The Litany.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (('Charles Wheatly', 1720))

The signification of the word Litany. AFTER the order of the morning and evening prayer in our present Liturgy, as well as in all the old ones, stands the confession of our Christian faith, commonly called the Creed of Athanasius, which hath already been spoken to: and then followeth the Litany or general supplication to be sung or said after morning prayer, upon Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and at all other times whem it shall be commanded by the ordinary. The word Litany, as it is explained by our present Liturgy, signifies a general supplication; and so it is used by the most ancient heathens, viz. "for an earnest supplication to the gods made in time of adverse fortune; and in the same sense it is used in the Christian Church, viz. for a supplication and common intercession to God, when his wrath lies heavy upon us." Such a kind of supplication was the fifty-first psalm, which may be called David's litany. Such was that litany of God's appointing in Joel, where, in a general assembly, the priests were to weep between the porch and the altar, and to say, Spare thy people, O Lord: (in allusion to which place, our Litany, retaining also the same words, is enjoined, by the royal injunctions still in force, to be said or sung in the midst of the church, at a low desk before the chancel door, anciently called the falled stool.) An such was that litany of our Saviour, which he thrice repeated with strong crying and tears.

§.2. The antiquity of litanies in this form. As for the form in which they are now made, viz. in short requests by the priests, to which the people all answer, it appears to be very ancient; for St. Basil tells us, that litanies were read in the church of Neocaesarea, between Gregory Thaumaturgus's time and his own. And St. Ambrose hath left a form of litany, which bears his name, agreeing in many things with this of ours. For when miraculous gills began to cease, they wrote down several of those forms, which were the original of our modern office.

§.3. Litanies used in procession. About the year 400 they began to be used in procession, the people walking barefoot, and saying them with great devotion; by which means, it is said, several countries were delivered from great calamities. About the year 600, Gregory the Great, out of all the litanies extant, composed that famous sevenfold litany, by which Home was delivered from a grievous mortality; which hath been a pattern to all the Western Churches since; and to which ours comes nearer than that in the present Roman Missal, wherein later popes had put in the invocation of saints, which our reformers have justly expunged. But here we must observe, that litanies were of use before processions, and remained when they were taken away. For those processional litanies having occasioned much scandal, it was decreed "that the litanies should for the future only be used within the walls of the church;" and so they are used amongst us to this day.

§.4. Why said on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. In the Common Prayer Book of 1549, (i.e. in the first book of king Edward) the Litany was placed between the communion office, and the office for baptism, with this single title, The Letany and Suffrages, and without any rubric either before or after it. But at the end of the communion office the first rubric began thus: Upon Wednesdays and Fridays the English Litany shall be said or sung in all places, after such form as is appointed by the king's Majesty's Injunctions: or as it shall be otherwise appointed by his Highness. What this form was I shall mention presently from the Injunctions themselves: but first I must observe, that Wednesdays and Fridays are here only mentioned, which were the ancient fasting-days of the primitive Church: the death of Christ being designed on the Wednesday, when he was sold by Judas, and accomplished on the Friday, when he died on the cross. As to Sunday, I find no direction relating to it; though I conclude from two other rubrics, which dispense with the use of it on some particular Sundays, that it was generally used on all the rest. For among the notes of explication at the end of that book, the two last allow that upon Christmas-day, Easter-day the Ascension-day, Whit-Sunday, and the feast of Trinity, may be used any part of holy Scripture, hereafter to be certainly limited and appointed instead of the Litany, And that if there be a sermon, or for other great cause, the curate by his discretion may leave out the Litany, the Gloria in Excelsis, the Creed, the Homily, and the Exhortation to the Communion. But in the review of the Common Prayer in 1552, the Litany was placed where it stands at this time, with direction at the beginning, that it should be used on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; and at other times when it shall be commanded by the ordinary. And the order for Sunday has continued ever since; I suppose partly because there is then the greatest assembly to join in so important a supplication, and partly that no day might seem to have a more solemn office than the Lord's day.

§.5. What time of the day it is to be used. The particular time of the day when it is to be said seems now different from what it was formerly: in king Edward's and queen Elizabeth's time, it seems it was used as preparatory to the second service. For by their Injunctions it was ordered, that immediately before high mass, or the time of communion of the sacrament, the priests with others of the quire should kneel in the midst of the churchy and sing or say plainly and distinctly the Litany which is set forth in English, with all the suffrages following. And even long afterwards it was a custom in several churches to toll a bell whilst the Litany was reading, to give notice to the people that the communion service was coming on. And indeed till the last review in 1661 the Litany was designed to be a distinct service by itself, and to be used some time after the morning prayer was over; as may be gathered from the rubric before the commination in all the old Common Prayer Books, which orders, that after morning prayer, the people being called together by the ringing of a bell, and assembled in the church, the English Litany shall be said after the accustomed manner. This custom, as I am informed, is still observed in some cathedrals and chapels: though now, for the most part, it is made one office with the morning prayer; it being ordered by the rubric before the prayer for the king, to be read after the third collect for grace, instead of the intercession al prayers in the daily service. Which order seems to have been formed from the rubric before the litany in the Scotch Common Prayer Book, which I have transcribed in the margin. And accordingly we find that, as the aforementioned rubric before the commination office is now altered, both the morning prayer and Litany are there supposed to be read at one and the same time.

§.6. One out of every family to attend the Litany. By the fifteenth canon above mentioned, whenever the Litany is read, every householder dwelling within half a mile of the church, is to come or send one at the least of his household fit to join with the minister in prayers.

§.7. The minister to kneel. The posture, which the minister is to use in saying the Litany, is not prescribed in any present rubric, except that, as it is now a part of the morning service for the days above mentioned, it is included in the rubric at the end of the suffrages after the second Lord's prayer, which orders all to kneel in that place, after which there is no direction for standing. And the Injunctions of king Edward and queen Elizabeth both appoint, that the priests, with others of the choirs shall kneel in the midst of the church, and sing or say plainly and distinctly the Litany, which is set forth in English, with all the suffrages following, to the intent the people may hear and answer, &c. As to the posture of the people, nothing need to be said in relation to that, because whenever the priest kneels, they are always to do the same.

§.8. The irregularity of singing the Litany by laymen. The singing of this office by laymen, as practised in several cathedrals and colleges, is certainly very unjustifiable, and deservedly gives offence to all such as are zealous for regularity and decency in divine worship. And therefore (since it is plainly a practice against the express rules of our Church, crept in partly through the indevout laziness of minor canons and others, whose duty it is to perform that solemn office; and partly through the shameful negligence of those who can and ought to correct whatever they see amiss in such matters) it cannot surely be thought impertinent, if I take hold of this opportunity to express my concern at so irreligious a custom. And to shew that I am not singular in my complaint, I shall here transcribe the words of the learned Dr. Bennet, who hath some time since, upon a like occasion, very severely, but with a great deal of decency, inveighed against this practice; though I cannot learn that he has yet been so fortunate as to obtain much reformation.

"I think myself obliged (saith he) to take notice of a most scandalous practice, which prevails in many such congregations, as ought to be fit precedents for the whole kingdom to follow. It is this; that laymen, and very often young boys of eighteen or nineteen years of age, are not only permitted, but obliged to perform this office, which is one of the most solemn parts of divine service, even though many priests and deacons are at the same time present.

"Those persons upon whom it must be charged, and in whose power it is to rectify it, cannot but know that this practice is illegal, as well as abominable in itself, and a flat contradiction to all primitive order. And one would think, when the nation swarms with such as ridicule, oppose, and deny the distinction of clergy and laity; those who possess some of the largest and most honourable preferments in the Church, should be ashamed to betray her into the hands of her professed enemies, and to put arguments into their mouths, and declare by their actions that they think any layman whatsoever as truly authorized to minister in holy things as those who are regularly ordained. Besides, with what face can those persons blame the dissenting teachers for officiating without episcopal ordination, when they themselves do not only allow of but require the same thing?"

Here followeth the Litany, or General Supplication, to be sung or said after Morning Prayer, upon Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and at other times when it shall be commanded by the Ordinary.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

The invocation. WE have a divine command to call upon God for mercy in the time of trouble; and all the litanies I have seen begin with this solemn word, Κύριε ἐλέησον, Lord have mercy upon us. So that this invocation is the sum of the whole Litany, being a particular address for mercy, first to each person in the glorious Trinity, and then to them all together. The address being urged by two motives, viz. first, because we are miserable; and secondly, because we are sinners: upon both which accounts we extremely need mercy.

§.2. Why repeated by the whole congregation. The design of the people's repeating these whole verses afler the minister is, that every one may first crave to be heard in his own words: which when they have obtained, they may leave it to the priest to set forth all their needs to Almighty God, provided that they declare their assent to every petition as he delivers it.

O God the Father of heaven: have mercy upon us miserable sinners.
O God the Father of heaven: have mercy upon us miserable sinners.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Ps 51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Ps 115:3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
Jer 23:24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.
Matt 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Luke 15:18-19 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
Rom 3:16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:
Eph 3:14-15 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Ps 25:17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.
Rom 8:22-23 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

O God the Son, Redeemer of the world: have mercy upon us miserable sinners.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world: have mercy upon us miserable sinners.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Matt 15:22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
Luke 17:13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
John 5:23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God.
1 Pet 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
Is 41:14 Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
1 Cor 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's:
1 Cor 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

O God the Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son: have mercy upon us miserable sinners.
O God the Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son: have mercy upon us miserable sinners.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, three Persons and one God: have mercy upon us miserable sinners.
O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, three Persons and one God: have mercy upon us miserable sinners.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

The deprecations. HAVING opened the way by the preceding invocation, we now begin to ask: and because deliverance from evil is the first step to felicity, we begin with these deprecations for removing it. Both the Eastern and Western Church begin their litanies after the same manner, theirs as well as ours being a paraphrase upon that petition in the Lord's prayer, deliver us from evil.

Remember not, Lord, our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers; neither take thou vengeance of our sins: Spare us, good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood, and be not angry with us for ever.
Spare us, good Lord.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Ex 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
Ex 32:11-12 And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.
Lev 26:40 If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me;
Lev 26:42 Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land.
Ezra 9:7 Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.
Ps 25:7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.
Ps 39:13 O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.
Ps 51:9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Ps 79:8 O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.
Ps 85:4-5 Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease. Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?
Ps 106:6 We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.
Is 38:17 Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.
Is 64:9 Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.
Dan 9:16 O LORD, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.
Joel 2:17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
Mic 7:18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
Mal 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Matt 23:31-32 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
1 Pet 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Deut 32:35 To me belongeth vengeance and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
Deut 32:43 Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.
Ps 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Ps 99:8 Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
Ezek 18:2 What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

§.2. The method of them. But because our requests ought to ascend by degrees; before we ask for a perfect deliverance, we beg the mercy of forbearance. For we confess we have sinned with our fathers, and that therefore God may justly punish us, not only for our own sins, but for theirs also, which we have made our own by imitation: for which reason we beg of him not to remember, or take vengeance of us for them, especially since he has himself so dearly purchased our pardon with his own most precious blood. But however if we cannot obtain to be wholly spared, but that he may see it good for us to be a little under chastisement; then we beg his correction may be short, and soon removed, and that he would not he angry with us for ever.

From all evil and mischief; from sin; from the crafts and assaults of the devil; from thy wrath, and from everlasting damnation,

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Gen 20:6 And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.
1 Chron 4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.
Ps 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Ps 39:8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.
Ps 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Ps 91:9-10 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
2 Cor 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
2 Thess 1:7-9 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
1 Pet 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Rev 2:24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
Deut 32:23 I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them.
1 Chron 21:1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
Ps 78:30-31 They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths, The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.
Ezek 7:26 Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumour shall be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients.
Matt 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
Matt 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
John 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
Lam 3:25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
Matt 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Matt 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
2 Cor 1:10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
1 Thess 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
Neh 9:28 But after they had rest, they did evil again before thee: therefore leftest thou them in the land of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies;
Is 46:4 And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

And the sum of all that we pray against being deliverance from the evils of sin and punishment, we begin the next petition with two general words which comprehend both: for evil and mischief signify wickedness and misery: and as the first is caused by the crafts and assaults of the Devil, so the second is brought upon us by the just wrath of God here, and completed by everlasting damnation hereafter: and therefore we desire to be delivered both from sin and the punishment of it; as well from the causes that lead to it, as the consequences that follow it.

Good Lord, deliver us.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Lam 3:25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
Matt 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
2 Cor 1:10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
1 Thess 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
Neh 9:28 But after they had rest, they did evil again before thee: therefore leftest thou them in the land of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies;
Is 46:4 And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

From all blindness of heart; from pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and malice, and all uncharitableness,
Good Lord, deliver us.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Prov 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
Prov 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
1 Cor 16:14 Let all your things be done with charity.
2 Cor 3:14-15 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
Gal 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Eph 4:17-18 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Col 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
1 Pet 2:1-2 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
1 John 2:11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
1 John 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
Matt 13:14-15 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
1 Cor 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
Tit 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
James 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
1 John 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

After we have thus prayed against sin and misery in general, we descend regularly to the particulars, reckoning divers kinds of the most notorious sins, some of which have their seat in the heart or mind, and others in the body. And first we begin against those of the heart, where all sins begin, and there recount first the sins concerning ourselves: and, secondly, those concerning our neighbours. Of the former sort are blindness of heart, (which we place in the front as the cause of all the rest,) and pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy, which are united together in this deprecation, as vices which generally accompany one another. Of the other sort are envy, hatred, and malice, and all uncharitableness; in which words are comprehended all those sins which we do, or can, commit against our neighbour in our hearts.

From fornication, and all other deadly sin; and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil,
Good Lord, deliver us.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Ps 19:13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Prov 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
Mark 4:18-19 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
Acts 15:29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
1 Cor 6:9-10 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Cor 6:13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.
1 Cor 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
1 Pet 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
1 John 2:16-17 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Rev 20:7-10 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Prov 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

Deadly sin, what it signifies. From the heart sin spreads further into the life and actions, and thither our Litany now pursues it, beginning with that which St. Paul reckons first among the works of the flesh, but which is notwithstanding the boldest and most barefaced sin in this lewd age, viz. fornication, which is not be restrained to the defiling of single persons, but comprehends under it all acts of uncleanness whatsoever. But though this be a deadly sin, yet it is not the only one, and therefore we pray to be delivered from all other deadly sins; by which we understand not such as are deadly by way of distinction, or as they stand in opposition to venial sins, (for there are no sins venial in their own nature) but such as are those which David calls presumptuous, and begs particular preservation from, or those which are most heinous and crying above others. For though every sin deserves damnation in its own nature, yet we know that the infinite goodness of God will not inflict it for every sin. But then there are some sins so exceeding great, that they are inconsistent even with the gospel-clemency, and immediately render a man obnoxious to the wrath of God, and in danger of eternal damnation. And these are they which we pray against, together with all other sins, which we are apt to fall into through the deceits of our three great enemies, which we, renounced in baptism, the world, the flesh, and the Devil.

From lightning and tempest; from earthquake, fire, and flood; from plague, pestilence, and famine; from battle and murder, and from sudden death,
Good Lord, deliver us.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

Why we pray against sudden death. When the cause is removed, there are hopes the consequences may be prevented: and therefore, after we have petitioned against all sin, we may regularly pray against all those judgments with which God generally scourges those who offend him; whether they are such as fall upon whole nations and kingdoms, and either come immediately from the hand of God, as lightning and tempest, plague, pestilence, and famine: or else are inflicted by the hands of wicked men, as his instruments, as battle and murder: or whether they are such as fall upon particular persons only, as sudden death; such as happens sometimes by violence, as by stabbing, burning, drowning, or the like; or else on a sudden, and in a moment's time, without any warning or apparent cause. And though both these kinds of death may sometimes happen to very good men, yet if we consider that by such means we may leave our relations without comfort, and our affairs unsettled; and may ourselves be deprived of the preparative ordinances for death, and have no time to fit our souls for our great account; prudence as well as humility will teach us to pray against them.

From all sedition, privy conspiracy, and rebellion; from all false doctrine, heresy, and schism; from hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word and Commandment,
Good Lord, deliver us.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

1 Sam 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
2 Sam 12:9-10 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
Ps 64:5 They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?
Prov 1:24-26 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
Prov 17:11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Prov 28:14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
Is 5:24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
Matt 22:21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
Acts 23:5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
Acts 23:13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.
Rom 2:4-5 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
Rom 13:1-2 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Rom 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
1 Cor 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1 Cor 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
Gal 5:9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
2 Tim 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
2 Tim 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
Tit 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Job 9:4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?
Ps 107:11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:
1 Cor 12:24-25 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

Having thus deprecated those evils which might endanger our lives, we proceed next to pray against such as would deprive us of our peace and truth: as well those which are levelled at the state, as is all sedition, privy conspiracy, and rebellion, as those which portend the ruin of the Church, as all false doctrine, heresy, and schism. And then we conclude with the last and worst of God's judgments, which he generally inflicts upon those whom neither private nor public calamities will reform, viz. hardness of heart, and contempt of his word and commandment: for when people amend not upon those punishments which are inflicted upon their estates and persons, upon the Church and State; then the patience of God is tired out, and he withdraws his grace, and gives them up to a reprobate sense, the usual prologue to destruction and damnation, from which deplorable state, good Lord deliver us.

By the mystery of thy holy Incarnation; by thy holy Nativity and Circumcision; by thy Baptism, Fasting, and Temptation,
Good Lord, deliver us.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

And now to be delivered from all these great and grievous evils, is a mercy so very desirable, that it ought to be begged by the most importunate kind of supplication imaginable; and such are the two next petitions, which the Latins call Obsecrations, in which the Church beseeches our dear Redeemer to deliver us from all the evils we have been praying against, by the mystery of his holy incarnation, &c., i.e. she lays before our Lord all his former mercies to us expressed in his incarnation, nativity, circumcision, baptism, and in every thing else which he has done and suffered for us; and offers these considerations to move him to grant our requests, and to deliver us from those evils.

By thine Agony and Bloody Sweat; by thy Cross and Passion; by thy precious Death and Burial; by thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension, and by the Coming of the Holy Ghost,
Good Lord, deliver us.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Matt 26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
Matt 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
Rom 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
1 Cor 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Eph 4:8-9 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
Phil 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
1 Pet 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Eph 2:14-16 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Heb 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
1 Pet 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

In all time of our tribulation; in all time of our prosperity; in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment,
Good Lord, deliver us.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Num 23:10 Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!
Deut 32:15 But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
1 Sam 26:24 And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.
2 Sam 12:7-9 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.
Ps 31:5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
Ps 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Prov 30:8-9 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
Matt 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Matt 11:21-22 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
John 14:2-3 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Acts 7:59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Rom 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
2 Cor 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
2 Cor 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
2 Tim 1:16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
2 Tim 1:18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.
2 Tim 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2 Tim 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Sam 10:19 And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes, and by your thousands.
Ps 22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
Ps 22:19 But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.
Ps 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Jude 1:25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

And though we are always either under or near some evil, for which reason it is never unseasonable to pray for deliverance; yet there are some particular times when we stand in more especial need of the divine help: and they are either during our lives, or at our deaths. During our lives we particularly want the divine assistance, first in all times of tribulation, when we are usually tempted to murmuring, impatience, sadness, despair, and the like; and these we pray against now, before the evil day comes: not that God would deliver us from all such times, which would be an unlawful request; but that he would support us under them whenever he shall please to inflict them. The other part of our lives which we pray to be delivered in, is all time of our wealth, i.e. of our welfare and prosperity, which are rather more dangerous than our time of adversity: all kinds of prosperity, especially plenty and abundance, being exceedingly apt to increase our pride, to inflame our lusts, to multiply our sins, and in a word, to make us forget God, and grow careless of our souls. And therefore we had need to pray that in all such times God would be pleased to deliver us. But whether we spend our days in prosperity or adversity, they must all end in death, in the hour of which the Devil is always most active, and we least able to resist him. Our pains are grievous, and our fears many, and the danger great of falling into impatience, despair, or security: and therefore we constantly pray for deliverance in that important hour, which if God grant us, we have but one request more, and that is, that he would also deliver us in the day of judgment; which is the last time a man is capable of deliverance, since if we be not delivered then, we are left to perish eternally. How fervently therefore ought we to pray for ourselves all our life long, as St. Paul prayed for Onesiphorus, that the Lord would grant unto us that we may find mercy of the Lord in that day!

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

The Intercession. IF the institution of God be required to make this part of our Litany necessary, we have his positive command by St. Paul, to make intercession for all men; and if the consent of the universal Church can add any thing to its esteem, it is evident that this kind of prayer is in all the Liturgies in the world, and that every one of the petitions we are now going to discourse of are taken from the best and oldest litanies extant. All therefore that will be necessary here, is to shew the admirable method and order of these intercessions, which are so exact, curious, and natural, that every degree of men follow in their due place; and, at the same time, so comprehensive, that we can think of no sorts of persons but who are enumerated, and for whom all those things are asked which all and every of them stand in need of.

We sinners do beseech thee to hear us, O Lord God; and that it may please thee to rule and govern thy holy Church universal in the right way;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

1 Kings 8:36 Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.
Ps 4:1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
Ps 27:7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
Ps 107:7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
Is 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
Is 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
Dan 9:19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.
Jonah 1:14 Wherefore they cried unto the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee.
John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
Eph 4:15-16 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Col 1:5-6 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
2 Chron 30:18 For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one
Job 42:4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
Ps 80:14 Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine;
Matt 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Eph 5:25-26 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

§.2. The method and order of them. But because it may seem presumptuous for us to pray for others, who are unworthy to pray for ourselves, before we begin, we acknowledge that we are sinners: but yet, if we are penitent, we know our prayers will be acceptable: and therefore in humble confidence of his mercy, and in obedience to his command, We sinners do beseech him to hear us in these our intercessions, which we offer up, first, for the holy Church universal, the common mother of all Christians, as thinking ourselves more concerned for the good of the whole, than of any particular part.

That it may please thee to keep and strengthen in the true worshipping of thee, in righteousness and holiness of life, thy Servant ELIZABETH, our most gracious Queen and Governor; We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord. That it may please thee to rule her heart in thy faith, fear, and love, and that she may evermore have affiance in thee, and ever seek thy honour and glory;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

2 Sam 23:3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
2 Kings 18:5-6 He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses.
Ps 17:5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.
Ps 72:1 Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.
Ps 86:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
Prov 8:15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
Prov 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
Prov 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
Acts 13:22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
Ps 18:20 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
Ps 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Ps 27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Ps 119:28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
Prov 16:12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

After this, we pray for our own Church, to which, next the catholic Church, we owe the greatest observance and duty; and therein, in the first place, for the principal members of it, in whose welfare the peace of the Church chiefly consists: such as is the king, whom, because he is the supreme governor of the Church in his dominions, and so the greatest security upon earth to the true religion, we pray for in the three next petitions, that he may be orthodox, pious, and prosperous. And though at present we may be happy under him; yet because his crown doth not render him immortal, and the security of the government ordinarily depends upon the royal family, we pray in the next place for them, (and particularly for the heir apparent,) that they may be supplied with all spiritual blessings, and preserved from all plots and dangers.

That it may please thee to be her defender and keeper, giving her the victory over all her enemies;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

2 Sam 22:1 And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:
1 Chron 17:10 And since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. Moreover I will subdue all thine enemies. Furthermore I tell thee that the LORD will build thee an house.
Ps 121:5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
Ps 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Ps 144:10 It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword.
Prov 24:21-22 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?

That it may please thee to bless and preserve Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Charles, Prince of Wales, and all the Royal Family;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

2 Sam 7:29 Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.
1 Chron 29:19 And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision.
Ezra 6:10 That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.
Is 49:23 And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.

That it may please thee to illuminate all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, with true knowledge and understanding of thy Word; and that both by their preaching and living they may set it forth, and show it accordingly;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Deut 33:8 And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;
Ezek 3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
Matt 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Matt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Acts 18:24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
Acts 26:17-18 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
2 Cor 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Phil 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Col 4:3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
1 Tim 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
2 Tim 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
2 Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Tim 4:1-2 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Tit 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
Tit 2:7-8 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
2 Cor 2:15-16 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
Eph 6:18-19 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

The Jews and Gentiles always reckoned their chief priests to be next in dignity to the king; and all ancient Liturgies pray for the clergy immediately after the royal family, as being the most considerable members of the Christian Church, distinguished here into those three apostolical orders of bishops, priests, and deacons; though in all former Common Prayer Books they were called the bishops, pastors, and ministers of the Church, except in the Scotch Liturgy, which for pastors had presbyters.

That it may please thee to endue the Lords of the Council, and all the Nobility, with grace, wisdom, and understanding; We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord. That it may please thee to bless and keep the Magistrates, giving them grace to execute justice, and to maintain truth;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Deut 16:18 Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.
2 Chron 19:5-6 And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city, And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.
Ezra 7:25-26 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not. And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
Prov 8:14-16 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
Prov 15:22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
Jer 7:5-7 For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbour; If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt: Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever.
Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
1 Tim 2:1-2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
Ezek 18:21-22 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
Prov 24:21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

Next to these follow those who are eminent in the state, viz. the lords of the council and all the nobility, who by reason of their dignity and trust have need of our particular prayers, and were always prayed for in the old Liturgies, by the title of the whole palace.

After we have prayed for all the nobility in general, we pray for such of the nobility and gentry as are magistrates, or more inferior governors of the people, according to the example of the primitive Christians, and in obedience to the positive command of St. Paul, who enjoins us to pray for all that are in authority.

That it may please thee to bless and keep all thy people;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Num 6:22-26 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Ps 28:9 Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.
Ps 100:3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Ps 122:7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
Ps 134:3 The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.
John 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
Acts 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
1 Thess 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Prov 14:28 In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

After these we pray for all the people, i.e. all the commons of the land, who are the most numerous, though the least eminent; and unless they he safe and happy, the governors themselves cannot he prosperous, the diseases of the members being a trouble to the head also.

That it may please thee to give to all nations unity, peace, and concord;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Ps 29:11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
Ps 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Jer 32:29 And the Chaldeans, that fight against this city, shall come and set fire on this city, and burn it with the houses, upon whose roofs they have offered incense unto Baal, and poured out drink offerings unto other gods, to provoke me to anger.
Mic 4:3-4 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.
Phil 2:1-2 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Is 2:4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Matt 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

And though we may be allowed to pray for our own nation first, yet our prayers must extend to all mankind; and therefore in the next place we pray for the whole world, in the very words of ancient Liturgies, viz. that all nations may have unity at home among themselves, peace with one another, and concord, i.e. amity, commerce, and leagues.

That it may please thee to give us an heart to love and dread thee, and diligently to live after thy commandments;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Deut 6:17 Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.
Deut 30:6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.
Prov 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Prov 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
Jer 32:40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.
Ezek 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
2 Thess 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
Prov 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

Having thus prayed for temporal blessings both for ourselves and others, it is time now to look inward, and to consider what is wanting for our souls; and therefore we now proceed to pray for spiritual blessings, such as virtue and goodness. And, first, we pray that the principles of it may be planted in our hearts, viz. the love and dread of God, and then that the practice of it may be seen in our lives, by our diligent living after his commandments.

That it may please thee to give to all thy people increase of grace to hear meekly thy Word, and to receive it with pure affection, and to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Ps 25:9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
Mark 4:18-19 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
Luke 8:18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.
John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
2 Cor 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Phil 1:9-11 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Phil 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Col 1:9-11 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
1 Thess 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
Heb 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Jas 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
2 Cor 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
1 Tim 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

But though we receive grace, yet if we do not improve it, we shall be in danger of losing it again; and therefore having in the former petition desired that we might become good, we subjoin this that we may grow better: begging increase of grace, and also that we may use proper means thereunto, such as is the meekly hearing God's word, &c.

That it may please thee to bring into the way of truth all such as have erred, and are deceived;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Deut 11:16 Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;
Is 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
Matt 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
1 Tim 6:20-21 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
2 Tim 2:16-18 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
2 Tim 2:24-26 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
1 Pet 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
2 Pet 2:1-2 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
Ezek 13:22-23 Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life: Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

From praying for the sanctification and improvement of those within the Church, we become solicitous for the conversion of those that are without it; being desirous that all should be brought into the way of truth who have erred or are deceived.

That it may please thee to strengthen such as do stand; and to comfort and help the weak-hearted; and to raise up those who fall; and finally to beat down Satan under our feet;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Ps 91:13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Ps 94:18 When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.
Ps 116:6 The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
Ps 138:3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
Ps 145:14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
Is 40:1-2 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD's hand double for all her sins.
Is 42:3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
Mic 7:8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.
John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
1 Cor 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
1 Cor 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
2 Cor 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
1 Thess 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
Prov 18:14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
2 Cor 7:6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
2 Tim 4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

But though those without the Church are the most miserable, yet those within are not yet so happy as not to need our prayers; some of them standing in need of strength, and others of comfort: these blessings therefore we now ask for those that want them.

That it may please thee to succour, help, and comfort, all who are in danger, necessity, and tribulation;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

Having thus considered the souls of men, we go on next to such things as concern their bodies, and to pray for all the afflicted in general; begging of God to succour all that are in danger, by preventing the mischief that is falling upon them; to help those that are in necessity, by giving them those blessings they want; and to comfort all that are in tribulation, by supporting them under it, and delivering them out of it.

That it may please thee to preserve all who travel by land, by water, all women labouring of child, all sick persons, and young children; and to show thy pity upon all prisoners and captives;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Gen 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
Gen 28:20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
2 Sam 8:6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
Ezra 8:21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
Ezra 8:31-32 Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way. And we came to Jerusalem, and abode there three days.
Ezra 8:35 Also the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity, offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats for a sin offering: all this was a burnt offering unto the LORD.
Ps 41:3 The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.
Ps 79:11 Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;
Ps 106:46 He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.
Ps 107:28-28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
Ps 121:8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
Ps 126:4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.
Ps 146:7 Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:
Prov 21:31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
Matt 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Mark 5:22-24 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
Mark 5:41-42 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
1 Tim 2:15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
Jas 5:14-15 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
Gen 35:16-19 And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labor. And it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also. And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin. And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.
Ps 22:9-11 But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts. I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly. Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
Mark 10:13-16 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
Phil 2:27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

And because the circumstances of some of these hinder them from being present to pray for themselves; we particularly remember them, since they more especially stand in need of our prayers, such as are all that travel by land or by water, and the rest mentioned in that petition.

That it may please thee to defend, and provide for, the fatherless children, and widows, and all who are desolate and oppressed;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Ex 22:22 Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.
Deut 10:18 He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.
Deut 27:19 Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Ps 10:17-18 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.
Ps 25:16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.
Ps 68:5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
Ps 82:3-4 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
Ps 119:134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
Ps 146:9 The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
Jer 49:11 Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.
1 Tim 5:5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
Ps 9:9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

There are other afflicted persons who are unable to help themselves, such as are fatherless children and widows, who are too often destitute of earthly friends; and such as are desolate of maintenance and lodging; or are oppressed by the false and cruel dealings of wicked and powerful men; and therefore these also we particularly recommend to God, and beg of him to defend and provide for them.

That it may please thee to have mercy upon all men;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Ps 130:4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
Ezek 3:11 And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.
Matt 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Rom 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
1 Tim 2:1-4 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Ps 145:9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

And after this large catalogue of sufferers as well in spiritual as temporal things; lest any should be passed who are already under or in danger of any affliction, we pray next that God would have mercy upon all men.

That it may please thee to forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers, and to turn their hearts;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Ezra 6:22 And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.
Prov 10:18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
Prov 16:7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Matt 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Acts 7:59-60 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 26:29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
Rom 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
1 Cor 4:12-13 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

And then, to shew we have no reserve or exception in our charity or devotions, we pray particularly for our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers; who we desire may be partakers of all the blessings we have been praying for, and that God would moreover forgive them, and turn their hearts.

That it may please thee to give and preserve to our use the kindly fruits of the earth, so that in due time we may enjoy them;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Gen 1:29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
Gen 8:22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
Ps 104:13-15 He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.
Ps 132:15 I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.
Ps 145:15-16 The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
Matt 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

After we have thus prayed, first for ourselves and then for others, we proceed to pray for them and ourselves together: begging, first, whatsoever is necessary for the sustenance of our bodies, comprehended here under the fruits of the earth.

That it may please thee to give us true repentance; to forgive us all our sins, negligences, and ignorances; and to endue us with the grace of thy Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to thy holy Word;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

2 Chron 30:18-20 For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary. And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.
Ps 19:12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
Ps 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Jer 26:13 Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.
Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Acts 3:26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.
Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
2 Cor 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
1 Tim 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
Jas 1:23-25 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
1 Pet 2:22-23 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Job 34:32 That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
Ps 39:1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
Ps 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Luke 12:47-48 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
2 Tim 3:15-16 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

And then, in the next petition, asking for all things necessary to our souls, in order to bring them to eternal happiness, viz. true repentance, forgiveness of all our sins, &c., and amendment of life. Which last petition is very proper for a conclusion. For we know that if we do not amend our lives, all these intercessions will signify nothing, because God will not hear impenitent sinners. We therefore earnestly beg repentance and amendment of life, that so all our preceding requests may not miscarry.

Son of God: we beseech thee to hear us.
Son of God: we beseech thee to hear us.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Ps 4:1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
Matt 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Matt 20:30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.
Heb 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

And now having presented so many excellent supplications to the throne of grace; if we should conclude them here, and leave them abruptly, it would look as if we were not much concerned whether they were received or not: and therefore the Church has appointed us to pursue them still with vigorous importunities, and redoubled entreaties. And for this reason we now call upon our Saviour, whom we have all this while been praying to, and beseech him by his divinity, as he is the Son of God, and consequently abundantly able to help us in all these things, that he would hear us...

O Lamb of God: that takest away the sins of the world;
Grant us thy peace.
O Lamb of God: that takest away the sins of the world;
Have mercy upon us.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Luke 17:13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
John 1:36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Phil 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Rev 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

... and then afterwards invocate him by his humanity, beseeching him by his sufferings for us, when he became the Lamb of God, and was sacrificed to take away the sins of the world, that he would grant us an interest in that peace, which he then made with God, and the peace of conscience following thereupon; and that he would have mercy upon us, and take away our sins, so as to deliver us from guilt and punishment.

O Christ, hear us.
O Christ, hear us.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Ps 6:2 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.
Ps 6:4 Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake.
Ps 57:1 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.
Ps 123:2-3 Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us. Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
Matt 8:25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.
Luke 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

And lastly, we beg of him, as he is the Lord Christ, our anointed Mediator, to hear us, and favour us with a gracious answer to all these intercessions.

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

Finally, that our conclusion may be suitable to our beginning, we close up all with an address to the whole Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for that mercy which we have been begging in so many particulars: this one word comprehends them all, and therefore these three sentences are the epitome of the whole Litany; and considering how often and how many ways we need mercy, we can never ask it too often.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

The original of the supplications. THE following part of this Litany we call the supplications, which were first collected, and put into this form, when the barbarous nations first began to overrun the empire, about six hundred years after Christ: but considering the troubles of the Church militant, and the many enemies it always hath in this world, this part of the Litany is no less suitable than the former at all times whatsoever.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

§.2. The Lord's Prayer. We begin with the Lord's prayer, of which we have spoke before, and need only observe here, that the ancients annexed it to every office, to shew both their esteem of that, and their mean opinion of their own composures, which receive life and value from this divine form.

Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Priest. O Lord, deal not with us according to our sins.
Answer. Neither reward us according to our iniquities.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Job 11:6 And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.
Ps 103:10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

§.3. After this, we proceed to beg deliverance from our troubles: but because our consciences presently suggest, that our iniquities deserve much greater, and that therefore we cannot expect to be delivered, since we suffer so justly; we are put in mind that God doth not deal with us after our sins, nor reward us according to our iniquities. And therefore we turn these very words into supplication, and thereby clear his justice in punishing us, but apply to his mercy to proportion his chastisements according to our ability of bearing, and not according to the desert of our offences.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

§.4. The prayer against persecution. The way being thus prepared, the priest now begins to pray for the people alone: but lest they should think their duty at an end, as soon as the responses are over, he enjoins them to accompany him In their hearts still by that ancient form Let us pray: and then proceeds to the prayer against persecution, which is collected partly out of the Scripture, and partly out of the primitive forms, and is still to be found entire among the offices of the Western Church, with the title For tribulation of heart.

Let us pray.

O God, merciful Father, that despisest not the sighing of a contrite heart,

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

2 Chron 20:9 If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.
Ps 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Ps 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
2 Cor 6:17-18 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

nor the desire of such as be sorrowful;

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Ps 10:17 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
Ps 38:9 Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.
Ps 69:29 But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.
Jer 31:25 For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.
John 16:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

Mercifully assist our prayers which we make before thee in all our troubles and adversities, whensoever they oppress us; and graciously hear us,

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Ps 50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
Ps 102:17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
Is 38:14 Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me.
Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Ps 71:2 Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.
Ps 142:6 Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

that those evils which the craft and subtilty of the devil or man worketh against us be brought to nought;

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Ex 1:10 Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.
Ex 1:12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.
2 Sam 15:31 And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
Job 5:12-13 He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise. He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.
Ps 33:10 The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
Luke 22:31-32 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
2 Cor 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

and by the providence of thy goodness they may be dispersed;

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

1 Sam 23:26-28 And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them. But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land. Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth.
2 Kings 19:20 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, That which thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard.
2 Kings 19:32 Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it.
Ps 118:6-7 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Ps 71:13 Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.
Ps 142:6 Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

that we thy servants, being hurt by no persecutions, may evermore give thanks unto thee in thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

[The previous prayer] is not concluded with Amen, to shew that the same request is continued in another form: and what the priest begged before alone, all the people join to ask in the following alternate supplications taken from the Psalms.

O Lord, arise, help us, and deliver us for thy Name's sake.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Num 10:35 And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee.
Ps 44:26 Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake.
Ps 79:9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.
Ps 106:7-8 Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea. Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.
Jer 14:7 O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.
Ps 12:5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.
Ps 109:26 Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy:

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

§.5. When our enemies are rising against us to destroy us, we desire that God will arise and help us, not for any worthiness in ourselves, but for his name's sake, that he may make his power to be known.

O God, we have heard with our ears, and our fathers have declared unto us, the noble works that thou didst in their days, and in the old time before them.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Ps 44:1 We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.
Ps 78:2-4 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
Joel 1:2-3 Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers? Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.
Ps 119:52 I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

§.5. Whilst the people are praying thus earnestly, the priest, to quicken their faith by another divine sentence, commemorates the great troubles, adversities, and persecutions, which God hath delivered his Church from in all ages: and since he is the same Lord, and we have the same occasion, this is laid down as the ground of our future hope.

For the wonderful relations which we have heard with our ears, and our fathers have declared unto us, of God's rescuing this particular Church at first from popery, and of his delivering and preserving it ever since from faction and superstition, from so many secret seditions and open rebellions, fully assure us that his arm is not shortened.

O Lord, arise, help us, and deliver us for thine honour.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Ex 32:11-13 And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.
Ps 12:5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.
Ps 66:2-3 Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious. Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.
Ps 79:10 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed.
Jer 14:21 Do not abhor us, for thy name's sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.
Rev 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

And therefore the people again say, O Lord, arise, help us, and deliver us for thine honour; which is no vain repetition, but a testimony that they are convinced they did wisely to ask of this God (who hath done so great things for his people in all ages) now to arise and help; that so the honour he hath gotten by the wonders of his mercy may be renewed and confirmed by this new act of his power and goodness.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

§.6. To this is added the Doxology in imitation of David, who would often, in the very midst of his complaints, out of a firm persuasion that God would hear him, suddenly breakout into an act of praise. And thus we, having the same God to pray to, in the midst of our mournful supplications, do not only look back on former blessings with joy and comfort, but forward also on the mercies we now pray for: and though we have not yet received them, yet we praise him for them beforehand, and doubt not, but that, as he was glorified in the beginning for past mercies, so he ought to be now for the present, and shall be hereafter for future blessings.

From our enemies defend us, O Christ.
Graciously look upon our afflictions.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Ex 2:24-25 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.
Ps 59:1 Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.
Is 63:9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.
Luke 1:68-75 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised up an horn of 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: That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
Deut 26:15 Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
Luke 17:13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

§.7. The following responses. But though the faithful do firmly believe, that they shall be delivered at the last, and do at present rejoice in hopes thereof; yet because it is probable their afflictions may be continued for a while for a trial of their patience, and the exercise of their other graces; for that reason we continue to pray for support in the mean time, and beg of Christ to defend us from our enemies, and to look graciously upon our afflictions; pitifully to behold the sorrows of our hearts, and mercifully to forgive our sins, which are the cause of them.

Pitifully behold the sorrows of our hearts.
Mercifully forgive the sins of thy people.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

1 Kings 8:50-51 And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them: For they be thy people, and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest forth out of Egypt, from the midst of the furnace of iron:
Ps 25:16-18 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses. Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
Matt 12:20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Prov 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Favourably with mercy hear our prayers.
O Son of David, have mercy upon us.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Job 33:26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.
Ps 4:1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
Ps 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
Ps 69:13 But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.
Is 49:8 Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;
Matt 9:27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.
Matt 15:22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
Matt 20:30-31 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.
John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
1 Pet 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

And this we know he will do, if our prayers be accepted; and therefore we beg of him favourably with mercy to hear them, and do beseech him, as he assumed our nature, and became the Son of David, (whereby he took on him our infirmities, and became acquainted with our griefs,) to have mercy upon us.

Both now and ever vouchsafe to hear us, O Christ.
Graciously hear us, O Christ; graciously hear us, O Lord Christ.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Ps 25:5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
Dan 9:18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.
Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
John 14:13-14 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

And because the hearing of our prayers in the time of distress is so desirable a mercy, that we cannot ask it too fervently nor too often; we therefore redouble our cries, and beg of him as he is Christ, our anointed Lord and Saviour, that he would vouchsafe to hear us now, and whenever we cry to him for relief in our troubles.

O Lord, let thy mercy be showed upon us;
As we do put our trust in thee.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Ps 32:10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.
Ps 33:22 Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

And, to shew we rely on no other helper, we conclude these supplications with David's words in a like case, O Lord, let thy mercy be shewed upon us, as we do put our trust in thee. To him, and to him only, we have applied ourselves; and as we have no other hope but in him, so we may expect that this hope shall be fulfilled, and that we shall certainly be delivered in his due time.

Let us pray.

We humbly beseech thee, O Father, mercifully to look upon our infirmities;

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Ps 42:6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
Ps 88:4 I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength:
Ps 102:2 Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.
Ps 119:132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
Is 53:4-5 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Is 63:15-16 Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained? Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.
Matt 8:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

and for the glory of thy Name turn from us all those evils that we most righteously have deserved;

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Ps 69:14-15 Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters. Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
Ps 79:9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.
Ps 103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
Ps 106:7-8 Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea. Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.
Ps 106:43-45 Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry: And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.
Ps 119:137 Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.
Dan 9:8-9 O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;
Heb 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
Ezra 9:13 And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this;

and grant, that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy,

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Ps 32:10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.
Ps 81:7 Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.
Is 43:2-3 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
Mic 7:19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
1 Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
2 Cor 4:8-9 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
Heb 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Ps 61:4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
Ps 71:20 Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

and evermore serve thee in holiness and pureness of living,

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Matt 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Luke 1:74-75 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
Rom 6:16,22 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Jas 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
2 Pet 1:5-7 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
2 Cor 6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

to thy honour and glory, through our only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

1 Sam 2:30 Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
Matt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
1 Tim 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Heb 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
Heb 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things that that of Abel.

A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer (Wheatly, 1720)

The prayer of Saint Chrysostom, and 2 Cor 13:14. THE Litany, as I have already observed, was formerly a distinct service by itself, and was used generally after morning prayer was over; and then these two final prayers belonged particularly to this service. But it being now used almost every where with the morning prayer, these latter collects being omitted there (after some occasional prayers, which shall be spoken of next) come in here; and how fit they are for this place may be seen by what is said of them already.

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom.

Almighty God,

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Ps 45:3 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
Is 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Rom 9:5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
Rev 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Rev 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee;

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Ps 10:17 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Acts 4:24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
1 Tim 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
1 Tim 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Ps 62:8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
Ps 66:8 O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:
Is 8:19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?
2 Tim 4:22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

and dost promise, that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests;

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Ezek 20:24 Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols.
Is 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
Matt 18:19-20 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
John 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Acts 12:12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them;

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Ps 20:1 The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
Ps 20:4-5 Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel. We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.
Ps 21:2 Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.
Ps 145:18-19 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
Jonah 2:7 When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.
Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
1 Cor 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
Phil 1:22-23 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
Ps 17:1 Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
Ps 88:2 Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;
1 Cor 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
2 Cor 8:10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth,

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Hab 2:14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Matt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
1 Tim 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Heb 13:14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
1 John 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

Matt 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Rom 6:22-23 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
2 Pet 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
2 Cor 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Heb 2:5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.
Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Heb 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

2 Cor. 13.14.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer: with marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures

2 Cor 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

Here endeth the Litany.