72. Daily Reflections of a Woman with Child

EXHORTATION.

When God bestows the blessings of the holy state of matrimony upon a married woman, she must sincerely rejoice; but other reflections also suggest themselves.

1. This holy state is accompanied with much pain and hardship.

2. God is a gracious God, who will relieve them; a mighty God, who will heal them.

3. In a dark hour, a sleepless night, an untoward mishap, they must remember that, by their baptismal covenant God is their father, who will not forsake his children; for as a father has pity on his children, so the Lord hath pity on them that fear him. They must call to mind the power of God, which will give them strength to complete and bring to light the good work he has commenced in them. When it appears very hard, so that they think they will not be able to bear it, they must remember that with God nothing is impossible, and when he speaks a word, the proud waves and pangs of suffering and of hardship must go down. 4. If their pains should be of long continuance, their trust must not fail nor their hopes wither, but they must reflect that God has already appointed the hour when he will help them.

OF A WOMAN WITH CHILD.

5. But if ye say, Many lose their lives in pregnancy and labor, I answer, God has appointed unto every one the hour of his death. If the pregnant know of instances of married women who have died in pregnancy or in labor, they also see many instances of others who were happily delivered, and became happy mothers; indeed, the number of those whom the Lord has preferred, rescued and aided, is far greater than that of those who have died in the struggle. Now, if among fifty or a hundred hardly one has died, and ninety-nine have been happily delivered, it is against the faith and love of God always to anticipate the worst. Therefore say, the God who hath helped so many thousands will help me also, and assist me; rely upon this from the bottom of your souls, repel all dubious thoughts, and cast your eyes upon the strong hand of God. 6. Women with child must also control themselves, lest they bring death upon themselves by anger and obstinacy; for as every thing may injure them in this condition, they must guard themselves the more carefully. It is by no means to be praised, but rather to be chid, in many pregnant women, that they are too prone to anger, evil-minded and ready to take offence; whatever people do around them, displeases them; they fret about everything; not a dish, not a speech, not a chair is to their liking; they DAILY REFLECTIONS must moderate themselves and overcome this failing by prayer. And I would have all Christian women to consider, if the fruits of their bodies ripen in such bitter blood, whether they are not in fault if they bear wicked, passionate and obstinate children, which have as obstreperous a disposition as their mothers had during their pregnancy. 7. As Christian women are fond of going to the Lord's Supper when in this condition, they have the more reason to surrender themselves and their fruits to the Lord Jesus, and to persevere in sanctification by his strength in the faith. Holy, good, and merciful God, I come to Thee to lay my prayer, my supplication, my intercession, and my thanksgiving at thy feet. Thou hast, Great God! bestowed thy blessing upon my married state, for which I thank thee from the bottom of my heart, and pray thee to give me a joyous glimpse of thy face. But, because thou, O righteous God, hast imposed many sufferings on this condition, I assume it willingly under thy assistance. If, therefore, bitter hours should come, painful days, sleepless nights, Lord my God, depart not from me, I know that in thy omnipotence, thou canst assuage all my woes; in the midst of pangs and sufferings thou art still OF A WOMAN WITH CHILD.

my father, my help, my succor, my only refuge, and my gracious God. If the hardships and spells become great and numerous, and even insupportable, yet I will not despair, but will consider that thou, O faithful God! wilt not suffer me to be tempted beyond my power of resistance, but wilt have a care that the temptation shall end so that I may endure it. When

I sigh, "O how long, how endless is the heart's suffering and longing after thee," then bethink thee of thine hour of help, and let it soon appear according to thy gracious will. Set thy omnipotence before my eyes, O God! that I may not be frightened, if others in the same condition are afflicted with severe sickness, or even die in giving birth. Let it remain constantly inscribed on my mind, how many hundred pregnant ones are happily delivered throughout the year, and how very few are withdrawn from the world by thee in child-bed. Help in the hour of labor, and gladden my heart with a hale and well-formed child. But if thou hast resolved to give me the release from this world's suffering on this occasion, then, Lord! thy will be done. But in the meantime, O God! give me thy good spirit, to keep me constantly in good thoughts; give me a quiet and gentle mind, that I may not bring death upon myself and my fruit by anger or spite. Let my fruit be endowed with good

THE CONDITION OF THE PREGNANT powers of body and mind, let it grow under the shadow of thy grace, until at last thou shalt bring it to the light of day, and thus convert all my pangs into delight, and my tears into joy. Now, Lord my God! I have poured out my heart before thee, O give ear unto me in thy goodness, save me according to thy promise, have mercy on me according to thy faith, help me according to thy love, and rejoice me according to thy grace. Amen. The Pregnant Woman reflects that her Condition is well pleasing in the Sight of the Lord.

EXHORTATION.

As God has himself instituted the holy state of wedlock, and intends thereby to propagate the human race, for which reason he said to our first parents in Paradise, "Be fruitful, and multiply;" so a godly married woman must rejoice in the Lord, when she perceives herself thus favored. 1. She must reflect that children are a gift of God, which he grants to some, but withholds from others, so that men may not ascribe anything to their own powers.

IS WELL PLEASING UNTO GOD.

2. Whenever a married woman becomes conscious of such a blessing, she must consider that God has graciously remembered her, as is said of Sarah, and of Rachel;" and the Lord visited Sarah, and the Lord remembered Rachel."

3. Thereupon she shall thank God, and regard her present condition as coming from God, who has given her his blessing.

4. If pains and ailments make their appearance, she must reflect that God has designed her for this condition, but that he will not therefore desert her; on the contrary, she must set her trust the more firmly in him, when she will find that in his hands all things are well. 5. For this purpose she must persevere in prayer, guard against anger and malice, stand fast in faith, in the love of Jesus, and in vital godliness, and rest assured that she is in a favored state, well pleasing unto God, in which she may count upon his gracious aid and protection. O thou loving God and Father! how can I sufficiently acknowledge, praise, and extol thy fatherly goodness, that thou hast called and placed me in my present condition. If it be at times irksome, I know that I stand in thy grace, and that my condition is well pleasing in thine THE FAVORED CONDITION eyes, and ordained by thee. Thou knowest,

Lord! that I have not coveted a man in wantonness, and have kept my soul undefiled of all evil desires, and have not sought dissolute and wanton company; but have consented to take a husband in thy faith, in chastity, and in thy honor.

As thou hast graciously remembered me, and hast enriched me with a fruit of my body, I receive it as a gift of thy hand. Let me taste thy mercy and loving kindness, while in this condition. Be my gracious God, and hearken unto my prayers and my sighs. Be my guide and escort; defend me, lead me, and preserve me. Be my refuge, before whom I may pour out my heart; who will gladden me when I am sad, and refresh me when I am weary. Be my helper, and assure me that thou art with me in the time of need, and wilt rescue me. Be my aid, if pains and ailments should make their appearance. Be my preserver, who will safely deliver me when the time has come, and make my heart rejoice. O my heavenly Father! while

I am in this condition, be thou my strength;

carry, sustain, strengthen, and refresh me. O

Jesus, while I am in this condition, be thou my mediator and advocate with God, and bring my feeble prayer before him. O God, the Holy

Ghost! while I am in this condition be thou my comforter. Comfort me; assure me that I stand

OF THE PREGNANT.

in grace; that I am a child of God, and that my delivery will be happy, and that all will be well. Aye, thou triune God! be with me in this hour, and I shall be happy, safe, well-guarded, and preserved. Lord Jesus, direct my walk, that, henceforth, while I live, I may walk according to thy will; watch over my body and my soul; enter me in the books of thy custody, so that I may not fall. O give me thy wounds to contemplate by the hour, and I can forget the world. Amen. 1. With what a wonder-working grace

Has me my God regarded,

And when I prayed in sore distress,

All I besought, awarded;

So that my overflowing soul

His matchless goodness doth extol.

Give praise unto the Highest.

2. He called me forth from nothingness,

He saved me from perdition,

He sent the Holy Ghost to bless

And cheer me in contrition.

He gave me what my heart most craved,

Another spirit to be saved!

Give praise unto the Highest.

3. And e'en if anguish, pain and fear

Should wait upon this favor,

He too will send his angel here,

Nor let my spirit waiver.

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THE PREGNANT WOMAN THANKS GOD

When every other help is gone,

He never fails to help alone;

Give praise unto the Highest.

4. With more than patriarchal care

Did he conduct me hither;

Kept me from every toil and snare,

And left me not to wither.

Good cheer is at his open board,

Good cheer beneath his watch and ward.

Give praise unto the Highest.

5. And what transcendant bliss upon

My being will he shower,

When I with him shall take my wonne,

In his eternal bower!

For when I die, I shall not die,

I'll go to God, I'll soar on high.

Give praise unto the Highest.

The Pregnant Woman thanks God for her fruitfulness.

EXHORTATION.

1. When a godly married woman perceives that she is fruitful, it is her duty to thank God, and to remember that God is now making her a partaker of the blessing bestowed upon the state of holy wedlock.

FOR HER FRUITFULNESS.

2. She must then walk discreetly, keep herself in the bounds of moderation, soberness, gentleness and Christian modesty, lest by her own fault she again destroy her fruitfulness, which may be the consequence of immoderate or improper work, froward lifting and carrying, malicious wrath, or other transgressions. 3. Perceiving her fruitfulness to increase, she must daily recommend herself and the fruit of her body to God, and cry to him to form, preserve, strengthen, and watch over it, and in time to bring it happily to light.

4. She must not murmur at the hardships attending her situation, and must not be irascible, wrathful, or revengeful against her husband or other persons, these being all signs of impatience at the thought of her fruitfulness, which is ingratitude which God will not fail to see, and for which he will make such a person atone. Lord, Almighty God! who art a God of life, who givest us all our breath and life, who hast blessed the holy state of wedlock with fruitfulness of body, I thank thee that thou hast remembered me also, and hast made me a partaker of this blessing in my marriage. Thou, mighty Lord! hast granted me a greater boon than THE PREGNANT WOMAN THANKS GOD others, who sigh for this gift, and do not receive it; therefore I beg thee to let me well understand the good that thou hast done me. I surrender myself unto thee wholly. Preserve me from fear and fright, from falls and dangers, from mishaps, and from all that might rob me of thy gift. Lord, how great is thy wisdom, in forming men so wondrously! How great is thy omnipotence, in bringing them to behold the light of day! How great is thy goodness in thus preserving and multiplying the human race! I thank thee, my God! that thou hast designed me for a work-shop of this thy glorious work, and hast made me fruitful by thy divine blessing. Let me be, in the fulness of time, a happy mother, and joyfully behold what is concealed. Lord! let thy goodness and truth escort me everywhere; guard my foot from stumbling, my limbs from being broken, and my body from injury. Preserve what thou hast given me, and let it enjoy thy guardian care. But, in the meantime, I will look to thy help; I lift up mine eyes to the hills whence my help cometh; my help cometh from the Lord, who has made the heavens and the earth. I will praise the Lord at all times; his praise shall be constantly in my mouth. At morn, at noon, and at night, I will thank the Lord for all the good which he hath done me. Praise the Lord, O my soul, who has visibly FOR HER FRUITFULNESS.

blessed thy state — who has rained down showers of love upon thee from heaven; think of what the Almighty has done thee, who has looked on thee with favor. Amen.

1. A thousand thanks to thee, almighty Lord! for having

So graciously vouchsafed my heart's intensest craving;

O now preserve from harm the gift, the precious load,

Which thy munificence upon me has bestowed!

2. A thousand thanks, O Lord! for thy protecting power,

That often me defends, when dangers round me lower.

If they recur again, O be thou still with me,

'Tis thou that gives me strength, 'tis thou that makes me free.

3. A thousand thanks that thou hast never me for saken,

Nor wilt, while yet my faith is stable and unshaken,

And while I flee from sin. Lo! I my vows outpour,

To serve thee here below, and there for evermore

THE PREGNANT WOMAN

4. Thou wilt be still my God! Thou wilt me guide and strengthen,

That I may never fear when coming dangers lengthen

Their shadows, till they steal, and gather c'er my head!

Be with mein that hour! Depart not from my bed!

5. Be with me in that hour! Lend me thy firm endurance!

In direst agony give of thy love assurance;

And when the danger's past, with what transporting glee

Will my glad lips proclaim a thousand thanks to thee!

The pregnant Woman recommends herself and the fruit of her Body to God.

EXHORTATION.

When a godly married woman becomes aware of her first fulness, various duties devolve upon her, in addition to the ordinary ones of her rank and station.

1. She must diligently recommend herself to God every day, that he may lead, strengthen, and protect her.

2. She must faithfully lay the fruit of her body before God in her prayers.

RECOMMENDS HERSELF TO GOD.

3. For this is what distinguishes Christian matrons from unbelieving ones, godly married women from reckless wantons. Unbelieving women and wantons curse their pregnancy, disregard their future offspring, do not thank God for it, do it hurt when they can, and perhaps entertain no good intentions with regard to it. But godly married women think and feel otherwise; they never pray without presenting their child to the Lord, beseeching him to shape it well, to give it sound and straight limbs, to preserve its life, and to grant it a happy birth. 4. They love their coming offspring even before they see it, are solicitous for its preservation, prepare everything necessary to swathe and clothe it after it is born.

5. Not content with caring for its bodily comforts, they also pray God to permit the fruit of their bodies, after the birth of the body, to attain to regeneration by the rite of holy baptism.

O holy father and creator of all men, Lo! I come before thy most holy face, and humbly bespeak thy grace. In thy goodness, O great God! thou hast bestowed upon me a fruit of my body; but what am I, that I should be favored to give it to the world? Therefore, O Lord! Lord! All my longing is before thee and THE PREGNANT WOMAN my sighs are not unknown to thee. Lord! Lord! what thy grace has given may thy mercy preserve. To thy fatherly care and custody I resign myself wholly. Lord! watch over me day and night lest harm befall me. Escort me, when I go out, preserve me when I am abroad, and bring me back to my home safe and unharmed. Let my soul be quiet and content. Let my soul ever converse with thee, be glad in thee, rejoice in thee. Let my heart be a dwelling place of Jesus and a temple of the Holy Ghost, that Jesus may live in me and walk in me, direct me and sanctify me. Ward off all vexation, anger and fright. Let the look of thine eyes guard my breath, my life, and my every tread. May the Lord preserve my going out and my coming in henceforth to all eternity. In the name of the triune God I go out and in. In the name of the triune God I retire to rest and arise in the morning. In the name of the triune God I undertake my daily labor. O thou triune God! guard, preserve, and defend me by thy power, carry me in thy hands, protect me on my paths, lest evil befall me, and I will thank thee and praise thee as long as I live. I also recommend to thee, O triune God! the pledge which I carry under my heart. Lord I pray for it, I present it to thee, Oh! hear my supplication for the sake of thy Goodness, and of Jesus. O give my child thy RECOMMENDS HERSELF TO GOD.

Holy Spirit. Let it be filled even in its concealment, like John the Baptist, with heavenly power. Give it a well-tempered soul and a pious heart, that it may fear and love thee as long as it lives. But give it also sound and straight limbs, a hale body, and good gifts of body and mind. And when thou hast favored it in secret with these glorious gifts of body and mind, then, after its bodily birth, let it be speedily regenerated by holy baptism. Thou hast said, O Jesus! Suffer little children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Thou hast taken the children upon thine arms, and blessed them. Take my child also, in time, upon thy holy arms, and bless it also, give it the pledge of being thy child, the Holy Ghost; sanctify and renovate it for the life eternal; make it a child of heaven and of eternal life, that I with it and it with thee may hereafter become partakers of eternal bliss. My hope rests firmly upon the Lord, my God! He is the best of friends, who stands by me in every danger; he alone shall have the service of my heart. Amen. 1. From God I'll not depart, to him I will surrender

All that a sinful heart so poor as I can tender;

He is my castle strong, my shield, my burguenot,

My strong and faithful God, my God forsake me not.

2. From God I'll not depart, though pangs and sorrows offer,

My heart shall gently bear what 'tis its lot to suffer.

Let sorrow still be mine, however great it be,

For when it comes I cling more closely still to thee.

3 From God I'll not depart, for why should I not tarry?

Does he not always lend his hand my steps to carry?

The hand that makes me free, the hand that doth me keep,

Gives me to eat and drink, and watches o'er my sleep.

4. From God I'll not depart, though pangs and pains should harrow

My bowels, or the tooth of sickness gnaw my marrow.

The hour of comfort comes, the struggle is forgot,

And thus I surely see that God forsakes me not.

5. From God I'll not depart, e'en when my days are numbered,

For then my end shall be as light as if I slumbered.

I live and die for him while here I live and die,

And when I mount above, he'll be forever nigh.

THE COVENANT PROMISE