Thou wast with Noah in the ark, and his little family; O do thou vouchsafe to guide and protect me. Thou wast with Jonah, when he cried unto thee out of the belly of hell; hear me also, now I cry unto thee out of the great deep. I would not behave more wisely in the things of this life, than in the things which belong to my everlasting peace. Let me not be so careful to shun a shipwreck, and never fear making shipwreck of faith and a good conscience. Let me not be so careful to eye my compass, and yet seldom eye thy most holy word, which alone can guide me through this world to the haven of everlasting rest. Let me not every day be solicitous to be at my wished-for port, and never desire to see and enjoy thee. Let me not daily improve every wind, and continually neglect those glorious opportunities, which I enjoy of fitting myself for thee. Let me not fear a storm, and yet never fear that fiery tempest, which will ere long come upon the wicked, from thy presence.
Keep me, O God, from impatience, when the winds and seas are contrary. Grant me a lively persuasion, that thy providence ruleth all things; that thou intendest every thing for my good, and enable me therefore patiently to tarry thy leisure, and to give thee thanks for all things that befal me, since it is thy will in Christ Jesus concerning me. Let me not complain of the weather, since that is tacitly complaining of thee, my God.
Keep, O Lord, I beseech thee, the door of my lips, that I may not offend thee with my tongue. O put away swearing far from me, and let me no longer, as I have done, cloath myself with cursing as with raiment, lest, as I delight in cursing, it should happen unto me, and as I loved not blessing, so it may be far from me.
O let me no longer deceive my own soul, by thinking it impossible thus to offend thee with my tongue. All things are possible with thee, my God! Purify, therefore, I beseech thee, my heart: create in me a new heart; renew a right spirit within me: for out of the abundant wickedness contained therein, my mouth hath so often uttered profane things.
Keep me, O Lord, I beseech thee, unspotted in my conversation, and let not the evil communications, to which I am daily exposed, corrupt my good manners. O let me never have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather give me courage to reprove them; and, as my life is always in thy hand, O let me not forget thy law.
Grant, O Lord, that the crosses I meet with, may not increase, but rather break my passions. Let me, in the hours of watching, watch unto prayer, and teach me to endure hardness like a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Keep me, O Lord, from loving unrighteous gain, and grant I may render unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s, and pay tribute to whom tribute is due: knowing that money unjustly gotten, is but laid up to the owner’s hurt, and that hereafter it will pierce me through with many sorrows, and eat my flesh as doth fire. May my one business be to lay up treasures in heaven, and to secure an interest in thee, O blessed Jesus, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed for evermore. Amen, and Amen.
The Pious Soul longing for Heaven.
LORD! how have I loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. O glorious seat; the residence and the workmanship of the great, the mighty God: let me continue, let me increase in this love of thee more and more.