a hard matter to bee passed away from those things which doe not so neerely touch man how bitter I pray you will the separation be of soule body two such kind louing familiars who haue alwaies liued sweetly together euen from the mothers wombe surely they cannot bee separated without great griefe If the Oxe doe commonly lowe and mourne when his yoke-fellow which was wont to draw with him is taken away how will euery one of vs mourn when the soule shall be separated from the body Then will they with teares repeate their sinnes againe and againe and cry out O death bitter death doest thou 〈◊〉 separate vs And when the cogitation of so sharpe a separation is deepely setled in our minds then griefe followeth grief and sorrow commeth vpon sorrow for then it commeth presently to mind what a miserable condition the body and soule shall be in after the separation When a man beginneth to recount with himselfe that his body after a few houres shall be buried in a graue or darke tombe hee cannot cease from wondering at so abiect and miserable a condition What the body that now liueth which seeth heareth speaketh shall â—it bee made after one houre in a moment blinde deafe dumbe without spirit without life It shall haue then in stead of a large Pallace a base Sepulcher in stead of a soft bed the hard ground for delights rottennesse for sweete smels stinkes and in stead of seruants and familiar friends wormes And thus this cogitation of the graue will very sore trouble and terrifie a man in these extremities yet notwithstanding euery man feareth much more when he beginneth to consider what condition remaineth for the soule When Man beholdeth that eternitie and that new Region vnknowne to al men liuing which he then alone naked is to enter and when he vnderstandeth that there is to bee found in the same both euerlasting glory and perpetuall paine and miserie and knoweth not of which he shall take his part it cannot bee told with how great feare with what carefulnesse and with what exceeding sorrow hee shall be tormented when he perceiueth plainely that after two houres hee shall be either in eternall ioyes or in euerlasting paines Is not this a crosse very heauy surpassing all other crosses this vncertainty of a blessed or cursed estate which after a small time the sinner expecteth the remembrance of his sins and feare of the iust iudgement of God without hope of remission or faith in Christ is a hell to the mind not to be expressed For by how much the Kingdome which he desireth is of largenesse and by how much the firy furnace which he feareth is terrible by so much the greater shall this perturbation be considering also that Angels shall come to carry the faithfull vp into Heauen and infernall spirits to carry the wicked and infidels into hell But there is yet a farre greater perturbation then this namely that he shall call to mind the accouÌ„t which he is to make to God of all his words deeds and thoughts for of it self 〈◊〉 is a horrible thing to thinke vpon the day of iudgement the which horror will wonderfully and extremely vexe disquiet the Diuels themselues for as so long as we liue they set forth vnto vs the mercy of God and doe also commend the same and doe striue all that they can to keepe vs from meditating of his iustice iudgements euen so now on the contrarie they extenuate and make his mercy insufficient and doe set before our eies the greatnesse and seuerity of the Lords iustice Then will the sinner beginne to tremble and fal into desperation and will beginne to reason thus with himselfe If God for the sinnes of others spared not his onely Sonne will he spare me which am guilty of so many sinnes If this be done in the green tree what shall befall that which is seare and drie If the Prophets if the Apostles if the Martyrs after they liued godly so many yeeres entred not into the Kingdome of Heauen without tribulations what other place can bee left for mee but that of hell fire which know no good that I haue done If the Scripture be true which saith He will render to euery man according to his workes what should I which haue done so many horrible and great wickednesses looke for but eternall torments If that of the Apostle bee true as in deed it is when he saith That which a man soweth that shall he reape what shall hee reape but eternall death which hath made so cursed a so wing Iâ— no polluted thing shall enter into the Kingdome of God how shal I which am altogether filthy and vncleane haue hope to make so happy and blessed an entrance Then all his sinnes which he committed with so greater desire and facility when hee liued shall violently inuade the sinfull man like an hoast of enemies then the feare of punishment will open the eyes which sleeping security in sinne before had shut then ambition pride thefts murthers adulteries fornications gluttonies drunkennesse lying periury idle words vncleane thoughts negligent slacknesse and all that naughty is will come to remembrance O how heauy and grieuous will they then seeme to be which now seem so light and are done with so much sweetnes and pleasure How greatly will they then torment the minde of the sinner Who is able to expresse that last agonie wherein the soule fighteth with sore and painefull sicknesse with the temptations of diuels with feare of the iudgement to come and all this at one instant Then commeth that last perturbation the failing of all the senses as the fore-runner of death approaching which vehemently terrifieth At what time the breast swelleth the speech groweth hoarse faint and hollow the eyes sinke the nose beginneth to be sharpe the countenance waxeth pale the feete die and the arteries send forth a cold sweate These things which do thus appeare outwardly are grieuous and full of horror but they are without all comparison more greeuous horrible which are felt inwardâ—â— for as Saint 〈◊〉 writeth of blessed 〈◊〉 saying Though hee had many yeeres serued God yet did hee feare at the time of his departure What shall they doe who many yeeres haue serued the Diuell and their execrable wickednesses and who haue prouoked God vnto wrath whither shall they goe whose helpe shall they craue what counsell shall they take If they look vpward they shall see the drawne sword of Gods Iustice if downeward they shall see a gulfe gaping and hell fire there if the time past they shall see all things vanished away like a shadow if the time to come they shall behold the eternitie of Worlds which shall last without end Who can bee able to resist and abide the assault of the diuels who will bee then busiest in their desire to bestirre them with all their might and maine What shall then sinfull men doe which are left in this estate Returne they cannot and
slothfull There is no reason in the World that the World should reape that Haruest which God hath bought with the sweat of his bloud no Law for to giue him the lees of wine that hath taken paines to plant the Vineyard and to tread the Presse no equity to leaue him the gleaning to whom the whole sheafe belongeth no iustice to diuide the heart which hee hath made one and to giue the sick and feeble part vnto him and the strong and lusty vnto the Diuell Vnlesse you bring your youngest brother saith Ioseph Gen. 14. you shall neuer see my face againe So vnlesse wee bring young Beniamin that is the first fruites of our youth and tender them to our euerlasting High Priest wee shall neuer partake his ioyful presence neuer enioy his comfortable grace neuer bee comforted with his â—iuine happinesse As young Samuel and young Obadiah being 1 Sam. 2 2 Reg. 18. as it were in their children colours ministred vnto the Lord euen so I in the spring and prime of my youth no way relying vpon aged repentance will confesse my sinnes wholy vnto God and at the barre of his bounty I will sue out a pardon If in Dauids repentance the fire of his deuotion did ascend and moue the Heauens to scabbard vp the wrathfull Sword in the sheath of his omnipotent mercy doubt not but with the same flame to kindle the like sacrifice and with as strong a voice as had Eliah when he brought food from Reg. 1. 17 Heauen to moue the same God to compassion My voice shall bee as able to quench the fire of Gods wrath as was the voice of the three Children that ouercame the hotte burning Furnace My voice shal be as able to procure life as was the voice of Ezechias that 2 Reg. 20 ouercame death As Ionas out of the bellie of the Whale so I out of the hell Ionas 2. 3 of sinne As blind Bartimeus for his want of sight so I in Mar. 20. the sight of my wants will crie to God for his mercifull aide and helpe As young Tobias was not destitute of Tobi. 5. a guide to conduct him to Rages so am not I left ignorant of the way to Heauen Abraham in his iourney to Gen. 12. Canaan tooke a Map of the vpper Canaan and left it registred to all posterities We like so many Abrahams must leaue our Countrey behind our backes must depart and bid adue to the flesh the world and to our selues from pride descending to low humility leauing anger to shake hands with patience giuing our lust the farewell to welcome chastitie excluding enuie to entertaine charitie renouncing cruelty for the exchange of clemency Wee must relinquish and forsake our owne kindred that is the old custome and acquaintance we haue had with sinne shaking the vncleane spirit out of doores and being washt neuer to returne to our olde vomite and being made whole wee will sin no more Wee must turne from the sinister and left hand of this World from the Prince of darkenesse our Father to the right hand of righteousnesse to the King of Kings our heauenly Father which dwelleth in the Land of vertue not in the Land of vice in the Land of peace not in the Land of paine in the Land of ioy not in the Land of sorrow and be partakers of that desired benediction wherewith Isaac in the type and figure of Christ blessed his sonne Iacob Behold the sweet smell of my Sonne that Gen. 27. sauours not of the Onions and Garlicke of Aegypt but the sweete smell of my Sonne that hath beene daintily fed with the choice Milke and Hony of Canaan No flight is more commendable then to flie out of the middest of Babylon to hasten out of Aegypt where miseries haue no period and to trauell to the promised Land where is rest without remoue mercie without measure loue without limit goodnesse in all kind of greatnesse where euery soule may like the Doue in Noahs Arke rest without feare enioy plenty without want take repast without contempt But the frailety of our flesh is so prone to fall into the slipperie vanities of this World which doe so dazell the eies and dull the sences that wee can neither see nor yet remember to tread in the true path of righteousnesse The vanity which reignes in vs is so great that it drawes all our godly desires clean from vs by the pleasingnes thereof and it doth so possesse our weake and fraile flesh whereby it drawes such toyes and phantasies into our wauering minds that it makes vs cleane to forget to labour and trauell to find out the expected promised â—and wherein remaines all rest and pleasure O vaine vaine that wee are that will bee so negligent and carelesse to labour and trauell for a benefit so commodious for the soule of man for the health whereof neither tongue can express nor hart think the comforts it brings But mans life is alway so subiect to fall into the laps of these two vices Pride and Vanity which after they haue once taken hold cleaue so fast to the bone and fasten therein such a deepe roote of continuance as it will be hardly remoued but doe so nuzzle vs in the sweete desire thereof as that they make vs liue without feare either to remember or yet regard the commandements of God which will bring vs to saluation in keeping them On the other side for want of following them we runne our selues to vtter ruine and destruction and withall reape vnto vs such a heauy curse from his diuine and omnipotent Maiestie as the weight thereof will presse vs downe into the bottomelesse pit of hell and there to remaine in darkenes with euerlasting torment which neuer will haue end The miserie that is incident to fraile man through the vaine and fading pleasures of the World is not to bee numbered by reason of our sloth and idlenes in not seruing him that serues vs in all our wants and extremities These things duely considered and pondered in our minds would inforce vs to leaue the diuell and his euill wayes and to follow God and his wayes which are all right and good O let vs call our selues vnto an account with respectiue remembrance what a seducing way is this to them that forget themselues that they are Pilgrimes and Trauellers and stand too much vpon those things which are occurrant in their iourny with a long delay The night will â—ome nay it will come quickely when no man can walke These men shall not come into that heauenly Ierusalem but shall be a prey for the wilde Beasts which walke in the night and for the infernall Wolues For which cause our Sauiour Christ crieth in his Gospell Walke yee while yee haue the light lest the darkenesse come Iohn 12. vpon you It is euidently seen that nothing so much blindeth the eyes of man as the deceits of the world and the vanity of things present
and fansies which beare away the due reuerence wee owe vnto God For when we haue praied to GOD that hee will giue eare vnto our requests and receiue our petitions they are sonegligently done that we had need pray againe to desire him that hee will out of his bountifull loue and great mercy cast his eye of pitty and not of anger vpon the great offence which was committed in the idlenesse of our prayers and supplications made by vs vnto his diuine Maiestie and that he will forgiue vs our sins committed in our prayers because wee thinke then leasâ— of him at the time we make our prayer vnto him neuer remembring the Maiestie of his person to whom weâ— speake nor the Excellencie of the worke wee take in hand neuer rowsing vp the spirit of a sorrowfull repentant heart for our former offences committed but if we â—hance then to stirre vp ouâ— deuotion to prayer we leaue them halt and lame bodie without soule or soule without deuotion sound of lips without the heart one part of our selues without the other or the whole without a whole clamour without intention But Dauid practised true repentance which may not bee repented of and such were the panges and prickings of Iobs heart vnto GOD My groanings saith he come forth before I eate and my roarings are powred forth Not onely groaning nor crying but also roarings with a continual inundation as one waue dasheth forth another Now when the soule is thus prepared to speake the eares of the Lord are euer open to heare the true penitent sinners cry These are wonderfull passions The hungry Lyon in the desert opprest with extremitie of suffering want neuer roared so much for his prey nor the Hart braying after the water brookes as the goodnesse of the Lord in the soule of the faithfull He is the mighty LORD of Heauen and Earth whose name be blessed and hallowed for euer in Earth as it is in Heauen and blessed are all those that are in loue with his goodnes and traâ—â— nearest vnto his steps And to giue vs a further example in his owne cause when his soule was hedged in and enuironed round about with vexation euen vnto death when anguish sorrow incompassed him round about as also then in his greatest agony when he cried with a great voice not for particular persons as before hee wept but vndergoing the burthen and punishment of all the sinnes and sinners in the World My God my God why hast thou forsaken me and crying againe with a great voice gaue vp the ghost Therefore the blessed Apostles mentioning the daies of his humanitie and the exercise of his godly and sacred life and fruite of his lips and the passions of his spirit thought it not enough to giue notice to the World that he prayed to his Father that hee praied with teares which trickled downe his blessed cheekes and watered the ground nor of a cry alone weakely sent out but of a vehement and strong cry which if Heauen were brasse were able to pierce through it and find way into the Sanctuary into the eares of the Almighty Such a prayer as it ascends lightly vp borne vpon the wings of Faith so it eueâ— comes laden heauily downe with a blessing on the head of him that first gaue it flight This Lanthorne of our direction and composition of humilitie and goodnesse this glorious and neuer enough admired LORD of life who prest opprest with the weight burthen thereof groaned vnder the affliction of our sinnes in a most perfect forme of exact obedience with his bleeding teares for vs shewed vs the right forme of faithfull supplications for our selues Let vs then bee importunate and feruent in our praiers that our Petitions may wrestle with GOD and ouercome him For if our praiers bee powred forth in the â—eruentnesse of zeale without wauering then let vs make no doubt but hee wil graciously receiue them into his armes of mercie Way hâ—e thus grieueâ— for vs and shall not wee grieue for ourselues groaned hee vnder the weight of our sin being himselfe without sinne onely in compassion and pitty towards vs why then doe not we continuallie groane and grieue It is so farre from vs that in no way wee giue his heauenlie Maiestie his due except in committing finne and drinking it downe the throate with greedinesse and a desiring thirsting appetite euen as Beheâ—â—th drinketh down Iâ—rdan without sense sorrow or griefe for the same The true consideration hereof will enforce and procure in vs a more perfect desire to follow the true prescription that our Sauiour hath prescribed for vs in his holy Gospell which commandeth vs by expresse words to bee importunate and feruent in our prayers that our Petitions may ascend vp to GOD our Lord and onely Sauiour and there to be receiued into his bosome to preâ—rent a further and greater danger before the dreadfull Maiestie of the omnipotent LORD of Heauen and Earth who with the breath of his nostrels is able to destroy our bodies and soules change the World and the beauty thereof into a Chaos and â—eape of confusion turne the Sunne into darkenesse and the Moone into blood and alter the property and being of all the Creatures in the World at the twinckling of an eye Considering what we are that speake that offer vp the calues of our lippes and the fruites of our repentance poore naked impotent vnworthy wretches wee should be importunate and with a feruentnesse of zeale poure out our supplications vnto GOD that he wil mercifully heare vs and gently receiue our supplications and according to his wonâ—ed goodnesse satisfie our faithfull requests poured forth vnto him in the name of CHRIST IESVS our Lord and onely helper in all distresse But our wretchednesse and mortality our nakednesse in good workes towards him is such that if there were any spark of true faith in vs it would make vs ashamed as it did our first Parents when they bidde themselues from the presence of their GOD. The view of our sinnes is exceedingly sinful the number the weight the danger thereof hang about our neckes like milstones that we are notable nor worthy to cast vp our eyes to heaueÌ„ for our sinnes are so exceedingly miserable that the Prophet of GOD being astonished to see either man or the Sonne of man so kindly visited biddeth vs be feruent in our Petitions to GOD. And we must expect an happy successe of our supplications vnlesse we wil cal in question or doubt of the promises of God which are more stable then the pillars of the Earth or the basis of the surest foundation except we will cast our graine into the earth and expect no haruest plant Vines and not drinke the Wine thereof If wee meane to receiue that at GODS hand we doe expect to haue then wee must prepare our selues in another forme to poure out our vnworthy plaints and petitions and thinke that GOD either heareth not or regardeth not at all the
loue deuoiâ—â— of all â—ypocâ—isie from a purâ— heart to â—oue our Neighbourâ— This Honourable Lord iâ— true Religion whereunto â—â— GOD in great mercy hatâ— called you so gâ—â— cheerefullâ— forward Beware of thiâ— vaine World and of thaâ—â—â—ine trust that wiched mâ—â— are wâ—â—t to put in it leanâ—â—â—t vpon it but stoppe youâ— eares against the eâ—eâ—anting and fawning whisperingâ— of the hollowâ—esse thereof and the dissolute Professors for there can bee â—â— greater trespasse against the Lâ—â—â— theâ—to â—â—â—â— vpon Assyria to rest in the strength of Egypt to goe downe into Ethâ—opia Cursed is that Man that putteth his trust in Man and maketh flesh his â—â—â—e hee shall be like the Heath that groweth in the Wildernesse But con 〈◊〉 He that trusteth in the Lord mercy shall â—mbrace him on euerie side he shall neuer be confounded hee shall bee â—s Mount 〈◊〉 and shall neuer be remoâ—ed for the Lord is his secret place is with him therefore who can â—â— against him What is a â—â—ns â—owe what are his legges what is the swiftnesse of Horses 〈◊〉 the strength of an Hoaâ—â— or the fauour of all thâ— Princes of the World iâ— comparison of God iâ— whom is onely the assurance of that euerlastinâ— inheritance It is the Goâ— of Iacob that must be ouâ— defence our strong Tower and Rock the Chariâ— and Horsemen of Israeâ— the testimony of his prâ—sence and fauour thâ—â— onely can make vs glad Wherefore againe and â—gaine I most humbly beseech your Honour bewaâ—â— of vaine trust and consâ—denâ— in Men and in things thâ—â— are lesse worth then Mâ—â— â—nd as GOD hath in mercy â—estowed vpon your Honour â—reat wisedome so pray that â—ou may haue a discerning â—pirit that the deceiuable â—lory of this World make you â—ot forget your greatest duty â—hat so you may shine in his â—â—erlasting Kingdome True Religion Honouâ—able Lord is effected by â—at diuine and eternall wisâ—â—ome whereby the contemâ—atiue vertue of man is lifâ—d vp to the happy knowâ—â—dge of the Maiesty of God all other the greatest verâ—â—e and wherein resteth the â—â—iefest contentment in this 〈◊〉 For if there be a Pareâ—e in this life it is seated in one of these two either in Religious Meditations or iâ— holy studies and godly specâ—lation because whatsoeuâ—â— is not in one of these two 〈◊〉 full of griefe vexation biâ—ternesse fearefulnesse caâ—â— and sorrow But as Christiâ—â— moâ—esty Right Honourablâ—â— hath moued me to giue to eâ—â—rie thing his due in not ceâ—sing from setting forth aâ— thing in the praise of thâ— which of right deserueth 〈◊〉 be commended so Christiâ—â— Iustice and equity would 〈◊〉 suffer mee to let that paâ—â— without some commendaâ—â—on whereunto I am not abâ— sufficiently to giue any Bâ— considering that slightly commend a thing were the next way to dispraise it exâ—ept withall it were shrâ—wâ—ded under the Patronage of â—ome worthy Person and â—hinking it vnmeete to let â—hat go like an Orphan withâ—ut a father at home I haue â—resumed to commit it vnto our Honours protection not bare Lawrell which of it â—lfe for the greennesse when â—ther be withered may seem 〈◊〉 bee accepted but the same â—ecked and adorned with â—ost heauenly Meditations 〈◊〉 that as I thinke if your â—onour were presented with materiall Lawrell wherein â—esides naturall greennesse â—ere but this neceâ—â—â—ry vse that it could defend you iâ— your Garden from the heatâ— of the Sunne you would accept if not of the gift yet oâ— the good will of the giuer So relying my selfe still vppon your Honours wonteâ— accustomed fauour and clemency I doubt not but yoâ— will affoord mee a fauourable and friendly acceptatioâ— hereof For herein is not thâ—â— greennes which consisting 〈◊〉 naturall qualities must theâ— wither when all things haâ—â— their ending according tâ—â— their nature but the flourishing greene promises of thâ— coâ—enant of God which 〈◊〉 God himselfe last alwaieâ— immutable and vnchangeable Here are not the beautifull leaues of a materiall tree which delight onely the outward sight but a most familiar view and patterne of God himselfe in Christ euen to the delight of the soule and inward comfort of the spirit which take pleasure onely in Heauenly things To conclude here you are not shrowded from the heate of the Sunne but shall finde most coole shade from the parching heate of sinne from which as in duety I am bound I will pray that God in this life shield and defend you and in the life to come grant you euâ—rlasting rest Thus presuming on your Honors wonted fauours and curtesies shewed vnto mee and crauing pardon for this my bold enterprise I humbly take my leaue Your Honors to be commanded in all duty and seruice HENRY THOMPSON An Admonition to the zealous Reader concerning the most godly exercise of PRAYER MAny are the godly and zealous Treatises which are already extant tending to the encouragement of those that hunger and thirst for the true seruice of the liuing God yet gentle Reader I craue thy Christian patience friendly to accept this small trauell of mine and these my simple Admonitions For among all our godly and deuoute Meditations good Christian Reader there can bee none better more acceptable to GOD more commodious and necessary to Man or more fit for vs to the attaining of a good and happy life then at all times to occupic our selues in the continuall remembrance and meditation of the life and death of our Lord Iesus Christ the which thing is plainly shewed and declared not onely by the example and doctrine of diuers holy and learned Men but also by experience it selfe And if thou wouldest flie from sinne and shunne vice then consider with thy selfe what great things the onely Sonne of God both did and suffered to the end thou mightest deliuered from sinne If thou desire to beautifie thy soule with loue humilitie gentlenes patience obedience châ—rity and other vertues then cast thine eye on the perfect and liuely patterne of all vertue which is thy LORD CHRIST himselfe If thou bee desirous to contemne the world and all worldlie vanities and nothing to care for the same then weigh with thy selfe earnestly what kind of life CHRIST our Lord led when hee was liuing here How full of troubles how full of labour and sorrow and how bitter a death hee sustained for Mans saluation Finallâ— if thou wouldest stâ—re vp and inflamâ— thy mind with the loue of GOD and giue him thankes what can in such a case bee more effectuall then still to call vpon GOD and to remember Christ his life and pâ—ssion and how many â—nd great benefits we haue receiued thereby ' Wherâ—upon the Apostle saide for good cause Remember you him who suffered at the hands of sinners that Man should not quaile not bee dismaied in heart and Saint Peter saith That CHRIST suffered that Man should bee also comforted with the remembrance thereof But to the intent that thâ—â— â—ood Christian Reader maiest vse these Meditations to thy great profit thou must obserue this order that
Anâ— thou must purpose with thy selfe to doe â—othing that day which may displease God but meditate in thy minde some godly meditations desiring his assistance for the furtherance of the true seruing his omnipâ—tent Maiâ—sty â— A Prayer before wee settle our selues to our Deâ—â—tions O Most gracious Lord giue me leaue to present my selfe before thy diuine Maiestie and to poure out my vnworthy prayers in the sight of thy most mighty and glorious presence Behold mee O Lord not in my merits but in the multitude of thy mercies I now comâ— to make manifest my necessities and to vtter my griefeâ— vnto thee I come as a poorâ— and needy wretch vnto â— God of infinit glory I comâ— as a worme of the Earth vnto my Soueraigne Makeâ— and Creatour I come as â— guiltie hainous offendeâ—â— I am not worthy to lift vâ— mine eyes to Heauen muâ—â— lesse to open my mouth in thy glorious presence oâ— presume to talke with â— Lord and King of so great â— Maiesty being my selfe buâ— slime and ashes but ô Fatheâ— of mercies and God of all comfort thou promisest that who asketh shall receiue â— who knocketh shall bee leâ— in who seeketh shall findeâ— Thou inuitest the greatest â—inners and refusest not to â—eelde thy assistance to any â—hat will vse it grant mee â—herefore grace now to pray â—nto thee as my duety and â—hy desert requireth grant â—e a pureintention a ferâ—ent deuotion and an attenâ—â—ue mind that it be not carâ—ed away with impertinent â—oughts nor any other diâ—raction but with humble â—eart firme hope and perâ—ct charity I may effectualâ—e pray vnto thee and aske â—f thee that which thou seeâ—t most for thy glory and â—y good graâ—t Lord I beâ—ech thee that thou wilt â—elpe mee to pray worthily â—at thou maiest mercifuâ—ly â—rant my Petitions keepe â—y thoughts from wandring râ—straine my imaginations and preserue my sences from being distractedâ— defend O Lord my weakâ— heart from ghostly assaultsâ— and so fixe my minde vpon thee that I be not carrieâ— away from consideration oâ— thy presence grant mee distinctly to pronounce my words attentiuely to apply my thoughts and to bee wholly rauished and possessed with zeale and true deuotion O Lord grant me to aske forgiuenesse with â— deepe contrition and fulâ— purpose of amendement â— grant me to craue thy benefits with hearty thankfulneâ—â— for those which I haue receiued Grant mee to pray for my selfe with a perfect resignation vnto thy will and â—or all others with true chaâ—itie and sincere affection Affoord O Lord such comâ—ort to my soule as thou â—eest fit â—or mee and by the â—ssistance of thy spirit inspire â—hy good motions into mee â—hat I may feele them forciâ—ly accept them thankefulie and fulfill them effectuâ—llie Finally I humbly beâ—eech thee of thy mercy and goodnesse that I may praise â—hee with a true repentant â—eart to appease the fury of â—hy anger against me whereâ—y I may come to enioy â—ith thy Maiesty eternall â—lorie without end Amen A Morning Prayer O Most gracious LORD and Omnipotent Father thou which madeâ—â— Heauen and Earth the Sea and all that is therein together with thy dearely beloued Son IESVS CHRIST and with thy holy Spirit thou hast brought vs to the beginning of this day thorow thy goodnesse now we beseech thee that this day wee fall into no sinne buâ— that we may accomplish thy holy will by directing ouâ— words framing our thoghts and disposing our doing accordingly Helpe vs anâ— further vs O Lord in all ouâ— Prayers that whatsoeuer wâ— doe may alwaies take beginning from thee and being so begun wee may proceede in true seruing of thee who art the Fountaine 〈◊〉 light and most peerelessâ— spring of Wisdome LORD vouchsafe that the beames of thy wonderfull glorie may beate against my darke and smal vnderstanding and driue from me two kinde of mists to wit sinne and ignorance wherein I was borne Thou O Lord that makest the tongues of little Infants to be eloquent teach me to rule my tongue and let thy grace and blessing bee pouâ—ed on my lippes Giue mee sharpnesse of vnderstanding thy heauenly word and ability to retaine it a facility to serue a good kind of interpretation a good place to vtter my words and that they may tend to thy glory and guide my entrance to the matters I speake of direct my proceeding in the same and make perfect my conclusion Come Holy Ghost fill my heart with thy faith and kindle in mee the fire of thy loue doe thus good Lord who diddest bring the Gentiles to the vnity of thy saith by all kindes of diuers and strange languages send out Lord thy holy Spirit and all things shall be created and thou shalt make fresh the face of the Earth and thou that hast taught the Hearts of thy faithfull by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost giue mee the same spirit right vnderstanding and alway to reioice in thee make mee forsake Sathan and cleaue to thee ô Christ who art the way truth and life shew me thy wayes ô Lord and teach me thy pathes direct my steps according to thy word that no vnrighteousnesse reigne ouer mee Maâ—e my going perfect in thy wayes that my steps be not moued Lord whi hart the Father of grace anâ— mercie desend me from my enemies and receiue mee at the houre of my death Good Lord grant I may depart in a good houre out of this World and that I may arise from the death of sinne and walke in newnesse of life that when I shall rise againe at the latter day when our life shall be seene manisestly of all men I also may bee openly but fauourably seene of thy glory who liueâ—â— and reiguest one GOD World without end Amen Another Prayer for the Morning O Lord God and my heauenly Father I do here present my selfe with my morning sacrifice vnto thy Omnipotent Maiestie crauing thy mercifull aide for the strengthening of my weake faith at this present that thereby I may be made the more apt and able to serue thy heauenly Maiesty in all holinesse and true sincerity of heart And now that the time allotted for my feeble senses is expired and that the spring of the morning approacheth I offer vp my bounden duety of praise and thankesgiuing to thy euer blessed and glorious Maiestie vpon whom all the houres and moments of life depend for adding yet more space vnto my daies for granting me a larger time of repentance for the obtaining of thy grace and exercise of vertue and amendement of my sinfull life O eternal and euerliuing God who art the guardian to all true beleeuers make me euermore to magnifie and extoll thy mercies and in true token of this my thankefulnesse hauing nothing more neere vnto me then my selfe I here offer and present my selfe body and soule vnto thy heaâ—enly will and pleasure beseeching thee to dispose of me as of thine owne to direct the remainder of my life to thy Honour and seruice
beseech thee saue my enemies from thy wrath and forgiue them that haue offended thee like as I would bee forgiuen in those things whereby I haue offended thee Giue mee grace to order my life O Lord and the workes of my bodie soule with resolued intent neuer to offend thee whereby I may receiue the reward of thy infinite ioy and eternall felicitie O Lord Iesus Christ grant mee whatsoeuer thy diuine wisdome knoweth most expedient for mee and that this miserable life is not worthy to obtaine Grant at the houre of my death I neuer fall from thee when as I shall bee accused for my hainous offences and sinnes committed against thy omnipotent Maiestie I beseech thee breake my froward heart and make it obedient vnto thee Lord keepe me from sudden death and preserue mee so by thine almightie hand and grant me sweete Father to haue a contempt of this World that I may with a iâ—yfull heart come into thy blessed presence Let the remembrance of thy death make mee ioifull wherby I may endure temptations tribulations and make mee so to loue thee that I may come to inherite that ioifull immortall and glorious life most excellent blisse and endlesse felicitie which is ordained in thy heauenlie Kingdome and for thy seruants prepared Lord grant me these supplications which I haue made to thee at this present grant me here in this Pilgrimage a gracious life and â— blessed ending free from debt and deadly sinne and after my death bring mee to euerlasting life there to haue an endlesse blisse and felicitie Amen A Prayer to GOD for hiâ— great goodnesse vnto Man O My Soueraigne Lord Iesu the very true Son of Almightie God that sufferedst death for my sake I beseech thee Lord haue mercie on mee that am a wretched sinner but yet thy creature For thy tender passion keepe me from all perils bodilie and ghostlie and especiallie from all things that may turne to thy displeasure And with all my heart I thanke thee most mercifull Lord for the great mercies which thou hast shewed me in the great dangers which I haue beene in as well in soule as in bodie and that thy grace and endlesse mercie hath alway kept and saued mee since the houre of my birth vnto this day Lord I beseech thee let thy mercie be continued towards mee and for my great offences vnkindnesse wretched and sinfull life Lord â— humblie aske pardon for the same at thy Almightiâ— hands And I thanke thee moâ—â— gracious Lord for thy greâ—â— benefits and graces which thou hast so largely bestowed on me before many other Creatures who haue betteâ— deserued then I. Lord I doe here meekeliâ— prostrate my selfe in heart aâ— it becommeth thy seruant promising neuer to offenâ— thee more tendering all honour and praise to thy holiâ— name who liuest raigne one God World withoâ—â— end Amen A Prayer to GOD to deliâ—er vs from our ghostlie Enemies MOst deare Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ I beseech thee of thy benigne goodnesse and mercie to protect saue keepe and defend me against the assaults of my ghostlie enemies for I haue no other trust hope nor succour but thee alone Grant me therefore most gracious Father to dread loue thee aboue all things in this present life and after this life ended to enioy the Kingdome prepared for all true beleeuers Further I beseech thee that thou wilt vouchsafe out of thy great mercie and clemencie to shew thy bountifull goodnesse vpon me anâ— to forgiue me all my sinnes and grant that I may perseuere euerlastinglie in alâ— goodnesse and serue thee aright that after this life â— may raigne with thee in euerlasting glorie Worlâ— without end Amen A Prayer to GOD daâ—lie to be saide O My most blessed Lord the wel spring of pity and Fountaine of endlesse mercie I humbly beseech thee to giue mee grace so to spend this my transitory life in vertuous and godly exercises that when the day of my death shal come though I feele paine in my body yet I may feele comfort in my soule and with a faithfull hope of thy mercie imbrace thy messenger so contentedlie that I may wâ—llingly thorow thy grace and strength depart out of this vale of misâ—riâ— in loue towards thee and charitie towards the World that I may hasten me to that glorious Counâ—rey wherein thou hast purchased mee an inheritance for euer with thy most precious bloud O my sweete Sauiour and Lord Iesus Christ I beseech thee while thou doest suffer mee to liue in this World be so gracious a Father as to giue vnto me a contrite and cleane heart quiet and patient a bodie chaste humble and obedient to follow thy will and alwaies ready to do thee seruice To thee O God bee alâ— praise which hast â—ermitteâ— mee to accomplish thiâ— worke grant O â—ordâ— iâ— may bee to thee acâ—eptable to my soule healthfâ—l and to others profitable through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer to be vsed at all times O Heauenly Lord and Omnipotent Father the patterne of all goodnes and follower of all vertues most stoute ouerthrower of all wickednesse and sharpest rooter vp of vices mercifullie behold my frailety and pronenesse to euill Helpe me with thy superâ—al power that I may learne â—o despise all earthly pleaâ—â—res and the vanities thereâ—â— and loue all celestiall and â—eauenly things Make mee resist all sinne which stands betweene thy â—aiesty and my weake spiâ—â—t ready to ouerthrow mee â—â— thy mercies were not assiâ—â—ant to my poore soule Make me to withstand all â—â—mptations firmely to imâ—race vertue to eschew all â—orldlie honours and carâ—all delights and to bewaile â—â—ine offences committed in â—y sight I beseech thee restraine my â—â—bridled desires with thy â—â—uing hand whereby I may â—â—staine from a leude and â—ose life and accustome my selfe with goodnesse to thâ— end that by thy benefit anâ— gift of grace by the true woâ—shipping and seruing of thâ— Omnipotent Maiestie I maâ— possesse the Crowne of eueâ—lasting life in thy Kingdomeâ— prepared for thine â—leâ— World without end Amen A Prayer to bee daily saide vnto our Lord Iesus Christ O Maker of Heauen anâ— Earth King of Kingâ— Lord of Lords which of nothing diddest make mee tâ— thine Image and likenessâ— and didst redeeme mee witâ— thine owne blood when I sinner was not worthy tâ— name to call or with heâ— to thinke vpon thee Humbly I desire meekâ—ie pray thee that thou gentâ—ie wilt behold mee thy sinâ—ull and wreâ—ched seruant O haue mercie on mee thou which â—adst mercy on the woman of Canaan vpon Mary Magdalen vpon the â—ublican vpon the thiefe â—anging on the Crosse Vnto thee I confesse Lord â—y sinnes which if I would cannot hide from thee Haue mercy Lord on me or I am a wretched sinner â—hich haue sore offended â—ee in pride couetousnsse â—luttony letchery vaingloâ—â—e hatred enuie adulterie â—â—est lying backbiting â—orting dissolute and wanâ—â—n laughing idle words â—aring tasting sleeping â—orking and many more waies
mee the deedes of â—e flesh which are these â—dultery fornication vncleaâ—â—sse wantonnesse idolatry â—itchcraft hatred variance wrath strife sedition sects eâ—uying murther drunkennesse gluttony and such like anâ— plant in mee the fruites of thâ— Spirit as loue ioy peace long suffering gentlenesse faithfuâ—nesse meekenesse and tempâ—rance As concerning the coâ—uersation in times past giueâ— grace to put off the old mâ—â— which is corrupt through tâ—â— deceiuable lusts and to be â—â—nued in the spirit of my mindâ— and to put on the new maâ— which after the image of Goâ— is shapen in righteousnesse anâ— true holinesse Suffer me not to lie buâ—â— speake truth vnto my Neigâ—bour For as much as wee â—â— members one of another Suâ—â—â—â— me not to be angry that I 〈◊〉 let not the Sunne goe down vpon my wrath neither let 〈◊〉 giue place vnto the back-biter Grant that he which afore hath â—â—ollen may from henceforth â—teale no more but rather laâ—or with his hands some good â—hings that hee may haue to giue vnto him that needes Let â—o filthy communication proâ—eed out of my mouth but that which is good to edifie withâ—ll when neede is that it may â—â—ue fauour with the Hearers Let all bitternesse fiercenes â—nd wrath roaring and cursed â—peaking bee put away from â—â—e all maliciousnesse Make â—â—ee curteous to all men and â—ercifull forgiuing euen as God for thy sake forgaue me As for fornication and all vnleannesse or couetousnesse let â—â— not bâ—e once named among â—s as it becommeth Saints â—either filthy things neither foolish talking neither iesting which are not comely but rather giuing of thankes Put vppon me tender mercy kindnes humblenesse of minde meekenesse long-suffering forbearing my Neighbour but abouâ— all these thingâ— put vpon mâ— loue which is the bond of perfection grant that the peacâ— of God may euermore rule â—â— my heart and that I may bâ— thankefull for all thy benefitsâ— Finally whatsoeuer thing are true whatsoeuer things aâ—â— honest whatsoeuer things aâ—iust whatsoeuer things 〈◊〉 pure whatsoeuer things pâ—â—tain to loue whatsoeuer thingâ— are of honest report if there bâ— any vertuous thing if there â—â— any laudable thing grant thâ—â— I may haue them in my minde and practise them in my conuersation and liuing that whatsoeuer I breathe think speake â—or doe all things may bee done â—nto the honour glory and praise of thy name who liuest and raignest with God the Father and God the Holy Ghost true liuing and euerlasting GOD World without end Aâ—en A Prayer for Faith VVEe are taught by thy holy Apostle O most louing Sauiour that whatsoeuer is not of Faith is sinne and that it is impossible to please thee without faith and therefore they that come vnto thee must beleeue that thou art God yea and sâ—ch a God as is both able and also will aboundantly reward all them that with true faith seeke thee For thy eyes O Lord looke vpon Faith and thou doest appeare and shew thy selfe vnto them that haue faith in thee yea through faith thou being the King of glory art married to the soules of thy faithfull makest them partakers of thy diuine nature through the wonderfull working of thy blessed Spirit Through Faith so many as beleeue are iustified made the soâ—nes and heires of God and haue euerlasting life By Faith we obtaine of God all good things euen whatsoeuer wee doe aske in thy name Seeing that Faith is so precious a Iewell in thy sight that without it nothing is acceptable vnto thy diuine Maiestie and I of mâ—ne owne nature cannot haue this most singular gift except thou giuest it vnto mee from aboue and doest breathe it into my heart by thy holy Spirit for of my selfe I am blind ignorant foolish and by no meanes can perceiue the things which pertaine to the Spirit of God I most humbly beseech thee to take away from me all infidelitie and vnfaithfulnesse which I receiued of old Adam and to plant in me true faith vndoubted beliefe that I may bee throughly perswaded that thou art the Sonne of the liuing God very God and very Maâ— our alone sweete smelling sacrifice our alone Mediatour Aduocate and Interceâ—â—or ouâ— alone wisdome righteousnâ—â—â—â— â—anctification and redemptiâ—â—â— by whom alone and for whose sake onely thy Heauenly Father is well pleased with mee whereby my sinnes are remitted grace and euerlasting life is giuen me O Lord God suffer mee not to leane to mine owne wisedome nor to beleeue as blinde flesh fansieth nor to â—eeke saluation where superstitioÌ„ dreameth but let my faith onely be grounded on thy Word And giue me grace truly to beleeue in thee with all my heart to put my trust in thee to looke for all good things of thee to call vpon thy blessed name in aduersitie and with a ioyful voice and more merry heart to praise and magnifie it in prosperitie Suffer me not to doubt neither of God my Heauenly Father â—or of God his Sonne nor of God the Holy Ghost but earnestly to beleeue that they being distiâ—ct persons are notwithstanding one very God beside whom there is no God neither in Heauen nor in earth Grant also that I may assuredly beleeue whatsoeuer is contained in the Holy Scriptures and by no meanes suffer my selfe to bee plucked from the veritie thereof but manfully and stedfastly abide in the same euen vnto the death rage World â—oare Diuell And this Faith O sweete Iesuâ— encrease thou in me more and more that at the last through thy goodnesse I may be made perfect strong in thy holy Religion and shew my selfe both before theâ— and the World truly faithfull by bringing forth plenty of all good workes vnto the gloriâ— and honour of thy name which with God the Father and God the Holy Ghost liuest and raignest true God World with out end Amen A Prayer vnto GOD that weâ— may liue in his feare and that he will turne his plagues from vs. O Heauenly Father most merciful Lord deale not thou with vs after our sinnes neither reward vs after our iniquities Indeed thou in thy holie Law doest thereaten to punish with plagues noysome diseases such as neglect and set at nought thy will word and liue licentiously according to their owne lusts and appetites to send vpon them great plagues with many other innumerable and vnknowne infirmities as iust punishments for their iniquities Yet O Father of mercy and Lord of all comfort I beseech thee inspire into my heart such a regiment of feare to offend thy diuine Maiesty that thereby I may turne vnfeinedly vnto thee and serue thee truly learning to liue according to thy law louing one another as Christs true children in deede and not spoiling or deuouring one another For hee that loueth not his brother though he liue yet he abideth in death and hee that hateth his Brother is a Man-slayer and killeth him in his heart but loue shall couer â— multitude of sinnes and so also God shall bee glorified and shall
to thy Heauenly Father brakest it and gauest it to thy Disciples saying Take ye â—ate ye this is my body which is giuen for you doe this in remembrance of me Because the singular and inestimable benefit of our redemption brought to passe by the one and onely oblation of thy blessed bodie broken on the Altar of the Crosse should not bee forgotten Thou brakest the bread in the sight of the Disciples and gauest vnto them commanding them to cate it in the remembrance of the breaking of thy body which then was betraied by the traiterous Disciâ—le Iudas that sonne of perdiâ—ion and the day following was vnfainedly broken on the Crosse for our ransome deliuerance and saluation here â—liddest thou appoint the breaking of the bread among the faithfull gathered together for that purpose a worthy blessed memoriall of thy bodie broken And because the breaking of thy bodie should be the better remembred thou diddest innoble the bread with the name of thy bodie when notwithstanding it was onely the figure signe token and memoriall of thy holy body In like manner when supper was done thou tookest the cup in thy hands gauest thankes to thy Heauenly Father and deliueredst it vnto thy Disciples saying Drinke ye all of this for this is my blood of the â—ew Testament Conenant or Bargaine which shall bee shed for many for the remâ—ssion of sinnes this doe so often as you drinke it in the remembrance of mee As by the breaking of thy blâ—ssed bodie our ransome is perfectly paid so by the shedding of thy blood are all our sinnes euen vnto the vttermost washed away Therefore as by the breaking of the bread thou wouldest the breaking of thy bodie and the benefits gotten by it to bee remembred among the faithfull so to that end that the shedding of thy blood and the merites thereof should not be forgotten Thou gauest them the Cup of Wine to drinke commanding them that so oft as they or any of the faithsull gathered together for that purpose to drinke of the Cup they should remember thy death and the shedding of thy precious blood as thy holy Apostle saith As oft as ye shall eate this Bread and drinke of this Cup yee â—hall shew the Lords death till he come And as thou didst ennoble the Bread with the name of thy body being but the figure of thy bodie because the breaking of thy body should the better be remembred So likewise here doest thou garnish and nobly set forth the wine naming it thy blood when notwithstanding it onely representeth and preacheth vnto vs the shedding of thy blood because it should be the more deepely grauen and the better retained in our minds O most mercifull Redeemer gentle Sauiour we are come together at this present to celebrate the memoriall of thy blessed and glorious passion and to eate and drinke this Bread and wine in the remembrance of thy blessed Body breaking and thy precious Blâ—od shedding Most humbly and from the verie heart beseeching thee to giue vs grace worthily to eate this Bread and drinke of this Cuppe lest by the vnworthy receiuing of them wee be guilty of thy bodie and blood and so eate and drinke out owne damnation and that wee may come the more worthily vnto this thy Table Grant that we may earnestlie bee at defiance with all sins and so inwardly bee ashamed that we at any time haue grieuously offended thy diuine Maiestie by attempting anie thing that is not agreeable to thy good pleasure that from hence forth wee may not onely loath detest and abhor whatsoeuer is displeasant vnto thee but also imbrace and lay hand on that which is good and acceptable in thy sight Forgiue vs all our sinnes and giue vs grace euen with our whole heart to loue all men yea our very enemies and not only to forgiue all such as haue offended vs but also to be readie at all times to doe for them whatsoeuer good or pleasure we be able And that wee may bee the more welcome vnto thee and bee found meete and worthy guests to sit at this Table and to eate of these thy blessed giâ—ts and that our soules may be well comforted nourished fedde and made merrie by the worthy receiuing of them cloath vs we pray thee with that wedding garmeâ—â— euen true and liuely saith wherewith our hearts are purified wherewith we are married vnto thee and made one flesh and one blood with thee wherewith also wee are iustified and counted righteous in thy sight And grant that through the same faith wee earnestly set the eyes of our minde on these thy most sweete and louing promises My Body shall be broken for you my Bloud shall bee shedde for you for remission of sinnes And all this not for our â—ood deeds and merites which â—â— this behalfe are none but for â—he worthinesse of thy blessed â—assion for the dignitie of thy â—recious blood and for the onâ—e and alone sacrifice of thy â—olie bodie For that O Lord is the salue that heâ—â—eth our soules that is the medicine that comforteth our weake and troubled consciences that is the liuing bread whereâ—f whosoeuer cateth shall neuer hunger but liue for euer That is the Iewell of Ioy thaâ— maketh our sorrowfull hearts merrie that is the mighty Bulwarke the strong desence the sure Fortresse that preserueth and keepeth harmelesse against Sathan sinne death Hell desperation and all the infernall Powers to come to the Table to beo present at the Supper to heare and see what is there done yea and to receiue the holy mysteries of the body anâ— blood there set forth vnto vs profiteth vs nothing at all if wâ— faithfully beleeue not That thy Bodie was broken and thy blood shedde for our sinnes and that by the one oblation thereof done once for all our sinnes are forgiuen vs our Heauenly Father is reconciled vnto vs his wrath stirred vp thorow sinne against vs is pacified quietnesse of conscience euerlasting life is giuen vs but it rather turneth vnto our damnation because wee eate of this bread and drinke of this cuppe vnworthily and shal with that hypocrite which â—resumed to come vnto the marriage not hauing the wedding garment bee bound hand â—nd foote and cast into vtter â—arkenesse where shall be weeâ—ing and gnashing of teeth Therefore wee humbly beâ—eech thee to giue vs grace acâ—ording to thy Apostles counâ—â—ll diligently to proue trie and examine our selues whether such repentance such faith such loue such disposition towards all godlinesse bee sound in vs or not as thou dost require in them which will come worthily and with fruite vnto thy Table And for as much as it is thy gift to repent heartily to beleeue truly to loue vnfainedly to be disposed earnestly to embrace true godlinesse and to goe forward in the same from vertue to vertue vnto the ende Grant I most intirely pray thee I may so repent that the fruites thereof may bee found in me so beleeue that I may acknowledge thee my
onely Sauiour so loue thee that all mine affections may bee set on thee alone and so embrace true godlinesse that our whole life may be a cleere mirrour of all vertue and goodnesse so shall wee through thy mercie bee found worthy guests of this thy Table and receiue these holy mysteries to the saluation of our soules Yea so shall we be well assured of the remission and forgiuâ—nesse of all our sinnes By the breaking of thy blessed bodie and the shedding of thy precious blood our consciences shall bee quiet our hearts shall be filled with all true and spirituall ioy we shall triumph ouer Sathan sinne death hell and desperation wee shall be partakers of all the fruites and merites of thy blessed passion bee made one body with thee fellow-heires in euerlasting glorie O Lord God let it so come to passe for the honour of thy name Amen A Thankesgiuing after the receiuing of the Communion VVEe thanke thee O Heauenly Father for the blessed passion and glorious death of thy dearely beloued Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ by whose holy wounds we faithfully beleeue and are assuredly perswaded that thy wrath is not onelie pacified towardes vs buâ— that thou also are now become our most mercifull Father and hast freelie forgiuen vs all our sinnes Restore vnto vs thy heauenlie grace and make vs sonnes and heires of thine eternal glorie And because wee should not doubt of thy Fatherlie goodnesse rewards vs 〈◊〉 in the deâ—th of thy 〈◊〉 the same Son Christ 〈◊〉 Lord hath lâ—â—t vnto vs not onely his holy Word but also a blessed memorial of his death and passion set forth 〈◊〉 the holy bâ—â—ad and wine which weat this present haue receiued both for a remembrance of the breaking of his blessed body and the sâ—edding of his moâ—â— prâ—â—inâ—â— blood 〈◊〉 also for the quietnâ—sse of our â—â—onscience and â—â—â— the 〈◊〉 of the remissiâ—â— of our â—â—â—nes through faithâ—â—â—â—â— We 〈◊〉 thee O Heaâ—â—enly Father that we be neuer vnmindefull of this thy exceeding great kindnessâ— not vnthankefull for thy maâ—ifolde blessings vnspeakable mercies declared vnto vs in the glorious death of thy welbeloued Sonne but so worke thou in vs through thy holy Spirit that wee may be made worthy members of that bodie whereof thy Sonne and our Sauiour Christ Iesus is the head And that we may so faithfullie beleeue in thee and so â—eruently loue one another alway liuing in thy feare and in the obedience of thy holy law and blessed will that wee being fruitfull in all godly and Christian workes may traine our liues according to thy good pleasure in this transitorie World and after this fraile and short life obtaine the true and immortal life where thou with thy dearely beloued Sâ—nne our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ and the Holy Ghost that most sweete Comforter liuest and raignest one true God in all honour glorie World without end Amen A Prayer to be saide at the receiâ—ing of the mysterie of Christs Bâ—die in the Communion O Heauenly and blessed Father â—â—render vnto thoe most hearty thankes for all thy benefits which thou hast shewed vnto mee a most wretched sinner but especially for that most sweete smelling sacrifice which thy onely begotten Son offered vnto thee on the Altar of the Crosse by giuing his most pure and vndefiled bodie vnto the death for the redemption of Mankinde in remembrance whereof according to thy wellbeloued Sonnes ordinance I now receiue this holie bread most entirely beseeching thee that I may both be partaker of the merites of thy deare Sonnes Body-breaking and also leade a life worthy so great a benefit to the glorie oâ— thy name Amen A Prayer to be saide at the receiuing of the mysterie of Christs bloud in the holy Communion O Blessed and mercifull Father thy loue towards mee sinful Creature is so exceeding great and vnspeakable that I cannot but giue vnto thee most humble thankes namely for the shedding of the most precious bloud of thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ by the vertue whereof thy wrath stored vp against me wretched sinner is pacified my ransome is paide the Law is fulfilled mine enemies are ouercome put to flight In remembrance of this so noble a victorie and of so great a benefit I am come vnto this Table O merciful Father to drinke of this Cup desiring thee that as my outward man is comforted by the drinking of this wine so likewise my inward man may bee comforted and made strong by true faith in the precious blood of thy most deare Sonne O Lord and my Heauenlie Father giue me thy holy Spirit which may so rule gouerne my heart that I neuer bee vnthankefull nor forgetful of this thine exceeding great kindnes but so traine my life according to thy blessed will that whatsoeuer I doe speake or thinke may bee vnto the glory of thy most blessed name and the health of my soule through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Morning salutation to GOD for wisedome for grace and forgiuenesse of sinnes MY Soule O Lord hath desired thee in the night season and I haue also waited for thee in spirit and minde all the morning beseeching thee that thy presence which I sore haue longed for may expell from me all my sinne Lord water the secrets of my heart with thy manifolde graces and mightily enâ—â—â—â—e the same with thy loue And now my most sweete Lord Iesus Christ I rise and come early to thee in the morning and pray thee from the bottome of my heart that thou wilt hearken vnto my prayers and godlie requests which I doe most humbly in heart offer vnto thee for thou art the wisdome the eternall brightnesse and verie figure of the substance of the Father who hast created all things of nothing And because thou wouldest bring againe Man to the pleasure of Paradise thou camest downe from Heauen into this vale of miserie and by thy holie conuersation thou hast shewed and trod him the path thereunto and for ransome of all Man-kinde thou wouldest bee offered to thy Father as a most immaculate Lambe Open by thy Holy Spirit my stony and hard heart that with the eies of a perfect beliefe â— may alwaies behold thee who art King of Kings and Lord of Lords Giue mâ— wisâ—dome truly to consider of thy â—eath and passion that thereby I may profit in thee onely who art as a Booke of charitie for me Grant mee that I be vtterlie destitute of all vanities that now I be not he whom heretofore I haue beene but doe thou alwaies abide in me that so linked vnto thee I neuer sâ—verue or decline from thee Send downe good Lord thy wisedome from the seate of thy Maiestie that shee may labour and be with mee that I may know what is acceptable in thy sight that my heart and senses may bee enlightened whereby I may vnderstand how to bee a true follower of thy Precepts O my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ who art most sweete vnto mee