THEN reckon not, when perils lower,

The time of prayer misspent,

Nor meanest chance, nor place, nor hour,
Without its heavenward bent.

Lyra Apostolica.

PRAYERS

FOR THE

FOUR EMBER WEEKS.

AMONG all the set Fasts of the year, Lent hath the first, and these Ember days the second place: days of devotion and fasting, which were instituted of old, and observed at the four seasons of the year, as for many other, so chiefly for these reasons. First, That Christians in these religious duties towards God might let the world know they were as devout and forward as formerly the Jews had been, whose custom it was to observe four several and solemn times of fast in the year, though for other ends and upon other occasions than now the use of the Church is to do. 2. For that these times are as the first fruits of every season, which we rightly dedicate to the service and the honour of God. 3. That by beginning these several parts of the year with an holy, righteous, and sober life, we might the better learn how to spend the remainder of every season accordingly. 4. That we might obtain the continuance of God's favour towards us for the fruits of the earth, which at these times are for the most part either sown, or sprung up, or coming to their ripeness, or gathered into the barn. 5. That we might recall, bewail, and repent us the more seriously of those sins which all the season before we have, through our frailty and wilfulness, committed. 6. That our bodies might, by the imploring of God's mercies, be freed from those common distemperatures which usually these four seasons of the year, through the predominant humours then reigning, do bring along with them. 7. And, lastly, for at these times it was the ordinary custom of the Church, and it is so still, by the imposition of her Bishops' hands, to give holy and sacred Orders; which Orders were ever given as well by Christ and his Apostles, as their successors, with solemn prayer and fasting beforehand. Br COSIN.

The Prayers common to all the Ember Days, disposed according to the several seasons before specified.

I.

For God's acceptance of our Humiliation.

Almighty God, who didst command thy people Israel to afflict their souls before thee on the day of atonement, and by whose divine inspiration the succeeding ages of that Church appointed other set times of public fasting and humiliation; Grant, we beseech thee, that as our knowledge of thee, and of thy truth, far exceeds theirs, so in this, and all other duties of religion, our righteousness may exceed their righteousness, that men seeing our good works, may glorify thee our heavenly Father; through Jesus Christ thy Son, our Saviour. Amen.

II.

For consecrating the beginning of every Season unto God.

Almighty God, from whom we have the beginning and continuance of our life; Grant, we beseech thee, that we thy humble servants may so consecrate unto thy divine Majesty the first fruits of this time and season of the year, that the godly purposes which thou puttest into our

hearts may have full effect in our lives, to thy glory, and our souls' health; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

III.

For grace to spend the whole Season aright.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we most humbly beseech thee, that we thy servants, who do begin this time and season of the year with fasting and sober living, may find thereby such ghostly strength and comfort, that we may be the more able and willing to spend both the remainder of this season and the rest of our days accordingly, using this world as it becometh those who are pilgrims and strangers here, and do look for an abiding city in the heavens; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

IV.

For the fruits of the Earth.

Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth, in whom we live, move, and have our being, who doest good unto all men, making thy sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sending rain on the just and on the unjust; Favorably behold us thy people, who do call upon thy name,

and send us thy blessing from heaven, in giving us fruitful seasons, and filling our hearts with food and gladness; that both our hearts and mouths may be continually filled with thy praises, giving thanks to thee in thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

V.

For pardon of Sins past.

Almighty and most merciful Father, who for our many and grievous sins, those especially which we have committed against thee since the last solemn time of our humiliation and repentance, mightest most justly have cut us off in the midst of our days; but in the multitude of thy mercies hast hitherto spared us; Accept, we most heartily beseech thee, our unfeigned sorrow for all our former transgressions, and grant that we may never so presume of thy mercy, as to despise the riches of thy goodness, but that thy forbearance and long-suffering may lead us to repentance, and amendment of our sinful lives, to thy honour and glory, and our final acquittance and absolution at the last day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.