these present profits and delights of this life and with what vnwearied paines wee prosecute the winning of this worlds vanities that in the end are nothing worth but to pamper the body and make it vpon euery slight occasion most willing to deny thee O Lord when I consider the pleasure of this world and the abundance of content I haue in this life wanting nothing for my bodie Oh what a Coward doth it make mee that with the young man that was most ready to follow thee yet when thou biddest him sell all his worldly riches and follow thee O simple man hee neuer came at thee more So me thinkes I feele Sathan to say vnto me What a foole art thou to leaue father or mâ—ther wife and children houses lands gooâ—s a certainty for an vncertainty to follow thee O Lord how am I tempted by the Papists the Enemies of the Gospell to think this way foolishnesse a Sect and heresie lately risen and seperated from the Church meaning themselues Oh how they doe tempt mee by the examples of my â—ore-fathers that for many genâ—rations time out of minde haue liued and died in the Romish Religion and why should I thinke my selfe wiser then they O heauenly Father see and behold these subtill instruments of Sathan and keepe me that these crafty baytes of Sathan arising from the flesh and the world preuaile not ouer me that like Peter in the water or the young man I let goe my true faith not to beleeue in lyes and errours and so finally forsake thee who hath so dearely loued me and bought me But O God my Sauiour strengthen my faith that I be not moued to let goe my first loue with which I haue been so much comforted in thee O strengthen me that neither Sathan by himselfe nor by his Antichristian Instruments which hee ruleth at his pleasure preuaile against me either to doubt of my faith much lesse to denie thee my Lord and Sauiour but as thou for my sake didst not contemne nor despise the reproach of the wicked nor yet the cursed death of the Cross but for the ioy that was set before thee and which thou hadst with the Father before the world was endured the same and though thou wert reuiled yet thou reuilest not againe but with infinite patience committed thy cause to thy Father So O Lord graunt that by my faith in thy power I may bee no lesse assured of patience in the greatest torment that shall be inflicted vpon my body For I know that although they kill my body yet they cannot touch my soule but that it shall liue with thee for euer And in despight of their malice while they thinke to destroy my soule with death they shall extract my spirit into glorious life with God the Father and his Christ for euermore Sweet Sauiour as Sampson in his death triumphed most gloriously ouer his enemies so graunt to me that they seeing my patience and beholding my vnmoueable hope may be so ashamed and in their conscience so affrighted that they may like Saul at the death of Stephen be conuerted and after their change of minde magnifie as most pretious the death of thy Saints and by preaching the truth strengthen the brethren and stand fast in the Faith vnto the end O Lord strengthen mee that I may not faint vnder the crosse because thou hast appointed vs thereunto that in thy crosse wee should be more then conquerours and by his example whose steps we should onely follow account our selues most happy that thou wilt call vs and grace vs to lay downe our liues for his name sake as thou hast layd downe thy life for our sakes O God if the righteous scarcely be saued as it seemeth vnto the world through these bitter torments with which wee are to be scourged and made cleane vessels to serue thee in thy Kingdome where shall the wicked and sinners which regard not thy crosse appeare O Lord being confident of thy mercy in the merits of thy Sonne doe I submit my selfe in soule and body to doe seruice and sacrifice vnto thee as vnto a faithfull Creatour knowing that a crowne of glory remaineth for mee Father into thy hands doe I commend my spirit Lord Jesus after death receiue my soule as thou hast all those braue champions that were slaine with the sword that wandered about in Sheepe-skins and Goat-skins and thought it better to liue with beasts in woods and dennes to enioy thee then to liue among men Gentiles and Antichristians and denie thee being destitute afflicted and tormented wandering in Desarts mountaines and dens and holes of the earth to auoyde the beastly and cruell enemies of thy word O Lord as thou hast made thy wrath smoke against the Heathens the Assirians the Egyptians the Moabites the Ammonites that first trampled vnder foote the blood of thy Saints by labouring an vtter consuming of them So O Lord either graunt the conuersion or else let thine indignation appeare in these our dayes against the Turkes Heretikes Athiests and all Antichristian enemies that like Herod and Iulian obstinately persecute and scorne thy name And this though a most vnworthy Suppliant I beseech thee to graunt and that for the honour of thy great name in which thy true Church doth onely trust Amen Amen A thanksgiuing for Gods temporall and spirituall blessings O Most bountifull and kinde Creatour vnto thee in Christ Iesus doe I come and returne most humble and heartie thankes not onely for the generall goodnesse which thou hast extended vnto all mankinde but for that especiall part which thou hadst diuided vnto mee in more speciall manner O Lord I giue thee most humble thankes and praise for that portion of thy blessings set forth vnto mee to my present vse and comfort in this life as for thy daily preseruations of mee not onely in the wombe of my parents but for my safety in my birth that I was not mishapen in breeding nor in comming forth into this world and that after my birth in the time of my swadling bands infancie childhood and youth no mishap nor mishape befell me to the defacing of that perfect shape in which at first thou broughtest me forth O Lord how many children and youth haue beene maymed at nurse and through the carelesnesse of those vnto whom they haue beene committed vnto trust how many haue fallen into the fire and beene burned noâ— onely in some part but in thâ— whole body vnto death and by other chances whereof thiâ— world is full as drowned bruised broken in the body armes backe legges thighes feet in the eyes nose and face O Lord how innumerable arâ— the perils and dangers of this life vnto which euery man is subiect and doth continually run througâ— in euery state and degree of thiâ— present age and life and yet re ceiue no dammage O Lord foâ— these deliuerances from dangers through which I haue passed anâ— receiued no hurt and for whicâ— I haue neuer giuen thee thanks 〈◊〉
Father and doest me foster What words or works can daunt my heart I am in thee become a boaster These men thy might and power disable or else thy loue to man diminish Or else they thinke thou art vnstable and doest begin and wilt not finish Or that the poore wilt not support nor helpe the needie in distresse But as thou knowest what they report so make them feele their wickednesse But I doe know thou failest neuer them that in thee their trust repose If they be constant and perseuer all things are for the best to those Thou art indeede a iealous God and first thy children thou doest monish Thou bear'st with loue and beat'st with rod if they mend not wilt further punish Yet call'st thy chosen children backe by gentle stroakes from running ryot And sufferest them to suffer lacke and doest prescribe to them their diet We may condignely then deride the iudgement of such foolish men That vnto thee Lord will prescribe the measure what and the time when Such fleshly men by wealth and woe censure thy loue or thy displeasure As Natures friend or Graces foe by humane reason all things measure They thinke thou lou'st whom thou feed'st fat with plenty pleasures worldly riches And that all others thou doest hate these world flesh and deuill bewitches And great is this temptation vnlesse our natures thou assist Infeebled with affliction whose helpe doth rest in Iesus Christ. When thou therefore do'st me correct with one hold hold me with the other Let fasth in thee make thee accept me for thy Sonne by Christ my brother Lay not vpon me greater loade then I poore wretch can well endure If I doe sinke stay my aboade and if I fall then keepe me sure Thou know'st Lord whereof I am made I am a silly simple man A worme a flea a puffe a shade that no good doe nor no good can Try by the Crosse true to the Crowne that we may proue by want and losses But to dispaire pull me not downe but vnto comforts turne my crosses I am not able to beare thy yoake vnlesse Christ thy Sonne doe with me draw I am not able to fend thy stroke vnlesse he O Lord doth ward the blow Lord with thy mercies compasse me protection draw out of despaire O let me thy saluation see and all things fit obtaine by Prayer Thou shewest mercy to the meeke that trust in thee in all mens sight There children shall finde what they seeke thou shalt to Sunne-shine turne their night A place whence worldlings are excluded and all the hellish rable out Though here on earth they haue intruded to roote Gods faithfull children out And such as haue with hate pursu'd and trusted in the arme of flesh And haue their hands in bloud imbru'd shall say in iudgement they were rash God's on my side who can ouerthrowe me Christ pleades my cause can God refuse me As iust in Christ the Lord doth know me he doth acquite who can accuse me We thought that this mans life was madnesse then shall the wicked worldlings say But see his words are turn'd to gladnesse whom we haue deem'd a cast-away His hand hath wrought what he would haue yea I my selfe shall say I err'd That thought thou wouldest me not saue because my ioyes were then deferr'd I thought my cries thou would'st not heare when I thee sought thy selfe did'st hide When I complain'd thou cam'st not neere as though thou could'st me not abide But now I knowledge and confesse thy wisedome great in humbling me Thy loue sustain'd me in distresse thy prouidence releeuing me This pass'd all iudgement and conceit of learnedst grauest wisest men Therefore deere Father I will waite take thine owne time how where and when I will not with thy will indent nor thee direct the manner how Thou should'st me helpe 't is mine intent vnto thy will to bend and bowe Hereafter I will hold my peace though men shall say yet still of me And though their tongues will neuer cease there is for me no helpe from thee 〈◊〉 Prayer for a Merchant that God would blesse his Sea aduentures O Almighty God the Creator of heauen and earth and that â—ath made the round world and 〈◊〉 that is therein that stretcheth â—t the North ouer the empty â—aces and hangeth the earth vpâ— nothing that hath set the Sea â—s bounds vntill night and day â—me to an end that diuideth â—e Sea and bindeth the floods â—om ouerflowing that looketh 〈◊〉 the ends of the earth and seeth â—e whole fabrick of heauen and â—e earth and all things therein â—t maketh the waight for the windes and knoweth the measures of the waters that hath since the dayes of Noah shut vp the Sea with barres and dores saying hitherto shalt thou come and no further and heere shall thy proud waues be stayed yet foâ— the families of Jacob at their departure from Egypt and Pharaoh Court thou didst once againe interrupt the boundes of the Seas and made them to stand on heaps that Israel might escape from their cruell and bloody pursuerâ— The waters saw thee O God thâ— waters saw thee were afraid aâ— the presence of the Lord God Aâ— mighty vnto thee most might Jehouah doe I come beseechinâ— thee to prosper my aduentures aâ— the Sea thou art the same Lorâ— that didst prosper the ancient aâ— uentures that thy seruant Salomo made to Opher in the land of Hauâ— lah toward the East O Lord beseech thee that when the wiâ— shall arise the Seas roare tâ— flouds raise them vp into heauen and cast them downe againe into the bottome of the deepe threatning nothing but death and destruction keepe them that they perish not in the proud waues thereof by falling into sands nor by running against the hard rock Keepe them safe in their persons â—nd goods as thou didst Salomons Marriners and the rich treasures 〈◊〉 their vessels O Lord let no â—obbers nor Pirates at Sea attach â—heir persons or goods but proâ—ect them safe out of their hands â—hat I and they being made well 〈◊〉 liue may returne thankes and â—â—sse thee all our dayes both priâ—ately and publiquely in thy holy â—ongregation for they that goe â—to the deepe see the wonders 〈◊〉 the Lord thereby are taught â—w to praise thee Sweet Sauiour as thy Disciâ—s with thee in the Shippe in â—eir extreamities called vpon â—ee to helpe them that they might not perish So O Lord Iâ— cail vpoÌ„ thee beseeching thee to heare me for them and them for themselues and say vnto the Seas peace and be still for they are at thy command to obay thee and therefore subiect at thy rebuke to be still O Lord as thou didst reach forth thy hand vnto thy Disciples and to Peter at midnight when they were in distresse in the raging waues and by calling vnto thee were comforted So O Lord put into their hearts such a reuerend feare of thee that in any danger or extreamity by sea or land they may call vpon
doe me teach In vnderstanding truth instruct me vouchsafe me perfect patiencâ— And to freedome Lord conduct me where is no loss nor paine of sence And from these dangers Lord me free which most I feare and soon'st possesse The comforts most desir'd by me and so enioy true happinesse O make not Lord thy absence long but hasten my deliuerance Against my foes Lord make me strong which doe themselues 'gainst me aduaâ—ce That ready are with onset new for to assault my silly soule Wearied with stormes that doe accrewe and plung'd with waues which o're me roule Wherefore hast thou left vnto vs by thy word a commandement To cast our care on thee which thus with weighty burthens vs torment With promise to vs helpe and ease thou seest and know'st Lord our desire Our secret hearts and all our wayes all 's plaine to thee as light as fire If therefore I should iustifie my selfe I should condemned be Thou find'st me out and do'st me trie my righteousnesse is nought to thee Disclayming my integrity I cast me downe Lord at thy feete And pray for pure sincerity that I doe all in all that 's meete Wherefore thou art most mercifull when wants and weakenesse we confesse Yea then thy gifts are plentifull vs to relieue in our distresse On thee my burthen Lord I lay for well I know thou câ—r'st for all That thee beleeue loue feare obay and for thy grace and mercy call My faith and hope is all in thee I am of imperfections full I aske why thou doest visite me should I that blockish am aâ—… dull Defil'd within and eke without plead duties done â—r else be mute It is in vaine to goe about with thee O Lord for to dispute Who euill am in my best way in purest thoughts yea most impure Pardon my weakenesse Lord I pray and giue me zeale and truth to endure With humblenesse and perfect loue which Lord thou doest of me require Instruct me God with wisedome moue me guide and leade to thy desire Shew me the way that tends to blisse after this my long straying hâ—â—re And bring me home where all peacâ—â—s let thy free fauour Lord appeare Wherein is life and liberty comfort ioy and societie With rest peace and tranquility for them that liue in piety O happy he whom thou protectest most happy he whom thou doest loue He is happy and sure whom thou respectest he is fed and clad from thee aboue In all good things he is rich indeede when he doth call thou doest him heare What he doth aske thou giu'st at neede he seekes and findes them euery where When he is sicke thou doest him â—ure when poore thou doest his wants supply When he is sad he shall be sure thy sauing helpe and health is niâ— When he is troubled doest defend him in danger doest securenesse giue him When men him hate thy loue wilt send him when almost dead life doth reuiue him And giu'st him then such ioyes for euer as no mans wit can apprehend Me fauour graunt Lord bring me thither to these thy blessings without end This fauour Lord vnto me shew and blesse my contemplation Onely in heauen and hee I know is perfect contentation My sorrowes shall be turn'd to ioy my wants vnto sufficiencie My teares to gladnesse from annoy mourning to mirth and melodie My soule keepe safe from death and hell my feete from sliding and from falling Let mâ— vprightly walke and dwell and on thee still O Lord be calling Who do'st performe thy promises and let'st none empty part away That with their hearts seeke thy mercies or doe for helpe or comfort pray Send helpe therefore and saue me from them that would me quite deâ—oâ—re And daily grieue me and depraue me my soule 's with Lyons euery houre I wads as through the raging sea I dwell amongst them set on fire Whose teeth are spears whose tongue beares sway like two-edg'd sword with wrath and ire Thy mercy therefore and thy truth let be my bucklen and strong sâ—…ld Hast beene mine hope euen from my youth let troubles cease new ioyes me yeeld Set me vpon thy rocke for 〈◊〉 of perfect loue and true reliefe Let rest and refuge faile me nâ—uer and thy protection saue from griese Bring thou to passe what 's fit for me what thou doest know expedient That righteous men thâ—â—nd may see and how my hope obâ—â—in'd conâ—â—nt That they may of thy glory talke and speake of thy eternall praise All men shall say that see me walke doubtlesse God will the righteoâ—s raise There is a God thâ—â—'s gracious goâ—d to them that be of perfect heart When he hath all their foes with stood heauens ioyes to them he will impart A Prayer in the time of plague or other extraordinarie sicknesse O Lord our GOD in whose name standeth our helpe and who amongst other euills hast promised vs to deliuer thy people from the 〈◊〉 of the Hunter and the noysome Pestilence wee beseech thee take this thy Plague away from vs And as the stench of our sinnès hath ascended vp into thy nosthrills to prouoke thy wrath against vs so let our humble supplications come before thee to procure our happy and speedie release from it Lord call backe thine Angell and cause him to sheath the sword againe We are thy children the worke of thy hand we are sorrie for our sinnes which are the cause of all this and wee purpose amendment wee are but men dust and ashes not able to beare long therefore Lord haue mercy vpon vs and that soone send vs comfort and suffer vs not to perish after so miserable a sort We thanke thee O Lord that thou hast not left vs altogether comfortlesse without hope but hast somewhat withdrawne thine hand and spared many hundred of vs in comparison of those whom thou slewest before and now wee reioyce at this abatement yet stand in awe we presume vpon this thy fauour but with feare and trembling wee trust it shall be euery day better yet we are carefull to winne it by pleasing thee Wherefore O Lord wee beseech thee blesse vs and all those that depend vpon vs set thy sauing marke vpon our houses as thou didst for the Israelites and giue or er to the destroyer that hee hurt vs not Put thy strength to our medicines guard our regard which wee haue of our selues let thy good blessings make the preseruatiues of the Physitians and our shifting places for more security profitable vnto vs and let vs not trust too much to outward means but chiesely in thy mercy and blessing vpon them Keepe vs downe-lying and vp-rising and protect vs walking in our vocations haue pittie vpon our distressed brethren comfort the desolate widowes prouide for all fatherlesse children Gather vs together againe that by these meanes are dispersed and continue thy mercifull worke in deminishing our dead numbers till wee may iustly say in confidence and thankes with the Prophet we shall not die but liue and declare the
Author and giuer of euery good and perfect gift looke downe vpon mee aâ— thou didst vpon Abimelech Abrahams seruant when he prayed vnto thee to guide and prosper him in the great trust that was committed vnto him in the choise of his Masters sonnes wife as thou wast pleased to heare him for his Masters sonne O Lord I beseech thee to heare me for my selfe Thou hast taught in thy Word that he that cannot abstaine let him marrie and that he that marrieth sinneth not that it is better to marrie then to burne in vnchast and vnbrideled lust and for auoyding of fornication let euery man haue his owne wife yea and that it is not good for man to be alone and woe to him that is alone In the beginning thou madest both male and female and didstordaine that for this cause man and woman should leaue father and mother and become one flesh and that hee that hath not the gift to abstaine should haue a care that he be not vnequally yoked but that he marrie in the Lord and thus to liue is a bed vndefiled and most honourable vnto all Wherefore O Lord I beseech thee to guide me vnto a wife and a vertuous woman for thou hast said that a vertuous woman is a crowne vnto her husband And though she bee comely and beautifull and therefore of many much desired yet O Lord guide mine eyes that I may not thus onely looke vpon a woman for thou hast said if shee haue not discretion she is but like a iewell in a swines snout not to be regarded But a wise woman buildeth her husbands house not onely with children but with her prouident care and discretion in the right gaining and a right vsing of the things of this world Vnto such a family O Lord direct my footsteps and keepe mee from the strange woman a contentious and angry woman the woman of brawling lips with whom there is no comfort nor content in this life to dwell neither for ciuill nor religious respects Heauenly Father if it be thy will for thou knowest what is better for mee then I doe my selfe graunt that the woman that I shall chuse and by thy prouidence thinke fit to take to wife may bee chast not onely of body but of spirit and adorned with the hidden man of the heart a meeke and quiet spirit and one who trusteth in God and delighteth in thee well reported of for good workes and loueth children one who in her wisedome affecteth modesty in all things as in her apparell and behauiour and is in her countenance sober and shamefast and one who delighteth in her home and loueth the affaires of her house and with watchfull eyes will be carefull for her children and seruants This O Lord though no way worthy I beseech thee to graunt vnto me houses lands or other portions of thy blessings thou hast appointed our parents to bestowe on vs but this blessing a wise chast sober and religious woman thou hast kept as a most speciall gift from thy selfe vnto vs and not in our parents or friends but thou bestowest it on him whom thou louest as a choise and most speciall fauour O Lord this is she that Salomon among many women could hardly finde yet graunt that I may finde her and being vnited in holy band may loue her both in sicknesse and in health O Lord graunt that I may walke with her as a man of knowledge readie in all things to teach and instruct her in thy commaundements as being heires together of the grace of life and make mee as truely to loue her as thou doest thy Church this great gift and chiefe blessing of this life I beseech thee if it bee thy will for the honour of thy Sonne to bestow vpon me Amen Amen The Uirgine or the Widdowes Prayer for a godly Husband ALmighty GOD the eternall Creatour of heauen earth the giuer disposer of all things that are done heere on earth Looke downe on mee thy sinfull Handmayd not worthy of any fauour spirituall or blessing temporall Yet O Lord I beseech thee to giue vnto mee thy seruant such wisedome that in all things I may be aduised by them whom thou hast appointed to haue care of my welfare and in nothing to bee so headstrong and aduerse as to follow my owne foolish and sinfull appetite and aboue all make me most dutifull in referring my selfe vnto the louing and carefull choise that my parents or guardians shall make in giuing me to an husband Heauenly Father graunt that they may not like of any without mee nor that I may choose any without them Direct them that they may chuse one in the Lord and that I may like him that is so chosen of them Let not my minde be so wanton as onely to like or dislike for want of beauty or comelinesse of person but if the feare of the Lord the beginning of wisedome appeare vnto mee graunt that I may perswade my selfe that hee is the man that thou hast appointed me O Lord I haue neither wit nor skill how to discerne or make an assured godly choise And thou knowest how cunning and subtill men are to entice and abuse my simple heart and how easily we are ouercome with their vaine complements and flattering words in which they promise much comfort and contentment but when their vnchast desires are satisfied how doe they cast off and scornfully and sinfully reiect those whom they haue abused and allured to folly so they leaue them to perish not onely in worldly misery through outward necessities but for want of teaching and instruction in the Lord Sathan falleth vpon them and through their weakenesse maketh them a prey vnto wickednesse But O Lord though their foule hearts are so deceiptfull that both I and my friends may be deceiued yet thou O Lord canst not be deceiued for thou art the searcher of the hearts and thou knowest what is in man therefore in this weighty worke in which consisteth my worldly weale or wee I doe onely O Lord cast my selfe on thee beseeching thee as thou gauest Euah vnto Adam a man then of innocencie and righteousnesse so thou wilt giue me an honest hearted man and one that truly loueth and feareth thee O Lord if thou haue appointed as is my desire that I shall marrie then I beseech thee send vnto mee a man of good behauiour of good report no extortioner no couetous person no chollericke no quarelsome person no drunkard not couetous of filthy and dishonest gaine no prodigall or vaine person no proud man no adulterer fornicatour whoremaster no swearer or blaspheamer no kinde of inordinate liuer no Papist nor Infidell no Hereticke Schismaticke no traytour vnto his Prince or Countrey no louer of the pleasures of this world either aboue or more than thee no hypocrite vnnaturall false-hearted person vnto mee his parents or friend heauenly Father for my Sauiours sake heare me in these my requests and graunt that if I shall marrie and