Prayers and Offices of Devotion for Families, and for Particular Persons

good from the labours of your ministers, or ever to see their faces, or the face of God with comfort in that great day, when we must all give up our last accounts, and be finally determined for our everlasting state. When such as could not be prevailed with to give themselves to prayer, and to call upon the name of God, now in the day of grace (this time of mercy) shall with fruitless desires, wish themselves out of being; and no less vainly, than desperately, call upon rocks and mountains to fall upon them and to hide them from his face, and to save them from his wrath in the day of judgment, that time of recompence and fury. And, therefore, according to that most cogent admonition of the author of the Whole Duty of Man, part 5. sect. 12. "Let no man that professes himself a Christian, keep so heatherish a family, as not to see that God be daily worshipped in it." To which let that be added of the other Author afore-quoted. P. 15-"Prayer with the family, no one, who would have God to bless his family, can think that he may neglect." And I shall give no further exhortation here to Family Prayer, because I have done so much to that purpose since the first edition hereof, in another book written upon that particular argument. ["The Bell rung to Prayers."]

Beloved, I am more sensible of my own frailty, than to reckon upon a much longer continuance in the world (which we all shall find to be so short a thoroughfare to the place of our eternal abode :) and, while I live, I desire nothing more from you, than the consolation of observing your devotion, and striving together with me in your prayers for your own salvation. And when I am dead and gone, I would leave behind me, not only some token of my love to you, but also some assistance in that way of your duty, wherein you are to follow those who are already entered into the heavenly glory. I am apt to think, that some who are convinced of this duty (to use daily prayers) and who also feel an inclination to it, and some disposedness for it in their hearts, may yet be under a discouragement for want of suitable helps in a readiness to discharge the work. For such, alas! is the dulness and indifferency of sinful men to that which is best for them, and which most highly concerns them, that they are not apt to be solicitous (so as they use to show themselves in their worldly concerns) to seek out after the provisions and conveniences for the spiritual life, unless these fall directly in their way, and are set just before them. And therefore this Prayer Book I have had in my thought to provide, and put into the hands

of some of the poorer sort; and (without imposing upon any) I would also move such able friends, as may favour the design, to lend a charitable hand in assisting to furnish more of those poor creatures, who by the help of such a gift, might be put in a way to get the best and greatest riches: but I shall not offer to disturb any that are in the possession of better means already; no, let them go on with the use of them, and God's blessing be upon them; and if but any thing here should be found agreeable and useful to others, they are at liberty to collect and take what they will, and pass over the rest. For (as the celebrated Dr. Hammond tells us) [Pract. Cat. book 3. sect. 2. answ. 5.] "The Church being obeyed in the observation of the prescribed Liturgy, in public; it is not supposed by our Church, but that every one, in private, may ask his own wants in what form of words he shall think fit: yet, that he may do it fitly and reverently, it will not be amiss for him to acquaint himself with the several addresses to God, which the Book of Psalms, and other parts of Holy Writ, and other Helps of Devotion, will afford him, either to use as he finds them fit for the present purpose, or by those patterns, to direct and prepare himself to do the like."

Now may this poor attempt of mine be an invitation to some of my pious and learned brethren in the Ministry, to set out some better entertainment for their people: and I shall be abundantly satisfied and pleased, to see the thing promoted, and still further improved: though my whole performance should be vacated and excluded to make room for others deserving the precedence. In the mean time, may a blessing from above follow these small endeavours of mine, and make them prosperous (in any measure) to help your devotion: and that you may in the use of any prayers here set before you find some advantage to your souls, and the daily promotion of your sanctification, peace, and salvation, is the earnest desire and prayer of

Your devoted Servant,

in the Work of our LORD,

B. J.