Let us Pray.

ILluminate our minds, we beseech thee, O Lord, with the light of thy Grace, that we may see those things we ought to [Page 71] do, and be enabled to accomplish what we see to be our duty. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, everone God, world without end. Amen.

A Prayer before the beginning of any Office.

PRevent, we beseech thee, O Lord, our actions by thy holy Inspirations, and carry them on by [...]hy gracious assistance, that every prayer and work of ours may begin alwayes from thee, and by thee, be happily ended; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

V. Incline unto our aid, O God.

R. O Lord make haste to help us.

Glory be to the Father, &c Alleluia.

Let us pray.

O Lord God, we beseech thee, grant us thy Servants, to enjoy perpetual health of mind and Body, and by the gra­cious Intercession of the ever blessed Vir­gin Mary, to be delivered from present sorrow, and to enjoy everlasting happi­ness. Through our Lord Jesus, &c.

Let us pray.

PRotect us, O Lord, thy People, that call upon thee; and all those, who con­fide in the Patronage of the blessed Apo­stles: Peter and Paul, and the other Apo­stles, preserve with perpetual defence.

O Lord, we beseech thee, that all thy Saints may every where help us; and while we reverently celebrate their me­rits, we may feel their Patronages; Grant us thy peace in our times, and repel, from thy Church all wickedness; dispose the acts and wills of us, and all thy servants, in the way of thy Salvation: Give to our Benefa­ctors eternal Blessings, and to the Faithful departed, everlasting Rest. Through our Lord Jesus, &c. Amen.

V. O Lord hear our Prayer.

R. And let our supplication come to thee.

V. Bless we our Lord.

R. Thanks be to God.

V. May the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace, R. Amen.

A Prayer to God the Son, beseeching him for mercy, in honour of his Blessed Name JESUS.

O Good Jesus, O most benign Jesu, O dearest Jesu, O Jesu, Son of the Virgin Mary, full of mercy and pitty: O sweet Jesus, according to thy great com­passion have mercy on me: O most cle­ment Jesu, I humbly beseech thee, by that precious Blood, which thou shed'st for [Page 80] the World, that thou wouldst wash away all my iniquities, and vouchsafe to look down upon me, wretched and unworthy sinner, humbly craving pardon, and cal­ling on thy holy Name Jesus.

O Name of Jesu, a Name most precious and delightful: O Name of Jesu, a Name most sweet and comfortable, for, what is Jesus, but a Saviour? Therefore, O Jesu for thy Holy Name, be to me a Jesus, and save me: Suffer me not to be damned, whom thou hast created of nothing: O good Jesu, let not my iniquity be the destruction of me, whom thy Almighty goodness has made; O sweet Jesu, own what is thine, and reject that which is strange to thee.

O most benign Jesu, have mercy on me now, while the time of forgiving lasts, lest thou condemn me when the time of Judg­ing comes. What utility can there be in my Blood, if I descend into eternal corrup­tion? The dead praise thee not, nor all those that go down into Hell. O most loving Jesu, O Jesu most desired, O meekest Jesu, O Jesu, Jesu, Jesu, enrol me in the number of thine Elect. O Jesu, the Salva­tion of those that believe in thee. O Jesu, the comfort of such as fly to thee. O Jesu, the sweet remission of all sins. O Jesu, [Page 81] Jesu Son of the Virgin Mary, pour into my Soul, the graces of Wisdom and Charity, of Chastity and Humility, that I may per­fectly love thee, praise thee, enjoy thee, serve thee, and glory in thee, and all that call on thy holy Name, Jesus Amen.

O God, the Protector of those that hope in thee! Multiply on us thy mercy, that thou being our Governour and Guide, we may so pass through temporal goods, that we lose not the eternal. Amen.

A Prayer or Salutation to the glo­rious Virgin Mary.

HAil Mary, most humble handmaid of the blessed Trinity; Hail Mary, most chaste Spouse of the holy Ghost, hail Mary; most admirable Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ; Hail Mary; Queen of Angels, and expectation of the Patriarks; Hail Mary, promise of the Prophets, and Teacher of the Apostles; Hail Mary, Strengthner of Martyrs, and Encourager of Confessors; Hail Mary, the great Exemplar of Virgins, and faithful Comforter, both of the living and the dead. Be thou with me in all my troubles and afflictions, and in the hour of my death; receive, I beseech thee, my [Page 82] Soul, and offer it to thy sweet Son Jesus, that for thy sake he may accept it, and place it among the Quires of celestial Spi­rits. Amen.

To all the blessed Saints.

O Blessed Saints of Paradise, the glo­rious Citizens of Heaven, as I ren­der most humble thanks to God for all the good he hath done you; so I beseech you remember me in your Prayers, and ob­tain for me entire remission of my sins, amendment of my life, and imitation of your good Spirit, and Holy Graces, that I may be perfectly reconciled to my Sa­viour, and alwayes please him; but espe­cially, I recommend to you the hour of my death, that by your holy Intercession, my Soul may depart this World in the grace of God, and immediatly come to life everlasting. Amen.

Let us pray.

WE beseech thee, O Lord, that the glorious intercession of the ever bles­sed Virgin Mary, may protect us, and bring us to life everlasting. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. R. Amen.

Vers. O Lord hear our Prayer.

Resp. And let our supplication come to thee.

Vers. Bless we our Lord.

Resp. Thanks be to God.

WE beseech thee, O Creator of all things, that, of thy accustomed clemency, thou wilt preserve us this night from all danger, both of Body and Soul to the end we may rise again to praise thee, and every day advance in the work of our Salvation. Through Jesus Christ, &c.

O All ye blessed Saints of Heaven, and Spirits Angelical, whom God, and the brightness of his presence, makes ever­lastingly joyful, pray for us. We salute and honour you, we give praise and thanks to our Lord, who hath chosen you, and made you eternally happy with his Benedictions. Obtain for us forgiveness; obtain for us grace, that at the end of this frail life, we may be admitted to the fruition of your Heavenly Society. Through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, who with the Fa­ther, and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reign­eth, one God, World without end. Amen.

Let us pray.

GRant us we beseech thee, O Lord, the help of thy grace, that the things which by thy instruction we know are to be done, we may by thy assistance per­fectly accomplish, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

V. Vouchsafe, O Lord, to render eter­nal life to our Benefactors alive and dead. R. Amen.

ACcept, O most gracious God, by the Prayers and Merits of the blessed Virgin Mary, and of all Saints, the Office of our service: If by thy grace we have performed any thing according to our duety, in thy clemency regard it; and what we have done with negligence, mer­cifully [Page 89] pardon, who livest and reignest, one God in perfect Trinity, World with­out end. Amen.

A Prayer, or Thanksgiving to the Holy Trinity for all Benefits.

O Blessed Lord, Father, Son, and holy Ghost, three Persons, and one God, my Maker, my Redeemer, my Comforter, my Defender, my Refuge, my Strength, my Victory, my Joy, and my eternal glo­ry: I humbly adore thee, O blessed Trinity, for that thou art in thy self the highest good, from whom floweth all goodness: Thou art eternity, thou art eternal felici­ty, thou art only God, and there is none besides thy self.

I bless and glorifie thee, O Sacred Tri­nity, who of nothing hast framed Hea­ven and Earth, and all the Creatures therein; who hast made the holy Angels eternally to praise thee in thy glorious Palace, and faithfully assist us in this mi­serable exile; who, to declare thy ineffable goodness, createdst all thing for man, and man with thy proper hands, to thine own image and similitude, only for thy self, bestowing on him understanding▪ and a­doring him with free-will. Blessed, O Lord, be thy Name, for this so inestimable a gift.

Thou placedst him in Paradise, flowing with delights, that he might possess and govern all things here below, and, in­structed by thy blessings to love and serve thee, be translated, after a certain period of time, to the inheritance of eternal bliss. Nor didst thou make these noble Crea­tures, Angles, and men, for any necessity thou hadst of them, all things being suffici­ent in thee to thy eternal joy and glory: But meerly by thy Charity, wast thou mo­ved to create them, that they might be partakers of thy unseparable felicity.

I praise thy mercy, O my God, that a­mong all thy works, it pleased thee to make me a reasonable Creature, and be­stow on me so many particular blessings.

O merciful Lord, what shall I say to thee for all thy benefits? what praise and thanks shall I yeald thee? I confess my self unworthy to receive the least of thy mercies, unworthy to offer thee thanks for those I have received: But, according to my weak capacity, I bless thy holy Name; and from the bottom of my Soul, wish all honor, and glory, and adoration, may be given thee by all thy Creatures, now and for ever. Amen.

A Prayer against the Cares of this World.

I Beseech thee, most merciful God, vouch­safe to preserve me from excessive cares of this life, that I be not too much incum­bred with those things that concern the necessity of my body, much less entangled in any sensual and voluptuous affections.

O my God, my ineffable Sweetness, turn into Bitterness all carnall consolations which withdraw me from the love of Ce­lestial things; suffer me not, my God, to be overcome by the temptations of flesh and blood: suffer me not to be deceived by the world, and its transitory glory, nor that the Devil, through his subtility, seduce me to perdition, Give me strength to resist, patience to endure, and constancy to per­severe: Even meat and drink, and all other necessaries of this life are painful, and troublesome to a devout spirit. Therefore grant me, O Lord, at least to use them mo­deratly, that my heart be not too much in­cumbred with the desire of them. Thy holy Law forbids us to seek superfluities, and such as are more delightful than profita­ble: [Page 129] Govern me therefore, O Lord, with thy holy hand▪ and instruct me, that I do nothing excessively. Amen.

A devout Prayer.

MY Lord God, and most benign Sa­viour Jesus Christ, who, when I was not, didst create and make me capable of thee, the Sovereign and only Good; and being become a slave to sin through my fore-fathers trespasses, didst redeem me with thy precious blood, and loss of thy sacred life, suffering the punishment due to my iniquities, to acquit me from the same. For these, O Lord, end all other thy inestimable benefits, I yield thee most humble, and obedient thanks, offering my self wholy to thee, as I am wholly thine, beseeching thee also of thy infi­nite clemency, to preserve me this night from any ways offending thee, and di­rect all my thoughts, words, and works, to thy everlasting glory. My estate and calling is, as thou knowest, O Lord, in­vironed with many difficulties, (Here weigh your vocation, and the dangers it is subject to) and through my evil customs▪ & wicked inclinations, scarce can I, without thy special assistance, pass this life, and not [Page 130] offend in these sins (Here call to mind the vices you are most prone to.) Refresh there­fore, O Lord, the powers of my Soul with the dew to thy divine Grace, and give me strength to fight more manfully, and to subdue all wicked suggestions.

In all humility and sincerity of heart, I protest (by thy gracious favor) never wil­lingly to transgress thy Laws and Com­mandments any more: I detest all sin, and what may any way displease thee. I desire to love thee, fear, and serve thee, and to direct all my actions to thy honour and glory. Assist me, Lord, with thy grace, and enrich my poverty with the plenty of thy merits: Wherefore in the union of that Charity, wherewith thou descendest from Heaven, into the blessed Virgins Womb, and afterwards offerdst up thy self on the Cross, in sacrifice for our sins: In the union of this thy incomprehensible love, I offer thee whatever I shall do, think, or speak this night, beseeching thy merciful goodness so to govern, and direct me, as thy glory may be thereby procu­red, my neighbors welfare occasioned, and mine own Soul better fortified, and provi­ded. To thee, my sweet and only Saviour Jesus Christ, be all glory and praise ever­ [...]tin [...] Amen▪

A devout Recommendation of our Bodies and Souls, and all our affairs.

O Holy Trinity, one very God, have mercy on me. Jesus Son of God, and Maker of all things, help me now, and always, that I delight not in vain and transitory things.

Jesu the Son of God, who keptst silence before the Judge, hold my tongue till such time I remember, what, and how I shall speak; Jesus the Son of God who wast bound, govern my Sences so, that all my works may come to a good end.

O my Lord Jesus Christ, I commend my Sight, to thy divine wisdom, that it would please thee, to grant me the light of Spiri­tual knowledge, by which I may discern thy will, and what ever is acceptable to thee.

O my Lord Jesus Christ, I commend my Hearing to thy great mercy, beseeching thee to give me understanding of such things as I shall hear, and grace to hear nothing that may be hurtful to my Soul.

O my Lord Jesus Christ, I beseech thee open my mouth, that I may praise thee [Page 132] and give thee thanks for all thy goodness towards me: Keep it from all vain and false speech, and from all manner of offences.

O my Lord Jesu Christ, I commend my Hands to thy holy direction, beseeching thee so to order the use of them, that all their actions may be according to thy pleasure, and conformable to thy blessed example.

I adore thee, Saviour of the world, e­ternal Wisdom of the Father, by whom we are made and redeemed, who art the living Bread, that descended from Heaven: have mercy on me, O Lord, & grant that I may die to all affections of sin, and put on the Armour of Salvation, by which I may here overcome the temptations and vani­ties of this life, and be hereafter admitted to the Everlasting joys of Heaven. Amen.

A Prayer for the Dead.

O God, the giver of pardon, and the lo­ver of humane Salvation, we beseech the clemency, that for the intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary, and all thy Saints, thou wouldst be pleased to grant the Bre­thren of our Congregation, Kinsfolks, and Be [...]efactors, who are departed out of this [Page 133] world, a joyful fruition of thy eternal happiness. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, and only Saviour. Amen.

Another.

O God the Creator and Redeemer of the faithful, give to the Souls of thy Servants departed, full remission of all their offences; that through pious suppli­cations, they may obtain the pardon they have always desired; who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.

V. Give them, O Lord, eternal rest.

R. And let perpetual light shine upon them.

V. May they rest in peace.

R. Amen.

A devout Prayer of St. Thomas of A­quine, for our Conformity to the Will of God.

GRant me, most merciful God, a fer­vent zeal to desire such things as are most acceptaple to thee, and a faithful dili­gence to search after them; give me wis­dom to find them, & thy grace to accom­plish them; to the praise and glory of thy holy Name. Direct thou my life, that I may both have knowledge, will, and power, al­ways to do that which is most pleasing to thee, and most expedient for my own Soul.

Let my way to thee, O Lord, be sure, strait, & perfect, that neither adversity, nor prosperity make me faint or fall away from thee, that I be not puffed up in pride with the one, nor driven down into despair by the other: But for the one give thanks, & be in the other armed with patience. That I may rejoyce in nothing but that which draws me to thee, my blessed Jesu, nor sor­row for any thing but that which withdraws me from thee; that I desire to please, or displease none but thee, and for thee; that all transitory things may for thy sake, be of no reputation with me, & whatever is agreeable to thy will, may be delightful to [Page 158] mine, and thou my God above all things; that I may have no joy besides thee: nor desire of any thing but thee; Let all labour delight me, that is taken for thee, and all ease be unplesant that is without thee.

Make me lift up my heart often to thee, and when I forgot thee, give me grace to call to mind my sins with sorrow, and full purpose of amendment; Grant that I may be obedient, without contradiction; pati­ent, without murmuring; pure, without corruption; humble, without counter­feiting; cheerful, without levity; sad, without dejection: true, without double­ness; fearing thee, without despair; to do good works, put not to presume; tel­ling my neighbour his fault without flat­tery; instructing him both by word and example, without scorning or taunting.

Grant me, most loving Lord, a watch­ful minde, which no worldly thought may d [...] from thee; a constant spirit, which [...]o evil affection, or wicked suggestion may withdraw from thee; a heart so sta­ble, that no trouble may overcome me; and so free from vice, that sin may chal­lenge no place in me.

Grant me, O my Lord God, under­standing to know thee; diligence to seek thee, wisdom to find thee, conversation to please thee; that I may faithfully per­severe in loving thee to the end, and final­ly for ever possess thee. And, in respect of thy most grievous pains suffered on thee Cross for me, that I may willingly suffer penance and all tribulation for thee.

Give me, O Lord, thy grace here in this transitory life, and in the world to come, make me partakers of the Reward, and Heavenly Joy. Through the precious Blood of that Immaculate Lamb, our on­ly Saviour Jesus Christ; to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost, three Per­sons and one God, be all honor, and glory, world without end. Amen.

A Prayer to any of the holy Martyrs.

O God, who didst so strengthen in thy faith and love, the blessed Mar­tyr Saint N. as no carnal delights, or threatnings of Tyrants, no sword or tor­ture of torments could withdraw him from worshipping thee: Grant us mise­rable sinners, by the Intercession of this [Page 160] blessed Martyr, help in tribulation, and comfort in persecution, that we may man­fully fight against all the deceits of the Devil, despise the World, and all that is in it, that we may fear no adversity, but ob­tain those eternal joys, which by thy holy inspiration, we desire. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

To any Confessor.

ALmighty and Everlasting God, who art the wonderful light of thy be­loved Saints, and principally hast appoint­ed for us blessed Bishops, Doctors, and Confessors, as burning lights in thy house. And by their holy exhortations, wri­tings, and examples, reducest sinners from evil to good. We humbly beseech thee, that thou wilt loose the bonds of our sins, and though unworthy, yet make us par­takers of the intercession of blessed Saint N. and all thy holy Confessors: that we, forsaking our sinful way, and walking in true faith and charity, may follow them so long in good work, till at last, we en­joy their company in eternal beatitude; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

To any holy Virgin.

O God, who among the many miracles of thy power hast given to the weak­er Sex of Virgins, Widows, & Matrons, the victory of Martyrdom, and immaculate chastity: Mercifully grant, that we, who celebrate the memory of thy blessed Saint N. may, by her example and intercession, despise the allurements of the flesh, the pleasures of the World, and even life it self for thy glory; and daily exercising our selves in thy service we may still increase in grace here, & at our death be admitted to the fruition of eternal felicity. Amen.

To a particular Saint.

WE humbly beseech thee, O Lord God, Father Omnipotent, to re­ceive the Prayers of thy Servants celebra­ting the memory of thy blessed Saint N. that by his holy intercession, our Bodies may be delivered from all dangers, and adversities, and our hearts cleansed from all evil cogitations: Through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, Amen.

To all the blessed Saints in Heaven.

O All ye holy and elect of God, for whom he prepared an eternal King­dom, from the beginning: I beseech you through the charity by which he loved you, to have pitty on me most miserable sinner, and reconcile me to my Creator, before death take me away out of this wretched world. O Blessed Mary, Mother of God, and great Mediatrix for sinners to Christ, obtain for me right faith, and firm hope, perfect charity, and true humility; with the excellent graces of Patience, Cha­stity, & Sobriety; &, after the course of this short and vain life, everlasting blessedness.

O holy St. Michael, with al the thousands of glorious Angels, pray for me, that by your Intercession, I may be kept from the power of my adversary, and attaining the love of God here, and pureness of heart, and strength of faith, I may hereafter be received into the joys of eternal glory.

Procure for me, you holy Patriarks and Prophets, pardon, and penance, continen­cy and godly perseverance, and in the end, eternal life. O ye blessed Apostles of Christ our Lord, deliver me by your prayers [Page 163] from my sins, defend me from the pains of Hell, rescue me from the power of dark­ness, & bring me to overlasting light, I be­seech you also; ye holy Martyrs of God, that perfect charity, sincere love, a pure mind, a chast life, and remission of my sins, be obtained for me, by your holy inter­cessions. O ye glorious Confessors of God pray for me, that the desire of heavenly things, the reverence of virtue, and wash­ing away my misdeeds, be granted by Al­mighty God to me.

Assit me, all you holy Virgins, with your prayers to God, that he would adorn my Soul with the excellent vertues of humili­ty, and chastity, & after the course of this miserable life, bring me to the fellowship of your everlasting blessedness. O all ye Saints of Heaven, have compassion on me, & pray for me, that through your Intercession, I may obtain of Almighty God, perfect com­punction of heart for my sinful life, a clear and quiet conscience at my death, & then for ever, the joys of perpetual felicity; Through Jesus Christ, &c. Amen.

A Prayer for Patience.

O Lord, who, by thy perfect resignati­on, fulfilledst the will of thy Father; grant that in all things I behave my self patiently, in all things submit my desires to thy pleasure, as long as thou ordainest I shall bear the burthen of this corruptible body: For though this life be tedious, and as a heavy load to the Soul, yet it is now through thy Grace, made very meritori­ous; & by the example of thee, & thy holy Saints, rendred to weak persons, more comfortable, than in the old Law, when the Gates of Heaven were shut, & the way thi­ther dark, & few endeavoured to find it: So that they, who were then righteous, & or­dained to be saved, could never enter into the possession of the bliss prepared for them, till thy precious death, and glorious [Page 193] Resurrection opened the Kingdom of Hea­ven to all Believers.

O my God, what thanks am I bound to yield thy goodness, who hast so lovingly vouchsafed to shew me, and all the faithful that follow thee, the true and strait way to thy Kingdom! Thy Holy life is our way, & by thy patience we walk to thee, who art our head & Governor: But that thou, Lord, hast led the way, who ever would have en­deavoured to follow? O how many would have tarried behind, if they had not seen thy blessed example going before! we are yet slow & dull, though we have seen and heard thy signs & doctrines; what should we then have been, if no such light had shined before us? certainly we should never have raised our thoughts to thee, but wholly fixed our mind, and love on worldly things.

Lord make that possible to me by Grace, w^ch is impossible by Nature. Thou knowest my weakness, and that I am presently cast down with a little adversity; I beseech thee, strengthen me with thy grace, that trouble & affliction, for thy Name sake, may hereaf­ter be beloved & desired by me; nothing be­ing more profitable for the Salvation of my Soul, than patiently to suffer persecution for thy glory. Amen.

For preservation of the true Catho­lick Faith.

WHo can, O Lord, abide it? What heart so stoney, as to forbear weep­ing and lamenting for those that are thus blinded, and daily mislead others into the pit of Heresie, and damnation for ever.

Let us call continually to God, and cry night and day: Arise, O Lord, arise, and shew thy self to the enemies of thy truth, that the beams of thy glory may enlighten them: Arise, and shew thy self to thy ser­vants, that the comfort of thy presence may refresh them: Arise, O Lord, why dost thou sleep? why turnest thou thy face from us, and seemest to forget our poverty and trouble? Arise, O Lo [...]d, help us, and deliver us for thy Name sake.

Suffer us not to be led into temptation, and fall from the right belief of thy Holy Church, but confirm us by thy grace, that we may stand therein manfully▪ and con­fess it to death, and so obtain those infinite and endless joys, which God has promised to all that continue in his love, and keep his Commandments; which our Lord Jesus Christ, for his dear and bitter Passion sake, grant to us all. Amen.

When the Church is afflicted▪

O God the enemies of thy Church are entered into thy Hetitage, they have taken thy people by force of Arms, and as vanquishers, they possess our Cities. They have defiled, with their abominations, thy Temple, dedicated to thy honor; they have polluted the vessels, consecrated for the ser­vice of thy House.

We are become a reproach to our Neigh­bours, they despise and make a jest of us, rejoycing at our afflictions, and in their mirth, they upbraid us: And thou, O Lord, on whose pleasure we wholly depend, how long wilt thou be angry with us? Why dost thou so deliver us into the hands of our Adversaries, as though thou hadst shaken us off, and hereafter wouldst have no more care over us? Why dost thou shew the fu­ry of thy wrath towards thy people, who are the sheep of thy holy Pasture, whereof thy self art the Shepherd, and Protector?

Be mindful, O Lord, of thy holy Church, and leave it not in the hands of thy enemies, but deliver it by thy strong power: Consider thy League and Testament, made with thy Elect: Remember thy promise, that thou wouldst not forsake such as were [Page 196] contrite in heart, nor fail to Save those that are humble in Spirit.

Awake, O Lord God, delay no longer, but come to succor thy people, make hast to help thy faithful Servants, and save us from the hands of our enemies, we humbly be­seech thee for thy most glorious Name sake; for thine own self, and for thine infinite mercy, that we, their posterity, may tast a little the sweetness of thy promises, which our forefathers have so abundantly experi­enced. Then will we render thee most humble thanks, and we will declare thy praises from generation to generation, and solemnly sing thy glory for ever. Ho [...]ver we will continue thy people, and the sheep of thy pasture; we will worship no other. God but thee, nor put our confidence in a­ny besides thee; however, it shall please thee to dispose of us, we will serve thee with joy and gladness, we will persevere still in thanksgiving, patiently attending thy gra­cious deliverance. Amen.

For those that are fallen from the Church.

OMnipotent and most merciful God, we humbly beseech thee to visit with thy Fatherly affection, all those that are [Page 197] fallen from the pure Catholick and Christi­an Church, or doubt in any Articles there­of; especially those that are deceived through mis-information or any false per­swasion; illuminate their hearts, O Lord, with the beams of thy Divine light, and bring them back to acknowledge their er­ror, that being perfectly converted to the Truth, they may with the whole Universal Church, both confess in words, and declare in deeds, one True, Catholick, and Christi­an Faith, and remaining in it, work out their own salvation; so that being all of one mind and will, in one flock, we may all hear and follow thee ourShepherd, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Fruits of the Earth.

OMnipotent, Everlasting, and Merciful God, we beseech thee consider our daily need, shew us thy mercy, and give us of thy temporal blessings sufficient for su­stainment of our necessities, grant that the Fruits of the Earth may (by thy holy be­nediction) encrease and multiply: Defend them from all storms & tempests, & what­ever may be any way hurtful; through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son who with [Page 198] thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reign­eth one God world without end. Amen.

A general Prayer for the living and the dead.

O Sweet Saviour Jesus, forgive those that hate us, and use us mercifully; ren­der good to those that do us good; grant to our brethren a supply of their necessities and in the end life everlasting. Comfort the sick, & direct all that travel by Sea or Land. O Lord, according to thy great mercy, have pity on those that are recommended to our unworthy prayers. Remember our Ancestors and Friends departed this life; bring them to that place where they may behold the light of thy countenance. Re­member those that are in captivity, & deli­ver them from their affliction. Assist all those that labour in ruling the Church; grant them their just requests; & give them ever­lasting bliss. Be not unmindful O Lord, of us thy unworthy servants; pour into our hearts the light of thy knowledge, and keep us in the path of thy Commandments; by the intercession of the most holy & blessed Virgin Mary, & of all the Saints in Heaven; by whom be all praise and glory given to thy holy Name for ever and ever. Amen.

HAil, holy Virgin Mary, of whom was born the King of Heaven, and bright­ness of his Fathers glory Jesus Christ; with whose pure Milk the Saviour of the world was nourished. O Blessed Mother, assist my weakness in all my dangers, and neces­sities, in all temptations to sin, and in the hour of my death; that, through thy pro­tection, I may be safe in our Lord.

O blessed Spirits of Heaven, pray for me, and especially thou holy Angel, the keeper of my Soul & Body, have thou faithful care over me! O all ye holy Saints of God! who have passed over the troubles and vexations of this exile, and most happily attained the port of the Celestial Country, I most hum­bly beg your protection, and the favoura­ble assistance of your Prayers now, and in the hour of my death. Amen.

To our Blessed Lord.

O Lord God, and my heavenly Father, since, by thy divine Ordinance, the night approaches, and darkness begins to o­verwhelm the Earth, and time requires that we give our selves bodily rest; I render thee most hearty thanks for thy loving kindness, in vouchsafing to preserve me thisday from the danger of mine enemies, to give me [Page 200] health, to feed me, & send me all things ne­cessary for my comfort in this short & mise­rable life, I most humbly beseech thee, for Jesus Christ his sake, mercifully to forgive me all I have this day committed against thy fatherly goodness, either in thought, word, or deed. And vouchsafe to shadow me this night under the wings of thy Almighty power, defend me from Satan & all his craf­ty assaults, that neither he, nor any of his mi­nisters have any power over me; but that, though my Body sleep, my Soul may conti­nually watch, & evermore praise thee, and when the joyful light of the day returns, I may rise again with a faithful Soul & undefi­led Body, & so behave my self according to thy blessed will, by casting away the works of darkness; and putting on the armour of light; that others, seeing my good works, may be thereby incited to glorify thee, my Heavenly Father; who with thy only begot­ten Son Jesu Christ, our Saviour, and the Holy Ghost, our Comforter, liveth & reig­neth, one God, world without end. Amen.

A Prayer for a Penitent Sinner, after his Relapse.

O Lord Jesu Christ, behold, now again I have offended thee (by this Sin) un­happy wretch, and ungrateful Sinner that I am, I have dishonored thy Majesty, and rejected thy love, which above all things, ought to be most dear and precious to me.

Thou knowest, O Lord, how much I am yet carnal; how little mortified; how full of concupiscence; how I am floating in ex­ternal pleasure; how often enwrapped in vain fancies; how negligent in spiritual ex­ercises; how light in laughing and dissolu­tion; how obdurate in weepings and com­punction; how ill advised in speaking; how impatient in keeping silence; how much given to eating and drinking; how deaf in hearing pious Admonitions; how attentive to babling; how sluggish in assisting at divine Offices, how suddenly troubled and hindred from doing good; how many things I pur­pose, whereof I accomplish none.

O my Lord & my God, I am full of sorrow & grief, that I have so little compunction, I most earnestly desire that thou wouldst wound my heart with perfect contrition, [Page 223] for from thee proceeds grace and mercy, from us nothing but Sin and Perdition: As­sist me therefore, I beseech thee, with thy grace, hereafter to keep my self from any wayes offending thee, & carefully to avoid every occasion that may endanger my re­lapse. Amen.

A Prayer to our B. Saviour to have mercy [...]n us, though we turn late to him.

O Glorious Jesu, the Fountain of all Sweetness, pardon me that I have not hitherto, according to my duty, acknow­ledged thee, who art the true and perfect sweetness, nor have endeavoured to place my delight in thee, nothing regarding the beauty of my Soul, nor the happy uniting it to thy blessed Spirit: Pardon me, that I have so seldom considered my own estate, to prepare my heart for receiving thee, and making it a resting place for thee, where thou mightest often and long continue.

O loving Lord, have mercy on me, most unthankful Sinner, that have neither dili­gently sought to know thy will, nor yet o­beyed it, nor principally taken pleasure & delight in thy service, as a thing of chiefest felicity, but quite contrary, like the pro­digal [Page 224] Child, have served swine, and fed my affections with the vain & filthy pleasures of the world; Spare me good Lord, that I came no sooner to the knowledge of thee, and that I have been so slow a runner after the sweet savor of thy heavenly goodness: Withdraw not thy grace from me, nor re­fuse to help me that come late, but so much the more assist me, and draw me strongly to thee, because my dayes are spent; to the end that making the more hast, I may reco­ver the time I have lost through my negli­gence. Suffer not, O Lord, death to prevent me, before I attain to that state of Salvati­on, to which we ought all to hasten: that is to be joyned to the holy Spirit, in pure and perfect love. Amen.

A devout Prayer.

O Dearest Saviour Jesu Christ, who hast loved & washed us with thy precious Blood, and given thy self to death for us, who wast reputed with the wicked, and most cruelly wounded for our iniquities Thou wert bruised for our offences, and by thy stripes are we made whole; I beseech thee, O Lord, for this thy unspeakable mercy, enflame my heart with thy hea­venly [Page 225] Grace; that the fire of thy charity may perpetually burn and work within me, and produce always in my Soul, such chast and never-failing affections of pity, and be­nevolence, as may, for the love of thee, and in imitation of thy universal love, extend it self to all Creatures.

Fill, my Soul, I beseech thee, O Lord, with thy fervent and perpetual charity, that in all things, and above all, I may love thee, and according to thy holy Law, love my neighbour in thee, and for thee.

Grant me grace, I humbly beseech thee, that with all my heart I may, to thy glory, love, desire, and endeavour the salvation and advantages of every one.

Grant me, O Lord, perfectly to love mine enemies, not in word or shew only, but in deed and truth. Take from me all bitterness of Mind, all Anger, Disdain, Sus­pition, Envy, and whatever is contrary to pure and sincere Charity; so that in plain simplicity of heart, I may have a good opi­nion of all, judging none rashly, but loving every one in thee, with most holy and hear­ty affection, and that I may shew them both in words and deeds, all sweetness, clemency and love. Amen.

A Prayer, that we may receive the B. Sacrament before our Death.

O My God, and my Lord, I praise and bless thee, that thou hast vouchsafed me the grace, often to participate of thy great Mysteries; to be fed with the food of thy holy Sacrament, and comforted with thy sweet and blessed Presence. O Father of mercies, and God of all consolation, let every tongue bless thee, and every Crea­ture celebrate thy bounty for this inesti­mable gift. And as for me, because praise is unseemly in the mouth of a Sinner, I hum­bly offer thee, O my God, all the praises of the Angels, and blessed Saints, that conti­nually adore thee, and sing thy glory.

O glorious Jesu, I beseech thee, before I die, vouchsafe me the graces of true Con­fession, Contrition, and Satisfaction for all my offences, and that, in the hour of my Death, I may humbly adore, and devoutly receive thee, God and Man, Christ Jesu, Saviour of the World. And so with full pardon of all my Sins, I may end my life in Peace, and the true Faith of thy Holy Church, and in perfect Love and Charity with all the World. Amen.

A Prayer for a Friend or Benefactor.

OMnipotent, and Ever-living God; have mercy on thy Servant N. for the love of thy sweet Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, the true light and life of all that shall be saved. O Jesu, the second Person in Trinity, equal God with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, conserve and keep him in thy grace, favor and love; suffer him not to be drawn from thee, through any subtile perswasion of the Enemy. O Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father, and the Son, the Comforter of the Elect, the Inspirer of all good Gifts, the onely teacher of all truth: Grant that, by thy grace, he may evermore dwell in truth. Replenish his heart with all charitable desires, and Hea­venly inspirations necessary to his Salva­tion. Grant this, O holy Trinity, for the bitter Passion of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and by the Intercession of the glorious Virgin Mary, and all thy Angels and Saints. Amen.

To the Blessed Virgin.

O Holy Mary, Mother of God, and true Comforter of the desolate; by that [Page 228] great joy, wherewith thy heart was filled, when thou knewest our Lord Jesu was ri­sen from death, and become glorious, and impassible: Be a comfort to my Soul, and vouchsase me the help of thy intercession in the last day, when I shall rise again, and yield account of all my actions. Pray for me then, O Mother of Mercy, that I may avoid the sentence of perpetual damnation, and happily come to eternal joyes, with all the Elect of God. Amen.

A devout Prayer.

O Soveraign, dreadful, and most loving Lord, my God, who never ceasest to shew thy mercy towards Sinners; and even when they offend and trespass against thee, such is thine infinite clemency and Love, as thou forbearest not then to heap thy bene­fits upon them: I most sinful wretch, yield thee humble thanks for thy ineffable good­ness in creating me to thine own likeness, and making me capable of thy everlasting [Page 256] Glory, in making so many other Creatures for my use and sustenance.

I bless thee for that inestimable work of my Redemption, whereby thou deliver­edst me from the slavery of Satan, and pur­chasedst me free entrance into thy Celesti­al Kingdom. For having singled me out a­mong so many millions, that know thee not, and lie drowned in Ignorance, and miserable Errors, to be thy Servant and a member of the true Catholick Church. For thy blessed Sacraments; especially, for that glorious Mystery above all other, wherein thou art thy self most really contained. For preserving me so many times from Hell, which my Sins have long since deser­ved, did not thy inestimable goodness su­stain and deliver me. For these and all other thy benefits, namely, for those thou hast this day most bountifully bestowed on me, [Here are they particularly to be thought of] O my Sovereign Lord, I offer thee the most sincere, and most dutiful thanks, that my Poor Heart is capable to afford: Beseeching the blessed Virgin, and all the Saints of Heaven, to supply my want with their perfect praises.

And now, my only Redeemer and Savi­our, [Page 257] I humbly crave the light of thy Grace, to know wherein I have this day any ways offended thee, and that, by mature & sound discussion of my Conscience, I may see my own Sins with sorrow, and thy unspeakable mercy with a Zealous and firm purpose of amendment, [Here must we examine our selves, how we have employed the day, in thought, word and deed, toward God, & our Neighbours.] Thou seest, O Lord, my Sin­fulness, and knowest my misery much bet­ter than my self. Sorry I am with all my Heart, that I should still offend so loving a Lord▪ and wish my sorrow were far grea­ter. I purposed to do better by thy Grace, which was not wanting; yet have I faln a­gain into my former trespasses. Thy good­ness, O Lord, forbids me to despair, and therefore I will continually trust to thy mercies in all events, and firmly resolve e­very day to amend my life. Deliver me, O my God, from all mortal Sin for ever, and give me Grace so to strive against my veni­al Sins, that at last I may wholly overcome them. And for satisfaction of these▪ and all my former offences, and for the offences of the whole World, as also for thy unspeak­able benefits bestowed on me, and all man­kind. [Page 258] I offer thee the merits of thy bitter Passion, those most precious drops of Blood thou shed'st for our Salvation, and that enflamed Charity, wherewith thou wholly resignest thy self to all thy tor­ments for my sake. And in the union of this thy Holy Oblation, I offer up my self, and all I have, to thy honour and eve [...]lasting Glory I retain nothing, but give all to thee, whose it is; and make that thine by my will, whic [...] is thine of Justice.

Give me thy G [...]ace, O my God, to live better hereafter, and to confess my Sins in due time to my Ghostly Father: Give me true Humility and Repentance, Grace to know thee, and my self; Purity of heart in all my Actions, Patience, Chastity, and perfect Charity: Give me a good life, and happy Death, and, in the dangerous hour of my departure, the assistance of the bles­sed Saints, and Holy Angels, with whom through thy mercy, I may praise, and glo­rifie thee for ever, Amen.

A devout Commemoration of our Saviours Passion.

O Most sweet Lord▪ and my Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who by thy Heavenly Father wast sent down into this World, and [Page 259] of thine own accord, sufferedst most cruel and bitter pains on the Cross, and carri­edst it on thy blessed Shoulders, that thy Patience might be to us Salvation, and a most perfect Example; and finally, thou didst consent upon that Tree to die, and by thy Death to redeem us. I humbly beseech thee, for the incomparable Patience thou shewedst in the whole course of thy Life, and then especially, when thy malicious Enemies so raged against thee, when they mocked thee, and spit upon thy Face; when they hood winked thine eyes, and with their most impure hands, buffeted thy Cheeks; when they cruelly scourged thee fast bound to a Pillar, when they did thrust upon thy sacred Head, a Crown of Thorns, and prest their sharp points into thy Temples: When with Iron Nails, they pierced thy blessed Hands, stretched along upon the Cross; when thy blessed side was pierced with a Spear, when in thy great thirst, & ext [...]eam Agony, they offered thee a Spunge full of Vinegar and Gall; when with thy Head inclined down thou saidst, (It is consummate;) when thou did'st commend thy Spirit into the hands of God the Father; and in the end, gavest up thy last breath, for the Redemption of Mankind.

For all these pains and Passions, O most gracious Lord Jesus Christ, I, Poor and mi­serable Sinner, humbly beseech thy infinite Majesty, not to forsake me, nor suffer me to be condemned in thy terrible Judge­ment; but let thy dolorous Passion so help me, that I ma [...] be b [...]ought to everlasting Felicity: Let thy Holy Angels always be in my Company, and specially at the hour of my Death, that they may protect, defend, and keep me, so that the cruel infernal Enemy may never have any power over me. Amen.

O Jesu, who for the Red [...]mp [...]ion of the World▪ Patiently endurest so many injuries, calamities, and afflictions, and even Death it self: We humbly beseech thee by all thy Sufferings, and by the effu­sion of thy precious Blood, deliver us from the dangers of this Life, from the pains of Hell, and from sudden and Everlasting Death. Amen.

A Prayer to obtain a Blessed end.

O Blessed Jesus, the Well-spring of Pity, and overflowing Fountain of Mercy, I humbly beseech thee, give me Grace so to spend this my transitory Life, in vertuous and holy Exercises; that when the day of my Death shall come, though I feel pain in my Body, I may find Comfort in my Soul; and, with Faithful hope in thy mercy, and sin­cerest love of thee▪ and perfect Charity to­wards the World, I may depart hence out of this vale of misery, and hasten to that Glorious Countrey, wherein thou hast bought us an Inheritance for ever, with thy most precious Blood; who with the Fa­ther and the Holy Ghost, livest and reign­est, one God, World without end. Amen.

To the B. Virgin Mary.

O Blessed Virgin, Mary, immaculate Mother of our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ, recommend, we beseech thee, these our imperfect Prayers to the mercy of thy Glorious Son, and offer him thine own most acceptable Intercession for us that he would be pleased to Pardon our Sins past, and de­liver us from future temptations, and pro­tect us in all our wayes with the assistance of his Grace.

O Blessed Virgin, by that unspeakable gladness, which filled and overflowed thy Spirit, when the Angel declared to thee the adorable Mystery of our Saviours In­carnation, and by that perfect resignment of thy self to the will of God, when thou humbly answered'st, Behold the Handmaid of our Lord, be it done to me accordingly to thy Word. We beseech thee obtain for us the Graces of a lively Faith, and discre [...]t Hu­mility, and chearful submission to the Di­vine Will in all things.

O admirable Mother, by thy tender Love, and continual Service of the Blessed Jesus, in his Infancy, and by that incompa­rable happiness thou afterwards enjoyedst in his Heavenly Doctrine, and miraculous Life: We beseech thee obtain for us a dili­gent Devotion and constant perseverance in our duty to God, that our delight may be in his Law, and our confidence in his Holy Protection.

O Mother of Pitty and Compassion, by those sharp sorrows, which pierced thy Heart, when thou stoodst by, a sad witness of thy Sons Sufferings, and beheldst him in that bitter Agony, all torn with cruel scourges and bleeding on the Cross, for­saken [Page 283] of his Friends, and dying in the midst of his Enemies. We beseech thee ob­tain for us compassion towards the afflicti­ons of others, and Patience in our own, and a Faithful correspondence to the great love of our Redeemer.

O Glorious Virgin, by those excessive joys wherewith thy Soul was wholly ra­vished at the Victorous Resurrection of thy Son, and his Triumphant Ascension a­bove the highest Heavens; We beseech thee obtain for us the Blessing of a vertu­ous Life and Holy Death, and happy Resur­rection, that we may for ever rejoyce in the presence of God, and admire his glory, and praise his goodness, through the same Jesus Christ; who with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, World without end. Amen.

A devout Aspiration after the joyes of Heaven.

O Life Eternal! O admirable Country! O Heavenly Jerusalem! Of thee what is written? What is spoken? What is be­lieved? In thee is that Good, that Joy, that Solace, which eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, nor the heart of man can com­prehend. [Page 284] There is everlasting day, and all of one Spirit; There is certain security, se­cure Eternity, eternal Tranquility, quiet felicity, happy sweetness, and sweet plea­santness.

O that I were delivered from the Pri­son of this frail and miserable Life, where I do nothing but daily offend thee, O Lord; and that I were admitted to that most happy and immortal Life, where I might fully enjoy thee, and among all thy E­lect, eternally Praise thee. O my sweet Lord, when will that hour come, and when will that desired day be? When shall it be said to me, Enter into the joys of thy Lord.

O eternal God, how happy are those who already are admitted to thy delici­ous Table, there to eat the Bread of Life, there to be refreshed with thy most clear Vision, and incessantly Sing to thee the voice of Thansgiving and Praise? Enter, O enter, my Soul, even to the inmost of his Tabernacle and Celestial abode: Listen attentively to the sound of Joy, of those who eat at his Royal Table; and rejoyce at the expectation of being hereafter one of his Blessed Feast and Company. Amen.

An humble Recommendation to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

O Holy and Glorious Virgin Mary! I commend my Soul and Body into thy Blessed Trust, and singular Custody; and this night and ever, especially in the hour of my Death, I commit to thy merci­ful Charity, all my hope and consolation, all my distress and miseries, my life, and the end thereof, that by thy most Holy Inter­cession, all my works may be directed, according to the will of thy Blessed Son, my dear Saviour. Amen.

A Thanksgiving.

LEt Heaven and Earth joyn together with Joy, and the Quires of Angels with the Voices of Men, to Sing eternal Praises to God, in Trinity and Unity, for the mercies received in the admirable work of our Redemption. Amen.

Let us not live, O Lord, but to love Thee, nor breath, but to speak thy Praise, nor be at all, but to be all Thine. Amen.