A Christian Directory, Part 4: Christian Politics

APPENDIX

A LARGER LITANY, OR GENERAL PRAYER, TO BE USED AT DISCRETION

O most holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, three Persons and one God, infinite in power, wisdom, and goodness, our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier; our Owner, Governor, and Father; hear our prayers, and have mercy upon us, miserable sinners.

O Lord our Saviour, whose incarnation, nativity, subjection, fasting, temptation, poverty, reproaches, agony and bloody sweat, scourging, desertion, crucifying, death, and burial, were all undergone to take away the sins of the world; who being risen, ascended, and glorified, art the great Priest, and Prophet, and King of thy universal church, for which thou makest intercession, which thou dost gather, teach, and guide by thy Spirit, word, and ministers, which thou dost justify and wilt glorify with thyself, who wilt come again, and raise the dead, and judge the world in righteousness; we beseech thee hear us, miserable sinners. Cast us not out that come unto thee. Make sure to us our calling and election, our unfeigned faith and repentance, that being justified, and made the sons of God, we may have peace with him as our reconciled God and Father.²⁸⁵

Let our hearts be right with thee our God, and stedfast in thy covenant. Cause us to deny ourselves, and give up ourselves entirely unto thee, our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, as being not our own, but thine.²⁸⁶

Let thy Holy Spirit dwell in us, and sanctify us throughout, that we may be new creatures, and holy as thou art holy; let it be in us the Spirit of adoption and supplication, and the seal and earnest of our glorious inheritance; and let us know that we are thine, and thou abidest in us, by the Spirit which thou hast given us.²⁸⁷

As thy name, O Lord, is holy, and thy glory covereth the heavens, so let the earth be filled with thy praises. Let our souls ever magnify thee, O Lord, and our tongues extol thee. Let us speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, of thy greatness, thy power, thy glorious kingdom, thy wisdom, holiness, truth, and righteousness, thy goodness, thy mercy, and thy wondrous works. Let all flesh bless thy holy name.²⁸⁸

Let the desire of our souls be to thy name: cause us to love thee with all our hearts, to fear thee, trust in thee, and to delight in thee, and be satisfied in thee as our portion, and whatever we do to do it to thy glory.²⁸⁹

Keep us from inordinate self-love; from pride, and vain-glory, and self-seeking; and from dishonouring thee, thy word, or service in the world.²⁹⁰

Let the world acknowledge thee, the universal King. Give thy Son the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession. Let the kingdoms of the world become his kingdoms. Convert the atheistical, idolatrous, infidel, Mahometan, and ungodly nations of the earth, that every knee may bow to Christ, and every tongue confess him the King of kings, and Lord of lords, to the glory of God the Father.²⁹¹

Let the word of thy kingdom and salvation be preached to all the world; let it have free course and be glorified: and by the power of thy Spirit convert many unto Christ; and let him be thy salvation to the ends of the earth. Send forth more labourers into the harvest, which is great, and fit them for so great a work; and deliver them from unreasonable and wicked men, that (to fill up their sins) forbid them to speak to the people, that they might be saved.²⁹²

Deliver the churches that are oppressed by idolaters, Mahometans, or other infidels and enemies. Give all thy servants prudence, patience, and innocency, that, suffering as christians, and not as evil-doers, they may not be ashamed, but may glorify thee, and wait for thy salvation, committing the keeping of their souls unto thee, in hope of a reward in heaven.²⁹³

Deliver the church from the Roman papal usurpations and corruptions. Dispel the deceits of heresies, and false worship, by the light of thy prevailing truth. Unite all christians in Christ Jesus, the true and only universal Head; that by the true christian, catholic faith and love, they may grow up in him, and may keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; the strong receiving and bearing the infirmities of the weak. Heal the divisions that are among believers. Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than himself; and let all men know that we are Christ's disciples, by our fervent love to one another.²⁹⁴

Let us be heartily and entirely thy subjects, believing that thou art just, and the rewarder of them that diligently seek thee. Keep us from atheism, idolatry, and disobedience; from infidelity, ungodliness, and sensuality; from security, presumption, and despair.²⁹⁵

Let us study to please thee in all things. Let thy law be written in our hearts; and let us delight to do thy will. Let our faith and lives be ruled by thy word, which is able to make us wise unto salvation; let us love it, search it, and understand it, and meditate in it day and night.²⁹⁶

Let us not please ourselves or other men against thee, nor be led by the wisdom or desires of the world and flesh, nor regard lying vanities, nor through carelessness, rashness, or presumption, offend thee.²⁹⁷

As all nations must be judged by thee, let them be ruled by thy laws, and not make them void by men's traditions, nor worship thee in vain, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men. But whatever thou commandest, let them take heed to do; let them add nothing thereto, nor take aught therefrom.²⁹⁸

Let us not take thy holy name in vain, but use it in truth and reverence. Keep us from all blasphemy, perjury, profane swearing; from lying before the God of truth; and from contempt and forgetfulness of thy presence; from false, unworthy, unreverent thoughts or speeches of God, and holy things; and from neglecting or abusing thy holy word and worship.²⁹⁹

Help us to keep holy thy day, in remembrance of the blessed work of our redemption, and reverently to attend thee in public worship; and obediently to receive thy word; and fervently to call upon thy name; and to delight ourselves in thanksgiving and joyful praises to thy holiness in the communion of thy saints: and let us carefully see that our households, and all within our gates, do serve thee, and not abuse thy holy day.³⁰⁰

Have mercy on the kings and rulers of the earth, that they may escape the temptations of worldly greatness, honours, and prosperity, which would captivate them to the flesh, and draw their hearts from thee, thy laws, and ways, and would engage them against thee and thy servants. And as they are thy ministers, and magistracy is thine ordinance, sanctify and dispose them to be nursing fathers to thy church, to own thy interest, and rule for thee.³⁰¹

Especially have mercy on thy servant Charles, our king: illuminate and sanctify him by thy Holy Spirit, that above all things he may seek thy glory, the increase of faith and obedience to thy laws, and may rule us as being thy minister for good, not to be a terror to good works, but to evil; that under him we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.³⁰²

Have mercy upon all the royal family, the lords of the council, and all the nobility, the judges, and magistrates of these lands. Cause them to fear thee, and to be eminent in sobriety, righteousness, and godliness, to protect the innocent, and be a terror to the wicked, hating injustice, covetousness, and pride.³⁰³

Let every soul be subject to the higher powers, and not resist. Let them obey the king, and all that are in authority under him, not only for wrath, but for conscience' sake, as knowing that they rule by thee, and for thee.³⁰⁴

Give all the churches able, holy, faithful pastors; and cause them laboriously to preach, and rightly to divide the word of truth, to feed thy people with knowledge, and lead them in the way of faith and love, of holiness and peace, and to watch for their souls as those that must give account; overseeing and ruling them, not by constraint, but willingly, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind, not as being lords over thy heritage, but as the servants of all, and ensamples to the flock; that when the chief Pastor shall appear, they may receive a crown of glory.³⁰⁵

Let the congregations know those that have the ruling of them, and are over them in the Lord, that labour among them, preaching to them the word of God. Let them submissively and obediently hear, and esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake, and account them worthy of double honour.³⁰⁶

Let parents bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, diligently teaching them thy word, talking of it when they are in their house, and when they walk by the way, when they lie down, and when they rise up, that they may know their Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, in the days of their youth: and cause children to hear, love, honour, and obey their parents, that they may have the blessing of thine especial promise unto such.³⁰⁷

Let husbands love their wives, and prudently guide them in knowledge and holiness; and let wives love, honour, and obey their husbands, as meet helpers to them.³⁰⁸

Let masters rule their servants in holiness and mercy, remembering they have a Master in heaven; and let servants reverently, singly, and willingly be obedient, and do service to their masters as to the Lord, from him expecting their reward.³⁰⁹

Keep us from murder, violence, and all injury to our neighbour's life or health; from malice, cursing, reviling, and unadvised anger. Let us not resist evil with evil, but forbear one another, and not give place to wrath.³¹⁰

Keep us from adultery, fornication, and all uncleanness, and the occasions and appearances thereof. Let us take care as becometh saints, that they be not immodestly named among us, and that no corrupt communication proceed out of our mouths. Keep us from chambering and wantonness, from lustful thoughts, and all immodest attire, behaviour, looks, and actions.³¹¹

Keep us from theft and oppression, and any way wronging our neighbour in his property and estate.³¹²

Keep us from false witness-bearing, lying, and deceiving; from slandering, backbiting, unjust, uncharitable censuring or reproaching; from all perverting of justice, and wronging the reputation of our neighbour; and from all consent or desire of such wrongs.³¹³

Keep us from envy, and from coveting any thing that is our neighbour's, to his wrong, and from seeking our own, or drawing to ourselves, to the injury of his welfare; but let us love our neighbours as ourselves, and do to others as we would they should do to us.³¹⁴

Teach us to love Christ and his holy image in his members, with a dear and special love, and to love our enemies, and pray for them that hate and persecute us, and to do good to all as we are able, but especially to them of the household of faith.³¹⁵

Cause us with patience to submit to all the disposals of thy will, and wait thy end, and to love the demonstrations of thy holiness and justice, though grievous to the flesh; and keep us from impatient murmurings, and discontent, and arrogant reasoning against thy will.³¹⁶

Give us our daily bread, our necessary sustentation and provision for thy service; and let us use it for thee, and not to satisfy the flesh. Let us depend on thee, and trust thee for it in the lawful use of the means. And bless thou our labours, and give us the fruits of the earth in season, and such temperate weather as tendeth thereunto.³¹⁷

Deliver us and all thy servants from such wants, distresses, griefs, and sickness, as will unseasonably take us off thy service, and from untimely death; and teach us to value and redeem our time, and work while it is day.³¹⁸

Keep us from gluttony, drunkenness, and all intemperance; from sloth and idleness; from inordinate desires of pleasures or abundance; but having food and raiment, let us be therewith contented.³¹⁹

Of thy abundant mercy, through the sacrifice and merits of thy Son according to thy promise, forgive us all our sins, and save us from thy deserved wrath and condemnation. Remember not, O Lord, our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers; but though our iniquities testify against us, spare us and save us for thy mercy's sake. O let not our sin deprive us of thy Spirit, or of access unto thee, or communion with thee, or of thy favour or comfort, or the light of thy countenance, or of everlasting life.³²⁰

Cause us to forgive from our hearts, the injuries done against us, as we expect to be forgiven by thee the greatest debt. Keep us from all revengeful desires and attempts. And do thou convert and pardon our enemies, slanderers, oppressors, persecutors, and others that have done us wrong.³²¹

Keep us from running upon temptations: suffer not the tempter by subtlety or importunity to corrupt our judgments, wills, affections, or conversations. Cause us to maintain a diligent and constant watch over our thoughts and hearts, our senses and appetites, our words and actions; and as faithful soldiers, by the conduct and strength of the Captain of our salvation, with the whole armour of God, to resist and overcome the world, the devil, and the flesh unto the end.³²²

Save us from the temptations of prosperity and adversity. Let us not be drawn from thee to sin by the pleasures, profits, or honours of the world. Strengthen us for sufferings. Let us not forsake thee, or fall in time of trial. Help us to deny ourselves, and take up our cross and follow Christ, accounting the sufferings of this present time unworthy to be compared with the glory to be revealed.³²³

Deliver us from the enmity and rage of Satan and his instruments; and give not up thy servants, their souls or bodies, their peace or liberties, estates or names, to their malicious wills; but save us and preserve us to thy heavenly kingdom.³²⁴

We ask all this of thee, O Lord; for thou art the universal King, holy and just, to whom it belongeth in righteousness to judge the world, and save thy people. All power is thine to execute wrath upon thine enemies, and to deliver and glorify thy flock; and none is able to resist thee. Of thee, and through thee, and to thee, are all things, and the glory shall be thine, for ever.³²⁵ Amen.

THE CHURCH'S PRAISE FOR OUR REDEMPTION, TO BE USED AT DISCRETION

Our souls do magnify thee, O Lord; our spirits rejoice in God our Saviour, who remembered us in our low and lost estates, for his mercy endureth for ever. By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin. We kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law; for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and judgment came upon all men to condemnation. But blessed be the Lord God of Israel, that hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up a mighty salvation for us in the house of his servant David: as he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began. A virgin hath conceived and brought forth: the Holy Ghost did come upon her; the power of the Highest did overshadow her; therefore the Holy One that is born of her, is called the Son of God: his name is called Jesus, for he saveth his people from their sins. To us is born a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord: he is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature; for by him all things were created that are in heaven and in earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions, or principalities or powers, all things were created by him and for him, and he is before all things, and by him all things do consist. He is the power of God and the wisdom of God; the true Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and men beheld his glory as the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth; for it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell. When the fulness of time was come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that are under the law. This is the beloved Son in whom the Father is well pleased. For such a High Priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners. He did no sin, neither was there any guile found in his mouth; when he was reviled, he reviled not again, leaving us an example: who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree; for God laid on him the iniquity of us all, and by his stripes we are healed. When we were without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly, the just for the unjust: in this was manifest the love of God towards us, that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live by him. Forasmuch as the children were partakers of flesh and blood, he himself likewise took part with them, that he might destroy through death him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and might deliver them, who through fear of death, were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in his cross. He was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures; for God raised him, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. He hath abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light by the gospel. O death! where is thy sting? O grave! where is thy victory?³²⁶

All power is given him in heaven and earth. When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men. And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors, and some teachers, for the perfection of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man. He is set at God's right hand in the celestials, far above all principalities, and powers, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but in that to come. God hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be Head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.³²⁷

Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God manifested in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen of angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. This is the record, that God hath given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son hath not life. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came to his own, and his own received him not. This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil. But as many as receive him, to them gives he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe in his name. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. He forgiveth our iniquities, and will remember our sins no more. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth: who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died; yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, the same is none of his. He that nameth the name of Christ must depart from iniquity. If we regard iniquity in our hearts, God will not hear our prayers. But we are washed, we are sanctified, we are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. And being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God; and hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given us. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. He that spared not his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? He that is gone to prepare a place for us, will come again and receive us to himself, that where he is, there we may be also. It is his will that they that the Father hath given him be with him where he is, that they may behold the glory that is given him. Because he liveth we shall live also; for we are dead, and our life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory; when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that do believe. Then shall men discern between the righteous and the wicked, between those that serve God, and those that serve him not. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He that overcometh shall inherit all things. He shall enter into the joy of his Lord. He shall be a pillar in the temple of God, and shall go out no more. Christ will grant him to sit with him in his throne, even as he overcame and is set down with his Father in his throne. He will rejoice over us with joy, he will rest in his love, then, in the holy city, the new Jerusalem, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband, where the tabernacle of God will be with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, their God, and shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, no crying, nor pain, for the former things are passed away. And the city needeth not the sun, or the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and his servants shall serve him, and shall see his face, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. Of him, through him, and to him, are all things; to whom be glory for ever.³²⁸ Amen.

END OF VOL. I