waxe fainte herein specially towards the faithfull for as much as thou our heauenly father art good and sufferest thy Sun to rise both on the good and euil and rainest on the iust and vniust I beséech thee let vs follow this thy liberal example that wee may shew our selues to be thy true sons that thy name be not dishonored or thy honor vioalated who liuest and raignest true and almighty God now and for euer Amen For the vnity of the Church MErcifull God who hast called vs by one and the same hope of our calling euē as there is one Lorde one faith one baptisme one God and Father of vs al or more rather as thou the Father art one God with Christ thy beloued Sonne in the holy Ghost so ought we to be one in thée I therefore do beséech thée that all that beare the name of Christian men may bee of one mind in the true catholike faith and that we may be careful to maintaine the vnitie of the Church in the bonde of peace to vnite our hearts in charitie Take from vs all carnall affection enmity hatred and swelling of mind and curiositie of foolish and vnprofitable questions that beget nothing but strife Breake the power of the diuel with the malice and deceit of men who indeuour to disseuer that band of vnity Assist vs O mercifull God that as many as haue departed frō the sound vnderstanding of the scriptures according to the interpretation of the holy Ghost whome our Sauior left to be the comforter directer of his church and of a reprobat mind haue brought in errors heresies strifes they may throughe thy grace returne to the acknowleding of thy trueth Likewise defend vs from the tumultuous spirits of errors and schisme that the church be not troubled and the harts of the ignoraunt seduced by sugered wordes So shal we of one agréement and with one mouth honour thee the God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ. Amen For the preseruation of the Church O Father of all mercy conserue I beséeche thée thy vniuersall Church the congregation of all true faithful people against the gates of hell against all the deceiptful snares of the Diuell and against all malice and rebellious madnesse of the worlde saue thy Arke and al christians therin that it perish not in the raging sea and tossing waues I beseech thee Suffer thy Church that it may remain vnshaken vpon that foundation and firme corner stone wheron it was by thee erected O lord God of might and vertues turne towards vs looke downe from heauen and visite this thy vineyard Make that perfect which thy right hand hath planted and which thou hast chosen vnto thy selfe that the boughes branches thereof may spread increase fence it with thy shield receiue vs thy shéep in to thy protection that we bee not by any aduersary of the same taken out of thy hand Mercifully protect vs from al such as séek the ouerthrow of sound doctrine and the stablishing of Idolatrous heresie Remember not Lord our offences who in time past diddest remit thy peoples iniquity Conuert vs Lord our Sauiour and turn away thy wrath from vs. Perfourme this for the loue of thy name least the holinesse thereof bée violated and dishonoured Graunt this I beséech thee for the loue of thy most beloued Son our onely hope and Sauiour Amen Another prayer for conseruation of the church ALmightie God who gauest victorie to Gideon with a handfull of men to ouercome his enemies And thou O Christ our Sauiour as thou sauedst Peter from drowning when hee walked on the Sea and Paul the Apostle from the bottome of the Sea hauing escaped danger of shipwrack thrée times so preserue vs in this storme and tempest of our enemies here ready to swalow vs vp and strengthen vs with thy right hand that in our victory thy name may be to all men most holy and glorious A prayer at the trauaile of childe-birth OUr most mercifull and gracious father in Christ Iesu our Lorde who hast promised to our forefathers the children of Israell that if they would hearken to thy voice in obeying thy will and commaundements ther shoulde none mis-carry with their fruite or otherwise bée barren wee thy vnworthy seruants and their sinful ofspring acknowledging the wickednes of life and the calamity of our age to be such that we may iustly say with Ezechias This is a troublesome time children are at the point to be borne and the mothers wante strength to deliuer them good Lord we most humbly and deuoutly beséech thée with thy clemencie and mercifull helpe to respecte this thy handmaides wretched estate which for disobeying thy holy wil thou hast inflicted vpon the daughters gf our first parent Eue that this our sister may obtaine at thy mercifull hande the fauour of safe and spéedie deliuerance and her fruit to come vnto the new birth of baptisme and regeneration that she ouercomming by thy mercifull goodnes the paines and trauell which thy pleasure is she shoulde suffer she may liue and laud thy holy name and say with thy beloued seruants holpen in this case Thus hath the Lorde dealt with me at such time as he looked vppon me thou O Lorde vouchsafing to wipe her teares and to make her a glad mother Graunt this mercy vnto her we beséeche thée who hast promised to be their assured helpe and comforter that put their trust in thee A prayer for making a good end O GOD most holy thou hast appointed to man a tearme of his life which hee can not passe for he hath his prefixed time the number of his moneths is in thy hande thou hast remembred euery day of our life which passeth away so swift as if our selus did flye away all our years are but as smoke shadow all flesh is grasse which soone withereth it is as the flower of the fielde that soone perisheth Teach me therefore that I may now at length knowe and thinke vppon my ende which is so néere at hand My dais be but as a hand bredth Teache mee O Lorde to bée mindefull of death and to learne to die sith in this pilgrimage wee haue no long dwelling place O Lord let my end be foreknowen vnto me that in this world I may liue ende my life vnto thee and accept the day of my return and of our reuealing of our lord Iesus Christ thy beloued sonne by my readines in holy conuersation and godlines Suffer me to make my ende with perfect vse reason and in true confession of my sinnes with contrition Let me not speake like one that is mad nor vtter any blasphemous words against thée my good Lorde or contrarie to my saluation Uouchsafe to protect me also frō sudden death and from eternal damnation that I be not ouertaken by death before I am fully prepared in performing of true repentance And whē the same houre shall come make me strong and without feare to beare the Temporal
hath two the one is of his wealth or possessions the other of his sins the first hée laieth down at his death the other will hee or nill he hée must beare when he is dead vnlesse he be vnburdened before his death Aug. Confession is the health of soules the disperser of vices the vanquisher of diuels what more It shutteth the mouth of hell and openeth the gates of paradise He that accuseth himselfe though he be a sinner he beginneth to be righteous because he doeth not spare him selfe but confesseth the iustice of God Close woundes are worse then the open woūds where the corruption is cast foorth much ease and amendement followeth Without confession the good man is iudged vnthankfull and the sinner reputed as dead confession therfore is the life of the sinner and the renowne of the righteous Confesse thy sinnes the rather the more thou doest despaire in thy selfe because of thy iniquities for the greater is the praise of the forgeuer Quanto maior est exaggeratio peccata confitētis saith S. Augustine the more that he that confesseth his sins doth exaggerat thē August From the heart commeth true confession for if thou hast one thing in thy heart and another vpon thy tongue thou speakest but dost not confesse Aug. Tell men what thou art but to God who thou art for feare if thou doe it not he condemne in thée that hee shal sée and find in thée Wilt thou escape gods iudgment Iudge condemne thy selfe Wilt thou that he do pardon thée Confesse and acknowledge thy misdéeds that thou maist truly saie vnto him O Lord turne awaie thy face from my iniquities preuent God alwaies with an humble confession and then thou shalt not fall into eternall damnation Aug. As long as thou hidest and dost not confesse thy sins so long dost thou striue with God confes boldly thy infirmity that thou mayest come to eternitie Confesse and acknowledge the benefites of thy Shepheard and pastour and so thou shalt be sure not to followe the wolfe of error and destruction Of pouertie He onely is poore in spirit that is humble feareth God cōfesseth his sinnes boasteth not of his owne works or iustice but when he doth some good praiseth God for it and when hee committeth some euill accuseth and blameth himselfe Fiue kindes of pouertie Pouertie may be saide to be in fiue manner of waies First by aduersitie Secondly by cupiditie Thirdlie by aboundance Fourthly by counterfetting Fiftly by will The first is a beggerie the second a couetousnes the third a prodigality the fourth a painted Sepulchre the fift Christianitie The first is a scourge the second a poison the third a windie fanne the fourth a shadowe the fift a castell The first is a misery because it gréeueth the second venemous because it killeth the third windie because it puffeth vp the fourth deceitfull because it dissembleth the fifth glorious because it crowneth Iustice. Apoc. 18. Quantum quis glorificauit se in delitijs vixit tantum illi dabitur de tormento luctu Luk. 12. To whome much is giuen much shal be required of him Cyp. The iustice of the King is the peace of the people the defence of the countrie the saluing of sores the temperature of the aire it makes faire weather by sea and plentie at land it putteth awaie the murmuring of the poore and vnto himselfe is the hope of future blessednes That which thou doest to one looke to finde it of another If thou be obedient and louing thou shalt haue peace with men and warre with vice Trueth Great is the trueth and it preuaileth O ye fonde Galathians who hath bewitched you to disobey the trueth The mouth that speakes lies killeth his soule Hee erreth that beareth in hande hee knoweth the trueth and yet liueth naughtelie Chrys. Such is the condition of falsehood or error although no man withstand it yet it wil wax old and decay contrarily such is the state of truth though many withstand and séeke to oppresse it yet it will rise and increase Chry. He is not onely a betraier of the truth who speaketh a lie for the truth but he also that pronounceth not the truth fréely which he ought to pronoūce or defendeth not the truth fréely the which he ought to defend Ibid. If it be vngodly not to speak the truth for feare of death how can it be lesse vngodly to hide the truth for liuing or vaine glories sake Sen. Rich or noble men though they haue all things yet one thing they lacke and that is some one to tell them the truth for he that will accompanie with such people must either laie truth aside or let friendship go Restitution Let not the wrong doing of the iust please thée A kingdome is translated from one nation to another for iniustice wrong dooing deceifulnes and scorning or railing If another mans goods be not restored when it may bee restored thou art not penitent but doest faine it for if penitence be not truely done the sinne shall not bée forgiuen except things taken awaie be restored If he be cast into fire that hath not giuen of his owne goods where shall he be cast that taketh awaie other mens If he burneth with the deuil that cloathed not the naked where shall hee burne that spoiled them Ful. If vnfruitfulnesse bée cast into the fire what doth robberie deserue Or what shal he receiue that taketh away other mens if he shall burne that hath not giuen of his owne If iudgement without mercie shal be to him that did not the work of mercie what iudgement shall bee to him that robbed the poore Death Iob. 30. I wot thou wilt deliuer me vnto death where there is a house appointed for euerie one that is aliue Luk. 12. Make your selues ready for ye know not what houre the Sonne of man wil come August de ciu Dei The first death driueth the soule willingly out of the body the second death doth holde the soule against her will in the bodie Aug. de cura pro mor. The rich man had a care of his friends that were aliue although he wist not how they did so we haue a care of the dead though we wot as litle what they do What is death but the leauing of the bodie and a laying downe of an heauie burthen In case the man haue no other burthē wherwith hee may bee throwen headlong into hell Well ought euerie man to dreade his ending daie for looke in what state hee shall bée then at his departing out of the world such shal he be iudged at the daie of iudgement Naked we are borne and naked we die no difference in dead bodies saue that the bodies of the rich doe stinke vilely with much pampering Make death to be of thy famylyar acquaintaunce by continuall thinking vpon him that when God appointeth it thou maiest be readie to méete with him Sen. He that dieth in his youth hath no more cause to complaine than he that hath a
A Path vvay to Penitence VVith sundry deuout prayers fruiteful aduertisementes and wholesome counsailes of godly Fathers towards the amendement of life and some withdrawing of the bridle of ouer-much liberty taken Luke 1◠〈…〉 by the narrow gate 〈…〉 shall seeke to enter 〈…〉 LONDON Printed by Iohn Wolfe 1591. The end and purpose of this Booke LAy downe thy lofty lookes Thy rich and rufling ragges Sith God nor godly brookes That beggars make such bragges This wretched state you know Shall soone be laide full lowe Death puls thee by the sleeue And cals thee to account Thou woâ—st a moneth to liue To what it doth amount But least it be a weeke Prepare be not to seeke Examine by this squire And see if all be square To scape that lasting fire Flie paines nor cost nor care To helpe thy life to looke T is purpose of this Booke Of Penitence and the parts thereof PEnitence is the griefe and sorrowing of the heart for the sins and offences committed together with an earnest purpose and desire to forsake them and to be clensed of them that grace may be restored by such meanes as GOD hath lefte whereby to obtaine it To say thou art sorie for thy sins coÌ„mitted against the diuine maiesty and yet hast a liking thereof or some remnant of a will or purpose in thy hart to renew them againe it is but wicked dissumulation deriding of the holy action of Penitence without which no sinner can wel hope to attaine to saluation Let such take this for admonitioÌ„ both dreadful and often verified they are most likely to be preuented and ouertaken with the wrath of God whose merciful fauor in giuing theÌ„ sufficient space and means to repent they haue neglected and ouerpassed and so shal be disappointed both of time and the necessary means to their forgiuenesse Therefore it will be most safety readily to embrace Gods mercy when it is offered with some deuotion fear and dread of his iustice Like as it is a thing most dreadful to despaire of forgiuenes or vpon presuming of his mercy and forgiuenes and perseuere in a delight liking of the former sins and offences Penitence is thought to consist of three thinges viz. Contrition which is the inward griefe and hearty sorrowing for our sinnes committed to the impairing of that dignity and polluting of that purity whereunto wee attained by our calling in Baptisme but especially to the prouocation of GODS wrath thereby Which contrition and inward motion of grace mooueth and counsaileth to procéede to the acknowledging of our manifold sins and accusing of our selues in the court of conscience by confession there to iudge our selues least we bée iudged of the Lorde And sith the account of our life and offences committed is the waightiest cause that any mortall man can passe through and deale with in his life it is to be attempted and taken in hand rather with all care feare and diligence possible then sleightly superficially without due regard which we vtterly disalow of in the meanest of our worldly causes Then resteth the thirde parte which is restitution and amends making which some do cal satisfactioÌ„ which is not to be taken as though we are able by any workes or merits to deserue the forgiuenesse of our sinnes or to yéelde any méete recompence to God for offending and displeasing his diuine Maiesty for in that respect Christ in his most precious bloudshedding hath wrought a satisfaction for vs if wee withall perfourme our dueties thereby to bee partakers in that benefite as by his holy word and the counsaile of the holy Ghost in his Church hee hath willed vs. But the satisfaction belonging of our parts is the humbling of our hearts the brideling of our fleshly appetites the bringing forth of peniteÌ„t fruits in expres actions to the world as in almes prayer fasting abating of our pride pompe in our apparell the charitable bestowing of our superfluity to the comfort and reliefe of the needy or otherwise to the honour of God or good example in the Common-wealth Also by forgiuing others offences against vs and by restoring vnto all meÌ„ whatsoeuer we with-hold or tooke away wrongfully and that is that little which wée are able to do towards satisfaction wherewith GOD may be pleased his wrath the better appeased Reasons perswading to Penitence and the speedy performance thereof The néedfulnes thereof The profite thereby The sundry examples of men in time past Ezechiel 18. If the wicked shall bee conuerted from his wickednesse and become righteous all his iniquities which he hath done shall bee forgotten Chris. de Penit. O penitentia quid de te nunc referam c. O Penitence what shall I now say of thée thou settest free the soule that is bound and preseruest that which is vnbound By thée the théef obtained Paradice the prodigall sonne a chaine of worship the cittie of Niniuie pardon and Peter forgiuenesse when as hee had denied Christ. Philosophy saieth that euery thing is vndone by the same causes it grew The rule of law saith the thing is not forgiuen excepte the thing wrongfully taken be restored God graunt that the Penitence which is to bee performed for our sinnes and offences be not required to the last farthing If thou aske when Penitence is to be done forsooth presently it is but presumption to defer it Eccles. That which thou maiest doe doe it forthwith Gal. 6. Whiles we haue time let vs doe thinges that be good Aristot. Of all our time non habemus nisi nunc we haue but this time which we call Now. Godly cogitations inducing to Penitence and amendment of life THinke on the goodnesse of God on his diuine might and vertue Thinke how good he hath béene to thee to create thée of so noble a shape as in his owne likenesse Thinke what grace hee hath done to thee in the Sacrament of Baptisme cleansing thy soule from sinne Thinke how often and manifoldly thou hast offended him since the vow and profession in Baptisme Thinke howe weekely monethly or yearely he hath tarried for and expected thy returning from sinne Thinke from howe many daungers he hath preserued thee in body and soule Thinke how ill thou hast bestowed the time that hath béene giuen thee to performe true Penitence and yet perhaps thou hast not done it Thinke how many times he hath forgiueÌ„ thée in christ and howe many times thou hast fallen to sinne againe Thinke what paine and torment thou haddest beene in now and euermore if god had taken thee out of this worlde when thou wast in deadly sinne Thinke how dearely hee bought thée from the danger of the diuell suffering continuall pains in this world about the space of 32. yeares going barefoote in cold and in heate suffering hunger and thirst and many reprochfull iniuries at length sheading his precious bloud and yéelding his body to the Crosse. Cassiodorus Thinke all that time to be lost in which thou hast not thought on
wouldest mercifully looke vpon me thy naughty seruant and haue mercy vpon me that haddest mercy on the woman of Canaan and on Mary Magdalene that sparedst the Publicane and forgauest the theefe hanging vpon the crosse To thee O most holy father I confesse my sinnes which if I woulde hide from thee O Lorde I can not Spare me O Christ whome I haue much offended in thinking speaking and dooing and in euery manner wherein I fraile man and sinfull might sin by my fault by my owne faulte through my great default Therefore O Lord I beseech thy mercy that cammest downe from heauen for my saluation that liftedst vp Dauid from his fall of sinne spare me O Lord spare mee O Christ that sparedst Peter whē he denied thée Thou art my Creator and my Redéemer my Lord and my sauiour my king and my God Thou art my hope and my trust my guide and my help my comfort my strength my defence and deliuerer my life my health and my resurrection my light and my desire my assistance and my refuge I pray and beséech thée helpe me and I shal be safe gouerne me and defend me strengthen mee and comforte me confirme and make mee glad lighten mee and vifite me raise me being dead because I am of thy making and workemanship O Lord despise me not being one of thy housholde seruants although lewd vnworthy and a sinner but whatsoeuer I am good or bad I am alwais thine To whome shal I flie except I goe to thée If thou doest cast me off who shall receiue mee If thou doest despise me who shal look vpon me Uouchsafe therefore to know mee one vnworthy flying vnto thee though I be vile and vncleane seeing if I be vncleane thou canst purge me if I be blind thou canst make me to sée if I bee sicke thou canst make mee whole if I be dead and buried thou canst raise me again For thy mercy is greater then my iniquitie thy godlines is greater then my vngodlines thou canst forgiue more then I can commit and release more then I can offend Dispise me not therefore O lord neither looke on the multitude of my iniquities but according to the multitude of thy mercies haue mercy on me be fauourable vnto mee a great sinner Say vnto my soule I am thy saluation who didst say I will not the death of a sinner but rather that hee may bee conuerted and liue Turne me O Lord and bee not angry against me I pray and beséech thée O most merciful father that for thy mercies sake thou wilt bring me to a good end and to the happinesse of true repentance by due contrition and pure confession of all my sins Amen A prayer before confession to God MOst holy and mercifull Lord Iesu Christ the only hope of my souls health receiue this the confession of my sins which I will make vnto thee and giue me I beseech thee due sorrowing of heart and grace to bewaile them with the tears of mine eies and that hereafter both day and night I may mourn for my negligences offences with an humble and pure hart Let my praier approch in thy sight O Lord if thou shalt be displeased with mee whom shall I séeke to helpe me who shal pitty mine iniquities Be mindfull of mee O lord who calledst the Cananean and the Publican to repentance and receiuedst Peter when he wept O lord my God receiue my praiers the Sauior of the world good Iesu that gauest thy selfe to the death of the crosse to saue sinners respect me miserable sinner that am calling vpon thy name neither respecte thou so much my euilnes that thou forget thy own goodnes And if I haue committed that wherby thou maiest cōdemne me thou hast not lost that whereby thou mayest saue me Spare me therfore thou that art my Sauiour and haue mercy on my sinfull soule vnloose her bonds and beale her wounds Lord Iesu I desire and beséech thée shew me thy countenance I shall be safe send forth thy light and thy trueth into my soule that I may sée in this grosse body the number quality greatnes of my offences which I ought nowe to confesse to thee with answerable sorrowing bitternes of hart Grāt thou that liuest rainest god for euer euer A prayer to be sayd after the confession of our sins to God O Lord I beséeche thee let this my confession be accepted with thee which I haue nowe made before thée by calling to minde and rehearsing of my sinnes and whatsouer there is wanting in me either of due contritiō and sorowing or of pure and dutifull confession let thy godlines and mercy supply it and according thereunto vouchsafe that I may bee receiued ful and perfectly absolued in heauen who liuest and raignest world without end Amen A prayer before the holy Communion TO come to the Table of thy most sweete banket O holy Lord Iesus Christ I doe feare and tremble that am a sinner nothing presuming of my own merits but trusting in thy mercy and goodnesse for I haue a hart and body spotted with many crimes togither with a mind and tongue not warily kept Therfore O holy Deity and dreaded Maiesty I poore wretch attached with many causes of sorrow and griefe of mind haue recourse to thée the fountaine of mercy vnto thee I hasten to be cured I flie vnder thy protection And whom I am not able to bear as a iudge I hope to finde a Sauiour to thee O Lord I shew my wounds before thée I wipe away my shamefastnes I wote my sinnes bee many and great for which I am afraide but I hope of thy mercies which are infinite Looke vnto me with the eies of thy mercy Lord Iesus Christ King eternall God and man crucified for man heare mee hoping in thee haue mercy on mee that am ful of sins and wretchednes thou which neuer wilt cease to let runne the fountaine of thy compassion Remember O Lord thy creature which thou redéemest with thy owne blood It repenteth me that I haue sinned and I am in desire to amend the works of my life Therefore most mercifull father take from me all my iniquities and sinnes that I being purified in minde and body I may worthely taste of that which is most holy and grant that the same that I vnworthy intende to receiue may be the remisson of my sins the perfecte purging of my offences the expelling of filthie cogitations the renuing of good godly intentions and a most firme defence of my soule and body against the snares deceits of my enemies Amen A praier to be saide after the holy Communion I Giue thee thankes holie Lord almighty Father god eternal that hast vouchsafed to feed me a sinner thy vnworthy seruaunt for no merites of mine but of the vouchsafing of thy mercy And I beséeche thée that this holy Communion be not vnto me a guiltinesse vnto punishment but rather a wholsome intercession to forgiuenesse
Let it be to me the armour of faith and shielde of good wil. Let it be a cleansing of my vices and destruction of concupiscence and lust the increase of charity patience humility and obedience a sure defence against the assaults of al enemies both visible and inuisible a perfecte quieting of my motions both carnall and spirituall a sure staying on thée one true god and a happy consummating of my life and end And further I beséech thée that thou wilt vouchsafe to bring me a sinner to that vnspeable banket where thou with thy sonne and the holy Ghost art to all thy Saintes the true light and the ful sacâ—ety the euerlasting ioy and most perfect mirth and felicicity through our Lord Iesus Christ. Amen A deuout praier of the seuen last wordes of our Sauiour O Lord Iesus Christ who art noted to vtter specially seuen words or sentences whiles thou didst haÌ„g on the crosse wherby we vnderstande it was thy will wee should alwaies be mindful of the same most holy spéeches I beséech thée by the vertue of the same that thou haue mercie on me in whatsoeuer I haue sinned and offended against thée in the like nuÌ„ber of mortall sins or their branches Lorde euen as thou saidst Father forgiue my crucifiers so giue me grace that I may forgiue all them that work me any euil Lord as thou saidst to the Théefe To day shalt thou bee with mee in Paradice by thy grace let me so liue that at the houre of my death thou maiest say To day shalt thou bee with mee in Paradice Lord as thou didst say to thy mother Woman beholde thy sonne and then vnto the Disciple Beholde thy mother euen so let thy loue and charity bring me to be conuersant with thy blessed mother Lorde as thou diddest say O my God my God why hast thou lefte mee Giue me grace to say whensoeuer I am in trouble or vexation Father haue mercy on me a sinner helpe me my King and my God who hast redéemed me with thy owne bloud Lord euen as thou saiedst I doe thirste after the death of soules so let me euer thirst after thee loue thée the welspring of liuing water the fountaine of eternall light Let me runne to loue thée with all the desire of my hart Lord as thou saidst father into thy hands I commend my spirite giue me grace to liue so perfectly that at my death I may say to thée Lord into thy handes I commend my spirite receiue mee that am comming vnto thée for now is the time thou diddest appoint Lorde as thou saidst It is finished meaning that the sorrowes and labors suffred for vs miserable sinners were now at an end let me by thy help deserue to heare the swéet spéech of thine Come my beloued for I haue now determined to accomplish thy petitions Come with mee that thou maiest sit with my Angelles and Saintes feasting in my Kingdome and reioysing world without end Amen A prayer for the daily bread ALmighty God wee thy wretched children do cry vnto thée from earth as to our father in heauen vouchsafe through thy infinit mercy to giue vs that which pertaineth to the néedfull sustentation of the bodie and grant thy grace and blessing vnto all our labours honest exercises For vnles thou buildest the house they that build it labour in vaine Helpe vs that we may cast out the net of our vocation in thy name to good lucke in taking and therwithal giue vs thy grace that euery one in buying and selling may deal with a good conscience without fraude deceit Kéepe vs from ill seruantes from an vnfaithful family to deale with Giue vs that liue in pouerty patience that we murmure not agaynst thy diuine will nor of malice transgres thy commandements grant to them that be rich that they be not proud therof but rather that they may inrich themselues with good workes and so lay vp a good foundation for the world to come O Lord God two things I do aske of thée kéepe me from Idolatry in preferring any thing before the loue of thée bee it wife children friends house riches or any priuat opinion and giue me neither beggary nor riches but rather the which is néedefull for my sustentation least being ouer full I be moued to deny thee and say who is the lord or otherwise bée compelled by néed to rage and to forsweare the name of my God From these things preserue me I beséech thee through Iesus Christ thy beloued sonne Amen Against the diuels temptation O Mighty and good God the heauenly Father wée find by thy holy worde that the diuel the old serpent our aduersary lieth in waite by a thousand or infinite indeuors to kéepe our soules from saluation and to bring vs into the filthines of sin confusion and desperation He inticeth vs with riches hee woulde catch vs with pouerty voluptuousnesse the coueting of worldly honour and desire of power and authority or els by other worldly carefulnesse He laieth snares for vs by wordes by déedes by night by day which way soeuer we turne vs he assaulteth vs with his temptations whether we watch or sleepe he is at our backes and openeth his iawes to deuour vs. O lord who shal escape him Behold he wacheth without ceasing and neuer is at rest but we of the sluggishnesse of our flesh watch not carefully to resist him by thy helpe OpeÌ„ therfore our eies that we may know how puissant and subtil an enemy we haue for our wrestling is not onely against flesh and bloud but against Sathan the Prince of this world Haue mercy on vs O GOD and make vs strong comfortable in the vertue of thy power put on vs that armour that we may resist his assaultes girde our loines with the truth· put on vs the breast-plate of righteousnes and shooes of Euangelicall peace But aboue all things strengthen our harts with the target of faith wher with we may breake off the fierie dartes of the wicked féende put on vs the helmet of saluation and giue vs the sword of the spirite which is thy holy worde in true sence and vnderstanding so shall we manfully resist and ouercome our said aduersary If thou be our helper wee shall not feare him though the whole earth be in broile and the mountaines cast into the Sea thou art our force and refuge which liuest and raignest world without end For Benefactors O Most mercifull God sith it is so that all ingratitude displeaseth thée giue me grace I beseech thée to be mindful and thankeful for al thy benefites and that I be not found vnthaÌ„kful toward them that haue done me any good least I fal into thy iugemeÌ„t for it O most swéet god giue to them that good both of body and soule which they stand in néed of And giue me grace to be beneficial vnto others as I haue fouÌ„d others to me after my power Let me not for the ingratitude of others faile or
death which is nothing else but the doore to eternall life Let me thy seruant then depart in peace because mine eies haue séen my saluation which thou hast prepared before the face of all people as a reuealing light to the Gentils to the renowne of Israel thy people Giue me grace that at the last instant I may speake at the least this word which thy beloued Son vttered vpon the Crosse saying Father into thy handes I commend my spirite And when I shall not be able to speake yet vouchsafe I béeseech thee to heare my last grones through Iesus christ Amen Against desperation O Most iust and mercifull GOD seeing through my owne faulte and will I haue often transgressed thy commaundements and contemned thée my Lorde God to my greeuous burden of offences whereby my conscience is sore vexed and wounded that thereby trembling and weakenes of mind groweth vppon me I beséech thee most holy father suffer mee not to distrust thy grace and mercy at any time leaste I fal into desperation which is the most gréeuous of all sins Comfort me that euen in the middest of death I may fixe all my hope in thée which art my life without distrust of thy mercy and helpe Behold me with the eies of thy mercy as thou didst Peter after he had denied thée least dispairing like Iudas the traytor I might sin against the holy Ghost O God the holy Ghost helpe mee in my extreame necessity when Sathan shall gréeuously accuse me before thée laying open the Booke of my conscience and the sight of Hell terrifie mée when I shal be compassed about with the sorrowes and fearefull temptations of death when al the world shal forsake me and take parte against mee then I beséeche thee to comfort me that my hope fall not from me Comfort my heart with thy testimony and seale that I may firmely beléeue the remission of sinnes and that I may bée mindfull of thy most holy couenant in Baptisme and of the annexed promise He that beeleeueth and is baptized shal be saued The prayer of a Magistrate or one in authority O Almighty God Lord of heauen and earth who hast brought and set mee in the place of a ruler and giuē me power ouer others I beséech thée to giue me a wife prudent heart that I may gouern thy people according to my office and vnderstand good from euill to the performing of iustice without any feare or respecte of persons Giue me counsail strength that I may doe that which is acceptable vnto thée profitable for thē that be vnder me auaileable to publike peace and quietnesse Let mee not forget that I haue not my authority of my selfe but from the high God and that I am to execute the iudgement or rule not of man but of God in heauen and thou assisting me in the same beholdest all my doinges who at length wilt inquire and take accoūt of my words workes and ordinaunces that am sure to liue but a short time in mine office And because the punishment shal be sore gréeuous on them that rule not well when the mighty shall be mightely tormēted For God is the ruler of all who wil not spare the person of any nor feare his greatnesse who hath made both greate and small hauing an equall care for all Assist me therefore O mercifull and eternal god that I may by thy grace and helpe bear my selfe well in my office offring violence nor iniury to any nor suffer it to be done of others or to beare with any iniustice sith I am thy seruaunt and the sonne of thy handmayde a weake man and of short life vnable for to vnderstand thy iudgement and lawes Send therfore wisedome to be assistant vnto mee in the place which I doe occupy that it may be with me and labour with me that I may knowe what is acceptable to thee which also may guide me in all my affaires and kéepe me in hir power that my doings may be to thy liking in christ Iesu our redeemer sauior The prayer of a sonne or daughter MOst mercifull God the celestiall father who hast commaunded that I shoulde honor my parents of whom I tooke this life who also acceptedst in good part that duty and obedience for Christ thy beloued Sonne and promisest to rewarde the same with long life together with sundry temporall benefites and the heauenly blessing I beseeche thee euen from the bottome of my heart that thou vouchsafe to giue vnto my most kind and louing parentes long life and prosperous yeares and also to defend them from al mischaunces hurt and domage Giue me also a heart apt to loue and obay them and that I may honour them in deedes speech and all patience that the same blessing of god may come vppon me and that I may succéede my father as well in old age as in worldly benefites And likewyse that I offende not or greeue my swéete mother that bare me in hir wombe with much griefe and brought mee vp with much car◠and busines whom I ought not to forsake or discomfort least her curse come vpon me And if before this I haue shewed my selfe disobedient to my parents or vnquiet vouchsafe mercifully to forgiue me the sinnes of my youth and my secret offences O Lord remember not but let me acknowledge my owne foolishnes and performe due repentance therefore carefully setting before mee the wholesome example of Iesus Christ who in his childhood was an admonition to his parents and an example to all children by his obedience So let me by thy help be endewed alwaies with Christian obedience Kéepe mee from the company of naughty persons and if they intice me let me not go with them but with-holde my féet from their paths Let me encrease and profit in wisedom age and fauour with GOD and men through the same thy beloued sonne our Lorde Iesus Christ. Amen The praier of a seruant O Mercifull God who by the precious passion and death of thy Sonne Iesus Christ hast made me an ouercommer of hel and death being deliuered from perpetual seruitude from the power of sin from the kingdome of darkenesse and from the horrible tiranny of the diuel I beséech thée vouchsafe vnto me by thy grace that I fall not into any wearines or disliking of that state and seruantly condition whereunto thou hast caled me according to thy good wil and pleasure nor through impatience neyther murmure against this thy ordinance or enuy the dignity and better calling of others But that I may performe this thy will with all ready willingnesse as if I serued the Lord of al and not men Helpe me most pittiful Lorde that I may with all feare and patience obey my carnal maisters be they good or euill in those things that be not contrarie to thy will not seruing to the eie as ther with to please men but from my heart for thy commaundementes sake Giue mee grace that I may be sounde faithfull in all