards us in Christ Jesus the Son of thy Love: Whatsoever judgements fall on our bodies, let our souls be saved by the Lord Jesus; Let us so be knit unto him by a lively Faith, that we may be partakers of him, and in him, of life Eternal: And having a sure hope and confidence hereof, let us desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, which is best of all; and at our dissolution, speak with assurance to be heard, Lord jesus Receive our Spirits: Hear us, O Lord, and grant us our Petitions, and whatsoever thy wisdom knows to be best for us, which is far beyond all that we can ask or think, and all for the sake of thy Son and our blessed Saviour, through whom alone we and our Prayers have access unto thee; to whom with thy Glorious self, and most Holy Spirit, be all Honour and Glory, Praise and Thanksgiving, Service and Obedience, from this time forth, and for evermore, Amen.   
FINIS.