AN APPENDIX TO THE DISCOURSE Upon the Doctrine of our Baptismal Covenant: BEING A METHOD OF FAMILY-RELIGION.

By THOMAS BRAY, D.D.

LONDON, Printed for Will. Hawes, at the Rose in Ludgate-street, 1699.

The PREFACE.

THE Design of the foregoing Dis­course, being to Principle the Minds of our Youth with a true Notion of Christianity, by a course of Reading upon the Nature of their Baptismal Covenant; And few of our Youth being serious enough to Re­lish such Employment to that degree, as to betake themselves to Reading, if not encou­rag'd and oblig'd thereunto by their Parents and Masters; so that it is very rare to find where there is no performance of Family Re­ligion, that the Children and Servants be­longing to it are not notoriously Ignorant and Immoral, for these Reasons I have been much solicited to annex the following Method of Family Religion; as that without which the precding Discourse will not have its End in the Edification of our Youth; who if they neither read it themselves, nor hear it read by others, cannot be suppos'd to receive be­nefit by it.

Nor will it, I hope, be thought strange, that in the following Method of Family Religion, the first thing I propose is the Singing of Psalms. I believe indeed it will be found, if we should look back into the Causes of the Decay of Christian Piety in Families, that [Page] the neglect of Family Religion has its date from the disuse of Singing Psalms therein. This is a part of Devotion not more noble in it self, than it is pleasant and inviting to o­thers; and therefore it will be the likeliest means to draw the whole Family together, to begin with a Psalm. And that it may be the more taking, I have not only set the following Psalms to the choicest Tunes, but given them out of the New Version of Mr. Brady and Mr. Tate, being perswaded that the Contempt into which Singing of Psalms is grown amongst us, is owing to the very ill and ridiculous Metre of Hopkins and Sternhold, and the equally bad Singing of them in our Country Churches. And now, all that I shall add up­on this point is this, that the best way to have them sung in Families, is to have the Youth practice it at their Catechetical Con­ferences; and the likeliest Method to bring 'em into Common Use in Churches, is first to have Families accustomed to the singing of them.

The next thing to be accounted for, is the Course of Reading I propose in the following Method. And as it is a Course of Reading upon the several Subjects of our Church-Ca­techism, so I hope it will be thought the best I cou'd pitch upon. This best of Catechisms [Page] does administer Instructions in the most ac­curate Method possible. It teaches us nothing superfluous and unnecessary to be known, but gives us to understand the whole Doctrine of the Covenant of Grace; and that in an excel­lent Method; treating first of the General Nature thereof in the Preliminary Questions and Answers; and descending afterwards particularly to instruct its Disciples in the se­veral Articles; and ends with those Means of performing our Covenant, Prayer, and the Sacraments: And therefore, according to this Method, I would have the Reading order'd in Families, according to which if it should be manag'd, I cannot doubt but that Christian Knowledge would grow upon us a-pace; and Heresy and Error would more difficultly find Entertainment than it does.

And now as to the Morning and Evening Prayer I propose; in the Families of Per­sons of Quality, where there is more leisure for longer Devotions, it is incomparably the best way to use the Common Prayer: But in meaner Families, where so much time cannot be allow'd, next to the Common Prayer, I thought a better cou'd not be compos'd for that Purpose, than a Prayer form'd out of our Catechism, wherein all the Mercies of God's Part in the Covenant, are recounted with [Page] Thanksgiving, and all the Conditions on ours are enumerated, together with Petitions for God's Grace to assist us in the Performance of them.

And now I have only this to add to you, who are Parents and Masters of Families, that you wou'd unanimously, and universally set up a Course of Family Religion in your respective Houses.

There seems to be a general Apostacy from Christianity now growing upon the Nation: And one great Reason that Atheism and Ir­religion has so prevail'd, is, that the present Generation of Men have seen no more of Re­ligion, than what they hear in our Churches; the Instructions from whence cannot be suffi­cient to reform the World, if the Application be not made by Parents, and Masters at home; much less, if they take not care so much as to send their Youth to Church to be Catechis'd and Instructed. And indeed it does infi­nitely deserve your most serious Considera­tion, how far you will be answerable for the Souls of those who are within your Houses, and under your Paternal Care. The Fate of old Ely, and his Family, for not honouring God, by taking Care to the Piety of his Chil­dren, wou'd be very awakening to those who consider it. And the extraordinary Regard [Page] God bore to Abraham, meerly because he knew he would command his Children, and his Houshold after him, that they should keep the way of the Lord, is equally encouraging to you to take care of Religion in your Families. Wherefore let that Resolution of Joshua be the Resolution of every one of you: As for me, and my House, we will serve the Lord.

And that no Assistance may be wanting to you for your Childrens Devotion, as well as Instruction, I have added the following Office for Youth. It was for the most part compiled by Dr. Alexander Noel, once Dean of St. Paul's, for the Ʋse of Schools; and to make it more generally Ʋseful thereunto, I have not only translated it, but added some few Prayers more for the Youth, and Servants of a Family: And if due Care shall be taken both in Schools and Families, that all the Youth belong­ing to each, shall to Knowledge add Piety and De­votion, it will turn no doubt to a comfortable Ac­count one Day, as to those Pastors who shall thus faithfully inspect their tender Flock, so to those Masters of Schools and Families, who shall take Care thus to train up the Youth belonging to their Char­ges respectively in the Knowledge and Fear of God.

A Method of FAMILY-DEVOTION.

THE foregoing short discourse upon the Do­ctrine of our Baptismal Covenant, is design'd to lay the Foundation of Christian Knowledge in Youth. And this short Method of Family-De­votion is form'd in order to revive the most principal part of Christian Practice in Families: And for want of both which, the Youth that hap­pen therein are undone throughout the Nation.

Now there were never greater variety of better Helps to Families in this kind, than have been given us of late Years, by several pious Divines of our own Church. And to bring them more into use, I shall venture to propose this following Method.

In the first place, the whole Family being call'd together, I would propose there might be a Psalm sung; for there is a most inviting, and popular, as well as a most Heavenly Part of Divine Worship. And because there is now so good a Version of the Psalms given us by Brady and Tate, and these revis'd by several Bishops, and allow'd by Publick Authority to be sung in Churches, I would propose the Use of them in Families at leastwise, and could wish they were introduc'd into our Publick Assemblies.

The Disadvantage that Psalmody does at this day lye under, by reason of the intolerable bad­ness of our Metre, and the ill singing of our Psalms in Country-Churches, makes the better sort of People indeed nauseate it, and all to de­spise [Page] it: Not to say that the Beauty of our Ser­vice suffers extreamly by it. But Psalms, and Hymns, to the Great Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier of Mankind, as they were the most sig­nal part of the Primitive Liturgies, and as they will continue to all Eternity the constant Employ­ment of the Blessed Angels and Saints above; so now that there is an Emendation both of the Psalms and Singing, the Prejudices conceiv'd a­gainst them, may soon, I hope, be turn'd into the highest Love and Esteem of both: So that this I think wou'd be an Alteration made to the well-liking of all the Members of our Communion.

I know there are those who think the Com­mon People so fond of the Old Psalms, that they wou'd not endure an Innovation therein: But in all the Experience I have had in this Matter, in a Ministry amongst them for Fifteen Years, I never found that Person which spoke the least liking to Hopkins, and Sternhold's Psalms; nor any one of the Country-People who had that Value for them as to get one of them by Heart: But as to a new Version of our Singing Psalms done with a Spirit, and Life, that comes up in some mea­sure to the Original; now that such an one is made, all People, I am perswaded, would be apt of themselves to learn them, and the Clergy can now with a good Countenance strike in, and encourage them thereunto; not only that every Person might be able to bear a part in that Ser­vice, but as an Excellent Furniture for Devotion, both in Solitude, and on many other Occasions.

And this indeed deserves a particular Consi­deration, [Page] that whereas through the Difficulty of learning Prose, it is a very hard Matter to make the meaner sort of People to get any Prayers by heart; yet through the Facility of getting Verse, and the great liking they have to it, they may be easily wrought upon to get many of the Singing Psalms without Book; so that they might hereby be provided (if the Choice were well made) of apt and proper Devotions, suffi­cient in some measure to supply their want of other Prayers. However they wou'd have where­withal to lift up their hearts to Heaven upon Contemplation of God's Works, when they walk in the Fields, and view the Wonders of his Works; of which sort of Devotions David's Psalms are so noble a Store-house, and to which he does so often call upon all Men: Not to say that the getting of much of this Sacred Poesy by heart may work in them a disrelish for obscene, and profane Songs, and Ballads, whereby the Minds of all sorts of People are so infinitely cor­rupted at this day.

In short, since there is no part of Devotion more pleasing than Psalmody, and the Neglect of Family-Worship amongst the Common Peo­ple; at least, may be dated from the time it has grown into neglect, I cannot therefore but pro­pose it as fit to be reviv'd: And because it does so wonderfully compose the Spirits, and prepare the Mind for Divine Heat, I cannot but think it proper to begin with it in the Daily Returns of Family-Worship.

PSALMS.

PSALM C. Proper to be Sung at Home, or at Church, before the beginning of Divine Service.

Psalm 100. Proper Tune.
[...] With one consent let all the Earth, to God their chearful voices raise;
[...] Glad homage pay with awful mirth, and sing before him Songs of Praise.
Convinc'd that he is God alone,
From whom both we and all proceed;
We whom he chuses for his own,
The Flock that he vouchsafes to seed.
O enter then his Temple-Gate,
Thence to his Courts devoutly press,
And still your grateful Hymns repeat,
And still his Name with Praises bless.
For he's the Lord supremely good,
His Mercy is for ever sure,
His Truth which always firmly stood,
To endless Ages shall endure.
To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost;
The God whom Earth and Heaven adore,
Be Glory, as it was of Old,
Is now, and shall be evermore.

PSALM XCV. To be Sung as the 100 Psalm.

Proper to be Sung as the former.
O Come, loud Anthems let us sing,
Loud Thanks to our Almighty King:
For we our Voices high should raise,
When our Salvation's Rock we praise.
Into his Presence let us haste,
To thank him for his Favours past;
To him Address in joyful Songs,
The praise that to his Name belongs.
For God the Lord enthron'd in State,
Is with unrival'd Glory Great.
A King superior far to all,
Whom by his Title, God we call.
O let us to his Courts repair,
And bow with Adoration there,
Down on our Knees devoutly all,
Before the Lord our Maker fall.
To Father, &c.

PSALM II. Proper to be Sung in a Family, or at Church after the Second Lesson.

Psalm 2. Rochel Tune.
[...] WIth restless and ungovern'd Rage, why do the Heathen storm?
[...] Why in such rash Attempts engage as they can ne'er perform?
[...] The Great in Council and in Might, their various Forces bring;
[...] Against the Lord they all unite, and his anointed King.
Must we submit to their Commands,
Presumptuously they say?
No, let us break their slavish Bands,
And cast their Chains away.
But God who sits enthron'd on high,
And sees how they combine;
Does their conspiring Strength defie,
And mocks their vain Design.

PSALM XI. To be [...]ung between the First and Second Service.

Psalm 11. St. David's Tune.
[...] THe Lord hath both a Temple here, and Righteous Throne above;
[...] Whence he surveys the Sons of Men, and how their Counsels move.
If God the Righteous, whom he loves,
for tryal does correct;
What must the Sons of Violence,
Whom he abhors, expect?
Snares, Fire, and Brimstone on their Heads
Shall in one Tempest show'r,
This dreadful mixture his Revenge
Into their Cup shall pow'r.
The Righteous Lord, will Righteous deeds
With signal Favour grace;
And to the upright Man disclose
The Brightness of his Face.

PSALM CXIX. To be Sung before the Sermon.

Psalm 119. St. Mary's Tune.
[...] INstruct me in thy Statutes, Lord, thy righteous Paths display;
[...] And I from them through all my Life will never go astray.
If thou true Wisdom from above
Wilt graciously impart,
To keep thy perfect Laws, I will
Devote my zealous Heart.
In Truth, substantial Peace have they
Who truly love thy Law,
No smiling Mischief them can tempt,
Nor frowning Danger aw.
Directed therefore by thy Word
Let all my Footsteps be;
Nor Wickedness of any kind
Dominion have o're me.
On me devoted to thy Fear,
Lord make thy Face to shine,
Thy Statutes both to know, and keep,
My Heart with Zeal incline.

PSALM CXIX. To be Sung after Sermon.

Psalm 119. London New Tune.
[...] SAfe in my Heart, and closely hid thy Word, my Treasure lies,
[...] To succour me with timely Aid when sinful Thoughts arise.
Secur'd by that my grateful Soul
Shall ever bless thy Name;
O teach me then by thy just Laws
My future Life to frame.
My Lips, unlock'd with pious Zeal,
To others have declar'd,
How well the Judgments of thy Mouth
Deserve our best regard.
Whilst in the way of thy Commands
More solid Joy is found,
Than had I been with vast increase,
Of envy'd Riches crown'd.
Therefore thy Just and Righteous Laws,
Shall always fill my Mind;
And those sound Rules which thou prescrib'st
all due Respect shall find.
To keep thy Statutes undefac'd,
Shall be my constant joy,
The strict remembrance of thy Word
Shall all my Thoughts employ.

PSALM XXIV. To be Sung before Evening Service begins.

Psalm 24. St. James's Tune.
[...] THis spacious Earth is all the Lord's, the Earth her fulness is;
[...] The World, and they that dwell therein by sovereign right are his.
He fram'd, and fix'd it on the Seas,
And his Almighty Hand,
Upon inconstant Floods has made
The stable Fabrick stand.
But for himself this Lord of all,
One chosen Seat design'd;
O who shall to the Sacred Hill,
Desir'd Admittance find?
The Man whose Hands and Heart are pure,
Whose Thoughts from Pride are free;
Who honest Poverty prefers,
To gainful Perjury.
This, this is he, on whom the Lord,
Shall show'r his Blessings down;
Whom God his Saviour shall vouchsafe
With Righteousness to crown.
Such is the Race of Saints, by whom
The Sacred Courts are trod;
And such the Proselytes that seek
The Face of Jacob's God.

PSALM XXIV. To be Sung after the Second Lesson, Evening Service. To be Sung as the foregoing part.

ERect your Heads, Eternal Gates,
Unfold to entertain
The King of Glory; see he comes
with his Celestial Train.
Who is this King of Glory? Who?
The Lord for Strength renown'd:
In Battle mighty, o're his Foes,
Eternal Victor crown'd.
Erect your Heads, ye Gates, unfold
In State to entertain
The King of Glory; for he comes
With all his shining Train.
Who is this King of Glory? Who?
The Lord of Hosts renown'd:
Of Glory he alone is King,
Who is with Glory crown'd.
To Father, &c.

PSALM LXXXIV. Proper to be Sung in a Family on a Sunday Evening, or in Church after Evening Service is over.

Psalm 84. Manchester Tune.
[...] O Lord of Hosts my King, O God, how highly blest are they:
[...] Who in thy Temple always dwell, and there thy Praise display.
For in thy Courts one single Day,
'Tis better to attend,
Than, Lord, in any place besides,
A Thousand Days to spend.
For God who is our Sun, and Shield,
Will Grace and Glory give:
And no good thing will he with-hold,
From them that justly live.
O thou whom Heavenly Hosts obey,
How highly blest is he,
Whose Hope and Trust securely plac'd,
Are still repos'd on thee!
To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
The God whom we adore,
Be Glory, as it was, is now,
And shall be evermore.

PSALM CXVII. Proper to be Sung in a Family before Morning Prayer.

Psalm 117. Exeter Tune.
[...] WIth cheerful Notes let all the Earth, to Heav'n their Voices raise,
[...] Let all inspir'd with godly Mirth, sing solemn Hymns of Praise.
God's tender Mercy knows no bound,
His Truth shall ne'er decay;
Then let the willing Nations round,
This grateful Tribute pay.
To Father, Son, &c.

PSALM CXXXIX. To be Sung as the 100 Psalm. Proper also to be Sung in a Family at Morning Prayer.

THou Lord by strictest search hast known,
My rising up, and lying down;
My secret Thoughts are known to thee,
Known long before conceiv'd by me.
Thine Eye my Bed, and Paths surveys;
My publick Haunts, and private Ways.
Thou know'st what 'tis my Lips would vent,
My yet unutter'd words intent.
The veil of Night is no disguise,
No screen from thine All-seeing Eyes.
Through midnight shades thou find'st thy way,
As in the blazing Noon of Day.
Thou know'st the Secrets of my Heart;
If mischief lurk in any part,
Correct me where I go astray,
And guide me in thy perfect way.
To Father, Son, &c.

PSALM VIII. Proper to be Sung in a Family at Evening Prayer.

Psalm 8. Winchester Tune.
[...] O Thou to whom all Creatures bow, within this earthly Frame;
[...] Thro' all the World how great art Thou; how glorious is thy Name.
When Heaven the Beauteous Work on high,
Employs my wandring sight,
The Moon that nightly guilds the Sky,
With Stars of feebler Light.
What's Man, said I, that Lord thou lov'st
To keep him in thy Mind!
Or what his Off-spring that thou prov'st,
To them so wondrous kind!
Him next in Pow'r thou didst create,
To thy Celestial Train.
Ordain'd with Dignity and State,
O're all thy Works to Reign.
They joyntly own his potent sway,
The Beasts that Prey or Graze,
The Birds that wing their Airy way,
The Fish that cuts the Seas.
O thou to whom all Creatures bow,
Within this Earthly Frame,
Thro' all the World how great art thou,
How Glorious is thy Name!
To Father, &c.

PSALM CXLVIII.

Psalm 148. Proper Tune.

[...] YE boundless Realms of Joy, ex╌alt your Maker's Fame;
[...] his praise your song employ, above the starry frame; your voices raise,
[...] ye Che╌ru╌bims, and Se╌ra╌phims, to sing his Praise.
Let all of Royal Birth,
With those of humbler Frame,
And Judges of the Earth,
His matchless Praise proclaim.
In this Design
Let Youths and Maids,
And Hoary Heads
With Children joyn.
United Zeal be shown,
His wondrous Fame to raise,
Whose Glorious Name alone,
Deserves our endless praise.
Earths utmost ends
His Power obey:
His Glorious sway
The Sky transcends.
His chosen Saints to Grace,
He raises them on high;
And favours Israel's Race,
Who still to him are nigh:
O therefore raise
Your grateful Voice,
And still rejoyce,
The Lord to praise.

PSALM CIII. To be Sung as the 100 Psalm.

THe Lord, the Universal King,
In Heaven has fix'd his lofty Throne:
To him the Angels, Praises sing,
In whose great Strength his Pow'r is shown.
Ye that his just Commands obey,
And hear, and do his Sacred Will;
The Hosts of his, this Tribute pay,
Who still what he ordains, fulfill.
Let every Creature jointly bless
The mighty Lord: And thou, my Heart,
With grateful Joy thy Thanks express;
And in this Consort bear thy part.
Yea Lord to celebrate thy Fame,
My grateful Voice to Heaven I'll raise;
And Nations, strangers to thy Name,
Shall thus be taught to sing thy Praise.
For God abounds with tender Love,
And unexampl'd Acts of Grace,
His waken'd Wrath does slowly move,
His willing Mercy flows apace.
God will not always harshly chide,
But with his anger quickly part;
And loves his Punishments to guide
More by his Love than our Desert.

Secondly, Next after the Psalm, may succeed a Course of Reading, And this both Ordinary, and Extraordinary; Ordinarily, and at every time the Family are call'd together to Prayers, it were well if a Chapter were read, either accor­ding to the order of our Kalendar, by which means the most material parts of Holy Scrip­ture might be read over, the Old Testament once, the New thrice a-year. Or if time will not serve to have four Chapters read every day, then the New Testament may be read over in order. And it would tend singularly to the im­provement of the Youth of the Family, both Children and Servants, to have them read the Chapters by turns.

Extraordinarily, I would recommend it to all Families, that on Sunday-Evenings, the Master or Mistress having call'd together their whole Family, would besides the Chapter, cause to be read some Discourse out of some Practical Trea­tise: And I shall here recommend what Books they may read with profit, and in what order.

And in the first [...]ace, since in the Doctrine of our Baptismal Covenant is contain'd all that is essentially necessary to Salvation, and nothing is to be accounted such, which is no part, nor Article of the Covenant of Grace; and since according as we have perform'd, or not per­form'd our part of this Covenant, we shall be justify'd, or condemn'd at the last day; I am therefore persuaded that the Knowledge of the Nature, Terms, and Conditions of this Covenant, [Page] by whose Mediation we obtained such Gracious Terms of Salvation, and what vast Obligations do lie upon us to discharge the same; I am there­fore I say, persuaded, that a through understan­ding of this Covenant, is fundamentally neces­sary. And since the general Doctrine thereof gives a view of the whole Scheme of the Chri­stian Religion, I humbly conceive it ought to be the first thing taught, and understood in Chri­stianity; to which end give me leave to recom­mend every Sunday the reading of a Lecture in the foregoing Short Discourse till it be gone through.

And then, after that, for a more particular In­formation in the several conditions of this Co­venant, I would be glad if some Treatise upon the Articles of our Christian Faith, such as Kettlewel's Practical Believer; and next to that, some Discourse upon the several Christian Du­ties, such as the Whole Duty of Man, were by degrees read over. And then if next after this, a Discourse upon the Sacrament, such as Kettle­well's Help and Exhortation to worthy Communica­ting, were also read, there, wou'd be nothing wanting to give all the Mem [...]rs of a Family, both a general and particular Knowledge in the whole Christian Religion, and to guide them to Heaven. These three last mentioned Books are what I would wish were in every Family, for the compleat Instruction of the Members of it. But in regard they may be thought too dear a Purchase, and too tedious for some; instead thereof, the Guide of a Christian, and the Chri­stian Monitor may serve excellently for the pur­pose [Page] of Family Instructions. And if with the latter of these be bound up Wake upon Death, between these three there will be an admirable Rule provided for Holy Living and dying. And both together will make up an Excellent poor Man's Family-Book.

The purchase of the two latter will not arise to above one Shilling and six Pence, and of all to­gether, to not above eight Shillings. And it were happy for this Church, and the Souls of Men, if so many of our Common People did not lay out much more, as they generally do, to the loading of their Shelves, in Books of an Antinomian Spirit, such as Bunyan's Books, to the Poysoning of many thousand Persons both in their Faith and Practice.

Thirdly, And now after the Psalm and Chap­ter, and the other reading on Sundays; In the Close it is proper that Prayer should succeed, for which by this time we may suppose all the Members of the Family to be very well prepared, and to be put in a good frame of Spirit. And there are indeed great variety of excellent De­votions in the foregoing Books, especially if to them there shall be added Patrick's Devout Chri­stian. However to render this as generally useful as may be, for all the purposes of Fa­mily-Religion, I shall add a Prayer for the Mor­ning and Evening, made for the most part out of the words of our Liturgy, the best Treasury of Devotions doubtless in the World, of any Hu­mane Composure; and particularly out of the words of our Catechism; the Praying over of [Page] which will have these advantages in my Opinion, of all other Forms, that first the things thereby prayed for, will be the same we have Covenan­ted with God to perform: And secondly, every single Expression being pregnant of abundance of Matter, so as to be the Subject of Expositions; in every Petition, the Mind will be taken up with great variety of things, whereas in most other Composures, in much variety of Expression there is but little Matter included. And by the by, this being the Nature of our Forms in the Liturgy, especially of those Supplications fol­lowing the several Commandments, the Injury which is done to our Church Service is intolera­rable, when it is hurry'd over, and read precipi­tately, so as the Worshipper cannot have due space to reflect upon the copious Matter he prays for under those comprehensive Expressions.

PRAYERS.

O Most blessed Lord God, whose glorious Name is exalted above all Blessing and Praises, yet it is our Duty, and our Happiness, to Glorify thee: And, to this end, we a small handful of thy depending Creatures are here met, to join our Hearts and Voices, in the Cele­bration of thy Praises. And therefore with An­gels and Archangels, and all the glorious Com­pany of Heaven, we laud and magnify thy holy Name, for all thy Mercies vouchsafed unto us, and to all Mankind. Our Creation was an ad­mirable Instance of thy Goodness, communica­ting Life and Being, and a competent measure of Happiness to all thy Creatures. And as the [Page] Morning-Stars, or Angels, did thereupon sing for Joy; so do we this Day celebrate the Glorious Power then appearing. But the Redemption of us by the Mediation of thy Son Jesus Christ, reconciling us to thee, when we had basely re­volted from thee, and took part with thine E­nemy, was an astonishing Work of Mercy, which the Angels themselves cannot fathom, but desire to look into. O how did Mercy and Truth here meet together! How did Righte­ousness and Peace here kiss each other! We are in some measure sensible of it, and we do most devoutly adore thy Goodness, that thou hast called us into the Family of thy Church, to partake of the Benefits of such Redemption.

And now, O God, as at our Admission into this holy Society, we did List our selves under Christ's Banner, manfully to Fight against the World, the Flesh, and the Devil; so do thou enable us to Renounce the Devil, and all his Works, the Pomps and Vanity of this wicked World, and all the sinful Lusts of the Flesh.

As we have been Baptiz'd into the Belief and Profession of thee the only true God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; we beseech thee that thou would'st keep us stedfast in this Faith, and that we may ever continue to Believe in God the Father, who hath made us, and all the World; in God the Son, who hath Redeem'd us, and all Mankind; and in God the Holy Ghost, who hath Sancti­fied us, and all the Elect People of God.

And enable us, as to Believe in thee, so to [Page] Obey thy holy Will and Commandments, and to walk in the same all the Days of our Life. Particularly, enable us to Love thee with all our Heart, with all our Mind, with all our Soul, and with all our Strength; to Worship thee, to give thee Thanks, to put our whole Trust in thee, to Call upon thee, to Honour thy holy Name, and thy Word, and to Serve thee truly all the Days of our Life. Enable us also Conscientiously to dis­charge our Duties towards our Neighbour, to love him as our selves; and to do unto all Men, as we would they should do unto us: To Love, Honour, and Succour our Re­lations; to Honour and Obey the King, and all that are put in Authority under Him; to Submit our selves to all our Governors, Teachers, Spiritual Pastors, and Masters: To or­der our selves Lowly and Reverently to all our Betters; to hurt no Body by Word or Deed; to be true and just in all our Dealings; to bear no Malice nor Hatred in our Hearts; to keep our Hands from Picking and Stealing, and our Tongues from Evil-speaking, Lying, and Slan­dering; to keep our Bodies in Temperance, So­berness, and Chastity; not to covet nor desire other Mens Goods, but to learn and labour truly to get our own Living; and to do our Duty in that state of Life, unto which it shall please our God at any time to dispose of us.

We know, O God, that we are not able to do these Things of our selves, nor to walk in thy Commandments, and to serve thee, without thy special Grace: And therefore we desire of [Page] thee, O Lord God, our heavenly Father, who art the Giver of all Goodness, to send thy Grace unto us, and to all People; that we may Wor­ship thee, Serve thee, and Obey thee, as we ought to do. And we pray unto thee, that thou wilt send us all Things that be needful, both for our Souls and Bodies; and that thou wilt be mer­ciful unto us, and forgive us our Sins; und that it will please thee to save and defend us in all Dangers, Ghostly and Bodily; and that thou wilt keep us from all Sin and Wickedness, and from our Ghostly Enemy, and from ever­lasting Death. And this we trust thou wilt do of thy Mercy and Goodness, through Je­sus Christ our Lord.

Neither pray we for our selves alone, but for all States and Conditions of Men amongst us. And, O merciful God, who hath made all Men, and hatest nothing that thou hast made, nor would the Death of a Sinner, but rather that he should be Converted and Live, have Mer­cy upon all Jews, Turks, Infidels, and Hereticks; and take from them all Ignorance, and Hard­ness of Heart, and Contempt of thy Word and Commandments: And so fetch them home, bles­sed Lord, to thy Flock, that they may be saved amongst the Remnant of the true Israelites; and he made one Fold under one Shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord. More especially, we beseech thee, to receive our Supplications and Prayers, which we offer before thee, for all Estates of Men in thy Holy Church; that every Member of the same, in his Vocation and Ministry, may Truly and Godly serve thee. Amongst whom, [Page] principally we beseech thee, to save and defend all Christian Kings, Princes, and Governors, and especially thy Servant William our King; that under Him we may be godly and quietly Governed. And grant unto his whole Coun­cil, and to all that are put in Authority un­der Him, that they may truly and indiffe­rently minister Justice, to the Punishment of Wickedness and Vice, and the Maintenance of thy true Religion and Vertue. And we most humbly beseech thee, of thy Goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour them, who in this transitory Life, are in Trouble, Sor­row, Need, Sickness, or any other Adver­sity. More especially we beseech thee Graci­ously to behold us of this F [...]mily.

And as thou hast safely brought us to the beginning of this Day, This to be ad­ded in the Morning. so defend us in the same by thy mighty Power, and grant that this Day we fall into no Sin, nei­ther run into any kind of Dangers; but that all our Doings may be order'd by thy Gover­nance, to do always that is righteous in thy thy Sight, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

And enlighten our Darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord, This to close up Evening Prayer. and by thy great Mercy defend us from all Perils and Dangers of this Night, for the Love of thy only Son Jesus Christ our Lord. In whose most bles­sed Name and Words, we conclude our im­perfect Prayers, saying, Our Father, &c.

A Morning Prayer for a Family.

O Blessed God be thou acknowledged, Praised, and Loved by us, and all the Child [...]en of Men; on whom thou pourest continually thy Bene­fits. They are great and many; we know not the Summ, nor understand the Value of 'em. The An­gels themselves admired thy Love to us in Christ Jesus; and are become Ministring Spirits to them who are Heirs of Salvation. We enjoy the conti­nual Fruits of thy watchful Providence, by which we have been kept in Peace and Safety the last Night, and are raised this Morning in Health and Strength, both in Body and Mind, beholding all things belonging to us, just as we left 'em with thee when we went to sleep.

Accept, we most humbly beseech thee, of this poor Tribute of Praise and Thanks; together with the hearty Oblation of our Souls and Bodies, which we here dedicate again to thy Service. Vouchsafe us the continual Assistance of the Grace of thy Holy Spirit, to enable us to make good those Vows that are upon us, of Obediently keeping thy Holy Will and Commandments, and walking in the same all the days of our Life. Pardon, O Lord, all our Breaches of this Sacred Covenant. Deal not with us according to our Sins, neither re­ward us after our Iniquities; but in the multitude of thy Tender Mercies pity our Errors and Wan­drings, and he [...]p us against our Infirmities.

Give us leave this Day to put our selves into thy powerful Protection, and to depend on thee for thy merciful Guidance and Assistance, that we may [Page] be more faithful to Thee in the discharge of our Duties, and never swerve from the Rules of So­briety and Righteousness, Charity and Goodness. So shall we return with joyful Hearts to praise thee in the Evening; and teach those who shall come after us to continue thy Praises in the next Generation. Amen. For thy Mercies sake in Christ Jesus, in whose words we present the earnest desires of our Souls and Hearts, both for our selves and our Bre­thren, saying,

Our Father, &c.

An Evening Prayer for a Family.

IN an humble and thankful Sense, O Lord of Hea­ven and Earth, of our entire dependence on Thee, and of the Duty we owe Thee, and the many Promi­ses and Vows wherein we stand engaged to Thee, we fall down before Thee this Evening, and with all Reverence worship thy Divine Majesty: Giving Thee the Glory that is due to thy Name, and acknowledg­ing thy multiplied Mercies to us, particularly those of this Day; to the Conclusion of which thou hast now safely brought us, with new Resolutions in our Hearts to continue forever in thy Faith, and Fear, and Love, and Obedience.

It is but just, and reasonable, and we feel like­wise by daily Experience, that it is our Happiness to keep thy Commandments, and to maintain chearful Thoughts of Thee, and an hearty Friendship with Thee, by complying in all things with thy Holy Will: O pardon our Folly, most Gracious God, in forsa­king at any time that Perfect Rule, to follow our own unruly Desires. Pardon us, we beseech Thee; [Page] for we know not how to pardon our selves such In­gratitude to Thee, and Cruelty to our selves. It is the Grief of our Hearts, that we have in the least offended Thee, and our most earnest, un­feigned Desires to to be preserved hereafter in an ex­act Conformity to the Rule in every thing: Yea, we wou'd delight to do thy Will, O God, and take such a Pleasure in all the Acts of Righteousness, Mercy, Meekness, and Gentleness to our Neigh­bours; and in praising, and acknowledging Thee the God of all Grace, and in living in an humble sense of thy Bounty, and our own Ʋndeservings, and in a temperate, and thankful Ʋse of all thy Blessings, that we may have the continual Feast of a good Conscience, and the constant Comfort and Satisfaction of having Thee always for our Friend, and our Gracious Father in Christ Jesus.

O thou who art the Inspirer of such holy Coun­sels, Desires, and Purposes, keep them for ever in our Hearts, encourage, strengthen, and increase them, that after the Refreshment of a quiet Sleep this Night, we may feel them lively, and powerful in the Morning; and with renew'd Joy, we may still devote our selves to thy faithful Service. O that our Friends, and all thy People in every Place, may partake of the same Mercies we desire for our selves: And however we are severed one from ano­ther in this World, grant us an happy Meeting at the Day of our Lord: In whose Words we pray Thee to hear us.

Our Father, &c.

AN Office for YOUTH.

Texts of Scripture proper for a Morn­ning Meditation.

Eph. 5.14. AWake thou that sleepest, and arise from the Dead, and Christ shall give thee Light.
Rom. 13. Ver. 11. Knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we be­lieved.
Ver. 12. The Night is far spent, the Day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the Works of Darkness, and let us put on the Armour of Light.
Ver. 13. Let us walk honestly as in the Day, and put on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Matth. 5.16. Let your Light so shine before Men, that they may see your good Works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.
Eccles. 2.13. Wisdom excelleth Folly, as far as Light excelleth Darkness.
[Page]I.
Psal. 3.5.
I laid me down and slept, I awa­ked, for the Lord sustained me.
II. Psal. 90.14. O satisfy me early with thy Mercy, that I may rejoice and be glad all my Days.
III. Psal 59.16, 17. I will sing of thy Power, yea, I will sing aloud of thy Mercy in the Morn­ing; for thou hast been my Defence and Refuge in the day of my Trouble.
IV. Ver. 17. Unto thee, O my Strength, will I sing; for God is my Defence, and the God of my Mercy.
V. Psal. 71.5. Thou art my Hope, O Lord God; thou art my Trust from my Youth.
VI. Ver. 6. By thee have I been holden up from the Womb; thou art he that took me out of my Mothers Bowels; my Praises shall be con­tinually of thee.
VII. Ps [...]l. 148.12. Young Men and Maidens, Old Men and Children;
VIII. Ver. 13. Let them praise the Name of the Lord; for his Name alone is excellent, his Glory is above the Earth and Heaven.
IX. Psal. 113.1. Praise ye the Lord, praise him, O ye Servants of the Lord.
X. Ver. 2. Blessed be the Name of the Lord, from this time forth and for evermore.
XI. Ver. 3. From the rising up of the Sun, un­to the going down of the same, the Lord's Name is to be praised.
[Page]XII.
Psal. 119.124.
Deal with thy Servant according to thy Mercies, O teach me thy Statutes.
XIII. Ver. 125. I am thy Servant, give me Understanding, that I may know thy Testi­monies.
XIV. Psal. 143.8. Cause me to learn thy lo­ving kindness, for in thee do I trust; cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my Soul unto thee.

A Morning Prayer.

O God the Father of Heaven, I render unto Thee all possible Praise and Thanksgiving, who hast preserved me safe from the Danger of the Night past. I do humbly beseech thee, that thou wouldst take me under the Protection of thy Good Providence this Day and for evermore. And as thou hast dispell'd the Darkness of the Night, and fill'd the World with the Light of the Sun, and hast awaken'd me from Sleep; so do thou vouchsafe, O Lord, to expel the Darkness of Ignorance from my Mind, enlightning it with the Beams of thy most Holy Spirit, and with the Knowledge of thy beloved Son Jesus Christ, our Saviour, that true Light which lighteth every Man that cometh into the World; that so declining from the Works of Darkness, and directing my Steps according to the Truth of thy most Holy Word, I may always walk as in open day, So­berly, Righteously, and Godly; subduing all Youth­ful Lusts, and avoiding all Evil Company; and at length may arrive to the Habitations of Light under the Conduct of the same thy Son; to whom with [Page] thee, and the Holy Spirit, one God of most Ado­rable Majesty, be all Honour and Glory, both now, and evermore. Amen.

Scripture Texts for Evening Meditation.

John 11.9. ARE there not twelve Hours in the Day? If any Man walk in the Day he stumbleth not, because he seeth Light of of this World.
Ver. 10. But if a Man walk in the Night he stumbleth, because there is no Light in him.
John 3.19. And this is the Condemnation that Light is come into the World, and Men love Darkness rather than Light, because their Deeds were Evil.
John 1.9. Now Jesus Christ is that true Light which lighteth every Man that cometh into the World.
John 12.35. Let us therefore walk whilst we have Light, lest Darkness come upon us; for he that walketh in Darkness knoweth not whi­ther he goeth.
1 John 2.9. He that saith he is in the Light, and hateth his Brother, is in Darkness, even un­til now.
Ver. 10. He that loveth his Brother abideth in the Light, and there is no occasion of stumb­ling in him.
Psa. 58.10. If thou draw out thy Soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted Soul; then shall [Page] thy Light rise in obscurity, and thy Darkness shall be as the Noon-day.
Psalm 92.1. IT is a good thing to give thanks unto thee, O Lord; and to sing Praises unto thy Name, O most High.
Ver. 2. To shew forth thy Loving-kindness in the Morning, and thy Faithfulness every Night.
Psal. 43.3. O send out thy Light and thy Trut [...], let them lead me, let them bring me unto thy holy Hill, and to thy Tabernacle.
Psal. 119.105. Thy Word is a Lamp unto my Feet, and a Light unto my Paths.
Psal. 119 133. Order my Steps in thy Word; and let not any Iniquity have dominion over me.
Psal 36.9. With thee is the Fountain of Life; in thy Light shall we see Light.
Psal. 13.3. Consider and hear me, O Lord, my God, lighten mine Eyes that I sleep not in Death.
Psal. 4.8. I will lay me down in Peace, and Sleep, for it is thou, Lord, only that makest me dwell in safety.

An Evening Prayer.

O Lord God, the Father of Mer [...]ies, and the God of all Comfort, how infinitely am I abash'd to appear before thee, who cannot pass one Day without [Page] offending thee, both by Sins of Omission and Commis­sion, both by leaving undone those things which I ought to have done, and by doing those things which I ought not to have done. And in both these kinds have I offended thee this Day, and that both in Thought, Word, and in Deed; particularly, [Here mention any Sin of either of the foregoing kinds you have been guilty of.] But I fly into the Arms of thy Fatherly Compassion; Lord for thy Mercies sake forgive me, cleanse me from my Wicked­ness, and strengthen my Weakness, that I may over­come all the Temptatioas which daily surround me, and may henceforward continue stedfast in my Co­venant with thee.

Accept of my humblest Praise and Thanksgiving, O Lord, for all the Goodness thou hast this Day shewed me; for all the helps of preventing or restrain­ing Grace thou hast vouchsafed me; for whatever I have done this Day, which is in any measure accepta­ble to thee, for whatever progress I have made in my Study [or Success thou hast given to my honest Labours] as also for thy Preservation of me from all the Miseries and Dangers which frail Mortality is every Moment exposed to; This if a Servant. particularly for [H [...]re name any particular Blessing or Deliverance God has sent you.]

And now, O Lord God, in whose Protection con­sists the safety of Man, and of all Creatures, I com­mit my self wholly to thy Protection thi [...] Night, beseeching thee that thou wouldst graciously preserve me from the Power of the Prince of Darkness, who to deceive Mankind, can transform himself into an Angel of Light; and that thou wouldst likewise pre­serve [Page] me from all Dangers both of Soul and Body. And let me not be so overwhelm'd with slumber as wholly to forget thee; but when my Body is over­taken with sleep, let my Mind continually watch, and be intent upon thee both Day and Night. And when Rest shall have refresh'd both Body and Mind, as much as shall suffice Nature, let the Morning find me more apt and propense to serve thee, to the Salvation of my own Soul, the Good of my Neigh­bour, and the Glory of thy most Holy Name. And all this I beg for Jesus Christ his sake, to whom with thee, and the Holy Spirit, be ascribed all Ho­nour and Glory, by me, and by all Mankind, through­out all Ages, World without end. Amen.

[The three following Prayers are to be ad­ded to the foregoing Morning and Evening Prayer, by the Persons respe­ctively concern'd in them.

A Prayer for a Youth at School.

O God the Father of Lights, and the Giver of every good and perfect Gift, I do render thee all possible Praise and Thansgiving, that thou hast put it into the Hearts of my Parents [Guardians] to deliver me up to be instructed in good Literature, at an Age which is most flexible, and apt to learn. I do humbly intreat thee, that I may not th ough sloth, or negligence, fail their expectations of me. And because no Vigilance, Industry, nor Study will avail any thing without thy aid, vouchsafe, I beseech thee, [Page] to enlighten my Mind with a Ray from above, and inspire me with that desire and love of Learning, Wisdom, and Vertue; with such a Readiness to ap­prehend, and Memory to retain that which is good, that I may become Learned and Pious, and thereby serviceable to Church and State, and to the Honour of thy most Holy Name. These things, O God, I do most earnestly beg of thee for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be ascribed all Honour and Praise, both now and for evermore. Amen.

A Prayer to be used by Children under the Government of their Parents.

O Eternal God and Heavenly Father, thou that art the kind Author of my Being, be thou the Gracious Guide of my Life. My Age is simple and unexperienc'd, and be thou pleas'd to inspire me with truth from above. I am come into a World of Snares and Temptations; O do thou fill me with the Know­ledge and Love of thy Truth, that it may keep me from the Path of the Destroyer. O possess my Heart with the fear of thee, and dependance upon thee, that I may walk before thee the Almighty God, and be perfect; that I knowing that thou art my exceeding great Reward, may neither be discontented in my pre­sent State, nor distrustful of a Provision for the fu­ture. Possess also my Heart, O my God, with that natural tenderness for my Parents, and with that Christian sense of my Duty towards 'em, that my Language may be respectful, my Actions dutiful, and my whole Behaviour such that I may not encrease [Page] the Burden, and Care of their Life, but prove a Comfort and Support to 'em. O my God, possess me lastly with a Spirit of Meekness, Justice, Truth and Industry, that by Reverence to my Betters, by Cour­teousness, Truth, and Faithfulness towards all, and by Diligence in whatsoever I am employ'd, I may grow like a Tree planted by the Rivers of Water, my Leaf may not wither, whatsoever I do may prosper, and I may bring forth my Fruit in due season, in­creasing daily in Wisdom and Stature, and in fa­vour with God and Man: Hear, O hear the Voice of my Petition, for in thee only is my trust, through J [...]sus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer for a Servant.

O Holy and Just God, I know that without Holi­ness it is impossible for me to please thee here, or to enjoy thee hereafter; I beseech thee therefore, that my Ʋnderstanding may be so enlightened, my Conscience convinc'd, and my whole Heart enflamed with the love of Holiness, that I may be Holy in all manner of Conversation. Beget in me a most tender and lively Sense of the great Duties of Obedience, Justice and Charity, which I owe to my Master; that I governing my self by these in all my Actions, I may in my Station advance the Honour of God, the Contentment and Interest of my Master, the Peace and Vertue of the Family, and my own both Tem­poral and Eternal Happiness. I know, O Lord, that no Acts of Injustice, or Ʋnfaithfulness between Man and Man, shall go unpunished; I know that for these things sake the Wrath of God is reveal'd from Heaven; O what then must be my Punishment, if I [Page] heap upon the guilt of Injustice and Ʋncharitableness, many others, namely, the Guilt of Ingratitude, Ʋn­faithfulness, Lying, Perjury. O preserve me there­fore, O my God, from all falshood and wrong; suffer me not to forfeit thy Favour, and destroy my Soul, for the sake of those things which perish O let me be fully convinc'd, that the ways of Righteousness are ways of Pleasantness, and that all her Paths are Prosperity and Peace, that so I may delight my self in the Law of my God, and may find Com­fort and a Blessing in the discharge of my Duty: Teach me, O Lord, Humility and Obedience, Faith and Truth, Care and Industry, Charity and Meek­ness, that I may adorn the Doctrine of God my Saviour, win others over to a Love of Vertue; and after an humble and contented, though laborious Life here, may enter into Rest and Glory hereafter, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Our Father, &c.

A Grace before Meat.

BLess, O Lord, these thy Creatures to our Ʋse, and us unto thy Service, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Grace after Meat.

WE give thee Thanks, O Lord, for these, and all other thy Benefits. Good God pre­serve the Church, and save the King, and all the Royal Family: And bless us with Ʋnity, Truth, and Peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FINIS.

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